Fa lalalala lalalala

I think it’s an understatement to say the girls enjoyed the Christmas holidays.

They received so many presents that my house looks like a messy toy shop :(. They’ve just been playing and playing for days on end.

We had an Aldi Christmas lunch, which made it fuss free but not as delicious I feel?

My little girls decorated the house on their own, they’re big now, my little girls. Sigh. Life is much easier now that they’re so independent, but they’re growing up so quickly!

We met up with old friends, friends that have known us since uni days when we are not even married and definitely childless. Now we all have kids, partners, jobs. Adulting isn’t easy, the year of job change hasn’t resulted in positive changes for my friends and it reminded me that 3 months in, I’m lucky to feel the way I feel about the new job. But I’m also reminded of how fleeting it can all change in a blink of an eye. I guess the difference is now we handle change and how we react to it ?

These Christmas holidays have been great because we spent so much time together as a family, something like having KFC for lunch became a sweet memory. We also shopped a lot! Spending money like water in preparation for the upcoming holiday, sometimes it’s more fun just anticipating the holiday rather than the actual holiday itself. The luggage has been sitting half packed in our living room for ages, the kids are excited just opening their little carry ons and putting silly toys in.

It’s very difficult to 收拾心情 and prepare for the last week of work next week! But I had better get round to it this weekend or I know I will regret it. Sigh, ah well at least we had a wonderful Christmas in 2022. One of the best ones yet.

Jingle all the way

What a jam packed Christmas Eve! Spent the whole day shopping, eating and hanging out with the kids. It was a really fun way to start the Christmas holidays, we’re all in holiday spirits as well because we’re flying back to Malaysia soon.

Egg tarts were so yummy and delicious. I love dim sum and could probably eat it every other day. It’s especially fun when I go with my sister who is also a foodie.

Saitaomei is all grown up nowadays, becoming a sassy little girl.

The sweet and tenacious big sister. She’s such a great help around the house , I taught her to wash dishes today and she now tells me it’s her new favourite hobby!

Christmas is almost here woo hoo !!

The girls are sad that Jingle the elf is leaving to go back to North Pole. Thank you for coming to our lives Jingle, we’ve really enjoyed having you and the girls adore you to bits. We will see you next year!

Tristan is 10

Friday was great because we had some comforting Kuching food for dinner. Tbt work week started off bumpy, I was feeling tired and conscious about my cough, it was possibly the first week that I wasn’t that keen about work. It ended with my boss telling us about his resignation, I wasn’t surprised but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

I felt relieved when I heard the news? A tad disappointed that I wouldn’t get to learn more from him because he is a wealth of knowledge and has so much experience in this sector. But yes, relieved too because I’ve been thinking that he’s the one thing that makes me feel uneasy about my new job. It’s weird, I feel grateful towards him, but somehow we are such different people, with such different values that I was worried that I would never be at ease or comfortable with him.

Anyway I think it will all turn out fine in the end. I’m feeling positive.

My nephew turned 10 today, it feels like it wasn’t that long ago when he was born and I visited him at the hospital and met him for the first time. And just like that a decade has flown by.

The cousins had a bubble filled picnic at the playground, I hope the birthday boy had a wonderful day. His parents made sure he was celebrated and he is so loved.

The girls love it whenever it’s one of the kids’ birthdays, they have been counting down to Tristan’s birthday and enjoyed helping to wrap his present.

I know it won’t be long before my big girl turns 10 too, I’ve promised her her own bedroom and a new home by the time she’s 10, I sure hope I can keep my promise!

A week that ends with lots of family time is a good week. I’m glad we ended it with bubbles, sunshine and cake.

Work hard play hard

I’m beginning to get a glimpse of how tough it must be for performers like singers and actors to ensure that their throats and voices are at optimum level every single day. I’ve done more public speaking in the past month than I have in the past three years, or possibly even the past decade of my career.

I’ve been fighting the germs from the kids and worrying about developing my usual huge hacking coughs that never go away. I’m not quite at that stage yet but it’s still scary because I have quite a few more presentations to go!

I am not a fan of public speaking at all, I used to hate it and it was one of my ultimate fears. I just hated being in the limelight and having everyone look at me. I still don’t enjoy it but I no longer fear it or think I’m very bad at public speaking. I guess I have to thank Toastmasters for that boost in confidence. I want to get a lot better and know that there is definitely lots of room for improvement. It would be nice to become a natural public speaker, it’s my goal to get there someday.

