Four Eyes

I never had the opportunity to be teased "Four eyes"!


You know what I mean right? In school... If you wore spectacles, you must have been teased with that. Surely. I have teased numerous "Four eyes" persons.


Well, I am now enrolled in the club. Sent my applications. Accepted. Full membership. Reluctantly.


I am "four eyes" whenever I need to read.


I mean, its really amazing.


Blur.


Clear.


Blur.


Clear.


Now you see.


Now you don't.


Now you see.


Now you don't.


Whoever created the spectacle is a genius. Allowing people like me to enjoy a good book.


Sometimes reality hits hard. Eventhough I would like to blame it on my reading positions (I have read lying down, on my back all my life), the lack of lightings, blah, blah, blah...and etc. But still, its dawning on me that I am no longer 21 years old (Er... Actually I am just a little over 21 years old..plus... plus x 10 ...).


Ah well, what's the fuss and big deal about putting 2 pieces of glass (magnifying glass) in front of my cute Chinese eyes?


Just do it when no outsider is watching ... Brilliant idea.


"Mummy, you look farnee with the spectacles... Like Grandma... Ha ha"


I hear my son whispering into my ears.


I think he is the one who is having the bigger eye problem.


Hummpph!

Full-Time Employment

I recently decided that I was ready to market myself for full time employment.


The last time I worked full-time was 10 years ago. Since then, I have been working part-time and from home. That gives me flexibility to cook inbetween emails, wash the toilets and then make calls to Suppliers, run to grocery shopping and return to my filing, sending out faxes to the Media at 1am in the morning, etc.


How does it feel again to be able to totally concentrate on work without the kids fighting at the background?


Heavenly.


Peace.


Tranquility.


Sanity.


Well, all those wonderful thoughts were dashed like a broken vase, today... Apparently, according to the potential Employer, he is NOT flexible for me to pick my kids up everyday at 3pm.


Looks like I have to find a Transporter or I will have to say 'bye bye' to this new excitement which is bubbling over (or is it the Rootbeer which was too gassy in my stomach?)


Anyways.


Never mind.


Surely something will come along. Soon.


*fingers and toes crossed*

Shrinking

Have you ever wondered why children's book fonts are size 20 or more, while adult books are about size 10 or 12?


Would 4 years old children have problem looking at words, that publishers actually print such huge fonts?


No!


On the other hand...


Would a 40 years old and above adult have problems looking at words with font size 10?


A huge, "Yes!"


Of late, I realised the font sizes of most books are shrinking.


Are they cutting down on ink cost?


Are papers expensive?


Are the Extreme environmentally friendly people turning publishers?


What is wrong with this world?


They are making life difficult for me.


Not only do I have to squint my eyes to read those books but somehow, they (the publishers) have incorporated some kind of magical papers in them, as well. But this only happens with book having small fonts ... E.g. If I usually hold the books about 1.4 ft away while I read. I would have to hold it 1.8 ft away. Any nearer, it becomes blurry and unreadable. It has to be at the right distance.


Shocking?


Indeed.


Honestly, just a year ago, it was OK (publishers were great people) and suddenly overnight they start shrinking fonts. This is causing a lot of frustration.


Since I am on the subject of shrinking.... They did that to the needle hole, as well! It used to take me 5 seconds to get the thread into the needle hole but since the shrinking, it took me 10 mins before I gave up and asked my elder son to do it for me.


What is wrong with this people??!!!

Moved!

On May 10, 2010, Monday, was probably one of the happiest day of my life.

Eventhough…..

Boxes everywhere.

Sandy porch.

No cabinets to put my clothes.

No kitchen cabinet to hold my plates.

No stove to warm my food.

No curtains to dress my windows.

Only one properly working toilet.

Yet.

The joy of staying in our new place.

The anticipation was fully realized.

The expectation was met.

The discomfort of the pest infested rented place is forever left behind…….

The beginning of a wonderful journey….

… for my family and I.

Probably the last time I will ever have full view of the floor

Excitement!

The Movers recommended by a friend was truly reliable and up to expectations.

None of my goods was damaged or missing :-)

RM350 per trip for a 3 ton lorry. More pricey than normal
but worth it since my goods were handled well

Interesting Facts

At School, Joel was in a team of 3 boys. They were required to do a write-up of a particularly famous person for History class. The group leader wrote additional essays in case his team members forgot to do it. Well, EW did forget his essay. Before he was to read the essay, he was encouraged by the teacher to read it first before presenting it to the class.

Unfortunately EW did not.

He just picked up the essay and started reading it to the class.

After EW finished reading … The Teacher thought that the ending sentence had very interesting facts. Even she did not know it….

"…… and he wore purple underwear and was fat."

Teacher SC turned to Joel who was sitting beside EW. He was holding his stomach and controlling a huge laughter from bursting out.

She then took the essay piece to look and realized that the last sentence was in a different writing.

The whole class burst out in laughter…

….when they realized that Joel added the "…… and he wore purple underwear and was fat" to teach EW a lesson… "Read before presenting", as Teacher SC has instructed.

This story was related to me by his principal.

