My new washing machine

Absolutely love my new washing machine. :D I used to have a semi-auto washing machine. Not so much on want to save money on buying a washer during that time, it's more on want to keep the water for reuse purpose. Since I was young, my parents have been using semi-auto washing machine. So an automatic washing machine is an alien to me. Every time we need to rinse the water, we will keep the water in pails to be used for flushing the toilet. We save lots of water by doing this way. This has never been changed even till today. My parents are still using semi-auto washing machine at their home.

However after I get married and started living by ourselves, just the two of us at the beginning, we did not use much water. The pails of water were there for few days. Worrying that it might encourage the mosquitoes to breed, I actually stopped collecting the water after a very short while. Even now with the additions of the kids, we still did not use much water as most of the time we are not at home. The monthly water bill is just the minimum amount to pay. The only time I had to pay more was during the confinement month. Another problem is, since it is semi-automatic, it requires human to operate it. We found that it is time consuming to get the laundry done as most of the time, we were doing something else in other room and not somewhere near the washing machine. We could not hear it has stopped and need our action. I could take half a day to get the laundry done. I only do laundry twice a week - kids' clothes on Saturday and me and hubby clothes on Sunday. If it rains on Saturday, then the clothes may not get dried enough, I would have the problem on where to hang the next batch of laundry. And I have to get up very early if I want to slot in to wash our bed sheets for that week. If we need to go out during weekend, I also have issue getting the laundry done.

Few months back, me and hubby decided to get a fully automatic washing machine. It should help us save time spent on the laundry and make our live easier. As I have limited knowledge on automatic washing machine, I went to search some info from the internet before making the purchase. I found this washing machine review website very useful and information. It lists the factors I should consider before deciding on what to buy. During National holiday, we went to shop for the new washing machine. We did not really go to different shops to compare the prices. As long as I could find one that can fulfill my need and reasonable price, I would just make the purchase.

After standing there reading the manual, comparing the features, at last I chose the Hitachi model. It has energy savings, water savings, delay timer, and can load up to 10kg. Just as what I have needed. I know 10kg is big, but it is good when I need to wash bed sheets, sofa covers and curtains. Moreover I just do laundry once a week. so it is a lots to wash. I was actually not sure whether I should go for Hitachi or Samsung. At the end, I decided to go for Hitachi as it used less water as compared to Samsung. The price after discount was slightly more than 1k. It sounds reasonable to me with that big capacity.

The shop did not have ready stock for that model. So we waited for almost a month (partly due to Hari Raya) for it to arrive. It was not as difficult to learn to use it as I thought. It comes with very detailed manual. With the energy savings option turn on, the whole laundry cycle just took slightly more than 1 hour! I just need to sort out the clothes before putting them inside the washing machine, choose the right program and press Start, that's it! I even manage to wash our bed sheets in the following week! I was actually thinking of getting dryer too. A friend told me it could save our time too. But hubby was against the idea. He believes hanging out under the sun is still the best way to dry the clothes as the sun can kill any bacteria. Anyway laundry has become a breeze now. I get to have more time to do other things. Feel so happy. ^_^

Buying Milk

Ever since I was told fresh milk is much better than formula milk, I have switched the kids to taking fresh milk. The boy is on full fresh milk, while they girl I still let her continue taking the Sustagen Chocolate Milk to school. The Chinese shop nearby office is selling the fresh milk at a very reasonable price. I started with getting Dutch Lady brand fresh milk, then not too long after that I switched to Farm House brand as it is of better quality.

About 3 months ago, the Chinese shop changed ownership. During that time, the old owner told us the new owner will continue selling the Farm House fresh milk. Then the new owner took over, and they did sell Farm House fresh milk for a while. Just for a short while. At first, we waited for almost a month for them to re-supply the stock. For I think about a month or two, we get to buy the Farm House fresh milk from this Chinese shop. But just for a month or two. Just before Hari Raya, it was out of stock again. Until now! It was so inconvenient for us. We were searching everywhere for fresh milk. And lots of time, we have to revert to Dutch Lady Brand; sometimes we even have to buy the pasteurized fresh milk which is lower quality.

