Things to Buy in Myanmar

If you happen to go to Myanmar, here are the list of things you should buy.

1) Jade or precious stones - Their precious stones are of good quality and very cheap compared to those being sold in other parts of Southeast Asia. I got this nice bracelet ( Jade with other stones) for only 45pesos or 3 Malaysian Ringgit ( approx. 1 $). And yesterday , when we went to one of the shops here in Malaysia, I found the same bracelet sold for 37 Malaysian Ringgit. Unbelievable! I'm not sure though if they sell diamonds to make good diamond engagement rings .

2) Spices - It must be weird to include this in the shopping list but for those who loves to cook, getting these spices is a must. Spices like star anise, cinnamon sticks , bay leaf and etc are just so huge ( 2-3 times their normal sizes) and the aroma is amazing. I still have to try out cooking with these spices but I've heard it just makes your food truly delicious.

3) Myanmar Shirts- Of course to let everyone know you've been to Myanmar, why not buy one of those shirts. They're selling it for only 5 Ringgit Malaysia ( 70-75 pesos).

4) Paintings - Oh, if we just had the money, I could have bought one of those paintings that they sell in Bogyoke Aung San Market. It would really make a great souvenir item and pretty decorations on the wall. Most of the paintings, depict their life and culture in Myanmar.

5) Pretty Pictures with embellished stones - Designs range from very intricate to simple and the sizes also vary. If you just want a very simple souvenir to give out to your friends you can get one for only 5 RM.

( Taken from my post in my other blog www.notashopaholic.com)

Surviving Her First Day of Class

It's official, our little girl is now a 'tadika' ( kindergarten) student.

She has always been very excited for this event. We thought she was prepared physically and emotionally until we woke her up yesteday morning. She refused to budge when it was time for her to get up. And when she opened her eyes we were surprised by what she said. " I don't want to go to school!" she whined and at the verge of crying. We got shocked and was unprepared for this scenario. We tried to persuade all the more and forcefully let her get up and take her bath. She then continued with her 'drama' and started to make fuss and asked if her Appa can stay with her in the classroom. I think she had 'cold feet' . She came into full realization that she's going to experience new things ( new school, new classmates and etc) and she got afraid.

We continued to convince her on why she must go to school and asked her to give it a try. She was still so firm with her decision on not to go to school. I almost gave up and thought about the kindness of the school and the principal of letting her study for free. What should we tell the principal then? It was a good thing that my Hubby promised her that he would wait outside the school until her class is over and not to leave her behind. And she reluctantly agreed and went their way.

On the way to the school I just said a prayer for my Li'l girl that she would be okay. And true enough, 3 hours later when she got home, her face was full of joy and excitement, " I did it, Amma! I went to school!". From the looks of it, she has survived her first day of school with victory and I'm relieved. THe next few hours was spent with her babbling about the things they did in her class, her newfound classmates with funny sounding names (they must be Chinese and Malay names but she couldn't properly so, it turns out all mixed up when she says them) and all the things that happened before, during and after school.

THank you, Lord that she found it quite easy to adjust in a new situation. Thank God for the school too, who accepted her as a new student even if its already at the middle of the year and letting her study for free. Everything we are experiencing right now is really just a product of God's amazing grace.

Going Back to the Philippines

No, we're not going back to the Philippines at this time but my daughter did ask me about this last night.

You see, she somehow already got the idea that at this point in time, we are 'nomads' or if in the Pinoy terms "NPA's " ( No Permanent Address) until we go back to Thailand. She asked me yesterday a few questions like , "How many more days are we staying here in Klang?", " Where are we going next?" and finally, " When are we going back to the Philippines?".

The last question was somehow difficult because we are not so sure when, but the way we planned it, maybe only in another 2 years. So, I simply told her that it'll only be after a long time before we go back there. And as curious as she is, she asked, "How long? How many more days?". She showed her hands, and said, "Like this?" which meant ten.. and I said, " Longer than that Trish". Then she still insisted, " Then what if my hands plus your hands?". I answered the same and finally she said, " Is it like the number of your hair?". I couldn't help but laugh and said, " Hmm.. something like that". Then she sigh and said, " but I cannot count your hair. that means that will still be a loooonnggg time!". But I managed to assure her that time will go very fast and she'll also be a bit bigger when she goes back to the Philippines.

