Of Special Needs and Mainstream
A scary incident happened to Isabelle on Sunday evening. We had just taken dinner and were at Country Brot bakery to get mini buns for their quick bites on Monday. Isabelle stood behind me after deciding what she wanted to get, I was about to head towards that tray when I heard a very loud scream and incessant crying. I turned my head behind and it was Isabelle wailing. A boy (probably about 13 years old) had grabbed her handbag that she had slung across her body. She was shocked by this action of his and her strap snapped. The boy's father who was just behind him had grabbed onto the boy, and James was standing very near her and so we were really lucky that James witnessed the incident and managed to step in immediately. He grabbed onto the father and son, and stood between them and Isabelle. By the time everything registered in my brain and I went over to Isabelle, the boy and his father were standing at the other corner. The boy was in shock and he was beaten by his father. My daughter was wailing uncontrollably and I hugged her really tightly. She could not stop crying and I was at a loss, I didn't know what to do other than hug her tight and told her everything is ok now. It took a very long time for her to stop crying, or maybe it seemed like time had paused itself and it was a very heart aching moment for me. Onlookers were around us, all trying to figure out what had happened, and by then the boy and his father were nowhere to be seen. I teared too, I couldn't help it, my heart was all scrunched up from the tears that were on my blouse. After Isabelle finally calmed down did I feel a bit better.
I felt bad for the father and son. I believe the son had no malicious thought, it was probably an OCD trait in him that he had to snap the knot on her sling bag. I am not totally sure if this was the reason why he did that to Isabelle, but all I know is that he looked really scared when I saw him standing at the corner with his Dad. His father beat him really hard and pulled him away harshly whilst apologizing to us. I felt sorry that my daughter reacted in this manner and at the same time upset that it happened to my daughter. But I am sure the father had tried his best to make sure his son is within sight and touch at all times and I hope the boy will get better and things will improve for their family. How many a times do we look at such children through our coloured lenses and eyes? I am sure it isn't easy for the family to get by emotionally on a day-to-day basis and they are all trying their best to cope. The next time I have such an enounter, I want to make sure I do not over-react or judge the family, instead I want to give them a smile and if I muster the courage to do so, give the parents a pat on their back and tell them they have done well.
Aloha! Zooming into the year 2018!
Aloha! It's been a whopping 8 years since I last blogged! I have gone from a FTWM to one baby girl to a SAHM to a 9YO girl and 7YO boy in the 8 years that had passed! Having said that, the journey to being a SAHM came by chance. Here comes a quick summary of what has happened over the last 8 years (hopefully I get to complete them in one post).
In May 2010, I switched companies - from a German firm to an USA firm. From doing Air account management to doing Ocean pricing. A totally new job scope and new challenges awaited me in the new role. Within the years that I was there, I was given new challenges and took up a supervisory role to a team of customer service, gateway and pricing officers, and was even given the opportunity to travel overseas for business trips twice. It was indeed a very fulfilling 5 years for me. In Dec 2015, I made a very big decision to resign and to be a SAHM to my 2 growing up children. It was something that I have always wished for, and what spurred me to finally throw the letter and be financially dependent on my husband was a long story. I had worked really hard during the 5 years with the company, however I hadn't done that "suck up" thing which led to me being left behind in a promotion, and having the "not boss yet but acts like a boss already" person to come and command me and "teach" me how to do my work was the last straw. And my mgmt told me to give "her" the support and my time will come. Oh well, sorry but I really can't bring myself to work under her, and since this happened at a time that my daughter would be starting primary school the following year, everything seemed to fall in place nicely, and my decision was made. And so, with the support from my husband, I have been a SAHM for coming 3 years now!
And now all that I am busy with daily are my children, husband and the house we call home.
Thots of being a parent..
Am blogging from my phone! Isn't this phone handy? I get to surf net n stay connected regardless of where I am.
My baby turned 7 months old yesterday. It's been a long and short 7 months I would say. Long coz it's 7 months (ya, and many more to come). Short coz I felt that the time passed without me really noticing it. It was like just moments ago I lugged my heavily rounded stomach everywhere I go, and now she is sleeping next to me, with her softly breathing n smelly head right in front of my nose.
