Yes, I admit

that I'm into a new indulgence recently.
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Admiring pretty girl and a few handsome hunks at the same time;
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I'm watching a latest Taiwanese drama - Momo Love (桃花小妹), what were you thinking?
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What are the possibilities

of us mostly working overseas in the future?

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VERY HIGH I believe.
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Just like what many of our Malaysian neighbors did. Most of them are traveling to & fro Singapore every day to work and return at the end of the day back to Johor Bahru. Such arrangement is a daily affair for them and for the sake of livelihood, they have accepted this as their way of life.
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What about Singaporeans? Are we as adaptable as our Malaysian neighbors? Will we be able to survive when we have to move out of our comfort zone to work in an all foreign land?
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I've given this topic enough thoughts whenever I commute to and fro work everyday and am convinced that "THE DAY" will come eventually, as Singapore loses her growth within her island and we needed growth to keep us in a job. I'm certain if not me and hubby, our offspring will hop on to work overseas eventually.
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The opening of ASEAN via a common rail link and especially linking to China (the next BIG BROTHER) through the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link (SKRL) 泛亚铁路 which was first proposed by Asean in 1995 is firm affirmation of ease of transfer.
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Reports on the rail link project have quoted:
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The SKRL is a flagship project of the ASEAN-Mekong Basin Development Cooperation (AMBDC). This regional railway line, spanning some 5,000 kilometers (3,000 miles) from Singapore to the Chinese city of Kunming, would be a very efficient and most economical mode of cross-border cargo transportation. However, the project has been hindered by a lack of funds and other technical issues in connecting the rail to major towns across the region. The project also includes constructing railway stations and related infrastructure, and has been estimated to cost US$15 billion (€12.5 billion). ASEAN hopes the link will be ready by 2015.
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With such a scale of work being done on a national level to join up via the rail link, the railway project is expected to better bind the economies of the region and provide southern China with easier access to ASEAN markets. It is evident for the folks like us too; to provide easier access for us living in the south to go into China.
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Does making changes

to our present home decor makes us live and feel even better?

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I was browsing a few sites recently to draw ideas especially those for decorating a boy's room. I'm so enticed to get it going at home...........except that I'm trying to go for Oriental Style, my favorite all time classic look in a boy's room.....hmmmm....Challenging......
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What are the biggest struggles

faced by everyone?

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I think it's effective communication; the frequency and quality of it, probably is the most important factor in making a relationship work. Communicating each others' needs, fears, hopes, happiness and everything else under the sun, over the sea.
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The real problem is not when you have problems communicating. It's when you don't even feel like communicating at all already, that's the REAL problem.
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Well, it's not as if our household lies with communication problem but there's still many elements of the lack of it towards the other members of the family as the years goes. It'll better be improved than left for natural death.
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Everyone needn't to be a gem to someone; just don't be the dirt instead.
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Someone else once told me that maintaining a good relationship is like the ducks. They look completely calm and unruffled on the surface, but underneath the water, they're paddling furiously to stay afloat.
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I so so seriously agree.
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our past weekend

comes and goes in a wink.

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I remember there I was, on a afternoon half day leave last Friday to meet dear husband up for our afternoon appointment with the spa operator.
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Then the next moment, we are facing Saturday. We met our financial advisor in the morning and took hiatus to recuperate/rest at home the rest of our Saturday (as our family are still nursing our health; some recovering from cough and one from stomach flu)
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On Sunday, we spent the morning at dear son's favorite haunt, the Singapore Zoo. The weather took a turn by late morning and we were forced to leave the place much earlier than anticipated.
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On the journey home, we stopped by McDonald's as dear son had requested to eat hamburger at Mac for lunch. Since we're also nearby the Cold Storage, the adults took the opportunity to buy some grocers at the supermart in preparation for the day's dinner later.
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When we arrive home, we were very surprised to find our dear neighbour hosting their newborn daughter's full month celebration outside at our corridors.
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Gosh, we thought we forgotten about the event but alias, it was our neighbor's intend to notify us on the day of event. Phew! It was really a surprise and fortunately for the adults, we have not taken our lunch hence the buffet spread was just right on the spot.
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While we enjoy our food, we allowed dear son to enjoy and play with the children at our neighbor's place. By late afternoon, most of the guest had left and we had to usher dear son home (at his reluctance) for his delayed afternoon nap. Kiet slept until we woke him for dinner time; while Mummy busied herself in the house with chores and dinner preparation earlier. Sunday evening was rest and to calm ourselves as the new week is about to start tomorrow!
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Did I make the right

choice to place dear son in a full day childcare when he turned 22 months while the maid is ushered back to Indon; and the grandparents were left to while away their time freely?

