05 May 2009
Didn’t know that I have not been blogging for 2 months… well cos I am too busy plus being too lazy!! sigh…
There are too many things to write, to complain, to be thankful ...
To begin, I’m thankful that I am not required to go to Budapest, Hungary, this week for the 23rd Board Meeting. Can’t imagine with so many things going on
- 2 boys are sick, and now with the swine flu going on, the school needs the doctor to certify that they are fit for school… so now both of them are at home!
- swine flu going on so the best is stay and not to travel.
- Peter is busy at work so can’t expect him to send and pick the boys from school for at least a week and even now I’m the one who take leave to stay at home with the boys.
As I need to pick the boys from student care and childcare, I can’t work late, I have been replying and writing emails from home because of this board meeting, esp last week I stayed up till 2.30am. Last year, when it was held in Singapore, for one week I stayed late in office and asked mum to pick the boys from the childcare. After this board meeting, towards the end of the year, the 24th Board Meeting will be held in Singapore again! I don’t know how am I going to cope :( especially now the boys are in different schools. Thank God I have a great colleague, Michael, who has been of great help to me. I can trust him with all the task given to him. For that I’m very selfish, I hope he will stay as long as I’m here…haha.
This Friday is Jarrett’s 4th birthday. We already placed the order for the cake. He asked for Bakugan cake! It will be a real disappointment if he can’t celebrate in school again. Last year, we planned to have his birthday celebration with some of our friends but becos of the suspect case of HFMD we had to cancel the celebration. So please pray that he will recover within this 2 days!
Yes, I really can’t wait for the boys to recover from their fever, cough and running nose. Really heartache to see them sick, esp Ethan who has been coughing for more than 2 weeks :( Had also spent a lot on their medical bills. Thank God that I can claim from company however there’s a cap. I’m already reaching this cap very soon :( though June is not here yet.
05 Mar 2009
Long ago I already have the intention to move Jarrett to another childcare centre once Ethan graduate. But Daddy is quite against the idea and of course I also understand why. This is because we remembered very clearly that Jarrett took more than 3 months to adapt to the childcare centre. I couldn’t believe myself that he cried for such a long period every morning when I send him to the childcare centre. Just when he started to adapt to the environment, the childcare centre moved to another place. That took him approximately another 2 weeks to settle down.
Before the centre moved, it was situated in one of the terrace houses. Though it can be quite inconvenient if there is no car, but we love the environment there. It was the environment that attracted Daddy and I when we started searching for a childcare centre for Ethan. I don’t quite like the environment in the new place, it’s situated in those small shopping malls. It’s also between a construction site and the MRT, thus we can see many foreign workers on bicycles cycling to the MRT station, which at times looks dangerous especially when I drop or pick up the kids.. Another reason I got very paranoid was during the HFMD peak. Though the school will do body and temperature check before accepting the children in school BUT that building is open to public and there are 2 other childcare centre in the building, 1 on the same level, meaning the virus can be easily passed especially in the lift or the escalator… Thus, I always highlight to the 2 boys the moment we parked the car and enter to the building that no one is supposed to touch anything till they reached the centre at level 3. Environment is the main reason why I feel that I need to search for another childcare centre for him. But I am too busy to search for one or maybe I still have the fear of searching one cos I remember 4 years ago when we were searching one for Ethan, there wasn’t any good centre that we like that I almost wanted to give up searching and feel that afterall they were all the same, none of them give us the feeling of comfort till we found the one the 2 boys attended.
One fine day in Nov/Dec, I met one mum from the same centre. She told me that her girl is leaving the centre by the end of the year to another centre nearby. It’s a new centre. Also, many of Jarrett’s classmates and schoolmates left to join this new school. We visited this new centre last December. Again, Daddy and I love the environment just like how we love the old centre in the terrace house. Jarrett and Ethan went to play toys while we were tour around the centre and talked to the teacher. We asked Jarrett whether he wants to come to this new centre and he said yes. I was still procrastinating whether or not to register him in this centre… partly because of the high fees. But if I register Jarrett before the new year starts we can enjoy some discount. So I inform the school that we decided to move Jarrett to another school. I spoke to the Head since she picked up my call and then another day the principal called. They were very concerned why we moved. I spent more than half an hour on the phone telling the principal why we want to move. After they accepted our letter of notice, I went to register Jarrett to the new school. Since I need to give one month notice, Jarrett can only join the new school in February. But he was too eager to go to the new school. I need to explain to him why he needs to wait though I don’t think he understand 
Just 2 days before end January, I somehow decided not to let Jarrett go to new school. I have too many worries. So I contacted the new school principal that I wish to withdraw but let me talk to the old school principal first. Of course, she was very happy that Jarrett would stay. Again, I spent another 20 mins or so to understand both schools programme. Which one will be more suitable for Jarrett. So to move or not to move? Daddy said he will leave it to me to decide! Arrggh! On Friday late evening, I decided that we stayed!
