Repairing relationships

I admit defeat.

It's been a not so nice 5 months at Novena with the ongoing 'battle' with the BIL. I don't like the protracted strained relationships and awkward mealtimes. I hate the feeling of dread when I have to come into contact with him and the denial of each other's presence.

So when the BIL birthday came up over the weekend, it was with much trepidation that I tried to work around it.

Of course I felt I had to get a birthday gift but of course he would not want it. So I got a present for the new baby instead. A little bouncinette.

Then the issue of the birthday dinner. It's the family tradition that we all get a nice dinner of our choice on the night. So were we going to be attending?

Chris told me to check with Geok and not ASSUME that we were invited. Of course we weren't. Then of course I felt slighted, and decided that it was time to end this feud.

Well, eventually after much discussion Pa set up a meeting between us on Friday evening.

It was good actually. To have the catharsis and end the argument. It's been WAY too long. I apologized, he accepted and we had our turns to speak our minds without killing each other.

So... we ended up having dinner with the family at Jaan on Saturday night. The restaurant is located at Swissotel at Stamford and is right at the top where Equinox is. It started at 730PM and by the time we finished it was closer to 11Pm. We actually had a decent conversation for the first time in 5 months!

In other news... Madison's preschool has been struck with mass food poisoning! 8 out of 14 centres were affected, and I am eternally grateful that hers was the one of the 6 that was spared. Over 20 were admitted to hospital for IV hydration. Teachers were not spared either. Apparently the school catered food on a contract from a company called Mum's Kitchen. I'm quite upset that this happened. Kids don't have a choice when it comes to meals at school. And the kids that were affected were aged 2-6. I hope it doesn't happen again. Already I worry enough about hand, foot and mouth disease that seems to be ubiquitous at all preschools here.

As for Annika, I think she is close to walking. She has started to cruise and is perpetually trying to stand everywhere she is. And she is babbling a whole lot too. It's really cute. Today she didn't have much of an appetite. I hope she's not coming down with something.

But the best of all... tomorrow is a PUBLIC HOLIDAY! I love PH.