So I was invited by my Communication team in my company to contribute a short article on how is it like to be born and raised in a multicultural family background. To be honest, it was something that I have been waiting throughout my working experience to write something like this.

Well, growing up in a family of mix cultural background is no different with other families. The only thing different is that tolerant, understanding, respect, and patience are the key essentials. There are 2 different religion under one roof so logically you think that there'll be clash of interest or dispute on how should we celebrate Chinese New Year especially when it comes to reunion dinner. It wasn't an easy journey at first for my parents but patience was the only thing that came across my parent's mind at that time until I was born, everything changed. See, cucu can make a whole lot of different :-)

Simple. Previously we used to book halal restaurants or 8 course dining at hotels. As the price keeps increasing, we resulted in organizing our own bbq or hot pot at my uncles's place. Each bbq pit or hot pot will be divided into 2 parts. One is halal and another is non-halal. The halal part is definitely for me and my family, obviously kan. Duhhh. The ingredients were also halal. So it wasn't a problem for us.

I'm quite lucky compared to some families because my dad and his siblings were brought up in a Malay kampung. So understanding some of the basic dos and don'ts in Islam is not something we need to explain to them cause they already know. Even when there's death in the family, we visited too cause it was with pure intention because they're family regardless of which religion or race you come from.

A change of religion doesn't mean you disown your family. No, it's not. In my case, me and cousins were very close from young until most of us were married and have our own commitment but we still say Hi to each other once in a while or a family gathering during festive season. It's very interesting to have different culture in your family, you get to learn each other's culture especially when it comes to FOOD!

As I mentioned previously, RESPECT is important. Don't let your ego get in your way. I mean thinking that 'Why should I follow your way?'. It's about taking in the bad and the good. No one's perfect so best is to embrace and enjoy. It's a unique experience and I will definitely pass it down to my kids.

Many weeks before entering the month of February, I won a planner contest from Perky Preen and Co. I've been following them through a friend and thought of trying my luck. And luck was certainly on my side.

They have a wide selection of planners for you to choose from and they also can customize according to your preference. I believe these planners will make a great gift for your loved ones. Apart from fulfilling local orders, they also ship their planners worldwide. I used to have those plain black, boring planners back in university days where I jot down most of my meetings, classes, datelines.

With so many choices of planners today, they are not limited to only writing boring meeting dates but you can also add in stickers, colorful sticky pads. That's why this planner has.






They have stickers of all sorts for you to stick in your planner. Isn't it cool?






They also have games like below or Sudoku for you to past your time while writing your planner. Colorful and fun at the same time.

Now that I have this quirky planner, I have no more excuse to not jot down important events or occasion in my life. To view more of their planners, visit their official IG page Perky Preen and Co

I have been avoiding myself from using alcohol-based toner on my skin because I noticed that it dries up my skin and it felt harsh too. Although it is said to be useful on pimples and acne, in order to get rid of the bacteria contained in the pus.

There are few reasons on why you should start practicing alcohol-free toner/astringent based toner:

Less Irritation
The job of a good toner is to get rid of the damage that appears on the surface of your skin. However, a toner that contains alcohol will only further irritate your skin, resulting in redness and inflammation. An alcohol-free toner is much more gentle, and will allow the surface of your skin to heal.

Balance pH
If you use a bar of soap or foaming face wash that might dry out the skin due to their low PH balance, a toner will help counteract the dryness that occurs.

Enhance
Depending on the ingredients used in the toner, they can help calm, control oil, stimulate blood circulation, destroy acne-causing bacteria, provide anti-oxidant benefits and more.



Previously, I've been using a different brand for my toner. It was good but it doesn't help in terms of my aging concern. So I decided to give COSRX a try since I've been reading a lot of good reviews about it online.

Galactomyces Alcohol-Free Toner uses the ground-breaking Galactomyces fermentation techonology for maximum results which include nourishment, moisturization, renewal,and toning effects.

What I love about this toner is that, it doesn't contain perfume and colorless. It comes in a 150ml spritz bottle but I poured into a smaller bottler so that it's easier for my to pack it in my luggage and for daily use as I will know how much should I use on cotton face. I use it in my daily skin regime Wash > Tone> Serum > Moisturize

So far, Korea based products has not disappoint me. Although the effect takes longer time compared to Western brand, it doesn't leave any harsh residue or sensitive effect on my skin and they feel smoother as well.

