Avoid the 2 bullies

I switched to picking the girls at a different gate this week, it's more inconvenient coz' it's along Marine Parade Road.

Why the switch? Lil' one has been bullied by two of her classmates at the gate. The classmates always like to tell her they are not going to friend her anymore, they hate her etc.. I know this friend - don't friend - thing is rather common with girls but I feel these two girls have gone overboard. It has come to a point that sometimes lil' one gets so disappointed  and angry.

Am I making a big booha over this? Perhaps it's not bullying you will say. But how would you explain when the girls will do so when che-che is not around or when che-che's friend is not around? The moment they see them walking, they cowardly keep quiet. Useless! But bullies are cowards! I thought there's no way I can confront them coz' the next day lil' one still talks to them in school. I scold lil' one "No backbone!" 

Two of them, K and D. D has gotten into trouble in school, chided by VP before. Security guard also says she's too naughty at the gate. The other girl, K, always instigates others not to friend so and so. She's like the gang leader ordering people around. And someone she's the fiercer one amongst the two. Another incident was when I found out she was the one scribbling a sentence with a "hell" word in mei-mei's school journal. I dare not tell her mother it was her daughter who wrote that when she asked me once. Not good kids I'd say.

Oh well.......will avoid them. Anyway, we might only be there for another few more months so might as well avoid confronting their parents too.      

What's your answer? Is that your final answer?

Drumroll please .............

Hubby accepted the offer. He will be in Shanghai in August, leaving me to torture the girls alone. I'll have to support che-che through PSLE period all by myself. I'm so tired... no help...no support ....

He also needs to be there to feel the job. If don't like, he comes back and everything remains the same for us. Boat anchored. 

 

Which means another bad news for us. December holiday plans all burst with the bubble.  

Our initial plan was to go USA, then when he got the offer he said maybe we'll have to go for a shorter holiday to .. the kids decided Hokkaido. But now, he confirmed "cannot go Hokkaido, have to go Shanghai" Haiz!

I'd still be torturing che-che in her trecherous journey to PSLE. Must work hard, I'll do as per normal. Men always have that simple pack and go attitude, but women think alot (which is why we age faster than men) so I must cover che-che's backside first.

Relocation ??

Hubby dropped a bombshell just a few hours ago leaving me insomnia now. *hoot hoot*

He asked if I would like to move to Shanghai with him as he has a job offer. He hasn't reply them yet but he thinks it's good for his career.

What a question?! Of course I have to follow him right? He goes to deserted Africa I must follow too right? And if I follow him, the kids have to follow him right? 

I was in the midst of compiling che-che's stuffs for DSA application. I stared at the papers I was holding when he spoke to me and thought to self - then what the heck am I doing this now? 

Is he having mid-life crisis now where he wants change in his life?  Okay this change is better than him having a change of heart and asking for divorce. My heart sank.... it really felt like he dumped the D-word on me.

We're so comfortable here in Singapore now, it's not easy to leave. Family, friends, facilities in Singapore, cleanliness, weather. No wonder they say kids adapt faster than adults. I'm the lor-soh troublesome one.

SCHOOLS

My first thoughts were - How about the kid's education? He explained that the girls will have the exposure in studying in another country, they can go to International School there. For a moment I was elated, okay get out of the stupid system. But then the reasoning part of me told me children may have problem adapting to the bullish race in Singapore if they've been on bearish crawl in International school . How long will we be away? Uncertain. It's not a posting by current job where we have a definite time frame to stay there. But rather our stay there is based on when he resigns from his job. No one knows what will happen, we may be away for long we may be away for maybe a year or two before he feels he don't like it. He didn't tell me for how long but knowing he has no answers himself.   

I did a check many years ago, when he also had two job offers in Shanghai and Tokyo. I know there's a Singapore International School in Shanghai. And so, I insisted they have to go into SSIS, which unfortunately has a waitlist. Firstly, I'm familiar with the curriculum. Secondly, damn! I spend so many late nights; mornings while waiting for mei-mei in Kindy ; afternoons while waiting for them to finish their tuition compiling educational stuffs into their educational blog segmented by different primary level and it's gone to waste if mei-mei don't use it. Then all the guide books I have at home will go to waste. Thirdly, if we're back in Singapore sooner the girls can adapt faster.

FLUENT IN MANDARIN
My girls will come back and speak Mandarin fluently. And I hope fluent in English too since there'll be angmoh teachers.   

TIMING ALL MESSED UP

He'll be there in August and I'll have to bring the girls down in Nov/Dec to look for house there. Oh no, he did suggest bringing them down in September, which we can't coz' che-che has her supp classes. He asked me and told me we need to book the air tickets soon as it's peak period. But I have no idea when the results will be released, when the posting results will be released, when is the reporting day. I'm equally BLUR myself.

