Little Cozy Corner

As a Catholic, seeing the Pope in flesh will be the height of my spiritual life. To be able to see the Holy Father up close is as good as it gets as chances of us making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is currently out of our reach. World Youth Day 2008 is to be celebrated in Sydney this year and there is a lot of hype going on and in preparation, and in anticipation of His Holiness’ arrival.

World Youth Day was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1984. And the largest crowd ever gathered for this event was in Rome in 2000 where approximately 2 million people gathered together. For the event in Sydney, they expect about 500, 000 to turn up and fingers crossed, we will amongst the throngs of people as well. The last time the Pope stepped foot in Sydney was in 1995.

Pope John Paul II visited Sydney in 1995 to beatify the Venerable Mother Mary of the Cross, MacKillop (1842-1909). And I believe Ted didn’t miss this chance to catch a glimpse of the Pope. In fact, he even has the paper cutting of this visit plastered on Arianna cupboard, it was his back then. I don’t really know what to expect but I can imagine what it’s going to be like.

An upside down standing ovation for the organisers as I personally think that it’s passed the point of balding to be part of this huge event. I can’t even imagine what these people are going through, the stress and pressure must be just beyond words! As for me, I’m just wondering how the heck are we going to get there, lugging Arianna along. Everyone has been strongly encouraged to take the public transport which will be the main mode of getting to and from the site. Randwick is going to burst with the number of people who will be coming for this. Aiyo….I’m already tension thinking of this now and the Pope is only coming in July!!!

Anyhow, I really am looking forward to this mega huge event because as I said, this maybe the only chance for me to catch the Pope in action and how often do you get the chance to check out the Popemobile???

Picture from Beliefnet - ain’t it one of a kind?

Today’s Valentine’s Day……have you something special planned for your loved one[s]? For us, nothing is planned and today is like any other day for me really. Ted got me a lovely card, a rose scented gift set of candles and a moveable clothes rack which I have been talking about for ages. So yes, I am VERY happy with all the gifts I have receive even though no physical rose is in sight - I have many on the gift bag.

But you know what, I honestly don’t mind it at all because I know how bloody expensive roses are today - they charge you an arm and a leg for a rose, that’s just insane! And guys, seriously…..it IS a waste of money and sadly, I can’t offer you any other alternative ideas but to buy her something she wants. And unless you know your woman well enough or have been observant [HAHAHA!] enough to notice what she’s been talking about for what seems like a lifetime, then I guess you’re in trouble for you are sure to buy something that is going to end up at the back of the closet and not to be found this in century. But look on the bright side though, once found it will be considered an antique.

But if you’re not the buying kind or can’t think of anything to get - cook up a meal that ends with dessert for her/him. Get all romantic and place candles on the table, a rose in a long neck vase [perferably one which you've been growing in the last year or so though mine would never have survived sad to say], some wine [sparkling Ribena is ok to if you're allergic to alchohol] and some Barry White in the background [unless My Chemical Romance rocks both your boats]. Be sure that the dessert has lime in it [if possible la] because from personal exeperience….*ahem* let’s just say that it makes kissing a helluva lot yummy!!

Soooooooo…..what did I get for Ted? Well, I have very good excuse for getting the bare minimum - I’m home with bub so I did manage to sneak out to get him a card and a bar of dark chocolate which he loves so guess I didn’t do THAT bad. In any case, hope that today and everyday is like Valentine’s Day for you - filled with lots of love, hugs and kisses.

Pelf made a good point when she wrote that it would be easiest to read about a blogger’s year in one post if everyone did a reflection post about what happened in 2007. She did one and indeed, it had the gist of 2007 and really made me think [and she mentioned this as well] that I wouldn’t need to worry if I didn’t frequent your blog coz all I would need to do is hop over on 31/12 and read that one post and voila, 2007 in a nutshell…hence, I decided to write mine as well. What has 2007 been like for me? A lot of lessons learnt and certainly, many eye openers too.

