Life without maid

Took leave today to send the maid back to her hometown. It was not a pleasant sight this morning. The maid refused to go back and asked repeatedly for a transfer despite the fact that I had already cancelled her work permit and bought the air tickets. I had no choice but to confront her with her stealing and told her it's either she goes home or I report her to the police. She was shocked that we knew about it. Oh please, keeping quiet doesn't mean we don't know. When things start to disappear at home, who is the first person we will suspect? Given her so many chances and yet she continued to do it. I felt betrayed as I really treated her well - gave her off day when she was not entitled to, 17 days of home leave instead of the usual 14, had the same food when we go out for dinner...She knew she was wrong as she apologised and cried, agreeing to be sent back.

now that the maid had gone back. Mom had to do the household work herself. Fortunately, I just enrolled Xavier to full day childcare. Instead of alternate nights, I'll be bringing the kids back home every night. Yes, I have the luxury of my mom helping to look after my kid on sun, tue and thur nites. But I'm not complaining as it is my duty to do so. The worst nightmare is ironing. Usually I'll bring my clothes to mom's house for the maid to iron the clothes. Oh no! now i have to do it myself until the new maid comes. Also asked mom not to cook during this period as it is very tedious for her to cook and wash after that. Being the typical good wife and mom, she will still try to cook for the whole family whenever possible. I think I have better choose a maid and quickly get her to start work. Mom is getting old and with high blood pressure, better not load her with the housework.

Port Dickson

Yeah, we'll be taking another short trip this coming June holidays. This time it's gonna be a huge group. My own family (4), Dad and Mom (2), Leng's family (4), Brenda's family (3) and Father-in-law's family (3), total 16 of us. the destination is port dickson. Have very high expectation of the accomodation booked because it looked really nice on the website (http://www.thistle.com/en/hotels/malaysia/port_dickson/thistle_port_dickson/rooms_and_suites/index.html) so it better be GOOD!

Piano Grade One Exam Results

En took her grade one exams on 17th March. On the day after her exams, I asked her how did she fare, she answered me 'Ok'. Hmm...I always worry when she gives me this kind of answer. YP was very confident she will do well, judging from her daily practice of the pieces. She had to play 3 pieces for the exam - Gavot, Trudging & Never vex a T-Rex.

Few afternoons ago, her piano teacher, Teacher Stefan smsed yp to congratulate Yu En for passing with distinctions! She received her official results today and we are all happy that her hard work really paid off. She scored full marks for 2 items and near full marks for the other 3 items. But she did very badly her sight reading so she will need to brush up on that.

One thing I do regret is not starting her early on piano. Many kids are already at grade 2 or 3 at her age. Nevertheless, I am still proud of her and it's better late then never. Grade 2, here En comes...

Interesting Conversation With the Little Boy

Mummy: Daddy, pls come to the room now
Xavier : Mummy, not daddy, he's 'lao gong'

faintz...

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Mummy: (slams the door after taking something from the cupboard)
Xavier : mummy, so loud! Let me show you (gently closed the cupboard door).ok?

faintz...

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Jie Jie: (telling daddy how boys bully her at school) I hate boys!
Xavier: (overheard jie jie) I hate girls!

faintz....

Bull Frog Farm

It was the school term break. I took leave on Wednesday to bring the kids to the Jurong Frog Farm at Karnji Countryside. It was a long journey there. YP dropped us at Novena Square. We had some breakfast and bought some snacks before taking MRT to Kranji MRT station where there's a shuttle bus to the different farms at Kranji Countryside. We wanted to go Hay Dairies Goat Farm first but apparently there was a routine check by the AVA and the goats were quarantined so we went straight to the frog farm. We joined the tour conducted and cost $2.50 per person. It was pretty interested seeing the big frogs, tadpoles and frog eggs. The kids didn't dare to touch the frogs, hmmm...thought they were daring and adventurous enough to try. I wanted to bring them to the Hausmann aquarium but it was quite late and past lunch time. I decided to bring them to Northpoint and also meet 'gor gor' ah yee and the 2 gor gors for lunch. After lunch, we took a straight bus from yishun back to home. The bus was like a suana as the aircon broke down and it was a hot day. The kids were so tired that they fell asleep despite the high temperature. It was such a big relief when we alighted, it was so much cooler outside. It was a fun day and the kids really enjoy themselves. Hope to bring them there again, especially to visit the goat farm if the check is over.

Pandan Chiffron Cake

Recently I had this craze for baking. So far I tried jelly hearts, moist steamed chocolate cake, chocolate macadamia cookies and pineapple tarts. Today, I had a go at baking pandan chiffron cake. I used the recipe from baking mum's website. It was a success except I was quite impatient when removing the cake from the tin and hence the 'ugly' cake. My hubby said it was nice but I didn't trust him as his answers are always 'politically correct' answers. Maybe I will let my family members or colleagues try it out. They always give me truthful feedback. The next dish I'm going to try is either mango swiss roll or luncheon meat puff (i happen to buy one from breadtalk and it was nice, so decided to bake it myself).

CNY 2009

This year's CNY came and went fast and furious. Everyday (except working day) was fully packed with lunches, dinners and house visiting.

Chu Yi

We slept late on eve and woke up at 10am. The kids were very excited to wear their new clothes. Every year without fail we would visit mum first. The moment Xavier received his ang baos, he refused to part with it as I wanted to keep them for him. Then we had dim sum lunch at Ah Yat in Allson hotel with my in laws. Maybe due to the bad times, many restaurants were open on the first day of CNY as compared to last year. After lunch they came to mum house and start the black jack session and it lasted for 3 hours. Amazing! This year is really not a lucky year for me, lost everytime I gamble, even yp has better luck. Last stop for the day, dinner at godma's house. The kids were so happy to gather and have fun together with all the older gor gors and jie jies to entertain them. When we left at 11pm, we realised that the night was still young (only for CNY), we decided to have a mahjong session back at mum's place. Half way through the game, I was losing quite a bit and being 'kia su', I got YP to replace me. Luckily he managed to win a teeny bit at the end. My saviour!

Chu Er

Every year, mum would do the lunch on the 2nd day of CNY. Her house would be packed with goodies and people. This year I managed to order dim sum buffet for her. We had a great time chatting and eating. Next, we went to sis-in-law's house and they were entertaining my bro-in-law's colleagues. Did not spend much time there as we felt a bit out of place. We headed for cousin ah nee's house which is just nearby. Another gambling session after dinner. This time it is 'in-between' and all of 13 of us were so high during the game especially when the pool of money grew. Our voice were hoarse at the end of the game. Dad being a gambler only joined in when the pool of money grew beyond $50. Han Jie was considered the unluckiest when he had 'A's for all 3 cards. Ha ha what are the chances! Luckily the minimum bet was 50cents. It was a great game!

Chu San

My company shutted down on this day. With nothing to do, I invited my cousins over for lunch. After that, my sis and dad stayed behind for a mahjong session again. When YP came back from work, he couldn't resist and insisted I gave up the seat for him. I was winning lor!

CNY was always great fun even when I'm into the 36th year now! Really hope the year of Ox will be a good year and economy will improve!