I am “OFF”

We had a very good weekend and enjoyed the bonding times with the families.

On Saturday evening, we had dinner at New York New York in Sembawang shopping centre with the extended families. We were all so amazed with the revamp of the whole building. Everyone was asking “what happened to the “lok-lok” place since we were there donkey years back…hehe.

After dinner, we explored the building and discovered there were many specialties shops in the building – there was even a Daiso in the mall…not bad.

I know we will go back again – to explore the children play area as I had seen via some mommies’ blogs.

On Sunday, Anders had his swimming lesson and Anthea went along for her swim too. The instructor brought him to the deep pool and advises him to use goggles. This was his 1st time swimming with a goggle and after using it, he told me: “mommy, it’s very good leh, I can see Uncle Julian’s legs in the pool. I want to use goggles for my next lesson.”…haha. Finally, I had been encouraging him to wear goggles whenever we go for water play but he refused because he doesn’t like the feeling. Now, he has grown to like it and I am really happy for him.

In the evening, we had dinner at my parent’s home. As usual, it was a good spread of western dishes. Roast of lamp was the main course and we ate to our heart fullest contentment.

Starting tomorrow I will be officially “OFF” for my business trip and my role as a Mother for the few days. So Adrian decided last night that he and the children will start their morning routine as of today.

At 6 am, he woke both of them up and had them to drink their milk. Anthea had her normal bread & butter breakfast, Anders decided that he will have breakfast at the childcare.

Then they changed into their school uniforms and left home at 6.45am. Adrian will fetch Anthea to school 1st and then dropped Anders off at the childcare centre at exactly 7am. We had been joking with Anders that he will be the 1st to arrive in school for this week.

I take it as a “warm-up” exercise for Anders as comes 2011, he will be going to Primary 1 and he will be in morning session for the following 6 years. I am really glad that both Anthea and Anders had no problem in waking up early in the morning…phew.

Now I am all packed, checked in my airline seat, bought my travel insurance and booked my transport for tomorrow morning.

Yeah, I am going to miss all my 宝贝from tomorrow onwards. Last night at bed, Anthea even told me: “mommy, if anyone bullies you, you called home and tell us.” This really melts my heart…hehe.

Meanwhile, I will make the best out of this trip and hope to prove my value to the meeting. Likewise to gain as much knowledge as I can during the trip.

My 1st Business Trip

Last week while corresponding with my Manager at work, she made a request for me to join her in a Roundtable meeting and other client’s visits in Shanghai. I was thrilled with her invitation and started making flights enquiry. At the same time, I also asked Adrian of his opinion and he was all out for the trip. : )

After some discussion and arrangement, I am finally confirmed for my 1st business travel in this new decade. Yes, I am going to Shanghai…: )

Last Friday, I went to the agency to pay and pick up my documents for both our family vacation and my Shanghai trip.

Then I went to The Planet Traveller store in Ion Orchard and made a trade in for a new luggage bag. One of our old luggage bags is damaged and so it’s a good time to get a brand new one at the discounted rate.

I am now all set for the travel and will start packing on this coming weekend.

Looking back, I had not done any "solo" travel since my last business trip to Shenzhen in March 2007 with my ex-ex company. It was a team building event and after that I had an extended holiday in Hong Kong with Anthea and my Mother In law.

This business trip, however, will be a much different scale compared to the one I went in Shenzhen. Beside a Full Day round table meeting event, the other days are all packed with Client visits. As I am taking care of the Asia Pacific members, so this will be a good opportunity to say Hello to most of them face to face rather than just over the phones. It will be a good chance to build up the rapport too.

A few friends and families had asked if I am visiting the Shanghai Expo but judging at my meeting schedules, I doubt that I will have the FREE time to visit it this round. Anyway, I believe I will have more chance to travel once I cross this 1st trip…hehe.

Logistic wise while I am away, we had “sub-contracted” my role to 3 people – Adrian, my mother in law and my mom. Yes, I was joking with Adrian that my role as a main caretaker of my children seems so minute in its daily role. But once there is such a circumstance, then we realized the important of the role and it should not be taken for granted -The Greatness of WFHM...: )

Will I miss the children – YES… definitely. Like what my SIL always said “it’s a no brainer answer”…haha. I had never been away from them, even during our own holidays. So this will be my “official” 1st time without them on an oversea trip. I know it will draw significance emotion from all of us and i know it's a good time for them to learn to be independent.

Both Anthea and Anders have been telling me: “you are going away for SO LONG…” when I told them I will be away for only 4 days…haha.

