Saturday, August 6, 2022
Anxiety
I suppose both my girls have anxiety issues when it comes to exams. Che-che also hates it when she has to go for piano exams, clams up and ..... If only there's no examinations they often tell me. But it's really not possible, there's always a form of test everywhere we go, even for job interviews!
When lil' one brought up to me that she's nervous during examinations and then she forgets what she's learnt I started to panic myself. OMG! Her finals are approaching soon. Though I usually complain that she talks alot, I'm glad that she shared this with me. Che-che doesn't tell me anything coz she likes to keep everything to herself. Silence doesn't mean everything is well with her, I'm sure she must be anxious often too coz when I tried to calm lil' one, she overheard and commented "you think it's so easy to calm down? To not feel anxious?" Honestly, she isn't wrong. Her mother has anxiety issues too! Even up to this date. There is a reason too why I tend to be over anxious when I have too many things on my plate; there's a reason too why I know I cannot multi-task if I need to do serious studying and being a homemaker. There's a reason too when I set too high a standard on myself and I get anxious when I fail or underperformed in my task.
When I was a student 3 decades ago
I used to have tension headaches before exams. The doctor will always give me ponstan and antacid coz panadol won't help me anymore. I perform better in school during normal school work but results shows a slight difference.
I used to have tension headaches before exams. The doctor will always give me ponstan and antacid coz panadol won't help me anymore. I perform better in school during normal school work but results shows a slight difference.
30 years ago when ADHD or mental health is unheard of. If a child don't score, the child gets blamed for being stupid.
Moving with times
Times have definitely changed, there's a plethora of information out there now for us to understand better; for us to help our children. We hope to make things a little better for our children.
Yes, supporting mental health is important. Afterall, I wouldn't want healthy children to suddenly have a crack and go berserk. The RGS neighbour is a good example, really sad.
But we can be contradictory at times too
Unfortunately in this society where people still judge salary earned equals to success, sometimes as parents we also wish our kids can do well for themselves.
Unfortunately in this society where people still judge salary earned equals to success, sometimes as parents we also wish our kids can do well for themselves.
In conclusion, I think we should relocate to a non highly competitive country like Canada or Sweden or Finland or perhaps Tibet.
Some stuffs I found online, hoping to help my children
INSTANT RESULTS : 100% pure alpha brain waves for study, meditation, focus, intelligence
https://youtu.be/fyBuKsmKew4
https://youtu.be/fyBuKsmKew4
IQ Increase - improve cognitive processing with brainwave entertainment - intelligence booster
https://youtu.be/p2qlwAwnMo0
https://youtu.be/p2qlwAwnMo0
Thursday, August 4, 2022
Thermomix
I’ve been deliberating for a really long time. To be a slave to the family and cook or be a lazy mom and not cook? Technically its’s not that I can’t cook over the stove BUT I hate the cleaning after a fry-out in the kitchen. Not only cleaning but to make sure the whole place don’t smell smoky.
With half a year gone and one of the excuse for not cooking will not be valid anymore (can’t cook coz tutor/s outside in dining area). It’s time to think if we should still continue with the tapao-ing full of unhealthy stuffs lifestyle. It’s time to think if I should convince the man to be more cautious with his food now.
I had the ringing thoughts on it again on 21st July and took out the stuffs I knew I wanted to get rid of to replace the Thermomix. These are the 3 (and then later 4) items I got rid off.
1) Mayer pressure cooker. MMPC 1650. Brand New !
Mom said she’ll ask SIL if she wants it, if not she’ll bring it home she can give it to her friend.
2) Bear Food Processor. QSJ-B02Q1 Used once for otah n my keto Nam Prik Pao blend
I guess I don’t need the food processor anymore since Thermomix has an in-built food processor. Passed this to mom.
3) Philips Viva fruit juicer HR1832/00. Used but very well-maintained coz I wash it immediately after use all the time, so it looks very new.
I got rid of this coz the girls hate to drink apple juice now. And nobody except me juice drinks, so since nobody takes them out I’ll just get rid of it. I passed this to mom directly coz she said she wanted this citing that the one at home is spoilt.
