Disney On Ice is Coming Again

This week I got a promotion booklet from Maybank via post. I seldom look at these booklets but this time I felt like flicking through the pages. I guess it was fated, there was an advert for the next Disney on Ice show on 1st to 3rd April 2011. The last time we went, Maisarah (and Mommy) had a great time. Maisarah couldn't stop looking at the photos and watching the videos I took for months after the show. I promised her we'll take her again when they come in 2011.

I asked Shah and he said we can go again. So, I'm going to make full use of the discount given to Maybankard holders. If we get the tickets before 31st December, I am entitled to get 20% discount. The offer then reduces to 15% discount from 1 January to 15 March 2011. Card holders of Toys 'R Us and MPH Bookstore are also entitled to get t15% discount. You can get more information from TicketPro's website.

Last time, we went for the Saturday matinee show which starts at 1 pm. I think this time we will go for the 1 pm show again. All the show times for the three days can be obtained from the same website.

Anyone care to go with us?

A Year Older

Yesterday I officially grew older by a year. These days celebrating birthdays are not as enjoyable as they used to. A sign of me being more matured I guess. But I am happy I got to spend the day with my husband, almost throughout the day since we are in the same building. And last night I was treated to two birthday cakes. One was a butter cream cake ordered by my mom which was shared with my brother who celebrated his birthday last November. The other was a chocolate cake which Maisarah specifically requested. Maisarah thought that yesterday was her birthday too. She said 'Today is Mommy and Maisarah's birthday!'. So, as usual she got to blow the candle and cut the cake.

I do not wish for any presents this year as I think I have received quite a lot from my dearest hubby throughout the year when we started decorating an furnishing our house. Also, for all the love and support he has given to me since we have been together.

But....I did get a present for myself last Saturday and am enjoying it to bits.

Maisarah's Favourite iPad Applications

Shah and I are constantly looking out for educational games and applications for Maisarah. A week or so after I bought the iPad, Shah decided to get an iPod Touch. So now Maisarah has the choice of using both our gadgets for her play time. Anyway, we limit the playing time to a maximum of one hour per usage and usually she will play once every day on weekdays and two to three times a day on weekends. Below are her favourite applications.

1. iWriteWords

I tried to teach Maisarah to write using a Kumon book once but 10 mniutes later Maisarah got bored and started making mistakes deliberately. This then got me frustrated and her being even more rebellious and making more mistakes So, I gave up on teaching her the old-fahioned way. With iWriteWords, she can sit down for more than half an hour writing the alphabets and numbers. This app teaches kids to write using a small crab and numbers. Kids will have to take the crab according to the numbered sequence to write each alphabet or number. I see Maisarah making progress with writing. She used to make many mistakes writing the letter 'S' and the number '8' but now she can do those effortlessly. She loves to play this game which she calls 'Mr Crab'.

2. FirstWords: Deluxe

I was introduced to this app by Ira. This app teaches children to recognise letters and to spell the words for most households items, animals, vehicles, shapes, colours. If the child doesn't know what word they are spelling, they can look at the picture or press on the picture to hear the word. But, Maisarah gets frustrated on some pictures. For example, to spell the word 'bed' there is a picture of a bed with a pillow on top. When she presses the picture at the pillow, the guy says 'bed' and then she will ask me 'Why is he saying 'bed' when I press the pillow in the picture?' Then I get dumfounded as to how to answer her question. Maisarah calls this her 'Scrabble' game because she needs to arrange the lettered tiles like she sees Shah and I do when we play Scrabble.

3. 5-in-1 Kids Pack

This is actually the first application I got for Maisarah. There are several games in the app. 'Match' fortifies the memory as the child is required to find two matching pictures from a collection of tiles. 'Mystery' is the same as 'Match' but requires two players to compete and see who manages to uncover the hidden picture first. 'Tap' is where the child is asked to identify the picture of the mentioned word from a collection of pictures. 'Timed' is the same games above but the child is required to complete the game within a certain time. Maisarah loves the 'Match' game.

4. Color & Draw

This app is actually a colouring book on the iPad. There are manyh pictures to choose from for your child to fill with colours. There are also a small collection of stickers which can be placed on the pages. Maisarah started off having difficulty colouring within the lines but I see that she is improving. I started to teach her to colour within the lines using this app and now she can do also do so when she does colouring on paper. You can also upload your own picture onto this app for your kids to colour on.
5. Drawing Pad

Another drawing application but this time drawing free hand. Maisarah loves this app becaue you can choose to use crayons, colour pencil, paintbrush or magic marker. There is even an option to draw using the roller pen which has preset shapes like hearts, bubbles and stars in different colours. There is also a large selection of stickers which Maisarah loves.

