Once upon a time...

Student died in motorcycle accident

2011-07-25T12:33:00.002+08:00

I was going through my Facebook status when I stumbled upon a shoutout from one of my friend that reads, 'Pelajar Maut – Diseret 200 Meter Di Bawah Bas Ekspress'. I think about a week ago the same news already appeared making headlines in the newspaper (the unfortunate student was from UiTM Shah Alam if I'm not mistaken). I always remind my younger brother to drive (or rather 'ride') safely because he always travels from Kelantan to Kuala Lumpur (back and forth), and sometimes from Kelantan to Kuantan on his motorbike. Traveling long distances by motorcycle is very risky since you are always at the mercy of other road users (esp. cars, trucks, lorries etc). Sometimes even I did not notice motorcyclists passing through especially when they are in the blindspot region. Nonetheless, his fondness to cover long distances with his moped still remains intact despite the news of fatal accident involving motorcyclist. I wonder if riding is all that fun that it is O.K. to compromise on safety.

Nice pix from National Geographic

2011-01-29T09:22:00.002+08:00

Volcano Lightning Electrifies Japan Eruption

Breastfeeding calls...

2011-01-23T20:01:00.005+08:00

Currently, I have to postpone my weight loss program as I need to breastfeed my baby. I am trying to continue breastfeeding my baby until she turns 2. After reading an article from Baby Center, the diet regime have to wait until my baby could consume solid food which is another 2 months.

Some useful tips and infos from the articles:

i) Don't count calories

Women who are breastfeeding needs about 200 to 500 more cal than moms who aren't (mean a minimum of 2,000 to 2,700 calories per day). So, hunger and craving could act as a guide to how much food we need to consume.

ii)Aim for slow and steady weight loss

We must Lose our pregnancy weight gradually. It takes almost ten months to a year to return to our pre-pregnancy weight. Celebrities have their own personal trainer to calculate the safe calories and exercise they need to do.

iii)Choose good fats

Limit saturated fats and avoid trans fats

iv)Eat fish

Eat up to 12 ounces of most types of fish and seafood per week, including salmon, shrimp, lake trout, tilapia, and mackerel.

v)Drink plenty of water and limit caffeine

When you're breastfeeding, your body needs about 16 cups of total fluid per day.

I hope all mommies out there would find these tips and infos useful.

Breast and boys?

2010-12-20T16:15:00.003+08:00

Shocking entry title...just a gimmick. But this entry is related to both of them. Read from www.stumbleupon.com on a study on how 'Breast-Feeding Improves Academic Performance, Especially for Boys'. I want to share it with you, just grabbed it from the website.

Evidence for the long-term benefits of breast-feeding — well beyond infancy — continue to grow. In the latest analysis of the academic performance of children who were breast- or bottle-fed, researchers found that breast-fed babies scored higher on tests of math, reading and writing skills at 10 years old, compared with those who were bottle-fed as babies.

The study is only the latest to support the long-term academic benefits of breast-feeding. In a 2009 paper, scientists at American University reported that among brothers and sisters — one of whom received breast milk, and the other formula — each additional month that a sibling received breast milk was linked to a higher high school GPA and a greater likelihood of attending college.

In the latest trial, led by Wendy Oddy at University of Western Australia, more than 1,000 children were followed from before birth to age 10. The mothers were asked about whether they breast-fed their infants when their babies were 1, 2 and 3 years old; the children then took standardized national achievement tests in the third, fifth and seventh grades.

Oddy's group found that by age 10, the children who were breast-fed for six months or longer scored 16 points higher on these tests than those were not breast-fed: babies who breast-fed scored 18 points higher in reading and writing skills, and 16 points higher in spelling.

“Breast-feeding may influence children's academic achievement through brain development and general health,” Oddy said in an email interview. “We think that the improved cognitive differences between breast- and formula-fed infants was due to unique constituents of breast milk.”

Breast milk, she says, is loaded with nutrients that are known to enhance brain development, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which are not always included in formula. In brain studies of infants, scientists have found higher levels of omega-3 fats in the cortex of babies who were breast-fed compared with those who received formula.

Oddy's findings support the recommendations of both the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which advise new mothers to breast-feed infants exclusively for at least six months.

Oddy's study further revealed that the benefit of extending breast-feeding time was particularly pronounced in boys. Compared with girls, boys who were breast-fed for more than six months scored even higher on academic tests a decade later. While the reasons for the gender difference aren't clear, previous studies offer some clues as to why boys may reap a bigger benefit. For instance, cognitive development in boys occurs more slowly than in girls, presumably because of girls' higher levels of the hormone estrogen, which can be protective of neural brain growth. Girls may also not be as negatively affected by maternal stress during pregnancy, according to some recent studies, while male fetuses may experience a shrinking of some brain regions due to an expectant mom's anxiety.

Finally, some less biological reasons may explain the differences in breast-feeding's effects on the genders. Some studies suggest that boys may be more dependent on the maternal bonding that occurs during breast-feeding than girls, and that this bonding is important for language acquisition and cognitive development. This interaction may explain why boys who were breast-fed longer enjoyed the greatest benefit in academic performance later in life.

Findings like Oddy's raise the inevitable question: are moms who choose not to breast-feed being reckless with their baby's care? “Not breast-feeding may be an irresponsible decision if a mother chooses to bottle-feed knowing the benefits of breast milk,” says Oddy. “But some women have difficulty with breast-feeding, so it is a complex issue. Women need support to breast-feed — support from their family, their partner and friends, society, the health system and community in general.”

In fact, the latest figures on breast-feeding confirm that while many new moms want to breast-feed, keeping it up often proves too challenging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 75% of newborns were breast-fed in their first month or so of life in 2007, while only 33% were being exclusively breast-fed at three months; by six months, only 13% were predominantly receiving breast milk. Nearly 40%, however, were getting breast milk supplemented with formula at this age.

Oddy notes that in order to breast-feed exclusively for the recommended six months, and for children to receive the full benefits of being breast-fed, mothers need support from health-care systems that teach and encourage breast-feeding, as well as assistance from family, friends and employers to make breast-feeding easier. The benefits, she says, are too strong ignore. “We must all be responsible for the promotion of the ‘best way to feed a baby,' from the mother's milk,” she said.

Fly to Seoul Boom Boom Boom...

2010-12-17T20:27:00.015+08:00

Nowadays, when I login to my facebook account, I would usually see pictures of my friends with snowy backyard of their houses or playing snow with their kids. It reminds me of the last winter that I spent in Korea. It reminds me more of Korea every time I watch Korean Tourism Video 'Fly to Seoul'. I went there for an invention fair held at COEX, Seoul, Korea. It was my first time experiencing the cold of winter besides the cold of monsoon back in Malaysia.

When I arrived at Inchoen airport, the temperature was around 2 degree celcius. For me, a first timer, it was unbearable and it wasn't snowing yet. We were impatiently waiting for the snow. We spent 10 days in Korea, mostly in Seoul. I wore 4 layers of clothes, but still, the breeze of winter could be felt.

During our trip to Nami Island (a.k.a the Winter Sonata Island), we were excited because finally we saw the snow falling from the sky. We told the bus driver to stop and we try to catch the snow with our hands (probably the Koreans will find us as jakun or something).

Back then, I still remember how I would rush back home to watch Winter Sonata during my industrial training days. It was the first Korean drama series that managed to catch my attention. The drama starred Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo. I can still remember every place they've been in the island at the time I went there. almost like a deja vu.

At that island, we also stumbled upon this cute little squirrel. He was so 'friendly' and really know how to pose in front of camera.

Beautiful snaps by National Geographic

2010-12-14T22:28:00.003+08:00

Just wanna share this photo with you guys ...

Iceland

My PhD by MOHE

2010-12-06T15:32:00.001+08:00

Just want to share this https://www.mohe.gov.my/MyBrain15/index_myphd.php

Weight Loss Program

2010-11-28T17:07:00.006+08:00

Last week I received a phone call from a friend saying that one of our friends is getting married. She has been a widow for a year and a half. Looking back to what she has been through, I realize how she has changed. When she was still married to her first husband, she looked a bit plump and a little aged in her thirties. At that time her husband was ailing, suffering from some disease of unknown etiology. The passing of her husband has rendered her more miserable than ever before. As a close friend, I felt very sad and terrible, but what can I do more than consoling her when she confided in me.

A few months ago when I went to her office to pay a visit, since it was months since we last met. As I was standing near a counter (a bit baffled), looking for her, someone asked me, “Are you looking for someone?”. I said that I was looking for my friend. Then she pointed to a lady at the next counter. Oh my God! Is that really her!? She was barely recognizable. She looked very much a different person now. She looked slimmer and a lot younger. So, I asked her, what is her secret, she said she’s on a diet regime that consisted of strictly organic foods.

