Butterworth Paper Cups

In our last trip to Penang, we had the opportunity to visit Seng Chor's Dad's paper cup factory. Through the photos, I will share with you the paper cup making process...

Raw Materials - rims of paper

First step - printing process

Second step - Cutting process

Third step - Making the cups. Paper goes into the machine. It cuts the edges of the paper and molds the paper into a cup.


Same machine as previous one. The cup goes into a vacuum tube and comes out on the right for packaging. Different machines mold different type of cups. That day, there were about 4 cup-making machines operating. Each machine was operated by one person. It was a Sunday, and the factory is open 24 hours a day, all year round.

Oh, they don't just deal with cups. They produce paper plates, ice cream cup, coaster and serviettes too. Of course, with different machines.

The final process is packaging, which is done manually.

Doctor again

I broke my own record by seeing 2 doctors within 4 days in 2 different states - Monday in Penang, Thursday in PJ. I was given a stronger flu medicine last night, and given medical leave for today. The medicine really works - my nose was not blocked last night and I could sleep better.

Glad to rest at home - and first time without cheeky boy around to disturb me. This month, cheeky boy seems to prefer Daddy more. He cries for Daddy's attention. His patterns and preferances change occasionally. Funny.

Well...can't do any serious work today - can't keep the promise I made yesterday. :p
It's best to stay horizontal...

Nicknames

Ok, ok...I know that I should be doing some serious work like writing my journal and preparing for my lectures but I'm just not in the mood. I'm not feeling well too. I will do some serious work tomorrow. Really, promise ... :p

The thought of writing about my nicknames just dawned on me. I have a few...Of course, the first one is 'cabokia'. Sometimes, my siblings call me 'kia' for short. They don't call me 'cheh-cheh'. Wonder why?

Some of my ex-schoolmates call me Tine-tine. They still do.

My ex-uni mates have one interesting nick for me - dootbear or doot. What does it mean? Hmm...I don't really know exactly. Well...it is something like that. The first part - "doot" means something like blur but kinda smart. I think so. I'm quite blur actually - occasionally. The second part - "bear" refers to cute (in the good sense. Hee! Hee!). Combining both means - the blur, smart and cute one. Two of them still call me by this nick.

So, now I am affectionately known as Dr Cabo or Dr Doot. What does Seng Chor call me? Ask him.

Penang - Good and Bad

On Saturday, we left the house at 6:30 am. Then, we picked up Seng Chor's Aunty at Damansara Jaya and headed straight for Penang. Traffic was quite bad until Rawang. Smoother after that. Then, bad again nearing Ipoh. We had one toilet break, and stopped shortly at Ipoh for brunch. Jordan was manageable throughout the journey. Finally, reached Penang around 1 pm. So, the whole journey took 6 hours - almost twice the usual duration! [Bad]

On arrival, we had prawn mee - specially prepared by my in-laws. It's one of their specialties. Yummy! I had one bowl and Seng Chor had 2 bowls. Even though I normally avoid spicy food but their prawn mee must not be missed. They only cooked it on special occasion - when we are back. Hee! Hee! Actually, it was I who requested Seng Chor to ask them to prepare. So nice of them to agree. A lot of hard work is involved - peel the prawns, grind the shells for the soup, cook the soup with lots of ingredients inside. Hmm...that's a secret recipe. [Good]

Later in the afternoon, my sis-in-law, her hubby and her adorable son Jeffrey - my nephew arrived. Of course, he has grown bigger. He's eyes are bigger too - still look very much like his daddy. He is more active now but still see him sleeping most of the time. Glad to see them again. [Good]

On Sunday, we visited my dad-in-law's paper cup factory in Nibong Tebal. Will upload some photos later. It is in a new location. The place is bigger and looks more organised. After lunch, we went to Pacific Megamall to do some shopping for Jordan. [Good]

Nightmare began...Jordan was restless at night. He woke up every 2 hours. He refused to drink milk/cereal. He didn't want to sleep as well. Just wanted to crawl around. Seng Chor and I had to take turns to accompany him until morning. Because of that, I caught a cold. [Bad][Bad].

