Couple of weeks ago while chatting with an acquaintance from work, she started to talk about her daughter and how excited she was after being on a waiting list for one year, her daughter is finally going to the preschool of her choice.
She went on about how she hoped the little girl will get used to the environment, which lead to my question if she had considered putting her daughter in some sort of playgroup for once or twice a week during this one year of waiting to get the little one used to being in an environment away from home. Her answer to that was that she didn't like that idea because it would be all play and the daughter wouldn't be learning anything anyway.
Shortly after that, we parted ways and I headed to the train station to catch a train home but her statement left me wondering what else would she had wanted a two year old toddler to achieve? Isn't acquiring social skills, learning to co-exist and play alongside with another child, learning how to behave and react in an larger group all important lessons of life? Or as parents, do we only deem something as important if it can have a grade tagged to it?
Showing posts with label Rants and Rambles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rants and Rambles. Show all posts
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Where has all the time gone to?
It is very distressing to know that the year is coming to an end but is still a long list of items to be ticked off from the to-do list. From cleaning the wardrobe, arranging get together lunch dates, catching the 2012 movie, putting up the Christmas tree, getting the Christmas presents, new pair of heels, organising board meetings, getting year-end accrual numbers to holding a farewell party for my retiring boss. What a way to close the year!
The even more distressing part is that I missed Matty's year-end concert due to my team meeting which I cannot wriggle out from and Elaina's performance got cancelled because there were too many cases of HFMD popping out at school and mostly dominated by children from the afternoon classes. Both kids must be disappointed (or so I think).even though for different reasons.
On one hand I dread the coming of December because it only meant that I have less time to work around, on the other hand Christmas will surely make the kids excited and I know that they are looking forward to it with their constant chatters of digging out the Christmas tree and what they are hoping to get as Christmas present. And while typing this I was reminded that I need to order the ham for Christmas... see my to-do is growing longer by the minute!
The even more distressing part is that I missed Matty's year-end concert due to my team meeting which I cannot wriggle out from and Elaina's performance got cancelled because there were too many cases of HFMD popping out at school and mostly dominated by children from the afternoon classes. Both kids must be disappointed (or so I think).even though for different reasons.
On one hand I dread the coming of December because it only meant that I have less time to work around, on the other hand Christmas will surely make the kids excited and I know that they are looking forward to it with their constant chatters of digging out the Christmas tree and what they are hoping to get as Christmas present. And while typing this I was reminded that I need to order the ham for Christmas... see my to-do is growing longer by the minute!
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Only the Best
As parents, it is only natural that we strive to do our best for our babies (yes, babies because they never grow up in our eyes). Not sure if it is because of that innate sense of responsibility, I have been changing my blog templates for probably a gazillion times. None seems to be good enough.
I finally found this Christmasy template and has even a counter to count down to Christmas. Had to fudge with the html codes a little to get the counter working because I found out that the setting was for Christmas 2 years ago.
Until after Christmas is over, I probably will stop giving giving this place another facelift. Too many face jobs can lead to a botch job (Ok... bad joke... God bless MJ's soul =p).
I finally found this Christmasy template and has even a counter to count down to Christmas. Had to fudge with the html codes a little to get the counter working because I found out that the setting was for Christmas 2 years ago.
Until after Christmas is over, I probably will stop giving giving this place another facelift. Too many face jobs can lead to a botch job (Ok... bad joke... God bless MJ's soul =p).
Friday, 18 September 2009
Back and With a New Look
The user interface for blogger is finally back to normal! Apparently only Singnet users were affected.
Whatever the issue was, I am happy that I don't need to move my blogs to another service provider... especially this one after having it for years. There are emotional reasons for not wanting to move (too much history to it) and practical reasons as well (too many posts and I am lazy!).
The good thing that came out of this was that I decided to do something about the templates I have been using. There was nothing wrong with the previous one, I still love it but on the other hand I was truly awed by the templates Wordpress have to offer while I was searching for another online journal provider to switch to. It is about time to freshen up the look of the blogs after so long.
The work is not complete though, I need to lay my hands on some proper photo editor to change the banner and put in our own photos. That will have to wait at least a few weeks now with the maid away on home leave and I doubt that I can find any personal time even in the evening.
Whatever the issue was, I am happy that I don't need to move my blogs to another service provider... especially this one after having it for years. There are emotional reasons for not wanting to move (too much history to it) and practical reasons as well (too many posts and I am lazy!).
The good thing that came out of this was that I decided to do something about the templates I have been using. There was nothing wrong with the previous one, I still love it but on the other hand I was truly awed by the templates Wordpress have to offer while I was searching for another online journal provider to switch to. It is about time to freshen up the look of the blogs after so long.
The work is not complete though, I need to lay my hands on some proper photo editor to change the banner and put in our own photos. That will have to wait at least a few weeks now with the maid away on home leave and I doubt that I can find any personal time even in the evening.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
The Patchwork Post
The days are floating past really fast and the fact that there hasn't been any entry here is not a very good sign. It is an indication that I have been living my life mindlessly with not much opportunity to take stock of what's happening.
