Censored Census

A population census is done every few years to determine the country's demographic pattern and to assist the existing government in planning the development of the country to benefit its people of all ages. A census done properly throughout the country will bring good to the people of the country through proper planning to improve the people's lives.

Unfortunately, a census that is done half-heartedly does not bring any good to the people. Not only it is a waste of everyone's time, worse of all, it also wastes taxpayers' money. According to one of the taxpayers, where is the KPI?

When I first received the census form from the enumerator, I wholeheartedly filled out all the information and handed it back to him. It was a long-drawn and boring process, but I did it in full belief that the information will be made to good use. However, I felt so cheated when I heard of all the news surrounding the current census. I did not know why I bother to fill in the information in the first place.

Was there inadequate planning for the census to be carried out in a thorough manner? Or is it the lackadaisical attitude of the enumerators that cause the census' information to be accurate? There are complaints of people waiting at home whole day till the end of the census period, but no enumerators show up. A phone call to the census centre is met with answering machine. Enumerators who showed up at the doorstep did not make the effort to ask all the questions in the census form. Mostly asked three or four questions and attempt to fill up the rest of the form on their own. Some of the just stick the yellow cardboard on residents' door without performing the censues. So, where is the authenticity of the answer submitted to the government then?

It does not help that part of the census is done during the fasting month where everything and everyone is moving slower by 50%. Of course, not all blame can be pushed to the government department. The enumerators are part-timers who may not put their whole heart into the job. Some of the even quit halfway, forcing the supervisors to perform the census themselves.

And to think that those who complain are people who hope that the information given will help the government to properly plan for the development of the country. What happen to the rest of our countrymen? They not only do not want to cooperate in the census for fear the government trying to get more information that they bargain for. Some even ask their dogs to chase away the enumerators.

Hmm, I wonder how the government will proceed to analyse the census data. At the end of the day, future country development will depend on the census information available. Can we blame the elected few if the development does not reflect the demographic pattern of the country? Or we only have ourselves to blame?

Good luck to the planners!

Confirmed and Certified

That explains it!

For the past five months I am not myself at all. For once, I am more feminine. I feel and act more feminine.

Never in my whole life that I buy flowers for the sake of putting it on the table. I take a second look at my needleworks and continue working at them like it's the end of the world. I talk more softly. I am more sensitive. I cry more easily. I feel more for the people and things around me. I take care more of myself. I take care of my appearance and style. All in all, I am a new me.

Of course, all of the above are the psychological changes that I see within myself. Physically, my pregnancy experience is also different from the first two pregnancies.

I was having nausea for the first three months. I needed to sleep and sleep and sleep. I could not eat rice. All I like to eat are fruits only. After reaching the third months though, all kinds of cravings attack me. I crave all and different types of food that you can think of. I eat and eat until I have passed my target weight. This is also unique to me.

Some of the physical changes that are unique to this pregnancy are my bustline grow a lot bigger and my hips grow in tandem with the weight. I do not look fat yet to some of my friends though since I was small size before I got pregnant. Even though now it is sad that I have grown a size. I am hoping that I will go back to my pre-pregnancy size after the birth of the baby, safe for my breast, hahaha.

One thing that make me happy is that it seems like my face did not change much and did not puff up. I look pretty, if not prettier than my pre-pregnancy face (perasan). My nose did not grow bigger like it did in the first two pregnancies. At first there were pimples on my face which I attribute to my hormones but now my face is as clear as it can get. I don't know if it is due to the hormone level, or my facial, or my new skincare products.

And yesterday, when I went for my monthly check-up, my doctor finally confirm what is obvious to us all along.

We are expecting a baby girl in November!

So, now there is less fear of a middle child syndrome since everyone is different. We have one eldest child, one youngest boy and one youngest girl.

Can't wait to have a first look at our new baby....

Now Everyone Can Fly

Back in the 80s, when we were young, flying to anywhere in the world is a dream to everyone. Anyone who are able to fly anywhere, even a single trip out of our country is deemed a rich person for the price for an air ticket plus the accommodation and expenses in other people's country was beyond our imagination. Most of the people had their first flying experience in their twentys when they go overseas to further their studies.

Thanks to globalization and our own Dato' Tony Fernandes, now everyone can fly. Nowadays, it is just a matter of decision of driving, taking a train, or flying to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur. The most common of people, namely us, can even afford to fly. First-time flying experience is granted to children, or in some cases, even infants.

