Kota Bharu and I

It is not my working Monday morning at 2.16am and we are in M.S Garden Hotel, Kuantan. Both Harris and Dew are asleep while I am still wide awake. Must be the hot shower or could be the jumping jacks on hotel bed with Dew earlier that made my eyes wouldn’t want to rest as yet.
We are on our way back to KL after a short trip to beloved home town. I persuaded Harris for a night stay over here with me giving reason that he has to attend for a site inspection. Co-incidentally, he has an ongoing project in Kuantan. Yea..yea…yea… I am always his unofficial boss what !
Well in a more serious mode, he really needs a follow-up inspection after last Thursday’s inspection anyway. I just made it more assured.

I had been postponing for my balik kampong trip since 2 months back. There were always matter(s) that came up which didn’t allow me to do so. Not until last week and after long fought with my boss.
Dew and I took a flight on Wednesday night which later was followed by Harris the next day after his site visit, yes,, here in Kuantan.

My mami’s house is merely 10minutes away from Kota Bharu Airport and I was supposed to contact any of my family members to fetch us once we arrived. I didn’t and instead, decided to opt for a cab to ferry us home from airport. No..no..no, of course I didn’t tell Harris until I did so. Kalau tak.. sure tak boleh punya. Kalau dah buat, then he has nothing to say… except to accept that he has a stubborn wife. Whee hee hee.

It has been long since the last event that I hop on a cab in KB. I always have this uneasy feeling of KB cab drivers. Please don’t get me wrong especially those whom are associated with cab drivers, be it you are the cab driver, or your father or mother or brother or anyone you know, I do not mean bad.

Those days, when I was small and at the time I accompanied my mami to town, we would take a cab or we call it kegheto sewo. The drivers that I encountered always wanting to know and had a gelenya way of asking my mami whom is a single parent if she had a husband like :

“Bakpo la che’ abe tok maghi ambik” means : Why is your husband not fetching you?

or

“Come-come ni che’ abe bui ko naik kegheto sewo” means : You are beautiful… does your husband allows you to hitch a cab?

I may be was a young kid but I did understand and was able to read between the lines. I detested the gelenyaness for ever! Like, for your own sake… Do you have to ask the questions?... I don’t remember my mami answering any of those.

Here now, Nada and I experiencing the cab ride the way my mami and I did years ago. Two females with no male guardian. I swear if I ever being asked the question, I’m gonna switch on my hand phone recorder, record the ‘conversation’ and make a police report for sexual harassment case!

Allahamdulillah, my ‘fear’ was groundless may be at least to KB Airport cab drivers. May be also I am not as beautiful as my mami.

The man was polite to me. I gave him the ticket indicating my destination and he requested me if I could help to fold Dew’s pushchair for he’s not familiar with it. Yeah, I don’t mind. He asked me if we were on a ‘balik kampong’ trip and I answered with a short one. He seemed to understand and respected that I didn’t want for any long conversation. The cab is clean and smell fresh. Better than our own sedan. It was a safe ride home……, only then I realized why was I really wanting to hitch a cab.

I want to face my ‘fear’ and hoping for my daughter not to have to go through the bad experience I had.

oh... how i love this cutie pie.

That’s a little sour experience of mine, I carried for so long……… I just want to share.

On the other hand, I also want to share this wonderful activity for many Kelantanese, especially whom reside in KB, I witnessed ever since I was a small child. I want to believe whoever that had gone trough the cupid love phase of their life in KB, surely had experienced this activity for a date. I did !

…. Lepak tepi pagar airport tengok kapal terbang turun dan naik. Muakakakakakakaaka. It is so festive, isn’t it?

You can judge by the numbers of cars being parked by the roadside. :) LOL.

Choices We Have

That morning I woke up from my sleep as usual but mommy did not send me to Aunty Ani’s house. I don’t know why sometimes mommy sends me and there are also days, I just stay home with both mommy and daddy around. After mommy brushed my teeth and freshen me up, she gave me a handful of cornflakes in my bowl. So I just sit and snacked while watching Mommy sweeping and vacuuming the house. I hate and so scare of vacuum cleaner. I don’t like the sound too – I think it’s gonna suck my feet.

