I am back!

Sorry to all my follower for missing in action for the past months. No excuse for me being MIA (Missing in Action). We just moved back to Asia and for the past months I had been left with no Internet connection. There had been series of events happened along the way and everyday is just like fire-fighting.

But the good news is I am back in the cyberspace and I am so happy. Happy to meet up with my online friends. Happy that Chloe finally settled down... (and she just started her preschool).

Do stay tune for more update.

Employment Tips

Unemployment or employed.... This is totally nuts.

Dress Code:
1) You are advised to come to work dressed according to your salary.
2) If we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we will assume you are doing well   Financially and therefore do not need a raise.
3) If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a raise.
4) If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise.

Sick Days:
We will no longer accept a doctor's statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

Personal Days:
Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturdays & Sundays.

Bereavement Leave:
This is no excuse for missing work. There is nothing you can do for dead friends, relatives or co-workers. Every effort should be made to have non-employees attend the funeral arrangements in your place. In rare cases where employee involvement is necessary, the funeral should be scheduled in the late afternoon. We will be glad to allow you to work through your lunch hour and subsequently leave one hour early.

Bathroom Breaks:
Entirely too much time is being spent in the toilet.   There is now a strict three-minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door will open, and a picture will be taken. After your second offense, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the 'Chronic Offenders'   category. Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be   sectioned under the company's mental health policy.

Lunch Break:
* Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more, so that they can look healthy.
* Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure.
* Chubby people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim-Fast.

Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation and input should be directed elsewhere.

Technorati Tags: Economic

Left On Their Own

Today I received a very sad story from one of my friend.

Her friend, an officer and his wife lost one of their two daughters to neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, in August 2007. Just a year later - almost to the day - the officer died unexpectedly in his home. His wife and living daughter came home to find him deceased in their basement.

The wife is now left in devastation and financial hardship, and the police department is holding a fundraiser for her and her daughter, which will hopefully change their lives. Check out The Laci Swift Fund.

When I saw this post, I was devastated because the two daughters are so cute and adorable. It breaks my heart to see the suffering of an innocent child. I am posting this here because I know that some fellow blogger would do anything to help others in need, even if that just means spreading the word.

I am asking that we do all that we can do bring attention to this family and help in whatever way possible.

Technorati Tags: Donation,Charity,Family

Magnet Hide and Seek

Chloe has been asking me to let her play with some of the magnets that my hubby stick on the refrigerator. Her favourites are mainly New York yellow cabbie and Holland windmill. I always refused because she might break the magnet and cut herself as it was made from ceramic.

Today I allow her to play the magnet but in a different way. I take out 3 of my metal pots with lids and the cute New York yellow cabbie magnet and put them on the floor. I put it inside one of the pots or under a lid. Then I ask Chloe to look in each pot to find the magnet. She was having fun because she is so eager to find the magnet. After a few rounds, I let her take a turn hiding the magnet while I look for it.

Guess what, she hides the magnet behind her and I am not able to find the magnet. How can a 2 years old girl cheat in a hide and seek game?

Supplies Needed-
- pots with lids
- a colorful magnet

Tips/Suggestions-
- If you have three pots, then count the pots!
- If you have different colored pots, then talk about the colors
- Talk about the different sizes of the pots too!

Technorati Tags: Games

Crocs Shoe Incident

If you are wearing a Crocs shoes, you need to view the following slides.

Crocs Shoe Incident

Below is one of the photo taken from the incident. Luckily the girl that wear the shoe managed to escape from injury.

Technorati Tags: Safety

Chocoholics Dropout

I can never agree with this statement 'Life is like a box of chocolates - it is full of nuts!' For the past 2 weeks I have been occupying myself with chocolates trying to lift myself up after Chloe consistently said NO to everything that I said.

10 things about chocolate

1) Chocolate isn't a food, it's a medicine - an anti-depressant.

2) Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite, and you'll eat less.

3) Chocolate is far more reliable than a man

4) Men always leave... but chocolate is forever!

5) Chocolate is nature's way of making up for Mondays.

6) If it ain't chocolate, it ain't breakfast!

7) Given enough chocolate and coffee, I could rule the world.

8) When no one understands you, chocolate is there.

9) Stress wouldn't be so hard to take if it were chocolate covered.

10) Hollow chocolate has no calories.

Technorati Tags: Pregnancy,Chocolate

Spring Festival

This Sat, we will be leaving far to the east for another New Year celebration. Don't worry, I am free from Alzheimer. Just that this New Year celebration are rather unique for Chinese. As a Chinese born in Singapore, I will celebrate a number of traditional celebration around the globe from Christmas, Chinese New Year (or Spring Festival), Deepavali (an Indian celebration), Aidilfitri (a Muslim celebration), Easter etc... This is what I called multiracial.

I missed Spring Festival dearly. Not much about all the tradition but rather the opportunity to meet up with my close families. Ops not to forget my in-laws.

