Bad News and Good News

15 Jun 11

Yesterday, Jaden came back from his mandarin class and complained pain on his hands and legs. Upon checking, Hubby found several red marks on his hands and legs. He told Hubby that an elder boy beaten him in the centre.

Hubby got angry and called the principal of the centre. The principal denied and say Jaden fell down. But Jaden told Hubby that an elder boy has beaten him and the red marks are over several spots on his hands and legs.

The night before the next Mandarin class, Jaden told us that he didn't want to go to the class anymore.

Today, Hubby went to the centre to speak to the principal. The principal is arguing that Jaden fell down. Hubby told the principal the red marks are here and there, not just one spot and showed her the bruises on Jaden's leg and hand. Hubby told her that Jaden fell down cause he was trying to run away from the older boy.

The principal didn't say much and Hubby told them that it is their duty to protect all the children in the centre.

On the other hand ... I'm such a proud Mommy.

Jared had his Kumon Maths test on last Monday. After the test and result, the Kumon Centre's principal came and congratulated Jared and Hubby. Jared has set record at his Kumon centre for being the youngest kid, at less than 8 years old, to do Secondary Maths.

Is he right or wrong?

14 May 2010

Jared received his results paper for Maths. There was this question on the test paper: 1 = ( ) - 8

Jared answered as 1 = (7) - 8 and he got it wrong and 2 marks were deducted from this Maths paper.

We asked him "Why did you put 7?"

He said "8 - 7 = 1, so 1 = 7 - 8". His logic was it should be the same answer for equation when read from left to right or right to left.

Is he right or wrong?

Area of a circle

I have a recipe to make a 9 inch cheese cake. Usually, people do not eat a lot of cheese cake due to the cheesiness of the cake and I always left with half cut cake, which is not as nice or presentable.

I wanted to make 2 smaller cakes out of the recipe so that I can bring one to a friend’s house and one for afternoon tea with guests at home. But I’m not sure what cake tray dimension that I should use.

I goggled on the website and found this MathGoodies which is very useful.

A = Pi. r. r

Area of a circle = 3.14 x Radius x Radius, where radius is half the length of the diameter of a circle (Radius = Diameter / 2)

Area of a 10 inch cake tray = 3.14 x 5.0 x 5.0 = 78.5 inch2

Area of a 9 inch cake tray = 3.14 x 4.5 x 4.5 = 63.6 inch2

Area of a 8 inch cake tray = 3.14 x 4.0 x 4.0 = 50.2 inch2

Area of a 6 inch cake tray = 3.14 x 3.0 x 3.0 = 28.3 inch2

Yeah, now I can have 2 mini cakes for 2 different functions. It’s much nicer and presentable than having a half cut cake.

Google Maps

We will be going to Chin Ying's house for dinner gathering. She was trying to draw maps to her house for us, from 1 Utama and Kepong directions.

She told us that she's not good in drawing maps but yet she tried her best. After drawing about 3 maps which were not according to scale, I suggested Google Maps. She had not heard about Goggle Maps and asked "What is it?"

We logged into Google Maps and key-in her house address and walla ... the map from my house to her house was displayed with detail driving directions, distance and approximate time to reach the destination. She was so amazed by it.

Thereafter, she scolded us for not telling her earlier to save her the trouble and struggle drawing out the map for us :)

Income Tax e-filing

I am very proud of myself!

For a change, I didn’t submit my income tax return on the last day of deadline. This year, I filed my tax return online on 21 Apr 09. Hooray! This is my 2nd year using the online submission. It’s so convenient and easy to use.

I used to file my tax return online at the last minute and as the Inland Revenue Board’s (IRB) computer servers jam up, it was very frustrating. It is also unnecessary stress when we do things last minutes. I used to search for documents i.e. dividend warrants, insurance statements, donation receipts, mom’s medical bill, magazines/books receipts, etc.

Currently, I store all these documents required for tax submission in one folder. Once the tax return is completed, I filed the tax return and documents together in a booklet form. Now I have a booklet for each year of assessment. It’s nice to see everything is in place and easily accessible and found.

We need to make adjustment to our tax for income received in arrears. The tax difference is due to bonus income (for 2007) received in arrears (received in 2008), which was added in to YA 2007 chargeable income. I’ve confirmed with IRD officer that the tax deduction on the bonus in arrears is not to be included in the total amount of PCB deduction for the year 2008 and this will result in under-payment of tax. I intend to go to IRD office to settle my tax for the last few year of assessment.

