It's been a busy time at work.
Registrar matters are giving me a headache. From enforcement issues of some naughty and non-compliant registrars, to 3 new applications coming in that require lengthy evaluations, to the renewal of contracts of 4 existing registrars that are easier to handle but still cumbersome.
Policy and legal matters for another team's project is quite a challenge as well. Another senior manager was supposed to do this piece of work but apparently couldn't produce results. The work somehow ended up on my lap. (Can I get a portion of his pay then?)
Lending support to some junior staff, of which one of them is new. Strictly speaking, they are not reporting to me and are not my staff. But they are scared of their reporting officer and have also given up on her due to her "not-very-helpful" attitude. So they come to me for advice or help in the course of their work instead. I try to guide whenever I can...especially when their own reporting officer is leaving them to drown.
We are also in the midst of an office move/renovation. Hordes of boxes everywhere in the office. Boxes for paper due to be shredded. Boxes for packing of stuff. Boxes for disposal. It's been a dusty past week and will be for the next couple of weeks till the 100-odd people on this level have packed their things. My nose is acting up a little due to the dust and irritants. And I'm not done packing. Due date's in another 3 weeks.
Ok jiayou....
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Thursday, March 01, 2018
Kathmandu trip
The trip wasn't one of the better work trips I've had but I'm thankful and not complaining much. Afterall, I eventually got home safe and sound and with no delays to my luggage.
Will I go back to Kathmandu in the future? Nope. Unless I suddenly went cray and decided to go trekking. Or unless I suddenly became a Buddhist and wanted to go the monastries there for dharma studies. Or of course, if it was a bopian-have-to-go business trip again.
It was an in-and-out trip for me. I didn't explore much save for an hour's worth of walking up and down an extremely dusty street (their version of Orchard Road) and getting pelted by bird poo on one occassion.
Food wise, I ate all meals within the hotel. The buffet lunches were ok though I didn't eat much as my tummy was still a little sensitive and fragile from the bout of diarrhoea the night before the trip. For dinners, I mainly at the hotel's resident cafe called "The Coffee Shop". I ordered Western style mains and they were pretty good. :) I loved the warm butter rolls they gave at each meal before our mains were served. Lost track of how much bread I ate on this trip actually haha...alot. Including all the bread rolls given on the flights.
People wise, I can't say much as I didn't interact much with the locals except for the hotel staff. I think the Nepalese are nicer and more sincere than those in India though. Met an old uncle at a small bookstore and souvenir shop. He spoke very pleasantly in Queen's English and shared with me and my boss some of Nepal's history and current state of government. I was thankful for his sharing and his lilting voice...:)
Work wise, I'm really glad for the chance to reconnect with several old friends. I think some of them were really surprised to see me and came over to give me warm hugs. My boss was somewhat surprised and amused too. I think he didn't know I was on close terms with some of these industry people haha.
Family wise....It was the first time I was away from home since the girls were born. I'm glad there were no major major meltdowns. K said Nadya slept pretty well. Unfortunately, the moment I got home after the trip, Nadya started waking up in the middle of the night again. And Alyssa started waking in the night asking for me too. FML....K said "It must be you"...I think so too..It must be me....why ah??
When's my next business trip? Lol, my boss gave me a year's worth of advance notice.
It's gonna be an ICANN meeting in March 2019. Where? Kobe, Japan! Woohoo! At least this time round it's in a developed nation with clean streets and nice food...:) The weather's gonna be really cold in March though....hmm....
Will I go back to Kathmandu in the future? Nope. Unless I suddenly went cray and decided to go trekking. Or unless I suddenly became a Buddhist and wanted to go the monastries there for dharma studies. Or of course, if it was a bopian-have-to-go business trip again.
It was an in-and-out trip for me. I didn't explore much save for an hour's worth of walking up and down an extremely dusty street (their version of Orchard Road) and getting pelted by bird poo on one occassion.
Food wise, I ate all meals within the hotel. The buffet lunches were ok though I didn't eat much as my tummy was still a little sensitive and fragile from the bout of diarrhoea the night before the trip. For dinners, I mainly at the hotel's resident cafe called "The Coffee Shop". I ordered Western style mains and they were pretty good. :) I loved the warm butter rolls they gave at each meal before our mains were served. Lost track of how much bread I ate on this trip actually haha...alot. Including all the bread rolls given on the flights.
People wise, I can't say much as I didn't interact much with the locals except for the hotel staff. I think the Nepalese are nicer and more sincere than those in India though. Met an old uncle at a small bookstore and souvenir shop. He spoke very pleasantly in Queen's English and shared with me and my boss some of Nepal's history and current state of government. I was thankful for his sharing and his lilting voice...:)
Work wise, I'm really glad for the chance to reconnect with several old friends. I think some of them were really surprised to see me and came over to give me warm hugs. My boss was somewhat surprised and amused too. I think he didn't know I was on close terms with some of these industry people haha.
Family wise....It was the first time I was away from home since the girls were born. I'm glad there were no major major meltdowns. K said Nadya slept pretty well. Unfortunately, the moment I got home after the trip, Nadya started waking up in the middle of the night again. And Alyssa started waking in the night asking for me too. FML....K said "It must be you"...I think so too..It must be me....why ah??
When's my next business trip? Lol, my boss gave me a year's worth of advance notice.
It's gonna be an ICANN meeting in March 2019. Where? Kobe, Japan! Woohoo! At least this time round it's in a developed nation with clean streets and nice food...:) The weather's gonna be really cold in March though....hmm....
For Posterity
Office will be undergoing renovation in the next couple of months so we've been advised to clear up our stuff, shred unwanted confidential papers, send old files out to CISCO, etc.
Found a card of appreciation from what must have been an ex-intern or temp staff. From anywhere between 5 to 7 years ago. She signed off but honestly...I cannot recall who exactly she is. I have a vague recollection but am not sure if it is really her. Anyway, just noting down what she said...for posterity and as a reminder to myself to be nice to people. I think I've become a less nice person as the years go by. :)
============
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for sharing your life experiences with me, be it driving, campus life, Chinese New Year, etc. And you are really very supportive when I was still rather new at the job and Jane was on leave and I had nobody to ask or clarify doubts with. Really appreciate it alot. Here's wishing you all the best for the years to come! May it be an exciting and blissful one! Hehe. Stay pretty and see you next time! Take care! :) Love, Xue Fen.
Preggy??
Had a dream last night. That I was pregnant...gosh.
I don't remember any other detail of the dream though...The dream ended abruptly when Nadya woke me up at 410am....dang...wonder what would have gone on in the dream had she not woken me up.
I don't remember any other detail of the dream though...The dream ended abruptly when Nadya woke me up at 410am....dang...wonder what would have gone on in the dream had she not woken me up.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Kathmandu!
It's been a whirlwind the last 2 weeks. From preparing for CNY and making sure I had the right angpows packed for the right people, to thinking and packing for the Kathmandu business trip, to getting work done, to managing family relations....
And so voila...
I'm really here in Kathmandu.
Woke at 5am just to be sure that I was out of the house by 550am, before any of the girls woke. I didn't want to get into a situation where they were potentially in the midst of bawling and I had to leave them. Wouldn't do them any good and wouldn't do my sensitive soul any good too haha.
Had a scare last night when I had diarrhoea. Went to the doc at 11pm to get meds. During the first leg of my flight to Nepal, I was still feeling quite queasy and a little light-headed and nauseated. I was praying that I would get well soon...and I am extremely thankful that my tummy has not acted up today....Guess it helped that I didn't eat much during the entire day.
I was a little nervous during the first leg too. After not having flown for a business trip for so long...somehow I couldn't help but feel nervous haha.
Anyway, it's 1215am now in SG time, 10pm Kathmandu time.
Just came back about an hour ago from a dinner. I was initially only with my boss. 2 members of the industry came by and sat with us and we ended up getting stuck there for a long time....
Kinda surreal to be sitting in a hotel room in Nepal, listening to Korean songs and blogging, with a face mask on.
It's been quite awhile. 5 years and 4 months since my last business trip actually, which was in Toronto back in October 2012.
I hope the girls sleep well tonight. I hope Nadya is ok and is dealing with me not being there well enough. Jiayou to K too...:)
And so voila...
I'm really here in Kathmandu.
Woke at 5am just to be sure that I was out of the house by 550am, before any of the girls woke. I didn't want to get into a situation where they were potentially in the midst of bawling and I had to leave them. Wouldn't do them any good and wouldn't do my sensitive soul any good too haha.
Had a scare last night when I had diarrhoea. Went to the doc at 11pm to get meds. During the first leg of my flight to Nepal, I was still feeling quite queasy and a little light-headed and nauseated. I was praying that I would get well soon...and I am extremely thankful that my tummy has not acted up today....Guess it helped that I didn't eat much during the entire day.
I was a little nervous during the first leg too. After not having flown for a business trip for so long...somehow I couldn't help but feel nervous haha.
Anyway, it's 1215am now in SG time, 10pm Kathmandu time.
Just came back about an hour ago from a dinner. I was initially only with my boss. 2 members of the industry came by and sat with us and we ended up getting stuck there for a long time....
Kinda surreal to be sitting in a hotel room in Nepal, listening to Korean songs and blogging, with a face mask on.
It's been quite awhile. 5 years and 4 months since my last business trip actually, which was in Toronto back in October 2012.
I hope the girls sleep well tonight. I hope Nadya is ok and is dealing with me not being there well enough. Jiayou to K too...:)
Monday, February 12, 2018
Conversations
With the 2yr 4mth old.........
We were at Parkway Parade waiting for Nadya to finish her speech and drama class. Most shops weren't open yet and K, Alyssa and myself were just wandering around when we found outselves in the basement floor. There was a pet shop there and I wanted to bring Alyssa to see the hamsters which can usually be seen through the shop's windows.
A: Mama, I don't want to see.
Me: Why? I thought you liked hamsters?
A: Noooo...I don't! But I like ham!
LOLOLOLOL. This little girl is turning out to be quite a talker.
And she was the one who made us quite worried initially when she wasn't talking much even at the age of 2.
===================
With the 4yr 4mth old.....
She was having a sausage bun for supper and couldn't finish it. She passed the leftover to K and K asked her why.
N: Because Mama cannot eat too much. Her tummy is fat already.
BIG BIG SIGH. :( :( :( :( :(
===================
With the 4yr 4mth old....
Alyssa was throwing a tantrum in Nadya's room. Rolling on the floor, screaming at the top of her lungs, big tears and all.
And then Nadya very sagely said "Nevermind, let her be."
We were at Parkway Parade waiting for Nadya to finish her speech and drama class. Most shops weren't open yet and K, Alyssa and myself were just wandering around when we found outselves in the basement floor. There was a pet shop there and I wanted to bring Alyssa to see the hamsters which can usually be seen through the shop's windows.
A: Mama, I don't want to see.
Me: Why? I thought you liked hamsters?
A: Noooo...I don't! But I like ham!
LOLOLOLOL. This little girl is turning out to be quite a talker.
And she was the one who made us quite worried initially when she wasn't talking much even at the age of 2.
===================
With the 4yr 4mth old.....
She was having a sausage bun for supper and couldn't finish it. She passed the leftover to K and K asked her why.
N: Because Mama cannot eat too much. Her tummy is fat already.
BIG BIG SIGH. :( :( :( :( :(
===================
With the 4yr 4mth old....
Alyssa was throwing a tantrum in Nadya's room. Rolling on the floor, screaming at the top of her lungs, big tears and all.
And then Nadya very sagely said "Nevermind, let her be."
A Walk in the Park
K was out for a wedding dinner on Saturday night and we didn't have to go back to my parents' place for dinner as well since we'd already had reunion lunch together. The girls were clamouring over me and asking to go out.
I made them promise to be good during dinner so we could go out after that haha.
We went out during dusk. My favourite time of the day. It was 7:30pm.
The sky was shades of purple, blue, grey and pink. That little precious window of time when everything seems so much clearer and more peaceful. And before the sky turned black.
It was a cool evening. Windy. As usual during each CNY. Is this called the Spring Wind? 春风.
I took them to the park connector. It was a slow slow walk. Partly because Alyssa's strides were only that long (or short for that matter haha). And also partly because I was showing them and telling them about various things. We even stopped for awhile to munch on mini chocolate buns that I'd brought along with me.
Taught them about streetlamps. Played with shadows. Talked about canals and how water from the drains all converge and flow into the main big canal. And how water flows from the canal out to the sea eventually. Showed them ferns and creeping vines on trees. Explained to them the different breeds of dogs since so many of them were out on strolls that evening. Taught Nadya how to look after Alyssa and make sure she didn't get into the path of any bicycles or skate scooters.
We talked about fairy lights too. And reflections of light on water. And high tides versus low tides. Taught Nadya how to read street signs and recognise the one leading to our development. We watched one or two planes go by, almost overhead. And we spent quite some time observing a black and white cat lying on top of a wall. Before Nadya shrieked and ran away when the cat finally decided to jump down and headed towards us in search of food.
We walked. We talked. We laughed. We sang. We giggled. We ate.
It was a short 40minutes but I had a really wonderful time. I hope they did too.
And...
Thank you children.
For opening up Mama's eyes again to all the sights, sounds and wonders of this world. Things which we as adults have come to take for granted and gloss over. Things which we as adults have unconsciously chosen to unsee because they have become inconsequential to the daily grind. Thank you for piquing my curiosity again.
I made them promise to be good during dinner so we could go out after that haha.
We went out during dusk. My favourite time of the day. It was 7:30pm.
The sky was shades of purple, blue, grey and pink. That little precious window of time when everything seems so much clearer and more peaceful. And before the sky turned black.
It was a cool evening. Windy. As usual during each CNY. Is this called the Spring Wind? 春风.
I took them to the park connector. It was a slow slow walk. Partly because Alyssa's strides were only that long (or short for that matter haha). And also partly because I was showing them and telling them about various things. We even stopped for awhile to munch on mini chocolate buns that I'd brought along with me.
Taught them about streetlamps. Played with shadows. Talked about canals and how water from the drains all converge and flow into the main big canal. And how water flows from the canal out to the sea eventually. Showed them ferns and creeping vines on trees. Explained to them the different breeds of dogs since so many of them were out on strolls that evening. Taught Nadya how to look after Alyssa and make sure she didn't get into the path of any bicycles or skate scooters.
