The Malaysian Savings Sales

The year-end festivities begin in November with the all new Malaysia Savings Sale 2008 or MSS – a much anticipated shopping event in the country. Previously known as the Malaysia Year-End Sale, this year’s shopping extravaganza will commence from 29 November 2008 to 4 January 2009, presenting shopaholics with 37 days of fantabulous retail therapy, great dining experience and fun entertainment.

Throughout the duration, participated malls will be having events and activities spanning from Klang Valley, Kedah, Penang and Johor. Click here to view the details schedules and dates.

Christmas tree...oh christmas tree

If you have not realize by now Christmas Day is just less than a month to go. Right around the corner. Those eager ones must have already set up their family Christmas tress in the living room. Just waiting and counting for the big day to come. And at the same time, gifts will start accumulating around it.

Unfortunately........we have to skip the tree this year, in our house at least. Why? Because of the little kids lo. Imagine this.......two crawling toddles (and can even stand by holding), curious and adventurous. I don't know what would happen to our old faithful Christmas tree then. Definitely would be terrorized by them. Ivan on the other hand have already grown out of it a bit last year. So for safety reason, the Christmas tree will be keep safe and sound from the toddles for now. Maybe next year would be a better time to have it around. Hhhhaaaaaiiiiii......miss the tree.

That look

Did you notice the attentive eyes. The gaze. The look.

That's our little Reanne......trademarks.

Dinner at Seremban

Last Saturday, we went to attend Soo Pei's cousin wedding dinner at Seremban. We went there with my parents in-laws and sister in-laws. Not forgetting also our two little kids. This is our first time we brought the little ones in such event. Reason being is that......getting this little 'people' to settle down for entire dinner (which always start late and end late) is really not an easy tasks. Enjoying the dishes will be out of the picture for sure.

Anyhow, we did enjoy the dinner. Happy for the newly wedded couple. And the kids was quite accommodating. Need I not mention Ivan did enjoying himself with the food :)

Main Cover

Photographer: Denise Khan
Model: Reanne Chong
Editor: CKChong

Hey I can ride

Surprise, surprise, our little lady is riding already.........in the toddle stride-ride vehicle of cause.

Reanne was comfortably sitting on the ride when mummy place her there. She didn't complaint tough but enjoying herself with the ride pretty well. Then I guess one thing leads to another.......she begins to stroll with the ride. Amazing. Personally Reanne has surprise me. All the while she shown to be soft, gentle, play safe but not the adventurous type. I guess I was wrong about my baby girl. She got some stuffs might have yet to be pulled out from her sleeves.

My bag......is back

It's was a funny sight. My luggage was the main attraction the moment I settle it on the floor after reaching home from the airport. I thought I was being missed by the little kids. I guess not. It was my bag!

All three of them (Ivan, Reanne and Sarah) just attracted by the bag and jump on it as though it was a discovery of the century. Ivan was distracted the moment I pulled out my camera. Kids are so interesting.......

On cloud nine

Evening view from AirAsia flight back to Kuala Lumpur. The clouds are just so beautiful.

Most of all going home is 'the most' wonderful feeling.......be on cloud nine.

From a distance

Before I go to Cambodia, I only know the country from a distance.......mainly from TV channel such as National Geographic and travel channels. Unbelievable now I was there. Indirectly participated in the country development at properties sector.

The country just open its door last 3 years after decades of civil wars. The country and its people suffered greatly due to the bloody war. But my presence there, I don't seem to notice it. Not at the people faces. There seems to be a lot of energy to move....forward indefinitely. Unfortunately not all past can be forgotten. Behind the hustle and bustle, the scars of war surfaced from the certain people take have to live with it.........the victim of land mines. But not all without hope. The country young generation like I mentioned with its energy earlier will leap forward.

I only managed to capture few photos here and there to share. I hope I can capture more next round.

From the hotel......

the Mekong river

From the city road...

8% EPF option really means...

I never and didn't thought of it until my colleague sent this info regarding EPF contribution to be automatically reduce from 11% to 8%. The government will enforced it two years from January 2009. Those who choose to maintain the higher 11% are required to fill up form. And I definitely chose 11%. Why spend the future money for present mere little 'extra' spending power.

