Sunday, 17 August 2025

This past Sunday was a day of early morning, athletic feats, and delicious food.  Cass was up bright and early, but instead of her usual figure skating practice, she was off to the Universiti Malaya sports arena for her school’s sports day (Semi-Finals). She competed in two events: the 800-meter and the 4x400-meter runs. Finishing 4th out of 20 runners in the 800m and 3rd in the 4x400m is a fantastic achievement, and her hard work has earned her a spot in the Finals at the Bukit Jalil stadium this coming Saturday.

After picking her up from UM, we headed to Bangsar for lunch. This time, we ate at Hong Kong Garden Restaurant, formerly known as Man Kee Hong Kong Beef Noodle. We feasted on our favorite dim sum items, a comforting bowl of Hong Kong beef noodles, and their signature white chicken, which came with the most delicious ginger and homemade chili dips. The braised radish and a cup of classic Hong Kong milk tea perfectly rounded out the meal.

After a satisfying lunch, we took a short walk to Bangsar Village 2 for a treat. Nothing says "Sunday" quite like a scoop of Häagen-Dazs ice cream. I was torn between my two favorite flavors, coffee and matcha, but in the end, the rich matcha on a crispy cone won me over. All four of us enjoyed a scoop, and my husband even bought a tub of his favorite macadamia brittle nut flavor to take home. It was a special treat to have Cass with us for Sunday lunch, as she's usually at the skating rink.

While our family was a little smaller—Alycia was away in Ipoh with her university friends, and Sherilyn was in Singapore for a dance competition—we were all connected by a wave of good news. The day ended with a text from Sherilyn with some amazing news: her team had emerged as Champions in the Contemporary Dance category at the 27th Asia Pacific Dance Competition, held at Gateway Theatre in Singapore.

I couldn’t be prouder of Sherilyn. This is a testament to her dedication and talent. Her team flew to Singapore for the competition and, to save on costs, will be taking a bus back home. Her hard work paid off in the biggest way. It was a Sunday filled with wins, big and small, proving that dedication, whether on the track or the dance floor, always pays off.

Hor fun with delicious handmade sotong balls.

Love the fried radish cake.

Simply delicious!

A pink minibus inside Bangsar Village, and it was no. 10, the very bus that I used to take from Jalan Ipoh where I rented a room, to college in Jalan Ampang, and later to my workplace in Jalan Hang Lekiu over 3 decades ago!  The minibus is now an antique, and seeing it again after more than 30 years filled me with many fond memories of the past.

One Month to SPM Trials — A Mother's Heartfelt Observations

Exactly one more month to go before Cass sits for her SPM Trials. The countdown has begun, and the pressure is clearly mounting, but Cass continues to push herself with an admirable sense of discipline and determination.

She studies late into the night, often at odd corners of the house — at the dining table, in the kitchen, and sometimes even just outside the bathroom. There have been nights when I’ve woken up to check on her, only to find her fast asleep at the table, her notes still open and highlighters scattered around her.

Despite her intense study schedule, she still makes time to exercise daily — her willpower is unshakeable. Her passion for figure skating remains strong too, although she has started to scale back on her practice sessions to focus more on the looming exams.

The actual SPM begins in early November and ends on 23 December 2025 — a long and grueling period. All I can do now is to support her in every way I can. Nutritious meals, moral support, and little comforts here and there — if her requests are not too pricey or overboard, they’re my command.

I often remind her to sleep more, to take breaks and care for her health, but like most teens, she just brushes me off with a pissed-off "I know what I'm doing" look 😒

As her mother, I can only hope and pray that she stays physically strong and mentally resilient throughout this crucial time. She’s given her all — and no matter what the outcome, I’m already so proud of the incredible discipline and drive she’s shown.

Hang in there, Cass. You're almost there. ❤️

Cass's school lunch box - often fruits, cherry tomatoes, boiled eggs, last night's soup or a flask of thick coffee. Sometimes she adds matcha powder to her thick coffee to have a double-caffeine effect to stay awake in class 😔.  

