Too much of everything I need to say (sorry if topics get jumbled up)

Optimistic Vs Pessimistic

When I commented about the "only 14 units out of 700+ units for 5-room flats." & "you know how many applicants? 2000+. Sure no chance one.. forget it lah! " I received a much optimistic reply from him, "never mind try lor. Don't think it's that bad right?Maybe we can leh..."
Somewhat I feel so ashamed of myself by being so pessimistic about everything in my life.
Somewhat hubby will have control of everything, he's so optimistic that things falls nicely in place; while I'm like a lost ant rushing back to my nest with food on my back.
Sigh.. no wonder he doesn't have much stress and I worry over unduly things.
Last note on this boring topic : - we applied, paid the stupid $10, which I think is a bloody waste of $$, can buy Athena 2 Happy Meals.

Sister's sms to me on 13th morning
My dear kok-eye sister had to 'suan' me. Received an sms from her saying :
" All the flying years taught you nothing? U dun need passport 4 Sentosa lah! Bintan would have been better. That one need passport. Athena did better than you expected" I don't understand that last sentence.
My reply to her :
"No need mah? I thought as long as we are crossing waters we should need. I was still preparing to fill out the immigration card."
Okay, I'm not going to muse over this stupid breakkie thing now. Only thing.... che-che told hubby today"daddy, I want to go New Zealand, I want to take aeroplane." Abit too late right?

Baby's Day Out - 12th (Thu)
Supposed to do Bodycombat today but received pink note from ICA to collect our passports. So (I have the excuse of skipping gym, was getting quite lazy) brought Aricia out to collect her passport, mom craved for tim sum so we adjorned to Suntec. Good thing I can't eat much now, I used to be able to wolf down quite alot.
Walked around a little, interrupted by Aricia's incessantly wanting to be carried whenever she's awake - and she sleeps for less than an hour. Argh! I hate that feeling, it's like I know I want to enjoy myself to shop / window-shop but I can't. My time is spent not satisfying myself, so decided I really can't do anything with that little one around.. and decided to pop by Ben & Jerry's, sit down and chat with mom. The chocolate fudge was smiling at me, I smiled back but decided I shall have sorbets instead. Meant to order only one scoop but dunno why my unconscious mind told the lady - medium size. Bzzee... short circuit in my brain nerves.

Raspberry & mango sorbet Don't feel that guilty at all after eating almost everything. Haha!

Carrefour was in my view, and I had a good mind to walk in and buy my whole box of Opera - yums! But..........targetted weight not reached so gotta be careful.

Day out - 13th (Fri)
Gyming day. Goash! Can't believe I only went gym twice this week and I'm tired from the sufficient rest over the previous long weekend. Jefferson was understanding but he knew he still had to push me. I tried my best, I really did! So much so that I was so hungry and craved for Coffee Club's Chicken pie (had 3 in a span of 2 weeks). It was a choice between going to the one next to Cali Fitness or to go to Takashimaya. In the end, I was too lazy to walk and decided that I should head down to Takashimaya, so that I don't have to walk back. Well.. I'm glad I did that coz' about 15 minutes later it was raining heavily till the time I got back home.
Anyway, I seem to like Chicken pies alot. I used to like Mr Mum's chicken pie but it closed down many years back, anyways... I'm glad that I found a chicken pie that I really liked for now. There's another one I would love to try out : Don - Personal pie at China Square - that is if I'm in that area.
Yummy! Sat down to have my meal without the little one - feels real shiok that I can slowly eat my meal & not gulp down but somewhat guilt sets in... and I blame myself for being a bad mummy by leaving my child at home while she's missing her mummy (I think...haha!)

Google searched recipe, would love to try making it. But I'm so lazy and impatient. Ai yah, I put this to bluff you people that I'm going to do something lah! Maybe next time you see a picture of food in my blog, which claim that I made it - it may not be the truth. Haha!

CHICKEN PIE RECIPE - for 6
Ingredients:
4 chicken breast halves or breast quarters (with bones and skin ON)
water
1 teaspoon table salt
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 cup chicken broth (from boiled chicken)
mixed with
1 chicken bouillon cube
-- Add water to make 1 cup if necessary.
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Crust:
1 cup all purpose or self rising flour
1 teaspoon baking powder (if using all purpose flour)
1 teaspoon table salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup softened butter

Directions:
Prepare chicken by washing in water mixed with several tablespoons of baking soda. Rinse and drain. Do not bone or remove skin. Boil chicken until very tender in water to cover with 1 tsp. table salt added. Remove chicken from broth (save broth to mix with soups). Remove bones and skin and discard. Cut or tear chicken. Mix soups and broth combined with chicken bouillon cube well. Add black pepper. Combine with cooked chicken and place in baking dish.

Crust: Mix flour, milk, butter, salt and baking powder (if using plain flour) with mixer. Pour mixture over chicken and bake at 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until golden brown. Crust will rise.

After the nice tasty meal, went to browse through Childrens' Section. Was tempted to buy books for little one but too many books at home liao. So in the end, browse through my magazines. Bought che-che her Princess magazine since Princess Belle is on the cover + a free Princess Belle paper fan (frankly I kindda like their cute freebies) . I then realised that there's another Princess magazine from Australia that costs $3+ more, it also has Belle on the cover but reckon she wouldn't know how much I spent so got her the cheaper one. Anyway, she's been reading (ah.. flipping through) the local ones for a year + already.

Went to Creative Hands to buy some things to do with Athena (that is if I don't vomit blood). Plan to either bake my long overdue cookies with her or to do some crafts with her. Anyway, after reading Mel's blog, I thought that I could do something else with the chocolate molds I have - make it into plaster and paint. Sorry ah.. Mel I copy you. Then I hope I still can use back my molds - meaning nobody will die when I make chocolates (of course after washing thoroughly) with it. But argh! I bought glycerin soaps and a mold before I pop and I have yet to do that. Better do it asap before it changes colour. Was tempted to do polymer clay with her, looks so nice but aint easy to do. She already has problem drawing what makes you think she'll do something nice? Meanwhile will kiv Tinkle Art Room holiday programs.