Taking about tradition. There are so many superstitions during the New Year period that can drive you crazy. Just name a few:

1) Sweets are eaten to ensure a "sweet" year. If you are diabetic, don't forget to pop in extra pill on that day.

2) Getting a hair-cut in the first lunar month puts a curse on maternal uncles. If you don't like your uncles, get a hair cut.

3) Washing your hair on the first day is considered to be washing away your luck. Hang on to the dirty scalp.

4) Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck. Go barefoot when your shoes are spoilt.

5) Avoid clothes in black and white as black is a symbol of bad luck and white is a traditional Chinese funeral colour. No wonder Michael Jackson have been surrounded by so many problems. Bad luck for the black and white guy.

6) Buying books is bad luck. Don't read!

Did I mentioned that this festival ends on the 15th day? Yes, 2 weeks of crazy believes.

Technorati Tags: Festival,Celebration

Rabbit Farm

Chloe's first rabbit experience came as a surprise. One of my close friend had just invited us to her rabbit farm.

I loves rabbit very much. When I was young I used to care for a couple of rabbits. I will bath them (even when they hate it very much), I will feed them until they are too full to move and I will talk to them as if they will listen.

OK, admittedly I don't have gentle caring style towards rabbit when I was young but nevertheless they managed to survive a few birthday before they said farewell.

I was so excited when my friend invited Chloe to her farm. Chloe who had never seen rabbit before keep on hopping around the house when I packed her things. Hopefully she will be very gentle towards the rabbit.

When we reached her house, Chloe as always show a cute little girl character towards my friend. Her seems shy and quiet style amazed my friend. "Wait till she shows her true colour", my little heart said.

We had tea and scone which I made, chat over the coffee table while Chloe sat quietly beside me. Then the interesting or rather embarrassing moment began. We walked over to the rabbit farm and Chloe started to become while. She was squatting near the friendly rabbit looking at the strange creature and started to pat its back. Suddenly she hit the rabbit so hard that the rabbit started to hop away.

Chloe as mischievous as always started to run after the rabbit and tried her soccer practice by kicking the rabbit. I was shock and speechless. At that time, my friend was away and I had a good talk with Chloe to make sure she understand the rules or else it was the end of the trip.

When my friend came back with a few more rabbits, Chloe gentlely stroke their back and start to behave like an angel. What a child!

 

Technorati Tags: Rabbit,Holiday

Merry Christmas

We just came back from church and now I am in the midst of preparing Christmas dinner. I had invited a few friends over for dinner which I am looking forward to since weeks ago. Chloe has been busy helping me (or rather messing around).

She sings while I marinate the turkey (which I know I should be doing yesterday) while my hubby decorates the Christmas tree (small version). I will be making steam chocolate cake for dessert, sandwiches for the kids, stew lamb shanks for big bird hater, salad for Mandy (one of my neighbour who loves greens) and cocktail for everyone except babies :-)

Before I log out and sweat myself in the kitchen I would like to wish for Santa to fulfill all the wishes that all blogger make and hope that we will overcome all the uncertainty in our life with strength and courage. Merry Christmas.

Technorati Tags: Christmas,Celebration

Cell Phones

This is probably what cell phone does to our brain power - like putting your head in a microwave.  Check this out!

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/portable/video/x5odhh_pop-corn-telephone-portable-microon_news

And we are supposed to believe that cell phones are safe. Just imagine the impact to our young children who's brain is developing.

Technorati Tags: Cell Phone,Dangerous,microwave,safety

A Run For Good Cause

Technorati Tags: Donation,Leukemia,Lymphoma,LLS,Marathon

It is not my normal post mentioning about fundraising but event is very close to my heart. I am a follower of It's my life and in today's post, Charlotte (the writer's sister) is going to run a marathon for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training.

The Team In Training raises funds to blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Their mission is to cure  leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Oh, why am I interested in this fundraising program? Remember that I mentioned in A Brand New Year that I lost a couple of love one this year? One of them is my grandpa who died after a year battling Lymphoma.

A tough guy who had fought during WWII, equipped  me with financial educations and provided all the loves as a grandpa. When he was sick at 80, bravely he fought the disease and went through a number of chemotherapy in the hope that he live till 100 years old. Yes, he was 80 years old at that time  yet he never give up hope.

I appreciate Charlotte's run and hope that all reader's will donate for a good cause. Charlotte needed $2600 and every dollar that you donated will give more hope in curing the ultimate disease. Click Here and do good. Thanks.

Most dangerous toys

I just got this note from BabyCenter.com and I thought I would like to share with all of you before you start holiday shopping.

List of most recent toys recalls
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/child-safety-recalls

With all this recall, sometimes I wonder whether there is any safe product out there for Chloe. Has the manufacturer done thorough check before producing these item?

I am concern with what is happening... sometimes maybe too much but I rather be safe than sorry. What about you?

