A few days after we came back from the UK and Colombia, my husband already started preparing for my documents for my US visa application. It was funny because that week, I had a jet lag and I couldn't sleep at nights. And two nights before my scheduled interview appointment I could already sleep the whole night. But the night before the interview, I couldn't sleep because I was very nervous, thinking about what the interview would be like. Well, I have searched the internet on tips on getting a US visa approval and it made me even more nervous. One common thing people have said was... look confident and talk confident. The interviewer would base on the approval on what you say on that day. It's so unlike the UK visa approval. The burden of proof would be on the documents you submitted and not the words you say.

And so... we went to the US Embassy for the interview. And I was trying very hard to look confident although inside me was like a roaring thunder of nervousness. Well, the thing with me is.... the more nervous I get, the more confident I look. The more nervous I get, the more confident I speak. Kind of weird, I know. But that's me. That's also true when I speak in front of people. People usually won't know I have a public speaking anxiety. LOL. Anyways, I knew that God's favor was with me on that day. The interview went on smoothly and the guy who interviewed me understood exactly what we're doing in Malaysia. In fact, he would fill in some terms for me I couldn't say. My definition would be so long trying to avoid some terms but he would fill in for me. LOL. He was great. And when he told me he was giving me a visa, I didn't hear him. So I asked him again, twice. LOL. He was very patient indeed. Really, it was God's favor.

And yes, I got a 10 year-visa to the US. And that night, I couldn't sleep again because I was too overwhelmed: dazed, amazed, and blown away indeed I was and still am.

(image: view of downtown atlanta from omni hotel)

But of course, I won't know whether I can use the 10 years. Only God knows when he's taking me to the US again. But I truly enjoyed my time there. It was good that I had a great first impression of the US. Friends were taking us to beautiful places. It was an awesome experience. Like I always say: Can't thank God 'nuff for it.

We have finally asked somebody to come and fix our sound system downstairs. We haven't been playing music there for quite some time now. I miss listening to music from a real sound system and not just from a computer. And so because the sound system is fixed, we have attached our tv there as well so the kids can enjoy watching their favorite programs and enjoy the sound, too. Now, where do I get flat panel mount? It would be good if we a plasma tv and a cool mount to put it on. Then I would be tempted to have a cable installed. Hehehe. Better be comfortable and enjoy with what we have and what we don't have now. But then, I really want to get one of those dishwashers. Sigh. Need to save for it. I tried searching for prices and found they're actually very expensive. For now, it's no-tv and a manual dish washing for mommy.

This Hatyai trip was planned since last December. We're going for work slash holiday. This trip is going to be Samantha's 2nd trip to Thailand. The first time was when she was only 4 months old. Schenker has been there a few times. And oh... this reminds me to renew his passport. It's gonna expire soon. We dun know where we're staying yet but our friends offered us to stay in their house while there. We will be away for a few days. I don't worry about the house though coz it has home security systems. So when it alarms and we don't respond, the alarm goes straight to the police station. As I have posted in my other blog, we're not sure whether we're going to drive or to take the train. But I am super thrilled to take the train. It would be a great experience for the kids. On the other hand, having a car in Hatyai makes it convenient for us to travel around. Like I said, we're still weighing the options.

And yes, I am hoping to meet friends while there.

My sister-in-law has been taking Herbal life diet to lose weight. Indeed, she has lost some. In fact, in three months that she was taking weight loss drinks from Herbalife, she lost 5 kigs. I thought it was really cool. But now she has stopped taking it. I think for all these weight loss products, you don't need to do it for long term. After losing weight, I think you just need to do maintenance, pick healthy food, and do exercises.

One thing I was grateful about when my kids were newborns was that they didn't have eczema on the scalp. A lot of babies have this and some babies have a bad case of eczema on the scalp that they need to have an eczema treatment. From what I read last time though... olive oil helps a lot. You just apply olive oil on the scalp, leave it on for a few minutes, then you can brush it off with soft-bristled baby hair brush.

Okay... can't help but admit it. After posting about thinking of taking some diet pills, I kind of tempted to read xenadrine rfa x reviews. It doesn't hurt to read reviews before taking anything especially if you're talking about taking it in. We all need to be extra careful in what we put into our mouths. It is better to prevent than to cure. And so let me stop here and go read reviews.

It seems that I have a lot of health issues after coming back from my 3-week long trip to the US. My skin became dry, I have a bad case of falling hair, and yes... I have gained weight. My weight gain was kind of expected though. I told myself not to diet when I got to US because I wanna enjoy the food there. One thing to speed up the weight loss would be to take phentermine diet pills... but not sure whether I need to go into that big time. I may just need to exercise to lose back those extra pounds.

