Thursday, December 22, 2005
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Moments and Misery
Abby's beginning to take to her grandaunt Mich. She'll keep calling 'Ah-Mah!' (for Gu-Ma - easier than Grandauntie Michelle) and ask her to go 'kai-kai'. :) Abby's becoming more independent. In fact, after dinner today, she played with the older kids (3 and 4yr old Mattie and Whitney resp) while the adults were at the dinner table. When I went to peep at her, she was getting in and out of the buggy by herself! And that's no mean feat, considering there's a barier at the feet. She's becoming really independent, simply because there's no 'ah-ma' protecting her and no lina-che-che to make sure she dussen cry and get her into trouble.
Abby saw Whitney go for a swim in the pool today (it was tremendously hot weather!)and screamed her lungs out when she thought I wasn't gonna let her into the pool when in fact I took her upstairs to change into her gear as well as mine. She enjoyed herself very much in the pool and even wanted me to let her go... erhm. I not that garang. :P
In the evening, the kids and aunt Mich played ball in the front porch. Abby had a whale of a time kicking the ball! :) She was chuckling so loudly (according to my aunt - I didn't hear coz I was preoccupied)! She's learning how to put on and take off her shoes by herself - I'm amazed and impressed by her desire for independence. Really wondering what will happen when we return to Singapore - she insists on feeding herself (at least feel the food) during each meal time. I think there'll be some struggling. But awhile more, and it's freedom @ Paradise! :D
On a sadder note, I've been really upset with the local airlines. We flew here on the generosity of my aunt and uncle - and we actually entered Abby as one of the nominees for the Frequent Flyer Miles award redemption. BUT. Even infants are considered as adult fare deduction and STILL have to pay airport tax (which goes to their pockets anyway) so we decided against it. Now we wanna fly Ben over, BUT! we can't delete Abby's name till SIX MONTHS LATER because of POLICY. (We've maxed out 5 nominees.) ARGH. We've written an appeal letter to see if they're able to do anything abt it. We're really not abusing the system because Abby did not enjoy any benefit at all so it's as good as not being nominated. BUT. They aren't very nice about it. Argh. Very upsetting. God. Please fly Ben over. We miss him so much. Abby keeps nodding when I ask her if she wants Daddy to come. I really pray that he'll be able to come over. Last resort - fly back to Singapore for Christmas with Ben. BUT not keen on abandoning freedom (from agony) so quickly. Sigh. Really dread going back to that house. It's black face day in day out, and 'storms' threatening ever so often. Really sick and tired of her. Better get out before I blow big time. (She's claimed that I yelled at her, which is pure nonsense - coz I didn't stand by her side when she rebuked the maid but sort to clarify the issue instead. Argh. Unreasonable. If I had really yelled at her, we'd be out of the house already.)
K, I won't spoil my holiday by having her in my mind. Life is too precious to have it filled with misery.
Back to the lighter note, here are some self-feeding moments. :)
Abby saw Whitney go for a swim in the pool today (it was tremendously hot weather!)and screamed her lungs out when she thought I wasn't gonna let her into the pool when in fact I took her upstairs to change into her gear as well as mine. She enjoyed herself very much in the pool and even wanted me to let her go... erhm. I not that garang. :P
In the evening, the kids and aunt Mich played ball in the front porch. Abby had a whale of a time kicking the ball! :) She was chuckling so loudly (according to my aunt - I didn't hear coz I was preoccupied)! She's learning how to put on and take off her shoes by herself - I'm amazed and impressed by her desire for independence. Really wondering what will happen when we return to Singapore - she insists on feeding herself (at least feel the food) during each meal time. I think there'll be some struggling. But awhile more, and it's freedom @ Paradise! :D
On a sadder note, I've been really upset with the local airlines. We flew here on the generosity of my aunt and uncle - and we actually entered Abby as one of the nominees for the Frequent Flyer Miles award redemption. BUT. Even infants are considered as adult fare deduction and STILL have to pay airport tax (which goes to their pockets anyway) so we decided against it. Now we wanna fly Ben over, BUT! we can't delete Abby's name till SIX MONTHS LATER because of POLICY. (We've maxed out 5 nominees.) ARGH. We've written an appeal letter to see if they're able to do anything abt it. We're really not abusing the system because Abby did not enjoy any benefit at all so it's as good as not being nominated. BUT. They aren't very nice about it. Argh. Very upsetting. God. Please fly Ben over. We miss him so much. Abby keeps nodding when I ask her if she wants Daddy to come. I really pray that he'll be able to come over. Last resort - fly back to Singapore for Christmas with Ben. BUT not keen on abandoning freedom (from agony) so quickly. Sigh. Really dread going back to that house. It's black face day in day out, and 'storms' threatening ever so often. Really sick and tired of her. Better get out before I blow big time. (She's claimed that I yelled at her, which is pure nonsense - coz I didn't stand by her side when she rebuked the maid but sort to clarify the issue instead. Argh. Unreasonable. If I had really yelled at her, we'd be out of the house already.)
K, I won't spoil my holiday by having her in my mind. Life is too precious to have it filled with misery.
Back to the lighter note, here are some self-feeding moments. :)
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Abby in Sydney
Abby's been having so much fun here! :) She's running around all the time, eating lotsa different foods and just picking up lotsa words and actions! :) She's managed to say 'Bumblebee' (as Bababee!), her own version of giraffe, zebra, yoghurt (Go-GERT!), rabbit (RehBIT!), Amen (Eh-MING!) after we give thanks before food, berries (eh-REES), elbow, and some other words (can't think of all. :P)
She also self-regulates - says No! whenever she sees the antennae plugged to the wall (coz she kept touching it initially) goes Wooh! if she almost has a fall. Sometimes when she falls, she'll say that as well, then pick herself up and move on. :)
She keeps going Mum-mum the whole day - eating and drinking lots! :) Very happy to see her enjoying her food. Ben is right - cannot exasperate her regarding food, otherwise she won't eat. She's feeding herself also and enjoys it tremendously.
She's also learning to brush her own teeth (after Mummy brushes for her, of course!). Matthew, my godson, has been an angel with her, and even when she snaps at him, he's still very gentle with her and smooches her ever so often! :)
She's a real tease with Grandaunt michelle (her grandaunt) - always giving the cheeky proud look whenever and then chuckling to herself! She's learnt to flap her arms like a butterfly and say Fly! - Grandaunt michelle taught her. :)
The places here are really baby/child friendly. They've got Parents' room - a special loo - like the disable toilet but equipped with a baby changer as well as a small potty next to the regular potty. Also, the restaurants are pretty kid friendly. We went to Fair Play Cafe today and Abby had so much fun running around the whole place and within the toddler play area. Matt was all over the bigger kids area. Really fun to see them have so much fun. :)
As much as she's exploring so much now, I wonder what 'repercussions' there'll be when she returns to the sterile environment in Singapore. E.g. she's quite used to feeding herself - so if she's not allowed to touch her food (back home), I can pretty much guess she'll kick up a fuss. :P But I dun really care. Someday she needs to learn to feed herself - and I can't afford to let her be spoonfed when she's in older. True it's 'faster', but it's very disabling for the kid.
Anyway, Abby's come up with this new look - The Puzzled Face!
She'll walk around with this look and then laugh like mad coz she knows it's hilarious! :) Grandaunt Michelle keeps teasing her with that too! :) Too cute! :)
She also self-regulates - says No! whenever she sees the antennae plugged to the wall (coz she kept touching it initially) goes Wooh! if she almost has a fall. Sometimes when she falls, she'll say that as well, then pick herself up and move on. :)
She keeps going Mum-mum the whole day - eating and drinking lots! :) Very happy to see her enjoying her food. Ben is right - cannot exasperate her regarding food, otherwise she won't eat. She's feeding herself also and enjoys it tremendously.
She's also learning to brush her own teeth (after Mummy brushes for her, of course!). Matthew, my godson, has been an angel with her, and even when she snaps at him, he's still very gentle with her and smooches her ever so often! :)
She's a real tease with Grandaunt michelle (her grandaunt) - always giving the cheeky proud look whenever and then chuckling to herself! She's learnt to flap her arms like a butterfly and say Fly! - Grandaunt michelle taught her. :)
The places here are really baby/child friendly. They've got Parents' room - a special loo - like the disable toilet but equipped with a baby changer as well as a small potty next to the regular potty. Also, the restaurants are pretty kid friendly. We went to Fair Play Cafe today and Abby had so much fun running around the whole place and within the toddler play area. Matt was all over the bigger kids area. Really fun to see them have so much fun. :)
As much as she's exploring so much now, I wonder what 'repercussions' there'll be when she returns to the sterile environment in Singapore. E.g. she's quite used to feeding herself - so if she's not allowed to touch her food (back home), I can pretty much guess she'll kick up a fuss. :P But I dun really care. Someday she needs to learn to feed herself - and I can't afford to let her be spoonfed when she's in older. True it's 'faster', but it's very disabling for the kid.
Anyway, Abby's come up with this new look - The Puzzled Face!
She'll walk around with this look and then laugh like mad coz she knows it's hilarious! :) Grandaunt Michelle keeps teasing her with that too! :) Too cute! :)
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Back in Australia
Have been wanting to post but haven't had sufficient comp time. It's been full time mothering and I've been loving every single moment of it! :) Right from the flight all the way to this moment, it's been utterly enjoyable. Abby's such a delight.
When we were on board the plane, an angel came and sat down beside us (who'd want to sit with a flying toddler?) and took care of Abby all the way! :) Has got 2 daughters himself (17 and 13 yo) and is on a trip round the world. It's been 6 months since he's seen his girls, and he show me the album they made for him! :)
After touching down, we met up with my aunt's family after a while. The weather and everything - wooh. I really really miss Australia. Strangely, I miss the smell of the Eucalyptus tress, the pine trees (I think they are pine trees), the smell of the groceries in the grocery store, and even the scent of the aussie home. Just wished Ben were here with us.
Abby's been having a whale of a time! :) She's exploring all kinds of foods and just digigng her fingers into all kinds of edibles! :) She's toddling around the house the whole day and harassing my 3.5yo godson, who's been an angel with her. He's been real gentlemanly, even with me. He's sharing all his toys with abby and doesn't get offended when Abby's defensive (boy is she defensive at times!) She's really cheeky with my aunt too! :) Always teasing her... very cute! :)
At nights, before I put her to bed, she'll ask for daddy. Then we'll play the video we recorded just before departure. The first night when we watched it, I cried and cried. Very touching yet with a touch of ridiculosity as my MIL's voice was in the background of the sweet video saying, "Hiyah, why you all do this kinda thing?" in Mandarin. Quite a spoiler lah. But still it never fails to put a smile on Abby. :)
Ben's busy with work and the new place - and he's really putting in alot of effort to make it our dream home. :) Very touched by his commitment and drive to do it well. :) I praise God for my family! :)
P.S. Will post photos up when I get the chance again! :D
When we were on board the plane, an angel came and sat down beside us (who'd want to sit with a flying toddler?) and took care of Abby all the way! :) Has got 2 daughters himself (17 and 13 yo) and is on a trip round the world. It's been 6 months since he's seen his girls, and he show me the album they made for him! :)
After touching down, we met up with my aunt's family after a while. The weather and everything - wooh. I really really miss Australia. Strangely, I miss the smell of the Eucalyptus tress, the pine trees (I think they are pine trees), the smell of the groceries in the grocery store, and even the scent of the aussie home. Just wished Ben were here with us.
Abby's been having a whale of a time! :) She's exploring all kinds of foods and just digigng her fingers into all kinds of edibles! :) She's toddling around the house the whole day and harassing my 3.5yo godson, who's been an angel with her. He's been real gentlemanly, even with me. He's sharing all his toys with abby and doesn't get offended when Abby's defensive (boy is she defensive at times!) She's really cheeky with my aunt too! :) Always teasing her... very cute! :)
At nights, before I put her to bed, she'll ask for daddy. Then we'll play the video we recorded just before departure. The first night when we watched it, I cried and cried. Very touching yet with a touch of ridiculosity as my MIL's voice was in the background of the sweet video saying, "Hiyah, why you all do this kinda thing?" in Mandarin. Quite a spoiler lah. But still it never fails to put a smile on Abby. :)
Ben's busy with work and the new place - and he's really putting in alot of effort to make it our dream home. :) Very touched by his commitment and drive to do it well. :) I praise God for my family! :)
P.S. Will post photos up when I get the chance again! :D
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Departure and Arrival
We'll be on the plane in about 10 hours' time. Yesterday, a good friend and I went shopping for 'ammunition' - devices to keep Abby happy on board. If all else fails, then I'll have to use the final resort. ;) Sydney's about 2hrs ahead of Singapore; hopefully Abby will be able to adjust to the time change. Aunt Michelle & Mattie will be there at the airport to pick us up, not sure if Uncle Mike will be there coz it's a working weekday. They went through so much hassle just to fly us over; really appreciate them for it.
Right now, they've points set aside for my bro to fly over; but it seems my bro has other plans. Well.
Spent the last few days with a new friend. It has been awesome. :) She is *SO* different from how she is described! Gosh. Although she's going through a tough time because of a reckless ex; nevertheless, she's soaking up in God's faithfulness and love. We're both definite that God will surely bless her with a totally God-fearing husband that will lead her and the household! :) Mum also loves her to bits and has been really worried about her. Yet God's been good. She's finally been delivered from repeated abuse and I just pray that she won't return to Egypt (not literally). Her heart is just full of love despite what's been done to her. She's amazing. I just pray that God will keep Abby safe from the path of fools as she grows up. At least now her focus is set on the future God has in store for her! :)
Going off with Abby to meet a girlfriend visiting from UK - a friend from poly whom I haven't met in a long time! Like about 8 years? :) Thereafter most likely will meet up with Ben - he's taken the half day off. I haven't left yet, but I miss him terribly already! :'( He's also already missing us and have been spending the last few days just appreciating one another. Let's hope that the weather (@ home) is cleared for take off this evening. :)
Let's see whether I'll have the chance to blog when I'm over there. With Abby entirely in my arms, it can be a challenge. But I don't mind! :D Praise the Lord! :D
Right now, they've points set aside for my bro to fly over; but it seems my bro has other plans. Well.
Spent the last few days with a new friend. It has been awesome. :) She is *SO* different from how she is described! Gosh. Although she's going through a tough time because of a reckless ex; nevertheless, she's soaking up in God's faithfulness and love. We're both definite that God will surely bless her with a totally God-fearing husband that will lead her and the household! :) Mum also loves her to bits and has been really worried about her. Yet God's been good. She's finally been delivered from repeated abuse and I just pray that she won't return to Egypt (not literally). Her heart is just full of love despite what's been done to her. She's amazing. I just pray that God will keep Abby safe from the path of fools as she grows up. At least now her focus is set on the future God has in store for her! :)
Going off with Abby to meet a girlfriend visiting from UK - a friend from poly whom I haven't met in a long time! Like about 8 years? :) Thereafter most likely will meet up with Ben - he's taken the half day off. I haven't left yet, but I miss him terribly already! :'( He's also already missing us and have been spending the last few days just appreciating one another. Let's hope that the weather (@ home) is cleared for take off this evening. :)
Let's see whether I'll have the chance to blog when I'm over there. With Abby entirely in my arms, it can be a challenge. But I don't mind! :D Praise the Lord! :D
Saturday, December 10, 2005
*M*I*R*A*C*L*E*
I cannot believe it. Still can hardly believe it. Aunt Michelle called last night and offered to fly Abby & I over to SYDNEY!!! At first when she asked if we were going over, I told her we couldn't because the renovation was happily munching off big chunks of our savings... but later she said that she had discussed with Uncle Mike and would like to fly us over! :D I really really can't wait to go. Initially I also thought that I wouldn't be able to make the trip because I heard that I can't fly (not literally) after 28 weeks. SIA's regulations is up to 35th week of pregnancy (for single and uncomplicated pregnancy). It's 32nd week of pregnancy for multiple or complicated pregnancy otherwise. It's gonna be challenging - toddler and expectant mother on board. But I really don't care - because I know we're gonna enjoy ourselves and get away from it all. People *will* dissuade us from the trip as the kiasee syndrome will be at work definitely; thanks but no thanks.
The only regret is - Ben can't come with us. :'( Otherwise there'll really be no food on the table. Also, I really pray that my princesses will be well taken care of and they'll be in the pink of health when we return. ;) Also, that we'll be able to settle down in our new place as soon as possible! :D
The only regret is - Ben can't come with us. :'( Otherwise there'll really be no food on the table. Also, I really pray that my princesses will be well taken care of and they'll be in the pink of health when we return. ;) Also, that we'll be able to settle down in our new place as soon as possible! :D
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Six Years Anniversary
We celebrated our sixth year anniversary yesterday (05.12.2005). We've been together for six years. Ben didn't go to work yesterday coz he worked on Saturday, so we had the whole of yesterday together. We ran our errands, bought some furniture and felt totally awesome. We even went to a nice pub and grill place to commemorate our six years together. Had steak, abit of wine, great conversation, encouraging each other and just basically enjoying each other.
When we came home, we had a blast of a time. Literally. Ben's mum's fuse was off and she was a hot firecracker. I was one of her target boards. Ben took her head on. I left halfway (though I remained silent throughout while she continued shooting) and was in bed with Abby. Ben came in telling me it ended well, not that he won, but that his mum felt heard. Which was good. I was terrified.
Went to bed and had a strange dream. Dreamt that my mum rented some place and i had a share in it. I was alone. And that place had no roof, kinda like a swimming pool in the middle, but i had to live there, without a roof. Give birth then let my lil' one live there with me. Just the two of us. Natural air, no air con (someone in the dream said so). No Ben. No Abby. Full of heartaches. Just my son and myself. No family either. No lights. No friends. Totally abandoned.
Woke up totally shaken. Even thought about leaving here so that the family would be more peaceful. Matyr attitude at work again. Ben saw that I was so shaken (not by the dream, but by the confrontation) and he took the day off to make sure I was alright. Though he ran errands, he still made sure that I was fine throughout the day.
If I could, I'd still be hiding under the bed right now.
I am so trapped. Can't go out, can't stay at home. But I still need to live. For my husband and my children, I will survive.
When we came home, we had a blast of a time. Literally. Ben's mum's fuse was off and she was a hot firecracker. I was one of her target boards. Ben took her head on. I left halfway (though I remained silent throughout while she continued shooting) and was in bed with Abby. Ben came in telling me it ended well, not that he won, but that his mum felt heard. Which was good. I was terrified.
