New Year's Resolution #2: Save Money

When I came back from maternity leave, I started putting aside 50 cents or RM1 or RM5 a day after lunch in my tabung. Today I brought my tabung to the teller and asked her to count it before putting it into Zafry's account. Turns out I accumulated RM158. Not bad for 3 months.

That got me thinking...what if I start saving between RM2 - RM5 every working day? Let's see:

RM3 (average lah) + 20 working days (more or less) = RM60 a month

RM60 (monthly) x 12 months = RM720 a year. Not bad...

How bout if I was really rajin and and saved RM5 every working day? That would equal to about RM1,200 a year!

Alright...RM1 has already been deposited into the tabung today. Starting 3 January 2012, it'll be RM5 every working day :)

New Year's Resolution #1: Wear eyeliner

The first new year's resolution I'm making for 2012 is - wear eyeliner. Everyday. And I'm reading up on tips from the website below:

http://www.life123.com/beauty/cosmetics/eyeliner/how-to-apply-eyeliner-like-a-makeup-pro.shtml

How to Apply Eyeliner Like a Makeup Pro

To learn how to apply eyeliner like a pro, first stop to consider the different types of eyeliner available to determine what will work best with your skin. Then, consider which colors best enhance your features for day or night and hone your application skills.

Types of Eyeliners
Eyeliner comes in a variety of types: pencil, liquid, felt-tip pen, crayon and cake eyeliner. They each have advantages, but mostly it's all about preference. Each type of eyeliner performs a bit differently, so you may want to try each kind before settling on a favorite.

Pencil. The most commonly used type of eyeliner is the pencil form. The pencil is popular because it is so easy to apply. Many women prefer a soft Kohl pencil because it provides a wonderful slightly smudged look, rather than the straighter, harsher line of a hard pencil. Smudging your eyeliner will soften the whole look of your eye. Many times slightly more expensive pencil eyeliners will have a sponge end to use for smudging.

Of course, you can get undesired smudges of eyeliner in places you don't want them. These can be cleaned up easily with a cotton swab.

Liquid Eyeliner. Liquid eyeliner will provide the boldest look of all the eyeliner formulations. It can be tricky to learn how to steady your hand to get the best results from liquid eyeliner, so remember to practice, practice, practice to get the results you want.

When using liquid eyeliner, you will get a stronger, bolder line than from a pencil. This dramatic line is well suited for evening looks and social occasions. Although it is more difficult to master liquid eyeliner, many women prefer this type of application because it provides such a definite emphasis around the eyes.

Eyeliner Pen. Eyeliner pens and eyeliner crayons offer a best-of-both-words product. They will both give a more dramatic look than a pencil provides, but they are easier to handle than liquid eyeliners. If you want one basic eyeliner that can do it all, try an eyeliner crayon or pen.

Cake Eyeliner. Cake eyeliner was originally the province of professional makeup artists. Similar in consistency and texture to eye shadow, cake eyeliner is applied with an eyeliner brush. In fact, you can substitute dark eye shadows for cake eyeliner and use a variety of colors to accent either your eye color or your outfit.

How to Choose Eyeliner Colors 
 
When it comes to the color of eyeliners, fashion trends have moved far beyond basic black. In fact, black can be too strong or harsh for many skin tones. Charcoal or brown provides a softer look that is appropriate for most daytime cosmetic wear, especially if you have fair skin and/or blonde hair. Don't be afraid to add some vivid color to your eyeliner at night, though. Purple, green and even red eyeliner make for striking evening looks. The next time you go clubbing, try one of these shades for a fun new look. You can also use silver or white eyeliner at night. Add a bit at the inside corners of your eyes or along the inner rim of your eyelid for an extra lift when your lids appear tired or droopy.

Best Ways to Apply Eyeliner
 
Use short, feathery strokes when applying eyeliner, rather than drawing one hard line. Hold your eyelid tight with your other hand to allow the easiest application. Start at the outer corner of the eye and work your way in the center of the eyelid. If it's more comfortable to work from the inside out, go ahead, but you can start at the mid-point of the eyelid for most looks. For more long-lasting eyeliner, apply eye shadow over your eyeliner to set it into place.