Cass sits next to the school’s Head Prefect in class — so dozing off might just earn her a gentle nudge or a polite reminder?  When you're seated beside the top role model of the school, you’ve got to stay sharp and be on your best behaviour too, right?

Cass's lunner - air-fried shimeji mushrooms with black pepper, garlic and olive oil.

Air-fried chicken chop, tomatoes, shimeji, and salad.

Miso soup with napa cabbage, shimeji mushrooms, big onions, and foo pei.

Air-fried saba fish, roast chicken breast and salad.

Cass’s Public Transport Adventure and a Mother’s Reflection

Today was a school holiday for Cass’s high school, given that Parents’ Day fell on a Sunday yesterday. Since she didn’t get to skate at all last week due to the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine breaking down at her usual rink, Cass finally got her wish — to skate at the Olympic-sized Icescape Ice Rink at IOI City Mall, Putrajaya.

She planned the entire journey herself, taking a Grab to KL Sentral, followed by the KLIA Express train to Putrajaya, and then hopping on a bus to IOI City Mall. I’m proud of how much she’s improved at navigating public transport, something not many teenagers are used to doing these days, especially in a sprawling place like the Klang Valley.  According to Cass, most of her classmates have taken public transport to school since they were in Form 1. 

I couldn’t help but reflect on how much public transportation has evolved since my own younger days. Back in the 1990s in the Klang Valley, we had mini buses and Len Seng buses with no air-conditioning. I still remember wearing long-sleeved tops to work during heatwave season, and by the time I reached the office, I’d be drenched in sweat and needed to freshen up with a bidet shower in a squat toilet — thankfully clean ones!

If you had gone through those hellish rides on sardine-packed mini buses back in the 1990s, you would know how torturous it was to hop onto one during peak hours. You could forget about getting a seat and even when standing, you didn't need to hold on to anything. The buses were so packed that you wouldn't be thrown off the ground even during emergency brakes. Have you experienced hopping onto a jam-packed bus and standing just on the step of the bus door? I had gone through all these and survived! 😅😆

Things became a little more bearable after I bought my first car in 1997 — a red Kancil. My daily routine back then was a feat of endurance: driving to the Seputeh Komuter station in the dark before it turned 7 am, taking the train to Bank Negara, crossing the long overhead bridge (which was an exhausting long walk due to the slope), hopping onto an LRT opposite Sogo Mall, alighting at the Masjid Jamek station, and finally walking 15 minutes to my workplace at Southern Bank on Jalan Hang Lekiu. I was in my 20s — full of energy and hustle.

So seeing Cass navigating her way around the city with so much courage fills me with pride. While things have changed so much, one thing remains: the value of earning independence, understanding the city's landscape, and managing money wisely.

I believe it’s important for my daughters to experience public transport before they learn to drive or own a car. They’ll appreciate the freedom of having a vehicle so much more and be more aware of the costs and trade-offs between driving, public transport, and e-hailing services.

Public transport today is a far cry from what it used to be. Air-conditioned buses, LRTs, MRTs, and shuttle services have made getting around more comfortable, accessible, and safer — a great step forward for urban mobility in Malaysia.

And for Cass, today wasn’t just about skating — it was also a day of growing up, gaining confidence, and slowly learning to stand on her own two feet, both on the ice and in life. She’ll be 18 in less than a year, and I can’t believe how fast time has flown past us.

Cass prepped this tuna pasta salad with kimchi, cherry tomatoes, and butterhead lettuce, and brought it along with her to the skating rink this morning. 

A Stressful Tuesday, a Determined Skater

This past Tuesday was one of the most stressful days I’ve experienced in a while — not for myself, but for my youngest, Cass. And when your child is stressed to the point of tears, it’s almost impossible not to absorb that stress as a mother.

Cass had a full-dress rehearsal for Skate Malaysia (which will be held next week), and the skaters were required to arrive at Pavilion Bukit Jalil by 6PM, already dressed in their costumes with full makeup on. The timing couldn’t have been worse — Tuesdays happen to be her co-curricular day, and school only dismisses at 4.45PM.

