Rounding up 2008

2008 is coming to an end soon and I had some time to think about what had happened throughout the year... Wow! Lots... lots of ups and downs.. A few major ones are

1) Motherhood - I watched how Zorian grows and it is really mixed with tears and laughter
2) Schooldays - I left work for school but had to stop it and back to work
3) Marriage - Tough times as we ride through financial and emotional problems
4) Health - My dad suffered a stroke right in Jan 08 and marks the beginning of a bleak year
5) My Best friend, Wooyin's mum, passed away :(
6) Economic Crisis

Perhaps there are many more but probably these are the few major ones on top of my head now. Leaving work for school was an attempt to pursue my dream. A really brave one I suppose. Even though it ended nowhere but there was no regrets. I tried. With a different priority and perhaps sacrificing this pursue for my family, I hope things will turn out well in the end. Only time will tell. So, its back to work again or rather trying to get back to work. :) The stroke which caught my dad had put the whole family in some kind of a 'trial' test of the love we had for one another. United as we stand, I would say/hope that the worst storm is over. At least things are more stable now. As for the economy, it was also laden with bad, worse or worst news ever. The economy is now in a terrible recession with high inflation rate, high unemployment rate.. what can be worse? So in the meantime, will try and spend more time with Zorian and catch up with friends... Life can still be nice with simple things.... :)

Marriot High Tea

It was great fun having high tea with all the "Tai Tai-s". Fortunately mummy Clarice was still able to join us and she'll be admitted to Mt A tonight to be "Induced"!!!! Ahhh!!!

Christmas 2008!!!

Yeah! Its Christmas again! A festival which I like very much compared to CNY. :) This year was special as I threw away the old artificial tree and decided to buy a REAL one instead. Went to Far East Floral 1 month ago and bought a 15Ft tree. Then off to town to buy all the Christmas decor. "Ta-Da" See my tree! I was so pleased with the end result. I thought the decor was nice. Unfortunately, the leaves turned brown after we shut all the windows for 4 days whilst we were climbing Mt KK. :( Overall, the celebration @ my place was fun! With great friends, I think the whole party went off quite well. Looking forward to 2009.... *hopefully Zorian will know what's Christmas then..

Zorian @ 15 Mths

Wow! Think Zorian is ready for school. Check out the pix! Hehe :)

Mt Kinabalu (Dejavu - 14 years ago)

5 - 8 Dec 2008. A long awaited trip or rather holiday for myself and Dave since I was preggy. Had wanted to do a climb with Dave and turned out we had kakis. Great! In a bunch of 6 - Myself, Dave, Jeffrey and wife Mingyun, and the G (Gay)-team, Aliying and my bro Zion. It was fun! You can tell from the pix. It was nice reminiscing all the fun times I had 14 years ago. :) Of course, I was way much stronger then, carrying backpack loads of around 15 kg up the mountain. The whole trip was great as the companion makes a whole lot of difference.

Zorian's First Few Steps!

Finally, my dear precious son is taking his first few steps! So cute! I think this is the cutest age of all. :)

When one is 'Suai', it seems to follow...

Like my subject title says... I think when one is 'Suai', more 'Suai' things seem to follow. 4D luck doesn't seem to be with me but summon 'Yes'. Never strike 4D but still get summon for 1/2 late. God! I think something's probably wrong with my luck...

A damn 'Suai' Day! My First Motor Accident!

Today was a god damn 'Suai' day for me. First time after 10 years of driving, I had an accident! God! For a small damage, the other party dared to tell me the total cost jacked up to $2800+. Haha.. sounds like a real joke. Well, insurance filed and hence washed my hands off for this. Thanks to all friends whom lend a listening ear or borther to talk to me, console me or even take the trouble to find out more about the severity of the case for me. As a first timer, I really appreciate all help and I must say, I have learn quite a fair bit from this accident.

Well, sad part was I wasn't able to find any console from Dave, my own husband. Even the officer whom I had filed the accident with said far more things that sounded assuring and set my mind more at ease. To think my own husband failed to deliver that and was more concerned about the car rather than me. It set me into thinking further... Is this marriage gonna last? Perhaps only Time will tell.

