There were many tasks meant to be done yesterday morning sessi, like, go to wet market la, check out the new kindy somewhere nearer la, get some toys for my nephews and niece for this weekend la, and some others la... but in the end, the whole morning was spent in front of my pc, furiously hitting on the reload buttons on the AA website.
Ya, I wanted to get those free tickets too. My bro called me as I was about to be out of the house to the wet market, so instead of shopping for chicken and fish, I was shopping online for free tickets. But alas, I didn't get any good deals, so there goes my holiday break for next year.
But I did get some toys for my elder bro's kids. It's so damn hard to find what toys to get for them. For yo 10+ kids, I suppose they are not very interested in toys anymore liao. Furthermore, they have quite a good collection of toys themselves from their parents, relatives and friends. So, pening pening. I would not want to get them books though, as I always think books as gifts are so boring. Not from their gugu anyway. Oh yes, in the end I bought them toys. Don't care.
These days, I keep seeing holiday programs and holiday camps leaflets everywhere. It's the season to make money from us parents. The programs don't come cheap. It's almost like courses for adults. I am very eager to send them somewhere for the mornings so I can go for my yoga routine. But just can't find anything peang-leang-jeang. Until today, that is.
As I've mentioned, I wanted to check out a new kindy for meimei, somewhere nearer for both of us. Then fat-yin-ji-kan, I also got to know that the current kindy is opening up a new branch, also nearer to us. So, right now, in a dilemma. Either this new branch or a totally new school for her.
The school system and environment would be almost the same, but the teacher and the friends would also be new. My friend, Jessy, advised me it's not so advisable to change in her last kindy year, as she's so used to how things work around there. I'm also kinda freaking out for little meimei, imagining everything is totally new around. Then again, I think children do have a great ability in adapting to new environment. But that doesn't mean I decide on the new school yet. I just feel a little bit mm-seh-tuck as I've grown to love the school myself, after being such a loyal customer for all my 3 kids.
Ah, back to this holiday program, as I was enquiring with the principal of the new kindy, I asked her if there is any holiday program coming up over here. And she let me on with an arts and crafts workshop for 5 days, 3 hours a day in the morning. Just what I was looking for. But hang on! What's the price first? She told me it's RM120 per person. I just can't believe my ears! My mind quickly calculate the rate for per day, per hour... dem! this is affordable, alright! And I lalalum register all 3 of them. Happynya.... can go for 1 week yoga still during the holidays. Now, have to find other alternatives for the rest of the 3 weeks.
Heiz.. this year, there is NO, NIL, NOTHING in the holiday bags for us. Sien moe? I think we are too pampered, each year would sure go somewhere far for holiday, least criteria must be riding airplane one. This year, I think we can just go Genting and ride those little airplanes that go round and round. But consoling myself, ok la, the flu bug H1N1 is still out on the loose, stay at homebase la, good also.. (sour grape!)
Apart from making some changes in meimei's routine, I had been thinking about next year for didi and korkor too. Pondering if I should be back as the driver for the boys, since it would be double fees to get a driver to send them home. Those fees could be very well better used for their extra curricular activities like sports or their area of interests. Should I? Should I not? Heiz... dilemma, dilemma.
Then I'm also thinking if I should check out a new music center for them to attend class at the same hour. As I've been started on individual piano lessons at home for them just recently, I have this gutsy feeling that a group study learning is probably really better.
Meanwhile, this week had been pretty cool with our home tuitions. In fact, I'm also beginning to enjoy myself as well, being able to learn how to control my temper, seeing korkor a slight change in attitude, albeit slightly, seeing the kids getting the hang of home learning, instead of moesorsisi all the time or watching tv saje, seeing a mark improvement in my own teaching, being able to go progressively, systematically and orderly. (Now, this is NOT the kind of good essay writing format you should follow, korkor!)
And hey, how cool is that, korkor came home and told me he is advancing to another class next year on. From no.7 to no.5 class. Not bad, eh? (All from his own ability wor, not good meh?). Oh, there are 7 classes altogether, btw. (He was in the 7th class because he was transferred over from another school this year, well, not that I care if you think he's that char, but it's a sharing of information jek... dun mispaham.. *grin*)
But next year on, we are going to make him improved. Talking about this, my mom actually said that I didn't care on his schoolwork, as she sees it. I wanted to say, "Ma, last time you also didn't care also wor". But of course, I didn't say that. Ya, it's true. I do think Primary 3 jer mah, need to be so worried on his studies meh? Last time I only seriously started to "flip the books 1 day before exam" when I was Std 4 and my position jumped from 30+ to 10+. Of course, I'm not saying I'm doing very well now. But at least I'm not dead. Meaning to say, char at school also doesn't mean need to die lor.. (smelling sourish grape again)
It's time for some serious studying.