We talked about fairy lights too. And reflections of light on water. And high tides versus low tides. Taught Nadya how to read street signs and recognise the one leading to our development. We watched one or two planes go by, almost overhead. And we spent quite some time observing a black and white cat lying on top of a wall. Before Nadya shrieked and ran away when the cat finally decided to jump down and headed towards us in search of food.
We walked. We talked. We laughed. We sang. We giggled. We ate.
It was a short 40minutes but I had a really wonderful time. I hope they did too.
And...
Thank you children.
For opening up Mama's eyes again to all the sights, sounds and wonders of this world. Things which we as adults have come to take for granted and gloss over. Things which we as adults have unconsciously chosen to unsee because they have become inconsequential to the daily grind. Thank you for piquing my curiosity again.
Monday, February 05, 2018
Mindsets
If you cannot change the person/colleague who is bringing you grief, and if getting out of the team is not an option, or changing the environment isn't an option, maybe you could look at changing yourself.
Not changing yourself by bending your principles just to accommodate the other person, but perhaps tweaking certain mindsets of yours....to allow yourself greater emotional control over the effect the other person has on you.
Afterall, why suffer in silence when the other person doesn't care? Why make yourself miserable when the other person goes off "scott-free"? Why bring yourself grief and emotional distress? And if you bring things up, you may end up being seen as the person being petty or being the "bad guy"?
Maybe I should look at how I can tweak myself or my mindset a little?
How can I grow further? What do I need to do? How do I get myself out of this biased rut?
Not changing yourself by bending your principles just to accommodate the other person, but perhaps tweaking certain mindsets of yours....to allow yourself greater emotional control over the effect the other person has on you.
Afterall, why suffer in silence when the other person doesn't care? Why make yourself miserable when the other person goes off "scott-free"? Why bring yourself grief and emotional distress? And if you bring things up, you may end up being seen as the person being petty or being the "bad guy"?
Maybe I should look at how I can tweak myself or my mindset a little?
How can I grow further? What do I need to do? How do I get myself out of this biased rut?
7 early 8 early
Auntie E, I know it's your first time handling the hotline. You're a mother of 2 teenagers. You're almost 50 years old. No need to be so kancheong and make so much noise every time you pick up a call from the hotline.
"Whooo!! Wah!!! I feel so kan cheong!!???!!"
"How ah?!!"
"Oh my god!!"
"My heart is pumping 100 beats a second!"
"Alamak how?! Sheeeeessshh...Whoa!"
"I'm so scared!!?!"
It's quite loud and rather distracting....
Sigh.
=========================
Auntie L....I know you're busy with alot of things...No need to keep harping on it to me too...
I have alot of things on my plate as well you know...:)
You keep saying you're going mad...but...sigh...anyway...some of us are also busy too, if not even busier...
"Whooo!! Wah!!! I feel so kan cheong!!???!!"
"How ah?!!"
"Oh my god!!"
"My heart is pumping 100 beats a second!"
"Alamak how?! Sheeeeessshh...Whoa!"
"I'm so scared!!?!"
It's quite loud and rather distracting....
Sigh.
=========================
Auntie L....I know you're busy with alot of things...No need to keep harping on it to me too...
I have alot of things on my plate as well you know...:)
You keep saying you're going mad...but...sigh...anyway...some of us are also busy too, if not even busier...
Friday, February 02, 2018
Of Animals and ......Zodiacs
In the world of fengshui, the Monkey's allies are the Rat and Dragon. The Monkey also has a secret friend, the Snake.
Suddenly realised that my insurance advisor/agent is a Snake. And more recently, I did some transactions with my DBS relationship manager and he is also born in the year of the Snake, though a good 12 years younger than my insurance agent haha.
Nadya is also a Snake.
This Monkey gets along quite well with Goats too...Alyssa is a Goat. Ally, PQ, KH and Chiewz are all Goats too!
Suddenly realised that my insurance advisor/agent is a Snake. And more recently, I did some transactions with my DBS relationship manager and he is also born in the year of the Snake, though a good 12 years younger than my insurance agent haha.
Nadya is also a Snake.
This Monkey gets along quite well with Goats too...Alyssa is a Goat. Ally, PQ, KH and Chiewz are all Goats too!
Musings
Nadya's usually not a morning person but she has good days when she wakes on the right side of bed and is cheery and agreeable. The other day when I woke her up for school. The moment she opened her eyes and saw me, she gave me a smile and said:
"Mama, do you know that the rib cage protects the heart?"
Hahah...thank you darling for that snippet of information!
She had learnt it in school the previous day I think and obviously that piece of info was still in her head....:D
=======================
Alyssa is growing fast.
In the past month, she's suddenly speaking alot more and in proper English and sentences.
Oh I feel conflicted! I'm happy that she's growing well but I don't want her to grow so fast!
She's my last kid and if she outgrows her baby-ness....then there'll be no more squishes for me to cuddle anymore...:(
Monday, January 22, 2018
Conversations with a 4yr 3 mth-old
This morning, while getting ready for work and school, Nadya patted my tummy and said:
"Mama, you wear this dress, cannot see your belly. Hehe."
zzzzz.....
Ok noted my darling, I should wear this dress more often then... haha.
"Mama, you wear this dress, cannot see your belly. Hehe."
zzzzz.....
Ok noted my darling, I should wear this dress more often then... haha.
Friday, January 19, 2018
frustration is .....
when you are sick and are woken up by your fussy kid a second time within one hour. And when your kid is crying and kicking and refusing to listen to you. And when your kid insists on you fanning her back to sleep because “it’s very hot”. And when your kid then says after 3mins that “it’s very cold”. And when you start crying out of sheer frustration and anger. And when you feel as if your blood vessels are going to burst. And when you beg your kid to sleep through the rest of the night and stop waking up, while you sob uncontrollably. And when your kid finally does go back to sleep but your mind is now so fucking charged up that you can’t get back to sleep even though your body wants to.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Yakkity Yak
It's been a lot of talk today. Abit too much for me lol. This introvert needs a break from all the talking and socialising.
The day started with a breakfast meeting with an old and close friend from the industry. An hour and a half of talking.
Came back to the office thereafter and immediately had a 20min discussion with the boss. Cleared a little work....
And then I had a lunch meeting again. More talking for another hour and a half. Came back to the office and had a 15min discussion with a colleague....
Bah, too much talking liao hhahaha...I think I'm done for the day...I don't want to talk anymore and shall hide in my cubicle till the end of the work day lol......
My sore throat wasn't doing too good last night....It still hurts now. :(
The day started with a breakfast meeting with an old and close friend from the industry. An hour and a half of talking.
Came back to the office thereafter and immediately had a 20min discussion with the boss. Cleared a little work....
And then I had a lunch meeting again. More talking for another hour and a half. Came back to the office and had a 15min discussion with a colleague....
Bah, too much talking liao hhahaha...I think I'm done for the day...I don't want to talk anymore and shall hide in my cubicle till the end of the work day lol......
My sore throat wasn't doing too good last night....It still hurts now. :(
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Imagine
It was a fleeting image but it brought me warmth and anticipation.
I was walking back to the inlaws place yesterday evening when I saw a mother with 2 primary-school-going daughters. The older girl was probably 10 years old and the younger one was 7 or 8. The two girls were dressed in long cotton nightgowns. One had princess characters printed on the front and the other I couldn't see clearly but I guessed it would have been similar princess characters too.
And then an image came to mind. It was fleeting...but it made me warm and fuzzy and brought a smile to my face.
It was me with Nadya and Alyssa. They both had hair past their shoulders. We were all dressed in pyjamas. We were huddled together on a bed and it was a rainy night. Each of them were curled up in the nook of both my arms...and we were reading a storybook together....Nadya looked about 8 in the image, which means Alyssa would be around 6.
*love*
I wonder how they'll grow up to be...:)
Thursday, January 11, 2018
woozy
Had a sudden but split-second wave of dizziness on Tuesday while buying lunch. My colleague was with me and I grabbed his arm instinctively. It was over in a split-second but I felt a little odd thereafter.
I've been lightheaded on and off since that day. Today's Thursday. I think I'll go see the doctor tomorrow....hope it's not low blood pressure or anything though some of my symptoms point to that...
I've been lightheaded on and off since that day. Today's Thursday. I think I'll go see the doctor tomorrow....hope it's not low blood pressure or anything though some of my symptoms point to that...
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Presentation to the Minister
Did a presentation to a Minister today. It was a short session peppered with small quick discussions here and there. All in all, the session lasted only 20mins. He was rather quick-witted and could grasp things easily.
Oh the amount of preparation that went into it....the clearance and number of emails that went into getting the slide deck ready...the number of calls I had with my counterpart in the Ministry.....the nervousness I felt for the entire day yesterday (which thankfully dissipated when it was time to "perform")....All these did not commensurate with the duration of the session....just 20mins lol.
Am just glad it went well. Partly it was because the Minister himself was a friendly and approachable person. Very affable and no airs about him. He made jokes here and there as well and was generally very easy to talk to.
Glad this is over!
Good experience...
Oh the amount of preparation that went into it....the clearance and number of emails that went into getting the slide deck ready...the number of calls I had with my counterpart in the Ministry.....the nervousness I felt for the entire day yesterday (which thankfully dissipated when it was time to "perform")....All these did not commensurate with the duration of the session....just 20mins lol.
Am just glad it went well. Partly it was because the Minister himself was a friendly and approachable person. Very affable and no airs about him. He made jokes here and there as well and was generally very easy to talk to.
Glad this is over!
Good experience...
Monday, January 08, 2018
Chilli
I grew up in a Peranakan household. And of course, chilli and other spicy stuff were a part and parcel of life. I can't recall when I learnt how to take spicy food but I do remember eating prata and curry when I was in P1 or P2.
Even when my granny could no longer cook and my mum took over, there was usually at least 1 spicy dish each day or every other day. Otherwise my Dad would get upset and complain that the food was bland haha.
Ever since I moved out of home in 2012, I've been eating mostly at my inlaws place where food is usually lighter and not spicy. Curries or vege lemak were occasional treats. :)
Recently, I'd developed a craving for sambal and chillies to add to my rice. My MIL gave me a bottle of green and red chilli sambal that they had made. A recipe that they accidentally stumbled upon when they ran out of red chillies and made do with green chillies. The sambal turned out great....and yeah, I made my liking for it known and voila....I was thus given a bottle of it haha.
I think greedy me took too much of it yesterday....I'm poo-ing more today....and erm...my intestines feel spicy....:(
Even when my granny could no longer cook and my mum took over, there was usually at least 1 spicy dish each day or every other day. Otherwise my Dad would get upset and complain that the food was bland haha.
Ever since I moved out of home in 2012, I've been eating mostly at my inlaws place where food is usually lighter and not spicy. Curries or vege lemak were occasional treats. :)
Recently, I'd developed a craving for sambal and chillies to add to my rice. My MIL gave me a bottle of green and red chilli sambal that they had made. A recipe that they accidentally stumbled upon when they ran out of red chillies and made do with green chillies. The sambal turned out great....and yeah, I made my liking for it known and voila....I was thus given a bottle of it haha.
I think greedy me took too much of it yesterday....I'm poo-ing more today....and erm...my intestines feel spicy....:(
Wednesday, January 03, 2018
3 Jan
My first day back to work in 2018.
Before I even stepped into the office, I received a frantic call from one of my registrars and spent the next 45mins looking into an ops issue of theirs.
Sibei busy day.
More discussions to come later....Just finished my dabao-ed lunch!
Back to work!
p/s: about lunch.....made the mistake of ordering fried rice instead of getting something lighter from subway....boo.
Before I even stepped into the office, I received a frantic call from one of my registrars and spent the next 45mins looking into an ops issue of theirs.
Sibei busy day.
More discussions to come later....Just finished my dabao-ed lunch!
Back to work!
p/s: about lunch.....made the mistake of ordering fried rice instead of getting something lighter from subway....boo.
2 Jan - Decluttering & Packing
I refused to work on the first official working day of the new year. Heh.
I took leave and spent the entire day packing my room and bits of Nadya's room and running errands. Managed to squeeze in a nap and a short walk/jog as well. It was a tiring day...but fulfilling too.
I cleared my desk, cleaned out 2 drawers as well and re-jigged some stuff in the bathroom. K sorted out the entire kitchen and all the storage cabinets there. He found a roach and many roach droppings in the process too. :( Need to step up hygiene levels and nag at the helper to do so too.
We threw out 3 big black bags worth of rubbish.
There will be more to come when I start working on the girls' old, broken toys or those with parts missing here and there. And maybe even more again when I decide to shave off part of the mini garden outside and when I take a look at what we have in the storeroom.
It'll be an on-going project de-cluttering the whole house...
One area per weekend? Take another 2-3 days' of leave to do so? I dunno....see how....
Jiayou to us!
I took leave and spent the entire day packing my room and bits of Nadya's room and running errands. Managed to squeeze in a nap and a short walk/jog as well. It was a tiring day...but fulfilling too.
I cleared my desk, cleaned out 2 drawers as well and re-jigged some stuff in the bathroom. K sorted out the entire kitchen and all the storage cabinets there. He found a roach and many roach droppings in the process too. :( Need to step up hygiene levels and nag at the helper to do so too.
We threw out 3 big black bags worth of rubbish.
There will be more to come when I start working on the girls' old, broken toys or those with parts missing here and there. And maybe even more again when I decide to shave off part of the mini garden outside and when I take a look at what we have in the storeroom.
It'll be an on-going project de-cluttering the whole house...
One area per weekend? Take another 2-3 days' of leave to do so? I dunno....see how....
Jiayou to us!
2018 - Less Junk, Less Gunk
Happy New Year!
May 2018 bring to everyone more good things! Huat ah!
For me, my theme, or motto, or mission, or whatever you call it.....for 2018 is "Less Junk, Less Gunk".
Yup. Less junk and less gunk in all aspects.
Work
- focus on the key items
- see if I can speak to the boss and throw out the melodrama associated with ops
- minimise interactions with toxic colleagues
Relationships
- focus on those who matter
- weed out toxic relationships or at least minimise interactions with these people
Home
- throw out or donate unnecessary stuff (glad that I've donated at least 3 bags' worth of kids clothes to some village in Myanmar already...)
Body/Health
- eat better, eat cleaner, eat lighter (I've let loose over the last 2-3 years and it shows....both in my blood tests and my erm....wobbly belly...)