The one thing that irritates a pregnant lady is when people start to comment everything about you and your to-be-born baby. I can't run from that too for the past 9 months. Don't take it too personally cause apparently when you're pregnant, everyone around you are doctors -__-'. So layankan aje. The common thing people say to you:



You can't be pregnant 7 months. You belly is too small.
It means that your tummy is too small if you're 7 months pregnant. It all comes back to the size of the mother herself. Like me, I'm a petite size so definitely my stomach won't be as bulgy as some pregnant mothers.

Eh, you baby underweight la. Nanti kena masuk incubator
For as long as your gynae confirm that the baby weight is okay. Don't take too serious on what people comment on that part. They're not trained gynae. Hospital will not simply put your baby into incubators unless they're premature babies.

Oh baby girl. Kalau anak first baby boy, best la.
Firstly, they're not God so they can't decide if they wanna give you a baby boy or a girl. Secondly, for as long as your baby is healthy, alhamdulillah it is. With so many diseases nowadays, you should be grateful that you baby is in good shape. Don't be sad about it cause some people were not given the opportunity to feel what it is like to have a baby, let alone to be pregnant. So you're one of the chosen one okay.

You got baby boy ar, hhmmm be prepared la
Not all baby boy are 'naughty' or uncontrollable as what people normally tells you. It all boils down on the discipline and upbringing. Babies are born with different character. You decide on how you wanna shape them/ So don't worry about this. If you do things right, everything will turn out a-ok.

Wait la when you have babies. everything also you wanna buy for the baby
IT'S A LIE. It all depends on your nafsu. Like me, I buy what is practical, easy and necessary for me to use as a working mother. For example, I don't buy baby stuffs just because they're cute or colorful or because I 'geram' wanna buy. I buy WHAT IS NEEDED. I don't print money okay so all cost needs to be consider. But I do 'splurge' on hospital. You wanna be comfortable at your most vulnerable time.

Our trip to Muar was back in November 2016. It was because my dad wanted to visit my sister in Muar and also because I wanted to go for a last road trip before I deliver and get imprison during confinement for 2 months. It was just me, my mum and my dad. It wasn't a peak period at that time so we managed to secure a room for the 3 of us. My sister slept over with us on the 2nd night.

Ok back to the main subject. I'm turning 9 months in a week time and that marks the almost-the-end journey of my pregnancy and where the WAITING games starts. You know what, I felt some mild contraction while waiting for everyone to arrive yesterday as parking was a problem at the cafe so we decided to carpool. It was an uncomfortable feeling. It feels like you're having your usual period cramp. I think so, cause I never had cramps before. I was indecisive to whether cancel the whole plan or just to go ahead with it. But at the back of my mind, there was a 50-50 chance of me getting into labor this soon cause doctor has been giving me positive feedback on my pregnancy growth. So I don't see anything unusual signs kicking in. But hey, you never know if this little one decided to join in the celebration too.

My feet starts to swollen but it's not obvious cause I have what they call it, 'kulit nipis' so you can't differentiate it. But my fingers are slightly swollen that I can't actually fit into my engagement ring but I force it in too -__- . It feels weird to have bare fingers without anything on it. Baby starts to stretch a lot in the tummy because of the limited space he has in my uterus. Has been actively stretching in the day as well as during my bed time. He is soooo active that I hardly have enough sleep for the past few weeks. So I became a Sleeping Beauty the next day.

If you ask me what do I feel now? One word, NERVOUS. As I do not know what to expect, I'm focusing on reading and researching on how to control my breathing to ease the contraction pain and not being panic when the day comes. But sometimes, I just don't want to think about it and just think about it later when it is time for labor. I always pray my labor will be as smooth as my pregnancy journey. I can't be more grateful than having a great pregnancy experience throughout these 9 months. I've been blessed with a great health and just normal morning sickness. My journey was not as bad as some mummy-to-be who had to endure severe morning sickness or other symptoms through their 9 months of bearing their child.