Lets try to imagine, assume monthly basic salary is RM4,000.00

Scenario A

If your opt for the extra 3% (RM120) to be deposited in your wallet, in a year only a peanut RM1,440. Tell me what can you do with it. Wait till you see what happen in Scenario B.

Scenario B
If your monthly EPF contribution is 11% (RM440), taxable income = RM3,560, income tax payable = RM77.

If your monthly EPF contribution is 8% (RM320), taxable income = RM3,680, income tax payable = RM109.

Conclusion
If you choose to contribute 8%, you will end up paying more income tax to the government, which will make the government richer. Finance Minister said this measure is meant to boost up the slow-down market, but from this example we see that the money does not go into the market. Instead the money goes direct into the government's pocket through the greater amount of income tax that we will have to pay.

My days in foreign land

This evening is my second day at Cambodia. Posting at the hotel internet corner. There got only 3 pc available for hotel guest to use - for free. Most of the time is fully occupied.

Pretty interesting as this is my first time posting at foreign land. Will be more in near future due to the project I'm involved in this foreign land.

Work

My work agenda here is quite successful. Having done a meeting with the Client, Consultants and Contractor proceed with site inspection at the project site. Tomorrow got another meeting with a Contractor and thereafter should be free and easy until departure to airport for our 4.30pm (Cambodia's time).

Free time

So far don't have opportunity to do sight seeing but only got the time for meal after the work initenary. Our hotel is located a tourist centre. So food is not an issue because just walking distance. The meal that we have cost us about USD 12 (RM43.44) for western food choices. Maybe tomorrow when the initenary is less heavy, I could do some exploring at the local area.

Home

After reading mummy post, I feel even homesick. Missing my loves one is not a quite comfortable feeling. After all it's not that bad as my trip only need 3-4 days the max per visit. I just hope Ivan is behaving good enough at home and Reanne......hmmm maybe too little to know the different. Finally not forgetting mummy dear who have to fill in the void I temporary left behind. It has been quite some time I'm away from home for few days. This time round is Reanne's first not seeing daddy for few days. Sop, sop.....Daddy miss you guys over here.

Anyway I'm glab tomorrow able to fly home.

Daddy, we miss you!

Daddy (The Author) is just one day away from home, and now every one of us in the family has started to miss him. Neither was it due to the amount of time, nor was this the first time he travel in his duty, but it was because in our mind we know that he has gone to Cambodia, a place far-far away. It is the distance that counts.

Poor little Ivan, I don’t know how much he can understand when we said Daddy is flying abroad to work. Though he used to observe aeroplane flying across the sky, and usually got very excite, but he has not flown nor seen someone flown before in an aeroplane. When asked, “Where is Daddy?” He would recite, “Daddy flied away.” But last night during our bedtime, Ivan asked again about Daddy. I told him, “Daddy is not coming back to sleep these two days because…”

Then, instantly, he answered, “Oh! Daddy flied away in an aeroplane ah? Daddy go far far away… up there high high… to the space? (I think he confused the aeroplane with the rocket) The sun... the star…” Then he pretended to sob and said “Daddy didn’t bring Ivan…” I wanted to laugh but at the same time touched by his expression. Wanted to sooth him, I assured him, “Its ok, Daddy is working, he cannot bring you there. He is coming back the day after tomorrow.”

“Oh! Yes ah? Daddy’s coming back? Then Ivan happy… Ivan happy…”

With the hope that Daddy is coming back soon, we cheered up again. And finally, we went to sleep peacefully.

One thing worries me is that I still didn’t hear from Chun Kiat since the last time before depart from KLIA. Just pray that the Lord keep him safe and cover him wherever he goes. In Jesus name, amen.

By Soo Pei

My bag is packed

Today is D-day going to Cambodia on my work trip there for 3 days together with my another colleague.

Our flight will be by AirAsia at LCCT @ 3.15pm. The destination will take us about 2 hours flight to reach Phnom Penh. Got a bit of butterfly in my belly since it is my first trip there some more on working trip. I have been busy preparing the necessary working documents the last few days in order to be ready for our meeting there.