She really loves to be in the Philippines. We all do. We love our place near the river which would pass like an Outer Banks property and we especially we love the people there. Oh, writing about this makes me want to go back soon.. but I sure hope it won't be long time like the number of my hair.. Hahaha!!

The Blogosphere- My Workplace

This is my office, the blogosphere. It's through the blogospere that I socialize with my fellow officemates ( bloggers) and I earn extra income. What started as a hobby and a way to update family with our daily activities has now become a part-time job ( paid blogging that is).

Now, my blog earnings has already become part of our household budget and I see it as God's provision especially at this time when we are on a 1 year leave and traveling frequently. Gladly, my office hours only starts when my kids are asleep or when I'm done with my chores ( like cooking, washing clothes and etc). But most of the time, these 'office hours' are in the lazy afternoons when you just want to sleep or at the wee hours in the morning. And so as with any other office work, sometimes you feel lazy and need a break, but there are deadlines to meet and 'clients' to run after. And this is one of those days when I just want to sleep and relax but work must go on. Hahah!!




But I'm very thankful for the opportunities to earn income online. I guess I'm just experiencing this as a symptom of " Blog Fatigue". I better finish my 'tasks' now so I can go out and take a break from my work. ;)

One Tiring Day

I don't know what happened to me, I just feel so tired today. My Hubby said, maybe because I've been sleeping quite late in the past nights. But I'm used to sleep late.. I've been sleeping late since my University days and I've never got into the good habit of sleeping early.

If I were to assess my day, I didn't do much. I didn't even cook lunch or dinner. But there's one thing that I did almost the whole day which I guess could explain this tiredness - I was looking after my li'l boy. He is really so much different now from the past months. He has really become more active, curious and talkative. I couldn't count how many times I have reprimanded him for getting up on the tables, climbing on the sofa, 'riding' on his Ate, throwing his toys everywhere and doing all his other antics. He loves to run around and loves it when you run after him. So, practically, he teases me by getting something 'illegal' and refuses to give it back to me but runs away so that I could run after him. Wheww! And I thought that I still have another 5 months to sit and relax before the 'terrible two's' to surface! Wahhh...!! I think this is the reason why my hair is already starting to become grey.. I just hope I won't lose so much of hair from stress or else I might need some hair loss treatment! LOL!



After being so tired and stressed out today. I told my Hubby that I wish we were in the Philippines because we could just have someone to help us out in the house and spend sometime off even just a few hours a day.

But, anyways, I have one assurance though, that this stage ( the-running-after-the-children-stage) will soon come to pass. It was also like this when Tricia was Lyle's age. And look at her now, she's now behaved and can be quiet as long as she has a pen and paper. Which reminds me to buy her another drawing pad because it seems like she has already finished her Tata's ream of A4 sized paper.

" Oh Lord, grant me more of your strength and grace everyday that I may enjoy every minute that is spent with the precious li'l ones."

The Best Blogger Award

It's been quite some time since I posted some tags and awards in my blog. My apologies to my Sis too who have me this award a few weeks ago. But thank you so much to my Sis from Words of My Heart for giving me this award. I just hope that she'll continue to be inspired to write her posts and share her life experiences and lessons for us to read.

So, now it's my turn to give this award. I'd like to pass this award to the following people:

1) To my Nanay from A Glimpse of A Widow's Heart for sharing her life and joys as a mom, a granny and a friend. Only now I discovered that she's also a very good writer just like her other older sisters.

2) Ate Sarah from My Memories and Crystals for sharing her artistic ability and creativity in her blog. I hope and pray that she'll be able to find a new market for her creations.

3) Bee from A Taste of my Life , for sharing wonderful and delicious recipes.

4) Janet from Places and Memories for sharing to us beautiful photos and posts in her most recent travels.

5) Nang Grace from A Walk to Remember for inspiring us with her family stories and especially her relationship with her Hubby.

6) Ate Neneth from Nenette's Niche for never failing to let me smile through the day after reading her funny posts and experiences.

That's all for now folks.. and before I go, here are the rules for this award:

Rules:
1.Take your award here.
2.Put the logo on your post.
3.Link the person who award you.
4.nominate at least 7 other blogs.
5.Add links to those blogs of yours.
6.Leave a message for your nominees on their blog.