Went to bed and had a strange dream. Dreamt that my mum rented some place and i had a share in it. I was alone. And that place had no roof, kinda like a swimming pool in the middle, but i had to live there, without a roof. Give birth then let my lil' one live there with me. Just the two of us. Natural air, no air con (someone in the dream said so). No Ben. No Abby. Full of heartaches. Just my son and myself. No family either. No lights. No friends. Totally abandoned.
Woke up totally shaken. Even thought about leaving here so that the family would be more peaceful. Matyr attitude at work again. Ben saw that I was so shaken (not by the dream, but by the confrontation) and he took the day off to make sure I was alright. Though he ran errands, he still made sure that I was fine throughout the day.
If I could, I'd still be hiding under the bed right now.
I am so trapped. Can't go out, can't stay at home. But I still need to live. For my husband and my children, I will survive.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Contractions
Have been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions today. Belly tightening on and off, rather irregularly.
Thank God for MORE pillows... it's been quite difficult staying asleep especially with a creaking hip. :S
Thank God for MORE pillows... it's been quite difficult staying asleep especially with a creaking hip. :S
Friday, December 02, 2005
Drugs & Speed
I've never seen xlx not slamming anyone (not that I read his blog often), but this really captured my attention. Especially the part about youths succumbing to ecstasy, not knowing the potential lure/shit they'll get themselves into.
There was a 24hr drug raid yesterday, and a 22 year old man got arrested. That's about my brother's age. That's scary. And his life is just gone. Just because he thinks he can get away with it. Another fella, a 47 year old man also got arrested, at a different location. That's about my father's age as well. These may just be ages over the airwaves, but that's TWO families destroyed. (I don't know which is worse - them coming from the same family and just plunging the whole family into despair, or two separate families where more people are devastated).
Why do they foolishly think that they can get away with it just because they've gotten away with it before? That's just pure dumbness. And when regret kicks in, it's really too late.
The other day when I was going for my exams, I saw two metal rods attached together to form a cross, with a cracked black car no. plate - SBN 1717L stuck across the horizontal bar. It was sticking out in the middle of PIE towards Bukit Timah exit - at the deadly curve. My heart just ached. That's the spot where someone died. That's the spot where the family or friend of the deceased stuck the cross to mark the spot of the deadly accident. This person might have just lost control of the car. He or she might have been a victim of another car. He or she might have been drinking. Or he or she might have been a victim of a drunk driver. The possibilities are endless - yet one thing remains true - death.
In the light of this - trivial things fade away, and important issues are foregrounded. Will we play russian roulette with our own lives? Or are we gonna seize the day and make important differences in other people's lives instead of taking them for granted, thinking they'll always be around? They might just leave us suddenly.
There was a 24hr drug raid yesterday, and a 22 year old man got arrested. That's about my brother's age. That's scary. And his life is just gone. Just because he thinks he can get away with it. Another fella, a 47 year old man also got arrested, at a different location. That's about my father's age as well. These may just be ages over the airwaves, but that's TWO families destroyed. (I don't know which is worse - them coming from the same family and just plunging the whole family into despair, or two separate families where more people are devastated).
Why do they foolishly think that they can get away with it just because they've gotten away with it before? That's just pure dumbness. And when regret kicks in, it's really too late.
The other day when I was going for my exams, I saw two metal rods attached together to form a cross, with a cracked black car no. plate - SBN 1717L stuck across the horizontal bar. It was sticking out in the middle of PIE towards Bukit Timah exit - at the deadly curve. My heart just ached. That's the spot where someone died. That's the spot where the family or friend of the deceased stuck the cross to mark the spot of the deadly accident. This person might have just lost control of the car. He or she might have been a victim of another car. He or she might have been drinking. Or he or she might have been a victim of a drunk driver. The possibilities are endless - yet one thing remains true - death.
In the light of this - trivial things fade away, and important issues are foregrounded. Will we play russian roulette with our own lives? Or are we gonna seize the day and make important differences in other people's lives instead of taking them for granted, thinking they'll always be around? They might just leave us suddenly.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Trapped
It was a bad dream. Yet, this time round, I surprised even myself. I woke up feeling horrible. Wondered about it for a while. Then life started. I miss Abby so much.
Had dinner and conversation with Ben's family tonite. Ben got really tipsy. Drank quite a bit. And left the pregnant wife while he was lost in his thoughts and his conversations. Not that the pregnant wife minded, but just that through the dark alley, thank God for a brother-in-law who realised that his wife's sister-in-law is pregnant. Rather heavily in fact. And trying to get around a dark alley without falling apart.
Sense of belonging. The last time I felt that was probably in Perth. At Queenie's. Thereafter it's been downhill. Perhaps when I was at Poi Ching. That was the other time when I felt I belonged. Maybe that's why my heart yearns to go back there. Otherwise I just wanna take Abby and run. To look for a place where I can belong. Maybe I'm just being selfish. Probably am.
This nite is just one of those nites when I feel sick in the stomach. And it's not morning sickness. It'll go away and I'll resume succumbing to being a meek person again.
Sigh. It gets tiring after a while. When will the ride be over? I wanna get off.
Hopefully when I wake up tomorrow, I'll feel better.
Had dinner and conversation with Ben's family tonite. Ben got really tipsy. Drank quite a bit. And left the pregnant wife while he was lost in his thoughts and his conversations. Not that the pregnant wife minded, but just that through the dark alley, thank God for a brother-in-law who realised that his wife's sister-in-law is pregnant. Rather heavily in fact. And trying to get around a dark alley without falling apart.
Sense of belonging. The last time I felt that was probably in Perth. At Queenie's. Thereafter it's been downhill. Perhaps when I was at Poi Ching. That was the other time when I felt I belonged. Maybe that's why my heart yearns to go back there. Otherwise I just wanna take Abby and run. To look for a place where I can belong. Maybe I'm just being selfish. Probably am.
This nite is just one of those nites when I feel sick in the stomach. And it's not morning sickness. It'll go away and I'll resume succumbing to being a meek person again.
Sigh. It gets tiring after a while. When will the ride be over? I wanna get off.
Hopefully when I wake up tomorrow, I'll feel better.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
The Day Abby Ran
Okie. She's almost exactly like her mother. Procrastinate like mad then start to cheong last minute. Apparently, according to my MIL, Abby kinda started running today. Fwah. At first dowan to walk. Then suddenly start walking *and* running. Scary to see my kinda procrastination in action. Din know it's hereditary. :P
P.S. She's absolutely adorable! :D
P.S. She's absolutely adorable! :D
Friday, November 25, 2005
The Nite Abby Walked
8pm. Abby was having fish porridge for dinner in church, just before cell was due to start. Vic was happily walking all over the place, while Abby had to sit still to finish her food. She wanted to go to the 'car-car' area, where all the push cars were. But she couldn't, so she sat there obediently trying to finish a huge bowl of fish porridge.
When she finally couldn't take anymore food, we let her go. She was really excited! Especially when she kept watching Vic run up and down with the cars while she couldn't. So when she was released, she started walking excitedly! Many steps!!! She actually walked like a quarter of the room, superly excitedly! Lina and I were terribly excited too! I could hardly breathe...
I had a dream the other nite. I dreamt that she walked. I knew she would, but I don't really know when. I know when it comes, it comes. So she just started stumbling everywhere, around the whole room! It was unfortunate that I didn't have our digital camera with us - Ben had D&D so he took it - so I took a movie with my trusty Nokia 6230 instead. A full 4 min of it. Woot! Adventure mini-film!
During worship, Abby continued walking. But there was a moment where she lost her balance, fell sideways-backwards, and landed on her head. I was so afraid. She cried and everyone was so worried. Later before her tears even stopped she was clapping along with the music accompanied by her sobs. Then she smiled and worshiped. PRAISE THE LORD.
She did continue walking after that, but I don't know if the fall would affect her confidence. Let's pray it won't! :)
When she finally couldn't take anymore food, we let her go. She was really excited! Especially when she kept watching Vic run up and down with the cars while she couldn't. So when she was released, she started walking excitedly! Many steps!!! She actually walked like a quarter of the room, superly excitedly! Lina and I were terribly excited too! I could hardly breathe...
I had a dream the other nite. I dreamt that she walked. I knew she would, but I don't really know when. I know when it comes, it comes. So she just started stumbling everywhere, around the whole room! It was unfortunate that I didn't have our digital camera with us - Ben had D&D so he took it - so I took a movie with my trusty Nokia 6230 instead. A full 4 min of it. Woot! Adventure mini-film!
During worship, Abby continued walking. But there was a moment where she lost her balance, fell sideways-backwards, and landed on her head. I was so afraid. She cried and everyone was so worried. Later before her tears even stopped she was clapping along with the music accompanied by her sobs. Then she smiled and worshiped. PRAISE THE LORD.
She did continue walking after that, but I don't know if the fall would affect her confidence. Let's pray it won't! :)
Sunday, November 20, 2005
All About A Mad Saturday
Expected to have a long day yesterday, but didn't expect it to have been so tiring. Went to bed late the night before, discussing about kitchen designs etc because we were going to meet the contractor. Woke up a lil' late for an early appointment, but thank God it was delayed by an hour. Brought Abby over to Sharon's (my secondary school best friend) place. She's about 33wks and counting. :) She's expecting a boy, and experiencing occasional Braxton Hicks. So exciting!! :D So far I'm the only breastfeeding advocating friend that she has. Everyone else around her who's given birth failed to breastfeed, so somehow she's expecting less than satisfactory success rates. On the other hand, the people all around me have been breastfeeding so successfully, I think I was one of those who stopped rather early! :( I didn't have the persistence to stop Abby from biting, also, NIE was a pain when it came to pumping and storage in school. I have no idea why, but I spend up to 45min per session pumping in the toilet. It was really long, so my lunch breaks and breaks between tutorials were usually spent in the loo. How exciting. :( Also, I was pretty anal about cleaning the pump well, so I'd take about 5mins just to wash all the pump parts thoroughly. Maybe this time round, I'll bring the Medela Pump In Style and leave it in school instead of using the Avent Isis Manual. Bummer that Avent stopped producing the liner bags. BRING THEM BACK, AVENT! YOU HEAR ME? :( (Don't think they did...)
Abby was pretty shy when she first arrived at Sharon's place, but warmed up after about half an hour later. She was really attached to me. Thankfully Sharon was pretty understanding and then slowly helped Abby to warm up. :) Anyway, when we were about to leave, Abby finally started playing with Sharon although it was way past her nap time. :P
So as we left and was on the way home, Abby kept looking at her thumb (now the hard skin is peeling and kept pressing it. It hurts coz whenever we ask her, "Where's pain-pain/painful?" She'll either show us her thumb or press it. She's been trying to take the other thumb but it doesn't seem she likes it a lot. Anyway, dropped her at home and picked Ben up. Ben was rushing and forgot to take along the kitchen cabinet samples from the contractor. :P Anyway meeting the contractor again today.
Had lunch and went to source for kitchen appliances. Went to a small shop opposite our place. Although nothing fancy, the prices aren't very low. Ben then called his buddy and we headed down the bud's recommendation opposite Eminent Plaza. Gave a much better discount and got our 3-burner hob, hood, kitchen sink and tap (mixer, it's called. Mixes hot & cold water... sounds funky eh?) from there. Wanted to get the built-in oven also, but will KIV that for now.
Headed down to our new place and met the contractor H. Surprisingly young guy, about Ben's age. We'll seen his work at our aunt's place, very satisfied with it. Came to take the kitchen measurements while his colleague E (a sub-contractor) focused on floorworks. H quoted us a rather high price which we have no idea HOW TO BARGAIN. HELP!! :P And E quoted us a beyond expectation price for hacking kitchen wall tiles and overlaying of floor tiles. Later we heard from my aunt that it's actually negotiable. BUT HOW TO NEGOTIATE?? *sob* I dun like bargaining...
Meeting H later to look at kitchen samples, but feel so sore that we have to pay a high price, unless we can bargain. We've seen other contractors, and the workmanship is really something we're quite particular about. The first one we saw, K, was ultra-condescending and rather chee-ko-pek kind... not towards women, but towards money. We went to one of the almost completed flats, and that fella kept saying that because that family was of a particular race, therefore blah blah blah. Then as he was talking like towkay, I saw that the cabinet door was uneven, the laminates were also poorly done (while he kept boasting about how his design was changed (because this family was of this particular race. HUH???) and the island with built-in oven was not properly seated on the base (a bit off-centre) and as a result, the corner that was jutting out from the base already had a chip in it. Very strange layout, even had the clothes dryer suspended in the kitchen cabinet. Well, since his layout so fantastic, then he can go charm his 'fantastic' customers. He kept saying that this family had a tight budget, so he could only do so much.
When I finally asked him about the budget size, he said $20k. That was when we confirmed within ourselves (or rather myself) that I wasn't going to use him. If he sees his customers according to their budget size, then we how? Only doing kitchen leh. Sure kena suan/slammed like mad. Dowan. He was also very condescending towards women, about how women don't understand measurements, dimensions etc. And a whole lot of other nonsense lah. Sigh.
Some men really use the wrong head to think.
Anyway, back to mad saturday. Bumped into my aunt and her family at Bedok South and updated her on the events with H. Later she called and told us that we could actually bargain... and even offered to sponsor us partially for the reno!! :P She's been a great help to us - helping us source for contractors, and keeping an eye out for us regarding this new place. :) She's really been a blessing!
Went S'Expo to pick Abby up from her grandparents. They were there for some family expo thingey. Super crowded. When I first saw Abby in the stroller, I felt she looked super angelic! There was this sweet radiance about her. Just sitting sweetly in the stroller in a pretty white dress. Looked like she had much fun! Seems she wasn't afraid of the 'tall man'. It seems my MIL is expecting her to be afraid of everything and keeps emphasising it whenever she shows dislike for certain stuff, then keep lamenting why she also so afraid. Gosh. If her dislikes are so enthusiastically perceived as fears, then she'll have A LOT OF FEARS, MY DEAR. So irritating. Even Abby's picking the perception up. Sigh. And MIL keeps complaining that her grandson's also very fearful. Hullo. Stop encouraging them to be fearful and they won't. So using fear motivation with them and they won't be as fearful. Granted that they'll have their fears, but we don't have to encourage them to cultivate more fears! Argh. Oh, while I'm at it, stop saying, "If you do this, I won't love you anymore!" Sheesh... how bold can someone get with that kinda words in their faces all the time? Yah, I know, different mindsets, different perspectives. But keep doing something the same way, you'll get the same results isn't it?
Oh, while I'm still at it, I was just wondering. 'Traditional' (I won't use 'Chinese') LOVE to use hurting words to 'motivate' their children to 'do better' - like calling them stupid, useless, fearful or simply comparing them with other kids, saying how clever other kids are, so that their own kids will feel charged up to do better and prove their parents wrong (in the process, 'improve'.) THEN THESE SAME PARENTS COMPLAIN THAT THEIR KIDS ARE DISOBEDIENT AND REBELLIOUS AND REFUSE TO LISTEN TO THEM. They really don't realise the values they are inculcating in their children. Don't they realise they are TRAINING their kids to be disobedient and rebellious and 'forcing' the kids not to listen to them? ARGH. It builds a very wrong heart attitude. Very very wrong. Imagine your husband saying, "Oh, look at Lucy, her breasts so big. How come your breasts not as big as hers?" How motivated will you be to enhance your physical appearances? Perhaps to a certain extent, because of a fear of losing your husband, rather than being motivated because of a genuine love for each other. (Don't you also think the husband ought to be smacked?) Instead, if a wise husband knows how to affirm his wife, the wife would be motivated to take better self-care to satisfy the husband better (I'm not advocating breast enhancement, but a reinforced commitment to eating healthful foods and regular exercise) instead of shooting of his mouth.
Back to frantic Saturday. Went for evening service and Ps Hoo spoke about listening genuinely. Message noted. Most importantly, listening to the voice of God intently, rather than just being busy (super-guilty of that!) Was in the nursery with Abby, Vic and Tina. Vic's already running around the whole place! She's becoming more endearing, and she's willing to let me carry her! Hahaha... :D Went off to Lao Hokkien for Granny's birthday dinner. Didn't eat enough while the other table was complaining there was too much food. Poor distribution of eaters. Poor Ben was still rather hungry. :P We didn't take Lina along, so Ben took care of Abby while I was trying not to faint from low sugar and hunger. (Trying to keep my sugar level in check. Rude shock with my last glucose home-test I did the night before. The colour was beyond the darkest shade. Must have been the Milo & Egg Prata supper.) Abby warmed up to Uncle Tuan and charmed her great-grandma with her 'Ah-Ma' birthday song:
Me (singing): Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to...
Abby: Ah-Mah!
Me: Happy birthday to you!
(That's the only edition she knows, by the way.)
She melted Tai-ma's heart.
Later, I gave her an ang-pow to pass to her great-grandma. Walked from outside the restaurant all the way in, heading for the birthday girl. Tai-Ma (Greatgrandma) was so impressed coz Abby knew who to give it to! Then we left. :)
Had updates about one another - saw Mattie's photos. Gosh. He's so grown up now! (By the way, I dreamt that I bought a ticket to Sydney. Six weeks. Solo though. With Abby. I was alone. As usual. In my dreams lah.) Miss them so much. :'(
Persis' having her A Levels now, seems she's pushing herself quite hard. Auntie Chong Keng kept asking me how I was coping, one baby, one more on the way, plus studies. I think despite my complaints etc I am super blessed with in-laws who love Abby to bits and a good helper. She's reliable though she can't really stand my MIL. :( Pity. Otherwise she's really a great help. Though influenced by my MIL's helper who openly 'stabs' (verbally) my MIL in front of me. Gosh. The tales she carries to me. Awful.
Val & Vanessa are attending Uncle Wee's church now; Uncle Phillip was surprised by my pregnancy. Commented that we are very productive. Yup. Most definitely. Ben caught up with Uncle Tuan. Glad he wasn't there quiet and all. Talked to each other about food catering etc. Quite interesting conversation.