I have gained a lot of weight after I got married and after having two kids my weight has never show any sign of decrease. Thanks to all of those late night supper at Mamaks’ with my husband, sharing ice-cream and cake with my elder daughter; these are all the culprit that have contribute to my ‘sustainable’ excessive weight. But then again, it is hard to resist the lure of our culture’s comfort foods with their tempting aroma and enticing savor. Even Mat Salleh like Anthony Bourdain couldn’t help but to succumb to the temptation of roti nan, char kuew teow, teh tarik and nasi lemak (just to list a few).

After that visit to my friend, I realized that I also can shed away my excessive weight by committing myself to organic diet regime. So what is Organic food? Organic foods are made in a way that complies with organic standards set by national governments and international organizations. It is food products that produce without using any chemicals and pesticides (which is using biological control).

Besides taking Organic food I also do some reading on how to lose weight. I have just finished an e-book by George Best entitled ‘The Total Solution for the Weight Loss Impaired’. This book discussed how to lose weight and what are major things to avoid when losing weight. It is also interesting to discover that fat storing are control by three hormones; insulin, cortisol and estrogen. Hmmm… nobody ever told me that before.

He also concluded that fat storing is largely stimulated by; excess carbohydrate consumption, excess stress (physical and/or emotional), excess estrogen and estrogen-like chemicals (such as chemical pesticides, fertilizers, etc. [that’s why we need to consume organic food]). Whilst fat burning is stimulated by; Good liver function (avoiding the overconsumption of fat, protein, alcohol, and drugs/medications, Low carbohydrate consumption (yes, we must cut those carbs in our diet), aerobic exercise (relatively short duration, high intensity activity) and adequate sleep (at least 7 hours of restful sleep per night).

The writer also recommends how to lose weight and present many recipes for cutting the carbs in our diet. If I manage to reduce weight after following the techniques recommended, I think you guys should do the same.

Gift or present?

2010-11-27T09:51:00.006+08:00

Today, I woke up around 5 a.m because my newborn daughter was crying. It was not because she was hungry but she usually wakes me at around that time just to ‘talk’ and grin to me. So, I took her off the bed and went to the living room and put her on her bouncer. Then, I turned on the television (channel 711). Oh, it was American Music Award (AMA)! At the stage was Micheal Buble won his award through Adult Contemporary Award. “God, I love present!” commented him upon receiving the award.

It reminds me of the gift I’ve got earlier. It was not for me but for my new born daughter. One of my officemate came to my house the evening before and gave me a gift that she and another friend of mine bought earlier.

What a coincidence! It was a box of baby one-piece –clothes and stockings as I’m currently like to dress Hana with one-piece-clothing. She already has 5 pieces of that type of clothing. Macam tau2 je korang ni…! I really love it. The box consists of 4 very girly one-piece-clothes matched with really cute stockings.

Later that day, I dressed her up with one of that one-piece-cloth. Even though that cloth is for 0-6 months old, it seem like it fits her very well. And I’m guessing that those shirts could only be used for another month based since she’s gaining weight steadily over couple of weeks ago. Thank you, guys. Really looking forward to give you guys some cute little gift too.

"My secret recipe, is cooking without a recipe..."- Micheal Smith

2010-11-26T10:03:00.018+08:00

For those who do not know who is he, Chef Micheal Smith is a celebrity chef who currently appears in four television shows; The Inn Chef, Chef at Large, Chef at Home and Chef Abroad. I like him, I mean his television shows. For me, his idea of 'Cooking without a recipe' is so inspiring as it allow a room for improvisations, almost like playing music without a score to adhere to.

Among his shows, I really enjoy watching 'Chef at Home' the most. I like his clean, neat and well organized kitchen. And, I also like him because he is a good cook, has a beautiful house by the seaside and not to forget, his good look.

He is also the winner of the James Beard Award for Cooking Show Excellence. Apart from TV shows, he is also an award winning cookbook author, newspaper columnist, restaurant chef and of course a home cook. Every time I watch his show, I'm really impressed by the way he transformed an ordinary recipe into an extraordinary cuisine while at the same time made it looked simple.

School Holiday: Where to go?

2010-11-25T16:15:00.007+08:00

Yep...school holiday topic, even though I'm currently not a part of it, but it still reminds me of the good old days where my parents would love to take us traveling around country. Why did I say that I'm not part of it? First and foremost, I do not have kids in school. The second is, I will start working next week....yes...not everybody is lucky enough to be home with families during school break.

Well, for those who want to bring their family for a treat away from a hectic city environment, it probably is a good idea to bring your family closer to nature. If you are mountain person (or a beach person wanting for a change) you can try Gunung Stong, Kelantan. Well, for all of you who are not in the know, it is the tallest waterfall in Southeasat Asia, with its 7 level of cascading waterfall. You can even see it clearly about a few kilometers away (what a sight! Believe me).

These are some pictures taken back then. Enjoy.

Bread, bakery, supermarket and fungus??

2010-11-23T19:28:00.005+08:00

After having a boring afternoon, I've decided to do some shopping at our nearest supermarket, with my two daughters and my husband. So we went there picking up things into the shopping trolley and then we made our way to a bakery there. While randomly scrutinizing the pastries displayed on the display cabinet, I spotted something that is not supposed to be there. Not on the display cabinet. Why don't you guys take a look at the picture below.

Yes...it was some kind of fungus. A pathogenic one. For heaven's sake, why haven't they realize it because they suppose to regularly inspect their goods even in their inventory let alone the one on the display. The black spot probably suggesting that some airborne Aspergillus niger spores manage to find their way there.

What happen if we get infected by this type of fungus? well, this nasty fungus is notorious for its inherent ability to cause Aspergillosis, a kind of allergenic reaction that could prove to be lethal for asthma patients (Source: Wikipedia).

I urge those who run retail or grocery stores to periodically check your inventories of perishable goods for the sake of consumers health. Just imagine what would happen if a consumer who happens to be an asthma patient accidentally consumed it...For you guys out there, please be careful when you go shopping especially food, make sure that it has not pass it expiration date.

Hobby

2010-11-22T23:53:00.002+08:00

I think I really need a hobby. I can not remember what my hobbies were before I've been really busy with my current life.

Zahra's First Hair Cut

2010-11-21T20:55:00.005+08:00

She has never had a hair cut before. So, after almost 2 years in this world and after I had enough with her hair kept covering her eyes, Zahra finally had her first hair cut.

Now I don't have to bother she's licking her hand and wipe her hair just to make her hair stick to her head....

Newborn..

2010-11-18T10:20:00.008+08:00

Sorry kind of busy lately. Currently very busy with my newborn daughter, Haifa Safiya Alhana. It took more than 9 months of tinkering to think of her name (choosing a right name is one of the hardest part for most parents, you can only do mistake that you can't afford once). Labor this time was much easier than the first time. Why, because, 3 hours prior to labor I still can go for a shopping without realizing that i'm having a contraction.

By the way, new style for my blog. Done it while taking care of three other members of my family. Hope that I can update my blog often than before ?(hmm..with additional baby la kan...).

Hi all..

2010-01-08T17:12:00.004+08:00

Sorry, been really busy lately, with MQA and APA. Hmmm..can not wait 'till all these things are over. I think I'm not too late to wish everybody 'Happy New Year 2010'. I wish a lot of good things will happen in this year. Apart from my graduation, there are a lot of things I wish to have and achieve this year. Such as, promotion....promotion....promotion...hehehe....

O.K, it has been a while after the last news on Zahra. Well, apart from being able to say 'mama', she already knew how to say 'flower', but instead of saying it correctly, she pronounced it as 'aaaawer'. Well it is O.K for a 11 months old baby to say that. Every time she says 'aaaawer', she will look at me as if she wants to make sure if she pronounce it correctly.

And she get really excited when she see her own photos and my photos and sometimes she even giggled when she saw those photos. It has been 11 months since I gave birth to her and I still remember the first time I saw her. Next month will be her first birthday...1 year already..I wish time didn't fly too fast...Well time and tide wait for no man albeit I'm a woman...

Finally..

2009-10-29T15:04:00.004+08:00

Hey, good news everybody. I'm so happy. Thank God.

Mama

2009-09-30T22:24:00.003+08:00

It was Zahra's first word. I was walking out from my room and she was in her cot. When she saw me leaving, I heard, "Mama". I stopped walking. Then, I heard again, 'Mama'. Now I know what 'baby's first word' means....everything...especially if your baby's first word is the name she will called you for the rest of your life.