Today, I read on The Star that “IRB servers overwhelmed”.

Due to last minute filing of tax returns and the computer servers jam up, IRB advised that the best time to access the e-Filing system is between 1am and 7am.
About 1.2 million people – almost half of the 2.5 million taxpayers in the country – used the e-Filing system last year, from 187,000 taxpayers when the system was first introduced in 2006 and the number grew by more than 350% in 2007, with 876,000 e-filers.

KIPPAS (Kios Pembaharuan Pasport) and Passport Renewal

My passport was expiring in Jul 09 and I have to go to Singapore next week on official matter. Our passports need to be valid for at least 6 months from the embarkation date.

I was browsing through Internet to find out more about passport renewal ie documents to bring, process, duration of time (especially the waiting time), etc. The next morning, I left home early to go to Immigration Department to renew my passport. Traffic was moving slow as I turned into Pusat Bandar Damansara (PBD). To avoid further delay, I decided to park at the PBD open space car park.

KIPPAS is a kiosk system which offers a service for passport renewal.


Things to bring to renew passport at KIPPAS kiosk are:

1. Existing international passport (must be Chip-based)
2. MyKad
3. Photocopy of MyKad (front and back)
4. 1 passport-size photograph
5. RM300 (RM50 or RM100 notes) for 32 pages, 5 years validity

There’s photocopy of MyKad and express passport sized photograph service available next to the kiosk room.

KIPPAS Passport renewal procedures:

1. Go to KIPPAS room located at Block I
2. Collect an envelope at the counter. Write your name, IC number and contact number. No need to fill up any form.
3. Insert 1 passport size photo and photocopy of MyKad inside the envelope. Do not seal the envelope.
4. Measure your height as you are required to enter the height into the kiosk later
5. Touch the screen of the kiosk and follow the instructions (not in sequential order, can’t remember).

• Choose the language (English or Malay)
• Slot in the existing passport
• Slot in MyKad for verification
• Place thumb print at scanner for authentication
• Choose 32 pages (the only choice)
• Pay RM300 for the renewal fee (only RM50 and RM100 notes accepted, insert notes one by one)
• Confirm your height (the last height in their record will be displayed); you can only grow taller and not shorter.
• Key in your contact number
• Put in your 1 passport size photo, photocopy of MyKad and passport into the envelope.
• Slot the envelope into the machine
• A printout of receipt will be provided, indicating time the new passport is ready for collection (usually 2 hours thereafter).

Collection of renewed passport is after 2 hours at Counter 16, 2nd Floor, Block I. This kiosk passport renewal is only available for Malaysian citizen aged 18 years and above with readable MyKad and only renewal for 30 pages of passport will be allowed.

The whole process is less than 5 minutes. I was there longer as there was a couple who was amazed with the kiosk and asked me “No queuing required?” They asked me to show them how to process the passport renewal via the kiosk.

I reached the PBD open space car park at 8.33 am and exit the car park at 9.03 am. The car park cost me RM6 for 30 minutes car park. The RM6 is the car park charge for the first 3 hours. So, you may wish to wait there. There are lots of eateries (Secret Recipe, KFC, Starbucks, etc), Giant hypermarket, etc. Otherwise, park at Block I basement P4 or P5 where the visitors parking are located. The parking rate there may be cheaper.

I told hubby to find car park at the Immigration office was longer than to do the passport renewal process. Hubby offered to pick me up from the office and drop me at the Immigration office for the collection of passport. That was a BIG relief!

Passport Collection Process: Present the receipt at Counter 16. They will give a ticket number for collection of passport.

1. Present your original Mykad for collection of passport.
2. Check the passport to ensure all the personal particulars and details are in order.
3. Thereafter, sign at the back of the passport.

Passport cover is sold at the collection counter at RM2.00.

I reached there at 11.46am. The number served was 8037 and mine is 8045. I thought it should be a quick one since there were only 8 people ahead of me. Then, they were calling numbers starting from 7xxx and the guy in-charge of dispensing the passport was walking in and out. I ran out of patience and approached him. By the time I collected my passport, it was 12.26 pm, exactly 40 minutes.

