This year will mark the 10th anniversary of my move to Australia. Yes, how time flies. When I moved to Melbourne in 2008, my youngest was only 18 months. I became a full-time mom. Working full-time before, it was great to have a change of lifestyle and be fully committed to the family. But I've always known that the day will come when the children will grow up and have a big part of their life being independent of their parents. When that day comes, what will I be doing? My hope was to return to the work force.
Having stopped working for a few years and with no local working experience, I have real fears that my return to work will be an uphill task. I know mothers who were trying to get a job for years without success. In fact, my expectations were so low that I was prepared not to go back to what I was doing professionally before but settle for any job, even menial jobs like being a cashier or store assistant. However the Lord had been good to me. The story of how I got back to work was amazing and it demonstrates that no matter how big a mountain we face, God can overcome it for us. With our human strength we may think that it is impossible but with God, nothing is too big.
2011
With a lot of time at home, I picked up different craft hobbies. One of them was cake decorating. From experimenting to creating, I soon started taking small orders of cakes from friends. I printed some name cards and set up a Facebook page called "D'Cupcakes of E".
2013
D'Cupcakes of E officially became "Kekx Kreations". It was a registered business with a council approved food registration license. I even bought public liability insurance. I was still operating from home and this model of business gave me lots of flexibility to still be there for my family. The income was not a lot but I was being paid for my creations.
2014-2015
I enrolled in a Certificate 3 in Retail Baking course as it was an area I was interested in. It was a fully funded course so I didn't have to pay anything. The first school I signed up with got their funding taken away about 1 month after I started but I didn't give up. I managed to find another training provider in the west and I even had a friend enrolled together. For about 6 months, two of us would take turns to drive and go to class 2 days a week while the children were in schoo. It was great fun and we made breads, cakes and pastries to bring home to our family. I successfully completed the course in July 2015 and got my certificate.
2015-2016
Shortly after I completed my Cert 3, I enrolled in another course, Certificate 4 in Training & Assessment. This was a certification that I needed to possess if I were to go back to training. Although I had no idea how to yet, I thought I'll equip myself first. I found a training provider near where I stayed and the evening timing was perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed the course, being blessed with a good trainer and the course was well developed.
While still studying for my Cert 4, armed with my Certificate 3 in Retail Baking, I decided to put in an application online for a position in Coles as a "trade qualified baker". It was my first job application in Australia. Thanks to my experience in baking and cakes, I got an interview at the Coles and the manager decided to hire me after I showed him my portfolio of cakes I'd made and I was showing flexibility to work odd hours. I was elated. I had just landed my first job in Australia! (to me, running my own baking business was not a "job"...:p) I was going to be a staff member of an organisation! Thanks be to God, I had my first breakthrough!
During the September school term break of 2015, I began work for 3 days a week, from 5 -9am. The traffic was quiet as I drove to work and by the time I got home, the kids were still not awake. I was thankful for the job but it turned out I didn't enjoy it as much. Instead of putting me into the kitchen where I can do baking, I was asked to do bakery assistant duties, such as packing bread into the bags and labelling them with the correct stickers. There was nothing challenging about that besides recognising the various different types of bread and the speed. We had to get most of the breads ready on the shelves by about 7am when the store opened. As I was new and inexperienced, I was not as fast and also maybe because I wasn't used to waking up so early in the mornings. I worked under a supervisor, who looked half my age, she was very energetic and thinks she's very capable. Even though she had no training in baking, she thinks that I needed to be trialled at packing breads before being allowed to assist in the baking.
I quickly began to get bored at packing bread. It was easy job but I really wanted to get into the act of baking. About 1 and a half weeks into the job, I searched online again and this job for a Bakery Trainer came up. I sent in an application out of discontent with my current work in Coles, even though I was still undergoing training and wasn't fully qualified as a trainer yet. Surprisingly, I got a call the next day for an interview. At the interview, the school offered me the teaching job on the spot. It was amazing how my current work in Coles bakery, running my cake business and my Retail Bakery qualification had all come together like a jig-saw. I couldn't believe how easy and smooth it was. Again, it was amazing the Lord's timing.
By the time the school holidays was over, my time with Coles ended and I started a new chapter of my career, this time as a trainer. And I have not even finished my training yet! I was paid more and the hours fitted into the school hours exactly (9.30am-2.30pm). I could not ask for more. I cannot not explain why except that the Lord's favour had been on me.
Part 2...to be continued
Monday, March 12, 2018
New Updates
I've officially changed my blog name for the third time. It was "Tots, Thots & Toddlers" (can't even remember what it was before) but four years on, my tots and toddlers have all grown. It is time for me to update this blog name to reflect the current stage of my life.