Not forgotten, Selamat Hari Raya and Maaf Zahir Batin to all my friends....

Lots of things to be done...

2009-09-11T19:59:00.004+08:00

After submitting my thesis, I thought that I'm gonna enjoy a bit of leisure, but unfortunately, that is not the case...hmmm..lots of stuff to do. submit journal paper, apply for grant, submit administration stuff, preparation for raya... so on and so forth...so many works yet so little time...

All the best...

2009-09-06T19:08:00.002+08:00

Finally, the day has come. Tomorrow I will submit my thesis correction. Wish me luck my friends. One more step to go..

Komunis

2009-08-07T14:37:00.005+08:00

Tadi sewaktu di makmal, seorang sahabat bercerita mengenai perjalanannya ke Plaza Angsana, melihat Pameran Kemerdekaan yang didadakan di sana. Pada kawasan pameran tersebut, terdapat gambar-gambar sebelum, sewaktu dan selepas kemerdekaan yang negera kita kecapi pada 1951 yang lalu. Juga, terdapat gambar-gambar mengenai komunis dan apa yang komunis telah lakukan terhadap penduduk negara kita sewaktu mereka masih bermaharajalela. Namun yang menarik perhatian saya ialah cerita beliau mengenai ada seorang kakak yang turut melihat gambar-gambar tersebut.

Kakak tersebut menceritakan yang dia mempunyai seorang makcik. Kisah makciknya sungguh menyayat hati. Kakak tersebut menceritakan sewaktu zaman komunis bermaharajalela, makcik beliau masih bayi (baru beberapa bulan dilahirkan). Pada suatu masa, komunis datang ke kampungnya dan memaksa semua penduduk kampung masuk komunis sesiapa yang enggan akan dibunuh. Keluarga makcik kakak tersebut enggan dan semuanya dibinuh kecuali makcik kakak tersebut. Ibunya dibunuh ketika masih menyusukannya. Setelah itu komunis itu meninggal rumah itu dan mencari penduduk yang lain. Kemudian mereka kembali lagi ke rumah makcik kakak tersebut dan masih lagi melihat makcik kakak tersebut yang pada waktu itu masih bayi, masih lagi menyusu dari ibunya walhal ibunya sudah mati dan berlumuran darah.

Sehinggakan badan bayinya turut berlumuran darah. Beliau masih lagi menyusu walaupun ibunya telah kehabisan susu. Aku tak dapat menahan air mata, sebak. Kerana pada waktu sahabatku berceta, aku terbayangkan sekiranya aku yang berada di tempat ibu yang dibunuh itu dan Zahra menjadi bayi itu. Tak dapat ku gambarkan betapa tiba-tiba dendam kesumatku terhadap komunis membuak secara drastik. Sekarang aku faham mengapa sewaktu ditimbulkan isu membawa masuk semula Chin Peng, ramai warga emas negara ini menbangkang sekeras-kerasnya. Walaupun mempelajari subjek Sejarah, namun sesetengah pelajar termasuk diriku sendiri tidak faham apakah yang dilakukan komunis terhadap negara kita. Justeru, perlu diletakkan banyak gambar-gambar yang menunjukkan betapa kejamnya komunis terhadap negara kita di dalam buku Sejarah.

Jangankan aku, alah cuba tanya generasi terbaru negara ini tentang komunis dan apakah jawapan mereka? Sekadar belajar melalui buku sahaja tidak cukup, sepatutnya matapelajaran Sejarah harus dilengkapi dengan video yang boleh ditonton sehingga mencetuskan rasa keazaman untuk membela negara. Sebagai contoh, adakan rentetan video dengan olahan yang menarik seperti yang terdapat di dalam National Geographic Channel dan History Channel. Baru berkesan untuk membentuk satu negara bangsa. Cerita-cerita seperti Bukit Kepung harus dibanyakkan lagi.

Update on Zahra

2009-08-05T16:25:00.009+08:00

Zahra dah boleh meniarap dan mengesot. She is a very interesting baby. Lagi pun sekarang ni dia dah boleh tiru bunyi-bunyi yang kami buat. Dia dah start makan makanan baby. Besides that, kami bagi rasa pelbagai jenis makanan because my husband told me that if we give her new food then she will develop a new memory of that particular taste because her brain will create a space for he to memorize that taste thus increase her memory. So, enjoy gambar terbaru Zahra.

Worry..

2009-08-02T15:49:00.001+08:00

I'm sooooo worry..

My 1st experience as a lecturer..huhu

2009-07-15T14:03:00.003+08:00

My 1st Class was on Monday, 8 am..of course nobody would like to come to any class such early in the morning. So, on that morning, I've 7 student out of 29 in my class. conducting a pop quiz did came across my mind, but since they had just returned from their practical, i shelved my intention for later session. After 3 months of spending their time as practical trainees, i think they would probably want to spend some time together with their family for at least two or three days before returning to campus.

So far, my students were ok. I actually want to develop a two-way communication in my class. Some said 'to be a lecturer you just have to be syok sendiri', meaning to say all you need to do is just stand there speak up like everybody's listening to you. But, I don't want to be that type of lecturer. I want my student to actively engaged during the session in my class. That was what I did. Luckily, they agreed to participate. We shared ideas and thought. So far from the 1st class I think i managed to attract my students' attention even though it was still early in the morning. How about next class? we'll see!!

Buzy

2009-06-26T20:10:00.004+08:00

As a new member of the faculty, I've to make sure that I'm ready to meet the demand of university's philosophy. That's why I have to attend a lot of courses in these few weeks...and of course don't have time to update this blog. Last Wednesday, I attended 'Teaching Portfolio Course'. I think it was just another course but I must say, I really learned a lot from my seniors on how to approach students and how to give a lecture. Apart from that, I really like this course because it was different from that course in Melaka. Why? Because last time in Melaka the participants was too eager to show their capabilities sometimes it seem like they want to show off and at times even appeared holier than thou.

Different from this Teaching Portfolio course, the participants were rather prone to share their knowledge in teaching, handling students' behavior, and as well as their own teaching portfolio. I really like this course. A course that really improves me.

Hi..I'm back

2009-06-09T22:13:00.004+08:00

Hi all...went to Malacca last week attending a 1 week program organized by my faculty. A hectic schedule means there's no time for blogging. Luckily I can bring along Baby Zahra with me. So, I asked my mom to accompany me to babysit Zahra. Thank God she agreed and she took a 1 week off just to be Zahra's nanny. As for Zahra, she enjoyed staying at hotel for the first time.

We stayed at MITC Ancasa Hotel. But, unfortunately, we didn't have time to explore Melaka given the tight schedule. Since I drove there by myself (actually it was my younger brother, hehe...), so at least we managed to spin around some part of Malacca city for a while during lunch hour. that's all. I will update soon. Thanks to those who followed my blog.

Shocking news?!

2009-05-23T19:07:00.001+08:00

I was reading some blogs and found this....Kenapa Kita Tidak Boleh Makan Ikan Tidak Bersisik???...interesting fact...

Perasaan tidak sabar

2009-05-13T11:10:00.003+08:00

Orang tamak selalu rugi..huh..tak sabarnya nak beli rumah bila tengok orang lain ada rumah sendiri..Kenapa tiba-tiba mengalami perasaan tidak sabar ni? Sebab akhirnya suami saya dah menetapkan keputusan bahawa kami akan tinggal di Johor dalam tempoh 10 tahun. So memang kena la beli rumah di sini, tak kan nak menyewa je sepanjang tempoh tu kan? Nanti boleh shopping barang-barang perabot rumah..yea..yea..tapi bila baru dapat beli rumah ni?

My new Cars?!

2009-05-09T15:23:00.004+08:00

regarding my previous entry about my new car…well, I got another new car today. Gen 2 1.6 CPS. It is not like I got 2 cars. The other 1 has been returned to the dealer. Why? Well, it was one hell of a story. Somebody who introduced himself as a car dealer came to my house and claimed that car is his. he came out with story that he got duped by some guy (who happens to be another dealer) in a serious forgery crime that involves that car.

So, he asked me to give back "his" car. Wait a minute...that car was mine, I bought it, right? but, I agreed to follow him to the police station and all the drama happened there. To cut the long story short, i didn't handle him the car keys :). I bought it from the dealer, of course if I don't want that car I must return to the dealer besides the bank didn't even pay the dealer the money yet. And another funny scene was, they were chased away by the policewomen..hehehe...

