Thank you, Mr Humidifier! April 29, 2009
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Close to Heart & Home, Thoughts & Scribblings , comments closed
Since you came into our lives about 5 days ago, the air in our home has not been as dry as before. You made your presence known not only when you managed to cure our dry throats and noses, you also played a major role in soothing our eye irritations. And for that, we are eternally grateful.
You may look like a miniature UFO, inconspicuously sitting in that corner all by yourself, but you are certainly not very quiet. Thankfully the buzzing sound you emit feels rather soothing, although we were afraid it would be too loud at first. Well, at least we can sleep through it.
The air at home has also become cooler, thanks to you Mr Humidifier. After all, it says right there on the box you came in that you work as a Cool Mist Humidifier. There is no need to turn the air conditioning on now, because of you.
You have been a part of our family for 5 days now, and I have been thinking of whether you need a bath. I am sure you do because you also filter out the impurities in the water before humidifying the air. Hmmm…I’ll need to check on the specific instructions on how to bathe you.
You set us back about 20 bucks, but it was definitely well spent.
Thank you Mr Humidifer, you’ve been a great addition to our lives.
Now, if only you could miraculously make my daughter sleep through the night too, that would be awesome.
Honestly, it ain’t that bad.. April 24, 2009
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Thoughts & Scribblings , comments closedA friend of mine pinged me yesterday to ask what I was doing.
My reply to her was this: watching tv, surfing, breastfeeding, cooking, washing 
And that’s my definition of multi-tasking nowadays.
But hey, it ain’t that bad… 
It ain’t that bad if you have to wake up several times each night just to nurse or pacify a baby, especially since the baby is your beautiful little daughter and especially since it is an unconditional labor of love.
It ain’t that bad if you have to think hard about what to cook every day and put a nice hot meal on the table for dinner, because the look of satisfied faces due to the satisfied tummies just makes you feel so fulfilled.
It ain’t that bad if you can’t eat a lavish meal all the time, at least you get to snack any time of the day. Like an hour after lunch, you could opt for a nutritious snack of cheese on toast and yogurt. Doesn’t look too bad, does it?
It ain’t that bad if you have to do housework and laundry, because at the end of the day, you know the dirty crevices and pile of dirty clothes will be gone, and you’re gonna see your loved ones, greeting you with huge hugs and kisses.
So you see, it’s not a bed of roses, but it ain’t that bad if you have LOVE on your side all the time.
And it ain’t that bad if the man you love tells you you still look surprisingly good
It’s scorching hot in here! April 20, 2009
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Thoughts & Scribblings , comments closed
Man, it’s HOT out today! Don’t know if this is beginning of even hotter days ahead, but it’s definitely one of the hottest since we got here.
Last night, when I took the trash out, I felt something amiss, because instead of the cool night air, there was no chill of the night wind and the air was surprisingly warm! In fact, the temperature outdoors was much warmer than it was indoors, which was peculiar. The late night news forecasted extremely high temperature today, ranging from 80-90°F (27-32.2°C), and when I checked the weather online this morning, a severe weather alert had been issued. Last night also marked the first night ever since I got here that I wore a sleeveless top to bed…yup, it was THAT hot!
Have to remember to drink more water and keep cool at all times now…it’s definitely WAY to hot for sunbathing!
***
By the way, I entered a Bento making contest for the fun of it, so please check out my entry and if you like it, do exercise your freedom of choice by voting for me! I am contestant #5 bentonbento.
Thanks y’all!!!
Voting ends 5:00pm (Malaysian time GMT+8) on Wednesday April 22 2009.
Up, down.. and all around April 17, 2009
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Thoughts & Scribblings , comments closedThe past two weeks or so has been a rollercoaster of emotions, at least for me. In the span of a few days, I have been suddenly thrown into a situation where I do not yet know the outcome of.
I can’t say that I do not care, because I do, but yet a part of me tells me that the fate I have been dealt might be a blessing in disguise.
I went from anxiety and doubt, to anticipation, and then shock and uncertainty. I felt slightly lost at times too, but that very soon became acceptance, as God spoke to me in His own special way.
What sort of *entertained* me was how people who knew me were reacting. Some were supportive, of course, but some remained nonchalant about it, some were visibly concerned…and of course, MOST of them chose ignorance.
Me? I am comforted by the thought that this is what God has planned for me, and I will leave it all in His hands.
Credits
Elegant word art (God opens a window) from Bethany
… and I know that window will soon be opened for me.
Things gonna go my way April 13, 2009
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Drooling & Cooking, Relax & Celebrate, The Fairer Sex , comments closedLike a typical sinusoidal graph that has its ups and downs, life’s experiences takes us on exciting journeys now and then. But with every plunge into a dark ravine, we all pray that the ascent upwards towards better things is not far off.
On Friday afternoon, when I saw these gorgeous blooms right outside my apartment, I knew it was a sign that GOOD things would come my way during the weekend.
…and I was right!!!
My family and I had a splendid and fulfilling American lunch on Saturday. Believe it or not, this was the first time I had had an authentic American meal since I relocated here more than 6 months ago. We went to Applebee’s where they had the 2 for $20 deal (2 entrées + 1 appetizer for $20).
My parents shared one set, while my hubby and I shared another. And everything was super delicious!
From the mozzarella sticks and boneless buffalo wings appetizers served with yummy ranch dressing down to the riblet basket, the steak and the fries, we thoroughly stuffed ourselves to the brim! The photos of the ribs and buffalo wings don’t do them justice though…they certainly DO NOT taste as horrible as they look!
