The Day I Changed a Light Tube for the First Time

TOTD: Green tea with freshly plucked jasmine flowers from our garden. 🌸🍵

We have two pots of jasmine plants in our garden, and they have been blooming profusely over the past few days. There have been so many flowers that they keep falling onto the ground!

So every morning, I have been plucking a big handful of freshly bloomed jasmine flowers and adding them to my green tea. The flowers make my tea smell absolutely divine and so fragrant! Love it! 💚

And today, my dad finally managed to get us four pieces of black glutinous rice ang ku from our favourite kuih stall at the Canning Garden Bak Kut Teh restaurant.

Dad had gone there three times over the past week, but every time, the black glutinous rice ang ku was sold out by 9.30am. This morning, he went there before 8am and finally managed to grab a few pieces.

He was so happy... and so were we! 😂

My cravings are finally satisfied. Thank you, Papa! ❤️

Today also marks a tiny milestone in my life — I changed a fluorescent tube light in our kitchen for the very first time! 😂💡

In fact, at 53 years old, this was the very first time in my life that I had ever changed a light bulb or tube light. Back in the day, it was always the girls' dad who did these things. But because I didn't want my 83-year-old dad to climb up the ladder, I rushed to do it myself.

At 83, Dad is still so gungho and sometimes still thinks that he can do everything just as he did when he was younger. 😂

Honestly, I was quite scared standing on top of the tall ladder, and I had absolutely no idea how to twist the darn tube light out! After a few tries, the tube finally came out. Then came the challenge of putting the replacement tube in.

There was a lot of trial and error, but I eventually managed to do it!

So proud of myself! Lol! 😂💪

Who knew that changing a tube light for the first time could feel like such a huge achievement? 😆

Sometimes, happiness really is as simple as a fragrant cup of jasmine tea, your favourite kuih, a dad who wakes up early to satisfy your cravings, and successfully changing a light tube all by yourself.

Bucket Lists

Today, one of my daughters messaged me to ask for my opinion about dyeing her hair pink — a full head of pink hair! 🩷

Of course, I supported her decision wholeheartedly, especially since she is paying for it herself with money from her part-time job.

For the longest time, I have wanted to dye my own hair too — either blonde or pink. And pink is my all-time favourite girly colour! Even my car was pink at one point, as were many of my handbags, dresses, sports shoes and even my bedding. 😂

So when she mentioned pink hair, I think I got even more excited than she was! 😅

There are actually many things on my bucket list that I have always wanted to do. Besides dyeing my hair blonde or pink, I have always wanted to get a tattoo on my hand or leg, and join dance and singing classes, as dancing and singing are two of my favourite hobbies.

Now, I am learning Zumba, which involves plenty of dancing, so I can finally tick one item off my bucket list! ✔️💃

I also once dreamed of becoming a cabin crew member. In fact, I received an offer from MAS in 1996 and was about to go for my pre-employment medical check-up when I suddenly changed my mind. At that time, I was still working as a bank officer.  Don't ask me why I changed my mind. I still regret that decision until today. 😭

I have also always wanted to learn scuba diving... and there are many more things on my bucket list!

Perhaps this is one reason why I have never stopped my three daughters from doing the things they truly want to do. One is a globetrotter, another is a competitive dancer who is still attending dance lessons and taking dance examinations on top of her architecture degree, while another is a competitive figure skater despite being busy with university.

A few years ago when two of my daughters got semi-permanent tattoos on their hands, I was so excited for them — and secretly wished I could do the same too! 😂

One day — hopefully in the very near future — I know I will finally dye my hair in my favourite colour and get myself a non-painful, semi-permanent tattoo on my hand or leg too!

Don't ask me why I never did all those things on my bucket list. I am too lazy to explain. 😂 Perhaps one day, when I feel like it, I will tell you.

For now, I simply enjoy watching my daughters live their lives to the fullest. They work hard for the things they want and pamper themselves with their own hard-earned money. I am proud that they rarely ask me for money, except for their university tuition fees. 

Throwback photos, taken 2 weeks ago when my younger brother was back in Ipoh. 

