Dear Singa, where would you go?

So, we heard, that our Ambassador for Kindness and Graciousness has tendered his resignation. He is tired, feeling jaded. He is throwing the towel! He needs a break.

Image via Kindness.SG
Click here to view details to Singa's resignation.

Since his letter was addressed to Singapore, naturally, there were many responses from people from all walks of life. Read them @ Kindness.sg/blog

I too, feels obliged to response to his resignation (although to me it sounded more like an appeal).
This is for you Singa, from a regular Singaporean born in the 80s (good God, I am writing to a mascot!) :

Yo Singa,

You seem hipper than the Singa I knew from childhood. Maybe, I am aging (darn!) but you are not (duh). Never mind, surely we can bridge that gap. Didn't we go way back? I can still remember going to school with you in my pencil case (you were printed on my eraser) when I was little.

You see, Singa. I feel you. I am tired too! I am one busy sandwiched middle-class working mom trying to catch up with the pace of living, everyday. There were moments, I wanted to quit, grab my kids and move to another country. I thought about it, I whined, but I didn't. Now, I am not going to pretend to be more patriotic than I actually am... I had nowhere better to go.

Of course, I love this land, I grew up here, my family and friends are here, my roots are here and this is where I want to raise my children. Akin to other human relationships, sometimes the very thing we love, hurts us most.

Allow me to draw a parallel from a chapter in my marriage. I love my husband (why else would I marry him, right?), but there are days we just don't get along. Sometimes, and only sometimes (especially when I was younger), I would pack up and walk out of the house. I would say "I had enough" or "This is it. I am gone!", take a cab to my mother's house, feeling strong and independent until my anger subsides... then I would stare at my cellphone and look at the door (almost longingly), wondering when would that man come begging to have me back. You see, my 'walking out' or you can say 'resignation' was in fact an appeal for his attention and (to a certain extend) repentance.

They say you don't know what you have until you loss it. Surely, you know what you are doing. And, if you ask me, the agency who advised this move did a good job! But be home soon, come 'back by popular demand soon'. Consider this little letter added to the vast digital universe, my response to your appeal.

Where would you go from here? Where in this wild wild world would there be a place for a mascot (albeit a lion mascot)? Where else could you belong? Where else would be better than home?

If you needed a reason to be home. Then let home be the reason.

Here's you and my kids on Mothers' day. Just a few days before you decided to go. Surely you would be home soon, won't you?

Baby, we love to see you smile!

I'll be here waiting for you.

Warmest,
A Singaporean

Cos 2 (or rather 3) is better than 1

Dear Little Princess

Here's my open letter to you. I know u do not like me much now. Not when you are standing at the corner of the house,  holding the hand of the most annoying sister in the whole wide world. But one day (and I hope this day will come soon) you will appreciate my intention behind this seemingly silly exercise.

This world can be a huge and lonely place, sometimes. As much as I want to, I may not always be around for you, and during those times, I hope you will always have people to fall back on, people who loves you. You have seen many fairy tales, and princesses always have their princes. That is beautiful and I am sure you will meet the finest man that is worthy of your hand. What fairy tales do not tell you is this- that though princess and prince live happily ever after, they do not live their happily-ever-after all by themselves. We all need different types of love - romance, kinship, friendship and maybe others. And I hope you and your siblings will never lack any of them. This is why you have siblings -Darling, this very hand you are holding is an extension of my love to both of you.

 

You asked me why I gave birth to your sister.  Well, I am sure she has the same query too.
Here's why- cos 2 (or rather 3 ,including your little brother) is better than 1. What good is a party without friends? What fun is a playhouse without playmates? You may be fighting over that barbie doll or story book now, but trust me, it won't no fun without company.

This hand you are holding is your sister, your friend and your playmate. She witnesses your good and bad, reads the books you read and sits beside you on the couch watching the same TV show. Sometimes, she pisses you off, screams at you and pulls your hair but most of the time she makes the best friend. She knows what to buy for you on your birthday, she keeps a seat for you at the dinner table, she set aside a candy for you (although she ate the rest) and bring it home in her schoolbag. You see, though she may not be nice all the time (you ain't nice all the time either), she really does love you, and she loves you a lot more than you think. 

Darling, having a sister is not a misfortune and you sister is not a mistake. She may not be the best sister in the whole wide world, but she is the best sister for you and you for her. Though it may seem like you have less of me, having to share your mom with another person, but the love you receive increases with every sibling you have; your little sister and brother are capable of loving you too.

The next time you feel mad at your little sister, remember this:

She is a lot like you when you were younger, only you didn't have an elder sister to tell you off. ;)

Yes, you will fight, you will cry and maybe pull each others' hair again. I am not saying you will suddenly get along. Nah, I am a mom, not a fairy and I do not have a magic wand. But let's do this together, let's learn to get along, a little a day, and let's start today. ;) 

I love you all the same, and always will. 

Mommy. 

What's a girl to do with dirty shoes?