This post made up of little snippets is a very lame attempt to redeem myself a little of the guilt from not jotting down Matty and Elaina's growth in the past couple of weeks.
Matty started to attend clay lesson early this month. Not trying to make him more artistic but since it is only a 2-minute walk from Mah Mah's house, it is a good place to park him for an hour or so every Friday afternoon. Keeps him occupied and gives other at home a break.
We will be talking to Matty's teacher later this week on his progress. From the report, he seemed to have taken a keen interest in arts and music but gross motor skills are still very much lagging behind his peers. I blame it on his lazy parents for not introducing enough outdoor activities to him! But one thing for sure is that his language skills are definitely improving. He is more wiling to converse in Mandarin lately. Plus, he still entertains us from time to time with his quirky reply.
Elaina continues to do "better" in being a terrible-two stager - a diva is in the making and I am not exactly excited about it quite frankly. She dishes out her tantrum like nobody's business and to think we thought that Matty was a tough nut. At least if we have the patience, we are still able to talk Matty out of certain demands. Absolutely no chance with Elaina. If she wants it, she needs to have it. Distraction, persuasion, negotiation and even threats are of no use. We have used the stick, the carrot and even both together... still it leaves us helpless most of the time. Not only is Elaina a diva, she is a drama-mama. She knows when to work up her tears to gain a few sympathy points. But there are times when the tears are as genuine as gold. Tears will start welling up when she sees someone feeling sad or if she hears a melancholic song. What an emo-queen!
This post made up of little snippets is a very lame attempt to redeem myself a little of the guilt from not jotting down Matty and Elaina's growth in the past couple of weeks.
Matty started to attend clay lesson early this month. Not trying to make him more artistic but since it is only a 2-minute walk from Mah Mah's house, it is a good place to park him for an hour or so every Friday afternoon. Keeps him occupied and gives other at home a break.
We will be talking to Matty's teacher later this week on his progress. From the report, he seemed to have taken a keen interest in arts and music but gross motor skills are still very much lagging behind his peers. I blame it on his lazy parents for not introducing enough outdoor activities to him! But one thing for sure is that his language skills are definitely improving. He is more wiling to converse in Mandarin lately. Plus, he still entertains us from time to time with his quirky reply.
Elaina continues to do "better" in being a terrible-two stager - a diva is in the making and I am not exactly excited about it quite frankly. She dishes out her tantrum like nobody's business and to think we thought that Matty was a tough nut. At least if we have the patience, we are still able to talk Matty out of certain demands. Absolutely no chance with Elaina. If she wants it, she needs to have it. Distraction, persuasion, negotiation and even threats are of no use. We have used the stick, the carrot and even both together... still it leaves us helpless most of the time. Not only is Elaina a diva, she is a drama-mama. She knows when to work up her tears to gain a few sympathy points. But there are times when the tears are as genuine as gold. Tears will start welling up when she sees someone feeling sad or if she hears a melancholic song. What an emo-queen!
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Failing to Fail
This is an extremely overdue post and I have been wanting to put this down in writing since a few weeks ago because it is one topic that I hope Matty and Elaina will learn in due course. This will serve as a reminder to me in years to come.
The interest in this rather morbid subject sparked firstly because of a handful of young elitists committing suicide in a short span of 2 weeks just recently and over issues which truly in my view are not serious enough that one need to end his life for. Secondly, a friend of mine was telling me how her 8 year old son (who is above average in terms of his academic result) was taking it very badly about not doing well in one of his subject and had this huge worry that he won't be able to maintain the third position in his class this year again.
It sounds a little odd to say this, but I think one of the important lessons to be learnt amongst the many others is about failure. A child can be equipped with the highest IQ and EQ, attend reputable schools with the best schooling system, enrolled in enrichment classes from phonics to arts to music but once he or she lacks the life-skill of keeping afloat when caught in a less palatable situation (which almost always will happen in life just a matter of when!), he or she may react in an extremely negative manner.
Like all parents, I hope that my children will do well in school and generally in life but I want them to also know how best to deal with hiccups that will come along the way, how to pick themselves up and move on, be creative when it comes to formulating ways in getting themselves out of a rut and not resort to taking their own lives (touch wood!). What best way other than learning from experience?
They should have sufficient successes in their early life to help build their confidence but every now and then it ought to be dotted with little little failures to make them understand that life can never run as smoothly as they want it to be and things don't always turned out as planned or hoped for. Better to have failures come in tiny packages than in one big blow later in life.
There should be occasions when they emerge the winner to appreciate that they have the potential to be the best and hard work pays off, but there should also be times when they don't in order for them to understand that they cannot be the best in everything and there is someone out there who will beat them to it... and that it is ok as long as they know they have tried.
They need to know that they are right in what they do so as to boost their morale and lift their spirits but they cannot be right all the time and when things go wrong, they should not go around pointing fingers and pining the entire fault on others. Look within oneself and decide how to deal with ugly situations.
