Recap of 2008 and Welcoming of 2009

As the year is coming to an end for 2008, I can now look back and catch a glimpse of the happenings in my life and counting the blessings that the Lord has blessed me and my family with throughout the year :-

* my 2008 year had started with a good promotion and a fat pay rise;

* hubby was promoted and given a pay rise too;

* next came the news that I had conceived my third child - though it was hard to digest back then as the baby news came at the least expected time, but we are all blessed with this wonderful gift from God;

* had the opportunity to spear-head to massive projects and accomplished my part with a contented smile;

* both my elder boys - Shawn and James went through a wonderful year healthily without any major illnesses;

* though my 3rd pregnancy was a tough one as I was under-nourished and was kept under the watchful eyes of the medical practitioners, blessed that baby Lucas is born healthy and is a fiesty little boy;

* received another promotion and pay rise in the third quarter;

* Shawn (my eldest boy) had a miracle 3rd front tooth replacing his 2nd one which he happened to lick till it dropped off;

* just before Christmas, a wonderful Xmas gift from the Lord for another new phase in my career life with another fatter pay; *grinning sheepishly*

* last but not least, the best of all to end the year with the invitation from University Putra Malaysia to do my Masters in Human Resource Management was the cherry on top of the wonderful dessert!

Well, that's the wonderful list that I could fondly remember for my year 2008. And I am sure that there will be many more in stored for us in 2009.

As a kickstart for year 2009, I am heading for my registration in UPM on the 9th of Jan 2009, and my classes will start instantaneously on the 10th of Jan 2009. Wouldn't that be a great start for me? *grinning happily again*

My new year resolution? "Dear Abba, my Heavenly Father, I just pray and wished that my family and me will all have a steadfast and productive, peaceful and serene, wonderful and amazing, safe and secure, fun-filled and joy in abundance of a year in 2009 filled with Your love, Your grace, Your mercy and Your wisdom, in Jesus most precious name I pray- Amen". That's for my prayers.

As for my personal resolution, learn to save more money, spend less on unnecessary items and continue to live a life filled with faith, forgiveness and obedience, and let God steer my life.

Here's to unfold the fresh start of year 2009 and beyond.... humbly me and my family wishing all our friends, families and loved ones out there....

Happy New Year 2009!

Controlling Outbursts

Controlling outbursts can be difficult for both parents and kids, we are still dealing with the “extra” temper that James, our 2nd boy has. And coping with it has never been easy since he is only 3 years old and has not reached the stage of reasoning as yet. So, right now it comes to the role for us as parents to help him to deal and cope with his anger management. Who said bringing up children will be an easy tasks *phew* I, for one really salute those mothers who had more than 2 kids back then. How on earth can they managed to bring up all of them so beautifully and positively? *it still kept me pondering though*.

Helping children with anger management issues is a touch job for parents who love them. First and foremost, trying to keep your cool and to be patient and positive has never been an easy task. And knowing that it will take the same skills needed for your child to develop will take time that just about every child needs can improve with the right coaching methods applied by us being the parents.

A Parent’s Role
Managing your kids, whether it’s one or more, will always be a challenge nowadays. As parents, we need to manage the days and keeping the peace level to the best we can. Though it is easier said than done as keeping your cool seems impossible, but whether you’re reacting to an occasional temper flare-up or a pattern of outbursts, managing your own anger when things get heated will make it easier to teach kids to do the same.

To help tame a temper, try to be your child’s ally, as you're both rooting for your child to triumph over the temper that keeps getting him or her into trouble. While your own patience may be frayed by the angry outbursts, opposition, defiance, arguing, throwing of items, kicking, and talking back, it is also during these episodes that you need your patience most. Of course you do feel angry and mad, but what counts is how you handle that.

Reacting to your child’s meltdowns with yelling and outbursts of your own will only teach your child to do the same. But keeping your cool and calmly working through a frustrating situation allows you to show and teach your child the appropriate ways to handle his or her anger and frustration.

