An Eden Of Nature & Animals - Farm in the City

On 6th of December 2015, we visited a place called Farm In The City. It is situated at Sri Kembangan. Easy to find this place using Waze. Good place to bring kids, if you are not planning to go to the zoo. Even though this place does not have the full range of animals, but it is not too bad. I think what makes this place unique it works some sort of petting zoo where kids can experience touching the animals and see them roam freely. 

The entrance fee is RM32 for an adult and RM27 for a child. They do have family packages available too. Plenty of animals to see - divided by its own farms such as reptiles cavern, turtle & tortoise farm, aviary. They have few sessions of feeding activities such as otter feeding, parrot show, cute raccoon feeding, rabbit & guinea pigs feeding etc. Kids will enjoy pony ride (of course it comes with cost!), fish and swan feeding. They also can try to catch fish using the bucket (if they are lucky). They call it 'Traditional Longkang-Fishing Stream. They get the hold snakes, chicks and other 'safe' animals. There are also vegetable and fruits farms. It is good educational trip for kids. Something different for them to experience.

Hi 5 Show in KL 2015

If there was something extraordinary happened to me in 2015 then it must be this. Not sure how it happened though because it was never expected. Well, things happens unexpectedly, is that what you called luck?

With this, I was able to bring my the little one to the Hi 5 House of Dreams show for 2015 at Istana Budaya, KL on 12th of December. The tickets being more expensive than Disney show, it was a worthwhile lucky win!

To make things even more sweeter, the win also included the Meet & Greet session with the crews. The overall 1.5 hours show was energetic and entertaining for the already excited kids. It was full house. Too many kids who are just crazy of this team! Anyways, it was something unforgettable! Blessed just to be able to make the kids happy!

Criticism vs Kindness

I was on the way to office when I read a story (a real story by the way) on the radio. The deejay mentioned that there a 41-year old lady queuing up to buy coffee and donuts for her two kids. Then, she heard few women at the back of her called her ‘whale’. Now, that’s enough to cause someone to feel demotivated and allow some bad mood to set in. Most probably, she would pass the reactions of her bad mood to her kids too. No more sunshine.  Or she might vow to herself that she would prove those ladies wrong. Undertake some kind of exercises or diet to lose weight. Feeling of dejection is intolerable. There are so many bad auras associated with low self-esteem.

But, what amazed us was instead of feeling demotivated this lady chose to buy coffee for her newly found friends. Now, how many of us can do this? Do you think you can accept it when people talks bad about you? Can you digest criticism? Do you think you have that ability to shut off negativity from entering your mind? Or rather why is it we feel so easy to allow and feel negativities? We think we can embrace negative better than positive vibes? Or most importantly, can we turn negativity around, see it in different perspective and present it in a positive way?

Some thinks it might be related to genetics. I just feel I’m born with it they say. I’m so attracted with it that when people start being pessimistic, I find myself incline to it. “Work is so boring”, I heard one my colleague saying. I have 2 options, instead of saying, “Ya, I feel bored too” or “Be happy you have job”. Yes, you are allowed to feel bored. The question is what you are doing to cure your boredom. So, you think you have this wonderful ability? It is really a skill we can master? I seriously think this is very vital in our daily life especially when we are not in control of others. To start with be grateful with what you have and the best thing is you can change and control within your means. Try this for once. Return kindness to someone who hurt your feelings. Experiment it and lets rejoice the outcome.

School Holiday Program For Kids 2015

The school holidays are back again.Time for parents to take break is here. Some may sleep a bit longer. Some might take leave and relax with kids. Some might have planned holidays long time ago and its time to execute the plan.

No matter what you have decided, there are few places around PJ and KL area worth to be checked out :-

Petrosains
It's Yay! Time @Petrosains! Check out here for some fun programs.

Circus Time 
Who does not care for FREE SHOWS? Check this out happening at Subang Parade!

Fun with CraftyMinds
Plenty of excitements here for various age groups.

Lara's Place
Activities lined up at Lara's! enough to keep kids entertained.

Learn English @BC
Check out their programs at here.

Fun4Kids
For a real serious fun stuffs here!

STEM Exploration Centre
This would be interesting! Check out this place!

Happy exploring!

Reflection

I looked at the mirror today and saw my reflection which brought me back to my senses, what's happening I asked ?

At the brink of flipping thru another decade...

Little that she realised it was a complete switchover...

From an outspoken to think-before you speak. From a chatty person to a quiet one. From a argumentative person to a swallow-everything. She thought she was on top of the world. She had everything with her. Career, money and most importantly the freedom. Was she told that this world is round ? Was she told nothing is permanent ? 

Then there was a breeze. It was so cold that it numbed her.  Series of events was about to change her perspective on everything.  She thought or rather she assumed things would be sweet, rosy and cosy. But alas, first lesson was to realise she could only plan but did she ask the God of He likes it or not ? 

