The Unfortunate Truth

I'm two episodes into Her Private Life (2019) and so far, it's been pretty entertaining. The lovely Park Min Young is as funny, pretty and charming as ever. The male lead – Kim Jae Wook who previously acted as a supporting cast in Coffee Prince (2007) – makes for an interesting character. Definitely worth a watch! Anyhoo, this was my takeaway from tonight's episode:

"If you’re going to stay at home and act all pathetic,

come to my cafe and work part time. People can

always betray you but money never does." 

– Lee Seon-Joo (played by Park Jin-Joo)

in Episode 2, Her Private Life (2019)

That's one (very sad) way to put it. I'm not sure if it's because of the translation or the cultural differences at play, but this is why I like Korean dramas:

They say funny things that can be

pretty meaningful if you bother

to put some thought into it. 

It's not really money that will never betray you la. If you really think about it, the bottom line is that YOU and your EFFORTS will never betray you. If you're down in the dumps because someone has hurt you or has betrayed you or has let you down, just stop moping around, stop crying your heart out, and get up and DO something. Do something for yourself. Because you can only really count on yourself to make you happy. 

My K-Drama Journey

Growing up, I had only watched "Winter Sonata" and "Autumn In My Heart". (Song Hye Kyo really doesn't age!!) And that was waaaay back during my high school years – during the days of VCDs and boxy TVs. My Ah Ma's helper took a liking to them and bought the VCD box sets to bring home to Indonesia, which I borrowed and binge-watched before she went back. 😅😂


My next venture into the K world came circa 2017/2018 when The Husband suggested we watch Train To Busan (2016) on Netflix one night. It was a one-off. We thought it was pretty good but we went back to English movies and sitcoms after that. But then, something happened. More and more Korean dramas started popping up on my Netflix page. 😳

Then one day, I saw this image

that made me decide to click:

And that was when it happened. I would say that I officially picked up watching Korean dramas when Netflix started screening "Something In The Rain" back in 2018. After that, I just fell into that endless black hole called K-drama and never found my way out. Haha. Since then, I've watched a "few" others. This be the full list in the order in which I watched them:

1. Something In The Rain (2018)
2. Goblin a.k.a Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016-2017)
3. Big (2012)
4. Coffee Prince (2007)
5. Finding Mr Destiny (2010)
6. My Love From The Star (2014)
7. Oh My Venus (2015-2016)
8. Master's Sun (2013)
9. Strong Girl Bong Soon (2017)
10. Oh My Ghost (2015)
11. What's Wrong With Secretary Kim (2018)
12. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016)
13. Descendants Of The Sun (2016)
14. Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016-2017)
15. Nice Guy a.k.a The Innocent Man (2012)
16. Healer (2014-2015)
17. Suspicious Partner (2017)
18. Remember (2015-2016)
19. Hyde, Jekyll, Me (2015)
20. Kingdom (2019)
21. She Was Pretty (2015)
22. I'm Not A Robot (2017-2018)
23. Strongest Deliveryman (2017)
24. The Heirs (2013)
25. Touch Your Heart (2019)

It's been about a year since then and now,

I've just started "Her Private Life" (2019).

I have to admit, I struggled through some of them. Namely, "Coffee Prince", "My Love From The Star", "Nice Guy" a.k.a "The Innocent Man", "Hyde, Jekyll, Me" and "The Heirs". Granted, most of these I've mentioned aren't very new so I guess they're outliers in my list because the standard of K-drama has improved significantly since then. Anything before 2010, just don't bother. Cannot make it.


Why do I like Korean dramas? They do romance really well. And not in a lame, corny kinda way. They're just really, really good at developing love stories. In one episode, you can laugh, cry and get angry. Hahaha. Lighting and soundtrack also unbeatable. People raved over Crazy Rich Asians but guess what? I watched it and thought, "Yerrr... so B-grade wan. All my K-dramas have better make-up, better lighting, better acting and better supporting soundtrack." 😂 #truestory


So yes. If you haven't tried watching Korean dramas and you've got nothing else to watch on TV since "Game of Thrones" is over and "Stranger Things" hasn't re-started, go watch! These are my top recommendations in no particular order:


1. Goblin a.k.a Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016-2017) – fantasy, romance, comedy

2. Descendants Of The Sun (2016) – drama, romance, comedy

3. What's Wrong With Secretary Kim (2018) – comedy, romance

4. Strong Girl Bong Soon (2017) – comedy, action, fiction

5. I'm Not A Robot (2017-2018) – drama, comedy, romance

6. Oh My Venus (2015-2016) – comedy, romance

7. Healer (2014-2015) – drama, action, romance

8. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016) – drama, comedy

You can thank me later. 😘

What Makes A Child's "Best Day"?

