A Simple Life

12 years into our marriage

2011-11-24T09:50:00.003+08:00

It has been 12 years...

I had no idea that we had been married for such a long time.

Our community club had an event for couples to renew their wedding vows and

I thought it would be good to join in too. And it was held on 20.11.2011 which happened to be 3 days before our wedding anniversary. So it was a good opportunity to join in and had a little fun. The event was simple and although it was suppose to be a serious affair, both of us being

jokers cannot help it but add in a little laugh along the pledging of our vows.

On our day itself, it so happened that my mother took two days off work and she scooted the two gals to have a sleepover at my aunt's house. So we had the day to ourselves. We enjoyed a simple day of just fooling around with each other and enjoying each other's

nonsense.

It happened to be the first day of the OCBC Cycle 2012, so we went to join the queue and registered ourselves for a 39km challenge (last year, I did the 20 km community ride ... it was fun although tiring)

Then off we went for a simple but sumptuous meal....

And then to presents shopping...

After our 2nd year of marriage, we stopped wearing our wedding rings as both of us got a little out of size and we developed skin rashes where the rings were. So for ten years, we went without our rings but that did not make our marriage an

y worse. So this year, we decided to get a new pair. Not one with diamonds and gold but a pair of simple surgical steel rings which costs only $60.

Thereafter, he spotted a pie-maker and he was totally impressed

and we bought that too and that costs just as much as our pair of rings.

Then off we went to buy my fave chocolates... yummy.

And then we scooted off to a little shop, saw some headphones and earphones and I bought one for him to enjoy his fave music while on the bus to and fro work. (We are sharing that gift but I think I will just let him have it.)

To the bookstore we went... he found his book and he had to get the gals a book each too. I decided to wait for my birthday to get the book that I wanted because there will be further discount.

In between all those presents shopping, we ate again... Cheap and good food :)

We had our ups and our downs... we struggled through him being jobless for a few months and we had our quarrels... but we survived. How did we do it? He told me that after a few years into the marriage we had decided that we would not try to change each other. Which was quite true... instead of changing each other's habits, we learned to accommodate and compromise.

We are happy after all!

My first garage sale...

2011-10-03T21:47:00.004+08:00

On 15 October 2011, Saturday, I will be at Cairnhill Community Club. There I will have a little table for a garage sale. I have intended to sell some of the used baby stuffs that have been lying around. On top of that, I will be putting up a little corner for my crafts. It is my first time trying to sell out of my circle of friends.

I have been very busy at night trying to produce more crafted items. I may not have a lot but I will try my best. I hope this will give me a good learning experience.

It's Holiday... Fun... Fun... and Fun!

2011-06-19T21:37:00.003+08:00

The school holiday is here and it is left with just one week for the girls but for me, I have until Tuesday and then it's back to school for supplementary classes on Wednesday and Thursday.

There is no vacation out of Singapore (we did that already and we are trying to save up for another one next year ... will pray for that), yet we enjoyed ourselves quite a bit.

The first trip as a family was to Universal Studios Singapore. We bought discounted tickets and set off to have fun in the sun on 5 June...

It was a really fun day out. The girls hit the sack the moment they settled down in the car.

Pizza Bread Dinner

2011-05-29T20:15:00.007+08:00

It had been a long time since we had pizzas due to Aver's allergy. We did not want her to feel left out. It had also been awhile since I stepped into my kitchen. The school holiday has started and since we are not so keen to be out of the house due to the extreme heat these few weeks, I thought of having our own pizza making... the easy way out.

I used plain white bread for the base and pasta sauce to spread. The children added their own ingredients on top. Aver's was suppose to have goat's cheese but she did not like the taste so she went without. The comment for that simple dinner was great. Everyone enjoyed it.

The ingredients to start with...

The girls were good to go after clear instructions have been given.

The girls and their creations.

Pre-toasted ones... Cheesy top is Ash's and the pasta sauce one belongs to Aver (She has not cleared her milk challenge yet).

After toasting them...

Yummilicious....

Finger(s) licking good...

Superpig's creation.

My creatiion (sorry for the super oily face...)

My beloved toaster...

We love our food. I love my kitchen. Most of all, I love the time we can all spend together to enjoy it.
*Muacks* to my beloved family.

Aver's world

2011-05-09T13:06:00.003+08:00

My youngest is a chatterbox.

She will start a conversation at any oppotunity she gets.

She loves to join in any conversations that are going on, create her own story up just to fit right in.

Sometimes, she just said the darnest things...

Example one:

We just had our General Election on Saturday. Her daddy told her that we (the adults) needed to go to the polling centre to cast our votes. So when it was time for us to go (the girls remained at home), she said,"Mummy, you are going to the PONY station to ride on the pony right? Like the pony we saw the other time (referring to the pony that was pulling the carriage at the water resort she saw a few weeks agao)?"

Example two:

We were at the library yesterday, the girls went to pick their books under the supervision of their father. I went to the adult section to look for books on polymer clay. When I returned to them, Aver said,"Mummy, later we have to buy a teddy bear for you because it is Mother's Day." I looked at her dad and he shook his head indicating that neither he nor Ash had hinted her. This was so sweet.

Example three:

We went in hunt for the teddy bear but instead they bought me a cushion and the little one wanted to get another teddy bear for me because in her eyes a cushion is not a teddy bear. So I told her that I don't mind the little Angry Bird handphone charm that I saw earlier. We went and bought each of us girls one of those little Angry Birds. On the way to the car, Aver asked her daddy,"Daddy, do you have a bird?"

I burst out laughing... I can't help it... I know she did not meant it in the obscene manner but it is just so cute...

Finally, a short holiday...

2011-04-25T21:16:00.004+08:00

It had been almost five years since we stepped out of Singapore. We finally got a chance during the long weekend that had just passed. It was Aver's maiden trip out of Singapore. We joined a car rally organised by Superpig's organisation to Kuantan, Pahang. We went for a short weekend at Bukit Gambang Water Park.

The day started a little wrong, Superpig was suppose to meet with the leader of the pack at the Shell petrol kiosk right after the Malaysian customs but he was lost. So he made his way to the next meeting point, Tesco. However, when he saw it, it was too late and he turned in to the petrol kiosk on the other side of the street from it. (incidentally, it is also a Shell petrol kiosk). We waited to the rest of the pack to gather and off we went.

The rest of the ride to Mersing was okay... spotted lots of palm tree plantation, kampong houses, cows, a handful of goats and monkeys. The trouble came after we set off from Mersing. First, it was noon time and the car was all heated up, hence the air con was not able to effectively cool the car down. After the rest for Chendol, we followed one of the cars and missed two turns to Kuantan (which Superpig already felt uneasy about... he did his homework the night before so he knew the way). We sped along with the first car... four cars in total, up into the very rural and rough roads of the mountains. The view was nice at some points but the potholes did nothing good to the car suspension. Plus, the air con was not doing its job of cooling the car.

One hour into the mountains, the first car finally pulled to a stop at the side and realised that he was lost. Above that he had just a quarter tank of petrol left. Superpig then took the lead and led them back to the route that will lead us to Kuantan. We reached Bukit Gambang Water Resort two hours later than everyone else. The last four cars to arrive.

There were games for the whole group and dinner for the rest of the evening.

Day two started with breakfast and then a short walk across the street to Active Academy where many companies would have their team building exercises there. Flying Fox was one activity that we did. Ash went with no fear... One cool girl she was. Then, there was Superpig. Aver looked on and sulked over no being able to join in the fun. I was dragged up there (unwillingly) and screamed all the way down, much to everyone's amusement, even the staff personnels of the park. I was given a few thumbs up for great entertainment ....

After that, there was the jungle walk which I felt quite pathetic but at least we saw the peacock trying his best to attract the peahen and little rabbits taken out from the cage for the girls to touch and hold.

Then it was lunch and then we hopped onto the tram to the water park a little up the hill. The water park is very much like the one in Downtown East. The irritating part was the need to rent the tube and lug it around the water park. Went onto the big slides... Ash enjoyed it all, Aver waited patiently and then had her fun at the little slides for kids. There was a little river-like place where we all piled into the tube and rode along. The last part of the ride was fun as there were big waves and medium ones which rocked our 'boat'hard.

Lastly, it was the wave pool... we spent about the last hour there, riding happily on the waves when it started.

Then it was time to head back to the resort for a bbq buffet dinner and then rest for the night so that Superpig can have the energy to drive back home.

Next morning, we had difficulty waking, we were all too tired and the food was getting to greasy and 'ewwww' for us. We ate little, went back to the room to pack and rested some more till check out time. We were suppose to have lunch and leave the resort by 1 pm.

We gave up on lunch as our stomachs could no longer take the food, we decided to follow a couple back to JB and then to Jusco. We left the pack and set off, two cars... waved our goodbyes to the resort and maybe there will another chance to see it again. The place is nice enough for family but not exciting to want to stay for more than 3 days there.

I would say for the price that we had paid for this trip, it is alright and worth it. The main idea was for the kids to enjoy themselves and they did, despite the long car rides.

Crochet Lariat

2011-04-19T17:34:00.006+08:00

I love accessories even though I am not good at wearing them. I am a clumsy person and necklaces get caught onto something, rings will scratch myself, ear studs also end up lonely without a partner... But I love them.

I decided to make nice long lariat which is very versatile for the wearer... you can have it long, short, choker-like, bracelet and even as a nice teeny-weeny belt...

These two here are put up for sale... Each will be priced at S$8 (postage not inclusive).

Gold Caribbean

Tan Caribbean

Please send me an email if you are interested.

2011-03-22T12:09:00.001+08:00

OCBC Cycle 2011

2011-03-16T20:04:00.006+08:00

This event took place two weeks ago and it was fun and a big challenge for me.

I do not cycle and have very limited experiences with cycling. My best-ever-to-be-remembered cycling episode was riding a rented bike right into a stationary pick-up truck, causing a great bruise on my shin and a dent on the truck, scaring the driver out of his seat and worried that I was badly hurt... (he was kind enough not to scold me though). I was about 21 years old then.

It was also at that age I met my Superpig and I had a date with him in my bruised shin and instead of a pat of comfort, I saw him huddled over laughing at my mishap. Him, on the other hand, was a pro in cycling (before he injured his knee) and was all athletic (note the used of the past tense!) After that incident, he decided that he should teach me how to cycle. However, his teaching amount to nothing as I fear cramped and crowded places. Anyone was to be near me when I was cycling, you could hear me SCREAM!!!

So I only cycled annually during the holidays with the kids on rented bikes. Those annual cycling exercises didnot amount to anything but butt and body aches and screaming at Superpig that I would not do it again.

Well, the screaming did not work. Instead, I was dragged into signing up for 20 km community ride. He promised that with 3 months to train, I should be well ready for the 20 km. Alas, 3 months went by with NO training ... except on one miserable night. I took 1.5 hour to do 10km... and I almost called in sick the next day due to all the aches I felt in all the muscles that I never knew they even existed.

The day eventually came and I did try to chicken out and was even scheming to eat lots of clams (see-hams with balachan chilli) to cause a dangerous stomach flu so as to get out of the 20km COMMUNITY RIDE (note the words in capital letters). No... my scheme did not work, Superpig was not letting me win this battle. The early morning of the fateful day, our bikes dismantled and packed into the car, our helmets tagged, we set off to the venue.

After breakfast, my hero went to put our bikes together again. Me... still trying to convince him that I will be a joke and please let me chicken out.

So obvious that I was not winning this 'chicken-out' battle... alas, a picture of us... before the COMMUNITY RIDE.

