Sigh, here I go again with this song from Avenged Sevenfold...Seize the Day. No wonder I love metal music, they express how I feel. I love metal since I was 13. When I feel angry or emotional, I have it at full blast. I remember going to work on the train in SF, with metal music blasting in my ears. Love it!

I feel do emotional today. Not the emotional cry baby feel but I feel that I miss everyone in my life today...EVERYONE...even the husband who's working right now.

I miss my son
my mak and bapak
my sister and nieces
my twin nazrah
my cousin Aliah
my relatives in Singapore


Have you ever felt like when you live so far away, one day, you wake up and miss everyone? But you're not sad, just have this sense of longing. Like you wish they're a phone call away and then tell them to meet you at pasar Geylang for some nasi padang in 30 minutes.

Many a times when I drive home, drive by the school the son used to go to, I see the teenage boys, how I long to just jump out of the car and hug one of them, any of them, like my son.

Many a times, I wish I could just pick the phone and tell Nazrah my twin to get ready cos we're going to color our hair today and lets eat lunch before we do that hehehe.

Maybe I am just going through this post-PMS crap.

Note to self : I hit Target yesterday, wooohooo, few more days to hit achiever target. Not sure if I can hit it.

Bumped my head against the edge of a metal shelf yesterday at work while bending over to grab my laptop bag. I thought I was going to pass out when that happened. A co worker came up to be from behind to say hello and when I turned and told him what just happened, he said that I literally had a dent on my forehead. Painful??? Can't explain. Walked back to my desk and told my other co worker what happened, she was so concerned and started checking up on me every few minutes, just in case I turned to be delirious. No...I did not speak Russian after that but I saw stars and was sore for hours.

Another co worker told me that I might have a minor concussion. She said that if I went home, not to go to sleep as that would lead to coma if I really had the concussion...thanks for letting me know! This morning, another co worker who works in the city messaged me. I told her what happened to my head yesterday. She said 'You better go see a Dr, Elly. My aunt passed away 12 mths after she hit her head, she had clood clot'...I panicked and made an appointment to see the Workers Compensation Dr.

The Dr saw me and started laughing. She said that I am fine. Just a tiny bump, yes she squeezed the damn bump like a zit...OUCH...I said. She said 'its nothing!'. She dismissed me and said that I do not have to panic.

Who knows that a dent on my forehead would attract so much attention in my office.

Sales this month has been pretty slow, but I am hitting target. A couple for thousands to go and I'd hit that bonus target. I sound so calm eh? Heck, I did not behave this way 2 weeks ago. I was neurotic, so afraid that I would be below target. Alhamdulillah, Allah seems to love me and my family. Apart from the rezeki thrown to us, He managed to keep this 'hamba' sane!!!

Pampered myself a little bit today. Eyebrow and lip wax, pedicure. No shopping...can't think properly when I have this 'dent' on my forehead.

Suraya is learning new things now. She whimpers like a little puppy when she wants something. So irritating that I had decided to let her know that it is not okay to whimper. Amazingly, she listens...at times, okay, most times she listens. She has learned a new way to express herself when shes mad. By throwing her toys everywhere on the floor and then looks at me. What an angel!

Nothing much to blog about really. Nothing eventful has happened. Just stress and more stress from work. Sometimes I ask myself, why lah I decided to go into the Sales force when I have a baby force at home?

I dont know. Its not like I work till 8pm everynight. In fact, the latest I get home is 6:30pm and it takes only 8 minutes for me to get home. But I sacrifice at least 2 hours on Saturdays to go to work just to make phone calls. 2 hours does not seem alot but it is enough to make me feel guilty for leaving my kids.

Some single agents think that married agents like me have balance in our lives. We work hard and play hard. We have 8 hours to make the best out of a day and come 5:30-6pm, we force ourselves to turn our laptops off, bring our laptop home and spend time with our family. 90% of us who have families do not work from home (how to???). As for the singles, sometimes, they do work from home, work till 7pm and half of Saturdays. They go home, think about thier production numbers (I do too!) and then feel miserable. Good thing the kids makes it impossible to think about the numbers.

Sigh...maybe I am going through a transition. I have a history of moaning and whining through transition, kicking and screaming when it gets hard but always manage to hit the target.

Maybe next month, I can handle this stress crap better...InsyaAllah.

In the meantime, I am so happy to have spent the entire weekend with my girls without working on Saturday (next week must work Saturday tho). 48 whole hours of being surrounded by my girls and giving them unconditional love...priceless!!!

Also in the meantime part II, the husband has been working ALL weekend. I hardly see him. But we do talk on the phone a lot. I do miss him so much but what to do. Work is work, at least he came back from work with chocolate covered donuts this morning.

