Something abt uS: I married the love of my life at 25, and thus began our journey together as a family. Documenting this blog so that we can remember the journeys we go thru together; surviving parenthood, infertility, teenagehood and many more..
Sunday, June 23, 2024
A heart of thankfulness
Saturday, June 1, 2024
We had a big fight last night. What’s new right.. 要不甜蜜到死,要不吵架到两败俱伤。
Context: the twins have been sick for a while. And vera just didn’t wan to eat any medicine anymore. She also whine a bit la.. and the uncle was frustrated with her for the whole entire day. I came home at abt 5pm and saw the pek chek uncle, who probably is only punishing himself and everyone else (except vera) with his black face.
By bedtime I was getting frustrated coz clearly innocent family members shouldn’t bear the brunt of it.
And he’s just been tekan by Vera for 1 single day.. oh come on! I’ve had it worse lo.. 🙄🙄🙄
Coupled with a lack of sleep (coz he’s been doing night shifts for the last 1 week).. all acts up to be the perfect ingredients for a major explosion.
And there wasn’t any conclusion after the fight. He says he’s tired and wanted to go to bed. I took the night shift again and woke up at 2am to settle the little man. And was wide awake all the way til 5am.
And this is my Saturday.
Life unfiltered. Life with lotsa ups and downs. But all shall pass, in time to come.
Update: woke up this morning and he seems to be better. Oh at least he tried to do the morning duty.
Made me breakfast with some of the kitchen leftovers.
After which we went to meet our friends at Jewel for lunch.
Friday, May 17, 2024
My MVP
Been feeling easily irritated with Uncle Pig recently. It's like the little bit of things will be able to spark and turn into a forest fire.
Our recent JB trip almost U-turn coz on the trip there, he said something like "I thought you would have done xxx" & "I thought you meant withdrawing monies in Msia & not withdrawing in SG and bring them to change" which triggered me.
My POV:
1) Shouldn't you clarify?
2) Why didn't you remind me?
But of coz, if I had said that right at that moment, it would progress to a U-turn. No doubt.
And if we had really U-turn, I would have missed out on the surprise he planted!
What did I say such that I made my point, yet there wasn't an explosion? (Coz 我也不是好欺负的!)
I simply told him as a matter of fact, why and how I was offended by his choice of words, after he parked his car at the dim sum breakfast place. He nodded, and we went for breakfast. No WWIII
And then it happened again the following day. Same style. Same man.
Scene: Zoo Excursion
Act 1: Asked him if he needed anything in the car & he said no need. Said I could bring an umbrella for myself if i wanted (if its too sunny / raining) .
I didn't coz I didn't know where the umbrella was.
Act 2: Starts drizzling halfway in the zoo
Me: Did you bring an umbrella for joash?
Him: I ask you to bring.
Triggered 了咯.. 他没有错可是他说的也不对.. I got slightly frustrated coz the zoo is an open space, and no raincoat/ umbrella means die liao..
Drizzle soon turned into heavy thunderstom.
This happened next. He just scooped Joash and ran, making sure I followed too.
Just moments before, I was still angry with him. I laughed at my childish behaviour.
This is my man that doesn't always have the right words, but one who I can always rely on, in times of need/emergencies.
This is him bringing Joash to join the rest of the group after the rain finally stopped. I had to leave earlier to pick the twins up.
Ever so thankful for the MVP in my life. There is no perfect man in the world. But he is good enough for me. 谢谢你.
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day to (me and) all the 伟大的妈妈! It’s so challenging to be a mama these days. A mama these days means wearing many hats - to be able to parent the children, work like one has no kids, be able to cook, do art and craft , provide tuition for the kids, and be put to scrutiny on social media for non impt people to judge and criticize! Anyway I’m on a social media fast for now (not sure how long it will last, but will enjoy this moment for now) as part of the “protecting myself” movement. Hahahaha.. I think it’s part of strengthening my own mental health and trying to protect my subconsciousness and time. Coz I know how much time is wasted scrolling through socials endlessly.
Anyway today is not about that. It’s about being grateful for every single day of my life. I’m thankful for God who spoke to me in a vision 4yrs ago that He would give me a son. I didn’t believe it at that moment, although His voice was clear. I got pregnant shortly after and Joash was borne the following year. No one thought that we would have more kids, coz infertility has haunted us for yrs. And it’s only possible becoz of God. He chose to bless us with this little boy who sometimes drive us crazy to the point that I had to remind myself that Joash is a gift from God.
The Birth of Samuel
There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord.
Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year.
Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” “
Not so, my Lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.””
1 Samuel 1:1-20
I remembered this was the msg preached then. I could totally relate to Hannah, who felt tormented by her infertility. In fact, this msg carried me for many seasons before we had the twins. When I heard it again 4yrs ago, it carried a very different feeling. I wasn't downcasted. I was thankful for the many blessings in my life. But I asked God, if He would give us our last kid, if He think that we would be up for it? And He said yes. And that was it.
