Chickenpox Infection: Modern Practices versus Old Folks Advices

1) Yes, Malaysia Government provides vaccination for chickenpox infection at baby's age. This to prevent the infection gone wild uncontrolled. The main factor to the infection, I myself do not even know until today. When the government asked us to take the vaccination, we obeyed unquestionable. This entry would discuss about these two practices between modern and old folks advices to cure the infection.

My Lalin's back after infected  

2) After I did some study on the infection, this would be good infos for sharing: Chickenpox, which is caused by the varicella virus, is highly contagious, and it can spread quickly. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with the rash or by droplets dispersed into the air by coughing, breathing or sneezing.Your risk of catching chickenpox is higher if you:

• Haven't had chickenpox
• Haven't been vaccinated for chickenpox
• Work in or attend a school or child care facility
• Live with children

Most people who've been vaccinated against chickenpox or who've had chickenpox are immune to the virus. However, the immunity seldom fragile because many babies in Malaysia will have taken the vaccination but the they still get infected.

3) According to The New York Time (visit www.nytimes.com/health/guides//disease/chickenpox/risk-factors.html for detail info about the infection) The writing reviewed by: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate) 

Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General 

Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. The writing revealed that, Between 75 - 90% of chickenpox cases occur in children under 10 years of age. Before the introduction of the vaccine, about 4 million cases of chickenpox were reported in the U.S. each year. Since a varicella vaccine became available in the U.S. in 1995, however, the incidence of disease and hospitalizations due to chickenpox has declined by nearly 90%. A patient with chickenpox can transmit the disease from about 2 days before the appearance of the spots until the end of the blister stage. This period lasts about 5 - 7 days. Once dry scabs form, the disease is unlikely to spread.The disease usually occurs in late winter and early spring months. It can also be transmitted from direct contact with the open sores. (Clothing, bedding, and other such objects do not usually spread the disease.)

Semambu Tree found along the way near Presint 9, Putrajaya 

4) Meaning to says it's normal for children to get that infection due the reasons above. As my experience through reading and asking, the infection cured naturally. If we wish to get consultation from doctors, they only provides us a medicine named calamine as antibacterial cream. The rest of the practices they offered, the disease would cure after a week. If we look back to our childrens' condition, they couldn't stand because it rashes. Of course we couldn't bear to see them in restless and uncertainty due to itches / rashes.

5) That's why I think I should bring this matter for discussion by comparing what old folks and modern could offer. Our goal is to make sure the varicella virus disappear from our childrens' body. 

Semambu trees 

6) My wife at one time asked me to bring my little Lalin' to clinic to get medicines. However, later she refused to see doctor because her mother / relatives asked her to not apply any medicines from any clinics on my daughter's body. This is what I said old folks advices; they laid some advices to cure the disease. My wife told me their relatives convinced her; don't cook at home in the kitchen, don't feed oily foods to Lalin', don't shocked Lalin' - If she over_shocked more chickenpox would appear, drink coconut water as much as possible. All the advices work well to cure the disease, claimed them. Actually, I'm not totally confidence but deep in my heart sometime old folks advices are true and couldn't be disputed its result. I followed all the advices. Then, my friend advised me to try "semambu leaves" to cure the virus. The "semambu leaves" suggested to mix with water in a pail then make it for a bath. It also could be placed on the bed covered with fabrics to coolen body and to avoid itches / rashes.

The Calamine cream that commonly provided by most clinics

  

7) I followed all the advices and I noticed it worked well and my confidence tend to old folks advices. I'm from Kedah, when I mentioned about "semambu leaves", the Kedahian seem unknown what is that. I think the leave might be pronounced differently in my hometown because I myself don't know it at all. The friends who advised me to try "semambu leaves" are from central and southern regions. Of course it differs from northern region.

Semambu leaves mixed in water for bath

8) The varicella virus is the worst virus who infected my daughter. Those who have children infected the virus might refer the useful advices in the paragraph six (6). The "semambu leaves" could be found in Putrajaya near Presint 9. The Putrajaya Holdings planted the trees a long the way at that place. 

9) To be a parent of a child is one of the best experience ever. We want the best for them. I hope this would be a great reference for you guys. 

The feature of Semambu leaves

Coconut water is believed as a cure for chickenpox infection ( old folks advice)

The feature of Semambu leaves

Budget Deficit VS Budget Surplus

1) Those who are in middle class and - of course low class experienced insufficient notes every months. I myself unexcused from that due to many commitments I shouldered. I believe that those who are wise in financial planning also sometimes slid to budget deficits.

