To all the Mothers out there

who keeps on grumbling and complaining that their children are a burden to them.
You said, they hinder your way to a great job, great career, late nights out with friends, freedom, great body. You said, you have no time to make up, no time for a me time, no time for everything else except your children.

Well, no child asked to be in your womb, to be born by you, they are God given. Well of course, you have the option not to have sex, but since you did, you jolly well be responsible for whatever that might comes out of it. Whether it is to test your limit or to bring you to be a better person, to pay your karma debt, or to drive you to your grave, they are your responsibilities.

If you are not ready to be a mother, then don't be, stay single, have your fun, go high all you want every second of your life, travel by foot, crawl or swim across the Atlantic and nobody will give a hoot. Since you opted this path to be a mother, be good one. Be there for your child. You can be a business woman or a career woman, but be a successful one. That means you have to have a great career and a happy family, if you failed on either one, especially a neglected family, you have failed big time.

Maybe looking at how my Mother raised us, I have a big expectations of how a Mother should behave. I think she is perfect in every single way. She wakes up the earliest and will be the last to sleep. I have never in my life wakes up earlier than her. My Mother doesn't swear. She doesn't show half her boobs or half her ass around. No matter how life gets tough for her, she never once took it out on us. That's when I realized that my Mother is the family's pillar of strength.

My Daddy is not an easy person, in terms of character; he is headstrong, omygod so stubborn. Mom is the one who has to deal with him the most. Mom stayed patient and patient and patient. Never once my Mom complained about Dad, never did she ever try to make us respect Dad any lesser. Then, I realised, the strong respect we have for both our parents is because we learned the deep respect they have for each other. This made us respect both of them even more. The family stayed on strong, despite of penniless or pennifull, because of my Mom. I often think I am the family's clown as I make the most noise, sings ba ba black sheep for no reason and makes Daddy laugh. After I grow older, looking at Mom, I am so sure she is our "開心果". Only because she stays cheerful all the time, we get to enjoy her vibe and follow on. In our house, I now recall, at the age of 28, I have never heard my parents shouting at each other. I have never heard a single vulgar uttered at home. The house is always always at peace. I can't imagine the turmoils my Mother, as the greatest Mother, held it all in, stayed sane and loving to all of us 3 children. You can't imagine, my Mother, as gentle as she is, stayed strong and true to what she thinks is best for us. You can't imagine, my Mother, as soft as she is, caned us to our feet when we are not behaving. No, I don't think caning is cruel, it is only cruel when it is used to vent your anger and not in the means to teach a lesson.

My Mother has an important rule that we abide by everyday of our life when we were staying with her (my brother and I left to study abroad after we ended Primary school). I used to wonder why we stayed so close as a family despite being constantly afar from each other, we picked up like we never been apart when we met.

Then I had a vivid memory of our time together each and every night for more than 10 years. Every dinner time, we had to be sure to have dinner together at 7pm. No matter where my Dad goes, he has to be back by 7. If he wasn't back, we will wait for him. If he was showering by 7, we sat down and waited. Dad has to have the first plate of rice, first start eating, for us to be able to start eating. That was an unspoken rule. This simple act of dinner, now I know is very very important. This is the only time we, as a family, after a busy day of working and studying, got to be together, to speak, to laugh, or just enjoy a quiet time, together, as a whole, all 5 of us. This is the time, Mom and Dad passed on their life stories, life values and all the things they repeat day in, day out as a summary. That is a minimum 1 hour each day for 12 years or so we spent together. How difficult it is for an hour a day to spent with our loved ones?

My Mother, always taught us to love, never to hate. Even when others have been mean to us, even when we have been wronged for things we never did, even when people misjudged us, misunderstood us, even when our other closest people forsake us and even when people wanted us to suffer for nothing. Mom told us always, don't hate, never hate. It makes me want to cry because I wanted so much like her not to hate and it pains me so much to see how people could try to hurt someone like her. My mother, she is wise and smart. When I have a 100 questions for her, she has 101 answers and advice ready for me, so that I will never go wrong. She is all about forgiveness and love. If only when I am a Mother, I can be half as good as her, my children will be the luckiest kid in the world, like we are.

