Smells nice

A neighbour walked past my house as I was sweeping the balcony. He smiled, walked past and then re-traced his footsteps back to my house and asked me if I sprayed Lemongrass in the house coz it smells nice.  I cited that it is Citronella that I'm diffusing.

After he left, he got me thinking ... If he came from the direction from our rooms to the living area, he would have sniffed the Odour Control blend (rosemary, lemon and lavender) that I usually diffuse in the mornings as I clean the house. But is it that strong that he can actually smell it from the outside? If he can, I will not have the problem of ensuring my bathrooms smell nice constantly. 

I've embarked on this oily journey for a year now. Any regrets? No, not really. I do feel a little lighter after applying JOY on my wrist and sniff.

I've tried to turn into a holistical living but it's difficult especially if the man doesn't so believe in this and keeps buying chemical laden products from the supermarkets. I've listed out the things that I want to make for cleaning but ..... haven't got done to business. Sigh...........procrastinate procrastinate. 

The type of fake parents

I love to warm up to friends, be the Mrs Congeniality. We were also all first-timer parents as our kids were the oldest in each family, so naturally we forge a friendship hoping to share experiences and learning process. But what puts me off over the years is the emergence of fake friends. 

Secret Detective

They are the parents who make use of me by digging up information where I send my kids to tuition, asked for contact number but don't even call - just claim it's for "just in case, I have another contact". But yet when I asked them where their kids go to, I'm suddenly and abruptly cut short of the conversation "don't have" and then talks about other things. I hate these people! And what happens after the girls are in different schools, they suddenly lost the contact. I know for sure they'll call or message when they need help. Ahhh..... I shall ignore these people.

Liar Liar 

Another group of parents, who keep claiming their kids are dumb. Number 1, I don't believe any kids are born dumb. Therefore I always tell them their kids are not dumb as what they claimed. Say they cannot study this and that; and do badly. If I were to complain that my kids are careless, they also complain their kids are very careless. If I complain that my kids are very careless, they complain their kids are very very careless. Totally uncalled for, because at the end of the day when they get their results. Wham! Superbly good results. What the %#@! they've been lying. 

There were occasions where I felt the girls were doing a touch n go on the syllabus. Don't ask me why, but it always seems like our girls are always behind time for this and that subject. At last minute the teachers would start begging the PE teachers for their time so that they can go through work with the girls. As usual, my work with the girls will also be behind time. And more often I'm left complaining that my girl hasn't finished revision for certain topic or subject, and these people will also say their kids haven't finished or ... haven't even started. ?? End of the day, when their kids get better results then they say they did revise. Damn! Why lie? If studied already, just say studied lah! 

Slowly and hurtfully, I know who these people are and will keep a distance from them. I know these are the people whom I can't trust or rely on them at all as friends coz they were only there to make use of the kind-hearted me. 

However, I'm also thankful for a handful of nice friends who are genuinely nice people. 

Damn cockroaches!

Damn it! In a span of only 1yr + living in this house, I've already seen 5 cockroaches in the house (more frequently once all the neighbours moved on) . Compared to seeing only 3-4 cockroaches in a span of 13years in our previous house.
Once, within one hour, I saw two cockroaches (big ones) crawling out from our drain. I have this mentality that when I see any pest in the house including housefly and ants, I'll make sure I kill it immediately. So they better not let me see them. Which infact, is also scarier for me, especially when I'm cleaning the house and I least expect it, the bugger jump onto me.    

Honestly, I'm wondering if it's worse it my neighbour's house. I don't think anyone is as hardworking as me to :

1) Diffuse the living room and yard area every night with Citronella

2) Drop Citronella or Thieves essential oil into the toilet drains

3) Spray insecticide in chute area every night. Including air dumping it for 5 seconds

4) Spray the yard perimeter. Ehh.... only from the bottom coz I would think that cockroaches are more likely to climb up from the ground level to my house. OMG! I hope my neighbours upstairs don't have any infestation, they can also crawl downwards right? But how am I going to spray insecticide? Unless I want to go blind for spraying it upwards.

5) Recently, I've dropped Citronella onto cotton pads and put them around what I deem as strategic points - our rooms. Just in case we get a night creepy crawlie into the room. 

