stem cell banking for the lil one

As a parent-to-be, one of the issues one might ponder over is cord blood stem cell banking. For the price those stem cell banks are charging nowadays, it's no wonder one has to carefully think it over before investing in this so-called 'luxury'. And you've only got one chance to get it - during the birth of the baby, where blood from the umbilical cord (which is super rich with baby's stem cells) is drained and cryopreserved at approximately -190Celsius in a 'bank' - a proper facility which you had better pray doesn't go bankrupt along with your baby cells. 

We read about these stem cells being a possible cure for chronic diseases like certain cancers, heart diseases, blood-related disorders, diabetes or even neurological diseases (...promising..) but how developed is our country's medical R&D in applying this technology when it's necessary.. (...doubtful...)?

So many other questions I could think of, but seriously, I've read about this technology before, and after some Internet research on it, something struck my awareness chord that this was the way to go. 

The health benefits of these stem cells could benefit not only the child himself, but possibly his siblings or even parents. If there is even a remote chance that it might help the public, why not. 

It's an investment for my family's future anyway and i'm hoping that perhaps 5 or 10 years down the road, researchers will discover more about the fascinating stem cell.

Hence, we have signed up a promotional package with StemTech International. They may not be the leading player in the stem cell market but it was their friendly service and detailed explanation that won our hearts over. Plus they were a subsidiary of TMC Group (listed co) and is in collaboration with Tropicana Medical Centre. 

 The price?
For a duration of 21 years, baby's stem cells will be stored in their deep-freeze storage facility - all for a price of about RM 4,100.

 On top of that, we got various beauty vouchers as well as free medical check-ups... Sweet.

SO, there you go. Despite my gynae's non-encouragement towards the investment of stem-cells, we have decided go ahead and take advantage of this technology. At least it gives us a peace of mind if ever our family is faced with any medical challenges, this serves as an additional treatment option available to us. ;-D


On a different note, i also just noticed that i'm starting to experience numbness and stiffness in my finger joints and left wrist, moreso when i'm asleep, where hands movement are limited. Oh oh, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome alert! Is it normal??!

I probably need to exercise my fingers by typing on the keyboard more often.
Oh, and thank God Doc told me to remove my wedding band.....my fingers are also beginning to swell.....!

 and my feet too!!

(ooh, Can you see the popping veins on my feet?)...Varicose Veins alert!!
My feet looks like the world map now.

'Ben's General Food Store'...aint for grocery shopping

Several moons ago (by that, i mean many many months ago), hubby brought me to 'Ben's'. Not the usual  posh, dim-lit 'Ben's' that i know in KLCC and Pavi, but this one's much more cheery, with a vintage old-school feel once you stepped in...and with a name like 'Ben's General Food Store', which i found to be real artsy and authentic!

Even the menu's in the exact same design and font as Ben's.

Being a repeat customer, hubby knew exactly what to order - starting off with their signature Nutella Milkshake. With all the good stuff like nutella, hazelnuts, milk and vanilla ice cream thrown in and blended together, who can ever say 'NAAAAAH..' to that eh?!

One thing i love about this place is its fire-wood pizzas, reasonably priced and good enough a serving for two! Just pay RM 8 more than what you pay for a milkshake...lol.
I chose the Salsiccia, which is pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella, parmesan and spicy lamb sausages!! Seriously, we took the longest time deciding on our pizza coz they all seemed sooo gooood! Well, maybe not the one they call 'Breakfast Pizza' coz i'd prefer my Western Breakfast served on a plate rather than a piece of flattened dough.

Finally, we wanted some greens to go with our meal and opted for the infamous Caesar Salad. Safe choice maybe, but hey, at least their version has something called gruyere crisps, which i was curious to try.  

This is the store's cafeteria-like setting.

So cool eh? Mostly came in pairs or small groups of four, so sitting in this sort of arrangement was indeed refreshing. Plus, with your stranger neighbour so close by, you can literally count the pizza crumbs on his plate.

Don't forget to ask for your free drink of plain water. Such a resourceful and hygienic way of serving it. *applause*

Caesar : "I may be served small but i come freshly plucked from the garden with just the right amount of dressing on me. I guarantee you will fall in love with my sidekicks, Ms Eggy, Mr Beef Bacon and Master Gruyere"

Nutella : "I may look bland and my color, pale...but just one sip, and you'll start doing flips"

Salsiccia : "They say less is more...Take their word for it coz I'm here to prove it!"

And i'm here to show it!

Eating your gruyere crisp is like eating a piece of honeycomb cheese. We had to fight to see who gets the last piece of gruyere!

erm, those who know me well would know why i just had to take a photo of this upside down pizza base...singing "i'm loving it"...

And my last piece of photo is the salad counter....perhaps when i drop by Bangsar Village next time, i'll drop by and choose my fave salad to take away... :P

A highly recommended place to try out, guys! Just hope you get more hits than misses when you dine here next. ^>^

Bangsar Village I,
G17 & G18, Ground Floor,
No 1, Jalan Telawi Satu Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2284 8790
Website: http://www.thebiggroup.co/

Opening times: Open daily, 10.30am-10.30pm

happily ever after.... Corvea and Martin

Yesterday night was the perfect setting in the grand halls of Xin Cuisine, Concorde Hotel,

 where two lovebirds celebrated their marital union with loved ones.

Now these two hardly qualify as a pair of lovebirds.

 While i feasted on a sumptuous 8-course dinner (which included Steamed Cod Fish!!),

 it was nice meeting up with friends, old...

 ..and current.

 But no one beats the glowing bride who was looking like a million bucks the entire night!

 Here's a toast to Corvea and Martin for a long lasting happy relationship.

Hope you get a lil' one really really soon!! ^.^

can't get enuf of dave!

This is my nephew Dave on his day of birth.

And this is Dave 4 months later.

"How cute am i..!!"

Dave got to meet his aunty Sylvia (me!) and uncle Mark for the very first time in S'pore last month.

No one can deny the unconditional love and joy on the faces of the grandparents...

Come to think of it, Dave looks a lot like his Daddy when he was young.
Daddy celebrated his birthday recently with his very-clueless-looking bundle of joy by his side.

Dave has started learning to turn over and he must be super loving it coz he's always smiling and giggling when he's lying stomach down.

Here's some awesome photos that'll make you go all goo-goo gaa-gaa......

I was desperately trying to make him giggle....not sure if tickling his chin helps..

yey, i did it!

Dave's impression of driving an F1 car....

tee~heeeeee

Dave's eyes remind me of a certain England footballer.......guess which one..!

...especially the eye brows! Any idea who.....??

.........STEVIE G!!!......

Nevertheless, with a face like this...

other female toddlers who see him also M-E-L-T!!!!!

tony roma's at jln yap kwan seng

Dinner today was at Tony Roma's along Jln Yap Kwan Seng. Parking was free so me likey... 

Dear ordered their specialty - Beef Short Ribs (RM 58.90).

 My first time watching him finish all the bell peppers on his plate. (impressed)
Ribs were soft and tender - not that you can see them, covered underneath all those pepper strips. hehe.

No, i did not just have fries and onion rings....

They call this dish the Fiery Cajun Chicken Sandwich (RM 19.90).
Well, I'm still searching for the 'fiery' part of my grilled chicken breast.
My side companion was a lovely cup of Creamy Pumpkin Soup. Now, THAT's a first for me.

*burp* ....