My exercise regime - weights lifting

This year has been a wee healthier one for me. At the start of the year, my husband decided to buy a box of weights (I think its 40kg in total) for us to train our arms muscles. *flexing one arm while typing. Keke

I used to do push-ups and dips but I wanted to be even better and I hope to see some 'tiny' muscles on my arms. I started by using 2kg weights in each hand for about a month. And then I go up to 3kg for 2 weeks and now I am at 4kg weights. Sometimes, I tried to go up to 5kg (can be an agony).

My friends used to tell me the following when They know I'm lifting weights:

1. Why do you want to see muscles?

2. Too much and you won't look good wearing sleeveless clothes, you know.

3. See, your weight didn't decrease because muscles weigh more

4. Where do you get the time to do exercise?

I said:

1. Some muscles go well with me :D

2. In fact, I look so much better than having it flabby. Imagine waving to a friend *flabbergast

3. Means I must having lost weights since I weigh the same?

4. I do my exercise TOGETHER with my children. Or during my little girl' naptime or at night when they are sleeping.

Of course, all exercises seem to give you some sort of pains but it shouldn't to a point that it injure you. I do it at my own pace and once in awhile push a little harder. I search the internet to find various trainers teaching the right way to lift weights and I also do cardio exercises at home and outdoor jogging once a week. 

During my first year in France, I seem to keep getting sick.  In my best records when I'm in working in Singapore, I can be free of any illness for 2 years. So I really cannot understand the reasons for falling sick all the time. As my husband and I are the only people taking caring of the children and each other, we really need to be healthy. 

For this Paris trip, my arm muscles seem prominent but it's not like this when I'm am not carrying heavy thing (Erica)

Chateau Chenonceau - castle

Ken loves exploring castle. He finds that each invdidual castle has its own unique features, mystery and stories behind it. Other than Carcassonne Castle, we also find Chenonceau castle very beautiful, though not as big as Carcassonne. Chenonceau has a very big awesome garden and labyrinth which was said to be built by the king's mistress. This castle is one of the most well-known castle of the Loire valley. 

When we visit a castle, we gauge how well they maintain the place, the languages they put up inside the castle and even whether the toilets are clean. Haha. Many castles we visited has only French language and even the multi-media presentation was in French, although some provided headphone audios for visitors. 

Chenonceau castle is very strict, the securities will check visitors' bags at the entrance to ensure nobody brings in any food into the premises. However, they are café and picnic areas provided outside the castle. There are even brochures, maps, posters, informations given in many different languages! Japanese, English, Mandarin, you name it! I think the toilet areas are situated outside the castle so do your business before going in. 

We spend about 2-3hrs exploring but we did not really walk through the gardens except to take photos of it from the top view. Strollers and wheelchairs friendly mostly outside the castle and first floor as there are some staircases in the castle which people on wheelchairs may not be able to maneuver. And the castle doorways and corridors could be a little narrow when there are a lot of visitors. Example, a bedroom or kitchen has only one entrance so if there are too many people, you may need to 'queue up' to get out/into the room. 

Overall. Enjoyable and relaxing for the children and even dogs to in the gardens. 

Indoor Playgrounds in Toulouse, France - Kidou Recre

Fancy a playground to go on a rainy, windy or cold days? Seriously, staying at home with energetic children the whole time or even a few hours with them can drive you nuts. I love going out, with kids or without, I can't even warm up my sofa seat at home.

When I discovered the insanely amount of playgrounds in Singapore - indoor, outdoor and water play parks, I would make sure my kids go to this places. Some you need to pay and some totally free! Can you imagine, every shopping malls, place of interests, heartland areas have at a least one playground for the kids?! Even with no cars, you can still take train or bus to the playgrounds within a short time. That's what I love about Singapore.

When my family have to move to France, my first thought was where I could bring my kids to play everyday? Honestly, you can't really bring them out to play everyday unless you are talking about your own home garden (if you are lucky). The weather could be cold today and sunny tomorrow. Or it could be sunny but soooo windy. We can't go indoor playgrounds all the time. Firstly, it is costly. Secondly, it could be out of the way for people with no cars and thirdly, indoor playgrounds don't open everyday except Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Huh?

Ok, enough talk. The very first indoor playground I went to was

1. Kidoc Recre
    6 Rue Théron de Montaugé, 31200 Toulouse
    accessible by metro.

 This is one part of the play area. There are some more play areas on the right hand side (not shown in pic).