Crafts with Athena / Rework her timetable
I want to do crafts with Athena, we used to do some crafts - at least twice per month. But now, I'm so restricted with the minimum time I have with her that crafts is the first to let go (her studies comes first).
Honestly speaking, she doesn't have much activities, (only her violin on Tuesdays, YJC on Wednesdays, stay back late in school on Fridays for her Chinese Speech & Drama and I need to save the evening for her swimming lessons. She has her Eng S & Drama & now Kinderart on Saturdays) but it's the fighting against time I have to do everyday that makes me behind schedule most of the time. So, if I can I will make up her assesments on weekends.

If she wants to do her crafts and painting, I'll have to make some adjustments in her timetable. For the past week, I tried asking her to do some dotted writings while she's having dinner. Then it means that one of us have to quickly feed her so she can multi-task. Wah piang eh.. so cham. Normally on Wednesdays too, I have some time in between before her lesson at 8.15pm. But because it gets too crowded to get into the carpark at 7pm I always go in after I shower her at mom's place. The 2 of us will have dinner outside, run my errands or we simply drop by the bookstores to browse then we go for lessons. Perhaps I can bring one of two of her assesment books out. Umm... shall try that this week and see how.Ha! Strangers will hear me screaming at her in public.

Kinderart
While waiting for Athena today, I decided to enquire about their Art classes. Crestar offers two art classes : Kinderart (4yrs - 4yrs 10 months) and Junior Piccaso Art (5yrs - 7yrs). It is obvious enough that Athena is only qualified to attend the first class, which I must say fortunately falls on either Saturdays 12pm - 1pm or 6pm-7pm. The latter class has not started and students are on waiting list until they garner enough students. But I thought the first schedule will fit us nicely, she'll finish her Speech & Drama class at 11am, one hour lunch break and then go for art class and then we can go back home. She naps and then can continue torturing her.

What happened to my music teacher, Christina Pang?? / Athena's current teacher
And so I heard she got married and resigned. That's what Doreen told me, apparently she's been with Yamaha for a long time too so she was able to tell me that. I even told her that I can recognise some staffs in Marine Parade. The only thing I'm displeased about is the stairs. Crazy man! Gotta walk up 4 storeys high. Almost 15 years ago, that was alright with me since I was young and had PE lessons in school. But 15 years later, I get tired siah. Worst still, after all the aching from the exercises early in the day made it worst. And my poor che-che always have to massage her legs once she steps on 4th floor.
Doreen gave positive feedback about Athena's current music teacher - Peggy. I might let Athena continue under her for her individual lessons.

Overheard
A conversation I overheard a daddy telling his 1yr old son, "Come. Let's go to the prayground." I almost fainted when I heard that. If he thinks his son is going to sambayang, then go ahead.
I don't know leh... but I feel if you want to speak to a child, speak well. Don't pass the bad ball to the child, but then again most people don't even know they pronounce their words wrongly. I try my best to speak well to my children (of course sometimes I do make mistakes) so that they can pick up good pronunciations. And look what happened once my girl goes into a school? She picks up singlish and funny words from her friends!

Initial plan for some fun fun fun..
had to be forgo. All thanks to my unco-operative che-che who had to dilly dally her time during lunch; resulting in us going out for lunch late..........that I can't bring her to the chalet that my ex-colleagues booked.
It will be fun to meet up with them.
But what to do? Notice I've been too courteous with my che-che by thanking her all the time??

Am I really way too advance in teaching her things at home? Or...
the school is simply too slow? Hubby said "pull her out" when he heard again (yesterday) me asking Athena "did you learn this word in school?" "no, at home"
Of course I'm not born to know everything. I merely bought the assesment books meant for K1 and did those with her. But still advance as compared to them! And on top of that, I went ahead to give her lessons on her blends & digraphs. Umm... actually I'm going slow, and since I can't find much time to teach her new things every week, I'm going to make it a fortnightly or monthly thing (going much slower). Whichever way she's still far ahead from her classmates.

The talking continues...........

ARICIA'S MEALS
I'm trying to find out what other chinese food we can cook for Aricia. I saw this book at Times today but I can't remember the title now. Shit! Memory failing - signs of aging!!

AND SO ARE WE MOVING?? / ATHENA'S CHOICE OF SCHOOL
Asked hubby if he had the intention to move or to live & die in this house. He mentioned he had the intention of moving, infact when Treetops was launched he was tempted to try it. I brought up to his attention only 14 units of 5 room flats and dunno if we're that lucky to get a unit. I'm a pessimistic person.
Anyway, that's not my main purpose in asking him this question. I was wondering if he'd moved to AMK, he said no..(he's more interested in new towns not old towns) and further added that "you think our daughter so stupid meh?? Cannot get good grades to go to a good school meh??"
Since he said that, I will drop the whole idea of volunteering my hours in St Nics and not getting a space. Shall use the hours to spend time with the little one.
Neither did he discourage me from sending our girl to a nearby lousy school, coz' he knows that I stand firm in my "IJ is the choice" and we've been talking about this. He's thinking "ya lah, she want to be a chauffeur to drive from Punggol to Marine Parade for the next 10 years let her be lah! She better don't complain the distance."
But nevertheless, I am thankful for my friend who was so ready to help me out in my PV in St Nics. Thanks Leslie! My friend Wilma who thinks I'm bloody crazy and tried to knock some sense into me. (told you being a mother made me even more crazy!) And of course the frank advice from The Chengs (sorry what's your name?) - I'm so jealous her girl is in St Nics. *argh*

My second choice of place if we intend to move? I would say it's around Katong area. Not only for the convenience next time, but also coz' I'm so used to staying around there. When I was born - was in Pulasan then moved to Frankel (no memories of these 2 places), then it was Telok Kurau, Upper East Coast Rd, Riveria Dr then to the current Tampines place.
Honestly I feel so happy everytime I bring Athena to her violin lesson, as if I'm back home.