Day ended with Abby learning a couple of new words, Ta (for thanks), Mien-mien (for pain-pain), cow (courtesy of Bumblebee) and accompanied "How much is that doggie in the window?" with Wow-wow (we had a 'mini-argument' regarding whether it was wow wow or mao-mao "cat"). It was so cute!! Hehe. She didn't want to sleep, was more confident in climbing off the bed and even up the bed - assisted of course. Watched a bit of Bumble-Bee, her favourite and before she dozed off between us (we had to cuddle closer coz she kept shuttling between lying with Ben & lying with me), she hugged me, said Bao-bao (for hug/carry), got up kissed Ben & myself a couple of times on her own accord (!) and then went back to lie down and dozed off almost immediately. :)
Long day, sweet ending. :) Praise God for His faithfulness and provision. WIth what I've almost tore down with my hands, God has restored abundantly and even blessed me with more than I could have even imagine. I must be more thankful and more appreciative, instead of being so critical. :P
Abby was pretty shy when she first arrived at Sharon's place, but warmed up after about half an hour later. She was really attached to me. Thankfully Sharon was pretty understanding and then slowly helped Abby to warm up. :) Anyway, when we were about to leave, Abby finally started playing with Sharon although it was way past her nap time. :P
So as we left and was on the way home, Abby kept looking at her thumb (now the hard skin is peeling and kept pressing it. It hurts coz whenever we ask her, "Where's pain-pain/painful?" She'll either show us her thumb or press it. She's been trying to take the other thumb but it doesn't seem she likes it a lot. Anyway, dropped her at home and picked Ben up. Ben was rushing and forgot to take along the kitchen cabinet samples from the contractor. :P Anyway meeting the contractor again today.
Had lunch and went to source for kitchen appliances. Went to a small shop opposite our place. Although nothing fancy, the prices aren't very low. Ben then called his buddy and we headed down the bud's recommendation opposite Eminent Plaza. Gave a much better discount and got our 3-burner hob, hood, kitchen sink and tap (mixer, it's called. Mixes hot & cold water... sounds funky eh?) from there. Wanted to get the built-in oven also, but will KIV that for now.
Headed down to our new place and met the contractor H. Surprisingly young guy, about Ben's age. We'll seen his work at our aunt's place, very satisfied with it. Came to take the kitchen measurements while his colleague E (a sub-contractor) focused on floorworks. H quoted us a rather high price which we have no idea HOW TO BARGAIN. HELP!! :P And E quoted us a beyond expectation price for hacking kitchen wall tiles and overlaying of floor tiles. Later we heard from my aunt that it's actually negotiable. BUT HOW TO NEGOTIATE?? *sob* I dun like bargaining...
Meeting H later to look at kitchen samples, but feel so sore that we have to pay a high price, unless we can bargain. We've seen other contractors, and the workmanship is really something we're quite particular about. The first one we saw, K, was ultra-condescending and rather chee-ko-pek kind... not towards women, but towards money. We went to one of the almost completed flats, and that fella kept saying that because that family was of a particular race, therefore blah blah blah. Then as he was talking like towkay, I saw that the cabinet door was uneven, the laminates were also poorly done (while he kept boasting about how his design was changed (because this family was of this particular race. HUH???) and the island with built-in oven was not properly seated on the base (a bit off-centre) and as a result, the corner that was jutting out from the base already had a chip in it. Very strange layout, even had the clothes dryer suspended in the kitchen cabinet. Well, since his layout so fantastic, then he can go charm his 'fantastic' customers. He kept saying that this family had a tight budget, so he could only do so much.
When I finally asked him about the budget size, he said $20k. That was when we confirmed within ourselves (or rather myself) that I wasn't going to use him. If he sees his customers according to their budget size, then we how? Only doing kitchen leh. Sure kena suan/slammed like mad. Dowan. He was also very condescending towards women, about how women don't understand measurements, dimensions etc. And a whole lot of other nonsense lah. Sigh.
Some men really use the wrong head to think.
Anyway, back to mad saturday. Bumped into my aunt and her family at Bedok South and updated her on the events with H. Later she called and told us that we could actually bargain... and even offered to sponsor us partially for the reno!! :P She's been a great help to us - helping us source for contractors, and keeping an eye out for us regarding this new place. :) She's really been a blessing!
Went S'Expo to pick Abby up from her grandparents. They were there for some family expo thingey. Super crowded. When I first saw Abby in the stroller, I felt she looked super angelic! There was this sweet radiance about her. Just sitting sweetly in the stroller in a pretty white dress. Looked like she had much fun! Seems she wasn't afraid of the 'tall man'. It seems my MIL is expecting her to be afraid of everything and keeps emphasising it whenever she shows dislike for certain stuff, then keep lamenting why she also so afraid. Gosh. If her dislikes are so enthusiastically perceived as fears, then she'll have A LOT OF FEARS, MY DEAR. So irritating. Even Abby's picking the perception up. Sigh. And MIL keeps complaining that her grandson's also very fearful. Hullo. Stop encouraging them to be fearful and they won't. So using fear motivation with them and they won't be as fearful. Granted that they'll have their fears, but we don't have to encourage them to cultivate more fears! Argh. Oh, while I'm at it, stop saying, "If you do this, I won't love you anymore!" Sheesh... how bold can someone get with that kinda words in their faces all the time? Yah, I know, different mindsets, different perspectives. But keep doing something the same way, you'll get the same results isn't it?
Oh, while I'm still at it, I was just wondering. 'Traditional' (I won't use 'Chinese') LOVE to use hurting words to 'motivate' their children to 'do better' - like calling them stupid, useless, fearful or simply comparing them with other kids, saying how clever other kids are, so that their own kids will feel charged up to do better and prove their parents wrong (in the process, 'improve'.) THEN THESE SAME PARENTS COMPLAIN THAT THEIR KIDS ARE DISOBEDIENT AND REBELLIOUS AND REFUSE TO LISTEN TO THEM. They really don't realise the values they are inculcating in their children. Don't they realise they are TRAINING their kids to be disobedient and rebellious and 'forcing' the kids not to listen to them? ARGH. It builds a very wrong heart attitude. Very very wrong. Imagine your husband saying, "Oh, look at Lucy, her breasts so big. How come your breasts not as big as hers?" How motivated will you be to enhance your physical appearances? Perhaps to a certain extent, because of a fear of losing your husband, rather than being motivated because of a genuine love for each other. (Don't you also think the husband ought to be smacked?) Instead, if a wise husband knows how to affirm his wife, the wife would be motivated to take better self-care to satisfy the husband better (I'm not advocating breast enhancement, but a reinforced commitment to eating healthful foods and regular exercise) instead of shooting of his mouth.
Back to frantic Saturday. Went for evening service and Ps Hoo spoke about listening genuinely. Message noted. Most importantly, listening to the voice of God intently, rather than just being busy (super-guilty of that!) Was in the nursery with Abby, Vic and Tina. Vic's already running around the whole place! She's becoming more endearing, and she's willing to let me carry her! Hahaha... :D Went off to Lao Hokkien for Granny's birthday dinner. Didn't eat enough while the other table was complaining there was too much food. Poor distribution of eaters. Poor Ben was still rather hungry. :P We didn't take Lina along, so Ben took care of Abby while I was trying not to faint from low sugar and hunger. (Trying to keep my sugar level in check. Rude shock with my last glucose home-test I did the night before. The colour was beyond the darkest shade. Must have been the Milo & Egg Prata supper.) Abby warmed up to Uncle Tuan and charmed her great-grandma with her 'Ah-Ma' birthday song:
Me (singing): Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to...
Abby: Ah-Mah!
Me: Happy birthday to you!
(That's the only edition she knows, by the way.)
She melted Tai-ma's heart.
Later, I gave her an ang-pow to pass to her great-grandma. Walked from outside the restaurant all the way in, heading for the birthday girl. Tai-Ma (Greatgrandma) was so impressed coz Abby knew who to give it to! Then we left. :)
Had updates about one another - saw Mattie's photos. Gosh. He's so grown up now! (By the way, I dreamt that I bought a ticket to Sydney. Six weeks. Solo though. With Abby. I was alone. As usual. In my dreams lah.) Miss them so much. :'(
Persis' having her A Levels now, seems she's pushing herself quite hard. Auntie Chong Keng kept asking me how I was coping, one baby, one more on the way, plus studies. I think despite my complaints etc I am super blessed with in-laws who love Abby to bits and a good helper. She's reliable though she can't really stand my MIL. :( Pity. Otherwise she's really a great help. Though influenced by my MIL's helper who openly 'stabs' (verbally) my MIL in front of me. Gosh. The tales she carries to me. Awful.
Val & Vanessa are attending Uncle Wee's church now; Uncle Phillip was surprised by my pregnancy. Commented that we are very productive. Yup. Most definitely. Ben caught up with Uncle Tuan. Glad he wasn't there quiet and all. Talked to each other about food catering etc. Quite interesting conversation.
Day ended with Abby learning a couple of new words, Ta (for thanks), Mien-mien (for pain-pain), cow (courtesy of Bumblebee) and accompanied "How much is that doggie in the window?" with Wow-wow (we had a 'mini-argument' regarding whether it was wow wow or mao-mao "cat"). It was so cute!! Hehe. She didn't want to sleep, was more confident in climbing off the bed and even up the bed - assisted of course. Watched a bit of Bumble-Bee, her favourite and before she dozed off between us (we had to cuddle closer coz she kept shuttling between lying with Ben & lying with me), she hugged me, said Bao-bao (for hug/carry), got up kissed Ben & myself a couple of times on her own accord (!) and then went back to lie down and dozed off almost immediately. :)
Long day, sweet ending. :) Praise God for His faithfulness and provision. WIth what I've almost tore down with my hands, God has restored abundantly and even blessed me with more than I could have even imagine. I must be more thankful and more appreciative, instead of being so critical. :P
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
New Place
We finally got the keys to our new place! Well, we got them on the 8th of this month, thank God it was a rather smooth transaction, unlike the last round which was quite heart-stopping. (The seller had some problem with legal representatives... long story.) However, one of the seller's family members couldn't get out of the house fast enough and he asked for about one week's extension. Said that his new place wasn't ready, so he couldn't move. So we let him stay till Sunday for a 'small token' which seemed like a pound of flesh to him. He could even say - if I don't move out by Monday u can start charging me rent. Er,... he think that place still his uh? :P Anyway, it was pegged at market rate from the 8th till 12th. On the 11th, Ben & I felt that we should make a courtesy call to him. So we did. Thank God we did. At first, the fella said, "Oh, it's about 99% done already. I just have a few pieces of item left. Oh, by the way, could you help me throw away the bench? Just leave it outside can already." I was quite shocked lah.
You want us to throw this heavy monster away? Erhm... the initial agreement was that the place was EMPTIED by the 8th November, and on the 11th night, he wants us to throw that (amongst many other things) away. We had to provide him with the mover's contact and even teach him how to go about doing stuff.
We declined the request nicely and Ben proceeded to go upstairs (we were at the block's carpark) to have a look. When he went up, he MMSed me the stated of the place. He was very very upset. That fella's remaining 1% still had about a lift landing's worth of stuff - 2 tables, 1 big cupboard, 1 kitchen full of knick-knacks (which he kindly offered to give us - erh... hawker takeaway plastic containers etc?) Ben had to help him move all the stuff out! We knew that he was a penny pincher, so Ben said, if all the stuff (subsequently at the lift-landing) isn't gone by Monday, we'll have to charge him additional rent - in response to him commenting much earlier that he'll only clear his 1% by Thursday, 17th coz that's his off day. Wah. Argh.
Anyway, by the 14th, the Town Council guys came and clear all his junk, leaving behind his shoe cabinet (which I dutifully reminded him nicely to dispose of). Sigh. He's really in a world of his own - can even lament to Ben over the phone that he hasn't gotten anything done and even hasn't brushed his teeth! It was an afternoon call. :S He's about mid-thirties, single and desperately needs a woman to clean him up. Any takers? :S
So now we're in the midst of looking for a contractor to do up the kitchen. It is in a VERY bad state. This guy can pay off his new place WITHOUT taking a HDB loan. But the current kitchen (his old place/our new place) looks BAD.
The floor's in a bad shape (not visible) and some of the cupboard doors cannot be closed. It's really dirty, though the picture does it too much justice.
This is supposed to be a kitchen balcony.
It's been like this for years. Looks like it's undergoing construction right? But we're glad that we can hack this whole place and do it up the way we want it, without feeling too sayang about 'wasting' good furniture.
Anyway, because of upgrading, we won't be moving in so soon, not in the next six months, to say the least. The HDB Main Upgrading Programme provides: upgrading of Existing Bathroom and Toilet, waterproofing of bathroom and toilet floors, tiling of bathroom and toilet floor and walls, replacement of existing squat / pedestal pan with new pedestal pan, replacement of bathroom and toilet vents, provision of grab bar, replacement of existing bathroom and toilet door with PVC folding door, replacement of existing wash basin with new wash basin, replacement of windows and grilles, and replacement of main door and gate. We really don't know how the new design's gonna look like, hopefully it's decent. We'll have to go to the Branch office to check it out. Hopefully it's decent. *Fingers crossed*
You want us to throw this heavy monster away? Erhm... the initial agreement was that the place was EMPTIED by the 8th November, and on the 11th night, he wants us to throw that (amongst many other things) away. We had to provide him with the mover's contact and even teach him how to go about doing stuff.
We declined the request nicely and Ben proceeded to go upstairs (we were at the block's carpark) to have a look. When he went up, he MMSed me the stated of the place. He was very very upset. That fella's remaining 1% still had about a lift landing's worth of stuff - 2 tables, 1 big cupboard, 1 kitchen full of knick-knacks (which he kindly offered to give us - erh... hawker takeaway plastic containers etc?) Ben had to help him move all the stuff out! We knew that he was a penny pincher, so Ben said, if all the stuff (subsequently at the lift-landing) isn't gone by Monday, we'll have to charge him additional rent - in response to him commenting much earlier that he'll only clear his 1% by Thursday, 17th coz that's his off day. Wah. Argh.
Anyway, by the 14th, the Town Council guys came and clear all his junk, leaving behind his shoe cabinet (which I dutifully reminded him nicely to dispose of). Sigh. He's really in a world of his own - can even lament to Ben over the phone that he hasn't gotten anything done and even hasn't brushed his teeth! It was an afternoon call. :S He's about mid-thirties, single and desperately needs a woman to clean him up. Any takers? :S
So now we're in the midst of looking for a contractor to do up the kitchen. It is in a VERY bad state. This guy can pay off his new place WITHOUT taking a HDB loan. But the current kitchen (his old place/our new place) looks BAD.
The floor's in a bad shape (not visible) and some of the cupboard doors cannot be closed. It's really dirty, though the picture does it too much justice.
This is supposed to be a kitchen balcony.
It's been like this for years. Looks like it's undergoing construction right? But we're glad that we can hack this whole place and do it up the way we want it, without feeling too sayang about 'wasting' good furniture.
Anyway, because of upgrading, we won't be moving in so soon, not in the next six months, to say the least. The HDB Main Upgrading Programme provides: upgrading of Existing Bathroom and Toilet, waterproofing of bathroom and toilet floors, tiling of bathroom and toilet floor and walls, replacement of existing squat / pedestal pan with new pedestal pan, replacement of bathroom and toilet vents, provision of grab bar, replacement of existing bathroom and toilet door with PVC folding door, replacement of existing wash basin with new wash basin, replacement of windows and grilles, and replacement of main door and gate. We really don't know how the new design's gonna look like, hopefully it's decent. We'll have to go to the Branch office to check it out. Hopefully it's decent. *Fingers crossed*
Monday, November 14, 2005
Exam Stress
Body is showing signs of stress from the exam... problem is - I tend to use a lot of short term memory for exams. No point using LTM (so my body believes). So, even though I planned my study schedule, I'm only starting two days before each paper (obviously not according to plan). I'm spending the 'excess' time with Abby (while trying to get into the momentum of studying) and as a result, we're having so much fun! :D
MIL told me she asked Abby today whether she wanted to come upstairs to be with Mummy. Abby nodded! :D We've been having tonnes of fun (which explains why studying is such a dread). Really enjoy communicating with my lil' one, especially when she nods or shakes her head, indicating what she wants or what she doesn't want. She gets terribly excited when Ben's around, and makes us kiss each other! She giggles whenever we do that, and even pushes us towards each other so that we'd kiss. So cute.
I've been observing her quite a bit regarding her walking 'status', and we've come to a conclusion that she's ultra-careful. She's willing to walk only on the bed, which she initiates on her own! She'll start at the headboard, then take about 3-4steps forward, usually tumbling towards me. I have to maintain absolute eye contact with her, otherwise she won't walk to me, and sometimes even affirms herself by clapping after she's made the journey! It gets even more celebratory when Ben's around. Pure fun! :) She'll only walk on the bed, and is rather reluctant to try the same stunt on the floor. She'll even get to the original position (at the head of the bed) to repeat the journey! She'll say, "Tend!" (meaning 'stand') and try to get up without holding on to anything. Her efforts are so visible, though she can't really fully execute lifting her butt yet, so she'll end up using the pillows or headboard for support. Then when she's steady, then she'll walk forward, afterwhich, we'll all cheer! :D
Good news: Her attempt at walking was recorded on video, but...
Bad news: the best video needs to be rotated!! Ben forgot it was a video (somehow something didn't click) and he took the clip in 'portrait'. So bear with the video - Abby starts with a self-initiated clapping routine and then attempts walking!
After this video, we realised our error; nevertheless, we're grateful for that shot! :D
Also, she 'pretended' to take the pacifier. The way she did it was really cute! :D
This post, though about exam stress, is anything but the exams. Can't wait to get over them and fully indulge in my babies! :D
MIL told me she asked Abby today whether she wanted to come upstairs to be with Mummy. Abby nodded! :D We've been having tonnes of fun (which explains why studying is such a dread). Really enjoy communicating with my lil' one, especially when she nods or shakes her head, indicating what she wants or what she doesn't want. She gets terribly excited when Ben's around, and makes us kiss each other! She giggles whenever we do that, and even pushes us towards each other so that we'd kiss. So cute.
I've been observing her quite a bit regarding her walking 'status', and we've come to a conclusion that she's ultra-careful. She's willing to walk only on the bed, which she initiates on her own! She'll start at the headboard, then take about 3-4steps forward, usually tumbling towards me. I have to maintain absolute eye contact with her, otherwise she won't walk to me, and sometimes even affirms herself by clapping after she's made the journey! It gets even more celebratory when Ben's around. Pure fun! :) She'll only walk on the bed, and is rather reluctant to try the same stunt on the floor. She'll even get to the original position (at the head of the bed) to repeat the journey! She'll say, "Tend!" (meaning 'stand') and try to get up without holding on to anything. Her efforts are so visible, though she can't really fully execute lifting her butt yet, so she'll end up using the pillows or headboard for support. Then when she's steady, then she'll walk forward, afterwhich, we'll all cheer! :D
Good news: Her attempt at walking was recorded on video, but...
