a simple chinese new year

Happy Chinese New Year to all 
Let us all make an effort to keep our CNY good traditions going

The Reunion Dinner 回家過年 by Anthony Chen 陳哲藝

heals without heels

It has been a few years since I last attend company annual dinner,
somehow it always coincides with my maternity leaves or I was too 'occupied' to attend.
This year, just when I decided to attend and looked forward to the good food and glimpse of lucky draw, 
the dinner taught me a lesson.
A lesson that heals a tired heart.

The lesson : 
No matter how well you prepare yourself, 
how good you take care of yourself and your stuff,
some things if meant to happen, 
will happen,
So take it, learn to see 'light' in it
and don't let it stop you from being you.

Here on, will let the picture do the talking.

Theme of the night : Dazzling.
All the colourful dazzling stuffs provided by organising committee.

Tempted : to steal the whole kit home for children to go wild.

left heel came off as soon as I reached.
Never mind the awkwardness of walking with uneven heels,
 contrast a right hand holding a heel with a left hand that hold elegant dinner bag.
I didn't knew what should I do with the heel,
keep it for repair (I've got no plastic bag)
throw it ( I can't find a single dustbin)
hide it under table (dinner hall not open yet)  

I think The One up there got other plan for me.
As I was walking to the ladies, the other heel decided to come off too.
So there I am, a carefree aunty with no worry of tripping over high heels.

Despite of this incident, I was rather suprised to find myself rather unperturbed by the situation. 
I was actually OK, relaxed and found myself laughing at me. 
My team mates were amused, I still enjoyed the good food.
I guess this tired heart is too tired to think too much.

While leaving, one of colleague even commented "wah, you so smart geh, got bring flats some more"
I just smiled and winked. 
I guess 'Ching'derella heels just got turned into flats at the stroke of 10.

last week

Last week...
Do you remember what had you done last week? 
Anything you feel good about or anything you regretted doing?

The last week 
with the deepavali holiday in the middle of the week,
I feel I had finally done 'something'

Cut the grass & re-organise plants (procrastinate for 3 months because I didn't get a garden scissors). 
Planted some new plants : papaya & custard apple trees, sweet potato vege, spring onions
Brought small one for neighbourhood walk, got many ideas on what to plant, got to know aunty who planted vegetable on the empty land.
Had deepavali celebration
wrapped and started reading a few very precious books (finally!)
Gone for that long overdue medical checkup
Brought children for family fun day philharmonik performance (my 1st time too!) and dancing fountain @ KLCC park.
Work appraisal done, disaster recovery at work done.

I know I know,
those things sound petty right?
No big deal ... everyone is doing something every single day.
But these 'somethings', they do mean alot to me 

Wishing everyone of us having a good last week, this week and next week!

1 year dy lo

my little one has just celebrated her 1st birthday.
In this 1 year, I'm very grateful for every moment that I spent with my children.
I learnt and grew together with them ...
Every moment is very precious 
and I'm thankful for every moment I get to be their mother ... 
I know I am greedy but I do want to continue growing with them year by year 
because I could never love them enough ...

Sharing the below video ... 
click on lower right corner for english subtitles

expose n explore

It has always been a want for me to expose my children to experiences, those simple, affordable yet enjoyable ones.

and we did humbly for the past 2 months did quite a bit =)

including :

• humble 'tumpang' trip to Morib + water fun
• visit to stadium merdeka after praying at temple on Guan Yin Dan day
• to the zoo 
• trampoline jumping @ garden + farm pretend play
• trips to nearby playground + running up and down slope + curi curry leaves plant

secretly looking forward to have more 'suprises' for them

@ the zoo 

 

 youngest ah bi playing water @ morib sink while gor gor jie jie having fun @ pool 

had the whole stadium to ourselves ... glad that their NBTD mama pestered the guard to allow us in...LOL

(memorable since it was during the world cup season but the kiddies didn't know a thing) 

taking turn having fun on trampoline. poor papa!:p

exploring the playground and nature, 
running up and down slope shoeless..
I want them to know that life can be simple yet fruitful. 