BREKKIE
Hubby called in the morning to say he booked a hotel in Sentosa next Thursday. All thanks to my dear daughter. Umm.. make sure she build a sandcastle, she told her daddy she's going to do that.
In that case, she'll have to skip school on Thursday (miss her Computer class) and Friday (miss her Chinese Speech & Drama).

ARICIA
She slept through last night and tonight. Hasn't really fret about in her bed, even when she dropped her pacifier. Argh! As I'm typing this, stupid hubby bring Aricia to our bed - waking her up. Say coz' che-che not here so let her sleep with us. Then later he goes to sleep and she'll cry.. and end up I have to pacify her.
Anyway, I can't say much about later coz' he disturbed her sleep.

ATHENA
After the hoarse voice from scolding her last week after her music lesson.. today she was much much better. She sang beautifully, stood at one position and kept looking at her teacher.
End of her lesson, I surprised her by bringing her to Mcs for her fries. She was so happy. I promised her that I'll do that whenever she performs well. Call that bribery! Well, it's definitely cheaper than her $5 colouring thing last time.

ATHENA & BRAXTON
Can't believe I actually forgot to post this entry earlier.
On Sunday, bumped into Braxton & his family. Was chatting with Josephine (mummy) when we caught sight of Braxton bending towards Athena cheek & attempt to kiss her. Athena was so shy.. then they ran away and started playing in the mall. Then Athena happened to hide behind a pillar, Braxton ran behind. After awhile I peeped and saw him attempting to kiss her again.
Ah yoh!!!
If you'd like to know, mom caught him hugging Athena on the shoulder and Athena was leaning on him. Haha! So cute! But now that he's in different school, she hardly sees him.
Well, he's definitely on her birthday invite list this year.

SLING
The sling is under-utilised. I can't say much about Athena who simply refused to be put inside the sling, moved about; wailed out loud.
Then I thought it'd be really useful to use it on Aricia since she likes to feel closer to people. And nobody knows how to use it except me - helper don't even know how to adjusts it. But I'm not really good myself, many a times I see others can move so comfortably while I'm so awkward in it. When I put Aricia in to sleep, she wants her head out - in the end I can't be handsfree. I tried to let her sit and put her in, but she cries. I dunno.... is it my weird children or is it stupid me?

VIOLIN LESSON
Finally taught them how to move the stick up/down. But her hand's / arms very stiff, can't seem to move properly.

And so she's named..............

since Athena has an unofficial name, which only we know - Ayako (derived from her last chinese name 绫)
Decided too that Aricia shall have a Japanese name. However her name sounded horrible in Japanese - Shi Sen. So I changed entirely to Miyu 美優, which means beauty + gentle/superior. I hope this name suits her siah.. hoping it'll make her more gentler.

And this woman is still talking.....

I realised probably have too many entries today, so gotta sum it up all in one entry now.

ARICIA'S MEALS
Been trying out western styles for her which is very easy - steam, mashed & eat. She did enjoy the potatoes. Then tried out pumpkin. Now, trying to find out what else I can cook for her. Maybe time being while out of idea, let her eat her brown rice.
Her breakfast is served at 7+am every morning. She seems to enjoy the Frisocream, which I tried and squinted my eyes. So sweet! To think that I've only added water and not her milk! Lunch and dinner is freshly prepared home cooked food. The angmohs believed in freezing up the purees and then take it out to reheat when you need it. No, I didn't do that coz' our old folks tell us "gives air - bloatedness" Anyway, since we're at home it'll be better to serve fresh cooked meals.
When we were outside over the weekends, I tried giving her the sample packets of Nestle Brown Rice etc... sweet leh! Ai yoh! But no choice, we didn't have time to cook it at home and no way I can bring out a hot food to feed her hours later (which by then turns cold). Apart from her meals, she likes to eat bits and pieces of our adult food. I am happy that she's greedy, she wants I give!

ATHENA'S CHOICE OF SCHOOL
April already. If I want to volunteer, I had better get my action ready. How?
My first choice is St Nics but I'm so bloody afraid we can't get her in at Phase 2B, then if I go back to my primary school - sure kena f one.. "why you never apply your daughter in Phase 2A2?" I don't mind the primary school, but I don't like the secondary school - standard dropped. And I'm so afraid that my girl will not get good grades to qualify for a good school.
To play safe I told hubby put her back in my school which is so bloody far away. But yet on the other hand, I want her to be in St Nics. Argh!
Actually, my mom's neighbour spoke to me (her daughter's in RGPS) and wanted to help me by asking around. But I'm so afraid that it'll not guarantee a space there. But then I heard that it's not affiliated to RGS, so I kindda dropped the whole idea.

Am I crazy? Parents think I am, hubby got nothing to say coz' he's not the one doing the volunteer work. And to him, any school is okay coz' he came out from a dunno what school and is doing alright.
Would you send your child to a good school or would you send him to the nearest school?

I only need to get through this headache phase now.. and things will fall in place for Aricia.

ARICIA PHOTOS
These were taken on Sunday, which is (definitely) posted late.
Everytime, I tell her "Aricia look here...1, 2........" At the count of 3 she always had her left leg up. Dunno what she's doing, but she's so funny.
Yesterday, she was doing push ups with her buttocks. Funny sight!


HOLIDAY DESTINATION
So where? You must be curious to know hor?
Hubby needed to clear only a few days so he suggested somewhere near. It was between Chiangmai (cooler weather) & Pattaya and HK. So, undecided he had to turn and ask my dear che-che (which I'm going to strangle her later) "Daddy wants to bring you for a holiday, where do you want to go?" She answers " I want to go.............................
>
>
> nope! Not Bintan but somewhere better still
>
>
>
>
>
>Sentosa!
See lah! Make passport also no use. LOL :)
Umm... looks like hubby said okay. Kena sai! It's not a holiday ok??? Next time any one of you see me in the streets, don't come and ask me "How's your holiday?" I take it as a brekkie.
Consolation, hubby said he'll be travelling to HK this year, so maybe we can go together. Yippee! I'm looking forward to my 'yu-dan', wanton mee & desserts.
Now I'm going to psycho my che-che, "you better tell daddy you want to go huh?"
I'm dying to go further away, need my shopping.. but 2 kids leh!
Come to think of it, I think I know where she came out with Sentosa as her answer. Everytime we pass by EC along ECP, going for her violin lesson. She'd ask me "mummy, how come you never bring me to the beach?" So I told her to ask her daddy to bring her there. And she's lament about "I never go before.." until I reminded her "yeh.. you did. We went to Sentosa remember??"