On Monday morning, we went to Penang Island with my in-laws. We took the ferry. It was first time for Jordan. [Good] experience for him. On arrival, they took me to see a doctor. I had a slight fever, throat infection, flu and slight cough. I was supposed to rest but...after that, still had to go to Prangin Mall and Gurney Plaza. [Bad]

Jordan slept better on Monday night - from 2 am until the next morning. I didn't sleep well because of my blocked nose. I am still suffering from it. Throat is better, no more fever, but the nose is still unwell. I have finished the flu medicine. Just need to finish up the antibiotic today. [Bad]

We left Penang at around 9 am on Tuesday. Traffic was [good], and we arrived home before 1 pm. We stopped over at the Tapah rest place. I was happy to buy some fruits back. I was sort of craving for the fruit (don't know the name) after eating one from Uncle Wing Cheong. It was bought by Roy in the same place. I think the fruit belongs to the guava family but it's skin is shiny, smooth and reddish. [Good]

So, after all, the trip ended with a [Good] note. Jordan is drinking and sleeping well also. :)

Balik Kampung

Perjalanan jauh tak ku rasa
Kerna hati ku melonjak sama
Ingin berjumpa sanak saudara
Yang selalu bermain di mata
Nun menghijau gunung ladang dan rimba
Langit nan tinggi bertambah birunya
Deru angin turut sama berlagu
Semuanya bagaikan turut gembira

Balik kampung oh oh...( 3X )
Hati girang
Ho ho... Balik kampung (3X)
Hati girang

Terbayang wajah-wajah yang ku sayang
Satu-satu tersemat di kalbu
Pasti terubat rindu di hati
Menyambut kepulangan ku nanti
Perjalanan jauh tak ku rasa
Kerna hati ku melonjak sama
Ingin berjumpa sanak saudara
Yang selalu bermain di mata
Nun menghijau gunung ladang dan rimba
Langit nan tinggi bertambah birunya
Deru angin turut sama berlagu
Semuanya bagaikan turut gembira

Balik kampung oh oh...( 3X )
Hati girang
Ho ho... Balik kampung (3X)
Hati girang

Terbayang wajah-wajah yang ku sayang
Satu-satu tersemat di kalbu
Pasti terubat rindu di hati
Menyambut kepulangan ku nanti

======================================

"Balik Kampung" means "Going Back to Hometown". The above lyrics is a song by Sudirman (1954-1992) [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudirman_Arshad] - The No. 1 Asian Singer from Malaysia. It has a very catchy tune. It's played on the radio during the festive season when Malaysians return to their hometown to celebrate with their loved ones.

This weekend, Seng Chor, Jordan and I will be heading north towards Penang - Seng Chor's hometown. Yeah, we are 'balik kampung'. We will leave on Saturday morning and back here on Tuesday. So, we won't be blogging until next Thursday/Friday. Pray for journey mercy and good fellowship with our loved ones. Pray for the protection our home here too.

For those of you who are "balik kampung" as well, drive safely and God bless you all.

Photos from Debut Performance

Our Line Dance - rock and roll. I'm on the far left - white shirt.

Dancing on the floor. Oh...I want that figure back!

Doing the shake. Leading the dance floor on stage with Melissa.

Meet the Gang. From Left: Melissa, Me, Tracy, Fraulein, Teng and Soo Ling.

Return of the Chocolate Bar

My LG KG320 "Chocolate Bar" Mobile Cellular Phone is back!!!

Hip! Hip! Hooray!

How did we do it? I upgraded my SIM card to 3G, and now I am able to use the phone again. Though it is not a 3G phone, I'm happy with the features and most importantly it's sleek profile. It's screen is much clearer than the Nokia 6233. So, my cheeky Jordan looks more adorable on the LG. The upgrade was free too! It was a promotion offered by Celcom.

Thanks Seng Chor for the brilliant idea to upgrade my SIM card. Otherwise, I'm stuck with the more bulky Nokia.

Truth and Wish List

Ask Michelle...

The rules:
Bold the statements that are true to you.
Italise the statements that you WISH are true.
Leave the Fibs alone.
Then, stab 5 people to do the same test (I shall spare the people from this).

