One of the things I enjoy about coming to Brisbane is the news and current affairs programs they have. With Aaron around, I really only get to hear half of whats going on but this snippet caught my ears. Sleeping too little will lower your metabolism and this may lead you to gain weight. Then the reporter said something else that I didn't hear but it was something to the effect of the reduced amount of sleep being as bad as eating two cheeseburgers!
According to the research, adults need 8-8.5 hrs of sleep. It is only after you are 80 yrs old that your need drops to 6 hrs. I guess just like everything else that many people don't seem have time for (reading books, family, cooking proper meals) sleep is also on the list. Most people like sleeping but they are also most likely not getting enough. Do yourself a favour and go to bed early tonight.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
I feel GOOD!
Two day's ago, Bilbo borrowed an idea for a post from Serina Hope's blog. That post was on things that got on their nerves. Today, Bilbo has a follow on post on things that make him feel good and I'm borrowing that idea here.
These things always make me feel good:
1) My son's cheeky little face. The twinkle in his eyes when he raises one eyebrow. This usually happens right before some lunge into mischief.
2) Richard surprising me with KFC. He does this every month or so. Bad for my body but really makes me feel goooood. I love junk food but limit myself to just one major junk meal (things like KFC, McDonalds, Pizza etc) a month.
3) Accounting for all our money. It may sound crazy but I really enjoy tracking our family's monthly expenses and matching all the inflow with the outflows. It is extremely satisfying when everything matches up.
4) Lazy holidays by the beach. Somehow the water and the sand always makes me happier than any other holiday destination.
5) Diving! The SCUBA equipment may seem awkward and heavy out of the water but when I am down there amongst the fish and coral, I am a MERMAID. I don't feel good before and after a dive because lugging all that weight around is no joke but when I'm in the water, the feeling is indescribable.
6) Having a meal with my entire family, including parents, brother and sister-in-law. We always end up having such good laughs and everybody is just CRAZY.
7) Having a movie night at home with my husband. When we were first married, we could watch up to 4 movies in one night. The last movie night we had in July ended at around 9.30pm after only half the movie. We may not have the luxury of being able to stay up late anymore but that time together still feels just as good.
8) Getting completely immersed in a multiple book fantasy series. The one I'm currently on is The Serpent War Saga by Raymond E Feist. For now, I have to use my ears for books instead of my eyes but it feels just as good to get lost in the story.
9) Exercise. Everybody knows that. Exercise makes you feel good. While it may take a bit of self convincing these days, I do enjoy a tough workout. Its the fastest way to putting yourself in a good mood.
10) Sleeping on rainy days. Warm pumpkin soup. Meeting old friends. Meeting new friends. Sitting down and reflecting on the day. Waking up early and going out for a walk when it is still crisp. Nachos. Christmas carols. Etc, etc, etc......
I believe that there are plenty of things in everyday life to make us feel good. However, sometimes, we're just too busy/stressed/preoccupied/grumpy to notice them and allow the goodness to be felt.
These things always make me feel good:
1) My son's cheeky little face. The twinkle in his eyes when he raises one eyebrow. This usually happens right before some lunge into mischief.
2) Richard surprising me with KFC. He does this every month or so. Bad for my body but really makes me feel goooood. I love junk food but limit myself to just one major junk meal (things like KFC, McDonalds, Pizza etc) a month.
3) Accounting for all our money. It may sound crazy but I really enjoy tracking our family's monthly expenses and matching all the inflow with the outflows. It is extremely satisfying when everything matches up.
4) Lazy holidays by the beach. Somehow the water and the sand always makes me happier than any other holiday destination.
5) Diving! The SCUBA equipment may seem awkward and heavy out of the water but when I am down there amongst the fish and coral, I am a MERMAID. I don't feel good before and after a dive because lugging all that weight around is no joke but when I'm in the water, the feeling is indescribable.
6) Having a meal with my entire family, including parents, brother and sister-in-law. We always end up having such good laughs and everybody is just CRAZY.
