Penguin Poser

The girls had gone out for lunch. They asked what I'd like. So I figured a nice cold coffee would be a treat. The coffee came in a specially sealed cup (see pic on the right)

Now, in itself, a cup like that is pretty usual. The thing was, it had a penguin on the cover. And if you knew Arrow #3, she loves penguins.

So I whatsapp-ed her with a picture of the penguin. See top middle picture.

Her reply was as expected - vintage Arrow #3 - "DID YOU KILL HIM????" meaning did I poke a straw right through the penguin to get to my drink.

I then sent her the next pic on the right to show her I didn't. To her relief.

After that, I showed the whatsapp exchange to the girls, chuckling away.

Which is what Arrow #3 expected me to do.

When did we both get so predictable? Haha!

Sense of Humour

Some might find this event unsettling. Others might find it discouraging. Yet others, would be like me - find it amusing!

By the way, I dont dye my hair for camouflage or any reason! So I guess that's part of the reason.... Read on.... Haha!

Malaysia has a lot of Prawns

On Facebook, a friend of mine posted this exchange with her daughter.

Translations in blue and names have been changed to protect identity.

Disclaimer - you might not find it funny if you don't speak the lingo. But then again, never mind.....!

Mum : Lia, has your school taught you on Rukun Negara? (National Principles)

Lia stamped her feet to attention.

Lia : Yes, we have to stand very straight and repeat after teachers.

Mum : What have you learnt about it ?

Lia : Very hard to memorise but I remember Malaysia has many prawns !

Mum : Er ? Why ?

Lia : Kedaulatan Udang-udang! (The Rule of Prawns) It should be Kedaulatan UNdang UNdang which means the Rule of Law.

You can read more about it here.

Mothers Day

Like I said before, this family enjoys a laugh.

Arrow #1 posted about being in a relationship a few days ago and drew almost 90 responses. Then for Mother's Day, he indicated that the woman in his life was none other than moi!

Arrow #2, not to be outdone, wrote this. Then he posted it on Facebook and uploaded it to U Tube!
Tune taken from Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. A short song I wrote for mother's day. :)

Mama just killed a roach
Would never have the guts to do it
If not for all you taught and said

Mama you brought me up
But now I'm in a country far away

Mama, oooh
Didn't mean to make you cry
If I'm not back again in 7 years
Carry on, carry on, and expect some grandchildren

Mama, I love you
Have a blessed mother's day
That's all I have to say

Mama, I know I'm a little late
But it's the thought that counts, thats what they say

Mama, oooh
You're the best mom in the world
And even though I'm starting to grow up
You're still mom, you're still mom.
I would like some more brownies. :D

Tired? Who Me?

I was sitting there minding my own business. Then a family came by. The mother stared at me and insisted I was tired. Very tired she said.

But frankly, as I said in reply, my spirit was alert and alive. I was not feeling tired at all.

Then later I realised that

1. my matted hair really should have been washed yesterday
2. my stuffy nose left me puffy bags under my eyes
3. my mascara had probably left streaks of black under my eyes

That, my friend, is the best way to create the optical illusion of being tired.

Though I must say that I was grateful for the caring Mother!

Packing a Punch

Man years ago, when in England, I went for a friend's birthday party. My housemates and I walked there and by the time I got there, I was pretty thirsty. So I grabbed a drink. It was the first time I tried this drink named Punch. It was very nice. So after I'd gulped it down, I asked for a second glass.

What I didn't know was that there was alcohol in the mixed drink.

Worse, in between the two drinks, another so-called friend had slipped in with more additives - the tasteless spirit called vodka.

Put that together with an empty stomach, you can imagine what happened next.

I vaguely remember walking home, trying to walk on the pavement and missing. Thank God for good friends.

But it didn't end there.

The next day I was rostered to go to work on the afternoon shift. I must have looked a right mess because when I got there, the ward sister (I was a student then) took one look at me and sent me to the Accident and Emergency Department to get treatment. She was convinced that I had measles!

