New, New, New

The kids didn't mind that the cage and accessories are 2nd hand. The hamster didn't look like he minds as well and instead looks very comfortable. One thing that Zaky did bug for are tunnels to expand the new home. I am glad that we anyhow anyhow but managed to buy a habitatrail cage bcos that brand also carries a whole series of tunnels. They aren't cheap, the pet shop sells like $5+ a piece and we will need many, many pieces to do a proper tunnel. I found some cheaper versions online but aren't sure if they fit. 

That was when one of the carousel sellers whom we approached earlier responded. He has a whole lot of tunnels to let go and we got them for $35. Daddy Lim picked them up in the evening and the kids busied with the cleaning and attempted some tunnel. This is only half of what we bought.

We did build something for the hamster and lured him with a treat into the tunnel. Hoho. Cheap thrill. 

Did you see? Did you see? There were certain parts of the tunnel that was super narrow and we were worried that he would be stuck but he actually managed to u-turn in that narrow space. We then lured him out with another treat and removed the tunnel in case of whatever accident that could happen in the night. 

This morning, Daddy Lim and the kids were eager to give him cuddles before they headed off to work and school. Faint. We were also advised that he had a bad name and he is now Cookie Lim Daogeh! Ya lah, Cookie is like so easy; we also had so many other Cookies in the past for the many black and white fishes. We prayed for it and that the Lord bless Cookie and our Home. Amen!

Mummy Lim

New Member

It had been years since the kids asked for a pet. I have always use it as a carrot for their academic performance. I never say no hor. In fact, the kids have 2 chances a year but they always take turns to screw up for the SAs. Oops, so sorry. 

Well, I had even compromised and they had fishes on a couple of occasions. But they said that it is different. Like you cannot hold it in your hand kind of different. 

The kids got even more upset when the cousins got a pet doggy last year. I am like the worse parent on earth. Lol. Sorry but not sorry. Having a cat/ dog is like having another kid that doesn't grow up. I cannot, really cannot. However, their incessant pleading did make me re-consider, not a cat/ dog but something smaller. The kids had been fairly responsible with the fishes too. Not 三分钟热度, at least got 五分钟. Lol. Coupled with Lil Shauna's hard work for PSLE and Zaky's good results (except for Chinese) for SA2, it is the perfect reasons to buy them a .......... Hamster! Woohoo!

The kids were so excited. If it had been a dog/ cat, we would have adopted but hamsters only a life span of about 2 years and we decided to buy instead. We found a 2nd hand decent looking cage and got that for $18, along with some accessories. The seller also passed us leftover bedding, sand bath and food. Zaky was so excited to get the hamster only to realize that the nearby pet shops sold out and needed to wait for Sunday. 

Meanwhile, he helped to wash the cage and to dry it out. 

Then insisted at 10.30pm that we needed to wipe dry the parts and cannot air dry. Huh? Why? Poor me got dragged out of bed. I was already on the verge to lala land. 

Early Sunday morning, he woke up to prepare the new house for his new hamster. All set up, 只缺东风. 

The pet shop opened at 10am. We had a hearty bfast at Bakers and Cook (again!). It was so good but so expensive. 

Then Daddy Lim dropped us at Jem and left for car servicing. The kids willingly took their Sunday school zoom call at the mall before the grand agenda of the day. 

We chose a Sapphire, only to Google and know that it is a Campbell Dwarf hamster. 

We were supposed to keep it in its new home, let it get familiarised and not touched it at all for 4 days. 

I cannot help but admit that it is so cute. The whole family was looking at it while it explored its new home.

Lil Shauna was quick to set up an IG for it. Believe it or not, his followers are increasing and I think he will soon have more followers than I do. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Eye Checks

I always wonder if Zaky is abusive to his glasses or they are poor in quality. While Lil Shauna's glasses held up, we kept having problem with Zaky's nose piece. We just got their atas Hoya lenses glasses in February 2020 and one of Zaky's nose piece came off again. Zzzzz. 

We were supposed to get the kids' eyes checked after 6 months for these Hoya lenses but it was the CB then and we missed the checkup in August. So just nice, we planned to do the eye check-up and to fix Zaky's glasses. 

The opticians still remembered us. I must be the mummy who was grumbling and so upset about the kids' eyes (and expensive glasses). Lol. Lil Shauna got her eyes checked 1st and was worried. She said that the bad eye seems to have further deteriorated. Die.