I asked them “why when daddy goes for his 3 months working trip, you guys never said SO LONG…and now I am only going for 4 days to Shanghai? “ they just gave me the most cheeky smiles on their faces.

In about a week time, I will be travelling and I am really looking forward to this opportunity because I know that it will build up my profile and also hopefully – bring my career to it next level.

(Anthea, Anders & their cousin Faith; we celebrated Mother's Day @ Sze Chuan Court in Fairmont hotel)

我的内疚

Since last Sunday evening, I had been feeling ill till this May Day…

On Sunday evening, I developed a fever and started taking the fever medicine. On Monday morning, I went to the doctor and got some other medication for the illness. Usually within 2 days of medication, I would recover but somehow by Wednesday, I developed another illness – gastric.

This illness caused me a lot of discomfort. I had this very tight feeling on the chest and felt like vomiting all the time. I told Adrian it’s like having morning sickness minus the pregnancy.

Yesterday, I went to the doctor for the 2nd time and get medication for the gastric problem. Now I am feeling slightly better but still weak from all the drowsy medication.

This week I hadn’t been fulfilling my duty much, especially in the morning. My normal routine is to wake up 6am and prepare simple breakfast for Anthea. But this week, I can’t wake up at 6am. So in the end, she was “forced” to do all the morning routine on her own. Adrian told me “luckily, she is now quite independent.”

Yes, she now do her own breakfast, changed herself and get her ready before Adrian fetched her to school.

But one thing she will do for sure – she will come by to my bedside and say Bye Bye to me and then we will set a timing to meet after school. It was a consolation to me, at the least.

I have been feeling guilty this whole week for not being able to wake up in the morning for Anthea but I know I needed the rest to walk a longer journey with her. She will understand my situation. Also because of my illness, I know Anthea has grown to be an independent girl and she will be able to take good care of herself whenever mommy is down & out…: P

Having said this – I tell myself – 我一定要好起来！！加油！

My 1st Round Table Meeting

In my new job capacity as a Client Service Executive, I have the opportunity organize Round Table meetings and also Mini Round Table meeting.

For the round table meetings, it would be held at a local hotel meeting room. As for mini round table meetings, it’s done via a digital meeting room, so all I need to do is to co-ordinate online.

So far I had done a few mini round table meetings and all had gone on smoothly. This week was my 1st time organizing a Round Table meeting and it was a very good experienced.

It was a 2 days meeting event and it took place on a Wednesday & Thursday. Originally my HQ in United Kingdom was supposed to courier the event documents to the hotel. Also my Service Delivery Director was supposed to travel to Singapore to host the event. However, due to the volcano eruption, all these did not happen.

So immediately I went into action to get the documents printed out via a local printer. Also as my Director could not travel to Singapore, I had to manage the meeting alone, with my facilitator and his assistant.

On Wednesday morning around 8am, I arrived at the hotel to do the setup and also meet up with the meeting facilitator and the assistant.

Around 8.30am, the delegates started to arrive and I manage to meet & greet all of them. It was a very good way to build the rapport with them as usually we would only communicate via emails or telephones.

The meeting started on schedule and all went very smoothly throughout the day. In the evening, I organized a dinner get-together with a few of them who indicated their availability to join for the dinner. It was a simple & enjoyable dinner with the group.

The 2nd day of the meeting also went on very smoothly and at the end of the day, everyone was feeling very happy and the mood was very cordial.

I had a good 2 days with the meeting events and i now look forward to my next event.. : )

Anthea was down with tonsillitis on Wednesday and was given 2 days of MC. Thanks to my mom, as usual, who came in to look after her while I went to work. If not, I would not have been able to manage it so well.

我爱嗒嗒球!

A few months back while playing badminton down stair, a China lady approached us and introduced us to a new sport – 嗒嗒球。That was my 1st time playing the new sport and I enjoyed it very much.

Last Friday after sending Anders to childcare I went to the park, planning to do my run. As I walked toward the park, I saw a group of people playing the sport and I recognized the china lady whom had introduced the game to me. I went to her & said hello and she invited me to join in the game.

I was delighted to join in the game and had so much fun for the 1 hour play. Also I got to know a few more new friends at the game. The china lady is actually here in Singapore to stay with her daughter and to take care of her grandson. She has been playing this sport for competition in China and she started introducing the sport to her new friends in Singapore.

Through a new lady friend, I found out that there is a group of people who come together in the morning to do exercise lead by an elderly lady. She was taught the set of exercises by a Hong Kong master and the best thing – the exercise is for FREE, anyone can just join in. So last Saturday, I went for my 1st group exercise and I found it very useful. This week, I have been following the group for the morning exercise and then played 嗒嗒球with the group after the exercise.

