The Days I Once Wished Away

Every day, my Google Photos on my laptop pops up memories from 1, 2, 3 years ago and beyond. Today, photos of my daughters from May 2020 appeared — right in the middle of the Covid lockdowns.

Looking at those photos made me a little emo. Back then, all I wished for was for the lockdowns to end quickly and for life to return to normal. When my girls were still in school, I also wished they would grow up faster because I was mentally and physically exhausted — juggling school runs, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, and working from home all at once.

And now?

Now that we are apart — the girls mostly living in KL and all grown up (Alycia is 23, Sherilyn 21, and Cass 18), while I am here in Ipoh — I find myself missing those days dearly.

My shoulders may be lighter now, free from many of those responsibilities, but my heart still misses my girls. They each have their own lives, their own routines, and sometimes days pass without us hearing from one another.

But no matter the distance between us, I will always love them, worry about them, and pray that each of them will always be happy, healthy, safe, and well.

Cass when she was in Std 6 at KC2, attending online class.

Sherilyn in Form 3 @ SMKTD, attending online class.

Alycia had to attend school during the MCO / RMCO as it was her SPM year.

The Hidden Ingredient in Tea Bags

I love drinking tea — green tea, peppermint tea, Chinese tea, English tea… tea is part of my everyday life.

Most teas nowadays come in tea bag form, and honestly, it is so convenient. Just throw a bag into your mug, pour hot water, and sip throughout the day.

Several years ago, I discovered a hidden danger in many tea bags — microplastics.

Studies have found that some plastic tea bags can release around 11.6 billion microplastic particles and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles into a single cup of hot tea. These tiny particles may enter our bodies and have been linked to inflammation, hormone disruption, gut issues and other potential long-term health concerns.

Because of this, I now cut open my tea bags and pour the tea leaves into a stainless steel tea strainer instead.

For green tea, I don’t even bother using a strainer anymore — I simply pour the tea leaves directly into my cup and drink up the leaves too! Extra fiber for me 😋

So the next time you drink tea, try not to brew using the tea bag itself. Get a good stainless steel tea strainer or buy loose tea leaves to brew your tea instead.

Happy tea drinking everyone 🍃☕

This is how I drink my tea from tea bags - pour the content into a stainless steel tea strainer and brew

My peppermint + blue pea flower tea

The Competitive Spirit That Skipped Me 😆

Both my eldest daughter, Alycia, and my middle daughter, Sherilyn, started ballet lessons when they were 4 years old. They're now 23 and 21.

Alycia disliked ballet from the very beginning and eventually stopped after a few years. She later moved on to kickboxing, Muay Thai and tennis instead — definitely more her style!

Sherilyn, on the other hand, continued ballet until she was about 10, when her interest slowly shifted towards contemporary dance, hip hop and street dancing. One dance class became two, then three… and now I think she attends almost half a dozen classes, including acrobatic dance. She funds the classes herself, from her part-time gigs. 

Her passion for dance is very much like Cass’s love for figure skating — intense, dedicated and completely self-driven.

Ironically, I was never into dancing when I was younger. Between dancing and gym or outdoor fitness activities, I would choose the latter anytime. Their dad is not exactly a competitive person either, which makes me wonder where both girls got this competitive streak from! 😂

Next month, Sherilyn will be flying to Singapore again for another international dance competition. Last year, her team won gold at another competition there, so they are very excited.

Sometimes I look at both Sherilyn and Cass — one competing in dance and the other in figure skating — and I still cannot figure out who they take after. Certainly not me! Lol.  

Alycia (6yo) & Sherilyn (4yo) in 2009.

My 3 angels, circa 2011

Sherilyn in 2025

Group Strength Training Class For Seniors

This morning, I accompanied Mum to a group strength training class for seniors at the gym. The class was from 8.30 - 9.30 a.m.

To our surprise, the class turned out to be incredibly lively thanks to Coach Faisal — a fun, energetic and slightly “crazy” instructor in the best possible way. He had everyone doing hilarious things like making gorilla sounds while breathing and lifting dumbbells. At one point, the whole class was chanting “Stay young, long life!” while swinging our weights.

Believe me, lifting heavy dumbbells while chanting, laughing and trying not to lose your breath is no easy task! But that was exactly his point — to get us breathing deeply, laughing more, staying happy and keeping active at the same time.

Although it was a class for senior citizens, everyone was surprisingly strong and flexible. Mum was the oldest in the class at 80 years old, while I was the second youngest at 53. Coach Faisal himself is the youngest at 51.

