Poor Little One ...

Information overload, I think I want to faint already... noh, honestly, knowledge is power, facts are important, knowing the unknown puts you into perspective .. I know much more about radon gas now and it's no good news because our neighbours have tested very high level .. can't imagine our past exposure to this, esp little Analina since 0-mths... Starting to get readings for our condo now .. Coincidentally met a radon specialist at my office and he is loading to us the test device. Met with my neighbours and the readings are way too high .. Coincidentally also met with a radon specialist ( I consider it a blessing) and he gave us some advice .. we just have to move out... Little Analina already have had the pneumonia, respiratory problems, on-going coughing .. asthma ..

Radon Gas - The Silent Killer

I just can't remember how, but I went back to the radon gas issue. Never really paid attention to this when our condo manager first sent us news about this. We never even got our home tested, can you imagine?? But, starting to dig out more info and facts about radon gas - gosh, there were so much research being done arleady on this! It just occur to me that, this gas may be the culprit affecting our health and esp so for little Analina ...

Some references to the health symptoms : EPA website, Safety Hero website, Vacumns website

Panic Disorder

I think I am having this panic disorder, panic attack. Worry too much about the unknown since I've only starting to get to know more about the silent killer ..... We were just having dinner as usual. I cooked beef stew with the slow cooker, it's yummy. Right before finishing my dinner, I felt a sudden gush of air stuck in my lungs? or throat .. I had to lie down but it didn't help. Took Pepsibistomol and Ibuprofen, didn't really help. Finally took a bath, maybe it's the hujan-hujan panas this afternoon ...

More Leukemia Cases?

I am trying very hard to stablize my thoughts and worries. I know there's no conclusive evidence and much is being said to mitigate the issue, from the authorities of course. Can I wait for paper evidence or more and more Leukemia cluster before getting really worried? I don't think I am that kind! My collegue mentioned that her friend had been a volunteer worker and there's this particular spot (non-military housing area) has got many more Leukemia kids .. or cancer kids, I am not sure.. perhaps there is a cluster..

Leukemia - A Coincidence?

Disturbing news for me indeed .. I usually don't read the papers. Hubby told me there's a SBA seminar news, told me to look at it for information and I plan to read it when we get home. For some reason, I borrowed the papers from my collegue and Leukemia suspicion amount Navy military kids was headlines. Usually, I skip through these news.. I suppose hubby also never really took concern since he didn't mention. But what bothered me was, these cases have one thing in common - the kids had lived in Guam when one of their parents were relocated to Guam. I guess, the rest is history, more and more speculation of the unknown .. for me, at least, because I have a little girl ..
Articles from GUAMPDN: A Quest for Answers and Father Waits ..

The Way of Life ...

I've always felt Buddhism (I wouldn't say I know alot about its teaching, but so far) has always been a true guide to happy living - if we listen and put to practice the wise words of Buddha. Though I may not really know what 'wise' means since I may not be 'that wise', but whenever I read about Buddha's words of teaching, he seems like a very very very wise men for sure! He seems to have answers to address issues of 'everyday life' Esp. in the case of 'moderation' - either the first, or one of the first few things he teaches .. this word itself, gosh, if we apply it in everday life, life is indeed less suffering and more happiness! Today I read an article about alchohol and the key is .. of course abstaining from what is no good, but also Buddha taught that "if something brings harm to oneself or others then it is a morally unwholesome activity. If we are not prepared to go for complete abstinence - for whatever reasons - the question we should ask ourselves honestly is: 'To what extent do our drinking habits bring harm to ourselves or others?' and let this guide our behavior..." (source: about.com) I think this piece of advise is applicable to so many aspects of our lives, the answer is all there - if only we seek, and we truly shall find....

