Your Asian mom

On the fourth week of Advent in 2016, people of Sabah and Malaysia are abuzz with the news of a teenage boy being slashed outside a pub at 4am for his group of friends intervened in a domestic fight between a divorced couple.  Despite the 18-year-old boy's heroic act in shielding the girl from getting hurt during the attack, Netizens are still lambasting nasty comments on the social media that the group should never be at that "dangerous" place in the first place.   I was irked by the public's comments until a conversation with my parent recently.  "It is his parents' fault for letting them out there in the wee hours, some more it is a dangerous place". My dad, who is the infamous parent among my siblings, has been a strict guardian for us that we keep on wondering why God gives us such a conservative dad.  Our duty as a young child was just to stay at home and study academic books as well as pass the exam with flying colors. Whe

An article by dailymail.co.uk   had quoted a Canadian study in 2008 found that women with female supervisors had higher cases of depression, headaches, heartburn and insomnia than of their bosses were men. I got some of the symptoms and afraid I will contribute to the statistics of people suffering mental illnesses in Malaysia. Do cross your fingers when you know a female, worse if unmarried or still single (even worst if previous boyfriends dumped her for the attitudes) is going to be your boss. Based on the article by dailymail, women are afraid of getting old and invisible to others. It explains why married women are more rational as they believe the spouse or family will still acknowledge her.    They seem to have unpredictable mood and decisive, sometimes because of the swift changes it makes people think that she is moronic? or worse call it "time of the month" or "she needs sex" and etc. I wish doctors could prescribe some sort of drug to stablise them.

Advent means "Coming" in Latin.  The period of four Sundays and weeks before  Christmas.  Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of  Christmas including going for confession.  Below are the schedules for confession/penitential services in Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese (Penampang) November 28 Church St Paul, Bisuang 10am- 12pm November 29 Church St Theresa, Kolopis 9am-11am November 30 IMC S. Mabpai 9am-10am Dec 1 Sr Benedict, T. Sugud 9am-10am Dec 2 St Aloysius, Limbanak St Augustine, Kinarut 630pm Dec 5 Assumption, Sugud 9am-11am Dec 6 St Marcellinus, Minintod 9am-11am Dec 12 St Michael, Penampang 630pm Dec 19 and 20 St Michael Penampang 830am-10am

Mommy needs a break from being a mommy and wife. It is a tough and rather a reluctant decision, but I just need to it before I turn 30 in few more months. In fact, travelling to Europe country is one in my wish list and Portugal is some sort of my pilgrimage trip. While next year will be the celebration of 1,000th year of the  apparitions of Lady Fatima , it still fine for me to be there on the 999th commemoration. Few more days from the date I post this, I will be flying to Portugal via Emirates airlines. The route will be Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur-Dubai - Lisbon. Flight hours- 11 hours KK- KL (2 hr 30mins) KL-Dubai (7 hours 40 mins) Dubai- Lisbon (7 hours 17 mins) Transit hours- 8 hours KL airport (5 hours) Dubai airport (3 hours) Malaysia and Portugal Time Difference Malaysia is 7 hours ahead of Portugal. Currency  1 Euro= RM4.60 1 AED = RM1.20 (In case you want to shop at Dubai airport during transit) How Much Money to bring? I get ready with 100 Euro

Yay, toddler turns three. Some say it is "Terrific Three"!!! At initial stage, she does show a lot of maturity in terms of psychological and intelligence as compared to last few months of her third years. When we go out for grocery shopping, she will imitate my gesture in comparing prices and quality, as well as checking on expiry dates. Toddler is keen to carry basket and pay at the cashier.  Her learning curve is progressing exponentially, but I think she learns faster and subconsciously by imitating others.  In terms of temperament, I would always help her to acknowledge feelings such as anger, happiness, sadness and etc. For example, I will explain that she is feeling sad for having to bid goodbye after a weekly visit to her grandparents' house and etc.  Socially, she likes to complain/report/repeat the description on whatever strikes her attention. The report is usually made after school, where her friends do something to her. She will keep on

