Mama(n)datory

K-pop music is being played constantly in this house.

BlackPink, MomoLand, 2NE1, Girls Generation, Twice, GOT7, BTS, you name it, we play it.

My girls' current favorite group

My two girls are so into Korean music, I can't even switch the videos/songs without getting them shouting "Mamaaa noooo I want to dance to that song!". Now the songs are obviously stuck and being played repeatedly in my head all the time. Thanks girls.

Since we've pulled out from purchasing the new house (we couldn't stretch the loan to our needed amount! sighhh why are houses so expensive these days), I'm planning to put aside some (of the supposedly new house fund) money for a trip to Korea next year. Especially for the girls.

I didn't get the hype about K-fever, but I'd do it for my girls. I'll listen to the songs, I'll watch the movies, I'll eat Korean food (which I have a really hard time to really bring myself to love, I very much prefer Japanese food please) - I'll bring them to Korea soon, Inshaa Allah.

Lets hope I don't forget to start the Korea holiday fund soon. Lets hope I'll find a good flight deals for the end of 2019. It has to be towards the end of 2019, I need to have sufficient funds for this trip. I'm a stay-at-home-mom, remember? I could buy the flights first, the accommodation and other purchases later. Plus, beginning of the year always involves money - for school fees, school trips, birthdays, insurance, all the taxes, yada yada yada. So end of the year it is.

Semoga dimurahkan rezeki.

My car's finally being repaired. Since I don't have my car with me for the week (most probably two), we're mostly staying indoors. Actually I do have a loaned car - my dad's - but I've pledged myself not to drive it around except only for school runs, just because.

We did not do any grocery shopping over the last weekend, and we're even out of cooking gas. I don't bother to stock up anyway so we just eat whatever we have in the back pantry (mostly cereals, instant noodles, cookies, breads, canned tunas; basically anything that can be prepared instantly without having to cook it on the stove). The kids don't mind though and I obviously don't mind either since it's easier for me. Don't you worry. Of course I still get them nutritious packed lunch or my husband will bring home dinners alternately.

It does involves more money if we continue buying takeaways but definitely less hassle for me in the kitchen.

What doesn't work as such? You pay, you get it done easily. Everything works just the same.

So since we're staying indoors most hours, I'm spending more time focusing on my diet and fitness training at home. It's a daily hurdle I've to push myself with every morning, sometimes evening too with yoga and pilates.

My arms are more toned now. I can finally do push-ups (even single-leg pilates ones!). Believe me when I say I could never do a single (even modified!) push-ups before this, such weak arms and core.

My tummy is starting to take its shape now too although the pregnancy (post-caesar) bulge is really hard to get rid of. Sigh. Post-pregnancy stretchmarks? Yep, so prominently and permanently there. Double, triple sigh.

Bum. Bum is still meh. I have a flat bum all my life, and I find it pretty hard to perk it up much. Will definitely work more on this next.

Pats self for drive and determination. Pats self for results too.

I just hope my husband and family doesn't sabotage my diet as much. They always do, especially on weekends. I have a weakness for food, good home-cooked food, and I always, ALWAYS give in and indulge. SIGHHH.

How'd you feel, or what'd you do if you're caught up in a space bubble, never to step out into the outside world throughout your whole life, and only to later know there was really nothing wrong with you that you should be forbidden from the world in the first place?

That's what this story Everything Everything is about.



I saw the book in the bookstore and it caught my attention immediately that I went searching for its movie first thing once I reached home after.

Found it.
Watched it.
Loved it.

Thought of getting the book, but I found that my sister had bought it way before. So I picked up the book and plonked on her bed the other day to start flipping the pages.

Done the whole book in one seating, just in time for dinner.

Ahhh, I need to do more of this. This book reading.
I never knew I'd be so drawn into with the story, that it's way better to read than to watch movies.

When's Big Bad Wolf sale again?

Ps: I apologize, I know I ain't doing much of a review and more of documenting in my blog on what I've read or watched for my own keepsake. I suck at giving away reviews I guess. LOL.

I don't consider myself a bookworm, I was far from being one throughout my life. Be it novels, newspapers nor the school text books; I never bothered. I only read occasionally only when it picks up my interest, and whenever I start flipping one, it'll still take me weeks(forever!) to get done with.

I'm more of a blog person, I guess. Personal views and opinions, modern poems or lyrics are my go-tos. Short, simple, and direct.

But I'm currently on a roll. Now I'm flipping pages of different novels as much as my time (and kids) permits. After chores, even mid-chores, before bed.

So not my usual self.

I've finished reading 5 novels this month alone, with 4 of it done within just 3 days!

Yas. So not my usual self.

