This must have been one of the longest breaks from blogging I have ever had in ages and travelling is not one of the reasons as to why there has been a lack of posting in the last 7 days.
The truth is, I just have been plain busy. Between my new job, juggling kids and trying to manage a household amongst other things, I have also been really busy trying to make time to fine-tune and re-organise my new blog site PLUS doing a little cramming to get a certification of some sort after working hours.
My stress level has since sky-rocketed since I left my old job. Coming home by 6.30pm has been quite a feat these days. It does feel like I am biting more than I can chew.
But, despite all that, I'm actually happy. I don't think I have felt at peace with myself for a long time, and yet in spite all the challenges thrown my way, I still feel all fired up and ready to tackle the day when I get up in the morning.
That's always a good sign.
The downside is, I am really struggling to find time to pen down my thoughts for a few posts which I have half drafted since 2 weeks ago and haven't got the time to write them all up. At the same time, I really can't wait to officially migrate to my new site and invite you over. At this point, it that's not going to happen so soon.
My goal is to get my new site up and running, hopefully in a matter of weeks and when it does, I hope you will like it.
Meantime, please do excuse me for the lack of updates.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Eavesdropping Spud
On this one rare occasion, we allowed Spud to eat her small cup of chocolate
ice-cream as she sat at the back of the car, in the comfort and safety of her
car seat, while the car was still in motion.
As Spud was happily eating away , thrilled that she had the ice-cream all to herself while ignoring her little brother’s little whines as he gave her his deathly stare and eyeing her treat rather unhappily, we suddenly heard this:
“Papa. Why you do that? How will I eat?”
I have been busy yakking with Silver Bullet until then and had missed that little commotion. Boy! The little lady sounded annoyed.As it turned out, Silver Bullet had hit a bump on the road. And so, because of the bump, she had been unable to spoon the ice-cream into her mouth properly!
We laughed, Silver Bullet apologized , told her he’d be careful and went on our merry way. We shook our heads and grinned our little grins; still can’t quite believe the words that were uttered and the tone that came with it.
What a kid.
There were no more bumpy encounters and she finished her ice-cream in no time at all; of course complete with a little mess on her face and shirt. She then fell asleep soon after giving me her empty ice-cream cup. And just like we had expected, the cheeky monkey woke up from her nap screaming her head off.
I don't think we expected anything less!
As Spud was happily eating away , thrilled that she had the ice-cream all to herself while ignoring her little brother’s little whines as he gave her his deathly stare and eyeing her treat rather unhappily, we suddenly heard this:
“Papa. Why you do that? How will I eat?”
I have been busy yakking with Silver Bullet until then and had missed that little commotion. Boy! The little lady sounded annoyed.As it turned out, Silver Bullet had hit a bump on the road. And so, because of the bump, she had been unable to spoon the ice-cream into her mouth properly!
We laughed, Silver Bullet apologized , told her he’d be careful and went on our merry way. We shook our heads and grinned our little grins; still can’t quite believe the words that were uttered and the tone that came with it.
What a kid.
There were no more bumpy encounters and she finished her ice-cream in no time at all; of course complete with a little mess on her face and shirt. She then fell asleep soon after giving me her empty ice-cream cup. And just like we had expected, the cheeky monkey woke up from her nap screaming her head off.
I don't think we expected anything less!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
The bridge with a warning
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| What I saw as I walked up the stairs |
 |
| What I saw as I walked down the stairs |
As I tried to take a close-up shot of what lurk right behind one of the signs, a security guard on "bridge duty" quickly intervened and shoo-ed me off. I must have imagined that he must have thought I might be a potential terrorist; given the sheer number of embassies located within that area.
He didn't ask me to delete the pictures, and I managed to get a decent shot. Check out those cables!
Wires hanging about precariously all over Thailand with barely an inch above anyone's head is really not such an uncommon sight. What is uncommon is the fact that this is the only bridge I have come across so far that bears any warning.
Not that anyone cares, but I guess I should be grateful for the reminder (and the fact that I was not immediately arrested for making him think that I might have been a potential terrorist!)
