Moisturiser

About 2 weeks ago, I realised the skin on my legs was very dry. It's pretty bad cos my skin was cracked and there's little red bumps on it. And worse of all, it itched like hell.

I guess it might have been the continuous nights of sleeping in air-con room and not making an effort of putting on moisturiser, and thus the dry skin. Or maybe the moisturiser I was using just wasn't moisturising enough.

I remembered I have a trial size moisturiser that's suppose to be quite good cos I've used this same brand before. I was so glad when I found it deep down in my drawer. From then, I started applying it every day and night religiously.

However, after 5 days, I realised my skin condition didn't improve at all, in fact, it got worse. The cracks on my skin was red and swollen. Imagine red, swelling cracks running across my legs. It was hideous!

I thought maybe the moisturiser I'm using is for a different skin type or the trial bottle might have expired, since I don't remember when I bought it, so, I took out the bottle and looked at the label closely.

It says in bold.

"Leave-On Hair Moisturiser".

Breakfast with Tara

For the past few days, I've been trying to wake up early so I can bring Tara for breakfast before going to work. The day before yesterday, I woke up early enough, but when it's time to leave the house, Tara refused to budge. She even said bye bye to me when I told her I'm going off without her. I spent quite a bit of time talking and cajoling her before she's finally willing to leave, and by that time, we were too late for even a quick drink. And yesterday, I couldn't wake up so there goes my plan.

This morning, however, I did managed to get up pretty early. 6.30am. And by the time we were ready to leave the house, it's only 7.35am. Time's a bit tight, but spending time with my little girl is more important than anything else.

We went to this coffeeshop just a short distance away. The soft boiled eggs are always perfect, the toast always nicely done and the drinks are always made the right way.
When we stepped in, all eyes turned our way cos it's an industrial area and having a toddler in tow is not common.

I gave Tara an egg and she was slowly scooping the egg into her mouth with the teaspoon until she saw me sipping it directly from the plate. She picked up her plate and follow suit. The cute part was, she was really careful and sipping really slowly until she finished the whole plate of egg. A group of men sitting beside us was pretty amused. Guess they have never seen a toddler eating eggs like this.

It's such a nice feeling to be able to enjoy breakfast before starting work for the day. And it's even better have Tara with me.

I won't say I hope to do this everyday, cos it's just not possible. Waking up at 6.30am every morning?

You kidding!!

Health Conscious Vainpot

Recently, I've been really conscious of my health and my skin. I've never really cared about eating healthy food or buying super good skincare products cos I've always been blessed with fairly good health and pretty good skin.

Until recently. I realised I've been getting lots of zits on my face and they never seem to go away. On top of that, I realised I got dragon's breath. Almost immediately after I brushed my teeth, the bad breath will be back. Even if I use a minty mouth wash, I will still have some unpleasant taste in my throat. And to top it off, I got a bloated tummy almost everyday.

Then I remember one TV commercial from some time ago. The product is for removing of toxin from the body. It promised to rid bad breath, zits and improve health overall. On the same night, I told Bob I must get the product. So off we went to Chinatown the next day. I couldn't find the product and instead, bought 2 boxes of tea that promised to remove toxins. The sales girl who recommended told me it's really good. Taking her words for it, I bought 2 boxes. Upon closer inspection, I realised the tea is for slimming! I don't want any slimming tea! So I went back to the shelves and asked about that particular product that I wanted, and was told that the product is no longer on retail and is selling as MLM instead.

So I though, since I've spent on the slimming tea, which also remove toxins, I might as well try it.

One week later, and after many trips to the toilet (to remove toxins), I can sense some improvements. No more bloated stomach and no more dragon's breath. I can't say much on the zits though. And just for your info, my weight remains the same.

On top of the tea, I spent quite a bit buying supplements. I've never been a pill popper and I don't really like the idea of consuming pills. But being lazy and impatient by nature, I decided that the fastest and most effective way is to get supplements. I bought enzymes for my bloated stomach and anti-oxidant pills for nice skin and overall health. They are so expensive! I'm only days into using the supplements so, no comments as yet. On top of these 2, I’m also using fish oil and calcium pills. Talk about kiasu.

And finally, my skin. Last Sunday, I was casually surfing the net and came across this. Something I definitely need. And within 30 mins of reading about the product, I dashed out of the house with Tara in tow, and went to Jurong Point to get it. Usually, I don't buy products at a whim. If it's some other bloggers recommending the product, I might be skeptical to try. It's either I trust this person, or I'm simply desperate.

Nonetheless, I bought it. And just 1 day of using it, I can feel the difference. Nope, I’m not exaggerating. My skin really does feel smoother and I can see slight improvements on my chin, where most of the whiteheads are. I will comment again in another 9 days, cos it promised visible results in 10 days.

And to top off the healthy beauty regime, I'm drinking 3 to 4 cups of green tea everyday. Green tea is said to be really good for almost everything.

If I'm as diligent in my slimming regime, I might already be buying clothes in size S!

Neglect Tara

I'm always telling people around me; if you can't handle the responsibility of caring for a kid, don't plan for one, or if you don't even want to spend time with your kid, don't bother having one either. I'm the one who spoke these words, yet I'm the one who's guilty of all the above.