Therefore, she learnt she could only plan but God decides. Then, she thought she could beat this thing but it was too powerful. It is called karma. When it is meant to happen it is really meant to happen.  She loved to potray herself as a strong willed, very independent and kind of do everything by herself. Soon, she knew she was wrong too. In this world it depends what role are you playing. It is no longer about adopting i-know-it-all attitude. It's about fitting into different hats. And it is all about people.  This was second lesson.  
Third lesson was to appreciate.  As maturity sets in she was able to see life in a bigger view. Things that she took for granted once, more like sort of leisure are no longer the same. Life has changed. 

Acceptance was a cliche. Now it is slowly sinking into her like a sponge thrown into water. She used to argue and rebel putting her feet firm on what she thought was right. She was so adamant to prove herself right. It was so crucial and important for her. Eventually her mind started to digest to accept it than rather than opposing. Her mind told her, sorry, it's ain't easy. 
Where's is my future? She started to look for eternal satisfaction. Why it seems nothing I do for myself ? She questioned herself. She started to realize life has robbed one decade out of her. She looked back. She could not find the answer. But there is nothing she can change. She accepted the truth that what is meant to happen is meant to happen. 

Happiness at the greater intensity and volume is different. There's no turning back for her.  She has put her foot into it. She has to manage it somehow. All she knows is she's no longer the same person she used to be. She has mellowed. If keeping mum at certain times would save bitter moments she would do it. She is becoming good in barter trade. Sort of 'I want this, so I will give you that'. It is no longer 'Okay, I want to do this, so let's do it'. It's more like think before you do anything. Think 1001 times questioning and justifying why it has to be done. She goes across the waves, fights against her wills for benefits of others. She has become a candle which burns herself to keep the rest alive. 

Now she has to establish her identity. She has passed thru the critical moments of her life. Seems like she's in quest to search for the 'thing'. Eternity. Meanwhile, life is not over yet for her. In fact it has just started. It's brand new chapter. Waiting to be written. Good or bad ? Only God decides. But she's wiser now. She knows how to move her cards. Nevertheless, what's in store for all of us ??

Baking with kids - idea for weekend

If you are looking for something to do with your kids, this is it. It is steamed banana cupcake! Healthy food for kids and even for adults. Thanks to this blog's post, you get yummy tasting cupcakes via Food4Tots.

With the little helper to mash the bananas, beat the eggs and scoop the mixture, they can do more things than you think. This recipe yields around 12 cute looking cupcakes. 

My very first attempt of making steamed cakes!

Next would be my little helper's favorite - Steamed Chocolate Banana cupcakes!

Express Yourself! ~ All About Your Presentation Skills

The normal day-to-day routine was broken for the last two days. But, it was all for good. I attended a training for corporate called 'Express Yourself'. Basically, it is all about tips and tricks of good presentation skills. Good experience, great exposure :-)

First, overcome your nervousness!

How do you do this? Calm yourself down by taking few deep breaths. Or you can opt to do 'Brain Gym' techniques. Try out one of this activity. This activity will stimulate your left and right brain. 

What if you are still nervous? Try below points:

1. Turn your nervousness (negative energy) to positive

2. Engage into exercise to ease tension

3. Refrain your negative thoughts

4. Think of positive events in your life

5. Organise and rehearse

6. Use anchoring (for eg. pat your shoulder)

7. Powerful act - SMILE

There are 2 parts of delivering successful presentation - the way you present and your slide deck.

Presentation slides (tips & tricks)

1. Use maximum of 4 colors

2. Use font size of 30 or 32, colors should not be too bright (remember any color on white will make eyes tired)

3. Data should be in point forms (highlight & explain as you go thru the points)

4. Use visual aids appropriately (make sure it is relevant to your content)

5. Limit text on visual

6. Use statistics, graphs, comparisons, findings, blow out texts or pictures

You as a presenter :

1. Know your audience

2. Start with opening, body and closing. Opening is powerful when you involve your audience with multimedia presentation aids, props or questions, counter tension/ice breakers, tell popular quotes, use impactful statements, metaphors. Capture your audience.

3. Show confidence, avoid clasping hands, avoid touching your hair, keep your hands to your side. Use gestures, body language

4. Engage your audience. Ask questions. 

5. Avoid saying "Sorry","I think..", "But..", "However.."

6. Include humor

7. Must include - purpose, objective, strategies, action

8. Use tonality, high & low pitch

9. Eye Contact with audience

10. Use props (flipcharts). Remember, write, turn to audience and talk.

11. Response positively to audience's questions. (Say thanks, acknowledge). Avoid negative comments.

There are many CEOs out there has given remarkable and memorable presentation, one of it is Steve Job's product launch.

Practice makes perfect - very true in delivering an impactful presentation :-)