I calculated we probably only have 3 weeks there to reccee; to blend in and push around like the locals do.        

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

But I'm angry, why at this time when we have no idea which secondary school she'll be in. If we happen to be away for 2 years, girls can go back to their schools. So the DSA application might be of use??? ... In actual fact, the two schools that we're trying our luck for is not where she wanted to go. She wasn't keen in them but as a kiasu mother who also lack confidence in her daughter .... thought securing a place somewhere is better than going to her affiliated secondary school. Her dream school requires a 250+ aggregate score which I'm not sure if she's able to attain. Then again, I dare not pin such high hope on her. Sigh..... bad mummy.

Mei-mei can go back to the primary school.  And hopefully she survives her Primary 5 onwards there.

If we're away for 4 years, hmmmmm......... LOA will be of no use. I had better not think too much, who knows maybe we decide to stay in Singapore. Ehh.... not good for the marriage right? Not good for the kids too. Though they're used to daddy not being around as he travels frequently, this is different.  

ANOTHER OPTION 

That is if based on her results she don't qualify for her dream school but she would like to try to go in... dunno what's the success rate. And whether I can withdraw the LOA in the secondary school.

Extracted from MOE website :  

Returning Singaporeans not on LOA may consider the following options:

• Direct School Admission — Secondary (DSA-Sec)
  Under this exercise, schools have greater flexibility in selecting students for Secondary 1 using their own school-based criteria.
• School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans — Secondary (SPERS-Sec)
  SPERS-Sec is a centralised posting exercise conducted at the end of the year for Returning Singaporeans who wish to join secondary schools at Secondary 1, Secondary 2 and Secondary 3 at the beginning of the next academic year.
• General School Placement
  Returning Singaporeans who are unable to participate in the SPERS-Sec or DSA-Sec may either approach MOE for assistance or apply to their preferred school directly. In both instances, the secondary school may conduct school-based assessment to assess the children’s suitability for admission to the level, stream and class which they are seeking admission to. Admission is subject to the availability of vacancies and the applicants meeting the schools’ admission criteria.
  Returning Singaporeans seeking MOE’s assistance can submit the Application Form for School Placement not earlier than three months before the intended date of school admission.
  MOE will place the Returning Singaporean child in the secondary school, subject to availability of a vacancy in the school and that the child meets the school’s placement test requirements.

WHEN THE GIRLS AND I ARE GOING OVER?

It should be in June. School term starts in September, orientation in August. We need to get our lungs accustom to the pollution level there first. We need to learn how to walk through Carrefour without making so many comments. We need to get used to moving around SHA. Not sure if we have car, but it's crazy to drive there. The jam is enough to kill me. I must strategize how to fight for cabs there when I'm alone with the girls. (interesting story of our cabfight)  

If not for the fact that che-che has progressed to the next stage in her school life, we could leave the country earlier. I needed to chope a place in the school (typical Singaporean), study awhile, apply LOA.   

 

PSLE

Why now, why not earlier? Then I needn't go through the pek-chek of nagging and scolding my girl. Shorten my life span. Make me suffer as she still has to go through PSLE. Make me so stressed up that I haven't had my menses since January. My body is really automatic man!

TUITION

Sianz! I already had plans of getting che-che's tutors to teach mei-mei. All down the drain. Che-Che's EL and MT tutors are good, 该吗就骂. Though I must admit it'll be a shock to her EL tutor who has never taught the noisy and funny girl before. Do they have tuition centres there if I need one? Are they as kiasu as us? Maybe no need since they spend a long time in school daily and it's a small teacher children ratio in SSIS.

PIANO & BALLET

For obvious reasons these two classes have to stop. Teacher Peggy will heave a sigh of relief. My girls aren't like the normal students she has but she really admire them for hanging on even though they get hell of scoldings from her. She ever told me, she can't give up coz' my girls never gave up. So now she has a chance to be let go.  "LET ME GO.... LET ME GO..... CAN'T HOLD IT ANYMORE". Not sure if able to hire her back next time but I'll take a step at a time. In that case, the piano has to either go into Storage or in my opinion, better off be sold. Then for my electone organ, I dunno.... Storage or parents place or dispose (since no value)

Mei-mei will miss her friends for sure, she likes her teacher and Aunty Sally and Uncle Jeremy there.

I've reiterated to hubby these two classes needs to be continued over there for sure.  Maybe she'll get the stern teacher in Ballet and come back as graceful as a swan. I commented to mei-mei "good! you'll continue your ballet there. The teachers over there use cane on their students. They bend their legs straight, you don't get it straight they cane you." She opened her eyes bigger and replied "But Teacher Kathleen is also from China, she never use cane on us. Eeeeee..... I dowan to learn ballet there." Heehee! My gullible girl believes every word I say.    

