Long Way to Go

Alhamdullilah, dear cik HB has received offer letter to further his study in TU Darmstadt, Germany this coming September. But he still wants to wait offer from the other university (RWTH Aachen, Germany) that he put as first priority in his application. The thing is, he doesn't know whether he's going to get a place or not in that Uni, and even if he does, we don't know when he's a going to receive official letter from that Uni. Without official letter means late submission to KPT and subsequently late visa application because the KPT meeting will be on this Friday and if he misses this one, he has to wait for next month.

As for me, it doesn't matter where he wants to go and when is it going to be but it matters when I need to resign and do preparation for us to go. Honestly, I can't wait to resign cause my work now is so stressful plus my shitty boss has extended his service for another month. And months after that, could be.....damn it!

We also heard that visa application to Germany for residence permit is quite tough, it'll take at least 2 months before we could go (for me and the kids, student's visa only takes a month), so I'm afraid that cik HB has to go first without us. And to my horror, cik HB's friend who is also going there, informed us that he has heard that the spouse of the student needs to take German language class first before we can go. I don't know whether this is true or not, we still need to gather information about those things. I do have intention to learn German language but do we really have to pass the exam (if exam involves) then only we can go? What if I failed?

I just don't want to think about all these yet. Not just yet....let cik HB get all procedures done and let me handle my works before I resign. I'm planning to tender my resignation sometime in mid-May on early June, depending the date cik HB has to go cause I have 2-month notice after tendering. Hope I have enough time to do all necessary things.

I know September is very long way to go but being me, I will not be so organized without a plan. To my blogger friends who have moved abroad, any tips to share? Or any things-to-do list to pass to me?

My RealAge Test

I'm now so addicted to 'Dr. Oz' in Oprah's talk show. In line with my effort to live healthily, I found this show is very interesting and informative. And they have this test called 'RealAge Test' to evaluate what is your aging rate, whether you're aging well or bad. So I visited Oprah's official website looking for this test, found it and did it.

Guess what? My RealAge shows that I'm aged at 31.5 despite my calendar age 29.9! Oh, no!!!! This evaluation may not be that accurate cause I don't provide lots of information on my cholesterol level, my heart rate ( well, I don't know how to read pulse on my wrist) but it's enough for me to know that I don't age well. Good thing about doing this test, it's not only the result you'll get but also recommendations on how you could improve your condition. They provide you plan that covers from food intake, exercise and other factors.

I have my plan now, thanks to MyRealAge but I'm such a lazy bum, I haven't started anything yet. But if anyone wishes to know what is your aging rate, try this test. It could be an eye opener to start a healthy way of your life.

Genting Get-Away 2008

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my family and I went for a short vacation in Genting Highlands recently. We arrived there on Tuesday morning, the weather was good and breezy. Upon arrival, we went to the hotel first (I booked online a double deluxe room in Theme park Hotel), to see whether it is possible for us to check-in first although it was still early (it was 11.00 am). And yes, we could check-in coz there was an empty room for us. See, when you take a best deal promotion package, they give you many conditions to comply. In my case, they said I need to check-in before 6pm, or else I will have to pay the normal rate. So if we didn't check-in early, we would have to come out from the theme park early to do check-in. And with this promotion, I paid RM78.80 for the hotel room complete with breakfast when the normal rate is RM130. Isn't that worthy?I was very satisfied with the room condition. Though it was not very spacious but the room was comfy enough for the four of us.

After we have seen the room, we went straight to the outdoor theme park which is situated just next to the Theme Park Hotel. Now the entrance fee for an adult is RM36 for outdoor theme park when I remember the last time I came here in 2003 was at somewhere around Rm 25-27. What to say, 2003 is 5 years ago, huh? We thought we didn't have to pay for the twins, but the entry fee is based on the height. Any child above 90 cm at height is required to pay and when we measured them, Nabihah stood at 97 cm. Luckily Nabilah is still below 90cm so she could go F.O.C.

The first thing we rode was the double decker carousel. I would not have imagine to ride on this when I was single. Then we went around riding all games meant for family. Somehow, dear cik HB felt like riding on the Space Shot and he did. He still felt thrilled and asked whether I want to try or not. I said no, I didn't feel like to. We off to Dinosourland where we will ride a boat and there will be a simulation show of dinosaurs. While waiting for our turn (it was quite a long queue despite it was weekday), the weather has somewhat became so cloudy and foggy. When the next boat came, it was drizzling but we were still allowed to ride in the boat. But it was then raining so heavily, we just couldn't sit on the boat benches. And luckily shortly after that we entered the cave where they had the simulation show. By the time the show finished and we were sent back to the starting point, the rain has became heavier and we were stranded there. It was around 1.30 pm, we were so hungry and cold. Luckily I brought sandwiches, cheese and cookies, so we could feed the twins.



