What's for dinner?

Mother cooked something special for dinner on Sat. Normally she only cooked very typical Chinese homecook dish but on that day we had purely western food. Since I am there, so I get to "tumpang makan." Mother fried chicken chop, fish fillet, pranws and french fries, while I prepared the coleslaw.

Everyone loved the food except those big prawns. My father's friend bought it for RM10/each, the size was too big that I only can take 1/3 of it, and the taste not as good as those normal size prawns but more like a lobster.

p/s: Guess whose the photographer???? I bet u know if u read my previous blog.

Yes, it's she!!!

Jo1's school holiday assignment

The school term holidays started from 26 May until 10 June which is about 2 weeks. Jo1 has 9 pages of Chinese writing, 6 pages of Malay writing and 2 pages from her mental arithmetic class. On top of that, she asked me for more???!!! This happened on Saturday afternoon, right after her ballet class. She told me that she wanted to borrow my camera, and wonder if I can be her model. My answer is "Doe want-la, mommy's hair so messy, face.....t-shirt......" So, I told her why not u switch the function to "scenery" and take picture of all the flowers & plants in the garden (I taught her about "potrait" function last time). Ting........that's really something new to her and it sound interesting to her. She returned the camera to me 1/2 hour later, and I didn't turn on to see what she took until this morning........Suprised!!!! I have 136 new photos in my SD card. All taken by Jo1 within 1/2 hour time. From here actually can tell how adults influence kids on what we did. Mommy likes to take photos, now kids follow-la.....









These are some of the photos to "show off". I think the result is not bad for a 6 yrs old girl using the simple point & shoot technique.

Learn a lesson from Jo1

Reached home @ around 6pm, kids happily greet me with a warm welcome hugs. Jo2 looked different than usual, so I looked again and only realized that his eyes is darker around. I asked Jo1 what happened to him, did he felt down or knock on something juz now? She replied "no.", then I checked on him again only realized that it's actually Jo1 applied blue & green color's eye shadow on him. I laughed & laughed (w/ relief)......And then, Jo1 asked me:"mommy, why u laugh? As a mommy, u should get angry.....ok! Next time, if u see this again, u should angry and not laugh,ok!!!

How we cope w/ no maid.

This week will be the 2nd week since my maid run-away. I have maid to help out the household chores as well as look after my kids since yr 2002. Actually, the situation wasn't as bad as I thought. Everyone seems like no problem at all, esp Jo2 whom was my biggest worried since he "stick" very close to her. Surprisingly, he never ask where is his kakak, not a single day. The good news is he is now able to sleep thru until 5AM, which means no more wake up in the middle of the nite.......yoohoo to me!!!

As for Jo1, lucky me that I trained her to bath by her own beginning of this year. I felt that bathing & eating by her own are some simple things that she should know at this age. With or without Kakak seem like the same to her since she never like to follow Tini's instruction.

As for papa2jojo, of course there is nothing can stop him from going to work. Good sign is, he will take care of the kids during his off day. Unlike last time, he usually "snake" out with his friends whenever he can since he knows that he has hired someone to take care of his children. Spending more time at home is actaully a good chance for him to get to know them better in their growing stage.

As for me. I have better memory now. I used to be very forgetful, and tend to dependent on my maid on most of the things. Now, things changed. Not only that - I am freed also. Temporarily no step-daughter!!! Having a maid is actually an additional ppl to take care of on top of them helping us. The bad news is my plan to HK Disneyland on 28 May is cancelled.

All I want is "MILK".....mommy

Both my chidren love to drink milk very much. Jo1 supposed to fully wean off at the age of 5 but she pleadge me to let her continue until she turns 6. In this case, milk has become a powerful weapon for me to control them.

Case 1:
Ask Jo1 to do homework.......she refused.
Me: Go & do yr homework now if u want to drink milk b4 bedtime.
Jo1: ok......lo!!!

Case 2:
Refused to finish her meal.
Jo1: mommy, I am full oredi. I cannot finish the rice.
Me: U don't ask for milk later if u are full now.
Jo1: But, I can only finish the soup, can?
Me: ok.

As for Jo2, he is a frequent milk drinker coz he only takes 4 oz each time. So, I have more chance to so call "threaten" him.

