BACK TO BASIC

So we finally managed to go on a short trip holiday albeit the last minute planning!  The destination - 2 nights in Rawa Island Resort and 1 night at Pulai Spring Resort (both located in Johor, Malaysia).

The original plan though was to be in Rawa for 4 days / 3 nights.  However, upon revealing to my husband that the resort does not have TV and swimming pool, I was asked to amend it to 2 nights.  The reason - the children may get bored (*roll eyes*)!

In any case, we had a splendid time at Rawa!  All days were spent under the sun on the beach and swimming in the sea!  The man-made slides built at the jetty compensated the void of a swimming pool.  The kids loved it and they went up and down the slide countless number of times.  Snorkelling was also the main activity for them. The villa that we got was huge and spacious.  The only complaint we had was the 'No TV, Fridge, mini bar, etc'.  It was a full board accommodation so we had our 3 meals at the one and only restaurant there.  Oh and yes, wi-fi/internet was only available for access at the restaurant too.  So you can just imagine people hogging onto their phones/iPads/laptops whilst having their meals. 

When nighttime falls, our evenings were spent just basically lazing around at the games' room (located next to the restaurant).  The kids played table tennis & table football (is that what you call it??)  There was a big TV set at the lounge area but guess what?  We didn't bother to sit there and watch!! 

As our villas were located right at one end of the island, we would take a slow walk back (the kids got a buggy ride back!).  I must say the 10 minute stroll was quite relaxing as the scene was almost equivalent to that in day time except for the dimness in the dark.  You just get a serene and calm feeling as you hear the sounds of the waves, and strange bird sounds (yes strange...not the usual chirping!) coming through from the forest.

The moment we got back to the room, almost 10 minutes after washing up, it was lights off for the kids!  For us, that's when the test started....as we began to wind down, we realised something huge was missing!  No TV surfing or for that matter, no internet surfing too!!  The realisation was a scary yet funny moment.  We got out to the balcony to stare out into darkness with a sneak peek of the ocean lighted only by the moon and stars. 

And then we did the unthinkable....we TALKED!!   We did that for 2 consecutive nights!  So you wonder what's so funny and incredible about this?  Well...it's because we get to really converse with each other without one major distraction - the TV!!!  Hence for the first time in I don't know how many years, I got my husband's undivided attention!  There was definitely less of selective listening.  I knew he was actively listening because he was asking me questions...hehehe...  So there you go...kudos to Back to Basics vacation!

The kids were very reluctant to go when we had to check out on the third day :(.  But all in all, it was yet another unforgettable holiday for us. 

When we got to Pulai Springs, it was basically about catching up on what we've missed with technology and luxury amenities such as the pool.  Sounds lame?  Not to me actually...it was a discovery journey....discovering on what it used to be like when life back then was just basic for us.  Definitely a good learning journey for our kids too!  Major lesson - appreciate the simplicity of life!

I know of friends who are actively doing community involvement programmes going to under-developed countries to help with the community there.  I respect this group of people and I wonder if I can one day pursue this course.  I hope I could but for now, I'll just cherish the Back to Basic moments we had...

So what's next for our next vacation?  I don't know yet actually...won't be surprised if it's another last minute planning (though I hope not!) 

Have you had your Back to Basics vacation or moments?  Do you think you can survive without the basic necessities?  If it's a 'yes'...for how long?  Whichever your answer is...just cherish every moment!  Enjoy!!

READING PLEASURE

"The greatest gift is a passion for reading."

~ Elizabeth Hardwick

Recently, my 6 year-old daughter was selected by her school to be part of a small performance at the Asian Festival Of Children's Content.  Truthfully, I was not aware of her participation until I got a call from the teacher to remind me that she has to be present as she was one of those selected by her phonics enrichment teacher....(well that's me!...consent form is always signed after receiving a reminder call from the teacher!!).

So the day came and we brought her to the National Library where the performance was held.  Her school was representing the enrichment centre's launch of a Malay language programme ('Fonik Ria' by Mini Monsters).  The 10 children selected was supposed to be there an hour earlier for a short rehearsal. 

