Rachel City

Fun Theory Really Works

2010-06-22T21:37:00.003+08:00

If we make things fun, we won't mind working harder.
If we live happier, we won't mind life is harder.

'And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God' ~ Colossians 1:10

Hopeful Dengue Fever Cure and H1N1 Cure

2010-02-20T12:48:00.019+08:00

My daughter (3.5 years old) got her fever on 8Feb Monday morning. I tried the usual way to clear her fever, but this time all didn't seems to work. I brought her to a child specialist clinic to check the next day, and the doctor told me she just had throat infection, and I was given cough syrup, antipyretic, and antibiotic.

The medicine didn't work. She still had her fever, and started coughing with phlegm on the 3rd day. She complained her back was itchy, and I saw some rashes there, so I apply some raw Shea Butter on her to stop the itchiness. I suspected Dengue and decided to use the 'Raw Papaya Leaf Juice' method. I got to know this method from my sister whom once got dengue, and was discharge from hospital after drinking it on the 5th day.

I also receive an email about a man who used it to save his son's life:
'..my son was in the critical stage at the ICU.. from a platelet count of 45 after 20 liters of blood transfusion, and after drinking the raw papaya leaf juice, his platelet count jumps instantly to 135. Even the doctors and nurses were surprised. After the second day he was discharged.'

I thought juice from leaf should not be harmful. Therefore, I decided to stop her cough medicine. Gave my kid 1 big chinese-soup-spoon of raw papaya leaf juice. After 10mins, her fever went down from 39 to 36, and keeping a good temperature for 24 hours! I gave her another spoonful on 4th day to maintain the body temperature.

Then 5th day, I thought she was ok. I stopped giving her the juice, and start the antibiotic for her phlegm.. the fever came back within half a day! She seems weak and keep sleeping!! Midnight immediately gave her another spoon of juice again.

CNY eve (6th day), I brought her to the UH pediatric, and doctor decided to do the blood test due to many-days fever. He told us if we suspect Dengue, then we must stop taking any type of antibiotic and go for a check up. No antibiotic intake because Dengue need the body own immune system to fight, and antibiotic just weaken the immune system. And if Dengue and cough/phlegm happens together, treats the Dengue and forget about the other first.

When the result came out, the doctor was surprise her platelet was at 135, but with the WBC (white blood cell) low at 3.5. "Keep giving what you are giving, she should be fine" was what the doctor said. The next day, we just went back for a 2nd check up, my girl is already jumping up and down (and all of us first time celebrate CNY 1st day at UH!).

I continue giving her the raw papaya leaf juice for 7 days without break, and she's fully recovered. Later I spoke to few mothers, and one mother told me she used it for his son (4 years old) when suspected Dengue and later confirmed as H1N1 case, whom fever also controlled by the juice and recovered later.

These were the steps I did:

1. Pluck 2 pieces of raw papaya leaves from papaya tree, clean the leaves.
2. Tear and take the leafy part (throw away the stem).
3. Cut the leafy part into small pieces and pound them.
4. Squeeze the juice into a bowl, filter it to a spoon.
5. You will only get 1 chinese-soup-spoon of juice (roughly 2 tbsp).

Do not boil or cook or rinse the leaves with hot water. What you need is the raw leave juice. It is very bitter, just swallow it and drink some water to rinse your mouth afterwards.

I believe what the papaya leaf does was not just bringing down fever. It should have some other healing properties bringing the platelet up, and also killing the viruses. However, no institution is studying it.

Well.. this is the start of my CNY. I hope what I have learned and used can benefit others. Please pass around this information, I believe it will safe lives.

'Five of you shall chase an hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.' ~ Leviticus 26:8

Things Should Teach Young Schooling Children

2009-10-09T15:57:00.010+08:00

2 days ago, when I picked up my child from school, I saw a 7-year-old girl alone waiting for her school bus. She was the last person waiting.. and I was quite sure that she missed her bus.

I asked her
'Are you waiting for school bus?' She shook her head.
'Are you waiting for your parent?' She nodded.
'Are your parent normally come late?' She shook her head.
'Do you have your house address?' She shook her head.
'Do you have your house phone number?' She shook her head.
'Do you know your house direction?' She nodded.

She wouldn't talk. The conversation was between shaking and nodding heads. She was sent home by the school canteen boss, fully relying on her finger-pointing direction.

The canteen boss later told me, they reached her grandpa house that day, which was not very far, but was not where she stays. The grandpa mentioned that she was not waiting for her parent, but school bus. However this girl likes to play and run around school while waiting for her school bus, that's why she missed her bus.

What was missing here? A list of simple things parents should teach their young children going to school.

Give them a tag with house phone number and address to keep in school bag.
Give them some money to keep in school bag (for emergency use, call home/buy food).
Teach them to use the public phone.
Teach them to differentiate reliable adults (school canteen workers, teachers, schoolmate's parents) vs. stranger on the street.
Teach them to speak up if -- someone bully them, stranger getting friendly, alone in school, etc.
Spend some time with them at home to talk about strangers, robbers, kidnappers, bullies, rapist. Not too deep, but at the level they can understand.

Teach our children things that cannot learn in the text book, tell them how to handle things that no one will explain to them if you don't (and they will one day face it).

They will be better children when they are 'informed'.

'Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.' ~ Deuteronomy 11:19

Victory in Life by Faith

2009-09-22T00:25:00.006+08:00

Is life too difficult for us? Let's get inspire!

'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Fairness in God's Eyes

2009-09-02T22:02:00.006+08:00

Leviticus 12："...woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for 7 days... but if she gives birth to a daughter, for 2 weeks the woman will be unclean..."

Me: 'God, I read about what you told Moses in Leviticus 12. That's unfair! Isn't that sexist?'

God: 'My gal, why do you think it that way? Don't you understand? ...a factory producing Mercedes Benz is different from the one producing BMW. There are different tools used in the factory, and the cleaning process is different..'

Me: 'Ooh.. I see, I see... got it now.'

'For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.' ~ Proverbs 2:6

1,2,3,4 - by Plain white T's

2009-08-05T21:31:00.009+08:00

Love this song! It's been a long while I have not like a love song ;-)
Enjoy...

1,2,3,4 - by Plain whilte T's

1, 2, (1, 2, 3, 4)

give me more loving than i ever had
make it all better when i'm feeling sad
tell me that i'm special even when i know i'm not

make me feel good when i hurt so bad
barely getting mad, i'm so glad i found you
i love being around you

**you make it easy, as easy as..
1 2, (1 2 3 4.)

there's only one thing two do three words
four you.. (i love you) i love you

there's only one way two say those three words
and that's what i'll do... (i love you) i love you **

give me more loving from the very start
piece me together when i fall apart
tell me things you never even tell your closest friends

make me feel good when i hurt so bad
best that i've had, i'm so glad i found you
i love being around you

repeat **

(i love you) i love you..

repeat **

(i love you) i love you
1... 2... 3... 4... (i love you) i love you...
(i love you) i love you.

_________
'Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.' ~ Proverbs 3:3

Get a Paradigm Shift

2009-07-23T18:18:00.005+08:00

I have a paradigm shift after listen to this talk, I hope you too. Life sometimes put us in a box and we really need a little help like this to think out of the box, to learn new things.

'If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.' ~ Matthew 21:22

Do Schools Kill Creativity?

2009-07-13T15:05:00.004+08:00

Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.

'This is the written account of Adam's line. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God.' ~ Genesis 5:1

Upgrade Your Marriage

2009-07-08T12:30:00.011+08:00

When my thinking towards marriage was in 'teething' stage, I used to think or say certain things about my husband. I was surprised that many women I met did the same thing, saying things unknowingly... I wonder are they going through what I went through? Some having trouble to 'get-out' of that stage, and some even thought it is normal to be that way!

Find out whether you are in the 'teething' stage. Do you think or say something similar like these?

'When I say something, he always keep quiet...'

'He always do that silly thing, like a big kid...'

'Why can't he help out doing...'

'I cannot leave the kids with him, it will be a mess...'

'Why can't he change job, or get a raise?'

'He prefer watching TV than talking to me...'

'Before marry he will do that for me, after married I wonder if he would ...'

'Why can't he change?'

'I don't understand why he cannot do it this way, aren't this way much better?'

'Marriage is like a grave...'

'Why I married this guy? I think I marry the wrong person...'

I am now at a different level of thinking, that 'teething' time had passed. I am more happy now, feeling more loved.. and I admire my man. It is only now I foreseen a possibility of a so called 'happily-ever-after', and only now I understand why there are couples whom can be so in love with each other till the end.

Are you a wife like how I used to be? Are you a wife who think her husband is not loving enough, not caring enough, not thoughtful enough, or not smart enough? .. and you cannot 'change' him? My turning point started after I searched and found few books, and this is one of it.

I first saw the title of this book 'The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands' by Dr.Laura Schlessinger, I find it funny; but later I really learned something precious from it -- how to appreciate my other-half.

As a prerequisite, I recommend friends (especially choleric friends) to first read the book 'The Surrendered Wife' by Laura Doyle, to understand more about our 'controlling' desire. Then you will understand more on what the women in this book are talking about.

This book mainly are conversation between women and Dr.Laura, about their challenges with husbands. Dr.Laura is helping those women to understand that certain things can be improved by simply having a right thinking and a right attitude towards their husbands.

I saw many things those women mentioned in the book were things I had been doing, and it was really an eye-opener for me to learn something that no one has taught me before -- about how relationship between husband and wife should be, or should I say how God intended it to be.