Not that I have all the time in the world to be doing so everyday. I'll just sneak in whatever I can whenever possible.

I'm confident this is just a phase. A reading frenzy phase.

I'm afraid to start binging on Korean movies and dramas next. Now this is another new interest that came from nowhere. (I've asked around and I've the list ready, I just got to find the time to binge without interruptions!).

It's just a phase, definitely a phase. Just like growth spurt in babies, maybe. We shall see.

Ok, I'll update with the book review in upcoming posts.

We're going to Yogyakarta October-end!

We, as in my husband and I.
Yes, just us two.

No kids.

First trip without kids after almost 6 long years.

What shall we expect from this trip? Not putting too high of hope, really.
We don't even know what to be put into our itinerary.
Heck we are even still contemplating to proceed with this trip.

It surely feels weird.

But we definitely need this moment to rekindle our relationship.
We're doing more parenting everyday and slacking with our marriage.

We are not alone, I'm sure.

This was a random flight purchase I did last year.
Random click on the web, random (purposely) selecting my birth date, random destination.

What luck.
RM90/pax for a return ticket to Yogyakarta.
Without hesitation, proceed with transaction.

So this is going to be our short escape from parenthood, a little honeymoon for us, and my birthday trip, all in one.

We need this.
We can do this (block-out kids physically and mentally for 4 days).
We will survive.

So let's start surveying hotels and itinerary planning.
Hurrah!!

I've not been getting enough sleep.

Mayesa hasn't been feeling well for the past few days. Life of a mother, eh.. whenever the child is unwell, you'll definitely be a sleepless mother (re:zombie) - constantly waking up to check on your sick child.

I've been cranky just as she is, snapping at almost everything that irritates me. A sleepless mother, is a monster mother; I'm sure most of you can relate to this, yes?

So I took a day off of motherhood yesterday. Each of us needs this, trust me just to redeem back a little sanity for yourself. If you haven't gotten any, please consider requesting it from your spouse. You may thank me later.

I went for an afternoon snacking session with my girl friend instead of supposedly joining a karaoke session with another group of friends that I was just too lazy tired to drive out of the neighborhood. Three hours of solo shopping, and another two hours of late night coffee with yet another girl friend.

I needed those. I feel refreshed.

But this gloomy weather ain't helping much. My mood is still as cloudy as it is today, and am longing for even more sleep, deep sleep without any disturbance.

But the girls. The girls are wide awake and full of energy. I need to tire them out so we could all have a shut eye together at once later on.

So here we are, for lunch and for hours of playtime.

Play. Play. Playyyyy. Then we sleep.

Oh how I wish it really does raining mocha. I'd sing and dance in the rain, twirling around gleefully from the increasing heart rate from gulping way too much caffeine into my system.

It's definitely a nice weather change, from way too bright and sunny to this gloomy chilly rainy season. Just that we're currently in the midst of another long school break and it's difficult for me to plan outings with my two girls in this weather. Doesn't really help either with the laundry loads; although we own a dryer at home I still don't make a full use of it. I'd only run it for half an hour at most and continue to dry the loads under the hot sun. I'm just still old school that way (mainly I don't want to ruin our clothes by spinning them too long in the dryer, especially husband's workwear that consists mostly of dryfit material)


I am currently at McDonalds with my girls for some teatime munch and a little playtime. Mayesa's been bragging me to bring her to the playground almost every afternoon, but it's either she takes a long afternoon nap or the weather does not permit us.

They're having fun at the play area now while I sit down sipping hot mocha whilst looking after them through this somewhat dirty window pane.

Tomorrow's another day off from school and I've no clue what's in plan for tomorrow just yet. Too dull to stay home yet too broke to go anywhere.

Three days of school next, and another three more days of break. Like...urghhh what are we going to do then???

Day xx of yoga - unable to exactly count how many days since I first started doing yoga considering I've stopped for a period of time every couple of weeks - I could say I'm slowly getting there, getting much stronger and more flexible as day goes by. A little slow progress on stability though, I guess I've lost my centre of gravity post-ceasarean if that's even a possibility.

Back in the first few days, I couldn't even reach my ankles, let alone my toes during a forward fold. I couldn't even hold a 10 seconds plank. I couldn't even do a simple flow nor a proper downdog.

Today, I'm pretty impressed of how far I've achieved eventhough I know it is not much to be really proud of compared to other yogis, but at least I know that I'm slowly progressing at my own pace. Not that I'm desperately aiming to be doing the full splits or the headstand anytime soon so yeah, I'm still happy with my level of achievement nevertheless.

No, no photos of my yoga progressions. I'm still so flabby and unfit to post a photo of myself in sweat. So not pleasing to the eyes.