4) This last one ice-cream maker was a last min decision. Although I read that texture from Cuisinart maker would be better than Thermomix, I wonder if I’ll ever use the ice cream maker at all. Afterall I got it for almost 3 years and never got a chance to use it. It will be a white elephant. Packaging is still intact. Put it on sale in Carousell n within 2 days I had an interested buyer.
Not bad right? My initial target was to get rid of 3 items to get back 1 but I got rid of 4. Which also means….. 😬 I am not exactly a try-to-be minimalist as I thought I was (I do clutter my home 😂).
I just remembered I have another slimmer blender at home, a Tefal BL142A42 Fruit Sensation. I wasn’t willing to clear this coz this is so compact, and having made so many açai in it, we kindda know how much to add in. I used it to blend my pancake and crepes batter. And since it’s a small amount I make each time I feel it’s easier to use this than the huge Thermomix? But who knows I might clear this another time? If we don’t use it within the next 6mths, maybe it’s time to really clear it. Any small space cleared can be a saving grace. Or perhaps I can pass this to che-che when she goes USA next year?
Technically most people will get rid of their Kitchenaid since the Thermomix is also a mixer but I just bought the pasta roller attachment!! And kitchenaid was something that I’ve always wanted so I shall keep it. Until the day maybe I tau huang siao n decide to get rid of it. For now, I’m happy to keep that.
*******************************
Within a week after clearing the items, I finally bit the bullet and made a purchase for a Thermomix on 27th July. Delivery was for 3rd Aug but I requested for 4th Aug (Thu) instead.
On the same day I made orders for a cheaper slide board, clear cup, anti-vibration pad, screen protector, plastic cover way from Shoppee. They all arrived on 30th Aug.
Cleared this space on the 2nd Aug
kept the Tefal Rice Cooker in the cabinet. Moved the Nepresso Coffee machine next to the water filter.
Glad that I still have a workable preparation space on this side of the kitchen.
Delivery came at 4.15pm on 4th Aug. Yippee!
Unboxed Thermomix
Did the screen protector. Pasted a small portion before I realise there was a protector sheet over. So why the heck was I cleaning the protector sheet with alcohol wipe? 🤣
Was suppose to do a setup before delivery but I haven’t.
Was suppose to set up the Thermomix but I didn’t.
Just coz I was feeling so hot still in dirty gym wear. Covered it with the plastic covering, will try to set it the next day - I hope!
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
So disorganized
Fuming mad with lil’ one.
Whether it’s the crucial exam year or not, she’s always so messy. Stepping into her room is very very traumatising. I can spend 3 hours tidying up her study table and bookshelf, but within 15mins of her back at her desk she’ll mess it up again.
How many tutors go into her room? Only one - which I think I should be thankful that I only had to make sure her room is presentable once. Imagine if all 6 tutors had to go into her room, 我做死我自己。
She has papers all over the place, her table and the shelf where all the time she just leave it at the top of the magazine holder and then it drops behind the holders and get crumpled. And she starts complaining “so crumpled. I don’t like to see my papers and books crumpled.” Rubbish!
Where mess come from?
The mess came from the papers tutors gave. Tutors go thru marked papers. Once it’s finished then file it up lah! Never! Then paper here n there.
Later tutor come and ask where is last week work? Then she has problem finding it when she goes back to her room. After tuition, she’ll hear nagging from me again and she’ll look for it to find out it’s on her table with the pile of worksheets. Bloody hell! Damn fed up.
Mess also comes from school. She doesn’t file her papers that often.
How difficult can that be? If every time she files it up, she don’t have to spend half a day filing up the accumulated mess. Always reiterate to her Organized = mess free space = brain also clear.
I also hate it when she don’t write date on her papers. I can’t even help her file when I want to do it, when I asked her when was she given this piece of work. “I dunno..” OMG! Really just feel like smacking her.
I should not see ; no scoldings from me right?
How come I’m so organized but can have two disorganized kids ?? Yup! Che-che was also messy before. I’m just thankful that she has no hard copies of Uni academic materials. Can’t wait for next year, I think lil’ one will have less papers in school right?
