A night of frustrations

I had about 1 1/2 hours of stitching time last nite, but, unfortunately, 1 hour of that was spent frogging. *sigh*sniff*sob*I was working on my Xmas Star hardanger project, and somehow miscounted the holes! *waaahhh*sob* I had spent 1/2 hour stitching on it already, when it came to meeting up with d other end, it did not meet!

Imagine my frustrations upon realising my mistake, and having 2 frog everything that I had spent doing the last 1/2 hour and 1/2 hour the nite b4 too! *sob* In frustration, I wanted to throw out d project, but it is such a beautiful piece, it wud have been a pity, so, I plodded on. It is all frogged (is there such a word? LOL!), and ready to be stitched again tonite, hopefully with no mistakes anymore.

Hmmm......M back to my hardanger project? I must have completed one project for me to go back to my hardanger project-in-waiting! *wink* I did! I did! *jumping 4 joy!*

I finally completed my JEFS on Monday nite at 10.10 pm! I wanted to update my blog before `announcing' it to the board, but, somehow, I cud not access my blog the last 2 days. *more frustrations*sigh* So, until then, I cannot `show it off' to friends here at d board.*wink* I'll try to upload it from home. Maybe my server is acting up. I just hope it is just temporary this server problem.

NOTE: this was written on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006, but was only published to blog on 6 Oct, 2006 due to server problem.

Will we ever get it maid?

My mother-in-law is starting to complain about her new maid. It has been 2 months since she had this girl. The last one ran away, remember?

Even though this new maid has been with my MIL for 2 months already, it seems like she has only been working for 2 weeks. My MIL has to keep on reminding her what to do each day. She has no initiative of her own, what more to be proactive.

Each morning (before the fasting month), if my MIL does not tell her what to prepare for breakfast, she will not prepare anything except to take out the bread & butter, and lay out the table. She has no initiative to ask my MIL what to prepare. My MIL is not well, and sometimes she forgets to tell the maid what to prepare for breakfast the nite before. She expects the maid to ask her what to prepare, and not just serve bread and butter or just assume that, that is all that is be served for breakfast. After all, this particular maid actually complained to my MIL once ( about 2 weeks after working) that she (the maid) has nothing to eat for breakfast even though there were 3 loaves of bread in the cupoboard. She does not consider bread as her breakfast food. She expects my MIL to get up and prepare breakfast, and she eats from what is left. The same is for dinner. Nothing is prepared if not told what to do, but then, she (the maid) complains that she's hungry. Can you believe this?

My MIL's maid of 6 years (she went back in 2005 because her own mum was not well) has her own initiative to do things without my MIL having to tell her. Only when she is unsure, would she then ask my MIL. If my MIL is in d habit of telling her what to do or prepare each day, and one day my MIL forgets, she will ask my MIL for instructons. She is one maid whom I have never seen sleeping on the job. She does not stop working from the time she gets up in the morning, which is around 5.00am, to the time she goes to bed, which is around 10.30pm or later.

My MIL is not well, and having to tell the maid each day to do the same job over and over again is taking a toll on her. One would expect that when you have worked for 2 months already, everything should be automatic by now. You don't need to tell them what to do anymore, except when there are new things to do. I feel sorry for my MIL, and sad that she hasn't been able to get a maid that is hard working and understands her health situation, and be able to do work (the maid) without my MIL having to supervise the maid all the time.

The other day when I called up my mum, she too isn't in the best of health. She complained that she can't do the daily household chores without it causing so much pain to her whole body, especially her back. She needs and wants a maid, but dn't want a live in one because of problems like the one my MIL is currently facing, and what I had to go through with the last maid that I had. It left me traumatised, and still do to this day.

I wish there is a daily maid service in Kota Bahru who can come in daily to help my mum with the daily household chores. I wish that my MIL would get an excellent maid so that my MIL can take things easy. But, I could only wish. When it comes to maids, it is all luck. You might get lucky, and get a good one, like the one my MIL had for 6 good years. You could get unlucky, like the one I had last, that till this day makes me cringe just thinking about getting a maid.

Each day that they (the maids) are with you, you think about their welfare. To make sure that they eat. That they have clothes to wear. Their health, and their other daily necessities. You make sure that they are happy working for you, but do they care how we feel with the way they do their work? I doubt it, if I were to go by what my MIL is currently facing, and with what I had to go through. They just don't care! Why they even bother coming over to work, if this is the type of service or work they render, beats me.

I don't totally discount the possibility that one day I might still need and want a maid. But, my bad experience with the last one is making me wary of getting one. It has, as of today, been 6 months since I last had a maid. It has been tough, especially when my hubby or I has to be outstation for work, or when my son is sick, and I can't take time off from work to take care of him, and have to depend on my MIL's incompetent maid to take care of him. Those are real tough times. I pray to God to give me strength to go through it all. So far, I have made it. I hope that I will forever be able to survive any tough situations put forth.

