The nice rebel rabbit

Have faith, Be brave

2011-12-31T17:23:00.003+08:00

Today is the last day of 2011.
I have more than once told people around me that I wished this year would go by quicker. No, I'll give this year a missed even. However, if I know that I am created in the image of my God that in His hands that all things He had created is good and beautiful, then this year 2011 (my miserable year) that sat on His laps, must be good and beautiful, perhaps not that I could see now but in His time.
As how it should be and I must always remember, is to Give thanks for this year. I thank God for a wonderful family - a loving and supportive Aung that braved the storms and basked in the sunshine with me. I thank God for the gift of Maoster that this year as he turns 5, he continues to be a source of joy and happiness and inspiration. I thank God for the strong community in church that I serve along, a group of brethren that truly became family not by our mouth we proclaimed to be but bonded in our hearts that we know the genuine love, care and support that flows so generously from each one. I cannot thank God enough for these people in my life. I thank God for the work that he has placed me to be in - I found passion in teaching and love in abundance from the students. I know that I may not be very happy with management or how sometimes I feel discouraged that teaching is not part of my KPI ( that is another interesting topic that I do not want to discuss further), but the exchange of lives, trust and knowledge and building bridges and homes in someone's heart is something that I thank God for, being in such priviledge, in this job I have come to do and love. In this job I found colleagues-turned friends that made my job such a pleasurable one.
I thank God for friends, the "bestest" of them all to the ones that we seldom meet (but regularly on FB and blogs). The bible records of so many incidents where a friend is well loved and important and so I thank God for all of you.
And as how it goes, with thanksgiving - I seek forgiveness. For the trespasses that I have done, for the words that I may have said that caused hurt, for the things that I should have done but have not done, for the kindness that I didn't display, the tenderness that I omitted and forgive me if I wasn't there for you. Forgive all my selfish and jealous thoughts and how sometimes my heart could be so small and tiny. Forgive me if I had said I would stay in touch and didn't or if I said I'll pray for you but I've forgotten. Forgive me if I have placed my needs above others and that I haven't cared for the poor, the widowed, the orphan, the cold and the hungry.

This year I experienced one miscarriage and one ectopic pregnancy. Both crushed me to the depth of misery and pain. With it, I cancelled two holiday trips and I was filled with anger and frustrations namely with God and myself. I felt I haven't deserve it all, I was serving, I was loving and I was good.
God spoke to me. He told me to be patient. He lets me see that it is not through my works and most important that He is in control. He feels my pain and he weeps with me. That I should love not the gifts but the giver of gifts. Isn't He good enough for me? Isn't He enough for me? Isn't he the sole purpose of my living and my purpose is in Him. I do not subscribe to a name it -claim it theology and God is not a cosmic vending machine. Jesus suffered when he came on earth and he was spat, mocked and crucified but there was meaning in his suffering and he said on the eve of his crucification ," Father , if it is your will, take this cup away from me; nevertheless not my will but yours, be done." This is a beautiful reminder that I shall not seek my will but His will that although in my life, I may face trials and tribulations and that I may feel sad and pain and walk through the valley of death but my Lord whom my faith is on, will lead me through. I need to trust and obey and know that my tomorrows are in His hands. I am in good hands.

A close friend of mine, wrote me a card on Christmas Day. It ended with Have faith, be brave. How apt and this describes my outlook for 2012. Faith in our Lord that he is good in all circumstances, in all seasons and bravery, oh how badly I needed it - courage to walk this journey on earth.
For 2012, I pray that the Lord continues to work in my life and those that I love. That everyday I will demonstrate the obedience, the faith, the joy, the love for our Lord and be a better person.

And, if I loses faith and bravery...... please hold my hands and pray with me.

I can't wait for 2012 because I know my Lord is with me and so are you. Have a great year ahead, eat well, sleep well, live well, love well. See you all in 2012.

Beautiful Boracay

2011-12-16T16:32:00.004+08:00

White fine sand. Clear blue sea. White fluffy clouds. Deep blue sky.
It seems like this is paradise on earth. I believe that the new world would be even more glorious than this. Beautiful Boracay! Our God is a wonderful painter and a romantic at heart. He is a musician that orchestrated every note that comes with the crashing waves. I am in deeply, madly, insanely in love.

Impulsive purchase

2011-11-17T16:29:00.005+08:00

I know... I know..... such stuff only happens to me. Thinking is overrated.

Screaming, I must be crazy!

2011-11-14T19:31:00.004+08:00

Who could it be?

In a dream I saw on a land- Tall, strong, huge, must be a man.

This man (so I assumed!), was in such a rush, loading up jars and jars of “I don’t know what”.

Looking over his shoulders once in a while, anxious if anyone would know, or tell or be caught!

I followed, I mean, I must! A man so sneaky could not be up to any sort of good.

I was quiet, all nimble and quick, and I thank God for my winter hood.

I waited for my chance, the time that he would depart from his precious jars, so firmly on the ground I stood!

I pry open the lid of one of the jars, warm gushes of wind rushes out. It smells of fresh flowers, (of Magnolias, Roses and Violets!), it smells of glorious fields in spring that no longer existed. Only buildings sprung out from fields, a new kind of weed that were strong and persisted.

Next up, was a jar almost overflowing (to the brim!, Lucky I was careful!), with water that was warm and comfy. I almost tasted, if not for the label as I was feeling rather naughty.

Collected from all over the world (even from 2 blocks from home) - the boy with Aids, the girl that can’t see, the uncle that just can’t relate.

It came from the baby that had nothing to eat and the mother that was unreasonably sacked. It came from the soldier that was shot and came from the boy that lacked.

These were precious and could fetch a high price in the market, for tears that were wiped are hard to come by.

We have to survive, there’s no time for tears at least not for these few years, at least that’s what I hear.

Next up was a really huge jar – I had a hard time peering in without crashing in. What precious loot! A collectors’ item they were for sure, if I cared a hoot!

My eyes lit as I read a few pieces of notes that were written in there! A lost and found counter inside a jar! That was just too tough to comprehend.

A man wanted to find his voice – he couldn’t stand being shouted around. A teen lost her chastity – the uncle, her mom brought home apparently treated her as one of his own. An old man was looking for his pride, a maid was looking for rest. An orphan was looking for God from above, not afraid of being reprimand.

I rushed to the jar nearest to my right. I didn’t have time and I was in such a fright. The last jar I opened was cute and small – it contained laughter of children below four. Oh, the chuckles, the giggles, the hooplas and cheer, it instantly loosened up my rather tight jaw.

Who was the man? How did he do it? He had stolen these treasures that all of us neglected.

He took the smell that belonged to the fields and exchanged flowers with towers and no one refuses.

He stole the tears that were scarce to be found, stored them and simply ignored them. Maybe he was hoping someday, it will come, when tears would be in fashion, a gem!

He knows all those who are missing stuff and are praying earnestly and he piles their requests without lending a hand, such integrity! And to think he camouflaged all the laughter of the children and hide them and made them unaware of such power.

I grew red in anger, I was going crazy. Of such crimes, such audacity! Who could it be that had gone scot free? He better not be caught, he better flee.

I went down the list of people I know, and I asked each time, I paused and wonder could it be you?

The above was an entry that I sent in for a Human Rights Writing competition. I dunno why but I am feeling rather embarrassed by this act. Honestly, I think they might be laughing at my juvenile attempt of writing. But... I only live once, so this is my shot.

Screaming... I must be crazy now! But the sent button has been hit!

PS: If it sucks, don't tell me. I cannot live with such humiliation ha ha ha

What's your cross?

2011-08-11T17:12:00.005+08:00

Last Sunday during Church service, Maoster asked me why the cross in church is a t. I was rather puzzled why he asked me. I told him that all crosses are t. I even went an extra mile to explain to him about how it was made with 2 planks of wood and how Jesus sacrificed himself. Upon listening to my explanation, I thought that he would have seen the light and think of his mother as a student on the Dean's list. Alas,he looked more perplexed.

He pressed on, and said, " but Mummy, the cross in my school is a X. I was really scratching my head, as his school was also a church and I got really confused. I asked him if he was sure, he said," Yes, Mummy, really, in Bethesda, my school, the cross is a X.

During times like this, when all things fail, Aung has the solution. I mean, Mister know it all solved the mystery. He asked his son, if he meant, in his homework. A cross is an X. And, of cos, everything falls into place. World peace.

I was highly amused (as always) by the things that goes in my son's mind. It's amazing the things he thinks and the things he say.

Few days later, as I recall this incident, I am somewhat reminded of the "cross story". I mean, what comes to your mind, when we say, what is a cross?

The love of the cross, the mercy of the cross, the grace of the cross.
The cross that crosses out all the cross in our lives.

A song for the winter season

2011-07-22T11:00:00.003+08:00

"Blessings"

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are your mercies in disguise

Road to recovery

2011-06-29T09:32:00.006+08:00

I walked a mile with Pleasure;
She chatted all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And ne'er a word said she;
But, oh! The things I learned from her,

When sorrow walked with me.

by Robert Browning Hamilton

Winter has arrived

2011-06-27T16:51:00.007+08:00

It feels like I a won a lottery, but the winnings dated last week.
It feels like a child who was being sent for detention class for something she not done.
It feels like I had all the ingredients to cook a splendid meal but the gas ran out.
It feels like I did a wonderful painting but someone jerked my hand and made me draw out of line.
It feels like I bought the most wonderful dress to find out that there was a tear somewhere.
It feels like that time I bought a pair of shoes and the shop assistant packed 2 left shoes into the box.
It feels like I went to the prom wearing exactly the same dress as someone else.
It feels like I handed up an exam paper to realise I missed a page out of the paper.
It feels like I brought all my swimming gears out and suddenly it rained cats and dogs despite reading the weather forecast.
It feels like making a presentation to your bosses and no one informed you the topic has been changed.
It feels like all your public holidays falls on Saturdays and there is no possibility of a long weekend.
It feels like you signed up for a class at 33 to realize that is class is actually meant for kids age 4 and below.
It feels like you are in the toilet gossiping about your boss and she is at the next cubicle without you knowing.
It feels like you have a tummy ache when you are in the middle of Little India.
It feels like they read your name wrongly when you go upon the stage to get your award.
It feels like the man you are marrying happened to be your enemy's son that happened to have slept with your mother before.
It feels like you are in the toilet and the toilet has no toilet paper and you didn't realized it.
It feels like you needing to pee and the queue at the toilets seems alike the gift wrapping queues during Christmas season.
It feels as if you went to the airport to realize that you forgot to apply for visa and couldn't fly.
It feels like your fly was down and the whole world knew except you.

You understand what I am feeling?

Single-minded

2011-05-31T16:53:00.003+08:00

In the name of defending the nation's highest security, Aung has been called to answer this highest calling.
For 3 weeks, he has to be at the army's beck and call - it used to be only beck's call. He is attached to the weirdest unit whereby he only gets to come back home say, noon or evening of Saturdays.

I wonder what got into me when I told my mom that I would move back home for 3 weeks in the name of allowing Maoster to sleep in during the hols, me not needing to beat the traffic in the wee morning and to spend some time with my mother - some mother/daughter bonding.

Gosh, this is week 2 and I am miserable. My mother treats me like a 5 year old, asking me everything that has happened in the day, complain to me about every single thing and basically open her world that seems to run like 7-eleven. I don't mean to sound like a ^&^&^%^$ daughter but over the years, I realised there is something rather precious termed "space" that does not exist back at home.

I suddenly started thinking of how life would be if I were a widow. Do I have to move back home? Do I have to read all of Maoster's bed time stories? Do I need to bring Maoster to his errands and classes and roam endless for 2 hours till he is done. What about vacations? Where do I bring Maoster alone? You mean the milk is out? You mean we need to renew the car's insurance package? My turn again to wake up to pee my boy every single night or he will wet the bed. The to do list of a widow. Yucks!

Initially I found my new found "alone" to be an adventure. I feel rather great, like a grown up having to do things on my own. Taking responsibilities and taking care of the weak. I realized such superheroes duties are not fun on a daily basis.

Thoughts then went to friends whose husbands travel frequently. Thoughts went to friends whose husbands are unwell and couldn't be the pillar of support. Thoughts went to friends whose husbands are deceased. How does these women survive? I feel like a loser. It's only 3 weeks and I feel miserable. I feel that tsunami has hit my shores. I don't think I can be "single-minded" any longer. Am the only one that feels this way? You leh?

The way boys shop

2011-04-01T14:17:00.005+08:00

I have this problem with shopping with my boys. It is always darn boring. I went Sim Lim once with my Aung - that experience was never repeated. He would look at EVERYTHING, even if they are same items. He would excitedly tell me this printer would be like this and that ram is like that and I really died on the spot.

Yesterday I had a chance to shop with Mao (window of course) and with time to kill before our movie, I brought him to the departmental store. He is just like his dad. He looked at EVERY toy and describes to me every single thing it is there. It was both cute and highly irritating at the same time.

I captured a video of him looking at his toys - what you are going to see is only 2 minutes. I was at the store with him for 45 minutes and he goes on and on and on. I particularly like the last part when he said, "We think about it". That's so Aung as well.

Shop with the boys? No way! I need my girlfriends and our shopping are definitely much more interesting!