Reading & blah blah

Last night I picked up one book from Vol. 3 of I Can Read for Athena to read.

I walked out of the room to get her bottle and then I heard some mumbling. Came back she was reading the book! She was reading all the words correctly! Did her English reading too, didn't know how to read a few words but it's not bad for her age I must admit. Athena's better in her Chinese, to think that I was worried she'd follow her hopeless mother's footsteps and bought her Chinese books. Got overtly worried over nothing!

Honestly speaking, I haven't been that hardworking as before with her GD flashcards nowadays coz' I have more things to do with her. Hubby was very negative over GD, saying that it won't help. And.... years down the road, I must admit that it did help her. I started GD on her when she was barely a year old, she could point out words to me. Then as she got older, she was more playful and I had to do it in a playful manner with her. Then again, sometimes I get hot tempered and scream at her. Oops! I hope I fair better in Shichida. If I'm so worked up, I don't think I can do ESP with Aricia. Anyway... somehow the hard work pays off! Was the $2K + on the sets worth it? Definitely! Now that I can let Aricia use it.

Speaking of which, I've started Aricia on the flashcards since. I got the headstart now since I'm more prepared . And results? She looks at the correct answer longer.
I came with this conclusion after I kept switching sides thinking that she might have a preference way to turn her head (turn one side more than the other) or she's left-handed, right-handed when I asked her to pick up the correct cards for me. What I did next was to place it on the floor and ask her to show me the correct answer, she playfully hits both palms down on the floor one palm on each card and laughs. Got fed up asked her to pick the cards, out of 3 times, once was wrong. But when she did, she put the card into her mouth. So, the only way I could do was to ask her to look at the answer. She looked at all the correct answer firsts, then turn to the wrong answer then turn back again to look at the correct answer longer. Only twice she turned to look at the wrong answer, then she turned to look at the correct answer and stayed there then looked up to me smiling.
Oh my! Is it working on her? I hope so leh.....

Mom says Aricia will be smarter than her che-che. Helper says so too coz' of the "3 finger space forehead". I hope so... so now can only make it up by guiding Athena in the Shichida method. Hopefully I'm doing correct.

I hate mornings!

As it is, I hate mornings coz' I never knew what nights were. Darn! Not enough sleep already morning!! Also, why I hate mornings is coz' it's the start of me warming up my 'engine' - every morning gotta nag at Athena to hurry up.
I hate mornings coz' traffic is bad at TPE. Jam jam jam. Wake up early also get delayed by Athena. Don't wake up early.. late for school.
This morning, I left house much earlier. And at the next junction, vehicles (turning into TPE) all came to a halt. I couldn't drive on as I'll be in the junction box. Fed up, I made an illegal left turn to go by a longer route - Tampines Road.
Made one stupid round from Punggol to Hougang, cut through Tampines Road to Tampines Ave 9 and then to her school. Okay, journey time is slightly longer due to the traffic lights but other than that still okay. I explained to Athena that she will only have time to eat her breakfast in school; can't play toys. She seemed okay but I promised her we'll try again tomorrow. Then she asked me a funny question "mummy, mummy why you drive here? Why you bring me to jungle?" Haha! We were along (Old) Tampines Road and she thought it's jungle. She then told me what she can find in a jungle - snakes, lizards, cockroaches, crocodile. Waahhh... not bad imagination!

Though we were rushing for time, I asked Athena if she mind me posting out the colouring for her. She insisted that she did it herself (she put it in the envelope and wanted to paste the stamps - but no didn't allow her), stopped the car; unbuckled her seatbelt and brought her there. Carried her and she slot it in, could see her happy face.

Aricia : Too many new things happening of late

Aricia has been driving us nuts these days. The past week we've seen her doing different things (eg. spitting saliva, she mumbles more words now) but something which I have not mentioned is :- she has also been keeping us awake in the night.

We separated Athena & her coz' che-che has been coughing. Athena has been sleeping in her room while mei-mei sleeps between us on our bed. These days she's been waking up, often losing her pacifier. But I've seen her deliberately popping it out. So dunno if she's trying to get attention or what. Most of the time, she'll cry "ma.. maa...." instead of her "waah..." (again must clarify she's not calling me, though I really wish she is) when she loses her pacifier, then we'll pop it in for her. And she cries almost every half hour or so. When she's not sleeping, she'll be poking her little fingers into my nostrils; touching my face; playing with my lips and kicking daddy. She kept me up - I'm so tired.....

Last night we decided to put the two of them back in the same room, and I kept jumping out of bed. I can't remember how many times. And my little girl was playing by herself in her cot - playing with her rattle; hitting it against the railings; coo-ing away. I couldn't take it, ignored her and continued sleeping. I dunno what happened after that, apparently was too dead tired from not sleeping.. until this morning helper told me she was making alot of noise in the room (that che-che was also woken up by her. PS. che-che is a heavy sleeper. Normally sleeps through loud noises), once she drank her milk at 5+, she fell asleep.

Is it coz' she was hungry that she's been making those ruckus these nights or is it because of her teeth erupting? Coz' I read from somewhere that fussiness & waking at night are one of the signs of teething.

Athena

I know this isn't beautiful at all, she may not win the colouring contest. But nevertheless, I'm sending it in for my girl.
It may have colours out of the lines almost everywhere but it's the most decent piece of colouring I've seen from her. She did her best after I told her that I'd like to send it in for her. She was naturally happy so I couldn't disappoint her.