Korkor's exam results are back and sad to say, it's not very good. *tau tap tap*
Don't misunderstand. I don't have high expectation from him. I always tell myself, as long as he doesn't fail in any subjects, it's fine for me, better still, more than 80 marks. Or even more than 90, why not, huh?
Then, when he came home and showed me his BM paper, only 60 and 58 in 2 papers, jeez.. that's not so good, kan? Like it's dangling on the dangerous fence between FAIL and PASS. And instead of scolding and whacking him, I felt awfully guilty myself for not assisting him in this VERY difficult subject. Tuitions?? Nooo... I'm a child-friendly person (read: kiamsiap!), I don't like to see kids who are already spending half the day at school and the other half buried in school books.
I remember I spent my childhood half the day in school, the other half playing with my cousins and the kampung kids around my granny's neighborhood. My brothers and I never had tuitions until we were in secondary schools, like Form 5 or 6. We were so happy.
But then again, how many kids are sent to tuitions those days? I suppose with the standard hovering around the same, we had no problem catching up and facing those exams. These days, I guess most of the kids go to tuitions somehow or rather, like facing their STPM paper, or, I can understand, parents working and can't help sending them to tuition cum daycare centers. That solves their headache to check their homework or catching up with the syllable.
But me being a full time mom and an educated person myself *clears throat*, I am sure I can guide him, except for mandarin. The last test he had, I promised myself to really "bersungguh-sungguh menjadi guru tiushen". But I didn't.
This time, I really need to. Still not late for that, right? Else, he really would be struggling in this subject even more, just like the time I did when I was at his age.
Thus, I went to the bookstore that very next day, and bought a big pile of books, consisting of BM, English, Science and Maths for both korkor and didi.
And this holiday, there would be a time everyday for the books and exercises to do. I'm throwing in some lessons or two in learning Art as well. "You can draw meh?" I heard you ask. Well, not bad gah.. (who cares!) I'm sure I can do it. I promise I will. I can... I will... can... will... can... can.........
Don't misunderstand. I don't have high expectation from him. I always tell myself, as long as he doesn't fail in any subjects, it's fine for me, better still, more than 80 marks. Or even more than 90, why not, huh?
Then, when he came home and showed me his BM paper, only 60 and 58 in 2 papers, jeez.. that's not so good, kan? Like it's dangling on the dangerous fence between FAIL and PASS. And instead of scolding and whacking him, I felt awfully guilty myself for not assisting him in this VERY difficult subject. Tuitions?? Nooo... I'm a child-friendly person (read: kiamsiap!), I don't like to see kids who are already spending half the day at school and the other half buried in school books.
I remember I spent my childhood half the day in school, the other half playing with my cousins and the kampung kids around my granny's neighborhood. My brothers and I never had tuitions until we were in secondary schools, like Form 5 or 6. We were so happy.
But then again, how many kids are sent to tuitions those days? I suppose with the standard hovering around the same, we had no problem catching up and facing those exams. These days, I guess most of the kids go to tuitions somehow or rather, like facing their STPM paper, or, I can understand, parents working and can't help sending them to tuition cum daycare centers. That solves their headache to check their homework or catching up with the syllable.
But me being a full time mom and an educated person myself *clears throat*, I am sure I can guide him, except for mandarin. The last test he had, I promised myself to really "bersungguh-sungguh menjadi guru tiushen". But I didn't.
This time, I really need to. Still not late for that, right? Else, he really would be struggling in this subject even more, just like the time I did when I was at his age.
Thus, I went to the bookstore that very next day, and bought a big pile of books, consisting of BM, English, Science and Maths for both korkor and didi.
And this holiday, there would be a time everyday for the books and exercises to do. I'm throwing in some lessons or two in learning Art as well. "You can draw meh?" I heard you ask. Well, not bad gah.. (who cares!) I'm sure I can do it. I promise I will. I can... I will... can... will... can... can.........
The soft hearted side of korkor
My eldest son seems to be a big bully at times, barking at his little siblings when they kacau him, or complaining when they cari gaduh or when meimei fought with him for her favorite channel when he most wanted to watch his favorite show.
But there are times he showed the soft side of him and those moments gave me a very warm fuzzy feeling. And before I forget what they were, I would put it down for them to remember how nice a brother he is when the siblings were in hot soup.
1. I think the bestest warmest fuzzy feeling he gave me was when he was about 6 months old. He was a very difficult baby, always crying, before he goes to sleep, after he wakes up etc. My hub and I took turns to rock him to sleep all the time, carefully putting him down on the bed after really sure he was in deep deep slumber.
