Fuzzy Warmth

Of late, there have been more Fuzzy, Warm and Loving moments between the kids and myself. 

We do get these moments previously, just that explosive, angry episodes had acted up more often previously too. We were running on tensed mode for years, it is refreshing to have now let it all go. 

Good thing, in the last two months, there has been a noticeable improvement in my temperament and to my surprise, the kids' temperaments in the last two weeks were that of harmony. 

It made me wonder if entirely, we had all been adversely affected by the overburdened life of having to care for the well-being of three invalids. Now that Granny and Charmaine are in the hospital, it is a relief not just for us but for Granny and Charmaine as well. They get visitors from their religious faith (volunteers), they get nurses who know what they're getting in to (diaper changing, bathing and all). They get meals that are calculated and planned. They have an environment that they prefer. (no screaming episodes from Charmaine now). 

As much as I lament that this change should have come earlier, I almost could hug the peaceful and harmonious life that we have now, the appreciation is so darn dense, it is almost tangible. 

Of course we still have to deal with the pressure of Students' Life and Working Mom's Life but that is normal for a typical local family living in Singapore. Except that our family is on a single-income. 

So anyway, last night, the kids made "Presents" for me. Their presents are darn creative, I'd tell you. 

They hid a present inside the "present box" made of Lego. Colin's present for me comes with a Bow ribbon. How cute is that?  

We kissed and hugged away while my Mom sat on the sofa observing us silently. 

My mom's staying over for a couple of days since my helper is on home vacay. 

Bow Ribbon Gift Box

Inside the Gift Box is.... Hammey! (They know I like this toy hamster)

Oh, my poor Hammey! Tight fitted. 

 Kiki's Gift Box is more Festive and contains a Corgi with an ice cream popsical and a bone. 

AirFrov

we tried to buy FNAF books via AirFrov but the shopper was unable to get FNAF.
so I suggested that she could just buy anything using the $40 that I had already paid.
we ended up with Tim Tam, 3 packets of Lindt (balls), and 2 bars of Lindt chocolates.

Long Weekend End May

 Saturday after class.
More FNAF figurines.

 Shared a can of Sparkling Chupa Chups. Nice.

 One of the toughest months ahead................... 

 Mushroom, Pork, Haybee Porridge was very good with the crock-pot. 

Still, Sunkist is the best. 

 Kiki, Colin & I went cycling. 

 Finally found a TCM registered TuiNa Treatment near my place that croaks the back.  

For all the many years that I didn't claim from the allocated medical allowance, I will now start using the allowance given by my Company. 

400g down. Another 5kg to go. 

Making very little effort but it is rather easy just going by the MCT oil, 

considering no physical exercise. 

Friyay!

Beyond Grades

Fret Not 

 GRL PWR

in case you can't decipher, it's Girl Power

 New age success, how are they different?

Curiosity, Empathy, Imagination. 

(the enemy of Creativity is..... Distraction)

Book cited lesser-known brands and initiatives, eg: KeepCup (which I happen to have two of these)

KeepCups are reusable coffee mugs where if you want to use less of disposable styrofoam cups, you can use one of their Universal-fitting Barista approved size cups when you tar-bao / purchase take-away coffee at the cafe. 

Other examples:  GoldieBlox - breaking stereotype in "Girly" toys, creating Engineering Toys for girls (and boys) but targeting girls. 

Guidebook: How To Live A Full Life With Little Money. 

or, 

How To Be Happy With Little. 

Shop at Thrift Stores, that is. LOL. 

I'll try to apply for this IPO
Replanting Sabah's Forests.

Midweek Wednesday in month of May 2018

Teacher Catherine told us she will be leaving the music school by the end of June, giving us one month's notice (in case we want to discontinue with the school). However, she encourages us to stay on (first). Because firstly, the new music school that she's setting up is located rather far from our place, secondly, she will be very busy attending to her new school. I am very glad she is pursuing her dream, she has told me that it is her dream to run her own music school. I am just sad that we will miss her and for us having a good teacher. We were just gaining momentum and doing well for our exams although we're just at grade 2 but we were just gaining momentum in improving, finally improving after some four years! 

I told Kiki it will be the 'last' exam she's having with Teacher Catherine, so she has to do her very best in honour of her teacher. *Sob!

I did wonder if we should stop the Trinity College syllabus and do the ABRSM instead, now that her teacher will be gone. But on second thought,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I want to be loyal to the supporting environment we've had so far, so I suppose we will wait for the school to assign us another teacher then. We'll see how it goes from here. I'm just a bit sad because I thought she could see us through our grades but I guess I have to see myself through my own life, there's no outsourcing to that. 

Almost like a tradition, we headed to Lady M after the exams.

 I will never run out of clothes at affordable prices now that I've gone thrifty.
Will you wear hand-me-downs?

 We visited my Uncle Meng at the hospital.
Fortunately, he has bought Insurance 3 years ago, that covered his medical bills exceeding half a million dollars. While we were at the hospital, my Aunts were there, my Mom was there, my 2 cousins were there. They were all surprised to see Kiki and myself because we didn't announce that we were visiting. We just took the chance to pop by (although I was literally very tired, I think I have a bone spur at the ball of my big toe, or it could be a bunion, I don't know but it is sharp and painful).

This morning, the sun was on fire and I took it all in.

Korean BBQ

Tuesday night, dinner with Makan Gang.

Today, I had a bloodshed pool at the toilet bowl.
I must give up anything remotely spicy......... for 6 months at least.
The piles are acting up and I need to stop triggering it.

Consolation Prize

So, my helper heeded our advice to save-up her money to either build a house or to have a business. She eventually built a small, provision stall near her Mom's house so that her parents could help her run the business back home in their province. She says business is doing well and I told her I'm happy for her. At least some good came out from her work here. The business has only just started but it is looking good.

Photo Apps

 Some super star Photo bombed frame 

 Plastic Looking Doll filter 

FNAF 2018

So, Kiki has been asking me to get her these "Five Nights at Freddy's" books. 

She did not ask for merchandise but I thought it would be nice to have something else on top of the books. The T-shirts don't ship to Singapore, many stuff can't be shipped here. We've also came across a toy shop that sells "blind bags", packages that contains a specific series of toys but you will not know exactly which character would you be getting, cos it comes sealed in an aluminum pack. You may end up just buying more and more in order to collect the series or to finally find the one you really want. Anyway, we are lucky to have picked two that contains the lead characters (and not the side-kicks, although eventually she may go back and buy more, which means will end up with some side-kicks too). 

Weekend Mom

 Money won't solve everything but surely it solves many things. 

 Still very busy even after the exams but have been catching up with old friends. 

Val, PW, this week - makan gang, and Friday- long time ex-colleagues from my first full-time job. 

 Sunday shopping 

We have coaching lessons from Teacher's student.

 Fruit cheese. 

My uncle was in the hospital for a month, 2 or 3 surgeries later, he didn't want visitors.
Fast forward one week later, my mom got anxious that we are the only people who hasn't visited.
How things take their twists and turns, it is all right, just don't make it a big deal.

MCT Oil + Coffee is just great.