 Adults are not allowed on the play areas so make sure your children are confident enough.

 This is the baby area. For up to 2years old. A little pathetic i would say. But adults are allow inside.

 Trampolines! 1 child per trampoline so it's quite safe even for the smaller children.

 Hello Mr sun! Initially, alittle difficult for Stacy (3 years old at that time). Now she's an expert.

 The slide is very high so younger children can be scared of this but once they figure it out, it's great fun for them!

The recommended age for this is 5 years old and above. There are actually more obstacles at the other side, i just managed to take this part. Haha. Younger children will have a tough time coming out and may cry. And if that happen, sorry, no adults allow in the play area, the children just have to figure it out by themselves. (Seriously, the staff made an announcement on the microphone telling the father to get off the play area when he was trying to help his child).

I would say it's great fun and exercise for older kids (3 years and above). Younger children will have limited things to play. The place also have a cafeteria , the usual coffee, waffles sweets,  ice-cream and some hot food. Reasonably priced.

Stacy (4 years old) seems to like the place, Erica (2years old) will need some help and for me, i'm bored. Cos' i can't play with my children in the play area.  Haha.

Girls are karma? Seriously, get a life!

It took me awhile to finally write this post, after being upset for so long. While I ventured to write this post, the back of my mind is thinking whether readers who read this, will they write something nasty or encouraging.

Let's start with this friend I have... She is a devoted religious person and she sometimes shared about her faith to us. I meant she is a nice person but certain things that she said, kept me thinking ... Really hard. One of the things that she said and belief is about 'karma'.

What is karma? I searched Wikipedia and this came up: "Karma means action, work or deed;  where intent and actions of an individual influence the future of that individual. Good intent and good deed contribute to good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deed contribute to bad karma and future suffering". 

This friend has 2 other siblings (older sisters). Her parents' business is selling Chinese fish soups. According to her religious practice, she told me her father accumulated bad karma through selling fish soup over the years. Ok, bad karma because killing life (fish) is a bad deed and because of that her father do not have a male heir to carry on the family sir name. Well, maybe if her mum will to give birth to a forth child, it could be a boy? And her father works hard to provide for the family, she should at least feel grateful?

Seriously, I hope what she believes in, she should keeps to herself. When I was pregnant with Stacy, I thought about what she said. So, my husband did 'bad' things or was it me? Pregnancy to a lot of mums-to-be are suppose to be joyous - like a celebration. To me, although I felt happy, I couldn't forget what this friend had said to me. 

2nd pregnancy with Erica, I refused to find out her gender. I had a general anaesthesia c-section to deliver Erica (not by choice). When I woke up, my husband told me 'it's a girl, she is very beautiful just like Stacy'. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. But when the nurse brought Erica into the room, I love her more than anything else in the world (ok, Stacy too ;) ). 

Yes, sometimes I still brood over what this friend said. But I told myself I am fortunate to have two beautiful, healthy children. Isn't that what all parents wish for their kids? 

Before having children, people used to asked, "when are you getting married?" After marriage, "when are you going to have children?" After having one child, " when are you going to have another one?" After having 2 same gender children, "when are you going to have a boy/girl?" Some people mouth just can't keep quiet...

It has never cross my mind, what the gender of my children should be. I just love children. But with some Asians' conservative mindset of having a male heir in the family can be quite overwhelming or worse having to face a friend who told you about karma. Go away please.

I hope this friend gets her son that she has wished for and I hope my children NEVER learn of this belief that having girls are karma. Utterly nonsense!

I love my children and I love myself. Bye. :)

101 of being a mother-in-law

No, my daughters not getting married. They are still babies. Nah,  not referring to my mother-in-law, she is excellent. Just thought about writing this subject, maybe to remind myself on how to be a mother-in-law In future or after some friends commented about their in-laws, blah blah blah.

