We have just moved to Singapore, our new home.
Actually, the move is not completely over. We have physically arrived, but our stuff is still in Malaysia. The movers came last week on Tuesday to pack up the house. I had been diligently clearing and sorting or so I thought. We were quoted 13 cubic metres, which I thought was far too much for what little we had left.
And boy, was I wrong!
On packing day, we had a total of 5 people putting our stuff in boxes of various shapes and sizes. Each person worked about 10 hours, which brought the total to 50 hours of packing.... There was no way in hell I could've managed on my own.
When the last box was finally loaded up into the lorry, it was Box no. 108. Whoa!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Friday, August 24, 2007
An Eye Opener
I went with my kids today to visit some Myanmar refugee children.
It was the school holidays, and I felt it was a good idea to bring them to meet with these children. If not just for them to realize how lucky they were, also for them to simply play with the kids.
We arrived while a volunteer was telling the kids a story. While she spoke in English, we had a young Myanmarese lady named Lulu translating so the children would understand. Not long after story time, it was time for lunch.
The children had a simple meal of rice, with egg, chicken and noodles. Before they dug in, a lanky teenager (I forget his name) stood up to say grace in his native tongue. Although I didn't understand a word he said, I had to bow my head down to blink back the tears. Here he was offering thanks, while we, who have so much more, forget to take time to appreciate what we already have. Puts all my problems in perspective.
They offered me a plate of rice with a small piece of egg, and two tiny pieces of chicken. While that was hardly anything extraordinary, I was so touched. They already have so little to begin with, yet think nothing of sharing it with me - a complete stranger.
I crammed the food into my mouth, swallowing quickly because there it was again, that lump in my throat. I watched while the kids ate their lunch, laughing and playing - behaving as though there wasn't a care in the world. Which I suppose is a good thing. So that they can be as they should be - children.
One of the boys, Justin will be repatriated together with his family, to New Zealand at the end of the year. When asked if he was happy about going, he said he wasn't. In broken English, he said he'd be leaving his friends behind.
We left not too long after lunch. That visit was intended to open my children's eyes, but instead it opened mine. The children also opened my heart, and left an indelible mark. Indeed, I will be back to see them soon enough.
It was the school holidays, and I felt it was a good idea to bring them to meet with these children. If not just for them to realize how lucky they were, also for them to simply play with the kids.
We arrived while a volunteer was telling the kids a story. While she spoke in English, we had a young Myanmarese lady named Lulu translating so the children would understand. Not long after story time, it was time for lunch.
The children had a simple meal of rice, with egg, chicken and noodles. Before they dug in, a lanky teenager (I forget his name) stood up to say grace in his native tongue. Although I didn't understand a word he said, I had to bow my head down to blink back the tears. Here he was offering thanks, while we, who have so much more, forget to take time to appreciate what we already have. Puts all my problems in perspective.
They offered me a plate of rice with a small piece of egg, and two tiny pieces of chicken. While that was hardly anything extraordinary, I was so touched. They already have so little to begin with, yet think nothing of sharing it with me - a complete stranger.
I crammed the food into my mouth, swallowing quickly because there it was again, that lump in my throat. I watched while the kids ate their lunch, laughing and playing - behaving as though there wasn't a care in the world. Which I suppose is a good thing. So that they can be as they should be - children.
One of the boys, Justin will be repatriated together with his family, to New Zealand at the end of the year. When asked if he was happy about going, he said he wasn't. In broken English, he said he'd be leaving his friends behind.
We left not too long after lunch. That visit was intended to open my children's eyes, but instead it opened mine. The children also opened my heart, and left an indelible mark. Indeed, I will be back to see them soon enough.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Langkawi
We have two family vacations each year.
One to Pulau Langkawi in August, and the other to Cameron Highlands usually at the end of the year. One to enjoy the sun and the sea. The other to take in the cold, crisp air in green surroundings.
This year, Anya and family, plus grandma came along. So we had a total of about ten people in our entourage. The four day vacation seemed a little short. I guess it was because we were having so much fun.