*************************************************************
She did her Chinese homework over the weekend. And I am glad that I didn't have to do the dot dot thing for her for this week. The word she wrote?车. Unlike her 牛 & 羊 which had me erasing it over & over again.

Iggy's Baptism & our believes

Baptism - 8th April
Ignatius is exactly 2 months old and it's his baptism day too! Frankly, I thought it's special to have his baptism on this date - Easter Sunday.
His gift : hope he can use it. It's a last minute purchase so I had no time to do a personalized online gift for him.

Adjorned to Holy Trinity at 5+ for the 6pm mass and baptism. (Dunno why my brother asked his helper along.... I mean she's a muslim leh - although no boundaries in religion. To think that I ask my Christian helper stay at home @ last minute.) Downstairs, someone was asking brother's helper if Aricia is one of the infant to be baptized. Huh? And I think I know why too.............see the picture?

Actually not that we deliberately let her wear this dress. She was wearing another dress but dirtied her dress while eating so KZ changed it at home - KZ had to grab this piece (all-white. Looks like a pure and sin-less baby until she starts opening her mouth! Waah...) Unlike Athena, Aricia didn't deliberately shake her head or use her hand to remove the headband. Good girl!

Proceeded up to the main hall and thank goodness we have seats allocated for baptised infants' family. Noticed people kept looking at Aricia when we walked in. The last time Athena (at 1+ yrs old) walked into the church at brother's wedding, some people thought she was the flowergirl. Haha!

The last time I stepped into a catholic church was at my brother's wedding 3 years ago. And.. there are so many changes. You know mass is very predictable, you know what the priest is going to say next..but it's sung out now. It used to be only the organ playing the accompaniments to hymns etc.., now it's drum. piano & organ. Wah se! Then got powerpoint some more!!

Not even half an hour pass when Athena came to me to tell me that she's hungry, if I've packed anything for her. Wah pieng eh.... she thinks she's going on a picnic huh? (funnier still, sister in the day time went to City Harvest for the Easter Concert, and she had coke & fries with her. She thinks she's going picnic?!) Going back on brother's wedding day... we were on first row, altar boys kept looking at Athena (who was then 18/19mths old) who kept munching & munching. We had to do that to keep her quiet.

Iggy is the second to be baptized, but he chose to cry out so loud that they had to feed him first. So, they skipped him and once he's settled to bring him up. Touching to see the cute infants being brought up for a skinny dip. Well... touching for the fact that they are bonded closer to God today and... I almost teared. See! told you I can be an emotional person. All of them somewhat cried during the immersion, one interrupted with a loud wail when priest said "in the name of the *waa waa*" to the laughter of the whole congregation. It was a pleasant surprise to see Julia & Simon bringing up their baby girl - Ethel. Well... I haven't seen them in ages and Julia used to fly with me. And she never changed - still very very pretty. Then it was Iggy's turn. He didn't cry or struggle. Well, fact is he fell asleep after his milk (he always does) so he didn't know what happened. Click here for video
The Godparents then have to go up to light their candles.

RITE OF INFANT BAPTISM
Receive the light of Christ,
Parents & Godparents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly.
These children of your have been enlightened by Christ. They are to walk as children of the light. May they keep the faith flame of faith alive in their hearts. When the Lord comes, may they go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.

The Fairy Godmother

My favourite song came on during communion : You Raise Me Up
Asked my sister how come she never go up to receive communion since she's baptized. Her reasoning - "too long liao.." Huh? Of course long time ago lah! How old she thinks she is?! Anyway... wanted to sing the song then my stupid father kept asking me questions "what's the difference between my auntie's religion and this? And how come Titus (hubby) never go up? Then where is Mary in this place?How come I don't see Mary? (feel like telling him "der.. she's sitting next to me.") So, who's that on the cross? Auntie's religion is a cult?" Wah.... talk to him can bang head leh. Explain macam like never explain like that?!?!

Photo with the priest. Ay! What's my daughter doing there?
L to R: SIL's mom, brother, SIL, priest, fairy godmother

As I carried Aricia and walked down the steps, one lady turned to say "congrats, she accepted Christ today." I clarified that nope she's not one of the infants baptised today. I think if she did, she'd scream and splash water at the priest.
On the whole, I was so pleased with her behaviour during mass. She kept kicking her legs and moved her arms in excitement when we're singing. She "talked" alot too. Quite funny... the only thing she didn't do is to spit saliva. Argh! And I've been dying to show my family her funny expression when doing that.

With daddy at the lobby area

We then proceeded to have our dinner at Bali Thai. It was already 8+pm when we arrived at the restaurant. I was not hungry but angry. Angry with one stupid man in the carpark, one car was leaving as I came in, so I waited and put a left signal. The stupid man's car was far behind me obviously knowing that I was waiting for the lot. As the car drove off, naturally I reverse. And I was near the lot, just one more steer to the left and I'll be able to park rear in when the stupid man came forward and horned at me.(all the while he was far behind me, how come all of a sudden he came forward) There was simply no way for me to do that one last steer coz' he die die want to drive through my car to go ahead. Then he keh kiang still want to go forward trying to squeeze his lao-pok-pok Honda Accord between my car and a parked car opposite , I fed up horn at him and refused to move. Then the woman in the car was like telling him off. He had no choice but to reverse his car after that. Stupid man!
We went in first coz' I needed to feed Aricia her 'mum-mum'. Boy! She was hungry but good thing she didn't complain.
Dinner was okay, well at least the soup was so much better than what we had yesterday at LekThai in White Sands.

The children
Athena had a funny way of eating. She ate all the white rice, then took the dishes.

