Your Pregnancy: 5 Weeks

How your baby's growing: Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human.

He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm — that will later form his organs and tissues.

The cells are forming for his major organs, including his kidneys and liver, and his neural tube is beginning to develop.

This neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — develops in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.

His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.)

The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue. The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas.

In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.*

Note: Experts say every baby develops differently — even in the womb. This developmental information is designed to give you a general idea of how your baby is growing.

How your life's changing:

Pregnancy symptoms may surface this week if they haven't already. I

f you're like most women, you'll notice nausea (and not just in the morning), sore breasts, fatigue, and frequent urination.

All are normal, all are annoying, but the upside is that they're all a part of being pregnant and won't last forever.

The outside world won't see any sign of the dramatic developments taking place inside you.

You'll also want to continue or start an exercise routine. Exercise helps you develop good muscle tone, strength, and endurance; plus, it helps you manage the extra weight you'll be carrying and get ready for the physical rigors of labor.

You'll also find that bouncing back after you give birth will be easier if you've already established a workout routine. Choose a safe, moderately vigorous activity you like (walking and swimming are fine choices for pregnant women).

For Dads, there are plenty of ways to participate in your partner's pregnancy — even this early in the game.

Source: Babycenter.com

Clear Blue says -It's Positive, my dear.


From Just the two of us to 2 suku

I am now in my 5 weeks of my journey to MotherHood.

It was confirmed yesterday morning by the Soft spoken Doc of Klinik Zarif in Menara Telekom where I did my medical check up as a requirement for my Master Degree which will start next week.

I didnt like the Doc. She was so quiet, and not being so informative. Being a doc, you should be able to explain and advise your patient of their conditions.

"Rahayu, awak tak payah buat X-Ray, confirm ye awak 5 minggu pregnant"said the nurse
"Huh? What? I beg your pardon miss?"
"Awak 5 minggu pregnant. Tak payah buat X-Ray. Sila masuk jumpa doctor"
I mutely stared at the nurse. I nearly fainted. My hands were shaking.

5 minutes later as I walked out...

"Rahayu kene bayar 30 ringgit yer." said the nurse again.
"OK"
"Erm, do I have to go to the hospital to double confirm the test? Confirm ke saya pregnant nie kak?"
"Eh, confirm. Tak payah dah pegi hospital buat test lain. Awak mmg dah confirm 5 weeks pregnant". "Awak tahu bila awak punye delivery date?"
"Tak tahu"
"Doctor tak cakap?"
"Tak"
"Kenapa awak tak tanya tadi?"
"Erm, saya tak tahu apa nak tanya"
Nurse- smiling.
Hey, what do you expect? Its my first time. I dont even know how to react, even worse I am clueless of what to ask.

"Boleh check kan utk saya ke?"
"Sekejap ye"
"Delivery date- 27 July 2005 ye"
"OK, thanks"

I slowly walked out of the clinic. Then I called Mr Bee:

"Bee, Im pregnant. Dah 5 weeks"
"Are u sure? Kite pegi hospital double check nak?"
"No need. The clinic said its confirmed."
"Yahuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu, im gonna be a daddy!!"


From then on, Mr Bee keep on calling me once in every hour. Just to know whether Im doing OK.

Scared. Extremely happy. Mix of both feelings.

Wish me luck.

I am so so speechless right now.

The Fight


Last night I caught myself warning a friend that cynicism is attractive, and once we succumb, is highly addictive.
How "terkena batang hidung sendiri" that statement was...

Too often, we allow ourselves to succumb to the dark side. There are even times when we gleefully jump in.

A broken heart. A lost love. A forgotten dream. A million and one things or events that accelerate our soul on its path to "the real world", one that is full of cynicism and hopelessness.
It's easy to think that the world is out to get us, that each and every soul we come across must view us with lenses tinted with stereotypes and negative perceptions.

It's even socially acceptable to lament. Cynics are considered worldly, while optimists are often told to get back to the "real world".

A positive outlook, however unsexy and untrendy it may be, is a fragile thing. Like peace, we have to fight to keep it.

The One That Got Away


On a busy Putra-LRT station, two people met.

"So how've you been?"
"Good, good."

The awkward silence that always accompanies such meetings ensues.
They smiled, taking each other in, assessing what's different, what's the same, reliving conversations they had in the past, real or imagined.