Hear it from my 3 years old,

"Don't worry mama. I'll bring it back to my castle and my prince will wash them clean." *beams*

Linking up to:

 

Tuesday's Twenty Questions: Work Life

Speaking of copycats... I am going to be a copy-moo today. Lolx

Love the Tuesday's Twenty Questions: Workaholics Anonymous from Mommy Moos blog today. 

Here's me joining in the fun.

1. Do you get more excited about your work than about family or anything else?
Erm. Are you kidding? NO! (in caps and bold)

2. Are there times when you can charge through your work and other times when you can't?
Not recently. But generally, work is a good distraction from worrying. I usually worry too much.

3. Do you take work with you to bed? On weekends? On vacation?

Yes. It's not a choice I have.

4. Is work the activity you like to do best and talk about most?
I love my profession but it's only fun to discuss about it with ppl of the same interest.

5. Do you work more than 40 hours a week?
Yes. Again, it is not a choice that I have.

6. Do you turn your hobbies into money-making ventures?

Well, I did. Not sure if I am glad or regretting though.

7. Do you take complete responsibility for the outcome of your work efforts?
Yes. Yet again, it is not a choice that I have (sorry, I know this is sounding like a broken recorder).

8. Have your family or friends given up expecting you on time?
Not for family but friends... definitely. But I try to keep in touch through FB and Watsapp. I think they understand. I am just afraid that I may need to hold an online funeral someday should I pass on like that.

9. Do you take on extra work because you are concerned that it won't otherwise get done?
Yes. it is not a choice that I have (by now I am beyond apologetic).

 
10. Do you underestimate how long a project will take and then rush to complete it?
Ya I can be quite the procrastinator.

11. Do you believe that it is okay to work long hours if you love what you are doing?
Definitely, though will try not to let it interfere with family.

12. Do you get impatient with people who have other priorities besides work?
As long as they get their work done at the end of the day, it really is up to individual preference.

13. Are you afraid that if you don't work hard you will lose your job or be a failure?
Outwardly I would say no. But inwardly maybe I do fear a little.

14. Is the future a constant worry for you even when things are going very well?
These days I do my best to steer myself towards the positive pole. I need it.

15. Do you do things energetically and competitively including play?
I am only competitive at work. =)

16. Do you get irritated when people ask you to stop doing your work in order to do something else?
Always, if the person is hubby (guilty). Not so with the kids though, unless it's a matter of life and death at work.

17. Has your long hours hurt your family or other relationships?
Friendships mainly. Family wise. I am always living with this nagging guilt of not spending enough time with the kids. =(

18. Do you think about your work while driving, falling asleep or when others are talking?
Not for driving (cos I can't drive!) Mostly Yes, for everything else.

19. Do you work or read during meals?

Ah, not so good at multi-tasking for this one. I usually skip lunch when I need to.

20. Do you believe that more money will solve the other problems in your life?

Yes, for the 'other' problems. I know, money is not everything but, let's call a spade, a spade- many things don't happen without it. I think it's better to focus on the issues that matters and leave the 'others' to resolve itself with some dough. ;D just my 2 cents worth.

Linking up to:

MummyMoo's TUESDAY'S TWENTY QUESTIONS: Workaholics Anonymous

Pei Shan's Tuesday's Twenty Questions: Work Life

If you copied-moo too, please drop me a comment and I will add it to the list. Please remember to give credit and link back to MummyMoo's TUESDAY'S TWENTY QUESTIONS: Workaholics Anonymous.

Also linking up to:

 

Dollhouse Mansion: Bedroom

Following the completion of our little living room, we've got  Meimei's bedroom fixed up over the past weekend. Unlike the living room, which was almost a replicate of our actual living room, Meimei's bedroom is a fragment of her imagination. 

She wanted a bed with a table and a lamp and so we built this with half a shoe box (the other half was reserved for Jiejie's bedroom) and bits pretty fancy paper left over from my scrapbooking.  

Stacking it up! Meimei's room is on level 2, right above the living room.

Close up of the little bed. It's made of cardboard and tissue paper.

Zooming in to the little table lamp. Daddy made it from masking tape and leave over paper.
It turned out nicer than expected. I would have cut an image of a table lamp from Ikea's magazine if not for Daddy's insistence to making a 3D one. 

Here' Jiejie working on her own room. It's not completed yet as I didn't have the time to finish 2 bedrooms in 1 afternoon. But stay tuned, we should be fixing Jiejie's room up this weekend. 

Related post:
Dollhouse Mansion: living room

Linking up to:

My economical Mothers' Day

Happy Mothers' Day to all!

I hope all mommies had a wonderful day. Mine was a mix of delight, frustration, fun and a good dose of headache. Festive seasons are among the biggest pain in the neck when you are low on cash. Thankfully, my mom and mom-in-law are both very understanding people. We'd skip the costly dinners at restaurants for hawker food. In times like these, siblings are among the greatest blessings, cos they help to split the bill. ;)

We got small bouquets for the grannies.
The girls picked them from the mall after ballet classes. 

Now that we've sorted it out for the grannies, what about mommy?

