Sketches of Life

When people mentioned France, they will think of Eiffel Tower or the City of Love. Well, of course France is well known for that. Oh ya, not forgetting the tasty and delicious food. That reminds me of Ratatouile, the movie about the rat that can cook. Hahaha…everybody can cook. Even I can cook though the food would not be so tasty and delicious as in Ratatouile. Oh okay, enough about Ratatouile.

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I loves to go shopping unlike my husband who went shopping only when there are things to buy. Well, I always ‘need’ to go shopping because I enjoy the atmosphere and ambiance in the shopping mall. The only problem that I face is when I need to find something that is of certain brand and design. I hate it when I have to go from one shopping mall to another just to see whether I can find it there. Now, things are much easier.

I can login to ShopWiki.com and search for it. I can even compare prices for various retailers, all at the comfort of my own home. If you ask me to find DVD player for my car, I would not know which shop to go to but I can find it at Shopwiki.com. One interesting features about shopwiki is the advice that they provide the products that you are looking for. Check out their women clothing and you will know what I am writing about.

Today is my wedding anniversary day. To others, they would buy gift for each other like. The rich one might even present their loves one with dewitt watches. As for me, I can only afford those Japan brand watches like Casio or Seiko. They are Japanese’s right?

My hubby is not that particular about watches. If I remember correctly, when I first met him, he was wearing his dad old watch. He wore that for quite a while until it died down on him. I think he still keep the watch till today. Well, I just bought for him a new watch for his birthday. Unfortunately, he didn’t quite like it, he was saying it was a lil small for his wrist. Well, I couldn’t afford to get a new watch for him yet. Maybe I will get another watch for his next birthday. Save more money and buy a bigger watch.

For a price of dewitt watch, I could buy a car you know! Some watch collector really would spend to buy such an expensive piece. As for me, I can just “ooohhh and aahhhh” over it. They are made of gold and titanium. I wanted to buy a 50g of gold also cannot afford!

We went to visit SIL Yen at Mahkota Medical Centre yesterday. She has her cyst removed; all 3 of them. Before the operation the doctor found only one and told her that will cost her around 5k. After the operation, he told her that there were all 3 of them and the charges would be different. Fuwah! Like that one ah? Like that arh, if he wants to earn more, he can always say he found 5 or more! I wonder how he can prove that there was more than one cyst.

SIL was in pain when we met her, a day after the 4 hours operation. She said there is a lot of wind in her stomach because they pump in oxygen into it before the operation. I do not know what’s the procedure called; they dug 3 hole in her tummy.

She has also canceled her trip to Langkawi with another BIL and MIL at the end of this month. I thought of filling in for her in case the hotel room has been booked but then cannot lar, I have no car and dare not drive all the way to Langkawi as hubby won’t be going. My Johnston and Murphy suitcase shall rest longer in the store.

Too bad Kiasumum did not work with Tiara Beach Resort. If not, I might get free room from her. Not I say one arh; she said one. Do you know anyone working with Disney World? Can get free accommodation and free Disney World Tickets if ever I were to go there arh???

So far, the best I can get is through OrlandoFunTickets.com. Besides discount Disney World tickets, you can also get discount Orlando theme parks, dinner shows and attractions. They has the lowest discount prices for all Orlando dinner shows including Arabian Nights discount tickets, Medieval Times discount tickets, Pirates Dinner Adventure discount tickets, as well as all of the other major theme parks including Sea World tickets, Kennedy Space Center tickets, Universal Studios tickets, and more. Well better than nothing right?

But still in holiday mood.

I got complaints to write in this blog and also to Tiara Beach Resort.

But still not awake enough to write a good one.

I need a body massage soon!

The only thing that I enjoyed during the holiday is the foot reflexology. And and, I regretted not taking the shoulder massage together. Didn’t know that they have it until I stepped out from the room.