The days were spent without much regard for time.
On the second day, we took the cable car ride up to Gunung Mat Cincang. After the initial vertigo, we managed to take in the panoramic view of the island. It was breathtaking. After spending almost half the day up in the hills, we hit Langkawi Fair. Thankfully, the kids managed to catch some shut-eye on the way there. When we arrived, they were famished.
We tucked in to a nice local lunch, and then did some shopping. We stocked up on duty-free Nike and some Speedo gear for Little A.
The third day, the kids enjoyed themselves in the pool. Later the boys together with daddy built sandcastles on the beach. Mommy and Auntie B went to the spa, where we got a heavenly massage, and indulged in girl talk in the steam room.
Dinner was a much anticipated event. Everyone would be starving after the day's activities, and we'd stuff our faces silly. Dinner on the first night was at Coco Beach. Fresh seafood served on the beach at sunset. Ah... this is the life!
Dinner the second night was in the hotel Beach Restaurant, situated on slits on the sea. With waves lapping, and the sea breeze blowing, we wanted dinner to last forever. It was also my birthday, so daddy had the service staff bring us a slice of cake with a candle. Strollers, together with the entourage sang "Happy Birthday", and Little A, Little J and Baby K all blew out the lone candle.
What a great vacation!
One to Pulau Langkawi in August, and the other to Cameron Highlands usually at the end of the year. One to enjoy the sun and the sea. The other to take in the cold, crisp air in green surroundings.
This year, Anya and family, plus grandma came along. So we had a total of about ten people in our entourage. The four day vacation seemed a little short. I guess it was because we were having so much fun.
The days were spent without much regard for time.
On the second day, we took the cable car ride up to Gunung Mat Cincang. After the initial vertigo, we managed to take in the panoramic view of the island. It was breathtaking. After spending almost half the day up in the hills, we hit Langkawi Fair. Thankfully, the kids managed to catch some shut-eye on the way there. When we arrived, they were famished.
We tucked in to a nice local lunch, and then did some shopping. We stocked up on duty-free Nike and some Speedo gear for Little A.
The third day, the kids enjoyed themselves in the pool. Later the boys together with daddy built sandcastles on the beach. Mommy and Auntie B went to the spa, where we got a heavenly massage, and indulged in girl talk in the steam room.
Dinner was a much anticipated event. Everyone would be starving after the day's activities, and we'd stuff our faces silly. Dinner on the first night was at Coco Beach. Fresh seafood served on the beach at sunset. Ah... this is the life!
Dinner the second night was in the hotel Beach Restaurant, situated on slits on the sea. With waves lapping, and the sea breeze blowing, we wanted dinner to last forever. It was also my birthday, so daddy had the service staff bring us a slice of cake with a candle. Strollers, together with the entourage sang "Happy Birthday", and Little A, Little J and Baby K all blew out the lone candle.
What a great vacation!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
A Post!
OK, so I have fallen off the wagon. I haven't posted anything for about three months now.
I didn't realize when I signed on to do this that there would be people (well-meaning?) hounding me.
"Waaaaa... no post after so long aaa?"
"Just wanted to check when you'd be writing in your blog?"
Give me a bit of time, I will get back on track.
No promises. Sometime soon, I hope. :-)
I didn't realize when I signed on to do this that there would be people (well-meaning?) hounding me.
"Waaaaa... no post after so long aaa?"
"Just wanted to check when you'd be writing in your blog?"
Give me a bit of time, I will get back on track.
No promises. Sometime soon, I hope. :-)
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Maidless In Bandar Utama
Our maid Wasanthi left for home almost two weeks ago.
When she first expressed her desire to go home sometime in March, I almost had an anxiety attack. How was I going to cope with three kids (well, four if you count the "eldest" boy, i.e. daddy)? Who was going to keep the house in order? How was I going to go to work, get home and make sure dinner was on the table by 6pm? What about the boys' homework?
Undeterred, I was up for the challenge.
