(more) Splashing good times

A great way to wind up our week - spending a lazy Sunday noon lazing around in the waddling pool with my Baby while Daddy went to sweat it out at the tennis court with Paul.
The weather was terrific - cloudy and not insanely hot. I just lay submerged in the shallow waters enjoying a quick tan while Kai played with his Mickey beach ball.

My life is on slow-motion now, and I'm lovin' every bit of it!

Kai goes to Uni

My mom-in-law has taken the day off today and left me alone "on the job" to take care of Kai.
I had to pay my school fees and the only next best person I can trust, Aunt LY, has agreed to go with us to uni and take care of Kai while I ran my errand.

Aunt LY and Kai at the school koi pond where she taught Kai about fishes, water, and plants.

I am eternally indebted to my Aunt LY for her selfless help, I am forever grateful.
She is truly godsend.

For a toddler who isn't even 2 yet, Kai can speak alot. In fact, he started articulating since he was around 12 months old, in simple double-syllables then.
Now, he can form simple sentences to articulate his intentions, like "Kai Kai 走走 (going out), Bye bye"; and he can converse bilingually eg "开, open"; "机机, Airplane" ; "ant, 蚂蚁" etc

I started him on board books and fabric books since he was a baby, talking to him, reading to him, and everything we see, use flash cards to match objects for him, like these below:

Now that he is attending half-day school, learning becomes a two-way process and is further enhanced.
In my opinion, there is no point packing your kids off to the most expensive or top-notch schools and let them come home to a helper or someone who isn't going to reinforce their learning at home.
I didn't have a child to let some stranger bring him up.

I am a very hands-on parent and I believe in doing as much as I can, myself.
And that's not because I'm a SAHM now, I did all those when I was still working Full-time and studying Part-time!! So working Moms should not be disheartened - nothing is impossible!
Learning is about the planned and unplanned. Even when we go for walks in the park with our dog, or to the supermart to grab groceries, chances for learning is aplenty.
Even when Kai is playing in the bath, I use a toy pail to teach him what is full/empty, what is clean/dirty, dry/wet.

I am very fortunate to have able help from my MIL and Aunt LY, so that I don't have to worry about the chores and it also frees up quality time for me to engage Kai in meaningful activities.


Teaching is not just about the classroom. In fact, learning starts from home.

Drove home with an(other) orange box today

"Good things come in small packages, and they don't always have to be pink" - Veron


I went back to the ward today to settle the nitty gritty of my resignation, ie. Hand over staff pass, locker key etc.

After which, I received a timely SMS from Hermès saying they have some new arrivals of Twillys so I hopped over to NAC to get a piece for my new bag.

I was attended by a nice SA who helped to tie it on for me.


I love orange boxes :)

I am officially unemployed: my story as a Nurse.

As of today, I am officially a stay-home Mommy (SHM).
I tendered my resignation with immediate effect. For those of you who are familiar with Nursing in Singapore, you'll know that most nurses are bonded with a hospital who sponsors the nurse's studies, right down to course fees, allowances, salary etc.
In return, the sponsored student upon graduation has to be bonded with that respective hospital for 3 years.
In the event that the nurse decides to terminate her employment before her bond period is up, he/she is liable to pay the remaining of the bond monies (depending on different hospital policy whether in full or pro-rated).

For my case, I still have 5.5 months of bond to fulfill but because I decided to terminate my employment prematurely, and with immediate effect, I need to pay a total of SGD$10,000 + compensation of 1 month's salary.
A whooping $10k+!!!! Which could well go into the renovation of our new pad, or buy me a Birkin bag.

But to me, money is not important. Family is. My son is.
It is necessary to put food on the table and pay the bills, but other than that, to me, money is not important.
If I have to spend $10k in exchange for my freedom to be with my son & family, so be it.
If I have to buy one bag less, so be it.
I am lucky I have the support of my family, an understanding husband, and supportive in-laws as well. I never thought my in-laws would be supportive of my decision (esp my father-in-law, who's always deadpan serious, but he was supportive and did not object to my having to pay so much $$).

So yeap!! The freedom is liberating! It feels terrific not having to wake up to alarms, and not having to work shifts.
The patients' families demand more attention than the patients.
You get interrupted at work ALL the time - to talk to the social worker, to answer the phone calls, or the doctor needs something, this patient needs to go to the toilet, etc etc etc!
EVERYTHING and EVERYONE is upon the nurse if something goes wrong.
If the dietetics send the wrong food, it is the nurse's problem to rectify it.
If the housekeeping doesn't make up the bed fast enough, the nurse has to do it.
If the blood specimen is not despatched on time, it is our fault again.