Then came the time, I was pregnant, but was told that the fetus didn't have a heartbeat on my 2nd visit. I was so heartbroken, but hub still need to go back to work in that afternoon and I was left alone with my bb at home, fending my own sadness my own self. He was very tired then, and he would be taking his afternoon nap. Usually I would need to "tham" him to go to sleep, but that time, we both lied on the bed, I was crying, he was looking at me with sympathetic eyes and dozed off to sleep without any fuss. And I thought what he did, though might be unconsciously, was so warm.
2. Fast forward to a few years later when didi is here. Didi was just about 2-3yo and we were making the move back home after being abroad for few years. I was very busy with the house hunting and renovations of our new home, at some times, I had to ask for the favor of a friend's mom to help me keep an eye on them for a few hours. There was this time, she was trying to soothe didi's cries and said nonchalantly "I'll ask the police to come and take you away hoh, if you don't stop crying". The korkor totally freaked out, and he cried himself, begging her not to ask the police to take him away..
3. Last year, during my birthday's at the hotel, we were walking to our car at the carpark basement. It was quiet and there didn't seem to be any cars around, so I didn't hold meimei's hand as would be usually, but still alert of any incoming cars' sound, and making sure she's close to me. When I turned round, I saw korkor holding her hand to ensure she's ok, which was a pretty nice sight. That is because he normally feel shy to hold her hand when I told him to. Aww... that was really quite a sweet thing to do, without me asking him to.
4. Not so long ago, I was punishing meimei for she didn't want to do her homework, and I suppose because I rarely punish her, the boys felt sorry for her. She cried like so "yuen-wong" and kernian-ly, that after awhile, I saw korkor handed her a cup of water (again, without me prompting!) like telling her to "drink this water, stop your crying laa, else mommy would be crazeeeee again laaa...."
5. Yesterday night hoh, this time didi kena punished. For spoiling suk-suk's swinging kitchen door by pushing it too hard. Actually, everyone was saying how naughty he is by breaking people's things one after another, but really, I don't think that was considered naughty laa.. It was not something to be encouraged, but he was just being too active without realizing how fragile things could be. Not like he purposely go and swing it too hard to break it, right? Anywayz...
Papa wanted to cane him, so we were all in the room, and he asked him how many canes he wanted and where he wants to be caned. Of course, didi said no and begged for leniency. I was there to see how things progress. Then papa has the smart idea to say "ok, 4 canes from each of us, and we decide where to cane you!". So, starting with meimei, she was so eager and happy to be the enforcement officer, she even happily shouted "pet pet"! And smack! 1 cane on the pet-pet for him.
Came to korkor.. what do you know! He at first seemed uneasy to be holding the cane, then papa told him to cane anywhere la, he fiddled for awhile, then passed the cane to me and said "nah.. I let mommy cane twice la". In my heart, I think he just can't do it for he really do love his little brother. You tell me, isn't that just soft-hearted he was?
But that little meimei ah... she was so happy to be doing that task on behalf of korkor! And even smack him on the pet-pet with a big grin on her face! (Jeez! I wonder he would have his revenge on her later anot, reading this anecdote from me here?)
So, my eldest son, though sometimes he makes me really frust, remembering these little details reminds me he's actually a very nice and soft hearted kid inside. I love him!
But there are times he showed the soft side of him and those moments gave me a very warm fuzzy feeling. And before I forget what they were, I would put it down for them to remember how nice a brother he is when the siblings were in hot soup.
1. I think the bestest warmest fuzzy feeling he gave me was when he was about 6 months old. He was a very difficult baby, always crying, before he goes to sleep, after he wakes up etc. My hub and I took turns to rock him to sleep all the time, carefully putting him down on the bed after really sure he was in deep deep slumber.
Then came the time, I was pregnant, but was told that the fetus didn't have a heartbeat on my 2nd visit. I was so heartbroken, but hub still need to go back to work in that afternoon and I was left alone with my bb at home, fending my own sadness my own self. He was very tired then, and he would be taking his afternoon nap. Usually I would need to "tham" him to go to sleep, but that time, we both lied on the bed, I was crying, he was looking at me with sympathetic eyes and dozed off to sleep without any fuss. And I thought what he did, though might be unconsciously, was so warm.
2. Fast forward to a few years later when didi is here. Didi was just about 2-3yo and we were making the move back home after being abroad for few years. I was very busy with the house hunting and renovations of our new home, at some times, I had to ask for the favor of a friend's mom to help me keep an eye on them for a few hours. There was this time, she was trying to soothe didi's cries and said nonchalantly "I'll ask the police to come and take you away hoh, if you don't stop crying". The korkor totally freaked out, and he cried himself, begging her not to ask the police to take him away..
