Sunday, December 19, 2010

When life gives you lemon

My dear hubby left for another long biz trip early this morning and somehow today I feel so ‘empty’ and lonely (please take note that this is NOT statement beli jiwa taww). The house suddenly feels so quiet and lifeless even when all the kids are around. I miss him terribly and it’s not even 24 hours yet! Why lah? Is it weather? Yes, let’s blame it on the cold and gloomy weather...ngeeee.

I’m counting down to so many things as we speak – PMR results will be announced in exactly 4 days *dup dap dup dap*, Nana’s first day in Primary1 in about 3 weeks time *double dup dap dup dap* and moi going back to work a week after that *gulp*. I still can’t believe that I’m going back to WORK soon (somebody pinch me please!).

I have to admit that though I feel sad that I will have significantly less time to spend with my kiddos – Brilliant Big D who will be sitting for his possibly life-changing exams in 2 years time, smarty-pants Kyle who is going through a clueless phase, my closeted smart girl Nana, and especially my Terrible Two who is in the ‘I-don’t-wanna-put-on-my-diaper-but-don’t-wanna-pee-in-the-toilet’ phase – I actually look forward to working again. My heart is actually bursting with excitement. Weird huh? I honestly hope that this doesn’t make me a bad mom.

I recently told someone close to me that when life gives you lemon, you make lemonades. Make the best of what you have instead of complaining about it. I say, my lemonade is in progress and I hope it’ll be a sweet one.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

I'm 38!

The clock just ticked 15 minutes past 1am. It’s my 38th birthday today and here I am in front of my notebook, blogging in the wee hours. Everyone else in the house is sound asleep. Birthday wishes have started coming on my FB wall. I feel so loved already...hihihi.

I just finished watching The Social Network at the cinema on the eve of my 38th birthday with my husband. What a way to kick start a new beginning to a 38-year-old me. Love the movie! I have one question though – are those guys at Harvard really THAT smart? I was dumbfounded to see how Mark created a program in a jiff, hacked systems spontaneously, used algorithm to map out programming language (or something like that. I’m not that smart okay.), etc. This guy is a damn smart fella I tell ya. What did his mother feed him when he was a baby???

Owh, just to digress a little bit, studies have shown that babies born to smart MOTHERS are smart. Men are advised to find themselves smart wives if they wish to have smarter children. See the direct correlation? If your children are smart, it's YOU, not your hubby okay. Take all the credits to yourselves, we have scientific evidents to prove it!

Anyway, back to moi turning 38 (38 is a good number don't you think?). I wish for a better life in the years to come. One that would bring more happiness, tranquility, peace, prosperity, wisdom, good health and a blessed life from the Almighty. I have a lot to be thankful for in the last 38 years of my life and I am counting my blessings every day. Thank you Allah.

People say wisdom comes with age. I say, I sure hope it’s true, otherwise growing old doesn't come with a perk.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Kyle Harris is 10!

Last weekend we celebrated Kyle’s 10th birthday. I do not wish lie by saying that I didn’t feel guilty with the ‘no birthday present’ punishment. I did, really bad. Nonetheless, being a strict mom that I am, I must stick to my decision. But I told him that if he could bring home very good result in the first semester exams, I’d make it up to him. He’ll get that expensive toy he’s been eyeing for. I'm not that evil after all kan.

We celebrated his birthday a day earlier on Saturday as we had a family commitment that we can’t get out of (a kenduri that we MUST attend on my hubby’s side) on his birthday. As usual, he picked Chilli’s (again and again). And after the kenduri on Sunday, we had another celebration at home. I baked a cake for him (my first ever homemade birthday cake y'all!). He loves vanilla and chocolate cake. Hence, moi being a very resourceful mom gittew (LOL!), baked a vanilla caked with chocolate frosting, smart eh? Bought some pizzas and voila we had a small party at home.

My homemade birthday cake...


The birthday boy and his cake


Kyle Harris, at 10 years old, is heavier than me by a good 10kg. I bet in a few months time, he’ll be taller than me too. He used to be able to fit into my t-shirts. Now, they are too small for him. His front teeth are no longer too big for him. They were when he was 9. His dimples have started to disappear because he has grown so chubby over the years. He hates local food. His favourite food is Italian, anything Italian, but mac and cheese in particular (opps, this is American right?). He loves guns, weaponry, cars and everything related to army and weapons of mass destruction. Loves sciences documentaries, Chuck Norris and iCarly (iCarly comes as a shock to me. Such a sharp contrast from all his other favorites). He wants to be an engineer, one that involves weaponry. Seldom missed his prayers and often the one who’d remind his brother to pray. But most importantly, he doesn't realize how smart he is yet.

