UNIV360

I bought a service condo unit at Serdang 3-4 years back for stay/investment. At that time, I knew I wanted to have a place of my own and not to rely on my parents' family apartment in Puchong. I was 30 years old that time, ok, so no good to always rely on parents. Nevertheless, I got married and then my amazing hubby got ourselves a landed house for our new chapter in life. So all thoughts of the solo me living in a condo has dissipated, and I now hope to rent or to sell my unit at UNIV360.

When my parents first saw this condo (that time it was just an empty secondary bush land), they weren't too impressed. The condo is located next to some old, rundown, low-cost flats, Block B was facing the noisy KL-Seremban highway, whilst Block A was facing Serdang industrial area. The land adjacent to it was a sewage pond (but has since been redeveloped to be another condo and commercial area). On second thought, the location is very strategic - ample access roads in and out of KL, near Seri Kembangan food areas, Putrajaya, SKVE, LEKAS, and easy to access to IOI City Mall. It is also easy to rent out - looking at to students from nearby UPM. And the showunit was well-presented (my parents are in love immediately), and we absolutely adore the huge swimming pool with waterfalls, roof-top gym and sky garden. And all these got my conservative parents suddenly interested with the concept. Plus, if you see now, UNIV360 gave incentive to our neighbouring old flats some fresh new paint(!) to its entire building. How generous of our developer. Even the old flats now looks pretty new and decent! The roads in front of our condo has been widened and a new traffic lights has been installed.

What's better, I bought the unit at Block A which is facing the swimming pool! I just went to check my unit out last week - and what a great view from the balcony from the 9th floor! Actually, I purportedly spend extra $$$$ for that facing-swimming-pool unit, which is limited edition, and slightly larger than the conventional units. The best part is that my lot is not facing the noisy highway nor the industrial area.

The layout of my apartment.

In my 10 year in-out Serdang area (from BSc. to Ph.D. in UPM), I know that area damn well as we ate there all the time (read: Ket Thong). Until today, since my office is near UNITEN Bangi, colleagues and I still have our have lunch breaks near Serdang. So, I pass by UNIV360 development almost daily, and saw in anticipation the progress of the building of the condo up to 3 years. Oh well, sometime I am just praying and hoping that the project would not stall half-way due to economic slowdown, or what-ifs e.g. developers run away with our deposits. To cut the story short - my parents supported my move to buy this condo, and voila...it's here today.

And yes, I am promoting my condo to people - for rent. Let me do some slight renovation first to our unit before I can rent for sure.

If it weren't for my current Kinrara house, marriage, and soon-to-be additional member to the Fong family (Baby!), I would have moved here. For real.

Ivy-out.

Our Baby

Finally did get to see how my little notti Baby looks like.

We opt for a 3D/4D ultrasound at 24++ weeks upon my return from Holland. I have not seen my baby since April 2015 as that was my last ultrasound visit at PCMC. I had a GP doctor's having my tummy checked in May before leaving for Holland, but Dr. Gill of Klinik Gill, Ipoh did not print out an ultrasound for me! Walamak, his machine damn kuno wei - cannot print wan. Despite having no print out of my baby (sorry, but I am spoilt by PCMC's technology), Dr Gill said my baby was growing normally (paid him RM40.00 cash for just saying that), and said I have nothing to worry about going to Holland on the 2nd trimester, whilst The Netherlands has probably much better medical/health system.

Many didn't know I cut my Holland trip short because I was damn worried about baby. As a going-to-be first-time-mom , I was really wondering what the hell is going on with baby and myself - with the kicking. flutters, constipation, and itch/pain going around me, so I needed 'confirmation' from my O&G. No way I can't afford Netherlands health service as my insurance does not cover me if it isn't emergency.

So, here is baby. Obviously I don't have a name for my baby boy (yet). It's now simply called "Baby".  Baby was facing sideways and probably sleeping so this was the best image and angle we could get.

Looks like hubby from this 4D angle. :-)

3D/4D ultrasound so damn canggih wei. I am suaku when I saw the scans on the screen. Can detect blood flow of heart and kidneys (hence, 4D scan) some more.

4D Ultrasound shows chambers of heart and blood flow.

We forked out our own $$$ for this ultrasound since we saved on other genetic tests such as Down syndrome test, aminiotic tests(?), etc. We didn't opt for genetic testings as we trust that we will love Baby no matter what. Counted all the digits on Baby's hands and toes (5 each), and see if got big dick or not, the heart don't have anomalies, kidney good, etc. Ok. Settle. All normal.

Baby all normal, but is making mummy fat. Although it's the happy kinda fat, I've never been sooo fat before (you will be shock to see me so fat). And like my collar bone is no more there. Yikes! I am now at 26th week, heading towards the 3rd trimester. And hmmphhh....the nausea seemed to have returned a bit some how.

Til then, Ivy, Hubby & Baby out!

Hobbits in the real world

I think I have been staying in The Netherlands long enough to experience many things, in fact, more than many touristy Malaysians. Having stayed at 5 different hotels and accommodations in The Netherlands throughout my business trip of 1.5 months and this has taught me one thing - I am not made for Europe.

Not surprising but somehow, I suffered 'discrimination' in Europe. Not the racism disparity that we hear of every day in the news e.g. foreigners being treated differently from the local/citizens. Nope. None of that. In fact, The Netherlands has been amazing to me in terms of equality and I felt really welcomed in all ways both as a tourist and worker.

