Visited a foreign dentist for the first time in my life. All these while, I’d always visited the same old dentist in PJ New Town, yeah since I was a child. I think the dentist should be around 60 years old by now. That’s where I got my “Gigi Besi” (braces) done as well. “Gigi Besi” was the nickname given by my adolescent cycling mates.

I was expecting to go through a series of distressing scaling procedure but the dentist told me that I’ve got to book a hygienist to get that done. The dentist does not specialize in cleaning, so customers need to engage with different professionals for different treatments. So troublesome! Nevertheless, expectant mothers get all check-ups and treatments done for free! Even up to a year post delivery….oohhhh that’s a bonus especially when dental treatments are so costly in this country. Although I’m covered under the company insurance but believe it or not….£54 for a basic routine check-up (without scaling) – mel.

Worked from home today due to planned train strike. The employees of Southwest Train (transport organization) call off duty in order to settle a dispute with the authority. Mainly on pay and benefits disagreement. However, they did the right thing by informing commuters well in advance, early last week if my recollection is right.  No dramas, peaceful strikes but they are planning another 2 next month – mel.

 

Providing company to Eng doesn’t come for free hehe Just kidding! The next accomplishment (besides finishing a book) from this trip were the delectable dinners. Guess what? Indian again! 2 days in a row! We are so obsessed with the cuisine. I have to post bigger photos of the dishes here as they were just…………..(speechless with mouthful). Check out the texture of the rice aiyoyo….Below are Noor Mahal Chicken Briyani and Karahi Lamb that we had in Bukhara restaurant in Preston. I’m still reminiscing the taste as I type – mel.

                    

                    

This is the first book by Steve Biddulph that I’ve ever read. A good book indeed. I have to confess that if I was in KL, I wouldn’t have set eye on the content that discuss about “should under 3s go to nursery?” I should be returning to my full-time job after 2 months of maternity leave, hired a full time Indonesian maid to assist in household chores while my mum supervises on childcare. By the time my little Camberley reaches the age of 3 or 4, off he/she goes to the nursery. What I would never think of is the upbringing of a child under a care of other individuals besides the parents would never be the same. That applies even if the child is under the care of his/her own grandparents. However, if one has no other options, this would be the best solution compared to nursery care. The expectation and need for mental stimulation, development of emotional intelligence and infant-parent attachment occur when the child is under 3 and parents are the only ones who can provide these basic requirements. Once the child surpasses this stage without proper development, it may mould him/her into a human being that he/she was never meant to be. Sounds drastic, doesn’t it? Giving up a professional career is indeed difficult and a big sacrifice. So all the full time mothers out there are without doubt altruistic and deserve all the gratitude. Some colleagues asked me if I intend to be one. Do you think I’m capable? Nevertheless, with some informed decisions and options, we hope to do what we can for the child or at least endeavour for a balanced work and family life. Will see how it goes – mel.

It was a long weekend as yesterday was a bank holiday. Unfortunately, Eng made a last minute arrangement to work in Preston throughout the weekend. So I decided to tag along. I brought my laptop and books with me with the hope that I can get online and do some surfing and blogging but the broadband connection in the room didn’t function. Darn! So, did some offline work and read a good book on raising babies while Eng was at work. Preston is a relatively small town, nothing much to capture. Instead, took a few shots in the hotel as my humble contribution for this trip - mel.

 

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This is a working weekend for Eng and he’s at his customer’s site at Preston since Friday evening. He would be back tonight. So, this is Mel blogging and Mel met up with Mel for lunch, shopping and dinner on Sat. The twin Mel whom I’m referring to is a colleague from KL who has just arrived in London. While waiting for the train, she kept stealing looks at my tummy and after a few minutes, I just caught her stare and said “Not showing right?” haha! No one can tell I’m pregnant and hence, I am never being offered a seat in the train….boohoohoo. Anyway, we had lunch at London’s most famous duck restaurant, the Four Seasons. Hmmm the duck dish was below my expectation but they claim themselves as the “duck specialists”. However, the pork belly with preserved vegetables (“mui choy kau yuk”) was superb! Best one I’ve ever even eaten in my life. Highly recommended! Sorry no pix as I was trying to travel as light as possible. This pregnant lady is quite clumsy at times, so didn’t want to bring too many gadgets to the hectic city. Then, jumped on the bandwagon for the last minute summer sales but I can’t believe that I didn’t buy anything. Well, I tried on a few outfits but looked awful….could be due to my expanding figure… sigh – mel.

Is KL the cheapest city in the world ?

Let me show you this comparison

It is clear that KL is not that cheap after all compare to the world most expensive city. OK, maybe it is not fair to just look at car, but that is an essential item in KL. Almost all household will at least own a car.

Anyway, even though I disagree with the ranking, I do hope the report by UBS will win more tourists coming to the country.-eng

As I was walking up the stairs to the 1^st floor of our flat, I could smell the aroma of an Asian cuisine…more like Indian curry or some garlic and onion dish. The aroma got stronger and as I accessed our unit, mmmmmm that’s where the smell originate from! Oh boy, oh boy…what could that be? Just threw my laptop and pashmina on the bed and headed straight to the kitchen. Aha! Gordon Ramsay’s apprentice in action with his own version of “Kai Fan” (chicken rice).  Yummy! Thanks to Alison’s book of recipes which gave Eng the inspiration. It’s finger-licking good! - mel

It was a chaotic situation at the UK airports yesterday due to bomb threats. Our family and friends were concern about our safety. Not to worry, we will avoid hanging out at crowded places in Central London and commuting by tube or buses until the situation becomes unruffled. Besides, we have stopped traveling for the time being, not until Camberley is born. We are more concern about friends traveling into UK instead. Be sure you check out these sites for travel and safety alerts prior to departure and do not bring any food items except for commercially packed medication into the country. I’m sure the officers will inspect every luggage this time.

http://www.mi5.gov.uk/

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390572>

This world risk will prolong for a period of time. All we can do is just pray for the best - mel.

Our little ‘sis’, Alison who works in Singapore mailed a book on pregnancy recipes to me. Thanks Mui Mui! It does help a bunch especially when we do not have elderly, experienced generation around to advise and help us. I do not understand a word in that book as it’s written in Chinese but luckily I have my translator and chef with me (Eng lah, who else) Will be a busy weekend hunting for the ingredients. Was flipping through the pictures and these fish and prawns dishes look so yummy. Craving for these man!

 

 

  

I visited the GP twice during my 7^th week and I was just expecting the GP to prepare a referral letter for me to visit the obstetrician in a hospital. I didn’t expect to obtain any consultation from him at all but I’ve been explained that the GP and midwife will jointly assist throughout my pregnancy trimesters until delivery. Should there be any complications, they will engage a consultant ie. Obstetrician/gynae. Therefore, there will be no need to consult an obstetrician at all and ultrasounds will only be conducted twice. I’m finding it a little worrying, as it seems too little monitoring compared to the fuss in KL. Maybe it is sufficient. Most of my women colleagues went through the same experience and didn’t seem to find any difficulties. Well fingers crossed. 

Finally got to visit the midwife, Helen for the very first time today. It was an hour-long consultation as she took my urine samples, blood samples, weight and both Eng and my medical records. We even got to hear Camberley’s heart beat using a device called Doppler. The heartbeat was super fast and loud. Miraculous! Helen gave me a pregnancy pack to take home….ouch..more materials to read in addition to my existing thick and heavy books. Praying hard that all test results will be good.