A Juggler

I am now a mother to 2 boys and I must say, it is tough being a mom and a career woman. I want to climb the career ladder and yet at the same time I want to do everything for my kids and family. I know I can do both and I know by doing both, I will one day collapse and resent myself.

A good friend told me it's OK to ask for help. I have help. My mom and my MIL and I have a maid. My husband does help with household chores and managing the kids esp with the elder one. I just cannot ask for help from my mom and MIL post 730pm on weekdays. To me, it is MY/ OUR responsility to look after our own kids. Not theirs. We choose to have kids, we need to figure out how to manage our time. I look at my mom and she is getting older each day. She likes to go to the mosques and reads the Quran and now is the time for her to do that. I know she loves her grandkids too but I can't take away what she likes to do while I work late or meet with friends or go to the gym after work. That to me is just wrong.

I know I will get through this. I know when hubby says he supports my decision to climb the career ladder, he is really OK with that. I cannot resent myself if I miss Baby Adik's milestones in his first year (like what I did with baby Abang). I must learn to accept that, come to terms with it and move on. There'll be many other milestones as my boys get older. I just have to make sure, I am there to see and experience them.

2010 - A Year to Remember

What a difference a year makes!

2010 I will never forget you. It's a year where there were so many joys, laughter and tough moments. We welcomed a new member to the family - Baby Adik is a National Day Baby. There were fireworks that night and we enjoyed the view from the hospital room - it was like a party, friends and their kids were making so much noise and the nurses left us to celebrate.

Baby Abang goes to Daycare. The first few months were tough; he cried almost everyday but now he looks forward to going to school, speaks too much and loves to sing and dance. Sometimes I wonder if he is growing too fast - seems like that to me based on the questions and things he says. Last night he told his Abah he wants to play with Abah's army friends' kids and asked if the kids were his age. Army friends?

I now have a sister-in-law. My elder brother decided that it's time to settle down - yes, after so many girlfriends and headaches he caused mom (and I), he ties the knot. Don't know whether it's scary; he married an Aries/ Tiger, my age and a few days younger than me! And we got along just fine. Few good things about him being married, we see each other at least once a week at mom's, we have dinner together and he finally listens to my opinions and not take it personally! He also goes to family weddings and visits - now that is a HUGE change.

I got myself a Ford Fiesta. Lime green - cheerful just like me. We moved offices and there was no way hubby could drop me off at work. We did our calculations and it's best for me to just get a car. It feels good to FINALLY have my own car! Yes, I did have a car when I was single but my late father put the deposit to that. Now it's mine! I must say this - I MISS MY MORNING RIDE WITH HUBBY!

2010 is also a year where we are reminded that life is not always smooth and we must always be thankful to Him for all He gives us and put us through. In April, 10 days before I left for a business trip I was asked to see my gynea immediately. It was a Sat and we were on our way to lunch when we got that call. The nurse said something about my baby. It was a very stressful 10 days after - going to the hospital to get some tests done and waiting for results. I was close to cancelling my biz trip and felt at ease the day before my trip. In Europe, I was unable to fly out of Cannes - thanks to the volcanic ash. I remembered waking up to get ready to go to the airport only to get a text message from a good friend informing me that the airport in Amsterdam was closed. That morning, I went for a walk by the beach and enjoyed the silence and sun. No volcanic ash in the air I thought.

I moved from Cannes to Milan hoping to get out of Europe. Milan, the fashion capital. I was greeted by Prada, Gucci, Furla, you name it but nothing excites me. All I want was to go home to my son and hubby. I remembered consoling a 40++ year old colleague - she was very upset to stay in a funky hotel! Yes, it was funky - imagine red lights along the corridor, black doors with graffiti and a huge orange bed at the lift lobby!

Still stuck in Europe, I had to get out. I looked at every possible flights and city that I could fly out from. Even thought of taking the cruise from Rome to Athens to get out. I got a call from Amloyd informing me there was a flight out of Milan but boss was against the idea of me traveling on economy. At that moment, I don't care. I just want to go home. I was upset but decided to just hang on. I finally got out of Europe via Rome. The 10hrs bus ride from Milan to Rome was back breaking and the minute SQ took off, I turned to my boss and told her I was going to cry. I felt my body relaxed and slept for the next 12hrs!

