i shall not stop writing.

Last night (I mean, Thursday), Nuffnang sponsored our movie date night :)

Yes, my wish came true when I wrote about it here early last month. You know how much we enjoyed our first date after 2 years, right... and it was tough to maintain that momentum since plenty of things have been happening with the one and his career progress, which kinda translate to some over-busy-ness plus, I hate asking my mom to babysit little jj just so that both of us could have a good time... it just didn't feel right and sounded pretty selfish on our part since I know that my mom doesn't really like babysitting. But... the free tickets we got seemed to be a pretty good excuse and was so glad that my mom obliged.

We almost didn't make it to the special screening as the one had some stuff at the office that needed urgent attention and I was praying hard that he could arrive at the LRT station in time. It was raining so heavily and I was afraid of how traffic would be like heading to One Utama. But... it was meant to be as we arrived just in time before the counter closed and we went in just as the film started since we had a long wait at the popcorn counter.

The movie was just okay la... I wouldn't say it was great... it was just ok. But, the fact that I had the chance to catch a movie again with my dearly beloved of course made the experience lovely. I cherish these moments so much simply because it is pretty hard to come by.

Anyways, I thought Ashton Kutcher was really cute. Well, I know he is cute but what I meant was, the character that he played was really cute. I've never really seen him act a serious-geeky character and I guess that would make him a real good actor since he was believable.

The main female cast was just ok. I am not a big fan of Katherine Heigl and her character wasn't strong. So, just 2 cookies for her while Kutcher scores a 4 ;D

The story revolves around... wait... I don't even remember her character name! That isn't good, huh? googling now...

............. still googling...

Ok... she plays Jen, who met Spencer (I remember his character hehe...) on a vacation where he was performing his last job as an assassin. They fell in love in a cheesy way, got married, moved to a small town and after 3 years, his past came to haunt him. All hell broke loose from there and you will either find the plot weakening or heightened. Whichever way, the movie was still entertaining if you would only stop asking questions *smirk*

You can read more about its plot here.

I guess if you're a big fan of Kutcher or Heigl, you wouldn't mind watching it because it provides a pretty decent entertainment. I guess what I liked about the movie was the part where all questions were answered... like it all finally made sense.

Don't watch it with too high of an expectation because well, you'll see why. Then again, I guess you've got to cut Kutcher (who produced it) some slack since he did tell us that this was indeed a perfect Friday night movie where a guy and a girl don't have anything else to do and would just like to let loose and while away time.

Judging from that night, we did manage to let loose after watching Killers.

So, thank you, Nuffnang, for the tickets. We truly enjoyed ourselves.

I was at the 1SK gathering recently and it was so good to be able to see friends I've accustomed with in the blogworld, again :)

Frankly, in the earlier communications between SK and MBP, I had the impression that us Ambassadors are not obligated to volunteer as the committee member for this event. Thus, I kinda took things for granted until I saw the online banner with MBP's logo next to SK. Since I am, part of MBP, I told the one that this is one event that I would need to attend.

Hmmm... I do think I may be the last few to update on Mom Bloggers Planet 1st Anniversary Get-2-gather. Bad Ambassador... bad *spank!* ;)

Do excuse madame toughcookie as she goes thru a rough caffeine withdrawal symptom which deem her not-so-tough. But please don't tell anyone that. Otherwise, that reputation might just be revoked by the blogging community *sigh*

Anyways, what else can I say except that it was a success. I wouldn't go that far as to say it was highly successful (although I do honestly think it was) since it was an MBP's first and we all know that there would be weaknesses here and there, being a first... with many more to improve in the future anniversary celebrations, if I am still needed there. But so far, I am not getting any negative feedback on the event... so I guess it was truly one successful do, don't you think?

Not wanting to describe too much about the event since many of the 40 blogger moms would probably have already told you on their blogs how much fun they had at the event, full with photos and everything. Hence, I would like to touch more on the people behind it.

Having done numerous events for god knows how many years, I must say that this must be the best team I've ever worked with. Seriously.

