Atas Staycation

27th Oct (Thursday)

Che-che’s first overnight sleep in the hospital

Lobby for registration and we were then asked to go to the admission counter further to our right. 

Felt like I was in a hotel as I saw luggages behind the registration aka concierge counter. 

Got grand piano some more! 🤣

We waited at the admission area which has nice comfy lounge chairs and a wide variety of newspapers. Waited for our number to be called, which didn’t take long. When it did, it directed us to the second floor. The others are done on first floor. Naturally it took us a longer time to get to the lady, coz we didn’t understand what the instructions meant (we didn’t know abt a 2nd floor) and the guy we went to on first floor was equally blur asking if we were being attended to. I clarified that the screen showed “2nd floor” and what did that mean. 

When we finally went up, about 5-7mins later, we were greeted with more lounge sofas and a nice cozy feel. I just needed to rest my painful heels (blisters!)

No wonder this hospital is specifically catered to the tourists aka super rich people. It just doesn’t feel like a hospital at all. The hospital’s cashiers’ tills must be ringing ‘ker-ching ker-ching’ all the time that it’s fully booked. The clinic called me in the morning to confirm if she is going to do the 💉, if not they will release her room out. 

 Taken on the 2nd floor. Feel like I’m in a Conrad hotel 

We were brought to her room on the same level, same side. Huh? Are these just observation wards? 

Not bad. Clean look compared to the woody Mt Elizabeth (Orchard). Anyway, it was 16yrs ago I was last warded there, so they might have refurbished the whole place. That hospital was frequented by the rich Indonesians, not sure about now. Mt Elizabeth Novena is 10yrs old, giving the Indonesians a second choice. 

Photo taken for ID consideration. For next time when I’m old and need safety bars everywhere. Haha! 

Another view from the seating area. So in the case of having a companion to sleep over, is this the place (where I’m seated) they sleep? 

When I was with her, nurse came to take her blood pressure. 

Passed her a good ordering tablet as well. She didn’t know what to order, said nothing to eat. There are food! Just told her to not eat the vegetables. She couldn’t do a customisation here, worst than fast food restaurant but I don’t care. I didn’t want to pamper her to buy food for her. She HAS to eat what is available in the hospital.  

Hubby asked me if we should buy some food for her. I explained that it’s time that she cannot fuss too much over her food, though we don’t expect miracle to happen overnight, but she needs to know it’s not going to help her being so fussy all the time. The man, who always get angry over her fussiness and said not to buy her meals the next time, always end up doing so just coz he dotes his children. 讲讲而已、他不像我这么缺德 .

When I was having my dinner, I think wonder if I should get her some bread? But later she’ll complain that I make so much fuss right? So to avoid getting scolded for being concerned, I decided not to get her anything. I don’t think it’ll be that bad right. And when it happens, let her deal with it. 

Still worried about her even though she’s in Singapore (I can’t imagine how I’d feel when she’s in USA) and checked on her. 

She messaged me at 9+ hungry and asked if she can order food. So many eateries are closing at that time, I wasn’t sure if Starbucks is still opened. I did ask her to ask the nurse for biscuits and Milo, not sure if she did.  

The next day, I went alone to do the discharge for her since they only allowed “one person at a time”

Her study stuffs on the study table, ready to keep about an hour later. She was in her ‘home clothes’ the whole time, didn’t change to hospital gown.

Her lunch came, which is really bland. Eeeks! 

We “checked-out” at 12.28pm. At the lobby, a guy was playing the piano entertaining the guests and patients. 

Stupid washing machine!

5th Oct

*Minor Crisis*

Wasn’t sure how clean my clothes are coz I only noticed the drum not rolling when it was at the last stage so I decided to pop by the 24hrs laundry 400m from me. 

I was trying to pry open the detergent cover but nope it doesn’t work here. $5 for this wash. And let’s see how many rounds I need to put in the dryer later on. 

Useless washing machine! My previous one in Panggol house lasted me the whole time I was there & slightly longer, current one since the time we moved here.

 I had to use the dryer twice. I spent in total less than $10. But feels shiok when I went home with the laundry all heated and folded up. Then I start to wonder if I should also get a dryer for home. keke! wishful thinking lor..... if we stack up the dryer in the laundry room, I'll have no place to put the detergent and stuffs inside. Moreover our hanging rack has a heater feature also. 