Then, the dealer came and took back that car.end of story. The next day, my husband and I went to Proton Edar and we bought another car. Hehehe..Now, officially I got my new car.

Funny Faces

2009-05-08T10:17:00.008+08:00

Lesung pipit

Terkejut or terkujat?

Nak menangis ke?

Excited!

Excited lagi

Zahra's Videos..

2009-05-08T09:39:00.007+08:00

Pelbagai Aksi Zahra untuk tontonan semua...especially..mama

Hari ibu

2009-05-06T02:04:00.005+08:00

Happy mother's day to all mothers in the world especially my dearest mom, "Ma..I love you forever and for always, Nothing would change your greatest love". Not forgotten, to my mother in law, "Thanks for your kindness by taking care of Zahra last month and thanks for giving birth to my husband".

Mother's day is quite different this year since now I am also a mother myself. To my little baby Zahra. Now I think I know what it feels like to be a mother. I felt so blessed and happy and I just want to dedicate my whole life taking care of her. I just wanna treasure every precious moment that I have with her. Actually, the feeling cannot be described by words, and I think no words could adequately describe it. You have to experience it yourself.

To Mothers-to-be; Alina, Kak Ad, Sya, Happy mothers day to all of you and welcome to motherhood. But, sometimes even a mother like me still want to crawl back into my mother's arm...

Zahra's play yard

2009-05-05T16:47:00.004+08:00

Happy time for Zahra. She can't get enough of her new play yard..

Pictures..

2009-05-04T23:40:00.007+08:00

With uncle Zaimi and Aunt Sya

With Kakak

Siri bercakap dengan itik

2009-05-04T23:15:00.006+08:00

Ma. as requested..enjoy..

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2009-04-27T09:15:00.004+08:00

After delivery, I barely feel my hand. Kadang2 rasa macam kejang je tambah lagi bila bangun dari tidur yang x berapa lena skang ni. Actually I thought it may be because of at the time of my delivery, I may be terpeliotkan tangan ni. But the pain becomes much weirder because the pain becomes much stronger. So, last week I decided to see the doctor for a check up. The doctor asked me, when did I got the pain, I told her after my delivery, and the 'Carpal Tunnel Syndrome' came out from the doctor's mouth. At that time, I barely recognized what the hell that doctor said. 'Syndrome? What kind of syndrome? Is it dangerous?' So, I manage to find more on this syndrome in the internet. Currently I'm on medication.

General Information
Carpal tunnel syndrome refers to a specific group of symptoms that occur in the hand and forearm. These feelings of tingling, numbness, weakness or pain in the hand, fingers and forearm occur when there is pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. The median nerve extends from the forearm into your hand through a "tunnel" in the wrist. The bottom and sides of this tunnel are formed by wrist bones and the top of the tunnel is covered by a strong band of connective tissue called a ligament. This tunnel also contains nine tendons that connect muscles to bones for bending the fingers and thumb. These tendons are covered with a lubricating membrane called synovium, which may enlarge and swell under some circumstances. If the swelling is sufficient it may cause the median nerve to be pressed up against this strong ligament which may result in numbness, tingling in your hand, clumsiness or pain. This swelling can reduce the size of the tunnel that carries the median nerve and result in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Possible Causes
Any action that causes swelling, thickening or irritation of the synovial membranes around the tendons in the carpal tunnel can result in pressure on the median nerve. Some common causes and associated conditions include repetitive and forceful grasping with the hands; repetitive bending of the wrist; video game playing; improper resting of the wrists when typing on a keyboard; motorcycle or bicycle riding; broken or dislocated bones in the wrist which produce swelling; arthritis, especially the rheumatoid type; thyroid gland imbalance; sugar diabetes; hormonal changes associated with menopause; and pregnancy. Although any of these factors may be present, in many cases the specific cause cannot be identified.

Possible symptoms and complications
Possible symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may include numbness and tingling in the hands, especially when these symptoms occur at night and after use of the hands; decreased feeling in the thumb, index and middle finger; an electric-like shock or tingling (like hitting your "funny bone") in the hand; the ability to reproduce these symptoms by holding the wrists in a bent position for one minute. A doctor may recommend a test for median nerve conduction that will help determine the severity of the pressure on the nerve and may aid in making a diagnosis and forming a treatment plan.

If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can result in permanent weakness and numbness in the affected areas.

Possible Lifestyle Changes
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be prevented by adjusting hand, finger and thumb movements that may put undue pressure on the nerves; switching hands and changing positions often when performing repeated motion tasks; and eliminating salt intake. The best first treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is to change or eliminate activities that may be causing the inflammation or pressure on the carpal tunnel. Mild cases of carpal tunnel syndrome may be treated by applying a brace or splint, which is usually worn at night to keeps the wrist from bending. Resting the wrist allows the swollen and inflamed synovial membranes to shrink, thus relieving the pressure on the median nerve. These swollen membranes may also be reduced in size by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or supplements taken by mouth. In severe cases, a doctor may advise a cortisone injection into the carpal tunnel. This medicine spreads around the swollen synovial membranes surrounding and shrinking the tendons to relieve the pressure on the median nerve, though this may have harmful side effects. The effectiveness of non-surgical treatment is often dependent on early diagnosis and treatment. Patients who do not gain relief from these non-surgical measures may be advised by their doctor to have surgery called a "release" - cutting the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel to relieve the pressure on the median nerve.

http://www.herbalremedies.com/carpaltunnel.html

Up and down

2009-04-17T08:59:00.005+08:00

I've got my car. :) My brother and my mother brought it all the way from Kelantan. It is nice to have your own, and they brought back my old-borrowed-sentimental value-Kancil. Eventough I finally have my own car, I miss that Kancil so much. Hmm..my mother in law and my sister in law also went back home with them...so, there's nobody to babysit Zahra, and I have to bring her to the lab with me. Fortunately, while my husband and I doing the lab work, she slept like a baby..of course la..she is a baby...lucky me she is a morning lark.

Stress

2009-04-15T13:37:00.005+08:00

I'm under a lot of stress coz trying to figure out what method is suitable to locate sulphate ion inside my polymeric bead. Huh..pening kepala I.

Update

2009-04-11T22:57:00.007+08:00

I've started my new job last Monday. I got my own room, and they promised me a laptop and a desktop. So far,I still got nothing to do because the deputy dean (who happens to be my boss) is still in Korea. So, I'm currently working very hard to finish my thesis correction. My target is to receive the confirmation of graduation letter by September so that I could get a promotion. Next week, I'll receive my new car, finally, after months trying before I get my 3 months pay slip. Can't wait to test drive the car.

2009-04-11T20:55:00.003+08:00

Excited and happy Zahra listening to her yellow duck lullaby...

Tanjung Piai

2009-04-11T18:27:00.006+08:00

Ok, this is our second visit to Tanjung Piai. We've been there during our honeymoon. We spend Sultan Johor's birthday last wednesday there with my mother in law and sister in law.

Zahra & me

Then, we decided to go to the very tip of the southernmost mainland Asia. On our way, we were "greeted" by two monkeys. But we were not so fond of their hospitality or should I say hostility as one of them tried to grab Zahra's leg. Me..of course was screaming like hell. My husband tried to scared them away, but the male monkey tried to scare him back. But luckily nothing happened. So, we decided to go back home. Zahra..eventhough cried when she heard me screaming, went back to sleep after I calm her down (p/s: always listen to your mom since she already told not to bring Zhara there.)

Two bad monkeys doing their business

Zahra's sleepy face

Evening @ Danga Bay

2009-04-11T17:46:00.011+08:00

These pixs were taken after our 'rushing back home' last Tuesday. Decided last minute to go to Danga Bay since I realized that my mother in law were soooo bored from staying at home all day long with barely nothing to do to occupy their leisure.

Zara, me, my sister in law (Kinah) and my mother in law

More Baby Zahra's pix

2009-04-03T19:17:00.009+08:00

Itik kuning bertopi biru, bermuncung pink serta bersayap hijau yg boleh mengeluarkan bunyi-bunyian seakan lullaby..

Muka selamba br bgn tdo..

Muka Baby Zahra tgh excited tgk org di sekeliling beliau..

Aaaachoooom....! Alhamdulillah..

Mandi time...

2009-03-28T21:16:00.003+08:00

Apa kaitan mandi dan mulut kecik?

Tok ma mandikan Zahra

Mulut kecik (Dia boleh kecikkan lagi mulut dia lebih dari ini)

Update

2009-03-28T20:54:00.001+08:00

Finally, I got a job..hehe..wish me luck everybody.

