Children's Day

Children's Day is coming.... The kiddos will just attend 1 to 1 1/2 hours of school in the morning.

Then they get freedom for the whole day....So, now, I am trying to see whether I can get my way out of work that day....by applying childcare leave....

Boredom sets in at work today. It's Tuesday, and I still have 3 more days to go....

Promised the kids that I will bring them to the zoo.

Back to work.

My Chilli Padi

We have a habenero Chilli plant at home. This south american chile (chilli) is one of the hottest chillies around. The plant came to us about 4 years ago. It almost died, but was revived by me 1 1/2 years ago. Now, it is standing tall, and bearing fruits.

We have another chilli variety at home. This pungent chilli wants to be a scientist when she grows up. Her keenest interest is in life sciences. She is keen in entomology but is also entomophobic. She likes to gain knowledge in all animals, but probably is zoophobic.

Just the other day, a salesperson from Times Publishing came to market some sort of encyclopedia. He was amazed (or was he just wanting the sale) with Lauren's interest in reading "whats and whys" about living things. I am pretty amazed as well when she told me things like "the caterpillar has only six legs". She absorbs these information like a sponge and keeps them in her memory bank. (I hope she does it for Chinese but the language does not interest her at all). I think I will bring her to the library more often so that she can gain more information and knowledge on such matters.

Well, another day is nearly gone.

Gotta work night....and client decided to cancel her appointment tonight....

I should shift myself to another place in the office, or else, my boss will think that I am too free.

The 4 year + 1 month ITCH

I am on this current job for 4 years 1 month+++.... Now, the ITCh has kicked in. I am feeling restless now.... maybe it's mid-life....maybe I am thinking more realistically now....maybe....

I need a BREAK or JOB CHANGE!

A salesperson commented that social services pays= half voluntary work. I think he makes sense. Probably if I were to move to another setting, I will sure get a MUCH HIGHER pay than what I am getting now.....Imagine, when I moved into this job from a parachurch organization, I took a pay cut.

BUT, I need the AWS as well as the bonus (if any). So.....I think I know where I stand now.....on the fence.....I have to run the men's and women's groups*** at the end of the year.

Don't get me wrong. I am not half-hearted about my work. My passion of helping people is still alive. I am just tired of some crappy things....

$40 makes a lot of difference

was at nokia shop to buy a handphone. Decided to get the cheapest of all. Nokia 1600. The phone that maids carry around.

Was looking at another phone, nokia 6030. costs $40 more, just because it has a radio, as well as a calendar.

Figured out that i can save $40. ($40 is not much, but i would pay for 2 sessions of foot reflexology, 1 session of massage, 2 bottles of vitamins, nearly one flower girl dress, a decent pair of shoes, etc....) Finally, it depends what my priorities are.

I just need a phone that serves a function. Connecting People.

Good way to begin the day. Connecting people.

SAFE UNCERTAINTY

Today was quite an eventful day. My cellphone broke apart. I got a call from NCSS inviting me for an interview for a Senior Executive position, but I turned it down since I want to wait for the AWS and bonuses. Die Die must work until Jan 2 attitude. Went to NZIS for some "silly" interview and I was not prepared at all.

I asked Allen whether he feels that our future is safe and certain? He says, "unsafe, and uncertain". Hmmmm....I really don't know. Maybe it's mid-life, maybe it's the "TXXX" syndrome he's feeling at this point of time.

Our life was uncertain for quite a long time when we first came to Singapore in 1991. Getting PR and having a child brought some certainty to us. To uproot ourselves again may seemed to be unsafe and uncertain at this point of time, if we do not have financial backings and moral support from friends. I don't really wonder a move is any good now....

However, at this point of our life journey, I thank God that the uncertainty ahead is a safe one, I strongly believe that.

Brisk walk finds....

Went for brisk walk after work today. Found interesting creatures in yishun community.

There was this long-necked bird at the reservoir. Along the way, there were 4 butterflies flying around. These findings are small, minute, yet, precious, sights in life.

Life is never too boring with surprises such as these. (Too bad i do not carry a camera with me....) I really treasured my younger days in Malaysia. I picked "escargots" in the longkang, went forest trekking to pick rubber seeds, roamed around on my bicycle, climbed rambutan trees, run in the big compound near home, caught fish during a flood, etc.... These are experiences that my children did not have in Singapore. I thought they will not have if they continue to stay in Singapore.