The result after my changed (of thinking and attitude) was encouraging. As if husband is a lock, and wife have to make sure that she is not a lock, but a key. Be the correct key for that lock. When the key is right, walaaa... the lock opens!!

'In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.' ~ 1 Timothy 3:11

Somebody...

2009-05-29T14:38:00.004+08:00

Somebody said it takes about 6 weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby. Somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, normal is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct. Somebody never took a 3-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring. Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good". Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices. Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a ball through the neighbour's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother. Somebody never helped a 4th grader with his maths.

Somebody said you can't love the 5th child as much as you love the 1st. Somebody doesn't have 5 children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books. Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labour and delivery. Somebody never had a child get on the bus for the 1st day of kindergarten.

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back. Somebody never organized 7 giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married. Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home. Somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her. Somebody isn't a mother.

- author unknown

'May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!' ~ Proverbs 23:25

What to do when Children got Fever?

2009-05-15T13:48:00.006+08:00

Recently many kids got fever due to the hot weather, not enough fluid, etc. Some of my mommy friends ask me whether there is a way to take away the fever.. why it keeps coming back??

First of all, parents should learned that fever is not a sickness, but our body's response to a disease. It is considered one of our body's immune response to 'kill' the bacterial or virus. When we found the root cause and treat it, fever will subside.

If a child got fever, it actually shows that the child's immune system respond well to body condition. Then, what's next? It is now the parent responsibility to find out the root cause of the fever, and help the child's immune system to 'fight together'.

At the same time, things that can be done are:

(1) Sponge the kids forehead with wet tower continuously, or stick those KoolFever cooling pad on the kids forehead.

(2) Give the kids plenty of water, juice, and vitamin C. Water helps to 'flush out' the unclean things, and juice and vitamin C helps to 'fight' the disease.

(3) Bath the child with warmer water or traditional herbs (like my grandma's recipe).

Then parents will need to be patience to monitor the child's condition. If the child is still actively playing, then not to worry. Normally the body can heal by itself within a day or two. Else, is time to consult a doctor of the root cause.

Basically doctor will try to find the root cause, then prescribed the medicine to treat the problem (infection of throat, etc.). Then he may also prescribed a type of antipyrin to suppress the fever for the comfort of the child.

Do not use antipyrin solely for fever. It only suppress the fever without helping it to fight intruding bacterial or virus. That's why the fever came back after the medicine subsided.

'Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you' ~ Exodus 23:25

MnO2 Mommy

2009-05-12T16:49:00.010+08:00

Recently reading a local Chinese book named MnO2 Mama (二氧化錳媽媽) by 晨硯, which I really like. She said:

'MnO2 (Manganese dioxide) is a type of catalyst. Let me tell you, my daughter.. when MnO2 is mixed to your life, besides it keeps rushing 'quick, quick', it strengthen you for challenges, it colored your life too. It let you shine with different colors at different places. It let you have your true worth at any situation. My dear daughter, this is mama.'

This book has many short stories about the author's life as a mother and a writer. I immediately fall in love with this book when I read the first article.

'... if you used to do housework, you will know that the toughest part are the small stuff, the little things.. what more when it keeps repeating! When my daughter was around 2-3 years old, I chased her in order to feed her, I chased her in order to bath her, ... I chased until I felt sad and like a failure. There was a time I asked her in an adult way: 'Do you want to give mommy happiness or sadness?' She answered: 'Mommy, chase me lah, that is happiness!' That reply was like a big nail nailed on my feet.. I took a big breath, make like a tiger.. Roar! Roar! Roar! Pounce on... happiness have to be chased.'

The author is able to transfer what she felt as a mom in writing to the reader, especially when the reader is a mom too. Besides, it makes me understand that every moms do go through what other moms are going through. It is not just me. This, in deed make me feel very happy.

This book was bought for me by my dad.. I am amazed of his wisdom.

'Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.' ~ Proverbs 17:6

Get Rid of Baby Rashes

2009-05-05T01:25:00.018+08:00

Many newborn babies and toddlers in this humid country develop rashes on their face, neck, and body; some even had it with fever. I saw babies with rashes crying, and what mothers normally do were to bath the baby or put baby powder all over the baby's body. I heard some kids have the problem of rashes even they are 12 years old.

Every time my 3 kids get fever, itchy, grumpy, crying at night.. I know that is the time the rashes going to develop. Thanks to my grandma 'recipe', my kids never have rashes more than a day.. but most of the time the rashes do not get to develop. The 'recipe' is actually a traditional method to bring down body heat and fever, I will share that method with you here.

Find these 'Garbage-Grass' (as shown in the picture below). They have unique flower like a lamp which fill with seeds. Most of the time you can find them near the drain or at the garden of an empty house.

The grass is used as bath water. (1)Pull out the whole plant with root.. many of them, enough to fill a big pot. (2)Put the grass in a big metal pot, add water to boil it, like the picture below.

(3)Cover the lid of the pot, let it boils for some time. Make sure the water do not spill out the pot. The water will slowly turn to light brown color.

(4)Pour the water to bath tub and add enough cold water to make it warm (slight warmer than the kid's body temperature). Then bath the kid.

(5)Rub the kid's back with plain flour. If the kid is 'heaty', his body hair will 'stand', with the flour stick at the tip of the hair (picture below was my son with the flour during his fever).

(6)Rinse the kid with clean warm water.

(7) Wipe the kid clean, use a shaver to shave away those body hairs that are with flour.

For those mothers whom do not want to shave their kids so much, use a moisture soap to clean away the flour during step 6.

Go away rashes.
Go away fever.
No crying at night.

Better sleep my baby.
Better skin my baby.
Happier baby.

'Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.' ~ Deuteronomy 4:9

How Big are You?

2009-04-24T22:14:00.015+08:00

I recently received an email from a friend about planets, find it really really useful.. beyond academically for kids.

'Have you ever wondered where we come from and how we came into being?

Have you wondered how awesome is the universe and what is eternity?

Do you ever think how we fit into the big picture or think how great we are (sometimes)?

THIS is fascinating - it's rather dazzling to see it presented this way.

I certainly thought this was enlightening. Beyond our sun, it's a big universe.

ANTARES is the 15th brightest stars in the sky.

It is more than 1000 Light Years away.

How big are we?

... ...

Try to wrap your mind around this...

This is a Hubble Telescope ultra deep field infrared view of countless 'Entire' galaxies BILLIONS of Light Years away.

Below is a close-up of one of the darkest region of the photo above.

Humbling, isn't it?

And yet, God said He knows how many hairs are on our heads, and not even a single sparrow dies apart from His will!

So,
How big am I?
How big are the things that upset me today?'

I am so amazed. Imagine HOW BIG GOD IS then!

Keep life in perspective, my friend.

'By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.' ~ Hebrews 11:3

'Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.' ~ Matthew 10:29-30

Bacteria and Virus

2009-04-16T14:29:00.004+08:00

I know infection cause by bacteria or virus, but what's the difference? Today I got a chance to understand them.. finally :P

Bacteria is a living cell. It reproduces by dividing itself. Most bacteria can grow on non-living surfaces, like coins, hands, tables, dustbin, etc. When a bacteria enters our body, the toxins it produces can damage our cells it has invaded.

Mmm.. Bacteria sound to me like Star War invader.. they come, they destroy. I believe if we take note about personal hygiene, we will cut down the chances of getting bacteria infection.

Virus is not a living organisms. It requires a living host (people, animal, plant) to survive and multiply. When a virus enters our body, it invades our cells and takes over the cell machinery, redirecting the cell to produce the virus. The virus may eventually kill the host cells.

Virus sound to me like Alien.. they come to parasitize at a living thing, mutate the cells, and eventually take over!

By understanding the differences, we will know that certain medications that are effective against bacteria are not effective against virus, and vise-versa.

'A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?' ~ Proverbs 18:14

How to end Work Day at Home

2009-04-15T17:18:00.002+08:00

There was a time I pray that God can enlighten me on how to live as a work-from-home person, especially how to end my work day since I am already at home?

He did! The answer came 2 months ago... happened to read few articles online that I can pick up some point to adjust myself. Here are my notes to share:

List out the work and housework that I need to do 1 day in advance. So that I won't spend too much time on certain things.

End work at least 30 minutes before hubby arrives home. This also gives me a few moments to reflect my day, distress, and gradually ease out of work mode.

Make sure that by the time hubby arrives home, I am not dressed in my pajamas.

When work day is done, do not give in to the temptations of checking emails, etc.

Spend some time alone with hubby every single day, even if it's just a few
minutes after the kids are in bed. Spend some time talking, snuggling on
the couch, or even eating a late-night snack together.

Try to get out of the house when there is opportunity. Go for a drive, walk around the neighborhood, or just sit outside of the house.

Do something special for your the kids or hubby everyday. This can be as
elaborate as planning a fancy candlelight dinner, or as simple as replacing
all of the pencils with freshly sharpened ones.

Use physical gestures regularly, like hugs, kisses, back rubs.

Hope you find it useful as well :D

'Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.' ~ Proverbs 24:27

I salute 沈慕羽

2009-02-20T16:10:00.011+08:00

So many years I heard of the name 沈慕羽, but never really find out who this great person is, or what he has done in detail. Sadly to say, I now know him better after his death last week.. by looking at many videos of history, his work, how he lived his life and treat people.

I regretted not meeting him in person when I have the chance. He is now on my 'Incredible Person List' together with Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Carnegie... a local, a Malaysian, another incredible person.

I salute 沈慕羽.

'Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.' ~ James 3:13

Everyday is a Special Occasion

2009-02-04T16:53:00.006+08:00

When I go to my mom's house, I see year-by-year those beautiful plates and bowls, and nice tea pot sets that she keeps at the cupboards; many perfumes unopened in her drawers... Then one day, I got an opportunity of having family dinner, and took out her plates and bowls for everyone to use. I told mom every time we meet should be considered as special time to use them, and I mean frequently.

If you want to understand what I mean, read this story..

A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package:

'This' - he said - 'isn't any ordinary package.'

He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.

'She got this the first time we went to New York , 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on, was saving it for a special occasion.

'Well, I guess this is it.' He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died..

He turned to me and said: 'Never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion'.

I still think those words changed my life.

Now I read more and clean less.

I sit on the porch without worrying about anything.

I spend more time with my family, and less at work.

I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through. I no longer keep anything.

I use crystal glasses every day... I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like it.

I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to.

The words 'Someday...' and ' One Day...' are fading away from my dictionary. If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now..

I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell.. I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends. She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels. I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese food, her favorite. It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come.

Each day, each hour, each minute, is special. Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no-one.

'He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.' ~ Romans 14:6

DIY Cleaner for House Cleaning

2009-01-17T13:28:00.007+08:00

I was amazed when my mother-in-law brought back a bottle of 'garbage sauce' to use as dish washing liquid. She told me it was made by some fermented vege and fruits. Although it looks yukky, but the effect is as good if not better than those chemical dish washing liquid.

In the economy like this, many do not use high grade or organic cleaners due to their prices. Why not use what God has provided to make your own?

Below are some information I collected. Please share your experience if you have used them:

To clean the smelly drain, toilet, floor, dishes
- stir water and brown sugar in a clay container, or plastic bottle (the one with lid)
- add in fresh garbage (fruit skin, vege, cooked rice, leaf, plant)
- close lid (leave 3/10 of the space empty in the bottle for fermentation)
- open lid everyday to release air, until no air one day

To clean your sink
- after brush your teeth, use sponge with some toothpaste to clean the sink
- rinse with water

To take away sweat smell on shirt
- add in 2-3 slide of lemon during soaking time

To take away stubborn oil dirt on shirt
- use chalk to draw on the dirt before washing the shirt

To prevent cupboard or drawer from ants or worms
- put in 10 garlic

There are also other interesting method I heard, like..
- use expired milk to clean the floor, it will take away dirt and prevent dust effectively.
- use banana skin to clean leather shoes.

Wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year, and happy house cleaning!!

How I Start My Homeschooling - Part II

2008-12-17T16:58:00.003+08:00

Homeschooling does not mean ‘bring the school into the house’. Do not just buy the school text books and teach your child in the house.. else the whole meaning of homeschooling is gone! I set some guidelines for myself:

Teach using fun ways or everyday-life way: During outdoor visit, educational trip, grocery shopping, at the kitchen/garden/playground, teach them about road sign, calculate money (maths), step on baking a cake, etc.
Teach according to the child’s learning ability: She may be learning kindergarten English, but at the same time learning standard-3 math.. all depends on her speed on different subject.
Explore the child’s gifts: Especially good in drawings? Art work? Dancing? Music instrument? Geography? History? Electric appliances? Swimming? Kung Fu? Then according to their interest, boost up their knowledge and explore their skills by bringing them to trips, classes, museum, factory, etc.
Set Proper View about Exam: Let the child understand, exam and spelling are tools to evaluate how much he or she understands or knows about a particular topic or word. It is not something use for comparison or tell how good/bad he or she is.
Aim to Build Solid Foundation: Treat them fairly, honestly. Give them room to raise their concern, question you. Teach them to evaluate and not blindly absorb things shown or given to them (eg. advertisement, movie). So that in future, they have a good foundation facing the complicated world, like Internet, cigarettes, pubs, drugs..

How I Start my Homeschooling - Part I

2008-11-12T14:57:00.004+08:00

Recently I received request from some moms wanting to know how I homeschool. What I can do is to share what I did with my eldest daughter from 3-5 years old, and along the way, tell the things I do with my son now, who is turning 4 years old. Below suggestion are all based on my experience for your reference only - remember, every child is different.

I believe before a parent wants to homeschool his or her child, he or she must first understand each child’s personality. Therefore, parent should start by preparing themselves first before the child. There are books I read before doing homeschooling, and I strongly recommend parent to do the same:

‘Personality Plus’ by Florence Littauer. This book is a must to help you understand your child, along the way it helps to understand your spouse, even your boss!

‘Dare to Discipline’ by James Dobson. This book gives you some foundation you should have when training up your child.

‘Bringing Up Boys’ by James Dobson. This book is for parents who have boy or boys. A must- read especially if you think your boy is very naughty or out of control. This book makes me understand that boy is boy. They are designed to challenge, to survive. They are surely more hard to manage. Understand that they are different from girls, so we don't force them to behave or response like girls do. Don't take away the differences!

‘How to Raise a Positive Child in the Negative World’ by Zig Ziglar. This is an additional reading if you have time. It let you understand the world your child is having now is different from yours 20, 30 years ago.

to be continue...

Plastic (Resin) Water Bottle

2008-11-10T14:00:00.009+08:00

When I look at the water bottle at home, there are Code 1-PET (mineral water bottle) that I throw away after first used, there are Code 5-PP (polypropylene), and Code 7-PC (polycarbonate) that I bought for refill of water. Even my baby's feeding bottle is using Code 7-PC.

Recently after the Melamine issue, I finally decided to search information to find out the safety of using plastic water bottle. Many years ago, I heard that it is not safe to reuse, but how true is it?

After some research, the symbols at the bottom of the plastic bottle (consists of a triangle recycle symbol, a code number inside, and an acronym below the symbol) is to differentiate different type of polymer of the plastic. Manufacturer printed it not for consumers, but for easy sorting for their recycling purposes.

Until today, people disputed for years over the safety of using it:

(1) the chemical concern
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical concern for water bottles, especially those intended for reuse and made of PC (code 7). High temperatures and bleaching (some even said frequent cleaning) are believed to increase leeching of BPA. The health impact for humans is disputed.

(2) the bacteria concern
Users are warned regarding risk of bacteria that may develop in the bottle between uses. It is recommended to clean the interior with warm soapy water and let 100% dry before re-filling.

(3) the environmental concern
Plastics are durable, and they degrade very slowly. In some cases, burning plastic can release toxic fumes. Besides, manufacturing of plastics often creates large quantities of chemical pollutants.

Many health-conscious and environmentalist are going back to glass containers. At the end of the day, final decision is still in my own hands... to use or not to use? to reuse or not to reuse? to throw or not to throw? to clean or not to clean?

'And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Kepp on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.' ~ Luke 11:9-10

What is 'Poison Milk' (Melamine)?

2008-10-10T15:58:00.023+08:00

Everyone is concern about the poison milk issues, but not many actually know what it is all about. Info below came from forwarded Chinese emails which I translated to English. Hope it can benefit more to understand..

1.毒奶粉到底是什麼？What is in Poison Milk?

就是「三聚氰胺」。這是化工實驗室裡的「三聚氰胺」～
It is Melamine from the chemical industry.

「三聚氰胺」原本是做什麼用的呢？它是一種工業原料主要是用來製作「美耐皿」碗盤～
What is Melamine originally for? It is one of the industrial ingredients to make plastic plates/bowls..

還有家裡裝潢一定會用到的「美耐板」～
And the artificial wood we use during renovations..

大家明白了嗎？「三聚氰胺」是一種工業原料，根本就不能吃！
Is everyone clear now? Melamine is a type of industrial raw material, uneatable at all!

2.為什麼「三聚氰胺」會出現在奶粉裡？
Why Melamine is in the milk powder?

奶粉是由牛奶製成的，牛奶最重要的營養成份就是蛋白質。「三聚氰胺」跟蛋白質一樣含有「氮」～
偷加「三聚氰胺」，製造廠商可以省下牛奶的用量、降低成本。
Milk powder is made by cow's milk, and the most important nutritional ingredient in milk is protein. Melamine and protein both contains nitrogen.
With Melamine, manufacturer can cut down the amount of milk used, plus reduce cost.

下面都是「三聚氰胺」，是不是跟奶粉很像？它沒有味道，所以不容易發現。
These are all Melamine, aren't they look like milk powder? It doesn't has smell, so is not easily notice.

3.是怎麼發現的？
Then how people find out?

2007年　美國貓、狗暴斃，在中國製的寵物食品裡發現「三聚氰胺」
In year 2007, cats and dogs in US died, they found Melamine in China made pet's food.

2008年開始　中國嬰兒腎結石病例異常增多
Beginning of year 2008, too many kidney stone cases found on China babies.

2008年8月　中國三鹿奶粉被檢驗出「三聚氰胺」
August 2008 Melamine was found in China's milk powder.

2008年9月　紐西蘭總理要求中國政府處理
2008年9月21日　台灣爆發多種食品含有「三聚氰胺」
September 2008 New Zealand president ask China government to look into it.
21 September, 2008 Taiwan discovered Melamine content in many food products.

4.吃／喝了會怎麼樣？
What happen if consume Melamine?

「三聚氰胺」結晶會留在腎裡面，形成結石，堵塞腎小管。結石很痛很痛，結石的人尿不出來，腎臟會水腫。
Melamine will crystallized and stay in the kidney, forming kidney stones, causing blockage. The affected person cannot urinate, feeling very painful. Kidney may become edema.

