The "Me" time

It is so difficult to find some "me" time these days. 

It's always work, homework, work, homework. Weekends are again homework, classes for the kid.

Repeat over and over again.

My second pregnancy has been nothing like the first. First was a breeze. Second is just full of up and down. First, everyone wants to know how I've been doing. Second, no one bothers. People are only interested in the firsts, I guess :)

So enough with the rambling. I have finally managed to put my daughter's first birthday album together. She actually had 3 celebrations - one on her actual birthday where we visited the KL Bird Park followed by a small cake cutting party at home, second was in Penang with my family where we took our family for a Thai seafood dinner and had a cake cutting celebration there. The third one was the actual celebration party where we invited a host of guests, hired a clown and set up a grand canopy+table set. We did spend quite a bit for that. But it was worth it, because when I showed the pictures to my daughter while I was doing the photobook, she was actually excited!

Ok, that's an off topic thing. I wanted some "me" time, remember? So what did I do? Yoga. 

Pre-natal yoga to be exact. I did attend one when I was pregnant with the first. It was a weekly class with a class duration of 1 hour at the Yoga Academy in Brickfields. It cost me RM150 for 4 classes then. I called them up again and it still costs the same. But the problem with it? The schedule. I can't make it for the Saturday afternoon class which is their only class offered for pre-natal yoga. So I searched for an alternative.

Lucky for me, I found two studios near home offering the class. I reached out to both through Facebook page (it was easier than calling) and one of the studios gave me the answers I needed while the other wanted my contact number so that they can get a consultant to call me. I decided to go with the studio that responded to my query.

Four classes, each 2 hours long and the classes are valid for 2 months all for RM140. That was good enough for me. Plus, it's near, very near, to home. The class is on every Sunday afternoon. Fits fine with me. I prepared some dish for lunch, showered and got to class today. But since it was my first time at the studio, I actually didn't know how to get there. Anand followed me of course, and we were 30 minutes late. But it was ok for first class I guess. I'll try to be there earlier next time.

Now, the class was just great. As I've been to other pre-natal yoga before, I feel the new class is just challenging and yet more fulfilling. I felt energized right after the class. Relaxed as well. I felt it was a well-spent 1.5 hours. The class I used to attend in 2013 was more into relaxation and simple techniques. Simple stretching here and there, and that's it. But today, I was actually sweating, it was an actual yoga that is for pregnancy - a good amount of stretching, good amount of rests in between. Not fast paced but easy enough to follow.

I'm glad I found this place and this class. I finally found some time to relax, and connect with my second baby :) 

Thank GOD!

Now, need to find a time for pre-natal spa. 

It's here!

My book set is here. Received it earlier than expected and it is definitely in good condition.

Much better condition than the one I saw at the secondhand bookstore. Pages are clean, crisp. Well-kept book. I know I paid quite a bit on the postage, and it could be cheaper. But it is still way cheaper than the price quoted to me at the secondhand bookstore.

Books were neatly packed by the seller (thank you!) and it arrived in complete set. For a book that's as old as 35 years, the condition is just amazing. 

Now, let's wait for the second set of books (last published in 1988) to arrive.

Update: Second set arrived in a EVEN better condition! So proud of myself for the find! :)

Books, books and books!

I can't believe I have not blogged for few months! Can you believe that? Of course you can, you saw no posts for the past few months, and it's not something new, isn't it?

My baby is now all grown up *isk* she's turning 16! 16 months that is... :P So that means, I get to spend more time with her and she knows what I'm trying to teach her. She now walks and talks! Babbles most of the time, but she can say some simple words to get what she wants... like wanting touch something. Or wanting to eat banana. Yes, just like me, she likes banana.

And the fact that she's more mobile now is enough to keep me on my toes. She's very responsive to instructions and requests for her to do something. So, what is my point now telling all this? 

I've been busy of course! Now you know, why the blog has been lonely for so long? Hehe...

Alright, now that my daughter has been growing up at lightning speed, it's a good time to start building that little library I have always dreamt of for my children. 

Yes, with physical books. 

No, not my Kindle library. 

Yes, the books has no batteries. 

No, you have to read to those books.

Yes, by actually flipping the pages.

Yes, library for children exists.

When I was a kid, my parents unknowingly (I think it was just by chance) bought a library set for me (and my sisters). That one thing helped shape my future. They didn't know reading starts at an early age. They just thought the books would help us in one way or another. I loved those books. I would spend hours browsing and reading. Reading again and again. 

And they went missing. The books I mean, not my parents.

I knew I had to get those books back - back in my shelf. My daughter must read these book. She simply has to. I despise those who has never touched these books as kids. I truly am saddened - saddened that my daughter may never read these books. The fact that these books are no longer in publications means, I cannot buy any new editions of the ones I used to read. 

And so, I found out a secondhand book dealer in KL - Junk Book Store at the heart of KL city. I called them up and found out they do have the book sets available and apparently, in good condition too.

You see, good condition is a very subjective term. I was hoping it to be almost new, untouched kind of good condition - because the price they quoted was well above what my dad paid for many years ago. I know, I know... I was expecting too much. But the price that they quoted, equates to my expectation.

Only to be let down. I was hunting for 2 sets of books. One set looked as if it was dug out from a trash bin. There were torn pages, plenty of markings and scribbles. The other set looks good from the outside. The covers were nice, but there were so many markings, drawings, scribbles and what appears to be hand prints of kids. I was really disappointed. Price was not negotiable at all. I didn't feel happy paying the sum and I knew Internet will have the answer.

Ok, eBay to be exact. Just to be clear, I have searched these books in eBay before, but sellers were either selling incomplete set or bad condition set. Not too happy about it either.