Earlier, I very often hear both my elder boys fighting over a toy in the other room, and I would normally have ignored it, hoping that they would work it out themselves. But then the arguing turns into screaming, and soon I hear doors slamming, the thump of hitting, and an eruption into tears. That’s when I decide to get involved before someone gets hurt. By the time I get to the scene of the fight, I am mostly at the end of my own rope. After all, the sound of screaming is upsetting, and I may be frustrated that my kids are not sharing or trying to get along.

So what’s the best way for you to react, when the same scenes happened to you? With your own self-control intact, teaching by example is your most powerful tool. Speak calmly, clearly, and firmly but not with anger, blame, harsh criticisms, threats, or putdowns. Of course, that’s easier said than done. But remember that you’re trying to teach your child how to handle anger. If you yell or threaten, you'll model and ingrain the exact kinds of behavior you want to discourage. Your child sees you so angry and so incapable of controlling your own temper that you can’t help but scream, and that certainly will not help your child learn not to scream.

What You Can Do
Regulating emotions and managing behavior are skills that develop slowly over time during childhood. Just like any other skills, your child will need to learn and practice them, with your help.

If it’s uncharacteristic for your child to have a tantrum, on the rare occasion that it happens all you may need to do is clearly but calmly review the rules. "I know you’re upset, but no yelling and no name-calling, please" may be all your child needs to gain composure. Follow up by clearly, calmly, and patiently giving an instruction like "tell me what you’re upset about" or "please apologize to your brother for calling him that name." In this way, you’re guiding your child back to acceptable behavior and encouraging self-control.

Kids whose temper outbursts are routine may lack the necessary self-control to deal with frustration and anger, and may require more help managing those emotions. These steps may help:

Help your child put it into words. If your child is in the midst of an outburst, find out what’s wrong. If necessary, use a time-out to get your child to settle down, or calmly issue a reminder about house rules and expectations - "There’s no yelling or throwing stuff; please stop that right now and cool your jets." Remind your child to talk to you without whining, sulking, or yelling. Once your child calms down, ask what got him or her so upset. You might say, "Use your words to tell me what’s wrong and what you’re mad about." By doing this you help your child put emotions into words and figure out what, if anything, needs to be done to solve the problem.

Listen and respond. Once your child puts the feelings into words, it’s up to you to listen and say that you understand. If your child is struggling for words, offer some help: "so that made you angry," "you must have felt frustrated," or "that must have hurt your feelings." Offer to help find an answer if there’s a problem to be solved, a conflict to be mended, or if an apology is required. Many times, feeling listened to and understood is all kids need to regain their composure. But while acknowledging your child's feelings, it’s important to make it clear that strong emotions aren’t an excuse for unacceptable behavior. "I know you’re mad, but it’s still not OK to hit." Then tell your child some things to try instead.

Create clear ground rules and stick to them. Set and maintain clear expectations for what is and what is not acceptable. You can do this without using threats, accusations, or putdowns. Your child will get the message if you make clear, simple statements about what’s off limits and explain what you want him or her to do. You might say: "There’s no yelling in this house. Use your words to tell me what’s upsetting you." Or try these:
* In this family, we don’t hit or push or shove.
* There’s no screaming allowed.
* There's no door-slamming in our house.
* There’s no name calling.
* We don’t do that in this family.
* You may not throw things or break things on purpose.

Coping Strategies for Your Child
Kids, who have learned that it is not OK to yell, hit, and throw stuff when they are upset need other strategies for calming down when they are angry. Offer some ideas to help your child learn safe ways to get the anger out or to find other activities that can create a better mood.

Take a break from the situation. Tell your child that it’s OK to walk away from a conflict to avoid an angry outburst. By moving to another part of the house or the backyard, your child can get some space and work on calming down.

Find a way to safely & objectively get the anger out. There may be no punching walls or even pillows, but you can suggest some good ways for a child to vent. Doing a bunch of jumping jacks, dancing around the bedroom, or going outside and do some cycling are all good choices. Or your child can choose to write about or draw a picture of what is so upsetting.

