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Choose now: ham or eggs?? November 30, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Blogging, Thoughts & Scribblings , 14comments


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Last night’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy highlighted the story of ham and eggs. Do you consider yourself the ham or the eggs? Notice that with the ham and the eggs, the chicken is involved in the process…but the pig is committed. Similarly in blogging, think about it: ham or eggs - which would you rather be and which one are you?

Pablo came up with a writing project for the month of November which will help each individual blogger answer that question, and perhaps realize what really spurs them on. I’m writing this on the last date of the project period, hoping to complete it before midnight tonight.

1. Why do you blog?

I started blogging in mid-2006, because I wanted to journal the development of my son Ethan. It was a fantastic way of sharing my thoughts and ideas as a first-time mother and of course, Ethan’s *fans* would be able to see his pictures online even though they stayed far away. It was fun to capture funny and memorable moments of Ethan growing up and equally liberating to receive feedback from the people who read my blog. Many of my fellow breastfeeding mommy friends followed suit and soon blogging became second nature.

By and by, I decided to start my own personal blog where I was able to let myself go and express myself in thoughts, words and pictures. Blogging was an outlet for me to explore what my writing could do and I often found myself intrigued by things which were irrelevant to me before I started blogging. I blog because it is my way of reaching the world, to show people how I view the world through my eyes. I also blog because I find it is a very interesting way for me to be creative, and even though I do pepper my blog with some sponsored posts every now and then, I try my best to craft it in such a way as to entice visitors, adding that hint of personal flavor whenever possible.

2. What do you hope to achieve by blogging?

My blogs will serve as a legacy for my future generations. I have no idea if or when I will stop blogging, but until that happens, I hope that my blogs will chronicle my life and how I was touched by what happened around me at that point in time. I hope to write more meaningful posts that would make my readers go, “Hmmm…she’s so right. No why didn’t I think of that before?” And especially with Ethan’s blog, I hope that through it, he will be able to learn about himself and of course, about his Mommy.

3. How much time do you spend a day doing blogging related work?

I spend an average of 2 hours doing blogging related work. Most of the picture editing (if any) is done at home though, but that depends on whether I have time or energy to do so right before I hit the pillows.

I would like to equate myself as the *ham* when it comes to blogging. I want to be committed and to ensure that my blog means something. It’s a long road ahead, and I am learning so many new things every single day. But thanks Pablo, for making me reflect about blogging and about myself.

So what are you: ham or eggs?

Listen to the voice of reason November 30, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Memes & Tags, Parenting & Motherhood , 8comments

Being a parent poses many challenges. But through these challenges, I have learnt countless things. Among others, parenthood has made me learn how to survive on only 2-3 hours of interrupted sleep at night, how to eat things really quickly, specifically to feed myself and my kid at the same time and how to maintain a balanced family life. Parenthood has also made me a more tolerant person. I have to keep my cool at all times… okay, at MOST times. But I have to admit that it is an ongoing learning process, and I hope to better myself day after day. Ethan is already a toddler now and judging by his personality and behaviour, I know for a fact that I will have to face the issue of disciplining him soon. Like *really* soon.

There are so many methods of disciplining a child nowadays, and I think some methods work better on certain kids, more so than others. My good girl friend told me that she eventually had to use the cane on her son although she thought she wouldn’t have to initially. I sure do not want a repeat of what she went through. So when Jacelyn asked what my plan for disciplining kids is, I can certainly say that I do not intend to use the cane, preferring instead to use reason. Well, I might be forced to change my mind in future, but at this moment, this is what I am feeling. I am hoping that by the time Ethan learns how to communicate effectively with my hubby and me, we would be able to instill some form of discipline through reasoning and understanding. Threatening to use the cane and not following through on that threat is meaningless, so that option is totally out for me. As far as I am concerned, my ultimate priority would be to be firm and make my child understand and realize what he did was wrong, and to ensure he knows I was not happy with what he did. I would probably utilize the Super Nanny approved toddler “time out” chair method to make my child reflect on what he did, to learn the meaning of “sorry” and to promise never to do it again.


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I’m wondering if Paik Ling shares my sentiments…

*********************************************************
Instructions :
**Start Copying Here**
Tag 5 bloggers
1st - You leave their blog and post link and add to the list below.
2nd - Let the blogger know that they have been tagged by leaving comment in their blog.

1. Miche does not spare the rod.
2. Msaufong spare the rod but not the VOICE.
3. Lemonjude reasonably spare the rod.
4. Shoppingmum spares the rod.
5. MummyInVain does not think of sparing the rod.
6. Giddy Tiger believes in disciplining with reasoning.

Blink blink bikini & beaches November 30, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Rainmakers , 1 comment so far

My department has a team building event every now and then. It is a time for us to let our hair down and forget about work and also to cultivate team camaraderie. Things we have done include visits to museums and parks, lunch or dinner treats and even paintball, the latter being the most painful team building experience of all, although it was certainly an enjoyable one. For once, I wish we could do something different, something more in the lines of “getting away from it all”. Since my team has evolved into a global team now, it would be awesome if our next team building could be a vacation in Hawaii. Am I asking too much? Heh… time will only tell. The Hawaii Travel Blog is enticing and tempting me with glorious pictures of endless sand and clear blue waters. Certainly an ideal getaway for the weary overworked soul.

