ibu Activities Board

Calendar of IBU activities for May 11

2011-05-12T21:29:00.000+08:00

Mums On The Run - Bubba Gump 18.06.09

2009-06-26T15:44:00.002+08:00

Mums On The Run June 2009
Bubba Gump

This months Mums On The Run looked more like a committee meeting rather than a ibu Mums night out as only ibu committee members turned up for dinner. However that didn’t mean that it wasn’t a fun night out. We had a great time catching up on chit chat that we don’t normally have time to get into at our meetings! We did however spend some time going through some work related details. Over drinks and some yummy fried shrimp we made decisions on some matters and discussed how to make things better for ibu members! It would be nice to see more ibu members join us for our monthly gatherings so we can tap your brains for more ideas! Our next night out is to
SPECIAL TREATS in Desa Sri Hartamas on the 9th of July 2009. Jot it in your calendar today!

Written by: Karen Loong-Thomas ( Activities Coordinator )

The ibu Jumble sale 13.06.09

2009-06-26T15:43:00.000+08:00

The ibu Jumble Sale

Hot on the heels of the ultra successful Bazaar at Bangsar Village came the ibu Jumble Sale at the ibu House on the 13th of June 2009. The Jumble was organized to fulfill many requests from not only vendors but buyers too, many whom attended the Bazaar and noted that there were insufficient Jumble tables with great deals, something that ibu has become famous for.

Bright and early the day began as buyers from all walks of life streamed in to peruse the wares and sample the delicious baked goods. Some great buys were to be had this year, however it was sadly due to the fact that many families that were vendors on the day were selling up and leaving Malaysia.

The Jumble sale was a good day for all, with many buyers going away happy, laden with bags of goodies, vendors pleased that they managed to sell most of their wares, and ibu made a tidy sum of RM4000+ through the charity and baked goods tables, which will go to the upkeep of the house.

We thank all who came to shop and make this Jumble yet another success and last but not least, a BIG thank you to all our volunteers, whom without you, NOTHING would be possible at ibu.

Volunteers:

Paige Head Jo Andrews Catherine Nobbs
Karen Loong Thomas Trudi Bondarenko Sandra Jones
Sarah Jane Harrison Susanne Kaiser- Dalhoff Marisa Rechenberg
Chan Yee Send Amanda Moggie Brenda Boehm
Joy Maclean Suzie Tuomey Adelina Hayden
Angela Philpot Choong See Ming Philippa Richards
Nikki D’Cruz

Many apologies if anyone has been left out of this list.

Written by : Karen Loong-Thomas ( Activities Coordinator )

Special Playgroup - Teddy Bear Tea Picnic 30.05.09

2009-06-26T15:41:00.002+08:00

How sweet! A teddy bear tea party at the ibu house! Another special playgroup event on a lovely overcast Saturday morning. 32 children with their teddies in tow arrived to a morning filled with all things teddy-related!

Welcomed at the door by teddy bear name tags, followed by a temporary teddy tattoo, teddy bear craft, cupcake decorating ( complete with teddy bear decorations ) and then on to a sit down session to imbibe in a very civilized teddy bear tea party on the lawn, with the aforementioned cupcakes! The children were especially thrilled to be served tea ( actually apple juice ) in mini cups and saucers. Their eyes grew even bigger when their teddies weren’t left out either as they were given cups of tea too! Many enjoyed the picnic so much that they refused to move and an extra picnic area had to be set up. It was TEDDY MANIA! And it didn’t end there.. it was only 10.30am!

At 10.30am the call went out for all to gather round and Yee Send ( ibu House Manager and Party Planner Extrodinaire ) told teddy bear stories and sung teddy bear songs. Other fun activities included some teddy-inspired dancing and the icing on the cake was the parachute fun! Teddies flying into the air on the parachute sent the children into hysterics and silly giggles all around! What a fun way to end a teddy-licious day!

Many thanks to Yee Send for all the planning that went into this superb party, volunteers Amelie Langdon for the photos, Paige Head, Pipa Yoong-Bayly and Jo Andrews for all the help manning the tables.

Written by Karen Loong-Thomas ( Activities Coordinator )
Pls see http://ibuactivities.blogspot.com for more photos of this event and
http://danielzainphotography.blogspot.com for more on Yee Send’s Party Planning Services or call 0123927898.

13th June 2009 ibu Jumble Sale

2009-05-28T22:08:00.001+08:00

Hurry ! Book your tables today.. they are running out quick!!

The ibu Bazaar at Bangsar Village 2 - 01 May 2009

2009-05-04T15:35:00.021+08:00

This is how it looked early on in the morning. Keen vendors set up shop early to avoid the crunch. Vendors did very well on the day and many commented how well the bazaar was orgainzed by Vice Chairperson Paige and Membership Officer Jo and the rest of the team ( too many names to mention ) !

The tastiest counter to man - The Baked Goods Table / F & B ! ibu Treasurer Auselia and a lovely ibu volunteer Moira had a hard time keeping themselves from eating all the lovely treats ibu members donated!

ibu lovelies all in a row.. volunteers at the ticket counter.

ibu volunteer and Charities Coordinator Trudi manning the Charity Table

ibu volunteer and Bonda editor Brigid and Lara manning the goody bag counter

ibu volunteer Teresa manning the ibu table.

Just look at the queues! This was 9.30 am, half an hour before opening time!

Free Passion Tea generously supplied by Starbucks on the Charity table in exchange for loose change! Every penny counts folks! Thank you!

Our beautiful MC of the day, PR Person and all round do-gooder Melissa sneaking in a cup of free Starbucks Tea in between lucky draw rounds.

ibu member and self-confessed bazaar junkie Kim having a fantastic time!

The balloon guy did a roaring trade!

The SIM booth which saw lots of enquiries about its' music programmes.

Fit For Two benefitted fantastically from the Bazaar which was right on its doorstep. Fit For Two is a huge supporter of ibu !

Kizports offered ticket holders a rm7 discount off fees and it proved a great hit!

More views of the massive crowds!

Shoppers hard at work!

The Powerpoint Display which highlighted names of sponsors and vendors and all that ibu is about.

Pipa - one of the very hardworking volunteers with an ibu Dad.

Come and Support the ibu Bazaar 01.05.09 - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

2009-04-15T22:08:00.003+08:00

POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS! - WE NEED YOU! PLEASE CALL ALISON AT 20942234 TO HELP! MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK!

ibu 2009 Family Bazaar

The 2009 Family Bazaar is being held on Friday 1st May at Bangsar Village II in the event hall next door to Kizsports on the 3rd floor.

Our vendors will be selling a diverse selection of products including kids’ toys and books, baby equipment and clothes, cards, jewelery ,baby food, personalised towels for kids, bean bags and gift items, as well as various classes ranging from antenatal care and baby massage to personal fitness training.. Bargain hunters will find plenty of pre-loved items for sale including baby & childrens’ clothing, toys, baby equipment, books and designer and maternity clothes for mums.

There will be activities for children, including face painting and a lego table and in addition Kizsports have kindly offered a discount of RM7 on their usual entry fees upon presentation of a bazaar ticket. Child (and parent!) friendly refreshments will be on sale. With goody bags for the first 500 through the door and fantastic lucky draw prizes generously donated by participating vendors and many other retailers, in addition to all the vendors, kids activities and jumble bargains on offer, it is an event not to be missed!

ibu would like to extend special thanks to the event sponsors:
Bangsar Village II, Novozymes, Mead Johnson, Buds and our official online partner, Venusbuzz.

Tickets are RM10 at the door, RM5 in advance, with a share of profits from the event being donated to the Agathians Shelter (www.agathians.org)

VOLUNTEERS
The Bazaar relies on the support of many volunteers to make it a success. There are all sorts of ways in which you can help and any contribution large or small is much appreciated.

