Listerine ZERO

Does anybody know where I can buy this particular "flavour" of Listerine in Penang? So far I've only ever seen and been able to buy it at Cold Storage, Sunway Pyramid. Nowhere else in KL/Selangor, much less in li'l ol' Penang. The usual "flavours" we find everywhere else are just too pedas for me la. I cannot tahan. Help!

"To Phak Or Not To Phak" – That Is The Question

Little JZ has been a well-behaved boy all along. In the past two weeks, however, he has slowly become more demanding than usual. You see, he is finally at an age where he knows exactly what he wants... but is still unable to get what he wants without our help or permission. Unfortunately for him, most of the time, what he wants isn't what we want him to want. Thus, that help, he doesn't get. HAHA. And that is when we, as parents, have the supreme honour of witnessing the occasional mini tantrum that consists of whining and some thrashing – all in his effort to push the boundaries and hopefully get his way.

One night, after a 30-second tantrum before bedtime:

The Husband: Kiam phak liao la ee!! (Manglish Translation: Kurang ajar already la he!!) *turns to me* Eh sai phak liao boay??? (Manglish Translation: Can whack already or not???)

Pam Song: Phak la! (Manglish Translation: Whack la!)

The Husband: @_@ Lu oo phak meh? (Manglish Translation: You got whack meh?)

Pam Song: Phak! (Manglish Translation: Got whack!)

The Husband: Oh.

*pause*

The Husband: Wa mai phak la... (Manglish Translation: I don't want to whack la...)

Pam Song: -_-

NATO kau kau man.

Ini Mia Bapak

While taking an evening walk

with our son in the stroller...

Pam Song: Dog coming. 

The Husband: Ok.

Pam Song: *turns to The Husband and asks* Will you protect him ah if the dog attack him?

The Husband: *super defensively* What kind of stupid question is that??

Pam Song: Just answer the question! Will you protect him?? Or will you run?

The Husband: I run la! 

Pam Song: HAHAHAHAHA. I knew it! Idiot. 

The Husband: *2 seconds too late* Fine. I take him and run. Ok??

My Thoughts On Being A Mom

Being a mom means having to sacrifice your time, your energy, your career, your hobbies, your health, your beauty, and sometimes even your sanity for the sake of another whom you consider more precious than yourself. With just one child under my wing, already I feel like I've given all I have to give. Yet, daily, I find myself continually giving more and more. And then, when I'm all dried up and tired out from giving, I dig down deep and give some more.

Being a mom also means that I often leave the house with crazy hair, with my glasses perpetually covered in fingerprints, and with zero accessories on. I feel eternally sleep deprived and I can't really remember what it's like getting more than 2 to 3 hours of sleep in a stretch, day or night. The skin on my face is disgustingly dry and flakey because I just couldn't be bothered to make time to tone or moisturise anymore. And since we're at it, I also haven't had a facial in goodness knows how long. Oh, and because I nurse, I don't get to dress up in pretty dresses anymore either. Heck, I never get to wear dresses, period! 

But because I am a breastfeeding mom, I also have the opportunity to experience and understand what selflessness and sacrifice is, too. Because of this, I can honestly say that I am thankful for small hands that grab at my hair, tiny fingers and thumbs that cover my glasses in fingerprints, and baby skin that I have to be careful not to scratch or hurt with earrings, rings or watches. Every day, I put my baby to sleep at the expense of my own rest, and rub lotion on skin that's a million times softer and smoother than my own. And I'm grateful that my clothes are limited by the fact that I am able to fully breastfeed my son and raise him on milk that's made just for him. 

Almost 8 months since my induction into this crazy club, I confess that I've learned it's not always easy being a mom. Sure, roughing it out in the real world all day long is tough; meeting deadlines, preparing presentations and making sales. But I personally think it's tougher when it's your whole world you're caring for 24/7. I don't know how celebrity power moms do it and still look like a million bucks while they're at it. This motherhood thing, it's hard work! Work that comes with no day-offs, no MCs, no public holidays, and no weekends. It's incredibly demanding and unbelievably exhausting. But thankfully, it's supremely rewarding, too. =)

Shen + Pam Turn 2!

2-years-old with an 8-month honeymoon, followed by a 9-month pregnancy, resulting in a 7.5-month-old baby boy. I don't know about you but if you ask me, I think Shen + Pam have done pretty well thus far. =)

Shen + Pam on Sunday, 3 July 2011

just hours before our ROM.

Hypocrite

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust 

in your brother's eye and pay no attention 

to the plank in your own eye?" 

 – Matthew 7:3 (NIV) 

Oh, how quick some of us are to judge our brothers but then proceed to fall right into the very same complacent pit as they did, when we eventually find ourselves in the exact situation.

Voodoo Magic Water

The last time Mama came down to KL, she told our maid to place a bowl of water in an out-of-the-way corner of every room before night falls. So that when we turn on the air-conditioning, our skin (including my son's) doesn't dry out la. She did so without question at first. But after Mama went to bed, she came to me and asked:


Maid: Ma'am...?

Pam Song: Yes?

Maid: I have question.

Pam Song: What?

Maid: Why... *low whisper* ...every room must have water? *lower whisper* What is meaning?

@_@

BWAHAHAHAHA.

Because of air-con la, girl.

Not cos of anything else.

No jampi-jampi here.

Top 3 Learnings From Having A Live-In Maid

1. Nobody knows exactly what you want or how you want it but you. So, if you want anything done right, you've got to roll your sleeves up, get your hands dirty, and do it yourself.

2. Good help is hard to come by. So, be thankful for what – who – you've got. No matter how bad it is, remember – it could have been worse.

3. If it's foreign help you've hired, language will always be a problem. So, be prepared to explain yourself again and again and again. And if it still comes out wrong after that, try again next time.