If you decide to apply eyeliner to the inside rim, use a pencil or a crayon applicator to avoid getting eyeliner inside your eye, which can lead to eye irritation or even infection if your liner is contaminated with germs. As your hand grows steadier, you can try applying liquid eyeliner to the inside rim.
For a "cat's eye" look, draw the liner out slightly past the outer corner of the eye and go upward with a slight turn. This look is bold, but it is less dramatic than using liquid eyeliner, so it is more suitable for daytime wear.

You can also camouflage your eye's shortcomings with a few eyeliner tricks. Here are a few tips for some common issues:

• If your eyes are set very close together, begin your eyeliner at the inner corner and extend it just a bit beyond the outer corner of the eye.
• If your eyes are very wide-set, apply the liner all the way to the inner corner of the lid and use mascara mainly on the center lashes.
• If your eyes are deeply set, remember the less is more theory. Stay as close to the lash line as possible and use a thin line.
• Small eyes will look larger when you keep the eyeliner to the outer half of the eye.
• For round eyes, line only the outer half of the eyelid and extend the liner slightly out and up at the outer corner of the eye.
• If you have bulging eyes or puffy eyes, use your liner from the inner corner all the way to the outer corner. If you like the look of liner under your eyes, stay inside the rim, not under the lashes, or you will just exaggerate the bulging.
• Droopy eyes will perk up if you keep the liner to the edge of the pupil area.
• When your eyes are aging and start to get that crepey look, vary the width of the eyeliner so that it is thicker toward the outer part of the eye. Be sure to blend and smudge correctly using a large sponge brush.
• If you are fortunate enough to have almond-shaped eyes that are set in proportion to the rest of your face, have fun with the eyeliner, as nearly any look will work great.

 I think I'll be going for eyeliner pen. Hmm...nak ajak en.suami pergi Watson's lah after work hehehe :)

 

2011

January
First trimester. Working part-time at Townhouse. Eddie working full-time at...damn, forgot the name of that place. I was miserable because I felt naseous and tired all the time. I received a call from HR at the bank offering me that job. I had to tell her I was pregnant because she wanted me to go for a medical check-up. When she said she had to re-discuss the job offer with the hiring manager, I felt the world falling down on me. I didn't know how much I really wanted the job until I told Eddie I might not get the job and burst out crying. Two days later, she called and said the hiring manager still wanted me. Things were looking up again.

February
Entering second trimester. Nausea and tiredness wearing off. I quit Townhouse because I wanted the luxury of doing nothing before beginning work at the bank after CNY. First two weeks of work was extremely boring because I had absolutely nothing to do and my boss was extremely busy. Busy during the weekends though - officially moving out of Mahaman and into Lojing Heights.

March
Getting used to work and still learning the ropes. Tummy growing a bit bigger. Had a mini doa at our new home with Eddie's family - Ayah, Umie and all siblings. Even Apis was in KL at the time. They stayed at our home for the whole weekend to celebrate Eddie's 30th birthday. Sweet memories with lots of laughter shared.

April
Entering 6th month of pregnancy. Received a call from Umie at 7am one morning on Eddie's phone. She said she's not well. Two days later, Ayah tells us that Umie has been admitted. Balik kampung on a Thursday night. Umie was in hospital with high blood pressure and a fever. She looks tired but is ok. On Saturday, she was able to eat more than usual. We were confident she would be discharged the next day. She even pesan for us to buy her popiah from Teluk Intan. When we reached hospital with the popiah, they told us that Umie had vomitted and pengsan. Umie was pronounced dead on 4 April 2011 at 12.04am. Her body was laid to rest the next morning.

May
A sad month. We were taking turns balik kampung. We didn't want to leave Ayah alone. We knew he was lonely and that he was still coming to terms with losing Umie.


June
Third trimester. Tummy was full and round and baby was happily kicking away inside. Tension. Things were beginning to turn sour with Eddie's siblings. A post was made on a blog that crossed the line with me. A post was made in reply. Things turned bad. Sour faces pulled. Sides were taken. Eddie caught in between - sad with what's happened but so happy awaiting the arrival of our baby boy. We decided to focus on our baby and made all the final preparations - 3D scans, buying baby items, cleaning the house, registering at the hospital and having our baby shower.

