So adorable

Little Miss IJ Bear... cute, isn't she?

S should have added shoes for her, then she'll really look like she's all ready for school, hahaha..

life as a Tricenarian

Today marks the last day of mummyji's 39th year in this world.



Looking back, it's been a great life.... Thank GOD!!! ;-)



The babes think being 40 is really old, sigh.... but who can blame them? they're not enough half that age yet, and well, mummyji was that age before too.



One thing that mummyji's decided long ago, when the babes were born, was to make the effort to keep in touch with the girls' feelings and emotions. Like try the damnedest to remember what it felt like as a tween... first day of secondary school, making new friends, etc..



of course, back then, we had no PCs, cable tv, internet or handphones.....let alone Facebook or youtube.

But one would think if we'd had all these back then, we too, would probably be too caught up trying to catch up with all these than simply sit in a corner to read a book. Instead of a boring phone conversation or monologue (depends on who you're talking with), now one can chat with almost all of your friends at the same time!

Back then, there was a period when Mama-ji and us girls were totally addicted to HK drama serials on video. We'd all be glued in front of the tv, watching video tape after tape, sometimes way past midnight!!.... but we were always limited by the speed of delivery of the next video tape, which could take up to weeks, since everything was manual.


Mummyji also had a Game 'n Watch when she was in Primary school, a reward for topping the whole standard in the exams. It was an Octopus game and we (the sisters n mummyji) will fight for our turns to play, trying to beat each other's high score and it really was addictive.
Even now, mummyji and the babes (and the sister too!) are trying to beat each other's high score in online games, LOL.
and all of us are now on FB....


So who can blame the kids now for watching the very latest clip on youtube, for staying glued to the computer in this digital age when everything is almost instant?


So, as parents, we have to remember to pull the plug somewhere, put in some restrictions....


Mummy and daddyji have had to draw the line, stand firm and we'd cancel our disney channel subscription with the babes screaming like it's world's end.... it's tough, but necessary.
In any case, we've also promised to re-subscribe during the holidays, that is provided they do not return with dismal exam results.

Now that mummyji's beginning her life as a Quadragenarian (Boy, that sounds really ancient!!), mummyji hereby firmly resolves not to let her heart and mind age. And to continue to walk with the babes, by their sides, instead of pushing or pulling them forcefully. But of course, there will be the occasional necessary nudge to keep them grounded on the right track, hahaha.

"The drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence, but by oft falling.

-Lucretius"

So it is with this thought in mind that mummyji prays for continued divine guidance in being a good and patient mother, as it's definitely no piece of cake.








Speaking of cakes, here's the birthday present, and a matching one for CNY, both from the sweet daddyji.... it's a precious gift of love which mummyji'll treasure, always.

Thank God for this precious husband of mine!!!

giving thanks

Ok, mummyji has many things to give thanks for...and is well aware of that.
But the one that is at the fore right now is to thank God for helping her decide to shelf Mumbai as our vacation destination, finally choosing Tokyo, cos it didn't require too much braincells to plan for. Mumbai would have required more research and detailed planning, which at that point in time, mummyji didn't have the luxury of time for..
Really really feel so sad for all those involved in the bloodshed.
We pray for world peace!!

Another very pressing thing to give thanks for - the family.
Mummyji's really grateful to have a loving and beautiful family - the hubs, the babes, mum, dad, the siblings and their families, the ILs...
Right now, mummyji's praying for a good friend, that he finds peace in his heart and with his family, and that he doesn't lose faith, ever...
Perhaps mummyji should remind Friend of one of our favourite hymns..
can't ever forget the lyrics of this one.

"He can turn the tides, and calm the angry sea
He alone decides who writes a symphony
He lights every star that makes the darkness bright
He keeps watch all through each dark and lonely night
He still finds the time to hear a child's first prayer
Saint or sinner call, and always finds Him there
Though it hurts Him much to see the way we live
He'll always say, I forgive...."

Joy

the present daddyji got for yours truly - of course, it was chosen by moi and it would have been the one with a detachable heart charm if not for the fact that it was from the Cruise 09 range, not out yet in the paris stores (sigh...)............but the fact is, on his only day off after a week of presentations and meetings, the first store he went to was the Gucci @ Rue St Honore. He might possibly have been the first customer of the day.... so mummyji's really touched, and mighty pleased with it. THANK YOU, SAYANG, LOVE U!!!
This sac is from fall/winter 09, and it's really lovely, a joy to behold - so aptly named. ;-)

about the babes

mummyji's just realised she's forgotten to upload the babes' birthday cake! 

It was a "Black Magic" cake recipe with 2 layers, frosted with white chocolate cream.

We had a bbq party, invited the whole clan, and everyone turned up. This is really a belated entry, the party was last month, on Z's birthday.

Well, today we got S's results, 2 As and 2 Bs, eligible for express stream. She was disappointed with the score, cried a bit so mummyji's not gonna rub it in.

Told her it's a wake-up call, that she's gotta put in more effort if she wants better results. 

And it's also a reminder to the younger sis, Z, that she too gotta put in a lot more effort next year. 

Mummyji often wonders if she's too soft with the offsprings... are they too pampered?

Sigh, tis not easy being a parent...

wise words to chew on

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them -- every day begin the task anew."

Saint Francis de Sales

AMEEN...

retail therapy

such a cool pair of gloves,right?
saw it at Promod's yesterday, and was about to plonk it on the counter for checkout with the dress and tops, when mummyji saw the label inside, proclaiming it's 100% pigskin..... :-(
so it was plopped back into its display hook.
Now however, looking at the website, the information given is 100% goatskin!
so, was it Mummyji's poor eyesight? or a mis-labelling??
Hmmm........ not so good, eh....
well, anyway, mummyji doesn't really need another pair of gloves... not for just 5 days in Tokyo.. there's always the pair worn last year in Paris.
And of course, there's also the pair of long ivory gloves worn at the company event, the pair that mummyji looked high and low for, and found in friendly neighbourhood Thomson Plaza..... ;-p

so anyway, this is about mummyji's latest shopping binges.. there's something about year-end, when every other store seems to have at least something that's twinkling and trying to catch mummyji's eyes... hmmm.....

New shoes

Ahem, so yours truly went on a spree and gota few pairs of shoes last couple of months.... 

of which, this must surely be the favourite..

then last week, another pair..... this brand claims to "respire"...

 Very comfy, great for walking and driving, and importantly, matches any colour of bag!

better stop before we need to construct another storage cabinet for mummyji's shoes... =>