Friday, September 13, 2013
Reflect and Ponder on Reflecting and Pondering
Like every other human being in this world, there comes a time when one
tends to reflect and ponder on the serious stuff that was etched into one’s
life experiences. I do that too, every once in a while, except that this time,
I happen to think that “reflecting on life what ifs and what-happened –and-I
shouldn’t have-done-that-but-did-that-instead” without any concrete action to
address what you actually reflected on is just a bloody waste of time!
I don’t know where all that overwhelming feelings came from, but the waste-of-time factor that came from pondering or reflecting (whichever you prefer) and not being able to do something about it at that point in time was so strong that I felt so compelled to stop pondering further.
My guess is, that tipping point came after months and months and months of useless pondering of my “Maybe Baby” project which I mentioned earlier in one of my Thought Pieces posts.
So, in the last month or so as I waited out my employment notice, I battled my insecurities. I shamelessly contacted people I know and people I don’t know to get some sense of owning a domain, doing a blog migration, contemplated (and actioned!) on web design overhaul as well as trying to get into the real technicalities of behind the scenes of blogging (which has proven to be too technical for my super simple and un-technical mind).
It has been yet another learning curve. Before I knew it, I committed to contract a very capable and dynamic web designer based in Singapore to help me with my new site and the works behind it. Sounds completely crazy and out of the blue, but the fact that I finally did something about my senseless pondering and get it done was BIG. For me.
With all that in my back pocket, I am feeling really excited with the imminent birth of a new site in a matter of months.
Please, stay tuned. :)
I don’t know where all that overwhelming feelings came from, but the waste-of-time factor that came from pondering or reflecting (whichever you prefer) and not being able to do something about it at that point in time was so strong that I felt so compelled to stop pondering further.
My guess is, that tipping point came after months and months and months of useless pondering of my “Maybe Baby” project which I mentioned earlier in one of my Thought Pieces posts.
So, in the last month or so as I waited out my employment notice, I battled my insecurities. I shamelessly contacted people I know and people I don’t know to get some sense of owning a domain, doing a blog migration, contemplated (and actioned!) on web design overhaul as well as trying to get into the real technicalities of behind the scenes of blogging (which has proven to be too technical for my super simple and un-technical mind).
It has been yet another learning curve. Before I knew it, I committed to contract a very capable and dynamic web designer based in Singapore to help me with my new site and the works behind it. Sounds completely crazy and out of the blue, but the fact that I finally did something about my senseless pondering and get it done was BIG. For me.
- People don’t always respond. Keep trying, anyway. Have a thick skin. BIG, SUCCESSFUL bloggers or web-designers will certainly ignore you, but one kind soul out there will eventually respond.
- If I didn’t try, I will never know. And if I fail, at least I tried. Having an always-learning mindset is crucial to my mental health and the goodness of my soul.
- Do not let other people get the better of me and let them make me feel down
about myself. Getting an ally who really cares and sincerely support my cause, helps
boost my confidence and morale.
- I have always advocated that it is important to engage with people younger than you, as I think they would be able to guide you to things that you are not familiar with. More than you would ever care to know.
- The GUT is almost always never wrong. Use it to guide your instinct with decision making.
With all that in my back pocket, I am feeling really excited with the imminent birth of a new site in a matter of months.
Please, stay tuned. :)
Thursday, September 12, 2013
How to sketch like a pro!
This is super cool stuff and whoever did this how-to, makes drawing a still-life spoon looks amazingly easy.
Had I try to attempt this, I am pretty sure it would turn out to be something not so easily identifiable. There is only way to find out.
Had I try to attempt this, I am pretty sure it would turn out to be something not so easily identifiable. There is only way to find out.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Why controlled crying isn't bad
Seven in the evening is almost exclusively my favourite part of the day
on ANY given day. When all go as planned, it means the kids are already in
their room and safely tucked in bed.
They could be singing, having a conversation with their stuffed animals,
rolling about in the comfort of their own bed or doing all three at the same
time, but we know that it won’t be long before they drift off to dreamland.
It is also usually the time of the day when I would shamelessly do a little dance in my head as soon as we close the door behind us, because, believe you, me, knowing that they are about to retire for the night and thus giving us our “us-time” to do whatever the hell we need to do, is one of the best feeling in the whole wide world.