3. Last year, during my birthday's at the hotel, we were walking to our car at the carpark basement. It was quiet and there didn't seem to be any cars around, so I didn't hold meimei's hand as would be usually, but still alert of any incoming cars' sound, and making sure she's close to me. When I turned round, I saw korkor holding her hand to ensure she's ok, which was a pretty nice sight. That is because he normally feel shy to hold her hand when I told him to. Aww... that was really quite a sweet thing to do, without me asking him to.
4. Not so long ago, I was punishing meimei for she didn't want to do her homework, and I suppose because I rarely punish her, the boys felt sorry for her. She cried like so "yuen-wong" and kernian-ly, that after awhile, I saw korkor handed her a cup of water (again, without me prompting!) like telling her to "drink this water, stop your crying laa, else mommy would be crazeeeee again laaa...."
5. Yesterday night hoh, this time didi kena punished. For spoiling suk-suk's swinging kitchen door by pushing it too hard. Actually, everyone was saying how naughty he is by breaking people's things one after another, but really, I don't think that was considered naughty laa.. It was not something to be encouraged, but he was just being too active without realizing how fragile things could be. Not like he purposely go and swing it too hard to break it, right? Anywayz...
Papa wanted to cane him, so we were all in the room, and he asked him how many canes he wanted and where he wants to be caned. Of course, didi said no and begged for leniency. I was there to see how things progress. Then papa has the smart idea to say "ok, 4 canes from each of us, and we decide where to cane you!". So, starting with meimei, she was so eager and happy to be the enforcement officer, she even happily shouted "pet pet"! And smack! 1 cane on the pet-pet for him.
Came to korkor.. what do you know! He at first seemed uneasy to be holding the cane, then papa told him to cane anywhere la, he fiddled for awhile, then passed the cane to me and said "nah.. I let mommy cane twice la". In my heart, I think he just can't do it for he really do love his little brother. You tell me, isn't that just soft-hearted he was?
But that little meimei ah... she was so happy to be doing that task on behalf of korkor! And even smack him on the pet-pet with a big grin on her face! (Jeez! I wonder he would have his revenge on her later anot, reading this anecdote from me here?)
So, my eldest son, though sometimes he makes me really frust, remembering these little details reminds me he's actually a very nice and soft hearted kid inside. I love him!
Trick or treat? treat la, of coz, come, stimbot...
We had a "trick or treat" party here at my home on Saturday. "Trick or treat" as in "halloween", as in "shucks! I don't even celebrate Halloween"
What am I crapping here?
The little party we had was planned much earlier, without even knowing it's Halloween season around. I was just thinking of a chit-chat sessi with my girlfriends while steaming over a steaming-boat. That would be so "hot".
Some boys came in trying to scare me and make me piss in my pants...
Of course, they look so darn funny and cute, I was controlling my laughter and trying to "act" scared shit.
We bought all those stuffs and get the soup cooked after breakfast, after hubby came home from his business trip for a week. Boy! It seemed so long he was away.
The guests arrived one by one and we "started fire" around 7.30. I guess everyone ate a hearty dinner that night, we had clams, crabs, thinly sliced pork, among the other usual stuffs. The women just enjoyed yak and yak and yak..
I won't mind doing this another time, it's nice, I love it. But, can someone take the kids away and engage them in some games, leaving us to make the noise ourselves? Kids! They are soooo noisy. *hugs them all*
What am I crapping here?
The little party we had was planned much earlier, without even knowing it's Halloween season around. I was just thinking of a chit-chat sessi with my girlfriends while steaming over a steaming-boat. That would be so "hot".
Some boys came in trying to scare me and make me piss in my pants...
Of course, they look so darn funny and cute, I was controlling my laughter and trying to "act" scared shit.We bought all those stuffs and get the soup cooked after breakfast, after hubby came home from his business trip for a week. Boy! It seemed so long he was away.
The guests arrived one by one and we "started fire" around 7.30. I guess everyone ate a hearty dinner that night, we had clams, crabs, thinly sliced pork, among the other usual stuffs. The women just enjoyed yak and yak and yak..
I won't mind doing this another time, it's nice, I love it. But, can someone take the kids away and engage them in some games, leaving us to make the noise ourselves? Kids! They are soooo noisy. *hugs them all*
Responsibilities, his homework.
