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Monday, March 28, 2011

Lion King musical weekend

This past weekend was pretty busy.

It started early on Friday, with the Lion King musical at the Marina Bay Sands. It was a logistical headache for me: get dinner for the girls sorted out, feed Annika then bring them both home with Maria and Warni. I had to pump before going too. Chris was also at the gym till slightly past 6 so I ended up picking him up from the MRT station before going to the Sands. The show was slated to start at 8Pm and we had to be there 30 minutes prior to be seated. Which left 30 minutes for dinner! That was the end of our plans for a fancy pre-theater dinner.

But.. the show was worth the rush. The music was quite African-themed, and the dialogue quick and witty. I think it was great how they threw in some local humour in it too, cracked the audience up. The show was 2 hours long with a 20 minute interval in the middle. For some reason, the second half felt shorter than the first, maybe because the plot moved more? The costumes and set were incredible! There were 'flying' tropical birds, life sized elephants and giraffes and the herds of antelopes and other horses were mounted on tricycle like contraptions so it seemed they were actually running together as a herd!

The theater was also full! And so many kids! The row directly in front of us had at least 4 kids from the same family. They were probably Indonesian Chinese tourists and were obviously well off. The mother doled out $50 to each kid at the start for them to buy snacks at the intermission, and their domestic helper was in tow as well. But.. they were generally well behaved although they had difficulty sitting through 2 hours!

Saturday I was busy at the clinic in the morning, then the usual rush to get the kids fed and napped at noon. By the time they were all down it was closer to 2 than 1pm and we were BUSHED. Then it was basically lunch, home, Madison to music class then over to the grandparent's home to have dinner ( kids ) and BABYSITTING services! Chris and I wandered down to check out this enormous queue at Novena Square that we spied driving back from LUNCH, only to find that IT WAS STILL THERE AT 6!

Turned out it was the line to pick up the race pack for a 2XU run in April. Registration was already closed ( we checked online using the istudio store's Mac!). I sneaked a look at the bags and NO WONDER THERE WAS A LINE! Technical 2XU running shirt, cool shoe laces, compression calf stockings among some smaller stuff!

BUT the best part of the night was yet to be! Madison stayed over at the grandparent's so WE HAD THE NIGHT TO OURSELVES! Well, kind of. Annika came home with us and went down quickly so we got to watch a movie at home!

Turned out to be perfect planning but COINCIDENTALLY I booked us in for a massage on Sunday... I still have a few more sessions left over from when I went with Chai and Han Ting in January. The massage was not as good as the first time, partly since we were LATE and partly because it was a different massuese this time. Still... sooo relaxing.

We picked Madison up after the massage and went back to our place. Our upstairs neighbours came down to visit us and then Chris played a round of tennis with them. I felt a little embarrassed about playing so I didn't; but anyway I've got this irritating stye that is PAINFUL. And both kids needed DINNER..argh.. guess who had to organise it.

Now.. weekend's over.. back to the daily grind... Madison went back to school after a week's hiatus, and pleasantly did not make too much of a fuss. Guess she's older now and actually REMEMBERS going to school! Which reminds me. School fees need paying soon. And taxes need filing too! Bleh...

Friday, March 25, 2011

Sick sick sick...groan

Madison is down with ANOTHER respiratory tract thing!

This one is pretty bad. I've not seen her quite this till for a long time. Initially I thought it would just be another snotty nose, but she actually ran a temperature for 3 days, lost her appetite completely and vomitted a few times.

Then the cough started. Really croupy sounding. She puked a few times too, usually after a coughing spat. When the fever came back after subsiding, I caved in and started oral antibiotics. I'm thinking, either parainfluenza/RSV or maybe a mycoplasma sp?

Anyway.. it has been tedious trying to keep Annika away from the bug. Hence, we've ended up at Novena for the past week since Madison obviously can't attend school.

I must say. Maria and Warni have the patience to do this mothering thing which I seriously lack. I have this hate of "germs" in general, and because Annika is not yet 1 I really don't want her to get bronchiolitis or pneumonia. I'm glad that they do a good job of looking after the kids during the day. I don't know if I would have the patience to do it after being up at night with Annika, then having to face Madison's whining and being upset during the day.

Anyway.... just a rant. I hope this bug will bugger off quickly, so that things can go back to normal. It would be nice to have a happy child and better nights for a change! Of course, and to have Annika well too...

Monday, March 21, 2011

Enbloc woes?

