Turning 43

I need to write about our Singapore trip one day because it was the best one yet. I was worried we might end up squabbling, or one of us (likely me)would fall ill, but everything turned out magically.

There was quality family time with the Singaporean folks, there was ample shopping and eating time, and it was just fun, hanging out with my parents and my sisters. Despite all living in the same town, we don’t seem to get to do that a lot, and it’s especially fun in Singapore, a place we love and are familiar with.

The cousins were on a trip together again, I think they enjoyed each other’s company, there was never a dull moment and they kept each other occupied while the mummies indulged in shopping and eating.

The oceanarium was a highlight, kids enjoyed it a lot.

I liked going to Toa Payoh a lot, it brings back a lot of good memories. I especially remember it as a sanctuary, when I was so tired and stressed out with 2 kids under 2, Singapore was a respite and my parents helped so much.

My digital birthday card from my eldest daughter.

My annual birthday meal from ah ma 🥰.

Mango cake chosen by my little daughter. She is the sweetest little girl.

The night before Gerry brought me out for dinner to celebrate my birthday. I appreciated his gesture.

As I grow older, there are no longer any material things that I want for my birthday, I don’t need presents or special meals or celebration. I do enjoy my birthday though, because I receive personal messages from my nearest and dearest, and it’s a yearly reminder that I have wonderful people around me that miraculously love and want to celebrate me. The day is spent with my family doing simple things like eating together, having coffee and cake. R, the kids and I ended the night labelling all their school things in preparation for the start of school on Monday. Another lovely birthday feeling thankful and lucky.

Welcome 2026

In 2025 I averaged a post a month on this blog, I think my Dayre account fared better but not much. I also wrote more in my last physical journal. It makes me think it’s time to stop this blog but I’ve kept it for so many years, since my uni days so I can’t bear to close it down. So once a month it will have to be…

The highlights of the year were easily our trips abroad. KL was so relaxing and fun, lots of good food, shopping and family activities such as Sunway Lagoon. I’m a bit sad we won’t be stopping by KL this year but we should really try other cities in Malaysia, we can always return the year after.

The Shanghai trip was also memorable and opened our eyes to the wonders of China. We were wowed by the convenience powered by technology and can’t wait to return. I’m hoping we can squeeze in a trip in 2026 but China requires quite a lot of planning so I’m not sure whether it will pan out.

One thing I loved about this year is the kids learning guitar from my father. I hope this continues for a long long time and the kids don’t give up halfway. I will encourage my girls to keep learning from their very talented Gung Gung, they have no idea how lucky they are to learn from him, but when they grow up they will understand.

My sisters and I accompanying my parents to watch Cliff Richard (and Hank!) live was probably another highlight. I wanted 2025 to be all about creating memories for my parents and I think we did have some wonderful moments.

Camping with friends, long dinners and catch ups were all lovely. Maybe we will be able to have more gatherings like these in 2026, certainly I feel we had quite a few gatherings in 2025 with my different groups of friends.

We had many family gatherings in 2025, from learning to make kuih to wrapping bak zhang. I’m excited for our upcoming Singapore trip too, it’s been a while since we’ve had a sisters and parents trip, the cousins will love hanging out together too.

This year was the year of lots of walks, daily running and being active.

I like it that the girls like walking to the park of the forum with me, that they love skating, cycling, swimming. It’s not something that I did as a child (so hot in Malaysia) so I hope they have an active lifestyle in Australia and get plenty of exercise and sunshine.

I’m pleased that I managed to close my minimum 30 mins exercise ring 338 days out of 365! I really tried to be consistent and make it a daily habit to be on the threadmill, it wasn’t easy especially during days when I was not well or hot summer days. I missed days mostly when we were travelling and on the plane, but I think overall I did pretty well! I want to continue this is 2026 and up my exercise goal, maybe 40 mins a day as a minimum?

While I don’t weigh myself and don’t see any difference in weight, I genuinely felt better and stronger in 2025. Being active and physical also helped me mentally feel stronger and I hope to grow from strength to strength in 2026.

Where I fell short in 2026 was my temper, my patience towards my family and especially the girls. Gentle parenting is definitely not in my DNA, and sometimes even though I knew my words were cruel I didn’t stop them from coming out. I really want to work on this in 2026, to be a more loving and caring mum, wife, daughter and sister. May 2026 bring us lots of blessings, an abundance of happiness, luck and good health.