Oahu is the third largest of the Hawaiian islands, and its name means “The Gathering Place” - is that totally suitable for a team event or what? Gathering..team event…geddit, geddit?  I must inform the senior management team to strongly consider this venue by checking out the Oahu Vacation Information in its entirety. I can see it all now, one week in Oahu paradise, relaxing away in one of the Oahu vacation rentals with nary a worry in the world. Sure sounds like something I could use right now. Plus, I could certainly put my bikini to good use :)

Gorgeous beautiful Y-O-U!! November 29, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : The Fairer Sex, Thoughts & Scribblings , 5comments


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What would people do in the name of beauty? What would YOU do just to look beautiful? Oh, I know…you’re gonna shove it in my face that beauty is only skin deep, right? And yet, there are so many people thronging beauty salons, trying to live up to that bit of expectation to be pretty. It is a never-ending quest for perfection. On one end of the spectrum, there are people who just go for their regular facials, just to ensure that their skin is in clean and tip-top condition. Also, there is nothing like a soothing head and shoulder massage to end a facial and make you revitalized. Then on the other end, there are people who would spend a hand and a foot just to remove imperfections like wrinkles, blemishes and oh… sagging skin. Is it wrong that these people want to look better and prettier or even more handsome? I mean, they have the money, so they can flaunt it, right?

Truth is, beauty is NOT only skin deep. Which means that outer beauty does play a part in enhancing one’s confidence too. So where does one draw the line and say enough is enough, I will now accept myself the way I am? When do we stop succumbing to advertisements promising us more beautiful skin and more beautiful figures? When will beauty advertisements cease to exist?

Probably never, judging by the demand that is out there.

I believe we need to be absolutely sure of what we want in the first place, before we even take a step into the *cauldron of promises*. If what you desire is to get rid of wrinkles, then be firm with yourself and stop at that. Don’t allow yourself to be tempted to go for a liposuction too, if that wasn’t on the agenda. Above all else, feel good about yourself because you alone know what is best for you. And listen to your heart.

Baubles holly mistletoe stars November 29, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Rainmakers , 2comments

I am so looking forward to Christmas. It is now less than a month to go and I am all psyched up to adorn my house in all things Christmassy. Perhaps the best gift I can get my family this year (apart from all the love and hugs in the world) is a Christmas tree, complete with all the gorgeous decorations. I’ve been getting some amazing ideas on Christmas decorations just by searching the internet. Most of these sites have got such pretty decorations. I would really like to get one of those Nativity sets that would look absolutely stunning under the Christmas tree. We don’t get live trees here in Malaysia, so we would probably get ourselves one live-looking tree from the mall *grin*. Then I would go and get myself one of these fantastic shopping coupons online. I know just the place to go get them: Coupon Chief. This is the one place I am guaranteed of getting myself an array of Family Christian Stores coupons or Terry’s Village deals that would give me access to all the decorations I need at markdown prices. I simply cannot wait…. Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

Onoff Facebook relationship November 28, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Thoughts & Scribblings , 14comments

I thought it was a fad, a passing phase. But Facebook has certainly proven that it is a force to be reckoned with. I signed on to Facebook a few months back, innocently thinking that it would just be another one of those friendship tools which would eventually disappear with time. But Facebook is here to stay I tell you. In fact, it has taken over the lives of so many unsuspecting people, they are still wondering what hit them.

I didn’t do anything in my Facebook for a few weeks after signing up, then the addiction caught on after I read about all the awesome stuff bloggers everywhere were doing in Facebook. Pokes and hugs and tickles and virtual gifts were just the beginning of a relationship that promised so much more. First I was hooked onto Pirates. Somehow the prospect of bombing someone else’s ship and scurrying away with gold coins was too good to resist. That craze didn’t last long though. There were just too many other things on Facebook that tickled my fancy.

Rinnah initiated a few Scrabulous games with me, and I in turn started a couple with SA and ECL. It was as if I was transported back to my childhood Scrabble-playing days, though I discovered that in Scrabulous, you will get 7 letter tiles only if you are leading the game. I’ve been inactive for quite some time now, rendering these Scrabulous games inactive too. I’m however beginning to slowly get on track and my target is to complete these games really soon… although I still cannot understand why my inactive game with ECL made her a winner instead!!! Hmmm…..

The Rock Paper & Scissors (RPS) craze then caught on. There was just something addictive and oh-so-familiar about this game that made it hard to resist or turn down a challenge. Or challenge back….!!! I was aghast that there were some people who were already deemed as an RPS overlord or Grand Supreme Master. Victory over the Grand Supreme Mistress has eluded me for such a long time though. Not until recently have I managed to win a challenge over her. However, RPS has since also taken a backseat to make way for fighting with Vampires, Werewolves and Zombies. All the while safeguarding my undies from being stolen…but wait, I just realized that my Moolah has been decreasing because I have been neglecting it. SIGH… now you know how addicted I can become?

