Wrapping Up the Holidays & 2024

As the year winds down, so does Cass’ 4-week long school term break. It’s been a whirlwind of activity, and the skating rink has been her second home this holiday season. For over a month, she’s been tirelessly rehearsing with her team mates for a Christmas show at the Blue Ice Skating Rink in Pavillion Bukit Jalil. No sooner had the show wrapped up than she dove straight into a 4-day skating camp. These intensive sessions ended at 11+ PM each night, leaving her thoroughly exhausted and brimming with passion for her sport.  Cass also had to go back to school twice this holiday to help out in the school’s office, as part of her bursary’s requirements. I had to wake up early to send her to school and fetch her back in the afternoon.

In between her time at the rink, Cass also managed to squeeze in daily outings with her grandma and Aunt Krystal, who was visiting from Hong Kong for two weeks.  School holidays mean that my wallet is in constant use as there are inevitably more outings, more skating sessions, and more expenses! Now, as the holidays draw to a close, I can’t help but feel a big sense of relief.

In just a week, Cass will return to school as a Senior High 2 (Form 5) student, embarking on her final year before sitting for the SPM—the most important exam of her high school journey. The thought of her reaching this milestone fills me with pride and a touch of nostalgia.

Sherilyn, meanwhile, has been enjoying a short break from university. It’s heartening to see her finally catching up on much-needed sleep and having meals with us after months of juggling university and dance commitments. She’s even managed to stay awake during meals—a rare sight during her busy semester! However, the break is short-lived, and soon she’ll be back to tackling assignments and preparing for the challenges of her next semester.

As for Alycia, she’s gearing up for a new chapter as her internship begins in a couple of weeks. It’s an exciting time for her to gain hands-on experience and apply what she’s learned in her studies.

Looking ahead, Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and in exactly a month, we’ll be back in Ipoh celebrating with my parents and brothers. The thought of family reunions, festive meals, and cherished traditions fills me with joy and anticipation.

Reflecting on this past year, it’s been nothing short of challenging. Life threw its fair share of curveballs, but we made it through, stronger and more resilient. As 2025 approaches, I can’t help but feel hopeful. I pray that the coming year brings smoother sailing for all of us.

Here’s to a fresh start, renewed energy, and a brighter year ahead. May 2025 be kinder to us all!

As soon as she had a little free time, Sherilyn made a big batch of nuts and seeds butter.  We gifted them to my parents, brother from Singapore, and Sherilyn's friend.

Sherilyn's boss from the cafe that she works part-time at calls her a shark as sharks need to swim constantly for respiration 😂.  I still wonder why this daughter of mine is constantly finding things to do and just can't rest! Maybe she's a reflection of me? 😜

Almond, pecan, pumpkin seeds, and pine nuts butter made using the Thermomix. She added a little olive oil to it.

Holiday activity for Cass - helped grandma to gut anchovies that she bought from Pangkor Island.

A Mother-Daughter Day Out in Bukit Bintang

Last Friday, Cass and I continued a beloved tradition—our annual trip to Bukit Bintang to soak in the Christmas vibes. For years, I’ve taken the girls to this bustling area to marvel at the festive decorations, indulge in Christmas shopping, enjoy good food, snap photographs, and immerse ourselves in the holiday spirit. This year, it was just the two of us. Alycia and Sherilyn stayed home, busy with assignments, while the MIL wasn’t feeling well, and hubby had to work.

Our first stop was Pavilion KL, a perennial favorite for its magnificent Christmas displays. After wandering the mall and surveying dining options, we decided on Zok Noodle House. It was peak lunch hour, and the restaurant was packed with office workers. Sitting amidst the corporate crowd brought back waves of nostalgia. I found myself reminiscing about my banking days and PA days—lunches with colleagues, dressing up for work, and the satisfaction of a steady paycheck, bonuses, and merit awards. Sometimes, I regret leaving my job to stay home, despite having a freelance WFH job now. If given the chance, I’d love to return to a full-time job outside the house.

Back to our lunch—Zok Noodle House didn’t disappoint. I ordered pork noodles in wine soup, a tray of taro pau, and a refreshing red bean milk. As a delightful bonus, we received two complimentary Portuguese egg tarts for leaving a Google review. The food was delicious, and I’m already planning a return visit to explore their other menu offerings. There's an outlet at Pavillion Bukit Jalil, where Cass' skating rink is, so we'll most likely be dining there soon.