Mum and I thoroughly enjoyed the session. The gym was filled with laughter, noise and so much positive energy. Next on our list — Zumba classes!

You can watch the video here >>  https://www.facebook.com/reel/1393578992609638

Sometimes, They Don’t Need Money… Just Mum’s Advice

Today I got a call from one of my daughters. She said she wanted to talk. That immediately gave me a scare. 😅

Calls from my daughters are usually never good news — either they’re sick, got into some mishap or touble… or need money!

But this time, she needed my opinion on a difficult decision involving a relationship. We ended up talking for almost an hour and by the end of it, she finally found clarity and sounded so much happier.

Young people in relationships often face many emotional obstacles. So when your child is willing to open up, trust you and seek your advice, it really is a privilege as a parent — to guide them towards a decision that is healthier for their future and peace of mind.

On a totally unrelated note, here’s my dad’s homecooked food from yesterday for the 3 of us — stir-fried leek with roast pork, air-fried tempeh, his signature turmeric chicken, and pumpkin + chickpea soup with veggies. Simple home food but so comforting and yummy. ❤️

Low-Carb High Protein Breakfast

My simple, hearty breakfast today — pressure-cooked chickpeas with 2 eggs.

Mum soaked the chickpeas overnight, and this morning she pressure cooked them for 30 minutes until they turned soft and creamy. She added turmeric powder, homegrown curry leaves and a little salt for extra flavour and goodness.

This will probably be our main plant protein for the next few days. Honestly, cooking chickpeas is so easy with a pressure cooker — no fuss, nutritious and budget-friendly too.

Besides being an excellent source of plant protein, chickpeas also have many health benefits:

• Rich in fibre, which helps with digestion and keeps you full longer

• Helps stabilise blood sugar levels due to its low glycaemic index

• Good for heart health as it may help lower bad cholesterol

• Contains iron, folate and magnesium, which support energy production and overall health

• High in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation

• Supports gut health by feeding beneficial gut bacteria

• Helps with weight management because it is filling and satisfying

• Naturally low in saturated fat and contains no cholesterol

• A good source of complex carbohydrates for steady energy release

Simple food can be some of the healthiest and most comforting meals. 😊

Grateful for Good Bosses and Happy Workplaces

My 3 daughters have all worked part-time at a cafe in our neighbourhood in KL. Sherilyn started there at 16, working weekends while studying, to partially fund her multiple dance classes. Then Alycia followed suit, though she has since stopped after starting her full-time job. Recently, Cass joined the team too.

I told Cass that she could stop once university starts in July, but she insists on keeping the job and works once or twice a week. The pay may not be fantastic, but the bosses treat their staff incredibly well. Meals are provided too, including the cafe’s own food, which is genuinely good.

What I appreciate most is how warmly the bosses treat their staff — like family. They organise annual dinners, outings and celebrations, and whenever the girls or I were unwell, they would send us cakes or bread. They are really kind and thoughtful people.

This was Cass’s breakfast today at work — waffles with fresh blueberries and bananas, plus a cup of latte. Quite a luxurious breakfast for staff! 😊

I’m truly thankful that my girls have always had good bosses and happy working experiences, even in part-time jobs. Hopefully, when the time comes for their full-time careers, they will continue to meet caring employers and good people along the way.

Dad’s Homecooked Dishes 🍲

Tonight’s spread: stir-fried bell peppers with fish cake, stir-fried chicken with ginger, garlic, big onions, soy sauce and Chinese cooking wine, pumpkin + corn kernel + chicken feet soup, air-fried small fish, and black rice with basmati rice.

Simple, wholesome, comforting and so yummy. Best part? Probably less than RM30 to feed the 3 of us. Homecooked meals really don’t have to be expensive to be nourishing and satisfying. 💛

Check out my latest video on my strength training session with my mum here >>https://www.facebook.com/reel/1021842137181307

Simple Homemade Comfort Food 🧡

We had a very simple homemade lunch yesterday, made with love and wholesome ingredients. Dad prepared pumpkin soup using a large pumpkin. He first steamed the pumpkin, then blended it into a smooth puree before packing most of it into portions for freezing and future use.

With the remaining puree, he turned it into a comforting soup by adding water, onion and garlic powder, olive oil, pepper, and a little salt. He then added marinated fish fillet and chicken fillet into the soup, and finally tossed in some homegrown moringa leaves for extra nutrition.

I had the soup on its own without carbs, while Mum cooked some quinoa noodles to go along with it. I also love my pumpkin soup topped with some walnuts and a sprinkle of crispy fried garlic for that extra aroma and crunch.