11th Oct

Planned my laundry in such a way that I'll get it done when lil' one is not at home. So sent laundry to nearest laundromat near school, after I sent her in for her last POA paper 

Love this huge mamasan bag. Good for travel use. Good for days like this - huge laundry to keep.

Finished doing the laundry at 3.09pm. Spent about 1hr 15minuts in there and $21 poorer. Time passed quickly especially when I was talking to a mak-cik instead of reading. 

Though I kindda like the idea of having a dryer to dry all the clothes and only need to put them in the cabinet when we reach home, I'm still looking forward to having a washing machine at home.

13th Oct

Arrived! But OMG! They can't put it inside. The basin is in the way by I think 1cm? Honestly I think the young people are just too lazy to try. So fast they said cannot, I noticed the previous time the guys took quite some time to manoeuvre/move the machine in; climbing in to pull the machine and then jumping out and then climbing in again etc..  

But anyway, I did have the intention to hack the basin since I hardly use it, I only use the shower head to wash the yard area when I do a thorough cleaning there, so can't stop the water supply there. 

I will need to find somebody to help me do up the carpentry works. Hubby mentioned that since the house is going to be dirty, might as well just do the kitchen top as well (since I always complain about the lousy solid surface top the developer gave us). That sounds like a good idea but I can't help but distress over the fact that I'd be the only one who have to unpack the cabinets; clean the dusty house during renovation and pack the cabinets. Not forgetting too, the days where I have to look at basins, kitchen tops, all the reno work sourcing + chauffeuring the girls.   

Initially the man wanted them to put the machine where the vacumn cleaner is. I'm against it as it'll be taking up a space there. In his opinion, he says we can leave everything outside into the laundry room. Wah..... his agaration damn bad siah..... he thinks he can put the ironing board; vacumn cleaner; the cleaning stuffs shelf; the stupid extra trolley shelf ; the tons of laundry stuffs all into that tiny room?? Luckily the guys said the piping there is not suitable for the machine. Phew!   

Washing machine is now at a weird space-consuming position which makes my fat butt difficult to walk through in the yard. and makes opening the machine door so difficult. The only good thing I like is I can leave the clothes on the machine while I hang them up. 

Why do things always come to me just when I thought I have time to relax and do nothing?!?! Decided that since I can't really source or approach any companies now as I'd be leaving for Vietnam in 6 days time, I'll just source for design ideas online. The space is rather small so perhaps not much design I can do also.

25th Oct

After I got back from Vietnam, hubby told me he has to go Bangkok in November and asked when the girls are free. Everyone except che-che is free so we're going with him. 

It's not like I can find a company and they can start work immediately. I also want to source for a new 2-burner stove, a metal sink. Designer probably needs to come over to do measurement also and give quotation, so yah... it's not a simple of just finding one and getting job done in 2 weeks. We're back from BKK for only 15 days before we fly off to Japan. I really can't do anything until after CNY 2023. CNY is on 22nd Jan and many renovation companies would also 收工. Meanwhile will have to tahan the eyesore in the yard area and the mess in the laundry room.

Vietnam 🇻🇳

Went on a 5D4N trip with lil’ one from 20th to 24th Oct

Our 2nd mummy and dotter bonding trip. We’re forever bonding - in Singapore, at home, in car, in shopping mall and overseas. 

 

Snapshots taken from my facebook post. Just coz I’m tired to blog and re-type everything here 

I love Hoi An, I love that old town vibes. 

Vietnam - a land with many surprises. A land with nice food but …. people are not as polite as the Thais. 

Post holiday thoughts

I think it's a really good idea to travel on an organised tour group holiday with Aricia.

Some observations I made during the trip. 

1) she had to eat quickly for 2 reasons 

(a) didn't want to be left behind

(b) paiseh if seen that mummy needs to keep nagging at her to eat quickly

2) she can follow along with the group

But coz we had to rush from place to place, come down from bus go up bus etc.. she was tired. She fell asleep in the bus on the 3rd and 4th day. On 3rd day, she was so tired that she didn’t want to go out for dinner after checking in. All she wanted to do was to shower; eat and sleep. And sleep she did, she overslept the half hour power charge. By the time she fell asleep, the tour mates were already leaving to meet for dinner. Luckily there is a cafe downstairs and I ordered the food before we went into our room. The food was delivered in 15mins. 

