Orientation for didi and me.

What a busy last week of the year. We had to go for orientation for 2 days as didi donned on his brand new sparkling uniform for Pri 1 while in the afternoon, we were away from our home entertaining guests till 11+ at nights for 2 consecutive days. It was truly enjoyable and exhaustive.

Orientation in the mornings turned out to be a long 3 hours lectures by different heads of dept in the school for the first day, and filling out form after form, waiting, passing the bucks, and more waiting then off we go on the second day. It's rather funny to make some observations around too. Obviously some are newbies while some are already used to the drill. Nevertheless, I too pop my head in whichever discussions there were to see if there's anything I do not know of. Guess it's just the same old thing - food catering for the kids, transportation for them...

I feel happy to see 2 kids from didi's kindy there too. One of them recognized me immediately, but she's in another class. The other one is also in the same class with didi. I sure hope they can be able to look out for one another. Meanwhile, I made friends and exchange numbers with the boy's parents, and talk to one or two among the parents waiting outside the classroom.

The class teacher seems to be rather a fierce teacher, already admonishing didi on the first day when we were there to pick him up. Didi was wildly charging around like a wild bull with another "member" and his shirt was hanging out loosely, just like he always love. Oh no.. I shook my head and just walked away ... breathe in, breathe out..

So when it reached our turn as we all queued up to take our offsprings away, the teacher made didi stand in front of her. She told him to tuck in his shirt nicely and she won't let him go home if it's not done to her satisfaction. Didi looked kinda scared of her and I wonder if he was going to cry! But he hang on there, while she continued telling him that he's not allowed to run around while she was busy handling the parents yadda yadda yadda...

Boy! It sure didn't look good... orientation day only leh.. not even the first day of school yet! Can he behave in the days to come? Oh please, I praying harder now..

Meanwhile, on the second day, he turned out to be a sweet little lamb, sitting quietly on his table, and at least, I didn't hear of any complaints from the teacher. Still want to ask meh? lalalum sign out and take him home lor... happy that everything kaotim by 10+.

We are going to have a bbq at CK's home to welcome the new year together. The kids sure gonna love seeing each other again and have some fun. I think I will too. Happy New year lor.

I'm bad, I'm bad. My bad.

Before I became a mom, I knew I wanted some children, not only 1. Around the region of 3-4, ideally 2 boys and 2 girls.

So when korkor was almost 1, I was kinda ready to have make another one, so that they can grow up and play together. My dream was that they have siblings as company in their growing up years.

I guess never did I foresee that the kind of play they love is to make all those noises, bickering, fighting and making fun of one another almost ALL THE freaking TIME It's really kind of a blessed feeling when it happens once in awhile, but when it occurs everyday and especially in a close compound like in a car, things can get really really ugly.

Some of the times, I step in to tell them to be REALLY QUIET. Some of the times, I let them solve their own issues on their own. Some of the times, I side one of them and join in the fun to make fool of the "victim". Some of the times, I just go CRAZY!

Today, I was keeping my cool when didi was making fun of meimei. When things turned sour and meimei was bawling that he scratched her, I just totally lost it. I regretted that I yelled at him and made some scratch marks on his thighs to let him have a taste of his own medicine. We stood outside the pavement next to a main road, while the rest were waiting for their dinner to be served. I wanted to break down that very moment, totally lost on what I have done, and what I am going to do. It was really kinda depressing. The thing about parenting, it's so darn difficult to strike a balance in everything we do.

At the end of the day, I keep reminding myself, that it's their kind of play and bonding. Without these, it's not part of growing up. They are supposed to be noisy and rowdy at this age. And when they grow out of it and starts to shy away and keep things to themselves, I know I will miss these kind of "noise" around me. Just need to be more steady myself. *slap self*

Avatar is ..

..awesome! No toilet breaks from the kids as we watched through the whole movie. But the night was getting way too late, and meimei slept in my cuddle halfway. Didi was very restless as well and fidgeted around on his seat. Kernian-nya, so I told papa to take meimei and I held didi in my arms. It was very nice to be holding and cradling him like a baby again. He stopped moving but didn't sleep though. I doubt he understands what the movie was about, but would watch when the actions were on and he kept asking why it is taking so long. (that's great! more worth it for the tickets we paid)

By the time we were out, it was midnight, almost near to the Xmas countdown. But we didn't hear any. People were still crowding everywhere, I suppose they are the midnight moviegoers. Amazing! City folks really have no "sleeping time".