I have enjoyed the past 7 months with her (and counting) and I cannot imagine what my life is like without this bub. She makes me look forward to going home each day, and chases away all the unhappiness I had experienced at work, all with a cheerful smile and loud giggles.
Though I am a little sad I cannot be a sahm and be with her 24/7, I am glad in another way coz work does help me keep my sanity (and sometimes makes me insane!) and not forgetting the moolahs. That's why my weekends and after office hours are always dedicated to my precious baby. I want to spend all my time with her, she is my life now.
Some friends may not understand (though they claim they understand) why after being parents, many have to forgo a lot of "me" time. And the moment you decide you want to be a parent, that's when the sacrifices start. No, I wouldn't call them sacrifices, coz I forgo such stuffs willingly. I dun feel that I'm sacrificing for my little bub. I love my baby, she is all that I'm looking forward to everyday!
Some afterthots of Alicia's Wedding...
My one and only little sister has gotten married yesterday. I am very happy for her and at the same time feeling a bit down.
Of all the sisters, she and I are the closest in age gap. We hated number 2 together coz she was the one who made mummy cry the most and always gossip about number 2 secretly without letting our parents know. We were not very close to number 1 coz of the age difference. So number 3 (me) and number 4 grew up together. We used to be very close, until I had a boyfriend. Until now I still do feel guilty towards her at times, for drifting away after having a boyfriend. She turned to her friends and we drifted even further. But of coz we are still sisters and we love each other. At least for me, I do.
After seeing her get married yesterday, I really felt very sad. My only little sister has grown up and is now the wife of someone. She has always been the baby of the family, always needing someone to pick up the pieces after her, take care of her, worry about her, tidy up after her, clean up after her etc. Now she is the wife of her hubby, a daughter-in-law to her husband's mum (who looks very mean to me), and sister-in-law to her husband's sister. She is now part of someone else's family, no longer just our family.
I did not help her much for her wedding coz I have my own baggage. All I did was to offer her advices (plus lots of naggings) and a listening ear when we discuss about her wedding plans etc. Thinking back, I feel that I have not been a really good sister IMO. I felt that her wedding was decided too hastily and din feel that they were well prepared.
The past few weeks I have been like nagging at her day in day out to tidy her stuffs and pack her clothes. Reason was that I think she feels that she still has a lot of time and all she did when she wakes up is to play games, then go meet her used-to-be boyfriend, come home in the wee hours, and did nothing at all to help my mum to prepare the house for her big day. And now that she has moved out, I feel very sad. Looking at the very tidy room, I actually miss my little sister. Although she was seldom at home before getting married, it just feels very different now.
I was a wee bit teary when she had her solemnization, it was a quiet affair at the restuarant, attended by only immediate family members and her closest friends. Watching her sign on that line, exchanging rings, and saying her vow gave me many mixed emotions again - happy, sad, blissful, worried...
I did not feel this way when number 2 or 1 got married. Number 1 got married when I was still go young, and wasn't very attached to her. Number 2 had not been staying with us since I was 10 years old, and of coz din feel much. But for this little sister of mine, I felt as though I was marrying my daughter off yesterday. Yesterday afternoon after the whole morning event is over and everyone's left, I asked my mum how she is feeling. She in turn asked me back. I told her I feel very sad. She told me she is also very sad and she had cried the night before. Talking about it makes me all teary again.
I just wish and hope that my little sister will be able to fulfil the duties and expectations of a good daughter-in-law, and be spared of any M/DIL conflicts, be very happy staying with her in-laws and be doted on by her husband and lead a very blissful life.
1st Post in 2010
The new year is here, and I would like to start by shouting..
HAPPY NEW YEAR! :D
Today is my Daddy's birthday.. I was just counting how old we are this year.. Tears came to my eyes when I realised that my Dad is already 61 years old, and my Mum is 66.. 4 more years and my Mum is going to hit 70.. When my parents hit 60 years old, I din feel that they were very old.. But when it comes to 70, it dawned upon me that 70 is like so old, the kind of age where they should have retired and be enjoying life.
I really hope that my parents will live long enough to see my baby grow up and get married.. And when I think that my parents are going to be 70 in another few years time, I feel very guilty for being so unhappy with my Mum regarding the way to take care of Isabelle, and I feel guilty for ignoring my Dad sometimes. I feel unfilial that until now I have yet to sponsor them for any good overseas trip.