The first big news for Ted and I was when we found out that we were expecting a little golden piglet in August! [Not a very good image coz of my old crappy digi-cam but it's the original one.]

That was in Dec/Jan, and ever since I found out about the little one, I had started a new blog, Kecik’s Cozy Corner, for her to keep track of practically everything that happened during the pregnancy and now, it’s the blog I maintain for all my baby stories. I had also started my journey writing sponsored post and made quite a sum from it but with all the sponsored posts, I have lost a large number of readers, which is sad since I love getting comments and well, everyone wants to be a ’superstar’, no? But I’m stuck in that yoyo feeling between writing sponsored posts and my personal stuff because it really does bring in some cash and when you’re a stay at home mum, it’s the least you can do to rake in your own pocket money. So although I’ve cut down a lot on these sponsored posts, don’t be surprised to see a few every now and then. Did I also mention that because of PPP, my GoogleRank is now 0???? Basket betui!

In March, I returned to Malaysia for a very long holiday  - 3 months and it was because it was the last time I ever returned home ’alone’. After all, wherever I go these days, I have to bring Ella. It felt so good to be home especially with Mum and all my other relatives and friends. The glorious food was merely a huge added bonus. While I was there, I attended my bestfriend’s wedding in March. I went down to KL for that but didn’t have time to meet up with any bloggers as I had hoped.

And right after that, I was back working at my old office as a temp replacement for another friend [who took over my spot when I left] who went on maternity leave. That was another occasion that made me very happy because I got to be with my old friends and to be working in such a familiar environment was super!

Needless to say, shopping for Ella was definitely on the list. In the beginning, we didn’t know the gender and it was agreed that we would make it a surprise but I caved in! lol Turns out we were having a little girl and hence, the shopping began.

I had high hopes of getting some stuff from our trip to Padang Besar but I was very disappointed after that long journey. However, I did enjoy myself at Gua Tempurung.

 

In May, I celebrated pre-Mother’s Day dinner with my Mum at my Uncle’s cafe called Kofi Haven. I also got a Mother’s Day gift too! Hehehe….

After having all that fun and settling back into life in Kulim, it was time to return home to Sydney. I had to leave in June otherwise the airlines wouldn’t take me on board for being past the allowed number of weeks for pregnant women which was a bugger coz I would have loved to have stayed longer. On the other, hand I was really missing Ted and he missed out on feeling the baby move for the first time. It was a bittersweet moment for me really. But the consolation was that my sis was coming back with me and further down the road, Mum would also be with me after Ella was born, so that was all good.

Being animal lovers, we didn’t miss out on any chance of going to the zoo and petting animals. I must say that my mum wasn’t too pleased with this beach whale handling animals! lol =P I’m sure you know why…..all the pantangs la, that’s why!

The biggest and most important thing that happened in 2007 was….Ella’s birth, my first born. [Note : The birth story is rather graphic but trust me, I left out quite a bit already! It's not there to scare off potential mums-to-be because trust me, when it's your first, you'll want to find out ALL you can to be prepared but honestly, nothing you do or read will be able to prepare you for birth. ;)]

This picture was taken a week before the birth and was upload on the 11/8/2007 - in the morning! Ella was 9 days early.

The moment….

The proud Mummy and Daddy…and their little Eel.

In September, Ted celebrated his first Father’s Day and he’s very proud of it. In fact, Ella has been his inspiration for a webcomic, Kecik!, which he has been trying to put up on a daily basis but with working crazy hours, it’s not that regular. However, he tries very hard so if you’re popping by, do give him your support, ya?

On 12/9/2007, we celebrated Ella’s mor guek [sp?] which the the celebration of a baby’s first month. We invited my aunt and uncle to join us for Chinese that night.

On 17/9/2007, Mum flew back home. That was another one of those sad days for me because I had gotten so used to having her at home and her company was just something I really treasured what when you’re home alone with only a baby for company. So yes, having adult company is something I miss but, I’m still ok. I got your blogs to check out when I’m free and bored. Hehe…but seriously, there is hardly a dull moment with Ella.