嗒嗒球 is a very interesting sport – it’s a combination of badminton & table tennis. What I like most about this sport is you can play anywhere as long as there is an open space. There is no need to book a court or find a table, as long as there is an open space, you can play the game.

Now I am slowly learning the right technique to play the sport and hopefully one day I can play as well as the China 大姐。

Now my next target is to buy my own set of bat / shuttles for the game. As this is a new sport, so the equipment is not available in Singapore. They can only be bought in China. So now I have to wait for families/friends that are travelling to china to help me to get my own set….hehe….: )

My Special DAY!

On Saturday morning when I switched on my mobile, I received chains of birthday greetings from friends & family. Yes, it was my 39th year old birthday and I told myself – it’s my day & I would take the opportunity to enjoy the day.

In the morning, I treated myself to a massage session at the Asmara Spa. The 2 hours session was very therapeutic and after the massage, I was treated to a complimentary piece of cheese cake by the spa as they knew it was my actual day.

This was the best cheesecake I had – simply because I was enjoying it in a very surreal environment with totally no disturbance. It was just ME in my own world of enjoyment. : )

Then in the evening, dinner was at Café 2000 in M Hotel with the extended families. It was a semi buffet and the spread was sumptuous too.

I had a very enjoyable dinner, sitting & chatting with the families. The café also had a piece of complimentary cake for birthday person, so I was treated to another piece of birthday cake.

Of course, we had our own birthday cake for the families. Since it would be my last chance to see 3 BIG Candles on my birthday cake, I told them to light up all the candles. Yes, the next one onward will have 4 BIG Candles..hehe.

The children were delighted to see so many candles and everyone was waiting for the chance blow the candles. Immediately after the song, all of them blew the candles off.

We had some cakes with the coffee/tea served. Then we finally left the cafe around 10pm.

On Sunday, we were treated to a nice family dim sum lunch with my parents & brother. We had Peking Duck, Steam Soon Hock, Special doufu & fried noodles with a few dim sum dishes at 大东酒楼。This is a long timed& very established restaurant and their food are really good too.

After lunch we walked around Chinatown area and wanted to try the traditional desserts but the place was too crowded to we try other place instead.

Then after dessert, we went to shop around the market place and I managed to buy pyjamas for the children.

Overall this had been a very memorable weekends for me. I hope that I will have a blessed year ahead and most importantly – age gracefully…: ).

I’m Loving it…

Nope, I am not advertising for Macdees and hope they would not sue me for infringement…hehe.

Yes, this is my exact feeling for the month of February 2010 and I hope this feeling will continue as I progress.

February has been an amazingly great month for me. Besides welcoming the Tiger Year in happiness & joyous mood. It was also the 1st month of my new job/new role.

I had started my journey as a work-from-home mom and I am really enjoying this new privileges.

First and foremost – no more morning rush hours. Secondly, I had included a morning jogs into my new routine. Thirdly – I have ample time to prepare or buy lunches for Anthea & myself. Last but not least – household chores are all within my area & control.

I had been through a few training sessions with my oversea colleagues on new area such as co-ordination of Virtual Meetings and also virtual demonstrations for our members.

It has been a wonderful learning curve and as I progress into in the new role, I am hoping I can build a career out of it. I knew a few of my other colleagues started just like what I am doing now. As their children grew up, their profile changed and they are still enjoying the job.

As for the part on being lonely since I am all by myself at work. Honestly, I don’t feel lonely at all. I have friends who are communicating with me via msn/yahoo. Also face book friends who are giving me all the encouragement. I am grateful to all the companionship from all my wonderful friends/families.

Now I am looking forward to another wonderful month of celebrations in March and continue the Loving feelings...: )

A New Role - WFHM

Yes, for the last few years, I had been job hopping. It’s not a good thing foe my resume but it’s something I needed to do for the good of the family, I believed.

Since Anthea started Primary One education, I had been her main after school caregiver. As she is in single morning session school, I would look for any Permanent Part Time morning hour jobs. So far, I had been lucky and found the jobs that met my needs.

Coming 1 February 2010, I will be starting a new role in my life chapter. I am going to be a PT WFHM (work-from-home-mom).

This week I am serving my 1 week notice for my current temp job. The company has treated me really well and I am experiencing mixed feeling in leaving the job.

Many friends had asked me how I managed to get such a job that allows me to work from home. : ) I replied them – “my lucky star shone on me. “

It started about 2 months - on 10 November 2009 when I was doing online job hunting and read about this position on Monster.com - Part time Client Services Executive. The thing that really caught my attention for the job is – it’s a home based job.