雖然結石可以動手術拿掉，卻會對腎臟造成不可恢復的傷害，到最後腎臟失去功能，就必須洗腎，否則很快就會因為尿毒症死亡。洗腎是什麼呢？其實正確來說，應該叫做「洗血」就是把身體全部血液，抽到外面繞一圈，經過機器過濾再送回去。
Although kidney stones can be removed by operation, it weaken the kidney or cause it to loose its function of cleaning toxic. Dialysis is needed. Meaning 'washing blood' by drawing the blood to go through a filter machine then pump it back into the body.

為什麼嬰兒最嚴重呢？因為腎臟很小，此外，嬰兒只喝奶粉，所以腎壞掉的速度是最快的。
Why babies affected the most? Because their kidney are small, besides, babies purely drink milk, therefore the speed of kidney destruction is the fastest.

中國目前已經有1萬3千個受害的嬰兒住院。
There were already 13,000 babies affected and hospitalised in China.

'The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.' ~ Genesis 4:10-12

Bad Things Happen to Good People

2008-09-20T13:53:00.006+08:00

Something happened to me on 916… nothing politically though. I had a car accident opposite Sunway Pyramid and ended up paying RM50 to the opposite party. My car scratched lightly at the young lady’s car when she was turning left in front of me from my right hand side. Yes, you read correctly, turning left from my right.

This is the first time in my 15 years of my driving life feeling so stupid paying after the incident. By law, she was wrong, no matter whether she did give signal light or not, and whether did I see her signal or not. However, at that moment I chose to give her the money she demanded to avoid further argument. I thought it was a smart move, but I regretted so much later that I did not stand for myself when someone take advantage of me.

In my 15 years of driving life, I hit pillars, road side blocks, metal gates, etc. many times, but never a car. My family told me I gave in because I was an 'inexperience-about-accident' driver. ‘Never pay if you know you are right.. bring it to the police.. record the car number, name, and driving license.. best take a picture of the incident before you move your car to the side.’ Wow, so much I did not do!

No matter what people tell me, the incident already happened and passed. I cannot even remember that car number now. ‘Why suddenly I became so blur? I should have…’ ‘Why bad things only happen to good people?’ Questions keep playing in my brain. Somehow I cannot take away the regret feeling in me for few days.

I tell myself I have to stop blaming myself although it is not easy. And I must learn something more than this. May be God want me to go through this to learn something different? Yeah, this is a more important mind set to have, to survive, and to live life! I decided then to go for a good book for an answer, or a comfort.. the book I read is The BE Happy Attitudes by Robert Schuller.

'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.'

God does comfort good people when bad things happen to them.

Don’t ask: ‘Why do bad things happen to good people?’
Ask: ‘What happens to good people when bad things happen to them?’

And the answer?

They become better people.

Message to A Sister

2008-04-24T12:28:00.010+08:00

To my dear sister,
Most people have heard of the story of a professor putting the big stones into a hugh glass jar. He then poured in smaller stones, then poured in sand, then poured in water. This is not to show his student no matter how full it looks, there is still room to add (improve); But is to show them, if you do not put in the big stones first, you will never get to put them in at all.

I believe there are big milestones in life we put in - Birth, Maturity, Career, Marriage, Pregnancy, Child-Birth, Health, Knowing-God. Some of these happen at specific time. If we miss any of it, we may feel some regret in life.

One thing I learned not so early was:
'If you don't manage your life's milestones, decide and chart your path... life will pass you by.'

Are you marrying him? Dunno.
Do you love him? Dunno.
Do you plan to find someone else? Dunno.
When do you think you should get married? Dunno.
Have kids? Dunno.

These are the answer I get from you. Is it a trend now?

Actually in olden days, like mom and dad, people were somewhat unconsciously aware of marriage milestone. They plan their path, aim to marry specific person at a specific time. May be life is easier nowadays, so people takes things for granted... until one day when they get old, no matter how much money they have... they will fall back to face certain milestones they miss - marriage, pregnancy, kids.

TV, movie, novel sometimes beautifies things. People are forever waiting for things to happen by itself... forgetting that milestones need them to plan to achieve.

Stop waiting for your lover to knee down asking for marriage, you two can actually sit down and plan for it. Stop looking at oversea just because you feel that there is no equal opportunity in this country. There is no one place in the world that has equal opportunity. Every country has people succeed and become millionaires, and every country has beggars too. Do you know poorer countries says here is heaven?

One do not need to be equal to go for success. One just need an opportunity and hard work to be successful... remember that. Read books of successful people, their mind set is different than usually what people thought things were. That's why they are successful no matter where you place them in the world. Upgrade your mindset, not only career updates, you will have a wiser view, and you will be happier without all the complaining.

Love,
Your sister.

Stay-at-home Mom, Keep It Up!

2008-04-21T14:39:00.011+08:00

A friend of mine got married and have babies. She never go back to work in the office, and just stay at home to take care of the kids. She sometimes wonder 'Is it worth it to let go my good career to be a homemaker? Now I don't get to wear nice clothes and makeup to work, I don't see many people, I seldom socialize or network, I can't go out whenever I like, and most of the time I feel like I can't handle the kids like I handle my work (so well) in office.'

I realised even woman that decided to quit her job during their kids schooling age will have the similar thinking in the first 2 years, regardless they know of the important reason behind handling that resignation letter or not - the reason to let kids have a mom at home. Some will end up going back to the work force because, at the end of the day, work is still easier to handle than little human being, and work has a time-out.

In order for myself not to dwell into the same thinking
(1) I get myself to read books about raising kids. James Dobson's books are among the good ones. They are to remind myself of the importance of the role of a mother at home. What I can observe and input to my kids in the early age before they reach the teenage years.

(2) I pickup the habit to groom myself whenever I go out somewhere... to shop for something, or visit someone. Make sure no messy hair, ugly T-shirt, etc.

(3) Plan a simple time table with my kids, to do things together, go for a walk together, exercise together, and take any opportunity to update them on knowledge, beliefs, values.

(4) Take a day off to go out with girlfriends, or sisters, or hubby.

(5) Pick up a passion part time work or hobby. Mine is to continue my bridal makeup service to others.

(6) Talk to someone who is doing the same thing, or who has done it. I once met an elderly lady who told me I am doing the right thing, and encourage me to keep it up. She did the same and all her 3 kids graduated, and are successful adults working in various fields. She can't imagine how they will turn out to be if she did not stay at home to keep an eye on them.

(7) I get myself involve in some woman's group to keep myself updated. Attend some of the event or workshop to know more ladies, and share things that ladies like to talk about. Recently found interesting topic regarding some big IT companies thinking of providing shorter work time or work-from-home for moms, cause they see the trend where a high-performer leave after having babies. US already starting this!

For those who are working, I urge you to consider staying at home as an option, especially if your salary is mainly covering your working expenses, extra car, petrol, working clothes, baby-sitting and maid. Because a mom at home for the kids cannot really replace simply by any other person or program (baby-sitting, maid, tuition, etc).

If you are a stay-at-home-mom or a work-from-home mom, welcome you to contact me. We can keep in touch to encourage each other to do our best in this primary role of mother. Although we are not pay a salary, this is the most important task one cannot put a price tag on. We should be proud of ourselves, and we will be glad on how our kids turn out to be later... that will be our greatest rewards in days to come.

'Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.' ~ Deuteronomy 4:9

Immune System is the Strongest Defence

2008-03-18T15:51:00.008+08:00

Recently an old friend told me about his kid's asthma... been in and out of hospital 5-6 times and occasional wheezy, giving him headache and lost many weekends. This reminded me of my own case almost 20 years ago...

I was not a strong kid when young, I almost visited the clinic every month on flu, cough, fever, etc... which I now understand that was 'not normal' for a healthy kid. My immune system was weak and I never take time to let it be strong and fight, but relied purely on western medicine all the time to get a quick fix.

I became a bronchitic patient in my teen years. The hostel I stayed was having massive construction work, and the dust and cement powders which I unconsciously breath in everyday had caused me one night to woke up in shock of not able to breath! I thought I was going to die because all the phlegm had stuck at the entrance of the lungs and moving in... I stood real straight in order to breath, and fall asleep standing that night at 3am...

The next day, I went to the specialist and got an x-ray full of phlegm plus an injection... the doctor scolded me for not taking care of myself at such a young age... concluded my case as bronchitis. I promised myself that day to take care myself properly. However, with no knowledge on health, those medication did not make me any better, it only help to cover those symptom. Since then, I am careful when around people with cigarette, and refrain from dusty areas, and all cold drinks/food.

Many years later when I got into working life, I managed to cured from it when I took natural organic nutritional supplement consistently and persistently for 10 years. I also distanced myself from coloring, flavouring, preservative... which mainly found in packaging food and fast food. After attended some health seminars and read those health books, I learned a lot about the medical industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and the food industry... my thought is: Why fall into the conspiracy of those who use unhealthy things to get rich?

Modern Parents, Be Sensitive!

2008-03-10T04:17:00.002+08:00

I grew up with Chinese parents who like to compare their childhood time with current children's childhood time. They said nowadays children are so bless with nice toys, or so lucky someone send them to school... follow by "we do not have such luxury last time." I think I picked up this 'tradition' from my mom and start nagging my children until recently... I stop.

May be God prompted me to think a level deeper, I suddenly found out that children in the past were blessed. They get to walk/cycle to school by themselves, they get to go to the playground by themselves, and they climb trees, run at the nearby hill... until mom call them for dinner. Elder brother or sister get to accompany the younger ones to do something, go somewhere... they get to learn things outside of the house.