Her both eyes have increased by 25 (R - 225, L - 400). Her asti in one of the eyes increased by 25 too. She can still keep her glasses. I thought that it is not too bad already for 9 months. Happy. Hehe. 

Zaky's vision is intact! R -250, L - 225. Yay! His asti in one eye also went up by 25. Doubly happy. Hoho. The kids were glad too bcos they know that mummy is going to scold people if their eyesight worsen again.

I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed that the Hoya lenses will be able to control their myopic. They are already so blind.  I just read that myopic will only stabilise in their 20s. Huh! Still got 10 more years!???

Mummy Lim

Another New Bike!

Zaky got his kiddy Trek mountain bike 3 years ago (I think). It was his bday present and it was almost $400! I almost fainted and learnt that I should never send Daddy Lim to go shopping with the kids. They will only come back with expensive stuff. Tested and proven a couple of times. 

Lil Shauna inherited my Giant MTB when I moved to my beloved Liv Langma. Even before that, Zaky would always be the slowest during our family ride despite her being on her Btwin kiddy MTB. We had been toying with the idea of buying an adult bike for Zaky. The only problem is that he is too short and even the smallest adult bike is a challenge, not to mention that it is super difficult to find a not too expensive new/ used one in that size. 

Daddy Lim had been on the lookout for a bike for Zaky as his bday gift. We had visited a few bike shops only to be told that the sizes are out. One of the shops' auntie even asked Daddy Lim if he had watched "前线追踪" - there is a surging demand for lower tiers bikes, they have flown off the shelves and are out of stock. 

Last Saturday, we drove to this neighborhood bicycle shop that advertised a size 47 Raleigh hybrid bike. We arrived only to be told that it had been sold. Chey, why they didn't update status. Over lunch, Daddy Lim found another ad for a Btwin XS hybrid bike. The seller is based in CCK and responsive. The next moment, we were in CCK viewing the bike. 

We were told that the bike is about 1+ yo and lightly used. Zaky tried the bike and was barely tall enough. He took to it easily while his poor mother was worried that he would crash and hurt himself and the bike. Heng ah, no ah. The bike probably hasn't been used for a while; its chain dropped when I was testing out the gears. We all got our hands black with the chain oil. Otherwise, the bike looks decent enough. 

We eventually bought it for $230 when it was advertised for $260. The brand new bike was about $370 from Decathlon. I only used my 三层 bargaining 功力 when Daddy Lim agreed to the deal; he said not to bite too hard on the young chap seller. Hoho. 

Zaky was so pleased and was asking to go cycling after his Maths class. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't accommodating and it was raining and drizzling non stop until the late evening. It was too dangerous for him to ride in the night. At least he got to ride in circles in the carpark while his mother paced up and down to ensure that the carpark is clear. I have to constantly remind him to watch out for cars, both moving and stationary. There were a couple of expensive cars in the carpark. Heng ah again, nobody and nothing got hurt. 

We did take a ride on early Sunday morning bcos there was forecast of rain in the later morning and we needed to be in time for Zaky's core 4 test. 

It was a short ride to WCP via PCN and pavements. This time, Zaky went 2nd in line and easily caught up with Daddy Lim. It was Lil Shauna who ended up struggling. She has the heaviest bike among all. We cycled a little on quieter roads on the way back. It wasn't too bad, we just have to watch out very carefully for the kids. 

We are planning for a longer ride. I think it will be fun now that Zaky can ride longer and faster without grumbling. Funnily, it was Lil Shauna who is whinning. Lol. She now wanted a hybrid bike too so that she wouldnt be the lowest in the family. Wah, like that no end right? Haha. 

Mummy Lim

Passed Core 4!

 Yay! Passed le! Passed le! 

Zaky said that he wanted to continue learning and to start one to one lesson. He was wavering between learning from Coach Condrey, who taught him for Core 3 and 4 or Coach Raymond, so that he can be together with jiejie. 

We have signed up an individual lesson with Coach Raymond to try. It was actually meant for Lil Shauna, who can't make it. She is such a busy lady now that PSLE is over. Lol. That session is only taking place at the end of November. We will probably try to see if Coach Raymond has time for him earlier in November. 