I wrote in for the position and after that forgot about it. On 20 November 2009, I received an oversea call on my mobile and the caller identified herself and requested for an interview time/date for the following week.

Then after a few rounds of interviews (via telephone & face to face). I was finally shortlisted for the position.

I had negotiated for my benefits and terms and glad to say, the company was agreeable to most of my terms.

Last week, my reporting manager was in town for a Round Table session and some client meetings. I took the few days off and did job training with her. It was a very fruitful session and she was a very good mentor for the job.

I had a clearer insight to my new job scope and starting next Monday, I will be officially granted the “WFHM” status.

I know I will miss out the “colleagues” part as most of the time I will be working on my own and liaising with my UK office. But like what a blogging friend told me: “you win some, you lose some.”

But having some many ex-colleagues and friends surrounding me, I know I will not be that lonely …hehe : P

Teambuilding @ Focus Adventure

This has been a very fast & exciting week for me. The office that I am currently doing temp job had their teambuilding event on the Thursday, 14 January 2010. The event was a kickoff event for the company year and staff from different offices in Asia Pacific joined in the event.

Although I am just a Part time staff there, I was really honored that they had included me in the event.

In the morning after sending the children to school and childcare, I made my way to the venue. The venue was Focus Adventure @ Sembawang. So it was quite easy for me to get to the location.

When I reached that around 8.15am, there was breakfast served while waiting for the rest of the people to arrive. The event officially started at 8.45am.

There were energy check games – these were to warm up our engine for the day. Then we were grouped into different group for a few games that tested our team’s focus, strategy thinking, cooperation and compliance. The games were all very fun but yet created such scenarios that were closed to work environment.

Around 1pm, after the 2 rounds of team games, we had our lunch & rested before we proceeded to outdoor for the High Element program.

Yes, as the name suggested, it was really high. The obstacle was about 12 meters above group. Each team did a different obstacle route and my team did the log walk.

I had never tried such obstacle walk in my life before and I told myself – I can do it. As one of my colleague said – fear is only in your mind.

With the team support, I made it and I know from this obstacle walk – there is nothing that can stop us in what we do except our own self.

The event finally ended at 6pm and we proceeded to the Sembawang SAF Yatch Club for the company gala dinner. The day ended around 9pm. Although it has been a long day but it had been a very fun filling day for me and I know I will remember this for a long time.

假期计划和 我的“新欢”

Yes, in about 2 weeks time, the year end school holiday will begin and it will last for a month plus.

Being the family holiday planner, I had been thinking hard of where to go for our family holiday. After some thoughts, I finally decided that we are NOT going away for this December school holiday…hee.

Basically, Adrian is still doing his course and it will end only mid December and by then, it’s almost Christmas time. So I thought it would be too late to go for holiday and 冬至is around the same time, so we must still in Singapore for the reunion dinner..: )

Also at year end, it’s hard to decide which country to visit as most of the countries are in their winter season and it will be too cold for the children.

With these in mind, I am now starting to plan for some local VACATIONS…haha.

Yes, we are now booked for 1 Staycation Vacation at Rasa Sentosa Resort and 1 chalet stay at Aranda Country Club for November & December respectively.

In between the holidays, I have make plans for some local tours – Zoo, Duck Tour, Flyers etcs. As long as I can get off from work, I will bring the children around and enjoy Singapore…haha. We will make ourselves like tourist at home.

I believe the important part of the holiday is the family bonding time that we get when we enjoyed the time together, regardless where we are…: )

新欢

Ever since I started working in my new place, I had joined the morning express. In order to make the train ride from AMK to Raffles Place more enjoyable, I decided to borrow library books and read them along the way.

The other day I was at Bishan library borrowing the children usual reading stuff. At the browser return tray, I saw there was this one and only CHINESE Book and I took it and read a bit. I felt in love with the book immediately and borrowed it. Since then, my morning express is never the same again and I am thinking why the train rides to and back is so fast..hehe.

Yes, my new found love is the series of Chinese romance books – 寻梦圆。After my 1st book, I had followed up & borrowed another few more. There are a few writers in the series and most of the stories are like fairytales where the Prince & Princess finally live happily ever after. I think for me, the thrill is reading Chinese and the dialogue inside the books are so humorous which in real life – I can find none..: P

Now with this new Love discovery, I will be going back to the library for more and more..haha.

人生就是一场梦！！

Boot camp, anyone??

Ever since I changed to working part time, I had gained back some of my previous lost weight…sigh. Must be the intake of all the sumptuous lunches with Anthea..hee.