Lately, Facebook has also reconnected me to my school friends from Ipoh. Someone’s someone’s someone’s friend had my name in their Friends list and that’s how one by one they found me. I never cease to be amazed at how technology brings us all together, although virtually. And although I may be attacked by rabid werewolves, had hot potatoes and wet balloons and even soiled diapers thrown at me, I still keep coming back to Facebook. Why? Because I find it liberating and unique…okay, okay, I confess I am a Facebook addict. Hey, did I tell you my IQ score yet? :P

The world needs a lil’ TLC November 26, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Thoughts & Scribblings , 9comments

Last weekend, five days after World Toilet Day was celebrated, we replaced the cracked toilet seat in one of the bathrooms in our house. It began as a teeny-weeny hairline crack that only bothered the very heavy people who sat on it, hence it went unnoticed for several months. But that small crack evolved into a huge one that threatened to bite, so we had no choice but to change it. We finally found the new toilet seat at a bathroom specialist store, and my hubby, of course, was the one designated to replace the seat. And now, the new toilet seat is sitting prettily in our bathroom *throne*, and all thoughts of the old cracked one is forgotten.

It is so easy to fix non-living things, isn’t it? As long as there are spare parts and accessories, and as long as money can buy them, we can always replace or repair broken items. It is not so, however, with the human heart, I’m afraid. Wounds dealt to the fragile heart, emotional ones especially, heal with much difficulty and often leave scars as painful reminders of the *injury*. And isn’t it almost always true that we tend to hurt the ones we love? It’s like the more we love someone, the more we tend to hurt him/her. Maybe it’s because we know them so well that we take them for granted. The thing is, after that the pain sets in and regret engulfs us, so much so that we wish we could retract our actions and words… but it just doesn’t work that way, does it? It is difficult sometimes, but we must remember that every one of us has different characteristics, and that will definitely be the ingredients that might create conflict. However, it is the differing opinions and conflicts that really tests our strength in character. The results are seen in how we deal with any situation in hand. I too have been guilty in reacting in a rash manner, only to regret my actions after that. But I am trying my best to be a better person, and I am using these three points to help me along. I call them my own personal TLC.

Tolerance
To tolerate someone’s mannerism means to accept that person unconditionally, faults and all. When that someone makes you angry, try not to lash out immediately at that person, rather try to calm down and reflect on what you want to say first. Sometimes what you want to retort immediately might be due to something else that you are feeling at that moment, that does not even concern the person you are going to say it to.

Love
In any situation, love is the most important aspect of all. Show love in all that you do, in what you say and what you think. Always remember what the Bible says: “The greatest of these is LOVE.” I couldn’t agree more. Never ever use the word HATE in whatever you say. Although you might feel like saying it, what you say will come back and haunt you for the rest of your life.

Concern
When all else fails, show your concern by offering a loving hand and a comforting touch. These will work wonders where no words can heal, believe me. Just reach out and hug that special someone. Even virtual ones count these days. A hug says “I care, I love you for who you are.” And a hug is definitely therapeutic.

At the end of the day, a broken heart is nothing like a broken toilet seat for it can never be repaired to its original state. So make sure that the hairline crack never appears.

Eight days & nothing to do? November 23, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Close to Heart & Home , 4comments

 

Eight more days to go to the MRSC (Malaysian Revival Songwriting Competition) Finals. 

Eight more days to go before my brother’s song takes to the stage amongst nine other finalists. 

Eight more days to go to do one or all of the following:

All I want for Christmas is.. November 23, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Close to Heart & Home, Memes & Tags, Thoughts & Scribblings , 12comments

As we approach the end of the year
I hope and reminisce on all things dear
There are so many things I wish and pray
That they’ll come true at the end of the day!

What do I look forward to at the end of the year 2007? Rinnah has gotten me thinking big time and she has certainly gone round sprinkling the Christmas spirit all over me here. See those lovely snowflakes that adorn my blog? Sui boh? Nah, it doesn’t snow here in Malaysia, but now with the simple installation of a plugin, I made it snow snow snow on Giddy Tigers! I wonder if I can build a snowman too … now on with the tag:

This year end, I look forward to:

I would like to find out what Paris, who is happily dancing around with her Tiffany pendant (I’m imagining the dancing part), is hoping for at the end of this year.

Warm hands and warm feet November 23, 2007

Posted by The Giddy Tiger in : Rainmakers , 1 comment so far

It has been two weeks since I moved to my new office area, and boy is it freezing cold here! Even after we complained to the Facilities folks to turn up the temperature, it did not help. My colleague even suggested bringing in a heater, just so we don’t freeze to death here. It is times like these that I wish I could be teleported ala Hiro Nakamura, just for now, to somewhere where it is warmer, even if it is just for a few hours. I’m thinking the New York Yankees Spring Training would do the trick. It’s a chance for me to learn more about baseball and also a good reason for a vacation I so earnestly need. Unfortunately though, the Yankees Spring Training Schedule only starts next year in April!  More chilly days ahead for me then!