We are still looking out for more applications for Maisarah. So if you know of any good apps do let me know ok?

Project "Our Hive": Furnitures Coming In

Sorry for the lack of entry here as I am currently focusing on a project which requires lots of research. I'll let you know more on the project once I am satisfied with the content.

Anyway, last few weeks Shah and I have been busy searching for furnitures. We managed to get a bedroom set for our room and a six-seater dining table. We chose a white bedroom set so as to complement the pale blue bedroom walls and silver curtains. I think that a dark coloured set would dampen the brightness of the room. As for the dining table, we opted for a four-foor round table which seats four persons. The table can be extended to an oblong shap which them fits six persons. We also think it can squeeze a party of eight people but we'll have to try that out for real later on. Last weekend, we also went to the electrical appliance store to settle the payment for the fridge and waching machine which we choose during Homedec earlier May.

We have arranged for all items to be delivered this afternoon. So I am very excited to see how our bedroom and dining area will look with the furnitures in place. With this, the dining and living room area will be settled. All I want to get next are some mirrors to brighten the room and maybe a sideboard to be placed near the dining table, if there is any extra space. But I'm not in any rush to get those unless I fall in love with a particular mirror or sideboard and have to have it pronto.

Well, that's all the update for now. I've got to get ready to head over to our house. Bye!

Where Do You Go For Home Design Ideas?

Anyway, around a year ago, Shah and I got the keys to the house we bought. At that time, we knew nothing about home renovations or interior decorating. We, or I more rather, had to do lots of internet searches to find all the info needed. And mind you there is a lot to research on. Many questions were asked to Mr. Google like 'Where do I start once I get the keys?' or 'What type of grilles to install?' and lots more.

So, I was wondering where did all of you go to get answers for all your questions on home decorations? Was there a particular forum you frequented? Did you visit a particular blog or website?

You see I am still searching for new ideas for our home. Thus, would you be kind enough to share with me the forum/blog/website you liked that gave you all or some of the answers?

Hope you can help me and thanks in advance.

Introducing Mia and Zara

Yesterday, my sister and brother-in-law brought Maisarah to the pet shop as they had promised to get her a pet for her birthday present. Maisarah wanted turtles and fishes. But after consulting the assitants at the pet shop, I decided on Maisarah's behalf to only get the turtles. This is because they are easier to take care of than fishes, in my opinion. We got a tank for them, a floating artificial water lily leaf for them to sit on, some stones, food for baby turtles and antichlorin solution. However, as you can see from the picture above, the stones were a bad idea because we found out that turtle food doesn't float like fish food so they sank into the stones. The turtles had difficulty reaching the food. Also, I learnt that the water should not be too deep or the turtles would struggle to get air. So, the tank decorations were remodeled by me yesterday evening. We now only have large pebbles arranged at two opposite ends of the tank so that the turtles can climb onto them and the tank was only filled with around 1.5 to 2 inches of water.

The name of the turtles were given by Maisarah which was adopted from the name 'Myazara' which Shah sometimes uses to call Maisarah. Maisarah was very excited to get the turtles yesterday. She still was excited this morning but I;m not sure how long the excitement will last. I think in the end it will be Mommy who will have to take care of Mia and Zara. So now I have three children to look after.

Months, Weeks, Days

1. In 16 days I'll turn 31. Another year added to the total doesn't seem to bother me much since I keep forgetting my age anyway. Although, I noticed that I'm less forgetful of it now compared to when I was 18. Just last week someone asked my age and I said 'I'll be 32 this year.' Not sure if that is good or bad 'cause before this my forgetful mind will give me a number which is less than my actual age.

2. I've got less than 25 days to find a kindy for Maisarah if we are ever to move in to our home this year. Lots of options to choose from but not sure if they have a place for my princess. Praying hard that there is a place but I've got to start looking A.S.A.P. Why the hurry? Because...

3. In two to three more weeks time our house will be liveable and 4 out of the 7 rooms (including living, dining and kitchen) will be 90% furnished. So, nothing much to stop us from moving in other than the issue of where to place the little princess when we are at work.

4. Work wise, fifteen more weeks till end of the semester. First week of class was a breeze. Nothing much happened. Many students wanting to enroll into my class so the capacity will be increased. Meaning, got to repeat what was taught last week.

5. Three months till the deadline on the accreditation report. Fells like we just ended the accreditation roller coaster ride. Now, dejavu all over again but hopefully it will be better since we have a longer lead time.

6. More importantly, three months till our 9th wedding anniversary. Shah and I have come a long way together and I pray for many more years to be shared with Shah. I've got to plan something special this year and something extra special next year. Got to start thinking now and I'm open for suggestions.