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…

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…

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,…

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…