It was such a soothing, nourishing, and nutritious lunch — exactly the kind of healthy homemade food we enjoy most. 🥣🌿

Distance Somehow Brought Us Closer

It’s funny how after living away from my daughters, I somehow became even closer to them — especially to Cass, my youngest.

Now, every time we meet, we have endless things to talk about, almost like two best friends catching up after not seeing each other for ages. Yesterday in KL, we talked non-stop, even sharing little secrets with each other.

One of the things she told me really amused and warmed my heart.

Cass shared that her youngest figure skating student is 17 years old. And her oldest students? A 48-year-old lady and another lady almost 40 — two friends who decided to learn figure skating together.

When they first saw how young Cass was, they actually asked her if she could handle teaching them. 😂

The 48-year-old lady even has a son who studied in the same high school as Cass and is the same age as her! Imagine having someone your son’s age coaching you in figure skating.

The 17-year-old student’s father was equally surprised to see such a young girl coaching his daughter. Even Cass’ own coach had asked whether she was comfortable teaching older students.

But true to her personality, Cass simply pulled the bull by its horns, stepped confidently into the role, and gradually earned all their trust and confidence.

Honestly, hearing stories like these from her makes me so happy. Beyond her skating skills, I think what touches me most is seeing her maturity, confidence, and ability to connect with people of all ages.

These little conversations with my daughters have become some of the moments I treasure most nowadays. ❤️

Cass in Standard 1 on the first day of school at Kuen Cheng 2 primary school. 
I can't believe she survived 11 years of Chinese schooling + 3 years of pre-school with compulsory Chinese subject, coming from a family with yellow banana parents💪

Today, I made a day trip to KL for my youngest daughter Cass’s SPM award ceremony. Proud mama moment? Absolutely. But the journey? Let’s just say the universe had jokes.

It started with a 5am train. I’ve never taken such an early train in my entire life. Waking up at 2.10am sounded like a terrible idea made by a sleep-deprived lunatic. But somehow, somehow, I got up effortlessly. My body clearly didn’t get the memo that it was supposed to protest.

Grab came at 4.10am (bless that driver’s soul). Reached the station at 4.30am. KL Sentral by 7.30am. Cass’s dad picked me up, we had breakfast in Brickfields, and made it to Kuen Cheng High School before 8am. Award ceremony ended at 11am.

And then—the moment. Cass walked up on stage. I had always envisioned this. And it actually happened. 

Lunch at Smith Breads & Café in Bukit Damansara. Bought sourdough breads to bring back to Ipoh because apparently I have no self-control around good carbs. Dropped Cass at 1 Utama for a friend meetup, then got sent back to KL Sentral for my 3pm train.

Reached Ipoh at 6pm. Walked into my room.

And screamed internally.

It looked like a tiny furry tornado named Haru had tried to break down the door. My cat, clearly convinced I had abandoned her forever (after only 14 hours), had attempted a dramatic escape. Claw marks and her broken nails all over the floor. Scattered things. Total havoc.

So now I’m asking myself: How on earth am I going to survive more day trips to KL to visit my girls in the future?

The answer, apparently, is: with a lock on my door and a very forgiving heart. 😂

Worth it though. Every bit.

You can watch the video here >> https://www.facebook.com/reel/26719294664418134

P/S: TQVM, mum for helping me feed Haru and entertain her for a bit.

My Protein Breakfast

Not consuming enough protein can lead to several health issues, especially for women over 50. Some common signs of insufficient protein intake include fatigue and weakness, muscle loss and decreased strength, brittle hair and nails, excessive hair fall, dry and thinning skin, and a weakened immune system.

That is why it’s important to include enough protein in our daily diet, whether from plant-based sources or lean animal protein.

I try to include protein in every meal. My morning usually starts with a glass of water, followed by walnuts and roasted black beans, an orange, and a cup of decaf coffee with flaxseed meal and milk.

For my mid-morning breakfast, I usually have 2 eggs, sourdough or sprouted wheat bread with black sesame spread, a cup of sugar-free hot cocoa, and some groundnuts (the kind with shells), pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.

I have been following a high-protein, low-carb diet since the year 2000, after being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), now officially known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). It is an insulin resistance and metabolic disorder that can also contribute to infertility.

A low-carb, high-protein diet can help manage PCOS by stabilizing blood sugar levels, reducing insulin resistance, supporting weight management, and improving hormonal balance.

I got my roasted black beans from Shopee, link here>> https://s.shopee.com.my/60ORvelHTK

My high-protein breakfast of walnuts, black beans, and flaxseed meal.

