President Mozzarella Cheese

Everyone at home loves to eat cheese especially my Cupcake and me.. I mean all the kids I know love cheese. So it was a mystery to me why my little Munchkin didn't.. He'd eat it if it was with other ingredients but would refuse to eat a  slice of cheese with bread or just the cheese alone. Then, one fine day Hubby bought this cheese.

Retailed at RM14.99 (or was it RM14.49) at Giant, Sandakan.

Initially, I had my doubts as I was not familiar with the brand; President. However, my Munchkin absolutely loves this cheese. It tastes a little sweet and is not salty.  Overall, we usually buy this or the BBQ one of the same brand.

Best Western Sandakan Hotel and Residence

Looking for a spacious, clean hotel with a modern design that is affordable and has tasty food? Read on..

Sandakan, Sabah has been our temporary home for 6 months so far. 4 months (Dec 2011 to April 2012) and then we are here again since August. During our stay here, we have been at the Best Western Sandakan Hotel and Residence. We absolutely love it here. This hotel is part of a large chain of hotels all over the world and Malaysia.

Newly opened in July 2011, this hotel still has a 'new' look and feel to it. Our room is the Deluxe Room and my first impression when I saw our room was that it resembled a show unit. At that time there were even white pebbles in the bathroom that have since been removed. 

Members of the staff are friendly and attentive further creating a homey feeling. The food is nice and the best part is the Internet speed and accessibility. You can access the Internet using the LCD television in the room.

Here are photos of this hotel that we have called 'our home away from home'. Would I recommend this hotel? You betcha!

F.Y.I they don't even know I blog so this is definitely not a biased post..

Surf the Internet using the tv.. or your laptop via WIFI

You can turn the TV to face the bed...

My trusted luggage..not part of the room : )

As you can see, there is ample space for my kids to run and play.. It's really our home away away from home..will post more about this hotel soon...

They're having a weekend special package promotion valid until 31 Dec 2012... Check it out here!

Best Western Sandakan Hotel and Residence,
Lot E-1-G, Lorong Letat 3,
Bandar Letat Jaya, Mile 4,
90000, Sandakan, Sabah.
+6089 243 000
+6089 243 188

Fischer-Price Animal Activity Puzzle

This is the latest toy purchased for my little Munchkin. Here in Sandakan, we're not exactly spoilt for choice,so am really happy we found this.

I really do love this toy as it develops problem solving skills, eye-hand coordination, fine and gross motor skills as well as visual skills and many more. Each animal has an enhancing visual and tactile development. The Bird, when squeezed goes 'Tweet! Tweet!', the Lion has a spinning mane (my favourite), the Butterfly has soft wings made from fabric, the Monkey goes 'Squeak! Squeak! when you shake it, the Elephant has rattle beads in its ears and the Fish has a googly eye. Retailed at Giant Sandakan, Sabah at RM42.99 I think it's a good buy.

I am 30 going on 31....

On September 21, I turned 31.. It was a beautiful day from the beginning until the end. The day before, Hubby would say out loud, "T minus ...hours and .....minutes" depending on how much time was left to 12midnight and it would be my birthday. He would announce it in a loud and deep baritone.. And I would break into girlish giggles with my daughter running around saying, "Happy Birthday Mummy". The children and Hubby had gone out to Secret Recipe and bought a cake. When leaving it with the hotel staff to be delivered to us later, my daughter started crying. Hubby explained to her that it was Mummy's birthday cake and it was a secret and not to tell me. This happened at 6pm. Can you imagine, my daughter NEVER said a word. She never even mentioned the word cake. She would say happy birthday and kiss me and all but nada about the cake. And mind you, she tells me everything. She turns 3 tomorrow and I have to say she keeps a secret better than so many adults I know.

At 12midnight, the hotel staff brought the cake. The F&B manager, Mr Eddie had stayed back and brought 4 other staff. He played the guitar as they sang Happy Birthday! Can you imagine. Such lovely people. Where are we staying? We're at the Best Western Hotel and Residence Sandakan. This is a wonderful hotel and I love it her for many reasons. In total we've stayed here for about 5months now. Mom called and so did my BFF.

