Monday 22 August 2011

My Journey with Ryan

I thought I am doing ok as his mom. I am wrong. I discovered that I have not done enough. Let me tell you about Ryan, my first born, going to be 9 soon. He was simply adorable as a kid and as he was growing up, he was a fine boy and polite. I'm proud of him. He was easy to manage and he did not give us any problem.

Then he started schooling and he mixes around with the bigger kids. We noted a slight change in his behaviour but nothing alarming. He will come back and tell us stories. Some good stories and some painful ones. Then I will dismissed them, thinking that this is what normally kids go through and eventually everything will be ok. He will eventually learn somehow and I also did not want to dwell in it too much. Part and parcel of growing up.

Then his sister came along and at first, it was all ok. He will play with her but as she's growing up, he finds her to be a challenge. He feels there is a need to compete with her, for the attention etc and they started fighting. This is followed by angry sweeping statements - more headache for my boy as everyone of us seems to think that as the older child, he is expected to take the higher road and give in to her sister. This resulted in him being rebellious and his behaviour got worse. More growing pains.

Being parents are not an easy task. I think I need to prioritise and rethink before it's too late on what's more important to me. How do I want my children to be (outcome) and I must be willing to make the journey with them (input). I have heard stories about successful professional who thrived at their careers at the expense of their family and children. It never occurred to me that I'm going down that route but I guess I will, if I am not too careful. Soon, my boy will be a teenager and we all know how difficult that phase of life is. I have to act before it's too late. Like I said, it's never easy being a parent - but with lots of love, patience and a strong heart - everything will be ok.

Thursday 18 August 2011

Watching TV Together

They are at each other's throat most if the time so much so that I can count the number of times when there's peace between them. This is one of them - they are watching television together and Caitlin is frowning because she's scared while the brother was "protecting" her (...but by holding to her knee?). Well, at least there was peace for the 1 hour.


Sunday 14 August 2011

Mission: The Garden

New addition to the family
Curry leaves for cooking
Money Plant

I have been working on my garden even since my recent trip to Avillion Port Dickson a few weeks back. I was quite diligent at that, making time to pull out all the weeds, fertilising the plants and grass and watering them every morning and evening. I rediscovered the joy of gardening and it's goooooooddddddd. I even bought a new pot of flowering plant. It has small red flowers and it look nice.



The truth is that I have neglected the garden due to my work schedule and even more after the snake incident. It's good that I am back and hopefully, in no time, my garden will be back with it lushful greenery. The only plant that had survived all the ordeal is my money plant. It's one of those plant which requires minimum maintenance and looks good all the time. 


I intend to plant more of these money plants with different shade of green leaves and to add some flowering plants since my frangipani plants are taking forever to grow. Also, I intend to grow some vegetables as well - that should be fun. Chilies plants will be great, maybe brinjal....no, no.....chinese mustard green plant (or simply "sawi" in Bahasa Malaysia...). And as you can see, I am very excited and I am a woman with a mission........
 

Thursday 11 August 2011

Good Night

It's now 10.30 pm. Everyone is already sleeping while I am still toiling away on my laptop. I have decided to work in the air-cond room because it's freaking hot out there. I think I will call it a day at around 11.30 pm - that will be in an hours time. I aimed to do and cover as much as possible before I hit the bed - make my time more worthwhile. Time flies - no matter whether you realise it or not. So, we just need to make full use of it. I procrastinate. I know it's a bad habit but I can't help it (excuse). It's part of me (more excuses)....but to be fair, I have improved although there's plenty more room for further improvement. One day at a time (more excuses?).

I better stop now so that I can finish whatever I set out to do and have a good night sleep. Cheers !

Wednesday 10 August 2011

Me Time

Darphin Cleanser - image from the internet
I took leave from work to run some errands and to pamper myself. I wanted to chill and do some thinking and planning ahead. I wanted to accomplish a lot but managed only half of what I set out to do - still it was good enough for me.

The most memorable event for today is I had a nice long lunch by myself in a nice cosy restaurant. The food was good and the music nice and soothing. I have decided to maintain a diary of a sort to record my thoughts and feeling and started writing. I recon the diary will be a great way for me to express myself and capture my thoughts, emotions and moods...and ultimately to understand myself and learns from the past and from my mistakes. It was a good one hour of eating, writing and smiling. It felt good!!!

Next on my agenda is going for my facial as well as to pick up some products. I managed to get the image of the most-fabulous-facial-cleanser ever. It's Darphin Cleansing Foam Gel with Water Lily (picture above). I am now into my second tube and I simply love it. I also pick up a toner and the eye makeup removal. My skin has improved but it is still sensitive and have not really stabilise. My face is no longer "red" and the pores are also finer but I still have uneven skin tone, dark spots and pigmentation. I guess it is the years of "abuse" where I don't use proper skincare (lack of knowledge and money as the main culprit) and have not be using any sunblock. Anyway, it's always good to be pampered and I love all my facial sessions. I will make sure that I have enough time so that I can enjoy every moment and yes, blackberry are off as well :)

It was a good day and more of me time in the future - it's rejuvenating and something which I look forward to. 

Monday 8 August 2011

Back to Gardening

I was out walking one day, walking toward the park when I saw this nice plant with all its flowers "drooping" over the brick wall. All I can say is nice and I wish I have that plant in my garden. :)

Sunday 7 August 2011

Happy Birthday Caitlin


Caitlin is 3 today. We welcome her with love, 3 years ago and our lives have never been the same.....in a positive way.
What make her brother ticks does not work on her. In short, she's very different from her brother. We have to figure her out and at times, she drives us crazy. We have to keep up with her and she's not slowing down, not for us nor the brother. We watch her with delight. We are proud with all her achievements and will be there to support her in everyway.
Happy 3rd Birthday my dear Caitlin and you are only 3 years old - not 5. You will be in 2 years time.