Thank you.

Due to  an unwanted crazy stalker who thinks he owns the world, the cookie has moved to greener pastures.

If you think I’m miserable, you are dead wrong.

Changes for the better…

I was on leave today, partly because there were some concrete plans with the little munchkin weeks before but coincidentally also due to a last minute re-scheduling of my check-up after requesting for an earlier date.

The pregnancy is getting heavier and my being active at the office kinda not help my condition that much. Yes, I did that in the first pregnancy but let’s face it… I am not that young anymore. One sudden jolt giving me the prickly sensation to the perineum area kinda got us worried especially since I find it a little difficult to walk for long durations. The last time I remembered feeling that way was when the pregnancy was at its 8th month. I’m only in my fifth month and the doctor is already telling me to lie down when I feel pain. Hmmm… now how do I do that when I’m working and walking everywhere… plus, I always thought that walking and being active is good for the pregnancy. Guess, it ain’t the same anymore.

That so much talk about having a natural birth and gritting my teeth to just this teensy-weensy pain is something that I am afraid of. Baru sakit sikit dah ooohhh, oh no… ouw ouw ouw ouw… all those sound effects. Oh well… mebbe if I am so used to it from now, it won’t be that bad later?? Ya, right…

Our last ante-natal class was really interesting. Christine made breastfeeding sound so technical and mechanical… you know, like the baby should be parallel to which body part of the mom’s… or the mommy’s hand should be holding the baby in such and such position with two fingers firmly gripping the sides of the ears… and how the nipple should be in contact with the nose before the baby can cup the aereola with his mouth hehe… very pelik but true.

One of them actually asked how is it possible when the nose is directed to the nipple and that was when Christine asked the hubbies to blow a balloon each and wear lip gloss. They’d have to try it out the way it was explained and walah… when one-by-one showed the lip gloss marks on their balloons, the one‘s turn gave Christine this wonderful laugh. Since his lower lip mark is very different than the rest of them, she commented that the one could be a good ‘breastfeeder’! Even asked the one if he was indeed breastfed when he was a baby. It was funny… more so because it kinda indicated that the rest of them male weren’t breastfed when they were babies!

The more technical part was when she gave the advise on how to store breastmilk 2 weeks before I start working again (dang!). And how she disappointed those mat salehs when they thought they could express their milk for night feed, for the daddy’s turn to feed. Apparently, the hormones that sends the message across to the brain for milk production works at night. Therefore, without demand, supply will be less. Hence, lesser milk within 2 weeks or so if milk is not expressed at night feeds.

Jadi, the sacrifices of a mom does not stop in the labour room. More sacrifices is needed on mommy’s part to wake up at night, and even more morning before work, 3 times at work and on and on til at least 6 months.

I dunno how long will I last on this. I do remember my dearest friend, Nicole, sharing with me how she realised she had to fork out so much more for formula after she stopped breastfeeding her baby at 6 months. I know how taxing it is and how tiring it can be… so let’s see, eh.

Christine also shared with us how much couples put so much focus on labour that they don’t realise the hard work starts right after labour. I wouldn’t disagree with her because I know it. I’ve even sat down with the one months before to talk about the future… first was the baby daycare… then the setting aside of funds for monthly expenses… thank god for medical care, though, as both our companies cover paediatrician bills… then there is also insurance and education. It’s one big thing which we have to think and plan.

Then there’s also the issue of the little munchkin… we’ve been putting or starting to put more focus in his special needs and I am glad that although I had him really young, I have always put special importance on his future financially. I want to know and be assured (almost!) that he would have his means when he no longer has me in his life. Plus, with his special needs, I kinda covered that part quite okay years earlier without any help from any man.

The thing that I most see is that in bringing up a child, you should not expect anything in return. Of course in his case, I would like to see him do well in school and at least have some focus in certain abilities if he will not do well in the sense of Malaysian academic achievement. There’s so much exposure and opportunities out there for him in the western countries but sadly, the Malaysian education system is one that is very slacking in progress. Yes, we all did well then, in the system but we are all normal beings.

I’d like to know that with the additional help we are getting him can bring him through somewhere where he can be independent and feel special that he has a gift that not many kids have, albeit the weakness in many parts of his area. I’m glad that for me, there will always be a means from Him to help me through and He guides me every time. I just want him to be happy in his life to know that he’s had all the help he needs and that is what matters most to me.

And that has been one main reason why I’ve worked hard all my life…

Now, it’s wonderful to have such a loving supporting husband and it is such an assurance that the little munchkin has a father who accepts him the way he is and trying just as hard to help. Frankly, if you ask me anything in my life that I want to change, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I haven’t been that open before since I know how difficult it was to be judged for his ‘gift’ to the fact that I was labelled ‘over-reacting’ and only a handful of friends truly understanding my issues. And as much as I tried scaring the one with this fact about my life, it was also one fact that drew him closer to me. It’s not easy being in that role and once again, I am truly grateful. But I guess I don’t have to be afraid anymore since even the little munckin’s existence was made official on the one‘s blog compared to the itsy bitsy mention every once in awhile here before. And the fact that he felt the need to write about this matter which he feels so strongly about now, I just feel touched. Overwhelmed.