The 'discrimination' I face daily in The Netherlands - is the prejudice against my height.

If you are great with general knowledge, who wouldn't know that the Dutch are the tallest people in the world. TALLEST, yes. It's cruel fact, and based on my personal experience with my Dutch counterparts that I stand only shoulder level to my Dutch female colleagues. For a Dutch male, 6 feet is slightly below average, while 5 ft 10" is average for a female. And I am like 5 ft flat.

5.0 - 5.5ft is normal for Asian females. If you jalan-jalan at the city, from afar, you can spot an Asian walking in the streets, and you can tell who are local and who is not - from their height.

I have seen 6 ft 5"  Dutch guy, but so are 3 out of 10 Dutch surrounding him. Mind you,that even if they are tall, many are NOT overweight or obese. Many are tall and still fit (unlike the Americans eh)!!

I did ask why. First I googled, and then I did query my colleagues on their height and fit built.

This was how Dutch Lady milk look like in those 1980s when I was a kid. Mum fed me lots of this, but still.....short.

1. Milk and Cheese

Yes, that's about it. That's the ONLY reason why the Dutch are so astronomically tall and are actually taller than the Icelanders: dairy. Over several decades, people in NL has ample supply of local milk and has had the knowledge of processing cheese. Milk and cheese are protein-rich foods and the Dutch are somewhat evolutionary immune to all types of milk products (=lactose tolerant). To date, if I go out for lunch with my Dutch colleagues, cheese, yoghurt, cold meats and wheat are staple. You can't escape cheeses from your lunches. And the Dutch despises low-fat milk/skimmed milk. No one buys them in supermarket and you may notice that there's 80% disparity of favouring full-cream milk over low-fat milk on the supermarket shelves.

And so I observed that hobbits like the Asians in a NL supermarket will go for CHEAP and LOW-FAT (hmmph why are Asians sooo scared of fats?). Therefore, you'll see Asians stocking up on low-fat milk/skim in their carts because it's cheaper than whole/full-cream milk, and yes, we like everything low-fat. We Asians are blinded to the fact that skim milk contains less nutrients (i.e. proteins, vitamins) and has more sugar content in it to make up for lost taste.

It is also sad that many Asians are lactose intolerant. I was in China for a business trip and my Chinese counterparts had a very 'difficult time' after I bought them Starbucks latte. If you notice in Beijing, Starbucks are springing like mushrooms but most Chinese still order flavoured tea or Americano (from my observation), as many can't enjoy milk in their coffee.



Right...so enough of why we Asians are hobbits while the Dutch are not. Let's discuss the disparity and indirect 'discrimination' we as Asians face in The Netherlands. This is TOTALLY true as this is based on the multitude of incidences I experienced in a single country alone.

1. I can't get to the shower head: 

Okay, so my mum advised that I am not supposed to lift my arms beyond my head to grab anything above me. It is an old wives' pantang because doing so may cause the baby in the womb to "drop" down and gets detached from my placenta, or intestines to curl around the baby's neck. To me, WHATEVER!! The problem is not the baby. The problem is I can't bring down the shower head to bathe my body. Two of the accommodations gave me a hard time as the room cleaners placed the shower head sooo damn high up, I can't bring it down for my kinda shower. Nope, tip toe won't do either. So, let it rain. There goes my wet hair everyday. 

This damn Dutch cleaners!!! Why they place the adjustable shower head so high? Never think of hobbits like us meh? 

2. I don't even have to sit on the toilet bowl:

You know, as a hobbit, I have to tip-toe (!) before I can properly position my beautiful buttocks on the the toilet bowl. I was thinking: my as well don't sit, and please go ahead doing your no. 1 and 2 standing. You freaking Dutch built the toilet bowls sooo damn high, never think for hobbits like me! Damn.

1. Can't see my face:

My father only could shave half of his mustache/stubble. I can't pop my pimples, while my mum can't see herself brushing her teeth. This is the consequence of the Dutch people placing their bathroom mirrors sooo high. Even tip-toeing can't help(!), and my dad didn't complete his shaving cause he can't see himself in the mirror.

WHY you put the mirror so damn high!?

4. Back out from the urinal:

This happened to my dad in a restaurant's toilet. There's urinal and there's a single toilet cubicle. Dad can't place his d*** to the urinal to pee because urinal was located at his waist-level. Not that my dad's d**k was not long enough; the urinals were placed sooo freaking high, he can't stand to pee. And at the same time, the cubicle was occupied at that time. Give up. Terus give up. And my dad is not that short, ok.

Why you Dutch sooo tall and place the male urinal soo high lah!?


5. Trouble signing my credit card for purchases:
Again, the table counters are so high (e.g. in museums, restaurants), I have to tip-toe to sign my credit card upon purchase. In The Hague, the Dutch lady behind the ticketing counter had a hard time hiding her giggles when she just saw my eyes and nose, but not my mouth. I had to tip-toe and sign my purchases, when she blurted: "Well, this place was built with ONLY the Dutch in mind",
Sucks.

Okay, end of my rant. Now I know why Dutch people are so great in many sports and dominates world arena - hockey, squash, soccer, swimming: they are tall. In sports, being tall beats talent/skills in many ways. I see our soccer team like looney tiny cartoon in the field against the Europeans. 

Nevertheless, if you do notice, Asians are slowly becoming taller. We have access to meat (protein), our kids are genetically more tolerant to dairy, and eating less rice (carbs) compared to our grandfathers and forefathers. Keep up the proteins, people!

