My Beauty Regimen

I have never thought of myself as beautiful. I am a Plain Jane, often seen without make-up, in a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. In fact, I have once thought of myself as ugly especially when I was in my teens and in the company of my more beautiful friends. But, I know better now that beauty isn't seen from one's physical appearance (unless, of course, you live in Hollywood); it is what's inside that makes a person beautiful.

Being beautiful is...

Being comfortable in your own skin. To be confident.

Showing kindness towards others and offering a helping hand when someone is in need. To be compassionate.

Extending a smile and making a stranger feel accepted and welcomed. To be friendly.

Staying calm and not lose your temper. To be patient.

Appreciating your blessings and not envy others. To be fulfilled.

Seeing the good and positive in everyone and in all situations, even the most trying ones. To be inspiring.

Embracing your shortcomings, being empowered by your strengths and living your life to the fullest. To be happy.

I'd like to consider this my beauty regimen.

It's what I strive to achieve to be the beautiful me.

Share your story of being beautiful with Bruna's new meme

My Life In 10 Slogans

Today's list was inspired by the prompt 10 Things Quotable given by Bits of Bees for Stasha's Monday Listicles. Here, I've picked out 10 company slogans or tag lines that I use in my life

1. Just Do It  Nike
This is what I tell myself when I'm sitting on the fence deciding whether I should do something; like when I was deliberating whether to start a blog. It's also what I tell my kids after they give me a hundred reasons why they can't pack up their toys.

2. I'm Lovin' It  McDonald's
A reminder that there are lots to love in life - burgers and fries included. Life is good, we just need to focus on the positives.

3. We Try Harder  Avis
What I tell my kids when I don't want them to give up on something.

4. Every Little Helps  Tesco
What I tell myself when I think that my efforts are insignificant or worthless.

5. The Best A Man Can Get  Gillette
What I strive to be as a wife.

6. Can You Hear Me Now? Good!  Verizon Wireless
Something I say often to my parents who are hard of hearing in their old age.

7. Keep Walking  Johnny Walker
I don't run, neither do I walk a lot. When I do walk, I get lazy after like, 10 steps (especially when it's uphill). That is when this slogan comes in handy.

8. Obey Your Thirst  Sprite
A reminder to drink more water.

9. Because I'm Worth It  L'Oreal
What I tell me when I'm about to buy myself something.

10. There Are Some Things Money Can't Buy. For Everything Else There's Mastercard  Mastercard
Nuff said.


And I leave you with these profound words from Mother Teresa...
May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Life's Lessons - Itchy Fingers Edition

I thought I'd do a summary of how my week went with Rach and Sara's linky, Life's Lessons.

1. I've got itchy fingers again.

2. When the fingers itch, I get me a new blog design. (tips from Sneaky Momma's Blog Design and Clover Lane)

3. I have to ask - why is everyone moving over to Wordpress?! Is Blogger really that bad? I told Alison before that I'm in my comfort zone now and probably will never move my blog butt anywhere but now I am seriously reconsidering. I mean, since I'm relatively new to blogging, it's better to move now than later, right?

4. So, my itchy fingers have opened me a new account over at Wordpress just to check out what the hype is about Mr WP over there.

5. I can't function well without enough sleep. I don't know how Kimberly and Stasha do it, staying up till the wee hours of morning, still tweeting and blogging, but I can't. Yesterday I got up at 3am thinking it was 6am and didn't sleep till 11pm.

6. So I tweeted and did my first #FF.

7. After that I had to take my son for his Sports Day the whole morning..

8. On top of that I had a little sparkling wine after lunch. I felt like I was floating in Lalaland the whole afternoon. I almost came down with a flu after that and was totally bummed out by 11pm last night. I. Need. To. Sleep

9.  My boy went for his first dental visit this week. Dentist told me he inherited teeth grinding habit from me. Also that he has a slight squint on his left eye and I should get it checked and corrected. Okaayy...

10. This is my 200th post!

11. Had lots of durians over the week.

12. Received another durian from a kind neighbour again today - Yippee!

13.  Excuse me but my fingers are itching for some more durians now. Got to go!

Hope y'all have a good week ahead!