Weird

2009-03-28T19:36:00.003+08:00

Yes..it is. Itu lah yang berlaku bila kita mengharapkan pertolongan so-called 'kawan baik' kita pada saat memerlukan tapi end up, seseorang tu buat dek je. Sedangkan selama ini, apabila orang-orang di sekeliling kita memerlukan pertolongan, kita tanpa mengira kesusahan yang kita sedang alami, terus tanpa ragu-ragu memberi bantuan...weird isn't it? But we must remember, life is like a wheel...ada masa kita di atas, ada masa kita di bawah...

More Zahra's pix

2009-03-11T07:50:00.004+08:00

Currently addicted to my baby..hehehe...

34 days Zahra

Ain..met her cousin..

How to face labor..

2009-02-17T22:29:00.003+08:00

Ni my traditional midwife yang ajar..Caranya ialah mengawal pernafasan..

Bagi yang dah pecah air ketuban atau mengalami tanda-tanda nak bersalin tetapi bukaan serviks masih belum membolehkan anda bersalin, maka:

1. Anda tidur mengiring

2. Rapatkan kedua kaki dan lipat sedikit kaki anda ke arah dada.

3. Tarik nafas dalam-dalam melalui hidung

4. Hembus perlahan-lahan melalui mulut sehingga ada rasa kehabisan nafas tu di perut

5. Lakukan sehingga rasa contraction bertambah kuat dan sehingga di saat melahirkan bayi

6. Bagi yang belum lagi cukup bulan, bolehla berlatih melakukan pernafasan jenis ini

Baby Zahra's weird facial expression

2009-02-14T14:45:00.002+08:00

Xtau la ape maksud ekspresi muka cmni...

Labor

2009-02-12T20:56:00.004+08:00

Today is the 8th day of my life as a mom..huh..to get used to the changing routine really is a big problem to me. After giving birth to Zahra, I spend the whole night just staring at her. As a first time mom, giving birth is a very tiring experience. My water broke at 5.30 am, then i was immediately rushed to the hospital (actually, the hospital is only 2 minutes away from my mother's house). Then, admitted to pre-labor ward (the measurement of my cervics at that time was only 1 cm. All the nurses said that, may be I will deliver my baby around 10 p.m. If that was the case, I might be rushed to other hospital with specialists.

12 pm, have lunch (after being persuaded by doc and nurse because I really dont have the appetite) . 1 pm, my husband came to pay me a visit, then, 2 pm, he had to leave me again, as the visiting hour ended at 2.00p.m.

2.30 pm, I felt the contraction became stronger and stronger. I told the nurse, then she asked me to go the the treatment room to check the cervics opening again, she said, hmm..may be only 3 cm now. But after that, she hurrily rushed me to the labor room, because it was now 5 cm.

Huh..now...long hours in the labor room...3.30 pm, my mother came in, I told her I was hungry..but I was not allowed to eat..you supposedly know why. Then, one of the nurse asked me, who I would like to have to accompany me during the labor, hmm..of course, my husband. But, due to my mother's past working history at that hospital, she was also allowed to accompany me during my labor.

4 pm, my hp rang, my best friend, sya, called me, asking me how was my condition, I said "Sya, aku tgh 7 cm ni..x larat nak cakap". Click. 6 pm, 8 cm...The contraction became stronger and stronger..huh..unbearable..9 cm..the degree of the pain was rising. 10 cm, I start to push. All the midwives in the labor room accompanied me through my labor, not to mention my mother and my beloved husband.

After long hours of pain and a hungry stomach, in the middle of labor session, I somehow got very tired and felt like fainting. Everybody were really anxious because it seem like the baby couldn't make it. My mother then, slapped me at the face a couple of time to make sure I was concious. But somehow, with a divine intervention in the form of strength, I managed to push for the last time and "waaa...." I heard my baby's cries. Magically, all the pain went away just like that.

After long hours of contraction, a hungry stomach, and a tired body, I spend the whole night staring at my new born, crazy me. Hehehe..I felt really grateful to God.

Baby Zahra 4 Feb 2009

2009-02-06T23:21:00.005+08:00

Sup Tulang..

2009-02-01T23:00:00.002+08:00

This time, i want to write a recipe on how to make sup tulang (Kelantan Version )

Ingredient:

Tulang lembu (2Kg)

Sup bunjut 2 pack

Ginger 4 cm

Garlic 10 cloves

Galangal 1cm

Bawang besar 1 biji

Cara-cara:

Bersihkan semua bahan-bahan, kemudian masukkan semua bahan-bahan. Isikan air sehingga menutupi tulang. Renehkan sehingga masak. Masukkan garam secukup rasa. Hidangkan bersama daun bawang, daun sup

Pain..

2009-01-23T07:43:00.006+08:00

It is almost 37th week of my pregnancy, and I've been suffering from contraction and lower back pain regularly especially at night. Huh..I wish I could throw this pain away as it seems to be unbearable nowadays. Last night was the 5th night I could not have a sound sleep. And every night the pain growing even stronger and stronger. Sometimes I'm thinking "Am I going to labor tonight?". Thinking about some people keep telling me that the labor pain is much much more painful than what I'm suffering right now horrified me even more. That means that the pain that I'm suffering right now is just fraction of the real labor pain :(.

Sometime I keep wondering how in the world can I deliver my baby. Am I strong enough to bring him to this world? After the accident we had during my 2nd month of pregnancy, everything changed a lot. Especially me, I guest. Of course not to mention my belly become bigger and bigger within this past few weeks. I'm having trouble sleeping at night, backache accompanying my growing belly, my husband health condition (Owh..after that accident he regularly stroke by CVS, almost every week. Before that we enjoyed our live to the fullest because we thought that he has fully recuperated after 4 months of CVS-free-live). I wish after this we can live that live again with our new family member.

Spaghetti Bolognaise

2009-01-21T20:06:00.005+08:00

Ok, this is Spaghetti Bolognaise recipe..as my husband said 'Lagi sedap dari Pizza Hut'. Actually, I got this recipe from my friend, Michelle, with some addition and modification I made so, now it was my recipe.. Ok, the ingredient:

Ingredient:

You can see in the photo below. For 400g of minced beef, I used 4 cloved of garlic, 1 shallot, 1 can of tomato puree,

2 bay leaves, 1 can of prego, 1 can of straw mushroom, 2 table spoon of tomato paste, 2 table spoon of herbs,

half box of barilla spagetti.

Cara-cara:

Tumis bawang putih, bawang merah dan bay leaves sampai naik bau. Then, masukkan daging sampai kering air.

Then, masukkan prego, tomato paste, tomato puree, herbs dan 2 cawan air. Masak sampai pekat. Then bila dah pekat, masukkan straw mushroom. Masukan garam dan gula secukup rasa.

Bila dah agak-agak pekat, boleh la dihidangkan.

How to cook spagetti:

Bring water to boil. Jangan letak minyak, if letak, the spagetti nanti akan mudah meluncur dari pinggan atau garfu, sebaliknya tambahkan sedikit garam. Bila air sudah mendidih, baru masukkan spagetti (jangan patahkan spagetti). Spagetti masak apabila anda cuba patahkan spagetti tu dengan jari dan anda lihat tiada kesan tepun di jari anda.

Hospitalized

2009-01-21T14:48:00.008+08:00

I was hospitalized last week..huhu..kinda sad...but it only for 2 days and 1 night..macam percutian la plak..Bosan tahap cipan tinggal dalam wad. Well, the reason why I was hospitalized was due to my condition; my blood pressure was high (141/85), proteinuria, ederma and my baby's condition.The story began when I went for my regular check up, and told the Doc that my baby's kick was not as before I took the antibiotic given by the Doc. So, she immediately wrote a letter to another Doc incharge at the Hospital Daerah and asked me to go there for another detailed check up. So, when I was arrived at the hospital, I was rushed into the ER and immediately the Doc checked for my baby's heart beat.

Huh..it was so tiring. 2 hours lying there without doing nothing with some sort of microphone on your stomach..actually I was attached to a mechine called TCG. After that, the Doc suggested that I should be admitted to the ward because they want to check me up for every 4 hours interval (my bp, my baby's heart beat). The next day after the Doc was satisfied with TCG result (owh..the repeat the TCG 3 times when I was warded), I was discharged.

Late night in the ward (everybody was sleeping except me)

Me (at TCG examination dengan bantuan oksigen)

My big fat fingers (Ederma)

Cool Numbers

2009-01-21T14:29:00.005+08:00

Dalam perjalanan pulang dari Skudai ke Pasir Mas hari tu, aku dan husband aku terserempak dengan 2 buah kereta yang aku rasa no plat kereta tu memang cool. Check out these photos:

MAF14

(also can be read as MAFIA)

TAM110

(also can be read as TAMIIO)

And when we went shopping at Tesco KB, I realized that this one car, I think it is a Wira owned by Tesco have a number NAV14 (NAVIA)..Cool heh?