Monday, July 25, 2022
A semester in London?
Big girl sent a message to me about doing a semester in London. Sound so exciting! I never knew they had such arrangement. In London somemore!
I did some research and when I read the address Cromwell Road and was already thinking, it’s very close to the cabin crew hotel - Gloucester. It was confirmed further as I read it’s near Gloucester Station.
I wish I can rattle off to her I know the place near her school well. Those were the days I’d walk to the station, passing by some Bombay food place in the hotel; Pret A Manger where I simply love their brownies. Not forgetting the place where I can pack a nice salad which I’ll pack for my dinner on days when we check into the hotel late. Since I hung up my kebaya, I’ve only been back to London once when che-che was 3, honestly a trip back to London is long overdue. I’d love to meet up with Terry and pay my respects to Velda, visit Karen and her lovely family.
West End - she can finally go for some musicals. Her Prof is the one going along and she told me she’s a musical buff. Well, I think a trip back to London would be nice for her too. She’s more independent so I can safely let her go.
Competition is stiff according to her, it’s not only the Socio students who will apply for this but the whole of UB. Only selected few will get to go.
She will consider if she’s going to apply for it. Aiyah! Tell you this girl abit 麻烦 things she wouldn’t do. Then there’s the “what if she gets it?” she’ll only do a semester in USA. She’s attracted to the London semester as it’s the only semester that comes with work attachment.
Came across this slides for 2017 Semester Guide.
Thursday, July 21, 2022
When will this end?
𝖨'𝗆 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗌𝗈 𝗌𝗈 𝗌𝗈 𝖾𝗑𝗁𝖺𝗎𝗌𝗍𝖾𝖽. 𝖠𝗅𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁 𝖨'𝗆 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗍𝖺𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 ex𝖺𝗆𝗌
That was probably how I felt 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗂 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝗌𝗍𝗎𝖽𝖾𝗇t, though the pressure is not as bad as now. I hated 𝖾𝗑𝖺𝗆𝗌, I 𝗀𝖾𝗍 𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖺𝖼𝗁𝖾𝗌 often 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖽𝗂𝖽n’t 𝗄𝗇𝗈𝗐 𝗁𝗈𝗐 𝗍𝗈 𝖼𝗈𝗉𝖾, 𝗎𝗇𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗇𝗈𝗐.
During my time, most of us grew up as latchkey child. I don’t think parents were as bothered then to even know what is mental health. They just tell us to study, there was no such thing as tuitions we just study regurgitate everything out. Exams were easier then. Or maybe 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗌 are 𝗂𝗀𝗇𝗈𝗋𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝗈𝗋 𝗇𝗈 𝗆𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗒 𝗍𝗈 𝗂𝗇𝗏𝖾𝗌𝗍 in anything to help us. There was no internet then! All adults could rely was print materials or hearsay from the 三姑六婆 neighbours. The only luxurious thing we can drink is Brand’s Chicken Essence 😂, unlike now … desperate mother like me will resort to 𝖾𝗌𝗌𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝖺𝗅 𝗈𝗂𝗅 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗌𝗎𝗉𝗉𝗅𝖾𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗌 𝖾𝗍𝖼...
I used 𝗍𝗈 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗂𝗍𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗈 𝖻𝖾 𝖺𝗇 𝖺𝖽𝗎𝗅𝗍. 𝖽𝖺𝗋𝗇! 𝖭OW 𝖨 𝖳𝖤𝖫𝖫 𝖬𝖸 𝖪𝖨𝖣𝖲 𝖳𝖧𝖠𝖳 𝖻𝖾𝗂𝗇𝗀 a 𝗌𝗍𝗎𝖽𝖾𝗇t 𝗂𝗌 𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝗌𝗍. All a student could ever get is comparison of grades. Working adults get appraisals, backstabbing, toxic working environment etc..
