Bye Bye 2019, Hello 2020! 🎉

Wow! I can't believe 2019 will be over soon and we are stepping into the next decade...So, how has your year been? 


Every December is a time I do some self-reflection and write down my new year's resolution.


Well, 2019 has been a very busy and challenging year for me, however, there are many business opportunities, rewards for the hard work and incidents that help broaden my perspectives about life and I learn to be more appreciative of the people around me.


Despite the busy schedule this year, one of my biggest accomplishments for 2019 is forming a Ukulele Jamming/Interest Group that I named it, 'UkerManics'. I feel very honored to teach Ukulele at the RC and bringing music to our neighborhood.

As a founder and the leader of the group, I am very excited and look forward to the upcoming New Year's Day performance with my fellow members. I can't wait to perform on stage again and I hope the group would expand in the near future.


Today, I wrote down some things that I hope to achieve in 2020. Personally, I believe in planning ahead and setting goals every year because that helps me to stay focused and motivate myself to be better, 

so here's the ultimate list...😊 


Mandy New Year's Resolution for 2020 :

 1. Spend more time with my family & people I love
 2. Learn a new skill
 3. Do more sports
 4. More vacations
 5. Have more patience
 6. Less nagging. (LOL!😅)
 7. Sleep early / Get more beauty sleep
 8. Write new songs
 9. Do what I love
10. Live a happier & healthier life
  


Looking back at 2019, I realized that every mistake and setback in life is an experience and a lesson learned. Indeed, "Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You LEARN!" 

Whatever unhappiness that happened this year, let's learn to LET GO and move on. Let bygones be bygones... Life still goes on everyday being happy or sad, so don't carry unnecessary 'baggage' into the new year.


I hereby take this opportunity for a shout-out to thank my dear friends/buddies for being there for me...Thank you all for listening to my silly vents and woes! (You know who you are) I know you guys will be reading my blog anyway...


I hope 2020 will be a better year for all. Here's wishing everyone a wonderful new year filled with new hope, new joy, and new beginnings.

The kids are starting school in a few day's time so Mommy's gonna' be busy again...Till then, take care, all the best and cheers to a Happy 2020!


What's your new year's resolution? 
Share with me and comment below. 😉


Blogger Mommywarrior77

Happiness Is A Family Vacation! 🚘

I love to travel.

I like meeting new people, learning different cultures and exploring new places around the world...

I used to travel a lot when I was single, working in the travel industry many years back... Now a mother of 2 young kids with a busy schedule and other commitments. I travel less often, probably once or twice a year.

December is the school holiday and we would plan for short vacations to nearby countries like; Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, etc...Our neighboring country, Malaysia, is a great place for shopping, dining and sight-seeing. 

We just came back from Malaysia (Johor Bahru) and I took some pictures during the trip that I would share on my blog.

Transportation can be quite challenging especially when you are traveling with young children. To avoid the hassle of unloading the luggage and the long waiting at the custom, we hired a private car that take us directly to the apartment.

Thank goodness it was a smooth and pleasant ride, the jam at the causeway wasn't too bad and we reached the apartment earlier than expected.

Wow! I must say I really love the apartment...I slept well on this trip! 😄


The place is clean, cozy and spacious. There are 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen and there's even a Christmas tree at the hall for the holiday season. Sweet! 


There is an outdoor pool and a gym at the rooftop. The kids had a great time playing in the water... Since I can't swim well, I just chilled by the pool and enjoy the views...It's so relaxing! 😎

Malaysia is also a well-known food paradise! My hubby is a foodie and he took us to try many famous food around the city, we are either shopping or eating, all the time! Gosh...I think this trip has made me gained a few pounds. (Oh darn!😜)

......and I have a sweet tooth unfortunately, I get weak when I see a Macaroon!!! Yea, I know it's so 'sinful' to eat these, but an occasional afternoon tea shouldn't harm. Let's dig in! (We can always diet after the trip.LOL! 😂) 

Overall, it's a pretty enjoyable trip except for a little rain on and off but since we travel by car and spent most of the time indoors at the malls, cinema & restaurants, the rain didn't affect our trip. In fact, it's cooling to move around the city and the night markets too. 

Oh, I love the street food there and the Salted Egg Chicken is a must-try! It's so damn good and really addictive! Mmm-mmm! 😋

...Before we headed back to Singapore, I caught another cute plushie at the claw machine to add to my collection. What a lucky day! (Hello Mr. Birdie! you are coming home with us.🐦)

I believe family bonding and spending quality time together is important. To me, it's not where I travel, it's who I travel with and as long as I'm with the people that I love, any place in the world can be a fun adventure together.

I enjoy family trips and outings. What matters most to me is seeing my kids having so much fun during this trip, it strengthens our family bonding and relationships.

Always make time for the family, spend as much time together and create happy memories! Happiness is priceless! I look forward to more family vacations to come... 

...."A family that travels together stays together! " 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦💗


Blogger Mommywarrior77

Embrace Your Ambition! ⭐

Some of the best things that I love being a parent is watching my kids grow and teaching them about life.