7) Having a movie night at home with my husband. When we were first married, we could watch up to 4 movies in one night. The last movie night we had in July ended at around 9.30pm after only half the movie. We may not have the luxury of being able to stay up late anymore but that time together still feels just as good.
8) Getting completely immersed in a multiple book fantasy series. The one I'm currently on is The Serpent War Saga by Raymond E Feist. For now, I have to use my ears for books instead of my eyes but it feels just as good to get lost in the story.
9) Exercise. Everybody knows that. Exercise makes you feel good. While it may take a bit of self convincing these days, I do enjoy a tough workout. Its the fastest way to putting yourself in a good mood.
10) Sleeping on rainy days. Warm pumpkin soup. Meeting old friends. Meeting new friends. Sitting down and reflecting on the day. Waking up early and going out for a walk when it is still crisp. Nachos. Christmas carols. Etc, etc, etc......
I believe that there are plenty of things in everyday life to make us feel good. However, sometimes, we're just too busy/stressed/preoccupied/grumpy to notice them and allow the goodness to be felt.
Coupon Collector
When I was younger, I never paid any attention to the coupons at the back of my shopping dockets. Now, I ALWAYS take a look and cut out the ones that I think will be useful. These, I keep in my car. Somehow, as wealth increases with age (hopefully) we also become a little more tight with it.....hard earned I supposed.
So, its just logical that my next step will be look for coupons online. Especially since there are people's birthdays coming up in September, October, November and then Christmas. Any and all savings will really add up. I've been looking aroundCoupon Chief lately.
My mother is one of the hardest people to shop for so, very often, I get her soaps, hand creams, bath gels etc. The Body Shop has some interesting offers available. It sounds boring but she really does enjoy some of these fragrant luxuries for her skin. If I can't find anything in this category, I usually look to something novel. A couple of years ago, we actually bought her a little gadget from the National Geographic Store that could read your mind after 24 questions. It really could!
So, its just logical that my next step will be look for coupons online. Especially since there are people's birthdays coming up in September, October, November and then Christmas. Any and all savings will really add up. I've been looking aroundCoupon Chief lately.
My mother is one of the hardest people to shop for so, very often, I get her soaps, hand creams, bath gels etc. The Body Shop has some interesting offers available. It sounds boring but she really does enjoy some of these fragrant luxuries for her skin. If I can't find anything in this category, I usually look to something novel. A couple of years ago, we actually bought her a little gadget from the National Geographic Store that could read your mind after 24 questions. It really could!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Red and White Packets
I was triggered to think about this because I heard of somebody passing away today and somebody else giving the 'Pak Kum'. A direct translation of that is 'white gold' but its not really gold. Its the money that Chinese will give to the family of the deceased, usually in a white envelope.
Anyway, we Chinese give money at almost all occasions. While it is practical and often useful, it sometimes seems like the easy way out to me. After all, it takes time and effort to give a thoughtful gift. Here are the occasions that I can think of where cash is given.
Your Full Moon - One month after you are born. Comes in a red packet with cash known as the Ang Pow.
Each of your birthdays - Your parents will probably get you a present but grandparents/aunts/uncles tend to give you Ang Pow. Peers will give gifts.
Your Wedding - Ang Pows from all guests. This really helps to defray the costs of the celebration. During the tea ceremony, family members sometimes also give jewellery. I have heard of some instances here in Australia where people have also started to ask for cash instead of presents.
Chinese New Year - If you are married, you have to give Ang Pow to any unmarried person you. Once people start working, they also give to their parents and grand parents. I have been paying out for 7 years but in 2008, I'll be collecting! Well, Aaron will be anyway :)
Your Funeral - As mentioned above, people will usually give Pak Kum to the family.
Anyway, we Chinese give money at almost all occasions. While it is practical and often useful, it sometimes seems like the easy way out to me. After all, it takes time and effort to give a thoughtful gift. Here are the occasions that I can think of where cash is given.
Your Full Moon - One month after you are born. Comes in a red packet with cash known as the Ang Pow.
Each of your birthdays - Your parents will probably get you a present but grandparents/aunts/uncles tend to give you Ang Pow. Peers will give gifts.