Thankful for the Lord, who never sends the wrong order but in His perfect Timing.
Happy weekend my friends!
Monday, May 6, 2024
Protecting boundaries
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Till Death do us part?
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Me!
Swimming again coz I haven’t exercised at all this week! Swimming is my safe haven. I wished I could do it in the evening when it’s not that sunny. In time to come when my kids are older and more open to allow mama have her swimming without them.
April has been quite slow for me. Have a lot of appts but not much closing. Our work is like farming. I guess this is the season of planting seeds and waiting. I can wait. I shall be patient. If this is the place that God plants me to be, He will show me His ways and plans for me.
”Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.“
Psalms 31:3 NIV
Monday, April 29, 2024
Breakthrough
Going to shelve this ppt tonight coz I finally completed the sharing this morning! 🎉🥳🎊
I’m glad it’s finally over. No matter how badly or great I did. Hahahaha..
I know I’m well loved coz some of the colleagues texted me the night before or in the morning and send me their love and wishes.. hahahaha..
I even did a zoom trial a couple of days ago with 2 people so that they could give me some feedback.
I definitely was less anxious this time round compared to the last few rounds.
I know this isn’t something that I could do it at the snap of my fingers. Not this topic. lol. But I’m glad that I did it nonetheless. In time to come, I know I can pat myself on my shoulders and say, “At least I’ve tried.”
Wrote this before the start of the meeting to remind myself that it’s going to be fine! Hahahaha…Thankful this has come to an end. Thankful that this was a zoom. Hahahah.. if only the lunch was nicer.. oh wells..
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Overcoming
Gym or its classes have never been my thing. But I find classes easier coz as long as I pull thru the 1hr session, I’m done for the day. With my home gym, chances are I’ll just do cycling which sadly that doesn’t target the whole body. And I’m also afraid that once i cancel the membership, I’ll probably give up the home gym option in a couple of weeks max
The other thing abt the membership is the companionship or people there. It’s a mixed experience. Some people are generally much nicer while others are clickish and judgmental. Mayb my choice of words are too strong. But sometimes I rage when they pass some comments.
Honestly the reason why I’m doing gym still is bcoz I like the stamina it gives me. Sadly I hadn’t lose any fat / weight. I tend to overcompensate myself after each session and if the main objective is to just lose weight, I’m better off sticking to my cupping sessions.
The next deduction is coming Monday. I should make a decision before that. Let’s see if I change my mind after the class.
Sunday, April 21, 2024
The truth will set you free
Today I felt free for the first time. I was not pressured by the need to bring the kids out over the weekend, or the need to prove anything. (I know many a times, it’s my mind at work).
But today, I had the aha moment. That I am who I am.
Yes there will always be more interesting mamas who does art and craft or baking with their kids, or mamas who bring their kids on outings every weekend or public holiday, or mama who simply provide the best gifts for her kids at bday parties. I’m not any of those. I’m just me. I tire easily when doing outdoors or play dates or just crowded places. I need naps like a baby. And I need my time away from my kids.
And this is me - uniquely created by God.
There isn’t a need to feel sorry for not being able to do it all.
I felt a pat on my back when I finally realised it all. I felt enlightened.
I know it’s not much. And eventually the negative voice in me will start judging me in days to come. But at this moment, I just wanted to celebrate me - the free me.
The one who allows the kids to watch tv so that she could take a break, the one who doesn’t do much revision w her kids or don’t even remember when their exams are.
Life is too short to worry abt these. Let’s celebrate life. Celebrate this moment.
Monday, March 25, 2024
Reflections part 1
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Me
The dreadful day came and left. The day where I’m scheduled for a training. This time round, I suggested doing a panel producer sharing, so that everyone could learn more abt 3 unique individuals which are so different in their ways of prospecting, but successful in their respective ways. I’m so thankful that they agreed to be my panelists, hahaha..
The days leading up to the event, I was feeling all over the place. Disheartened bcoz I felt that my FG was going nowhere. I felt that I was not doing enough to help them; felt that no matter how much I tried, it’s hard to dig their whys and encourage them to work. Their activities hardly move and I started to self doubt myself even more. The tipping point came when I was frustrated with another adviser, who did so badly in her paperwork, and had no urgency in rectifying or change it. And these are moments where it frustrates me to the max, when people simply don’t care. Then there was a relatively young adviser who decided to leave and join another firm. Maybe I hadn’t done enough, maybe I did too little too late. Or mayb I wasn’t meant to be a leader coz a leader shouldn’t be feeling all emotional abt so many things, even for a mini scale presentation.
Anyway I’m glad that it’s all over. The panel sharing turned out much better than I expected. I just need to work on my nerves and emotions. This is going to be a regular event, doing trainings and everything. And if every little single event is going to make me binge eat and emo, then I’m so dead!
Made Joash zzz last night and I teared when it was time to leave for the airport.