Anyone going vacation this month? I know a lot of people got married in the month of May because May is the school holiday month too and also there is the Mother’s Day. Anyone planning to go Las Vegas for their 2nd, 3rd or 4th honeymoon? For Las Vegas vacations, you have to check out BestofVegas.com. You can get the best Vegas Shows, Vegas hotels, Vegas attraction, Vegas Tours, Vegas Night Clubs and the best Vegas deals through them at the best prices because they are one of the largest travel providers in the country with a website specializing in Las Vegas.

Missed a few credit cards payments? Do you know that once that happened it will be reflected in your credit history? You may be denied of renewal of your credit card, apply for new credit card or even applying for bank loan. In some circumstances having at least one credit card will sure come in handy especially when you need to travel a lot. Some places do not accept check at all.

Well, don’t be dismayed, there is always the Credit Building Credit Cards which will help you build, rebuild or re-establish your credit if you make on-time payments. One of it is the Unsecured bad credit credit cards.

This kind of cards usually charges high interest rates and low credit limits but if you can prove yourself a good paymaster, in time you would be able to apply for cards with lower rate and higher credit limits. Avoid the same mistake, you would never know when you would need the help of your credit cards in foreign country if your often travel.

Please remind this forgetful Mommy to collect keys from Hilton Head rentals. Eh No! From the Korperasi Polis at 2pm today. You see, you see, I forget already. If not, Kiasumum’s sister and family would have to sleep by the roadside tonight unless they don’t mind staying in a kampung house with swamps of mosquitoes. And waking up early the next morning (if they can sleep) by our nature’s alarm clock, the roaster and the dogs.

Oh ya! Please remind me to bring RM115.50 to pay for the apartment coz sometimes I don’t have a single RM in my purse. =P That’s for 3 rooms apartment. Cheap eh.

This Kiasumum bought my car plate number in Magnum, Toto and 1+3D!!! Did she strike any of it? Well, visit her blog for updates. I think the result come out already. If she strike, I wanna get her to buy me a new set of patio furniture.

Why on earth did she buy my car plate number? Well, all because she is so amazed that I couldn’t remember my car plate number. All I know that it begins with MH 7 something something something.

My car is an old junk. If I park my car in Mahkota Parade car park, I can guarantee you that mine is the only Toyota MH Dull red colour with 1 inch of dirt sticking to the body. No need to remember the plate number also can recognize.

Not only myself, my hubby also cannot remember his car plate number!!!

We have unique old junks!

When I see the above picture, I regretted not joining them. They really laugh with no cares in the world. If the patients in the drug rehabilitation centre can laugh like them, no need other medication.

I don’t know whether I can really laugh like them. When seeing them laugh, I just smile and snap away. Sad isn’t it. I was thinking, “Oh, they are just kids, they have nothing to worry about, they can behave like that etc.”

Being a mother of 3, I kinda think that I must carry myself well. You cannot open you mouth and laugh loud loud in the public. It is not proper. No more the care free me. But then life would be miserable right? Maybe I would join them this weekend and see whether I can LOL!

During worship and also feeding time, I managed to have a short chat with an Indonesia lady who is married to our local Portuguese man. Her daughter is very pretty and fair. When asked whether she keeps her hubby’s pic in her purse (me kaypoh, wanna know how handsome is her hubby…hehehe), she told me that she does not carry any purse, not even the Pacsafe anti-theft handbag. With a baby and a 5yo, a handbag is not practical. All we carry now is our baby bag filled with thermos, water, milk, diapers, baby wipes, panties, t-shirt and snacks.

Well, there was misunderstandings on the free one night stay in Tiara Beach Resort. There isn’t any. The free voucher is for Duta Hacienda Riviera Resort, part of Palm Springs Resort City. The resort sounds so grand but when I did some Google search on it, the resort is such a disappointment. Reviews has it that the resort was poorly managed and maintained. No intercom in the room! You have to use your own cell phone to call the receptionist! I wonder whether their shower faucets are rusted or not. And the children’s pool is always out of service and greenish in colour. That is a big NO to me.