We had dinner at Sushi King before that and saw some performance were underway at the concourse area at the center mall. Such vibrant colors and cheerful ambience. It was really a merry christmas eve night. But surprisingly the carpark wasn't full and we had no problem finding a parking spot, much contrast to what I thought. I think many people are either at home watching WLT or at the churches attending services.

Christmas day today, papa felt a bit unwell and we stayed home all day. I tapao breakfast and had it at about 11.30am, almost close to lunchtime. We went about doing our own stuffs, forced the kids to do their homework and papa played computer games all day.

I felt a bit sorry that the boys have to do tutoring not only on school holiday, but also a public holiday! So I didn't push them much, only to ensure they complete their Mandarin tuition homework. Then they ja ja dei dei walk around and play with their toys and games. I also ja ja dei dei close both eyes saje.

My hub put on a chinese dvd, with aaron kwok, titled Empire of Silver. Without the english subs, I don't think I will watch through the whole show. Aaron Kwok was very charming, and boy! there were some fleshy scenes as well. I was furiously keeping the kids busy with origami activities while my eyes on the tv.. imagine that!! hehe..I think that one day will come soon when the kids will know what it's all about and won't be distracted so easily from those scenes.

I took them to the pool at 6 while I happily enjoyed myself yoga-ing. By the time we were done with the showers and all, dinner was late, and I was crying in pain with the gastric tummy. Lucky the pain went away after the food was digested for awhile.

We came home after dinner and papa, dunno what weird mood, put up a karaoke dvd. We had some karaoke moment with the xmas carols some days ago, and this time we sang some familiar (our eras) chinese songs. Korkor was saying mommy was singing better and we were like suddenly in a mini "American Idol" competing for his favorable comments. After awhile, he didn't want to comment any further when both of us were flexing our muscles or staring in killer stares asking who's the better singer.. kekeke...

What a weird but easy "christmas" day we had.

Kwismas 2009

... and I say "sha la la la la!" (bum bum bum) sha la la.. in the morrrr ning...

Happy... cos, I baited a silent reader out from the dark! ha ha... *waves* hiyaa, mun!

She really wrote an application letter to me, asking for approval leh! Hah ha.. what she doesn't know, my readers base here is so small, I of course, don't even need to see her in bikini also lalalum send her an invite already.

And my friends yang amat tersayang, you are all so lovely, just love seeing the short notes you dropped to be able to come over and read my nonsense here.

Merry Kwismas, Mun Yee, Kiki, Dawn, Jaclyn, Kok Lan, Zheng Mun and Patrick. (Sharks! I just let you know how pathetic my number of readers are!)

Happy New Year tooo... (but wait, that will be another post, see got any more applications coming in or not. Maybe I shall put a deadline for application in that old blog url too!) *stick tongue out*

And tomorrow, wait, I mean, tonight, on Xmas Eve, I'll be somewhere out there with my family dining out and then going to watch Avatar before counting down to Kwismas. That's something simple and nice and pleasant to look forward to, instead of staying at home only, eating my boring dishes and watching WLT Gem Of Life. Love it. Merry Christmas to you!

Front of hand is skin, back of hand also skin

Today, I'm stuck in a war between my own mom and dad. Worse when there are no rights and no wrongs, and both are claiming they are right and the other party is wrong. And when this happens, I'm the only sau hoi jeah. Kau meang ahhh....

What happened is my dad wanna buy something, and my mom who is keeping all his fortune, do not want to give him the money. So he said the money is his wor, and she replied "ok lor, I give you back all, and we draw lines from then on...." and hang up on him. Then he called me and asked me to borrow him some money.

Me being the entire opposite whose fortune lies in the hands of my boss, have to ask this favor from him instead. Then he said "Why give all the money to your mom?" *scratch head* (Hello??? Like you, good meh?")

In the end, I'm asking myself this question all the time, am I cleff to be surrendering all my choicharn to a fler and nothing left for my own self? Poor me. Yeah, I'm a real silai.

