Teacher's Day

We Prepared a handmade gift for the teachers this year! Cupcakes in a special handcrafted box. Kids thoroughly enjoyed the process and asked if they could do it again for their enrichment teachers. *faintz*

Basically the Kids did all the work. They measured the quantity of the ingredients and beat the mixture. Using piping bags made from plastic bags, they lined the casing with the paste and drizzled chocolate chips.  Although the cakes turned out a little flat looking due to the paper casing (mummy's fault for not using the aluminium ones) they somehow tasted more yummy than the ones from "twelve cupcakes"!

The finishing touches with handcrafted decorations on the boxes helped made them look a little more  commercially viable. I Hope the teachers will not focus on its flaws but the thoughts and all the love that went in during preparation and consume them!

Sweet little Nathan

Been praying for good health for their grandparents with the kids and at the same time explained what's average lifespan of human, old age and death.

Nathan: "Is gong gong very old mummy? What is his age?"
M: "He turns 74 this year Nathan."
N: " Is he going to die?"
M: "Everyone is built with a limited lifespan my dear. Humans can live up to an average age of 78 yrs old before our batteries run out. Mama and papa will one day reach a point where we pass on. Most importantly is to show love and concern whilst the person is still around. So How do you show gong gong that you love him?"
N: "I will say hello to him and hug him everyday! .. mama cannot die." *Throws a mini tantrum and ranted  that i cant leave him.

Well indeed, he greets his gong gong and hugs him before he leaves for home. Gong gong was pleasantly surprised at the sweet gesture.

Natalie's K2 graduation gown photo

My little girl is graduating from kindergarten!!! Donning on her convocation gown made me feel like i have aged so much and missed a substantial amount of her childhood! Didn't realised she has grown so quickly and soon next year she'll be in primary school, then 'O' and 'A' level and uni will come in a flash! Time to reflect if i have bèen a good mom! Yikes!

Farewell to M1

Spent 5 years with M1 and now it's time to move on. Bidding farewell to my wonderful colleagues and bosses was kinda hard sunce we've gone through so much together. SL always ask me if she was holding me back from spreading my wings and fully developing into the role since she is so reliant and not much of a coach. I feel that having worked with so many bosses, she is one of the best mentors whom I've ever encountered. Will so miss the wonderful people whom I've met in M1, the heads of department, the staff in HR, and many others whom i had the opportunity to cross swords with. Particularly my comp and ben team. We've gone through so many difficult loops together ie stepping up to take over payroll when the payroll ladies walked out; launch of new performance appraisal system; new flex ben schemes; group insurance reviews etc.  I wouldn't be who i am today if there isn't such a supportive team! It's definitely a great environment to work!

My farewell note...

Dear Friends,

Today is my last day at M1 and I would like to thank all of you for sharing my journey.

My 5 years stint in this company is like being in a marathon, a challenging run filled with sheer determination, great fun and accompanied by good friends. I would really like to continue this path with you, but there is always an end to every race. Therefore let me wish you all the best in your future endeavours and continue your efforts to make M1 the employer of choice!

Here’s A little something for you before I leave…

For those who love music.. Click on “play” button  to listen to a special dedication…

[“See you Again” by Wiz Kalifa]

For those who love life as it is i.e. with a dash of adventure, cynicism, imperfection and loads of love … here’s sharing my favourite comic strip…

Friend of 11 years

Met Nancy whom I've  not met in 11 years from Cardiff  and she still remembered  me! It was such a good feeling catching up over happenings  in our lives. I was surprised to hear that she lost her husband to cancer and brought up an autistic kid on her  own. How she gave up her job as a HR consultant  with AON Hewitt to accompany her husband for treatment and radiation. Her reliance on god to grant her a child kept her going for the past years, overcoming tears and fears. Kid was diagnosed to be slightly autistic and she spent hours to understand his development and train him daily to overcome his condition...which is totally not apparent now. Because she was so good at it she even had time to volunteer and help families with similar needs. According to her, coaching parents into accepting that their kid is special is the toughest part of the job, as the father figure tends not to be around and mother lacks family support to persevere in the mundanely routine trainings and on top of that having to deal with the temperaments of the child at the same time. 

In fact it makes me feel that having 3 kids and my apprehensions associated with taking on a larger regional role just seems like nothing when compared to her experience.The  short few hours spent with her was so amazing that it felt like time came to a standstill and we are back to the days where we were mugging papers. Though i wasnt close to the PRC community then . They treated me like  one  of their own and shared exam questions etc. They were able to create a system out of the muddled and though they struggled with english as their 3rd language. The support was strong within the community and everyone worked hard! I am glad they see me as one of them and continued to keep in touch.

It was such a good feeling. I never knew i needed friends this much. And that i could learn so much from this experience. The connection is still there despite years had past. We are still who we are in spite of age. Or have we all changed in some ways?

Baby in thoughts

On the way to raffles to get his 4th month vaccine and somehow he had some sense of the outcome and seemed concerned  throughout the trip....