Failing to fail is extremely detrimental in a child's growth. So.. no, I don't want my children to live a charmed life and cruise along. They need to trip and fall so that they can learn to avoid the bigger pot-holes when they walk further down the road.
The interest in this rather morbid subject sparked firstly because of a handful of young elitists committing suicide in a short span of 2 weeks just recently and over issues which truly in my view are not serious enough that one need to end his life for. Secondly, a friend of mine was telling me how her 8 year old son (who is above average in terms of his academic result) was taking it very badly about not doing well in one of his subject and had this huge worry that he won't be able to maintain the third position in his class this year again.
It sounds a little odd to say this, but I think one of the important lessons to be learnt amongst the many others is about failure. A child can be equipped with the highest IQ and EQ, attend reputable schools with the best schooling system, enrolled in enrichment classes from phonics to arts to music but once he or she lacks the life-skill of keeping afloat when caught in a less palatable situation (which almost always will happen in life just a matter of when!), he or she may react in an extremely negative manner.
Like all parents, I hope that my children will do well in school and generally in life but I want them to also know how best to deal with hiccups that will come along the way, how to pick themselves up and move on, be creative when it comes to formulating ways in getting themselves out of a rut and not resort to taking their own lives (touch wood!). What best way other than learning from experience?
They should have sufficient successes in their early life to help build their confidence but every now and then it ought to be dotted with little little failures to make them understand that life can never run as smoothly as they want it to be and things don't always turned out as planned or hoped for. Better to have failures come in tiny packages than in one big blow later in life.
There should be occasions when they emerge the winner to appreciate that they have the potential to be the best and hard work pays off, but there should also be times when they don't in order for them to understand that they cannot be the best in everything and there is someone out there who will beat them to it... and that it is ok as long as they know they have tried.
They need to know that they are right in what they do so as to boost their morale and lift their spirits but they cannot be right all the time and when things go wrong, they should not go around pointing fingers and pining the entire fault on others. Look within oneself and decide how to deal with ugly situations.
Failing to fail is extremely detrimental in a child's growth. So.. no, I don't want my children to live a charmed life and cruise along. They need to trip and fall so that they can learn to avoid the bigger pot-holes when they walk further down the road.
Sunday, 25 July 2004
Catching Up...
The start of a new week is finally drawing near. The past week was a crazy one, with Mummy running from places to places... thanks (and no thanks) to my indecisive boss... always changing her mind at the very last minute. The problem with her is that she expects everyone to work around her schedule... I can't help but feel that she can be overly self-centered at times (or should I say most of the times). Sigh... and still no news for all the job applications sent out.
Because of my messed up schedule... I am losing track of time and tide... with lots of reading up to catch up on for the forum boards and emails to clear. Daddy has gone to his friend's place to discuss their gathering on 8 August... so that gave me the opportunity to surf the net and check my emails.
The show cause hearing last Thursday was pretty boring. Sat around wasting my time in the Court. However seeing how the various lawyers presented their client's case... I have to agree that men make better barrister. After the lunch break, while waiting for the afternoon session to begin... I overheard 2 officers from Anti-Vice Branch making snide remarks of respondents who wrote in to them. Why is it that as human we are always so quick to judge... so unhesitant to stereotype the people around us? I believe that the World will be a better place to live in if we are more tolerant... more prepared to see and listen with an open mind... be it the judicial system or in our personal life. But I guess it sounds a little too good to be true.
Did alot of catching up with my friends over the course of the week... in other words "lots of makan too". There goes my plan to cut back on stuffing myself with food.
Time to rest and prepare for a new week, a new day... nite nite.
Because of my messed up schedule... I am losing track of time and tide... with lots of reading up to catch up on for the forum boards and emails to clear. Daddy has gone to his friend's place to discuss their gathering on 8 August... so that gave me the opportunity to surf the net and check my emails.
The show cause hearing last Thursday was pretty boring. Sat around wasting my time in the Court. However seeing how the various lawyers presented their client's case... I have to agree that men make better barrister. After the lunch break, while waiting for the afternoon session to begin... I overheard 2 officers from Anti-Vice Branch making snide remarks of respondents who wrote in to them. Why is it that as human we are always so quick to judge... so unhesitant to stereotype the people around us? I believe that the World will be a better place to live in if we are more tolerant... more prepared to see and listen with an open mind... be it the judicial system or in our personal life. But I guess it sounds a little too good to be true.
Did alot of catching up with my friends over the course of the week... in other words "lots of makan too". There goes my plan to cut back on stuffing myself with food.
Time to rest and prepare for a new week, a new day... nite nite.
Monday, 19 July 2004
Busy Busy Bumble Bee
Today is the start of a busy week for Mummy... so much so that I dread the coming.
This morning was packed with phone calls to make and rounding up of quotations for the mechanical recording of this Thursday show cause hearing. Needless to say the mad rush is due to that inefficient boss of mine. Tuesday and Friday will be out of the office to attend some testing of this new system set up by our parent Ministry... and Thursday will be spent in the Court. For these... the time I have in the office will be reduced considerably. I gotta to clear the work in the shortest possible time.