Zaky complained that his toes hurt when he went back to the ice for practice just now. The skates is very fitting. We ended up taking out the sole and that gave him a little more space to buy a little bit more time. I saw J changing skates and am hoping to buy over his current skates. Those are definitely bigger. Or should we buy Zaky a new pair of entry skates? Hmmmm.... 

Mummy Lim

The 1st days in LV

It had been a week since we shifted into LV. With the shifting nightmare over and packing mostly done, we are also starting to settle in. There are still random things that we buy now and then, here and there. How come so many things to buy de? The most recent delivery is this.

It is a manual washer and dryer! Really, no joke! Popo has this habit of manually washing random pieces of clothes despite the washer/ dryer that we have. Then the clothes will be dripping dry on the drying rack. In the process, she leaves a wet trail from the toilet to the balcony. Haiz. Hopefully this will not become a white elephant. I had thought it will be fantastic for spin drying the handwashed pieces or to wash floor rags and socks that she will NEVER put in the washer. Anyway... I have done my part. 

How are the kids settling in? 

Lil Shauna totally loves her room. It is so difficult to see her now bcos she is constantly in her room doing her stuff, watching Netflix. She loves her loft bed too though I thought it was a hassle to climb on and off. Maybe this is the difference between young and old bones. Haha. The kids are also utilising their bean bags despite them being so gigantic in their tiny room. Often, I find them flopped on the bags watching their phone. 

Lil Shauna had been enjoying her room for the past week until when she had been discovering small little worms/ caterpillar on her study table! Yes, really worms/ caterpillar! Daddy Lim and her spent the whole afternoon and evening trying to find the source and finally found a nest of eggs stuck to the window grills. The eggs hatched and the worms fall on her study table directly below. Luckily, not her bed and mattress! Yikes! We all had goose pimples from the worms/ caterpillars and eggs, which we removed and I am not going to post pictures to irk myself silly. Hoho. 

Zaky is also settling well into his room and most importantly, in his bed. He had been sleeping "alone" after I tucked him to bed and I have been "keeping watch" by sleeping on a mattress on his floor for the past week. He has learnt how to count to 10 and fall back to sleep should he wake up in the night and my presence gives him great assurance. So far, he had done really well except for one night. As for me, I am really missing my bed. Hahaha. The night light is always turned on in his room and fortunately I sleep totally fine in bright rooms. Hoho. 

Daddy Lim had been enjoying the big bed on his own for the past week until Lil Shauna jumped in last night bcos of the creepy crawlers. I so missed my bed. Zaky says that he will be finally ready to sleep on his own 2 years later. T.T

As for myself, I am definitely enjoying the new space. The balcony is always good to enjoy a nice cup of coffee. We now have ample working/ studying areas and plenty of tables and chairs; no lack of working space. For now, I yearned to one day (soon) be able to reclaim my bed. Hoho. And to try to recall where I have kept the stuff, I can't seem to find a number of them when I am sure I unpacked them. Old age. 

Mummy Lim

Happy 10th Bday Zaky!

Zaky's bday usually falls on SA2. This year it falls right smack during PSLE marking week. I still remembered those short trips that we would steal during the PSLE week and using them in exchange for a bday party. This year, we are so stuck. Zaky then laments that we NEVER ever do anything for his bday. Who is the one with the goldfish memory? 

In a short span of a few days, I pulled together a mini celebration for him with a couple of friends to the Nerf Experience. He was thrilled.

We were told that Nerf Experience is now operating at 25% capacity due to Covid-19. Entry is on a 1st come 1st served basis. We were advised to arrive by 11.30am to Q for entry at 12pm. So I ended taking a full day's leave and started the day with a walk around the neighbourhood. 

The walk didn't last very long bcos Daddy Lim had to rush home for his morning meeting and we have to feed the tummies before that. Such a busy morning. 

We met the rest at 11.30am and a Q was already started to form. I felt the same stress  like I was trying to fight for a slot at the ice skating rink. T.T

When play is in the picture, there is no need for food. Luckily Auntie H had the foresight to buy bread for the kids to bring into the center to tahan until they were done. The Nerf Experience was 3-hour long. 

Time flies and 3 hours flashed by. I was eager to hear the kids' experience. They said that it was "fun at 1st" but not so after the novelty wore off. 

The bread was a life saver and it was finally time for proper food. 

The others had to leave after the "lunch". We headed off to the arcade, the last bit of fun to end the day. 

