Playdate

2ith the school hols coming to an end this week before the mad "you don't get to hear or see me" rush begins for Term 3. I planned a play date for her school girls. The name list could have go on but I had to stop somewhere..before my girl ends up inviting half her classmates. Ha! I think I'm real biased. Poor Aricia don't get a chance for a playdate with her friends. I should do so one day. The weather had been really unpredictable. Hot on one day and flood the next day. I wasn't going to bake for sure, I'd have melted in the heat. The next best idea would be to do something where we all can hide in the study room - make Teacher's Day cards.
Che-che was really excited and kept talking about it the night before. She even suggested I bento for the kids. Huh? No time to bento for 1 kid, how to bento for 8 kids? Then adults leh? Pizza and that's it.

As usual, snacks were displayed.
Lesson learnt : Kids don't like soya bean. I bought soya bean and milo for the kids. Displayed the soya bean and when offered; KZ notice their grin. We offered Milo and soon the kids were asking for that. Ha!

The kids came and played first.


Had lunch - this group hor.... don't really like pizza? We embarked on card-making on schedule. Initially I had planned to separate the group into 2 - the other group would do chocolate-moulding. But thanks to the extended long table in the room. Everyone can fit into the comfortable room. I was being too ambitious thinking that 1 1/2 hrs should be enough to make 3 cards each. Nope! Extended time to 2 1/2hrs.

Athena only made 2 cards. Never mind, we still need to prepare a few more another day

Maxine's cards

Sophia's cards

Andrianna's cards

Amanda's cards

Bonita's cards

Had tea break.
* Lesson learnt : never prepare too much food. The kids are more interested in playing than anything else. Special thanks to all the mummies who brought snacks along though there's no need. Everyone carried back alot of food. Don't want also no choice had to force them to take home otherwise it'll be wasted!

Jelly sponsored by Maxine's mummy

Pastries sponsored by Amanda's and Isabella's mummy. I bought pandan cakes, chocolate chiffon cakes (not photographed here). Sophia's mummy sponsored bread which is not photographed here. Andrianna's mummy sponsored snacks - which the kids took and ate it in the room as well as some ice-cream

The adults were chatting while the kids were more engrossed in playing. These are some snapshots of the kids playing; screaming. They were playing ?? Had no idea but they sounded like they had alot of fun so I don't care

These 2 girls liked it better playing by themselves in the studyroom.

The kids also used che-che's Hello Kitty makeup. My poor little Aricia came out looking so wayang-like. 2 of other kids came out too with makeup.Haha!

The kids then embarked on last chocolate-moulding. Didn't give them much choice. Took out exactly 8 different moulds for kids to do, otherwise I'd have kids fighting for "I want this and that". Suggested that they can do on one mould each and then do exchange with another friend for hers.

Mei-mei wanted to do it as well, so let her be. She's got chocolate on her face. Ha!

I quickly put the chocolates in the fridge, the kids ate their ice-cream
The girls had fun playing together; letting their hair down before new term starts the next week. One last shot for the playdate.
Thanks girls and ladies for the wonderful time.

Holiday

We left for a short trip on 29th May, just as the school holidays begins.

This time we went for a scenic trip in China. Boring! China again! On hindsight, I should be thankful to husband for being so "loyal" to visit China coz' I never had the chance to do any sightseeing in China when I was flying. And since we're travelling to China, I never want to do a F&E which I always prefer my mode of travelling.
I, being the angmoh kind who prefers Europe, hubby and me are totally opposite. And he really knows Chinese history very well. The tour guide says something, he's able to connect the place to dunno what dynasty; who was there etc... IMPRESSIVE!
We've been to China for a couple of times, must admit that Chinese history is really rich (though I'm more interested in the Pharoahs and still dreaming of my initial crazy ambition of being an archeologist digging dunno who's grave). We can never finish covering China. I dunno if he hopes to finish covering the whole of China. Argh!!! Then I can never finish covering my Europe; Easter Island; Central America. Haha! Wishful thinking!

