Life of a 15 month old baby....

Loves to eat popcorn...LOVES!!!

Caught in the act walking away with it...with her bling2 on!

The next day, she decides to take a rest on her tiny little Sesame Street sofa...can't you tell that shes full and happy?

Thats her and her loyal sitter, Kakak Mas

The other day, they decided to take another shot, this time more glamorous.

This afternoon, shes doing what she does best...eating! This time caught in the act with Cheez It

Then she decides to make a phone call

And eat it too!!!

The End...

ps: Click on the pics for bigger and better view

Sometimes you don't know what might come to you each day. When you're in the sales business, when you think that you're not going to sell anything today and are almost half depressed, someone or 2 people would call saying that their mother or cousin or friend needs insurance from you. Sometimes, some would come with grief, maybe to see how far I would handle it. Most times, I manage to handle it and I get more referrals from people.

You see, I have a different approach with people. In Singapore, people would not get close to an insurance agent cos they're pushy. Over here, if you know someone who sells insurance, you know that you will be taken care of. In this 'sue happy' country, everyone needs car and home insurance. People change their insurance companies like changing shirts. Most of our customers here have been with us for decades as we're one of best known insurance companies in the country (Google CSAA Northern California). Some would leave us due to cheaper rates, but come back 2 weeks later as we handle people and claims 200% better than others.

As for me, I am not pushy...yeah right! You're not a sales person if you're not pushy, how TRUE! I am very direct with people, I let them know who I work for and can have conversations with them for a long time without talking about insurance. And then before I end the conversation, I give them my card and tell them 'Call me and lets see if I can save you some money'. Does it work? Most times yes. They would call and ask for a quote, and then I ask them if they would want to do it or not? Some say later, some say yes, some say no. One thing weird about me, when they say yes, I tell them to look at the quote first and think if this is what they really want to do. Most times, they call back and say lets do it and by the way, lets insure my home too.

I can't be pushy...just not my thing. If I can save my customers money, they will stay with me, sometimes I don't save them money, but they end up saying that they are glad thay have an agent to advise them about insurance. I once gave advise on a home insurance and spent 2 hours with them but they ended up not buying it except the auto insurance, thats okay...cos they ended up referring me to 2 other people.

Making a sale is not easy. To make a successful sale and make an impression, I have to bond with the people and make them trust me. In short, I would have to earn it.

BUT, with people I know, I always start off stronger cos they know me. A 'no' is not an offense at all. But if they push me away without giving me a chance, maybe I would feel a little 'ouch' but I move on pretty quick. If I can't beat their price, I would say to stay with their company of choice but thank you for the chance to make business with them.

Sometimes, I feel that I cannot take the pressure, but most times, I enjoy it. I love to see happy customers save money.

Anyone wants to buy insurance from me? Who knows, I could save you some money!

1. 
   
   
   So SHE walked today...finally! Its not like she decided to get up and walk but after many days of making her stand and walk instead of crawling to any of us, she finally realized that there is another way of getting to us.
   
   No, she did not walk around the whole house. She made baby steps, literally. Coaxing and cheering involved and then...5,6,7 steps. Oh and she did not take the first steps in front of me, but in front of her loyal babysitter, Kakak Mas, while I was in the bathroom!
   
   Mas was so excited when she saw her little sister walk. She started whipping out the camera, thats how these pictures came about.
   
   There, its in record now that Suraya took her first steps, FINALLY! Is she still breastfeeding....YES!
   
   Note : Notice that 2 of these pics, Suraya had her 'bling' on? She has 4 of them and wears them when she wakes up and takes them off before bed. She must have taken after her mom who loves 'blings' hahahaha.

Our relationship is on the way to healing. Like I mentioned earlier, if we all have the same goal, we will all achieve that goal.

Seems like the relationship between my son and me...and the entire family here is getting so much better. Mat is more receptive and warmer to me. He opens up a lot when he speaks to me...no reservations...feels like I have somewhat gotten my son back, in his heart. He also had phone conversation with the husband, nice chat, warm and...like a family again.

Mat had done very well in school for this semester's CA. He passed all his subjects except Malay (too koyak!), English being his forte, top in class. I don't know how he did it but he made me gloat with such huge pride for him, no words can describe. He made it in school, excelling, just like when he was here..when he was living with us. I only have one conclusion, that I think the husband and I have taught my son good. That his priority in life right now is his studies and family, the latter seemed to have sunk into him much later. But thats okay.

Whatever it is, I am so relieved to tears...that I have gotten my son back.

Ya Allah, thank you for protecting my family. Only you know how I am feeling as a mother right now.

InsyaAllah, we shall reunite again in December.

I did not know that really have THAT much energy. My co workers say that I have too much energy in me that I can explode. They asked me where I get this extraordinary energy?

Who knows right? I have always been like this, nothing has changed. Had another kid, was supposed to tone me down a little...but I dont know. Something must be wrong somewhere.

And then I was on tea break in the break room with my pregnant-with-twins-and-ready-to-explode co worker. I had Diet Coke in my hand. She said 'Now I know how you got your energy, caffeine! You just had Starbucks this morning and I dont think you have fnished it yet...now you're opening a can of Diet Soda!'. Ahemm, and after lunch, I drag her to Starbucks again for some hot non fat and no whip cream hot chocolate. Oh yea....caffeine. Thats right!!! I am a caffeine addict.

So there, mystery solved...Caffeine = Ely.

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Did not know that my son can sing! Well...somewhat sing. If he lives here, I would be telling him shut it.

I miss his voice. Glad he emailed me to serenade me. He initially offered to sing to me over the phone...errr, thats okay my son, this is good enough.

Take a listen... please give the icon a few seconds to load and then click play.