[Wordless Wednesday] - My Little Ballerina

Not many parents would agree to send their daughters for ballet lessons - or so I hear.

I had a reason. I wanted her to be aware of her body postures and perhaps, instill a little bit more grace into my little lady. (ok ok, it was actually my ambition not fulfilled lah!)

It has been six years since Megan started learning ballet and her interest in dance has not waned.

Here's sharing a short video of her grade 4 dance studies which she will be performing for her exams next week. She's the one on the left.

Enjoy!

Till the next post, have a blessed week!

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A Woman's Gotta Do, What She's Gotta Do

 I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows.
If I fail, if I succeed,
At least I'll live as I believe.
No matter what they take from me,
They can't take away my dignity.

 

Music lyrics excerpt from Whitney Houston's 'Greatest Love of All'

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I was hesitant to share this story because family members are involved. However, I choose to acknowledge that this happened for a reason and I wouldn't be where I am today if it was any different.

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To be very honest, I've always led a good life from young. Perhaps it was because I was the youngest child and only daughter. Spoilt (back then) - perhaps. I grew up never needing to worry about anything. I lived in a very protective world where nothing can come close to hurt me or lead me astray.

When I gave birth to my first child, the plan was that my mum would be around to help me during my confinement for at least a month. I thought I could just take things slow if she was with me but I was wrong. Even though she was with me about 3-4 hours a day for the first week, it had already affected the relationship with a loved one as I was being reproached for being self-centered and not considerate of others' feelings. Not wanting to sour relationships, I convinced my mum that I could handle everything myself even though I had not fully recovered from my c-section operation. I allowed maternal instincts to takeover and managed on my own throughout my maternity leave. In other words, I felt alone.

A few other related issues on my parents "spending too much time with me" ensued after this episode. I couldn't fathom how a lunch break on most days would affect anyone since we all need to eat. Or why there are reasons to be upset about if parent and child wants to meet or spend time cuddling their grandchild. I was pretty depressed. All these emotional tension accumulated till I gave birth to my second child two years later. The caring for myself and baby during first week confinement was better carried out this time with help from the husband and something known as "tingkat delivery".

Days were C-R-A-Z-Y at home. If not for my babies seeking attention, I pretty much didn't look forward to waking up in the mornings. With the husband travelling 90% of the time and the feeling of helplessness drove me to tears. My heart broke into a million pieces - many times. I found solace and drew strength to carry out my duties as a mom from my children.

On hindsight, I am also thankful that I have a couple of friends who listened me out whenever I was on the verge of breaking down. Motherhood was already so challenging at its early stages and what I felt with the lack of affection from my extended family, made me feel rather incompetent and isolated.

A few years after when the kids went to kindy, I re-discovered myself all over again.  I realized that in life, there will always be people with different perspectives about you. But I am not living my life for people to put me in misery or to be mocked at. I live for myself and my family. After these waves of trials, I feel I've emerged a stronger person.  There are many things I've never thought possible to accomplish but I have shown that I can helm the fort at home and become a pillar of tower for my family.

There is a silver lining after all.

Today, 11 years down the road to being a stay-at-home-mom, I think I've outdone myself.  Starting out my jewelry crafting business 7 years ago was the best decision I ever made. To be recognized in several context also puts the positive beat back into my heart in the hopes of being an inspiration to others. I never used to cook but my skills have improved tremendously. Really, if I can do it, anyone else can too. All you need to do is put your heart into it and you are there.

To many, my tribulations may seem trivial. To me, it was a turning point in my life. I had a choice - to dwell in self pittance and fall into depression or deal with the facts of life and move on.

Our lives - you and me - are governed by our own heart and not what others say about us. The past is past. I choose to forgive (though it's hard to forget) and move forward.

I am woman. Now hear me roar!

Till the next post, have a blessed week!

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Super Powers All Mothers Should Possess

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The role of a mother is endless. Thanks to our maternal instinct and multi-tasking skill, we do what we must and hardly expect anything in return. We fight, defend and cry alongside our children. It's a unique role that cannot be replaced.

But none of us is perfect. Mothers also face burn out situations when everything seems overwhelming and it is then that we sometimes wish we possess a supernatural power that can help us overcome our challenges.