On a side note, this morning while driving the kids to their "morning playground", didi said almost in a regrettable mood that tomorrow he would need to write weekend journal again. This is one of the school's homework for 6yos to jump start on their career blogging start writing essays, presumably. Noting his non-eagerness, I try to encourage him a bit by saying "Hey! I need journals too, y'know? And it's not a weekends only journal, it's a daily one"
I continued telling them (or myself!) that it's a collection of thoughts of what happened, where we went, what we did, how we felt, and when he's able to read more, he can dig it up and looked back on it. At that moment, I felt so good to be able to do this for them, but hey... seems like I had half abandoned my blog for sometime. It's like a "fu ji jak loi, fei ji jak hui" relationship I'm having with it. Guess I should update more from now on. (come back, come back)
On another side note, I had been sleeping at early hours these 2 nights. I'm so tired during the day but I just can't sleep. So I skipped yoga workout this morning and decided to hang out at the Oldtown for breakfast. Look! I"m blogging from here.. nice!
On one more side note, our aquarium (Oh! I haven't told you about our new aquarium yet, hoh?) is down to 4 miserable fishes now from 10. Even the cute little prawn die mai. Heiz... so sad.
Now, to my main note.
Last night I was very angry with korkor and gave him 2 canings on his palms for neglecting his homework right until the minute he was to pack his bag for next day's school, before his bedtime. I had already told him no TVs, games, toys are allowed until their work is done for the day. And he told me he has no homework, not once, but twice, after I asked him "ARE YOU SURE?" He enjoyed the whole day, doing nothing and watching TV, happy and relaxed only.
After the caning, I was still fuming mad, but I knew I need to lecture him and talk to him so he understand why he was punished. And I was telling him, all of us, have responsibilities. We, as parents have huge responsibilities to look after, and he has his own as well. If he can't handle this small little one called homework, then he won't be able to handle bigger ones as he grows up, and soon, he'll be losing trust in people, he can't go anywhere in life (woah!).... bla bla bla...
(oh! For the umpteenth time, I reminded him about sacrificing the cut on my tummy to give birth to him, and I felt heartbroken I'm rewarded with this sort of behaviour! And I was wondering if I should show weep a bit anot for more extra effect! *slap self*)
Sounds rather a "serious" topic to talk about, but I think this supposed to be the way of educating them. On another perspective, I wonder if I should be checking his work everyday or not, but then, sometimes I think it's better for him to learn while stumbling around. I believe children should make mistakes, they can afford to, and learn from it, rather than being protected from being in trouble for not completing their daily homework. ok ok, I admit I'm lazy too la..
Nevertheless, I seriously do not want to use the cane anymore on him, but how else do I tell him what he did was so wrong and unacceptable other than letting him feel the hurt and pain from it? But me yau do not want to check his work everyday laa.. Am I doing the right thing here?
Heiz... (can we go back to side notes?)
I continued telling them (or myself!) that it's a collection of thoughts of what happened, where we went, what we did, how we felt, and when he's able to read more, he can dig it up and looked back on it. At that moment, I felt so good to be able to do this for them, but hey... seems like I had half abandoned my blog for sometime. It's like a "fu ji jak loi, fei ji jak hui" relationship I'm having with it. Guess I should update more from now on. (come back, come back)
On another side note, I had been sleeping at early hours these 2 nights. I'm so tired during the day but I just can't sleep. So I skipped yoga workout this morning and decided to hang out at the Oldtown for breakfast. Look! I"m blogging from here.. nice!
On one more side note, our aquarium (Oh! I haven't told you about our new aquarium yet, hoh?) is down to 4 miserable fishes now from 10. Even the cute little prawn die mai. Heiz... so sad.
Now, to my main note.
Last night I was very angry with korkor and gave him 2 canings on his palms for neglecting his homework right until the minute he was to pack his bag for next day's school, before his bedtime. I had already told him no TVs, games, toys are allowed until their work is done for the day. And he told me he has no homework, not once, but twice, after I asked him "ARE YOU SURE?" He enjoyed the whole day, doing nothing and watching TV, happy and relaxed only.
After the caning, I was still fuming mad, but I knew I need to lecture him and talk to him so he understand why he was punished. And I was telling him, all of us, have responsibilities. We, as parents have huge responsibilities to look after, and he has his own as well. If he can't handle this small little one called homework, then he won't be able to handle bigger ones as he grows up, and soon, he'll be losing trust in people, he can't go anywhere in life (woah!).... bla bla bla...
(oh! For the umpteenth time, I reminded him about sacrificing the cut on my tummy to give birth to him, and I felt heartbroken I'm rewarded with this sort of behaviour! And I was wondering if I should show weep a bit anot for more extra effect! *slap self*)
Sounds rather a "serious" topic to talk about, but I think this supposed to be the way of educating them. On another perspective, I wonder if I should be checking his work everyday or not, but then, sometimes I think it's better for him to learn while stumbling around. I believe children should make mistakes, they can afford to, and learn from it, rather than being protected from being in trouble for not completing their daily homework.