Joining the tour with her was a good idea too. Anyway, it’s somewhere near, tour package price also cheap. If it’s somewhere far and more expensive, I’d feel heart pain over the “not worth joining tour”. With the group, I really didn’t have to worry about this and that. Tell us what time to meet; I’ll meet. I simply jump up and down the bus. 

On This Day - 18th Oct #Reminders from FB#

18th Oct 2018

8kg EX-SIN. 13.5kg EX-HKG. Basically all Disney stuffs and 2-3 small metal boxes of cookies.  Although we stayed in TST with shops, malls within reach🤣

#notashoppingperson#

18th Oct 2018

New friends 

18th Oct 2016

Wah.....just like my Tweety Bird. Now I want to tape up her mouth; tie up her hands so she can't remove the tape. 

Ehh...sounds like child abuse 😜

18th Oct 2012

Yay! Daddy is able to come back to watch his daughter's graduation & concert!! Lil' one will be so thrilled when I tell her the news later

The consequences of temp stopping keto

I haven’t been diligently counting my macros for the longest time this year, was just being careful with what I eat and the occasional cheat keto (eg. KFC, chawanmushi etc..). I didn’t put on any weight neither did I go down much BUT I felt equally good knowing what I put inside me. 

Things changed when I decided to stop keto about 2weeks before my birthday, sometime around mid Sep. Initially there was the headache and some discomfort but it got better. Not good news which means it took such a short time for me to kick out of keto as compared to a year before. 

5 weeks have gone and it’s obvious I’ve put on weight. My bulging pregnant tummy came back, my jeans is just fitting to the waist, my face have puffed up a little, my ring finger which is the most reliant evidence has swelled up with water retention. Makes removing my rings harder. So that’s a good gauge that I’ve gained. 

I think I shall be a good girl and just be careful with what I eat after I return from Vietnam and before I leave for Japan in December. Won’t be counting macros but sometimes just being careful with the sugar and carbs and the keto seasonings will help me a little, until I think next year 2023 I shall be good and be extremely strict on myself and target to lose more weight as compared to my attempt in 2021. 

Sometimes too many good food in Singapore is so hard for me to resist temptation. I’m not a good cook to ketofy dishes so I guess occasionally I need that half day cheat to satisfy my greedy palate. 

Just some formality

I didn’t go for the tour briefing last week. Ehh… what else can they say? Pack this; pack that; bring only this amount of money etc.. Of course it’s the chance to see who your tour mates are, but I tell you it’s going to be all the old old people. I bet we’re the second youngest and youngest in the group 🤣. 

So today while the tour guide called me to give me a quick briefing, I was infact on the laptop planning the holiday itinery for our Japan trip. 

She called to tell me to print out vaccination. Yes, ah nia already had everything printed out. I’m more efficient than them k? She was doubtful and confirmed if its from Notorise. Explained I know and it’s with the QR code, I have it on hard copy and on phone. I’m more prepared with everything, even embassy number 😉. Nevertheless, I guess it’s just a formality that she informs everyone in her group. 

 

 

Eyelash perm

I postponed the eyelash perming as I was “taking my exams”. I finally did it on 7th Oct, lil’ one’s second last paper and I was finally able to be in a relaxed mood coz the last paper is her forte subject too. 

I forgot to take picture on the day, but it was so nice. I love it!! No need for eyelash curler I hated the smell though!

Photo taken on 16th Oct, 9 days later. 还是翘翘的。好开心啊！ Definitely 百分百 looks much better than the very first eyelash perm I did before the LR treatments. 

Will I be doing more perms next time? Yes I will, but I'd like to have some in between 'resting period' after it has lost its curls to the next perm. Wouldn't want too much chemical on delicate eyelashes right? Afterall I spent so much money to finally make it longer and more; I wouldn't want to lose it overnight. 

AA application

The school's SEN officer, Ms Kaur, has been extremely helpful. She's been rushing the application for us, even when tutors are all saying it's impossible to get it out now ("it's too late"). Even when I mentioned that SEN officer said she managed to push through before just a month before. 

