Not everything is gloom

I have a less than ideal life, and a less than ideal family.  BUT, how many on earth has a perfectly ideal situation right?

In the midst of glooms in my life, I’m thankful that God didn’t test me beyond what I can bear.  As mentioned in my previous entry, E has done us proud.

Today, another incident which really caused my chin to be raised up high.

Incident 1

Was at the paed for Z’s long overdue jab.  While I was discussing Z’s jabs schedule with the paed, E was playing with a toy on the paed’s table and making a lot of noise.  I looked at him and requested that he keep his noise volume down cause I had something to discuss with the doctor.

E replied, “Yes mummy.” And he kept his voice really low since than.

Doc stared at me and said, “So obedient ah!”

Incident 2

At the end of the consultation and jab, doc gave Z 2 small packs of gummies.  She told Z that she could share the gummies with her bro when she is ready.

Z immediately gave E one pack of the gummies without hesitation.

E promptly said, “Thank you Zoe.”

Z replied, “You are welcome Gor Gor.”

Doc was impressed by the mannerlism and generosity displayed by the siblings.

Praise::: IMPORTANT!!!

Parents reading my blog… this is IMPORTANT:::

To encourage good behaviour, remember to praise your children as soon as you can.

After seeing the doc, while we were lunching, I told the siblings how proud I was with their behaviour and told them to keep up with the good work.

And of course, they both beamed with joy and pride.

A Pleasant Email

This is what I received in my “Inbox” today which brought smile to all of us at home.

“Hi Mrs Sol,

As I have mentioned, E is an asset to the class.
It is indeed surprising that E, despite not having a formal school experience, is able to adjust well.  He interacts with his fellow peers quite well. As a leader, he takes initiatives to help his team mates. In addition, he gets the worksheets which are to be submitted organised so that there is minimal time wastage. I appreciate that very very much. He has potential to take leadership roles in future. He can articulate very well.

One area he needs to improve on he needs to submit work on time ( We have discussed about this ). I understand he is going through a transition phase. He needs to get himself in outdoor activities more to improve his locomotor skills.”

While most schools have their Parent-Teacher Meetings, E’s school doesn’t practise meeting each and every single parent.  For E, his teacher didn’t need to see me.  Well, I heard its a good thing if the teacher doesn’t need to see the parent. Phew!!!

However, the curious me sent an email to his form teacher instead to ask about E and the above was the reply I got.

The reply put my heart at ease.  Having homeschool E, I was worried about how well E would adapt to school, especially how well he would interact with his peers.

Academically, E has done us proud too.  As mentioned in my facebook, he got 8 full marks out of 9 tests.  What shocked me most is his Chinese.  Er… I have to admit, I drilled him very hard on his Chinese.  But for English and Math, not too much actually.

Friendship::: This is one area where I certainly didn’t regret sending him to school. One of the days when I went to fetch E, I saw he and another classmate coming to the gate together holding hands.  Could see that they both were chatting happily.

Had a birthday party for him this year with his classmates, and another parent also mentioned to me his son kept mentioning about E.  I just smile smile smile…

Struggle 1::: BUT but but… as can see from the teacher’s reply, he wasn’t that on time with his homework submission   He was fine in Term 1, by Term 2, I totally hands-off.  Sigh… that resulted in this… Well, nobody is perfect.  This is an area we have to work on.

Struggle 2::: Managed to talk to his Chinese teacher.  She said by and large, E is ok. BUT BUT BUT, he needs to improve on his handwriting.  Totally agree….

Struggle 3::: Handling $$$  Well, they have their new found freedom.  I know this is an area many many parents struglle with.  By Term 2, I actually started a way to encourage E to use his $$$ wisely.  Will share more in another entry.

Well well well…

In the midst of the term, I didn’t want to write much about E’s school progress during the term.  Cause I don’t believe in being good just academically.  I wanted to know E’s overall ‘performance’ in school before posting anything here. So, now is the right time

I just hope that E will keep this up

“E, mummy is really really really proud of how you are progressing in school.  Keep up with your good work!!”

Protected: Why can’t I have it?

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

Autism Speaks

Got this from a friend’s blog.  I have always had a heart for autistic children. Simply have to post this over in my blog.  I hope that through this sharing, at least, my readers will know and subsequently understand a little more about autistic children when they see one along the street.

Which Jjajangmyeon?

Was at Tampinese 1 and bought 4 different types of instant Korean Jjajangmyeon to try (remember I’m into K-stuffs?)

Hmmm… which shall I try first tonight???