Even the evenings are totally booked out... Tuesday evening gotta go for my menicure and pedicure... Wednesday will be catching King Arthur, Thursday evening we will be celebrating birthday for Daddy's granny, Friday evening will be meeting Jocey for dinner, Saturday afternoon has a high-tea gathering with my kakis, Saturday evening will need to go back for my mum's place for dinner and Sunday evening we are going to celebrate my dad's birthday.
Hopefully I will survive to see next week... and hopefully a week which is not as burnt out as this week.
This morning was packed with phone calls to make and rounding up of quotations for the mechanical recording of this Thursday show cause hearing. Needless to say the mad rush is due to that inefficient boss of mine. Tuesday and Friday will be out of the office to attend some testing of this new system set up by our parent Ministry... and Thursday will be spent in the Court. For these... the time I have in the office will be reduced considerably. I gotta to clear the work in the shortest possible time.
Even the evenings are totally booked out... Tuesday evening gotta go for my menicure and pedicure... Wednesday will be catching King Arthur, Thursday evening we will be celebrating birthday for Daddy's granny, Friday evening will be meeting Jocey for dinner, Saturday afternoon has a high-tea gathering with my kakis, Saturday evening will need to go back for my mum's place for dinner and Sunday evening we are going to celebrate my dad's birthday.
Hopefully I will survive to see next week... and hopefully a week which is not as burnt out as this week.
Tuesday, 13 July 2004
I Am New (yes... starting anew that is)
Got the outcome of my appraisal yesterday. Was placed in Band D, the worse band... so no further increment or performance bonus for this year. The reason given - I am still new in the Board.
Actually after the talk given by CE last Thursday... I walked away feeling baffled with what I heard. He was telling us not to be dishearten because there are good officers being put into Band D when the officers of the same cohort are ranked in order. The hidden message that I hear is of course the Board is trying hard not to differ too much from the fixed percentage they have set for each band and hence some officers have been sacrificed in the process. The ranking is tied to the increment and bonus... so are they trying to tell us that "sorry you did well but since you are in Band D, we can't recognise your efforts duly... so just too bad".
Having spoken to my direct boss... all she could say was that it was because I am new (hello I have been with the Board for more than a year), definitely not because I am not performing up to standard and won't be in the lowest band come next year. She wants me to continue the way I have been working (well that is provided if I am still with the Board) and not feel upset over this. Told her that I would like to know what are the factors the Board takes into consideration when they decide who in which band... she obviously ain't too sure about it herself and so far the Board has kept mum about it as well. I doubt that she will get back to me with anything concrete even though as a staff I feel that I have the right to know in order to justify my "death".
Oh well despite feeling crappy about what I have heard (definitely not feeling sorry for myself)... am taking it well. Maybe because the amount involved is just a token sum... it was either NIL, $10, $20, $30 or $40 max. God... I am so out of here!!!
Daddy got an increment of close to 10% and 1.2 months bonus though... good for him. Mummy has no luck where money is concerned... I think I have resigned myself to fate... but still I am so out of here!!!
Actually after the talk given by CE last Thursday... I walked away feeling baffled with what I heard. He was telling us not to be dishearten because there are good officers being put into Band D when the officers of the same cohort are ranked in order. The hidden message that I hear is of course the Board is trying hard not to differ too much from the fixed percentage they have set for each band and hence some officers have been sacrificed in the process. The ranking is tied to the increment and bonus... so are they trying to tell us that "sorry you did well but since you are in Band D, we can't recognise your efforts duly... so just too bad".
Having spoken to my direct boss... all she could say was that it was because I am new (hello I have been with the Board for more than a year), definitely not because I am not performing up to standard and won't be in the lowest band come next year. She wants me to continue the way I have been working (well that is provided if I am still with the Board) and not feel upset over this. Told her that I would like to know what are the factors the Board takes into consideration when they decide who in which band... she obviously ain't too sure about it herself and so far the Board has kept mum about it as well. I doubt that she will get back to me with anything concrete even though as a staff I feel that I have the right to know in order to justify my "death".
Oh well despite feeling crappy about what I have heard (definitely not feeling sorry for myself)... am taking it well. Maybe because the amount involved is just a token sum... it was either NIL, $10, $20, $30 or $40 max. God... I am so out of here!!!
Daddy got an increment of close to 10% and 1.2 months bonus though... good for him. Mummy has no luck where money is concerned... I think I have resigned myself to fate... but still I am so out of here!!!
Monday, 12 July 2004
Officially 27
Mummy is officially 27 as of 9 July 2004.
Got a pair of earrings from Daddy. He did a lousy job in hiding the pressie... so much so that I found it in less than 10 seconds.
We went for a spa session at Spa Botanica in the morning... simply relaxing. Daddy even fell asleep in the midst of it. As for me it was a good opportunity to relax those tensed up muscle at my neck, shoulder and back due to the on-going cough since more than a week ago.
