last 2 days of year 2021

My child would like to try knitting and crocheting. I'm more than happy to encourage and fuel her passion. Hobbies like this calm and relax the mind, train patience and reduce 3C usage. What do I do? Immediate hit the steel while it's still hot... got online and brought some yarn and knitting & crochet needles (and conveniently made it her Christmas present). Thankfully we have youtube nowadays, everything can be learnt via video cause I'm half past six when it comes to knitting and nil when it comes to crocheting. I'm thankful she's learning and experimenting. These skills are priceless (to me at least)

As usual, December is filled with holidays and family time. One of the important festival in December beside Christmas is Winter Solstice. It represent the reunion of the family. So we made some riceball with gula melaka fillings (pardon the uneven sizes) and pandan ginger soup. Colours come from nature ... butterfly pea flower for blue, pandan for green & beet root for red. 

 

As I was on leave, decided to bring children around neighbourhood to discover the gems in our neighbourhood. Our taman got a lot of creative nature lovers who never fail to amaze us and MCO has brought out all these good qualities in people. We have so many people planting plants and taking up planting as hobby. Not only that, it comes with recycling effort as well where plastic containers are made into beautiful containers to hold plants or decorate gardens. I'm thankful that everyone is putting in effort to make this earth a better place.

Koreans make seaweed soup for birthdays. I bought some seaweeds on impulse last week (because I crave seaweed soup) but I forgot to buy tauhu (which usually goes together in seaweed soup). So, I you-tubed and found some new variations ... seaweed tomato fishball soup so I gave it a try and voila, my children love it with lots of coriander toppings and we finished the whole pot for breakfast. Simple and nutritious... something to add on breakfast and soup list. 

There's a place in my home kitchen where new lives begin... my precious sprouting station. This is the place where seeds or plants are sprouted and grow. For this batch, we have lemongrass, nangka seed, coriander & ciku seeds.

Eggshells are good for plants as it contain calcium and other minerals to replenish the minerals in the soil. They help to naturally deter snails from eating the plant leaves. Dear made the stairs for easy access to our backyard and got his palm hurt. Thank you dear for supporting me doing what I love to do. 

 

2021 last quarter is just 1 day away, what do you plan to do?

One more day and we are entering the last quarter of year 2021. 

For the last quarter, I would want to germinate and grow my money like my plants. Wish me luck as I would like have a breakthrough this year and continue next year.

Germinating lucky bamboo plant

Growing coconut tree

Germinating moringa tree

Germinating mulberry

Germinating air plants

every inch count ... little planter box got extended

Ask any avid planters, i think they will tell you when it comes to planting...every inch count..haha. Maybe I'm greedy but it seem like there's so many plants I want to grow but I don't have enough space to plant them. That's when I start cramming them into whatever space I have and sometimes invade common public area. 

Last week I extended the planter box behind my house. From 2 window panel wide to double of the length. Now I got more greens giving fresh air and as barriers to passing vehicles from coming too near our kitchen windows. 

Next project is to deepen the soil as currently the soil is only 1 brick-high.

Initial planter box

Extended planter box

Extended planter box

Happy Malaysia Day, Malaysia :)

Rasam

 

Bubur chacha

snow fungus lily bulb lotus seed tong sui

pandan lemongrass jelly

I don't know how to cook and honestly I learn cooking via youtube. But since mco started last year, my interest to cook grew. I still can't cook but because of my craving for some comfort food (and because they are not readily available), it forced me to learn how to make those foods. 

In a way, I'm thankful this pandemic has made me have more interest in cooking. Due to more time spent at home, I'm thankful to my neighbour who shared with me good food and I'm inspired by her authentic indian dishes. I suddenly realised we are so lucky to be living in Malaysia cause we get variety of different races foods. What happened was my neighbour shared her indian style dishes & recipe while I share my chinese nourishing soup & tong sui (dare not share my chinese  cooking cause belum boleh pakai). It's great because we get the best of both world...ie. the ayurvedic and TCM benefits.

In conjunction with Malaysia day, I would like to gently remind myself that although our country is not perfect but still it's our home and kita anak-anak Malaysia are awesome. 

