The Evolution of Ambition...

When my son was in standard one, he's crazy about dinosaurs and was fascinated with Egyptian myth & history (he had quite a few books on that). He said he wanted to be an Archaeologist (that's a big word...and a big ambition for a 7 year old!)

When he's a few years older, I bought him a lot of science books & he fell in love with marine plants and animals (he could name so many sea creatures that I've never heard before). He changed his ambition and said he wanted to be a Marine Biologist. (another big dream, he must had read it from one of the books)

Ever since he started playing with BB Gun 2 years ago, he became a bit obsessed with guns. He would search and read all types of reports on guns and he even had a thick encyclopedia on that (I bought him one). He then declared he wanted to be a Weapon Specialist. Sounds big but dangerous and surely not a profession I'd ever approved! Yesterday he said actually he wanted to be a "Gunsmith" and not a "weapon specialist". (I didn't bother to ask him the difference between that 2 professions)

Oh yes, some time ago he also did mention that he wanted to be a Professional Gamer ...after he started playing X-box last year.

My son is the type of boy who'd read in details those topics that interest him (Once he's obsessed with Robotic & Astronomy too). That's his strength and I encourage to him read & explore (his command of English is getting stronger). I just wish that one day when he's well equipped with all kinds of knowledge, he will go back to basic to differentiate between Good & Bad, and to choose a noble job that can help mankind.

My wonderful neighbours

I'm blessed to have a group of neighbours who love cooking and sharing (we have our morning exercise together!). Sometimes after the "qi gong" & aerobic exercise, these motherly & professional homemakers will bring out their home cook food for everyone to enjoy in the park. (so don't expect to lose weight if you join our exercise group!)

They're open to comments from other "food critics"and generous enough to make copies of their good recipes. They will also share the source of all those ingredients. Being a working mom who only cooks once a week, I do learn a lot from them. To show my appreciation, once I bought many packets of "otah-otah" from my hometown for them. They said it's yummy!

A few weeks ago, a member invited us to her house for a dumpling making lesson after our routine exercise. I must admit I've no patience and "talent" for it. It's much easier to take photograph than to wrap those triangle dumplings!

It's truly GREAT to start my day with this group of loving women who are in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and even 70s.!

The "Crystal Cabin"

cool air...

cool view...

ready to levitate?

...or fly??!!!

My family visited Hong Kong a few months ago and I finally got the photos from my sister-in-law on our Ngong Ping cable car ride. It's truly fun!

I extracted the following from its official website:

Equipped with a glass bottom, the all new Ngong Ping 360 Crystal Cabin is designed to feast your eyes with an astonishing bird's eye view. Feel the magic of the boundless sea and the rolling grassland slopes right underneath your feet. The new perspective allows you to look at an extraordinarily uncluttered scenery, as if you are flying on your own. Such an amazing experience will undoubtedly spice up your Ngong Ping Cable Car journey."

My little girl's wish

It takes me less than 5 minutes to reach my office everyday. At times, I'd walk to the office since is just right outside the housing area I stay.

In the morning, I will join my neighbors for an hour of exercise before having breakfast with my youngest daughter. Sometimes after the exercise, my neighbors and I will be having "picnic" at the park with their delicious cooking & I'll skip my breakfast at home.

In the afternoon, I'll go home for my maid's home cook food. Depends on the workload, sometimes I will be able to meet my youngest daughter before her transporter sends her to school. Usually my 2 elder kids will be home before I go back to the office and they'll eagerly tell me what happen in school...

Knowing my schedule, at times my youngest daughter would call and tell me how much she miss me and wanted me to be home earlier for lunch. Once she said,"it's so unfair, ko ko & cieh cieh can see you during lunch time everyday..."

A few weeks ago I spotted something sweet she wrote on the whiteboard.

"wake up early, hug mom and dad, ask them if they can eat lunch early, if they can, kiss them then go to school."

I'm sure a lunch that comes with my daughter's kisses will surely be the best meal ever!

I'll try my best to be home earlier.. I promise.

Kids speak from their hearts

A few days ago, I brought my 8-year old daughter to the office and let her do art and craft in the meeting room. She picked up the call instantly when one of the codeless phone rang (she didn't realise that's not a house phone).

When she put down the phone, I asked her who the caller was. She said someone (must be a client) was looking for her dad.

"So...what did you say?" I asked worrily.

"I told her papa is sleeping,"she answered innocently.

"So what did that person say?"

"She said never mind..."she smile and replied.

Oopssss......what an honest little receptionist!

In her exercise book, she made a sentence using the word -"computer":

"My father likes to buy computer, and he's spent quite a lot of money on it."

As if she's afraid her teacher may not believe what she wrote, she added （真的）(IT'S TRUE)

In her test paper, she got the synonyms wrong.

The correct answer should be 快樂 ＝ 愉快 (synonyms for HAPPY)

Her answer : 快樂 ＝ 玩 (HAPPY = PLAY)

Nyonya Poh Piah & Celebration

On the 28 of May, we'd a family gathering to celebrate my daughter & niece's birthdays in advance (Mom & dad flew to Bali with my youngest brother's family on the following day)

Lots of cutting and slicing...

My sister-in-law...the capable cook who initiated the gathering at her place.

I'm just a helper...

It's a big portion and we need a strong man to scoop and transfer the cooked ingredients into a pot.

Savoring the poh piah...it's so yummy!

I hope mom and dad can come to KL more often.

The 2 birthday girls surrounded by their beloved cousins.

Gifts of love...

A day before my daughter's birthday, I came across www.photofunia.com - a website to customise photo easily. It suddenly gave me an idea to give her a sweet birthday surprise.

I'm so glad to see her smile...she's been coughing badly for days.

"A special book for someone special" ...

I decided to enhance the layout with some meaningful quotes. And in between the special pages are blank paper for her to write.

"Be like a postage stamp. Stick to one thing until you get there."

"Painting is just another way of keeping a diary."

"A true portrait should, today and a hundred years from today, the Testimony of how this person looked and what kind of human being she was." - Philippe Halsman

You do not need designer clothes. It’s your character that will impress others.

Smile is girl’s best cosmetic.

Happy Birthday To You. May your days be filled with sunshine and happiness.

Kakak Yuni also gave her a surprise that brought tears to her eyes. It came with warm birthday greetings and a RM10 note.

Her younger sister used her own pocket money to give her something she's been longing for.. .her first ever nail polish. Why girls grow up so fast nowadays? (Even so, I only allow her to use it during school holiday)