Are you sentimental?

"So won't you please play a song, a sentimental song
For my sentimental friend over there
We've been so long apart, make it go right to the heart
Of my sentimental friend over there
Bring the tears to her eyes, help to make her realise
The love we had was just beyond compare
Then if the time is right, maybe I'll hold her tight
My sentimental friend over there"
An extract from Herman Hermit's My sentimental friend

Just the other day, I was at the jewellers to collect something. A friend of mine was there with me. She had brought along a big bag of her gold jewellery for the jewellers to value. It was worth some $9000!!! I couldnt believe it. She had with her necklaces, rings, bangles, pendants etc .. all by the dozens. Some of them belonged to her daughter ie gold trinkets that were given to her daughter when her daughter was born. The rest were hers, some she had bought herself, others given to her by relatives during her wedding. She reckoned that since she was unlikely to wear them anymore (she finds them too old fashion), and since the price of gold is at an all time high, this is the best time to sell them and use the proceeds to buy new "bling".

I thought to myself: "Hmmm...what a great idea. Maybe I should do the same." You see, during my younger days, I would always buy myself some gold every few months. I have necklaces from my first pay packet, diamond rings from my first bonus, bracelets from my second pay packet,....you get the drift. Now my safe boxes are full of such things which, come to think of it, some I would never ever wear again. So off to the safe box I went. I picked up quite a few items which I know I will never ever wear again. These should get me quite a bit of cash, I thought. Then I can buy myself that .....my mind drifted to all those beautiful jewels I had been eyeing.

I left the bank empty handed. I just couldnt imagine trading it for anything, no matter how much I want those new things. I can do without them. You see, I need these "old" things to remind me of the good ol' days. I need to be able to reminisce about when I first earned enough to buy myself that coveted item. I need to be able to show and tell my kids about them. I need to be able to pass some of them down to my children when the Lord calls me back to him. It doesnt matter if my kids may never wear them, I just hope they wont trade them in, and will keep them and pass it on to their kids ....sort of like a family heirloom. I still have the bracelet my grandmother gave to me, something to remind me of her since she is no longer here with us. I still keep that huge "olympic" gold medal my hubby's grandmother gave to me, even though I will never wear it cause it causes my neck to hang. I did not even know her that well - I probably met her something like 4 times, before she left this world. I still keep all those kiddy anklets, rings etc that were given to my kids at birth, though it cant fit them anymore. The list goes on. But I feel obliged to keep them all.

You know why? Because I am a sentimental fool. Are you?

Christmas in October?

Was driving down Orchard Road (the main shopping belt in Singapore) yesterday when my daughter, S, suddenly exclaimed: "Look mum! Christmas decorations! I cant believe it! It's only October."

Me: Are you sure?
(I was busy concentrating on driving due to the traffic jams)

S: Yes, look it's up the tree.
(The tree was next to the Singapore Visitor centre, next to Faber House)

Lo and behold! she was right.

Me: Maybe they are left over decorations from last year. There are no other christmas decorations around.

Driving on, in front of Orchard Plaza, S shouted again.

S: No, Mum! There are more decorations here. Also, they weren't there yesterday when we drove down this road.

Indeed! there were more snow flakes, and stars hanging from the trees!!

Why? Why? Why? This only happens in Singapore. Where Christmas decorations come out in October. It means we have to put up with it for 2 whole months. In the US, the only deco you would see at this time would be for Halloween, culminating with the Haloween parade in Soho, New York on 31 oct. Thereafter, you would see them getting ready for thanksgiving, which is in the last week of November. THEN, when all the thanksgiving celebrations (and the great big post-thanksgiving sale) is over, you would see Christmas deco coming up. Here, we have even yet to celebrate Deepavali, and Christmas deco is up. It is just getting too commercialised.

Please! Would the person in charge of making the decision of when to put up the christmas deco spare a thought for some of us? 2 months is a bit too long!
Christmas in October? Only in Singapore!!

Almost there!

Yes, I am almost there! I only have half a day of work left, this afternoon.

What work? Thot you were a SAHM?