Attended Kevin Kern's concert at the Esplanade in the evening... it was a pleasant coincidence cause he was only playing on 9 July. His music never fails to charm Mummy.
One of the audience proposed to his girlfriend in between the concert... gotta give him credit for the courage. Though we thought that one could have been pressured into saying "yes"... even if she had actually wanted to tell him that she wants to think about it... smart move for that guy. And yes... some of the other guys there must have felt the heat after that as well.
Had a great 27th birthday... and counting down to the next one to come.
Got a pair of earrings from Daddy. He did a lousy job in hiding the pressie... so much so that I found it in less than 10 seconds.
We went for a spa session at Spa Botanica in the morning... simply relaxing. Daddy even fell asleep in the midst of it. As for me it was a good opportunity to relax those tensed up muscle at my neck, shoulder and back due to the on-going cough since more than a week ago.
Attended Kevin Kern's concert at the Esplanade in the evening... it was a pleasant coincidence cause he was only playing on 9 July. His music never fails to charm Mummy.
One of the audience proposed to his girlfriend in between the concert... gotta give him credit for the courage. Though we thought that one could have been pressured into saying "yes"... even if she had actually wanted to tell him that she wants to think about it... smart move for that guy. And yes... some of the other guys there must have felt the heat after that as well.
Had a great 27th birthday... and counting down to the next one to come.
Monday, 5 July 2004
Counting Down to the Counting Up to 27
Daddy and Mummy had fun at the KTV with our friends last night to celebrate my birthday. Its been a long time since someone sang me the birthday song... felt kindda weird... or maybe I just didn't want to be reminded that I am getting older (again). Should have known better not to sing... throat is getting a little uncomfy after yesterday's session. I think I am going to suffer water retention from the amount of water I have been drinking since Friday.
Its going to be a relaxing week for Mummy... will be away from office for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow to attend a training and Friday will be on leave to celebrate/mourn my 27th birthday.
Its going to be a relaxing week for Mummy... will be away from office for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow to attend a training and Friday will be on leave to celebrate/mourn my 27th birthday.
Saturday, 3 July 2004
37.3 = Normal?
Daddy's interview with Singtel went well... but he needs to go through 2 more rounds of interview if selected. Let's keep our fingers and toes crossed for him.
After the sickly feeling on and off... finally fell sick on Thursday night. Was down with fever and the sore throat was unbearable... couldn't even swallow my saliva... the pain almost killed me.
The fever subsided a little in the morning. When the doctor recorded my temperature as 37.3 degree celsius... she told me that I wasn't running a fever. Hmmmm... maybe they raised the bar of a fever after the SARS period. She checked my throat and said that I wasn't suffering from sore throat as there wasn't any inflammation... but maybe it was just dry due to the air. I had to tell her that it was the upper part that was sore and I even had problem swallowing my saliva before she agreed to prescribe me lozenges. She made me felt as though I was there to con the medical certificate out of her.
Next time I will go to the doctor only when I am lying in bed and can't move... then again by that time, what I need is a death certificate and not medical certificate.
After the sickly feeling on and off... finally fell sick on Thursday night. Was down with fever and the sore throat was unbearable... couldn't even swallow my saliva... the pain almost killed me.
The fever subsided a little in the morning. When the doctor recorded my temperature as 37.3 degree celsius... she told me that I wasn't running a fever. Hmmmm... maybe they raised the bar of a fever after the SARS period. She checked my throat and said that I wasn't suffering from sore throat as there wasn't any inflammation... but maybe it was just dry due to the air. I had to tell her that it was the upper part that was sore and I even had problem swallowing my saliva before she agreed to prescribe me lozenges. She made me felt as though I was there to con the medical certificate out of her.
Next time I will go to the doctor only when I am lying in bed and can't move... then again by that time, what I need is a death certificate and not medical certificate.
Thursday, 1 July 2004
Its July!!!
It is finally July... which also means that Mummy's birthday is round the corner and we can try and conceive again. This will be an exciting month.
Have been keeping a lookout for better job opportunities but so far there hasn't been any good news. Its not exactly the best time especially when baby-planning is on the plate as well... but I will just adopt the "whichever comes first basis".
Daddy is going for a job interview tomorrow at Singtel though... let's hope that lady luck smiles on him this time round.
I think I am finally falling sick... woke up with a bit of sore throat today... must be the result of the heaty food as well as the "Annual Haze Amalgamation".
Have been keeping a lookout for better job opportunities but so far there hasn't been any good news. Its not exactly the best time especially when baby-planning is on the plate as well... but I will just adopt the "whichever comes first basis".
Daddy is going for a job interview tomorrow at Singtel though... let's hope that lady luck smiles on him this time round.
I think I am finally falling sick... woke up with a bit of sore throat today... must be the result of the heaty food as well as the "Annual Haze Amalgamation".