reminiscing honeymoon on 'love is in the air' month

You may not believe it
but I'm not lying
the last trip (overseas) I had was way back in early 2009 
that was like 5 years ago and that was our honeymoon

So the day before yesterday, I got this crazy idea
Since we don't get to go for trip what more honeymoon
so just do something to reminisce our honeymoon to land of kimchi

I think it's a great idea... (syiok sendiri)
making KIMCHI ...yes, you heard me right K-I-M-C-H-I
it's the perfect type of food to prepare for a wife who doesn't really know how to cook to begin with
and even if she cooks, not sure if the food she prepare is edible

So what's better (for the wife) to prepare than some food that can be left to ROT (oopppsss...I mean to ferment)

So last midnight, I started reminiscing honeymoon 

ps. so on 14 Feb, hopefully we shall see our love got better with time just like kimchi  

i've missed the boat...so how?

here I am, posting a day after the once in a lifetime 12.12.12
so how? 
I'll say 'Go on with life' ... sometimes we do missed the boat. 
And this is one of the many occasions.

looking back, yesterday @ 12:12:12pm, I was extracting milk for my little girl. 
I'm glad that was what I was doing instead of stressing myself up with no-where-near-complete work.

for whatever come may, 
I'm happy I spent time (at last after 2 months of procrastination) letting my little boy picking the photos he would like to put in the photo frames at home. And we had a good time decorating our home with those photos.
Seeing little boy helped papa putting together the simple wooden rack we got from IKEA makes my heart smile. 

We may not know when it will all end ... 
but hopefully we are able to do what we can and what we think is best for us and our loved ones.

亲爱的妈妈

Mother's Day never failed to bring me a bag full of mixed feelings.
it also never failed to bring me a bag full of memories with my mother (for that's all I have /left now).
I heard & found a song which can quite sum up what I want to say to you, mummy. 
I wonder whether you receive it..


Happy mother's day to all mothers! =) 




ps. till next post, see how the interviewers hinted me that i may have it all messed up, led me to believe so and had me asking my little kiddies whether what I'm doing is right or wrong?...

valentine's night

We made some home-made plasticine using flour, salt, oil & food colouring on valentine's night.
While I was teaching little one how to play plasticine, someone taught me how to use plasticine to convey a message =)

very cacat i know ... but since little one doesn't complain...I take it as a pass.
From left upper row : footprints, worm family, eye, mickey mouse, bag, fish, butterfly, smiley, flower

 

龙年快乐

Wishing you all & family a happy, healthy & prosperous dragon year =) 




** Do not proceed if you do not want your CNY mood dampen **
This new year I found myself a little lacking ...
house still halfway cleaned
my CNY itineries still revolve around nursing
CNY preparation is almost nil ..except for some mandatory practices
feel like many things still unresolved
overall, I'm feeling as though I'm still in rabbit year

红 packet

I used to be at the other end of the bargain ... 28 years to be exact ^^!
Now that I've assumed new role 3 years back, comes with it are some great perks =p 
One that really worth mentioning is
the chance to 包红包 
Not that I've not 包 before in the 28 years. I've done it for many many times.
But to 包红包 (with own money that is) a totally different ball game.


Just like 孙子 Art of War 战争兵法, 
We also have Art of 包(红包)法
After 3 years of trying very hard to master, (yes, I do understand I still have a long way to go)
these are my major & not so major findings : 


(a) budgeting
Yes, the word budget is overrated. Even going from one end of the bargain to another end of the bargain requires a big budget..but let's leave that topic for another day.
Yes, although 红包 is the focus, we all know what is the actual 'focus of the focus'. I call it 重点的重点. The timing is also crucial for consideration. If you are like half of the working population who receive bonus year end, it may help to lighten your burden as chinese new spring celebration usually falls on Jan/Feb - just nice after year end bonus. However, if you are not in that group, you'll need to foresee this inevitable expenses and start preparing for it. 
If in any case you wish to escape by travelling away during this celebration duration, you'll also need to 'budget' in your travel expenses.
And also, budgeting involves you deciding your allocations - in order words, how much to give who. You may need to balance & rebalance and have backup emergency plans. 
Banks are not open for you during CNY and ATM machines are usually out of money especially over long weekends / holidays. Moreover ATM machines doesn't spit small notes.


