Just Lucky?

Just when I blogged that Lil Shauna has got the hang of spelling, she came back with 8 out of 15. Faint. But I have to justify that most of it are careless mistakes.

This week is another 15 words and I hope that it would be too hard to get them into her. She's practicing her reading now and I think she has made great improvements. So proud of her.

Mummy Lim

Sun Cruise

I think I joined the company at the right time. It is the end of the fiscal year and my boss wanted a gathering to celebrate and to rub shoulders with the new comers (me and a few others) . A sun cruise was organised. It was basically a speed boat that cruises on the sea for 4 hours. We met and set off from One 15 degree at Sentosa Cove. Way too cool, right? I have never been on a yatch and was pleasantly surprised at what awaited me.

Sentosa Cove was surprisingly huge. It was a part of Sentosa that I have never been before and I was very shocked that Sentosa is this big. Actually, it didn't feel like Sentosa at all. It is very residential. Yet, with all the yatches parked in front of the condos, it didn't even feel like part of Singapore. It was weird. Well, this is afterall a "neighbourhood" for the really rich, so it is right that I feel weird. I heard that an unit at Sentosa Cove can cost $12 million! Definitely not for the ordinary Singaporeans. I saw many ang mos and maids walking the boss' dogs. 

I was behaving totally like a mountain tortoise, busily snapping pictures. I was so excited to see Manoko, the boat that we would be taking. It is a small boat that can take only 10 passengers. It was a really neat boat. Unfortunately, I got so excited after I boarded the boat that I forgot to take more pictures.

The captain drove the boat to St John island and we berthed at the island. The ride was pretty bumpy and I was at times worried that i would be sea sick. Luckily, i didnt. 

We picnic at the island as the captain had forgotten to prepare our drinks and was turning back to retrieve. We had an "unique" picnic on a pathway that we could find, fighting off ants and dont know what in the diminishing daylight. We were so glad to go back to the ship when it finally come back half an hour later. It was a potluck event and there were so much food.

We further cruised and parked in front of Sentosa to catch the fireworks from the Song of the Seas.  It was really nice to be sitting at the front of the boat, enjoying the sea breeze and chatting. Four hours went by really quickly. I was at times worried for Daddy Lim - he had to tuck the 2 kids to bed without me. But I know he can handle them. We brought them to vivo city with nainai before I left for the event and he brought them to nainai's place thereafter. I guessed that the worse would probably be somebody got whacked. Muahahaha.

Overall, the cruise event turned out much better than expected. There were awkward silences at times. They are afterall colleagues and I don't know them that well. Moreover, our boss was there and how close can we be to our boss? However, the cruise was brilliant and it made up for all shortcomings. I heard that 4 hours' cruise cost the company $2k. Woohoo!

There are many rich people on Singapore. Other than those who lived in Sentosa Cove, we also met the others who went cruising. For some, it looked like they actually owned the boat! Unbelievable. 

Mummy Lim

One Headache, then Another

Three weeks ago, Lil Shauna got 8 out of 10 words correct for her spelling. The following week, she got perfect score! Last week, spelling was increased to 15 words and she got 12 right. I hope that she is not just lucky or cheating (worse!) but really getting it.

When I was teaching her the new list of 15 words this week, she seems to get them easier. Maybe it is really an age thing?!! We were struggling so badly when she first started spelling and I almost vomited blood. She was about 4.5 years old then. Now, almost one year older, she suddenly got it? 

Anyway, I didn't have much issue with Lil Shauna's learning. She is attentive and learns well. I think she is on track and I guess she probably wouldnt give me too much of a headache academically in the future. Crossed fingers and toes.

Now, we are worrying about the boy. He could barely sit still. We have been trying to teach him the alphabets for weeks and we are still stuck with A, B, C, I, O, S and T. I think it will take us forever to teach him all 26 letters. Then there is the lower case and phonics sound!!! The thought is already too intimidating, let alone the actual work. 

He just couldn't concentrate. Most of the time, he would be playing a fool and refused to learn. It is really painful trying to be patient to a monkey. So, we have been trying to reward him with iPad time. If he can recall the letters, he is allowed iPad time. I hope the rewards work.