It has been almost 3 years since we enforced early bedtime for the kids. We may have missed out on the occasional social gatherings in the evenings and even snuffed our noses when we learnt that a birthday party ends at 6.30 pm. But! because we tend to be rather inflexible when it comes to winding them down for the evening for their bedtime we sometimes give them a miss or rushed out of their door a couple of hours earlier without regrets.
For us, it has been absolutely imperative that we start winding them down by 6pm and that they are in bed by 6.30 pm; plus minus half an hour give or take. It has been proven time and again that our kids do get horribly and uncontrollably cranky if we ever were to stretch their bedtime past 7pm. Despite the small inconvenience of having to be home at a certain time, all I can say is that after all these years (knock on wood!), it probably was one of the best parenting decisions we ever made.
I guess, after doing this for so long now, we don’t really think about it as it is something we are so used to. That being said, I have to say though that I am almost always a little surprised when I see the reaction of any parent who went, “SIX THIRTY?? REALLY?? Already? That’s early! Through the night?”
While I’m sure some thought that it is a little abnormal (or cruel even!) that kids are subjected to go to bed that early, others were genuinely surprised – and dare I say, even envious – that we have been able to shove our kids to bed early and they STILL are sleeping through the night till about 6.30 am.
For curious parents, we would tell them that the only reason we can do that is because the kids are so used to such early bedtime since they were a few months old. Subtly, that really means CONTROLLED CRYING; one of the more controversial parenting topics. A topic polarized enough to make some parents uneasy and label us as being heartless. Unless asked or probed further, we don’t usually spill how we do it in detail; and not because we don’t want to share, but because we are conscious of being accused of giving unsolicited (bad) advice.
Looking back, while controlled crying was one of the hardest things we have ever done, it was only excruciatingly painful for a maximum of a week. The “training” got better every day and in my opinion, was not exactly a bad thing. In fact, there was an article which backed up controlled crying as a form of baby sleep strategy. (read article here)
Having been through all that for both of my kids' early days as a few month old infant, I truly believe that the long-term benefits of controlled crying as a form of sleep strategy far outweigh the “cruelty” of making a baby cry themselves to sleep for just a few minutes. Yes.FEW MINUTES. I didn’t mean an entire hour. (I have written about the 10-minute Rule here)
If we have not done that, we probably would be more sleep deprived, extremely short-fused (not that I am not already!), supremely exhausted and likely pushed to the brink of a mental breakdown. And no, I don’t think that entertaining two little kids till 11pm at night would be particularly beneficial to our marriage.
3 years on, both of our kids are happy, healthy, as affectionate as they want to be (when they feel like it) and both are not showing any signs of emotional trauma which we had supposedly exposed them to. They wake up happy, and for us, it means that we get a little bit more rest and freedom when the clock strikes 7.
Sometimes, you really just have to be a little cruel to be kind
It is also usually the time of the day when I would shamelessly do a little dance in my head as soon as we close the door behind us, because, believe you, me, knowing that they are about to retire for the night and thus giving us our “us-time” to do whatever the hell we need to do, is one of the best feeling in the whole wide world.
It has been almost 3 years since we enforced early bedtime for the kids. We may have missed out on the occasional social gatherings in the evenings and even snuffed our noses when we learnt that a birthday party ends at 6.30 pm. But! because we tend to be rather inflexible when it comes to winding them down for the evening for their bedtime we sometimes give them a miss or rushed out of their door a couple of hours earlier without regrets.
For us, it has been absolutely imperative that we start winding them down by 6pm and that they are in bed by 6.30 pm; plus minus half an hour give or take. It has been proven time and again that our kids do get horribly and uncontrollably cranky if we ever were to stretch their bedtime past 7pm. Despite the small inconvenience of having to be home at a certain time, all I can say is that after all these years (knock on wood!), it probably was one of the best parenting decisions we ever made.
I guess, after doing this for so long now, we don’t really think about it as it is something we are so used to. That being said, I have to say though that I am almost always a little surprised when I see the reaction of any parent who went, “SIX THIRTY?? REALLY?? Already? That’s early! Through the night?”
