How i was raised

Been wanting to write about this since i finished reading "Battle Hymn Of the Tiger Mother" . (If havent read this book before, march down to the nearest bookstore and buy it! Or better yet, use your 1Malaysia book voucher to buy it rather than waste it on unnecessary items like an expensive Hallmark birthday card.-_-" )

Anyway the book is about the difference in parenting styles of Chinese parents and western parents. It made me think about how I was raised. What actually made me what I am today. I think its the fact that im part Chinese that made me feel somewhat related to how Lulu and Sophia were raised. Particularly how my parents made sure that I was always good in maths. Even as a toddler my parents bought me a lot of toys to sharpen my calculation skills. ( I never had a single barbie doll in my life). I learnt how to use the abacus when i was in kindergarten. Often my dad would ask me to write down the full multiply table before bedtime in lower primary school.

Education was one thing, how i treat other people around me was another. Even when I was younger and when my parents brought my sister and I out with other family members it was always us that start socializing with other kids. Some kids these days refuse to talk to other kids but no, that wasnt a problem for my sister and I. Perhaps thats why we're so much more of an extrovert than the people around us. They also thought us to always respect older people. I remember once i got beaten by my dad with his belt cause I raised my voice when i spoke to my grandma. Yeap, that however made me change how i spoke to older people around me up till now.

Despite being super busy with work, my parents always ALWAYS made time to support my sister and I. I remember we went all the way to Melaka ( my sister studied in Kolej Yayasan Saad) just to watch her play in her school's orchestra. My mum always takes her day off to bring me for my piano exams. I dont remember a single time my parents werent a part of the audience whenever i perform. Be it me playing the piano solo, me dancing, me conducting a marching band or even just having one solo line of a choral speaking I dont remember not having my parents in the audience to cheer me on.

Thats just partly how I was raised. My parents have done so much more for me. If i were to write everything, it'd be an endless book. All i can do now is to pray that Allah bless them with His love and protection.