May 30 

From Pain to Gain

Today started with a rough tumble. Before we even reached the first ride at Legoland, my youngest had a nasty fall, leaving him with a painful, 20-sen-sized scrape on his knee. The pain instantly took away his mood to play, and my heart sank seeing him so discouraged while his siblings and cousins rushed ahead.

But kids have a beautiful way of surprising us.

With a bit of courage, he braved his very first roller coaster ride! Right after, a wonderful crew member noticed his knee and pointed us toward the first aid station. A huge thank you to that staff member—once the medical officer cleaned and securely wrapped his wound, everything changed. Feeling safe and secure again, his bright spirit returned.

He completely cleared his lunch plate and went on to conquer the day: horse riding, building Lego cars, posing with a life-sized Lego Ferrari, and finally checking out the driving school—a dream he’d been waiting for since our last visit three and a half years ago! He even went back for a second round on the roller coaster with his dad.

I am so incredibly grateful for the attentive staff who helped turn our day around, and beyond proud of my boy's resilience. He turned a painful morning into a day full of core memories and pure joy. 

May 28

The Happiness of Being Busy

Today is an extremely busy day. I have so many tasks to complete before my sister and her family arrive tomorrow. We need to buy things for her and the children, so we have been running around from place to place. 

Back at home, the house needs to be cleaned and the children still need their three meals. On top of that, I need to make sure the little one gets some revision done, as his exams are just a week after the school holidays. SInce we might only return the day before school reopens, I am also getting Mr. Chatter Box to pack his bag for the first day of school. He needs to bring extra materials for his art class, too! 

It's a busy, busy day—but we are happily busy!

May 26

Refocusing on Fine Motor Skills

Teaching Mr. Chatter Box lately has been testing my patience. He's starting to show signs of restlessness during study time and honestly, some days it's just frustrating. It makes me deeply respect homeschool moms who persevere through teaching multiple children for nearly two decades respectively. It is no small feat. 

Looking back, my approach shifted over the years. My eldest had a much more relaxed schedule in his early schooling. But when the syllabus grew tougher in his Primary 4 year, we established a strict, regular routine for him and his sister, who was in Primary 1 at the time. We set dedicated study blocks from 3:00-4:30pm and 7:30-9:00pm—a routine that remains up to today. 

Because the system was already in place, Mr. Chatter Box joined the afternoon session when he turned five. We started small, matching his natural attention span and gradually increasing the time. While he still has plenty of carefree playtime after these study sessions, looking back, I realise he missed out on focused, hands-on skill sessions with me. Juggling the demands of homeschooling three different levels (until last year when the oldest started to study independently) alongside endless household chores meant I simply didn't have the time to sit down and do dedicated fine-motor projects with him. He does do arts and crafts with his older sister, but I noticed she often steps in and handles all the complicated parts for him. 

Since are and crafts aren't really his thing anyway, I knew I had to find another refular, engaging activity to help develop and refine his fine motor skills (beyond just basic writing and cutting which he does very well). That is when I decided to bring him into the kitchen with me. 

I believed cooking could bridge that gap while nurturing his patience. Today, he has shown incredible persistence and endurance. From mashing potatoes and peeling root vegetables to cutting softer foods like mushrooms and okra, or coating scallops for deep frying, he stays with it. Even when he admits it's "hard work", he doesn't quit. I've truly enjoyed his company in the kitchen and I am already looking forward to increasing the complexity of the tasks in our next collaboration. 

May 24

The Accidental Coach

I have always envied people who are naturally good at sports. Personally,, I don't posses an athletic bone in my body, but I absolutely love being a spectator. Some of my fondest childhood memories involve sitting with my mother and sister, eagerly watching the Olympics, the SEA Games, badminton tournaments and soccer matches. Decades later, sports remain a constant, lively anchor in our family conversations. Yet, ironically, despite being such ardent fans, none of us ever actually picked up a racket or kicked a ball. 

There there is Mr. J. He is the exact opposite—he doesn't care for watching sports at all but he loves to play them. Over the years, he has tried his best to initiate a habit of playing badminton, ping pong or tennis with me. I tried, but the spark just weasn't there. After a few sessions, I always threw in the towel. 