Learn to shift. This one is tough for kids and adults, too. Explain that part of calming down is moving from a really angry mood to a more in-control composure. Instead of thinking of the person or situation that caused the anger, encourage your son or daughter to think of something else to do. Suggest things to think of or do that might bring about a better mood. Your child may feel better after a walk around the block, a bike ride, playing a game, reading a favorite book, digging in the garden, or listening to a favorite song. Try one of these things together so you both experience how doing something different can change the way a person feels.

Building a Strong Foundation
Fortunately, really angry episodes do not happen too often for most kids. Those with temper troubles often have an active, strong-willed style and extra energy that needs to be discharged. Try these steps during the calm times which they can prevent problems before they start by helping your child learn and practice skills needed to manage the heat of the moment:

Help your child label emotions. Help your child get in the habit of saying what he or she is feeling and why — for example, "I'm mad because I have to clean my room while my friends are playing." Using words does not get your child out of doing a chore, but having the discussion can defuse the situation. You are having a conversation instead of an argument. Praise your child for talking about it instead of slamming the door, for instance.

See that your child gets a lot of physical activity. Active play can really help kids who have big tempers. Encourage outside play and sports your child likes. Sports and physical activities can be especially good for kids who are trying to get their tempers under control. But any activity that gets the heart pumping can help burn off energy and stress.

Encourage your child to take control. Compare a temper to a puppy that has not learned to behave and that is running around all over the place getting into things. Puppies might not mean to be bad — but they need to be trained so that they can learn that there is no shoe eating, no jumping on people or certain furniture, etc. The point is that your child’s temper is just like a puppy that needs to be trained to learn when it is OK to play, how to use all that rambunctious energy, and how to follow rules.

Try to be flexible. Parenting can be a fatiguing experience, but try not to be too rigid. Hearing a constant chorus of "no" can be disheartening for kids. Sometimes, of course, "no" is absolutely the only answer — "no, you can’t ride your bike without your helmet!" But other times, you might let the kids win one. For instance, if your child wants to keep the game he’s at going a little longer, maybe give it 15 more minutes.

As anyone who’s been really angry knows, following sensible advice can be tough when emotions run high. Give your child responsibility for getting under control, but be there to remind him or her of how to do it.

Most kids can learn to get better at handling anger and frustration. But if your child frequently gets into fights and arguments with friends, siblings, and adults, additional help might be needed. Talk with the other adults in your child’s life such as teachers, school counselors, and coaches might be able to help, and your child’s doctor can recommend a counselor or psychologist.

Understanding ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) cannot be cured, but it certainly can be successfully managed. Your child's doctor will work with you to develop an individualized, long-term plan. The goal is to help your child learn to control his or her own behavior and to help families create an atmosphere in which this is most likely to happen. In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of medication and behavior therapy. Any good treatment plan will require close follow-up and monitoring, and your doctor may make adjustments along the way. It is vital for parents to actively participate in their child's treatment plan, as parent education is also considered an important part of ADHD management.

Medications

Several different types of medications may be used to treat ADHD: Stimulants are the best-known treatments — they've been used for more than 50 years in the treatment of ADHD. Some require several doses per day, each lasting about 4 hours; some last up to 12 hours. Possible side effects include decreased appetite, stomachache, irritability, and insomnia. There is currently no evidence of long-term side effects for such stimulants. Non-stimulants were approved for treating ADHD in 2003. It appears to have fewer side effects compared to stimulants and can last up to 24 hours. Antidepressants are sometimes taken as an alternative treatment option; however, in 2004 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that these drugs may lead to a rare increased risk of suicide in children and teens. If an antidepressant is recommended for your child, be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor.

Medications can affect kids differently, and a child may respond well to one but not another. When determining the correct treatment, the doctor might try various medications in various doses, especially if your child is being treated for ADHD along with another disorder. Be clear of each medication prescribed for your child as each may have their own adverse reactions.

