Caitlin: 6 months

This is Caitlin at 7 months and she's been doing loads of her antics. Generally, she's no girlie in distress and she possess very healthy lungs. She will screams her hearts out and she has shown great determination to get things her own way. She's only 7 months old and have started showing all these traits.....All I can say is that, life with her will be one roller coaster.

Movie: Dragonball

Ryan is having a 1-week school break and I decided to take 1-day off, to spend some quality time with him. He wants to go to watch a movie and the only movie suitable for him is Dragonball. I'm quite familiar with the characters in the movie as I have watched the cartoon series. The series was cute and watchable but I cannot say the same of the movie.

Nothing make sense here, there's no connection between some of the scenes, storyline very shallow, acting sucks big time but Ryan loves it. Conclusion: this movie is really meant for 6-8 years old kids. I pity the parents who are forced to watch it together with them. Give me the cartoon series anytime......

Love of My Life

My children ....
My source of inspiration and the culprit for ALL my headaches !!!

An Outing to KL Science Centre

We took Ryan to the KL Science Centre late last year. The place is huge but unfortunately it was not as well managed as I expect it to be. Ryan had fun, nonetheless and that's very important.

I should organise more of such educational trips for him and his sister in the future. Get them out of the house and explore. Learning should be fun.

Shirley's Goals: February & March 2009

Life has been hectic - I mean, I am a working-mother-with-two-young-kids and my life has always been hectic but this takes the cream. I am so, so busy at work that by the time I'm home, I'm EXHAUSTED. Usually, this will go on for a very short period, a few days the most but because my company is embarking on this new project, I am very sure that I will be very, very busy for the next 12 months. I guess, I should not be complaining and instead count my blessing because there is so much uncertainties in the current job market where people are being retrenched. The truth is, even though I am busy, I am happy because there is so much to learn in this project.

Work life balance has never been so challenging. While my hubby is very understanding, I'm still trying to cope with all the demands; at the office and at home. I wish I can tell you that I'm doing a great job but the fact is I'm NOT. I'm so stressed, I get agitated easily and I feel guilty for not spending time with my kids. I do not remember spending or doing anything for myself. After 1.5 months of torturing myself, I decided that enough is enough. Whatever I'm doing is not working.

So, for February and March to do list, I will:

1. Restart blogging - it's therapeutic and it makes me happy
2. Take more photo of Caitlin - she's such a big girl now and she's been doing loads of stunts
3. Not to be so hard on Ryan - he did well for his first examination and I'm really proud of him. (Will blog about this later on)
4. Make more effort talking to hubby - I value his input and support
5. Appreciate Aunt Jo more
6. Spend more time on my own. Date myself for lunch once a week!

....let's see how things go.

I'm everywhere but with that VOID feeling

I have not been updating my blog.
I have not been taking any photos.
I have not been time with my kids.
I have not been making effort to communicate with hubby.
I have only complete half on my January's to do list.

Instead.....I have been....
Working my ass off but all my efforts seems to be futile. I'm not getting the result I want and things is just not moving. Argh.....I really, really need to restrategise. I just cannot go on like this.
No me time. No family time. I will be burnt out. Time for a break and think about my next move.

Happy CNY 2009

Chinese New Year is here. It's time to celebrate and eat non-stop for the next 15 days.

As usual we will be having a big reunion dinner the night before followed by many, many more other lunches / dinners before the end of the CNY. Since marriage, my CNY itinerary is the same, year in, year out.

2 days before CNY
Dinner with my parents in laws and all hubby's siblings (that would be my sister in law and brother in law) and their families.

1 day before CNY
Reunion dinner with my parents in law and brother in law and family (My sister in law would have gone back to her hubby's hometown).

On CNY
Will visit my parents in law in the morning. Then we will head to my aunt's house before heading back to my in laws for dinner.

2nd day of CNY
We will gather at my on law's place at 8.30 - 9.00 pm. Will visit 3 close relatives together with my them and my brother in law's family. According to hubby, they have been doing this as long as he can remember. We will then have lunch in one of the relatives' house. After lunch, we will be heading back home where I will be spending the next hour or so packing as we will be going back to my hometown to celebrate CNY with my side of the family. The journey back to Teluk Intan will take 2.5 hours and we usually arrive before dinner. Will be spending a few days there before coming back to Kuala Lumpur.

This year, everything is like clock work - except, it's Caitlin's first and she's still having rashes on her face, flu and mild fever. She vommited 30 minutes before arriving Teluk Intan. Her car seat s soaked and she's one smelly baby. She was a bit cranky and we had to start her on antibiotics. Otherwise, we have loads of fun there and it was good to see and catch up with each and every family members. One of the highlights is the celebration of Aunt Cloe's 55th birthday which falls on 4 February and Uncle TC's 60th birthday on 14 February.

It is good to be back. I'm happy to see that everyone is happy, healthy and enjoying themselves.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and may the year of the Ox brings you and your family joy, health and wealth.