Having a conversation with a child can be fun and interesting. I love talking to kids because they remind me that life can be so simple and joyful, even a kiss, a hug or a candy can make them so happy! Indeed, you don't have to be rich or famous to be happy.


I believe good communication is the key ingredient in positive parenting. Not only you get to understand your kids better, but it also built strong bonding and trust.

The mind of a child is full of curiosity about the world every day. I always encourage my kids to express themselves, don't be afraid to try, to speak up and ask questions. Life is a learning journey and in my opinion, there are no such things as dumb questions!

I had a nice conversation with my son today...Since it's school holiday, we have more time to sit down to play some board games and chit-chatting. As we were talking about school life, his friends, dreams and ambition, etc..

My 8yo boy asked, "Mommy, what is your ambition when you were a kid?"

Hmmm, it suddenly brought me back to my school days when this question was an essay topic in English class. Omg! that seems so long ago, lol but anyways, I still remember what my ambition was when I was his age. 

I actually have a long ambition list...
I dreamt to become a singer, musician, counselor, artist, fashion designer but my biggest ambition is to be a Lawyer. I've always admired lawyers when they speak with intelligence to uphold the law and justice. Hey! even my name has a "LAW" in it. 😁




But well, I guess life has other plans. Today, though I'm not a lawyer, nor a designer but it doesn't matter because everyone should set goals and pursue their dreams. I know nobody likes to fail but even if you don't achieve the goals, that's OK! At least you tried and you'll still learn something along the way.


I remember a great quote that I read earlier, "Money follows the people. People should follow their dreams!" That makes perfect sense! I totally agree.

As the dialogue continues... I asked my little guy, "What do you want to be when you grow up? 

To my surprise, he replied, "I want to be just like you, Mommy!" Awww...I was really stunned! It is a moment of joy when your child sees you as his/her role model. I don't want to react too dramatic but I was smiling in my heart as I'm writing this!

As a blogger, I blog to express and to inspire. I believe positive words do make a huge impact! Therefore, good communication is truly important in parenting. (I know my son will be reading all my blogs, he's my biggest fan!😉)

As parents, it's our duty to guide, to support and encourage our children to believe in themselves! Talk to the kids and communicate often, it's a great way to discover their strength and potential. Teach them to follow their dreams and understand the value of life.

To every child out there...Embrace Your Ambition and Shine! 🌞


Blogger Mommywarrior77

12 Signs That A Man Loves You 💘

Do you sometimes wonder?... Is the guy that you are dating really loves you? You could try plucking petals to get an answer,(lol) but the best way to know is to observe.


Well, I am not an expert in giving relationship/dating advice but based on my personal experience and observations, there are obvious signs that a guy is deeply in love with you.

Most men aren't good at expressing their romantic feelings to their partner, however, actions and behaviors can tell how much they love you. Don't just fall for sweet talks, lovebirds! Words are only plain texts unless they are proven! After all, actions speak louder than words. Remember...Love is not what you say, love is what you do! 😘

So here are some undeniable signs that a guy is really into you...💕


1) He wants you to be happy.
He cares about your happiness and emotions. When you are sad, he tries different ways to cheer you up, to make you smile again.


2) He is always there for you.
Anytime you need him, he gets to you the fastest he can, to be your support, a listener, he offer comfort and a shoulder to lean on.

3) He cooks for you.
Nothing is sweeter than a man who cooks for his love. Even a simple sandwich or a bowl of soup can taste the sweetest! I love a man who cooks! Hey, who doesn't like to be fed with love? 😁

4) He tries to please you.
Whether he is learning a new language or singing your favorite love songs just to make you happy. That really shows how special you are to him, because "You Are The Reason"🎶

5) He thinks about you all the time.
You are always on his mind and he misses you every day.  He wants to talk to you and listen to your voice. He asks about your day, reminds you to eat your meals. He sends you sweet love notes and cute texts the first thing in the morning when he wakes up.


6) He takes good care of you.
When you are unwell, he accompanies you to the clinic, he checks on you every few hours, making sure that you will take the medication on time and have enough rest, etc...


7) He compliments you.
He praises and celebrates your success and achievements. He compliments about your personality, your strength and natural beauty. Even when you don't wear any make-up, he still finds you beautiful, attractive and he love the way you are! He makes you feel good and confident about yourself.


8) He makes you a priority.

I believe when someone truly cares for you, they will find time! Even if it's only a few hours to be together for a dinner or a stroll at the beach, he is happy to spend time with you.


9) He doesn't give up the relationship easily.
It is common to have disagreements and arguments in any relationship. If a guy truly loves you, he will find solutions to fix the problems and work things out together to keep the relationship going.


10) He is happy and excited to see you.
He keeps smiling  every time when he meets you, he looks into your eyes and gives you full attention. He keep you close, he love holding your hands, making you feel warm and comfortable.


11) He protects you.
This is the most obvious sign when a man loves you, he is willing to be your shield in any danger. Like a knight in shining armor, he won't let anyone hurt you. He will do his best to make you feel secure and keep you safe always.