Yeah, la. Working with my son and drilling him for his exams. His exams end tomorrow. So I only have half a day left, this afternoon, to work with him on his maths before we are done with school work for this year.

Most of you would be wondering why I am so worked up about it. Well, its because he is not at all! In fact, last evening he told me that he was not going to school on wednesday. He would go instead on Thursday and do his math paper then. Why? Because he wanted to watch David Copperfield on TV on tuesday night, and if he did not have an exam on wednesday, I would let him watch it, he reckoned!

If only he plans ahead for his school work the way he does for his TV shows, then I wouldnt have to worry so much.

I really dislike the education system here. Much as it turns out kids that are supposedly well ahead of those from other countries, I feel that it is too exam oriented. It is not well rounded enough. Streaming starts too early. But, what can I do? I am just an individual with no powers. So, my kids just have to go with it. I do what I can on my own end. AND I am all stressed out because of it!!

Language

Communication is a process by which people exchange information. Language is the most form of communication for people. It can comes in different forms, and the most common ones are the auditory form: spoken language, as well as the physical form: body language and sign language.

Languages are "living" languages which mean that if they are not used, they will die, and even become extinct. It also changes with time.

My children study 2 languages in school - English, their first language and Mandarin ,their mother tongue. However, they seem fascinated with the Indian Language. My son, N loves pretending to speak tamil. He would go: "abu-neh, vani, ta ram, su sey." It doesnt mean a thing, but he thinks it is so funny. And, as a result, Little D tries to as well. A TV ad by one of the telcos is their current favourite, where it is supposedly filmed in Mumbai, India. They know the ad word for word, and even re-enact it with the Indian accent, which is quite hilarious. However most of the time, when they imitate the language, I tell them that they are "talking rubbish". I always tell them that if no one undrestands what they are saying, they are not communicating at all! I also remind them not to make fun of other people's language.

Just the other day, as we were taking our evening walk around the estate, 2 indian men walked by us. They were talking animatedly in tamil. Suddenly, Little D turned to me and said:"Mummy, they are talking rubbish!!"

Favourite pastimes

Besides reading, blogging, and baking, another favourite pastime of mine is solving puzzles. It could be crossword puzzles, sudoku or kakuro.

Sudoku is a number puzzle that is logic-based.


The objective of the puzzle is to complete a 9x9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 boxes contains the digits from 1 to 9, only one time each. You start off with a partially completed each puzzle. There are various dificulty levels of the puzzles. I have gotten quite good at it, such that if it isnt a 4 or 5 star difficulty rating, I will not even attempt it. Even then, I try to set my self a time limit to solve these puzzles, 30 minutes max. I have also attempted the 16x16 grids, which are real eyesight killers!!

Kakuro is the mathematical equivalent of crosswords.


The objective of the puzzle is to insert a digit from 1 to 9 into each white cell such that the sum of the numbers in each entry matches the clue associated with it and that no digit is duplicated in any entry. Solving a Kakuro puzzle involves investigating combinations more, compared to Sudoku in which the focus is on permutations. These also come with different difficulty ratings. As there are numrous possible combinations, it is a real mental stimulation. I am still only at the intermediate levels for these puzzles, but as I solve more of them, I begin to get a better hang of it. But not quite an expert yet. It can take me more than an hour just to solve a puzzle.

There are variations to these 2 types of puzzles which combine both and really give your brain a good work-out.

"Exercise is the key to good health both for body and mind." So the exercise for our minds are these mental stimulants. It has been said that a brain that is not used, would soon become useless. You will be glad to know that mine has been put to good use solving these puzzles. I have been toying with the idea of buying a Nintendo DS for its Brain age games. But my fear is my kids will take over my toy!

The Accountant is Back!

Hi! I am back. Took a couple of days off blogging to attend to "work". Did not expect to be back to blogging so fast, but the hands were itching. Not completely done with work, but, never mind.

Now to share with you the Balance Sheet of Life:



Our Birth is our Opening Balance !

Our Death is our Closing Balance!

