Almost 30 years have passed and I am only starting to write the story of my life. Better late than never! Married to my dearest hubby and currently living under one roof with our little cutie pie, Analina. She's such a girl and my best-friend! I dedicate this website to those I have met along the way, whether for a short moment or to those who's been with me through thick and thin, thunder, rain, and sunshine at one point or another.. with lots of love..esp Mom & Dad ~ Feb 2005
Though I know it will be a long-hour-all-day-all-night trip but I am sure this trip would be an eye opener. I am excited at the same time try not to worry too much about home here. We will be in Dongguan, China most of the time, hop around one factory to another? Leaving via stopover at Saipan and arriving in Hong Kong (which I absolutely love!!) Taking ferry to cross the border and probably back to Hong Kong by train at Lo Wu border. Back on the 29th!
I just love chives!!!! They make wonders in dumplings, omellete, stir-fry vege, soup.... just about anything!
Yay, tomorrow no need to prepare lunch for Analina, ha.. Maya's birthday and her Mommy providing lunch and snack for everyone at the daycare. Phew! - Sounds like I am dreaded to cook everyday huh!? Okay, not like that, but it's nice to get a break once a while, I am a Gemini ok, need alot of variety and diversity in my to-do list!
Installed 10 small hooks with my own bare hands, how hard is that!!? Plywood... Ouuuch!
So I was thinking, and got some feedback from boss. Maybe time-wise, it's not so practical now. Not so sure if I can squeeze 15-20hrs a week. I definitely have to have a very very supportive husband and him willing to take over some bb sitting jobs.. Now, that's not going to happen soon and perhaps I can start the course when Analina goes to school, at 3 or 4 years of age. That could also give me enough time to save that 5k right?? Meanwhile, I have 2 mini-design projects in hand (really really mini - some office shelving at the office) and working on tiles, marbles and granite... It seems interesting enough too! (on a later thought), it seems maybe a Diploma in Interior Design is not very appropriate for me at this point...... perhaps just stick to the work experience and I am currently swamped by quite a fair bit of details to work on! So, on the job itself, it's requiring me to put in extra time to learn new terms, new scope, and a lot more.. we definitely have a scarcity issue here, time scarcity!!! I only have 2 hands........... In addition to all these barriers, I almost forgot, my job here is only on a trial basis. By the end of the year, if the business do not take off, I won't have a job! So... yeah, I better put this on hold, and re-visit this issue next year Jan :P
I am thinking, although am supposed to be scheduling once a week swimming with Sol starting next month (May, 2005), but perhaps jogging at the beach would be a better idea. If I can leave the office at about 5.30pm on one of those weekdays, I could start jogging at Westin and wrap-up in an hours time, then go pick-up Analina by 7pm..... maybe this will work!
I realized I didn't really want to look into this area since Analina seizure and deep inside I found that I really wanted to avoid thinking about Analina's seizure. Last night when hubby and I talked about it, I burst into tears as I recall the moment. I really don't want to keep memories of it, yet I don't want to discard any of it for fear that I may lose reminder that it's an important lesson for me to make sure that doesn't happen again to Analina. Ever since then, not only do I not think about it, but it affected my actions. Although I have been very firm in giving her cool bath (and she dislikes me for that!) esp when she's warm and ensuring she wear loose clothings and not get all stuffed up with warmness, there were things I didn't do too. I was afraid others would think I am freaking out so I didn't really tell all her Sensei so they can be alarmed about it. But now that I am confronting the issue once again - esp. after the release of tears, I think I need to face it. Will write a note to Sensei and make sure they give special attention to Analina's condition, at least to be alarm when she starts to get warm...
So today, my friend Jeff asked me if Mom and Dad goes for annual check-up. You know what? I don't know! So I realized I haven't been really caring enough, although yes I take the first step to take care of their financial expenses but clearly I need to do more. To make things easier, am just going to label this yet another job of mine to take care of (to give myself more focus!) and am going to have to budget for their annual medical. Actually I did include medical allowance in their monthly allowance, but perhaps an annual one is needed too since we take ours here also - except about 80% covered by insurance. Then again, medical check-up here is expensive. Thanks Jeff, for letting me know about this. Something seems to usual and yet I have ignored it!
OK done with all the CDs for a friend! I need to design new CD cover and CD label so she can save more ink in the future! Must maintain good time management so I can balance doing all that I am doing with a balance of work and family, and friends!!!
Uh oh.. I have been slacking in this.. haven't done any reading, missing some prayers some of the days, I must buck up! Also, need to cleanse the heart as often as I can (which I think I am doing OK)... remembering Sol's article on this..
