Open Frame Virtual Art Exhibition

One day as I was browsing my social media, I saw an advert on Instagram about this virtual art exhibition and wanted to be part of it. I wasnt so confident that I will make it but I contacted them anyway and submitted few of my artwork thinking, "It would be nice to take part but it's ok if I dont get it", Im still new at this and probably not ready. But when I got an email to say that one of my paintings was selected, I couldnt be happier. I was ecstatic!! 

YAY! I did it!

Can you find me?

I am an intuitive painter. I dont plan what I want to paint and I dont sketch my paintings. I really paint from the heart. I put on a nice music and just let my energy guide me. I also dont usually plan the colours. I just go with the flow. Painting really soothes my soul. I just find it really therapeutic but somehow I cannot paint when I am upset, stress or angry. It just wont come out right and normally, the painting will end up being abandoned until I paint over it again. 

This painting that I submitted for the virtual art exhibition is from my Secret Garden series. I've done a few of these actually and all of them are in their new homes right now, mostly adopted by my friends. I think I've done about 4-6 of the Secret Garden series. I just love that when they take photos at home, I see my paintings on the background. It just makes me happy. But this Z3 Secret Garden is my personal favourite. It's been in my home and somehow I just havent given it away or put it up for sale yet. I really want it to go to someone who loves it as much as I do because it is a very special piece to me. 

Looking at it just makes me happy. (Maybe I shoudnt sell it?) Ah well, the proceeds from this sale is also going to charity, which is another reason why I wanted to be part of this exhibition too. I hope it will find a new home soon but if not, I will be very happy to keep it. ha ha...

This exhibition is organised by Artscape Malaysia and curated by Eugene Nandakumar. 44 talented artists have been selected to showcase their artworks with a mixed genres. There is something for everyone I'm sure. 

Please support us and share!

Beautiful isnt it? If you are keen on any of the artwork or for enquiry, please email them at artscape.malaysia@gmail.com

This Open Frame Virtual Art Exhibition is happening from the 15th March 2022 until 15th April 2022. Click on this link to view all the artwork. Mine is right at the bottom of the page! 

Tips on managing Covid

Lately, I have been hearing more and more Covid cases around me. Alhamdulillah I still manage to dodge it but I always say that dodging this is like a blind man dodging bullets. You just never know when it is your turn. Unfortunately, some of my family members and friends have gotten it. I have compiled some tips from their experience and hopefully it will help others too. 

Covid symptoms usually appear on day 3 or 4 after being exposed to the virus. Try and track back when where you were 3 to 4 days prior getting your symptoms. It wont help with anything but then for your own comfort, I think it is good to know. Perhaps you may want to inform others who were with you of this so they can get tested too. 

1. Do self RTK Covid test

We have tried many brands and all sorts. I dont think I can say which one is better than the other but some of the brands that I feel are reliable are Salixium and Arista. Unfortunately, for some reason it is quite difficult to find Salixium and it is always out of stock. For me, Arista is my no.1 brand when it comes to doing self tests at home. For children, we do self test twice a week (requirement by the school) and I always have the lollipop ones for them. I use Vchek for this purpose and Genrui. I think if the viral load is really high, it will show on all the tests so it doesnt really matter. If you have symptoms, do a reliable brand to be sure.

2. Caring Pharmacy Online 

I find this extremely useful. Go to their website and choose the closest Caring Pharmacy near you. You can whatsapp them with your orders and they will use lalamove to deliver it to you.Choose the closest to you so that the delivery charge wont be so high. My delivery charge is about RM7.50 which is very reasonable as I wont need to drive out. In case you are positive and unable to go out, you can use this service to order all your medicines, vitamins and test kits that you need during your quarantine period. 

3. Take your supplements 

This is to boost your immune system during covid. Even if you dont have Covid, if there are family members in your household that is doing their quarantine at home, it is a good idea to up your intake. This includes Vitamin C (double up!), Vitamin D and Zinc. I also take a glass of Redoxon and Chicken Essence which will help when you are feeling sick and fatique. 

For sore throat, which is quite a common symptom for the current variant, Betadine Spray is a life saver! But unfortunately it is sold out everywhere. I have it at home and it helps! Another alternative would be the Difflam throat spray. It is also sold out everywhere. Try asking your pharmacist or doctor what is available. Keep it at home, just in case.

