The engineer on the run

Added another run to my list, the IEM Engineer's Run 2013, winning myself the 4th place in the 3.6km run :)

The finisher medal and winning trophy!

I share this win with my boys :)  *wink

It's because of Nixon that I started running.. to motivate and be a running partner for him.
It's because of Thytus and Aaron I continue to run.. to show that being a finisher is also winning.
It's because of Dylan that want to go on runing.. to admit that I am still young *wink*

September 7, 2013

He joins his brothers

... at the Giant Kids Run 2013, officiating his first run!

I was away on a business trip.. so the boys went to the run with apps, taatha and ammachi. In the 4-6 year old category, the children are required to run with a parent.

Dylan ran with apps. When he saw some children being carried by their parent, he too wanted to be carried! Nevertheless, with lots persuasion, he finished his 760m run by himself, accompanied by apps. Well done baby! :)

My baby... a finisher of his 1st run :)

When Aaron was at the starting point, he told his ammachi, "Last year amma held my hands. If she had let go, I could have run faster and won.." So this year, amma told appa to let go of his hand if he can do it..

I was surprised that he remembered I held his hand during the last year's run. I was actually worried that the other children and parents might trip him.. in a bid to get to the finishing line..  He had not mentioned anything to me during the last year, and even in preparation for the run... Wow! What memory.. and analytical mind.

Aaron all set for his run!

Aaron was right. He could run faster than his taatha. So appa let go of his hand as they were nearing the finishing line.. and he beat two more children to become the 12th. Winning position up to top 10 :) Just missed...

Well done Aaron.. we are proud of you :)

While Aaron and Dylan ran 760m in the 4-6 year old category, Nixon ran 1.85 km in the 7-8 year old category while Thytus ran 2.2 km in the 9-10 year old category. While they were on the run, ammachi was interviewed by the media...

in the Star, published on Thursday September 19, 2013

Chandra Kanaga, 63, who came to the run with her husband and three grandchildren, said it was the third time that her grandchildren were participating in the event.“Their grandfather encouraged them,” she said, adding that they are keen to join next year as she believes that it is a good outing for her grandchildren.

in the New Straits Times, published on Thursday September 19, 2013

 Grandmother Chandra Kanaga, 63, who wanted her grandchildren to be fit, encouraged them to take part in the event."My grandchildren have been taking part since Giant first held it. I get them to participate in the run and they have always been excited about the event," said Chandra Kanaga.

Finisher medals and certificates of my little finishers :)

Grabbing the gold!

We're proud of you, Nixon!

Priceless picture: Father hugging his son after his first victory!

Grand support always, from loving grandpa!

All for gold

During the last school holidays, in a bid to encourage the boys to do some work sheets, apps and I prepared three ‘piston cups’: gold, silver and bronze.

The 2011 BENS trophy

The boys wanted the gold cup each.. but we told them that the person with the most stars will get it. The stars came from completing work sheets, being helpful around the house and just ‘being nice’.

Frankly, they didn’t go all out in getting the stars.. but worked on the work sheets as they wished (couldn’t force them as I was not right beside them). Nevertheless, they earned some stars by sharing with each other, helping me with the house work, etc..

D-day arrived.

At the end of the holidays, we counted the stars.. and guess who got the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place?

Thytus, the champion
(hmmm, as says his blog!)

Nixon and Aaron who got the 2nd and 3rd respectively were not happy.. and didn’t want to accept the silver and bronze ‘piston cup’. On the other hand, since they didn’t want it, Thytus was happy to receive it all!

Cheeky boy bagging all of the cups!

No quite relenting, Nixon still took his silver cup, but Aaron didn’t. Both of them have promised to try for the gold cup the next time.

Made the cover story

Wow! I didn’t realize that my article could take place as the cover story in the Monthly Bulletin of the Institute of Engineers, Malaysia.

I knew my article entitled “Satellite Communications: International and National Regulatory Framework” was to be published in the September issue, but I didn’t know that it would be out as the cover story.

I am proud of myself! *pat on the back* ;)

My first attempt

After 3 ½ years of marriage, last Sunday was my first time making a complete Indian breakfast. I made idli and coconut chutney.

