Friday, October 1, 2021

two months post-partum

"Congratulations on your bundle of joy"

Is it really a bundle of joy? Well, yes, sometimes... When he is awake and in a good mood. Other times, all he wants is milk, to be burped, his diaper changed and sleep. Not to mention, 

With my countless sleepless night and midnight feedings/burping/diaper change, I wonder why do humans make babies? Is it implanted in our genetics to ensure survival of our species? Are we being taught that finding a partner, getting married, getting offspring, is a normality? 

All healthy newborns are already struggling.. Struggling to poop. In their early life, they struggle and grunt just to produce a bowel movement or to pass gas. 

When babies are feeding, they take in air and because their digestive systems are not mature yet, air builds up and make them uncomfortable. Therefore, babies need to be burped after every feeding. 

And as parents, we spend most of time worrying about the little one. Is he eating too little / too much? Is he too hot / too cold ? Is he comfortable? Why is he not pooping for the last 5 hours? He usually poops every 2 hours! 

Is it worth it the sleepless nights? Babies did not choose to be born into this world. It was our choice to bring him to this world. It is our responsibility to take care of him and guide him to be a better version of ourselves.

So, is he worth it? I'm going to be a little cliché here. When that little grumpy old man, turn into a little smiling angel. He is definitely worth it. 



Tuesday, May 5, 2020

A horse named Duke

I felt like I needed to write this here because this horse that I know is absolutely one of a kind.
No, Duke is not a tall, muscular thoroughbred, nor does he have dark shinning coat like Black Beauty. He's your typical schooling horse, shorter than your average horse, maybe abit on the fat side, light brown with white sprinkles. 

But underneath that facade, lies an absolutely beautiful personality. 

I've started horse riding back in 2012 when a friend brought me riding lessons from Groupon at a horse riding club about an hour drive from my house. Note: this is not where I met Duke. But I was continued horse riding in this club for a year. Throughout that one year, I've met many types of different horse personalities: 
 - The typical mare.
 - The apathetic gelding. 
 - The easily spooked horse 
 - and many others. 

After a year of riding, I've decided to move to another riding school nearer to my house. It was 30 minutes drive and was located next to a race-course. It was a quiet school because it was not heavily advertised and full of greeneries. Before you join any group classes, you are required to take a 1-1 assessment. I was assigned to a short, white pony. I forgot his name. Apparently, he's assigned to be an assessment horse and a pony ride horse. Why? Simply because he's short and safe. Why remembered clearly it was a 'HE' and not a mare because he was the ONLY stallion in the riding school. You know when mares goes on heat right? This fellow, the assessment horse, is the ONLY horse that will get all excited and will make all kind of funny noises. It's really funny because he's the shortest. 

I was assigned to Duke on my second class. Initially, you think that he's a Spooky Horse because he's really responsive. Give him a few leg taps and you go from 1km/hr to 80 km/hr. I was really digging this horse and you thought that you will have smooth sailing from now on. Have you ever ride different horses? Sometimes you have good times and sometimes you have bad? Then you tell yourself, the horse is the problem. Same thing if you lose in go-kart. When you lose, you blame your kart. When you win, you think your have fantastic driving skill.

I was a horrible rider back in my old riding school. Also, the old riding school teaching method is flawed. The horse is not lazy. Horses don't response if they don't respect you. Whipping the horse harder or louder doesn't make the horse respect you.

My third class with Duke was a serious self reflection. I have poor body control and have no stamina at all. My body was built for computer gaming. Horse riding is the first and only outdoor activity that I enjoy. In horse riding, you suppose to navigate with your body, not entirely with your arms like a motobike. The horse feels all the small nudges that you make with your heels on his body. With such poor body control, I was definitely confusing Duke with my body flapping everywhere. Most importantly, my mind was not clear where I wanted to go. Halfway through my class, Duke completely disregards my commands and stops. My instructor yells "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!". Suddenly, I came to a realization that.... I've been pushed around my entire life.. Now, an easily spooked horse is bullying me. Then I started. Yes, can you imagine, a 24 year old adult crying on a horse. 

I'm not going to quit on something I'm passionate about. So, on my fourth class, 1 week after the incident, I mentally prepared myself. I was determined that I will not be bullied and maintain a clear mind. To my surprise, the class when on smoothly. I WAS BEING SCHOOLED BY A HORSE!

Few weeks passed, and one day, I saw a young girl riding Duke practicing for a dressage competition. The instructor told me that the girl has autism. Can't walk, doesn't talk. Yet, could complete a dressage competition effortlessly. 

 How is it possible? I always thought that horse fear humans that's why they listen to us. I'm twice the size of this young girl and Duke was definitely was not afraid of me.