It was chaos trying to work things out. There were tears, some tension, and a lot of rushing. In the end, her dad stepped in to save the day — driving through the peak hour madness to pick Cass up from school. But before that, he had to swing by home to collect her big luggage bag filled with her skates, costume, makeup, and everything else she needed. I prepared her dinner in a lunchbox and handed it to my husband to pass to her on the go.

Everything was happening at breakneck speed, and amidst it all, Cass still had to revise for her upcoming tests. That night, she only managed less than 3 hours of sleep — not that it was unusual. Lately, with SPM Trials looming, she’s only been sleeping about 3–4 hours a night.

I constantly nag her to go to bed earlier, but like most teenagers, mothers’ advice often falls on deaf ears. As much as I wish I could take the burden off her shoulders, I know this is a path she’s chosen and worked so hard for — balancing her academic responsibilities and her passion for figure skating.

Last year, Cass proudly won Gold in her category at Skate Malaysia. This year, with the added weight of SPM stress, I honestly don’t know what the outcome will be — but that doesn't matter as much. What matters is that she’s giving it her all. Whether she comes home with a gold, silver, bronze, or just the satisfaction of having done her best, I hope she will be happy and proud of herself.

To my dear Cass — I’m so proud of your grit, your strength, and your determination. I pray you’ll stay healthy, calm, and focused through this challenging season. Good luck next Thursday at Skate Malaysia — I’ll be cheering for you with all my heart.

My Bangkok salad was very good.

On the last day of the mid-year school holidays, I took Cass to La Juiceria to dig into something healthy. Both of us love the food at La Juiceria, it's our kind of healthy food with lots of greens, superfoods, and healthy chicken breast on our plates.   We don't mind eating this kind of food every day, but the cost is my main turn-off!

Cass's high protein plate with a big portion of grilled chicken breast and surprisingly, the chicken breast was very tender, juicy, and flavorful.  

When One Word Nearly Gave Me a Heart Attack

Yesterday afternoon, just as I was expecting Cass to be home from school, I saw a missed WhatsApp call from her. Naturally, I tried calling her back immediately, but the call didn’t go through. A little worried, I waited, thinking maybe she was on the way home and would call again soon.

Then came a single WhatsApp message from her: "Accident."

My heart literally dropped to my stomach.

I froze. What accident? Was it the school van? Was it her? My mind raced through every possible horrible scenario in a matter of seconds. I called her back again — no answer. I messaged her, asking whether it was her school van or she who got into an accident. But no reply.

That short window of waiting felt like an eternity.

Finally, after what felt like forever (but was probably just a few more nerve-wracking minutes), she messaged back. Guess what she meant?

She accidentally called me.

Yes. Accident = accidentally. That’s it. She shortened the word “accidentally” because she was too lazy to type the whole thing. Just like we always do when we’re texting – abbreviating, cutting words, and assuming the other person will know what we mean.

Well, this one-word shortcut nearly gave her mother a heart attack!

Of course, I was immensely relieved. My heart gradually climbed back to its proper place. But the emotional rollercoaster that little word sent me on? Not something I want to repeat anytime soon.

I know teenagers like Cass are always in a rush and type fast, but I told her that next time she must be clearer — especially when it comes to sensitive words like "accident". Don’t just assume your mum will decode it correctly, especially when I’m waiting for her to get home safely.

We all shorten our messages out of habit – LOLs, BRBs, TTYLs – but sometimes, a few extra letters can save someone else a whole lot of unnecessary panic.

Lesson of the day: next time you mean “accidentally,” please just say “oops” instead.

A Sweet Gesture at the Candy Shop: Kindness is Still Alive

Last Sunday, after her figure skating class, Cass—who often spends almost the entire day at the skating rink training diligently—helped me with our weekly grocery run. It's something I’ve asked her to help with since last year, as the supermarket at the mall where the rink is often has good deals on blueberries and pre-washed salad, both of which are staples in our fridge.