感动

2011-03-29T18:10:00.004+08:00

My form class is graduating this April. They have finished the race and have all completed the exams and I am proud to say that I have 100% passing rate for my class. Towards my class, I have this strange attachment and love. It's like suddenly I have 35 children that I would learn to know them by their characteristics, personalities, background and strangely, I have over time, developed"maternal" instincts towards all of them.

The class had a mini farewell chalet last week. We played crazy card games, catch up on what they did after the exams. We exchanged gossips on what's happening to who and what and we laughed and painted the town red. They even organized games and each of us even have eccentric surprise gifts that may consist things like: Shampoo, pillows, mouth washes etc....

After dinner, suddenly they were organised and sitting in a circle and then they said they would like to say something to me and they brought me a BIG poster they made that reads, Becky's babies and it was a montage of their photos and they included one of Maoster and me. They bought me a plush bunny (as they mock at me after finding out that my Aung calls me bun bun) and they made a book with their writings of best wishes and thanks. They got me an expensive cake (to them, I think they put in all their every $$$ on it ). I told them I would not cry but how not to when all their eyes were red and they were waiting for me to say a few words to them. It was that formal. It was that weird. It was intense. It was so not them. It was a moment whereby I am lost for words and all I could do was all smoked up and I teared. Suddenly, Corissa a girl that I had so much trouble with ( all the police case and home visits and endless of chatting wtih her over 2 years) started tearing like no one's business and one by one they all teared as if I am on my death bed. The boys started tearing and that was the last straw. We just all laughed at our silly-ness and cried like babies at the same time. I am touched because they know how much I love them and they know that to me, they are like my babies. It was emotions that intense that even now as I typed a week later, I could feel waves of emotions coming to me.

I thank God that I am in my job. I am in a position to love and in a position to give. I am in a position whereby I could touched lives and give hope. I am also thankful that I could receive that abundance love and support. I am pleasantly surprised how when I genuinely open myself to my students and extend my support and love to them, they would somehow(not all the time though) feel it and appreciate it.

Late at night as I was talking to my boys (that's how I call them), they were sharing with me some silly things that ended up into sharing about their families and ended up with my darling Clement tearing as his parents are now talking about getting a divorce. Suddenly I realised at 19, they are still pretty much wanting to be loved. At that age, they seemed like a young adult but yet they are so lost and so afraid. They are afraid about the future ( not all will get into Poly) and probably will end up working soon or NS. They have alot of unknowns, I realised no matter how much I want to be part of their future, I can't. They need someone bigger, someone better, someone capable, more consistent. They all need God.

I think in the days to come, we will all forget this moment. This moment whereby we feel touched, appreciated and loved. This moment whereby we hope this was forever, this moment whereby we want to stay in touch and brave the storm together - alas we all know that as the wheels of time turns all of us will be walking our own paths. I pray that one day, I will look back and remember this moment fondly. My Class IE0904I.

My silly boys ( not all in though) and their silly pose!

To love no matter what happens

2011-03-21T10:41:00.005+08:00

The news that I have getting around me these few days made my heart burdened for a long time. I questioned about life and where it was leading to. I didn't question the existence of God but I questioned His ways and plans. I wept, I prayed, I resigned, I submitted. It was multiple process of complex feelings going in different stages at different point of time.

There was a diagnosis of a high risk pregnancy of a dear friend which my heart ached. I am only human and I couldn't understand nor see the beauty of God's plan. I celebrated myself for finally getting a bun in my oven only that God decided to terminate the pregnancy recently before I turned 33. (BTW, family members are not informed so please zip) There was a tsunami that shook Japan and then there was a critical cancer that loomed one of our brethren.

All the events affected me and burdened me. I asked God why? I hear nothing. I asked God why? I could only hear echos of my anguish and my defiance of God. I asked God and then I stopped asking. I was pissed and broken.

And then I shut myself down and like a child, I said, WHATEVER!

Then seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours. I soaked into a timeless state of nothing.

Then, strangely, I realised if I turned away from God, I am indeed nothing - I have nothing and I meant nothing. God is God and no matter what happens, He is still God. My life is in his hands and my purpose in His grace. I am reminded to give thanks in all circumstances even though I can't. And this song came to me：

聖靈啊，求你來，
我軟弱你明白，
我無言你歎息，
親自為我代求；
你鑒察我的心，
使我走在屬神旨意，
你醫治我的靈，
使我生命再次絢麗。

啊，我心不住讚美，
啊，我靈不住稱謝，
一宿雖有哭泣，早晨必歡呼，
主的恩典是一生之久；

啊，我心不住讚美，
啊，我靈不住稱謝，
一宿雖有哭泣，早晨必歡呼，

主的恩典乃是一生之久。

And I was freed. I am reminded once again God loves me although sometimes I do not know why some things happened. My life may not be smooth sailing and fair, but the grace and blessings of my Lord will last me a life time. My God and me. Till the end of time. Me and my God.

Mumster

2011-01-12T15:17:00.003+08:00

I think I am morphing into a mumster - the monster who is wearing the name tage that reads mother. The worst part of it all, was how much I hated to be a mother like that. Some of the mumster behaviour includes:

A compulsory writing time for Maoster - he hates writing with a passion and he is very particular with his writing - all the stroke needs to be executed precisely - the line must not be too long etc. When he begin to write and he realised it is not "perfect" to him, he will start throwing his hands in the air and says, OH NO I DUNNO HOW TO DO IT! I wish sometimes he would be less "perfect" and just go with the flow. He only writes the things he have confidence in and now his most hated letter is "y" because he gets the stroke wrongly and he will have to redo it and that's why if I get him to write his name- i get a big M and he will say I DUNNO! I wish I could say that I am the most patient mother, but alas not. Everytime he says I am tired, I dunno, I can feel my blood boiling.... wait, it starts when I say okay writing time and he will run to his bed and lie down and say I am so so so tired today mummy!

Piano practice at least 3 times a week ( executed by Aung) - I have no musical cells or talent. My pitch is wrong, my notes reading is at level 0. Maoster, after having gone for lessons for almost a year and a half- still can't recognise the notes!!! The teacher says we have to practice with him at home ( which we never did for the last 1.5 years) and I think we are really wasting our money if we do not practice. With my gentle Aung executing this project, I really hope Maoster wouldn't have new tricks up his sleeves or my Aung will really fall for it. But, this is really not my area of expertise - so I am only a kan chiong onlooker ( and I think I look really stupid as one).

Phonics class started for Maoster this year. I hope he could read better. I am not too worried about his reading initially and was still rather happy he could read some words and stuff and then suddenly, I realised that his peers are recognising more words and could spell. (There was a reading assessment done and I got another friend kid to do it and apparantly he could read all the words !) Okay, someone pushed the panic button!

Name in chinese writing has started too - I am suppose to teach him how to write his chinese name and my mom is complaining that why did I choose such a difficult name for him! My mom will call me and say, can you teach your son how to write his chinese name because the teacher is going to ask him to write soon!

I hate being such a mother - I mean where are the oh, children developed differently? Where are the, let the child enjoy his childhood? Where is the taking the road less travelled? Where is the exploration of a child's creativity and passion? When has it been replaced by Why aren't you writing? Why you don't like to write? Why are you not wearing your clothes by yourself?

I look deep inside me and I truly understand that a good mother nurtures and develops and knows each child is different and is talented in all their ways. Then, I went to work and the latest intake of students showed me their result slips and I gasped in fright. F9, E8, D7......... and I want to believe in the beauty of their capability beyond the academics - but that doesn't stop me from thinking oh my goodness, Mao better study hard!

I am torn being free spirited and being constrained by all these woes.

On the first day of Maoster K1 class, he came home and told me that he finished his writing in school and he need not bring back his worksheet home. He happily told me that it was so easy and that his friend did it wrongly and had to bring back home to do it. The teacher asked mummy to go home and coach that kid, so my mom overheard. I asked Maoster, so you can do it and need not bring it home? ( he usually is the kid who brings back homework cos the teacher says, your son is day dreaming yet again in class - he likes to talk to himself and role play). He told me excitedly that, "No mummy, it was so easy, so I finished it so fast you know?"
My first reactions was like, "WOW! You are so clever ah - better than your friend ah! Well done lor maoster, see your friend got to finish it at home!"
After the whole excitement sank in, I was thinking, gosh, I am a mumster! Where is the empathy? Where is the humility? Where is the cheering for your friend?

Gurps, HELP! I am a MUMSTER! REWARD GIVEN FOR NABBING THE MUMSTER IN THE BUNSTER! SOS! Are you feeling like this too?

All over the place and all under the sun

2010-12-17T18:00:00.002+08:00

I realised that I haven't blogged for a while. This only shows that I have been trying to save the world and couldn't take time off.

I would have told you about the wonderful Perth trip I took and how those days are numbered and that I can now rely on photographs and memories to keep me afloat at work and my hectic lifestyle. Having friends around the globe doesn't help me to keep my feet rooted and my mind thinking, is the grass greener at the other end ( or the cows cheaper on the other side of the field). I told Gee that perhaps I should ask God for a chance to be outstation abroad for a few years and she says of course you could and then being the "short-attention" span me, I prayed for a few days and I called it quit.

Talking about prayers, I am really in dilemma here. I mean, I am told that I have to pray fervently for things I really care about or want. But I really can't. I can't just keep focus. I really can't do it EVERYDAY until I get it. I get bored, I get impatient and most importantly, I forget to pray about it. Strange but true, I really need some prayer therapy - intensive prayer course.

Maoster is growing up well ( in terms of entertainment value) but hardly and I repeat hardly the sharpest pencil in the box. Undeniably, I have enough of teachers telling me that oh, he should be writing now and blah blah blah and I wished I could have the patience or discipline to start this routine of writing with him... gosh I think I am such a lousy mother because I am going to go into the school of thought that hey, i mean they will write sooner or later right? I mean right? Sigh, but this boy of mine just am not interested in doing anything academic! He does not like to write, he does not like to draw, he does not like to colour. He just enjoys doing things like running around, pretending to be a dinosaur and being read to ( note: not reading by himself but being read to). I seriously dunno what to do with him ( not that I am doing anything much) and looking at the students profile I am handling , I can only pray ( which I am btw, if you have read the above, not doing a great job at that too) that he don't end up where I teach.
Having said that, Maoster continues to come up with the most hilarious conversations and thoughts and continued to be kind and nice and gentle.

I have been swarmed with work and somehow I am still surviving ( minus the exam setting nightmare but that would be a story too long to say and I will keep it for retirement when I am free and old). I am still enjoying my students and I continue to be amused and tickled and touched and aspired by them. I am doing well, I guess but then of course my director who is prim and proper doesn't get quite tickled by my jokes and styles but I think I am at a stage whereby, Heck lah, I just want to do my job well and be happy and not think of what my director thinks or whatever carrots/promotions she might be cancelling my name on. I mean, I know its tough when I work and not get recognition but hey, I am having fun with my colleagues and if they say I am good, I am good then. And at the end of the day, I hope my God says I am good. Clowns can be good too okay. We work.

I finished my virgin 10km run and I am happy with what I've done. No fats were destroyed at the process and no kgs were shed. But, whatever, I think I look great size 0 or size 12. And there's a research that says size 12 people are the happiest - I think so/hope so. Sorry if you are a size 0, there might be another research about you perhaps living longer.

My oven is still empty - I mean some days I will be cursing and swearing about it and sometimes I am seriously okay about it. I don't know my take about my oven but then, that's my oven and if it's not cooking then I think I could use it for some other storage purposes. I probably should take it for a repair and hopefully it comes with warranty. I really should have sex more often. Seriously I am pulling down the average numbers but hey my love for my husband goes beyond that - ha ha ha, he obviously don't think so.

Aung continues to be a sweet loving man. Always patient, always kind, always loving. He still says the funniest things and does the funniest moves and dance the funniest sway I have ever seen.

I thank God for this year and I pray that I'll witness God's works and miraculous blessings in the year to come.

I'll pray for you too.

It's a bunny year ahead!

The storyteller

2010-09-28T18:05:00.006+08:00

Maoster and I talk alot during our drive back from my mom's to home. Yesterday I thought why not we play a game of "Who has the funniest story" competition. It will always start with Once Upon A Time and end up with The end. I think Maoster wins hands down. His tales are really quite good. I think he came up with easily 8 or 9 stories. My favourites are:

#3: Once upon a time, I climbed up a tree. I couldn't come down. The end.
#2: Once upon a time, I went to supermarket and I bought so many things and in the end, I forgot to bring them home. The end.
#1. Once upon a time, I went to the supermarket and I bought alot of toys. So many toys. I go home, I opened up the box and huh? It's a bra? I'm a boy! The end.

I laughed till I ached. My boy doesn't seem too academic in school but he is one great comedian.

Childhood Cherished and Relived

2010-09-02T17:16:00.007+08:00

:. We cheered and shouted like mad. But in the end, we haven't quite realised who won. .:
:. We rolled our eyes - although it did make our heads slightly dizzy. .:

:. We went to the zoo and got ourselves so wet. 5 more minutes please? .:

The rabbit that ate more than carrots

2010-08-24T15:00:00.003+08:00

People who know me knows I love food. There are a few things that are close to my heart. Cooking (or feasting) and writing are 2 things I really love to do.

In my profession, I tend to get to read lousy writings (ha ha ha), so I am not launching my writing blog yet so let me start with my food blog. Nothing fancy, just food I cook for my family- hopefully one day Mao could cook them for his family ( more of my DIL cook for Mao lah!).

