Sunday, December 28, 2008

A day to celebrate

Today is the day my hubby turns a year older...36 years old to be exact :) so Happy Birthday Darling!!! Muaaahhh...too bad hubby is still offshore ...we'll just have to postpone the celebration till he comes home then ;p

Hubby with his best bud ;p

Besides hubby's birthday...today is when Baby Theo returned home from Damai Specialist Centre!! Yippie!! I'll let my SIL, Lisa tells you the rest of the story whenever she is ready ya ;p

Baby Theodore Zachary Tuining
Birth date: 27th Dec 2008
Time: 10.35pm
Weight: 3.82kg!!
Length: 52cm
Okay folks...do the names Alvin and Theodore sound familiar to you?? ...No? Well, if we have a Simon in the family, we would have the Chipmunks in the family!! But then again, since we have 2 Alvins (hubs and my bro who happened to share not only the same first name but also their middle name...strange but it's an interesting fact hehe..) that would do isn't it!!?? hahaha....

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Season Greetings!

Wishing all our family and friends a joyous Christmas and a promising New Year
With love from us, Joyce, Alvin & Ethan

Friday, December 19, 2008

Photo of the day

Ethan looking very happy with Mr. Clown during our company's Family Day last Saturday.
Pssstttt... notice the same curly hair? ;p

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

First dip in the pool

Ethan super excited during his first dip in the pool :)

KK CD Mommies Pre-Xmas Party

Ethan loves being outdoor, he would usually asks us to bring him out of the door if we've been cooped up in the apartment the whole day. He will either take and try to put his hat on or take and try to put on his shoes and point the door to us hehe...So when Sandra and Miranda suggested to have a gathering at Langkah Syabas, we decided it would be great to bring him to the Pre-Xmas party :) Thanks to the organizers i.e. Miranda and Sandra for the fabulous time especially the horse ride which Ethan loved so much! He loved the swimming pool too but too bad we or rather his mommy only allowed him in the pool for a short while as the water was a bit on the cold side...didn't want him to catch cold or fever okay hee...I think Ethan really had a fantastic time..especially with the horse rides, swimming in the pool and not forgetting him chasing after the Labrador dog, walking around the area including by the seaside, and playing and almost strangled the tabby cat near the horse barn, getting his first Christmas present and chasing after Avi's stroller!! ;p The lunch buffet at the restaurant was great too and hubby said we will definitely go back there especially so that Ethan could have a longer ride on the cartwheel again :)

The daddies with their boys
Ethan not impressed and couldn't be bothered with the Santa Claus ;p

Ethan enjoying his first ride :)
and refused to get down from the cart while Shayna eagerly waiting for her turn ;p
Group pic of Ethan and hubby with Shayna and Ted
Ethan playing with the horsie ;p
As we took him away from the horse to let the other kids ride on it, Ethan started to cry...awwww...
So in the end he got another ride with Mummy dearest ;p But was he satisfied after the 2nd ride? Nope he cried again heehehe...
After the cart ride, we had lunch at the restaurant and here Deana with hubby and cute lil' Sona
Ethan drinking beer???? NOT!! ;p
Burp...!! "Excuse me" said Ethan ;p
Having a walk with his daddy by the sea side...

Yeeha!! It's swimming time!! (will post him enjoying the pool after this post hehe..)

Again by the seaside after swimming, bath and his milk ;p

Playing with his new toy :)
But wait, the wheels on Avi's stroller is bigger and more fun to play with, wait for me Avi!!!
The gorgeous mummiew with their adorable babies! :)
Sulking Ethan, can't remember about what ;p
Look at the tired faces ;p
Ethan was flat out just about a couple of mins in the car. Slept throughout the journey back and 2 hrs after we put him in his cot at home :)

THE END

Joshua said "Hi-5"

My nephew Joshua a.k.a Uaua turned 5 last month...to celebrate his special day, we had a small family gathering at the Royal China Restaurant. It has been a while since all of us were able to sit together for a meal... so it was a nice gathering and we certainly had a wonderful time especially with the karaoke performances by the birthday boy himself and his cousins despite Ethan who just can't stay put and kept unplugging the mics ;p

Joshua with his megastar singing style doing a duet with Daniel while Allie concentrate on the tv screen ;p

Ethan looked like he was doing an interview with the birthday boy ;p

The fabulous duo - Joshua and Allie :)

And of cos what's life without their Aunty J eh ;p

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Some ten years ago...