Right now I have a teenager and one would-be teenager in about two years. So I guess teens, thots and ....what should the last "T" be? It striked me yesterday...Testimonies! I will share my testimonies on this blog, all the good things that my God has done in my life, through trials and tribulations, my journey in life with Him.
I'm not sure if anyone's still reading or writing blogs nowadays. It used to be so in fashion but now, I noticed that most of my friends who used to write blogs have all stopped doing so. I myself have stopped writing for the last four years. Why? Simply because we have been too busy living life to pause and write our reflections. Or maybe it's because we know that no one is reading them anyway so why bother.
But I've decided to make an effort to write again. Even if no one reads them, it's ok, because to me, these posts records a memory of my life on this earth. When I am old (even now) and I look back on what I had written, it brings back precious memories of myself, many of which I had forgotten because life had happened too fast. I hope that one day too my children will read my blog and they will learn more about their mother's thoughts and her history. I will be sharing boldly too about my testimonies as a Christian. I hope that my personal experience will encourage others (whoever the Lord brings to read my blog) and bring a little more hope and light to their world.
Right now I have a teenager and one would-be teenager in about two years. So I guess teens, thots and ....what should the last "T" be? It striked me yesterday...Testimonies! I will share my testimonies on this blog, all the good things that my God has done in my life, through trials and tribulations, my journey in life with Him.
I'm not sure if anyone's still reading or writing blogs nowadays. It used to be so in fashion but now, I noticed that most of my friends who used to write blogs have all stopped doing so. I myself have stopped writing for the last four years. Why? Simply because we have been too busy living life to pause and write our reflections. Or maybe it's because we know that no one is reading them anyway so why bother.
But I've decided to make an effort to write again. Even if no one reads them, it's ok, because to me, these posts records a memory of my life on this earth. When I am old (even now) and I look back on what I had written, it brings back precious memories of myself, many of which I had forgotten because life had happened too fast. I hope that one day too my children will read my blog and they will learn more about their mother's thoughts and her history. I will be sharing boldly too about my testimonies as a Christian. I hope that my personal experience will encourage others (whoever the Lord brings to read my blog) and bring a little more hope and light to their world.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
How to make a lavender wand
Spring 2014. Lavender flowers are bursting into bloom in my garden. What a shame to let them just die off on the stalk. I wish I could dry them to make some lavender powder for my cakes, but I read that you have to use the sweet lavenders for that. The varietal I have is the French or Spanish lavender unfortunately. But they do have a nice smell so here's what you can make - Lavender Wands.
Lavender wands can be used as potpurri for your wardrobe or your room. They look so pretty as a display too.
- 11-15 stalks of fresh lavenders, leaves removed
- rubber band
- 1cm wide satin ribbon
Method:
Step 1: Tie the bunch of lavender flowers together with a rubber band. You have to have an odd number of lavender with as long a stalk as possible. Secure one end of the ribbon under the rubber band.
Step 2: Turn the bouquet the other way so you are holding the flowers in your hand. Fold one stalk down over the flowers and bring the ribbon over the stalk. Fold another stalk down and this time bring the ribbon under it. Repeat with the next stalk with the ribbon over it.
Step 3: Continue weaving the ribbon over and under the stalks alternatively. Wrap the ribbon as tight as you can around the stalks because as the lavender dries, it can shrink in volume.
Step 4: When you reach the end, tighten the ribbon around and cut it off. Tie a short ribbon around the base.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Bereavement
Thursday 27 March, noon. I received a What's App message from my brother-in-law in Singapore asking me to call him urgently. I was about to leave the house for a lunch appointment but something important must have happened for this kind of messages to arrive. Before the phone could dial through, the text came from sister first on the messaging system that my father has passed away suddenly that morning.
I sat down on the floor, shocked and in disbelief, paralysed with confusion. He had just returned to Singapore after a 3-month stay with us in Australia. It was barely 3 weeks ago that I had just seen him. My last hug to him at our door as I bade him farewell as he headed off to the airport was still fresh in my memory. What happened? Why?
Details were not very clear as it had happened in Genting Highlands, Malaysia and only my poor mother and an aunt was with him there. I desperately tried to contact my mother and managed to get her through my aunt's phone. She wasn't in a good state and I can only imagine how chaotic and distressing the situation was for her.
The worst thing is, there was nothing much we can do to help her here in Australia. The only thing I could do, after all the sobbing, was to organise our flight back to Singapore urgently, which was a separate story of prayers, blessings and miracles from God. I thank Him for the many favours we found with the authorities and friends, which enabled us to get onto a flight within 48 hours. We arrived at the wake in Singapore shortly after my father's coffin arrived.