A Teacher’s Legacy: 62 Years of Friendship

This morning, one of my mum’s former students gave us a tub of homemade bubur cha cha. What makes this extra special is that my mum taught her when Mum was just 18 years old (in MGS Ipoh), and the student was only 10. Fast forward 62 years later, and they are still keeping in touch. They’ve even travelled to Indonesia together and still meet up for gatherings from time to time.

She isn’t the only former student who still keeps in contact with my mum either. Over the years, many of Mum’s students have remained connected with her through Facebook, and some still make it a point to visit her whenever they return to Malaysia. It’s quite rare these days, but honestly very heartwarming to see the lasting bonds a teacher can build over a lifetime.

And the bubur cha cha? SO good. It was filled with purple and yellow sweet potatoes, corn, sago, evaporated milk, and rich coconut milk. Absolutely yummy! 

First Experience at a Government Clinic in Ipoh — And It Was Surprisingly Efficient

For the first time in my life, I visited a Klinik Kesihatan (KK) in Ipoh this morning for a blood test. The clinic is in Kg Simee, just about a 5-minute drive from my house. I had gone there once last month to register and get an appointment date.

For the past 35 years while living in KL, I’ve always done my blood tests and medical checkups at private clinics or hospitals. So honestly, I never really considered going to a government clinic before.

My elderly parents encouraged me to try KK for routine blood tests and medication since it’s free. But I always imagined government clinics would be extremely crowded, with patients waiting half a day just for their turn. That impression probably came from my past experience bringing Cass, my youngest daughter, to HKL for her Urology and Nephrology consultations, where we usually spent at least half a day — sometimes almost the whole day there, and at times, even spilled over to another day.

This morning, I arrived at KK Kg Simee at 7.40am and received queue number 97. Seeing that number made me think, “That’s it, I’ll probably be here for the next three hours.” But surprisingly, the whole process was very efficient. Within just two hours, I was completely done — blood drawn and all. Even my parents were surprised at how fast it was.

Thankfully, I trusted my instincts about the parking situation and decided to take Grab instead. Good decision! The parking area was absolutely packed. I noticed many other patients were arriving by Grab too.

Today was only for the blood test. I’ll be returning in two weeks for a doctor’s consultation, so I’ll see how long the waiting time is for that. Most likely, I’ll take Grab again and spare myself the stress of hunting for parking.

Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with my first experience having a blood test done at a government facility. And honestly, the best part? It was completely FOC yo! 😆

Video available on my Facebook page.

 

Why I Pay More Attention to Protein Intake After 50

As we grow older, getting enough protein becomes increasingly important for maintaining muscle strength, energy levels, and overall health. Most adults generally need between 0.8 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, depending on age, activity level, and health condition. Since I weigh about 42kg, I try to aim for around 42 grams of protein a day to make things simple.

For breakfast, I usually eat two medium-sized eggs, which provide approximately 12 to 12.6 grams of protein. I also enjoy a small handful of walnuts — around 8 to 10 whole walnuts — together with one tablespoon of roasted black beans and another tablespoon of pumpkin and sunflower seeds for extra nutrients and healthy fats.

Lunch is usually something simple but protein-rich, such as roast chicken breast, boiled chickpeas, or lean pork. For dinner, my dad often prepares steamed fish or chicken, which adds even more quality protein to my meals. Besides that, I also include milk, yogurt, flaxseed meal, and soaked chia seeds in my daily diet. Altogether, my protein intake likely reaches around 40 grams a day, or sometimes even more.

Protein plays a vital role in human health. It helps build and repair muscles, supports healthy bones, strengthens the immune system, and keeps the body functioning properly. As we age, adequate protein intake becomes even more important because muscle mass naturally declines over time. Eating enough protein can help support strength, mobility, recovery, and healthy ageing.

My breakfast of 2 soft-boiled eggs with mum's homemade pesto. The pesto is made using homegrown sweet basil, roasted cashews, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt.

Strength Training with My 80-Year-Old Mum – Session 4 & 5

There is something very motivating about learning and growing stronger together with my 80-year-old mum. In our recent strength training sessions, our personal trainer, Sharon, introduced us to a variety of exercises designed to strengthen our upper body, lower body, and core muscles.

Every session feels different and exciting. We get to try various equipment and training methods — from weight machines and dumbbells to kettlebells and resistance bands. The elastic band exercises may look simple, but they are surprisingly challenging and really work our legs, arms, hands, and core muscles.