Family picture in Midvalley

This the picture we took yesterday at Midvalley. I didn't bring along a camera, though I know the decorations around the malls in the city would be fantastic. Lazy? I think so. But I think I don't have that much of xmas mood with me with those huge crowds around. But this picture was taken by someone with Canon. Canon offers to take pictures for anyone and prints out a hard copy for you too, you just need to collect it at their outlet on the 2nd floor. I think that's a very clever idea to have people visiting them.

So we have a family picture of Christmas 2009 in the end. Merry Christmas!

Halfway through the holidays.

Wow! Have I been away that long? Can see the thickness of the dust here.

*blows dust into the air*

Today, I think I had got all the barang-barang ready for "Balik Sekolah 2010" for the 2 boys. Earlier, I took them to choose their own stationeries. And by getting mainly didi's uniforms and shoes, he's all set to go!

To be frank, I'm rather worried of him with his pelik behavior in a brand new environment. This son of mine is making me pulling my hair out, making me almost at wits' end on how to deal with him. I think he's gonna be making frequent trips to the discipline teacher, though I pray so hard that he will not.

I am just trying so many different approaches in parenting him.

1. Strict punishment - I just try not to use this on him as much as possible, as I can see it hurts him so. Too much of negative punishment, would drive him to the corner anot?

2. Then again, when I don't use strict punishments, am I spoiling him? Am I being just too soft on him? That's what others or observers are telling me.

3. Talking to him. Yes, I do that, but how many times can I keep my cool when I have to handle and manage all the things that often come together?

Nevertheless, I'll continue to strive. A few days ago, I went to the library and found a book on hyperactive kids. Reading the book, I believe that he doesn't belong to this category. So what is?

And I google and found this site to answer a set of questions to roughly estimate what kind of a child he is. It says here that he is an Introverted Intuitive Judging person. By reading that article, I think it kinda depicts quite accurately of him. It's like finding a light at the end of a tunnel, or probably some kind of help for me to refer to.

Pray that I am doing the right parenting way with him, so he would be a great person with good morals and virtues.

My image consultant.

This week had been a hardworking week for me. I made a list, in my mind, what I wanted to achieve this holiday.

I threw a lot of junks out finally. Funny, I feel like much lighter after clearing up the cabinets, drawers and wardrobes. It definitely is a feel good thing. I do not know what I was thinking when I stuffed old clothes into the old big luggage in the store room last time, as I took more than half of it out and throw. Yet, I was stuffing the newer old clothes from my wardrobe again. ??!!!????

The past few days, I had my eyes on a blouse in some stalls in a shopping center. But I didn't buy it, because it wasn't very expensive, neither was it any cheap. I would take a look at it everytime I was there, making it about 3-4 times already, before I decided, ok, I'll get that.

Then yesterday, the boys were tagging along with me while I decided to make the purchase. Korkor saw the blouse and said "No la, it looks so *insert some other race*'s". Huh?! Really ah? Then I browsed through the rest in the league. And he commented, "No la, all of it looks so *insert that same race*'s". Bugger! (yau kei chee hai wor) And I decided to... listen to him!

We walked over to the next stall, and I asked him *pointing to that one* "How about that?". He nodded in approval and said "this one much better". OK.... *grinning that I have his approval*. And I further asked for his advice which color to choose. He took a glance and just point to the cream one. I was like the happy kid going home with a new baju. Tee hee!

So, that was the reason why I need to clear the drawers and wardrobe. To make way for new items.

Where to go on a 4d3n Singkapoh trip

Too tired to pack our things up the night before our travel, I woke up early to get all the things packed and everything else in order on that Haji holiday. By the time we were on the highway heading down south, it was almost close to 11am. CK and his family were already 30 mins way ahead of us.

The highway wasn't very jam packed, though there was a stretch before Seremban where the cars were all slowed down. By the time we caught up with CK, they were done with their lunch. We went ahead on, munching buns in the car. Surprisingly, the journey seemed to be very short, in less than 3pm, we arrived the 2nd Link and on the way in to the island.

Google Maps were really helpful, we found our way to our expat friend without any hassle. The guard at the post told us, "Ms. C is expecting your arrival"... wahh.. so glamer macam.

