Where I Get My Affordable Gym Outfits

Some of you have messaged me privately to ask where I bought my gym workout outfits. 😊

I don’t usually buy expensive workout clothes because I prefer affordable fast fashion and don’t expect to wear the same pieces for many years. So, I usually get my workout outfits from Lazada and SHEIN, and occasionally from Uniqlo.

I only wear padded workout tops with built-in bras, and Lazada has quite a number of sellers offering a good range of padded workout tops that are stylish, good quality and affordable. So if you’re looking for some, you can check them out on Lazada.

One important tip: Always check the measurements before ordering! 📏

I’m normally an XS, but for padded workout tops from these Lazada sellers, I usually order size L because I find that their cutting tends to run quite small. I also prefer my workout tops to be a little looser and more breathable, especially when I’m sweating and exercising.

For bottoms, I usually get size M for shorts and skorts.

So if you’ve been wondering where all my gym outfits come from, there you go! 😆 Most of them are actually pretty affordable—you don’t need to spend a fortune to look cute at the gym! 💕👟

I got my gym clothes from Lazada here >>

Padded tops >> https://s.lazada.com.my/s.ZdCP0g?c=t&t=p-i4LJNJ0-sOpHJc8

Skorts <>> https://s.lazada.com.my/s.ZdCP15?c=t&t=p-i59kzdq-sSw72cj

Padded bralette >> https://s.lazada.com.my/s.ZdCP2j?c=p&t=p-i5AaI5Z-sT47xLl

Took this pic to submit my review on Lazada. This platform rewards quite well for reviews with photos, videos and a proper writeup of up to RM1.80 per review.

Some of my padded tops for gym workouts. Still adding to my collection.

Some Memories Never Really Fade

 I love how Google Photos pops up anniversary photos every day, reminding me of what happened a year ago… or even 15 years ago.

I always feel a little sentimental looking through photos from years gone by, especially those of my daughters when they were younger. We have shared so many wonderful moments together — and, of course, not-so-great ones too. But I suppose that is what life and motherhood are all about. ❤️

Today, these photos popped up. They were taken on 30 August 2020 — exactly six years ago.

My youngest daughter, Cass, was only 12 then, and she had a UTI attack on the eve of Merdeka Day.

She hadn't had a UTI attack for years, but because of her congenital condition and medical history, a UTI was never something we could take lightly. For Cass, it often meant being hospitalised and treated by the one doctor I trusted — Dr Eric Lee at Pantai Medical Centre Bangsar.

So off we went to the hospital.

It was also the height of the pandemic, and Cass had to undergo a COVID test before she could be admitted. Each admission usually meant at least three to five days in the hospital — or until her urine showed no more bacteria.

There would be countless urine cultures, blood tests and antibiotic drips. Hospital stays had become something that Cass and I were sadly all too familiar with over the years.

But even at just 12 years old, Cass was already brave and independent enough to stay overnight in the hospital by herself. I would visit her in the morning and stay with her until evening before heading home.

Looking back, I think everything she went through from babyhood through her teenage years made her mentally and physically stronger. She learned to be independent much earlier than most children her age, and despite everything, she has always been a brave little fighter. ❤️

And perhaps that is why, even now that she is already 18, I still worry so much about her.

A mother never really stops worrying about her children, especially when you no longer live with them. You wonder if they are eating well, sleeping enough, staying safe and taking care of themselves.

But I guess there comes a time when we have to slowly learn to let go.

All I can do now is pray that Cass and her sisters will always stay healthy, safe and happy. 🙏❤️

No matter how old they get, they will always be my babies.

Food at PMC was pretty good and Cass enjoyed 4 meals a day.

Hospital that's like a mall, and during the day, we walked many, many rounds together around the hospital to kill time.

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! ❤️🐱