Whilst waiting, the afternoon programme started with an introduction by a guest speaker, Vivian Kirkfield, who is a Blogger, Educator & Author of a few children's literacy materials.  At first I didn't think much of her presentation (due to some technical hiccups - her voice was not audible because of the noise pollution at the atrium and the PowerPoint was not working effectively at the beginning...). 



source: Asian Festival Of Children's Content, NLB



Not until a few minutes down the road was when I realised how significant her message was  - 'reading picture books with children is one of the most important tasks of parenthood!'.  Granted that most parents would have heard this time and time again, but her 15 minute presentation was insightful for me as it refreshes my memory on the importance of cultivating the love for reading.  Basically it jolted my conscience which at times (ok... at MOST times!) have resulted in neglecting reading with the kids AND with myself too....booohooo!)

Vivian's pointers were basics and the key message was that reading helps to build self-esteem for the little ones.  She recommended simple techniques of reading with the child such as investing a small amount of time aside to read with him/her.  Most importantly, she also suggested that after reading, to follow through with a simple activity to reinforce the learning such as doing art & craft with the child. 

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."

~ Emilie Buchwald

Like I said earlier, most of us would already know this.  But the thing that triggered my conscience during Vivian's presentation was the fact that I was trained to do this!  This was one of the curriculum topics on teaching English for lower primary!  I recalled each week we were given children's story books to read and focus on.  It always got very interesting when we were asked to role play and develop extension activities for the particular story that was the focus for the week.  It was FUN and back then, I would always imagine how enjoyable it would be for the kids when such activities were incorporated into the reading programme. (I've never had such exposure when I was young unfortunately... ) Vivian recommended a few books and one of them was 'Where The Wild Things Are' by Maurice Sendak, and THIS was one of the books that we had to do in our review session!  Till today I still enjoy reading this book and I've read this to all my 3 children countless times! :)  Vivian's presentation resurrect my inspiration and energy once again to be a good story teller to my children.

Afterwards, I could not wait to see what was in store for my daughter's performance.  The little ones got up on stage and after a brief introduction, they began singing a very catchy Malay nursery rhyme.  Following that, the writer of the Fonik Ria book series called out her name and did a mini interview - asking her if she reads at home.  Then the surprising moment came (for me!).....she was asked to pick one of two books to read and she started reading the book page by page!  Oh WOW!! This was such a sight and a sentimental cum emotional one for me because up to 6 months ago, she could not read a complete story book on her own yet!  And now...she's not only reading by herself BUT in front of a public audience too!  So it was a really WOW moment there! :-)

I feel truly blessed to be able to witness yet again another milestone for my children.  Since that day, I'm now inspired to revive my love of reading (I know I need to buck up in this area...no excuses!) and hope to be able to continue to be a book lover advocate for my children too.

Are you a book lover too?  Do you get inspired and energised through a simple passion in reading?  Share your inspiration if you are an avid bookworm...

"A picture book is worth a thousand words"

~ Vivian Kirkfield

MONDAY BLUES

Ok so Monday is here again which is great....but how come we usually don't sound so enthusiastic about it? This post is going to be weird because I just wrote on TGIF last friday, and here I am writing on the blues...!

I wonder why we call it the Monday Blues?  Do you have a clue? 

In general, instead of having the energy all geared up for the week, most people, especially working adults, tend to experience a dip in the energy level just as the week peeks in.  Rightfully, after a well-rested 2-day weekend (for those working the typical 5-day work week cycle), we should be more energised right? 

Hmmm.....not quite for me actually.  That phrase 'well-rested' doesn't seem to be in my weekend vocabulary list lately, at least for the past few years!!   By the time it's Sunday night, I'm like this...

 

I don't know how I cope with Monday Blues all these years but I think I'm able to manage them well by doing some of these...

1.  Always pray for a brighter day ahead! :)

2.  Clear the space!  This is a must-do before I start off my coaching sessions with my coachee usually.     

     Basically it's clearing your mind of the things that are huddling around at the back of your mind.  All you

     need to do is verbalise what you have at the top of your mind, followed by acknowledging your feelings

     about it, and then say that you are going to clear that space (or thoughts).  Clear at least 3 things!  So

     for instance, one of the things that I cleared today was..."My mom is not well today.  I empathise

     with how she feels and am worried for her well-being.  I will check on her later.  For now, I'm

     going to put that aside". 

     Oh but of course, don't forget to clear the space (around you) literally! 

3.  Focus on the postitive things (hehehe...I know, I know...easier said than done when you know you've

     got loads to do or follow up!!) But go ahead....just keep that focus.   If it helps, write it as a list.  I try not

     to confuse this with my daily 'to-do' list.  If you've been following this blog, you know that I have my

     emo-scrolls :)

4.  Start the morning talking with friends or colleagues about the weekend (good or bad) or about life topics

     in general.  I suggest spending a few minutes perhaps (if you can spare the time) over a cup of coffee. 