I didn’t use the instant flour. I made the flour all by myself.. with tips from appa and amma. I must say, it came out real good, nice and soft. I even made chutney to go with it.

I was real proud of myself as this is my first time preparing typical Indian dishes.. and it turned out well! I am real proud of myself. This is definitely a good start.

Apps had a nice big serving while the boys actually sat and ate breakfast properly. Lil’ President had his idli with chutney, while Champion preferred to have it with the sardine sambal.

Apps said it even taste better than the ones served in shops. Yippee!

Want to try it yourself? Here are the recipes I found in the internet that you could use for the idli and coconut chutney.

Climbing the ladder

Thambhi got an unexpected promotion. Usually it is a long wait. But thambhi got it within 3 years of joining the service. Congratulations, thambhi!

He did tell that his seniors have waited for 6 years and only got their promotion now, with him. Hehehe.. Too bad, huh!

Best of all, he was posted to his same location, KL. Unlike his colleagues, some has been posted to other states. Way to go, thambhi! I guess they needed you in KL.. the crime action hub? :)

Thambhi wanted to treat us dinner.

With all the excitement and happiness, we went over to amma's place. We bought a cake for him. We even got a popper.. to be popped when he cut the cake. As usual, Champion headed the cake cutting session! and POP!

The boys were excited to see the confetti all over the place.. Champion started picking it up and throwing it again. Lil’ President sat down and did the same. He wanted to be surrounded by the confetti!

Later we headed to Chili’s at Mid Valley for dinner.

Lil’ President was excited to be able to walk by himself while holding our fingers. Hi walking was like running to us.. We could not see his small steps on the floor.. ZOOM!

Both the both enjoyed their meals (or rather, our meals). The kid’s meal didn’t arrive till we were half way through our meals! The boys had to dig into our meals instead.

The moment we arrived back at parent’s place, lil’ President straight away ran to the dining hall and sat himself in the pool of confetti and started playing again! Huh?! He remembered about it?

Lil' role model

Champion was bald 2 years consecutively during St. Anne’s feast in 2004 and 2005. Similarly, we wanted to bald lil’ President twice during St. Anne’s feast too. We bald him last year and we did the same this year.

We were afraid of how he might react when he was being bald.. will he scream, cry, fuss, push away? With all those possibilities, we headed to the barber the moment we came back from the St. Anne’s feast trip.

Surprisingly, lil’ President didn’t fuss. He happily let the barber wet his head and start shaving his head! He was even smiling when he looked himself in the mirror.

In the mean time, Champion was getting himself familiar to the barber shop. Though he has been here before, he was feeling better b’coz it was not him having a hair cut. Then he asked to be seated in the chair next to apps. While he was entertaining himself watching the mirror in front of him and talking to himself, I made sure lil’ President was cooperating with the barber.

We were so glad that lil’ President made it very easy for the barber as well as for us :)

After paying the barber, we asked Champion to get off the chair to leave the shop. But he sat there and said, “Cut for me also.” Huh? We were shocked. We looked at each other, Is he serious?

He said it again.. and didn’t want to get down. Wow! Happily, we asked him to shift chairs and sit on the platform to make him higher. He sat there with no fuss! A bigger Wow!

Since he just had a hair cut two weeks ago, we told him to modify the hair style. Even the last time he made a fuss. The barber was not able to do a good job. So, the barber was very happy that he agreed to sit there by himself and get himself a proper haircut. After a scissor cut, he had a machine cut. Then the barber ask about shaving the edges. Apps said, “Do it while he is okay with it!” And so the barber completes Champion’s hair cut with a neat shaving at the edges.

Actually we were in shock and disbelieve till he let the barber start snipping his hair. The barber even commented that he is now satisfied that he did a complete hair cut, compared to the one two weeks ago.



Apps and I were so proud of both of them. Champion had overcome his fear for hair cutting, while lil’ President was the role model for his brother.

All this while, he hasn’t watched lil’ President cut his hair as we were waiting for St. Anne’s feast. Little did we realize that Champion could be convinced into cutting his hair by just watching his brave thambhi do it without any fuss.