2010 is a very stressful year at work. Because of the short financial year, there were so many things that needed to be done. And because I was preggie, I need to finish so many things before I go on maternity leave. I remembered working on budgets and some other new business developments projects in May. I got up every morning at 4am to start work and since hubby was away, I thought I could go on like that. The day I submitted all my work, it was the same day hubby got home. The next morning at 4am, my water bag leaked and we made our way to hospital. Mom was crying when I left Baby Abang with her, hubby was very quiet throughout the trip and I had too many what ifs in my head. It was the most scary moment in our lives. In KKH I was restless. I remembered asking hubby if the hospital has wifi and he glared at me. He even refused to charge my BB for me. I deserved it. I was also concerned for mom because my elder brother was getting married the following week. I was supposed to help her with the wedding preparations and I added more stress on her. I was on hospitalization leave for 2 weeks. And if that is not all, I slipped and fell on my bump when I sent Baby Abang to school.

Everything was good until we got to end of July when Baby Abang caught HFMD. Like any parents, we were worried, what more I was due in 2 weeks. Abang was cranky, lost a lot of weight, thankfully still active.

I had a staff who resigned when I was on maternity leave. I think he did that to spite me. But he said he's going because he was offered better moolah. Good for him. I can now start bringing in a new blood and get new ideas going. Change is the only constant thing in life and one has to embrace change. If you cannot do that, then please go and not hinder others. I still have not found a replacement for him. Sometimes what you really want may not necessarily be what others want.

Just before I got back to work, mom sprained her arm and could not carry Baby Adik. Mon-in-law had to go for an operation and was not allowed to carry anything. I can't remember much but all I know is things worked out well for us and it's already been a month.

I've learnt from 2010 and am thankful for my family, friends, colleagues and most importantly my hubby. You know how stubborn and fiercely independent I can be and yet you continue to have that patience for me.

I want 2010 to end and I look forward to 2011. I pray that 2011 will be a smoother year for me. InsyaAllah.

Hot Topic

Since we moved to Lorong Chuan, the topics of conversation revolves around food, the location and how much our lives have changed. Our weekends are sacred - that precious time we have, we want to sleep in, spend time with family, friends but now, we wake up early on Sat to run our errands. We've been charged with late payments - phone bills, etc. We have to ensure we have enough money in our wallet because there is no ATM machine in our building! I have $80 in my purse for the longest time and it has been like that for many weeks. But when the weekend comes, I spend more - on food and things that I don't usually buy when our office was in town.

I still have not figured out how and when I can squeeze in some time to exercise and doing my errands on weekdays. I need to figure out how to do cash transfer online to another bank and figure out what time I need to leave the office to get to the nearest mall - I don't want to wait in the queue for that parking lot. So many changes and adjustments and I have not even shared with you changes from a professional front and physically!

While it can be hilarious listening to colleagues and friends talking about adjustments and the experiences they get when they go to the neighbourhood malls, it also made me realize how spoilt some of us are... me included.

Year 2010 has been nothing but changes and challenges and yes, some good moments. It's 28 days to end of the year... and while I can continue to moan and groan, I have to snap out of it and embrace these changes and challenges.

VW GTI, I Heart You

I got a taste of GTI on Thursday last week - and took that opportunity to drive to Adam Road for lunch. The feeling was orgasmic. It was a blast to drive. The car has a strong engine, is stable and definitely has oomph!

A few months ago, when I was looking for a car to buy, that was one car that I deliberately kept away from. I knew if I had gone ahead to test drive it, I would have bought it. If I had done that, it was simply because I gave in to temptation. I know hubby would be very happy because he had always wanted to get a GTI. Being practical helps, I moved away from all VW cars!

So when Chris offered his keys to me, how could I resist? I just had to get behind the wheel and feel the surge as I step on the accelerator. Do I want to get a VW next? The answer is no. I am saving for that dream car next.

Ready, Get Set, Go!

I went back to work today - I took 3 months maternity leave and will definitely take that Friday off for the next 20 weeks!