Babymoon in The Netherlands

My office is somewhere here

I got a job-attachment for 1.5 months to Leiden, South Holland. I am delighted that my work as a research chemist does not confine me to the laboratory (which I initially feared) but also beyond the four chemical-laden walls. I am now doing computer simulations and modeling of chemical structures, so basically there's a lot of software/programming work to learn for a dead-wood-in-computing like myself. Oh well, gotta survive in this industry by learning new knowledge every time.

Hi from Amsterdam!

De Valk  windmill in Leiden

One mustn't miss the Leiden market on Weds and Sats.

Al fresco is what everyone here does. It's summer! 

One thing I felt blessed is that this job attachment-cum-training coincides with the 2nd trimester of my pregnancy. If you didn't know, this trimester is the most comfortable for a pregnant woman to travel because of decreasing morning sickness and stabilization of the womb inherently associated with this trimester. And another blessing: the appetite has escalated these few weeks!

Mum and I in the apartment

Leiden is located approximately 35 km south of Amsterdam. It's a large university town (like Serdang), and here lies the oldest university in The Netherlands, of course: Leiden University. Leiden is also the birthplace of Rembrandt van Rijn, the world's most famous painter. Personally, his painting makes more sense than Van Gogh's (but that's just me). Leiden town is basically sustained by its locals and university students alike. It's so much cleaner and fresher than hectic Amsterdam, and it's just a 15-min bus ride to the beautiful tulip gardens of Keukenhof. Leiden is peaceful; it's not that small nor large that you can't enjoy the entire town by foot, having very considerate drivers and cyclists and has some established Asian restaurants here for my baby just in case he craves for some gu lou yok rice (well, that did happened ok. See pic below).

This is gu lou yok rice my little baby craved. Ordered for 1 pax, but came a portion for three (no wonder Dutch people are tallest in the world).

My baby is good boy, I guess. Although the nausea is still here some times, my baby allows me to walk between 2-10 km around Leiden town and its vicinity. He does not complain because somehow baby knows that mummy here was a marathon runner and wouldn't let him complain anyway, because I want to walk as exercise. A walk from the my accommodation to my workplace within the university is approximately 2.1 km (one way), and if I feel tired after work or when the temperature drops to below 10C, I will take the bus. But of course, I would prefer to walk back to my accommodation to clock in another 2.1 km, but somehow the weather is still erratic. I am not impressed that summer temperatures can range from 7-23 degC. It’s sunny in the afternoon, and bamm, you get rain (the drizzle type) in the night. Some rain has got me into shivers and some had me run for shelter.

Chow mien, and tasted authentic.



Parents are here but only for 3 weeks. They make full use of the apartment by cooking chinese dishes for me. Yes, WARM dishes is what I deserve: ABC soup, bakkutteh, ginger chicken with rice, stir-fried (not broiled) broccoli with garlic, etc. The Dutch eats bread and sandwiches every single day - breakfast, dinner, lunch, and I wasn't complaining in the first week as I love bread and dairy products such as Dutch gouda cheeses and milk, but I think I have had it too much. Sandwiches here are frequently served with cold-cut meats; it looked and tasted raw. Doubt there's any bad bacteria in there but I think better avoid for pregnancy-sake.

Went to Amsterdam but was not impressed with the crowd. Amsterdam was very crowded on that particular holiday weekend, but more so, the people, cyclist here are less considerate and looked angry. Think KL vs. Ipoh drivers :-) In spite of that, Amsterdam is still worth a visit and has pretty with nice churches, architecture, and great museums. Made some milestone here: Walked 20 km(!) in total around Amsterdam, managed the famous Dutch pancake pannenkoek, went to eat at an Argentinian steakhouse, raked in some (free) cheeses, picnic by the park, and was part of the 500m queue to museums, not!

Dutch pancake with strawberries and syrup in Amsterdam - pannenkoek

Rijksmuseum featuring most of Rembrandt's work.

500 m queue to Rijksmuseum. Also same length at Van Gogh Museum

Park in front of the Rijksmuseum having a picnic of a time!

Bitterballen is a Dutch snack

Steak and pasta, for a change

I was also in The Hague, which is this the administration capital of The Netherlands. Just 15 min by train from Leiden, it offers much better supermarkets and shopping escapades. Of course, it is a very very much larger city compared to Leiden - with an established China Town there. There's an asian supermarket there but was ultimately disappointed there wasn't bak kut teh mix sold. I am happy I made a quick trip to The Hague as initially I was just thinking of lazying in the hotel, reading some journal articles. Milestones in The Hague: Maruitshuis Museum containing Rembrandt's self portrait and Vermeer's Girl in a Pearl Earrings, Parliament house (Binnenhof), ChinaTown, Grote Market, Chinese restaurant (Fat Kee) and Primark to buy some quality baby clothing.

The Maritshuis

Like Mona Lisa, everyone wants to see her. But I am not quite sure why.

Got near to the very famous Vermeer's Girl in a Pearl Earring. 

Rembrandt's last self-potrait before he died the same year he painted this.

Dutch Parliamentary area

Babymoon, it is.
I will be alone once again when they return to Malaysia very soon. But I am not quite lonely because for 2 weeks already, I started feeling my boy kicking. At one point, he kicked me so damn hard to request for me to rest from the over-walking around The Hague. I am so enjoying the freshest of air and good quality of life here, but this is not home. Where's the teh tarik and nasi lemak in the morning? Where's my bakkutteh and Sentul hokkien noodles? My heart is still back home, and my heart is now where my hubby is who could be lying there reading his economic book, or maybe ironing his own clothes, or giggling at some funny Cantonese movie. Miss you much, hubby!