Awed by the place she's staying, we hang around for awhile admiring her home, before moving to the pools for a dip. By then, there were some minor accidents, like her glass teapot's cover was broken, CK's son's glasses fell down inside below the lift from the celah, and his left eye injured by his sis from the slide. Boy! Really hope there wasnt' going to be more in the next few days.

After our shower, we went to dinner by JM's recommendation, the food was real good. She was so relieved when CK himself said it's good, considering how fussy he eats. We took a walk to the West Coast Mall just opposite the road and then back to her home.

She suggested us to take a walk at Keppel Island just right outside her condo, and we did. Turned out it was rather a big round. We walked by the various parks in her condo compound before moving out to Keppel Bay Bridge, and it was really quite a pleasant place to stay in.

Keppel Bay Bridge, just right outside the back door.

Strolling on the bridge and admiring the night view. The kids and the guys were already way in front of us leaving CL and I walking slowly, enjoying the night air and the serenity of it.

By the time we came back home, the kids were so tired. Meimei and didi slept with JM while the rest of the kids camp outside at the living hall. They looked so enjoy the "camp" together.

The next day we set off to Science Center after eating simple breakfast from home. Meimei was crying of hunger by the time we reach there and so, we ate McD before going in. Damn! We only realised the lunch value pack was just 15 mins away, but we were too late as we already paid for the food.

Didn't take any pictures inside the Science Center, just had an equally stressing time making sure all 6 kids do not stray from us. Lucky there are 5 of us adults to see to that. Boy! What an afternoon it was. Felt so relieved to finally sit back and relax in the Omnitheatre. Watched a doc about the ocean underwater, and we nearly fell asleep in that half an hour. tee hee!

We came back home, and made some maggi mee to eat before taking a break and our shower to meet my bro and his family for dinner at the city center. Lucky for the GPS, we found our way without much fuss, but the parking was quite congested at that mall, and so my bro directed me to another one, but we had to walk again for another few hundred miles to the other mall for the Jap "ala Marche" style dinner.

The food was good, and the kids had fun in the play area. I had a really nice time seeing my nephews and niece too. Happy.

Came back home and discussed where to go the next day. Finally settled on Sentosa, from the various choices like Henderson walk, East Coast Park, Bugis shopping spree.

The next morning, I saw them sprawled on the floor in various styles like this. Meimei cried the night before, begging to let her sleep with them. Poor her! Cried until mata bengkak mommy also don't care. Only made JM can't going to meet her chaukoong then.

We set off by foot to the Vivo City just next street. Had toast and half boiled eggs for breakfast and then the guys went to the counter to bargain for tickets while we took the kids out to wander a bit.

Saw a big Xmas tree outside and shallow little pools around the place.

JM ber-posing dengan amat gayanya.

We discussed what kind of package we would like to have, must make it most fun and best value for money one.

One of those rare moments where they sat obediently and quietly without them all over the place. Foot reflexology ah?

And I had fun snapping their pics away. The papas told us we can go now, and off we went, to the Sentosa station right inside the mall as well. Very very convenient.

By the time we reached Sentosa, it started to drizzle and our first stop of fun, they closed because of it. Our moods also dragged down with it. Never mind, we hopped on to the tram for a ride first. And it took us along Siloso road, looking at the beach, the sand, the people picnicking.

One U-turn back, the rain stopped miraculously. We went on the Skyride first. There wasn't any Q, it was really great.

Meimei, the youngest and shortest of all, passed the height criteria test. *whew*, all can go onboard!

A max of 3 per gondola, so we split up. Hub and didi in the first one, I went with JM and meimei, the 2 boys with CK and CL with her dotter and youngest son at the back.

The view was magnificient as it climbed up. We were enjoying ourselves as much as the kids did.

My son, have a height issue, and CK was seen teasing him here. Hmmph!

Surprisingly, the ride wasnt' as short as we imagined. It took us beyond a little hill and back to the northern side of the island.

Run for your life! The gondola won't stop for you to disembark, just like the cable car system.