Nevertheless, I seriously do not want to use the cane anymore on him, but how else do I tell him what he did was so wrong and unacceptable other than letting him feel the hurt and pain from it? But me yau do not want to check his work everyday laa.. Am I doing the right thing here?
Heiz... (can we go back to side notes?)
Christmas card making day.
OK laaa.. so that wasn't really the Best Mom Award I was presented with on that concert day. But I guess they wouldn't mind presenting me with that too if I had asked..
It was a token of appreciation for participating in their program called "Guest teacher Day" where we are invited to be a guest teacher for an hour or so, unpaid (what you think!) and let us have a feel of handling 20+ kids at one time. Easy peasy, so I heard myself saying. But I never did go as a guest teacher though I promised to. And they put my name in there anyway.
I didn't need to, but somehow I thought I ought to. Mainly just to make my kids happy. And so happened, came along this Hope for Gavin Card Drive word spread by Goolyahma, I thought it might just be the right thing to do with the kids. How hard would that be, anyway? Can do charity as well. So, it would be killing 2 birds with 1 stone.
Oh, how wrong I was! It wasn't easy at all planning and going through it all from beginning to the end. I was having some hard time figuring what cards I should make with those kids, 1 class of 5yo(s), and the other of 6yo, it has to be easy for them to follow but presentable at the same time.
Finally, I decided the simplest form should be some crafty work, some cut and paste jobs instead of drawing and writing. Hence, I set forth to get all the pretty pretty stuffs ready. Choosing the right papers for the work is tough call as well, and I thought if the work isn't that presentable, at least some perfumed card might be a compensation.
The kids are eagerly looking forward to that day. As for me, "huh? easy only nia.." until that night before, I was actually getting panicky! Haha..
In the end, I played along, went to meimei's class first and told them the story of little Gavin. I think they don't quite comprehend what his plight is but anyway, we started making the cards. They were very cooperative, and it concluded after 1 hour, which I thought 10 mins would be able to kaotim. Ha! Think so easy.
I hopped over to the other class. There were over 20 kids in there! And they were soooo noisy! Nevertheless, I felt very happy to be standing there talking to them. Especially seeing didi swelling with pride watching me.
This time, the kids asked more about Gavin. And I would have wanted to tell them more and show more of his pictures, but time was running out.. with that number of kids, I wanted them to complete their (and mine!) task before the school dismiss. Lucky we have another 3 teachers over to help me out, else I would really be knocked out by them.
Things were going on fine.... until....
.... when I told them to sprinkle glitters on their cards!!! Absolutely wrong move!! They went almost wild, man!
Without proper supervision, the glitters were all over the place! And after it's over, I do actually think that before the glitters invasion, the cards looked pretty good! Heiz... *sob*
Anyway, task completed and it was time to go home! I was so relieved.
These cards made by 5yo(s). Cute anot?
Well, what I would do now is to see how to "save" those cards and send them over. Now, where do I send to actually?
It was a token of appreciation for participating in their program called "Guest teacher Day" where we are invited to be a guest teacher for an hour or so, unpaid (what you think!) and let us have a feel of handling 20+ kids at one time. Easy peasy, so I heard myself saying. But I never did go as a guest teacher though I promised to. And they put my name in there anyway.
I didn't need to, but somehow I thought I ought to. Mainly just to make my kids happy. And so happened, came along this Hope for Gavin Card Drive word spread by Goolyahma, I thought it might just be the right thing to do with the kids. How hard would that be, anyway? Can do charity as well. So, it would be killing 2 birds with 1 stone.
Oh, how wrong I was! It wasn't easy at all planning and going through it all from beginning to the end. I was having some hard time figuring what cards I should make with those kids, 1 class of 5yo(s), and the other of 6yo, it has to be easy for them to follow but presentable at the same time.
Finally, I decided the simplest form should be some crafty work, some cut and paste jobs instead of drawing and writing. Hence, I set forth to get all the pretty pretty stuffs ready. Choosing the right papers for the work is tough call as well, and I thought if the work isn't that presentable, at least some perfumed card might be a compensation.
The kids are eagerly looking forward to that day. As for me, "huh? easy only nia.." until that night before, I was actually getting panicky! Haha..
In the end, I played along, went to meimei's class first and told them the story of little Gavin. I think they don't quite comprehend what his plight is but anyway, we started making the cards. They were very cooperative, and it concluded after 1 hour, which I thought 10 mins would be able to kaotim. Ha! Think so easy.
I hopped over to the other class. There were over 20 kids in there! And they were soooo noisy! Nevertheless, I felt very happy to be standing there talking to them. Especially seeing didi swelling with pride watching me.