I have to confess, today ain't the best day for me and while I usually enjoy catching up with my friends on facebook, today though, was painful- All the FaceBook posts from friends checking in to fancy restaurants and receiving costly pressies from their better half and kids got the green monster in me jumping up a little (Fine. Maybe a little more than a little). Am I the only person in this entire universe that is going through a rough patch?! 

In all honesty, I would very much prefer to wallow in self-pity and hide in bed for the entire day.
But, this option became a luxury since the birth of my eldest child; Motherhood does not permits that (not for too long, and not after the kids are awake). Just because I was feeling horrible, didn't make it okay to ruin it all for the kids, right? So, it was mothers' day and I chose to celebrate it, for them.

From meimei, on Friday night. She greeted me at the door with a hug, followed by a song and card presentation!

Also from meimei. The teachers at the daycare must have put in a lot of effort in all these handy crafts for Mothers' Day. 

From Jiejie. Probably done during Chinese lessons in school.
Here's the lyrics to the song she sang to me before giving me the card. 

Jiejie wrote me a message on the sand. ;D

I drew the heart on the sand and meimei added 3 dots in it.
She said those were the 3 of them; jiejie, baby boy and herself.

Little boy enjoying tou hua (bean curb pudding) at hawker center. He made every seemed so yummy!

Looking at the gifts and precious moments we shared, I guess I should really be counting my blessings more often and not just focus on the problems and challenges. =)

So, there wasn't nice dinner in costly (overpriced) restaurants but that didn't mean that it couldn't be a day well-spent. In fact, many good things in life need not be costly.. and sometimes it takes the testing moments to remind me of them.

Linking up to:

Hong Kong(Part 2): Dreams come true

Finally, it was the highlight of our trip to Hong Kong - Disney Land! 

On board the Disney MTR

We woke up slightly later than scheduled as everyone overslept. After a quick breakfast at one of the little local cafe (cha chan teng), we took the MTR from Jordon Station to Sunny Bay, then transited to the Disney train to Disney Land. 

Honestly, I was quite disappointed. I thought it would be more than just mickey mouse windows, mickey mouse handles and bronze statues of Disney's characters. I was expecting something more colourful and cheery... Still, the kids seemed happy so I kept my peace. 

"Say cheese!"

The entrance to Disneyland was just outside the MTR exit. I felt like a little child as I walked down the lane that led us to the Palace. There were balloons, lovely little shops, push carts stores and children, lots of adorable and excited children walking and jumping.

The girls were thrilled to see the band of soldiers and the grand palace behind. By the way, that's the palace of Aurora, the Sleeping Princess.

First things first, we rented a stroller for meimei. There is no way I could carry her for the entire day. 

Stroller and Wheelchair rental kiosk.
Cost for the entire day as shown in the photo. A 100HKD deposit is required on top of the rental cost. 

The first agenda they had on their list was not the rides, not even the photo-taking with their favourite princess. It was to get their own gown for the ball (of a time). I was reluctant to oblige to their request, but I couldn't be disappointing them. After all, didn't we traveled the distance to be there for the Disneyland Princess experience? So, I bought a gown for each of them, but we had an agreement and that was no more request for other purchases for the rest of the trip.

Guess how much these pretty little dresses cost?
About 500HKD each! Ouch! x 2 

After, the princesses were properly dressed, they were then ready to go into the sun for some fun. Isn't it amusing that the endurance to suffer for the sake of beauty would start so young. They happily and willing went under the sun with 2 layers of clothes. No complains, because princesses don't do such things. I almost burst out laughing when they tried to walk in an overly prim and proper, in their opinion, princessy manner.

Queuing for rides. 

Cinderella Carousel.
Well, the princess would need her white horse

Jumbe flew up...

... Jumbo flew down

Lunch at the Banquet Hall. 

Disney Princesses at the Parade.

My personal favourite, Lilo and Stitch

Buzz Lightyear and friends from Toy Story.

High Five!

Photo-taking with Tinkle

Queuing for 3D show.
Not a fan, really. It gave me headaches. 

Princess strolling in the park. 

I am really bad with names. What is his name again? Was it Springy Dog? Hummm...

On board the springy or something dog

This is one of our favourite ride. You get to control the speed and direction.
Jiejie took me on a rough journey though. We were just glad that the car behind was much slower and the car in front was none other than Daddy and meimei. LOL

We ended the day at Disneyland watching the fireworks show. It was lovely with music, stories and beautiful fireworks darting into the sky above the Sleeping Beauty's Palace. Couldn't take a proper photo of it as I was carrying Meimei while answering all her question about who was living in the palace, why ain't Sleeping Beauty out having fun too, if Cinderella lived there too...

Our last stop at the souvenir store near the exit. By then, meimei was asleep and jiejie was checking on her.

I bought this snow globe to add to my collection. I wanted it the moment my eyes set upon it. It reminded me of my little boy, who was not there with us. 

The next time we visit Disney Land, I want to bring him along. Maybe we should aim to go to the one in Japan in 2 years time. ;D

Stay tuned for more on our trip to Hong Kong.