So, we’ve brought him to Agape Counselling Center.

I don’t know if you all read Chinese newspapers. If you do, then you would have noticed that every week, there is a special column by The Agape Counselling Centre where they posted articles about love, about relationships, or coping with stress etc.

The centre has been recommended by the vice principle of the school. It turns out that she has been one of the committee member for Agape Counselling in 1999 before. Knew this ‘cos I saw her picture.

She has been very helpful and understanding. At least she has offered her concern and suggestion and I can feel that she does care. Which to me is consider a big help – being understanding.

After talking to her, I finally made an appointment with the centre, which was a month ago! See how busy they are!? One thing is that I wanted to get an appointment on Saturday instead on weekday where the boys were at school and hubby might be outstation.

Do you know where they are situated? Yup, Damai, just above of the organic shop next to Fu Yuan bread shop. Going up from the stairs facing the road.

The centre occupy one shop lot space, equip with counselling rooms, I don’t see any medical equipment in the center. I mean it is nothing like a clinic, it is a counselling center. Dump me for thinking that they are like a clinic. Well, you see? This is my first time stepping into a counselling center. :”>

We managed to talk to Ms Ng. A petite lady that really know her stuff. First, I had to fill up a form with details of the person that needed counselling and also some family details of parents. I presume they focus for on Children as they asked questions like how many siblings the kid has.

After that was having a chat with the counsellor whereby she asked questions about what we wanted to know or hope to know from the counselling session, how does our son do normally. Since what we wanted to know is something to do with his ability to learn, she asked us questions on when did we find out that he has problem in study, what subjects that he likes and dislike. If we have tried to understand him and so worth. We had a really good talk, can’t remember all her questions now. But overall is to understand the situation more.

Then she went through the “sand play” therapy with my Calvin.  Which took ages! I feel like ages ‘cos I was so eager to know how is he doing in there. Part of me knew that he would love the “sand play” therapy but part of me also thinking what Ms Ng is going to ask him and how he responded to that.

Fortunately when Calvin came out, he was all smiles and even wanted us to take a look on what he has done in the “Sand play” therapy.

His sand box were filled with toys and neatly arranged in some orders that look great to me. Deep down I told myself: “Okay, he is doing fine, he must be!”

After that was our chit chat time again with Ms Ng.

This time I got so emotional that I cry like little girl, GOSH, so embarrass! All four sets of eyes on me (including hubby la!) And I was even blowing trumpet in front of them! Ala.. malu la… shame shame.. so embarrass. But the tears just came on.

I wasn’t so sure why though, ‘cos I had a really mix feelings at that time. I can’t even remember when I started to cry. Was it the part when she talked about how special Calvin is. Or was it the part where she asked if we can use some other more creative methods to teach him, well, I can’t recall.

She has prompt us a lot of questions in getting us to think and then she made some suggestions.

All I know now is that Calvin is normal and I must understand that he doesn’t purposely don’t do his homework, it is because he really doesn’t know how to do and that he also felt frustrated and stress when we push him on his study, till he gave up and said something like “So what la.. if kena pukul, pukul la..”

Ms Ng also suggested that we bring him to be diagnose for learning ability, if we wanted to.

It was also obvious that Calvin is more on the creative side, more on the arts lover. He doesn’t do or can’t finish his homework ‘cos he really can’t.

So now, I need to constantly remind myself that he needs lots of encouragement, he also feel frustrated for not being able to finish his homework, he needs some friendly competition with his friends, I need to set short or simpler target for him, then let him do some other thing in between homework time.

I also need to talk to his tuition teacher concerning this findings and emphasis that he needs help to finish his homework instead of giving him more tuition stuff where he can’t do.

The decision in letting him joining art class is good for him. The use of flash-card could be a good start for his language learning. Letting the teacher know how he can do better with friendly competition with his friends will help him in finishing his homework.

There are so much for me to do. But at least I know we can be on the right track if we wanted to.