And in this coming December I will be attending Adrian’s course graduation ceremony. I had finally bought my Gown and I must really lose some weight to look better in the gown.

Adrian had started his gym routine since his return from the last oversea trip. As the gym membership fees is too expensive for me to maintain. I decided to do my usual jogging routine at the track / park nearby. Well, so far I don’t really seem to be losing what I hope to lose…so I started looking around for some solutions.

Slimming Centers? Nope, this will be my last resort because it will surely cost a bomb for any treatments.

So I start looking around for some affordable gym or workout session. Finally I found this – Fitness Boot camp SG. I read through the website information and found that they had a training session at Bishan on every Sunday. So I wasted no time and registered myself for the trial lesson.

Coincidentally, this is also the same group of people that conducted the Boot Camp session for the Health Promotion Board program – HPB's Lose to Win Challenge. It is telecast on Channel 5 on every Wednesday.

Last Sunday was my 1st time to the session and I had a fun-tastic time. The trainer name was Matt and he was really easy going and fun too. There were another 2 ladies with me at the same session. One of them was also a 1st timer and the other one was a regular. What surprised me most was – both of the ladies were slim & fit and they are doing the Standard Chartered 10KM run on this coming Sunday. This leave me to wonder why do they need to attend the boot camp since they are already so fit…hee.

But after the session, I realized something important – it was the motivational push. When I exercised alone, I felt restless and just do my routine. But when I am doing group exercises, I felt more energetic and also with a personal trainer pushing you along the way, the effect was just amazing. After the 1 hour’s workout, I went home, feeling totally refreshed and my physical felt the fulfillment.

A day and 2 after the session, my whole body was aching but I told Adrian “痛到很爽!!”嘻嘻。

This Sunday I will be going for my 2nd session and hopefully by the end of the whole sessions, I hope I can hit my personal target – losing weight!!

Routine & DSLR

On Tuesday, it was my 1st day as a FTSAHM. The 1st thing I did after sending Anders to childcare was I headed for the swimming pool for my 10 laps morning swim. It was a very refreshing swim and the pool was very quiet, unlike the usual Sunday crowd.

On Wednesday, I went to Fitness First @ AMK HUB. Adrian had recently signed up for the gym membership and in return, they gave him some FREE Guest passes. After studying the aerobic class’s schedule, I decided to do the Wednesday 10.15am class. I went to the gym around 9.30am and did some of the usual gym workout.

At 10.10am, I waited outside of the studio for the earlier lesson to end. Once it ended, most of the people rushed in and the class was overcrowded. A few gym members kept telling me that there was not enough space for my step board. So in the end, I had no choice but to forego the class and left.

I was really surprised to see the class to be so “packed” during such “off peak” hours. Guess now people are getting more & more in GYM…haha. Even the HDB “Tai-tai” do the same..: P

Today is my 3rd day and I did my usual household chores in the morning. Then in the afternoon went to buy lunch for Anthea before fetching her.

The new routine is now more relaxing and no more “mad lunch time rush”. I am also enjoying my gym workout and swimming sessions. I will enjoy them as long as I can and meanwhile, I am still looking for a Part Time job diligently.

DSLR

I had seen many blogging parents taking very nice photographs of their children and blogging them. I had always wanted to get such a camera but had some consideration, so till now, I am still faithfully using my Panasonic Lumix F10.

Recently my BIL bought a new DSLR camera and took a few photos of the children. The pictures are really sharp and capture the expression so much better than the normal camera. So now I am very tempted and wonder if I should invest in one?

I must start doing my homework before I make the final decision as Adrian had said “you are the only one using it, so must make sure it does not become another “white elephant”.

So my dear blogging friends, what is your opinion of such a camera and what is a good model to consider for an “amateur photographer”…hee.

A New Role & GOWN

My reporting Managing is now seconded to the USA office and he will be working in the office for about 3 month’s time.

On Tuesday, we had a quick chat about my contract and he confirmed that he would not be renewing my contract for the few months that he’s away from Singapore. He said that he will re-hire me when he’s back in Singapore and he communicated this to the HR.

So from next Tuesday onward, I will officially become a FTSAHM (Full Time stay at home mom)…hee : P

I had the chance to be a FTSAHM after I gave birth to Anders and at the same time I used the time to guide Siti as she just started worked with us.

Now I have another opportunity to experience that feeling again, only this time, no newborn and maid to look after…hehe.

Well, of course, I know things may take a different turn and whether my Manager will return to Singapore is still a BIG Question mark. I am now looking out for any new Part Time Opportunities, just in case.

Online jobs advertisements are my daily readings and I will write in as and when something suitable turns out.

