Two More Weeks....

Three more days before the boy is done with his exam. Two more weeks before we are back to my kampung... Yeah!! Can't wait!! :)

 

It's a long holiday every end of May in Sabah in conjunction with Harvest Festival.  We have plans to drive to Kota Kinabalu with the whole gang of my family, it's going to be a fun trip!  Everyone is excited especially the boy who is going to celebrate his 10th birthday in Sandakan for the first time.  I can't wait to go to Desa Cattle Farm, Tamparuli, Kundasang.......... again.  My last trip there was more than 20 years ago with my fellow ex-colleagues with whom I still keep in touch.  Before I left the company for good,  the whole bunch of us went for a trip to conquer Mount Kinabalu.  Sweet memories...

 

Other than that, I can't wait to enjoy mom's home cooked food and meet up with my childhood friends. See you soon, Sandakan!! :)

Assam Laksa On Mother's Day

My blog was hacked and it would be redirected to some expired domain when I tried accessing to it.  There were some suspicious html codes being added to my template and after spending hours trying to fix it, I gave up.  Instead I changed the template to a basic one but all my links to my fellow blogger friends' blogs also went "poof" gone!  It will  take me days to add them back. Sheesssshhh... Oh well...

 

Back to my blog post today, Mother's day is just around the corner.  The boy has been asking me two weeks ago what I want for this day and as usual, he gets the same answer, No need lah...  He literally got fed up with the answer....

 

 

 

 

Boy: I will buy you a bowl of Assam Laksa this coming Mother's Day, okay?

 

Mom: Hmmm..  Can I have two bowls?

 

Boy: You can finish meh? You are such a small eater..

 

Mom: I feel like eating three bowls now... *evil grins*

 

Boy: *counts this month's savings from his weekly allowance*  Not enough money to buy you three bowls but two bowls can.. Make sure you finish eating ah, don't waste food.

 

Mom: But I feel like I can eat 3 bowls on Mother's Day, how?

 

Boy: Hmmm.. Can... but you must give me my allowance for next week first.

 

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Happy weekend, everyone.. I gotta work on my blog template now. Sienzzz...

To My Fast Growing Son..

Photo taken two days ago..

Looking at this photo now, I am choked with emotions.   I am amazed how much my boy has grown! No prize for guessing which foot belongs to who though.   We shared the same shoe size last year and now look, his feet has outsized mine by an inch and he only turns ten next month! *sweat*  No, no, no early empty nest syndrome, please..  I don't want my "best friend" to grow up so fast and the he will soon spread his wings and have his own circle of friends and life.   Ok, I lied a little.  There are times when I hope I can have my life back, not worrying about meals not cooked, household chores not done, not preparing him enough for exams and the list goes on.   

 

Having said that, the boy is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  This year marks the fourth year I become "Just A Mom".  Life has never been rosy and smooth but seeing the boy grows up happy and healthy is all a mother would ask for and no amount of salary increments and bonuses could beat that, ya, I am such an "useless" and "hopeless" being to some who are not on the same wavelength. Never mind that.  With all the good words that he gets from relatives, friends, and neighbours, I know I have done something quite right.

 

Though he drives me up the wall sometimes, if given a second chance, I would still choose to hold his hand and walk his growing up journey together.

 

No amount of gold could ever compare, to the gift of love that my son shares.
He gives reason to get through another day.
Maybe it's how he loves me in his special little way.
And when I feel down and dejected....
He wraps his arms around me and says God will make things right!
From sweet gentle touches to his bear hugs and a kiss...
He makes this hell on earth seem more like a peaceful bliss.
That great big kool-aid smile and the twinkle in his eyes....
Every time I look at him it makes me want to cry.
But they're not tears of sorrow; they're tears of pride and joy....
To know that all the love in heaven is wrapped around my little boy

I Love You, Son. I Honestly Do..

Book Depository

 

 

 

 

Ordered this book for the boy from book depository UK 3 weeks ago. The book arrived in my mailbox yesterday. It was sent all the way from UK and I paid US$8.08,approx. RM24.70 with free postage for it. The selling price is RM37 at Kinokuniya online. I so love you, Book Depository..

 

On our way home after fetching the boy from school, I passed this book to him.  He was so excited that he started reading it right away, in the car.  The story comes in a series of 10 titles and this one is book #10 and hey, he now owns the complete set of "How To Train Your Dragon" book series!   Upon reaching home, I had to nag him to go shower and ate his dinner.  After homework time, again his eyes were glued to the book until bed time. *roll eyes*

 

Boy: I can't wait for tomorrow to come!

 

Mom: Why?? Got something interesting happening tomorrow??

 

Boy: So that I can continue reading my book!  The book is so so gooood.... I think it's the best of all 10 (books)!