On the day itself we need volunteers for the following roles:
• set up
• staff the door and hand out goody bags
• selling tickets
• staffing ibu Jumble table
• staffing ibu table & charity table
• staffing the ibu Food & Beverage stand
• clearing up
In addition we are looking for more volunteers in April to help with preparations including
• sorting and pricing jumble
• stuffing goody bags
• selling advance tickets
• hanging flyers
• collecting goody bag and lucky draw donations

Just email apply@ibufamily.org or sms Jo on 017 346 1441

DONATIONS
If you aren’t in a position to donate your time on the day there are still plenty of other ways you can get involved and help. We are looking for the following donations

• Baked goods for our F&B stand (to be dropped off at the ibu house by 30th April 12.00pm
• Pre-loved items for our ibu jumble table (please contact Alison on 03-2094 2234

We are also still looking for donations for goody bags (eg discount vouchers for products or services) and lucky draw prizes so if you know anyone who may be willing to donate then please contact Melissa Lozano at pr@ibufamily.org or sms on 012 260 5757

Easter Playgroup 2009 04.04.09

2009-04-15T21:58:00.011+08:00

SPECIAL THEMED PLAYGROUP – EASTER 2009

Another beautiful sunny day in KL for yet another fun Special Themed Playgroup! This playgroup was so overbooked, many had to be turned away. In total, 35 children and their parents attended.

Fun in the ibu house meant a morning chock-a-block with activities. Art and Craft was egg mobile decorating and Easter themed colouring. For some regulars, the sandpit sufficed!

The highlight of the day was of course the egg hunt which even saw some littlies trying to beat the whistle to get a head start! Many were even spotted ‘casing the joint’ prior to the start! As Malaysia is way, way too hot to do the traditional hiding candy in the eggs trick, we had to resort to giving out Easter chocolates and candy in the shade, in exchange for the eggs all our little hunters brought back to us. There were special prizes too, for the finders of the extra large eggs!

Everyone calmed down and relaxed to Easter stories by the enthralling Anne Ooi, our resident storyteller. It was a great way to end a busy morning.

Everyone went away happy with loads of candy good to last them at least a week!

Many thanks go out to the following persons who helped:

Nikki D’Cruz & Tammie Morris ( for helping with the setup and more )
Paige Head (for the gorgeous artwork and the cupcakes )
Naz Hamid-Hnatko ( for ensuring the cupcakes were not destroyed )
Anne Ooi ( for another great story )
Jo & Greg
Amelie Langdon ( for taking the photos )
And everyone who loaned baskets!!
( and many apologies if I have left anyone out ! )

Written by Karen Loong-Thomas
Activities Coordinator

Arriving bright and early to get the best eggs..

The fun and very busy art and craft table..

Delightful cupcakes for the taking!

The Egg Hunt

TUDM Aircraft Museum Visit - 21.03.09

2009-03-26T21:31:00.004+08:00

TUDM AIRCRAFT MUSEUM
FAMILY DAY OUT
21.03.09

25 ibu families were booked in for this excursion and it was very exciting for me. This was the most I had ever had booked in for an event. However, after one hour in traffic, and many phone calls later, I realized that it was not to be. A massive political demonstration outside the Kings’ Palace meant that most roads on the perimeter of the Palace and around KL had been shut by the police.

10 families did manage to make it to the airfield and it turned out to be a pretty fun day for most of them. The dads seemed to enjoy themselves the most as the heat was pretty unbearable for the little ones ( The museum only opens at 10am, and with the traffic, the sun was well on its’ way to high noon! )

The aircraft at the museum itself seemed to be in great need of attention and many were in a state of disrepair, which is a great pity as there is so much potential to be had in a place like this. ( maybe a few letters from the public – hint hint may go a long way … ? )

As the more energetic dads and kids clambered over the aircraft ruins, many mums sought solace from the sun in the aircraft hangar where the reprieve was greatly appreciated. The littler ibu members enjoyed feeding the fish in the ‘helicopter’ pond.

I am not sure if I would arrange another family day out to the TUDM Aircraft Museum until it had some work done to it, but if you are adventurous and the day is quite cool, do check it out.

Karen Loong-Thomas
Activities Coordinator.

CPR & First Aid Course - ibu House 23.08.08

2008-09-16T11:41:00.001+08:00

CPR & INFANT FIRST AID
SATURDAY 23rd August 2008
IBU DROP IN CENTRE

Once again, there was overwhelming response to this course, and with a limited number of spaces, some members even had to be turned down. Many members sent their domestic helpers for the course as many have to deal with young children most of their daily lives.

Lynette of ScubaZone has been running the ScubaZone store for 6 years, and has at least 20 years of diving experience , and thus CPR and First Aid behind her.

Lynette outlined the 5 different skills we would be learning:

1) scene assessment
2) rescue breathing
3) one rescuer CPR, Adult/Child/Infant CPR
4) serious bleeding management
5) conscious choking adult/ child / infant management

It was very much a hands on course, with all of us taking turns at the mannequin, blowing hard, trying to inflate the chest, some of us failing miserably, yet some proving themselves highly capable, despite their petite size.

This was a very basic course in CPR and First Aid, however, it gave an adequate insight into it. Some participants had studied CPR in the past, but as with anything, if you have not used it for a long while, you get rusty. So, the refresher was good.

Especially now that many of us have young children or even infants, and along with that the high possiblity of choking, accidents and burns, this course not only taught us what needed to be done, but also what we could do to prevent it. There is nothing like the helpless feeling one gets when faced with a life threatening situation and not knowing what to do.

As they say at Scuba Zone,

ADEQUATE AID PROVIDED IS BETTER THAN PERFECT AID WITHHELD.

Family Day Out - Butterfly Park 16.08.08

2008-09-16T11:36:00.005+08:00

Family Day Out
Butterfly Park at The Lake Gardens
16th August 2008

5 ibu families enjoyed a beautiful sunny morning exploring the small but meandering Butterfly Park located within the lovely Lake Gardens vicinity. The Park is looking a little bit old and in need of a revamp, but there are so many things to keep the children busy that no one really appeared to care.

Despite its’ title, the Butterfly Park also houses koi fish, rabbits and turtles/terrapins. There are lovely water features and covered stops, stone crossings and shady areas to stop and take in natures’ beauty.

It can be rather warm, so start the day early and bring lots of cold water. It is not stroller friendly due to the steps, however you can leave your stroller at the top.

As you finish off in the Park, you will come across a huge display of all kinds of butterflies and insects. Try to get the kids to spot the ‘leaf insects’ and the ‘stick insects’.

There is a great little gift shop as you exit the park which in itself is entertainment enough for the younger set! Gifts are cheap and plentiful and you may find yourself a few ringgit poorer, as I did, and a handful of butterfly magnets!

My 2 year old thoroughly enjoyed this visit, and we shall be back soon. Just remember to bring along your local driving license, a phone/water/electricity bill, or some proof that you are a resident in Malaysia, and you get a huge discount!

Wet Market Visit- 20.07.08

2008-09-16T11:28:00.006+08:00

Introduction to A Malaysian Wet Market

20.07.08 Sunday 8.00am

New to KL? Never ventured past Cold Storage?
Early one Sunday morning, 5 ibu families went where the locals (and many expats) get the freshest and best produce. TTDI ( Taman TunDr Ismail ) Pasar Besar – literally translated, Big Market. Set aside all preconceived ideas of Malaysian markets. This one is big, spacious, clean and dry!

Whether you are looking to save a few bucks, pick up exotic local produce or just get your hands on the freshest meat, seafood, vegetables or fruit, this is the place to be.

Members were introduced to the best stalls, where the owners speak English and will charge you the same as they charge everyone else! There is no bargaining here,and the guesswork is taken out of the equation as the prices are clearly marked at most stalls. There is stroller access via ramps and lifts and parking aplenty, under in front of or around the market.

There are some interesting (albeit surprising) finds in TTDI Market. One of them being Lizar’s Curry and Spice Shop. If you have dreamed of being able to whip up a spicy local dish you tried during your stay in Malaysia but have no idea where to start, Lizar takes the hard work out of the whole cooking process. She sells freshly ground spices, dry and wet, and prepackaged dry and wet spices complete with recipe on the package! They are truly authentic and you may find yourself braving many dishes at once!

There is also a Fantastic baking goods shop tucked away in a little lane, carrying flour, butter, fresh vanilla beans and everything baking related that you can imagine. Many of the Mums have told me that the prices are cheaper than many of the other baking stores.