Do visit me at Chef Bun if you have a cooking block. It's not the best in the world but maybe it is in bunny land.

Learning points ( over these few weeks)

2010-07-15T11:10:00.004+08:00

1) My love handle has its use.
Maoster on a shaky MRT train grabbed my love handle to balance himself on a "rocky" ride. I mean, they don't call it a love handle for nothing. Grab me if you ever need to stabilise yourself. Really, I won't even feel a thing.

2) I love Singapore - Singapore, I love you, I love and so much more.
The GST payout + the $300 govt interim bonus paid for our Malacca trip. I want to say I love to be a Singapore citizen, we pooled our resources together and hey, we ate, shopped, ate, ate, ate, ate, ate, ate and even had rooms with personal jacuzzi. It was alot of fun eating time. I will remember you when I cast my votes.

4) Amt of food you consume - (minus) your poo = How fat/thin you will be.

I am amazed by how people eat and eat and eat and then they shit and shit and shit
The Malacca trip eating trip was awesome. Lausy and Francis were like shitting 3 times a day becos well we ate like 6 times per day. Every time they conquer a meal, they go poo- I mean... you can imagine the blockage as I have nothing much to share. I am a great retention machine.

5) Ice-Box Advantage
The present I got for Gee works! We smuggled 15 bars of Magnum ice-cream from Malaysia at less than half the price! Please people, go Malaysia must eat Magnum lah! RM $3.80 only! Bring an ice-box please

4) I look heavily pregnant
My student asked me TWICE if I am pregnant- not only that they ask me to verify my last menstration to confirm that I am just fat not pregnant. I mean, all that sex education is paying - Missed period= pregnancy. I mean, I knew that already, so NO I AM NOT PREGNANT.

5) Teachers cheat too
One of the biggest "show" teachers need to put on was for lesson observation whereby your whoever up there who thinks they are good enough to criticise you although they haven't taught before will come and see you and how you teach. One interesting technique, I heard my other colleagues say was that they get students to raise their hands when they ask a question. If you know the answer, raise your right hand. If you don't, raise your left. I mean when the teacher ask a question, the whole class will be raising their hands! Wow, talk about class involvement and participation. And I mean, you can choose the lighted bulbs with their right hands shot up. Not sure if it works for my kids, I mean, they might have both hands up representing more of I AM NOT TOO SURE!

7) Upgrade of Communication Skills
Maoster saw a cockroach in our bedroom and refused to enter. I told him that the bug is no longer there as his mummy ask him to go home already. He looked at me in the eye with that- I am not an idiot look. He asked me- Mummy, the cockroach don't have a phone, the mummy cannot call him home...... Okay, I need to think harder.

Ending here with a stupid question my student asked me:

Q: Who are Transformers parents?
A: Transparent

Q: Do you know Transformers have a sibling?
A: Transistor.

Okay, don't throw your eggs. C'mon- sometimes even the brightest star won't shine for a day or two.

10km is the new 2.4km

2010-06-22T10:57:00.005+08:00

I have 6 months time to train.
I have to get my butt off the couch and start changing into my gears.
I have to start breathing and tuning into my brain that a fat bun can run.
"Eat like a pig and run like a dog", that would be my new slogan.
And, honestly, running I know can be like drugs. It can be addictive. But first- I need to get addicted to it first. For now, there's still a 50% chance I will be lying on my bed watching my cooking shows.
And no, if you think that I have lost inches off my waist - that would be too good to be true for now as after our fabulous 5.5km run that day with Gee ( that took us 55 mins - we ran from home to the dam(breakwater) over at seletar country club), we were back at base where I whipped up a nasty wicked father's day dinner that consist of pork chops, fried chicken wings, omelette and a vegetable soup. My skirt is still tight.
I mean, I'm not going to starve myself right? I need every ounce of energy to run the miles.

Let's hope the training schedule will be adhered to as we are only at week 2.

Not forgetting, Maoster also has to train for the kids dash at 750m. His father had been asking him to grow his legs for some "long legs advantage".

Wish me luck people. I need all the luck I can get plus some determination and addiction.

Why dads are important (esp Mao's)

2010-06-16T10:08:00.003+08:00

Because, he brings us towels whenever we take a shower every single day.
Because, he draws down the blind whenever the sun is up and both of us are still in bed.
Because, he carries all the stuff from the car and bring it up home.
Because, he always get body slam from both of us when we are playing KungFu.
Because he makes the milk at night (every single night)
Because he puts on the diaper at night after Mao is asleep (as Mao feels he is too "MAN"for it anymore despite his "immature" urine techniques when asleep)
Because, he washes the dishes whenever there is a heavy massive cook out.
Because, most importantly, he defends mummy when his ungrateful 3.5 year old son commented that some other woman is prettier than mummy. He says, "It doesn't matter what you think, the important fact is that daddy finds mummy prettiest and that's the most important thing."

So to my dearest Aung, Blessed Daddy's Day in advance. :)

Mao's picking the tab! Woot!

2010-06-04T11:51:00.005+08:00

So Godma Gee told us she bought some YOG commemorative card for her godson Mao (at $25 bucks each - oh my!) and we really didn't take this matter to heart and brushed it with an okay.

The excited Godma drove and deliver this LYO card to Maoster and HOLY MOLY, its a prepaid VISA card. I was like :" What? VISA CARD? DEBIT CARD? CASH CARD? At 3.5 years old?" I think Maoster has arrived with this new card.

Back at home, he was playing with the card, pretending to enter the gantry of the gates of the MRT, paying for his purchases etc.....

His only complain was: " How come only got MYLES AUNG on the card? Where's HE LEI?"

So..... now we are trying to con Godma to top up the card for him and there's no more question who's going to pick up the tab the next time round.

Do you accept VISA?

Overheard...

2010-06-03T14:20:00.002+08:00

outside the boy's room. Both my boys went to take a leak.

Maoster: Let's play penis fighting. And then, I will "KOK" your head.

I seriously dunno if my gentle Aung can take a leak in peace.

Good times that flies at bullet train speed

2010-05-31T17:54:00.003+08:00

I was rather determined (after Gee's rather determined) to travel nearby to eat and play and relax. The opportunity came at the Vesak day break. Determined am I, despite Maoster's HFMD breakout, the doctor certified him clean on thursday morning. Despite my hubby's reservist, the army decided to let him out at 6pm (yes the latest we could imagined it to be) and despite the fact that we only managed to find rooms for 1 night as Vesak day holidays proved to be booming the Malaysia's tourist economy.

And Aung's happiness was when he found rootbeer float with frozen mugs. He ordered a coney dog meal with it. Seldom will Aung eat when he already had lunch. Aung seldom snack. So good for me cos I am now NOT THE ONLY ONE who snack. Maoster refused the drink and asked me if its medicine.

Then Maoster happiness came when this really ridiculously looking kiddy joy ride came. Of cos they have to choose a rabbit carriage to sit on - I am tickled by this rabbit. Aung only comments were after looking at this pic is that he has always insist on riding on rabbits only. Hmmmmmm. Next.
Then Godma brought Maoster to the fishing shop and he got this fishing net at RM3. Not bad, we managed to catch 6 fishes with it on Sunday when I went "fishing" with Maoster at Lower Pierce Reservoir. Don't worry, we let the fishes go before we left - Maoster was cool with it. He says the fishes, see you next week.

And of cos by God's abundence grace- we managed to find a family suite at this 5 month old boutique hotel ( someone cancelled last min) and we got this room with a master bedroom, 2 singles and a jacuzzi in it. Maoster must be praying very hard because as we are searching for hotels, driving around, he will ask- have room? have swimming pool?

We did some shopping and some eating and we had a blasting good time. We will be back Malacca!

So you think you can dance?

2010-05-25T09:14:00.003+08:00

Waltz, Cha Cha, Ballroom, Jazz, Disco, Hip Hop,Fusion Punk, Salsa, Lyrical Hip Hop, Contemporary.... these are just some of the dance that the show requires contestants to perform week after week regardless their background of dance may be.

I find this show much much better than the American Idol and Maoster and I will be watching wide eyes when the show starts on MIO TV.

Honestly, I don't quite understand the show. I mean the dance - whether they danced well, their moves were well executed, whether their centre of gravity was good, whether their posture and strength and emotions matched the song. I don't get the dance chorography as well - the emotions, the strength, the sadness, the hope, the story behind the dance.

But I am just stuck at the show- awed at their beauty and their ability to dance. I love to hear the judges (especially Nigel's) his critics are always nice to hear ( since I dun understand) and I wonder how the judges could be moved by tears by the dances.

Everytime after the show, I really wished I could dance. But the fact is I suck at it. Seriously - the performance (sorry dude) at Lili's wedding was a miserable flop that turned out to be some joke (we had fun though but no one asked to watch the replay).

I wish I could dance. I wish I could understand the emotions that dance could display. I wish I could do a nice pirouette. I wish I could feel the music and feel the beat. I wish I could dance well but ha ha ha, I really can't.

I remembered I did a occupation matching survey when I was 15 or so. My ideal job was to be a dancer. I laughed out loud when I first got the results. I mean- have you seen a hippo dance at all? Seriously.

But oh I wish I could dance. I really do. Or at least if I could understand dance and its movements then I feel really much smarter, classier , with more depth and more artsy. Now I am just this uncouth, materialistic, rigid and practical person. What a bore!

满有能力！

2010-04-27T11:11:00.005+08:00

Maoster: Let's play "I bury you into a tomb "game.

Daddy: Huh? Why?

Maoster: It's okay, just a game. Bury you in a tomb and cover you.

Daddy: I don't want!

Maoster: It's OKAY! JESUS DID IT ALSO! Really!!!!

Do we lead a life that is 满有能力? More often, I live my life fearing for so many things and I forgot my Jesus did it!

One of my favourite milestone- Maoster can bathe by himself rather well now!

Questioning God

2010-04-20T22:59:00.003+08:00

Godma is interested to know how God is in the mind of the very young. So she asked Mao a few question.
Godma: Who is God?
Maoster: Jesus die on the cross for me and you. He is alive.
Godma: Is God nice?
Maoster: Yes.
Godma: So how do you talk to God? You pray?
Maoster: Yes. I pray, God gives me toys and books.
Godma rather happy with the answers and was thinking about what question when Maoster decided to do the questioning instead.
Maoster: Now, can I ask a question?
Maoster (eyes big big): Where did God have the money to buy toys and books?????
My boy can now join Godma in her theological discussion now. Yeah - he can replace me now!

Maoster's Reminders

2010-03-30T21:40:00.003+08:00

in the car on the way back home today.

Out of the blue he said to us: JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOU, ME AND DADDY! And GAN MA too!

I said oh yes, he did!

And he said, JESUS IS ALIVE YOU KNOW?

As Christians, GOOD FRIDAY and EASTER SUNDAY are important dates in our christian faith. Without the cruxification, our sins will not be cleansed nor will we be reconciled with God. Without the resurrection of Christ, we will not have the hope of eternal life as God has triumphed over death.

Thank you Maoster for shouting out loud! These are great reminders of my salvation and hope :)

The same prayer?

2010-03-15T23:22:00.005+08:00

My son is a emo plus super feeling boy. I was 10 mins late to pick him up from school and he was kept in this room and a teacher was playing ball with him. Apparantly halfway through the game, he remembered me and started sobbing. Those tears dripping, soft cry that grew to a choking can't breathe but still quiet sobs sorts.
I was shocked to find him sobbing so miserably. I asked him why is he crying so sadly? He says I forgot about him and he wants me. Gosh, I almost slapped myself for spending that extra time on trying on clothes that obviously can't fit me.
In the car, I text Gee and told her that I better pray that my emo boy better not marry a cia (bitchy) woman next time cos he will be bullied!
The reply I got? Well, my MIL probably said the same prayer. Hmmmmmm......... anything I missed?

Curry Puffs Interrogation

2010-03-01T09:38:00.005+08:00

A sunday morning at home. (With background of granite, cannons,missiles and smoke with fire- that should set the scene and mood)
MIL: Do you eat curry puffs everyday?
Aung: No!
MIL: Are you sure? They are very oily you know? If left in your systems, they cannot be removed!
Aung: I don't eat curry puffs everyday.
MIL: Do you know curry puffs are bad for you?
By the way, its rather amusing ( much to Aung's agony), to watch my MIL gets paranoid to the max on days about his only son.
The irony of it all, the curry puffs we had for breakfast on saturday was purchased by my MIL for us. Strange, maybe all the burden of guilt was too much to bear!
Aung was like, maybe I should tell her that the curry puffs was bought by her? Nah, let's not kill the fun should we? I said, afterall the casualty rate is only 1 this time.

I don't want to talk about it

2010-02-23T14:58:00.002+08:00

A few weeks ago Maoster saw this documentary about animals surviving better working in a team despite having lower IQ. It was illustrated with zebras of higher IQ who likes to work alone will have higher casualty rate crossing a river filled with crocodiles, compared to deers that have lower IQ but all survived the nasty crocodile filled river due to the fact they work as a team.

I mean, Maoster probably wasn't hearing the part on team work and all. He was crying buckets when the crocodile ate up some of those zebras. He was pretty upset. He was shouting NO at the loudest of his voice and slammed himself on bed, too broken to speak.

Yesterday, we were playing. He made his hands to depict that of a crocodile, he was baby croc and me the mummy croc.

Bunster: Oooo Baby croc, I am hungry. Shall we find some food?

