MIA

All the posts are really late, anyway I've talked about taking a short hiatus with my blogging. I think I can't; I'm addicted to this. Yet again I find my blog is getting boring and boring each day. Well... I'm not Xiaxue bringing in hundreds of readers each day ( I think or maybe it's more) and I am not a good writer - I am only good in complaining about everything else except myself that's because I'm a Saint.. Hee! I have alot of things which I want to write about, but it means alot of linking here and there; alot of reading up on my part = more time taken up. And I'm already so exhausted each day. I will try to do my best so I will not let my fans down. K? So please continue to support meeeeeeeeeeeee.

K, so the updates of what the heck I've been doing - the past 2 weeks (almost coz' of all the late entries). I'm practically alone, had the most boring weekends. Really! Okay, apart from Ignatius's birthday party on the 7th I only had another weekend - which is today. Why boring? I've been such a good girl, basically head off to mom's place after I drop the kids in school. Download the books and print out etc.. and after I pick Aricia up - she naps and I staple the books up etc.. when the children come home they both give me hell.(infact chaos starts in the car - will detail that later on) I can't do much of printing at home coz' printer head is probably spoilt. I do other things, I sleep late. The cycle goes on day in; day out.

Tuesday - 10th
Athena came back home and told me "mummy, on Friday I want to buy you a cookie. A heart-shape cookie. You must give me $2." Of course I didn't oblige her, told her if she wants to get me something- a Valentine cookie; it must be from her not me. She whined "but I have no money... you always ask me to ....." "Alright, you don't have to put your money in the piggybank from today onwards till Friday. Let's see how much you can save from today onwards." She has $1 left from her allowance today.

Wednesday - 11th
The best part of me being so hardworking daily is that I manage to do quite alot (but still alot more to do) of printing in such short time; the worst part is I FELL SICK!! Yah lor.... all the lack of sleep gives me the heatiness (the things that mom always tell me) then sick lor. I fell sick for 2 days. And when I'm sick, home sessions still continues. Actually, I should have seen the symptoms of my "mental illness" this afternoon, I was already tired but was given the strength to continue on nagging at Athena; going through her assessment books with her. KZ helped me with all the homework that Aricia needs to do for both Shichida and Ros's. Really thanks to her help! But I feel so guilty that I can't spend time doing that with Aricia. But I don't trust her with Athena either. How? How to spilt myself into 2?

Thursday - 12th
Thursday,the long day, I was flat out but I perservered on. Somehow things took for the worst during Aricia's Shichida class. I suddenly felt so giddy and that girl had to sweep her hands across the table when we were doing LM - 10 cards all over the place. Woah! That was it! I think I must have faked my giddiness coz' how the heck I knew what was going on right?? But no, mind still ok and then I couldn't take it and just carried her from my lap and stand her on the floor. Her reaction was very subtle but her tears just trickled down immediately... now when I think back, I feel so heartpain. Apparently not only that, one other activity she did made me lose my patience.
End of class, sensei suggested to the whole class to do 5 mins suggestion. Ehh......not that I don't know I'll probably konked out even before the 5 mins is up - I was that exhausted. She did ask me later when she saw me outside the class. Infact J did ask me too, they probably felt I was very grumpy (PMS) old lady or just not my usual cheery self. I needed the rest badly but my shift is not up, still have OT to do. Thank goodness Athena did co-operate with me @ Berries (though she still continued to cling onto me) sigh...... and while I try to shake off that girl; another girl kept yakking in her sharp voice "mummy take out socks; mummy take out socks" and clinging onto me to get my attention. Argh!!!! Now I've got two kids koalas clinging onto me. Honestly, I wonder if anyone has got such interesting and highly drama life as I do have. Thanks to Annie who always come to my rescue.

Brought Aricia back home, did home session with her. I used my another MP3 player to play the CDs.. iPhone still in hubby's office- the session is so smooth without her getting fidgety. Had some time to play some games with her. She's so much better now, she used to fight with me in class. I went to buy her a 6-grid to get her interested, she was. Started playing on first day and now picks up the book herself to do. Today, she decided to pick this 12-grid to do all by herself. So proud of her. Actually I still have my other almost similar toys which I will let her play and then subsequently (when she do not know) introduce her the Math and English ones.

Aricia didn't want to follow me to Berries so I left to pick her up alone. Athena asked to go to the playground. And I obliged her coz' I don't intend to do anything with her at home later except to revise her 听写. One grandma spoke to me while we were waiting for the children at the playground, and I thought wow! this is a high class ah-ma coz' she's really well groomed (which puts me to shame) and she speaks really well. Then I found out that her grand-daughter is also in an IJ school and she herself was also an IJ girl. No wonder she spoke so well! She related so many things to me about "her time" in the pinafore which I found it hilarious. Oh, I remember asking her if her granddaughter went in by Phase 2B - religion - why didn't she try for IJ Toa Payoh or St Nics, the better schools. She said there will be ballotings (based on past years') so they didn't want to try. Wah... I thought it's more or less a guaranteed space?? Isn't it heart-stopping just to enrol your child for a school in Singapore? Still, I must thank my blur/ illiterate (then English-illiterate) mom and their neighbour's (who is now my brother's Godma)help so that I am able to put my children in. Like what MH said,"paving way for our next generation". Then again, we wouldn't know if next time the school enrolment phases would still be the same. ??
During my brother's time :
Mom was lucky, hers was probably the last phase of the dunno how many phases. (don't ask me to ask her, she wouldn't have any idea herself). And she was lucky to get balloted. And at that time, they were staying closeby in Frankel or was it Pulasan Rd? - so I don't know if that was factored in as well or they just ballot everyone.
And then when it came to my "attempted murderer" sister, she was registered in the first phase coz' of the brother (St Stephen) and sister (IJ Katong Primary & IJ Opera Estate) school. *note: it's a slight deviation with the current Phase 1 coz' St Stephen had been an all-boys school all along*

Counted her $, I told her she has $3.10. If she wants to get 1 or 2 cookies? If 2, then I'll deduct 90c from her Friday's allowance. That greedy girl asked to buy 2, KZ gave her $4 to buy 2 for her.
After that, I went to bed at 8.20pm. Really knocked out, I heard the kids fighting for less then 10 mins and I only woke up when my alarm clock rang. My record - 9 hours of sleep. Wo ho!