I 𝗐𝗈𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝗁𝗈𝗐 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗒 𝗐𝗂𝗅𝗅 feel 𝗂𝗇 𝗒𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝖾. Will they tell me "𝗆𝗈𝗆. 𝗂𝗍𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗍o 𝖻𝖾 𝖺𝗇 𝖺𝖽𝗎𝗅𝗍." 𝗋𝖾𝗆𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝖺𝗌𝗄 𝗆𝗒 𝗄𝗂𝖽𝗌 𝗇𝖾𝗑𝗍 𝗍𝗂𝗆𝖾 𝗈𝗋 𝗉𝖾𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗌 𝗂𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗒’re 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗇 𝗒𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝗉𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗌𝖾 𝗀𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝗆𝖾 𝖺𝗇 𝖺𝗇𝗌𝗐𝖾𝗋.
Prelims in July to Aug. Main paper in Sep/Oct
Jiayou! Jiayou! Mummy and lil’ one jiayou
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Rose Quartz Guasha
I have a jade face guasha but I wanted another different type for my use.
To have some questions you may have, I shall post some answers I was looking for.
Is rose quartz or jade better for guasha?
- Release blood and fluid stagnation
- Dispels toxins
- Boosts blood circulation
- Improves fine lines and wrinkles
- Boosts collagen & elastin production
- Promotes lymphatic drainage
- Relieves muscle tension
- Relieves stress and aids in relaxation
A comparison between the genuine and fake rose quartz guasha
I paid S$6.65 for this fake plastic guasha tool. Pls don’t be fooled like me. The moment I touched this, it feels so plastic-y.
A real rose quartz guasha is cool to the touch, and this is.
I paid S$53.72 for the roller, S$35.62 for the guasha lifting tool. Got it from iherb.
Cost S$43 for the Guasha lifting tool in Sephora, and they sell the set at S$80. Argh! They carry it months after I received mine from iherb. 🤨
Saturday, July 16, 2022
10 Stress-Busting Techniques For Exam Success
10 Stress-Busting Techniques For Exam Success
extracted from : https://www.euyansang.com.sg/en/10-stress-busting-techniques-for-exam-success/eysstress1.html
Stress is an inevitable part of a student’s life, but dealing with it doesn’t have to be a challenge. In TCM, stress affects the flow of Qi within the body, which may affect internal balance and trigger some health problems.
Therefore, while it’s important to study hard, it’s equally important that we study smart too.
Here are 10 stress-busting techniques to make sure you are well-prepared for the exams. Learn to manage stress, improve your appetite and get better sleep with these simple steps.
1. Sleep
Sleep is essential – not only is it a form of rest, it is also a physiological function that helps your body recharge and perform at its best the next day.
According to the meridian clock, which maps out a specific time for different organs in the body to work or revitalise, the ideal time to get some sleep is between 11pm and 5am. Of course, it is recommended that you get at least 7 or 8 hours of rest, so adjust your sleeping patterns and ensure you get adequate sleep every night.
2. Meditate
When your mind is relaxed, your body will return to its harmonious state. Meditation helps you focus only on your breathing, which is calming and promotes relaxation whenever you feel a little stressed.
To get started, simply sit or lie in a comfortable position. Close your eyes, and concentrate only on breathing in and out for a few minutes. You will feel refreshed and ready to continue with studying.
3. Nourish the Heart
The state of your Heart can affect your mind or spirit. TCM believes that if the Heart is weak, it may lead to emotional imbalances such as insomnia, palpitations or anxiety. Strengthen and nourish your Heart with Chinese herbs such as biota seeds, which replenish blood into the Heart.
4. Take A Break
It’s important to take a break from studying every now and then. For starters, your eyes need a good rest for a few minutes every hour or so.
If you have to, leave your study area and take a walk around the room. Let your mind rest – little distractions such as a snack or a quick phone call to a friend can do wonders to your concentration level for the rest of the day.
5. Eat Smart
Avoid greasy food and foods that can affect your digestive system. Take ‘brain foods’ that provide energy for your brain, including meals that are high in protein (white meat, soybeans, eggs), calcium (milk and other dairy products) and omega-3 (walnuts, salmon and several fruits and vegetables).
Eat healthily and wisely – start your morning with a nutritious breakfast so you can think, learn and concentrate your best for the rest of the day.