There, once the truth was known, I was given anti-histamine and THREE DAYS leave by the doctors and nurses who made their sentiments known about this naive Asian girl!

Folks, I found I was allergic to the stuff. A good reason to be teetotal!

Change.... Not

I was supposed to make a change. Whilst one thinks it's stable and nice, another thinks it boring to always stay the same.

I sometimes (read often) think the latter.

So it was with lipsticks No, no bright red stuff for me. A bit of shine is fine. But not red, and certainly not lashings of it. After all, I needed to set an example for my little one!

But a change was needed.

So I decided to do it. I didn't want to be a dowdy old mom!

Read more about my exploits here

Sign of the Times

When my sons laugh, they just chuckle. Sometimes if it is really funny, they laugh out loud, with broad "Hahaha"'s.

My daughter, when she laughs, she announces that she is laughing by saying, "LOL". No, she doesnt spell it out. She just goes, "lol" as in "poll".

For the uninitiated, that is short for "Laughing Out Loud" in chat and sms talk.

LOL....!

Thunderstorm Moments

Does this resonate with anyone?

Hahahahaha!

More Punishment

I did it again!

I went for more punishment.

Self-inflicted punishment.....!

I went to the gym and walked and ran on the treadmill.

This time, I covered more than 3km at a faster rate!

Then I went for even more punishment.

Yes, folks, I went on the thigh buster machine and worked out for another ten minutes!!!

P.S. Son got his room and is happy with it. Praise God!

I am certain I will suffer for it tomorrow.

I am certain I will not be able to wear my heels tomorrow.

I am certain I will walk like a penguin tomorrow!

I will certainly keep you posted!

I Hurt

No, it's not emotional pain. Nor is it mental.

It's pure physical, and self-inflicted!

I went to the gym. (See The Hinge for more information)

Now I sit here and my butt hurts.

When I walk, my calves protest.

Later I am certain my arms will join in the chorus.

I can forget the heels tomorrow morning!

The Pelvic Floor Muscles

In Metamor4sis, I posted about a condition called LAI - light adult incontinence. A condition that plagues many women, one way to improve is to do pelvic floor muscles exercises.

"What are the pelvic floor muscles?" I hear you ask. These are the sling-like muscles which support our pelvic organs (read bladder, uterus and bowel). If they are weakened, we can have bladder and bowel incontinence. They also play an important part pregnancy and childbirth (support during pregnancy and later guide the baby's head out during labour), and in sexual function (but more of that later.....)

So how do we strengthen our pelvic floor muscles? Well, not only have I taught about this during my life as a midwife, I have past personal experience having had three children myself.

First thing you need to do is to know where your pelvic floor is and recognise when you are "pulling" or "tightening" them. (I still remember telling pregnant ladies and their partners at the ante-natal classes in my usual cheeky way ... many years ago, I hasten to add!)

The second best way is to sit on the toilet... with your knees apart. Then pee! You have to do it with your knees apart otherwise you would use other, external muscles ie the thigh and buttocks. Don't hold your breath too much!

After a while, you will recognise them. And once you do, wherever you are, three times a day at least, you can imagine that you are trying to stop yourself passing urine and at the same time trying to stop yourself passing wind. Your muscles should feel as though they 'lift and squeeze' at the same time.

It is recommended that you squeeze ten long squeezes followed by ten short squeezes. A long squeeze means you need to hold it for several seconds and then relax it for the same length of time. You can actually feel your muscles getting a little tired. A short squeeze is a minute and then relax. Again, you do it until you feel your muscles are tired.

It can take three to five months before you notice an improvement.

Oh yes, I said "second best way" earlier. You are possibly wondering what the best way is.

(Did I mention I was cheeky?) The best is during intercourse. Squeeze them and see if you get a reaction. If he blinks or gawks or goes wow, well done!

A(n Older) Mommy Moment

I was going to join this meme.

But then I realised that most of the moms taking part are moms of young children - they have digital photos of their little ones. Mine are all prints! What an age difference.

I must seriously discover how to create a meme and then start my own! Hahahaha!