No, he was not sent to the principal's office. Incidentally the group leader is the principal's son. They had a good laugh over the prank.

I raised Joel to be humorous, able to take pranks, jokes and not to feel offended when his peers play jokes on him.

But.

I did not expect him to exceed way beyond my expectations!

Have I created a monster?

Joel & friend schoolmates enjoying a game of Twister

Renovation Update: Day 22 to 27

Sorry for having very little update lately on my Renovation. I have been really really busy. At the end of everyday, I am so pooped that when I reached home at about 8pm everyday, I just hit the bed. Literally.


I have decided to put more photos on my update on my picasa online album so that you can see more photos of it.


To read and view photos of my house update from Day 22 to 27, click here.

Mission Possible

The house is almost completed. Yes, almost.


You know, the feeling when you get at a meal. When you think you are almost full but you can still stomach something. A dessert for sure but also something else (like the food the person sitting next to you is enjoying).


Well, the house is almost completed.


Its still a work-in-progress.


We don't have much of a choice but to move in soon. Our current rented place has new owners who would like to take possession by 15 May 2010. So, just like how urgent we were in taking ownership of our property, the new owners here also are looking forward to "do up" their new home.


So, ready or not, we are moving.


Hooorrraaaaayyyyy!


There are bits here and there to be done but we do have 1 perfectly working toilet.


Kitchen cabinets to be coming in on Monday (hopefully).


Air-cond to be installed on Monday or Tuesday.


The modus operandi is....


Clean up the house....


Pack. Pack. Pack.


Move the house in stages .... maybe one lorry load a day....


Totally out by Friday, 14 May 2010.


You will see Mission Possible unveiled before your eyes.... Ta Da!

Father and Son at work... Mostly Father doing the work...

Job's Friend

Due some recent events happening in my life and out of frustration with myself, I expressed it to my older son, Joel during our regular breakfast sessions.


Me: I feel like kicking myself.... Sometimes, I just feel like kicking myself...


Joel: Do you need any help?


Me: *blink blink*


There you have it, a complete replica of Job's Friend (Job from the Bible who had lousy friends who were not helpful at all in his time of need).


Just what I need....


I still feel like kicking myself.... and him too.

Plaster Ceiling

The Plaster Ceiling was done by a young Chinese guy by the name of Ah Soon. He has been in this profession since he was 14 years old. He did a good job and gave me a reasonable price. The workmanship was also nice. One of the very few things I am happy about the Renovation.

Hard at work

Tarzans hanging from the ceiling

Putting on metal casing

The Plaster ceiling was completed within 1 week, both upstairs and downstairs.


There are some part uncompleted due to a missing wall near the back of the toilet. The Contractor's Indonesian workers didn't do a very good job on that. As a result, Ah Soon could not put up the ceiling. So, that will be done a little later. That part was supposed to be paid by the Contractor and the latest update - he refuses to do it. Looks like I have to get it done myself.

Electical & A little more of Plumbing

Electrical work started around the 24th day of the Renovation, which was 6th April. Till today, it has not been completed. There seems to be a great number of hacking for concealed wiring. I have not worked out the cost for the wiring due to addition here and there. So, I shudder to think what the cost might be... *shivers*


The Electrician is a Supplier of Hubby's. Gave us a good price and good service. A very nice humble guy. Even told me his nightmare stories about his own renovation. About how his 2x2 tiles 'floated' out of the flooring and causing damage amounting to RM80K for raw material and RM60K for workmanship. I didn't really need to know it, after all, I am in the midst of my own Renovation. I need more comfort stories....


Thank God, I didn't get my Contractor to do the electrical stuffs! He would have charged everything from switches to installation. I saved some $$$ there.


Wire cost seems to be very high - especially the ones that is being run outside the house for the auto gate, doorbell and lights. The "aman" (not sure of spelling) cable are said to be strong and last for a very long time compared to the normal wiring fitted into normal casing. Its too expensive for my liking but it has to be done according to the Electrician ... if we don't want any 'shorting' or termites chewing it for a snack (I didn't know termites chew on wires). Anyways.

Wiring for the kitchen

"aman" cable running on the outside of the house

Plumbing works started around the same time as the electrical works. Just 1 or 2 days earlier. This plumber is by the Contractor. I was fortunate enough to be around when he was doing his work. If not, I would have to put my fridge where the washing machine was suppose to be and some other really annoying mistakes. So, I spent half of the day supervising his work. So, since then, I never trusted any of the workers. I ensure that I poke my nose into everyone's work.

Dish washing water from the kitchen sink will go into a gully and then into
the sewerage. Apparently, this is ideal and clean way to do it.
The Plumber did the 'right' way by accident. According to the Contractor,
he finds the easiest exit. If the drain is easiest, the drain it is!

Piping for the kitchen sink. I was so smart to buy a mixer at a warehouse sale
when I only need cold water.... But it was 50% discount!

Plumbing

The pipes needs serious changing. I didn't realise how badly till I saw some of the old pipes which was replaced.

