Carols and Sounds

Watching the carols live (and hearing the horsie do its thing) brings alive the spirit of Christmas in an even more joyous experience! Tonight was a balmy one and so we ended up just watching the annual show at home. It was nonetheless still a spectacular one, enjoyed by every single one of us - even the little ones!

I remember back in Manila, groups of children would knock on people's houses to sing carols in exchange for coins. In one night, there would be a few groups knocking and singing behind our closed gates. I have at some point experienced this traditional carol singing - not so much knocking at houses, but more like scheduled house visits. Sometimes I wonder whether my kids will get to experience this tradition of carol singing or if they will just associate carols to singing on stage/ or singing at church. Hmm.

Sleepyhead

I have always, always loved my sleep and think I cannot sleep enough. (Having said that tho, I like staying up late and typing away -- so quiet!).

Sometimes I wish I can do my thing during the day so I can manage to stay awake.Otherwise if I leave it too late, I end up just sleeping on it! Doesn't matter whatever it is. When I am sleepy, I sleep and drop everything.

Just like now, I am finding myself falling asleep on this keyboard!!!

Photo from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/286617

Furniture and Pieces

To relax and take my mind off my other worries, I've been playing this home design game on my phone. I used to play some other games, but for now this is the flavour of the month! I don't have much game money to purchase furniture, however just clicking on the photos and styling the room brings such different joy. A pretend world of joy that is, for a good 5 minutes. So when hubby was chit chatting to me about his dilemma in re-arranging the stock items and warehouse lighting at his workplace, I offered to look into his blue prints (as if I was a pro). I just can't wait to move into a new home so we could decorate our home from scratch. For now, I will have to be content with doing our Christmas decorations at our current house.

Burning out

Lately I've been a bit burnt out with a few things. Not complaining as these give me full joy too (motherhood), but then of course sometimes the body is just not 100%. Sleep hasn't been the best lately (umm, for the past 8 years! hahaha).

I am looking forward to some R & R over the Christmas period. Nothing big or fancy, just two short nights at a hotel in the city. A staycation. But still, just a break from reality!

I guess as much as Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! It's also giving me my usual pre-Christmas blues. It's the most expensive time of the year too! Plus, not having family around takes its toll at this time too. I wish I could be in Manila. Hoping and planning for next year - that we could be home for Christmas!

Photo from: https://luckyjmstar101.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/mesmerizing-new-york-winter-scenery/

Car ride

This week on the way to school, my daughter and I noticed something like a box on the pedestrian island. We thought it looked like an amp (avalon u5) or a speaker box of some sort. Yesterday we took a closer look and it was a mobile speed camera! Very strange indeed. Our quick 5 minute drive to school usually involves random conversations with my 6 year old and it is just fascinating what we get to discover together, about each other or about the things around us. Sometimes I wish she would stay this young forever. But of course, before I know it she would be a teenager - and car rides together will be seldom.

She shed

I must have been living under the radar, as I have not come across the term "she shed" until today while watching this lifestyle show with my mum. And since watching the show I have been doing some pinning on lovely and cosy she sheds! How addicting can this get - checking out ideas for my very own 'woman cave'. I have a million and one ideas that surely would be over my future budget. But I can dream, and so that's free. I am thinking that aside from having my own nook, I can also invite some of the MusiciansFriends or my sisters to hangout when we need a break from our busy mum duties!

Yet to come

Patiently waiting, still, for the 'best times' as my fortune cookie read out many, many years ago (say, 5 years).

Sometimes life can throw out expectations (eg, the promise of better times). On the other hand, quotes such as these can also give hope to us dreamers.

One day when I am not too engrossed with waiting for the 'best times' is when I know that the 'best times' have arrived. I can't wait.

Oh, Adele!

Every once in a while I do go on this OCD of oggling at celebrities for a few days (and then it stops, hehe). It just is a way to unwind from my seemingly boring (but very busy) life. So the past few days have been about Adele! (haven't noticed if she had a pedalboard power supply or what) Her voice is amazingly phenomenal! There's something soothing about her voice and her songs. I am even listening to her songs as I write this entry! I am such a fan girl, hehe.