Mommy asked Daddy to bathe me while she did the cooking and also prepared my breakfast. Daddy then, put my diaper and clothes on, I heard mommy saying something about Bukit Jalil house and going to Sunway. We had breakfast together, but Mommy and Daddy’s dish was different from mine. I ate some honey baked crackers with mango puree and both of them – I think it’s fried rice. I think only, ok. Mommy didn’t let me try even though I asked for some. Well, I was practically yelling, still she didn’t give in to my request. Mommy is very tough to beat.

I put my shoes on… actually Daddy helped me. We make our way to the car and Mommy put me in my orange carrier seat. After a while, we were already moving. Hmmm, Mommy asked me to take the morning nap. I don’t want to make any fuss so I just slept on my own. I was awaken a few times when the car was not moving, I saw Daddy went out to see some people unfamiliar to me. Mommy said to Daddy to make sure every page of the Bukit Jalil House Defect Checklist is to be stamped received by the developer. What does that mean? I don’t understand quite much.

I continued my sleep and only to be woken up by Mommy so much later on. Daddy parked our car in front of a shop with a “RECARO” big sign. Eh – I know how to read? A lady greeted us at the front door. She seems to know Mommy’s name. How did she know?

There were so many car seats inside the shop. Big ones and small ones. Mommy and Daddy talked to the lady and also a man while I played around. They talked and talked and talked. Daddy said grey-blue and Mommy said grey-pink.

Daddy asked me to sit on the grey-blue car seat
There were other colors too
I chose grey-pink!

*Nada, give Mommy the laptop, baby*

Oh readers, excuse my daughter. Since she started talking (in her own lingo – of cause) … it is like non-stop. Now, she wants to write too! .. AND LOOK AT THAT.

She is one drama queen - I think she wants to be an actress but her dad won’t let her. He prefers his daughter to be a professional golf player! He… he…

I finally made up my mind on the car seat selection. A little effort of research, I managed to contact the Recaro licensed sole supplier in Sunway and made the call just to check if they have the car seat model that I wanted – Recaro Convertible Signo. Tips – must always go direct to the boss and you’ll get better service, I guess.
Apparently, at the time when I made the call, they did not have the said model in their show room. But the shipment from US had arrived in Port Klang pending clearance from Custom Department to be discharged. They were expecting the goods to be available in the showroom in two days time that he said would make the call to me upon its availability. And yes, the boss called me after two days. Alah – nak buat bisnes, biasala…..

We visited the showroom and purchased the car seat just last Saturday and I am very content with it for now. Nada seems to enjoy every ride in her new car seat. Since I went straight to the license supplier and with a little bit of wit and charm, I was granted a small discount and a small gift that I am pleased with. We were also able to choose from all four choices of seat design cover provided by Recaro at one go. This can’t really happen if we go to the distribution department stores because they usually get the seats from supplier in limited numbers. Most will only get one unit or maximum two units. So, we didn’t get chance to choose the colors.

Like what my dotter said, Harris preferred the grey-blue design but I wanted grey-pink instead. Actually, it’s not even an issue because at the end of the day…. surely my selection would be opted. Hey…. Hey…. That doesn’t mean Harris’s opinion doesn’t count. He made way for me only, having a satisfied wife will make his life so much easier! He he…..
Harris was saying if we choose grey-pink, the car seat then only suits Nada being a girl. It might not be so appropriate for the next to come (if any)… should ‘it’ be a boy. Its like everything is for Nada. Aiyak! Don’t la like that. Thinking of next to come? Oh well, for now, I am buying for Nada and of course she’s the focus now.

Should I am blessed with the next, don’t worry…. I already have the list of things I want to do and also new baby products that I want to have.

Want to do :
1. I want to be committed in exclusive breastfeeding, at least for a much longer period than what Nada enjoyed. I know my nature of work won’t have any mercy nor give me any justice towards the flexibility preferred for breastfeeding. But I want to try my best. I want to be mentally prepared and able to brace the difficulties being a working mom and also exclusively breastfeeding. If I need to attend lactation seminar – I will. If I need to invest in quality breastfeeding equipments – I will.