Friday-13th
Not completely well, spilting headache mebbe from the 9 hours of sleep. I noticed Aricia's right eye is much smaller & redder. The previous day it was a little red, I thought it was her scratching accidentally so brought her to school. But since it didn't get better, I brought her to the doc at mom's place. It's not sore eyes and there's no need for antibiotics. Good thing I didn't bring her to school - so that I can do massive printing and downloading for that 6 hours straight.
This time, I picked Athena up at 4.15pm only to see the "no cars". Oops! Some kids around the gate area still - but I saw her grumpy face and her always complainy self "mummy, why are you so late? All my friends go back home already!" Okay, I shall time myself again next Friday. The previous week, there was a massive jam even at 4pm and I only reached the school gate at 4.11pm.
I asked her about the cookies and she said that she is only allowed to buy 1 cookie. And she was so happy continued rattling "and mummy I bought something from the bookshop. My friends asked me to buy.".......goash if I have a weak heart, I'd get a heart attack. All the interrogation and her miscalculation, I thought she used KZ's money to buy the plastercine. Mummy preached out all the wisdoms nagged (as usual).Nope, she didn't use her money at all, but she used the other $2 to buy the plastercine. Should I be pleased with what she did? Hmm... still young, don't understand.

In the morning, I remembered I was suppose to ask KZ something. The day before, she helped me to clean the car interior when hubby came back. I helped him dish out his dinner, and that's when I saw my stove turned on with slow fire, heating up the soup.
I asked her,"did you leave the stove on yesterday." She either feigned ignorance or tried to delay time by answering me pretended didn't understand me and tried to clarify with me. And then her excuse was "oh... that time I went to clean the car, I forgot to turn off." I told her off immediately that she shouldn't lie to me coz' mom had told me she saw her leaving my stove on - esp for soups - and then the water gets lesser and ingredients gets mashy and very saltish etc.. Think she didn't expect me to say this out. And then she said," I keep the soup hot for Sir."
"How would you know what time Sir is coming home. If he comes home late, are you going to leave the stove on for that long? First, it's dangerous. If a plastic bag or paper is blown into the fire, you'll burn my house down. You know we always like to leave the plastic bags around that area for you to fold and keep. Second, you're wasting our gas which is money. You want to keep the soup hot, put it in the slow cooker. But let me tell you, there's no need to put soup in slow cooker. You can always turn on the stove and heat up the soup; dish out the rice first and by then the soup will be hot." Her reaction? - stun. Didn't expect a lie to be uncovered so soon from me.

Slept early again, not as early as last night but not too bad considering that I had 12 hours of sleep. Which means I haven't been checking my emails for the past 3 nights? Athena begged me to let them sleep in the room but I gave her my reasons.

Saturday - 14th
Remember I mention about my lonely days?? Has been happening for quite a while already, if hubby is not outstation he's at home busy working. I'm really saddled with my kids, and if I was looking forward to getting a break from the kids - it's a strict no-no. I want to throw the kids to him, he throw them out of the room coz' he's working. When he's not in SIN, Athena pretends by telling me "I want to sleep with you coz' you'll be scared in the room." *ahem ahem*, I throw them out of the room too coz' I want to do my printing in the room.
And so, I know this weekend is a goner as well and I'm dying to go out. And what Valentine's Day?? I spent my Valentine's Day showing my love to Athena by telling her off, keeps telling me "so difficult, I cannot" when practising her piano. And I am so sick of hearing this sentence from her, don't know why she lacks confidence. No wonder Master Tan says this girl needs alot of "pushing". Buay tahan, every time I "push her" my life shortens. Athena made a card for all of us. So touching...

Dinner : we headed to HM. I wanted to get a new printer from Harvey Norman. I bought Epson again, coz the cartridge is cheaper than HP and I do massive printing so logically speaking should go for value for money. Will discard my current printer soon. I was eyeing on Samsung laser... the quality print but ahem ahem no money no talk. Now, I'm hoping to download the rests of the books and print from home. Too much shuttling also very tiring, I need to gym soon.

I gave hubby the best best Valentine's present ever!

Anyway, I have cartridges to let go. All brand new, compatible brand (brand name-Parrot) of :
Epson's T0631 - Black x1
Epson's T0632 - Cyan x3
Epson's T0633 - Magenta x3
Epson's T0634 - Yellow x3
Bought at $8 each, willing to let go at $5 each.
*They are not in the box though still in vacumn packed (to save space in my compartment)
These cartridges can be used on Epson Stylus C67, C87, CX3700, CX4100, CX4700
Please leave message here, thanks!

Sunday - 15th
I love my hubby deep deep *smooch smooch* that I passed him my germs. Hahaha!

And I got so pissed off with KZ again. I was woken up by Athena's commotion of trying to puke and saying "soap in the cup" complaining over and over again. I heard KZ saying "there's no soap in the cup, where got?" I went out and asked Athena what happened, she told me "there's soap in her cup of water. Aunty Zet never wash the cup properly....etc..." When she said that, all KZ did was to sit there with her eyes looking at her own food and not caring what happened. And I wonder if she also ignored my poor Aricia that time too. I chose to believe Athena and told KZ to "wash the cup properly next time". Guess what? She never argued with me before, actually said to me "I always wash my cup properly." I was quite taken aback by her response but it's okay... I've handled tough passengers this is peanuts to me. I saw her expression changed and she didn't talk much after that. I tolerated. I didn't bother to ask her if she wanted to go out with us, told hubby to ask her. She said no, and then she's not her usual self. Good! Let us spend some time as a family.

We went to Suntec, but first to Athena's POP EYES (Popeyes) at the Singapore Flyer. That girl waste food again!! Must let her go hungry... she's too choosy.
It was a short 5 hours family time but it equates to my 10 weekdays of house-taming. I didn't do home session with Aricia, neither did I do anything with Athena. Good thing, she picked up her Chinese reader to read. It's such a stress-free day, no wonder none of my friends like to "spoil my relationship with my child" when I talk about mothers being the best teacher for the child.

I had promised to bake with Athena but since we were out most of the day, I told her to do drop cookies instead. With that kind of timing, she was only allowed to do 2 plates and I did the rests - until close to 2am. (typing in room while cookies in oven).

