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.

"啊牛进城市"

After working for almost a month at my new temp job, I am getting quite used to the morning express train to Raffles Place.

The energy level is always so high in the morning and people are literally “marching” to work…hehe. This used to be my working place about 10 years ago. : P

Then my working place was changed to the woods and the pace became very laid back..hehe. I enjoyed the greenery and the pace at that time as I embarked on my Part Time working life.

Last year I had the chance to move back to a modern working environment and the workplace was at Novena Square. The pace was fairly ok and I don’t feel the “marching” sensation. I enjoyed Novena as it was about 10 minutes ride from AMK.

On Monday, Adrian was having his off in lieu and he took care of Anthea at home while I went to work. I took the opportunity to meet up with my long time sister – Andrea and had lunch with her. Her office is in Tanjong Pagar and we met there for lunch. Tanjong Pagar MRT station had changed so much and now it has an Exchange itself where they had so many eateries and shopping places. I was truly surprised to see the whole place to be so happening now and it’s really a far cry from the days we were there…hehe.

We had a good lunch and chatted about everything and anything. After lunch, I walked her back to her office and then took a slow walk on Robinson Road. As I walk passed my old office building – SIA Building – it brought back many fond memories. But I noticed the SIA Logo is gone from the building, so guess it’s no longer called SIA Building..hehe.

Along Robinson road, I saw some familiar shops and some newbie’s. The changes are so amazing and if I don’t take a walk this time, I think next time the whole place will be “ulu” to me.

Now that I am doing contract / temp jobs, I had the chance to work in different MNCs and learning the different culture values. I told Adrian that it’s quite good to have such experience to learn all the different cultures.

Hope that i will be able to get my Dream Job again...hee!

Stress or Motivation

Anthea SA2 will be happening in about 2 week’s time. I am preparing her revision papers for next week when school is out for a week due to PSLE markings.

A few weeks back during a family dinner, there was a discussion about Anthea SA2. Well, Adrian had promised Anthea that she gets to chose her holiday destination if she scores 90% & above for her 3 subjects. If any of the 3 subjects fall below 90%, mommy will chose the destination. (Hmm…regardless, she will still get a holiday. Not a bad deal for her…hehe.)

My youngest BIL posed a question to Adrian: “by giving her this 90% targets, are you stressing her or motivating her?”

So this opens the family discussion:

My FIL (an ex-school teacher) asked Adrian: “what were her scores for her SA1?” Adrian told him they were all above 90%. Then my FIL said that the targets are realistic. He cited that if she had been scoring 75% above and we set a 90% target, then it will be STRESSFUL for her to achieve. As it is now, it’s to motivate her to maintain her good results.

My 2^nd BIL – he’s also agreeable to the targets as he mentioned that children need to work hard towards certain achievement and when they achieved it, they will feel proud of themselves too.

Phew…so it was a clean bill of approvals…haha. (I was not presence at the discussions and heard these from Adrian.)

Well, to be honest, we or rather I had never stress Anthea too much on her studies. My requirement is the same as any parents – as long as she put in her best effort towards her studies, I am satisfied. Of course, which parents do not want the child to excel?? I know her area of weakness and I will constantly help her to improve. This is the reason why I chose to become a Part Time SAHM… : )

Besides studying, Anthea still enjoy badminton sessions and DS games with all her friends. So it’s very much balance between study – play for her. Periodically, I will also do a check with her if she’s coping fine with her school & tuition lessons and so far, her feedbacks are positive.

I remembered reading on the Straits Times Forum that said HDB dwellers parents do not give enough stress to their children in their studies. That's why they do not become Doctors and Lawyers as compared to those who stayed in private properties.

Let's hope our generation of HDB's children can make a "revolution change"...haha.

Back In ACTIONS!