Besides that, only certain items they maintain same price as the previous owner. Some other items the price is slightly higher; or without the bulk purchase discount. The new owner also is less friendly. In fact, I don't think I ever seen the owner. Those people in the shop are just the staffs. The cashier looks like foreign worker to me. They do not smile and do not greet the customers. Sometimes I can see few Chinese staff around, but not all the time. This shop is just one of the branches. I heard that HQ is in PJ Old Town. Unlike previous owner, where it was a family business, the people are very friendly. It is not just me, even my colleague also prefers the previous owner.

In summary, I don't see the change in ownership is good for the existing customers. Nowadays I will only go there to buy food that I could not get from the Chinese shop near my house. I prefer those shops run by family. The Chinese shop near my house is smaller but they are very friendly people. They can recognize us easily. The kids love them as they are so friendly and very helpful too. Unfortunately they don't sell fresh milk. Their price is also slightly cheaper by around 50 cent. I like to give them business because of their good service and friendliness. Within one year, their shop expanded from one shop lot to two shop lots. In this competitive environment, I believe reasonable price and good customer service is the key to keep the customers happy and loyal to you.

Stories of a Grandma with her Grandchildren

Grandma has 2 sons and 4 grandchildren, 2 from each son. Whenever grandma meets her grand daughter, she would surely "remind" her that she has no manners.

Story 1

One Sunday evening, grand daughter was meeting uncle, aunty, grandma and her cousins. She was so happy the moment she saw them. As usual, she greeted every one of them.

Grand daughter: Aunty, you see I'm so pretty (showing off her beautiful dress).
Grandma: Pretty has no use. It'll better if you have good manner.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story 2

During dinner, papa ordered banana milk for grand daughter and grand son. Uncle chose to have tea together with Grandma. Not too long after that, the drink was being served to everyone. Grand daughter took a sip of the banana milk and she loves it. She also offered it to her brother, before putting it down on the table while waiting for the food.

One moment later, grand daughter realized her drink had gone missing. 
Grand daughter: Ei? Where is my banana milk?

Mama saw uncle was taking a sip of the banana milk. It seems that uncle wanted to taste it. He put it back right after that.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story3

It was a Sunday evening. Grandma, papa, mama, uncle and 2 grandchildren were dining out. It was a traditional Korean food, with various side dishes were served. One of them was this meat ball. However there were only 4 meat balls for all 4 adults and 2 children.

Grand daughter: Mama, I want the meat ball.
Mama took one meat ball and gave to her.

After grand daughter finished the meat ball, she wanted some more. So she asked her mama again.

Grand daughter: Mama, can I have some more meat ball please?
Mama: No, you have your share already. Mama has given you one.  Grandma, uncle and papa still not yet have eaten the meat ball. We have to share the food.

Grand daughter loves meat ball. She wanted more of it. So she continued pestering mama for it.
Grand daughter: Mama, can I have some more meat ball please?
Mama: No.... others have not yet eaten.... mama gives you other food ok? How about some eggs?
Grand daughter: I don't want egg. I want meat ball.

Grandma and uncle overheard the grand daughter asked for the meat ball.

Uncle: You want meat ball? Never mind just take it.
Grandma: Yeah, just take it.
Uncle: Come, uncle takes for you. (Took one meat ball and put on grand daughter's bowl.)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story 4

Kids were playing on their place while waiting for the food at the dinner table; standing on the chair, playing loudly. It was a public place at a restaurant, thinking that the children may disturb other guests in the restaurant; mama had to keep on reminding the children to behave and play quietly. Also it is not save to stand on a chair, also not the right thing to do, mama also keep on asking the children to sit down. However despite numerous reminders, the children still keep on standing and playing loudly. Papa become annoyed and raised his voice to the children. Grandma and uncle think papa should not raise his voice in the public. But without raising voice, the children won't behave.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story 5

Grand daughter always like to sit with aunty whenever they are having dinner together outside. Grandma wanted to take picture with aunty and grand son. Not sure how, grandma took over grand daughter's place. When grand daughter realized her place got taken, she wanted it back.

