Only 7 more days

... to the end of the school year, and my baby will be moving on to Primary school!!

How time flies.

It seemed like only recently when she started pre-school, but now it is only a few more play days left before she goes into the proper school system.

She is not looking forward to it. It must be because she has seen how I stress her brother up to study and do his work! Ok, I am partly to blame.

She dreads the thought of having to go to a school that doesnt have a play ground. Having to wake up super early and not having mum to herself in the mornings is just not something she looks forward to. Coupled with tests and exams on the cards, and long school days, tell me which kid would enjoy school!!

So I am now trying my best to change my little one's impression of "BIG" school. I told her that her brother and sister loves the first day of school. They get to meet their old friends, and make new ones. And it is true, my son told me:

"I love the first day of school. But it would be better if it weren't followed by the second day of school, and the third day of school, and then the fourth day of school . . ." @_@

Have a great weekend ahead! and to all Hindu readers: "Happy Deepavali!"

Brave Heart

Yes, today is the day the little Brave heart goes in for her 2nd heart operation.

Please join me in praying for a successful operation and her speedy recovery.

Getting Cold feet

As we make our final arrangements for our year end vacation, I am getting cold feet. Why?

Because, we will be staying with a friend!!

She was a school mate of mine in secondary school, that's some 30 years ago. We were very good chums, all part of a group of 7 girls that did many things together. We watched movies together, did vacation jobs together, went to each others home, stayed at the chalets together, basically hung out together.

But after school, we went our separate ways. I didnt quite get to know her husband, as she got married whilst I was living abroad. After we came back, we re-connected, but our jobs and family commitments hardly gave us much time to spend together.

She migrated 2 years ago, and every time she is back in Singapore, we do meet up for a meal and some gossips. BUT this time I will be staying with her for a whole week, AND with my family on top of that!!

Well, when she heard that we were travelling to where she was, she sort of insisted that we stay with her, and I agreed, coz ... I thought it would be good to be able to catch up with her, and ... think of all those savings in hotel accommodation!! Also, I thought I might offend her if I said no. In addition, her twin sister and our group of friends thought that it would be wonderful if I did stay with her. She had said that since her son was doing his National service over here, and there's only she and her husband in the home, their home was getting very quiet, and they could do with some company. And when she said that she had two spare bedrooms, which was just right for my family, I succumbed.

But now I worry:
What if we find that after all these years of not being so close, we now have nothing to talk about?? Especially we would have to chat EVERY night, right??
What if my kids misbehave whilst in her home?
What if we have nothing to say to her husband?
What if she only asked us out of courtesy?
What if ....

... there are so many more what ifs!!!

Now you know why I am getting cold feet???!!??

What makes a successful marriage?

This was a topic on a radio show a few mornings ago.

There were suggestions such as the ability to forgive, compatibility, and not going to bed angry by some radio listeners.

Experts seem to think that successful married couples should keep their individuality, should get their deal straight (ie lay out their terms before marriage), keeping each other "centre stage", learn to dissolve conflict, must keep the lust alive, etc.

Whilst it is true, sometimes you never know what life is going to hand you. You may get a "screwball" when you least expect it, and then what happens? It wasnt in your pre-nup?

I am no expert, still learning along the way.

Which brings me to this story I once heard:

An elderly widowed woman was invited to dinner at her old friend's home. She noticed that every time her friend addressed her husband, she would start with a term of endearment: honey, darling, sweetheart, sugar bear, etc.

When the husband when into the kitchen to get the desserts, she said to her friend: "A, I am amazed at how loving you are with your husband. Even after 50 years of marriage you are addressing him so lovingly. He must love it. Is that the secret to your successful marriage?"

A replied: "To tell you the truth, I actually forgot that grumpy old man's name some 10 years ago!!"

So I think for a successful marriage, you definitely need: a good sense of humour and a poor memory.

Care to share what you think?

It's not spring

.... but the flowers are blooming. Yes! We do not have the 4 seasons on this sunny island. It's summer all year round. Recently we have had nothing but hot, hot weather coupled with some haze courtesy of our tree burning neighbors. So I was really surprised when I saw some pretty blooms in my garden. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.





Sorry, but I dont know what flowers are called except for the last one which is an orchid.

Two days ago, when I was showering lil D she drew my attention to something in the bathroom, and I immediately thought of Stardust. So Stardust, this specially for you:

Busy, busy days ahead

The exams are over for one child. In fact the grades have already been back. Did very well for those subjects she loves, and pretty average grades for all the rest. What can I say? Practise, practise, practise! For math that is!! I cant understand why the kids dont understand that Math is a subject where you can score full marks for! All you have to do is practise. it is NOT one where you study for it. I guess, you can tell I aced my math papers when I was in school. And all of that was thru practise. It is a waste if you dont score close to a perfect score for math. So, if you are a school going child, and reading my blog - go practise your math.

Ok, now that I have gotten that out of my system, it is exam week for my second child. Cant wait for the middle of next week to be here, coz thats when it will all be over, and we can all go celebrate, play, party, have fun. It has been a grueling 4 terms this year!

It is also graduation concert week for the youngest, and we are all looking forward to the concert!

You may be pleased to know that its all systems go for her "birthday" party too! It will be one month early, but so what!! Its going to be a dance party! Everybody can then let down their hair and boogie!!

So, this control freak is now trying to get things all ready for that P-A-R-T-Y!! Party favours, games, food, decor, prizes and ermm ... did I miss out anything? Oh yes! Prayer ... for fine weather on that day!

So, have a great week ahead! I know I will be busy, busy, busy till then!

God works in his own time

Yes, we cant rush things, God works in his own time, and he has his plan all mapped out. Any praying, pleading, etc, wont change his timing of things.

But, I am the impatient sort. I want things done according to my schedule. I am at times a control freak. But God still doesnt work that way. He's probably testing me.

People have told me that sometimes we just have to "Seize the day", and "Just do it".

Should I? or should I not?

Is God waiting to see how I handle the situation? How far I will go?

Take things into my own hands and do it?

I dont know. Just praying for a sign to tell me the course of action I should be taking. I am now taking the "wait and see" decision.

Well, it's friday, and I know someone is expecting some joke from me. But how to marry it with what I have just written? I dont know. Anyway, I do know I saw a diamond necklace that I so want. So, I prayed and asked God for it. But I know God doesn't work that way. So should I be stealing one and ask for forgiveness?

Have a great weekend!