Awakening Call

Life is really of decision making...
Many unpleasant episodes happened these few months and I've come to realise that I am unable to complete the journey that I've set out so determined to complete. My life as a student will be ending soon..... Tough decision but for the bigger picture, it may be well worth the decision. I've tried and though felt so 'wasted' to give up now; things doesn't seem to be working towards the side of continuing. I do not think I'll regret it since I've tried my best while doing it. Probably there're other ways to achieving what I eventually wanna do. If the decision to stop makes THE WHOLE WORLD or at least MY WORLD a better place to 'live' in .. then its probably a good decision.

Things that I've learnt
1) Always be independent! especially financially.
2) Money is not everything but one cannot do without.
3) Woman is best not to depend on man.
4) Always be self equipped.
5) Children can play wonders in your life.
6) If you think marriage is just about wearing a nice wedding gown, walking down that isle, yum seng, finding a partner, sharing household chores, having children, etc.. .then you're in deep shit once you signed the 'PAPER'.

Family Photo

We had our first family photo shoot taken. It wasn't easy getting a one year old to smile and was kind of even more tiring for the parents than anything else.. *Shack ah!

Zorian's Ist B Day - 8 Sept 08

Zorian had his first Birthday Bash with Elmo Theme! It was great. Small party but cosy. Put in so much effort to create my Elmo Theme. Haaha.. luckily turned out quite ok. :)

Student Life - Tough

God! School's been going on for a few weeks but it felt longer. Much much longer. Life as a student's much tougher than b4.. mainly because it is an 'insertion' of 'an old chapter' in a present 'story'. At a different stage of life and with other commitments and roles.. it aren't easy. Tough. I felt life was harder as a student than a working adult. Not only do I have to take care of family, chores, my dad, my boy, time for my hubby and some time for myself (don't really have), school work or projects killed me. 9 modules and 18 projects. I see my neck hanging. I felt guilty because whatever spare time I have devotes to my homework and I don't really have time for my son or hubby and not even myself. Is this fair?

Here's a summary of my typical day.
6 to 7 am - Wake up. Depends on my boy.
7 to 8 am - Bathe Zorian, prepares all his milk, food. Shower, change then rush to school.
9 to 4/6 pm - School lesson ends. If end earlier will hibernate in the library. If not, rush home.
7 to 8 pm - Reach home to relieve mum from Zorian. Mum will cook while I play with Zorian.
8 to 10.30 pm - Play and change Zorian into his sleepsuit. 'My own time' starts when Zorian Zz.
10.30 pm - Eat dinner and shower.
11.30 pm - Start to do homework.
11.30 to 3/4am - Do homwork. Half dead by now.
3/4 am - Sleep.
4 to 6am - Sleep gets disrupted as Zorian wakes/cries intermittenly.

Looking at my day. I can't help to wonder how I survive.

Zorian's Little Hand n Foot @ 10 Mths

Another new Chapter of my Life!

21 July 08. Another new chapter of my life. Today I returned to the society again not as a worker but as a student this time. Today's my first day in NAFA. :) Excited as much as I am. Wow! A student. Cannot believe that after so many years... I'm REALLY pursuing my dreams..

Was stucked in the library on my first day. Can you believe that? Projects started to roll in. Rules, disciplines, marks, etc. Class rep? Hmmm... sounds familiar. Past my time already. Well, "kids" these days behave, dress and talk differently. But I'll try my best to blend in. HA...

Zorian - Rock Climber?

Check out Zorian! A born natural ROCK CLIMBER! Haha... :) See how he attempted the sofa with his leg on the massage chair. Well, is that considered a 'side step'? :)

Outing @ West Coast Mac - Z @ 9 Mths

Gathering with Mummy Pat

Had a gathering with Mummy Pat at Chijmes, Hog's Breath. Check out Mummy Pat's tummy at 7 Mths preggie. :)

Zorian @ 8 Mths

*Not for under 21. Involves nudity.

Reflections ......

I was taking a bus to work this morning and had some quiet moments when I started to ponder about my life, my family and all the events which happened recently.

One thing for sure – Life is very vulnerable and it is too short to let any unhappiness be an obstacle to how we want to lead our life.