Bad news: the best video needs to be rotated!! Ben forgot it was a video (somehow something didn't click) and he took the clip in 'portrait'. So bear with the video - Abby starts with a self-initiated clapping routine and then attempts walking!
After this video, we realised our error; nevertheless, we're grateful for that shot! :D
Also, she 'pretended' to take the pacifier. The way she did it was really cute! :D
This post, though about exam stress, is anything but the exams. Can't wait to get over them and fully indulge in my babies! :D
Sunday, November 13, 2005
One of Our Favourite Shots
Taken during the Baby Bonanza 2005 yesterday at Rivervale Mall. It was a horribly organised (or should I say perfectly disorganised) event. Abby had fun during the first segment though, out of the three.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Abby's Development at 15 months
A follow-up from the previous post.
Verbal
1. Moom (for moon - seems she applauded us for saying moom after she said it. Too cute!
2. A-bing! (I suspect for 'open'. I think...)
3. No
4. Beat (with hand sign)
5. Wait (with hand sign. This is a classic! And she actually understands the meaning of wait! :D)
6. Walk-walk
7. Go-go
8. Down
9. Elmo!
10. Mao-Mao (for cat)
11. Gou-Gou (for dog)
12. Bang-bang (for knocking and gun-play. Yes, her cousin plays with guns with her.)
13. Wan-more (I think she's trying to say, "Some more" for more food)
14. Pa-pah (for frightened)
15. Baby! (Bei-BEE!)
16. Mei mei! (for little girl/younger sister)
17. Tang! (for 'stand')
18. Meh MEE (Mummy! Sometimes she says Mah-mee but usually will call me Mama! Has been calling me very affectionately these past few days.)
Stimulus-Response verbal play
1. A? Apple
2. B? Ball
3. Fill in the blanks for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Must try to put up the medley she performed for the video!)
4. Fill in the blanks for London Bridge is Falling Down
5. Fill in the blanks for Happy Birthday To You (To Ah-Mah!)
6. Points to her own belly when we ask her where the baby is! (I showed her my protruding belly.)
Actions/Play
1. Signals "Good!" with forefinger to approve of tasty food
2. Folds arms and dances - gets grandparents to follow her actions!
3. Makes funny faces in the mirror (such as pouting) and laughs at herself!
4. Knows how to manipulate new water bottle - press button for straw to eject, drink from straw then close the cover. Previous bottle was leaking, so had to make sure she knew how to use the new one, otherwise she won't drink her fluids.
5. Plays pretend by herself - eats from bowl/plate, feeds others with spoon/fork and drinks from cup. We tried to get her to drink from a cup by herself without the lid but not too steady yet. As for self-feeding, I haven't broached the topic with MIL. Tired to start another controversy.
6. Knows how to close/cap my Nalgene bottle cover. Offers to cap it when it is exposed and does a good job of turning the cap. :)
7. Knows the meaning of 'no' and 'beat'. Once, I said no to her yelling in the restaurant, followed by a threat, then she yelled, then said and signaled 'no' followed by 'beat'! She understood. It was an overdose of cuteness!
8. Nods and shakes head to signify 'yes' and 'no' respectively. Knows what she wants and shows approval when we understand/give her the wanted item.
9. Identified 'A' (we suspect) when we were at the petrol station. She pointed to the 'Star M A R T' sign and said 'A'! Anyway, we acknowledged it. Any attempt at anything is great for us! :D
Physical Development
1. Has 16 teeth!! 8 on top and 8 below. All nice and cute! 4 left to go. I wonder how we'd do if I was still breastfeeding her. :S
2. Not too confident in walking yet. Supposed to be worried by 15months, but she cruises and is willing to walk if we hold her hands or if she holds on to a push-toy. She would lean on us if we supported her back or arms to walk. She's been late on motor skills development since young, so let's see what happens. Some sources state the 'healthy range' is till 18 months, so let's just wait and see. :)
3. Fine motor skills are rather good, together with good hand-eye co-ordination. She can operate key and keyhole (although not smoothly, but good attempts. With that, I'm not so worried about her gross motor development, i.e. no 2)
4. Eats really well, in fact she can go on and on... Took her to a buffet and she ate about the same amount as me. :P Not much carbo, mainly carrots, broccoli and fish. Even likes spiced biscuits! Haven't let her try chilli yet. I'm not that adventurous... :P
5. She's about 10.8kg now and 88cm tall.
Personality
1. Very cheeky! Yesterday we were rolling around on the bed, she stood up and pointed to our wedding portrait. Pointed Ben out as 'Dae-dae'. Asked her who the person next to Daddy was, and she replied, "Elmo!" and laughed! At night, pointed to me, and said, "Dae-dae" when we asked her who Daddy was, and pointed to Ben when asked who Mummy was. Then she laughed and laughed! We jokingly said she was 'Ah-Mah' and asked her who 'Ah-mah' was, and she pointed to herself and laughed! :D
2. She's very careful. She will survey her surroundings before sitting down from a standing position and will do it pretty slowly. Also, when she's near the edge of our bed, we'll warn her, which she'd turn around to see how close she is to the edge, then scurry towards us.
3. Very loving. She'll give hugs and kisses on her own accord (but depending on her mood also). When one of our relatives who sat next to her during a family dinner choked, Abby patted her on the back! She'll also keep offering us food and feeding us without worrying that she'll have none. Great lesson for me to trust my Abba Father for endless provision when we keep giving to others because He'll provide for our needs. Abby knows that she'll not run out of supplies when she gives to others.
4. Very happybaby toddler. Wakes up happy and is all smiles especially in familiar environments.
5. Loves her best friend, Vic. Will cry when Vic leaves and actually squeals with delight when she sees Vic! Affectionately calls her Mei-mei!
6. Very obedient. Will obey instructions and tell herself 'no' if she's not allowed to do something. I'm eternally grateful and enjoying every moment of it. I pray that this lasts... :P Though at times she resists, we've learnt not to get into power struggles with her. Quite a bit of compromising, but both needs are met. E.g. sometimes she refuses to sleep, we give her about 1/2hr of reading/interaction time, after which she'll nicely lie down and knock out. Couple of days ago, she didn't want to nap though she was tired (quite a struggle). I gave her a puzzle to explore which calmed her down. Later she got a bit fussy, so I told her, "Darling, you're getting fussy and you're tired. You need a nap now." At which, she promptly stuck her thumb in her mouth, fell forward (we were on our bed) and slept! Amazing!
7. Has a special spot for my brother. Adores him very much and is willing to give him kisses after kisses. When he walks into the room, her eyes light up and just watches him, till he acknowledges her. He loves her to bits too. :)
8. Loves books. Loves to explore them.
9. Loves music. Will sing, clap and dance to them. Her singing is sooo cute!
10. Loves swimming. When I ask her if she'd like to go swimming, her eyes will light up and she'll break into a wide smile! And get terribly excited after that!
11. Appreciates routine. General routine as well as specific ones. E.g. When I ask her if she'd like to watch 'Bumblebee', she'll laugh (in agreement) and I'll carry her to our bed. Then she'll scurry to her favourite position between the pillows and either sit or stand there while I switch the VCD on and get a hand towel to wipe her hands coz she'll suck her thumb. She'll stay rooted on the bed (and eyes fixed on the VCD intro) while I grab the towel from the toilet. Then I'll ask for her hands which she'll give me, one at a time. Quite cautious about leaving her on the bed alone though, will keep an eye on her even with my mini-errand.
12. In-laws think she's timid, like her cousin. When she sees something she's not comfortable with, she'll pat her chest and say 'pa-pah'! So even when she just pats her chest (which also could mean 'me') MIL will quickly say that she's afraid. Quite irritating. Tried to explain to MIL that not all chest-patting means she's afraid. I'm quite against the labelling, because it's quite convenient then complain that she's a timid kid. It's a vicious cycle. She does make a big deal out of the Abby's 'pa-pah'. :S *silence*
Verbal
1. Moom (for moon - seems she applauded us for saying moom after she said it. Too cute!
2. A-bing! (I suspect for 'open'. I think...)
3. No
4. Beat (with hand sign)
5. Wait (with hand sign. This is a classic! And she actually understands the meaning of wait! :D)
6. Walk-walk
7. Go-go
8. Down
9. Elmo!
10. Mao-Mao (for cat)
11. Gou-Gou (for dog)
12. Bang-bang (for knocking and gun-play. Yes, her cousin plays with guns with her.)
13. Wan-more (I think she's trying to say, "Some more" for more food)
14. Pa-pah (for frightened)
15. Baby! (Bei-BEE!)
16. Mei mei! (for little girl/younger sister)
17. Tang! (for 'stand')
18. Meh MEE (Mummy! Sometimes she says Mah-mee but usually will call me Mama! Has been calling me very affectionately these past few days.)
Stimulus-Response verbal play
1. A? Apple
2. B? Ball
3. Fill in the blanks for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Must try to put up the medley she performed for the video!)
4. Fill in the blanks for London Bridge is Falling Down
5. Fill in the blanks for Happy Birthday To You (To Ah-Mah!)
6. Points to her own belly when we ask her where the baby is! (I showed her my protruding belly.)
Actions/Play
1. Signals "Good!" with forefinger to approve of tasty food
2. Folds arms and dances - gets grandparents to follow her actions!
3. Makes funny faces in the mirror (such as pouting) and laughs at herself!
4. Knows how to manipulate new water bottle - press button for straw to eject, drink from straw then close the cover. Previous bottle was leaking, so had to make sure she knew how to use the new one, otherwise she won't drink her fluids.
5. Plays pretend by herself - eats from bowl/plate, feeds others with spoon/fork and drinks from cup. We tried to get her to drink from a cup by herself without the lid but not too steady yet. As for self-feeding, I haven't broached the topic with MIL. Tired to start another controversy.
6. Knows how to close/cap my Nalgene bottle cover. Offers to cap it when it is exposed and does a good job of turning the cap. :)
7. Knows the meaning of 'no' and 'beat'. Once, I said no to her yelling in the restaurant, followed by a threat, then she yelled, then said and signaled 'no' followed by 'beat'! She understood. It was an overdose of cuteness!
8. Nods and shakes head to signify 'yes' and 'no' respectively. Knows what she wants and shows approval when we understand/give her the wanted item.
9. Identified 'A' (we suspect) when we were at the petrol station. She pointed to the 'Star M A R T' sign and said 'A'! Anyway, we acknowledged it. Any attempt at anything is great for us! :D
Physical Development
1. Has 16 teeth!! 8 on top and 8 below. All nice and cute! 4 left to go. I wonder how we'd do if I was still breastfeeding her. :S
2. Not too confident in walking yet. Supposed to be worried by 15months, but she cruises and is willing to walk if we hold her hands or if she holds on to a push-toy. She would lean on us if we supported her back or arms to walk. She's been late on motor skills development since young, so let's see what happens. Some sources state the 'healthy range' is till 18 months, so let's just wait and see. :)
3. Fine motor skills are rather good, together with good hand-eye co-ordination. She can operate key and keyhole (although not smoothly, but good attempts. With that, I'm not so worried about her gross motor development, i.e. no 2)
4. Eats really well, in fact she can go on and on... Took her to a buffet and she ate about the same amount as me. :P Not much carbo, mainly carrots, broccoli and fish. Even likes spiced biscuits! Haven't let her try chilli yet. I'm not that adventurous... :P
5. She's about 10.8kg now and 88cm tall.
Personality
1. Very cheeky! Yesterday we were rolling around on the bed, she stood up and pointed to our wedding portrait. Pointed Ben out as 'Dae-dae'. Asked her who the person next to Daddy was, and she replied, "Elmo!" and laughed! At night, pointed to me, and said, "Dae-dae" when we asked her who Daddy was, and pointed to Ben when asked who Mummy was. Then she laughed and laughed! We jokingly said she was 'Ah-Mah' and asked her who 'Ah-mah' was, and she pointed to herself and laughed! :D
2. She's very careful. She will survey her surroundings before sitting down from a standing position and will do it pretty slowly. Also, when she's near the edge of our bed, we'll warn her, which she'd turn around to see how close she is to the edge, then scurry towards us.
3. Very loving. She'll give hugs and kisses on her own accord (but depending on her mood also). When one of our relatives who sat next to her during a family dinner choked, Abby patted her on the back! She'll also keep offering us food and feeding us without worrying that she'll have none. Great lesson for me to trust my Abba Father for endless provision when we keep giving to others because He'll provide for our needs. Abby knows that she'll not run out of supplies when she gives to others.
4. Very happy
5. Loves her best friend, Vic. Will cry when Vic leaves and actually squeals with delight when she sees Vic! Affectionately calls her Mei-mei!
6. Very obedient. Will obey instructions and tell herself 'no' if she's not allowed to do something. I'm eternally grateful and enjoying every moment of it. I pray that this lasts... :P Though at times she resists, we've learnt not to get into power struggles with her. Quite a bit of compromising, but both needs are met. E.g. sometimes she refuses to sleep, we give her about 1/2hr of reading/interaction time, after which she'll nicely lie down and knock out. Couple of days ago, she didn't want to nap though she was tired (quite a struggle). I gave her a puzzle to explore which calmed her down. Later she got a bit fussy, so I told her, "Darling, you're getting fussy and you're tired. You need a nap now." At which, she promptly stuck her thumb in her mouth, fell forward (we were on our bed) and slept! Amazing!
7. Has a special spot for my brother. Adores him very much and is willing to give him kisses after kisses. When he walks into the room, her eyes light up and just watches him, till he acknowledges her. He loves her to bits too. :)
8. Loves books. Loves to explore them.
9. Loves music. Will sing, clap and dance to them. Her singing is sooo cute!
10. Loves swimming. When I ask her if she'd like to go swimming, her eyes will light up and she'll break into a wide smile! And get terribly excited after that!
11. Appreciates routine. General routine as well as specific ones. E.g. When I ask her if she'd like to watch 'Bumblebee', she'll laugh (in agreement) and I'll carry her to our bed. Then she'll scurry to her favourite position between the pillows and either sit or stand there while I switch the VCD on and get a hand towel to wipe her hands coz she'll suck her thumb. She'll stay rooted on the bed (and eyes fixed on the VCD intro) while I grab the towel from the toilet. Then I'll ask for her hands which she'll give me, one at a time. Quite cautious about leaving her on the bed alone though, will keep an eye on her even with my mini-errand.
12. In-laws think she's timid, like her cousin. When she sees something she's not comfortable with, she'll pat her chest and say 'pa-pah'! So even when she just pats her chest (which also could mean 'me') MIL will quickly say that she's afraid. Quite irritating. Tried to explain to MIL that not all chest-patting means she's afraid. I'm quite against the labelling, because it's quite convenient then complain that she's a timid kid. It's a vicious cycle. She does make a big deal out of the Abby's 'pa-pah'. :S *silence*
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Pregnancy Log: Week 22
Wah, week 22 already uh? I've been thinking I'm just coming to week 21. Well, din know so fast 5.5mths pregnant already! I think I ought to do a weekly entry, at least next time when I dig through my archives it wouldn't be such a hassle.
I've put on about 4.5 to 5kg since I got pregnant, and trying my best to control my diet. I actually put on about 18kg for the last pregnancy! I think by the time I got to mid-2nd trimester, I was already 12kg heavier than before the pregnancy! The weight gain tapered off nearer the end of the pregnancy.
I was told I've got a curved spine, which explains the sharp pain in my right butt/hip. My right leg literally jams up at times, leaving me yelping in shock (and leaving everyone else in shock also), but after minor adjustments to relief the 'jam', the leg would function properly once again.
My abs are not so intact also. It's an odd feeling, but even before I'd gotten big, there'll be this distention (I think) in my right ab whenever I breathe too hard. I'm quite determined to get my body back in shape after the pregnancy - provided I can deal with the leaky/full breasts and toxins released from weight loss into the breastmilk.
I wanna go waaaay much longer with breastfeeding this time. I think Abby's a really obedient kid, and if I had persevered instead of throwing in the towel, I would have been able to coax her NOT to bite me and still be breastfeeding her now. But then again, I wouldn't be pregnant - chances not so high, but still possible though. She was weaned off the breast at 6mths and the bottle at 9mths. MIL wasn't too happy that I didn't want her on the bottle (I've seen kids with a bottle hanging out of their mouths - I'm talking 5-6yos) and I'm really not keen for Abby to go that way. Anyway, she's managing well with drinking from straws and cups, so I'm not so worried about her food intake.
I'm feeling his kicks much more now, and it's quite fun. Have to pray more though, haven't been praying as much. God's blessed us tremendously - baby is healthy and right on schedule, detailed scan shows ALL's well! We've been receiving A LOT OF baby boy's clothings - Ben's now worried about the storage space!
Got quite a bit of maternity clothing too, ranging from the 1980s fashion all the way to 2005! Heh. But I find myself wearing the same few pieces - always the 80/20 rule. I wear 20% of my clothing 80% of the time, and the remaining 80% about 20% of the time (if ever!)
Can't decide on the name yet - need God to impress upon us. The last time was pretty easy coz God told me specifically Abby's name - so before I knew about the pregnancy, I knew it was a girl (from the name, duh...) and what name to give. This time round, a little more challenging. Ben would like a name that starts with 'B', but finding 'B' boy names can be quite a challenge without scarring our little one for life! Suggestions such as - Bedok, etc, are all rejected, and the name has to go well with the surname too... cannot be too much of a tongue twister. We've decided on the Chinese name and might stick to Jonathan if no better B names come up. We liked Brenner, but found out it meant distiller of alcohol. Sad. It's more of a famiily name than a first name.
Sleep is much better compared to first one, where I got up rather frequency just to pee. I don't find myself getting up so often just to pee. The last time - it was routine! Every nite in fact.
Chicken soup is much yummier this time round compared to the last time, and the taste buds' pretty different. That's how my MIL suspected it was a boy. Heh. I can take fish also, but I still can't take the odour in one of the rooms downstairs. Very nauseating.
