PD Trip

Here are some pictures taken at PD beach =)

Peace, Dad! ;D

Kd enjoying the waves

Even when he got hit with a big one =D

Muddy icky fingers!

The boys in my life ;)

Spot the crab!

We had great fun at the beach on that hot sunny Sunday ;) Kids refused to leave (yes, including the Daddy-kid lol!) but we were all pretty much burning under the scorching sun.. After our bath and lunch, we were all so red! Lobster family! =D

It's good to be able to relax at the beach and swim in the cooling waters. Thankfully our beach spot was pretty clean despite the crowd.. It has gotten way too commercial.. Time to have our next trip to an island instead ;)

School holidays are here!

Yes, school's out (again...) for 2 weeks! Think I ought to come up with more productive and creative activities for the kiddies.. Buk is pretty fond of painting etc.. and I found some arts and crafts workshops and classes..

A) Da Vinci Creative Arts (Bdr Sri Damansara - 03.62742668) http://davinci.com.my
~ Workshop on 11th June 09
i) RM150 for 4 hours (11am - 3pm)
ii) Inclusive of materials for 2 art projects
iii) Inclusive of lunch (McDs HappyMeal)

~ Classes (weekdays/weekends)
i) RM100 per month
ii) Once a week
iii) 1 1/2 hours per session

B) Da Vinci Creative Arts (Ikano Power Centre - 03.77254668) http://davinci.com.my
~ Workshop (only for age 5 and above) *Bummer*

~Classes (weekdays/weekends)
i) RM130 per month/RM360 per term (3 months)
ii) 1 1/2 hours per session

C) The ArtWorkshop (DesaParkCity - 03.62807112)http://artworkshop.com.my/artworkshop/Home.html
~ Workshop (daily except Mondays)
i) RM50 per project
ii) 2 hours

~Classes (iClay)
i) RM100 per month
ii) Once a week
iii) 1 hour per session

~Classes (Arty)
i) RM120 per month (4classes)/RM80 per month (2 classes)
ii) Once a week
iii) 2 hours per session

D) GetCrafty (OneUtama - 03.77297155)
~RM45 per session (1hour) - Advanced art projects
~ RM25 per session (1 hour) - Simpler art projects

Decisions..decisions.. Should we send him to either one? Still waiting for confirmation from his kindy. They're also organizing a workshop for only RM80 for 2 days, 2 1/2 hours each session. They're waiting for more kiddies to sign up.. But it's suppose to start on the 3rd.. That's tmr!

An outdoor wedding and a lousy hotel Pt3

After taking some pictures with the happy couple, we bid adieu and left the beach house. Kids were pretty worn out by now so it was about time we head back to our musty hotel room.

We left the a/c on before we left and the room wasn't even cold when we returned! Hubs grumbled but decided to get the kiddies in bed first but what's with the cheering and laughing we hear outside our window?

Just our luck that a group of hotel guests were having some sort of karaoke birthday celebration at the patio! Right in front of our window! Good thing boys were too tired to be bothered by all the noise.. By now, Hubs and I were contemplating on changing hotels altogether. It was already past 10pm and the air was thinning due to poor ventilation..

Again Hubs called the reception and demanded for a new room and this time they agreed. We were doubtful it would be any different (since she mentioned 4 families have already changed rooms that day) but gave it a second chance anyway.

They gave us a new room 2 doors down and what lousy service they have. First she told Hubs someone will send us the new room key then 15 minutes later, she called again and told him to collect it from the front desk. Already tired and cranky, Hubs was in a lousy lousy mood.. I started packing up and ready to leave.

He came back shaking his head cuz the new room is the same! Musty and problematic a/c. I went to check it myself and overheard our next door neighbours with the same issue! That was it! I told Hubs to check in on another hotel cuz there's no way we're staying there for the night.

So, at 11pm, we left Seri Malaysia Resort Hotel (after they refunded our money) and stayed at a motel instead. Cleaner, fresher and a working a/c. The motel was RM70 cheaper but with much proper room and service!

An outdoor wedding and a lousy hotel Pt2

We arrived at the Dawood family beach house all ready to see the bride and groom and catch up with some old friends from school. Most of them looks familiar while some I can't quite remember lol!

We were directed to the reception area in the backyard and man, I must say the place is HUGE! (And this is only the outdoor).. There was a nice big swimming pool, which made the boys really excited as they thought they were going for a swim! It was quite a challenge peeling them away from the water..