Talking about the iPad, I think the kids are addicted. The TV is bad enough but the iPad is worse. The apps allow the kids to interact with the iPad and one YouTube leads to another and another. Lil Shauna can play for hours when she is given the iPad. It is not healthy and I have to hide the iPad to prevent Popo from using it as a babysitting tool when she hurries about her chores. The kids actually threw tantrums when I first stopped the iPad, it was like they suffered from withdrawal symptoms but things are much better now. iPad time is now used as a reward and the kids know that they have to earn it. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

New or Culture?

It had only been my first week and my first weekend. I feel great when I don't see many emails coming in during the weekend. I hope that this is the way that it is here, that people usually do not work on weekends and thus there will minimal emails or calls coming in. I hate how I am supposed to check emails and respond during weekends in the past. Or the horrible feeling that work had accumulated over the weekend and is waiting to pound on me on Monday morning. I wish there will be none (or at least little) of those here.

I still feel good. There are still loads of reading to be done and my calendar is still packed with people meeting. However, I have to get on top soon. I had been behind time. Jia you!

Mummy Lim

Bad Haze

Bad haze, bad, bad haze. 

When the haze 1st hit, I didn't think much of it. I don't remember it having much effect on my family when it hit us that seriously the last time. It was when the psi quietly crept beyond the 300 point and then hitting the 400 point, that I started to notice how bad it really is. Things are made worse when the MOM guide says that it is at the hazardous level, everybody starting wearing mask and asking if work would be stopped. 

There was an emergency meeting in the company, discussing about the contingency plan. It was from the meeting that I realised that even if a person is indoor with opened windows, he is as good as standing outdoor and inhaling all the pollutants, which is exactly what my kids are going through.

The kids had been home for the past few days. Interestingly, my mum didn't want to risk bringing them to centris but took no precaution to close the windows at home. She complained that it was too stuffy. I shut all the windows this morning and hope that it would be less stuffy with 2 fans helping to circulate the still air. We are now hiding in the aircon room.

The kids had been cooped at home for the past few days and are growing mushroom. Lil Isaac said that he wanted to go gaigai and kept asking me where we would be going. I hope the situation turns for the better soon. This haze is so irritating.

Mummy Lim

Updates on the New Challenges

So, how has life been?
Exciting and very busy. This is supposed to be the orientation week and I am supposed to be having an easier time. Apparently, that didn't happened in my case.

The company has a great onboarding program and my calendar is already fully booked to meet who and who. This is great. HR is about people and meeting people is great. Through these meeting, I have a better understanding of what is the business, the company structure and who does what. Just that meeting people and building r/s is very time consuming.

Unfortunately for me, my predecessor has left before I joined and I have a very new team. Thus, I am like trying to piece a jigsaw puzzle currently, trying to find the missing pieces and putting them in place. the best part? I don't know how big this jigsaw puzzle is and I have people looking up to me for directions. It is really the blind leading the blind.

The learning curve is really steep. On top of trying to figure out the business, structure and know her people, I am trying to read through the different company policies and initiatives. There are really a lot of them and this is really tough considering that my calendar is like fully booked. So I read whenever I have pockets of time, which aren't much and I brought some back too.

On top of these, I have work emails starting to come in and some were sent to my email account even before I officially joined. In other words, work is starting to "chase" me and I don't have the luxury of time to "start" working after I have settled down.

Sounds bad? Lol. But I am enjoying myself. Hehe. I am excited at what I am supposed to and had found out. I actually enjoyed reading the policies and papers and meeting people. The people are really warm.

The 2 important things that I have to work on - staying late at work and waking up in the middle of the night to prepare for work. Other than 1 day where I had training in another office, I haven't managed to leave at 4.45pm, like most of the people here. Yday, I was here until 7.45pm when Daddy Lim picked me up after his work and I actually started work at 7isham when he dropped me before heading to yard. This is not healthy and not the worklife balance that I was looking for.

What also is happening is that I would fall asleep while tucking the kids at night and suddenly wake up in the middle of the night to the realization that I have not read what I intended to and prepared for work. Then I will be up for about an hour or more doing what I intended to and headed back to bed fully awake, trying to go back to sleep. This is also very unhealthy. Lol.

However, I am still enjoying myself. Things will somehow work out. I can do it. Can do with passion. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

A New Challenge

I am starting work with the new company tomorrow and am feeling the jitters. I have butterflies in my tummy and thought that I felt breathless whenever I focused on the fact that I am starting work tomorrow in an unfamiliar environment and with people that I do not know. Scary. I have been in my comfort zone for 9 years and my older-by-9-years' heart didn't quite like this out of the norm feeling.

