School March Holidays

If it had been 3 years back, we would be overseas. Darn covid. 

Bcos we are in Singapore and I refused to spend on staycation, there is no exciting plans for the March holiday. Oh well, the kids are busy anyway. Lil Shauna is made to go back to school every single weekday. Yes, she complained shitload about it. Zaky was sent back to his P6 study camp on Monday and Tuesday. 

During covid, the aunties had met up many times w/o the kids, except for the youngest. No choice lah, covid restrictions. We still tried to occasionally arrange for kids tag along meetup, sleepovers, depending on the restrictions at different times. The aunties meetup w/o the kids, and the kids had started to do likewise. But I have to lament over their poor planning, making the mummies turn gancheong spiders, attempting to jump in to help and made things even messier bcos of the little information that we have. 

The big girls have decided to meet up last Wednesday. They had been whatsapping about it for a while. The original plan was USS and I agreed to pay for their tickets if Lil Shauna brings Zaky along. Deal! But nobody bothered checking if USS is opened. Apparently not. 

The destination was eventually changed to some cat cafe but nobody decides on which one and what time. The consistent answer that I got from Lil Shauna was "I don't know", like many of the other gatherings that the girls had planned previously. Faint. All they need is for somebody to decide and go lah, but we unfortunately had a bunch of "anything" girls. Zzzzz. 

Fortunately, the cat cafe visit did take place and Zaky got to tag along. 

They even travelled to Orchard for lunch thereafter. 

I was worried that Zaky's allergy would act up and I made him bring along Zyrtec. 

His nose didn't act up much and he didn't need Zyrtec. I heard that he suffered more from hunger than allergy and chomped down his lunch in 3 mins. The girls were very amazed. I bet they were still arranging their cutlery when Zaky was done with his lunch. Lol. 

The kids were very happy that Zaky's cat allergy was mild and started suggesting that maybe it is the time for cat. Fat hope! Psle! Psle! Psle!

Fighting!

Mummy Lim

Happier than Shopping

What can be happier than shopping?!?! Shopping for freeeeee!!

Once upon a time, I had to travel frequently for work. Some of these trips are halfway across the globe in business class flights that I couldn't be more thankful for. These traveling, particularly the long haul business class flights clicked in huge Krisflyer mileage. I had dreamt that one day that I would be able to use these miles to upgrade holiday flight tickets (only for Daddy Lim, the kids can sit in coach, hoho) to business class seats. 

The day never came (yet) bcos I left my job and covid hit. All I got instead were emails from SQ to inform that they are extending the expiring miles and then subsequently emails that they got fed-up extending miles and that the miles will be expiring. 

The miles are too precious. Without a secure travel plan in sight, I turned to KrisShop. Hoho. 

Tadah! All free!

I used to stock up on my beauty and makeup products at the airport DFS when I travelled for either business or leisure. I get to do none of these now. I hope this serum will last me until we can fly again. 

I like free shopping. Hohoho. 

Mummy Lim

AG+ Day 7

No more AG+ already. We didn't bother to test too bcos it was already -ve on Saturday and we didn't want any surprises. 

Given that it was a weekend morning, a visit to the ECP skatepark is a must. This calls for an early morning and a long drive on a lovely Sunday morning. 

Who knows that the lovely orange hue is an indication that it would be a freaking hot day. Zzzzzz.

The boys headed to the skatepark while I do my usual skating along ECP. After last week's experience, I preferred Kallang's smooth and debris free track. The ECP tracks are sometimes so teeth chattering rough and sometimes covered with leaves, twigs and seeds, like some booby traps. I stumble several times but fortunately didn't fall. 

Last Sunday, with more experience, I was a lot more stable. I decided to skate all the way to Barrage and the change in scenery was welcoming. The only challenge was this big bridge that stands in the way. Not only was it steep, it was wet from the previous night rain. I must be crazy but I did it anyway, waddling up the bridge like a penguin, then trying to T brake down while gripping the hand rail at times to slow down. I survived. 

My rewards.

Making it through one way gave me courage to conquer the bridge on the return trip. I again lived to tell the tales.

It was 9ish when I returned to the boys and so super hot. 

I was worried that Zaky would be overtaxing himself and we headed home not long after bcos it was way too hot. 