Happy 10th birthday Kyle Harris! May you grow up menjadi anak yang soleh, berjaya di dunia dan akhirat, dan kepada agama, bangsa dan negara, insyaAllah. I love you with all my hearts son.

The end of an era, the beginning of another

A few years ago I kept telling myself that I needed a well deserved break...a loooong one that is. And Moi, being a determined woman that I was, followed my heart and went for it. The timing was just perfect, I was expecting my fourth child, Nana was starting kindergarten and we just moved to a bigger place in a very nice neighborhood.

Now, 2.5 years later, I am beginning to feel that I have enough, in fact too much, break. So much so that it makes me feel rather useless, worthless, unproductive (dan yang sewaktu dengannya) because I could actually contribute significantly to the household income with my talents (this is me trying to make me feel useful and important again *grin*). I seriously feel that I am wasting my knowledge and over time it’s beginning to rust, slowly but surely. I do not just want to confine my talents to just writing brochures and press releases for the rest of my life. Not to mention the low self-esteem moments that would come and go whenever I see fellow friends are moving forward and upward career-wise. I want to feel important again!

I still remember how it feels at the end of every month when my hard earned money was wired into my bank account. It felt superb. It felt like I have done something significant for myself. It felt like I was alive. It felt I was doing my part building the nation (alamak too much pulak ahkak ni kan). Spending our own hard earned money also felt equally superb, doesn't it? Guess what, I miss that feeling. As silly as I may sound, I feel that I must go back to work to feel alive again while my brain is still intact (and still in good working condition too).

And the timing is just perfect, Daniel has sat for his PMR, Nana is going to Primary 1, Sophie is no longer depending on me for nutrition as I had successfully weaned her off breastfeeding (yeay!) plus a system has already been put in place at home. My maid could work on ‘auto pilot’ mode when I am not around. She’s efficient enough to handle things at home on her own (she’s a godsend I tell ya!). In fact, she's better at managing the household chores than moi...hahaha. I totally suck at it!

Hence, on Thursday last week I made the biggest move of the century by calling my previous employer to let them know that I have decided to go back to work in early 2011. Sure enough, my ex-boss called me almost instantly after she was informed of my decision. A job was offered to me and Alhamdulillah it comes with a much better salary package *smiling away*. It was that easy, all it takes was a phone call and a job was offered at once. I couldn't believe it was that easy!

But, truth be told, I kinda expected it to be that easy. She’s been asking me to come back to work for her for ages and I knew that her offer is always open. What can I say, she is my biggest fan ever gittew...ngeh ngeh ngeh (perasan la pulak ahkak ni kan. Kasi chan boleh?).

InsyaAllah, if I didn’t change my mind at the last minute and if everything goes as planned, I’ll be closing another chapter in my life as a freelance writer (and also a tai-tai wannabe who failed miserably, LOL!) and starting a new one as a Corporate Communications Manager. I shall report for duty on 10/1/2011.

I say when you tried very hard to be something that you are not cut out for; at one point you should just stop trying. Perhaps it's just not meant to be. Bye bye tai-taihood, hello corporate world!

Friday, December 3, 2010

A new height

Things didn’t go as I planned this week, but thankfully it turned out for the better. Completed a new job, and for the first time in my short career as a freelance writer, I charged the customer RM200/page of copywriting. And mind you it’s 12-font size with double spacing okay! I know...I can’t believe it either! I’m darn proud of myself. Syukur Alhamdulillah.

This has undoubtedly taken me into a new height (tolong beri laluan untuk ahkak nak syok sendiri kejap okay). Next year, I’m planning to register a company (an Enterprise), get myself a fax machine and start selling Glokalmama Communications. I was once told that one could earn up to RM15K a month as a translator (for real?). If so, I wanna quickly get myself certified as one also ler. Hopefully by early next year I could get all of these done. RM15K/month is a lot of moolah u’ols.

Since I am in such a good mood today (although I still have one outstanding job to complete), I’m baking an orange chocolate cake later...lalalalala.

I say never underestimate your own talents and capabilities. I’ve been selling myself short all these while, it’s time for me to start demanding what I’m worth...because I’m worth it (ehehehehe boleh ka gittew?). Happy weekend everyone.