Badminton

During the fasting month, the open podium downstair became a very quiet space. No children chasing after the football and no children cycling around. We still played a few games of badmintons but as the Malay boys who played with us do not come & play. Our sessions became fewer and also because of the 7th month festival, I decided for Anthea not to play too often..hee : P

Now that the fasting month is over, the children are all back in action. Last evening, Anthea had good fun playing the game. She came home and told me she really enjoy her games with the boys.

Comes next year, she will have the chance to take a CCA and I believe she will like to join the Badminton team. This game is a family game and I hope our children will carry on this great tradition.

Temp Job

I am currently doing a temporary reception job with a MNC. The pay is considered very low and I got reprimanded by my eldest brother for accepting the job & spoiling the job market …hee.

Anyway, I told him it’s just a temporary job and once I get a better offer, I will surely make the change.

I am a very active person and enjoy working. I cannot sit at home and do nothing, it just make me feel like I am wasting my life away. Now the workplace is in Raffles Place, i can really feel the energy level in the morning..hee : )

Though the monies earned are little compared to my previous Part Time but at least, I am still earning my worth and Chinese say: “积少成多”…: )

Also it’s still a ½ day morning job which really meets my current needs. So I will just pray hard for a better opportunity!

PM ND Rally – "孝道"

Last year I had the chance to listen to our PM Lee national day rally and was greatly inspired by his speech on becoming a Part Time SAHM. : )

This year, I told myself – I must listen to his speech again because I may be able to draw another inspiration from it.

So last evening after a great exercise regimen and a relaxed dinner with Anthea and Anders, I sat down by the TV @ 8pm and listen to PM Lee HL’s speech.

I was right in staying home to listen to what he said and this time the message is very clear to me. Deep in my heart, I know where my root is.

Taken from the Straits Times, 17 August, extract on PM Lee Speech:

Intolerance

This involves not respecting the beliefs of others, or not accommodating others who belong to different religions.

Sometimes it happens within the family: Parents are traditional religionists, but the children have converted.

When the parents die, the children stay away from the funeral or the wake because they believe the traditional rites are against their new religion.

'It's very sad. From a traditional point of view, it's the ultimate unfilial act, but it does happen occasionally,' Mr Lee said.

When i heard what he said about the last part, i felt the sadness inside me. As a daughter, i know i should be there for my parents, regardless of race, language and religion.

I grew up in a very traditional and conservation family and the word Filial Piety has been taught to us since we were young. We are always very respectful towards our parents, although at time we find them a bit naggy but we know they meant well for us.

With this inspirational speech, I know I will find my WAY in the right direction and following what I believe in my root. I will pass this teaching to my children and ensure that they always remember 飲水思源的道理and embraced 孝道in their value.

“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!

近距离

On Monday morning Anthea’s tonsil relapsed and she had low grade fever. I fed her paracetamol and made the decision to let her rest instead of going to school.

As I need to go to work, so I called my mom and asked her to help me look after Anthea for the few hours that I was at work.

My mom stayed in the same estate and to get to her place, we need to take the feeder bus service and it’s about 3 bus stops away.

During my dating days, I had boyfriends from East, West and South but never a “Northerner” till I met Adrian. So when it came to buying our own matrimonial home, needless to say, we bought one in the same estate since our parents are all in the same 桥.

When we were doing home searching, some of our friends asked : “why you want to stay in such an OLD estate and why not buy those new homes in the NEW TOWN.

Our answer was straight forward – we want to be near our parents.

I still remember initially when Adrian needed to do Guard duty, I would go back to 娘家 to stay for the night. Then when I was expecting Anthea, my mom would come over to my place to help me with household chores. Till now, she still comes over once a week to help me do some simple chores.

Also when Anthea was born, my mom helped me to babysit her while I worked full time. We literally stayed there during weekdays and only come home on weekends. Those were the days that Adrian needed to go over every day to my mom’s place for dinner and to see us. At that time, we don’t have a family car, so it was every day on the bus for him too...: )

All these experienced added up and i know if we were staying in a NEW TOWN, it would not be easy on logistic arrangement.