"I see you're wearing a ring?"
"Oh, this." Why am I embarrassed?
"Yes. Recently married, you know."
"Do I know this lucky person?"
"No, no. Just someone I met in college. "
Just? Just? Like just the postman, just the delivery boy? A person of no consequence?
"Well. Congratulations."
"Thank you."

They both listened to an announcement.

"He's an older than me, you know."
He nodded. A little too vigorously, perhaps.
"Very serious, he is. But funny too. Sometimes."
"Uh-huh."
"I don't think his mother likes me very much."
Oh my God! Why the hell did I say that?
"You'll change her mind," he said, simply. "You changed mine".
Eyes challenging, she had a hint of smile curving her lips. "Didn't change yours."
Come on. Let's talk about it. Let's talk about that day.

This guy, this guy, this guy. This girl, this girl, this girl.

A train arrives and the crowd jostles around them. They stood two feet from each other.

I can't believe you're so tall. Were you this tall then?

I can't believe you're married. What happened to taking over the world before you're 28?

"I google you sometimes."
"Wow. Really? "
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah, only when I'm bored at the computer. Just to read your articles on the Net."
"Oh. Those." Why am I embarrassed?
"Yes, I would read your piece story or comments about some stupid thing or other. And I would imagine you standing in a crowd of people, your eyes open, holding your laptop, listening to others."
Snicker.
"That's a happy thought."
"..and I would wonder. I would wonder if you believe in what you’ve seen and listened to or you're just trying to fight off the urge to stuff what you have in your mind down, by writing out your feelings and those stories, which some of them are lies."
"They're not all like that. I don’t write everything I’ve seen or listened to. Most importantly, they’re not all lies" he almost growled.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that, yeah?"
"No." he weighed his next words and went on.
"No, you've always said your mind. So it's ok. It's how I choose to respond to the question that matters, eh?"
Blinking up at him, she didn't say anything.

"You're still the same."He said it so softly, she almost didn't hear him.
She tilted her head and asked "What do you mean?"
He wanted to laugh. Always suspicious. Always mistrustful.
"You still. Look at me the same way. Like I'm someone you've met before, just can't place where."

She looked down at her shoes, at a piece of candy-wrapper tucked behind the legs of a nearby bench. Then she looked up. She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again and continued her shoe-inspection.

Then she mumbled to her shoe, "Well, I'm not. Not the same," and here she looked up at him, at his eyes, and spoke slowly, so he won't misunderstand, "I'm not 17 anymore."

He smiled, a tinge of regret clouding his eyes."No. No you're not."
She expected him to say more. To say now that she's in her twenties, the gap between them isn't so significant anymore, that perhaps something could begin again out of all this, that he thinks about her too sometimes, when he's in the car or on the train.
When he's alone.

Instead he just said, "I have to go."Those same words. The last conversation they had.
She shook away the memory.
Forcing a smile, she said "Yes. I have to go too."
She turned to leave but he wouldn't have it.
"Listen. We didn't really say a proper goodbye the last time. The last time we. Met."
He held out his hand.
She looked at it, then up at him.

On a busy metro station, two people went their separate ways.