Anyway, in the evening time from the time we got back home she still didn't make the usual noise she normally does. I was mixing the cookie dough when she was feeding Aricia. I didn't see what happened but heard Aricia (sitting in highchair) crying for her water. She sat there oblivious to all the cries and continued spooning Aricia's food and blowing cold the food for her; I stood at the kitchen doorway observing. No response until I got frustrated and went over to pick up. And she said "she purposely throw the bottle", when I saw Aricia struggling to put her bottle of water on the table, I wanted to push her highchair forward and KZ said "she can kick the table and move the chair". I kept quiet, I've seen Aricia doing that before so it's logical that she kept the distance between the table and highchair. But I suppose that's also the reason why Aricia threw her bottle on the floor in frustration earlier after trying so hard to reach the table to place it there. Somehow, I heard the "okay, okay. You come down." - shouting voice at Aricia and she was slamming the highchair. *tolerate*

After that, I asked her to the room and talked to her. "Do you have anything you want to tell me? Anything that you want to say about what happened this morning." she kept quiet and shook her head.
"Fine, I have something to tell you. I am really disappointed in your behaviour this morning, you argued back (perhaps being in SQ, you expect your subordinate to eat the humble pie and apologise) at me when I told you off. You showed me a black face and you didn't behave like you normally would. I can always hear your laughter and voice but today you chose to be quiet tells me that you're not happy with me. Correct? (she kept quiet)
You've been with me for 2 years plus and this is the first time I'm going to talk to you and I hope it's the last. I never had this problem with you before, normally I tell you off you'll respond back with a "okay mum". I've always trusted you and since you were here, you noticed I've always treated you as a family. I correct you when neccesary and nicely, when my children are rude to you I tell them off. I'm a very fair person, I don't let my children bully you. But today, I choose to believe Athena. You know why? Coz' if Athena were to say there's clothes detergent inside the cup I will tell her she's lying. But she said it's the soap. I think there can be a possibility of some accidents. I know you love my children (reverse psychology) & that you wouldn't do harm and put soap in their cup. But there can be accidents when after you wash the cup, maybe the soap did drip into the cup? Coz' you must remember the space around our sink, you think clothes detergent can go in the cup? I know it's very irritating to hear her complaining all the time, you know she complains all the time. Just let her be, I did scold her earlier on too for complaining too much. But don't you think it's good that it's her who complained? A 7 year-old child, what happens if it's Aricia? Who can't tell you that much in a sentence, she probably drank the soap and something will happen to her.
When I tell you to wash the cup properly, I told you nicely but your argument was uncalled for. It probably made you angry thinking that I'm accusing you of harming my children but it also made me angry when you still don't understand between me 'telling you off nicely' instead of what other employers do - shout. I can shout at my kids but not you coz' you're already 28 and I don't see any reason for me to shout at you. I still want to continue trusting you, unless you want to show me otherwise...
Do you have anything to tell me?"
(shakes head and started crying) - I walked out of the room after that. I choose not to mention anything about the dinner coz' I must admit it's quite a handful when it comes to feeding Aricia but I'll be monitoring her behaviour towards my children.

Did I do the right thing?

*photos uploaded later*

Ignatius is 2-tu-ing - 7th Feb

Fast forward 5 months later after Aricia's birthday is Ignatius's. He had his birthday party @ mom's place.

The children had fun in the small Thomas train playhouse... a few children walking the "train" from inside. Funny to see their legs below and the smallest feet had to be my mei-mei's! Was so worried if she might topple and get trampled inside, but she was as gila as the boys. Sigh...... The birthday boy? He refused to go in.

SIL bought the bubble blower, a hit with the children. And I must admit I kindda like the Gazillion bubbles machine they bought. I was worried about the soapiness and kids tripping on the floor, but it was uncalled for. It leaves no mark at all. Simply marvellous! But I'm not going to tell my kids, coz' they're still restricted to the bathing area when they're playing with bubbles.

I tried to take a few shots of him but he didn't co-operate with me + the lousy camera + the lousy photographer= lousy shots.

Cake time.... the cousins were trying to put out the candles for him. And... I always love to see the expression on mei-mei's face and how excited she is clapping along.

Video :

Mumblings

Allowance
Her daily allowance is $1.50. I would think that's alot of money considering that we were only given 1/3 less. But with inflation, I thought $1 may be too little? She comes back with approx 70-80 cents extra daily. This morning, I gave her $2.50 coz' she has a long day in school. Don't know if it's too much again.. will see how.

Bento
I haven't forgotten this, I stopped coz' I wanted her to learn to eat faster during recess time. I want to bento for her on some days, otherwise all those stuffs I bought online will be a good resting place for ants.
Then again, there's another worry - I can't get up early. Coz' I sleep at 3+, and set my alarm at 5.30 but in actual fact jumps out of bed at 6am. Why sleep late? I have things to do which I can't seem to do much in the day time.

Home sessions
I have this choice of either perservering on or just give up and idle my time away. With my free time, I don't have to get so worked up everyday nagging at Athena to hurry up with her lunch and shower, I don't have to keep looking at the clock. With my free time, I can let them go crazy; run amok without caring much. With my free time, I can simply leave them at home while I go out to enjoy myself. But will I do it? Nope! It's unlike me.
I see the results in Aricia. She's not that superbly smart like some kids who can read books at 2, but she can recognize the words. And I mean words like "big hug", "sad mummy" etc..Woah! Chinese - must work hard on it. She's still very Japanese. Haha! I did cut down on their Anpan man DVD though......can't stand having two kids trying to spout Japanese but the pronunciation is horrible at times.

This week
Entries are very late, as usual. I had been busy printing things; saving files in my thumbdrive at mom's place. I can't seem to do it at home coz' I can 't download them in, server administration problem = STARHUB again! Damn! Any Starhub staff reading this blog? It's giving me alot of problems. I think they hear my voice also try to avoid me.
Okay, so the problem lies with them which is inconveniencing me coz' I paid for the online reading already and have to get them all printed out. I have one year to do it slowly, but it's unlike me to do things half way (rolls eyes.... whatever has happened to me organizing the holiday album??) so I choose to quickly print out everything within 2 weeks. . And with those extra materials I have, it will supplement with my current resources.

Wednesday was my major shopping day prior to Athena's music lesson, I needed to shop for Iggy's birthday present; supermarket for a little groceries; a new Ipod ? In the end, I thought I was so dumb... I have an iPhone what?! I went to get a small speaker instead (according to staff, the 3G iPhone can't be used on this) This JBL is a good buy, it was selling for $100+++. I didn't know that Courts had a promotion and it was selling at $99.