On the 16th of Jan, my life changed completely. Dad had a stroke on the very night and we were all thrown into states of confusion and instability. Few months down the road, we had all changed the way we lead our lives. But definitely a STRONGER me! Through this ordeal, I’ve seen real love existing between my parents. They squabbled and bickered everyday without fail but the undying love and concern shown never fails to shed a few of my tears as I stand quietly in a corner and look as I witness what it means by true love…

After the saga, it’s more of getting used to the routine. Dad felt discouraged sometimes and also had suicidal thoughts (according to my mum). Life is vulnerable. With a partially disabled dad, a newborn son, a job, a nagging mum, tons of bills and a planned for but unfulfilled dream, I struggled. Luckily, I had a very supporting hubby who accommodated my whole family to the extent that all of them are living with us in our tiny little house now. I never hear a word of complaint from him and the most consoling part is his immense support for my dream. How lucky I am. Through this ordeal, I think I have really found someone to stand by me through thick and thin. We quarreled occasionally, more so after the arrival of our son, Zorian due to a different transition in our lives and also adjusting to different ways/habits of life.

“Should I brave ahead and continue my life journey just the way I want or should I just continue the rat race and bring enough bread home to make ends meet”?

2 voices perpetually running inside my head.
One is “Why be so hard on yourself? Why can’t you just do something that’ll add value and aid in looking for a job that can earn more”?
The other “Just follow your heart. Life is short! Live with no regrets. If you never try, you’ll never know if you’re good and you might have regrets later. Just do it!”

Friends often dictate me as aloof and domineering. I do not see the need to dispute against that because they do not know me. So why bother unless you have a chance to see the other side of me? From young, I was brought up in a way by my mum that I need to make every single decision on my own. I have to always be a strong and brave one, decide and think on my own. Maybe that’s why. I think when the situation gets tough, one gets tougher.... :)

Before I had Zorian, life was still a mystery with no zeal and zest coupled with occasional restless days. I often wonder what should/how can I do things so that my life will be more fulfilling. Everyday's just like a normal day with no aims and no goals. And we tend to take each day as each day. We grumble, we complain and we blame everyone EXCEPT OURSELVES. Sounds familar? We complain about our life, our job, our career, our colleagues and the amount of $ we have in our banks, etc. We envy people with big house, big cars, branded things, good job, handsome boyfriend, pretty and busty girlfriend, etc. We blame our boss, the clock which fail us, the mrt/bus which 'seem' to take extra long, our parents, our shitty luck, GOD, FATE, etc. How many of you out there are guilty of this?

I am. Truely. I am.

After I had Zorian and especially after my dad's episode, life's changed for me. I see things in a very different light now. I feel so energized! I feel that life is very wonderful! And I cherish each and everyday I have with my loved ones, including my family and my friends. :) I realise the only person that can change all this is MYSELF! ME! Now, I have goals and am keeping my word to attempt to it. I reckoned that action speaks louder than words. Contentment isn't the word because sometimes contentment sets you in a 'slack' mode. Zorian gives me the drive! Miraculously.. he does. Probably I would also like him to look upon me as someone with achievements or someone whom he can learnt from and not someone who just breathes air in and out to survive. In short, I begin to wanted to live life to the fullest. :)

First time in my life, I learn to take things slow and also within my stride. I see life in a different way now. :) It's definitely a new phrase of my life now as I learn with each different day and I look forward to share lots more with my friends and family. :) Stay tuned.......

Zorian in different patterns

He likes to "Kiao Ka" 蹺腳！
Little Buddha 小菩薩

The other 2 little upper tooth

OMG! Zorian's 2 little upper tooths are making their appearance. Went home yesterday and his gong gong told me to check it out. I slipped my finger into his mouth and 'felt' it! I still miss the 'Bo gei' Zorian. Haha... damn cute when he smiles then.. Babies really grow very fast and I'm glad I'm part of his amazing journey. :)

Btw, he is also learning how to wave bye bye. To me, as a mother, everything is cute! Haha.. Am sure all mummies in the world feels the same way as I.

Zorian's Poo POo

Zorian's POo Poo !!!

Zorian's Feeding Schedule @ 8 Mths +

8-9am: 1 sample satchet of cereal (Ard 8 scoops)
1-2pm: 180ml milk
5-6pm: Yu Ren Seng brown rice cereal + 90ml milk
8-9pm: 210ml milk
1-2am: 210ml milk
5-6am: 210ml milk (May or nay not) Total = 900ml / 690ml (if omit 5-6am feed)

Isaac's Full Mth Baby Shower

Alying & Huimin's joy - Isaac Chong Jia Jun

This is the stage of my life where I attended so many baby showers and birthdays.. Cool.. New lives being created.