Sing When You're Sick

I used to be moody every time I fell sick. I also used to question "why me?" and began worrying unnecessarily about the backlogs at work. I guess it comes with age and my experience as a mum. Instead of worrying who's going to clear my work and feel guilty about it, I make use of my time off from work to reflect and improve on my health condition.

Though by right, I should stay away from my kids so as not to pass on the virus, I feel that my time with them during my medical leave is more productive than ever.

I sing. I dance with them. I read to them books that I like (good that they are not choosy at this age). I take photos. I take videos.

Speaking of videos, here's one particular video that I really like - my  personal favourite. Click and you'll know why!


Finally I know a trick to make Shauqi laugh!

Recovering Memories

I lost a whole lot of video files captured in 2012 on my handycam. It has been a trying day to recover those precious memories, including the birth of Shauqi.

That's the problem with going digital. Every time a video or picture is taken, I will have the tendency to procrastinate until I make time to upload them onto the desktop. And it's not until the desktop space is full that I then begin to transfer the files onto the hard disk.

It would have been easy if the files were deleted. But the folder has been overwritten with a same name folder thus making it difficult to retrieve the files.

Right now, I'm trying to console myself that it's okay to lose "things".

Fact is, it's really hurting inside. Oh, how could I be so careless?

I'm sorry Shauqi for the lost footages. I promise to have plenty of back-ups next time.

A Mother's Sacrifice

How does it feels to leave your children for almost half a day, every single day? Believe me, it's not easy to put up a brave front pretending that it's okay to leave your children in stranger's hands.

Do you know that an estimated 9 hours x 5 working days x 53 weeks (52 if it's a leap year) = is equivalent to 2,385 of precious hours in a year? That's many hours of lost communication and touch.

But hey, I'm not complaining. I love my job! It's just a little perspective check.

Remember to be nice to your colleagues with children! You do not know the challenges that they have to go through until you're a parent yourself. And yeah, here's to a stronger me & millions of other parents in the workforce! You ROCK!

Happy New Year

There's so much I want to do. There are several to-do lists that remain un-tick. Amazingly, I'm happy with my progress. I discover more about myself. I learn why I keep getting sick. I can sleep better now. I spend on things that I really need like "covered" clothes and better walking shoes. I spend more time with my children. I spend more couple time with my husband. I invest more on books. And I learn to prioritize. Thank you Ya Rabb for your guidance. I now understand what contentment means. It has been an enlightening journey. It has been an amazing year. To all, here's to a prosperous 2013 - a better year & a better YOU!

Enjoy a new video by Shaura. It's nothing related to New Year but I hope it puts a smile on your face. Shaura shows you a quick guide to diaper change in less than a minute! Random, I know. Let's begin! :)

My son

Oh my. Where have all the months gone?

Earlier this year, I've made a promise to blog often... not to expose myself to some of you strangers, but to remind myself of the treasured memories with my lil' angels, Shaura and Shauqi.

I overestimated myself.

I didn't expect juggling multiple roles as daughter, wife and working mother of two, is so tough that not even my newly hired maid can set me free from household chores and make me spend more time with my children.

To my dear Shauqi who will turn a year old in 3 months time, we've got lots of catch up to do. I may not be the first person to hear you utter your first word "Abah" (Father), watch you eat your first cereal, and see you crawl. But I have never failed to love you and prays for your well-being, every single day.

I want you to know that I have your pictures hung at every corner of my teeny-weeny workstation...to make me feel you're close to me.

Truth is, I've never failed to think about you. Guess it's true what people say about mother-son relationship: it will always be extra special.

Though I may not be physically there during your waking hours, I promise to be a good mother, reading to you your favourite books and kissing you on your forehead the "goodbyes" and "good nights".

I love you, son.
I really do.

"But there's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begin."

- Mitch Albom, For One More Day