Now, one week and 4 days later, I am glad to say that the situation didn't turn out as bad as I had anticipated. In fact, because we don't have help, the boys have been doing their part - chipping in to pick up the laundry, or pick up their toys, feeding themselves and helping mommy take care of Baby K.
And because I still had to go to work, we enlisted daddy's help. Daddy stayed home with the kids on days I had to work. And I am proud to say daddy did a wonderful job those 2 days. He fed, bathed, changed, played, lulled and entertained the little ones. Little A had a glorious time, playing Lego with daddy. I'm sure he would prefer daddy to mommy being home anytime.
Having said all that, I can't wait for Wasanthi to come back - only two weeks and four days more!
When she first expressed her desire to go home sometime in March, I almost had an anxiety attack. How was I going to cope with three kids (well, four if you count the "eldest" boy, i.e. daddy)? Who was going to keep the house in order? How was I going to go to work, get home and make sure dinner was on the table by 6pm? What about the boys' homework?
Undeterred, I was up for the challenge.
Now, one week and 4 days later, I am glad to say that the situation didn't turn out as bad as I had anticipated. In fact, because we don't have help, the boys have been doing their part - chipping in to pick up the laundry, or pick up their toys, feeding themselves and helping mommy take care of Baby K.
And because I still had to go to work, we enlisted daddy's help. Daddy stayed home with the kids on days I had to work. And I am proud to say daddy did a wonderful job those 2 days. He fed, bathed, changed, played, lulled and entertained the little ones. Little A had a glorious time, playing Lego with daddy. I'm sure he would prefer daddy to mommy being home anytime.
Having said all that, I can't wait for Wasanthi to come back - only two weeks and four days more!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Yet Another Birthday
We just had another birthday in the family - this time it's Little J's. He turned four yesterday.
For those of you who don't know Little J well, he is one of the easiest-going kids around. He goes along with anyone, any event and doesn't fuss about anything at all. One seriously accomodating child. It is indeed a pleasure to see him smile through whatever given situation.
Simple boy with simple tastes, Little J will grow up to be exactly like daddy.
I asked him about two weeks ago what kind of cake he wanted, and unlike any other child, he was unfazed. I had to literally show him pictures on various websites, and had to guide and lead him until he made a decision.
After his big brother Little A's birthday, Little J would ask, " Mommy, when is MY birthday?"
"Soon...."
"When is it?"
"After Anya's birthday" was a simple enough answer.
After having been told that, Little J would answer anyone who asked when his birthday was, "After Anya's birthday!" Never mind if they didn't know who Anya was.
Little J finally picked out a 3-D frog jelly cake after having combed through the few choices I had shortlisted for him. As his birthday drew nearer, he would periodically ask, "Is it my birthday yet?" followed by "When can we buy the frog cake?"
It had become tradition that the boys cut a cake at kindergarten on their birthdays. It would be the usual moist chocolate cake coated with smarties, courtesy of Grandma. Because Little J's birthday was on Saturday, we had the cake-cutting ceremony on friday.
On Saturday, he was impatient and wanted to blow more candles. Little J was badgering us throughout the day about where his cake was although we had explained to him that we would wait till dinner, when everyone was present.
"But I want to have my birthday (cake) now!!!"
"Later, sweetie..., at night after dinner."
"Now, I want my birthday (cake) in the morning!!!"
. . . And it went on like that till dinner.
All's well that ends well. Here's Little J and his frog.
Happy Birthday Little J! We love you.
Happy Birthday Anya!
Baby K loves playing with her cousin Anya. It's not like they actually play together as yet, more like parallel play, where they sit next to each other and play with their own toys and stuff.
Occasionally, Baby K would grab something Anya has, and Anya would turn around and snatch it right back.
It goes on like this for a while until one of them cries. Well, at least Baby K has someone to snatch things from!
Anya is about 4 months younger, and she recently turned one. We had lunch a week before her birthday because mommy and daddy and her were in Hong Kong for her actual birthday. What a lucky girl!
Happy Birthday Anya. May you have everything that you'll ever need to be happy always!
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