Grand daughter: Hey this is my place! I want to sit here.
Grandma: Grandma just wants to take picture with aunty for a while. Can you sit over there first?
Grand daughter: Don't want. I want to sit here. I don't want to sit there. (Worrying that she does not get to sit with aunty anymore.)
Grandma: We just want to take photo, it won't take long. You sit over there first, ok?
Grand daughter: No, I want to sit here. (It was a long bench. She tried to squeeze herself thought to reach her place.)
Grandma was not happy about it.
Grandma: No manners! (And put a black face to the grand daughter.)

Mama asked grand daughter to sit with her and apologize to grandma.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story 6

Grand daughter no. 2 is still a baby, about 10 months old. Since she can't take much adult food yet, most of the time she would be sitting on the high chair and watches the adults eating. Sometimes she would feel boring and make some noise to complain. She likes to play with her lips. During one of the dinner session, she was playing with her lips, spouting the saliva loudly and non-stop. Grandma thought she was being funny and went over to play with her. So the grand daughter continued spouting the saliva, making "buuuuu..... buuuu....." sounds there. 


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

5th Anniversary

This post is to remind own self not to repeat the same mistakes again.

Today mark the 5th year wedding anniversary for me and hb. We have been dating for 4 years before we get married. Altogether is a 9 years relationship. During these 9 years, we have been gone through many many things - many tears, many talks, many fights, and of course many happy moments too. We had 2 major fights and almost split. First fight led to a 3-months cool down period. Where in these 3 months, we did not talk and we did not go out with each other. Second fight made me depressed for 9 months. It is the worst time in my life and it is a very expensive lesson learn. I definitely would not like to go through it again. It also has changed me to a different person:

1. Set no expectation

In the past, during weekend I would like hb to help out in the housework. However hb always not motivated to do housework, even though he just needs to clean the floor. One task only. While I had to handle other things, like washing, cooking and taking care the kids (they are very attached to me). So I would feel frustrated over hb's attitude. I would blame him for not helping.

But now not anymore. Because I have changed my thinking - this is my house too. Why would I care if hb helps to clean the house or not? If I want it clean, I can just do it myself. I don't have to depend or rely on other person. So I stopped blaming him. I stopped feeling not happy just because of he's not helping. If I'm not too tired, I will just do it myself. He probably is tired too and would like to rest. It's just us living here. So no rush to stress ourselves to keep the house freaking clean. And what do I get in return? Hb will automatically do the cleaning part without being asked for. This means he's more willing to do it without the "stress" from me. :)

2. Move from family focus to self focus and now try to balance it with the kids

I used to do lots of things for other people in the family - hb or the kids. I enjoyed doing things for them, and even willing to sacrifice my limited personal time just for them. I feel terrible when I feel all effort spent was not appreciated. But in fact, I never think of is this what they want. If it is not what they want, of course they won't appreciate it. So I'm making myself getting hurt. Feel stupid right? I learn my lesson and started to keep some personal time for myself everyday. That's how the sleeping late habit started. I realized that without fixing myself, I cannot keep others happy. Without fixing myself, I won't be able to have more energy for others. Without fixing myself, I cannot feel happy. So the me time is important. It also helps me to de-stress after a full day work in the office.

3. Have common interest and stay connect

Hb and I used to go exercise - jogging, gym or swimming when we were dating and also after married before we have any kids. We stopped the weekly exercise routine after L was born. L was very much attached to me and I felt bad had to trouble the parents to take care the baby. With no activities being done together, slowly we didn't feel stay connect with each other. Many times, I did not know what is in his mind. Of course we were still talking. However it is just not the same feeling anymore.

Now we will do some activities where both of us enjoy. Whether we are staying at home, or going out, with the kids or without the kids. We have common group of friends or people that we know. We have common topics to talk about.