6) Diffuse nightly in girls' room either Cedarwood or Thieves if there's intruder alert. Sometimes as much as I'd like to stake out with a blaster and KILL ON SIGHT, I can't do it coz' though I may be impatient, I can't stay out that long idling and doing nothing but to look left, right, up, down.  So the only best thing is to hope I'll see it on sight again in the day time and kill it. Coz more likely it'll come with sound effects - my screaming (as I fight with that small but yet horrendous pest). Not so nice to scream in the night right? Scare the neighbours.
7) Tape up the drain cover in the yard area. Occasionally I'll see small roaches; earwigs stuck on the tape. if only....if only I could.... I'd love to tape up all the drain covers in the house. 
8) When  on long holiday, I'll seal up the chute gaps as well. 
Haha!  I don't think anyone is as extreme as me. Well.....what to do? We're on the first floor. 

I really hope all the cockroaches will be extinct soon. Really! That will be a welcoming news to the world.    

Favoritism

Why does favoritism even exist in this world? Why can't everyone be impartial? 

Che-che is really pissed with this girl from her same cohort in the band. And worst! They're in the same section.

Since Sec 1, she's been complaining to me about HC, how irritating she is.

1) Act like she knows everything but actually don't know

2) Rude

3) Orders people around

4) Kiss up to teachers' ass / Pulls strings

5) Cries like a baby

6) Good actress

Many times I asked che-che to complain to the Band Teacher. But she says he won't listen coz he favors her plus he hates my girl's guts. And she can't show the proof coz' HC will twist the story around. And most times it happens during sectionals. Meaning, different sections goes to different room for practice with their tutor. And there were only 2 of them that year!  

She has also complaint, grouch about her, to her close friends in school but nobody believed her. Some even tell her to forgive her, she can't be that bad etc.. But this year, some of them are in the same class as her and they finally seen for themselves what my girl says about her. 

(1) Act like she knows everything but actually don't know

What transpired during sectionals was that she acted like as if she knew how to play the saxophone and kept bragging that she's doing G8 for her violin. So she claims she's THAT GOOD / TALENTED in any instruments. (Truth is, she do play the violin with another girl, B, in school sometimes. But when I spoke with my friend W, she didn't have anything nice to say about HC - in a world of her own. Doesn't listen to others.). Oh! She did tell the tutor that she's better than him. HUH? Daring! Then she should teach! When he asked them to play scales, the smarter than tutor girl couldn't even play. When she did, she said she could play going up but can't play coming down. ?!?!?! Tutor snubbed at her "I thought you said you're very good. Grade 8 and you don't know?" Personally, I feel good listening skills will be able to help a person with the scales.   

Che-che is the quiet type as compared to the wayang HC, in such incidences HC will be the domineering kind whereas che-che will be the 'bullied' one. Thing is, girl is the non-confrontational type. She also knows she won't stoop down to her level to 'fight' with her coz eventually people around them will be able to see for themselves who is the better one. 
She has a big A problem. She tends to rush through playing, I don't know if she's trying to catch a train or a plane. So when she rushes through the piece, everyone else's has to follow pace otherwise it'll be disastrous. 

(2) Rude

HC has dropped her saxophone and tuner many times. During one of the sectionals, her tuner was spoilt. She didn't ask for permission from che-che and reached out to grab che-che's tuner. That took che-che by surprise as it was clipped on the stand, as a result of her using her strength, she dropped the tuner on the floor. That was the rare moment when che-che got so angry and shouted at her. And she ...... cried, acting like she is the victim of bully. What the ?!?  

(3) Orders people around
Acting like a boss, telling people to do this and that since Sec 1 and 2. Sec 1, during sectionals she would order che-che. But che-che can't be bothered with her. Mid of Sec 2 she was chosen to be the Section Leader (just coz she's the teacher's pet or she tries to act the bullied one in front of teacher, so teacher took pity on her that everyone is going against her. If that's the case, I'll say the teacher is also one kind who can't make proper judgement) and expects everyone to listen to her but nobody does. She acted like she was better than che-che and .... okay taught the juniors wrong thing. Che-che corrected her, and she snubbed back at che-che saying she is correct. And when tutor came back and scolded the juniors she kept quiet. However this year, things took a change when teacher scolded the juniors, the bitch actually put the blame on che-che and another senior Y. When I asked her why they didn't fight for their rights since the juniors are there as witness, she says the teacher won't believe a word they say. 
I asked che-che so what happens when the juniors join them in the main band after half year, she said she just sat and watched, didn't tell them how bad that girl was. But slowly they realised who the bitchy person was and .... didn't like her and ganged up against her. She's keeping quiet with the new Sec 1s.
Even now, she says the juniors take no orders from HC. Instead they listen to che-che, so she says she's like the Section Leader instead.      