Today's kids with nice toys, being sent to school by cars, watch television and play video games in the house... just because outsides is no longer safe to hang around; Nothing about the danger of falling into a river, but more on human related issue -- bad drivers, kidnappers, etc. You saw news that kid being hit by cars on the way to school, kid went missing when they were at playground. Do you dare to let your kids go out without any adult supervision? Not me.

The topic is not to discuss which generations of children are luckier. Parents should comply with the society (safety) of the time to make sure their kids are not exposing to danger of that time. Sad to admit that parents nowadays do not just worry their kids might fall into the river. There are dangers that do not exist in olden days, but parents have to be more sensitive now. For example,

Do not put computer with internet in your kid's room if you have not teach them how to 'handle' it, else it is as good as letting a stranger into the room to teach your kid 'whatever' it likes.
Do not leave your kid(s) in the car without adult, even you are just away for 2 minutes. What if you meet a friend and start chatting? Besides, teach your kids about safety. Teach them to honk if they are locked in the car (p/s: if you read Chinese, read this article and share with your friends).

Breastfeeding without Pain

2008-02-13T03:40:00.008+08:00

Recently a friend gave birth to a baby and she was having nipple pain. The baby mouth is small and sucking milk by gripping the nipple instead of the outer area of nipple.

I taugh my friend to try my method:

When baby crying for milk, use the nipple to touch baby lower lip.
When baby opens her mouth, with your body movement, quickly push the whole breast onto baby's mouth fully (do not worry even baby nose were being covered for a while).
Then use a finger to press down a small portion of the breast (which covering the baby's nose) for the baby to breath.
If baby is gripping the outer area of your nipple, you will feel comfortable and no pain. Continue pressing for the baby to breath and drink.
If the baby grab only the nipple portion, put your finger in from the side of baby's lips to let the air enter baby's mouth to release the suction, then you can try again the above steps.

It works for me and my friend.

All the best to you, mommy! ;D

The 9 Abilities that Affect a Child's Life

2008-01-25T16:10:00.006+08:00

How do I define success as a parent? I want to raise my children to become a successful person in life. Success in terms of having good personality, able to build happy relationship, etc. Not so much on being a multi-millionaire I think.

I always wonder what kind of elements needed to at least get the child heading towards a proper path of becoming successful in life? I know it is not purely education, it is not purely environment. Everyone knows: A child get into a good school does not guarantee he/she will become a successful person. A child born in a poor family does not mean the child will not be a successful person.

Until one day I saw and read this book "The Great Mom and Success of Child" (a Korean book translated to Chinese), and it gave me some great guidelines:

Nine basic abilities that affect a child's life
(1) Ability to handle failure
(2) Ability to evaluate philosophy and creation
(3) Ability to feel blessed or create blessed condition
(4) Ability to lead and think for others
(5) Ability to read and understand others point of view
(6) Ability to communicate - listening, talking, thinking, repeat
(7) Ability to pick up useful languages
(8) Ability to earn and managed money
(9) Ability to work and have good work habit

I highly recommend friends (especially moms) to read this book!

I'm back to school

2008-01-03T17:45:00.003+08:00

I ended my 3 years of homeschooling, and got my daughter into school today.

Getting up early to prepare food, wake up the kid, dress her the school uniform... feels like going back to school myself. Well, I guess I will be doing this till all the kids turn 18? The younger brother and sister also feel excited and wore their school bag on the shoulders.

The transition is smooth, no crying of 'mommy, mommy I want to go home'. I brought the little brother along to check out the area. I left after accompany her for 15 minutes. She was ready to meet all the other small fellow and mingle around.

Why not continuing the homeschooling? Not that the kid cannot follow (in fact she is ahead of schedule). I was the one find hard to concentrate to teach and manage the household, plus the other 2 little ones keeps on demanding for attention.

Well, I'm not so worried now like I used to about educating the kids. Especially after reading 'The Great Mom' (I mentioned earlier in my previous post). May be I should quickly compound the main points and share with you all on my next post. Keep an eye on my next one. *wink*

Change My Thought and Have a Great Husband

2007-10-16T04:24:00.006+08:00

Just came back from Singapore. Found some books from Kinokuniya there, quite interesting. Very impressed with the variety of books in the bookstore, and like the way they arrange the books... somehow was very easy for me to locate similar title in the same area (not that Malaysia don't have, but sometime I just didn't 'meet' the books I am looking for), and there are few racks on just the same topic!

Among all that I like, I am especially impressed by the book 'The Surrendered Wife' by Laura Doyle. I learned so much on the why and how wife is intended to be (by God's design). I can say I found something that answered my questions of why-submission, and it give me so much insight :-)

Currently also reading another books in similar topic: 'The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands' by Laura Schlessinger and 'A Wife After God's Own Heart' by Elizabeth George.

Highly recommended the book to all my married girlfriends, your intimacy, love and passion will be back after you try out, and 'suddenly' you find out you got a great husband all-these-while!

Temptation is everywhere?

2007-10-11T18:17:00.001+08:00

I used to think that if people live properly, follows God's principle, they will not need to face the temptation on adultery. But I was wrong.

Some time ago, my 2 girl friends whom are air stewardess told me about the "real world" out there. Yeah, I mean the seductive world in the Service Industry, regardless of men or women. Especially job in marketing, film, airline, hotel, maid, etc.

They told me that, in the airline industry, if you do not hold a set of value, it is very easy that you fall into the sin of adultery and become a high-class prostitute. Imagine the customer can be multi-millionaire that can offer money and any luxury things. In their industry, everyone know who hold the value and who don't.

While the air stewardess had long flight, the airline will provide them each a separate 5-star hotel room to stay. Outsiders (the local) are able to get their hotel phones and door numbers. People do knock at their doors late night, or call them on the phone...

The other day, I brought my maid to the dentist. While waiting I went out to buy something. When I came back, I notice the fat man sitting at the corner had moved to sit next to my maid. But he have not do his move, and my maid is afraid to even lift her finger. My maid told me, maid agency also had warned them, there will always be men 'hunting' or 'fishing' them, especially when they know she is a maid. Man includes the construction worker, garbage collector, etc. So, what happen then will all depend on her own moral.

This reminds me of an incident. Many years ago, I went to a 5-star hotel in KL to look for a friend working there. While waiting at the lobby, the hotel manager called me from his desk, requested me to do some Chinese-English translation for him. He passed me his phone. I heard from the other side a man with heavy China accents, asking whether the hotel can provide ladies for his 2 business partners whom going to stay there next week. I told the manager about the man request, and the manager ask me to inform him, they do not provide such 'service', but it's alright if he bring his 'friends' over.

Well, this is the real world. We really need to use our brain and ask God's help to strengthen us. If you refer to the great bible, you see these mentioned so many times in different chapter again and again, even kings fall short in this area. Remember how we are supposed to pray? "...don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

'But remember that the temptation that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.' ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13

How to Live Healthier and Longer?

2007-09-24T18:09:00.001+08:00

Many things people tell me on how to be healthy.

The common ones are:

eat less red meat,
drink less coffee,
eat less eggs,
eat less oil,
don't drink alcohol,
don't smoke...

The specific ones are:

eat no salt,
eat no sugar,
eat no fast food,
eat no junk food,
eat no MSG...
eat only organic food,
eat no GMO food,
eat no antibiotic food...

All of the above suggestion are great, but the main thing is how to apply it? If I work in the city and do not cook myself, I don't think I can find any food around that can comply to all the above. I believe I would died of starvation or stress!

So my healthy philosophy? If I am not cooking, my eating philosophy is to EAT MORE GOD-CREATED FOOD.

I will choose fresh make noodle soup instead of instant cup noodles.
I will choose fruit juice (without sugar) instead of gassy drinks.
I will choose grapes or watermelon that have seeds instead of the seedless ones.
I will choose food that can get rotten few days later instead of the one that has an expiry date.

However, sometimes it is not what people eat that contaminate their bodies most; it is the words people said that contaminate people's bodies and souls. People who get blamed, criticised, worries a lot... will get sick and die young regardless of how good the food they eat everyday. Make sure you do not get into that; on the other hand, make sure you are not the one saying hurtful things to others.

You are not defiled by what you eat; you are defiled by what you say and do... Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes out of the body. But evil words come from an evil heart and defile the person who says them. ~ Matthew 15:11, 17-18.

Vaccination?

2007-09-11T04:17:00.004+08:00

Recently saw my mom-in-law's friend brought a new born granddaughter to visit us. The baby is so cute. The grandma told us that the baby don't have appetite to eat for a week already, she said the baby is happily eating every meals until the day he took that vaccine a week ago...

In my heart I know what's happening to the baby, his body is trying to deal with the toxin. I just prayed that the baby will go through it safely. I feel a bit upset as it reminded me that many parents in this country still do not make an effort to check out what vaccination is all about, what it was made and what it did to the body, especially to a tiny baby whom immune system still not fully develop yet (if taken all, there are total 10-13 needles in the baby's 1st year).

I remember just after my delivery, when I told the nurse I do not want my baby to be vaccine, she didn't understand and cannot accept at all, but I know my rights by law well. Later, I managed to talked to a doctor who just came back from US. She agreed with me that not all vaccine should be taken, and different country actually practise differently on which vaccine to take, certain country do not give vaccine anymore. And some choose to wait til schooling time to take vaccination, where the immune system is fully built.

Parents nowadays are careful of what food to put into their children's mouth, what kind of books their children read, what information the children get from school or the net. My hope is that they also make an effort to check out what is those vaccine that is being injected into their children's body.

Dare to Discipline

2007-09-06T04:00:00.002+08:00

Well, got a friend asking me to list out all the books I have read that have helped me. It's a good thing to do on my blog and share with everyone, but it will take some time, cause I would like to mentioned a bit on how it had helped me instead of just listing them. Will slowly reveal one by one when I revisit them again.