Living Life My Way

I come to this point in life I don't really fancy living life my own way. Thinking back, I think it had been years I try to live life my way, do things my way and want the things I want my way.. Ever since I got married, I have learned a great deal about not living life my way.. and not all things must be done my way. Started with life with the other half, under the same roof but more significantly, having a little girl who's growing up (wanting things their way) opens up a window to trying to live life 'not-my-way'.. and I also learned that a little throughout my prayers from time to time, that it's good to live life the RIGHT way or God's way (which should be the RIGHT way), not necessarily my way (which is usually the WRONG way, the human way..) When we try to do things our own way, kinda screw up most of the time! We may not see it at that time, but after a while, we wished we saw it! That's why, whenever I have a chance, I'd like to live life the GOOD way, perhaps even - religiosly or spiritually one would say it - God's way.. :) so I am all prepared to drop the negative parts of me, stage by stage!

Slow Cooker ...

Yeah, I started using our slow cooker 3 days ago. Hubby bought it when we were staying at Royal Orchid Hotel - the time when I was pregnant and we badly needed to cook in the hotel! Since we moved to our condo, I don't use it that much .. but looks like its coming in handy again now. Tried my own 'simply-taruh' recepis. chicken and today, beef (this is not my idea!). But I tink I need more help! Found some tips as a reminder:
Tips for safe slow cooking:
· Always defrost meat or poultry before adding to a slow cooker.
· Cut foods into chunks or small pieces before adding to the slow cooker.
· Brown meat before adding to the slow cooker for richer flavor.
· Always brown all ground meats before adding to the slow cooker.
· Fill the slow cooker at least 1/2 full, but not more than 3/4 full.
· Don't reheat leftovers in the slow cooker -- use the microwave or stovetop.
Source: McCormick

Own Biz - Purchases

Saw this promotion on DELL, so tempted to make the purchase for my computer lab - need about 10 PCs! Free printer somemore.. Placed everything and customized the order, did all the shopping cart thing - but, oh well, patience! Celeron still OK ? For our purpose, maybe! Entry level may work for the kids and elderly .. maybe I can get 5 first - but still sum up to 2K! Not yet include shipping which I have to arrange seperately with CTSI, hmmm.. Have a budget also ... BUT I didn't complete the order in the end .. I guess, no funds hehe - just want to keep the spirits high!.. Hard to tell myself, next time there will be more offers.. OK, but I did that. What a ride! Better get my paperwork done up! Easy to spend money like water eh!? Nowdays, credit cards so convenient...

Condolence to Keen's Dad

Recently we received news that Keen's dad just passed away. We sent a card from everyone at the office. At the same time, hubby and I ordered a wreath for the funeral service in Sg. Placed an online order at Prince - www.prince.com.sg, they are pretty good and efficient, SGD$60. Maria called later on to ask me help order another one for her and Raymond (her hubby), so I got another one from Prince. The one on the right, cost much more but she said its OK - SGD$209. This is probably the starting point when I will experience more news like this with our parents generation .. A few I know already having heart problems. It's truly important to live as though tomorrow is your last, and that means cherish too the people whom we love around us when we still have the opportunity .. if you love them, tell them today, if you miss them, tell them today, if they did anything that would have hurt you before, forgive them today, let tomorrow be a fresh one, don't hold back until tomorrow .. :)

Happy Father's Day!

Analina and I went out early, bought breakfast for Daddy! His favourite porridge, at least he doesn't have to get out of the bed and have some peaceful morning without fussy fussy Analina? :) Called Dad back home too, he is doing fine. Sent him a small ang pow with a nice card. I didn't know what to buy for him .. I am sure he'll be happy with the angpow anyway!

My Birthday & A Will?

Tak jadi celebrate my birthday the way I planned it to! My little girl vomitted and running a fever ... I guess that's what growing up is all about eh? We can't always have things our way! And so I tell little Analina the same sometimes hehe.. Last night I told hubby about my plans in the morning and he was rather shocked, why would I want to spend time at the beach alone? Hey, I need to adapt since he told me before he never usually celebrate so don't celebrate mine either! Well, somehow later on we took off for dim-sum at May's Restaurant and night time, hubby prepared dinner - steam lapu-lapu with candles! It was a nice evening! Analina also sang Happy Birthday, very sweet! Made her repeat a few times and give Mommy a big hug and birthday kiss! She gave me a present also -- conveniently take 'care bear' softoy (Sol gave me!) as her present for me! It's the thought that counts Analina sweetie! Anyways, I just recall, I have not written my will ..... and it should also contain some important information such as my blog addresses eh!? You know, if something happens, at least Analina and Daddy can read more about my thoughts. Remind me! But this item should top my to-do list..

