Updates updates

It's been more than a month since I last blogged. Oh well! Don't think can ever break my previous record.

Updates on what had happened in between the last entry and today.

During the short June holidays, I was doing the usual thing. It's funny, many parents I know can't wait for school to re-open. They try to occupy their kids' time and run out of ideas. For me, I know it does sound cruel, the girls were in the same routine so it made no difference to me, I didn't have to wreck my brain on what to do with them. They diligently woke up at 7+am or sometimes I let them get up at 8+am to have their breakfast and then they start doing work. Che-che had to cover tuition homeworks and my homeworks. I made her complete her school homeworks even before the school holiday starts. But it wasn't just work work work, I tried to bring them out whenever I can even if it's only for a few hours.

We went on a holiday to Sydney and Gold Coast. We took the new airline - Scoot. I love their seats. Holiday was fun.

No time for playdates again.

KZ left for good at the end of June. I was kept with my hands filled. It's a good thing hubby volunteered to bring the girls to school in the mornings while I stayed home to "do my housework" as what the man told me. Sigh.... I have a stamp on my head that says "Make me a slave" 

I'm more tired than before having to cope with housework and children.  

Purikira Fun

Had some Puri puri fun today. I'm doing this for the second time, first time being so long ago with che-che (3-4yrs ago??).

We didn't remember it was that fast. Had no time to check on our poses. Well, lucky thing we managed some decent shots.

My nottie girl

Her first trip to the optician. It's confirmed that she IS DESPICABLE MISCHIEVOUS!!! Optician said she can see. He had his way of finding out if kids were lying. At one point he made her write down.(phone batt went flat couldn't take pic of her doing that). He kept shaking his head and I suspected he tricked her. Ok, at least she sat on that chair. That should make her happy already right? I asked her if she really can't see. Days ago she kept saying "I cannot see." Today, I asked she gave me that sheepish smile and said she could see. @-@!!

Another strong fighter

After the big news of Emma Yong's battle with C, I flipped the obituaries page. I was shocked to see another lady smiling back at me.

Evelyn, a lady whom I do not know personally but I did drop her an email once and she took time to reply me. At that time I thought it was so nice of her to do that cos' she was probably busy with more important matters and trying to spend as much time with her own family.

As what V, Carol's husband told me they had encountered - countless calls while wife trying to rest. They can't fault them afterall they were showing concern. (Carol and V is a couple I chatted up with in a Jap restaurant when I brought my girls for lunch one day after school. And they told me about Carol's illness. Immediately I felt a tinge of sadness and anger " what is going on in this world now. Seems like everyone around has cancer!" Of course I could only relate a little to them as I then had a surviving strong fighter SIL. It was after a few weeks later when I met her husband, who told me Carol wanted me to have this book she wrote. Only then did I realize she even wrote her book (and here I am only writing rubbish in my blog - shameful right?) The book is priceless!

Back to Evelyn. I didn't know they came back to Singapore until one day I thought I saw Evelyn walking to school. I asked che-che if N and S were back in school? She said yes. I was surprised coz' she did tell me they were in Beijing but thought maybe home is still better. I'll probably suffer if I were to stay there long too! Pollution and food.

And it so happened a few nights ago che-che was telling me about N (who is in the same Chinese class as her) didn't do her homework and teacher asked her about it. My reaction was "How the teacher responded?" She said she accepted her reasoning and I thought so too coz' their Chinese teacher is very understanding and nice lady. But never did I expect that the poor children have to deal with her sudden departure at this timing - SA1. I cried when I saw her picture, I never thought I would cry but I did.

And now that I've read this article, it made me cry even more and think about my SIL.

When I look at the picture of the girls and their daddy looking at mummy, it pains me. Rest in peace, Evelyn.

It's nearly over

Finally! The study room is looking a little tidier. A little only!

Somehow still must have some books outside to make it look like a studyroom.

One more paper tomorrow and it's F-R-E-E-D-O-M until the school holiday starts. Been a bad period for me too! When my long forgotten tension headache came back to visit me. I used to have tension headache when I'm preparing for exams, the doctor even asked me "who's sitting for exams? Your daughter or you?" I answered him without batting my eyelids "Me!"
It's really tiring to be a parent now where there has been debates and the yearly complains over our education system - which I can safely say - It will never change.
Makes me think too, if I panic over every exams she goes through, I wonder what will become of me when she's sitting for her PSLE in two years' time. Popping Ponstan every single day. And please, make that viscious cycle twice for me. Any more kids for me? No thank you.

Flying into UAE / Saudi Arabia

I forgot to post this draft out which was left inside for 2 months. *gasp*

During the LJ trip, at the mosque, I asked the guide to highlight to the class about the Mecca direction in hotel rooms' ceiling.

