One Down… February 17, 2012

This year, when I listed my New YEar’s Resolution, my fren, Pam picked up on my Ukulele dream and said : Let’s do it!

So thanks to Pam, I’m now learning how to play the ubber Cool, ubber Cute UKULELE!!!

There is nothing quite as inspiring as learning a new skill. Really. It makes me feel young again…and challenged. It’s not so easy – okay, easier than a guitar since it’s only got 4 strings instead of 6 – but it still requires finger dexterity, full concentration and yes, some memory work as well.

Now that I’m only at Lesson 2, I think I’ll just have to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Life is a learning journey. Lots to learn.

And by the end of this journey, I so wanna be able to play ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. I lurve that song!

Raising Children February 4, 2012

There can never be a good enough manual to raising kids. They are born to humble us, that’s for sure. To teach us to be self sacrificial and giving.

Any time you have with your teen, you really grab it by the horns and make the most of it. With teens, you just have to wait for them to open the window of opportunity. And when they do, you drop everything to listen to them. And sneak in your words of wisdom.

You see, children are fully your responsibility. No one else can raise them but you, the parent. The values you own, you work hard to instill in them. And when they’re young and malleable, you make sure you do as much brainwashing as you can!

You only get one chance and you jolly well don’t screw it up.

They’re pretty much like Property. You lay the foundation from the start to get it right. A good solid foundation ensures that the form stays solid and upright. A weak one will crumble and give way.

So when your children are aged 0-12 years, the impressionable innocent years, that’s the time you don’t foul up. Once they become teens, their friends’ influence hold more weight. You want to make sure all that foundation laid in the early years have sunk into their minds, bodies and souls so that they don’t get swayed by bad influence.

A parent’s job is never done. Even when you’re 70 and your child is 40, you’ll still be nagging and trying to teach them and treating them like your baby.

Isn’t life just wonderful?

The Female Form January 18, 2012

Gotta admit that us women are a complicated lot. And sensitive too.

But if you really consider our complexity, women would be without doubt, the Peacemaker, the Unifying Force and the Nurturer..just to name some key roles we play.

Anything to do with the kids and childraising, it’s us heavily involved. When it comes to responsibility over the parents, it’s largely the daughters in the picture. When it’s about female friendships, well, there is nothing more powerful then the bond of galpals.

I marvel that we can hold so many hats and not go insane. Or maybe we have and that’s why the Males complain they never  understand us womenfolk.

I’m glad to be a woman. I’m glad we dwell into our emotions, we express them and we cry when it hurts. I’m especially glad to be a Singaporean woman where opportunities are a plenty and we have so much freedom to do as we wish as educated independent individuals.

I feel very fortunate. A Fortunate Female Form.

 

First Week of LTW January 14, 2012

I’ve been doing pretty well. Admittedly, Calorie Counting is kinda fun. Helps loads to know what I’m taking into my body and making sure if I DO overconsume, then I jolly well burn those extra calories!!

Here’s the Bible Journal that’s going to be with me EVERYDAY for the next 12 weeks. So far so good. I also have downloaded the HPB IDat Apps that helps me monitor my food intake and my exercise activity. It’s kinda cool.

Yeah. Today I overdid it and ate more than my targeted 1200 calories per day. But it’s ok. I under ‘calorised’ for the last 2 days so all evens out. I hope.

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So far, I’ve been enjoying salads, noodle soups, yoghurt, lotsa fruit and healthy snacks,  and yet had the rare treat like Love Letters and Heibe Hiam(shrimp roll). Not too bad. 1 week down and 11 weeks to go!!!(hope my cough recovers fast coz I already had to miss my 2nd exercise class today

Losing to Win! January 8, 2012

And so my weight loss programme begins…tomorrow. I’ve gone and done it. I signed up for the Lose to Win programme organised by my company for the staff. That would mean 12 weeks of physical activity(twice a week, not counting my other 2 classes of TBT and Party Jamz), 4 sessions on Nutrition and 4 sessions on Mental Health. Yup, I’d need to keep my sanity through this all.

