Gong Xi Fa Chai

or Keong Hee Fa Chai as we would say in Penang!

Happy chinese new year (lunar) to all and sundry, May the year of the Fire Boar/golden Pig be a happy, healthy and prosperous one for everyone!

Prob wont be posting much, very busy! So everyone have a safe trip balik kampung and enjoy celebrating Chinese New Year!!

Financial planning.. earning an income.. the dilemma asian moms face.

Strangely today I saw a financial planner pal to talk over the usual, budgeting, debt management, expanding savings, reducing expenses, etc. It was a good (eye opening) session, feeling a bit more positive about our situation now with some changes to be implementation so hopefully by end of this year, we wont be as snowed under, if not earlier

After talking things over with don, he mentioned Jenn had posted something that concerns us in her blog entry. I don’t mean us as in me or don lah.. It’s an issue that we can relate to definitely. SAHM (stay at home mum) or WAHM (work at home mum) or.. how to generate an income.

I’ve slowly learnt not to worry TOO much about the “wasting your education to jaga kids” Forunately my family, esp my parents and d see it as a positive thing, being at home with the kids. But I know others will will look at you or rather through you or past you. I do feel guilty reg: the lack of income (trying to change that now) and putting that much pressure on d earning the $$. Let’s see how this year pans out and with the help of the financial planner, perhaps things can loook up some

Jen, fingers crossed for you! I know what u mean reg: the “sell out” feeling. I’d be bored to tears about writing that stuff too LOLGood luck ok, babe?

So much going on huh? Not long to cNY!

OOPS a correction

It’s not 5MB, its 5GB (lia’s forgotten how to type lol). And apparently its supposed to be like this: the max you can have is 5GB, anything after that, you have to bayar extra (not sure what block increment they r going to do). No more unlimited plans. Sigh. Either way, tak bagus also….

Whats next……

It’s an anniversary..

Happy anniversary to d and myself.. nolah.. not wedding anniversary.. the First day of our relationship How very cutesy HAHAHA

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Im going to whinge about our internet service provider. Andrew’s article summarises it mostly aptly ( the original A. Asohan article from the Star that started this rant). Settling our bill this morning, d asked me to check what our usage amounts are like (this is now printed on our bill, dunno why also, it’s unlimited mah). Apparently by middle of this year, it’s supposed to no longer be an unlimited package and our bandwidth will be limited to 5mb or something absolutely ridiculous. What the.. with 5mb, u can barely do anything.. Our neighbours down south (yes I know politicians dont like to be reminded they r there) are looking at 10 GB! at least for bandwidth.. and we are going backwards fast if this is implemented. South Korea (populationnot far off from ours lagi) has 25GB! their peneration rate is 80% upwards.. On the one hand, u say u want to break into market share.. but this is how you do it?!?!

Like Drew says, u say u want IT savvy household, be able to compete on the global stage, blah blah blah blah.. and this is how you think you can do it?! Not everyone who downloads is downloading illegal stuff.. Don’t they know how to cope with all this? I can’t skype with my family overseas anymore (is this TM makes their money then, for we have to make international calls) if that is the limit. Does this apply to businesses too? What if you are a home based or small biz, where does that leave them? hmm? Tell me that, Mr. Ever Increasing Profit Big Semi-gomen Company??? Or do they care? Thats the other thing. Monopoly leaves them to do whatever they want lah.. It’s not like there’s serious competition amongst the Internet providers anyway (compared to how our mobile phone providers have been fighting over market share)..

Wonder what Mr. Niamah would make of it… Great way to start the Chinese new year hor.. 30-50% increase in foodstuff during cNY, toll increase, fuel price goes down but they say they need a “year” to study it.. but if fuel price up, it translates to us faster than an Ah Long throws red paint. Toll agreement details are OSA. Sigh. Things seem to be unravelling so fast. It does make you wonder what else hasnt been reported yet.

Bok house and Hutton Lane Bungalow, two houses built by rich men.. One by chinese tycoon.. one by a Muslim brudder.. which one will they bother to save? I need not say more.. very saddening also.. but good also lah, so long as they save SOMETHING of our heritage.. At least we are better than Ghana (or some where else they like to quote)..

Drought coming soon. Joy indeed. They claim they are prepared for the eventuality but y’all better start conserving water etc etc “Just in case”.. will they blame it on “Act of God, can’t do anything” this time? Or would it be the famous “It rained in the wrong place” excuse?

Sorry, I guess it’s a cynical way to start monday, and the last few days of the year of the monkey-? (cant remember already LOL)- but aww heck.. Need to rethink our lives yet again, meeting a financial planner pal on tues to talk about rethinking our lifestyle/budget etc. Need to get ourselves more disciplined or we will always have this mountain of debt, barely enough to live on (cant wait for Js to start primary school in some ways, bloody cheaper than preschool). If not, no:4 has to wait yet again.. sigh.. Wonder if I can sell my eggs LOL Calm down lah u all.. its just my sense of humour

Fingers crossed year of the Fire Boar/Golden Pig brings better things..

Gong Xi Fa Chai to one and all!

don’s interview in newsarama!!!