While I’m sure some thought that it is a little abnormal (or cruel even!) that kids are subjected to go to bed that early, others were genuinely surprised – and dare I say, even envious – that we have been able to shove our kids to bed early and they STILL are sleeping through the night till about 6.30 am.
For curious parents, we would tell them that the only reason we can do that is because the kids are so used to such early bedtime since they were a few months old. Subtly, that really means CONTROLLED CRYING; one of the more controversial parenting topics. A topic polarized enough to make some parents uneasy and label us as being heartless. Unless asked or probed further, we don’t usually spill how we do it in detail; and not because we don’t want to share, but because we are conscious of being accused of giving unsolicited (bad) advice.
Looking back, while controlled crying was one of the hardest things we have ever done, it was only excruciatingly painful for a maximum of a week. The “training” got better every day and in my opinion, was not exactly a bad thing. In fact, there was an article which backed up controlled crying as a form of baby sleep strategy. (read article here)
Having been through all that for both of my kids' early days as a few month old infant, I truly believe that the long-term benefits of controlled crying as a form of sleep strategy far outweigh the “cruelty” of making a baby cry themselves to sleep for just a few minutes. Yes.FEW MINUTES. I didn’t mean an entire hour. (I have written about the 10-minute Rule here)
If we have not done that, we probably would be more sleep deprived, extremely short-fused (not that I am not already!), supremely exhausted and likely pushed to the brink of a mental breakdown. And no, I don’t think that entertaining two little kids till 11pm at night would be particularly beneficial to our marriage.
3 years on, both of our kids are happy, healthy, as affectionate as they want to be (when they feel like it) and both are not showing any signs of emotional trauma which we had supposedly exposed them to. They wake up happy, and for us, it means that we get a little bit more rest and freedom when the clock strikes 7.
Sometimes, you really just have to be a little cruel to be kind
Sunday, September 8, 2013
How I roll: A new chapter
September 4th, 2013 marked a new chapter in my professional
life. It marked a new beginning to a
rather unplanned, but imminent end from my previous job which would likely
change the course of my life journey from here on. A clean slate once again, a new adventure and a flight path into the unknown.
It has been barely 3 days with my new job, and despite at least 5 years of absence, that sense of warm, genuine sincerity and attachment to some of the familiar people in the organization felt very reassuring. I still have that springs on my heels I felt months ago when this new job conversation started and more than ever, I feel like I fit right in. There’s no “treading” about and I really do feel like I am just picking up where I have left off. I am still not sure if that is actually a good thing, but most gratifying of all, it feels like I’m back “home” and it still feels oh-so-right.
I have got some work cut-out for me. Already, there are issues to fix, team to set up, stake-holders to please and human dynamics to suss out; amongst other things. There are things to learn, and most importantly, a whole lot of things to unlearn. It really is not about how much you already know, rather, it is about what you don’t know, find out, adapt and go on from there.
With new swanky gadgets at my disposal, I certainly am ready to roll!
It has been barely 3 days with my new job, and despite at least 5 years of absence, that sense of warm, genuine sincerity and attachment to some of the familiar people in the organization felt very reassuring. I still have that springs on my heels I felt months ago when this new job conversation started and more than ever, I feel like I fit right in. There’s no “treading” about and I really do feel like I am just picking up where I have left off. I am still not sure if that is actually a good thing, but most gratifying of all, it feels like I’m back “home” and it still feels oh-so-right.
I have got some work cut-out for me. Already, there are issues to fix, team to set up, stake-holders to please and human dynamics to suss out; amongst other things. There are things to learn, and most importantly, a whole lot of things to unlearn. It really is not about how much you already know, rather, it is about what you don’t know, find out, adapt and go on from there.
With new swanky gadgets at my disposal, I certainly am ready to roll!
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| Damn Lotus Notes! |
Friday, September 6, 2013
Pizza Bites
A random food blog I stumbled upon a while back had inspired me to experiment and create my own version of Mini-Pizza Bites.
All done within 40 minutes, I adapted the recipe a little. I have since made a few versions of this which had included a batch with tuna, another batch with smoked turkey as well as an all-vegetarian pizza bites.
Here's a warning: These can be quite addictive!
