TGIF and it's December....

Alhamdulillah, the worst part is over yesterday. I'm mostly done for 2009 except a few tasks here and there which i think can be done without taking too much of my time.
I only managed to update once in November but so many things happened in November!!!.... And just to update, i didn't get to go to JB. Hubby went on a day trip by plane and came back feverish, possibly tired from the journey. If i did go, possibly i wouldn't enjoy it anyway as my mind was still on the assignment and presentation that i had to do.

Work!Work!Work!

So many things to write about but i'm so caught up with work that i could not find the suitable time to write. I have an assignment to complete and i want to do it the best that i can. Which means thorough analysis is to be done. At the same time, I also have personal matters to think about and document in this blog:

1. update blog with activitivies done. Quite a few: Morning exercise at Taman Tasik Cyberjaya, Jasmin's Sport Day, training at Nota Asia, shocking discovery about my daughter (Jasmin), Kasyif's 1st steps, update of my petunia etc.
2. plan for Kasyif's birthday
3. plan for the weekends in December (where 3 Fridays are a holiday!)
4. survey accomodation in Cameron Highlands

Now is already 5.08pm. And i have to pick up my daughter at school. And right after that, we're going to Batu Pahat for the weekend and drop by Umbai to have seafood feast at our favourite spot. Arrgh! Nice plan but i haven't mentally prepared for the trip!

I'll bring along my work in progress but i doubt if it will ever be touched. I want to finish it before deadline because we might be going to Johor Bahru following hubby (seminar trip) early December and stay at Pulai Spring Resort. Which i look forward to but the plan is still uncertain since no exact date has been agreed yet between MIMOS and UTM. MIGHT, so it's a 50-50 situation but i really wish we can go as a family trip (hopefully the work is successfully completed by then so i will enjoy the trip).... Urgh! My time is up!.....

Water park

Water parks i've been to:

1. Wet World Water Park, Batu Pahat
2. A Famosa Water Park, Melaka
3. Sunway Lagoon, Subang Jaya
4. Desa Water Park, Desa Petaling
5. Lost World of Tambun, Ipoh
6. Bukit Merah Laketown Water Park, Taiping
7. The Carnival, Sg Petani

Been there but i only managed to take on the water rides at Sunway Lagoon (with hubby) and The Carnival this year. For the rest, i only sat at the side watching my kids play....Now that i have a maid, it seems anything is possible....hehe...

Kasyif 1st birthday!....Yesterday!

I really forgotten about this yesterday until Irdina & Jasmin mentioned it to me!...I was so involved with errands that i totally forgot about it! I'm really sorry Kasyif, i didn't mean to.... I was remembering his 1 year old check up appointment yesterday not noticing the date.
I then remembered what i did for Irdina & Jasmin for their 1st birthday.... I think i should plan for Kasyif as well... I make it up this weekend maybe? Or next weekend?

Kasyif, i still remember looking forward for your birth. Apart from i couldn't take the weight anymore, i think i was really mentally ready to give birth to you. I couldn't wait to meet our first son and whose look you have inherited. It was a stable delivery (with the help of epidural) and i remembered as if my pelvic bones moved when i was pushing you down the birth canal. You know why... because your birth weight was 4.1kg and that really shocked me & you dad!.... You've been a good baby until now....no fuss, play and eat well, sometimes funny and your laughs really put smiles on our faces....

So, Kasyif... i will make it up to you ok..... Happy 1st Birthday and we love you!!!......

Taman Tasik Cyberjaya

I have been to Taman Tasik Cyberjaya before...twice i think. First was for the Nickelodeon Day in 2008 and once a few months back checking out the swimming pool on Friday lunch (the pool was closed though).

However, i have never been on the other part where there is a huge playground for the kids and lakes (possibly man made). There are sitting area for picnics or resting and the place seems suitable for recreational or family activities. We reached there about 5pm on Saturday, the place was really tranquil. More visitors came about 6pm turning the place from tranquil to active with physical activities like cycling and jogging. The cleanliness was good possibly because it was not crowded with people. My kids really enjoyed the playground. It's quite large and the condition is still good. As for me, i enjoyed exploring the lanscape and views. You can walk along a 'titi' (small bridge) to get to the Windchime Island (don't know why did they named that). There was nothing on it though but that is not the focus. As i said to my hubby, the place is really suitable to have an occasional family picnic. It's not crowded and really makes you relax. It also remind me of The Commons in Southampton.

 

Between Taman Tasik Cempaka Bangi, i like Taman Tasik Cyberjaya better. I really felt as if i was on a holiday being there. The best part is the place is only 30-45 min drive and it's free....

This is definitely one of the spots that we'll often go to, insyaallah.... I'll cook and bring some food so we can have an early dinner by the lake. The kids can play while their dad goes jogging  and i might just do some stretching. Hopefully the place will stay this way before slowly being swarmed by visitors. The next visit is planned on next Saturday.....if no other plan takes precedence....

Porch_new project

My next project will be the porch. Living in a typical double storey doesn't give you much outside space. Just for parking 1 car and tiny rectangle space with soil in case the owner wants to do some gardening. I love plants and always dream to have a green space filled with flowers & plants, and typical landscape of a garden i.e water feature, sitting area and BBQ pit.

I thought those are not achievable at first (since i live in a 20x75, not a bungalow lot), but as i surfing the internet, I started to think differently. I saw pictures of real houseowners living in double storeys but still can create a beautiful green space. Wow! I was really impressed and beginning to think it's possible. I just need to be creative and stopped admiring LAMAN's (the magazine. Mostly are gardens from corner lots/bungalow/semi d with ample gardening space)....Yes, i was looking the wrong way and thought gardens are only for the rich...:)...
This project is rather new to me that i will have to do a great deal of research first. I surfed, read and surveying nurseries to get a rough estimate how much i will need to spend. Sungai Buloh was visited for the 1st time last Sunday with mom, SIL and auntie. Very inspiring and did give my survey some direction.
Budget I will not spend a lot on this project. Total renovation so far + the house price is almost equal = market price. Based on that, i only have about 5k max to do major improvement. That include changing doors, installing tiles, wood swings and water feature.

Maintenance It only seems possible since i do have a maid now who is a 'green finger'. At least i need not to worry about the 'garden maintenance' part. But i should havea simple garden design so it won't be troublesome for me once my maid is no longer with us.

Theme Hmmm.... Mix and match? Simple but feminine? Practical & pretty? Green & Colourful? I don't dare to say Bali or English or Tropical because i know it won't look entirely like those themes and i might consider the project is a failure.

Some features i picked up from visits to Sungai Buloh & nurseries around Bangi.....

Invitation..by the way, nice shoes!!!

I'm thrilled today. This picture was taken today before we went for Jamuan Raya company level. I was not in the pic but everyone noticed the shoes that i wore. Since quite a few noticed the shoes, i take it as the shoes are really nice!!!... grin***thrill***grin...
I was contacted by 2 old friends today. I have a lunch date tomorrow and an invitation to an open house on Sunday... I hope that i don't forget....