Vegetable shops abound and the choice is limitless. I shop at the stall owned by 3 sisters who will just as readily choose the best veges for you whilst giving you tips on how to cook them!

Fruit shops are not prolific but the choice is adequate. Some stalls specialize in only one type of fruit, maybe just papayas or bananas.

Pork is relegated to the ‘Underground’, Malaysia being a Muslim country, this non-halal meat is separated from the rest. Down in the carpark, you will find a booming trade done by several stores. My favourite is the big stall 2nd from right a you enter. ‘Cougar’ my pork man will interrogate you as you order your cuts. He will advise you which cut is better for what dish, and ensure you get the best cut. One of the Mums who bought some pork chops on this trip recently sent me a message informing me that they were, in her husbands’ opinion, The BEST chops he’d EVER had in KL! This, mind you, in the 7 years they’d lived here!

Venture upstairs and you’ll find a few cake shops and a lovely little bakery cum café should you need a respite from the hustle and bustle downstairs.

So, one morning ( except Mondays please – where most stalls are resting from the Sunday madness ) grab the kids and head to TTDI Market. Even if you end up not buying anything, ( highly unlikely ) you’ll most certainly get a culinary adventure and the kids - a colourful and interesting adventure!

Mums On The Run - 10.07.08 Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

2008-09-16T11:25:00.002+08:00

BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP CO.
Lot 145, 1st Floor, The Curve

18 Mums and One ibu Dad got together at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co at The Curve to test one of KL’s latest culinary arrivals.

Dinner at Bubba Gump sure is an adventure. Just trying to decide what to eat at this well known American chain is a nightmare as EVERYTHING on the menu sounds great. The Coconut Shrimp was really nice and the Shrimp Sampler is Huge! The desserts are really good, and the one called ‘That Chocolate Thing’ was a hands down favourite. So come hungry if you decide to try it!

Service at Bubba Gump is really fast and friendly, once you get used to their system of flipping the sign on your table, otherwise, you get totally ignored!

Overall, a really fun night out with some great conversation and food. Join us the next time we go out, be it Mums on The Run, or Parents Night Out. We’d love to meet you!

Family Day Out 12.07.08 Desa Water Park

2008-09-16T11:20:00.004+08:00

ibu families enjoyed a splashing day out at the Desa Water Park. The look on these faces tells the whole story.

Mums On The Run - Groove Junction 19th June 2008

2008-06-20T21:47:00.002+08:00

MUMS ON THE RUN JUNE 2008
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FAREWELL
FOR JANE SULLIVAN ( EX-BONDA EDITOR )

Groove Junction, a cosy little Jazz bar in Desa Sri Hartamas provided the perfect location for our get-together this month as we celebrated the outstanding contribution Jane Sullivan made towards ibu and BONDA over the past few years, and her impending move to Dubai in July. Melissa Smith ( ex- ibu Chairperson ) turned up as well, after vehemently disallowing us to have a farewell party for her! So it became a farewell party for two!

As the drinks flowed and the live band begun, the noise level became a bit too high and it was pretty hard to talk to anyone but the person next to you. But this didn’t stop any of the 16 of us from having a good time. The food was good, the portions large but the service rather slow and staggered due to the large crowd. However, the hospitality and the professionalism of the staff more than made up for it.

A few toasts were made, some speeches followed, followed by a tear or two and the night ended on a high note with some cake and the presentation of very special gifts for the Goodbye Girls – personalized BONDA covers, courtesy of incoming BONDA Editor Brigit Bose. You couldn’t have gotten a better going away present than that!

So, if you enjoy some live music, check out Groove Junction for a change from the ordinary. Its’ worth the visit.

As for Jane and Melissa, we thank you for all your years of hard work as volunteer Committee members in the ibu Family Resource Group. Your dedication to the cause made such a difference to the establishment and your shoes are certainly BIG ones to fill. We wish you well in Dubai and the USA!

Everyone getting busy catching up before the live band started.

The band ..

The Farewell Cake. Jane's the ONE!

Jane, cutting into her farewell cake - an exact replica of her present!

Jane ( ex-BONDA Editor )'s farewell present.

Melissa ( ex-Chairperson )'s farewell present from ibu.

The group shot.

Family Day Out - The Fire Station 14th June 2008

2008-06-18T22:20:00.004+08:00

FAMILY DAY OUT JUNE 2008

Family Day Out in June 2008 saw yet another return to the Desa Sri Hartamas Fire Station, in conjunction with Fathers Day. This time the response was overwhelming and the firemen played host to 33 ibu families!

The day started with the viewing of a very interesting ( if you are a 60 year old ) video on home and fire safety – reminder to self, request NO video next visit! Many of the children, bored by the video, started gravitating towards the back of the Fire Station where the 3 trucks were parked. Soon it was pretty obvious to the Fire Master that only 3 people ( including one very patient 3 year old ) were watching the video and this was a clear indication to start the ‘real’ show.

We were allowed total freedom in, around and on the trucks. The keys were in the truck ignitions and 3 lucky souls were allowed to start the engines! Not a single ‘NO’ was uttered as the kids were allowed to touch the horns, sirens, light switches and the lot! Children and their parents were all over the trucks and the cameras were working overtime.

Soon, the hoses were brought out of the trucks and then the real fun began. Hosing each other down while learning to control the flow, kids were soon sopping wet. This had to be the best part of the visit.

As the visit was drawing to a close, more photo opportunities were to be had as the firemen helped the eager ones get into the VERY heavy fire suits. As you can see, the children looked terribly cute in them.

The only activity that was off-limits to the children was the ‘sliding down the pole’. This irked the kids somewhat but was made up for by the parents sliding down and the kids cheering them on. Some Dads refused to slide, and thus, some very brave Mums took to the pole, much to the delight of the little ones!

All in all, it was a great day and the hospitality of the Fire Station staff made it a wonderful experience for all of us from ibu. We shall most certainly be back before the end of the year. So if you missed it this time, look out for the next visit and sign up early!

The long awaited HANDS-ON session!

The kids had a great time 'driving', running the horns and the sirens and climbing in, and all around the trucks

This is my truck buddy... pls back off!

Come on Anthony! JUMP!!

Its' OK Melissa - you can do it!!

Wow Mum - you go girl!

Time to pose in the Fireman's attire ... how cute can the kids get??!!

Happy faces all around - What a great day!

Volunteer Appreciation Day 12th June 2008

2008-06-18T22:18:00.001+08:00

Family Day Out - Science Centre 24th May 2008

2008-06-18T22:16:00.000+08:00

CPR COURSES 10th & 17th May 2008

2008-06-18T22:15:00.002+08:00

CPR & INFANT FIRST AID
SATURDAY 10TH and 17th MAY 2008
IBU DROP IN CENTRE

There was overwhelming response to this course, and with a limited number of spaces, some members even had to be turned down. Many members sent their domestic helpers for the course as many have to deal with young children most of their daily lives.

Lynette of ScubaZone has been running the ScubaZone store for 6 years, and has at least 20 years of diving experience , and thus CPR and First Aid behind her.

Lynette outlined the 5 different skills we would be learning:

1) scene assessment
2) rescue breathing
3) one rescuer CPR, Adult/Child/Infant CPR
4) serious bleeding management
5) conscious choking adult/ child / infant management

It was very much a hands on course, with all of us taking turns at the mannequin, blowing hard, trying to inflate the chest, some of us failing miserably, yet some proving themselves highly capable, despite their petite size.

This was a very basic course in CPR and First Aid, however, it gave an adequate insight into it. Some participants had studied CPR in the past, but as with anything, if you have not used it for a long while, you get rusty. So, the refresher was good.

Especially now that many of us have young children or even infants, and along with that the high possiblity of choking, accidents and burns, this course not only taught us what needed to be done, but also what we could do to prevent it. There is nothing like the helpless feeling one gets when faced with a life threatening situation and not knowing what to do.

As they say at Scuba Zone,

ADEQUATE AID PROVIDED IS BETTER THAN PERFECT AID WITHHELD.