I have to admit, I was very excited. First day back at work, first day in the new office, first day driving a new route to work, first day dropping Irfan off at nenek's place. I couldn't sleep the night before. Each time I opened my eye, the first thing I looked at was the clock. At 530am when my alarm went off, I was on the go go go!

Straight to kitchen to prepare breakfast and dinner. Yes dinner. I was supposed to be on a conference call tonight and do not want to take it at nenek's place - because that would mean Abang, Abah and Adik will be home really late. So I decided to prepare dinner. It was chicken curry, fried vegetables and fishball soup for Abang. I had everything planned, down to what happens if Irfan cries on the way to nenek's place. Contingency plans in place. The only thing that was not finalized was the route to take to office. I decided to go via AYE-CTE and made it to work at a decent time.

Day 1 done. Day 2 tomorrow - need to find time to exercise in the morning. I realized tonight that whatever time I have in the evenings will be for the kids and later Abah. No night runs for now.

Conversation with Abang

Abang: Mama, are we going out today?
Mama: We are not. It is raining.
Abang: We can still go mama. I tell you. Abah take the car and we go under the shelter to wait.
Mama: huh?
Abang: We wait at shelter Mama, not wet and then get in the car. Can right Mama?

Baby Abang & Baby Adik

When I was pregnant with Irfan, Adli refused to be called Abang. He always addressed himself as Baby Abang and insisted that adik will be called Baby Adik. He would throw tantrums if anyone called him Abang. It was tough to convince him to change his mind.

Despite being toilet trained, he wanted to put on his diaper when he is with us at home. He claimed that if he wore his underpants, he would be an Abang and he wants to continue being the baby. We gave in - simply because I was tired of having to deal with a crying boy. I prayed hard and hope that he would change.

When Adli met Irfan for the first time, he was shy but came forward to kiss Baby Adik. Interestingly, he addresses himself as Abang when Adik cries and when he talks to his younger brother. Today he says diapers are for babies and he does not need one. He still wants to be cuddled like a baby but will only do so when Adik is asleep or playing on his own. When I asked Adli if he is still a baby, he said "Yes! But I am a Big Baby!"

Home Maker, Mom & Career Woman

I've enjoyed the last 3 months as a home maker and fulltime mom. I enjoyed seeing my baby grow, listening to my elder son's stories about school, his friends and playing with his imaginary toys, listening to hubby telling me about his work - everything.I'm happy to spend time preparing dinner and watching SEDAP almost every evening to get some interesting recipes to try. I made desserts - brownie, pulut serunding, serawa, naga sari... food that hubby and son love. I read and surf the internet. I met with gfs and kept abreast of industry and office developments. I spent time with mom and listening to mom's stories. I started exercising - and now I could run again. Today it took me 16mins to run 2km. Not great but it's a good start. I spent time by myself, to reflect and think of my next steps and plan for my future.

And I think I have enough of all of that. Now I want to go back to work. I want to get caught in traffic in the morning. I want to wake up early and enjoy the silence as I prepare breakfast for my boys and get my adrenalin running at 6am. I want to dress up, put on my make up and do my hair. I want to change my bags everyday and wear all those shoes in the storeroom!

Will I miss being a full time mom? No but I will definitely be very happy to take on that mom and home maker role every evenings, the weekends and public holidays.

What a Waste!

We were told we could take some office furniture home. I was in the office last evening to take some drawers and shelves – not for me but for my brother and sister-in-law. A few weeks back, they mentioned they wanted to get some furniture for their bedroom so timing was perfect.

I have to admit, there were a lot of furniture that are in good condition. The shelves and cupboards in my boss’s room were built like 7 months ago. Everything is so new and I was told that it will be destroyed. We are getting Helen Miller chairs in the new office – yes, each chair is about $1K and yet in the current office, we have so many other chairs that are still usable.

I remembered when we had our first office move meeting – we wanted to save as much furniture as we can and re-use our chairs. I don’t know what happened in July, all that changed. Now, in the new office, we are getting new chairs, new furniture, new microwave, new fridge – everything is new! I have not been to the new office but I do get an office reno update very often with pictures attached.

