by Penny on January 14, 2010
In the last one week when work has been busy, I suddenly got bitten by the travel bug. I now long for a family vacation…maybe it’s the fact that I need not apply for leave and can go anytime I want! Having said that, it’s not exactly anytime for me too, as I need to first establish the business I’m in. But it sure makes planning a bit easier not having to juggle annual leave with timing of promotional air fares and hotels, etc.
Since the year started, I have been talking with Ryan about Disneyland. I told him that I want to bring him to see the “real” Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and that they are found at Disneyland. I said I’ll bring him next year. I feel it is achievable if I work at it now and make sure I verbalise it too so that I will keep working on it and not forget it so easily.
So everyone reading this post will be my witness for this goal ahead ya? If I don’t talk about going to Disneyland next year, prompt me and make sure I go! 
I would choose the original Disneyland to go to in the US if I can. And since I’ve never been there, it’ll be nice to do a tour in the country before we make the long journey back home. I’ve heard that Outer Banks is quite a nice and quiet place to visit and there are the occasional promotional Outer Banks vacation rentals I’ve heard of. Then of course there’s Las Vegas too but with Ryan around, maybe it’s not the best place to go to for now.
Anyone wants to join me in planning a family trip soon? I can help to keep a check on your travel goals just as you do mine!
by Penny on January 11, 2010
Since starting out on my own in the last 2 weeks, I’ve been leaving my online world far behind. By that I mean my blogs and also my blog shop. It’s a little unfortunate as I really love being online, but I guess as I start out, I need to make time for all the things I need to get in place and sacrifice some of the other things that I enjoy doing.
I’ve also been sacrificing the hours at home and to the point of not being able to see Ryan for 2 days in a row. I come home late at night, pass his bedtime and leave the next morning before he’s awake. Some of the hours during my weekend were also spent on work and off I went again without spending time with him.
Sometimes I console myself by telling myself that this is the beginning stage and once I’ve managed to get past establishing a comfortable level, time will be on my side and I will reach my objective of having more time and being more financially rewarded for my efforts. I truly believe this and that’s what keeps me going.
However, having said all that, I do find that the last 2 weeks’ experiences have been nothing short of exciting. I’ve learned a lot of different things and have thrown myself out of my comfort zone by doing things I’ve never done before. I’m learning about things related and non-related to what I do as a result of talking and listening to others as they speak. I would never have expected to listen for half an hour to someone talk on and on about Anilox, never would’ve learned about how cheaply one can print their business cards, and even listening to how some people manage to buy property after property!
I guess from now on as I meet more and more people, I can expect to be learning lots more in the days to come…and hopefully I get settled soon in my desired working hours. It sure takes discipline (lots of it!) and hard work. But it’s all going to be worth my while and sacrifices for now…
by Penny on January 8, 2010
On Cyber Monday I was chatting with a friend online about my new direction in my career path. I told her that I had quit my job and will be running my own business. I shared with her that the biggest driving force for my decision for such a change is because of motherhood.
I want more freedom in time so that I can have more time for Ryan. Then of course there’s the opportunity for better financial gains as compared to being an employee too.
But since I went full steam on my own in just a week and a half, I found that it’s so ironic that I actually get to spend LESS time with Ryan because I have full day schedules and even out at night and sometimes working over the weekend.
But then again I suppose this is a short term thing, and also because it’s a starting point for me to get my footings right first. Once I achieve a level where I’m able to settle down and manage my time better, I should be able to achieve my objective of having more time.
Having said that, so far it’s been a great journey of learning as well as developing a new way to see and gain different perceptions of things. It’s definitely a great journey and though busy, I’m totally having fun!
by Penny on January 2, 2010
Ryan has always been an inquisitive child and I’ve enjoyed the questions he asks. He’s now 2 years and 4 months and he knows his alphabets (well, singing his ABCs, that is), counts up to 10 without assistance and up to 20 with some help, knows colours and his all time favourite is purple, speaks in long sentences and carries a tune rather well for a little guy his age.
Lately, the more difficult questions have come. From asking what us object names which is easy peasy to answer, he now asks questions that I need to think hard to answer.
Last week he asked me what is love. Then yesterday he asked me what is “around”, “everything” and “anything”. To us it’s an easy word. But try explaining those words to a kid! But I do answer his questions no matter how difficult it is to try to make him understand. I don’t know if he understands me but he still uses the words correctly anyway.
He is very curious, and tends to ask a lot more these days. Whenever he sees anything that seems extraordinary to him, he would ask the what, how, why questions. When he saw a car parked on the side of the highway needing roadside assistance, he asked what was the uncle doing. He also asked me why there are so many clouds in the sky. When he watches Barney, he would ask for the names of the kids and ask why he said this or that. So I’ve really got to pay attention sometimes in order to answer his questions properly.
This is getting real fun although tricky…but it sure is fun still for us to learn how far along he has come!
by Penny on December 30, 2009
It was my last day at work yesterday. Since the day I resigned, I was counting the days and looking forward to my last day. All the 2 months of waiting for the last day was building up the excitement in me. Then came the last day, finally. I thought I’d be over the moon. But when the time came closer and closer to the end of the day at work, I found myself reminiscing the good times I’ve had, and the many wonderful friends I’ve made there. Suddenly the euphoria was drowned and I was a little sadden…
But soon I was reminded by those close to me that a new life begins today and that my friends will never really be gone too. That’s true, and many of the good friends I made there have also left and started anew some place else, and we’re still friends. Perhaps it was just memories I was holding dear, and they should make me feel happy instead of sad!
Anyway, it’s a fresh start for me now. A big change in life. It’s as if I’ve flipped on the toggle switches to a new chapter and it all unfolds now. Wish me luck! 
by Penny on December 28, 2009
Merry Christmas! How was your holiday? Or are you still on holiday as you read this?
Our Christmas was alright. Ryan was one happy little boy who exclaimed for 3 days in a row since Christmas day that it was his “Special Day”. All because he got to unwrap so many Christmas gifts!
He not only tore off his own present wrappers eagerly, he also helped practically everyone to tear off their Christmas present wrappers! Nevertheless, we enjoyed watching him do so with so much joy and anticipation on his happy face.
Christmas shopping prior to the celebrations were a bit of a rush for me. All because I didn’t quite know exactly what to get for everyone. It’s the first time ever I was shopping like a headless chicken! On the last day that I managed to find some time to go shop, I was frantically thinking and going through one thing after another to either eliminate or put into the shopping basket. I didn’t even bother looking for barcode scanners even if the items didn’t have price tags on them, just as long as I find something suitable! Crazy, huh? How did you enjoy your Christmas shopping?
The new year will be upon us in just a couple of days. Any grand celebrations to welcome the new year?
