It's been a while since I posted about happy list, forgetting the origins of my blog - a record of my appreciation of little things in life. So there you go, some of the 'happy' things that I see in my life and people around me. 
I started working as a part-time waitress in Yellow Light in my teens, on ad-hoc basis, when the restaurant needed help. 20 years later, I got promoted to be the sous-chef. Ahem, not exactly sous-chef per se, but in charge of the mise-en-place for Tom Yam soup and some simple stir fries… Last weekend, Shih and I relived my childhood's masak-masak dream in YL kitchen due to last-minute staff shortage. It was more like a girly cactch-up session because Daddy M who was dining in the restaurant could hear our laughter coming from the kitchen (oops!). It was an honour to be able to 'cook' with my dear friend, the executive chef. This is definitely a keepsafe picture.
We were caught by surprise when she walked straight to the almost-green Poinsettia, bent down and kissed it. Speechless.
Lesson to learn from a 15 month old…
This post is a wake up call and reminder for myself. Firstly, I am sorry, daddy M and thank you for being there for me.
Recent pent-up work stress has caused a roller-coaster ride in my emotions. On several occasions, I have lost the ability to encounter conflict calmly and flew into a fit of rage over the smallest issue. It has affected my mental and physical state. It has definitely affected daddy M.
I could start a day in a joyful mood and before I knew it, things started to crash down on me like a wave and I would go under. Emotions welled up and my attitude headed south, words that came out of me cut like a knife. My tone turned from high-pitch to cruel tongue lashing, without thinking of the consequences. Even having S around could not stop me. She kept quiet as if she knew what’s happening and observed.
The aftermath: Drained. Regrets. Repented. Pretended that S had not heard and did not understand why mommy acted so strangely…Bad thoughts follow suit – “Bad wife, bad mom, bad daughter.”
You’ll probably think that I’m having a ‘rich people problem’. I’m not rich per se. But I have a husband, a daughter, a job and a God. Compared to the less fortunate or those who are striving to survive after a catastrophe, I am in a much better state. And if work is the root cause, there are always other jobs around.
I know all these. Perhaps you have been in my shoes before, perhaps not.
I sought God over and over.
Yesterday He subtly gave me an answer…
I was casually singing the “ABC” nursery rhyme to S (which she has watched a hundred times over Youtube):-
Me: A.B.C.D. E.F.__
S: G
Me:?? (maybe I heard wrongly)
Me: H.I.J.K.L.M.N.O.__
S: P
Me: !!!!
Me: Q.R.S.T.U.__
S: V
Me: (omg)
Me: W.X.Y. and__
S: Zee
Me: I did not teach her. I hardly sang the song to her. She only watched it from Youtube on weekends!
A voice within me: Be a role model. She learns from you. She sees, listens and mimics. All the hardship that you’re going through, I understand. Leave it to me. Be slow to speak and you will be slow to wrath. Enjoy your daughter. Enjoy your husband. Pick yourself up. Enjoy the journey. Be slow to speak. Be slow to speak. You’re complete in Christ.
I got it. I shall try to see and talk goodness. The Lord will fill me with whatever that I lack. As daddy M said: “Don’t count on your own effort.”
xoxo,
Ms condemnation free
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus – Romans 8:1
Our Monday leisurely afternoon PLAN– in a park, playing bubbles. Pierce Reservoir seemed like the nearest choice.
The park was peacefully quiet. No crowd. No joggers. Only a few lovers/couples sitting around (having affairs according to daddy M).
Picnic mat, checked. Camera, checked. Bubbles, checked. Snacks, checked.
As bb S and I sat down, trying to open a bottle of bubbles, a MONKEY came out of nowhere behind S (and our bag)!
“AH!!!” was all I said and froze, while the monkey got closer and slowly towards the bag.
SNAP SNAP! Wake up SK! Protect your child!
My delayed maternal instinct kicked in and I scooped S into my arms.
The monkey ROBBED a ziplock bag with a container and spoon in it. Haha! Gotcha monkey, the container is empty! It’s our feeding container!
Where was daddy M? He was on the phone, about twenty steps away, back facing us and missed the ‘15-second’ happening.
We packed our bags and left.
No wonder the park was EMPTY because it’s a monkey land! And we thought we had found a hidden gem…
Let’s do impromptu outing next time!
I am a firm believer, or rather, I WAS a firm believer of proper eating habits, ie no running around, no TV during meal times and vege is a must. S has a designated feeding chair where she is usually buckled up for feeding. It had worked well until past two weeks. She started to refuse solids- fish porridge, chicken porridge, rice with soup, macaroni soup, mee sua soup, fried bee hoon, fried rice. Anything you can think of. Maximum three mouthful. It’s frustrating but I am not bowing down.
How about mee sua with tomatoe pasta sauce topped with slices of cheese!?
“Yes, please!”
“But, please turn on my favourite sing-along program FIRST.”
Morals of the story: 1) Be flexible and less anal; 2) It doesn’t matter what it takes, as long as it works; 3) A child will turn out well even if she watches TV during mealtimes and 4) It’s just a passing stage.
How much would you pay for this plate of nasi lemak? My cousin thinks we can easily charge S$3.50-4.00. This is what we do whenever mom whips up something special at home- “guess how much”. I think S$4 is a steal for the flavour and generosity. Everything comes in ‘extra’ dosage. Extra prawns, extra ikan bilis, extra chilli, extra rice…
In the last three delicious weeks, our wide menu selection has covered Penang fried koey teow, assam fish curry, salted fish fried rice, herbal chicken, just to name a few. That’s my mom. She loves to feed us. Daddy M cringed when he realised that mom is leaving in a week’s time. Bye Bye yumilicious food, hi again salad and plain noodle soup (SK diet plan).