In October, we began looking for a new place to purchase since we are currently renting this unit. I must say that it’s tough getting a place that you like. I absolutely love my current unit but there are issues which makes it a bad property to purchase so we are really looking hard, high and low for a new place. Even getting the finances in order had taken such a long time! Fingers crossed we will be able to settle all of this come Jan/Feb 08 coz Mum and Sis are coming out at the end of February for Ella’s baptism.

Another achievement [don't know if you can call it that or not]on a persoal note, is the fact that I’ve gotten involved with writing some articles for The Giving Hands, Pelf’s charity project. I try to write and submite an article once a fortnight so far, so good. I’ve also joined PK Tan to blog about Malaysia wildlife conservation awareness campaign and have an article ready to be posted tomorrow. Please join me and spread the word, k? To be totally honest, I’ve never gotten involved with any sort of writing like this before and I feel a personal sense of satisfaction and feeling that although it’s not much, it’s still something and I know I can do more but I prefer to take baby steps. Perhaps I will take on more challenging tasks along the rod but for now, spreading the word is the way to go.

Finally, in December, we celebrated our first Christmas together as a family. And I have been diligently playing with Photoshop and this is one of my first creations. It isn’t THAT fantastic and I’m far from being a pro but it’s a start. I don’t think I have enough imagination to start something from scratch! ;P

This is another one of my creations as well. A photo of Ella taking her first picture with Santa.

Here is Daddy with Ella posing in front of Grandma’s Christmas tree. Would you believe it if I told you that I forgot to take a family picture of the 3 of us this Christmas??? Funny how all your priorities are turned upside down when you have a little baby of your own. But it’s worth it, really.

And there you have it, my year 2007 in a nutshell. Here’s wishing you a very blessed happy new year and may 2008 be properous and more productive in any possible and imaginable way. O, and may your new year resolution [yes, RESOLUTION, not resolutionS]* come true.

*Why? I’ll tell you tomorrow.

Christmas came and went in a blink of the eye. All the anticipation and then you blink, and now it’s another 363 before Christmas comes again. So, how was your Christmas? Mine was quiet as it was last Christmas but the bonus if that we got Ella to celebrate it with. Partying started with a Christmas Eve party at Ted’s friends place and Ella got loads of toys there. It was rather claustrophobic [sp?] for me coz there were SO many kids running around. It was like a mad house! Good thing that Ella handled it VERY well and was only tough trying to get her to sleep being in a strange place and all but tiredness gave in any way. Ever seen what a place looks like after 10 odd kids have stripped their presents opened? Well, here’s what it looked like anyway…

After we got home, there was still one more present to be opened, so I opened it for Ella - Daddy had the chance to open the rest at the party.

On Chrismas morning, it was pressie opening time and this is what I got from Mum.

 

Very creative!!

Then it was time to get over to have Christmas lunch at Grandma’s.

Ella was suppose to wear this dress but it was a little chilly that day so she had to wear something else BUT the cute pink ribbon is still there! Btw, that yellow jumper she’s wearing was knitted by Grandma - talented Grandma!

Grandma roasted quails for us but had the ham and turkey bought and prepared, I think. Lunch was great but the presents were better!

She was obviously thrilled and so am I! She’s got a lot of clothes now so I don’t have to buy those cutes ones for now. We also got a train set from Grandma’s friends, it’s gorgeous!

It was about 5pm when we left for home, all happy and contented. Well, at least it was that way for Ella coz she was grumpy during lunch.

Chilling out with Uncle William’s [also known as Bill, my brother in law who was the one carving the leg of ham] teddy….all ready to go home.

Hope your Christmas was fun. Happy New Year!!!

Ps. If you’ve never seen a ‘drunk’ baby - be sure to check out more Christmas shots of Ella over at Kecik’s blog.