100 THINGS ABOUT ME

1. Attempting to be a good practicing Muslim
2. Occasionally dismayed when I think I don’t quite measure up.
3. I think I used to be borderline obsessive-compulsive as a child- I used to make sure that the parting of my hair was right in the middle of my head with a ruler. And I’d measure margins in exercise books and draw the lines in advance. These are some of the more ‘normal’ examples
4. I’m always aloof when I meet someone for the first time (unless I’ve ‘known’ them on-line first *grin*)
5. People who know me however, brand me a loud-mouth. Hmph
6. I’m an inveterate ranter suffering from perpetual PMS, which sometimes makes Mr Seris wish he’d invested in a padded room with matching straightjacket for the house
7. When I started primary school I used to practice being a prefect. (See No. 3)
8. I’d also decided where I wanted to go to university (well, it was a choice of 1 of 2) by then
9. This ridiculous over-achieving didn’t quite endear me to my erm, ‘contemporaries’. Heh.
10. I’ve somewhat ‘mellowed’ since then so I think people don’t quite find that I’m such a repulsive little geek anymore. I hope.
11. I’m proud of the fact that I did get into ADP course despite feeling unqualified.
12. Although I’m convinced they confused me with some other girl with a tudung who attended the same admission interviews I did and mistakenly offered the place to me
13. I’m discovering that the things you thought you knew about yourself don’t really come all that readily to mind when you’re supposed to write those things as they come into your head
14. I met my husband online
15. A fact which I think makes me even more of a geek*grin
16. My husband is de only boyfriend I ever have. I’ve never been with anyone else
17. I feel extremely lucky because my husband is my ‘bestest’ friend alive.
18. Also, during my study time, I met 7 more wonderful people
19. Which means I have plenty of reasons to thank GOD
20. The best educational experience I ever had was at my ADP course (PPPITM), where I could be myself, broadens my horizons, meet great people and had excellent frens
21. I never really had any school spirit for my secondary school. This is because the social stratum was (I thought) dominated by bimbos and branded chics if only u could speak English with slang
22. However, I met a great person in ADP who became my English teacher who would tell me “Seri, read a lot, speak a lot, I’m teaching you grammar/spelling today”
23. I’ve been called a ‘loud mouth’ to my face twice, once by my good fren
24. Oddly enough, I’m really proud of this fact *grin*
25. I got in trouble once because I skip the SPM Seminar during my high school. My name almost got into the black book, although I am the class monitor.
26. A fact which I’m also proud of, hehe
27. I’ve been told I talk really fast (by the husband, no less) and I also swallow my words
28. My Dad says it’s probably due 2 my Terengganu blood, whateva that means
29. Actually, all my Dad’s brothers talk faster than I do. My Pak Su has been heard to say “Ehgetmeaciggarettefromthemamakshop” in the blink of an eye. Literally
30. I am the product of two very noisy families. One (Mom’s) consists of sarcastic, hilarious people who (even at age 50) like to pull pranks on each other while the other side is just noisy and hot-tempered (Eg; A ‘normal’ conversation sounds like a shouting match, especially at Raya when everyone congregates. Actually they’ll probably just be discussing about how my Dad restored my Great-Grandmother’s brass bed)
31. So the way I’ve turned out is all due to genetics, I tell ya!
32. I was taken by my husband during uni time (just when I thought I was starting to be popular and my stock was about to increase ….)
33. I once played a character called Mak Lampir (a bomoh lady) in de class play
34. I think I got the part because I can make the audience laugh even during the saddest part of de play, by just showing my rabbit teeth
35. I got married 2 yrs after my graduation (don’t ask)
36. I have to travel with my husband back n forth from my parent's house and my in laws in our mini kelisa every week.
37. Which in turn meant that I spent a fortune on touch n go card and Shell gas pump
38. At secondary school, one of my friends once yelled, “Why do you have to be so LOUD all the time?!” at me and ran off crying, after which I just looked at her and laughed. Which explains my ‘popularity’ in the class.
39. Also, whilst at secondary I inadvertently walked into the men’s room of McD central market.
40. So yes, I was very glad when puberty came to an end
41. And I was gladder when I got my spectacle
42. Among my top 3 pet peeves is when someone starts off speaking Malay to me when I’ve seen them speak English to someone else, and I can see the tiny glance they make at my tudung beforehand, especially during a job interview
43. Among my top 3 favorite things to do is putting using extra long English words when speaking back at them
44. I have quite a mean streak, yes.
45. But some people have said I am compassionate and empathetic. Go figure
46. I was however, kicked out of peer counseling in high school because I zonked off during ‘group therapy’ sessions
47. I really don’t like talking about my personal problems to anyone other than my husband. I don’t see the point
48. Which is why you don’t see me complaining about my family here. We bitch internally LOL
49. My husband says I have an old person’s taste for music because I like listening to light and easy (thanks mak) and I think Sinatra’s voice is absolutely the sexiest thing on Earth. Oh, and Josh Groban and Micheal Buble *sigh*
50. I used to be a Music Snob as a teenager (this was during slightly repulsive and geeky Intellectual Snob phase). I’d only listen to ‘alternative’ and absolutely scorned bubble-gum pop and other ‘mainstream’ stuff.
51. My big bro (who was my partner-in-crime at the time) and I wanted to go into mourning when Kurt Cobain committed suicide, but were told by our parents to “jangan mengada”. So my bro painted his school shoes black instead LOL
