I am a stay-at-home mum. I know what my days are like. I know the challenges I have to face on my own from the moment I wake in the morning, until I lay down at night. No two days are the same. Some are better than others. Some are happier than others. And some days can be down right scary. Would I trade being a stay-at-home mum and miss being hands on with my son? Not on my life.
I value the last seven years I have had bringing up my son. I know almost everything that he has experienced throughout his early years. I have fed him, nurtured him, clothed him, wiped away tears and tended to cuts and bruises. I have been first on hand to share in proud, amazing, funny moments that swell my heart with unimaginable joy and I have been there to witness his awkward moments, his disappointments, his hurt feelings. There is no one else who knows as much as I do about my dear son. This will be something that cannot be taken away from me, nor from him. These seven years of being together will be something I will have for the rest of my life, and he will have for his.
A mother's love knows no bounds. A mother's love cannot be quantified. You cannot attach a monetary value to a mother's love. A mother's love is priceless.
February 11, 2012
February 1, 2012
Outcry over club’s ‘fee by race’
Outcry over club’s ‘fee by race’
I can't believe at this day and age, in my country, this sort of racial segregation still exists. I hate to think that I am bringing my kids into a society that hangs on to believes that there are superior and inferior groups of people among them and that marginalising certain groups are acceptable. The gall of them to try and justify and explain away their rationale is humiliating at most, to them and me.
I can't believe at this day and age, in my country, this sort of racial segregation still exists. I hate to think that I am bringing my kids into a society that hangs on to believes that there are superior and inferior groups of people among them and that marginalising certain groups are acceptable. The gall of them to try and justify and explain away their rationale is humiliating at most, to them and me.
January 6, 2012
A Very Happy New Year 2012!
Wishing my son, husband, family members, dear friends and readers a Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year this 2012. I have many exciting things to look forward to. Many positive and amazing things that I will make come true, because I truly believe, everything I want to have happen, will happen, because of me. Great luck everyone!
December 7, 2011
Year End School Break 2011
This year end school holiday is very important for me. For my son. I just want him to have a blast. Lots of fun, activities and a whole load of great memories. Of course I am trying to strike a balance with a little bit of lessons everyday, but he does put up a bit of fuss. Can't blame him entirely as he is aware he is on school break. We are half way through the first week of hols and so far, we have managed to hit the Mall for a bit of shopping and lunch. Today, he has gone out with his cousin sister and we will have taekwondo lessons in the evening. Will try and do something interesting before Friday and hopefully, have a fantastic weekend after that.
September 21, 2011
Fog
I can't seem to wrap my mind around anything these days. I feel blank. I feel confused about everything. It's like a fog has blinded my senses and I can't seem to get out of it.
I don't know if there is something troubling me subconsciously. I can't put a finger on anything specific. I mean, I worry about my son, my family, my sanity, etc. Maybe I am just a worry wort. I know I am wasting precious time and energy worrying about things that have not happened, and may not happen.
I guess I should just let things be and deal with it as it comes? What was that saying again? Live in the moment? Be present with now? Something like that. I should try it. Okey, I am trying it now. I am letting go.
I don't know if there is something troubling me subconsciously. I can't put a finger on anything specific. I mean, I worry about my son, my family, my sanity, etc. Maybe I am just a worry wort. I know I am wasting precious time and energy worrying about things that have not happened, and may not happen.
I guess I should just let things be and deal with it as it comes? What was that saying again? Live in the moment? Be present with now? Something like that. I should try it. Okey, I am trying it now. I am letting go.
A Friend Or Foe?
For the very first time after nearly four years of schooling, my son said to me this morning that he did not want to go to school. He did not have a specific reason. Infact, he had quite a few. All of which, I knew, was not the real story.
Of late, he has been having some issues with a friend. Or should I say, a boy who was once a friend. I don't really know the root of the problem, but there has been punching, pinching, name calling and other forms of bullying going on. My son seems to be on the receiving end although I fairly suspect he does retaliate in kind. At first I thought it was just boys rough housing during play. But it has gone on for awhile and I think it is time to put an end to it.
My immediate reaction was to go all komando on the other boy and his parents if need be. I mean, he is after all bullying my baby! But thankfully I had some sense to hold my emotions back. It was not easy though, let me tell you. We just want our children to go to school, learn, have fun, make friends and come home safe. When things like this happens, you feel like you have lost control and that you cannot keep your child safe anymore. That really is a scary feeling.