...we were once colleagues...and after not seeing each other for 11 years (Mary), we finally got the chance to meet and did a quick catch up on each other...I was Mary's last minute brides maid when she (who looked like a Greek Goddess and am sure broke so many hearts on that day..) got married way back in the late 90's. We've been school mates during secondary schools and although we smiled and bumped into each other during uni years.. it was only when we became colleagues that we got to know and got close to each other...as for FonMee, we knew each other through work and together with Mary and the rest of the Automation Gang, we were like one big happy family..the youngest and perhaps the most noisiest team then...playful yet hard working and we treated each other like brothers and sisters ;p Those were the good old days...and I think so far my best working life...probably because we had less responsibilities and of coz being younger then we had so much to live for...not to say we are not having fun now...we do and really are enjoying our marriage and family life but its different if you know what I mean and am sure my Automation gang knows and agree with what I mean too :) For more pics, click here.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

As Christmas is approaching...

I went for my annual just before Christmas hair therapy session last Friday ;p And though many have asked me not to go ahead with the perming of my hair in Facebook (thanks for all the comments hehe)...I've decided to just go ahead with it as it has been in my mind for the longest time...the only thing that was holding me back was the extra care and efforts that I need to do after washing and especially during the morning rush...normally I would go for the usual long layered cut with color & highlight, similar to last year's but this year, my hair looks like this... colored with mahagony brown and digitally permed ;p

I hope it's not too bad.. waddaya think? ;p
Oh oh...Ethan turns 18 months today!! :) Good thing is that we're off to Langkah Syabas for a Pre Xmas Party with all the other CD mommies in KK as well as friends and family...what a coincidence coz we'll be able to celebrate two in one occasion i.e. Xmas & Ethan turns 1 1/2 year old!! Hehe..ok folks gotta pack Ethan's stuff now...later!!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Times Book Fair!

Ok, listen up all you book lovers and book worms out there, the Times Book Fair is on from today i.e. 21st November till 7th December. 9am-9pm. I was there during lunch time today and how I wish my lunch time was longer coz I would really love to have ample time to browse around for more books. Nevertheless I'm delighted with my purchases :) So if you dig books, wait no more. Go down to Kompleks Asia City and grab some great bargains for you and your lil' ones. There's "Today's special RM1" corner too! Discounts ranges from 30% -90% (Yes - 90%!!) and you can get great novels as low as RM10 - RM12 only! So hurry before the good ones are gone!

The only complain I have is the array of books that are not sorted out by various categories ;p

Some story books for Lil' E

And some for his mommy too :) My happiest purchase is The Toddler Years which I've been wanting to get hold of and today I got it at 30% discount! Yippee!! ;p

2nd Beautiful Sabah Digital Photography Contest Workshop

Folks, if you're a keen photographer or learning to be one, here's a great chance for you to not only be able to take some great photos outside of KK but most of all the opportunity to learn one or two new skills in a workshop jointly organized by KKIPC Sdn. Bhd. and Sabah Journal Association and supported by the Kota Kinabalu Photography Club. BTW, if you have not heard of the Beautiful Sabah Digital Photography Contest, click here. The first workshop which was a great success was done at the Monsopiad Cultural Village last May.

See below for details and if you're interested do submit and make your payment ASAP as seats are limited to 50 only and its a first come first serve basis!
2nd Beautiful Sabah Digital Photography Contest Workshop

SECOND PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

You are cordially invited to participate in the above workshop which will be held as follows;

Venue : Kudat Golf & Marina Resort
Date : 6 – 7th December 2008, Saturday & Sunday
Registration Fee : RM200.00** per pax
(**Include aircon coach transportation to the resort and back, accommodation, food & beverages)

PROGRAM

DAY 1 – 6th December

7.00 – 7.30 am : Gather at Sabah Trade Centre, Likas before leaving for Kudat.
10.30 am : ETA at venue
11.00 am : Workshop commence

DAY 2 – 7TH December

6.30 – 8.25 am : Breakfast
8.30 am : Workshop continue
3.30 pm : Leave for Kota Kinabalu
6.30 pm : ETA Sabah Trade Centre

Speakers are distinguished members of Sabah Journalists Association and Kinabalu Photography Club.

Detailed program will be provided only to confirmed participants.
Open to 50 paxs only, by a first come first serve basis.