So I was doing some thinking while taking my hot shower. I definitely have to be doing much more than just Job#1, #2 and #3..staying healthy & happy, and maintaining good relationships with family and friends.. But if I wait for the 'coconut-tree' thing (financial freedom - away from 'bad-bad' debts), I would have become older by then, wasted more precious time. There's gota be a way to structure this.. I have to shape up my dreams and passion.. definitely... more thinking on the way..
So, whatabout some R&R? I took a long afternoon nap today! Though I am not usually a afternoon nap person - and always get a headache but today was good! Definitely revitalizing for the mind - I guess I really did need some rest! Later in the evening, Analina and I went to the Hilton playground to catch up with Daddy and I realized that perhaps in the future I can do some reading there since sometimes good weather, clean grass (just need a 'tikar' in my car all the time) and soon Analina can be on her own most of the time - yeah I still need to watch her but she's definitely growing to be more independent, yay!
Been reading some discussions at the Rhodec bulletin board and my interest is definitely growing stronger and stronger! Found out there are quite a few Malaysians and Hong Kong people taking up the course - everyone seems to have a very positive thing to say about the course! Yes, alright, how much do I have now? $170 bucks, hehe, something to start with! I need about $3500 excluding books and magazines.. must really go on 'sedikit sedikit, lama lama jadi bukit'!
Lisa, here's some photos of our newly painted interior! We took off the wallpapers (they are not practical in Guam with water coming in during storms and such) and basically rearranged a few items!
Mom's birthday this month and aside her 'ang pow' I am going to reimburse her some money for the house which includes monthly repayments for their house she had paid while I was 'pregnant and jobless'. But the whole chunk came from some lawyer fees (arrgggg!). I know she has been very kind to my Dad and taking initiatives just to make sure they (and Dad) have a home to stay so she uses her own money but I want to try my very best to give her back those money so she can have some extra for old days.. I don't have that much extra either but hey, I can save all that now but Mom and Dad are getting old, I don't want to regret keeping these money for my own personal benefit and not let them use it at times like this (Dad no job) and while they are still 'not so old' they can at least do something with the money. Infact, I also did not budget for this events but I know Mom's birthday is a special day. If I don't give her something nice, who else will? I am her one and only daughter in this world! So I am packing for her a RM388 ang pow so they can have a good dinner... cut expenses from elsewhere loh, although erm, all my income money goes to Mom/Dad home loan now, their expenses and family expenses here... but no worries la, life goes on! We'll figure a way right!?
So, have I been exercising!? Honestly, since Analina, I don't remember doing any sort of sports, except maybe twice tennis... I'd love to swim again and am working on tennis and swimming with Sol at Nikko - so, I'll definitely have to turn this into action soon! Better renew my membership first, its the cheapest in Guam - $50 bucks a year compared to something like $400 bucks at Hilton?
I'll try to write about my goals in life as much as I can develop from hereon. Metaphorically speaking, I'd like to be able to come to a point that I can be sitting under a coconut tree and do nothing, and still no need to worry about paying my basic expenses (including parents, my little family, and my own expenses of course). Well, yeah not literally sitting down doing nothing, I'll rot in no time! But, to be able to be free from the rat race and to have that financial freedom.. yes, definitely. When I come to that point, there's so much I know I can do, esp. volunteering, or even setting up projects that could benefit others. So, while I get there, yes I'll do my best to tango nicely with all those commitment and goals, in my hands! But I'd like to focus so that I won't end up years 'trying' and still not 'achieving' anything.. yes, this relates to my 5-year plan, and it just got started.. the clock in ticking! That's part of the reason why I want to write a blog too, to be able to remind myself the goals I set out to achieve, and not be afraid of success or failure!
Looks like being an Interior Designer cost more than just tuition fees for me at this point! So how much do I need for the start? With Rhodec, the cheapest route for my diploma (CD version) costs USD$3,295 and I reckon I need to invest on magazines, books and such, so add another USD$1,705 for a start? OK, so I have to start saving USD$5,000 - wonder how I can kick start this!!? Have to put on my thinking cap... defintiely cannot buy my Nikon Coolpix S1, oh well!
I am finishing with the CDs. All covers done, all labels done, all contents done - just abit more checking to do... :)
I really wanna get the S1, really desperate! But I need to control my desperate-ness! I know it's going to be perfect, with my Cooolpix 8700 (high reso) and if add on the S1(small) but I really must be patient.. arggghhh.... I could save this $400 and start it as my savings for the diploma instead... I know, this is of course a more practical route.... ohh but my S1! Oh well, I guess I can't have everything!
Did some strecthing at the hilltop overlooking the ocean - at Hilton. I won't say exercise .... since I am also watching Analina who's busy eating her snacks sitting on the rock! But it's interesting, hope to be able to do more - no mosquitos right? Wind so strong....
Mon: Brocolli mushroom - oyster sauce, Asparagus chicken - garlic sauce