This time, the kids asked more about Gavin. And I would have wanted to tell them more and show more of his pictures, but time was running out.. with that number of kids, I wanted them to complete their (and mine!) task before the school dismiss. Lucky we have another 3 teachers over to help me out, else I would really be knocked out by them.
Things were going on fine.... until....
.... when I told them to sprinkle glitters on their cards!!! Absolutely wrong move!! They went almost wild, man!
Without proper supervision, the glitters were all over the place! And after it's over, I do actually think that before the glitters invasion, the cards looked pretty good! Heiz... *sob*
Anyway, task completed and it was time to go home! I was so relieved.
These cards made by 5yo(s). Cute anot?Well, what I would do now is to see how to "save" those cards and send them over. Now, where do I send to actually?
Picnic day at FRIM
It's Deepavali today. Instead of sleeping in till the sun shines on our butts, we went for a picnic with 2 other families at FRIM (Forest Research Institute of Malaysia) in Kepong.
Each of the family would bring some food and share among us. One of them made sandwiches and a pot of leong-sui! The other brought fried meehoon, charkoay, tarts and milo. I made 2 types of muffins, choc chip and vanilla raisins, together with some fried sausages, boiled eggs, milo and coffee for our picnic pleasure. Not forgetting the rest of the tidbits and junk food we brought along, there were TOO MUCH of food spread on the picnic mat! In fact, more than half of the mat were occupied with these food. I was so over the top when they complimented my muffins and the coffee that I made. It made all the time and effort truly worthwhile.
It was our first time at FRIM, and I found it surprisingly very pleasant and back to nature. The drive was smooth as it was basically empty on the roads, and it wasn't very difficult to locate the place. It took only about a slightly more than 30 mins drive.
There's a guard post at the entrance, passing out our entrance ticket to us. Each car is charged RM5 inclusive of the driver, and additional adult is charged RM1 per head. Quite a fair fees to pay for, which gives a peace of mind to fellow picnickers like us. We can pay at the souvenir center inside the forest, or we can opt to pay as we exit.
There's also a canopy walk somewhere and other attractions probably in FRIM. A lot of joggers were seen creating a very relaxing atmosphere.
We headed straight to the picnic area, following the sign "Tempat Perkelahan Sg. Kroh". My friend had already "chup" one picnic spot for us just a few mins before we arrived, and we get started by spreading all the food around the mat and EAT! I was so busy eating I forgot to take pictures of all the good looking food we had.
The area reminded me so much of the little stream I grew up playing in with my brothers, in my small hometown. The kids played so much of computer games, Wii, at the pools, in nice resorts, that this nature seems so very new to them, but "old and familiar" with me. I just felt like transported back to the old times of dipping in the cold stream, splashing water, playing just-don't-know-what for endless hours there. But we had fun so much so that 4 hours just passed like a breeze.
As for me, I just love taking all their pictures and looking at them over and over again when I'm home. It was pleasant knowing a new friend too, and spending a nice time on a nature outing like this one.
Carrying our picnic box. See how heavy it is? Need 2 people to carry it.
Sun shining on top of our heads but it wasn't hot as
the shade from the trees made the place so cooling.
A pool for dipping. Oh, I didn't get myself wet though, because of, umm.. "inconvenient issues".
It was unfortunate I didn't bring their swimsuits along,
as such meimei was VERY reluctant to get herself wet.
See-la, the difference between our generations.
Teamwork and hardwork gets the job done, that is to play hard.
A visitor came over to our picnic mats. Eewww.. it was so gross,
I was almost sweating in my pants as it came very near to us.
That's the crowd in that little spot of play area.
He had enough in the water, and wanted to change,
Before we knew it, the whole place was jammed with picnickers like us.
So many people!
That's our territory! Half of the food was "sapu"-ed,
leaving the other half for on and off snacking.
We went up the trail upstream for a little while.
I don't mind doing this another time. Anyone likes to join me?
Each of the family would bring some food and share among us. One of them made sandwiches and a pot of leong-sui! The other brought fried meehoon, charkoay, tarts and milo. I made 2 types of muffins, choc chip and vanilla raisins, together with some fried sausages, boiled eggs, milo and coffee for our picnic pleasure. Not forgetting the rest of the tidbits and junk food we brought along, there were TOO MUCH of food spread on the picnic mat! In fact, more than half of the mat were occupied with these food. I was so over the top when they complimented my muffins and the coffee that I made. It made all the time and effort truly worthwhile.
It was our first time at FRIM, and I found it surprisingly very pleasant and back to nature. The drive was smooth as it was basically empty on the roads, and it wasn't very difficult to locate the place. It took only about a slightly more than 30 mins drive.