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The Rewards?................Awww, our household is by far coping well, work and time management wise and we have better adjusted to the daycare routine on top of the changes in our lives but the seniors instead of turning better are wasting towards the senile route.......when it was actually meant good; for them to have it easier in their lifestyle by having more "ME" time in their lifes.

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At most times even till this day, YES, I strongly felt that the daycare decision made at that time was a good one. Our little child needed to be trained about being independent and plus the introduction of routine in a daycare environment, there's more discipline and order hence more good rather than bad (this, is besides the part about falling sick).

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On the other hand, it was sort of a mistake to leave the seniors too FREE to themselves. While they choose not to contribute anymore to the labour force (which over the long run will make them monetarily insecured) , it is more appropriate to keep them agile and alert by leaving them in charge of some 'duties' in order to keep their minds occupied and responsive (this, is besides the part about letting them feel lonely or useless).

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Having despite give thought about all these, it seems that these thoughts are worthless as I'm in no position to make any correction or improvement to it. It's not as easy as using a correction tape to put a stop to certain things; that have already developed to this point and at this stage.

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The personalities in this domestic drama also needed to pick up and move on with life that is meaningful to them. External and people factors cannot help when the seniors themselves had chosen to close their mental door. In fact, who can to be blamed for all this?

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This similarly 100-episode domestic opera is demoralising to continue watching and all that I can comment, is that certain things just needed to BE MANAGED instead of leaving it as it is. By choosing to drop the matter, it's a CHOICE that was made irreversible.

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Nevertheless, I'm super glad little boy has grown tremendously over the years and learnt a lot from the daycare peers and teachers. While for the end note - Save for one, I'll never allow myself to pass my life such as the living seniors did - WASTE IT.

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Caro...opppss no, Coraline

it is.

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I got the opportunity to watch the animated stop-motion movie "Coraline" yesterday while nursing myself at home in the afternoon.

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It was a lovely fantasy film I must say, for someone who have no expection of the film so to speak. I watched it with an open mind and it did work it's purpose for me - entertained.

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I liked the part of the movie about the "Other World" and "Other Parents". I remember also fantasizing for such another world when I was a little girl but of course, as a grown up now, we know it's impossible and probably that's why, as a mother to a 4-year old now, I'll try to give and provide my boy 'the best' - I guess it's to make up for the missing link I experienced when I was a child.

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Well for those movie junkie who likes light-hearted fantasy films, this stop-motion film is a must watch!

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Hmmmm.....my turn

to be rather under the weather.

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It turned out that the cough I'm experiencing since last Wednesday is caused by infection as my family doctor had advised this morning.

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So am going to be confined at home for the next 2 days serving up mostly the cough syrup, flu and anti-botic tablets.

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Hopefully I get well soon so I can be kicking this coming weekend!

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PT Helper

Should I engage a PT helper to assist me with general household on the weekends?
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The present one actually got 'sacked' by me unofficially since I've not contacted her for any job for the past 4 weekends. It's quite nothing actually but I felt that a PT worker cannot stay with the same household for too long. The work standard will deteriorate over time since the PT worker gets too familiar and cozy with the people at home.
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I've been managing the household as much as I can independently. Not that I hate housework, it's just that I've more important things to do compared to spending hours keeping the toilets and the windows spick and span. With a growing child on top of managing a working life, priorities have changed and the focus should be more of constructive work than being passive.
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I'll flip a few contacts and prayers shall be answered.
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On Saturday

we woke up and went to meet dear son's paternal grandparents for breakfast before all headed home to take a rest.

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Apparently the parents had caught cough virus somewhere out there and are both nursing their throat as much as possible, drinking the cough syrup then lie flat to sleep, wake up, drink "Liang Teh" and lie back to sleep again.

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Mummy is slightly better - she has been burying her head in the household chores despite nursing her rather itchy throat.

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In the late afternoon, we pulled ourselves off the bed and headed to Uncle Larry's place as the gang had planned for BBQ session in the evening as part of a surprise for Aunty Hong. We arrived at Uncle Larry's place and first got "L" rinsed before we washed up to join the rest at the pit.

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We barbequed and ate our food before retreating to the function room for cool atmosphere coupled with coffee and chit chat. The children were very delighted to have a small corner of the room to play with their mini-cars as the adults enjoyed the cozy gather.

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By quarter past 9pm, we prepared to give the birthday lady our surprise! We got the cake ready and switched off the light. Then, we sang the birthday song.........to the surprise of the birthday girl Aunty Hong....

