eHomemakers Malaysia

           Cordelia and Joy invited me to share my story as a seven-day challenger attempting the challenge in Heartation. As a first-timer, I was quite nervous speaking on Facebook live. There wasn't any rehearsal either. The first time I spoke to Joy was a few minutes before the live feed.       The mindfulness and the sound challenge were indeed interesting. Having done meditation before, it was not too difficult for me to be more aware of my surroundings. Once in a while, I needed such a reminder to slow down and see things from a unique perspective. For the entire week, I would receive WhatsApp notifications of different tasks to be completed every day for the challenge.      So why did I decide to go on Facebook live? I felt it was time for me to challenge myself to do something out of my comfort zone.      Having done it, I realised there were areas I could improve upon to be a better speaker. For me to gr...

     As Chinese New Year is fast approaching, I am reminded of the true meaning of Chinese New Year. It is not about the buying of new clothes, fireworks, and the gluttony of festive food. Instead, it is being together with our family.      Because of its once-a-year occasion, it is a good time to remind ourselves of family ties and relationships. With the Covid-19 still going on, let us not forget that Chinese New Year will still arrive every year, but a loved one, after he or she is gone, we will not see them anymore.      Therefore, for this Chinese New Year, concentrate on the positive and be thankful that we still have people around us who are still living and healthy. A reminder of not taking things for granted. Though we may not get together or meet up this year, remember our health and their health are more important at this point of time. Prioritising on what matters in the long run instead of what we would miss out during this Chin...

          We are all going to die.      It was the second time the same person in the Whatsapp group I belonged to; sent such a message.      I could feel so much negativity in just one message.      The COVID-19 pandemic has been going on for about a year now and things do not seem to improve. People are getting more anxious. Every day, negative messages seem to flood under the chat column of my Whatsapp. There are days I skip reading the messages altogether.      We should not let fear get to us. Yes, the situation may seem critical. However, what are we doing about it? There is no use complaining and getting pessimistic over the problem without doing something. Our negative reaction will only give more power to external circumstances and influences. When we complain and whine every day, our emphasis will be on negativity and how powerless we are towards the situation. By continuously doing so, w...

             The first time I saw the poster, I asked myself whether I should apply. Writing fiction isn’t exactly what I do. Also, with the Covid-19 pandemic going around, is taking part in a workshop with others a good idea?  However, as I am writing my memoir, I thought it would be fun to apply and just see where it would take me. Besides, there are not many writing workshops in Penang which are fully sponsored for beginners. It might also be a good opportunity for me to meet up with other writers.   I submitted my one and only fiction. I wrote it in 2018 whilst I was bored staying at home. If I am not mistaken, I was still recovering from one of my surgeries at that time.  On the 5th October 2020, as I opened an email from Nutmag:- Thank you for your application to the Chevening Writers Series. I am delighted to confirm your place for the full series, Fiction Track.           ...

         I measured the shortening and water, then added them into the premix flour. It is always prudent to measure everything before mixing them together. Wearing a sterilized glove, I began my work with the mixture.       Last year I made pandan flavoured mung bean snow skin mooncake and oreo cheese. This year I opted for the plain red bean and lotus paste for filling.      As my hand moved to knead the dough, I realised the mid-autumn festival celebration this year will be different from last year. In 2019, my sister could return from Singapore. Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus situation, most likely she could not do so this time.      Even though our family doesn’t really celebrate the festival, for the Chinese, we associate it with reunion and togetherness. Snow skin mooncake with red bean filling Snow skin moon cake with pandan flavoured mung bean filling     “I...

      Someone lent me a book by Dr. Edith Eva Eger, “The Choice”. Having already read Viktor Frankl’s book, “Man’s Search For Meaning” years ago, ( see my previous article  Man's Search For Meaning ) I had the curiosity in me to see what this book had to offer or if it was any different from “Man’s Search For Meaning”.       Viktor Frankl was already an adult and a psychiatrist when he was detained in Auschwitz. His book written in 1946 and later translated into English.  In contrast, the Nazis brought Edith to Auschwitz at a tender age of 16 years old. She dreamt of being a ballerina and competing at the Olympics. However, her dreams were crushed as a result of racism and later detention at that horrifying place. Both her mother and father were killed on the first day of arrival.     Many were beaten, tortured and executed. As there were hardly enough food, out of desperation, some had even resorted to cannibalism, eating the fles...

I have been encouraged by Cordelia Lee to explore my creative side, she has inspired me to use poetry as a form of self-expression. I find that poetry allows me to express myself in a different way. Though I have to admit, it is still a struggle for me to find the words to express myself.     Recently, I was moved for the first time to submit my poetry for an anthology      http://www.singlitstation.com/thousandcranes . (Image of poster taken from singlitstation.com)   The theme and subject matter somewhat speak to me.   The topic of coping with illnesses and death can be a taboo topic and yet all of us will die one day. On the other hand, if we were given a life of immortality without pain and suffering, can we truly live? Will we appreciate our moments in life and the opportunities given to us? Or do we feel empty without a purpose?   Indeed, this is not an easy question to answer. I felt good after writing the poem. It ...