For the last 2 days morning, I have been bringing Anders to the childcare and then Anthea to my mom’s place. Then I headed for work. After work, the route will be vice versa.

With all the pros of staying in 进距离with my parents, if we even get a chance to upgrade to a new home, I believe it’ll be in same 桥 again…: )

Social Responsibility & MC

Last Thursday as Anthea was still on her medical leaves, I decided to let her rest at home. In the evening, I went to her tuition class to inform her tuition teacher of her absence and also to collect her holiday worksheet from the teacher. Her tuition class will be having a short break from 18 May to 06 June 2009.

I met one of her tuition classmate mother and she asked me where was anthea? I told her “她发烧所以让她休息“I told her. Then she said “哦，我儿子今天也是发烧，高39度。我给他吃退烧药，现在好了。“

I took a look at her son and he does look a little listless. I was thinking because a few days back she told me her son was having fever and he took medication and was well. But it seems to me his fever has been going up & down.

I thought to myself that as a mother, perhaps the boy’s mom should have kept him home to rest rather than to bring him to public places. As he was still recovering, I believe somehow, he may still carry the virus with him. And in an air-conditioned classroom, virus may be passing on to other children.

With the H1N1 virus being spread like wildfire, the ministry has advised individual to be socially responsible and should one be sick, he/she must refrain from going to crowded area. I know Anthea’s classmate is not having H1N1 but still being sick, it’s better to rest home and recover well.

I just hope that the boy’s mother will exercise more responsibility and be considerate for other children.

MC here is not referring to Medical Certificate; it is referring to MILO COOKIES…hehe.
An ex-colleague of mine has been sharing some very interesting recipes with me. Each time she emailed me a recipe, I am sure to try it the next moment. Simple reason being she has 2 boys and when her recipe works out well with her boys, I would think it will work out well with Anthea and Anders too, as her children age gap is about the same as mine.

Last Sunday, I tried the Milo Cookies recipe and it turned out well. Anthea and Anders love them and we had them handy for breakfast and tea break. During this week, I feedback to my colleague about the cookies and my only concern was the cookies turned out too big & flat and I told her it’s like Subway’s cookies.

Then she gave me an important pointer – don’t shape it too flat and her son did the cookies into bite sizes. Notes taken and will remember to do the same for the next bake. Today, I decided to give it a 2nd attempt and followed her guideline accordingly and the cookies turned out PERFECT , just like famous amos (FA cookies) except ours is "AF Cookies" (aces family cookies).

Anthea tried them at lunch and she told me “mommy, next time every week you must bake some cookies for us, ok? “ I look at her and said “I will try but not cookies every week, mommy will try other recipe too…like nutella muffins.”

Yes, I received this from my colleague too and I am keen to try them soon.. : )

“My Mommy doesn't teach me”

Recently at Lydia's birthday party, I met one of Anthea's classmate mommy. She is a Full Time working mother. She had 3 children and Anthea's classmate (S) is the youngest of her 3 children.
We were chatting about our children result in school and she lamented that S was not doing very well in her studies. I had also heard from Anthea that S had not learnt this and not learnt that in class.

S's mother was very stressed and tensed. Previously for her 2 older children, she had left them in an after school care centre and so far, they are pretty independent in their studies and she had no worries.

As of this year, she engaged a maid and kept all the 3 children at home after school. The reason is cost efficiency. For the after school care service, she needs to pay $300 per child, so if she was to put 3 of them there, it would be a hefty sum of $900 per month. She said it's almost ¾ of her salary. So she decided to engage a maid which can look after the children and help her parents in housework too.

To her dismayed, S is not as independent as her siblings in her studies. So she is lagging behind in class. She told me that the form teacher has feedback to her when the teacher asked S why she does not know her work. S would say: “my MOMMY didn't teach me.”

I was so shocked to hear S feedback too. I had never thought that a child of this age would put the “BLAME” on her parents. S's mommy was asking me about Anthea's after school care arrangement and I told her I take care of Anthea personally. Then she commented: “seem like all those children with mommy at home have no problems in their studies. Children with working mommy seem to be facing issues.”

