Hardwork paying off after all..

It seems like a sudden 180' change in didi's attitude on his homework. I wonder why and how.



When he's home from school, he doesn't need much pestering to get his homework done now. He would be quietly sitting down finishing off his work and he would ask me if he can go and play when he is done. I would tell him to clear his mess on the table first and soon, he would bring the game of chess to ask me play with him. I do feel quite amused seeing his interest in every new game/ activity that I introduce to him. He would be on it over and over until he thinks enough is enough.



I'm glad my patience with him paid off too, stressing that homework must be done before any play comes.



The test results are back, and I shall say, the boys made me proud indeed. Not a very huge achievement in them, but overall, I can see improvement. However, while I try to focus and help them in BM, sadly, korkor's English paper came back with a dip. I was mildly shocked, but that's certainly a good indicator to remind me his English command is going down the drain. It's a good wake up call that we shall not neglect that language, while we are working hard to bring him on par on the other subjects.



The other day, he read to me an essay that he wrote for the Chinese paper. The question is "One day, I come home from school and I find...." He continued the story with "... my mom sick'. He continued reading to me what he wrote. It was something like his sister had to cook lunch and it wasn't very tasty since it was her first attempt. Then they helped to do housework etc, and called their dad to say mom's sick. Later, dad took her to see doctor and bla bla bla...



OK, it wasn't a very interesting plot, but I admit, I felt mighty amazed!! OK, I think it's because I can't write a sentence in Chinese, and to see my son, my baby, at 10 years old, wrote a lengthy piece of essay in Chinese, that was like... seeing him getting a PhD. It's definitely no regrets starting them off in a Chinese school.



To say korkor's command in Chinese is not bad, then didi's is very good. So far, he has scored straight 100% in all his "ting-xea" (hear-write), and expectedly, his marks in the paper is the best. Nevertheless, there are others in the class who are better than him, I suppose. Then again, who's comparing.



With another week of schooling, they are most certainly looking forward to the 2 weeks school break. We already have a plan when it begins, and I am really looking forward to it too, after which seems like a decade ago since we last had a holiday. After the 3d/2n trip, we would just be hanging around at home. I am wondering if I should go back to Ipoh and spend a few days at home, just chilling out with the old folks and old friends. But here I am, in Ipoh now for the long weekend, and I feel damn bored already. Not very keen to embark on that idea though.

Hari ini dalam sejarah.

11 years ago on this day...

I was starting my new life as someone's daughter-in-law, obediently helping out in cleaning up the mess in the kitchen and the whole house after the ceremony was over. It definitely did feel funny and weird to be in a home which doesn't seem like home to me yet, and my position in a different role. The weirdest thing is when I have to call her as "lai lai" instead of "auntie" jor.. I only called her the 2nd time when we were about to go back to KL.

When back to KL, life was resumed back to its normal state, nothing else much changed. And I was so looking forward to our honeymoon, a long long flight to LA. Those were "those" days.

So, in celebrating our 11th anniversary, we went for a nice buffet dinner, complemented with a bottle of wine and a moist, yummy carrot cake. Life's been treating me well so far.

Stress over, happy now.

For the boys. Probably me too.

With the mid year exams over yesterday, we can all relax now for awhile. Not that I'm stress out to ensure they bring home flying colors, but surely, all other pleasurable activities had to be onhold to drill some last minute revision into their daily routine.

So, after coming back from school, they shower, eat their lunch and start doing their homework and more homework (from me!). Not only they sien, me also sien. It's very potong stim to cajol, nag or threaten them to finish off the day's work. After they are done, I need to go through the answers and explain to them where they are wrong. It's so tedious. It takes equal amount of effort on my side as well as theirs to get these 2-3 hours of work done.

However, it does give some satisfaction and results (I so hope!). Korkor came home after that maths test and told me luckily I taught him how to shrink a division to a smaller number for easier problem solving, and also teaching him the trick to know quickly if a big number can be divided by 3. He said he was quickly done with that question while the rest were still spending a lot of time on that one. Really kembang wei.

They were so happy that they have the day free now, and keep asking me to let them play games, watch tv, totally chilling out. I introduce the game chess to them and took out the free gift from some credit card bank new application from the storeroom.