(b) sourcing 
This stage to many people may seem 'remeh temeh' but I choose not to underestimate the power of sourcing (for your resources). The resources here refer but not limited to
1. money (the total amount) - covered in chapter (a) budgeting
2. money (the amount in different denomination a.k.a change to RM1/5/10/50/100 notes) - this may requires you tapping into your intersocial skills. It will be best if you know someone who can help you to change or join into groups (tumpang). There are things you may need to consider if you decide to do it lone rangerly such as logistic and safety besides time & effort.
3. ang pow packets - yes, you can buy but why buy when everyone else is getting it free? This requires some intersocial, communication, thick-skinned skills. I'm not sure about others but I realised I have a need for not only 1 design angpow, I need a few designs at least and in sufficient quantity. This I'll elaborate further in chapter (d) 包'ing
4. sourcing for the sources - need I explain further? 


(c) getting 
After you've sourced for whatever that you require, automatically the next stage will be 'getting' or 'receiving' what were sourced. Let's take for example, if you've changed money, you need to think of ways getting those money safely home. Same goes for angpow. You may need to consider whether is there any need for additional resources. If yes, this is the time to gather sufficiently.


(d) 包'ing
Now I'm at this stage as I'm writing this. 
This stage consist of repetitive work that requires full attention. Need to ensure exact piece(s) of note(s) inserted correctly before sealing. 
Here comes the trick, usually I'll need to have at least 4-8 different designs angpow and in sufficient quantity. This is due to the fact that when all the angpow are sealed, I determine the amount of money inside by looking at the design. Also, the different design is to differentiate different categories of recipients ie.parents/siblings/close relatives/friends/colleagues/someone's friends/someone's relatives and even stranger like those very hardworking alam flora sanitor.
Sometimes I find it hard to remember which design is for which and ended up had to open the angpow to check the content, which isn't something nice to do eh...
Among other challenges here is to ensure angpows are sealed properly to contain the money...else paiseh people receive empty angpow.
We also have to ensure the total no. of angpow tally with no, of pieces of notes for that denomination


(e) logistic'ing 
Again this is another often overlooked concern. It's not so bad when you're at home, you know where you put which design angpow. The challenges for me comes when we go visiting many places at one go. Either we need to prepare different bags for different types, all put all into 1 bag but with rubberband segregation, or bring bags with different compartments. Again, if you're with young children like me, please do take into consideration that all your kids angpow will eventually end up with you...so be prepared and ensure no mixup. 
Another pointer to think of, if like me not going back to my parents' hometown, we need to pre-arrange and coordinate to tumpang relatives to bring balik kampung. Plus, you need to give clear indication on how to distribute the angpows to avoid confusion / embarassment such as not enough...moreover so when you have different allocations like bigger angpow for grandparents, standard angpow for kiddies, another set angpow  for pai nian.
So I hope you see that logistic is just not as simple as transporting the angpow from A to B.


(f) giving
This is the fun part but also the confusing part (for me). Maybe it has got to do with my ever deteriorating memory. I have no problem with giving but when there are so many kids and teenagers (and sometimes adults with children who didn't come), I have a very BIG problem. I CANNOT remember who I gave or had not ^^! Mind you, kids nowadays doesn't remind you that you've given them earlier. To them, the more the better so they won't mind you giving them bonus. 
Oh...and sometimes when someone with children but children not with them and they give your children angpow, I really have a hard time remembering how many children that person has. I can ask but sometimes it's not that nice ... people will think I know how many children you have and how come you not know mine?
What more when these people and families come & go at different intervals. Some families comes separately ie. parents comes 1st, kids come later, you gave the parents and kids give you 'give me angpow' look and you're downright confused.
Sometimes you do get some special guest, by special I mean, they are not really budgeted for. It's ok if you have a few which your backup stash can last, but if there are aplenty, you'll need to 'borrow flower offer buddha'. I admit, I recycle money ...haha..