Beside the pool was a small table and chair where we wrote in the guestbook (Buk insisted he should write his own name - and he did, as big as possible.. taking up quite a bit of the page =p)
A flight of steps led us to the garden filled with tables, chairs, 2 canopies for the caterers and deejays and a stage). Right in front of the garden is the beach. We enjoyed the sounds of the waves and the wind blowing in our hair while boys sat in a swing nearby. It was a lovely evening.

Soon the crowd started pouring in and we see a few familiar faces.. Got ourselves a table while everyone waits for the bride and groom's memorable entrance. Kids were hungry so we got some food for them (although we should have waited hehe).. Then I saw Ridzwan on a bike.. Not any ordinary one but a classic old-school bike in mint condition. I thought to myself that's a darn cute looking bike lol..

Then the deejay announced the arrival of our dear lovebirds and how do you think they appeared? On the cool looking, classic, old-school, mint condition bike, of course! =D They went on the stage and thanked us for coming and a lil joke from Lan on how he's taken now (and he later said to me that he's now grown up when we met them) - Must have been something I said to him on FaceBook on his birthday last year ;)

We're really happy for them.. On their union as a wedded couple. May Allah S.W.T blesses them and may they enjoy their new found bliss... =)

An outdoor wedding and a lousy hotel Pt1

Hubs has been friends with Lan since primary and when we heard he's finally settling down, we were pretty stoked. We were invited to his family beach home in PD to celebrate the lovebirds' special night =)

Our Saturday started off pretty slowly.. Did some laundry (it's neverending), settled the boys and took Kd to his Tumble Tots class while Buk spent some time with Hubs. Then we went for lunch and tried to tire out the boys so they can sleep on the way..

Upon arriving at PD, we decided to look for Lan's place first before hunting for a hotel. His place is pretty secluded but we found it soon enough. Once we located the beach house, we headed on for a place for us to stay. Most hotels were fully booked, much to our dismay.. So when we found one available, we took up the room almost immediately (it was already 5.30pm and we were suppose to be at the reception in an hour! gasp..)

Honestly we didn't expect Seri Malaysia Resort Hotel to be such a disappointment. The moment Hubs opened our room door, a musty and stuffy smell greeted us. We brushed it off thinking it's probably because the air-cond has just started, we went ahead to refresh ourselves. We were in the room for about 30 mins and the air-cond was still blowing warm air.. That's when Hubs called the receptionist and requested for someone to take a look at it.. Waited for 15mins for the maintenance guy to arrive and only then he cleaned and refill gas for the outdoor unit.

Hubs was pretty peeved by now and demanded for a new room but somehow the hotel staff was incredibly reluctant to let us change rooms! So we ended up stuck in the same room. The guy finished fixing the air-cond and told us to call the reception if it still doesn't work. (Should we be concerned by now? It's as though he expects the a/c not to work..)

We were already late for Lan's wedding but decided to hang on and wait for the a/c to work.. It was a little cold after the gas refill but we were not convinced it's working properly.. Hoping we were wrong, we left for the beach house half an hour late..

It may have lied..

Hubs and I brought the boys to MidValley on Saturday for the Monsters and Dinosaurs showcase.. Nothing spectacular, really. Well except for Apatasourus' broken neck. It was mended with large tape and painted over with black paint =.= Kd Boy was excited cause he's such a big fan of dinos - he went running around naming them.. =D

Anyway, after the showcase we went walking around in the mall and Buk spotted a weighing machine.. Thinking it was a fun ride (yes that's my silly boy) he wanted to give it a try. Since I had a few 20sen coins, we decided to have a go.

He put the coin in and was so excited to see the lights come on and the scanner going left and right a few times when it finally settled on.. 15kg. He squealed with glee and told us to try lol! Next up was Kd Boy but scanner didn't stop for the longest time! =D Was it because he was too light? Surely he can't be less than 5kg lol..

I took him off the machine and stepped on it myself and hold my breath for the dreaded results. The scanner then stopped at 50kg..

50kg?? What's happened to the rest of me? The blurbblurb kg I had on a few months ago? Surely I didn't lose that much weight in the short span of time.. Especially when I hardly go to the gym or do any sort of workout at home.. Well except being a 'playground' for the boys..