Adrian is back in Singapore and has been attending some pre-course briefing for his upcoming course.

On Tuesday evening after the brief, he came home and told me: “dear, you need to get a GOWN.”

I was so shocked and surprised at his remark and asked him WHY. He said “for the course graduation, there will be a formal dinner. You will need to put on my new rank for me. Also there will be a military dinner which he claimed was fit for King & Queen.” So that’s why I need to get an evening gown.

The last time I wore a GOWN was at my wedding and it’s almost 10 years ago..haha.

Now I must start to shop around and see if anything suitable for the occasion. Also I told Adrian since I am now jobless; it will be a good opportunity to lose some weight so I can fit nicely into an evening gown.

Event @ Sentosa

This has been a very busy week for me. At work, my department was handling a major session for about 150 people. I know 150 are not a BIG number but considering there is only my Manager and myself to handle the event, it is a MAJOR EVENT for us…haha.

There was a lot of logistic involved – booking the event venue, confirming the printout for the session, co-coordinating the air tickets / accommodation for all the invited guest speakers, coaches transfers etcs. Honestly all these brought me back to my working days in the Travel agent. In our agency, we also had a MICE department that handled all major events, so I am quite used to this kind of nature of work.

The only difference between then and now is I have a family, so logistic wise, it required more planning on my part me.

The event took place this week on Wednesday and Thursday. On the morning of Wednesday, I was required to be at the event venue at 7.30am, so I had to arrange for both Anthea and Anders to be in school before I left for the event.

Luckily Anders was very co-operative on the 2 days; he woke up around 6.45am, same time as Anthea. Then he had his milk, washed up and changed his uniform and we were out of the house by 7.10am.

We walked Anthea to her school 1st and then walked Anders to his childcare. Then I took a taxi to the event venue.

This is also a good training for Anders as in about another 1 years plus, he will be in morning school in Primary school. : )

This week, I also had the chance to play tourist again and this time is not on our main island. Our event was held at ONE°15 Marina Club@ Sentosa.

It has been almost 2 years since I last visited Sentosa. The place is a total changed from my last visit. I can see that the Resort World Park is already in shape and I believe it will be very soon, we can see the completion of it.

The club house was situated at the Sentosa Cove area and by the club house; there was a yacht area where all the yachters were parked.

Also opposite to the club house was a residential area, I heard it was fully booked. The place is so nice and so relaxing. This reflected the high end living of the rich and famous…hee. Now I have a DREAM….haha.

The 2 days of the event went by so quickly that I finally had the time to sit down and settled some of the paper works in the office.

During these 2 weeks, I must say a big THANK YOU to my mom and my MIL for helping me to look after Anthea while I was at work. There were a few days that I had to work full day to prepare all the printout and other logistics issues.

This has been a great learning experience and I truly enjoyed this work week, however, I don’t hope for it to happen again soon…hee : )

Working Full Time...

I have been doing Part Time job for the last 8 months and I am truly enjoying the flexible time that I had.

Although I am working ½ day morning, I feel the same as working FULL DAY as after work; I am doing 2nd part of work @ home.

But important thing is I am able to spend time with Anthea and ensure her transition to Primary one goes smoothly. So far, things are working well on our current schedule.
I have been telling Adrian that it’s not easy to work full time and still look after household chores and the children without any help. I truly admired those full time working parents without domestic helpers.

Next week, my department is handling a major event and it involves a lot of logistic work. So my manager has requested for me to work FULL Days on Thursday & Friday. After consulting my main pillar of support – my mom, I was able to work full days on these 2 days.

Today I had the chance to experience working full day again and I felt that it was never the same as before. My mind kept thinking of Anthea at home with my mom. I know she’s in good hand but somehow, I still felt something is missing…hee : )

I left work around 5pm, feeling mentally drained…haha. Never had such challenges for the last 8 months, I must say, a part of me is enjoying the Adrenalin pump. Felt like my working days in my ex-ex company.

I have been in emailed contact with Adrian and he mentioned that with such working logistic, my manager may offer me a FULL TIME job. Honesty, I don’t think I will want to take up any FULL TIME job for the next few years as I really appreciate the time I have with Anthea and in another year, Anders will also be transiting to Primary one, so the more I can’t work Full Time…haha.

Meantime, I will just carry on enjoying my Part Time work as long as the company can offer me the job.

“Seeds not Ripe”

Last week because of Anthea, I had the chance to meet up with my 2nd SIL’s mother when I picked Anthea up from her home after work.