Recently rereading the book The New Dare to Discipline (by James Dobson) since my girl is turning 5. The star chart taught in the book become very useful, and also somewhat helps me to focus the things I want her to do daily.

With the chart hanging on the door, my girl will do her homework, brush her teeth, not fight with the brother, etc, and get her reward by earning stars. She recently got 10 stars and we brought her to watch the movie Ratatouille. In a way, this also taught her later in the real world, things do not just come in easy, and nothing by just a hand out. One have to make an effort, even how small it is.

May be in future, I will get her to earn her own pocket money by helping me fold clothes, cut vege, or wash the car... ;-D

In the book, it also mentioned about children or even baby at certain stage will "challenge" the parents in order to check out who-is-the-boss in the family; and it is important that not to let the kids be the center of the house.

'Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.' ~ Proverbs 22:15

Happy Family

2007-08-27T18:07:00.001+08:00

When we raise our children, we bought parenting books to read, we are so careful not to repeat the bad things our parents did to us. But we forgot to check are we actually doing the bad things to our spouse?

One very common things our Chinese parents in the last generation did was to use abusive words to teach their children, they believe by putting down the child will make them wanted to do better. I recently realised sometimes our generation (husband and wife) will unintentionally said things that hurt each other, blame, or make each other feel guilty... we are not even aware of what we were saying because we were being brought up in that kind of environment. All these sound so normal and familiar...

Therefore, teaching and raising kids positively is hard for this generation, we have to learn to be patient. On the other hand, building loving relationship with spouse is even harder, and need more attention, especially when we disagree on certain things. When a talk turns to a discussion or a debate, before it becomes "high level", we have to learn to stop and walk away. I have learnt writing my feelings on paper.

At the end of the day -- peace and love are the most important thing for a happy family :)

Love is patient and kind.
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstances.
~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The Great Mom and Success of Child

2007-08-15T18:05:00.004+08:00

I am very impressed with the 2 books "The Great Mom and Success of Child 1 & 2". It answered me to questions I always have: how to raise good kids to be good adults?

I know to raise kids cannot rely purely on academic education. It has to do with something that the kids learnt by watching and being with people around them and the environment they are in. But how? yes, I found the answers from these books... awesome!

I am passing the book to some friends to read. However, this book is in Chinese (originally in Korean), and I am not able to share with others who doesn't read Chinese.

I am planning to make some notes on it (and hopefully able to apply them). Will share it on my blog later.

Guy Movie or Gal Movie?

2007-08-15T18:03:00.001+08:00

Although had been chating with friends through the net for many years, this is the first time I chat with hubby using messenger. The feeling kinda good.. (1) he pay attention to every word I said; (2) the topic can go more in depth and he's still awake! *yeah*

After I got married, I decided to have long chat with only my female friends; as I find when I chat with male.. topic better be work oriented and short, else, most of the time I will end up facing the male trying to flirt, which I don't want to get myself into. But with hubby, I feel very free to chat or even say something sweet.

Hubby told me he plan to watch a "guy-movie" with a male friend. Then I realised all these years I have hold him back from asking me to accompany him to do things.. things that I used to label "for guys only" and "for ladies only" (eg. violent vs. love story).

I told him I don't mind watching the movie with him, and he was quite surprised. I go on explaining, since we got kids our time together are very limited and precious.. as long as the movie is not too "one-sided", I guess we can watch together. The main thing is to be together together.

He agreed. And we both are very sure that we won't go and watch those devil movies.. which are too "out" of our zone anyway.

The Center of The House

2007-07-18T17:59:00.003+08:00

Like planets evolve around the sun, children should evolve around parents. In a house, parents should always be the center, never the children.

The children will grow up and leave the house one day. Those parents who evolve around the children will suddenly lose their center. With an empty house, they do not know what to do anymore. They will realize they are not familiar with their spouse because the couple is not the center since the first child was born.

So I remind myself, hubby and I should be the center of our children. We have to make sure we don’t forget to care and love each other while busy attending to the kids, or take a short trip/holiday together without them. In a way, we also become good role model to them.

I hope one day when the children leave us to create another wonderful family, hubby and I will remain the center of the house… and still loving each other.

'Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise— that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.' ~ Ephesians 6:1-3

Homeschooling?

2007-05-08T17:39:00.004+08:00

I first learned the concept of homeschool from some friends whom are already doing it. That time I think I was either pregnant or have my small baby with me. I saw the homeschool kids, and I really like them! With a young age, they have good attitude, they know God and learn His principles. They talk with confident and politeness to adults (not only to their peers), and have good manners. That was something I lack even when I was 18, and was graduate from a so-called boarding school.

Hubby and I did consider homeschooling when we my eldest daughter reaching pre-school age. One main reason is because it is a way of life. Later, I read a book and learned about how school came about...

Before 19th century, there are no such things as public school, adolescence, or gender gap. Age was not consider important to complete studies. People graduated at different age, some at 17, some at 28. Students matured at their own rate, progressing at their work on own level. Even social gatherings, children mingled with adults.

End of 19th century, Horace Mann was the first to put students in classes with a fixed learning pace separating them. Then early 20th century, Granville Stanley Hall wrote a book "Adolescence: It's Psychology, and its Relationas to Physiology, Anthropology, Sociology, Sex, Crime, Religion and Education". He believed that the stages of man were the same as the stage of history, and felt that adolescence required teenagers to be separated from those older and younger than themselves. Basically, this set the groundwork for rebellion to be accepted as part of "being a teenager". Many social psychologists since have viewed this rebellion as a good thing, and credit Hall with inventing adolescence.

Dewey was Hall's most renowned follower, and taught this to educators at the University of Chicago. Dewey created High Schools. Thus, by 1950, within a generation after Dewey we saw, for the first time in the western world, an adolescent sub-culture. The generation gap appeared in the difference of own music, literature, dressing, language. Contrary to the scripture teaching: "You shall rise up before the gray headed, and honor the presence of an old man and fear your God".

One of the most frequent questions people asks regarding homeschooling is about the kids' socialization. I found a very good site that can explain about socialization, which open my mind on this interesting explanation.

Real Wealth

2006-11-14T17:32:00.007+08:00

I remember the night after having Anna "full month" celebration together with close family, relatives & friends; Everyone at home were so tired cleaning up the house. We received lots of gifts and of course $$$, Ang Pau.

At first I planned to save some of those money and may be spend some of it to buy something for Anna. The next day, to my surprise, my husband used the money to pay for a restaurant room with karaoke facilities and invited the whole family to a dinner...

The "usual" me will be complaining him wasting money, but this time I am rather happy he did that. The dinner was nice, with everyone enjoying eating and singing songs as a family. Isn't that wealth? It was already in my hands! How scary to know that we can easily lost wealth by wanting to keep more money.

Both of us had learn this wisdom of wealth earlier from Bruce, a respected elder. He let us understand the different between wealth and rich. Lots of people keep wanting to earn more and save more, so that they can be "richer" to do the things they want. But they can miss out the wealth they already had.

A wealthy person can have just enough money and time... to chat with spouse, going out with kids, have a great meal with family, go for a holiday with friends, have good relationship with God. He or she is happy, and have a loving family. That is wealth.

'The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.' ~ Proverbs 14:24

My baby nota

2006-10-28T17:30:00.002+08:00

Currently busy breastfeeding my new born... also started pump & store milk :D

My notes:
1. Baby can be yellow starting 3rd day... until 2 month old. The eye-white has some yellow from outer to inner eye balls. Sun baby every morning. Bath baby with herbs (get from Chinese herb shop or from grandma). As long as baby is active, moving, eating well, urine well... shouldn't be worried.

2. Baby newly born must at least po-po on the 1st or 2nd day... to make sure intestine to anus ok. All the dark fetus po-po must be all out in the 1st week... until seeing yellow or chocolate po-po. When starting yellow po-po, baby can either po-po 14 times in 1 day, or 1 time in 14 days.

3. Baby girl may have some blood (like period) staining the diaper in the 1st month.

4. Keep baby belly button as dry as possible so that the baby cord can dry and break away earlier (in 1st week).

5. If baby tummy has too much air or colic, crying all the time... can make a small cloth pouch fill with Jintan putih, Jintan hitam, Lada hitam, and Halba; use iron to heat up, cool down to body temp before place on baby tummy.

6. to be continue...

Mommy, looking for breast pump?

2006-10-28T17:28:00.004+08:00

My friend just called me few days ago asking about breast pump. I highly recommend the Avent Manual Breast pump. I have used the same pump for my 1st and 2nd babies, its quality is good, and the design really works to pump out milk fast.

When I fed my baby, I also used the Avent bottles which I came together with the pump (same set). This is because the design of the bottle and the teat are made in the way that when the baby lash on is the same like direct breastfeed. Therefore, I did not have problem when I want to feed my baby directly from breast. Later went I wean them, I swapped to normal milk bottle, I can see the way their mouth sucking the bottle were different.

I breastfed my babies until they were 6 month old (I was working 8 to 5). I breastfeed my baby directly whenever I can. When I was away, I pump my milk and pour in a small milk bottle, then put the whole bottle in a 2 liter Thermos brand's flask full of ice, which I have tested that the ice can last for a day and not melt. The big Thermos flask also allows me to fit in my 2 times pump (2 small bottles).

This Jane Breastfeeding website started me on knowledge of breastfeeding when I was first pregnant. The FAQ sections really helps and encourages me a lot.

Feel free to email me if any of you have any questions.