I do not believe the machine for one bit.. I shall look for another weighing scale to find out my actual weight. Seriously. It definitely may have lied..

A 'Grown up' Conversation

Whilst driving home, Buk asked if he could sleep in our room tonight.. I reminded him that he's only allowed to have a 'sleepover' on Fridays and Saturdays. (It's like a lil' weekend treat for him lol..)

The rest of the conversation went like this..

I can sleep in your room when I'm a father, right?

Huh? Father?

Yea because I'll be too tall for my bed. And Daddy sleeps in your room because he can't fit in a small bed..

I tried so hard not to laugh at his straightforward answer lol!

I started explaining to him how when he's a father he'll have his own family.. his own home and room and a big bed to sleep in (Gee.. I can't bring myself to think of him as a grown up).. Then he said..

Oh then I don't have to go to school anymore, right?

*Laughs* Yeah you'd be working by then..

Ok then I don't have to sleep in your room?

No, baby.. You'll have your own when you're a grown up..

Oh.. Look Kd Boy! A cement mixer!

=.=

Well.. That ended our 'grown up' conversation lol!

I'm pregnant..

well at least I was in my dreams.. (gotcha!) ;)

I was in my 5th month and went to see Prof Siti (as I did with my first and second pregnancy) and again she was surprised to see me..

Being pregnant with the first two had been wonderful despite the weight gain lol! I didn't experience terrible nausea and loved feeling the baby's kicks and movements in my tummy.

We would love to be blessed with a baby girl not because family members keep pestering us for one (as though it's as easy as pressing a button on a vendor machine and out comes the soda you want) but more of a completion as a family. The idea of a lil' sister for the boys just feels right.

Honestly, I would love to get pregnant again but some things are definitely holding us back. It's not quite the time yet to have another addition as Hubs just went through a 'bidding game' with 2 different companies (finally settling on one and moving on).. Boys' school fees are going through the roof.. Plans of buying a landed property and a new car in the works.. The current uncertainty of the economy status just makes things uneasy for us not to mention the global warming as well...

The clock is ticking as Kd is getting older and we don't prefer a wide age gap.. Maybe in another year or so til we actually decides on Project Baby =D

My beanie!

My Forever 21 purple beanie arrived yesterday ;)

It's a nice shade of purple

I likey! =D

The postman left the package in my mailbox instead of delivering it to my doorstep and I was waiting in vain.. Thankfully I decided to check my box and voila! there's my beanie baby =D

Kd wanted to try it on too!

X-Men Origins: Wolverine..

is an awesome movie! Not only because there's Hugh Jackman (hubba-hubba!) but the visual effects were real cool and the rest of the cast played their characters really well!

One of my fave movies of the year! It has a good storyline along with sleek fighting scenes, I would definitely want to watch it again.

Of course we couldn't conceal the affects Wolverine had on us with his manly swagger and goofy hair, he looks darn good with and without clothes.. *swoon*..

I thought Liev Schreiber as SabreTooth suited him well.. He brought out the hungry killing machine in the character with a twist of brotherly bond with Logan. And who would have thought Will.I.Am turns out to be a pretty talented actor? =D

I loved the part where Gambit showed his skills with the playcards when fighting with Wolverine and the thing he does with his stick.. Coolness!

Here I thought Weapon XI was played by Ryan Reynolds, but in fact it was carried out by Scott Adkins who was in Bourne Ultimatum and Undisputed Trilogy. He's an English actor and a martial arts pro ;)

I'm sure most of the girls cussed at Lynn Collins (who plays Kayla Silverfox - Wolverine's love interest) during the more intimate moment scenes lol!

I don't know how Hugh Jackman gets so buffed and sculpted but he sure is good to drool I mean look at ;)

2 thumbs up for the good work on X-Men Origins: Wolverine!

Understanding Kd's language

We always thought KD Boy was a wee bit slow in speaking (compared to his brother who could form simple sentences at 21 mths) but when he did pick up.. oh boy did he pick it up well. Some time after CNY he ditched his baby talk and spoke words we could actually understand. In that few months, he also learnt all his ABCs and 123s from his brother! (The wonders of having an older sibling lol!)

We still have trouble understanding him at times.. especially words that sound similar and those which starts with 'S'..