Regarding my previous post

2009-01-12T23:30:00.004+08:00

Articles from http://www.preeclampsia.org

Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby. Affecting at least 5-8% of all pregnancies, it is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision are important symptoms; however, some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms.

Typically, preeclampsia occurs after 20 weeks gestation (in the late 2nd or 3rd trimesters or middle to late pregnancy), though it can occur earlier. Proper prenatal care is essential to diagnose and manage preeclampsia. Preeclampsia, Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) and toxemia are closely related conditions. HELLP Syndrome and eclampsia are other manifestations of the same syndrome. It is important to note that research shows that more women die from preeclampsia than eclampsia and one is not necessarily more serious than the other.

Globally, preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death. By conservative estimates, these disorders are responsible for 76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths each year.

Signs and Symptoms

None

High blood pressure is a silent killer. Oftentimes, women diagnosed with preeclampsia do not feel sick. Many signs and symptoms of preeclampsia mirror other “normal” effects of pregnancy on your body. Women diagnosed with preeclampsia may feel frustrated when prescribed bedrest because they feel fine. If you feel fine, it may be hard for you or your partner to appreciate that preeclampsia is a serious condition.

What you can do…

Proper prenatal care is essential. Tests taken at these check-ups: weighing in, checking your blood pressure, dipping your urine are all done to screen for preeclampsia. Particularly after 20 weeks–do not miss your prenatal appointments. As with any pregnancy, a good prenatal diet full of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and the basic food groups is important; cutting back on processed foods, refined sugars, and cutting out caffeine, alcohol and any medication not prescribed by a physician is essential. It is also advisable to speak with your health care professional before taking any supplement, herbal or otherwise.

Hypertension (High blood pressure)

High blood pressure is defined as blood pressure of 140/90 or greater as measured on two separate occasions within six hours. However, a woman who normally has a low baseline blood pressure, such as 90/60, could be considered hypertensive at a blood pressure of less than that - especially if she has other symptoms. A rise in the diastolic (lower number) of 15 degrees or more, or a rise in the systolic (upper number) of 30 degrees or more is cause for concern.

In 1990 the National Institutes of Health, National High Blood Pressure Education Program: Working Group Report on High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy issued the following research guidelines:

In the past it has been recommended that an increase of 30 mm Hg systolic or 15 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure be used as a diagnostic criterion, even when absolute values are below 140/90 mm Hg. This definition has not been included in our criteria because the only available evidence shows that women in this group are not likely to suffer increased adverse outcomes. Nonetheless, it is the collective clinical opinion of this panel that women who have a rise of 30 mm Hg systolic or 15 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure warrant close observation, especially if proteinuria and hyperuricemia (uric acid [UA] greater than or equal to 6 mg/dL) are also present.

It should also be noted that 4 members of the Preeclampsia Foundation Medical Board and our Executive Director participated in this working group. There was significant debate over removing baseline BP as diagnostic which is why the final sentence was included. The Preeclampsia Foundation continues to encourage its women, particularly those with low baseline BPs, to know their baseline and to be aware of significant changes and to make any concerns about those changes known to their health care provider.

What you can do…

Know your baseline blood pressure (your blood pressure prior to pregnancy), learn what it means, and ask, “What are my numbers” at each visit. If you are told “It’s fine,” repeat, “What are my numbers?” If you have had preeclampsia before or if you have chronic high blood pressure, consult a specialist, a high risk OB, or a perinatologist, about your pregnancy. You can find a perinatologist near you who specializes in hypertensive diseases of pregnancy by going to the North American Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (www.nasshp.com). Women who have had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy should request a full screening by a perinatologist to rule out any underlying disease or problems, such as chronic hypertension, autoimmune disorders, thrombophilias, renal disease, etc. Women with a previous history of preeclampsia should have subsequent pregnancies supervised by an obstetrician or a perinatologist. The single large risk factor for getting preeclampsia is a history of having had it before.

If you are inactive or have a higher-than-average body mass index (BMI), make sure to exercise moderately and get yourself in the best shape you can. (You can calculate your BMI). Women with a BMI of 30 or higher are at an increased risk of preeclampsia and should make efforts to reduce this risk by following the advice of their doctor.

Finally, you can buy your own blood pressure monitor at most pharmacies. Some pharmacies have a monitor available for your use. Keep a log of your blood pressure, taken at the same time each day, if possible, and in the same position. Share it with your care provider. If you own your own monitor, you can take it with you to your appointment and have it calibrated to match those in the office. You might also ask your doctor when they last had their monitor calibrated.

It should be noted that home monitors are not always as accurate as those in one’s clinic or hospital. Home readings should not replace prenatal visits, nor should a “normal” reading mean ignoring symptoms that may be markers of preeclampsia. Home readings should only be used to help the mother be more proactive in her care.

If you are diagnosed with preeclampsia, many physicians will recommend bedrest, and in late pregnancy, lying on your left side. While health care providers don’t always agree that lying on your left side will help, there is no evidence of harm. The thinking is that lying flat on your back might cause the pregnant uterus (and the weight of the baby) to restrict the vein that supplies the heart.

Swelling or Edema (particularly of the hands or face)

A certain amount of swelling during pregnancy is normal. Edema is the accumulation of excess fluid. It is particularly concerning when it accumulates in the face (eyes) or hands. It is normal to have trouble wearing rings throughout pregnancy.

What you can do…

Find a picture of yourself just before pregnancy. Share it with your provider if you feel your face is getting excessively puffy. If the swelling in your extremities becomes severe, you may notice pitting edema (when you press your thumb into your skin, an indentation remains for a few seconds) or discoloration of your legs. If this happens, notify your provider, put your feet up every day (but avoid sitting for extended periods) and drink water to keep hydrated.

Proteinuria (Protein in your urine)

Proteinuria is the result of proteins, normally confined to the blood, spilling into your urine because the small blood vessels in the kidneys become damaged. A simple dipstick test of your urine at each prenatal check-up can screen for proteinuria.

What you can do…

At each prenatal visit ask for the results of the urine test. Usually the nurse dips a reagent strip into your urine sample and then waits a minute for the results. The strips have the markings for “trace”, 1+, 2+, etc. A reading of trace protein is relatively common and is usually not a cause for concern. If the strip shows a reading of 1+ or greater, it may signify the onset of preeclampsia, even if your blood pressure is less than 140/90. If you have a reading of 2+, call your health care provider immediately. If you are concerned, or have had preeclampsia before, you can buy reagent strips at some pharmacies or online. They are not cheap and insurance might not cover them.

Sometimes health care providers will have the mother take a 24-hour urine collection for a formal lab assessment. This is not a particularly pleasant task, but if you have been asked to do this, follow the directions of your health care provider carefully, and make every effort to be accurate.

Dark yellow urine is usually the result of inadequate fluid intake and dehydration. However, urine that is quite dark, reddish or the color of cola may indicate a problem. If you have any of these symptoms, inform your care provider.

Sudden Weight Gain

A gain of more than 2 pounds in a week or 6 pounds in a month could be cause for concern.

What you can do…

In general, eat normally and make every effort to include fresh raw fruit and vegetables, your prenatal vitamin, and a folic acid supplement in your diet. Do not diet or try to lose weight. It is important that you eat a healthy, balanced diet. Avoid excessive salt. And as always, avoid alcohol, caffeine, smoking and recreational drugs. Consult with your provider regarding non-prescription drugs and any herbal medications you might take. The Preeclampsia Foundation recognizes the importance of a good diet but does not endorse any particular diet nor juice product. Given that preeclampsia is a complex disease, women will develop it for different reasons. We encourage all women to share with their doctors any diets or product they are trying. For some women–a good diet may make a significant difference, however we urge caution when trying diets, particularly those that encourage large amounts of protein. For women with underlying kidney disease–excessive protein can be unsafe. Similarly, while some women might benefit from low-dose aspirin–studies show that it has been linked with increased placental abruption and miscarriage and so should not be taken routinely by pregnant women unless they have been advised to do so by their physician.

Be sure to drink plenty of water and get regular moderate exercise. At your prenatal visits do not attempt to disguise any weight gain by skipping breakfast, using diet pills or fasting for the day. An accurate weight is vital for a proper diagnosis.

Headaches

Dull, throbbing headaches, often described as migraine-like that just won’t go away.