As she made her way to the supermarket in the mall, something colourful caught her attention—the newly opened Sticky candy shop. She popped in for a quick peek and decided to treat herself. I had given her an extra RM3 for the groceries, and she used part of it to buy just two pieces of gummies. Yes, only two pieces—costing RM1.40 in total, as they were sold by weight.

What happened next was a little moment of sweetness—not just from the candy, but from a stranger’s heart. The shop assistant, seeing this teenage girl carefully pick out only two pieces, must have been moved by her thoughtfulness and restraint. Instead of letting her leave with just those, the kind assistant gifted Cass a generous handful of all the sample Sticky candies they had.

When Cass came home and told me the story, I couldn’t help but smile and feel genuinely grateful. In that brief encounter, a stranger showed that kindness and empathy still exist in the most unexpected places. The simple act of giving a few candies—without expecting anything in return—brightened Cass’s day and mine.

These small moments are reminders that humanity is not lost. That in a busy world where people often rush past one another, there are still those who pause to show compassion, even in the smallest ways. A kind gesture from a shop assistant at a candy store may not make headlines, but to us, it meant a lot.

So to that thoughtful shop assistant at Sticky, thank you. You didn’t just give out candies—you gave us a story of kindness to carry with us. Bless your heart for making a teenager’s Sunday that much sweeter 😊

The packet of free sample sticky rock candy that was gifted to Cass. This is the remainder of what she had already eaten. It was quite a big packet.

Cass’s Big Decision: Competing in Skate Malaysia 2025 Before SPM Trials

Earlier this year, Cass and I had a serious discussion about her participation in the Skate Malaysia 2025 competition, which falls at the end of June. Since her SPM Trials are scheduled around the same time, we mutually agreed that she would sit this one out to focus on her studies. After all, SPM is the most important exam of high school, and she understands how crucial it is.

However, as competition season approached, Cass felt a pang of disappointment. She realized that she was the only skater from her team who wasn’t taking part, and while she knew it was the right decision academically, she couldn’t help but feel left out. As a mother, I felt sad for her, too. Seeing her teammates train hard for the event while she stood on the sidelines wasn’t easy.

A Change of Plans: Cass Joins Skate Malaysia 2025

After much thought (and a turn of events), Cass has decided to compete after all! This will be her only competition for the year, and after Skate Malaysia, she will fully focus on preparing for her SPM in November.

Last night, I received confirmation when her coach added me to the Skate Malaysia 2025 WhatsApp group. This meant her coach had officially accepted her into the competition. Initially, her coach planned to take only 20 students due to the intense workload involved in choreographing and training. Since Cass was the 21st skater interested in competing, her coach needed time to consider. After a week of deliberation, she finally gave Cass the green light!

Intensive Training Begins

Now that Cass is officially competing, she will begin intensive training soon. The road to competition will be tough, demanding countless hours of practice, but Cass is ready to give it her all. And of course, let’s not forget the financial aspect—figure skating competitions come with a hefty price tag, from participation fees and coaching fees to costumes, registration fees, lots of additional classes and ice time. But as long as Cass is passionate about it, we will continue supporting her.

Will She Win Gold Again?

Cass won gold in her category at Skate Malaysia 2024 in her maiden figure-skating competition. Will she defend her title and bring home another gold medal this year? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—she has always given 200% effort since the day she started skating.

No matter the outcome, I only want Cass to enjoy the sport she loves and, hopefully, turn it into a freelance coaching opportunity in the future. Watching her push herself and follow her passion is already a win in my eyes. 💙⛸️

Korean lunch with Sherilyn last Sunday.  Everyone else wasn't around. Cass, as usual, was at the skating rink from 8am to 8pm.  I had my favorite marinated pork with salad and Sherilyn ordered her favorite kimchi stew with beef.