We... okay... I, made it to the start line. Without first, getting pushed around by some PRC rider that insisted that he had to cross the road before me and causing me to have a collision with my bike pedal and my shin... OUCH!!! And another accident, whereby I had to stop as there were people in front of me stopping to drink water and I had not able to switch lane as someone was coming up from behind... well, another someone rammed into me causing another shin and pedal collision ... OUCH!!!! (I found out later that the other someone was not very good in cycling too and he was wearing the click-on shoes for cycling which he was not confident enough to unclick himself...). There at the start-line, with bruises and blood on my right shin, we took a picture.

The massive number of cyclists at the start-line of the 20km COMMUNITY RIDE!

I cycled...I huffed and I puffed... all the way till I reached the 7.3km rest point (proof in picture below). Superpig laughed at my huffing and puffing... fine... I huffed and puffed... big deal. Yes, it was a big deal because I think I was the only one huffing and puffing away.

See my red face... I really am tired and shaking and trembling. I drowned 1.5 bottle of 100plus at this stage. 7.3 km was a mean feat for me already.

Then somewhere after the 7.3km came this long up slope! It was the Bayfront Bridge that has the Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyers as its neighbours ... UPSLOPE!!!! You got to be kidding... volunteers at the bottom shouted out encouragements (as if it worked... duh...wanna come try doing it on my bike?) Superpig was on the way up... no problem for him at all... what a breeze! Me? I huffed and I puffed and my legs pedalled real hard but my bike was moving an inch with every twenty round of pedallin!!! I could have dismounted and pushed my bike up the slope. NO WAY!!! I am not letting Superpig a chance to laugh at me... I huffed and I puffed and I huffed and I puffed and I managed to get to the top of the slope (bridge... whatever!)

See his smirking face! ARhhhhh... how I LOVE him!

Here I was... trying my best to look as cool as a cucumber!

Now... look at the background and you will see a little girl... it was a breeze for her too!!!! I did mention that it was a community ride, didn't I? Which meant it should be a leisure ride, something that will not result in anyone HUFFING and PUFFING!!!

For the rest of the journey, it was still a huffing and puffing experience for me but I pedalled on till the end... 20km! I made it!

There we were at the end, with the medals to prove our success... okay, my success. I drowned another bottle of 100plus here. I was totally weak by now. Superpig had to help me with my bike. I had butt ache, calves cramps, shins cramps, toes cramps... and we still had to make our way back to the car which was a distance away.

There... I had completed my challenge. Next year, it will be another 2okm and I will not huff and puff anymore! I am determined to build up my stamina for it. And hopefully, in 2013, I can go on to the 40km challenge (OCBC should by then not be having this event anymore, considering the massive amount of money and manpower they had to put in for each event...)

Join me... anyone? 20km community ride for 2012....

My heart is heavy

2011-03-15T21:10:00.002+08:00

Japan's massive earthquake, tsunami and nuclear leak... these are on my heart. The people suffering there, they are on my mind. I cannot do anything except to pray for every soul found (whether they survived or not).

It hurts as I do know people living in Japan, my old classmate, my Japanese language teacher's family, fellow bloggers... I pray for all to stay safe.

It simply hurts too much to watch the news.

I hope I can do something but what...

I can only pray for them and also for everyone that I love...

It really hurts a lot.

Lunar New Year

2011-02-22T12:48:00.005+08:00

My blog posts are so out of sync with the the dates on the calender. Ha... that is one busy mum (that's why).

This is the first Lunar New Year in the new nest. It was easier as I have yet to collect too much dust and clutter, so spring cleaning was done in one day (not counting the bathrooms... which was left to the last minute).

As usual, both Superpig and I are the youngest in our families so no one will come to our place for visiting. So it was quite a quiet Lunar New Year which after the first hectic day, we were practically left on our own to enjoy the long weekend.

However, our good old friends did drop by and it was good. That is what this house is for... for friends to come and play catch up. Yet, there are a few who did not join us and they are missed. I hope to see them soon.

On the First Day, the two Princesses in their pretty dresses sponsored by their paternal Grandmother. When the two are in amicable moods, they love each other to bits. I wish for more of such days.

This little one is a very good poser. When she sees the camera, she will flash you her best toothy smile and then she gives you her two fingers pose. She is a charmer.

This other princess, on the other hand, is more self-conscious. She is very careful when she smiles as she worries about how her teeth will look. So it is more challenging to get a good photo of her. Yet, when you do, you will be rewarded with her demure charm (which she does not portray on her day to day life... she is a tomboy!)

And here we are... the four of us.
Lastly, enough of the princesses, enough of having four in a picture.
It's only us!

Have you read

2011-02-21T18:36:00.003+08:00

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother?

I have not but it seemed to have caused a great uproar out there. Have caught a glimpse of the excerpt and had read a few of the comments about Amy Chua's parenting style.

From what I gathered, I may be very much like her. Unfortunately, my way of parenting is like this because I am not allowed to fail (up to this date and this age). If you had read my previous posts about my struggles, you will know that I have a very difficult mother to please. Plus, she imposes such stuffs on my children while praising her other grandchildren. People in our household are put down by her and compared to others. It is sad.

I am trying to strike a balance in my parenting style. My children needs to be pushed to their potential because like their father, they are very laid back.

I must get the book and read it to find out more about this tiger mother.

Edited to add: I have made a reservation with our community library for the book. It is really an hot item. All books are out on loan or reserved. It will take about 3 weeks before I get my chance. Well, spending $1.55 for reservation fee is better than spending much more to buy the book and then to leave on the shelf.

Happy New Year

2011-01-29T19:02:00.003+08:00

I must be crazy... it has been four weeks into 2011 and here I am saying 'Happy New Year' to you. Well, the year started busy and busy and busy... there is no other words I can use to describe how the four weeks were.

I was hoping that this year will be less hectic and that I will be able to start on my tuition project but apparently my plan did not work out. After work, I rushed home to my two princesses and they drove me up the wall with quite a bit of their nonsense. I screamed at them (a lot)... which was not nice at all. I had pent up frustrations and stress from work, I was being patient with non-achieving pupils but lost all patience with my own princesses over something real small. I really hated myself for these four weeks.

With a tired body and mind, I set out to introduce myself to my pupils' parents via an email. It was a wrong choice... I had always had a good relationship with parents but not this time. That email I wrote was used to slap me in the face and it was 'corrected' in red, forwarded to the principal and was told that since I do not have a good command of English, I should not be teaching. The lesson I had learnt... no point being friendly to parents (they find opportunities to slap back at you), no point putting all my efforts to help the children (I ended up killing my own)... I am badly bruised from this particular incident. After so many years of teaching, this parent gave me a rude shock.

How bad can my 'new year' be? It sure was a 'happy' one.

Now... after all that, I really wish to get back on my crafting mood and get rid of all these bad vibes.

I am embarking on a crochet rabbit...

and... this year, my children are wearing store bought clothes for the Lunar New Year. I did not have time to sew for them. Upset.

But I read this on a notice board in another class...

I say ... 'I am lost'
God says..."I will guide you" (somewhere on that line... I forgot)

This year will really be a test on my faith. Getting out my Bible to help me stay on the right track. Pray for me... if you are reading.

Birthdays, Housewarming, Crafting, Relaxing...

2010-12-20T11:00:00.005+08:00

The past few weeks were crazy around this house. There was massive unpacking and packing, sorting and throwing, drilling and cleaning... all for the sake of having a housewarming and birthday celebrations all in one.

First Fondant Cake (for the guests in the afternoon)

Second Fondant Cake (for the guests in the evening)

The two recipents of the cakes

Finally, a picture of the four of us.

I had always envied those people who could beautiful fondant cakes. I envied, I dreamt about it, I googled it, I youtubed it, I bought the ingredients, I tried it and it worked! I am proud of myself for the courage to try it. I am grateful for the many encouragement by Superpig and his usual,"You don't try, you will not know." attitude. I must also thank Aver for her mutliple food allergies that forced me to learn new ways of cooking and baking around those food items that she cannot eat.

Challenges push one to do things that he/she will not even think of doing. I have been put in many situations that are challenging and I must say that I walked out of these situations stronger but not without wounds. However, rather than crying over these wounds, I have learnt to soothe them and tell myself that I will not make the same mistakes hence suffer from the same wounds again.

Life is about facing our challenges, learning to overcome them and then looking forward to what lies ahead.

As for crafting... well, not much but I managed to squeeze in one yesterday as my children were taken off my hands.

I made three Kennys from South Park for my Superpig.

2010-12-03T09:34:00.001+08:00

It is getting a tiny bit lonely here. It has just been my voice and only mine to be heard. My friends have seemed to have left this space...

I may even consider stopping ... it seems that I have lost a few good blogging friends too.

Alas...

A day out into the gardens ...

2010-11-29T22:17:00.003+08:00

on our 11th wedding anniversary.

After of 11 years of each other's nonsense, we have two princesses added into our lives to add in more nonsense. These 11 years have been filled with lots of laughter, tears, shouting, screaming, hugging, presents, love, insecurity and much more but I want to only remember the good and goofy things.

I remember his love for me, his tolerance towards me, his patience, his understanding, his never-ending 'cold' jokes... I hope he will remember the good and goofy things about me too.

The two princesses and their added nonsense to brighten up our lives.

After all the packing of the cameras, we set off to the Botanical Gardens. I had the intention of having an informal family portrait surrounded by nature but the plan was not carried out as Superpig was enticed by the BEAUTIFUL orchids in the National Orchid Gardens. Oh well, I guess the family portrait can wait because my memory card (s) were also exhausted by the hundreds of clicking to capture the beauty of the orchids.

The princesses each were armed with digital cameras and my intention was for them to take photos of their loving parents but alas, the orchids caught their attention.

Seeing how bright he looks frolicking with the orchids, I cannot help it but to capture his gleeful look amongst the orchids that shared his colour on his shirt. He was so compatible with those little yellow ones.

This little princess with her cheeky smile and her digital camera caught the eyes of a group of Indian tourists who insisted on having her on their video. They sort of scared her ... she did not cooperate with them, gave them a blank stare and ran to hide behind her daddy's backside.

This big princess, on the other hand, had difficulty trying to smile. She doesn't really like to smile for the camera so it was a difficult task for me to take a pretty photo of her.

And that was how we spent the earlier part of the day, all wet with perspiration, out frolicking with the orchids. For the later part of the day, we soaked in air-conditioned mall, indulged in
tubs of pop-corn, watching a kid friendly movie "Mega Mind". To top it all off, we had a nice, cheap dinner at the basement of PS and three packs of chocolates as anniversary gifts to each other.

This year, there was no mega celebration in fancy restaurant nor big presents that burn our pockets. We simply enjoyed ourselves with our children with the simplest pleasures.

I will be back to show you the photos of the lovely orchids that sucked up all the memory in my memory cards of three cameras.

We are quite comfortably settled

2010-11-23T00:26:00.002+08:00

Renovation for the new nest was held up and we had no where to go but to cramp in my mum's flat for about a week. Then, we moved ourselves into a 40% completed nest and we lived around all the inconveniences but we survived.

Now, we are almost done with the renovation. There is only the grilles left for the balcony to be up and about another twenty-five boxes to up pack... then we are done.

Today and tomorrow, I am taking these days off from the unpacking and am going to enjoy the time with my husband and my girls.

Today, 23 November, is the day that we have been married for 11 years! These 11 years were incredible... really love him and my girls. Really love my family.

11 years of togetherness...

...

More on the moving...

