This morning Lil Z stuffed her backpack with a Ziploc with 100 kidney beans in it to mark the 100th day of school. As I watched her get dressed, I felt my heart swell with pride. This landmark day was more than an academic milestone in the life of my elementary school child. It was … [Read more…]
How do you stay grateful when the world is falling apart? It is not easy, but it is certainly possible to do so. In 2015, I began my writing journey with an article on gratitude. And the lessons I learned then still hold. My sister made her heavenly abode in 2016, but she taught us … [Read more…]
I watched her slip her little feet into her pink shoes and toss her new bag over her shoulders. My bright-eyed first-grader was ready for her first day at school. “Are you ready?” I asked a few minutes before we left our home. “Finally! Trust me, mama. I will be OK.” Lil Z replied, trying … [Read more…]
It’s been more than a year since I posted anything on my blog. Why? Because life got in the way. We moved from balmy Thailand to frigid Canada (a newcomer’s perspective). But this post isn’t about transitioning from Pad Krapow Gai to Poutine (although I can’t help shedding a tear every time I think about … [Read more…]
Home truth: My father was forbidden from purchasing a car because my mother insisted it was a death trap. My family never owned a vehicle; honestly, I missed having one only during the monsoons and on festival days when we had to get to church in our best clothing seated in an auto rickshaw. It’s … [Read more…]
What goes into the making of a thirty-five-year-old woman? Relationships, circumstances, heartache, big wins, losses, small wins, obstacles? A double tick for all? I don’t know about other women, but I’m certainly a product of the above. I’ve always believed a birthday is like a fresh start; a chance to start over in the same … [Read more…]
May 2018 This month began with a blast from the past; a very dear friend made some last-minute plans and dropped by to see us. I was thankful for the wonderful opportunity to spend time with her and the little ones. Last year, before leaving Thailand, she gave me the gift of another treasured friendship … [Read more…]
APRIL 2018 This month has been anything but ordinary, and so I found myself scratching my head while listing down the ordinary joys I had experienced. Let me just begin by saying April has been magical; our visit to Disneyland Hong Kong was extraordinary. Disney theme parks are creativity in motion. Sometime around Christmas, last … [Read more…]
“Are you a feminist?” Strangely, no one has ever directly asked me that question before, but many have assumed I am one. My presumption is that going by my demeanour people slot me in the feminist box. I’m a female with a strong, assertive voice; basically, a woman with an opinion that screams “you don’t … [Read more…]
MARCH 2018 – Part II I got down to writing this post later than I expected, but better late than never, right? The first quarter of the year went by quickly, March was an extremely busy yet fulfilling month. Who knew pre-schoolers had so many school events that needed parental participation. Phew! The school doesn’t … [Read more…]