There's a guard post at the entrance, passing out our entrance ticket to us. Each car is charged RM5 inclusive of the driver, and additional adult is charged RM1 per head. Quite a fair fees to pay for, which gives a peace of mind to fellow picnickers like us. We can pay at the souvenir center inside the forest, or we can opt to pay as we exit.
There's also a canopy walk somewhere and other attractions probably in FRIM. A lot of joggers were seen creating a very relaxing atmosphere.
We headed straight to the picnic area, following the sign "Tempat Perkelahan Sg. Kroh". My friend had already "chup" one picnic spot for us just a few mins before we arrived, and we get started by spreading all the food around the mat and EAT! I was so busy eating I forgot to take pictures of all the good looking food we had.
The area reminded me so much of the little stream I grew up playing in with my brothers, in my small hometown. The kids played so much of computer games, Wii, at the pools, in nice resorts, that this nature seems so very new to them, but "old and familiar" with me. I just felt like transported back to the old times of dipping in the cold stream, splashing water, playing just-don't-know-what for endless hours there. But we had fun so much so that 4 hours just passed like a breeze.
As for me, I just love taking all their pictures and looking at them over and over again when I'm home. It was pleasant knowing a new friend too, and spending a nice time on a nature outing like this one.
Carrying our picnic box. See how heavy it is? Need 2 people to carry it.
Sun shining on top of our heads but it wasn't hot asthe shade from the trees made the place so cooling.
A pool for dipping. Oh, I didn't get myself wet though, because of, umm.. "inconvenient issues".
It was unfortunate I didn't bring their swimsuits along,as such meimei was VERY reluctant to get herself wet.
See-la, the difference between our generations.
Teamwork and hardwork gets the job done, that is to play hard.
A visitor came over to our picnic mats. Eewww.. it was so gross,I was almost sweating in my pants as it came very near to us.
That's the crowd in that little spot of play area.
He had enough in the water, and wanted to change,but so shy to expose his "privacy" in the forest.
I had so much fun teasing him.
I had so much fun teasing him.
Before we knew it, the whole place was jammed with picnickers like us.So many people!
That's our territory! Half of the food was "sapu"-ed,leaving the other half for on and off snacking.
We went up the trail upstream for a little while.
I don't mind doing this another time. Anyone likes to join me?
Year end concert again wor...
Grandmother's stories series tergendala sebentar for some important news update..
which are...
1. I finally went to Jogoya for a very satisfying time stuffing myself silly, after yearning for it for a few weeks. Perhaps I kept praying for it a lot, my wish came true as one of the thousands credit cards merchants my hub has, gave a half price off for just 2 days last week. *burp*
2. the children's graduation concert over liao. Suddenly it hits me that my baobei no.2 is no longer a kiddo, he's *sob* going to *sob* primary 1 *sob*... which means I will have an even hard time getting him up even earlier in the mornings soon! *wails*
Receiving my "Best Mom of the Year" award on stage.. (I can say what I want on my blog!)
Giving his "thank you" speech... which starts off with "First of all, I would like to thank my mommy for giving birth to me... bla bla bla.."
*gasp* I bet she wouldn't want to be reminded of this years later...
Moonwalking.... almost!
Dancing to the song "Thriller".. can recognize this step moe?
Very useful when you want to "release gas"...
which are...
1. I finally went to Jogoya for a very satisfying time stuffing myself silly, after yearning for it for a few weeks. Perhaps I kept praying for it a lot, my wish came true as one of the thousands credit cards merchants my hub has, gave a half price off for just 2 days last week. *burp*
2. the children's graduation concert over liao. Suddenly it hits me that my baobei no.2 is no longer a kiddo, he's *sob* going to *sob* primary 1 *sob*... which means I will have an even hard time getting him up even earlier in the mornings soon! *wails*
Receiving my "Best Mom of the Year" award on stage.. (I can say what I want on my blog!)
Giving his "thank you" speech... which starts off with "First of all, I would like to thank my mommy for giving birth to me... bla bla bla.."
*gasp* I bet she wouldn't want to be reminded of this years later...
Moonwalking.... almost!Dancing to the song "Thriller".. can recognize this step moe?
Very useful when you want to "release gas"...
OK, enough of making fun of them. They put up a good show indeed, and I'm sooo proud of them. It's time to reward them to Genting, for that's what I promised didi if he cooperate with the teacher and not play the fool during practices and rehearsal. Everything went rather well, except before the show started, their papa had to piss me off (again!) and I had my sweet revenge during the show. All I need to do was just to show him the aromatic coffee I prepared in a little bottle before we went out and I finished it off without a drop for him.. padan muka dia.