The next three days were a continuous flow of ceremonial duties and entertaining mourners. We met up and reunited with many friends and relatives during the wake, many of them I had not seen for many years. I was really happy to see them again although I wished it was under better circumstances. In between, I sneaked quiet moments to gaze and remember my father, who was such a gentle and kind man to the day he departed.
Writing this post brings back sad memories and tears to my eyes. I wished it didn't happen and sometimes I don't even want to talk about it. But denial is not going to turn back time and I do want to document this significant event in my life, for myself and for my children and for the people who cared to remember my father.
My father was a quiet and gentle soul, who never raised his voice and seldom gets angry. He is always calm, to the point of indifferent, but I know he has feelings which he did not show. He doesn't talk much and he's never imposing but surprisingly, now that he's gone, his presence is greatly missed. I realised now that these are his qualities of wisdom and kindness. Yes, he has his shortcomings, but he was a good man. The saddest part is realising you want to get to know him better only after he's dead. There will always be a part of me which regrets not spending more time with him and showing more concern. I was glad however, that he managed to spend the last 3 months with my family in Melbourne. I hope he was as well. In a way, God was graceful to allow our family to celebrate with him for once in many years Christmas, Chinese New Year and his birthday. It was the most boring Chinese New Year for him, but for his birthday, I made him a most beautiful cake, decorated with homemade macarons and handmade sugar cherry blossoms for his 70th birthday. These has become precious final memories of his time with us.
His health was deteriorating and he was frailer than before. But still, no one expected him to go so suddenly. There was no time to say our goodbyes. We are still coping with the loss, especially my mother, who has lived 42 years of her life with him. Nevertheless, despite the tragedy, there were many things in the unfortunate situation we could count our blessings for. We would like to thank all our relatives and friends, who have show your support, personally/remotely, physically/emotionally and spiritually/financially, during this period of bereavement. Thank you for your prayers and concern. We are comforted and blessed by you. God bless you all.
I sat down on the floor, shocked and in disbelief, paralysed with confusion. He had just returned to Singapore after a 3-month stay with us in Australia. It was barely 3 weeks ago that I had just seen him. My last hug to him at our door as I bade him farewell as he headed off to the airport was still fresh in my memory. What happened? Why?
Details were not very clear as it had happened in Genting Highlands, Malaysia and only my poor mother and an aunt was with him there. I desperately tried to contact my mother and managed to get her through my aunt's phone. She wasn't in a good state and I can only imagine how chaotic and distressing the situation was for her.
The worst thing is, there was nothing much we can do to help her here in Australia. The only thing I could do, after all the sobbing, was to organise our flight back to Singapore urgently, which was a separate story of prayers, blessings and miracles from God. I thank Him for the many favours we found with the authorities and friends, which enabled us to get onto a flight within 48 hours. We arrived at the wake in Singapore shortly after my father's coffin arrived.
The next three days were a continuous flow of ceremonial duties and entertaining mourners. We met up and reunited with many friends and relatives during the wake, many of them I had not seen for many years. I was really happy to see them again although I wished it was under better circumstances. In between, I sneaked quiet moments to gaze and remember my father, who was such a gentle and kind man to the day he departed.
Writing this post brings back sad memories and tears to my eyes. I wished it didn't happen and sometimes I don't even want to talk about it. But denial is not going to turn back time and I do want to document this significant event in my life, for myself and for my children and for the people who cared to remember my father.
My father was a quiet and gentle soul, who never raised his voice and seldom gets angry. He is always calm, to the point of indifferent, but I know he has feelings which he did not show. He doesn't talk much and he's never imposing but surprisingly, now that he's gone, his presence is greatly missed. I realised now that these are his qualities of wisdom and kindness. Yes, he has his shortcomings, but he was a good man. The saddest part is realising you want to get to know him better only after he's dead. There will always be a part of me which regrets not spending more time with him and showing more concern. I was glad however, that he managed to spend the last 3 months with my family in Melbourne. I hope he was as well. In a way, God was graceful to allow our family to celebrate with him for once in many years Christmas, Chinese New Year and his birthday. It was the most boring Chinese New Year for him, but for his birthday, I made him a most beautiful cake, decorated with homemade macarons and handmade sugar cherry blossoms for his 70th birthday. These has become precious final memories of his time with us.