A Good Buy

It's usually hot here in the afternoons. When the kids are not asleep, they will be all around disturbing the "Attais" and actively playing and running around. So, since the Attais have to study for their exams and it's very warm to stay in the house, we decided to bring our kids to a shopping mall or to a play pen. We also thought, it will be a good time to buy Tricia's school shoes ( yes, she's starting school next week).

So off to Carrefour ( Klang) we went. We let the kids play in the playpen and Tricia also did sand art. We were just supposed to buy Tricia's school shoes, but when we went around, we saw a lot of children's toys for sale. Tricia kept asking if the toys are cheap or expensive. She already knows that we can't buy expensive ones for her. Then, we saw some Barbie Dolls for sale. The price ranges from 10-20RM. The 20RM ( 280-300 Pesos) ones are the Mariposa Barbies which costs around 600-700 pesos in the Philippines. I found a 10RM ( 140-150 Pesos) Basic Barbie for her and asked if she likes it. Of course, she nodded "yes" with a sparkle in her eyes. I found it to be a very good buy since Basic Barbies in the Philippines also ranges from 200-300 Pesos. We also bought some other toiletry items which were on sale, like a 3RM ( 45 pesos) 200 ml Biore Body wash and an 8RM ( 100 + pesos) 375 ml. Pantene Conditioner. I just couldn't believe the prices. When I was in the Philippines, we just used to buy shampoos and conditioners in sachets because buying them in big bottles will break your wallet.

Then, when we paid for our items.. we got a big surprise.. when the cashier entered the code for Tricia's Barbie Doll, the price turned out to be only 5 RM!! Woahh!! I can't believe that they lowered the price down to 5RM and that's an original Barbie Doll.

Then, on the way home when my Hubby and I talked about it, only then, we thought that we could have bought more to give to Tricia's cousins. If only we knew ahead that it was only 5RM. Anyways, we will go back there for sure and see if they still have those sale items. Maybe then they will have other items for sale as well, like clothing for girls or houseware stuff.

"Pindian Curry" No More!

Cooking has never been my favorite thing to do when I was single. I can only count how many times I've cooked back then. Aside from having someone to cook for us in the house, my sister takes over the kitchen when no one else is there to cook.

So, when I got married, cooking has been quite a challenge for me. And not to mention, I married an Indian so, I needed to learn how to cook Indian Curry. But somehow I learned to cook Indian food, but took me some time to let it taste like a 'real indian curry'. I would always say that I can to cook "Pindian Curry" ( Pinoy-Indian Curry) and not Indian Curry. But as time went by, I think I have learned to cook the Indian way, that's what my Hubby would say.

But the other day, I cooked sardine curry and I was very flattered when they said, that my curry really tasted nice and it's like cooked by a real Indian. Actually, I haven't cooked Indian curry for a long time for other people. I usually just cook at home for me and my Hubby and as usual my Hubby always say, my cooking is good even if sometimes I think otherwise..hehehe!

So, I'm glad to know that I no longer cook Pindian Curry but a real Indian Curry. ;)

Watch out for Lyle!

Boys will be boys... I have one very active boy that runs around the house. He is like a typhoon, because wherever place he has been to will surely be a mess after he leaves. He climbs on the table, closes and opens the stereo cabinet, throws his toys all around and all the other things. Watching him even makes me dizzy..hahah!

But he is sweet and very 'manja' too. I can't help but giggle every time he kisses me after I scold him. And there was even a time that my Hubby and I almost burst out laughing when I reprimanded him so many times and told him that I'll spank him if he doesn't obey at the count of 3. So, I started to count "One!!".. and then Lyle said, "Two!!" with a cute smile on his face. Aiyooo!!

He's very 'smart' too and even outsmarted his Ate this morning. You see, they have been fighting over this small plastic chair in the house and this time, his Ate was sitting on it and refused to give it to him. I thought he already forgot about the chair since he was just playing with a different toy. But I was wondering why he put that small toy on the TV shelf and asked his Ate to get it for him. He couldn't talk much yet but said, "Ate! Ate!" and pointing at the toy meaning, he wants his Ate to get it for him. It was actually within his reach. So, Tricia got up from the chair, reached out for the toy and gave it to him. This scenario repeated 3 times and still his Ate did the same. But at the 4th time, he now put the toy farther from her Ate. He called his Ate again to get the toy for him. And since the toy was already far from Tricia's reach, she had to walk a bit farther to get the toy. And you know what he did , when his Ate was out of the chair?? With a glint in his eyes, he immediately ran to the chair and sat on it!! I couldn't believe that he thought of a strategy just for his Ate to get off that chair. And he's only one and a half old!! Tsk.. tskk.. I do have to watch out for his small boy. :)