Out of ideas where to bring your kids? A pet centre has recently opened a cat studio at Wisma BSA Kolombong in July. GPS location is    5.984445804747091,116.11790232360363. It is housed at the end of a row of shop lots, which is located opposite to BSA futsal centre. The studio which opens daily except Monday operates between 930am and 7pm.  Entry of one hour per person is RM20 (including RM10 food voucher) and Child is at RM10. Visitors have to sanitise their hands and take out shoes upon entering the studio. Caregivers have to ensure their children to be gentle to cats. Photo-taking and video are allowed. It is advisable to bring face mask for those who are sensitive with cats' fur. There are around 10 cats of various breeds in the studio. Each has its name. Staff are gladly to introduce them to visitors. The studio has "facility" which enable those feline to climb, sleep, play and even jogging. Prior to exit the studio, which comes with sec

The chalet, or I rather call it as a two-storey bungalow, is located less than five minutes from Kundasang town. It offers breathtaking view of the majestic Mount Kinabalu, however, its location is also very adjacent to Muslim cemetery. This chalet is meant for people who want to be in the nature but still enjoy contemporary stay. In the bedroom, expect to have clean bedroom, nice duvet as well as functioning water heater in attached washroom. Toiletries are however unavailable, only hand soap is provided.   The unit is suitable for family stay as the kitchen has complete basic cooking utensils such as rice cooker, water heater, gas stove, woks and new refrigerator. Staff are very helpful and friendly in helping to set up barbecue set.  In terms of entertainment, there are range of books to be read, a High-Definition Astro channels, and free WiFi.  The house is also decorated with beautiful plants including pitcher's plant. Things that amaz

After a five-year of hiatus from adhering to keloid treatment, I decided to re-embark in the journey eversince I notice the size is slowly increasing. I have a keloid scar on left shoulder resulted from BCG vaccination injection about 20 years ago.  The scar started to surface after the injection site inflamed and oozed out pus. It started with only at the size of a pea , I guess scratching it really promotes the growth overtime. Began my first treatment about 10 years ago when I was in med school where training plastic surgeons were more than welcomed to take cases for free. I thought a one-off surgery was enough to remove the entire excess flesh. It turned out the standard of procedures include steroid injections directly into the flesh which I can say was more painful than child labouring, if I recalled now.   Other procedures are by sticking silicone gel sheet over the scar.  I was given bandage to support the gel sheet but anatomical structure of shoulder

How to be single- directed by Christian Ditter. Duration: 1 hour and 50 minutes.  Main actress: Alice (Dakota Johnson, who also plays main role in fifty shades of grey)  Synopsis : Four women with vastly different ideas about love and relationships navigate the single life of New York City. Taking a break from her long-term boyfriend Josh ( Nicholas Braun ), Alice ( Dakota Johnson ) sets out on a journey of self-discovery with her hard-drinking new friend Robin ( Rebel Wilson ). Meanwhile, Alice's career-driven older sister Meg ( Leslie Mann ) struggles with the idea of settling down, and uptight romantic Lucy ( Alison Brie ) searches for her perfect match. Adapted from former Sex and the City writer  Liz Tuccillo 's debut novel, this modern rom com was directed by  Christian Ditter . ~ Daniel Gelb, Rovi My feedback I really enjoy this movie although I am married, and still married. It gives another interpretation of how to appreciate single

Petronas has recently launched its webfilm in conjunction with Sabah's Kaamatan and Sarawak's Gawai this end of May and the beginning of June.  In brief, the webfilm is about an only child who deprived of parental attention as both are making use of every seconds of time in making money. The mother in Sarawak sells vegetables, while the father is a porter working at Mount Kinabalu in Sabah.  The girl, named as Renai, who stays with her mother often plays with herself- including talking to the fan, running around and etc whenever the mother is always busy.  Fast forward, Renai finally' graduated'. " Many would think I will be a troubled child because of the lacking of attention from parent.' But she turns out to be fine and well-behaved child as she returns home from completing her studies.  The explanation of her good behavior is the girl gets why her parents are working days and nights.  But the reality is a child can never be TOTALLY FINE w

It might be one of the scariest moment for any parents to let her children go to school on the first day.  Mothers, especially, may have trouble to sleep in the night before thinking whether their babies can cope well at schools without their mommies. Every moment passes, I will be thinking whether my daughter's friends will accept her, bully her and etc. Will teachers treat her as nice as how I do? Will my daughter have enough food to eat, able to sleep well at a daycare and etc? What about her toilet training, she has succeeded the training but will she rely on nappy? My daughter goes to school at the age of 34-month-old. While we prefer a one-to-one care by a stay in babysitter, but her sitter brought her personal life into the job. It made us look for preschool two months earlier than our daughter should have gone. Two weeks prior to her enrolment, we had repetitively told her about she was going to attend school. Explained to her what to expect- friends, toys, teacher