Last Saturday, JJ and I spent the most part of the morning together while JZ and The Husband continued sleeping. We woke up super early (actually HE woke up early and forced me to wake up, too 😒) and he presented me with a special request to make pancakes together. "I will help you, Mommy!" he said, and ran off to get a stool.

And so I made pancakes with my little helper.

Then we both sat down and had a little

pancake breakfast bonding.

Look at that smile! 😁 Bright as the sun. 🌞

He exclaimed, "This is the best day of my life!" as he wolfed down the pancakes. And it a-l-m-o-s-t made me feel like waking up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday was worth it. Almost. HAHAHAHA. #Ineedmysleep

Thing is... today, I was reminded just how important making memories with our children is. See, I had forgotten all about his comment about this being "the best day of his life". And it was only during a conversation with Mee that I was reminded of it. She mentioned him saying it and I went, "Huh?? When?" 

5 days later and I had forgotten all about it. 😔 

You see, to me, that morning was just about putting breakfast on the table and getting JJ fed with as little fuss as possible. Sure, I snapped a pic to remember the moment. But that was because I liked just how happy he looked and wanted to save that smile forever. It was about him. His breakfast, his smile, his happiness.

But I guess that I forgot that I contributed to that happiness! Precious time spent making memories with Mommy. Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life and motherhood, I need to remember that the simple, little, everyday things we do with our kids matter, too. And I should do my best to let them have their "best day" every day. ❤️ #learningtobeabettermomeveryday

7 Boys, 3 Moms & 0 Help: Part 2

If I can do this, I can do anything! Because dudes and dudettes, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... this aunty is done with the dishessssssss!!! 💪💪💪

Ok, no. Not really. After this, I gotta go
put all these out to dry on the drying rack. 😅
#amothersworkisneverdone
#aplaydatemothersworkislagineverdone 😂

Actually, my stacking game is strong so that pic doesn't do the pile justice la. 😆 #selfpraise You can't see it but there was a total of: 11 plastic bowls, 7 plastic cups, 2 mugs, 3 drinking glasses, 10 forks, 4 spoons, 1 knife, 13 jelly cups, 2 jugs, 3 glass containers with covers, 1 chopping board, 2 kitchen knives, and 1 baby bottle (for measuring syrup). *pause* Rats. When I list it out like that, it also doesn't sound like a lot. 😕 Why ah?

Heck it, it was 60 items altogether!!! 😑

This is why I shall not plan another multi-kid playdate anytime soon la, I think. Clearing up the house – okay. Washing 60 dishes – NO-kay. And this is also why I definitely need a dishwasher in my new home. Sekian.

7 Boys, 3 Moms & 0 Help: Part 1

Sometimes, I think I'm too optimistic

for my own good when it comes to cramming in

activities for myself and my kids. 😅

See, I've been trying to plan more playdates for the kids since they'll be leaving KL soon. This is their last term in their current school cos we'll be heading back to Penang after this term and they'll begin the next school year at a new school on the island where I'll bet they know no one there. 😢


You know, I feel extra sad when kids have to part ways because it's often not of their own doing. They're just going in whatever direction we point them in. Even if it means saying goodbye to good friends with the possibility of never meeting again. Because unlike adults with phones, Facebook, WhatsApp, money and the power of control over our own time, goodbye always seems so final for kids. Sigh.

So, I'm determined to do what I can while

they're here, to help them further develop

and (hopefully) preserve their friendships.

Having said that, our schedule is packed! JJ had a playdate at his friends' home on Monday i.e. yesterday. Today, JZ had a playdate with his friends at our place. (7 boys!!!) Tomorrow, JJ and I are going for lunch date with a bunch of his classmates and their moms. Very happening, I know. It's all about connecting, connecting, connecting these next few months. 👯


But today, I think I overdid the crazy. Hahaha. I must have been mad to agree to having 5 boys over for a playdate. That's 7 boys when you include my kids. SEVEN! Siao liao! 🤪 What was I thinking!? 🙋🏻🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ Thank goodness 2 boys couldn't make it in the end or else it would have been 9 boys altogether. 😬 Gila.


What's worse was that today happened to be swimming day in school for 6 out of the 7 boys so... considering they came right after school, all of them are extra dirty and super chao chao. Yuck. My poor carpets and sofas. 🙈🙉🙊 Aiyaiyai! Must remember never to plan any playdates after school on Tuesdays. And even if I do, not in my home!


Anyhoo, they all behaved relatively well. Much, much better than I expected. (It was me and another mom versus the whole lot of them. One other mom had a ballet class to teach and the other went to the bank.) Beyblade fever was high and it sparked a tiny tiff to the end of the playdate but overall, it was all good. For my sake and sanity, I let the kids have some TV time at the last 15 mins so I could start clearing up a little.

7 boys in 1 small playroom.  Year 1 (6yo) x 4,

Reception (5yo) x 1, and Nursery (4yo) x 2.