2010-10-03T09:48:00.002+08:00

And so I have been busy packing. I have been packing for the last few weekends and I am surprised by the enormous amount of stuff I have at home. Eventhough, I tried to eliminate stuffs that I do not need, I realised that I had recently packed up the house once and had back then threw away quite a bit of excess items.

Week 2 of packing

Week 3 of packing

And then, I lost track of the days and time as the discussion for the renovation kicks in. All that I remembered is that all the weekends, I was under house arrest, packing away. I get an occasional call from Superpig to get out of the house to go looking for bathroom accessories, beds and so on. When I got these calls, I would be extremely upset because my progress for packing comes to a standstill.

Here is the most recent outlook of the boxes... my windows are 80% covered up with the boxes. I am at Box 54 as of this posting.

If you are wondering why is the picture so dark... that is because I have practically covered the windows. We have no more space around the house to place the boxes.

Later at noon, we will unofficially get the keys to our new home. I am so excited about it that I cannot continue with my packing. I just hope that the previous owner will keep his words ... He had removed some items that are considered as fictures in the house. But, because the stuffs that he had removed were not significant so I will let it pass. I am afriad that he will do something drastic.

Our Journey to A New Home

2010-09-12T09:37:00.006+08:00

It has been roughly a week after we had signed on the dotted line at HDB office to sell our current place and to buy the other one.

After that day, everything seems to be going on fast forward. The time we have on hand to get the renovation details finalised is in less than a week. The time we have on hand to get our stuffs packed up is five weeks. Although it five weeks seems a long time, it is actually not as I still have to work daily and there is the need to prepare Ash for her upcoming exams. I only have the weekends to work on the packing or late at night...

First up... I started packing my Precious Thots Figurines and that took me a total of 3 days (over 2 weeks). Yesterday, all but three figurines went into their respective boxes.

These are 2/3 of the figurines left over from last week's packing.

A whole day of being confined at home to do the packing. (Due to lack of time on my hand, I have to be under house arrest!)

The figurines in their respective boxes ... almost done.

DONE!!! The cabinets sit lonely and empty now.

Today's job is to put all these into the mover's boxes.

2010-08-20T09:30:00.002+08:00

What is depression?
It is a feeling of lost, self-worthlessness, despair, anxiety .. all negative feelings of oneself put into a pot and brewed over time.

How does it come about?
Believe me, it comes from how one was treated before. When you are constantly compared to another, and no matter how much you have done, it is always falling short.

Never a praise but always a sacarsm.
Never a pat at the back for a good effort also a kick in the butt for wasting time...

Till now, I have accomplished so much but seemed to have gain little.
Till now, I still question myself, "What is my worth?"

I had asked myself why am I always so down in the mood, I finally understood.
I can never measure up to what my mother wants.
No matter how I tried to please her, it is always falling short.
What is she measuring against?
I have no idea...
It could be my brothers, her daughter-in-law, herself, my cousin...
It pains me to hear her praise others but never never never me.

I grew up not know what is my worth and till now, I still do not know.

I used to seek love and self-worth from friends but it is short lived because I return home and the comparison continues.

I seek to be the nicest person on earth, always willing to help my so-called friends and ended up tired and sad because I realised that I am nothing but a stinky old doormat.

I try to do my best in everything but end up being hyper stressed out.

I try to give all my time to everyone who wants it but end up leaving no time for myself.

I try and I try and I try... but I yeild nothing but all these negativity in me.

Through my mother's words, I learnt that I am stupid, I am useless, I am a spendthrift, I am a lousy mother, I am a lousy wife, I am useless daughter, I am a stupid teacher... and there are more....

If anyone is reading this and is a mother, please be watchful of what you say to your children... the impact is a lifetime... and it hurts.

If only my mother knows ... but even if she does... she will just say ,"Then, you think you are a better mother?"

Singapore's 45th Birthday

2010-08-10T15:18:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, we celebrated the nation's independence of 45 years.
For 45 years, we have came a long way and with all the hardship of our ancestors, we the descendents get to enjoy the luxurious economy growth. So, for the sake of our children, we should also strive for stable economic growth and peaceful harmony between all races.

We were actually out and about looking at furniture for some ideas for our new place and when we drove home, we realised that at our town centre, it was set up for a fireworks. So we went home, took a rest while watching the NDP live on TV. When it was almost time, we walked to the town centre and experienced the fireworks up close!

When the firework started, everyone was excited and you will hear a long continuous scream and that would be Aver. She claimed that she wanted to be louder than the fireworks!

The second burst of fireworks came as a surprise!

And as we were about to leave to head home, the thrid burst started!

We enjoyed ourselves. Hope you had enjoyed your National Day too.

Heartached

2010-07-20T08:04:00.003+08:00

Was out real late the night before with Superpig running an errand, we ate at a coffeeshop that is surrounded by pubs and nightclubs. Sitting at a table, was a little girl, most probably 5 or 6 years old. She was having her dinner too. She looked bored. She is the daughter of the Thai food stallholders.

Looking at her brought back memories of myself sitting at a school canteen trying to entertain myself when my mother was tending to her drinks stall. At the early years, she works from 6 in the morning till 9 into the night. I spent most of my childhood in schools... my own school during school hours and then the school where my mother worked after my school hours.

I saw that little girl and my heart ached. Her childhood is spent in the coffeeshop looking at her parents sweat to earn the dough. She spent her childhood looking at the 'ladies' working at the pubs. She spent her childhood trying to survive in a very adult world, trying to make sense of what is happening around her.

At least for myself, my childhood surrounding was still rather innocent. Hers is more complicated.

My heart ached for her... and her parents for their needs to work hard for the dough.

Saturday Shot

2010-06-29T18:04:00.004+08:00

This is what happened when we were waiting at home...

They decided to be acrobats.

Cupcake Day

2010-06-23T16:30:00.005+08:00

It is coming to the end of the June holiday and I finally decided to get the kids involved in cupcake making. It is a non-dairy. eggless cupcake which Aver can enjoy along with her sister.

The cupcakes came out flat. Should be due to the 'no egg' issue. However, it is still nice to eat.

These are Mango Cuppies.

These are Raisin and Choco Chips Cuppies.

Enjoy along with us, please.

Science Centre, we went

2010-06-17T18:18:00.006+08:00

Just Monday, we went to Science Centre for the Pixar Exhibition and also caught Toy Story 2 in 3D. We could not take pictures in the exhibition but sure enjoyed seeing the sketches they did while working on each film.

After the exhibition, we went around Science Centre and it sure was interesting for the princesses. Maybe, I will bring them back again... provided I know how to drive there... it is a good 45 mintues drive (provided I don't get lost.)

Aver with her favourite Tigger... she needs his ears to sleep.

And I found out that I am not that unique afterall... I am a COMMONER!

Aver said...

2010-06-11T07:41:00.003+08:00

Aver said the darnest thing...

One morning, when she was done with clearing her bowel, she said,"Mummy, there is only one en en."
"One only?" I asked to confirm before cleaning her.
"Yes, one only. My backside says one is enough. Don't need to have so many."

Aver likes to skip and run along the corridor when we go out. She will happily skipp and sing but when she comes to Aunty Jenny's unit, she will stop.
The last two days, Aunty Jenny was home and Aver stopped in her tracks and said,"I am a good girl... I am a good girl..." She showed Aunty Jenny a thumbs up and then skipped away quietly.

My craft projects so far...

2010-06-06T12:38:00.002+08:00

I thought I just list the stuffs that I had made for the last month and what I will be doing for the up coming months.

Finished...
1. Crochet coin purses
2. Buckwheat pillows for friends' coming-soon babies
3. Zippered pouches for Aver's childcare teachers as farewell gifts

Going to ...
1. More crochet coin purses for upcoming Teachers' Days
2. Polymer Clay food magnets for upcoming Teachers' Days
3. A few blouses for myself
4. A few dresses for the princesses
5. Tag blankies for friends' coming-soon babies

Last day

2010-05-31T22:21:00.001+08:00

Today marks the last day of childcare for Aver. We sent her to school for the last time but joined in their little outing for the first time.
The little ones took a walk down from their little hill and up another hill. They went about picking up leaves, twigs, seed pods and others. They really seemed to enjoy the trip to the park.
We left her at school for a few more hours before bidding goodbye to everyone. When we returned in the afternoon, it was a bittersweet farewell to her teachers. There were hugs and kisses. And her first teacher, Ms Akimi, started to cry. Because she teared, I did so too. She was her first teacher and the few that had been there watching her grow from a young toddler to now a three year old. I know I will miss her too because her love and her attention to the children is the best.
Before we go, Aver had to bid goodbye to the auntie there. The nice auntie who cooks and cleans, she also help with the children. When Aver whines and cries in the morning and no one can handle her, auntie is always there to hug her tears away. Of course, before Aver left, she asked auntie for biscuits... This is something she will do eveyday when we go home.
This change is for her health but I know I will miss a few of the staff there and hope Aver will have some good memories of the place.

Changes

2010-05-28T17:42:00.001+08:00

Life is about dealing with changes.
Life is about facing the challenges.
Life is about making decisions.
Life is about believing your abilities.

We are now at the stage of our life that there are changes occuring to our normal life. We are on our way to a new home. That is blessed by the Lord.

Aver will be attending childcare for the last time on 31 May 2010. She will be attending nursery at a nearby church in end of June.

These changes are the two major ones on top of the rest.

Putting on the armour of Christ and with the constant prayers, we will face the challenges with courage and strengths.

Snap Purses

2010-05-08T19:08:00.003+08:00

Thanks to Serene, who had ordered the crochet rose hair ties, I started planning for the up coming Teachers' Day gifts.
I had always wanted to do the little snap purses but because I do not have a wide variety of fabric, so it will not turn out as cute as those that I had seen online. So I decided to make one out of yarn. Searched the net for a pattern but yielded nothing but nice pictures of other crochet snap purses.
Since this weekend is the examination prep week, I am home bound with two princesses, one is still nursing her asthma (although not whizzing but has to be under close obersavtion) and the other is having a battle with her revision. So I started to try out in my own and I made one!
It is really simple looking... will improve on the pattern and then add on the designs, such as buttons, lace flowers, crochet flowers...

Here is the one I tried this afternoon.

A&E

2010-05-02T20:30:00.002+08:00

I never thought I would enter A&E again...
Today marks my third time in life and it is because Aver has an asthma attack.

She was whizzing since yesterday evening and was given her ventolin puff.
Usually, after the puff she would be able to breathe bette and sleep better.
However, yesterday she snored very loud and she had difficulties sleeping.
This morning she went out with her daddy and sister and returned with a high fever.
gave her annother dosage of puff and her whizzzing did not improve.
At 2.30pm, she cried and complained that she cannot breathe.
Sensing something is wrong, we zoomed down to KK Hospital.

I was dropped off at the A&E entrance, took a queue number.
There were like 20 over in queue waiting and the wait can be a good thirty minutes to an hour of wait.
Went to the staff and told him that Aver was having some breathign difficulties.
He immediately skipped the queue and told the staff nurse that she needs attention immediately,
In the next minute, we were ushered into the room and doctors were summoned. And I could hear the urgency of the nurse's voice.
When the doctors came, a string of questions were asked.
While answering all the questions, my other brain was thinking about Superpig.
He had went to park the car and would be expecting to see us at the waiting area of A&E... but I got no time to think of that... I had got questions to answer.
Ash was stanfing beside me kind of scared to see her sister being attended to.
Then there was the phone from Superpig and I went out to fetch him in.