12) He shares his dreams, tells his family and friends about you.
When a guy introduces you to his family, it is a sign that he is serious about you and he wants you to be part of the family. He wants you to be in his life and to build a future together. 

Falling in love is easy but staying in love requires a lot of hard work and patience because relationships can be confusing and tricky at times...


People say love is blind (they are probably right!) Nonetheless, I do believe true love exists and if you ever find a man who does most of the things listed here, don't lose that gem! He's definitely a keeper!👍

"Happiness is to love and be loved..."

                         

Things You Should Never Say To A Mom 🚫

Motherhood is challenging and stressful. Whether you are a new mom or an experienced mom, we all know it's never easy to raise a child. There will be struggles, tears and sacrifices... Being a mother is fulfilling but it's also a strenuous job, both emotionally and physically.


Words are powerful weapons and the last thing a mom need is someone making her feel bad about herself. 


Give the mother some support, words of encouragement instead of criticism and judgments. So before you make a remark, try to avoid insensitive, unkind and hurtful phrases that may upset the mothers.


Things You Should Never Say To Moms :

"You look so tired."

Mothers are tired. Especially those with newborns or younger children without any helpers or nannies/in-laws/childcare, etc. Most mothers don't get enough sleep every day. They are always busy attending to their kids, cleaning up the house, fixing meals and running daily errands, etc. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or working moms, there are days you don't look your best. There is no need to remind them how tired or messy their hair looks.


"When are you having another child?"

Having a child is a personal decision. There are many important things to consider when you are planning for another baby.  

Whenever someone asks me to try for #3, I floored! (Are you serious?) Yes! I love children but that doesn't mean I want a 'dozen' lol. When I think about pregnancy, the awful morning sickness and the horrible contractions. Oh no! I am very sure I'm done with childbirth. Two is just enough. Thank you very much! 😁


"You should breastfeed longer..."
Breastfeeding is exhausting and it's not always easy for mothers. It can be quite embarrassing when the milk leaks in public and sometimes you can't find a nursing room to feed your hungry baby, so it's not always convenient to breastfeed on demand. 

We know 'Breast Is Best' but there are many valid reasons why some mothers don't breastfeed longer, we should respect their decisions and STOP mom-shaming. It is OK to give the baby formula, that doesn't make you are a bad mother. I breastfeed for 15months, though it isn't very long, but I think I did fine. 


"Why are your kids so skinny/chubby...What did you feed them?" 
Oh my gosh! This is one of the most annoying and rude remarks to a mother. Not all children eat anything that is served on the table. Many kids are fussy and picky eaters. I am sure all mothers feed their children with nutrition because we want our children to grow strong and healthy, but some kids just aren't good eaters. I used to stress a lot about their weight but now I came to understand that being healthy is more important than the numbers on the scale! 


"Sleep when the baby sleeps..."
Ermm...I hear this all the time but it's not always possible. In fact, when the baby sleeps, it's the best time to do some house chores, have a quick meal, pump out the milk and take a shower etc...When my kids were babies, they sleep in the cot and I would watch them sleep, to make sure they are safe and secure. Personally, I don't feel comfortable to sleep when the baby sleeps, especially when they are still little. 


"Your house is a Toys'R'us! " (LOL)

That is one hilarious remark I've heard! When you have small children at home, toys are everywhere...and when the kids get bored with old toys...Parents, grandparents, relatives start buying more toys to keep the little ones entertained. (Welcome to our toyland, please feel free to look around and make yourself at home!😁) 


"Your child cries a lot!"
No mothers want to hear that from anyone. It's really heartbreaking and distressing when a child cries! The helpless mom could be feeling scared, frustrated and trying her best to stop the crying drama! That remark doesn't serve anything, it only create more anxiety and make the mother panic! 


"Don't spoil the kids!"
OK, that one makes sense and I get the point, but trust me, it's easy to say than done! We love our children and we want to give them the best, don't we? In my opinion, protecting the children, giving them love and attention is never spoiling a child, but that's just me.


"Kids will be kids..."
Well yeah! I know that's true but that doesn't mean we should condone bad behavior. Discipline is an important part of parenting. Well, say for example, if your child got badly hurt or bullied by other kids and the parent tells you, "Kids will be kids..." Wow! how would you feel? 

Bad conduct/behavior is unacceptable and should not be ignored. As parents, it is our responsibility to teach our kids what's right and wrong.

"Stop worrying so much about your kids!"

The moment you become a mother, the worries never stop! You may worry lesser, but you will still be worried about the kids, always!...

My dear mama still worried about me when I skipped meals and when I didn't reply to her text messages. Typically, a mother never stops worrying. Maternal love, I suppose...❤️


Sometimes, words might seem unintentional and harmless to you but it matters to others, so be tactful for the choice of words you use.

...and if you are not sure what to say to a mother, always praise her for the hard work and tell her she is doing a great job! Be supportive and gracious always! 😘


So Mommies, what are some interesting remarks you have heard? Share with me and comment below. 


Blogger Mommywarrior77