Mums On The Run - CHAMPS 15th May 2008

2008-06-18T22:14:00.001+08:00

May 1st 2008 - Family Bazaar

2008-05-06T22:14:00.001+08:00

They came in scores and lined up in teams awaiting the doors to open. Nearly one hundred of them, bargain hunters, clamoring for the opportunity to scavenge through the items offered at the jumble tables and from vendors alike. As the day drew on, the lines subsided, but the numbers did not disappoint. With more than 500 tickets sold at the door and dozens of children, the day proved a hit for the families who came out in droves and a large success for ibu as it brought in over 15,000 MYR to the resource center! . Shopping to their hearts desire, several took advantage of the hotels luggage racks, carting their goods away by the trolley-load!
As if shopping alone wasn’t enough of an incentive to maintain the enthusiasm that marked the day; over 70 donated gifts from a variety of vendors and sponsors were given away in a series of lucky draws. Providing extra coverage for the vendors present, and offering further incentive for shoppers to linger, the lucky draw attracted a steady crowd of followers banking their luck on their tickets while their other halves emptied their wallets at the vendors’ tables. As the lucky draw did contribute so much to the day’s events, we would like the thank all of those who generously donated their items and gifts.
ibu’s largest annual fundraiser was indeed a success and that is in no small part due to the efforts of the multiple volunteers who dedicated their time and energies to coordinate, organize, staff, and conduct the event. Your gift of volunteerism is a most significant contribution to ibu as the resource center is a non-profit whose sustainability relies on the goodwill efforts of volunteers. Without your support and time, events such as this fundraiser would not be feasible nor would the various services and programs offered at the ibu house throughout the year. In recognition of volunteerism, special acknowledgement should be given to our vice chair, Nikki De’ Cruz, whose countless hours went into overseeing and managing the entire affair.
Because ibu is a nonprofit organization, it is no surprise that an event of this scale not only requires the coordination and efforts of dozens of volunteers, but also the sponsorship and support of commercial businesses. Therefore, our most heartfelt appreciation is extended to Expatriate Lifestyle for their promotion and advertorial support, the Westin Hotel for their venue, support staff, and complimentary refreshments, Richard Tong Balloons for their amazing balloon creations, Santa Fe Relocation Services for their assistance in transporting the jumble sale items, Fun Expresso , Da Vinci Creative Kids, and Kindergolf for keeping the children thoroughly entertained: FunExpresso for use of their bouncy castle, DaVinci Creative kids, for their coloring tables, and Kindergolf for their golf expo.
If you are a small business owner who would like to participate in next year’s family bazaar, please contact the ibu office to reserve a table early. This year’s demand far exceeded capacity, so get your name registered in plenty of time so as not to miss out on a great opportunity. And remember, you don’t have to be a small business owner to participate; volunteers are what really keeps the ibu family resource group functioning. If you have the time to spare or feel that you would like to contribute your energies to give back to an organization that may have assisted you in developing your social network within KL, please indicate your interest to Allison at the walk-in center or via telephone 03-2094-2234. Volunteer opportunities can be one off events such as the family bazaar or something on a weekly basis like representing a playgroup; either way, it’s always a rewarding and valued use of your time!

The Selfish Crocodile - 26th April 2008

2008-05-06T21:43:00.004+08:00

28 kids and their parents enjoyed discounted rates by booking in advance with ibu, enabling us to get great discounts for the best seats. Look out for future offers, and book EARLY!

ibu Family Day Out - The Agathians Shelter 12th April 2008

2008-04-17T22:30:00.002+08:00

Family Day Out April 2008 must have been the most sombre day out so far for ibu kids and families. However, it was a visit that carried a lot of meaning, with many lessons to be learnt. Following up on the hugely successful charity drive that ibu conducted for The Agathians Shelter in November 2007, it was timely that a visit be made to the Shelter to meet the very boys many ibu members regularly contribute to.

The only auspicious thing about The Agathians Shelter is the road on which it is situated. Jalan 8/8. In Chinese, a very auspicious number indeed. There is nothing auspicious about this Shelter though. The broken sign hanging on the front gate tells the story of everything inside. Broken tiles, broken equipment, broken lives, broken hearts and broken dreams.

This is a Shelter where 30 abandoned, orphaned, neglected and under privileged boys aged 3 – 15 , mainly of Indian/Malaysian descent eat, sleep and live. The founder of the home, Siva, a delightful young man with a huge heart tries his best with the limited funds the shelter has. He and the other board members regularly delve into their own pockets to make ends meet. The regular donations of kitchen and toilet staples that ibu members donate go a long way, but with 30 boys and counting, its’ never enough.

Personally I was shocked that the home was not a bungalow or corner lot as many of these homes/refuges/shelters normally are. It is a tiny intermediate single story house. The mere sight of the house was sufficient to bring tears to ones eyes.

There were lines and lines of laundry hung up to dry, washed by one very hardworking washing machine. A brand new donated box freezer took pride of place outside in the front porch as a volunteer helped rig the electricity cables. Not a single toy in the home is what struck me the most. The kitchen is packed to the hilt. There is only ONE shower. And two bedrooms.

A few boys mingled around the house aimlessly, looking lethargic and upon further enquiry, the others we were told, could be found behind the house playing in the playground.

We took a stroll to the back where we found a group of young volunteers from AISEC playing games with the boys to improve their English skills. They come to visit the boys every two weeks and spend quality time with them.
(see www.aisec.org/malaysia/um for more info on these wonderful young people )

The kids gravitated back to the Shelter closer to lunch time and some mingled amongst us. Some were happy to see visitors, esp Jason and Brenda Boehm who brought newspaper articles of interest, and colouring sheets and crayons. One of the boys insisted I look at his prized possessions in a locker. It was so sad. There was only a bottle of powder and a few other articles. He made me take a photo of it, and promise I’d bring him a copy of it.

Soon, all the boys were asking for their photos to be taken! It seemed to make them really happy. They put on their best smiles, and asked to look at the picture in the viewfinder after. The whole time there, I had to control myself to not cry.

Lunch disappeared as fast as it was put out, the kids digging into the ‘pot luck’ that all of us brought. There was fried rice, fried beehoon, KFC and spring rolls. Dessert was cookies, oranges, cake and ice cream. Due to the lack of space in the shelter, the boys took their food into their rooms and ate on the floor.

Our visit was over pretty much after lunch was over, as the boys settled into the remainder of their colouring and playing caroms in one of the two bedrooms.

It didn’t feel like we were being asked to leave, it just felt like the kids knew that we would all soon leave to go back to our privileged lives, and they would return to theirs. A sad sense of quiet kind of overcame the home, so we excused ourselves and started to leave.

I promised I’d be back with the photos, and I will. The visit has left me with a renewed sense of gratitude for all I have in my life, and how lucky my daughter is, to never want for anything. When she is older, and old enough to understand, she will visit this Shelter and others like it. Just so she knows just how lucky she is!

The Agathians Shelter is ALWAYS in need. If you can spare anything, from one ringgit, to one bag of rice or more, it will help tremendously. ibu has a list of all the staples required. If you’d like to contribute from that list, or anything else, we can make it easier for you. Drop it off at ibu or call and someone can always come and collect it from you and deliver it to the home.

If you’d like to visit the home yourself, the address is : No.17, Jalan Tengas 8/8, Section 8, PJ 46050. Contact SIVA beforehand at 0122968014

Written by Karen Loong-Thomas ( Activities Coordinator )

Parents Night Out - 10 April 2008

2008-04-13T21:48:00.002+08:00

PARENTS NIGHT OUT APRIL 2008
JARROD & RAWLINS (DESA SRI HARTAMAS)
8pm 10th April 2008

13 members and friends showed up to this month’s Parents’ Night Out hosted by Jarrod & Rawlins. Yet not a man in sight! I honestly thought the draw card of a freshly cooked steak and a cold lager would have brought in the Dads. Nevertheless, the ladies enjoyed a night of steak, bangers and mash and sandwiches, downed by a few glasses or a few beers.

It was nice to meet new people, there were a few Kiwis at one end of the table, a smattering of Brits, 3 Malaysians, one MM2H-er, and quite a few Texans and Australians.

