Cruise Holiday

Once again, we are back bcos all good things will come to an end. Boo! So did I have a break? Definitely! Did I feel recharged? You must be kidding me... It is the same "I need another holiday to recover from this one" syndrome. I am suffering from serious work blues. Nevertheless, it was a good break from work, from routine, from normal life and we definitely did enjoy ourselves.

It was a huge group this time. We brought my mum and my mil, my brother brought his pil and maid too. There were a total of 9 adults and 5 kids, 4 cabins. Nainai didn't do particularly much but I think she enjoyed herself, simply spending time with the grandkids. She and my mum were a great source of help, relieving me of most of the cleaning and feeding Lil Isaac's duties. Most importantly, they helped to chase after the little tiger too. These are the 3 of the 4 princesses.

We are no strangers to cruise, particularly Star Virgo. This is probably Lil Shauna's 4th or 5th sail and Lil Isaac's 2nd. However, as the kids grow, we get different experience each time. It was the same, "eat, walk, swim, sleep" routine for that short 3D2N, same as the previous trips. We did much more swimming though.

Jiejie is also old enough to enjoy the kids' center activities now and even went to the center to partake in activities without mummies but with the 2Fs. I also accompanied to take part in some games with some mascots in the kids' activities center.

We also caught a musical performance and magic show. Jiejie was captivated, didi too but with the help of lots of potato chips. There was plenty of space to roam for the little tiger. Most of the walkway is carpeted, which really suits the still not very stable but desire to roam freely tiger.

Lil Isaac ran so much on teh Sun Deck and then decided that he needed to lie down, right there and then.

We didnt gamble this time round but did enjoy a little drink after the kids turned in.

It all happened to quickly and we are back. I am actually feeling a little depressed to be back. I have to keep my eyes on next holiday in June to keep my sanity. And of course, It is time to start planning for the next holiday. I am just a mortal, I need a hope, something to look forward to in order to maintain sustainability. Daddy Lim, do you copy?

Mummy Lim

Birthday Celebration 2

I went JP to collect the cakes and fetch the kids from Centris after work. The bday cakes come in the form of a small round Dora cake and 4 square Hello Kitty cakes. Lil Shauna chose the design herself.

After the cakes, we left for the Amazon, an indoor playground at the Great World City. It was very expensive but the kids had great fun. The adults (ah yee, uncle ichi, auntie LK and myself) had to take turns chasing after the kids so that we get the opportunity to rest and breathe.

Then we met up with my brö's family for a family dinner. By then, I was exhausted. The Chan Family was really nice to come down to meet us and pass us Lil Shauna's bday present. Then booboo and Lil Shauna shared a slice of chocolate. Ok, cake again. Lil Shauna is so fortunate to not have to watch out for her weight.

This is Lil Shauna making her bday wish. She wanted of course, to become a princess. So cute.

Mummy Lim

Birthday Present

Interestingly, this is the response that I got from Daddy Lim when I wanted to buy roller blades for Lil Shauna for her 4th bday.

“Are you sure? What if she falls down and injured herself?”

And when I suggested to bring her ice skating at the new ring at JCube, Daddy Lim exclaimed,

“Don’t want lah, ice skating is very dangerous. Have you heard of the story about how the skater lost his fingers bcos he fell and another skater skated over his fingers?”

Hmmm.. I thought I am the mother and those words should come from me. Moreover, we both used to roller blade and Daddy Lim, when he was much, much younger, do stances on his roller blade. Tsk, tsk, time does horrible things. Lol.

Anyway, the rollerblade plan went ahead. Daddy Lim was agreeable on the condition that Lil Shauna dons full protective gear when she blades. Woohoo! We got Lil Shauna a pair of shiny pink blades, which she totally hearts. She had problem standing after putting on her blade to test if the size is right. Of course, we got her helmet, knee, elbow and wrist guard, as dictated by Daddy Lim.

I brought her to the void deck to test out her blades 2 Sundays ago. She learnt how to stand. A mere 20 mins trial and we were perspiring like mad. Last Sunday, we brought her roller blades to nainai’s house and she got to try them again in the evening. This time, she started moving very slowly on her own. Mad cute.

She fell a few times but she was well protected and very much enjoyed the session. She was very proud of herself and so am I. At a point while she was moving unsupported, I thought I felt my tears welling. I have never thought that I will teach my own kids to blade. That feeling was just priceless.