Here are some photos of me and my parents Keukenhof, four days before it closes for the rest of the year.

The tulips has bloomed, indicating end of the season.

Can you believe the various colours of lilies here. I thought they only come in white and pink.

Another Milestone

Yes, I am pregnant.

Not a surprise to many because I was caught NOT drinking coffee and tea anymore. I was caught NOT going for runs and races. And I was caught nauseating and sleeping on the job.


How about that for not announcing until after 1st trimester, eh....FAIL terus!


So when people at work asked, just tell them the truth. Especially my manager because as of now, I must reduce my duration and exposure to the many chemicals in the laboratory. As a chemist (nama pun chemist, susah), there's no way to avoid the laboratory. So I told my bosses early to so they understand I will be delegating most of the hazardous jobs to other colleagues. I learnt to let go for 3 months di, and it felt great! Because my priorities of changed okay. Baby comes first.

While writing this, I do feel like a piece of useless person - lying on the sofa whole day cause I just feel tired WHOLE damn day, stealing a nap every moment I can, and having super bad nausea if I smell something weird from any place or foods. Belacan (no asam laksa please!), any form of fish dish, milk and seafood are big no-nos. But I have no complains because my dear mother and mother-in-law got it worse (e.g. bed-ridden for 4-7 months), so I am relatively grateful that my morning(and night) sickness is not as bad as many that's I've known. But it sure didn't subside yet!

My mum said it's already a blessing that I could still eat and not puke any thing I put on my mouth. But still, at my current standards, I felt: effing useless. Fatigue is so real!!! Every time I sit down, I just want to sleep -be it at work or at home. I must move. When I move, I feel slightly less nauseous, but not too much because then I would feel soo tired. *you tell me confusing boh?*

People said that NOW is the time to rest and sleep all you want. Because you won't have sleep anymore when the baby pops out. That's true, right. I've seen it in my friends and relatives. Why am I resisting sleep/rest? Because it's just so me to NOT to feel useless. I am such a go-getter and still want to do everything even during pregnant.

Then comes the "advices". From every part of the universe and this earth. Can really die ok hearing people telling me this and that cause it gets you freaking confuse:-  Eat this not that, do this not that, don't eat cold things, don't eat too hot things, don't drink caffeine, tea also kenot, don't drink Chinese herbs at all, drink ginseng (but don't drink this whatever Chinese name), don't squat, don't watch ugly movies like my fav. Walking Dead, don't go to lab at all, don't even go to office cause our office got chemicals in ventilation (wtf, quit job meh), don't drink Bird's nest, please drink Bird's nest (getting more confused), don't eat tofu, don't drink soya bean, don't eat banana, don't eat apple too cooling (I have cravings for green apples and I am piling up on them), don't run, but jog (wtf), swim but not butterfly (wtf advice), don't use phone, nanti kena cancer otak,...............etc. Haiyorr, can die ok, although they are for my good (but no phone, hello??!).

BEST IS MY OWN MUM. She only advice me 4 things:
1. Don't eat pineapple
2. Don't take Cincau
3. Don't take Chinese herbs because I am still super healthy and not weak. (Take only if I am super weak and like no energy and bed-ridden).
4. Don't overeat and get too fat, cause I look terrible when I am fat (but what if I can't help it?). LOL mum!?

Otherwise, eat whatever you want in moderate amounts. I am lucky to be able to still eat and not puke (just nauseous) and my mum said I should be grateful. Alhamdulillah. People tell me to take this herb and that but because I don't know Chinese and don't remember Chinese herbs names, so I neglect all advice if there's any Chinese herb name on that 'advice'.

When hubby first knew, he was super delighted - told my MIL, FIL. I called my parents after telling hubby. Not surprising, the news spread (in Ipoh) as quick as wild fire because my mum's mouth is wild fire. lol. In KL, news was slower to spread, but colleagues got to know first because...what else...caught sleeping on job watt.

I don't know what to expect at this point, but sorry to say, I have had quite enough of the many advices. I research myself is better cause I myself is researcher/chemist and judge myself. The other day I drank Teh Ais also kenot; kena reprimanded from friend. But that's like okay, right? My Malay colleague drank Teh Ais day in day out during pregnant, 5 bijik baby already pun no problem.

Just go through day after day, trying not to listen to too many advice. I hear only, but tak masuk dalam telinga. I am also NOT trying to read too many pregnant articles and forums cause sometimes they suck for giving you anxiety and panic for no reason. Now I just trying to relax and enjoy doing NOTHING the whole day. Currently reading a book on Stephen Hawking called The Grand Design on how the universe is being modeled and perceived by normal people like you and me. How about that for baby's reading session, eh? Hehehe.



Ivy-out.



P/S: If you are thinking this baby was the product of our honeymoon in Turkey, no it isn't! I am so glad it wasn't Made In Turkey cause Fong will sure name my baby Mustapha or Constantinople Fong.

Childhood 80s & 90s

Sometimes I do think back the times where I was a kid growing up in Ipoh. I mean, like a 6 years-18 years old kid (as far as my memory can backtrack). Although my mother was confirmed a tiger stayed-home mum, she allows us to do whatever we want after school hours (but studies comes first, of course). Despite being strict, she was the kampung-type, so she knew her kids needed some good old' childhood.