The exercise I can take. It’s the dieting that will be the toughest. But I know through sheer will power, I can do it. That’s why for the last 3 days…I’ve been gorging on love letters, karas karas, sesagoon and other lunar new year goodies. Starting tomorrow, it all STOPS!

I'm giving up all these CNY goodies!!!

My target is to lose 5 kg. 8 kg will be my over-achieving aim. But I’m a Realist. I aim to be a fitter, toner, healthier happier Jo by early April 2012. With a BMI below 22.

Follow me in my journey…..but more importantly, wish me luck!!!

What’s In Store for 2012 January 3, 2012

This is a summary of my plan for the New Year:

1. Simplify my life ie

Shop less. Make do with less. Waste less. This would hopefully mean spending less and saving the earth more.

2. Bake and Cook more ie

I believe the Kitchen is the Heart of the Home and Family. So with this ideology in mind, the focus is on FOOD! It’s not about eating more, it’s about how relationship building always involves food. We gather for special occasions with family around meals, we meet up with close frens at lunch/tea/dinner/supper.

So imagine how great it would be if I could cook and bake well!! Everybody would love coming to my kitchen! Plus it’s a wonderful feeling sharing what I’ve made with frens and colleagues.

3. Strike a better work life balance ie

Singaporeans are workaholics. Working overtime is the norm in our country where we also fall real low on the Happiness Index. This is sad when there are so many other priorities in life. Like Enjoying Life. I’m not supporting lazy work attitudes, just that one needs to realise – like how the Europeans do it – that there’s a time to chill and unwind to get the batteries recharged.

4. Spending more time with Family ie

There is nothing more precious than having healthy loving relationships with loved ones. When you’re the sandwich generation, that means bonding on both sides – with the young and the old.

Knowing that time is not on the side of my folks, I’m gonna try to take them out more, enjoy our time together more and make lasting memories as far as I can.

With my boys, it’s about making sure they know I’m there for them no matter what; that I’m their mentor and guide, letting them grow to be independent, gracious and respectful young men who take responsibility for whatever decisions and actions they make. I want to be a big part of their life at every stage of their growth; and I hope they will want me to be a big part of theirs too.

5. Do more for the causes I believe in ie

For me, I have a softness towards the young who aren’t so fortunate. Those with less opportunities and from dysfunctional backgrounds. It’s tough doing this when I also want to prioritise time with my family. I hope to be able to merge both wants and expose my kids to the less privilege, teaching them about compassion and empathy.

6. To be more prayerful ie

Pray more. Listen to my God more. Take time to stop and smell the roses. We rush around everything and get so caught up with this life overloaded with information that we sometimes forget to listen to our hearts and to our Creator.

CHRISTmas! December 26, 2011

Of all the festivals/celebrations in the year, the one I really look forward to is Christmas. Why? Simply coz Christmas warms my heart.

In what way, I can’t really spell out. It just is a special time of the year, made better by the fact it’s at the end of the year. Also coz in December, things are real quiet in the office and it seems one has more time for preparations. Lurvelee!

It’s also great to be timed when bonuses are dished out. So buying Christmas presents don’t seem so tough on the wallet. See? So many reasons.

My typical Christmas routine starts on the Eve when everyone knocks of work at half day, then does the usual last minute shopping and collection of orders for turkey/ham/roasts etc. It’s MADNESS! Roads are congested, carparks jam packed, queues looOOOoooong, yet we still indulge in it.