I think I had too short a break. It was barely a week. I am not ready to start work. I should have taken half a year off before I start working. Although the kids are a handful at time, I did enjoy spending time with them and am now hoping for more. Sob.

I think I should do my homework and find out more about the company and the industry. It would impress the people in the new company. However, I wasn't at all enthusiastic to do so and all I care was to confirm what time I had to report to work tomorrow. Lol.

Well, I will also pack my bag, get ready my work clothes and confirmed that address after the kids sleep later. I hope I don't fall asleep too while tucking the kids in. Prayers appreciated. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

Happy Fathers' Day

I love to go to the USS. The kids love the rides and the adults (or maybe it is only me) get to enjoy too. Perhaps, it is also bcos Popo doesn't tag along when we go to USS. I didn't make her an annual pass. I like that we spend time as a family when we go to USS, just us.

Today is Fathers' day and with no other program, I suggested that we headed to USS. Apparently, I am still trying to get away from Popo. Unfortunately, Daddy Lim doesn't share my enthusiasm and he was hoping that we all go to Sim Lim instead so that he could get a new keyboard. Well, it is Fathers' day and he was hoping for something special. I had to disappoint him. I dread going to places for errands with the kids, especially when there are nothing to entertain the kids. It is awful trying to restraint the monkey lest he breaks something.

The kids are definitely on my side and we headed to USS. For some unknown reasons, Lil Isaac started to fear all the thrilling rides. During the last trip, he refused to take the roller coaster ride after 3 previous attempts. We tried to coax him and he eventually did get onto the roller coaster. However, he started crying the moment the roller coaster took off until the end of the ride. We were pretty embarrassed. We thought he wasn't feeling his best and thus skipped the rides that he didn't want to take. We thought too that he would feel better the next visit. Apparently, we are wrong.

Today, the same thing happened and even more rides become forbidden. He was only willing to take the merry-go-round, flying Dino and the sesame street ride. We coaxed him to go on the Canopy and the same thing happened. He started crying when he was on the seat and started yelling when the ride took off. He was crying all the way until we came back. The other people in the queue must have thought that we are crazy parents, insisting on their poor scaredy little boy to ride on that scary ride.

I supposed we would skip USS for a while. Maybe with a little break, it will be easier on the boy the next visit. It is very irritating when we cannot take the rides as a family and have to wait for one another. The comfort is that bcos he didnt dare to take the rides, he doesnt fuss but patiently wait for jiejie to be done. I am also glad that Lil Isaac needs not pay for entrance to USS. Lol.

So, it may not be that "happy" a Fathers' day for Daddy Lim. Still, Happy Fathers' Day, Pappy. In a couple of years, the kids wouldn't want to tag along with us anymore and we would have plenty of time to do all that we want. Haha. Muaks.

Mummy Lim

Mink with my Young Colleagues

*Post written some time back

I must be crazy. I went clubbing with a group of young colleagues on Saturday night. They are really young. The youngest among them is only 23. She is 11 years old my junior! I am quite amazed at myself. Lol. Ok, I admit that I am old and I know that not many mummies still club at 34 years old. Bleehhhh..

Truth be told, I was quite excited at the invitation. Well, I am excited at any clubbing opportunities. I always look forward when I have clubbing dates arranged and this was no exception. Moreover, we were visiting Mink and one of the colleagues was raving about Mink. See, how not to feel excited?

The meeting time was set at 11pm. I had thought that it was late, my auntie group would normally meet at about 10pm for clubbing sessions. However, after our last session at Avalon, I know that Mink would probably be a ghost town if it is anything earlier. Ah yee joined me too. Though not excited at clubbing, she was keen to see what Mink was all about and I dragged her along. Some of the colleagues brought boyfriends and friends as well.

We arrived at about 11pm and there was no Q. We were like a pair of lost sheep when we entered the club and were glad that my colleagues came shortly. The place was small; it reminded me of those small joints along Muhd Sultan clubs that I used to visit in the past. There were only a few tables and I heard each table reservation required $3 to $5k spending a night! I wonder what these people are thinking, spending that much $$ in a night to damage their liver.