I asked our HR VP who was with me, why we didn’t auction off our stuff – or even organize Garage Sale. Monies collected can either go to charity or to staff welfare. She said something about the quotations that she received and they were not so great.

What?! It’s better than not getting anything at all.

Goodbye The Atrium, Hello Lorong Chuan!

Yes we are moving. We are joining HBO and ESPN at Lorong Chuan.
I was part of the office move committee and this was definitely not my choice. The building reminds me of Bestway Building and the office space had a weird smell. One of my colleagues did not like it either but when she saw the tennis court, that worked for her. I wanted an office in the East - closer to hubby and we even planned to move to the East to cut traveling time in the morning!

I said 'goodbye" to our office in Atrium at the end of July. In fact, I said goodbye to many things - convenience, shopping malls, Starbucks and yes that prata cafe downstairs! I am not a fan but when you are pressed for time, you just have to go downstairs to grab food. I'll be saying hello to canteen food - and I think I may get up early to prepare lunch.

I saw an email this morning regarding the office move - the critical dates, the standard message to use in our "out of office" response and suddenly I wish I am in the office to experience the chaos. The last time we moved out of Temasek Towers, the whole office was a mess, we had a party - streamers, paints, shredded paper strewn everywhere! I wonder if the same would happen here at the Atrium.
The email also wanted HODs to be in the office by 830am - (yeah right), the MD to send a welcome note between a certain time and the first phone rings at 9am. I bet it's all because of Fengshui - we did engage a Fengshui Master to determine where a HOD sits and what to avoid. I remembered HR asking HODs for their DOB - some did not give and I am one of them. One of my colleagues who gave her DOB was told to remain single and forget about getting married! How depressing is that?!

1st Nov - a new chapter kicks in for us all. And for me that would be Nov 9 when I'm officially back in office!

At Home and Bored

We are never satisfied. I have been on leave since last week July. The first week was to after Baby Abang and was very domesticated. The 9th day, I had enough. I went back to the office the day Baby Abang went back to school.I think if I continued to stay home I would be very angry at everything. I went back to the office on Tues. I enjoyed the company, the work and being at my desk! I'm such a loser! I know!!!

Today I decided to stay home.
I am doing work from home. I have read so many books and magazines, surf the net and even rented DVDs - I think I have watched 4-5 movies in 1 week. Of coz some of the movies are Japanese and Korean. A girlfriend commented - Korean again (like my first pregnancy) - yeah. The difference is the first one is Korean drama, the second is Korean movies :P

3 more days.... and a whole new chapter begins :)

More Challenges Before I Pop!

I thought I could spend the last week of my pregnancy at home - by myself most importantly, catch up on sleep, read and just chill. Baby Abang is down with HFMD today. Yes, HFMD. On the same day, I developed sore eyes. Baby Abang has been grouchy for the longest time - in fact since I was in my second trimester but this time round, he is such a grouch I have to keep my hands closely to myself. My hubby on the other hand, has so much patience, it's amazing how he does that. Alhamdullilah for that. Seeing how cool he is, I have to put in a lot of effort to stay cool too. That has not been easy.

I hope this is the final challenge during my pregnancy period. I hope I have become a better person with all these and insyaAllah whatever more challenges there are coming my way, insyaAllah, i'll get through it.

Countdown is always a countdown and it begins now!

Hear the Tiger Roar!

I walked into the meeting room for HOD meeting and my boss exclaimed - "Wah! You are so big already! When is your EDD again?" Told her and somehow in the conversation she said, I don't see a lot of pregnant women these days. Told her I disagree. She said Chinese do not like having a Tiger daughter for many reasons. We then went into an interesting discussion. In the end she asked "Why ah? You Tiger is it?" I said "yep" and she ended saying "There! I rest my case"

I walked right into it.

The Last Lap

I'm in my 8th month now. Other than feeling extremely tired, I think I am beginning to walk like a sloth too - slowly pushing my legs forward. I am in bed on most nights by 10pm - with Baby Abang and will be wide awake from 2am t0 4am. Half the time I'll be contemplating whether I should go online and do work or surf the net but I keep telling myself I need to relax and let my mind rest. I end up either praying or watching TV - like hantu TV alone in the living room.

