Yesterday was the last gym class at school for Caitlin since it's the school holidays next week and also Caitlin will be leaving the school for her new one next year. Her gym teacher Mr Chan, wrote his phone number on all the palms of the kids for them to contact him to remain friends. How sweet and cute. Caitlin copied the number down on a piece of paper which she plans to keep safe (I hope).
I asked her if she had fun at gym and she boasted of how well she performed. She said she "really focused, and did the forward roll and landed very well"...and everyone said "Wah..." Then she continued telling me that everyone else did well except for N, a girl in her class who is bordering on obesity. She said "N needs to practise a little more because she is fat. Mr Chan had to help her by pushing her 'bum bum'!"
I couldn't help but laugh actually. But I also had to tell her what should her appropriate thoughts be on that. Aiyo...my kid...I truly hope she will not grow up to be the typical know-it-all, full-of-herself, only-child kind of kid (no offence meant to anyone in particular who is an only child). Sigh, that's where the effort and skills in parenting come in I guess.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Normal?
My mornings this week have been totally taken up with errands to get things going for our new home. At first, we hoped to move in by November but it's definitely not happening now. The defects have yet to be fully fixed by the developer. We have hit a snag for the slightly uneven flooring upstairs as the developer's sub-contractor appears to be dragging their feet.
These days, my life revolves around making phone calls, dropping in to the site office, tile shops, kitchen fittings and other suppliers' premises. I sometimes wish I have a camper van as with all the driving around, I'd might as well live in my car. In between, I've to make sure lunch and dinner are ready, the laundry is done, and I'm keeping in time with Caitlin's schedule. Forget about tidying up or cleaning the floor. Our place is a real dump right now.
The phone calls and visits to the site office to enquire and get some commitment to an estimated date of completion for rectification of defects has been in vain so far. That's the problem when the developer is not one of the big players in the industry who has an image to maintain. But then again, if it were, we'd probably have paid double the price for that house in a prime location. As they say, you pay peanuts, you get monkeys but what to do, peanuts are all we can afford.
Multitasking is tiring when you have to do it everyday, non-stop for years. Sometimes I wish I am employed or running a full-time business. There's a salary or profit to earn, with sick leave, medical and other fringe benefits and paid holidays. As a stay-home mum, there's no income, you're on call 24/7 and you work come rain, shine, hail, sickness, for better or worse. It's a choice I had made, however, over three years ago. Family comes first and yes, there are rewards, the kisses and hugs from the kid, a healthier and happier child in all aspects, the jokes, teasing and tickles we share, the assurance that your child is safer to some extent instead of being transported to and from school and extra-curricular activities by strangers....so I guess, it's not right to compare apples with oranges.
There must be a balance however in the work that a stay-home mum does. She should have some personal time for herself, her own interests and pursuits. Easier said than done. I'm no supermum. There's no such thing as supermums in fact, in my humble opinion. You can't have it all, something's gotta give whether you choose to believe or live in denial of that fact.
I think working mums and dads have it easier to achieve the balance due to the nature of their lifestyle. They leave the house in the morning, focus on the job they've been employed to do, leave the workplace and 'switch modes' to become mum or dad when they get home and over weekends. Stay-home mums are always in mum-plumber-chauffeur-cook-cleaner-administrator-contractor-designer-disciplinarian-teacher-nurse-doctor-blogger-feelancer-grocery shopper-etc mode all at the same, same time all the time....
You know you are burnt out when all you crave for every other day is a long, long holiday in a far, faraway place with nothing but a book in bed or by the poolside all day, or spend the entire holiday luxuriating in a spa, not even shopping, sightseeing or other touristy stuff. You know you really need a break when all you crave for is good, tasty food cooked by someone other than yourself. A family holiday with spouse or kids or extended family is the last thing you'd dream of, as much as you love them and enjoy their company at 'normal' times.
That's why I always take my hat off to stay-home mums who have many kids and yet can manage to keep everything in place without the help of one or more maids and still have a somewhat perfectly balanced life...no hang-ups, character defects, grows old gracefully... Anyone like that out there who's willing to share her secret? I truly doubt. So I guess I'm normal...lah!