First of all, we all came together as volunteers - we were not paid neither do we expect to be paid. However, I was quite touched by their generosity... the gestures may not be in a big way but the fact that they came up with ideas of sorts and getting stuff for the preparation without being pushed is one priceless trait.

Secondly, all the other moms (in the committee) have a full time job. And I seriously cannot imagine how they could manage their time so well to give it their all into this event.

Thirdly, a point which I find so darn interesting is that none of them have ever done events before (unless maybe plan for their kids' birthdays) yet each one of them knew what their exact roles were without much fuss and without anyone breathing down their necks.

Last but not least, apart from not much experience in events, we all ONLY had 2 meetings - once 3 weeks before the event (with only the ambassadors and founder of MBP) and another, just 1 week before the event with additional 5 members who volunteered to assist each of us.

Seriously, with the 3rd and 4th point into consideration, I was so damn impressed with the team. There were just simple follow-ups through emails that was actually pretty slow until it got intense about 1 to 2 days before the event. Yet, everything was in place, budget was very limited and the event went very smoothly. Everyone did what they set out to do and no one questioned anything else that's missing from the list.

Again, I would say that, I am impressed. I love working with the team and I guess the fact that we all had a concise and compact 2-hour meeting during our first meet said a lot about how effective everyone was in the team.

I also appreciate that the 14-15 families who came very early were patient with us as the event started a little late, waiting for at least 50% attendance from the 49 mommies who had RSVP. We kinda anticipated some late comers probably due to the event being planned so early on Sunday morning and that the venue we reserved was probably a little 'off' from the main jogging course at the Shah Alam Lake. It was great that we were still able to follow through the programme as planned and according to the allocated time.

Everyone also looked pretty shy at first but as soon as we opened the registration for the kids' ping pong ball game, everything else went on so well.

It all boils down pretty much to such wonderful company in the form of 80 adults and 49 children from 40 families who attended the event. The food was really good too and kudos to that large variety of food everyone brought from home... who would have thought that we would have about 40 different dishes enough to fill all tummies of various sizes, eh *wink*

Everyone was comfortably seated at strategic spots ala a picnic - many brought their own mats to sit on while some were welcomed to share a spot on their huge mats. More importantly, the weather was on our side... it was warm and sunny early in the morning but was shady as soon as we started the activities.

a nice, warm and friendly event at a warm and friendly atmosphere, filled with warm and friendly people ;)

I was initially worried as I didn't get my emceeing points written down but I managed to scribble some up and all was well. And I was glad to have volunteered to man the registration counter as I managed to get to know many other blogger moms whom I may have only seen from the photos they post in their blogs. It was a pleasure to have met Byzura (whom I so wanted to get to know since I saw her at the FRISO event), Fatin (who was probably the hottest looking mom that day), Jiey (who may have taken my questions in a wrong way and am grateful that she didn't), Sumijelly (who brought over huge sumi jelly packets!), Luciana (who was the first to register), Mika & his mom (I was attracted by his gibberish talk as he sounded so much like little jj), Isabelle (who came so well dressed to the occasion) and so many more of whom I may only have had the chance to say hi and then left to continue what I was set to do.

little jj also made friends... here with anis manis ;)

All in all, it was a wonderful gathering on a fine Sunday and I simply must thank everyone who had made it successful - Kak Ros, the founder of MBP (definitely!); Hanz, Nia, Cik Lily Putih and Jiji (my co-Ambassadors) and Nini, Tifa, Fid & Lyna (volunteers who assisted us). I hope I have done a good job as well...

Separate HUGE thank you to my very helpful co-committee, AdD, who will be due in March but most importantly, a big thank you to my very supportive hubby, the one, who untiringly helped distract little jj from searching for mommy's boobies as her last feed was around 7am (poor baby...).

Ok… ok… I know I said in my previous post that I was supposed to update this blog more regularly. But I still have jobs coming in and since they do not have crazy deadlines, I wanted to catch my breath and have proper breaks from the madness end of 2009.

