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. D 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. D 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.