Happiness for this freelance writer is...

... people telling her that they liked what she wrote. I'm sure every writer out there can relate. Recently, Ms Debbra Lee, founder/owner of Fit For 2, was kind enough to write in and tell me what she thought of the article I wrote about her and her studio in the March 09 issue of Mother & Baby magazine.

She said, "Wow! That is the best article ever! Thank you! I really feel like you listened and even though we have not met - you seem to know the real me!" Awwww, she truly made my day :) It's kind gestures like this that keeps me going. Be sure to check out her studio!

Born to blog & Fitness for two in the last Mother & Baby Malaysia :(

It's with a great sense of loss and sadness that I bid farewell to Mother & Baby magazine Malaysia. You may have read in one of my earlier posts that they're closing down due to the economic downturn. I've had the pleasure of writing for them since April 2008. Nearly a year has passed, but it went by virtually unnoticed by yours truly, because writing about motherhood has been such a blast. Thankfully, I still have Venus as a channel for me to reach out to other women/mothers.

I present to you, my last two articles for Mother and Baby (sob...sob...). The first is entitled 'Born to Blog', which addresses the online phenomena of blogs for kids. The second is called 'Fitness for two', an article on the 'fantabulous' fitness studio in Bangsar called Fit For 2. It's based on my interview with owner Debbra Lee. Goodbye M&B, I'll miss writing for you so very much!!!

Mother & Baby magazine 2009

Bye Bye Mother & Baby

I have very sad news. It looks like this will be the final month my articles will be appearing in Mother & Baby magazine. MediaCorp Publishing is closing their Malaysian arm at the end of this month, as reported by Marketing-Interactive.com.

The editor informs me that the decision was brought on by the current economic recession, and it's not just M&B that's folding. MediaCorp Publishing Malaysia also runs local versions of Style and FHM magazines, among other titles.

The report above states that some of MediaCorp Publishing's editorial staff will likely be absorbed by Measat, who are taking up Style and FHM. The non-editorial staffers, however, will sadly be out of a job once the company shuts down. I wish them all the very best of luck in these difficult times.

It seems, it's not just local mags that are suffering. Recent reports indicate that Reader's Digest is fearing for the future, as it faces a bankruptcy filing. Brandrepublic.com reports that in January, the New York-based company announced it was slashing around 8% of its 3,500-strong workforce in a move designed to strengthen its finances as the recession took hold.

According to its website, Reader's Digest was first published in 1922, has offices in 45 countries and publishes 92 magazines. It operates 65 websites and sells 68 million books, music or video products every year. I hope they pull through, I love that mag!

Get Smart & The Science of Sleep @ Mother & Baby magazine

Goodness me! February's almost over and things have been so hectic around here that I couldn't find the time to feature the articles I wrote for Mother & Baby's February issue! First up, is my article Get smart, where I ask the question "We know how to make babies, but can we make smarter ones?" Second in line is an article called The Science of Sleep, in which I explore how sleep affects child development. To be honest with you, I didn't realise I was sleep deprived until I researched this article! There's still time though, so if you haven't gotten your copy, go get it now!

Mother and Baby February 2009

In With the New & The Ox Baby @ Mother & Baby magazine

The new year's fast approaching and I'm so excited. My son will be starting kindergarten, I'll be going back to working a 5-day week (since I've completed my Masters thesis) and we're buying the apartment we live in. I've got so many things planned for 2009, so I hope everything will turn out well for us. What is it about the beginning of a new year that gives us such a buzz? The chance to start anew perhaps?

Well, I've been suffering from a spot of writer's block for the last few months, and I think it has something to do with my brains being fried and my energy being zapped by all the effort put into completing my thesis. So, for the new year, I'm looking forward to regaining my vigour and to be inspired by anything and everything around me. Next year will be a fun writing adventure.

Now, to kick off the new year, I've written two special articles for Mother & Baby magazine. The first, In with the new year, talks about teaching your kids about making resolutions. The second article, The Ox Baby, tells you what you need to know if you're expecting a little one in the Year of the Ox. Happy new year everybody! May 2009 be filled with much creativity and inspiration for us all!

Mother and Baby January 2009

Giving with Purpose @ Mother & Baby magazine

Wow, where's the time gone? It's almost December already! I find that my brain is still recovering from the strain of completing my Masters thesis. Talking about brain drain, my poor bank account's been drained too, from preparing the manuscript for submission. The sure-fire remedy for me has been to jump right back into writing projects.

Fortunately for me, editors and clients have been incredibly supportive, and not to mention patient with me. As my thesis was weighing heavily on my mind, consuming nearly all of my energy and efforts, I had to put all of my writing projects on hold. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind understanding guys.

Today, I met up with Joy, editor for Mother & Baby. She gave me a copy of the December issue - yes, it's out! For Christmas, I wrote an article called 'Giving With Purpose', in which I address how you can teach your children to give this festive season. Check it out:

Mother and Baby December 2008

Shout Stop It! Or Grin and Bear it? @ Mother & Baby magazine

Mums, how would you react if someone reprimanded your child? Would you reprimand someone else's kid? I discuss this touchy issue in my article Shout Stop It! Or Grin and Bear it? Check it out in this month's Mother & Baby:

Mother & Baby magazine November 2008

Festive Fun @ Mother & Baby magazine

I just got back from balik kampung and found this month's Mother and Baby magazine at Amcorp Mall. I wrote a piece specially for Hari Raya entitled Festive Fun, which encourages readers to make not just cookies, but memories too!

