Happy 10th Birthday, Kippy

Birthday cupcake for the boy who stole my heart 10 years ago

His name is Kippy, the puppy who came into our family 10 years ago and the one whom I missed most when I was stationed in Beijing. He's the sweetest and most affectionate doggie who is also a gentle giant with the kids. (well, he is a giant in his miniature schnauzer world, ok!)

Bay bullies Kippy all the time...

 

洁语录之:
Dont get a pet on impulse, remember, they are for life. You will always be the whole world to them, till the last day of their lives. I used to think and I still do... a dog won't abandon you but no one can say for sure that your children won't.

Stop animal abuse! Do not support illegal animals trading. If the buying stops, the killing can too!
     

Excuse me... are you sleeping on the reserved seat?

Have you read the news about Senior citizen shames young man using social media?

I used to commute a lot on the MRT during my last year in NTU and the first few years when I started working.  My journey was about 1 hr, from Tampines to Boon Lay. That is not near in Singapore terms.  I would try to find a seat at the furthest end of the train so that it is less likely that people in need of the seat will go there.  I also preferred the reserved seat as there is the glass panel to lean against so that my head would not "move" when I sleep.  I admit that I will sian 1/2 when a person in need of the seat appeared, but I will always give up my seat... unless I really konked out, which can really happened when I'm tired.

What I wanted to say is how about all the other abled young people sitting down and not sleeping?  Yes, they may not be sitting on the reserved seat, but that does not mean that they dont have to give up their seat if someone needs it more.  Why is this Mr Wang picking on this young man who is sleeping?  What is the whole row of people sitting down doing? I am sure there is someone who is young and not sleeping.  Mr Wang should pick on that person instead.  I think people who saw this Mr Wang limping in but continue to sit and read newspapers, play games, etc are much worst.

I've met people like that... Army boy playing PSP on reserved seat
    

Get to the root cause... it is not about TPL or GY

Countless of such pages have suddenly sprouted in our Singapore FB community

George Yeo IN, Tin Pei Ling OUT
Petition to remove Tin Pei Ling as a MP
Disqualify Tin Pei Ling as a MP - We want her OUT
I do not want Tin Pei Ling in Parliament
Online petition to replace Tin Pei Ling with George Yeo
...
...
...
  
I did not "LIKE" any of them, not because I didnt agree with them, but I think it would not make any difference. (somebody please prove me wrong! get her out)

Firstly, we all cannot even sing in unison, how do you expect the gahment to hear? there are so many different pages to "LIKE" and each has only tens of thousand of "LIKES". No one will take these seriously. A page with hundreds of thousands could maybe raise a concern though.

Secondly, there are many people with 2 or more FB identity, so gahment can choose to believe that there are just a handful of people creating different identities just to click on these "LIKES". Moreover, it could your "administrator" who clicked it, so to them, that does not count either.

Most importantly, I dont think this will solve the issue with our system. This time we might want TPL out, GY in. Next time we might want XXX in, ZZ out. We need to get to the root cause - the GRC system. The underlying message from all these pages is that we want the best candidate to be MP, regardless of which party they come from. We want the best for Singapore. But the GRC system places the interest of the Party before our nation. There's a need to review this system.

Lastly, I felt that FB is not the correct avenue for such feedback, but sadly there seems to be no other platform. Where can Singaporeans put our sincere suggestion or feedback for the gahment? Is there a website or email that the PM himself will respond too? We dont want those standard and patronizing replies thought up by those scholars, his secretary or personal assistant. Dont tell me Meet-the-MP session, that is useless. Will the gahment really review this? Most of them MPs have been getting free rides for so many years, do you think they will really agree to change that?

It is bad that GY is out. He is a victim of their own system.
  

Victims of Raging Hormones

It is never a good idea to discuss politics with anyone, unlessof course you are an MP and it is ok to be seen shouting, screaming and slaming the table... then again, Singapore MPs don't do that.

During dinner tonight...

T2: Things are so expensive nowadays, I dont think we can survive on a single income. The gahment so do something about the high cost...