Cass’ Weekend Skating Routine & The Lunch Bag Fiasco

Last Sunday, like clockwork, Cass woke up early to get ready for her skating practice. These days, she spends almost the entire weekend at the rink, fully committed to refining her skills. But this time, she made a special request—she wanted to bring her own lunch.

Knowing her high-protein, low-carb diet, I put together a simple yet nutritious meal:
✔ Reheated roast chicken breast
✔ Blanched broccoli
✔ Raw baby spinach & Arugula salad
✔ A steamed Cha Siu Pau for a little indulgence

I packed everything neatly in a cooler bag and placed it on the table, ready for her to grab on the way out.

In her usual morning rush, Cass forgot to take her lunch bag! 😅 It wasn’t until 10 minutes after she left with her dad that I noticed it still sitting on the table. Panicking, I quickly called hubby, and thankfully, he was able to make a U-turn back home so Cass could grab her food.

This girl can be so forgetful when she’s in a hurry! 

Cass has made a big decision this year—she won’t be competing in any figure skating competitions. With her SPM trials and mid-year exams coming up, she wants to focus on her studies. This means her usual skating three times a week, but the rest of her time is spent studying, doing homework, and revising.

I can only pray that she does well in her SPM because securing a scholarship would ease our financial burden significantly. On top of education expenses, we also have to allocate funds for her upcoming surgery, which will be done at a private hospital and is going to cost a lot, estimated to be a six-figure hospital bill. As Cass' condition is congenital, all expenses related to this condition will not be covered by our insurance.  But for now, my priority is supporting her through her exams, and I’ll focus on the surgery plans after SPM.

It’s going to be a challenging year, but with Cass’ determination and discipline, I believe she’ll make it through. 💪✨

Roast chicken breast and blanched broccoli on a raw baby spinach and Arugula bed; Char Siew Pau.

 

Cooking for Cass

Cooking for my youngest daughter, Cass, has been an adventure—one filled with careful ingredient choices, constant reminders about oil, and a surprising battle over butter. Ever since she started figure skating, her diet has shifted towards high-protein and low-carb meals. While she occasionally eats rice and noodles, her main focus is on lean proteins, plenty of vegetables, and avoiding oily food.

Cass isn’t just selective about food; she’s meticulous. She prefers lean proteins like chicken breast and fish, and she piles her plate with lots of greens—broccoli and leafy vegetables are her absolute favorites. She loves salads and most vegetables, which makes meal prep easier in some ways. But when it comes to anything remotely oily, Cass turns into a detective, inspecting her food for any trace of grease. She’s even been known to rinse off oil from dishes I buy outside or food from her dad’s kitchen.

Her obsession with avoiding oil extends to her own cooking. She makes omelets without a drop of oil and repeatedly reminds me not to use any when air frying her food. And yet, the irony? Cass is a certified butter monster! While she detests oil, she devours butter like it’s a food group of its own. I’ve tried hiding my Lurpak Light butter, but no matter where I stash it, she finds it!

Since Cass got bored of eating dishes from ‘chap fan’ (mixed rice) stalls, I’ve taken on the daily task of cooking her meals. Thankfully, she’s easy to please when it comes to flavors—so long as they fit her criteria of high protein, low carb, and oil-free.  So for chicken and fish, I can play around with teriyaki sauce, gochujang paste, miso paste, soy sauce, oyster sauce, turmeric powder, paprika, coriander powder, black pepper, and so many more.

Despite all the variety, one thing Cass never seems to get tired of is roast chicken breast from chicken rice stalls. She only eats the white meat, completely avoiding the skin, even though it’s not that greasy. Sometimes, I wonder if she’ll ever get bored of it, but so far, it remains her ultimate comfort food.

While Cass avoids oil like it’s poison, she has no issues devouring butter. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve caught her sneaking spoonfuls of Lurpak Light onto her bread, biscuits, sweet potato, and even cakes. I’ve tried hiding it, but somehow, she always finds it! So, instead of fighting it, I now just keep an extra stash for her.