HOWEVER, in the following week, while trying to arrange a day to go back to the new school to get my refund of the deposit and return the free 2 sets of uniform, I talked to the new centre principal again and decided that Jarrett will move to the new centre! Ya, I know I just couldn’t make up my mind. When I spoke to the old centre principal, she doesn’t sound too happy. In fact, she wanted me to give her another month of notice, meaning Jarrett can only join the new school in April! But I tried to explain to her, to Jarrett’s benefit she should let him go early since we didn’t buy the readers series. Only then she let him go by end February. Felt like such a long wait again to move to new school. Finally he joined the new school on Monday, 2 March!
I really hope that I have made the right choice for him. He has been there for 2 weeks. He seems happy. Whenever I asked him what he does, his reply “I play toy” Seems like he only play. Last Saturday, we had a parent-teacher meeting (since the school and teacher are new, this session was a presentation by the English and Chinese teachers. His teacher assure us definitely he’s learning and good that he sees it as play, meaning he’s learning through play!
Another good point about this school is that though the school fee is $30 more than the previous school, he has free swimming lesson on Tuesday and Gym programme on Thursday. I paid an additional of $70 for his Chinese (Monday) and English (Wednesday) Speech and Drama. Though I know next year they will increase the school fee but somehow I still wish they will not increase!
18 Feb 2009
I have joined the crazy group to have a Face Book account! Ha! Though I’m not sure whether I will be active! I’m still trying to figure out…
18 Feb 2009
Recently I don’t feel comfortable wearing my glasses. I guess not many people know that I wear glasses as I wear only when I drive.
I used to go to the optician at Jelita Cold Storage but that was more than 8 years ago. Yes, meaning I have not had my eye checked since then ;p I went there two weeks ago, I’m surprised that it’s gone! Now I’m so lost which one to go to. I asked M4M forum, someone recommended one at Wisma Atria which I planned to go last Monday since I’m on leave to run some errands. But Jarrett was coughing quite badly that I decided to bring him to Yuguo… Another forummer recommended one at Queensway Shopping Centre. Since it’s near my office, I planned to go during lunch time. But I couldn’t go yesterday cos had lunch appointment with ex-boss. So today I went to Queensway Shopping Centre. The moment I stepped into the shopping mall, I saw many optician shops but not the one which was recommended by the forum. Anyway, I find it is not easy to locate a shop in this messy shopping mall. Also, I couldn’t see where is the directory. So I went round and round 3 levels to search for the recommended shop named “Eye Profile”. After searching for more than 20 mins, finally I found it and it’s a tiny shop and the shop name is just not clear. I was told that this optician has new and fashionable glasses but when I look at the display I don’t think they are my type. I hestiated whether to go ahead.. in the end I went to McDonalds to eat first :(
After eating, I went back to that shop and look at the display frames and decided to go back to office :( Guess I’m still looking.
08 Jan 2009
I think I am more busy and stressful now since Ethan started to go Primary School. Besides the usual routine of getting dinner, washing the dishes, showering the boys, doing the laundry, now I have to iron his uniform everyday, help him to check his school bag. I am very happy that he is eagar to pack his bag and he also remembers what to bring even though it is not written in his pupil’s handbook. Anyway, I find that I am more tired and busy since he started Primary school. I am so stress that I must make sure I give him pocket money everyday otherwise he will go hungry during recess.
On top of that, every morning I have to ask him to eat faster. Like this morning, Jarrett had already finished eating 2 slices of bread and drank a cup of milk. But our dear Ethan is still eating his first slice of bread!!
Did I say I want to label Ethan’s school uniform? Sigh… I wanted to do it before the school starts but I didn’t :( On Monday night, I wanted to label it but I still forgot!! Guess what? On Tuesday night, when I empty his laundry bag from his student care, I couldn’t find his school pants! Arrrrggghhhh!!!
So the next day I called the student care to ask the teacher to check but she said she found a set of uniform. Yesterday, when I went to pick him up I spoke to the teacher. She showed me the set of uniform which they have but the pants is so big so definitely it doesn’t belong to Ethan. So yesterday, after washing his school uniform, I quickly hang it up and use the fan to dry and also to iron it. Thank God he can wear it this morning.
Initially our plan is to get my mum to pick Ethan up since his school is nearer to our place and I will pick Jarrett up so that I won’t need to rush to 2 different places. But after many thoughts, I changed my mind. I will pick the 2 boys up so as not to trouble my mum. After trying for the last few days, I must not leave the office after 6pm. I hope there won’t be anything to hold me up so that I can leave the office earlier.
Looking at our schedule, Ethan hardly has any time left after dinner. It doesn’t help that he takes an hour to finish his dinner. I told Daddy yesterday that we might have to stop his abacus class since he doesn’t have time to do his abacus homework. Hopefully the student care teacher can help him in his school homework and spelling/tingxie.
04 Jan 2009
I feel like such a terrible mum who do everything so last minute. Though I already planned to wrap his books before Christmas but I never got to do it. I ironed his school uniform on new year’s eve, wrapped and labelled his books on new year day. After the boys sleep then I remember to take out his wallet and watch which we bought for him looong time ago. I labelled most of his stuff, like books, bags, files, pencils, every colour pencils, ruler, easer but I forgot to label his sock, shoes and school uniform. When I picked him up from the student care, he said the teacher in the student care already written his name on the shoe. hehe…
But on the first day of school, we were late. It was a mad rush. It doesn’t help that Ethan has to take his own sweet time to eat one slice of bread :( Since it’s a mad rush, we forgot to let him wear the watch, we never bring the camera. I only managed to take a picture of him in the evening when I pick him up from school.