6. Exercise
Have a good work out at least 3 times a week to feel the benefits of exercise. Improve Qi and blood circulation while releasing endorphins into your body – these will help minimise the effects of stress when you are studying.
7. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of several ancient Chinese medical procedures. It is believed to help relieve pain and aid in de-stressing the mind. Acupuncture on the right meridian points may even enhance the Heart’s function.
A typical treatment involves the insertion of hair-thin needles into specific points on the body to elicit a healing response. These needles are so thin that most people feel nothing more than a slight tingling sensation when they are inserted.
8. Organise Your Study Area
Have a neat, designated study area and create a study pattern so that you are mentally ready whenever you revise. When a desk is clutter-free, it allows you to better concentrate on your work, and also gives you a peace of mind.
9. Eliminate Internal Heat or Fire
If you’ve been sleeping late and have irregular eating habits due to exam revisions, this may lead to a stagnation of Liver-Qi, and generate internal Fire.
To treat this, take herbs and supplements that help to eliminate this internal heat, such as Foxglove Root (Shengdi, 生地), Asparagus Root (Tiandong, 天冬) and Chinese Magnoliavine Fruit (Wuweizi, 五味子).
10. Set Realistic Expectations
Manage your expectations, and understand your capabilities. Instead of setting one long-term goal for the whole year, set smaller, achievable and realistic ones throughout the months. This can help you keep track of your strengths and weakness and will motivate you even further to achieve your next goal.
Thursday, July 14, 2022
HER IGARD JOURNEY (2022)
14th July 2022
Second consultation with Dr Yap, referred to him by Dr Seah
While waiting I came across a EZYHealth Magazine July 2013 published article - How fast can your child read? A paragraph caught my attention : - "Vision is a core component of the process of reading and learning and it involves a wide range of cognitive and visual processing skills."
from his website some other articles : https://www.igard.com.sg/downloadable-articles/
Honestly I didn’t know how serious it was until I sat there. He did the tests with her alone and after that I was brought into the room. Bringing bad news that indeed she has some problems with her eyes. He was even explaining to me that kids with such problem may write slow and she spends more time writing then her peers. Which kindda gave me the eureka moment when I often get complaints that she can’t finish copying the transparency and OF COURSE the MOST HATED TEACHER I HATE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL was not at all a nice teacher to begin with and found fault with lil’ one.
I happened to have a piece of her social studies paper with me and showed him her handwriting. And he said this is what he expected of kids with such problems with this kindergarten handwriting.
But hope is not lost as there is way to help her. Therapies and all but we must be committed to help her. I explained to Dr Yap we can’t do anything now as she’s already nearing her prelims and then her final exams. We have no time for 2-3x per week therapy sessions with her ongoing tuitions and school. Not only will she burn out, I will also be burnt out coz I need to chauffeur her around. Money is already locked in there until she’s ready to start her therapies.
Now we need the most important part to thing from him. A letter that the school’s SEN officer will attach to SEAB for Access Arrangement. Frankly speaking, I never knew there was such a thing in SIN. We need to get this done asap.
What is AA?
My other concerns when tutor Mr M said there’ll be an annotation on school certificates.
Expenses : Total is $4720 ($320 dunno what fees + [20 x $220]) Gasp! Each therapy session is $220
I was feeling so bad, so so bad. I had been so harsh with lil’ one scolding her for writing slow, for taking so long to get her work done. Now I know she’s been finding ways to compensate her flaws by flipping her pages upright, it was her way to make her reading a little easier albeit words still jumping around. I felt so bad coz she has been suffering in silence and all I did was to let my mouth run loose and scold her.
In the night, I went to her and apologized to her for the years of scolding and nagging.
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Other MT clearance
5th July - Chinese listening comprehension 张开你的耳朵！听好好！写好好！
7th July - Chinese oral. First day of oral. Quite scared myself coz was told first day is usually tough. Was suppose to be the first candidate but she says another girl, Kiera, went first coz she was needed for some Drama thing for their BMW. She’s happy coz she was prepared for this topic and she knew what to say. Ok lah! As long as she don’t aunty talk to the examiners can already.
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