Thoughts

Random thoughts, reflections and dreams

My Resolutions for 2015

Resolutions for 2015

Resolutions for 2015

2015 is the year for massive change in our life.  For once I’ll be able to have some time to myself while ALL the kids  are in  morning school.

I’m embarking on a few new challenges in addition to the Weight Lost Challenge  that I announced in October.  I’m doing a  de-clutter challenge and also a healthy eating one as I re-sync myself  in plan with my  healthy living motto.

Why start on a De-clutter Challenge?

I’ve been hording too many things in the house which has collected dust since they were purchased.   Art material that I had purchased remain untouched as I haven’t really been doing much crafts with them as I’m not really an artsy person.

Bento  making equipment  and Cookie cutters by the  dozen  which were bought  to create lunch boxes for the kids have been under utilized. The boys do not fancy bringing  lunch boxes to school and would rather purchase food from the canteen instead.  I’ve decided to use the equipment to make fancy lunches or dinners for the kids instead since they return home for lunch on most afternoons.

The kids have a lot of story books  which have been passed down to them from friends with older kids or relatives.  There are so many books that they have been cluttering  our bookshelf which they do not read. I have yet to go through each of the books in the cupboard to see if they are still suitable for the kids to read or need to be given away to free up space in that cupboard.

Why  another Healthy Eating Challenge?

Even though we have stepped up on eating more natural foods at home there is quite a lot that I have to learn.  It has been difficult to lose weight last year due to the fact that I may not have been eating right for my body type. I will be actively tuning my diet to get the best out of it and get to my desired weight.  The kids too will need to cut out more processed and junk foods from their diet as it will certainly be beneficial to them in the long run.

If you do have any recommendations on healthy eating plans for kids/adults  do drop me an e-mail or leave me a comment below .

Last year I wrote down 10 things that I was looking forward to and in my 2014 reflection post  I managed  cross off many on that least and hope to do the same at the end of this year.

Here are some of the things that  I am looking forward to in 2015

  1. Completing all my challenges . ( Healthy Eating, Weight lost and Declutter)
  2. Improving my photography  skills.
  3. Learn more dishes to try out with the kids.
  4. Brush up on my French and Japanese
  5. Going  on a couple trip with R.
  6. The kids being able to speak Mandarin and Cantonese more fluently.
  7. Engage the kids more in bible reading and learning about values.
  8. Do more crafts and outdoor activities with the kids.

What resolutions have you set for 2015?

 

 

My 2014 in Review

2014 in Review

2014 in Review

 

2014 is almost over and the kids will be back in school come Friday when the new school year starts.  Another year has passed and looking back at the 212 posts that have been posted this year I have a lot to be grateful about.

The kids have gone a year without visiting the doctor and have had many wonderful experiences with friends and family.  We have been able to spend time with the people that we care deeply for and were blessed with the gifts that we received from GOD.

Looking at the resolutions which I made in January  I’m glad that I’ve managed to cross out  most of the items  that were on that list.

(This is what I posted earlier on in January )

1. R getting his bike licence. He is currently learning how to ride a motorcycle and aims to get his licence by year end.

R was not able to achieve this as there were changes to his work plans and he had to travel more this year.  He is also currently working on a project overseas so has to shelve getting his bike licence temporarily. 

2. Tiger girl being able to swim a short distance without support/floats. She just started her swimming lessons at YMCA and loving it.
Tiger girl is able to swim about two length underwater before surfacing for air. 

 

3. Me getting back to my targeted weight of 60kg. I have started a new exercise routine with my personal trainer W and aim to exercise at least 3 times a week during my lunchtime break.

This has YET to be achieved and really progressing at Snails pace. I’ve started on a more disciplined regime with the prize of a holiday trip  to see the Sakura flowers when I get to my desired weight.  I’m also documenting my weight lost efforts over at the other blog- Rachel Dominique.

4. Holiday with the family.

This year we went on three holidays with the kids. We brought them to Hongkong, China , Bintan and Penang and really had a fun time bonding with them.

5. Monkey boy passing his Grade 4 Piano Practical exam.

Money boy passed his Grade 4 Piano Practical exam and got a Merit.  He will be sitting for his Grade 5 Piano Practical exam come 2015 while Doggie boy will be attempting Grade 2 Theory.

6. Both Monkey boy and Doggie boy being able to engage in a game of badminton with me.

We didn’t get around to play badminton together  with their dad constantly away. It was  difficult for me to watch Tiger girl while playing  playing badminton with the boys outdoor. In the end we ended up going swimming more often as all the kids could enjoy swimming together.

7. Me finding the path that God wants me to be on and fully understanding his plans for me.

I find that this is an ongoing process for me as one will never be able to fully understand what he has in store for me when I meet up with him after I completed my journey here on earth. I have however joined a bible study group and am actively seeking knowledge through scripture readings and sharing sessions.

8. Crossing out all my monthly goals and to-do-lists.

I have been able to do this quite easily as I’m quite consistent in following through what I have set out to do.

9. Upgrading my phone from the present HTC to a better camera phone. (Maybe I will get a iPhone 5s like R’s)

I got a better model HTC phone to use since my previous one “died” on me and am loving it’s dual camera functions which allows me to take pictures with the kids.

10. Both boys actively helping out and cooking in the kitchen so that I can delegate one weekday to them and only have to cook for the remaining 4 weekdays.

I’ve started to teach Doggie boy how to cook simple dishes and get both the boys to help out more in the kitchen. However I think it will take a bit more time before they will be able to be confident enough to prepare meals for the family on a regular basis.

Tiger girl and me

Tiger girl and me

 

Key Reflection point for 2014

2014 has been a really challenging year for me. There has been a lot changes to my routine with change of school for Tiger girl and change of job for R.

Having done solo parenting for most of the year there I have encountered many challenging moments. I had been  trying to make sure everything is running smoothly with minimal hiccups and it sure wasn’t easy.

Procrastination and  being lazy has made me waste time and lose out on opportunities to do more with the kids or for myself.

On hindsight there had been many more things which I would have like to have done with the kids if I was more disciplined . I’m not going to be over concerned about this weakness of mine but be more mindful to be more focused come 2015.

I guess that everyone does have their own  area of weakness to work on. I have identified mine as my attitude towards keeping fit and  will work towards further eliminating the time wasters that have been lingering  around in my life.

How has 2014 been for you?