It became crowded around midnight but nobody went “up” to the dance floors until almost 1am. I was told that people would go up when the club gets so crowded that there was no space to dance. The dance floors were actually elevated platforms. Other than these platforms, there isn’t much space to dance. There were various bouncers asking people to move away from the tables. I saw this man who had a table almost turning aggressive at another who wasn’t part of his group but sat on the sofa for a rest. Having a table was like a status symbol.

The bouncers also busied to move people away from the invisible walkway. It was very crowded at certain points; imagine standing back to back with some strangers while some more strangers were shoving their way behind, trying to make it to the other side of the club through the crowd. The only comfort was that such situations didn’t happen that frequently and there was still space to groove. We tried going up the platforms too. They weren’t that big and were filled to the brim. I was actually worried about falling off the platforms. The crowd was a good mixture of the young and matured. I probably isn’t the only old person there. There was also the Royal Room with a much older crowd. People were generally drinking and chatting there. They played nice music, music from my generation in the Royal Room. Oh gosh, I do feel so old and it was so unfortunate that not many groove in the Royal Room.

My young colleagues were very wild, drinking and playing finger guessing games. I somehow couldn’t bring myself to join. I think I am too old for that. Whenever I club, it is for the dancing and I did enjoy myself that night.

Ah yee exited the club way earlier and was enjoying her coke and people watching outside the club. I met her at about 2.30am and we made our way home. My colleagues were still happily dancing and drinking away when we left. Ahhhh.. such youth, I am envious. I didn’t drink much and had to leave early, I still have my motherly duties to fulfill on Sunday. I bet many of them slept until after lunch on Sunday. Drooollllll,…

Overall, it was a nice experience clubbing with my young colleagues. I am not sure if such occurrences would take place in the future. I am only glad that I joined them on Saturday night.

Mummy Lim

Mega Quarrel

I had a mega quarrel with Popo on Tuesday. It was bad, really bad.

For those who didn't know, I had quitted the company that I was with for the last 9 years. It was a place that I love and grew up with. Due to some reasons, I thought that it would be better that I moved and I did. I would be starting a new phase of my life this coming Monday. I have a few days of break before I start with my new company and was home on Tuesday.

Popo was busy with her usual 101 routines in the morning and I was manning the kids. We were supposed to go to Batam with my brother's family the next day and I haven't even packed the bags. When Popo finally slowed down and was ending her chores, I asked for some time to pack. I already know what I needed and wouldn't need long. Popo should also know that I wouldn't take long. She has seen me pack countless of times.

Unfortunately, Popo was anxious that my SIL couldn't handle the 3 kids - their maid was away on home leave, yet she was worried that I couldn't handle mine. So, Popo insisted that she dragged my kids to centris while I packed. Or maybe it was part of her routine too.

I was pissed. I couldn't understand - if she thinks that she was pressing for time then why she must finish her routines and if she must finish her routines, then why cant she just give me another 45mins to pack? Or maybe I was just angry at her routine, about how they control my life.

She tried getting the kids to dress but everybody wanted mummy to help and I refused to help. I simply went on packing. After trying for like forever, the kids still refused to cooperate. I was secretly smirking. Popo then angrily exclaimed that I was throwing a tantrum. Well, she wasnt wrong but that triggered it. We had a mega fight.

Angry words are not kind words and many things got dragged into the quarrel, from favoritism to $$ issue, to us not appreciating her, etc. It was so bad that I actually asked her to shift back to my brother's place, something that I have not said before, after tolerating her nonsense all these years. I supposed I have tolerated enuff, of her stepping all over me and controlling how I should live my life in my home. Then, there was all those emotional blackmail that Popo used on me but I don't really care.

Interestingly, even after the mega quarrel and the outburst, Popo doesn't want to go back to my brother's place. I don't know why. It is either she thinks that it is disgraceful to be chased out of my house or the fact that she enjoys controlling and stepping and bullying me. I somehow think that it is the latter bcos if it is the former, she can simply act victim and make me look like the bad guy. I don't mind actually.

There was no conclusion to the quarrel. After the quarrel sort of stopped, I told the kids to either followed Popo or stayed at home with me. Nobody wanted to follow Popo and that was when she declared that she would be bringing Fione over to play. What??!!!! WTH!