Own Biz - Some Schedule

Okay, so I was thinking, how about to start off with 1 hours a day, Mon to Fri for pre-operations activity? Weekends I will save it for all other family times. A little more about the timeline .. since my full-time job is tentatively set to end by the year end, I might as well plan the operations for this own biz to start in Jan, 2006. Things to-do prior to that? First, finalize on whether to go with S-Corp or LLC, have it incorporated, open checkings and savings account with BOH and then the biz license. From then on, I will have to work on some priliminary purchases such as reference books and work on the syllabus. So, to sum it all: 1. Incorporate the co. 2. Bank account 3. Business license 4. Product (Course content).. focus, focus, focus! At the same time that means, I'll produce the Gantt Chart and Cash Flow Forecast! So technically, I have 6 months to work on all these before commencing business! Must stay positive! Must think I can do this, and so it will happen that way ... :P

Some Private Time

Managed to get off work on time yesterday and today (5.30pm) and went home to cook dinner first, take a shower, before picking up Analina. Feels real good because we have ample of time together-not so rush rush, take her to the beach watch sunset, r&r... before we come home, and of course dinner is ready! Then, I could just do some little chores, and not having her to keep bugging me on my feet when I am cooking! (and also dangerous with the fire and hot pot stuffs..).. so last two days have been good! How nice if I can leave the office on time everyday.. unfortunately, for the time being - what to do, 'tar gung chai' (employee), I usually get off at 6plus, then have Analina home by 7pm, bath her, cook dinner, and the lots, until she sleeps! More so, have to work on weekends!

My Birthday

Aiyak, no more ang-pow from Mom and Dad for my birthday hehe.... So, my birthday is just around the corner. Hardly anyone really remembers my birthday these days - we all get busy busy eh?! Nowadays I have trained myself to make sure I treat myself well at least on my birthday, and not having to wait for others to celebrate for me! Yeah, esp. hubby doesn't - because he doesn't so he assumes I don't need to! Wasn't too comfortable with the idea at first (I mean, who else you will celebrate with right? - another men? :P) Last year, I planned my day at the Spa all day.. (though I went in half day!).. been thinking, each year I will make it more and more meaningful.... And infact, birthdays should be times when I give.. no need to wait for others to give me gifts, how's that for a change? So, flash back memories to what birthdays is all about.. when I think about Analina's birthday, it's just a day full of joy, and still full of worries.. so I can imagine how my parents felt.. I think its a day I should call Mom and Dad and just tell them how much I love them, how much I appreciate what they have done for me, brought me up in one piece and all the rest with education ..... So!, I will wake up early on Sat, go to the beach, send Mom & Dad sms, watch sun-rise, rekindly sweet memories, remember people who have helped me directly or indirectly and stay focus on wanting to try and develop better values and character in life! Maybe, I'll mark my birthday as resolution day, so I don't have to rush-rush by the year end eh? ;)

Father's Day

Gosh! Already going to July! Last night prepared all the checks to be mailed out - back home. I usually do it quarterly, and this time a total of 10 checks for July, Aug, & Sept, 2005...Total of RM$6,400.00 .. pok-kai already. You save and then you pay the expenses.. it just goes round and round!.... Anyway, what needs to be done must be done.. and include RM$180.00 for Father's Day (don't know what to buy and figured he needs cash more) ang-pow for Dad's birthday RM$388.00, Mom & Dad & hubby's Mom monthly allowances, and Bkt. Beruntung home loan.. .. just have to make sure I TT-money when I get my paycheck this 15th, otherwise I'd be doomed with all bounce checks! How time flies.... I think really need to get a second job or get the biz rolling! They say, sometimes we just need that 'push' huh...?