February 14...

Pssttt....happy hearts day people!!!

Putrajaya Night Marathon

Yessss!!!! Terribly exhausted but we (my running buddy Debbie, Edward and myself) crossed that finishing line! The route was hilly and challenging but determination pushed us. Next one on the list would be Borneo Marathon and probably followed by Standard Chartered KL Marathon. Wanna join?

Schoolboys...

Ed excited entered his first year in kindergarten with more zest than I could imagine. He handed his bag to me before I could even place my own on the table and said "Mommy, I have homework."

"Okay, we'll do it after your nap."

Instead of napping, Ed decided to drag his mattress, flop on it and got his eyes glued on the 615 channel, his favourite channel. It was at the tip of my tongue, "Ed....(a long Ed, which Ed would certainly understand that he needs to do something else)" but I stopped myself and decided to give him 10 minutes of undisturbed moments. Well, in a way it gave myself adequate rest before I battled with homeworks and other chores.

"Ok baby, let's do your reading now."

Silence.

"Ed?"

Then without taking his eyes off the box, nonchalantly he replied, "Ok Mommy, You read my homework ok...."

And with Nell....

Almost everyday Nell would ask me whether I would be home early or not. If I replied 'early' his eyes would lit up and give me one of his sweetest smile and say "Mommy, pick us up at the bus-stop ah."

"Bus-stop?" There was no bus-stop inside SASS campus!!!

"Oh, the one where all the mommies and daddies sit and wait."

Yes, it's back to school. . . .and I'm proud to say that all three kids are in school this year. No doubt there would be that busy-ness of sitting with them with their books scattered all over the table but I think I would look back some years to come and wish they could be the young ones in the family again....hmmm....

Happy New Year

Happy New Year people! The booming sound of the colourful firework, the shouts of glee from the youngsters who decided to jump into the pond, the tantalizing barbecued smell of chicken wings, sausages, fish and lots more welcomed 2010. There were exchange of hugs, handshakes and mumbles of 'Happy New Year' and 'Resolution?'. Then it sank in to me that I haven't given it much thought...so 'to achieve something' marked with a smile was my answer.

1) I'd like to be student again - burn the midnight oil, nose into every related books, etc...

2) Run a marathon or two - sweat it out!!!

3) Spend more quality time with my family - I cut down on 'earning extras' last year and I enjoyed just being with them.

4) Learn something new - a musical instrument - a flute perhaps?

5) Be more patient - hmmm....I need to!

There are lots I would like to accomplish....but for now that would do!

Happy New Year...and may we have one roaring year!

Hello world!!!

Yes, it's been awhile (*sigh*). Life, again, is on the fast lane. Amidst the busy-ness of being at home and doing the planned plus unplanned list, my legs are itching to do something out of the ordinary - say into the jungle again?

It is December and the kids are counting down to Christmas. Decisions to make like which wedding to attend, family gathering to show up and well the gifts to wrap. No, haven't done the X'mas shopping yet....have you?

Just a short one Eyes....ttfn....

My Maliau Story....

Lovebirds

The convoy

19 September
-Packed breakfast and lunch in separate containers especially for the kids. Also prepared sandwiches to be munched along the way...and we were off at about 8 a.m. from SASS.

-Filled in gas at Keningau and had to tapau chicken rice as I had carelessly forgot to bring rice...shhh..

-Sweeper for the convoy...so we ate dust (ha!), well not exactly..;P . Drove after Nabawan to the Maliau entrance. Flat tyre along the way...thanks to a Vigo driver who pointed it out, if not...hmmm...

-Kononnya, we (Haris (driver), George (tukang suluh yang buli tahan tau!), Romeo, Beevy & I) went for a night safari...only spotted a tonduyutung, a damn big rat which at first we thought was a pelanuk. We caught sight later a payau just around the studies center.

20 September
-Went up the canopy walk and the observation tower.

-Enjoyed Romeo's hot tea while playing cards.

-Did the night safari again but...again another disappointment...spotted deers but was not able to get satisfying pictures of them. Saw lots of musang....and never got to see the infamous tambadau they (those who were luckly) saw.

21 September
-Those who were out from midnight till about 3 a.m. were the last ones to leave (ha! siapa lah suruh kan)

-Romeo's car broke down as we were nearing Keningau. Had Hari Raya lunch at Archeley's aunt's place.

-Left Keningau around 6.30 p.m.

Although there was disappointment in not being able to see the animals, I appreciated the fellowship the convoy shared. Our kids had a great time and to me that is what matters most...

Stay Young People

Hey, it's been awhile. . .been on the fast lane these days. Anyway, here's something that a friend sent to me.

We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are! HOW TO STAY YOUNG (hmm!)

1. Try everything twice: Loved it both times!
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches;)
3. Keep learning : Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.
6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them,at every opportunity.
11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time. Lost time can never be found. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Gettin' older, ma cherie!!

Well. . .Edward's back from 'saya pigi buang sampah dulu sambil sambil test itu jeep'. I can hear the vroom killing the silence of the sleeping Kg. Pangasaan. That would then mean, as Tigger puts it, TTFN. . .

Good night Eyes. . .