Then we were wheeled to the X-ray room for a lung x-ray.
I said 'we' because I was sitting in the wheelchair with Aver on my lap.
Kind of weird ...

Thereafter, into the observation room... and we were there for the next 3 hours.
Two more rounds of ventolin puffs,,,
condition seemed stable to go home but if she starts to get breathless again, she has to go back to the hospital.

And one note on A%E on Sunday... it is crazily crowded and noisy...

Up till now, sitting at home, I am still suffering from the hustle and bustle in there. I am getting giddy ...

2010-04-26T20:10:00.002+08:00

"Mei mei, you got to cover with blanket, okay?"
"You too, mummy," whispered Aver to me when I carried her to her bed in the room at 12 midnight.
It warmed my heart, smoothed out my tired bones and cleared my messed up brains.

Rememebr to give your little ones a hug and a kiss no matter how tired you are or how frustrated you were with them. They only have you and they trust you to be ther for them.

I love you my little darlings... no matter what is ahead of you, Mummy is here behind giving you the encouragement and the wall to lean on when you are tired.

Crochet Rose Hair Ties

2010-04-03T21:39:00.004+08:00

I made cute little hair ties for my princesses.

FOR SALE

Each one is about an inch in width.

Will cost only SGD$1 each.

It is good as goodies bag filler for a little girl's birthday for her girlfriends.

It beats filling in with sweets that will spoil the teeth.

Drop me an email if you are interested.

Rustic Lilac

Rustic Blue

This is also a little step into my dream handmade shop.

Will be very grateful for your support.

Thank you very much.

New Clothes for the princesses

2010-03-19T15:58:00.003+08:00

These are long overdued pictures of the new clothes I made for the girls for the Chinese New Year.

The first set were wrap dresses for the girls... they were intended to be the same. However, after making the piece for Ash, I realised that I did not enough of that fabric for Aver.

The second set were blouses ... Aver's blouse was very long and it could be worn as a dress instead. This time round, I made sure I cut the fabric properly so that there was no wastage and had enough for both pieces.

Although I had told myself to start the sewing early, I did not managed to do it. Hence, I managed to finish the new clothes on the eve of Chinese New Year. On top of that, I also finished cleaning the house at that time.

Somehow, after so many years, I had not learnt my lesson of starting early so as not to pile all up at the last moment. Now, should I start planning for their birthdays...

It's Sports Day at school

2010-03-05T19:11:00.002+08:00

Ashlyn's school had Sports Day today. This year she was not participating in any of the races... it is expected as she is not atheletically talented. However, she has a job to do. She has to serve and that is just as well.

I caught her taking a break with her classmates and munching away at her biscuits. She seemed to enjoy herself.

A little spree

2010-02-28T17:33:00.002+08:00

I got a logico set over a spree from a local mothers' forum and we waited for another month to collect it as my Superpig had no time to collect it.

Once I got it, I quickly take a look at it and started on it with Aver.
Although the set is in Chinese, it is based on the same concept of the original German version (which will cost me two trips to a lasik operation!) Aver finished the first book in two sittings and she loves it.

After logico, we did a little reading.

These few days, I started to feel the anxiety. Something is eating away at my head. Next year, Aver will be in kindergarten 1 and she is ready for it. She is still so much like a baby. I am losing sleep over it and it irritates me a lot.

Valentine's Day

2010-02-18T21:46:00.003+08:00

it came and went with a bustling of activities as it happened to fall on the first day of the Lunar New Year. So it was a good excuse for Superpig to not celebrate V-day and since we had all the visiting to do, I did not nag him for a celebration.

He took a day off from work the Friday before that weekend so that he could pick up Ash from school, since her school had an early dismissal due to the Lunar New Year celebration and mine dismissed at the usual time. He went shopping in the morning after dropping us off at schools.

He was so excited shopping and bought clothes for the girls. He was sending me sms-es and calling me to update on his shopping and it irked me that I was at work and not there. So I dropped him a hint to shop for my V-day's gift.

And he bought... (humble gifts from a humble place)

but I love them all as they are all useful things. I especially love the seaweed cutters which I had stopped myself from buying the last few times I was there. Other items include, shoe stands for freeing up space in the shoe cabinet, black chopping board with measurement to allow precise cutting of my maki, laundry bag for my fragile clothes. See how useful his gifts were?

Of course, he also gave me this thing that I am using now to blog... my laptop. It is a gift to cover for all 'gifting' occasions in the year 2010. I don't mind... as long as he continue to give me humble gifts from the humble place that suit my humble needs.

On the homeschooling issue...

2010-01-28T17:47:00.002+08:00

It has been awhile since I have updated on homeschooling. It is still a rather fuzzy area for me. Time is not on my side. I had my lesson plans out but then... oh well, I am going to stop giving myself anymore excuses.

Just last Monday, Aver was sick and stayed home. So I tried to do a little of handwriting practice along with vocabulary.

She is now on the topic of 'things we wear'. We did the following:

1. English Vocabulary flash cards

2. Identifying the items from the word book.

3. Handwriting practice (which the photo will show you what she had done.)

2010-01-25T10:43:00.003+08:00

In reference to the earlier post on the 'Seven Minutes Trousers'...
It is a direct translation from Chinese of a 3/4 pants or tights.
Sometimes, it is rather interesting how the Chinese translate.

I like Tine's idea of a pattern for a pair of pants that can be completed in seven minutes. I would love to havesuch a pattern.

So all my friends who responded... a handmade gift will be in the brew soon. (Once I get the house cleanned and the clothes sewn for Chinese New Year...)

I will get in touch with you soon.

Make a guess...

2010-01-10T23:04:00.002+08:00

What does 'Child Seven Minute Trousers' means?

...

To make it more fun, there will be a handmade gift waiting.

Last Day of 2009

2009-12-31T20:24:00.004+08:00

Let's do a little review plus 2010 resolutuons.

I had neglected my sewing so from tomorrow onwards I will have to set a project list and check it off when I complete each one.
I was determined to set my spiritual walk with the Lord right and from tomorrow onwards I will continue with a stronger conviction.
I had put in too much time at work and tired myself out hence neglecting my health and indirectly neglecting my family so from tomorrow onwards I will learn to work within my time allocation.
Due to lack of time I had allowed my body weight to go a little haywired so from tomorrow onwards I will set aside time for some homebased stretching, toning exercises.
Due to the need to lower my weight, from tomorrow onwards I will have to be more selective on my food.

However, I am not giving up on this coffeeshop version of Black Pepper Steak ... it is cheap and yummilicious good!

Neither am I going to give up on my Salmon Sashimi... and Ash has taken a liking to it two years ago and she has been vying with me for it.

The above five points will be enough to keep me on my toes so I will not add in anymore.
Basically, the Lord had given me two precious princesses to love and to nurture so I am going to ride on His Strength and His Wisdom to parent them.

So I will place my life on the Lord's Teachings and Promises and will put my blessed family above all earthly things.

How about you? What do you plan for the new year?

'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'

Remember this and trust me, this promise has carried me through many many trials.

Christmas will be here...

2009-12-22T18:57:00.004+08:00

in 3 days, and I have yet to get my good old faithful tree out.

Although, I feel christmasy but I am not in the mood to bring out the tree.

I think this year, I will concentrate on the true meaning of Christmas.

Oh heck it... I may just bring the tree out tomorrow... and have a little christmas lights in the house and still let the children know the true meaning of Christmas.

It had been a hectic year and it will be an even more hectic 2010 as I have to prepare Aver for better homeschooling curriculum and Ash will be in Primary 3, which requires more guidance in her work.

For now, I am crazily preparing Christmas gifts :)

I love the feeling of giving and sharing whatever talents the Lord has bestowed upon me.

I hope those who receive my handmade presents will love (like) it too.

And Merry Christmas to everyone out there (who still click into this little space of mine...), let's rejoice that God had given His only son to us to save our lives and to cleanse our sins.

The Hollywood Dinos Show at Jurong Birdpark

2009-12-17T12:28:00.004+08:00

Watch this...

Enjoy it...

However, if you are expecting the same effect for Hollywood Dinos in Jurong Birdpark, FORGET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We went to the 'show' yesterday afternoon, all excited and eager to experience the 'more than real' dinosaurs and blah.. blah... blah....

BUT....

It is a big disappointment!

The area is small and it takes about 45 minutes to complete.

There is a walking dinosaur... oh yes... but not robotically controlled but a poor guy in the suit trying to walk (like the real dino!) And, 'he' does not come out often as Singapore weather is too hot for 'him'... 'he' wil most probably suffer from serious heat stroke.

The guide also sucks!!! Okay, I forgive him as he is a teenager doing a part time job but well ... he possess a 'part-time' attitude.

Then there was an entertainment by another group of teenagers. They did try their best to hype up the trail but seriously, it is a very very feeble attempt. They knew it also but really did try their best to put up their smiles. The most ironic part, one of the girls said, "I hope you enjoyed the entertainment and is all hyped up for the trail." (Yeah,... right... DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big time!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

And then off we go into the caves... blah blah blah... duh duh duh...

Then you get led to the little enclosures where the sponsers tried to sell you their stuffs... another big DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really... the whole trip from the time you park your car to the time get back to your car should take an hour or an hour and a half....

oh.... by the way, you are not in the Bird Park at all, it is off the side of the park. Consolation... you get to see the spoon bill bird... one kind only....

So, unless you get the tickets for free ... I really do not suggest that you spend the money for this so-called show. I rather you spend the money to enter the Bird Park itself. The latter is more worth it.

I have photos... but sorry... I am not in the mood to put it up here as it really SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are offended after reading this post, I am sorry but this is one time that I am totally disappointed and after watching the video I posted up above.... it just gets on my nerves. The organisers think that we are stupid fools and can be easily fooled.

Polymer Clay Desserts

2009-12-14T15:22:00.004+08:00

I tried to use polymer clay. I love the may products I saw so I went out and bought some clay plus a new (cheap) oven toaster for all my crafts needs.

I tried it out yesterday near to midnight... I just had to try it because I cannot stand another night of sleeplessness. You see, I have this bad habit. Whenever I need to learn a new thing or to design something to sew, I will go over it in my head until I am familar with all the steps before I start on it. So this polymer clay thingy has been on my head for three to four days and I slept with it in my dreams, woke up with frustrations when I cannot figure it out, went back to sleep again and the cycle went on for nights. I could not sleep properly. And since I had a birthday party coming up, I cannot embark on the polymer clay project...

So I gave it a go yesterday and I still need to get to know my oven a little better to get the right result (in other words, not burning them!)

My First Try... Donuts

Second try... Cake

Next up... Chocolates

Tell me what you think.

2009-12-08T16:08:00.002+08:00

04 December 2009 , Homeschooling continues in the evening.

We started lesson with a quick flash card on the theme 'My Body'.
I picked a few words, showed it to her and asked her to pick out the word that I said.
Well, the ability to link the written word to the aticulated word is still not there so it requires more pratices.

This day, we learnt the vowel 'o'.
Aver is able to make the 'o' sound and identify the 'o's in each of the words in the writing sheet.
Then she moved on to practice writing it and has no problem with it.

After writing the 'o's, she practiced writing the letters that she learnt in earlier lessons.
Her tracing skills improved and her written letters looked nicer now.

After all that writing, I gave her brain a little memory work out.
I showed her the picture below for about 5 seconds and then cover it.
She was then to pick out the characters that she saw in my picture.
She was able to do it.
Then I showed her my picture again for another 5 second.
This time round, she was to place the characters that she picked out at the correct places.
She did well for this round too.
I learnt this from her enrichement lessons that she attended earlier in the year.