But luck was on my side when I finally had the time to comb through eBay and find the books I wanted. I found two of my favourite set, both located in US, one being a rare collection now. Vintage set, how about that! Now I know why the secondhand book dealer was charging me an arm and leg for it.Non-negotiable on top of that!

Surprise surprise, the price was negotiable on eBay (I gave my best offer and it was accepted). And with the shipping and all, what I paid was just half of what the secondhand book dealer quoted me. And the best part is, the ones I just purchased were in excellent condition - at least from the pictures shared to me by the seller - far, way far, better than what Junk Book Store had in their store. I wish, I could bring my books to them and show it to them.

Well of course I can't.

Who would lug 31 books across the KL city just to prove a point? And, it's in their name - they call themselves "junk" for a reason, right?

Anyway, I don't have the books yet in my hands and I can't wait to touch and flip them. These gems, (yes, GEMS) are on their way to their new home. I am excited... I finally found something that was so much part of my childhood which I treasured so much. I'm sad the original books that I read are missing now... but I am also glad, I found a replacement for it - and one that is in good condition too.

Watch for my updates when the books are delivered to me.

By the way, eBay's global shipping program is just so awesome. It takes the worry out of me cracking my head over import duties, taxes and customs. :)

So now, Mr Husband - we have a library to build. :)

Giving a head start

My girl has spent almost every day of her life with only 3 people. My mother-in-law, my husband and myself. Every other people are just hi-bye. It got me really worried because I feel she started losing out on social life.

Her cousins are way back in Penang whom she only got to meet once. Lack of interaction with people has made my girl lose out a bit on social communication and that kept ringing alarms in my head every night.

I have heard a lot about baby playgroups and baby gyms. Most of these places take babies as young as 6 months old. Some even start out earlier - 3 months, or even earlier. I wasn't too keen enrolling my baby at such a young age given the fact she hardly has her immune built. I can't be spending every week taking care of a sick baby, can I? :P

As my baby approached her 9-month old birthday, I started scouting around for a good playgroup for her. Gymboree and Kindermusik were to choices that I had which was within my budget. I had my own reasons why I narrowed down to only 2 options. There are aplenty of options out there, which are either too expensive for me or too exhaustive for the baby. And I don't want to be the kiasu mother wanting her baby's right brain developed more than the left brain. I wanted normal development :)

So, after discussing with my husband, I scheduled for trial classes with Kindermusik and Gymboree. 

Kindermusik trial was ok. I went to the centers's HQ at PJ, somewhat near the SS2 mall and not too far from my own office. Location wise, the place is within reach on weekends. For weekdays, forget it. I know how terrible the traffic is. The center was at triple-storey (I think) shop-lot. After registration, a lady escorted us to a room few floors up. Since Baby Ma is less than 18 months old, she can only enrol in a program called Kindermusik Village. There were 3 other registered babies and 2 babies on trial pass. The class concentrates on singing, dancing and playing with different instruments suitable for the babies. 

My verdict, it was just ok. I did not enjoy the class. Although my baby was actively crawling around, she was just curious. There is nothing much that she can do. I sing quite badly, and my dance moves are equally terrible, so it wasn't really a good start for me. The choice of activities are just about music, and teacher guides parents on ways to bond with their child. The entire class duration was 45 minutes. What I liked about the class was the size - it was at a manageable size, closed environment. What I didn't like was how judgemental the teacher was towards my baby. She did not make an effort to find out how old she is and assumed she is a toddler - and was giving out comments or remarks that did not make me feel my baby was in right hands.

Kindermusik classes goes by semesters. Each semester consists of 8 classes, and you pay by semester. You can't replace missed classes. This was a setback for me, because sometime, I travel or have to attend some functions - if I can't replace missed classes, it's a big turnoff for me. Fees are around the region of 500++ per semester which includes some materials (book, CDs), course fee and registration fee.

Next was Gymboree trial class which we attended today at Bangsar Village. We eventually signed up for this. The classes consists of play, music and arts (they also have yoga and sports but not for my baby's age group). Each of the class are split into several levels based on the baby's age. For my baby's age (at 10 months old) she was enrolled in the Level 3 play class for the trial. I particularly liked this, because she gets to mingle with kids of her own age group. How do you expect a 10-month-old to talk to a 3-month-old? So the levels are really good to start with. The class size was quite big (around 9-10 kids were there). But I was told there is a limit to the size (15?) 

There were lots of activities areas for babies in the play class, Every 2 weeks the theme changes so that the kids have something new to learn. I don't know yet whether the themes get repeated, but it's a good thing the environment gets a fresh boost every now and then. There were 2 packages available for us - Package A for 12 consecutive classes of one type of class which was worth RM1000 inclusive annual membership fees. Package B consists of 48 classes that cost us RM2.8k. We were given extra 4 classes for using HSBC card making the total number classes to 52 - which are valid for a year and we can mix and match play, music and arts classes. Additional 10 playgym vouchers were given as well. Honestly, this was much cheaper than Kindermusik option.

Class verdict, my baby loved it as much as I did. There were plenty of babies of the same age group, parents who are at the same boat as I am and there were good amount of activity areas for babies. The teachers are attentive, trying very best to spend time with all the kids. The environment seems to foster more active communication and even from day 1, I can see my baby trying to "communicate" tots around. It was amusing. :)

When I was a kid, I never really had these exposure. But I'm sure my parents would have given it to me if only it was available then. The amount of money spent is not cheap. I used to open my mouth wide when people tell me their kids daycare or kindergarten fees comes up to 300++ per month for their 4-year-olds. Well, I just invested into something worth 200++/month for my child - all in the hope it gives her a good childhood head start. Am I going over the board? Naah... this is the best that my husband and I can give...for now... :)