I needed breathing space. I hate how she is interfering with my life. For goodness sake, I am 34 years old and a mother of 2! Give me space to live. So I packed my bag, dressed the kids, sent a SOS message to Auntie H and left the house. I was so glad and grateful that Auntie H was home and escaped to her place for the day. That was the 1st time that I actually brought 2 kids out on my own. Well, almost alone - Auntie H is fantastic with kids, regardless of whose.

Before I left the house, I texted Daddy Lim, my brother, SIL and sister to inform them of the mega quarrel. I even told Daddy Lim and my brother that if my mum decided to shift, I would spend the remaining week looking for and settling the kids in childcare.

My mum tried calling me soon after I left the house but I refused to pick up her call. I couldn't face her or talk to her at that point. I needed to be away from her.

The day away from her was fantastic. With Auntie H's help, we had lunch at Marche and the kids enjoyed playing with boo boo. We even made our own pizza in the afternoon and it tasted really great.

While with Auntie H, I realised that nothing would have changed. I can't change Popo, everything will be status quo. It is impossible that she would shift back. It is so obvious that she didn't want to.

Daddy Lim joined us for the pizza dinner and sent us home. Popo was home when we reached home and as expected, nothing had changed.

A few days had passed since the mega quarrel. I am still feeling sore and I don't know from what. Maybe it is the fact that nothing has changed, so nothing was resolved. So, I am still pissed over how she controls my life. One thing for sure is that I am trying to avoid her. I am not speaking to her unless necessary and really yearned for time without her over the weekend. The USS is a great escape cos Popo cannot tag along. Haiz, why like that? Sob.

Mummy Lim

Growing Up

We have been talking about doing this for a long time and we finally got them up. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

Rant

It is the school holidays. We have 5 kids all at home. Coupled with the fact that my brother’s maid went for 2 weeks’ home leave, Popo went into her crazy super drive. Is it necessary? I don’t know. I bet the kids will still find something to occupy themselves even if they have no special program. But I do know that she overtired herself such that her fuse becomes very short and she snaps easily. I hate it when that happens. But there is nothing much I can do but to stay off her radar. The kids are already our responsibilities in the night and we don’t ask for additional help with them.

Popo still cannot let go, insisting on doing things her own standard ways. It frustrates everybody and she ended up with more work for herself. The things are really crazy, like how the bed sheet has to be changed if the kids fell asleep on the way home and didn’t managed to shower or how Lil Isaac has to change into a new shirt every time he eats something bcos he dirtied himself and how the kids’ towel need to be washed after every use. The floor needs to be clean every time the kids dropped some food on the floor, when we could have waited until they finished their meal. The list goes on. There are just more washing and cleaning to be done thereafter and I see her labored with hand washing the kids’ stuff and don’t know what else every night. Is it necessary? There is such a thing called the washing machine and I don’t know why she is insistent on hand washing them. If it is bcos the kids do not have enuff clothes to last them until the next laundry day, then I can always buy more. Sadly, I cannot convince her. And when I tried to suggest or to take over, she snaps.

I see her getting more and more tired. Is she losing weight too? After the last maid’s experience, I am not keen to get another live-in maid too. Daddy Lim and I are really good handling the kids ourselves now. I don’t need additional help with babysitting and I rather rough it out than to be constantly stuck between my mum and the maid and be kept asked to confront the maid. Siao ah! I tried asking Popo if we could get a part-time helper for the heavy duty work such as toilet cleaning and stuff but she turned me down flatly and snapped at me whenever I brought up the suggestion, insisting that she’s managing everything well. Arrggghhhh..

Things are not good. The more tired Popo is, the more she snaps. And when she snaps, I get irritated and I get nasty at her in return. I do feel bad and I don’t want to be nasty towards her but can hardly control myself when she keeps snapping at us. There seem to be no way out. For some reason, she enjoys living with us. Maybe bcos she can bully me easily and she has absolute control over my household.

School holidays just started last Monday and I heard that the kids went swimming every single day. The kids are so tanned now. Luckily, they inherited Daddy Lim’s golden tan and looked healthy and not burnt. Maybe things will be better when I can help next week and hopefully, kaka comes back as she is supposed to. She is really a wonderful helper. If she chose not to come back, that will be our greatest nightmare.

Mummy Lim

LV

I finally got my first LV after invading planet earth for 34 years. Muahahaha.
Well, I don’t quite fancy branded goods to begin with. I am very stingy with myself and I don’t know what to do with the branded stuff after a period of use. Throw ah? So wasted.