Lunch and dessert at Dong Cheng Dessert House @ Medan Ipoh, Ipoh Garden East and dinner at Sam Po Restaurant, Bercham.

Sago pomelo mango dessert with bursting balls, peach gum and grapefruit @ Dong Cheng Dessert House

Wanton noodles with fried pork ribs, braised pork knuckles and marinated king oyster mushroom appetizer @ Dong Cheng Dessert House

Stir-fried sambal belacan pucuk paku @ Sam Po Restaurant Bercham

Fried soft shell crab @ Sam Po Restaurant Bercham

Salted egg yolk baby French beans @ Sam Po Restaurant Bercham

Stir fried garoupa fish with scallions and ginger @ Sam Po Restaurant Bercham

Claypot tofu

Trying a New TCM Treatment for Mum’s Chronic Pain and My Perimenopause Symptoms

Today, I accompanied mum to a new TCM centre, Ji Ting TCM Specialist Centre, located behind Tow Boo Keong Temple. My childhood friend recommended this TCM centre to me after several of her family members reportedly experienced good results and improvement after consulting Dr Teow.

Mum has tried almost everything for her chronic aches and pains, especially in her legs. She has bone spurs, sciatica, painful butt, a minor slipped disc, and she also previously suffered fractures in her right shoulder and wrist. So far, she has tried TCM at UTAR Hospital in Kampar, multiple physiotherapy sessions and umpteen bone supplements, but nothing has really helped. Hopefully, this TCM treatment will be the one that finally gives her some relief.

While mum was consulting Dr Teow, I decided to see him too for my perimenopause symptoms. I have chronic insomnia, hot flashes, heart palpitations and anxiety. The anxiety, palpitations and hot flashes often seem to come together, and it's really annoying and unsettling when they do.

For mum, she was given acupuncture, Tui Na bodywork and a whole bunch of Chinese herbs, which she has to boil herself at home. At UTAR Hospital, the Chinese medicine was already prepared and delivered to our house, so this will be a little more troublesome. Her total bill came to RM210.

For me, I was given acupuncture on my head, arms and legs, followed by Tui Na and Chinese medicine in powder form. I have to mix the powder with water and drink it twice a day for five days. My total came to RM165.

The Tui Na was really soothing. My achy shoulders and neck felt so much lighter and better afterwards. The acupuncture itself felt like tiny pinpricks when the needles were inserted. But the uncomfortable part was having to lie completely still for 30 minutes! Any movement after the needles were inserted could cause pain, so I was terrified of suddenly needing to sneeze or scratch an itch. 😂 So pray you don't sneeze or have an itchy body during acupuncture!

Hopefully, both mum's and my symptoms will lessen after this treatment. Mum will continue seeing the TCM doctor, while I haven't decided whether I should continue. It's not cheap — if I were to go once a week, it would cost me around RM660 a month! Well, I'll see how I feel over the next few days.

Next we headed to JJ Roll to get my favourite pandan custard swiss roll. Then we made a quick stop at the nearby Kek Lok Seah Temple to pay our respects to my late maternal grandmother before heading for lunch. 

I suggested going to Hong Kong Ah Chan's Ling Long Fishball restaurant because the shop is very near the TCM clinic. The Ling Long outlet in Ipoh is newly opened, while another outlet opened in KL last year.

But Dad, being Dad, immediately said, “No, don't want. It won't be nice lah, just fishballs and noodles.” 😂

I knew it. At 83, Dad is no longer very adventurous when it comes to trying new food. I suggested several other eateries around the area, but the answer was still a firm NO.

So we ended up back in our taman, eating chap fan at Da Cha Fan, the newly opened air-conditioned chap fan restaurant in Ipoh Garden East. 😂 They are currently having a promotion of RM10 for three dishes (unlimited amount), and we all quite like the food there. There's a free flow of soup, tea, water, watermelon and tissue papers.

Dad will usually only agree to try new eateries when both my brothers are back or when my daughters are here. If it's just the three of us, it's the same shops and same food every day! LOL! 😂

Anyway, hopefully this new TCM treatment will bring some relief for Mum and me. Fingers crossed! 🤞  

Domino’s New & Improved Sambal Pizza

Yesterday's dinner was Domino's sambal pizzas!