Zaky asked for a bday cake and he got his cake. 

Happy 10th bday to the not-so-little boy! 

Mummy Lim

LV: The Big Day Part 2

I got to squeeze in with Zaky on his new comfy bed for the night. Hoho. With the day's drama behind me, I started to feel better. The pre-rain morning was nice and coolinf. 心情变好了. 

I had the opportunity to have a quiet coffee at the balcony before the family woke up and appreciated the little funny things, like how Zaky's friends who were washed were hung up to dry. 

Or how the jenga blocks played such important role in our new home - holding up the drying rack.

And holding the storeroom shelf upright bcos Daddy Lim and I did such a lousy job erecting it lopsidedly. Lol. Yes, it was so slanted that we can fit in a jenga block. 

Sunday morning and afternoon was spent on the kids' ice skating classes. With PSLE marking falling on Monday, the kids were now keen to go for the sleepover at my brother's place. Popo refused to go bcos she was hopeful that the mover will deliver the rest of the furniture on Monday morning as they had promised. As usual, anything out of the norm gets her jittery and will kick off a frenzy cleaning spree. I wasn't as hopeful. 

With the kids away, the house was so quiet. Such that Daddy Lim and I got to enjoy the bottle of moscato that had been sitting in our fridge. Hohoho. 

Late in the evening and after several chasers, the mover informed that they would deliver the furniture at 1pm on Monday. See lah, see lah. Haiz. I was keeping my fingers and toes crossed that it would really happened. 

Fast forward to Monday, Popo started getting frustrated and started grumbling early in the morning. Arrrggghhh. We managed to go back to Centris during lunch to pick up a few left behind items. While rushing back, the mover called to inform that they were heading to pick up the furniture, lunch before heading over, ETA 2ish. See lah, expected. There was even more grumbling from Popo when we told her the news. 

The mover eventually did come. Thank God. That sets Popo up for a round of wiping and cleaning and mopping. She let go whatever that she had been holding back on shifting day and was grumbling and complaining. I died. Before the night ends, we managed to put most of the stuff in its place. Finally, the shift is completed! 

Yup, yip, hooray! Finally...

Mummy Lim

LV: The Big Day Part 1

Finally it was D Day. The last time we shifted into Centris, we had the Helping Hand to assist with the move. For some reasons that I cannot really remember, I didn't remember that the experience to be enjoyable and didn't want to go back to them. We have less stuff this time (I think), the move should be relatively easier and we decided to go for the Cheap Movers instead after reading good reviews. We were quoted $288 for 1 trip. It is afterall 1 MRT stop away. 

Four years ago, we managed to unpack all the boxes in Centris on shifting day. Now that we had shifted quite some stuff into LV, I was hoping that we would be faster. The kids are also older now and they should be able to help to speed up the process. Right?

I guess all moves are not enjoyable. Our move to LV was so super dramatic. T.T 

The mover agreed to come at 10am and told us that the shift can be completed by 12.30pm, as restricted by the condo MA. Permits were all applied and approved. We spent the morning throwing in final loose pieces into the last boxes. 

I had guessed that the mover would be late and was pleasantly surprised when they called me at 9.45am to say that they were "on the way". It must be a very long and far way bcos they only arrived at 11am. Zzzzzzz. 

There were altogether 4 guys but only 1 of them appeared to be experienced. This further hampered the move and we tried to help at times. Popo was mega upset that they didn't cling wrap all the mattress individually. Aiyo, my head is aching.

We finally left Centris at about 12pm and were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the lorry at LV. I bet they took a lunch break in between bcos they didn't turn up at LV until 1.40pm and then the nightmare started. 

The movers called to inform that the LV security guards refused to let their lorry enter LV as it had exceeded the shifting time, which is 12.30pm. Sh*t. We ended up spending the next 30 mins or more trying to plead with the security guard for leniency. The MA office was also closed and the security guard stood his ground - no shift allowed after 12.30pm, regardless of the amount of sob stories I told. 

Then more stupidity comes into play. The security guard said that shifting is not allowed as per policy but agreed that we can move our belongings using luggage bags but not boxes. What??? I argued that we have been moving our belongings in boxes in the past weeks and we were never stopped. That was when the security guard said that we are residents and he cannot stop us from shifting personal belongings in boxes but the movers cannot help bcos that would be considered as shifting and shifting is prohibited after 12.30pm. What the... 