I told my colleague the other day that my new motto is to work hard and play hard. I will give it my all at work but I will never take my family life for granted and will also play hard, make memories with the kids and be as present as possible for them. I’m not going to skint on life comforts or holidays, I’m determined to play hard during my time off and make the most of it ! There’s no point in working hard if you don’t reap the rewards of your work right ?

What a day

A day with a full swing of extreme highs and lows. Even though I’m ending the day with low spirits, I still want to document it as I think it’s a day to remember.

I had an important work presentation today, one that came at very late notice and I didn’t think would be happening so soon. The thought of being streamed live across the globe to all the employees and big wigs was daunting. And yet I felt like I prepared for it well and was less nervous than I thought I would be. I chatted to others and tried to make another nervous speaker relax by making her laugh. I was determined to appear relaxed, confident and to knock the socks off the C suite. And amazingly, I think I did, except I have no recollection of what I said at all! I received many compliments from strangers and colleagues, the CFO himself who was the MC of the event commented that I had great public speaking skills. Even now, I don’t know whether the compliments are for real and I can’t help but think, maybe people are just being nice ? I wish I had more confidence in myself, but that is a work in progress.

Then the day continued with more presentations, less well received not because of my delivery but the content itself is controversial. I am sadly used to this because this is what I’ve been through for 3 years. Our topic is so polarising that I’m used to big reactions and angry people. Maybe it’s a positive thing that I’m almost immune to this and it doesn’t bother me the way it used to. Is it because I’m getting paid more ? That could be it, if your hard work is rewarded with recognition, or appreciation whether in the form of kinds words or monetary gains, it makes it all the more worthwhile. I am getting so much more of this in my new workplace.

Made it to the children’s Christmas concert. Their dancing was delightful and the other mums were so nice to save a seat for us right in front of the stage. I know their generosity towards us is due to the kindness and popularity of my parents who are generous to a fault.

This was marred by the annoying husband who didn’t make it to the event, mixed messages, late work all contributed to him not making it. I don’t blame him for not coming, he couldn’t help it, but I am furious that he is so poor ar communication and has that lack of care and respect towards his family. There are those who are more polite and respectful toward mere acquaintances and not their closed ones, because if you’re family, you’re taken for granted and it’s assumed there’s no need for extra care. You’re family so you will understand? You’re family so there is no need for thank yous and sorrys?

That’s something that I will never allow my children to do. I know that they take their grandparents love for granted because they’re showered with an abundance of love and care. But I always remind the kids to not take their grandparents for granted, that they’re very lucky, and that they should appreciate my parents and show their appreciation. Say your thank yous and mean it.

It’s too late for my husband and I’m not his parent. I let it rip tonight but I’m still seething. Sigh. I’ll get over this anger soon because I know that an angry household is not good for the family and the kids.

But yes, a day of extreme highs and lows. Oh what a day and am I glad it’s over.

Christmas in the air

These funny girls acting as if they are going some where far away with their luggage carriers. But they were only going a house away for a staycation at their grandparents!

Because papa and mummy were going for their respective Christmas work parties! Mine was disco themed and the company went all out, but to be honest, I just wanted to go home. It’s no fun when you hardly know anyone plus I’m not much of a dancer so all I wanted to was be at home in comfy pjs! Next year I’m definitely only going to go when R can make it with me because it’s much more fun going with your partner. My team member and I ended up hanging out with each other because we are both introverts hahaha. Both R and I had an early night and were done by 10pm!

The weather was sunny and bright so I decided that we should head out for some vitamin D and a picnic.

R laughed when he saw our picnic fare, very Chinese picnic of bao and chiffon cake.

Happy girl likes the swing best at all playgrounds.

Sun in her eyes. Sigh Saitaoha is sick again, it feels like the kids are always sick and I feel like I must be doing something wrong. She was really pale and listless today, dark circles under her eyes, red lips and constant coughing.

Saitaomei was in good spirits and declared it was the best day because they got to go for a picnic, play at the playground, receive their build a bear Christmas gift from their papa early and also decorate the Christmas tree. It did feel like a full on day !

See the happy face when she retrieved her bear? It’s called Pinky and has a Christmas dress.

I had fun decorating the tree with the kids, I put on Christmas songs on the tv and sang along. I do love Christmas songs. It would have been a great Sunday if only Saitaoha wasn’t sick, I really hope she recovers quickly, it breaks my heart to hear her coughing so badly.

I have such a big work week coming up ! I’m a little bit nervous but also determined to do well. I’m starting to look really forward to Christmas because I know I will deserve a good break by then.