I don't think will be able to blog this couple of days until I am back home again. So, catch up later :)

Growing together

Reanne just turn 9 months old on 15th November. On the other hand big little brother Ivan is 2 years and 9 months old. And the parents..........is hmmm.....ok you got the picture!? Lets put it this way, we're all going together as a family :)

Beware of summons.....

It is reported today at The Star, Police and Road Transport Department (JPJ) will issue “mock summons” from Dec. 16 to motorists without seat belts in the rear seat, ahead of real enforcement from Jan 1. The “mock summon” was a way to raise the people’s awareness on the safety need for three seat belts in the rear.

So beware the police is going to play-play with you all if didn't buckle up. Does it mean we gonna wear 'mock' seat belts?

Flying colours

This morning we brought Ivan to have his check up with Dr. Pria (a pediatriciana) at KPJ Kajang Specialist Hospital. The follow up is to see how Ivan is doing after last week pneumonia infection which end up Ivan being hospitalized.

Ivan condition is of flying colours. After one week his condition is perfectly normal. Active as usual and might be a bit too good appetite after the incident. His weight shot back to 15.4 kg. Upon checking with the doctor should Ivan be given an inhaler if the wheezing come back. The doctor said not necessary as Ivan wheezing is only occasional. His previous pneumonia attack was cause by viral infection which later trigger the wheezing condition.

Once again thank God for all His grace upon Ivan's pneumonia recovery. We want to trust God to heal Ivan completely from asthma/wheezing issues.

Popular Sale

POPULAR is having a nationwide sales from 14 November to 14 December 2008, discounts up to 25%* are up for grabs!

Time to make use of the tax deductable book rebate of RM1,000.00.

Itching for holiday

With an advertisement as powerful and tempting as AirAsia's latest free seats (to all destinations!), one will (if not later) immediately thinking of having a holiday even though not in the mind initially. The next is when and where. Going there is not a issue (provided you get the ticket lah).

My last over the sea vacation together with Pei was back in 2004. We were holidaying at Koh Samui, Thailand. Now the itch has resurface again. But than to go on our own without the children seems selfish. Than the money issue is also another headache needed to look into.

Somehow we need some time to breakaway for. Maybe just maybe, now we can fly.....

Eureka!!!

I got a funny yet cute discovery yesterday with our little Reanne.

I don't quite know whether Reanne is fussy about her food or what. But she don't really a big eater. We often have difficulty to feed her with porridge since starting with solid food when she turn 6 months old. Most of the time she only skim through only of half the porridge portion allowed for her.

Yesterday evening I lend a hand to feed Reanne while Pei have her dinner. As usual the little girl make a fuss not taking the food. That time she was sitting inside the baby walker and holding a red colour seal bath toy. Something strike my mind in that instance as I look at the toy. Hey, why not change the colour of the spoon to red also. I was using a white colour spoon at that time.

Amazingly (I can't help myself but to laugh), Reanne responded and resume eating her porridge! EUREKA!!! We just found out the 'secret' to unlock Reanne stubborn feeding problem. It's just too cute. By the way she almost finished the porridge this round. What a discovery. I haven't read of this kind of interesting child development yet.

After that we have an experiment. We bring out all the colourfull toys for her to choose. Quite consistent she prefer red colour objects. Now we found out her favourite colour.

A card you mustn't not own

After the recent episode with Ivan being hospitalized, I realize the insurance medical card is a card family mustn't not own.

Two years ago upon the arrival of Ivan, I decided to purchase an insurance medical card to hedge up my family protection. Both Pei and I already have own life and health insurance policies. So it is wise to also protect our children.

What I can says is that the medical card does really help as we have gone through it already. The amount of hassle have been significantly reduced especially the medical bills. For Ivan case, we only have to fork out a mere 5% of the total medical bills (for registration fees, tax etc) when we check out from the hospital. 95% of it borne by the insurance company. You got to choose to enter a list of private hospital immediately when emergency do crop up just by producing the insurance medical card. The hospital will do the rest for you.

While I was accompanying Ivan in the hospital ward, a mother whose son was being admitted for prolong fever shared a same room with us said that she should have purchase the medical card earlier but did not. She is actually looking already unfortunately her son falls sick before she can purchase it.

