Excuse Me, That's Our Prerogative!

Whenever parents get around chatting about their kids' schools, one will hear different opinions and endless debates on which is the best school to enrol into.   Parents these days especially the Malaysian Chinese prefer to send their kids to Chinese schools for one reason or another.  The core objective is to have their kids be able to read and write the Chinese language as an added advantage.   Many even opined that China is gradually opening her door to foreign market and this will create abundance of job opportunities for the years to come and hence, not mastering the language will somehow thwart one's chances to penetrate into the market (I'm sorry to admit that we are not convinced by this reason to enrol our kid into a Chinese school).  Of course, some parents send their kids to chinese schools due to their lack of faith and confidence in the national schools as the standard of the goverment school teachers had deteriorated at an alarming rate. Teachers nowadays are not as efficient and attentive like the old days. 

I was somehow offended by some relatives' comment that my hubby and I were "stupid" for sending our only child to a private school!!!  Well, for someone who did not complete his/her studies, did not understand the importance of education and had no vision of what's the real world is like out there if one's without proper acadamic qualification, has no right to pass judgement as such!!   

We are not arguing that private school is the best school there is.  The point is that we respect our friends/relatives' choice of schools and we expect likewise from them.  Otherwise, I would take it as anyone who insults our choice of school is a method of disguise of their jealousy of our independence and competence to pay for the school fees..;-)) 

Yes, A Typical Auntie I Am!...LOL

"Don't think of the price, just grab whatever you like from the shelf!", cried my nephew. "Yeah, sure!", I replied him as he volunteered to go shopping with me.  The best part was that hubby agreed to sponsor my shopping spree without a blink of an eye (so loving him for his generous gesture).  Budget set at RM1,000 and of course, I knew I wouldn't exceed it ..;-)

I arrived at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur at eleven in the morning and found my way to our meeting point, La Bodega.  I heard a lot about this place but haven't been there myself.   We settled down in a cozy spot and I ordered a cup of warm creamy cappucino and their signature dish, "American Breakfast".  And much to my chagrin, the food wasn't up to my expectation.  The review of their breakfast set is so over-rated but their cappuccino tasted good though.

After filling up our empty tummies, we headed straight for  Bossini where I bought a casual denim dress.  And before I could even took out my wallet to pay, my nephew flashed out his membership card to collect points!  Apparently, he is a frequent patron to Pavilion and had just started to accumulate points not long ago to become Pavilion VIP member.  Hahaha!  Next, we advanced to Okaidi, Pumpkin Patch and Gap Kids.  We went about checking out and comparing prices - oops not WE, actually I.  My nephew teased me for being such a "typical auntie".  Anyway, after much comparisons, I purchased two pairs of leggings and a long sleeve shirt from Gap Kids for my little one.

The branded lady handbags shop, Tod's caught my eye.  I walked in, took a brief tour around the shop and immediately fell in love with a gorgeous tote bag but my conscience said, "not this time, save the money for other things" and walked out.    My nephew has such high taste. He took me to Armani Exchange and made me tried on an off-shoulder purple blouse priced at RM250.  I can't deny the fact that it did give me a fresh look but I just couldn't convinced myself to buy it.  Price was one thing and furthermore, the design was too formal for the office and casual outings.  

We last shopped at Dorothy Perkins.  My nephew was quick to choose some blouses for me,  which designs I wouldn't bother to look if I were alone by my own.  Well, those pieces turned out to look good on me - something simple yet practical. I could wear them to work and for my weekend outings with hubby.   And that last transaction of day at Dorothy Perkins qualified my nephew to become a VIP member.  I got a discount on the spot and a RM25 voucher for my next purchase! Not too bad, huh.

My total spending for the day was RM350, way below my budget.  I was teased and mocked at for being such a typical auntie for checking and comparing prices, having no guts to put on something far too different from my usual style and always keeping tab on my budget. Hahaha!.. Nonetheless, this rare retail therapy with my nephew was a fun day out for me :-)

Making My Loved Ones Happy Through Their Stomachs..:-)

Cooking is never my forte but of late, after experimenting a few new dishes on my own, I kinda begin to comprehend why homemakers like to cook for their loved ones.  I personally get lots of satisfaction seeing my two precious enjoy eating my cooking.  Probably they wouldn't want to hurt my feelings but then again, a six year old kid doesn't lie, right? If she says it's nice and yummy, it gotta be nice and yummy. Haha!  I like stealing glances at my hubby everytime he takes his first bite of my food.  To be frank, I can't read his poker face!  But mostly, he likes whatever I whip up for him (I'm not blowing my own trumpet here..really!)..;-))

My girl is one fussy eater.  She's  just like me -not adventurous in exploring new recipes.  Kim Gary is one of her favourite diners and every visit, without fail, she'll order her favourite dish, that is pork chop nissin noodles. Well, last week at Kim Gary, it took the chef ages to prepare her order. The kitchen staff made a mistake and my girl had to wait for more than 20 minutes before her food was served.  I ordered baked cheese rice with pork chop for myself.  My dish arrived first and since she was famished, I offered her to eat some of mine.  She refused at first but after much coaxing, she finally took a bite. And voila! She loved it and kept asking for more!!  The next thing I knew, she said, "Mom, can you please cook this for me at home?" *giving me the pleading look*.  How could I possible say no, right?

This week, I attempted 2 new dishes - baked cheese rice with chicken sausages (upon request) and the other, baked cajun pork ribs.  Both turned out to be a success!  Hearing praises like "umph..nice, it's better than Kim Gary's and yes, tastes good" from my girl and hubby, worth every minute I spent in the kitchen.

Guess what?  Hubby suggests to have fish for our next weekend meal!  Must now hurry to get new recipes to impress him..;-))