FAMILY

It certainly is difficult to leave my family behind since I share such close relationship with them. I know I haven't been a filial daughter, not able to visit my mom that often now but I thought after the PSLE I could spend more time with her. And now the thoughts of the inaccessibility in spending time with her next time saddens me. It's not like a bus ride or train ride but a plane ride. Yes, she is welcome to stay with us for months. She can shuttle in between Singapore and Shanghai.

My girls will miss grandma and duagu, duakim, Iggy, ah yi and ye ye. 

I have a funny feeling that when mom goes to Shanghai, she'll be bringing the agar agar and pandan leaves over for the girls. Ikan bilis and dried shrimps too.

OUR HOME

Aiyoh! Our new place is almost ready, should be collecting keys end of the year. I am already trying to declutter our house faster now to make the move easy. I had plans on making my new house organized like Alejandra but now I can't. I know I can do that in SHA but it would mean more things to ship back to Singapore then. The girls were looking forward to it coz' we have our own PES to the pool. They were already planning to run out into the pool and back into the house. I picture the two gila girls playing in the pool and I  shout out to them to come back for their snacks in the sitting area in our PES. *dreamcloud vanish*

We will rent out our new place. I feel so sim-tia.... as it is, to rent out our HDB already I feel sim-tia coz' no tenant will take care of your house. I've heard of horror stories. 

Both houses will be rented out. Which means we're HOMELESS when we're back. And needless to say, we should be CAR-LESS too.

So where does our stuffs go to? We definitely need a storage place to keep some stuffs. I don't think we need to bring everything over.

THINGS TO BRING OVER

Apart from our necessity clothes and panties and bras .... actually I'm not so bothered by all those as we can buy them in SHA. I'm more concern about what I HAVE to bring over. My KitchenAid mixer!!!! Will hubby agree to it? Is he going to get an International Mover to move some things over. Haha! Must think about my baking. I haven't been baking coz' you know I'm sitting for my PSLE this year but that doesn't mean that I will stop baking forever. I think I'll be so bored that I'll bake everyday. Maybe make fresh bread everyday. Anyway 有这么多时间，我会 patiently  等 the bread rise, knead and hide in cupboard for another hour or so and wait for it to rise. DARN! I'm turning into an Aunty.

Ok, so if I have my mixer. I'll bring some of my recipe books over. Not all but maybe just that trusty few.I need stuffs right? I can bring my piping tips, my fondant tool kit (I should have the time to 慢慢摸 and make fondant cake) Our personalised aprons.

I also have my jelly molds, my girls love agar agar. I can make agar agar, I think they should have pandan leaf there right? So I shall bring my jelly molds. How about the different characters chocolate molds I have? How about their cutesy bento stuffs? Lunch is provided so I don't need to pack food. Yay! But pity to not fully utilise them 

Oh wait! I may need to cook right? Then must bring cookbooks over, if not my kids and hubby can eat porridge everyday. Don't worry, I cook a variety of porridge. One day with chicken, pork the next day, fish, beef... I'm hopeless lah! Oh my! I'm still talking about stuffs in the kitchen?

I like crafts. So I need my hairbow making stuffs - my binded instruction books, ribbons, resins.

I have my scrapbooking stuffs too. Now that's really alot of stuffs!

How about the girls? They definitely have some stuff toys they want to bring over, of course I need to restrict only 3 or 4 toys to bring over. Their Moshi Monster cards, Moshi Monster figurines, some treasured toys. Che-che's Nanoblocks, I'm sure she wants to display them out over there. And ..... I can't think what else. 

Some guide books and files to bring over for mei-mei. Perhaps we can bring those in batches. I pack them into boxes according to the level and then come back and bring it over when it's time.

 

Aiyoh! Char-bors are so troublesome. Hubby will sure shake his head.

MOST IMPORTANTLY - GIRL'S REACTION

Che-che wasn't too keen and I can understand why. She has her "what if I can get into my dream school??" Actually I'll find it a pity for her to work so hard, qualify and then can only go for 6 months before we leave next year. When I questioned her "what if you get into xxx, do you want to go Shanghai?" She shook her head. "What if you can't get into xxx, do you want to .." Haven't finished my sentence she nodded her head. I dunno why she liked the school so much. 

And her question to me was "Do they have Handbells there?" Which led me to remind her again to work hard. If she gets into her dream school we can always come back in July to August, she studies for that few weeks and stay back for practices. I can ask the instructor if he could be kind to let her join in their practices. She don't have to take the main bells but perhaps some bells which is not the important notes, wouldn't want to disrupt the whole ensemble just for her. But at least she gets to touch her bells again. Or in worse scenerio, just join MOB for awhile. I dunno if it can be worked out or not these are just my thoughts. 

She also has her friends here.

Mei-mei is okay lor..... 

