This article was first published on the Huffington Post in May 2012. The Princess will soon turn 5 in few months' time; A Mom plays such a crucial role in the lives of their daughters, I am feeling such an intense urgency that I must do a rain check on my own inadequacies so that I can parent her well, be the (girl)friend she needs and bring her up in the ways of the Lord. There are so many things I wish my own Mom had told me when I was growing up. I've adapted part of the article and … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2013
Gems for our Gem – A Rite of Passage…
Saturday morning, we brought the Princess to have her ears pierced. She had requested for it since last year but we procrastinated for few reasons, chief of it was the fear of infection if we did not administer the proper after-care and also, we wanted to search for a place whose staff are trained to work specifically with young children and whose equipment are properly sanitized. With the advice of some Mommy friends who have daughters, I booked an appointment with a lady paediatrician who … [Read more...]
Foodie Fridays: Fairy Bread Sandwich (with a touch of Love)!
Fairy Breads are the rage in Australia but I've never thought much about it. I couldn't understand children's fascination with sprinkles except that they are colourful and much too sweet. Until I chanced upon this recipe which makes a nice Valentine's gift and a handy Bento snack. Instantly, I turned it into a mini-bonding session with the Princess. It's simple, fuss-free and attractive, what's not to like about it? Recipe adapted from: Sugar & ClothTo make this, … [Read more...]
Wordless Wednesday: In love with Jeju!
We recently discovered that Jeju has been officially inaugurated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in Sept 2012. Fondly known as 'Jejudo' by the locals, Jeju is a natural volcanic island deserving this great honour. To find out which other places are the official New 7 wonders of Nature, please read the article here.Here are some photos which remind us how scenic Jeju is, even in bitter cold Korean Winter:Dana's 1st World Heritage Site - The Seongsan Volcanic Crater. Coniferous trees … [Read more...]
Read for Pleasure, Flip for Joy!
Our family loves to read and the Princess is constantly surrounded by good authentic reading materials. It brings parents such immense satisfaction to see your love of reading rubbed off onto your children. Dana is quite an avid reader now...except...most of her books are in English! We hardly converse in Mandarin, let alone read to her in Chinese.Hence you can imagine my delight and excitement when I chanced upon this wonderful gem of a online bookstore … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Banana Muffins!
Are there a couple of bananas in your house looking a bit dark and speckled? Don’t throw them out. Make Banana Muffins. Here is a great recipe for a quick muffin that makes the most out of your overripe bananas. Top it with a sweet streusel topping to add some yummy crunch. We made some of these on Tuesday night and fell in love with its fluffy, soft, moist texture. The perfect companion to your warm cuppa and a healthy breakfast for the little ones. This recipe's a keeper! Banana … [Read more...]
Talkative Thursdays: Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child…
"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him." (Proverbs 22:15).The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother - Proverbs 29:15As the Princess transits from an inquisitive toddler to a self-assertive preschooler, I find myself lamenting in exasperation to the hubs that I am clueless how a child can be so willful and disobedient. The hubs' cool reply made me ponder. His reply? 'Why are you … [Read more...]
Start the year with 100 Acts of Kindness!
"Life's most urgent question is, what are you doing for others?" Martin Luther King Jr.100 Acts of Kindness 2013 - Kicking off on Monday, 21 January 2013 and ending it with a giant Kindness Celebration on Valentine's Day- 14 February 2013! As a parent, do you want to instill in your children more compassion for the world around them and see them practise kindness to others?Do you wish to look for the positive in your children and your spouses more than normal? Are you seeking ways to … [Read more...]
Motivational Mondays: How to be a Happy Working Mom
I think I may be suffering from post-holidays withdrawal syndrome. It's barely the third week of the year and I'm already experiencing fatigue from responsibilities at home and at work. With Dana starting her K1 education in a new kindergarten, there are adjustments to be made and new routines to be ironed out. Coupled with an ever increasing workload, I have been yearning for more free time to do the things I enjoy and already fantasizing about our next family vacation. Till that happens, I … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Crazy over Kimchi?
During our recent holiday to Korea, one of the memorable experiences was learning how to make Kimchis at a Kimchi school (there's a school to teach Kimchi making, no kidding!). Honestly speaking, I am not a big fan of Kimchis as I find it a tad too sour and spicy for my liking but according to our tour guide, Kimchis has more Lactobacillus acidophilus and more pro-biotic agents than the yakult we drink hence making it beneficial for our intestinal health. Apparently, Kimchis also eliminates … [Read more...]