52. I think the Music Snobbery ended when I bought the KRU cassette that year
53. My favorite movie (and book) of all time for different reasons is quite possibly Gone With The Wind. And Dame Agatha Christine
54. Followed by The Godfather (“Leave the gun, take the cannoli”- delicious)
55. I Love the Sound of Music. It makes me wanna have more siblings in life so we can sing along in old tunes.
56. Also, Seniman Bujang Lapok, which I think is one of the best comedies of all time LOL
57. I’m also a closet reader of trashy romance novels, and I also love to dig myself into the top 10 books in the bookstore - I won’t buy all of them since it’s expensive to do so but I’ll borrow from somebody (*wink*)
58. I’ve completely adjusted to the fact that I’m married to a guy who is recently lazy to read. Apart from network manuals. Reason: ‘I wait for you to tell me the story my dear.’
59. Which goes to show that sometimes, opposites do attract.
60. I think Valentine’s Day is a ploy by the blood-sucking Capitalists to further exploit the citizens of the world
61. I once tried boycotting Zionist products, but was beaten by the lure of Vanilla Coke. I am still hanging my head in shame.
62. I’ve been told that I am quite the radical.
63. Referring to No. 31, I think there is some truth in the Biggest Ego tag- I hate being wrong. I love being right.
64. I am however (with the help of Mr Seris who’s the best argument partner ever) trying to accept it when I’m wrong and admit to the fact
65. On the other hand, I always attempt to make sure that I’m right as right can be. Hehe.
66. I think I still have some vestiges of obsessive-compulsiveness left. If I can’t remember a fact which I’m pretty sure I know, I’ll gladly google for it. And if I can’t remember a particular word, it’s ‘Hello insomnia!’.
67. Also, I constantly sing to myself. Or singing to other people's conversation. Especially on long journeys ;)
68. This wouldn’t be such a problem if I didn’t also move my arms, hips and shake my body while doing so
69. Nos. 64-68 have convinced my husband that some day the padded room might be necessary
70. I still miss my late moyangs (who passed away long time ago) very, very much and I find myself envying other people who still have ones
71. I’ve been told that I look like my father’s aunt who died from a Japanese bomb in World War II. And there is a picture to prove it
72. I’ve also been told that my character resembles my mother's mother, who was an extremely strong-willed woman who practically raised 7 kids (including 2 sons) on her own , and had a feisty temper (she once ‘attacked’ a woman who’d been spreading vicious rumors about her)
73. I can practically see red when it comes to issues of justice and fairness
74. I rarely cry due to sad events that happen in real life- bar hormonal attacks.
75. I will cry at Petronas adverts, Hindi movies and Hallmark stories.
76. I do however; tear up when I’m really angry. Plus, I shake.
77. I’ve been working in the keparat world for 2 years now and I don’t actually have passion in what I’m doing. I’m still trying to find my true passion in working.
78. I absolutely loath some people in my company
79. We (some of my colleagues who think alike) are all hoping however, that THEY will self-destruct in 5 seconds LOL
80. I used to be a serious coffee addict, until about 1 year ago
81. When I could not sleep for the whole week during exam week (coffee effect). And the week after I got serious migraine.
82. And now I can’t even stand the tiny slurp of the stuff.
83. I’m the only daughter in the family, and my wedding was the first one ever in the family. So you can imagine the fuss over my wedding. :P A real headache, seriously.
84. Being the only daughter doesn’t mean I was spoilt completely rotten by my parents.
85. When I was little, I was babysat by my grandma, and I have 3 different babysitters which made me think that I had three sets of parents, and so did every other kid.
86. I also referred to myself as ‘Orang’. I was a bit of a confused child
87. I never knew that my grandparents were actually divorced. I always thought that my grandfather has passed away before I was born
88. My atuk sedara who came to visit us once a year is actually my real grandfather. I was never told since it was a "sensitive" issue at that time, and by the time I knew de truth, it was 2 late because he had passed away.
89. I’ve got a smidgen of Siamese blood, as my mom is from Kedah, and my dad is from Terengganu
90. I used to look really skinny in school and the wind almost swept me off my feet, thanks to my light skeleton. Now, the same wind will not bring even a tiny effect on me.
91. I seem to have a ‘gift’ for bodek-ing my dad. I was a shameless father’s pet as claimed my bros, even until I’m married
92. Even though I didn’t quite like high school (drastic change of wavelengths), I was voted Class Captain. I think they were quite desperate to stop me from jumping around like a clown in my class. And off course, to ban me from disturbing others.
93. I have a bit of a foul-mouth. Well, a lot. My younger bro said “B^%&#\d!” at some character on the TV in front of my parents once and when he received a slap on the mouth, he yelled “Kak Ayu says it all the time!”. The little rat *grin*
94. I did, however, manage to reduce the profanity at my uni yearsl. I went saying “shhhh” and “fffff’ for 3 years…well, until now.
95. My temper and language probably explains why I have a driver’s licence that might as well be framed up
96. Plus I drove my husband’s (then boyfriend) car once and he vowed ‘Nevermore’
97. I discovered that I love artworks so much. Van Gogh rocks and anyone who can get me to visit all the art museums in the world will have my allegiance forever.
98. I don’t think I could ever live 24 hours alone at home. I need to see people & talk.
99. It’s a cliché, but I love Paris. Never been there and I think I will one day- I blame this on repeat viewings of Amelie and my ability to speak n understand French
100. I didn’t think I’d reach 100, but I suppose the power of my narcissism knows no bounds