When the rain has stopped, we quickly ran to the nearest fast food restaurant, and had our lunch there. Since the Spinner located in front of the Mary Brown where we had lunch, I thought of riding it. It was so excited to see people riding on it screaming. But it was a bad choice coz I rode it with full stomach, by the time I got down, I felt sick and spinning. It's a Spinner, indeed! We spent the afternoon riding all the games that we could with the twins. HB thought of trying the Flying Coaster before we came here but after doing the Space Shot, he concluded that he's over those thrilling stuff already. Yeah, we both have become boring, dull persons now when we used to be very brave to try those thrilling rides.There were games which only children are allowed to ride. Nabilah refused to anything that she had to ride without us. Nabihah tried half way, but chickened out when Nabilah started crying asking for her to get down. Luckily, she was the only one who rode the game, so the staff could stop the game immediately and took Nabihah down.

We finally came out from the outdoor theme park at 5 pm. It was a good thing that we had the hotel room to rest because if it was a one-day trip, I'm sure it will be very exhausting to drive back to Melaka. We got up to our room, took bath, rested and went out again at 8 pm to venture the other places of Genting. We headed to First World Plaza where you can find various of food outlets and bazaars and also the indoor theme park. But do take note on the price, ok. Things are bit expensive here compare to the price downlands.

We thought of eating something Malaysian (nasi la of course!) for dinner since we had the fast food for lunch. But the local cuisines are operated by non-muslims with no halal logo appear anywhere. So we decided to have our dinner at Pizza Hut. Then we just went around surveying the plaza. There's Ripley's Believe It or Not exhibition but the entry fee is RM25 which for me is expensive. We surveyed the indoor theme park games and thought that we'll come again on another vacation to try out these games (If you come to Genting with family of small kids, I suggest not to take the 'all parks' ticket coz you wouldn't have enough time to try all games at all parks in one day, especially on peak seasons).

We came back to hotel room at 10 pm feeling so tired. On our way back to hotel (Theme Park Hotel located about 15 minutes walking distant from First World Plaza - my rate, ok!) the girls refused to walk so we had to carry them. Though they were tired, they didn't sleep immediately after we reached our room. They still had the energy to jump on the bed and really tested my patience.

The next day, the girls woke up quite early so I bathed them and we went to the buffet breakfast at the hotel's restaurant. I felt like being in Taiwan, and HB felt like he's in Thailand coz we were the only Malays, surrounded by mostly Chinese, Indians (from India, mind you!), and foreigners. We checked-out from the hotel at 10 am and were thinking to ride on the cable car. We made of mistake by parking our car in First World Hotel when the Genting SkyWay is located near the Genting Hotel. Luckily while walking thru First World Plaza we found Genting map and realized that we shouldn't park our car there. We drove to Genting Hotel and managed to find the Genting Skyway. Now the fee of the cable car is RM5. It used to be RM3 something back in 2003. Everything is increased now, it seems.

So here the video clip when we rode in the Genting Skyway

The twins enjoyed the cable car ride. We straight went back to Melaka after that two-way cable car ride. I'm glad we went for this get-away. At least it made me feel better though it was very exhausting. And no doubt, coming home I will have to face the dirty clothes and a messy house.

So, if you are looking for a low-budget vacation in Genting Highlands, here are some tips I would like to share:

1. Before you go, visit the official Genting website (http://www.genting.com.my/) . Get info on the hotel rates and any promotions. And do your reservation online. Trust me, buying thru online is much cheaper than the other ways and make sure you check the date you wish to book. Rates are cheaper on low season. And check for best deals which they offer room and breakfast. If you are not into the 5-stars hotels (hey, I told you for low budget only), you could choose either Theme Park Hotel or the First World Hotel. I found Theme Park Hotel is quite a satisfaction but I don't know about First World.

Theme park ticket is also cheaper by RM2 if you buy online.

2. Things are expensive up there. So bring enough necessities like your tooth brush or tooth paste. And bring enough snacks and drinking water. A 1.5 litre mineral water will cost you RM4! So plan wisely.

3. If you are going there on the peak season or you have small kids with you, I suggest not to buy the 'all-park' ticket. It may looks like it is much cheaper if you buy for all three parks (outdoor, indoor and water) for one day pass but trust me, you wouldn't have enough time to enjoy all the rides. On peak season the queues are very long and if you have kids, well...you know stuff with kids, right?

4. For those with kids, make sure you always have their sweater in your bag. Cause the weather is very unpredictable, it could be so hot at one time, but cold next.

Don't DRIFT and drive

I suppose when you come back from a vacation, your mind is refreshed and more focus right? (I've just got back from my two-days vacation in Genting, will write details about it in my next entry). Wrong!!!

My mind was so drifting this morning when I entered toll to get into highway, that I didn't realize, instead of taking JB route to get to Yong Peng (my work place), I took KL route!!! And I was like, NO!!!!! but it was too late to make a turn and I had no choice but to go all the way to the next exit which is Alor Gajah. And it was an additional of 40 km to-and-fro from Ayer Keroh. It was a waste of money and fuel and time. And spoiled my day, ok!

The good news is when I reached office, the clerk told me that my boss is on leave today, hooray!!!!!