Then we proceeded to shapes. I had different shapes in different sizes and colours.
Here, she was to catergorise all the jumbled pieces into shapes.
Next time, I will get her to do it in sizes.

And, to end it all... READING TIME!!!

She had enjoyed her lessons so far and she will even go to the kitchen to get the red marker and then come ask me for lesson.

2009-12-04T13:10:00.003+08:00

Aver's homeschooling continues and it is picking up speed slowly.
This is because I have kind of forgotten what I had done with Ash when she was younger, so I am cracking my head as I go along. This is just me growing old...

The second lesson comprised of flashcards, learning the letter 'i', and reading.
We started with word flashcards on the theme 'My Body'.
Then we proceeded to doing a few activities from a particular preschool activity book.
Next, we learnt the letter 'i' - the phonetic sound of it and writing both the capital and small letter 'i'.

She was then to identify the letter 'i' from the words and also from a jumble of letters.

Thereafter, she revisited the previous letters that she had learnt, 'a' and 'e'.
Here, she was to identify all the capital letters of 'A', 'E' and 'I'.

After all those hard work, we settled down to read and then it was sleeping time.

Failed!!!

2009-11-25T21:30:00.003+08:00

My layered agar-agar.

Hello Kitty looked like it got punched by a jealous kitty.

Mickey Mouse had used a cheap dye for his hair...

It's my first try at layering so I have expected it to fail.
It requires lots of patience.
So I will practice it again.

Homeschooling Continues

2009-11-22T21:26:00.003+08:00

We had a Parent-Teacher Conference at Aver's childcare the week before.
From the teachers' feedback, we knew that Aver is progressing well in school.
However, due to her bi-weekly fever (something that we do not know why yet) she misses school on a regular basis too. So, I decided that we (sorry, I...) should try and supplement some learning at home. It is something simple to reinforce what was learnt in school.
Actually, I had started a few months ago but time just forbade me to do it on a regular basis.
This time round, I really have sit down and structure the lessons.
This is the start...

She started with practising writing of the letters 'A' and 'E'.

Then I wrote some letters out and had her identify the letter 'a'.

For the next activity, I wrote out the capital letter 'E' and the small letter 'e'.

She was to identify all the capital letter 'E'.

As she did the activities, I had her articulate the sounds of the letters.

She did well for the lesson that day.

2009-11-21T22:53:00.002+08:00

This photo was taken in the morning sending the princessses to the school.

It was a morning with heavy heart and uncertainties in the road ahead for year 2010.

However, somehow I had an unknown peace as I told myself that I will go where the Lord leads me.

On the crafting side...

2009-11-19T12:58:00.003+08:00

I had little time so I had to do something small and fast.
I also had to experiment new projects to share with Ash as the year end holiday is coming.
So I made these...

These are my first try.

These are my next try and they are waiting to be vanished.

How do they look? Please let me know, thank you.

Violin performance

2009-11-19T11:21:00.005+08:00

Ash was told to turn up for a performance in the west side of the country last Saturday.
Her instructor wanted her to do it in front of an audience to boost her confidence (not that she was all that well in her violin...)
So she practised hard... she did... both Superpig and myself were happy with her effort.

She had a solo for one of her exam piece.

She had a group performance with her friends from the Community Club.

And lastly, she had one together with the pupils from that school.

She made a few mistakes but we are still proud of her.

Time for a clean up

2009-11-01T23:48:00.003+08:00

I have ashamed of myself by this post.
I have always known myself to be a lousy housekeeper, although I tried my very best but I guess my best is yet to be.
I had to take a photo of the evidence of my inability to remind myself to clean up.
The dust at a certain area is so thick that we could write our promises to each other.

Cleaning up does not only refer to the physically cleaning of the house, it also refers to the cleaning of my soul spiritually.

I will be mediating this verse:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

With that, I will be able to be a better housekeeper who will be able to keep my house clean for all its members.

Under the Sea - IMAX Movie Premiere

2009-10-28T21:17:00.005+08:00

It had been the usual Saturday morning of logging on to my mail to clear the mailbox when I saw this particular email from Diana of 24Seven Communications. It was an invitation to response to the call of watching a IMAX premiere at Omni-theatre. I checked my mail a little too late but I sent back a thank you reply though (I still have a little manner…). Well, on Monday, I got an email from Diana and I was extremely happy that the opportunity was still opened.

20 October 2009, Tuesday - Grand Premiere for IMAX Under the Sea at the Singapore Science Centre, proudly sponsored by Mead Johnson. I was all eager to go and have a relaxing time at the infamous dome shaped theatre, Omni-theatre, which will give you the 3D effect. I had been there a few times before and truly enjoyed myself, however, Ash and Aver had not the experience. Plus, this week is a week off from school, Ash had been cramping hard for her impending exam so it would be a good break for her too.

Where is Omni-theatre? Where is the Singapore Science Centre? Jurong… all the way west! Okay, if you stay at the west, it is not a challenge… I reside over at the Northeast area and am a lost cow so I had the challenge of driving there. As usual, I did manage to get lost in the process but I have my trusty GPS system, Superpig (on the phone).

Once we are safely at the theatre, we met up with Claudia and Diana from 24seven Communications. They will helpful and briefed me a little… it is my first time doing this and well… a lost cow, that is what I am…moo moooooooooooooo.

While waiting for the screening of the show, we get to go on a simulated ride, Morphis Movie Ride. Ash went for it while Aver and I waited eagerly for her. We wanted to know how the experience was like. Aver could not go on the ride as she is still a little shortie.

She was no where near the 107cm height requirement … so she argued and she whined. Sorry, my dear, you are just too short… maybe you should drink more milk?

After an estimated 5 minutes, the door opened and out came Ash. She was all excited and could not wait to tell us what it was like.
“It is a road. Then the thing will go up and up and then down and down! Did you hear the bumping sound? Yes? That is when the road had a lot of things in front of it. Then we bumped into it… we keep bumping and bumping! And ouch… I had a cut on my arm. I scratched myself on the bar when the thing go up and down. Very pain…”
So, despite the little scratch, she enjoyed the ride.

Then there was the projection room. We saw massive rims of films… I believe those were the films for the show or were they not?

Once in the theatre, the girls were all excited and were full of questions.
“Where is the screen?”
“Why are the seats so far back?”
‘Mummy, see that black thing? What is that?”
The screen covers up to half of the dome-shaped theatre. It will then give a good effect of being in the show itself. The seats are inclined as you need to lean back and enjoy the full screen. At first, the gals refused to lean back, they find it awkward, after all, we do not usually sit in this manner at a cinema.

The black thing…. Well, I believe it is the projector.

With the arrival of the distinguished guest,, Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development, Ministry of Education, the show was all ready for screening.

Wait…. There was the sponsor of this event… Mead Johnson Nutrition. What does this company have installed for all? I will let you know later… there is so much to share with you.

And so the movie started… we can hear the ‘aaaawwww…’ and ‘the aaaahhhh…’ and ‘the ooohhhhh….’ from around us and within us too. The feeling of underwater in the sea with the beautiful corals and the creatures simply caught my breath away. Ash was paying full attention to what was narrated. She was all focused on the screen and watching out, ready to spot the elusive fishes in hiding, waiting for its preys. Aver was speechless… she simply absorbed the sights and the sounds. I was holding her and I can feel her all tensed up when we waited for the attack on the prey by the cuttlefish. It was amazing to see so clearly the change in the colours and patterns on the cuttlefish as they communicate with each other. The graceful flapping of the jelly fish, the brilliant colours of the many coral fishes, like the clown fish, the convict fish, the sharp jaws of the Great White, the dance of the eels, the swiftness of the sea snakes, the sea turtle and so many more which you really have to go see it for yourself to enjoy it.

I don’t scuba dive and had not been given the opportunity to do so and this particular movie had given me the chance to dive into the water and enjoy sights of what is hidden under the sea. I did not have to worry about the current sweeping me away or my oxygen tank running out of air… it sure was a safe yet wonderful trip to Under The Sea!

How do I know my gals enjoyed the show? Aver blew kisses to the sea lions and Ash could not stop talking about what she saw to her Daddy. Superpig had missed this eventt due to work. He was disappointed when he heard how Ash had described the show. Well, if he promised to clear up the house soon, I would sponsor him a ticket… I want to go again! So do the gals! Well, Ash seemed to have learnt a lot more from this movie than from what she had read in her books. So it sure was worth it!

Now, back to Mead Johnson Nutrition… What does this milk producing company have to do with the show or with Science Centre Singapore?

Mead Johnson Nutrition made the move to collaborate with Science Centre Singapore to further enhance learning for young children. Mr Roger Dallas, General Manager of Mead Johnson Nutrition said that a child’s quest for a bright future begins with the parents. What parents feed them and how they are nurtured in their daily activities directly affect their level of learning during the growing years. So the company is steadfast in their beliefs of providing scientific-based nutritional solutions to help in supporting the brain development and body resistance of the child through their products. The Science Centre Singapore, on the other hand, provides the environment to nurture the child’s learning.

To further enforce this belief, with every purchase of Enfagrow A+/ Enfakid A+/ EnfaSchool A+, customers will be rewarded with a complimentary ticket for one child into the Science Centre Singapore. Adults will also receive a discount voucher for entry unto the Science Centre Singapore. In addition, the voucher includes discounts for other attractions; Snow City and Omni Theatre.

Why not? Now we not only have the milk to ensure the brain cells healthy growth, we can also have the many hands-on learning activities at the Science Centre to enhance the children knowledge and to increase their interest in learning.

There are Enfagrow A+ (for ages 1 to 3), Enfakid A+ (for ages 4 to 6), EnfaSchool A+ (for age 6 years and above) to choose from. So go grab one and enjoy the discount vouchers.

How I wish Mead Johnson Nutrition would come up with Soy milk … Aver is allergic to cow’s milk.

Lunch today...

2009-10-22T16:03:00.003+08:00

Ham and cheese sandwiches, using my new toys.

A parcel from Hong Kong

2009-10-20T12:01:00.003+08:00

Superpig has a friend who resides in Hong Kong and she had kindly ordered some toys for my kitchen for me. I am totally grateful to her for her help.

And in return, I am working on two knitted products to be sent there in time for the change of season. When I finished with them, I will post it up. Now, I will return to my knitting.

Our trip to the fish farm

2009-10-19T12:48:00.010+08:00

Ash's year-end exam will be coming up next week. This week due to the PSLE marking, school is closed and with the Deevapali, school is closed in lieu today. So we have a week to prepare for the examination.

However, before we start the hard work, I requested for a trip to the fish farm for the girls on Saturday, which was Deepavali.

We did the 'long kang' fishing or translated to fishing in the drain.

Total catch was seven, 4 by me and 3 by Superpig.

My method: wait patiently and net the fish when the chance arrives.

Superpig's method: put the net in, flip hard at the fishes, unlucky one that was in the way of the net, will be flipped onto land. Then, go claim your flipping and flapping fish.

The girls tried but it was not easy for them... the fishes were too fast, the drain a little too deep.

Then, they went to feed the kois. Aver would patiently throw in one pellet at a time, at the dismay of the kois. Ash was a little kinder to the kois by throwing a few pellets at a time.

What warmed our hearts was that when Ash emptied out her package of fish food, Aver shared with her.

So we had an enjoyable outing there.

After the examination, it will be a trip to another 'long kang' fishing hunt.

And He said...