At work I am still fiesty and thrive with all the stress. I know I have a deadline to meet and yet I continue looking forward to getting the work done. I have to admit also that I am worried - so much to do - can finish or not and of course having to deal with some colleagues who just do not want to do their jobs is infuriating!

I remembered when I was pregnant with Baby Abang - I was a lot more energetic, jovial, carefree, singing and watching Korean drama and crying while watching it. I loved that feeling.

With Baby Adik, I am fiesty, fast tempered, too practical, fierce/ stern and half the time don't tolerate to any nonsense. I do like listening to dance music too and am anal about keeping the house tidy! People ask me - do you have any cravings with this one - the answer is no - just like the first. Have I gained a lot of weight? 8 months pregnant and I've gained 10.5kg - just like the first one - not bad. The only difference is, my craving is a clean, tidy house! With baby Abang,I watched too much TV!

Every pregnancy is different and I have to agree. Have I enjoyed the journey? Yes I have. It has been a challenging one - one episode every 2 months and the last one in June was a real scare and post that incident, I do take extra caution. Despite all that, I love seeing the changes my body goes through (except my butt!!! urgh but all prep for giving birth!) I'll live with it but I do hope to be a "hot mama" in the future! We shall see!

I Betrayed My Nokia

I am a very loyal person - loyal to friends, to family, to colleagues, company and brands. I have been using Nokia phone from Day 1 - that was many years ago. I remembered once buying a Motorola mobile phone and that courtship was only 3 months. It was back to Nokia again.

Last Friday, hubby was adamant that I get my iPhone. He's been persuading me for the past 3 months or more and I have been reluctant. Practically everyone uses iPhone now and I do not want to be one of them. I succumbed and left everything to hubby to manage. I had to decide on the color - black or white, I chose black and insisted on a Fuschia Pink cover. He went round VivoCity looking for that cover. On second thoughts I should have insisted on a bling bling iPhone cover.

It's been 3 days and I am not a convert... yet. I finally read the manual and went online to read more about the phone and the applications. This morning I got really excited - that was at 5am (!) and I will definitely continue reading on iPhone tonight. Hope I can stay awake till late.

I guess I do not have a choice now. I just have to learn to use the phone and slowly love this new phone. Hubby will definitely not carry an iPhone, what more one with a Fuschia pink cover. He told me I am on my own and he will get a HTC phone. Wonder what his agenda is for getting me an iPhone. I guess I will have to wait and find out.

Milan to Rome to Singapore

The Milan office was great. My colleagues welcomed us with open arms and helped us through with everything - from meeting rooms to flights to restuarants and where to shop! What more can we ask for?!

I received a call from SQ informing me that they are gathering all their passengers and we were to leave for Rome on Monday evening at midnite on a bus. My boss and I left for the airport at 11pm and I have to say, when I got to Milan airport, everyone was very sombre. Perhaps it was late night. Got our boarding passes and on the double decker bus we go. I felt like the Vontrap family (not sure if the spelling is right but from the movie Sound of Music) leaving the country quietly and in the dark.

The bus journey was long - 9 hrs! Back breaking and not a great situation to be in for a pregnant woman. I tried to sleep and gave up in the end. Managed to see the sunrise in Italy and it was beautiful. Gosh, I traveled through Italy! Who would have thought?

The airport in Rome was chaotic. People were pushing, trying to get out and get in line. Lucky we managed to get our boarding pass sorted quickly. Then rushed to the VAT station to get our tax refund sorted. Gosh, the queue was long but did it anyway.
Finally got on the relief plane and made it home safely this morning - Alhamdulliah.

I have to admit that I hated the situation I was in - just the uncertainties of it all. Lucky I had colleagues with me and the blackberry we get constant updates from other colleagues who are stuck in other parts of Europe - each giving encouragement. Colleagues in UK called and emailed us often to make sure that we are all fine and yes, the social network Facebook is helpful too!

There are instances too where I feel that I should have just moved on with it but someone was against it... i shall keep that behind because ultimately, I made it home - safe and my family is relieved.