It's weird how God can turn something bad into good in a matter of time. It's a mystery. And this pregnancy has taught to be even more grateful with what I have and what I've been blessed with. I learn to see the small things or small events as blessing in disguise. I see who my real friends are and what they meant to me. I learn how to appreciate my mum even more thinking of the hardship that she had to go through in raising her family, now that I'm becoming a mummy myself. I realized it wasn't easy and sometimes I take her for granted. I learn to appreciate my marriage even more than it was last time. I learn that you can't do everything by yourself cause you're not a Superwoman. You are at your weakest when you're pregnant, as you're not able to do and move like you were childless.

When you're pregnant, it makes you realize that the world is not as complicated as you thought. It's how you perceive the world. All that matter was your family and you want the best for them. Nothing else matters. Having a kid is a LIFETIME commitment. You can't undo what have been done. It's not like buying a car or getting a house. I've always thought that I will never be ready to raise a child but then again, if you were to wait, you'll never be ready for anything in life. It takes COURAGE to start something and you have to start somewhere right. Am I ready for a marriage last time? No, I wasn't. Everyone knows that MARRIAGE is a gamble but it's one of the many risk that you take in life. You'll never learn if you don't make mistake. But you know, I'm very happy and grateful that I have such great husband who never complains, a great mum and dad and a sister who always there to listen. Yes, we do fought at times but fighting means you get to learn more about them. You get to align everyone in the same goal and objectives.

Pregnancy also taught me to not take things or people for granted. It makes you feel humble. It makes you feel that life is soooo fragile that good things can be taken away from you anytime. I feel so bless to be able to carry this little one for a whole of 9 months. It changed me into a better person and taught me to be humble and patience and that you don't have control over everything. Yes, pregnancy really test your patience -__- You don't lose anything by being a nice person. Instead you gain more in life.

At the end of the day, whether you're pregnant or not, you have the choice to be who you want to be. The decision you make today will definitely have an impact on you in your next 50 years. So don't wait until it's too late to be a good person.

Have you heard about Tao Bao before. The famous Chinese 'Lazada' that people have been talking about? Well, EZBuy Malaysia is an English translated version of Tao Bao where you can purchase everything under one roof but at a lower price. Like lowwwwwwww. You'll go cray cray for this I tell you. Except that you might need your Chinese friend to translate some of the words in the website.

So how did I ended up purchasing something from EZBuy Malaysia? My office does not provide microwave for us to heat up our food and I've been eating cold food for the past 3 years. I know it's not healthy but I had no choice. I will normally heat them up at home and bring it to the office. So I had to find a way to retain the heat so that I can still enjoy my food warm during my lunch time.

Been searching for a good insulated food jar around but most of them were too small. So I searched through EZBuy Malaysia and found Supor Insulated food jar that has 3 sub compartment in it. Although it's bulky but the layer of the jar that is important to keep the food warm and fresh. You can also bring it for picnic or keep your baby food warm or hot.

Memang best pakai this food insulated jar. It comes with 3 plastic container inside the jar. 2 medium size and 1 smaller size.

I'm almost reaching the end of my first pregnancy. How do I feel if you ask me. Eermm. Nervous, happy, scared, unknown. It's more towards:

'How will my life be after this little one is out?'
'Will my breast milk be enough?' 
'How do I plan to raise him?'
'Will he be healthy enough?'
'Which nursery do I want to place him?'
'Do I still have my ME time after having a baby?'
'Will I have enough sleep?'

The question are far more than what I listed and I understand that every women goes through a process of being a First Time Mother syndrome. I would say that I will definitely miss being pregnant. Being able to feel what it is like being kicked and punched from the inside. It's a feeling you can't explain. You'll even wonder 'How did I do that?'.

I've been through a smooth pregnancy for the whole of 9 months. Alhamdulillah. No complications or what so ever. Just the usual morning sickness, tiredness, sleepy, baby actively kicking and I do walk a lot throughout this process. I still do house chores as usual but at a slower pace because I didn't want to put unnecessary pressure on my body. As of work, I took it one step at a time. Whenever my work load is a lot, I'll take some break in between in order to not strain my mental and physical condition.

Juan has been supportive throughout this whole journey, so does my family. Whenever my parents come over, they would help me with some of the house work especially the laundry. Juan has been helping a lot in cooking dinner, washing the dishes, preparing my breakfast, He has been in charge of my diet for the past 9 months and making sure that I consume my supplement provided by the clinic like Vitamin B complex, Folic Acid, Vitamin C and Iron tablets.