Mummy Lim

Eyebrow

I have been plagued by the fact that I have little and sparse eyebrow ever since I learnt about eyebrow shaping and had started tweeting them. There isn’t much that I can do since they are so little. I have started drawing them since I was in JC and had been doing so very faithfully. Without drawing, I am almost without eyebrow and I always try not to go around scaring people with my no-eyebrow look. I believe in karma. Lol.

Eyebrow drawing can be very frustrating. It is largely dependent on how focused I am and how steady is my hand at that point of time. Sometimes, I couldn’t get it right after many attempts – the arch is not right, the eyebrows are not balanced, the tail is not sharp enough, the tone is wrong, I look funny – the list can go on. It gets even more frustrating when I am rushing for time. I am also no alien to fading eyebrow as the day proceeds or only to realize that they are not balanced when I am outside, which is very embarrassing. Yet, the latter happens all the time. I must have drawn those brows while I was sleepwalking! My only savior is when I have bangs, like now. The bangs cover my eyebrow but I still draw them. We never know when strong wind will blow, right? Just that most of the time, I don’t have to worry too much and need not spend too much time on the brows since they are not visible most of the time.
So, I was very excited when eyebrow embroidery was introduced. Nope, we are not talking about the old school eyebrow tattooing that the “trendy” aunties spot. Not those that turned green after a period of time. These are supposed to be pigmentation done on the surface of the skin and look much natural than eyebrow tattoo. Touch ups are at every 8 months to 1 year interval. I have seen people with really natural looking brows after the embroidery and couldn’t wait to get mine done. I was simply waiting for the cow to retire. I was supposed to stop bfeeding for 3 days after the embroidery and wasn’t willing to do so then. I was a noble cow.

As I was on leave to celebrate Lil Shauna’s bday in school yday, I took the opportunity to do my eyebrow… finally. I went to Allure Beauty Salon at West Mall after finding some not too bad reviews about it. I was there at 2pm and it started with the kind of procedures that I want to do. Apparently, there are many different kinds of procedure with different price tag. The most expensive comes with a 4-digits price tag. The more expensive, the more natural it will look. The sales was pushy but I had my budget to observe and settled for the creative eyebrow that cost me almost $500. This is me before we started. I had haphazardly drawn my brow for the day.

The procedure started with numbing cream. I actually looked quite silly while waiting for the cream to take effect and everybody who walks by the salon can see me. I was just glad that it was a weekday afternoon and there wasnt much crowd.

Then, the Principal Trainer (PT) started to "design" my eyebrow and drew it on me and for me to approve. It was like some sort of art class and I was the drawing block. She made adjustments bit by bit until I was satisfied and we started with the actual "tattooing". So, was it painful? Of course it is until they put more numbing lotion after the initial "cuts". Thereafter, it was a breeze.

This is my newly done brow. Yes, they are very, very dark and thick. But the colours will slowly fade and they will become thinner and look much natural after about a week. I bet it was some sort of sales gimmick but the PT and the other therapists all starting praising how well my brows were done. Some aunties were also contemplating having their brow done and I became their "sample". -.o"

I am not quite used to such thick and "short" brow. I used to draw mine long and narrow but the PT who did my brow insisted that this is the right dimension for my features. I hope she is right. Daddy Lim says that I look like La Pi Xiao Xin now. Chey! So, my bangs are currently my life saviour.

 I was given some tips to take care of my brow. Firstly, this oily soothing lotion to apply on my brow for 5 to 7 times a day. The lotion is actually quite yucky and the excess drips downwards to my eyes. Then I am not supposed to wash my brows for the next 7 days! I dont know how this is possible but I am trying and I am taking extra long to wash my face and shower. I will have to go back for touchup in a month's time. I hope it wouldnt be this painful then.

I quite like my new eyebrow and I enjoyed the freedom of not having to draw my eyebrow this morning. If it is not bcos the salon is too pushy, a little too auntie-ish and a little too pricey, I would consider going back for future touch-ups. We will see how.

Mummy Lim

Birthday Celebration Part 1

So, I did end up in school yday to celebrate Lil Shauna’s bday. Daddy Lim sent us there and helped us bring the goody bags to the class. Lil Shauna helped too. She is a big girl now. Daddy Lim didn’t stay for the celebration. He probably felt awkward to be surrounded by female teachers and a whole bunch of kids. I wonder what’s with the male ego. Anyway, the celebration wasn’t anything much. Her teachers and friends sang her the bday song and she blew the candle. Lots of pictures were taken and then they got ready for outdoor and I left. All were done in under 30 mins.