Cooking for Cass has been a journey of trial and error, but at the end of the day, I’m happy to support her dietary preferences. Her dedication to maintaining a clean diet aligns with her passion for figure skating, and if that means making air-fried or steamed, oil-free meals daily, then so be it, unless I’m busy, then I will get takeaway food for her.

Lunner for Cass - air-fried chicken chop (antibiotic and hormones-free) marinated with teriyaki sauce, Lea & Perrin sauce, black pepper, and chopped garlic; air-fried yellowfin sole fillet,  Nutrislaw salad, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and chic pea and lentil chips from Signature Market.  This is our latest favorite healthy snack - the chips are oil-free, not salty, have no sugar and flour, and so addictive!

There was also a huge bowl of blanched Por Choy spinach.

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.

Cass’s Exam Week

This week marks the start of Cass's final exams, a two-week period filled with intense focus and long study sessions. She is in Senior High 1 (equivalent to Form 4) in the Economics & Accounting stream. Each night, she studies late, and every morning, she’s up bright and early, ready to dive back into her books. To keep her energy levels up, she has a hearty breakfast of reheated leftovers from the night before and strong coffee to stay alert before heading to school. She’s convinced that a full stomach helps her concentrate better on exam questions—a solid strategy that’s fueling her focus.

Even amidst the stress of exams, Cass still makes time for her daily exercise routine at night, finding a way to keep her body active and her mind relaxed. Twice a week, she heads to the skating rink for class and training. For her, this is more than just practice; it’s a way to unwind and shake off the stress of exams. The rink is where she can channel her energy, and I think it’s fantastic she’s managed to strike this balance.

Now, there’s a bit of a twist during these exam weeks when Cass is home studying in the mornings: my radio time gets the mute treatment! If you’ve read my past posts, you’ll know that music is essential to my day—whether it's upbeat tunes or gentle bedtime sounds, it’s my constant companion. I’ll admit, I miss hearing it echo through the house, but knowing Cass is hard at work makes the silence worth it.

As Cass powers through this final stretch of exams, I’m glad she manages the pressure and still makes time for what she loves. And as soon as she’s done, you can bet the music will be back on, filling our home with my favorite songs!

Lunner for Cass on one of the days this week with all her favorite dishes. 

Low-carb meal for Cass.  She cooked the pesto omelet herself. Wrapped within the omelet is homemade pesto with cheese.

Kind and Generous Parents

Cass has been incredibly fortunate to meet some wonderfully kind and generous parents during her figure skating classes. These parents have not only supported their own children but have also extended their generosity and kindness to Cass and the other team members, creating a warm and encouraging environment for everyone.

On the last day of Skate Malaysia 2024, an incredibly thoughtful gesture touched everyone's hearts. One of the parents of Cass' teammates gifted a beautiful fruit basket to all the team members under the same coach who participated in the competition. This generous act was from the mother of one of Cass' teammates—the same lady who helped Cass with her makeup on the day of the competition using her Dior makeup. This kind lady also treated all the girls to a movie on the last day of Skate Malaysia.  Being wealthy is one thing, but being generous and kind is another. Cass is fortunate to have met such a kind lady who goes out of her way to help others and share her blessings.

Two weeks ago, Cass was invited by another teammate to a birthday party celebration at Jungle Gym in Times Square. Despite being one of the oldest team members, Cass enjoys hanging out with her younger friends. The invitation to the birthday party was another testament to the camaraderie and friendship within the team. The kids had a fantastic time, and Cass loved being a part of the fun celebration.

After every level of test, other parents would organize small parties to treat all the teammates. These gatherings are a great way for the skaters to relax, celebrate their achievements, and bond with each other. The effort these parents put into making each occasion special is heartwarming and greatly appreciated by all the kids.

Cass not only loves skating but also enjoys being part of a team with friendly teammates and kind parents. The support system within the team has made her skating journey even more enjoyable. Cass is truly fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful people in her figure skating journey.

A beautiful fruit basket with all Cass' favorite fruits, gifted by Cass' teammate's mother.