The next morning, I found a lovely note that Hubby had written. From work he sent a really, really cute e-mail using lots of emoticons..was awesome.. Once back from work, he took the kids and said he was going to reception to collect something. So, i thought hmm must be balloons or flowers or something...Then, he calls me and asks me to go to a certain room to collect something. I'm thinking hmm he must want me out of the room for this next surprise. The hotel has a spa called Lembah Impian Spa and they just started operation. I was their first customer. That was where Hubby made me go! The bliss of it all.. They were really good and my masseur massaged away my aches and pains...I put my phone in the silent mode -sorry peeps getting myself pampered : )

When I came back to the room, a beautiful hand made card was waiting for me. I love hand made cards! It was made by Hubby and my two kids! I shed tears of happiness as this surpassed any gift... I managed to convince Hubby I didn't want to go out for dinner (I was too content and relaxed after my spa) and so we ordered our favourite pizzas from Pizza Hut... All in all it was a beautiful day and I couldn't have had a better celebration. I thank the Lord for my lovely husband and kids. 

MMRV Vaccination for Kids

My Cupcake and Munchkin took their MMRV shots last week.. My Munchkin was due for his first year MMR shot.. so we took the MMRV which adds the Varicella vaccination. Measles, Mumps, Rubella & Varicella (chicken pox) is what MMRV is.

These may appear as harmless illnesses in children but can lead to serious complications that may involve hospitalisation. According to a pamphlet, these viruses are highly contagious and mainly target children so it is vital to prevent them from harming your child. It goes on to say, 'An infection may spread to other family members plus burden parents who have to miss work to care for a sick child. Now, additional protection from the Varicella (chicken pox) virus alongside the compulsory MMR vaccinations is available. You can spare your child from the extra pain and injections by protecting against 4 threats at 1 go.'

The MMR is a must in our country (Malaysia) but the Varicella shot is optional. Some parents prefer their kids to get it when they are young and be done with it. I've heard of chicken pox parties overseas but do not know if we have that here in Malaysia. When Cupcake turned 1 and had her shots we opted for the compulsory MMR shot and did not take the Varicella shot. However, when Munchkin turned 1 it coincided with a friend getting the chicken pox (you can read about it here) and so we took the MMRV shot for him as well as for my daughter. Apparently, she will not have to take the compulsory MMR shot in Primary One (when she is 7years old) later as she has already been vaccinated. 

Since we are in Sandakan, Sabah we went to Klinik Pakar Kanak-Kanak Chin. Details about this very good paediatrician and his clinic can be found here. 

Klinik Pakar Kanak- Kanak Chin Tshun Leong

Soon after my Cupcake and I had diarrhea..actually come to think about it, it was the next night..Hubby says one of his collegues who is also here in Sandakan for the project, has got chicken pox! Oh oh..Cupcake and Munchkin have not got it before although Hubby has.. Me? Many many years ago my mom and brother got it and I freaked out that I was next. I mean we all lived together but somehow I didn't get it My mother couldn't remember whether I'd ever gotten it before. One simple blood test could have cleared up the mystery but hey you don't really think of doing things like that unless you're in the situation.

Praise God there is a wonderful paediatrician here in Sandakan. Off we went early the next morning..they were already closed the night before when we heard about the chicken pox or I'd have gone then to get my kids vaccinated : )

We went to Klinik Pakar Kanak-Kanak Chin (details at the end of this post) in Bandar Tyng, Sandakan. My munchkin was due for his 1 year shot and we wanted to get that as well. The clinic was packed okay.. But they have a wonderful play area for the kids..Lots of toys..I love the deco of the clinic..Cute colourful pictures in white frames adorn the walls.. I wanted to take photos but I didn't think it would go down well with the other parents..Like who is this weird person taking shots of a CLINIC! Who does that?? Bloggers and mummies do right (and daddies too) but I didn't wanna take the risk..

Even though the Dr Chin had so many patients and he had a seminar to rush off to later, he spent about 15minutes or more I tell you with us.. Awesome right.. A young Dr who studied in the UK, he was knowledgeable and patient and all you would want your paediatrician to be...

Not only did my Cupcake and Munchkin get vaccinated but so did I.. We'll be going back in 2 months for our booster shots.. We were a cute sight, mummy and kiddies all had a plaster on our left arm... Looking for a good paediatrician in Sandakan, Sabah? Look no further, head on to Chin Child Specialist Clinic...

