It's boxing day and both of us chose to go back to work. We've been out of the office since Dec 13.
Me: An, do you want to go school today?
Adik: Yes! Is Abang going to school?
Me: No. Abang has no school. So he will go to Nenek's house
Adik: No! An don't want to go school! ( and he screamed!)
I guess I need to have several convincing reasons come March, June and Sept 2014 school holidays!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
8 Seater Car!
Yes, Abang said he wants to get an 8 seater car when he grows up. Conversations between Abang and his parents:
Abang: When I grow up I want to buy an 8 seater car
Me: That's a big car! Why
Abang: So I can ferry my wife, my two kids and my parents out
Me: Your two kids?!
Abang: Yes. One boy, one girl!
And he is only 6 years old!
Abang: When I grow up I want to buy an 8 seater car
Me: That's a big car! Why
Abang: So I can ferry my wife, my two kids and my parents out
Me: Your two kids?!
Abang: Yes. One boy, one girl!
And he is only 6 years old!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Understanding Abbreviation
Scene: Car ride on the way home
Abang is starting to read fluently and in one of our rides home, he was reading the various signboards.
So he knows that
"Rd" is Road
"St" is Street
"Cl" is Close
He came across "Bt" and he said it's Buttocks.
Great. We live in Buttocks Panjang.
Abang is starting to read fluently and in one of our rides home, he was reading the various signboards.
So he knows that
"Rd" is Road
"St" is Street
"Cl" is Close
He came across "Bt" and he said it's Buttocks.
Great. We live in Buttocks Panjang.
Thursday, October 03, 2013
Welcome to Bad Service!
I've stayed in really nice hotels and I've stayed in Martinez several times now while in Cannes. I am blessed and I am thankful.
Today, after traveling for 18hrs, I was asked to wait for an hour because the hotel room was not ready. And when the room was ready, I asked front desk for my luggage. I was brought to a store room, and I was asked to look for my own luggage! There were like 5000 bags in the room (OK I am exaggerating!! but still!!) and I have to look for mine, on my own! The staff just left me there.
Are you kidding me? ??!!!
That will NEVER happen in Asia. And it wouldn't cost so much per night either.
And my biggest pet peeves - No kettle in the room! urgh.
Today, after traveling for 18hrs, I was asked to wait for an hour because the hotel room was not ready. And when the room was ready, I asked front desk for my luggage. I was brought to a store room, and I was asked to look for my own luggage! There were like 5000 bags in the room (OK I am exaggerating!! but still!!) and I have to look for mine, on my own! The staff just left me there.
Are you kidding me? ??!!!
That will NEVER happen in Asia. And it wouldn't cost so much per night either.
And my biggest pet peeves - No kettle in the room! urgh.
Guilt @ Play!
Every year I do this annual pilgrimage to Cannes. And every year I feel guilty for leaving my kids behind. In fact I feel guilty when I go on long work trips. Period.
Leading up to the travel day, I declare myself supermom - because I want to do everything and anything for my kids and hubby. I would iron and hang up their uniform - Monday to Friday, make sure the fridge and pantry are all stored up with food and snack; rush at work to leave office at a certain time to rush and fetch the kids. And then rush again to play with them and pack my stuff. Half the time, I don't remember what goes into the luggage and start to fret about this and then. It is exhausting! And I have been doing this for the past 7 years, well since I have kids.
I know I am over compensating and while I may sound like I am complaining, most of the times after going through that moment, I ask myself, why did I do that for? Hubby has said it over and over again, they'll be fine and can manage.
Why can't I just take it as that and learn to relax?
Leading up to the travel day, I declare myself supermom - because I want to do everything and anything for my kids and hubby. I would iron and hang up their uniform - Monday to Friday, make sure the fridge and pantry are all stored up with food and snack; rush at work to leave office at a certain time to rush and fetch the kids. And then rush again to play with them and pack my stuff. Half the time, I don't remember what goes into the luggage and start to fret about this and then. It is exhausting! And I have been doing this for the past 7 years, well since I have kids.
I know I am over compensating and while I may sound like I am complaining, most of the times after going through that moment, I ask myself, why did I do that for? Hubby has said it over and over again, they'll be fine and can manage.
Why can't I just take it as that and learn to relax?