I was apprehensive about the fasting month this year, not knowing how to handle having to rush from work to prepare for breaking of fast and also to prepare for sahur. It has been a week already since the fasting month started. I thank God that so far, things are manageable. I hope that everything will be fine throughout the fasting month and beyond, God willing.

A lot to be thankful for........

If my dad had been alive today, it would have been his 70th birthday today. He passed away 10 years ago, a week after my mum's birthday. He went away suddenly. The death certificate states that he died of a heart attack. From what I can remember, he does not have a history of heart problems. My dad had high blood pressure, not heart problems, and the blood pressure was being taken care of through constant medication.

My dad hardly fell sick, except for the few sniffles and coughs. But, to see my dad sick at home in bed was a sight I could hardly remember ever witnessing. In fact, he was hardly on medical leave throughout his working career. As far as I can remember, he was always working. He'd be up and about working at his make shift table sitting on his favourite rattan chair when I get up to go to school, and later for work. He would still be hard at work as I get ready for bed at night. He seems to enjoy what he does. If ever he did complain about his work, he probably only complained to my mum. We, kids, were too engrossed in our own world to notice much anything else.

My dad was an inspiration not only to his children, but others as well who have crossed path with him. If ever I do meet, till today, any of his former students or people who have come to know him, they will always speak fondly of him.

Coming from a humble background, my dad had worked hard to get to where he was before his sudden demise. He wanted his children to never forget that it is only through sheer hard work that you can succeed. As my siblings and I grew up, we probably could have most of what the other rich kids at that time have, but my parents never spoil us. It was the public bus to school. Pocket money was enough to only buy a packet of mee or nasi lemak and a drink. If we want to buy anything extra, like sweets or toys, we would have to be thrifty in our spendings. But, when it comes to books, my parents spend willingly, because they believe that books can give us a lifetime of knowledge.

I grew up surrounded by books. I have books by my bedside, which I read before retiring for the night. I read in the car on my way to work each day (when my hubby drives and when we are not in some animated discussion of sorts! LOL!) When I have to eat alone, books would always be my trusted and faithful companion, eversince I was a child till today. There must be at least one book in my briefcase as I travel outstation for work, because I don't like spending time waiting at airports doing nothing. Staring at people passing by is not a favourite pass time of mine! LOL! I have been brought up to love books, and I thank my parents for cultivating that interest in me, and today, I hope to cultivate the same kind of interest in my son.

I am glad and feel blessed that my hubby is also an avid reader, and my son has already shown signs of interest in books, reading at every opportunity he gets. When there are no books to be found, the back packet of cereal boxes and orange juices becomes his reading materials! I hope he will grow up to love books the same way my hubby and I do, if not even more so.

Though my dad is no longer with us, I have a lot to be thankful for the way he and my mum had raised us. It had made us a well rounded person. It has made what we are today. We succeeded in life because of what they had made us to become through their guidance, not through force. They thought us to recognise the rights from wrong. They help us to make decisions without actually making the decisions for us made, because they knew that they had taught us well, and that we would make the right decisions.

The constant reminders of where our beginings were, kept us firmly rooted to the ground. Not giving in too easily to all our whims and fancies as we grew up made us to appreciate even the little things in our lives.

Thank you, Ma. We love you!

Jetsetting and some stitching report

It had been a hectic week for me this week jetsetting from state to state. I was in Kuala Terengganu on Monday, Penang on Wednesday, Melaka on Thursday and Kuching on Friday. I got back from Kuching on the 8.00 pm flight and arrived home close to 11.00 pm. I am just glad that it was Saturday the next day, giving me time to recover from all the travelling.

With so much travelling, it was to be expected that I won't be doing much stitching. However, when I was in Penang, I arranged to meet up with Ina, who, coincidentally, was going to pick up her daughter from the airport half an hour before I was to board the plane back to Kuala Lumpur.

Again, Ina had been so kind as to pick up my framed piece from Tammy's and bring it to me at the airport. Expecting some waiting time at the airport, I brought along Wendy's RR to stitch since it was small and easy to work on while on the go. Also, I was already way behind on this RR since it was supposed to be mailed out on 15th September, and I had only put in a couple of stitches in it, so, stitch I did at the Penang airport as I patiently waited for Ina.

Managed about 30 minutes of solid stitching which was very satisfying, before Ina arrived in her usual chirpy self. She actually spent more time chatting up with the lady sitting next to me at the waiting lounge, LOL! as their daughters were coincidentally studying at the same residential school. Talk about the world being small! *grin*

Ina brought along, as planned my framed piece. It's gorgeous! The framing, the mounting, and of course, the hardanger! LOL! *wink* It actually attracted the ladies sitting next to us as I opened the wrapping! *grin* What do you think? *wink*

On another stitching report, Linda came over to my house yesterday to pick up her cebelia threads which I had bought at Haby's for her some time back. She brought along my finished BUZZ RR. Now that it is completed, I think the whole picture is really nice. Don't you agree?