2. I want to stay away from ready cereals. If Nada depended on baby cereal for close to two months, in her 7th plus month, no ready cereal will be opted for the next. I will stick to homemade frozen purees. No excuse.

3. I want to store stem cells from umbilical cord for rainy days. If I think too much in opting it for Nada – it’s certain for the next.

4. I want to go through labor with no pain killer drugs at all. No Pitocin No Pethadine. God! This must be the most difficult thing for me to do. Really don’t know if I can or cannot. I envy those people whom are ‘strong’ and can. If I succeed, I am gonna treat myself a good lamb chop at Victoria Station after the confinement. He…. He….
…….. my cousin dare to visit me in the labor room and told –“ Tak pe Kak Yanti, masa ni je sakit… nanti baby keluar …. Sakit semua hilang….” Aduh… baby popped out and my body still ached for daysssssss.

Want to have :
1. The Bumbo babysitter seat – I noticed the good results benefited to my friend’s lovely baby girl for using the seat. She was able to sit unaided as early as five months old. Am not so eager for babies being able to sit as young as that age but it’s the posture when she sits that I am going for. She sits so beautifully with her back sit up straight, not even a slight slouch.
2. Deluxe Changing Mattress by Mamas & Papas – it’s soft and beautiful : I like.
3. Sleeping bag by Grobag – if my baby moves around in the sleep, the blanket is still intact.
4. Cotton Swaddler by The First Years or Kiddopotamus – I don’t want to use baby napkin only.
5. Snuzzler Complete Head and Body Support for the carrier seat by Kiddopotamus – it looks so comfortable. Then I don’t have to lapik with baby napkin.
6. Meal Time Bib by Combi – the combination of cotton (lining with plastic) and plastic foodie catch is good that I can fold it into the travel bag. Very convenient.
7. ………….. This one not so sure, but if I can afford I want to have a new baby cot by Mamas and Papas! Complete with sea life theme bedding set. Dang – it’s so expensive.
… and my list can go on and on and on and on…..

See, This 2.5’ x 4’ Sweet Cherry baby cot is already quite cramped when Nada is only 14months. The length is okay but not the width, somehow babies grow sideways too!

So, no doubt. All my children will enjoy equal love and equal comfort the much that I can afford. Isn’t that what mothers are for?

EXTRA NOTE :
sigh …. Even with discounts, the car seat really cost me some cool RM. And if my mami know about it, she’s NOT gonna say much….. but at a different time she’ll urge me – “Beli gak adik baghe mah…. Oghe tengok gak tak doook ‘ma-ka gapo” – means : Please buy some gold jewelry… people see you then not wearing anything.
For majority of Kelantanese people, if you don’t have gold jewelry on you, it’s like you are naked and you are so incapable. It’s no good for your image. True? – I don’t know.

Wahai mami, I can’t change these people mind set that may be have already existed ever since Tanah Sekebun Bunga existed. They may say what they like lah ! I don’t give a shit. – Currently – don’t have the pleasure in gold stuffs yet and it is SO NOT ME to do things because of what other people may think. My way is for my own satisfaction and for my own good – not for show to others. This is where Yanti is stubborn and hard headed. Sorry mami.


I am happy if my little dew is happy. (didn’t I tell yal Nada in Arabic means Dew…. Her Nenek calls her Cik Embun)

What is it about a car seat?

any resemblance?

It had been an intense search of a car seat for the few last weekends and all I want is …. To go to the US or UK and buy one…. Emmmm, since UK Safety Standards for car seats is higher… I choose UK then. …he he, I wish!

awwww... isn't she adorable?

Long legs?….Ah, How I hope my daughter will get it from her dad… Tinggi lah.....

It was quiet mind stressing when I was not able to get what I want. Further more, dealing with the sales promoter whom doesn’t really know about the product made me agitated. It was good explanation from promoters at specialized baby products stores like among the many - Mother Care, Mamours, Safe N Sound.. but can’t say the same for those at malls even if they are stationed at the baby products section – particularly strollers, carriers and car seats.