This year, my Christmas Eve was spent from 11am to 4pm on the roads making pick ups of orders for cakes and hams and pies, to delivery and some last minute purchases. It was CRAZY! Aggravated by xiao(crazy again) weather which was minutes of torrential rain, some light drizzle and then heavy downpours again at intervals of 20-30 minutes. Needless to say, I’ve fallen sick

But with all that chaos comes the chillaxing at homes on Christmas day itself. Usually it’s lunch at the In-Laws, then dinner with the folks. It’s nice to just indulge in good food and wine, chit chatting, watching the kids go berserk opening presents, lurving the gifts you get them(some, not all) and the general happy moods of many.

Gift Opening

I lurve Christmas. It’s sometimes tough remembering why it’s so important…..the birth of Christ Jesus…when we are the benefactors of all the presents due to Jesus.

Letter to 16 Year Old Me December 18, 2011

There’s this cool book by this title that has celebrities and other famous people who write to their own self, remembering themselves at 16.

I’d write this to my 16 yo self….

 

Dearest Jo,

16 ain’t hard. Unlike what some people may tell you about being teenage crushes, self doubt, peer pressure, you’re a stable 16 year old. Very stable.

The friends you make at this age, rest assured, you’ll still hold on to many of these friendships when you’re in your 40s. Must be a dog thing. Your commitment to your friends holds true to your undoubtedly loyal self. You’ll treasure them, as all women should treasure galpals. The men may come and go, but the women…they’ll hold up for you.

You will have moments of doubt of your ability as a mom, wife, career woman. Your self esteem may hit an all time low, but don’t worry, you’ll get over it. While you may wallow in some self pity(that’s ok but not too long), you’ll realise that optimism works best for you. You’ll also realise how true your friends are who support you and hold you up high in your weakest moments.

Always remember to count your blessings coz your life will indeed be blessed. Life may not turn out the way you planned in your 20s but it’ll still be a good one. You’ll have a fun exciting job that takes you out to other worlds and cultures, meeting varied interesting personalities and characters. Some will remain, some will leave. Each of these people will no doubt impact your life in some way…the good, the bad and the ugly. No matter how ugly, you’ll learn to make the most of it and turn it into a learning lesson. Even if it means learning what NOT to be.

There’ll be many mistakes made along the way but that’s alright. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Remember always the most important people in your life: your parents who brought you up, your husband who loves you and your children who will drive you up the wall but still depend on you to make them good people.

You have a heart so filled with love and generosity and curiosity. Keep that spirit flowing so that others will see you blossom to become a witty, self assured, assertive woman. I love you for who you are and what you will be.

Love and kisses,

Your 41 yo self.

Anxious December 13, 2011

I can’t begin to tell you how eagerly I await our move to 26. It is so forseeably soon in the future, yet it seems so far away!

The target is February. I’m thinking end Feb is likeliest. But what with all the horrible rain these past few month stalling the roofing etc, plus with the Christmas and Chinese New Year festivities, perhaps I’ll realistically look upon March. March seems a good month. Just like April starts the Financial Year, maybe March gives me a good start to the governmental way of life too.

Whatever month it may be, I’m EXCITED! I AM!!! I can’t wait to have a clean brand new home. A new KITCHEN!! OMG, time to bake and cook!!! I’m spending so much time on the kitchen design, I forget there’s the other 70% of the house to consider.

BUT this is gonna be my hangout. THIS is gonna be my place of refuge, my solace, my very reason for being rooted. After

Another close option

all, isn’t food the binding force behind every home? Yes. So it shall be. PERFECT!

I go to bed thinking of my kitchen. I wake up dreaming of it. This is how lurve is. I am so gonna lurve my kitchen!!!

My color theme

Everyday Lessons December 8, 2011

My fren, Yong, posted this and I had to share it. We wizen up with added years and we learn that so many things we just gotta learn to let go…and not bother lest we become cynics for life. So here’s lessons to be learnt and remembered. I shall post them on a daily basis too. One for every day. Thanks, Yong!!!

1. There comes a point in life when you get tired of chasing everyone and trying to fix everything, but it’s not giving up. It’s realizing you don’t need certain people and things and the drama they bring.