People have been telling me this and that regarding a wide range of topics they are so interested in - well, all I can say is - to each his own. E.g. one woman in church was telling me about how a 3 year gap is sooooo ideal, that mine is too close. She went on and on about how the older one will take care of the younger one without her worrying too much. Another lady with 2 sons with a 19-month age gap agreed that 19months is too close. Then next, my granny was saying - thank God for her who kept urging us to have more babies (??) otherwise we'll take too long. The last time I remembered, when she urged us to have No. 1 so that she could 'carry' the baby, I asked her who was going to take care of the baby, then she kept complaining she cannot, too old, too tired, too weak. Would I continue to heed her advice and go for no. 2 as she claimed? Well, make her happy, whatever she wanna say. Anyway, this is the best time for me to have coz being pregnant in NIE is reallly a much better option than being pregnant while teaching, contrary to popular belief. (I had one lady in NIE who raised one eyebrow and asked me if I had planned for this pregnancy.) I don't have 12hr workdays, don't have to shout at kiddos, don't have extra duties to do, and don't have loads of marking to lug around. Now, if i'm unfortunate enough, I go school everyday, sometimes for 2hours only, rush for deadlines only at selected days of the semester, can sleep in if school is in the afternoon, bring few sheets of paper to school instead of textbooks and files and just enjoy myself during the breaks between lessons. No wonder it's a privilege being in school. Anyway, we can control NOT being pregnant, but can't control when we wanna get pregnant.
One baby for the diploma, one for the degree. How cool is that? :) Then after that, factory suspended till I get out of the school system. :P Or at least near the end of the school system. ;) Not easy being a pregnant teacher. I tried during practicum and my final posting - and that's not even 1/2 the workload. Eeeps.
I've put on about 4.5 to 5kg since I got pregnant, and trying my best to control my diet. I actually put on about 18kg for the last pregnancy! I think by the time I got to mid-2nd trimester, I was already 12kg heavier than before the pregnancy! The weight gain tapered off nearer the end of the pregnancy.
I was told I've got a curved spine, which explains the sharp pain in my right butt/hip. My right leg literally jams up at times, leaving me yelping in shock (and leaving everyone else in shock also), but after minor adjustments to relief the 'jam', the leg would function properly once again.
My abs are not so intact also. It's an odd feeling, but even before I'd gotten big, there'll be this distention (I think) in my right ab whenever I breathe too hard. I'm quite determined to get my body back in shape after the pregnancy - provided I can deal with the leaky/full breasts and toxins released from weight loss into the breastmilk.
I wanna go waaaay much longer with breastfeeding this time. I think Abby's a really obedient kid, and if I had persevered instead of throwing in the towel, I would have been able to coax her NOT to bite me and still be breastfeeding her now. But then again, I wouldn't be pregnant - chances not so high, but still possible though. She was weaned off the breast at 6mths and the bottle at 9mths. MIL wasn't too happy that I didn't want her on the bottle (I've seen kids with a bottle hanging out of their mouths - I'm talking 5-6yos) and I'm really not keen for Abby to go that way. Anyway, she's managing well with drinking from straws and cups, so I'm not so worried about her food intake.
I'm feeling his kicks much more now, and it's quite fun. Have to pray more though, haven't been praying as much. God's blessed us tremendously - baby is healthy and right on schedule, detailed scan shows ALL's well! We've been receiving A LOT OF baby boy's clothings - Ben's now worried about the storage space!
Got quite a bit of maternity clothing too, ranging from the 1980s fashion all the way to 2005! Heh. But I find myself wearing the same few pieces - always the 80/20 rule. I wear 20% of my clothing 80% of the time, and the remaining 80% about 20% of the time (if ever!)
Can't decide on the name yet - need God to impress upon us. The last time was pretty easy coz God told me specifically Abby's name - so before I knew about the pregnancy, I knew it was a girl (from the name, duh...) and what name to give. This time round, a little more challenging. Ben would like a name that starts with 'B', but finding 'B' boy names can be quite a challenge without scarring our little one for life! Suggestions such as - Bedok, etc, are all rejected, and the name has to go well with the surname too... cannot be too much of a tongue twister. We've decided on the Chinese name and might stick to Jonathan if no better B names come up. We liked Brenner, but found out it meant distiller of alcohol. Sad. It's more of a famiily name than a first name.
Sleep is much better compared to first one, where I got up rather frequency just to pee. I don't find myself getting up so often just to pee. The last time - it was routine! Every nite in fact.
Chicken soup is much yummier this time round compared to the last time, and the taste buds' pretty different. That's how my MIL suspected it was a boy. Heh. I can take fish also, but I still can't take the odour in one of the rooms downstairs. Very nauseating.
People have been telling me this and that regarding a wide range of topics they are so interested in - well, all I can say is - to each his own. E.g. one woman in church was telling me about how a 3 year gap is sooooo ideal, that mine is too close. She went on and on about how the older one will take care of the younger one without her worrying too much. Another lady with 2 sons with a 19-month age gap agreed that 19months is too close. Then next, my granny was saying - thank God for her who kept urging us to have more babies (??) otherwise we'll take too long. The last time I remembered, when she urged us to have No. 1 so that she could 'carry' the baby, I asked her who was going to take care of the baby, then she kept complaining she cannot, too old, too tired, too weak. Would I continue to heed her advice and go for no. 2 as she claimed? Well, make her happy, whatever she wanna say. Anyway, this is the best time for me to have coz being pregnant in NIE is reallly a much better option than being pregnant while teaching, contrary to popular belief. (I had one lady in NIE who raised one eyebrow and asked me if I had planned for this pregnancy.) I don't have 12hr workdays, don't have to shout at kiddos, don't have extra duties to do, and don't have loads of marking to lug around. Now, if i'm unfortunate enough, I go school everyday, sometimes for 2hours only, rush for deadlines only at selected days of the semester, can sleep in if school is in the afternoon, bring few sheets of paper to school instead of textbooks and files and just enjoy myself during the breaks between lessons. No wonder it's a privilege being in school. Anyway, we can control NOT being pregnant, but can't control when we wanna get pregnant.
One baby for the diploma, one for the degree. How cool is that? :) Then after that, factory suspended till I get out of the school system. :P Or at least near the end of the school system. ;) Not easy being a pregnant teacher. I tried during practicum and my final posting - and that's not even 1/2 the workload. Eeeps.
Wondering...
If Mount E delivery ward has got wireless access... then can blog updates regularly when i'm in there during labour! How cool! :D Right now I'm going through my archives to see if I recorded much during my last pregnancy. Doesn't seem so... Hmm... Should blog more! :D
Daily Devotion from The Vine
Received this this morning for my daily devotion! Heh, so cute. How apt.
Good morning Audrey!
Here is today's "The Word for Today", brought to you by The Vine in association with Rhema Broadcasting Group and UCB International Ltd.
You can support The Vine by clicking here.
The Word for Today
With Bob Gass
Wednesday, 9th November 2005
Love And Loyalty
If you love... you will be loyal.
1 Corinthians 13:7 TLB
One night in bed a wife says to her husband of 50 years, "When we were young you used to hold my hand." Slowly, a little irritated, his hand reaches out. "And when we were young you used to snuggle up against me." A little more slowly his body creaks and turns, nestling against hers. "And when we were young you used to nibble on my ear." Abruptly the covers are thrown back and he lurches out of bed. "Where are you going?" she asks, a little hurt. "To get my teeth," he grumbles. To nibble on an ear when you're full of romance and bubbling hormones and the room is scented with perfume is one thing; to still be nibbling when that ear holds a hearing device, the room is scented with Bengay, and you have to get up to get your teeth - that's something else. That's love and loyalty.
When passion wanes, can love stay strong? Listen: "Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong... If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him...
There are three things that remain - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love" (1 Co 13:4-7 & 13 TLB).
May all of us learn to love and be loyal till we get to nibble our loved one's ears with such loyalty. ;)
Good morning Audrey!
Here is today's "The Word for Today", brought to you by The Vine in association with Rhema Broadcasting Group and UCB International Ltd.
You can support The Vine by clicking here.
The Word for Today
With Bob Gass
Wednesday, 9th November 2005
Love And Loyalty
If you love... you will be loyal.
1 Corinthians 13:7 TLB
One night in bed a wife says to her husband of 50 years, "When we were young you used to hold my hand." Slowly, a little irritated, his hand reaches out. "And when we were young you used to snuggle up against me." A little more slowly his body creaks and turns, nestling against hers. "And when we were young you used to nibble on my ear." Abruptly the covers are thrown back and he lurches out of bed. "Where are you going?" she asks, a little hurt. "To get my teeth," he grumbles. To nibble on an ear when you're full of romance and bubbling hormones and the room is scented with perfume is one thing; to still be nibbling when that ear holds a hearing device, the room is scented with Bengay, and you have to get up to get your teeth - that's something else. That's love and loyalty.
When passion wanes, can love stay strong? Listen: "Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong... If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him...
There are three things that remain - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love" (1 Co 13:4-7 & 13 TLB).
May all of us learn to love and be loyal till we get to nibble our loved one's ears with such loyalty. ;)
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
More thoughts on Love...
We often claim that we love the other party more than the other party does. But by whose standards? How does our love compare against what God defines as love? Imagine if both parties love as God as designed it, how awesome it would be! I know that when we are willing, God will empower us to love so magnificently!
Love is patient*.
(adjective)
having patience
NOTE: The opposite is impatient.
patience
(noun)
1 the ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed:
Am I willing to wait for the one I love? Will I continue to do what I need to do despite the circumstances becoming overwhelmingly difficult? Am I willing to suffer for the one I love without complaining or becoming annoyed? Do I grumble within? Do I let ill-feelings brood inside when the very thing I want does not materialise straightaway? Often we say we love, but when we need to wait, we become short-tempered. Is this the result of our instantanteous society where even waiting for the microwave oven to heat up our food takes too long?
Love is kind.
(adjective)
1 generous, helpful and caring about other people's feelings:
2 not causing harm or damage
Am I generous with the feelings of my loved one? Even when I really don't feel like it? Am I helpful towards helping the other person feel better? Even when I really don't feel like it? Do I care how the other person feels? Even when I really don't feel like it? Do I 'unintentionally' cause harm and damage with my words and actions? When my words are unintentionally hurting, how do I respond? Do I allow words which I know would definitely pierce the other person come out from my mouth? Or is my love kind enough to say that whatever hurtful words will definitely crush the one I love? Do I care for myself more than the other person? When the going gets tough, am I the priority, or would I still value the other person even when I really don't feel like it?
It does not envy,
(verb)
to wish that you had something that another person has:
Am I envious of my loved one's success? Straightforwardly, of course not! But, when my child is truly more affectionate to my partner than to me, do feelings of envy arise? When other people are nicer to my loved one than me, do I envy? When my partner can do something better than I can, do I wish that I had that skill my beloved has? Do I secretly ask why God hasn't blessed me like that in that particularly way? Or simply, if my partner is better looking than I am, do I wish I had better looks? Or can I just be happy for that person because of what God has blessed him or her with?
It does not boast,
(verb) DISAPPROVING
to speak too proudly or happily about what you have done or what you own:
Do I do that with my loved one? Do I boast about my success especially knowing that my loved one feels particularly lousy in that area? Do the words I speak indirectly make the other person feel lousier about himself or herself? Do I then complain why that person isn't happy for me?
It is not proud.
(adjective) DISAPPROVING
feeling that you are better and more important than other people:
Do I feel that my needs are more important than my loved one's? Do I honestly feel that I am better than my partner? Do I continually put the other person's needs above mine, and not complain when the other person misses out on my needs? If I feel that I really need to let the other person know I feel neglected, do I say it gently or do I do it accusingly?
It is not rude,
(adjective)
1 not polite; offensive or embarrassing:
Am I impolite towards my loved one? Do I treat him or her with utmost respect? Am I offensive with my words and actions? Do I embarrass my loved one and actually take delight in it, and then later claim that it was only a joke? (And then actually believe that my loved one is very petty?) Do I still say please and thank you even though we're so familiar with each other? Do i take the other person for granted simply because 'we're too used to each other's ways' or 'it's been such a long time, no need to be nice'? Then why are we surprised when our loved one seems attracted to other people who are kinder to them and compare us with them? Is it because we have been abusive towards them with our words and actions and yet not realise it?
It is not self-seeking,
(adjective) FORMAL DISAPPROVING
interested in your own advantage in everything that you do:
Do I put myself first? Do decisions 'we' make just involve my likes and dislikes? Am I willing to accommodate to my partner's preferences? Do I make myself feel better at the expense of my beloved? Do I even consider my partner whenever I do something or think about something? Do I pay attention when my partner tells me how I should improve, or do I just keep justifying myself and stick to my own point of view? Am I brave enough to say, "You are right. Your views are better than mine," and truly believe in that statement? When we argue or have conflicts, do we seek to understand the heartbeat of the other person or do we just seek to air our opinions and grouses and then lament when the other person does not seem to be listening? Do we seek first to understand? Or do we just seek to be understood without attempting to understand the other party from their perspective, instead of framing it within our perspective? Do we allow the other person to have differences or is ours the only right way? Is our interpretation the only way? Do we seek to spend time to hear the other person's real message instead of being distracted by the words and actions which might be seemingly hurting?
It is not easily angered,
(verb)
to make someone angry:
anger
(noun)
a strong feeling which makes you want to hurt someone or be unpleasant because of something unfair or hurtful that has happened:
Do I retaliate especially in the heat of an argument? Do I make sure my words will kill my loved one? Am I ruled by my strong emotions when I am angered? Do I try my best to show the full extent of my anger and ensure that the person who has angered me suffers for it many times over? Am I that petty to even be that vengeful? Do I flip at the slightest inconvenience? Do I provoke the other person to anger, especially when I know that some particular issues are extra-sensitive? Likewise, am I easily provoked and flare up to best of whatever I can? Do I really believe that showing my anger is mature and adult-like? Am I that easily influenced by what I see on television, by how these actors actually display their anger? Do I think vulgar words are actually the right means of expressing my anger? Don't vulgar words just reveal how polluted am I within?
It keeps no record of wrongs.
record (noun)
1 [C or U] a piece of information or a description of an event which is written on paper or stored on a computer:
wrongs (noun)
1 [U] what is considered to be morally unacceptable:
2 [C] an unfair action:
Do we store the unfair actions done to us in the past? Do we keep accusing the other person of potentially committing the other wrong even when it is gone? Does love require us to keep that track record and add on to it the list of wrongs committed? What kind of delight does it bring to continually count the probability that the wrong will happen in future again? Is that really love? Do we keep replaying the wrongs in our head and our hearts? Have we actually forgiven the one we love for the wrongs he/she has committed and have the faith that God will help to restore the relationship? Do we trust God to help us renew our minds through His word when the record of wrongs persistently haunts us? Will we allow this stronghold to be broken by His word and His blood?
Love does not delight in evil
delight (verb)
to give someone great pleasure or satisfaction:
evil (noun)
something that is very bad and harmful:
Do we secretly or blatantly gloat when the other person encounters something bad or harmful? Are we abusive - verbally, sexually, physically, mentally - towards our loved one and feel good doing so? Do we say with joy that the person is justly punished for the wrongs he or she has done when something bad happens?
But rejoices with the truth.
rejoice (verb) FORMAL
to feel or show great happiness about something:
truth (noun)
1 [U] the quality of being true:
2 the truth the real facts about a situation, event or person:
3 [C] FORMAL a fact or principle which is thought to be true by most people:
Are we happy when our loved one is truthful? Or do we persistently doubt that somehow, someday that person may not be truthful anymore and cling on to that fear needlessly? Wouldn't that be discouraging towards our beloved? Do we show that we are happy when the truth is revealed? Or do we go for the kill after knowing the truth? Do we thank the other person for being truthful? Do we give them the benefit of the doubt instead of believing we are right by thinking that the person will not be truthful? How then will there be rejoicing over the truth?
It always protects,
always (adverb)
every time, all the time or forever:
protects (verb)
1 [I or T] to keep someone or something safe from injury, damage or loss:
Will we commit ourselves to protecting our loved ones from injury, damage and loss from external sources? From ourselves? Will we refrain from saying words and doing things that would even potentially result in hurting the other person, damaging the self-esteem and losing respect? Will we commit ourselves to keeping the other person safe? 'Always' is such a strong word - every time, all the time or forever. Is our love able to sustain that?
Always trusts,
(verb)
to have belief or confidence in the honesty, goodness, skill or safety of a person, organization or thing:
Does our love have the belief or confidence in the other person? Are we willng to take the risk 'always'?
Always hopes,
(verb)
to want something to happen or to be true, and usually have a good reason to think that it might:
(noun)
something good that you want to happen in the future, or a confident feeling about what will happen in the future:
Do we dare to hope all the time? Do we honestly desire to want something to happen, or to be true? Do we dare to give ourselves the reason to think that it might? What does God's word say in particular to that situation?
Alwaysperseveres.
(verb)
to try to do or continue doing something in a determined way, despite having problems:
Are we determined all the time, even when the going gets really tough? Is our love able to weather through the storms and be strengthened by the overcoming of these problems? Or do we take the easy way out and not need to persevere?
Love never fails.
(adverb)
not at any time or not on any occasion:
(verb)
to not succeed in what you are trying to achieve or are expected to do:
This kind of love will only succeed. And thank God for being such an awesome God who loves each one of us with such a perfect love. Even when we have failed him repeatedly, he still loves us. Instead of seeing Him through our faulty lens of love - our own misinterpretations - God will help us to see Him, ourselves and others through HIS lens of love. I personally fail many of the questions above, yet I know that love is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. And when I continually dwell in God, he will transform the hatred, despair/misery, distress, impatience, meanness/unkindness, badness/corruptness/evil, unfaithfulness/faithlessness, cruelty/harshness/mercilessness/severity/strictness/vindictiveness and indiscipline ** into the beautiful fruits of the Spirit. How awesome that would be!
Love is patient*.
(adjective)
having patience
NOTE: The opposite is impatient.
patience
(noun)
1 the ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed:
Am I willing to wait for the one I love? Will I continue to do what I need to do despite the circumstances becoming overwhelmingly difficult? Am I willing to suffer for the one I love without complaining or becoming annoyed? Do I grumble within? Do I let ill-feelings brood inside when the very thing I want does not materialise straightaway? Often we say we love, but when we need to wait, we become short-tempered. Is this the result of our instantanteous society where even waiting for the microwave oven to heat up our food takes too long?
Love is kind.