Previously, the express service was 3 days to renew passport. Thereafter, they improved it to 1 working day and now, only 2 hours. If you wish for your passport renewal to be done on the same day, reach the Immigration by lunch time. While waiting for 2 hours for collection of passport, you may have lunch at the vicinity or at Bangsar Shopping Complex.

The good news is the collection counter is also open during lunch time, one of the more efficient government office.

Block I, Pusat Bandar Damansara

Jalan Damansutra
50550 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 20955077

The Kiosk is only open from Monday to Friday, 8.30am till 3.45 pm.

1st concert at Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra

Date: 4.30pm, Sunday 5 Apr 09

Orchestra: Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra

Concert: A Clown's Guide to the Orchestra

Clownductor: Melvyn Tix

Jared's Yamaha Music School teacher encourages us to take our children for concert. We should expose them to music and musical instruments and to teach children the value of live music as nothing like seeing a live musical show.

Hubby and I used to be subscribers to Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP), situated at the heart of Petronas Twin Towers. We decided to take Jared to MPO's Family Fun Day concert, A Clown's Guide to the Orchestra. This light-hearted themed concert provides a better understanding, as well as an opportunity to interact with the music and musicians.

Jared and his very first live classical music concert.

Jared in DFP's box office.

Outside the concert hall, before the concert.

This concert was lead by clownductor, MELVIN Tix, whose real name is Petter Vabog. He was a professional Scandinavian horn player before becoming a “clownductor”. He started as a clown in 1981, with his first children’s concert in 1984.

He has performed this concert for almost 25 years and the great thing is he really know how to get children interested in classical music. He was the conductor who became a clown. Since children cant stay focus for a long time, Vabog kept the pace fast and fun as Melvin, with lots of variation in the show to keep the children amused and make sure they can keep concentrating.

He started off the concert with a lively introduction to the different sections of the orchestra.

Impressively, Petter is also a balloon-making genius. He did a few balloon shapes and some juggling and then a few minutes of music and go back to some magic and some more music.

During the show, he also performed brass solos on a mini trumpet, trombone, piccolo horn, the xylophone and a hose with a mouthpiece and a funnel, as well as conduct the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.

MPO transform themselves into weird and wonderful animals with the piece "Old MacDonald had a Farm".

He got the children to stand up and sit down and even conducted the orchestra.

There were lots of laughter in the concert hall. The concert lasted about an hour without intervals. Jared enjoyed the concert and I'm glad that the concert had education elements in it too.

After the concert, we walked around KLCC. There was F1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix 2009 at the Concourse of KLCC.

BMW cars were on displayed too. Nice car!

Jaden and Potty Training

A few months ago, we decided its time for Jaden to be potty trained. He was already 1.5 years old. Diapers are not cheap and as he grows, the price per piece gets more expensive .

Jaden initially refused to sit down on his potty. He would cry, screamed and struggled to get up from the potty. He didn’t like us to pull down his pants, let alone to take out his diaper. We gave up and he continued with his diapers day and night. Occasionally, he got rashes.

Jaden will be turning two in Mar. I felt it was really time for another round of potty training. My elder boy, Jared was out from diaper for day time at 1.5 years old. During my lunch with Jo who has a boy of the same age as Jaden, we exchanged notes on potty training and she told me how she managed to successful train Athan.

When I came home that day, I discussed with my hubby and Nina. We decided to put Jaden on potty training again. Jaden still didn’t like the potty. He cried, screamed and struggled when we tried to put him on potty again. Then, we asked Jared to sit on his potty. Somehow, Jaden likes to follow his brother. We let both of them played with the potty for a while.

Initially, Jaden was not used to not wearing diaper. I guess he felt naked and kept on pulling his pants higher. That's so funny.

He also didn't like the wet feeling after he wee wee in his pants. He said "wet wet" and made real fuss about it.

After that Jaden did not wee wee in his pants. Instead, he would say “Wet, wet” and Nina was very smart to quickly bring him to his potty. He cried and cried and after a while, the urine came out.

We noticed Jaden’s funny behavior when he wants to pass urine. He would hold his crotch, he would be grouchy and made fuss for no reason. He stopped doing whatever things he was doing, he will cry and the more frequently he will say “Wet, wet”.