For the modern Mothers out there:
Get away from the smart phones, as simple as that.
Stop complaining about your children are your burden, they are God given and remember, God can take them away from you anytime. Cherish the time you have with them.
Kids grow up very fast, there will be one moment soon, you will miss what you have missed, so take the time now not to miss out their milestones.
Listen to them, see what they see, look into their eyes as you speak.
Be patient, talk to them, answer them patiently.

Good luck dear all Mothers...

Siblings fight?

My parents run a restaurant back home and recently my Mom was asked by a very disturbed customer, a father, about his own kids. He said his kids are always fighting, about who gets to drive the better car down to who buys a better phone. Like us, they are 3 siblings. He said if one of them coincidentally got better stuff than the other, they would fight. Literally fight due to the unfairness. Mom was surprised they are at their 20s. This father was worried when he died, the siblings would break out in fight of his inheritance. I have a strong feeling they might, they just might.
Mom asked me if I ever got this jealousy feeling with my sister and brother. It got me recalled back to our childhood.
Our family had not much money to spare back then. Well, I am the luckiest as being the youngest, I was born into a family that was getting better. I didnt remember the difficult life for the most parts.
I remembered though how Mom bought things for us but she never did buy for all of us at once. Most of the times only one of us get new thing at one time. I get passed down handphones, clothes, watches from my sister. Nope, I honestly never thought it's unfair. Mom taught us never to be envious of others. She would patiently talked to us, reminding us of the life values that we should fight for and not these artificial values. 
Till today, we siblings give the best to each other. They are the closest people in my life. Why wouldnt they have the best from me? Who would have the heart to see their siblings fell downer anf felt happy? That's just utterly sick and selfish.
I remembered still a few years ago, me being me, asked Dad for an iPhone. I had just started work back then. I told Dad, you see everybody at work has it. Everybody got a new iphone and I dont. Dad shot me a look and he said simply in Hokkien, "No money then dont try to show off". Brought me back to earth that word did.

Long overdue pics of Sydney!!!

Went there early September, weather was just right. Sydney was as beautiful as I have ever remembered. The smell of the wind, the feeling of fond familiarity of the city was unbelievably incredible. Still missing it so today. Here are some of my most favorite photos! Enjoy!!

On the way to Orange Picking, Watkins Orchard

Seeing this picture bring tears to my eyes, haven't seen Daddy laughing so heartily in a while....

My fave pic with bro and *ahem* hopefully, future sister in law. We, I mostly love her to bits!!

All of us, my most favorite people in the whole wide world!!

Anddd... what is Sydney without my gang of loveliest friends????

So touched that they came all the way to City on my last night although it was a weekday. Love them all!!

Kinda tiring uploading them all up here, if you are interested, see them all here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151019227142117.424251.533702116&type=1&l=b839c050ab

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151026428937117.425424.533702116&type=1&l=6d5e5de4db

Tough kids

Seeing the way the kids behaved today reminded me of how my parents would have felt back then. With the strict and stringent way they taught us, I have to salute them we don't grow up hating them. Something they must have done right, will I ever be able to do it the right thing as they did? Seeing my closest niece and nephew behave, strangely familiar yet so unbelievably alien, I worry about how the future would be for my own kids next time.

Have a happy wedding life, Cuzzie!

He's an oxen, same age as me, with similar characters like me. One who seemed to be so indifferent by anything. I was in the same primary school and in the same class with him for years, watched him fight with his sister, all with the hair pulling and the biting. Didn't realise that he's now a grown man, I stood there watching his eyes grew misty when he kissed his parents, thanking them for their love and care. As he came down the stage, he saw me, I was surprised that he shook my hand, gave me a big hug and kiss my cheeks. He was so grateful for us coming all the way down for his wedding. I felt so appreciated and touched.

Here's to eternal happiness, may you two bring happiness to each other and everyone else's too....

Blue day...