My SIL’s mother is a devoted Buddhist and she is also a vegetarian. Last week, I had the chance to enjoy her home cooked vegetarian dishes – mince “meat” noodle and vegetarian pizza. The dishes were delicious and she even gave me some vegetarian minced meat and sambal chilli to bring home.

While at my SIL’s home, I will have the chance to listen to her mother perspective on the religion. I am a Free-thinker in term of religion, so I enjoy listening to her teaching. Adrian always comments that Aunty (My SIL’s mother) is a very positive person. No matter is too difficult for her. I agree and when I am with her, I feel a natural calmness and positive energy surrounding me…hee : P

The other day while chatting, she was telling me about her temple’s event and I told her I would love to explore more, if not because of the family and time is so limited.

She said: “not to worry, your seed is not ripe yet. The time will come and when you will plant the seed.”

I understood a little of her words but put her teaching in my mind.

This week my closed friend, Linda, was on MSN and chatted a little with me. She knew that I am PT contract and wanted to find out a bit more on such contract. She mentioned that her temple is planning to get a PT person to do so simple tasks. While chatting, she mentioned to me about another close friend of mine going to the same temple as she does. Such a small world.

Then Linda mentioned something which was quite new to me: “all your friends are mostly Tibetan Buddhist, wonder if you are a Tibetan Buddhist in your previous life?”

I told her I am keen to find out too…hee. Then she also mentioned to me some very interesting parents workshop organized by the temple. I lamented and told her that if not because of my family commitment, I would surely make time to go to the temple to discover more.

Then she said: “Your seed is not ripe yet. Don’t worry, when the time comes, you will find your way to it.”

I was speechless.

After 2 encounters with the people of the same belief and both said the same to me. I know it’s a sign.

Time is not on my side yet but when it comes true, I want to find enlightenment in Life.

One day, I know I will find my WAY ….and grow this SEED!

"M3" & SKII

This is the 1st week of school holiday and my mom has been helping me to look after Anthea while I am at work.

At her place, Anthea has the chance to get to know one of my mom’s friend daughter – Xin Ni and coincidentally, she is also in Primary 1 this year.

After few days of playing with XN, Anthea said she enjoyed her companionship very much. Yesterday after work, I brought XN to my place. She wanted to go swimming with Anthea. It’s was also the 1st time I get to see her in person. My 1st impression of her – a very quiet girl. She comes from a Single mom family, so I guess she has limited exposure.

As she does not has a swimming costume, so she wore one of Anthea’s swimwear. I brought both of them to the pool and Max also joined them at the pool.

Brenda and I had arranged for a coffee session at Toast Box in AMK Hub as I wanted to pass her the thermal wear.

The children had a great hour of fun at the pool. Brenda and I had a good time chatting and lazing around the pool…hee : P

We went home around 4pm and the girls had a simple tea break after they bathed and changed.

In the evening after dinner, we brought the Anthea, Anders and Xing Ni to AMK Hub. I told Adrian I wanted to get her a set swimming costume.

While walking to the Hub, Adrian commented this is the most ideal family size – parents and 3 children. Yes, I agreed with him but I told him I cannot go through the whole process anymore. Age is the main concern and also my energy level is not as before. Looking after 2 children is already driving me to my max, so I don't think i will be a M3 (mother of 3) in my life... : P

After shopping, we sent XN back home and Anthea said she was very sad that her friend was going home. I told her there will always be opportunity to play with Xin Ni again.

I am not into beauty care and matter of fact, I consider myself as “Lazy” in taking care of my skin. Recently, there was a very good bargain for this beauty product – SKII, which I find it hard to resist. So I decided to splurge a little on myself. Also since I had my small bonus for the month, so I gave myself a treat. I had heard so much about SKII Miracle Water – Facial Treatment Essence; I decided to buy a bottle to try. Hopefully, in about few weeks time, I can see miracle happening on me…haha.

Today in the afternoon, I also took the opportunity to go back to my ex-company to see my ex-colleagues. One of them also bought the SKII products, so I delivered them to her. It was good to catch up with all of them and it feel like 回娘家。。哈哈！！

This 1st week of school holiday has passed by so quickly but it was a very fulfilling week for me, having the chance to do all my things and having lunches with friends.

I will treasure the rest of the 3 weeks and make sure I fully utilize them as well.

RENEWALS !

Home Facial

We stayed in a very friendly neighborhood and I know all my 左邻右舍。There is one family whom are Malaysian and they worked in Singapore. They rented the unit from a Singaporean. (See how nosey I am to even know about such details..haha)

Well, in this family, there is a lady who works as a beautician in a beauty parlor in Singapore. So the other day I asked her husband if his wife does freelance facial during her off days. I seldom get to see her. The husband told me yes, so I asked him for her contact number.