('lah' is a frequently-used adjunct-type word in Manglish aka Malaysian English).
These days, my life revolves around making phone calls, dropping in to the site office, tile shops, kitchen fittings and other suppliers' premises. I sometimes wish I have a camper van as with all the driving around, I'd might as well live in my car. In between, I've to make sure lunch and dinner are ready, the laundry is done, and I'm keeping in time with Caitlin's schedule. Forget about tidying up or cleaning the floor. Our place is a real dump right now.
The phone calls and visits to the site office to enquire and get some commitment to an estimated date of completion for rectification of defects has been in vain so far. That's the problem when the developer is not one of the big players in the industry who has an image to maintain. But then again, if it were, we'd probably have paid double the price for that house in a prime location. As they say, you pay peanuts, you get monkeys but what to do, peanuts are all we can afford.
Multitasking is tiring when you have to do it everyday, non-stop for years. Sometimes I wish I am employed or running a full-time business. There's a salary or profit to earn, with sick leave, medical and other fringe benefits and paid holidays. As a stay-home mum, there's no income, you're on call 24/7 and you work come rain, shine, hail, sickness, for better or worse. It's a choice I had made, however, over three years ago. Family comes first and yes, there are rewards, the kisses and hugs from the kid, a healthier and happier child in all aspects, the jokes, teasing and tickles we share, the assurance that your child is safer to some extent instead of being transported to and from school and extra-curricular activities by strangers....so I guess, it's not right to compare apples with oranges.
There must be a balance however in the work that a stay-home mum does. She should have some personal time for herself, her own interests and pursuits. Easier said than done. I'm no supermum. There's no such thing as supermums in fact, in my humble opinion. You can't have it all, something's gotta give whether you choose to believe or live in denial of that fact.
I think working mums and dads have it easier to achieve the balance due to the nature of their lifestyle. They leave the house in the morning, focus on the job they've been employed to do, leave the workplace and 'switch modes' to become mum or dad when they get home and over weekends. Stay-home mums are always in mum-plumber-chauffeur-cook-cleaner-administrator-contractor-designer-disciplinarian-teacher-nurse-doctor-blogger-feelancer-grocery shopper-etc mode all at the same, same time all the time....
You know you are burnt out when all you crave for every other day is a long, long holiday in a far, faraway place with nothing but a book in bed or by the poolside all day, or spend the entire holiday luxuriating in a spa, not even shopping, sightseeing or other touristy stuff. You know you really need a break when all you crave for is good, tasty food cooked by someone other than yourself. A family holiday with spouse or kids or extended family is the last thing you'd dream of, as much as you love them and enjoy their company at 'normal' times.
That's why I always take my hat off to stay-home mums who have many kids and yet can manage to keep everything in place without the help of one or more maids and still have a somewhat perfectly balanced life...no hang-ups, character defects, grows old gracefully... Anyone like that out there who's willing to share her secret? I truly doubt. So I guess I'm normal...lah!
('lah' is a frequently-used adjunct-type word in Manglish aka Malaysian English).
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Cupcakes
Caitlin spent the whole time at school today making cupcakes. She brought two home, one butter and another chocolate flavoured. Her teacher told them yesterday they would be baking today so she was very excited.
She said the butter one is for me, but she actually ate the whole thing in the car on the way home. I only got one nibble of it. This chocolate one is reserved for daddy when he comes home late tonight from Kota Kinabalu.
She plans to write a note and place it next to the cupcake on the table before she goes to bed tonight to surprise him. Caitlin enjoys coming up with ideas to surprise people.
Here's a recipe for cupcakes which I got from this website dedicated to cupcakes.
Ingredients
• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 large eggs
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add shortening, milk, and vanilla. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed. Scrape side of bowl with a spatula.
Add eggs to the mixture. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed. Scrape bowl again. Beat on high speed for 1 minute 30 seconds until well mixed.
Spoon cupcake batter into paper liners until 1/2 to 2/3 full.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool 5 minutes in pans then remove and place on wire racks to cool completely.
Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost with your favorite frosting recipe or decorate as you desire.
Although it's one of the simplest of cakes to make, I've yet to actually try making them. The last time I made cupcakes was ages ago in home economics class in school! They can be really nice comfort food, especially if decorated prettily.
She said the butter one is for me, but she actually ate the whole thing in the car on the way home. I only got one nibble of it. This chocolate one is reserved for daddy when he comes home late tonight from Kota Kinabalu.
She plans to write a note and place it next to the cupcake on the table before she goes to bed tonight to surprise him. Caitlin enjoys coming up with ideas to surprise people.
Here's a recipe for cupcakes which I got from this website dedicated to cupcakes.
Ingredients
• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 large eggs
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add shortening, milk, and vanilla. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed. Scrape side of bowl with a spatula.
Add eggs to the mixture. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed. Scrape bowl again. Beat on high speed for 1 minute 30 seconds until well mixed.
Spoon cupcake batter into paper liners until 1/2 to 2/3 full.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool 5 minutes in pans then remove and place on wire racks to cool completely.
Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost with your favorite frosting recipe or decorate as you desire.
Although it's one of the simplest of cakes to make, I've yet to actually try making them. The last time I made cupcakes was ages ago in home economics class in school! They can be really nice comfort food, especially if decorated prettily.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Our big day seven years ago
Seven years ago today, on 10.11.01, Eugene and I got married at his family's church in Klang. What I remember about our wedding and the days leading up to it:
Our parents meeting for the first time over dinner at our reception venue and getting a preview of the place. It was a pleasant and cordial dinner with slight awkwardness which was to be expected. Eugene and I had fun playing 'intermediaries'. I remember wearing a black dress for the dinner.
Getting fitted for the wedding dress, getting trial make-up and hair do. Time-consuming yet exciting but I doubt I'd want to go through anything like that again! I'm not the type to sit in a salon for hours to get dolled up.
Getting caught in a terrible traffic jam in Klang's Little India on the way to church for the wedding rehearsal. It was at night on a weekday very near the Deepavali festival when the Indian community flocked there to shop. Upon arrival at the church, we found it locked and had to wait for it to be opened by the caretaker. The rehearsal ended later than expected with everyone hungry for dinner and we proceeded to 'sapu' (sweep up) all the 'bak kut teh' at a popular shop. My poor older brother who had just arrived the day before from the US tagged along and was probably bushed from that episode.
Irritating my close friends to the hilt by being over-anxious about the arrangements which they were helping me with. They didn't dare tell it to me in my face but I sensed it via body language. I appreciate their patience and help.
Dinner and a mini bridal shower among close friends at my place. Hmm, I wonder what happened to all the props and 'notes'. SE, if you are reading this, I remember you were in charge...
Waking up early that morning to get my face and hair done, walking out of my place accompanied by family, bridesmaid and best man to the bridal car for the drive to the church. Thankfully, it was early enough on a Saturday morning for me to avoid too many stares from neighbours and other residents of my apartment as I took the lift and walked out of the lobby to get into the car.
Arriving Klang a little too early and having to tell the driver to pull over and wait for a while before proceeding to the church. I felt so conscious as passing cars were just peering in to see what the bride looked like! I must admit I do that too sometimes when we pass a bridal car. Ha ha!
The cue for the processional music was given without checking if the priest was ready, or rather PRESENT upfront! So my bridesmaid, dad and I walked down the aisle confidently with happy smiles towards the front of the church only to notice the priest scrambling in from outside! Aiyo...
My dear friends MC (Michael Chan)the MC (hmm, how appropriate) and IC (I'Ching) the EC (event coordinator) pulled a brilliant job in getting the reception going with some fun, games and dancing.
The wedding cake, fruit cake with sugar-paste flowers, which we had frozen leftovers up to last year, I think...
My good friends who owned/ran a wine shop letting me down at the last hour by delivering one case short. You know who you are...but I forgive you lah.... only my poor guests didn't have enough to 'yum seng'!