After lunch, Cass took on the role of tour guide, leading me to Lot 10, Fahrenheit 88, and Starhill Gallery. Her adventurous spirit kicked in as she suggested walking to Lalaport. I hesitated, knowing the roads between Bukit Bintang and Lalaport are notoriously busy and the walk would take over 20 minutes. Thankfully, I stood my ground. Back home, Alycia confirmed that walking there isn’t practical due to the busy roads we’d have to cross—she found out when she wanted to do the same thing some time back.

After more than two hours of exploring, I managed to convince Cass to call it a day, though not without some negotiation. We picked up Chez Choux cream puffs for Alycia and Sherilyn before heading home.

Delicious pork noodles at Zok Noodle House.

We received two complimentary delicious Portuguese egg tarts for leaving a review on Google Reviews - one on my phone and one on Cass' phone. 

Taro buns for Cass. They were delicious.

We shared a large milk tea with chewy aloe vera bits from Koi (again).

Taro soft serve ice cream for the ice cream-crazed teenage girl.

Christmas decor at Pavillion @ Bukit Bintang.

Cass’ Christmas Show

Last Saturday was a special day for Cass as she performed in the annual Christmas show at the skating rink. Held over two days, with two sessions each day, and opened to the public, this festive event is like a concert but on ice. I was there on Saturday afternoon to cheer her on, and as always, there’s something truly enchanting about watching figure skaters perform. Their movements' grace, precision, and elegance make figure skating one of my favorite Olympic sports, alongside diving and gymnastics.

Besides gaining new experience, Cass also picked up a valuable skill—applying performance makeup. Thanks to tips from her fellow skaters, she learned how to create the bold, stage-ready look required for such events.  

After the show, we headed for an early dinner at KyoChon Korean Fried Chicken. Cass had been eyeing their one-day promotion on 14/12/2024, where fried drummets and wingettes, normally priced at RM25.90, were on sale for just RM14 for 8 pieces. We indulged in two sets for dining in and took one home for Sherilyn. The chicken was crispy and delicious, and I couldn’t get enough of their refillable pickled radish, which perfectly balanced the rich flavors of the fried chicken.

Our post-dinner stroll led us to Koi for milk tea with attap chee, a very refreshing drink with chewy attap chee. Then, we discovered a new noodle shop, Aunt Wu Bone Soup Rice Noodles, which was a delightful surprise. We tried their rice noodles with pork slices, quail eggs, and spam meat in tomato soup. The meal included refillable side dishes like spicy pickled cucumber and potatoes, plus complimentary plum drink—all at reasonable prices.  We’ll be back again to this eatery!

Before heading home after grocery shopping, we enjoyed dessert at Yam Fresh while waiting for Grab fares to drop. Cass generously treated me to a warm taro and purple rice in coconut milk tong sui. I chose something warm as I was freezing cold and sneezing away, no thanks to the freezing temperature at the skating rink.  I think I am going to bring along my puffer jacket the next time I intend to stay in the skating rink for more than 15 minutes to prevent catching a cold. 

Though the fare remained high at RM34, I eventually booked the Grab ride as it was getting late.

Cass received a certificate of participation for her Christmas show.  The next day, after their final Christmas show, the skaters had an early Christmas potluck party and gift exchange session. Cass got some pretty homemade Christmas cookies with fondant and some cute squishy balls. I taxed a squishy ball from her to squeeze when I need to release stress 😁

Delicious noodles in tomato soup (RM28.60) from Aunt Wu Bone Soup Rice Noodles. The plum drink and appetizers of pickled spicy cucumber, potato, and crispy fried soybeans are refillable.  You will also be given a free disposable bib and hair ties.

Delicious taro coconut milk tong sui from Yam Fresh.

X'mas gift from the gift exchange Christmas party. The pink customized bag with Cassandra's name on it is a gift from the skating coach.

Reflections on the Attention of Youth: A Journey Through Twenties

The twenties are often a time of self-discovery, boundless energy, and, sometimes, attracting the attention that comes with being young, attractive, and vibrant. Looking back at my own twenties, it’s a mix of good, bad, and downright strange memories, some of which still make me chuckle or shudder.

