Something's Gotta Give

I have been with my current employer (and current department) for the past 10 years. Yes, it was my first job out of uni and I've never looked back. I really enjoy my work because I find it a new and revolutionary area, and I take pride in my work. There's not one day where I don't leave the office feeling that I have accomplished something.

Of late, this feeling has been more muted. I realised that after all these years, I'm ready to move on to something bigger. I have only been looking at Malaysia and Vietnam, and it's no longer challenging. I spoke to my regional head last year and he promised me to move me into a bigger role. I have already identified and started grooming my successor.

Just last month during our my annual appraisal, he told me that he would like me to move out to Singapore in the second half of this year to take on a regional role. This is a fanstastic opportunity for me and it will open many other doors since most of the Group-level functions operate out from the Lion City.

Having many discussions with VT, I have decided that I will give this opportunity a miss, for the following reasons:

1) It's difficult for VT to find a job in SG in this line of work where contacts are vital. It would be like starting all over again for him. That's unfair to him.
2) With baby #2 on the way in July, that makes moving country even more difficult
3) Rental of apartment and hiring of maid & babysitter would leave us financially-drained

And the main reason is:

I don't want to move and find out that everyone ends up being miserable just because I wanted career advancement. Family is and has always been my primary priority. This is the moment when I need to prove it. And there would be no regrets because at the end my life, work is nothing but a means of putting food on the table (and Astro on TV!) but family, now that's EVERYTHING!

Tag: I Don't Know What This Tag Is Called

Giddy Tigers tagged me on this.

What is your blogging name?
Bryan's Mama - just how original is that? (not!)

When did you start blogging, exact date?
20 June 2006 on this current blog but started blogging about Bryan in another site even before he was born!

What was your first title?
Prologue: Here I Am

Which posting do you feel is the best post so far?
None in particular since the postings are not meant to be creative masterpieces. Just my ramblings.....

Who promotes/is the source of inspiration for you to blog?
Myself since I love to talk but nobody listens!

When dya usually post entries?
Weekends when I'm at home

Where would you prefer to be when you are blogging?
Anywhere without a toddler clamouring over me

Have you met other bloggers? Who?
Jazzmint

How many entries you made in a month?
On average, maybe about 4-5

Would you reveal your face or your family in your blog? Why?
Don't see why not. I would post more photos of myself if I was slimmer though.....

Would you promote your friends to blog? Why?
Blogging is personal to me. As the old-age adage goes, "One man's meat is another man's poison".

Would you feel restless/guilty conscious/incomplete if you didn’t blog for a month?
Not particularly

Define blogging.
Outlet for one to say things on the web to people whom you don't really know but cares a whole lot!

Watch Out For Them "EYES"

I did a fair bit of driving around the PJ area today - running errands and doing my own stuff. What really caught my attention was the number of "EYES" there were on the road. Usually in groups no more than 4 persons, to catch errant drivers (jumped the light, talking on the mobile phone without a handsfree kit, not buckling up). Then it loomed on me that CNY is close! Ah, every year is the same. So watch out folks!

Now, What Have I Been Up To?

VT's company trip to Bangkok, which I had been dreading, has come and gone with much relief on my part. Highlights while he was away for that 5 days:

1) Bryan napped for only 1/2 hour both Sat & Sunday, to my dismay
2) Bryan didn't want my parents, just clinged to me when we were staying over
3) Got into a minor accident with a car fender on the road left behind by someone
4) Spent one night of leisure when I parked Bryan with my PIL
5) Managed to coax Bryan to walk up the stairs by himself on other nights
6) Totally exhausted at the end of the 5 days!

I really admire single parents!!!!!!!

On the other hand, I'm looking forward to tomorrow because:

1) It's my monthly check-up at the ob-gyn
2) Going to Tesco to do some grocery shopping in peace
3) Getting my hair trimmed ahead of CNY
4) Possibly getting a pediacure

And today, PM says that Wednesday (Thaipusam) may be a national holiday!!

Online Shop for Toys & Books

I was just reading Sharine's post on wooden toys and it reminded me about my good friend's online shop - MyToysandBooks. She studied Commerce with me at Uni but she taught Montessori at kindergardens in the UK for a few years before returning to Malaysia. I find that her shop stocks a wide array of toys (including lots of wooden ones) and books. So if you're free, browse her online catalog ok?

Baby's Lunch

This is a back-dated post

Most of my friends are now working & living in Singapore. When they returned to KL for Xmas/New Year, we just had to meet up especially those with babies. The ones who have children are relatively more close-knit; I suppose we have even more things in common to talk about. We decided to have post-Xmas brunch at the Marmalade Cafe at Bangsar Village II. Bryan fell asleep in the car while we were hunting for a car park lot so we had a good 45mins to catch up with our friends (whose kiddos were also napping!). Such bliss!!

When the kids all woke up, that's when the chaos started. Bryan kept wanting to eat french fries, which we allow if we're eating out since his weekday meals are extremely balanced & healthy. He had a good time socialising with the other toddlers who are all roughly the same age. Of course, his favourite activity was to run around the restaurant and the neighbouring boutique. Quite pai seh as that shop sells expensive T-shirts and here is my son, leafing through the clothes with his oily fingers!

We had a great time though lunch was less than 2hours since everyone was exhausted having to chase after their respective toddlers (mine much more than the rest!!).

And Still Looking.....

Here I am, still looking for a confinement lady. A few kind people gave me their contacts but the CLs are all booked for the month that I need them. Talk about July being a popular month to deliver!!! I am quite tired of calling and calling so I think I'm just going to get one from the agency. Keep my fingers & toes crossed that the CL will at least be clean, kind to the baby and not give him/her tranquiliser!!

The Great Big Hunt

I have been on the look-out for a confinement lady to take care of me when I deliver at end July this year. Healthfreak Mummy has passed a contact to me but she has not tried her before. I am not using my previous confinement lady because of a few reasons:

(1) She sleeps with the baby on her chest
(2) She loves to hold and rock the baby, even when the baby isn't fussing
(3) She's quite kay-poh; for instance, when we have visitors she will sit down and participate in our conversations
(4) She has got bad BO!!

My elder sis-in-law's confinement lady was even worse because she stole things from the house (she was sacked after one week), and my #2 SIL didn't use one. So, as you can see I'm quite lost.

If anyone has a "tried-and-tested" confinement lady who DOES NOT have attributes of the above, I would be grateful if you could pass her contact details to me.

Thanks in advance!

What An Earful!

I just spent 45mins listening to my little boy wail and cry. This cannot, that cannot - aiyah, don't know what he wants. Of late, he has been napping only once a day during weekends when he's with VT & I, and only for about an hour. So he gets really cranky before 7pm and will asks for his milk, which signifies that he wants to go to sleep. Usually after his milk, we will brush teeth and then climb onto the bed. But tonight, he just started crying and wailing with huge tears streaming down his face. I thought it was teething pain as he was drooling more than usual today. Tried searching for the Orajel but couldn't find it. Ah, bugger it!

Then I picked him up and walked to the window and we looked outside for a while. Bryan stopped crying for 30 seconds then started again. I brought him back to bed and listened to about 10mins of "symphony" before he konked out. Now I also feel like sleeping - tired already!

Why do you have crazy, unexplainable moments like this? Perhaps it will get better once he learns how to talk and is able to communicate his wants to me. Meanwhile, I think I better prepare myself for more concerts!