Family Birthday Gathering

Tonight I attended a family birthday gathering. We celebrated two birthday, one is my uncle's 70th Birthday and another is my aunt who happens to be back to Malaysia for 2 weeks vacation. They are both senior citizen and 2 years ago when my mom turned 70, everyone came to my hometown and gave her a surprise birthday gathering.

My mom 2nd eldest in the family of 10, decided to make a trip here just to be with her dearest siblings. The reason is simple she wishes to be with them as she is also getting old and just never knew how many more birthdays she could spend with them. I feel for her and truly understand her feelings.

It was a simple family dinner without my children sadly because this dinner was planned last minute, and my children are on their way back to my hometown for school holiday. It would have been nice to have them for tonight's dinner. They would have created a lot more noise and laughter throughout the dinner.

I have 3 very independent children who will not give me much problem when they have to leave me. The little one was so excited and happily waving good bye and hugged me.

I wish my uncle, aunt and my mom...the best of health and many more such gatherings in the future!

My son is on facebook

I can see he is growing, and it is a joy and I enjoy as well as I also geram at times....

Firstly he started his gmail account, and he created his own blog and now he is into facebook. Nowadays he has many friends calling him and they have some common topics like discussion on the some IT staff...can you believe it??

A few minutes ago, he was chatting with me on facebook. And since he is quite an IT savvy person and I don't have to teach him much on the application.

I hope with facebook, it helps to foster a closer bonding. I actually treat him like a big boy but I know he wishes to be mommy's little boy, still a lot of "manjaing" ! I feel the way to teach him is to give him more responsibilities at home...and of late I see some improvement!

Mommy's big boy, you were once tiny and small when I held you in my arm 10 years ago, when you made me a proud mom for the very first time...you have grown to be a big and handsome boy now.

Mama loves you Jordan !

Away to Langkawi

I have been to Langkawi a few times and all for different purposes.

First visit was with my ex, it was a "pak toh" trip, courting me and also mini honeymoon. I remember vividly we rented a car, drove around the entire island, did what a first timer would do, visited many sightseeing places. I remember we stayed at Burau Bay Resort, the cabana room, nice and romantic! It is probably called Mutiara Burau Bay now...

Second trip, I brought my bundle of joys, my son and daughter with my mom and it was a big entourage. This time, we stayed at the Andaman, the kids have a good time but sadly it rained so our activities were limited to indoor. Staying at the Andaman is lovely and it is luxury, nice landscape and lobby is airy and spacious but you have to be prepared to pay for the expensive F& B, a breakfast can easily cost you RM75 - 80 per person. The location is kind of isolated that you wouldn't want to drive out to Kuah Town or Pantai Cenang for food.

Then, last week I was there again, and I was there alone...is ok la because it is for work. The entire island was heavily packed with events and tourist, and many hotels were fully booked. So, my office booked me at Tanjung Sanctuary Resort & Spa. As I previously posted my discovery of how effective and fun to use google maps, it made my trip even more interesting. While we were driving from the airport, I became the navigator and was really great tool to travel with. The resort has gone through a refurbishment from a 3 star to Villa concept. Not highly populated as there are only 32 units of individual villa. The room is spacious, bathroom is nice with a bathtub..The resort is only at soft opening stage since May 09, and there are certainly room for improvement. The balcony is great with a daybed, very relaxing to read and just snooze away...

The restaurant set up is simple yet cosy...a good place for couple to relax. So, alone at this resort can be quite lonely and boring!! right ??? No way, I took the opportunity to spend half the morning by the pool, reading and just do nothing while enjoying the sea breeze. I enjoy the peace and quietness at this place except for a family with two kids jumping up and down the pool that woke me up from my lazy morning!

So, overall my overnight trip to Langkawi has been great! I guess it is my work nature, ingrained in me....grrrrrrr, it is never a pure vacation without involving hotel inspection...So, I did another inspection at Bon Ton and Temple Tree. This is totally different from sea, sun and beach. You get the sun but not the beach and sea. The property is built around padi field, and all the structure of the building are actually "antique old structure/facade" that were put together. It is very interesting but maybe typically Malaysian will not really appreciate this.

Just feel like sharing my work cum leisure experiences...

Sukiyaki ~ a dedication to you

I have heard of this song many times, we hear this over and over again at the bar, live band performing ! And few days ago, I heard it again ! They are so many different versions...

It is a lovely song that I wish to dedicate to you...happy listening !

My baby girl

I must admit the little girl is my darling.....maybe she is the youngest and she simply knows how to make me laugh ! She is forever my baby girl..the one that I can carry still...

She is adorable, cute and she has beautiful eyes, 2 dimples...she has that manja look that you simply can't raise your voice. She is like a little puppy and just glue her head to me. Something funny yesterday between me, the maid and her..maid was talking to me and she was in between our conversation, and she suddenly said this to kakak..."you scold me ar???" We burst into laughter by her response..obviously the maid wasn't scolding her!

When she talks, she surprises you all the time. Each time when I look into her eyes, her unpretentious face, the sweet smile, cute face and her naturally curled hair, I always think of her father, he has missed seeing her growing up.

Today met up with a few ex colleagues during a gathering, everyone has their share of opinion about my children. And this remark certainly stays...he is the replica of his father!

My dearest children..mom loves you all !

Crossroads

I was lying by the pool, enjoying the solitude, calmness and quietness that morning. And I was reading and thinking too. For the past two years, the first year was rush, unsettled and I was trying to get my breath, face the world, deal with emotions and everything. Now, the 2nd year, I am more adjusted and facing life in a more comfortable manner.

There are moments in life that just gone past without us realising. Most of us have so much to work and to manage in family. I reflected what have I done in the last 10 years of marriage. I was just busy managing the family and work, and little have I noticed that I needed some time to myself, a quiet solitude moment for me and him.

I have rushed my days, kept myself totally busy and the day ended almost midnight..dead tired. That was typically my life for the past 10 years. Somehow, perhaps it is also the age, I am now making changes to life, living a life that has more values and not the same way I used to have.

I have came across a few crossroads, and whenever I had to deal with it....he has been there for me. I am about to face another one, and I think this time it is a much more challenging one, something that I have considered and being encouraged, and opportunity and chances seem coming my way....

This time I have to make some decision on my own, should I take this big bold step ? Should I consider ?....a lot to ponder and think about, at least there is still hope in life !!