For 2010, all I wish for is health and happiness for my family, especially my parents. That is all that matters, isn't it?
Goodbye Year 2009... Welcome 2010!!
Wow, tomorrow is the last day of 2009. Time flies. 2009 flew by very quickly, and now I am trying to recall how I spent the whole year.
Basically I cannot recall anything else other than my whole pregnancy and the birth of my baby. No significant happenings at work (read: no promotion and no increment due to economic downturn) other than the retrenchment and the super duper tuang queen's absence from work for a whole 3 months (?). Family wise, also nothing. Friends wise, also nothing! Hahahaha
For Year 2010, I hope to be a better person - a more diligent person at work and at home, a dutiful wife who makes the effort to iron my husband's clothes, a less gossipy person at work, a more caring and hardworking mother to my baby Isabelle, a more 'efforty' person to my friends, a more patient colleague to everyone in the office, a better tempered colleague to the unreasonable / slow / irritating / unhygienic ones, a less grouchy person to everyone, a less spendthrift person and most importantly a gentler and loving woman to my husband.
For 2010, I wish I can have more - more money, more time, more sleep, more beauty, more health, more happiness, more friends, more patience, more room in my heart and more love.
Will I be able to fulfil all the above? I seriously have doubts in myself, but I shall try to be a better person in the year 2010!
Wedding Anniversary Count Down
One year ago this day I started my wedding leave to do some last minute preparations for my wedding on 5th December. Today, I am on maternity leave, sitting at home, watching my girl fall asleep. One year later today, wad will I be busy with? Watching 2 kids fall asleep? Wahahahha.. No way.
It is 2 days to my 1st wedding anniversary. I have yet to think of a gift for my beloved. Yet to plan how we can celebrate that day (in style?). Yet to think of what gift I would like to have. It's going to be a 3-in-1 present - my push present (or rather my cut up present), my wedding anniversary gift and X'mas present all in one. So does that mean I should have something more expensive? Any suggestions?
Of Special Needs and Mainstream
A scary incident happened to Isabelle on Sunday evening. We had just taken dinner and were at Country Brot bakery to get mini buns for their quick bites on Monday. Isabelle stood behind me after deciding what she wanted to get, I was about to head towards that tray when I heard a very loud scream and incessant crying. I turned my head behind and it was Isabelle wailing. A boy (probably about 13 years old) had grabbed her handbag that she had slung across her body. She was shocked by this action of his and her strap snapped. The boy's father who was just behind him had grabbed onto the boy, and James was standing very near her and so we were really lucky that James witnessed the incident and managed to step in immediately. He grabbed onto the father and son, and stood between them and Isabelle. By the time everything registered in my brain and I went over to Isabelle, the boy and his father were standing at the other corner. The boy was in shock and he was beaten by his father. My daughter was wailing uncontrollably and I hugged her really tightly. She could not stop crying and I was at a loss, I didn't know what to do other than hug her tight and told her everything is ok now. It took a very long time for her to stop crying, or maybe it seemed like time had paused itself and it was a very heart aching moment for me. Onlookers were around us, all trying to figure out what had happened, and by then the boy and his father were nowhere to be seen. I teared too, I couldn't help it, my heart was all scrunched up from the tears that were on my blouse. After Isabelle finally calmed down did I feel a bit better.
I felt bad for the father and son. I believe the son had no malicious thought, it was probably an OCD trait in him that he had to snap the knot on her sling bag. I am not totally sure if this was the reason why he did that to Isabelle, but all I know is that he looked really scared when I saw him standing at the corner with his Dad. His father beat him really hard and pulled him away harshly whilst apologizing to us. I felt sorry that my daughter reacted in this manner and at the same time upset that it happened to my daughter. But I am sure the father had tried his best to make sure his son is within sight and touch at all times and I hope the boy will get better and things will improve for their family. How many a times do we look at such children through our coloured lenses and eyes? I am sure it isn't easy for the family to get by emotionally on a day-to-day basis and they are all trying their best to cope. The next time I have such an enounter, I want to make sure I do not over-react or judge the family, instead I want to give them a smile and if I muster the courage to do so, give the parents a pat on their back and tell them they have done well.