I had a good laugh recently when HC asked two other girls to stay behind either on Monday or Tuesday for additional practice coz' they need to get in tune. Che-che's reply via her spam Instagram account reads :"just saying but practicing tuning doesn't mean you'll be in tune during the concert. its better to practice ur HEARING to know whether u are in tune or not."
Che-che's not wrong. It's true. That girl don't listen to others. I've heard her play before. Years prior, she don't get scolding but this year seems like the teacher is scolding her more  - according to che-che.  

(4) Kiss up to teacher's ass/ Pulls strings

And sorry to say that teacher also don't know how to make a good judgement. 

Last year's WBAS, according to che-che HC knew the judges. So she was able to get into the Advance Band coz' usually it's only those in JCs or upper secondary will be in it. However I did explain to che-che that whether she likes it or not, this is the world. Alot of people try to make use of connection to get their position, not based on their capability.

(5) Cries like a baby

OMG! Please grow up! You're already a teenager. Even my 8 year-old girl don't cry like you do. Small little things, she cries. 

(6) Good actress

Ahh..... but it takes a veteran - ME - to see through her acting skills. Afterall, don't forget I was once an SQ girl, the best actress in the world. Hahaha! 

I remember that was last year (Sec 2) when they had a recital, she "limped" her way down the stairs in the room. Acting like she was in pain. I rolled my eyes ... true enough when she reached the bottom of the stairs and then she walked on flat floor, she wasn't limping. ?!? She was cured! In the car, I asked che-che and she was shocked that I saw through her acting. Said she cried when there was only a bruise, pretended to be in pain BUT nobody asked her how she was. And she spoilt her saxophone after she ran and fell. AGAIN! In Sec 1, before the recital also she ran and fell and caused a dent in her saxophone. I noticed she was gesturing something to someone that time. After the recital, I asked che-che if HC had to borrow someone's saxophone. I'm good, ain't I? I should be a fortune-teller!

All in all, I asked che-che over the years if it's likely she's going to be the Band Major next time. She won't be surprise coz' she's teacher's pet. Things took a turn, for the good, Band Major is -- NOT HER! Thank goodness! It went to a girl who truly deserves it. Apparently, she wasn't happy. Maybe it sank into her that her years of kissing up teacher's ass went into the drain.  

FOOD FOR THOUGHTS
At least che-che isn't a hypocrite. She don't stoop low or bribe people to be her friends.

Yet again, it's sad to say that some people who knows how to put on a fake front in the presence of others will always win and get away with their misdeeds... because they are just good at that - acting and feigning innocence... 

Memories

photo taken from : https://sgfilmhunter.wordpress.com

Memories : It's been 30 years since I took that road.

I used to think it was a steep slope when my quite old ah-cek (who has a gold tooth crown and always smiling, he never seem to be under any stress even though there were kids fighting/quarrelling behind 😂. How did he do it? I'd be under stress n fiery if the girls quarrelled behind me) would look 👀 attentively to the front as he drove down the slope and I would pretend it was some kind of thrill ride,clutching to the seat infront of me. And when he drives up the slope, I was kinda worried his run down van would roll backwards as you could hear the "chuk chuck chuk" sound. 

Today, I drove down and prior to that was wondering how steep exactly it was. Do I have to step hard on the brakes? Was surprised, maybe coz when I was younger everything seemed big; steeper? 

I was so tempted to drive up Jln Khairuddin,another uphill where my primary school once stood. 

As I left the place, I told lil' one how I felt in the schoolbus when I was a little kid, younger than her current age. That was part of my childhood. 

Got me thinking 💭 ......which part of her childhood will she remember next time?

Why the sudden U-turn

This blog was started in 2005 with the hope of penning down every moment of my boring life on an online diary, with some hidden agenda that this will be my Alzheimer's or some sort of "retrieval of my memory" treatment in the near future. 
With online danger lurking by exposing pictures of my family, I should have kept this in paper and pen. However knowing myself and my hubby, hubby will throw out things that don't belong to him heartlessly when he sees too much rubbish. I too don't like too much of a clutter, I believe I would have at some point of time choose to scan into the hard disk and throw the diary away (there goes my memory coz who would go through hard disk? That reminds me I had better remember to give my blog password and hard disks to my kids earlier should anything happen to me. At least they would have taken the time reading through the blogs; reminisce the photos I took of them in their ugly; sleeping and pretty time.)

My blog then was a relaxing point for me. While in the process I did not neglect my motherly, wifely, maidly and chauffeurly duties (no such words but you know what I mean) because I have the bad habit of writing, saving, editing an entry that sometimes it gets posted out late. As I speak, I have a few Drafts in here.

