Sunday, November 30, 2008
Last Saturday we finally see our long-planned idea came to live. We had our first Garage Sale for the mosque. It was also the Haflah & Orientation day for the pre schoolers so we had our crowd of mosque goers that we can woo. Our makeshift 'store' was set up by 9 & stayed open til ard 4 after the Haflah was over. It was a day made sweeter when Amirul was rewarded for being placed 2nd in his Madrasah Class. After the day was over, tired as I was, I had a really good time at mending our little store while yakking & laughing away with my fellow Muslimah sisters and managed to raise quite a substantial amount for our Mosque fund.
I have to thank the husband of course who was tending little poxed girl Mira for the whole day while the ummi did what she had to do. Mira is recovering swiftly & the marks are slowly drying up as I reckon hers is just a mild case. So the spots are quite little & sparse. Thankfully it has also spared her dainty face, save for a little pimple-like mark just below her lips & tiny ones around her forehead - & yes, that was what the father was most worried about. He also have been extra vigilant, making sure that Mira did not scratch her body or face even if it means having to stay up all night applying Calamine lotion whenever he sees Mira just stirring to even touch her face. I hope it would be only a few more days of indoor quarantine for Mira as I am already excited to resume holiday 'activities' for them especially Amirul too who have been made to stay indoors to keep the sister company.
On a good front, Coffee Prince is showing on Channel U on weekdays again but I highly recommend watching it on cable or any dual-sound device as mandarin-speaking Han Keol & Eun Chan is just so salah....
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I guess He has reasons for everything that's planned out for us. Somehow it falls into place. We are officially hibernating for the next 2 weeks.
Amira had a slight fever yesterday. After a good 3 hr shopping stroll at Mustafa & a hearty lunch with the in-laws at Sedap Corner, she appeared very lethargic & we thought she's still not over her flu & cough virus that's been bugging her for the past weeks. I noticed a little blister near her lips. I thought it was just made worse because of her scratching due to an insect bite. At night, she was slightly warm. In the morning then I noticed red little spots all over her body & arms. My worst fear was confirmed by our family doctor. Yes, its the dreaded pox. Our next worry was Amirul. But Dr said that we could try, but he could not guarantee he wont be infected. So we went ahead & got him vaccinated. At least, he assured us, if he contracts it, it would be a mild one. Thank God for the school holidays & Alhamdulillah for our unplanned trip to nowhere.
My next worry is WHAT TO DO for the next 2 weeks - INDOORS.
I first digged up all the paper crafts that I could find, any fancy paper that I could use & make something arty-farty for them to cut, paste, fold, roll & create anything & whatever. They were excited that they finally get to paint after requesting it for the past weeks & one of these days, I promise them a baking session.
The first day so far was not too bad. The kids busied themselves with the mountain of toys & I just have to get ready the choice of DVDs that they could keep themselves glued to for a few hours. Perhaps tomorrow I could teach them monopoly or stick to the basic card games like 'Old Maid' or 'Snap' which have been sitting pretty for the longest time & will finally see their presence made full use of.And the sick girl is not even remotely looking like an infected kid. Yakking & running around the house suddenly excited with the number of things to do & the ummi suddenly gleefully acceding all her requests. Not even the drowsy medicine could calm her down ;p
The best part of it all is that I can once again have my K-drama marathon,once again..:) after I get them kids occupied that is.
Welcome back Gong Yoo & Joo Ji Hoon....
Sunday, November 23, 2008
we were watching The Mummy earlier today.Amirul asked what is a mummy. So I got all scientific & explained the chemical processes involved, the mummification process & how without embalming, the dead body will rot in the deep earth. The daddy wanted to scare him. So he told him of the old wives tale about how if a black cat were to jump over a dead body, the dead body would come to life again. Amirul then said,"If that is the case, why dont we bring the whole lot of black cats & make them jump over the cemetary ? (!!??)
Friday, November 21, 2008
The past week have been good to me. Although the kids have been a tad under the weather, we managed to do some 'holiday' time-fillers & me some good quality K-drama time.Last night, I met my KSPS mates again for dinner. Between the 14 of us spread on the Swenson's dinner table, I'm surprised to think that we even managed to get a decent conversation between the laughter & the hallabaloo noise. In other words, yes, it was as simply put - fun. We even started to plan for our next appointment, talk about making up for lost time.
My dear son did us proud by earning himself a spot in the top class of his cohort. Even though his final results were not as satisfying when compared to the mid-year, he was lucky indeed to be placed among the best of his peers. Alhamdulillah. The dad had even gotten ready the assessment books for primary 3 & more reference books for him now that he has an extra science subject under his belt. My tummy is already tightening thinking & anticipating the rigorous practise & revision he would have to go through next year.
The first week of the school holidays went by relatively quickly. The things planned out for them were somewhat limited as Amira is still recovering from her flu cum very bad cough. Amirul met his favourite toy character of the moment when we brought him for the Bakugan meet & greet session at Takashimaya, while Amira had her Princess-moment when I brought her for the highly anticipated Princess show - although I think I expected far too much out of the show & cant help comparing it to the ones we saw in Disneyland, which I felt was far more enjoyable.My 'East of Eden' drama watch finally took on a good turn (after 25 episodes) now that the baddies (the Shins)are slowly getting what they deserve (go Lee Dong Chul!). I cant say I feel too much excitement about 'Worlds Within'. Although Hyun Bin & Song Hye Gyo are a joy to watch, I still feel the storyline is not as mesmerising & captivating as I thought it would be. Well, it is already halfway through the series at Episode 8,hopefully something exciting could happen & perhaps help escalate the lower than expected viewer ratings & also help boost up my waning interest.