The afternoon was a mad logistics rush to get Lil Shauna from youth and then send her to her ice skating class. We have so much lesser time with the teenager now bcos she has such a busy school and social life. So much so that I had to plead with her to do desserts with me after her class and before she zoomed off for her other activities. 

Such precious time, such nice desserts. Hohoho. 

The plan was for me to go home and scrubbed down the isolation room while Daddy Lim send the boy for his Chinese tuition. I went home to find that popo has done everything despite us telling her to keep out of the room. Haiz, I don't care le. 

We are thankful that the Lord protected us from the covid virus, containing it to just the boy.

Mummy Lim

AG+ Day 5 & 6

The guideline says that if ART is +ve @ 72hrs, isolated oneself until day 7 and one is a free bird @ 12pm on day 7. No testing is required on the 7th day.

Zaky's T line was super dark @ 72 hrs. That was considered as day 4; Auntie T says that the day of diagnosis is considered as day 1. We had thought that the weekend activities were dashed. While no testing was legally required on day 5 (Friday), Daddy Lim made Zaky do so for submission to his company. The line was still super thick. 

On Friday night, I thought I had the sore throat and the headache. I was so convinced that I was infected. Auntie T says that MM was infected when QQ was day 5 or 6. However, on Saturday (day 6) morning, I woke up feeling absolutely fabulous and tested -ve. Hohoho. 都是自己想出来的. I even use torchlight to shine on the ART kit to make sure no faint line bcos I am socially responsible and didn't want to spread to follow cyclists. 

Bo leh. Thus the ride to far far Katong to see the colorful gum tree. 

On Saturday afternoon, Zaky was made to test again. When I was about to doze off for my afternoon nap, I heard somebody excitedly yelling and running out of the room. "I am NEGATIVE!". The boy was chased back to the isolation room bcos there was actually still a very faint line. 

We made him test again in the evening and he finally got the all clear. Why test again? We were dying to go out for dinner lah. 

After 6 long days of confinement, Zaky was so happy to step out of the room and of the house. 

Daddy Lim said that we should make him step over the 火炉 to get rid of the bad luck. Lol. 

Did he lose weight? Yes but the weight loss was put back faster than one can blink. Haha. Yay! Zaky survived omicron and no other family member was infected. Omicron 0, Lim Family 1. 

Mummy Lim

AG+ Day 3 & 4

The guideline says that Zaky can be released from his isolation if he is tested ART -ve after 72 hours. For the entire of yday, while no more fever, he was complaining of a severe sore throat such that we needed to ration the lozenges. He was eating lesser and refused to hydrate much bcos swallowing hurts. I even made him take an afternoon nap. Sleeping is probably one of the best remedies when one is sick.

With his symptoms, we doubted that we would get a -ve and we were right. His T line was still very dark. Other than his sore throat, he didn't complain much. 

He barely ate for dinner and asked for double cheese burger. He got his wishes and Daddy Lim bought him that for supper. Despite his sore throat, he happily chomped down half the burger and some fries. I supposed these are the little joys when one is confined to a tiny room. 

This morning, it was proven once again that the family is standing strong.

Zaky woke up happy bcos the sore throat is almost gone. He didnt even need lozanges. He had MacD happy food for lunch and carbonara for dinner. He was even willing to complete the Maths paper from yday and do some science paper. Hohoho. He can escape CA1 but cannot escape mummy. The only thing is the thick T line that doesn't seem to want to go away. 

He definitely is on the mend bcos he was hungry before meal times and asked for food, something that he hasn't done for the last couple of days. 

With the thick fat line, I am sure we are all very much confined at home over the weekend. I don't think he will appreciate very much if we go for good meals/ fun activities without him. He would reach his 7th day on Sunday and according to the guideline, he would be released at 12pm regardless of the test result. He has Chinese tuition on Sunday afternoon as well as study camp back in school on Monday and Tuesday. I would gladly send him for the classes. Hohoho. 

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 270: Crowded SISA

It had been a while since I attended Lil Shauna's skating lesson and even longer since I blogged about it. Busy lah. Hoho. 

I was happy to be able to make it for Wednesday evening lesson. It is now that time of the year where SISA ice is super crowded bcos everybody is trying to find ice time to practice their program with music for the upcoming competition in end March 22. Bcos it is so crowded, each skater only get to do it once with their program. 