I liked this when I saw it many months back so had to lay my hands on it. Athena loves it and asks me to put it in their room. Actually it's not my main purpose. I needed to try to put all the audio tracks into a player and then my home session with Aricia can go smoothly. Usually I need to keep changing discs.. it's making her a little bored now with the time wasted. And it's making me frustrated too! So with the speaker, I can simply press the songs and it plays.

And then all the problems comes.... what .cda format? what .mpg format? I thought I could just bring them into iTunes and then syncronize it. Easy peesy right? No......all the different formats had to confuse me and I had to download free programs to convert; I'm wasting more time instead. Duh!

Then I tried to copy files over into my another MP3 player (btw, I bought another after throwing the stupid LeMon one away) coz' that's easier to do. Also cannot! Format wrong!

Tried again, this time I can't seem to delete the old music files in iTunes. I deleted the program and reload. Managed to get everything in after I figured out how to get the MP3 or WMA format. Click to syncronize and an update notice comes in. I was that blur... afterall I had already spent almost one hour figuring out this IT technie thing.. and I click OKAY. Shucks! Guess what? Updated US software, my bloody phone can't work!! Now will have to wait for hubby to help me bring to office to ask the IT guy to convert it back to SIN for me.(I think he's going to kill me) Have to use my previous phone, I don't mind but coz' I had alot of 'reminders' in my phone for tomorrow. Speaking of which, I am so tempted to download those Games Applications but I don't think we can purchase anything from iTunes right (non US)? So why the heck get a cheaper phone from the US when there's this barrier?

Okay, my suay luck not only ends here. In the afternoon, since I still couldn't get the songs into either player - I used my lappie. It did play though I have to wait for a while for the music to load (too much space taken?) and I thought since I'm using my lappie, I might as well show Aricia the CD-rom flashcards. I've tried plugging it to the TV cable and it can be viewed on TV before, today.......dunno what happened - nothing is projected on screen. Argh! #$%^, it was working fine the last time I used.

Still not enough, need to be even more suay. I need holy water. I tried printing something for mei-mei. And the black & white ink don't come out except for colours. And I guess I've done alot of excessive printing, probably the head is a little spoilt. So, now I'm going to finish the last two stacks of A5 flashcard papers + all the inks I bought. Then I shall change printer. This time round, I think I shouldn't get such a heavy duty paper - 300 gsm. Other than that the scanner is still working fine. Hmm....maybe get a laser printer? Now that I'm printing using brother's computer & printer, I have to buy the cartridge for them. And HP's cartridge is so expensive!! I buy compatible versions for my home computer - afterall I do so much flashcards printing will feel the pinch if I get the original Epson.

Athena

If there's an award Athena should deserve, it should be "Miss Helpful" - too helpful infact!

One day, she tells me "I helped XXX find her jacket. I went with her to the office to find, I help her ask." (don't know how true with that last sentence of hers coz' she always refuse to talk to strangers). Then on Tuesday, she tells me "XX told me she cannot find her wallet, I went with her to find her wallet, then she had to go home.. I continue help her find, mummy tomorrow I have to go to school very early to help her." huh? Miss Helpful is a nicer term, should be Miss Kapo

Twice I praised her for being so helpful but she shouldn't miss class for that reason next time.

Happy that she's so goody..... but then why the heck is she so reluctant to help at home? Why is she always whining at home when we ask her to do something?

I keep forgetting to write this down until Mel's entry reminded me. Many a times when I had to discipline Aricia, Athena will come over to help her; hug her and sayang her. Trying to block for mei-mei. She's nice and probably easy to exploit by her friends with her sensitivity. But then her sensitivity also comes with the extreme opposite behaviour, when she taunts me with the stupidest things. You know what I mean? When I say she was a good baby, she was and can still be - just that most times she decides she wants to anger everyone (and of course to me more since I'm with her all the time) which makes me utterly disappointed in her, coz' she can be a good girl.

Stickers
On Wednesday, she told me that she bought stickers from the bookshop. I bit my tongue when she said that. I wouldn't want her to be a spendthrift.. but then I kept quiet and thought to myself that I shouldn't nag at her this time round.
I shouldn't have done that coz' on Thursday, she told me (again) she bought another sticker. Oi! I told her not to buy it all the time. If she keeps spending, it means that her daily allowance is alot of money so I will cut her allowance.

Invited!

We had a great pleasure of being invited over to J's house, to get our 3 kids together for play & for the mothers to gossip. You'd be surprised how much S and I managed to catch up, usually she'll rush off to do her errands after she brings J for her class. We should do this more often for the mummies' friendship and the childrens' friendship. Photos (not much coz' was busy talking)

So fast?

Athena came home with 2 booklets of Catholic Welfare Tickets. So fast?!?!

I bought one booklet from her, and asked her to try to solicit for business for the next booklet. She stared at me with pouted lips (she was hoping that I'd help her buy everything). Nope! Still have more to come in the year/s to come.

And to make sure she don't "spend the money", I put them in a ziploc bag.

She looks blur, dunno what the heck is going on. But oh well, she'll get the hang of it.

Funny!

On Wednesday, Athena told me "mummy, I am the monitor and leader." My reaction was rather sacrastic. I didn't say anything but laughed. I thought "huh, her quality also can be a monitor?" I know you'll say I think too negative of her. Well.........I know my daughter better than anyone, so I was surprised with her ah-nia-nia quality she still can be a monitor?!?! But nonetheless proud of her lor..her mother wasn't even a monitor at all! Then I started my preaching about how her teacher must have liked certain qualities of hers to select her so she must prove that she do a good job etc....

She was so proud of it and then I called to tell my family. Later in the night, after we got back home. Hubby asked her and her reply was "yah....until this Friday." ?!?!?!?

Friday? That means the monitor takes turns? Wah! Make me preach to her for nothing!!

A

A, is my secondary school classmate and I met her today. We were talking about our school days (she was from IJ Katong Pri) and she mentioned she had a fun time in school too.

You should see her reaction when we both went to fetch Athena. The moment we were at the main street, her feelings were aroused and she brought out her camera to take pics of the school. I can understand how she feels when she kept asking me "can go in? can go into the school?" Then when she saw the school uniform......... ha! should tell her to quickly give birth to a daughter.