We just received a letter in the mail informing us that there was interest in a joint sale of the building that the clinic is in.

Our neighbours aren't happy about it; they currently rent 3 units next to each other selling interior finishes. They said they would have difficulty finding another place that would replicate what they have presently.

What about us?

2 ways.. we are starting to build our clientele after being here for over a year, and to move might mean a drop in business again.

But... if we DO move to a better location that would be better for business anyway. And we get to have newer finishes, nicer clinic etc. Thank goodness we haven't really renovated the current clinic too much. That would really SUCK.

In any case.. I would like to continue in the vicinity... the proximity to home is a big PLUS. Of course if we DO MOVE across the road nearer the Shaw Plaza would be a BIG BONUS. I would literally live directly above the clinic!

Anyway... joint sales take forever to go through.. the one at Asimont took more than 5 years to complete.

Or do I give up and join somebody?

Hmm... food for thought.

Playdate Sunday

We had a great Sunday this weekend.

Warni had the day off so it was kind of nice having a relaxed start to the day. In other words: no one got dressed, fed or changed in a hurry.

Madison helped me make buckwheat pancakes for breakfast, which I then tried to make into shapes on the griddle. Not very good at that!

Getting the kids ready to go out is an activity all by itself; we decided to have a picnic lunch at the Gardens so after Annika's nap it was an event getting everyone decent to go and buy stuff to take to the picnic. We ended up at Jones the Grocer ( Dempsey), got some nice ham, cheese, bread and muscatels then drove over to the gardens. Spent a small fortune on the cheese: seriously, I think we could've had a proper meal with what we paid!

Thank goodness it wasn't too hot. There were quite a few families already picnicking on the grounds, and several other people playing soccer. I think the kids had a great lunch. Madison really loves ham! Of course I HAD to forget the bring along the picnic bag which had the cutlery and plates. So it was literally HANDS on eating. Only Annika had a spoon which I used to cut up the cheese.

After the kids' naps, we met up with a neighbour ( that we just met !) and went on to Bottle Tree park in Yishun. The plan was "longkang"fishing, but when we got there it was crowded. And too many FEET in the little pond stomping around. Gross. There was a small playground though, and a bigger pond where apparently you could REALLY fish. So Chris and Ken forked out $25 bucks each (gasp!) for the hour to hire 2 rods. Of course after 15 minutes the kids had enough of "fishing" and promptly went to the playground instead!

It was great fun for them though, after a sweaty hour or so we were ready for dinner. At that point the neighbours and Caroline's friend left us so it was just us and Caroline's family. We drove over to Jack's Place at Ang Mo Kio and had our meal there. Of course we made a huge mess and made a lot of noise. After dinner we had dessert at the ice kachang stall and everyone had something sweet to end the meal.

So.. that was the day well spent.. the kids were all tired at the end and went to bed almost immediately when we got home. GREAT..!

Then today started with Madison having ??diarrhoea?? Boo... so no school for her today... I hope she gets over it quickly....

Friday, March 18, 2011

New Friends

It's funny how we get to meet new people.

Having children has certainly opened the doors to new acquaintances; I suppose it gives people something in common.

For example.

I was minding my own business on the 14th floor of my apartment block, where there is a sky terrace, reading the papers and just enjoying my lunch hour.

Along comes a mother-son team, the boy is squealing and running around, and the mother looks apologetically at me. I smile at her, and viola! We make eye contact. After a little small chatter we find out a little about each other, that we both have things in common like husbands who lived in Australia ( she Sydney and me Melbourne ). Her only son is younger than Madison.

So then we part ways after exchanging mobile numbers. That very same afternoon my friend Caroline texts me about a playdate on Sunday to Bottletree park in Yishun. I immediately think of inviting this new friend along. She agrees and hey presto! We have an outing scheduled this weekend! "longkang"fishing and dinner !

We just have to see how this inaugural trip turns out.

Another instance: We keep meeting this other neighbour who turns out to have 2 boys: 2 year old and a 3 month old. The older kid goes to Eton house preschool, which is 1 street away from Madison's school. The dad turns out to be a (must be well to do) SAHD ( stay at home dad). Pretty unusual, and pretty cool! Their house is a perpetual open house, and I went over once with the kids to visit. I invited them to Madison's 3rd but they didn't come. I think they must have felt a little shy about coming over since there were quite alot of other people there.

