Yan's convo.

My sis in law just had her convo yesterday at Temasek Poly. I posted her pictures for her to view. Congratulations, I say.

Pass.

Just got to know that I pass my waiver exam results! This means that I passed a module! Yeah!

Kampung.

Today is Sunday, Its way past 10.00pm and the Olympics in China has just ended. I do believe that this was the most exciting Olympics I have ever experience. The fact that China is almost at the same timezone as me does help. I kicked myself silly for not being able to witness Usain Bolt from Jamaica running in the 100m final.
Going to Su's kampung this Saturday and Sunday. Am feeling excited about the trip. Will be going after Adam's Whiz club which is at 2. Should reach the place, at Pedas/Linggi latest by 5. Hope I won't get lost.
I hope everyone feeling fine. As for me, my leg has not been hurting anymore. I've a $30 adidas voucher which I'm going to spend buying a new pair of running shoes. The one I bought at Langkawi lasted me about 8 months.
So again, have a good week ahead.

Monday

Its an hour into a new Monday. Wifey is having off in lieu for National Day today, so we are staying over at my parents place. Adam is all excited, he refuses to fall asleep until his cousin does, but then, girls being girls, she managed to stay awake longer than him! Oh well, he has kept a regular sleeping pattern since birth: wakes up at 6, sleeps before 9. 

Just received an SMS from an ex colleague who has also left the teaching service. And today will be his first work day. So, Isham, I wish you all the best in this new chapter of your life.

Meeting an Insurance guy who is keen to recruit me. He sells OUB manulife policies. I'm still inclined to go with NTUC as I think theirs are more truthful. But then said, I think if one needs to grow their money, insurance is not the way, security of their money yes, but not to grow. To a certain extent, insurance does help to grow your money but usually at a cost of you have to lock up the funds until the breakeven year, and that could be as far as 10-15 years. Now to me, money is money, it has to remain liquid. If you are buying for security, yes go for insurances. But then, moderation is the key.

Blue

Had a wonderful day today. The sky was so sunny and I had my camera with me. So I put 1 and 1 together and I took some pictures. They are in my album Blue. Although you might say I'm freeer now, but I just went along my usual route and routine to capture the scenes, nothing so dramatic as to drive all the way somewhere out there. Oh, I happened to be in Changi as I wanted to er, have lunch as my mom was still in dialysis and nobody was home.

For your info, her cancer is only at the nose and it has not spread to the bones. She will start radiotherapy next week. Pray for me and with me please.

The cookies are done!

The cookies, the cupcakes and the cleaning up is done, for the day!

Adam birthday celebration.

Adam's birthday celebration it tomorrow. So I guess you can say I'll be kept busy the as of when I woke up today. That should explain as to why I simply refused to get out of bed!

Oh, my mom has been diagnosed with cancer.

8.45

It was 8.45 am. I just came back from doing a bit of marketing in Giant and my boy still has not woken up. So I did the next best thing. I took out my camera! Not bad...

Karipap

If not for anything else, the karipap sold near my son's school makes the trip there worthwhile.
This is the bestest Karipap I have ever eaten. Mainly it is because it is made and sold at the source. Its light and crispy. Its filling is generous enough and it's still warm when I brought it home half an hour later.
Got this at this kopitiam in Tampines St 11. I think it is at Blk 137. The name of the coffee shop is Sarah Rose.
A bit pricey though, at $1.50 each. Go for the Sambal Sardine.

Have a good day.

Oh my god! Today is such a tiring day for me.
In the morning, brought Adam to Pasir Ris fish farm. Bought two fishes only to have them attacked by the very territorial pair of "the citizens". In the end, have to set up another tank for the newcomers.
After that, send Adam to school followed by a trip to STU coop. There I managed to settle my accounts and convert my ordinary membership to associate membership. Transfer some of the $ into a term deposit (FD).
Went to Tampines to have lunch only to be reminded that today is dialysis day so, nenek not cooking. Ate whatever leftover there was and had a 30 minute nap. Woke up to find nenek had already cooked ikan masak kichap. But it was too late as I had to pick up Adam.
Picked up Adam and bought some karipap. Nice. Had them for dinner while Adam had rice, fish cooked in oyster sauce and fried long beans.
Immediately after that, sent him for piano class. Went to Cash converter and found nothing that I would part my cash with.
Picked him up half an hour later and we rented ben 10 season 1 and 2, and two other dvds. Now I'm infront of the computer and i just heard Wawa came in. Her mom is going for Yoga. I really do not think I'm going to have any rest tonight. So basically, that how my first day of retirement is.

So here is wishing you to have a better day.

A gift.

Friend's from CVPS gave me this as a farewell gift.

The sun has set...

Yup, today is my last day. It ended with many poignant moments. Filled with friends, now ex-collegues, biddding farewell and wishing me the best. Some of them even pooled money to get me a gift. Very touching. Some of my pupils said goodbyes and I got teary eyed. So the sun has set on this chapter of my life.
A new chapter has started though. I solat with my son. It has been such a long time since I solat. Now I can. And I wish to have no more excuse to be solating with my son anymore.
I ended my official working day watching the flag lowering ceremony by the sideline. I guess that is where I will be now, by the sideline.
Come to think about it, its not the profession that I missed, its the though of not meeting my friends again that is causing me anguish. I have has this feelings before. I remember the first time was when it was the last day of my 1st year in Pre-U. I still remember them. Sukaimi, Aswadi, Yudi. I wonder if they are on facebook.
Yup, the sun has set. But it'll rise again, and what a coincidence, it'll rise on a Friday, the mightiest of all days.
Insyaalah.