A Wonderful Doctor

I was feeling unwell on last Friday and decided to take medical leave. It wasn't like I couldn't get up , but I was feeling dizzy and miserable. So I wouldn't take risk by driving on long distant. I went to the doctor that I did my pap smear with. If I'm looking for the unpaid medical service, I could go to any cik HB's panel clinics but I had enough with these ridiculous clinics, so I'd rather paying myself for the clinic that I prefer. Anyway, I can claim for the bill with my company later.

I told doctor my problem and also informed her about my cranky menstrual cycle since couple of months ago. My colleague told me, irregular menstrual cycle could also be a sign of being pregnant. The doctor said that was probably right so she performed a scan to see whether I've conceived or what (though being pregnant is the last thing in my mind!). She showed me the screen and informed that I'm not pregnant and nothing is abnormal inside my womb (phew! lega...). Then she took my bp level and it read 132/79. Yeay! My bp level has gone down and almost normal (range of normal 110-120/70-80). So my effort in eating oatmeal for breakfast has shown some good progress. Another yeay!!!!

So if there is nothing wrong with me why do I feel so unhealthy and what is that with regular dizziness, headache and cranky menstrual cycle? So I had a long chat with this doctor on this matter. She told me one thing " if u do not want a thief to enter your house, go get good security system for protection". So same thing goes with your body. If you do not want to have health problems, get nutritious, functional food, enough exercise and lead a happy life. Yeah, I guess everybody knows this but how many really cares to follow the health regime? The doctor told me that she herself though a doctor started taking care of herself at the age 35. And I was surprised, I thought she was in her 30's. So I asked her age, and she told me she's reaching 45. Wow! She doesn't look like one, she has slim figure and younger look. I was absolutely jealous with her.

She said it wasn't easy and she got to change because she had various health problems (see, even a doctor can fall sick). She had insomnia, once she had not slept for a week and she was feeling weak. At the same time, her mother was getting diabetes. So she started living healthily and it involves taking good food, drinking well treated water (do you know that our tap water is not that safe?). She's taking these Zhulian packed food (like protein drink, powder or something) coz she doesn't have time to prepare nutritious food on her own due to her tight schedule. Her mother also takes some of these food to control her diabetes. And after few months taking it, she said her mother's sugar level had dropped to normal and it keeps that way until today. She herself feels more energetic and healthier. She still taking those foods but the cost is very expensive. For her alone, it costs her Rm700++. Wow, I surely couldn't afford that.

But she said, I'm not to worry, as long as I watch over what eat (look out for functional food, select brilliant food with anti-oxide elements) , eat in controlled portion (hah! this is my main problem!), try do regular exercise and minimize stress, and I'm on the right track. I'm glad that had this chat, cause even though I could get these infos from the Net, the awareness is different from listening to a doctor who has proved herself correct. I'm planning to do a full medical check up to see how is my cholesterol level, sugar level and so forth with this doctor later.

And can you imagine how much I had to pay with the scan, long consultation and some medicine prescription? It was only RM16!!!.

Personality Tests

I've been doing these personality test on Facebook and here are the results:

Dr. Phil's personality test

Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who will always cheer them up and help them out.

My view: Don't really agree on the 'center of attention' but can always agree with the last sentence...hehehe

Earth, Water, Wind, Fire, Spirit. Which are you?

I am Water!

I like to go with the flow. I have some very deep feelings. I like to empathise with people and can connect with my friends on a very personal level. I like life to be straight forward and simple. I can get on with anyone no matter who. I like peace.

My view: Not bad.

What Musical Instrument Are You?

My result is: Cello

You are quite and calm. You think life is about patience, and you know exactly what you want. You are driven, smart, and very beautiful. Your friends think of you as 'most likely to succeed'. You generally have a positive outlook on things and don't let people's words get you down. You have a very opinianated personality but know how to do it in a sophisticated matter. You enjoy partying but you also enjoy sitting at home and reading a book. You love being seen as the smartest one at the table, but you are suave and don't come off as pompus. You can be misunderstood at times, and be seen as somewhat creepy with your very devilish composure. be careful, make sure to get whatever is bothering you off your chest, if let the tension build up too much you might snap a string.

My view: I don't really believe these are my characters cause they sound too good to be true. Patience is something I'm trying to adapt especially after being married and have kids. And how do I evaluate ''most likely to succeed'? I don't even have an ambition now other than expecting salary increment and be a good wife and mother. Not really enjoying a party (if is kids birthday party, yes I love them) but quite true about sitting at home and read a book. And about not bottling up inside, now I have this blog to release my tension.

Boycott Holland's Products

Due to the havoc cause by the production of FITNA movie by Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders, which is an insult to our Prophet, Nabi Muhammad S.A.W and Islam, Malaysia Muslim Consumer Association has called us to boycott Holland's product in a way to show how much we condemn and protest the film. More info here. The list of Holland's product is available here.

As for me, I've changed the girls' milk from Ductch Lady 123 to Dumex but when I checked again it appears that Dumex also one of the items. So it looks like I have to change to another brand. As for the petrol, I'm always the loyal customer of Petronas, so it doesn't really matter to me. But dear cik HB loves Shell, coz he wants to optimize the use of Bonus Link card. But with this boycott things, I guess he would comply.

What about you, my Muslim fellows? Are you taking part?