- more fresh air!
May 2018 bring to everyone more good things! Huat ah!
For me, my theme, or motto, or mission, or whatever you call it.....for 2018 is "Less Junk, Less Gunk".
Yup. Less junk and less gunk in all aspects.
Work
- focus on the key items
- see if I can speak to the boss and throw out the melodrama associated with ops
- minimise interactions with toxic colleagues
Relationships
- focus on those who matter
- weed out toxic relationships or at least minimise interactions with these people
Home
- throw out or donate unnecessary stuff (glad that I've donated at least 3 bags' worth of kids clothes to some village in Myanmar already...)
Body/Health
- eat better, eat cleaner, eat lighter (I've let loose over the last 2-3 years and it shows....both in my blood tests and my erm....wobbly belly...)
- more fresh air!
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Relac
Today is the last working day for me for the year 2017.
I bochup and wore jeans to work.
I got myself fried beehoon and my fav chicken wrap from Old Chang Kee for breakfast.
I went to Ichiban Boshi for lunch with my team.
I had a very light lunch of a half a rice-bowl of soba + 2 pieces of sushi so I'll probably be having milo and cream crackers for tea-break soon.
I got some stuff cleared and am working on a non-urgent piece of work now.
I bought 2 tops online earlier in the day.
That about wraps up my last day of work for this year!
May 2018 bring more good things to my family and loved ones, my girls, K and me....
Huat ah!
I bochup and wore jeans to work.
I got myself fried beehoon and my fav chicken wrap from Old Chang Kee for breakfast.
I went to Ichiban Boshi for lunch with my team.
I had a very light lunch of a half a rice-bowl of soba + 2 pieces of sushi so I'll probably be having milo and cream crackers for tea-break soon.
I got some stuff cleared and am working on a non-urgent piece of work now.
I bought 2 tops online earlier in the day.
That about wraps up my last day of work for this year!
May 2018 bring more good things to my family and loved ones, my girls, K and me....
Huat ah!
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Peanut's in N1 Santorini
Peanut's having a hard time adjusting to N1...her transition over the last 3-4 weeks has been terrible with long bouts of crying in the mornings. My heart aches to see her cry every morning when the teachers peel her away from me.
Just spoke to her form teacher and apparently these 2 days has been bad after the Xmas break...She has her good times where she manages to laugh and play. But she gets emotional and is easily triggered into crying, especially when she sees her former form teacher walking by her class....:(
I've told Nadya to try to take care of Peanut and give her some support if she happens to see her crying. But I think that might be too much to ask of the 4yr-old, who has her own class activities to handle.....
I hope Peanut adjusts soon...This is the 2nd or 3rd time I'm talking to the teacher already...:(
Peanut...jiayou!
Dada, Mama and Jie jie love you loads!
Just spoke to her form teacher and apparently these 2 days has been bad after the Xmas break...She has her good times where she manages to laugh and play. But she gets emotional and is easily triggered into crying, especially when she sees her former form teacher walking by her class....:(
I've told Nadya to try to take care of Peanut and give her some support if she happens to see her crying. But I think that might be too much to ask of the 4yr-old, who has her own class activities to handle.....
I hope Peanut adjusts soon...This is the 2nd or 3rd time I'm talking to the teacher already...:(
Peanut...jiayou!
Dada, Mama and Jie jie love you loads!
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
lists...
I shared an article on FB a few days ago. It was about the invisible mental load of mothers.
Let's see...what's my mental load?
Let's see...what's my mental load?
- Weekend menu planning
- Weekly grocery planning list
- Stock-taking of food and supplies at home (tried outsourcing to the helper to no avail)
- Monthly online grocery list (mainly bulky items, homecare products and frozen food)
- What to get to keep the kids entertained and/or stimulated?
- Which days will the school be closed?
- When are the girls' excursions? When do I need to fill up and send back the consent forms and make payment? Do they need to dress up in PE attire on that day? What do they need to bring on that day?
- What class activities are the girls doing next week and what art materials do the teachers need us to contribute?
- All other stuff that the school sends out on a weekly/daily/monthly basis
- Which toys need to be thrown away? What old clothes need to be kept or donated?
- Are the girls growing well?
- Xmas presents
- CNY angpows
- What CNY goodies need to be bought?
- When is the helper taking her off day?
- Is the helper doing things right?
- What does the helper need to concentrate on this week or next week or the week after?
- Has the helper completed the extra stuff I asked her to do last week?
- When do we need to celebrate the inlaws' birthdays? When do we need to celebrate my parents' birthdays? When can we do Mothers' and Fathers' Day celebration for both families?
- When are my checkups? Do I need to do anything before that?
- Am I doing the right things?
- Do we need to do anything for the neighbours for Xmas or CNY?
- The curtains need washing
- The aircon needs servicing
- The windows, cupboards, fridge, utility area and storeroom need to be cleaned from time to time
- The plants, whatever is left of them, need to be pruned
- Need to cut my hair!
- Have I paid my bills?? Credit card, my insurance, the girls' insurance, mobile?!
- Need to "trim back" the organically growing piles of junk everywhere in the house
- Need to....
- Want to...
- Am I....
- What do we....
- When are we....
- And the list goes on......................
- and on...................
Genius Peanut
Had the most vivid and awesome dream last night. I remember waking in the middle of the night thinking "Wow! Just wow!"
In the dream. Alyssa was a super duper child genius. At the age of 2, she was representing IMDA and Singapore at a United Nations forum. Yes, at the age of TWO haha.
She spoke passionately about an issue in particular. Grand hand gestures and all. I can't remember what issue though. And in the dream, she was speaking in that baby voice of hers, poor diction, unclear pronunciation, lisps and all haha.
But still! Being the genius that she was, she convinced many countries to take the same position as Singapore and everyone voted to not ratify an international treaty of sort...Again, I can't remember what the treaty was about. The delegation from Singapore, with her as the main speaker, had a resoundingly successful trip to that forum!
The organisers must have given her a very tall stool to stand on because I remember her head just peeking over the lectern when she was speaking haha.
This is probably the most awesome dream I've ever had!
Hahaha...I woke feeling so proud and elated, even if it was just a dream..... :)
In the dream. Alyssa was a super duper child genius. At the age of 2, she was representing IMDA and Singapore at a United Nations forum. Yes, at the age of TWO haha.
She spoke passionately about an issue in particular. Grand hand gestures and all. I can't remember what issue though. And in the dream, she was speaking in that baby voice of hers, poor diction, unclear pronunciation, lisps and all haha.
But still! Being the genius that she was, she convinced many countries to take the same position as Singapore and everyone voted to not ratify an international treaty of sort...Again, I can't remember what the treaty was about. The delegation from Singapore, with her as the main speaker, had a resoundingly successful trip to that forum!
The organisers must have given her a very tall stool to stand on because I remember her head just peeking over the lectern when she was speaking haha.
This is probably the most awesome dream I've ever had!
Hahaha...I woke feeling so proud and elated, even if it was just a dream..... :)
Reconnecting
This year's Xmas festivities were pretty good...I was a little jaded last year and tired as hell to be honest. I don't think I enjoyed the holidays as much as I should have.
This year, I felt that all gatherings went well and were better than I'd expected. Just simple nice times spent with close friends, fast and firm friends, and of course...family.
This year, I felt that all gatherings went well and were better than I'd expected. Just simple nice times spent with close friends, fast and firm friends, and of course...family.
- 14 Dec - Dinner with the Duckies...more meaningful conversations...laughter as usual and we'd already made plans on the "theme" for next year's Xmas gifts. We're supposed to buy something round. Up to us to define what "round" is ahahaha. One whole year to think through what to get!
- 16 Dec - Dinner with K's family at his parents' place. Home-baked turkey and other home-cooked food, plus some beef and roasted pork I brought from my company's leftover function made for a yummy dinner.
- 22 Dec - Lunch with PQ & Ally and Kyler, followed by a visit to Parwin and her new baby Eshaan! Thoroughly enjoyed the lunch time together though I think I had to much truffle fries haha.
- 23 Dec - Dinner with the rest of the sec sch peeps at Eugene & Yenhui's place. With 8 adults, 8 kids and 1 more baby on the way....gatherings in the future would probably be at someone's house more often than not...This year, with most of the kids being older already, we even managed to get almost 2 hours of sitting, drinking and chatting by ourselves at the dining table. The kids were either glued to the TV or playing on their own. Yay to more of such!
- 24 Dec - Annual gathering as usual at Uncle David's place. Managed to catch up with my cousin Suli, which was nice...even managed to interact with Baby Ashlyn without the girls getting jealous haha...
- 25 Dec - Xmas day dinner with my own family at Katong Kitchen, one of our favourite buffet places. :) Food was good, company was good, Nadya fed herself more than half of her bowl before getting distracted (hahaha).....what more could I ask for?
Friday, December 22, 2017
Long toes!
Facebook reminded me that on 20 December 2008, I posted this photo on FB.
I distinctly remembered where I was, why I was sitting there, what thoughts were going through my head, who I was waiting for and what song I was listening to on repeat.
Where I was: Steps leading to the Harbourfront MRT station. This was at the exit at the back. Very few people pass by this exit.
Why I was sitting there: Waiting for someone.
What thoughts I was having: Anger, sadness, disappointment at something that happened. I was also at a loss and in a muddled fuddled state. I was trying to find my bearing and wondering what I should do next.
Who I was waiting for: An ex
What song I was listening to: Angel by Sarah McLachlan. I was using my Ipod Nano I think. One of the earliest incarnations of it haha. I listed to the song at least 12-15 times. Can you imagine how long I was made to wait there? I remember thinking to myself then "I'm always the one who is waiting. Since day 1 when I was made to wait 1.5hrs for the first date. Why? Am I that unimportant? I probably am. For things to have come to such a state."
p/s: My nail polish was quite chio! I've not done my nails up for a long long long long time...ever since the kids came into the picture haha....I should do them up for Xmas!!....DIY at home....if I can find the energy to at night when they are asleep. :D
I distinctly remembered where I was, why I was sitting there, what thoughts were going through my head, who I was waiting for and what song I was listening to on repeat.
Where I was: Steps leading to the Harbourfront MRT station. This was at the exit at the back. Very few people pass by this exit.
Why I was sitting there: Waiting for someone.
What thoughts I was having: Anger, sadness, disappointment at something that happened. I was also at a loss and in a muddled fuddled state. I was trying to find my bearing and wondering what I should do next.
Who I was waiting for: An ex
What song I was listening to: Angel by Sarah McLachlan. I was using my Ipod Nano I think. One of the earliest incarnations of it haha. I listed to the song at least 12-15 times. Can you imagine how long I was made to wait there? I remember thinking to myself then "I'm always the one who is waiting. Since day 1 when I was made to wait 1.5hrs for the first date. Why? Am I that unimportant? I probably am. For things to have come to such a state."
p/s: My nail polish was quite chio! I've not done my nails up for a long long long long time...ever since the kids came into the picture haha....I should do them up for Xmas!!....DIY at home....if I can find the energy to at night when they are asleep. :D
Monday, December 18, 2017
Peanut is sick...
Alyssa is sick again. Fever in the middle of the night.
Might be the black forest cake on Saturday and the choc donut on Sunday that did her in.
Body is at work but the heart is at home. :(
She cried big time when I left the house this morning. Heart pain....
I've made up my mind to head home after lunch, sometime in the early afternoon....maybe do some simple painting with her...or blow bubbles with her when she wakes from her afternoon nap.
Get well soon peanut.!You still have 4 more parties/gatherings this coming Xmas weekend....22, 23, 24 and 25 Dec....
Might be the black forest cake on Saturday and the choc donut on Sunday that did her in.
Body is at work but the heart is at home. :(
She cried big time when I left the house this morning. Heart pain....
I've made up my mind to head home after lunch, sometime in the early afternoon....maybe do some simple painting with her...or blow bubbles with her when she wakes from her afternoon nap.
Get well soon peanut.!You still have 4 more parties/gatherings this coming Xmas weekend....22, 23, 24 and 25 Dec....
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Conversations
Funny how conversations go the older one gets.
In my 20s, conversations with the Duckies revolved around asshole boyfriends, horrible dates, gossip about the company and our ex-boss, updates on whichever workplace we were at at that point, general trivia, bitching and well, more bitching.
Truth be told, though I treasured them as friends and appreciated being part of the group, sometimes I felt abit zapped out by the incessant bitching. Too much of it haha.
As I moved into my 30s, there was a noticeable shift in conversations whenever we got together. Especially in the last 2 to 3 years.
It became even more apparent to me in our last 2 meet-ups.
Our talk is no longer about horrible dates. Though as a group we went through 2 divorces (both were cheating cases) and had to contend with one of our own ghosting us. All of which happened within the last 3 years.
Our talk is now about health, be it our eczema issues (which surprisingly a lot of us have), EH’s immune disorder issue, G’s hepatitis issue, our digestive issues, etc.
Our talk is now about quick but meaningful updates of our current lives. Our talk is about our siblings and familial relationships. Our talk is now about careers (not jobs and workplace gossip). Our talk is now about reminiscing.
Sure, the lame jokes are still there. The occasional bitching is still there. But generally, I feel our conversations have become abit more meaningful, at least to me.
And there is this easy camaraderie amongst us as a group, including the “associate members” I.e the boyfriends and husbands.
Here’s to 15 years and counting! May this band of Duckies go strong!
Friday, December 15, 2017
The Duckies
Had dinner with the Duckies this evening. Our annual Xmas gift exchange and dinner gathering. 5 of us ladies plus 2 “associate members” I.e boyfriends/husbands. Thankful that somehow this motley crew has managed to remain together for the last 15 years!
One of the ladies kinda abandoned us 2 or 3 years back and despite various attempts to get through to her, she didn’t really reciprocate. It was a sudden and some say, deliberate, distancing from us. Anyway, we’ve since given up on her and we’re pretty ok as we are right now in this group.
Cheers to more years of friendship, nonsense chatter and many guffaws!