 

Mom: ^.^

 

I have had ordered books via book depository several times and it has always been reliable.  I did blog about the first time I received my book here.  I highly recommend this site to those who are into books. 

 

 

In His Own Time..

A mama hen does her part by sitting patiently on the egg,

keeping it warm, turning it over every now and then.

She can't force the baby chick to hatch.

She can't break the shell and force it to come out when it's not ready.

It will die, but when the baby chick is ready, it will hatch on its own,

and that's wonder to behold.

 

 

I saw this picture on my facebook timeline this morning and shared it with the boy after he had his breakfast.  I waited until he has finished reading the lines...

 

Mom: This is so meaningful, don't you think?

Son: Yes, very...

Mom: Wah, you can understand the meaning ah?  Tell me, tell me...

Son: It means, everything comes from within my own will and initiative to do or succeed in something, no one can force me from outside lor.. Like the egg, if we force open the shell, then the baby chick inside will die lor.. When we do things with a strong will from within ourselves, then miracle happens lo.

Mom: Che wah!! You really understand wor.. but do you do it or not?

Son: Hehehehe.. *sheepishly, leans closer and gives the mom a beary hug*.......

Mom: I have been waiting until my neck also grows longer like a giraffe.. Can you plan your own time to do revision without me having to nag you?

Son: I am trying, mom. Give me two more years, mom.. I hope I can have that kind of inside force before I hit teens, you told me teens start from thirteen years old and teenagers are rebellious and hard to teach and it'll be too late then, right?

Mom: Hmmm..  Trying only huh?

Son: No, I must do it!!!

Mom: omm.. ommm. ommm..

 

This boy of mine still needs lots of pushing when it comes to doing revision.  He will obediently finish his homework every evening before going to bed but not the revision part.  He still needs loads of guidance, nagging, nurturing and motivation from the mom.  To be fair to him, I must have this recorded down.  During his first term exam week, he woke up early almost everyday  just to catch up on some last minute revision.  I would like to think that it's a good sign as he finally shows hints of wanting to excel, from within.  I'll have to continue my hair pulling moments until he finally gets there.  See, parenting is fun! *laughs hilariously*

 

How about your kids? Do they plan their own timetable and do their revision just because they want to (inside force)  and not they are forced to (outside force)? If yes, congrats and you have finally got there!  I am envious.. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yoke Fook Moon Hong Kong Dim Sum@ Jalan Leong Sin Nam, Ipoh

*Backdated post*

We did not go for the famous Foh Sun dim sum as we were put off by the long queue!  It was the 3rd day of CNY and as expected the crowd was enormous.  We first planned to have breakfast at Ming Court Restaurant after reading rave reviews about its dim sum.  It is located across the road, actually there are three dim sum restaurants there within close proximity but it was closed for CNY and would only reopen for business on the 5th day of CNY. :(  Never mind, there's always next trip. :)

We ended up in the nearby Yoke Fook Mun Hong Kong Dim Sum which was as crowded but the hubs was lucky to spot a table upstairs.  To our disappointment, the quality of food was so-so and not up to expectations.  It was our first time there and I did read good reviews about them but then guess it's normal that food quality drops during peak seasons and it's more expensive too.

If not mistaken, the bill came to RM70++ including a pot of tea, not really too bad considering the box of durian dessert alone was RM12 each.  Ming Court is in our next to visit list should we visit Ipoh again!

Homecooked Thai Basil Fried Rice

 

We had fried rice for dinner last evening.  I plucked some fresh thai basil leaves from my herb corner and threw in for the aroma and we all loved it! 

 

 

 

And look at my little herb corner, it's expanding to the side of our house!  I plan to transfer some of the plants to my raise beds once they are ready.  I am still on the look out for wooden planks that can fit into my bottom two tiers of ladder to put my potted plants and also to paint the ladder white, my raise beds, landscaping and all... One baby step at a time... Omm... Having said that, I love gardening as it helps keep my sanity.  Can't wait to plant my okra seeds!! :) 

My Little Herb Corner

Repotted my rosemary and stevia plants and propagated mint and stevia.

 

Pruned my stevia plant and the stems bundled and hung to dry. Going to make my own natural sweeteners!  

 

My cup of tea made with mint and stevia leaves freshly plucked from my herb corner.  Tastes so sweet and refreshing. I am so proud of myself! LOL....

 

 

I am hooked on fresh herbs and planning to travel to Sg Buloh over the weekends the get more herb plants! I now have five types of herbs, namely rosemary, stevia, peppermint, Thai basil and mint in my herb collection. I will have peppermint tea for tea time tomorrow. LOL... 

 

I put all my potted herb plants at a corner of my porch so that they get to enjoy morning sun and the boy named this corner mommy's herb corner.  He says it can't be called a herb garden as they are not planted in the garden and I agree with him.  Wait till my raise bed is ready, then I will officially call it my herb garden. Stay tuned!