Gifted Guides

Even in her young teens, my daughter , Arrow #3, had an eye for colour. When I go shopping I often take her with me, when I can. 

My Hubby is another - he will tell me if an outfit is "young" enough. How cool is that.

Well, recently Arrow #3 informed me that I have many spots in the house that are picture-worthy. This was something I hadn't noticed till she started posting and sharing. 

During the recent lockdowns, one activity with I did was painting our house. This involved using a colour which I initially didn't like (note to self :- Hubby chose you, so don't sweat it when he chooses a colour like this!) 

The end result is amazing, dreamy, but strong green-blue walls I can use for background adjustments during conference calls. Also for good photographs. Like this one.

I am glad for the suggestions and observations from gifted-eyed family...

PS They aren't the only ones! 

Dumpling Delight

"Let's go eat dumplings for dinner," Arrow #1 said.

"I know the best place, " he said.

Well now, we have all heard that before. The best this and the best that. But best can be very relative.

That was on my mind as Hubby and I were led to a somewhat dimly lit alley, in between the back of two rows of shoptlots. The tables are simple foldable ones, and the chairs are easily stackable, portable ones.

Hmmm on arrival, there were so many customers, I began to change my mind. Maybe he was right...

Dumplings was the first item ordered. The rest were the supplements. When it arrived, looking like this... Frankly, I had second thoughts. They didn't exactly looked appetising!

 

I gingerly picked one up with my chopsticks, and bit into it.

Wow, were my tastebuds pleasantly surprised! The minced pork was nicely chopped but not too fine, so you can still savour the texture. The flavour was full as the mixture spices blended so well I didn't need to add anything more to it. I like mine "unadulterated" and without sauce or dips so this was right up my street. The flour skin was not too thick, but didn't fall apart too much either. Served in the simple way, it didn't cost an arm or leg either!

I am glad I was persuaded to go and try! And more importantly, as Hubby said, our Arrows would have good taste if we brought them up right. Hahahaha! I like his reasoning!

Pressing On

It was time to build up for the national competition. Training began to intensify. Suddenly she has an injury. She seeks relief and tries to continue. 

She isn't the only one on the team having injuries. Oh dear!

Thankfully, a physiotherapist comes along and helps them out. 

She has a special strapping given to her. The physiotherapist teaches her how to put it on and how to rest and yet strengthen her leg.

When the team play they get the bronze, losing on point despite tying with the team which finally won the gold.

Glad that they pressed on with guidance!

Rallying Around

Amazing. I put one word out and the whole group rallies round. My former classmates did a relay specially for my Arrow and I. The only known "treatment" for dengue.

One collected papaya leaves. From her neighbour no less. Stripped the tree bare apparently.

Then it was specially delivered to another friend who put the leaves in a special wash.

From the wash to the special juicer. I have never seen anything like this before. Wow. No water added so pure juice comes out.

Behold the end product - special, pure, papaya juice. This goes into a cold pack because that's the way to make sure it lasts longer.

Then the passing on continues. It goes to yet another friend who then passes it to one more friend before it gets to me.

And all within a few hours. 

So that Arrow #1 can have this concoction which is supposed to help get the blood platelet levels up. 

Thankful. So thankful for this camaraderie... 

Big n Littl' Stuff

Came across this gem and posted it. Touched when eldest Arrow came on and said not to worry and that I had done a good job. Awwwwwwwww  

Poignant Moment

Taking photos is a hobby.

Whilst others cam-whore, close ups are favourites of mine. 

This brings back memories of times when my older ones were around. We were at lunch. This was the table display. 

Suddenly missing my "boys".

Ah well....

Momma n Dotter Moments

We decided to do some baking again. Arrow #3 has her way and I have mine. Inevitably we start off clashing a little. Then we settle down in our own way. 

Final product is pretty good and more importantly, we are reconciled and not enemies! 

The next morning, I pack them away nicely. The smaller boxes contain the smaller cupcakes. The bigger contain the medium ones.

Every single one is to be given away eventually. I think Arrow #3 and I have had an overdose of this recipe ourselves! Haha!

A Message for My Arrows

The Things Mommas Do

I found this new shoe shop which I really liked. They sold end of range stocks and arranged them according to size. This meant you would know immediately if the size of a particular style you wanted was available or not. The choices were limited, but still good.

As Arrow #3 has small feet and she finds it hard to find good shoes that fit, I decided that this was an excellent place to introduce her to.

And she loved it.

Only problem was, so do I.

And I came away with another extra pair of shoes.

You have to admit though - they do look good don't they? Haha!

Art of Aptness

I love my tea. Arrow #3 knows that well. So what does she do? She gets me the most apt gift. 

The cup is a Mother's Day gift. 

The brew is my favourite Earl Grey.

It's the coaster....

Don't you think it and the cup look good together? As if this was a set. 

She has this knack of seeing things and putting them together. Art of Aptness I call it....

It Finally Happened!

It has finally happened! 

The youngest is actually behind the wheel! 

Oh my oh my! 