Thanks, Linda and Wendy, or joining me in this RR. Though it was extended twice due to everyone's busy schedule. We got it done anyway, as my portion on Wendy's RR was completed this morning.

I like the fabric colour (kind of peachy, though the photo is not doing justice to the piece) of Wendy's RR, and Lizzie Kate's designs has always appealed to me, especially if you needed a break from doing a big or medium size project, which, the Joan Elliot's Friendship Sampler is, which brings me to the final report on my stitching for now.

I have completed most part of the back stitching on the 2nd shelf, and I am now working the backstitching on the upper shelf. I am giving myself another 2 weeks to complete this piece.

On another note, I stashed! *grin* Yup! I told Linda to bring along some of her charts when she came over to pick up her cebelia threads. I knew it would be dangerous for my purse, but, it has been quite some time.....err...was it really?.....*grin* that I bought any charts....heheh....am I being truthful to myself here? LOL!

Anyway, I bought two charts from her - Garden Sampler by LK, True Love by The Workbasket and a fat quarter of 28ct gingham linen. Love the linen especially! My 1st purchase of linen! What am I going to work on it, since I have never worked on linen before? Hmmmmmmm......I just love the piece! I'll think about it later what am gonna be stitching on it! hehehhh......

It happens, but all ends well..........

It's one of those things that has to happen to U no matter what you do........

Huh? What am I talking about? Heheh......my working trip to Bali, that is.

Yup! I was away outstation for work last weekend, from Sunday nite till Tuesday. Overseas....Bali, Indonesia, to be exact! I went there on the invitation of the Menteri Besar of Terengganu. He wanted us to have a better picture of the architecture and landscape which has impressed him so much, so as to unable us to incorporate those ideas into the Kuala Terengganu Airport which is currently under construction. At the same time, for us to get some inspiration from the beautiful architecture and landscape that is Bali .

I didn't dare talk about it earlier to anyone since I wasn't sure whether I would actually be able to go with so many paperworks that needed to be done before we could actually fly off. Everything was finally settled and ready to go only on Friday evening, 8th of September.

I was excited about the whole trip since this is only my 3rd trip overseas on government service since working for the past 21 years! But, my excitement was shortlived, at least at the initial stage of the trip, when my bag did not arrive with me. In fact, about a dozen other passengers too did not get to claim their bagage because of failure by the bagage handling people in Malaysia, to load up the bagage when, we were told, the bagage carousel suddenly jammed up. Terrible, huh? How could they make such a mistake! And, to make matters worse, there were no more flights via MAS to Bali on that day. The next one is at 9.40 am the next day, arriving only at 1.00 pm. Uurrgghhh!

Gosh! What am I suppose to wear for work tommorrow? What am I gonna wear to sleep tonite? What about my toiletries? And make-up, and undergarments? My contact lenses could last only a few more hours. I need my contact lens solution. My glasses are in the bag! Gosh! I cudn't think! My mood dwindled immediately after that. Even when the local travel agent put a garland of flowers over my head, I couldn't get excited. Even though I was hungry, the food did not look d least bit appetizing. The hotel was a lovely place, my room was nice, but, my mood was already in the pits. I just lost all interest.

All I could think thoughout dinner is where to get my emergency supplies of things I mentioned earlier. Would I be able to look for a decent, comfortable blouse for work tommorrow? Will the shops still be open, in time for me to get those things? Where do I go? I AM in a foreign land I have never been before!

God tests you in many ways, but if you are patient and show faith in Him, He will show you the way. During dinner (we had to have dinner 1st because dinner was already served when we arrived at the hotel, and I was travelling in a group, so I had to follow the majority), I silently prayed, hoping that everything will turn out OK.

After dinner, together with a colleague, we dashed to the nearest supermarket. With less than 30 minutes before the shop closes, I am surprised, but thankful that I actually managed to find just the right blouse suitable for work that fitted like it was made for me! LOL! Not only that, I also managed to grab a new comb and some basic make-up!

For sleeping, a colleague lend me her kaftan. I was also given a new collared T-shirt by a Yang Berhormat who accompanied us on our trip, upon knowing of my predicament. See, all you need to do was be patient and have faith, and things will turn out okay. *smile*

I had a great time the next day going around the airport and a few resorts in Bali, taking in all the beautiful architectural details and landscape, till my camera run out of batteries, in my new blouse *wink*, but my pants were d same ones I wore yesterday....but, hey, U can't hv everything, can you? LOL! *wink*

Bali is a beautiful place to visit if you are into buildings and landscapes. They sure have such lovely buildings, and most were detailed in carvings. Even McDonalds had carvings! Even with so much carvings, they were all tastefully done! At nite, the scenes were even more beautiful when the lights on the buildings were lit up, creating mysterious feelings.