I received some complimentary pizzas from Domino's, and they're from their New & Improved Sambal Pizza range, which comes in three spicy flavours:

Pizza Sambal Bilis Rangup

Pizza Sambal Ayam Bakar

Pizza Sambal Udang Nanas

My personal favourite is the Pizza Sambal Udang Nanas! The prawns were super crunchy, while the ikan bilis was really crispy. The crust was also thin and crispy, and all three pizzas arrived piping hot and freshly made, right on time.

All three pizzas come topped with Domino's sambal, which was a little too spicy for me as I can't really tolerate spicy food But if you're a true sambal lover, I think you'll love this new pizza range!

Available for a limited time only, the New & Improved Sambal Pizza range is available at Domino's stores nationwide for takeaway, delivery and dine-in.

You can order through the Domino's website, the Domino's App or at any Domino's store.

For more information, visit Domino's Malaysia or follow @DominosMY on Facebook and Instagram.

 Pizza Sambal Ayam Bakar

 Pizza Sambal BilisRangup

Pizza Sambal Udang Nanas - everyone's favourite!

Haru’s Little Health Scare

My poor Haru has been unwell for the past few days. Yesterday, she vomited twice after eating, so I immediately called the vet and drove out to get her a strip of anti-vomiting pills.

I had to brace myself to give her the pill. On my first attempt, it promptly dropped out of her mouth. The second time, it went in... reluctantly! 😅

Back in KL, my second daughter was in charge of giving Haru her medication, trimming her nails and bathing her. Now, I have to do all these things myself!

Thankfully, after just one pill, Haru was well again. I also reduced her food intake by half to give her little tummy some time to recover.

Last night, I even lined my bed with waterproof plastic mats, just in case she vomited on it. Thankfully, she didn't! 😅

Thank God she's pretty much back to her usual self today! ❤️🐱

Couples Rings for Every Stage of a Relationship

A relationship isn't one moment — it's a series of them, and couples rings can mark any point along the way. One of the most appealing things about the category is how it stretches to fit wherever you are, from a new-but-serious relationship to decades of marriage. Here's how couples rings map onto each stage.

The serious-but-early stage

Long before any talk of engagement, plenty of couples want a way to mark that things are real. This is where couples rings shine as a low-pressure symbol — a shared pair that says "we're committed" without the weight of a proposal. Simple, distinctive designs suit this stage well, since the rings are about the statement rather than the formality.

The promise stage

When a couple is heading somewhere but not there yet, promise-style couples rings mark the intention. They signal that engagement is on the horizon without committing to a date, which suits couples who know where they're going but aren't ready for the formal step.

A shared pair can mark any stage — the meaning grows with the relationship.

The married stage

Couples who are already married often choose a coordinated pair to wear alongside or in place of their wedding bands — a refreshed symbol for a relationship that's grown. Here the rings tend to carry more history, and details like engravings or shared stones take on added meaning.

The milestone stage

Anniversaries, moves, hard seasons survived — any significant milestone is a natural moment for a pair of couples rings. At this stage the choice is often about marking how far you've come, and the rings become a record of the specific chapter you're celebrating.

The long-distance stage

Distance adds its own reason to want a shared symbol. When partners spend stretches of time apart — for work, study, or circumstance — a pair of couples rings becomes a small, constant reminder that the relationship holds across the miles. Many long-distance couples value the rings precisely because they're worn every day in two different places, a physical link when presence isn't possible. For this stage, comfortable everyday designs tend to matter more than anything formal, since the rings are doing quiet, daily work rather than marking a single event.

Choosing for where you are

The beauty of couples rings is that the same category works at every stage — you just choose the pair that fits the moment. A browse through a range of couple wedding rings and other couples designs shows options suited to each point in a relationship, and the wider collection at Aquamarise.com covers the full range of styles.

The takeaway

Couples rings aren't tied to a single moment — they mark whichever one you're in, from a new serious relationship to a long marriage. Choose the pair that fits your stage, and the rings carry exactly the meaning you want them to, wherever you are on the road together.