They all left between 4.30pm and 5pm, and I was done with the clearing up by 5.30pm. We had to rush out to get some bedding sorted. (Exciting Penang house stuff! Read here for more info.) So I just dumped all the dirty dishes into the sink and made a run for it. 🏃🏻‍♀️💨

Well, I'm paying for it now. 🙄😖😩

My glorious pile of half washed dishes.

What the heck was I thinking, having 7 boys over??? 🤦🏻‍♀️ Maybe I just wasn't thinking at all la cos that's hosting 7 boys in my home, with no helper to help clean up after! *slaps self for supreme stupidity and zero foresight* Aih... Ok la. No more blogging. This maid's gotta put on her other glove and get back to work. Bye!

Isn't It Ironic?

#ironiesoflife

Mother's Day Musings

It's Mother's Day weekend and I'm feeling extra "motherly" and "homely" because we're currently doing life without a helper at home and have been for a little while now. 💪👌👍


The kids have had their breakfast – JJ woke first and had Ningxia Red, mango yoghurt and pancakes with honey; JZ woke later and had Ningxia Red, aloe vera yoghurt and peanut butter in wholemeal bread. JJ then did some window art, which we've left out to dry. And they're all squeaky clean now after their morning shower. The Husband, on the other hand, has left for his daily fix of favourite Pork Noodles, and I'm officially giving myself a guilt-free break while the kids watch some morning TV. It's been a good morning.


I sit myself down on my unmade bed and start scrolling through Facebook and I notice that I have an increasing number of friends in their 30s who've got feeds filled with never-ending travel updates. One place after another; one check-in at a time. And while I enjoy living vicariously through their holiday photos and travel tales, I can't help but think:

Wow.

It must be nice being 30-something

and not have dependents to think of

and/or school and tuition to pay for. 

I mean, seriously. If you're hovering around your mid-thirties, you're probably already earning wages that match the expertise and experience of someone working in upper management (or you're at least getting there anyway). That's a pretty fat pay-check in the bank each month if you're keeping it all to yourself! 🤑


Let's be realistic. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't think twice and would travel loads, too! To not have to worry about coinciding vacations with school holidays, with the wonderful knowledge that money isn't scarce. That's the magic combo of Time and Money – both, on your side. You're living the dream, my friends!

But then I hear Disney Channel

and kids' laughter in the background

and I remember...

Pic taken one lazy Sunday morning on February 2019.

... I'm living the dream, too. 🙋🏻👩‍👦‍👦☺️


--------


Have a Blessed Mother's Day, Mommies. ❤️

XOXO,
Pam Song

JJ Gets Creative

JJ wanted an ice-cream today. I said, "No."

5 minutes later, he came up to me with this:

Truly, Necessity is the mother of Invention.

And Tham Ciak-ness is the mother of Creativity. 🙃

Beginning My Invisalign Journey

Sitting in the dentists' chair waiting to try on my first set of Invisalign aligners. 😬 I'll be receiving 24 sets altogether and this is #1! 👇 #babysteps

Really praying that this will be the end of my dental woes. I started noticing tooth movement during my second to third year in college. That's waaaay back circa 2003/2004. But I couldn't do anything about it. Problems were:

1. I didn't want to wear traditional metal braces.
2. The dentist I was going to refused to prescribe retainers for me to at least stop the movement.
3. No money anyway since college student only ma. 

And then when I started working, Invisalign came into the picture. Or rather that's when I first heard about it. What? Invisible braces? You gotta be kidding me. Haha.

*cue chorus of heavenly angels singing*

I was so tempted! But then I took a peek that way, totally balked at the price tag and slapped myself for even looking. 😑 What!? RM13K JUST TO ALIGN MY TEETH!? When regular braces only cost RM2-4K at the time? Siao liao. How to afford on a fresh grad salary?? So... no go lor. 💔

But now, a grand 15 years later – and after Lasik 👀 – I've finally saved enough to get. things. done. Woohoo! 💪 The cost has gone up significantly, though – woe is me! 😩 I'm paying RM25K flat rate to my orthodontist for the whole set of aligners; not including whatever dental work that may come into play later on. Sigh. But I guess the longer I wait, the worse it'll become la so I might as well just do it now and be done with it. #Ihateinflation

May this be the beginning
of the end of said dental woes!

JJ's Funny (And Very Specific) Kind Of Love ❤️

While riding in a buggy on the way for JJ's rehearsal at his Suey Cek's wedding at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, JJ suddenly turns to look me in the face lovingly (like this ---> 😍) and says...


JJ: Mommy, I like your nose. *jabs his finger onto my nose and squishing it in the process* And your butt. *pat pat* Because it’s boing boing.

Pam Song: 😅

 Urm… thanks, JJ. I’m glad you like me
from my face right down to my butt. 😘