(adjective)
1 generous, helpful and caring about other people's feelings:
2 not causing harm or damage
Am I generous with the feelings of my loved one? Even when I really don't feel like it? Am I helpful towards helping the other person feel better? Even when I really don't feel like it? Do I care how the other person feels? Even when I really don't feel like it? Do I 'unintentionally' cause harm and damage with my words and actions? When my words are unintentionally hurting, how do I respond? Do I allow words which I know would definitely pierce the other person come out from my mouth? Or is my love kind enough to say that whatever hurtful words will definitely crush the one I love? Do I care for myself more than the other person? When the going gets tough, am I the priority, or would I still value the other person even when I really don't feel like it?
It does not envy,
(verb)
to wish that you had something that another person has:
Am I envious of my loved one's success? Straightforwardly, of course not! But, when my child is truly more affectionate to my partner than to me, do feelings of envy arise? When other people are nicer to my loved one than me, do I envy? When my partner can do something better than I can, do I wish that I had that skill my beloved has? Do I secretly ask why God hasn't blessed me like that in that particularly way? Or simply, if my partner is better looking than I am, do I wish I had better looks? Or can I just be happy for that person because of what God has blessed him or her with?
It does not boast,
(verb) DISAPPROVING
to speak too proudly or happily about what you have done or what you own:
Do I do that with my loved one? Do I boast about my success especially knowing that my loved one feels particularly lousy in that area? Do the words I speak indirectly make the other person feel lousier about himself or herself? Do I then complain why that person isn't happy for me?
It is not proud.
(adjective) DISAPPROVING
feeling that you are better and more important than other people:
Do I feel that my needs are more important than my loved one's? Do I honestly feel that I am better than my partner? Do I continually put the other person's needs above mine, and not complain when the other person misses out on my needs? If I feel that I really need to let the other person know I feel neglected, do I say it gently or do I do it accusingly?
It is not rude,
(adjective)
1 not polite; offensive or embarrassing:
Am I impolite towards my loved one? Do I treat him or her with utmost respect? Am I offensive with my words and actions? Do I embarrass my loved one and actually take delight in it, and then later claim that it was only a joke? (And then actually believe that my loved one is very petty?) Do I still say please and thank you even though we're so familiar with each other? Do i take the other person for granted simply because 'we're too used to each other's ways' or 'it's been such a long time, no need to be nice'? Then why are we surprised when our loved one seems attracted to other people who are kinder to them and compare us with them? Is it because we have been abusive towards them with our words and actions and yet not realise it?
It is not self-seeking,
(adjective) FORMAL DISAPPROVING
interested in your own advantage in everything that you do:
Do I put myself first? Do decisions 'we' make just involve my likes and dislikes? Am I willing to accommodate to my partner's preferences? Do I make myself feel better at the expense of my beloved? Do I even consider my partner whenever I do something or think about something? Do I pay attention when my partner tells me how I should improve, or do I just keep justifying myself and stick to my own point of view? Am I brave enough to say, "You are right. Your views are better than mine," and truly believe in that statement? When we argue or have conflicts, do we seek to understand the heartbeat of the other person or do we just seek to air our opinions and grouses and then lament when the other person does not seem to be listening? Do we seek first to understand? Or do we just seek to be understood without attempting to understand the other party from their perspective, instead of framing it within our perspective? Do we allow the other person to have differences or is ours the only right way? Is our interpretation the only way? Do we seek to spend time to hear the other person's real message instead of being distracted by the words and actions which might be seemingly hurting?
It is not easily angered,
(verb)
to make someone angry:
anger
(noun)
a strong feeling which makes you want to hurt someone or be unpleasant because of something unfair or hurtful that has happened:
Do I retaliate especially in the heat of an argument? Do I make sure my words will kill my loved one? Am I ruled by my strong emotions when I am angered? Do I try my best to show the full extent of my anger and ensure that the person who has angered me suffers for it many times over? Am I that petty to even be that vengeful? Do I flip at the slightest inconvenience? Do I provoke the other person to anger, especially when I know that some particular issues are extra-sensitive? Likewise, am I easily provoked and flare up to best of whatever I can? Do I really believe that showing my anger is mature and adult-like? Am I that easily influenced by what I see on television, by how these actors actually display their anger? Do I think vulgar words are actually the right means of expressing my anger? Don't vulgar words just reveal how polluted am I within?
It keeps no record of wrongs.
record (noun)
1 [C or U] a piece of information or a description of an event which is written on paper or stored on a computer:
wrongs (noun)
1 [U] what is considered to be morally unacceptable:
2 [C] an unfair action:
Do we store the unfair actions done to us in the past? Do we keep accusing the other person of potentially committing the other wrong even when it is gone? Does love require us to keep that track record and add on to it the list of wrongs committed? What kind of delight does it bring to continually count the probability that the wrong will happen in future again? Is that really love? Do we keep replaying the wrongs in our head and our hearts? Have we actually forgiven the one we love for the wrongs he/she has committed and have the faith that God will help to restore the relationship? Do we trust God to help us renew our minds through His word when the record of wrongs persistently haunts us? Will we allow this stronghold to be broken by His word and His blood?
Love does not delight in evil
delight (verb)
to give someone great pleasure or satisfaction:
evil (noun)
something that is very bad and harmful:
Do we secretly or blatantly gloat when the other person encounters something bad or harmful? Are we abusive - verbally, sexually, physically, mentally - towards our loved one and feel good doing so? Do we say with joy that the person is justly punished for the wrongs he or she has done when something bad happens?
But rejoices with the truth.
rejoice (verb) FORMAL
to feel or show great happiness about something:
truth (noun)
1 [U] the quality of being true:
2 the truth the real facts about a situation, event or person:
3 [C] FORMAL a fact or principle which is thought to be true by most people:
Are we happy when our loved one is truthful? Or do we persistently doubt that somehow, someday that person may not be truthful anymore and cling on to that fear needlessly? Wouldn't that be discouraging towards our beloved? Do we show that we are happy when the truth is revealed? Or do we go for the kill after knowing the truth? Do we thank the other person for being truthful? Do we give them the benefit of the doubt instead of believing we are right by thinking that the person will not be truthful? How then will there be rejoicing over the truth?
It always protects,
always (adverb)
every time, all the time or forever:
protects (verb)
1 [I or T] to keep someone or something safe from injury, damage or loss:
Will we commit ourselves to protecting our loved ones from injury, damage and loss from external sources? From ourselves? Will we refrain from saying words and doing things that would even potentially result in hurting the other person, damaging the self-esteem and losing respect? Will we commit ourselves to keeping the other person safe? 'Always' is such a strong word - every time, all the time or forever. Is our love able to sustain that?
Always trusts,
(verb)
to have belief or confidence in the honesty, goodness, skill or safety of a person, organization or thing:
Does our love have the belief or confidence in the other person? Are we willng to take the risk 'always'?
Always hopes,
(verb)
to want something to happen or to be true, and usually have a good reason to think that it might:
(noun)
something good that you want to happen in the future, or a confident feeling about what will happen in the future:
Do we dare to hope all the time? Do we honestly desire to want something to happen, or to be true? Do we dare to give ourselves the reason to think that it might? What does God's word say in particular to that situation?
Alwaysperseveres.
(verb)
to try to do or continue doing something in a determined way, despite having problems:
Are we determined all the time, even when the going gets really tough? Is our love able to weather through the storms and be strengthened by the overcoming of these problems? Or do we take the easy way out and not need to persevere?
Love never fails.
(adverb)
not at any time or not on any occasion:
(verb)
to not succeed in what you are trying to achieve or are expected to do:
This kind of love will only succeed. And thank God for being such an awesome God who loves each one of us with such a perfect love. Even when we have failed him repeatedly, he still loves us. Instead of seeing Him through our faulty lens of love - our own misinterpretations - God will help us to see Him, ourselves and others through HIS lens of love. I personally fail many of the questions above, yet I know that love is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. And when I continually dwell in God, he will transform the hatred, despair/misery, distress, impatience, meanness/unkindness, badness/corruptness/evil, unfaithfulness/faithlessness, cruelty/harshness/mercilessness/severity/strictness/vindictiveness and indiscipline ** into the beautiful fruits of the Spirit. How awesome that would be!
Casio Exilim S500 rocks!
Yes, we managed our funds, scaled down on our renovation plans and got ourselves this! :D
We realised we needed to make this investment when many of Abby's cute video memories are just fuzzy images captured on our trusty Nokia 6230 and our well-used Olympus C-150. We took many photos today, and realised, "Hey, Abby has never looked so good in pictures before!"
(I think we really need to know how to operate the camera... :P)
Anyway, we went shopping for Abby's shoes today, and Abby was just being totally affectionate with a bear! Check out her look when the bear topples over! :D And the joy on her face when the bear is up again! :D
We realised we needed to make this investment when many of Abby's cute video memories are just fuzzy images captured on our trusty Nokia 6230 and our well-used Olympus C-150. We took many photos today, and realised, "Hey, Abby has never looked so good in pictures before!"
(I think we really need to know how to operate the camera... :P)
Anyway, we went shopping for Abby's shoes today, and Abby was just being totally affectionate with a bear! Check out her look when the bear topples over! :D And the joy on her face when the bear is up again! :D
Thursday, November 03, 2005
From my brother's blog...
f you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a memory of you and me. It can be anything you want - good or bad. When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your (online journal if you've got one) and be surprised (or mortified) about what people remember about you.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Some Fun...
| You Are 50% Boyish and 50% Girlish |
You are pretty evenly split down the middle - a total eunuch. Okay, kidding about the eunuch part. But you do get along with both sexes. You reject traditional gender roles. However, you don't actively fight them. You're just you. You don't try to be what people expect you to be. |
| Your Personality Is |
You are sensible, down to earth, and goal oriented. Bottom line, you are good at playing by the rules. You tend to be dominant - and you are a natural leader. You are interested in rules and order. Morals are important to you. A hard worker, you give your all at whatever you do. You're very serious, and people often tell you to lighten up. In love, you tend to take things carefully and slowly. At work, you are suited to almost any career - but you excel in leadership positions. With others, you tend to be polite and formal. As far as looks go, you are traditionally attractive. You take good care of yourself. On weekends, you tend to like to do organized activities. In fact, you often organize them! |
| You Are 28 Years Old |
 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax. |
I'm my age! :D
but...
| Your Inner Child Is Angry |
 You're not an angry person. But when you don't get your way, watch out. Like a very manipulative kid, you will get what you want. Even if it takes a little kicking and screaming. |
| Your Seduction Style: Prized Object |
 The seduction game you play is tried, true, and still effective: hard to get. You know that the best seducers turn the tables - and get their crush to seduce them. The one running has the power, and you're a challenge that is worth the chase. You are a master of enticing and pulling back. Giving a little and taking some away. You are controlled enough to know rewards come after a long seduction dance. Even though you want to call, email, or say "I love you" first - you don't! You're style is the perfect mix of hot and cold - so much so that you have many suitors. Think Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's ... or any of those creepy guys from the Bachelor. You're skilled at inspiring a chase. The real test is picking the person to slow down for. |
| Your Birthdate: October 27 |
 Your birth on the 27th day of the month (9 energy) adds a tone of selflessness and humanitarianism to your life path. Certainly, you are one who can work very well with people, but at the same time you need a good bit of time to be by yourself to rest and meditate. There is a very humanistic and philanthropic approach in most of things that you do. This birthday helps you be broadminded, tolerant, generous and very cooperative. You are the type of person who uses persuasion rather than force to achieve your ends. You tend to be very sensitive to others' needs and feelings, and you able to give much in the way of friendship without expecting a lot in return. |
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Flower? Orchid!
Ben brought Abby to the playground today, near my mum's place. There was this odd-looking rocking apparatus there, and Ben asked Abby what it was.
"Bird!" said Abby.
"Clever girl!" replied Ben.
Then they continued playing at the playground. Then Ben asked Abby, "Where's the bird?" (Referring to the bird-looking rocker.)
She pointed and said, "Owl!"
Fwah.
"Bird!" said Abby.
"Clever girl!" replied Ben.
Then they continued playing at the playground. Then Ben asked Abby, "Where's the bird?" (Referring to the bird-looking rocker.)
She pointed and said, "Owl!"
Fwah.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Emerging from the Shadow of Death
This semester's been a strange journey. The most trying day has just passed. I thought by the sixth week of school, I'd get the hang of things and the momentum of school. However, I've been hit left, right, cetner and and as result, missed quite a lot of school. 28th october (after 26 & 27 - ben & my special day) was D-Day. 1 Social Studies Instructional Package due, 1 10-week voice journal due, 1 voice essay due and 1 voice presentation due. Essentially, the bulk of the voice module marks were collected that day. 30% for essay, 30% for weekly journal and 30% for presentation. The SS instructional package was another heavy load. Can't remember how much. 60% I think. But although it's all worth so much, they were all last minute jobs. So was my Critical Reading & Writing Research Paper - another bulky one - due on the same day as the module's in-class graded assignment. I didn't study for it, and by God's grace, it's purely reflective. So just reflect on my essay from a certain perspective and then write. Wrote quite a bit, hopefully it made some sense. :p
The research paper in itself was a challenge also. The tutor made us submit drafts of different sections, but because of my absence (and not being on schedule), I missed out all the editing sessions. Even when the final draft was due, I had to ask for an extension and attend a later class because I had nothing done. But thank God I managed to produce the final piece. After the final draft editing (which in fact was a first draft), I had an overhaul of the entire research paper. The final product looked really different from the first draft.
I think the best was the response I got for my voice presentation. I was very worn out the night before - after my birthday celebration with Eve, Vic & Vincent (thanks guys) and my Abby (together with Tina & Lina of course) - I had to complete the first draft of my voice essay before I could release myself to go for the dinner. Came back home to touch up on my SS instructional package, voice essay and complete writing my voice journal. By the time I got to bed, it was already 3am. And Ben was still working on his projects. He's been really taxed also. I still had a voice presentation in a poor state - I didn't like the mock presentation I did the week before (thank God there was one - otherwise I would have to spend even more time starting from scratch on top of my pressing assignments), so I revamped the whole thing. I knew I was gone to change it, but I only had time to think about it when I was in the shower and just basically moving along. It was during my drive to school in the morning that I came up with the outline of my 5-minute speech. I spoke on Marriage the week before, a topic close to my heart, but I didn't like the way it came out. I was also too attached to my script. I kept reading from it, so I had to do away with it. In other words, not even have one. Coz I know even if I did write one, I would refer to it and beat myself if I didn't adhere to it. Senseless pressure. So as I drove to school, I prayed. I had prepared a poem/prose (actually it's 1 Cor 13:4-13 on Love) to read as part of my 2-3minute reading section. (There are two sections - 5min speech and 3min reading of prose/poetry). Some of my classmates did two different topics for both sections, but I decided to gel them together (my sections, not my classmates) and just make sense of things.
So I spoke about Marriage. I started with asking the audience to *smile*! :) A technique I learnt from someone in Perth a while ago. I have the tendency to be tense, so that kinda loosened everyone up, including me. But then again, the class was a lil' mad that morning - it was funny! James was just posing for the videocam, back against it and looking at it. Super funny! :) Back to the topic. After that, I asked the audience how many were married - a few raised hands - and how many were contemplating marriage the next 5-10 years. Only 1 enthusiastic answer. Then I shared with the class about a conversation I had with a male friend last semester. He shared that he had to get married to his girlfriend because it was the right thing to do - although he wasn't extremely sure whether that was what he wanted. I highlighted the 'red flags' to the audience - frequent quarrels, marrying to please parents, talking to members of the opposite sex without letting the other party know, controlling the other party NOT to talk to members of the opposite sex. Then I continued by saying that after that conversation, I reflected on what made a marriage work. And I came up with this definition through the acronym - L.O.V.E. (or technically speaking, it should be alphabetism).
L is for 'Looking forward together'. I shared the conversation I had with a 16 yo - about working in partnership to serve others vs just being with that person, but without a purpose - just see each other as frequently as often as they would when serving, and eat, shop, watch movie. After a while, it gets boring. "Sweethearts look into each other's eyes, but lovers look forward together" or something like that. I emphasised on the need for the couple to have a purpose - so that the marriage has a purpose and that the whole family has a common purpose.
O is for 'Overcoming Obstacles together'. The three hotspots for trouble in most marriages - Money, Sex and Children. I stressed that the couple must resolve to overcome whatever obstacles together, especially in these three areas. People think that divorce is the easy way out, but working through things in divorce and after it is often much harder than working things out together as a married couple. Then I gave this demonstration. I held up two sheets of paper - imagine these are two people. They come together in marriage. Supposed to be glued together (I prepared two glued sheets together just prior to getting out of the car for the lesson...:P). But when the couple heads for a divorce, I tore the glued pieces together. Tore real nicely. In fact, it was ripped apart. It delivered the effect i wanted! Thank God! And I ended that demo with - don't forget, there might be children involved. They were just staring hard at the torn sheets.
Then I had about 1 minute left. :P I was running out of time.
V is for being 'Vulnerable' to each other. Let go of the pride; don't compete with each other. Don't be critical of each other either. I mentioned that if your partner was any better, they would have found a better person and not have married you. (From eve's blog). Quite a number nodded sheepishly in agreement. :)
E is for 'Enjoying Each other'. Laugh, have fun, date! Remember why you married each other in the first place.
I rounded up with a summary of L.O.V.E.
When I finished, they were all very excited. Some said that they should have recorded my speech and one even asked for a pencil ("Seriously! I need a pencil! Not joking! Quick, before I forget!") and jotted down the points. I really really really praise God for the whole speech. I was driving to school - lack of sleep and just very worn out, and God provided the materials to share. I had more confidence this week than the last because this time round, I was going to share God's word. I forgot to include the verse - 'For this reason, the man shall leave his mother and father and cleave with his wfe and become one' - prior to the demonstration. It was from my pre-martial counselling class that the example was used. The effect wasn't that great then coz we all had to separate the sheets before the glue dried up. But this time round, it was good. Even I was astounded. Fwah.
Then I read 1 Cor 13. On Love. Kinda in continuation of the speech - illustrating what love really is. Because of the attention they gave to the speech, they listened to the reading - to God's word! :D At first I hesitated, but then I realised that since my tutor has been sharing her taoist/buddhist materials, I felt I could share God's word also. Furthermore, it was pretty much like a melting pot of sorts - different people with different backgrounds coming together to share their beliefs. I'm just so glad God's word was shared.