Mary & Aricia

Our funny family believes...
1) I mentioned before that our parents are buddhists but they're alright with us believing in other religions. See lah! My quite staunch dad can even step into a church!
2) The children all attended Catholic schools so we were used to masses and all in our schools. I like the singing and during communion, I'd sing my lungs out or I'd gossip with classmates. Haha! Anyway, we all don't mind going into a catholic church (afterall we all believed in same God) and will follow everything except the communion.
3) Somehow fate has it that brother started attending church - Holy Grace Presybeterian - just opposite our house in East Coast Rd. I went with him but was in a different place, one girl told me "you are not a christian, you cannot attend church." I bore grudge but still went coz' I wanted to sing. After some time, I stopped. Dunno why, can't remember..maybe that girl told me off again? My sister also attended church.
4) Okay.. only sister attended catholic church. Got baptized and dunno what happened between her and someone - was it the priest?, was it a confirmation cert or baptism cert she tore away out of frustration. Funny! Seems like our family likes to rebel huh? Anyway, I can't remember & need to get my story right from her.

Comments from Ms Chan

When I found out from Ms Chan that her class are still doing patterning for their Maths, I offered to loan them my Patterning sets. I'm the only mother in the school who loan my own stuffs to the school. I loaned Athena's chinese books to her Chinese teacher & this time round the patterning cards.
When she returned the items to me, she said that the cards are very good (that's why it still looks brand new). When I told her that she finished the cards on the day I bought it, she said she is very advance & smart as compared to her peers who are still struggling with it. After learning more from me what else I'm doing with her (testing her on mirror image- she'll point the correct picture to me) and all the tangrams she's been playing - her conclusion is that her cognitive skills is very good for her age.

I don't know, I hope so. I'm going to try to engine-start her right brain.

But I did comment to Ms Chan that even if she's smart, she's so naughty.... and worst still - her handwriting is really horrible!! You should see how she writes her chinese character. I gotta make sure she erases it off so many times and it still doesn't look good. Better still, her school homework for chinese, I gotta dot dot the words for her and she still can't follow the dots. I dunno leh.... my handwriting is neat, how come her handwriting is so horrible?? How to help her? Tell her not to rush through her writing also like that, tell her to grip her pencil tighter also like that. But I must admit that she recognises words fast, even sometimes she can tell me "mummy, I add one more stroke here it becomes XX word."

How to help her in her writing?

Early easter egg hunting

Let Athena do her egg hunting one day earlier, just in case we don't have enough time tomorrow. Well....... her teacher is sick today so she has no class. And my goash! the amount of books I brought out for her to do is alot!

The video of her hunting is too.. out of focus, was talking and recording so not putting it down here. I've got the one after that.
Click here.video

Suppose to let her do crafts but needed the time, so only let her do colouring.

Glad that we did so many today, coz' tomorrow will be out!

PMS??

For the past 2 days or so, Aricia has been more grumpy than ever.

Today, I thought she felt a little warm - thank goodness not! She's been mumbling alot, like having a conversation with her che-che and then she'll grumble & grumble. PMS? No.. she's far too young for that, we thought perhaps her 小牙姨 is visiting her soon. Haha! Actually don't you think it's high time... afterall we talked about her drooling so long time ago? And it seems she's later than Athena in everything.

Bbppfff..............

Just in case you think I'm typing word that you shouldn't hear. Let me assure you it's not, but rather the noise that Aricia has been making this whole week.

She has been so funny, doing funny things to amuse us everyday. For the week, she's been doing this : see link. Yesterday, she kept doing that while we were out. So cute!

Click here for video (sorry for the blurry video as I took it from my phone)

Today, she started it again. Well, was at home so managed to get it on video camera.Click here for video

You know.. hubby & myself tend to love Aricia more. Perhaps its coz' she's cute; innocent and hasn't made us flare up. We tend to 'love Athena lesser' - gulp! * guilt guilt*

Our day

Feels good to have more time to do more work (or rather to catch up with my schedule with Athena) with a public holiday and the weekends.
Did a little of assessment books with her before hubby says we can visit our mom.

So, off we go to SGH and after that, popped by Central Mall. I commented to hubby about the number of Japanese restaurants in there, and it's probably to cater to the Japanese.

From Central Mall we walked to Liang Court, a long forgotten place. We had to cut through Clarke Quay and is astonished to see the changes there. We found funky styles of entertainment. The one that stood out is The Clinic, where there are white screen between seats and drips. Cute! And Aurum - goash! the food is so expensive! And I dunno if I miss the nightlife, if I do - I would want to see a doctor. "Oh Doctor.... I've got a headache!"

It doesn't look lively in Liang Court at all, well it never was! I enjoyed the visit to Meidi-ya, where the supermarket has more Japanese foods as compared to the one at Isetan Scotts & Cold Storage Takashimaya. And then I miss Japan............told hubby I'd like to go back Japan again. Feel like I was in Japan coz there were Japanese staffs and layout of the place... is like in Japan. Well the only thing I knew I was still in Singapore, is the staffs try to speak to you in English. If you're there you gotta speak their language and they can't understand much of English. I'd love to be there to buy those cutey stuffs and go broke.

Athena walked away from us, and then I heard her as she came back running to us "I'm not Japanese. I'm not Japanese!" I dunno why she said that.. did someone stop her and mistook her for one? I teased her, "well.... at least you can sing your Japanese song to the person who mistook you for one." Heehee! Anyway, she stood near this elephant at Nishino - pharmacy so I took a photo of her.She told hubby when he was carrying her "daddy, I want to learn Japanese leh.. Ole!" I turned and looked at her, "what ole? Ole is spanish." She bursts out laughing. Too much of Japanese songs and Dora made her so confused now.

We then left the place for our dinner and then made our way home. Feels nice to spend some family time together without helper.

As I stood before the cross

..........I began to think what it reveals about God and me. Is my believe in Him that strong (having stunted my growth in spiritual way) that I can receive His loving provision?

Will I get to see him in heaven? Or maybe not? I'm apprehensive in growing spiritually. And why is it so??