Maoster: Okay, let's go eat some leaves.

Bunster: Crocs dun eat leaves, they eat, say deers or zebras. Do you remember that show we watched, the cros they eat the zebras.

Maoster: (started tearing) No. I don't want to talk about it.

Bunster: Okay... Crocs eat leaves.

Maoster: Okay, let's go find some leaves mummy crocodile. Leaves are yummy.

If there was one thing that Maoster inherited from his father, it would be his love for animals.( definitely not in a bunny-deep fried chicken way).

Look who's in love?

2010-02-22T15:18:00.003+08:00

Why did you kiss Megan ( voluntarily after we bid farewell with a hug)?

Because I love Megan.

At home, Maoster recounted those good memories of playing with Megan.

He laughed out loud in excitement when he saw the FB photos.

I don't know how long his smitten state will end.

All I can say is that, my son - he has got good taste. :) His father warned him about long distance relationship though. :P

Everything is like a circle....

2010-02-18T09:49:00.006+08:00

It has no end.
My work has no end. The assignments are in. The tests are in. The exams are going to be in. Did I mention that I am involve in the graduation ceremony this year and I am left with 0 days for revision with my class. I feel rather dead although my students are rejoicing. They have no concept of fear.
It has no end.
My holidays will be spent at 3 weeks of intensive PCTE training. I heard there are loads of homework and stuff. I feel dead already. Did I fail to mention that my latest project will be held during that period, I wonder how can I be in 2 places in 1 physical body.
It has no end.
I fought with Maoster. We climbed the cliffs of deaths and we zoomed our planes. We created robots. We fired at each other and we tumble and fall. The scenes changes, the characters changes, Only one thing remains unchange - I will die and he will not. Maoster always win. And just when your realised that your last ounce of energy is going to be used up - and that you collapse and declare you are dead. Maoster shouts with renewed strength and hope. Mummy, new level. Now is level 2.
There is no end.

In Psalms 23 it says: "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters... all I want is to lie down on my bed with clear no work mind and sleep. Just like how Maoster does every night.

What wakes you up in the morning?

2010-01-27T12:47:00.004+08:00

Bunster: Wake up Mao! Need to go to school! Wake up!

Mao: Zzzzzzzzzzzz

Bunster: Wake up! We're going to school!

Mao: Sit up with a happy face- trying to open his sleepy eyes. Hurray! We're going to the zoo!

Bunster: Not ZOO, SCHOOL!

Mao: Oh! Goes back to sleep. Zzzzz.

Bunster: Mao! Mao!

Mao: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I know I'll be awake if you tell me that I don't have to go to school today as well.

Did you enjoy your day?

2010-01-25T13:28:00.003+08:00

I attended and witnessed the Holy Matrimony 2 special people on saturday. The wedding was a simple but beautiful one. I teared (although I was trying hard not to)

I enjoyed the day.

On Sunday, I brought Maoster for a swim along with Aung and Godma. He smiled to me sweetly in the car and told me: "Mummy, I had fun today!"

I enjoyed the day.

Today as I was walking back to the staff room, a student that I taught briefly for half a semester, saw me, smiled and stretched out her arms: " Can I hug you teacher?" I embraced her.

I enjoyed Today.

God gave us such moments in our daily lives to remind us that HIS love exist.

Do enjoy your day - Although I know its MONDAY! :)

Spending quiet time with your loved ones is a great enjoyment

Stopping the sands of time...

2010-01-19T13:01:00.005+08:00

PS: For those who have a more hectic lifestyle than me and are mocking at my lack of capability to find time in this schedule... just shut up.

Mondays to Fridays. 7am in the car to ferry Maoster to mom's place and school.

Mondays to Fridays. 8 am to 5:30pm (officially) in school, trying to make a difference. Sometimes.

Mondays to Fridays. 8pm. Getting Maoster and us back home. (mostly)

Mondays to Fridays. 10pm. Wondering when Maoster will sleep cos I am already so tired.

Wednesdays night - Maoster will be starting on Berries. Oh yes, that mother tongue of his.

Friday nights (twice a month) 8pm to 10pm - Church

Saturdays (3pm) Maoster music class.

In betweens and sometimes, more stuffs occupies my evenings. This repeats itself till I dunno when?

And hey, someone told me that I need to set time for my son to sit down and learn how to write. And also, how about engaging him into more PLAY TIME and not DVD time... when did Maoster's hair become so long that warrants a haircut? Where did he learn to say things like - the plane is flying through the sky, and all that negotiation skills.

When will I have time to sit down and start to pick up writing.

When will I have time or the opportunity to sing in a performing choir like I used to.

When will I have time to play a game of scrabble?

When will I have that frame of mind to enjoy God's creation and wonders in my daily life.

And when I DO have the time, I will be too tired or lack of focus to do the things I wanted to do when I have the time!

All right, I think my doctor is right. I am HORMONAL. I better go pop my medicine.

Maintaining Peace

2010-01-15T14:49:00.004+08:00

In the morning before I rushed off to work, I was trying to find my diamond earrings.

I can't find it! And I remembered that I just did my spring cleaning around the table top and fears of me throwing away close to 5K worth of stones by mistake was just toooooooooo much to bear.

I really panicked! I was like... shit! Did I throw them away! Then, I feel that I need to go to the toilet, that always happens when I panic. Panic has a laxative effect on me.

I called for help. Aung who was sleeping still, came to the rescue while I was in the toilet and peering my head out of the door at the same time for some updates on my missing stones.

And then, Aung found a box that I kept these stones. I was eternally grateful.

He then declared and gave me a smile: " There is peace now again, on bunny's land!" He went back to bed.

Today is one day, I remembered why I married my husband. He saved my world and he maintained peace.

Sunshine Wishes

2010-01-07T12:40:00.004+08:00

at 6.55am this morning when I whispered in his ear that today is Daddy's Birthday.

He gave the biggest sunshine smile and rolled over to his daddy and said:

" TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY YOU KNOW?

and in his cutest voice, he continued, " HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!"

And we all know what Daddy wants for his birthday..... don't you?

The last amusing fact of 2009

2009-12-31T10:54:00.006+08:00

I went to see a doctor cos I had this terrible itch down there ( ok, stop laughing, according to doc, its common okay!) The itch was causing me to lose sleep for a week and I couldn't stand still for long before I do the twist and turn.

After application, I read the manual for the pill and under side effects it reads: Upon insertion, this pill may cause smarting and itching for the next 12- 24 hours.

I waited for 10 minutes and I declared to Aung, hey, I think I've got a smart V down there now. He died laughing. So I'm smart, head to toes, that's the last amusing fact for 2009! :P

1. smarting (noun) Definition : a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore

PS: That was a miracle pill, I am almost done itching. Almost. :)

Of Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

2009-12-27T17:11:00.009+08:00

My latest Arm Candy :)

Do you think they would have this on e-bay?
Mail Order perhaps?
Darn! I just have to make 1 soon. :)

Was your Christmas stolen?

2009-12-26T11:18:00.004+08:00

Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming!
IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling:" How could it be so?
"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
"Maybe Christmas.... perhaps ... means a little bit more!"
Taken from" How the Grinch Stole christmas!" By Dr Suess

Indeed Christmas holds a far deeper, far stronger, far more significant meaning than the gifts we exchanged, the feasts we have been indulging and the shopping we have been chiong-ing.
For on Christmas, a miracle happened. A child born out of a virgin on a shabby manger. A child that promises hope to all who believes and the gift of life He brings.

Have the true meaning of Christmas touched your heart this season? I pray that you do.
Blessed Christmas.... don't let Grinch steal your Christmas for you know, he can't. :)

Buying Trends

2009-12-24T10:52:00.004+08:00

These days out of the blue, Maoster will tell either Aung or myself,:"You know, Elvis die already." We will always answer that yes we know and ask if he misses him or if he was sad. There was once during such conversation that we ask if he would want a new pet, "Buy a new pet?" hoping to ease his longings....

On a solo drive back with Maoster, again he tells me that,"Mummy, Elvis die already you know?", I said yes, I know. And he said, buy a new one. I said we'll think about it. And you know, I added, one day mummy will die too...and he looked at me and said, Buy a new mummy. New pet!

Such buying trends... maybe I should not buy a new pet and teach him that some things in life just cannot be REPLACED! Hmph! :P

All right, Maoster, I believed it was the slip of your tongue....

Elvis

2009-12-22T08:59:00.004+08:00

He came to us during the period of Sars (for reasons I do not wish to explain). Aung welcomed the small furry animal with delight and immediately he was family.

We gave him the name Elvis, because he got such a wild streak in him with nice spikey hair. Everyday he gets fresh carrots, grass and pellets and I suspect he just like Maoster enjoys long beans. He makes such nice long squeaky voice when we come near his cage.

I broke the news to Maoster yesterday about his demise. I think he knows die = not good and Maoster shouted," NO! Cannot. Not die!". This strange sadnesss envelope our family that shrunk from 4 to 3. Maoster has this funny song he like to sing, "WE ARE FAMILY, DADDY, MUMMY, MAO MAO and ELVIS! "

Although it is a comfort that he has outlived his peer but Elvis, although you have never slept on our beds, or eat from our plates, or shared a good tv with us or went out shopping with us - We missed you and we hope that you have enjoyed your time with us.

This is Elvis in his old age - smaller and less furry but still extremely amusing

CLASS BBQ

2009-12-09T16:01:00.005+08:00

Class bonding. An activity I said.
I shudder when they said BBQ.
BBQ = Mess = Raw Food Mishandling = No clean water = Heavy equipment carrying. I hear myself screaming out loud inside me that says, how about something else!!!
I mustered my courage and said okay so be it. If that's what you want.
A committee was formed. I told them to order food online so that it would be easier.
When I turned up, I saw hamper of gifs well wrapped up for the games.
I saw home marinated food all on the table. I saw fried bee hoon, kwey teow well lined up. I asked, how come you guys didn't order online?
Teacher, expensive lah, we can do it ourself and save money. I blame myself for even suggesting the short cut and am glad they did it themselves.
I laughed when they played silly games.
I saw them eating the food that didn't looked quite impressively BBQed with their thumbs up filled with silly happiness and their constant fights over prawns and chicken wings.
I saw them running after Maoster and making sure the sand or the wave did not get to him and for almost 3 hrs they had to be at the sand cos maoster refused to leave.
They may be labelled the bottom 20% of the society (intellectually) ;they may not be as docile or as tame as your normal teenager. But, in them I see God. I see Hope. I see Love.

The whole gang! (plus some missing sheeps somewhere)

No way am I going down to the sea.

Maoster refusing to join them in their "lame" photo

I am highly amused by this picture - Mao and his bodyguards.

The Facts are Talking

2009-12-02T17:22:00.007+08:00

Lovely Night.

Moon shining Bright.

Aung and son shared a nice walk under the sky.

Aung with hope and love, tells his son.

" Look at the moon. You can reach for the moon you know?"

His son replied: " Need a rocket, you know?"

****
Lovely noon.

Quiet time between Bun and Aung.

Bunster said something funny, Aung laughed his head off.

Bunster said, "you still find me funny all these years hor?"

Aung said," You mean you still believe I married you for your beauty?"

I bow down to the Pugilistic 5....

2009-11-08T23:02:00.003+08:00

These 5 monkeys threw my house upside down.

Milo! More Milo!

Hungry More Hungry!

TV! More TV!

Too Hot! On Air Con!

Too Cold! Air con off!

I need to pee!

I need to shit!

Can I have that super YoYo?

Buy me that book!

Buy me that toy!

I want to sit with Mao!

I want to sleep together!

I love to stay at Yee Yee's house!

I love to stay at Xiao Gu's house!

I love kor kor and jie jie in my house!

NO LOR. I DON'T WANT! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!

I WASH MY HANDS IN THAT GOLDEN BASIN.

I DID IT ONCE. NOW DUN SAY, I NEVER LET ALL OF U STAY AT MY HOUSE AH...

Pujabi Prince Performance (Pre-Nursery Graduation)

2009-10-30T10:43:00.008+08:00

The music came on.

The lights were on the stage.

Tiny little feet walked on the big stage.

Wide eyed exciement;

Giggling and looking.

None quite dancing.

But none really cared.

The audience laughed with pride and silly contentment.

Maoster shouted, Mummy!

Some of his friends waved.

The music ended.

My punjabi Prince bowed.

I asked him, " How come you never dance on stage?"

He answered innocently, " I did! I did!"

Oh my, did I deserve this gift of Love, I do not quite think so.

But God, I thank you for this precious gift of yours.

Happy Birthday Babycake!

2009-10-20T09:20:00.003+08:00

Happy Birthday Babycake!

May each moment of your days be like this;

Of Sweetness, Joyfulness and Laughter,

Topped with Prayers, Love , Hugs and Kisses

God and We Love you. Alot. Too much. So much.

Through the eyes of a kid

2009-10-16T10:31:00.003+08:00

In an elevator, my colleague's brother was alone with his chow chow dog and a young boy.

Boy took a quick look at the man.

Boy took a quick look at the dog.

The boy repeats it for the 3rd time and then he can contain no longer.

He asked;

"Uncle, Singapore can keep LION ah?"

My Girl

2009-10-07T16:06:00.002+08:00

Bunster: I love you baby

Maoster: Why?