Case 1:
Pointing his toy gun at me......pheng pheng pheng!!!!
Me: Hey, u shoot me ah??? If mommy die-liao no one make milk for u-le.....
Jo2: Sori....mommy (hugging me)

Case 2:
Me: Come and keep yr toy now.....time to sleep!!!
Jo2: mommy keep!
Me: No milk for u if u don't keep yr toy now.
Jo2: mommy & jie jie help! (since he knows there's no more kakak)

Run-away maid

My maid has run away from my house on Friday (11/5). She is now very "safe" at the Indonesia Embassy and protected by the officer there. According to the person in charge, she complained that she is over-worked, on the other hand she also complained that she actually prefer to work in a house where there is only 1 maid. She said she can actually finish all the house work by her own and doesn't need any help from other maid. I told her that it's impossible I let her stay in the house with my 2 kids during day time, juz only 3 of them while I am @ work. I have to bring them to my mother's place where my mother is around the house w/ my mother's maid. I visited her yesterday, she is so stubborn and looked different. The Kakak Tini that I know who used to take care, cuddle, hugging & spoiled my Jo2 has now become so different in overnight. I juz don't understand why she did this to me only after she worked with me for 1 year + 16 days. All the while, there is no complain from her. She even said that she is happy working for me, so I know there must be some other reason why she wants to leave, probably it has something to do with the letter that she received exactly 1 week before she ran. Too much work is juz an excuse if working for 4 person (2 adults + 2 kids)
The issue now is: she is now protected, I have to pay her the full salary even though she didn't finish her 2 yr contract w/ me. I think that is not fair to me. It's means employer is not protected, and nobody is bind to the contract, then why we need a 2 yr contract??? Who is going to compensate me for not working from now onwards until I hire a new maid??? What if this is a syndicate where they can transfer her to another employer and earn extra income??? What if they actaully take my maid out to work as a part timer during her stay in the embassy???
Lucky me, Jo2 didn't cry looking for her as I what I worried in the first place since he is so "stick" to her and spend day time with my maid. I actually have no problem handle him and everything is under control and not as bad as I thought. Afterall, I still "ALIVE" even without maid.

Sleep thru the nite

I have dark circles around my eyes ever since I became a mother. Waking up in the middle of the nite seem like a routine job for me. I have to wake up either to feed kids w/milk, to make sure that they sleep tide w/ blankie on(no nightmare).
My kids actually luv their milk so much that Jo1 was able to sleep thru the nite on the day I was admitted to hospital and as she knew that she is becoming a big sister. I was happy and surprised when my maid told me she didn't wake up the nite Jo2 is born. Since then, she is able to fall asleep on her own after drinking a bottle of milk and can lasts her until the next day. As for Jo2, I started to train him since he was 7 months, but I failed. No matter what method I tried.
Actually papa2jojo is the one who ruin my plan when I use the "cried out" method," he either will say that I am a bad mommy that don't let the child drink when he is hungry....or he will be the "Good Helper" (I call it KPC) to make the milk for his "baobei" son.
I hope Jo2 can sleep thru the nite before he turns 3.

Papa2jojo is a workholic

Papa2jojo has been working days and nights since last month. He actually can work non-stop for 24/7 and sometimes only take a nap in the office for less than 6 hours. My worries to him is that he might overworked and it might harm his health.
Last nite, he came home earlier than usual and he told me that his boss has actually cut his Apr's overtime hour from 123 to 100, the 23 hours convert to A/L. To me, it will actually cut to nothing since papa2jojo never used up all the A/L he earned. I know he will still work like a "cow" even though the boss did this to him. He don't care much since he like his job so much, too bad the company never reward employees who never take M/C or A/L with 100% attendance.

Busy weekend

Weekend means family outing to me, where we will either go shopping or swimming and sometimes eating out. As usual, Jo1 has to attend her Mental Arithmetic class in the morning while I have to work until 1PM. Then, Jo1 has her Ballet class from 1:45 - 2:30PM.

Unusual activites:

1. Pick up cakes from Jenni's cakehouse b'coz it's Ahsley's 1st B'day. Ashley is my sis#2 daughter. Then, send maid over my sis's house to help out. She is having a b'day party with all homemade dishes except those nyonya kuih.
2. Ahsley's b'day party from 7 - 9:30PM.
3. Went home.....change kids into pyjamas & zzzz.....
4. On Sunday, wake up & take breakfast.
5. Parents is going to Taiwan for a short trip. I was supposed to send them to Airport, but bro took over the job, so I ended up watching my drama which I haven't finish since I started during CNY. (Feb)
6. Bring kids to Gurney Plaza. MeadJohnson is having a smart camp there. Spend about 3 hours there (can't believe) kids juz love the activities there with lots of fun & games & freebies. They played in a pool with balls, bowling, music. They saw other children performed dance, story telling and etc.
7. Leaving for swimming club @ 4:30PM. Kids play sand @ beach and we had our dinner there. Jo1 had Fish w/ mushroom & cheese gravy, while Jo2 like the spagetti.
8. Back to Gurney Plaza again......can't believe that. Jo1 insists on going back, and she really enjoyed herself there. She even make new friends there, that's really something impressed me.

I was really exhausted after going from places to places. But, I think is worth it since the kids learned new things with these kind of exposure rather than let them sitting @ home watching TV.