T1: (super pro-PAP) That is your problem if you want to maintain your lifestyle, give up your Prada and MiuMiu lah. Dont complain so much, it is not the gahment's problem if you cannot afford things, BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH...

me: T1, you should read this... (suddenly thought of this note by Xiaxue.  T1 sounded quite much like this dumb-blonde wannabe and I open the webpage for her on the phone to read)

T1: (after reading...) ASK YOURSELF WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY... GIBBISH GIBBISH GIBBISH GIBBISH GIBBISH GIBBISH GIBBISH GIBBISH GIBBISH GIBBISH GIBBISH GIBBISH GIBBISH GIBBISH
(seriously I cant recall what she said as there was a lot of shouting but she said something about comparing her with a dumb-blonde wannabe, and I should not add that comment that they both loved to make-up, which probably added to the rage)

Ok, perhaps T1 is not so well-informed about this dumb-blonde wannabe who might looked like one due to her serverely bleached hair but she is actually an awarded winning blogger.  What's more, she is pro-PAP, just like T1.

Immediately after T1's outburst, I thought "not again!!!"
Yes... I'm refering to her raging hormones. We've been suffering in silence for years during that few days in the month when she will appear with that super black "everyone owe me money" face.  Yah, you have a bad mood but that does not give you any rights to take it out on others.  This is emotional torturing.

As mature adults, we should all have some form of anger control before turning ourselves into the society.  I am not saying that I dont get out-of-control, I have a super hot temper too but I try my best not to display it unless of course otherwise provoked.  Alright, maybe I had provoked her at the wrong time of the month, otherwise I dont think T1 would explode like that.  Usually I have some check points like "Would I lash out at a new friend that I just know given the situation?" If no, then I wouldnt do that to people I know better, just to be fair to people who stick to me for all these years. 

Dont make yourself a victim of your raging hormones or others the victims of your raging hormones..
Here are some articles and websites that can help

Tame your 'raging hormones' - What you should know to stay in balance
http://www.raginghormones.org/

It's a wrap for "milk milk"

Kiiron had self-weaned, it's been 1 week since he last asked for "milk milk".  To my surprised, there wasn't not much crying, just a little bit of whining.  I'm so pride of him.

I'm pride of myself too, I think I deseved it a little pat on my back or the front for this matter goes. The journey was a tad tougher for me as I'm living like a single-mum most of the time. Looking back at the whole 20 months and 1 week, it had not been all fun but the end result was so fulfilling. I left the breastfeeding lilypie tacker below my blog to remind myself of those sweet days and nights of my life. 

I had never thought that I could breastfeed successfully and for so long. People always had this misconception that big boobs are essential for breastfeeding. This is not true at all! When I go out with my 95% percentile giant baby, people will ask me which brand of formula milk he is taking, when I told them that he is on total breastmilk, they will first steal a look at my front and then ask "can meh?" or "enough meh?"

For those mum-to-be's who is willing to try to breastfeed, it is not easy to start. I told my sister during the first few weeks that breastfeeding is more painful than child-birth (ok I had epidural, so delivery was practically painless!). I remembered that time when I had to continue to pump with broken/chipped nipples until the expressed milk was bandung colour (tinted with blood!) and the pain from blocked ducts or mastitis! But it is even more difficult to stop… the closeness and bonding to your baby is second to none, only another breastfeeding mum can tell you how it felt.

There were fustrating times as well, fortunately there are many inspirating articles everywhere to help keep us like-minded going. I'm so glad to know that somewhere else there are people going through the same as me. I'm not the only mum who is nursing my boy to sleep, I'm not the only mum who can't bear to let my child "cry it out" so that I can have a full night sleep.

http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/comfortnursing.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/momstories/nightweaning_jack.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/momstories/toddlers_do_wean.html

Kiiron only started sleeping through at around 20 months. Previously, he was walking up 2-3 times per night for "milk milk".  Mark had insisted that "crying it out" is the only way to train him but he's not here most of the time, I am so not going to do this on my own! Then again Mark also insisted that the only way to wean Kiiron off the breast is to apply Ruyi oil on my nipples! (that's what my MIL did and I suspect that is the reason why Mark is so afraid of medicated oil smell).