All done within 40 minutes, I adapted the recipe a little. I have since made a few versions of this which had included a batch with tuna, another batch with smoked turkey as well as an all-vegetarian pizza bites.
Here's a warning: These can be quite addictive!
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| Pizza Bites in a mini-muffin tray before going into the over |
 |
| Orangy pizza bites really hot from the oven! |
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup flour
- 3/4 tspn baking powder
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning (the original version used 1)
- A pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 cup shredded mozarella cheese
- Half a cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cubed smoked turkey (or canned tuna or leave out any meat if you are going for vegetarian version)
- 1 jar of store-bought salsa sauce(I couldn't find pizza sauce!)
Method:
- Pre-heat oven to 180 degree celcius. Grease the mini-muffin pan.
- In a large bowl, mix (sifted) flour, baking powder. Italian seasoning and salt together.
- Whisk in the milk and egg. Stir in the mozarella, Parmesan, cubed smoked turkey and about 4-5 tablespoon of Salsa sauce
- Let stand for 10 minutes.
- Stir the batter and divide among the mini-muffin tray.
- Top about a teaspoon of the leftover salsa sauce on top of each batter on the mini-muffin tray. Then top it up again with Mozarella and Parmesan (if desired)
- Bake till puffed, golden and a little crispy, 20-25 minutes
- Serve when ready.
Bon appetit!
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Natural Nude
Wearing a pair of nude shoes can, every once in a while, inject some
serious measure of elegance into your wardrobe.
For years, I avoided the colour as I used to think that it is tough
trying to match nude shoes with my work clothes, but as I realised, that notion
could not be further from the truth.
In fact, after owning several pairs of nude colour shoes which I bought mainly for the designs, I have come to realise that they can be worn with any outfit and easily complement any colour scheme. I have worn nude colour shoes with a dress that was way too colourful, and was still able to get away with it without me looking too garish. I find shoes with nude colours to be soothing, too. It is a colour that exudes a sense of calmness when worn with an outfit for work.
I never actually realised this, but apparently, wearing a pair of nude shoes can make your legs appear longer - something I can appreciate since I am such a short-fart!
Nude shoes can be really versatile, yet minimalistic. Although the colour was not my first choice when I bought it as I was gunning for a pair of really, really mysterious dark maroon pair of wedges (they didn’t have my size!:/ ), the fact that it is a pair of wedges was enough to make me beam with joy.
I love it that it fits me so snugly.
In fact, after owning several pairs of nude colour shoes which I bought mainly for the designs, I have come to realise that they can be worn with any outfit and easily complement any colour scheme. I have worn nude colour shoes with a dress that was way too colourful, and was still able to get away with it without me looking too garish. I find shoes with nude colours to be soothing, too. It is a colour that exudes a sense of calmness when worn with an outfit for work.
I never actually realised this, but apparently, wearing a pair of nude shoes can make your legs appear longer - something I can appreciate since I am such a short-fart!
Nude shoes can be really versatile, yet minimalistic. Although the colour was not my first choice when I bought it as I was gunning for a pair of really, really mysterious dark maroon pair of wedges (they didn’t have my size!:/ ), the fact that it is a pair of wedges was enough to make me beam with joy.
I love it that it fits me so snugly.
Brand: Studio Tangs
Cost: I cannot remember!
From: C.K Tangs (Singapore)
Sunday, September 1, 2013
15 months
As Squirt is getting more proficient at picking up speed while walking,
climbing over furniture and into toy boxes as well as pulling, grabbing to sticking his fingers into anything that he
is not supposed to, I sometimes wish for a spare set of eyes at the back of my
head. In fact, I sometimes wish my limbs
could transform to that of Inspector Gadget’s just so that I could intervene in
time from wherever I am in the house to save him from himself.
Squirt is vocal, quick, agile, and he is determined to get what he wants. Nothing escapes him; every drawer needs to be opened and inspected, every buttons needs to be turned and pushed, and any small objects found on the floor needs to be stuffed into his mouth. He has been quite a handful and just minding him for a few hours can be extremely exhausting. It is of no surprise that I have been coming home to a very weary-looking nanny of late who spends most her day running after him and making sure that he doesn’t get his tiny little body into trouble.