I thought about her comments and I was thinking to myself. Yes, I made the decision to become a PTSAHM because I know the initial transition part to Primary school is difficult and the child will need a lot of attention. I believe S is not a slow learner but I think she just wants her mother attention.

I had the chance to chat with another working mommy and she felt the same, as a FT working mother, she does not have enough time to guide her daughter in her studies and she is now seriously considering to go Part Time next year. Also she mentioned that her daughter's school teacher recommended Parents to sign their children up for tuition or enrichment classes if they have problem teaching their own child. (she said this was recommend during a Chinese workshop in school)

Nowadays, Primary ONE children are not just learning A-B-C, they are really learning much more at a faster speed than we used to. Imagine spelling each week, topical tests every after every 2 chapters taught and Oral test with listening comprehension. There are just so much information for the parents to digest, less talk about the children…sigh.

Till today, I am glad that I had the opportunity to be with Anthea and to see that the transition from Kindergarten to Primary school goes smoothly and she is adapting well.

It is not an easy decision but I believe it's the Best I can give to my children.

I hope that as Anthea grows up she will remember that Mommy is always there for her, as and when she needs me.

"天使"的行动

Some days Anthea & Anders will ask me “mommy, when is Siti jie jie coming back? Why she so long hasn’t come back? “

Yes, why so LONG she is not back yet…hee. Some day I also hope that she will come back and join the family.
In honest true, I told the children “Siti jie jie will not be coming back. She has to look after her own family – her husband, her mother, her sister and of course, her new born baby boy.

Exactly 2 years back, Siti left for home .She got married and she is now a proud mother of a baby boy. I would not be surprise if she sms me and say “madam, I am having my no.2 baby…hee.”

Siti joined us in early March 2004, the same year I delivered Anders. She was shortlisted by my maid agency when we were looking for domestic helper. The agency was spot on and shortlisted the perfect match for our family.

I still remembered the 1st day when I met her at the agency – she was so small and skinny. Then we brought her to my mom’s place and we had dinner there. Anthea and she hit off on their 1st meet and I was really happy that Anthea took it very well with the new jie jie of the home.

At that time, as I was still pregnant and waiting to deliver Anders, so I had the chance to be home to monitor her progress. During my confinement month, siti was trained by my wonderful confinement lady who taught her all about Chinese cooking.

When she was confident to be home alone with Anders, I started on my Part Time job and she became his main caregiver.

In 2005, Siti’s father passed away suddenly and her family asked for her return to tend to the funeral. That’s was a heart breaking moment because she planned to return home for good. We went along with her decision.

A few weeks later, she called and said she wanted to come back to work; we rushed to the agency and reapply her work permit to the family. Then she was welcomed back with open arms.

She served us well for the next 2 years till April 2007. She had to return home to get married and looked after her elderly mother and younger sister. We were sad to see her leave but I was happy for her. She had found happiness in her marriage life and is now a proud mother of her own son.

Seeing how she had taken care of Anders, I know she will be a very good wife and mother to her family.

Yes, I really missed her at times, especially now I have to single handedly do all the house chores, tend to the children and keep up to date with my working life. Luckily my mom would come in once a week to help me with a bit of chores. : P

Siti really took good care of our family during her 3 years with us. I know I would not be 2nd time lucky to get such a wonderful helper like her. Especially after seeing friends who had so much issues with employing new helpers.

Also our present logistic arrangement does not require a domestic helper as I am the “maid” myself. : P Sometime I even told myself “in my previous life, I must have been a 太太，because now I am slogging like a slave and I may slave myself to death…做到死为止“哈哈!!
Yes, Siti had been our 天使for the years and I thank my Guiding Angel for bringing her into our family and our life.

On our 2nd year without maid review – I am glad to say that “I am still surviving!!”

生命的感言

2 hospitals visit within the week and it gave me some impact on LIFE!