I’m such a mess. 一直在装牛角尖. On one hand feeling all guilty over dumping the kids , on another hand wishing to go on another short couple trip to bkk! Aiyo… lena ah lena.. 你在做什么!?好啦。要珍惜这一次的二人世界。要活在当下。感恩
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Living on Borrowed Times
We celebrated the love of my life few days ago. It was a simple bday celebration. Instead of going to a fancy restaurant, the bday boy suggested going to a zicha place for lunch so that we could have a nice lunch without burning a hole in my pocket. I guess as we age, birthdays are days we are thankful to still be around.
Uncle Choo is 53 this yr. I’m thankful that he’s still healthy, with early signs of aging. At the same time, I’m fearful for the day when he leaves me. I know it’s morbid but it’s precisely we are living on borrowed time that makes each day precious. He says no one is indispensable and eventually we will all learn to cope. 可是说的到容易。也不是说了就放得下。
Documenting our lives together so that when the time come, there will be enough for us to hold on to.
感恩我们一起走过的一切。
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Where did my bun bun go?
Sunday, March 3, 2024
What if I stopped at #1?
Got caught into the kids’ bickering and the noise killed me. I don’t know what started it or maybe it was something that Vera said which rubbed me in a different way. She said in front of Joash how she wished he wasn’t here, that she wished he would still be an infant or that he wasn’t borne.
Moments like this, sometimes I would joke around and tell her “I wished you were an infant too, or likewise vera”
But today, for the first time, I too wished that I had stopped at #1. Maybe my friends who stopped at 1 knew better. If we had stopped at 1, we probably travel all over much earlier.
William dragged the two of us out for a swim, coz I was overwhelmed by all the bickering and I guess the swim did me more good than I expected.
By the time we came back, the twins were done w their 听写 and they also digged out their fav 飞机琪 so that we could play after that.
One of those moments where I can’t wait for Monday to come. One of those moments where I wished I was free. One of those moments I know I’ll eventually get over all these negativity.
Mayb I should eat a tub of Nutella after the kids zzzz … hahaha
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
心魔
The last week has been bad. Joash probably woke up at least twice every night. Today he woke up at 2 and finally at 5, decided he was done. The night before, he woke up twice but eventually we slept in til 7 before sending him to school.
Days like that I just can’t make myself go to the gym. Sometimes it’s hard to explain to the people there that it’s hard to manage 4 kids + have an actual job and still workout. They feel that it’s all excuses 😳 . Well, yes and no. But sometimes it’s tiring trying. And majority of them have no kids, or kids who are much older.
Anyway, sometimes it’s not so much what they say, but more of what I think they say which is triggering.. lol.. or mayb the lack of zzz is simply triggering la.
Just like today, despite the craziness, I finally crawled there. A member asked why I wasn’t there yday, and I simply replied “coz I overslept. And why did I appear today? Coz I haven’t zzz yet!” .. 🤣🤣🤣
I’m sure what I said was triggering too but I’m just too tired or can’t be bothered. And of coz my mind hasn’t been kind to me too. It probably poisoned my thoughts too. Then there were the comments where I posted abt eating Joash leftovers, which the only people that commented were the people from the gym lo..🫠🫠🫠 I’m sure people with no kids, they can choose what they want to eat, or even if they have, they can always throw away the leftovers. It’s just me lo..
Anyway despite it all, I was glad that I still went for my gym, did my pretty lashes and went for a work appt. At least my day was full til late afternoon. Cried myself to nap coz today’s her 20th death anniversary.
时间过得好快。我很想你。你过得好吗?我已经不记得很多关于我们一起走过的日子。今天本想去看看你,可是我已经不是很记得你葬在哪了。Vera Huang Yan Ying, 我要记得你的名字。
Monday, February 5, 2024
Weekend blues
Monday, January 29, 2024
Random!
2 more days before I see the people from US.. lol… so glad!
It’s really quite nice. Has free air con + wifi + no people!! Hahahaha.. the only thing is that can’t really chit chat here coz it’s pin drop silence. But I’m thankful coz there are power plugs for my laptop too.. hahaha.. and I’m within walking distance to rescue my kids if there’s anything.
Managed to do some work - finally sorted out my ad placement for secretary job. It’s work that takes too much time so I’ve been procrastinating it again and again. Finally got it sorted out. Hopefully the right person comes along. May God provides me with wisdom in choosing the right person ; and may He lead me to the right person for the job too! In Jesus name I pray, amen!
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Tough morning
One of the tough mornings today.. did the morning drop off together with this little man, but after dropping his sisters off, he cried his way home. Kept insisting that he wanted to drink milk before going to sch 🫠🫠🫠
I felt so so defeated. And it’s only 9 in the morning.
I know they are coming back next week. 很快的. But at this moment, I just can’t reconcile my emotions with what’s logical
Cried myself silly on the drive back. Must be hormones. Or lack of food.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but jin every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6-7 NIV