What I meant was that we had a lot of (outdoor) freedom back then in the 80s-90s compared to kids growing up in this 21st century. Those days wasn't e-economy, everything was k-economy, and therefore had less foreign workers at that era; people around my taman were mostly medium class; trust was REALLY trust (between parents and kids, neighbours with neighbours); there were no mobile phones; neither did the word social media existed yet (do ICQ and IRC count?). So kids were relatively 'dumb' due to the lack of access to information of the world compared to kids today. 

Here's what I went through knowing that the current generation are 'missing-out' (or are not):

1. Connecting to my first ever internet via Jaring dial-up. Oh mann, it has this dial-tone (the damn tune!) that I could remember to this very day. Dial 1511 and you get to look at internet some pages (using Netscape) which are bombarded with prompts of pornography ads. My computer processor was a 486, and I was so happy my friend Yeong (15 years old, probably) who is a self-made IT genius at his age, taught me to play games on DOS (e.g. Paperboy, Prince of Persia, Dune, etc.), and I taught me to write scripts on DOS. And that is already like damn genius. Worth mentioning is my house phone which was a orange rotary dial-phone and you need to pusing-pusing the entire phone numbers one-by-one clockwise before making calls. 

2. My first mobile phone was at age 20 (!) where I was given my brother's Ericsson BLUE(!) flip phone (no Sony that time, ok). I got this mobile phone all because I needed to go university in KL for the first time in my life. And that time, the trend was to see: WHO COULD TYPE SMS the fastest amongst us all, using ABC, DEF, keyboards. 

3. I will cycle alone the whole of Ipoh Garden East with my BMX. Alone was nothing to be afraid of at that time because many girls around 14 years old also do that. We girls have this biking gang at Ipoh Garden East. My bike was the coolest because it was my brother's bike and it is NOT a girly bike with pink bells and basket in front. I felt like the king of the road and I wore baseball shirt and cap every time I ride on the bike. I bike by my own sometimes to as far as Wooley foodcourt. Last time, there was a game arcade up the first floor of Wooley and I would go see people play arcade games such as Street Fighter 1 and played a game of Tetris on my own. My mum let me because she trusted me to not talk to strangers and there was no such thing as: Indonesia/Bangladesh workers will kidnap you, etc.....NONE. But she said this: Thai people kidnap you to be handicap child beggar at Thailand (that does scare me, ok).

This was the arcade tetris interface way back then

4. I will also bike to tuition at Canning Garden, yes, all alone. I have some girlfriends who could roller blade (I could not) and will drag the back of my bicycle for a free ride on their blades. We girl friends just roam the whole Taman ourselves with no fear whatsoever. 

5.  On some evening, I will walk/bike all the way to the padang at the end of Persiaran Perajurit 2, near Taman Kemuncak. I will go meet my playmate, Liza Oh to play masak-masak at the playground or climb the monkey bars and swings and claim them our own 'territory'. We will also go play at each other's homes. Without any adult supervision. There was no clock in sight so, we just make sure we are home by 7 pm (we can see that when the sunsets, it's already late). Mom doesn't care if I go to playground, but she will scream crazy when I come back late.

6. I will force my mum to buy me cloth and made her make batu seremban out of rice. And made her buy a box of rubberbands or stole those she has collected in the kitchen to make jumping ropes. Those were my muses. Also, I would buy cardboards of japanese ladies and cut-out clothings where I will dress my my 2D paper dolls. My mum loves to buy those cardboard dolls for me from Kampung Simee market. 

I remembered I can't get enough of this. Mom approves.

7. There was a point in my life, 7 years old, where I go up the then on-going North South Highway which was yet to be completed. It was just piles of sand that time. My friend Pei Jet and I will bring our bikes and hike up the sand dune and slide down the slope! We will bring up our bicycle to the top of the sand dune (now the infamous NS-Hiway) and cycled up to Tambun interchange (which didn't look much of an interchange at that time).

8. Those were the days where it took 4 hours from Ipoh to KL. My father, who was a KL-ite, would drop by at Tanjung Malim to eat pau curry/kacang at Yik Mun corner shop. Also, gone were those times where people will use the coastal highway to KL.

9. When I sat on my first MAS flight ever (from Ipoh to KL), my dad said I should dress well. No shorts/jeans because people who gets on the plane are privileged people. wth. Those times, if you can go on a airplane, you are like the luckiest person one earth ok. You must appreciate this privilege by being well dressed on board. Those days, no everyone could fly.

10. Mechanical pencils was an unknown invention until I was 7 years old, til I brought one mechanical pencil from Rashid Mini Market (my brother bought it for me) and I brought it to school at Standard 1. Because no one has seen a mechanical pencil nor how was this going to work better than a staedtler, so I demoed by clicking several times on the pencil top and then new lead pops up. Every dumb friend in my class was wowing as if I was its founder of the most amazing creation on earth. *clap*clap*

11. I remembered walking alone to school (SRK Mahkota Sari) from home in the wee hours of the morning when I was living in Gerik, Hulu Perak . At age 12, I walked 1 km(!), through a lane that farms pigs (sty), to the main roads of Gerik, and straight to school during some mornings and no one kidnap me pun. Like no fear pun. I still wonder why those days are so safe and parents are sooo trusting of their kids. 