At one point when our table was getting too cramped, one contingent defected to another table and we ended up with two very intimate tables and conversation.

The staff at Jarrod & Rawlins tried very hard to accommodate our large group, and even agreed to do separate billing without the bat of an eye. ( rare in Malaysia – where special requests are usually looked upon as a big nuisance )

Service was not terribly speedy but every order came correct and with a cheerful smile. The staff however were camera shy and no one wanted to pose for my camera.

A big thumbs up to Jarrod & Rawlins for a very enjoyable, affordable, casual night out.

Next Parents Night Out will be at CHAMPS in CENTERPOINT BANDAR UTAMA. I hope to see you there!

JARROD & RAWLINS
36, JALAN 27/70a
DESA SRI HARTAMAS
50480 K.L

TEL: 20930708
(10am - midnight)

Easter Playgroup - 22 March 2008

2008-04-07T21:47:00.021+08:00

Another beautiful sunny day in KL for yet another fun Special Themed Playgroup! The morning started with faithful ibu volunteers hiding over 200 lovingly dyed eggs all over the ibu house garden. ( many thanks to Nikki D’Cruz for saving all the blown-out eggs from her home-grown bakery! )

Fun in the ibu house meant a morning chock-a-block with activities. Egg painting, rabbit mask making, face painting and tattooes, followed by cupcakes for snacks whilst enjoying Easter themed stories by the enthralling Anne Ooi.

The highlight of the day was of course the egg hunt which even saw some littlies trying to beat the whistle to get a head start! As Malaysia is way, way too hot to do the traditional hiding candy in the eggs trick, we had to resort to giving out Easter chocolates and candy in the shade, in exchange for the eggs all our little hunters brought back to us.

Everyone went away happy with loads of candy good to last them at least a week!

Many thanks go out to the following persons who helped:

Alison D’Cruz
Rufa
Kate Healy
Nancy Boyd of Nakorn Sari in PJ for the great face painting
Melissa Smith
Lisa Reardon ( who helped out at the Crazy Candy Counter )
Mel ( my little helper ! )
Nikki D’Cruz
Paige Head
Anne Ooi ( for another great story )
And everyone who loaned me baskets!!
( and many apologies if I have left anyone out ! )

Written by Karen Loong-Thomas
ibu Activities Coordinator

Family Day Out - Taman Tun Dr Ismail Park 15.03.08

2008-03-15T21:22:00.005+08:00

Hidden away on the fringe of TTDI ( an upmarket suburb of KL ) lies the TTDI Park. A very popular park with the locals, but often completely unknown to new arrivals into the country!

Family Day Out for March 2008 was meant to introduce this lovely well kept secret to ibu members who had never been here.

This park has a running / walking / pram friendly ( !! ) track of about 2.5km. It loops around the top of the park via a suspension bridge. The park itself meanders around a pond, little covered sitting areas, a Tai Chi platform, a playground (slightly in a state of disrepair) but the creme de la creme of this park has to be the waterfall ( even though it is man-made! I got a shock the first time i saw it being 'switched' on and off! ). This waterfall leads into the long stream that runs down the centre of this park. Full of tadpoles, mudskippers and other tiny fish, it is the main attraction for the little ones. Armed with a sieve, many can be seen desperately trying to catch something, anything to put into a jar!

Today's outing garnered 9 families with 16 kids in total! Starting out slowly, sitting on mats under a tree, many naturally gravitated towards the stream as it got warmer. Mums with babies too tiny to enjoy the stream stayed under the shade sipping lemonade and chatting. Dads were kept busy with kiddy cricket, bikes and balls.

Most of us left about 11am when it started to just get a little bit too warm. My daughter had a great time and was ready for a nap as soon as we got home! All in all, a lovely morning out.

If you didn't come this morning, do check it out for yourself. It's on Jalan Abang Haji Openg, if you are coming off the Penchala Link, its the 3rd left turn and just follow the road, it'll lead you straight to the park. Parking on weekends can be a bit difficult, but I always seem to get a spot. Try a week day morning one day - its' lovely!!

Chinese New Year Playgroup 23 Feb 2008

2008-02-28T21:51:00.031+08:00

Chinese New Year 2008 – The Year Of The Rat.

In comes ibu's 1st Special Themed Playgroup of the Year - The Chinese New Year Playgroup!

No, there were no firecrackers so we did not usher in the New Year with a bang, but we tried to do it with as much flair as possible!

All the children were greeted traditionally at the door and given the must-have item, the Ang Pow and two mandarins each.

The day got off to a slow start as families trickled in. But by 10.30am, the party was in full swing. In total the ibu house was packed with 25 kids and 24 parents.

Artwork was on hand to keep the artistically inclined ones busy. Chinese Fans and Lanterns were coloured, sparkled up, and stapled together by Mum or Dad.

For the younger ones, colouring Chinese designs on paper and the face painter, Camille kept them occupied.

A right spread was laid out for all the hungry little mice. This included pineapple tarts ( of course! ) love letters, peanut biscuits, jelly, mini mandarins and gorgeous Chinese themed cupcakes with Mice, Gold Coins and Auspicious Calligraphy on them!

A mid morning break with Anne Ooi our ever-so-enrapturing ( if there is such a word ) story teller, saw the children thrilled by a story involving a rat and a turnip.

And the highlight of the day was the ‘lion’ arriving at 11am. Since I personally remembered as a child, being scared silly of the whole lion dance performance, drums and all, I had instructed the troupe prior to the day that this performance had to be tailored to ‘little kids. I certainly had a hard time getting it across to them. They could not understand why I did not want the drums and all the instruments. Why was I opting to play a CD of Chinese music instead? ( I was too embarrassed to tell him the truth ) Anyway Danny the troupe leader finally got my drift, and I was very happy that it went the way it did on the day.

The ‘Lion’ entered the house slowly but surely, toyed with a few of the children and then headed straight to get his ‘Ang Pow’.

With great agility he removed, from a hook hanging up high, the red packet which was attached to a head of lettuce.

The Lion then lay down and proceeded to ‘munch’ on the lettuce. Suddenly it spat out the lettuce! It looked like a Caesar Salad!

The Lion then bowed down to eat a bucket of oranges. Wow it was a big bucket too. It seemed to take the longest time but actually what the guy inside the ‘Lion’ was doing, was stuffing all the oranges down his T-Shirt!

It then got up, and went around the room, to every single adult and child, laying a mandarin on its’ lip for us to remove from his mouth. I must say, some of our ibu kids were braver than their parents!

Once done, The Lion took a break and lay down on the floor to get its’ tummy scratched. Most of the kids were fearless, touching its’ head, tail, stroking it and looking down its’ mouth. Once all the kids were done, the lion made its’ exit. This signaled the end of the Playgroup.

This was a great way to introduce a Malaysian culture to all the ibu kids, local and expat. I am planning to do a Hari Raya and a Deepavali one too. But before then, I look forward to the next Special Playgroup which will be on the 22nd March – The Easter Playgroup. See you then!

Many thanks go out to the volunteers who helped make this day happen:

Kate Healy
Tammie Morris
Birgit
( who helped tidy up after all the fun was over )

Amelie Langdon ( Photography )

Paige Head
Phillipa Yoong
Melissa Smith
( who manned the tables )

Camille ( Face Painter )

Nikki Smith ( for the great cookies you baked ! )

and of course, Alison D'Cruz & Rufa for all the help.
apologies if I have unintentionally left anyone's names out.

Written by Karen Loong-Thomas
ibu Activities Coordinator

PHOTO GALLERY OF THE GORGEOUS KIDS WHO CAME! ( and their Mums and Dads of course! )

This little one has the honour of being the youngest ibu member there!

Mums On The Run Feb 21st 2008 - SAFFRON

2008-02-28T13:28:00.004+08:00

On the 21st of February 2008, the final Mums On The Run was held at SAFFRON ( Northern Indian Food ) in Sri Hartamas.

Tucked away in a quiet lane in this upmarket suburb lies one of KL’s oldest and most established family owned and run restaurants. The owner Billy runs the restaurant and his Mum does all the cooking, thus guaranteeing great tastes and quality control.