The Good, The Bad, and The Uncomfortable

In my twenties, I seemed to attract attention wherever I went. Some of it was flattering, while some of it was the kind of attention no one ever asks for. The most uncomfortable experiences involved unwanted encounters with flashers and perverts on the streets and public transport. Those were situations I wouldn’t wish on anyone and ones that taught me the importance of being vigilant.

In another scenario, I also attracted the attention of this dirty old man who’s now a Datuk who used to jog at the park where I jogged. He would often tease me, though he knows my hubby quite well. That was over 20 years ago before I had children. Recently I bumped into him and he again, teased me in the presence of other men, saying that I still look young with a teenager silhouette.  

Professional Challenges and Jealousy

One of my earliest jobs was as a secretary for a husband-and-wife-run company. The job didn’t last more than a week, not because of my lack of skills, but because of the wife’s jealousy. She couldn’t stand the idea of someone younger and, in her eyes, prettier, working in close proximity to her husband. While it was a tough experience at the time, it taught me the importance of standing my ground and knowing when to walk away from toxic environments.

Opportunities and Admirers

My second job in a bank brought a mix of professional and personal attention. One memorable moment was being scouted by a headhunter from Citibank while walking from the bus stand to my office. My boss, who knew the headhunter, called him and jokingly told him off for trying to poach me.

The workplace also had its fair share of admirers. A charming head of a big division frequently visited the HR department where I worked, persistently asking if I’d join his team. He even convinced me to model for the bank’s magazine—a cringe-worthy experience when I look back at the photo!

One of the most flattering encounters was with a young, handsome doctor from the clinic on our bank’s panel. It’s moments like these that make me ponder: what if I had pursued those connections? Would my life be different? Better?

The Road Not Taken

Life is full of crossroads, and it’s natural to wonder about the “what ifs.” But I believe every decision I made, every road I took, was part of God’s greater plan for me. While it’s fun to reflect, I’ve learned to cherish where I am now, knowing that the past shaped the person I am today.

That's me in my late 20s. How I wish I could turn back the clock and look young and vibrant again!

Wednesday, 4 December 2024 ~ Unexpected Encounter Again

This morning’s cool and overcast weather was perfect for one of my favorite indulgences: a piping hot bowl of bitter gourd pork soup at the kopitiam. I have a rule—I’ll only eat at the hot kopitiam when the weather isn’t sweltering, and today ticked all the boxes. Off I went, securing a comfy seat and savoring my bowl of warm, flavorful soup.

While enjoying my meal, I ordered two Char Koay Teow for takeaway—one for Sherilyn and another for my mil. The plan was to have a peaceful breakfast, finish my errands, and head home. But as life would have it, there was a twist to my simple morning.

Just as I was relishing my soup, I spotted a familiar figure walking into the kopitiam. Oh no—it was MC! For context, MC is someone I often bump into, and he never misses a chance to invite me for lunch. He’s brazenly open about his intentions and liking towards me, and while I’m polite, I’m also cautious. I’ve known MC for over 10 years at our condo gym.

It was too late to make a graceful exit, and the moment he saw me, his face lit up with excitement. “What luck!” he exclaimed, adding that he had a “sixth sense” he’d run into me today. He chatted animatedly for a few minutes before heading off to order his chap fan.

But, of course, he came back. MC sat down at my table, and we chatted again. From our conversation, it became evident that he’s a lonely man. He's a divorcee and he's not close to his grown children who are married with kids.  It struck me that his constant invitations for lunch stem from a longing for connection.

While we were at the kopitiam, he kept telling the CKT seller and drinks seller that I was a ‘leng lui’ (pretty girl)! And these sellers know me and my hubby pretty well. Can you imagine how awkward I felt!!

While I felt some sympathy for MC’s situation, I had errands to run and couldn’t stay longer. I quickly finished my soup, bade him goodbye, and made my way to 99 Speedmart.

But fate—or MC’s persistence—had another surprise in store. As I approached the store, there he was, walking in. Not wanting another prolonged chat, I immediately detoured to another supermarket. Crisis averted! 😅

My bowl of piping hot bitter gourd + pork + egg soup with lots of pork lard. Simply delish. I washed my keto meal down with a glass of sugar-free iced 'cham' (coffee + tea).