Not sure whether it's because of the cold weather too. But when I washed my hair yesterday, I saw a lot of my hair strands were off from my scalp. I kind of gotten worried about it because there were just too much. I used to have falling hair before but I didn't see this much hair. Do I need to go for one of those hair loss treatments? Seeing my hair strands all over the floor really freaks me out!

I noticed that water-based products don't work on oily skin in a cold weather. It got my oily skin so dry. I should be thankful that my skin isn't oily anymore but really, I couldn't take how dry my skin was. I almost bought oil-based cosmetics. But I thought I wouldn't be in a cold weather that long. So I just slathered my moisturizer on my face everytime. I wanna get hold of the best day creams though. I guess it would be a help too if I had one of those.

After church this afternoon, we were going for Mexican food. On the way, our friends decided to drop by 99 Cents and Dollar Tree stores. I thought it was... okay, it didn't hurt to see what they have. And so after a few steps from the 99 cents door, I got into a frenzy mode. The shopper in me has awakened. And I thought I was done shopping already but not until I got into those stores. Of course, there was no Nanette Lepore to buy there. But my, oh my... I could shop there forever. LOL. Yeah, me and my exaggeration. But really, I shopped like nobody cared. Of course most of them were for the kids. I got a 250-piece puzzle for myself for a dollar. I mean... where can you get a 250-piece puzzle for a dollar. Now that I think about it, I regretted buying only one. I should have bought more. I love doing puzzles. Anyways, now I know where to go when in US. If ever I get a chance to come here again, I would definitely go straight in. To 99 cents store and Dollar Tree store.

Just called my kids again. I'm terribly missing them. I told hubby that after this trip, I won't go with hubby unless the kids are with us. It is so hard to be away from them. The kids probably don't have a hard time... but I am having a hard time. It's just too much. 3 weeks to be away is way too much. I guess I'm having a separation anxiety. I actually almost pulled out from this trip, knowing I'd leave my kids for 3 long weeks... but I couldn't since my tickets were purchased and had our confirmed schedule for our itinerary.

5 more days to go though.

We are now in Bakersfield. It was so foggy when we entered the exit to Bakersfield.

Need to buy some load for our sim card. Our load has been used up and I haven't called some of my friends in the US yet.

I have posted some packages for a few friends and found out it's not that much to send by post mail. I guess it would be cheap to send other cards too like Christmas Cards, thank you cards, wedding invitations, etc. They go by the size of the envelope, not by the weight.

I am so sleepy but I want to finish some undone works online. Tomorrow, we're going to a church here in Bakersfield. That would be my first time to attend a church in America. Oh well, everything I do and everywhere I go is a first time here. LOL.

Can't wait to go home and be with the kids.

I terribly miss you, Schenker and Samantha!

I don't have a dishwasher at home. That means I wash my dishes manually. Dish washing is one of those house chores that feels like I-don't-like-doing-it-by-I-have-to. My kids are too young to wash dishes on their own. I don't wanna impose on my husband coz once he comes home from work, he would be tired.

When I came to US, every house I stayed at had a dishwasher. And I've been telling myself... maybe I get one of those when I get back to Malaysia. That would make it easier for me. And while at it, I was thinking... maybe... get one of those steam cleaners too. My brother-in-law has one and it does work wonders.

Anyways, that would be my project this year. I am not planning any trip this year except when it's for work and I have to be with my husband.

I just had a blast of my life when we came to Northpoint Mall in Alpharetta and saw from the cardboard displays that Victoria Secret had a sale. Of course, I didn't waste my time. I'm sure I didn't wait those money too because Victoria Secret has just a very good quality products. So yes, I bought some. I need to go back there though because one of my lotions was mistakenly packed in my hand carry bag. It was confiscated by the officer there at Atlanta airport when coming to LA time. I hope VS would still be on sale.

Had a really good time and food in Alpharetta with our friend Deb. She's just an awesome and lovely host. Can't thank God enough for her. She made us lovely dinners.

She made us some nice shrimp scampi for our dinner on our first night... which I didn't take photos because I wasn't sure whether it was okay for her and I was too shy to ask. >=<


On our third night, she made us roast beef, medium rare. oh so tender and juicy it was.

On our fourth night, she made us Italian food. Stuffed shell and meatballs in tomato sauce.

I can't even remember when she cooked the lobsters! They were all sooo sooo good.

Before we left Alpharetta, she made us brunch. French toast with blueberries topped with maple syrup. Soooo soooo yum.