2 years old

We celebrated Jeshan's 2nd birthday on a smaller scale this year. Just relatives and one very close family friend. We had a pool party because Jeshan is obssesed with water. The kids had a good time swimming while the adults mingled over food.

I made these for the kids to drink from but sad to say they were underappreciated by the younger kids and the boys. Got the idea from Brenda Waltron's website. I think this would be more appropriate for kids (girls) a little older. Used coloured, textured paper from Popular (only seen it at the Jaya Supermarket outlet so far) and pictures I cut out from one of Jeshan's old activity books.

Made these little notebooks for the girls for their party packs. Bought the card stock from a Scrapbooking shop in the US. They sell similar card stock here from the same designer at a little shop in Bangsar Village and at Papier at The Curve but at 5-7 times the price I bought it in the US. Beads were left overs from broken chokers and the glassy flowers can be picked up at sewing shops or even stationery shops that have a sewing or craft section.

These are the party packs. Bought them at a bargain in the States. The tags are made from name card sized empty cards sold by the box at Popular book store. The baby doll dresses are made from coloured card stock also purchased by weight at Popular. Added polkadots with a Pabeo thermobased outliner (usually used in glass painting) from Craft Haven in One Utama.

The birthday cake which my eldest sister Sandra made.

Left this lying about for the kids to play with after the got out of the pool. It was a forgotten present baby had received at Christmas. Glad I took it out of the cupboard, it came in pretty handy and popular.

Merdeka!

There were many questions asked of the average lay man in the run up to Merdeka. None got me thinking more than Astro's "Who do you think is the greatest Malaysian?"

To me, the greatest Malaysian would be someone who genuinely cares about this country. He cares enough not to litter. He cares enough to drive by the rules. He cares enough to devote his time and energy to saving our biodiversity for future generations.

In the midst of a country riddled with corruption, he does not take bribes, nor give them. In a society with shocking bathroom habits, he cleans up after himself. In a boat full of selfish people, he prospers his neighbour.

He does not take what is not his. He does not insist he be given what he has not worked for. He puts back everything in its place.

He says please and thank you, does not cheat on his wife or his business partner, looks after his parents and does his best for his children.

Find me someone who has all of the above and I will show you the greatest Malaysian.