This night out turned out to be a really big one, totaling 12 Mums. ( nearly half were Texans too! )

As the night was getting on, we went head first into the mains, totally skipping out on the starters. As I was very, very hungry, I TOTALLY forgot to take any pictures of the food! So, you’ll just have to take my word for it that it was great!

We ordered an assortment of food, from the very spicy to the mildest of mild to suit all tastebuds. The Prawn Piazza whilst getting the thumbs up for being very tasty, was also very very spicy. Amongst the 3 different chickens we ordered, Achari Chicken, Murg Masala and Butter Chicken, the Butter Chicken came out tops as an all time favourite. The Maharaja Baingen ( eggplant ) was well received and the other vegetable we had was Aloo Gobi which is a Northen Indian staple of cauliflower, potatoes and peas. The mutton dish, Saag Gosht was a tad oily but nonethless, very tasty. The food was accompanied by Saffron and white rice, a variety of nans, chapattis and batthura breads.

The service, though sedate at times, was efficient and fast. The deco is simple and has remained the same for years. But as a testament to the quality of the food, even local Punjabi or Northern Indian families eat here!

We had more than enough to eat, in fact some of us were pretty stuffed. For 12 people the bill only came to slightly more that RM400. Divided amongst us it turned out to be a pretty affordable meal.

It was really great to see so many Mums that night and to catch up on a bit of gossip or exchange ideas and tips! Next month sees ibu moving with the times and the start of PARENTS NIGHT OUT. We hope it will be as successful as this one. See you all on the 13th of March at Ipoh Old Town, Lucky Gardens, Bangsar!

SAFFRON
No.5, Jalan Sri Hartamas 7,
(Opposite PETRONAS)
Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-62011375

Silent Auction & Charity Bazaar at BSC 24th / 25th November 2007

2008-02-12T17:13:00.002+08:00

We FINALLY have our Silent Auction Article folks! Read On!!

“SILENT AUCTION” - ibu’s first silent auction fund raiser for Agathians Shelter for boys.

(Actually it wasn’t so silent. The last few minutes saw 3 people starting an all out price bidding war on a Persian carpet with paper snatching and strong tones of ‘put that paper down madam, I’ve yet to re-bid!’)
Sorry – maybe I should start at the beginning – 24/25 November 2007 saw ibu holding its very first Silent Auction & Kids Bazaar Fund Raiser. For those of you blissfully unaware of our numerous email & SMS reminders, the auction was held at Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC for you newbies) with 100% of profits going to Agathians. Now, how does a charity like ibu, organize a charity event for someone else you may ask? Well, with great difficulty. In essence an opportunity came about which was too good to pass up - BSC offered us the space for free and we still had Melissa’s voice in our heads (ex-chairperson, bless her heart), asking us (the charity team) what our big event for the year was going to be… so with motivation and a keenness to help others we plunged in and trusted to the guy above.

What is a silent auction? Basically its just like a normal auction in that there are items to bid on – the only difference lies in that the bidding was on sheets of paper that was laid out on the tables, near the bid items. This way people could come back at the end of the 2 days and see if they still had the highest bid or whether they should re-bid.

Besides the silent auction of the many, many items we had donated by generous sponsors, we also organized a kids bazaar (free angel making, nominal fee for cupcake decorating and RM30 for batik painting) and lucky draw. Naturally the angel making was a big hit, the cupcakes earned RM2,452, the batik earned RM350, generously donated by Craft Complex - RM10 per piece of batik made. (for some reason the batik wasn’t popular, though we thought it’d be our best seller. It’s a puzzler.) The 2 days saw 235 tickets sold.

At final count, we had these figures:
Silent Auction RM36,506
Private & Corporate Donations RM14,225
Periphery activities (tickets, cupcakes, etc) RM8,652
TOTAL RM59,383
(expenses – mostly subsidized by Mel Smith) RM2,242
PROFIT TO AGATHIANS RM57,141

As mentioned 100% of profits went to Agathians Shelter towards building their new home in Petaling Jaya – currently they live in 2 very small single-story link houses that is home to some 30-40 boys from age 3-16 years. With this new home, they will be housed in a bungalow with actual grass around the house and hopefully a double story level soon. For more information visit www.Agathians.org

A months of stress, some tears, some laughter and a few new friendships later, and it was all over! Phew. We’re not entirely sure that we’d do it again or if its viable for an entity such as ours to tackle fund raising for other charities, but at the end of the day we had fun, raised heaps of money and almost reached our target of RM60,000!

It was a mammoth effort and there are so many people to thank, so please bear with me:
• The 80+ sponsors & vendors who generously donated time, money and/or space – A Cut Above, Alex Yoong, Amita Pearls, Asian Tiger Transpo, Baby Loft, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Belle Baby, Berjaya Air, Blessings Bed & Breakfast, Bisou, Borneo Pop (Jonas Jodie), Buds, Carcosa, Celebrity Fitness, Cold Storage, Celia Yap, Charita, Chateau De Sable, Cheras Driving Range, Craft Complex, Deok Sun, Dr Yee, D'Showcase, Dodo Art, Ebeza, Expedite Printing, FA'IQ Jewels, Fogal Meat Market, Fit For 2, 90’s Go Lights Temptation, Glaxo Smith Kline, Gymboree, Grace Salon, Grand Continental Hotel, Hadar Gifts, HerbaLife, House & Co, Gudang Damansara, Judy Yap, K.M. Oli Mohamed, Khaana Peena, Kid Sports, Kidscool, Lords Tailor, Leighton Construction, Lazat Cooking School, Mines Watersports, Montes, Mad Science, Mattel, Maxnetic, Nando's, Nestle, Numpueng Art, Out of Africa, Pantai Hospital, Persian Collections, Pet Epicure, Planet Art, Raffles Furnishing, Sew & Soul, Starwright Graphic, Suzie&Russel Palmer, Sprintserve, Sparkles Jewellers, SMACC, The Bridge International church, The Attic, TNT Kickboxing, True Life Art, TwentyOne Restaurant & Bar, Victoria Music, X1R, Yee Wah Hing's Watch, York House, Zazi Art, Zurich Timepieces
• The 80+ volunteers that were integral leading up to and on the days – Amanda & Michael Moggie, Amy Sholdl, Angela McKenzie, Angie Tan, Ann Gunapalan, Anne Tiernan, Asha Pollack, Beatrice Huang, Brian Fernandez, Chela Mega, Cheong Wai Quan, Chong Yee Li, Christina Rajaratnam, Clare Suanders-Tack, Cressa Chan, Diane Douglas, Emma Brant, Eunice Marie Song, Eveline Deutman, Fabienne & Elisabeth Rushworth, Francis, Gail McIntyre, Helen Garry, Ingrid van de Coevering, Jane Sullivan, Janice, Jenny, Jill North, Jo Yoong, Judy Yap, Julia Smith, Justine Goh, K Fuad, Lynn, Maureen Tong, Melissa Smith, Michele Sagan, Nikki D’Cruz, N. Wilson, Nor Azlina, Paige Head, Penny Dunn, Phyllis, Rachel, Rene Springall, Rita, Sarah, Sharon Tan, Shireen, Siew Teen, Sigrid Gauthay, Soraya Putra, Tee, Tammie Morris, Tasneem, Teresa Botner, Teresa James, Vanessa, Wai Fong, Wendy McLean, Will Stegall, Yasmin Panton, members of the committee and many many more.

• And also all the boys at Agathians Shelter for coming out and supporting us: Poobalan, Siddha, Buddha, Devan, Jaianand, Dhilip Kumar, Haran, Kesava, Shankar, Hari, Sunder, Shatiasilan, Yuvarajah, Amaran, Arunasalam, Jeevanathan, gunasegaran, Ezra, Bose Mani, Prem Kumar, Dinesh Kumar, Teenagaran, Meriyappa, Thevendran, Jaganathan, Loga Lingam

• And a special thanks to Brian, Viknesh, Simbu and Eswar for staying all day on both days and helping us!

