08
May 2016
#NameCardYourStory Angie Loke
Q: Who are you, and what have you been doing (currently for the past 3 months, any projects you are working on, travelling)?
A: I’m Angie Loke. I’ve been busy getting back into the swing of corporate life, after maternity leave and an extra 2 months of no-pay leave. Work has been busy! Plus starting our baby on solids, but not starting with the usual cereals – so that requires reading a book called “Super nutrition for babies” and experimentation!
Q: What’s your occupation? (If you own a business, please do elaborate more about it/ or if it a job you enjoy, please explain more about the work that you do)
A: I do two things: I am a management consultant and I also distribute superior genetic-based anti-aging nutritional and body care products through my network to keep people youthful both internally and externally.
Q: How is it like to be a mother?
A: Being a mother is one of the hardest things I’ve had to become. I am still learning everyday how to be a better mother. Some days feel better than others. Some days I feel like I am an awesome mother. Some days I feel like I’m a horrible mother. It’s like having a mirror looking at you all the time – the children can see through what you are doing plus they do mirror what they see in your behavior. Kids are also sponges absorbing everything they see or hear. Being a mum is also a truly humbling experience, where many a time I have to reach out to others for help, despite having multiple children as each child is different and so too are our experiences with them. I’ve moved closer to God through leaning on Him for help as well. Being a mother is like being a warrior.
Q: What was it like before being a mother and how did you feel after you found out you were one?
A: Before marriage, I was a casual/social smoker. That ceased immediately after my fiancé said to be a mum, I have to be healthy. Before being a mum I would be more willing to spend on frivolous things such as expensive handbags. Now, we would rather buy value for money items as this also teaches the children how to spend their money. We would rather spend our money on family outings, meals and things that benefit the entire family rather than individuals’ leisure.
Q: Can you cook? If yes, what is your specialty ?
A: Yes I can cook! I do not cook as often since we have a helper. My specialty is western food and baked items. For the baked items, we half the sugar immediately and experiment till we can perfect the taste with the least amount of sugar. I like experimenting with new recipes, so we have quite a few cook books or look online for recipes.
Q: How has motherhood changed the way of you doing your work?
A: Work life balance is crucial for me. I limit my chit chat sessions at the office so I can get more work done during the day time and try to leave on time to have dinner with our family. Work time is more focused and purposeful.
With regards to the distribution network, I work around the family’s activities on some days while on other days I have to actively leverage on other family members to handle the children while I am away growing the distribution network. Some days I even bring the children for training sessions or meet ups. After all, this kind of business is a family and lifestyle business.
Q: How old are your kids currently?
A: 8, 7, 8 months
Q: Tell us more about your kids (Quirky Habits, how they ask for rewards, how they make you angry, etc)
A: All 3 kids were born peacefully and full of empowerment using Hypnobirthing technique, with no epidural. All 3 births were so different!
Our 1st is a creative day dreamer, who is a perfectionist and takes a rather long time to answer questions. This child has boundless energy, who leap frogs around the house all the time, even at night! I nursed this child while expecting our 2nd child.
Our 2nd child is very detailed, who can talk through a process very systematically and methodologically. This child is very street smart but takes forever to drink her veggie juice! I nursed this child for 3 and a quarter years.
Our 3rd was a planned home water birth and the entire family including the older children were present. She is a joy to have and her older siblings love to cuddle and spend time with her. Right now, she is a cheeky little girl who is cutting her first 2 teeth!
Q: Personally, what makes you the happiest & why?
A: Having a warm close nit family makes me feel most fulfilled. This is something I’ve had to work very hard for and it has not been a fairy tale easy journey. Where my hubby and I are today is due to open communication and working through our disagreements. I also am happiest and most content knowing that my life has impacted people in a positive way, value added to their personal lives and transformed them.
Q: What do you look forward to everyday?
A: Every morning, I look forward to the smiling face of my littlest as she co-sleeps with us! Every evening I look forward to family dinners and catching up with the rest of the family. During dinners we discuss life lessons, talk about issues with the children and we aim to instill life lessons to them. I look forward to spreading better health and instilling confidence to all the people I come across.
Q: What are you looking forward to this year?
A: This year is our 10th year wedding anniversary!
Q: What is the best advice you have ever received, and what was the worst?
A: Best advice: My 1st boss told me “Just say yes first, then figure out how to do it later!”
Worst advice: “why are you letting your kids witness the birth of your 3rd baby, it will be traumatic!”
By the way, after the birth while we were on our bed adoring the newborn, my older daughter said “Mummy, next time I also want to have a home water birth!”
Q: What would be your best advice for other mothers out there?
A: Here’s a few pieces of advice but these are the 2 most important: 1) You can break free from your past, hang ups and set new norms in your life! 2) Never forget who you are as a person: you are not just “so and so’s” mother.
Other advice: All things will pass. Breathe before yelling. Be present for your children. Grow your personal relationship with your partner/spouse.
Q: How do people contact you if they would like to engage your services or ask you some questions?
A: Pls like and follow on Facebook: Break Free From X
Email: breakfreefromx@gmail.com