Morris Allen Malaysia

It had been years since I last post. Just suddenly I remember I had a blogspot and guess what, it's still valid.

Just to update.

I enrolled my youngest, this year 7 years old at Morris Allen Centrepoint in February 2020, right before MCO on 18 March 2020. Two months later, I received a legal letter, and was informed that Morris Allen had since ceased operation. Oh...my deposit and advance payment....

Guess, it's not easy for all business to survive through this Covid-19 pandemic.

Which art class? Da Vinci or Global Art

Just to update that now my kids are going to "Art Class".
Like typical kiasu mum, which is better?
1) Global Art
2) Da Vinci
3) My Art Studio
4) Independent Art School - like the one in SS2.

Honestly, my eldest had been to the one in SS2 when she was 4. Reason chosen because the cousins are there so someone can keep an eye on her. I believe she is good in art and I want her to excel. In addition, I noticed that this a a medium for her to express. Also I believe art can enhanced her attention spend and improved her patient. Too much IPAD so become hot tempered!!! However, I regretted coz I did not spend time to find out the art lesson!

Finally after 3 years, I noticed my girl did not improve much in terms of skills learn. Not much of variation of techniques. Definitely I am not not so easy to be satisfied. So she stopped. Then, the searching for art school starts.

So after resting for 6 months, she and her brother are now in Da Vinci - Damansara Perdana. (www.dvckiddp.blogspot.com)
This centre is previously the Da Vinci flagship store located at Ikano Power Centre (opposite Popular bookstore. They move in April 2015).

Why? compare to others:-
1) Da Vinci syllabus is more structured & caters to individual needs. *I believe kids excel differently in art.
 2) Each programme and lesson have its objectives and well structure.
3) The emphasis are to not only enhance their drawing and colouring techniques, but thinking skills - thus it challenges their creativity and capabilities - certain freedom given in drawings and colouring exploration techniques. *I want them to be creative *think out of box* .
3) It is well established and developed by a strong design based educator.
4) The teachers are trained and with art and design background - either degree or diploma. So I am assured the kids are well taken care. * I believe quality of teachers are important.

My girl artwork. Note the fish can swim! 

English Enrichment Classes - Lorna Whiston, British Council or Morris Allen

Is additional English lesson necessary?

Yes, I think is is necessary. Though we are living in the urban city, and I believe most 'educated' family speaks English at home (including me of course) - end out speaking 'Manglish'. Furthermore my 2 elder kids are in Puay Chai 2, and believe me, the English standard in primary school text books are unbelievable so shallow. That's why the command of English are poor.

Besides encouraging the kids to read English story book (coz I cannot understand Mandarin and therefore, don't know what book to purchase), I actually send them to native speakers English class - main reason - so they are able to understand proper English language. No lar... or no ma...No choice - you have to pay a boom for that!!!

A few to compare:-
1) Lorna Whiston in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (the nearest)
2) British Council (The Curve)
3) Morris Allen (Centre Point, Bandar Utama)
4) PJ Speech and Drama - Cambridge English (SS2)

I actually use to send my son to the one in SS2 when he was 4+, due to the cheapest (not easy for salaried parents). Over 6 months, I find that he did not improve due to conventional (boring) learning methods. That time, my girl was already in Morris Allen. So finally send both to Morris Allen. Now they are already 2 years with Morris Allen. So far, I am satisfied.

On fees comparison - for native English speaking teachers (Lorna Whiston) is the most expensive. I wanted that but too expensive for 2 kids! Morris Allen is just a little more expensive than British Council, but main reason because the nearest.

Inflation and busy 2013

Finally after 2 years, I am determined to continue blogging again. Busy with my new baby last year. Well, now a mother of 3. Financially and physically strain. All my babies were delivered in SJMC, naturally. Guess the bills:- 1) RM2200 (2006) 2) RM2800 (2008) 3) RM4200 (2013) with RM600 discount from Gynae! How about daycare and babysitter! huh I have to work harder.

Graduating JMC

Finally, after 2 years of struggling to the music class, my daughter had completed the JMC course. We just had the JMC assessment at Yamaha, Kelana Jaya. It was like a test, so serious, only 1 parent is allowed to go with her in the room together with her teacher (who will play the piano) and the assessor. I felt so proud of her though she had been complaining for 2 years, nagging her to practise, a lot of crying and scolding along the way. Glad it was over!

Holiday at Hongkong & Shenzhen

Last month, we brought the kids to Hong Kong and Shenzen, China. It was a hot hot holidays and occasionally rain. Please prepare cap, umbrella or raincoats. We stayed in a relative place in Yau Ma Tei, at the city centre. But if you are looking for hotel, I would recommend Mongkok as it was near all the shoppings centre and stalls. You just need to travel everywhere with the MTR (subway). Every tourist attraction like Disneyland, Lantau Island, the Peak and even Ocean Park are link. A little research and study the map will do. So upon arrival at the airpost, the first thing to do is purchase the Octopus Card (like a debit card).