He's so brave

Since Champion is in his Barney craze now, we brought him to see Barney in person at One Utama last week. As I was bringing him to the entrance for kids, I tried telling him that I’m not following him and he will be alone inside there. He didn’t hear me.. it was too noisy. So, I decided to just let him go..

He went in the fenced area and got himself seated on the floor. In the mean time, I was trying to get myself to a better position to have a look look on him.

As I was doing that, I didn’t notice that the person in charge (PIC) had moved him to the other side of the crowd. It just took a few seconds and when I looked for him again, he was not where he was supposed to be. Arrghh!

I had to ask the PIC to look out for him.. and they pointed out that he had gone to the other side. Phew!

So, I quickly run to the other side and watch him enjoying himself. He was watching other kids (his favourite distraction), doing what they did.. singing and dancing along with Barney and his friends.



After that, the kids were invited for a photo session. I got Champion to follow the crowd and soon he was on stage. I was so proud.. the person who was scared of the clown at his birthday party, was not scared now. While keeping his eyes on Barney, he found himself a spot on the bench, climbed on it and kept on staring at Barney. I only managed to get a picture of Champion facing his back to me.. *sigh*.



Excited by how he enjoyed the Barney show, we brought him for another round on Sunday. This time, he was responsive than the previous time. I just stood there watching him, admiring the way he was standing all by himself.

When Barney was out, we noticed that the taller kids were blocking his view. Apps wanted to call him back, and carry him so that he can have a better view of Barney. But, Champion proved that it was not necessary. He made his way in between the big kids and got himself a better view. He was not greedy though.. he just stood where he can watch Barney and didn’t rush to the front row.



During the photo session, I was hoping that I would get a better picture this time. He made his way with the other kids, waiting for his turn. This time I got a better picture, coz’ he got himself seated, but both Barney and Champion didn't face front at the same time. So, I had to make do with I got :) Before he left, he waved goodbye to Barney and BJ and walked down the stage.

I was proud to see him in the crowd of kids. Considering that this is his first time in this kind of events, he was very brave.

All I can say.. he makes me proud, again :)

Learning to share

Last evening, when we arrived home, he immediately jumped on the bicycle. He was not strong enough to ride it.. but only managed to step on the pedal backwards.. of course, no movement yet. After some time, he was able to move forward with half steps (180 degrees circle). Not bad for a start.. Give him some time, he will be riding like a pro!

In the mean time, lil’ President was excited with the new bicycle too. The moment Champion got off the bicycle, he rushed and climbed on it. When Champion turned back and saw his brother on the bike, he was so unhappy. He started crying.. “Get down, my bicycle.. get down, mine...”

In between his cries, I tried to explain to him, “Its not yours, its for both of you. You have to share.” He was not satisfied. He wanted lil’ President to get down. He continued crying.. He even tried to push lil’ President off the bike.. cannot; he then tried pushing the bicycle! Champion was unable to push him off as we were holding on to the bicycle and lil' President.

I didn’t want Champion to get the bicycle because of his cries or his pushing, so I allowed lil’ President to continue sitting on the bicycle. Mean, huh? ;)

He was still crying. I told him, “Zip!”.. he still cried. “If you continue like this, go and sleep. Cannot share means go and sleep”, he was already testing me. Immediately, he went over to his little sofa and lied down.. still sobbing. Ah? He listened to me? I didn’t know he understood that he was punished when I said go and sleep.

As I was trying to calm Champion, he got another idea. While still sobbing, he wheeled the toddler bicycle which is now lil’ President’s and said, “Thambhi, sit here. This one nice. Sit here..” while patting the seat. And it worked!

Lil’ President didn’t mind the toddler bicycle and Champion happily climbed back onto his bicycle. I guess he has had enough of Champion’s fuss ;P

After things had cooled down, I took Champion him in my arms and asked him whether he will share his bicycle with his brother. He said no. Then I said, “If you don’t share your bicycle, you’re not a good boy.” He didn’t care.. I asked him again and again, he answered me the same thing. We went on for about 5-6 times.. I told him, “If you’re good boy, I can share more things with you.” After a little while, he said he will share. Phew! What a relieve. As a reward, I gave him shark shaped jelly beans.. he took two for each hand.