In other news... I'm quite excited... a good friend is due to deliver ANYTIME! I can't wait to welcome her to the world of multiple kids! ( ie, more than 1 kid ). Wishing her all the best this weekend.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Grumble, grumble..

Ok. I have to be honest. I am still mad with the BIL.

It really sucks that he is such a d+ck and my parents put up with his selfishness and inconsideration.

He parks the car in the driveway, blocking up 2 perfectly good carpark lots. Then the rest of us have to park on the street, risking traffic fines ( which I did get in January..argh..that is still not sorted out yet!)It's obvious but my parents live with it.

He takes the newspapers from my parents' home, and doesn't return it. My mum gets mad with the maid because the papers can't be found. Cheapskate. Newspapers cost all of 90c. My parents know but don't say anything to him.

He has no respect for anyone but himself and thinks his opinions are the only one that count. And of course he has no basis for that, seeing that he does not read much or have a really good background grasp of most things. I don't even think he is really respected professionally. ( that's SAD )

And now... I think what p*sses me off is that he does not make an effort to think through the issue before simply brushing off my management plan. Does he really think I would choose to poison his wife? My sister? With opthalmic drops? And the risk /benefit ratio: not to treat a contact lens related infection? Does he have an alternative? No! The first thing he could think of was just that it was a BAD choice of treatment. UNBELIEVABLE. It's INSULTING. Does he think I am unable to look these things up ? Did he consider the complications of her condition? Did he ensure she had a more thorough clinical examination before treatment? Or even offer to take her to another doctor? NO NO NO. WHAT AN IDIOT. POINT MADE.

I am still p*ssed. I don't let other people push me around but I have to let this go BECAUSE he is RELATED? What a curse.

Maybe it's a lesson in patience? Training in the ways of wisdom? Business training? Please, someone show me the light! Please give me the STRENGTH to survive another few decades of having to associate with him. SUCH A JUVENILE. Why am I still p*ssed?

Monday, March 14, 2011

Birthday parties!!

In my opinion we had a great weekend.

Madison's party went off without a hitch on Saturday. Everything went almost according to plan. The weather was fantastic too... that's how lucky we were. It was excruciatingly hot most of the week, then Friday it rained almost the entire day. Saturday started off a little sunny, then the clouds came and it stayed quite nice the rest of the day.

I was really lucky to have help from my cousin Kay Shin, who stayed over Friday night at my mom's just to help us get the food ready. By Saturday, we had most of the stuff prepared and spent the morning decorating the room, putting the final touches to the cupcakes and getting the finger foods ready.

Kids started arriving a little past 11, and then suddenly everyone was here. My plan was to start off with colouring dinosaur pictures first, but it ended up with FOOD FIRST. So, ok... but I have a suspicion that the kids ate before they came... none of them had a great appetite. Or maybe it's just kids?

After they had something to eat, we started off with PASS THE PARCEL (or POISON PARCEL in local terms!!?) It was soo funny... I was joking with Angela ( one of the mums present and a friend) that the parents would be the ones passing it and the prize should have been more along the lines of "2 night stay at Capella Singapore with spa/golf " ! Then everyone would be snatching at it! In the end the kids did need help with passing the parcel and ripping the wrapping off. Was a good thing that Chris thought of putting a packet of dino candy in between layers so the kids were thrilled when they found it.

The next game was a dino egg hunt which went down really well. Of course then it meant they were all busy eating chocolate eggs to pay attention to the last game!! So funny.

We ended off with pin-the- tail on the T-rex. I had to go give Annika a nap then so I missed the action.

The cake was pretty cool too.. we ordered a 2kg choc banana cake without any decorations, then made a dark chocolate toblerone frosting and decorated with plastic dinos. Chris also painstakingly made a chocolate volcano with a foil mould. Quite impressive. It was topped off with 3 dino candles that I got at the BIY store. ( that I bought because I couldn't find the rack to return it too!!! also the girl that found it for me was nice...)

After cake cutting.. it was FREE AND EASY. IE I could sit back, eat, and relax. The kids decided they wanted to go into the pool THEN... so off they went. No one wanted to go at the start! So I got my pool party after all!

So... I'm stoked that everything went so well... it was worth all the painstaking preparation and thinking that went into it!

BIL woes AGAIN...GROAN...

Ok.... this is my blog so I am entitled to b1tch about this and then FORGIVE AND FORGET. RIGHT?

Things have been somewhat calmer the past few weeks on the BIL front... I just ignore his pig face and live AROUND him.. somehow..

TODAY... UNBELIEVABLE.