Ballet class

Photo taken on the 1st lesson of her pre-primary class

Jo1 has been attending Ballet class since she was 3 years old. And now, she is in pre-primary class since September, 2006.

Botak Chai (little bold head)

My little "Botak Chai"

I used to bring Jo2 to an old Indian man for hair cut. He had no problem with hair cut at all (baby time) until 1 day that old man return to India for goods. I am really really upset to hear about that, coz he is patience, skillful and friendly.

So, my nightmare started.......

Every month I have to bear with the same problem. The moment I stopped the car, take him down, he already started to cry even before we stepped in the barber shop. Jo2 will simply cry cry cry, non-stop like ppl beaten him up so bad, even I tried to persuade him that it's no pain at all, but he still continue to cry. At last......VOMIT!!! yaak-ki.

Good news.....last Sunday I was like win "lottery." Jo2 is willing to let ppl cut his hair, no cry at all. I was so impressed that I want to share my joy here.

Father will undergo cataract surgery

Father's vision is getting so bad that he has to depend on eye drops prescript by doc to make his vision clear. According to doc, his right eye sight is totally blind, and he need to undergo a cataract surgery to remove the "clouding" on the lens. My biggest worries is that, father's cataract is not the usual type due to aging, but probably hit or accident fall. According to doc, his cataract is mature to be removed but there is a risk whereby once the clouded lens has been removed, the next step is to replace it. That is, to implant an artificial lens that will do the work of your own lens. Doc is afraid that my father' eye cannot support the lens, which means will not be back to 100% .
Even though this is a minor surgery, but the worries is still there, and I really wish that it's a success one.

Words

I noticed that there is an improvement in Jo'2 speech
For example:

• Jo2: mummy, gong gong(grandfather) CAME home oredi?
  Jo2:mummy, go "joom" (slide @ playground)
• Jo2: want "drumstick" (chopstick), he likes to use chopstick and pretend to play drum.
• Call his name from downstairs & u will hear Jo2: yes, come-ming.....

He also like to talk like a pro using his new handphone (toy) which I bought for him recently. Most of the time I knew he pretend to call papa2jojo, and bla bla bla...... asking when papa will bring him out for walk walk I guess, then ...ok...Bye!

Jo2 is a good helper

1. Milk-milk time. He will take the bottle for Jo1 as well.
2. TV time. He is in charge of turning on/ off button. Disc player & TV.
3. Keep toys in place. Only if papa2jojo is around. He only keep part of it, I never expect more from him.
4. Keep shoes in place. Right after came home from "walk walk."
5. Phone. He pick up the phone whenever he hears the phone is ringing. He can run faster than others.
6. Open tap water. Like to wash hand even though his hand is clean.
7. Snap photos. Like mommy, it's juz mommy take photos of ppl but he shoots photos of anything......can fan, lights wall, potty chair, kitchen.....using mommy's old camera.
8. Instruct Jo1. Ask Jo1 to go & change pyjamas, to go "tut shu" (do homework), go downstairs to eat.
9. Take potty-chair to Jo1. If he saw Jo1 is crying, and he knows that Jo1 will cry until throw out. So, he will give Jo1 the potty & ask her to "ouuo" in potty instead of on the floor.
10. Co-driver. This happed only when mommy is driving the car. I let him sit in front & buckle up seat belt (ever since I can't make him sit in the car seat) he still able to escape out and play w/ the air-cond button, music player, signal light & wiper. It's actually dangerous while I am driving. So, everytime I have to stop the car to scold him.

Glove-fy & dong-dong qiang

Jo1 has been complaining that her bro keep disturbing her, i.e: "mommy, di-di beat me." or "mommy, di-di pull my hair." Jo2 is totally different from Jo1, he can simply "attack" ppl from the back w/ no warning. Sometimes, he chase Jo1 from living room until kitchen for no reason, and juz want to play or scare Jo1. He thinks this is FUN.

In return, Jo1 has a powerful weapon......
If Jo2 make her angry, then she will shout :"Glove-fy, come......di-di is notty." or "dong-dong qiang (lion dance), come.....come & bite di-di." Once Jo2 hears this......very fast.....he will find a place to hide and he only dare to sneak a peek after he think that it's safe. Even though it's been many many time Jo1 uses this trick, it's still works.

Actually, I was the one who started this tricks. I used to tell Jo2 that : dark dark oredi, lizard is coming out...... whenever he doesn't want to go inside the bedroom to sleep when I am tired-liao.
I think both of them have a good imagination.

