Free Fridays: Best scary experience for me.
1 August 2025
Two different years = two very different experiences.
Year 2024
It was a chilly day in Genting - misty, cold, and windy. But we were all excited for the rides. Here I was in 2024, smiling…
Smiling from the eyes even. I didn’t realise then that my lips were pale and I was shivering.
Little did I know it was going to be one of the scariest days of my life.
The other kids were with Fadza going on the bigger ride. Poor little Idris didn't have much choice, so off we went to this robot flying car ride that allowed Idris’ height.
The walk up to this ride was a long one. A lot of steps to get up there.
Suddenly I felt my chest tighten, my joints hurting and my heart palpitating fast. What's going on... I tugged on Idris and he looked back.
"Mommy?" he asked innocently. I think I forced a smile. "Come on, Mommy, hurry up!" he pulled my arm, obviously excited to go on the ride.
I forced myself up the steps. A bit more, ignore the pain, I told myself, mind over matter, mind over matter.
A few metres away from the entrance, my head spinned and I just saw stars. I have never fainted in my life so I don't know what it feels like. But if that was it, it sure was a scary feeling. I had this chilling rush over me and cold sweats - in that cold weather, I was sweating!
I immediately fell on to the steps and clung on to the railings with both hands.
The entire Genting Highlands felt like it was making circles around me. I had a massive headache attack until I was forced to squint my eyes with the pain. But when I closed my eyes, the world spun even more and I felt weaker and weaker into darkness.
OPEN YOUR EYES, VIVY, I screamed internally at myself to not give up. DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES.
I had to force myself to open my eyes. My focal point was Idris and that gave me a superpower I didn’t know I had. I fought back the attack, I remembered God and told myself to be strong.
I was blessed that I had my brother in law Faz and sister in law Yasmin with us. They held on to Idris and they kept talking to me to keep me alert. I reminded myself to focus on the present moment and not give in to the mind wanting to close and shut down.
After a few minutes, the chilling rush disappeared, the world stopped spinning and my heart palpitation slowed down. When my vision cleared, I looked at Idris.
And he said to me, looking deep into my eyes...
"Let's go, Mommy."
Umm, almost died but thanks Idris.
And so we went on the ride after I regained my strength. I don't remember how it went, I was just grateful it went.
That night, I stayed in the hotel like a burrito, wrapped in a thick blanket and still shivering. I didn't know then but that was the beginning of an influenza virus which led to my lupus being activated. And the other unfortunate events that followed back to back, that nudged me to get closer to God.
Year 2025
Deja vu moment.
Here I am, back at the place that scared me. We decided to take the kids up to Genting this week to have some fun. I take a deep breath and brave a smile as I see this entrance.
Not again, I told it, not again.
Idris is a year older, so am I.
Hand in hand, we walk up.
Same words.
"Let's go, Mommy!"
With each step up, my heart fills with more gratitude. I can't believe I'm back here again, same spot where I crumbled, except now I'm happy and healthy. I don't feel any cold sweats, I don't feel heart palpitations, my joints aren't hurting.
I was just a present mom, able to go on rides with my kids especially my little son.
What a simple joy we take for granted.
I pass the very spot I that I remembered clinging to the railings.
I had to take a picture to remember how far I've come, and how blessed I am to be here again. I had second thoughts coming up here but I told myself I must walk up so I can overcome the trauma.
And I did. ❤️
The ride was amazing, not because it was thrilling, but because it was a special one for me. Everyone else was smiling, but mine was the biggest. No one knew why I was taking pictures like an eager beaver – they didn’t have to.
I have my husband and my four kids up here. I have my health. I have my every sense working. I have my boy’s little hand to hold. And I couldn't ask for more. Subhanallah.
Just thought I'd share my special moment this week. We take so many things in life for granted. We ask for the moon and the stars, when we don't even know how to say thanks to the earth we have before anything else. When we look in the mirror in the morning, look at our eyes - imagine if that was taken away, how would our lives be. What about our ears, or our limbs... how would our lives be without these. Have we said thanks?
I didn’t know it then, but that cold, dizzy moment on the steps would turn into one of my best scary experiences.
Because it gave me the utmost gratitude for life.
Before you go…
If you have a brand you’d like me to tell the world about, drop me a line at hello@sincerelyvivy.com. Would love to be of service to you!
New morning companion
My friends Tim and Audrey invested in this brand called Dough by Meg, and I’ve been spoiled silly by whatever they are testing in the kitchen. Verily, I am blessed. Too blessed! 😂
Recently, they sent me their new granolas.
Ohhhh myyyy goshhhhh.
GUYS.
It’s so good that it has officially replaced my breakfast in the morning. I tried two flavours - Strawberry Macadamia and Seasalt Dark Chocolate & Hazelnut. I honestly can’t decide which one I like more so I have them in two (small guilt-free) bowls. The ingredients just taste and feel expensive, they use Grade A ingredients and they’re so generous with the chocolate chips and chunky strawberries - I was so pleased.
And how clever is this reusable packaging! I couldn’t finish all in one go so I kept them in my bag for moments when I need fuel in the body. Does not spill!
I got all my subscribers a discount code!
Enter DOUGSV10 at checkout to get RM10 off your order.
(Applies to all their products, min spend RM 60, valid for one week ONLY from today, expires August 8th 2025)
PSA: They’re always sold out. So hurry.
Before you really go…
Let me know you’ve read this. Comment “Let’s go, Mommy!” on my latest post at @sincerelyvivy.
See you there! :)
i wish i can also have the same courage to overcome fear and traume, like u did. and yes, there’s a lot of things to be thankful for, especially for everyone that was present for us, thanks for reminding us for being grateful always <3
Dear Vivy, do take care of your health. Have good fun with the kids, but learn where to draw the line when your body signals you to. Love to the kids & have a wonderful break :)
Always, Pn Farah