A few days ago before bath, Nina put Jaden on the toilet bowl to wee wee. While holding his duck toy, he cried. Nina helped him to squeeze the duck and water came out from the duck. Thereafter, Jaden passed urine in the toilet bowl. Jaden looked down and he found amazed that there were water out from the duck and from his penis.

The next morning, surprisingly Jaden woke up and cry. He usually wake up smiling and will wake up his daddy "Daddy, daddy", touch and kiss daddy. I made him milk and after his milk, I changed his diaper. To my surprise, it was dry and without any trace of his urine.

I asked Jaden "Shee shee?” He sat up and walked to the toilet. I helped him to the toilet bowl and he passed his urine without any fuss.

The same thing happened the following day ... and the following day. No urine on Jaden’s diaper throughout the night. Hooray! The potty training is completely successful.

Today, the same thing happens, with the addition of “poo poo”.

After poo poo, he looked into the toilet bowl and then, flushed the water.

Jared and Vitagen

Jared's kindergarten is organising an educational visit to the Vitagen factory to enhance the children's knowledge on its thematic activities.

On last Sunday (15 Feb 09) night, while I put Jared to sleep, he asked me "Mummy, when am I going to Vitagen factory? Next Tuesday or next, next Tuesday?"

Me : Next, next Tuesday.

Jared : Why so long?

Then, on last Wednesday (18 Feb 09), he asked me again.

Jared : Mummy, when am I going to Vitagen factory? Next Tuesday or next, next Tuesday?"

Me : Next Tuesday.

Jared : Next Tuesday? Why that day I asked you, you said "Next, next Tuesday?"

Me : Because that day when you asked me it was Sunday. So, there's 2 Tuesday to 24 February. Now, there's only 1 Tuesday.

Jared : You mean, tomorrow is Thursday, then Friday, then Saturday, Sunday then Monday and then Tuesday I'll be going to Vitagen factory?

Me : Yes.

Jared : Hooray!

Yesterday, we asked Jared to drink the Yakult drink that we had in the fridge but he didn't want to drink.

Then I asked him "If you don't like to drink Yakult drink, why are you visiting Vitagen factory?"

Jared : I go to Vitagen factory to see how they make Vitagen, not to drink Vitagen!

Today's kid!

Jared and Kumon

I went to pick up Jared from Kumon tonight. When I reached the centre, Jared was doing his Kumon corrections with Jennifer, the centre's principal/owner.

I felt very happy to see how Jennifer and Jared interacted. Jared had his Kumon test today. He managed to finish the test in 13 minutes with few mistakes and Jennifer coached him on the corrections.

Jared passed the test and will move on to do multiplication. Jared was so excited that he has progressed to the next level of Kumon. He went to the reception counter and said “Excuse me, Mr Choo. I passed my test and did it fast, 13 minutes”.

When Jared reached home, he showed hubby and me his new Kumon homework, that is multiplication work for a 5 year old boy.

There’s really no limit to a child's potential. We just have to expose them. I remember once asking Jared “Do you want to stop Kumon?” as some days, he has a very hectic schedule i.e. Krista till 12pm, Mandarin class till 1.30pm, Krista homework, Kumon homework, practice keyboard, etc.

As expected, he said “No, I like Kumon”. My hubby and I always tell Jared “So long you like it, we’ll let you have it”.

Krista Concert and Graduation

Krista Concert & Graduation 2008 was held at the auditorium of Sri KDU Primary School in Kota Damansara on Sun, 19 Oct 2008. This is the 3rd year that we attended Krista Concert since Jared went to Krista when he was just 2 years and 3 months old.

The quality of the concert has improved year after year. The principal, Susan, and the teachers have done a good job in organising this concert and graduation event.

Performance by the youngest group, 3 years old called The Shakers.


They looked so cute, especially when they shake their bodies ... Shake, shake, shake.


The Malay dance, Nirmala by the 4 years old students.

Disco Mania, performance by the other 4 years old students. At 4 years old, they danced really well.

The Indian dance, My Valentine by Jared and his classmates of 5 years old.

I remembered the first year I watched Jared performed on the stage when he was just 3 years old. It was such an emotional moment. Tears came rolling down my cheek and at the same time, I was feeling happy too. I cannot imagine how fast time flies, from a newborn baby and then, he performed on stage for us.