For the record

1. Kiiron didnt "cry it out", he reached the sleep-through-the-night milestone when he was ready.  All I did was to tell him 'milk milk' no more on one night, he whinned for 3 seconds and went right back to sleep.  I did the same for the next few nights and he started to sleep through after a few days.   
2. I didnt apply Ruyi oil or any other stuff on my nipples, he self-weaned when he was ready.  I started to nurse him only when he asked to, he asked for 'milk milk' less often after a few weeks

洁语录之:
Standby your believes. There will be trying times when people watched and said "see, I told you!"
Perseverance makes the rewards sweeter
  

失而复得

I'm in a streak of bad luck whereby I keep misplacing my things.

After our trip to the Jurong Bird Park on 18March, I realised that I can no longer find my car key! I thought I dropped it in Jean's car but she cant find it there.

Gosh! How should I tell Mark? He is very picky about anything to do with his car.
Oh well... I have to face the music sooner or later, so why not later? Mark came back last night and I finally had to drop the bomb on him!

After interrogating and grilling me throughout the journey from airport, it was concluded that I could have dropped the key in bird park.

Mark called the park this morning to check if there is any lost & found but the chance of finding something after 2 weeks is pretty slim... Guess what? the person called after 1 hour to inform us that they found our key!

Heng man... if not Mark will 跟我没完没了...

洁语录之...
Dont be afraid to explore any possibilities even if you think that the chances are slim. Like the saying goes, no harm trying.
    

A car that can really pack in a lot of things

Uncle Jipi's car looks small but can really pack in a lot of things. This time it is 1 Christmas tree, 1 stroller, 4 adults, 1 toddler and numerous bags of our shopping from Giant and Ikea.

It once packed in 2 huge shelves from Ikea, 2 adults and 1 pregnant woman.

洁语录之...

Dont judge things or people by their appearance. Still water runs deep.
  

FYI x 7

Recently I received 7 identical letters informing me that my financial consultant had left the company. A few weeks later, I was bombarded again with 7 letters to inform me of the new consultant who had taken over.

Jean received more that 10 letters each time (she is so irritated that she refused to count).

As a process development manager, I cannot help but notice the wastage. Think of all the trees cut down for the papers and envelopes. Think of the savings each year for printing & postage. It is definitely worth it for this company to invest in a system which can help them to consolidate their mails.

Well... if my hard-earned funds are managed by them, then I could be the one paying for their waste.

Excuse me... are you an army boy?

I was taking the MRT home with Kiiron after his 推拿 (massage) session on Sunday afternoon. The train was fairly packed and there was no empty seats.  Should I expect anyone to give up the seat to me?  Afterall I'm a young mum, pushing a stroller with a baby sitting inside.  I don't need the seat for myself and Kiiron already had his own stroller to sit right?  When one looked at the sticker for the reserved seat, it says... pregnant woman, person carrying a child, old man with a cane and disabled person. Nothing about person with stroller.

Anyway, this army boy looked at me and continued to play his PSP! Shall I tell him that he's hogging the RESERVED seat?

洁语录之...
Next time dont wear uniform, I can see your name... G L Heng
If I want to report you or sent this to STOMP, you will be tracked down in 1sec.










Kiiron is 9 mths now

Lesson from a wise african old lady

 Echo was an 64 year old female eleplant, matriarch of the EB family living in Amboseli.  Every Monday in March, I've followed Echo on Animal planet.  I can relate so well with the behavior of the elephant family - where the female rules.  All females will remain with the family forever whereas the males will go independent and leave the group once they reach adulthood.

I've been reflecting on my feelings and thoughts in these 8 months following the birth of my son, wondering why is it that I can be so comfortable to let my family hold my son whereas I am so protective when my in-laws get near to him.  Finally, some enlightenment when I saw how the smartest land animal behave - it is basic instinct.  All animals except for humans, never get to meet their paternal family.  It is natural for a mother to be nervious when their off-springs are with anyone other than her own family.  Lions behave this way as well.

It is inevitable that one day my beloved son will have a family of his own and his wife will too feel the same way about me.  I will always remember this lesson from the wise african old lady.  I am praying hard that I will have a daughter of my own.

I was so sad when a search on the internet last night revealed that Echo passed away in May 2009.  You can follow Echo's EB family on Cynthia Moss's blog on the ATE (Amboseli Trust for Elephant) website. http://elephanttrust.org/blog/15
(The picture above was sourced from the same site)

I lived in a family of 4 sisters and my mum takes care of every single detail of home.  Seeing Echo with her family, reminded me of my mum and our family.  She is a majestic mother, grandmother and a caring caregiver for my son - my mum is truely a matriarch of my family.