Now is the story I am going to tell you :-
I am born into a buddhist family. At 14 or was it 15, I went to church after being "introduced" to God by a classmate. It kindda freaked my mom out she thought I was going into cult. I spent alot of time in church which she thought I was brainwashed by the people there. Nevertheless, she loved me so much that she didn't object to me attending church, but she did object to me being baptized (well honestly... I didn't even think that far) and cited that I can follow my husband's religion next time, so if I have to be baptized she'll let me be.
However things took for a turn sometime when I was 16 or 17? (goash! I can't even remember how old I was then) Many a times, my Sunday school mates would tell me "Buddhist no good, muslim no good, only Christian is good. Cannot pray to Goddess of Mercy.. it's idolising blah blah blah...." They condemn, critize about every other religion except for the goodness about believing in God and there is only one God. And then I thought to myself, did God really tell them to condemn everyone becoz' he never did. And what good Christians they are (they claim) by criticising others' religion and on the other hand, say not to criticize. The final straw came when during one Sunday school, we were asked to share what was in our wallet. We brought out photos inside sharing with our groupmates. I did likewise, but somehow one person asked me, "how about this slot here? Anything here? " I thought it was suppose to be me bringing it out, and not the 'police' going through every part of my wallet? I said "yes but it's personal. I do not want to share it." Funny, they didn't probe the others' when they opened their wallet but they did that to me. And then one asked "is it buddhist thing?" So whatever has happened to the idea of sharing with your mates?? When they found out it's talisman inside, they started telling me off. I was mad with them coz' my mom had given it to me for safe-keeping and I couldn't throw it away. What happens if one day she asked me for it? Somehow I did ask them "so, does it mean that when my parents pass on, I can't offer them joss sticks?" "yes!" Okay, that sums up my conclusion, I walked out of the church the next week and never went back. I don't need people to condemn and tell me not to pay my last respects to my parents or whoever close to me. I choose to live my life on my own.
And how about finding another church with hubby (hubby is baptized but never attended church for long too)? We have been straying around for a long long time.. but I think we're happy as it is. We believe in God, we choose to live on our own and when it's time to meet God (that is if we're qualified to go there) we'll get bombarded with questions (hahaha!)
I don't know what fellow Christians will say about me now. Perhaps I shouldn't call myself a Christian, I am a free-thinker.

I need Super Nanny's help!!

Yesterday after her music lesson, I was mad with Athena. I felt bad when Grace greeted me outside the studio, I responded but didn't act as friendly as the week before. Why? Coz' I was mad and I am about to strangle/kill my girl. Of course I had to keep my hands clean and kill her out of everybody's sight so that I can clear any evidence!

And why was I mad with that girl? She's been making the same mistake over and over again. And thing is, she has already overcome the mistake at home (after all the scolding & threaten to use the cane) and she was "fooling around in the class" and didn't do properly.Worst still, Peggy (teacher) knew it was her and told her so many times; all the other children were doing okay. Then she kept turning her head looking at her friends when they're doing solfege at the piano. At first it was a smile thinking it's so playful of her, then it became a grin, then it was an angry grin, finally it became a murderer look.When Peggy repeated the solfege singing (ah... she was shouting) & made stupid mistake again!! Again, correction from Peggy. And Peggy kept telling her "sing don't shout!" At that time, I feel like running out from where I am and smack her in the mouth.

The anger in me welled up that I couldn't wait till we get back home to scold her. I drove to the carpark behind the swimming pool and gave her a scolding in the car for the next 40 mins over what happened in the lesson and all the behaviours that I have been tolerating from her for everything else at home.

When we got back home, I walked into the house all quiet, she was quiet and hubby sensed something was wrong. Asked me why I have to scold her everytime (didn't sound pleased). As if I enjoy scolding her like that, if he thinks he makes a better parent than me - then he can jolly well go ahead to take over my job. Thing is, unfortunately, he himself don't even know much about values -how is he to teach a child?? And he never even bother much about her teaching her anything at all. My child will become a sam-seng kia if she's left to him.

What Master Tan said about Athena is all so true. He mentioned to us before that "这个孩子很难管.不能用暖也不能用硬." Then use what?! Want to 管教 her in everything will make me die faster. Almost the whole time I'm nagging, scolding & screaming at her with a cane. I flare up every single day, almost every hour when she's home. Maybe I should learn to be like my husband - bo chap her at all then I will not see anything and will not flare up & live longer (for sure)

Err.............remember the scolding only happened yesterday right?

This morning, was playing her music in the car. Again, she was shouting. I told her nicely "Athena, sing not shout. You've got a very nice voice, sing it don't shout." And that girl refused to sing after that and was showing tantrum. Fine! In Tampines, I asked her to get out of the car and go in to school herself since she forgot what I just scolded her last night. I am not going to bring her in. Immediately she started crying and held onto my hand. Pushed her away and refused any touch or whatever from her. It continued for 2 mins, I got fed up, went down the car and walked to the school with her running behind me. When she went in, I closed the gate and walked away. Couldn't bother about her, didn't even bother to tell her teacher that she hasn't had her breakfast. Let her go hungry for all I care! Anyway she has so much reserves in her body.

When I went to pick her up from school today, her teacher told me that Athena was running around and jumping on a chair when they were doing the Speech & Drama. I asked Athena about it in the car, and she lied "no, nothing happened today." Still defending herself when I saw her teacher scolding her in class. In the car I was raising my voice at her when Aricia got frightened and started crying; I assured Aricia that I wasn't scolding her. Wonder why she cry? My voice? Or the fact that she realised that she's born to a gila mother? Anyway, I didn't want to bother about Athena after that since she was so defensive.
KZ wanted to feed her dinner, I told her to let her eat herself. I didn't even want to get close to her obviously I didn't want to touch her at all - so KZ showered her. And all the while what was I doing? For the whole evening, I was very very relaxed coz' I deliberately didn't want to do her music lessons, assesments books, flashcards, reading. Of course she was happy coz' she didn't have to do anything. I was in the room with Aricia and was surfing & reading the news, played with Aricia, let her watch animated flashcards on my laptop. I was happy coz' I didn't felt I was rushing through my time today. I had my time to do my own things and need not get my blood pumped up and gush out from my head.