Mother and Baby October 2008

Imagine That & Stairway to Heaven @ Mother & Baby magazine

My cover story for Mother and Baby this month is called Imagine That! and it talks about kids, their imagination and how to encourage it. The second article is on child nutrition expert, Annabel Karmel, and as the title Stairway to Success clearly indicates, it traces her personal journey through tragedy and fame.

Mother and Baby magazine September 2008

I'm in both Mother & Baby and Essenze magazines!

This month, I'm in both Mother & Baby and Essenze magazine! Yaay!

Breast is Best and Lead Astray @ Mother & Baby magazine

I have two articles in this month's Mother and Baby magazine. My cover story is called 'Breast is Best', written in conjunction with breastfeeding month. My second article is featured in the 'Hot Topic' section, and it addresses the dangers of lead poisoning and how to assess if your family's at risk.

Mother and Baby magazine August 2008

Digitise Your Heritage & The Daily Grind @ Mother & Baby magazine

Is it the middle of the year already? Goodness me! The July issue of Mother & Baby is out, and two of my articles are in it. This month's cover story "Digitise your heritage," has an interesting back story. It was inspired by a trip to a magazine shop. While there, I caught a glimpse of a tech magazine that had an article about the gadgets and software you can use to, well, digitise stuff.

Next thing I knew, I had a lightbulb moment and voila, out came an article on the importance of: converting your family photos and videos into digital format, and creating a digitised record of precious heirlooms and important documents. Also, I think the bit about making records and back-ups was surely inspired (at least in part) by my museum profession.

My second article, The Daily Grind, was also inspired by personal experience. You see, my son's been grinding his teeth at night for a few months now. Cause for concern? I sought out the answer and whipped it out in writing.

So, when we picked up the magazine today, to my absolute and utter disbelief, my husband actually browsed through the magazine and ended up reading several pages! He then exclaimed in succession: "I must read more when we get home! So many good articles!", "Look! I didn't know they had recipes!" and "There's also a voucher for a slimming treatment!"

As my mouth's gape grew steadily wider, I hoped passers-by didn't notice the half-chewed food dribbling down my chin. I mean, you have to understand... my beloved hubby is a typical 'guy'. He only reads newspapers, tech magazines, Empire and comics!

When I was pregnant with our son, he would come up with all kinds of excuses not to read parenting or pregnancy books and magazines. Looks like Mother & Baby has converted him! So get yours today! Hey, it’s hubby endorsed!

Mother and Baby magazine - June 2008

To Sir with Love, According to Tradition & Help! I'm a Guilt-ridden Mum! @ Mother & Baby magazine

This is exciting! Three articles in Mother and Baby this month (gives self a small pat on the back)! As June rolls in, so does Father's Day, which is why my first article, entitled To Sir with Love, is dedicated to all loving dads, father figures and especially my dear husband Rezad! My second article, According to Tradition, talks about traditional Malay postnatal care. Wish I knew this stuff back when I just had Amir! Finally, my third article is a very personal essay entitled Help! I'm a Guilt-ridden Mum! I really enjoyed writing these, so I hope you will like reading them.

Mother and Baby magazine June 2008

Mother's Day in Reflection & History in the Making @ Mother & Baby magazine

It's the month of May darlings... guess what's just around the corner?


In honour of the love, dedication and selflessness of mums, I retrace the origins and explore the heart of Mother's Day.

In keeping with the historical theme, my second article "History in the making" talks about the importance of teaching our children about this rather maligned subject.


I really feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to contribute to this magazine. The editor's been great and so supportive. My friends, who've never read M&B before, all agree that its got great content. They also like its fresh and modern look, that they rarely associate with local parenting magazines.

On a personal note, this issue taught me a valuable lesson - to be able to forgive yourself for making mistakes and to look at them in a positive light. This is often easier said than done of course, especially for a fastidious Virgo like me, but God (and my poor husband) knows I'm trying! Full marks to you if you spot the boo-boo I made in one of my articles.

A Cross Through Culture @ Mother & Baby magazine

Woohoo! Presenting... my debut in Mother & Baby magazine! In my very first M&B article entitled, A Cross Through Culture, I talk about find out how everyday life can be turned into a journey of cultural discovery. A good topic for a mum/curator to start off with - no? Also, the Editor mentions me in her letter! Big smiles :)

Mother & Baby - April 2008

Cover story in Mother & Baby!

I heard from Mother & Baby today, they're using my feature on Mother’s Day as the cover story of their May issue! They'll also be running my history feature in their First Classroom column, so as you can imagine, I'm all smiles :)

Mother & Baby magazine

Exciting news! Mother & Baby magazine may publish my article in April! Meanwhile, check out the magazine's January 2008 cover, available in all leading book stores and magazine stands.