2009-10-06T17:20:00.002+08:00

To followup on the previous post, I am better in my mental state.
Although things are still as challenging as before and I am still struggling but after last Sunday's Church service, I was better.
Last week's message was about faith and odedience. Somehow, the message got to me and I understood what I need to do now.

As I sat in the santuary and lesson to the message, I kept hearing this particular little voice that told me that I need to do a certain project. As most of you know, I am given the talent to teach, to sew, to create... and I was specifically told to start on embroidering God's promises.

So once, I clear the markings on my table I am going to start planning for it.

I cannot be sure that what I heard was His voice but I guess I will do the obedience portion that was in that week's message. A collection of hand embroidered God's promises somehow lifted my spirit.

I told Superpig about what I heard and he said to go ahead.

Everything seems to be not going smoothly

2009-10-04T00:50:00.003+08:00

As much as I want to be cheery and as much as I brainwash myself that things will iron out soon, it seemed not to be happening.

Things are getting very difficult for me to handle here on my side of the world. I have been trying and trying but it seemed to be going nowhere except downwards to the deepest pit.

I am still trusting in the Lord that He would show me the way. I try not to lean on my own understanding and am trying to listen to what He have to say to me. However, all I hear is silence or my own head pounding in pain.

No... this is no cheery post and I am not comfortable telling everyone what difficulty I or we are facing. I only know that I have to try harder and harder I am really trying but nothing seems to be working.

At this time I can only remember this particular hymn...
Onward Christian Solider...

Yes... onward I will go in the name of the Lord.
With His strength and His blessing, I believe we will be able to iron out all the problems.

And I finally completed...

2009-09-20T23:56:00.002+08:00

these custom ordered crochet bags!

And I had difficulty sharing it here at Blogspot.
I do not know why but uploading of pictures failed like 4 times... I gave up.
So please follow the link below to take a look.

WENCRAFTING

2009-09-13T16:23:00.004+08:00

There had not been much going on in this household ...
More like there had not been much outdoor activities or fun activities in this household...
We are bogged down by the numerous tests and examinations that Ash had to go through...

It has been rather tiring also other then the tests and examinations but also we do not have the car on a regular basis. So on days that we have to go by public transport, there is a hill to climb in the mornings and steps to conquer in the afternoons. I am glad that Superpig has been accompanying us in the mornings and helping out.

This was Superpig waiting for me at mid-hill after sending Ash to her school. (Usually at this point in time, he would be soaked with perspiration... and so would I)

This was him when he noticed my presence.

These were some shrooms growing along the hill that I climbed. It rained that few days so the soil was damp enough for these fellows to grow. However, they dried up the next morning due to the extreme heat from the afternoon before.

This was Aver dozing off while playing with her puzzles. I was in the kitchen while she played by herself and I guess she was exhuasted too.

Taking the opportunity of the week-long school break and the luxury of the car in our possession, we visited the dentist to have Ash's special tooth examined. It was confirmed to be an extra adult tooth and it had to be extracted. So this photo was the pre-extraction.

I think I would stop here for now...

I feel exhausted just by doing this entry...

Maybe I am getting old.

...

2009-08-22T09:34:00.003+08:00

It has been a long time ... (yet again).

Well, let start with a sale that I had to go. Borders Warehouse Sale...

I love books and both the princesses love books hence this was a must go sale.

Although the selection of the books were not big and the prices were not as low as I hoped it would be, we managed to find several books for both girls.

There was also a lucky draw which I entered and thought nothing of.

Ten minutes after walking out of the place, I received a call and this is my prize...

So I am happy with my new toy...

So I have 3 cameras and a very good camera phone... happiness!

And how else to prove its usefulness...

Now I am frantically trying to finish up gifts for the upcoming Teachers' Day.

There are also some embroidery to complete and I am not very good at it so it is kind of stressing me out.

On a happier note...

2009-08-07T09:03:00.003+08:00

Due to the stress that an irresponsible person had caused I suffered from a terrible migraine attack that kept me in bed the next day. When I was better, I refused to sit and sulk... I will never be able to win this battle and will not want to waste my energy on such things.

So I dusted off the dust from my sewing machine and sewed some.

Dinner... was a little fun-looking.

I bought these cute serving plates to make the princesses meals more insteresting.

And these are the satisfied looking princesses after the meal.

It has been a long time...

2009-08-05T23:21:00.002+08:00

I have been neglecting my blog... my life.
These few weeks it can be trying and tiring.
No crafting has been done.
Only thoughts of projects but when I am finally able to sit down, I am almost asleep already.
Family outing is rare nowadays due to H1N1... I am paranoid, Aver is under high risk catergory.
Unhappy with quite a bit of stuffs and if I can slap and kick someone for his irresponsible actions hence causing me lack of sleep, I will.
I hate be stabbed at the back when I am trying to be good and nice.
Apparently, in the real world, the good ones always seems to lose out.

However, God has eyes to see and He will judge not me.

My Simple Attempt at Bento-ing

2009-07-20T12:52:00.002+08:00

Since I had many of the bento-ing stuffs, I really have to start somewhere.

So I tried simple first.

Instead of the usual bowl, I put the princesses' dinner in bento boxes.

Then I started out with the carrots letterings.

Ash's bento have a Hello Kitty Seaweed cut-out and the Taiwan Sausages in crab-like shape.

But you can see for yourself that the seaweed and the sausagese did not come out as it was planned.

Although the bentos were far from the professional ones, the princesses liked their bentos.

Aver kept insisting on having carrots and also insisted that it must be in her name!

I knitted....

2009-07-17T11:08:00.004+08:00

this little bag.

I called it the "bobble bag".
This is the first try, so it is kind of shallow.
It has been claimed by Ash, so it's hers now.
It will ome in handy in a week's time when we are to attnd a wedding.
It is big enough for her water bootle, her glasses case and a book.

Random Post Again...

2009-07-15T18:39:00.002+08:00

Yes, I seemed to be away longer than usual.
That is becuase I have been spending my nights crocheting. I have five bags to complete but since school started, my body and mind sort of shut down at 11 p.m. every night. There were so many nights that I dozed off on the sofa, TV drama going on and my crochet hook in between a stitch.

Furthermore, Aver fell sick AGAIN!!! She came home with fever and then ulcers in the mouth. She got the dreadful HFMD, minus the blisters on her hands and feet. So she has been quarantined for the sixth day now (So am I...).

Yesterday, Ash fell ill too. She had a terrible fever and a sore throat. Due to H1N1 virus spreading here, she has been given 3 days medical leave. So today, all the girls are at home. And I have been away from school for almost a week. I am praying to Ash can return to school on Friday so that I can return to work ... work is piling up.

So being home all these while kind of drive me nuts... I facebook-ed, I blog hopped, I forum ran and I youtubed.

This was what I found... the end result is so cool.

Some mundane ongoing at home...

2009-07-01T21:30:00.004+08:00

The holidays are over.
School starts.
Ash is back in school.
I am back in school.
Aver misses Ash the moment Ash steps out of the car.
On Monday, Aver was kind of surprised that Ash was in uniform.
"Jie jie, going school?" she asked, in a whine.
When Ash was about to get out of the car, Aver whined, "Hug and kiss, jie jie. Hug and kiss first."
Although the two have their share of screaming and shouting at each other, they also have the great love of each other.
It warms my heart when they seek each other in sisterly love.

I started a little of homeschooling for Aver.
Since she doesn't want to take her nap when she comes home in the afternoon, I used that time to do a little homeschooling.
This week is English, the theme is "My family", with focus on the letter 'a'.
So she started learning the sound 'a' and coloured in the letter 'a'.
It is not serious homeschooling... just a little this and that, incorporating the usual stuff and a little right brain training.

(Look at the fingers... it has been getting worse and it really pain all our hearts.)

Despite the many leisons on her legs and her infected fingers, she smiles brightly most of the time.

She is a brave girl and let's continue to pray for her complete healing.

Anyone there???

2009-06-29T16:07:00.003+08:00

Seems a bit quiet here at the blog ...
Seems like my friends have gone off to other places...
Well... life goes on.

First up... Superpig's birthday was last Friday.
He went to work as usual and he did hint about a cake.
The night before, we were at a minimart and he said,"You need to replenish your baking stuff?"
I did not think much of it until Friday afternoon itself and realised that he hinted for a birthday cake.
So I baked... and this is a chocolate eggless butterless cake.

It was perfect for Aver.
It was good enough just that I cut the sugar down a lot so it was not as sweet as a cake should be.
Aver loved the cake a lot as she was simply thrilled that she could eat one.
Ash loved it too as she was involved in the baking.

Then there is a little girl, C, whose birthday falls behind Kenny's.

So I made her a bag.

I made another one for her little sister, C, whose birthday was a lot earlier (which I had forgotten...sorry)

I hope they like the bags.

Marina Barrage

2009-06-22T11:22:00.009+08:00

We went to Marina Barrage on Saturday, nearing evening and the weather was quite good.

Not overly hot and not overly overcast either.

However, the trip was cut shorter as the rain eventually came.

We put Aver on the grass patch for her to have a little run and with wide eyed expression, she asked,"Mei Mei can stand on the grass?"

She know her skin condition and has been very obedient by following our rules so we allowed her to run for free on the grass but on the condition that she needs to be cleaned up after that.

She was really happy!

We want to talk a walk at the barrage but it rained so we had to get to our car before it started to pour.

Clutch Prototype

2009-06-17T12:32:00.002+08:00

My Mum took Ash out for the day to someone's baby shower and Aver is in school so I have the morning to myself.

Superpig's colleague is kind enough to give me a chance to produce some bags for her. So I used this time to come up with a prototype.

This is what I had came up with and I am quite happy with it actually. Will wait and see what she says.

What do you think? Any advise?

Some messy fun

2009-06-16T12:38:00.005+08:00

The two princesses are at home today.
I kept Aver in as we do not have the car today and it is too much of a hassle to send her to childcare.
So they messed up their room real good by playing Pretend Play.

Then I started to prepare for another version of messy fun... Decoupage!
Sticky and icky but fun enough.

Cutting fabric scraps

Cutting paper scraps

Pasting away

Satisifying smile with the mess!

A pose with their finished product.

Satisfied smiles from two precious princesses (or... Empress Dowager and Queen!)

Till next time, please take care everyone.

Crochet Bags

2009-06-11T11:53:00.002+08:00

Spent quite a lot of time on these bags.

Almost 10 to 12 hours over 2 days for each bag.

I love it... but they are not ready all done yet.

There is still the inner drawstring bags to be made.

The design is still going through my head.

The bare bag

The completed bag

The green crochet ruffled flower
The second bag with a longer handle

The blue crochet fuffled flower

What do you think about them?

Just photos...and a little rambling first

2009-06-10T14:22:00.004+08:00

I am at a lost as to what I want to do and how to do.
I am craving for some creative outburst to sew and to craft but I seem to be very limited in my ability. I really envy fellow bloggers that have set up etsy shops and have orders placed.
I may need some advices as to how to improve my stuffs.. please do share.

Now... simply enjoy the children enjoying themselves.

A quick bulletin...

2009-06-08T20:35:00.003+08:00

Aver is sick AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The doc may start a membership for her ... we do not know how and do not know why but her phelgm and fever came back again after two weeks.

She is again on a whole array of medicine. She ate them tonight without any complaints and even did a little jiggle just to cheer me up.

If you are reading this, please pray for her.

Thank you.

What's up?

2009-06-08T10:14:00.002+08:00

I have been rather slow in updating this blog. Not that I am not interested in blogging just that there are many things that require my attention.

So for some updates...