I am just so glad that things are turning even better for us and we’re eagerly awaiting our new bundle of joy… the doctor has confirmed that it’ll be a pwincesh, just what the one wanted… Life works in mysterious ways… you give some, you get some. In the end, with faith and sincerity, it might just work out your way. Of course, one just needs to work on it… things will not always be rosy in life but it’s how we deal with it that leaves us happy and strong. I think.

The power of the people

I cast my vote for the first time yesterday. Nope… I’m not that young but I guess the awareness to register to vote only came by some time last year

Was a little disappointed with the way the voting was organised at the Sri Permata Secondary School. Firstly, the senior citizen line was only for those aged 65 and above. My parents were just a couple of years short of 65 but they are, for a fact, senior citizens. But, since my mom was the one who looked more frail than my dad, she was allowed to join the senior citizen line.

Secondly, they didn’t make an exception for the handicap and pregnant women. That is such atrocity, I think, since those people are not handicap and certainly not pregnant, they do not comprehend how stressful it is for a pregnant woman’s back standing so long in line. Fortunately, I came pretty early in the morning and queued up only about 20 minutes. Only? Hmmm….

Then, I was further shocked to note that my polling station is on the 2nd floor of the school building. The elderly were placed on the ground floor whilst the rest of us had to vote on the 2nd floor. What about the 1st floor? Why didn’t they utilise it? D’uh.

So…. the results came pretty late last night and as much as I wanted to update this space last night, I was up and out until 3am… tak tahan.

I’m pretty shocked to note that the majority of the voters in my area were actually supporting the opposition. Goodbye to Chew Mei Fun then. I’ve heard so many good things she had done for the constituency but am never really aware of the developments.

The one and I were up most part of the night, discussing actively regarding the results that shocked both of us, mine at the PJ Utara area, his at his Gombak area. Whatever it is, I am pretty much glad of the winds of change. We’ve been highlighting so much on the things that have been happening especially within the past 2 years and it is good that the community is voicing out by way of voting.

The area I’ve been living in for the most part of my life, has always been a strong and easy BN area. Being a sort of ‘mature’ area, I guess most of the members of the community are more focused on the more crucial factors aside from the ‘boring’ and unfresh messages of the ruling government.

I’m pretty glad that the ‘man’ who’d forever increase the cost of utilities/service and burdening the community in any of his portfolio, is out for good. But there are still some of those senior ministers who are well-known to be just as corrupted who won just a small number of majority.

And since there’s going to be a good balance between the coalition and opposition in Parliament, it is hoped that most of the concerns of the population can be ironed out and compromised to a win-win situation, at least. After all, they are supposed to work for the rakyat, not for their own benefit. At the moment, I felt that the ruling government is not that open to the opinions of the rakyat. Instead, they push forth their misleading facts that the price of goods are one of the lowest in the region and that the rakyat should have a ‘change in lifestyle habits’. I think some of them should stay in Singapore, at least, and be aware that even the SIA stewardess earns SGD3,500 per month where makan-makan at the airport’s foodcourt can cost only SGD3.50 per nasi campur + ayam goreng + sayur. Try converting the pay and the makan, they score so much more for the pay and the makan costs so much less than what we pay in KLIA. And, that’s only the cost for outsiders, not crew members. Itu baru stewardess, belum lagi executives and management.

Whatever it is, it is now as crucially important for the winning opposition to deliver their promises. I don’t think any drastic changes can happen but I do hope it is also a good avenue for the BN to not shove anymore of their ideas expecting the community to accept without question. Yang bestnye, dulu kata the price of fuel will not be increased after the elections. But, just 2 days before the election, Pak Lah suddenly came out with a statement saying that the rakyat won’t be burdened even if the fuel price is increased. Then, again came the price issue where the USD per barrel is much higher now than ever without even explaining to the intelligent public that the increase in USD is due to the weakening Dollar in the market.

Oh well, at the end of the day, I believe a politician is a politician. You can never win with them. That’s why they’re called a ‘politician’. Sometimes, you can never really rely on their words and you can never expect the outcome. As we all know, people can be so crazy of power and being in control can change anyone’s perspective much to their personal interest. Especially so on the seats won which has been purported to pave the way for the ex-DPM… hmmm… that character is one to be left for more accurate judgement.

In the end, we just play our role to vote. Tapi I’d like to suggest that the incumbent leadership steps down with this worst ever performance and take full responsibility of the weak leadership. I guess the voters and their votes all speak for itself.