Behavioral Therapy

Research has shown that medications used to help curb impulsive behaviour and attention difficulties are more effective when combined with behavioural therapy. Behavioural therapy attempts to change behavior patterns by: reorganizing a child's home and school environment, giving clear directions and commands setting up a system of consistent rewards for appropriate behaviours and negative consequences for inappropriate ones. Here are examples of behavioural strategies that may help a child with ADHD :-

• Create a routine ~ Try to follow the same schedule every day, from wake-up time to bedtime. Post the schedule in a prominent place, so your child can see what's expected throughout the day and when it's time for homework, play, and chores.
  
• Get organized ~ Put schoolbags, clothing, and toys in the same place every day so your child will be less likely to lose them.
  
• Avoid distractions ~ Turn off the TV set, radio, and computer games, especially when your child is doing his or her homework.
  
• Limit choices ~ Offer a choice between two things (this outfit, meal, toy, etc., or that one) so that your child is not overwhelmed and over-stimulated.
  
• Change your interactions methods with your child ~ Instead of long-winded explanations and cajoling, use clear, brief directions to remind your child of responsibilities.
  
• Use goals and rewards ~ Use a chart to list goals and track positive behaviours, then reward your child's efforts. Be sure the goals are realistic (think baby steps rather than overnight success).
  
• Discipline effectively ~ Instead of yelling or spanking, use timeouts or removal of privileges as consequences for inappropriate behaviour. Younger children may simply need to be distracted or ignored until they display better behaviour.
  
• Help your child discover a talent ~ All kids need to experience success to feel good about themselves. Finding out what your child does well — whether it's sports, art, or music — can boost their social skills and self-esteem level.
  

Parent Training

Parenting a child with ADHD often brings special challenges. Children with ADHD may not respond well to typical parenting practices. Also, because ADHD tends to run in families, parents may also have some problems with organization and consistency themselves and need active coaching to help learn these skills. Experts recommend parent education and support groups to help family members accept the diagnosis and to teach them how to help kids organize their environment, develop problem-solving skills, and cope with frustrations. Training can also teach parents to respond appropriately to a child's most trying behaviours with calm disciplining techniques. Individual or family counseling can also be helpful.

The taboo of ADHD

I still remember my spontaneous reaction when I heard the news that Shawn was classified as an ADHD child…. My mind went blank…. I could not accept the fact that my child is not a normal child. And almost instantaneously a gloomy dark cloud of depression engulfed me. I started self-blaming and felt as if I had hit a flat wall and there is no way I could brace myself to break past this hurdle in life.

It all had started when I was pressing on for answers to determine the finding for Shawn as it has always been a struggle for me to get him settled down long enough to complete even the simplest of the tasks, from chores to homework. And the frequent complaints we received from his kindergarten teachers about his inattentive and disruptive behavior in class are becoming too frequent to even ignore. I approached both our family doctor and Shawn's pediatrician for a reason for his hyperactive behaviours. After 2 years of both doctors telling me that Shawn's behaviour was normal since he can sit down quietly to finish a show/movie, and there should not be any point of alarming for me to think that he has some kind of disorders, I knew I had to seek for a psychiatrist help in order to further understand the causes of Shawn's hyperactivity.

After completing the Vanderbilt's test for Shawn at the hospital, it was determined that Shawn is classified as the Combined Type of ADHD. I further went on to search and understand the causes of ADHD, what is ADHD, ways to treat child with ADHD and how to bring up a child with ADHD. Below are some of the common questions on ADHD :-

What causes ADHD?

ADHD is known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in long, and also known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in the earlier days. And what causes ADHD is still unknown, but inherited genetic factors are likely responsible. Research has found a possible link between ADHD with brain structure, the function of chemicals in the brain that help regulate attention and acitivity (dopamine and neropinephrine), and differences in function of some of the areas of the brain that affect attention and impulse control.