2. If a person wants to be a part of your life they will make an obvious effort to do so. Don’t bother reserving a space in your heart for people who do not make an effort to stay.

3. If you want to fly, you have to give up the things that weigh you down – which is not always as obvious and easy as it sounds.

4. Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing.

5. Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success. You don’t fail by falling down. You fail by never getting back up. Sometimes you just have to forget how you feel, remember what you deserve, and keep pushing forward.

6. When you get to know people with different ethnic backgrounds, from different cities and countries, who live at various socioeconomic levels, you begin to realize that everyone basically wants the same things. They want validation, love, happiness, fulfillment and hopes for a better future. The way they pursue these desires is where things branch off, but the fundamentals are the same. You can relate to almost everyone everywhere if you look past the superficial facades that divide us.

7. The more things you own, the more your things own you. Less truly gives you more freedom.

8. While you’re busy looking for the perfect person, you’ll probably miss the imperfect person who could make you perfectly happy. This is as true for friendships as it is for intimate relationships. Finding a companion or a friend isn’t about trying to transform yourself into the perfect image of what you think they want. It’s about being exactly who you are and then finding someone who appreciates that.

9. Relationships must be chosen wisely. It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company. There’s no need to rush. If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason.

10. Making a thousand friends is not a miracle. A miracle is making one friend who will stand by your side when thousands are against you.

11. Someone will always be better looking. Someone will always be smarter. Someone will always be more charismatic. But they will never be you – with your exact ideas, knowledge and skills.

12. Making progress involves risk. Period. You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.

13. Every morning you are faced with two choices: You can aimlessly stumble through the day not knowing what’s going to happen and simply react to events at a moment’s notice, or you can go through the day directing your own life and making your own decisions and destiny.

14. Everyone makes mistakes. If you can’t forgive others, don’t expect others to forgive you. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you.

15. It’s okay to fall apart for a little while. You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well. You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears. The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.

16. We sometimes do things that are permanently foolish just because we are temporarily upset. A lot of heartache can be avoided if you learn to control your emotions.

17. Someone else doesn’t have to be wrong for you to be right. There are many roads to what’s right. You cannot judge others by your own past. They are living a different life than you. What might be good for one person may not be good for another. What might be bad for one person might change another person’s life for the better. You have to allow people to make their own mistakes and their own decisions.

18. Nobody is perfect, and nobody deserves to be perfect. Nobody has it easy. You never know what people are going through. Every one of us has issues. So don’t belittle yourself or anyone else. Everybody is fighting their own unique war.

19. A smile doesn’t always mean a person is happy. Sometimes it simply means they are strong enough to face their problems.

20. The happiest people I know keep an open mind to new ideas and ventures, use their leisure time as a means of mental development, and love good music, good books, good pictures, good company and good conversation. And oftentimes they are also the cause of happiness in others

21. You can’t take things too personally. Rarely do people do things because of you. They do things because of them.

22. Feelings change, people change, and time keeps rolling. You can hold on to past mistakes or you can create your own happiness. A smile is a choice, not a miracle. True happiness comes from within. Don’t make the mistake of waiting on someone or something to come along and make you happy.

23. It’s much harder to change the length of your life than it is to change the depth of it.

24. You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.

25. When you stop chasing the wrong things you give the right things a chance to catch you.

26. One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you like everyone else.

27. Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things.

28. Anyone can make a difference. Making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world.

29. Everything is a life lesson. Everyone you meet, everything you encounter, etc. They’re all part of the learning experience we call ‘life.’ Never forget to acknowledge the lesson, especially when things don’t go your way. If you don’t get a job that you wanted or a relationship doesn’t work, it only means something better is out there waiting. And the lesson you just learned is the first step towards it.

30. Regardless of how filthy your past has been, your future is still spotless. Don’t start your day with the broken pieces of yesterday. Every day is a fresh start. Each day is a new beginning. Every morning we wake up is the first day of the rest of our life.