I did a little crafting so you can pop over to Wencrafting to take a look.
(I don't want to repost here... to save some time.)

The school hoilday is here and so I have 4 weeks to spend one on one time with Ash while Aver goes to childcare. She is doing her cross stitch that have been put on hold for a year already. I hope that she can finish it this time round.

The previous Saturday we went to Night Safari and it was a good workout... we walked instead of hopping onto the tram. Tired but satisfying. Aver was excited to see all the animals and she even couragously went to touch a snake. Love her courage. Ash also seemed to enjoyed herself... it has been a long time since she went there.

On Sunday, Ash's violin class was cancelled so we had the morning free. We went for a picnic at the beach. Despite the fact that Aver was not allowed to be near to grass and sand, we decided to go ahead with the fun. Aver loved the tent and the chance to go out and run and have the kind of fun her friends can have. Of course, I slapped on a lot of moisturiser on her to create a barrier between her skin and the nature that will irritate her. She really did enjoy herself. Ash loved it out in the outdoors too.

Simply put... the weekend was well spent. I am nursing aching shoulders and neck (for carrying the big baby most of the time) and also my legs...

(I am having connection problem so will need more time to post the pictures... they will be coming)

Sick again!

2009-05-25T22:52:00.003+08:00

Aver is sick again!

She is down with fever, cough with thick thick phlegm and runny nose.

She is on the same medication plus the seretide and ventolin puffs.

On top of that, she has her antibiotics from the dermatologist and the antihistame.

She is so used to all the medicine that she does not make a fuss.

However, enough is enough!

I am sick of feeding her medicine!

Arhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....

But, I must thank the GP.

He is very patient and understanding.

He is also very gentle with Aver so she feels at ease with him.

Let's pray that this will be over soon!

Aver's post

2009-05-20T10:18:00.002+08:00

Today, I will focus on Aver.

Always ready for some fun.

Spontanously running to where the fun will be.

Love to pretend play.

Love to smile for the camera.

A cook in the making... maybe.

Love to meddle with the pots and the pans.

Time to bring out our own playset so that she can "cook" along with me.

When "cooking" is done, it's time to read.

A lover for books but rarely the time to read.

Mummy, Mummy, time to allocate your time properly.

Always lugging some books around waiting for Mummy to read.

Will do... will do...

Aver is ever ready for the camera.

"Cheese" is her favourite word when the camera is on her.

Coupled with her squinting of her eyes and spreading her mouth spreading wide in a big cheery smile.

Aver is the last born and cheery despite her many ailments.
Praise be in the Lord that she will recover.
Amen!

It is time to re-focus

2009-05-18T08:27:00.003+08:00

It is time to stop feeling sorry for myself and stop being depressive over every little thing.

It is time to hand everything to the Lord and let Him know that I am only human.

It is time to unload everything, turn my eyes to the Lord and seek His help and guidance.

It is time to re-focus, re-think, re-look and renew!

So on to happier stuffs...

Ash's exam is over and who cares what is the results for now.

If it falls below her abilities, then we will buck up during the holidays.

Aver's fingers seems to be on the mend but it comes and it goes.... so we are praying.

I managed to d some revision for my Japanese language course and it feels great.

I managed to crochet three piggy heads for handphone dangles and they look great.

Better still, I thought of the pattern me-self!

Proud... show-off...

My old pencil case decided to die on me and I need to sew a new one for myself.

The school holiday is coming up in two weeks and I look forward to it. (though monetary wise, it will not be very healthy but I will let the Lord handle that portion... He feeds the birds so why will He not feed us, His own children! Of course, I should not use this as an excuse to be lazy!)

So I end this post with the four of us looking all cheery... (it's not recent but it shows my happy mood... re-focus)

Sorry, blog

2009-05-11T10:38:00.002+08:00

Ash is having her exams and this time, we are not as well prepared. We do not have much time on our hands to do much indepth revision. It has been touch and go. Time is eaten up because of her many issues related to school.

Aver is the greatest heartache of all. Despite the fact that she is a very jovial and pretty gal, she seems to be plagued by the most illnesses. Her infected thumb refused to heal and it has spread to other fingers. They itch and she scratch and the infection got worse. We had to make a trip down to the dermotologist at the hospital again. She is now on antibiotic to bring down the infection.

Last week, her cough came back along with her eczema rashes and now she is a confirmed asthmatic patient. She was given the ventolin and seretide puffs and I am so not ready to do this. However, on Sunday she was coughing so badly and continuously that we had to administer the puffs for her. Of course, she screamed the house down!

On Friday, Aver's class baked peanut butter cookies. Behind her teachers' back, she snuck a piece into her mouth. And that is a new round of probem! Her eyes started to water very badly, she rubbed her eyes non-stop and she started to cough! The teacher panic and called to ask for permission to bring her to the clinic but since they do not know her medical history, it is kind of pointless. Plus, she was not having breathing problems. Now, her eyes still have a ring of small red rashes and it just pains me to see her in this manner.

Mothers' Day was yet another heartache. The household sort of forgot about it and I was kind of heartbroken.

I wish I can be like my butterflies, pretty and carefree.

Some randomness for the end of April

2009-04-27T15:51:00.002+08:00

It is coming to the end of yet another month and I am quite ashamed with myself.
My cameras have been in cold storage for quite awhile.
The weather has been crazy hot and the sun has been burning down at us very harshly causing me to be in constant pain in the head area...

Anyway, just to make sure that I do not totally disappear from this space, like me indulge in a little randomness...

First, there is this new Indian stall at the coffeeshop that we visit very weekend mornings. Other than the usual prata, this is what it serves also. It is crispy and the chocolate syrup simply makes it even more delicious. However, its prata needs to be a little more crispy to be able to meet my standard.

Second, Aver likes to read and bugs me to read to her. However, I have been putting it off. I have decided not to put this off anymore. My version of homeschooling will have to start soon. She is an eager learner and enjoys going for lessons. Come weekends, she will ask to go for lessons and if does not have lesson on that day, she will sulk. If I tell her that she can have Mummy's lesson, she will reply,"Ok, I wan Mummy's lessson," smiles and walk away satisfied.

Ash had her first ballet exam somewhere last month and she got her result.
I was hoping that she may not do quite well for it so that I can have an excuse to drop ballet from her extra curriculums... but guess I have to wait another year.
Anyhow, I should be proud of her.

There was some fabric shopping over the last weekend and I managed to sew two pieces of clothing for the two princesses... will show photos of it the next time.

Mini Pouchies

2009-04-17T17:30:00.002+08:00

I have made these two mini pounches which for the sake of cuteness, I call them mini pouchies.

Mini Sweetie Pouchie

Mini Sweetic Pouchie (back)
Mini Flora Pouchie
Mini Flora Pouchie (back)

They measures approximately 5.5" by 5''.

Inner lining is green (somewhat like the Detol kind of green... lightish green).

Has a ribbon strap at one side which is long enough to allow yoor wrist to slip in.

I can put my Nokia N95 in it and a packet of tissue too.

These pouchies are for sale but I do not know how much to price them at.

Tentatively, I am thinking in the range of S$5 to S$7.

Would you like to suggest a price for it?

Would you be interested in purchasing one?

Thanks for dropping by.

Randomness of life

2009-04-16T10:55:00.002+08:00

It had been awhile and this little space is a little neglected.
So... here is just a little randomness around me.

Aver's newest hairstlye...

Ash snoozing away in the car...

Aver got so tired waiting for her favourite soya bean tart...

Another beautiful morning sky...

I have called in sick today as my body and my mind can no longer function properly.

My migraine attacks are more frequent now and I need time to nurse the sore head.

I need a break from all the frustrations and the best way is to be alone at home for a few hours.

Quiet and peace is what I need now.

Just Photos

2009-04-06T16:25:00.005+08:00

I took this photo of Aver napping this afternoon when we reached home.

She must had felt that the classic music playing from the radio is too noisy for her.

These groups of photos were taken while on the way to schools in the morning.

If you have noticed, I typed 'schools', in the plural form as it refers to three different schools we are heading to in the mornings.

This particular one is a sunset.

It was so beautiful... my photography skill does not do justice to the sunset and Superpig refused to stop the car for me to have a good shot too.

And there were rainbows...

Again, my skill does not do justice to the magnificent view.

The sun was setting and the sky was tinted orange.

There was a slight drizzle and I thought there might be a rainbow...

As I walked out into the corridor, I saw it and was in awe.

The rest of the evening was all joyful as I cannot stop thinking about the beautiful rainbow in the orange tinted evening sky.

Lastly, another digital layout of the girls reading together.

It is a rare sight as Aver will always snatch the books away from her sister.

Or you can hear Aver shouting at her sister...

Towel is is hanging on the pole

2009-04-03T15:50:00.002+08:00

I am not alllowed to throw in the towel yet...
At the rate that we are going, I don't think I can throw in the towel anytime soon.

I want to say that this time, the problem is not the institution or the people that I worked with. So my need to quit is more personal.
It seemed that since I have returned to teaching, things at home are not doing very well.
I have been easily tired and easily stressed (because I am a perfectionist and I believe that I can change the world ... which I cannot!) that this has started to affect my two princesses.
It has also started to affect me... I look very different as compared to 2 years ago. My skin is dull and unpleasant and I am usually seen with a frown and not a smile.

At this very moment, I leave the house to go to work with heavy heart.
At the back of my mind is the two princesses.
Hence, I cannot concentrate on my work.

I need to find a way out of this situation but it seems like it will be like that for the next few years.

So... I cannot quit even if I need to.

So... I need to learn to super multitask and multi think!

I am throwing in the towel!

2009-04-01T09:45:00.003+08:00

I am typing this at work and I am throwing in the towel.
What happens when the passion for your job is now become a chore, a fear and exreme stress.
I quit 4 years ago and now I am quitting again.
Call me weak but I realised that I am no longer as good as I was before.
I do not want to coninue asking myself what is it that I am not doing right or wht went wrong.
The answer is nothing went wrong!
It just that it is not my path.
This is no longer my calling...
Actually, what is my calling?

Another Digital L/O

2009-03-30T16:10:00.005+08:00

Aver is sick and hence I am home with her.

Other than trying to get some rest along with Aver, I decided to do a quick layout.

I kept it real simple by using item from mostly one collection - Valentine 2009 from Scrapbook Flair. (I think... I am lousy, mostly hopeless at keeping records of those scrapbooking kits I downloaded.)

Back to Aver being sick...

Well, if you had been following this blog, you will have known that she has sensitive skin and hence her eczema attacks. For the past year, the eczema raches came and went and along with it she started to have this cough. The cough is prolonged and it usually appears when her rashes appear.

It was finally confirmed that her cough is largely due to her eczema... she developed sensitive airways too. In the recent two months, this cough started to develop into wheezing. She had that last month and I had to be away from work for 4 days to look after her. She got the wheezing again on Saturday and went to see the doctor on Sunday. Today she is kept at home to recuperate. Her wheezing has stopped and now she is nursing the cough and the phelgm.

On top of that, her fingers are badly infected and that is also due to eczema! I would have shown you a picture of her badly infected thumb but it will definitely make you upset.

Let's just pray that she will get better by tonight and we can all go back to our normal routine tomorrow.

Digital Scrapbook Layout

2009-03-27T23:26:00.004+08:00

It has been a long time since I last did a digital scrapbooking layout.
I am getting dusty.
Hope I can find some time to do at least one layout a week.

More Stamps!!!

2009-03-20T13:19:00.003+08:00

I am sort of hooked on this eraser stamp craft thingy... and Superpig has been very encouraging. He is even willing to sponsor the craving tools but I don't mind waiting a little longer. I like my penknife for now.