This 8 day trip took us to Nanning, Detian, Yangshuo and Guilin. Must say amongst all the tours we took over the years, this is the most relaxing one coz' we spend 2 nights in each place so we were not unpacking and packing our luggages that often. Not much packing everytime we check out too coz' we keep our room really neat by bringing out only what we need. But things are a little different when I have 2 kids who insisted on bringing their luggage and trying to help you by packing up stuffs. Next minute you realise - they even pack in their used disposable bedroom slippers. ?!?!?
Since it was the school hols, we expected alot of children in the group. But it was still okay, there were 6 kids. 4 kids in P2, the oldest being P4 and the youngest being mei-mei. This trip too, my kids liked playing around with the other kids. The 6 kids were very close this trip, the parents also initiated some pictures taken together at certain tourist spots. Che-che even sat with one girl many rows behind us - chatting; playing and eating. Hubby and me rotated taking care of mei-mei. She's not making too much noise (tour guide calls her 麻雀. Even commented that while she's taking a nap in the bus she can hear her yakking away) We travelled far distances too and were kept entertained by this interesting serial. Che-che on the other hand was kept occupied by my phone or by playing the girl's PSP.

My kids were not mermerised to the mountains they saw in Guilin. In their minds, mountains were white and very majestic looking. Mountains are long & wide and endless, the ones they saw pops out like a weasel's head. I was impressed with the performance in Yangshuo 印象·刘三姐 using nature, Zhang Yimou has brilliantly turned it into a marvellous performace. There's another acrobatic performance called Dreamlike Lijiang. The kids love both performances. I'm so thankful that mei-mei didn't scream or make alot of noise. The only time she only shouted in the Dreamlike Lijiang show was when the male performers only wore briefs, she shouted "eee...a......shame shame. Never wear any clothes." So embarrasing!

This trip too, our group had a few hiccups. Two ladies had the much dreaded travel sickness (vomitting and diarrhoea) at separate times. The SIN tour guide had to bring them to the hospital for treatment. Thankfully, they were well a few hours later. There wasn't much change in our itinery, we went along with the local guide. Three men were pickpocketed (at different times/places) -one of his video camera; another of his wallet; last guy of his tissue. Haha! Pickpocket wasted his effort for that pack of tissue. However only the video camera was lost forever, the wallet incident was stopped by another man from our group. Apparently, what we heard was that the pickpocket had already 'took the wallet using a chopstick' out. When it was out, that (hero) man saw and stopped him. He beat him up, then another two local accomplice beat that man in our group. 3 against 1, they ran into an alley and took out a chair wanting to hit our man with it. Seriously, I wonder why that 'victim' didn't even render any help when he was apparently being 'helped' by that hero? We heard that some one shouted and then they ran away.
So where were we? We were suppose to be walking in the front when we got off from the boat, but we were browsing at some stalls so we were walking behind with the 2 tour guides. We missed the nerve-wrecking action, most importantly is that thankfully our kids didn't see what happened coz' we were taking slow walk. Wah.........that girl was crying and crying when she saw her own father being beaten up. Poor girl. Mother consoled her daughter but her own hands were shivering too. The place is in Yangshuo, where we took a boat to see the mountains etc..
If China wants to attract tourists to their country they got to bloody do some big action to stop crimes from happening. And you don't even see any police patrolling. Ha! We were told the police and the pickpocketers there are friends. If pickpocket picks out any passports, they call the police to tell them they've discarded passport and which dustbin. They only want the money.

(Anyway, that's partially the reason why I never want to do a F&E in China. Join a group and travel in big group a little safer than being alone. Also, with 2 young kids I cling on to them so tightly. Never let them out of my sight at all. With a group, they do help you look out)


Photos :

We could ........

have been denied entry over there if i had signed che-che up for another class. OMG! That's the road I drive to get to GWC.

When I saw the severity of the flood, I gasped. What happens if I'm there?? I'd be stuck with 2 whiny kids. Worst! I compared the height of the water level next to the sedan and estimated where the water level would be in the Mr Bean car. Sure mati!

Angry! Mad!

On 11th, I made a trip down to The Better Toy Store to check on my orders.

Guess what! None of my orders came. I was really mad at them for giving me false and high hopes that my orders were in. And what's frustrating is that not one single item from what I've ordered ever came in. Their stupid excuse was they didn't know what the supplier packed in for them in the container, they will only see the items when it arrives in SIN - which is a whole load of rubbish!! So what happens if they load drugs in?? Use their brain when they make stupid excuses lah! And they don't even have the onus to inform us - the customer. I was really angry and scolded the staff. "you left me dangling in the air waiting for so long, without informing me. So if I don't come down, I won't even know the status of my order? You could have informed me earlier, I would have received my item by now by ordering online." Bad service!!

Murderer!

