| A blog on my journey as a WORK AT HOME MOM and my WORK AT HOME BUSINESS |

30 August, 2009

Work At Home Mom's Trip to Singapore

This is my first trip to Singapore via Firefly. It's time for a short break when school holidays is on. It's good for every work at home mom to escape from her daily routine and enjoy a little perk every now and then. It is a great thing to feel recharged, rejuvenated and renewed.

Though it wasn't a long break, it was enough to put a smile on my face. This is our the last month for Garage Adventures, a wonderful place where I can drop off Clayton every time I'm in Singapore. I would have to figure out how to find my 'me time' on my next trip.

Nevertheless, I made the best this trip. I had to visit the new iconic mall in Orchard road - ION Orchard and like many first timers, I was lost at the basement. I didn't have time to walk the entire mall since I wasn't too keen in the high fashion shops this trip. I spent most hours in the basement checking out the food hall - it was impressive! The style of the food hall resembles those I saw in Japan and I only wished DH was here to witness it. He is a lover of F & B! I tried out the pastry in Provence and Bread Society and was impressed with the quality and texture of the breads. The popiah I bought Clayton was so huge that it was lunch for him!

It was that I visited my dentist before I came for this trip. I could then enjoy some nice food in Sun and Moon, Toast and Canele. I was thankful I didn't need Plano porcelain veneers or any fancy treatment for my teeth though the root treatment was something I didn't looked forward to!

Next was the NATAS fair that got me excited about traveling in Nov/Dec. The promotions and travel offers were so attractive and it got some of my work at home moms thinking about taking a vacation too! With economic downturn in many parts of the world, travel is becoming cheaper and it is a great opportunity to fly and take vacations. Having said that, it is also good to be watchful with the H1N1 situation wherever you are traveling to.

After four nights in Singapore, it's time to head back home via Firefly. A good flight experience though the turbulences were bringing some anxieties at some point. I look forward to my next trip to Singapore... it's just another work at home mom's simple pleasures in life.

22 August, 2009

Work At Home Reports Clayton's First Sports Day

Here comes another busy week for the work at home mom as the school holidays begins! It's also Sports Day at Juara Cerdik today and it's Clayton's first as well.

It was good that it was done in Yuk Chai School so there wasn't much traveling for us. All the kids were geared up for action in their respective coloured PE uniforms and there was so much excitement in the air!

Though it was only a short 4 hours of fun, I could tell the children were getting restless while waiting for their turns for game time. All parents were equipped with their digital cameras and video recorders, all ready to capture memorable moments of their children in action. It was nice.

We met a few friends and familiar faces and everyone was just waiting patiently to see their children on the field. Events and gatherings like that gave me an opportunity to get to know other parents better. From business plan writer to stay at home moms, all parents came from all walks of like!

I managed to capture some shots of Clayton as he ran his best to 'bring Rollie home'. Even the parents had their share of fun when it came to parents' games time.



I must say that the school and all the teachers and helpers had done a great job for the sports day. They worked so hard to prepare for all the games, prizes, goodie bags, parent's gifts, food - may the Lord bless all of them for their hours of hard work.

With school holidays starting today, I would probably need to slow down my home business. It isn't easy keeping my boy occupied for the whole day - he just never stops until he crashes at night! That's the only time the work at home mom gets to catch up with work, emails and other things. This is what parenting is all about - it keeps me going!

19 August, 2009

Work At Home Mom Should Take Breaks

It's school holidays again next week and I suppose most work at home and stay at home moms will be busier than usual!

Perhaps the break is too short for a holiday for some but I know of some families who are taking a short weekend break in nearby destinations. Normally the year end holidays will see more families taking a longer vacation but with the current H1N1 pandemic, some have hesitated to travel.

For those who are planning to travel, you may want to compare hotels and get the best accommodation rates for you and your family. I can't say enough how convenient it is to check accommodation with the convenience of the internet technology. Whether you are searching for cheap condos in destin or cheap hotel rates in Hong Kong or anywhere else, you can get hotel rates on the spot. Unlike before, you would need to call your travel agent. And with low cost budget airlines, travel has been more affordable for many, especially those with a big family.

Even for work at home moms, a break is necessary to get recharged before moving forward to new challenges ahead. But if you don't plan to travel, doing things together as a family is just as great to rekindle bonds and relationships.

14 August, 2009

Work at Home Mom talks about Pneumonia

The work at home mom is all well and back home.

I was discharged on tuesday after responding well to 3 days of pneumonia treatment. Before this, I never had any understanding of what pneumonia is but now, my knowledge about the disease has been enriched. Alot of people, like me, have little or no knowledge of pneumonia. And because many people here in Msia died of H1N1 with underlying illness including pneumonia, they think all pneumonia patients have H1N1. This is not true at all.