Other than those, also keep your usual Paracetamol, Zyrtec, cough medicine at home. I'm sure you have that already. 

My tips for managing covid are:

1. Do regular tests at home

2. Eat your supplements

3. Rest well

4. Do light exercises even if you're at home

5. Smell some fresh air (open the windows if you are locked in the room)

5. Take your medications to ease your pain / discomfort

6. Catch up on your latest TV shows / news / read a book

7. Pray! Only God can help you. Lots of doa for recovery

8. Eat fruits and nutritious food during quarantine

9. Shower and get fresh daily!

10. Stay positive. You will fight this and you will get better!

We can do this!!

Take care and stay safe!

2 years later

It's hard to believe that soon, in just a couple more weeks or so Malaysia will transition into the Endemic Phase. We have come a long way. Honestly speaking, as excited as I am about the news, I am feeling really anxious about it.

2 years plus of living with covid around us has been a tough one for everyone. We all struggle in our own ways and no matter who you are or what your social economic background is, we are all struggling to make things work. For me personally, it has been quite challenging. For my kids, online learning is a major struggle. It's not because of their grades but because they miss their friends and they miss being in school. It's like everything was put on hold. So many families lost their income and I can only imagine what they must be going through. In that sense, I am happy and looking forward for us to transition to what is hopefully a new beginning. 

A lot has happened in the last 2 plus years. 

I like to look at the positives first.

I am happy that I found something I am passionate about. Being creative has always been something my soul craves and I guess without that time being locked down at home, I wouldnt have picked up painting. For that, I am happy. I guess for me, that is what this pandemic has brought to my life. 

My maid of 5 years left in November 2021. When she left, it was with a promise to come back. I was skeptical but hopeful and in the end, I was left disappointed and somewhat angry. I could write a long post on how upset I am or how ungrateful I think she is but let's not dwell on that. My take from that is, no matter how nice or kind we are to them, at the end of the day, it is just a job to them. They come and they go and I learned that no one is indispensable. Im hurt that things ended the way it did but I have to be grateful that it lasted as long as it did. Towards the end of her tenure here, she was no longer an asset to me anyway. 

Running a household without help after having help for so long is not easy. It has been almost 3 months since she left and I've been managing well without her. The house is cleaner, the kids are ok, we are having more home cooked meals that I ever did when I had help. Sometimes I dont know how I manage. I am the least domesticated person in the world and I am shocked at how well I am coping without a maid. Laundry, cleaning, preparing kids for school, caring for a cat, everything! I am now a domesticated goddess even if I have to say so myself.

And FYI, I dont have a part time maid coming in too. 

We'll see how long this last because some days I miss having time for myself doing absolutely nothing. 

Time to get moving.... lots to do today. Till next time... stay safe!!!

Hello there

It has been almost a year since my last post. I've been neglecting this blog for so long. I dont think it is relevant anymore since people spend more time on Instagram and TikTok these days. For me, instagram is quick and easy. Dont need to think of long captions and photos say a thousand words sometimes. But I do miss blogging and I do miss ranting (A LOT)

A lot has changed in a year. Oh where do I begin? I think I could write a book on my journey the last year but I shall not bore you. Safe to say that we are well and alhamdulillah, things are all moving slowly and we are soon entering the endemic phase of Covid-19 (or are we already there?).

So many exciting things are happening. I took part in the Pandora Art Exhibition which is happening from now until April 2022 at the Four Seasons Place (the mall connected to Four Seasons Hotel, KL). It's my first exhibition and I am excited to share my painting titled "Lots of Love : Pandora"

It is available for sale and you can purchase them here at the ART MARKET MALAYSIA website. If you would like to view my painting, or any other paintings from our local artisan, you can pop over to Four Seasons Place on level 2. A lot of wonderful paintings available there. Do show your support.

I am also chosen to participate in another online exhibition soon for charity. I'm so excited about this one too as I am giving away one of my favourite paintings that I did during the lockdown titled "Secret Garden". I hope it will sell as 30% from the sale will go to charity.

Most of my paintings are available on Instagram @dewdropmummy

Show some love, peeps!!!

Have a lovely day!