It's a boy!

Name: BaoBao for now. Waiting for Daddy to think of a name
Birthday: 25Jul2009
Weight: 3025g
Length: 52 cm
Head: 35 cm
Delivery: Natural with Epi and Vacuum

Birth highlights  

• 24Jul 6pm: 1cm dilated. BB head still high. Insert 1st induce tablet at Dr's clinic
• Go home to have dinner and bath
• 25Jul 12.30am: Check-in MAH after roti prata supper 
• 25Jul 1am: 3cm dilated. Insert 2nd induce tablet. Contractions starts, some as high as 130 recorded but I dont really feel much pain
• 25Jul 9am: 4cm dilated. Dr break waterbag. REAL contraction pain starts... ok this is no fun!
• 25Jul 9.15am: Epi!!!
• Wait... Wait... Wait... no food at all. Super irritating when Mark when for lunch / dinner and came back smelling like a walking canteen 
• 25Jul 6pm: Fully dilated but BB head is still high (cant get engaged properly...) Dr decided to get me to try pushing but she say that if cannot come thru then will have to go for c-sec!
• PUSH! PUSH! PUSH! ... but I'm so hungry where got energy!
• 25Jul 6.58pm: After pushing for 1 hr! BB is delivered with assisted vacuum

The team in MAH is really quite good. They know that I'll have a difficult time to push, so 2 staff nurses were standing by my side to help me push my stomach when I pushed and the Dr were standing below pulling with the vacuum. They really helped to squeeze the BB out of me.

Where is Mark during this whole time? I cant see him at all, he was holding my head!

The first words that I said to BaoBao when I had him for the first time in my arms... "You have double eye lids!" Gosh! How shallow and superficial can I get? Must be due to no food for the whole day and my brain is not functioning...

My first thought immediately after the delivery? Actually I wasn't overwhelm with joy and anything like that... I was just thinking about how horrible the delivery process was and it sure is the top 3 most horrible experience in my life!

洁语录之...
I want to be a man in my next life... how great to tell my wife to wait in the delivery room and starve while I go enjoy my lunch!
  

Holidays for everyone

December... it's holiday time for everyone, including Kippy!

My parents are going to China to visit the relatives there and Jean has plans for holidays in Japan and Shanghai, therefore we need arrange for a sitter for our beloved Kippy.

Kippy is also going for holidays too... 10D9N tour to Punggol in Bini's home. (Seriously, I heard that Mum had even packed a huge bag for him)

Jipi setup a webcam to show kippy's movement and I can view his actions online (http://kippy.audiomind.org/).
Here's some pics that I managed to save from the link.

Kippy is so cute!

her-her-ha-he... 快使用双截棍...

Greetings from 上海体育场! So many people at Jay Chou's concert!



I'm going for Jay Chou's concert in Shanghai on 24Nov!

Finally the tickets are in my hands!

I am actually quite upset to miss his concert in Singapore on 19Jan2008 as most likely I will not be back in Singapore then and anyway the tickets are totally sold out in Singapore.

Mark's company sponsered some stuff and managed to get 2 free 包厢 tickets. (kekekeke!) Hope it will not be too far away from the stage.

Thank you darling for making the effort to get the tickets!!!

A lousy evening

I've spend the past 1 week or so of my leave doing nothing.

My typical day is to wake up at about 10+ in the morning, then check emails, manage my facebook and then practice crazy taxi. In the evening, I'll go to Carrefour to shop and then try to cook.

During this few days, I'd came to realise that I'm not suitable to be a housewife. As you can see above, my typical day does not include doing housework. Thus the house is in quite a mess. But I tried to fulfilled my duties as a wife by cooking dinner.

However I'm quite pissed today. I'd cooked dinner by 7 pm and then waited for Mark to come home to have dinner together. He came home at 8pm without informing me! I was famished by then and immediately served dinner. But I end up eating dinner alone as Mark was busy reading his blackberry and did not response when I asked him to have dinner.

I really don't understand... what can be so rush and important? Even US president can afford to have dinner with his wife.

Days in Shanghai

I'm on leave for 2 weeks from 10Nov to 25Nov. I've no plans on how to spend these days. Basically I'll just nau at home in Shanghai.