I'm a murderer!! But I'd like to push the responsibility to mom, bro, sis etc... who helped to fish-sit for me when we went for our holiday. (hahaha!) And it was more hunchbacked when fishy fishy was brought back home. I didn't see it coming that its time was almost up.

Fishy fishy had been doing real well, KZ had been taking great care of fishy fishy. She speaks to the fish..........when she's gone and in my care - I KILLED IT!!!

RIP fishy fishy. Thank you for the wonderful days swimming around and around the small tank, making me dizzy. Thank you for brightening up the living area. Thank you for giving my 2 kids some responsibility.

Must admit I didn't want anymore fish coz' KZ's doing the cleaning for us. I am so lazy to do it and thought it'd be a good time to stop keeping fish. But I'm so used to seeing a fish tank on our TV console, so decided to replace. So many fishes to choose from, the kids wanted clownfish which I find appealing but no - it's a marine fish and difficult to maintain the water. Had been dreaming of owning crayfish, crab but ... the kids pointed to this tank full of pinkish fish. Nice eh! After all the Q&As about the care of this fish, I bought a pair for $12. They're pink cichlids. Never heard before and on that Friday (11th) night I checked the internet for information. *Gasp* Aggressive and needs alot of water. I worry I become a mass murderer as my tank is really small. The next day, was in Simei so reconfirm with the staff there. No problem they say but was so tempted with this promotion (glass tank + filter + pottery + plant = $75). Bought this and the new fishes have a new home.

This is the more rounded one. It's what Aricia chose and its name is Nemo
This one the timid one, coz' Nemo keeps attacking it, is che-che's fish. Dory is its name.

Classes

This holiday, I intended to do some baking. But hor ....... even with KZ around I can't find the time, not to mention now that I'm on solo.

I enrolled che-che for the Bear Bread Class yesterday. Easy! She's done bread with me at home before. She was so proud and told me the chef only asked her if she bakes at home. Based on what? On the way she kneaded the dough. "She didn't ask the other children." Was really happy for her, then turned my head and asked "but I never let you knead my bread dough!" "I see how you do."

She enjoyed the class.

Today, had a date with S. They behaved rather normal together. It was the pasta-making class.

Happy happy

Pampered myself with a netbook on Friday.

For my sis, who asked me about the specs. This is the info for you.

HP Mini 110-1196TU Notebook [HP]

-Intel® Atom™ Processor N280(1.66 GHz, 512 KB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB )
-1028MB RAM
-250GB Hard Drive
-802.11a/g/n WLAN with Bluetooth
-5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader
-Intergarated Stereo Speakers with Built-in Microphone
-VGA port available
-10.1'' WSVGA LED Anti-Glare Display
-Genuine Windows® 7 Starter

I upgraded the RAM. Honestly, I know nuts about computer. I dunno if I've made a good buy, even if I don't- it's abit too late already.

I thought the netbook would be useful on days when I don't feel like going home or need to run errands in between the time, I can surf, blog etc... on the go. Then perhaps I should be able to have a slightly early sleep than usual.

Holiday Classes

The kids went for their holiday classes in LW - United Square for the whole of this week.

Train-ed down for the first 3 days. Very troublesome to bring 2 kids with me. Worst! The 3 days that I took train down - it had to rain. The kids were playing with their umbrellas instead of sheltering themselves. And the ride was horrendous, my girl kept yakking away in the morning. People stared at me & my girl for disturbing their real sleep. Ah ha! Now you can tell the difference between the real sleepers and the pretending ones.

Each day, we reach U.Square at around 8+. The kids have their breakfast there, I bring che-che up for her class at 9am, either go down to another makan place to sit or stay upstairs for mei-mei to do some work for me before her class starts, send mei-mei in at 10am. Then it's free time for me, but I can't shop coz' the shops are not opened until 11am. Most time I'd just sit around and play on mobile. On the last 2 days of the week, I was so eager to hit the gym. But alas! Fated that I had to fall sick. I napped while waiting for them.

Mei-mei enjoyed her class. Teacher said she can read well - I'm so proud of her. Within one day, the teacher changed the different coloured books. Staff outside told me she's very vocal ( in other words - she's talking too much); can hear her voice most of the time and she out-talks the older kids. Lawyer in the making!

Was quite pissed too! First day, I bought mei-mei's train card and.........che-che had to lose her own card. Tracked back our steps, wasted one hour plus trying to find it but to no success. Argh! Have to do the replacement soon.