Your Wedding - Ang Pows from all guests. This really helps to defray the costs of the celebration. During the tea ceremony, family members sometimes also give jewellery. I have heard of some instances here in Australia where people have also started to ask for cash instead of presents.
Chinese New Year - If you are married, you have to give Ang Pow to any unmarried person you. Once people start working, they also give to their parents and grand parents. I have been paying out for 7 years but in 2008, I'll be collecting! Well, Aaron will be anyway :)
Your Funeral - As mentioned above, people will usually give Pak Kum to the family.
The shirt off my back
Here is another one of those tips that I read from the baby sleep books. Although I had tried it before when Aaron was a newborn, it didn't seem to work then. I tried it again this week and for several days now, his morning naps have been 90 mins instead of 45 mins.
After I feed him, I stay there until he falls asleep, then I leave my shirt behind!
After I feed him, I stay there until he falls asleep, then I leave my shirt behind!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Fight Club
Well, not quite. But playing with Aaron is certainly starting to make us both look like we've been in some sort of fight. He really loves to tumble around and enjoys physical play. He's had a couple of minor bumps and is sporting an eye thats a little like a boxer's today but I think I'm the one thats been taking a beating.
So far, he has:
- head butted me and split my lip twice.
- caused multiple bruises up and down my shins from playing on the floor.
- probably re-fractured my previously fractured sternum by digging his elbow into me to push up.
- given me an eyeball ache by once again head butting me.
- bitten me in a moment of madness and left an ugly purple bruise on my arm.
Those are just the obvious injuries. I also have:
- an aching back from bending over and holding both his hands while he walks.
- a sore neck from always having my head at 90 degrees to my body while i play with him or read to him or just look at him.
- extremely tired gluteus maximi from pushing him up and down these hills. A good workout towards a Jennifer Lopez behind I suppose.
This really gives new meaning to 'No pain no gain'.
So far, he has:
- head butted me and split my lip twice.
- caused multiple bruises up and down my shins from playing on the floor.
- probably re-fractured my previously fractured sternum by digging his elbow into me to push up.
- given me an eyeball ache by once again head butting me.
- bitten me in a moment of madness and left an ugly purple bruise on my arm.
Those are just the obvious injuries. I also have:
- an aching back from bending over and holding both his hands while he walks.
- a sore neck from always having my head at 90 degrees to my body while i play with him or read to him or just look at him.
- extremely tired gluteus maximi from pushing him up and down these hills. A good workout towards a Jennifer Lopez behind I suppose.
This really gives new meaning to 'No pain no gain'.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
When do we learn the word 'can't'?
OK. I have to rave about the baby again. Its just so amazing to see him continue to try to walk (and do other things). When he falls, he just picks himself up again WITH A SMILE.
Sometimes, I sense some laziness in him but most times, I'm just in awe of how ambitious he is. If you couldn't walk or even stand steadily, would you attempt to balance on your trolley and push off with one leg? Babies really operate in the mode of 'Monkey see, monkey do' and don't have any idea that there are things that are just not possible. So, when do we learn to say 'I can't'? Will it help if I never mention that word around him? I can always try. At the moment, we just offer him lots of encouragement and applause for whatever it is he is trying to achieve. In a roundabout way, this baby has made me realise and cherish my own parent's style with me. They offered 100% support and encouragement even when they knew I probably bit off more than I could chew.
Sometimes, I sense some laziness in him but most times, I'm just in awe of how ambitious he is. If you couldn't walk or even stand steadily, would you attempt to balance on your trolley and push off with one leg? Babies really operate in the mode of 'Monkey see, monkey do' and don't have any idea that there are things that are just not possible. So, when do we learn to say 'I can't'? Will it help if I never mention that word around him? I can always try. At the moment, we just offer him lots of encouragement and applause for whatever it is he is trying to achieve. In a roundabout way, this baby has made me realise and cherish my own parent's style with me. They offered 100% support and encouragement even when they knew I probably bit off more than I could chew.
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