Felt so blue today, upon reaching home to find that Mom is not here. The house is quiet once again, need to adjust again, hate the feeling so much. With Mom here, I have been busy catching up with her. So fast, she has been here for a month and none of us realised it. Everyone got a touch of her warmth, so it felt like something is missing. Poor Mom, she has to juggle 2 countries, luckily Bro is 7 hours away and she hates long flights.

Ahhh... hate this feeling!

All better!!

Emo time is over... Tomorrow is the chinese new year trip home, feeling both excited and dreading it at the same time. The reunion dinner this year will be with Dad's friends and their families, luckily I can come home in time to perk on their arms. This also means more judging and more stress for me. One biggest stress, I have no clothes! SO freaking fat that none of the clothes from my big wardrobe can fit nicely. SO not flattering!

Luggage has not been packed, April has not been showered as she is going for boarding tomorrow. Gonna miss ya babe!

CAtch up lata!

Reunion Weekend!

With aunts from both parents side are here, it's an endless reunion fun. Never ending food, shopping and definitely laughter. Linden is finally done up nicely, though not as gorgeous as I thought it would be, it has the longest renovation ever. One thing about the house that it has yard, something that I have forgotten that I love. April was running around happily, not even a snap as the kids were literally pulling her apart. Honestly, I had a thought of leaving April there with San-Gu, since they all love April to bits, but my selfishness still got the better of me. LOL...

Having the most fun!

Sparkling time

Pretending to sleep, they both are getting cheekier by day and this our little Mei Mei is a pretty good copy mouse.

Missing the kiddos

The house is so quiet, even April is so restless. Never knew that I could miss the 2 devils so badly. Usually the house is filled with Enrique complaining and Mei Mei whining, now it's so uncomfortably quiet. I appreciate the silence, as I have always found my peace in solitude, but it's too much too quiet now.

It's funny that Mei Mei is now attached to Dad the most. Just like that, Sherina is my successor to stick on Dad and tag along wherever he goes. She kisses Dad, asked Dad to play Lego with her, held his hand all the time. It's funny, really is, since she needs some time to warm up to people.

Just earlier on, Enrique insisted on calling me, so Mom helped him dial. He excitedly told me that they went to Fishing Village somewhere downtown and he caught a fish on his own. Mom and Sis said that the minute he caught it, he said he wanted to bring it to SG for me. Ah Yi sure would be very very happy, as I was quoted what was the first thing he said. It's truly very heartwarming I felt. At home, because he always talked back to me and so rebellious, I have always scolded him. Apparently, him being as innocent as he is, remembered me the moment he got something that I liked.

I have always prayed to God to give me the patience to help in guiding these 2 rascals, but sometimes I just get too tired to be patient with them. We all know that Enrique is misbehaving because he wanted attention, since we have been focusing on his sister; the more demanding one, the cuter one. In short, the shiny new toy. But, sometimes we can't help, but to lose it, expecting him to grow up, to be more understanding. Yet, when we think of it again, how grown up could he be? He is only 4 afterall.

So, God once more I ask of You, give me the strength.

So awww...

A nephew of mine recently got a scholarship for Sydney Uni. Hearing the news sends chills down my spine, in a good way. We are all so very proud of him, though I still cannot believe that I have got an 18 year old nephew and he isn't the youngest. Sure thing he worked the hardest, but it won't be possible without a good upbringing from the parents itself. Honestly, his mom, my cousin (in-law), isn't my favourite, but I have to admit that she brought up great kids. They have the greatest moral values and they are seriously a bunch of pretty polite teenagers. Something that I haven't seen for a long time in any family within this generation.For kids like them, any amount of money is definitely will be worth spending, because they showed the quality of how they can take care of themselves right from home.

As my Boss once told me, a good habit starts from home.

I believe today's parents biggest mistake is simply "buying" their kids with money. Can't blame them, because they are just too busy and money is the most efficient way to simplify things up. I have seen how money ruined children and they see their parents just as money-maker. Imagine when they aren't given or not given enough, they are going to rebel, drive everyone up the wall. When they aren't given money, don't even think to talk about love. It's a pity, really.