(g) receiving
Yes, this is affecting me (indirectly though, or maybe directly). As mentioned earlier, if got young children, all their angpows will eventually end up with parents. 
The thing is when these angpows reaches me, I don't know where they come from (unless some people write giver name on angpow, they seriously do). 
This will have a cause and effect ... in term of 有来有去 (a very dominant chinese tradition which I call mild kiasu'nism)
At times, when small children play together, they may tend to leave angpow laying around and some smarter ones will tend to end up with more angpows... hehez.
Again, this also influence the choice of angpow designs (point (d) ... usually people will choose angpow design that can be closely associated with them or special limited edition to differentiate angpow from them (in other words, outclass the rest!)


(h) profit & lose'ing
After the whole 15 days, it's time to do some profit & lose'ing. I'm not sure whether others do but realistically & materialistically, I do. I need to know where we stand. 
I need to do financial decision for my children ... either to have their money stash in their kiddies account or to have their parents loan their money for cashflow while recovering from festive bankruptcy...lol, bad mother am i not? 
Of course, remember I did some money recycling? We need to take that into consideration as well. 
As our children grow, this process does serve another purpose..a more noble one..haha.
Educating the young ones the importance of 'delayed gratification' and the 'wonder of compounding interest'. 
Well, till then I will still call this process profit & lose'ing. 
When time comes, this process will be addressed as financial planning.


(i) guarding
This I must say is an ongoing crucial process that needs to be applied throughout (a) to (h).
As the chinese spring comes every year, we have to be prepared for the next cycle and the cycles thereafter.
Worth mentioning are events within your circles such as yearly reduction (people getting married) and addition (new family members)
Last but not least, anything that i forgot to cover on 'Art of 包' in the previous paragraphs should be considered here.


It's true that when they say 'Chinese people are sophisticated people'.


I wonder whether there'll be e-angpow in near future? 
Cause I'll very much need it. It will help me in managing my activity (a) to (i) 
and it'll do the environment some good deeds (the packets, the plastics, the CO2 released in the entire process production & logistic, the waste created, etc...)

2011

2011 - how i fared (in no particular order)


I had become pregnant again while breastfeeding & before the recommended 2 years for mother with previous ceasarean scar.


I had done a VBAC.
I've put so much effort to try a VBAC that I think I can write a book on it.
* VBAC stands for Vaginal Birth After Ceaserean and it's a great deal for me


I had declined an offer at work giving myself so many lame justifications.


I've completed some 'sh*t' @ work namely PIDM (something about protecting the whole bank's deposit) which I didn't thought was possible. 


I've earned "bad daughter in law" award for defying my in-laws on the choice of my delivery & upbringing. 


I've had by far the worse kind of pain and glad that I pulled it through with lots of tears & sweat though. 


I've been torn & sewn back. "Once broken, considered 'sew'ed"  


I've got myself GDM 
*GDM stands for Gestational Diabetes Melitus


I've managed to stay sane despite has not been really travelling / holidaying for the past 2 years.


I've understood that we don't get to choose our parents ... for their shortcomings, we can only accept them, understand them & love them even more for who are we to judge them.


I've not visited my mom for 10 months despite missing her every single day. And being an unfilial daughter, I've even dare to ask whether mom can come to see me in my dreams or not. I must be crazy speaking to a moth or a white butterfly everytime I see one because I believe it is her.


I've managed to spend a large amount out of my 20 years savings to buy back what I've take for granted. I even got myself into a huge debt unwillingly and bigger repayment waiting for me come 2012.


I've learnt 'to be bad', learnt to 'fight' & to stand up for myself. 


I've managed to secure some very expensive 'retail theraphy' packages even though I knew I'm broke. 


I've learnt not to be ashamed to admit I didn't achieve what I wanted to because I didn't put in effort at all.... like cooking a descent meal, like recognizing route, like learning a new language, like exercising, like so many things I want to do but had not done.


I've learnt to not to be bothered by how others see me. In fact this I've been learning it diploma'lly previously but this year, I think I managed to bachelor degree'ed it.


I've became slacker in attempt to keep myself attractive & presentable(perhaps related to previous point). I stubbornly didn't even started using the masks my friends gave me from Taiwan last December 2010. 