Lil Shauna's double salchow jump is still inconsistent. She said that it has to do with how she enters her jump and also her arm. I hope it means that she at least knows the issue and can quickly correct it so that she doesn't fall during the competition. Each time she competes, I get as nervous as she is and hold my breath while she executes her elements.

She also only get to do her program with music once. Surprisingly, she landed her double slachow. She had that moment of shock too before proceeding on with her program. Then she slipped and almost fell over.... (nothing?) and couldn't do her next jump, became too slow and fumbled her dance steps. 

She still managed to complete the entire program but finished after the song has ended. Well, she made it through nevertheless. Yay! Completed! We just need like 258 more times of practice. Hohoho. 

Mummy Lim

AG+ Day 2

There was rarely any fever on day 2 but the sore throat was raging. Then I realised that the doctor didn't prescribed any lozenges. Why? Fortunately, we found the lifesaver in the fridge. It was prescribed to Daddy Lim 4 months back and still looks very consumable.

Zaky has gotten most of his appetite back. This is our meal routine, he would sit at the doorway while we are the table to have our "meals together". 

He was generally alright and had all the energy to game. Seeing how "unsick" he was, I asked if we should start doing some revision papers. "NO, bcos I got Covid!" Win already, Covid is now his shield for everything. He did attend his maths online tuition in the evening and agreed to start doing some papers today. 

The sore throat is a pain. He complained of bad throat several times and we had to ration the lozenges to observe the max dosage per day. Sleep was OK and I think the drowsy flu medicine helped. 

This morning at 5am, he complained of a bad throat again. He had half a lozanges and went back to lala land. He would cross the 72 hours mark today and we are keeping our fingers crossed. I had thought that I would soon be tested AG+ with the amount of exposure that I had with him. 

Bo leh. Huat ah!

Mummy Lim

AG+ Day 1

The Lord's protection had been working very well. We are all standing strong and I am sure I had a lot of contact with Zaky, touching the stuff that he had touched but still tested -ve this morning. Actually, I was hoping to get a +ve if I had to be infected, then I could be isolated with Zaky now then to do so one after another to save on logistics. 

Like I mentioned, Zaky was full of energy when he woke up yday morning. A different Zaky compared to Day 0 of diagnosis. His appetite was back and he emptied his bowl every meal. This also meant the start of his mini vacation.

Obviously enjoying life.. 

Mummy took on the persona of Auntie Marie, at his beck and call to top up water, check temperature, pass him this and that. On the bright side, he feels well enough to make requests and probably is on the mend. 

Daddy Lim made me take this picture. 

He complained that I fed Zaky a big bowl of ice cream and gave Zaky preferential treatment while he didn't have such during his isolation. I remembered I fed Daddy Lim ice cream too. Otherwise, how did he exit from isolation  heavier than before? Oops. Hoho. 

Zaky was feeling well the entire day until towards bedtime when he complained of a stuffy nose. His fever was starting to climb too. He asked to go to bed after fever and drowsy flu medicine, which knocked him out. 

It was a peaceful night. I woke up when the boys used the toilet but a good night nevertheless. Another 2 more days to go. Fighting!

Mummy Lim

One AG+

It is the CA week for Zaky. Lil Shauna has completed her WA last week without me having to worry much. She has done her revision (she said) and was prepped for the WA. Zaky didn't shy away from the CA as well. We have revised his Chinese and the rest of the subjects aren't too daunting for him. I was hoping that the results would be a good gauge of how ready he is and if any other measures need to be put in place for his psle. 

Then, I had a call at 2pm yday. He was already in student care but called to say that he is not feeling well. He couldn't put a finger on what he was feeling but just unwell. The 1st thing that he did the moment he was home was the ART test. 

Huat ah! Kena already. 

He is not sure where he got the infection from. I am not surprised; with the high numbers, the virus is probably everywhere. 

He was super lethargic and crawled into (MY) bed in (MY) room the moment he was done showering. This has become the official isolation room in the house bcos it comes with an attached bathroom. 

Zaky was very quiet throughout the day, dozing off a lot. When I checked on him, he miserably complained of a headache and teared. Poor thing. Then I realised that we have no thermometer at home and was fortunate to find Lil Shauna's oral thermometer still working. Drumroll... 38.9. Then we realised that the liquid fever medicines at home have all expired bcos it had been so long since Zaky was down with a fever while Lil Shauna has progressed on to panadol in pill form. 

