Retreat

I attended a retreat recently organised by my company. The retreat was held in Ancasa All Suites Resort & Spa, Port Dickson. It's a brainstorming session cum retreat and I thought it wasn't going to be a real retreat since our brains will be having a storm (no pun intended). Turns out it was quite a retreat! We had more free and easy time compared to the previous group and I guess the food was the best part. LOL. We had 3 meals plus 2 tea-breaks a day. My food haven't got time to digest in my stomach and the next thing I know it's already time for tea-break. But I still ate and ate and ate. As a result, my office pants and skirts were tight when I put it on for work. Well, I deserve it for being a glutton. :P

The resort is a four star resort and it actually looks more like condominium from the outside. Even the rooms is like an apartment complete with a kitchen, a living room, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 2 balconies. The apartment was quite comfortable. We initially had problems with our room's air conditioner but it was fixed by the hotel's maintenance. With the spare time we had, we managed to stroll along the resort's compound and beach. It was pretty impressive. One of my colleague even managed to experience the resort's spa services. She went for the full body massage for RM 122. It's 30% discounted for hotel guests. The resort provides an array of activities for the hotel guests like water activities and also karaoke rooms. I only have one complain though is that their plates and utensils are not clean enough. I have to wipe a few times with tissue. Food is quite tasty though. 

The retreat gave me some 'me-time' but after nearly 2 days away from my family, it was good to be back because I missed my children and hubby just like how they missed me terribly too.

This is the children's pool.

This is the adult's swimming pool. Too bad I didn't get the chance to dip in it.

The resort's garden.

One of the gazebo. If you want to do an outdoor spa, I think you can do it at this gazebo. At least that's what the picture in their brochure shows us.

A pond near the gazebo with the hotel at the background. It looks like a condominium, right?

I like this part of the garden, so romantic!

Feel like I'm in Bali? Bali has a lot of this kind of architecture usually at the main entrance of a house.

Another pond with more Balinese architecture.

This place is called Teluk Kemang at Port Dickson.

On a sunny weather with the sky so blue!

Another shot at the seaside.

A banana boat which I did not ride..:D

By the poolside again because I can't resist not to take a picture on that bridge.

This is the living room. They should upgrade the TV don't you think?

The kitchen - surprisingly quite spacious.

The dining area.

My room, the master bedroom with bathroom attached.

The beds in the room.

The view of the swimming pool, taken from my apartment's balcony.

Couldn't see the sunset because it was cloudy.

The same shot the next day taken in the afternoon.

Zoomed closer because I spotted a yatch!

Zoomed even closer. There's the yatch! I've always wanted to go on a yatch.

The view of the garden from above. Look at the lush grenery.

Finally, it's not all play but also work. This was my team during the retreat.

   

Joseph Has Got The Pox

Day 1 when the blister-like spots started to appear.

It's confirmed. Joseph is down with chicken pox and it's already Day 7. I've never gotten chicken pox in my life so I need a doctor to confirm it for me. I took the chicken pox jab a few years ago so I hope it's still working. Elizabeth has got her chicken pox jab but only Joseph has not taken the jab. I just wanted to delay it and never expected him to get it so soon. Anyway, he's going through it very well I must say. He wasn't very fussy or whiny and still playing as usual. The spots also have started to dry up a bit.

Joseph started having fever first and I thought it was just a normal fever. Then some red spots appeared. Some looked like blisters. Initially, he started to scratch but after he was on medication he scratched less. As long as your child is taken to the doctor early, he or she should be doing fine. Joseph was given medicine for his chicken pox and for the itch. The doctor also gave calamine lotion for temporary relief due to the itch.

Chicken pox will spread easily when you scratch and the blister-like spots burst. So for me, to try to prevent that from happening, I dressed Joseph up with long sleeves and pants. I guess it helps a bit. Apart from that, I kept his nails short. Although the doctor do not believe in old wive's tale, I'll still try to abide it just to be cautious. Anyone with chicken pox have to avoid eating chicken, soya sauce, any beans like long beans, french beans, soya bean, bean sprouts to name a few, eggs and cucumber. If there are more, please feel free to inform me ok?

The doctor also warned me to be on the lookout after two weeks for any symptoms. Those who have gotten the injection before can still contract chicken pox. The only consolation is that it will be a mild one. But some may not have it at all. So I'm crossing my fingers that Elizabeth and I will not have it at all. Pleaseeeeee...

