Shakira's Artwork

Shakira picked up the interest in art several years back.  Don't know how or why but there has been good development in her artwork.  I am quite impressed with her free hand artwork. She uses Paint.com.  Frankly speaking I don't know where she picked up this talent.  Me? Perhaps but I am more creative on the handy artwork.  I would give credit myself to 2 major item I completed, 1st being a pinata for her birthday and recently a UFO flying saucer. You can view them in my past entries. But most of all she develop her drawing skills from you tube. She learn how to draw by studying that a face is divided into 4 sections.  That was smart of her! I never thought her that.

I cannot afford to put her through an art class since she is currently attending piano lessons and Kumon. Cost is also another factor.  I wish I am able to find a source where she can develop her talent. Unfortunately her art is limited to drawings of television cartoon characters. She watched and later recreate them on her note books. She will not go any where without her note pad and art supplies.

I find that it is a good thing that she is able to find comfort or rather release her tension into drawing....Keep up the good work. I will figure out something for you baby.

Before Michael Jackson there was Bobby Ferrell.

Before MC Hammer, there was Bobby Ferrell...

It is just a flick of your finger!

At my age, I am what considered a newbee because I had my driver's license since 8 years ago.  Yup, I am again a late bloomer.  Back then, whenever people asked why don't I wanna get a driver's permit? I jokingly answered, "Well, I am meant to be driven around....hahaha". Leading to 2003, I never had any problems  getting around, there will always be somebody or someone to drive me around. I owned a car and paid the monthly installments but I don't drive. My parents never encouraged me to drive and would demotivate me to get driver's permit.  Their tag line was, "You want to learn how to drive, you pay for it". So I never felt the importance to have a driver's permit.  It is not fair that, other kids had their parents to pay for their driving lessons and I had to save up for a stupid piece of laminated card! Where I am staying, I can buy anything from groceries, food and other necessities. Even the company I work with provided door to door transport service to and back from work. I do not have to worry about transportation.

There is a story behind all of this, and I will get into it. But let me continue first where I left off.

Soon after Shakira was born, we decided to look around a place of our own. My dad raised his concern that Sec 14 PJ is no longer save or healthy for his grandchild to grow.....so we went looking around and found a nice  property in Puchong.  My dad willingly posted the 10% down payment.  Then it triggered how am I going to travel to work to Shah Alam from Puchong? Jeng, jeng, jeng........Until then, the stupid piece of card suddenly became the most important accessories I need to own.

I registered myself at a driving school next to Armada Hotel PJ, where Asiajaya used to be located.  After 3 months I got my driver's permit. The company I worked with decided to cancelled the pick up service and I drove to work! Everything fall in to places smoothly.

I cannot read your mind. So please use your signal light to tell me where you're going.

 Why the long winded road and  roundabout story?  I am not a 100% excellent driver. Yes, I do make mistakes along the way but why is it so difficult for drivers to signal when they are making a turn or stopping by the road side??? Your action may save lives.  I find that Malaysian drivers are selfish. They do not consider the safety of other people except theirs. How did they passed their theory exam at the driving school? Probably by memorizing the answers.

I paid RM750.00 for a 10 hour lesson so I wanna make sure my hard earn money benefit me in a good way.  I don't actually learn a lot at the driving school but I learn more from observing how people drive.  Just imagine my 2nd lesson, the instructor, En Mustaffa asked me to drive all the to Jalan Kuching and back to the driving school in a manual Perodua Kancil! I have never driven a manual before!  Luckily, I arrived at the driving academy in one piece.

I don't actually have a mentor. My dad, my husband are capable drivers and from time to time, yes, I don't actually approved of their driving. But who am I to say...so I became my own driver.  Whenever I have questions will asked an ex-colleague at work and what he thought still stick to my brain,....he said, "bila kau kat gear lima, kau mesti dah ada kat 50kmph."

When it comes to driving, I emphasis signalling in every possible way.  If you don't than what's the whole point of having a signal? It is just a flick of the finger.  Come on guys, make it a habit.  Be considerate to other drivers who are waiting for your message,....are you turning left or right?  We cannot read your mind!!

GSC - GHR Glamorous Night

Child Safety In Your Car

I was reading through my Facebook wall this morning and someone posted she had a minor accident and her daughter fell forward, hit the dashboard and then the hand gear. The baby cried and complaint of chest pain.  Mother took her daughter to the clinic but doctor confirmed there was no injury.  Lucky for her! or rather them! My impression is the child must have been standing in the passenger's front seat.

I am sorry but I always feel that parents have to be more responsible with kids in the car.  Situation like kids standing in the front seat or back seat and worst sitting on the driver's lap is unacceptable.  How could someone gamble with their children's life?  My husband and I always feel eerie whenever we come across drivers who act irresponsible. Once I saw a baby climbing all over her mother, while the mother was maneuvering the steering wheel at a traffic light. Why that mentality? I just do not understand.

Come on guys educate yourselves. Think about the safety of your kids.

 There are so many choices of car seat or booster seat available in the market.  Please invest on one. It can be passed down to your younger ones.