The whole board and pieces are made of glass. Though pretty and dainty, they only spell trouble! Cause we need to ensure extra care not to drop them and cut ourselves with those small pieces of glasses. Just brand new for a few hours and *piang* one little pathetic pawn was broken into 4 pieces. I sighed but watudo, that's life with kids around! Can't really expect things to stay their original way for over 24 hours, really. Unless it's child-proof. But sometimes child-proofed, they too manage to spoil them, it might just be their expertise.

I glued it back and the boys were happy, good as new, they said. *roll eyes*

Friday is Teachers' Day party at school, and I was being reminded over and over again by korkor to make homecooked food for his friends. Boy! Almost 40 people in his class, and another 40 from didi's, that would be enough to keep me occupied for the whole day in the kitchen!

It had been yoga for a year now.

Today marks the last day of my membership in the fitness center I go to for my weekly dose of yoga and zumba. I'm still undecisive whether to continue or not, as the fees are steeper by almost 70% than what I had paid for when I joined.

One year had passed, I still have that picture I took that time before I started on the quest for a more flattering figure. One thing for sure, there's a significant difference there indeed, though it can't be said it's BIG. Thus, it can be said the small affordable fees I paid for it was worthwhile. Other than having a curvier line, compared to the straight one before, my knees also strengthen up now and I don't have much backaches. With all these changes I feel them myself, it's no secret I do enjoy practising yoga.

The instructor sometimes would show us how to partner up and help the other to do handstands, elbow stands or tripods. Yesterday, it was the first time I was chosen to demonstrate the elbow stand together with him. I have to admit I feel tremendously honored. And very happy that he compliments me for the nice posture I make with some of the poses.

Being a regular there many mornings, I made a few acquaintances. It's not very pleasant in the beginning when I knew noone there, but later on, we nodded at each other, which later turned to a smile, then some "Hi" and small chats and now, we can gossip and talk more. I feel very sad indeed that I won't be seeing them anymore, and yet, I didn't tell them so. That's because I still am not decided to continue with it or not. I do wonder if I would be missed. It's a weird peculiar feeling I can't even find the word for. Kinda mm-seh-tuck to let go?

Well, with RM150+ a month, I think perhaps I can save the money to buy more dvds to work it out myself or join some other yoga club. It might be eye-opener to learn from other instructors, who knows, right? Moreover, I will be saving on the carpark fees and the laplapjubjub food I pamper myself after each session. With that in mind, I keep my options open. See how things go.

Gum yao dar ii sui...

Aww... my friend goolypop sent me these larv-ley little cupcakes for me. Though some ants feasted on it before I did, but hey! it's a good time to share!

(p/s: thanks, you! I suppose you didn't mean that I shall send the same surprise to you end of this month, hoh?


We had a buffet dinner at some fancy hotel the night before, so that was so to speak, the celebration before the real day itself. Hub needed to rush off to the airport in the early morning, before we were awake and left the whole day to us at home to fend for ourselves.

Bought this cake before the dinner last night, but we were totally stuffed, hence we didn't touch the cake or sing the song. The kids were too tired, heck, I was dead tired myself, watching TV till early early morning the night before.

OK, stop counting the candles, I ter-put a couple more candles on it.

Well, not to worry, we still needed to eat something for breakfast and the cake would do. Always can rely on the faithful kids to sing me a birthday song, hai-gum-eee laa..




Tee hee! The vid is so cute, well, at least to me. I know this would be so memorable in later years.

We spent the day doing some home tuition, there are still 3 more days to go for the boys to show their knowledge and all they have learnt so far in school. The kids did not make so much fuss, it was a very quiet morning while they were at work, and well, me at "work" too, settling the daily housework and cooking lunch.

After lunch, I let the kids watched "Lion King" and soon, it was 5pm, good time to go for a dip since it had been too warm and humid the whole day. We came back up to have spaghetti for dinner, rested awhile and told them to go to bed at 8+. There's some free time left before me going to bed myself, so I am watching "A Christmas Carol" and blogging at the same time.

And that's, well, my birthday this year. Gum yao 29 swui ler..

Happy Butts-day to me (according to korkor!)

Home from Myanmar.