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Yes, Aunty Hong was definitely delighted that evening as she did not expect a surprise 'party' thrown for her birthday. We did not even notify Uncle How (her hubby) in advance as we afraid that he'll leak out the 'secret mission'. So in the end, it turned out very well as we anticipated.

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Everyone enjoyed the coffee cake and the additional 'kink' of the night, with honey wine. It was really a sumptuous Saturday night and opppsss......Daddy and Mummy is supposed to nurse both their throats isn't it. Heh heh.......luckily we made sure that Sunday is a must-rest day for all of us.

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Depression or Acceptance?

How about Depression vs Acceptance instead?
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Uncle Mike's

"THIS IS IT", the ill-fated concert that will never ever be brought to the audiences, was instead put together into a film by Kenny Ortega (famed choreographer, producer, director with many works to his credit) and all that behind the scenes footage work-pieces are scheduled to screen for 2 weeks ONLY - limited period all around the world.

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In Singapore starting (Thursday) 29 Oct 2009, all major local cinemas will commence screening of the movie titled "Michael Jackson's: THIS IS IT".

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Although I cannot claim myself as a die-hard fan of Michael Jackson, I do enjoy listening to his dance hits very much.

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Especially now that he is no longer alive and I'll never have the opportunity again to watch his concerts, I simply cannot let myself miss this opportunity to be able to watch him do his magic on-stage in the theatres.

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Official website for more details? Go to http://thisisit-movie.com.sg/
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Yup, this picture definitely best illustrates the feeling that I'm going through for the past several weeks.
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Why do I feel this way and where am I heading to? I need to find an answer to my question mark!
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weekend

just passed again like that in 2 days.

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Saturday was meet maternal grandma day as we've not seen each other for a long time. Hence Mummy planned to check out Pasir Ris Park on Saturday morning for a good morning workout before heading to IKEA Tampines for a visit but the weather had to fail us. Dark clouds started looming the moment we stepped out of our house. It rained by late morning and lasted until the early afternoon.
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With outdoor plans dashed, we ate our breakfast in Pasir Ris and took hiatus at IKEA Tampines right after filling our tummies.
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IKEA was not crowded that Saturday and we enjoyed the abundance of space around us; be it parking or walking room. It also happen to be Daddy and Kiet's maiden trip to IKEA in Tampines so to commemorate their maiden trip there, we decided to withdraw Kiet's smalish dollars and redeemed each of them a red smales lanyard. Both of them were very pleased with their 'gifts', flaunting by wearing on their neck besides coincidentally wearing yellow t-shirts!
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Not until the lunch hour struck, the restaurant started to pack with more people. Unlike the Alexandra branch, this restaurant is still comfy to walk about despite the building crowd.
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After paying for our purchase, we headed to their restaurant to bite some snacks - what is going to IKEA without at least eating their famous meatballs and fried chicken wings yeah?
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By the time we finished our lunch at late 2ish, we decided to head home as Kiet showed signs of tiredness and Daddy also needed a nap since he didn't sleep well the night before.
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So IKEA, we'll come back the next time. Need to drop maternal grandma home before reaching ours! Just after dropping my grandma, Mummy announced that we're driving over to Kiet's paternal grandparents' because he was staying over for Saturday night.
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Yipee!! Dear son is the most happy child as he had missed his freedom at paternal grandparents'. Everyone there will give in to him and attend to his every beck and call. Why not? Compared to the strict discipline at home, paternal grandparents' place will be his heaven! Moreover, Aunty Peggy is also around to play with him!
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So, what are the parents up to without the boy? Head out for food definitely!
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The parents hopped on Daddy's motorbike and headed to Bukit Timah hawker for some local favourites. The place is always packed with a lot of cars waiting to find a parking lot hence is a fuss to go there by cars. With no kid in tow, that evening was the best opportunity for the duo to dine at the hawker centre. After dinner, the night was while away watching the movie "The Proposal" in the comfort of our humble abode apart from meddling with some other nitty gritties.
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Sunday kick off at 10am since the parents had a late night before. The plan was to eat dim sum breakkie at Chinatown before heading to the wet market for some exotic purchases.
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No, don't get us wrong, not those "exotic toys" but exotic meat we're buying that morning; Fresh crocodile and frog meat from the wet market there.
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We've heard somewhere from someone (can't exactly recall who it was but was an elderly Cantonese lady) that giving crocodile meat to the young can help in blood circulation while frog meat is high in protein and is good nutrition to the "leg" muscles. This believe is probably more popular among the Cantonese race as they are known to be experts in the field of tonics or those nutritional double-boiled soups.
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Well, better believe the older generations as they cannot be too wrong since they have used their traditional remedy or formula in raising smart and healthy children. Yup, so there we are, shopping for the meat to try on at home.
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After marketing, it was time to pick our dear son from his paternal grandparents' home for afternoon nap. Don't forget Mummy needs time (for a first timer) to prepare the fresh frog meat for dinner later!
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On mid-autumn festival

the family stayed home to recuperate from the stomach flu episode that got the whole family ill since the mid-week.