Access Denied

Access Denied - This has been the message that comes out from my screen every time I tried to open certain sites when were in Yangon. Almost every site that I want to visit gets this message from my Yahoo!, You Tube, CNN, Blogger and blogs that are free hosted by blogger. Internet access was even quite limited and slow. But at least, Yahoo messenger can be accessed so, I was still able to communicate with family back home. So, that was it back in the country that we've been too. Many things are being controlled by the government so, even access to important internet sites are restricted.

Now that we're in Klang, I'm enjoying the fast internet connection and unlimited access to the worldwideweb, no more sites restricted from the authorities. Whew! Now, I can go on with my 'work' and writing tasks.

Safety Precautions

Every time we board the airplane, I always get amused by my Li'l girl as she silently studies the emergency instruction card in front of each seat as if she's having an exam the next day. The first time she noticed that card was when we were flying from Clark to Malaysia. She asked so many questions about it so, I explained to her everything that's instructed there. I guess, she also felt a bit scared because when I asked her to pray when the plane was already taking off, she surely prayed that ' there will be no emergencies' during our trip.

Speaking of emergencies, it will be also good if we are always alert and prepared for it. I just told my HUbby the other day, that it'll be also nice if we could attend some 1st aid courses because these courses will always be helpful or live saving in the future. In Japan, they have AEDs on standby in the public places, just in case someone has sudden cardiac arrest. So, with these AEDs at hand, lives can be saved. So, it's always nice to have a little knowledge on what to do at times of emergencies to help other people in times of need.

The Traveler Girl

When we were preparing our li'l of our trip here in Yangon, debriefing her of the things she'll see and things to expect during the travel, I was surprised by her answer when I finally asked her if she's excited for the trip. "Yes!", she exclaimed. And when I asked her what she's most excited about it, she answered, " I'm excited to meet different people". Well, that's my traveller girl speaking... She's a certified MK and it's our desire that she'll do the things that we do, in the near future.

And true enough, from our first day of our stay in Yangon, until the end, she was happily mingling with the locals. She already got some "friends' with whom she shared her crayons and toys and talked to them even if they have some communication gap. When we went around the city, I notice her quietly observing the whole place and the people. I even get amused by some of her funny observations. I'll have to share all of that later.

The Myanmar Series

We just arrived from Myanmar yesterday. We had a great time and as promised I'll post more about this in detail later. It'll actually be a series of posts as I've written a lot of them on my stay there but wasn't able to publish it because of limited internet access.

Anyways, I'm really just thankful to God that everything went well even if we traveled with our kids. Our kids actually enjoyed it. Our next big trip will be in October. This time it'll be a vacation. But thinking about this now, makes me a bit anxious. We haven't save up for this trip yet though we already bought our tickets. But rest assured, I know everything will fall accordingly just like in our past travels. God provides as always.

Anyways, I've also just read an article that planning a vacation ahead of time can really save up costs and makes the stay more pleasurable. I sure agree with that! With the help of online tools in the internet especially of those on great websites, we could plan out well and indeed have a very memorable vacation.

So, even if our trip is still 5 months to go, I better check out those great websites recommended by the article I found and start surfing and researching.

Current Status: In Yangon

It's only our 3rd day in Yangon now and it's like I've been here for weeks! We've already been to different places and met a lot of different faces. Oh, I just love the exhilarating feeling of beein in a different country, hearing a different language and meeting different people.

Thank God that we are all coping well, even if traveling with kids require a bit more strength and patience. But we're enjoying every minute of it. Our kids are actually enjoying their stay here too. They also like to meet different people and being in a new place. Tricia already has a Burmese friend named Blessing Rajah while Lyle has already been carried by more than 50 people! Hahah! I'm not kidding! He goes to everyone from the hotel receptionists to the 'uncles', Aunties, Akka's and Anneh's he meets in the church. He's actually very smart. The very reason he goes to everyone except amma and appa is because he knows that these people will give him what he wants - freedom to run around, sweets or anything that interests him.

Anyways, we have a few more days stay here in the city. I will have to post more about our trip later. I just want to 'check-in' my blog and say HI!