Here at Singapore Mom Bloggers, we are no ordinary moms. We fantasize being even faster than a speeding child! More powerful than a vacuum cleaner! Able to leap big piles of laundry in a single bound! It's... it's...

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I want to have 'Healing' powers!!  If that could be coupled with telekinesis...that would be so cool - so that I can finally quote: "And also, I can crush you with my brain." 
- Regina from http://www.mummymoo.com/

I want to have the power whereby I can become transparent whenever I want to so that when I want to "eat snake", I can do it without anyone to find out. If I want to follow someone secretly, it's also not bad idea! 
- Amie from http://www.mamamiethots.com

I want teleportation power..so can save time commuting. 
- Dominique from http://dominiquegoh.com/

I concur with Dominique! I want to be able to go from any point A to any point B within seconds/minutes, and have the ability to bring people with me. Else no point I can zoom here zoom there but my hub and kids still need to take a transport. 
- Szer Jing from http://www.thekamfamily.com/

Maybe this is not really superhero-ish but I want to be like Neo or Trinity in the Matrix. Plug and POW! No need to read and study like mad. Just plug and play can ler. Good hor? If cannot then I want to be Elastic Girl. I can be of any shape I want depending on the occasion. 
- Liza from http://motherof.xander.sg/

I want to be able to freeze time, so that I can get everything done in no time. Oh, and then also I can be forever young. 
- Mei Ring from http://www.itsybitsybits.blogspot.sg/

I'm thinking I'd make a very bad superhero because I'd like to teach a lot of evil people a lesson! Back to my housewife roots, I'm thinking "I dream of Jeanie". It would be nice to possess magical powers where I can clean and cook with a click of the finger whilst lying on the couch. Hey and I can teleport too! 
- Nadia from http://itchyfingersnap.blogspot.com/

I'd have multiple MEs! So I can accomplish much more in a day, while spending time with my boy, my family, achieving at work and doing things I love at a leisure pace. 
- Cheryl from http://privikids.blogspot.sg/

 
If I have superpower? rearrange, clean, pack the house in lightning speed! 
- Jennifer from  http://www.dinomama.com

 
My wish for a superpower is I can eat all the desserts I want and the more I eat, the slimmer I become. 
- Angeline from http://www.ourprincessdana.com/

I want the power to recharge my battery (feel like I slept HOURS) in seconds.. awesome superpower. 
- Estella from http://sooddlydreamlike.com/

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If YOU could have a Super Power 
to enhance your Super Mom abilities, 
what would it be?

      Till the next post, have a blessed week!

The Alternative Peking Duck Dish

I found frozen smoked duck breasts by 'Tasty Bites' while browsing along the fish fingers section at the supermarket one day. And a lightbulb came on. *ting!* I wanted to try having it in peking duck style!

Here are the ingredients :

• Smoked duck, grilled in oven on high for 10 minutes (there were 3 in the box! A good buy) Or if you just want a piece, you can get from the deli section at Cold Storage & NTUC.
• Master Chef brand crepe (thaw and ready to eat)
• Sliced cucumber and spring onions
• Hoisin sauce with sesame oil, a little hot water and sugar are added to taste

 And ta-da!! You've got yourself a smokin' full flavored alternative to peking duck.

*Advise : the smoked duck is a little salty to my liking so do mind the sauce intake.

    Till the next post, have a blessed week!

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There's No Business, Like a Mom's Business

More than 7 years ago, I was just a simple stay-at-home-mom - attending to the day to day cleaning, washing, cooking and all the other kind of mundane work you can think of.

That is, until I found my passion. To create jewelries.

The decision to start up a blog to sell my creations took me less than a year to materialize. I have never had the notion to set up an online store to make big bucks or gain any kind of fame. I had merely wanted to showcase what I desired to do and then by selling them, it will help to sustain my hobby - think win-win for both the buyer and seller.


It was tough to sustain my little hobby business in the beginning. I was just like any other newbie jewelry making enthusiast in the market, churning out simple designs just to make a sale in the yahoo auction room. It was hardly anything unique - imagine the kind of designs that are mass produced and sold in a cheap accessory shop.