After I quit from my last job, I have had the chance to take care for Tara full time for almost 3 weeks. Remember I complained about being too busy and not having enough time for myself? So when my PILs came by, I totally washed my hands off Tara. I didn't bring her down for her morning strolls, didn't cook her lunch for her, didn't shower her, didn't even prepare her milk for her. To put it plainly, I didn't spend any time with her at all. Instead, I hid myself in the room playing PS II, reading, sleeping. When Tara walked into the room looking for me, I told her to go out and look for her grandparents instead. I didn't bother to even talk much to her. At that time, I thought it's justifiable, since I've take care of her for so many days already, it's time for me to take a rest.

I started my new job after more than a week of "rest". And at night, when I reached home, I would be watching TV or doing my own stuff. I don't give Tara the kind attention I used to. When Tara tried to get my attention, she would get on my nerves instead, and I would tell her to go look for her grandparents. So for quite a while, I almost totally neglect her. And when I do give her my attention, it's usually negative. A spanking, a punishment or a scolding from me.

After a week, I realised Tara getting clingy to my MIL, which is not normal. And it finally hit upon me that I'm the cause of it. I'm the one who pushed her away. I got really upset when Tara cries for my MIL instead of me. She resisted and bawled when I tried carrying her from my MIL arms. She prefer my MIL to me.

But still, I didn't do anything about it. Selfishly, I only care for myself, and my precious little "me" time.

Last week, Bob told me he's going outstation yet again, my FIL will be going back home and my MIL will be going to Genting. So for one whole week, I had to take care of Tara alone. Myself. There's no one to "push" the little girl to when I reach home from work. I totally freaked out! I don't think I can handle Tara alone anymore. She's getting really pesky and very cranky, especially these 2 weeks (since I began neglecting her, I realised). I can't imagine the nights when no one is around and I have to face her tantrums myself.

I wasn't too happy. In fact, I was quite depressed.

The first night Tara and I were alone, it didn't went well. She got spanked, scolded and punished. But all these escalated her cries and tantrums instead. I don't know what to do, I got really upset and ignored her instead. I left her in the room, and went out to the hall, sat in the dark and tried hard to hold back my own tears. I don't know how to handle the situation. She came out after a while, stood beside me and bawled till she was so tired and laid her head on the sofa to sleep.

I hate myself for treating her badly.

So the next day, I went back to my usual methods of parenting. Lots of patience and no spanking.

I kept my mood calm and tried explaining rather than just snapped whenever she got unreasonable. It worked pretty well. I even brought her out for lunch and to the library and she behaved quite well too. I find myself enjoying the time I spent with her and my mood was really good for the whole day. She still have her tantrums at night but I managed to keep her under control and bed time was a breeze. I realised the reason for her bad behaviour might be caused by me, so I decided I should change my bad behaviour too.

It will be another 5 days before Bob comes back. But I'm sure I can handle Tara by myself now.

Now I just pray and hope that I don't slip into bouts of depression again.

So far so good

Ooh, pardon me on the lack of updates. My new job is keeping me busy! Not that I have to OT everyday. It's the working hours that's keeping me away from blogging. Unlike before, I can't go to work as and when I wish. I'm still getting used to my current normal working hours, that is, getting up at 7am in the morning and reaching home at 7pm in the evening.

I have to be in bed latest by 12am, or I'll be a zombie at work the next day. And not like before, I can step out of the office whenever I'm bored or sleepy. Neither can I go for a coffee or run errands at a whim. Now, I'm stuck to my office chair 80% of the time. Very soon, I will have an even bulging tummy for sitting too much.

Everyday when I reach home from work, I prefer to sit and chill in front of the TV, spend some time with Tara, talk to Bob and I'll be getting ready for bed. I'm falling into a mundane routine. But I'm happy so far. Happy that I'm back in a working environment and happy that my work responsibilities are getting more.

The first day of work was really boring though. As usual, newcomers have to sit through 8 hours reading various materials. And I'm not spared from it. What made it worse was, Tara didn't sleep well the night before and I wasn't able to get my much needed rest. I sat through my afternoon briefing session bleary-eyed, dazed and I even dozed off a bit. That was bad for a new staff on her first day. Lucky no one noticed, or so I think.

I'm still getting familiar with the work around here and I hope to get the hang of it very, very soon. It sucks to be so blur about everything. I never liked the first week of a new job but I'm sure time will fly.

It always does.

Everyone I knew commented on my new working hours. How am I going to get used to them and said that I will soon turn up work late. I asked a few of my friends when do they think I will start going to office late and they said one month, almost in unison! Hey! What a morale boost that is! It's my 7th day at work today and I'm proud to say I've never been late till now.

In fact, I'm in early everyday!

I'm gonna prove everyone wrong, that I can be as punctual as I want to be.

We'll see.

Steve Irwin passed away..

I never like this guy. I thought he's too animated and I always changed channels whenever he was on.

But I'm still shocked to hear his passing. Apparently, although he had dealt with crocs, snakes and other dangerous reptiles and animals, he fell victim to a sting ray. A sting ray put a hole in his heart with it's poinsonous barb when he got too close.

I was in the train this morning and the guy standing in front of my seat was reading a copy of Today. I was stunned when I saw his picture and the headlines. My eyes were glued to the story and suddenly the guy flipped his papers, and I realised how stupid I must have looked when I'm holding my own paperback but reading other people's papers.

Poor Steve Irwin.

New Banner is up!!

Clean, no fuss.

My current favourite colours all up.

Did the doodle brackets myself and I love it! Downloaded Rhonna Farrer's free pea kit and used her infamous swirls for the background.

Very happy.