All in all, despite the initial set back, the visit was an eye opener and very inspirational. I thank Menteri Besar Terengganu for the kind invitation. I hope I will have more visits of this nature. *wink*

I've got it framed......

I was in Penang on 20th August, 2006 for work. I managed to squeeze in some time on my last day of work to drop by Tammy's to pick up my framed piece which I had earlier sent by PosLaju. It is my Trellis piece, by The Workbasket which I had completed some time back.

This is the 1st time that I sent a piece to Tammy by mail for framing without choosing the colour mounts and the framing. I left everything to Tammy and her husband to decide. The only criteria I requested is that the mounts be in either green or purple/purplish pink to match the colours of the stitched piece. The rest, I had to leave to Tammy and her hubby to choose for me, hoping that I will like the end results.

I am quite particular, or, you can call me fussy! LOL! about the way how my pieces should be framed. Usually, whenever I go to Penang for work, Zarina would pick me up after I am done with work for the day, and we would go to Tammy's for me to choose my mounts and framing. Later, when the framing is all done, Zarina or Niza would be so kind to bring them down for me whenever they are down in Kuala Lumpur to visit relatives. Thanks, Niza and Zarina!

This time, since I was going to be in Penang for work, and I was driving up, rather, my hubby was going to drive, I decided to try to send my stitching ahead of my trip so that I can bring it back with me to KL.

Heh! I must say that I was kinda `nervous' and `anxious' to see how my piece was going look all framed up, LOL! since I had no inkling at all as to the exact colours of the mounts and the design of the frame. I had to trust Tammy's taste! LOL!

So, what do U all think (see right photo above) ? Not too bad, huh? *wink*

BTW, while I was there (at Tammy's) I also managed to pick up another chart! *grin* - a hardanger chart by Cross N Patch called Christmas Star. I just could resist it since I saw a completed piece done by Tammy and it is really gorgeous!

I started on it a bit, just couldn't wait! LOL! when I came back from Penang, but has since put it on hold while I try to finish off my JE SAL. I can't wait to come back to it so that I can have this lovely piece all framed up on my wall! *wink*

How time flies..............

I started out on the JE SAL with Barbara on 1st July 2006, although I only actually managed to put in the 1st stitch on July 2nd, due to some unforeseen circumstances.

Earlier, Barbara and I agreed on a 2 month period to complete the piece, but since I was sitting for the promotions exams, the infamous PTK, in August, Barbara was considerate enough to put on hold the SAL for two weeks.

Not discounting the two weeks of no stitching period, it has been more than 2 months since we started on the SAL. I am usually a fast stitcher, but, lately I am way over my head with work, that by the time I get back home, I am mentally exhausted. To add to that, without a maid, I had to do the household chores first before I could sit down and relax to stitch. Usually, by the time I am done, I would be too physically exhausted, added on to being already mentally exhausted! LOL! Not a good combination to sit down for a stitching session! I would end up going to bed early! LOL!

I really must apologize to Barbara that I cannot proceed with this piece as fast I usually could. It is one of those period of time when things just simply gets too hectic. I am hoping things will slow down a bit in about a month, but I doubt it very much because a number of projects that I am currently managing have to be tendered out before the end of the month, or latest, before the 1st week of November. That is work, and U have to work to live.

However, I am still hoping to get this piece (JE SAL) done before the end of September. I am hoping taht I will be able to catch up on my stitching during the weekends, but, so far, it has been 2 weekends that I have had to work over the weekends since I started on this project.

I will be working again come this weekend. Another weekend stitching time off my plans......but, I am kind of looking forward to work this weekend because........... heheh.....I am not telling! *wink* I will only tell about my work after this weekend, because, if everything goes well, it is going to be work of a different kind......at least for me.......*grin*

For now, here is my progress photo.....

The backstitching for the center pot, bottom shelf, is fully completed. I targeted to finish the backstitching for the 2nd shelf this weekend, but, looks like it's not gonna happen.......

Did you ever dream that someday...............

Malaysia's No. 1 singer, Siti Nurhaliza, got married on 21st August 2006. A grand reception was held on 28th August 2006. Never mind that she married a divorcee with 4 children ranging in age from 18 to 8 years old, and that he is 19 years her senior in age. That is not the reason whyI am putting up this posting. Rather, when I look at photos of the `akad nikah' (solemnisation of marriage) and the grand wedding reception with guest ranging from royalties to cabinet ministers, I cannot help but think...think about how some people have just got it made.