4. Support each other

In the past, I gave my support to him using my way. Thinking it was what he need. But now, I learn to support him in the way that how he want it. We give each other full freedom on things that we want to do. He is fine with me going out with friends leaving the kids with him at home.

Right now, I would say we are in a very stable relationship and there should be nothing that can break us apart. Hb is not a very romantic person. So I won't hope for any flowers or candle light dinner. In fact in the past 4 years, there was no celebration on this day at all. But this is not important. Most important is, we still love each other and we want to keep this relationship moving on.

Happy Anniversary to me, and have a nice day to all of you. :)

I don't want to be rude

Those of you who are living on the same country with me, I'm sure you may also get some phone call, from XXX bank, telling you that "Oh you are very lucky, in conjunction with our promotion bla bla bla you have been chosen to enjoy this special programme only offered to our special customers bla bla bla", right?

To me, I don't really mind getting this kind of phone call. I do understand that they are just doing their job. However lately, I met a person that I really cannot hold back and got myself very rude to him. He was trying to sell the insurance plan to me. Normally they will call up during office hour, and ask if you can talk or not. He said it is about a special program offer to me. And then he started to talk about this special program Apparently is an insurance policy. I tried to be nice and polite, and I waited until he finished explaining everything. I also tried not to be biased, and asked a few questions about it, just to make sure I do understand what he's trying to offer. Alright, now time for him to ask if I am interested on taking the offer. Well, the policy did sound good. I was thinking maybe I should check with my SIL, who is an insurance agent, about this insurance policy that he offered me. In another way, yes I'm considering getting it. So I told him I want to think about it. And that's where the story begins.

He thought maybe I was not too clear about the benefits of the policy, and tried to explain to me again how good it is, how different it is from other policy (apparently all insurance agent will do the same thing too). I told him I have no doubt on how good the policy is, I just want to discuss with my husband about it as it involved additional expenses to the household. He quoted example of Jusco member day, where the offer only valid for one day and I cannot go back few days later to buy the things paying the offer price which is not valid anymore. I then reminded him that, at least I was informed on when is the Member day in advance (Jusco will send mail to all the Jusco members before the event take place) and I can always go with my family and we can decide on the spot whether to buy or not. He continued to say things that trying to convince me to buy on the spot, telling me (again) how good the policy that I need not let it go bla bla bla. What I dislike about him, as if he's right all the time and I was not doing it right, or my action of discussing with husband is unnecessary. While being a consumer and customer, I believe I have my rights of doing thing according to my way and make my own decision about it.

It had been more than 15 minutes on the phone with this guy and I was in the office, early morning. I started get annoyed on his long winded speech and I finally told him that, I am not interested to buy anymore. I just want to hang up and continue with my work. I know I sound very rude. I definitely prefer a better way to end the phone conversation.

One month later, I got another call from XXX bank again on some special offer again. This time I become smarter and I asked is it about insurance policy. He said it is about an special offer to me, for my birthday actually and it will just take me 5 minutes. I recognized is the same annoying guy that I have spoken earlier. Immediately I told him, if it is about insurance, I'm not interested at all. As I do not need a new insurance policy. Well, he did not give up. He insisted I should listen to him first. And then he continued to talk about the insurance policy. I waited until he finished, and repeated to him that I don't need a new policy and I'm not interested. He still keep on asking questions about what insurance that I have etc trying to convince me this is different from my other existing policies and I should get it. Well, I already mentioned that I am not interested, why can't he listen to me? Anyway, I still answered his questions, and insisted to him that, I'm not buying! And I want to hang up because he's disturbing me to work! I know I am rude. But again, I don't want to waste my time on him. And he finally got the message and hang up.

He's not the only tele-marketer who calls me up. I do receive lots of other calls on this special offer thing too. But most of them, when I said I'm not interested, they won't explain more, they will just say Thank you for your time and hang up. I think it is important that in the sales and marketing line, you listen to your customer. Not necessary that even if you are selling the best product in the world, we must buy from you. There are time when we buy a product, not because it is the best, but because the sales person has the right attitude and that make us feel happy to buy from them.