My daughter is in awe, as to how I have lost this much weight (30 lbs or more?) by eating junk all weekend? Take a doze of stress, sure to burn your fats and brains!

Suraya is a pro in walking now. This morning, I forgot to put the gate up by the kitchen entrance. I came out of the bathroom, she walked out of the kitchen and handed me a glass that she had taken from the glass cabinet. She was smiling and I was freaking out! Dont know why she loves the kitchen. If the cats love the kitchen why not the baby eh?

Kakak Mas has been such a couch potato since spring break last week. But she is making good money babysitting Suraya. So much money that she went on a shopping spree last weekend and I just watched, my money gone to her babysitting fees! Perfect sister she is...wish her brother is here too.

Abang Mat is doing very well in school. We are surely on the road to recovery in terms of relationship. We talk on the phone at least once a week, email once a week. He speaks to everyone at home. The other day, he called and said that he was out sick from school. Sakit kepala, so he said. But all was well my dad said, Mat was just getting the blues we thought. We all miss him to death. Believe it or not, he has a girlfriend now. Very mentel right? A girl from CHIJ, her parents are police officers. Good, at least I know he will be in 'good hands' hehehe.

My kids, believe it or not, I miss or should I say LONG to have the 3 of them in front of me....sigh!

Here's Suraya taken last weekend. Isn't she an angel? How to marah her when she does something bad? Those angelic eyes.

This is how you drink bubble tea from the straw...geddit?

Shes a pro in book flipping, she loves to read!

Tell me, how to get mad at her with that face? She smiles 24/7!

This was yesterday. 8 bands played to give me a total taste of Chaos. As much as not a concert person that I am, I love metal and alternative. This one was pretty perfect for me. The kids were standing for 6 hours at the floor near the mosh pit, while I sat at the upper arena, the stadium seats waiting for me and the stage was at eye level.

This is my FAVORITE song

Awesome!!! Will be back when my hearing recovers. In the meantime...

Is it time to update yet? Been 3 weeks since the last one eh?

Work is great! I did pretty good last month, but this month, I have barely lifted off the ground. I made a mistake. I stopped prospecting after I hit my target last month resulting a halt in sales hmmmppph!!! But I have been getting good omens so far. Allah has been giving me good vibes and good signs.

I spent Saturday morning at work, making phone calls. I made 7 calls and I get 1 quote, 2 appointments. A co worker who did 20 calls with only 1 appointment thinks that I have the magic touch in this job cos I always seem to use little time to gain a sale. I dont know, maybe being a chatterbox or having dealt with insurance for more than 10 years has shown that I am THE person to talk to when it comes to insurance.

But...my numbers are still low. 3 applications had been mailed, expecting good sales from them, but my theory is that, when they're not mine, I cant confirm the numbers, arrrghhh! I told the boss that I need business, he says 'You said that last month but you made top numbers, so I dont believe you!' but I was telling the truth. Maybe he knows that I know what I am doing. But geez, I do need to hussle more this week, thats for slacking 1 week ago.

Anyway, last week, I went to visit the San Francisco office where I used to work. A few could not recognize me. Some apologized to me as they did not intend to ignore me. They said that I have lost so much weight, I look different. Yer ker??? I told them 'If you want to lose weight, be an insurance agent, no time to eat!'. I meant it in a good way though. But hey, kinda nice for people to say that I lost weight eh? What I need now is to upgrade this diamond ring...eh no, get a smaller sized wadrobe hehehe. I have no freakin' idea what my size is. No...am not a size 2, husband tells me not to 'diappear' on him. Meat is good hehehe....

Oh before I go, let me ask....

Anyone wants insurance? Anyone???? If you buy insurance from me, I'll be your Fab Agent! Hehehehe...

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.

---------------------------------------------------------


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.

It is time for that concert again. Second time for Kakak Mas watching this Avenged Sevenfold concert. First time for me, the husband is off the hook this time. A friend of hers wanted to much to go to this concert too so I offered to buy him the ticket. So...US$131 terkopak, 3 tickets to this deafening concert excluding gas (about 45 mile drive) and lunch.

Oh well, things we do for our kids. Its on a Saturday...at least it will force me to stop working at 1pm and go for some 'hard fun'.

Anybody has studded belt and bracelet?????

Lets not talk about work as I think I have absolutely overworked myself this week.

Finally, after 7 years, I broke my Starbucks tumbler. It broke shortly before I moved to the new office 3 months back and never get to beg the husband for another one until recently. Why beg husband for a silly Starbucks tumbler right? Cos he bought the last one for me 7 years ago, and I thought that at time a US$15 coffee tumbler was oh so dang truly freakin' expensive! 7 years later, I replaced the tumbler with the same color but different style...same price!