It will be concealed underground

Going into the house

Piping from the mains outside the house

The poly pipe is said to be so hardy that even if a car ran over it, will not break it. Good. We need something like that. Anyway, this house is 10 years old. Its overdue to have some clean pipes. I have this paranoia about drinking yucky rusty water. One of the 1st things I bought even before this house was ready, was a good external water filter. Which I purchased last year November at the CIMB Home Exhibition.

See the rust!

Now with good piping going all over the house, especially to my kitchen - I am a happy woman!

Chicken Run... Contractor Run... Whatever!

My house Contractor, Ah Pang, called it quits and I am left with the rest of the 20-25% of the Renovation hanging.... On 14th April, into 32th day of Renovation.


Stress!


Stress!


Stress!


I have been targeting for 1 May 2010, Saturday for the move into the new place.


Due to some misunderstanding, he has refused to continue and to shorten the headache and heartache with him, I have decided to drop him altogether. Its sad because he started well and slowly deteriorated. I guess that happens when they have received enough money and more jobs are queuing up.


Of course the downside is that, I have given him all the money except for RM1,000. Unfortunately, its not enough to finish all the remaining stuffs. I could have kicked myself for not keeping more money. I had insisted but he was more persistent in wanting the payments. Now, I understand why.


I am giving up on Contractors!!!! I am going to do the job myself!


The Government should seriously regulate this profession. 8 out of 10 persons who encounter Contractors have problems.


BTW, to those whom I have recommended this Contractor... I am sorry!

Termite Treatment

On the 24th day of our Renovation, before the wall was fully plastered, the Termites People came over. They sprayed an odourless chemical which was equally as lethal as the smelly one, I am sure. Anything chemical, just beware.


The thing about the odourless chemical, which is the latest technology, are costly. So, a 3-4 hours job cost me RM1,350.00. I did quite a bit of comparison before I took on the company Aneka. He was both professional and seems to know what he is doing. My brother in law also engaged him for his termites problem.

Spraying the unplastered wall

Mixing chemical with water before spraying

Spray here, spray there, spray everywhere

He drilled the untiled floor, sprayed on the garden, wet the roof and the whole works. I was there for a few minutes and I quickly scram when I realised that I was having breathing difficulty. I have this hyper sensitive nose to anything offensive e.g. cigarette smokes, dog poo and all kinds of detergent.

Renovation Update: Day 16 to 21

The roof is up

Left: Cheezy's home
Right: Where Cheezy's poo will be "drained". A pipe will be installed

Side of the house was quickly built

Front of the house with extension being done. They will build the new wall before knocking off the old one

The Day Our Home Was Violated

The Robbers came and went. But look what they left behind for us to 'savor'....

Clothes were pulled out of the cupboard and drawers. Looks like
the secret hiding place is not that 'secret' after all

Awful mess

They broke the metal attached to the gate. Make sure you do something
about your gate at home

Pried open

Temporary measure for the night... Rock climbing rope with 3 carabenas

Renovation Update: Day 11 to 15

We are building a place for our dog, Cheezy. Its coming up...

The extension for the back of the house

The fence having a coat of cement


The children building their own fence

Renovation Update: Day 7 to 10

I have not been able to update the renovation of our house till now. I am going to continue from were I left of, so that you can see the continuation.

Day 7: The fence going up

Day 7: Left: The back of the house is ready to be 'bricked' up
Right: Cement & sand being mixed up

Day 8: The fence looking more like one

Day 9: Concrete with metal was inserted into the middle of the pillars and covered with cement to keep it sturdy

Good Mum

I picked Joel up from school today. We had to wait for Ethaniel... so while waiting, both of us shared a snack. The snack was given by his classmate's Mum.


I casually commented ......


Me: She is such a nice person. I wish I have a Mum like her.


*Silence*


*waiting*


I turned over and looked at Joel....


He turned and looked at me.....


Me: Yes?


*silence*


Me: This is the part where you were suppose to answer... "You are a good Mum too"


Joel looked at me and both of us burst out in laughter....


Me: Yes??? *still laughing*


Joel: *laughing* You.... *laughing* You..... *laughing* ..... are.... *laughing*


Me: Yes?? *laughing*


Joel: *laughing* You.... *laughing* You..... *laughing* ..... are.... *laughing* a good Mum too....


I was about to open the car door and push him out!


I had a good laugh.


He was pulling my leg....


Weren't you, Joel? I am a good Mum, right?


RIGHT??????!!!! Say 'yes' if you want a lift to school tomorrow.

Renovation Update: alarm system

As of yesterday, BRNO sent their people over to do the wiring for the
alarm system. All the windows, doors, roof and openings in the house
has either wiring or sensor. We purchased this special package at the
Home Exhibition organised by CIMB Bank sometime last year November.
The price is pretty standard but she gave some extras eg motion sensor
for roof and unlimited sensors for all windows. Sometimes its good to
go to those places to hunt for good deals.

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Sent from my mobile device

Sign

'My butt is super big and I mean BIG!!!!!'


This note was stuck on my butt without my knowledge. No other than by my most
appreciative son. . . towards my rear end.


By the way, he wears high powered glasses, so, I would discount some of his judgement about the magnitude of my er . . er . . you know where.

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Sent from my mobile device