Terrible experience (part1) @ bank

On my way home 4 lunch....
I walked into this bank (w/ tiger head logo), to check w/ the receptionist what are the procedures to open a saving account for my maid as required.( I heard that have to make appointment 1 week ahead)

Me: I want to open a "joint account," my maid & I.
Rep: No, no, no. Maid cannot open joint account. We only allowed joint account if u have relationship w/ that person.
Me: But my sis opened a joint acct w/ her maid in xxx branch (same bank).
Rep: We had many customers came to open acct for their maid, the officer in other branch probably don't know this rule.
Me: ok. So, no need to make appoint-la?
Rep: No, go straight to counter 1. Just fill up this form & yr maid must come & her passport.
Me: TQ.

Arrived home, asked my maid to go & change, told her that I wanted to take her out.
At the bank.....I handed over my application form to counter 1
(Note: Original conversation in Malay)
Teller: Is yr maid here?
Me: Yes.
Teller: Ask her to sign here (pointing at the bottom of the application form)
Teller: How much u want to bank in?
Me: RMxxx, (passed the money to her)
Teller: OK. That's it. Come & collect yr passbook 2morrow, she has to come also.
Me: Ahhhh!!! But, juz now the lady there told me she has to come, now she is here whatever she need to sign let her sign now-la.
Teller: Cannot. There is 1 computer generated form that she needs to sign. I can only print out the form after I key in her particulars.
Me: Then u print it now & let her sign
Teller: U have to wait 2 hours.....want to wait? I have a few applicants b4 u.
Me: Is there anything u can do so that I don't have to come 2 trips juz to open an account?
Teller: Why? Bring her here again-la....
Me: Cannot-la....please-la.....She has to take care of my
, and I have to arrange someone else to look after my "BABY" if she is out (actually I make this up hopefully she can tolerant)
Teller: Bring yr baby here as well-la.....
Me: ok-la......LOL

Juz cannot understand....They think going to bank is so much fun that we bring all the family?? Time is a problem, parking is another problem. Is that call "efficient?"
Anyway, they called me up told me that the passbook is ready @ 3pm (exactly 2 hours) and asked for employer's name......Why-le???? As they said: I don't have relationship w/ her, no joint acct allowed" Why they need my name now???

I want to be like Daddy!!!

Jo2 doesn't like to play toy (get bored in less than 2 min), he only play "THINGS" that he is not allowed to take. See, how happy he is....

Maid working permit renewal

My maid working permit is going to expire this month. So, it's the once a year time when I have to work for the person who work (taking care of Jo2 & house chores ) for "ME" when I am at work. Kristiani is the 3 rd maid I hired ever since Jo1 is born, the first 2 never gave me any problem except this time.....note that b'coz of there are minor changes in the procedure.

1. Bank in cash RM190 into Fomema acct.
2. Personally go to Fomema, to show them the bank in slip of RM190 & maid's passport(the good news is that they don't ask for passport size photo anymore), chose the clinic for medical check up & X-ray. Then only they print out a form where will have to bring it to the clinic later.
3. Call up the clinic to check & make appointment. Went there 2 times.Why???......will blog about it. Check w/ Fomema to make sure that the result is OK before proceed to Immigration Office for renewal.
4. New rules: open a saving account with the amount of maid's monthly salary up to date. Went to bank 3 times.....Why? Will blog about it.
5. Finally, the result is out. Went to the Immigration in Seberang Jaya on a bright sunny Friday afternoon. (Bring along photocopy of employer's IC, bank passbook, bank draft RM445 as renewal fees, maid's passport & medical chit w/ doc signature) Waited about 2 hours to get the permit done.....After all, I picked the wrong day, b'coz their working hour is 2:45 - 4PM on Friday. Moreover, the numbering machine is out of order, and a long queue.
6. Reached Penang bridge around 5:30, caught in traffic jam..........grrrrrhhhhh

Birthday Card from Jo1

Received call from Jo1

Jo1: Hello, mummy.....I want to tell u something.
Me: What?
Jo1: Can u come home early today, I got a birthday present for u.
Me: OK. Is it a card?
Jo1: Yes, it's almost finish. I go and finish it now. ok. Bye!

(It's actually a belated Birthday card, and I am glad to see her take the initiative to draw a card for me, that's the lovely part of Jo1 indeed)

New blouse

Front view Back view

It's a Sunday and also 1 Apr, decided to go shopping @ Gurney Plaza since we are not back to Taiping for "cheng beng." It's was actually just window shopping, but still have to spend money as long as we are out. First, parking, then food (ice-cream, sushi & chips), and lastly - clothes .
I wanted to buy a hair clips.....bu can't find one that I like.

On the way home, I told Jo1 that she has to pay me for the clothes that bought just now (using her money from piggy bank), she just keep quiet. I was actually joking with her and didn't realize that she take it seriously. Back home after dinner, she "dig dig dig" her piggy bank, and manage to get RM1.30 (coins) and gave me. I askes:"why?" She reply: "money for the blouse-la" then, I laughed......