Thoughts

It's 9.12am now and here I am hoarding a 4 seater table in Macs trying to complete the long-winded 三字经 (Three Character Classic) flashcards.(apparently Athena was taught this in N2 or was it K1 so I hope to teach Aricia.)
It's the second time I'm doing flashcards here, I think they will start recognizing my face n kick me out the next time they see me. I see a Wireless@sg logo right infront of me. Maybe next time I shall try to bring my lappie n use their plug? Allowed? Afterwards *poomf* whole Macs blackout?!?! I get my pix plastered in all Macs across the island. *instant fame*

All the rubbish talks, its interesting to see what happens on weekday mornings (when all the while I had been lazing in bed for so many years at this time). I see ah-mas n ah-gongs exercising and then they come into Macs. Here in Macs, I see people from all walks of life except young children/toddlers who are either in school or at home sleeping. Students gossiping; students doing their work chats. Next to my table is a group of JC students from TJ and VJ. They talked about childish things (well not childish to them). They sounded so young and innocent and I feel so old....and I am only 33 *gasp* 34 this year!!!! Shit! Hitting mid 30s soon.....

Mind wondering about now as I am wasting time to meet A later.
>> I wonder if next time my children will also pontang school without our knowledge??
>> Recalling my old school days I am thankful that I have two girls in walking through the same "those wonderful days I had". (I'm not going to talk about my 'kept pontang-ing 1st 3 months attachment' where we could hardly hear what the A. Math teacher was talking about. Where I struggled with my hopeless Chinese, where I almost hated GP until one paper we did was about our Education System - oh boy! I really wrote well for that paper of mine - was very critical about it. Haha! And I decided that although my grades permitted me to go JC, I refused to go in to suffer and probably fail.)

Beginning with my secondary school in KC. (though I hope my childrens' grades will put them in a better secondary school) We always have Book n Music Week, which probably explains why the school nurtured so many successful journalists, newscasters, TV artistes. And of course not forgetting the people who really stands out are the best actresses of them all - the Singapore Girls. Yes, I mean our SQ girls. You'd be surprised too how many KC girls there are inside.
In school, I was in the school choir - soprano ( so that's where I got my 长 气 and loud voice from) so we also had to put up performances. We were involved with SYFs too! Can be enjoyable coz we have the excuse to skip lessons for rehearsals etc...

At one year too, we had this mass IJ school performance (think it was for SYF?) where all the IJ schools come together in a performance. With that huge amount of students, it was a massive performance of fairies. I think it must be awesome for the spectators. We couldn't see it, we just ran in when it's our turn. And I really wonder how I managed to see... we had to go spectacle-less and I was as blind as a bat!! Lucky thing I didn't trip and fall.

We have mass twice a term, or was it once? After being exposed to masses for so many years, i know the sequence n of course hubby was surprised when I knew what to respond, I only don't receive communion otherwise I can be mistaken for a Roman Catholic. Then it also means I have perfected doing the 'sign of the cross' it will take some time for Athena to do it properly too. Now its hilarious to see her poking herself everywhere. When it came to mass, I like it coz I'll be singing to my hearts content or talking.

We clean up our classroom before the last month-long term starts.

We didn't have lockers until I think it was my last year, n its not 1 for 1. Can't really recall how those people got it. Pay $? We can't leave textbooks inside lockers coz the teachers do spot-checks. We left our books under the table (I think the teachers knew n closed one eye). For me, I'll do my homework in class while waiting for the next teacher to come in n leave it there. My schoolbag is really light. Once there was a surprise spot check going on during recess time. Good thing some of us hang around in the classroom at that time, our classmate the Vice Head Prefect came in to tell us. Wah piang eh..... Everyone panicked like crazy, help to throw ours and the rests of the classmates' books somewhere and everywhere. And boy! We had a hard time retrieving it later. Some came back blur didn't know what happened but we were really united if u think back.
And I remember too we had to change to PE T-shirt when it's PE time and change back to our blouse after our PE. We'd close the doors and draw the blinds. We all mastered the art of stripping quickly. Once dunno which idiot classmate screamed "ahh...man!" We all screamed. Siao eh! I don't think it was the man (cleaner or teacher) deliberately looking at us.

Celebrations : All work n no play makes Jills dull girls. We seem to celebrate this and that. And I love Teachers Day, we put up performances for teachers. In return our teachers performed hilarious skits for us. We had Mrs Norris (God bless her soul) who is really good, and we had male teachers exposing their hairy legs donning funny costumes. Oh my! We had the most sporting teachers! Wolf whistles and all, real boisterous lot of KC girls.

Haunted stories? I don't think there was any coz' we were in the new premises.

2.4km run : Run around the place and hopefully spot for any handsome VJC boy. Hahaha! And I don't know what "hide in the bushes" thing some girls in Facebook were talking about. Duh! How come I don't know?!?! Stupid me run the whole 2.4km until shorts dropping; hair dropping; panting like siao!

Ohhhh!!! How can I forget this!! The famous lovebirds of KC girls and St Pat's boys and the LOVE BRIDGE. Whoever started this stupid naming?! I hardly used that bus-stop coz' it's really crowded. I'd walk to the other " No love at all bridge" bus stop, better chance of me getting on the bus.

Many things to share; too much to write here.

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On to Primary School, it was on that steep hill up Jln Khairrudin. Every morning I worry for my dear life when we have to go down that steep slope down from Siglap Road, it's like SFO's Lombard Street. Down and up the hill, every day we go through roller coaster ride.
There's a roundabout we have to go through which is lined with frangipani trees. And then kids starts telling ghost stories about pontianaks appearing next to frangipani trees etc... sometimes I am forced by mom to alight there instead of the main area and oh boy! if I am in the morning session.. I started saying Hail Mary even though I'm not Catholic and start running for my dear life.
That building is old and spooky and maybe those ghost stories were made up, but even if it is fake - the spookiness of the building was scary enough. Freak! We seem to have ghost everywhere (kids just tell stories) - the music room; the toilets; the field; the ...??? We're practically studying alongside ghosts. The scaredy cat me tried to wait for someone to raise her hand for permission to go toilet and I'll try to go. If I can't hold, I make a dash in/out of the toilet. Didn't even dare to look into the mirror. So now I don't even want to tell Athena about any ghost stories for fear that she'll not want to go toilet alone.

I had my books flung out of the windows eh.... dunno how many times. Geez... I think the teachers are not allowed to do that now. (And FYI the teacher who did that is still teaching in the school).

I wasn't a class monitor (how to be when my books fly out of window?) but I was a responsible cleaner! Every day my mom comes to pick me up from school, I'd run out to her to tell her to wait for me coz' I have to sweep the floor; throw the rubbish away. Then she'd ask "how come it's always you." Ahem.. yup sometimes I'm rostered sometimes not but... think about it I was really honest (dunno how to run away from duties) and responsible. And so this time round, when Athena came to tell me on Wednesday that she's a monitor and leader, I told mom & mom's response was "is she going to clean the classroom too?" I bursts out laughing.