The nice thing about this shop is that, it sells the different varieties at exactly the same cost as if you are to buy the 5-in-1 pack.  So for those who have never tried, we can just pick and match at no extra cost.

When paying, the cashier gasped: “All jajungmyeon!”

I just smiled shyly

I love Bibimbap, so I bought a bottle of the sauce to DIY at home   Hope to give it a try soon

Blessed By Friends

I’m so blessed.  Whatever I’m lacking seems to be zero because of friendships that God has blessed me with over the years.   As I look back at my birthdays this last 4 years, I have been blessed with mini-celebrations which really surprised and touched my heart.

2009 (this year) >>> Part 1::: B & C

Today was a playgroup day but I didn’t want to skip it.  C hosted and said she would be serving Nasi Lemak.  She doesn’t have a live in help and I thought it would be lots of work.  So I took it for granted that she probably packed.

Surprise surprise! She did everything! From the rice, to fried and sambal chicken, to sayoh lodeh, ikan bilis, eggs, she did it all!  We normally use disposables, but today she wanted to use proper plates and cutlery, to pamper me.

Probably those who do not have maid will be able to truly appreciate the amount of work one has to put in to place all these dishes on the table.  And I certainly understand the tremendous amount of effort put in.

I’m really touched to tears.  (Sobbing sobbing sobbing)

B & C::: you have no idea, but after putting kids to sleep, as I sat down and thought about today, tears just flowed and flowed.  I’m really thankful to both of you and all your efforts and your supports all these years.

2009 >>> Part 2::: My dear J

9:16pm – J called and said she was at my door!  Again, surprise, surprise!  We have already fixed to meet next week, but she said nothing beats popping by on the actual day.

Note > J live at one end of the island, while I live nearly the other end.  J doesn’t drive, and with 3 kids at home, she has to take a cab.  Taxi to my home to and fro cost about $30!

J::: I was writing this entry, and tears was still flowing down my cheek when you appeared.  I said I gonna rest today and house be messy, and you are the witness today Thank you so much for the friendship & love.  Thank you for being there for me.  And thank you for being here today.

2008 >>> My dear neighbour

It was the end of the day, my neighbour’s daughter told my son  a secret!  So cute that this pair of friends actually shared a secret.  Well, truth was, she and her parents planned a surprise birthday cake cutting for me last year. Totally unexpected.

K, R & your little Princess P::: I’m so blessed to have your family as my neighbour.  In fact we are more than just neighbours, we are family!  It is such a joy to see our children grow up together.  Your family is one of the reasons I’m still hanging around this estate.

2007 >>> My poly friend, SH

She was supposed to come to my home for a lunch, and she brought a long a birthday cake

SH::: You have been the one keeping the poly gang together and initiating many of the meet ups.  It has been such joy to grow up together with you, from being students, to working adults, dating youngsters, married women, and now mummies.  Our days together is one of the most unforgettable moments in my life.

2006 >>> With my cell members

Celebrated during cell meeting.  If I’m not wrong, we were at Secret Recipe.

CT, YC & SL::: Thank you so much for being my prayer support during those time when I’m weak and for bearing with my frank and honest personality.  You trio has helped me keep my path with God during all these years.

FRIENDS::: you have all brought smile to my otherwise ordinary birthdays.  Nothing is more precious than the love and friendship you have all given me.

AND MY DEAR CHILDREN::: EZ, both of you have put in extra efforts today to make it as pleasing as possible.  I’m so blessed to have such understanding and thoughtful children.  You are both my driving force.

Being Maidless 3

1 day at a time, 1 week at a time, 1 month at a time, and it has been 2 months now.

Hmmm…. the things that I have done in this last 2 months seem to be more than when I have maid!!!

> Pulled through my first ever Easter Party at my home with party programmes.  My guests, which are all children already asked when will be the next party

> E’s birthday party.  E wanted to have a party with his classmates, so we invited his whole class – I left this to the pro to do, no way would I be able to handle the boys!!!

> Volunteered for E’s school outing and Learning Festival – in laws helped to take care of Z

> Waves after waves of tests and exam preparation from my own son and my 3 other students (thank God that all of them have exams on different dates, so I have time for each of their extra lessons.)

> Homeschooling with Z is simple, but 0n the road towards reaching my goal for her this year. 

> Will be attending Post Encounter from this Sunday onwards

> Needed to survive on instant noodles on 2 meals ONLY!!! (anyway, our household take instant noodles top with veg and egg once a month when we had maid).