After lunch, we headed to the Gilroy Premium Outlets, where I managed to get TWO items I had been yearning for:
Item 1: Levi’s 501 in *most wanted* color
My hubby and I had been looking for this particular color of 501’s for the longest time. We have seen it on sale a few times before, but we have never found our sizes available. So when I saw the 501’s on sale for USD29.99, and I found the very color we wanted in my size, I could hardly believe it! In fact, I don’t even know how to describe this color – it’s like a destructed washed dark blue, with a tinge of yellow and green, plus it has some *worn* parts which were put there on purpose.
Hubbs and I each got ourselves a pair, but unfortunately I can’t fit into mine yet 
I’m giving myself a few more months…but this new pair is definitely inspiration for me to get into them soon!
Item 2: A brand new Coach!
I’ll be honest. I had no intention of getting a Coach bag that day. I had been into the Coach factory outlet before, and I did not really fancy the designs there then.
But that Saturday, I stepped in anyway, despite the long queue of people waiting to be let into the store. Most of the items were on sale for 40-50% off the tagged price. I weaved my way through the store pushing my baby stroller, and then suddenly I saw it: the little shoulder bag from the recent exclusive Coach Resort collection!
… and it was on SALE at a discount of 50% off the tagged price, whic was already more than 50% off the retail price.
I was torn between getting the shiny black one or the pink one (Punch), but in the end I chose the one in Punch, because it looked so stunning against my black coat. Plus, I did not own a pink bag
This set me back USD54.99, when the original retail price was USD238.00.
Yes, I still can’t stop smiling.
Waiting, waiting patiently April 9, 2009
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Close to Heart & Home, Thoughts & Scribblings , comments closed
Two days ago, I checked the tracking status of my Fedex package to the Consulate General of Malaysia and it provided me with the status I had been waiting for and expected: Delivered. The package I had sent the Friday before contained forms and documents for the process of registering Hannah’s birth in the US and also an application for her restricted travel document (one-way passport) to return to Malaysia.
The entire application process had been a lengthy, arduous and not-so-cheap one, and I can’t deny that I have learnt a LOT from it, but the status Delivered meant that now all we need to do is to sit and wait for the return of our documents.
Although the package has been sent and the application is now in process, I still can’t help feeling a flurry of different emotions.
Apprehension, because both my hubby and I have to send in all our original certificates, like our birth certificates, passports, identity cards and marriage certificates. These will all be returned (safely) via Fedex once the application is complete, but we still can’t help feeling a tinge of fear and “What if?”
Excitement, in eager anticipation of receiving Hannah’s birth certificate (Borang W in this case, as she is born in the US) and travel document. The receipt of these also means that we would be heading for home very soon!
Relief, because I do not need to deal with the Consulate General folks anymore. Although the email communication with the Consular had been quite informative and pleasant, I have also had to make several phone calls to the Consulate General, and most of them had resulted in frustration on my part. Sometimes the call would get disconnected for no reason, and I also found out that apparently the Consular works only Mondays – Fridays 9:30a.m. – 12:00noon! On one occasion where I had to talk to the person in charge of the Birth Registration department, a very bored and tired voice greeted me, sounding very much like a disgruntled employee, and sighing with increasing impatience as she answered my questions. (…and all I could think of was that they had exported the infamous “gahmen service” to the US as well!)
…ah well, I expect the waiting process to end in about two months’ time…until then, I am praying hard that all our documents will be in order…
Sometimes, if and maybe April 5, 2009
Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Thoughts & Scribblings , comments closed
Credits
Elegant word art (road of life) from Bethany
Life…
It is like cruising down the freeway, with the wind blowing in your hair, while you are admiring the splendid view on either side, and listening to the soothing strains of Andrea Bocelli belting out Bésame Mucho…
Sometimes the ride is all smooth sailing but sometimes you hit a bump on the road…
Sometimes…that bump is a minor one that you recover from, one that is but a small hiccup in your journey…something we all call a “no biggie” and before you know it, you are back cruising…
Sometimes…it is a bump that leaves you with an minor injury, like a neckache or a backache…but soon you inadvertently recover from it, although there may or may not be a little scar to remind you of the incident. Nevertheless, you still continue on that same path, maybe slightly hurt, but always wiser.
Sometimes…as you are driving along the freeway, you are forced make a detour and exit the freeway because of a roadblock. Maybe it wasn’t your fault to begin with, but because of an external factor or factors which you had no control over, you are forced to make changes to your itinerary. You are forced to go a different route because there is something else in your way now. Something obstructing your path that is too huge to go around it or to go over it.
…and you have no choice but to avoid it by choosing an alternate route.
You do not know where this new route leads to, and you have no idea if it will be any better than the one you are on, but all you know is that that’s where you are gonna be from now on.
Maybe you will be faced with difficulties and obstacles.
Maybe you will be challenged beyond what you ever imagined.
But on the other hand, maybe this new path will bring about spectacular views. Beautiful scenery you had never imagined. And you would not even know it existed had you not taken this path.
Maybe this new path will teach you great lessons that you will remember for life. Maybe this new path could bring you immeasurable joy and happiness.
And you won’t know this for sure till you embark on this journey.
But you know what…?
The final destinations of both routes may probably be the same, but the “how you get there” part is the most important thing of all.
Trusting and leaving it all in the hands of God, I know that He will provide.
I say bring it on.
Little Miracles
Our Journey of Love