Get well soon Lil' Dahling!

The blister-like spots close up

He's still active that it's hard to get a clear shot of him.

Day 4 - Still so vain even with spots. I put calamine lotion on the spots, hence those white patches.

A Year Older

About two weeks ago, I celebrated my birthday. Yes, I'm a year older and wiser supposedly. Celebrating birthdays are a fun thing but to be reminded that I'm getting older, well, that's not a fun thing. Haha. But we have to accept the fact and try to embrace the term, "aging gracefully".

I went to work on my birthday simply because I had an event coming up and was busy preparing for that event. Sigh. Otherwise, I would've taken off on that day and just have some me-time, go for a manicure and pedicure session? It's been so long since I last had one you know?



So after work, my hubby took us all out for my birthday dinner. We had..

..this (the children's foot long sausage)

..this ( my lamb chop)

 

..and this (my husband's chicken chop)

The food was very normal. But the children seem to be ok with their food. Maybe because I seldom allow them to eat sausages.

I didn't get a good shot of my husband's chicken chop because as you can see in this photo, he is already gobbling his food hungrily. Not even bothered to look at the camera except for Joseph..:D

Elizabeth with the birthday girl..opps lady..;)

Hubby and Elizabeth singing the birthday song to me. Notice the candles? I'm 20 every year!

Not my best shot here ok? But just wanted you guys to look at Elizabeth covering Joseph's mouth. LOL. Don't allow Joseph to blow the candles? Hmmm..budak ni.

Yep, birthdays are always celebrated at this very same dining table. So you might be wondering why is it all my birthday celebration pictures look the same. :D

I wonder who's birthday is it?

Look at how he's eating.

You know, never bother buying cheese cake because the children didn't really like it. I guess they still don't know how to appreciate it. For them chocolate cake is the best cake in the world. LOL. So do you all want to know what I got for my birthday? ......Secret! Shy lar want to reveal. 

As I'm writing this post, my babysitter called to inform me that she suspects that Joseph is down with chicken pox. Oh dear. I'm just puzzled because I don't know from whom he caught it from. I've got to go home already. Adios.



Flasher Alert!

Flasher Alert! There's a flasher on the prowl. Flashing his body for everyone to see. Refusing to wear pants even! Wearing shoes many sizes bigger than his feet. Be on the lookout for this person.

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Shoes also wear terbalik!



Elizabeth's Standard One Registration

Time really flies. The time has come for me to register my daughter for Standard One and it makes me think, "Wow! After two years and she will be in Standard One already!" Next, we have to be worried over their homework and grades. Seems like it will be never ending. Anyway, we have to register our kids when they're 5 years old and registration usually happens during the month of March.

So being me, my husband and I went to register right on the first day of the month of March. Yes, I know you guys will be thinking what a kiasu mom! But this chinese school I'm registering for my daughter is not easy to get in and moreover it will be harder for her to be accepted since we are not staying in that area. The place I'm staying doesn't have a chinese school nearby. But I was still not kiasu enough apparently because we arrived a wee bit late in the morning and missed getting my waiting number. Yeah, you heard it right. We had to be there early to get just the waiting number and then only wait for our turn to register. So we missed the morning session and the security guards, they were the ones that handed out the numbers, told us to be back at 1pm for the afternoon registration session.

We were suppose to take a half day leave but since it's going to take a long day, we decided to take a day off just for the registration. I managed to obtain the green registration form from the security guards so at least I can fill them up beforehand. So we left and decided to come back at 1pm. But after our breakfast, my husband suggested we return to the school and try our luck again. Maybe we could get a number or something. It was the right move because when we arrived at around 11.30PM there were already people hanging around the security guard's hut. Then I saw more people coming and people were already starting to queue! We had no choice but to queue along too right under the hot blazing sun. Although we had an umbrella but still the heat was quite terrible.

Finally 1pm came and I got my number, number 15. But still we couldn't enter to register! Registration only starts at 1.40pm. It was actually the time to just get our waiting number. Aiyoh! So we still had some time to take away food for our lunch. I was so happy to get over and done with it. So there I've already registered for Elizabeth and now to cross my finger until next year July or August when we will receive a letter of acceptance or rejection. Here are the documents you need to prepare to bring along during registration:

1. Photocopies of you and your husband's IC.

2. Original and photocopy of your child's birth certificate.

3. Original and photocopy of your utilities bill i.e electric bill.

Have a great weekend ahead!