Blue, in electric blue. Did you remember reading the word 'beg' in the previous paragraph? Yes...cos my husband thought that it was the silliest thing for him to buy me...a Starbucks coffee cup as it had been almost 1 year that I had been drinking Starbucks coffee everyday WITHOUT the tumbler and then all of a sudden I decided to 'save' the earth. Alah...can't beg for bigger diamond ring, beg for tumbler can what right?

Again I am mentioning the word 'blue' (Ely is in the 'repeating' mode, she must be tired!). I used to be in denial of admitting to a favorite color...so that I would not offend the other beautiful colors in the world. Why? Cos I don't own blue outfits except for my company shirts which I wear every Wednesday, I wear black 70% of the time, jeans are my favorite pair of pants besides those tight corduroy pants (hahaha!). But but but, I have a blue car, a range of nice shiny electric and cobalt blue pens in my drawers, a blue personal pilot rollaway bag AND a blue Starbucks tumbler! I don't wear my blue but I love having blue around. Do you have a favorite color too?

For now, I am going to 'smell' caramel macciato to sleep.

How was Valentine's Day? Well, to me, V-day is nothing but a marketing marketing marketing scam. We really do not go out to dinner just cos its V-day (but we did!...all 4 of us). But the husband buys flowers for me and candies for the ladies in the house. Last year, he surprised mak with a box of See's candies. Must be mak's first time receiving candies on V-day. She was pleasantly surprised :)

This year's V-day, I was thinking of my son. Mat is 15 now...Secondary 3 in school. this is the peak of his testosterone development.

Our relationship is beginning to re-develope. After what happened 2 years ago, it seems that we are both trying to mend and reconnect again. It is not hard to do when the both parties have the same goal to reconnect.

We talk on the phone at least once a week. I wish it would be more but it is almost impossible with the time difference. We both know that we think of each other all the time. Our teleconversationsn also have become fun. Mat likes to boast that he is tall and handsome now and that he has 6 girlfriends, not upon his request...so he says. He can't break the girls' hearts, so he says. And I like to tease him sayng that he might be making up these stories to make him feel good about himself :)

I have not spoken to him since last weekend. I wonder how his V-day went. But I will surely find out tonight!

After what happened 2 years ago, I think we all need to move on, for the sake of ourselves. We all know that we will still be a family no matter what and the truth is, we will always love each other strongly no matter what. I do not deny that I miss my son ever so dearly. Sometimes so much that I feel that I would like to run and hug him, but......hes too far away and all I get is a heart ache. I know he feels the same.

Our plan is to visit Singapore in December, insyaAllah. Kakak Mas is lucky, we are sending her there to meet her brother in the summer and maybe again in December. At least if I can't make it there this summer, my daughter will be there.

Healing is a long process...and I am glad that we are slowly moving towards it.

Abang Mat, if you're reading this, we ALL think of you all the time. Sometimes, when we go shopping, paps says that he misses buying clothes for you. And I miss messing around with you at the mall :)

We all love you!

Kakak Mas just turned 14 last Friday. I was too busy on that day, did not even think about posting her birthday on here.

It was not easy planning a birthday event for a 14 year old. At first we planned for a slumber party at the Embassy Suites. To us parents, its good as our house would not get messy and the kids could run around as they wish. But then I forgot that she's 14 and not 4. 14 year olds dont really do slumber parties. Then the idea of bringing the friends and her out to dinner came about. She wanted sushi buffet. Mak kau...thats like $25 per person. So no go for us. Since her school was having a school dance on that day, I suggested for her to go to the dance with her friends and then maybe to the movies. Finally she agreed. $100 for movie tickets and snacks for 6 teenagers? Ok kan? Well, thats beside the hot pink RAZR that we bought for her including a shopping spree next week. My birthday's not even that grand!!!

But you know, I think this is her first birthday after a long time. Ever since her brother lives in Singapore, it had taken at least 1 year of her happy life and seems like Kakak Mas is coming out of her shell.

In the meantime, Suraya is 14 months. Still not walking yet. She is practicing hard pushing her cart, tapi tak jalan pun! Thats okay, she can take her time.

One more week of 40 mile commute to Mountain View!!!

If you can see the ticker above ^^^...YES, Suraya is still breastfeeding. She will be 14 months this coming Friday and I truly am still enjoying the bond that I have with her, through nursing.