I miss somebody right now.
I don't watch tv these days.
I wear glasses or contact lenses. (occasionally)
I love to play video games.
I've tried marijuana.
I have been in a threesome.
I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.
I believe honesty is usually the best policy.
I have changed mentally over the last year.
I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.
I curse.
I'm totally smart.
I've broken someone's bones.
I'm paranoid sometimes.
I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
I need money right now.
I love sushi.
I talk really, really fast.
I have long hair.
I have lost money in Las Vegas. (in Genting, yes)
I have at least one sibling.
I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past.
I couldn't survive without Caller I.D.
I like the way I look. (most of the time)
I am usually pessimistic.
I have a lot of mood swings.
I have a hidden talent.
I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar i have.
I have a lot of friends.
I am currently single.
I have pecked someone of the same sex.
I enjoy talking on the phone.
I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
I love to shop.
Enjoy window shopping.
I would rather shop than eat.
I don't hate anyone.
I'm a pretty good dancer.
I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
I have a cell phone.
I believe in God.
I watch MTV on a daily basis.
I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.
I've rejected someone before.
I want to have children in the future.
I have changed a diaper before.
I've called the cops on a friend before.
I'm not allergic to anything.
I have a lot to learn.
I'm shy around member of the opposite sex.
I have made a move on a friend's significant other or crush in the past.
I have tried alcohol before.
I own the "South Park" movie.
I would die for my best friends.
I think that Pizza Hut has the best pizza.
I have used my sexuality to advance my career.
I love Michael Jackson, scandals and all.
Halloween is awesome because you get free candy.
I watch Spongebob Squarepants and i like it.
I am happy at this moment!
I'm obsessed with guys.
I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I've ever met.
I study for tests most of the time.
I am comfortable with who I am right now.
I have more than just my ears pierced.
I walk barefoot wherever i can.
I have jumped off a bridge.
I love sea turtles.
I spend ridiculous money on makeup.
Plan on achieving a major goal/dream. (Done that!)
I'm proficient in a musical instrument.
I worked at McDonald's restaurant.
I hate office jobs.
I love sci-fi movies.
I think water rules.
I went college out of state.
I like sausages.
I love kisses.
I fall for the worst people.
I adore bright colours.
I can't live without black eyeliner.
I don't know why the hell I just did this stupid thing. (I'm bored)
I usually like covers better than originals.
I can pick up things with my toes.
I can't whistle.
I can move my tongue in waves, much like a snake's slither.
I have ridden/owned a horse.
I still have every journal I've written in.
I can't stick to a diet.
I talk in my sleep.
I try to forget things by drowning them out with loads of distractions.
I have jazz in my blood.
Climbing trees is a brilliant past-time.
I wear a toe ring.
I can't stand at LEAST one person that i work with.
I am a caffeine junkie.
I cosplay or know what cosplaying is.
I have been to over 15 conventions.
I will collect anything, and the more nonsencial the better.
I'm an artist.
I only clean my room when necessary.
I like a person of the same sex. (Nothing wrong to LIKE a person)
I love being happy.
I am an adrenaline junkie.

Line Dancing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"A line dance is a formation dance in which a group of people dance in a line formation or in lines, and they all execute the same dance moves individually. "

Line dancing has had a cowboy image, and it was danced predominantly to country-western music. This has been changing since the late 1990s, as more young people became involved. Today, country music may make up the minority of a DJ's play list, with the balance spread through a variety of many different musical styles both new and old. Genres including Celtic, Swing, Pop, Rock, Big Band, Folk, and almost anything else that has a regular beat.

History
Line dance is sometimes thought of as originating in the Wild West. In fact, it has a much more diverse background. Many folk dances are danced in unison in lines, usually single lines, and often with a connection between dancers. Such unison movements done by separate individuals in line might be traced back to old styles of group exercise. There have been line dances during the heyday of many modern popular music styles, including swing, rock and roll, and disco.

Line dancing's current popularity grew out of the disco period, when the country-western dance and music communities continued to explore and develop this form of dancing.

Billy Ray Cyrus' 1992 hit Achy Breaky Heart, helped catapult western line dancing back into the musical mainstream's public consciousness, and in 1998, the band Steps created further interest with the techno dance song "5,6,7,8".