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Something cold
We were at walking along Orchard Road.
Abang saw an ad that reads "Ice Cold Beer"
Abang said to me "Mama, I want to drink ice cold biiiirrrr"
I was stumped and so was hubby.
It took us a few seconds to react and then went into an explanation.
Abang saw an ad that reads "Ice Cold Beer"
Abang said to me "Mama, I want to drink ice cold biiiirrrr"
I was stumped and so was hubby.
It took us a few seconds to react and then went into an explanation.
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
A Stranger in My Homeland
At Ngee Ann City.
In one of the boutiques ...
Sunday afternoon. I am in my tudung, came straight from religious class.
Me: Ok, I'll take this.
Sales Person (SP, Singaporean): I'll wrap this up for you
Me at the payment counter.
SP: How would you like to settle your bill?
Me: Here
SP: Can I get your passport please?
Me: Huh? ( I know it's for GST refund purposes but was surprised by the request nonetheless)
SP: You are Indonesian right?
Just so you know, this is the second time the same episode happened to me. The first one was in Paragon.
====================================================================
At NTUC, Clementi Mall
Buying diapers for my son
Sales Person - let's call him Abang
Abang: excuse me excuse me...
Me: turned to look and smile
Abang: You may want to get 2 packs... there is a discount
Me: oh
Abang: Yes, it's so much cheaper.... you Melayu or not Malay.
Me: laugh. Saya orang Melayu lah bang...
Abang: hah, tu lah. Tak tahu nak cakap Melayu atau Inggeris. Murah dik, can save $12.
Me: Terimakasih. Rezeki saya :)
I think Abang paiseh
======================================================================
But when I travel out of my homeland....
In Indonesia, the cab drivers think I am from Surabaya. I was told ladies from Surabaya are very pretty. Makasih ya, Mas.../ Pak...
When I travel in KL, I like to use the word "kot" and "kan". Very Malaysian some say. They think I am a KL-lite. But once they hear me speak in English, they know I am Singaporean. Aksyen sikit according to one of my good friends. Geez..
When I am in Manila, the taxi drivers speak to me in Tagalog. When I tell them I am not pinoy or don't understand the language, they think I am lying. Does saying "kanan", "bigas", "kanena" acceptable??
And when I am in Thailand, I become bloody coy because the Thais talk about me openly in their language and all I have to do is smile and try to speak gently... ala Thai people!
In one of the boutiques ...
Sunday afternoon. I am in my tudung, came straight from religious class.
Me: Ok, I'll take this.
Sales Person (SP, Singaporean): I'll wrap this up for you
Me at the payment counter.
SP: How would you like to settle your bill?
Me: Here
SP: Can I get your passport please?
Me: Huh? ( I know it's for GST refund purposes but was surprised by the request nonetheless)
SP: You are Indonesian right?
Just so you know, this is the second time the same episode happened to me. The first one was in Paragon.
====================================================================
At NTUC, Clementi Mall
Buying diapers for my son
Sales Person - let's call him Abang
Abang: excuse me excuse me...
Me: turned to look and smile
Abang: You may want to get 2 packs... there is a discount
Me: oh
Abang: Yes, it's so much cheaper.... you Melayu or not Malay.
Me: laugh. Saya orang Melayu lah bang...
Abang: hah, tu lah. Tak tahu nak cakap Melayu atau Inggeris. Murah dik, can save $12.
Me: Terimakasih. Rezeki saya :)
I think Abang paiseh
======================================================================
But when I travel out of my homeland....
In Indonesia, the cab drivers think I am from Surabaya. I was told ladies from Surabaya are very pretty. Makasih ya, Mas.../ Pak...
When I travel in KL, I like to use the word "kot" and "kan". Very Malaysian some say. They think I am a KL-lite. But once they hear me speak in English, they know I am Singaporean. Aksyen sikit according to one of my good friends. Geez..
When I am in Manila, the taxi drivers speak to me in Tagalog. When I tell them I am not pinoy or don't understand the language, they think I am lying. Does saying "kanan", "bigas", "kanena" acceptable??
And when I am in Thailand, I become bloody coy because the Thais talk about me openly in their language and all I have to do is smile and try to speak gently... ala Thai people!