Thursday, December 14, 2017
存在 - 汪峰
Not sure if I've posted this before....but this remains as one of my favourite songs with very meaningful lyrics....存在 (Exist) by 汪峰 (Wang Feng)
存在 - 汪峰
多少人活着却如同死去
duo shao ren huo zhuo que ru tong si qu
多少人爱着却好似分离
duo shao ren ai zhuo que hao si fen li
多少人笑着却满含泪滴
duo shao ren xiao zhuo que man han lei di
谁知道我们该去向何处
shui zhi dao wo men gai qu xiang he chu
谁明白生命已变为何物
shui ming bai sheng ming yi bian wei he wu
是否找个借口继续苟活
shi fou zhao ge jie kou ji xu gou huo
或是展翅高飞保持愤怒
huo shi zhan chi gao fei bao chi fen nu
我该如何存在
wo gai ru he cun zai
多少次荣耀却感觉屈辱
duo shao ci rong yao que gan jue qu ru
多少次狂喜却倍受痛楚
duo shao ci kuang xi que bei shou tong chu
多少次幸福却心如刀绞
duo shao ci xing fu que xin ru dao jiao
多少次灿烂却失魂落魄
duo shao ci can lan que shi hun luo po
谁知道我们该去向何处
shui zhi dao wo men gai qu xiang he chu
谁明白生命已变为何物
shui ming bai sheng ming yi bian wei he wu
是否找个理由随波逐流
shi fou zhao ge li you sui bo zhu liu
或是勇敢前行挣脱牢笼
huo shi yong gan qian xing zheng tuo lao long
我该如何存在
wo gai ru he cun zai
谁知道我们该去向何处
shui zhi dao wo men gai qu xiang he chu
谁明白生命已变为何物
shui ming bai sheng ming yi bian wei he wu
是否找个借口继续苟活
shi fou zhao ge jie kou ji xu gou huo
或是展翅高飞保持愤怒
huo shi zhan chi gao fei bao chi fen nu
谁知道我们该梦归何处
shui zhi dao wo men gai meng gui he chu
谁明白尊严已沦为何物
shui ming bai zun yan yi lun wei he wu
是否找个理由随波逐流
shi fou zhao ge li you sui bo zhu liu
或是勇敢前行挣脱牢笼
huo shi yong gan qian xing zheng tuo lao long
我该如何存在
wo gai ru he cun zai
多少人走着却困在原地
duo shao ren zou zhuo que kun zai yuan di
duo shao ren zou zhuo que kun zai yuan di
多少人活着却如同死去
duo shao ren huo zhuo que ru tong si qu
多少人爱着却好似分离
duo shao ren ai zhuo que hao si fen li
多少人笑着却满含泪滴
duo shao ren xiao zhuo que man han lei di
谁知道我们该去向何处
shui zhi dao wo men gai qu xiang he chu
谁明白生命已变为何物
shui ming bai sheng ming yi bian wei he wu
是否找个借口继续苟活
shi fou zhao ge jie kou ji xu gou huo
或是展翅高飞保持愤怒
huo shi zhan chi gao fei bao chi fen nu
我该如何存在
wo gai ru he cun zai
多少次荣耀却感觉屈辱
duo shao ci rong yao que gan jue qu ru
多少次狂喜却倍受痛楚
duo shao ci kuang xi que bei shou tong chu
多少次幸福却心如刀绞
duo shao ci xing fu que xin ru dao jiao
多少次灿烂却失魂落魄
duo shao ci can lan que shi hun luo po
谁知道我们该去向何处
shui zhi dao wo men gai qu xiang he chu
谁明白生命已变为何物
shui ming bai sheng ming yi bian wei he wu
是否找个理由随波逐流
shi fou zhao ge li you sui bo zhu liu
或是勇敢前行挣脱牢笼
huo shi yong gan qian xing zheng tuo lao long
我该如何存在
wo gai ru he cun zai
谁知道我们该去向何处
shui zhi dao wo men gai qu xiang he chu
谁明白生命已变为何物
shui ming bai sheng ming yi bian wei he wu
是否找个借口继续苟活
shi fou zhao ge jie kou ji xu gou huo
或是展翅高飞保持愤怒
huo shi zhan chi gao fei bao chi fen nu
谁知道我们该梦归何处
shui zhi dao wo men gai meng gui he chu
谁明白尊严已沦为何物
shui ming bai zun yan yi lun wei he wu
是否找个理由随波逐流
shi fou zhao ge li you sui bo zhu liu
或是勇敢前行挣脱牢笼
huo shi yong gan qian xing zheng tuo lao long
我该如何存在
wo gai ru he cun zai
It’s happening all over again
The night terrors.
It happened with Nadya when she was around 2 and lasted several months I think. She’d wake up screaming and crying in the middle of the night. Nothing you said got through to her and she would mumble a phrase repeatedly. Something like “don’t want” or “I want mama”. Either that or she would just be screaming, crying, struggling and rejecting everyone who tried to touch her.
It’s happening to Alyssa now too. Sigh....she’s been waking up screaming for a couple of days now.
And for some reason, Nadya has had pee “accidents” during the night more frequently than usual. I think it’s happened twice in a month already. When she was doing very well over the last 6-8months! She just peed on her bed and dripped onto my tilam on the floor as well.
What’s happening here? Transition to new classes leading to behavioural and sleep pattern changes?
Jiayou jiayou.....*fighting*
Monday, December 11, 2017
Of lollipops and charity
Lollipop time is always happy time!
Taken after a grocery trip to Giant at Parkway Parade the Saturday just past. We had gone there buying some items to be donated to an old folks’ home through their school. Stuff we bought were bath towels, fleece blankets and milo powder.
I tried to explain to Nadya why we were buying the things. I hope she understands. At least she could tell me that “the grandmas and grandpas were lonely and didn’t have money and that we were buying them Xmas gifts”.
Taken after a grocery trip to Giant at Parkway Parade the Saturday just past. We had gone there buying some items to be donated to an old folks’ home through their school. Stuff we bought were bath towels, fleece blankets and milo powder.
I tried to explain to Nadya why we were buying the things. I hope she understands. At least she could tell me that “the grandmas and grandpas were lonely and didn’t have money and that we were buying them Xmas gifts”.
Friday, December 08, 2017
yin yue
Is 37 too old to be falling into the kpop craze?
Mando pop/rock still holds a special place in my heart though. Afterall, I was fan of 933FM for a good 12-13 years?
Mando pop/rock still holds a special place in my heart though. Afterall, I was fan of 933FM for a good 12-13 years?
Thursday, December 07, 2017
Musical accompaniments
Not literally...but music was an accompaniment to my otherwise drab working day today...
Whose music was there with me?
Whose music was there with me?
- GEM
- Namewee (yes, surprising....but he has some nice stuff)
- Wanna One (Daniel Kang is cute in a way...jialat I may be falling into a kpop abyss)
- Henry and Yiruma's collaboration for "River Flows in You"
Monday 4 Dec - the day the chilli padi reared her head
We brought the girls to Kinder Clinic in the evening. For Alyssa's persistent runny nose and developing cough.
While waiting for Alyssa's turn, Nadya read a book that was in our bag. That happened to be Alyssa's favourite book. In her 2-year-old mind, that was her favourite book and hence, that was HER book.
She saw Nadya reading it and got riled up. She went to grab it from Nadya who held onto the book and refused to let go.
*bam* Beast mode.
Alyssa scratched Nadya's face. That small little thing with the sweetest face....is actually a little chilli padi lah.
Nadya was so shocked and in pain that she bawled immediately. Alyssa, after being scolded by yours truly, started wailing as well.
And this was all unfolding in front of the other small kids and parents in the clinic. So paiseh....
In the end, Nadya suffered from 3 cuts/scratches to her lips and 1 bigger scratch on her nose. Poor thing...
As for Alyssa, she did say sorry on her own accord, but only 5-10mins later. And they ended up hugging as well so it was touching to see.
Today's Thursday. Nadya's scratches are still visible but healing quite well. Scabs have already formed so I expect them to fall off by this weekend.
Long weekend last week
It was a hectic weekend last week. The school was closed on Thursday and Friday so it became a super loooooong weekend for us.
Thursday 30 Nov - blowing bubbles in the carpark and then to the small playground below our block in the morning. Went to OneKM for an early dinner following by a 30-min kids show where we saw Angelina the mouse and her friend Alice, Mike the Knight, Thomas the Train and the highlight of the show, Barney and friends. Had waffles and ice-cream after the show, to the girls's delight. :) It was the first time ever that Alyssa had ice-cream I think. Mouthfuls of it haha.
Friday 1 Dec - we brought them for breakfast at Resorts World's Macdonald's and then to the SEA aquarium in the morning. The girls were wowed by the colourful fishes inside, by the dolphins and big manta rays and by the sharks. They got to touch starfishes but got scared by a black sea cucumber and refused to touch it haha.
Saturday 2 Dec - breakfast in the morning was at the new SingPost Centre, followed by grocery shopping at the NTUC there. In the evening, it was dinner as usual at my parents' place. The girls kinda went wild over there, screaming, squealing, laughing, giggling and running all over the place.
Sunday 3 Dec - For the life of me, I can't remember what we did on Sunday morning lol. In the afternoon, we went for Nadya's swimming class as usual. When we got home, the girls insisted on going for a walk. We relented. Which invariably led to them wanting to go to the big playground at the park near our place. And so we went...haha.
Thursday 30 Nov - blowing bubbles in the carpark and then to the small playground below our block in the morning. Went to OneKM for an early dinner following by a 30-min kids show where we saw Angelina the mouse and her friend Alice, Mike the Knight, Thomas the Train and the highlight of the show, Barney and friends. Had waffles and ice-cream after the show, to the girls's delight. :) It was the first time ever that Alyssa had ice-cream I think. Mouthfuls of it haha.
Friday 1 Dec - we brought them for breakfast at Resorts World's Macdonald's and then to the SEA aquarium in the morning. The girls were wowed by the colourful fishes inside, by the dolphins and big manta rays and by the sharks. They got to touch starfishes but got scared by a black sea cucumber and refused to touch it haha.
Saturday 2 Dec - breakfast in the morning was at the new SingPost Centre, followed by grocery shopping at the NTUC there. In the evening, it was dinner as usual at my parents' place. The girls kinda went wild over there, screaming, squealing, laughing, giggling and running all over the place.
Sunday 3 Dec - For the life of me, I can't remember what we did on Sunday morning lol. In the afternoon, we went for Nadya's swimming class as usual. When we got home, the girls insisted on going for a walk. We relented. Which invariably led to them wanting to go to the big playground at the park near our place. And so we went...haha.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
The Sisters
Brought the 2 girls to the doc last evening. There were many people at the clinic and the dispensary took a long time with the numerous prescriptions.
I brought the girls downstairs to wait while K settled the bill and their medications.
The girls were quite excited and ran around the lobby of the building. Nadya was on a high...buzzing here and there. Both were shrieking, squealing, laughing, giggling...
And there were moments when they hugged, held hands and played with each other. Short fleeting moments but they were sweet and I was glad I managed to witness them. Nadya gave Alyssa a peck on her cheek too at one point, to which Alyssa responded with a big cheeky smile that crinkled up her entire face.
Living for moments like these that make my heart go fuzzy-wuzzy.
And then of course right after such moments, they morph back into crazy little shrieking people and make me lose my patience.
I brought the girls downstairs to wait while K settled the bill and their medications.
The girls were quite excited and ran around the lobby of the building. Nadya was on a high...buzzing here and there. Both were shrieking, squealing, laughing, giggling...
And there were moments when they hugged, held hands and played with each other. Short fleeting moments but they were sweet and I was glad I managed to witness them. Nadya gave Alyssa a peck on her cheek too at one point, to which Alyssa responded with a big cheeky smile that crinkled up her entire face.
Living for moments like these that make my heart go fuzzy-wuzzy.
And then of course right after such moments, they morph back into crazy little shrieking people and make me lose my patience.
Hmm
It was a thumbs-down moment for me.
Someone I’d known for more close to 15 years texted me with a “How are you dear?”. He’s a guy. We were closer once but we’ve hardly kept in touch in the last 5-6 years.
I thought it was nice of him to have touched base and reached out. I responded with some stuff and asked him how he was doing too.
There was no response for several days.
And then suddenly there came a text. But all it contained was a reference to an article he had written on LinkedIn and a shout-out to read the article.
I did not respond. I found it a little distasteful and a little...I don’t know...disappointed? Dismayed?
I felt like as I had been disarmed by the initial text and opened up myself. I responded sincerely with genuine information. But for several days there was zero acknowledgement to what I had shared. He didn’t care a hoot about what I’d said. And then instead after that, I suddenly found myself becoming a recipient of unsolicited marketing. (He runs a training business, motivational talks and coaching that sort of thing.)
When I received the article link, I immediately wondered. Was I just one of the many he mass-texted with a “How are you dear?” And was I just one of many who received he article link too?
I was also suddenly reminded of another occasion where the same happened. I brushed it off the other time and didn’t think too much of it. But a second time....bah...
Maybe I am judging too much here. Maybe I have mistaken his intent. I don’t know.
Am I judging too much?
Monday, November 27, 2017
Hermit
老娘i今天anti-social。不想跟太多人说话或接触。 连好朋友KH和同组的同事想约我一起吃午餐我也都拒绝了。打包了pasta，想躲在自己的空间，自己的cubicle边吃边上网。
越老越像hermit crab哈哈。
或可能是前三天在周围太多声音，太多杂声，小孩子们也一直在身边叽里咕噜。。。前个星期同事的下属也一直在问我东西。。。现在我只想平静一下，平复一下。
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Conversations with a 25month-old
Earlier this evening. In the car.
Alyssa: Mama, I want keys.
Me: Oh, you want a kiss? *puckers up and leans in* *gets stopped by a chubby hand*
A: Noooooo!!! I want keys! *points*
Me: Oh. Keys. CHEY.....
===============
Earlier this evening. In the same journey. Nadya was fussing in the car.
Alyssa responded several times with “shhhhhh” to shush Nadya up.
K and I were frustrated with Nadya. But we couldn’t help but smile at Alyssa’s response haha.
===============
The helper had her day off today and when she came back, Alyssa was trying to tell her that we went out earlier in the evening.
A: Auntie Hope, we go out somewhere. We eat um-um. Yummy!
Helper: Where did you go?
A: There!
===============
On Friday evening.
Me: Alyssa, can you count to 100?
A: Yesh! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.......100!
Super shortcut lol.....!!
Alyssa: Mama, I want keys.
Me: Oh, you want a kiss? *puckers up and leans in* *gets stopped by a chubby hand*
A: Noooooo!!! I want keys! *points*
Me: Oh. Keys. CHEY.....