His health was deteriorating and he was frailer than before. But still, no one expected him to go so suddenly. There was no time to say our goodbyes. We are still coping with the loss, especially my mother, who has lived 42 years of her life with him. Nevertheless, despite the tragedy, there were many things in the unfortunate situation we could count our blessings for. We would like to thank all our relatives and friends, who have show your support, personally/remotely, physically/emotionally and spiritually/financially, during this period of bereavement. Thank you for your prayers and concern. We are comforted and blessed by you. God bless you all.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Creamy Strawberry & Peach Smoothie
This is my boys' favourite smoothie. It's really simple and pretty filling....a very good snack after school or as a dessert even :) Fresh is best, but if you can't, using frozen berries or canned peaches.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole fresh peach, pit removed, cut into wedges (I left the skin on).
- 12-15 fresh strawberries, leaves removed.
- A dollop of cream
- A dash of milk (if you want it more creamy, omit this)
- 2-3 ice cubes
- Chop everything up and throw it into the blender.
- Add the ice, milk and cream.
- Blend until smooth!
- Enjoy!
Makes 2 glasses.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Smoothie Mom
This term "Smoothie Mom" was coined by KK today. Aptly. For this was what I have been doing for them every afternoon this week for after-school snack - SMOOTHIES!
Of course, at the same time, I'll make a cup for myself too. Hmmm....the smooth, creamy & fruity blend just feels so good sliding down your throat. Not to mention it's very filling and nutritious too.
It's really easy to make and I have fun mixing up different flavours using different fruits, both canned and fresh.
The basic ingredients are: yoghurt (plain or vanilla flavour), ice cubes and some milk.
Add whatever fruits you fancy and blend! I've tried mixing different combinations of bananas, raspberries, peaches, passionfruit and chocolate. All taste good. I'm going to blend in some canned beetroot tomorrow....can't wait :)
Of course, at the same time, I'll make a cup for myself too. Hmmm....the smooth, creamy & fruity blend just feels so good sliding down your throat. Not to mention it's very filling and nutritious too.
It's really easy to make and I have fun mixing up different flavours using different fruits, both canned and fresh.
The basic ingredients are: yoghurt (plain or vanilla flavour), ice cubes and some milk.
Add whatever fruits you fancy and blend! I've tried mixing different combinations of bananas, raspberries, peaches, passionfruit and chocolate. All taste good. I'm going to blend in some canned beetroot tomorrow....can't wait :)
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
To Market To Market
One month ago, I accidentally ventured into the world of business. A friend of mine from China imported a batch of polar fleece bed linen and asked if I could help her to sell them. I will get a small percentage of commission on every item sold.
I have been making cake orders on a part-time basis since last year. People come to me to ask me to make their cakes. I don't push my cakes to them. They ask, I give them a price, deal or no deal. Simple. But but this is different. This is direct selling, SALES!! Something I dread terribly and decided since very long ago never to make this my career. So why I said yes to her that fateful day at the children's playground, I have no idea. Anyway, I reckoned there will be no harm trying since I have some time to myself everyday after the kids go to school.
Besides starting an online web page and promoting it to all of my friends in Melbourne, I decided to also participate in "market day" stalls. In Melbourne it seems, weekend markets are very popular shopping destinations. Some markets are permanently open every weekend while others pop up regularly here and there. Anybody can rent a stall and sell basically anything, old, new, used or handmade. I have been to a few but am not a fan of them actually, especially those that charge an entry fee. Nevertheless, these markets are great opportunities for people who don't want to invest in a long term lease or to get rid of old stuff and earn a few extra bucks on the weekends. For me, it was an opportunity to test the market and gauge the response to the products which I'm considering merchandising.
This first market I participated in was in a church. I thought it was a good start as the rental fee was not very high but I later realised that the timing of the market was only 4 hours (8am till 12 noon), compared to others which end at 3pm. On the day of the market, the weather forecast was gloomy - rain, rain and more rain, from morning till evening. Even though I was indoors, I had no doubt many people would not bother to wake up in the morning, in this kind of weather, to attend a flea market.
We all woke up at 6.30am that Saturday, husband and kids as well, to load the car and make our way to set up stall. It was kind of exciting, although carrying almost 50 bags of fleece blankets up and down the car was not very fun. This aspect of business, the delivery, logistics and set up, is something customers don't see. What we see are nicely displayed items, positioned strategically to catch our eyes and make us pause to admire. Have we wondered how much time and effort has gone into packing, unpacking and bringing those items there?
The stall got off to a jittery start when the organisers could not find my booking and did not allocate me a space. Last minute, they tried to find a suitable corner for me, which was not ideal as all the good positions in the main hall were taken up. Another lesson in business: Location, location, location. Certain positions have got no traffic or no visibility. In the end, I managed to take over a table that was no-show in the main hall, that was not in some obsure corner, so we settled happily.