Halfway through my journey, I picked up polymer clay making skill and started to sell clay beads on a separate blog. It sold like hot cakes as I churned new and limited edition design beads every week. However, it only lasted for about a year because the fad for clay beads supply died down. So, I closed shop! Till today, I still incorporate and make my own clay beads into my designs.

I even tried my hands on sewing at one point. I was over-ambitious and wanted to be an all-rounded craft seller in the market, but it was clearly not my niche after a few that I managed to sell.

It took me a few good years to understand the true meaning behind handmade jewelries. One that can distinctively be identified as my creation and as much as possible, personalized to suit my customers' need.

This was one of my participation in an event organized by Fleatique, held at the Singapore Arts Museum in the hope of creating awareness of my handmade jewelries. I collaborated with a close friend's sister who was then selling her retro/vintage style handbags imported from the USA.

In recent years, my craft work is better recognized, amongst many working women in particular. The endorsements I've received by the word of mouth have been overwhelming. It is more than enough to keep my creativity level going as they give me the inspiration to come out with designs.

A showcase of my customized jewelries - happy in the house of their owners.

 

Being recognized as an inspirational woman is certainly a big pat on the back for me.

I'm contented and happy that I am able to pursue my passion for this long as I know of many jewelry crafters who have given up theirs. Truly, it is the joy of creating that has brought me this far. I guess this is my plus as a SAHM - because it helps me stay grounded and focused in all my pursuits.

    Till the next post, have a blessed week!

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Beanstro - We Were Invited to Lunch!

 If you are a frequent shopper in Ngee Ann City, you may notice that there's a new food outlet at basement 1 -  Beanstro by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.  Beanstro is a casual dining restaurant that serves American style food plus with all your favorite hand-crafted specialty drinks, it is just the perfect venue to gather with family and friends!

 

Love the ambience!

Photo of restaurant interior provided by Beanstro

It was a pleasure to be invited to a food-tasting opportunity with Beanstro over lunch today with my hubs and my mom for company. We were swiftly taken to our table that has been specially reserved for us and were pleasantly surprised by the wide range of food they offer on their menu! We had a hard time deciding what we wanted to try! It was a good thing that their senior staff was at hand to introduce to us their dishes.

'Garden Salad' for starters. The portion was just nice to share amongst the 3 of us. I loved the avocados, grilled capsicums and asparagus the most!

The hubs had french onion soup with cheese toast. I've not had french onion soup before so after trying a sip, I felt it was for the acquired taste buds. A nice change from the usual soups that he orders for himself though.

The hubs ordered beef burger - something that they have just introduced in the restaurant but not printed in the menu yet. Their beef pattie is hand cut/chopped into small pieces (and you can find some chunks in it too!) - which is their selling point. Nice natural beefy taste but none overbearing.

Mom had their roast chicken. Mom felt it could have been better if it was not too overcooked. She found the meat a tad too dry for her liking.

 

I was actually eyeing on the lamb shank but decided to go for something healthier. So I opted for their cod fish. The fish tasted good and went well with their onion based broth, which I would have otherwise mistake it for prawn bisque! Absolutely appetising.

 We shared desserts! Something I was looking forward to end our meal.

Tiramisu - we love their presentation! It didn't taste like the tiramisu that we have had before. We felt that it would have tasted much better if there was less cream in it though.

 

Warm molten chocolate cake - this was pretty yummy! It was chocolatey enough to satisfy a chocolate dessert craving!

Our lunch experience there was a pleasant one. Their manager, Steven and his team did a good job with their service, and were very  accommodating.  Even though we left at 2pm, the crowd was still evident in the restaurant on a weekday lunch! No doubt, it's a great coffee place with good food clearly for all to enjoy.

Beanstro Takashimya is located at 

391 Orchard Road 

#B1-37 Ngee Ann City Singapore 238872

Tel: 6235 1610

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 8am to 11pm

    ***********************************************************************   The Accidental Mom Blogger was invited for a food tasting session at the said restaurant. All photos (otherwise stated) and opinions are 100% my own. There was no monetary compensation.   ***********************************************************************  
Till the next post, have a blessed week!

A Trip To Tekka Hawker Centre

Mum and I visited Tekka market yesterday.   I armed myself with my Olympus pen and got ready to shoot whatever that will catch my eye. But it seemed food was the only interesting subject for me so we headed to the hawker centre.
We shared chicken dum briyani and Indian rojak!  