Anyway, we're more concerned about what che-che's reaction would be. I even have the thought of letting her stay in Singapore if it's her dream school but I don't think hubby will like it. Then, who's going to take care of her?     

LOST TO THE WORLD??
Everyone knows Facebook and Blogger are blocked there. But I know there's a way to go around the network. I still need to keep in contact with my friends through Facebook. My blog and the educational blog are under Blogger. So must convince ah-lao to do that whatever thing to access to the world.


DANCING
I joked with friends that once after che-che's PSLE is over, I have another 3 more years before mei-mei's PSLE. Meanwhile I can take some time to learn dancing, maybe I end up learning Line Dancing. 
I suddenly remember the Chinese loves to dance in the park. Wah lau eh..... will I end up like them dancing in the park?? Hahaha! 


EXPATRIATE WIFE??
I don't feel like an expatriate wife. I'm just an Ah-soh aka maid (being ordered around by my 2 mini bosses) upgraded to work overseas. Yah yah, they have Ah-yi  (domestic worker) there, chauffeur. Never asked if we'll ever have chauffeur (it'll be nice though to be chauffeured around) or we gotta squeeze in the train. Don't want to think too far. 

If chauffeured, will I be like this woman  - 

or this woman? -

ROOF OVER OUR HEADS IN SHA 
Hmmmm..... we'll have to hunt for houses in Dec while we're there. I want an oven!! Or worse come to worse buy those stand alone oven there. So interesting to see the apartments being advertised for rental. Maybe get one with fitness centre so I can gym in my free time. I seriously need to lose weight. 
Not keen in a compound area, which is a landed property, coz the very particular me will mati cleaning the house. I don't think hubby wants it anyway. But most importantly, the area must be of a comfortable distance to the school and to the workplace. 
  

Having said so, hubby has 2 weeks to consider. So what will his reply be?

June hols

The lil' left for a short holiday to BKK with daddy (she fondly calls him didi). Yippee!! It's peace! peace!peace!

Che-che and me stays in Singapore. I'm going to grind her dry this holiday. Surprisingly, she didn't complain about not going for a holiday. Has she grown up, more 懂事? I hope so..... Girl ah...... can you please take more pride in your work and work hard??Meanwhile, gotta make full use every minute; every second.

がんばってください！

Open Houses

Went to a few Open House this month. First was this school, this school is very near to our new home. But girl ......

24th May- Che Che liked this school. Says she wouldn't mind coming here too. Huh?!

Wow.... she don't really like the school. But I hope she feels smarter just stepping into the school. The lil one said she wants to get into this school even though she hasn't stepped foot into the school before. 

Her xxx school!!

A trying journey to SA1, Prelims and PSLE

I have been nagging and shouting at Athena almost every minute, everyday. The moment I see her I pick on her all the time. Every small little thing she does I find fault with her. She's like my sworn enemy. The only time I've forgotten about her is when she's out of my sight. The statement "out of sight, out of mind" is absolutely right.

I don't know why, it's straining our relationship. I get very moody and angry.
I began to think if the exams preceding to the DEATH SENTENCE have changed all parents. Last year, there was this man who was practically crazy; finding faults with every single car in the school; the moment he saw any parked car along the road he calls LTA; he horns continuously at people; he winds down his window and shout and do all sorts of finger gestures. This year I see a changed man, smiling all the time, waving to people in friendliness. Perhaps he was under stress last year as his son sat for PSLE. Maybe I've turned into a monster too?

I get really frustrated with her when she makes no effort to memorize and use the thematic vocabulary I made her memorize for oral.

I get crazily fuming mad when she don't use the compo phrases that I had spent nights compiling for her. She reads model compositions but when when she writes, the good phrases were not used. So what the heck was she doing when I made her memorize phrases? All the time wasted!!!

So she gets another round of scolding from me again, plus a bonus - caning.

She gets all the negative vibes from me. Aricia feels the negative vibes too since we're all confined in the studyroom. Sometimes I hear how she argues with her sister, she says something I had said before. OMG! Did I really say that? I think that was my wandering spirit right? It certainly didn't come out from my mouth. Yah, when I'm angry words that shoot out from my mouth without processing through my brain. My brother will tsk tsk me, coz' he's studied Child Psychology and has his way of "I must be sensitive towards a child's feelings." Lo and behold when all break loose, I spew words out, I shout at them. I pity my neighbours. No wonder my kids end up psychotic like me.

Many a times I told her I doubted her intelligence, that she really have no brain. If she's not using her brain then I'll give it to someone who truly deserves it.

There are so many things that I tell her to do (eg. underlining words in questions, do the arrow here and there and ... oh my! I can really be a teacher you know. These are things that teachers tell their students to do.)I gave her hints to how to answer questions she don't listen. TMD! If I gave those hints to any children they would have excelled.