A study done by the National Institute of Mental Health found that certain parts of the brain of children with ADHD develops normally but about 3 years later than in children without ADHD. This could possibly be the reason why some children seem to grow out of the disorder.

What are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of ADHD may include inattention, which is having a short attention span and being easily distracted; impulsivity, which can cause a person to do dangerous or unwise things without thinking about the consequences; and hyperactivity, which is appropriate or excessive activity.

The symptoms affect people in all age groups who have ADHD. But typical behaviour varies by age. In preschool-age children, symptoms may be hard to identify. Normal behaviour in young children periodically includes all of the major symptoms. ADHD is distinguished from normal behaviour by the severity and consistency of symptoms.

Children between the ages of 6 and 12 usually show more obvious signs of ADHD than other age groups. School expectations can make symptoms more noticeable. For some children, school is the first setting where academic performance and socialization abilities are assessed. But it often is more difficult to detect ADHD when inattention is the primary symptom and the child is otherwise well-behaved. The presence of ADHD may be indicated by low grades, poor organization and study skills, socialization problems and feeling rejected by peers, and dislike of school and frustration with school work.

Teens between the ages of 13 and 18 may be in better control of disruptive behaviour related to hyperactivity. Other problems that began in earlier years may continue or become worse when ADHD is not treated. Teens with inattention problems who previously managed to copy may start to fall behind in schoolwork and exams. This is especially true when major changes occur, such as starting at a new school or attending college.

Symptoms of ADHD in adults may not be as noticeable. Many adults with ADHD have not been diagnosed and treated. These people can develop possible problems such as depression and difficulty maintaining a job.

Ways to treat ADHD

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has established the symptoms and criteria for diagnosing ADHD. These criteria, like I have mentioned Shawn had the Combined Type is also being listed into the three basic types based on major symptoms; ADHD, predominantly inattentive type, ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, and ADHD, combined type. In addition, some people are diagnosed with ADHD, not otherwise specified when symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity are present but do not fit into one of the three types.

A doctor will normally use criteria for diagnosing ADHD to determine if a child has ADHD. Information used to diagnosed the condition will includes an interview with the child, understanding the medical history of the child which includes asking a parent about the child's social, emotional, educational and behavioural history, physical examination and behaviour rating scales for ADHD.

Parents often question whether ADHD is over-diagnosed. Many doctors and researchers believe that the increase in ADHD diagnoses results from improved detection techniques, especially the standardization of assessment criteria.

Early Detection

Early detection and identification of the signs of ADHD does help both parents and doctors to be able to treat the child earlier. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines recommend that doctors ask parents about behavior and school performance during regularly scheduled well-child visits. If one are concerned about how your child's temperament, learning skills, or behavior is developing, do talk with your doctor during your next visit.

Preparation before meeting with your doctor, think about at what age your child's symptoms began. In addition, you and other caregivers should record when the behavior occurs and how long it lasts. An important component of evaluation for ADHD is considering the kinds of problems that result from the behaviors and to what extent they affect academic performance and social behavior.

Effects on Family

Raising a child who has ADHD can be a challenge. Parents must consistently monitor their child and respond to problem behavior appropriately. Should there be other issues that are causing stress within a family, such as divorce, violence, or drug or alcohol abuse, it may be even more difficult to deal with for a child who has ADHD.

Conditions that often accompany ADHD

There is mounting evidence that people with ADHD commonly have one or more other disorders such as dyslexia, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety, and depression.

Treatment for ADHD can help control such symptoms, and allowing a child to grow and develop normally. Treatment also can decrease the frustration, discouragement, and failure that many people with ADHD experience throughout their lives.

A Silent Wish on Christmas…

May this season of giving bring the happiest of moments and the warmest of memories to keep in your heart all year long.

At the holidays, we're thinking about all the good times we've shared, all the special things we've done together, and all that your friendship has meant to us.