I actually even watched some interviews she gave, and she seems to be a nice and real down-to-earth person. Her life story being raised by a single mum in a working class suburb is inspiring too. She is an only child and watching her tell her story and her demeanor - it comes across how strong she is. She says that going on stage makes her nervous is unbelievable as during her interviews she looks very confident and candid.

Oh enough being a fan girl! I must get on to my other work!

Oh Fig!

I am in loooooovveee with Fig jam! I spread it on everything I can.... On buttered toast, chicken sandwich, meat pie, in salads... I even had it on rice a few times!

This is not healthy anymore!! So I have to make it healthy! I really want to be able to make my own fig jam at home, so I know what goes in it. Then, I could also make my own tomato chutney, beetroot relish, caramelised onion relish... the list could go on!

Going back to figs... I have seen them being sold on the side of the road along Dural. I should source my figs from there. Hmmm, or buy my ready made fig jam from there?

Taste's recipe sounds do-able as seen here and below:

Photo from http://holisticsquid.com/rosemary-fig-jam/

FIG JAM RECIPE

•  1 kg ripe figs, trimmed, roughly chopped

•  500g caster sugar

•  1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped

•  1 cinnamon quill
•  Pared rind and juice of 1 lemon
• 
  

Place ingredients in a bowl, cover and stand overnight at room temperature. Transfer to a pan over low heat and stir to dissolve sugar. Bring to the boil, then cook over very low heat, stirring regularly, for 45 minutes or until thick and sticky. Mash figs gently with a fork or masher to break up a little.

Gourmet Me

Super glad that I have been a bit more adventurous with my "sauces" the past couple of years. Thanks to my mother dear! She's always been the gourmet one in the family - the original one - my other sister has followed suit earlier on! .... Rockmelon wrapped with prosciutto, cheese drizzled with honey, and many more!

Last year when my parents visited Sydney, we went to the Orange Blossom Festival in the Hills District and there my mum bought this super yummy Raspberry Orange Caramelised Balsamic vinegar from the stall by Your Inspiration at Home. Since then I have been trying out more of the exotic salad dressings and every now and then I even try concocting my own! One of these days I must order a few of their other delish products!

Understanding and Speaking

On separate occasions this week, I have had numerous unconnected conversations with friends about raising bilingual children. These are conversations I had with Filipino friends who are living overseas and have young children.

My eldest, B, has been coming out of her shell in terms of speaking Filipino - albeit, with a soft accent. In the beginning when she was younger she could understand my native language but she would deliberately respond back in English whenever I ask questions in Filipino. I persisted in getting her to talk back in Filipino and after a number of years, I don't need to prod her on this. She voluntarily speaks in Filipino. She is good at switching back and forth between English and Filipino. I am a proud mum. Ok, credits to dear husband too, who's played a part in all these.

I should talk about this topic again when I have my useful tips prepared. For now, I am signing off from the online world!

Photo from http://www.juanofwords.com/2012/08/whats-the-secret-to-raising-a-bilingual-kid-hiring-a-bilingual-nanny/

Change vs. Priority

Lately I have been feeling the 'need' to try and venture out of my comfort zone. I have been in the travel industry for more than 15 years now and I just want to explore my other interests. And by explore I mean dabble in something that would be income generating as well.

Although with our youngest still very young - I am struggling with finding time for myself, what more learn a new skill or get into a new industry. Sigh. Most days I feel this, but I know I really should get my priorities straight and focus on what is important now. Obviously it is taking care of the new little one.

I would like to dream though. Sometimes I imagine five years forward, when I would be back into building my career and having time for myself. Seems so far away from now.... Although, I know in a year's time will fly by fast. Just how it had with our now 6 year old. Beginning was slow, and then it just went turbo fast.

Credits http://www.thenewbornbaby.com/blogs/welcome-baby/index0be5.html?Tag=new%20mom

Looking up

Sometimes it's all about the angle.

From down here the flowers seem huge, sky-high, unreachable.

From across the screen the flowers seem to be real.

From behind the bunch the flowers seem to be fresh and crisp.

But really, the flowers are fake. The flowers are normal in size. The flowers are made of plastic.

Nonetheless, the flowers give me joy even if they are not real.

But, surely real flowers would give real joy!