In fact, while doing my essay, I was reminded of a module I did about 3-4 semesters ago - Use of Spoken English in Teaching. We were given a topic, 5 min to prepare on the spot and then share it with the class. Rather impromptu. But as that was brought back to memory, I gained confidence that God would deliver me through this time sans script. But all in all, I really hope that the talk was meaningful to the audience. If one family could be adverted from disaster because of that sharing, then it has been really worth it. God's word will not return to Him void. :) I just thank my pastors for telling me that I don't have to explicitly shove God's word down throats - as long as it's God's principles, then we're helping to edify others. :) It then sets the platform for sharing God's word.
I'm just grateful that I made new friends this semester - especially Peiyan (from Voice), Patricia (from Social Studies, Intro to Lit and Meanings of English) and Irda. God's giving me new friends, and it's just wonderful that at this age, I still can find nice pals in school. :) Thank you, Lord. :)
I have one assignment left - and that's on poetry. Deadline's on 2nd Nov, and I need to finish it by the 31st so that we can all go swimming on the 1st! :) Then it's exams! :)
The research paper in itself was a challenge also. The tutor made us submit drafts of different sections, but because of my absence (and not being on schedule), I missed out all the editing sessions. Even when the final draft was due, I had to ask for an extension and attend a later class because I had nothing done. But thank God I managed to produce the final piece. After the final draft editing (which in fact was a first draft), I had an overhaul of the entire research paper. The final product looked really different from the first draft.
I think the best was the response I got for my voice presentation. I was very worn out the night before - after my birthday celebration with Eve, Vic & Vincent (thanks guys) and my Abby (together with Tina & Lina of course) - I had to complete the first draft of my voice essay before I could release myself to go for the dinner. Came back home to touch up on my SS instructional package, voice essay and complete writing my voice journal. By the time I got to bed, it was already 3am. And Ben was still working on his projects. He's been really taxed also. I still had a voice presentation in a poor state - I didn't like the mock presentation I did the week before (thank God there was one - otherwise I would have to spend even more time starting from scratch on top of my pressing assignments), so I revamped the whole thing. I knew I was gone to change it, but I only had time to think about it when I was in the shower and just basically moving along. It was during my drive to school in the morning that I came up with the outline of my 5-minute speech. I spoke on Marriage the week before, a topic close to my heart, but I didn't like the way it came out. I was also too attached to my script. I kept reading from it, so I had to do away with it. In other words, not even have one. Coz I know even if I did write one, I would refer to it and beat myself if I didn't adhere to it. Senseless pressure. So as I drove to school, I prayed. I had prepared a poem/prose (actually it's 1 Cor 13:4-13 on Love) to read as part of my 2-3minute reading section. (There are two sections - 5min speech and 3min reading of prose/poetry). Some of my classmates did two different topics for both sections, but I decided to gel them together (my sections, not my classmates) and just make sense of things.
So I spoke about Marriage. I started with asking the audience to *smile*! :) A technique I learnt from someone in Perth a while ago. I have the tendency to be tense, so that kinda loosened everyone up, including me. But then again, the class was a lil' mad that morning - it was funny! James was just posing for the videocam, back against it and looking at it. Super funny! :) Back to the topic. After that, I asked the audience how many were married - a few raised hands - and how many were contemplating marriage the next 5-10 years. Only 1 enthusiastic answer. Then I shared with the class about a conversation I had with a male friend last semester. He shared that he had to get married to his girlfriend because it was the right thing to do - although he wasn't extremely sure whether that was what he wanted. I highlighted the 'red flags' to the audience - frequent quarrels, marrying to please parents, talking to members of the opposite sex without letting the other party know, controlling the other party NOT to talk to members of the opposite sex. Then I continued by saying that after that conversation, I reflected on what made a marriage work. And I came up with this definition through the acronym - L.O.V.E. (or technically speaking, it should be alphabetism).
L is for 'Looking forward together'. I shared the conversation I had with a 16 yo - about working in partnership to serve others vs just being with that person, but without a purpose - just see each other as frequently as often as they would when serving, and eat, shop, watch movie. After a while, it gets boring. "Sweethearts look into each other's eyes, but lovers look forward together" or something like that. I emphasised on the need for the couple to have a purpose - so that the marriage has a purpose and that the whole family has a common purpose.
O is for 'Overcoming Obstacles together'. The three hotspots for trouble in most marriages - Money, Sex and Children. I stressed that the couple must resolve to overcome whatever obstacles together, especially in these three areas. People think that divorce is the easy way out, but working through things in divorce and after it is often much harder than working things out together as a married couple. Then I gave this demonstration. I held up two sheets of paper - imagine these are two people. They come together in marriage. Supposed to be glued together (I prepared two glued sheets together just prior to getting out of the car for the lesson...:P). But when the couple heads for a divorce, I tore the glued pieces together. Tore real nicely. In fact, it was ripped apart. It delivered the effect i wanted! Thank God! And I ended that demo with - don't forget, there might be children involved. They were just staring hard at the torn sheets.
Then I had about 1 minute left. :P I was running out of time.
V is for being 'Vulnerable' to each other. Let go of the pride; don't compete with each other. Don't be critical of each other either. I mentioned that if your partner was any better, they would have found a better person and not have married you. (From eve's blog). Quite a number nodded sheepishly in agreement. :)
E is for 'Enjoying Each other'. Laugh, have fun, date! Remember why you married each other in the first place.
I rounded up with a summary of L.O.V.E.
When I finished, they were all very excited. Some said that they should have recorded my speech and one even asked for a pencil ("Seriously! I need a pencil! Not joking! Quick, before I forget!") and jotted down the points. I really really really praise God for the whole speech. I was driving to school - lack of sleep and just very worn out, and God provided the materials to share. I had more confidence this week than the last because this time round, I was going to share God's word. I forgot to include the verse - 'For this reason, the man shall leave his mother and father and cleave with his wfe and become one' - prior to the demonstration. It was from my pre-martial counselling class that the example was used. The effect wasn't that great then coz we all had to separate the sheets before the glue dried up. But this time round, it was good. Even I was astounded. Fwah.
Then I read 1 Cor 13. On Love. Kinda in continuation of the speech - illustrating what love really is. Because of the attention they gave to the speech, they listened to the reading - to God's word! :D At first I hesitated, but then I realised that since my tutor has been sharing her taoist/buddhist materials, I felt I could share God's word also. Furthermore, it was pretty much like a melting pot of sorts - different people with different backgrounds coming together to share their beliefs. I'm just so glad God's word was shared.
In fact, while doing my essay, I was reminded of a module I did about 3-4 semesters ago - Use of Spoken English in Teaching. We were given a topic, 5 min to prepare on the spot and then share it with the class. Rather impromptu. But as that was brought back to memory, I gained confidence that God would deliver me through this time sans script. But all in all, I really hope that the talk was meaningful to the audience. If one family could be adverted from disaster because of that sharing, then it has been really worth it. God's word will not return to Him void. :) I just thank my pastors for telling me that I don't have to explicitly shove God's word down throats - as long as it's God's principles, then we're helping to edify others. :) It then sets the platform for sharing God's word.
I'm just grateful that I made new friends this semester - especially Peiyan (from Voice), Patricia (from Social Studies, Intro to Lit and Meanings of English) and Irda. God's giving me new friends, and it's just wonderful that at this age, I still can find nice pals in school. :) Thank you, Lord. :)
I have one assignment left - and that's on poetry. Deadline's on 2nd Nov, and I need to finish it by the 31st so that we can all go swimming on the 1st! :) Then it's exams! :)
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Defnition of Long Piak
When Abby responds to "Lang-Ge Ling-De Pauling..." and not "London Bridge is Falling...".
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Today is a productive day
I have finally completed my CEM102 paper. Initially during the early weeks of the semester, I prepared an outline of what I would do. Later I realised I literally hated what I had written (maybe a pregnancy thingey) that I refused to look at it. Utterly uninspired. Only inspired later by the inspiration of the deadline - do or die.
I had missed my last Tuesday's deadline for final draft and went for Friday's class instead. I had NOTHING done on Tuesday. Nor on Wednesday. Only on Thursday did I manage to squeeze some material out, and finished it within the hour before class started on Friday.
After a 'peer' and my tutor edited my research paper, it underwent another overhaul. Spent the whole of the weekend mulling over it, but productivity level was mediocre. Only managed to pump the whole paper out today - productivity level high.
Now I've to study for my test TOMORROW. Oh, and I've got a presentation tomorrow. Just remembered. Hmm. And I've to finish reading Oedipus by tomorrow 2.30pm. How exciting.
Ben's off day today. He's got a ton of work due soon, and another ton of school work due soon too. He's under tremendous pressure.
But the most productive person is... ABBY!
Today, she took a couple of steps! My mil was pretty nonchalant about it though. I mean she was excited and all, but cool. She brought Abby up for a bath, and just popped into the room and told us, "oh, today she took a few steps. About 3-4 steps. She was holding apples in her hand." Must have been so cute! As expected, we missed it (though we were at home!!) Abby did take about 3-4steps when she tried to give Ben a flash card later, but it was too cute. I can't believe my baby's starting to walk! Ok, she's a little late apparently, but still, I dun really care! :D
Brought her to the doc for chix pox vaccination today. She cried. The times I brought her there myself, she didn't cry!! For 3 separate occasions! :) But today, I think there were too many people in the consultation room. Dr, mil, ben, myself and a nurse (who was holding her leg down - that aroused her suspicion). So when the needle went in, she jumped. Mil was carrying her. She must think that i'm a great fibber - saying that abby didn't cry for the past injections? :P I dun care, she didn't! :D hehhe... Mummy's love yeah!
Oh, and during dinner time, Abby and mil entertained us with a new song. Lina taught abby and my mil made it entertaining coz i honestly couldn't understand a word she was singing when she first started. It was in English (I swear) but my MIL's more proficient in other languages. (I bet if I ever sang in Hockchia she'd be rolling in laughter!)
MIL: Lang-ge Ling-de Pauling...
Abby: Daow!
MIL: Pauling...
Abby: Daow!
MIL: Pauling...
Abby: Daow!
MIL: Lang-ge Ling-de Pauling...
Abby: Daow!
MIL: Mai pear...
Abby: Dae-dee!
Guess what nursery rhyme that was?
It was totally hilarious! And too cute! :D
K. Back to studying. :S
I had missed my last Tuesday's deadline for final draft and went for Friday's class instead. I had NOTHING done on Tuesday. Nor on Wednesday. Only on Thursday did I manage to squeeze some material out, and finished it within the hour before class started on Friday.
After a 'peer' and my tutor edited my research paper, it underwent another overhaul. Spent the whole of the weekend mulling over it, but productivity level was mediocre. Only managed to pump the whole paper out today - productivity level high.
Now I've to study for my test TOMORROW. Oh, and I've got a presentation tomorrow. Just remembered. Hmm. And I've to finish reading Oedipus by tomorrow 2.30pm. How exciting.
Ben's off day today. He's got a ton of work due soon, and another ton of school work due soon too. He's under tremendous pressure.
But the most productive person is... ABBY!
Today, she took a couple of steps! My mil was pretty nonchalant about it though. I mean she was excited and all, but cool. She brought Abby up for a bath, and just popped into the room and told us, "oh, today she took a few steps. About 3-4 steps. She was holding apples in her hand." Must have been so cute! As expected, we missed it (though we were at home!!) Abby did take about 3-4steps when she tried to give Ben a flash card later, but it was too cute. I can't believe my baby's starting to walk! Ok, she's a little late apparently, but still, I dun really care! :D
Brought her to the doc for chix pox vaccination today. She cried. The times I brought her there myself, she didn't cry!! For 3 separate occasions! :) But today, I think there were too many people in the consultation room. Dr, mil, ben, myself and a nurse (who was holding her leg down - that aroused her suspicion). So when the needle went in, she jumped. Mil was carrying her. She must think that i'm a great fibber - saying that abby didn't cry for the past injections? :P I dun care, she didn't! :D hehhe... Mummy's love yeah!
Oh, and during dinner time, Abby and mil entertained us with a new song. Lina taught abby and my mil made it entertaining coz i honestly couldn't understand a word she was singing when she first started. It was in English (I swear) but my MIL's more proficient in other languages. (I bet if I ever sang in Hockchia she'd be rolling in laughter!)
MIL: Lang-ge Ling-de Pauling...
Abby: Daow!
MIL: Pauling...
Abby: Daow!
MIL: Pauling...
Abby: Daow!
MIL: Lang-ge Ling-de Pauling...
Abby: Daow!
MIL: Mai pear...
Abby: Dae-dee!
Guess what nursery rhyme that was?
It was totally hilarious! And too cute! :D
K. Back to studying. :S
Saturday, October 22, 2005
What do you want out of life?
A simple, meaningful analogy for reflection....
A group of working adults got together to visit their University lecturer. The lecturer was happy to see them.
Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. The Lecturer just smiled and went to the kitchen to get an assortment of cups - some porcelain, some in plastic, some in glass, some plain looking and some looked rather expensive and exquisite.
The Lecturer offered his former students the cups to get drinks for themselves.
When all the students had a cup in hand with water, the Lecturer spoke: "If you noticed, all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken up,leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.
While it is normal that you only want the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
What all you wanted was water, not the cup, but we unconsciously went for the better cups.
"Just like in life, if Life is Water, then the jobs, money and positioning society are the cups. They are just tools to hold/maintain Life, but the quality of Life doesn't change.
"If we only concentrate on the cup, we won't have time to enjoy/taste the water in it."
A group of working adults got together to visit their University lecturer. The lecturer was happy to see them.
Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. The Lecturer just smiled and went to the kitchen to get an assortment of cups - some porcelain, some in plastic, some in glass, some plain looking and some looked rather expensive and exquisite.
The Lecturer offered his former students the cups to get drinks for themselves.
When all the students had a cup in hand with water, the Lecturer spoke: "If you noticed, all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken up,leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.
While it is normal that you only want the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
What all you wanted was water, not the cup, but we unconsciously went for the better cups.
"Just like in life, if Life is Water, then the jobs, money and positioning society are the cups. They are just tools to hold/maintain Life, but the quality of Life doesn't change.
"If we only concentrate on the cup, we won't have time to enjoy/taste the water in it."
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
*sheepish*
This is disgusting, but I've just completed designing my questionnaire that was due about 5 weeks ago? :P Now I am frantically printing them, all 30 copies of them, and hoping that I can catch at least 3 people who take Social Studies so that I can get all 30 filled. Ambitious eh? :D Oh. have to be done by today. :P
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Schoolwork, Abby & Baby
Can't sleep. Woke up feeling too hungry I felt nauseous. Sick feeling in the stomach. Went to check my mail and realised from the Babycenter pregnancy updates that our lil' one is ordering home delivery to the uterus. Still hungry. Here's when my weight will balloon soon.
Managed to complete my Oral History assignment, and will submit later. Was supposed to submit my research paper final draft later also, but looking at the horrendous state I was in, even Ben agreed that I should ask for an extension. Which I did. And praise the Lord, my tutor agreed! Thankfully, my social studies tutorial has been cancelled on Friday, which leaves me an available slot to atttend my critical reading & writing class. Ben helped me brainstorm and I've got a clearer picture of my direction now. Thank God for him.
A couple more assignments and I'm done for the term - and ready to study for 3 papers. Meanwhile, I still have to clear the rest.
On to lighter stuff.
Yesterday, Abby wanted to poop. (Yup, poop story... but not entirely!) When I wanted to transfer her to the potty, she signaled 'No More'. Still I wanted to try. We had fun on the potty just chatting about everything. Then suddenly, she said, "Dah!" (Silly me was thinking about my MIL's comment about how Abby can say Dah! in Da-pian - Mandarin for poop), and I asked, "da-pian?" She had that, "no mummy, that's not what i'm referring to" look on her face and clarified by signalling 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'! Oh!! 'STAR!' Then she smiled. Then I realised, she wanted me to sing that to her! Then I sang, minus the last syllable, and she didn't fill in the blanks. She's stopped doing so. I've been wondering why - thought she was sick of the game or something. But yesterday, I realised why. Because she wanted to hear the *whole* song! Eureka! So I sang the whole song after I realised what she wanted, and she smiled so broadly. After many times, I tried the fill-in-the-blank game again, and this time she sang! (Usually she'll have a cheeky look on her face and fill the blank with some other word - like 'Ball Ball' or something followed by a smile.) It was fun.
She's a real sweetie. Every night although we know everyone needs to sleep, Ben & I can't help but wait for her to wake up. (And now I realise why she's waking up. She rotates in her sleep, and jams at ninety degrees. That's when she yelps. We need a bigger bed. She's outgrowing her crib.) Even in the morning, she'll wake up, get all snuggly (her choice of who to snuggle with), gives kisses and just have fun in bed. Then one of us will get up to ask Lina to help her get ready for breakfast. Just now, she was quite excited climbing around in bed, so I asked her nicely to stay put and wait for mummy. And she did! She just sat there all the way till I came back... *heart melt*
Oh, some new words (At 14months 2 wks):
- "Go-go!" To go somewhere.
- "Walk-walk!" To walk (usually to get away from being carried or off the bed.)
- "Gou-Gou" (very similar to 'Go-go') referring to dog (Mandarin)
- "Ta!" for truck
- Starting to string words together - go go walk walk. Daddy mamam. Mama mamam. Mamam Neng neng. (I know some people strongly advise against using baby words, but it's just vocabulary - also, not easy to convert the whole family to speaking properly to her. Harmony above child's vocab. We'll deal with the vocab later.)
New actions:
- Can point to pictures of key, flower, shoes, telephone, apple, ball, in her "First Steps Series - Words" picture book. Can pick out lion, bird, bear from her Ikea finger puppets and name them.
- Is standing independently for a longer time now.
- Initiates flying kisses when we say goodbye - Absolute heart melter!
- Walking much more, sometimes will allow us to hold only one hand.
As for our lil' one inside me (now 18wks), I'm feeling more movements (since 16 wks). I'm almost halfway there! Actually I gave birth to Abby at 37wks, so it's possibly the halfway mark! I understand that subsequent births are earlier and faster. Feel hungrier, and ran out of stretchmark cream - not a good combination coz this is the time I'm starting to balloon. Hip is feeling much better (yeah!) and energy seems to be returning. Can't fall asleep (fast enough) at night though. Mind keeps churning. My detailed scan is scheduled on the 31st October with Dr Ann Tan. Have to keep praying though... :) God is good! :)
Managed to complete my Oral History assignment, and will submit later. Was supposed to submit my research paper final draft later also, but looking at the horrendous state I was in, even Ben agreed that I should ask for an extension. Which I did. And praise the Lord, my tutor agreed! Thankfully, my social studies tutorial has been cancelled on Friday, which leaves me an available slot to atttend my critical reading & writing class. Ben helped me brainstorm and I've got a clearer picture of my direction now. Thank God for him.
