A very Busy Birthday
Yes I am 32

This was the most busy birthday I had. Usually, I would try to take leave and not work on my birthday. This year, my birthday falls on a Saturday, and because of the new house...phew was I busy.

The only time where it felt like my birthday was the many messages I received on Facebook and Whatsapp. Finally, in the evening, Irwin, Theodore and myself managed to steal a little bit of time to relax at one of our favourite Italian restaurant - Bella Pasta. This was also the only time I could tell Irwin, tonight it is your turn to take care of the little toddler while I tuck in to my dinner at my own pace..thank you :)

So I am 32. I don't mind writing it down as time seems to flies so fast I seem to be forgetting my age.

Showing Theodore the Aeroplane

Sunday morning, TD woke up at 7am. After his milk, he didn't go back to sleep and we decided to bring TD to the airport to show him what an aeroplane is.

Irwin and I headed straight to McDonalds first to fill our stomach with pancakes, while TD had his banana + kiwi + cereal + yogurt. TD was very interested in the lift elevators. He stood there for a while and was saying 'up up up', 'down down down', 'coming up', 'going down'. At 17 months 3 weeks old, TD stood at the lift and said 'Bye Bye Auntie', 'Bye Bye Uncle' as the strangers took the lift.

We went to the departure viewing level, and again as the aeroplane drove off, he said 'Bye Bye aeroplane', and was telling one of the Aunties "aeroplane". Quite a social and talkative boy yea...

So there he is, running off by himself. Daddy & Mummy decided to sit where we were to observe what he would do...He is growing up real fine isn't he :)

Counting my Blessings

Connecting with nature always bring back some peace into urban life. The weekend of Pierce Reservoir and Each Coast beach has lifted my spirits and the sense of calmness. That morning, we were running late as I had to heat up TD's lunch which was still in its frozen state. We also received a parking fine as we could not find a parking lot. We were expecting to 'swallow down' McDonalds on the beach mat so that we could cater to TD's tight schedule of meals and naptime. When we arrived, my Dad said 'No, go behind McDonalds, I will buy you breakfast'.

Yippie, thats how the calmness all began.

Having a sea view, and my mummy feeding TD meant that I could take a little break from the morning rush of packing his clothes and toys, and getting his meals and milk powder ready.

Why I feel very blessed... I have a very supportive and wise family. I have a very kind husband. TD is growing and developing well. He is happy and healthy - what more do I ask for?

At a point where I count my happiness, I would also like to share a page I read today (I have more time to read ever since I start to schedule TD's zzz time between 8:30pm - 9:30pm. It has been a success! but less time between TD and me after work ;(

"...the other class of counterproductive emotions -which include feelings such as lust, hatred, enmity (feeling of hostility or ill will), jealousy, and belligerence (hostile/ warlike attitude) - should not be expressed; they become more and more frequent. Expressing them tends to make them stronger and more prevalent. It is better to reflect on the disadvantages of engaging in such emotions and try to dsisplace them with feelings of satisfaction and love. We should forcefully overcome negative emotions when they appear, but it would be even better to find ways to prevent them in the first place."

The Beach

17 months 1 week. TD explored the beach at East Coast. Gong Gong suggested bringing TD to the beach. We were all so excited about it. Por Por went to check out four malls to buy a beach toy the evening before, but no avail - yeah how come Orchard malls no longer carry beach tools? haha. Luckily Daddy went to Ikea in the evening to buy some scoops and cups as a subsititute. Yes thats how much we care haha.

Apparently Gong Gong woke up at 4am and was very excited about how TD would react to the sand and sea too.

Anyhow, TD LOVES the Beach!! He was a bit apprehensive about the sand at first but soon got over it very quickly. He scooped sand into the red bucket and then poured it out and said 'empty' - his favourite word these days (He would intentionally take anything out in order to get it empty and then make his point that it is empty!).

When he first saw the waves, he held on tight to Daddy's hand, but he soon let go, took a step, and then two and then three and was kicking in the water as Daddy held on under TD's arms. He had a good half an hour in the sea, despite sea water going into his mouth and eyes, he kept wanting to go back into the sea water. That was a really fun first beach adventure for the whole family!

Many things happened in the month of August, but I don't think I want to write about it, as I want to let it go and move on with my life. I learnt a lot from the incident, about myself, and about her. Last night, as TD went to bed at 7:30pm, that gave me some nice time to read How to Practise by Dalai Lama... "being constantly aware of what you are doing with your body and your speech" is important. In summary,

self-awareness to refrain from physical and verbal actions that cause harm to others- this prepares a person to move beyond the repeated round of birth, aging, sickness and death (samsara)

restrain the mind from falling into selfishness

focus on wisdom and compassion

abandon the ten nonvirtues:

- Physical: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct

- Verbal: lying, divisive talk, harsh speech, senseless chatter

- Mental: coventousness, harmful intent, wrong views

small acts of compassion grant meaning and purpose to our lives

In difficult personal circumstances, the best recourse is to be as honest and sincere as possible. By responding harshly or selfishly, you simply make things worse. This is especially apparent in painful family situations. When you experience a difficult period, do your best to avoid behaviour that will add burden later on.

Under no circumstances should you lose hope. Hopelessness is a real cause of failure.