Happy Meal #237

Just last night.

Culprit: Husband.

(He obviously did not read my earlier post)

THANK YOU!

I'm sending out a note of thanks here to all my bloggy friends who have given me their encouraging comment love and support for my guest post over at Bees With Honey. You know who you are and I know it was a little awkward or maybe a little daunting for some of you to comment on a new mommy blog. Words cannot describe how much I appreciate your effort. It has made my first guest posting gig such a wonderful experience. Also, thanks again to Bruna for having given me the opportunity.

You people are just such wonderful bloggy friends! I've never met any of you and would probably never have the chance to meet some of you, but I feel you have gifted me a special kind of friendship I will cherish forever. Sorry for sounding so soppy here. I'm just feeling an immense sense of gratitude now that I just have to express it or I'll get a headache today.

Love, Hugs and Wonderful Wishes

Germaine.

Top 10 Things I Wish I Could Do

I got tagged again. I know, I've been so popular for tags these days. Mumsgather and Jenny tagged me this time on the same topic. It's an interesting one, where I can do some wishful thinking. So, I thought why not?

So, here are the 10 things I wish I could do, in no particular order...

1. Freeze time so that my kids will never grow up.
2. Read people's minds so that I know what they're thinking when they give me a certain look.
3. Make money like Bill Gates so that I'll have too much money.
4. Tap dance so that I can....tap dance.
5. Play the guitar and drums so that I'd appear cool.
6. Freeze time again so that I'll remain forever young.
7. Bake and cook like a pro so that I'll enjoy baking and cooking.
8. Build a humanoid robot exactly like myself so that I have someone/something to stand in for me when I need a breather from being a mom.
9. Die for a little while so that I'd know what life is like, after death (but I wouldn't want to come back as a zombie; I'd like to come back as the normal me please).
10. Sleep like a baby again.

Wishes do come true but some wishes will only have to remain mere wishes.

I'm also linking this post up with Stasha of The Good Life for Monday Listicles because this is a list and that's what Monday Listicles' about - lists. I'm loving her linky and if you have a list, go link up with Stasha on Monday. You can also link up an old post - which is what this post will be on Monday. I think I've used too many 'Mondays' in this one paragraph already. Remember - Monday. The Good Life. Link up!

Not going to tag anyone here, but feel free to do up a wish list of your own if you'd like to. So, let me ask you,

What do you wish you could do?

Missing

Musing about what's currently missing in my life....

Adult music - Lady Gaga, Bon Jovi and Nickelback instead of Toddler Tune Time, 100 Nursery Rhymes and 50 Favourite Action Songs for Toddlers.

CSI and Criminal Minds.

A holiday with just the Hubs.

At least 6 straight hours of sleep.

A good oven - to bake all the yummy recipes I've seen on many blogs.

A nice kitchen - my kitchen is at least 20 over years old and needs remodelling, badly.

Yoga and exercise.

Me-time besides 5 minutes in the shower.

A neat and tidy living room.

A nice quiet meal with the Hubs.

More bedroom activity - the kind that doesn't involve the kids.

More shoes.

What's missing in your life?

"M" is for Missing at Jenny Matlock's

Being a Single Parent

Boy, it's been a stressful and tiring few days (77 hours to be exact). My hubby was away for work and I was left with being a single parent to my 2 kids. Both my mother and mother-in-law were unable to come to my aid due to their own busy schedule, so this is the first time that I've been left alone with the kids. I've come out of this experience with the realisation that...

1. Being a single parent is TOUGH. Emotionally, psychologically and physically. I have a new found respect for single parents. It's tough being the only adult responsible for 2 little helpless creatures who morph into monsters every now and then. It’s tough being the only adult to satisfy the whims and fancies of 2 demanding kids. It’s tough not having someone to fill in for you when you need a break.

2. The first 24 hours is always the toughest. Everyone misses daddy and I miss someone to help me watch the kids while I bathe or cook.

3. Having patience is not enough. You need a special form of Local Anesthesia to numb you of all the yelling, crying, fussing, whining and complaining. Can somebody invent this please?!