===============
Earlier this evening. In the same journey. Nadya was fussing in the car.
Alyssa responded several times with “shhhhhh” to shush Nadya up.
K and I were frustrated with Nadya. But we couldn’t help but smile at Alyssa’s response haha.
===============
The helper had her day off today and when she came back, Alyssa was trying to tell her that we went out earlier in the evening.
A: Auntie Hope, we go out somewhere. We eat um-um. Yummy!
Helper: Where did you go?
A: There!
===============
On Friday evening.
Me: Alyssa, can you count to 100?
A: Yesh! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.......100!
Super shortcut lol.....!!
Thursday, November 23, 2017
I knew it!
Alyssa woke several times during the night last night. She was screaming and asking for me.
I was thinking that she might be coming down with a fever soon...
And voila. Her form teacher just called.
She's running a 38.4C temperature.
K's gone to fetch her home from the school already.....
My sweet little happy pill....sigh...:(
I hope she sleeps better tonight. And I hope Nadya will be ok. She was acting out last night as well...
May this Mama get sufficient rest tonight...!
I was thinking that she might be coming down with a fever soon...
And voila. Her form teacher just called.
She's running a 38.4C temperature.
K's gone to fetch her home from the school already.....
My sweet little happy pill....sigh...:(
I hope she sleeps better tonight. And I hope Nadya will be ok. She was acting out last night as well...
May this Mama get sufficient rest tonight...!
Saturday, November 18, 2017
The Dam
It finally broke. At 3am in the morning.
Triggered out of pure frustration, anger and desperation.
Nadya has been crying every single night since 2 or 3 weeks ago. Every single time she wakes up to pee. Which is usually twice a night. And on rare occasions, 3 times. And she takes long to fall back to sleep. Half the time she needs to fuss before she falls back to sleep.
I don’t know what happened. What changed. It wasn’t so bad previously.
She whimpers and kicks several times during the night and a he talks at times in her sleep as well.
I’m tired af. Finally cried. At 3am. Was so frustrated at her senseless crying and fussing earlier on after she got up to pee.
She fussed a lot before she slept as well. I had to clench my fists to stop myself from screaming. I had to sit facing the wall for 5-10mins to keep myself sane and not lose it.
Tired. Frustrated. Raw.
Lagging on some work stuff as well. And on some personal things to do.
I want a break.
From everything. And everyone.
Hurt is when
Your younger girl says “I don’t want Mama!”.
3 times.
In her fussy, sleepy, crying, messy state.
While being carried by the helper.
She’s never done that previously. I’m upset. Quite upset. Very upset.
Monday, November 13, 2017
My firstborn
I know I have a sensitive and emo girl - Nadya. But I didn't know she feels that much.
I promised her she could watch a short video the other day. It was a video of Belle (from the 1991 cartoon Beauty and the Beast) going out in the snowy wilderness and getting trapped in the waters of an icy lake when the thin layer of ice on the lake's surface broke. The Beast turned up at the last critical moment and rescued her. Belle was so exhausted and traumatised that she was limp in his arms.
It was a 4-min video I think. When it ended, I turned to look at Nadya and her eyes were already teary and red-rimmed. I got a shock and immediately hugged her.
Turned out that she thought Belle was going to die and she felt so sad that she started tearing.
:( My sensitive little girl....
Maybe I should be more careful...
I promised her she could watch a short video the other day. It was a video of Belle (from the 1991 cartoon Beauty and the Beast) going out in the snowy wilderness and getting trapped in the waters of an icy lake when the thin layer of ice on the lake's surface broke. The Beast turned up at the last critical moment and rescued her. Belle was so exhausted and traumatised that she was limp in his arms.
It was a 4-min video I think. When it ended, I turned to look at Nadya and her eyes were already teary and red-rimmed. I got a shock and immediately hugged her.
Turned out that she thought Belle was going to die and she felt so sad that she started tearing.
:( My sensitive little girl....
Maybe I should be more careful...
Kim Joo Hyuk
Kim Joo Hyuk's death in a bad car accident on 31 October was a shock to many in the Korean entertain industry. And to his fans as well as those who watch 2D1N Season 3.
It was somewhat of a shock to me as well and for several days after that I did feel a little down.
Afterall, I'd watched all 200 episodes (almost 200 I think) Season 3 episodes from end 2013 to date over the last 8 months or so. And I feel rather "close" to the 2D1N members of Season 3 (past and present)....
He was only 46, at the prime of his career and he was planning to marry his girlfriend as well...
Rest in peace KJH, Gutaeng-hyung.
I hope you are reunited with your parents now and having fun with them on the other side of the rainbow.
It was somewhat of a shock to me as well and for several days after that I did feel a little down.
Afterall, I'd watched all 200 episodes (almost 200 I think) Season 3 episodes from end 2013 to date over the last 8 months or so. And I feel rather "close" to the 2D1N members of Season 3 (past and present)....
He was only 46, at the prime of his career and he was planning to marry his girlfriend as well...
Rest in peace KJH, Gutaeng-hyung.
I hope you are reunited with your parents now and having fun with them on the other side of the rainbow.
Me these days
Testy
Irritable
Sensitive
Impatient
Frustrated
Teary
Tired
Various things to be done
Various things to remember
Miniscule things
Bigger things
Some grating team-mates
Need more patience
Need more adrenaline
Need more zen
Need to learn how to pick my battles
Need to remind myself that some battles can be fought later on, at the right timing
Irritable
Sensitive
Impatient
Frustrated
Teary
Tired
Various things to be done
Various things to remember
Miniscule things
Bigger things
Some grating team-mates
Need more patience
Need more adrenaline
Need more zen
Need to learn how to pick my battles
Need to remind myself that some battles can be fought later on, at the right timing
Monday, November 06, 2017
Dad
My Dad's turning 75 in 2 weeks' time.
It doesn't quite hit me yet that he's of that age till I wrote it down. Our parents are really getting older...I'm glad they are still relatively mobile and independent.
He's getting old. But his bad temper is still there. Obstinate like an ox at times. Feisty and crabby too. He may throw a fit and complain till the cows come home but at the end of the day, he will usually still reluctantly give in to my mum if she is persistent enough.
The one thing that turns him into mush is probably his 2 grand-daughters hahahha.
Mum & Dad argued on the phone yesterday. We were having 3-way conversation and he slammed the phone down on the both of us. He's never done that before and while it didn't really surprise me, I was still a little taken back that he'd felt so strongly about the whether to buy a new fridge for their home or not.
Anyway....I'm hoping the both of them will work out something. As they've had for the last 40-odd years :)
It doesn't quite hit me yet that he's of that age till I wrote it down. Our parents are really getting older...I'm glad they are still relatively mobile and independent.
He's getting old. But his bad temper is still there. Obstinate like an ox at times. Feisty and crabby too. He may throw a fit and complain till the cows come home but at the end of the day, he will usually still reluctantly give in to my mum if she is persistent enough.
The one thing that turns him into mush is probably his 2 grand-daughters hahahha.
Mum & Dad argued on the phone yesterday. We were having 3-way conversation and he slammed the phone down on the both of us. He's never done that before and while it didn't really surprise me, I was still a little taken back that he'd felt so strongly about the whether to buy a new fridge for their home or not.
Anyway....I'm hoping the both of them will work out something. As they've had for the last 40-odd years :)
Conversations with a 4yr-old
During bathtime last Friday.
Nadya: Mama! Look at my pee! It's yellow. *grins*
Me: Erm yup...
N: Is it only Singaporeans' pee that is yellow? Or (all) humans?
Me: All humans darling....depends on how much water you drink too...the shade of yellow will be different.
Me: I think animals' pee is yellow too....
Bio lesson? Lol...
Nadya: Mama! Look at my pee! It's yellow. *grins*
Me: Erm yup...
N: Is it only Singaporeans' pee that is yellow? Or (all) humans?
Me: All humans darling....depends on how much water you drink too...the shade of yellow will be different.
Me: I think animals' pee is yellow too....
Bio lesson? Lol...
Thursday, November 02, 2017
Mum
Mum was discharged last Friday i.e. 27 Oct, after a couple days' stay in the hospital.
Her CT scan, ECG, heart echo, blood tests were ok. She didn't manage to do a proper stomach endoscopy though. And that was where they discovered what was wrong.
She has a narrowing of her esophagus, which explains why she had difficulty swallowing stuff in the 2 weeks before she was admitted. Each time she swallowed food or even water, she would experience pain in her chest. The hospital also discovered a small white protrusion within the esophagus, just above the narrowing. They managed to scrape a portion of it out to do a biopsy. She lost about 2-over kg.
They were supposed to get back to us this Monday on the biopsy results. It's Thursday already but we've not heard from them yet. I suppose this is good news. No news is good news right?
All we can do now is to wait till Nov 15 for her next appointment with the hospital.
In the meantime, she's eating rather light foods and chewing everything into very tiny pieces before swallowing. She's taking strong antacids and other strong anti-acid medication to combat her acid reflux.
She's a little frustrated at having to eat just mee sua or porridge everyday and has started experimenting with tiny pieces of pandan cake and chee cheong fun. All good so far so she's happy about that.
Jiayou mummy!
I hope you don't lose anymore weight.....
Her CT scan, ECG, heart echo, blood tests were ok. She didn't manage to do a proper stomach endoscopy though. And that was where they discovered what was wrong.
She has a narrowing of her esophagus, which explains why she had difficulty swallowing stuff in the 2 weeks before she was admitted. Each time she swallowed food or even water, she would experience pain in her chest. The hospital also discovered a small white protrusion within the esophagus, just above the narrowing. They managed to scrape a portion of it out to do a biopsy. She lost about 2-over kg.
They were supposed to get back to us this Monday on the biopsy results. It's Thursday already but we've not heard from them yet. I suppose this is good news. No news is good news right?
All we can do now is to wait till Nov 15 for her next appointment with the hospital.
In the meantime, she's eating rather light foods and chewing everything into very tiny pieces before swallowing. She's taking strong antacids and other strong anti-acid medication to combat her acid reflux.
She's a little frustrated at having to eat just mee sua or porridge everyday and has started experimenting with tiny pieces of pandan cake and chee cheong fun. All good so far so she's happy about that.
Jiayou mummy!
I hope you don't lose anymore weight.....
Wednesday, November 01, 2017
I don't mean to be mean but....
So a Facebook messenger group chat was set up like 4 years ago for my primary school class.
There was a gathering at that time but I didn't attend it as I was in my last few weeks of pregnancy.
Someone revived the chat this morning. To inform the rest of us that an ex-classmate's mother had passed on. Details of the wake were also shared and we were encouraged to send in messages of support and love to the chat. Someone suggested pooling funds and sending a wreath to the wake.
I don't mean to be mean but....
There was a gathering at that time but I didn't attend it as I was in my last few weeks of pregnancy.
Someone revived the chat this morning. To inform the rest of us that an ex-classmate's mother had passed on. Details of the wake were also shared and we were encouraged to send in messages of support and love to the chat. Someone suggested pooling funds and sending a wreath to the wake.
I don't mean to be mean but....
- When the initial message came in to notify us that so-and-so's mum had passed on, I was wondering who that so-and-so was. I simply couldn't recall that classmate at all. When I finally remembered roughly who she was, I couldn't put a face to the name.
- I've not seen nor spoken to that classmate for 25 years. After we went our separate ways after the PSLE, I did not keep in touch much with my classmates...
- I don't think I would (i) contribute anything to the wreath or the wake, and (ii) drop by the wake.
While she shared maybe 2-3 years of primary school life with me, she was not part of my life for the next and more important 25 years and I don't think we would reconnect anytime soon too....
To my P6 ex-classmate:
I'm sorry for your loss...My deepest condolences to you and your family. I hope your father is taking it well too. It sounds cliched but it's true, time does wash away some of the pain so take heart. Jiayou.
Monday, October 30, 2017
Of red angry faces, heaving chests, hot tears and LOTS of screaming
I think...I will be hearing more squealing, shrieking, screaming and squalling in the years to come. The girls fight at least once each day.
Last night was a big fight though. I was not present and the helper didn't seem to know how to pull them away from each other. By the time I heard the commotion and went over, the thing they were fighting over was torn.....
Before: A lovely document bag given by my brother to Nadya for her birthday. It was given on 7 Oct at their party.
After: A huge gaping slit by one side of the bag.
Each girl was holding on to a bag handle and having a tug-of-war. By the time I reached them, both were on the floor. Nadya was half squatting. Alyssa was almost lying on the floor and using her legs as well. The small one was screaming like a banshee and both girls were crying like nobody's business.
I had to pry Alyssa's fingers away from the bag. She protested vehemently. She usually comes to be for comfort though so even though I was wrestling with her, she gave up and kind of just wanted me to hug and comfort her. While still screaming like a mad banshee.
Nadya needed less comforting though she was pretty upset as well.
The bag was squirreled away and tucked in a corner of my room. So they both didn't get it in the end.
15mins later after I calmed Alyssa down and distracted her with other stuff......I found them playing together again. Laughing and giggling like nothing happened just before that.
I have Jekylls and Hydes in my home lol.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Conversations with a 4yr-old
Nadya is getting more.....articulate and analytical and sometimes her matter-of-factness stumps me. Hahaha....here are some of our recent conversations....
===================
On 4 October, just before bed. Totally random.
Nadya: Mama, if Rapunzel's hair is so long, then how will she pee and poo? Won't her hair get into the toilet bowl?
I literally laughed out loud at her question. :D
It's a practical question to ask though. In all my 37 years, I never thought of it haha.
===================
On 17 October, when the school was closed and we sent her over to my inlaws' place but not Alyssa.
Nadya: Mama, is Meimei going there too?
Me: Nope.
N: Why?
Me: Yeye and Nainai might not be able to watch the 2 of you at the same time. (lame reason I know...it's just become a habit that we leave only Nadya with them there haha.)
N: Noooo. There are 2 of them. Yeye can look after me, because I like Yeye. And Nainai can look after Meimei. Right?
Me: Yeah...oh well...(changes subject)
She's getting to the age where we can't just randomly blurt out an excuse...
===================
On 20 October, some fuzzy wuzzy small talk while we were lying in bed about to sleep.
Me: Nadya, why are you lying so close to the edge of your bed?
N: Because I thought I could marry the edge of my bed.