Siti Nurhaliza started out into the music industry at a ripe age of only 16, eleven years ago. When she started out, did she know that one day she is going to be so successful, that she will be Malaysia's No. 1 singer? She only won 2nd place in a local singing competition, yet, she was the one that got things going her way. I cannot even recall who won 1st prize! Maybe because she came with a package? Good voice with good looks to boot?

I am sure everyone started out into whatever business they venture into with hopes that they will become successful. You want to be the most successful enterpreneur. You want to be the richest man. You want to be the most intelligent. You want to be the most famous. Noone goes into something without wanting to succeed, but, how successful you actually become, depends on how hard you work for it.

Some say that sometimes luck also plays a part in your success. True, to a certain extent. A saying says, "Being at the right place, at the right time, and meeting the right people," is having luck on your side. But, you cannot depend solely on luck to make you succeed in something you venture if you don't work hard for it. You have to work hard for what you want. Nothing comes easy.

Did I know, as a child, that someday I would be able to fulfill my dream of becoming an Architect? I started drawing out floor plans even at the tender age of only 6 years old. They were not perfect floor plans, but they were recognizable. You could make out the living room, dining room, the kitchen and the bedrooms. I even drew out the doors. At that time, I did not know what an Architect is. I only knew that when I grow up, I want to design my own house.

When kids at that age change what they want to become when they grow up as they grew up, mine never changed. It was always to design my own house. Later, I found out that what I wanted to do - to design houses - is actually to become an Architect.

My dad's ambition was to become an Architect, but alas, his talent in the field of art wasn't enough to get him entered into university to pursue architecture. He became a lawyer instead, and a good one at that, but, deep inside, he never fail to hope to one day become an architect. When he realised a daughter of his had talents to draw better than he did *wink*, and was very much interested to become an Architect, he got excited. But, my parents never forced any of us, my siblings and I, into anything we did not want to. They let us decide what is best for us.

When finally I graduated with a Degree in Architecture some 21 years ago, my dad was the happiest dad around. *grin* Well, ok, all parents are happy of their children's success, but, my dad was especially excited that I fulfilled a dream of his to become an Architect. Although he, himself did not become an Architect, but to have a daughter of his carry on his dream is a dream come true enough for him.

I wish that I would someday become a famous Architect in Malaysia for the beautiful and unique buildings that I designed, but, after 21 years already in the field, I am not sure that I can still someday become that famous Architect who designs the most beautiful buildings in the country.

I have designed many buildings in my 21 years of service, big or small, but, being in the government, you don't get credited directly for your work. At the end of the day, if a building is recognized as being beautiful or unique, it will be known as the building designed by the government.

However, I still hope that by the time I leave the service in the government, I will have at least one big building to my name, so that one day, my son can say, "My mum designed this building". *smile*

Getting there.........

I did not get to stitch much on the JE SAL this week. Whatever time I had, I spent part of it frogging coz I kinda got the colours mixed up - the shades of blue and yellow, since they are so close to each other. It is one of those weeks where you simply just can't progress much on anything. *sigh*

Here is a progress photo anyway. I did not post a photo last week since I was away for work for most part of last week, and when I came back, I was down with the flu. I still have not fully recovered, but I am definitely feeling much better! *smile*

I managed to put in about 2 - 3 hours of stitching time today, so that quite kind of made up for the lost stitching time during the last two days. *grin*

I hope to put in more progress by the week's end. I have to catch up, considering Barbara is way ahead of me on this one. I guess it's hard to `compete' when your work tends to take you away from town most part of the month, not that I am complaining. LOL! *wink* I love my work, but, sometimes, it just stresses me out when I have too many things to do, but so little time to do them all!

Am I giving up on this SAL? Me? Give up? Certainly not! *grin* Although Barbara said that she is already starting to see the beginning of the end, slow as I may be, I'll get there! LOL! I might not get to the finishing line 1st, but I am definitely finishing it, one way or another! *wink* You can count me on that one! I am certainly not going to let this piece become a UFO! LOL!

What a week!

I am zonked out tired this week and it is only Wednesday!

I haven't had time to recuperate properly from my flu last week. It had been a hectic week last week. In fact, it has been a hectic month this month of August. I felt like I did not have time to catch my breadth properly after completing one task, before the next task at hand has to be handled or taken care of, so that they can be settled before new tasks arrive.

I was working in Penang last week starting from Sunday, 20th August, and didn't get back to KL until Wednesday, 23rd August. Without taking a break from my travels, I was back at the office on Thursday, 24th, to catch up on paperwork left untouched during my 3 day absence. I think my body retaliated. I am not as young nor as strong as I thought I am, although my spirits are high. Came Thursday evening, after work, my whole body suddenly started to ache all over. I could not even pour a glass of water without aching some parts of my body. By 10 pm that nite, I started to run a temperature, my throat hurts that even swallowing my saliva was too painful, my nose started to run, and my body ached so much that even stirring in my sleep hurts.

