Reflection and Reporting: Filial Piety

Hi folks!

This year, another goal I wish to achieve is to practice : FILIAL PIETY.

In Confucian ideals, filial piety (Chinese: 孝) is one of the virtues to be held above all else: a respect for the parents and ancestors. 

(From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_piety)

This is somewhat an unfamiliar term for those who are not familiar with the Confucius teaching, but nevertheless, this virtue has been imparted in other forms or terms.

For example, in Malaysia education, the Malay term for it will be "Kasih Sayang kepada Ibubapa.".

Frankly speaking, I am not considered very filial person. Or shall I say I have not progress much in this field.

Yes I do care a lot for my family. I have been trying to reduce the financial burden of my parents by giving tuition since Form 2 (age 14) till my college years. I studied hard to earn a scholarship so that my parents will not have to crack head and back to pay for my sis (who is one year apart from me) and me through universities.

In a way, it makes me more independent and grow rather "distant" from my family. During college times, I would work during the holiday, spending very little time at home. Even though at that time, i made sure i called home every week. Something which I tend to forget to do now that I have my own family and kids.

So this year, I hope I will maintain this routine to call my parents weekly if not more often and try to visit them as often as I could. 

Whenever I told my child whatever i wished, e.g., wish they could drive me when they got their driving license, wish they would provide me with some surprises (good ones of course), be a good and responsible person..etc...I reckon I should do it to my parents too :) 

So I hope I can bring them for trips and outings more often too. Have to really cherish while they are still around.

And I hope I can be more supportive and encouraging with my words and not to talked back/preaching when I don't come into terms with their ways or mindset.

My children are my mirrors towards how I should be treating my parents.

And, as the wise saying goes, " Our parents don't need our filial piety. It is us, Children, who needed to practice it.". How true!

So, have you called your parents lately? Why not make the call or the visit now?

Cheers!

Reflection and Reporting: Eat and Serve Healthier Food

Hi folks!

This year i have not really confirm or rather conclude on my New Year Goals/Aspirations so to speak....

I have got lotsss in mind to do and achieve...but priorities ..is the key.

I like to do it one at a time or at any one time and...record each small tiny steps leading towards each of my goal.

So today's reporting will be on my Health and Parenting Goal: Eat and Serve Healthier Food :)

One of the many recipes i wanted to experiment is smoothies. This is especially for my kids and hubby in mind.

Of course, first i am my first guinea-pig and my own critics before serving the rest of the crew ;)

This particular one which I have tried : Banana-Avocado Smoothie (verdict: yummy and heart-healthy)

Ingredients are simple:

• 2 bananas
• 1 avocado
• 3/4 glass of apple juice

Method:

Put all into blender and blend to smoothie perfection!

(i use my ever trusty hand blender ...very easy to wash..)

By the way, one of my friend taught me to freeze the unfinished bananas, so I am able to whip this yummy smoothies anytime I have ripe avocados at hand. Simply take out the frozen bananas from the freezer and thaw it for 10mins(if you have a power juicer, you can blend it immediately!). This give the smoothies a cool taste minus the ice.

Today offered this drink to my son who walked into the kitchen full of curiosity. And yep he finished half glass of this yummy-licious drink! Makes mommy happy n proud & excited to try some other yummy recipes ;) One of the thing i could add in now perhaps is some extra nutrients like flaxseed powder etc...

How are the recipes you have been experimenting lately for yourself or family? Pls. do share!

Cheers!

New Year Spring Cleaning(of thoughts and goals)

Hi folks!

I have the habit to do self-reflection before the New Year approach(in my case is before lunar New Year a.k.a. Chinese New Year approach this time 'cos a bit too late to reflect in time for 2010, Jan 1..haha...talking about procrastination?? Actually it is due to a series of uncertainties in my life then...with career change, nursery-hunting for KY and lotss more!!)

Anyway, when I was out of clue on where to start, I look back at my post on 29 Things I hope to do @ Age 29, and thought why not start from there....

So here it is the list I've got during my birthday month. Let's see how much is "completed" thus far!