After a little while, he was climbing onto the toddler bicycle.. I pointed out to him, “See, thambhi let you share his bicycle. So, you also must share, okay..”. He just nodded his head.

To test him again, after a few minutes I asked him whether he will share his bicycle with thambhi? To my relieve, he said he didn’t mind sharing the bicycle with his brother. To prove himself, he didn’t even push lil’ President off the bicycle. WOW!

Now, Champion is willing to share his bicycle with his brother. When lil’ President is on his bicycle, he will get another vehicles.. He does have a wide variety of choices!

Barney vs World Cup

First, it was Barney vs American Idol. Now, it is Barney vs World Cup. What do we do now?

Last night, we had to ask his permission to watch the Korea vs Togo match. We wanted to give him the feeling that he is the person in-charge, so that he won't get too upset over watching football over barney. He politely obliged..

I knew I had to get him interested in the game so that he won't ask us to switch back to Barney. I started narrating the game.. the more he understands about the game, the more interested he will be.

He watched how the players fell down, kicked the ball high into the air and how they scored the goals. After a few introductory minutes, Champion lied down on my lap and started watching the game, while holding a little football in his hands.

He started catching up real fast. While watching the game, now and then, he would say, "fall down", "kick so high", "ooo", "aaaa", "GOAL!", "running fast".

Cool.. he is learning to watch the game already.

Hmm, may be now we will have more freedom of the TV for the World Cup? ;)

Happy & Speechless

I am happy because..
Champion has stopped drinking milk in the nights. He is no more waking up in the middle of the night asking "Appa, susu".

Early this year he reduced his night milk requirement to twice, about two months ago he reduced to once, and since two weeks ago, no more!

It all started when I got pregnant the second time, when Champion was about 4 months old. During the pregnancy, I was always tired and couldn’t wake up at night to attend to Champion. Apps and I had agreed that he will take care of Champion while I take care of lil’ President.

While in his care, he had fed Champion milk every time he cries.. assuming he was hungry. That routine continued and Champion got used to it until over 2 years old. Even if he was not hungry, he will get up and ask for his ‘susu’.

Pity apps.. I couldn’t help even after lil’ President grew older. Champion only wanted apps to make him his night milk.

Thank goodness, now he has grown out of it. It is actually for the good of both apps and Champion. Apart from Champion reducing the possibility of tooth decay, both of them can have a good night sleep.

I am speechless because..
Lil’ President is climbing almost everything… Wait! Correction.. not almost everything, actually, EVERYTHING!

Yesterday I caught him climbing the TV cabinet which is taller than him. He hung from the edge, and started climbing himself up. He walked on the walls of the cabinet and tried to get higher!

He did the same thing at the back of the sofa. He was able to climb a side table ¾ his height. He even climbs the gate.

Oh my goodness, what else will he be climbing next?

When I look at all this, Champion is a gem. But still, I know lil’ President is just experimenting his surrounding. We’ll give him some time before he understands the danger?!

He is walking

Lil' President has started walking on his own now. He achieved this milestone just one week before Champion.

Though he is wobbly at times, he manages to walk quite a distance. Sometimes, he prefers to crawl.. especially when he cannot catch up with Champion!



Now, with two mobile little boys I can expect more running around, more climbing, more screaming "Don't climb this, don’t climb that!" and the list will go on and on... *sigh*

Apart from walking, he is also climbing the staircase. He holds the rail and tries to walk by himself. But fearing that he may loose balance, I still stand guard behind him.

I must mention, he is one step ahead of Champion in terms of climbing down the split level staircase at MILs. Champion used to sit on each staircase (there are 2 levels), but lil' President is climbing up and down by himself with the support of the side cabinet. When I watched him yesterday, I was amazed by how professional he looked walking up the split level staircase.