The husband and the Pediatrician had asked if I plan to wean Suraya soon. Well...I do not have the heart to wean her. Although the Dr says that a baby after 1 year of age, breastfeeding is no longer of nutritional value but more of a 'comforting' value to the baby, I still need some time to wean her. But when I am at work, she drinks cow's milk through the bottle. One step easier for the husband. But once I get home, she and I will share moments among ourselves :)

I have been reading articles on how to wean a baby. But but but, I am still not ready.

Who knows, maybe in a few months, she will wean...hopefully sooner than her potty training hehehe.

In the meantime, 2nd week of class has been a total drag for me. It was 'hurt week' for me. Firstly, I 'cracked' my right neck muscle and had to drive with a stiff neck for 2 days. Thanks to a lady co worker who gave me a good massage to 'tenderize' my achey muscle. Secondly, I strained my right back muscle while trying to get out of another lady co worker's car. I am still aching! I think I am getting old...need a body overhaul!

Here's munchkin doing what she does best!

How iss life having to drive 40 miles each way, listening to insurance lectures for at least 5 hours a day for 4 weeks? Well, it has been one week and a day so far and its been very tiring.

I think my body is trying to catch on, having to drive 40 miles to Mountain View, and back...in this rainy season. Sure, love the beautiful scenery on I280 but I miss commuting only 8 minutes to work!

Good thing is, this like a smooth sailing no brain wrecking class for me as I know insurane inside out. So its like revision time for me. The real deal is when I get home, when the baby is sleeping. Thats the time for me to work till my eyes refuse to open, weekends included.

2 more weeks to go before I am home free. Anyone wants to buy insurance from me?

Here's munhckin taken last weekend.

This posting was firs initiated by my twin, Nazrah...looks kinda fun but true to me! My comments in red

What Ely Suraya Means

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. Very true, and i talk too much too! You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. Always true...i can be Oprah Winfrey with Dr Phil's touch! At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. Yer ker??? But for the important things, you pull it together. Always, u can count on me You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. But my boss says that i am high maintenance and such a complainer! Lets not ask what the husband says of me on this. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Sometimes only, the dont get worked up part. The rest is correcto! Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. True true, but when i am mad and not happy, they all run away! You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. How do u know eh! You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. Yeah, ask my parents...Allah blessed them with strong hearts. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care. Eh, i am married twice...so this is not true. I am settled now. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. Suave? Okaylah. Sexy? Ahemm, but of course! Smart, hello, cant u tell? Strong? Not physically but i have a strong head! Like a mule! You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. True, i wont argue with that. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. I dont victimize the weak, i turn around and make them stronger. You are a very lucky person. Things just always seem to go your way. Eh....so true! like the husband says 'whatever Ely wants Ely gets'...which means he'd rather give in to me than fight with me...not worth the suffering hahaha. And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries. You just hope for the best in life. True...Tawakkalallah You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy. Never! Greeds evil! Spread your luck around a little to people who need it. i dont have the $$ to spread around but i am not stingy. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. Geez, stop it! Thats what my boss says to me ALL THE TIME! You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. Some say that i need to stop and breath cos i dont stop doing anything! You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. Heheheheh...Ely aka Troublemaker You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. Oh yeah babeh! But pls dont go into my bedroom...i am not perfect in terms of housekeeping. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. Really??? I think so lah You have the classic "Type A" personality.Wahhhh...is it?

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

So the time has come, for the torturuous 4 week sales class. I hate classes cos 80% of the time, after lunch, I fall asleep. I am so not use to sitting down for an hour listening, which means 8 hours is oh so tidak. Usually, I do the talking hahahaha. Also the class is mandatory before I start selling in March. I know 90% of the scoop. My boss says that now what I have to do is tech the class???? I can do that!

Long weekend...thanks to Martin Luther King Jr. Kakak Mas is such a peace activist, she knows the history of these holidays, shes a peace historian. She is also the one who will smack you on the head if you make a stereotypical comment on someone of a different ethnicity. I think she will grow up with a mission to go to Africa to care for the kids there and then go to Rome to pursue her ancient Roman history while listening to heavy heavy metal that sometimes contain suicidal lyrics which she says is not effecting her (althought sometimes she says that she will totally DIE if she has to run 1.5 miles in school tomorrow!).

Back to my work scene. I love my new job. Its all about me now. Nothing about the boss, nothing about my subordinates but about ME. How do I generate business? How do I market myself? Being in the company for more than 5 years and in the same department. Being once an underwriter give me A LOT of 'cracks' on where I can find open business. Its so addicting when you know that you can generate business. Will I ever share my trade secrets with someone else? Not unless I want them to take away my ideas. In short...NOT!