Cannes to Milan

Emirates called to say that our flight to Dubai is cancelled and off we go to Milan in a car. Mercedez Benz.. with a driver who got us into Milan safely and he took only 3hrs. Not bad.

The car costs us Euro 1400 and I have to admit, I was comfortable. We are staying in this hotel called Nhow - a very groovy, MTV like, stylized hotel. Not sure how I feel about it but I am not particularly picky - as long as the bed and toilets are clean, I am completely fine. I had to console my 44 year old colleague who just cried and cried when she got into the hotel. She hated it as it was too groovy for her. I don't blame her. There is a red wall in your room and the corridors are so dark - it makes us feel like we are in a prison cell!

I have never been to Milan and coming from Cannes and into Italy, the difference in country, people, language, culture is a huge difference! I'm in the fashion capital and there are just so many brands/ designs to look at! My goodness. I went into the oldest shopping mall - right now I cannot remember what it's called and they have Gucci, Miu Miu, Chloe - all my fav brands lined up next to each other. I was in awe.

I saw the famous Dumou Di Milano, it took my breathe away.

I do have some time tomorrow. No point crying in the hotel room and stressing out over flights routes, I should just enjoy being in Milan and continue to pray that all goes well and i get home soon. Meanwhile, Dumou, see you tomorrow! Will spend time there during lunch hour. Will be working in the Milan office.

Ciao!

Complacency or Just Plain Stupid

I got a earful from the Jules, our programming head today over dinner.
He could not believe that whatever route I am looking at now with our travel agent, I was also looking at costs. I am not the only one, my colleague from Oz does the same and when I spoke to the other Singaporeans who are here, they too are concerned with costs!

Jules stared at me and Deirdre (from Oz) in disbelief and kept reminding me the company will pay for all the travels and accommodation. He said, we are both stupid to keep thinking of how much this whole episode would cost us.

I also think because of our mind set, we look at various flight route out of Europe. If only I had thought of Dubai or Doha or Istanbul first, I would have been home already. Oh well. It's done.

We met today to find a Plan B - if our flights get canceled tomorrow, we will be on our way to Milan. Human Resources have been contacting us and wants us to be in one place and the best solution is to get to Milan by car (5hrs drive from Nice) and stay in Milan for the next few days and work from the Milan office.

Apparently the airport in Milan is also closed but will open by Weds/ Thurs. We'll see.

Again I am thankful that I have a great boss and colleague to see me through. If I have been on my own, I would be very much affected by this whole adventure.

Ash Weekend

It's been 3 days and more flights are cancelled.
I was supposed to leave for Zurich this morning, the flight was cancelled last evening.

While I am still optimistic and continue to look at various options to leave this beautiful French Riveria, I am telling myself to accept whatever that comes my way. I am disappointed - you may wonder why. I've been here more than 15 times - so I have seen enough. The Europeans love the sun, drinking champagne by the beach and enjoying the sea view. While I love being in the sun and the cold wind, I need to be occupied and doing some things. Shopping is out of the question now - things are not cheap and I have packed. And I miss my family back home.

I had a good time last evening with my colleagues from UK and Australia. I am really blessed to know them and knowing that we care for each other. Our programming head for all Nick channels was up all night sorting out various routes/ flights for all his programming members. He was adamant I stay put and not try my luck via Frankfurt. Frankfurt air traffic is now closed.
My UK colleagues left this morning at 3am - car ride to Paris and later on Eurostar train to London. Hope all goes well on their end.

This experience is just so surreal. I'm sure when we meet again next time we'll be talking about our experience and be thankful that all are well.

I don't know my next destination at the moment - latest update - Rome air traffic is now closed.

Stranded in the French Riveria

I've been awake since 3am this morning - in Cannes.
My 6am flight to Amsterdam was cancelled and Schipol airport is closed. Apparently all airports in North of Europe will be closed for the next 48hrs.

For the past 3 hrs, I have been on the phone looking for various routes out of Nice. Munich, Barcelona, Zurich, Frankfurt. The last one is the best option - there are 3 flights a day from Frankfurt to Singapore on a daily basis. Chances of getting on a flight there is higher.