THE INCREDIBLES


Despite de fact dat I have to finish off my dreadful CSI task before Monday, I still have the time to go out for a movie with Mr Bee and my fellowship theraphy. When Nita SMSs me for The Incredibles- I couldnt say NO for sure. I love Pixar works too much! The orangy fish in Finding Nemo is still haunting my animated mind and when The Incredibles was opened this week, I knew I have to see another one of Pixar's masterpiece.

MM asked us to join her and Abah 2 de open house nearby. As usual, the bohong sunat tactic has to be used and Mr Bee told her that we have an open house somewhere near Damansara to attend to. Most of de times, we hate lying to her. But in the position where you cannot reveal the truth coz u know that it will hurt her feelings, the above measure is the ultimate solution. Just dont make it as a habit.

Only Ta, Micks and Matun were around this time. The less noisious ones. Other bubblicious gurlygurls are busy as bee- Amla is still in Ipoh celebrating Raya, Shara have seen it with Halim, Koyan is busy preparing for her big day, and Sofi she has a baby hero to take care of at home. So, only 4 of us were there, oh ye, plus Mr Bee, its 5. As the group is getting smaller, you'll see others who are quiet most of the times started talking, and you started listening to their stories. And its interesting. You feel that you also miss talking and ranting with the others who were not there.

This is not a movie review. Hehe. Well, sort of. I enjoy the movie so much. So, here it goes...

Ladies and gents, Pixar does it again! THE INCREDIBLES.

Wonderfully funny and fast-paced animated valentine to comic book heroes with a unique spin: the titular family of action heroes are part of a federal witness relocation program - after society has deemed them too 'special' resulting in far-too-many legal woes that eventually find themselves back fighting the good fight when Mr. Incredible (in square-jawed jocularity) faces a new enemy in the form of Syndrome (having a snarky field day), a former fan of the superhero who has now made it his life's mission to off his one-time would-be mentor, while attempting to raise a family with Elastigirl (the ever feisty) with varied results.

Excellently cast especially the Incredible' eldest, painfully shy daughter (love the curtain of hair-one-eye look!) Violet and the middle, precocious tow-headed son (aptly named) Dash who both are becoming aware of their 'specialness' as adolescence beckons (metaphors aplenty!) And there is a fellow hero Frozone, a (literally) cool dude bud of the family as well as the ever irrepressible pip-squeaked 'boss' of Mr. Incredible's alias Bob Parr, an insurance claims adjustor; and a femme fatale named Mirage who bares more than a striking resemblance to Gwyneth Paltrow morphed with a pipe cleaner. Not to forget, the fashionista/costume designer Edna E. Mode in a hilarious no-holds-barred slap of surreality to the reluctantly returning superheroes into the fray.

What is most surprising is the warmhearted emotion that is on display with the gut-busting comedy juggling act of breathless action. One of the year's best films in my opinion! :)

Go people. Go and see it!