I love talking to people and I have no problems marketing myself and giving out my business cards. But kakak Mas sometimes has a problem with that...saying that I am over rated. Who cares!

Anyway, enough ramblings...I forgot to bring home the laptop charger this weekend, now I have to force myself to watch tv...ooops, yaya just found a spoon from the computer table!

Oh yeah, my new boss found a new name for me...Ducati Ferrari (which means, HIGH MAINTENANCE!), I kinda like that name hehehe.

I just have a funny feeling that I am going to turn into a workaholic in a few days time. As it is for now, I tend to wake up hallucinating...about work! Need to get into that laptop and drum up more business! Or sometimes, I would wake up with my eyes opened wide and said 'Pergi kerja...pergi kerja!', but it was Saturday night, 1am!

Maybe the stupid Sales Congress that I went to this weekend has programmed me into this work mode. 3 days and 2 mights at the San Francisco Marriot...semi party Friday night, listen listen listen all Saturday and by Saturday night, I was oh so done with this Sales crap. Thank goodness the husband was staying in the hotel (he was bored to tears) with the baby, we went out to dinner at the indian place, I abandoned my company dinner with live music and GREAT DJ, thats okay.

You know, I have brought my laptop home from work for 3 weekends but never get to work at home. How ah like that? Cos each time I plan to work after the baby sleeps, I tend to hit La La land...as far as her!

But next week must be serious. I will be going to a 4 week Sales class and I have 5 days to drum up business so that I could hit them as soon as I return from the classes.

*Ely's hanging the tag 'Busy working' around her neck!*

Ely got social life? Of course lah. We are heading to Kak Jah's house this Saturday to visit her 'already 3 month old ' granddaughter. I have requested for her to make me satay hehehe. Actually we were suppose to meet up at another malay singaporean's home at Morgan Hill. But Kak Jah didn't call me, she must have remembered that I am going to be busy this weekend. And next Sunday, we were invited to go to Elk Grove (near Sacramento, 70 miles away I think) for housewarming. The husband has to work so we have to request for a rain check on that.

It has been raining for 2 days. According to the weather forecast, there will be rain till Monday, and then no rain on Tuesday and more rain the days after. Rezeki Allah...syukur...we don't get that much rain here in California. I do miss the 'monsoon bing bang thunder storms for 30 minutes and then the sun comes out' weather back home. Over here when there is a storm, the branches would fall and the fence would start slanting...a sign of defeat to the 'up to 60 miles/hr wind'. We were out of power for a few hours. We travelling 10 miles in San Mateo for a sushi buffet...they were closed due to no power. Even my office and 18 other offices were close in Northern CA due to lost of power.

This time, our side door was ripped apart by the wind, the fences are still standing strong (they collapsed last year) and the branches still could not survive. The cats are all over the bed, trying to get the warmth under the covers.

I am off today. Nice to be home, hoping to be able to go out for lunch or dinner with family but alas...the storm. But thats okay...my family will NOT be deterred by the stromy weather. Whatever may come, nothing can pull the food and the Greenfield family apart...geddit?

Bapak was discharged from the hospital yesterday Alhamdulillah. The dr says that he could have just had some muscle spasm when he was at the beach. Otherwise, his heart is strong and healthy.

Seems like Abang Mat is doing very well in school. Sec 3 this year and I heard that he is loving is first days in school. I shall get the 1st hand news from him tomorrow. We all miss him here. Each time when we go clothes shopping, we always think of him. Paps misses dressing him up...so he says :)

Suraya is learning to speak. Yes, she talks a lot like her Momma and Dada. The only language that she speaks now is Jibberish...a common language among toddlers. Still not walking yet though she can stand for a few minutes.

Kakak Mas is counting down on going back to school. She has been a terrific sitter when paps needs a break from baby sitting. She and Suraya has bonded so well, it warms my heart greatly to see them together :)

Me? Nothing has changed much for me. I need to stay away from the shopping mall...seriously, BUT BUT BUT, I always seem to need something right? Someone at the new office was complaining about me. She accused me of stealing business from the other sales reps as I have been getting more exposure with customers. But hey, I stole from noone and I do have integrity. Thats a good sign, which means this new kid on the block is a threat to the old kids hehehe. I work with honesty, not the other way round and thats how it should be right?

Dieting has been good. I still eat alot, minus the carbs. Not that I don't eat carbs at all, I do...but sparingly. And I am still losing 2 lbs every 1-2 weeks or so. Now I just need to exercise again. Hard though cos this momma has got no time!

Oh hey, here's the munchkin wearing my camisole...in the midst of the big mess that she had created!!!

HAPPY WEEKEND!