The cupcakes were really nice and cute. I bought them from a colleague’s wife who used to own a bakery. The original plan was no mummy, only goody bags and cupcakes, so the cupcakes were individually packed for the kids to bring home in their goody bags if they do not want or have time to consume them in school. But I think they probably ate the cupcakes during snacks time. The cupcakes were too irresistibly cute. The kids were all so excited over the goody bags and the cupcakes.

Lil Shauna has a bigger cupcake for candle blowing. A stand was provided and all the cupcakes were put together. The overall effect looks really good.

Lil Shauna is very shy. She didn’t look at all excited. She’s very different when she’s in school and at home. She didn’t maintain eye contact or talk to the teachers who wished her happy birthday along the way from the school lobby to the classroom. She didn’t seem too excited to be the center of attention too. How can this be the Lil Shauna that we see at home! I think most importantly, she did enjoy herself.

Happy bday baby.. and we have another 2 rounds (at least) of bday celebrations.

Mummy Lim

Ear Piercing

Fione and Felicia had their ears pierced a while back. They had asked to do it. We checked with Lil Shauna if she wanted to have her ears pierced too but she didn't want. She was scared. Fine with me. I see no hurry. When she's old and vain enough, she will have them pierced. That was what I did. I had my ears pierced in Secondary 4.
I went to buy some simple studs today. I have been losing mine and needed replacements. Lil Shauna got very excited and exclaimed that she wanted to pierce her ears. We told her that it would be painful and she said that she is not scare. Ok lor. We don't mind her piercing her ears either.



















She was very excited at the shop while waiting for the lady to prepare. However, she looked really shocked when she got the first shot. I thought she was going to cry but she didn't. She only refused to get the other ear done. I tried coaxing and it didn't work, not even when I told her that Daddy Lim will have his ear pierced too if she does her. She asked instead for Daddy Lim to take the other piercing on her behalf so that she didn't have to continue with the 2nd one.

Lil Shauna still refused to continue after tons of persuading. So we left, with only one pierced ear. Hahahaha. Well, not that I mind. She can be some fashion statement even at 4. I don't care even if she continues with one pierced ear until she's 14. It is not important. I will just try to remember to ask her if she wants to complete the process every now and then.

What I hate is how whiny she is after the piercing. She kept telling us that it is painful. Hmpf, wasn't that what I said before you got your piercing? Arrggghhhh... She refused to shower and Popo was jumping, telling me how dirty she was. Hello, one day don't shower wont die lah. She is my daughter, this is my house lah. She did shower after that but still very whiny.

Mummy Lim

What??!!

I was in an external meeting yday when Popo called me. I couldn't pick up her call and she left me with 4 missed calls. Her calls came fast and furious, one after another.

Thinking that it could be something important or urgent, I called back during toilet break and I had a very angry Popo yelling at me over the phone. It was something about Lil Shauna throwing a tantrum, refusing for auntie to tie her hair or help her change into her uniform. Then the refusal extended to Popo and she eventually refused to go to school totally. Popo added that if the maid does leave, i better not accuse her of driving the maid away. Right after she yelled why she wanted to say, she slammed down my phone. Win already. I was left in a semi-fazed and back to my meeting.

I wonder... Will she ever do that to my brother, calling him insistently, then yelling her complaints at him before slamming down the phone on him when he is at work. Will our life be easier if I send the maid away and the kids to the full-day childcare. Why is Lil Shauna so difficult at the 4 years old stage. I want to faint.

In the evening, things appear normal. Lil Shauna didn't go to school. She said that she was frustrated bcos both auntie and popo understand how she wanted her hair to be tied. Popo was probably angered over Lil Shauna's refusal to go to school. It basically screwed up the routine and Popo loves control and routine. I am the victim. But I have decided to play deaf and dumb. World peace.

Mummy Lim

Pre-Birthday

Lil Shauna helped to choose the goodies that go into her goodies bags. It was fun shopping for them. Last night, she helped to pack the goodies into the bags.

Just a year ago, she created more mess than help, was distracted midway and ran off before we were done packing. Last night and a year older, things were done in an orderly manner. She helped to take the empty bags out of the storeroom, put all the different goodies into the bags systematically and helped to put them back into the store room. I was very much impressed.