Once he was saying bird..fly..dai! I went 'die'? No.. dai! At that moment I was scrambling my brain trying to figure out what he was saying then it occured to me.. Sky! Lol! Yup bird fly in the sky.. not die.. duh! =D

Recently Buk screamed 'monster! monster!' while running away from Hubs and KD happily joined in the fun. Hubs and I rolled with laughter when we heard KD cuz he went..

'Monjer! Monjer!'


And this is after we got rid of the 'Monjer' Yay!

He can also name all his favourite Tranformers characters (shortened, of course) and what they transform into hehe. My boys are such Tranformers fans that we have so many of the toys it's like an invasion. (Ok admittedly both Mummy and Daddy are big fans too ;D)

And my lil chipmunk adores his dinosaurs books and toys. His favourite? Tritops (Triceratops!)

Sports' Day

This year, Buk's kindy decides to have the annual Sports' Day within the school compound. Last year, it was held at a community hall where it was hot and congested and cranky kids screaming their heads off. It was quite chaotic with the parents rushing their kids out of there as soon as it ended.

Although the kindy isn't very big, having the events inside the compound proved to be well organized and much more fun. The facilitators came up with a proper schedule where each age group took turns with their events. I think most parents preferred it this way.

Unfortunately for me, I missed Buk's events! Rushing from sending Hubs to his conference and getting stuck in 2 different traffic jams, I only made it in time for the trophy and picture taking ceremony =(

Buk with his classmates lining up for trophy ceremony

Buk with his trophy. Erm it's terbalik dear =D

He enjoyed his Sports' Day and was beaming when he took home his trophy. I hope we won't miss the next one!

Here comes..

..May!

First two weeks are already filled with activities and celebrations.. I can't wait!

Photography workshop with Andy continues this Saturday morning for our outdoor session (pray it doesn't rain!) at the Lembah Kiara Recreational Park. The basic DSLR session held indoors was very informative and interesting.. I'm really looking forward to this one.

Right after that is shopping session for ThreadBarn! =D I'm so excited to finally be able to set a date with L to replenish the blogshop. Honestly, we're running low on items and it's getting kinda stale ;p It's sorta retail therapy for me as well since I've been resisting shopping temptations lol!

On Sunday morning, we're taking Kd to sign up for TumbleTots! =D We've decided to just let him go for physical play since he did so well in LetterLand.. This boy needs to socialize with children his age! Can you believe only 2 years old and already refusing to join in with the kiddies? (although he enjoys mixing around with older kids!) Lil tyrant..

On Tues (crosses fingers) is our lil girls' night out for our drool fest ;) Wolverine.. yum..

Thursday, 7th May marks our 5th wedding anniversary! We've been together for 12 years.. time does fly.. Numerous ups and downs of course, and lately a lot of frustrated, wish-we-could-strangle-each-other moments. Think we need to step back, breathe and look at the bigger picture. If we made it through so much in the past years, I'm sure we can hang in there for a lot more =)

On Sunday is Mothers' Day! Lunch with mum and gang is the usual plan.. Followed by dinner with dad and step-mum.. Oh wait.. there's also mother-in-law.. Hmm probly dinner on Saturday? =D Celebrations overload!

What's next after that weekend? Hopefully Hubs get to have his break from work and go on a family holiday! Buk will be having school holidays afterall ;)

Drool fest!

When I first saw the tv ad for X-Men Origins:Wolverine, I knew I had to watch the movie at the cinema. Huge screen means better view of the yummylicious Hugh Jackman (sigh...)

The last time Hubs and I went for a movie was for my birthday (thanks to Lia for babysitting the boys) and before that were kiddie movies with the boys =D (yeah that's us ever since having kids lol!)

Last week Lia suggested a girl's night out to watch the buffed and sculpted and charming and yummy erm movie hehe.. Of course I was up for it, are you kidding? =D Forget bout Hubs! Who else to share the drool fest with if not with those who share the same crazy pandemonium?

Can't wait for our movie night! Lia suggested we bring buckets just in case tissues or hanky won't be enough but when D mentioned uncensored scenes in the movie, I think we need to sit in a tub! =D

My shoe obsession

I have a weakness for shoes. Period.

From shopping in shoe shops to exploring the online shoe world, I just can't help ogling and salivating over them. (High heels and boots in particular)

When I first saw the pair of Aldo boots in FaceBook's Shoes application, I just had to hunt for them. Soon enough I found the gorgeous pair in Aldo 1Utama (what luck!) tried it on and immediately in NEED to own it.

