The M.O.M. System: Mothers' Operations Management

All parents who have experienced staying at home to take care of their kids and personally manage the entire household can attest that it's a constant attempt to put order in chaos. It takes a lot of superhuman willpower to keep myself from going berserk. This personal blog is actually one of my 'Sanity Projects' to help me find perspective and at the same time, document Survival Techniques that might come handy for other parents finding themselves in a similar situation as mine --- transitioning from a high-power corporate career to becoming a full-time homemaker and mother of 3 wonderful kids, wife and business partner to my husband, and project manager of our home construction.

Top 10 Reasons Why We Miss Preschool

I probably would've earned a PhD in Preschool Parenting, had there been such a thing! These years were formative to my children's confidence and social maturity, and I wanted to be part of it. I have been a preschooler's Mommy for the last 7 consecutive years (with my 3 kids' preschooling combined), and when my son moved up from preschool, I suddenly realized that I was also FINALLY moving up!

My children's experience in preschool has been an enjoyable and memorable experience for the entire family that even up to this day, they would browse their workbooks and fondly reminisce how life was so fun and simple in preschool --- no homework and no periodical exams! Their fondness towards their preschool years can be attributed to the vibrant and well-balanced curriculum that they had at The Learning Connection (TLC) Preschool.

In Search of the Dream Home: 7 House-Hunting Tips

I have always envisioned building a life and creating memories with my husband and kiddos in a home where we can plant roots and call our own. I had the fortune of growing up in a home that my parents' owned, a home that was built and finished a few months before I was born. It's where I spent the first 20 years of my life, before going off to a province far, far away for my first work assignment. Home was my constant, no matter where I was assigned. Even my kiddos love staying over my parents' for long weekends and summer vacations. Every nook and cranny has a history, a story of evolution to keep up with the times. And I want the same experience for my young family. :-)

Don't Miss a Shot: 2017 Immunization Schedule

I've written about Childhood Immunization back in 2015 and shared how I keep track of my 3 kids' schedules. If you have kids above the age of 2 years, you'd be surprised to know that 2 more vaccines have been added to the recommended schedule for Dengue (still controversial) & Japanese Encephalitis, given the increasing cases being reported. So if your kids are under the age of 18, best to review this schedule to see which vaccines still applies to them.

Ex-Employees & Benefits

This August 15 marks 15 years to the day I started my first job with corporate giant P&G as 20-year old fresh graduate. It was a colorful 8-year & 10-month run to say the least, having my fair share of victories, failures, great mentors, and horrible bosses. In the same period of time, I've also transitioned from single adulthood to married motherhood. I experienced my passion shift from my career to my young family. I no longer enjoy overtime as a means to while my time away before going home to an empty apartment, but instead itched to come home, hoping to catch my babies still awake. Which was close to NEVER with the daily carmaggedon in the metro (*cue tears*).

Family Legacy: Chinese Birthday Misua with Shiitake & Shrimp

My husband grew up to a family tradition of starting birthdays with a bowl of misua for longevity. It's a Birthday Misua recipe I learned from my Mom-in-Law, which she learned from her Mom-in-Law. It's a family legacy that is now a part of birthday celebrations of the 4th generation! Some friends have been asking how it's prepared, so I made sure that I document it the next time I made it.

Decades of Doing It 'Write'

My photographic memory recalls things better when I write it down. To-do lists, chores, notes. Call it visual-kinesthetic memory. Starting my bullet journal this 2017 (more on my bullet journaling in a separate post) prompted me to review my history in planner-ing, journaling, and note-taking and WHY I do it.

The Ultimate 5-Minute Plank Workout

I have set a wellness goal for 2017 to exercise at least 3x a week and I’ve totally been clueless about what activity to pick that would fit my schedule. I found what initially seemed like a simple plank routine on eatfitfuel.com but had me breaking out in sweat after just 5 minutes! I knew it was effective because my core muscles were aching just 8 hours after doing the 5-minute routine. At this stage of my life where I’m juggling time for my 3 kids, an ongoing home renovation, and a business, this is the perfect solution to my Mommy-Tummy Core Strengthening problems. Takes 5 minutes, no equipment needed!