Busy Mundane Weekends

I have been very busy with juggling work and family especially when my husband needs to work late or is out of town.

When my hubby is around, he will be the one setting the timetable. For a good part of this year, I have been the one doing so. Our weekend routine is packed to the brim. We will be shuffling around from place to place from morning to night.

In a certain sense, challenges are there only when one is ready. And they are there to make us stronger. At times, I still feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities I have to shoulder. I am growing stronger and tougher day by day.

去逛街

Sharing my elder boy's essay.

  ​​​​ 去逛街

有一天，妈妈和爸爸带我和弟弟去乌节路买东西。我和弟弟都闷闷不乐的，因为我们比较喜欢在家里睡觉。

到了那里，我们先去吃晚餐。我们去一家高级的餐厅，吃日本餐。

虽然弟弟吃完了晚餐，想回家，一直叫个不停：“回家了！回家了！我很累，我要睡觉了！”，但是我们去“Uncle Teisu”蛋糕店买蛋糕。弟弟一看 到非常好吃的蛋糕，马上忘记了自己说很累，连口水都流了出来！我们看到了都偷偷的笑了起来，不敢告诉他。因为弟弟最爱发脾气了。人家不小心动到他，他也要狠狠地揍人家一拳 。

买好蛋糕后，我们去买一些肉干。虽然不是过新年，但是，我们还是买了肉干吃。弟弟说：“回到家，我就一定把肉干都吃完，连一快都不留给你们！”听到平时什么都不吃的弟弟居然说这种话，我可已看到弟弟很开心

最后，我们去“Daiso”买文具。因为我的笔没有墨了，所以我就叫妈妈买了一只蓝色笔。

虽然开始的时候，我和弟弟都不开心，但我们最后还是度过了难忘的一天，依依不舍地回家了。

Extended Family Gathering

It was a gathering which we had decided on my brother's wedding in March. My mother who originated from West Malaysia, has been busy with raising her family that she only made very infrequent visit back to her hometown. Now that we have grown up, we should bring her back as often as we could.

So this trip was planned. We started out on 14 Jun, Saturday from Singapore to Kukup. There was a jam at the Causeway where the traffic was like a snail. On our way to Kukup, we had a little hiccup which we had to be at car workshop at Pontian. I contacted my cousin who then got his brothers to come over to help us out. They then drove us up to Kukup where it was almost dinner time. Yes, we feast on the sumptuous seafood. 

We spent the night at my uncle's house. Before long, my aunt and cousin from Singapore met us there too.

The next morning, the extended family made our way to my cousin's house at Ponderosa, JB. 

There we continued to enjoy the warm hospitality of my dear relatives. My another cousin had also bought a house within walking distance away and we attended the house warming that night. At noon, my husband and I had a round of golf at the nearby golf course, Ponderosa Golf Course.

On Monday, the extended family took two cars and drove up to Cameron Highlands. We had booked two apartment units near Brinchang town. The next day, we went sightseeing. This was a rare treat for me as this was the first time that I went out with my uncle and aunt's family alongside my hubby's aunt. There were 11 of us.

Thereafter they made their way to Ipoh while we continued our stay in Cameron Highlands as my aunt visited her friend. As the road was bumpy, our dear car protested with a punctured tyre. Living up the mountain meant that it was difficult to get help. But help came eventually and we continued our journey to Genting where we celebrated my boy's birthday.

We were not aware that the outdoor theme park was having a major revamp so we had to content with the rides at the indoor theme park. Thereafter the two seniors had their own programme while we watched the magic show by Peter Marvey.

On Friday, we made our way to Malacca and feast on, well the famous chicken rice balls in this heritage town. However for the old folks, they still preferred the normal chicken rice anytime. Not to be missed was the chendol too.

On Saturday, we had a splash at the swimming pool while the seniors went shopping at the nearby Mahkota Parade. Thereafter we headed back to pick up our car from the workshop and returned my cousin's car. We had a stopover at Skudai for dinner. It has been a very fulfilling trip.

Golf

Serenity and tranquility

Soothing to the mind

Swinging away our troubles

Just focus on having a good game

A bad round does not mean a bad finish

Neither does one good round make a good game

Never give up and not letting the past gets into the head is the key to a good golfer

But isn't this also the mantra to be a successful person?

A Not so Normal Saturday Afternoon

After a short hiatus, I signed up for a speaking slot at my Toastmasters' Club and delivered it this afternoon. I loved to work on my speech. It gave me a sense of accomplishment to speak in front of the audience. There was still so much that I could learn. Best of all, there was also a lot of enjoyment through learning.

However, there were so many things to do and so little time. I needed to work on my golf swings which I was no exactly good at. A short break would mean many countless hours of getting the right swing back. I have made progress after 5 long years. 

Then there was the need to visit my mother to cheer her up and just to say hello. Though she did not say and was always in a hurry to chase me back, I could feel that she was glad just to talk or see me.

It was all about prioritisation and time management. My club meeting had ended. I only did my project and observed how others' did their projects and learned in the process. 

"Ma, I am here!" I called for my mom at her door.

"What brings you here?" My mom's droopy eyelids lifted up and she broke into a megatwatt smile.

As the club meeting was not too far from my mom's place, I decided to pay her a visit. It is not my usual Saturday but I get to do what is important and shower love to my mom.

Waiting outside the surgery room

I am penning this post outside the surgery room. In the room lies my beloved mother who is in the safe hands of the doctor.

This is the third time in less than a year that she has undergone the same operation. My mom does have times when she feels frustrated that her children have to take time-off and spend their hard-earnt money on her. She insisted to use her paltry CPF monies to help defray part of her medical costs. Thanks to the generosity of our government, though my mom has always been a full-time home maker, she had some in her account given by the State. 

In a sense, I am thankful that I have this far-sightedness to buy medical insurance for my parents. So we have one less worry about the high medical costs.

But there is still the emotional aspect. We have to assure our mother that it is our pleasure to be able to spend time with her. We treasure the time that we spend waiting to see doctor where we can have small talk. 

I felt this sense of lightness and peace while waiting outside the surgery room. Her predicament has given her children a chance to share our care and concern to her. A tiny smile crept into my face. I am contented and will cherish every single moment with my loved ones.

Living simply is the key to happiness

Finding myself always with a ready smile

Unbridled happiness exuding from within

I am thankful for the little things in life

Smelling the roses along my path 

Always eager to sing praises for a job well done 

I feel wonderful and joyous!