Adam's birthday.

It is now 7 minutes into Adam's birthday. Su just called and they have yet to reach their destination, Boston. They have just reached JFK and will have to board another flight to Boston (an hour's flight). They would only be boarding in two hours time. Sure stress...

Anyway, I created an album for Adam's toys. It'll be filled up real soon I bet.

Macaroni and Cheese

The plan was to have lunch and my mum's place. But she sms me at 7 in the morning that she is going JB. There goes Mee Soto. So I went to Tampines Market for some marketing (duh?) Bought some $45 worth of fish and prawns.
Lunch, we had fried maggi, which my maid finds it delicious; she is the maggi expert in the family.
Then I decided to try making macaroni and cheese.
I heated up about 5 tspoon of olive oil.
Put in a 1 cm slab of butter.
Add in a dash of pepper.
Stir in the cooked macaroni.
Add in shredded parmesan, edam and cheddar.
Placed it in the oven for about 20 minutes.
Result is a white, sticky substance which produces a strong cheesy smell.
When I first took a bite out of it, it sort of turn me off. But now, after it has cooled and I'm eating it while on the computer, I finished the whole plate in less than 5 minutes.

Oh, I bought the cheeses at Cold Storage.
What is the plan for the rest of the day?
For my maid, its cleaning up the kitchen after the mess.
For me, go to metro, buy a present for Adam's cousin, and maybe buy him a surprise for his birthday, for it is tomorrow. He has been eyeing that Ben 10 watch for so long.
Then it's to the cousin's birthday party by four. Then i think we'll hit woodlands for dinner.

Its a Sturday

Its a Sturday. Not very Sturdy for me I'm afraid. Have not set put to get work but did managed to clear my cupboard. Now its just the table. God help me. Wife is on the way to the states now. Actually her fliight is at 11.50pm, So I guess she is still at the airport. Adam is asleep in his room and I'm thinking of which market to go to tomorrow. Maybe Geylang. Will post pic soon.

I can't sleep.

I was awaken at half past midnight. I watched tv until 2 and it is now 2.34am. It's already Friday and I'm only a few days away from my R-Day. The day I will resign from the service. As I lay on my bed, I can't help but to see my friends' faces floating in front of me. The thought of not seeing them again, made me cry. I believe I made the right decision. I know I'm resigning for the best. I wish I could make it less painful. It has been an amazing journey. But what an ending! My wife is going to the states and that will leave me facing the R-Day alone. My son will register for P1 and I will be doing the registering alone. My son's sports day is next Sunday and I guess I will be there supporting him, alone. Too many alones in a month is not good. I know, god willing, my wife will be back. I know I'm healthy enough to keep myself busy. I know my objectives of resigning from the service is sound, but it is still not less painful.
I've organised a makan session this Saturday after Pre-Lim oral. I wonder if after that day, I'll be even more alone. Too many alones.
I've took out the money we save for our son's education from the trust account. I've bought unit trust using 1k and another 1.2k as a rsp plan, monthly. I hope to out in the rest in a POSB protect as you save plan. That should give me a 2.25% interest. Of course, this does not mean that I will not set aside the $100 monthly for him. I know I'm making the right decisions.
See, I've done something. Tomorrow, I'm going to start looking for work.

It was raining.

It rained today, so I took a few photos. Oh by the way, I suck at exams.

adobe

you guys should try www.adobe.com and join the adobe photo express. Awesome. Check out my pics in my facebook page...
Er I think it is www.facebook.com/qathirah.
For some reason or another, it can't sync with multiply.
I'm going to start posting photos at http://mrnor.photoshop.com.I'll mirror them in multiply as a matter of course. I'm so excited.
Check it out often.

I'm happy.

Its 3.49 am and I've just finished watching House season 1 disc 2 side A. Not going to do a review of the show but to note down as to what I've noticed. So you know, I watched the DVD in my room, on my bed with my wife sleeping next to me and Adam next to her. Only when I look at Adam, I've realised time has passed, so quickly. He is now coming to six and on the 29th July this year, I''' be registering him for P1. So many gaps in my memories. Although I can still remember when I first held him in my arms, I could not remember the first day he went to Nursery. So many memories, are not missing. Nowadays, when I send him to school, I will let him alight from the parking lot and he'll make his own way to the school. He is such a big boy now. I remembered when I had to handhold him to climb up the steps to the entrance to the school.
And my wife, she has remained just the same after all this 8 years. I love her so much.

Sick... again

My colleague, Poon, just gave me a call. He asked, ever so politely, whether I will be joining the science comm. meeting. I told him I was on medical leave.
I really need to get this phlegm thing out of my system. Its bothering me like crazy. Having problem sleeping at night. Had so much problem sleeping yesterday, I drove into JB at 1 in the morning. The usual jam was there but since this time I was not in a rush, I did manage to observe some very habits of those filling up their petrol tanks. One guy was shaking his Matrix so violently, that I could swear the car moved a few cm sideways. And he was taking such a loooong time. The funny thing was, there were 4 cars behind him. That would not be strange if the pump next to him was not empty of cars. Sure, it'll be troublesome to fill up if the you car petrol hole is on the other side, but its manageable. I should know, I went for it. Seems strange but nobody was behind me. So I really could take my time. Filled up 48 litres. At 2.70 rm per liter, that works out to be RM$129.60. That equaled to SG$55.14. If I'd pumped that same volume of petrol in SG, it'll cost me around SG$105.60 The tolls cost me around $3.00 so I could assume that I'd save around $50? Wow! Multiply that with the number of time I could possible go in, 8, and that'll save me $400! Wow!