• Much gratitude also to Siva and his helpers
And a special thanks to Melissa Smith for donating her time, generosity and patience, Paige Head for her selfless long nights, Allison for being our constant backbone, my husband Andrew for babysitting Tara every weekend and putting up with my not-so-niceness and Jenny Stegall for having the vision and heart to start it all.
Finally my humble apologies for any errors or omissions in this article. I’ve tried to include everything and everyone as I’ve remembered it, but as I still have pregnancy brain (from a year ago!) I may be a bit remiss.

Hope everyone had a merry merry Christmas and New Year and I look forward to seeing y’all at ibu!

Written By Charities Coordnator Phillipa Yoong-Bayly

Family Day Out 26.01.08 - Police K-9 Unit

2008-01-26T22:31:00.000+08:00

PUNCTUAL, PROFESSIONAL AND PROUD - POLICE OFFICERS AND THEIR DOGS!

Family Day Out for January 2008 started off with a bang - or should I say WOOF! at the KL POLICE K-9 UNIT near lake Titiwangsa. Though extremely hard to find, we finally all made it there with many thanks to Sargent Ramasamy who escorted all 7 cars from 3 different locations into the camp and to the training facility!

We were met by Corporal Ravindraa who gave us a very thorough briefing before the show started.

We learnt that Malaysia launched its' POLICE DOG PROGRAM in 1968. In 1969 it acquired 6 dogs from the UK. By 1972 Malaysia purchased another 6 dogs from the UK but this time sent 6 trainers to the UK to get them specially trained together with the dogs.

The police dogs were mainly used as 'RIOT DOGS' during those days.

September 11 brought about a major change for this department and its' program. The Government of the USA and the ATF sponsored 11 EXPLOSIVES DOGS and 11 officers and men from Malaysia to be trained in Virginia, USA.

In 2007 Malaysia made its' largest purchase ever, obtaining 30 dogs from China. 27 for its' CRIME Unit, and 3 for its' NARCOTICS Unit.

Dogs are purchased 'Green' ( as in 'freshies' ) at 12-14 months of age. They undergo a 16 week training which includes OBEDIENCE, SEARCHING, TRAINING etc.. They are then tested to see if they are able to work with the 'public'.

In KL alone, there are 34 dogs in service. ( 15 in CRIME, 11 in EXPLOSIVES and 8 in NARCOTICS ) There are 10 dogs in every other state in Malaysia.

The Police K-9 Unit consists of a few different breeds of dog. GERMAN SHEPERDS - The King of Dogs ( as Corporal Ravindraa puts it ) heads up the CRIME DEPARTMENT. (Belgian Sheperds have been recently purchased too, but are still in training) BORDER COLLIES, SPRINGER SPANIELS, WIMERAMAS AND LABRADORS - NARCOTICS and LABRADORS - EXPLOSIVES

We were also surprised to know that Police dogs only get fed ONCE a DAY at 3pm.

We also learnt that different dogs required differing methods of reward. EXPLOSIVES Dogs who are only HAND FED ( never from a bowl ) receive a treat from the officers' hand as a reward.

CRIME DOGS - relish PRAISE and NARCOTICS DOGS work for a rolled up towel.

Crime Dog training. Note how he sits perfectly still while his handler searches the suspect.

Bapsy, Nelson and Jack ( Narcotics Dogs )

Bapsy the Black labrador above, receives NO OBEDIENCE training as an EXPLOSIVES dog. She works very keenly to find bullets, firearms and any other form of explosive, all for a reward of a treat from her master's hand.

You may be interested to know that it is one Officer to one dog from purchase to retirement ( either the dogs' retirement or the officer's! whichever comes first! )
If a handler is on Medical Leave, the dog gets a well-deserved break! If an officer were to retire before the dog, a new handler is selected, and dog and handler go through 16 weeks of training ALL OVER AGAIN!

Contrary to popular belief, NARCOTICS Dogs are NOT addicted to drugs or narcotics. They only work for their rewards. Part of their training includes trying to distract them by lacing drugs with curry powder and belachan ( a pungent local prawn paste ) This however cannot trick the NARCOTICS dogs, who have a sense of smell more than 100times greater than that of an average human. Heroin is the main drug found in KLIA and Ganja on buses.

Jack sniffing for drugs.

Jack the NARCOTICS Dog sniffing for drugs in a row of bags. He didn't find any.

I was asked to volunteer to place a drug-laden briefcase amongst the original bags, just to prove the dog is not trained to trick us!

Searching Once more..

Correct Briefcase! TRIPLE-PACKED Marijuana and Jack sniffed it out!

One of Catherine's girls getting a good sniff from Bapsy.

Rebecca getting Up Close and personal with Bapsy the Explosives Dog after the Show.

All in all, despite getting lost initially, and the heat ( which is generally unavoidable in this beautiful country ), it was a very interesting day. It certainly was different and was great especially for those amongst us whom are dog lovers, as we discovered that all retired dogs are kept on the property in a retirement village, where they are well taken care of, walked and played with every day, till the end of their days.

The Police Officers were equally as impressive and gave me a new found respect for the much maligned Force. These guys were SO FRIENDLY, they were playing with all the children, bringing us drinks, and chairs and answering all our questions. The best answer of the day was to the question (which was made in jest) - " What can we do to train our children like this?" and the answer was "What do you think is the main component of Dog Training? - Its PATIENCE! So, the same goes for your children -PATIENCE!" Wise words Corporal Ravindraa.. wise words indeed!

Written by Karen Loong-Thomas ( Activities Coordinator)

Mums On The Run 24 Jan 2008

2008-01-26T21:59:00.001+08:00

Starting off the New Years culinary adventures, we find ourselves at MOUSSANDRA. Tucked away on the sleepy side of KL Plaza ( one of the older buildings in the City ) is this slightly offbeat but intimate Spanish / Greek restaurant. Step inside and you are immediately transported to another city .. Established in 1996, Moussandra is a proven favourite with locals and visitors alike.

Only 6 Mums managed to 'escape' tonight for this Mums on The Run. However, the conversation flowed as easily as the Sangrias did!

Moussandra's assortment of artful Spanish Tapas and Greek Mezes is a great way to become acquainted with the cuisines of Spain and Greece.

ibu was offered a 30% discount off the set menu which included Tapas/Meze , Main Courses, and Dessert. The portions were more than generous and we all left feeling stuffed. The dessert - Creme Brulee, was especially good!

Having experienced the excellent food and the professionalism and friendliness of the staff, I would personally go back to Moussandra again - especially for the Lamb Shank which was almost big enough for two!

Do join us next time we go out for dinner and catch up with old friends - or make new ones! Bring your spouse too ... as from next month, this outing is being renamed PARENTS' NIGHT OUT!

From left to right ( clockwise ) Amelie ( Tuesday afternoon ibu YogaKids Instructor ), Chystel, Melissa ( ex Chairperson ), Wai Kuan ( ex Secretary ) , Karen ( Activities Coordinator )and Kate (new Chairperson )

Amelie - Your Friendly YogaKids Instructor posing with her Moussaka before diging in!

Moussaka

Paella - A House Speciality. Yummy!

A Wonderful Sea Bass.

The Lamb Shank - Huge Portion and Delicious!

Moussandra

Lot B-8
Mezzanine Floor
KL Plaza
Jalan Bukit Bintang
Tel: 03-21440775

Written by Karen Loong-Thomas (Activities Coordinator)

Family Day Out - Dec 2007 - Eye On Malaysia

2008-01-14T09:55:00.003+08:00

DECEMBER FAMILY DAY OUT - EYE ON MALAYSIA

On a hot, humid and hazy morning in December, 22 ibu members and staff braved the traffic into town and ventured up the massive Ferris Wheel structure aptly named EYE ON MALAYSIA at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa.

One member had come with her husband and children and had originally not intended to go up due to a fear of heights. However, she braved up at the last minute and decided to go on the ride after all!

Due to pre-purchased group tickets, there was no trouble with queues, something the Eye is famous for.

We were allowed 6 ppl to a car instead of the usual 8 which can often be too crowded. The structure is massive but the cars quite small. It's a bit scary at first but you get used to it pretty soon if no one is rocking the car!

