Israel dream

3 more days to the Holy Land and my maternal instinct intensifies as the minute goes. Though it's ticking off one of my to-do list and it's the best time to travel to Israel, especially with Rock Kidz, my heart is slightly heavy. The feeling is as if I'm leaving for a business trip, even though it's a holiday. The decision to leave her behind was not an easy one. The weather and some 'walking' required were the key considerations not to bring her along.

10 more years, perhaps, we will go as a family when she can understand and enjoy the footsteps of Jesus.

For now, I just have to battle with my own uneasiness. All things will work out well as God will minister her even as He ministers us in Israel.

Happy Birthday Sherena

It's a specialy day today as my dear friend Sherena celebrates her birthday! I've known her for good 18 years and how we have seen each other grown... The picture shows how young we were then...

- she's the one I would not hesitate to call whenever I am in trouble
- she is a sister whom her sibbilings are proud to have because she is always there for them
- she is a well-loved aunt who worries for the young ones like her own children
- she has a big heart who wants to help everyone
- she is more beautiful than she thinks she is
- she is a fashionista who carries different looks well - from grunge to glam!
- she is someone I love dearly

Happy Birthday my friend and I wish you health, success and peace always!

Holy communion

Every morning, after the two stickers (reward for S if she sleeps through in her cot) are given, it's our holy communion time. S will happily sit and partake the ready-made elements - biscuit and Ribena. Our prayers are simple and short - "Father, thank you for your broken body and by your stripes we are whole and strong" and "by your blood we are forgiven and righteous". I enjoy these short precious moments that are exclusive to the three of us...

It's not a ritual and we are not going through the motion for the sake of it. Each time we take the holy com, we remember Jesus, knowing that we are righteous through Him. What's better than confessing and proclaiming blessings together as a family every morning ?

Eat, walk, shop

To celebrate our dear friend, Sherena’s birthday, the three of us (Sherena, Shirlena and I) decided to take a short-weekend-all girls trip.  It has been 10 years since our last trip, to Batam! After much planning and obstacles (Bangkok was the original destination but changed to Hong Kong due to the flood), we finally made it!

We literally shopped-till-we-dropped as the day would start at 1oam and only end at 12am! I went with a small cabin bag and came back with two additional bags! Four pairs of shoes and lots of ‘unnecessary’ purchase…

It was indeed an intensive, fruitful birthday trip. We talked, we ate, we shopped and boy, we walked! We must have walked 100km over the 3D3N stay… breaking my personal record. For someone who is not fond of walking, I deserve a pad on the back and possibly a medal.

Great food, great accommodation and best of all, great company!

Checkmate

Perhaps even my closest friends don’t know that I play chess, not very well though. I only play against daddy M because he lets me win, sometimes (wink).

I’ve been hunting for a nice cliché wooden chess set for years… and finally on our 8th courtship anniversary, my mate found me a marvellously carved dream set!

Privilege of a first born - turns 2

Last year, after we had the P.O.P party, I thought we should only have the next 'elaborate' birthday for S when she turns 3. But considering that daddy M and I will be in Israel (without her) on her birthday this year, I think she deserves a blast again!

Hands up!

She's at the best age (yet) where she obliges on 90% of our instructions, including doing funny poses just to make us laugh. This is a hands-up-to-show-mommy's-belt stunt.