1st visit – 08 April – Mount Alvernia Hospital

May delivered her 1st baby boy on 08 April, 09. Baby Luvik is a very cute and chubby baby boy. May is indirectly related to our extended family. She is the younger sister in law of my 3rd sister in law- Cherry.

On Wednesday evening after sending Anthea for her tuition revision class, I met up with Cherry at Bishan MRT and then together with Cherry's parents, we went to visit May.

It's always a happy occasion to visit newborn. Seeing them sleeping peacefully in the baby cot and seeing the pride on the new parents faces. I shared their joy and happiness.

As baby Luvik is the 1st grandson of the Chai's family, I can also sense the proudness in the grandparent's words and feelings.

Yes, a baby brings so much JOY to the family and it's complete a family too.

Wishing Bruce and May a smooth journey to the road of parenthood.

2nd visit – 10 April 2009 – Singapore General hospital

Xian (aunty SK's daughter), Adrian youngest cousin has been hospitalized a week ago because of some virus infection in her brain. So the doctor did a brain biopsy and the result was not too positive– it was lymphoma cancer.

It was a very big blow to Xian and aunty SK mentioned the she cried whole day when she heard of the diagnosis. The doctor has started chemotherapy treatment on her. As in any chemotherapy, she will get weaker and weaker. Aunty SK is very worried on Xian condition.

Xian has strong determination in her studies. When she was bed-ridden, she even took her exam by the hospital bed.

I know with her fighting spirit, Xian will overcome the cancer and comes out victory. She will celebrate her 21st year old birthday in May 2009 with her family and her friends.

娴，我相信奇迹会出现和祖宗会保佑你平安无事！！要加油!别放弃！！

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.

三十八咯

时间过得好快， 好像昨天才过了生日，今天又是我的生日。。哈哈哈！

没错，三十八岁咯，就快踏入四字头了。岁月不饶人。

今天的生日我想我会永远记住：

- 没有生日蛋糕
- 没有家庭晚餐
- 没有天伦之乐
- 没有生日歌

其实我的要求不高也不多，只希望一家人开心的共享晚餐。

幸亏还有几位好朋友和家人的生日祝福， 让我有温馨的感觉。

现在只希望孩子们快点长大。我能够过会我自己的生活。就如张惠美的歌曲 - 解脱 ， 这就是我向往得到的。

“你有自由走我有自由好好过 ，
解脱是懂擦干泪看以后
找个新方向往前走，
这世界辽阔
我总会实现一个梦 “

老爸/老妈 回来了…

我的父母终于完成他们中国 45 天 海南岛探亲行程。 他们于今天回国。 大哥为他们洗城 而安排了大家一起共用晚餐。我打从心底的开心。。。我好想念他们。

晚餐安排在 金沙海鲜煮炒 (Golden Sands), 二哥也一起来吃晚餐， 好难得。 一家团聚。

孩子们也 特别开心，因为他们也很挂念 阿公和阿婆。他们也一直问起阿公和阿婆几时回来。

晚餐大哥点了几道招牌菜 ：

- 金沙螃蟹
- 金瓜豆腐
- 泰式鱼头
- 南乳排骨

这一餐我吃得好尽兴。和自己的家人吃饭， 感觉很自在。想吃什么就吃什么，想说什么就说什么。不用顾及那末多。

(周末于外家吃饭，吸取了之前的教训， 现在不敢乱乱开玩笑或提起任何话题。只管多吃少说的观点。。嘻嘻 ！！)

爸爸和妈妈还在中国给孩子们买了一些衣服， 也买了手电筒和2009 日历 给我们。

真得很感激家人一直以来的爱护与关心，没有这份关怀，我们的这一路也不会走的这样顺利。。我是幸福 (姓符）的!!

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.

Wok Of Life...

Last Sunday on the Sunday Times – Lifestyle section, there was an article about stalls that are selling high class dishes at Zi Char prices and this caught my attention.