I even started to do daily morning jogs after Mayesa's school run in the morning. My pace was just about to increase after a week of doing so but it abruptly came to a halt after the car accident I had the other day.

Yes we, as in the kids and I were involved in a little accident which I rather not elaborate here. Alhamdulillah we are fine, except for the car, which we're still waiting for the car service centre to finally let us send for repair works once our slot is made available.

The accident caught me in a traumatic state for a couple of days, that I dare not drive out much hence the end of my morning jog at the park. Yes, I could have just continued on with it, to jog, around my neighborhood but the shocking state that I was in really killed my mood and determination to jog and to even be outside of the house, even after almost a month since the accident happened.

Yoga in the comfort of my own home is the best, the safest. I'm going to commit to it - just yoga for now, although I'm gaining quick interest to be trained by my husband at the gym which I am planning to join soon once I've figured out the best schedule and the best babysitter to my second-born for a couple of hours a day.

But first, I need to get myself a new yoga mat as this current one is losing its grip and getting more slippery each day. Kids have been using it as their play mat at times too - as their own yoga mat when they decided to join me sometimes, also as their imaginary magic carpet - so yes I do need to get myself a new yoga mat pronto.

I finally finished reading Jojo Moyes' After You early this morning. It took me 3 days to get done with, could be quicker if I had nothing else up on my sleeves. *I've borrowed this book months before from my sister-in-law, and just couldn't bring myself to start flipping; but once I started I was determined to finish it quick*

Didn't get to read Me Before You though but I've watched the movie twice. Didn't even care about the movie at first but my husband who've seen it recommended it to me saying "You'll love this. It's your kind of movie, you emotional being".

He knows me best.

Reading this novel, I feel..a little depressed. You loved and lose someone - you're afraid to love fearing to lose again - sudden appearance of a daughter no one knew existed - family issues - the fear to move on with life - hospital dramas. You know that I was so into it I'm sure you could see my emotions if you were there around me whilst flipping the pages.

Yes, I am always at loss controlling my emotions. Have always been emotional towards everything, I've even been advised at times to try to keep cool and let go of it a little. It's hard, you know.

I'm attached to my emotions.

Go give it a read it you haven't done so.
I'm going to get myself a new read that's less dramatic - a good pick-me-up cheery read next.

Mayesa had her first school trip to the chocolate factory, back in March.

I know I'm backdated wayyyy too long, but it'd better be kept here now than never.
So yeah.

The trip wasn't a compulsory and no surprise that I was a little reluctant at first to let her go. She had been asking us to bring her on a bus ride around town but we kept dreading on it, distracting her towards other interests and attractions.

We decided to let her join on the school trip - to get her first bus ride, although with a heavy heart.


I teared sending her to school that morning, knowing that she'd be gone for half the day without me to a place I've never been to and with only her teachers and friends. Typical emotional mommy tears.

Alhamdulillah she got back safe and sound with joyful stories from her trip. Mama is proud of you, babygirl. Grow up well, learn and experience as much as you can. InshaAllah you will always be in safe hands, and in Allah's protection.

I've figured the easiest way to transfer my photos from my phone to my laptop, and I've done just that this morning.

I'm going through each photos now..ahhh the cuteness, the cheekiness..
Babies are adorable, no doubt.
Syukur Ya Allah atas rezeki dan kurniaan-Mu Ya Allah.




That's it.
Two babies for me. Two girls. Just two.
I'm twodotsmama.

X

I know I'm not the only one facing the same issue with iPhone.

My trusted iPhone6+ would still be in use if only the battery lasts longer. I had to charge it at least twice a day, heck I'm not even a heavy user. That got me irritated, so I passed it down to my daughters now to use it.

My husband's iPhone6 is acting up the same too. Him on the other hand, is always on his phone contacting clients, doing work reports, and social media marketing all at the same time; so his phone constantly needs to be charged since it drained so quick everytime - at work, at home, in the car, wherever, whenever. Sucks, really. Boo Apple!

I wasn't eyeing anything particular, really. As long as it serves me the basic purposes I need.

I was surprised with a Samsung S9 given by my husband couple months ago. I know he needed one and need it more than I do - I was and still am beyond blessed for a thoughtful lovely husband. Forever grateful.

*I should get him one too but my account is running low*

So far S9 is doing wonders. I know I'm more of an Android person than an iOS long ago. Not sure what gives but I just feel Apple doesn't give me enough satisfaction as much as Android does. *Y'know what I'm saying? Oh don't bother*

Now I just need to figure out the easiest method on how to transfer photos from my phone to the PC.

Goodbye Apple