I liked it so much I didn't care about the fact that they were 1size too small (and forget bout the price!). Call me crazy but I convinced myself the boots would stretch and fit me.. eventually =D

Then I started exploring the online world and discovered this lovely baby...

Picture credited to duskywings

Simple yet sweet and I do like white shoes =) Arranged for purchase and meet-up with the blogshop owner almost immediately and I just fell in love with the pair.. Unfortunately, after wearing them just two times, this happened..

I was devastated! How in the world did the heel break? I really fancied them. Nonetheless, I contacted the seller and she was very understanding and willing to pay me back my money. To heal my heartbreak, (and also to stop looking like a fool walking around barefoot in a mall..) I went and looked for another pair.. So this lovely white pair of White Angela is replaced with..

I found this in Opera shoe shop in 1Utama and they cost slightly more than White Angela.. =)
Although it wasn't a good experience for me to buy shoes online, I wanted to give others a chance. I found this site which custom designs canvas shoes called tenladytoes (http://tenladytoes.blogspot.com/) and most of their designs are oh so cute! Told my sister about it and we both ordered our respective shoes =)

Aren't they cute? TLT had 2 different designs which I liked and decided to combine them and came up with this. Although I preferred more 'grass' and 'swirls' I was happy with them. TLT did a good job and are very pleasant sellers.

Soon find myself in a shoe frenzy and constantly in search of new ones. Along came the Bradshaws epidemic! Everyone was talking about (and not just in the online world) and when I saw the design, I practically swooned! =D

But since we can only pre-order them from the blogshops (imported from the US) I was in doubt.. Not because of trust issues, but the shoe sizes differ from the ones we have here. Think I kept visiting the blogshops just to drool over the Bradshaws for weeks.

One day, I found someone reselling hers in size 7 (which was my size) and this time, I could try on and check out the quality before purchasing them. Guess what I did? ;) My own pair of purple Bradshaws!

Hard not to admire! =D

With all these news shoes, the older ones are pretty neglected and Hubs has been complaining.. I don't blame him but he should see this coming ;)

My new obsession!

Earth Day!

All of us should celebrate Earth Day every day! Conserve energy, eat organic foods and use non-chemical cleaning agents. Ok I admit organic products are pricey but the Earth clearly needs a break from humans' carbon footprint.

I calculated my carbon footprint (http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx) and it's not pretty. Driving my car emits carbon monoxide which is probably the major harm to the Earth. Other than that is the lack of consuming organic food and it is a BIG difference.
We are unsure on how much chemicals and pesticides are used by farmers on our vegetables and hormones injected into chicks to boost growth.
Organic poultry are as natural as possible because the animals are corn-fed or are grown at their own pace hence safer for us to eat and healthier for the environment.

I have not used chemical products to clean my house since last year. My boys had atopic eczema when they were younger and I myself have sensitive skin, I've opted to use only baking soda with distilled white vinegar and lemons. They clean well and because they are natural mineral and ingredients, no harmful gases are released in the air (which thins the ozone layer)

I've also decided not to fix my vacuum cleaner since it broke down because not only does it use a lot of electricity, it's actually harmfully emitting tiny dust particles as you use. Sweeping (although it does cause dust to fly, it's still tolerable) and mopping is efficient to keep the house clean.

What else? Try not to use plastic bags except Tesco's biodegrable ones. I have so many useful canvas bags, they're a gem! Oh, I've switched to plant based dishwashing liquid and add baking soda and vinegar into my laundry for cleaner and fresher clothes. You may think they don't clean all that well but believe me, they do!

I've been thinking of converting my black thrash can into a compost bin but not quite sure where to start and whether it's a good idea seeing that we stay in an apartment. I would really love to recycle every single thing that can be recycled.. Be it cans, paper, plastic even leftover foods. What could be more thoughtful and safer to protect our dear Planet Earth? =D

Happy Earth Day! May we stick to our good habits and love love love the Earth!

What's been going on..