There was not much of a view because it was hazy, but the view is pretty impressive regardless. You get the feeling the KL Tower and KLCC are right next to you!

The Eye goes four rounds ( 12 minutes ) per ticket, however, after about two rounds most of us had had enough. Some of the kids however, couldn’t get enough and squealed for more.

After the ride we all gathered together to have a drink and take pictures at the Eye Café.

The day out was an enjoyable one, a nice change of scene. A chance for old friends to catch up, and also to make new ones. The Eye is now being dismantled as its’ tenure in Malaysia is over. So those who missed it in 2007 may have to visit London in the future to experience the Eye Experience!

On December 7th 2007, 22 kids and their parents enjoyed discounted rates to a beautiful play entitled Aesops Fables by booking in advance with ibu, enabling us to get great discounts for the best seats. Look out for future offers, and book EARLY!

Written by Karen Loong-Thomas ( Activities Coordinator )

Family Day Out Fire Station Visit 10th November 2007

2007-11-22T20:24:00.000+08:00

At 10am on Saturday Nov 10, 17 IBU families arrived at the Hartamas Fire
Station. As they approached, one can see the eyes of each child grew as
big as rambutans. We were all enthralled by the two big red fire
engines parked there.

Sri Hartamas Fire Station has 31 firemen and 2 fire ladies.

Encik Yazli and Encik Rosli were very enthusiastic and very patient in explaining
Fire Safety to us. A fireman rolled on the floor to demonstrate what to
do in the event when our clothes catch fire. We were also told to crawl
instead of walking upright if there was smoke.

Then alarm went off and firemen slided down the pole. When asked to
volunteer, 2 moms eagerly jumped from the 1st floor and slid down.

Next we were introduced to the wonders of the fire trucks. Now I even
know where the snake box is! A snake box is a container where captured
reptiles are held. All the kids had a chance to sit by the wheel,
touched all the buttons, explore the inside of these big machines and
ask the friendly fire lady questions.

Then the fire engines were started and wow, all were captivated by the
loud noise. The highlights were definitely the water hose and the
electrical ladder. Each child got to experience the powerful water hose
and see how far the water could spray. And finally parents and the
children went on the magic ride together on the ladder which can reach
many stories high.

At the end of this outing, all were full of excitement and left with a
big smile. That night I can guess what they will dream about. And I
don't mean just the kids!

Photos Of Halloween 27.10.2007

2007-10-29T21:11:00.001+08:00

The Faces Of ibu's Halloween Playgroup 2007

The Mums and Dads of ibu

Scenes From The Day

Welcome to ibu!! The trick or treating starts here!
Getting Busy!!
Pipa - Life Guard at the Apple Bobbing Section

Julia - Manning the Scary Picture Painting Table

Shireen - Manning the Witches' Fingers Decorating Table
Anne Ooi - ibu's resident Story Teller

THE ADULTS
Tammie - ibu's Door Witch

Karen- Head Witch of The Day

Amelie - ibu She-devil

Halloween Playgroup 2007

2007-10-28T21:49:00.000+08:00

Ibu HALLOWEEN PLAYGROUP 2007

As spooky, creepy, howling music emanated from the ibu drop-in centre doorway, a solo little witch arrived with her Mum at 9.20am, catching the Witches of Eastwick ( Karen, Tammie, Amelie ) by surprise! They weren’t even ready!

The Witches of IBU

Slowly but surely, Spidermen, Supermen, fairies, firemen, Peter Pan, Chickens, Pumpkins, Draculas and all other denizens of the Underworld arrived at ibu. Soon, they were arriving in droves. Baby Dalmatians, Power Rangers and more! Only one mum dressed in costume ( Amy ) but all the parents seemed ready to have some fun.

46 ibu children enjoyed a morning full of activity. The cookie decorating was a big hit. Shaped as Witches Fingers, the almond at the end of the cookie really looked like a creepy talon and after the kids had coloured it with food colouring, and decorated it with sprinkles, it looked truly horrifying!

The painting & colouring scary pictures section went down well, especially with the younger crowd who were more than happy to get their fingers in there and get mucky.

Apple bobbing saw many test their skills with their little teeth, but also a few going in head first, and Mums whipping out changes of clothes.

Camille the face painter did a great job as the kids queued up for their turn to have their faces transformed into monsters, fairies, butterflies, spiders and much more. Some were not too keen to have designs on their faces, but walked away with ‘tattoos’ all over their arms and hands instead. I can imagine many would not have allowed Mummy to wash it off at night!

After a quick treasure hunt to find 10 hidden party packs,

all the children settled down for a story telling session with Anne Ooi – ibu’s resident story teller. Capturing their attention and imagination, Anne did a fantastic job of calming the children down from the excitement of the day whilst keeping them raptured at the same time.

This was followed by the handing out of prizes for:

BEST ART: Antonio
BEST COOKIE DECORATING: Hattie
BEST COSTUME: The Fireman

By this time, most of the kids were very obviously running out of steam, not to mention their Mums and Dads! So, after a very busy day at ibu, tummies full from feasting on pumpkin pie, cupcakes, brownies and cookies and of course all the wonderful trick or treat goodies, Mums, Dads, and children packed up and started gravitating to the exit. No doubt many an ibu kid would’ve collapsed in his / her car seat on the way home.
What a day!! Happy Halloween!!

Written by Karen Loong-Thomas ( ibu Activities Coordinator )

C.P.R Talk 20th Oct 2007

2007-10-24T19:17:00.000+08:00

On the 20th October 2007, ibu held a CPR Course for interested members. Interest was overwhelming, and many are currently on a waitlist for the next session. The 2 hour talk / practical session was a good basic starting point especially for new parents as it focused on dealing with First Aid and emergencies in infants and children.

Attendees were given a little handout / booklet to study on their own time.

Aaron, Lynette & daughter. The team from Scuba Zone.

Aaron showing us how to properly position the head & chin lift to enable full inflation of the lungs.

Antony trying his best to inflate the dummy by doing Artificial Respiration (A.R)

An ibu member trying CPR on the mannequin.

Lynette demonstrating the Child Heimlich Maneouver ( choking )on her daughter

Aaron demonstrating the Adult Heimlich ( choking ) Maneouver on Lynette

At the end of the session, we learnt that :

Adequate aid provided is better than perfect aid witheld! ( how true! ) and now with these skills, no matter how basic, ibu members will be better prepared should any emergencies happen.

Some comments from members:

" It was a great session. We got a lot out of it. Enjoyed the experential learning, working with a dummy. Would have liked a few more pages and quick comments on how to handle other first aid situations; cuts, grazes, burns, etc." Sabrina Lee

" Thought it was useful for me as I didn’t know anything about CPR. Gives a good idea of what needs to be done in emergency situation…Next time I’ll send my helper" Amelie Langdon

" I did find it quite useful in refreshing my cpr knowledge. Good to practice on Little Anne or Annie. Shows correct or wrong technique. Good to have a booklet to read through as they didn't really go in depth into other stuff apart from mouth to mouth and compressions. Guess, time constraints. All in all, important points and skills covered in a short 2 hour period" Tammie Morris

Mums On The Run 18 Oct 2007

2007-10-24T19:06:00.000+08:00

10 Mums got together this time to enjoy authentic Sardinian cuisine at Sure Pizza, PPlaza Damas, Hartamas. Tel:62016014

A sampling of the tasty selection at Sure Pizza.

Our server Noh who was on hand with every request, ensuring a great meal.

Chef Paolo having a chat with 2 lovely ladies.

We'll be back soon Paolo, for sure!!

With desserts like this... who would'nt be back!

Some comments from the Mums:

"The pizzas are really great, and authentic Italian!" Taryn

"I thought the pumpkin Ravioli was especially good" Amelie Langdon

SURE PIZZA

Plaza Damas
Hartamas Shopping Centre
03-62016014

Family Day Out 22 Sept '07 - Lake Gardens Butterfly Park & Dinosaur Gardens

2007-09-22T14:50:00.000+08:00

Only 2 families attended this outing today, however, it is a lovely place that one should try to visit at least once - with over 120 different species of butterflies!