We plan to drive to Singapore this Saturday, leaving our two boys at my mother's house. The first question W asked my this morning was what time is my flight? Hmm, I should not be surprised by his question, should I? Flying has become so common that the modern children never even think twice of flying. Any flying experience is like a day-to-day experience that is not much to look forward to.

For me, someone who experienced her first flying experience in her twentys, flying is still a fun thing to do, even if it is a fifty minute flight.

Good Morning Teacher!

Yesterday W forgot to bring his tuition file home from school. He decided not to go tuition the next day for fear of being scolded and beaten by his tuition teacher. After much coaxing, we decided to go to school early in the morning to retrieve his file before he attend his tuition class.

So, W had to wake up early in the morning and went to school together with his brother. When we reached the school gate, W was reluctant to go into his classroom to retrieve his file. I even asked the teacher's permission for him to go into the school in his pyjamas! With much coaxing and scolding, he finally went into the school, up the stairs and to his classroom.

As he went into the school, I need to wait by the school gate. Parents are not allowed to cross a certain yellow line at the school compound for security reason. While I waited for him and started to daydream, a school girl started to walk towards me and bow to me! After that she was followed by those students who just arrived at school. I realized that they thought I am one of their school teacher and trying to bow to greet good morning to me. Hahahaha, do I look like a school teacher? In this big belly? I quickly stood to a side before more students bow at me and the real teacher look at me funnily.

And to think that after the embarrassing moment, W came to me and claimed that he did not manage to retrieve his file. He was afraid to go into the class because there a lot of morning session students in the class. He scared they will beat him because they look fierce!

I could not believe he rather took the chance to be scolded and beaten by his tuition teacher then retrieving his file in front of strangers....

Limited Access

I read today's newspaper about us living in a digital world nowadays. No one goes anywhere without anything digital. Mobile phones, iPods, MP3, etc. And when we travel, a part of our luggage has to be reserved for our chargers for our paraphernalia. Needless to say that it is the norm for every home to have an internet access. A day without the internet feels like a day without hands.

Last week, I did not have much access to the internet. M took the HSDPA to work most of the days and I was left high and dry. Having lots of inspiration to write without a place to write them made me almost crazy. In my most inspirational moment, I almost wanted to write the story on a paper first. And after a week of internet-less life, my ideas all dried up, and it takes me a few minutes to take up my keyboard and start 'writing' again.

However, other than the urge to continue blogging, I found that I actually can do without internet in my life, especially when I am with my family. I still read newspaper the traditional way as the boys need to bring old newspapers to school. I seldom google for stuff except for breastfeeding and parenting information, which do not need constant daily internet. I can do it as and when there is internet connection.

The only thing that I always do that need internet connection is when I play games online. And I find it a blessing when I do not have internet connection. Really. It actually free up my time to do the things that I am supposed to do. Suddenly I found that I really, really have the whole morning and afternoon to myself to do whatever I plan to do. Amazing!

Hmm, it is not the internet's fault. It is just the temptation that comes with the access. Maybe I should start cutting my game playing time, so that I have more time to complete my to-do list.

Discipline, discipline! Which I lack....

Coffee, coffee, coffee

I can't live without coffee. The only time I couldn't stand coffee was during the first trimester of my pregnancy. Now, I embrace coffee like my second child. I need to drink a cup of coffee every afternoon on weekdays and every morning on weekends. I could not imagine giving up coffee for anything in this world.

Yesterday, I received a devastating news from my sister. She found out from my sister-in-law that apparently drinking coffee affect the breast milk supply. She herself experienced a less full breast after having a cup of coffee.

No wonder I feel that my bustline slow its growth once I start to drink coffee again after my first trimester. Should I continue drinking without remorse till the baby is born? Or should I stop drinking my coffee this instant?

My first reaction when I heard the news was to indulge in my daily drink as much as I can until the baby is born. I will need to stop my coffee consumption for at least half a year, if not more, when the baby is feeding off me anyway. So, if the baby is breastfeeding for 5 years, do I stop drinking for 5 whole years??? I couldn't believe my ears!

After a good night's sleep, however, I have decided to try going cold turkey and give up my daily cup after today's indulgence. I really, really want to breastfeed my youngest baby for as long as possible. A sacrifice of a daily cup of coffee will not be deemed as too much of a sacrifice. As long as my baby is healthy.

Hmm, to drink or not to drink?