The reason for this trip is for my children to have fun in the pool. So I rather pay extra and go for Tiara Beach Resort. Furthermore, my mom is coming along too. Trying to make this short holiday trip as pleasant as possible for her.

So far MariMari is giving the lowest rate for the Family Suite in Tiara Beach Resort. Have not make my reservation though. Hoping to find cheaper rate.

BIL called saying that he is giving the free voucher for a night stay in Tiara Beach Resort but we have to utilize it before June. Meaning we have to go earlier than planned.

My plan was to celebrate my son’s birthday there in June. Now, we will be celebrating my eldest girl birthday there in May instead. And my mom agrees to come along. Thank God for that. I really need the extra hands to handle 3 children in the water park.

I just sent an email to Tiara Beach Resort asking how much will it cost to upgrade the room to 2 bedrooms instead of only one. I hope it will be lesser than to book another studio room.

Unless someone has another almost expired voucher, have no time to go and willing to pass it to me for free. *wink, wink*. I know I thick skin. hahahaha

Whenever I plan to go places like for a vacation, birthday celebration or even 2nd honeymoon, I don’t keep a secret about it. I will usually announce it to the world. Thank to my big mouth, I got bloggers informing me about promotional voucher for the recent vacation to Genting Highland, I got free room voucher from my SIL for a night stay in Port Dickson to celebrate my son’s 2nd birthday and for my 2nd honeymoon, I got free one night stay in one of the hotels locally. In a way, all my trips are partly sponsored. I really praise God for His blessing.

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I left my son with my mom whenever we want convenience when dining out, going shopping and the recent, going for a short vacation. Most of the time, my 2 girls will tag along. They are older and independent. So, no need carrying, no need feeding and they speak. Furthermore I don’t think we can handle 3 active and stubborn tiny feet in a crowd at the same time.

As a mother, I don’t feel good doing these. I felt guilty for leaving him out. So to compensate it, I am planning for a special birthday celebration for my son. I planned for a 2D1N trip to a beach resort in PD that has Water Park. It will be just us; hubby, my girls, my boy and me.

Thanks to my mouth; I blurted it out to one of my sister in laws and she told me that she has free one night voucher to that resort and she is going to give it to me! Praise the Lord, I saved RM320. That’s the price for one night stay in that resort; kinda expensive ya?

I hope the resort provide free Wi-Fi wireless broadband Internet access like the Indian Creek Hotel. Then I wouldn’t miss my WWW so much coz there’s nothing much to do once the children are asleep. Psst…that’s my menses week.

My home is lively again with in laws, screaming kids and a baby for these 2 days. Something that we don’t often get to enjoy everyday. The family came home to celebrate the Cheng Beng; the Chinese All Souls Day. Food is abundance but since I am not feeling well all those food seems tasteless to me.

Anyway, most has returned even though they, especially the kids are reluctant to go to their respective home. In half an hour time (7pm) the house will be back to its status quo. I think this home is something similar like Villa Nicoletta for the town people. Once they are here, they do not want to go home and they will sure return whenever possible.

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I have a near death experience in the Snow World, Genting Highland. Ok lar I am exaggerating a lil but here. hehehe.

Anyway, I could die if I let go and hit my head on the ice wall.

Ok this is what happened. I wanted to try out Extreme Cresta Run Toboggan slide. So I took the Toboggan tube (or whatever you called it) and dragged it up the stairs. When I was up there, a family decided to chicken out and left leaving their tubes behind. There wasn’t much space for me to place my tube and I make do with whatever space I can to squeeze my tube. As I was about to sit in my tube, I slipped and slide down without the tube. I was thinking, “Oh No! Am I prepared to slide down the bumpy slopes without my tube? Will I break my back bones and die???”

Thank God my hand was fast enough to grab the pole at the side and the other hand catches the tube. See lar, still sempat save the tube.