My younger colleagues noticed that I am not a branded stuff person too and are very curious about where my $$ goes to. Well, I hid stacks and stacks of $50 in the biscuit tins under my bed. Duh! Kids lah. Somehow, it doesn’t pain me much when I splurged on my kids. Oh, and holidays too, my main indulgence.

Back to my LV. I needed a wallet. The one that I was using was probably more than 9 years old and it wasn’t even from Daddy Lim. The mummies often teased me that the wallet was a constant bruise to Daddy Lim’s ego. But it was serving me fine, just a little old.

One day, it was the usual chat about the branded stuff with the girls. I seldom joined in such chats but somehow, I was tempted. I decided on a new LV wallet, to replace the old one and also as a reward to myself for starting a new challenge. It will come sometime in late April, early May, to tie in with my performance bonus. Oh, by the way, getting a LV something is actually one of the things that I wanted to do this lifetime. I know you will tell me that I am lame. So easily achievable, right? But a big deal to me wor.

April came and went and I remembered my promise to myself. Daddy Lim was very encouraging. He never stops me when it comes to such rare occurrences of indulgence. Well, that explains the TWY and Xbox that are sitting at home now. Oops.

I browsed the LV website and saw what I liked. I hopped into LV Orchard to physically “inspect” the 3 models that I shortlisted and noted that their price. So very coincidentally, ah yee flew off to Paris and I actually saved 30% by having her brought back what I wanted. Hehe.

Interestingly, I wasn’t that excited about my loot. I thereby double confirmed that branded goods don’t excite me. Ah yee came back on Sunday night. I didn’t rush to pick up the wallet from Centris but collected it on Tuesday and I didn’t even open the packaging that night. It sat in my room for 2nights. I only changed into the new LV wallet on Thursday. Muahaha.

It is kind of bulky, heavier and bigger than what I expected it to be. But I was kind of proud when I take it out to retrieve my $$ and cards, LV leh. Hehe.

LV, checked. I think I am more excited about striking one more item off my “To-Do-List in this Life Time”. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Attempt 2

So did I go back to the salon to have my hair re-dye?
Of course I did. It was a really badly done job the first time round.

Being a Monday evening, the salon was almost empty when I arrived. I couldn’t get a cab and was half an hour late. The same hairstylist who attended to me then was waiting; she didn’t have any customer anyway and attended to me immediately.

She looked really worried and apologetic. She was very lucky that I was feeling not too bad and didn’t want to find blood. I was even smiling at her. So nice of me. Hehe. She got down working on my hair very quickly and the whole affair took slightly more than an hour. She meticulously checked a few spots before confirming that the dye was ready. My hair got washed and blown dry. She wasn’t very gentle and I lost some more hair and suffered some pain. My poor hair.

I half suspected that the first dye that she used wasn’t for covering grey hair. She said that it was, just that she didn’t want to choose too dark a brown for me and opted for a lighter shade then. The second time, she opted for something darker. Was it true? I cant tell if my hair is darker as compared to the first time . Can you? I also checked that the grey hairs were covered before I left. I would really kill somebody if I have to come back the 3rd time. Anyway, I have already banned Chapter 2.

I am very concerned about the harm done to my already not very healthy hair. The hair stylist commented that I dropped a lot of hair the first time and said that most of them are from the top of my head. So I imagined that I lost even more the second time (I didn’t ask) and kept thinking that I saw a balding spot on the head back home. Boohoo. It will be a long time before I step into a salon again to dye my hair again. I was asking ah yee last night if I should go Yunnan to treat my grey hair instead. Hmmmm..

Mummy Lim

USS Again

I am still very excited over our USS annual passes and wanted to make good use of our investment. So we went to USS again on the Saturday that just passed.

Daddy Lim had to work and was home at about 2pm and we reached Sentosa at 3ish. We parked at the Beach Carpark and took the Sentosa Express to USS. It was really nice to stroll into the park in the late afternoon with no pressure. Coincidentally, it started raining but we had no need to rush and patiently waited for the rain to lighten before making our ways for the rides. The rain cooled the weather and it was perfect.