July
We became parents :)

August
My confinement. One of the most stressful times of my life. I hate confinement. Not because of the bengkung and food restriction (I actually prefer that because I lost 10kg after a month). It was because I couldn't do anything or go anywhere and I felt TRAPPED. Also one of the most trying times in our marriage. Thank God Eddie is an understanding man. And thank God he's hands on enough to help me with our baby.

September
Raya. Back to work after 60 days off.

October
Getting back in the groove at work. Enjoying every moment with my baby :) Joined the gym and set a target for goal weight.

November
Work and home. Work and home. Took Zafry to Malacca with my sister, her kids and my parents. Work and home. Enjoying every moment with my baby :)

December
Haven't reached my goal weight yet, but I'm getting there. I feel like I'm finally beginning to really get into my groove at work. My baby is now rolling and rolling and is an active little guy. He smiles when he sees me, Eddie or the people he recognises and giggles when we clean his ear.

2011 is probably the most eventful year of my whole life. So many things has happened. I'm a mother! I have a son! I'm still getting used to the idea of being a wife! No matter how bad things got this year, I'm so happy and thankful for all the good things that has come out as well. Can't wait to see what happens in 2012 ;)

First Date Again :)

Yesterday, Eddie and I went on our first date since we had our baby boy five and a half months ago. The last date we had was on our first year anniversary about a week before I gave birth. For some people dates after having children might be the last thing on their minds. But for us, we made a promise that no matter how many children we have or how old we get to be that we have to make an effort in our relationship and to not fall into the trap of a "redundant marriage."

We've always had this tradition of lunch/dinner and a movie. Very cliche, but it's something we enjoy doing together. We attempted to do this movie lunch/dinner and a movie after my confinement. But Zafry was too young and couldn't be too far away from us for too long. However, since Zafry is older and is more comfortable with Mama, Papa, Kakak and the kids, we decided a movie marathon was in order.

We decided to watch Sherlock Holmes 2 and Mission Impossible 4. And decided not to take any chances and bought the tickets on Thursday after work even though we were planning to go on Saturday. We chose Sherlock Holmes 2 at 11.10am then Mission Impossible 4 at 3.20pm. That way we'd have time to have lunch and walk around between the two movies.

When we sat for the first movie, I looked around and saw younger couples, obviously on their first few dates. The way they talked and giggled... hey, I was once that girl too a few years ago. I wondered...if people were to look at us, would they know that we have a five and a half month old baby boy patiently waiting for us? I asked Eddie and he replied, "I don't give a shit what they think." Hahaha...true. As long as we're happy :)

Lunch after the first movie - Happy :)

The tickets :)

25 Reasons I Owe My Mother

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
"Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck,
you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your soup."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTION.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all the spinach and olives are gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Now, don't you exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world
who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.

Love

“If you want to be loved, be loveable” – Ovid

I learnt from a long time ago, that the one way to keep people coming back to you is if you treated the right. Different people respond to different things, so you have to be versatile enough to accommodate to different needs. But don’t please just anybody. As selfish as it sounds, you need to pick and choose who these people are and whether they’ll be of benefit to you in the long run or not. Because let’s face it, why do you want to waste your time on someone who wouldn’t even bother to give you the time of day?

I also learnt that you yourself need to adjust your behavior to be “loveable” to that person that you want to love you. For example, as a child you have to make sure that you are respectable and you’ll do whatever you can to make sure your parents are proud of your achievements. But as a wife, you have to be respectable as well, but in a different sense and under different circumstances.

The point is, you do what is best for you. Because at the end of the day, it’s you who’s going to end up feeling the love or pain.

“Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow” – John Lennon

My baby has recently learnt to roll over…and roll back the other way. And he’s become so confident that all he wants to do is roll. Practice makes perfect right?

Although he is only my first child, I’ve quickly learnt in these last five months that even as a baby, you’ve got to give them space. If you were to entrap them – physically, mentally or emotionally – they’re not going to go anywhere.