She singled out a bag for herself and one for her best friend, Ming Ming. FYI, MM is a boy. She specifically chose an ultra man ink stamp for him bcos he likes ultra man. I can see Daddy Lim's radar lit up. Daddy Lim says that all of Lil Shauna future boyfriends have to clear his stringent checks, lol.

Remembered that Lil Shauna didn't want mummy to celebrate her bday for her in school? Interestingly, she somehow changed her mind upon seeing the goody bags. I am now confused. How come I get the feeling that my little girl is behaving like a teenager when she's only 4?

Mummy Lim

Clubbing

The girls had been asking, tempting, cajoling, but I had to turn them away bcos I was a moo moo cow. They pounced on me the moment the cow retired and we made plans for a chill-out session. It didn’t come easy. Most of us are mummies (and wives of course) and we had to apply for “exit permit”. Thankfully, the daddies recognize the hard work and we earned the approval. The plan was even postponed once due to the many coordination difficulties. My neck grew longer and the excitement mounted. A couple of days before the night took place, I was grinning from ear to ear. The excitement was hard to contain. I was literally skipping around in the office, telling my colleagues and beaming with joy.

We planned to go to China One at Clarke Quay. After years of break, I no longer know what is good. In fact, Clarke Quay is itself a foreign land to me. Mummy L proposed the venue and we readily agreed. She is the only one that is still somehow active in the party scene now. We arranged to meet at 10pm and I thought I would be late, depending on how successful my plans were. I had negotiated With Daddy Lim to leave the house after I tucked Lil Isaac to bed and he will handle Lil Shauna. I went home to prepare after work while Daddy Lim fetched the kids from Centris. It was silly but I tucked Lil Isaac to bed in full make-up, which wasn’t elaborated since none of the kids noticed anything unusual. I was worried that Lil Isaac would decide to have his own party with me instead and was bursting with joy when he cooperated and went to lala land after his milk. With all my clothes on standby, I was out of the house in under 10 mins after Lil Isaac knocked out.

We all arrived at Clarke Quay at about 10pm. I was waiting for Mummy P at the taxi stand when I felt so inferior at the constant stream of skinny, sexily dressed and pretty meimeis that crowded Clarke Quay. Hey, where did all the fat people go to? Fat people do not partake in night life? I felt instantly auntified and was so glad when Mummy P finally joined me. Well, I am still the only fat one, but at least not the only auntie one. Lol.

The way to China One was crowded with plenty of teenagers. It reminded me of the good old days and I was surprised how young the kids look. I was even more astounded by how they dressed. There were plenty of legs and breasts to see. Digressing, I wonder how I would react if Lil Shauna dresses this way in another 14 years’ time.

We finally met up with Mummy L and her BFF and S and C and began our mission. These are the girls that I used to club with at different point of my party life. I shared plenty of wonderful memories with each of them. Oops, did I start to sound old already?

The place was pretty empty when we went in at 10.15pm and I started worrying that the crowd will only come in when it was nearing the time for me to go home. I had targeted to leave at 2am, latest by 3am so that I can still function on Saturday. The kids don’t slow down for us. The fear was unfounded bcos we had a lot of fun regardless of the environment. As an added point, China One filled up quickly.

I had to exercise self-control over the drinks, which wasn’t tough. It had been at least 4 years since I last touched alcohol. I knew I had to go slow. I knew it wouldn’t take much to make me happy. Anyway, I was there to dance and I did, 4 solid hours and I probably had about 3 glasses. I was still very sober when we left the place at 2.30am. Mummy P took some coaxing to go. It was afterall YEARS since the last time we clubbed and probably a long time before we can do it again. I was satisfied and exhausted after 4 hours of dancing. A good workout. Lol.

It was raining cats and dogs when we left the place and we found a horribly long queue at the taxi stand. Fortunately, Mummy L’s friend, who was a taxi driver was nearby. He was kind enough to drop us along the way to get a cab before sending her home. They were all heading towards the north and I had to drop before they hit the expressway. I dropped at this ulu bus stop in front of Regent Hotel, which was really a wrong choice. The place was really quiet and not many cars, let alone EMPTY cabs. The bus stop was at an awkward angle, which made it hard for taxi to spot me. Then again, not many taxis probably would want to stop for me. Imagine – a long hair lady stranded at a deserted bus stop waving for a cab at 2.45am during a thunder storm. Luckily, it is May and not July. The rain was really heavy and I was getting wet at the bus stop. I tried calling for a cab but I couldn’t even get through to the operator. I was wondering if I should make a dash to the hotel but decided against it. I wouldn’t want to be strike by lightning and I don’t think the hotel or the cab (that finally picked me up) would welcome a soaked me. So I stayed put and continue to hold on to the answering machine and was starting to worry that I will be stranded for another few hours. I even sms Daddy Lim to check if he was awake when a cab finally pulled up for me. I was so glad. The only comfort was that I was still very much sober. I think the rain would make me sober too even if I wasn’t. Lol.