In the car, I started recollecting the flights I did during Ramadan period. Most times they were insignificant as it was a small group of passengers fasting. Then again, when came to them (esp ladies) we couldn't assume they were not eating right (get complaints from pax otherwise)so had to politely ask them. Thankfully, they were polite in their replies.

One significant flight where I flew into Saudi Arabia. Only a small number ate, and when I realized that I'll have problem sticking DND(Do Not Disturb) stickers (I'll run short of stickers in no time) So I sticker stickers on those who ate. Smart right? And helped in packing up some biscuits and dates for those who didn't eat. And gave out to them. Well....problem was landing time was dusk time. Didn't want them to go hungry .... But hey! That's what made SQ girls different from other airlines right?

And there was another flight when all passengers came to ask us the direction. Oh my! The flight route do change leh! Nonetheless we helped them, but too bad lor .. If they prayer and suddenly changed direction. We had passengers standing at all doors praying. Thank goodness, we had tolerant non-muslims pax sitting at the emergency exits pardon them for laying down their mats and praying. It was quite .. messy!

Forever in my heart

It's been 2 months since my SIL left us and I can't help but keep thinking about her.

Though it was a time bomb illness, I wasn't prepared for that - - *ding* sudden emptiness in me when I heard the news 2 months ago. And all I can say is "I will definitely remember it coz' it's my wedding anniversary day."

My SIL, whom I've grown closer through the years, was like a sister to me. She was only 5 years older than me and we do exchange SMSes now and then and chat easily when we meet.

Back to the first time I bump into her when I was paktor-ing with my then boyfriend. We bump into her family while walking around Bugis. It was quite funny since she was the first person of his family I met, haven't even met his mom yet. And she was so friendly, I remember the two young boys with her, who's now all grown and (ahem.. taller than me). Then over the next 4 years while we were dating, we drop by her home quite often as she stayed relatively close to me.

When she knew of the horrible C that has struck her breast years back, I tried to be there for her via SMS. I must admit I wasn't there most of the time until last year when her illness got worst. And she confided in me her greatest fear. It pains me to hear that as I'm also a mother myself. The children put up a brave front.

This year's CNY was low-key for us. We didn't do any visitation and we even spent our CNY visiting my SIL in the hospital. We had no idea how many more days she can live as she was getting weaker with each passing day. I was really glad too that I mustered my courage in telling her 'I love her' at the hospital bed, she looked at me and I stroked her head. It's strange isn't it? The three words which I can easily say out to my hubby and kids; I had to find the courage to do it with her.

At her funeral, I was so emotional, I can sit down and suddenly tear when I think of her. It's so weird to see her lying there. She's so beautiful. She is peaceful and no longer suffering. It's good for her but it's not good for the many other hearts she had to break mourning for her. I remember on the morning of the final wake, her hubby, stood by her side and playback a love song on his phone. I cried. A few times I had to walk out of the room, my heart ached and tearducts couldn't stop flowing. I never even cried so much for my FIL.

Che-che would sit down quietly and then suddenly talk about her aunty. She fondly remembers her favourite aunty feeding her and 'making cupcake rice' for her during our family holiday. My dear SIL even helped us take care of her during mealtimes, so that hubby and me can take care of that naughty mei-mei.

And though I felt the pain, I had to make sure that my girl, a 9 yr-old, can handle what is death. Afterall, our family had been dealt with 2 deaths in the family within a span of 8 months. I didn't let the children see her when we went to the parlour, I'm not sure if they would be frightened. Afterall, they didn't see their grandfather whose coffin was all covered up and I think they can't remember their great-grandma's face also. (I remember my mother flipped when I brought my kids to my grandma's funeral and let them see her. I thought it would be fine to see our loved one and mom nagged at me. And when mei-mei had febrile fits after that she thought it was something to do with the nether world and even sought the advice of a medium. Only to be chided by him halfway through her explanation that great grandma wouldn't harm her own great-grandchild.) My che-che was rather timid after FIL's funeral, will blog about that later, scared of ghosts etc.. so she didn't object.

But somehow on the second day, she asked me if she could see her aunty for one last time. She asked me if she's scary like in those movies, I told her her aunty is beautiful (Ps. The embalmer did a really good job.) and I will follow her. But there's no need to hide coz' she looks just like before. She was really brave and looked at her aunty. Somehow I was pleased that she did what she wanted to do coz' there'll be no chance after that and thought what the heck if I get scolding from mom about showing children my SIL face. Then my girl was so curious to ask me what they did to make her look so beautiful and why is there a pearl in her mouth. It was like a biology class explaining to her the process of embalming. Suddenly it dawned upon me that my girl is growing up.