Carelessness - my girl is Number 1.
Handwriting - my girl has horrible handwriting
Tardiness -  First in class

My patience has been stretched over the years. There must be a limit to my patience, it's certainly gone beyond mine. If I'm a teacher, I can jolly well walk out of the classroom and heck care them. But this is my daughter, I can threaten to heck care but ultimately the stupid me will go back to where I was from. So, why do I need to complain so much when I can totally give up on her. Can I bear to do so??
I don't need her to be the Top girl in her school. I'll be happy as long as she gets into her dreamschool. I've worked so hard as if it's my PSLE. And if I deserve an award, I'm qualified for two.

Most Patient & Supporting Mother
The Most Long-winded Mother  

I never knew I'm so capable to nag and nag and nag without missing a single detail. Akin to a broken recorder that rewinds to the part and starts playing.

Why that build up frustrations? I've done every possible thing to help her; I've gone beyond any mummies will do; I've forgo my friends my interests just to spend more time with her; I've stretched myself physically (working non stop from day to night to midnight); I've reminded her time and time and again but NOTHING GOES INTO HER STUBBORN BRAIN!!! How is it that I have friends who don't even bother about their kids, have kids that excel. I envy friends whose kids are self-driven. My God! I've been pushing and pushing her. I push once she moves a step, I don't push she don't move.

I see the great potential in her. I've seen how she works out sums in another way and getting the correct answers. She has great learning capacity, good memory. She can remember what she has read years ago and link everything up but she didn't apply that for her composition or oral. She likes to write short answers, so that applies to her Science Section B. Her Comprehension, Composition. Minus 1/2 marks here and there for not writing in full, missing out words. And it's not like I never taught her before. I did.   

It's her attitude! It spans about everything she does, from studying to playing the piano to running in the school race. The only thing that she takes great effort in doing is craft. If only she applies that to studies I wouldn't feel so kek-sim. Her attitude is hindering her to achieve more, it's really a shame. There is nothing much I can do except to wait for her attitude to turn around. The question is when? We have only 4 more months to PSLE. Will she get the results she truly deserves?

A friend mentioned to me that she told her child, celebration should be done after papers are completed not after the the release of the recults. Coz' the results are only a reflection of how much effort she has put in during the exam. She made a very good point. But secretly I told myself, I will see her results to determine whether she deserves a reward. Coz' I can never trust her words again. She often tells me "yah, I check. yah I did carefully. The paper is easy, I know..." But the results is not a reflection of what she claims. Sigh..... exam anxiety??

Tuition vs No Tuition

A minister ever mentioned before "Tuition is not needed under our education system"  She received backslash from parents who currently have mid to upper primary kids or who's kids have just completed their primary school years recently. Why not, make her do the silly Math questions? Why not make our Education Minister do too? 

So, do our kids need to have tuition or not? 

This is my take - only if the kid needs it. You know your child better, I still believe that parents are the best teachers. However, I'm aware that not many mummies can leave their jobs to be a SAHM. Also not many SAHM are not as crazy and pro-education like me who is very hands on.

It doesn't mean that kids who have tuition score better than those who do not.

And why did I sent my older girl to tuitions then? I held back certain subjects until a later time when I can't manage, then I outsource. And although my girl has tuitions, I still do work with her. Afterall she only gets to see her tutors once a week. I take over some things which I can coach her in, and if I can't - I taichi to the teachers. I believe to educate a child, we need a close teamwork with the teachers in school and at home. 

 

TIME MGT

Having tuition takes up time. I've seen it for myself, with a younger kid and an older kid I've been struggling to manage time between the two. When I plan a tuition, it must blend well with the other kid. But if one teacher tells me I need to change a schedule - OMG! it's mad. I can't change!! If I had one kid to manage, probably it'll be easier for me. I have friends who start to laden their kids with tons of classes in Kindergarten. Poor kids, they'll be burnt out even before Primary 6. ( No wonder we have more suicidal kids; more problematic kids. ) Anyway, out of concern I tell my friends to cut down their kids' classes. But they tell me "No... it's absolutely necessary!" Okay, I keep my mouth shut.

When the child gets older, supp classes, SYFs, extra practices etc.. Poor child is exhausted. It has come to such an agony when I scream at my girl to quickly finish up her school homeworks. (I need to stress the 's') We practically live each day just doing homework ; tuition work. 

Without tuition, the child definitely saves up time. All she needs to do is non-interrupted time after school's late dismissal to do her work at home. And if she has time to revise - GOOD!

SCHOOL TEACHERS THINKS KIDS CAN DO IT THEMSELVES OR TAICHI TO TUTORS

Many a times I told my girl, she's really lucky to have me around the house to teach her when she don't understand anything. I have a working mom who complains to me that she has no time to help her girl in her work. Many a times, she comes back home at 7+ and sees that her girl's school homework is not done. Her girl doesn't understand what's going on in school. Oh my! 