I did primary 5 & 6 (1992-1993) here in the once awarded "Cleanest school in Malaysia". SRK Mahkota Sari Gerik. 

12. Most of us girls are shorter than the current generation at the same age. You can attribute it to genetics, but I believe it was the previous formula milk powder that lack of DHA, EPA, etc. LOL! We girls get menses only at 13-14 years of age on average (that's late compared to average 10-11 years old these days). We were late bloomers with small boobs. Nowadays, if you see the 12-13 years old girls, they talk mature like they are 20s and have large boobs hovering over their chest.

13. We are exposed to nursery rhymes and movies like Sound of Music. But today I see no kids know about a single nursery rhyme that I mentioned (maybe I was child genius in English nursery rhymes and Aesop Fables). Nope, dunno Humpty Dumpty, Nope, dunno Jack and Jill. Nope, dunno Jack and the Beanstalk. Nope, dunno who what how a mirror can speak of beauty. Nor do they know what the hell I was talking when I mentioned Do Re Mi from Sound of Music. Hello, what happen to early-school education lately? I see kids being taught the toughest vocabularies and grammar as well as chinese characters as young as the age of 5 with a bunch of meaningless homework. 

Oh well, maybe kids learnt different things now compared to my time. Like how to dance like SNSD, identify suave hair like Lee Min Ho's, how to protect yourself from the Walking Dead, and how to hack into your parent's iTunes password. Lol.

I am just reminiscing the times we had and what our child is exposed to these days. How to give them the best of both worlds: the pre-globalization and the post-globalization times. The time will come and we shall see. 

Ivy-out!

Times have changed

My first post of year 2015 is on February. I know I am getting lazier by the days on blogging because updating a blogpost is actually a lot of hassle relative to microblogging platforms such as FB, Twitter, etc. January was also busy for many people because well, it's early of the year and everyone seemed busy with something new. Second, I was given the task as project leader for a particular project, and that got me a bit jittery and 'busy'. This is my first role as PL, and now engaged in management role that has crept in and I have to give up a bit of my comfort as a hermit in the laboratory. It's a refreshing transition though, but that just means I've got extra responsibilities in the near future.

I am also going into a project that has elements of quantum mechanics and computational chemistry, which means, what I have got to learnt up on stuffs that has nothing to do with chemistry: computer scripts (oh dear!), and physics. And I thought chemistry was all that was needed in my career after studying super hard to be a Certified Chemist. Now this? But again, it's all marvelous for the forever-want-to-learn-everything-in-this-world me. Call me jack of all trades (an insult, actually). ut because of this new computational element in chemistry, or whatever that means, I would have to be attached to a company in The Netherlands to learn up these computer scripting. I am delighted to be, for once, not in China. Lol!! So, Leiden Holland, which turns out to be the birthplace of Rembrandt....here I come!

Self-potrait of Rembrandt: a well-remembered painter that was born in the little town of Leiden, Netherlands.

Keukenhof, the infamous tulips farm and park is located just 15 min from Leiden.

This February would be the first Chinese New Year for me to give out angpows in doubles to relatives, family and friends. Also comes the responsibility to buy all the CNY visiting ('pai-lin') stuffs for relatives/family when going visiting during CNY, ranging from abalone, clams, 'kei-chi', red dates, fish maw, cookies, peanuts, etc, etc. that is somewhat obligatory and part of the Chinese culture. Married life has changed me rather in this sort of context: making sure I am a good wife, to be a good daughter-in-law, and at the same time still the same 'interesting', talkative, fierce daughter to my own parents. Quite a tough job, but I am not complaining; in fact, I am the one who wants to follow back these traditions which is set for thousands of years for our own good, and for good karma (not that I believe in karma, hehehe)

'Pai-lin' stuffs for CNY 2015 for various family members and relatives

I am also reducing running to ZERO (yes, not bluffing you), because I am trying for a kid just recently. Hormone testosterone rages in my body each time I run long distances, so it's natural to give up some heavy running/sports to maintain my beautiful estrogen and still-pretty-amazing menstrual cycle. Yes, people said that's a myth that one must stop doing heavy exercises to get preggers, but old wives tales are something you'd like to know when it comes to pregnancy. I am a scientific person, so, this testosterone vs. estrogen is pretty true, you know. I am willing to give up something to gain something else.

As a woman, we have many limitations but we cannot deny natural demands, and the childbirth ability that deteriorates drastically over time. Many people said I am at a critical age for childbirth which is undeniably true. This instinct to have a kid just crop up all of a sudden. Tell you, this feeling of wanting a baby has never crossed my mind until just recently (after I've nothing to study anymore, bored). And hello, it's not like I've not achieve a milestone of running and sports, kan? I have completed over 40++ races throughout my 6 years of running career, so I've missed absolutely nothing if I quit. Let's just say I have done competitive swimming, marathons, triathlons, duathlon, badminton, climbed up Mt Kinabalu, Aikido, traveled some cool places around the world, meet many people. So yes, I have a whole bunch of things in my bucket crossed out: next is having a child.

Nobody can have it all. But a silver-lining always, always appear even if you think you are in a grey cloud of uncertainty. Hanging up my shoes for good may be something drastic to many, but knowing me, I might go running after having a kid or two.

Til then, Ivy-out.

Farewell 2014 and Happy New Year

Dear Readers of Ivy-Kini dan selamanya,

Thank you for your support for year 2014, and I hope to write more in 2015. 

I am blessed for being able to continue writing my thoughts and upkeep this space since 2005.