Enter my youngest. Unlike me, he is incredibly sporty, bursting with energy and has been relentlessly pestering me to play with him. Lately, our living room has transformed into a sports arena. Our game of choice? Indoor "badminton", played with a pair of kid's toy rackets and a balloon. 

While I started out simply "entertaining" his requests, I've come to realise this silly little balloon game might be exactly what I need. Lately, my doctors have been giving me a gentle but urgent wake-up call: I am losing muscle mass and my body desperately needs regular exercise. I cou;dn't do it for myself and I couldn't quite do it for Mr. J but my youngest might just be the personal trainer I needed all along. I am genuinely hoping he will be the one to finally turn exercise into a daily habit for me. My body will surely thank him for it in the future. 

Today the weather was too hot to be out in the garden and to keep him away from the screen, I suggested that we play the indoor badminton game. It might just be a fun game with a child but as my heart rate goes up, I knew it was a step in the right direction for my health. 

May 22

Bonding Through Reading

When I was little, I loved to read. I read a lot of Enid Blyton's series when I was in primary school, especially the Famous Five and The Naughtiest Girl series. The ones I read were translated into the Malay language and that helped me learn it well. I wouldn't say I completely mastered it, but I can say that I am good at Malay because I read so many books and newspapers in that language in my school days. 

When I was in secondary school, my classmates introduced me to the Sweet Valley High series. That was when I started reading English books and I've continued to read books, newspapers and magazines in English up to today. I truly believe that as long as we keep reading in a certain language, we will improve. 

I hope that my children will eventually pick up reading as a lifelong habit too. For now, my daughter is the one who read most frequently. I usually buy books either online or from bookstores but I am also incredibly grateful for two book-loving friends who passed down a lot of books their own children have outgrown. One of those series, Peppa Pig, has become my youngest's favourite, while the fairy tale series is my daughter's favourite. Ultimately, I hope that reading becomes a beautiful way for us to connect and bond. 

May 20

Grace That Keeps Me Going

When I reflect on my expectations of the people around me, I realize that my own behavior heavily depends on what I expect from them. I’ve come to the conclusion that when expectations are low, relationships thrive. There is little to no pressure, which leaves room for more pleasant experiences and even sweet surprises.

Too often, I have allowed rigid expectations to cloud my thoughts, causing unnecessary friction with my family. The real challenge lies in controlling my emotions when they don't meet the "unconscious" standards I carry in my heart and mind. I always end up feeling a deep sense of guilt for sounding harsh and making them feel bad when they fall short.

I am actively working on regulating my emotions, especially when dealing with their shortcomings. I have to constantly remind myself that I, too, have many flaws. Being emotionally unsupportive and speaking harshly never helps—worse, it creates fear and damages the very bonds I want to protect.

Today, I am deeply grateful for the immense grace my family gives me. It is their grace that allows our relationships to stay strong, resilient, and anchored, even when I am still learning

May 18

Palates and Politeness

Today, I cooked garlic chives with tofu and prawns. 

Many, many months ago, I served this exact same dish and my two older kids really didn't like it. Today was a completely different story. Both of them mentioned how sweet it tasted and actually ate quite a lot of it. 

I found myself wondering: did their palates genuinely change or were they just eating itto make me happy? I honestly don't know if they have simply grown to accept the taste ot if they were practicing a little bit of love and consideration for my efforts. 

Either way, my heart is full. I am just so glad that they have grown into the kind of people who choose to make Mommy happy. 

May 17

Connections

Today was a struggle. I accompanied my youngest to a birthday party where I didn't know a soul. I tried to view it as a chance to listen and gather ideas for my writing, but truth be told, I wished I had a real friend to talk to. I tried to message two friends but both couldn't make it, and loneliness crept in.  

But the day saved its best moments for the end. My son didn't love the party but he came home with a star-shaped night light that he absolutely adores. And back home, my daughter made me realised just how much she needs me. From her eager requests to join me for lunch and dinner, I saw past the mundabe, repetitive routine of motherhood. 

I realised just how much she needed me and in the midst of my own misery, her needs pulled me back. I think it's time to start to focus more of my heart on her. 

May 15

 A Song 

When I was little, my mom used to play a lof of songs on the radio. We had a collection of cassette tapes at home because my mom is a tru music lover; she actually studies music and worked as an instructor. Thanks to her, I was exposed to so many wonderful songs growing up. 