I finally hit the pillow at 4am. Sleep didn’t come easy after a crazy night but when it came, it didn’t want to go. I was horrified to hear Lil Isaac fussing at 6+am. I couldn’t do much even when Popo was nagging at me. It wasnt just the lack of sleep.. the drinks, despite only 3 glasses, were creating havoc in my head. Popo was very kind and I managed to sleep in until 9am when jiejie woke me up. I managed to steal a cat nap in the afternoon too while Lil Isaac napped and jiejie entertained herself with the iPad. It wasn’t much, but good enuff to help me function for the rest of the day.

I had thought that I needed a few days to recover but I was fully operational by Sunday. More importantly, it meant that the concoction works – I just have to tuck in Lil Isaac and one of us can go on to have some nights out. I don’t think we are at the stage to both go out for a long night, but at least we can now spend some time with our friends. Anyway, I am still beaming from the night. There will be more to come, right?

Mummy Lim

Again?

Ka-bomb! My SIL wats’app me last night that Auntie LK mentioned to their maid about wanting to go back (where?). It may be a mere complaint but she thought that I should know. My heart dropped. I was just doing cartwheels and celebrating LK’s one month stay with us. I had thought that things are starting to stabilize. I must be dreaming.

I had intended to talk to LK about it and heard my mum nagging at her at 10pm while LK was going about with the housework. I told my mum about the wats’app, intending for her to stop. Popo still cannot let go, observing her 101 rules like some sacred rituals. Seriously, I don’t see how a little dirt can kill and why we have to wipe with dry and wet and then again dry paper just to get rid of some crumbs. This is just one of the many quirks. How not environmental friendly, which Popo of course does not care.

Of course all fingers were pointed towards how naughty the kids are, how they bullied LK and that must be why she wants to leave. She goes on to insist that it cannot be her, how she doesn’t scold LK or already cut down on the routines. I must be quite blind bcos I do not see any difference. She even went to the extent of relating to me how Lil Shauna yelled at Auntie this morning bcos Auntie didn’t tie her hair the way she wanted and asking Lil Shauna to acknowledge that such an incident took place. She went on to call my SIL to confront and the usual – try to sell her side of the story.

Well, we all know that there is more to it. It can’t be an one-off incident. I asked my SIL if she knows the reason and apparently, the complaint usually comes after Popo’s incessant nagging/ scolding. Bingo! Do I get a prize for guessing correctly? Blehhhhh….

Popo still doesn’t get it. She insists that she didn’t scold LK but many times, the way she speaks to LK is as good as scolding. And her body language! The black face. I think that is more potent than the actual scolding. Then, we have to add on the nagging! I cannot comprehend why she has to say the same thing 3 times or more. Imagine that with a “not scolding but equally harsh” tone. I know too that the maid gets blame for things that are not within her control, like how very long it takes to feed Lil Shauna bcos she was trying to be a hamster and insisting to keep the food in her mouth and not swallowing.

Poor maid, poor me. I hate getting stuck in between. I hate it when she accuses me of standing on the maid’s side. I have figured that it doesn’t make sense to give conflicting instructions to the maid and learnt to let Popo handles the maid. I have learnt that there is no point hurting family ties bcos maid can change but not family. BUT.. I have made it clear that LK is the last maid for the time being. If LK quits, the 2 kids will go to full-time CC and we will get a part time helper to do major weekly cleaning. We will get a iRobot too to do daily sweeping. Popo can figure out what she wants to do during the day when the kids are in the CC.

Haiz, conflicts do not just happened with MIL. It happens so long as there is more than one lady in the house. Popo has forgotten that I am 33 years old and a mother of 2 myself. She forgot that I am the lady in the house. Luckily I do not cook and need not fight with her over the kitchen. To her, I will always be her daughter. I better start my research on the childcare.

I did speak with LK last night before she turned in. She said that everything is fine. She understands that Lil Shauna is in a tantrum constant phase. She knows that Lil Isaac will grow out of his activeness. Haiz.. my fingers and toes are crossed.

Mummy Lim