When I looked up, I saw an Indian young man standing up there, just looking at me! I asked for his help. Instead of grabbing my hand and pull me up, he grabbed my tube! Duh! Anyway, I am a strong girl ermmm woman, I pulled myself up. Asked the Indian man again to help push the rest of the tubes aside so that I can have flat surface to place my tube. Then I happily slide down.

The ride is very rough, bumpy and fast and I hurt my butt butt. I can’t imagine whatelse will hurt if I slide down without the tube.

After the trip to Genting Highland, buying a Persona is not practical. No doubt I like the car quite a lot and it is affordable too but since it is not practical, I don’t want to regret later.

Reason being, my two girls fight for the back seat when they wanted to take a nap during the journey. And, my son is not in the car then. We did not bring him along.

As they grow older, their feet will get longer and I don’t think they can share sleeping like the above. No place for my son too. I don’t think in one year time, he would mind being left behind when mommy, daddy and jiejie go to have fun.

So, I need a MPV and…I was advised to get a new car. So Toyota Unser is out of the question because we can’t afford the new ones (btw, I think Toyota has stopped production for Unser). So Toyota Avanza is so far the most affordable (I can’t say cheap because it is not cheap to me :P). The price is about RM60k.

After *%+-/ (not cursing here, ok) I need to save RM20k for downpayment so that I need only pay RM500 for 9 years.

*sigh* I wonder when can I get the car.

Why money don’t fall down from Heaven one??? We have Our Father in Heaven what? He is super duper rich some more. Dad, can you please throw some money down? RM60k enuf d.

*****

I got a lot to share about my recent vacation but my mind isn’t working too well, still on holiday mode.

I am still new in going for vacation, booking hotels room, good places to visit and getting the best price for everything because I hardly travel due to work, family commitment (3 tiny feet) and financial circumstances.

So I will bug a few people when I plan for a vacation. Thank God for blogs and their willingness to share their experiences, I manage to get good tips from them.

Thanks to Egghead; we are very happy with our hotel room. Thanks to Fiona; we saved on our All Park Theme Park ticket. Thanks to hubby’s eldest brother; we drove a Proton Waja to the peak.

If you planning to go Rome, so far none of the bloggers I know been there. One of my friends went there for her honeymoon but too bad she does not blog. I could give a call to her but I rather not bug her now because she is super busy with her newborn baby boy. Super fast production! I just blog about my trip to Penang to attend her wedding last year.

So, if you are looking for Rome hotels or Rome apartments, you can ask Mauro and Paola. They are a couple of real experts in leisure travel in Italy because the live there.

This time, I am very satisfied with the hotel that I chose for our holiday in Genting Highland. It is not as good as Las Vegas Hotels I guess but as for Genting Hotels, Theme Park Hotel is suitable for family with kids because their room are quite spacious. Furthermore, you can even book Triple Deluxe (1 Queen & 1 Single) for the same price as Superior Room (1 Queen or 2 Singles).

If you plan to spend your time mostly in Outdoor Theme Park, the park is just out the door step of the hotel but to go First World Indoor Theme Park, it is quite a distance. My legs are aching now.

We are off to Genting Highland this Sunday. Finally, my dream of a “far away” family vacation is coming true. This is so far the furthers and highest place we are going with my 2 girls.

I am so excited about the trip. The last I went was during my honeymoon; that was almost 7 years ago. Now going there with my 2 daughters.

Before planning for this trip, my eldest kept asking me to bring her to any country that has snow. I can’t afford it yet unless I can really get cheap flights to NZ or Australia. As for now Genting Snow World will do for the time being.

Thanks to Fiona, we got our All Park Theme Park ticket for RM38.88 only and some tips about the stay there, the parking and the food.

These 2 crazy blogger friends of mine always talk about Japan. One of them even managed to persuade the other one to make their talk a reality. I was so surprised that they are actually going to Disney World this June. I thought the earliest would be next year. Too bad, I can’t tag along as I don’t have enough saving and I need to get a new car too. If they would go again in 2-3 years time, I might be able to join them. Hopefully with Discount Walt Disney World Tickets plus other discounts too; we might be able to visit Disney World in Orlando.