2) Yes, we should spend our notes as what we have and don't over-spent until we have to lend from others to fulfil our demands. Then, were we satisfied of what we have for all these while in term of demands? We want to experience to go to holiday or shopping but due to insufficient, we sacrificed and take a stand to stay at home at all times. How boring our life are? I noticed, the surrounding supplies are in line with current lifestyles that made us want more and more. I always think that, we can't live under-budget. We must get financial freedom. When we want something, we afford them as well without calculate deficits we have.

3) In term of spending our notes, I don't say that all what we want, we must get them. I mean, the current lifestyle need us to have a car, to go shopping groceries, to eat at the restaurants sometimes and so on. We want to experience all those lifestyle but due to insufficient, we put them aside. I don't think we satisfied of our lives. For my previous post, I once mentioned about wants and needs but sometimes wants also should be brought for consideration. For example, we want to eat at Arabic Restaurant but we don't have cash in hand. How spoil/ruin our intention if that happen. 

4) My thought was to have a credit card is good - because I believe discipline make everything goes well. Unfortunately, I failed to manage my expenses then I stuck in debt. I was in budget deficits when my cash flow-in minus with expenses I did every months. What must I do?

5) After I did some reflections evaluate myself; I found that the best ways are to +restructuring my debts, +generate passive incomes, +Discipline in credit card usage. These three saved me from continuously in financial problem.

   I) No matter how condition are we in term of financial planning- bad, worse or even the worst. We have to restructure our debts as well.How to do that? Pay off the debts we afford and be clear that every months there must be a certain allocation to pay our monthly commitment. What I want to stress here is, pay off what we afford. For example we have debt in certain amount and we afford to settle it. Just do it! Don't think the money you could clear that debt is turning for shopping or something else. Do what is the priority then followed by other wants. I'm trying to practice this such method but first of all we must have SURPLUS, if deficit; forget it! The money also is for our needs and don't we ever neglect.

   II) How to have SURPLUS? Good question. The answer is we must generate income as much as we can. I'm moving to this such method. My choice is to be a tutor. I did before and I think I have to restart because if there's no surplus how are we going to restructure our debts. This is very important and we must act now. We are considered the worst in term of financial if our cash in-hand less than 50% from our actual income. I think many of us gone to the worst financial habit. In coming 2015, we start again and we get more cash as much as possible.

   III) Today every young people is unexcused to own credit cards. This habit will slide to budget deficit if we have no discipline on it. We would always over-use the amount contrasting with our actual income received monthly. How terrible are we. That's why, discipline play vey important role in this part. I once gone astray one time before, I have to restart everything new by limiting my monthly budget so that the amount used is affordable to be paid off. The limitation is for the sake of our happy lives.

6) Last but not least, set to our mind; money should be our eternal slave and we don't chase after the money then we'd turn to be the slave of them. The best practice is our discipline on managing all the notes we owned. Happy New Year 2015!!

2nd Birthday Celebration

1) 14/12/12 was the Lalin' born day. And today, 14/12/14 is her second birthday. Times' running so fast from year to years and today she's two year-old.

2) As the first birthday, we celebrated as well. The same goes to her second year. What come easier was, the day is my brother-in-law's wedding. The day we celebrated the feast and the night we planned for my little princess birthday celebration. We prepared only what important because the other foods and beverages were still remain.

3) As usual, of course when we celebrate birthday; the "must" things are cake and some decorations. We were lucky because my sister-in-law bought a cake and I myself just added another one more cake with "Frozen" background to make sure everyone could eat. There were many siblings, relatives and friends gathered at home on the wedding feast . It was great moments to stay together sharing anything about life, current issues and so on. The precious moments were difficult to have; and only in the feast we have!

4) Ok, meaning to says there were two cakes for Lalin' birthday celebration. The other things we prepared were balloons, trumpets and the things to have fun and for decorations.

5) The fist experience Lalin' was exposed with many children crowded around her paying 100% attention. She was excited because the first birthday I think she knew nothing. But when she was two, everything totally changed. She just waited the next action from the crowd. Then I led the crowd with " Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to Nur Syifa, Happy Birthday to You". I noticed she was more excited. It was wonderful moments for a parent to see their daughter happy.

6) I believe that making our children happy is one of the greatest moment we would satisfy. When we have children, we care more on them rather than ourselves. The priority are on them because they are everything and invaluable.

7) This great moment will be proced to the next years onward. We hope, she would be the best for us. She is the one unchangeable and the one we love very much.

8) Happy Second Birthday Lalin'. (From Abah and Ibu)

Choose Your Colour: Which Are You?

1) This is about saving and it might be useful for us. The saving through colours is something interesting for me for the first time I heard about that. It never cross to my mind but if we committed to do that, of course the glory is ours.