It was a really relaxed afternoon. We took the usual rides and caught 2 shows that we have never seen before. We skipped the really popular rides like Transformer and Canopy. Well, there is always the next time. Lil Shauna was cooperative and understood that we can always come back for the Transformer another time. She wanted to ride that again. She also know that she cant buy things from the merchandises shops every time we come to USS. Lil Isaac took the roller coaster again and was definitely less shock this time. He seems to enjoy the thrill too. Unfortunately, the parade was cancelled bcos of the rain. Sob, mummy wants to watch the parade. It is Ok, we can always go back the next weekend. Muahahaha.

The only problem that we had was dinner. It was the usual burgers in USS and it was way too crowded at the other eating places in RWS, outside of USS. The food is definitely not cheap as well. We found this not too crowded noodle place outside of USS and yet the wait was horrible. I cannot fathom why. The shop was also not crowded for a reason; the food was not worth the price, not tasty at all. We wouldn’t visit the shop again.

After dinner, we re-entered USS to watch the fireworks and it was nice. The show wasn’t as spectacular as what I remembered it to be and paled in comparison to the one at HKG Disneyland but nice enough for the kids. We left USS after the fireworks show at 8pm and the park was closing too.

It was great that we came late. The kids were still energetic, not fussing after all the fun and the parents were not too tired. We had a nice walk back to the beach carpark with the kids in the stroller. The walk took us about 10 mins. The Q for the Sentosa Express was a little too long. The walk was great with plenty of lights to look at. The ice cream that we bought along the way helped to calm noisy kids too.

I was so proud and glad that I made that decision to buy the annual passes. They are really a good investment. I was boasting to Daddy Lim on our way back. While in the car, I wastapped Mummy H and told her how fantastic our trips went and tempted her to buy the annual passes too. Haha, I am evil.

Mummy Lim

Dawn and Memories

A colleague asked me who gave me the name “Dawn”. Her question brought back memories.

If I remembered correctly, I was 16 then and the usual gang and a few of the senior vball boys had arranged for our first official visit to Canto – a disco that plays a combination of English and Chinese and Cantonese songs. I think it was Mummy H who suggested the “adventure”. Back then, it was legal for 16 to go to a disco, but we cant take alcoholic drinks. Our drink coupons had a stamp to indicate so. I still remembered us taking pictures before entering Canto.

I didn’t have an English name before that. I remembered that the group of us was talking before that night and I was told that I shouldn’t use my real name. Mummy H (I think it was her) then suggested that I should be called “Dawn”. And so, I was Dawn.

When I went to JC, I had wanted an English name and I stuck to “Dawn”. I like how the name sounds strong, I like being strong (personality). I still remember how I introduced myself as “Dawn” but took some getting used to and didn’t quite readily respond when people called me. That was years and years ago.

On a totally different note, another colleague told me that she was speaking to another colleague (let’s name him T). T’s impression of me was a “bikey lady with a tattoo man”! I supposed that tattoo man must be Daddy Lim and I had given up on my bike donkey years ago! Too funny.

Memories are nice. As time passes, isn’t it great that humans tend to only remember the happy times?

Mummy Lim

Universal Studio Singapore

I think I am crazy. Haha.

I have this urge to visit the USS before we went to Gold Coast but resisted the temptation since there are 3 theme parks in Gold Coast. I had thought that the itch will definitely be soothed after Gold Coast but strangely, it was still there after the holidays and it was unbearable. I must go USS and I told Daddy Lim. Daddy Lim being a very nice hb and daddy must have thought that I was crazy too but obliged. I even sent out the invitation to the Chan and Ong family to join us. The kids are more than happy to go to the USS, which kid gets sick of theme parks and fun?

To carry my crazy stunts further, there is a promotion on annual passes and I managed to convince Daddy Lim to blow over $500 on annual passes for himself, myself and Lil Shauna. Lil Isaac is free. See, it is such a good bargain. I was selling him the impressive idea of strolling into USS on any weekend late afternoons whenever we are free, where it would not be too hot and lesser crowd. Muahahaha, I can be a salesperson.

Mummy H and Boo joined us 2 Sundays ago for USS. They haven’t been to USS and opted for a day pass instead. Boo sneaked in for free, she can easily pass off for an under-4 anytime. We only went to the park at 1pm. We didn’t feel the pressure cos we are on annual passes and we suspected that we couldn’t survive that long if we had started early in the morning.