I was stumped at that point because I thought it was a witty reply. "Punny" in a way.
Lay close together mah...you lie close to someone when you get married mah...right right?
But the more I think about it, the more what she said doesn't make sense to me hahaha.
===================
On 21 October, Saturday morning.
Nadya: I am here. It is here that I am.
So random again....and....so philosophical!
I really have no idea where she learnt this from. Maybe from school?
===================
On 4 October, just before bed. Totally random.
Nadya: Mama, if Rapunzel's hair is so long, then how will she pee and poo? Won't her hair get into the toilet bowl?
I literally laughed out loud at her question. :D
It's a practical question to ask though. In all my 37 years, I never thought of it haha.
===================
On 17 October, when the school was closed and we sent her over to my inlaws' place but not Alyssa.
Nadya: Mama, is Meimei going there too?
Me: Nope.
N: Why?
Me: Yeye and Nainai might not be able to watch the 2 of you at the same time. (lame reason I know...it's just become a habit that we leave only Nadya with them there haha.)
N: Noooo. There are 2 of them. Yeye can look after me, because I like Yeye. And Nainai can look after Meimei. Right?
Me: Yeah...oh well...(changes subject)
She's getting to the age where we can't just randomly blurt out an excuse...
===================
On 20 October, some fuzzy wuzzy small talk while we were lying in bed about to sleep.
Me: Nadya, why are you lying so close to the edge of your bed?
N: Because I thought I could marry the edge of my bed.
I was stumped at that point because I thought it was a witty reply. "Punny" in a way.
Lay close together mah...you lie close to someone when you get married mah...right right?
But the more I think about it, the more what she said doesn't make sense to me hahaha.
===================
On 21 October, Saturday morning.
Nadya: I am here. It is here that I am.
So random again....and....so philosophical!
I really have no idea where she learnt this from. Maybe from school?
17 October 2017
I turned 37 that day. So I'm officially in my late 30s now.
A little scary to me though.
When I was in my early to mid-twenties, 37 years old seemed old, and established, and mature, and stable.
Now I'm actually 37. But I don't feel that established, mature or stable. And it scares me somewhat that 40 is just 3 years away. 3 more years and then I'll receive my Eldershield letter from the government. Yikes.
But I'm thankful.
For K, for the 2 princesses, for a roof over my head, for loving parents, for caring parents-in-law, for good friends, for a stable job, for relatively stable health.....
Embrace the 30s!
==========
The school was only operating for half a day that day, so I decided to just not send the girls to school. Alyssa stayed at home and Nadya went over to the inlaws' place. And while Alyssa had her lunch and afternoon nap, we went out for a nice lunch. (Don't worry, the helper was still at home watching her.)
We went to Strong Flour at Katong V. Lovely handmade pasta. We had 3 mains between the 2 of us lol. And then we went home and I managed to snooze for around 1.5 to 2 hours before Alyssa woke up!
Simple celebration. But it was enough for me.
No big bangs or pizzazz for me. I'm a simple girl who prefers quieter things. :)
A little scary to me though.
When I was in my early to mid-twenties, 37 years old seemed old, and established, and mature, and stable.
Now I'm actually 37. But I don't feel that established, mature or stable. And it scares me somewhat that 40 is just 3 years away. 3 more years and then I'll receive my Eldershield letter from the government. Yikes.
But I'm thankful.
For K, for the 2 princesses, for a roof over my head, for loving parents, for caring parents-in-law, for good friends, for a stable job, for relatively stable health.....
Embrace the 30s!
==========
The school was only operating for half a day that day, so I decided to just not send the girls to school. Alyssa stayed at home and Nadya went over to the inlaws' place. And while Alyssa had her lunch and afternoon nap, we went out for a nice lunch. (Don't worry, the helper was still at home watching her.)
We went to Strong Flour at Katong V. Lovely handmade pasta. We had 3 mains between the 2 of us lol. And then we went home and I managed to snooze for around 1.5 to 2 hours before Alyssa woke up!
Simple celebration. But it was enough for me.
No big bangs or pizzazz for me. I'm a simple girl who prefers quieter things. :)
Mum
Just got news that Mum checked herself into A&E this morning.
She asked to go because her tummy issues had been present for several days. Medication from the poly doctor didn't seem to have much effect.
She's been having trouble with her reflux and also had trouble swallowing. She has discomfort after eating and poor appetite.
Sigh...:(
Take care mummy....
Pending updates from Dad.....
She asked to go because her tummy issues had been present for several days. Medication from the poly doctor didn't seem to have much effect.
She's been having trouble with her reflux and also had trouble swallowing. She has discomfort after eating and poor appetite.
Sigh...:(
Take care mummy....
Pending updates from Dad.....
a little....
disappointed.
that some friends of 24 years didn't wish me on my birthday.
do i expect too much? i don't know.
thoughts of "you shouldn't hinge your happiness on what others do" are floating in my mind.
rightfully so too.
chill babe.
==========
disappointed.
that after all these years, I am still a doormat at times.
i've improved much compared to last time.
just that when i encounter assertive or bossy people, I still sometimes acquiesce, especially if they are within family or close friends.
chill babe.
==========
hopeful.
nadya seems to enjoy dancing quite abit. and she seems to be into speech and drama as well.
i hope it brings her out of her shell more and helps her get more confident.
she is also opening up more these days. she managed to buy bread on her own the weekend just past, with some guidance from me.
kudos to her for trying. proud of her.
baby steps.
==========
hopeful.
although alyssa is in her "i don't care, i want it and i will scream if i can't have it" stage right now, she is more flexible and also open to alternatives compared to how nadya was at the same age.
even if i go ahead to do something against her will, and she bawls terribly, she takes a faster time to recover as well and with less pandering by me.
which is generally good. need to guide her more. but we're starting on an easier slate.
baby steps.
that some friends of 24 years didn't wish me on my birthday.
do i expect too much? i don't know.
thoughts of "you shouldn't hinge your happiness on what others do" are floating in my mind.
rightfully so too.
chill babe.
==========
disappointed.
that after all these years, I am still a doormat at times.
i've improved much compared to last time.
just that when i encounter assertive or bossy people, I still sometimes acquiesce, especially if they are within family or close friends.
chill babe.
==========
hopeful.
nadya seems to enjoy dancing quite abit. and she seems to be into speech and drama as well.
i hope it brings her out of her shell more and helps her get more confident.
she is also opening up more these days. she managed to buy bread on her own the weekend just past, with some guidance from me.
kudos to her for trying. proud of her.
baby steps.
==========
hopeful.
although alyssa is in her "i don't care, i want it and i will scream if i can't have it" stage right now, she is more flexible and also open to alternatives compared to how nadya was at the same age.
even if i go ahead to do something against her will, and she bawls terribly, she takes a faster time to recover as well and with less pandering by me.
which is generally good. need to guide her more. but we're starting on an easier slate.
baby steps.
Laments
frustrated.
lazy colleague looking for quick answers. bugging me for the simplest of things.
==========
exhausted.
but it's only 11am. tahan. had 5hrs of sleep with 3 interruptions in between.
==========
queasy.
bloated and nauseated. due to lack of rest and i don't know what else.
==========
groggy.
everything feels abit too bright today. the lights in the MRT, the lights in office, the sky outside.
==========
unmotivated.
maybe demoralised as well. the coll's team will be expanding soon. and i am still stuck as an OMO. difficult to progress like this.
==========
teary.
partly from yawning. partly from feeling a little emo.
==========
jiayou.
hang in there. tahan. hwaiting. you are not the only one dealing with such things.
lazy colleague looking for quick answers. bugging me for the simplest of things.
==========
exhausted.
but it's only 11am. tahan. had 5hrs of sleep with 3 interruptions in between.
==========
queasy.
bloated and nauseated. due to lack of rest and i don't know what else.
==========
groggy.
everything feels abit too bright today. the lights in the MRT, the lights in office, the sky outside.
==========
unmotivated.
maybe demoralised as well. the coll's team will be expanding soon. and i am still stuck as an OMO. difficult to progress like this.
==========
teary.
partly from yawning. partly from feeling a little emo.
==========
jiayou.
hang in there. tahan. hwaiting. you are not the only one dealing with such things.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
7 Oct 2017
We held a birthday party on 7 October for the 2 girls. Same thing like last year, but bigger.
Although Alyssa's birthday had passed, we decided to still combine both their celebrations together since their birthdays were only 2 weeks apart. (Alyssa's birthday was on 24 Sept and Nadya's was on 9 Oct)
We invited some of Nadya's classmates (and their parents) and also one of Alyssa's classmates. We also invited our immediate neighbours and their kids. There was balloon sculpting and face painting as well. Food was great, thanks to the team at The Garden Slug.
We were in luck as well because there happened to be 2 art exhibitions taking place and the cafe walls were adorned with various art pieces. There were watercolour on wood pieces as well as oil on canvas pieces. There were animal paintings and portraints, and mermaid pictures and some of dolls too. It was a colourful atmosphere befitting of a birthday party!
I think Nadya enjoyed herself thoroughly. She was very well-behaved and fed herself her lunch while seated with her best friend. She responded confidently when engaged in conversation by the balloon sculptor and she was also able to hold her own when conversing with one of my neighbours. She danced on the mini stage in the room with her friends, sang loudly and pranced about too haha. It was lovely seeing her enjoying herself.
Alyssa was somewhat subdued this year though. I think the poor girl was a little overwhelmed by the number of people milling about and she couldn't understand why so many familiar faces were altogether in the same place, like both sets of grandparents, her paternal aunt and maternal uncle, and even her classmate and her classmate's parents haha. She clung to me like a baby koala bear most of the time and only agreed to take pictures with her schoolmates when Nadya was around. She was so tired when she got home after the party that she slept for a good 3 hours.
Thanks to all who attended....
The girls were happy and excited with the presents they received and.....
My house is now flooded with toys, books, clothes and other stuff from Frozen. I'm seeing Elsas and Annas everywhere lol....
Although Alyssa's birthday had passed, we decided to still combine both their celebrations together since their birthdays were only 2 weeks apart. (Alyssa's birthday was on 24 Sept and Nadya's was on 9 Oct)
We invited some of Nadya's classmates (and their parents) and also one of Alyssa's classmates. We also invited our immediate neighbours and their kids. There was balloon sculpting and face painting as well. Food was great, thanks to the team at The Garden Slug.
We were in luck as well because there happened to be 2 art exhibitions taking place and the cafe walls were adorned with various art pieces. There were watercolour on wood pieces as well as oil on canvas pieces. There were animal paintings and portraints, and mermaid pictures and some of dolls too. It was a colourful atmosphere befitting of a birthday party!
I think Nadya enjoyed herself thoroughly. She was very well-behaved and fed herself her lunch while seated with her best friend. She responded confidently when engaged in conversation by the balloon sculptor and she was also able to hold her own when conversing with one of my neighbours. She danced on the mini stage in the room with her friends, sang loudly and pranced about too haha. It was lovely seeing her enjoying herself.
Alyssa was somewhat subdued this year though. I think the poor girl was a little overwhelmed by the number of people milling about and she couldn't understand why so many familiar faces were altogether in the same place, like both sets of grandparents, her paternal aunt and maternal uncle, and even her classmate and her classmate's parents haha. She clung to me like a baby koala bear most of the time and only agreed to take pictures with her schoolmates when Nadya was around. She was so tired when she got home after the party that she slept for a good 3 hours.
Thanks to all who attended....
The girls were happy and excited with the presents they received and.....
My house is now flooded with toys, books, clothes and other stuff from Frozen. I'm seeing Elsas and Annas everywhere lol....
8 October 2017
It was our 6th ROM anniversary on Sunday. So fast.
We held our ROM ceremony earlier and separate from our customary Chinese wedding. Mainly because of my Granny. She would not have been able to attend our Chinese wedding dinner and I wanted her to be part of our celebrations. So we did an ROM lunch instead.
We went to True Blue Cuisine and booked their private room. It was cosy, it was intimate, I loved it. Only immediate family members were present and we had a delicious Peranakan lunch.
I brought a pink diamante hairclip and pinned it onto Granny's hair. She looked so sweet and when she smiled, her eyes shone brightly. Her mind was a little fuzzy by then but I believe she had her lucid periods during the ceremony and she was aware that I was getting married.
Funnily, we've not gone back to True Blue Cuisine after our ROM there. Not once in 6 years I think lol. Maybe we should bring the girls back there for a meal one of these days.
We held our ROM ceremony earlier and separate from our customary Chinese wedding. Mainly because of my Granny. She would not have been able to attend our Chinese wedding dinner and I wanted her to be part of our celebrations. So we did an ROM lunch instead.
We went to True Blue Cuisine and booked their private room. It was cosy, it was intimate, I loved it. Only immediate family members were present and we had a delicious Peranakan lunch.
I brought a pink diamante hairclip and pinned it onto Granny's hair. She looked so sweet and when she smiled, her eyes shone brightly. Her mind was a little fuzzy by then but I believe she had her lucid periods during the ceremony and she was aware that I was getting married.
Funnily, we've not gone back to True Blue Cuisine after our ROM there. Not once in 6 years I think lol. Maybe we should bring the girls back there for a meal one of these days.
Monday, October 09, 2017
Worry is
...when your scalp, the part where they cut open during surgery 12 years back, has ached for several days...
:(
Thursday, October 05, 2017
waste of time
I don't profess to be someone who is extremely good in English. But I think my grammar is still sort of passable.
It pains me that I am editing 12 articles which we paid a professional copywriter to do up. Several thousand for 12 articles and anther 2 more articles in December. Chockful of typos and grammar mistakes which should not have been there in the first place.
This is not work that I would expect from a copywriter! No checks on quality? Goods were not delivered on time as well.
Heng. This is not my project. I'm just covering someone.
It pains me that I am editing 12 articles which we paid a professional copywriter to do up. Several thousand for 12 articles and anther 2 more articles in December. Chockful of typos and grammar mistakes which should not have been there in the first place.
This is not work that I would expect from a copywriter! No checks on quality? Goods were not delivered on time as well.
Heng. This is not my project. I'm just covering someone.
Past. Present. Future.
No. Not about tenses.
About the mind. My mind.
Too much focus on the past. Too much reminiscing.
Why do I live in my memories? Both the good memories and the bad ones. I don't know the answer myself...
Is it because I find comfort in the past? Is it because I'm scared of what the future brings so I tend to dwell on the past?