Yah yah not a monitor but I was a librarian. And the teacher in charge is Ms Rabot (still teaching). I remember how this friend and myself would go "Sshh....silence please" when our voice is louder than the students in the library. Fun! It was real fun. Stamping the date to return on a slip of paper in the front page of the book, take out a card from it and slot it in the students' card holder and place it in the library folder. Stamp and stamp, this time round also stamp and stamp. ( stamp "Excellent" , "Good Job" etc.. in her assessment books)

During recess time, I love to hang around the bookshop (which I'm sure Athena does that sometimes too..otherwise how can she ask me for increase in allowance at 2nd week) and see/touch the erasers; pencils etc.. Other than that, it was off to play zero-point, yeh-yeh, five stones, run in the huge field (only to have some stupid idiot screaming "Japanese soldiers" and we run back screaming.) or sometimes we can gather the twigs and make a house for ourselves on the ground.

There's also the time we all have to squat infront of the long drain to brush our teeth. And once in a while we have to pop the red colour tablet (I hated that so I always bring it back home for my sister) into our mouth.

Performance :
Once we had a celebration for ?? maybe it was our School Anniversary? All of us had to put up performances, if I'm not mistaken I was P3. And I was doing a coconut dance. Whole time dance at home (so excited mah!) until I break the coconut. And then mom had to go to the market to get another coconut shell for me and did the painting for me.
On the night of the performance (note it was night time), we had to dance barefooted and it had rained earlier. So the field was wet and soggy - yucks! Once we finish our performance we had to leave the field by running to the end of the field and go up the walkway, so the next performance can come in. Some children were screaming "eekkks...worms worms." And all of us were scared and making alot of noise, and also we knew we were nearing the end of the field. And the break came when some stupid idiot child screamed "Japanese soldiers!!" That was it, we all screamed even louder and ran like siao. Quite a mayhem but it's really funny when I think back.

Donations :
We always have to sell things to raise funds. Catholic Welfare tickets, paper weights and dunno what nots. I wasn't good in money, or should I say I was rather forgetful. Everytime I get payment for the sale, I put the money somewhere and then forgot about it. One fine day, dig my pocket and then happy like crazy, tell mom "mummy, you see I found money." And then I went to spend it away. Ha! Guess who had to top up the money for me. I must teach Athena how to handle when the time comes, I don't want to top up the $$ for her.

I had such fun time in school and now that Athena tells me she loves school, I am :
1) relieved. No worries of a clinging girl clinging on my fat thighs, pulling my blouse
2) happy. Coz' I'm sure she'll tell her children next time how much her school brings her fond memories.

I'm tagging Mel & Yvonne!!

Sick Tooth-Fairy!

During a tussle with KZ, Athena playfully dropped her head to the cushion and out pop her tooth. The tooth that was hanging for 'dear life'. OMG! She cried so loud I thought she bumped her head or had her finger chopped off. It was that dramatic!

In the night, I asked hubby to help to put the $$ under her pillow. I was too tired to move, I had been having diarrhoea since Tuesday so was so weak. His question was "how about the letter?" Wah.......I'm so tired how to type??

This morning, she didn't look under her pillow. It was only in the evening that she showed me the $10. When we asked if there's any letter, she said "Maybe she was rushing off for her meal, so she didn't have time to write me a letter." ???? Whatever her excuse for the tooth-fairy aka me (the lao-sai tooth fairy), she believes in tooth-fairy. As what F told me, it's good that you continued this make believe, don't kill the thrill; never tell the truth to your child. They have told their children that Santa don't exist and now that she wants to relive the childish fantasy Santa Claus with their children; only to be snapped off "don't be ridiculous mummy. There's no Santa."

Would you continue a make-believe for your child for long?

CNY

Day 1
Left the house at 12pm for PILs place. As usual they're entertained by lil' girl.

Then we headed to mom's place, not before dropping by Marina (River Hongbao - only to see it closed). Nah! Hot sun .....

Too tired to blog more, photos will do the talking. Aricia was so funny, everytime she receives an angpow, she'd come to us and ask us to open her bag (hanging around her neck). She refuses to remove it too!

Day 2
Spent the time with Athena on the piano, doing her work. Ex-colleague dropped by for a visit. I haven't seen her 2 girls for so long, almost couldn't recognize them. So sweet of them to pai-nian.

My parents came by, as usual. Very comical... it's like a tradition thing too that my family will come over to pai-nian with me (not that I've fantastic NY goodies for them)
The children played, can't do much too coz' it's working day/school day the next day.
Hmm........in the afternoon, hubby told me he actually took one day off tomorrow but then he needs to be back in the office and now he has some meeting .... "tao yan, my leave wasted!" Actually poor thing, I noticed he was working over the weekend.

Aricia

The cutesy lil' girl likes to imitate her sister. This afternoon, they were watching しちだの森de wakuwaku 右脳ウ while eating and when the song came on, they started shaking their head from left to right and vv. Comical!

She's been very naughty lately too! She's been throwing things all the time. Argh! Telling her to stop; smacking her hands etc...doesn't seem to help. As what KZ says of her 'precious one',"she not stupid, she very smart. Go one time can recognize place very well. She understand everything but how come she don't understand 'cannot throw' this word?" Yah....I fully agree with KZ.

Home session - I'm so proud of her. When I tried 10 cards with her last year for LM, she flipped the cards all over the place and didn't want to pay attention. I started to get a little worried, thinking it might take her 'many months before she finally realise she has to do 10 instead of 6', by then she'll be close to 3 yrs old. Then these days she proved to me that she can do it, but I must admit she does get a little confuse coz' I'm doing 2 different sets of stories with her. But once she hears the start of the story, she knows.

I don't know what to say about her speech. She's speaking well but she's not pronouncing her words well for me. Argh!!!! Today, she showed daddy how to turn on the computer (he's surprised) and then guess what my girl said? "Window!" and pointed to the icon. Haha! He was even more surprised that she recognizes the word.

Our Reunion Dinner - counted?