Bunster: Because you are my boy

Maoster: And you are my girl

Aung's Anger

2009-10-06T16:19:00.008+08:00

My hubby is ( and I hear the whole world echoing back) very very sweet natured and has the mildest temper in the whole wide world.

It's hardly he gets agitated. Hardly, unless as he always say, my rabbit's tail is on fire and is snapping at me. Even so, that still sound rather romantic to some.

Then....last saturday, my MIL provoked him. Nagged him about him being lazy and not forcing Mao on the piano ( oh yes, extreme fear factors here!) and he got really pissed.

He stormed ( lightly) to the kitchen while I was doing my fish and chips with that hot sizzling oil, he came to report his unhappiness. He hates to come to the kitchen esp where frying is concern but he withstand that possibility of oil spiling on him and went through the story.

I thought he had gotten over it until we went grocery shopping and I was looking very tempting to buy the herbs on pots home.

Bunster: Hey, do you think I should buy those herbs on pots? Basils, thymes and rosemary!

Aung: Buy lah, can grow them at home.

Bunster: But we won't care for it.

Aung: Not our home lah, put it in serangoon. You know my mom, she will just curse the herbs to death. And he gave me that dirty look. I thought its hilarious. Anger and Aung just don't quite match.

So, you have it, my hubby's mild ways of showing displeasure. Quite cute huh? Super funny too, at least to me. :)

Oops! Not a sadist here lah just finds it amusing only lah! :)

Feeling Like a Chicken

2009-10-01T11:19:00.007+08:00

It's no secret that baby project version 2.1 as been launched.

Although we have not been really active in this project, telling one another that we will just take it easy and let nature takes its place, this however is not the case under the cool and peaceful front.

Every month, I will be thinking that hey, I am pregnant. Every month, I will be like, oh not pregnant and this is really irritating. I'll be thinking maybe I shouldn't dunk down this beer or colour my hair then all at the end I AM NOT MOTHER HEN yet!

I can now imagine the stress of couples who are trying years with people asking of evidence of baby when seriously they don't just fall from the sky or comes in the mail with a mail order.

I want a BABY like NOW!

Then on the other hand, I am feeling a little "chickeny" with the whole thoughts of being pregnant with all the WHAT IFs of the world.

What if I had a miscarriage again?

What if my waterbag burst before the baby gets full term ( seriously, I was on training with this preggy sitting beside me and I was like repeating to myself, water bad dun burst please, not now)

What if I had a pre-term baby again ( I had show at week 35 0 days) and the world has told me 2nd baby always faster than first.

What if the baby wasn't healthy?

What if I put on another 20kg and hey looking at the weight I am starting now, it ain't gonna look too pretty.

All those questions chills me to ice and I become 100% "chickeny" about it.

Perhaps I should stop at 1 maybe.

Anyone who feels like a chicken as well?

I guess this is the perfect time God intervenes. Then HE would make me human again inside out.

Sala Resort, Phuket

2009-09-30T10:28:00.004+08:00

My smart husband brought me to this boutique hotel for our 5th wedding anniversary.

A private garden pool.

Daily massages.

Doing nothing

Wasting the hours away.

The best part. They serve the best breakfast I've tasted.

They serve steak for breakfast.

That's rabbit food he says. I agree.

The $110 Papaya and the inncocent Mosquito

2009-09-24T18:22:00.005+08:00

Fruits can be expensive. Especially those air-flown from Japan. Nice melons, grapes, strawberries and their oh so infamous watermelons that you only eye candied them at the local Meidya Japanese Supermart.
But papaya? Have you ever had a $100 papaya? Not me, but my dear Maoster did.
My mil decided to give him a nice look at how a REAL papaya looks like from the inside. Not the usual that he normally sees, nice cubes of orangy goodness. So full of vitamins she always stressed. Maoster got so excited and demanded that I carried him to see how the papaya was "executed". Seeing that my MIL was in her educational mood once again, i decided to give Maoster some papaya seeds to feel and touch to complete her class.
10 mins later, my beloved Maoster broke out in HIVES.
RED, NASTY, ITCHY, SCRATCHY HIVES.
LOTS OF THEM.
PLENTY OF THEM
ZILLIONS OF THEM
ALL OVER HIM INCLUDING HIS IMPISH ALMOST NEAR PERFECT FACE.
It cost me $50 to rush him to the GP on Sunday in the evening. On Tuesday, he wasn't well. It cost me another $60 to get him to a PD before Aung and myself fly off to Phuket for our anniversary trip.
The PD says that papaya and mango are 2 fruits that will easily sparkles off hives for babies and toddlers. An expensive advice learnt.
But, Mao in good spirit blames it on no one except the poor innocent mosquito. He is still playing and running around although we look at his bloated face with much dismay and aches.

He says "NAUGHTY MOSQUITO!, DON'T BITE ME!" whenever he feels the itch is way too much to bear. He says it with much anger and intensity.
And..... the MIL and me are keeping very quiet. Ahhhh... the mosquito won't mind taking the rap.

Sorry Mosquito. We'll pay you with our blood.

PS: There's no picture taken on Maoster and his hives. Daddy forbids it. :P

Can you figure it out?

2009-09-14T14:40:00.003+08:00

Yesterday before Mao suddenly got a fever, he started singing this song. I thought he had gone bonkers but then his later versions of them are all consistent but I really can't quite make up what he was singing. My best attempt to. Let me know if you think that Mao might have sang a different lyrics.

Mao's version:

Twinkle Twinkle Chocolate Bar

My daddy drive a rusty car

Push the starter

Push the door

Off we go across the mall

Twinkle Twinkle Chocolate Bar

My daddy drive a rusty car

Now my next question is: Who are the hooligans he hangs out with that taught him this crazy song? :)

Love your animals

2009-09-10T09:26:00.004+08:00

I wonder how Maoster will feel if I tell him I just learnt a new dish - POT ROAST.
On bed one night due to my extreme sleepiness, I told Maoster a fast forward bed time story of the 3 little pigs off my mind and ask him to imagine.

I switched off the lights and told him to close his eyes and imagine while I drifted slowly and slowly to my dreamland and the story a zoomz zoom.

I told him well, there are 3 little pigs and a big bad wolf and they are so lazy that they didn't build their houses correctly except the 3rd little pig. The big bad wolf came and eat them all up. Yum Yum Yum.

Maoster started crying after that. Gosh, 1st there goes my strategy of going to sleep, and 2ndly I got to coax him now. Great!

He went, BIG BAD WOLF cannot eat the pigs. Pigs are cute. Mummy, I am scared of BIG BAD WOLF. Cannot eat the pigs!.....

I went... Okay, then what on earth is Big Bad wolf gonna eat?

Maoster went: EAT NOODLES! NOODLES!

At the back of my mind, I was thinking how do you know if the noodles are not stir fry with pork - but oh well...

LOVE YOUR ANIMALS - MAOSTER WILL GET UPSET!

My maiden Teacher's Day...

2009-09-02T09:57:00.002+08:00

I remember the day where I went running after the boys in the field shouting at the loudest of my voice as they were still playing soccer where my class began 20 mins ago.
I remember the day where in my anger I threw a student out of class - He fell asleep while standing up.
I remember the day I ask if I can survive despite being here only for 4 mths.

I am really thankful that God has been kind that my first batch of kids had been nice. I know that life as a teacher may not be all rosy, I just hope that when I fall and get weak, I can get some strength knowing that I can make a difference.
Happy Teacher's Day!

Jobless at Home...

2009-08-27T15:19:00.004+08:00

Bunster: Tonight we go home then play lah ok?

Maoster: Mummy, cannot say LAH....

Bunster holding a dinosaur: Okay, I am going to bite you and eat you up.... BWAHHHHHH...I am a dinosaur....

Maoster: This is a T-Rex...

Bunster :Today is saturday. On saturdays, you don't go to school and we play all day together. You know what is Saturday right Mao? There are 7 days in a week...

Maoster singing: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday! How many days are there in a week? There are 7 days in a week. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday!

Bunster: All right...

I am jobless at home. No need to teach. JUST PLAY LAH...(oops... NO LAHs!)

OH YOU SILLY YOUTH

2009-08-26T09:59:00.003+08:00

Oh you silly youth, you ran so fast and you had your hands full that you tumble and fall and got yourself all bruised.
On you silly youth, you made me laugh till I can’t get enough and you brought so much joy that I now hardly mind.
Oh you silly youth, you wrestled with love and you meddled with rage and you got yourself so messed up that I once thought you were craze.
Oh you silly youth, how very talented you are. One day a poet, the other a cook. You wrote scripts and played on all notes and I didn’t notice how splendid you are.
Oh you silly youth, you skipped as you sang a new song each day. The song that would match the shades of nails and heightens with the heels of your shoes.
Oh you silly youth, I wonder what I could do, now that you came so fast and then you were gone. You left behind your spirit without the body and it hardly could be ever like before.
So, it’s true that in youth we learn and in age we understood, as now understanding came. For now, I am stuck with age that doesn’t give me space – Darn you wretched forsaking youth!

What Boys do when they go Shopping

2009-07-20T13:08:00.006+08:00

They hunt down a Harley motorbike and consider it their new toy.....

And then, they say, Maybe with that new toy, I may need cool Bikers' Jacket.

Why Aung Should attend my Gender Communication Class...

2009-07-18T21:45:00.010+08:00

BunsterWearing and showing off ( now I realise my mistake) the new underpants ( reads G) I got ( Gee bought it back from Canada) to Aung: Is this one nicer than the one I wore yesterday.

Aung : Yups, this one looks bigger.

Quite coincidently, I am now covering gender communication in my Business Communication class. I think I should get Aung to attend the lesson ; afterall this is really a (alive) lifeskill!

Maybe , just remotely maybe, with some help, pigs will perhaps fly.

Are you a Kiasu Parent?

2009-07-15T16:33:00.004+08:00

Aung: Dear, I created an account for Mao.
Bunster: What account? ( mind thinking along the line of savings account, current account etc)
Aung: You can find him now at myles.aung@gmail.com
Bunster: huh? For what? I don't think he will be checking his e-mail soon.
Aung: You know that day I checked for my name on gmail and its not available. By the time he wants to apply for one, I think it won't be available.
Bunster: I see ( mind thinking about during his time there may be like other email address like maybe zmail or whatever.... )
Aung: Yar, so myles.aung@gmail.com
Bunster: Right....!
I have thoughts about this conversation throughout the day and it really makes me laugh... sigh MY AUNG! Funny right?

The real competition....

2009-06-30T14:37:00.004+08:00

David Beckham's latest underwear ad wowed millions of fans. Sure, he got a hot bod.... but come on... look at Maoster... that's real competition...

Come on.. tell me... don't Maoster wins hands down! (Pointing gun at you)... SAY IT.... :)

SOP- HOME VERSION

2009-06-28T21:16:00.003+08:00

I thought he would protest cos I inserted this new DVD in replacement of his Madagascar DVD.

I thought I would hear him yell, not this one Mummy!

He went to grab his drums.

He went on to hum a melody.

He went on to put his hands in the air shouting Hallelujah when the worship leader do it.

He ended it with a big A-men.

I only pray that the music of our Lord, remains in his heart and grows old with him as a new song each day in his life.

Purely Business... Nothing Personal

2009-06-13T00:28:00.002+08:00

We haven't been really very "strict" and "insistent" parents when it comes to being toilet training my boy. We really didn't try to make him sit at the potty or whatever even though many of his peers could well communicate their toilet needs. We maintain the same lazy philosphy that c'mon, one day he'll get it himself - for once, we are spot on.

His gim gim (aunt) bought him his first set of BEN 10 underwear and from then on he is underwear obsessed. He refused diaper and insist that only underwear will do. And the result is that he tells he when he needs to pee and poo - strangely volunteerily cos he hates his BEN 10 underwear to get wet.... So far, he's been great with his records only a few accidents when he is watching his favourite TV program and he REN until he cannot liao, and pee cos he don't want to miss watching the show and once during nap time. Having said that, whenever he sleeps at night, I will wait till he is deep asleep to take off his beloved Ben 10 underpants to change into diaper - I mean, I've had the experience of sleeping in his urine once so I rather not let it repeat itself.

One day, he'll get it. Till that day, he is sleeping with his diapers on at night.

I hate to say this, but, my son really look very cute in his underwear. Will try to steal a shot when he is not looking.

I won't and can't tell you....

2009-06-03T11:40:00.004+08:00

where I found this sign.
Nope, I am not telling...

Marina Barrage & Mao's Words of Wisdom

2009-05-31T17:28:00.006+08:00

Was it a nice place?

Well, its okay - a relatively safe place for kids to run and play and best of all its FOC.

Did Mao had fun? Of cos he did, he was fascinated by the kites in the skies, sustainable sinagapore museum and the water playground.

Would we go again? Sure, but not when the sun is scorching like ytd....

*************************************************************************************

MAO'S WORDS OF WISDOM

On our way to church, we saw a sparrow. Trying hard to educate my son on mother nature, I told my son, look mao, a sparrow.

Bunster: So, can a sparrow fly?

Maoster: Yes! A sparrow can fly!

Bunster: So what other animals fly?

Maoster: Smiling happily. Other sparrows

I hope he's trying to be cheeky and not that of a sparrow sized brain....

Both 31....

2009-05-20T10:06:00.003+08:00

At 31 years old, I realised that I am no where near I am supposedly imagined to be....

I can't quite iron my own clothes, keep my house clean or pack my luggage when I am on a trip alone.