Champion at 'ayground'

Like any other kid, Champion loves the playground too. In the mornings, when I open the window, he will want us to carry him, so that he can see the 'ayground' (that's what he calls the playground :)

It's nice that we have a playground in front of the house. I like to see the children playing in the playground.. such a beautiful sight.

We brought Champion and lil' Champion to the playground last weekend. Champion is getting brave. This time, he walked up the silde!

He stood at the highest point, like a captain of a ship, and looked at us, smiling happily. I had goose bumps. I was so afraid that he was standing so high, without adult supervision. It was such a small standing space.

What can I do?! Of course, I sent apps to the top too! Hahahaha! He was the biggest kid!

Champion wanted to try the twisted slide, and got in up to the entrance and came out again. He did that many times. Apps tried to encourage him on the top, while I was at the end of the slide cheering on him to come down.

At last, after so many attempts, after allowing so many older kids do it first, he came down the slide! I was down there to catch him, just in case he is not able to hold himself at the end of the slide. But I was proud that he was able to control himself carefully. Hooraay!

He went up again, climbing the slide and did it again! Good for you, Champion. You're getting brave.

Lil' President enjoyed the playground too. Although he had to be carried around, he loved the colours, the children and playing with the spring see-saw and slide, supervised.

It's a pity I was not able to capture these moments.. didn't bring camera as we had to concentrate on the boys.

A night with the boys

Apps came home late yesterday. He was attending a health talk, as the chairman.

So, it’s just me and the boys last night. It can be tough, you know. Especially when both of them want attention at the same time...

I asked Champion whether he wants to eat (recently he has been a poor eater). He said he wants to feed the fish. Ahhh! Good chance. I told him, "The fish wants you to eat first, then only feed them!"

He said, "aaah?"

I told him again, "You eat first, and then feed the fish okay" and went off to prepare his meal.

Luckily, he ate (at least 5 mouthful of rice and vege)! Lil' President only ate 2 small feeds.

After washing up, Champion asks me to open the fridge. Then he got excited and called out, "Orange". I asked him, "You want orange?" He said, "Yes."

After cutting it, I gave him a piece, and he asked, "Thambhi?" "Give thambhi one?", I asked him. He said, "Aaa", nodding his head.

Champion sits down, enjoys his orange, one by one. On the other hand, lil' President squeezes the orange in his palms, with the juice flowing down his hands, neck, legs.. and the floor.

Fascinated by the way Champion was enjoying his orange, I asked him, "You like orange?" He said, "Yes" and continued eating until he finished them. I think the amount of fruits I consummed when I was pregnant for him is influencing him... he loves fruits.

Then he asks, "Some more?" Ahhh, finished already. I told him, "Amma buy for you tomorrow, okay." He said, "Okay".

After washing up, I remembered what I had told him earlier. I allowed him to feed the fish. After putting in their feed, he looked at the fishes, whether they were eating what he put in.

Since apps, was not around, I let lil' President play around with the toys, while I have Champion in my arms… we watched Star News Asia. Trying to get him understand what’s showing on TV, I explained to him what was happening. He went, aahh, why, where, there, see, police, fight, etc.

Not enough of it, we continued watching Medical Investigation. He went on to asked me those favourite questions.. why, what, where, how! After a little of explaining, I was getting tired.. Too much explanation already. My mind was too tired for more.

I need a TIMEOUT!

Just then, Champion climbed over my shoulder to watch thambhi crawling around (I was facing the opposite side). Lil' President then reached out for the poof, to stand up. He lost his balance and fell on his back. Seeing this, Champion looked at me and said, "Ma, thambhi... Thambhi fall"

Oooppps! I didn’t hear him cry. I think he was shocked from that fall. I immediately put Champion done and carried lil' President.. Just then he started crying.. The moments in my arms, he felt better, and stopped crying.. I consoled him, made faces, and then he smiled again. Phew!

Okay, NOW is time to sleep!
(before any more casualities happen due to their sleepiness)

Sigh! There’s gonna be lots of these moments as apps has now advanced from being an Occupational Health Doctor to being a director in a medical management and service company. I heard there’s lots of those talks, symposium, and social events that he has to attend after office hours.

