Christmas in Sydney

I'm really glad I went to Sydney for xmas. :-)))

Quality time spent with my sister, Yan; BIL, Michael; little miss squeaky, Ayisha; Tom and Imelda, Vicki and Darren and baby Jack, as well as Adam and family. Not forgetting Jess the best that made the Tiramisu cake for dessert last night (yummsss!). Hehe... Thank you so so much everyone!!! xoxoxo ;-)

Did not take photos at all which I'm blaming it on the pregnancy hormones that makes me oh so lazy. Haha! Well, all I did was eat, sit around, eat, watch tv, eat, sleep, eat, play with the kiddies, eat, help around a bit when needed, eat, oh and yes, shopping! :-) Huhuhu... Oh well, I was really just happy to be surrounded by familiar faces. Didn't realize how much I missed them until I'm there. And starting to miss them all now. Isk isk... Huhuhu..

It's the last day of the year 2010 today. Already??!!! Hurmmm... My mind's suddenly going into a reminiscing-the-year-2010-mode. Huhuhu... How was your year?

Cheers!

Old and New in the Land Down Under

An old friend came to Oz for her holiday recently. Cik Lina was one of my many Microbiologist friends (undergraduate's major). Fun times! :-) She came with her friend, Zila. I've met Zila before but this time around, it just gave us more time to get acquainted. And I also met a new friend. It's a Malaysian family living in Oakley near Brisbane City. Kak Mar's doing her PhD and there's also her husband, Mr. Zie who's quite active within the Malaysian society in Queensland. They have two wonderful boys; 8 and 6 years old. Love them! I've heard of them before from Cik Lina, spoke on the phone once or twice but not until Cik Lina came that we finally met. I just spent a night with them due to limited time but it was great! I almost cancel my plans to catch up with Cik Lina but glad I didn't. Just realized I only have a few photos taken then. But I guess it's more than enough.

From left: Cik Lina, Kak Mar, the boys, Zila and me.

The next day (last week Thursday), another old friend, Jaja, came to visit. She's currently studying in Melbourne and is on her summer holidays. She came with one of her friends, Zan. They are currently living together in Malaysian Hall in Melbourne. They arrived at Sunshine Coast Airport at 10 am and I was just in time. I took the bus to the airport. The buses now stop in front of the airport entrance. Cool! We decided to have to rent a car due to the bus strike announced to be taken place on Friday and Saturday. Not cool!!! Although having a car is definitely handy. :-) After having some fried rice & fried chicken at my place, I went to Uni and Jaja and Zan embarked on their Mooloolaba and Caloundra exploration. Neither of them expected to be caught up in a hailstorm later that afternoon. Once in a lifetime experience? There was however a beautiful rainbow afterwards. 

The very few hail stones after the storm.

The grass field was at one point white: covered in ice... Huhuhuhu..

The rainbow after the rain. :-)

They made it safely to Uni to pick me up before heading home. The next few days were full of sightseeing and shopping at Montville, Maleny, Sunshine Plaza (Maroochydore), Eumundi Markets, Noosa and Brisbane City. They headed home for Melbourne Monday morning.

Zan and Jaja having Turkish kebabs at Sunshine Plaza

 I hope they had a pleasant stay. I really enjoyed having them here. Thanks for putting up with this pregnant lady at times. Still not used to being pregnant. Will I ever be? Huhuhu... 

Oh yes, Jaja and Zan also had a chance to go to a Xmas party. My landlady invited us to her party. A Xmas party; complete with Santa Claus! I didn't managed a photo of Santa but there's also the clown. ;-)

Love watching the kids! So much fun!

I'm heading to Sydney today. Yeay! Ooppsss!! Better get ready now. Happy holidays peeps!

Cheers!