Furthermore, now that my eldest son does not go to grandparents’ as he doesn’t have his religious classes at the mosque anymore (as he's entered secondary school), things have been additional hectic at home since I need to cook for him, get his clothes ready and ensure that he studies in the morning with those exercise books the one and I bought. What was usually just a plain morning - of bathing little jj and feeding her and then I continue working on my computer while she switches between watching tv and bothering me with her toys and stuff (hehe!)… have now turned to seemingly limited time since I need to prepare wholesome meals for the little munchkin (who's not so little anymore), get the baby ready to send abang to school and later in the evening get her ready again to pick up abang from school. So, work definitely cannot be accomplished in the morning.

Only today have I truly got the hang of the routine and woke up earlier than usual to ensure everything’s in order before little jj wakes up *phew!*

Ok… after all that, would like to update on the recent meeting I had with a Mom Blogger sifu and other ambassadors, in anticipation for Mom Bloggers Planet 1st anniversary do. It’s wonderful how the few of us of different backgrounds but with similar interests could come together to make something happen, when all of us were perfect strangers… and this is done out of passion. It’s amazing!

Kak Ros (or more fondly known as Little Mama), the grand prize winner at the Nuffnang FRISO family gathering, headed the meeting and went through the list she has made one by one. All of us were allocated specific tasks and I am impressed how all of us busy women used up the entire 2 hours of the meeting very well… it was compact, we get to clarify matters and come to a unanimous agreement. I mean, if we had all established a company, I do believe it will be a successful organisation… no waste of time, straight to the point and can still insert some stuff on other matters pertaining to blogging and parenting.

There is another meeting this weekend together with some other volunteers and I am starting to feel a little nervous about the coming event. Well, to be fair, I had always had the jitters before every event that I am involved… and thru the past experience, jitters means something good. Not getting nervous at all means I am too confident of things and over-confidence does not usually result in something good. For me, that is…

Anyway, I have done certain things under my care and will look for a few more stuff after sending the little munchkin off to school this afternoon. I also need to meet a client to pick up some material for another event I am helping out come March.

All in all, I still have plenty of jobs to do but nothing I can’t manage, so I am taking it easy today.

Will update more soon ☺

Anyway, as a follow-up to this entry that I did, I managed to get an invitation to the Nuffnang FRISO family day out in Kizsports 1 Utama last Saturday. At first, we were a little worried since little jj fell ill earlier that week and was vomitting away by Wednesday. Thank God, she recovered on time, though not fully, as she just got back some of her appetite, while her body tires easily.

Her usual Saturday morning class at Kizsports were cancelled due to this event and their receptionists were surprised when they saw us with little jj hehe...

There were so many fun-filled activities and Kizsports also promoted their classes for babies by giving a sneak 20-minute preview to all parents with toddlers. Little jj made herself at home from the start by targeting the swing first, then the ball-pool and after that, her favourite section in the playland, just like she would each Saturday.

All these while I eagerly await the announcement of the winning entry. Though I wasn't the least bit hopeful in the beginning, I did get a little excited when I was informed that I had been shortlisted for the final selection of entries during registration early in the morning. Of course, I already could guess that Kak Ros of MomBloggersPlanet would definitely win since her entry was seriously creative and original... and am so proud to be associated with her site.

Since it was my first real bloggers' meet, I wasn't sure how to carry myself and a little shy when I heard the mention of so many of them recognisable bloggers... but I did get to know Amira and Zuhaini, met Kak Ros for the first time, while I said hi to several other people whom I can't truly remember their URLs. Even saw Red Mummy in person for the first time and I was so impressed by the aura that she exude that day - a true 'Celebrity-blogger' persona. I must add how happy I was for that opportunity to shake hands with her ;)

The event was pretty organised; Marcus, the emcee, did a great job in getting everyone's attention; the crowd was AMAZING; and everything in the programme line-up was truly interesting for everyone. Too bad little jj slept half way through the event but it was good that she totally enjoyed herself to the max.

So... I'm hoping to blog more frequent now that the entire madness of rushing for the usual annual report/fund report deadlines from my regular clients is pretty much over... and hopefully be able to make it to many more family gatherings like this.