=====

There was a science exam, question:
'Why breast milk is the best? State 5 reasons.'
A student did not know the scientific answer,

He wrote:
Reason 1: Save money, no need to buy formula;
Reason 2: Good temperature, no need to warm up;
Reason 3: Available anytime, no need to prepare;
Reason 4: Save time, no need to wash/sterilize;
Reason 5: The bottle is pretty and nice to hold.

=====

'because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb.' ~ Genesis 49:25

The Breuss Cancer Cure

2006-08-26T17:20:00.008+08:00

In year 2000 when hubby and I were in Australia attending a function, sitting not far from us was a 30-something guy from Greece attending the same function with his wife. Later, we found out that he just recovered from last stage of tongue cancer!

Previously his doctor told him the cancer was at last stage and he has no choice except to cut away his tongue to stop it from spreading. However, he wanted to try some other alternative before taking the operation, for the sake of able to communicate with his children (then babies) in future. He know if he go for it, he will not be able to talk anymore.

He manage to find this Breuss Therapy from Germany, where the concept is to fast for 42 days and drink only a specific type of herbal tea. This will starve the cancer cell without using chemo or operation. The therapy is base on a principle that "Human can live with only water, but cancer cells will die without soilid food". The person will need to have a strong will, and follow the procedure tightly.

Well, to cut the story short, he manage to cure completely without cutting away his tongue. I was amazed and very encouraged with his testimony. My friend Lily later has used this therapy on his dad whom has lung cancer, and managed to prolong his life from 3 months to 3 years.

The therapy now is printed into a book called The Breuss Cancer Cure (by Rudolf Breuss) . It is a thin book, but I advice anyone who wanted to do the therapy to read from page to page and follow closely. The English was translated from German.

I read the book, and I believe Mr. Rudolf Breuss was a man blessed with healing ability. He can diagnosed a person disease by looking at the iris. He also advice people to remove all pesticides from the house.. etc.

Well, just want to share this with you all, especially those who need it.
Have hope always, never give up!

'You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.' ~ Psalm 119:114

Credit Card Danger

2006-08-24T17:17:00.001+08:00

"What?! You do not have a credit card?" This was a surprise respond from my ex-colleague when I told her I do not have a credit card for 9 years in the workforce.

What's wrong with credit cards if they provide a convenient way to cover unexpected expenses when we are short of money? Isn’t that flexibility a good thing? I guess if you have it as a backup in case you do not have cash in hand is ok (as long as you have the actual amount of money in the bank).

However, credit cards become dangerous when people use it to avoid working on solutions to their debt problems. Rather than adjusting their lifestyles, people rely on credit cards, thus piling up more debt. Besides, The interest on credit cards often piles up faster than people can afford to pay it back, creating a hole nearly impossible to dig out of.

Sometimes I wonder, will credit cards become one of the cause that make people not to rely on God to provide when in need? God will wants us to seek Him in our time of trouble instead of turn to our card, right?

'Look at birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are... , and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.' ~ Matthew 6:26, 33.

Pass the Exam

2006-08-03T16:51:00.002+08:00

Hooray! I have passed my Health paper. 160 people sit for the paper and only 38 passed... so I am doing quite well eh! *wink*

While doing the scuba diving course last year and this health course last week, I learned something else that are not inside the course… by observing different people while going through the process of attending classes, studying and sitting for the exam.

I realized people who scored or do very well in their exam are people who hold good self-value in themselves – always do their best, do the right thing, and hold their standard.

Yes, these people do not depend on circumstances. No matter what kind of environment, exam will be treated like exam, so to find out what we have learned, and the test can indicate our knowledge. Attitude always the same, regardless if the teacher/examiner is leaner, or the exam place is informal, or student around tend to copy each other’s note, discuss answers etc.

At the scuba dive exam, I saw Dr.Chin who sits in front of me doing his own exam questions even people around him started comparing answers. He is the one who score 100 that day in the exam. From that day onwards, I have decided to pick up that value and applied it on myself.

Then, I realized people who passed are always people who have a correct attitude – people who want to achieve something out of the exam. Be it knowledge, a position, or even purely recognition. We should not have the "Que sera, sera; Whatever will be, will be" attitude. This is what I have learned after this whole course.

This time, I apply the good self-value for my study and exam, no matter how little time I have, I just did my best. Besides, correct attitude really helps. I wanted to learn the knowledge and apply it; and I know after this, it will be very beneficial to me and people around me. It was different compare to when I was in school. My motivation in school I guess was 'not to disappoint my parents as a student/child'. It was not really a correct attitude... although good in the sense that I have at least that thinking to pass, I was not learning much of the actual knowledge from the subjects.. a lot of plain memorizing and “dead reading”.

A correct attitude and a good self-value are the core, and the best way to go through any exam. The rest is just studying… *wink*

'Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.' ~ Psalm 94:15

The Kid Bully

2006-05-15T16:36:00.003+08:00

A child bully another child happens everywhere, and may be everyday... as parents, please do not ignore it or even laugh at it... even it seems harmless or funny.

My friend's child recently was being bullied by someone in the kindergarten, which reminds me of my own experience long time ago.

I was 5 years old then, I went to school in a yellow mini school bus. There was this fat girl in the same bus (6 years old), who came to my classroom one morning, asked me out and demanded me to spell out the 12 multiplication formula (i.e. 12x1=12, 12x2=24, etc). Obviously I did not do a good job, so she squeezed my neck a while so that I cannot breath for few second. I remember there were also another 2 girls standing besides her guarding.

I went home feeling very scare, and not until dinner time, I cannot stand it and burst into tears in front of family members. After they found out what happen, to my horror, my mom laughed and sarcastically told me: "That is good, you can learn multiplication faster." After I heard this, my heart sink... what something matter to me most, and the time I need help and comfort, she left me with a laugh!

The next day, when the school bus came in front of my house, my grandma accompanied me to the school bus. I was so reluctant to step into it, but I did. At that moment, my grandma did an amazing thing. She told the school bus auntie (driver) that the fat girl is bullying me. The school bus auntie turns around and shouted to the back: "Fat girl, are you bullying 1025?" (1025 is my house no. I stayed then, she called some kids by house no.)

Since then, the fat girl never comes to my classroom anymore, and I do not know what happen to her after that. I was surprised then, with such a simple instruction from an adult can stop her from what she was doing...

After few days, that scary thought left me, and I am able to occupy my little brain with other fun things again.

Now I have grown up, and when I think about this incident, I really appreciate what a small task my grandma did. She indirectly taught me a lesson early. No matter how insignificant this bully thingy seems, it can be big to children. I need to treat every case with the right attitude. I in a way also pity that fat girl... may be her parents gave her a lot of pressure, including spelling the multiplication at early age... which cause her to became a bully.

If our kid suddenly do not want to go to school, or afraid to go to school, try to find out whether he/she met a bully. If our kid was a bully, it is serious too, we need to look into it.

'The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.' ~ Proverbs 29:15

Should I Vaccine My Baby?

2006-04-26T16:31:00.008+08:00

I believe every parents will reach a point in time where they have to make this choice - whether I should vaccine my babies?

I did my own research focusing sources from medical journal and professional article, instead of the government advertisements/promotion, or normal articles.

You may ask why suddenly I thought of questioning what everyone is doing? May be this was related to the incident below, and what I learned about medicine and drug practices.

A friend in Australia telling me about her auntie who worked 20 years in a hospital at Sydney. She was a nurse that took care of new born babies at night, and also monitor the heart beat of the babies. But she noticed that some babies have irregular heart beat after vaccination, and some of them pass away the next day or few days later. Normally doctor will conclude these cases as SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and case closed.

This is just an incident happened that trigger my interest to check out vaccination -- The history of vaccination, how it came about. What is in the vaccine, how people creates it. What is the raw material/ingredient of making the vaccine. What is the vaccine trying to do in our body. My decision after my reading, I decided not to vaccine my babies. Not before the immune system fully build.

Legally, we have a choice. It is our rights to make the decision every time. Yes, every time, before they can inject us or our kids. Remember in school? When they want to vaccine the students, they will request the parents to sign the agreement form. Same thing apply to the hospital, just that some hospitals assumed that everyone will accept their offer so they skip that procedure to save time.. which can be sued.

Friends, I urge you, as parents, take time to dig on topic about this yourself. Then with good information on your hand, make an inform decision about it before your baby is born. Remember, anything you (or you let others) put into your child is your responsibility. If the decision made are well equip with knowledge and facts, then have peace with it.

'Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' ~ John 8:32

This Baby is Steady

2006-03-20T16:47:00.004+08:00

When I suspect I am pregnant, I was a bit of surprise that this 3rd baby came so fast. I was thinking to try for few more months, like my previous pregnancies.... Doctors told me, normally it will happen in this pattern (easier when come to the 3rd one).

Now I am into my 4th month. Feeling normal, and I am thinner compare to the same period of my previous pregnancies. Maybe because I am first time not working in office. No air-con, no fix eating time, and not so strict on my diet. Well... i think so, or maybe because I am at different age, or maybe I am having baby the 3rd time... may be, may be, may be...

I feel that this baby is very steady. I saw the baby through ultrasound first time when the baby was close to 3 months. Well, the baby looks cool and steady, lying there floating happily...

I thank God that he blessed me with another baby. I prayed that I will have a smooth and easy delivery.

'Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.' ~ Proverbs 22:6

No cow's milk for my baby

2006-03-19T16:18:00.005+08:00

I learn more of cow's milk when a friend told me about cows farming there in uk.