While Zaky was resting, I was busy informing the school, the student care, the tutors, the aunties of his AG+ status. We just met Auntie S for rollerblading yday lor. I also found out from Auntie T the necessary steps. She has just recovered from Covid and QQ was tested positive last week. I was told that we could bring Zaky to one of the CTCs to get ART tested and have the covid status registered with the Govt. I planned to do that this morning bcos the slots were limited yday afternoon and I had meetings lined up. 

Not long after, Daddy Lim came home. He was chased home and put on LOA bcos Zaky is AG+, to minimise infection risk in the yard. Since we have the car and no fever medicine, we decided to bring Zaky to the doctor instead, which was a long wait bcos there are so many sick people. By the end of it, Zaky was totally miserable and so wanted to go home. Once home, he showered, took the fever medicine and again crawled into bed. It is the perfect condition for his diet bcos he has zero appetite. I managed to make him eat a scoop of ice cream while waiting for the doctor and that was his dinner. 

After much discussion, I was given the honor to spend the night with Zaky in the same room but on the floor. Zaky woke up a couple of times in the night for the toilet and his fever didn't soar. My presence in the same room provided him with a lot of comfort. That is why we celebrate Mother's Day.

I am literally just waiting for myself to be tested AG+. When it was Daddy Lim, it was easy to isolate him. He knew how to take care of himself and all we had to do was to provide him with food and water. He had like a mini vacation in that isolation room then. With an AG+ kid is very different. Zaky needed a lot more help and is feeling a lot more miserable with the fever and the sore throat. Or maybe I am really so healthy and strong to counter the virus. Hohoho. 

Zaky is starting to feel much better this morning with the fever gone. His energy is back as well.

He was willing to have his bfast of bread and cereal and I found honey at home to make him honey water. 

I duno what honey this is. I think it came with the Company Christmas hamper. Fortunately Zaky has always been a fan of honey, all kinds of honey.

With his energy back, I can see the twinkle in his eye as started to prep for his mini vacation. His laptop has been moved to the isolation room and set up. He didnt care to game at all yday. I bought him a mini table yday. Daddy Lim complained that Zaky has better treatment; he had to use the rubbish bin the last time as his laptop table. Lol. 

May the Lord protect the family and even if we are to be AG+, to have mild symptoms and fast recovery. Amen. 

Mummy Lim

On Ice and On Land

I always enjoy watching the kids skate, whether it is on ice or on land. For the past 2 weekends, I got Lil Shauna the Saturday 7.30pm slot instead of the usual Sunday afternoon for ice practice bcos the Sunday slots get snatched up so quickly. I was standing by but apparently still not fast enough to get the Sunday ticket. I thought that the Saturday evening slot wasn't too bad. While it was 2/3 ice, the public made up of less dangerous kids and thus more space. 

The rink had been really strict about keeping out the non-paying spectators. I could only watch and help Lil Shauna video from outside the rink. While she worked hard, so did her poor mother. 

The national competition is coming up at the end of March 22. She had been hesitating and didn't want to participate but Coach gave her no choice and ask her to "join". Hoho. This is the 1st time and could be the last time that she is partaking in the Basic Novice competition. The rink is due to close for a 6-month long renovation in July 22. Nobody knows what happens once the rink closes. 

I was really excited about her competing. The program is a revision of what she had learnt for her Basic Novice test but adding on more elements. While she only need her axel jump, Coach has added in double salchow in her program. She is still struggling with her double salchow jumps, lacking the needed consistency. Fighting! She has 3 more weeks to go. 

This morning, we headed down to ECP bcos Daddy Lim in not working. While Zaky happily conquers the skatepark, I get to a change in scenario and skate along ECP. 

I came to realise how rough some parts of the tracks are, something that I never realise as I rolled on these tracks on my big wheels. Couple of times, I almost fell bcos of the many leaves, twigs and seeds. Skating to the end of the tracks and back gave me 12km. 

How often I have been on this end of ECP while on the roadie but 1st on the small wheels. 

We left ECP and headed to Kallang at 9ish bcos I have my skating lesson at 10am. This is my 3rd lesson so far and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I dreamt of one day doing fanciful tricks on the skates but I think it is indeed a dream. Hahaha. 

Mummy Lim