Met an ex over a dinner few days ago. Our last proper conversation was about ten years ago. Below are the direct conversation took place in a restaurant. Him: Oh yeah, I just had my third child last month.  Me: Oh, congrats. Your wife is wonderful for willing to give you three children.  Him: Well, I was quite surprised when she broke the pregnancy news. Told her to triple check and I even bought her one test kit to make sure the pregnancy is real.  (Hmm, I would be upset if my husband who had sex with me without condom queried my pregnancy. I can't have a clueless man on pregnancy happens when there is no protection). Me: Why you stop going to church? Isn't that you have to set a good example to your kids on the importance of having faith in their religion? Him: Im working 12 hours a day, I only want to sleep once I reach home. Even my eldest son said something to me, I just said "ermm" and continue to sleep.  Me: What a terrible father you a

When I was 18, there were few things I expected seem to be a distance  10 years later  now. Career   2006 To secure a place at public university means I will be having a good job with good money and satisfaction career. 2010-2016 A sports car worth almost a house. Three-storey house is about three sports cars. Someone who surprises me during my birthday, "monthsary", treat me like a princess, sweet and romantic, good kisser. Upon graduation, there were limited posts for the job related to my degree especially back in hometown in Sabah. Landed few months job as a tutor for primary and secondary students with RM700 monthly wages. Capitalist boss deducted RM100 per day without notice after I returned from three-day graduation ceremony. Second job offered a slightly higher pay of RM1,200. Lasted for a year. But I was really struggling financially. After EPF and socso deduction, car loan of rm470 every month, I really could not save money. Curr

Enjoy kupikupifm free concert at KDCA Penampang this Saturday (March 19) and stand to win return tickets to Jakarta for two persons!!! The 3-month-old radio station, available on weekdays from 6am to 8pm at 96.3 FM or online, just hit more than 33,000 Likes in its Facebook page. Its manager Lester Miol said the inaugural concert was meant to thank fans’ for pouring endless support towards them. The concert, starts from 6pm until 10pm, will feature 23 artistes including Among those artistes include Firman who won the top spot in 2014 Akademi Fantasia and his band Firmanation; Rich also of AF fame and Estranged; and popular Dusun artiste Francis Landong. Others include Marcel Gatisi, Heidi Vanessa Maruning, Marlenney, The Janggut, Myra Lily, Keydeet Jack, Ridah& Ezani Mes, Malek Nasir, Fabian Williams, Faizul Sany, Marsha Milan, Rimba, Apiang Sausun, Clarice John Matha among others. The organiser is expecting more than 2,000 concert goers to attend the

Listed are places for parents to bring their schooling children to during school holiday next week. 1/ UK Funfair at Likas. Image from changqingsheng.blogspot If your children are looking something thrilling, the UK Funfair is the place to fulfill that adrenaline rush. It opens at night, it would not be as hot as at daytime.  2/ Wipeout Warrior challenge at Oceanus Waterfront.  School Holiday Funfair. Yeah, a fun activity that could sweat your children (rather than being coach potatoes at home watching tv). Ticket price can be obtained from organiser. More information can go to their official facebook page. 3/ School's Break/ Gadget's Break at Chanteek Borneo Gallery in Tamparuli. All Game Pass. RM10 for adult, RM5 for child and free for toddler. Reminiscing those good old times where kids don't fiddling their smartphones, tablets and television. Let your children know traditional games which used to entertain the older generations.  4/

March 7, 2016 630pm St Michael Penampang March 9, 630pm Holy Nativity, Terawi  March 10, 630pm  Stella Maris, Tanjung Aru March 14, 630pm St Catherine Inanam March 15 and 16, 630pm  Sacred Heart Cathedral Individual confession March 7, 830am-10am St Paul, Dontozidon March 10, 830am-10am Sacred Heart Cathedral for senior and parents with infants.  March 15 and 16 830am-10am Sacred Heart Cathedral