Line dancing is a popular recreation activity and is practiced and learned in country-western dance bars, social clubs, dance clubs and ballrooms worldwide. It avoids the problem of imbalance of male/female partners that plagues ballroom/swing/salsa dancing clubs. It is sometimes combined on dance programs with other forms of country-western dance, such as two-step, shuffle, and western promenade dances, as well as western-style variants of the waltz, polka and swing.

Line dancing in the late 1990s, and so far through the 2000s, has changed in some line dance clubs with the main bulk of the dancing done to pop music. This has brought with it a renewed interest in the dance form for people of all ages.

Line dancing is now seen not just as a form of dance but also as good exercise and as a good social scene.

====================================

Guess what? I'm a line dancer. It started in 2002, in my College. There were various instructors along the way. The first one was an elderly man. (Yup, a man and he's a good dancer). He taught us for a few months. He was actually preparing a group to perform a Chinese dance for our big boss's 60th wedding anniversary which I didn't take part. After the performance, there was a break before a group of us invited another instructor - a lady. She is quite old as well. After a few lessons, she introduced a younger lady to teach us. Eventually, we had a regular group of 6 in the class. I was the only lecturer. The rest were all administrators and 1 outsider. We had the lesson once a week for one and a half hours each session.

The lessons were really fun. I enjoyed it so much that I took up extra lessons near my housing area and also from my facial lady. I even thought of starting my own line dancing class! I was really passionate about it. Well, I did conduct 2 lessons in my church family retreat. It was interesting and enjoyable.

I made my debut on 29 February 2004 at Hotel SinggahSana, Petaling Jaya. We performed a rock-and-roll line dance. Cool, eh ? I invited Seng Chor and my sister to the event. I was nervous but glad that it went well. We had fun dancing the whole afternoon. We also took turns to lead the floor in some line dancing. I will try to upload some photos later.

We stopped the line dancing after I found out that I was pregnant. Moreover, only 3 were keen to continue. Two stopped because of personal reasons, another migrated to Australia. So, the group was disbanded. Recenty, my passion was renewed. Two of us decided to continue on our own just for fun. From my previous posts, you have probably read that we had a performance at a College event. Initially, I hesitated to take part, but glad that I did it! I got to know some of my colleagues better as well. More importantly, I need to lose some weight!!!

It's time to child-proof our home

Jordan Teoh Shang Xian is already 10 months old! He turned 10 months old on Saturday, 14 October 2006. Now is a good time to think about baby proofing our home.

According to the youngnutrition.net, this is how I can help him ...

• Encourage him to walk by pushing a trolley or using other support.


• Read different types of stories and magazines to him, pointing out the pictures and asking questions that he can respond to.


• Encourage him to give me the toy when I ask for it (but don’t force him) and reward him with cuddles and kisses.


• Let him play with objects that fit together, or are different sizes so he can practice putting objects inside each other.


• When I speak to him use sentences that associate names with actions, like “Daddy has gone to work”, and “Mummy is going out”.


• Make finger puppets and have them dance to music and sing nursery rhymes.


• Introduce toys that he can ride on and learn to move forwards and backwards.


• Give him crayons and paper to draw with and use lots of colors. (Hmmm...probably not)


• Use household items like small towels or socks rolled up for him to use as a ball to throw and drop.

Eventful First Week of October

Last week...starting 2 October 2006

Monday
Return of the Year 2 and 3 students. Had discussion with some of them regarding their Final Year Project. 5 students have registered for my Project titles. 'Business' is as good as before. In previous years, students have been selecting my titles. So, my Project supervision load always reach the maximum load. Good or bad?

Tuesday
First AI lecture with Year 3 students. 4 Computing students registered, and this morning found out that all the Engineering students have registered to take this module. *Aiyo!* Why, oh why? I should have warned them that this module has a high failure rate. Hee! Hee!
Had lunch at Ikea with a long-time good friend - Edward. Good chat and time of catching up.

Wednesday
Course and Project briefing with Year 3 students in the afternoon - full attendance.
Night: Line Dance performance at KBU Multipurpose Hall for the Mid-Autumn Festival event.
7 of us performed a line dance called Playa Latino. I did it for fun, and it was fun indeed. The moves were not perfect but it was a good effort after a week of practice.