Registration Fee Payment can be done at KKIPC Sdn Bhd, Level 1 Sabah Trade Centre before 30th November 2008.
If you're interested and would like to have a copy of the form or for any inquiry, please call or email Ms. Anne Solomon (anne@kkipc.com) or Ms. Florence Moujing (florencem@kkipc.com)
at 088-231 101.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The dreaded terrible twos

Nope...Ethan is not going through that stage yet but I came across a blog entry about the daughter getting out of control...looking at her age she is probably going through that terrible phase...I read that kids will normally go through this stage from just before they turn 2 and may last till they are 3. I read that it is due to the reason that they are able to make their own decision and that they want to make their own decision even if you do not agree with them. And when you don't agree with them they will feel frustrated thus the smoke starts coming out from their nose and ears hee...Anyway, if you read more about this phase you will find that most will ask you to be more empathy and give limited options (1-3 options only) to them to calm them down. The degree of "terribleness" among these children varies...Some may become your cute terrible little monsters that you wonder what had happened to you darling little one..while others may not be as terrible...I just hope when Ethan goes through this phase he won't be that bad..hee.. All fingers crossed! But looking at his short temper character (thanks to his mum hee..) I just hope that he won't drives us up the wall!! Anyway, I'm just getting myself and hopefully hubby ready so that we are ready to deal with Ethan when he reaches this phase. So I've listed a few articles here for our reference and perhaps you may want to read them too especially if you have a toddler around the age of 18-36 months old :)

If you happened to have gone through this phase with smooth sailing and successfully please do drop us some tips too :)

Monday, November 10, 2008

Here comes Tweety!!


Mummy! Daddy! I tot I saw a Tweety Bird....

I did!! I did!!

On the same topic, we want to wish Tweety Mutley a very happy birthday!!
Have many more to come ok..and oh btw, can I announce to the world your age here???!! ;p Sorry I didn't get you a Tweety merchandise but hope this will compensate it. Besides you get 2 in 1 - Tweety & Ethan!! kik kik kik...

Thursday, November 6, 2008

I'm lovin' it!!

Yay! The new Geny cloth diaper cover (you can read the review here) has arrived and I'm sooo in love with it!! :)

See the color combination and the swirly design...I like!!!! ;p
Oh lately am into fitted cds especially during the weekend and when Ethan is taking his long afternoon nap. It lasts longer than pocket cds though it won't last on Ethan without leaking for night use I supposed..I'm assuming it won't last for night use in Ethan's case as the cover will be wet after about 4-5 hrs...I've even tried putting bamboo insert as doubler in between the cover and fitted cd but still it can't last more than 5 hours...anybody out there care to share how to tackle this issue are most welcome :)

Monday, November 3, 2008

Tough days ahead..

We all have heard of the shrinking economic cake...some are saying that this time it might be worst than the 1997 financial crisis and that it may continue for the next 2 years. Some companies have started their cost cutting exercise (which where I am attached to now is no exception..) while others have prepared their retrenchment list....you have heard of the stock market swings and the oil price instability too...then there's Singapore announcing its intention to retrench Malaysian employees should they go into recession.....due to all these, it has also been predicted that many properties will go on auctions and hence perhaps a plunging drop in properties price...I guess there will be less economic activities as people will not be willing to spend due to lower purchasing power as well as afraid of the unexpected...although I won't be surprise there might be some opportunists and the risk takers that will take the opportunity to buy properties and unit trust at a much lower price?? Just hope that they will do their homework well before making that decision.

We in Malaysia have not felt the full impact of this yet but it is predicted that the recession may hit Malaysia next year... obviously it seems that the world is going through another cycle of world economic downturn...So that leads us to having to be prepared and spend only if its necessary...easier said then done but I guess if that's where the world economy is heading then we have no choice but to relook at our priorities and do the necessary so that we will not be in dire need of cash when it really hits us...

On a similar topic, I absolutely agree with this columnist on how he sees things with the current situation...have a read and what say you? ;p

Sunday November 2, 2008
The Star Online
Please grow up, will you?
ON THE BEATBy WONG CHUN WAI

With the United States slipping into recession, our politicians should spend time re-evaluating the situation and re-strategising how to ride out the storm instead of squabbling over a shrinking economic cake.

LET’S not lie to ourselves or let the politicians tell us otherwise. Malaysia, like all other economies that depend on international trade, will not be spared from the effects of the global economic turmoil.

Already, private sector employers are adopting cost-cutting measures before the full effects of the financial tsunami are felt next year.

That means no new recruits, reducing business travel, spending less on entertainment, lowering operating costs and even downsizing or retrenchment in some cases.

The reality is that most businesses expect less revenue next year. In order to stretch the dollar, clients are now taking a longer time to settle their bills.

The outlook for next year is not good at all. The general perception is that the effects of the global economic turmoil will run long haul. You don’t have to be an economist to foresee that the problems will not disappear overnight.

To keep their operations afloat, businessmen are keeping a tight control of their budget while seeking new revenue-making avenues.

Ahead of the bad times, Malaysians are looking to our politicians for leadership and assurances – which seem to be lacking.

We want to hear more about the measures that will be taken to soften the blow. It should not just come from Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. What have the others to say?
We are still squabbling about the 30% bumiputra equity under the New Economic Policy even when the cake is shrinking fast. No one seems to be talking about how Malay­sians, regardless of race, should work together to expand the cake.