Nurses work long hours and we work 3 shifts.
I work 6 days a week in my hospital, including weekends and public holidays - That means I get only ONE day off. I dont get off work on time, and my job is stressful like hell.
Weekends are for play and rest, no??
And shiftwork screws up your body clock.
Even when you knock off and get back home, your mind is not in peace in case you missed out anything at work because God forbid.

I'm sick of sacrificing my weekends and precious time with my family just to watch over demented people and be berated by their families and a [insert profanities] supervisor.
I feel horrid that my son has to miss his school excursions while his friends get to go with their parents, all because Mommy is working on a weekend!

So there, Goodbye R**** !!!!!!! You will not be missed!
It's been an extremely trying 2.5 years with ups and downs in this job.
I need to close this chapter in my life in order for more doors to open as well as to give myself time to reflect on my future direction.
It's high time for me to embark on a new journey in life - a journey which is led by my heart.

Hong Kong Feb 2011: my Birthday weekend

Hubby went to see us off at the airport.

Hello Hong Kong!

in the hotel room....


At their local markets. My Dad & I love their beef tripe noodles so much we ate it everyday.

The first night at Women's Street

Met up with my relatives for yum cha and dim sum at their cha chan tengs in the noons

and some home-cooked goodness at the comfort of their home

We feel so at home! The weather was freezing outside and it's great to hide in the cozy indoors.

Like what you see in the typical HK movies, their homes are all tiny flats with the CCTVs and mailboxes at the lobby.

my cheeky bubs.

Chanced upon this MUFC restaurant bar & merchandise store.
My mum bought MUFC merchandise for a happy Kai.

the entire street behind our hotel were rows and rows of petshops selling cute puppies and kitties. I brought Kai there everyday. Those were the only times he was free to run around and be happy.

Poor kid was strapped into his stroller most of the time, which was fine when he was a younger little bundle, but not anymore it seems.
Now, he's all for running and exploring. Our future trips need to be more carefully planned, with kid-friendly activities.


Wokie dokies! That's about all from our HK trip.

I had a blast on my Birthday celebrations this year, I truly did.
I'm counting my lucky stars for being blessed with wonderful people in my life, whom I'll never trade for the world.
Thanks all once again for making everything special for me.

With a busy but very happy February behind me, I am now going to concentrate fully on Kai's 2nd birthday preparations. Stay tuned for more! :)

I'm (turning) 28 !!!!!!!

Last year, my besties & husband ganged up and threw a surprise 27th Birthday Party for me.

This year, same gang, better photos and better everything :D
Celebrated my Birthday today with the people I love most in my life (other than Hubby of course) ---> My sisters!!!

At Irodori Jap restaurant.

"What on earth is that???????!!!"

"My name is Meena, and I have never had Japanese food in my life. Is it a sin to eat pregnant fish??"

I'm glad my darling Prince came along :)


Chris with Noah the bear.

.
.
.
.
AFTER LUNCH, THEY SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST
.
.
.

A friggin' HERMES cake!!!!!!!!!!

OMG!

I made a wish alrighty

She baked the haute cake! ;)


Celebrating with my loved onessssss

Presents from my gals....
"Have courage" !!!


More presents in a present :D



Hubby had this delivered to Irodori restaurant while we were having our meal. Thanks Hubby & Daddy. I love you too! :)

Thank you my girls. You truly made my day!
I'm really lucky and blessed to have you all in my life. God has been terrific to me. He gave me many wonderful angels in my life, like planting stars in my sky.
I do love you all soooooo much!!

and finally:

I have never doubted that I have the best friends in the world.
and thank you my gem of a husband, for ganging up with my gfs and planning the cake and everything behind my back.


p.s. If you want fabulous cakes, you know where to go:
http://chrispantry.blogspot.com/
she's taking (limited) orders, she just has no time to upload more photos of her wonderful creations :)

p.s.s I'm flying to HK tomorrow with my parents and son!! Back next week. Love ya'll :)

Nerves nerves nerves

Okay... after tomorrow, I will be clearing my leave and am going to spend my birthday in HK.
After I'm back, I will be bidding Goodbye to my job.

I'm still undecided as to what my future plans are.
First things first:
- we need to collect our house keys in March
- School restarts for me again. My final year.
- Defect-spotting and reno works for our new pad should commence
- after that comes the major challenge: moving house!!!!!!!!!!!!

After all these are sorted out, we need to arrange Kai's school and logistics arrangement, which at the moment won't be a problem since I will be free to send & fetch him.
But honestly, if one day I ever do return to work, which I am sure I will, there will come the problem of Full day vs Half day childcare?? Part-time or Full-time work??
Kai is big enough now to enjoy attending school, and is developing increased independence away from us. There will come a day where my baby will be away from me for long hours and it will also be cue for me to go back to the workforce.

All these are still uncertain now. Afterall, it's gonna be a busy next few months.
We'll cross the bridge when we reach it.