Sunday, March 03, 2013
Bahasa Melayu Meets Mandarin
I remembered telling Abang in various conversations/ situations that lying is not good and berdosa.
On our way home, I took a wrong turn and when he asked I said I wanted to introduce him to a new route.
He said "Mama, putosa tau kalau bohong!"
Me: Putosa?? Apa tu?
Abang: Putosa lah... Allah marah kalau cakap bohong!
Me: Leerrr.... it's BERDOSA! Not Putosa!
He Listens
In a car ride with Abang one day I told him that I am getting older each day and would he look after me when he's older.
Abang: of course lah mama. I will buy a house next to yours if not in the same block
Me: *smiling* awww... do you really want to do that?
I went on to say that it's important to help your parents money when you start work. It does not have to be a big sum but a small token is good too. Dapat berkat. Gave him examples of how my late father would send money every month to my grandma in Penang, how both me and hubby contribute to our own moms today.
He was silent and then he said -
Abang: I want to give "yoyot" (great grandma) money when I see her
Me: huh "yoyot"?
Him: Yeah, you say must help old people right and Yoyot is old
Me: OK. How much do you want to give
Him: I have $120 you know
Me: So much? Where did you get that from
Him: Nenek and Nyai lah. for my birthday. I think I'll give yoyot $100
Me: $100!! So much?
Him: Yeah. I don't need that much now.
Me: Speechless
====================================================================
Abang: of course lah mama. I will buy a house next to yours if not in the same block
Me: *smiling* awww... do you really want to do that?
I went on to say that it's important to help your parents money when you start work. It does not have to be a big sum but a small token is good too. Dapat berkat. Gave him examples of how my late father would send money every month to my grandma in Penang, how both me and hubby contribute to our own moms today.
He was silent and then he said -
Abang: I want to give "yoyot" (great grandma) money when I see her
Me: huh "yoyot"?
Him: Yeah, you say must help old people right and Yoyot is old
Me: OK. How much do you want to give
Him: I have $120 you know
Me: So much? Where did you get that from
Him: Nenek and Nyai lah. for my birthday. I think I'll give yoyot $100
Me: $100!! So much?
Him: Yeah. I don't need that much now.
Me: Speechless
====================================================================
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Traffic Traffic Traffic Everywhere Everyday!
I know. Everyone complains about traffic and I am no different! 90mins to get home! That's not the first time it happened!
I drive pass 2 ERP gantries everyday, pay my roadtax, COE and I make an effort to leave home early, and yet, I am caught in traffic almost everyday. Seriously, ALL the measures to curb traffic FAIL BIG TIME! I continue to get penalized for policies that do not work!
And they recently announced 40-50% downpayment - depending on your OMV. What are they doing to solve the current traffic jams on the road? Having a car may not necessarily be a luxury for some people/ family. It's a necessity. I really pity the newly weds and those with young families - how can they now afford to buy a car in future? And the old folks who have been driving all their lives, they too probably can't afford to get a new car once the COE to their current car expires!
Everytime when I travel to Jakarta, Bangkok or even Malaysia, I keep telling myself that I should be thankful the roads in Singapore are a lot better - even with traffic we can still make it to work on time. I am beginning to think otherwise now. Recently I noticed that I use traffic as a reason for being late. I get SMS messages from staff telling me they will be in late because they are caught in traffic or they just cannot get a cab.
I drive pass 2 ERP gantries everyday, pay my roadtax, COE and I make an effort to leave home early, and yet, I am caught in traffic almost everyday. Seriously, ALL the measures to curb traffic FAIL BIG TIME! I continue to get penalized for policies that do not work!
And they recently announced 40-50% downpayment - depending on your OMV. What are they doing to solve the current traffic jams on the road? Having a car may not necessarily be a luxury for some people/ family. It's a necessity. I really pity the newly weds and those with young families - how can they now afford to buy a car in future? And the old folks who have been driving all their lives, they too probably can't afford to get a new car once the COE to their current car expires!
Everytime when I travel to Jakarta, Bangkok or even Malaysia, I keep telling myself that I should be thankful the roads in Singapore are a lot better - even with traffic we can still make it to work on time. I am beginning to think otherwise now. Recently I noticed that I use traffic as a reason for being late. I get SMS messages from staff telling me they will be in late because they are caught in traffic or they just cannot get a cab.
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