My body just told me to take the much needed break! I slept all day Friday. Woke up only for a quick shower and a quick breakfast which I could hardly swallow. Took a slow drive to the clinic, fell asleep at the clinic while waiting for my turn to be called in. Went home, slept again. Woke up when my hubby came home with lunch. Hardly eat it, and was back in bed till past 7.00 pm!

I could not remember a time in the last 10 years that I had it this bad where I practically slept all day, oblivious to the happenings around me. All this while, as I slept to regain strength, my son played all day in the room, only once waking me up to ask permission to watch the TV. Usually, when I am at home with my son, he would be calling out to me for attention every 10 - 20 minutes, wanting to show me this and that. I think kids understand when a situation calls for them to be behave, not that my son hasn't been a good boy before this. I thank God for his good behaviour.

I thought I had fully recuperated after a rested weekend from my sleeping `overdose' on Friday, but I soon realised that I haven't fully recovered when I had to attend meetings back to back all day since Monday, and today, my body is starting to ache again. My throat hurts, and my eyes are watery. I need a break! I hope I can recover fully with a break coming up tommorrow, it being a holiday in celebration of our National Day. I need to. I have a very important meeting coming up on Friday.

My leave for Friday got cancelled for this meeting. My plans for a 4 day weekend just got thrown out the window for this meeting, so, I'd better be well for the meeting. I need to get better. I hate feeling sick. Not much gets done when you are not in the best of health.

I am not making any plans for tomorrow. Except for the usual household chores that needs to be done, I intend to take it easy. Hopefully spend some time stitching, clean up the house a bit..at my own pace. The house sure needs cleaning up! I think I have neglected it for far too long! LOL!

To all Malaysians, SELAMAT MENYAMBUT HARI MERDEKA!

Art Work Progress

The mummy reports on her stitching, and the son reports on his artwork..... what would the daddy be reporting on? The weight he has lost in the last 6 months? *wink* I'd get envious that I he has managed to lose weight since joining the gym way back in 2004 or something like that, but I have lost none, not even 500 gms, LOL! even though I am always totally zonked out by the time I get home from work and run around getting the household chores done! *grin* But, of course, my hubby helps me out too with some of the chores. I wouldn't have been able to do everything myself. Thanks, hubby! Muahhhh!

But, the point here is that household chores DO NOT make you lose weight! LOL!

Anyway, back to why I am posting this post in the 1st place is to report on the progress of my son's art class. Typical of me to digress too far off topic! LOL!

It has been almost more than a month since I last reported on my son's art work progress. I wasn't too happy with some of his work and complained to the taecher since I did not see any progress in the last three classes that he attended.

I was assured that I will see some progress in d next few classes. Her explanation? They had just taught him water colour painting and that takes time - you know the colour mixing and all. I suppose I hv to agree with the teacher since I did notice that his crayon pieces are nice, but his pieces in water colour needs a lot of work on it. Oh well.....patience..patience.... patience.....*grin*

Anyway here's some progress for the record.

Slow, but, making progress....

After almost two weeks of no stitching, I finally picked up my stitching again on Monday nite. Felt the needle funny between my fingers! LOL!

Anyway, I managed a little bit of stitching on my Joan Elliot's Stitch-A-Long (JE SAL) piece on Tuesday nite and last nite spent close to two hours working on it. I am feeling a little bit frustrated that my progress is a little slow. Guess I need to get back into the swing! *grin*

I also did some stitching on my frog project. I want to finish this off so that I can mail it out to Tammy's in Penang to have it framed. I haven't actually decided how am I going to transport back the framed piece to Kuala Lumpur, since most of the time I fly to Penang for work. I dn't know about restrictions in bringing a framed piece of art work on board the plane, especially with the latest developments with regards to the bomb threats on board flights into the United States from the UK.

I am thinking of trying to get some mail delivery service like DHL or something do the packing for me and transporting it back to KL. That way, I am assured of my framed pieces arriving intact, and I can safely send all my exclusive stitched pieces for framing, without having to bother either Niza or Zarina too much to bring them back for me each time they come to KL.

Exams and a bookmark

I took a 2 weeks break from my stitching to prepare for my exams. How did I fare? Hmmm.....I hope I did ok. No, make that, I hope I did great! *wink*

Well, I am just glad that the exams are over. It had been a really long two weeks, especially the few days before the first part of the exams. My son got sick 4 days prior to the exams, running a fever up to 40 degrees, compounded with a bad cough that affected his sleeping. All this despite taking medicines prescribed my the GP.

It was only after the 3rd visit and a change of medicine did the fever and cough subsided, but it was not after I had to go through a night of anxiousness when at 2.00 am he ran a temperature of 39 degrees. I had to bath and sponge him for close to an hour before the temperature finally went down, and my exams were to be at 8.00 am!