Perhaps we're the only person she's dealing with now? Coz nobody does it as late as us? Or maybe she prioritise lil' one first as she's the only one taking her major examinations? Nonetheless, this wouldn't have been made possible without her help. 

"by George, she DID IT!"

A thick stack of papers lil' one came back with. First time seeing this. I mean.... there were kids who had all these AA (Access Arrangement) since primary school. She knew about this coz she told me before when in primary school, some students are seated separately, I didn't know what she meant until she needs it.

We applied for every thing. Haha! 

1) extra time

2) breaks

3) printed on A3 paper. Fonts enlarged

4) in a separate room (she asked for this herself coz she didn't want to interrupt the other students when she needs to stand up and walk around. Says it's very noisy when other students stood up to go to toilet or leave the exam hall)

Another special request from me, I asked SEAB if they allow her to use a calculator with bigger numbers coz POA deals with lots of numbers and she mentioned that she's copied wrong numbers before. I can't ask for special request for her Math papers as they use scientific calculators and they only come in that small font size. I emailed them personally but they only came back with a standard "can apply for AA". I think the person who replied me has limited language comprehension? I wrote in simple english and gave all details. So if the staff is hardworking to check her IC number and Student ID she wouldn't have misunderstood my email right? Anyway, I decided to ask Ms Kaur for her help, afterall she's coming in from the school and might help me push them faster.  After a few emails from the school and SEAB, they approved and asked me to get the calculator myself and send them a photo on the model number. 

I'm grateful that SEAB gave us this provision.   

 All was done in time for her Prelims. SEN and teachers were also pleased with the improvement in grades. It's a pity that we didn't get it before her Chinese O'level paper in May. But anyway she did well for the subject too so ....

With the extra time she managed to finish her exam papers. She often miss a few questions behind. With the improvement, she was more optimistic and happier to face her next exams which is the major one.

Part 2 of her finals weeks

I forgot to prepare encouragement cards for her earlier first part of her finals in September. Click here for the extremely short blog posting

PART 2 of her finals just after a week of study break. 

DAY 01 - 4th Oct (Tuesday) 

8am - 10.30am (extra time 30mins included) : MA1

2.30pm - 4pm (extra time 30mins included) : POA1

Encouragement card + sweets from the temple 

Hung her Gelatoni on her water bottle for her. This is what she will see on her table. Comforting? 

Packed her requested soba for her break in between papers 

 Second card to spur her on 

Made a trip to BTRT after dropping both girls in school. 去拜拜 

At the same time to 摆脱师姐 to help me with lighting the lamps for me on a daily basis until next Tuesday. 

DAY 02 - 5th October (Wednesday)  

8am - 9.30am (extra 15mins included) : CHEM

2.30pm - 5pm (extra 30mins included) : MA2

Encouragement card for Day 02

Rushed through cooking her spaghetti with prawns and fishcake (her weird request)

With time to spare after dropping her in school, dropped by temple again. I dunno why, but something tells me I should just drop by today. I’m glad I did. I couldn’t find the lamp I asked them to help me put at 4th floor, so asked around until I realised someone did it and put it in the main hall. 

Words written in my untidy handwriting

Said Chem is a little hard but Math (her archilles heel) is manageable and easier than Prelims. Ok, remain positive. May her results also be good, may there bea bell curve for Chemistry.  

DAY 03 - 6th Oct (Thursday)

2.30pm -  4.35pm (extra time 25mins included) : GEOG

Encouragement card and treats + sweets from temple 

She was so tired in the morning so sent her back to bed to Zzzzz . Cham lah! Today must bor-bi bor-bi 保佑🙏  more. 师姐 helped me this morning 

Asked her to sleep in the car on the drive to school. My goodness! Why is she so tired? She slept well last night. I hope it’s not her anxiety causing disruption to her sleep.

She told me that she took a nap while waiting in school and her Geog teacher asked if she wants to get a cup of coffee which she did and said it helped her a little. I shall prepare coffee for her to bring to school tomorrow – another afternoon paper. The paper is easier than prelims, she chose the correct question so I’m hoping she gets the results that she deserves. She made the wrong choice of question during her prelims which made her lose a lot of marks. Sigh….. 