I cannot park parallel and still thinks that fast food are one of the best foods on earth.

I would lick my finger cleaned and doesn't see the point of washing my hands and feet when I get home.

I get cranky when people wake me up in the middle of my sleep and I get really excited over birthday celebrations, weddings etc.

At 31 months, Maoster still refused to tell me when he needs to poo and pee.

He still runs to our bed in the middle of the night if we put him on his own bed.

He laughs over silly cartoons and loves to pretend he is a dog.

He can't stand wearing a bib and he goes crazy when you say ICE CREAM.

I mean, we're both 31. Hey we're the same lah!

Maoster at 31 months. Still so cute right?

Why are phonics so " in" nowadays?

2009-05-17T15:44:00.004+08:00

Maoster: I eat my egg.

Bunster: Oh that's really nice.

Maoster: I eat my egg! I eat my egg! I eat my egg!

Bunster: Yups, I know, its so yummy?

Maoster: I eat my egg!

Bunster: Okay, you are so LOR SOR... need to repeat so many times.

Maoster: I eat my egg.

He touches his head.

Maoster: Ouch!

Bunster: OH! You HIT YOUR HEAD.

Now you know why phonics are so popular. Speak clearly lah son, I would have plant you a kiss earlier!

No need so petty lah son. Speak clearer next time lah. Don't hmph me lah.

Had an [UN]-Mother's Day?

2009-05-10T13:26:00.005+08:00

The air up there - the three musketeers making their way up there!

It's a mother's day weekend.

In order to celebrate this widely celebrated occassion, we (my mom, my bro & sis in law and us) decided to have dinner together. But before that, we decided to bring the kids out to play at Fidgets.

The place was heaven to them all, espacially to Maoster for the set up play area are full of his "ninja warrior" training equipments!

There was the climbing up the slope, the crawling under the tunnel, the walking across the shaky bridge, the steep and long tunnel and the slides and the ball room.

I spent the next 2 hrs running after that little imp (cos he was the smallest person there) as he went on stations and stations with his "never say die" attitude. Then, there was the looking out for him as older kids ran past him as if he was transparent. And then I had to be the mobile water dispenser as he would run to me and say Mummy, drink water!

I was glad when another parent standing beside me tells me that this place thankfully closed at 6pm!

Then at the restaurant, he refused to change his diaper and created such a big fuss! So I (my poor Aung is always too gentle to pinned him down) had to do the thankless job.

For dessert, all kids get a scoop of chocolate ice cream of which 10% was on Mao's shirt and pants. Another 10% was smeared all over his face.

After play and dinner, Maoster decided it was end of the day for him and slept on the way home.

I had to change him into his PJ, towel him clean and after that I quickly scrambled to bed to call it a day.

This morning he woke me up and say... Mummy! Go Ninja Playground?

Hmmmmm can I have a UN-MOTHER's DAY. SHHHHHHH I DUN EXIST TODAY okay?

The bridge towards more fun!

For the Father I wished I had...

2009-05-07T22:19:00.008+08:00

Blessed Birthday 汤爸爸!

You have been a blessing to me and my family! God bless you and your family!

Aung words of wisdom and why Mao is truly my son.

2009-05-04T09:29:00.003+08:00

WORDS OF WISDOM
We were walking down my mom's block to get newspaper when Aung exclaimed:
Aung: Did you see that!
Bunster: Oh my goodness... why would someone throw their used sanitary pad out of the window to be on the floor!
Aung: I mean... do girls changed their pad in the living room near the window?
Bunster: Ha ha ha... I dunno, maybe emergency... Have to change like NOW!
Aung: It's dangerous to walk down the flat.
Bunster: But, honestly I dun really know WHY ON EARTH WOULD PEOPLE THROW DOWN THE PAD! HUH? YOU KNOW? TELL ME? WHY? SO SILLY RIGHT?
Aung: They are testing if the WINGS work.

MAO's MINE

I've always complained that my son apart from his cheeky overloads has more of Aung's genes (minus temper). He likes his vegetables, refused junks, throw fries away and will beg for carrots. I always feel that I would have greater joy eating out with him if he liked what I like ( AKA fried food). However I am glad to announce that MAO's MINE becos that day he was sleeping and...

Mao asleep and he cried in his dream: " LET MAO MAO EAT! PLEASE LET MAO MAO EAT!"
Aung and I woke up to see this boy of mine sleep talking - Aung says, That's your son for sure now! :)

OLD AND NEW FRIENDS...

2009-04-11T10:26:00.004+08:00

After the GOOD FRIDAY service.... we scouted around for people to do dinner together. The music gang that I sat with mostly had to continue their songs practice for Easter Sunday and therefore dinner for those poor dudes will be in a flash and for us, we had the luxury of TIME and COMFORT.

Then..... Bethany (Limei & MJ) came running in to look for Maoster and plans for dinner were finalised along with Shayn. (Lili & Henri). Yippee!

Oh dinner spent with OLD FRIENDS are really nice....first thing we TALKED ABOUT EVERYTHING, WE CAN BE OURSELVES (scolding our kids and nagging at our spouse), SHARING FOOD and relieved the old days of where we used to spend alot of time together (in church, outings, this and that but MINUS the kids).

It's quite interesting to have meals with friends with kids at the same age becos we FACE THE SAME PROBLEM:

1. MENU SELECTION

Qn will be like... what can they eat huh. Will they like this thing?But I like that oh spicy noodles... sigh... and oh that super unhealthy pork chops... and we ask our partner... why don't you choose the one that your "son" will like..... so I can have that juicy fattening Mao-disliked pork chop.

2. FEEDING WOES

"Can you sit down and eat?", Wah.... let's clap for whoever who ate..... don't dip your fries into gravy.... NO, our drinks are not nice at all... drink your own water.... Don't touch that... its HOT... Hey, grab him/her... she's falling... STOP JUMPING..... FEED him/her NOW.....

In between those sentences we manage to exchange some non-kiddish US conversation

3. DORAEMON BAGS

I mean, Lili has 3 plastic balls in her bag, I have some selection of books and we don't really need to dig far to find that we may be able to construct a KIDDY PALACE from scratch....

Although dinner is not as leisure and relax as it used to be but spending some time with old friends that I love gives me a nice warm feeling....

While OLD FRIENDS meet... New friendship blosoms as our kids monkey around each other, getting the same food and same lectures at the same time..... and I pray that our kids will bond in friendship and be great pals in years to come - GOD FEARING and GOD LOVING Friends!

New Friends - Laughing their hearts out! A pity the OLD friends didn't take any pics, next time lah!

Best Bud Trip 2009

2009-04-09T11:58:00.007+08:00

The last time we were on a trip together was to HONG KONG in 2005. Honestly, I think our Aussie trip in 2003 was more fun but hopefully the Canada/USA trip that is going to burn a BIG HOLE in our pockets would beat the previous trips we did hands down cos it really cost us an arm and an leg!

We have only got the hotels and some ideas of stuff we gotta do... but I guess on the way, we will play by ear what we wanna do. But here is a peek of what I call the crazy schedule:

- 15th April to 17th April Evening

Solo trip around Vancouver becos Gee is still having meetings with God. Exams ends on 17th for her. Evening we will fly to Toronto.

18th April

Arrived in Toronto at 6am. Chiong the market as its is the saturday heard its quite fun, CN tower and shopping... and stay one night at Hotel Victoria

19th April

We leave Toronto City for Niagara Falls. Staying one night at Embassay Suites Hilton. We are going for the niagara view room with 2 swirlpool attached to our room. Sounds madness, I know but you know, whenever Gee meets Bunster, its always SHOWHAND TIME.... then we will both sit down somewhere and regret!

20th April we head for NEW YORK

Still don't really know what we wanna do yet, just that we would try to catch braodway and my warehouse shopping and this place will be home 4 nights at Fifth Avenue 373 Hotel

25th April

The wee morning we will be flying back to Vancouver Islands where we will stay 2 nights at Bed and breakfast to wind down and cry about our lost pennies and cents (sense!) at Cable Cove Inn

27th April

at 4am I need to be at the Vancouver airport and bidding my best bud farewell and fly crazy hours back to SG

28th April

I will be back 5 mins before the clock strikes 12 midnight.

I am getting excited and panicky ( AUNG AND MAO WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME) and I do hope that all turns out well and fun for the trip! In the meantime, watch out for my boys and hey BE GOOD.

I would be having a great time if you are as well!

Maybe next time, we'll have a cuppa at the cafe

2009-04-07T13:48:00.004+08:00

All alone 10 plus at night with Maoster, I decided to walk out of the room to wash his bottle.

Mins after, I heard him calling, WHERE ARE YOU MOMMY?

Then he found me in the kitchen and he asked - WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I said, I am washing your bottle my dear. He asked, You make milk?

Nope, but I can make you some if you want. Do you want?

Yes he shouted with happiness.

Then he ran towards the table and said put milk powder?

I said yes.

He said, 3 scoops?

I said nope, 4 scoops.

After I'm done, he says give it to me mummy.

I said, Go ahead it's all yours and he walked back to his room to enjoy his drink.

I think it will be very soon that we will enjoy a cuppa together at the cafe and he can tell me how much sugar he wants in his drink. And since, he is talking sense now, we can have a proper conversation. I think that would be awesome and so very cool. I hope he doesn't tempt me to get a cake as well.

I think my son's a really cool dude!

Overflowing....

2009-04-05T18:10:00.002+08:00

with gratefulness.
I knew I was doing the right thing by closing down my office and selling whatever that I can and talking to buyers. It was a decision struggled for the longest time.... it was a decision done not only looking at the numbers driven and the coming economy environment, although I state the this as a reason to all people who bothers to ask as that was easier to explain.

I knew it was a God pleasing decision although along the way, it was tough to navigate it here and there but through prayers I got to the destination.

I asked God for 3 things:

1. To land me into a new job with ease.
Indeed God was good. I got into a lecturing position, attaching myself to the business studies dept. Many raised eyebrows and had looks that says: Are you going into teaching becos of desperation or the poor economic outlook as the last resort or oh teaching, hmmmmmm its better for your family I guess. However, deep inside me, I knew I had applied for it becos it combines my passion for business and youth. However, passion or calling or whatso, as Gee clearly states and I clearly understood, can only be confirmed after I commenced lecturing work staring at youths who yeah may not care a heck about ME or the studies. So let's just see how it will turned out... but for now, I am yes, very grateful and excited.

2. A trip to Canada
To visit my best pal. Trust me even now as I am typing this I am suffering from this great pangs of guilt for leaving both my men behind to cope and crazy Mao separation anxiety possibilities. I have enough of people asking me, Huh? Maoster how? And those looks that brand me as, oh look at that irresponsible mother running away having fun all by herself! But despite all that, the air ticket is in my bag- I will be away 15th April to 28th April. I hope I don't have jetleg becos on 29th I have a wedding rehearsal, 30th I have a musical to attend and 1st and 2nd I have weddings and 4th of May I am starting work.
If the institute had needed me to start work way earlier, I wouldn't have made it.

3. A baby ( a healthy one but greedily a pinkie if possible)
We lost our 2nd baby and I knew how much Jon wants a 2nd baby. So much that he says hey actually 2 boys are so great ( cos he knows I am crazy about boys) indicating that give me one more, whatever the gender.
So we have agreed that we will try for a baby projectBB2 version 2.1 Oct onwards. We are keeping faith that this new one will survive and be a full term baby.

God doesn't always gives one what you asked for all the time, if HE does, then I am worried for my limited intelligence would be asking for the WORLD and ruining my own life and forgetting that He is God and not me. But when God answers my prayers, I am truly, unimaginably grateful.

However, I am also challenged now that when I am truly Blessed, how can I pass it on. Passing it on in my ministry, in the community and to the broken. I am working out actually on a Aung family 2009 commitments and dedication thingy and a do-able trackable calendar to make sure we stay on it.

When you are too FAT for your cake...

2009-03-17T09:48:00.004+08:00

The kids have a great idea.

Mommy/XiaoGu is too fat for a cake this year.

So......

They do what they do best.

PAPER CAKE!

They make it so real right?

I do hope its a strawberry shortcake!

I WON....

2009-03-16T21:06:00.003+08:00

the bet! Baby Junior Jimmy is going to be induced this midnight as the date turns 17th!
Oh well, based on reliable sources and somwhat collected evidence ; that babies born on the 17th of March have the following characteristics and traits:
1. CHARMING
2. HAS FUNNY BONES
3. LOVES TO EAT
4. POPULAR
5. SMART, CLEVER, WITTY and SERIOUSLY IMAGINATIVE
6. SEXY
7. HIGH EQ and IQ
.
.
.
Actually, there seems to be like 1000 stuffs about them but oh well....
Apparantly apart from me who is super excited... so is Maoster as he is preparing for his "hello" birthday to his comrade and brother to come.

Don't worry Maoster will perfect his song by tmr before he sees DIDI!

The Expensive Poo Poo

2009-03-12T15:16:00.005+08:00

After my motherly duty of fetching and depositing Maoster and my neice and nephew to my mom's house, I was glad that the morning half of the day was over and I can look forward to my solo time alone shopping.

As Maoster and his cousins had their eyes glued on the okto channel, I embraced my newfound freedom and quickly ran out of the house giving my mom a wink. It took me 45 mins on bus 133 to reach my destination - Bugis Junction. I had a mission, I needed to find the ladies over at worship ministry a chic and affordable shirts.