I recommend all family should start to look into this area if you have not. Start with what you can afford. Survey several insurance companies and discuss with the respective agents to tailor suite for your family needs. Begin with some protection rather than no protection.

Squeezing the drop

Crude oil has fallen below USD 60 per barrel as I discovered this morning through radio while on my way to works. What would that translate to in social economy sense or cents?

The last I check since the recent last petrol price reduction to RM2.15 per litre, my Avanza mileage consumption is RM0.18 per kilometer. Before it was close to RM0.22 per kilometer (based on RM2.70 per litre).

Can my wallet retain longer from now on?

Cheaper roti canai. Really?

After reading yesterday news saying that consumers in the Klang Valley have reason to smile as the prices of nasi kandar, teh tarik and roti canai are being reduced immediately. So I decided today for another round of roti canai as breakfast. It is reported Nasi kandar will see a reduction of 20 sen a plate, while roti canai (and other roti items such as roti telur, roti pisang, etc) and teh tarik will see a reduction of 10 sen each.

Guess what? I am not quite smiling after looking at the bill. Roti canai is still RM0.90 a piece in my office area at Seri Kembangan. Curiosity take the better hold of me or I should say dissatisfactions. I opened my mouth and asked the operator "isn't that Government had said roti canai has been reduced?". The operator can only smile at me.

I guess I don't really have a good reason to smile this morning. Maybe the restaurant operator does because he did it to me.

Got the ticket

Today I just got my confirmed AirAsia ticket to Phnom Penh, Cambodia for a 3 days work trip there. I will be going there on next Monday and be back the following Wednesday evening. The trip supposed to be on this Thursday but all tickets were sold out due to last minute booking. I was informed to be on board the Cambodia project team only last week. Hmmm....

I will be working along with my colleague, a Project Manager to manage the construction of bungalows together with others appointed Malaysian consultants. Hence, from now on I will need to travel back and forth minimum once a month until the project completed. Initial stage will need to be there fortnightly. Estimated the duration will be about 2 years the most.

I personally have not been there before, so this will be my first. The furthest I have been was Bangkok, Thailand (it was a factory visitation trip back in 2002). I always have a feeling that I will be traveling there but never come across my mind through work.

Lord, guide me as I have never travel this path before. Let Your protection be upon my life and my colleague as well. I commit therefore this project that You have sent me to for Your blessing. Trusting that You have a purpose for my presence there. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Longest day

It happened unnoticed as we didn't anticipated that the complaint have serious tone behind it.

Early last week, Ivan started to complaint about having cough during bedtime. But we thought he just trying to make it up as an excuse. Then Tuesday the cough became very apparent. During the night time it turn to bad wheezing and subsequently a restless night for Ivan as he tries to get himself to sleep.

Next morning, Pei took leave to bring Ivan to have a check with a clinic doctor hoping to relief the asthma. We try to avoid having Ivan to use the nebulizer. He just don't like that mask thing. Unfortunately the doctor said Ivan condition needs immediate usage of the nebulizer. Ivan condition didn't improve until the evening when we decided to go for a second round of checking with the same clinic. Hence second round of nebulizer. The clinic doctor have advice for emergency admission to hospital for a constant treatment against the bad wheezing if it still persist and written a letter for us to do so. The relief just only managed to last not more than 3 hours when the bad wheezing resumed.

Decision have to be made whether to admit Ivan. But the wheezing is just too much for that little body to take it. That whole day, our poor Ivan just wanted to lay down and sleep. Shunning away his regular milks and porridge. At almost 11pm, we decided to admit him to the nearest medical hospital upon checking with our medical card panel list. My dad drives Pei, myself and Ivan to the hospital whereas Reanne stays home with my mom.

Within an hour after arriving at the hospital attended by the on-call paediatrician doctor, having another round of nebulizer, taking of blood sample and X-ray, finally Ivan was admitted to a ward. The doctor have prescribed nebulizer treatment for every 2 hours. It was the longest night for both Ivan and me as I was there to accompany him throughout that night. Pei gotta be home to attend Reanne.