What you can do…

Call your care provider. If you have tried taking over-the-counter medication without relief, or if the headache is very painful or you have light sensitivity, call immediately and ask to see the doctor that day.

Nausea or Vomiting

Nausea or vomiting is particularly significant when the onset is sudden and in the second or third trimesters.

What you can do…

Call your care provider. Nausea or vomiting can be confused with the flu, so be sure to get your blood pressure checked and ask to have your urine checked for proteinuria. Insist on both.

Changes in Vision

Vision changes include temporary loss of vision, sensations of flashing lights, auras, light sensitivity, and blurry vision or spots. For some women who are farsighted, vision may actually improve.

What you can do…

If you have any of these symptoms, you may be developing preeclampsia. Symptoms such as these may be associated with irritation of the central nervous system and should be taken seriously. They may be indicative of cerebral edema (swelling of the brain). It is very important that you consult with your provider as soon as possible. If he or she is not available, you should go directly to the hospital. We regard these symptoms as potentially very serious and they should not be left until the morning, tomorrow and particularly not until the end of the weekend. With preeclampsia, it is better to have the health professionals tell you it was nothing, than to take a chance that might risk your or the baby’s life. No doctor ever died from seeing a woman too many times.

Racing pulse, mental confusion, heightened sense of anxiety, trouble catching your breath

If these symptoms are new to you, they could indicate an elevated blood pressure.

What you can do…

Contact your health care provider if these symptoms are new. If they are not, be sure to mention them at your next visit.

Stomach and/or Right Shoulder Pain

This type of stomach pain, called epigastric pain by the medical profession, is usually under the right-side ribs. It can be confused with heartburn, gallbladder problems, flu, indigestion or pain from the baby kicking. Shoulder pain is often called referral pain because it radiates from the liver under the right ribs. Lower back pain is different from muscle strain common to pregnancy. It is usually more acute and specific. All may be a sign of HELLP Syndrome or a related problem in the liver. Shoulder pain can feel like someone is deeply pinching you along the bra strap, or it can be painful to lie on your right side.

What you can do…

Pain in this area should be taken very seriously; do not dismiss it and go to bed. Call your health professional immediately.

Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is a very common complaint of pregnancy. However, sometimes it may indicate a problem with the liver, especially if it accompanies other symptoms or preeclampsia.

What you can do…

Read also Stomach and Right Shoulder Pain (above) and mention this symptom to your health care provider. If this pain accompanies one or more of the other symptoms, you should call your health care provider immediately.

Hyperreflexia

Hyperreflexia is when your reflexes are so strong that when they are checked, your leg bounces back hard.

What you can do…

This is not usually something you will notice yourself, but if you are bumped and you notice an abnormally strong reflexive response, it might merit a call to your health care provider

35th Weeks

2009-01-12T20:13:00.006+08:00

Huh..I went to see my OB yesterday for my regular antenatal check up, and guess what? My blood pressure reading reaches almost 140/85, ederma and not forgetting about the presence of protein in my urine. And she asked me to come back tomorrow for another check up. May be I should be hospitalized because all the signs suggest that i have pre-eclampsia. Huh..again..luckily my baby still agressively moving up and down.

But, I wonder, what make my blood pressure went too high currently. Because, I'm being extra careful with what I ate, I sleep on time, I dont think I experience any stress right now, because I have nothing to worry about. Or, may be because of my backache that seems to come and go almost everyday. So, I have to lay down or having my husband massage my back to reduce the pain.

Finally, this is my pregnancy pict as requested...me and my not so big belly..

Me, 32nd weeks of my pregnancy

Finally...Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

2009-01-06T08:57:00.005+08:00

I finally know what happend to my husband. After doing research on the internet and some of the journals, I finally got the most similar symptoms that showed by my husband's condition compared to the diagnosis that have been told by our previous doctors these past 7 years. Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) is an uncommon, unexplained disorder of children and some adults that was first described by Dr. S. Gee in 1882. The condition is characterized by recurrent, prolonged attacks of sever nausea, vomiting and prostration with no apparent cause. Vomiting occurs at frequent intervals (5-10 times an hour at the peak) for hours to 10 days (1-4 most commonly). The episodes tend to be similar to each other in symptoms and duration and they are self-limited. The child is generally well between episodes.

The onset of CVS occurs in infancy through adulthood but most commonly between age 3-7. It can persist for months to decades. The episode may recur several times a year or several times a month. Females are affected slightly more than males. The child may be prone to motion sickness, and there is often a family history of migraine.

Episodes may begin at any time, but typically start during the night or early morning.There is relentless nausea with repeated bouts of vomiting or retching. The child is very pale and resists talking. They often drool or spit and have an intense thirst.There is often intense abdominal pain and less often headache, low-grade fever and diarrhea. Prolonged vomiting may cause mild bleeding from irritation of the esophagus. Patients often describe being 'possessed', out of control and stuporous.The symptoms are frightening to the child and family and can be life-threatening due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

CVS has been difficult to diagnose because it is infrequently seen in clinical practice and because vomiting may be caused by a large number of common disorders other than CVS. There are as yet no blood tests, x-rays or other specific procedures used to diagnose the disorder. The diagnosis is made by careful review of the patient's history, physical examination and studies to rule out other diseases that may cause vomiting similar to that seen in children with CVS.

Although some patients know of nothing that triggers attacks, many can identify specific circumstances that seem to bring on their episodes. Emotional stress, intense excitement (birthdays, holidays, vacations), and colds or flus (some journals says chronic sinusitis - which I think related to my husband, basically in my opinion, the infection in the sinus triggered the migraine and then the vomiting syndrome) are the most frequently reported triggers. Specific foods or anesthetics may also play a role.

Treatment is generally supportive with early intervention in a dark quiet environment for sleep and I.V. fluids when needed. Medication trials sometimes succeed in finding something to prevent, shorten or abort the episodes. An essential component of treatment is the doctor-patient-family relationship. It involves a physician who does his/her best to understand CVS, is supportive and willing to coordinate the care in collaboration with all involved. A family/professional network, such as CVSA(Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association), can help heal a family that has been in doubt and despair for years.

After this I'm gonna bring my husband to the hospital and ask the doctor to prescibe the sinusitis or migraine medication for him. I'm not saying that Malaysian doctors arent smart enough, but sometime from my past experiances with the them, when we tried to tell them our opinion, they tend to treat us like a bunch of ignorants who try to act like smart alecks, as if we dont even know a thing about health. So, anybody, who know about this thing please dont be shy to share it with me. I really appreciate it.

Terkilan

2009-01-02T00:00:00.004+08:00

Kematian suatu kemestian. I just got back from Kempas. Baru mendapat tahu mengenai kematian nenek sedara belah my father. When i recieved the news, i dont know what is my exact feeling. She was a nice old lady, eventough she is much-much older that me, we shared the same interest...shopping...hmm I really missed that time. I drove the car, and she sat beside me, told me the way around JB and stuff.

Aku nak jumpa dia sebelum dia meninggal, memang dah niat. In fact, dah banyak kali I told my husband that 'we have to see her' but when the time came, we cant visit her due to my husband's health condition. Now, aku rasa bersalah sangat-sangat sebab tak sempat jumpa dia. Last aku call dia pun last November. Bagi tau dia if aku ada masa aku datang tengok dia, tapi masih tak sempat. Al-Fatihah untuk dia.

Anak

2008-12-27T01:11:00.003+08:00

Baru je habis baca 1 blog ni..tanpa aku sedar, aku duk menangis teresak-esak depan laptop, huband aku dah lama tdo. http://umimia.blogspot.com/ mengisahkan bagaimana seorang ibu berkorban nyawa untuk anaknya. Huh, 26 weeks dah bersalin, may be aku terlampau emotional sebab aku pun tgh pregnant kot. Perasaan menjadi ibu itu tidah dapat digambarkan dengan kata-kata. Teringat sewaktu aku mengandung 2 bulan mengalami kemalangan kereta sehingga kereta tu terbalik 2 kali. Apatah lagi waktu tu ada rasa contraction yang amat kuat.

Bila sampai hospital, doc scan n bagi tau, x der heartbeat. Aku punya sedih tuhan saja yang tahu. Husband aku pun memang sudah mengalirkan air mata. Kalau diikutkan hati waktu tu, ingin saja aku menukar nyawa ku dengan nyawanya. Anak, satu pemberian yang berharga dari Tuhan yang maha hebat. Satu sebab mengapa seorang insan bergelar ibu sanggup berkorban nyawa.