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It started with dear son. He came home from school one evening with wobbly feeling in his tummy and the next thing that happened got Mummy on high alert - He vomitted. Apparently, he had gotten himself a mild stomach flu.
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The school had informed Daddy during pickup time that dear son vomited after tea time and once he arrived home, he was seen heading to the toilet.
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Imagine the next thing to happen, the adults had to take turns babysitting him at home. Besides, he will have to spend Children's Day nursing his health instead of heading out for a movie or outdoor fun. The ending, the adults get his stomach flu, one after another recovers. Gosh, how eventful.
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Hence, as sort of a compensation for the Children's Day fun, the Mid-Autumn Saturday evening (hopefully) promises to entertain. The family brought tickets for the Telok Blangah zone lantern fest activity organized by the zone committees. At 6pm sharp, we hopped onto a chartered bus that was arranged at our neighbourhood to pick all resident participants to the activity site. My few little neighbour friends Chloe mei mei and Jeremiah ti ti (plus their family of course) also joined in the activity out of fun.
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The bus alighted all the passengers nearby the event site (gathered under a HDB block) because the committee had arranged for participants to parade carrying their lanterns. Well, due to a perpetual drizzle throughout Saturday, we were prep with ponchos before the lantern walk parade kick-off.

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When we finally arrive at the event site amidst the drizzle, eager crowd are seen storming to the stalls housed under several tentages, busy distributing goodie bags, pomelos, popcorns, cotton candies etc. For us with children, we quickly found several chairs and settle ourselves at a corner shop-front nearby the center stage.

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We distributed our job, some adults were in charge of taking care of the children while Mummy collected everyone's tickets to exchange for goodie bags and drop off the lucky draw tickets.

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Stage performances started quite shortly after settling down. There were singing, dancing and skid brought to the audiences by Health Promotion Board. The little children were so enticed by the dance and children gathering under the stage that they too, joined in the fun.

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Oh, not forgetting Minister Lim Hng Kiang joined everyone at the event! The committee arranged for Lion dance performance (lasting about 20 minutes) and that kept everyone in high spirit, feeling very entertained.

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The last excitement definitely comes from the lucky draw. As a first-timer to a mass event, we were rather lucky to win ourselves a 9th prize - an electric mini cooker. Perhaps first-timer's luck!

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So next up activity is to plan for steamboat gathering? Hee......*wink wink*....

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Wooaa oooohhh

Mummy almost stumbled off from where she was sitting after chancing upon a piece of news today titled "Time to redo your sums ".

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It's a piece of news regarding financial projection and a 'reminder' to people of how much the costs of education be in years to come.

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This is such a discouragement news to eager parents. Already facing tremendous stress from different sources such as social and work places, modern dwellers are on top of all slapped with even more financial strain.

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Looking at the projected figures published, how could anyone be convinced to plan for more children? The figures are already mentally discouraging!

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Happy Children's Day

Yeap, it's Children's Day yesterday here on 1 October 2009 but this year's spent differently unlike the one last year.

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Dear son skipped daycare since Wednesday as he was nursing a bad phelmy cough and a mild stomach flu. He simply caught the virus without any reason, leaving the parents puzzled and tired taking care of him for several days and ended getting his virus too.
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After few days of confinement at home, Mummy brought him out on Friday for fresh air and breakfast at his favorite bakery house located in Holland-V. It was daycare closure day and Mummy had took leave to spend time with him. Daddy wasn't around as he had reported to work.
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His appetite had returned as he chomped a whole wassant and half of Mummy's ham sandwich besides asking for a cup of milo.
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Mummy had originally intend to bring her boy to a morning movie "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs" but if not for catching the stomach flu from her dear son on Thursday night, the movie date would have realized on Friday morning.
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Never mind for not watching the movie, the day was somehow compensated by a dinner at Mache in Vivocity with Mummy's classmates.
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Dear son was treated to a scoop of movenpick choco ice-cream by Uncle Chia, for finishing his dinner and being well-behaved that evening.
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Uncle Chia is one children lover (amongst the group of us) that he even took care of entertaining dear son at Timezone. The duo had a jolly wild good time gaming at the amusement facility!
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The group then call the night off after a cuppa coffee at Starbucks after meal. Oh, how about Daddy? Well, it was his turn busy nursing his stomach flu and fever virus at home!
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