Finally the day that all of us is waiting for is here. We are leaving Malacca today and spend our weekend up on the hill and hope to have lots of fun even though some of us are still sick. This is one of the reasons hubby does not like to plan for a holiday way ahead.
But then if we don’t book the hotel room earlier, we might not get a room to stay unless we can stay in a friend’s house then anytime can cancel coz no need to pay in advance. 
Please pray that those of us who are still sniffing and coughing will experience a miracle healing today and please pray for a safe and smooth journey too.
I am not a souvenir person but for this trip, I might buy a door chime back. Why? Coz we do not have one at home mah.
I have a story to tell. It is kind of a funny one coz it involved a coconut not a durian.
When I was small, my family has a durian tree that is being shared by 3 families. We have a mutual agreement whoever pick the durian first, it is theirs. It was a very fun running and chasing season when it comes to durian season especially for us, the children.
We do chase after a durian but will you chase if a coconut dropped from the tree? Definitely not us. I find it really funny when my neighbour chased after a coconut that has just dropped within our compound (well, like the durian tree, the coconut belongs to the family too).
Next time if the same happens, I will jokingly ask, “Does the coconut has legs that it can run away?” 
Before I go out to pack dinner for my family, I told my eldest girl that if she is really hungry she is to ask the maid to cook instant noodle for her.
When I came home, I saw an empty plate with some grain of rice covered with dark soy sauce. I know there is no more eggs in the house so she can’t be eating fried egg with soy sauce (my children’s favorite - fried egg with dark and light soy sauce). I asked the maid what did she feed my daughter. She told me that my daughter insisted that she give her rice with soy sauce to the extend that my daughter scolded her for not giving in to her request.
Let’s hear what the other party has to say. Must be fair right?
My daughter told me that she asked the maid to cook instant noodle for her but she refused, telling her to wait till 8pm. If I did not come home by then, then only she will cook instant noodle for her. The maid knows that whenever possible, no instant noodle for my children. Cannot scold the maid for refusing to let my daughter eat instant noodle coz I did not instruct her before I left to cook instant noodle if they request for it.
But why did she let my daughter eat prison food??? Rice with dark soy sauce is much better than instant noodle? Why can’t she get her to wait till I come home? I came home 10mins before 8pm! I really pity my hungry girl. 
Instead of scolding the maid, I scolded my daughter for demanding prison food from the maid. Warned her to never ever eat rice with soy sauce only again.
I am feeling bad now. I should have scolded the maid.
MIL has left this house to stay with one of the BIL’s since June last year. Today, she is back here for good (i hope). She is almost done with all the follow-up check up after her eye surgery and many rounds of jab to fix her vision. She did come back from time to time but only for the weekend and a few times for 2-3 weeks.
Just now, my 4yo son asked her, “Mak, bila Mak tak mo pergi lagi?” (when are you not leaving anymore?) I guess my children missed their grandma’s presence a lot coz they can get their way with her.
It was a very challenging one year for me as they (MIL and her maid) left us when my 4th child is only 2 months old. I ran the household all by myself without any helper; not even from hubby coz he has his business commitment. From time to time I took refuge at my mom’s. Thank God that my mom stays nearby.
The peak of being a “single mother” of 4 came when my mom left us for 3 weeks when she has to attend to my sister who is going to give birth any time. I was not only a “single mother” of 4 but 6 children; had to babysit my brother’s daughters whom my mom babysits.
Thank God for giving me this opportunity. Today, I see all this as opportunities not just challenges. Throughout this one year, I know my ability. I know my strength and weaknesses. I was also given the opportunity to stay slim like never before without any need to watch my diet. 
Above all, I thank God for blessing me with the strength; physical and emotional. Hubby commented that through hardship God builds our character. That is so true. I am who I am now because of the hardships and challenges that I have to face in life. 
I foresee many more challenges to come as God is not done with me yet! I shall welcome them with positive attitude. Well, I will whine but I know that they are for my own good.
I was whining to the hubs about going for a family vacation. “Your brother’s family arh, so syiok lar. Every holiday go vacation. When will our turn come?”
This is his reply…
“We everyday holiday in a kampong in Melaka… big compound with an orchard surrounded by green trees with fish ponds and the breeze blowing at times, with swings to sit on if we want and fruit trees in abundance we can just pluck the rambutans for free and eat durians when it drops .. for free.”
This is my reply…
“I wanna cold weather with strawberries to pluck “
This is his reply…
“Strawberries assam (sour) and the plant got thorns. Hahaha…we are holidaying everyday…hahaha.”
Looks like no sour strawberries and no cold weather holiday for me.
I was whining in FB on what to write about gold coins. A friend suggested that I write about if my husband where to give me a gold coin for each child I gave him, I would have lots of gold coin in my purse.
Hmmm…one gold coin for each child is not sufficient to make my purse full. I will only have 4 gold coins in my purse. Hubby need to buy gold coins (plural) like at least 10 gold coins for each child then only I will have a purse that is full of gold coins.
They left me on Sunday morning and returned last night.
You want to know what is music to my ears today? It is the sounds of my children quarreling, arguing, complaining, screaming, crying and shouting for mommy. All of a sudden, I felt so alive, my home is alive again and I felt complete.
I am sure in a few days time, I can’t wait to get rid of them for a day or two again!
My older 3 went with their Punjabi cousins to Batu Pahat. My Sunday is super duper quiet for the very first time since a very very long time. I hate this empty nest feeling. But I am telling myself to enjoy this “quiet” time as much as possible coz it will only be a day and a half.
I am going to do something that I have not done for a very long time. To go for a stroll at the beach; just hubby and I. Baby? I am going to leave him with my mom. Then to an uninterrupted dinner at a food court in Malim Jaya. Felt like eating porridge with lots of chili padi. Yum!
Today my sweet little boy turns 4. Since we have already agreed that we won’t have an elaborate birthday celebration until they turn 7 years old, it was just whoever is around birthday party celebration.
I wanted to buy gold coins for his birthday present but my bank account does not permit it yet. I’ll compensate when the USD rate increases to more than 3.25. I’ll buy some gold for him.
With the minimal cash that I have, I bought a birthday cake and lots of toys for him from a toy wholesaler shop; they are selling toys 3 times cheaper than the night marker price!
My boy is happy, I am happy.
I really felt bad that I missed my own cousin tea ceremony. Moreover, they are staying just next to my parent’s house. I blame it on my busy Saturday and the absence of my mom. If my mom is around, I am sure she will call me up to remind me to buy some wedding accessories as gift and make sure I attend the tea ceremony. I go on my Saturday as usual and when I am about done with the housework, then only I realised, “Alamak! Today is Aileen’s tea ceremony.” Took a look at the clock and it is way past 11am. Called my brother; they are on their way to the bridegroom’s house. There goes my chance of being served tea by the married couple.