From UTI to Pregnancy

September 23

The day I reached Coolangatta, Gold Coast. I had 2 weeks of time off from Uni and spent it at home, Malaysia. It didn't feel like 2 weeks, more like few days! Huhuhu... :-(

Thought of going to the lab right after I reached Sunny Coast, but opt on staying home instead. Blame it on the holiday mood! Heh... I went to the lab the next day anyways and yeah, my dear supervisor decided to take sick-leave the day I came back, and she's still on-leave for another 2 weeks. I was a bit lost!!! *Sigh*

I've planned to work in the lab that weekend but I got sick. Excruciating pain; similar to my period pains/cramps all night, Saturday. Couldn't take it anymore, went to the clinic on Sunday morning. $70 for a consultation??!!! Huhuhu... I had an infection. Astaghfirullah... Felt better and was in the lab the following Monday and Tuesday but I felt sick again and went to the clinic on Wednesday afternoon. (Thanks, Denni! You're my life saver.) It turned out that the previous antibiotic prescribed couldn't kill the bacteria infecting me. The bacteria was resistant to the antibiotic! After a few doses of a different antibiotic, I was feeling much better. Hope that was the only time I'll have to go through any UTI! 

October 4

Desperately trying to get my working momentum full-on again!

Work! Work! Work!

Study! Study! Study!

Cook! Cook! Cook!

East! Eat! Eat!

Hehehe... ;-)

October 10

Just because it was 10.10.10

Hahaha!

October 12

I was 9 days late. There was one time when I didn't have my periods until the 36th day. About a week late. My periods came the day I decided to buy a home pregnancy test. Huhuhu... This time around, Mr. Hubby said I should take the test, immediately! Being a good wife, I did as told the next morning. I was pretty nervous. The results;

Two lines??? Couldn't remember if this was the 1st or 2nd test. Yes, I did 2 tests. Huhuhu...

Errrr.... What's next???!!! Told Mr. Hubby and I immediately went to the clinic. 

It was a bit funny. I told the Doctor that I did 2 home pregnancy tests and the results were positive. And then he said "Positive pregnancy tests? Well, you are pregnant then!" WTH? Hahaha!! He asked me if I was experiencing morning sickness (which I don't.. Alhamdulillah..), sore and tender boobs (itchy too!!!), frequent trips to the toilet (maybe not yet??) and feeling more tired than ever all the time!!! Huhuhu... I was weighed, got my blood pressure checked and I was sent to the pathology lab for all sorts of testing. The Doctor said in 2-3 days, if there's any problem, they'll call me. It was nerve-wracking! No calls from the clinic till Friday, October 22 (about 2 weeks after the tests). Had an appointment on Monday (October 25) and all's good. Alhamdulillah... Next appointment; November 23. 

Oh and yes, I received a card! All the way from the States. Again, I almost cried!! I miss you so much, Ellie! When can we Skype again??

October 26 - November 23
Apart from labwork, 3MT competition, confirmation seminar and school/Uni stuff, I was starting to get use to being pregnant (so i thought! huhuhu...). Not as tired as the first few weeks, but definitely still need at least 8-10 hours of sleep. Was starting to experience headaches (really bad ones at times; berdenyut2!!!). It was probably because of stress, didn't eat as soon as I got hungry, spent too long in front of the computer or just being too tired. I was 11 weeks when I went for the next Doctor appointment. He just asked some standard questions about my pregnancy and arranged for me to have my 12-14 weeks scan.

November 28 - December 10
Fera came to the Coast and was by my side for my scan. The scan... I was speechless. Although it was a bit challenging as I was trying to hold it in all through the scan. Talking about a full bladder!!! Huhuhu...

I was banned from the lab right after I told my supervisor I'm pregnant. The lab people are doing a risk assessment for me to work in the microbiology lab. And yes, I miss the lab eventhough it has only been a few days.

Went to the Doctor yesterday to discuss the outcome of the scan and blood tests. From the measurements of the lil un, as of November 30, I'm 12 weeks and 6 days pregnant. They also measure the Nuchal Translucency and it shouldn't be a worry. InsyaAllah... It's something to do with chromosomal abnormality diseases risk assessment; probability of having a Down Syndrome baby, etc. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Nowadays, I have to make sure I pack enough food to Uni and not let myself get hungry. Nasty tummy aches if I get hungry! I've only vomitted twice; ate too much and didn't let all the food to fully digest before getting on a car through a rollercoaster kinda road, and drank 500 ml of water in 30 seconds. Huhuhu... Hopefully I wouldn't vomit anymore. I really need to remember to eat and drink slowly. My bum starts to feel sore; sitting too long, when walking too much or it just gets sore whenever it wants to. Huhuhu... I also get brief cramps when I sneeze or cough and when I try to sit up quickly while lying down. I think I just have to slow down and take my time. Betol tak??? Huhuhu.... Oh yes, I can't walk as quick as I used to and I feel so fat!!! Haha! Ultimately, I feel that I'm more sensitive. Super sensitive. Get offended and teary very easily. *Sigh*