Yes, I am proud to say that my children were never allowed to do that. We were fortunate to be able to invest in a good quality car seat which lasted until our children were 36 months old.  From the day they were born we introduced them to baby carrier, to car seat then to seat belts.  These days soon as they get into the car,...click! they have their seat belts on.  It is a matter of educating them but parents need to be educated first.

It's never too late to start. Your children may hesitate and feel restless but over time they will get used to it. Jangan manjakan mereka and tiba2 rasa kesian sebab dia meragam and tak biasa duduk di dalam car seat. Train them macam juga kita train diri kita bila masuk kereta terus pakai seat belt. Tak susahkan?

What I am trying to express, please for parents out there, don't take your child's safety for granted.  We love our children so their safety in the car is A priority!

p/s : I wanted to respond to her post but I refrained myself from doing so. Some people cannot accept the truth. I have to live with that decision. Razak, please do not feel offended if you are reading this,  please, please invest in a car seat. No one considered advising your wife to take more precaution when driving with her kid in the car. Yes, alhamdulillah both selamat.

WHO Dinner & Dance

I can't sleep tonight. I am so excited! After almost 5 years working with WHO this is our first Annual Dinner and Dance organized by the Staff Association GSC Chapter.

I can say it was a success. Our GHR Team won the best team performance! Yay and salute to all participant.  I am also proud of the Beatless Band with our Rafizan and Amiran on guitar while Azri on vocals.  Good job guys! Boleh cari makan punya.

GHR performed a Music Revolution from the 50's up to the millennium years. It started with Justina in an alien piece suit flying in a flying saucer....a creative work by me with the help from hubby too. I am glad my contribution did leave some impact in the performance. Then came the 50's and wow! Chander was just awesome in his Elvis attire...his hair piece reminded me of my Lego miniature characters' hair piece.They were dancing to Jailhouse Rock. The 60's was Speedy Gonzalez, then the 70's was...Rasputin by Boney M...The eighties with Thriller followed by Helmi and Amiran dancing to Vanila Ice, Ice Ice Baby. Finally all came out and celebrated the millennium with Party Rock by LMFAO.  Overall it was an excellent performance maklumla semuanya mak dam bapak orang yang performed. Got to give credit to them and yes, we deserve the win!  I really hope to watch it again.

It was also nice to see Azian, Shakira and Shida who were WHO ex-employee and paid RM80 to join this special occasion. Our Ten Lai Kuan was crowned as the female best dressed. Congratulations! Who would expect someone who dress simple to work could come out a winner.  She had a floor lenght peach color one off the shoulder roman toga style dress with her hair pulled up. Beautiful. Phew all in on breath!

Yours truly was lucky with the lucky draw tonight. I received RM120 worth of meal and hair cut vouchers....Finally all was on the dance floor dancing. Unfortunately I had to leave. Had to pick up the kids at my sister's. Rasa tak sedap hati sebab tumpangkan budak2 kat situ lama2.  Ialah orang nak tidur ke nanti mengganggu tunggu I pick up the kids.

Anyhow, it was a riot! And I hope to see everybody again next year! Great job GHR.

Death Becomes Us

For the past few years I witness too many death in the family.  The young growing older and the old gets older, and they die! It IS the cycle of life.

Today I received news that my uncle (Abah's younger brother) was admitted in ICU at Pantai Puteri Hospital, Ipoh.  It started with difficulties urinating and bowel movements.  It's the prostate issue. Just like Abah.  From there it will lead to some other discoveries....before death sends his invitation.  It is difficult to accept death especially those close to you.

Uncle Ros was like a father to me when I was growing up in Parit.  His always on the look out for my "activities" when I reached puberty! Hahaha.....He was a teacher and a few years towards his retirement, he became a headmaster (not too sure which school but in Parit).  He was the only child who followed my grandfather's footstep of becoming a headmaster.  If Tok Din was still around, I am sure he will be very proud. Uncle Ros too, wanted to join the police force but my Tok Din did not approved of it.

Uncle Ros is a funky guy.  I remember when I was growing up, whenever he drops by my grandparent's house, he will not loose his bell-bottom pants and white Travolta shoes.  Oh yes, the cigarette between his fingers is his trademark,...and talking at the same time.  Hmmm and his rayban...always. He is well liked by the community in Parit, friendly, respected and politically correct.

Uncle Ros will always defy fate.  He will not step into a clinic when he was sick.  Will not take any medication when he was not well.  He said the doctor's medicine makes him more sickly! How bout that! The way I look at it, my father's side of family are the type who were afraid to seek medical treatment, only when it was too late to help them.

Uncle Ros is a heavy smoker just like Abah.  He carries both Benson and Gudang Garam and he will alternately smoke them. People say we loose more and more oxygen in the red blood cells when you  are a smoker, what else if you have been a smoker of more than 55 years. I heard from my aunt that Uncle Ros stopped smoking about a month ago.

So tomorrow, my sister and I will drive up to Ipoh to pay Uncle Ros a visit.  We hope he will recover and live a healthier live.  There are people who still care and love him.

Dear GOD, please protect my dear uncle.