Don got interviewed on newsarama (the main news site for the comic/creative arts industry), for his part in the 24hour comic thing.

here it is!

K the monkey

He’s such a climber and throws himself off things with nary a blink (he always does “test” the waters first by doing it slowly etc, if after repeated tries, he doesnt hurt himself, WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE). Today I caught him moving a stool to the bookshelves (where the remotes are higher up), standing on it, saying “Baaaaiii” (barney), and standing on tiptoe to try and reach the remotes. I suspect he’s seen his monkey brothers doing the same. Its amazing what he picks up though, how much he tries to imitate and be independent. He’s not even 2 yet.. scary but exciting too LOL Although folks tell me they r like this cos they are boys, I cant help but feel thats not true.. LOL Look at their mum LOL LOL

Must take more pix etc

Today how?

The Js slept well thankfully. at around 11pm, k started bawling, eyes closed, thrashing around. At first it was cos he was so congested, he tends to swallow back whatever hes thrown up. But finally he threw up a big chunk of phlegm. He seemed to settle back to sleep. Then it began, screaming, thrashing, babbling dunno wat. He wasnt awake. This brought back memories of Jamie and his night fears/terrors. Mannnn that was a nightmare time, we did so much research etc. He outgrew it but not before we all looked like zombies LOL After researching and making some routine changes, things also help settle down.

What are night terrors and what can you do about them?

Prob the congestion and cough and the last two days of brattiness from all and sundry started playing on his little mind, overexcitement and overstimulation also can do the same. We had to just let him thrash around and work it out (just watch him to make sure he doesnt fall off the bed), then I rocked him gently after we changed his nappy. Strangely after taking off his PJ pants and with a clean nappy and a big cuddle, he actually fell asleep properly (at 4am!), nasib baik the Js were good and we slept in till late (a bit toooo late for a school day haha). less than 4hours! haha Better than nothing otherwise even harder to function. Luckily Rani’s bus managed to get in on time! so she was here earlier than usual. Its great to have an extra pair of hands to help! Hopefully k will nap today, su has offered to jaga js while the Ks sleep so I can also have an hour’s nap! Whew, that will help sooooo much!!!! Im trying to fight off getting the cough, and the monthly curse is hinting at its appearence early.. BLECH.. just to cap off my week LOL

I havent even decorated for CNY! EEEEKKK I have to plan makan, go marketing, I’ve decided NOT to bake this time around, just haven’t the energy at the moment. I prob change me mind (oh oh I finally got the Food processor to work w.o smelling funny! u knowlah these new gadgets, I cashed in on points).. Now I just have to get my breadmaker back to working, then happy nya..

What are YOUR traditions for CNY Reunion Even dinners/lunches?

It’s a grumpy household

Both d and I are cranky as pants.. prob why jamie’s cranky. Dunno if he’s just overtired, missing grandparents (they just went back), not enough attention with k being sick now, Irecovery himself from being sick, he’s still on meds.. don’t know.. I just… dunno.. I’ve been very busy too, maybe it’s everything together.. I wish I knew.. I’ve never seen him like this.. freaky..

I lost it today

Jamie acting up like some chronic brat these last few days, never seen him soooo nasty.. dunno why also, it could be post-illness recovery or something.. but I’ve reached my limits already, the brink of that fine line between wanting to smack him silly or shake some sense into him.. Don’t all parents reach this limit? This is when I HAVE to walk away or I’d just fall to pieces. K is following his brother’s lead and even Josh now is trying it on… I rang d who was on his way home and I said right this is it, I can’t deal with them anymore today, they r waiting for u to come home to put to bed, everything else is ready. K is crying now at the bottom of the stairs but Im being deaf. I had to get away for a few mins or else I’d just cry buckets (was fighting back the tears just now when on phone to Mr. Cuddly) or scream or smack the kids or break something..

Is it just me being a nasty momma.. am I really cut out for this SAHM thing (stay at home mum)? Most days I think I am.. Then I get these monster mum days (and the last two days have been REALLY monster days) and I start doubting myself.. Then after a wee break, I get back into the whole rhythm of things again.. I guess I’m being human, you tell me, do you have days like this too, parents? Then in the morning when they give you hugs and kisses and tell u they love you.. it seems to just disappear.. Humans have short term memories (yes, YOU, Mr. Bush), thats prob why women have more kids, despite labour lol or why folks keep having wars and arguments and accept how shoddy things seem to be going these days at home.. It’s prob PMS too, combined with long days lately, sick kids, the usual stuff.. Im sure I’ll get over it..

Have you had any monster days lately?

… Monster mummy days..

I think it’s time for a day off… have to negotiate with hubby when is best. Lagi week plus to CNY.. sigh.. Year of the Pig, or Fire Boar or Golden Pig.. depending on what you read LOL

With no:1 being quite bratty these last couple of days, I’ve been rather cranky too, and feeling worn thin… March and April is going to be two very very busy months, more on that later.. so will negotiate with d which weekend I can have a day off. Not even sure what to do LOL

then will come back refreshed for the challenges of being a parent!