The first few sets are usually the toughest. Our muscles feel tired quickly, and sometimes we wonder how many more repetitions we can manage. But interestingly, after a while, the movements begin to feel smoother and lighter, almost as if the body is slowly adapting and becoming stronger.

Strength training is definitely hard work, especially at our age differences, but it is also very rewarding. Day by day, we can feel improvements in our strength, balance, and endurance. It is not just about lifting weights — it is about building confidence, staying active, and taking care of our health together.

Most importantly, these training sessions have become precious bonding moments for my mum and me. Growing stronger together is truly a wonderful journey.

You can watch the video of our strength training sessions on my Facebook page.

Shirudo Disposable Nitrile Gloves

I used to hate washing dishes. Definitely one of my least favourite household chores… right up there with ironing

But weirdly, disposable nitrile gloves changed that for me. I started using them a few years ago and now I can’t imagine doing kitchen work without them. Compared to those thick reusable rubber gloves, disposable nitrile gloves are much thinner, more comfortable, and the grip is so much better. Washing oily containers and slippery dishes feels less annoying somehow.

I’ve been using Top Glove for the longest time, but recently tried Shirudo and honestly… surprisingly very good too. I like the pink and orange ones. Quality feels very similar and the price is a bit cheaper. I usually wear one pair throughout the day as long as I don’t accidentally get water inside

Nowadays I always keep a few boxes at home together with my lemon kitchen wipes and disposable electrostatic papers. My OCD side feels calmer when everything stays clean and less “icky”

For those asking, this is the one I got recently:

https://s.shopee.com.my/901xPtfQUD

These disposable nitrile gloves are very durable and don't tear easily.

Mother's Day 2026 Dinner

On Mother’s Day, I told my parents that I wanted to bring them out for a nice meal and treat them to something special. But my dad was reluctant and insisted on cooking instead. His reason? He had bought tofu on Saturday and said it had to be cooked soon before it went bad. 😄

So mum and I happily let him take over the kitchen. I suggested something simple — braised chicken in the pressure cooker. Mum started googling for an easy recipe, but dad confidently said, “Aiya, this one easy peasy lah,” and insisted he already knew all the ingredients without needing any recipe.

And honestly, he was absolutely right. The braised chicken, pressure-cooked with soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, ginger, mushrooms, star anise, cardamom, and garlic, turned out so delicious and comforting. He also made braised tofu with salted fish bones, which was incredibly flavourful and paired perfectly with the meal. On top of that, he double-boiled a radish soup, blanched lettuce, and steamed black rice for mum and himself.

In the end, it wasn’t a fancy restaurant celebration, but it became a simple, nourishing, and heartwarming home-cooked Mother’s Day dinner — the kind that feels extra special because it was made with love. ❤️

How did you celebrate Mother’s Day this year? 

Braised chicken

Braised tofu with salted fish bones.

Steamed black rice and basmati rice

Double-boiled radish soup

Mothers' Day 2026

This morning, my mum made a rich and delicious chocolate mug cake using the microwave oven. Preparation took only about 15 minutes, and the baking time was just 90 seconds. It turned out so moist, chocolaty, and incredibly good. That was her little Mother’s Day gift to me. 🥰

Later at around 2pm, Alycia, who is currently holidaying in Ho Chi Minh, surprised us by ordering some of our favourite desserts from Doubā through GrabFood. Such a thoughtful treat from afar. ❤️

Two weeks ago, when my younger brother was back in Ipoh, we had an early Mother’s Day celebration. We went to Durbar at FMS for a sumptuous dinner before heading to Secret Recipe the following day for cake-cutting. My dad, who is 83 this year, still prefers the old-school style cakes over the modern fancy ones. We tried the kunafa pistachio brownie and chocolate fudge cake, which were really good. One thing about Secret Recipe — their cakes never disappoint. 🍰

To all the mothers reading this post, Happy Mother’s Day to you. ❤️

Motherhood is not easy. There are days filled with frustration, exhaustion, worries, and moments when you feel like giving up. But through it all, you kept going, loving, sacrificing, and doing your very best for your children. That alone makes you an amazing mum.

Even if your efforts are not always seen or appreciated now, your children will understand one day. So today, take a moment to celebrate yourself too. You deserve the love, appreciation, and happiness. 🌸

You can watch the video of our Mother's Day celebration on my Facebook page.

Microwave chocolate mug cake from mum to me today.

Early Mother's Day celebration at Secret Recipe with younger brother last week.

Early celebration at Durbar at FMS.

Desserts from Douba, grabbed to us today, from Alycia who's in Ho Chi Minh.