The start of the week brought a mix of relief and celebration for my daughter, Cass. After a grueling three-hour session for the Pearson Test of English (PTE) online competition, she received her score: a remarkable 82 out of 90. This places her firmly in the “Advanced” range of the PTE Academic scoring scale, which…
Category: Cassandra
Balancing Act: SPM and Pearson Test of English (PTE) Finals
Today marked a major milestone for Cass, as her SPM journey commenced with the Chinese oral test. As part of the first group, she was out of the house by 6:45 a.m. and back home before 9 a.m. While her classmates will be taking their turns throughout the rest of the week, the main written…
My Last Parents’ Day After 15 Years
Today may be a Sunday, but it wasn’t a sleep-in day for us — Cass had to be at school bright and early for Parents’ Day and report card collection. As one of the official photographers for the school (she’s in the Photography Club this year), she had to be there early to capture the…
A Peachy Chicken Chop and the Cost of Dreams
Cass’s lunner (lunch + dinner) yesterday was a delicious yet simple homecooked meal — air-fried chicken chop with tomatoes and blanched broccoli. The chicken was marinated with a mix of teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, a bit of oyster sauce, Lea & Perrins, black pepper, minced garlic, dried rosemary, and my secret twist — St. Dalfour’s…
Silver Shine at Skate Malaysia 2025 – Cass’s Big Day on Ice
Yesterday was Cass’s big day — Skate Malaysia 2025, the event she had been preparing for tirelessly for over a month. All the hours spent training, all the sacrifices, and all the juggling between school and skating came down to that one performance. And honestly, I think I was more nervous than she was, not…
The Great Chocolate Chip Heist
Besides butter and ice-creams, Cass also has a serious love affair with chocolate. She especially loves chocolate chips generously scattered on cakes and cookies. So it came as no surprise when I brought home a loaf of double chocolate cake topped with a layer of shiny, sugary chocolate chips, and she immediately asked, “Can I…
Burning the Midnight Oil
This semester, Sherilyn is back at it—running on sheer willpower and caffeine, pulling all-nighters in her university studio with her course mates as they scramble to complete back-to-back assignments. For the past week, she’s left home in the morning and only returned around 7am the next day, barely catching a few hours of sleep before…
When the Music Stops
Last Saturday was quite a significant day for Cass. She headed off to Sunway College to participate in the Sunway Ox-Bridge Essay Competition — a prestigious nationwide event co-hosted by Sunway College and the Oxford & Cambridge Society Malaysia. This annual competition attracts bright young minds from all over Malaysia, and with cash prizes and…
Cass’s Exciting Opportunities: English Essay Competition & Skate Malaysia 2025
Today, Cass shared some exciting news with me—she has been selected by her high school to participate in an English essay competition at Sunway College next month! Out of all the students in her school, only 15 were chosen, and she is thrilled to be one of them. Writing has always been one of her…
The Glue of Childhood Bonds: Cherishing the Moments Before They Grow
There’s something magical about the way children form bonds. It’s pure, uncomplicated, and filled with an infectious joy that makes you wish you could bottle it up and keep it forever. Recently, I’ve been witnessing this magic unfold between my older brother’s twins—an 8-year-old boy and girl—and my daughter, Cass. Every time we visit Ipoh,…
A Walk Down Memory Lane: From Homemade Meals to Cherished Mugs
This morning, as I scrolled through Facebook, a photo of Cass eating her lunch as a 5-year-old popped up on my timeline. It was a heartwarming memory that took me back to the days when life revolved around the kitchen, school runs, and little giggles echoing through the house. In the photo, Cass had just…
Memories Captured by Google Photos: A Walk Down Memory Lane
One of the features I absolutely love about Google Photos is its ability to pop up memories from years gone by. It’s like a little nudge from the past, inviting me to reminisce and walk down memory lane. A few days ago, Google Photos surprised me with a photo of Alycia hugging her favorite Ultraman…
Rediscovering the Magic of Physical Books in a Digital World
In today’s fast-paced, digital-centric world, physical books often seem like a relic of the past. E-books and audiobooks have become the go-to options for many, including university students. My two older girls, Alycia and Sherilyn, don’t even have physical textbooks for their courses—everything they need is in digital format. Yet, amidst this shift, I’m proud…
Cass Passes Her Freestyle 1 Skating Test
Two Sundays ago, Cass achieved a significant milestone in her skating journey—she passed her Freestyle 1 (FS1) test! For freestyle tests, skaters must wear their costumes, adding a touch of elegance and excitement to the occasion. Truthfully, I had no doubt she would pass this test. Cass has been incredibly dedicated, pouring 102% effort into…
Cass’s Second Home: The Skating Rink Life
For Cass, the shopping mall and skating rink have become her second home. With a passion for figure skating, she heads to the rink three times a week—even twice during exam periods—for classes and practice. Spending countless hours there, Cass has settled into a routine that not only lets her work on her skating skills…
Welcoming October 2024
Welcome October 2024!! As we step into the last quarter of 2024, I’m reflecting on how fast the year has flown by and how busy life has become for everyone in the family. My three daughters are all moving full steam ahead with their studies, hobbies, and personal goals, each on a unique journey. Here’s…

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