My parents, whom I later found out would have prefered a grand dinner instead of a tea reception, commenting that guests didn't have enough to eat. The typical Chinese wedding involves a banquet of at least 8 courses to treat guests to their fullest with delicacies including shark's fin soup. Eugene and I didn't want the hassle of handling seating arrangements and felt that a dinner was just too passe for our liking. We wanted something casual and light minus the formalities. Later, I also heard over the grapevine that some colleagues of mine commented that they didn't have enough to eat. Oh well, we can't please everyone, especially those who are not open-minded or gracious enough to accept practices outside the norm or attend our wedding to share our joy instead of expecting to eat their angpow's worth (not that they were that generous). Food is featured very prominently at celebrations among Malaysians, that's the problem, and if food is below expectations quality- or quantity-wise, your event gets the thumbs down most times. We served wine, fruit punch, and Malaysian teatime favourites like satay, chicken, cake, samosas, mee siam, sandwiches, mini pies...
Our witnesses/sponsors arriving a bit late for the church ceremony. We didn't see them at the pews when the proceedings started and quickly turned around to check if they were there when the priest said it was time to sign the papers! A few seconds of uncertainty but relief took over when the dear couple and young son stood up from among the crowd and came forward. Hmm, you guys got us there for a bit.
Not having enough time to meet and chat with my old classmates, some of whom travelled from outstation. I got held-up being introduced to respected 'elder guests'.
Arriving late for the tea reception thanks to my make-up artist. He was supposed to only touch-up my make-up and change my hairstyle quickly but after I emerged with my dress for the reception, he was so inspired that he re-did my make-up entirely and spent ages perfecting my hairdo...
Returning to our Mandarin Oriental room to 'lepak' with some close friends of mine from my campus days. Some ended up watching 'Friends' the sitcom, probably releasing stress from putting up with me, while a few others were catching up with each other. Removing a great bunch of hairpins from my hairspray-crusted hair and then slathering like half a bottle of conditioner on my head before shampooing it, a good tip someone gave me for 'bride's hairdo syndrome'.
Feeling hungry at midnight and going out in the hotel's bedroom slippers (too lazy to go to the basement parking to get proper footwear out of our car) to Tengkat Tung Shin for the popular beef ball noodles.
Fast forward seven years, today has been pretty much like any other ordinary day. We received some well wishes via Facebook today, and had a simple cake cutting do with Eugene's family yesterday (parents' and all siblings' wedding anniversaries are within the first 10 days of November).
Our first official dance together
Happy anniversary Eugene. "Bubbles". That's our short code for "I love you". You must wonder why but that's another story which I may or may not tell here in this blog!
Our parents meeting for the first time over dinner at our reception venue and getting a preview of the place. It was a pleasant and cordial dinner with slight awkwardness which was to be expected. Eugene and I had fun playing 'intermediaries'. I remember wearing a black dress for the dinner.
Getting fitted for the wedding dress, getting trial make-up and hair do. Time-consuming yet exciting but I doubt I'd want to go through anything like that again! I'm not the type to sit in a salon for hours to get dolled up.
Getting caught in a terrible traffic jam in Klang's Little India on the way to church for the wedding rehearsal. It was at night on a weekday very near the Deepavali festival when the Indian community flocked there to shop. Upon arrival at the church, we found it locked and had to wait for it to be opened by the caretaker. The rehearsal ended later than expected with everyone hungry for dinner and we proceeded to 'sapu' (sweep up) all the 'bak kut teh' at a popular shop. My poor older brother who had just arrived the day before from the US tagged along and was probably bushed from that episode.
Irritating my close friends to the hilt by being over-anxious about the arrangements which they were helping me with. They didn't dare tell it to me in my face but I sensed it via body language. I appreciate their patience and help.
Dinner and a mini bridal shower among close friends at my place. Hmm, I wonder what happened to all the props and 'notes'. SE, if you are reading this, I remember you were in charge...
Waking up early that morning to get my face and hair done, walking out of my place accompanied by family, bridesmaid and best man to the bridal car for the drive to the church. Thankfully, it was early enough on a Saturday morning for me to avoid too many stares from neighbours and other residents of my apartment as I took the lift and walked out of the lobby to get into the car.