4. How important a little me-time is to keep sane. Even if it's just a 5-minute shower break.

5. I can get UGLY. Especially when I have a fickle, fussy 21-month-old girl who doesn't seem to be satisfied with anything I give her or do for her. Especially after having to clean poop off her bum 5 times in a day (she has this habit of holding it in and letting it out bit by bit, which drives me CRAZY). Especially when she wouldn't stop crying and yelling in the car for a whole 30 minutes. Especially when she's been crying All. Day. Long. Especially when I need to repeat myself at least 5 times to get the kids to clear up their mess. And what I mean by ugly, besides looking ugly, is screaming at my kids for real (not just in my head), smacking them and yelling "shut up" at my girl for the first time. All of which I'm feeling darn guilty for doing.

6. My left eye twitches when I’m super stressed.

7. Having a healthy, living mom and a mom-in-law to answer distress calls is a true blessing.

8. I'm tougher than I thought I was. The task of having to care for my kids all by myself has always seemed daunting to me and I'd freak out at the thought of it. If I'd have to do it again, I think I probably would be able to make it through a whole week (baby steps) without help.

9. I need my Hubby around to be a father to my kids and a supportive husband to me. Yes I do, for better for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer and richer still, to love and to cherish, till NEVER will we part.

I'm SO glad you're home, dear.


 Linking up with Rach of Life with Baby Donut for


Happiness is having my hubby home again.
Sharing my happiness with Jade of No Longer 25

What Has Become of Us

We used to...

Catch up on our day.

Tell each other how our bosses are driving us crazy.

Talk about places we'd like to visit.

Plan activities for the coming weekend.

Talk about what movies we'd like to watch at the cinema.

Debate over current issues.

Talk about how our politicians messed up the country.

Share our thoughts and feelings.

But now...

We do this.

At a restaurant the other day, my husband and I spent 15 minutes trying to outdo each other with this Monkey toy; while waiting for our food to arrive. Notice how it's not that easy to get it to flip back to it's feet. It requires a certain amount of skill. We spent another 5 minutes studying the toy to see how we could best get it to flip back to it's feet. 

What has become of us?

Linking up here with Erica's Lovelinks.

My Son Said "I Don't Love You Anymore"

When I heard those words from my son the other day, my heart broke.

Into gazillion pieces.

When I became a mom, I told myself that I'd be the best mom ever so that my kids will never have a chance to say those words.

Alas, I failed.

"Mommy, I don't love you anymore!"

He had a dead serious look to go with it.

I. Was. Shattered.

My eyes grew wide. My heart skipped a beat. I felt my tears well up.

Then,

he broke into a smile and said....

"Just kidding!"

That little rascal!!

He had spent the last half an hour trying to make me laugh with his silly antics; but had only managed to make me smile. I guess this was his last resort...

"HAHAHAH!!!!"

I finally did.

And boy was I relieved that he was only joking with those words.

PHEW!

{Note to my kids: It's not easy to make your mama laugh - it has to be super funny, super shockingly funny, super witty, adorable funny or dirty. I don't do clownish slapsticks. Keep that in mind kids!}

'I' is for "I don't love you anymore".
Linking up here with Alphabe Thursday and

When A Loved One Passes On....

...it's difficult. It's probably the most difficult thing a person has to go through in life - see someone they love leave them forever.

On Friday, our dear friend's father succumbed to cancer. On Saturday morning, my father-in-law's boss, passed away of a heart attack. Yesterday morning, we saw the obituary of an ex-schoolmate's mother in the newspaper. I feel a little overwhelmed. It has brought back memories of when my brother lost his battle to cancer, 4 years ago. It's times like these that.....


You realise how short life is.
That our lives are in God's hands. And that there is just no knowing when our time will come.

You tell yourself, "Don't Wait".
To treasure the living. To tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. To talk about your feelings. To say sorry. To live life to the FULLEST.

You wonder about Life after Death.
Where those who have left us, are now. Will we ever meet them again when it's our time to go. That, hopefully, they are in a better place.