I've up'ed my level of kiasu'ness and kiasi'ness. I have a need to protect those who are dependent on me. 


I've managed to get older and more very forgetful... CY witnessed this yesterday =p and let's hope I won't forget that I'm married *(to a good husband) with 2 kids.
* to note down before I forget.


I've managed to keep this blog going by putting in alot of rubbish. 


I've managed to get emotional openly without needing to hide and cry in shower (would like to cry in the rain but I'm afraid of falling sick). 
I've also managed to shed accumulated 1 kg of tears this year.


I've managed to grow sideway but I hope I can donate blood in future.

1 iPod for 1 kid

Remember those olden day practice where wife get rewarded for giving birth?

Oh, I've just got mine... An Ipod =D

Very thoughtful of ah dear to have got me something that I like & will use for a long long time.

Features I like ....the music, the radio station( especially during commuting), the pedometer function( now I don't have to manually count steps n miss counts), the watch function( since my watch rosak long ago).

Didn't know he was serious when he said he'll get me something from Singapore when he was there for work during my confinement.

As usual, the mischevious fella gave me a 'tong of biscuit from Singapore' to test my reaction...haha

Thank you so much ah dear =) I love you (haha, not only because u give me iPod as present but so many things else)

It was totally unexpected but a very touching gesture though.

The 'push' season

Siew choo : 13 oct 2011

Jasslyn : 26 oct 2011

Choon hui's wife : 26 oct 2011

Myself : 30 oct 2011

Siew chui : 22 nov 2011

Juliet : 23 nov 2011

Within a period of a month plus, there are 6 of us labouring hard to bring our precious babies to this world.

No wonder they say towards the last quarter of the year is the 'hot' months where hospital maternity ward will be full, confinement aides fully booked, full moon related services having good business.

Looking at the rate & trend this is going, we will have more dragon babies next year.

To all mothers, no matter what people say, no matter how tough it was or will be... Just want to let you know you're doing great :)

Ps. Aside to my colleague Bonnie & yee leng, I just found out that we have a strange coincidence here.... Yee leng gave birth on 2/8/11 just 1 day before you(bonnie) come back to work on 3/8/11. And I gave birth on. 30/10/11 just 1 day before yee leng come back to work on 31/10/11.

我和 '他' 有一个约会

Tomorrow (or rather today)

I'm having a date with 'him'

I've been eyeing 'him' for god knows how long before I dare to ask 'him' out.

Looking back, it must have been the fear of rejection, feeling of helplessness that were holding me back.

So, last week, I buck up the courage to ask 'him'

and he said 'YES'

I was elated. It was like having a big stone lifted from my heart.

So, now I'm sleepless over tomorrow's date.

It has been some time since I'm in the dating scene, so I wonder whether I'll be 'good enough'

I wonder how's it like when we meet, I'm worried about what should I wear, what are we going to do, what are we going to eat, and when it comes to paying ...

My heart is fluttering, so is my stomach ... how many hours more do I have to wait? Why time seem to pass so slowly...

the week I turned 30

I call it the lucky pasta pot - got it free from sending in some forms from Malaysian Women's Weekly =)

Thank you to a bunch of colleagues who celebrated my birthday with me at Pizza Hut plus a 'get a taste of everything' cake =)

A special luncheon meat sandwich from Grace sitting next to me a day before... she definately settled my cravings for luncheon meat ... haha =)

A simple treat for myself, ah bi & dear - one of my favourite - red bean desert =)

My birthday present from ah dear ... plus the assembling work =)

The wallpaper on my workstation that never fail to sort of 'motivate' me every morning (on the reason why I still need to come to office tomorrow) ...hehe =)

The lucky bamboo (some call it Guan Yin bamboo) which I saved from the 'dustbin' outside my office ... originally those CNY lucky bamboo type but I dismantled it to let the plant have more growing room.