…. One told me, the seat can’t be recline when I could see the recline lever clearly. What the shit is she talking?

…. Other one tried to demo to me how to raise the headrest by pulling the lever so hard when the big word shown at the lever as “ROTATE” !. I’d go…. “Dik… jangan tarik… rotate, rotate, pusing, pusing…!”

…. Next to other one was pushing the back rest for a recline position when I realized the mechanism is actually by pulling the lever and raising the seat itself making it tilted backwards.
Instead of her showing me, I showed her how to do.

…. Two guys were in so much difficulty to show me how the back rest of a seat can be extended. I don’t believe it could be that difficult. Then I’d go…. “Dik… mana akak tengok manual… Hmm, losen up the strap, one hand press button and pull…..” Aiyyyyooooooo. That easy?

Tell what, after I complete my buying of a car seat…. I bet I can be a personal car seat selection advisor to anyone whom intent to buy. Just let me know your desired criteria and budget. *Sigh*

There is a very wide selection of car seats here even in Malaysia, but not many models actually satisfy my criteria. I can summarize that most car seats available in the market are divided into 3 categories, i.e
1. the infant car seat cum the carrier for newborn up to 20lb (9kg),
2. the convertibles car seats for toddlers from 20lb (9kg) to 40lb (18kg) or from newborn to 18kg
3. the boosters car seats for toddler and children up to 80lb (36kg) or maybe up to 100lb.

I’ve been eyeing a Maxi-Cosi model which I thought would satisfy me, but NO it didn’t. I want :
a. A convertible type of car seat that can take up to 36kg weight. Since I already have an infant carrier for newborn that comes in the travel system of Nada’s Peg-P stroller, it need not necessarily to cater newborn needs.
b. Of course passed all the Safety Standards requirement
c. At least 3 reclining position able to be adjusted with a single lever handle preferably at max 45deg, so if my girl is sleeping, her head doesn’t pop out.
d. EPS foam padded
e. Able to be installed both rear and forward facing
f. No threading for strap adjustment
g. Removable covers preferably for machine wash
h. …. Cantik !…..

So far, I am only served with 5 models that I can choose from but all are with their own flaws :
1. The GRACO – Nautilus 1-2-3 Convertible.
Flaw – The back reclining is too little and Not for rear facing installation.

2. The FIRST YEARS – True Fit Convertible.
Flaw – Reclining to be adjusted by flipping the base at below the seat. Meaning : car must be at stop. No child is sitting inside, unbuckle the whole installation, raise the seat and flip the base, buckle back. Too much hassle.

3. The SAFETY FIRST – All in One Convertible
Flaw – The overall design doesn’t look neat (... it's actually Harris's opinion and I do agree)

4. The COMBI – I can’t remember model name
Flaw – Too bulky… too big for our Sedan. (Unless, we change our old Sentra to a 5 series maybe . Kah! Kah! Kah!)

5. The RECARO – Signo Convertible
Both Harris and I fall for this one. It has all I want, clean design, seaming is neat and compact too. But the biggest flaw of all – The price almost doubled my budget ! Ghee, in fact it cost almost another of Nada’s travel system stroller. Ouch.. not ready to spend that much.

I know I’ve got to sacrifice either the wanted criteria or my Ringgit. Can’t get both at the please of myself. Urgh! Haven’t decided which one yet. At first, I thought my expectation of a car seat is too much, but after googling websites….. it is not at all of an issue. There are so many choices that fit the criteria with various design cover selection. And the price is so much cheaper too even with the relative conversion to RM. Should I fly to UK and get one?

Somehow, I’ve got to decide. Nada has outgrown her carrier for more than an inch (when it is advised to change baby carrier car seat before an infant top head is an inch to reach top of seat) and she also refuse to be in the recline position all the time. Dah besar! Nak tengok keluar tingkap la pulak…… she said.

Mommy singing… Money, money ! …. Mana nak carey?

She was so little then

Ini namanya memikirkan masalah dunia sambil tido...

She and her unique habit while drinking – main kening!!!

want some? I cannot finish