     For me, this is just like a daily engine perk-me-up... I need coffee and I need to talk!!  After that, go

     ahead, just drown yourselves in the many emails that you've got to clear or wash that pile of laundry

     waiting for you at the utility corner! 

5.  If you are going to start somethig new (such as a new job, new hobby, etc) - start midweek!  That way

     you get to beat the blues and start fresh without thinking of the blues...

6.  Last but not least do look forward to the weekend, of course! Even though you know it's routine (at

     least for me...) but hey, c'est la vie! :)

 So how do you beat your Monday Blues? 

Share them or add on to the list here...

Have a bright day today!!

ENGINE OVERHAUL

"Life is like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you gonna get."

~ Forrest Gump

Source: Godiva Belgium Chocolate

This is so true isn't it?  You just never know what you'd get out of that box.  It's when you start picking one bad one after another, then you start to wonder if that's a sign that you need to rethink about things that are going around your life.  It's like you are constantly hit by roadblocks and your engine of life starts to stall.  This is the engine that represents your outlook of life and the force of energy that just won't kick-start!

I've gone through this engine stall countless of times and it's frustrating when you constantly need to think of how to re-start it.  This is especially so when it comes to work.   But time and time again I'd be telling myself "You need to re-start it!"  Again this is easier said than done (similar to the one mentioned in the 'Staying Positive' posting).

So I've decided to share my thoughts on how I'd face this dilemma and learn to overcome it (even if it has to happen multiple times...sigh)

The Root Cause

Just like how you would do with your car (if you have one or any other mechanical stuff that requires the use of energy/engine), I'd be looking out or rather analyse the root cause of the issue.  But first of all, I have to admit that this is not easy to do because let's face it....when you are stuck and frustrated...your brain just do not want to do the tedious job of analysing (at least for mine in most cases!)  The only thing that the brain will do at that point would be to just stream down this word "Why?!! repeatedly! 

It's only when I'm much calmer and have gotten over the frustrating phase, then only will I be able to think clearly with more objective questions in mind such as "What went wrong?; What's the reason for this?, etc"

The next question that would pop up would be "How frequent is this happening to me?"  or "How long have I been feeling like this?  Once I've gotten the answers to these questions, I more or less would have succeeded in getting a diagnosis.  The only caution that I'd remind myself is not to dwell or dig too much into the root cause as this may bring me down further.

Most of the time, the diagnosis will prevail after much brainstorming sessions with family members or friends AND after some moments of solitude with myself.  The thing about me is that I have to know the root cause first whether it's a personal or work-related matter.

The Ideal Look

Before I go into getting a prescription for my diagnosis, I'd also be spending some time thinking about how the ideal picture of my 'engine' would look like.  Usually I'd like mine to have a shine with vibrancy in it.  To me, those qualities reflect how I perceive life's outlook and energy to be since I was in my teens right up till now as a parent and working mom. 

Having that picture constantly in mind is crucial because that would be my ultimate goal to get my engine back in shape.  What I've learned recently and used often in my coaching sessions is visualisation.  The power of being able to visualise your goal is beyond description.  I think most of us are able to do this be it consciously or otherwise.  More often than not, the more you visualise and the more you believe in that vision, whatever goals or ideal picture you have would most often materialise.  But of course the chances of this likely to happen is when you add determination to that vision.

The Overhaul

The next step is the 'How' part.  I call this the 'Overhaul' as you would with a faulty engine. The overhaul really depends on the root of the issue, i.e. the diagnosis earlier. Whilst there may be some  differences in the approaches of the overhaul, I realised that there are common fixes which are applicable across all.  A couple of these to share today is...

• Connecting with all things positive - essentially this is like getting or replacing new parts of your engine.  For instance, if I want to kick-start my creative juices to write training materials, I would be reviving my efforts to source for new innovative ideas and information to boost up my content.

• Reciting the daily mantra - just like putting the engine oil to ensure that your engine runs on smoothly with a longer lifespan.  My mantra would come from my emo-scolls as well as in the form of my daily prayers.

Most often having the above fixes together with others that I've identified would ultimately bring me to a point where I'd feel that my engine of life and energy would be restored into the shine and vibrant engine that I've envisioned!  I should rename this post as 'My Overhaul Kit' actually...

Well that's it!  So what about you?  How would you re-start your engine?  How would you overhaul your engine to look like your ideal picture?  

Share your Overhaul Kit...