Klinik Pakar Kanak-Kanak Dr Chin Tshun Leong
Block A, Lot 5, Bandar Tyng, Mile 6, Jalan Utara, 90000, Sandakan, Sabah
089 672809

Mon to Fri : 8.30am - 12 pm
                   2.00pm - 5pm
                   6.30pm - 8pm
Saturday   :  8.30am - 12pm
                    2.00pm- 4pm
Sunday & Public Holidays : 8.30am - 12pm

About a Bout of Toddler Vomitting

Warning: Long post but worth the read : )

There is a reason why the police like to interrogate people right after a crime or incident. This is because as time goes you forget details and things seem a little fuzzy or you want to talk about it but you lack the strength or you just don't know where to start. Of course, I always knew this but what happened a few days ago reminded me of the fact.

On Tuesday, my soon to be 3 year old daughter had diarrhea. Her poop was extremely and I mean extremely watery. She had it twice and the next day in the evening her poop was normal. *sigh of relief. Then, suddenly at 10p.m. she vomitted. And after an hour she vomitted again. And after that she vomitted every half an hour. So, here we are in a first time situation of such a nature and we find ourselves not in a place where you can find a clinic or hospital at almost every end. We are in Sandakan, Sabah where there is only ONE hospital. A government hospital with a classy name; The Duchess of Kent. They do have a new building and children who are admitted are warded in the new building. The rest of the hospital is very much like other Malaysian government hospitals.

Right, so after the first time she vomitted we went to a clinic nearby (we know the Dr and his clinic is opened till 12pm), Klinik Dr Mahen.(See end of post for details) At that time she had just vomitted once and was still looking okay. Dr. Mahen gave us some medicine to be taken orally to help stop the vomitting. Alas, Cupcake couldn't even drink water so she also vomitted out the med.

So about 1.20a.m. we went to the only available hospital at that time; The Duchess of Kent Hospital Emergency Unit. First, you have to register your kid and pay RM1. Then, they give you a number. Ours was 232. The number on the screen was 162. ???? Huh? Okay so there must be a system of some sort that we were unaware of. One family brought in their elderly mom. She had already seen the Dr. There was another lady. That's it. A few minutes after taking our number, they called us to take Cupcake's weight, gave her ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) and asked us questions about her condition.

Once that was done we waited and waited and waited. There were 2 Medical Officers on duty. How long can it take, right. Maybe they were taking a break?

After about an hour, an ambulance arrived and 2 teenage girls were brought in. They had been in a minor car accident. I heard they rammed into a concrete pillar or wall or something. One had slight scratches on her arms and feet. The other had a wound under her right chin. Then, I noticed a board with a notice that said if your condition was critical you would have to wait erm..I can't remember how long and semi critical you have to wait..err I forgot again *smile sheepishly. Well, I do remember that if your condition is not critical you have to wait for 90minutes to 120minutes which was what we were doing. There was another mom who came in later with a child who had fever and she went in first.

Right, fast forward.....  My hubby prayed for our little girl. For the next half and hour thank God she took the ORS water and did not vomit.  Finally, we got to see the doctor. He wanted to put her on drips but we asked if it was possible to wait and see as she had seemed to have stopped vomitting. So, we hung around and Praise God our daughter was fine. What a relief..  The doctor checked her again (no other patients were around) and gave us the green light to go home. They gave us more ORS sachets.

When we reached the hotel room at 4.30 I started to feel queasy and 2 hours later my  diarrhea and vomitting started! Oh yes, earlier when I had asked the Dr if it could be food poisoning, he was adamant that that never happens in Sandakan. I asked him if it could be stomach flu and he laughed derogatively at me looking at me like I was speaking gibberish and said, "Stomach flu? Ha,ha,ha. What's that?" (Another laugh squezees through) and he says, " I've never heard of that. There's no such thing". Gives me a queer look.

Gosh...


Klinik Dr Mahen
Ground Floor, Lot 10, Block I, Prima Square, Mile 4, North Road, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah
Tel: 089 218273
Monday - Sunday including Public Holidays
8am - 12.30pm
2pm - 4pm
7pm - 12am