I get home AFTER work. Find out that my sister has had a red eye from an infection after using contact lenses for the past 2 days. She sees a doctor who gives her SALINE eyedrops! Just because she is preggers so he doesn't treat her eye infection! And didn't even perform a proper eye examination or refer her on?

So I offered to check her eye out and treat it. She agrees. We drive over in horrendous traffic to the clinic, I get it checked and look up our medical MIMS before deciding on the best topical antibiotic that I have before giving it to her.

Then what happens? We get home, Mr PIGFACE (TMI?) looks up his IPHONE and declares "oh!! don't use the medicine! " Doesn't offer an alternative ( because OBVIOUSLY THERE IS NONE BETTER! IDIOT!)

IT's a pregnancy CAT B drug you FOOL! THERE will NEVER be a CAT A drug in pregnancy BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY NO ONE will be allowed to do randomized controlled trials on PREGNANT women... such an IDIOT. I tried explaining it to him but he was completely INCAPABLE of understanding such simple logic. His BRAIN would not allow access past his ears for information processing.

So... CORNEAL ulcer v using a CAT B drug? GO figure. PITA.

He chooses then to demonstrate his CHILDISHNESS by slamming his cutlery down at dinner and stalking off loudly to the sink where he continued to slam his plate down. RUDE A$$. Absolutely NO RESPECT for the other members of the family at the dinner table. And says " I will not speak to non humans!Shut up!" WTH??? NON HUMAN? IS that the best he could come up with? COME ON MUNHON. Such poor vocabulary and command of the spoken language. tsk tsk tsk.... poor thing...

Anyway... I chose to remain CALM and at the dinner table, where the rest of the civilized people finished our meal and didn't let the barbarian wreck it for us.

Ok. Rant over.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Madison's 3rd, Annika crawling backwards!

My baby is turning 3 this Saturday! It's cliched but I cannot remember her as a little baby already.

We had a party at Novena for her first with balloons and a photographer, her 2nd was in Melbourne so this one will be a smaller event with MORE kids at our new place. I guess it'll be a housewarming as well.

It's going to be DINOSAUR themed, since she is crazy about them at the moment. I trawled the internet for ideas and so she's getting a cake with dinos on them, there's to be a dino egg hunt, pin the dino tail and poison parcel. Not to forget dino goody bags. I'm a little stuck about cupcakes at the moment... not exactly the most artistic person around... I found a cool baking shop nearby called BIY ( Bake it yourself!) and got some things to make chocolate shapes but didn't realize they were meant to fit muffin sized cupcakes! Not my teeny tiny cupcakes... argh.

Since she's going to school now, I figured instead of inviting her classmates ( and their parents whom we don't know!) over, I would bring the cake to class. So she gets 2 cakes this year. This is the first time I'm going to be doing this. Have to remember to bring the camera too.

I really have to thank the supportive people that surround me. Dorothy who works at my clinic offered her fabulous curry chicken and another friend volunteered to be the balloon folding guy at the party! Am really grateful.

In other news, I took Madison to an art school started by a contact. It's CANVASS, at Binjai park and it's pretty cool. We were slightly late since I had to rush from work so the other kids had started, but Madison fitted right in. They get to work with lots of materials, and she started off with paints. Later on she got to pick the other bits like sparkles and beads to stick onto her painting. We're probably going to try and stick with this for awhile to see. She enjoyed herself and wanted to go back again.

Annika, poor girl... she's a little in her sister's shadow at the moment. The good thing about it is that she is definitely a stronger character... she has the quickest fingers when it comes to grabbing Madison's things, whether it's food or toys. And yes, they have started squabbling... if Madison snatches something away from her she actually complains quite loudly! She is vocalizing a whole lot now, and is at the stage where she needs to be occupied or accompanied. But it's great that the 2 of them are good companions for each other.

Annika is now mobile. Yes.. she can kind of crawl. Backwards and in various directions. It's amazing how far she can get scooting around backwards! Of course she's always getting under the table, under the sofa and under the bed. I finally bought her a Sophie that everyone's been raving about... and nearly lost it after 24 hours. Of course she seems to prefer cereal containers, empty Berocca containers, spoons and remote controls. No more toys!

So... life is pretty full on at the moment... the clinic has it's days too.. some are sooo slow I think we're not going to survive; and other days people keep walking in... I don't know what to think! It would be nice if it could eventually become consistently BUSY! My life would be COMPLETE!