Here's me and my family wishing all a very blessed, joyous, bountiful and merry Christmas to everyone in our friends, relatives, colleagues and extended friends and families out there. May this Christmas be as white, peaceful and loving for every beautiful individual in our lives.

Mixed Feelings...

Have you ever had mixed feelings when you wanted to leave an existing company to start on a fresh job?

Well, I certainly do. Just last Friday, I was battling internally to walk up to my CEO's office with the intention of notifying him of my decision to resign. The anxiety almost ate me up as I had been waiting the entire morning till late afternoon to be able to catch a small time slot to talk to him about my intentions.

Anyway, the time came and my heart was pulsating so fast that I almost fainted while walking towards the CEO’s office. But, I thank God for the tranquility and serenity that flows over and enveloped me as I stepped into his room. Estimating the worse to happen (even prepared if I am going to be escorted out within 24 hours), I was more than prepared to face whatsoever consequences were to come next.

After spending about 30 minutes of uncovered discussions and opinions, the certainty of my decision to move on gradually became clearer. And whatever was said and mentioned in the room by my CEO confirms that my decision was right and it will be a wise move. Now, is the grueling waiting period for acceptance of my resignation. The CEO made his mind clear to me that he will not hold me back from my decision to move on, yet (right… there is still a “yet”), which made my heart skipped a beat, he did not want to take my written resignation and was telling me verbally that he is not accepting the fact that I wanted to resign, and wanted to talk to me further on this again topic *big SIGH*

Till today, he has been avoiding to see me and has now travelled overseas for some business trips. What will the outcome be for my next step? It is still uncertain. Though I am very adamant in moving on as I have accepted the offer from the my future employer, but the CEO is trying to buy time in making me to rethink over my decision again.

I am still pondering on what will he do next to me…

One Chapter Ends, Another Chapter Awaits

Remember I was talking about my job future in my earlier post, and that if it is God’s will, the offer will be slapped upon me? Well, I can blog about it now. God has really been opening doors for me, and the offer really did slapped on me *grinning sheepishly*.

Never in my wildest dreams had I ever thought things would just move so fast. Exactly 3 weeks from my first meet up with them till today the deal is closed, inclusive of 3 sessions of grueling meet-up with both their country and regional directors and the approval from the States, the deal is finally in my hands.

“What made you move from your current comfort zone?” – I guess that would be the main question people will be asking me. Many will be thinking I am in the comfort zone when in actual fact I am not. Employers will always have their choice and pick in choosing whom they want to hire, but nevertheless, the employees too have equal rights in choosing whom they want to be their employers and superiors as well.

It’s a fair world out there, and there is always no limits just like the saying goes “the sky has no limits”. Whoever can offer a better sitting and built ship will always carry the finest of all qualities. Do not get me wrong here, I am not complaining about my present company and neither do I have the rights to comment further about their financial status when I am not sitting in their Board. In turbulent times like these, all ships – including battleships are being put to the most strenuous test of endurance, strength, perseverance and time. One has to be wise enough to make the right pick or choice on which ship you think that can ferry you through these bad times.

And having said all these, I only have God to thank for providing me with the right sturdy ship that will ferry me through these times.

The Truth About Blogging in Me

Blogging... what gave me that spur to start blogging about the environment and the life that surrounds me? Well, I used to detail down every happening of my life during my school days (that was like some 15 years back) *oops! I just indirectly disclosed my age!* Back then, I used to note everything down in my little diary on a daily basis. And gradually, as I completed my secondary school and started working and so forth... my penning down habit sort of followed through and started dwindling down to recording of specific events and dates only, right up to zero records *lol* Simple, the main reason was, I only wanted to remember good times and not write about unhappy moments which I do not want to remember. sounds familiar huh... living in denial of the truth.