Secondly, I've certainly never heard of horses remembering dressage routine. But Duke definitely remembers dressage routines. There was one time that I was practicing a dressage routine, Duke remembers! He turned before I asked him to turn! There's 16 novice dressage routine, how can horse remembers any one of it! To be honest, I only remember 1 routine. By the way, Duke was formerly a Cross Country horse. 

Duke is certainly a special horse and have a special place in my heart. 

I've not been riding for the pass 3 years. I'm writing this because I recently found out that he's now retired and have a large field. Who knows that school horses get to retire too! And from the video, he found a girlfriend! The same color as him! So happy! 

Monday, January 12, 2015

Note to 13 Year Old Miyoko

Dear 13 Year Old Self, 

- Congratulations, you have upgraded to secondary school. 
- I admire your determination to go into a complete new school with zero friends.
- Until now, I still don't know why you left your good old primary school buddies for a strange new "Cina" secondary school. 
- Mum and Dad don't know why either. 
- You will meet new friends. Some you would keep in touch until now. 
- Grandma still tie your hair into two pony tails? So cute. ^^
- Cry less my dear. Save your tears for more important things. 
- Be strong, my love. 
- You should pay more attention to Mathematics class. 
- Yes, you will get your phone before your 18th birthday. Don't worry. Technology is blooming. 

Love, 
Your 24 Year Old Self

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

I feel inspired to write something... hahaha

I vowed to never fall back to the pits of darkness...
Consumed by hatred, anger and fear....
To have sleepless nights and fury days....
Feelings I hope that I will never relive...

Time will heal as...
Days then looked brighter...
In search of a sunrise, unicorns appeared(? HAHAHAHA)
Never again will I fall back into the darkness..

Monday, September 1, 2014

Blog Revival!!!

Wow! Seems like ages I've written anything on my blog. Reading some old post here, how immature of me.. Maybe I still am.. *giggles*

Note to my old self:

Dear Miyoko the College Nerd Student:

1) You will not need to wear those ugly pair of pink Crocs that you loved so much any more. You are now a proud owner of many pairs of Charles&Keith and Clarks and Nine West and Guess.

2) If you think that ONE weird guy is weird. You'll meet a tons more.

3) No, you will not own a MacBook Pro because its still bloody expensive and I'm not willing to spend all my hard-earned money for this "fashion-accessory".

4) Yes, you will own a Burberry. That makes you officially an aunty susceptible by the temptation of  designer handbags by 24.

5) You will find your Jesse/ReedRichard/Edward/ChristianGrey. *wink wink* clue: you don't see him with your heart now but he was always there with you.

Toodles!! :D


1. Here's your cute crocs that turned into a fashion "mistake"ment.


2. Your "Cap-Plang" China "so-called-branded" Kipling Bag



 3. Behind that Weird Guy that was trying to take a selfie (before selfie was even a word) with your camera there was your Jesse..

Monday, May 6, 2013

Don't Play with Racial Cards


Scenario 1
“There are a lot of factors that occurred, effects from the support of the Chinese to BN. The tsunami that I mentioned earlier, this tsunami of the Chinese community, led to large numbers supporting the opposition,” Najib said.
Chinese Tsunami?

P124 Bandar Tun Razak, Abdul Khalid Ibrahim won majority of 11,832 votes over Tan Kok Eng.
P100 Pandan, Mohd Rafizi beat Lim Chin Yee with a majority of 26,729.
Khalid Ibrahim and Mohd Rafizi Chinese? Tan Kok Eng and Lim Chin Yee Malay?

Note that these areas are urban areas with significant Chinese voters.

Scenario 2
"I think all people in Gelang Patah know Lim Kit Siang. We know his history, he likes to move around, move from one place to another place. He is not quite loyal to his constituency. In addition, Johoreans, especially Gelang Patah people, know very well the politics practised by DAP which (itself) is divisive, racist and chauvinistic.” Muhyiddin made these remarks at a press conference after meeting more than 6,000 Chinese school heads and teachers in Johor Baru this afternoon.


“DAP is divisive, racist and chauvinistic.” So, MCA is not? MCA is compromised by ALL-CHINESE members.

P51 Bukit Gelugor MP, Karpal Singh represents DAP and won with a a majority of 41,778.
P46 Batu Kawan MP, Kasthuriraani represents DAP and won with a majority of 25,962.
P48 Bukit Bendera MP, Zairil Khir Johari represents DAP and won with a majority of 32,778.

Are they Chinese too?


Sunday, March 3, 2013

Horsemanship 101 - Life Lesson One


Thou shall never acquire trust through anger or force.