Our Prejudiced Views are our Liabilities

Our Creative Ideas are our Assets

Heart is our Current Asset

Soul is our Fixed Asset

Brain is our Fixed Deposit

Thinking is our Current Account

Achievements are our Capital

Character & Morals, our Stock-in-Trade

Friends are our General Reserves

Values & Behaviour are our Goodwill

Patience is our Interest Earned

Love is our Dividend

Children are our Bonus Issues

Education is Brands / Patents

Knowledge is our Investment

Experience is our Premium Account

The Aim is to Tally the Balance Sheet Accurately.


Now to do an analysis:

Based on the chart, I am currently supposed to be at the point where my disposable income is the lowest, but my level of commitments on the decline. This would apply to most, but because this "gatal" woman, had kids a late age, had twice the (national) average number of kids, and had them so well spaced out, my disposable income would remain low for a long while, AND the peak of my commitments would not be reached for some time yet! So, I end up with a longer period of low disposable income with prolonged high level of commitments. Sigh. Hope you are in a better "financial position" than me.

Busy, Busy

Busy as a bee
That's me
No time to blog
Coz work is chock-a-lot
Will write more next week
Hope you will pop by then for a peek!

Which way should I be going?

We love "self-drive" holidays, as we do not like waking up at 6.30am and rushing with everybody else for breakfast and to go sight-seeing. We like it slow and leisurely. During these trips, I am usually the navigator for hubby, and unlike most women, I am pretty good at reading maps. However, what would you do if you came to a road sign like this?



Keep your fingers crossed and go with your gut-feel, I guess!! Thank goodness for GPS in cars nowadays!

3 tags at a go!

This 3-in-1 Tag is from nomadic-mom. When I saw it, I almost "pengsan" (fainted) - wah!, I thot, so much to do. Anyway, here goes.

Shopping Tips??
Nomadic-mom wanted shopping tips for jewels. I got so many. Ok, ok, only the best one!


~ Start copy ~

It’s very simple. When you receive this tag, copy the whole list and add your own shopping tip to the bottom and pass it on.

Wear comfy clothing when you’re shopping. You don’t wanna fuss with too many laces and buttons when you’re trying clothes on. rinnah.

Choose stores offering some kind of reward program, e.g. purchase points, rebates or store coupons. Knowing how the program works and when to use them will save you a lot of money in the long run. kakishopping.

Don’t wait until sales if you really like that particular piece of dress or shoes, as your size could be sold out sooner than you realized. Just buy if you really like it, cause there is nothing much we can do once it’s gone, especially when you shopping abroad. Everyday health and beauty
Make sure you bring your credit card/cash la! If not how to shop lei? laundryamah.

Never bring hubby or kids with you on your shopping trips!! They are a hassle and will stress you out!!! nomadic-mom.

Go early, make sure you have lots of time and not in a rush. Preferably go when your jeweller has just come back from a buying trip, then you get the best pick. Always remember the 4 Cs - carats, clarity, cut, cost before you make your choice. Bring your eye-glasses - usually most of the gems dont look BIG enough with our aging naked eye! SAHM.

~ End copy ~


THE END


5 Link to 5 Own Posts

Here are some specifications of the tag:

****INSTRUCTIONS: ****

1. Post 5 links to 5 of your previously written posts. The posts have to relate to the 5 key words given below.

2. Tag 5 other friends to do this meme. Try to tag at least 2 new acquaintances (if not, your current blog buddies will do) so that you get to know them each a little bit better.

3. Don’t forget to read the archived post and leave comments.

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

Link ONE must be about family:

Our Long Weekend Trip
Holiday in Penang (June 2007)

Link TWO must be about friends:
Moving on in life ...(May 2007)


Link THREE must be about yourself:
I love numbers! (September 2007)

Link FOUR must be about your love:
Dont you love when...(April 2007)


Link FIVE can be anything you like
Starting young!! (October 2007)


Tag 5 people

THE END


The Age I wish to go Back..