Saturday, 15 June 2024

It will be a long, late night for Cass and hubby today.  Cass has a figure skating rehearsal at the skating rink from 10pm to 12 midnight. Fortunately hubby is free tonight to do the chauffeuring, otherwise, I'll be waiting at the freezing skating rink until midnight. 

Cass has been eating clean and healthy lately. These is what her meals look like these days:

Salad with kimchi, Korean marinated pork, half an avocado, broccoli, cauliflower, and scrambled eggs with cheese. After her main meal, she ate a slice of air-fried sprouted wheat bread, low-fat yogurt with granola, an apple, an orange, and a few slices of papaya. 
 I also air-fried a slice of quiche, which was given to us by Alycia's bosses at the cafe that she works part-time at. When Alycia's bosses heard that she injured her hand, they passed some goodies from the cafe to her.

Steamed marinated spicy chicken chop, an ear of whole corn (I sliced out the kernels from the cob), sauteed assorted vegetables (from her dad's kitchen), steamed sweet potato, and sweet cherry tomatoes. I love the colors on her bowl, and so does Cass. I'm glad my years of training her to eat vegetables have paid off well.

After Alycia's terrible mishap in the kitchen last week, resulting in shards of broken glass cutting her finger badly, we now have a phobia of using glassware. I've since switched to using stainless steel bowls and containers.  Moreover, our microwave oven died on us yesterday, so we have no choice but to reheat our food using stainless steel dinnerware in the wok 😁

Wesak Day 2024: Reflecting on the Past and Embracing the Present

22 May 2024

Every May, memories of my three-week stay at Gleneagles Medical Centre in Penang fifteen years ago come flooding back. It was May 2009, and my baby Cass had just undergone major surgery. Despite the procedure, she remained unwell, continuously vomiting green bile. None of the battery of invasive scans could pinpoint the problem, and I was engulfed in worry and despair. The surgery was performed on 5 May 2009 and Wesak Day was on 9 May 2009. 

I vividly remember Wesak Day that year. Our room at GMC Penang faced the main road, and from our window, I could see the grand and colorful Wesak Day procession. There was a temple next to the hospital, and the celebration was magnificent, filled with lights, music, and vibrant decorations. However, I wasn't in the mood to appreciate it. My heart was heavy with concern for my daughter, who lay in bed, her condition still a mystery. Her tummy was so bloated that it looked like a balloon, on the verge of exploding. 

Fast Forward 15 Years: A Day of Gratitude

Fast forward to Wesak Day 2024, and my baby is now a healthy, vibrant 16-year-old. The contrast between then and now is stark, and I am filled with gratitude for the progress she has made. This Wesak Day, Cass chose to stay home to complete her school project. Alycia was at her part-time job, and Sherilyn was busy with a college assignment and two dance shoots at a shopping mall.

Hubby and I decided to have a quiet lunch together, taking advantage of the public holiday. After much deliberation, we ended up at Kenny Hills Bakers at Bukit Tunku. It was a delightful meal, just the two of us, savoring the rare opportunity to enjoy each other's company without the usual hustle and bustle of daily life.

Post-lunch, we indulged in coffee and a brownie at Wolf & Turtle Coffee. The atmosphere was cozy and perfect for a relaxing afternoon. We also picked up some takeaway cakes, peanut cookies, and a loaf of bread for the girls from Kenny Hills Bakers, ensuring they had a little treat to enjoy as well.

Having a public holiday mid-week is always refreshing. It gives a semblance of a short break, making the week feel shorter and more manageable. Despite the next day feeling like a Monday, the reality that only two more days remain until the weekend is always a pleasant surprise.

We ordered Nasi Kerabu and a Big Breakfast set at Kenny Hills Bakers.

Nasi Kerabu

Piccolo latte and brownie from Wolf & Turtle Coffee

Big Breakfast

The peanut cookies from Kenny Hills Bakers are really super yummy, with lots of crunchy peanut bits in every bite, and they're not overly sweet either.