Anyways, today, the Sunbus drivers decided to go on a strike. Walk to Uni? I would if I can. Therefore, I'm WFH (working from home). Hehehe... (Pina, my eldest sister's favourite quote). Well, better get back to work.

Cheers!!!

reality bites~

Who comes to the lab at 7 o'clock in the morning on a Saturday?

That's my reality.

"Haih... Back to reality..."

That was what Fera said whilst packing her bag for home yesterday, after spending 5 days in the Coast. She came to Oz to have her long-overdue-holiday and of course, to visit me! ;-) (Perasan! Heh..) It was really really nice having her around. I never had a Malaysian friend or family member visiting me at the Sunshine Coast before (except Mr. Hubby). And Fera flew all the way from Malaysia! I remembered she commented on one of my blogpost before, saying she'll definitely come and visit me anytime, anywhere if she has the money. She did, indeed.

We could be considered as besties but I think people don't really see it. (I don't really see it either sometimes. Haha!) We knew each other when we were 13, were in the same class throughout our secondary school years and back then we have our own life and interests; she has her own 'group' of friends whereby I'm friends with everyone (Huhuhu..), she's one of the school's dancer while I'm with the school marching band, she's a cadet while I'm with the school marching band (Yes, the school band was my life!) and people don't see us together that much. We did however studied together every morning at 4am for a few months before our PMR exams, have our heart to heart sessions on life whenever it's needed (at the corridor outside the class?!) and went on a backpacking-sort-off-trip for a week to Langkawi 2 years after school. I supposed we did got closer after school ended as we lived nearby each other then. After 10 years since our crazy backpacking-sort-off-trip (mandi kat surau malam2 buta before naik bas!!!), we still have that closeness feeling eventhough we don't talk on the phone every other day or meet up every other week. We just try to be there for each other and hope for the best.

Enough about our out-of-this-world-friendship, let's see how fun the Coast can be! Hikhik!

Fera arrived Sunday night. I was lucky enough to be able to pick Fera up personally and greet her as she enters the international arrival hall. BIG THANKS to Ana & Cindy and also the sister ;-), Nubia, for their help! Ana drove me to Brisbane airport and Cindy as the co-pilot, accompanied me to greet Fera at the arrivals, drove us back home to Maroochydore and even stopped for food eventhough it was kinda late.

After Fera settled in and had a shower, it was time for bed. We didn't sleep until about 3.30am. Talking about years of catching up, eh?! Huhuhu... 

I woke up around 8 the next morning (I was hungry!!!), made breakfast and had to have it first coz Fera wasn't up till about 9ish. We just chilled for a bit and I initially planned to have Fera visit the Uni, Mooloolaba, the Plaza, etc for the day until I received a phone call from the x-ray lab. Oh yes people, I'm 13 weeks pregnant. Woohooo!!! :-) The lab wanted to reschedule my 12-14 weeks scan from Tuesday (7/12), to Thursday (9/12) and to another lab in Caloundra instead of at the Chancellor Park (the later is easier for me to go as it's near Uni). After asking for other options, I can actually do it on the next day, Tuesday (30/11). Yeay! I won't be by myself for my first ever ultrasound scan as Fera's gonna be accompanying me (Lucky she'd loved to be with me for the scan! Pepandai jek assume Fera nak ikut kan.. Huhuhu..). The only thing was I needed to get my blood taken for some tests to be analysed together with the scan results and I had to do it before the scan. So, Fera's Monday afternoon was spent with me at Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology lab, a tour of USC campus and groceries shopping at Coles. We didn't stay up too late that night. Heh...
I couldn't really remember what we did Tuesday morning. Kite buat ape ek Fera??!!! I could only remember I had to drink 1 litre of water at 1.30pm and hold it in till the ultrasound scan appointment at 3. Oh and yes, I kinda threw up a bit before we went out (probably because I was swallowing 500 ml of water in 30 seconds!). After the scan, we went to the seafood shop. Chips ahoy!!! Hahaha! Fera had fish cutlets & heaps of hot chips. I had potato wedges. It's supposed to be a snack but it turned out to be our dinner. We think the bloke at the shop gave us too much chips. More than it's worth. Oh well, we're not complaining. Hehe... After all the food, we chat and chat and chat until we fell asleep.