The 4 hours sales window passed quickly. Some people came, looked and walked away. Others came to say some nice things about your stuff, but did not end up in any sales. A few of my friends turned up and most of them bought something from me. Thanks to them for their supoort :) Some items which I thought would sell fast did not move. Others did alright despite the poor turnout of the crowd. I was surprised, disappointed, bored and thankful all at the same time.
In the end, I made enough to cover my expense for the day though not enough to cover our wages of all our man hours combined. But I gained a whole lot of insight into market days, not to mention a few new friends (neighbour stall owners). It was also a good opportunity to teach a life lesson on earning a living for my son.
KK was complaining how little we made after a 'whole day', which was really only 4 hours. We explained to him that this is how difficult it is to earn money. I believed my 10 yr old is under this impression that when he grows up, money will be automatically deposited every 2 weeks into his bank account, like his father. He did not see what his dad had to do and how he did it everyday to earn those money. But he saw how we took out all our fleece blankets from its bag and then put most of them back again at the end of the day. I hope he realised sometimes people can spend 4 hours or more outside and earn not a dollar. If after that day he learnt not to spend his money so thoughtlessly because it is not easily earned, than that would be the biggest profit of my market stall.
I have been making cake orders on a part-time basis since last year. People come to me to ask me to make their cakes. I don't push my cakes to them. They ask, I give them a price, deal or no deal. Simple. But but this is different. This is direct selling, SALES!! Something I dread terribly and decided since very long ago never to make this my career. So why I said yes to her that fateful day at the children's playground, I have no idea. Anyway, I reckoned there will be no harm trying since I have some time to myself everyday after the kids go to school.
Besides starting an online web page and promoting it to all of my friends in Melbourne, I decided to also participate in "market day" stalls. In Melbourne it seems, weekend markets are very popular shopping destinations. Some markets are permanently open every weekend while others pop up regularly here and there. Anybody can rent a stall and sell basically anything, old, new, used or handmade. I have been to a few but am not a fan of them actually, especially those that charge an entry fee. Nevertheless, these markets are great opportunities for people who don't want to invest in a long term lease or to get rid of old stuff and earn a few extra bucks on the weekends. For me, it was an opportunity to test the market and gauge the response to the products which I'm considering merchandising.
This first market I participated in was in a church. I thought it was a good start as the rental fee was not very high but I later realised that the timing of the market was only 4 hours (8am till 12 noon), compared to others which end at 3pm. On the day of the market, the weather forecast was gloomy - rain, rain and more rain, from morning till evening. Even though I was indoors, I had no doubt many people would not bother to wake up in the morning, in this kind of weather, to attend a flea market.
We all woke up at 6.30am that Saturday, husband and kids as well, to load the car and make our way to set up stall. It was kind of exciting, although carrying almost 50 bags of fleece blankets up and down the car was not very fun. This aspect of business, the delivery, logistics and set up, is something customers don't see. What we see are nicely displayed items, positioned strategically to catch our eyes and make us pause to admire. Have we wondered how much time and effort has gone into packing, unpacking and bringing those items there?
The stall got off to a jittery start when the organisers could not find my booking and did not allocate me a space. Last minute, they tried to find a suitable corner for me, which was not ideal as all the good positions in the main hall were taken up. Another lesson in business: Location, location, location. Certain positions have got no traffic or no visibility. In the end, I managed to take over a table that was no-show in the main hall, that was not in some obsure corner, so we settled happily.
The 4 hours sales window passed quickly. Some people came, looked and walked away. Others came to say some nice things about your stuff, but did not end up in any sales. A few of my friends turned up and most of them bought something from me. Thanks to them for their supoort :) Some items which I thought would sell fast did not move. Others did alright despite the poor turnout of the crowd. I was surprised, disappointed, bored and thankful all at the same time.
In the end, I made enough to cover my expense for the day though not enough to cover our wages of all our man hours combined. But I gained a whole lot of insight into market days, not to mention a few new friends (neighbour stall owners). It was also a good opportunity to teach a life lesson on earning a living for my son.
KK was complaining how little we made after a 'whole day', which was really only 4 hours. We explained to him that this is how difficult it is to earn money. I believed my 10 yr old is under this impression that when he grows up, money will be automatically deposited every 2 weeks into his bank account, like his father. He did not see what his dad had to do and how he did it everyday to earn those money. But he saw how we took out all our fleece blankets from its bag and then put most of them back again at the end of the day. I hope he realised sometimes people can spend 4 hours or more outside and earn not a dollar. If after that day he learnt not to spend his money so thoughtlessly because it is not easily earned, than that would be the biggest profit of my market stall.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)