Survival

My life is so miserable. I've been more grumpy than ever, more foul-mood. When we sent KZ off at the airport weeks ago, the check-in staff said "the kids are going to miss her." I answered her "no. I will miss her." hoping that KZ would be so touched and decide not to go on her home leave.

I'm not going to put this icon , which I did the last Survival Course entries I posted years back coz' I hardly ever survived. Am dying soon!!! I'm literally working every minute, every second. The work is never ending. @#$^%! TMD!

I'm really pissed coz' the kids are making me work those dumb jobs. I nag and tell them to keep their things; they either take too long or forgot or .... clear away from here and put it another place. Argh!! It's like a whole bloody cycle. In order for me to do some housework, I asked them to play in a certain place. Then with 2 of them playing and messing up the place. I tell them to keep, and then continue doing housework, come back to see nothing done etc... then I start to nag.

Housework - I'm doing the necessary and a whole lot of unnecessary things. Mom says should not do too much, but what to do when I inherited her "clean" genes. I need my house to be clean, and supposedly if I see a small strand of hair on the floor I will pick it up; see some markings on the wall I will clean it up. Therefore I am really 走到哪里做到哪里. Towels boiled and scrubbed; rugs soaked in hot water and scrubbed the next day; laundries. OMG! My kids change like nobody's business. My house needs to be tidy too. I am not aiming for a 'designer look' house with practically nothing strewn outside, I do have the necessary things out but things that are meant to be kept; are kept. So naturally when my kids throw and walk away from the mess, I get fed up. Eyesore for me....know what I mean.
When KZ was around, was so much easier to handle them coz' I didn't have to interfere with the housework and was only busy with them. Even if they did mess up, we have 2 adults (KZ and myself) cleaning up, the aggitation is definitely lesser - I scold lesser than now. Damn! Now I'm overpowered by 2 terror kids. Hubby don't even help out, he comes home exhausted from work and have the time to sit infront of the TV. Me? Busy from the time I woke up till I crawl to bed. No time to watch TV!! I was even so busy to the extent that I forgot to take my antibiotics the whole day.

This survival course is also on testing my sanity and hearing. I get a girl who keeps repeating her sentence without a break; who fights things her way; who rebels more as she's growing up each day. Remember I mention before that this lil' girl can make up her own mind? Oh boy! She argues with me each day; every hour. She challenges me. She fights vocally with me. She sounds like a gangster. Oh! My girl did throw her bag at her che-che this week just coz' she wanted to insist things her way. Highly unreasonable/demanding girl + housework + facing them 24/7. Argh! I need to "TIMEOUT FROM THEM!!"

I've put on weight too. Must be wondering how the heck I put on weight when I've been working non-stop. It's the diet, KZ had been cooking for me so that I eat very timely on the dot and before 7pm. Without her, I'm already so tired having to cook for the kids and clean up kitchen, my mind goes blank to what healthy food I should have for that meal. In the end, opt for bread; instant noodles which are *gasp* fattening! By then after feeding mei-mei (she makes terrible mess eating on her own) and cleaning up, it'll be past 7pm.

How did people manage to cope without hiring a helper? I'm sure they must have lacked in some areas. For a perfectionist me, I need to ensure that my kids are faring okay in school; I need my house to be clean and clutter-free; and (if possible) minimize consuming too much of outside MSG-ladened food. Based on this current situation now where she was granted leave on a school holiday month, I don't think I can cope that well on school days when I need to "teach them individually". (at least now I still can close one eye to the work che-che do or defer it the next day if can't complete in time)

I intend to go helper-less in 2 years time. But I have a feeling that I'll turn more grouchy. Part-time helper? Sounds good for the big big jobs, then there are daily jobs that need to be done on the spot, how to wait for her to do when she's there? Or.... laundry.... am I suppose to have 5 sets of school uniforms? Ehh... actually I have 4 sets of che-che's uniform; 2 sets of mei-mei's. We change their school uniform daily. If hire one that comes in 3X a week, still gotta stay at home. Then turn out I'm stuck in my own home. Then with that amount, might as well go and hire one helper. Hmm... still have 2 years to consider. Maybe by then I change my mind and decide to have a helper after that; or maybe my girls wise up by then and know how to avoid having their mummy turned into a NAGGY MONSTER.

Meantime, counting down to another 11 more days. When she comes back, I will not only hug her but kiss her!!