Thursday
Lecture on Project - morning and afternoon - few students missing. Typical!
These were the last two lectures on the Final Year Project.

Friday
Went to UM with Yoke Lai to visit my Supervisor. Gave him a copy of my article which was published on the newspaper. He got appointed as the Deputy Dean for the Postgraduate recently. Good to see him again. Heard that he is currently supervising a PhD student doing the same research area as mine - Intelligent Tutoring Systems.
College closed at 4 pm because of Mid-Autumn Festival.
Night: Prayer and Praise at Antioch Centre. Special prayer for Aunty Luan.

Saturday
Bathed Jordan alone.
To 1 Utama for dinner and groceries.

Sunday
Growth Group meeting at Roy and Selvi's
Visited Uncle and Aunty Lim
Then, to Bukit Beruntung Chapel Sunday School - only 7 children came because of the Mid-Autumn Festival season. So, didn't conduct lesson with the Junior class - only 1 came and she slept after the singing session.

Photos of Lantern Making

Children painting their lanterns.

Nai Kyn making the lantern in the shape of a car.

He is sticking the transparent paper onto the wire.

Painting the car.

The finished 'product' which was given to Jordan.

A proud and happy kid with her lantern. We call her 'chicken little'. She is in my Junior Sunday School class - reminds me very much of Jordan - adorable.

Lantern Making

Last Sunday at the Bukit Beruntung Chapel Sunday School, we taught the children how to make lanterns.

These are things/tools that you need:

1. Wire
2. Pliers
3. Multi-colour Transparent papers
4. Pencil
5. Scissors
6. Glue
7. Poster colours (red, green, blue, white and black)
8. Palette
9. Brushes
10. Strings
11. Candles
12. Sticks (eg. wooden chopsticks)

And the steps are ...

1. Using the pliers, bend the wire to the desired shape of the lantern. For example, shape of a butterfly.
2. Using a pencil, wind another wire for the candle holder, and place it at an appropriate position in the shape.
3. Cut the transparent paper according to the shape. Cut in parts.
4. Glue the transparent paper to the wire. Don't put too much glue.
5. Paint/decorate the lantern.
6. Poke 2 holes on top of the lantern (one on each side) for the string to go through.
7. Place the candle.
8. Lastly, tie the stick to the string to hold the lantern.

Sounds easy? A lot of hard work - probably the first and the last time for me. Anyway, I managed to make a simple lantern for Jordan. I wrote his name on the lantern, and requested Yung Ling to draw a rooster's head and the Chinese character for chicken, because Jordan is born in the Year of the Rooster.

The mid-autumn festival is this Friday (6 October 2006). We plan to take Jordan for a stroll round our housing area with the lanterns. Nai Kyn has made one for Jordan too - it is in the shape of a car - blue and orange colour.

Photos at Teluk Gong

Cheeky Jordan

Face off with Reuel

Seng Chor, Jordan and ??

The luscious baked crab with salt

Seafood at Teluk Gong

Where is Teluk Gong? It's in Klang, about 45 minutes to 1 hour drive from Bandar Utama.

Last Saturday night, our Growth Group (GG) together with some of our oikos had a sumptuous seafood dinner in Klang. There were 14 adults and 2 toddlers. Below is our menu:

• Steam prawns
• Stingray
• Vegetables
• Fried mee hoon with mini lala
• Steam lala
• Fried chicken
• Steam fish with mee hoon and taufu (soupy)
• Baked crabs with salt

I enjoyed all the dishes. The highlight of the evening was the Baked crabs with salt - specially ordered. The taste is simply heavenly, luscious, yummy... Everything tasted delightful and gratifying.

Too bad, all Jordan ate was white rice. He spat out the taufu that I tried to feed him. It was funny to see him doing it. He sat on the high chair most of the time. For dinner, he ate his brown rice cereal. He behaved quite alright. So, Seng Chor and I could enjoy our dinner.

It's been quite awhile since we had dinner together as a GG. The food was excellent, the fellowship was great indeed. Well...we didn't really chit-chat much because we were busy with the food - peeling, banging, biting, chewing.