While revising for next day’s Biology paper, she kept moving from her room to dining area. She brought out her Gelatoni with her, actually very 订位 for me but no choice I had to 忍 .

DAY 04 - 7th October (Friday)

2.30pm – 4pm (extra 15mins included) : BIO

Time flies, it’s the second last paper. Helps that she’s only taking 6 subjects, but after minus–ing her MT, EL and SS she only need to sit for 7 papers. 

I‘m enjoying this birthday a little more coz I don’t have to bother about her last paper next Tuesday. Finally a year where I can relax a little as for so many years the girls are either preparing for exams or having some sort of exams that I have no mood on my birthday at all. 

Encouragement card with fish snack. She finished the whole pack while revising for Biology

Prepared her Caramel Machiatto the night before and chilled it in the fridge. Poured into her thermos flask in the late morning. Her Gelatoni goes into her pencil case today. 

Cooked mee hoon kueh for both her and Che-che’s lunch. Another dreadful afternoon paper so she took forty winks in the car. (I’m beginning to hate afternoon papers. Plus it’s always almost this time that she takes a short nap at home) I went from Marine Parade to Clementi then back to Marine Parade again (reached MParade just in time, so parked at VJC to wait out for her).

She’s feeling so positive over her Biology paper, citing that it’s easier than Prelims. 🤞 fingers crossed; 👀 crossed. 

Walked in PP for a while before adjourning to CoffeeBean, I needed to go for my eyelash perm appointment so settled her there. She first relaxes by watching Boys Over Flowers, an old Korean drama. 

When I came out from Browhaus, she was already doing her work. We sat there waiting for Che-Che who bused down to meet us.

They wanted to try the hotpot here. I thought she wouldn’t do anything here coz she keeps telling me that she has enough practice. But next minute I know, she brought out her paper to do some practices. I’m so worried if she’ll accidentally sweep the eraser dusts into the soup 😂 

I thought she would stop at home since we reached home late. But she continued her work though I did tell her to rest. She didn’t listen so ….. anyway she can wake up later the next day as Mr Teo will only be coming in later in the afternoon. 

SATURDAY - 8th Oct 

Basically did her own self revision. Until Mr Teo came. 

SUNDAY - 9th Oct 

Another self revision day. I’m beginning to love this relaxed bochap lifestyle, just few more weeks of totally don’t do the mother and wifey duties until when I tao-huang-siao and decide to cook. 

MONDAY - 10th October 

Encouragement card #9

Last (or perhaps not) her last chiong to secure that distinction! She was practicing and practicing before Mr Teo came. 

Last tuition with Mr Teo only 2 hours. 

Just love this on my GoodNotes. Muahaha! 

Brought her down to temple at Sengkang to 拜拜. Brought her to Compass One to relax and pack dinner coz I know she will chiong for her favourite subject today and tomorrow. 

Note to self : must remember to prepare kopi for the kopi-阿嫂. Don’t care if she can’t sleep tomorrow night after drinking コーヒー,     she can jolly well stay awake and start tidying up her study table and room 😬.

Did some practice after her dinner. This one, very self- motivated when it comes to POA.  

DAY 05 - 11th Oct (Monday) 

YES!! *jubilant dancing* 💃🏼 

Encouragement card #10 and may she get a perfect 10 score 😅

An almost daily supplements. Refuses to take Mindwise so … better than nothing at all. 

(1) The question I get asked often “does chicken essence help?” Honestly I have no idea but she likes it so I give it to her all the time during exam period

(2) pearl powder. It’s usually given to her x2 in afternoon and x2 night on normal schooldays since she had her sleepless nights, blog entry HERE. Ideally we’re suppose to give after breakfast and before bedtime, but coz I give her 泡渗虫草 in the mornings so I try not to mix them. 

(3) vitamin C to build up immunity. See this skinny girl like can collapse faint anytime 😂

I do change about the 泡参虫草，sometimes it’s the grinded ones which I haven’t packed into the capsules. 

师姐 helped me this morning 

 

Transferred her chilled kopi into her thermos flask and —>

We’re ready to go. Set off at 1.22pm for her to report at 1.45pm. 

ALL THE BEST mei-mei!