Earlier this year, I followed through with a friend's blog which she'll blog mostly about her life and her little darling son, Darren in her Friendster's blog. Keeping up with her life stories was exciting and it sort of given me the longing to start detailing about my life again like what I had used to do back during my early teenage days. Then, I came across Bonnie's blog i.e. http://wirahwanniewatari.blogspot.com where she blogs about her life and her little adorable son, Wawa.... *wuah!* I started to ponder.... "Am I missing something in my life? How would I recall some special happenings when I do not blog or write about it for my memory sake". This actually drew the old courage back to write about my thoughts, my life experiences, my opinions and much more to come.

Here, I actually have Guat Khim and Bonnie to thank for, for re-lighting my interest and giving me that spark to start writing about my life and my surroundings again. I actually never had the courage to do so until I came across Bonnie's blog. Thanks in heaps ladies!

Switch UP!

I shared about my journey to cloth diapering in Mia Bambina's blog, and was thinking I could do the same here by posting and sharing with all here in my blog.

".. why you do need another cloth diapers? "
Well, I am still in the stage of CD collecting as both my 2 younger boys (James is 3 years and Lucas is 3.5 months) are now fully on CDs. Till present, my diaper stash collection is still less than 20pieces. Having an extra CD, and all the more when it is one of my OS favorites, for sure I’ll be leaping with joy to participate in this contest.

".. and what made you convert to cloths? "
When I had Shawn (my first born), we really had to spend a lot of money purchasing disposables as he does poo and pee a lot. On an average scale, he will be using at least 6 diapers in a day and another 2 at night. That would be a minimum of 8 disposable diapers if not more. Moreover, over long wearing period, Shawn started developing some serious diaper rash. It was then, I decided to change to the conventional method of cloth diapering. And with the scale of Shawn being a heavy wetter, I needed 4 dozens of cloth diapers in order to meet with the needs.

When James came along in late 2005, I felt I had it through and through with the conventional cloth diapering as it was really a hassle as we are staying in an apartment where space was always a constraint for effective sun drying. That’s when we actually started using disposables again. And I have to agree with Sandra – it was pinching into our pockets at the rate of James’s usage too.

As the effects of global warming are getting more alarming these days, and with the birth of Lucas, I felt I needed to find a solution to help with the environment and at the same time, I could save some extra cash for the global economic downturn. That’s when the internet has been my main source of information desk. I read a lot about the modern and chic method of cloth diapering and the fact that there were many positive feedbacks about pursuing on an exciting journey of cloth diapering, and that’s when I made the switch for good. And I certainly have no regrets over my decision as I DO save the environment and I AM saving my pockets in a long run as well.

"extras..."
Personally, I felt the new line of CDing is a great experience that all mommys and daddys should venture on. It has been the greatest invention for our beloved children, and what's more to shower them with great health and skincare. And I have to admit that since using CD for Lucas, I had actually eliminate the need to use diaper rash cream. Lucas's bums has been so soft and smooth ever since the switch. And a tip here, I do not even need to use those disposable wipes after each long-wearing of at least 12 hours (with 1 hemp insert & 1 microfibre insert) as my baby's skin is still dry, unlike the effects from each disposable diaper where Lucas's skin will be damp and reddish from the soak. Isn't this a great bargain that we should trade away disposables for? Think about it..... *grinning*

some pictures to share with all who do not know what the revolution of cloth diapers has evolved and developed into :-

Happy Heiny's one-size pocket diaper (don't you think the prints are cute?)

Cute baby girl wearing a Drybees fitted cloth diaper

Drybees fitted back-view

How it works...

So, aren't they facisnating? No more the old-fashioned style of pins and folding required. Of course, there are still unbleached prefolds which will perform better than the old-fashion-bleached prefolds as they absorbed more and will cost cheaper than these fitted/one-sized pocket/all-in-one diapers. But hey, that's our share and responsibility in providing the best for our babies and the environment that we are trying to save so that our children can enjoy them too compared to the little investment that we make.