Monday, 28 June 2004
Under the Weather
Daddy fell sick over the weekend. Running a bit of fever and tummy was giving him hell. I believe it wasn't due to food poisoning but more because of the weather and hence suffered from stomach flu. Noticed that alot of people around came down with stomach upset for no real reason. Must take good care of ourselves... lots of fluid, lots of vitamins and lots of rest to fight the bug. Let's hope that Daddy will recover soon despite the long hours that he will be keeping for the rest of the week... he will be engaged in meetings from Monday to Friday and each meeting will last for an average of 12 hours.
With Daddy's uncle in town... the last weekend was a busy one (which probably made it felt a bit too short). We had a barbecue on Saturday and Japanese food on Sunday... and of course Daddy had to stay off most of the food... just in case.
The weekend was rather fun though... but Mummy got a bit down after the day ended. It would have been better if you were around.
With Daddy's uncle in town... the last weekend was a busy one (which probably made it felt a bit too short). We had a barbecue on Saturday and Japanese food on Sunday... and of course Daddy had to stay off most of the food... just in case.
The weekend was rather fun though... but Mummy got a bit down after the day ended. It would have been better if you were around.
Tuesday, 22 June 2004
A Tad Too Much
Last Sunday was Father's Day... Mummy didn't forget to wish Daddy a Happy Father's Day on behalf of you boys.
We took Grandpa (Daddy's Daddy that is) out for dinner last night at Palm Beach to have his favourite crispy duck. Obviously Granny was protesting initially because it is not exactly very healthy... but then again sometimes we must learn to let go. Going to have another big dinner (again) with my Dad this Sunday. Daddy's uncle and family from the states just flew in today around midnight... so we are going to have lots of food for dinner tonight again. Hmmm... I wonder how many more kilos I will be putting on. Mummy has put on 4 kg since the wedding... that is bad because I have never never hit the big 5 on the weighing machine in my entire life.
Uncle Brian accidentally dropped his car key yesterday (again... yes again) and for that Granny was damn upset with him for being careless. But lucky for him... his colleague found his key and of course we found out (or at least suspect) that he might be seeing someone new... that at least made Granny a little happier.
I didn't know who leaked out the news that I was pregnant. During the fire drill yesterday alot of colleagues from my division came to me and told me that I can actually be exempted from it. I didn't have a choice but to "declare" that I had a miscarriage... I didn't know how I got the courage to shrug it off just like that at that point in time. But after that it got to me and engulfed me slowly... the sadness hit me again. I miss you both...
We took Grandpa (Daddy's Daddy that is) out for dinner last night at Palm Beach to have his favourite crispy duck. Obviously Granny was protesting initially because it is not exactly very healthy... but then again sometimes we must learn to let go. Going to have another big dinner (again) with my Dad this Sunday. Daddy's uncle and family from the states just flew in today around midnight... so we are going to have lots of food for dinner tonight again. Hmmm... I wonder how many more kilos I will be putting on. Mummy has put on 4 kg since the wedding... that is bad because I have never never hit the big 5 on the weighing machine in my entire life.
Uncle Brian accidentally dropped his car key yesterday (again... yes again) and for that Granny was damn upset with him for being careless. But lucky for him... his colleague found his key and of course we found out (or at least suspect) that he might be seeing someone new... that at least made Granny a little happier.
I didn't know who leaked out the news that I was pregnant. During the fire drill yesterday alot of colleagues from my division came to me and told me that I can actually be exempted from it. I didn't have a choice but to "declare" that I had a miscarriage... I didn't know how I got the courage to shrug it off just like that at that point in time. But after that it got to me and engulfed me slowly... the sadness hit me again. I miss you both...
Friday, 18 June 2004
Who Knows
After days of agonising over my missing bonus... finally got it resolved yesterday. Though it was done under the covers... realised that it was because they have failed to give me my increment since April and they need to adjust my salary first and base my bonus on that. Gonna get a lump sum payment of the bonus and back-pay by end of this month... hopefully... otherwise they are probably going to tell me that its another computer glitch. Do I really look that dumb to them?
Have a rough idea what Daddy is giving me as birthday pressie... he accidentally left his credit card statement out in the open on the table. Muwahahahah and he claimed that I was sly. I think he is worse... I made a wild guess which was right earlier on but he claimed that I got it wrong. Three more weeks to go... looking forward to my birthday... and by that I meant the break and not the growing old part.
The weather has been pretty bad lately... I think I am going to melt due to the heat. Its giving me dizzy spells... the bloated feeling and just don't feel too good on the whole. Hmmmm... sounds like the symptoms of pregnancy... bah.... whatever it is I can use it to "threaten" Daddy for a while before my next period comes around. Have been telling him for the past few days not to make me upset cos I might be preggie... muwahahahaha... ok I admit I am bad.
Goodness... feeling damn hungry right now. Need to endure it for another hour or so for my lunch break. Hunger overcame me last evening just ten minutes before knocking off... ended up rushing to McDonalds to grab some fries to keep me alive before dinner time. Unfortunately spilled the whole cup of lemon lime juice in the car... shoot!!! Damn that hunger of mine. Hey isn't that another symptom of pregnancy... ahahahahah... okay I shall stop making another wild guess. Been making alot of wild guesses for the past one week... but then again who knows right?
