These are some of the photos taken in Langkawi that I have compiled into a movie format. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6uuaT9QClE
Photos taken using Canon 1000D (Daddy’s anniversary gift!)
Music by Kevin Kern - Dance of the Dragonfly
Today is our 5th wedding anniversary!
This morning I woke up feeling all grateful and blessed…
This is the day that the Lord had made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Psst!…we will be heading to Langkawi island for the long weekend to celebrate this milestone..yay! 
Today is the 4th day of school and day care for Zoe, and I have learned quite a lot and also suffer quite a bit….hahaha
I learned that first day of school was quite a shock to Zoe as the teacher was not able to comprehend her message - new teacher, young, no children. She was probably forced to do a couple of things according to schedule, eg sleep in a big room. This has angered little Zoe, who can be quite hot-tempered when provoked. Whenever she see her teacher, she will yell out loud and cry instantly. She seems to be ok with others.
Past 2 days, it has been the crying out method because this Mommy has no idea yet how to make this transition easier for little Zoe.
It broke my heart and Daddy’s heart everytime Zoe cry while we leave the school. The crying out method is really not my cup of tea, nor Zoe’s. I am afraid that she will start to hate school and think that Mommy like to dump her there. Time for damage control!
Out of desperation, the mind really works and I told Daddy my strategy for today. We have to respect her and let her build her trust with the teachers and school first. Let her be with people she likes. We must let her understand that school has lots of friends. Lots of kor-kor or che-che to play with too. That is always a plus point for Zoe as she loves to be among other kids.
For a start, we have to let her warm up to the school and not feel like she is being dumped at a foreign place. I get Dadddy to tell her teacher not to approach us immediately and sorta frighten her, just let me handle the introduction and overview part. I walked with her for a couple of minutes around the school, identify things she likes - playground, fishes, toys…show her some other che-che and kor-kor around. She was still unsure at first, but later warm up a little. Thank God that there was a teacher that she likes and she quickly pointed out to that teacher when she saw her. The teacher greeted her and held her hands and both of them proceeded to the office area for some fun. Yup, Zoe prefers the office more than her classroom. Past 2 days she has been spending time in the office as well, doing her activities there (probably terrorising a couple of office staffs…oops). I also learned later that she has even joined the staff meeting, siting on the principal lap and scribble a full A4 page. Probably, taking down meeting minutes…lol
Phew!…no crying today and intro part is done.
I must talk to her teacher more and let the teacher know Zoe’s preferences and ways. This is a transition period, so she will have to build Zoe’s trust in her first. It will not come easy and it takes time even for a child. She will have to gently approach her and learned to earn her trust. Offer her things she likes to gain brownie points. Slowly, Zoe will find it fun to be with her again.
Toddlers are not babies anymore who do not have much sense of self. They know who they are, have little characters and can tell what they like or don’t like. Getting them to warm up to a new place is not the same anymore. We have to slowly build their trust.
Still, I pray to God that this transition period will not take too long to pass. I am looking forward to the time Zoe wave bye bye to me confidently and cannot wait to join her friends and teachers in play school. Amen!
"Yes! We did it! We did it!…", that is how Dora the Explorer sing her songs everytime she accomplishes her goals. A very positive, independent and adventurous girl. I kinda like Dora for that!
Zoe loves Dora the Explorer now, maybe more than Barney…hahaha!
Today is the official first day of play school for Zoe, which is the reason I want to write this post no matter how busy I am chasing deadlines. All I can say for now is Zoe has made us proud and I have come to see and realise her independence also (how come I was so ignorant of her ability…geez). Something which I have very little confidence a couple of weeks ago when we were still scouting for a playschool and day care for her.
My anxiety really peak the whole of last week that resulted in me having migrain for 4 days. The feeling is worse than me changing job…hahaha!
Last Saturday we sent her for half day until 1pm. I can see that she truly enjoy herself there. She can understand the teacher’s instructions and follow right thru everything that she needs to do. The teacher gave me a reassured look (yea, I needed it!) and give us the thumbs up to indicate to us Zoe did well. I was still anxious and was hopping from one pillar to the other hiding behind it while trying to peep at Zoe. Up to a point that Daddy told me I gotta let go and make a move. We shall see how she fare later.