Do I miss out on the present because my mind seems too centered on the past?
How do I re-jig my mind?
About the mind. My mind.
Too much focus on the past. Too much reminiscing.
Why do I live in my memories? Both the good memories and the bad ones. I don't know the answer myself...
Is it because I find comfort in the past? Is it because I'm scared of what the future brings so I tend to dwell on the past?
Do I miss out on the present because my mind seems too centered on the past?
How do I re-jig my mind?
Wednesday, October 04, 2017
Ear Worms
What's drifting out of my earphones today?
1. Jung Joon Young's playlist
With my favourite song of his "Sympathy" on several repeats. And his duet with Roy Kim "Becoming Dust" on many repeats as well.
2. Jung Yup's It's Love
I'm very much in love with this particular OST from the drama "Doctors".
3. Goblin's OST
Because while there were some dips, the Goblin fever has quite ended yet....:) Chanyeol & Punch's "Stay With Me", Crush's "Beautiful" and Sam Kim's "Who Are You" are my favs from this playlist....
4. The King & I playlist
More because I miss listening to "Shall We Dance" and "Getting to Know You". :)
Suddenly realised I'm listening to more Korean stuff these days haha....
1. Jung Joon Young's playlist
With my favourite song of his "Sympathy" on several repeats. And his duet with Roy Kim "Becoming Dust" on many repeats as well.
2. Jung Yup's It's Love
I'm very much in love with this particular OST from the drama "Doctors".
3. Goblin's OST
Because while there were some dips, the Goblin fever has quite ended yet....:) Chanyeol & Punch's "Stay With Me", Crush's "Beautiful" and Sam Kim's "Who Are You" are my favs from this playlist....
4. The King & I playlist
More because I miss listening to "Shall We Dance" and "Getting to Know You". :)
Suddenly realised I'm listening to more Korean stuff these days haha....
Wednesday
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everybardee!
Early morning tio giap between 2 man-spreaders on the train lol. Hope one of them gets off before me! Lol....
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Get well soon sweetie
In gist:
Small wound on right elbow from hitting a door frame at home. Scratched the scab off. Wound bled again. Scratched somemore. Bacterial skin infection. Touched wound. Touched other parts of body. Now skin infection spread to torso and left elbow also. PD gave antibiotics yesterday and need to use antiseptic cream as well. Running a fever and nursing a phlegmy cough today.
Get well soon Peanut....:(
Small wound on right elbow from hitting a door frame at home. Scratched the scab off. Wound bled again. Scratched somemore. Bacterial skin infection. Touched wound. Touched other parts of body. Now skin infection spread to torso and left elbow also. PD gave antibiotics yesterday and need to use antiseptic cream as well. Running a fever and nursing a phlegmy cough today.
Get well soon Peanut....:(
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Music. Life.
So who's accompanying me at work today?
Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra
and also....
Zhou Sheng and Jung Joon Young haha...
From jazz to Chinese and korean songs...
Yes, I listen to a wide range of music... :)
I hope the girls like music too next time.
Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra
and also....
Zhou Sheng and Jung Joon Young haha...
From jazz to Chinese and korean songs...
Yes, I listen to a wide range of music... :)
I hope the girls like music too next time.
Conversations with a 2yr-old
Peanut's speech is suddenly improving exponentially.
Each week...no actually, every other day, she seems to be saying something new or surprising me with something she says haha. She still babbles sometimes and mispronounces things but you can clearly hear her intent and there is also a structure to what she says.
====================
She poo-ed in her diapers the other day.
She came to me and said:
"Meimei poo poo. Mama change you. Auntie Hope no."
Translation:
"Meimei just had a poo. Mama, please clean me up and changed me diapers for me. I don't want Auntie Hope to do it."
====================
We were at Jalan Sayang just last night. We went to the opposite neighbours' place and stood at the gates looking at the dogs there. One was a Pomeranian, the other one was a Shih Tzu.
Me: Alyssa, which dog is cuter?
A: *blur* (I think she didn't understand the word "cute")
Me: Alyssa, which dog is prettier?
A: ME!!! (without any hesitation)
Lol....it was a hilarious "facepalm" moment.
====================
Some of her favourite phrases these days:
"Zard poo poo."
Translation: "The lizard poo-ed. Or the lizard is pooing."
"Who is that?"
And she would say this in a deeper voice.
"S'wan. I want s'wan."
Translation: "I want this one."
====================
Animals sounds that she can make these days:
Dog, cat, duck, chicken, bird, cow, goat, sheep, donkey, monkey, snake, bee, frog, owl, mouse.
Animal names that she can say clearly these days:
Dog, cat (though she still prefers to refer to them as "wou wou" and "meow meow"
Owl, mouse, duck, frog, elephant, bird, bee, sheep
Animal names that she is still trying to master:
butterfly (fly)
chicken (kern)
====================
And....her first Chinese words to me came over the last weekend when she said "喝水" to me. :)
====================
Some of the songs that she roughly knows and can either hum along to or sing the last word of some sentences....
Shall we dance - Yul Brynner & Deborah Kerr in The King & I
Do, Re, Mi - Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music
Because it's Singapore - our national day song for 2017
Where I belong - Tanya Chua
Let it Go - from Frozen
Rasa Sayang
Mr Sun - from Barney & Friends
BINGO - Nursery rhyme
Brown Bear - Nursery rhyme
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - Nursery rhyme
....amongst others....
Each week...no actually, every other day, she seems to be saying something new or surprising me with something she says haha. She still babbles sometimes and mispronounces things but you can clearly hear her intent and there is also a structure to what she says.
====================
She poo-ed in her diapers the other day.
She came to me and said:
"Meimei poo poo. Mama change you. Auntie Hope no."
Translation:
"Meimei just had a poo. Mama, please clean me up and changed me diapers for me. I don't want Auntie Hope to do it."
====================
We were at Jalan Sayang just last night. We went to the opposite neighbours' place and stood at the gates looking at the dogs there. One was a Pomeranian, the other one was a Shih Tzu.
Me: Alyssa, which dog is cuter?
A: *blur* (I think she didn't understand the word "cute")
Me: Alyssa, which dog is prettier?
A: ME!!! (without any hesitation)
Lol....it was a hilarious "facepalm" moment.
====================
Some of her favourite phrases these days:
"Zard poo poo."
Translation: "The lizard poo-ed. Or the lizard is pooing."
"Who is that?"
And she would say this in a deeper voice.
"S'wan. I want s'wan."
Translation: "I want this one."
====================
Animals sounds that she can make these days:
Dog, cat, duck, chicken, bird, cow, goat, sheep, donkey, monkey, snake, bee, frog, owl, mouse.
Animal names that she can say clearly these days:
Dog, cat (though she still prefers to refer to them as "wou wou" and "meow meow"
Owl, mouse, duck, frog, elephant, bird, bee, sheep
Animal names that she is still trying to master:
butterfly (fly)
chicken (kern)
====================
And....her first Chinese words to me came over the last weekend when she said "喝水" to me. :)
====================
Some of the songs that she roughly knows and can either hum along to or sing the last word of some sentences....
Shall we dance - Yul Brynner & Deborah Kerr in The King & I
Do, Re, Mi - Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music
Because it's Singapore - our national day song for 2017
Where I belong - Tanya Chua
Let it Go - from Frozen
Rasa Sayang
Mr Sun - from Barney & Friends
BINGO - Nursery rhyme
Brown Bear - Nursery rhyme
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - Nursery rhyme
....amongst others....
Monday, September 25, 2017
*breathe*
Stress is when........
- You send out a draft warning letter to your legal team for vetting. It goes out to them 100% in black text in a word doc. Then it comes back to you with tracked changes. 95% of the document is now in purple amended text and yellow highlights. And many comments within the text as well. Now you need to go through the proposed changes one by one and reply to all the legal team's comments and requests for clarification.
- Your colleague was out of action for August and September. You've been covering her for some aspects of her work. And now your boss is asking you to suddenly take on more pieces of her work as her medical leave was extended till end Oct. Some of the work is not straightforward and requires you to read up and gather background knowledge on the project before you can do anything. But the project is already underway and there are deadlines to meet. Fixing the wheel when the car is running.....boo.
- Your kids' birthday party is coming up and the vendor screws up your order of goodie bag items. NB. Now need to waste extra time to work with them on a solution.
- Your younger girl's wound doesn't seem to be healing and now looks a little puffy. Kind of like a blister. It's worrying that her skin seems to be very sensitiv, especially to wounds and insect bites. A mosquito bite can swell up to a red bump of 5cm X 2cm and end up leaving a mark on her leg. :( There are several such dark scars/marks on her legs already....;(
Thursday, September 21, 2017
一只鸡，一只鸭
Instead of packing from home, I decided to get breakfast from Subway this morning for a change.
In front of me in the queue was an older auntie, maybe 50-plus 60 years of age. Poor lady couldn't converse much in English. And the unfortunate thing was that the entire staff were either non-Chinese or non-Chinese foreigners. I think there was only 1 local staff (who happened to be Indian) amongst the crew of 5.
I had to help the auntie order and was her proxy to decide which bread to choose, which vegetables to add to her breakfast sandwich and which sauce to take.
Sigh...wonder how many of such situations are there around Singapore?
The elderly who can't speak English and getting hindered at establishments where they only have English-speaking staff.
The elderly who can't speak Mandarin and getting hindered at establishments where they only have Mandarin-speaking staff.
Another good example. My Dad and his friends are all kantang Peranakans in their 60s, 70s and 80s who simply cannot handle Mandarin at all. They get extremely frustrated at foodcourts where stall staff are China-born Chinese who cannot speak English or Hokkien. My Dad came home one day and ranted his head off because a Chinese stall helper got his order wrong and he had to spend an extra 10-15mins trying to rectify his order...
In front of me in the queue was an older auntie, maybe 50-plus 60 years of age. Poor lady couldn't converse much in English. And the unfortunate thing was that the entire staff were either non-Chinese or non-Chinese foreigners. I think there was only 1 local staff (who happened to be Indian) amongst the crew of 5.
I had to help the auntie order and was her proxy to decide which bread to choose, which vegetables to add to her breakfast sandwich and which sauce to take.
Sigh...wonder how many of such situations are there around Singapore?
The elderly who can't speak English and getting hindered at establishments where they only have English-speaking staff.
The elderly who can't speak Mandarin and getting hindered at establishments where they only have Mandarin-speaking staff.
Another good example. My Dad and his friends are all kantang Peranakans in their 60s, 70s and 80s who simply cannot handle Mandarin at all. They get extremely frustrated at foodcourts where stall staff are China-born Chinese who cannot speak English or Hokkien. My Dad came home one day and ranted his head off because a Chinese stall helper got his order wrong and he had to spend an extra 10-15mins trying to rectify his order...
Friday, September 15, 2017
More questions again
Had an hour-long Whatsapp chat with the mother of one of Nadya's classmates.
We lamented and also wondered if we were slacker parents. Because other parents were sending their kids to enrichment classes left, right and centre. I recently found out that another of Nadya's classmates is attending Chinese and ballet on Saturdays, and English and Math classes on Sundays.
And our kids were playing masak masak at home or hanging out in malls.
On one hand, I feel we need not tax the kids so early...On the other hand, I'm scared Nadya will start lagging behind.
How like that? ...... :(
Nevermind....I shall mull over it abit more....
First up, swim classes for her....this is a life skill she should have.
I hope she is interested in music classes too...Academic classes...maybe in the next 1-2years?
I didn't have such stuff when I was young. No enrichment and only Chinese tuition simply because my parents were hopeless in Mandarin. Sigh...we all still ended up ok right?
Hmm.....Has the climate changed so much in 30 years?
We lamented and also wondered if we were slacker parents. Because other parents were sending their kids to enrichment classes left, right and centre. I recently found out that another of Nadya's classmates is attending Chinese and ballet on Saturdays, and English and Math classes on Sundays.
And our kids were playing masak masak at home or hanging out in malls.
On one hand, I feel we need not tax the kids so early...On the other hand, I'm scared Nadya will start lagging behind.
How like that? ...... :(
Nevermind....I shall mull over it abit more....
First up, swim classes for her....this is a life skill she should have.
I hope she is interested in music classes too...Academic classes...maybe in the next 1-2years?
I didn't have such stuff when I was young. No enrichment and only Chinese tuition simply because my parents were hopeless in Mandarin. Sigh...we all still ended up ok right?
Hmm.....Has the climate changed so much in 30 years?
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
work
Not concentrating well at work these days.
Why neh? No idea....Could be any of the following or a combination of them.
Why neh? No idea....Could be any of the following or a combination of them.
- Just xian. Or in Korean "kern-yang" (no reason)
- Fatigued. Lack of sleep.
- Fatigued. No work motivation.
- Boredom. No new stuff at work.
- Just me.
Jiejie
Never a good thing when your kid wakes you up at 2am and asks for tissue paper.
In my case, 99% of the time it means that Nadya is having a nosebleed.
And so yep....she woke me at 2am and then again at 530am. She had nosebleeds both times.
Complained of tummy ache at 6plus but couldn't poo. Made gagging sounds a couple of times and finally, she vomitted twice at 7-plus. She retched quite badly the first time round....sigh. Her vomit even had bits of blood in it. Remnants from the nosebleeds she had during the night.
To the doctor we went, after dropping Alyssa off at school.
I hope her tummy settles soon and that this was just a one-off thing.
Their birthday celebration in school is next Friday! Both need to stay healthy!
In my case, 99% of the time it means that Nadya is having a nosebleed.
And so yep....she woke me at 2am and then again at 530am. She had nosebleeds both times.
Complained of tummy ache at 6plus but couldn't poo. Made gagging sounds a couple of times and finally, she vomitted twice at 7-plus. She retched quite badly the first time round....sigh. Her vomit even had bits of blood in it. Remnants from the nosebleeds she had during the night.
To the doctor we went, after dropping Alyssa off at school.
I hope her tummy settles soon and that this was just a one-off thing.
Their birthday celebration in school is next Friday! Both need to stay healthy!
Monday, September 11, 2017
Terrible Twos are here again....
Alyssa got angry when K and I chided her for playing with the shoes in our shoe rack. She was rubbing the soles of the shoes on her face and body. She was throwing the shoes around as well.
She threw a shoe down in defiance and stomped on it.