But, again, I think I could find my younger days of adventure again, if I can find time for these little surprises in life. And bring my kids to enjoy them too.

Finally Back!!

Had to pacify the children's longing for their father. Lauren wanted to go to the airport....Out of the blue BJ said "I miss papa".....

Went home from the Chengs and watched Barney's Mother Goose, and play Barbie and animals. BJ slept at about 9pm (after his reflexology session), and Lauren at about 10ish....

Was I tired out!

Allen came back around 1am. After that, I didn't get to sleep well. Too much light in the room.

Now, I am at work and am feeling sleepy. Gotta go back to work.

Monday blues....

Autumn in Texas

Brought the kiddos to the playground this morning. There's a tree nearby shedding its yellow leaves. Against the wind, the leaves drizzled down, just like leaves fall in certain part of Texas.

What a nice feeling. I wish I were in the autumn of Texas, mesmerised by the air, the scenery, the openness and vastness of the land, and the warmth of friendship.

If ever I could, buying a ranch and spending three weeks' vacation in it would be, just, heavenly.

I am sure there are other places with orangy, burgundy tinted falls sprinked, or blanketed by maple leaves.....But I just love the autumn in Texas.

I am such a student.Years ago, I ran away from a master's degree in counselling. I went back home, got married and settled down.

A few years back, I took up a course in pastoral counselling. I audited one course, and found it too difficult. I dropped out.

I did it again two years ago. I got into a master's degree in counselling psychology in singapore with NIE. I ran away. My son was diagnosed with autism that year.

I did it once again last June, when I declined an offer to study social work with NUS.Weird.

Why is there a pattern in my life that I am always running away?Age and commitment have placed me in a vulnerable situation. I admit.

TEHFAST

Am having a headache. Must be the tehfast. Symptoms of withdrawal. I had only one (1) sip of teh-c-po-siu-dai today.

Cutting down teh intake is a literal pain in the head. The "Gian" is as good as mild addiction. Had to do it since anxiety is raised when I have caffeine in my system. Used to take up to 2-3 cups of teh-c daily, and to reduce to one tiny sip, is a sheer tortue.

I know, I know, the gang of "teh" goers will be laughing at me....poor me....having a tehfast when you are enjoying a tehfeast anytime of the day.

Counting down to Allen's arrival

Hmmmm.... found myself counting down last night, and this morning.

He asked whether I could handle the kids without him. It was a challenge, esp last night. When kids refused to sleep -- one just refused, the other just too "father-sick" -- left me alone feeling tired and sleepy.

The maid is not helping much. She slept at 10pm. The maid is another issue - does not seem to be initiative when Allen is not around. Sigh....it will be different when Yolanda is around. I had to tell her to be more initiative esp when Allen is not around. At least, help me to take them to bed, or offer to share my "night shift" by sleeping with the children. I don't know. Does she need to be told what to do? Is it a personality thingy that she appears to be passive? I am confused.

With all these, I am just counting down Allen's arrival on Sunday. Perhaps I can do without a maid someday, too.

Hungry....

Time for food.

Blogging Problems

懒洋洋的下午

没精打采工作

I've got blogging problems.... My posts for BJ didn't show, even after X times of refreshing and republishing.

Maybe, I am too sick to work, since Allen is in Hong Kong.

肉麻, 都老夫妻了, 还romantic.....

Lauren misses her papa....I miss my hubby....

Gotta work late tonight!!

School hols boredom

When I was a kid, I loved school hols. Now that school hols are in, Lauren is finding it bored.

Gina (our maid) does not want to play with her, and vice-versa.... They just cannot connect.
Then, she does not like the brother to spoil her toys.
She feels bored because she does not have a playmate!
She misses her father who is now in Hong Kong!

I still love school hols, because I can just do nothing. Then at the last minute, scrambled all the homework, and tearing some portions of the jotter's book so it looked thinner but work was still done.

Ha, Lauren has not learnt that trick. She is such an extrovert that needs to thrive with company. I can never understand that, believe me....

gotta go back to work. What a day....