We returned at 1pm to pick her. The moment we step in, the teacher there gave us a big smile and gave us the thumbs up again. I quickly ask her how Zoe did and whether she cried or gave everyone a hard time. Teacher told me she is amazing, very independent and enjoy herself there. I ask whether she asked for Daddy or Mommy? "Nope, not at all!", says the teacher. At this point, one part of me is damn proud of my little girl but another part of me has this mixed feelings that is so hard to describe…its like my mind asking…"Where is my little baby who clings to me and needed me all the time!?…that tiny little one that I gave birth to?" Hahaha…strange yea that I am so weak but Zoe is all good and happy in the new place.
Once Zoe realised we were there, she smile and quickly wanted to reach for me. She was doing some montesorri activity that time, scooping beans from one bowl to another. The teacher made her put back the tray of bowl and beans to the proper place before she come to us. She follow right thru without a single complain. Such obedience, something which I find it hard to do at home with her cause she is so stubborn at home. Anyhow, I will make it a point to learn some skills from the teacher soon…hahaha!
Back to this morning, her official first day and she look so tiny in her uniform. We sent her together, cause this lousy Mommy is having the anxiousness again. Teacher Soo greeted us as we are the earliest there at 7:30am. I was still carrying Zoe and when Teacher Soo greeted Zoe and held out her arms to her, she immediately lean over to the teacher and let Teacher Soo carry her into the toddler’s room. Teacher Soo gave me an assured smile and proceeded to get some snacks for Zoe. Looks like this Mommy needs more assurances from the teacher than little Zoe….sigh….
Teacher Soo asked Zoe to say bye bye to us. She followed and wave bye bye to us….Awwww! I was speechless by then and just trying to hold on to my composure so that I do not do anything silly that will break the peace at that time. Teacher Soo proceeded to bring Zoe to the canteen and was out of sight a moment later. I was still standing there trying to peep until Daddy gave me a nudge to go.
"That’s it! We did it, we did it!" Just like that and my little Zoe (all 22 months and 2 days old) is now schooling already. Yea yea…its’ just a play school, not really that real real school right. But I guess the anxiousness I suffer is gonna probably be the same 5 years down the road, or maybe worse. Nevertheless, we are very proud of Zoe and we hope and pray that she will enjoy herself truly in this new place. Thank God for answering our prayers and walking together with us in this journey, all these time. Amen!
Ever After…
Today, 28 Aug 2008 marks our fourth wedding anniversary. It has been four beautiful years and things are still going great. I am ever grateful to God for all these and so much more…
This is gonna be a bragging post - proceed at your own risk yea 
…posted on such an auspicious day 080808…hahahaha!
I am gonna show all those goodies that Daddy brought back from New York - from his 3 weeks business trip. This just show how much he misses his materialistic girls at home…kekeke
Here you go…
Doodle Pro and My First LeapPad from LeapFrog - Gonna save the LeapPad for Zoe’s 3rd Christmas…muahahaa
Zoe’s shirts from Old Navy, Children’s Place and dress from Gymboree
Zoe’s pants, shorts and bikino from Old Navy and Children’s Place
T-shirts for Mommy and Daddy and some other stuff from Wal Mart
Shoes from Sketchers - we are officially Sketcher’s family
Godiva Chocolatier and my favourite Hershey’s special dark miniatures + Reese’s peanut butter chocolate
and finally
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Le Sportsac bag for Mommy - did you see something hidden inside?
Coach Signature zip around wallet
Ann Ann told Daddy that this will make me contented and quiet for next 6 months 
So…Daddy got me this!!!
Apa macam!? My hubby can shop hor?
This is a message specially for Daddy…
A natural leader that manages
serious business to soiled diapers,
and yet! Daddy maintains his poise
Leading with firm hand but gentle voice!
A laughter so dear
that removes all tears
He always knows how to make it fun
joke, tease and makes us run!
Bringing so much joy under the sun!
A presence that’s always
assuring and strong,
Always there
regardless of right or wrong,
To protect, guide and love
A guardian God sends us
from Heaven above…
Happy Father’s Day Daddy!