When I chided her again for doing that, K chimed in as well. She got more upset and threw a smack on his face. I think she narrowly missed him but she immediately turned to me and took a swing at my face as well. I was at that point in time kneeling on the floor to be at her level. My glasses were hit. Luckily they were not damaged or she would have gotten it from me BIG time.
Both K and Nadya know that I am very sensitive about my glasses. I do not allow the girls to touch them at all. Alyssa will need to learn this. I'm sensitive because I used to only have a single pair of glasses. If that gets broken, I'd be blind as a bat. Given my high myopia, I'd only be able to see things clearly if they were like 10cm from my face. Anything further than that and it would just be blobs of colour in my vision.
Anyway, I digressed.
After Alyssa hit both K and I, I was furious and brought her to my room, away from the "crime scene", away from Nadya and away from our neighbour who happened to be standing near our doorway taking to us. That 5-10 second walk back to my room helped calm me down a little. I spoke to her again and explained what she did was wrong.
She refused to listen to me and walked away whenever I got within 1m from her. Her tiny lips were fully pursed and she stomped her feet while getting away from me. I guess she made sure to show me that she was not happy about the whole situation as well lol.
In any case, I managed to speak and explain to her after she had calmed down abit more. She then came over to hug me.
On hindsight, I realised I forgot to get her to apologise for hitting K and I.
Opps.
She threw a shoe down in defiance and stomped on it.
When I chided her again for doing that, K chimed in as well. She got more upset and threw a smack on his face. I think she narrowly missed him but she immediately turned to me and took a swing at my face as well. I was at that point in time kneeling on the floor to be at her level. My glasses were hit. Luckily they were not damaged or she would have gotten it from me BIG time.
Both K and Nadya know that I am very sensitive about my glasses. I do not allow the girls to touch them at all. Alyssa will need to learn this. I'm sensitive because I used to only have a single pair of glasses. If that gets broken, I'd be blind as a bat. Given my high myopia, I'd only be able to see things clearly if they were like 10cm from my face. Anything further than that and it would just be blobs of colour in my vision.
Anyway, I digressed.
After Alyssa hit both K and I, I was furious and brought her to my room, away from the "crime scene", away from Nadya and away from our neighbour who happened to be standing near our doorway taking to us. That 5-10 second walk back to my room helped calm me down a little. I spoke to her again and explained what she did was wrong.
She refused to listen to me and walked away whenever I got within 1m from her. Her tiny lips were fully pursed and she stomped her feet while getting away from me. I guess she made sure to show me that she was not happy about the whole situation as well lol.
In any case, I managed to speak and explain to her after she had calmed down abit more. She then came over to hug me.
On hindsight, I realised I forgot to get her to apologise for hitting K and I.
Opps.
Oh the arrogance
Met a conceited and arrogant taxi driver this morning.
The proud cuckoo rejected my route (PIE/KPE/MCE) and confidently told me that "PIE got jam". "Anyway, your route is so long. Go one big round also. Uncle show you a shorter way."
He thumped his chest when he said "Uncle show you!"
If he were a peacock, he would have been fluttering his plummage in my face by now.
In my heart I was thinking that I've tried out all routes before and I think my route is still the most direct, even if there is a jam. But well...the usual doormat-that-doesn't-like-conflicts me just said whatever, we'll go your way if you're so confident about it. I was tired and couldn't be bothered to talk much.
My eventual fare of $25 ended up being $4 more than the usual $21 or $22 in the morning peak traffic.
When he stopped the car, he conceitedly asked me: "How??? Uncle good or not? Good or not?? Good right??!!" He said it with a straight face. It wasn't a simple proud moment. He was just being arrogant and downright egotistical.
I told him: "No. Not at all. My usual fare is just $21."
I still paid him $25 but left with no pleasantries. I usually wish the driver a good day before I exit the car.
He shut up as well.
Anyway, I didn't quibble with him over the extra $4.
Let that be a lesson to me not to give in to conceited taxi drivers in the future. I had no time anyway as I was rushing for a meeting too.
Just that I started the workday in a not-so-good mood. Bah.
The proud cuckoo rejected my route (PIE/KPE/MCE) and confidently told me that "PIE got jam". "Anyway, your route is so long. Go one big round also. Uncle show you a shorter way."
He thumped his chest when he said "Uncle show you!"
If he were a peacock, he would have been fluttering his plummage in my face by now.
In my heart I was thinking that I've tried out all routes before and I think my route is still the most direct, even if there is a jam. But well...the usual doormat-that-doesn't-like-conflicts me just said whatever, we'll go your way if you're so confident about it. I was tired and couldn't be bothered to talk much.
My eventual fare of $25 ended up being $4 more than the usual $21 or $22 in the morning peak traffic.
When he stopped the car, he conceitedly asked me: "How??? Uncle good or not? Good or not?? Good right??!!" He said it with a straight face. It wasn't a simple proud moment. He was just being arrogant and downright egotistical.
I told him: "No. Not at all. My usual fare is just $21."
I still paid him $25 but left with no pleasantries. I usually wish the driver a good day before I exit the car.
He shut up as well.
Anyway, I didn't quibble with him over the extra $4.
Let that be a lesson to me not to give in to conceited taxi drivers in the future. I had no time anyway as I was rushing for a meeting too.
Just that I started the workday in a not-so-good mood. Bah.
Thursday, September 07, 2017
Insurance
Met up with our insurance agent during lunch today near my office. K was there too.
Glad we finally met with her to get the edu plan settled for Alyssa.
So now H&S and edu plans are all settled for both girls.
Time to relook at my own stuff...
I hate these $$ and number issues because I simply cannot understand them.
Guess that's why the first D I ever got in my life was for Financial Management back in Uni year 1.
I'm spending a fair bit of $$ each year on these things...I'd better buck up on my understanding!!
Glad we finally met with her to get the edu plan settled for Alyssa.
So now H&S and edu plans are all settled for both girls.
Time to relook at my own stuff...
I hate these $$ and number issues because I simply cannot understand them.
Guess that's why the first D I ever got in my life was for Financial Management back in Uni year 1.
I'm spending a fair bit of $$ each year on these things...I'd better buck up on my understanding!!
rant
When I travelled frequently in the past, I cleared my work while on the go. It was only the rare minor task that needed my physical presence which I couldn't do and needed someone to help cover.
I wonder why I'm covering 2 person's job when they are travelling next week.
FML?
I wonder why I'm covering 2 person's job when they are travelling next week.
FML?
More questions
10 more days on 17 September, I'll be hitting my 10th year anniversary in this place.
I think my brain synapses have stopped forming or slowed down alot, given the long years spent doing almost similar tasks.
A part of me is content for things to be status quo. Afterall, family and the kids are of a greater priority to me now. And I'm also mighty afraid to try something new.
A smaller part of me is also wanting to transfer out and be in a new department to do something new. It has been at the back of my mind for the last few years.
In fact, I was due for a transfer when I found out I was pregnant with Nadya. I held back and did not go ahead with anything as I wanted to focus on the pregnancy first. And then after that, adjusting to life as a new working mum. The transfer thing just took a back seat. And then Alyssa came along and things just became as such...
Part of my fear of transfer is that I won't enjoy as much flexibility as I am having now. The flexibility to be able to leave on time to go home and spend maybe 30mins or an hour with the girls before they go to bed. The flexibility to work from home if needed. The flexibility to arrive late at work and not get chewed on by the boss when I get held up by the girls in the morning.
And then there's this other option constantly at the back of my mind.
Part-time work? Maybe work 3 days a week? Axe the helper and do all the chores ourselves? Will finances be affected drastically? What else can or should I do? Should I explore this now or when Nadya gets older and goes to primary school? So I can spend time with her on her primary school foundation studies as well?
Will I get myself into more of a fix with part-time work? Will I end up multi-tasking too much and not achieving anything in both work and home?
What gives?
What should I do?
I think my brain synapses have stopped forming or slowed down alot, given the long years spent doing almost similar tasks.
A part of me is content for things to be status quo. Afterall, family and the kids are of a greater priority to me now. And I'm also mighty afraid to try something new.
A smaller part of me is also wanting to transfer out and be in a new department to do something new. It has been at the back of my mind for the last few years.
In fact, I was due for a transfer when I found out I was pregnant with Nadya. I held back and did not go ahead with anything as I wanted to focus on the pregnancy first. And then after that, adjusting to life as a new working mum. The transfer thing just took a back seat. And then Alyssa came along and things just became as such...
Part of my fear of transfer is that I won't enjoy as much flexibility as I am having now. The flexibility to be able to leave on time to go home and spend maybe 30mins or an hour with the girls before they go to bed. The flexibility to work from home if needed. The flexibility to arrive late at work and not get chewed on by the boss when I get held up by the girls in the morning.
And then there's this other option constantly at the back of my mind.
Part-time work? Maybe work 3 days a week? Axe the helper and do all the chores ourselves? Will finances be affected drastically? What else can or should I do? Should I explore this now or when Nadya gets older and goes to primary school? So I can spend time with her on her primary school foundation studies as well?
Will I get myself into more of a fix with part-time work? Will I end up multi-tasking too much and not achieving anything in both work and home?
What gives?
What should I do?
Wednesday, September 06, 2017
Reminder to Self
Sometimes, things may seem common sense to you.
But others can't see it. Nor do they understand it. They need to ask. And ask again if need be.
Before they can comprehend and see the whole picture.
That staff has been around for the last 10 years.
And has worked for at least 15 years more than I have.
Nevermind. Patience. And understanding. And empathy.
Patience, understanding and empathy wins the day.
Another reminder to self.
Frown less when being serious.
But others can't see it. Nor do they understand it. They need to ask. And ask again if need be.
Before they can comprehend and see the whole picture.
That staff has been around for the last 10 years.
And has worked for at least 15 years more than I have.
Nevermind. Patience. And understanding. And empathy.
Patience, understanding and empathy wins the day.
Another reminder to self.
Frown less when being serious.
Wednesday
Wet, weary, woeful, withering.
Dreary day.
Bad back.
Nasty nose.
Woe is me.
Dinner engagement this evening at 6pm.
Hope I can tahan!
*sniff sniff*
Telfast D to the nose's rescue?
Dreary day.
Bad back.
Nasty nose.
Woe is me.
Dinner engagement this evening at 6pm.
Hope I can tahan!
*sniff sniff*
Telfast D to the nose's rescue?
Staycay
We had a staycation last Thursday & Friday. It was a 2D1N thingy at Rendezvous Hotel.
I'm not sure who enjoyed it most though lol...K and I were deadbeat tired.
We had room service for lunch on the first day. Nadya enjoyed it pretty much and fed herself quite okay but Alyssa was a handful. She was playing with her food and cutlery and climbing all over the sofa more than eating. Eventually, Alyssa vomitted her lunch out on the first day and we brought her to the PD clinic near our place in the evening. She had also vomitted the previous day and we were getting worried. Doc eventually diagnosed her as having stomach flu, on top of the cold that sh was already nursing and fighting.
So much so for a staycation hahaha....We dabao-ed dinner back to the hotel room to eat in the end.
When it was bed time, the girls' rejected the hotel's cots and they ended up on the queen-sized bed. K got relegated to the floor and he slept on the cot mattresses. I was on the bed with the girls and didn't sleep much at all because Alyssa woke every hour for the first few hours. Then Nadya threw a hugeass tantrum at 3am in the morning. The girls had also slept later than usual because they were not used to the room.
I'd always known that Alyssa slept in a "chor lor" manner. I didn't know she was THAT chor lor. Nadya pretty much slept within a particular area. At the most, her arms were spread wide. Alyssa on the other hand...rolled from left to right and then back to the left. She got up to a yoga child pose position, twisted herself, lay flat on her back and then lay flat on her tummy. And on and on. And of course, amidst all these "action sequences", she was sometimes on me, on my arm, on my thigh, etc. Plus I was punched by her a few times. Chor lor. Really chor lor. Lol.
Breakfast was pretty ok. Alyssa, after taking medication, managed to keep her food in. There being not much around the hotel in the morning, we just took a leisurely stroll to SOTA and Cathay and then back. Along the way, we ran a little, we took pictures, we played some games, we looked at trees and flowers and we took more pictures :)
Will we do another staycation anytime soon? I don't know haha...maybe not. ;p
I'm not sure who enjoyed it most though lol...K and I were deadbeat tired.
We had room service for lunch on the first day. Nadya enjoyed it pretty much and fed herself quite okay but Alyssa was a handful. She was playing with her food and cutlery and climbing all over the sofa more than eating. Eventually, Alyssa vomitted her lunch out on the first day and we brought her to the PD clinic near our place in the evening. She had also vomitted the previous day and we were getting worried. Doc eventually diagnosed her as having stomach flu, on top of the cold that sh was already nursing and fighting.
So much so for a staycation hahaha....We dabao-ed dinner back to the hotel room to eat in the end.
When it was bed time, the girls' rejected the hotel's cots and they ended up on the queen-sized bed. K got relegated to the floor and he slept on the cot mattresses. I was on the bed with the girls and didn't sleep much at all because Alyssa woke every hour for the first few hours. Then Nadya threw a hugeass tantrum at 3am in the morning. The girls had also slept later than usual because they were not used to the room.
I'd always known that Alyssa slept in a "chor lor" manner. I didn't know she was THAT chor lor. Nadya pretty much slept within a particular area. At the most, her arms were spread wide. Alyssa on the other hand...rolled from left to right and then back to the left. She got up to a yoga child pose position, twisted herself, lay flat on her back and then lay flat on her tummy. And on and on. And of course, amidst all these "action sequences", she was sometimes on me, on my arm, on my thigh, etc. Plus I was punched by her a few times. Chor lor. Really chor lor. Lol.
Breakfast was pretty ok. Alyssa, after taking medication, managed to keep her food in. There being not much around the hotel in the morning, we just took a leisurely stroll to SOTA and Cathay and then back. Along the way, we ran a little, we took pictures, we played some games, we looked at trees and flowers and we took more pictures :)
Will we do another staycation anytime soon? I don't know haha...maybe not. ;p
Tuesday, September 05, 2017
Questions
Do well in a mediocre school or do mediocre in a good school?
Be in a mixed race school or in a school dominated by Chinese and whose curriculum is heavy on the Chinese culture?
Be in a mixed race school or in a school dominated by Chinese and whose curriculum is heavy on the Chinese culture?
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