Korean Fantasy by the other 5 years old students.

These costumes were so lovely and sweet. Every year, the school comes out with new attractive costumes.

FAN-tastic ... performance by the graduating group, the 6 years old students.

Another performance by the 6 years old ... Wild Wild West!

The Futuristic by 6 years old students.

The Graduation photo.

The finale by all of Krista students.

Travel Pillow

We bought this travel pillow from Mothercare at RM44.




Initially, Jared refused to allow us to put on this travel pillow. When he is asleep in his booster seat, his head dropped to the front and he may injure his neck.




We will quietly strap on this travel pillow whenever he falls asleep in his booster seat. It supports his head and Jared would have a good rest, especially on a long car journey.




Now, he loves this travel pillow.

Tumble Tots

We like Tumble Tots as we had good experience with Jared who attended Tumble Tots classes when he was 2 years old. We noticed that Jared became more confident. Tumble Tots builds confidence and personality development through play.

We started sending Jaden to Tumble Tots in August 08, after he started to walk confidently. We sent him to the "Walking to 2 Years" class.

I sent Jaden for a trial class first. The trial class is at RM25 per session and if you signed up on the day itself, the fee will be waived. For the first time payment, I paid in total RM485.

• Enrolment fee RM20
• Annual membership RM80
• Refundable deposit RM100
• Quarterly term fee RM285.

As I signed up during the Merdeka Carnival sale, we got 4 months (1 month free) for the Quarterly term fee.

As there are a few classes in a week, do choose the day and time that is suitable for your child. Avoid their napping and eating times.

The class duration is 45 mins, once a week. The first 20 mins is free play and for the children to explore the different stations ie Climbing, Balancing, Agility and Co-ordination. Children must be accompanied by parents, though some parents sent their maid to the class. I remembered Reihan told me that she encouraged parents, instead of maid, to accompany their children to the class. This is to encourage bonding, getting to know your child better, support, better communication, etc.

Jaden's favourite stations, crawling through the box. I remembered during his first few classes, he wouldn't do this.

After the free play, its the Opening Circle time. Children will be introduced to all the kids and waived at each other.



Then, they will do Rhyme and Action Songs. The children touching their noses.





More rhyme and action songs ie tap on the floor, body rocking, etc




This flying sponge is to encourage co-ordination.



At the end of each class, children will be given a sticker as encouragement for achievement for the class. Each week, different sticker will be given out. This week the sticker is "Tumble Tots are Magic".

For more information on Tumble Tots, do visit their website at http://www.tumbletots.com.my/

Kumon

Nicole called me and she's wondering if she should send her daughter, Claire to Kumon. Claire is same age as Jared. They will be 5 years old in October.

We sent Jared to Kumon since Jan 07, when he was 3 years and 3 months old. At that time, Jared was the youngest student at Krista Sri Damansara.

Hubby wanted Jared to pick up his maths now, so as he has lesser subjects to cope when he goes to primary school. Hubby explored and compared with other Maths centre, he talked to friends, surf on the net, etc. We went to Kumon open day and attended the briefing session. Finally, we selected Kumon as Kumon emphasise on independent and self discipline, which were what we wanted Jared to build up.

Kumon emphasised on adherence to standard completion time on large number of worksheets. This requires good concentration ability and also good learning habits.

This is extremely difficult with children of young age when their attention span is short and easily distracted.

With Jared, we went through lots of challenging time with him on his Kumon worksheet. It was hard for him to stay focus and complete the entire worksheet for the day, not to mention to complete it within the standard time. He would do a few pages of the worksheet, ran around, continue with the worksheet, stopped and play, etc. During holiday, we have to bring the daily worksheet with us and ensure he complete the worksheet everyday. There were lots of nagging and trying to ensure Jared complete the worksheet within the time frame was extremely challenging and stressful.

Many times, we always tell ourselves that after all, he's just a kid and we didn't want to push him too hard. We talked to him, persuaded him (by trade off with PSP, TV shows, etc), be supportive and patient with Jared. After a period of time, these self discipline and independent quality translated to self-compete and desire to advance quickly.

Parents contribute a significant role in order for the kids to benefit from this Kumon program. Our kids need our support and patient for them to go through the initial challenging period.

For more information on Kumon, do visit their website at

http://www.kumon.com.my/index.html