Collected our dinner from Crystal Jade at TM in the afternoon. This year, my PILs won't be coming over to our place for dinner so we had our own reunion dinner.... with my mom and brother one day early at mom's place. Haha!
Ordered 金装鲍鱼盆菜组合 Golden Reunion Package for ourselves. When hubby showed me the brochure the previous week before (when we were there for lunch), he pointed to me "we should order this. No need to cook.." I didn't pay attention to what was inside coz' I was more interested in the Treasure Pot Mixed Fruit Cake and Prosperous Cupcakes. But I did notice it was for 10 pax and we don't even have 10 pax?!?! He said we can keep it for days to eat.

After we collected the food, he suggested going over to mom's place for dinner there so more people can help to finish the food. Huh! What more people? Only mom and brother are at home at that time.
When mom saw the food, she mentioned something about "this is 盆菜." I had no idea what it is (yah...I didn 't pay attention to the brochure), I just said "it's claypot what?!" Dumb bimbo's talking!!

Later on, I came across an article in Xinmin Ribao on 盆菜 and the meaning :

十全十美 (completely perfect)
美美满满 (blissful)
团团圆圆 (reunion)
盆满生意兴隆 (prosperous/thriving business)

金装鲍鱼盆菜

The Meat Platter

FOC : Fish gao (x2)

Che-che who just stared at the thing..

After our dinner, we proceeded to Giant to do our shopping. Our grocery-shopping for the week. Ai doh........I'm just not in any mood for CNY this year. (Firstly, I didn't decorate the house as red as possible. I bought this "discounted" Mickey Mouse banner and another Mickey & Minnie Mouse holding onto two scrolls with words on it. It was probably discounted coz' Year of The Rat is coming to an end, they will have to wait for another 12 years to bring it up ...but by then the design is old-fashioned already. I bought it coz' my children liked Mickey Mouse and you can imagine their excitement when they saw it, and started singing the Mickey Club House song. Secondly, I didn't have the time to do shopping for the kids. I will let them wear the clothes they received from mom for Xmas. Thirdly, we didn't even buy any NY goodies until hubby came home with 3 containers of goodies + my 2 bakes. Every year we end up with alot of wastage and discard them so didn't bother to buy any. Didn't even bother to buy BBQ pork, we don't fancy that so much now that we're older.) We don't really know how to cook food with auspicious meanings, so what's the use of buying fish maw or oyster or ...? In the first place, I don't even eat those stuffs!! So our shopping is really grocery-shopping for the week lor! CNY's a time for us to relax at home..

It's close to midnight and I'm printing some things, trying to save space on the lappie. Hubby just left for his friend's house for some card games. A tradition they've been doing for so many years, only once it was held at our place. That time Athena was still small.....I used to join them for 2 years until I found it difficult to bring her along with us and preferred to stay at home. And I didn't even watch the countdown!!

Happy New Year to all!!

Phew!

This week Ah-nia is not as teary... all because of bribery. I hope I don't give her the wrong message but I shall work on her 'too much emotions' slowly.
After a long long long time of coaxing which turned to almost 'want to explode' on my part - coz' I kept asking her the reason and I will try to work on it but she simply refuse to open her mouth. She finally did when KZ intervened. Her reason was "I am very tired."
Being very defensive and argumentative myself, I cited her reasons for tired is ridiculous. Coz' at 5pm every other day she is so wide awake and playing and she's unusually tired on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Nevertheless, I try to work out something.

Wednesday :
I gave her little work to do, and asked her to rest. She was still playing and I gave her a warning that she has no excuse to complain that she's tired later on. She continued her light playing and then we left the house.
I bought her something to bribe her - a Hello Kitty make up set from Watsons - and I will only give it to her if she didn't cry.
It worked! She went in to the classroom by herself.

Thursday :
I asked KZ to help me pack easy lunch for Athena so that I can let her eat in the car without any spillage (no soupy dish). So she spent the time eating in the car, didn't have the appetite to finish everything so I left it at that.
When I reached HHub, all I did was to feed Aricia her lunch, she refused to eat during the 1hr wait for Athena so I let her sleep.
Gave Athena light work to do (again), and then gave instructions for her to take a nap. If she choose to run around the school again playing (like what she did for 2 weeks), she has no excuse again later on for being tired coz' I'm giving her the chance to rest which I normally won't.
When I came out from the class, I saw one girl sprawled on 4 chairs in the main lobby area. Haha! Imagine, she'll be doing this throughout.
Asked her to rest in the car which she didn't. Choose to look at things outside .. buay tahan her.
Bought her her favourite bubble tea which I'll let her drink after her class "provided you don't cry" and showed her something else I bought for her.
She almost cried, and hugged on to me. Didn't want to go in but it's definitely not as bad as before.

I hope this method works!!

Guilt stricken

Goash! I can never forgive myself!! I've neglected mei-mei.

I brought her in to school a little later today coz' I brought her around for a walk and exploring the place before going up to her school. The time was close to 8am and I saw one boy in the traditional costume, commented "so cute......." looked at teachers who are dressed up as well. Oh no! Teacher Rin said they're suppose to come in traditional costume and further added, "I left a note in the journal......." Obviously I didn't read, I was too engrossed with Athena's journal and making sure her schoolbag is packed; homework done; revision done etc..... I DIDN'T EVEN FLIP ARICIA'S JOURNAL SINCE WEEK 2!!!! Argh!

Ignore it or try to make up to her. I decided to make it up to her, though she may not understand or feel awkward being the odd one out but I'm so guilty for not paying much attention to her. *sob sob* And lately, I don't even have time to celebrate both childrens' monthly birth-month. Two days ago I suddenly remembered and exclaimed "yesterday's 19th?? I forgot about mei-mei's birth month." It was unintentional and because of that I thought I had better try to make things alright for her.
I called KZ to pack the clothes for me, not new clothes but che-che's old dress. Headed towards KPE and was caught in jam. With jam on both sides, it took me close to an hour to head back to school. But I don't feel so guilty anymore.

The sweet thing she said to me when she saw me "mummy, nice nice (points to her dress). Kool Bag 2 oleng (orange)"

Emotional & rubbish talk

I was surprised when I received 2 calls from S (J's mummy) and 2 "mummy, nobody there" messages. Called her back almost an hour later.

When I checked with S on J's sudden desire to call and talk to A today, she said she was getting emotional after watching the graduation video. And she bugged her mummy to call almost everyone in her class.

Funny to hear the 2 of them talking on Tuesday night (when I thought they could have chatted tomorrow, which is today before their music lesson), I have one monosyllabic girl who didn't seem eager to talk coz' she was probably fed-up with her mei-mei prior to the call.Well, at least J is highly EQ. I worry about A, she has slight traits from her daddy.