Have always wanted to bring some lucky bamboo from home but never got to doing it... finally it came itself to me and a bunch of them some more =)

and of course last but not least, thank you for all those warm birthday wishes that flow in =)

we ---> getting old

Yesterday, on a Valentine day..
It dawned upon me that we both are getting old.
Off late, both of us have been feeling a little off weather.
I was always feeling faint & weak ... like having all my blood & energy being drained out of me. Sometimes I dare not even squat down because when I stand up again, I feel like fainting.
He on the other hand, have been having upset tummy on & off and told me he's having joint pain when it rains.

So yesterday, on a Valentine day..
We walked together like the day we 1st met each other after leaving school ..
But this time we headed to 'Guardian' pharmacy ..
Perhaps we both know to continue this journey together, we really need a 'guardian' to our health.
So there we are choosing for something that we hope is able to help us regain our health. Actually more like ah dear selecting what's best for me because he says I need it more wo.
That's how I got my Valentine's day present .. 2 bottles of health supplement - practical & thoughtful =p
To sweeten the deal, we receive RM10 voucher for every RM40 spent.

I felt guilty because ah dear gave me so much, yet I've given him nothing in return .. that's how bad a lover I can be =p

the reunion revolution

Some 20+ years ago, my family & I used to have very delicious reunion dinners ...
1st @ my 'mah mah' & 'ye ye' low cost flat in JB
2nd round @ my 'poh poh' & 'gong gong' rumah 'bawah bata atas papan' in Pusing

Then as we grow up ... and due to my mum's condition, we started applying leave from reunion dinner from my parents' hometown.
For that few years (before I got married), as far as I remembered, most of our reunion dinners were 一锅熟 steamboat type.
The only exception was this time & this time
Somehow I regret not being able to prepare a decent reunion dinner for my family especially my parents.

One of the 'plus' sign after getting married was that I get to enjoy 'good food' and I mean really good foods especially on 大日子 ... This I feel so blessed.

After so many years, only ONE thing that has never changed.. the fact that I'm still not capable of preparing a decent reunion dinner .. (and the fact that somehow the food I cook only I feel ok & that is also sometimes only)

2011 ... our reunion dinner with ku po family.. thank you everyone for the delicious reunion dinner.

I love every single dishes on the table =D including the rice.












sweet & nice : my fav asparagus with black fungus, gingko, chinese wolfberries & 'bak hap'











Fresh Fish - ginger steamed with tomato













Tender steam kampung chicken : just right...not too cooked.

Asam Pedas / Rendang prawn : succulent prawns in heavenly gravy. I couldn't not have one more and one more and one more despite ah dear giving me the 'note your cholesterol' look

Some more got different type of sauce.

Heavenly indulgence : this is like a once-in-a-lifetime privilege.

merdeka day 快乐

pic source :www.flag-of-malaysia.com/

To me, it all means remembering where we come and how far we have come along ..
Despite all flaws (which country do not have?), I still see hope (albeit a little one) ..
Just don't let that little flame goes off else merdeka day means nothing except 1Day off.

merdeka day 快乐!!
Make Merdeka Day meaningful to our children ... make them feel there's no place like home.
"Hujan emas di negeri orang, hujan batu di negeri sendiri, lebih baik negeri sendiri"

我一点也不觉得辛苦, 只是觉得很幸福

* pic source : Mothercare brochure

In support of World Breastfeeding Week (1st - 7th August 2010)

'Every ounce counts'

one of the best moments in life ...

Many people asked why do I go through all the trouble

but to me, it's no trouble at all .. It's something I love to do.

I've never mind that
when I'm @work, I have to use my lunch time for this
when I need to attend trainings (in hotel/training centre), I'll have to call up 1st to make prior arrangements.
when I go for shopping, I'll have to find baby & nursing friendly places.
when I'm on the go, I'll have to make sure the car shade is in the car.
when my breastpump malfunction / rosak, I call the whole world for help.
And when I finally found help, i'll have to bring the pump to LRT station far away for people to repair.
when I go to work / come home, I have to lug all the 'neccesities' up and down in rain/shine (at times climb stairs to 8th floor)
when I intend to have a full night sleep, I have to wake up few times throughout the night.

...there are just so many 'when...' that may makes me mind, but they just don't.


我一点也不觉得辛苦, 只是觉得很幸福