So the movers ended up unloading the boxes from the lorry and while they slowly decide if they would/ could help to move the boxes into LV, I got the kids to help push the boxes via the mover's trolley from outside LV to our unit. We did that like 5x, moving and unloading about 12 boxes on our own. Thank God that the kids helped. The mover eventually helped to shift the fans and the car rack bcos fans and car rack are not considered as furniture and are allowed. Cling wrapped with the boxes, we got the planks of the storeroom shelf and 2 foldable mattresses. 

The whole saga was so silly. I told the kids that when they grow up and worked in the society, pls do not pen stupid policies - shifting is prohibited but moving belongings by boxes is allowed? The movers cannot help but the resident is allowed to move the boxes on their own??? I could have done more damage than the movers bcos I am not experience. Plus we ran 5 trips instead of what the mover could have done in 1 (or 2), we actually caused more disturbances to the neighbors. So what is the rationale? Haiz.

It was agreed that the rest of the "furniture" will be stored by the mover and sent back to us on Monday. Without the shelves, especially the one in the storeroom, we ended up with stacked boxes in the living room that we were unable to unpack. It was a mess. I was tired and frustrated. Fortunately, Popo held her tongue and didn't add on to my heartache.

Anyway, 2 of the movers who helped had to stay behind while the rest moved off for another job. The lorry turned back for them much later and I was able to retrieve the metal bars, brackets and screws for the storeroom shelf. I had intended to assemble the shelf on my own so that the boxes can be unpacked. 

The mover then said that I have to pay extra $150 for storage. Huh? They late leh. They have given me more inconvenience and I have to pay extras? No way. They then relented and asked for the balance payment instead. Errr... Talk to my hand, the move is incomplete, how can I pay? The poor guy was stuck between me and his boss/ senior and they eventually left without receiving the balance payment, promising to deliver the rest of the furniture on Monday. 

At 5pm, I was pathetically sitting on the corridor trying to assemble the storeroom shelf and fortunately Daddy Lim came back. He had to rush off for some official business after lunch and I was left to deal with the saga with the kids. Luckily the kids helped. 

The shelf was eventually erected after plenty of sweat. I was literally dripping sweat and I realised how many bloody screws and nuts there were. We could finally unpack the boxes and pack the stuff into the storeroom. The storeroom is bigger but we also moved more things into the storeroom. Ended up, it took a lot of skills and strategy, trial and error to fit all the things into the storeroom. 

We did unpack "everything" within a day. Whatever that needs to be loaded onto the shelves that were still with the mover have to remain in the boxes. 

Only Zaky's room was ready. 

Though without the beds, we were lucky to still have the 2 foldable mattresses. We planned for Popo and the kids to do an emergency sleepover at my bro's place for 2 nights. However, Zaky has ice skating class the next early morning and Lil Shauna was keen to join the church zoom Sunday class also taking place early morning. Ended up, we squeezed and made do with Zaky's bed and the 2 foldable mattresses.

Fingers and toes were all crossed, hoping that the rest of the furniture will really be delivered on Monday. I really don't trust such contractors and movers. Sigh.

I was so exhausted. My Garmin clocked more than 20k steps. My feet and back were aching. Shifting is no fun. Sob. 

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 211: SISA Ice

We stopped the ice skating lessons for Lil Shauna for a couple of weeks to concentrate on PSLE. She still hit the ice for "leisure" practices so as not to lose touch and also to help look after Zaky. Yay!

Now that PSLE is over, lessons are resuming and so are SISA ice back to full ice. Coach asked when Lil Shauna would be available for lessons. Errr..  she is super free lor. Too free. Hoho. 

We were finally back on SISA ice on Tuesday evening. Lil Shauna was whinning about butterflies in her stomach. Huh? This is the nth SISA ice and with the same coach plus the people doing SISA ice are usually the same leh. 

I was busy on my laptop while she had the hour long lesson. One hour flew past and she was soon back with red cheeks, huffing and puffing away. Did she master her double salchow? Bo leh. How about the camel spin? Same leh. Lol. I thought we might get lucky with the 1st SISA ice in a long time. Hohoho. She came back and insisted that at least her double salchow is now better. In what way? What do you call a deer with no eye? Hoho

Mummy Lim