I hardly slept a wink after sponging him. I was now anxious about the exams, and worried that I might not be able to drive the 1 hour distance to the exam center in Bangi, due to extreme exhaustion from lack of sleep. Also, I was worried that I might ran into panic attack and not be able to remember what I had studied due to sleepiness. *gulp* I prayed that everything will be fine.

I made the drive, albeit slowly and sometimes, I cud feel my eyes shutting, but, thank God, I arrived safely, and my son is back to his chatty self since last Friday. *grin* I sat for the 2nd part of my exams without any unexpected events today, except for the fact that I wasn't sure if I had answered correctly! LOL!

Now that the exams are over, I can now go back to the normal routine of work, not that I haven't been busy with never ending metings and discussions during those times, only I took some time off to do some group studying in between my hectice schedule. I can also go back to my stitching which I have missed so terribly......*wink*

As a comeback from my 2 week absence, I thought I'd put a photo of a hardanger bookmark I made for Ee Koon as an appreciation for her time and patience in teaching and opening up a whole new world for me in the art of hardanger. I mailed it out by registered mail and it arrived the next day, just in time before she departed for Hong Kong.

It is an amaturish start and finishing work, but I hope Ee Koon wudn't be too critical about it. It is a simple piece, though I couldn't make out how to do the square edging that it called for. Instead, I got creative and did the buttonhole edging instead. Not too bad for an amature, huh? What do U think? LOL! *wink*

Ainul's Baby Banner

This is actually an old piece which Zalita, or better known as Cheeze, Azie, or some may know her as Lilo, and myself did as a present for Aida's daughter, Ainul.

I was browsing thru my webshot album and realised that I have yet to post this on my blog and decide to do so, just so that I have a record of it, since this blog is more often updated than my webshot album.

I had enjoyed stitching the piece (the ballerina teddy bear), and I am sure Azie and Cheeze had enjoyed stitching their piece too, and we in turn, hope that Ainul will grow up to know the aunties that had put in the hours to do the piece! LOL! *wink*

I finished it using pink cottons that I had previously bought from Quilt Gallery. Will we be seeing it hanging on Ainul's wall when she gets a room of her own, Aida? *wink*

JE SAL progress report

I promised a report on Friday, but cudn't post it because I was in a state of shock! *wink*

Anyway, not much progress actually. Did not stitch much last week. Spent most of my free time between doing household chores, studying. It's hard when you get to my age (eerr....what age wud that be? *wink*) when what U just read in the morning, you can already easily 4get by the evening! LOL! Guess I'll just have to keep on reading, huh? *wink*

It's a slow progress. I will be taking a break from stitching for two weeks until after my exams are over on 15th August. Can't wait!

A sad day.......

It is a sad day for me yesterday, and I am still feeling sad today......

I was in Penang yesterday for a project briefing. On our way to d airport, we stopped
by for lunch at a gerai ikan bakar (grilled filled). The driver had parked the car across the street from d restaurant. We sat not too far inside d restaurant, and only went in for a quick 20 minutes meal. When we came out, the car window had been smashed and my laptop and a colleague's handbag stolen. Her handbag had contained her car keys, land title (she had wanted to drop by the land office to do an ownership title change) and her plane tickets. Luckily she took along her purse and handphone into d restaurant.

Also together with my laptop bag were my note padbook containing information valuable to me in managing my work. I also had the latest issue of Cross Stitcher and a Fench XS mag I bought at d airport. That's doubly sad for me.....*wink* Kidding!

I only got back into KL past 8 pm after making a police report, and after d incident, I was feeling traumatised all day. I lost all interest to do anything else after that.

M sad that this has happened although I know it's all fated. I am a very careful person, and would always doubly check the car each time I leave the car to make sure that I had properly locked it, and especially if I leave anything inside d car, to make sure that it is well hidden from sight.

Yesterday, everything was beyond my control. The car was not mine. I had informed the driver about the notebook, and he had said that everything will be ok. I had hidden the laptop the best I could, but, again, it was not my car to insist on this and that to make sure that the laptop is safe and the car secure.

There are a 1001 ways that I cud have done to avoid it from happening, and all these ways are racing thru my mind all evening yesterday, last nite, and even today even as I type this posting, but, it was fated that it was going to happen no matter what I did. Am I just trying to console myself in my attempt to make my guilt go away?

I am sad.........I hope my mood will pick up for the better today. I need to. I need to get back to my studying. I need to concentrate.......*sigh*

A piece by Paula, Doris and Nik! *wink*

A quick note on this one.

The piece is designed by Paula Vaughn, stitched by Doris, and I may add, at a very fast pace! LOL! And the finishing is done by me! *grin* How's that for a collaborated piece of art? LOL! *wink* Although I can only take credit for the finishing, I am, never the less, proud to be a part of this lovely piece of work, albeit a very small part. I hope I had done justice to this lovely piece with my humble finishing work.