So in the span of three days, I made these.

Although they are not very professional looking or even cute enough compared to those I have seen on Flicker but I am willing to keep learning and testing my own skills.

It is a joy to learn something new and it is a even greater joy to perfect this new skill. I have learnt to sew for my daughters and myself, I have learnt to crochet, I have learnt to do digital scrapbooking and now I have learnt to carve my own stamps... in these two years that past, I must say that I am growing slowly in my crafting talent.

Maybe... just maybe, I do have a talent somewhere.

No... I am not being pessimistic. I had always wondered what is my talent. I had always asked God about it. I had grown up thinking that I am a talentless and unintelligent person. (Actually, I still feel this way sometimes.)

Maybe... just maybe ...

I am happy

Buckwheat Wrists Rest

2009-03-18T13:02:00.003+08:00

Two posts in one day?

That is because Aver is in childcare and Ash has been brought out by her paternal grandmother. And I already miss her... I wonder why my mother-in-law never asked me along? I guess in her eyes I am not a good enough mother to my children or a good enough wife to her son...

Anyway, since I am at home alone and feeling depress, I need to work on something. So, I sewn.

I did mentioned somewhere in the past that I had lots of organic buckwheat ... since Superpig had been asking for a wrists rest. I made one ... sorry ...FIVE of them!

Why so many? That is because I want to use up the scrap fabric from the curtains I made yesterday and I am feeling generous (despite fighting the abovementioned depressing thoughts).

So if you want any of it just leave a comment here. Four friends will be picked out at the end of this week. Don't worry about your distance ... I am feeling generous.

Two Noren Curtains and some rubber stamps

2009-03-18T10:48:00.004+08:00

It's the school holiday for a week here so I can stay at home with Ash. Ash knows how to entertain herself so I can do my own stuffs. Aver, on the other hand, goes to childcare as usual.

So, I sew and I surfed the web for more inspiration.

We had always wanted curtains at our doorway so that we can open our doors without having to feel shy about the mess inside. We had went to Ikea in the past two weekends and we bought two fabulous fabric from the curtain section and the curtain rod.

Yesterday, I sew the curtains... both of it. I put the first one up and the other went into the storeroom before I took any photos of it. So here is the first one...

As I blog hopped, I got even more inspired by the crafts made by others out there. I had always love rubber stamps and had wanted to try making my own (ha... this sound rather familiar. According to Superpig, I like to try every crafts out there.) This time my inspiration came from Xue-originals. She made beautiful rubber stamps.

At first, I did not have the intention of making my own as that would mean I need to go look for the craving knives and the wood blocks... cost cost cost... At the moment, I am biting my fingers, trying very hard not to buy need craft supplies. But, I chanced upon another blog (which I have lost the link...) which featured some Japanese craft books which involve making your own rubber stamps using erasers.

And TAH....DAH.....

I used those flag erasers (which does not erase pencil marks well...), a pencil (to draw the design...) and a pen knife (to try to carve..). It worked! These may be very simple and amateur but I like the simplicity and these are images that I like. I like the little girl as it resembles my two girls.

Hope you will like them too.

Fun with dough, Sports Day and...

2009-03-13T22:57:00.002+08:00

I finally managed to drag out the cold storaged play dough and soft clay for the princesses to play.
Aver did cutting and rolling of play dough with Superpig.
Ash and I tried our hands at the rather-not-so-soft soft clay (it was not kept in air tight condition...)
However, we had no final product to show as Ash and myself have no idea what to do.

And today, it's Ash's Sports Day at school.
She was running in the class relay.
Her group came in second... WELL DONE!
We observed her from a distance whilst she was with her friends.
It was fun to observe her from a distance.
Very much like me, she is a loner and a follower.
But she tried her best to be with her friends and she did enjoy herself also.

Crochet and Sewn

2009-03-01T14:00:00.003+08:00

From an ugly transponder to a lovely item to hang on my neck whilst I am at work.

So if anyone is interested in beautifying your transponder drop me an email.

Oh... I am very proud of it because I designed it myself and it is my first very own pattern.

Next is a blouse I had sewn for myself.

After sewing for my princesses and also other non-wearable items, I finally embarked on a blouse for myself.

I like the blouse a lot and the instruction is rather easy to follow.

I believe there will be more blouses for myself in future.

With regard to the Pay It Forward game, the response is weak but as and when you like to join in just drop a comment here.

Ah Fat, your item is in the designing stage... and thanks for responding to that post.

Pay It Forward

2009-02-27T09:18:00.002+08:00

I had heard about this movie called "Pay It Forward" and had wanted to watch it but did not got to. Now, a fellow blogger friend had participated in this "Pay It Forward" scheme on blogland and I thought it will be interesting to join in as ...

(1) It will help get myself motivated to craft again.

(2) I like to share

(3) I can think of other things other than work

(4) It is a great de-stresser

So how do you play?

1. You have to have a blog.

2. First 3 commenters on this post will get to have something handmade by me (it is not bound by territory... its international).

3. You will in turn play the Pay It Forward game on your blog and it will go on from there.

4. I have 365 days to prepare the handmade gifts to the 3 commenters.

Crochet necklace for Ash

2009-02-23T10:54:00.003+08:00

I was not feeling up to beat for the past week.

Aver fell sick last Friday and she is still running a fever and developed a nasty phlegmy cough.

So since I was stuck at home with her, I made this necklace for Ash.

I have been neglecting Ash due to over tiredness from work and also a demanding Aver.
Ash felt unwanted and had been acting up (partly due to her lack of focus also...).
I am guilty of how I reacted towards her made her feel this way.
Plus, I am turning into my mother, subconsciously, being very sceptical and critical of our own offspring. (Which i was determined not to be but... a long story which I will pour out another time.
So, now I am trying my best to show Ash that i love her just as much as before and that she still a precious gem in my eyes.
So this is for her.

Kids' Valentine Crafts

2009-02-12T17:15:00.005+08:00

Since it is Valentine's Day, I wanted to have the children work on some heart day's crafts.

For Aver, I cut out a heart on construction paper and let her cut paper scraps tp stick on the big heart. This allow her to learn scissors skill.

For Ash, I followed Martha Stewart's napkin heart dollies. She had difficulty trying to cut through the thick layers. When she saw the final product, she was very happy. She found the little piece and opened it up. She exclaimed,"Mummy, look! It's a flower!" So I guess she was happy with her craft.

Happy Valentine's Day to you out there.

Just some mundane ramblings

2009-02-11T16:44:00.005+08:00

These are scenes around me the last few days...

Yellow Post-It Tags to indicate corrections on the pupils' worksheets.

I hope that the number of tags used will be lesser as time goes by.

I do hope that they will be able to improve.

The massive amount of books that I had marked.

On average, I need to mark about two sets of books or worksheets but this was one very particular day which I had quite a massive bit.

The other portion of the books that I had to leave behind as I packed up to go pick my daughters up from school.

I cleared this pile the next morning when I returned.

There is a very motherly colleague who makes the effort to cook for the staff in the staffroom that I am in.

I like to walk into the room and be greeted with the delicious smell, it sort of drown out the tiredness in my body and recharges my energy to tackle my marking.

This particular day she cooked chicken curry.

I am going to try to cook this for my family.

I found this seedling amongst the vegetable that I was preparing for dinner and I thought I would just plant it.
It survived! It is growing tall and growing well. I will be potting it soon.

Some interesting flower pattern on my centry eggs. Don't think it is good for the health, most probably it is bacteria growth ... I remembered reading somewhere or seeing somewhere that the bacteria have the most interesting patterns and designs. So I played it safe and threw them away.

And this is what I see when I turned around ... Aver lying on the floor while waiting for me to finish cooking. She was tired and totally bored. A reminder to myself that I must create a little corner to let her "cook" too.

That is my life for the past two weeks.

Hope yours is well and good too.

It has been a long time

2009-02-10T17:53:00.003+08:00

Well, it has been a long time since I have blogged. So, you can imagine the amount of work that is keeping me busy.

There is work from school and there is stuff to do at home and also stuff to do as a mother and a wife. However, I had taken quite a few photos with the intention of sharing on this space but well they have been left in the camera ...

Crafting and sewing is non-existant at the moment... but I hope I can get to it soon as I can feel my fingers itching and hear my sewing machine crying out for attention.

So I leave you with these not so cute Hello Kitty pineapple tarts that I baked during the Chinese New Year.

Some crafting to divert my attention

2009-02-02T09:56:00.002+08:00

There are some irritating problems happening in the homefront. I had spent too much time and effort plus brain juice fretting over it and hence I fell sick, drove badly as my mind was busy... However, I am very glad that the Lord sent a nice lady to listen and to talk to me.

She told me to stop fretting and move on... only when I move on than my life will be free of bad vibes. She told me to be still and to listen to the Lord's voice.

So I moved on... the problem is smaller now but still there but we can solve it.

So I made these roses... its the month of Love. So I made these roses to brighten up our house.

Then I seached for my stash of cross-stitch fabric and sewed this. It is small, about 3 inches by 3 inches and I still do not have any idea what to do with it yet. What you see here is not the completed one yet.

Happy Love month to you out there.

First Day of Lunar New Year 2009

2009-01-30T15:52:00.005+08:00

After two days of cleaning, I have to finally keep all cleaning equipments as it is bad omen to clean on the first day.

After so many years, now I finally unserstood why we are not allowed to clean or do any housework on the first day of Lunar New Year. Long ago and till now, women usually stayed home and made sure that food was on the table to feed the family and the house was cleaned throughout the year. They do not have any rest days or annual leave. Hence, there must be some wise lady who decided that they should also have some days to rest and put up their feet, if not to put on some make up and feel beautiful again. Hence, NO HOUSEWORK on the first day of Lunar New Year. (What do you think?)

Anyway, even if I want to clean the house, I can't as out first day have always been packed.

We started the day with my feeble attempt to style their hair with rag curls. I should have done it the night before so that the hair will dry as they slept.

Then, the princesses got to 拜年 to us with two oranges and we returned them with red packets.

And we were off to their paternal grandmother's house and then round the island we went and ended up at my brother's place for dinner. I felt so much more comfortable there than anywhere else and dinner was good... with my mum's best belachan chilli.

However, Ash vomited after drinking a cup of milk... guess she had not chewed her food properly and she did too much jumping around with her cousins.

So this is the four of us wishing all of you a wonderful and blessed "moo moo" year ahead.

Spring cleaning for the Lunar New Year

2009-01-28T12:12:00.003+08:00

It is the culture of the chinese to do a spring clean the house before the Lunar New Year.
This year, I was so busy and so tired that I was determined not to do any spring cleaning and also to close my doors to anyone visiting. I was too tired.

However, I just could not get this burden off my shoulders. Even if we agreed not to have any people come our house, I cannot accept that my house is not cleaned for the new year.

So on Saturday, two days before Lunar New Year, I started to clean...
Let me scare you with this pile of dust from under our bed.
Eeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwww....

I worked hard on Saturday and on Sunday to clean the house. I must say that I was proud of myself as I managed to complete one year's worth of cleaning in two days... (okay, I skipped the study room...)

After two hard days of cleaning, back is aching, eyes are itching and mood is kind of bad. But at the end of each of the two days, I get to see my two princesses loving each other, my aches are all washed away.

Here Ash and Aver were playing "scissors, paper, stone". Aver won and gave her sister a big bear hug.

And whilst watching TV, Aver felt cold and went onto the sofa where her sister was and snuggled with her.