Today, while driving, I heard a song called 《唱着回家》. It immediately struck a chord, and I realised it was a melody from one of her old cassette tapes. Back then, I never knew the singer or the title. It was only when the DJ started talking about it that I learned it was actually an adaptation of the Western song. "Sing Your Way Home'. 

I immediately searched for the Mandarin version on YouTube and sent it to my mom. She remembered it instantly! It's these little things that connect us and bring back beautiful memories of the past. I'm so glad we always have so much to talk about. 

May 13

The Quiet Anchor

There is comfort in realizing that my child has become my steady ground. This morming, when I realised I'd lost something important, I went into full panic mode. My daughter stayed right with me through the enitre ordeal. She didn't utter a single word, but her presence was a stabilizer. I am so glad she was the one with me at that critical time. 

May 11

My Girl 

Out of my three children, my middle child—and my only girl—is the most carefree soul I know. She lives by that classic Chinese proverb: "If the sky falls, she'll just use it as a blanket". 

She moves through life like an anime character—vibrant, stubborn and completely one-of-a-kind. There are moments when her defiance drives me to the brink of madness, but when the clouds clear and she's in a good mood, she is the ultimate light. She has this effortless way of lifting my spirits and seeing her "survivor" instinct gives me a deep sense of peace about her future. She is, quite simply, built to thrive. 

Even as the only girl, she has woven herself perfectly between her two brothers, creating a bond with each of them that is wonderful to watch. 

When she was only two and a half, she was so eager to grow up and attend kindergarten with her brother. I was reluctant to let her go because I wanted to have more time with her but she stubbornly insisted and  in the end, I gave in. She was so happy attending school and when her brother left for primary school half a year later, she never had problems going to school on her own. This made me feel like I missed a chapter of her early childhood. 

Now, I've been gifted weekdays morning with her alone since her bothers attend school in the morning while her classes are in the afternoon. This gives me a chance to make up for that lost time and mend the spaces I missed when she was little. I am so grateful for this window to build a foundation that is ours alone. I would treasure every morning, every stubborn debate and every laugh, ensuring we build a bond that lasts a lifetime. 

May 9

The Heritage of Love

I have always cherished the time I spent sharing stories of my childhood with my children. I especially love telling them about my grandparents—ancestors they never had the chance to meet, or whom they remember only as a vauge, flickering memory from when they were very small. 

I hold particularly fond memories of my paternal grandparents because we visited them so frquently. Today, I was glad to be able to share more memories of them with my children during dinner. I told them how my father insisted we call my grandmother once every week. I shared how we spent every school holiday at their home—a traditional wooden house that was built in the early 1900s. 

Our evenings there followed a beautiful routine where we would walk to the nearby shopping malls with my aunts, enjoying the sunset and the bustling energy of the shops.  On  our way back, we always stopped at a street food centre to buy supper, which we would sit and enjoy with my grandfather before retiring for the might. My grandmother, would only sit and chat with us, refusing the food each time  we offered to her. She preferred to eat only the food she cooked herself. 

I told the children about the beds with tall legs and mosquito nettings, where we would share with our aunts if my parents would leave my sister and I  there for a week or two while they return home for work. Beside the wooden house was a pond where my grandmother tended to her chickens and ducks. Although  my grandmother never drove, she managed to procure the freshest ingredients every single day. Like clockwork, grocers and fishmongers would arrive in trucks, stationing themselves near her house every morning with a bounty of vegetables, meat and seafood. 

Whenever it was time for us to leave, we looked forward to one last delicious home-cooked meal, and my grandmother would never fail to pack a staggering amount of food for us to take home. That specific, nurturing brand of love I received from her is exactly what I hope to pass down to my children. 

May 7

A Childhood Memory in Progress

My seven-year-old is very outspoken and loves making friends. He easily remembers people by their faces and their names. He usually knows not only the students in his class, but also those from other classes or batches, and he remembers exactly which classes they are from. He even remembers the teachers' faces.

Today, a parent from his class messaged me. I didn't know who she was, but she mentioned my youngest son's name to confirm if I was his mom. She wanted to invite him to her daughter's birthday party. When I asked my son if he knew the girl—since this is his first year in primary school and I only know a few names he mentions frequently—to my surprise, he said he didn't recognize the name.