The age that I would really like to go back to would be when I was 30. It was the time I lived in NY. It was just hubby and me, and we had the best time of our life there!! There was so much to do and see. Also, 30 is when we are at our prime, la.

**************Start copy***************
Instructions:
Title: The Age That I Wish To Go Back To
Requirement: Write about the one age that you wish to go back to and why?
Tag Mode: 5 bloggers
1st - You leave their blog and post link and add to the list below.
2nd - Let the blogger you want to tag know they been tagged by comment in their blog or etc.

The Age that they Wish to Go Back to:
Amidrin wish to go back to age 22 to correct back some mistakes in life.
Lemonjude wish to go back to age 6 to enjoy kid’s life.
L’abeille wish to go back to any year but never return to age 28
Sweetpea wish to go back to, actually, just thinking about 17
Lovelymommy wishes to go back to age 21
Laundryamah wishes to go back to the eve of my wedding day
Nomadic Mom wants to go back to be a kid again.
Stay-at-home Mum wants to be 30 again!


Ladies on the TAG List for the 3-in-1 tag are:

iml.
tigerfish.
sasha.
hijackqueen.
kelly mahoney.

Ladies - you have to do all 3 tags, ok?

A SNAG

Have you ever met a little boy who was really in touch with others' feelings?

Well, I know of one. When he was 4, he would skip his favourite lesson in pre-school, "speech and drama", just to sit with a classmate and hold his classmate's hand - just because that boy, who had a speech impediment, hated that lesson. His teacher was really surprised by his actions, considering his young age.

At 6, After he finished his work in class, he would sit with the slower students and help them check their work. He would patiently explain mandarin words to his non-chinese friends.

He also makes friends very easily with any and everyone. Sitting in the car, whilst his mother drove him around, he would be waving to construction workers, bus drivers, road sweepers, garbage collectors.

He is what you would call a SNAG - sensitive new age guy.

This "little" boy, came into the world 8 years ago on this day. He is the apple of his grandpa's eye and a good friend to everyone who knows him - my son, N. A future chess champion, I hope!

Happy Birthday, Son. May the Lord Bless you with good health and happiness today and always!

Selamat Hari Raya

Tomorrow Muslims around the world celebrate Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (or Eid ul-fitr). It is a joyous occasion for Muslims, as it signifies a personal triumph, a victory of self-restraint and abstinence, symbolising purification and renewal.

During the Muslim month of Ramadan, all muslims (except the young, very old and infirm) fast from Dawn to dusk, and abstain from everyday "pleasures". Hari Raya is a celebration for them marking the end of that month. The celebration officially begins at the sighting of the moon on the day before the next month on the Muslim calendar, Syawal. The festival actually begins the following day, ushered in by prayers at the mosque early in the morning, and a visit to the cemetery to pray for the departed souls of loved ones. Then, of course, comes the feast.

The ketupat is traditional Hari Raya fare and is often served with beef rendang (beef cooked with spices and coconut milk) and/or satay (grilled meat on a skewer). Other festive delicacies include lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes), serunding (dessicated coconut fried with chilli) and curry chicken. Of course, tradtional malay cookies are also served.

Little D also joined in the Hari Raya celebration at her school.

^_^ Little D in her Baju Kurung

Starting young!!

Just look at the expression on the "other" little girl's face!! Priceless!

Lead By Example

Aaargh! Why can't I do it??

I tell my kids:

- No more than 15 minutes on the computer, you need to take an eye break. - But I spend hours on it without any eye breaks.

- Do not shout. Talk nicely - But here I am shouting at them, almost everyday.

- Fizzy drinks are bad for you - here I am drinking my cokes and other fizzy drinks whenever I feel like having one!!

- Do not snack before dinner. You will not be able to eat well - why do I sneak a snack when no one is looking, and then I have no appetite for dinner.

- Stay away from computer games. It's addictive. - I am hooked on it when the kids are not keeping an eye on me.

- Be patient! Wait- Why am I the one always saying "Quick" "You can do that much faster!" "You are taking too long!" "Hurry up!"

- Dont waste too much time blogging, you have exams coming. - Guess what? I can blog and blog hop for hours!