We all know that bringing up children is not only on feeding and changing diapers. Like every parent, I want my child to grow up to be a smart child (in all areas - IQ, EQ, CQ and dunno what other Qs). Naturally I nag at her more often. I have been helping her to bring her friendship with all her friends closer by organising playdates, suggested to her to buy something for her buddy for her help. At least now, she has an older friend in school. I am not finding excuses for her indifferent attitude when she picked up the phone, I hope it's the reason stated above and not coz' she's insensitive. Well, at least I know J is highly EQ.

That reminded me what happened to my girl on Sunday. She woke up from the wrong side of the bed and was sulking at everything, locked herself in the room, lie down on the floor and throwing tantrums. Very emotional
She went on doing that for the next 7-8hrs and I ignored her.And next minute I knew she got tired from sulking the whole time and fell asleep on the floor, with her legs sticking up and her lying on her tummy. Wah.............

And then I have another emotional younger girl, whom I didn't bade a proper goodbye before leaving the house. After I went out, she turned to look at KZ (all these are by KZ) and said "mummy bye bye....(pause) Ah Yet (runs to phone) call mummy.......mummy bye bye..call call phone........(bursts out crying inconsolable).
I was sad to hear about that but happy too that she missed me

Loves school
Keeps talking about her classmates to me; keeps singing her school song (which I kept correcting her the words and she keeps insisting that she's correct) wrongly; keeps singing hymns until she got so confused with the song "Shine Jesus Shine", she started singing "Fly Jesus Fly" - I burst out laughing while driving. And the funny thing is she was trying to make the sign of the cross "In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - she got all her words jumbled up and funnier, she "tok tok" her fingers everywhere (like Chinese martial arts freeze/still action they show on TV) with her left hand???
I'm going to leave that correction job to SIL

Loves to do assessment books
Can you believe it? I was in Popular looking at books and she asked me to get her more books to do. Good to hear that she love to do assessment books but ........ there's a limit to it and I'm the one who sets the limit.(Ha!)

I can leave her alone to do her Chinese assessment books, seems like she's stronger in Chinese (of course lah! Attends Berries). So, on days when she's unsupervised (eg. Mondays and Thursdays), I can leave her alone.
English? Depends on which book she's doing. If she's doing Composition & Comprehension, she does need help sometimes.
Maths? Although I keep harping on her "18-12 = 12" silly mistake, I think she's quite alright with her Maths (but of course must admit when I see the silly mistakes she makes, makes me want to strangle her and say "why you didn't pay attention to mummy?") And to think that I've also coached her on the P1 syllabus, which is almost the same as K2's using the WOL books and other materials, I think I can relax this year. (during the Parents' Talk, they mention about parents should try a little with some revision at home for Maths. I looked at hubby and told him "I covered last year so I can take a break this year already.")

Today, she declared to me "Mummy, I love Maths." - which I am happy to hear. Serious! You gotta love Maths to excel in Maths and Maths needs alot of practice. And why am I happy?? Coz' yours truly was an A1 student in Maths and Accounts - I was good in figures until I lost my 'figure' now naturally I hope she'll be in the same shoes. But I hope my daughters will be far more successful than I am - better don't be a lazy bummer like me.


Parents' Talk
At the Parents' Talk last Friday, had a better understanding of the various subjects' syllabus. And I don't even know what small flashcards they're talking about for Chinese. I don't have that! But maybe my GD cards are far much better. Hmm......logged to check on the titles and will check with Popular tomorrow. I have this urge of getting her the Higher Chinese textbooks for home use - I think I'm over-dosaging her!
And they have the CL banding after CT1-mock exam in Term 2. 7 classes thereafter for CL .For the best students, the first 2 classes will cover both Core (核心)and Enrichment. (深广) The next group of better students, 4 classes will cover Core (核心) and the weaker students in one class will cover Bridging (导入) and Core (核心). She better be in the best class! Now I'm telling her that she has to study hard to be the Top 3 students. Call me crazy but at least I'm being really honest here.
I think before she goes crazy with the pressure I'm putting on her, I'll go crazy myself.
English - must cultivate good reading habits with her. Imagine me bringing two kids to the library....end up screaming at the two kids; leave the library sore and frustrated.

Bribery
She had always wanted a make-up set, the surprise gift - Hello Kitty make-up- came from me today with the condition that she should not cry when she goes in for her music class. She didn't though acted a little unwilling and kept telling me "to wait for me outside". Ehh........I left for a drink with J. Oh please, I hope I don't end up bribing her every lesson. I'll go really broke + Toothfairy should be 'making her trip soon'.
Heng ah....I'm so worried if she'll cry. Mr Cane gets to stay where he is (hanging by the window grilles)
Brace myself for tomorrow, as I try to make some slight adjustments so she won't C-R-Y

The smell is kickin' in

Is there such a thing that pineapple tart tastes better the next day?

The tarts didn't seem to taste nice to me that day, but yesterday I tried again, I get the nice buttery taste. Ooh........can start a business. Hee!

CNY Baking 2

Tried mom's 'estimated measurement' kueh bangkit. Guess how good is her estimation - 两粒 coconut. And when I asked her how big is it?? The answer I get is 你自己看. Never mind, I am prepared for disaster.

Mistake 1 : I was too distracted by the children making too much noise at home that I continued pouring the coconut into the mixture and then it gets too liquidy. Argh! I thought mom used alot of coconut coz' she always tell me she never stinge on ingredients to get good taste *blah blah*.... So I had to re-fry another portion of flour. Frying the flour was easier than I thought, but with this 'hair ka hair qiu (in dialect) tor qui (left handed)' girl who hardly lifts a ladle to cook... I get flour on the stove area, table top etc.. so probably the flour proportion is wrong already.Hee! Don't laugh... anyway I think you would if you were present.

Mistake 2 : Just couldn't get that pandan taste in the flour. Mom thought I put in too little pandan leaves, but I put in alot. Maybe mom fried the whole pot of pandan in last time? And she didn't want me to surpass her skills?????

My disastrous work using the cutters meant for bento-ing

With the first tray successful in looks, so-so in taste (no pandan taste) despite me tweaking mom's recipe. I went on doing Pooh and HK for the children.






I still have around 220g of flour left, I will try again coz' I'm so close to getting the smell (I think). Texture wise it's the same.

成功 or 失败 ?

half 成功