He recently made me rake up a bill of more than 23,000 THB (>700 USD) for the repair of my precious watch. He had somehow managed to get his hands on my not-so-cheap watch when we were in Singapore and had callously dropped it on the floor, causing a huge chip of the crystal glass cover. I then had absent-mindedly wore it into the pool and then it was history. Oh! Not to mention that he had also callously dropped my jade bracelet which broke into 3 pieces some months ago (my fault! what was I thinking giving him my bracelet!). I am contemplating to take the costs of repair from his savings...
Despite being such a busy 15-month old, Squirt is still that happy, smiley and affectionate little boy. He laughs heartily and will always, always give us a big, fat grin when we open the door to his room every morning. He is our little Mr. Happy-go-lucky and does not fuss too much. He does have his cranky moments especially when he is over-tired, but they tend not to last for too long or be much of a drama.
Squirt certainly has a very different temperament from his sister and both me and Silver Bullet had quipped before that if we have had Squirt first, having Spud would be a shock as we probably haven’t got a clue as to how to handle her.
Still a proud owner of 2 bottom teeth, Squirt doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to expand his vocabulary beyond “Mama”, “Papa” and a set of cavemen language. He is still quite adventurous with food and is very willing to try the food on our plates; always a joy to watch.
Recently, he discovered the fun of spinning himself around in circles and then stands still while trying to maintain his balance. Quite a delight to watch him laugh at himself after every attempt and seeing him wobble happily around like a drunkard. He loves his stuffed toys and can't get enough of the remote control.
Our home has never been noisier with kids screaming to test their vocal
abilities in their highest frequency or us trying to outshout them as we tell
them to stop torturing the cats while they are at it, and our living room has
never been filthier with bits of stale food on the floor at any time of the day
or toys strewn around everywhere. Yet, despite so much chaos, our home has
never been filled with so much laughter. (I still am contemplating on taking his savings to cover my repair cost. Hmmph!)
Squirt is vocal, quick, agile, and he is determined to get what he wants. Nothing escapes him; every drawer needs to be opened and inspected, every buttons needs to be turned and pushed, and any small objects found on the floor needs to be stuffed into his mouth. He has been quite a handful and just minding him for a few hours can be extremely exhausting. It is of no surprise that I have been coming home to a very weary-looking nanny of late who spends most her day running after him and making sure that he doesn’t get his tiny little body into trouble.
He recently made me rake up a bill of more than 23,000 THB (>700 USD) for the repair of my precious watch. He had somehow managed to get his hands on my not-so-cheap watch when we were in Singapore and had callously dropped it on the floor, causing a huge chip of the crystal glass cover. I then had absent-mindedly wore it into the pool and then it was history. Oh! Not to mention that he had also callously dropped my jade bracelet which broke into 3 pieces some months ago (my fault! what was I thinking giving him my bracelet!). I am contemplating to take the costs of repair from his savings...
Despite being such a busy 15-month old, Squirt is still that happy, smiley and affectionate little boy. He laughs heartily and will always, always give us a big, fat grin when we open the door to his room every morning. He is our little Mr. Happy-go-lucky and does not fuss too much. He does have his cranky moments especially when he is over-tired, but they tend not to last for too long or be much of a drama.
Squirt certainly has a very different temperament from his sister and both me and Silver Bullet had quipped before that if we have had Squirt first, having Spud would be a shock as we probably haven’t got a clue as to how to handle her.
Still a proud owner of 2 bottom teeth, Squirt doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to expand his vocabulary beyond “Mama”, “Papa” and a set of cavemen language. He is still quite adventurous with food and is very willing to try the food on our plates; always a joy to watch.
Recently, he discovered the fun of spinning himself around in circles and then stands still while trying to maintain his balance. Quite a delight to watch him laugh at himself after every attempt and seeing him wobble happily around like a drunkard. He loves his stuffed toys and can't get enough of the remote control.
 |
| Squirt having a little conversation with Tom the Tiger |
 |
| He could be distracted with something else, but his hands are glued to the remote - and don't you dare try to pry if off him! |
Things could only get better from here on. And I think he looks better with a crew-cut. (Ok. ONE more broken item, and I might just take it from his savings!)
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