We then went to ride on the Sky tower. It was similar to the one in HK's Ocean Park, but the view is different, of course. We saw here the Resort casino development in progress. Reported to be opened in 2 months time from now. Can meh? We think most likely gonna be delayed.

Saw the Luge from that sky view. Gonna go for that next!

And the place where JM stays. Luxurious anot?

Came back down and take a group picture first. It was really a nice weather, after the rain and not so hot.

Then went on a "nature walk". It's an elevated plank walkway along the flora and fauna system in Sentosa. OK ler.. not much of a eco-person we all, we just walked and U-turn balik, polluting the environment with noise as we went along.

Next was the toboggans ride called Luge. Wheee!!!!!!!!!!!!! All the way back to the Skyride station. Fun!

And it was back to the first stop, our Eco-bike who let us down from the drizzle earlier. JM and meimei didn't go. We were trained for a bit at first, and hit "the roads" very soon. Looking at the smaller kids, they were really too cute. Can laugh your heads off watching them heading straight into the bushes.


See here? Didi looked anxious, yet adventurous, yet scared, yet exciting. After that, hopped back onto the Skyride and to Subway for lunch.

The last enjoyment was to Fort Siloso in our ticket package.

2 men and 1 woman with 6 kids. What a fukchap relationship it seemed.


Fort Siloso brings us back to the past history of WWII, but the kids were just running around, climbing up and down the cannons and displays only. Haiyah.

One more group picture. See the yauying pose tak? Hiao doe sei.

Walked back to Siloso beach. Easy and relaxing from now. Just let our breath slow down and enjoy the evening away.

Siloso beach seemed like more popular now, compared to the XX years ago when I was visiting. I guess last time, Sentosa was more focussed on the northern region. As it's making way for the Resort casino, the attractions are shifted to the southern region more.

We walked to the other small island via a plank walkway. The kids played with teh sand while we sat around and drink in the sights and the sounds.

The case of 1 fallen shoe into the sea (didi's one!)

Making dunno what castle and runway.

We took one last ride on the skyride, to and fro, catching the sunset, before heading for home.

We had dinner at Vivo city and took some nite pictures with the xmas deco there.

And that was our trip! Ended pretty soon when you had a lot of fun. But not until that last night, poor meimei and didi, were boycotted in a way. Both of them were so eager to join the rest of the kids in the living hall, so they early early took their pillows out to chup space. Korkor and the other younger boy asked to sleep in their positions, in JM's room, while the older 2 wanna bunk in with their parents.

Their faces that night broke my heart so much. Meimei was softly sobbing while didi was looking up at me with puppy eyes, wondering why the rest didn't want to join them. I told them I gave them the best sleeping spot to them the days before, they gave it up, so the rest of the kids mah happy to take over their place lor. Didi even said "So, tomorrow, I'm gonna sleep back in JM yiyi's room". Poor babies.

I didn't have the heart to leave just the 2 of them alone outside, so I pushed our own beds aside to make way for them in our room at the end.

It was easy peasy finding our way to the Causeway, and on to the highway to KL. On our last pee stop in a smaller rest area, hub was bugged persistently to buy a handphone from a very suspicious-looking-foreigner (or might be local), and realised later it was just a pirated Nokia phone. I was furious with my hub for even entertaining him at the beginning, but later, realised, fortunately nothing far worse happened to us and the kids.

For all I know, he might even had snatched or robbed us since he was just standing just next to hub, blocking the door from closing in his driver seat, and didn't want to take NO for an answer. Come to think of it, it can be considered a robbery, but probably from this tactic, he is saved from being questioned since he can argue it's just a transaction. Boy! Muggers these days are using different tactics really. I'm glad we are not harmed in the end, but RM200+ poorer for a ciplak phone. Hub gave it to korkor and I think it can be used as an alarm clock for him next year on. Quite an expensive one though.

I was so tired that day, I didn't bother to unpack or clean whatsoever, and left everything to be done the next day. And life resumed back to the norm very soon.

Saturday evening adventure

We went to FRIM after all. It was a nice weather, didn't rain a bit, and in fact we should have gone earlier. Initially I was thinking of hiking up a hill, and wanted to explore the area a bit, but we set off a tad too late, about 5pm, as that was the time when I looked up from my laptop. We reached there at roughly 5.45 and the time to close is about 6.30, so we were told.

