I haven't lost it...
My tenth anniversary as a stay-at-home-mum (SAHM). Kai was one when I decided to hang up my office wear. He is now 11 years old. Ten long years. Was it easy? Was it hard? To tell you it was sweet and plain sailing is simply lying to you through my nose! Every mum will tell you that having kids is easy but raising them is a challenge.

Prior to being a SAHM, public speaking and making presentations have always been a breeze but after ten long years of raising kids, talking to them only and facing the four walls, I wouldn't expect to still possess these skills. My only presentation these days is probably to my blog and perhaps "talking" to you, my most distinguished readers (if you are still reading).

Recently, I was asked to share about my kids' schooling experience in front of 50 to 80 expats. Not easy for someone who hasn't done it for a decade! Well, I didn't go on a journey for nothing..."if there is any good I can do, let me do it now for I will never pass this way again." I thought it would be good to share my experience with newbie expats. Also, a good way to celebrate my tenth anniversary as a full-time mum! So, with courage from, God knows where, I agreed!

At the end of it, this is the feedback I got....

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know that I had several people say that they thought your words about the school were very interesting and helpful. You gave a very fair and accurate assessment of the school and the expectations of the students enrolled- this is exactly the info that people need to hear when choosing a school...yet, it's very difficult to find out....Thank you again for spending the time and energy to help with the event. You were a very eloquent speaker- fantastic job!
Thanks!

Thank you for the opportunity too. Looks like I haven't lost it!

No care needed but still they bloom
Spring in SH is beautiful. Flowers of all sorts bloomed at this time and the most amazing thing about them is that they are wild flowers, no special care for them but they just bloom when it is time to do so. I guess that is exactly what the Bible says about them...

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you ~ Luke 12 : 27, 28

Leave Mother nature alone and she will reward you abundantly with her beauty.


Peach blossom


Plum blossom


Cherry blossom (Sakura)


Magnolias

The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring. ~Bern Williams

Little Ann
I must stop calling her little Ann. She is no longer little. Although young at age, she could sap up all my energy. A very active girl who always needs some kind of activity. She could also be very challenging as she has a mind very much of her own. She is never afraid to walk on her own, away from the usual crowd. Sometimes she ignores instructions and does things her own ways. If it doesn't work out, she faces the consequences and if it does work out, she will say, "I told you so!" Inspite of a very tiring daily schedule, Ann sometimes says the darnest thing to put a smile on my face.

Just the other day, I gave Kai my share of meat. Kai is a carnivore so he always welcome more meat, never complain about the extras. Ann turned to her brother and said, "see mummy loves."

There were also times when after a nice homecooked meal, she would comment, "what a great feast!" Even if it is just  simple porridge with fried eggs. Every nice meal is a feast to her. Such comments always push me to new heights in my cooking and baking. I am always trying out new dishes, some turn out good, some not so good but the beauty of it all, if I don't try, I will never know what is good. I often use this as a lesson for Kai and Ann, to always push themselves beyond their comfort zone.

So you see, education is such, we learn from each other, regardless of our age. Don't ever undermine your kids.