I hope no more mad rush for future and I told him he has to eat on the way to school since he took so long to eat.
It’s only first day of school, both my boys forgot to bring their water bottles back!! I know it’s common that children will lose their stuffs or forgot to bring something to school or back home… I hope I will be able to keep myself cool so I hope Ethan will learn to be more responsible of his own things.
20 Jul 2008
I’m relieved that I have finally registered Ethan into a primary school. Not too far from our place, within 1km. I have started my research when he was not even 4 years old, ya I’m super kiasu, especially after reading the comments and remarks from the forum. But yet I couldn’t make up my mind, thus I registered to do PV for 3 schools! cos from the past years’ statistic, these 3 schools need balloting for Phase 2C within 1 km. Actually, another reason to be PV is for me to know the schools better, that’s how I could get to see how bad or good are the teachers and students and even the office staff. Ironically, in the end I didn’t choose any of these 3 schools. I also never complete the required 40 hrs. That’s becos I decided to join RC and the chairman confirmed that I will get my letter in time for phase 2B registered. Joining RC, I can choose any school within the Sembawang Constituency, that’s from Marsiling to Yishun! In total there’s 19 schools in this Constituency.
However, my “research” of which school should I choose has gone down the drain when I realised that I my priority is to have a student care in the school premises. If the student care is not within the school premises, it’s going to be a problem when he needs to stay back in school for remedial classes or CCA.
Through a mum from the forum, I found out that this particular school is going to start a student care within the school premises this year. We went for the open house last Saturday, overall we are pretty happy with it. For now, the only thing I don’t like is that design of the school uniform!! I hope that’s all. The most important is to have good teachers who are loving and caring, can inspire him to have interest in his studies! Also, having good buddy/friends. We hope he’ll enjoy going to this school and learn well.
20 Jun 2008
Told Daddy that I’m going to sleep early since I need to wake up early and also for the last 2 nights I slept late. So I went to bed with the boys at 10pm.
However, I woke up at 2+am :( Due to work stress? or cos I slept too “early”. My mind kept thinking of the handbook which is going to ‘launch’ later. Anyway, I got up to pack the boys’ clothes cos they are going to cousin Dickson’s place. SIL is very kind to offer us to put the boys there after knowing that the childcare is closed.
Feel like leaving for work now since I can’t sleep but should I wait for Jarrett to wake up?
19 Jun 2008
I remember when I was offered to move to this department, I was told that it’s going to be very relax and I will even have the time to read newspaper. Life here is definitely better than my previous department. However, it’s not the case! After moving here for more than 3 weeks, there were days I’m mentally tired :( and I feel there’s a need to take some tonic to recover the lost energy from my body. Thank God I was given my new assistant, who arrived this week! I hope I can manage better. Praying very hard that I will do well in my job.
Why am I still awake at this hour? Probably due to the stress at work :( I was told to revise the staff handbook and there were only a few minor changes but when I read that’s not the case! There’s a lot that needs to be changed. As I was so busy, I couldn’t find time to work on it. I guessed my only time is to work from home so last Tuesday night, I worked on the staff handbook till 2am. Continued with the rest the next day in office. Good thing I worked on it on Tuesday night otherwise, I won’t be able to finish to give to Deputy ED.
Thursday morning I was asked to go to his office, good thing to see that there were only minor changes which I suspect he didn’t read in details. Anyway, I still took the whole day to tidy up. I told my Director that I hope it will be not ‘launched’ tomorrow (Friday) cos still there are many things to be fine tune, especially the travel guidelines.
I prayed that everything will be fine when the handbook is ‘launched’! Crossed my fingers.
25 May 2008
Incident 1
When I wrote this entry about Jarrett always says “I want Mummy”.
Result: the next day he said “I don’t want Mummy!” So sad to hear that. Just becos I want him to shower when he insisted to continue his PSP game! He was so angry with me that he kept saying I don’t want Mummy, I don’t want Mummy while I was trying to shower him. In the end he refused to let me towel dry him which I have to get Daddy to do it.
Incident 2
A friend sms me asking whether I have problem getting Ethan to do his Abacus homework. I replied so far so good, sometimes he can even do more than what teacher gave him. Instead I have problem getting him to learn his spelling.
Result: Very difficult to get him to do his Abacus homework. Always pushing to say he will do tomorrow :(
That explains why sometimes I don’t want to write some of the boys milestones in the blogs.
Incident 3
When I commented Daddy why after so many days he was still applying the bonjela gel for the ulcer in his mouth?
Result: I got an ulcer on my lip last Saturday when I woke up in the morning :( It was so terribly awful and painful. One of the nights I woke up cos it was so painful cos too dry and it cracks :( Thank God, finally it got better now.
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