A Brand New Year

Wow, it is December. I am so excited except for the part where I am getting older. This year has been a rough one for us. My husband and I had gone through a lot of ups and downs. We lost a couple of loves one (whom I still miss very dearly) and struggling through career and financial uncertainty.
Although we are still struggling thought the ocean waves, we pray that things will get better next year. No matter how tough the challenges are, we always have faith as Chloe is walking side by side with us.
To prepare for New Year, I had baked some cookies and in the process of learning how to decorate a cake which I hope Chloe will love it. Check this out.

Carousel ride

I am amazed by how a simple amusement ride of a rotating platform with seats can attract children so much. Chloe is attracted to the carousel at an outlet near our place. Each time I go there with her, a carousel ride is something not to be missed.

It is a nice horse carousel near children's outlet and she will ride for a few minutes before allowing me to buy new clothes... replacing her unfit clothes which I will be mumbling because she outgrown her clothes in 2 months.

A ride will always makes her smile. No wonder I always give in each time she wanted a second ride.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you had a great one. I am suppose to post about turkey for Thanksgiving but unfortunately the trial turkey was burnt and I decided that I don't want to ruin this year's Thanksgiving by burning another turkey again. Will be having pizza instead.
Anyway, Chloe loves pizza more than turkey so I am fine with pizza but my hubby.... hopefully he won't be making a fuzz about it.
It is Thanksgiving and we should be thankful right?

Thanksgiving quote to share:

John Fitzgerald Kennedy
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

W. J. Cameron
It is literally true, as the thankless say, that they have nothing to be thankful for. He who sits by the fire, thankless for the fire, is just as if he had no fire. Nothing is possessed save in appreciation, of which thankfulness is the indispensable ingredient. But a thankful heart hath a continual feast.

J. A. Shedd
He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart

Disney Friendship Stories

I was cleaning the book shelves when I noticed this book. My husband bought it for Chloe when he was on business trip in Hong Kong. Disney Friendship Stories is a great book to teach family and friendship.

The part that I love most is Lilo and Stitch. The story was so warm. The beginning about how Stitch made life harder for Lilo and Nani may not be a good start for some. The trick is to teach us that no matter what happened "Nobody gets left behind" in a family. In good times or bad times.

As a family, we need to stick together through thick and thin. I am learning to become a better mother and wife and I learned a lot from Lilo.
"This is my family. I found it all on my own. It's little and broken but still good"

It's a toy

Spring cleaning time for Christmas. Or rather I will call that winter cleaning time. Vacuuming the dust under the bed, finding all the missing pieces of Chloe's toys and making sure that she doesn't go hiding under the bed playing peek-a-boo.

This time, she did something out of ordinary. She made a slide climber out of the mattress that I took out and put on the sofa. Initially she was mumbling something that I couldn't hear due to the loud noise of the vacuum cleaner. Then she started to climb up and slide down. She was having fun and her laughter was so loud that I stopped working and watched her playing.... Just to make sure she didn’t fall off

Things seem easy with kids. They never bother about how busy you are or whatever you are doing. They can just play and make toys out of anything. Do you call that creativity or naughty?

Preparing Christmas

Christmas is just 5 weeks away and I am looking forward for the celebration. I had made a sock for Chloe to hang on the Christmas tree which we will be decorating it together. This is the first time we celebrate Christmas at home.

Last year, we spent Christmas in the hospital. I remember clearly that how I get a shock in my life worrying that something might happen to Chloe. It was Christmas Eve and I was preparing lunch.

Chloe who just woke up from morning nap cried for me and suddenly vomited. Thinking that it may be due to indigestion, we just calmed her down and changed her. After changing her, she vomited again and this time, her face turned white. Quickly we rushed her to the hospital. Thought-out the whole journey she will just threw up and become unconscious by the time we reached the hospital.

The MO in charge quickly put her on drip and I was so heartbroken. I was so worry if something bad happened to her. She just slept there and I am so helpless. Doctor said that it may be due to bacteria infection but need to monitor her for a day. The next day when she woke up, she just smile at me and called mama. That is the best Christmas present I ever had.

This year, I am looking forward to celebrate Christmas with her at home and hopefully it will go well. Keeping my finger cross.

Observation walk in the park

Yesterday was Chloe's first time walking in the park. As we walk, I asked Chloe to look at the different ways people were moving. Examples: walking, running, biking, fishing etc. I explained to her different things that she saw. Trees, flowers, cats, dogs, fish... and she was running like crazy chasing the birds away....

Listen to the music

Chloe love music very much. Each time when she hear it, she will dance, shake her body and swing like nobody's business. I believe in Mozart Effect and had been playing classical music to her since she was in the womb.
Below are some of recommendations on baby music.
1) Famous Baby Einstein
2) Classical Music especially Mozart and Beethoven
3) Nursery rhymes... you can download it free from internet
.... Last but not least, my very own rhymes... which soothes her all the time.
Check out this video clip on how baby interacts to the music