Life In Lumut, Brunei

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• The Tuesday Babies
  I don't usually follow TV shows and sometimes I think we should get one of those cabinet with tv lifts as our TV is switched off most of the time so it might as well stay hidden.
  
  So it's not surprising that I have never seen a single episode of Jennifer Garner's "Alias".
  
  But last Tuesday, we had one thing in common as we both delivered our daughter on the same day.
  
  For the rest of you who also had a 6th January 2009 Tuesday baby, here is the Chinese Astrology from the "The Everything Get Ready For Baby Book" (Zatina Jones) :
  

  Babies born in the year of the Rat

  Loyal and affectionate. They loved to be held, sung to, rocked and cradled in the parents' arms. Rats tend to be quiet, calm and understated as little ones - perhaps they are conserving their energy for the leadership they will likely achieve as adults. They are also warm and intelligent creatures.
  

  I find this interesting because unlike many other Chinese Astrology readings elsewhere, it's descriptions for Eu (Sheep year) and Qi (Rooster year) are quite spot on.
  
  
  So let's hope this is also accurate - and as potent as that Indian meal ;-)
  
  
• Confinement Now And Then
  An over the fence discussions with one of our oldest neighbour gave my mother more ammunition to nag me on how I look after myself during my current confinement period.
  
  My neighbour complained that her own daughter wore bare back shirts during her confinement that irritated her to no end - and my mother countered by complaining about how lax I am about wearing slippers when walking on the cold tiles floor (not to mention not wearing sweaters in the bedroom when the air con is on).
  
  Both were indignant that their daughters are not afraid of growing old with all kind of pains (muscle pains, heel pains or Plantar Fasciitis, headaches and etc ) that are associated with "wind".
  
  "Do you want to be like Auntie so-and-so?" my mother would scare me with stories about some younger aunts who are physically weaker than her because they failed to care for themselves well during their confinement.
  
  Being a good daughter (who is properly scared), I am now in full cover complete with a towel over my head.
  
  
• The Hair From The Lion's Beard
  Even after celebrating Chinese New Year for a few years with my Chinese in-laws, there are still many new traditions that I learn everytime.
  
  The most special traditions that I learn about this year is about the "lion's" beard.
  
  When the last lion dance troupe visited our house - and the only troupe which we managed to catch at home since we spent the first few days of Chinese New Year in Sabah - I brought De downstairs to greet them.
  
  Unlike most troupe that usually visited our home, this "lion" danced into our living room, getting the kids all excited.
  
  Then one of them plucked a strand of hair from the lion's beard and handed it to me, explaining that it should be tied to De's anklet for special blessing - so she will grow well and healthy.
  
  Later I was told that usually folks would try to "steal" the lion's hair because it is considered lucky. And because of that, most lions would be in tatters at the end of Chinese New Year.
  
  As for De, not only is she the only one of my children who celebrated her fullmoon in Brunei, she is also the only one who was bestowed such interesting blessings within a month of her life.
  
  *By the way, while on the subject of jewelry, here are some beautiful engagement rings for your special day.