Potong Stim

Wifey and I were discussing whether to let our elder son attend full day kindergarten next year instead of the half day session he is doing now.

When I asked what are the concerns, I was rather shocked that cost came up as one of them.

We are talking about an increase of about RM300 per month, and wifey, the finance manager, informed me that no, some months we do not have RM300 left.

Bummer.

I am seriously disheartened.

Working like a cow yet I can't even afford to send my son to a full day kindergarten, this is extremely demoralising for parents who have decided to put our children first.

I am not sure if we could live any more frugally than we do now to cough up the money. Guess I better pray the bonus will cover it or I have to start digging into our saving, either bank or what little amount of shares I have.

Bollocks. Just bollocks.

For those who don't understand the Malay language, which is quite a number considering we can count with one hand the countries that use this language, potong stim is literally 'cut steam'.

Potong stim means killing joy, dispiriting, demoralising, disheartening.

Lovely Bestest Month

The bestest month of the year, November, is going to be extra lovely this year. ^_^

Besides the numerous birthdays within my small social circle (I am not-so-mildly antisocial after all...), there's also a marriage and two weddings!

Congratulations to those tying the knots, so happy for you! =D

Marriage and wedding are different. You can register married and not hold any wedding but still being legally bound. You can also hold wedding without registering first and be legally single! Heh. =P

Registered but on hold the wedding and pretend to be single still, is to me, the disturbing norm in this country. Mind, I have nothing against withholding wedding, but what's up with the pretending to be single bit?

-_-?

On the other hand, I only know of one couple who had their wedding first pretending to be married, then only register. =O

Though, I have very small social circle, so...

Anyway, let's not get sidetracked. Congratulations again to those who have graciously shared the fantastic news of your big day with me! Me so happy. ^_^

Almost November, yay! \o/

Ducky & Friends #003

#003: Word!

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Random Thoughts

- the unconscious mind -

I guess unconsciously I have been worrying about today's sharing session, even though I wasn't the person doing the main sharing.

Worrying about the attendance, the delivery by my colleague, and the reception.

This being the first ever open sharing session didn't help, I supposed.

I guess being the lead for this thermal technical competency team I just felt responsible for everything, including the quality of my colleague's presentation. Illogical, oh well, but that's how I felt nevertheless.

Anyway, it turned out alright. Attendance, while mostly from other departments, was slightly more than double of what I expected. The delivery was alright even though I saw some dozing off or with blank expression, the colleague doing the main sharing has a distinctive lecturer style and tone, heh.

Here's hoping that at least some of those attended the session learned something. Judging from the responses and replies from the case study I put together at the end of the session, I believe a few did. =)

All said, I felt unexpectedly relieved and lightened of heart at the end of it.

What worth is knowledge if not shared?

-----

- the souvenir -

Totally unexpected, I shamelessly demanded, and then greedily snatched received a souvenir from a collegue/friend who just came back from Vietnam.

It's a keychain in the shape of a rather cute Vietnamese lady.

Thank you ah Moon for caving in to our relentless and shameless demand your kind offer, you da star! ^_^

=P

-----

- feedback? -

What do I have to do to get people to post comment, or to simply select one of the "Reactions" check boxes at the end of the entry?

Could really use some feedback you know? Especially on the Ducky & Friends series, want to find out the reception to it so I can decide whether to drop it or to continue.

Clicking a box also so difficult meh?

If you really do not understand what the Reactions choices are, here's an explanation:

1. like! ^_^ is, er... like

2. meh! >_< is dislike

3. nuts! 0_o is if you think the entry is totally crazy, insane, ridiculous...

Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Just click one, can?

Thank you very much. =)

Young is two!

Jeez, they grow up too fast...

A few tidbits and then it will just be the photos.

Before the birthday...

mama: Young Young, what do you want as your birthday present?

boy: birthday cake!

mama: that's easy.

On the birthday...

papa: happy birthday Young Young!

boy: happy birthday papa!

papa: ...

Alrighty, photos!

cow on the cake, as Young's born in the year of the Ox

Young just wanted the cake, Hsiang was eyeing the presents

Young wanted nothing to do with the party wear, Hsiang was happy to grab all

everyone got to cut the cake, except the photographer...

"how old are you, Young?"

his way of showing his age after mama's corrective action

dipped his finger into the cake while mom wasn't watching ^_^

 

Under the weather

It's a disturbing trend that whenever I am taking day off work, I fall sick. I hope it's just coincidence so far.

It's Young's birthday tomorrow. Given the track record that I pretty much never got home before my kids have gone to bed on work days for months now, I think it's prudent to take leave tomorrow so I can celebrate birthday with my little buddy.

Yea I know, sad to be working late every single day for months. Bollocks.

Anyway, woke up feeling not quite right today, went to work anyway but by lunch time I was shivering and aching all over. Decided the work can wait and came home.

My personal professional medical help, wifey, took my temperature and gave me Panadol, which I took after a shower. I hit the bed after that and pretty much dead to the world until night has fallen.

Dragged myself out of bed so I could have some time with my kids before they went to bed. The body aching is gone and I only have a slight temperature now, hopefully I will fully recover tomorrow.

Alrighty, starting to feel a bit dizzy again, so I best hit the bed and be zombie-like once more.

给翔

儿啊儿

要怎么教你才会明白？

你的小顽皮爸妈可以接受

但我们是绝对不能容忍你说谎的

屡次教导你依旧重犯

今天你变本加厉

用一个谎言来掩饰你另一个谎言

你几时变成这样撒谎自如了？

你可知道

藤条打在你身上

痛是在我心里？

儿

我们的家里只有诚实的人

今天你伤透了爸妈的心

Ducky & Friends #002

#002: purpose...?

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The passing of a legend

The world suffers a great loss with the passing of Steve Jobs, the co-founder of the Apple company.

Steve's life story is fascinating and inspiring. I highly recommend those who haven't done so to go through his biography. Here's a handy link.

iPod, iPhone, and iPad are a few of the game changing products Steve brought us. Though not an Apple fan myself, I am saddened by the lost of a brilliant visionary cum innovator.

iSalute. iSad.

The Crunch

The crunch has begun.

On last count, I currently have ten tasks on my plate.

Of which one I will ignore until I am really free.

One can still wait for a least a month.

Another I will push out till late next week.

There is one that my part is mostly done, which I will delegate.

The one that starts in earnest next week is something that I rated low priority but my manager thinks otherwise. Seriously, of the many colleagues who work on that same task, it has gotta be me?

Then there is that one which will probably not happen for a few weeks yet but when it does, I will have to drop everything to do it.

The four left are a mixture and combination of urgent, important, critical and on tight deadlines.

And typically, I have to be at two different places in order to complete these tasks. I really don't know why some people think I can be at two different places at the same time?

Crunch time... so not liking it.

Ducky & Friends #001

The wait if over, behold...

Ducky & Friends!

#001: hello world

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