The H1N1 virus attacks the lung cells directly so it is easy to have lung infection once you are infected by the virus. Lung infection means pneumonia so this explains why most patients who died of H1N1 had pneumonia and usually the severe kind.

Pneumonia can be treated by most antibiotics unless it is viral pneumonia. The common pneumonia is said to be bacteria pneumonia. Pneumonia itself is not contagious but the cold virus is. I can sense that some friends of mine were very cautious about talking to me, even though I'm well and cured. What they do not know is that their cold or flu virus is more contagious.

With the current H1N1 pandemic, it is normal to feel a little worried when someone you know is sick. The problem is, the virus can be caught in our environment. In other words, the person next to you in the shopping mall, the person sharing the same lift as you, the person who serves you your favourite char kway teow every day can be carrying the virus. At the end of the day, it's the immune system that determines how your body can fight the disease or virus.

So, promote good hygiene at home or work by washing your hands with soap and water. Carry anti bacteria gel or wipes with you if you have little children with you. They are prone to viruses and these wipes are helpful.

I am thankful to detect pneumonia early and within a day, the fever and pain was gone. I can never be more grateful to God than this. It looks like I will be treated like an alien by some friends when I attend the wedding tomorrow. I'll try not to talk to anyone in order to calm their anxieties....

And yes, the work at home mom is all well again. Thank you for all your concern. God bless.

09 August, 2009

Work At Home Mom Blogs From Hospital

For the first time, I'm blogging in a hospital for this work at home mom blog.

Well, besides giving birth to Clayton and during his first weeks as a baby, I have never been admitted to a hospital for anything. Yes, I am that blessed and fortunate. I thank God for that. But yesterday morning, a disturbing pain at my lower left rib. It was scary cos never have I had such a prolonged pain and it felt like someone was poking me from the inside. I knew I needed medical attention.

DH took me to the Sime Darby Specialist Centre for a quick consultation and I was asked to do an XRay. To our surprise, the X ray showed that I had a lung infection at the lower bit of my lungs and that indicated pneumonia. It was shocking for me cos I didn't have symptoms like a bad cough or breathing difficulties except for the morning cough which I thought was caused by my allergic rhinitis. When she told me I needed to be warded, I almost freaked out.

In tears, I went home, packed some belongings and left for the hospital. My first fear: Could it be A H1N1? When we arrived at the Damansara Specialist hospital, the wait was long with many people with masks on. I could overhear the nurse calling the ward to check if I need to be isolated after reading the doctor's letter. They must be treating me like a H1N1 suspect. Fears within me rose.

When my turn came, the not-so-friendly doctor on duty checked me and her facial expression didn't make me feel any better. I mean, why are these doctors not taught how to cheer patients up or are their jobs to intimidate patients and increase more fear in them. Don't they know that patients in A & E ward are anxious? Have they been taught anything about psychology?

I answered and asked many questions and all the time, she answered very enthusiastically... my you, this is Damansara Specialist Hospital, not some Serdang or ulu one. Anyways, I discarded her intimidating answers and expressions even though she told me that I would need to be isolated. I asked her further - if I'm tested H1N1 negative, then I don't need to be warded right? She looked at it blankly :(

The next time I was called, I was asked to do a H1N1 swab and it was the same doctor again. This time, she told me that the specialist had advised that if I was negative for H1N1, then I would be in the normal ward. Sigh! She needed the specialist to tell her that!

After couple hours of wait, the results came out negative (thank God!) and next was a blood test before being examined by the specialist. It was clear that the X Ray had indicated an infection the left lung which caused that poking pain.

The admission was smooth despite the wait and I got a private deluxe single room. What impressed me was, I found wireless connection from my phone. Thus, I rang DH to bring me my Macbook right away. I couldnt imagine being stucked here with just a few Astro channels though the room was comfy with a big sofa bed and had a nice view.

I was blessed and fortunate that our medical insurance covered the expenses and I didn't have to worry about the daily stay and tests. For many people, it would be costly and being treated in a government hospital wouldn't be the same. Also, I was thankful that the pneumonia was detected from the pain I felt cos I read that some people had no symptoms.

The pain wasn't comfortable still and I'm still waiting to talk to the doctor about the details. I'm praying that the infection cleared fast and I can be home soon. I miss my home, my son and being present a home. DH never had to take care of Clayton and getting his things ready for school and meals.... now, he would need to learn some mommy's tasks.

I'm thankful for all the prayers from my close friends and all the well wishes. I trust that I will recover well by the grace of God. Looking back, God has been merciful and has showed His love every step of the way.

With that, I give thanks.