Anxiety

This psychological stress, be it feelings of fear, worry, uneasiness, or dread, can sometimes creep up unexpectingly. Well, technically, I personally would blame it on the change of hormones.

I guess, everyone has his/her own ways of coping with it. For me, I guess it works in a few ways...

Work stress > Family de-stress
Family stress > Work de-stress

When all else fails, quiet peaceful time alone sometimes help. It may help to clear the mind, heart & soul. But when it's too quiet, and the mind starts racing more negative thoughts than positive constructive thoughts, it's always good to seek some friend's company to de-stress.

But no matter what, at some point, sooner or later, we will still need to face that fear, to overcome it. (Mind starts contemplating again cos usually it is mostly easier said than done)

So...before we can get any "fear overcoming" done, I guess sleep and rest is essential too. (part of the "de-stressing" process) nite!!

Rest ? Not quite

After an early morning start, 10 hours of hot "sauna", a nice delicious meal after that, a relaxing warm bath, some FB surfing...and just when I thought I could lie down, kick back and relax, I remembered that I still had more things to settle - kids revision... =_="

That is an unavoidable fate and responsibility of a parent, to make sure kids have the sufficient practise, knowledge and studying attitude.

Besides having to "battle" their never ending complaints and pleadings (and sometimes crocodile tears), it is still something that just needs to be done, no matter what or how.

*Yawn* I'm even too sleepy and tired to continue...let's give my eyes some shut eve first...OK ? >-<)

Festivals

Festivals, festivals, FESTIVALS! Yes, these few days (or weeks) has only been about festivals. And not to mention the traffic jams, jams, JAMS! almost everywhere.

While driving around, I had to avoid traffic when the "Dondang Sayang" float was about...then the long Q towards esplanade for the "Chap Goh Meh"...and the jam all around that's anticipating the Thaipusam festival...Multi-cultural indeed, which is a really cool and unique thing to have, but unfortunately the jams all over the island isn't helping to enhance the festive spirit.

I like the sounds of festivities and gatherings, but I'm not the type to enjoy the crowded atmosphere and thoughts of having to squeeze amongst hundreds of people...it's more like a nightmare to me. Especially when I've always had that sense of insecurities, probably because I'm walking amongst people who are taller, bigger and stronger than me, and I feel myself being stepped on, pushed and shoved around (even though unintentionally).

Anyway, few more days, and hope everything will be back to normal...not very quietly nor peacefully, but at least, with some breathing space around again. As for now, Happy Festives all around everyone!

*Drive safely, carefully, and patiently...since you won't be able to beat it, just join in.

Why, What, Where, When, How

These are the common questions kids would ask when they're growing up. Almost everyday, there would be new questions by my own kids involving these 5W's

1. Why is it like this / that ?
2. What does it mean ?
3. Where are you / we going ?
4. When is it ?
5. How do you do it ?

*and the list goes on and on...depending on the situation.

But somehow, these are more positive types of questions, whereby kids keep on learning through curiosity while they constantly throw out questions of sorts.

Whereas, while growing up, we sometimes tend to ask the 5W's in a more negative way, and might take for granted, such as...
1. Why me ?
(if not you, who else?)

2. What does it have to do with me ?
(it definately has something to do with you otherwise we wouldn't be telling / asking you)

3. Where are my things ?
(without even putting effort in finding it in the first place)

4. When will it end ?
(when it's finished)

5. How long more ?
(have more patience, please)

So, let's try and keep reminding ourselves to ask the 5W's in a more positive and constructive manner, shall we ?

What They Say

Today while chit chatting with my colleagues (what topic or how it started I don't really recall) but it reminded me of some jokes way back...

When my kids were younger, and they were not yet taught to remember their parent's name, grandparent's name, even their own names, this was what they answered...

Scene 1
Adult     : What is your mummy's name ?
Big A    : Mummy!
Adult     : What is your daddy's name ?
Big A    : Papa!
Adult     : ...

Scene 2
Adult     : What is your mummy's name ?
Big A     : "Lao Po"! / 老婆 (wife)
Adult     : What is your daddy's name ?
Big A    : "Lao Gong"! / 老公 (husband)
Adult     : How can that be your mummy and daddy's names ?
Big A    : Because it's what they call each other everyday!
Adult     : (LOL)

Scene 3
Adult     : What is your "ah mah's" (grandmother's) name ?
Twins    : AH MAH!
Adult     : What is your "ah gong's" (grandfather's) name ?
Twins    : AH GONG!
Adult     : =_="

Scene 4
Adult     : What is your name ?
Twin 2   : MEI MEI!  (younger sister)
Adult     : What is your "jie jie's" name ?
Twin 2   :  JIE JIE! (big sister)
Adult     : ...


Scene 5
Adult     : What is your "jie jie's" name ?
Twin 1   : Allysa! (eldest sister)
Adult     : OK. But you must call her Allysa "jie jie", OK ?
Twin 1   : No...I'm JIE JIE! ( > 3 < )
Adult     : Then what's your twin sister's name ?
Twin 2   : MEI MEI!
Adult     : ...

But now that they're more grown up, and some people still keep mistaken the twin's identities, they can sometimes get rather fed up of correcting people's mistakes.

Adult     : Alice...(while looking at Ashley)
Ashley   : my name is ASHLEY!
Adult     : Opps...sorry. :P
Ashley   : (giving him/her the "look")

Adult     : Ashley....(while looking at Alice)
Alice     : NO! I'm not Ashley...she's Ashley...I'm ALICE!
Adult     : Oh...ok ok...
Alice     : haiyo.... (then emo's)

Kids... XD

Fighting Spirit GO!

Just finished catching up with some Japanese dramas. It's funny, very comedic (sometimes to the point of being nonsensical) but it really does brighten up ones day, especially after a hectic / stress day and you just feel like unwinding. *phew* Am still doing more catching up on comedic dramas, although sometimes i admit it can become somewhat addictive.

What I like partly about these shows is that it contains certain life lessons and moral values with direct / indirect meanings... (whether it makes sense or not,  is another thing) A few common values would be like determination, perseverence, friendships / bondings, etc. just to name a few.

Here's one of the soundtrack songs (also the main opening theme songs) which helps keep me going.

My Girl is now 8

My little girl is growing up. Can't imagine that it has been this long we've been together. She has gone through alot of ups and downs, good and bad times, but nonetheless, she's doing well in her own special way. She definately has her weaknesses (who doesn't), but with every mistake she makes, I hope she will be able to learn from it and mature in a positive & good way. Let's see if I still feel the same way as I am now 10 more years from now...hahaha...future topics - dealing with teenagers / tweens (I hope I can make it)