Have a rough idea what Daddy is giving me as birthday pressie... he accidentally left his credit card statement out in the open on the table. Muwahahahah and he claimed that I was sly. I think he is worse... I made a wild guess which was right earlier on but he claimed that I got it wrong. Three more weeks to go... looking forward to my birthday... and by that I meant the break and not the growing old part.
The weather has been pretty bad lately... I think I am going to melt due to the heat. Its giving me dizzy spells... the bloated feeling and just don't feel too good on the whole. Hmmmm... sounds like the symptoms of pregnancy... bah.... whatever it is I can use it to "threaten" Daddy for a while before my next period comes around. Have been telling him for the past few days not to make me upset cos I might be preggie... muwahahahaha... ok I admit I am bad.
Goodness... feeling damn hungry right now. Need to endure it for another hour or so for my lunch break. Hunger overcame me last evening just ten minutes before knocking off... ended up rushing to McDonalds to grab some fries to keep me alive before dinner time. Unfortunately spilled the whole cup of lemon lime juice in the car... shoot!!! Damn that hunger of mine. Hey isn't that another symptom of pregnancy... ahahahahah... okay I shall stop making another wild guess. Been making alot of wild guesses for the past one week... but then again who knows right?
Monday, 14 June 2004
Waiting for the Day to be Over
What a way to start a new day, a new week. Nothing seems to be going right since morning.
Realised that my one-month bonus wasn't credited into my account with my salary and neither was it reflected in my payslip. Accounts directed me to Human Resource... so now am waiting for the officer to give me a good reason for holding back the payment. I just couldn't figure the reason for it... but I have this nagging feeling that it isn't looking too good.
Damn!!!! I hate it whenever we are rushing for something... somewhere someone will sit on something. First its my boss then followed by Gerald Lee... as though it is some sort of standard operating procedure. He has been sitting on the Memo since last week and despite the chasing there is still no news from him. In the end I have to humble myself to continuously "beg" his secretary for an answer. She sounded pissed... but similarly I am pissed with her attitude as well. But what to do other than trying hard to bear with it. As always... I will be the one sandwiched between the Board and the Applicant. Why can't these people have a sense of urgency when the need arises??? Arrgghhh... if not for the regular working hours... I really cannot find a reason for liking this job.
There has been alot of news of miscarriages lately. Three forumers in the miscarriage support thread had recurrent miscarriages... all in a matter of less than 2 weeks. Another lady whom I got to know in the February 2004 bride thread lost her baby last Saturday. I can't help but wonder the percentage of recurrent miscarriages.
Speaking of which... today is exactly 2 months since we lost you angels. Time seems to be flying as though it was only yesterday... but during which alot of things had happened making it felt as though the days are crawling.
I can't wait for today to be over.
Realised that my one-month bonus wasn't credited into my account with my salary and neither was it reflected in my payslip. Accounts directed me to Human Resource... so now am waiting for the officer to give me a good reason for holding back the payment. I just couldn't figure the reason for it... but I have this nagging feeling that it isn't looking too good.
Damn!!!! I hate it whenever we are rushing for something... somewhere someone will sit on something. First its my boss then followed by Gerald Lee... as though it is some sort of standard operating procedure. He has been sitting on the Memo since last week and despite the chasing there is still no news from him. In the end I have to humble myself to continuously "beg" his secretary for an answer. She sounded pissed... but similarly I am pissed with her attitude as well. But what to do other than trying hard to bear with it. As always... I will be the one sandwiched between the Board and the Applicant. Why can't these people have a sense of urgency when the need arises??? Arrgghhh... if not for the regular working hours... I really cannot find a reason for liking this job.
There has been alot of news of miscarriages lately. Three forumers in the miscarriage support thread had recurrent miscarriages... all in a matter of less than 2 weeks. Another lady whom I got to know in the February 2004 bride thread lost her baby last Saturday. I can't help but wonder the percentage of recurrent miscarriages.
Speaking of which... today is exactly 2 months since we lost you angels. Time seems to be flying as though it was only yesterday... but during which alot of things had happened making it felt as though the days are crawling.
I can't wait for today to be over.
Friday, 11 June 2004
The Straw that Broke the Camel's Back
This week is swooshing by really fast... that's good.
Finally stood up against my boss on Wednesday. I told her right in the face that I cannot work overtime and need to go off. I have no problems about working overtime but not when she is obviously failing to put in the efforts to clear her work on time. The one page memo was given to her last Friday morning and despite numerous reminders on Monday and Tuesday... she only got back to me with amendments ten minutes before my knock-off time on Wednesday.
Every time when I remind her that she needs to clear something urgent, her reply would be "tomorrow" or "later today". Got me really pissed with her this time round... the straw finally broke the camel's back. You guys should see the expression on her face when I told her that I cannot stay. Time for her to realise that the world doesn't revolve around her timing. If she can drop her work and leave the office before her official knock-off time just because she has some personal appointment despite the amount of work piling... I don't see the reason why I cannot leave. What's more... it is my official knock-off time.