We are taking one day at a time, not planning nor deciding what to do or where to go for the next few weeks. But knowing how our plans always work better in last minute decisions, I'm not too worried about it...:)
Friday, November 14, 2008
My birthday came & went...a very quiet, cool, grey day, countered with the noisy,warm & cuddly company of the family. Had a nice cosy breakfast date with the hubby while waiting for the kids to finish off their last day of school. Of course the husband had a series of plans (I assumed) but it was quickly made to be adjusted as we were requested to attend a tahlil arwah of his late aunt which passed away a week ago. At least I get to eat my Spicy Miso while the kids get to enjoy their waffle with ice-cream before all of us went to perform our obligatory duties as good children & grandchildren to the in-laws. But I have to say I am not in a position to complain or whine as I am always reminded how blessed I already am looking around the people I love around me & little tokens of love glittering in the palms of my hands & fingers.My LomoArt class also finally ended on Tuesday. While fun, it was always physically & emotionally draining after entertaining 80 10 yr olds for 5 hours each day. But the end results is always so satisfying. Looking at all their pictures laid out & composed to form their sea creatures did gave me a smile on my face.At least I know my work is accomplished.
On Wednesday I did a little parent volunteer work for Amira's school as they had their K2 graduation & concert followed by our monthly Muslimah meeting at night to go through & preparing our committee plans for the rest of the year. Pretty excited to get some of those plans on track considering how low-profile we have been for the past few months.
Now that the holidays have officially started I feel like I so need a vacation. But I doubt its remotely possible as I foresee the husband would be very busy working, taking advantage of the opportunities that he was given which Alhamdulillah I must say is working quite well for him. Somehow he always seem to always figure things out & make it work for him in whatever situation placed before him. I am not too proud to say that the same can be said about me. I suppose thats why God placed him in my life:) Of course it was not always easy for him, there were numerous challenges that he was confronted with & I saw him a little less than composed during those occasions. But give him a few days to figure things out & all was well again.
So its time again to get the list of things to do for the holidays to keep them kids occupied...& me less stressed...
Sunday, November 02, 2008
So the Hari Raya Aidilfitri month is officially over & its so scary to even realize that in less than 2 months we will be greeting the new year soon. This Hari Raya we covered our obligatory visits but we did miss a lot of first Aunties & Uncles (esp on my mum's side) too. I guess the exams period played a part too in our 'inability' to visit many houses this time round. Amirul will be sitting for his last & final paper tomorrow - so slow I know - & he is diligently practising his papers in between revising for his weekend Madrasah paper too. I hope tomorrow will be over soon as I almost cannot stand looking his strained face day in & day out, with his dad, polishing up his studies at the same time having to face with happy cousins & friends who have already done their deed for the exams. It didn't help definitely with the strong Ministry of Defense at home who kept on harping how we are stressing him too much with practise papers & studies hour after hour everyday. Of course most of the time they get to see him pondering over practise papers but conveniently miss to witness the in between playtime & even outdoor outings that we always allocated time for him too. But as I said before I cant wait for tomorrow to be over.
Also tomorrow will be the second day I'll be teaching in Amirul's school :) I know, how convenient is that? My company informed me last week that we will be conducting a LomoArt course for P4 students in his school for 8 days, & courteously asked if I was interested in conducting the course - I mean I know they were pulling my leg, are you kidding me?? Of course I would be more than interested. The lessons would be from 8 to 12.30, conveniently timed so that I can send & fetch him from school too. The only bummer is that I cant park in his school compound, so it'll be another 2 weeks of morning walk exercise for me.
And its been a week since the I had this jarring pain on my feet. Initially I thought I had sprained my ankles due to the overwhelming use of high heels over the Raya month, but soon realise that the pain stems from the arch of my feet. I set up my Usqueeze to use after a month in hiding for the Raya festivities & next thing u know the pain had travelled all the way to my calves - I dont even know how that is remotely possible. I'm at lost, I try & bear the pain during lessons as I have to be on my feet for up to 4 hours each time, but once home, the pain can sometimes be quite unbearable. For now I guess I just keep elevating my feet at night & have it rubbed down with the good old muscle cream.
Something to distract me from my pain comes in the form of an early birthday present from the husband. We will definitely not be going overseas this holiday so I guess he made up for it by buying me something which I thought in hindsight cost more than the holiday itself. For that I thank him & forever feel grateful for that super kind gesture. Just when I thought I had enough bling-bling to last my lifetime :)
To further seal my love-affair with all things Korean, I added to my stash(courtesy of the husband as part of birthday gift package) a nice little touch screen device (like Gong Yoo's in CP although a different brand) and for myself another drama DVD now that TS video is going on a rampage by selling titles like 'The Devil' & 'Time Between Dog & Wolf' at half the original price.
"Worlds Within' starring Song Hye Kyo & Hyun Bin began airing in Korea on 27th October & I am very pleased to say I have caught the first 2 episodes and can't wait to see more of it. Its not so much of a romantic comedy although its directed by the same people behind 'Full House'. Its more intense,a drama to watch for the acting, the relationships, the interplay, and the writing. And it’s a drama that lives in its quiet moments as much as it does in the quick dialogue. So far I'm loving it just as much as I love 'East of Eden'now into its 20th episode. As of now I cant wait to see how the revenge will finally be played out between the Lee & Tae family - intriguing stuff, highly recommended.:)
I just realize that I've written quite a long entry here, I guess to make up for my almost 2 weeks hiatus. With all this going on in a mere 2 weeks I cant wait to see whats in store for me in the following 2 what with the school holidays & important(!!) birthdays just around the corner & I hope by then this pain on my feet would be banished soon too...