Arriving Klang a little too early and having to tell the driver to pull over and wait for a while before proceeding to the church. I felt so conscious as passing cars were just peering in to see what the bride looked like! I must admit I do that too sometimes when we pass a bridal car. Ha ha!
The cue for the processional music was given without checking if the priest was ready, or rather PRESENT upfront! So my bridesmaid, dad and I walked down the aisle confidently with happy smiles towards the front of the church only to notice the priest scrambling in from outside! Aiyo...
My dear friends MC (Michael Chan)the MC (hmm, how appropriate) and IC (I'Ching) the EC (event coordinator) pulled a brilliant job in getting the reception going with some fun, games and dancing.
The wedding cake, fruit cake with sugar-paste flowers, which we had frozen leftovers up to last year, I think...My good friends who owned/ran a wine shop letting me down at the last hour by delivering one case short. You know who you are...but I forgive you lah.... only my poor guests didn't have enough to 'yum seng'!
My parents, whom I later found out would have prefered a grand dinner instead of a tea reception, commenting that guests didn't have enough to eat. The typical Chinese wedding involves a banquet of at least 8 courses to treat guests to their fullest with delicacies including shark's fin soup. Eugene and I didn't want the hassle of handling seating arrangements and felt that a dinner was just too passe for our liking. We wanted something casual and light minus the formalities. Later, I also heard over the grapevine that some colleagues of mine commented that they didn't have enough to eat. Oh well, we can't please everyone, especially those who are not open-minded or gracious enough to accept practices outside the norm or attend our wedding to share our joy instead of expecting to eat their angpow's worth (not that they were that generous). Food is featured very prominently at celebrations among Malaysians, that's the problem, and if food is below expectations quality- or quantity-wise, your event gets the thumbs down most times. We served wine, fruit punch, and Malaysian teatime favourites like satay, chicken, cake, samosas, mee siam, sandwiches, mini pies...
Our witnesses/sponsors arriving a bit late for the church ceremony. We didn't see them at the pews when the proceedings started and quickly turned around to check if they were there when the priest said it was time to sign the papers! A few seconds of uncertainty but relief took over when the dear couple and young son stood up from among the crowd and came forward. Hmm, you guys got us there for a bit.
Not having enough time to meet and chat with my old classmates, some of whom travelled from outstation. I got held-up being introduced to respected 'elder guests'.
Arriving late for the tea reception thanks to my make-up artist. He was supposed to only touch-up my make-up and change my hairstyle quickly but after I emerged with my dress for the reception, he was so inspired that he re-did my make-up entirely and spent ages perfecting my hairdo...
Returning to our Mandarin Oriental room to 'lepak' with some close friends of mine from my campus days. Some ended up watching 'Friends' the sitcom, probably releasing stress from putting up with me, while a few others were catching up with each other. Removing a great bunch of hairpins from my hairspray-crusted hair and then slathering like half a bottle of conditioner on my head before shampooing it, a good tip someone gave me for 'bride's hairdo syndrome'.
Feeling hungry at midnight and going out in the hotel's bedroom slippers (too lazy to go to the basement parking to get proper footwear out of our car) to Tengkat Tung Shin for the popular beef ball noodles.
Fast forward seven years, today has been pretty much like any other ordinary day. We received some well wishes via Facebook today, and had a simple cake cutting do with Eugene's family yesterday (parents' and all siblings' wedding anniversaries are within the first 10 days of November).
Our first official dance togetherHappy anniversary Eugene. "Bubbles". That's our short code for "I love you". You must wonder why but that's another story which I may or may not tell here in this blog!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Exclamations
Caitlin has been reading the Geronimo Stilton series and finds them very entertaining. She enjoys Geronimo's dramatic exploits and finds his ratty exclamations fun to repeat. This morning, she was telling us some of the things he said in the latest book which she read yesterday: 'Holy cheese!', 'Rancid rat hairs!' and 'Rattlesnake-munching rats!'...Kids pick up the weirdest things....
This means we must be careful with what they read, see and hear.
This means we must be careful with what they read, see and hear.
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