I talked it through with my son, outlined right and wrong behaviours and told him how he should stand up for himself. He asked if he could hit back if he was hit first. I was at a delimma. I have been sending my son to taekwondo classes ever since he was three years old. They essentially teach that you have a right to defend yourself if attacked. They teach you to react, to protect yourself. Never to instigate. What was I to tell him? No? That he could not protect himself? It was his right to do so.
So I told him this. I said, if the other boy hits him or tries to hurt him in anyway, protect himself, but immediately report to a teacher and tell them exactly what happened. I explained that defending himself was to either block or push the other boy's hands or legs away from him. In other words, deflect his attacks. I also told him that his voice is a powerful weapon and to shout out loudly if he was threatened. Shouting 'No!' or 'Stop!' loudly will bring unwanted attention to the bully and he will be intimidated.
Have I given him the right advice, I do not know. For now, I think it will do. He has promised to try and do as I said. He wants to try it out to see if it actually works. I will keep a close eye on this issue. I just pray it will be resolved soon before it escalates into something else.
Of late, he has been having some issues with a friend. Or should I say, a boy who was once a friend. I don't really know the root of the problem, but there has been punching, pinching, name calling and other forms of bullying going on. My son seems to be on the receiving end although I fairly suspect he does retaliate in kind. At first I thought it was just boys rough housing during play. But it has gone on for awhile and I think it is time to put an end to it.
My immediate reaction was to go all komando on the other boy and his parents if need be. I mean, he is after all bullying my baby! But thankfully I had some sense to hold my emotions back. It was not easy though, let me tell you. We just want our children to go to school, learn, have fun, make friends and come home safe. When things like this happens, you feel like you have lost control and that you cannot keep your child safe anymore. That really is a scary feeling.
I talked it through with my son, outlined right and wrong behaviours and told him how he should stand up for himself. He asked if he could hit back if he was hit first. I was at a delimma. I have been sending my son to taekwondo classes ever since he was three years old. They essentially teach that you have a right to defend yourself if attacked. They teach you to react, to protect yourself. Never to instigate. What was I to tell him? No? That he could not protect himself? It was his right to do so.
So I told him this. I said, if the other boy hits him or tries to hurt him in anyway, protect himself, but immediately report to a teacher and tell them exactly what happened. I explained that defending himself was to either block or push the other boy's hands or legs away from him. In other words, deflect his attacks. I also told him that his voice is a powerful weapon and to shout out loudly if he was threatened. Shouting 'No!' or 'Stop!' loudly will bring unwanted attention to the bully and he will be intimidated.
Have I given him the right advice, I do not know. For now, I think it will do. He has promised to try and do as I said. He wants to try it out to see if it actually works. I will keep a close eye on this issue. I just pray it will be resolved soon before it escalates into something else.
August 23, 2011
My Little Blessings
I can't begin to imagine how a woman must feel when she finds herself unable to conceive. Especially so if she and her partner so desperately want a child. I cannot pretend to empathise with the pain and emotional anguish they must go through.
I am lucky that I had been blessed with a son more than five years ago. The day he was born was the happiest day of my life. He continues to be the centre of my universe and not a day passes by when I don't look at him with wonder and awe and give thanks for the fact he is mine.
However, for a long time now, my husband and I have been trying for another child. Being unable to conceive again, I find myself in the position of the woman I described above. I keep reminding myself that it is not the same, as I have already been blessed with a child. I feel selfish and ungrateful for wanting another child when so many childless women out there would trade positions with me in a second.
But how do I begin to explain this need in the centre of my being for more children. I feel a void in my soul, an emptiness within me that I cannot explain. Its more than a craving, its a huge whole in my heart that is screaming to be filled. Even as I hold my son close, I feel that we, as a family are not complete as there should be more children around us. Our children. My children.
To lessen this pain, this longing, I fill my heart with guilt. I tell myself that I am truly selfish. Not only have I been blessed with my son, I have a neice who is practically mine, as she spends most of her time with us. I take a second look and realise, I have had two kids with me all this time, but I have been so blind. She calls me mum. Need I say more? Both she and my son are as close as siblings can ever be. They only have each other as they are the only grandchildren for both sets of grandparents. They are each others lives as much as they are mine.
So I stand corrected, I am blessed, twice over, and I give my thanks for them.
I am lucky that I had been blessed with a son more than five years ago. The day he was born was the happiest day of my life. He continues to be the centre of my universe and not a day passes by when I don't look at him with wonder and awe and give thanks for the fact he is mine.
However, for a long time now, my husband and I have been trying for another child. Being unable to conceive again, I find myself in the position of the woman I described above. I keep reminding myself that it is not the same, as I have already been blessed with a child. I feel selfish and ungrateful for wanting another child when so many childless women out there would trade positions with me in a second.