Hub came back from Myanmar yesterday. It was since a long time ago that he was "almost" uncontactable, ever since digital phonecalls can be made. There wasn't any roaming in that country and internet is scarce. According to him, it's one of the isolated places in the world to be controlled by the government is every possible ways.

So... the first day he departed, I can't reach him on his phone and I didn't know if he's ok, as he was taking a risk flying into the country without a visa. He searched up the internet and some says, visa is needed for entry, while some say visa on arrival is provided. He took the risk.

Needless to say, I would be worried. Whenever he's away, I'll make sure to check on him or he would automatically boe-doe (which still needs lots of training). Fortunately he managed to get hold of an internet line which charges by the minute (I suppose) and send a quick and short update to his bosses, me included. I was able to sleep soundly that night.

Few days passed, and he came home from his business trip. It was rush hour when I picked him home and eventually, he started to interrogate me like I'm one of his staff (which is normal). I took deep breathe in.... deep breathe out...., not wanting to launch into a fight, for admittedly, I felt relieved he's home safe and sound. Amazing how women can keep their temper intact when the "big aunty" not come visiting.

Surprisingly, he too, seeing my silence instead of justifying my actions, had mellowed down and we settled for a quiet and peaceful dinner. How things would have been if I had raised my voice and started the defense! I guess this is the way things work around the universe. I made a self reminder to practise this more often. Life would be much tolerable.

He bought something home for me though. Initially, he was showing some bangles with big round jades, some with different colors other than green. I was speechless looking at those stuffs, easily make me look like a granny if I have one of those things on me!

Didi asked me "not nice meh?".

I said "err... nice! but....err, not very fashionable only jek.." I think his expression tells me he thinks it's very pretty. Hmm... I might be wrong.

Apparently, he had another "surprise" for me, like it's a hugeeeee diamond behind his back he's hiding or something, with a grin that says "you'll love this one"...

Gee... I was so hopeful. Dimji.. jeng jeng jeng... it were 2 small stones of I-dont-even-know-what-its-called. Color also not like ruby. So dull and unexciting. Seriously, he looked rather disappointed, maybe that I didn't jump up instantly and give him a quickie or what! heh!

Anyway, he said he thought of giving me the blue stone while the "dull red" was meant for his mommy. Oh! I thought, not both meh? Ish!

And he said these stones are meant to be made into pendants. I said, have to surround it with diamonds only look nice worr.... and he responded "sure, make it la!". (dream la! say only, when he sees the quotation later, he sure asks me to use a string to tie it up enough liao!)

Anyways.....

Happy that he thought of me la. More importantly, he's home. As for the stone, I guess it'll be chucked into the safe for safekeeping and memories sake.

(If any of you wants, I can sell to you too, y'know? Want not? lelong, lelong...)

Maller's Day for me.

Korkor's bought this stalk of fake rose for me for Maller's Day. Now, I'm supposed to feel happy and pleased about this, but somehow ... ?? Fancy the school's bookshop using this trick to "con" unsuspecting little children? It costs RM1.50 per stalk, not 50 cents wor...

I don't know about others, but I think the children would have "peer pressure" a bit. Others are buying that for their mothers, it's like a wave effect. I tried to teach my son to bargain with the seller, buy in bulk together with his classmates la, get a discount! But what do they know.

Anyway, I decided I'm not complaining. I ought to be happy. He seems very sincere to show his love and appreciation to me for doing everything I can being his mom. (Or am I imagining things??)

I told him, what I love most from him, is just simply, a hug and a kiss. "Can I have that?" *sounding hopeful*. He said "YES!", without any hesitation. heh! I thought that was rather sweeter than anything else. As I know.. boys being boys, they are very reluctant to give any hug or kiss as they grow bigger. And when they are men, they wouldn't be so eager to celebrate Maller's Day, maybe taking the excuse "my kids are having exam tomorrow laa".. EEK!!! That sounds so familiar!!!

Didi's second baby tooth replaced.

Papa yanked the shaky tooth out from didi's mouth. ewww....