Apps, we’re gonna be missing you being around as often as you used to be. But, don't worry, apps. We understand...

In the cool waters

We nearly cheated the boyz. When I looked outside, the sun was not shining, and it was already looking gloomy. So I told apps that we can set the pool up. Apps told me it was still hot. But I was so adament to bring them swimming. So, we got Champion all excited about swimming. Changed the boyz into their trunks, and off we went to set the pool up.

When we got to the balcony, we noticed that it was hot. The sun was even shining. Ooopss... and of course, apps goes...

See, I told you. Who goes swimming at this hour? *blah, blah, blah*

Hehehe. I realised I made a mistake as I was looking outside through the tinted windows. Sure lah cloudy. Doink!

So, we got back in. We made Champion understand that it was hot, and we shall go swimming when it was NOT hot! Carefully undressed both of them, just in case he cries and says he still wanna go swimming.. But he was a gem, he acted like a big boy, like he understood well what we said. Then we just watched tv, ahd our tea while the boyz had their afternoon nap.

*sleep, sleep, sleep*

I was so tempted to wake them up, as the sun was already going down... I wanted them to have fun in the waters..

At last, Mr. President woke up and soon after, Champion woke up too. Champion had his 'kuih'.. said it was nice.. thank you baby, amms made it.. :)

After that, we changed both of them again,and got them into the waters... It was already cool this time, instead of the warm feeling. Apps lah, wait until evening, now cold oredi.

Champion was splashing away... enjoying himself. Getting me wet too. After a while, Mr. President got in. He was so excited as well. We tried putting him in a float, but he was interested to stand. So, we got him out, and into the pool. He was trying to reach out for the toys in the pool. He was kinda clever. He pushed his legs, too reach for them.

Champion tried showing off his swimming stunts too. He was brave enough to wold himself under waters.

Amms is proud of you, Champion. You are not afraid of the waters now...

Amms is also proud of you, Mr. President. You were brave to sit in the pool with the water up to your shoulders!

At pool...

Amms : Do you think Mr. President can do back-stroke? Will he be scared?

Apps : He can do anything you want him to do. He doesn't even know a thing!

Amms : Let's try... Hey, help me here. Hold his head.

Apps : Okie...

Champion positions himself like the brother, trying to sleep on his back, to do the back-stroke. He didn't realize that he would need our help...

Apps : Look at Champion. He is immitating his bro.

Amms : Careful Champion...

Ooopss, Champion keeps on slipping, and this time he got himself in the water longer..

Amms : Apps, quick, hold Mr. President...

I grab hold of his hand, before he goes in the waters again. I try to make sure he doesn't get any bad experince in the water, so that he will not be afraid of it...

Phew, what a kid...

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Get me a bigger one ; Splash, splash, splash

Getting better with words

Its so cute to listen to Champion speak his sentences. I love the way he says things.

When we're driving, he says

• 'strait' for straight,
• turn.

When we're out on the road or on our outing, he calls out

• 'busss' for bus,
• 'busss' for lorries too (I think he finds them similar b'coz of their size),
• 'tain' for train,
• 'van' for van,
• 'mooon' for moon,
• 'tar' (with a silent 's' in the front) for star
• 'pat' for ketupat (calls out to the ketupat decos he found along the road during raya).

He says lots more stuffs, too much to capture. He says the words by catching the last syllable. For example,

• 'ter' for water,
• 'ri' for strawberry (his favourite fruit at the moment, apart from kiwis and oranges)
• 'fuut' for fruit.

The best part is he understands whatever we say and tries to reply us in his ways. Wow, how fast kids learn. Soon, he will be talking away... Keep up the good work, Champion.

Mr. President is also going forward. He is now louder with his babbling, and also voices his interest to play with Champion. Whenever Champion is playing around the house, he twists and turns his head to search for his bro through the sounds he hear.

I was even trying to get Champion to share his toys with Mr. President. He was good enough to share most of his toys. Sometimes, when he sees a toy that he hasn't played with for a long time, he plays with them first, before sharing it with Mr. President. But, some special toys get special protection, and Champion gets us to keep it for him while he drinks his milk (while hands are full).