Embarrassingly, I had to ask the mom to send a picture of the girl so I could show it to him. As soon as he saw her photo, he immediately recognized her and said, "Yes, she is my friend!" I am so glad my outgoing son is among the handful being invited. He hasn't attended a birthday party before (except for those in kindergarten), so we are both looking forward to it.

May 5

The Importance of A Satisfying Breakfast

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but I've recently discovered it is also my most important tool for productivity. 

I am a food lover and for me, eating isn't just about nutrition or energy. It is deeply tied to my mood. When my palate is satisfied, my mind is calm and ready to face anything to come. I've noticed a pattern lately: if I rush through a small breakfast due to time constraints, hunger returns far too soon and I wouldn't be able to focus on what I do unless I get some food immediately. 

Today, I decided to have a hearty plate of Malay fried noodles, with fried chicken in chilli gravy and a fried egg with lots of sambal. It was everything I loved —spicy, savory and deeply satisfying. 

That morning meal paid off because I was able to concentrate on  decluttering and reorganising our home without the need for a lunch break. I was able to accomplish a lot more than usual. 

May 3

A Miracle

It's a special day today. Although the situation at home is still not resolved, I got to experience something I didn't see coming. It was something I had been planning but hadn't been able to execute for a long time. It didn't happen the way I expected, but the fact that it did happen was a miracle. 

May 1

A Pleasant Day Out

Due to a situation that came up at home this morning, my youngest and I had the opportunity to go on a day out. It was a pleasant outing trip as we did not have to rush as usual. He got to play for as long as he wanted and we had the time to eat slowly and enjoy mealtimes together. He also got to pick the food that he wanted to eat, too! It was a long awaited slow day for me. 

April 29

Logistically Convenient

Three children. Two different schools. Three sets of schedules. 

My daily  school run begins at 6:45am and ends at 7pm. Every day is sending and fetching day but thanks to living in a neighbourhood where everything (schools, groceries, restaurants, stationery shops, education centres, music studios, sports centres,  etc) is under 2km. It is a blessing indeed. We spend less time in the traffic and get to enjoy more time at home.

It is nice to have the family together most of the time, especially when the children are little. It helps to foster good bonding that I hope would last a lifetime. 

April 25

Status Or Ordinary?

Thinking about life today. Do we chase after status or stay in the ordinary? Which brings more happiness? True joy, I mean. 

Do we aim for a wide network or a deep, small circle of friends? Ultimately, life should be what you make of the path you're on. Once a choice is made, the goal is to make it the best version it can be. 

I am currently living in the ordinary side. With a small circle of friends. And I kind of enjoy it because it is more relaxing and I don't have much to commit. Honestly, I would have been in a wide social circle today if I had made a different choice two decades ago. 

What kind of life are you living now? Are you contented with your current life? Or would you wish for a total makeover? 

April 21

Showers of Blessings

I used to dislike rain. When I was little, I often  chant: "Rain, rain go away, come again another day" so I could go outdoors. However, as I grew older, I loved the rain. Especially when it rains at night, I love to listen to the sound of the rain while doing some light activities such as watching TV, chatting with someone over a bowl of hot ramen or reading a book. 

The consistent afternoon rain over the last two weeks has been nature's way of cooling the earth for the night ahead. It has gifted me two weeks of peaceful, uninterrupted and good quality sleep too!

Do you like rain? Or do you prefer the sunshine? 

April 19

A Beautiful Sunday

Here I am, at the dining table, with my laptop in front of me trying to figure what to write today...I am still feeling a bit under the weather—tired, low on energy and moving through a bit of a haze. I am reminded that no matter where life leads, I have the essentials to be grateful for—a roof over my head, a comfortable bed to rest in and food to refuel.

Despite the fatigue, I managed to pull together a simple lunch and dinner for the family. As I am typing, the house is full of beautiful "background noise". 

• The elegant notes of a piano piece played by my eldest.

• My daughter, happy and carefree, laughing and acting like a living anime character

• Mr. J nearby, lost in the focused world of his latest Gundam model

• And the never-ending chatter box (youngest child) and his: "Mommy, I like you the most"

These are the daily blessings we so easily take for granted when we are "busy". Sometimes, we need to slow down and look around, I am sure you'll discover many blessings around you too! Have a nice day! 