Unity in diversity through adversity ... Happy Malaysia Day, Malaysia :)

something to get me off the chair

 At times, my perseverance can be less than desired especially when it comes to keeping myself active. I'm not sure how or where I discovered this app but it's a good one (for me at least), it offers us reward ie. discount vouchers which can be claimed when we reach a certain level (based on average steps per month). Discount vouchers covers quite a variety of service providers ie. grocery stores, pharmacy and organic chain, health spa, health products..etc

Needless to say, the more average steps you have for the month, the better and more worthwhile the rewards.

And to motivate us, there are various challenges (both FOC and some with minimal charges) where you can walk/run at your own pace and yet still take part for greater cause or donation contribution. They also offer e-medal and e-cert and those paid challenges comes with goodies bag and T-shirt as well.

This app allow me to kill many birds with 1 stone ... a good concept. Most importantly it managed to get my butt off the chair. So far I've consistently clocking in steps daily for 2 months. 

The best part, this app managed to keep me moving and keep pushing me to wake up early to go collect steps. 

Let's hope it's not hangat hangat tahi ayam ... at least not for this time. 

Walk, keep walking because we never know where we'll reach one day

grow grow growing - even the beds have to grow together

When children grow, our beds have to grow together

From sleeping in the same room to sleeping in separate room.

From 3 tilam to 4 tilam

It means they are growing and I'm truly thankful 

Thank you happy dragon

I'm thankful to this happy dragon for igniting my youngest daughter curiosity and love for reading (or maybe browsing) the books. At least it got her started ..that's all that matter. I hope little happy dragon will continue to make reading a happy moment for my children and they continue to love reading. At least it's comforting to know that they are worth the money spent 

focus on the little wins everyday

 

I'm feeling very tired lately (tired as in physically tired and mentally tired). I'm learning to stay in the present focus on NOW. Focusing on whatever little wins I could gather each day. 

Keep feeling that time is running out and I have not done enough...but on another hand, I feel so tired and thinking when can I slow down (if not stop) and rest?

It is contradicting I know but that's exactly what I feel and probably this is the 'thing' that zap away all my energy.

For the past weeks, many things happen at home, to myself, to dear, to children and the challenges doesn't seem to end. I'm trying to take it down one at a time...still I'm working on it.

Sometimes I really wonder how others do it and do it so successfully (when I'm struggling). Is it really that different people really have different destiny...some have it easier and some have it harder? See, I start comparing again...this is another thing tiring me. 

Tomorrow is a new day..a new beginning bringing new hope. Tomorrow will be better and all I have to do ... is just to wake up alive and breathing... and the rest is really bonus already.

sleeping early and sleeping enough

I know it's important and essential to sleep early to preserve health both physically & mentally. Yet how come I find it difficult to execute and implement? 

Sleeping early is making me feel I've not done enough. Making me feel that I have not enough time to pursue my passion or to do things I want to do for myself.

And I'm being a fool by sleeping late but waking early (because I want to exercise). How do I change my perception of sleep? How do I get my brain to believe that sleep is of utmost importance. Without sufficient and proper sleep, everything may not work as it should be. 

I do not want to regret about not sleeping enough only when something happen to my body. Now, please get off the computer and go to sleep!

Give .. and we can make a difference

In this difficult time, I decided to help wherever I can. And I want to guide my children to chip in doing it. So this birthday, beside planting a tree each month and making seed bombs, I have decided to donate to orphanage cash and books. Hopefully these little angels have better days ahead and pay it forward when they grow up. 

So, this birthday I'm planting trees and seeds of education for our children of tomorrow. Let's do it together one tree at a time, 1 seed at a time for 1 child at a time. 

getting started with jigsaw puzzle

 

It all started when I was decluttering and found some treasures ... puzzles. I love to do them when I was young and single and carefree and with time to spare. Nowadays it's luxury if I can find time to sleep. The boxes of puzzles are still with plastic cling wrap so I will never throw them. I was busy taking pictures and started asking around almost every group in my messaging list to see if anyone interested and passionate about jigsaw puzzle. Managed to give some of the big pieces floor puzzle to neighbour's niece. Other than that, no one seem to be into jigsaw nowadays. 

Lucky enough, a close friend in one of my usual 'talk everything' group suggested that I keep them for my children ... which turn out to be the best idea. Jigsaw puzzle develop our brain, our focus, our perseverance, our patience. All in all, it's a great tool for children development. So, over the weekend I try to get children to get started, hoping that once started then it's no going back, they will be like their mother.