The Future

Well, it has been sometime that I lost track on blogging about my past 2 weeks’ experiences. Hmm… the field switch I was sharing about in my earlier post was purely a leap of spontaneous act over some silly situations. HR has always been my passion and my main interest at work and in studies. I could never peel myself away from it *lol*

Well, another phase that I am facing. A better deal… hmm… how should I phrase it? Let’s put it this way, with the effects of the global economic meltdown, the worse is yet to come, and job security is the main taboo now for every individual even for myself as it is our main rice bowl for livelihood. I sincerely have to thank God for what I have as I am given the opportunity to venture into an extremely large organization, and into their HR field too. I am still seeking God’s confirmation on this opportunity. If the path is God’s chosen path for me, the offer will just be slapped upon me *grinning*.

Will blog on this soon *crossing my fingers & uttering a word of thanks*.

Change of Field...

Sometimes I asked myself how much have I contributed in the field that I am in now. Well, I am in the human resources field and practicing in a SME company as its HR Manager at present.

Human resource is certainly an exciting field to be in if one has the passion to work with people, and some very difficult people as well *lol*. I have been in the HR industry for the last 8 years as far as I could recall for now spontaneously, and sometimes I just feel I am too exhausted to continue.

Meeting and studying human behaviourals has always been my passion, which explains the reason why I am here in the first place. But right now, a new opportunity awaits on the horizon for me to skip and hop into my another favourite industry - procurement. What more, its with a large, stabilised and well-known MNC. Aside from human resource, being in procurement does allows me to continue my passion to meet and study human behaviourals too. (procurement is also one of my main fields aside from HR)

No doubt the opportunity looks tempting when I feel exhausted after the long toll. I am still giving it a serious thought now especially if I were to continue in my present place, will there be job security for me when the economic meltdown will not recover till at least the third quarter next year.

Still pondering...

Honda ASIMO

Finally, my time came to experience the much talked about ASIMO last night. Hubby brought me, James, Lucas and our maid along to Queensbay Mall last night to catch the last interaction & performance session with ASIMO for yesterday. Shawn was with my IL's, and had his opportunity to experience ASIMO on last Friday (a day ahead before all of us).

Well, ASIMO stands at 130cm tall and was invented with the i-Walk technology that enables him to walk in any direction, predicting his next movements in real time and shifting his centre of gravity in anticipation. ASIMO can even smoothly shift direction while walking or running (isn't that amazing?)

ASIMO's body is made of magnesium alloy covered with a plastic resin, which makes ASIMO very durable and lightweight, which weighs just 54kg (geez.. lighter than some of us).

What amazes me is ASIMO's sensors. ASIMO has four ultrasonic sensors which are located below his backpack. These sensors detect stationary and moving objects within a 3m range around ASIMO's sides and back.

The best part is when ASIMO knows how to wave to you in return when he sees you waving at him. Isn't modern technology an eye-opening experience? Well, to me it was a moment to share the dream which the Honda engineers had.

Somewhere within ASIMO
In the pursuit of advanced mobility, Honda engineers have dreamt of creating an intelligent multifunctional machine. And what began as a dream has today evolved into a new possible partner for people in the future.

It took 22 years of painstaking research and development to create ASIMO. This extraordinary feat in the field of robotics opened doors to new possibilities in mobility for the future. Although considered extremely difficult at the time, Honda set themselves on this ambitious goal to revolutionise technology and create a Humanoid robot, which is able to function well in society.

With a "challenging spirit", Honda's R&D for ASIMO continues. ASIMO is yet another achievement showcasing Honda's determination and belief in the Power of Dreams, and they are another step closer in turning this and their other dreams into reality.

ASIMO is coming to Penang this weekend

Finally, the long anticipated moment has arrived. Or should I say I have been waiting for Honda ASIMO to come to Penang so that my kids will have their chance to view or even experience the wonders of the humanoid robot that took the world by storm.

For those who are interested to catch a glimpse of the much talk about ASIMO, you can now get your chance to view it at the famous Queensbay Mall, Penang at the following times :-

27 November 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm
28 November 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm
29 November 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm; and
30 November 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 7:45 pm