The article mentioned a total of 8 Zi Char stalls and to my greatest surprise – one of them – Golden Sands Seafood is in Ang Mo Kio and it is pretty near to my house.

Golden Sands Seafood

Block 215, Ang Mo Kio Street 22,

#01-877

Tel: 9029-9608

Open: 5pm to 12.30am daily

I told my 大哥about this Zi Char outlet during our Sunday lunch outing and he said we can go and try it out for dinner on this weekday. 说吃就去吃。。。So last evening I invited my Parent in Laws to join us for dinner at this stall and they readily agreed.

My PILs came by to fetch the children and myself as they were on their way back from work; we met up with my 大哥 at the coffee shop. When we arrived the place around 6.45pm, it was pretty quiet. Initially I was worried it may be crowded due to the write up.

We got our seats and started to order the food. The article had recommended 2 dishes – Kailan Leaves and Steam Fish with celery sauce, which we didn't order...haha.

We ordered the other chef recommendations:
- 南乳排骨
- 香酥鸭
- 带子西兰花
- 酸甜鱼片
- “老鼠粉” (claypot style)

The dishes were all very delicious and all of us enjoyed the dinner. I think the best dish was the Pork ribs. It was really fried to the taste and the meat was still very tender on the inside. This is the 1st time I enjoyed such a dish...even now as I typed, the taste still linger in my mouth...haha.

During dinner, we had a good chat. My brother was asking my PILs about their career path and asked if they had changed their jobs before. Both my In-laws had served their ministries since they started working. My MIL said she had been in the nursing industry for 44 years. That is a very long time and I know till now, she still has great passion for her job. That's why the company offered her the 2nd career opportunity.

Then my FIL asked me about Adrian situation and I mentioned to him about the stress on the upcoming interview. My FIl gave me his words of wisdom. He said: “tell Adrian don't be stressed, it is all fixed. The interview is just a formality.”

Honestly, after hearing what he said, I think it does make sense and I emailed Adrian of my FIL words. Of course, we won't know if the fixture is for better but we shall not take for granted.

Adrian was very appreciative of all the encouragement that he is receiving from home and from his mentor. He said he felt better and will try his best for the interview this Friday.

In his own words:

“Nevertheless, it is also silly to go down without a fight. If I didn't make it after putting up a fight, at least I know I tried my very best. I don't know if I can withstand some more mental pressure but I will fight on.”

Well, if Zi Char stalls can offer high class dishes at Zi Char prices, I believe Adrian can do the same for his interview. ..haha.

Life is like a wok...you will use your best ingredients (knowledge) to cook up a good meal for your love ones... (achieving a higher altitute in your work life)..福满人间!!

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。"

守望相助

Having stayed here in our humble home for almost 10 years, we had got to know most of our neighbours very well.

On Wednesday, Anthea needed to report to the childcare centre early in the morning around 7.30am. As they were having the Full Dress rehearsal for the graduation day .

For tomorrow morning, the teacher advised us to send the child to the centre at 7am. I am a bit worried because I do not want to drag Anders out of bed so early, i.e.: 6.15am.

So I went over to one of my neighbor house and asked them for their morning help. In case if Anders wakes up early, I will bring him along to the centre to drop Anthea off. The childcare is closed for tomorrow for the Graduation Ceremony. However, if Anders is still asleep at the time we are leaving the house, I have asked my neighbor to watch over him.

This family is very helpful and readily agreed to my request. At this kind of situation, I realized the importance of a good neighborhood –“远亲不如近居”.

This morning when I opened the door to pick up the newspaper, I saw my neighbor (the aunty) watering our one and only plant. I know she had been watering it for some times because I noticed the floor was wet in the morning. She even volunteered to help me sew Anthea name tag on her uniforms, she works as seamstress.

Their son just completed his PSLE from TGPS, so he is actually a senior to Anthea. Both Anthea and Anders always had fun playing with the 哥哥。

Although we stay in HDB but having such good neighbors is really what we cannot take for granted.

谢谢左邻右舍们的守望相助 的精神！！