1. Take care of yourself and husband. Now that your child and his/her spouse are going to lead their own life, it's time to put focus back on yourself, health and wealth.
2. Your child now have his/her family to take care of and may be busy, but that doesn't mean they are ignoring you, please give them their space.
3. Your child has becomes a father/mother, they have the rights to discipline or teach their own kids. Yes, their own methods may differ from you but please do not interfere unless they are harming their children.  
4. You have accepted your son/daughter-in-law so please do not say unkind words to them or belittle them. Remember that they are now taking care of your son/daughter and even grandchildren. They need to be happy. 
5. Spend some time with your grandchildren too. It make you happy and young again. but again,  please do not discipline them or even cane them without checking with their parents. The grandchildren may get confused, lose respect for you and even avoid you in future.  
6. Yes, your child will always be your baby but he/she has grown up to become parents themselves so do not treat them like a kid infront of their own children.  
7. Please do not scold your son/daughter-in-law especially infront of their kids. If you need to talk to them, do it privately. They have their dignity too.  You are truly not their mother who give birth to them.
8. Be happy that your child is taken care of by his/her spouse,  do not micro-manage what they are doing
9. Provide a listening ear if they come to you for support.  Do not 'chase' them away with your nagging,  scolding and 'did you do this and that' answer. Over time, they will not confide in you and only tell you things that you want to hear.
10. When you want to take family photos and potraits, include your child's spouse, not your child and grandchildren only. It is rude to do that. Remember to include your son/daughter-in-law even from the time they are bf and gf to your child. Especially when they are standing in the same room as everyone else. 
11. When your son/daughter comes to you and talk about an issue regarding your involvement with his/her family,  listen carefully. They may not be comfortable with certain things you do so they are telling you respectfully.  Do not defence or denies so strongly that it turn people off. or that you just want to say, 'because I am your mother, I can interfere with your family', is a big no no. The last thing you want is your son/daughter avoiding you.  
12. Do not fake illness and pain to get your son/daughter attention. One day, it will back fire and when you are truly sick, they will think you are telling lies again.
13. Don't be a possessive mother-in-law.  yes, you used to be the important woman in your children's life but now it's their husband/wife. mothers have to go great lengths to avoid your children choose between you and their spouse. You want your children to be in a happy marriage. 
14. accept that your son/daughter-in-law may not be able to attend all the family gatherings that you call for. They need their space and so do you.
15. Speak good of your son/daughter-in-law infront of friends and family, remember that words go around and can haunt you back.
16. When grandchildren visits you, don't scrutinise their hair, appearance or even their studies. She is the mother after all and will care for her baby more than her life just like you did when you had your children. 

Anyway,  it takes two or more to make peace. We don't have to change what we are not to suit another person. We don't have to stoop low and lose respect of ourselves. Respect, compassion and love go a long way. 

Not easy being a stay-at-home-mum, get it?

Somebody had made a comment before about being a stay-at-home mum (sahm) - that our jobs are so easy, just put the kids infront of the TV and the day will be gone. Ya right.. How I wish. Ask all the SAHM, they will definitely DISAGREE! Reality is, we have no time to eat, sleep, shit and even a 5min just staring into space. I think I have more time eating properly and getting 'me time' when I was working. I can even afford to go for a jog right after work in the evening. Now, I got to clean the house, prepare meals, 'entertain' the kids at the same time.

Recently, I have also become more active posting photos on Facebook and Instagram of my kids doing arts and crafts, playing, baking, outings and etc. I AM INDEED DOING MY WORK AS A SAHM. I am not trying to proof to anyone but I am very glad that I have the opportunity to be with them especially at this young age. Everything I do, the kids do, are valuable memories. Who knows, after my husband's contract is over, I will be back to working life again.

Just a few months ago, I was deeply upset by a comment made by someone close. she said she has a lot of teaching certificates, and that she is a qualified teacher, so she can teach very well... And that if she were my age, she would have open a childcare centre.  And she went on to comment why Stacy forgot her ABCs...Last time she used to know her alphabets very well. EXCUSE ME, the last time I checked, she knew a little and I started teaching her myself. Stacy knows her Alphabets well, but she was busy with something else when the questions was asked at her. Ok, I just kept quiet as there are people who feel that they are always right. Well, if I am rude and direct, I would tell her that one does not need to be a qualified teacher to teach, especially your own kids. Nobody is perfect, nobody is a perfect parent and we are always learning. AND PLEASE, do not criticize the parents' teaching methods and never stress my children. I will do it myself. Lol.

It is definitely not easy being parents, be it parents working the whole day and then dragging themselves back home to find kids wanting to spend time with them or it could be in my case, whole day and night with the children without a break. But it's worth it right? Seeing the smile on their faces, their every steps they take, their success and failure, they hugs and kisses you....

On Friday, my children did some craft works, not perfect but their efforts

Made snails using paper plates. Inspired by stacy's fav cartoon show, 'Turbo'

Suppose to be chickens but look more like chicks