We had a fantastic time in USS. We went on most all the rides that the kids could take. The crowd was just nice and the longest Q took us about 20 mins with the exception of the rapid water ride that took 30 mins. Lil Shauna took that with Daddy Lim. We went for the Transformer ride too and there was no Q at all. Mummy H and Boo joined us and Boo didn’t quite like it. She hasn’t been on many thrilling rides yet due to height restrictions.

The best part? Lil Isaac actually could ride the roller coaster! He doesn’t meet the height limit previously and still fall short at Legoland and the other theme parks at Gold Coast. He had been bugging us for roller coaster rides bcos jiejie seems to enjoy them so much and he always cries a bucket when we had to reject him. Actually, the little boy had totally no idea what exactly was a roller coaster ride and I was jittery over how he would react. He was all smiles when he was in the seat and still talking when the roller coaster went uphill. As expected, he was in total shock when the roller coaster went down and round the corners. That expression on his face was priceless and mummy broke into laughter right on the roller coaster ride despite his poor son’s attempt to understand what had happened. Mummy was still laughing when we got off the ride. Lil Isaac said that he likes the ride but we cant tell how truthful he was. Lol.

Lil Isaac also rode on the Canopy this time. His very first again and we went 2 rounds. Daddy Lim went on the thrilling rides a lot more than previously since Lil Isaac could take them now and both kids need parental supervision due to height requirements.

We didn’t really catch the parade at 5pm as we were hoping to go on more rides. However, we did see them went past. There were scary ones like Mr Vampires, Scorpion King and his Egyptian soldiers, the scary devil in black and skull faced soldiers. The kids were terrified of them. A pretty funny sight though with the kids hiding.

We left at 7pm when the park closed and went for a nice dinner. The kids had an early night on Sunday. We didn’t have to coax them. I showered them and took my shower. I found them all asleep on our bed when I came out of the bathroom. We will go back again and am very confident that we will make good use of our annual passes. Anybody wants to go USS with us? Hehe.

Mummy Lim

Dye Hair

I haven't been to a salon to dye my hair for the longest time. I just couldn't afford spending 2 hrs to sit in the salon and had been DIYing. I finally arranged to do so last Friday.

I dyed my hair to the usual dark brown, cut, washed and done a deep conditioning treatment. It cost me about $300 and 2 hrs. I was happy. My white hairs were starting to show and this is a good time to cover my white hair for a new start.

On Friday night, I was shocked to see strands of white hair while I was about the shower. The shock easily converted to anger. It wasn't the $$ but my precious 2 bloody hours! I cannot decide if I should go back to re-do my hair. I dont have the time and it is not healthy to dye so often and the hair stylist commented then that I had dropped a lot of hair. Arrggghhhh.

This morning, after washing my hair last night, I saw even more white hair! My blood boiled and I knew I was going back.

I can be a very difficult customer. The kids helped to set the mood this morning. Lil Shauna took forever to do her reading and just couldnt learn her spelling. Then Lil isaac had to fuss over dont know what and the kids fought. Great, just great. I pity the hair stylists already.

They went Centris for swimming and I went back to the salon. I didn't even have to raise my voice, I have a natural loud voice. Moreover, most of the hair stylists on duty today looked really green, I dont want to scare young people. However, I was very stern and my eyes were probably burning with anger. Maybe my horns were showing too.

I didnt have to say much and have arranged to go back tomorrow at 5.30pm. They better do a good job. I wasn't even nasty just now and I can be much more.

Mummy Lim

Another Injury

Lil Isaac was a monkey yday, climbing and jumping, crawling on his 4s in the mall, running and going wild. It was plain exhausting trying to restrain him.

We were finally home in the evening after picking jiejie from her phonics class. While in the lift, Lil Isaac asked to be carried, which I did. The lift door opened and I exited with him in my arms.

At that moment, the lift door closed and he had to strategically place his hand on the door. When the lift door re-opened, his little fingers got trapped!

Everything happened too quickly and I instinctively yanked his fingers out. The skin on 2 of his fingers broke, there was blood and Lil Isaac was bawling from shock and pain. Poor boy. But I was more pissed than feeling sorry or bad at that point. This is the 2nd time that his fingers got caught. We have been telling him over and over again not to put his hand on the door and apparently the words just didn't get into him.

Luckily his bones are intact. The wounds are superficial but big for his little fingers. I did feel sorry for him after that.

We cleaned his wounds and gave him
car plasters. It would take a while for his fingers to recover. He couldn't use his right hand today. Poor bad.

Mummy Lim