After this episode... I seriously think it is time for me to keep a lookout for better opportunities. No real hurry... cause Daddy said that no way she can or will fire me for that but I believe that it might affect my appraisal for next year.
Haven't form an attachment (and doubt that I will) to the work, the place and the people here... so it should be easier for me to move on. But the thought of having to deal with changes and in the event if I should get pregnant again... it will be tough for any potential employers to even consider my application.
Finally stood up against my boss on Wednesday. I told her right in the face that I cannot work overtime and need to go off. I have no problems about working overtime but not when she is obviously failing to put in the efforts to clear her work on time. The one page memo was given to her last Friday morning and despite numerous reminders on Monday and Tuesday... she only got back to me with amendments ten minutes before my knock-off time on Wednesday.
Every time when I remind her that she needs to clear something urgent, her reply would be "tomorrow" or "later today". Got me really pissed with her this time round... the straw finally broke the camel's back. You guys should see the expression on her face when I told her that I cannot stay. Time for her to realise that the world doesn't revolve around her timing. If she can drop her work and leave the office before her official knock-off time just because she has some personal appointment despite the amount of work piling... I don't see the reason why I cannot leave. What's more... it is my official knock-off time.
After this episode... I seriously think it is time for me to keep a lookout for better opportunities. No real hurry... cause Daddy said that no way she can or will fire me for that but I believe that it might affect my appraisal for next year.
Haven't form an attachment (and doubt that I will) to the work, the place and the people here... so it should be easier for me to move on. But the thought of having to deal with changes and in the event if I should get pregnant again... it will be tough for any potential employers to even consider my application.
Saturday, 5 June 2004
Rambling of Grumbles
Mummy has been having dreams throughout the night... can't quite remember most of them. But because of the endless dreams, I often wake up feeling extremely tired... sometimes even a little grouchy. Not too sure what's the reason but hoping that it will stop soon. Maybe its because I have been feeling stress??? Hmmm... nay... don't think I have been feeling any stress lately. Shall stop thinking about it... otherwise I am really giving myself stress.
Sometimes I wonder how my boss gets to where she is. She panics unnecessary (in local terms... we call her "not steady"), her sense of priorities sucks. She worries over the minor stuff but tries to push the responsibility when it is something major. She seems to have problems composing her thoughts... instructions are given in bits and pieces and half the time I have to try and guess what she said. Maybe she thinks we are mind-readers. She sits on her work... but I have become immune to that... cos the ball is in her court, if she is taking it easy why should I worry right? The one thing that really got on my nerves lately is that she seems to be taking me as an operator. She will buzz me for another colleague's extension even though she is sitting right infront of her laptop and having full access to the intranet. God!!!!
As like what Daddy said... sometimes when we work for such people, we need to close both eyes. I will go with that since he has lots more experience having to deal with Ronald.
Sometimes I wonder how my boss gets to where she is. She panics unnecessary (in local terms... we call her "not steady"), her sense of priorities sucks. She worries over the minor stuff but tries to push the responsibility when it is something major. She seems to have problems composing her thoughts... instructions are given in bits and pieces and half the time I have to try and guess what she said. Maybe she thinks we are mind-readers. She sits on her work... but I have become immune to that... cos the ball is in her court, if she is taking it easy why should I worry right? The one thing that really got on my nerves lately is that she seems to be taking me as an operator. She will buzz me for another colleague's extension even though she is sitting right infront of her laptop and having full access to the intranet. God!!!!
As like what Daddy said... sometimes when we work for such people, we need to close both eyes. I will go with that since he has lots more experience having to deal with Ronald.
Thursday, 3 June 2004
Blue Black Ang Mo?
Feels like Monday today... guess that it is because of Vesak Day falling right in the middle of the week. But we had a fruitful Vesak Day... cos we manage to spend time with both families. Although it would have been great too if Daddy and Mummy had managed to stick to our original plan to go for a picnic... cos the weather wasn't too humid and with a bit of clouds and breeze.
Daddy is still keeping me in suspense. All I know is that my birthday pressie is something black, blue and white (Daddy said its a orh chee ang mo). The material is plastic for black and metallic for blue and white. Hmmm... I wonder...
My menstrual cycle started on 28 May as "predicted" by Dr. Lim. Load off my mind... at least my cycle and hormones are back to normal. But how I use to hate those days when my aunt comes by for a visit. Daddy and Mummy agreed to wait for another cycle before we start trying again.
Daddy is still keeping me in suspense. All I know is that my birthday pressie is something black, blue and white (Daddy said its a orh chee ang mo). The material is plastic for black and metallic for blue and white. Hmmm... I wonder...
My menstrual cycle started on 28 May as "predicted" by Dr. Lim. Load off my mind... at least my cycle and hormones are back to normal. But how I use to hate those days when my aunt comes by for a visit. Daddy and Mummy agreed to wait for another cycle before we start trying again.