Farewell and good riddance to an eventful Year 2014. Overall, it was a good year for me because I got married and honeymoon.

I wish you the best of health and lots of love in 2015. Also, pray for a better Malaysia. 

Happy New Year!

Love, 

Ivy

Also on: http://cchivy.wordpress.com 

Turkey Honeymoon

(Warning: A photo-rich post, very long read)

Turkey, our choice city for our honeymoon! We have planned this since March 2014 but because it's a group tour, there's not much real planning on our side of things. What we did before this trip was just to read up on the places of interest and Turkish foodstuffs!

We got booked with BesTours which offered us an amazing deal from Matta Fair. And mind you, in these kind of places where English language is not primary language and where places of interests is never in the reach of taxis, my advice (after returning from Turkey) is to NOT travel alone around Turkey, if it's your first time there. I am not saying it's not safe (it's safe alright). I am saying, most touristy places are inaccessible unless you join their ground tour.

Us and our new found (tour) friends at the Bosphorus cruise. Left of boat is Asia; Right is Europe. Turkey has the best of both worlds!

Turkey is the country that has the best of both worlds. Asia on your left, Europe on the right. My hubby was saying that if Istanbul has a full marathon, you can boast to your friends about running from Asia to Europe! Hahaha, good idea. Turkey has been a critical part of the Greek and Roman civilization for thousands of years, therefore the history is extensive. Imagine, Istanbul (formerly known as Constantinople) was a Christian city before the Ottoman took over in modern history making Islam its official religion and churches were converted into mosques. And then in 1900s, revolution led by Mustapha Kamal Ataturk made Turkey a republic, making it a secular country. (Disclaimer: My version of history may skew a bit, as I was always napping in the bus. Go and wiki if you are dissatisfied).

Thousand years of accumulated histories allows this country to be decorated by buildings of great architectures which leaves you in awe. Greek and Roman ruins around this countryside are evidence of thousands of years of war and peace. The ample natural resources allows for many great armies and governments to want to be conquer Turkey and own every grain of soil and (hot) springs it has. Even Virgin Mary, accompanied by the Apostle John, has a home near Ephesus, Izmir.

So many nice architecture building but don't ask me their names.  This is one infamous mosque situated next to the Bosphorus river that separates Asia and Europe.

We took Etihad Airways where the from KLIA to ISTANBUL via Abu Dhabi. We were lucky, as we've got an upgrade to Business Class. Of course, that means, demand demand demand (no, I didn't ask my peanuts to be served on a plate), and more leg SPAAAACCE! The Business Class at Etihad is simply different from MAS flights in a way that the former is more personal, but less romantic. My hubby was sitted next to me, but separated by the aisle, and because this is a honeymoon trip, I felt, ya... "separated". But we both crave leg-space and so: leg-space, flat-bed and massaging-chair is what we got!

Transformers and my vodka with lime and peanuts served in a bowl. Phew! :-P

Weird, seat number says we sit next to each other, but it's actually separated. So unromantic, Etihad's Business Class sittings. Meh.

We visited many many many historical places. You may think historical places are boring. But no. Historical places here come with loads of great stories of mythical origins (these mad Greeks and Romans) and real facts. And historical places here come with scenic views. Major agriculture in this kinda wintry weather are olives and mandarin oranges. First time jakun see olive trees, thought it was grapes.

I would like to again emphasize why a tour is essential at Turkey because one great city to another takes between 4-6 hours by bus. The tour crosses farms, hills, agriculture area, hills overgrowned with (real) Christmas trees, and old cities that eerily resembles ghost cowboys towns. Our Turkish tour guide did tell us a lot of things about the country, its history and their way of live throughout the journey so we did learnt quite a lot (although I slept all the time)!

Preparing their land for the next harvest. Towards Pamukkale

You cannot escape the thought of food or beverages associated with any foreign land you visit. In Turkey, it's no wonder that the infamous Turkish black tea, apple tea, and their crazy thick brewed Turkish coffee was the first thing that comes to mind. I like the black tea a lot, which taste like Lipton anyway, but the turkish one has a little more 'kick' in it. Well, I would say, I LOT MORE kick. Cause I had a major heart palpitation for the first time in my life at a cafe at Acropolis with a cup of black tea! My heart beat profusely fast that I had nausea and held on to dear life in the bus.

Tea MUST be served in curvaceous glass; Turkish coffee MUST be served in a banyak pattern punya cup. Just tradition, I guess. Then of course, other food may sound familiar to us Malaysians: Kebab, and Baklava. The lamb kebab is so delicious I almost cried (also because it was pricey). The cheese here is different from that of NZ or Aussie, and will surely decorate each and every bread I had here. This is because most cheese here are processed from goat's milk. I never thought I would say this (because I am not a foodie), but I must return here for the cheese.

Enjoying our cup of Turkish black tea over the Aegean Sea

Turkish coffee is bleh!

Our lamb kebab near the Grand Bazaar. Pricey but worth every Lira.

Aegean Sea is the sea in Turkey associated with Greek mythology. Of course, crossing this sea to get from Istanbul to Bursa (west coast), and back, requires your vehicle to be ferried through this sea. The trip is 1 hour, and yes, felt like Penang ferry, but here's it has a scenic view of the coast, and it's realllllllly cold now. Don't you dare stand outside the ferry. Your face sure frozen. No, I didn't spot Hercules and Pegasus killing monsters from this sea.