But how do I begin to explain this need in the centre of my being for more children. I feel a void in my soul, an emptiness within me that I cannot explain. Its more than a craving, its a huge whole in my heart that is screaming to be filled. Even as I hold my son close, I feel that we, as a family are not complete as there should be more children around us. Our children. My children.
To lessen this pain, this longing, I fill my heart with guilt. I tell myself that I am truly selfish. Not only have I been blessed with my son, I have a neice who is practically mine, as she spends most of her time with us. I take a second look and realise, I have had two kids with me all this time, but I have been so blind. She calls me mum. Need I say more? Both she and my son are as close as siblings can ever be. They only have each other as they are the only grandchildren for both sets of grandparents. They are each others lives as much as they are mine.
So I stand corrected, I am blessed, twice over, and I give my thanks for them.
July 14, 2011
Quick Meals: Mushroom Stir Fry
Here's a recipe that I never tire of cooking. I love mushrooms. Any kind, any style. Plus, when it's this easy too prepare, well, it's a winner. This is especially a favourite of mine for a couple of reasons. One, its loaded with yummy tasty shrooms and more importantly, my son loves it!
1 can button mushrooms - sliced in half
100g oyster mushrooms - torn into big pieces
1/2 - 1 medium sized red onion - diced
4 cloves garlic - minced
1 cup full of chopped coriander
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbps olive oil
1 tbps butter (this is optional but my son loves the buttery taste!)
chicken stock or water - as needed
Heat olive oil in a pan. Sautee onion until it softens and lightly browns. Add garlic and sautee until fragrant. Add mushrooms and stir fry until soft. At this stage add a little chicken stock or water to aid the cooking process of the mushrooms. When done, add butter and mix evenly. Add pepper and salt to taste. Before removing from heat, add coriander and mix. Do not let the coriander leaves wilt too much.
1 can button mushrooms - sliced in half
100g oyster mushrooms - torn into big pieces
1/2 - 1 medium sized red onion - diced
4 cloves garlic - minced
1 cup full of chopped coriander
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbps olive oil
1 tbps butter (this is optional but my son loves the buttery taste!)
chicken stock or water - as needed
Heat olive oil in a pan. Sautee onion until it softens and lightly browns. Add garlic and sautee until fragrant. Add mushrooms and stir fry until soft. At this stage add a little chicken stock or water to aid the cooking process of the mushrooms. When done, add butter and mix evenly. Add pepper and salt to taste. Before removing from heat, add coriander and mix. Do not let the coriander leaves wilt too much.
July 7, 2011
How Do I Get There?
I feel that I am destined to get lost sometime soon. Literally I mean. This week has been about venue changes for my kids activities and that too at the very last minute. I got to know yesterday that my kids school performance for their Annual Day will not be held where it was initially intended to be. And this is for tomorrow! The Chinese Assembly Hall? Where's that? They did attach a map but, what? where? I guess I still have about twelve hours to figure out how to get there. Probably play tag with other cluless mums.
Then today, I find out that our weekly football practice will not be held at the usual venue due to "unforseen circumstances" (wonder who that troublesome joker is?) and that they have moved it elsewhere. Of course, a map was duly attached with the email they sent.
I wonder if I am the only one who has trouble reading these maps. They are never accurate and don't take into account all the changes and redirected routes that is a norm when living in a hyper-evolving city. Ever notice how a once familiar place looks alien only after a few months of not visiting it? Happens to me all the time.
So I am beginning to think that this is a sign. A sign that I should either give up driving once and for all or get myself a GPS? Okey, so giving up driving is a little bit drastic and out of the question. That leaves getting a GPS. A GPS may solve this imminent problem I have finding my way around this city. However, it would also give me something new to fret about. l would have to figure out how to program my destination into that damn thing! I am so doomed!
Then today, I find out that our weekly football practice will not be held at the usual venue due to "unforseen circumstances" (wonder who that troublesome joker is?) and that they have moved it elsewhere. Of course, a map was duly attached with the email they sent.
I wonder if I am the only one who has trouble reading these maps. They are never accurate and don't take into account all the changes and redirected routes that is a norm when living in a hyper-evolving city. Ever notice how a once familiar place looks alien only after a few months of not visiting it? Happens to me all the time.
So I am beginning to think that this is a sign. A sign that I should either give up driving once and for all or get myself a GPS? Okey, so giving up driving is a little bit drastic and out of the question. That leaves getting a GPS. A GPS may solve this imminent problem I have finding my way around this city. However, it would also give me something new to fret about. l would have to figure out how to program my destination into that damn thing! I am so doomed!
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