When Dad Says No to Fancy Food

I was supposed to bring Dad out for dinner on his birthday last week, but my daughters in KL had already ordered his favourite, the famous Ipoh Nasi Ganja, along with desserts from Yam Meet. So I treated him to dinner the next day instead.

Our original plan was to go to Galanggal, a Mediterranean fusion restaurant in Canning Garden. But when we arrived at around 7pm, the restaurant was completely empty. Dad immediately commented that the food there must be bad since there wasn't a single customer. LOL!

Then he asked for the menu, and the staff told us that we had to scan a QR code to view it and place our order. Dad absolutely hates restaurants that make him scan a code to see the menu and order. 😂 So I scanned the code for him.

Then came the second round of complaints. He looked at the menu, said the food was so expensive and declared that he didn't like these kinds of dishes anyway. After about 10 minutes of browsing the menu while Dad complained and grumbled, we finally left. LOL!

Then we spotted a Bak Kut Teh restaurant next door and immediately segued into it. Dad's mood instantly lifted, and he was smiling away while looking at the menu. 😂

He ordered two servings of soft pork ribs, a pot of dry BKT and a plate of vegetables. Everyone enjoyed the food at Canning Garden Bak Kut Teh, a sister outlet of the famous BKT in Pandamaran, Klang.

Mum and I also gave Dad his birthday ang pow at the restaurant. Everyone left feeling full, happy and satisfied. 🥰

When you live with parents in their 80s, especially one who prefers traditional food and is resistant to change, sometimes you just have to go with what makes them happy — even when you really want to try something new, hip and viral / trending. 😆

Oh, and Dad still loves Secret Recipe cakes. For all our birthdays and celebrations in Ipoh, he only wants the cake-cutting thingy done at Secret Recipe or wants us to buy a cake from JJ Swiss Roll. No fancy-schmancy cakes, entremets or ice cream/jelly cakes for him. Just good old-fashioned cakes and tai chow Chinese dishes will make him very happy! 😂

From Cracked and Dirty Heels to Smooth, Pink Feet Again

Many years ago, I had the ugliest and most severely cracked heels. I was an avid runner, never wore socks or indoor slippers at home, and loved wearing sandals whenever I went out. After years of caring for three babies, my feet were also constantly exposed to soap and water.

Even though I was—and still am—a clean freak—my heels were disgusting! I bought all kinds of foot files, but none really worked. Foot spas helped, but only temporarily. The deep cracks in my heels would trap dirt from the floor, especially when I wore sandals with my heels exposed. No amount of soap could remove the stubborn black stains that had settled into the crevices.

Then came the pandemic. Like everyone else, I became paranoid about viruses sticking to my body, so whenever I went out, I wore socks and sneakers. After a few months, I noticed something amazing: my feet had become clean and pink again! My heels were still rough and peeling, but the deep cracks and black stains had improved tremendously.

Two years ago, when I started Iyengar Yoga, I developed a painful viral wart on my foot. I suspected I picked it up from going barefoot at the yoga studio. After trying umpteen home remedies, I finally had to undergo laser surgery to remove it. The procedure cost me over RM1,000 and wasn't covered by my insurer because it was performed by a plastic surgeon and classified as “aesthetic”. Duh! 🙄

After that episode, I quit Iyengar Yoga and vowed never to go barefoot in public places again. I even wear socks with a pretty dress when I attend friends' house parties. Aunty-looking? Maybe. But I don't care—I only want healthy feet! 😂

After moving back to Ipoh in December 2025, I started wearing socks at home with indoor slippers almost 24/7. Within weeks, my heels stopped cracking and peeling.  I finally have smooth, clean feet again! Yes, it's super hot wearing socks all the time, but having smooth and clean feet is a small price to pay.

Wearing regular socks can be a hazard, though, because the soles can be slippery. So I got myself some anti-slip socks to wear at home, especially when I do my YouTube workouts.

So if you have cracked, rough or dirty heels and feel embarrassed by them, try these simple habits:

🧦 Wear socks as much as possible
👟 Wear covered shoes instead of sandals or slippers when going out
🧴 Apply foot cream or body lotion, then wear socks before bed
🚿 Try not to keep your feet constantly wet

These measures have worked wonders for me. I’m honestly amazed that something as simple as wearing socks almost all the time has transformed my feet!