But, Alhamdulillah, Allah masih mengkehendaki aku menyanyangi anak ku ini, sekarang aku sudah mengandung 33 minggu. Walaupun mengalami banyak masalah sewaktu mengandung, namun, aku tetap tabah demi melahirkan anak aku ni ke dunia. Hanya berharap agar aku dapat melahirkan dia tanpa sebarang masalah dan dia sentiasa dalam keadaan sihat. Setiap kali dia menendang, aku rasakan suatu perasaan yang indah yang tidak dapat aku ungkapkan dengan kata-kata. Tak sabar aku ingin menjadi seorang ibu.

Late nite supper

2008-12-26T20:05:00.011+08:00

Last night, my husband and I went to this mamak restaurant at Kempas, near Mydin. Well, the name of that restaurant is Osman. Usually, before i got pregnant, we always went there especially to have a hearty and filling Shrimp Char Kuey Teow. Being not so well acquainted with makan places around JB, I found it hard to find mouth-watering-Char Kuey Teow around here. But we believe this restaurant serves what we regarded as the best Char kuey Teow in JB. Last night, we decided to have Char Kuey Teow, Roti Kosong, Roti Telur and teh tarik.

I decided to put the pictures of the meals in this post.

The main course

Zaman muda-muda

2008-12-25T18:46:00.008+08:00

I was clearing up some stuff in my laptop, suddently i ran through these photos..oohh..time when I was still kurus and beutiful...hehehe...So i was thinking that i want to post up those photos. Just to remind methat i can be slim again after i deliver my baby..hope so..:)

At college

At home

Dayah and me at KLCC

Well, there's more, tapi malas nak download banyak-banyak...hope to be slim again..

Hantaran

2008-12-24T12:59:00.018+08:00

Ni sedikit sebanyak hantaran yang aku gubah sendiri waktu cousin aku kawin and aku sendri kawin..boleh la korang bagi pendapat..

This is my cousin's (She want it this way, purple from our side, pink from her husband's side)

Belt and wallet

Her husband perfumes

Towel

Handbag and shoe

Cosmetics and perfumes

Shoe

Shirt

Mine plak (Both side i sendiri yang gubah, it took 3 days)..

Handbag

Perfumes

Kain baju kurung

Shoe

Watch

Sampin

Wallet and belt

Perfumes

Selesai sudah..

2008-12-24T12:28:00.002+08:00

Tadi dalam kul 10.30 am aku ada presentation utk MTE. Dayah kata MTE ni MalaysiaTechnology Exhibition. Di beri masa 30 min, so, faham-faham je la, presentation 15 min, Q & A another 15 min. Aku kena present 1st, Nana 2nd, then Mai. Aku dah la present duduk je tadi, BI bercelaru (perut sakit memulas je), laju gile present. pastu Alhamdulillah, aku bo jawab segala soklan yang diberikan. Ala..kalau dah viva 5 jam tak kan la sesi soal jawab yang 15 min tak boleh nak kacang..hahaha.

Pastu, waktu sampai RMC, kak suzie tegur. "Dulu aku x nampak perut ko, skang ni dah nampak sangat, cepat betul besar. Ko ni due bila, macam dah dekat je aku tgk." Tu la sedikit sebanyak teguran dari kak Suzie. Maknanya dah sarat sangat ke aku ni? Tapi may be jugak kot, sebab nak jalan lama pun x bo, nak drive keta lagi nak, rasa senak je perut ni. Ha, nasib baik Nana tlg datang amik kat umah tadi. Thanks Nana. Siap bawa aku gi beli lauk makan tgh hari lagi. Baik betul budaknya. Kalau ada adik yang tua sket dari dia langsung boleh kenenkan, tapi apakan daya, orang dah berpunya...hehe..

Aku plan nak balik Ktan esok. Rasa macam dah x lama je ni..tapi entah la...Husband aku punya experiment tak siap lagi. Macam mana nak siap, kalau dia duk sakit je. Bercerita tentang sakit, aku rasa doc pun x tau la dia sakit apa sebab tu diaorang cakap macam-macam. Mengenai penyakit dia, nanti aku akan masukkan dalam post yang lain plak. Nanti panjang sangat la plak.

Flying into the blue dream...

2008-12-23T23:46:00.008+08:00

Blue in color...i don't know why i choose blue, but i like it. It is not that i don't like pink, but i don't think i admire it for the time being. Everything must be in blue or white.

My baby's cot with comforter

My baby's storage box

Inside the storage box (still filled with blue and white stuff)

My baby's diaper bag

Inside the bag

Comb and brush

Mamy Poko tidur lena pagi senyuman (I still don't know why i bought this brand, may be because it has poo-poo pocket)

Tired

2008-12-23T20:35:00.001+08:00

Sekarang ni nak bangun pun terasa susah sangat..Kadang-kadang rasa macam sumer orang macam tak faham je condition aku skang ni. Dah la penat , ada benda duk gerak-gerak dengan kuat dalam perut, sakit perut kadang-kadang, tak boleh lapar (kalau lapar start rasa macam nak pitam).

Tidur pun x selesa, nak berjalan lama-lama pun dah tak larat. Kenapa sesetengah orang x boleh nak menerima keadaan aku yang sudah tidak serupa dulu. Kenapa mesti aku sentiasa memberi yang terbaik untuk semua orang sedangkan orang lain tidak boleh menolong aku di waktu aku kesusahan? Hidup ini memang tidak adil.

Aku tak harap banyak. Cuma orang faham akan keadaan aku yang semakin hari semakin sarat ni..atau pun bagi sesetengah orang untuk seorang perempuan yang mengadung sulung, 8 bulan masih belum cukup sarat la kot. Aku dah malas nak peduli orang yang tak pedulikan aku, aku penat, penat sangat-sangat. This is the time for me to focus to my self and my unborn baby. Aku memang memerlukan masa ni untuk banyak berehat dan banyak bertenang supaya blood pressure aku tak naik dengan mendadak lagi.

My in law's wedding

2008-12-23T16:36:00.000+08:00

O..for my latest photo, taken during my sis in law's wedding..

Ain

My other in law with her daughter

Wedding queen

Me..included

My in laws n me

Apple Pie

2008-12-23T15:26:00.000+08:00

This post i dedicated to those who love my apple pie..especially my special apple pie crust (as my brother said "lagi best dari pie apple Mc D")

Crust Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
1/2 cup finely ground almonds or almond flour (usually i used ground almonds)
100 g butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes, chilled in freezer for at least 15 minutes
1 teaspoon salt
1 heaping teaspoon brown sugar
3 to 6 Tbsp water, very cold

Filling Ingredients
2/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 pounds of 1/4-1/2 inch thick slices of peeled and cored good cooking apples such as Granny Smith, Pippin, Golden Delicious (usually i used fiji apple)
1 1/2 tablespoons ribena or sunquick blackcurrent
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Egg Wash
1 large egg yolk

1 In a food processor, combine flour, almonds, salt and brown sugar, pulse to mix. Add butter and pulse 6 to 8 times, until mixture resembles coarse meal, with pea size pieces of butter. Add water 1 Tablespoon at a time, pulsing until mixture just begins to clump together. If you pinch some of the crumbly dough and it holds together, it's ready, if not, add a little more water and pulse again.

Remove dough from machine and place on a clean surface. Carefully shape into 2 discs. Do not over-knead the dough! You should still be able to see little bits of butter in the dough. These bits of butter are what will allow the result crust to be flaky. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

2 Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 180 degree C.

3 Combine sugar, flour and spices in large bowl. Use your hands and mix in the apples so they are well coated, then add ribena and vanilla extract.

4 Remove one crust disk from the refrigerator. Let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle some flour on top of the disk. Roll out with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface to a 12 inch circle; about 1/8 of an inch thick. As you roll out the dough, use a metal spatula to check if the dough is sticking to the surface below. Add a few sprinkles of flour if necessary to keep the dough from sticking. Gently fold in half. Place on to a 9-inch pie plate, lining up the fold with the center of the pan. Gently unfold and press down to line the pie dish with the dough.

5 Spoon in apple filling, mounding slightly in center.

This recipe actually i've uploaded from internet and modified it accordingly...enjoy..

New blog page..

2008-12-23T09:30:00.000+08:00

Finally i decided to create my own blog using blogspot. Why? may be because of the features provided by blogspot compared to friendster's blog that is not as user friendly as the blogspot. This is my new beginning... may be because i want to start my new year's life with new beginning (this sentence seem to show that my life before this is sucks). No, it just i want to start a new journey of life, besides, i'm going to be a mother soon..very soon. This is a big change of life. May be this blog will be about my baby again and again..hahaha..;)