I did explain to my girl, tutor only comes once a week how is she suppose to wait for the tutor. That's what some SAHM or FTWM with tutors do. But I don't. I stupidly take the burden of explaining to her when I can use the time to blog; to bake; to read my books; to re-study Japanese; to make hairbows; to basically nuah in my bed or watch TV.

SCHOOL TEACHERS DON'T TEACH, DO THEY?

Hmm...... it seems like school work is being thrown to girls to do without explanation. They think all kids have tuition outside? High ability kids? Well, I'm sure no matter how high ability they are, kids will still have some questions they don't know how to do. If they knew, they shouldn't be here they should be in GEP. 

In this example, I'm sure parents will find having a tutor is a necessity.

SYLLABUS

Some parents with young kids ask me in jest "you sure need to have tuition or not? Don't the school teach?" 

I can't comment much about languages, coz' languages is not a rote learning subject. You either can speak well or not; you either can write well or not.

However for subject like Math. It's a debate-able subject every year "PSLE Math Paper is hard this year." The textbooks the kids use - yes they're tested. Apart from that, they're also tested on HTO questions which are not in the books. Who's that idiot who came up with 'a bee flying from Flower A to B and another bee flying from Flower B to A at a speed of xxx km/h. Then the bee stop somewhere and continue flying and blah blah blah'. If I see the bee, I'll surely whack it dead. No need to find out anything.  

So exposure to all these kind of questions, which usually take up 4-5 marks, is extra by the schools. In girls' school, they have different booklets for different tiers. Girl being in first tier, gets exposed to all the difficult questions. Some parents have been complaining over the years since our girls were in P3 that their kids were not exposed to those difficult questions so they kindda remain in the same class throughout the remaining years in school. So, is it fair to them? In that case, I feel having a tutor is necessary. A 1-1 is advised, going to those high notch high ability tuition centres will not help.    

I agree that banding classes is necessary. Imagine the poor teacher with varied capability students in the class struggling to go slow or fast in covering topics. And if a higher capable kid is not being challenged in the correct setting, will slack. I always remember the incident when che-che's P1 FT told me she knew everything was being taught and she was made to explain to the whole class. The whole class stared at her in bewilderment. Needless to say the teacher then realised why my girl always go into Lala-land in class. So, did I load her too soon? Is it my fault? Ehh.... I don't think so. 

 

Conclusion : 

Every parent must know what their child needs. Certain famous tuition centres may work for others but not your kid. It took me years to find a good English tutor for my girl. My girl like the Chinese tutor, maybe coz she's not strict? Hmm..... kids are the ones facing the teachers they must be comfortable with them. Teachers will not spare them either.     

PSLE then and now

Four months into the new year and I'm already so exhausted.

So, who's sitting for PSLE I wonder? I'm a repeat student 27 years later. The only difference is that I wasn't so bothered with grades. 

THEN
My mom is illiterate, the only subject she could teach me was Chinese. However, I only remember the ruler she used to whack me asking me to pay attention. 27 years later, I whack my kid to pay attention. Retribution! Then, grades wasn't that important afterall we have an affiliated secondary school. Moreover KC's reputation then wasn't so bad.

MIDWAY TO NOW

Somehow in between that lost time, I have no idea when Primary school became so different. I remember reading my then boyfriend's nephew kindy or was it primary work : (can't remember exact words but somewhere along this line)

My ______ is my father's brother. His ______ is my Aunty.

My cousin's _______ is my Aunty.

I was shocked.

Then fast forward few years later, I look at my girl's work. No more uncle; aunty; grandma thingy - thank God. But manageable for me, then came those ridiculous Math questions which we never did before. I studied alongside with her, I went for workshops. I challenged her. That nephew said it's really getting harder and harder this time round. However, things are just not the same anymore. 


TUITION THEN
Then, tuition was rarely heard of. We just struggled and study what is in the book.  If someone mentions he/she has tuition, we gasped in horror. He/she must be doing really bad in school.


TUITION NOW
Now, tuition centres and tuition teachers are making big bucks out of kiasu parents. Even the stellar students are not spared, parents wants them to get even better grades. 
I jumped into the bandwagon as well. I'm glad I have great teachers tutoring her at home and at the centres she goes. They're patient and give feedback to me regularly, I scold my girl if she ever made the teacher angry coz it shows that she wasn't paying attention. But then again, after a full day in school I wouldn't be surprised that she goes into Lala-land midway class. 

AFTER SCHOOL THEN
It was home after school, we were so carefree. We could play after school, watch TV programs. Then, our parents brought us out for jalan-jalan after school. My CCA was some library duties. I remember my "SSshh.. silence please." Telling the girls to keep quiet when my voice is much louder than theirs. Haha! I don't remember staying back for remedial or supp classes.