We managed to connect and last Thursday which was her off day, she came over to my home and gave me a home facial. It had been a long time since I had my last facial and I needed one badly.

The 1 ½ hour session was very therapeutic and the best deal is I can do it on weekday. Usually I will need to arrange it on weekends when Adrian is home with the children. But now with this new discovery, I can do it right at home. (Of course minus the ambience).

I also don't like weekends facials as it clashes with my weekends joggings. Given a choice – I will choice health over beauty, especially for an aging aunty like me...hee : P

Employment Contract

My current employment contract ends on 9 May. So fast, 6 months is coming to an end for my contract. I did a quick check with my Agency and she advised me to check with my reporting Manager directly regarding the possibility of renewal.

I spoke to my Manager and he told me that as the company fiscal year closing is end June, he could not give me a definite answer yet if the budget may be approved. However he told me that he would like to renew me for a month – from 10 May to 09 June 2009 and asked me if I am agreeable. Of course, I was fine with his proposal.

So now I am renewed for another month till 09 June 2009, then I will know my “FATE”end of June. Actually the timing suit me fine as our Family Sydney holiday is planned for the week of 8 – 12 June. After the holiday, I can look after Anthea since she is having her mid year holiday, till further notice.

Of course, if my contract is not renew, I will become a FTSAHM for the time being and look for any other opportunities.

So far the 6 months of being a PTSAHM has been fulfilling. I am enjoying my work and at the same time, enjoying the time that I had spent at home with Anthea.

At times, it can be very tiring, especially rushing to and back to fetch her but I know all these effort are worthwhile. Seeing her happy in school and at home. This is truly PRICELESS.

交情

It had been a month since I joined my new company and I am learning the job as the day goes by. I am also adjusting to my new ½ day routine which I am enjoying at the moment.

Now I get more time to do all my own routines – household chores, washing car, gym routine and even going to the library to borrow books (for the children and my own readings).

As my Manager is a One-man-operation team, so in our department, there is only him and me. I don’t have any fellow colleagues working in the team, so at time I do miss my ex-colleagues where we used to chat about anything and everything.

I have been keeping in touch with a few colleagues whom I can connect better as we shared a lot during my days there.

This week, they have been posting emails to me on 2 great “lobangs”. There was a Mövenpick Ice cream sale and The Great Year End sale.

How can I miss it out, especially it is ICE-CREAM....so I immediately put in my order. I ordered 6 Tubs of ice cream – 2 Swiss chocolate, 2 Maple Walnut, 1 Tiramisu and 1 Vanilla.

Adrian had told me the last time to stock up if there is any sale as he's also an ice-cream lover, just like Anthea and Anders. So they are all in for a good ice cream treat.

My youngest brother in law new home sweet home is almost ready after few months of renovation. With the current Great Year End sale, it was a good chance for us to buy the house warming gift for their new home. So the Aces Family bought for them their wish list items – Juice Blender and Steam Iron.

On Thursday, I was on my day off and arranged to pick up all the goodies on the day. The collection of the ice-cream was schedule from 4 – 5 pm, so I went to the office around 3.30pm. This gave me a chance to visit my ex-colleagues and chatted up a little. The feeling was great to see some of them again.

After picking up the ice-cream and the stuff, I bid good-byes to them. I am really glad that they still have me in their mind and I do hope these friendship can walk a long, long way ahead.

人生得失

昨天早上在翻阅报子时看到了一则扑告。鼻子开始有点酸溜的感觉。扑告是有关去年五位在柬浦寨不辛逝世的龙舟赛手。时间过得好快，他们逝世已经一周年了。

他们的家属还在为他们的逝世感到悲哀。这种感受，我能理解，因为我也成经失去过我心爱的人- 我的三哥。他同样也是年轻有为。

人生的悲欢离合往往不由我们控制的。所以我会好好地珍惜生活的每一天。

今天早上收到了老公从外国发来的简讯。内容提到他的模拟应征测验不是很理想。这令他和担心，压力也很重。我明白他的苦，不过也只能给他精神上的鼓励。

“亲爱的老公，

名利的得失并不重要， 最重要是在这个过程中你学习到了宝贵的经验。考到了，我们等你回来庆祝。若失败了，不要失望，这表示还有东西你还没学好。下次再来！！

是得或是失，你都要记住：爱你得我们会永远在这里等你回来。

得与失是一瞬间的事情。不要把他看得太重。以我们坚定的信心和爱，一切都会有个答案。

一直爱你的老婆，女儿和儿子。"