1. Restart my jogging or exercise regime together with DH and kids and even with like-minded friends. [In progress, doing light stretching exercise indoor]
2. Learn and start to bake…[Need more help, Oven not working!! :( ]
3. Pick up 29 new skills…woot…what are they..decide as and when they are required…but below are some of them:[Side-tracked, am picking up more on communication skills rather due to recent job-hunting and nursery-hunting plus communication exercise with DH]
1. Baking (as in no.3..wow so this skill has more emphasis in my plans haha)
2. Route learning (am rather weak in reading map or lack sense of direction :P)
3. Work related – to be prioritized (at this moment..quite long list :P )
4. ………more to come…
4. Call/Check in with my mom once a week if cannot visit her weekly. (dad and siblings included)[In progress, sometimes with the help/reminder from kids]
5. Resumed my yearly travelling or visiting some special places.[In progress, to near and short trip first]
6. Continue my German language learning (self-study this time, had 3 months basic German language lesson after I graduated).[In progress, been practicising with my ex-boss who knew German]
7. Schedule ME time to do:
1. Reading[In progress, reading blog online counts too rite :P ]
2. Catching up with girls-friend/old buddies[YES!! Had several ones! Keep it UP, Molly!! Way to Go!]
3. Facial(twice a month-minimum)[erm, only managed some DIY black-head remover now]
4. Self-study/take up a course[Have not started/decide which course to take]
5. Window shopping[Yup, love shopping@boutique with girlfrens and trying out shoes and clothes :P ..well...being women! ]
8. Clear my “storeroom” and turned it into mini study-room cum guest room[In progress, cleared some baby stuff already, passes to sil and sister, more to go..]
9. Celebrate each day with someone, something.[Yep, with ice-cream, DH and sisters/girlfren]
10. Hugs my loved ones daily, with morning greetings and kisses at night.[sometimes forgot!]
11. Experiment with new recipes every week if not everyday.[Slacking]
12. Make soup daily.[Not even weekly..sigh..gettting lazy!]
13. Eat 3 types of fruits and 5 types of vegetables/ color food daily.[Not very successful]
14. Visit someone weekly be it friends, neighbours, new-found friends, girlfriend or even family.[Need to be more consistent!]
15. Remember birthdays…of anyone and wish them :)[Need to improve on]
16. Read 5 articles daily on health, parenting, spiritual, work-related and general.[Erm, am reading every day, every night but not in "enough" genres, to be improved!]
17. Have house improvement monthly be it in décor, spring-cleaning or decluttering.[In progress...spring-cleaning my kitchen cabinet now!]
18. Role improvement:[In progress..all the time...no due date..]
1. Mom
2. Wife
3. Employer
4. Earth citizen
5. Daughter/Daughter-in-law/granddaughter
19. Look good and presentable for myself and DH plus kids (setting good example).[This feels good! To look good and feel good, very IMPORTANT!!]
20. Learn to be good host, organize party games/food/organizing.[so far, only food & games, others have not tried]
21. Start some homeschooling with kids even if I am not yet able to be a WAHM/SAHM.[Need more consistency and ENERGY!!!]
22. Set up my bookshelves plus kids one.[Bookshelves done, need to be more organized!]
23. Fully-utilise current resources/God-given items to optimum:[20% Done]
1. Mobile phone – To Do List, Reminders, Birthdays Alert, maps, networking etc
2. Condo facilites – gymn, swimming pool, condo friends and committee
3. Living healthy parents and siblings – more gathering, visiting and caring, pooling resources/helping each other
24. Jot down memorable events in journal/blog/etc [Yeah!! This one almost 88%?? LOL]
25. Put up family pictures in my home, in-law and parent’s place.Yeah!! I did! With the help from EOE Online! Check out my blog entry here]
26. Stay in touch with old buddies.[Thanks to IM and Facebook! Yep but space to improve!]
27. Relearn swimming (yup I am not very good at swimming..really afraid of water type, need DH help on this.)[Not yet]
28. Practice good PR, budgeting and organizing skills in all aspects.[Way to go!!!]
29. Clear all short-term debts (house and car loan not yet included), be debt free and start to plan for some cushion saving by hook or by crook.[In progress, cut off one credit card thanks to the newly-implemented govt. RM50 service charge!! ]

Phew...not even 50% done and my target of FINAL REVIEW is on my 30th Birthday!


Way to go!!! Gambatei Molly! You can do it!


Will work on more on the list and my new year aspirations!


Stay tuned!


Cheers!

2009 is coming to an end....

(Picture taken with my Iphone with an enhanced 5Megapixel camera....

sorry for the left dark un-cropped wall :P in a hurry to snap the lovely sunset at my balcony!)

And 2010 is fast approaching...

What have I achieved for 2009?

What is the highlights for 2009 in my life?

What are the regrets(if any) or setbacks I faced which can be a life lessons to me?

..

...

.....

What is my dream and aspiration for 2010?

These are the questions I have been having in my mind whenever I am wide-awake during the wee hours in the early morning....

What is your dream and aspirations for the coming year?

Would you like to share?

I will share it in another post once it is concrete and ready :P

Meanwhile, thanks for being "there" for all my offline buddies and cyber buddies..

You have left a mark in my life in 2009! Thanks!

Cheers!