You pray to God that you will not outlive your kids.
It would be too painful.

You tell yourself it's not worth it.
To sweat over the small stuff. To get upset over the littliest things. To wallow in self pity.

For life is too short.

My heart goes out to those who have lost a loved one.

Why Complicate Life?

Please excuse me while I talk to my other self....

Why have 2 or more kids when you can have one?
Well, because you're Catholic and apparently the Pope doesn't believe in contraceptives.

Why dabble with a new commenting platform (i.e. Intense Debate) when it's driving you nuts?
Well, because you love your readers (awww) and you appreciate their comments. You want to reply their comments in the way it should be replied, by hitting a reply button and not by posting a comment on a comment.

Why cook western when you can cook chinese? (cooking western is so much more work I tell ya!)
Well, because your family's sick of eating your chinese cooking and would love an occasional change in the menu.

Why even bother cooking at all when you can cater or eat out?
Well, because you love your family and want them to eat healthy, wholesome, homecooked food.

Why blog when you can talk?
Well, because you write better than you talk. You're a thinker and you love to keep your thoughts to yourself. With blogging you can express those thoughts and have complete strangers read them. Exciting isn't it?

Why link your blog with something like Lovelinks when it caused you to burn your food?
Well, because you feel that the rubbish you write is good quality rubbish and deserves to be read by people other than your own family and close friends.

Why have so many pairs of shoes when you always can't decide which one to wear?
Well..........let's not question that.

Five Regrets Of The Dying

My daughter was playing with my purse AGAIN and pulled out this newspaper clipping which I had kept. This was an article written by Bronnie Ware who worked with patients in palliative care. From her years of experience, she's come up with these 5 common regrets that most of her dying patients had.

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I didn't work so hard.
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

I've kept the article as a reminder not to have these regrets in my life and hopefully live a life without regrets. Did my own soul searching and looked at where I'm at with these areas in my life....

1. I am truly blessed to have parents who have allowed me to be who I am and trusted me to live the kind of life I want. In fact, God has been good to me in giving me a husband who has supported me in everything I do. Not to mention supportive in-laws who respect my decisions in life.

2. I've never worked as hard as I do now, as a mother. Sometimes I get drowned by all the chores and responsibilities of being a mother that I lose sight of what's really important - spending quality time with my family.

3. I'm glad that I've learnt to express my feelings more, especially to loved ones. Although sometimes, I still fall into this trap of suppressing my own feelings for fear of making matters worse. But, I do believe talking through everything is a healthy thing for the soul.

4. Hey, I signed up for Facebook, didn't I?

5. Again, I often let the stress of family life get to me. I must learn to look at the brighter side of things ALL the time. It's a work in progress and I hope to achieve a 'bouncy ball' state where I can always bounce back up again when I'm down. Life is short, as they say and every moment lived should be lived with happiness.

Have you any regrets in life?

Smiley Moments

You know how some people have this natural, perpetual smile on their face? I envy them. To them, smiling is effortless, but for me, it takes 101 nerves and muscles to form a smile on my face. Except, of course, for smiley moments like these....

When my kids get up in the morning and call out to me.

When the day went by tantrum-free.
When I watch my kids sleep.

When I'm in the company of cherished friends.
When I look at pictures of family and friends.

When I'm given a shop-till-you-drop day by my hubby. (still on wishlist)

When I make people laugh.

When I get to catch up with my beloved family.

When I read Nury Vittachi.

When I hear my son pray at night. (really amusing stuff!)
When my hubby drops me "I love you" notes on my pc.

When the kids go to bed early.

When I'm surrounded by happy faces.

When I get to blog uninterrupted.

When my hubby gives me a compliment. (still on wishlist)

When my hubby tells me he wants to give me a stress-free, kid-free, relaxing holiday. (still on wishlist)

When someone smiles at me.

What are your smiley moments?



In times of need, use this Ronald McDonald smiley mouth piece and take a picture of yourself - you'll not only smile, you'll laugh till your tummy aches!



Linking up with Nicole of By Word Of Mouth Musings for Time Travel Tuesday