At the ferry. Let's get in before our face freezes.

He daringly face the cold outside , but I relented. Everyone else relented., as you can see.

Sunrise over Istanbul from the ferry

Aegean Sea over the coastal land of Kusadasi (a summer rich-man's playground). View from our hotel balcony.

Animals are so fat here, we wonder if those strays are even strays. Maybe because it's a four season country, therefore they develop great amount of fur, as Darwin's natural selection precedes. Cats are everywhere, Dogs are everywhere. Dogs and cats hug each other. I don't know. Everywhere in Turkey is dogs and cats that never fights. And yah, also, we spot a 'horse' at Troy.

Must be a cat's gossiping ground. So many at Bursa vicinity.

Another black cat crossing me at Bursa.

At Acropolis, 3 dogs were playing near the ruins, and one of them approached Fong. I am jeles.

My bus driver offered food to the dog and cats. One cat was riding on the dog's back like horse at Troy.

You cannot miss this animal at Troy

Baa baaa.

This fat one I saw at Ephesus on top of the Goddess of Victory, Nike.

Like Malaysia, Turkey is a secular country. But people here are 60-70% Muslim, and others are: "..dan sebagainya". You can pray if you want, don't want also can. Because if you Sunni, you pray 5 times a day in a mosque. If you Shiite, you don't pray in the mosque because history says a Shiite leader was once killed inside a mosque (as I was told by history book), so mosque is not "clean". But almost every corner city of  is filled with mosques, which is normal in Malaysia, but here, the mosque have super unique architecture: those oldy, moldy, Italian gothic type. Or Ottoman type(?). If they built a mosque in Turkey, they MUST follow back the same architecture or design. Cannot change. Like dat also can. 

Several mosque are to be mentioned: Bursa Ulu Cami a.k.a. Grand Mosque (there's a ski resort nearby), where there's a beautiful fountain inside the mosque. The super famous Sultan Ahmet/Blue Mosque in Istanbul where it's khat and ceiling design is incomparable to any mosques in this world. The pope came here to pray too in November 2014. And the Hagia Sophia, which if you read Dan Brown's Inferno that describes this museum beautifully, is I dare say, one of its kind in this universe. Yes, Hagia Sophia is NOW a museum; no longer a mosque nor church it once was. Because Mustapha Kamal Ataturk said so.

Outside Bursa's Grand Mosque

Bursa's Grand mosque (Ulu Cami) in front of a fountain inside the mosque.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque at Istanbul

Design inside the Sultan Ahmed Mosque

Hagia Sophia featured in Dan Brown's Inferno. Read that book to get more precise description.

Turkish lamps that can be found at Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

At Topkapi Palace where the Ottomans once lived. Now a museum containing loads of jewellery exhibits. That includes a 84 karat diamond, really.  

And what are the Fongs without some adventure, kannn?

Hierapolis at Pamukkale has 2 special elements: There's this natural wonder called Cotton Castle (a.k.a. Pamukkale) is only one of its kind in this planet. And because hot springs are associated with healing and cleanliness, the Romans (with bathing as their hobby), of course, made this place their home for hundreds of years.  They create a city around the springs called Hierapolis, which includes Necropolis (for the dead). So, if you come to this place, it's like super huge. Like from 20 km square (I guess nia, ok), Terraces of white hot springs sprung from carbonate salts, and surrounding it the ruins of the Roman city of Hierapolis and Necropolis.

This is what I was looking fwd to, not the hot-air balloon ride.

Winter and hotspings are soo compatible. Felt so good, as the springs is not too hot nor cold: 38 degrees C

Apart from carbonate rock formations that what made Pamukkale it is today, there's also yellow sulfur deposits which is a healing element.

LONELY PATH. No one ones a hike up the crazy path, only Mr. and Mrs. Fong.

Me and hubby performing alone at a theatre ruin. Because no one likes history in our tour except us, apparently.

We hiked up to this theatre, and we are alone in this vast stage !!!!!

Empty theatre. I like, cause no one kacau our photos. Can be creepy.

ALONE. Just you and me, Mr. Ruins!

A 6-hour trip from Pamukkale, is the great Library of Ephesus, which again we are all alone to visit this place. Crowd are thin in winter. But no crowd is good!

Another library, this one at Acropolis, is larger than Ephesus.  Must use cable car to get up here. That time was 1-2 degrees Celcius!

Selfies, oh Selfie! How can we not have couple pictures to end my already lengthy post: 

At the Hippodrome where it was once a horse racing stadium. But Ottomans sais that horse racing is gambling (true lah), so banned. COLDDDD.

Overall, I had a blast. My husband had his dream come true to visit Turkey. Let me just say, you need to love history to come to Turkey, but even if you don't, you will surely like their tidbits, baklava, and tea. And the natural wonders too. No regrets of not going for something more "relaxing", because I don't want relaxing beach vacations anymore.

But say if I do come back to Turkey, I must try a couple of things: Aegean sun bathing in summer, Cave stay at Cappadocia, Pamukkale once again, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern/Medusa's head. (http://yerebatansarnici.com/)

Must go:
1. Hagia Sophia
2. Sultan Ahmed mosque/Blue mosque
3. Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Necropolis
4. Ephesus, Izmir
5. Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

Skip:
1. Topkapi palace
2. Hippodrome
3. Kebab restaurant at Grand Bazaar (cheater!)

THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for a great year!

Thank you so much for reading through this lengthy post. You're a survivor.

Ivy-out.