Hubby had taught me to drive. He gave Arrow #1 and Arrow #2 their first lessons. It seemed only right that he gave Arrow #3 her first lesson too. Wow. Time flies.

Thankful that the children are growing up well. Continue to pray for them almost daily. May we grow in wisdom, spiritual stature and fear of the Lord.

She Remembers

It was fun today.

Arrow #3 spoke up while in the car, on the way to lunch. She suddenly remembered parts of her time in the house where she was born and spent the first few years of her life.

The floor (parquet upstairs, tiles downstairs) - was it because she spent time crawling on them? She learned to crawl under the chairs there, chasing after her brother and the hamster!

The waiting at the bay window waving to me as I left for work. She would sit there for a while longer after I left.... sigh....

The wooden table where she drew chalk marks to play games on. The favourite game was a local one called chongkak. Hmmmm how come she's not that good with maths?

The dancing while her brothers played nutty songs on the piano and keyboard. That explains her love for dance!

The time one of her brothers had a birthday party and we dressed up to do the Good Samaritan and told the story. The part of being the robbers excited the over excited boys!

She loved her room, and I'm sure it's because she had a queen sized bed all to herself. Initially she didn't like the big bed so we covered half of it with stuffed toys and lots of dolls to keep her company.

Memories.... ahhhh. Nice. I am glad we created memories for the children. This was a precious short 15 minute drive time.

Super precious because her grandparents were in the car with us!

Countdown to Many

Now that the Musical is over (see EADotCom, Metamor4osis, The Hinge for more info) the countdowns begin for other things!

Arrow #2 has exams but will be back before Christmas.

Arrow #1 has exams too but will also be back before Christmas.

Holidays to look forward to!

My parents are with me so we can enjoy three generations-wise.

The processing of hundreds of responses to the musical. May they be directed to the Lord!

Oh, and yes, early in the new year, we start meetings for the year....

A Little Scare

So the results came out a bit weird.

Initial reaction is to ask WHY? How can someone seemingly so fit come out with such skewed results?

Then a mental scramble for answers takes place.

Followed by resolve to find the right answer.

Then only do I recall I have hotline to the One Who is always there.

So I shoot an SOS to the Ancient of Days.

In return, I get peace that passes all understanding.

And so I relax.

And today, that is justified. That is proven correct.

My Arrow IS fit and fine. It was a skewed result, probably because he ingested something prior to the test being done previously.

Lesson learned - shoot SOS out earlier!

Auf Weidersehen

Auf Wiedersehen (German pronunciation: [aʊfˈviːdəʁzeː(ə)n]) is German for "goodbye". The phrase more literally translates as "when we see again" or "until we see again".

That's the phrase my second Arrow learned while with us. He came back for his semester break having lost some weight. It is hard as a mother to see his already thin frame look even more thin and frail. Have been trying to put back some meat on him and I think we have succeeded to some extent.

Why German? He's going to take the language as part of his studies. Hopefully he will continue to do well and get selected to go to Germany for part of his course.

His course. Today he flew to go back and continue it. He probably wont be back end of this year for Christmas. We probably wont see him over Chinese New Year either.

And I didnt get to see him off at the airport. It was hard to worship in song this morning.....

Just Being a Mom

Spent yesterday night and will spend tonight baking.

Orange cupcakes yesterday.

Brownies today.

I don't have "free time" since my maid went on emergency leave. But I have to MAKE time.

Why?

Because my son, who is back for mid-term break, is going back to studies tomorrow. I've promised to give him some goodies to take back. Both for himself and to pass out to people such as his aunt and family, his mentor, his flatmates and whoever else he fancies. Last but not least, he can freeze the balance for himself.

Photos coming up next... IF I have the time!

Seeing the Doctor

She had what we thought was a stye on her eyelid.

But unlike others, it was still there days later. In fact, it got worse!

So we were asked to go and see a specialist.

After some trying-to-decide moments, we settled on the one near our old place of stay. We had to get to the eighth floor!
Once there, we walked down a long corridor which reminded us of a hotel, not a specialist hospital!
Needless to say the view was spectaculer.
It was fun to see familiar landmarks.
When we finally saw the doctor, she gave some antibiotics and told us to return after 24 hours.

Which we did today and praise God, she doesn't need an operation!

And the Answer is....

I miss them already and I cried.... Still crying....
But they are grown and it's time to release them to a new phase of their lives.

Do well my sons. May you hit the bullseye of God's intended targets for your lives.

Will I or Wont I?

Saturday is followed by Sunday.

After Sunday, there is Monday.

Following Monday comes Tuesday.

And that's when the question I ask at the start of this post will arise.

Will I or won't I.... cry when they board the airplane to go for further studies?

I'll let you know....

Going Places

We went with Arrow #2 recently to his future place of study. His scholarship required him to take two sureties with him. So Hubby and I went.
When I was his age, I was already overseas, studying and working at the same time. I too had to learn how to navigate as a foreign student.
The advantage for him is that the culture he is in is not too far different from ours, and he is not that far away from home.
The letting go has begun.