Now I occasionally look at her mobile number, I didn't want to delete it. Next to her name I wrote "Forever in my heart"

Disney On Ice

Went for our Disney On Ice show again. It was ... spectacular! I'm a child once again.

The girls had so much fun!

Easter Egg Hunting

Had bro over and the kids did their Easter egg hunting around the small house 

Funny to see kids running around screaming when they find one egg, and the other child scream for having one egg less

Some of the places where we hid the eggs. Trying hard to camouflage the eggs. The best place to hide was the study room, which was even more messy as we were doing work inside.

Mei-mei's loot. She had to eat this hard-boiled egg too!

Her forfeit - hula hoop. Easy Peasy!

2 eggs missing! Guess where?

Mei-mei outraging the modesty of her uncle

Mei-mei collected all these. She received 3 sheets of stickers, pencils, Moshi Monsters figurines & cards and Playmobil figurine

Che-che's loot

Her forfeit - skipping rope & telling story (where duagu, mei-mei and Iggy had to act out the story).

Another part of Che-che's loot

Iggy's eggs. First Easter Hunt for him.

Exams! It's that time again!

Arhh!! I hate this time of the year. As I always tell my girls, every year's exams is crucial. Even small little tests - nope the daily work is crucial too.

I'm not sure whether it was the reverse method I used last year that made her perform better or she "grew up". I'm going to try the reverse method on her again this time round. At the same time, introduce some essential oils in their study room. (time to stock up on chicken essence too!)

I extracted this article from : http://www.anniesremedy.com

Memory & Focus:Herbs Using Herbs For: Concentration/Memory/Focus Herbal Remedies for Concentration/Memory/Focus Herbs Used for Concentration/Memory/Focus Basil Essential oil For: Mental Clarity, Focus Oil of Basil is an excellent, indeed perhaps the best, aromatic nerve tonic. It clears the head, relieves intellectual fatigue, and gives the mind strength and clarity. 23 Black Pepper For: Mental Focus, Headache In homeopathic practice black pepper is used for difficulty in concentrating, heavy headache, and a sad, apprehensive state of mind. 23 Brahmi For: Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit disorder (ADD), memory problems, and Parkinson's disease Brahmi is useful in treating a variety of conditions that involve impaired mental capacity, Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit disorder (ADD), memory problems, and Parkinson's disease. Laboratory studies indicate that brahmi improves intellectual function primarily by balancing the chemicals gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate in the brain. 52 Club Moss For: Alzheimer's Although it is used primarily to treat the early symptoms of Alzheimer's, many people are taking it to improve memory and enhance mental alertness. 36 Dandelion leaves For: Alzheimer's disease The leaves provide vitamins A and C, the flowers are one of the best sources of lecthin, a nutrient that elevates the brains acetylcholine and may play a role in stemming Alzheimer's disease. 27 Eleuthero For: Concentration and focus Eleuthero boosts concentration and focus without the letdown than comes from stimulants like caffeine. Ginko Biloba For: Brain Function The phytochemicals unique to the ginkgo tree restore better blood flow to the brain, allowing improved use of oxygen, and protect the cells from free radicals 27 Ginseng For: Boost mood, improve memory Ginseng may boost mood, improve memory and attention, lengthen physical and mental endurance, improve test scores, and ease anxiety. Although the exact mechanisms of activity are not known, it is likely that ginseng protects a portion of the brain known as the hippocampus from the effects of stress hormones. This prevents memory problems, a common complaint among people under stress. This mechanism would also explain the usefulness of ginseng in preventing loss of memory and cognitive ability in people who suffer from bipolar disorder, depression, and a disorder of the adrenal glands known as Cushing's disease. 27 Gotu Kola For: Memory, concentration Research has also demonstrated the beneficial effect of Gotu Kola, Centella asiatica, on memory, concentration and mental performance levels Horsebalm (Mondara) For: Memory The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tacrine hydrochloride (Cognex), a medication that reportedly slows progression of the Alzheimer's disease by preserving acetylcholine in the brain. Horsebalm (Monarda, various species), contains the beneficial compound carvacrol, which helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine. Horsebalm also contains thymol, which also prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine. 27 Peppermint essential oil For: Mental clarity Cooling and refreshing peppermint energizes the mind and mood, helping to improve mental clarity and memory Periwinkle For: Mental Aging, Dementia The health benefits of vincamine and related compounds, which are sold as drugs in Europe, relate to the treatment of primary degenerative and vascular dementia. As a dietary supplement, vincamine is promoted as a nootropic. The effects of aging are generally chronic, raising concerns about the safety of long-term use of vincamine in its targeted population.. . Vincamine article at NIH.gov. (), Yerba mate For: Increasing concentration Mate has the effect of stimulating the mind, increasing concentration and easing depressive moods, while not interfering with sleep like coffee may.