AFTER SCHOOL NOW
Kids have CCAs, and if they're in niche CCA - good luck!  
Poor kids have to stay back in school for supplementary classes then have tuitions, piano lessons....  Now, we still bring our kids out to shopping centres - that is for their tuitions.

RESULTS THEN
Our parents not so bothered then.

RESULTS NOW
It is important you get good results to get into a good secondary school

PARENTS THEN
Parents continue working as per normal. It's only an exam what? What's the big deal?

PARENTS NOW
Some take leave in the beginning of the year, some take leave few months before. Somehow 8 out of 10 would take leave. Every concern parent would know this is the ultimate exam to determine the child's next 4 years or 6 years.

SYF

Took these pictures off the vendor's website. I'm feeling so sad... my girl's last SYF with her Primary school.
Will she get to continue with Handbells next year? I hope so. 

SYF 2014 - Our girls

 

Che-che doing a Shelly's ring. Two bells in each hand

 

At Republic Poly. Photograph by courtesy of YL

The girls

 

Their previous CCA teacher, who has left the school, came to support them. So sweet of her!

SYF 2014 - The Bitches

The preceding months before SYF had been hectic. Therefore I'm glad the SYF is finally here, we can put a stop to going back to school for additional day.

 

CCA teacher called to ask me for help to the venue in the afternoon few days before, but I had to turn down their  request as I need to be in school to pick the lil' one. I'd go down from school to Republic Poly to support them, if I can get there in time. I offered my help in the morning.

Some other mummies came too, but it seems like they were only there to help their own kids. Hmm..... some people are just so self-centred. Nevertheless, YL and I work well as a team. *a round of applause* She did the hair, I did the make-up.

 

And when the girls were leaving, I realised no other mummy was there to help YL so I kindda hinted to the other mummies (who were taking a ride there) that they needed help. All of them are Bs.. they gave me a strange look; blinked their eyes and turned their heads away. If I shout "money on the floor", I bet those bitches would turn around and look at the floor. TMD!! Assholes! Don't ever let me see you again! Anyway, they aren't PVs at all. Thank God, the school don't need selfish people like them.

 

One of them even ask me sacrastically "so why aren't you helping out then?" Look bitch, I spoke nicely to everyone you don't have to come and question me. I should have told the bitch, my helicopter is waiting for me in the school rooftop, I need to fly out to Saudi Arabia to sign my oil business deal.

Anyway, I told her a valid reason that I have to pick my younger daughter in the school. That bitch is not only a bitch with no heart, she has no brains too! Her stupid proposal "Eh... if you trust me I can help you. I'll help you pick up your little girl then you can accompany them. You can come and pick her up later." I must be insane if I trusted her, a stranger, a bitch, a stupid woman. I was about to snap at her if she can recognize my daughter,  if my daughter would trust her, I don't think she'll even stay in school. And since she has no brains, I'm sure she will not have the onus to get lunch for my girl.

Wah....... 我长到这么大，从来没有看过一个像她这么笨的人 . Anyway, looking at how sloppy she is, she might even walk out of the school gate forgetting my girl. Then my poor girl will be traumatised.  

 

Anyway, YL said that those selfish bitches simply walked to watch the performances the moment they reach the destination. I'm surprised that the teachers asking for help, did they tell them they needed help? If they didn't, then they should know they shouldn't just depend on us two right? True, we will help when we can but if we're busy they need to have other parents coming in to help.  If they did inform them of the help required and those bitches ignore..... I believe in karma.

 

Cool down.... relax....... not worth getting angry with them.

 

Ballet exam

Lil' one went for her first ballet exams today. She's over the moon. She had to remind me to put on make up for her and she obediently kept her lips still. Haha! Vain girl!  

Gallop into the Horse Year

 Good health ! Good results !

Goodye Ms Subaru

After driving for many years, it's time to finally let her go.

We got Ms Subaru as the second car in July 2007 , mainly for me to chauffeur the girls around. Its low fuel consumption; compact size is simply attractive. Plus I'm not that tall to look like a giant in a dwarf car, though hubby looks like one when he drives this car on weekends.
The girls used to like it, I had the Hello Kitty chairtable for them in the car, they eat on the go. I know this would attract unwanted pests, but our schedule is really tight. Plus I clean the car diligently. 
I love Ms Subaru coz' for a dummy like me, parallel parking becomes so easy. I've seen how cars tried to park a not too big lot and drive off after failed attempts, I take their lot and have the smurk look on my face as I walked out of the car. 