Aloha! Zooming into the year 2018!
Aloha! It's been a whopping 8 years since I last blogged! I have gone from a FTWM to one baby girl to a SAHM to a 9YO girl and 7YO boy in the 8 years that had passed! Having said that, the journey to being a SAHM came by chance. Here comes a quick summary of what has happened over the last 8 years (hopefully I get to complete them in one post).
In May 2010, I switched companies - from a German firm to an USA firm. From doing Air account management to doing Ocean pricing. A totally new job scope and new challenges awaited me in the new role. Within the years that I was there, I was given new challenges and took up a supervisory role to a team of customer service, gateway and pricing officers, and was even given the opportunity to travel overseas for business trips twice. It was indeed a very fulfilling 5 years for me. In Dec 2015, I made a very big decision to resign and to be a SAHM to my 2 growing up children. It was something that I have always wished for, and what spurred me to finally throw the letter and be financially dependent on my husband was a long story. I had worked really hard during the 5 years with the company, however I hadn't done that "suck up" thing which led to me being left behind in a promotion, and having the "not boss yet but acts like a boss already" person to come and command me and "teach" me how to do my work was the last straw. And my mgmt told me to give "her" the support and my time will come. Oh well, sorry but I really can't bring myself to work under her, and since this happened at a time that my daughter would be starting primary school the following year, everything seemed to fall in place nicely, and my decision was made. And so, with the support from my husband, I have been a SAHM for coming 3 years now!
And now all that I am busy with daily are my children, husband and the house we call home.
Thots of being a parent..
Am blogging from my phone! Isn't this phone handy? I get to surf net n stay connected regardless of where I am.
My baby turned 7 months old yesterday. It's been a long and short 7 months I would say. Long coz it's 7 months (ya, and many more to come). Short coz I felt that the time passed without me really noticing it. It was like just moments ago I lugged my heavily rounded stomach everywhere I go, and now she is sleeping next to me, with her softly breathing n smelly head right in front of my nose.
I have enjoyed the past 7 months with her (and counting) and I cannot imagine what my life is like without this bub. She makes me look forward to going home each day, and chases away all the unhappiness I had experienced at work, all with a cheerful smile and loud giggles.
Though I am a little sad I cannot be a sahm and be with her 24/7, I am glad in another way coz work does help me keep my sanity (and sometimes makes me insane!) and not forgetting the moolahs. That's why my weekends and after office hours are always dedicated to my precious baby. I want to spend all my time with her, she is my life now.
Some friends may not understand (though they claim they understand) why after being parents, many have to forgo a lot of "me" time. And the moment you decide you want to be a parent, that's when the sacrifices start. No, I wouldn't call them sacrifices, coz I forgo such stuffs willingly. I dun feel that I'm sacrificing for my little bub. I love my baby, she is all that I'm looking forward to everyday!
Some afterthots of Alicia's Wedding...
My one and only little sister has gotten married yesterday. I am very happy for her and at the same time feeling a bit down.
Of all the sisters, she and I are the closest in age gap. We hated number 2 together coz she was the one who made mummy cry the most and always gossip about number 2 secretly without letting our parents know. We were not very close to number 1 coz of the age difference. So number 3 (me) and number 4 grew up together. We used to be very close, until I had a boyfriend. Until now I still do feel guilty towards her at times, for drifting away after having a boyfriend. She turned to her friends and we drifted even further. But of coz we are still sisters and we love each other. At least for me, I do.
After seeing her get married yesterday, I really felt very sad. My only little sister has grown up and is now the wife of someone. She has always been the baby of the family, always needing someone to pick up the pieces after her, take care of her, worry about her, tidy up after her, clean up after her etc. Now she is the wife of her hubby, a daughter-in-law to her husband's mum (who looks very mean to me), and sister-in-law to her husband's sister. She is now part of someone else's family, no longer just our family.
I did not help her much for her wedding coz I have my own baggage. All I did was to offer her advices (plus lots of naggings) and a listening ear when we discuss about her wedding plans etc. Thinking back, I feel that I have not been a really good sister IMO. I felt that her wedding was decided too hastily and din feel that they were well prepared.