A couple more assignments and I'm done for the term - and ready to study for 3 papers. Meanwhile, I still have to clear the rest.
On to lighter stuff.
Yesterday, Abby wanted to poop. (Yup, poop story... but not entirely!) When I wanted to transfer her to the potty, she signaled 'No More'. Still I wanted to try. We had fun on the potty just chatting about everything. Then suddenly, she said, "Dah!" (Silly me was thinking about my MIL's comment about how Abby can say Dah! in Da-pian - Mandarin for poop), and I asked, "da-pian?" She had that, "no mummy, that's not what i'm referring to" look on her face and clarified by signalling 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'! Oh!! 'STAR!' Then she smiled. Then I realised, she wanted me to sing that to her! Then I sang, minus the last syllable, and she didn't fill in the blanks. She's stopped doing so. I've been wondering why - thought she was sick of the game or something. But yesterday, I realised why. Because she wanted to hear the *whole* song! Eureka! So I sang the whole song after I realised what she wanted, and she smiled so broadly. After many times, I tried the fill-in-the-blank game again, and this time she sang! (Usually she'll have a cheeky look on her face and fill the blank with some other word - like 'Ball Ball' or something followed by a smile.) It was fun.
She's a real sweetie. Every night although we know everyone needs to sleep, Ben & I can't help but wait for her to wake up. (And now I realise why she's waking up. She rotates in her sleep, and jams at ninety degrees. That's when she yelps. We need a bigger bed. She's outgrowing her crib.) Even in the morning, she'll wake up, get all snuggly (her choice of who to snuggle with), gives kisses and just have fun in bed. Then one of us will get up to ask Lina to help her get ready for breakfast. Just now, she was quite excited climbing around in bed, so I asked her nicely to stay put and wait for mummy. And she did! She just sat there all the way till I came back... *heart melt*
Oh, some new words (At 14months 2 wks):
- "Go-go!" To go somewhere.
- "Walk-walk!" To walk (usually to get away from being carried or off the bed.)
- "Gou-Gou" (very similar to 'Go-go') referring to dog (Mandarin)
- "Ta!" for truck
- Starting to string words together - go go walk walk. Daddy mamam. Mama mamam. Mamam Neng neng. (I know some people strongly advise against using baby words, but it's just vocabulary - also, not easy to convert the whole family to speaking properly to her. Harmony above child's vocab. We'll deal with the vocab later.)
New actions:
- Can point to pictures of key, flower, shoes, telephone, apple, ball, in her "First Steps Series - Words" picture book. Can pick out lion, bird, bear from her Ikea finger puppets and name them.
- Is standing independently for a longer time now.
- Initiates flying kisses when we say goodbye - Absolute heart melter!
- Walking much more, sometimes will allow us to hold only one hand.
As for our lil' one inside me (now 18wks), I'm feeling more movements (since 16 wks). I'm almost halfway there! Actually I gave birth to Abby at 37wks, so it's possibly the halfway mark! I understand that subsequent births are earlier and faster. Feel hungrier, and ran out of stretchmark cream - not a good combination coz this is the time I'm starting to balloon. Hip is feeling much better (yeah!) and energy seems to be returning. Can't fall asleep (fast enough) at night though. Mind keeps churning. My detailed scan is scheduled on the 31st October with Dr Ann Tan. Have to keep praying though... :) God is good! :)
Monday, October 17, 2005
Oooh...
It is finished. My Oral History Assignment.1800+abit words. Praise the Lord. I thought I would need an extension. Now I need to keep my eyes open to produce my final draft of my research paper. The first draft is not even out yet. Woohoo. Long nite tonight. Long drive tomorrow. How lah?
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Slow Sunday
Working on my history assignment right now. I'm possibly at the zeroth word (if there's such a word) and working slowly to my 1,500th word. Help. Then I have to work on my research paper. Also at zeroth word. All due on tuesday - well the final draft of the latter is due. Still, it's due for peer editing. Not good. Help.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Kissed
A big thank you to all who sent their regards. For the rest who had an uneventful Thursday, lucky you!
Woke up on Thursday morning reluctant to go to school (because I slept late the night before and didn't have enough sleep). Yet I had to go coz I've been missing classes due to the bleeding episode. So I jokingly asked Ben if I could take MC for today and sleep in (silly talk in the morning lah...) - preferably free also. :P Guess what? I got what I wanted. But I wouldn't wish for anything like that ever. It's too high a price to pay.
Slept in for another ten minutes and changed up to leave house. I prepared myself for the long drive ahead - coffee (which worked well) and food plus worship. So as I drove, I worshiped and prayed - even asked for journey mercy because I knew the state I was in, quite risky to drive. Even told Ben jokingly earlier that I would sleep in class to make up for lost sleep so that I could survive the day, complete my research in the library and make it home safely. I had the whole day planned out.
So as I drove along the PIE towards Tuas, I made sure I kept a safe distance, maintain the speed limit and watch out for impatient vehicles swerving around. So far so good. Even as it started to drizzle. Then as I was about to exit PIE at the NTU/NIE exit, I slowed down and joined the long queue - I don't usually cut people to get ahead. The car came to a halt as I waited. I noted the car in front of me quite a while back - "Woo... nice car, brand new, white! Nice! But better don't keep so close to it."
So as the cars waited a couple of seconds in the queue, I heard a screech and a loud bang behind me. Before I could even complete wondering what it was, I was thrown forward and collided into the NICE! NEW! WHITE! car in front of me! Gosh. I kept a good distance away, yet I still hit it! Guess how far I was thrown. Sigh. Everything flew all over the place and was in a complete disarray - even I, momentarily.
When I got out of the car, the drivers in front of me and behind me also got out and assessed the damaged. We were in the extreme left lane and I walked to the shoulder lane (where I thought I'd be safe) by moving between my car and the car in front of me. On hindsight, they were TWO BAD MOVES. First, if another bozo were to hit the crash from behind, I'd lose BOTH my legs because the walking allowance between the two cars was minimal. Second, the shoulder lane is possibly as safe as standing on any one of the busy lanes on the road. To avoid the crash, people were driving/riding in the shoulder lane! Fools!
So a huge Isuzu white monster hit us from behind. The car behind me, a blue Toyota Vios, was badly damaged. The driver was mainly the one who got the monster's details who very quickly got away from the scene of the crime. "Okay lor, my truck cannot brake in time. Too slippery. Vehicle too heavy. Bill me lor." Then he drove away with a slight dent in the front bumper. We were then left to pick up the pieces on our own. Well, not really.
When I had barely gotten out of the car, a silver Mazda drove to the front of the collision and parked at the shoulder. The man (A) approached us and said that he's in this business, if we want, all three of us send our vehicles to his workshop and all claim against the monster. He got his elder brother (F) to take down the car license plates and contact details especially of the monster. The owner of the (not) NICE (anymore)! NEW! WHITE! car decided to delay sending the car in while the blue Toyota Vios (also NEW! car) decided to go ahead with their services. I had to get an ok from Ben but was slightly delayed because he was slightly held up at work. Finally he called me and spoke to A. We decided to go ahead.
A and F were very nice. REALLY nice. They are like Ah-Beng Towkays, very nice Ah-Beng Towkays. I'm not saying Ah-Beng Towkays are not nice, but they were REALLY nice. Like F - he found out I was a teacher in training, and tried to make me laugh by saying he'll be my student and a really notti one, so I can punish/hit him but he won't complain or sue me. Meant as a joke to lighten the atmosphere. I was fine. Until slightly later when I realised that my left leg was hurt - groin area. Also, the seat belt pulled against my belly as I was thrown forward. Thankfully(or not), the air-bag wasn't activated.
Anyway, A suggested that F drive my car coz if the car leaks and overheats, the insurance won't cover and that'll be additional repair costs. So if it actually overheats, he'll drive to one side and get a tow truck. So A drove the blue toyota vios guy and I to his workshop @ Thomson area. Did up the paperwork (it was real smooth and professional) and by the time we finished, about 10am, there were two rental cars waiting for us downstairs. I got a green Mazda 323 while the blue vios guy got a nissan sunny. Free rental - charged to the white monster. Check out the diagram A drew of the accident (for the insurance report).
Blue vios & i literally just sat there while A took care of everything. They even offered us drinks, and when the fridge didn't have any, F ran out to buy us drinks! We just had to sign stuff and produce papers for the insurance claim. The workshop guys also helped me to move ALL my barang from my mazda to the rented car. Fwah. Very pampered! A gave me the contact for their affiliated doctor and told me if I needed to call, I'd need to give A a call to let him know and his brother will meet me there.
So after the hoohah, I drove home and took a rest. Gave Dr Yap's clinic a call and they asked me to pop by before 12.30. Ben managed to leave the office by then and drove me there. The clinic staff were all quite worried for me - said that this pregnancy very eventful - and didn't charge me for this consultation! Managed to take a peep at our lil' one... will confirm gender at the detailed scan in nov. :) Our sweetheart is alright, happily sleeping and sucking thumb while we tried probing. :D Instructed to rest - given 2 days' mc.
After that, Ben drove us back to the mechanic's to give them the car papers and ended up happily chatting. Found out ALL the four guys (Ben included) lived at the same place. So they reminisced about the past, catching spider, etc and even found out 3 out of 4 of them were from the same primary school! One guy was even Ben's classmate, but they still can't recognise each other. They only know they've got the same Primary Four form teacher, and that's the only teacher they remember. Wah. Oh, they even wrote the report FOR me, and read it out to me to verify the details. Everything sui sui!!
Somehow, instead of going back to the office, Ben ended up taking me to their GP. A and F reached there earlier although we left earlier and F even waited for us at the lift landing to tried to look out for us. When we reached the clinic, A had alredy registered for me! Because the doctor wasn't in yet, we had a bit of time to grab lunch, which was at level 4, just outside the clinic. How convenient everything was!
After lunch, we saw the doctor. Ben felt that the doctor asked more about the car than my condition. Did a thorough physical checkup and found a possible neck injury and adductor muscle pull - left groin. Have to go back on Saturday for review. Given two days' mc and instructed to rest. *If* my neck doesn't get better, I'll have to do an x-ray... which I'm seriously reluctant to do so because it may affect our lil' one.
After collecting my medication, A and F actually shook hands with us before we left! So nice! Yet so strange... Ben said he's never met mechanics so nice before. Oh. As we were waiting for the doctor, A actually showed us photocopies of 2 cheques as medical compensation as a result of car injury - $2k and $4k respectively. Anyway, just to qualify, their company also takes care of accident claims as part of their business portfolio, as well as a lot of other car-related services.
Everything seems too smooth to be real. Either they were really God's angels sent to take care of us, or could it be an orchestrated event? Any comments? (I've heard rumours of mechanics in Malaysia who 'plant' debris on roads, then when an accident happens, they appear almost immediately then get business. It's only hearsay, no evidence at all. It could be false.) We also noted that the men kept saying that business is competitive, very hard, and one of them also aired his opinion regarding insurance.
I just hope they are really God's angels, and not a conspiracy. It's just too evil if the latter were true. Anyway, I was really pampered after the accident, perhaps because they saw pregnant woman, so they're really nice lor.
Woke up on Thursday morning reluctant to go to school (because I slept late the night before and didn't have enough sleep). Yet I had to go coz I've been missing classes due to the bleeding episode. So I jokingly asked Ben if I could take MC for today and sleep in (silly talk in the morning lah...) - preferably free also. :P Guess what? I got what I wanted. But I wouldn't wish for anything like that ever. It's too high a price to pay.
Slept in for another ten minutes and changed up to leave house. I prepared myself for the long drive ahead - coffee (which worked well) and food plus worship. So as I drove, I worshiped and prayed - even asked for journey mercy because I knew the state I was in, quite risky to drive. Even told Ben jokingly earlier that I would sleep in class to make up for lost sleep so that I could survive the day, complete my research in the library and make it home safely. I had the whole day planned out.
So as I drove along the PIE towards Tuas, I made sure I kept a safe distance, maintain the speed limit and watch out for impatient vehicles swerving around. So far so good. Even as it started to drizzle. Then as I was about to exit PIE at the NTU/NIE exit, I slowed down and joined the long queue - I don't usually cut people to get ahead. The car came to a halt as I waited. I noted the car in front of me quite a while back - "Woo... nice car, brand new, white! Nice! But better don't keep so close to it."
So as the cars waited a couple of seconds in the queue, I heard a screech and a loud bang behind me. Before I could even complete wondering what it was, I was thrown forward and collided into the NICE! NEW! WHITE! car in front of me! Gosh. I kept a good distance away, yet I still hit it! Guess how far I was thrown. Sigh. Everything flew all over the place and was in a complete disarray - even I, momentarily.
When I got out of the car, the drivers in front of me and behind me also got out and assessed the damaged. We were in the extreme left lane and I walked to the shoulder lane (where I thought I'd be safe) by moving between my car and the car in front of me. On hindsight, they were TWO BAD MOVES. First, if another bozo were to hit the crash from behind, I'd lose BOTH my legs because the walking allowance between the two cars was minimal. Second, the shoulder lane is possibly as safe as standing on any one of the busy lanes on the road. To avoid the crash, people were driving/riding in the shoulder lane! Fools!
So a huge Isuzu white monster hit us from behind. The car behind me, a blue Toyota Vios, was badly damaged. The driver was mainly the one who got the monster's details who very quickly got away from the scene of the crime. "Okay lor, my truck cannot brake in time. Too slippery. Vehicle too heavy. Bill me lor." Then he drove away with a slight dent in the front bumper. We were then left to pick up the pieces on our own. Well, not really.
When I had barely gotten out of the car, a silver Mazda drove to the front of the collision and parked at the shoulder. The man (A) approached us and said that he's in this business, if we want, all three of us send our vehicles to his workshop and all claim against the monster. He got his elder brother (F) to take down the car license plates and contact details especially of the monster. The owner of the (not) NICE (anymore)! NEW! WHITE! car decided to delay sending the car in while the blue Toyota Vios (also NEW! car) decided to go ahead with their services. I had to get an ok from Ben but was slightly delayed because he was slightly held up at work. Finally he called me and spoke to A. We decided to go ahead.
A and F were very nice. REALLY nice. They are like Ah-Beng Towkays, very nice Ah-Beng Towkays. I'm not saying Ah-Beng Towkays are not nice, but they were REALLY nice. Like F - he found out I was a teacher in training, and tried to make me laugh by saying he'll be my student and a really notti one, so I can punish/hit him but he won't complain or sue me. Meant as a joke to lighten the atmosphere. I was fine. Until slightly later when I realised that my left leg was hurt - groin area. Also, the seat belt pulled against my belly as I was thrown forward. Thankfully(or not), the air-bag wasn't activated.
Anyway, A suggested that F drive my car coz if the car leaks and overheats, the insurance won't cover and that'll be additional repair costs. So if it actually overheats, he'll drive to one side and get a tow truck. So A drove the blue toyota vios guy and I to his workshop @ Thomson area. Did up the paperwork (it was real smooth and professional) and by the time we finished, about 10am, there were two rental cars waiting for us downstairs. I got a green Mazda 323 while the blue vios guy got a nissan sunny. Free rental - charged to the white monster. Check out the diagram A drew of the accident (for the insurance report).
Blue vios & i literally just sat there while A took care of everything. They even offered us drinks, and when the fridge didn't have any, F ran out to buy us drinks! We just had to sign stuff and produce papers for the insurance claim. The workshop guys also helped me to move ALL my barang from my mazda to the rented car. Fwah. Very pampered! A gave me the contact for their affiliated doctor and told me if I needed to call, I'd need to give A a call to let him know and his brother will meet me there.
So after the hoohah, I drove home and took a rest. Gave Dr Yap's clinic a call and they asked me to pop by before 12.30. Ben managed to leave the office by then and drove me there. The clinic staff were all quite worried for me - said that this pregnancy very eventful - and didn't charge me for this consultation! Managed to take a peep at our lil' one... will confirm gender at the detailed scan in nov. :) Our sweetheart is alright, happily sleeping and sucking thumb while we tried probing. :D Instructed to rest - given 2 days' mc.
After that, Ben drove us back to the mechanic's to give them the car papers and ended up happily chatting. Found out ALL the four guys (Ben included) lived at the same place. So they reminisced about the past, catching spider, etc and even found out 3 out of 4 of them were from the same primary school! One guy was even Ben's classmate, but they still can't recognise each other. They only know they've got the same Primary Four form teacher, and that's the only teacher they remember. Wah. Oh, they even wrote the report FOR me, and read it out to me to verify the details. Everything sui sui!!
Somehow, instead of going back to the office, Ben ended up taking me to their GP. A and F reached there earlier although we left earlier and F even waited for us at the lift landing to tried to look out for us. When we reached the clinic, A had alredy registered for me! Because the doctor wasn't in yet, we had a bit of time to grab lunch, which was at level 4, just outside the clinic. How convenient everything was!
After lunch, we saw the doctor. Ben felt that the doctor asked more about the car than my condition. Did a thorough physical checkup and found a possible neck injury and adductor muscle pull - left groin. Have to go back on Saturday for review. Given two days' mc and instructed to rest. *If* my neck doesn't get better, I'll have to do an x-ray... which I'm seriously reluctant to do so because it may affect our lil' one.
After collecting my medication, A and F actually shook hands with us before we left! So nice! Yet so strange... Ben said he's never met mechanics so nice before. Oh. As we were waiting for the doctor, A actually showed us photocopies of 2 cheques as medical compensation as a result of car injury - $2k and $4k respectively. Anyway, just to qualify, their company also takes care of accident claims as part of their business portfolio, as well as a lot of other car-related services.
Everything seems too smooth to be real. Either they were really God's angels sent to take care of us, or could it be an orchestrated event? Any comments? (I've heard rumours of mechanics in Malaysia who 'plant' debris on roads, then when an accident happens, they appear almost immediately then get business. It's only hearsay, no evidence at all. It could be false.) We also noted that the men kept saying that business is competitive, very hard, and one of them also aired his opinion regarding insurance.
I just hope they are really God's angels, and not a conspiracy. It's just too evil if the latter were true. Anyway, I was really pampered after the accident, perhaps because they saw pregnant woman, so they're really nice lor.
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