2) My friend asked me, have you ever heard about "simpanan oren" @ orange saving? I said what is it? Ok, basically it's about saving and the saving is through orange notes. Meaning to says, we have to stand our desire from using the orange notes valued RM20 in wherever condition. When the notes are in our hands, they must go to saving in wherever sources they come from; from purchase, ATM and anywhere. Sound interesting right.

3) The key point to start saving through this method is discipline. Those who have no discipline are not eligible to take part. This  is because, whenever or wherever you get the notes, you're prohibited to consume or to use them. The commitment and discipline are highly required. I think I like this method and of course the result would be wonderful.

4) The saving also could be to many colours; purple (RM100) , turquoise (RM50), orange (RM20), red (RM10), green (RM5), and blue (RM1). It depends on you to choose those colours. But for me, the rare colour is orange and purple. I would try for "simpanan oren". What about you guys?

5) Actually, I did my saving but through coins. I spent my money and the balance in coins I kept unused because they would be my saving. But it's not as specific as this method because all values of the coin are saved. I started my coins saving about last 3 years ago and I see the result is wonderful. I kept the coins in a bottle and when it fulled, I save them in ASB. My stand is; I would try to consume anything in cash notes but the balance in coins I kept unused. But sometime if the things I bought need coins after $RM, I used the balance but rarely. This method need not too much disciple but the method above is very needed. I also believe that the coins saving was taught from generation to generations especially Malay. I remembered that my first saving was in bamboo, when it fulled we went to Tabung Haji for saving. It was memorable.

Choose your colour

6) Back to the colour's saving. Which colour are you? Start now for the brighter future. This truly amaze you when you get the money in huge amount. Best of Luck!!

Rejuvenated through vacation

1) Life would get happier and meaningful when there's some time allocated for ourselves. My stand is that, how busy we are; we must steal our hectic times with our loved family. This actually refresh us to be new.

2) For this entry, there's about our three story have a vacation in Langkawi Malaysia. The planning we did, the places we visited and how we planned for holiday annually. For previous years, we did spend our time for holiday in Melaka historical city, Cameron Highland, PD, and many other places around peninsula. But for 2014, we decided to have our vacation in Langkawi for one week. And this time, we prefer aeroplane as our transportation. Lalin', my daughter experienced her first time on board at her age 1 year 10 months. I parked my car at Putrajaya Central (park and ride) then I used Express Railed Link (ERL) or KLIA Transit to the airport. It was comfortable to park my car at that place and have a pleasure trip by train.

3) On monday 27th Oct, we departed from KLIA2 and safely arrived at Langkawi International Airport in the morning. The flight took 45 minutes. I noticed my daughter was not feeling well and she would get fever. I think it's normal for many children due to changing air, Malay say " berubah angin". I know that, her body was not as strong as younger then it easier for her to get fever. However, she was not too bad, she could even give smiles and laughs. For me, it's under control. Ok, the first day: we visited the Langkawi Under Water World in Chenang. There were many animals inside and it's not only fish. There were penguins, seals, many types of iguanas, Aligator Turtle, some sort of birds and of course many types of marine and freshwater life. The entrance ticket was RM30 for adult. It's reasonable price due to many animals were inside. Then we move to our booked resort to check in because the receptionist told me that it's available at 3pm even though we arrived at the morning. We stayed at Langkapuri Inn, our resort was in front of Chenang beach. The seaview made me wawww. Every morning I want to swim. Ok, the rate is RM170 per night. That's why, I don't prefer to have vacation on school holiday because we would never get that price; it's double and even triple. The resort was satisfied and comfortable. For our transportation, we rented Nissan Almera for only RM70 per day. Satisfied! At the afternoon around 530pm , we tried "Laksa Ikan Sekoq". The place was along "Pantai Tengah" and beside the airport. The scenery was so awesome because you could have "laksa" and at the same time you could see aeroplane take off and landing while having beach fresh air. Our first day more to cover-up energy lost. The second day continued.

4) Our planning for the second day was to witness the human sophisticated technology; the Langkawi Sky Cab / Cable Car to climb the highest mountain in Langkawi, Machincang Mountain. My daughter excited to experience her first time at the highest level and it was dizzying for those who has no gut. Lalin' was still not well but under control. Her body temperature was not stable and sometimes it went to 39 degrees. We worried if the last seizures could repeat once again. May everything go smoothly. Allah wills. To see our child happy was satisfied. Ok, how about the ticket? Absolutely cheap; RM20 for adult. Lalin' excluded because she considered baby. I also noticed that the technology was from Austria, the developed country. Great technology and of course great views await upstair. Yes, beautiful scenery opened our eyes how Great Allah existed it. After done dizzying ourselves, we moved to Crocodile Adventure Farm. The ticket priced RM15 for adult. It also reasonable price. We have been watched by crocodile show-case; human and crocodile. We saw how human communicate with the biggest crocodile in the farm. As usual, my daughter showed her enthusiasm face by mentioning "crocodile" as her new vocabulary. The second day supposed to be many places for us but due to my daughter's fever and rained. Our activities end at 3pm. The next days coming with many activities.