I have been pretty busy lately (ok ok been lazy to write an entry here hehe)..
So what's been going on? Hmm lets's see.. Kd Boy turned 2 on the 7th of March..
Lisha n I started on a new project called ThreadBarn (http://threadbarn.blogspot.com) where we hunt for exquisite, unique clothings and accessories and sell them on the blogshop. Right now, we're in the midst of creating our own versatile piece but have hit a small blunder. Sigh.. We will make it work! (as Tim Gunn says it =D)

I have stopped keywording for Alfred to focus on managing ThreadBarn but am thinking of resuming it.. The online shopping world hasn't been very kind to us.. Things are moving pretty slowly and honestly, I'm a little frustrated. (Alright let's face it, I'm always frustrated with everything going on around me =D) But I would like to see our sales move at a consistent rate!

Took Kd Boy for a trial class at TumbleTots couple of weeks ago.. He did better in LetterLand than I have expected. He was very responsive and enjoyed the arts and crafts session. During physical play however, he was a little anti-social =D Climbing and tumbling are his faves but he just refused to join in with the group! Preferred to climb on the stations on his own and didn't have the patience to wait in line sigh.. So like his daddy..

Potty training has begun! Lots of accidents in the first week but he's doing well now.. Sometimes he tends to forget (esp when the TV's on!) and gives his Mummy (and Aunty Eea!) some extra work to do.. Better start training him now so Hubs and I can save on day-time diapers. Night time training would be another challenge and another chapter...

Khalis has been doing very well in kindy.. His teacher has nothing but praises on his work and behaviour, I'm so proud of him! Been very helpful with his friends and always the first to volunteer to carry the utensils during snack time. He does drive me up the wall with his constant complaining and whinging nature at home.. I guess he can't help it.. Or it's just become a habit =D

LeapFrog SchoolHouse has been put on hold due to unforeseen circumstances sigh.. Mr.Teh has moved on to another company and is planning on reviving the school with his new group. Well, keeping my fingers crossed for good news from him!

Another year!

Happy Birthday, to me!

It's now 25mins past midnight and I'm still sitting in front of my pc trying to finish up my work.. *Yawn*

Bear cubs and Big Bear are asleep.. I should head to bed too..

Cheers to 26! *Woohoo*

My latest toy

Phone conversation with my Dad.

Me: Hi, Dee

Dad: Ah Yan, ah Dee here ar.. What you want for your birthday?

Me: Har? Birthday ar.. Errr I'm not sure..

(He caught me offguard as I wasn't expecting that question)

Me: Oh, oh I want a camera! A Nikon D60 would be nice.. Hehe

Dad: A camera? What for? You use wan meh? When you gonna use it? Why you want it for?

(Yes he likes to interrogate me that way)

Me: Hehe.. Err.. Use to take pictures? Haha.. It's ok Dee, you can get me anything. I don't mind.

Dad: Hmmph.. Ok lah I'll see what I can find.

Me: Ok, Dee..

After we hung up I didn't think much of it cause I wasn't expecting him to look for what I wanted. When he said 'I'll see what I can find', I assumed he meant looking for something totally non-camera related.

Later that day he called again.

Me: Hi, Dee!

Dad: Ah Yan ar.. Daddy got you an Olympus camera. Better than the Nikon one.

Me: Har?? Really? Haha I was just kidding!

Dad: Yeah it's your birthday present so it's ok..

Me: Hehe ok thanks Dee..

So my Dad bought me an Olympus E420 DSLR. It comes with a twin kit lens and a camera bag. He also bought me an 8gb memory card and he was clear to let me know how much it cost! =D So typical of him but I'm thankful and yes a little spoilt as well. The precious pressie is worth RM2300 ;D

A moment to pray

Yesterday my mum received grieving news of her 2nd sister's death. I was about to leave to her place and carpool to visit my grandma in Puchong.

My aunt has been in and out of hospitals for the past few months due to her kidney problems and colon cancer. She had one of her kidneys removed recently and was on a long-course of medication. She was admitted again on the 1st day of CNY and took her last breath Thursday morning.

We didn't want to upset my grandma so no one told her of the news but when we went to see her, she was crying and told us that she dreamt of her daughter's death. My mum and I looked at each other - wide-eyed. She then said you don't have to tell me, I already know she died.

For a moment my senile grandma seemed to have come alive from the clouds in her head. She who has trouble remembering me and most of her grandchildren (and great-grandchildren for that matter) and has been acting like a child again, spoke with such grief and normalcy - it was somehow a comforting moment for me to see her in her usual self as how I remember her to be when I was younger.

It's been a part gloomy start to the year of the Ox and I'm definitely looking for a brighter and happier note.