The next day, Ivan gradually return to his normal self. The wheezing was almost unnoticed already thanks to the overnight continuous nebulizer treatment. Ivan appetite was good starting with the hospital breakfast porridge. In the morning, Ivan was sent to have a physiotherapy to promote the removal of accumulated phlegm at the lungs.

We thought it was pretty much over and Ivan can be discharged soon with his sign of improvement. However, in the afternoon the paediatrician doctor brings us an unhappy news. There were sign of pneumonia at Ivan's right lung shown in the X-ray. Ivan needs to be treated with antibiotics medication to control the infection. So further monitoring is needed with extended hospital stay.

To cut the long story short, Ivan was discharged on Friday evening after staying of almost 2 days at the hospital since from Wednesday midnight. Doctor was able to release Ivan given that his improvement was satisfactory. Now Ivan still under antibiotic medication for one week. Follow up appointment will be conducted this Friday.

We wish to take this opportunity to thank God for His protection and covering on Ivan's life. Thank God for his quick recovery and healing from the pneumonia. Not forgetting also to all those who have spent their time to pray and visited Ivan. Thank you for your care and love shown to our little boy :)

Early birds

Gosh, I have been absence in the bloggersphere almost a week now. Some major issues came out just few days ago that have taken my whole family attention and energy away (to be shared soon).

So just let me start with the phrase of 'the early bird who catches the worm'. Springing forth from my office recent revised five days week, beginning yesterday i.e. Monday we are now branded ourselves as 'early birds'. Yes, we are now officially commencing our office hour from 8.30am to 5.50pm after a few days of internal 'voting' among staffs. Majority have chosen to become 'early bird' so that we can return to our 'nest' early too. I guess like one of our politician have said, "it proof that democracy still being triumph in this country".

Five days work

Starting this month, my office have revised the working day to 5 days week instead of 5 and half days recent being for more effective and efficient operational reasons. Working hours have been extended with additional 1 hour from 9.00am to 6.00pm.

Previously we need to work on Saturday based on alternate basis which mean working on two Saturday only in a month.

But if calculate carefully, staffs actually works extra 12 hours based on the latest working time. Original working hours was 168 hrs per month (20 days @ 8 hrs + 2 Saturdays @ 4 hrs) . Latest working hours is 180 hrs per month (20 days @ 9 hrs). Even that it made no different to me as normally I worked even after 6.00pm. However I do appreciate with a completely free additional time for all my Saturdays. Most of my friends are already 5 days week. I am glad with the changes that made. Just need to use it wisely that's all if not it will be an excuse for me to sleep late ;P

Julie oh Julie

Singapore AVA (Agri-Food and Veterinary) has issued a latest statement mentioning melamine has been detected in 17 biscuit product from Malaysian. 12 of the products are Julie's brand and the others are Khong Guan Assorted Biscuits, Khian Guan Biscuit Osborne, Leo Gold Finger Choco, Santa Chocolate Gold Fingers and Swan Chocolate Fingers. Julie's manufacturer Perfect Food Manufacturing (M) Sdn Bhd have already issued a press release calling for products recall.

The AVA said that the contamination in the Malaysian biscuits seems to have stemmed from tainted ammonium bicarbonate, which is used as a raising agent in confectionery. Perfect Food is now rushing out new batches made with leavening agents from Germany and Japan, and the new products may be available as soon as in five weeks' time.

For more details information of the affected products list, click here to view AVA statement.

Banned China food products

In today news headline, our Health Ministry has banned food products worth RM3.28mil from China due to the presence of melamine-tainted additive, ammonium bicarbonate, a raising agent.

This will have a grave effects on the upcoming Chinese New Year which is just less then three months away. I just can imagine the various CNY a 'must have' or symbolic festival items could in jeopardy such as the Mandarin oranges, dried meat, melon and sunflower seeds, niangao, etc.

Thanks to melamine, next year CNY will be sure different if not less 'festive'. But I am sure we Chinese will able to find ways to compensate that 'lack' with other means. Important is not the items or foods (though it's synonymous with everything Chinese do), but the kinship and fellowship we cherish with our loves one, friends and relatives.