> My plants are blooming and flowering (my maid used to take care of them, and I really thought I gonna kill them all once I take over. Hee hee, in fact, my plants are doing much better now! So my hands are quite green afterall )

> My house is cleaner – no joke!  What can one expect from maids right?! So many places left uncleaned.  I have to change my pail of water so frequently.

> I save up more money , and also have more breathing space financially.

> AND….. it is tiring!!!!!BUT, happy.

> I still don’t get angered as frequently as I did when I had a maid.  So, between being tired and being angered, I rather be tired.

> I dug out some ‘worms’!!! Found out and realised certain not so nice things that my ex-maid did to our family.  Arrrrrgh… This is really the main thing that is putting me off employing another maid.

what about the erm……

~ house is not as tidy – dining table where the kids use to do their work is often filled with books and stuffs, my table is every messy, laundry only get folded when they are all mountain high, etc etc etc…

~ can’t go for all the homeschool outings

~ can’t attend 2 church conferences

~ so far I still haven’t had time for a good break > sigh… thanks to all the exams… will do so in school holiday

~ less time to blog and read blogs

ANYWAY… STILL GOING STRONG…

The next target – 1 year at a time

AND… all glory to God for His wisdom, guidance, strength, etc etc etc… Without HIM, I CANNOT.

Family Meeting

Last week was bad…. Rephrase::: Last week, my patient level was super low

By Friday, E was behaving really badly, and I was also super upset.

Though I was really upset with him, being the adult in the house, I have to take the lead.  Called for a “Family Meeting”!

So, we had E, Z and me sitting on the floor of our living room, and me asking a few questions to EZ, trying to bring everyone to help make the home more at peace.  Really can’t remember what I asked exactly, but I certainly know God was in the midst.

I can only remember the last question when each of us have to listen to the other 2 tell us:

What can you do to make the home more peaceful?

Z told E >>> Gor Gor, you have to be nicer to me.

E told Z >>> Z, you have to listen to me.

E to me >>> Mummy, you have to forgive us and don’t be angry for so long.

I really love this part when we told each other what we really hope from them.  Especially love it that E told me his feeling about me.

The following morning, I found this beside my pillow in an envelop:

Being Maidless – Part 2 >> Less time on net

I have not blogged for so long!!!   And being maidless is not the reason why   but, my attempt to detach myself from the net is the main reason.

One target that I have certainly managed to achieve – ie, less time on social networking website!

As I have shared before, I want to be a Professional SAHM, not a Laze-AHM.  I’m happy that my busy days at home is keeping me on my toes instead of the net.

In the name of keeping in touch

I love my friends, I treasure all the friendships that have been established, BUT, I do find myself spending way too much time on the net in the name of keeping in touch.  Yes, digital era has drawn many ‘closer’, BUT it has also drawn many away from what is more important.

Who is my boss?

Though sometimes I joke that I’m my own boss, or my kiddos are my boss, or my hubby, BUT, the true boss that I have to honor is my Jehovah God.

He has given me the privilege to be a SAHM, I have to use this privilege wisely, else, it can be taken away from me.  So, a very important aspect is, spending my time wisely, enjoying my children as much as I can, and surfing the net during these important time when my children need me is not wise and is not bringing honor to Him.

Be kind to myself

I’m still being kind to myself.  Afterall, I start my day at 5:30am, and only ‘officially’ end at 9:00pm.  That’s more than 15 hours of work!  I need to maintain my sanity.  At times, friends can still see me sneaking in some replies in certain forums or FBs here and there during my so called ‘working hours’, but, I guess many here have noticed that I’m less talkative now .

Do only what is important

But by and large, being maidless has certainly helped and reminded me to do only what is important.

Being maidless…

Being maidless….

helps to train up the children to take care of their home::: besides packing their own toys and books, they wash the dishes, fold the clothes, hang them, change bedsheets, etc.

trains E to be independent with his revision::: he has to study his own 听写 and spelling before I helped him with final round.

helps to train the children to be more independent::: they have to right?!

I’m annoyed less::: things are done MY WAY, so what’s there to be annoyed about right

is physically tiring on me::: my legs are really tired!

time is really precious::: Now spending lesser time on the internet. (YEH!)

home is more messy (but not dirty.  ::: I can stand mess, not dirt.)

Having said all these, I’m tired, really tired.  There are certainly times when I wish I still have a domestic helper.  I have to constantly remind myself to give myself more time to adjust.  I liken it to exercising when the first 5 to 10 minutes can be hard, but just persist on, exercising will become enjoyable.  So, with perseverance, living without maid can be enjoyable. (but tiring 　)