What’s the point of quarrelling over how many slices when the cake may disappear soon?
For the vast majority of Malays – from wage-earners to traders – their needs will be greater in the months to come.

Surely, it makes sense for a policy to address the needs of those who are truly disadvantaged; and need rather than race should be the criterion.

There’s no legitimate reason to help those with political connections – regardless of whether they are Malay, Chinese or Indian – to become richer and more powerful while the majority stays the same.

It is equally baffling that there should be a controversy over the decision of the Penang state government to use more languages on a handful of signboards in tourist areas.
It’s not something new. Signages in English, Chinese, Japanese and Arabic are already prevalent at the KL International Airport.

Soon, we may even see Russian signages as the country’s new rich begin to travel extensively. Already the Russian market has been identified as the next “frontier”.

In Kuching and Miri, signs on main roads are in Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese and have been there for decades.

Certainly, the identity of the national language will not be threatened nor will the dominant position of the Malays.

We can choose to believe those politicians who spew racist and narrow nationalistic remarks to win votes in party elections or we can be pragmatic and open-minded in a world that has become more competitive and connected.

It is no secret that some of these hypocritical communal champions prefer to holiday in London and send their children, even at primary school level, to study in Britain or Australia. At the same time, they extol “the world-class standard” of our education system.

Fifty years after independence, many politicians, whether in government or the opposition, are still talking about the same issues that have either been resolved or are no longer relevant.
All of a sudden, we have to look up the history books to learn whether the social contract was cast in stone. Worse still, those who brought up the subject do not know much about it.

There seems to be a vacuum for fresh politics. Some of our more youthful leaders are parroting their elders, either out of reverence or for self-preservation. The result is we are getting more of the same.

The sad, if not frightening, part is that many of our politicians do not realise how detached they are from the New Politics of Malaysia, where the minds and hearts of the electorate have so radically changed after March 8.

With 2009 weeks away, Malaysians have to prepare to face a year of uncertainty.
By March, a new political leadership takes over. There’s hope and opportunity if the country is led along the right path.

The results of the general election show that Malaysians have grown up, yet many of our politicians have not.

It’s time they change or be changed.

The government will be announcing their measures on how to cope during this trouble time tomorrow so stay tune for that and see if they have grown up ;p

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Thursday, October 23, 2008

My wobbly boy ;p

Ethan started walking when he turned 16 months. Here are some videos of my wobbly Ethan :)


Showing off his new skill hee... ;p


Ethan doing his "drunken" cat walk hehehe....Oppps! Watch where you're going sweetie...


Ethan "ilang gaya" (lost his cool) due to his fast like train wobbly walk! hahaha...But watdaya know..he doesn't give up easily..tht's my boy alright haha...

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Pearly SIE

For those who are living in KK city, you must have heard or been to the recent Sabah International Expo 2008 (SIE 2008) at 1Borneo last weekend. It started last Thursday and lasted till Sunday evening. My colleagues and moi didn't want to miss the chance of visiting some of the booths especially when this event is only organized once in every two years. I've been a loyal visitor to this event since it started especially to some specific booths. Guess what kind of booths am I talking about? Well, being a person who has a craze for accessories, I will always without fail love to visit fairs of any sorts especially international ones with accessories/jewelleries booths/stalls hee...Of coz SIE is no exception as one of my main reasons to visit the event is to grabs some buys from the accessories or rather pearls booths. Unfortunately much to my disappointment..there was only one booth from the Philippines that was selling pearls :( Previously there were a few booths...but this time the group from the Philippines shared one booth and only 1 person was selling pearls. Oh well, I just had to make do and managed to grab these :)

5 sets of earrings but since I don't have any matching pendant or ring for the jade earring (unlike pearls which I have quite a few to mix and match - my colleagues call me the Mother of Pearls so what do you think hehe...) I managed to get one of my friends to help me asked the seller to make a pendant and a ring set for the jade earrings heehee...


I bought these from the previous SIE in 2006 :)

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Jalan-jalan di Hari Raya

I've been postponing this post for quite a while now so I thought I better put it up before I forget about it and the story becomes dinasour ;p Anyway, Hari Raya open house visitation was rather limited (managed to visit 4 houses only) this year due to hubby being away because of work commitments. Nonetheless, Ethan and I had a great time with some of my old friends (Party of 5!) and relatives :) I must say I love all festive seasons but I would probably say Hari Raya is one of my favourites because I'm able to gobble some really delicious Malay food such as the rendang, serunding and lemang as well as the ever so yummy Kuih Makmur...simply fingers licking good!

House 1 - Aunty Anda's


House 2 - Party of 5!

House 3 - Izah's (SIL) House @ Kinarut





Houe 4 - Aunty K's house