Lucky luck was on my side, we started with some 'quick win' to gain interest. Something small and achievable ie. 120 pieces with colourful pictures to build up interest and confidence. Hopefully the rest will fall in place and like they say, the rest is history. 

In retrospect, this mco seem to be a blessing in disguise. It makes me stop, take a breather and do things I won't usually do (or rather things I won't usually have time to do). If no mco, I wouldn't be so diligently cleaning and clearing my home, and if I don't clear I won't find the jigsaw puzzles, and if I find with the busy schedule, we may not have time to explore...

This is just the beginning, I know it's still a long way to go...but never try never know

14 years ago

 

14 years ago, that was the last time I could hold you. I'm so sorry I didn't manage to hug you with all my might and tell you how much I love you before you go. Our time together were short and I regret I didn't spend as much time with you when you are around. I was not a good daughter ... Now that you're in a far away place, I couldn't repay you no matter how hard I try. I miss you very very much mi 

Chinese checkers ... playing it like how it used to be

 

Long long ago, my mother used to play this game with us. We could spend the whole night transferring our 'people' to the opposite site of the star. 

Holiday night we did the same thing .. taught the children to play this game a.k.a Chinese checkers (with the help of Mrs. Youtube) and we spent the whole night playing. It really help us to be patient and to strategize how to shift all our seeds to the opposite corner of the star. 

I'm thankful I get to introduce this game to my children, adding on to games we can play together as a family. Hoping I can open up their mind to more board / table games like these.

2021 Q1 is over...what's next?

 If there's 1 thing that Covid19 has taught us.. it would be 'don't take things for granted'. We may not know what happen tomorrow, next week, next month, next year...

So I've learnt that if there's something to be done, just do it now. Just get started by doing the smallest thing possible, be it just get up or just show up. Appreciate and be thankful for all that we have instead of focusing on what we lack.

Always reminding myself to treat others with kindness and see people in good light. All of us are going through tough times so if we can just do a little for others, why not? We are all trying our best each day. 

I learnt that I'm not good enough so I vow to improve each day. Just be a better me than yesterday. I've learnt to cut some slack for others and myself. Always believe that everyone always try to be the best they can be.

2021's Q1 is over, I'm glad I started doing some serious planning. Taking first step and little steps improving my personal & family life, health & financially. As they say, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the 2nd best time is NOW. 

One eye monster easy breathe

For some time, I've been having nose block at night. Sometimes to the extent of affecting my slumber time. So to ease my breathing, he made me essential oil blend after doing some research. Thank you dear for the 'one-eye monster easy breathe' Now I can grin like it :D 

Impatient monster

 I've turned into an impatient monster ... 
one with the slogan of "faster...hurry up...quick quick quick" ...

I'm not sure what happened but I'm in a rush all day long. It feels like I don't have enough time to do everything.

But the worst part of it is that I rush everyone around me too. I rush my children to eat, to bath, to finish homework, to sleep until my children ask me one day : why are we always rushing mama? 

It created anxiety and when everyone is anxious, temper flare up easily (in my case).

As much as I would like to blame technology and the current culture of instant gratification we are all trapped in, I have myself to blame. I should have control over how I response to external stimuli. Why should I let them control me? 

Easier said than done (now, imagine your boss asking you something in whatsapp and expecting you to reply instantly...haha)

Now I understand how my children feel when I keep rushing them all the time.

Starting now, I'm going to take deep breathe each time I want to say the 'f**t word. and ask myself wth am I rushing?

It's ok to not be ok

I started 2021 by attending 2 webinar about mental health. My objectives are to learn coping strategies and to know if I'm alright (seriously!)

I've almost been staying home (and try staying sane) for most part of the year since MCO started last year (around Mar) and I thinking it has started taking a toll on all of us.

On one hand, I'm thankful for the amount of time we get to spend together as family but on the other hand, I'm worry about children development (not limited to their studies, social, growth, physical & mental health and the list goes on...)

Back to the webinar...and it brought me to this K-drama : It's ok to not be ok (even the title itself is already enticing not to mention the actor & actress) 

Well, I've learnt to let go and shift my paradigm. No point carrying the burden and hurting everyone in the process. We try our best, let God do the rest.

ps. It's really ok to not be ok