Then hubby came home, and after some time I heard Athena shouting at hubby; hubby shouted at her; she shouted back. Dunno what happened so I came out and asked. Immediately she kowtow when the Empress Dowager came out. Damn it! I've had enough from her & sent her to her punishment corner to pull her ears. Immediately she apologized & said "mummy, I won't do it again. Tomorrow I won't do it again." "only tomorrow?" "And Monday" I don't care, I pulled her to the corner and made her pull her ear. Hubby stood there (I hate it when he deliberately stand there and try to make funny faces at her. He got a scolding from me for not being serious infront of girl, otherwise she'll never obey him). She cried very loudly; kept apologizing. "mummy, tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday etc... I will not do it again." (actually quite funny... but had to control my laughter) I left her outside while I cooled myself down (laughing in the room when she kept repeating over and over again, each time the days get longer and longer). Hubby then went outside and wanted to pacify her by pulling her away, but she cried "cannot,cannot!" and ran back to the position and continued pulling her ear. So - she's afraid of me knowing that no one except me can move her (no wonder alot of times my mom says she really does listen to me. Whenever they want to give her something to eat, she'll say "my mummy say I cannot eat becoz' I'm coughing") but dunno why she simply wants to taunt me and make me so angry.

Brought her to stand infront of me while I questioned her about her nonsense and unbearable behaviour. (and I hate it when hubby sits there like trying to act he's the boss - when clearly I'm the boss coz' she's never afraid of him.Probably he's afraid I might kill her. Yah.. actually I think I would too. I was really mad for the fact that I've been getting her stupid nonsense for the longest time ever!)
Asked her too about what happened in the day in school which she kept lying to me that she didn't (in the car). She said she followed Joseph in running and jumping on chair during the Speech & Drama class . When probed further .. "no, everyone sitting down. Only me and Joseph run." So, the question came "of all people, why did you have to follow Joseph? Do you know that Joseph's mummy never bother about him? So he's doing all the naughty things in school. Here I am, scolding you for every single thing and you follow him and be a hooligan! Since you want to be a hooligan with no future, fine! We don't have to waste our money to send you to school. You can go down to the void deck or playground at 7am and come back at 7pm everyday." "mummy, I don't want to go playground. I want to go school."
And the gossip about Joseph : His mother is the same age as me. And from what I heard from her father is that she's a can't be bothered mom, she's not working at all and only eat; sleep;go jalan-jalan. Never bother about her 2 kids. And they're the ill-bred children you can think. Not to mention that they've gotten into troubles in the school. Joseph has hit my girl before; taught my girl how a boy pees and can't remember what stupid nots. And I simply don't believe since she sworn never to play with Joseph after she was hit by him - why is she back with him? And honestly, I hate him! I know it's bad to bad-mouth a child but he's really ... 无药可救.

Anyway, back to her - I can't take her nonsense, everyone did agree with me that she has become more mischievous since mei-mei came. So, it's not me being unreasonable or tao-hong here.

I need Super Nanny's help!

Violin lesson

Athena still hasn't learnt to play with the bow. Today, the children were taught holding the bow (again) and all children can't seem to get it - and so was I. Seems so easy for the teacher to hold it and I tried it myself, I felt that I was trying to dislocate my elbow.
Athena had some problem holding and doing the wrong way. I tried to move her hand but she's so stiff!!

Somehow I'm getting sick & tired of the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star now. It's been playing and playing in my brain day & night. Help! I think I'm going crazy!

Last minute work!

30th March 2007

Dear Parents

RE : Easter Day Celebration
For our Easter celebration, we are having a competition for the best decorated Easter egg. Kindly be informed that your child needs to bring a decorated egg with shell to school next Tuesday (3rd April) for the competition. We strongly encourage parents to decorate the egg with your child. This activity will strengthen parent-child relationship. You may use any materials that can be pasted or painted on the egg shell. Have fun decorating and wishing you a blessed Easter Day!

*********************************************************************************
I realised last night (as I brought Athena home from school) that there was a message for all parents on Friday. I freaked out coz' it means that tomorrow I had to bring the decorated egg. And...............we didn't have much time to do it.
She wanted white on her egg, so she painted it. Then when it comes to painting on the white egg, she had to paint of herself. Whatever had happened to the "strengthen parent-child relationship?" It kindda strengthened my frustration over her slipshod job.. and not to mention a "didn't look like a girl drawing" I also had to nag at her for spilling the water while trying to transfer some water into the paint palette, and when she try to "stir" her paintbrush in the cup she splatter the water on the table. In all, I was quite frustrated (which explains why sometimes I really want to do crafts with her, but dread it)
In the end, it was a "let mummy do it" scenerio and I had to change the base colour of the egg. Yucks! Did a horrible way of decorating, I wanted to have two colours but I've run short of red.
When I brought it to school today, Ms Li was saying "wah.. so pretty" Huh? This one call pretty? It's an eyesore to me!!
She's just being polite & tactful. But I'd rather she not mention anything about this at all.

I think hor................

I had better send Athena for Art class. See her atrocious drawing! Coming 5 years old leh! Not that I draw very well but at least I can make out the head, nose and parts of the body better than her.

For this English assesment book that I'm doing with her, she's supposed to draw things that starts with the letter 'U'. For her ' umbrella she simply drew a triangle on top and a straight line, I had to correct her to draw the handle. Then for the next thing that starts with 'U' is 'unicorn'

See how her unicorn looks like? Made up of 2 triangles!!

I think I'll check out with Crestar on their Picasso Art class. I saw these works of art by their nursery children, it's so many times better than Athena's.

Holiday

Hubby talked about a holiday and I gasped! My passport is expiring in July and I had been procrastinating to doing a new one.

Since he mentioned it, though destination still undecided, I think I had better make a new passport for myself and Aricia.

I need a break. I'm hoping for a long break.... but then it means I'll have to plan the itinery and we get to the places ourselves etc.. quite tiring to do all these planning at home amidst taking care of children. Siong ah..... Hoping for Europe or US (again) or perhaps Australia will be a good idea too for kids. Perhaps, perhaps.... ai yah better don't talk so much lah! Sekali hubby tell me "let's go Bintan" I faint siah!