5) We started our third day with Island Hopping. The price was RM35 per head. The trip took about 3 to 4 hours. First, we've been brought to "Pulau Dayang Bunting". We stopped at that island and explored the island as well. There's a freshwater lake. Great exploration to the deep island before we could see the lake. Along the way to the lake, there were so many monkeys. Please beware if you bring along plastic bags, you would be attacked by those monkeys. My wife just brought a bag on her shoulder but the monkeys attacked her as they noticed a thermos as foods. Then, we've been brought to see eagles in many types that I couldn't remember; black,white and so on. The last place we dropped by Wet Rice Island or " Pulau Beras Basah". As usually, people would take that opportunity to snorkeling because of the corals and many types of colourful fish. I did my exploration to see the beauty of corals and fishes. It was great experience for the island trip. My Lalin' looked cool on board of the boat, she seems has no problem with dizzying because the fresh air made she sleepy. At afternoon after lunch, we proceed our next planning. We decided to visit Mahsuri Tomb or "Makam Mahsuri". At the first time, I thought it was free but RM10 for entrance. It was weird to visit graveyard but we have to pay. Then, I realised that all about business oriented to generate income for local people. There were souvenir shops and traditional foods as "kuih karas" and "bahulu" sold inside. Honestly, this place was not interesting due to there's no any attractive thing to see except the tomb and a Mahsuri Well. According to the local people, the fresh water from the well good for skin problems and could cure some diseases. Then I tried on my Lalin' because along our holiday, she was not well. The freshness and cold water freshen my Lalin' as well.

6) Our fourth day was at Kuah Town for shopping. My Lalin' was still not well. We dropped by at Haji Ismail Shop to buy chocolates and others. We couldn't enter from one shop to another shops due to my Lalin' condition. After shopping at only one shop then we go back to our resort. My Lalin' condition was still not OK until I decided to go to clinic. The time showed about 6pm, the nearest clinic was at "Padang Matsirat". Unfortunately, it closed and reopen at 830pm. We decided to get any other open clinics at that hours. We noticed every clinics closed for "Maghrib" time. My attempts were not stop there, I drove to the town and the clinic also closed. We waited patiently because my watch showed 730pm. Another one hour to see doctor. The doctor said that my Lalin' temperature was high. She need to be calmed down and only a medicine could control her body high temperature (A medicine to be entered into ass hole). Not enough at that point, the doctor asked me to get another medicine that not easily prescribed by any pharmacies without a doctor recommendation. I followed the advices. After consumed that medicine, my Lalin' started to get her life back. The night made both of us tired entertaining her traits because she was not too well.

7) Our last day on Friday morning, praise be to Allah. Lalin' get better than yesterday. Our flight was at 1125am. We checked out at 930am. What made me smile was that, during our four days holiday in Langkawi, Lalin' was not well but the last day before we depart home; she get her life back. I don't know, but every times we go out of Putrajaya she might get fever but the last day she recovered. However,seriously I enjoyed my holiday and it goes same to my wife. Our views from the resort was so wonderful, that's why I love beach. I could swim and jog every morning. It was so amazing but if my Lalin' was well enough, this vacation would be more interesting. The most important thing is that the vacation rejuvenated me and my family as well. Our next vacation for 2015 is to visit Sabah, Allah wills. Let's we "cuti-cuti Malaysia"

8) Here are my budgeting lists you could refer if you have plan to spend your time at Langkawi:

a) Flight: Depend on Air Asia or MAS promotion;
b) Parking Fee: RM20 for 4 days at Putrajaya Central (park and ride);
c) ERL: RM6.20 per person from Putrajaya Central to KLIA2;
d) Accommodation: RM170 for seaview king bed at Langkapuri Inn;
e) Transportation in Langkawi: RM70 a day for Nissan Almera;
f) Underwater World: RM30 per person (adult);
g) Sky Cab: RM20 per person (adult);
h) Crocodile Adventure Farm: RM15 per person (adult);
i) Island Hopping: RM35 per person (adult); and
j) Mahsuri Tomb: RM10 per person (adult).

All the rates above are normal prices. It differs during school holiday.

9) There are many other interesting places we have not yet explored. However, the main attractive places like Sky Cab, Underwater World and Island Hopping are in our planning. If Allah wills, next time we explore the whole Langkawi.