Old love letter

Dear Diary,

I found this old love letter that I never had the chance to send to him....

Dear BLY,

There is so much I would like to say to you, to tell you what you mean to me... but the words just couldn't come. 

You have the most amazing way of showing me how much you care; you share lots of things with me that I couldn't share with anyone else. And through everything we have gone through, all I have to do is lean on you and know my heart and soul are safe.

There have been a few speed bumps in our road, but we always stay hand in hand, heart to heart and soul to soul.

I never knew love until you; I can't imagine life without you. You are my everything and I am so blessed with your love and devotion.

I love you, BLY, more than I can ever tell you. There are no words for the love I have. It is yours, always and forever, eternity and beyond.

My heart is yours.

Love always....

p/s: I've changed the name due to privacy issue

Signed off for now
LOLA

Empty nest syndrome

Dear Diary,

I have been a single parent with two kids on tow after divorced with my ex-husband of 4 years in 1996.  With 2 sons with age of 3 years and 6 months, it quite stressful but I managed to survive until now.  

Right now the elder son is 19 yo and currently enrolling a degree in oil & gas course in local university while the younger one  is 16 yo and studying in one of the best military school. 

They have been studying in boarding school since 2010.  Hence, I have been living alone most of the time and occasionally empty nest syndrome steps in.  Even though I have career obligation, as mother who has tied my identity to care taking and nurturing as my primary role, my life is definitely effected by the syndrome.  

Hence, after almost three years on-off long distance mom-sons relationship, I have a few tips to ease the impact of empty nest syndrome.  

• Remind yourself that it is normal to feel sad during this transition.  Your deep attachment to your child indicated the positive quality of your love for your children.  It is healthy to miss them.

• Redefine your children's departure as a new beginning, instead of a loss or sad ending.  Reframe the change as an opportunity for you to start a new life and do many of the things you were unable to do while you were raising your children. 

• Stay connected.  In this new era you can email, texting, facebooking, skype, etc.

• Don't hesitate to lean on friends or family for support, particularly the ones that have alson been through the syndrome themselves.  You might surprised to see how compassionate your friends and family can be.

• Pamper yourself with something nice or do something that you have been wanting to do like get a massage, take a yoga class, or take a small vacation.  With the time you have, you practically can do anything your heart desire.

• Don't try to accelerate your recovery period and allow the grieving process to occur and run its course.  Don't make any major changes in your life.  Plan properly.

• You can volunteer yourself with a local charity.  Get involve in helping others and focus your attention on trying to make their lives better. It will make you feel purposeful again.

No matter what, always stay positive; both in thinking and attitude, and live your life to the fullest.

Signed off for now

LOLA

Tweety and the military camp

Dear Diary,

Tweety, my younger son is one of the boys (also known as Putera) in Royal Military College, all-male boarding school in Malaysia.  The reason he enrolled himself in the college because he likes the qualities of full discipline and character building as a gentleman.  

As one of the Puteras, he has to follow very unique customs and traditions that are premised on the principle that "No one is fit to command who has not learned to obey".  

Besides academic class need to be attended, all Puteras are required to undergo scheduled military training organised by RMC under supervision of MinDef.  The military side of a Putera's life at the college is design to provide practical training in leadership.  As such, military training during the academic year encompassed a wide variety of activities including range practices and the preparation, both practical and theoretical, for the intensive periods of school holidays that take place on bases across Malaysia. 

Hence, yesterday, he and his F4 classmates has gone to Perak for Camp "Ex Nasi Mentah" for a week.  I was a bit worried about him. Okay, let me rephrase it.  I was so worried that I had an anxiety attack for one day. Talk about a drama queen!  Btw, they are expected to be back to RMC from the camp tentatively on 26th November 2012.  

pic: rmc (2011)

So, to my tweety and your teammates, I wish you all the best, have fun and enjoy the experience.

I love you.... muahhhhhhh


Signed off for now
LOLA

Updated: below are the latest pics