I got my anti-slip socks here: https://s.shopee.com.my/112OcL7zSZ

In July 2016

In August 2026

Anti-slip socks to be worn at home and for gym sessions.

Gross Discovery: 9 Baby Cockroaches Drowned in Mum’s Honey!

Today, Mum discovered something really gross. There were 9 baby cockroaches drowned inside her bottle of honey! 🤮

What really perplexed us was: how on earth did those roaches get inside when the lid was screwed on tight? Well, maybe it wasn’t screwed 100% tightly, and those tiny roaches managed to crawl through the smallest gap.

Our kitchen has many cockroaches, and they may be entering through gaps in the windows of our wet kitchen. One way to close all the gaps would be to hire someone to install mesh wire netting outside the windows, but Dad is reluctant. He is someone who is not bothered at all by rats and cockroaches! 😂

The second option is to hire pest control, but I’m hesitant because Haru roams freely inside the house.

So I chose the third — and cheapest — option: cockroach traps.

I bought some cockroach traps from Shopee and, surprisingly, they work really well! Yesterday, I placed two traps in the dry kitchen. One had 5 roaches inside, while the other had about 10! 😱

I mop the kitchen floor what feels like 100 times a day, spray vinegar and dishwashing liquid, yet nothing can deter the roaches 100% from coming in. Vinegar and dishwashing liquid can kill them on direct contact, though.

The other pest issue in our kitchen is rats. There are rats hiding in our wet kitchen, and every morning, I see rat droppings everywhere. Dad managed to trap one the other day using jackfruit as bait and later released it into a nearby monsoon drain.

But there are still rats around, judging from the droppings. They’ve now become smarter too — they probably saw their relative being caught and are no longer willing to go near the trap! 😂

This is why I still prefer living in a condo. When I lived in a condo in KL, we never had issues with rats, and cockroaches were minimal because the condo management hired pest control companies to come regularly.

For now, though, the cockroach traps are the cheapest and fastest solution!

I got mine from Shopee here >> https://s.shopee.com.my/9V0twAYVtZ

Building Strength and Celebrating Dad’s 83rd Birthday

This morning, Mum and I attended our group strength training class for seniors after a 1.5-week hiatus. It has been 3.5 months since we started going to the gym, and I can definitely feel my strength & stamina improving tremendously.

Today, after an hour of non-stop workout, I didn’t feel tired at all. I guess consistency really does pay off. Attending our classes regularly and practising at home have helped us build strength and stamina over time.

During the class today, I saw several attendees in their 60s -70s panting and struggling to continue, and I couldn’t help but wonder whether I will one day be like that too when I am in my 60s, 70s and 80s. But I guess that if I keep up my momentum by attending strength training and Zumba classes, going for my daily brisk walks and lifting weights at home, I will hopefully stay stronger for longer.

I’ve come to realize that staying fit isn’t about doing one big thing. It’s about showing up, again and again, even on the days when you don’t feel like it. 💪

After our strength training class, Mum and I went to tapau lunch before heading home. Our original plan was to eat dinner outside later as it’s Dad’s 83rd birthday today. I was planning to treat him to a nice dinner at a restaurant in the mall.

But at around 1pm, my second daughter, who is in KL, messaged me to say that Grab Food was on the way to deliver lunch to us! 😄

The girls were treating their grandpa to his favourite Nasi Ganja from Jalan Yang Kalsom. Two Grab Food riders arrived — the first with our favourite desserts from Yam Meet, and a few minutes later, the Nasi Ganja arrived!

Since there was so much food and we had only just eaten lunch, we decided to save the Nasi Ganja for dinner. My birthday treat for Dad will have to be postponed to another day.

Although my daughters and I don’t live together now, they have always remembered us with little goodies and treats on our birthdays, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. ❤️

Distance may separate us, but love always finds its way home — sometimes in the form of Nasi Ganja and dessert. Happy 83rd birthday, Dad. You are very loved. ❤️🎂

The video can be viewed on my Facebook page.

Our early celebration with dad last week when my younger brother came back to Ipoh.