We took train from HK to Shenzen (Lou Hu). But before that, we had applied our visas at the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia. There's arrival form to fill in and all are available just besides Immigression Counters. Need to do a little running. Just be careful when you bring small children as this area is more crowded. Our hotel Shun On Holiday Villa, was just beside the Lau Jie Subway in Shenzen. I would strongly recommeded as it was so convenient. And don't be shocked, Shenzen is as developed as Hong Kong!

We only managed to visit Splendid China and Window of the World. You must not miss the shows in Splendid China. It was so brilliant.
Overall, enjoying especially the kids!

Delicious Konnyaku Jelly

My girl asked, "Mum, why did everyone loves your jelly?"

It just finished within few minutes served. I was so delighted. I actually made some for a potluck gathering and then, someone asked me to make for her daughter's birthday. There was no secret actually, you just need to make sure using the correct ingredients and supplied. The fruits need to be fresh and colourful. And, this jelly powder brand that I used below so far was the best and easiest.

thebookpeople

I actually bought few collections from this company, The Book People;-

1) Complete set of encyclopedia (20 series)- cheap and informative for my girl.
2) Read at Home (40 series)- Biff, Kipper - My 3 years old son love it.
3) Girls' story (20 series)- Interesting story and related esp for my girl.

It's all paperback but the price is reasonable and interesting. All is only RM200 including the postage from a relative from UK. I can't get this price in Malaysia and most bookstores did not sell a complete set. You may have to run from MPH to Borders just to get a complete collection.

Bukit Tinggi

We went to Bukit Tinggi last weekend, which is after the school holidays to avoid the crowd. It only took 45 minutes to reach our apartment. The 3 days 2 nights trip turned out to be 2 days 1 night! We departed after lunch from PJ. Packed dinner over Bukit Tinggi was well known to be super expensive. Staying in Meranti Suite was rather disappointing, due to lack of maintenance.

So after dinner, we travelled to the Colmer, which is the landmark of Bukit Tinggi for its French Medieval village. Nice to take pictures but not much of activities for the children, so rather boring after that. Back to the apartment, nothing much, slept early.

Colmer, Bukit Tinggi

Next day, visit the animal farm - rabbit, donkey and what else? Rather disappointed as it was similar to our local zoo's condition. Then, we went to the Japanese Garden. This was better as it was better maintained and the scenery was good. Afterthat, we went to the Colmer again for lunch. There was only 3 eateries, not much of choices. Again took pictures and then, hanging (lepaking around)...We left around 3pm. Too bored.
My advise, this place is worth to visit for a day trip or an overnight will do.

Junior Music Course Part 2

My girl has completed Term 2 and going to Term 3. Four students had dropped/withdrawn from this course. Not easy, weekly commitment and daily discipline to force your kid to practise!!!
I can say my girl is not interested but I told her that she has to complete the whole course, which is 2 years. Then, she can chooose for some other activities that she likes.
So for parents, my advice is you have to be determine, and prepared for this 2 years commitment if you wish to enrol your kids for this JMC.
Anyway, this course is a good exposure on finger exercise & keyboard.

Finalising the Right Kindergarten_2

It had been sometime since I last updated this blog. Very busy with my fulltime job and caring the children. But somehow in the beginning of this new year, I am making a resolution, to update a least a new post each month!

Well, currently my kids and I are busy adjusting to this new kindy and I thought I might share some researches and opinion in kindergarten searching. I believe new mums and dads are quite concern now, since we only have few kids and more demanding. So, last month had been a busy month visiting and surveying the kindergartens around Bandar Utama, Mutiara Damansara and Taman Tun Dr Ismail, and I had also listed a few criterias:-
1) Location and neighbourhood - good accessibility
2) Building Site and Facilities - well kept
3) Programme and Cost - Interesting (not conventional type)

Finally I had shortlisted 3 kindergartens:-
1) Peter and Jane at Mutiara Damansara http://www.musikgarten.biz/AMC_PeternJane.htm
A very impressive site but slightly congested on accessibility. Anyway parking is easy and this specially built kindergarten is rather friendly for pick-up/drop-off. Security is good as the main office is located exactly at the entrance and the entrance is quite control.

The staffs were friendly and actually brought us around the kindy. There's definately a lot of children and the open concept classrooms make the whole interiors happening. Teaching aids which applied montessary system was neatly arranged and appeared aplenty.
I quite like the atmosphere but the prices are definately very pricey. For a half day session, it cost nearly RM600 per month for just the tuition fees. Mandarin is only introduced in K1 (5 years old) and for additional mandarin, there will be 2/3 sessions a week (the fees is nearly RM800). These exclude trips, art material, uniform, lunch etc.