The cows are dragging their breasts on the ground because of too much milk (cause by injection that prolong the milking period). Besides, the dragging causes scars on their breasts so some of them get infection. To avoid from getting sick, antibiotics is being injected to them...

Not until I got pregnant, before my 1st baby was born, I started to take this information seriously and went to do some research on cow's formula...

Ok, after checking... the injection to prolong or increase the milk is the thing called BGH - Bovine Growth Hormone. It is a genetically engineered hormone fed to dairy cows to boost milk production. BGH also reduces the cow's life expectancy and increases the risk of disease, contributing to increased use of antibiotics.

If we think in common sense, why God produce cows' milk? and for whom? The milk is for the calf, mainly to build the calf body, so it is strong to stand. The calf will consumes the milk only for a certain period of time. The grown cows don't drink them. So... what makes us human want to drink it and also give it to our babies? What more not only the milk, it includes the BGH and antibiotics...

The first few things come to mind are - Do we need to get calcium from cows' milk? Who telling us this? The advertisement isn't it? The industry advertise so great that, even some doctors believe it without doing their own research. Actually, most green leafy vegetables and beans have a form of calcium that is absorbed better than cow's milk. They also have iron, vitamins, complex carbohydrate, and fiber which are generally lacking in milk. Besides, cow's milk proteins are a common cause of colic.

Anyhow, mother's milk is the best (even the formula tin stated it! No matter how many DHA, etc. they claim to put in). Human milk firstly give human baby the antibodies to complete the immune system, then go on targeting on building the baby's brain (not building the body first). Now I know why breast fed baby always look slim, and cow's formula baby always look huge.

Do you know? 'Human milk is the most nutritional food in the world'. Those mom who are breastfeeding, keep up the good work! It is the best thing you can give to your baby!! For those moms that do not have enough milk, do consider goat's milk (closest to human milk, which has least allergy effect), or soy-based milk.

'Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.' ~ Psalm 86:11

Some reference:

Source: S. Epstein, 'Unlabeled Milk from Cows Treated with Biosynthetic Growth Hormones: A Case of Regulatory Abdication,' International Journal of Health Services 26(1): 173-185, 1996; PR Newswife via NewsEdge Corp., June 21, 1998.
Source: J. Fagan, Genetic Engineering: The Hazards, MIU Press, 1995, p. 113.
Source: E. G. Weinberg and M. Tuchinda, "Allergic Tension-Fatigue Syndrome," Annals of Allergy 31:209-11, 1973.
Source: Benjamin Spock, M.D. and Stephen J. Parker, M.D., Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care, Little Brown, 1998.
Source: Marian Burros, 'Cows Milk and Children: A New No-No?,' New York Times, Sept. 30, 1992.

Why I get married?

2006-01-02T19:31:00.004+08:00

When my friends asked me at what age I got married, I answered 26. The respond were: "Whoa, why so early?!" Is 26 really THAT early nowadays??

Hubby and I started dating at the age of 23 like most people I know. The first year was really exciting; but at the 4th year, we got to know each other so well, that sometimes life seems like the same-old-same-old. I remember we get to a point where we watched a new movie every week, visited all shopping malls in town, and went to most of the restaurants we know...

However, I didn't plan at what age to get marry then. I thought I have to wait for the "marry feeling" to come, since I enjoy being single and can support myself comfortably. But all these cannot take away that routine feeling...

At about the same time, I attended a seminar. The speaker mentioned about love. This is the first time I learn something have not been taught before: 'Love is a decision, Love is not a feeling.' When you love someone, whether you are happy or sad, you still love that person. That means, when a person said he/she has no feeling towards the other person, he/she just DECIDED to not love the person anymore, not that the feeling is gone suddenly.

I met a friend later who asked us: "If both of you love each other, what are you waiting for? If you do not know the answer, let me tell you -- You are waiting for a 3rd party to come in between you." And I believe him, because I saw it happened to so many 'dragging' relationship.

Many years later, I am glad that I married at 26 and not 36. I need time to have babies, I need the energy to raise the kids. I need more young time -- to be a wife or a mom. It is more fun!

So I encourage those steady-dating couples to make a life time commitment. Remember in Nemo, Dory said to Marlin: "You can't have nothing happen to him, then nothing will ever happen to him." I once read : "Life is a daring adventure, or nothing at all"!! And I believe it is true.

Life is short, just do it ;)

'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one.' ~ Mark 10:7-8

Last day of 2005

2005-12-31T03:55:00.004+08:00

Christmas just passed and now is the last day of 2005. Xin Yi is 3 years old today and Daniel is in his 10 months. I am glad that I have more time to be with them now… I know them better, by character, instead of just kids…

I thank God that this is what I get from me working flexible time, and this is what I long for… able to know what they are eating, choose the food and clothing for them, know their progress on things… however, sometime I start to take it for granted… I pray to God to help me to appreciate more with them, including bad time and naughty time, and help my heart to become more like a mother...

Thank you for the book FP give to me as a Christmas present, it helps me to become a better woman. I learn something different… not only I should not argue with my husband and trying to win the “battle”, instead, referring to Abigail, she help by admitting her husband wrong as her own and ask for forgiveness from the offender… that is mind blowing.

Today Tk and Fp were discussing about Xin Yi's schooling issue… I pray that God help us on the decision making of every step of our life. Please give Fp a peaceful mind on Tk’s decision, somehow, there were few incidents that they get into high level discussion :p

I pray that God to help me to get back the momentum to do the work… after the holiday season… a new year and a new beginning.

'Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.' ~ Proverbs 4:23

I Reap What I Sow

2005-11-07T16:09:00.007+08:00

Life is different now when work out of office. I thank God the chance to be out of a 8-to-5 job. I hope with the flexibility I can take care of my babies, and do what He wants me to do.

I am doing good sales last month. Now not earning as much as sitting in the office, but that peace of mind have convince me that I am doing the right thing. I believe it will get better. I prayed that God will guide and teach me to be good at planting and sowing at the right time, and according to His will.

My hand phone was being stolen yesterday, and my stomach at the same time was not feeling well. I do not know whether it is due to indigestion or the lost of my hand phone. I think I have to treat myself better, eat better, plus eating some supplement. I asked God to take away the uneasiness. I have learnt from this incident that I reap what I sow. Everything I do will have consequences -- I admit that I did not put the phone at a good place, which is hanging outside of my bag. It is obviously too tempting for the thief, right?

The maid issue has gone through a lot. (1) Her relationship with family members, (2) Her calls made back home, (3) Her meet-up with her brother. I have to learn to be her employer, not just a friend. Thank God that all is under control now. I hope and prayed that she’ll be a good maid to take care of the house and the children.

'As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.' ~ Job 4:8

I Resign from my 9-year-old Job

2005-08-08T14:36:00.005+08:00

I handed up the resignation letter yesterday. Although I know I won't be in a 8-to-5 job anymore, I need to always remind myself I have to be more discipline working from home. Advice given by a successful businessman to me..

(1) When venture out to earn money instead of working under someone, the sky is the limit. Everything is in the thinking, and the struggle is in the head. Always remember: Money is not everything, but money can give me and my family a better life.

(2) Who motivate us? Who motivate the leaders? We motivate ourselves, always tell ourselves - life is so great, be passionate of what we do. Help people, the money will come. Is something in us!

(3) No more "giving this amount of work and get this amount of pay" thinking, which is the job mentality... instead, look at what to get, then plan and earn the money to pay for it. (No more saying "I can't afford it" by looking at a paycheck... there is no paycheck!)

(4) Always have a goal to achieve and the goal that leads to a dream.

(5) Faith in practice! No backup or fall-back plan. Just keep on blessing people… you will be fed by God.

'Trust in God with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your path.' ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

He is a boy

2005-02-07T20:36:00.007+08:00

Life has changed to better in this 6 months, thank God. I have learned to let go certain things and have peace in my heart.

Oh yes, the baby is a boy... confirmed by few doctors. They somehow automatically told me without me asking. I am a blessed woman having a girl, now a boy.

My 2nd pregnancy is going well. I did not take much notice on my tummy. The baby kicks more, seems like to remind me that he is there.

Recently, besides working 8 to 5, I am busy on the part time skin analysis work, and also pick up some orders of festive hampers job to do. I really prayed that the work is what I will be doing, then the next challenge will be on the baby sitting issue.

I look upon God's help for my new venture. I am not so panic like I used to.

'And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.' ~ Romans 8:28

Working mom's thoughts

2004-07-19T19:22:00.005+08:00

I am a mom now.

The basic instinct, or should I say, primary role of a woman is to take care her family. I wonder how a mom nowadays can go to work and leave her child to someone other than herself to take care. Isn't God says He will provide if I seek Him first?

Sometime when something happened, I was the last one to help my baby (19 month). I asks God, why?

I am 3 months pregnant now with my 2nd baby, and this time, somehow I know, the baby is a boy! I pray to God that He will lead me, and guide me on what to do next.

Anyhow, I thank God for this 2nd baby He sent into my life.

'Sons are a heritage from God, children a reward from him.' ~ Psalm 127:3

My 1st Baby

2003-01-01T15:49:00.016+08:00

Before delivery of my baby was the most lonely time, cause I knew no one in the hospital, not even the doctor or my husband, can feel how I felt. Then.. I remember God. I prayed with my heart, and I prayed with my tongue. God is with me. The thought helped me to calm myself, and get ready to do my best to deliver the baby. Thank God with an encouraging and determine nurse, she told me every mom can do it, I do not need to scream or cry, just concentrate and push! There.. the baby came.

'For you created my inmost being, O Lord; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.' ~ Psalm 139:13-16