Breathing in the air of freedom and looking at the busy scenes at Bugis made me realised that the bad economy probably "passover" this place, as on a weekday, the queues at the taxi stands and malls and restaurants are still formed.

After a few minutes of scouting and planning in my mind the shopping itinery and route, I was rather pleased. Then, nature's call. I dunno why, but I always feel the need to poo when I arrived at shopping mall. So, as all doctors advise, if you need to poo, pleaes go poo - which I did.

The queue at the toilet was also very long, but I had a greater calling. I need to wait patiently.

Feeling rather relived, I stepped to regain back momentum to embark on my shopping trip when my mom called:

Mom: Oi, your son cry non stop looking for you!

Me: Huh? Try to do some tricks leh.

Mom: He already on milk strike liao, say wear shoes take bus look for mummy. He's at the gate there liao, refusing to come in.

Me: No other way?

Mom: His eyes infection leh, don't let him cry too long lah, already swollen already. Can you hear him screaming? I give up liao. Come back and save us.

Me: Okay.

So, i took a cab ( played cheat by going at this ulu junction bypassing the long queues, evil i know but i cannot wait so long lah sorry ah) and it cost me $8.

All I did at Bugis was to POO.

What was I thinking? I should have just stayed at home and Poo all I want and spend the $9.30( $8 on cab fare plus the $1.30 to get there) on KFC! Instead I had to travel 45 mins to go Bugis to poo!

And all my mom said was: You never say bye bye to him lah, so he cry. Next time say bye bye to him first ah!

Being a mother is tough nowadays, still need to get my passport stamped and checked for approval!

Hey, emphatise a little with me won't you!

Maybe I will feel better if these were provided in the toilet

The Seal that was on sale

2009-03-03T16:16:00.007+08:00

After our dinner tabao event at serangoon gardens, before the car went out:

Aung exclaims: Hey bun, there's a SALE ( pointing at the terrace house and its big sign)

Bunster raising eyebrow: Hello, dream on lor, no money lor that house easily worth 1.5million

Maoster showing equal enthusisam as his father: Go see sale

Bunster: You got money ah mao, sale also cannot buy

Aung drives away

Maoster not giving up: Go see sale, see sale. Go there. Go back. Go see sale.

Bunster glares at Aung with that you and your big fat mouth lah look....

Maoster getting irritated and angry: See sale mummy. Go see sale.

Bunster: There is nothing to see at the sale.

Maoster: See sale, "ONG" "ONG" "ONG"

Bunster: Huh

Maoster doing his flippers actions : See sale, "ONG" "ONG" "ONG

Bunster: Oh, NOT SEAL LAH MAO, it's SALE.

And if you think Maoster gets it, NO LOR. To him, there was a SEAL on SALE.

Another language BOO BOO.

Even if I bought the seal on sale Maoster, I dun have such a big tank!

Witnessing Death

2009-03-02T21:34:00.004+08:00

was what I felt today;

As i sat in my office anticipating and waiting for the end to come.

Suddenly a call came and ask if it can be done.

I said, yup, go ahead.

As I stared high up at my aircon with its green light indicating air... wondering when was the moment.

At 10am sharp, all proof of its existence was cut off.

The aircon's light no longer showed any lights, nor breathed any air.

It felt like death because all of life's surviving essentials like air and water has been cut.

Suddenly I felt suffocated being there and I had to get out.

And darn! The stairs that I am walking down although at 10am was dark like hell.

I feel like how I always felt when I walk out after the cremation of any funeral the entire day.
Sad, Mourning and Frightened.
Time will heal the wounds.

My Space - Gone!

Packing Up, Moving On....

2009-02-26T15:49:00.002+08:00

Packing up and leaving what has been quite close to heart can be tougher than it seems.
Leaving what I built almost single-handedly and putting it in "cold-storage" evokes some sentiments in me.
But, let's just focus about the journey, the scenes of this route of 4 odd years. That in the changing scenes of spring, summer, autumn and winter, God has been my helper and strength.
Moving on, I am not sure what are the changing scenes to come. But I know for sure that God who is my keeper will keep me safe.
I am grateful for the past and hopeful for the future to come.
My life is indeed memorable because I've travelled the road less travelled and become hopefully nicer and better.

怕or 爬?

2009-02-17T12:26:00.010+08:00

We were trying to entertain and educate my son on some lifeskills.

What better way than through good old playing and singing....

We took his Diego figurine (his favourite now) that we bought for him... and we were singing that classic chinese kid song (if you haven't heard it before, then too bad) that goes like... 自己跌倒，自己爬.... and we showed diego walking and falling and eventually climbing- NO crying, No fuss....

After singing it for like 3 times, Maoster was happily mimicking us with the diego action and suddenly, it went so WRONG....

Aung: Like his actions wrong hor?

Bunster: Why leh?

Aung: you see, he does it like 自己跌倒 (fall action right!)，自己怕 (wrong! cos he do the patting the chest action, like scared!)

Bunster: Is it?

Aung: You sing again and you look at his actions!

Bunster: Alamak, maoster, its 自己跌倒，自己爬! Not 怕! You get it or not! FALL NO NEED TO BE SCARED!!!

Maybe I should use a new song for my Lifeskills training program!!!!

WHY YOU NEVER LISTEN PROPERLY....

2009-02-12T21:56:00.007+08:00

now my son has been transformed from a funny cheeky most handsome and adorable boy that looked like this:

Few minutes before his hair was ruined - he met his favourite friend, Ginger

to a gangster looking one like this!

I am an ah beng, that's why I am sitting on the void deck although I just showered!

when we told you to keep his front hair LONG, we meant it! It doesn't mean that its easier to shave off his head, you DO IT!!! By saying you are going to shave his hair behind him, doesn't mean it can go up HIGHER and HIGHER to make my son looks like this!!!

Poor Baby! Thank God, your hair will grow back and also that at this tender age of 2 plus, you haven't quite understood the word vanity! Don't worry, that s&(*&*^*& hairstylist is BANNED!

I need to say the LORD's PRAYER to calm my nerves - especially the part where it says, FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST YOU....

Oblivious to the "damage", Maoster SMILES happily

The Mom's Song...

2009-02-11T16:43:00.002+08:00

Is this my fate?

Will I sing as well?

To all mothers out there, let's hold hands and form a choir!

MEDIATOR

2009-02-08T17:05:00.005+08:00

I cut Maoster 4 strawberries today for snack.

After looking at his plate for 5 mins, he didn't really eat them.

My MIL was telling me maybe he is not hungry so he wasn't interested.

I took one up and say, you wanna try this? And I pop it into my mouth casually.

Maoster STORMED. One of the storms that he gives when he is angry or provoked not a sight that is unusual for I suspect my little angel is now in his terrible 2s.

He cried, he wailed, he pointed at me and he banged the table.

My authority being questioned was of no joke to me, I went to him, stared hard at him and told him to be quiet and stop crying. I told him that in this family, no one shouts nor bang the table. And, afterall what's the BIG FAT Deal about eating one tiny bit of strawberries. We counted there were 10 left on his plate!

Aung, seeing the situation, decided to play it right by telling his son that his manner is not to be pursued and its madness and he is a far better boy than he himself knows. Whatever that means!

After 2 mins (his storm is normally short), he continued with his strawberries and I retreated for some TV therapy.

During his nap time, as Aung and myself were watching TV together, he began by saying, Oh, what a stormy boy we have! And suddenly very gently, he looked at me (oh yes that's where I realised I am into the middle of "pep" talk) and says, Well, you know your son stared at his strawberries for a very very very long time. He smelt them, he touched them, he loved them so much that he didn't really bear to eat them. Then you walked along and eat it up so casually and he stormed. He even licked the last one before he popped it inside his mouth! So you must understand, he is just very very surprised and shocked by your act!

Oh well, now i feel like this super greedy, non sensitive bitch that goes around stealing food from kids!

I am so going to cut my son more strawberries after he wakes up from his nap and this time, I AM NOT EATING ANYONE OF THEM!

The strawberry temptations!

The 32 Girl....

2009-02-05T09:37:00.004+08:00

Gee turned 32 this year.

In memory of our Long distanced and much celebrated friendship, all of you there should know at least 32 things about my best friend. ( I insist).

1. She is a Hakka and beams about it. She insist that they are a hardworking and humble group of people, maybe Jimmy will agree.

2. She loves the chinese language alot and although is much superior in this language, she flunk her A level Chinese twice ( and her GP got B3 lor, strange marking system)

3. She, a typical Chinese, loves chinese food the most. She only eat Japanese with her colleagues (as she prefers her food piping hot but loves her colleagues too much and seldom with me). She shuns Indians and Malay food because she hates the taste of spices.

4. She doesn't eat the following: Ginger, spring onions, parsley, toufu (unless its egg), DAO GUA etc...

5. Her favourite local food is OR LUA (oyster omelette) and she needs to eat it with her teh-o

6. She only sent out her job application twice in her entire life. And both of it went to the same place over at MCYS. I believe she is moving her bedroom there.

7. She is highly inspired by Mrs See her CF teacher in her sec school days

8. She highly admire Denise, someone really nice at her workplace

9. She loves Father Thong and her family very dearly ( so do I!)

10. She has her mother temprements and looks and her butt (hee)

11. When she is young, she spends most time, signing off fake cheques and giving the world money maybe the reason why she is a very generous person (I am the main recipient!)

12. Her weakness is for Jackets, cold wear and things that you can't really wear in Singapore ( maybe that's why she is in Canada now)

13. She loves to drive and will take all opportunity to and so probably her retirement job would be a taxi driver.

14. It takes alot of effort for her to be able to strike a conversation with someone and make new friends not because she is afraid or unfriendly but she is just... ermmmm... handicapped in that area.

15. Her favourite potato chip is the Calbee Hot N Spicy flavour and she enjoys dark chocolate with coffee beans inside them. She has somewhat a sweet tooth.

16. She sucks at childhood stories, don't ask her anything about Cinderalla, Snow White, Thumbelina, Rupenzel etc. She gets them all mixed up and mostly WRONG.

17. She has a great heart and calling for social work.

18. She enjoys DIY stuffs and will get her hands dirty on constructing things but dun expect her making dresses, bags etc, she is into building cupboards, beds whatever you type.

19. She has a few regrets in life, some of them are so ridiculous that I shan't embarrass her by writing it down here.

20. She hates reptiles especially SNAKES and will shun it even if they are in the form of plush toys, pictures etc.

21. Although she was born in the year of the animal she hates most, she is lucky enough that based on chinese calendar she is a DRAGON. Just don't insist that its a KOMODO dragon ha ha ha..

22. She is not really sporty person

23. She enjoys good reads and musical and yes she loves "IF THERE's SEASON"

24. In case you think she has been single all her life, she has a number of suitors and one official boyfriend before.

25. Her handwriting, SUCKS. Thank God for computers.

26. She doesn't enjoy drinking, and will always opt for juices, ribena etc.

27. She is the youngest in the family but behaves like the oldest.

28. One of the funniest thing I did to her was that I lied to her that I lost our day trip tickets in Australia just before boarding the bus.... you should look at her face.

29. She can't quite sing and dance but she can write script and direct plays

30. She is a very dedicated and focus person in work and church ministry. Sometimes it frightens me.

31. There was this white top that she liked very much becos it looked like a pastor top!

32. She loves God very much

Maybe you can do your version of the 32 things you would like to know about Gee!

Blessed b'day my dearest buddy. May God bless you abundently with all the goodness of life!

Best friends :)

Aung's Agony....

2009-02-02T13:13:00.004+08:00

on Sunday.

I left Aung and Maoster to sleep in as I had to be in church an hour earlier than them as I'm on duty.

I told Aung that I have packed everything just have to settle Maoster and walk to church later.

At 9:30am- half an hour after service started there was no sight of them and I sneaked an sms to Aung. He was late but is attending sunday school with the Maoster.

After service, when our dear little family reconciled, Aung gave me a "I need to tell you my tragic story look".

I said, what happened?

Aung said:

He cried lah, the first thing he wake up. He ask, Where Mummy? Where Mummy? Where Mummy? Non stop storming the whole house. I told him Mummy in church, we going to find Mummy. So in a wink, We both got changed and ran out of the house. Then at the back of my mind, I was thinking, WHAT DID I NOT DO? Suddenly, at Northpoint, I remembered. I FORGOT TO FEED MAOSTER HIS MILK!

And.... I had to walk back AGAIN to feed him and came out. Everytime he wake up he will ask for his milk mah, that's why I FORGOT ALL ABOUT IT!

Aung's tragic tale - that I was actually laughing and I had that "I TOLD YOU I AM SMARTER AND BETTER AND CAN MULTITASK AND WILL NOT FORGET THINGS"Look and okay lah and 5% of emphathy for it was a HOT DAY that morning and having to walk to and fro can rather agonising!

Is that Ah hwa and Maoster laughing at Aung's Agony? Tsk Tsk Tsk!

1+1+1 = ALOT OF NOISE

2009-01-29T10:50:00.003+08:00

David and sarah is back for CNY.

As much as I love them, I have to say, I am almost deaf now.

They shout, they scream, they glee with delights.

They have endless of energy.

They have so many tricks up their sleeves.

They roped in Maoster to do so many funny things; some good, some bad and some ended in tears with knocks here and there.