2) Fungates at Mutiara Damansara
I heard a lot of good feedbacks on fungates kindy since it was established by a Malaysian and it definately meets the needs of our cultures here. However, the location and site of this kindy is quite small - 3 and 4 years old at a corner linkhouse while the 5 and 6 years at the shoplots. Those kids who go for daycare will be transported to the linkhouse in the afternoon session.
Programme was quite interesting with a lot of different exploration and it has its own inhouse materials. Children will be exposed to some Christian songs and story which me and my husband was quite reluctant on this matter. Fees are cheep, at approximately RM300++ per month for half-day. Mandarin is taught in 4 years old classes and quite detail. Will actually considered this if not for the facilities and the Christian Song and stories.

3) Diyana, Taman Tun Dr Ismail
This is the biggest and most established kindy. Overall it look like a mini school which I guest my kids will not have problem to adjust to primary school environment. It has a big field, cafe, library, computer center, science corner, garden etc. The classrooms are separated but a little disdvantages as it is quite scattered and can get lost if you are not familiar as the compound is too big. I am quite worried of this especially on security issues.

The programme is montessori cum thematic which I think was quite fine. Teachers appeared friendly and there's really a lot of staffs helping out especially during the first week (both my kids are there now). The fees are slightly expensive but still I find it cheaper than P&J. What attracts us is basically a full Mandarin lesson in the afternoon.
After enrolling for a week, I noticed that one of the main issue is the traffic to the site. Rather difficult as parents had to park and bring the children to their respective classrooms. But on the positive aspect, parents get to meet with the teacher direcly everyday!
Parents can check up the website at http://www.tadikadiyana.com.my/.

Searching for the Right Kindergarten

Currently, I enrolled both of my kids, 2+ and 4 years old in a montessory based kindergarten. My girl previously was in "Peter and Jane" which I found was very good but due to distance, I need to look for one nearby in Bandar Utama and I also which it could emphasis more on Mandarin.

I actually survey 3 kindergarten inclusive this. The other 2 kindergarten actually applied the "multiple intellegence". As according to them, the children these days are more intelligent and demanding than our time. One is the "REAL kids" and an independent kindergarten. One principal told me that montessory is too old-fashioned! I heard from a colleague about her second son in "Smart Reader" in BU6 which is much less academic than REAL kids for her first son. However, the REAL kids at BU7 has been closed down a few months back. Last November, I went there with a colleague, the staffs there are dissappoiting and the so-called principle did not even entertain us, just let the teachers which appeared quite young to bring us around! And also, I worried by 4 years old become too academic based.

But what make me decide on this kindergarten is the principle saying that this so-called old fashion montessory based kindergarten actually lets the children to explore on their own and thus, allowing them to build their self-confidence which I find lacking in my children. "If they are confident, they will be able to cope with whatever environment given to them". Luckily this kindergarten of mine has additional mandarin reading class which I think is very beneficial. My girl can write simple chinese which I can't.

Lately, I found out about "fungates" which are really popular among Malaysians as it was started by Malaysian and a survey through the nets showed that a lot of parents are satisfied as they prepared their kids to go to Chinese primary school and they emphasis a lot on Mandarin, so that the kids will not get cultural shock in their primary 1. Comparing my 4 years old daughter in montessory and my 4 years old niece in a fungates kindergarten, my daughter is more carefree, no homework and no exams! Imagine, term tests for a 4 years old! However, the method of teaching like giving encouragement, selecting a "star" student in each month makes it sound impressive and what's more, this kindergarten has their blog which is very good for communication or announcement to the parent.

But should my daugther get more academic based kindergarten when she turns 5? I intend to survey more about these, perhaps for the next academic years. For the time being, I can't find any fungates kindergarten in Bandar Utama, the nearest is at Mutiara Damansara which I intend to pay a visit soon. I believe all mums turns to dilemma about this and I really hope my blog will provide a platform for sharing about kindergarten searching for parents.

Korean Fashion

I was introduced by my colleague to this facebook link on online fashion. After perusing all the models over the weekend, we actually ordered through email and banking.
Three days later, the order arrived and both of us shared the joy of opening the parcel and seeing the products.


These are some of the images that I abstract from the facebook link. Prices from RM29-39.

That was my first experience of online ordering and now, I am hooked to the net to look for more online boutiques...Trust me...the images are great, prices are cheap (normally from RM20-50). Definately, the quality is average but worth it for the price.

Now, browsing throught the net for fashion has become part of my entertainment especially when the children are sleeping. Please share with me if you have great website on these! I love it.