We just charged to the river, where we had our picnic spot some weeks ago. Such a different atmosphere compared to that time. This time, it was sunyi sepi aje, not many cars were seen, although there were still some kids playing at the river there. We walked up the stairs and hub started to go looking for prawns for our little aquarium. Meanwhile, the 4 of us tried to manage and find our way to where papa was, as the place there was rocky and wet, like a jungle track.

Didi loved the exploration, he said it's an adventure, and it seems like he was truly enjoying himself finding his way around. Meimei needed help, and there I was, with a small tote bag of tidbits, a tumbler and a container to store our catches, tumbling around to make sure she's ok. I was a bit clumsy, but the simplicity of our activity brings so much joy. Korkor was happy too, though he kept saying "told you it's a bad idea", for he had objected to go out while he could stay home to play games.

At one point of time, I told him to help meimei and there he was, trying to carry her over. It was such a cute and warm sight, and what a pity I didn't bring a camera to capture that. It'll forever be etched in my memory though. This brother, though he likes to irritate her most times, he still loves his little sis.

And my, what a good catch we had today. We brought home 5 prawns and 1 little baby "siakap". Hope they wouldn't commit suicide so fast though.

We passed by a big park with a big lake, and there was a big open area for kite-flying. It was such a pretty sight, with all the colorful and variety of kites in the sky. I made a mental note to come back here again next time to fly kite with the kids, or maybe with grandpa and grandma too.

The library book I borrowed.

I would like to bore the hell out of you telling the story of our holiday in Singapore, but wait..

These 2 days, I did something which I had not done for N years. Reading a novel! Can I imagine that?

I thought this time taktau how many days need to complete the book, but ding! ding! ding!, surprisingly, I finished the book in less than 24 hours, sleeping time, mealtimes, washing time, bathing time, tuition time, cooking time, all included. Chehwah! I'm so proud of myself.

Then again, I think this book is pretty cool, it has such interesting plots which weaved together at the end. I was so excited to geto to know the ending of the story. The most captivating part of the book is that it really encompass the feelings of a mother, how much is considered enough to care for her child.

Apart from that, I watched a DVD with hub last nite. It was called "Dim Sum Funeral", kinda expected ending since the beginning, but nonetheless, held my attention till the end, even though I was rather sleepy and tired. I always judged a movie watchable or not by this criteria only. So, go watch it! tee hee!

Meanwhile, it's a Saturday, and I have nowhere to go with the family. How pathetic is that! I am thinking of a hiking trail in the evening, but wonder if it will pour later, as it always does these days.

And you know what? I am still on a vegetarian diet. Oh, you don't know about that, hoh? I only put that remark on FB and those people (frens, kononnya) look down upon me and says I won't last till 3 days the max. In fact, it's over 7 days now! Maybe, or sometimes, it's the challenge that drives you at times. The you-don't-think-I-will-make-it?-I-will-show-you-I-will, kinda thing.

But seriously, it's not that which drives me. At first, it was some sort like a protest, you know, like Mahatma Gandhi, but I can't do fasting, I have gastric problems, so I decided to cut out meat only.

After some soul-searching and self-analysis, I decided not to blame anyone for their behavior and embrace the blame on myself, as action causes reaction, no? Thus, the meat avoidance is to remind myself how incompetent I am and I should improve!

It's hard, really hard. When I was making the meals for the kids, deboning the chicken thigh, I almost wanted to sink my teeth into that juicy delicious part I crave for. It was really like calling me to eat it! And also last night when I was deboning the small fried fishes for them. I was really salivating! How I wanted to taste the crunchy and tasty part of those sides! But I didn't succumb to the temptation! I was so proud of myself! Jeez! I shouldn't be cooking so nice food for them anymore, should I? Then again, it would be contradicting the purpose of this idea. And so I persist.

Quite amazingly, I am now more aware of the different food to eat, to replace the protein my body is in need of. It's so far working, but it's pissing the hell out of my hub, as he can't agree with the rationale behind my motive. But the no-meat just keeps me reminding me, I shall be a better person, I shall be....Wonder where this will lead to.. and how long it lasts. I have no idea too.