The past few weeks I have been like nagging at her day in day out to tidy her stuffs and pack her clothes. Reason was that I think she feels that she still has a lot of time and all she did when she wakes up is to play games, then go meet her used-to-be boyfriend, come home in the wee hours, and did nothing at all to help my mum to prepare the house for her big day. And now that she has moved out, I feel very sad. Looking at the very tidy room, I actually miss my little sister. Although she was seldom at home before getting married, it just feels very different now.
I was a wee bit teary when she had her solemnization, it was a quiet affair at the restuarant, attended by only immediate family members and her closest friends. Watching her sign on that line, exchanging rings, and saying her vow gave me many mixed emotions again - happy, sad, blissful, worried...
I did not feel this way when number 2 or 1 got married. Number 1 got married when I was still go young, and wasn't very attached to her. Number 2 had not been staying with us since I was 10 years old, and of coz din feel much. But for this little sister of mine, I felt as though I was marrying my daughter off yesterday. Yesterday afternoon after the whole morning event is over and everyone's left, I asked my mum how she is feeling. She in turn asked me back. I told her I feel very sad. She told me she is also very sad and she had cried the night before. Talking about it makes me all teary again.
I just wish and hope that my little sister will be able to fulfil the duties and expectations of a good daughter-in-law, and be spared of any M/DIL conflicts, be very happy staying with her in-laws and be doted on by her husband and lead a very blissful life.
1st Post in 2010
The new year is here, and I would like to start by shouting..
HAPPY NEW YEAR! :D
Today is my Daddy's birthday.. I was just counting how old we are this year.. Tears came to my eyes when I realised that my Dad is already 61 years old, and my Mum is 66.. 4 more years and my Mum is going to hit 70.. When my parents hit 60 years old, I din feel that they were very old.. But when it comes to 70, it dawned upon me that 70 is like so old, the kind of age where they should have retired and be enjoying life.
I really hope that my parents will live long enough to see my baby grow up and get married.. And when I think that my parents are going to be 70 in another few years time, I feel very guilty for being so unhappy with my Mum regarding the way to take care of Isabelle, and I feel guilty for ignoring my Dad sometimes. I feel unfilial that until now I have yet to sponsor them for any good overseas trip.
For 2010, all I wish for is health and happiness for my family, especially my parents. That is all that matters, isn't it?
Goodbye Year 2009... Welcome 2010!!
Wow, tomorrow is the last day of 2009. Time flies. 2009 flew by very quickly, and now I am trying to recall how I spent the whole year.
Basically I cannot recall anything else other than my whole pregnancy and the birth of my baby. No significant happenings at work (read: no promotion and no increment due to economic downturn) other than the retrenchment and the super duper tuang queen's absence from work for a whole 3 months (?). Family wise, also nothing. Friends wise, also nothing! Hahahaha
For Year 2010, I hope to be a better person - a more diligent person at work and at home, a dutiful wife who makes the effort to iron my husband's clothes, a less gossipy person at work, a more caring and hardworking mother to my baby Isabelle, a more 'efforty' person to my friends, a more patient colleague to everyone in the office, a better tempered colleague to the unreasonable / slow / irritating / unhygienic ones, a less grouchy person to everyone, a less spendthrift person and most importantly a gentler and loving woman to my husband.
For 2010, I wish I can have more - more money, more time, more sleep, more beauty, more health, more happiness, more friends, more patience, more room in my heart and more love.
Will I be able to fulfil all the above? I seriously have doubts in myself, but I shall try to be a better person in the year 2010!
Wedding Anniversary Count Down
One year ago this day I started my wedding leave to do some last minute preparations for my wedding on 5th December. Today, I am on maternity leave, sitting at home, watching my girl fall asleep. One year later today, wad will I be busy with? Watching 2 kids fall asleep? Wahahahha.. No way.
It is 2 days to my 1st wedding anniversary. I have yet to think of a gift for my beloved. Yet to plan how we can celebrate that day (in style?). Yet to think of what gift I would like to have. It's going to be a 3-in-1 present - my push present (or rather my cut up present), my wedding anniversary gift and X'mas present all in one. So does that mean I should have something more expensive? Any suggestions?
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I love to shop and travel, indulge in spas, massages, manicures and pedicures.. I loathe doing the housework, being nagged at, back-stabbers, irritating and irresponsible colleagues, unhygienic and inconsiderate assholes.
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