Subsequently over the years my girls have grown bigger. The car has become a little too squeezy for them. Last year when both girls have to carry big bags, it became worst. It was a battle of the faster hands win. They have no place to put their schoolbags, so they stack up and then start fighting. "My bag is at the bottom, the bag dropped to my side, I have no place etc..."  I get so immuned to their fights. When hubby's not around, they always ask me to drive his car but I refuse. I'd only drive if I had alot of bulky stuffs to buy.

Anyway, we've made the decision to sell one car this year and obviously it has to be Ms Subaru.

Thank you for serving me so well. I'm going to miss you. 

The bogus doctor

Doc McAricia's patient logbook.

She gave me a wrong diagnosis last night too.

Complaint I had headache, backache and fever. She said

"you have a baby". LOL

Asked for massage coz I'm having backache. She quipped

"I'm a doctor, I don't do massages."

Better still, when she realize she didn't he time to play n her clinic is going to close in 15mins, she declared "nur mind!

I'm going to extend my closing time."

Goodbye my dear friend. We'll meet again

Our dearest friend whom we got to know in MMI is leaving SIN for home. We're sad ...

Kids having fun jumping while the mummies are busy talking

Farewell Gifts for N and the boys.

Ohh... I love this coin bank. It says there Vacation Fund. Save up money for your air-tickets to SIN, Deccy

Mei-mei love to touch baby A, keeps stroking her legs and .... ok back at home she told me she wanted a sister. Nah! I must be crazy if I ever listen to her.

1st day of school

It's funny, I don't seem to welcome this year. It's probably because this is THE YEAR for my first born.

With my first-born, everything is a FIRST TIME for me. For the first time I learnt how to change a baby's diapers; bathe; how to feed and what to feed. It was my first time 'building a solid foundation' for my kid in academic ways

 

When she went into Primary 1, I followed her. When her grades plummet in beginning of Primary 3, my heart ached. When she excelled, I shared the joys with her. When I say I cursed and swore at the education system in Singapore,  I'm not joking. The thought of me, at 30+++, still studying with her irks me. (Though I must admit I do feel good when she thinks so highly of me asking me every question) Solving and challenging her to work faster than me in solving those stupid stupid ridiculous Math questions. Cracking my brain to think of how to answer those Science Section B questions, guiding her. Funny! I never seem to crack my brain that hard when I took my PSLE?!

I'm not a genius and I'm learning along as she grows. And I'm proud to say I'm an experienced slave driver.

 

There are times when I learn from my own mistakes but this year we can risk to make any mistakes at all.

This year will be my first timer as a PSLE-er. ARGH!! I have no idea how well prepared she is. I scream at her daily reading her compositions.

I wanna cry.. I've a whole bookshelf filled with composition books that Popular bookstore had transferred their stock to me - if you know what I mean.

I made her memorise phrases and she don't use it. I practice Oral with her and she doesn't score that well. I get frustrated when she mispronounce her words, I get angry when she , in her haste to get it over and done with, give me slipshod picture discussion. I wanna wring her neck when I see how careless she is in her Math. So what if she is a divergent thinker? She has no logically thinking when I scold her over the same thing all these years. Needless to day, this year is not a year to repeat those mistakes and rightfully gain back the marks that she has been losing. I think I do sound a little panicky huh? (Duh! I think I just repeated my sentence!!)

 

On another note, here's to more "complaints from lil' one's teachers" - I want to get myself drunk. Hmm..... I wonder what silly and funny things she'll do in school.

 

To my girls, STUDY HARD!!  

 

Tracking on motherhood & enjoying it

As blind at a bat; as blur as sotong

Che-Che so funny just now. She hasn't been wearing her specs for 2 days coz didn't like her spare specs.

So she's been squinting her eyes trying to see things.

Just now, after crossing the carpark road (with mei-mei & me) to the car. I asked Aricia to quickly get into the car coz it started to drizzle. I look around for Che-Che who "suddenly disappeared" she was trying to open the door (behind left door) of the car next to hubby's. Hahaha! The chey-meh-gu (blind cow in dialect) was still mumbling "ay the door is locked."

Espana & Portugal

Went on a trip to Spain and Portugal. Left SIN on 26th November and came back on 7th December. On the whole it was a good trip and the girls made friends with one of the girl. The organised tour is not so rushing, we get back to hotel rather early - which is good. Unlike China tour, you piah all the way till 9+, next day morning call at 5 or 6. I'm always tired coz' I'm always the last to sleep in any tour we go.  

 

Granada is beautiful, Toledo is old and nice, Lisbon is my opinion is boring.

 

*sob sob* No trips in June as .... ahem ahem.... crucial year for che-che. But yay to year end, it's USA!! The girls want LA, che-che hasn't been there yet but I think she forgot her trip to the east coast and would like to bring her there again. It'll be a first for mei-mei and she exclaims "I need to go there to buy my Doc McStuffins toys!!"

 

Pictures uploaded (not arranged for some pics)

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