Why can't I lead by example? Why can't I practise what I preach? Bad mum!! Sigh.

Don't mess with Mom!!

The Childs Comments and Thoughts:
The son came home from school one day, with a smirk upon his face. He decided he was smart enough, to put me in my place.

He said: 'Guess what I learned in Civics Two, that's taught by Mr. Wright? It's all about the laws today, The 'Children's Bill of Rights.' It says I need not clean my room, don't have to cut my hair. No one can tell me what to think, or speak, or what to wear. I have freedom from religion, and regardless what you say, I don't have to bow my head, and I sure don't have to pray. I can wear earrings if I want, and pierce my tongue & nose. I can read & watch just what I like, get tattoos from head to toe. And if you ever spank me, I'll charge you with a crime. I'll back up all my charges, with the marks on my behind. Don't you ever touch me, my body's only for my use, not for your hugs and kisses, that's just more child abuse. Don't preach about your morals, like your Mama did to you. That's nothing more than mind control, And it's illegal too! Mom, I have these children's rights, so you can't influence me, or I'll call Children's Services Division, better known as C.S.D.'

Mom's Reply and Thoughts:
Of course my first instinct was to toss him out the door. But the chance to teach him a lesson made me think a little more. I mulled it over carefully, I couldn't let this go. A smile crept upon my face, he's messing with a pro.

Next day I took him shopping at the local Goodwill Store. I told him, 'Pick out all you want, there's shirts & pants galore. I've called and checked with C.S.D. who said they didn't care if I bought you K-Mart shoes instead of those Nike Airs. I've cancelled that appointment to take your driver's test. The C.S.D. is unconcerned so I'll decide what's best.' I said 'No time to stop and eat, or pick up stuff to munch. And tomorrow you can start to learn to make your own lunch. Just save the raging appetite, and wait till dinner time. We're having liver and onions, a favourite dish of mine.' He asked 'Can I please rent a movie, to watch on my VCR?' 'Sorry, but I sold your TV, for new tires on my car. I also rented out your room, you'll take the couch instead. The C.S.D. requires just a roof over your head. Your clothing won't be trendy now, I'll choose what we eat. That allowance that you used to get, will buy me something neat. I'm selling off your jet ski, dirt-bike & roller blades. Check out the 'Parents Bill of Rights', It's in effect today!

Hey hot shot, are you crying, Why are you on your knees? Are you asking God to help you out, instead of C.S.D..?'

Guess what Mom stands for? - Mean old Mother. Ha! Ha! So parents with teens or preteens - take note!

PS - This was NOT an incident with my son, after all I am MUM (Most Understanding Mother) and not a Mom!

Mums Favourtie Gadget

Dads have many toys. Usually its all the latest computer gadgets, the newest handphone on the market, TV games, and even collectibles like toy cars, star wars figurines, etc. And for the very rich, the latest "vroom vroom" on the market. For Mums our favourite toys are usually kitchen equipment or the funkiest kitchen utensils.

However, I chanced upon something that I truly believe could be my favourite toy. I am not sure if it is already being marketed. I believe many mums would like to get their hands on it too. Take a look:




Dont you want one too??

Children's Day!

Yes, it's Children's Day today! So, Mums and Dads - how do you celebrate Children's Day with your kids? You don't???!!? Why not?

We celebrate Father's day and Mother's Day with special things done for Mums and Dads. So, why nothing for the kids on Children's Day? Not Fair!!

In my family, we do. Sssshh. The kids are sleeping in today. (Haha - so now I can blog with no disturbance even though they are home.) They have their favourite breakfast waiting for them. After that, we will do something of their choice - a movie, maybe, or a swim or maybe lunch at a restaurant of their choice. Go on - make your child's day. Do something special with them. Don't just leave the celebrations to the teachers and the school. It's little things like this that helps us to bond with them, and make them want to make that effort for us on our special day. Anyway, we also get to enjoy whatever we do with them.

Happy Children's Day to all! (hey, everyone is their parent's child, so everyone celebrates this day!!)