Doris had met up with Paula on one of her annual trips to the United States (how I envie her!). She met up with Paula last year and Paula had kindly presented her a book featuring beautiful pieces of flower designs and had asked that Doris stitch at least one of the designs from that book.

Doris had lovingly stitched this beautiful piece and had asked me if I would do her a favour to finish it off into something that Paula could use and keep. I told her I'd be honoured.

Looking at d piece, despite the flowers being kind of a fushcia colour, I decided on dark green as the main colour for the cushion cover, picking up from the lovely greens of the leaves. I figured it would bring up the stitched piece more than if I had gone ahead with a fushcia coloured cotton. I think I made the right decision. Don't U think so? *wink* I think it really brought up the piece and did justice to Doris' lovely stitched piece and Paula's beautiful design.

I hope both Doris and Paula will love the finish product, as much as I had enjoyed finishing it for Doris.

Do send Paula my regards, Doris, when U hand deliver the piece to Paula in August. You think U cud get Paula to give me an autograph copy of the flower book from which the design had come from? It wud be a nice momento for me. *wink* Now how's that for a hint! LOL!

Did I just say it was going to be just a quick note? *grin*

I've got the jitters!

Yup! The jitters are back!

The exams are two weeks away, and I can't help but feel the jitters all over me! LOL! It's like as if I am sitting for my Malaysian Certificate of Examination (MCE) some 25 years ago! LOL! This is crazy! And this is not the 1st time I am sitting for this exam. I sat for it last year in November, and passed, thank God.

I know that I should already be thankful with the results I already got, but I am resitting the papers again to improve my results, and further more, I had encourgement from friends, and especially my hubby who is taking the exams for the 1st time this year. He has to attend the whole course which is a week long, which includes assignments, public speaking (malay and english) and paper presentation. I wish him luck. I wish us both luck. I have confidence in my hubby. I wish I have confidence in myself too! LOL! But, M sure, with encouragement from friends and family, I should be doing ok, if not great! *wink*

Anyway, friends, do wish me luck! Wud sure appreciate it! Thanks! *smile*

A very slow progress.....

Yup, I can't seem to make fast progress on this piece. I think it has got to do with the fact that this design has so many shades of blue that is so close, and when stitching at nite, it can be quite confusing.

I spent last Thursday nite stitching for an hour, but spent the last 20 minutes of that 1 hour frogging it because I kept getting confused with d close shades of blue and miscounted! LOL!

I can't wait to move on to the saucer and cup next to the center tea pot, but the use of mostly whites in the cup and saucer also slowed me down coz, when stitching at nite, I can't make out if I had stitched the whites or not! LOL! My eyes are getting old! LOL!

I have started on the border a little bit, and that helps to show for some progress, and motivated me to keep on going, because the borders are quite consistant in design.

I think it has been a long time since I did a pattern that calls for so much detail. I know this piece, when completed, is going to be a very pretty piece. So, I am hoping that all my `hard work' will pay off just to see it completed.

I am glad that I am actually doing a Stitch-A-Long (SAL) with Barbara on this piece, coz it keeps me going. I think if I was doing this piece alone, I'd probably.....only probably *wink*, that I might just give it up, because of the confusing shades of blue. I guess that is the reason why Najwa gave up on doing it.

I am not giving up this piece, right, Barbara?

How time flies.......

My last posting was more than a week ago! How time flies! You know the saying "How time flies when U are having fun"? But, no, I wasn't having fun!

I had a bad sore throat on Thursday and it affected my overall general health. I couldn't sleep well, waking up every couple of hours with a coughing fit. I was glad that the doctor gave me medical leave on Friday, coz if I had gone ahead to wrok, I would have looked like a zombie! LOL!

I spent the morning on Friday, stitching and the afternoon to sort out and organize the guest bedroom since my mum is in town. I have been wanting to take leave so that I can clean up the bedroom and organize things around, but work in the office has been so hectic, that there was no way I could take a leave of absence from work. But, as God would have fated it, my body needed to rest, but no way would I be able to be take leave with my present work load, unless I got to be too sick to come to work. Nope, I did not fake the sore throat. LOL! I just woke up on Thursday morning croaking! LOL! I think I was already too stressed out! *grin*

This week is no different. It's been hectic, with meetings that last till past 6pm almost daily. I have been coming home so late, all tired out, I can't even lift a needle. My stitching is just staring at me. My JE SAL with Barbara is not coming along as fast as I had hoped it would. Barbara had just posted her progress and I am no where near her progress. *sigh*

I hope to catch up on some stitching this weekend. I hope I will hv some free time to myself to do some of my own things. I know I won't be having much time of my own in 2 weeks time bcoz I plan to resit my PTK Ujian paper this coming August, not because I did not do well, but because I just wanted to improve the results. Wish me luck!