A crab? - Tough exterior, soft and tender inside

The teacher I heard most about from my daughter during the first couple of weeks of school was her English teacher, Mrs T. She kept telling me that she was very strict, fierce and demanding. She had class rules, she laid out her expectations from day 1 and kept reminding them.

So, when the day of the parents' briefing rolled around, I kept a look out for Mrs T. Though I have had 2 other children go to that school, I have not heard of this teacher before.

Just my luck, she did the briefing for English for the whole standard even though that is usually done by the Head of Department. A small petite teacher. She has very clear in covering what was expected of the students and the changes to the syllabus.

When we broke up into our class groups, I took the opportunity to engage her about my daughter, and she came across as very business-like. Other mums whom I spoke to that morning too confirmed that their children had mentioned that she was very fierce and strict.

The day before D went in for her infusion, I e-mailed her teachers regarding her absence from school, and requested for D to be briefed on the school and homework she would miss.

Mrs T was the only teacher who replied to my email. She replied to say that she hoped that it was nothing serious. That alerted me to the fact that D's form teacher had not briefed the other teachers of D's condition. I briefly replied explaining D's medical condition to her.  She then came back with a barrage of questions including how she could help and her concern. I then responded and outlined to her my requests that I had forwarded to the form teacher previously regarding D's condition and what needed to be done.

She did not reply to my last email to her.

Yesterday, after school when D came out, the first thing she told me was: Mrs T carried my bags for me to class this morning!!

She had searched D out before assembly and helped her out with her heavy school bag. (One of my requests was for the school to allow me to help D with bringing her school bag to class when it was heavy, but I did not get approval for that as classroom areas are restricted to students and school staff only for security reasons.)

Many of D's classmates were shocked. The fiercest teacher carrying D's school bag for her. They even shared this piece of information with those who did not witness it!! It was class news!!

I then reminded D that she had to  thank Mrs T every time she helped her out. I further reminded her that Mrs T needed to be strict in order to maintain order in class. She laid out her best expectations as she wanted her students to do well. She was a tough teacher with a soft heart. The best kind, I must say!

I tell you, Mrs T must be a Cancerian - one with a tough exterior but are really soft and tender inside.

I must say, what she did really touched me. I feel more at ease now, as I know that there is someone looking out for my D's safety whilst in school!

Thanks Mrs T. You are a GEM!!

Are you OK?

It happened 2 days in a row.

When they were drawing blood from D, the nurses turned to me and asked me: Mummy, are you ok?

Of course, I am ok! I am not the one being poked!!

And on another note: Why do they all call me D's mummy? They jolly well know her full name. Why don't they just call me Mrs A?

8 weeks

8 weeks have gone by since D's first pamidronate infusion

She is due for her next one end of this week.

Not sure how her bones have strengthened since the last infusion. We wouldn't know for sure until she takes her next bone mineral density test and my guess is that it wont be done until October, a year from her last.

But on the Vitamin D front, she is still Vit D deficient.

She has been on Vit D supplements (2000 IUs a day) for close to 3 months and yet there is no improvement.

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for enhancin intestinal absorption of calcium phosphate (Source: Wikipedia)

They are not sure why even with the supplements she is still deficient. However, they are unwilling to increase her supplementary intake ... yet ...for fear of toxicity.

So it means that she will have to take an additional blood test in 3 months just for Vitamin D levels.

My little trouper hates taking blood tests.

She has no problems nor fear when they insert the cannula.







But complains when they draw blood!! They are like vampires, she complains. Why do they need two vials just to test for VItamin D, she wants to know. I have no idea!!

She insists on the "magic cream: for the procedure. This cream numbs her hand so she doesnt feel any pain. But the funny thing is, doesnt it hurt more to insert the cannula? For that she doesnt need the cream!!

I really dont understand why. With the cream, we end up spending at least an additional half an hour at the hospital, waiting for it to take effect. With the cream, I end up paying more.

I just want to get it done and over with, and get out of that place as fast as I can.

But, I give in to her. ... just to let her have some control over the situation she is in. Hopefully it makes her feel better about the whole situation she is in.

My Little Drama Queen

My little drama queen attends drama classes. This is her 4th year doing so.

Term just started this week.

After class when I picked her, I asked her: How many new students are there in the class this term? 

She replied: About 4 or 5.

Me: So who are the old students that are still around? 

D: Old students? There are no old students! 

Me: You know what I mean!

D: You mean the current students, don't you?

Me: No, I don't. Current students means all that in the class this year. I just want to know who the students who were in the class previously and are still continuing. The old students.

D: I am NOT OLD!! All the students in the class are young Mum. And I am not telling you since you called me old! Hmpf!

Tell me: why do I bother sending her to drama classes? She sure doesnt need them She's drama enough!!

D, me and homework

Me: Do you have any homework today?

D: No.

Me: Yay!!

D: you're weird, Mum.

Me: Why?

D: Because all my classmates' mothers rejoice when the teacher gives lots of homework. But you....

Me: Aren't you glad I am happy when you have no homework?

D: Yah, but you are still weird!!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!

1st January 2014 has come and gone.

New Year is always a quiet celebration at our home due to the start of the new school year.
We are already into the 2nd day of the school year, and the end of the first school week!

Have you made any resolutions for this year?

Many people do not make any because they know that they can never keep it for long.

But I think it is good to set yourself some goals at the start of each year.

We should not be too ambitious and set ourselves impossible targets.

Mine for this year are:

To scream less, to smile more,
To eat less, to walk more,
To grumble less, and to pray more!

What are yours for this year?

'Tis the season ...

... to be jolly, falalalala lalalala!

7 days to Christmas. Have you done your Christmas shopping yet?

I hope you have.

Well, I only started yesterday. I spent 2 hours and managed to buy 4 pressies - would have been 5 if not for the shop not having stocks of one.

It helps if you know what you want to get and where to get them.

I love shopping early in the morning when there isnt much of a crowd. Once it hits lunch hour and the shoppers come in droves,I much prefer to make my way home. Only problem is that many shops only open at 11am, some at 10, so I only have 2 good hours of shopping a day.

I am also one that shops better under pressure ie when I dont have much time left. Makes me less wishy washy. When I shop early I tend to come across other things later which I may feel may make d a better gift. That's me.

Tis is also the season to go on vacations!!

With at least 6 weeks of school vacation for the children, we usually travel at this time of the year.

This year we went to Melbourne, and I managed to get help in planning for my trip from a fellow blogger, Mott.  (http://mottisland.com/). Thanks Mott for helping me plan the meals during my trip. I must say: Melbourne has amazing eats!! The range of restaurants and the quality of the food probably helped it to win "The best city to live in" title.

Wishing all a Blessed Christmas. May it be filled with peace, hope, love, laughter and good food!!