That's one thing that I can't do! The tooth had been shaky for quite sometime, and I saw a tiny one sprouting from behind it. I wanted to help him pull the useless jor-tau-jor-sai baby tooth out, but when my fingers touched it, somehow the fingers went numb. Can't move the fingers, no joke! He wasn't brave to let me do it either, so I just let it be.

Last night, intolerable about it anymore from didi himself, he agreed that it should be yanked out. Very brave of him indeed. I helped to tie the tooth with a thread, and closed my eyes, tried to pull that one out. Eeyerrrr, I just can't do it.

The papa took over. One pull, the thread came out, without the tooth. I have to tie it again for a second time, carefully securing it with a few more knots and rounds. And I hand it over to papa and closed my eyes. Just become taufu liddat.. can't bear to see the scenario.

And just a second, it was over and blood was spilling out from his mouth.. what a scene!

He was obviously very relieved, and he asked me how to make the tooth from behind to come in front! Eh, like playing lego ah? So easy liddat? Sigh.. looking at his new tooth at the back, like a castaway sitting on the second row of benches, I should have helped him done this long ago.

DInner conversations.

I ought to eat dinner with them more often. Most of the time, I would serve their dinner earlier while I wait for their papa to come home so he doesn't need to eat on his own. Well, apart from that, another reason is I would be sneaking away to steal some "me time" on the internet, chatting craps endlessly.

Which is really not a good idea. Because, they would be taking too long time to finish off their meals, and both the boys would be having a helluva time making meimei go bawling away..."mommmeeee, you see korkor and 2kor....".

And most times, I end up shouting, threatening, warning, and doing all the wrong things!

So, I try to eat with them more often now. As while we eat, it's also a good time to catch up and have a little relaxing chat.

Today, korkor told me he would like to ask a few of his friends over for his birthday this year. Including SOME girls. So I asked him if he likes girls now, coz sometime before, he swore he hated girls and the description of them is one word.. yucks!

This time, he surprised me by admitting yeah, he likes girls now. And he wants many girlfriends. I imparted some wisdom to him, saying "no need so many geh.. 1 good one enough already, like mommy..." (that's one advantage talking to them.. no need to feel ashamed one! tee hee!). He said "but mommy not pretty now lorrr...". Deng! So frank, so hard to stomach. Ouch!

Sigh!!!! Watudo. They said "but mommy so fierce". I reminded them that it's them who made me what I am today, wokay. Before, I was such a sweet and demure girl. I wouldn't like to be a fierce mom too, would I?

Anyway, that was a pretty good meal conversation. It was all so cute. And all of them finished up their meals before 8pm, which means they could continue with their homework and the normal routine before bedtime. So no yelling, no shouting, no bullying, no all the wrong stuffs.

I just wonder.... if korkor is, at this early age, think of girls as in "cute girls"? You know what I mean? Jeez... sometimes I feel it's too early to be progressing so fast into that stage already. Please.. slow down a bit.. don't grow up too soon yet.

Meimei's not feeling so well.

Freaking 2 hours wait! Just to see a paed. Meimei's cough bug made worse last night, I think I caught about 4-5 hours sleep nia. Was so afraid of the scary H1N1 fever.

The paed diagnosis' is surely the normal flu and cold initially. I asked about the swab test, and was told that it costs RM300!!! just to check H1N1. I think I would see how she goes after taking the medicine first.

She was given couple puffs of the nebulizer to clear her phelgm-ed pathways, and truly enough, after awhile before we managed to get back to the car, she was coughing and sneezing all the phlegm out. I wanted to get hold of some groceries before going home, but had to cut it short to hurry her home before the condition could get any worse.

When we got home, I gave her medicine and shoo-ed her to sleep. She fell asleep like a log, like right hitting the pillow. She was sooo tired. I had no choice but to leave her at home alone while I hurriedly went over to school to pick up didi later. Tried to wake her up to tell her I'll be right back very soon, she mumbled ok a few times, but later during dinner, she had no recollection whatsoever that I said those things.

After a long afternoon nap, she got up and the cough stopped tremendously. I'm so glad she's fine again. Nothing beats seeing the kids healthy and active. Only hope nobody catches the bug from her that Sat night, especially the one who sat next to her. (sorry dear, so careless of me to be so thoughtless that night), except for that one sore loser I had the worst luck to have met that evening!