April 17

A Daily Blessing From Miles Away

Calling my mom every day is similar to taking my daily supplement. It is a dose of comfort and wisdom that keeps me grounded as I navigate my own journey as a mother. We video chat once or twice a day, and though she lives hundreds of miles away, those digital moments are a lifeline to me. To be a mother yourself and still have your own mother to talk to is a blessing I never want to take for granted. 

But as I look at her face on my screen, I'm often reminded that my mother didn't have this same privilege. Her own mother passed away before she was even married. When she moved overseas to a foreign land, she didn't have the luxury of "connection back to her family" which I have today. Back then, phone calls were expensive. She had to navigate the struggles in a new country and the challenges of raising my sister and me with a quiet, solitary strength. 

When I think about her perseverance and her endless patience during those early years, I am filled with admiration. Today, I don't just cherish our calls for the advice she gives—I cherish them because I know exactly what a rare and beautiful gift it is to talk to the one who loves us the most. 

April 15

A Decade of Daily Blessings

Last night, as I was thinking about an educational blog that I am currently planning to work on, I remembered that I had a similar blog which I created around 2013. It was a blog where I recorded the activities I did with my two older children when they were little. Back then, I spent my evenings planning lessons and we had two dedicated sessions with my first born every weekday. I eventually stepped away from that blog as my focus shifted to my second child and my first born started attending kindergarten. 

Reading those old entires reminded me of how much I truly love to teach. For over a decade, I have been experimenting with different methods and creating activities to help my three children learn from a young age. In fact, this was the primary reason I left my career: to focus entirely on them. 

The daily rhythm of planning and teaching had given my life as a homemaker profound meaning. This path keeps me updated with new technology and current events. The challenge isn't just academic. It is also about tailoring my approach to meet the distinct personalities and study habits to fit each child's needs. These keep my mind sharp and pushes me to do a lot of research, and experiment on different methods. It really helps me grow in many ways. 

I am so grateful for the privilege of playing this role; it is a daily blessing. Even though the road is never smooth sailing, the journey is a meaningful and fulfilling one. 

April 13

Bitter Food and Bitterness in Life

While preparing stir-fry bitter gourd chicken for lunch today, I found myself reflecting on the nature of "bitterness". While Mr. J and I savor complexity of the dish, our children tried a single piece before retreating with a "Yuck! So BITTER!" It made me wonder if our appreciation for the flavour came from being introduced to it early, or if we simply adapted as we grew.

I believe life follows a similar pattern. There is a Chinese proverb, 先苦后甜  (xiān kǔ hòu tián), which suggests that sweetness follows the bitter. If we allow our children to experience small hardships—like struggling through a project independently rathen than stepping in too soon—perhaps they become better equipped to overcome the larger "bitterness" of adulthood. By navigating these challenges, they eventually master the skills needed for life. 

While savoring this delicious dish, I hope that my children's palate would one day adapt to this favourite dish of mine so we could enjoy it together. 

April 11

Precious Weekend

There is a profound beauty in a Saturday spent entirely at home, In the simple rhythm of our household—music in one room, a borad game in another and the aroma of home-cooked food in the kitchen—we are creating a strong bond among us. 

These mundane moments are more than just a break from studies and work; they are building blocks of a lifetime bond. As I watch my children grow, I know they will soon head out into the world to seek their own futures. My hope is that these quiet Saturdays create a sanctuary in their hearts—a reminder that no matter where life leads them, they will always have a place to return to. I also hope that the bond they have now will always draw them back to each other in the future. 

April 9

The Melody of Perseverance 

One of my greatest blessings is listening to the sound of my eldest playing the piano. His journey began at age of seven, but by age ten, we considered stopping his lessons to prioritize his academic focus. When we shared this, he protested with a promise: he would improve his studies if he could keep his music. 

We chose to trust him, and today, his passion for the piano surpasses everything else. (Besides that, he did kept his promise and did well in his studies, too! ) He becomes so immersed in the music that I often have to remind him of the time. Listening to him play brings me  great joy and pride. He has far surpassed my own musical abilities, and I am deeply moved by his dedication. His music journey is a constant reminder that when we set our hearts to doing something, it will grow into something truly beautiful.