Chinese New Year wish

We always have our reunion dinner every year at my inlaws. This is year is no difference. We were there at my inlaws early cos hubby needed to wash his car...hahaha..because the car wash was filled to the brim with people wanting to have their cars washed as well. What to do? when you wait till the very last minute. 

Anyway, back to the story. So, while Ash and hubby were busy with the car, my MIL's neighbour brought over some homemade cupcakes for my MIL. So sweet of her. Also, the neighbour made the cuppies specifically to my MIL's taste because my MIL complained that her previous cake was too sweet. Awesome isn't it?? We asked them to join us for dinner but they declined. So we told them to come visit us another day whenever they are free.

Later, Ash had the idea of recite a Chinese New Year wish, but only after dinner, during dessert (courtesy of our neighbour). She made us choose our cuppies, hold it up as if making a toast whilst she rendered her very short CNY 'poem' (as she calls it). Once she's done, we were allowed to eat our cuppies. Actually, the cuppies were good. I am now thinking of getting her to make them for Ash's birthday?  Hoping to get it for free...hehehe...free loader! 

Hope my CNY wish comes true. 

Santa is real

So...I took Ash to her art class and sat with her. Well..I didn't have to "sit with her" but because I had no where to go since I was due to pick Mini up and I didn't want to drive through the traffic. And, therefore, I stayed with her - not the entire duration but pretty much. It was ok, nice talking to her teacher but now that Ash is older, she listens in and butts in to the conversation thus losing focus at times. A pain.

Towards the end of class, 2 boys came in to begin their session. The teacher sat them down, gave them their unfinished painting and sketch book respectively. They went to work. I think the teacher suggested to one of the boys to sketch a lion doing the lion dance since CNY is around the corner. He hesitated. He was more interested in sketching Santa or something. Then, all of a sudden, Ash turned aorund and blurted "He's (Santa) real anyway". I was like "No, he's not real lah". She retorted "Yes he is! You said you saw him sneaking into the house to give us presents".

I went blank. "OOppssie!". Yup folks. I lied to my kid and now she says that she wants to stay up with me on Christmas eve to say "hello" to Santa. Bummer!

How can i tell her I was drunk and smoking weed at the time? OK, I wasn't drunk and neither was I smoking weed but I was up late baking the damn cookies for beloved Santa aka myself and hubby.

I will have to come clean one of these days and yes, I will probably get a good sounding from her. In the meantime, I will distract her by showing her some fanciful doorknobs and say "look! I found these at ReidSupply.com". At least she's pre-occupied with something. Anything. 

Welcome 2014

Welcome...welcome!!! 

San Neen Fai Lok!! Eh...It's not Chinese New Year yet. hehehe...But, CNY is not too far off this time around. Back to being busy busy busy...makan, shopping (or in my case..will be window shopping) and pai neen.

Going into the new year wasn't a very good one as news of people passing were just a bit too much. Especially those that were innocent kids who lost their lives so tragically and suddenly. And one where a dear friend's MIL who passed away 2 days ago. It was heartbreaking to hear her words and you could immediately tell that her MIL was a wonderful wonderful human being. Personally, I've met her a couple of times and don't know her MIL all too much. But, just listening to my friend talking about her and telling us the events leading to her demise was enough to conclude that her MIL has the purest of souls and the wonderest of hearts. I could feel my friend's pain and sadness despite her being 10,000 miles away from me. I truly felt so so sorry that she and her family (her husband especially) had to endure this. All I wish for is the soothing and healing powers of God to take this pain away and to restore the harmony that exist in their lives once more. Geez...why is it I cannot write so well when whatsapping her then???

Anyway, just wanted to get that out of the way...and off my chest! 

New year, new beginning. I used to be all gung-ho and have all kinds of new year's resolutions, goals, targets, yadda yadda. Not this year. I realised that, it is pointless setting any goals or resolutions of any kind because they just don't work. I'll be all enthusiastic in all of..maybe 7 days then, I will be a wreck again and I will realise ultimately that none of what I set out to achieve, will ever get achieved. So, I decided to stuff it for 2014. In fact, my New Year's resolution is....not to have a resolution? Does that make sense? I have decided to live for the moment, live according to the wind and let my hips sway to the music (whatever music that is). It is my 40-th year and I choose to let loose. 

The kids have grown up...plenty. I am so thankful for them. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for good friends and good neighbours. It isn't always you have neighbours to bring you food when you have nothing in your fridge or when you are just so freaking tired just standing in front of the stove. It isn't always that you have your neighbours rescuing your laundry when the sky pours. It isn't always you get neighbours looking out for your kids. I will miss that for sure. 

As always, new year means new beginning. And, new beginning can encompass anything under the sun. For me, I want to just give thanks to all I have and will embrace whatever comes my way. The ups and downs; the joys and the sorrows. I want to continue on this journey of the unknown, of the suspense. 

Have a Happy 2014! Cheers to great food, great company and most importantly, good health. Peace!  

Her desires

Ash has plenty of desires. But, none includes academics. Ask her to do maths is like asking her to eat poison. It's a good thing we decided against Chinese school. It's the same with reading. Well, we don't really ask her to read. I tried but it didn't work. I would read to her when she couldn't read but I found her looking at pictures rather than wanting to familiarise herself with the words. I even thought that she was dyslexic at one stage. But, it turned out my fears were unfounded. So she couldn't read nor write (except her name) for the longest time. Plus, I think I was a lazy mom who didn't spend enough time reading to her and quickly accepted this doomed state of affairs.

Now that she's 6++, and is able to read quite adequately for a 6++ year old, I am relieved. I don't blame her really cos neither her dad nor I read plenty during our childhood. My dad was horrified that I couldn't read until I was...12? So, I don't expect my girls to be super smart at school. Definitely not in the genes.

In order to fuel her passion for life (no point emphasizing on things they have no interest or just simply lack the aptitude for), we allow her to pick up other skills. One of which is the flute. Why the flute? Frankly, I have no idea. She wants to learn it. I suggested the piano (the basic, right?), and she scoffed at the idea saying "the piano is so huge. I can't bring it anywhere. The flute is small...I can just put it in my pocket...see? easy peasy".

So...what I need to do now is to find a..flute teacher? Where? I was kind of hoping maybe the violin. But, no...it has to be a freaking flute! 

*throws hands up in the air* I give up!.