Actually, I think babies are the perfect example of giving them space to grow. It’s instinct for them to cry, roll, reverse, pull forward, crawl, walk, run, etc. Yes, you can teach and guide them. But there’s no way you can “teach” a four month old baby that he needs to roll over to be able to learn how to then sit and crawl.

For a while, we were pretty protective parents. So much so until we needed to have him by our side at all times. And would take turns to do so if the other needs to go to the toilet or shower. Until one day Eddie discovered that his cousin’s baby was already rolling over. Then his cousin told him to just let your baby be and he’ll roll on his own. We did…and look at him now :)

Such a tiny step as to learn how to roll is so important for any person. Everyone needs to learn on their own pace. You can never force them to do more than they’re able. What you should do is just encourage and support the most that you can.

“Love is the word used to label the sexual excitement of the young, the habituation of the middle-aged, and the mutual dependence of the old” – John Ciardi

I guess I’m not sooo young anymore, but I’m nowhere near middle-aged either. Eddie and I are at that nice, comfortable stage as a couple. But as parents, we are totally new. We’re learning new things everyday. But what I like about us is that we want to learn together. Of course there are times when we disagree, but we always manage to find a way to overcome our differences to settle on common terms.

Although I’ve only known Eddie for almost four years, it feels like it’s been so much longer. We’ve already been through so much together – celebrations, family gatherings (both sides), good, bad, up, down, death and birth – that I don’t know how I’ll be able to just pick up the pieces should anything happen to either one of us. I thank God everyday that I found someone, who may sometimes drive me crazy, but understands, encourages and accepts me. And I pray everyday to make me a better person to pay back to him what I know he deserves.

“…the mutual dependence of the old.”

I feel so sorry for Ayah. He has such a big family and so much happiness in life. But no amount of children or family gatherings can fill that void where your partner should be. At the end of your day, one of the things you want to do is share you days’ events or find comfort in your partner. Because that’s who they are. Through thick and thin. No matter what. And with everything. They’re the only ones who know you – the real you – inside out. To be denied a partner is one of the cruelest things a person deserves. I hope and pray that one day he will find happiness again.

Crazy for Kurtas and Suits

I have always wanted to own a really nice piece of kurta or Punjabi suit. Last week, I went to tailor make a modern baju kurung and kebaya for my brother’s wedding next year in February. That’s where I discovered that I could tailor make a kurta or Punjabi suit for only RM80! Mr Google showed me these designs:

I love the cut and length. Could be suitable for office wear too.

Simple - for outings with my hubby :)

Definitely for an occasion or for office wear.

Similar to the orange one above.

Don't really like the baggy pants.

Perfect the way it is.

Dear Baby Mummy

Dear Baby Mummy,

You screamed your way into this world five months ago. But once we held you in our arms, you settled down, as though you knew immediately that it was with Mummy and Baba that you belonged. For the first few months, all you wanted to do was sleep, eat, poo. Sleep, eat, poo. You only spent about a total of one hour awake the whole day. But you were so good at night. You only used to wake up twice for feeds. Even then you would go straight back to sleep. But you hated when I wrapped you in your blanket. You wanted your arms and legs to be free. You would turn red and cry.

Now, you're a tough little boy who looooovvveeessss attention. All you want to do is play. When Mummy or Baba are not paying you any attention, you scream. And you always smile when you see us. You know who your Mummy and Baba is.

You can roll over and you try your best to move now. But all you manage is to reverse :) You laugh and smile and are such a joy to be around. When anyone (eg. Baba, Kak Man, Midget Mummy) is tired or upset or grumpy, all I need to do is show them you and they forget everything else and smile. You literally light up their lives.

Keep on playing and smiling and laughing my baby. Even though there are people who rejected you from the day you were born, at the end of the day, it's their loss. They won't be able to get to experience the joy you bring. And there's no way I'm going to let you near them either.

Keep growing as the happy, healthy child you are Baby Mummy. Because there will always be so many other people there to laugh and smile with you. To cheer you on when take your first step. To chat with you when you learn your first words. To teach and guide you when you learn and explore the world.

Mummy and Baba can't wait to see you crawl, walk, talk, run, learn, make friends, go to school. It's been such a quick five months. Take your time growing up. We want to see you happy always.

Love you Baby Mummy :)