And, they ate far too much ice cream even by Bunster's standards.

But oh well, whatever, its the CNY!

If you cannot beat them, join them.

Let he who has ears be deafen!

It's OFFICIAL...

2009-01-28T10:43:00.009+08:00

yes, 2008 is officially soon to be over ( I mean there's 15 days of CNY but we are really trying to push it aren't we?)
When 1 January 2009 was here, the chinese in us (or me, I shouldn't drag the world down)will be thinking of putting things to be done till the chinese new year is over(etc, the dieting, the working harder, the 1001 that one should do to be a better person...)like there's always extension period but now that is almost gone.
Anyways, for CNY, Aung + Maoster cleaned the mopped the floor and I cooked (normally termed as division of specialization).

Hmmm, I mean we don't need 3 people to mop the floor right?

We can always count on Aung to pick up the pieces!

The mean chicken stew I made that gained great support from my son.

My well rehearsed son and his tool for ang pow collection
This new year will be challenging - and as what Father thong mentioned in his sermon at st matthew on CNY's eve using the book of Joshua. It may seem the wrong time, the most inappropriate circumstances, it may seem to be an impossible task, it may seemed that difficulties may befall our path but if we just follow the ark before us, we know that the Lord is leading us to the land of Cannans - flowing with milk and honey. The future is hopeful becos our Lord is before us.

Have a great and meaningful and most blessed year of the OX!

Failed Negotiations

2009-01-20T10:34:00.004+08:00

Maoster: Big dog, small dog, lion and lamb!

Bunster: No choose only 1!

Maoster: Hmmmmm Big dog, lamb, lion and small dog!

Bunster: No you can only take 1 home.

Maoster: NO! LION, BIG DOG, SMALL DOG, LAMB!

Bunster: NO. YOU CAN ONLY TAKE 1 HOME!

Aung: Okay, Choose 2.

Bunster: GLARES.

Maoster: LION, BIG DOG, SMALL DOG, LAMB!

Bunster: Fine, you stay here with Ma Ma, if you cannot choose one to bring home.

Maoster: Goodbye Mummy. Goodbye Daddy.

Bunster: FINE!

Mao and his furry friends- His comrades at home.

So we left home without Maoster. That was until 10pm my mom called and said he wants to GO HOME with Daddy and Mummy and cried buckets (as my mom tried to feed him medicine, that's another story!) And nope, none of his furry friends came along.

I need to dig into parenting books - Any recommendations? Best titled, HOW TO GET YOUR SON TO COOPERATE? or HOW TO SKIP TERRIBLE 2? Something like that would be great.

You know A rabbit lost her tail becos...

2009-01-19T16:25:00.003+08:00

1. After sleeping at 9pm, I still feel as if I haven't slept in years.

2. That I gave up the idea of eating KFC and opted to cook instant noodles instead on a weekend.

3. The pages of the book that I am reading ( the wind up bird chronicle) is not moving as fast although it is supposedly a very enchanting book to keep one hooked.

4. That although the thermometer states that I am 37.3degrees, I keep pushing it to my ears every half an hour insisting that somehow will read 39 degrees.

5. I have not not stacked my fridge to the brim although CNY is coming soon...

6. Everything that comes out of Aung's mouth is either too soft or too loud for my liking.

7. That I keep missing out dates and thinks that I am in 2008

8. I volunteered Maoster on a WHOLE DAY TV Program to stop him from asking me to "open your eyes mummy"

9. I am wearing my shades now in the office

10. my Aung just msn me in the middle of the day to ask me if I want ice cream later...

Find my tail won't you?

Maybe I should retreat to the fridge for the time being.

上课像条虫，下课一条龙！

2009-01-16T13:11:00.007+08:00

I cannot find anything apt in English to express this....

I had tears in my eyes....

2009-01-14T13:54:00.004+08:00

Singaporeans arrested for protest in support of Burmese Activists from choonhiong on Vimeo.

when I was in the middle of this video that Gee told me about.

Wells of tears.

Bouts of tears.

Tears that I cannot contained.

Of all people, at all times

They even had to zoom in

For that 10 secs or so ( at the 4 min 48 seconds onwards)

My dear hubby he always makes me laugh

He's the perfect "Celefare"

Talk is Cheap

2009-01-13T10:06:00.004+08:00

With that super excited, really happy, oh you are so lucky type of energy and tonality, Says,

Bunster: Hey, Mao, do you like to go to school?

Maoster: Yes! Yeah!

Bunster: Wow, Good boy!

Bunster: What do you wear to school?

Maoster: White shoes

Bunster: Clever boy!

Bunster: So can you cry in school tomorrow?

Maoster: Nooooooooooooo ( In a dun be ridiculous tonality)

Bunster: Brave Boy!

Bunster: So you will play toys, sing songs and have a snack with your friends? So fun right?

Maoster: (Nodding his head), Roll ball.... play toys

Bunster: Right!

Bunster: So, what must you say to Ma Ma when you go to school?

Maoster: Hmmmmmmm.... GoodBye Ma Ma

Bunster: yes, Tmr Ma Ma cannot be in class with you okay, you have to be in class by yourself and Ma Ma will be waiting for you outside. Ok?

Maoster: Okay....

An hour after class begins Bunster calls AH MA....

Bunster: How? he can?

AH MA: CANNOT LAH.... he keeps looking for me... WHERE MA MA?

Bunster: Huh, How?

AH MA: .. CRY LIKE MAD LAH when I hide ... teacher ask me to stay....

Bunster: How huh, like that...

Ah MA: Wait lor and talk to him lor....

TALK IS CHEAP. ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS!

He rather sleep than hears me nag now...

One end to the other...

2009-01-12T10:48:00.003+08:00

I started on the "Perfect Vegetable" supplement as part of the "healthier" 2009 Bunster....as I realised that I may not be getting enough of these.... but of cos the question now is will I remember to eat them...
Maoster however, on the other end needs no help with that as till now he still goes "wow " when he sees his green and definitely bonkers when he sees carrots or corns.

I think my MIL prayers have come true! At last someone in the family who believes in eating right and healthily - as she proudly puts. Her grandson is "modern" as only someone who is advanced in his thinking would know that eating greens is the way to go.... Oh well, at least someone is pleasing her....

No Fear of Losing...

2009-01-08T16:25:00.007+08:00

I was talking to HL on MSN today.

We were talking about how a March to be mom had given birth to a 1.3kg baby and how that the mom had to suffer without epidural becos of the fear of harming the too soon to come baby and that air con has to be off so that the tempreture of the baby will not drop too much after deliver... where all should be done congratulating the mom for her safe delivery despite the dram and trauma, all I can say is I am so scared that I actually feel like puking....

Honestly I hate to be pregnant. I hate this vulnerability... this possible of losing what is to come and having no control and yet whole world congratulating u all the way through.... I totally went into a state of wreck when I realised I am to deliver Maoster at week 35 0 days where I started seeing blood. With my miscarriage of my 2nd baby, it only makes my fear and phobia of being pregnant even larger and bigger to the point of puking!

If we have no fear of losing, then we will not be fearful. That's what HL said ( bravely after her first miscarriage and now her last leg of the race with her baby boy to be due in mid march)... NO FEAR OF LOSING.... As much as I have fully got over my miscarriage I really still have that lingering fear of going through it again... and what if a stillborn, what if its unhealthy... and so though there's a Jayla 2009 project, I am so not willing to embark on it....

And I realised it applies to many facets of life....

If we have no fear of losing and understanding that all is in God's hands and permission, we shouldn't be too stressed about the downturn in economy as our Father in Heaven will provide abundently... If we have no fear of losing, we will not be too wary about how our children are doing in school and in achieving academics, if we have no fear of losing, we will be better neighbour, a better friend, a better sibling, a better colleague....

I hope that I will lead a "no fear of losing" life because I know my provider is God and that my life and all is existence belongs to God. It is a positive outlook of life and not one of "resigned to fate" attitude... its a journey with God of Hope, Faith and Love...

The road ahead is long..... let us all pray....

36 and still looking like 26!

2009-01-07T15:16:00.003+08:00

Photo taken on his 35 birthday with his botak Maoster

Most people thinks Aung looks younger than his age.
I tend to agree as all the family photos that we have ,since we started dating since he was 25 pretty much looked the same as how he looked now.
Like his ability to maintain his look of "youth", Aung has the ability to maintain being the most polite, calm, gentle, softspoken, kind and generous person that I know of 11 years.
Being the always happy to stand "in the shadow" and bask in the happiness of family and friends he love, I guess today is a good day for him to be showered all the attention and nice-ness.
So, if you happen to remember or read my blog, hey do send him an sms to wish him a very blessed B'day!
Blessed B'day my dearest hubby, May the Good Lord bless you to be a God fearing and God favoured man!

Diaper Fashion

2009-01-06T12:52:00.002+08:00

"No!", says Maoster

"So be it !"says Bunster

"If you don't wear it on your butt,

Just wear it on your head!

I just need you to wear your diaper basically!"

Before anyone rushes to report me for any child abuse - note that this is a clean, unused diaper. Mind your own business!

First Day of School

2009-01-05T14:26:00.005+08:00

He looked very cute and adorable in his school uniform and his cap.

He hang his water bottle by his neck .

He carries his school bag all by himself with a hanky in his pocket.

He loves his white socks and shoes.

He resisted when we reach.

He somehow enjoyed the toys - a bit too much that he cried buckets when it was taken away from him.

He refused to sit and listen to songs nor did he listened to any teacher's instructions.

He wanted to be alone.

He wanted to play with his toys.

He wanted to go to the playground and was happy when he finally went

He cried buckets again when they said it was time to go back to class.

He asked where mummy, whenever I sneaked to the back...

He hardly smiled.

He doesn't look scared but he really doesn't want you to come bother him unless u wanna play toys with him.

He says "No" more than "Yes"

He says "Mummy"more than I liked

He was extremely stubborn and refused to budge or give in.

Maybe that's his way of showing that he's stressed at a new school environment.

He said bye bye to the whole world when the teacher said we can go off now.

He agree that it was good and decide to join his class to sing the goodbye song.

Now, the ultimate qn when I was walking home with him, Would you want to come school again, mao?

He nod his head.

For now, that's good enough to sooth my unrest mind and my separation anxiety. And did I not mention, I can't sleep last night. I wonder what I would do if he gets married one day. That's where Aung said, you need another baby dear, a Mao-replacement! Mao you must be happy at school okay?

8 to 9

2008-12-30T19:47:00.004+08:00

There is a time for everything.
As I anticipate 2008 to come at the end of 2007, as if drinking a good bottle of wine, 2008 is down to its last drop soon.
Being a STM (short-term memory) person, I hardly could think of much of 2008 unless its in a span of plus minus 30 mins. I'll do better in 2009 since I now blog. Some flashback:
2007 became 2008.

Aung turned 35

We donated heavily to road tax, erp, gas and parking offences with our trusty Latio.

Gee turned 31 and decided that it was a good year to stay closer to God and further away from us - I mean to choose between us and GOD.... you better not choose US.

Aung and myself along with Eileen and Claude went to a to die for ali-lia resort in cha-am for my 30th birthday.

Maoster was a joy all 12 months.

We visited my sister twice in Vietnam - once in July and now as I am typing this. Both times, I ate like a pig while Maoster basically only had one thing to say - swimming pool. That's all he wanted to do.

Work was good for good 8 months or so and sucked for 4 months where sales basically is 0.

I found myself pregnant again for the 2nd time and found myself miscarriaged for the first time.

HL got pregnant which is really one of the happiest thing that happen for Nehemiah.

Miriam got pregnant and at last bringing up the ratio of girls in church to come.

There were about 3 weddings that I attended

Mother Thong lost his dad this year and well, I sort of lost my god-grandpa.

Gee went to Canada and well is now living in 2 time zones.

The economy turned so bad that I think either I really had to work harder or I need not work any harder again the next year.

Cell group was established and Aung family become members.

We continued to serve in the music ministry and Maoster a follower in our ministry

Yishun 9am celebrated its 10th year

I celebrated my 12th year in YCCA (Anglican) chinese

Aung and myself celebrated 4th year of our marriage

I am still fat and surprisingly happy and all my funny bones intact

Aung got us Mio Tv which basically embarrasingly some of my fav tv shows are Masterchef goes Large and Do you look good naked which is really crap esp the latter but how do u resist looking at women far larger and sorry with more cellulite than I already had.... seriously therapeutic!

Maoster acknowledged us as parents and now calls us more than we wanted or appreciated - mostly when we are in the middle of either a conversation, a nap, our favourite program or the most unforgiving during sex.

I can't really remember if I made new friends ( i mean if new staffs are counted???)

Aung got himself an iPhone in the name of giving it to me but nah.... i only hold it when he is not on it which is about 10 mins a day when he is driving

I read a few good reads - like the kite runner etc etc etc

I hardly exercised

I cooked almost all weekends

Aung who is always didn't win anything in his life won $160 of robinsons voucher during his D&D which i spent it on bras and he on shoes. He think he had turned lucky for once.

The issues of why orange and yellow are always so irritating constantly torment us and I am forever in Jaundiced.

Elvis is yeah still alive

We went to Y10 music retreat during NDP period

I led worship leading on x-mas this year.

Not sure if I did anything else good or bad this year .... or anything that I forgot to mentioned it here. Do you know what I missed out? Let me know, okay? Bye 2008, looking forward to 2009!