All the pictures are with Fera. She'll probably post them in Facebook sometime soon.
For now, let me show you the tiny being in me! Hikhik!



When I'm lying on my back, I'm about 6.61 cm. :-)

Ahhhh.. This is the life...



I have one hand by my side;



The other hand on my face. Or forehead?? Huhuhu...

How's my profile? Hehehe.. ;-)

Wednesday was a  half-day trip to Eumundi Markets. It rained when we got there but it didn't stop us to go shopping!!! Hehehe.. The weather did got better anyways. I had a meeting at 3 in Uni, so Fera went home and she had the house all to her self. We made pizza for dinner and kinda had an early night coz we need to catch an early bus for Brisbane city the next day. We nearly missed the bus for Eumundi that morning so, lesson learned! Huhuhu...

More shopping for Fera in the city and Fera's first words after setting her foot out of the train station; It's truly a city! (City nyerrr!!!). Brisbane city is truly a big one when compared to Sunshine Coast, eh?! Heh... I was kinda tired by the time Fera finished her shopping and we had lunch. Fera was being so understanding as I told her I wanted to take her for a stroll along the Southbank, etc but I don't really have the energy even after so much food. Huhuhu... We ended heading home by 1 and was in Maroochydore by 3. I slept almost all through the train ride and I think it gave me some energy afterwards. We went to the cheesecake shop and Bloomhill's Op Shop in town. More shopping! Hahaha! As we were heading home, Fera reminded me that we had to make bookings for her airport transfer the next evening. I totally forgot about that! We can do it on the phone but I had to get access to my bank account to transfer money to my Visa debit card to be used for the booking. We had to have internet access on a PC. We went back out to the Plaza, sort everything out, had a walk around the Plaza (luckily it was Thursday and the shops were still open at 6pm) and had kebabs. Fera sure loves the kebabs! :-p

Fera had a bit of sleep in Friday morning while I went to the lab. When I came home around 11.30, lunch was ready!!! It was the best feeling ever!!! Best betol ade org masakkan nasik & lauk!!!Sambal ikan bilis, lettuce masak air & telur dadar. Sodapppp!!!! :-) Although we were tempted to just lie in bed (coz the weather was just perfect for that!), after Zuhur prayers, we went to Mooloolaba beach and walk along the Esplanade. We were home by 5.30 and Fera did her last minute packing and got ready. I managed to cook some fried rice noodles (bihun goreng) for Fera in case she gets hungry while waiting to board the plane at the airport.



Waiting for the shuttle.. She came with a suitcase & a box. Went home with an extra box. Hehehe.. :-p

No drama, no loud cries (eventhough I got teary walking back to the house after the shuttle picked Fera up and cried when Mr. Hubby called to see if I was okay!!!Ishhh!!Blame it on the hormones!!!Haha!).

I really hope Fera had a wonderful time. I know I wasn't the best host but I hope I've given Fera the holiday she needed. I know she's happy coz she was eating none-stop while she was with me. Sometimes we wondered who's the pregnant one?! Hikhik! :-p

Thank you so much for coming all the way from Malaysia, Fera!!! It was one of the most amazing & unforgettable week. You know I'm always here for you and praying the very best for you. Love you so much my dear friend. Miss you already!!! Take care, Fera!

xoxoxo

Cheers!

PS: Really hope the lil one will be healthy and strong. Pray for us y'all!!!