Do you know that in Genting Highland movie theater, they have special front row seat?

Besides the theme park, my ex-colleague suggested that I go for a movie there. They have special seat on the front row; massage chair. I think, I will fall asleep on the massage chair rather than enjoying the movie.

If you want to fall asleep watching movie in the comfort of your own home theater, why not get a massage chair since you can afford a home theater. I would if I have extra income.

If you wanna get the Shiatsu Massage Chairs at the lowest prices, personalized customer service throughout your purchase and into the future, No Tax, No added shipping fees and 30 days trial, be sure to get it from Working-Well.com. They offer the best Shiatsu Massage Chairs from top name brands such as Premier Health Products, Sanyo and Panasonic massage chairs.

Here are better reasons to get a Daily Massage other than sleeping while watching movie!

Reduce your tension
Relieve your back pain
Increase mobility
Increase your circulation and oxygen flow
Improve your alertness
Aid in the removal of impurities from your blood stream
Speed the recovery of your injured joints

So, wanna get one???

Hubby’s car broke down and until today it is still not fixed. His mechanic is super busy to come to our house; hubby car cannot start you see.

Since Genting trip is nearing we decided to rent a car. After a call to the rent a car company, we decided to rent from hubby’s eldest brother. Since he needed the money, better give it to him rather than to strangers. We got it at a very reasonable price too.

So we will be traveling to Genting Highland in a Waja.

One of my colleagues rare retired horse. Those horse that cannot run anymore for the races. Then I overheard he frequently ask our Bangladeshi foreign worker to collect saw dust for his horse. It was so embarrassing when I thought the saw dust was for the horse’s food. The dust is for their beds! Go on, laugh at me.

I wonder whether he rides the horse or just walk and talk to him when he is lonely. hehe. Should recommend him to get the equestrian clothing, at least got style a lil bit.

In 15 days time, we will be having our first vacation up on a hill. A real vacation like those All Inclusive Mexico Vacations. We will be going to Genting Highland with our girls only as our son is too young for most rides and there is only the 2 of us. Don’t think we can handle 3 kids at a theme park.

My girls are very excited about it and no more whining when it is time to go to school because I told them, if they do not want to go to school, no Genting Highland. After Genting trip, I wonder what else can I “bribe” them to make sure they want to go to school. Worst come to worst, I just wave the cane.

End of last year one of my BILs and family went to Phuket for a holiday. This coming school holiday, in May, I guess, they are going to Langkawi and then Bali at the end of the year. 6 of them in the family plus MIL. That does cost a lot of money. I so envy them! Praise God for His blessing upon their life.

I did ask them when they are going for honeymoon, without the kids. They told me that for honeymoon they planned to go to Europe. Wow! I can imagine how wonderful it would be traveling from one Europe country to another and staying in Vacaciones Hoteles. I doubt that would happened to me. If I have that much money, I would not spend them on myself only.

Matta Fair will be held from 14-16 March 2008 at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur. That is this Friday till Sunday. Oh! How I wish I am staying in KL so that I do not have to trouble others to get me the Genting Highland Theme Park ticket. A reliable source told me that the All Park Ticket will be selling at RM38.88 only. I wonder whether they have good deal for children’s ticket too? I need 2 adults and 2 children’s. Who can volunteer to buy for me?

For those planning to spend their holiday overseas, do check out the fair. You might get good deals on Orlando Hotel if to want visit a bigger theme park than Genting Highland’s.

I just browse through a few websites selling used car. Not easy to find the car of your choice. When the price is good, I don’t like the colour. When I like the colour, it is an auto car; I want manual. When I got the colour right and it is manual, the price I cannot afford. *sigh*

How I wish I am still earning RM5k a month blogging. Then money would not be a big issue to get another car.

Another option would be, change the car engine. Hubby did that for his car a few years ago. Maybe I could do the same with my old junk. I shall contact midwest auto recycling to check the price now.