   The briyani portion is huge and is good for sharing at only $4.50. There are so many shops that were selling briyani and I guess the one we had was not the best one though there was a long queue.
Luckily, the Indian rojak came up tops for us! The variety and the dipping sauce was oh-so-good!  The plate we had cost us $5.80. You cannot miss this stall if you are there for a meal! It's the one and only.
So for a satisfying meal at $10.30 for 2 persons, it was worth it.   My personal lunch rating : 

:)   Till the next post, have a blessed week!

Gemstones I Work With

I have an awesome relationship with my beads - I simply adore them! Whenever I am at the bead shop to source for materials, I would be so carried away and simply lose track of time. Literally, I am in a world of my own. It is, what I call, 'bead heaven'.

From crystals to acrylics, to ceramics and gemstones. They are all gorgeous to me in many angles, especially since I like to work with mixed media jewelries. I have a special liking for gemstones in particular.

There are many kinds of gemstones - most are graded as semi-precious or precious. The truest gemstones are expensive and hard to find. In my line of work, especially to keep my range affordable, many of the stones I obtain are of organic materials yet is still considered as gemstones because of their luster and aesthetic value which are great for jewelry making.

Going through my treasure chests of beads recently, I've realized the preference for certain stones that I work with and would like to introduce you to them! If you are the kind of person that values the attributes of a stone for symbolic purposes, you may find this post useful.

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 Candy Jade

These stones are made from hard white jades or jadites and through a complex color enhancing process, the vibrant colors are derived. I love the unique shapes and bubble-gum colors that it has to offer.

*Although these are not top grade jades, the meaning behind wearing jade supposedly gives serenity and serves to alleviate anxiety and improve overall circumstances.

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 Dragon Vein Agate

I guess if you can see from the photo, why they are named so because of the visible 'vein' design in the stone. While there are the natural stones, I've also read another version that says these are stones which have been crushed, mixed with epoxy and compressed, dyed and then cut and polished to create the look. I would think to do so, it is already very impressive to reach this standard!

I love these stones for their lovely sheen and edgy colors, that adds character to my creations.

*Agate is said to balance energies and awaken talents. It can heighten creative visualization! (No wonder I get inspired when I look at it. :p)

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Howlite

Because of it's porous nature, it is easily dyed to look like 'turquoise' stones, which is a more expensive mineral. I like to use them as substitute to turquoise stones to keep it affordable to my customers.

*These stones are said to be calming with uses for stress-relieving of all kinds.

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Quartz

There are many varieties of the above stones. Quartz are recognized for being a rock crystal and are usually translucent. The ones that I own above are definitely heat treated and dyed. There is only so much the world can produce natural rock crystals so they would probably cost a fortune!

I love these stones for an understated elegance that it exudes.

*These stones are generally used for dispelling negativity.

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I still have a lot more other stones in my box which I am hoarding. [yikes!] Not a very good sign because my cupboard is running out of space! Perhaps I will share more of these beads here again another time. Now, please excuse me, it's time for me to frolic with my beads!

*The meanings provided behind these stones are for information purpose only. I do not claim to guarantee that the supposed power of the stones heal or work for anyone.

    Till the next post, have a blessed week!

How To Cook The Perfect Steak

I miss the steak I've had during our recent trip to Sydney. The tenderness, juiciness and natural flavor was too good to be true. So, I tried to re-create the dish at home 2 nights ago and followed the tips on this leaflet which I picked up from the butcher.

On the sides, we had home made mashed potatoes and baked button mushrooms with garlic toppings.

 Not as successful as I wanted it to be though it looked perfect! I even had to grill mine a second time after slicing my steak because it was too bloody for me. My husband thought his piece to be perfectly cooked medium rare. I wished mine was wagyu steak!

The kids had chicken chop because they are not that into beef yet.

Our meal at home cost us no more than $30. Slaving in the kitchen for this was worth the while after seeing the smiles on all of their faces and them boasting about it in instagram. There is something about men and beef, isn't it? Because I sure made mine happy.

With all that's being said and eaten, I think I'll have my steak cooked and served at a specialty restaurant the next time if I have the craving again. So I can escape cleaning up the grease in my kitchen.

  Till the next post, have a blessed week!

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