The queue in front of me.

The queue behind me. Lucky them they got shade.

Everyone waiting for their number to be called.





The impatient hubby already standing with crossed arms.

Dad's 73rd Birthday

My beloved dad celebrated his 73rd birthday on the 26th February 2011. His birthday fell on a Saturday, so we went back to Malacca to celebrate it for him. Secretly, I know he would not say it but I can sense that he was extremely happy that we could come back to Malacca and celebrate his birthday this year. All of us didn't want to be reminded especially my mom that we couldn't celebrate his birthday last year because he had a major surgery to undergo. And it's just a blessing that after one year, we could continue to celebrate his birthday and hopefully for many many more wonderful years to come.

Looking at my Daddy (as I would always call him), I can't help but be overwhelmed with pride. For what my Daddy had to go through and how many times he wanted to give up, he still pulled it through. He is really a strong man like how my hubby always describe him. My husband said not many people are that courageous to accept it and go through it like my dad. And for that, I'm very proud of my Daddy. Do you know what was the drive that made my dad to never give up? It was his family. He knows that we all still need him and he still can't get enough of his grand children.

My Daddy has always been kind and gentle towards us although my mom would beg to differ :P but still he has always been kind, caring and gentle to us. During my growing up years, I hardly get a scolding from him. When that does happen it only means we did something majorly wrong or his level of patience was tested. As I've mentioned before that he is a very caring person too especially when we fall sick or need his help to solve a problem or get something. Oh, and also he is the cook in our family. See how he pamper my mom so much? Hmph!

I will always remember those times when I would be chauffeur-driven by my dad to tuition, piano classes or ballet classes. Those quiet and private moments together will always be cherished. Although some people still change at least according to my mom he is more stubborn now that before. So Daddy, even though you are more stubborn please continue to take your supplements, stay strong and continue to make us proud. I love you very much and looking forward to celebrate many more birthdays together with you!

Birthdays won't be completed without a cake and some singing.

My beloved Daddy cutting the cake.

Joseph suddenly pointed his finger to the camera and Elizabeth still in a bad mood just after her nap.

We went for dinner at Wok and Pan at Bandar Hilir. Joseph trying to steal my food.

And he managed to steal some!

Elizabeth can't get enough of her ice blended drink. The place was so packed, we had to wait to be seated and I think they really need to expand the place.

From the restaurant, we could see the Menara Taming Sari and Elizabeth begged and begged for us to let her go on it. So here we are on the way to the tower. Can you see how happy Elizabeth is?

Getting closer to the tower. Excited children walking ahead of us.

While waiting for our turn to go in, I took a picture of the passengers exiting the tower.

This little one got restless and nearly escape!

The tickets. I didn't agree to enter after I heard the total amount for the tickets until the lady asked, "Are you a Malaccan?". We got half price! Luckily my IC still has the Malacca address. So the tickets were RM51 for the whole family.

Elizabeth couldn't wait. It's her first time but not for Hubby and me. We went on this ride in Hong Kong Ocean Park before.

Joseph is getting restless again trying to make an escape.

You think I can't climb, Pa pa?

That's the door to enter and exit.

We had to wait for the seats to be full before they can start the ride. So this little dahling became even more restless and started climbing.

My parents looked so happy here like a couple on a date. Hehe.

Ok the ride is starting and we're off! Once the ride started, Joseph became still. LOL.

We can see the Malacca's public pool from way up here.

That's Dataran Pahlawan and Mahkota Parade.

View of shops below and Holiday Inn Melaka.

That's the ship museum, Fleur de La Mer...I think! LOL.

Took this on the way out after the ride.

As soon as we exit, we saw this and children couldn't resist. Sigh! We parents really have to work part-time! So while waiting for their ride because all of them were taken up, Joseph climbed unto a faulty one. LOL.

They finally got their turn and Elizabeth chose this white BMW. Not bad taste at all!

Just look at my nephew, Benjamin, pushing them here and there although the car is battery operated.

From that open area where the car rides were, we can also see the tower up close..moving up and down. This one looks like UFO don't you think?

Now the 'UFO' is going higher..

..and it's at the top already!

Not forgetting the beautifully decorated and lighted beca, well-known in Malacca. All waiting nearby for their next customer.

Shiny happy children.

They looked so cute from the back, I just had to take this picture.

So long fellas, I'm off for another ride!