Subsequently, Facebook came along. I joined in 2009? Or was it 2008? And it was easier to post on Facebook as it was an App on the smart phone which made it so easy for me to vent my anger; share my joys and tears and shits. In recent time, I've suddenly realized (like a lost child who had walked  waywardly from religion) that Facebook is merely a place for people who wants Face Value. People are simply showing off, with their friends envying them putting them on pedestal. When their kids received awards, they post pictures without writing anything in it coz pictures paints a thousand words. Okay, I admit I also post entry of my girl winning awards but that would have been in my diary if I had resorted to paper n pen. Basically if you notice in Facebook, hardly anybody vents frustration as much as me, everybody lead such beautiful blessed life posting only the good things to show off when they bought a new bag;  received a coveted item as a present; while I lived a ...well my true life of ups and downs. Thus I decided to make a U-turn back and start writing back in here. I'll need to backtrack a lot of entries though as there were so many occasions when either girls made funny comments and I had written them down on Facebook. 
Facebook isn't that bad afterall, I've managed to link up with long lost friends; friends from overseas. What I like about Facebook is their "On this Day" app where prompts will be sent to you on your posts posted years ago on the same date. It's nice reading through what funny things had happened or silly things my girls do. 

They should have a Blogger app for ease of posting. Honestly, I have no idea who is reading this now but I'll be a little more hardworking. 

What I want to say is :

Sorry for the long intermission 

 I'm back 

Affiliation school changes

And so they announced that  "From 2019, the 27 secondary schools in Singapore that offer their affiliated primary school students priority in the Secondary 1 posting exercise will have to reserve 20 per cent of their places for students with no affiliation to the school." (source :  http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/20-of-secondary-school-places-to-be-reserved-for-students-with/3572204.html)

Thank goodness I only have two girls with the older one currently in my alma mater, come 2019 - yup! It'll affect my last kid. I don't think she'll be that bad to be unable to get into the sister school right? My God! Seeing her P5 results is ... her HMT is .... I can vomit blood. If it continues this way, I really have to start worrying.  

Over the last two years, che-che told me more and more of the primary school kids came back to the secondary school. When she was in Sec 1 (in 2015), not many of the primary girls went to the secondary school. Their results were good enough to go elsewhere. Infact statistically their PSLE results in 2014 was really the best! They had 100% pass and their overall performance were definitely better than the next 2 years. Thus leading to the low COP of the secondary school. 

To divert a little, I used to wonder why the COP in our secondary school is so low compared to another two more IJs. That's coz we only have one affiliated primary school whereas the other two have two affiliated primary schools. So majority of the space would have been filled up by their own girls thus leaving little space left. 

"Sorry girl, you gotta learn it the hard way."

I read this article 'Don't deliver kids forgotten items, school tells parents' 

And I totally agree and applaud with what the school is doing. Infact, I don't need the school to tell me what to do with my kids coz I have the mentality of giving and bringing up my girls in military disciplinary style.

I've never sent anything to the girls' schools before. I'd rather let my girls get the scolding from teachers. There were a few occasion when lil' one was in P2 or 3, she did her school homework but she didn't pack them into her bag coz it was hidden under her pile of additional work she did at home. I knew - coz I was tidying up her table the morning after they were in school. It was placed neatly on her table n she knew she was in trouble not only with teacher earlier in the day but she is going to have another hell nagging session from me (I think more with me coz teachers tend to be lenient). Well, she learnt her lesson after that. 

Having said that,I don't carry their schoolbags for them unless I'm rushing for time n their heavy shell is pulling them back. I don't take pity on lil' one though she's small size and she choose to carry the whole bookshelf with her. They ever complained before when they were younger but my reply to them is always very harsh. "You didn't pack your schoolbag, it's your problem." They will just carry it n not grouch anymore.

They just have to take responsibility.

Playdate with A

Lil' one's friend, A, has been asking her over to her house for a playdate for about a week. I asked if her mother is aware of this and asked for her mom's contact number so that I'm certain she is aware of this "invitation" (coz I was worried they were planning this secretly) and we can discuss on the arrangement after Sports Day.

She is really excited. If I remember clearly, this would be her first playdate alone with her friend. 

I haven't organised any playdate for lil' one

I spoke this for the longest time - years! Started since she got to know C, her MMI friend at 3 or 4 years-old. Gasp! That's 6 to 7 years. No wonder she said I was being unfair as che-che had so many playdates but she had NONE. We had friends over at our place so many times. 

Honestly, she can't blame me. As lil' one was growing up at the age when I had che-che's small little friends over, che-che was already in Primary school. There wasn't any way I could have her friends over when I had to shuttle che-che for her tuition/s. 

Perhaps I should really find a day to have her friend over at our house.