In my hotel room now, I have been glued to BBC - I should change channels right but everything is in German/ French and I'd rather watch BBC. It's pretty depressing knowing that thousands of flights are being cancelled and thousands more are stranded in airports. I know several people who are stranded in Schipol.

I was so looking forward to going home - back to hubby and my son. My lil one has been unwell for the whole week and hubby has been tired staying up on most nights as the lil one is coughing. It makes a lot of difference to hear the small one sings on the phone - still cheerful and playful.

I keep taking to my lil one in my tummy - and busying myself with work. Some friends who are still here suggests a day trip to Monaco or Grasse but I'll pass. I've been to both places many years ago and my mind is set on going home only.

One step at a time. An interesting ride ahead.

Second Pregnancy

I am 5 months into my second pregnancy already and I have been on long haul flights twice. There is another one next month and I don't think I will be able to get through that. It's Los Angeles and I saw one of the itinerary - American Idol show! I know!

I have to admit, the second pregnancy is unlike the first one. I am a lot more tired, fatter (I think) though many friends, colleagues and distributors do not agree with me. It does take a lot of mental strength to tell myself that I can get through all the meetings scheduled during the week. I cannot believe it's only Tuesday - I feel like I have been here ages already!

I'll get through for sure...I just need to learn to acknowledge that I am tired and listen to my body.

A Scary Episode

My hubby fainted on me last Sunday.. at the carpark.
He is currently on crutches - stretched ligament.
Before he passed out, he told me he could not see a thing, he eyes turned white and off he goes.
I had him leaning on my body and holding on to my lil one... calling my brother and sister for help.
The only thing I wanted to do was cry then - I didn't. Luckily, the whole episode lasted for like 5mins and he was conscious again.
I blame it on the medicine that the doc gave him - we were at NUH Emergency Unit on Sunday.

I am supportive of hubby's interests and usually let him do what he likes. Right now, I feel like telling him to STOP playing soccer. I've had a few scares already - acute chest pains, fractured finger, now the ligament. The fainting incident tops it all. I won't tell him now - he is short fused because of the pain and being immobile but will tell him later when he starts walking on his own and becomes his usual self.

Have a Little Faith

If you have not read this book by Mitch Albom, I recommend you do so.

But my blog today has nothing to do with the book I read but my recent exeperience on a flight to Jakarta.
We were hit by a turbulence - nothing new but what annoyed me most was there were Indonesian ladies, screaming and holding on to each other tightly. As a result, I teared... and I blame that on those women! I can be void of emotions at times and I have to admit this experience did affect me.

While I prayed that all of us will get off the plane safely, I wished I could tell those women to stay calm and pray. What do you get when you scream? You irked other passengers and it's not as if the birds could help you or the cloud could cushion your fall.

Have a little faith - regardless what your religious beliefs are. It helps when you pray.

Deja Vu

This week has been a tough week - mentally, physically and emotionally demanding.
Started off the week knowing the fate of some of my colleagues. Deja Vu.

It's done. I have a headache and all I want now is to leave the office soon.

Challenges

A girlfriend recently told me I am living in denial.

Perhaps I refuse to acknowledge stress. Stress do exist I'm sure but I prefer to say that I am challenged and not stress. I take on each challenge and will always find a solution to each situation. It gets mentally tiring and some times it gets emotionally draining. I don't think I can ever stop finding a solution to situations - I guess I am so used to that thought process, it just comes naturally.

2010 - A Year of Changes

My lil one goes to a full daycare/ nursery on Monday. That's a big event for us all and changes to our daily routine begins.

He now needs to get dressed and have breakfast before he goes to school.... which probably means my morning "me" time is no longer mine. I may have to get up at 530am now:)

I cannot work long hours or late - have to leave the office by 630pm at the latest and that's a huge change! I cannot remember the last time I left office that early!
I guess I'll continue working from home when the lil one goes off to bed.

I'm getting another maid for mom. Yes, my heart aches each time I hear her tell me how tired she is from doing housework and how quiet the house is when my 2 brothers are not home!

InsyaAllah (God's willing), my elder brother is getting married this year. He seems really serious with this one. Good for him.

And.. InsyaAllah we can start calling the lil one "Abang" and then everything changes!