Am grateful for the counselling session. It is actually a counselling time not for Calvin but for me and hubby, one that let us know what approach we should use to help Calvin.

To me, it is actually a counselling session for myself in a way…

Here is what Calvin has done on the “Sand Play” therapy:

Proudly pose with his creation.

A closer look from the top.

Yup, my creatively special boy did that today.

Note: If you wanted a counselling session, call Agape Counselling Center up to make an appointment at 088-252357.

I know I should be thinking about Mother’s Day gift now.

Except maybe I’m not the type who will bring flowers to my mom but one who expect hubby to give me flowers. Selfish huh?

I mean I love my mom but she is not one who loves receiving flowers from me. She would rather I bring food to her table, chauffeur her to play poker or maybe even more lavish things like giving her a free vacation elsewhere not so cold and not so hot.

Well, the only thing that I’m not able to give to her right now is the overseas holiday that she deserve. But I’ve been doing the rest. I hope that means I’m a good daughter to her.

Anyway, for those of you who love flowers and would love to give your mom flowers, go ahead and if it so happen that you stay in Oklahoma, try out oklahoma Mother’s day flowers. Make her day, see the big smile that she’ll return to you.

At the mean time, let me enjoy my Labor Day holiday first then only think about what else to give to my mom.

Yup, everyday, every moment.. I guess.. in order to have a more meaningful life, a better environment, we need to be motivated.

I love to read Positively Positive, love their tweets, subscribe to them and you’ll get all kinds of motivational quotes and article from them.

The title of this post is due to the incidents that happened lately, read on..

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Have been frustrated by the way my son was being treated, taught and thought that it is wrong to be faster in doing his homework when teacher haven’t taught him yet. But in fact, he should be doing division now and the teacher himself already said that their class is slower and they are suppose to do all exercise on division. When I told my son to finish doing his division exercise, what came to his mind is that he might be scolded by teacher for being fast! How could that be!? I mean how could he has the thought such as this!?

Another concern is that his classmate/group leader might question him why he did that earlier. Another thing that he is concern with is, when teacher is finally ask them to do those exercise, he might not have anything to do and the teacher might question him again.

So, guess what!? I’ve written there on his exercise book this remark: “mom said do this after talking to teacher” and signed it! Nah, enough to prove that and cover him? I hope so.

What I’m really concern is that HE is the one who doesn’t want to do the exercise. ‘cos if this is the case, I really don’t know how to motivate him. I myself sometimes don’t know how to motivate myself other than talking to myself, telling myself on all the blessings that I have. But him, a little boy, how are you going to tell him what to think?

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He even question me why I gave him the name that he is having now, ‘cos he thinks it is too easy to call and that’s why we always ask him to do things first rather than asking the younger brother, such as having shower. Gosh! He was saying how come we call the younger brother by the Chinese name and instead him with the English name. But the names just stuck there!

Okay, I’ll have to start telling him and remind him how much we love him and that’s why we have chosen a special name for him. Everyone’s names are special.

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There are still lot more of times that motivation and assurance needed on my little boy. Not just him really, it include myself. When things are not at the same course with my mind and thoughts, when all things seems so grey, so dull and life is so boring with routine. I needed motivation.

The truth is, I’m still searching for the meaning of life. For that one thing that can really really make me happy. If only one thing that it should be. I guess in my case, it is more than just one, which should make life easier.

Good luck to me!

*end of my rumbling*

Six years! Six years that they have been with us. Six years that we’ve been training them, making them expert in what they are doing now. And yet, anytime if they can find a better job or one that is more secure, they’ll just pursue and leave us, who cannot promise them a permanent post.

I’ve been in that situation before, but that compare to what they are facing now, is peanuts. I have been a daily-rate staff before, where the month of February is the most dreadful month ‘cos that is the lowest paid-off month since our pay goes according to the day that we work. What more if Chinese New Year falls under that month, die of hunger lor.. Or have to use the belt to tighten up the stomach lor..

I don’t know what else can be done other than keep on trying to get budget for them, other than keep on writing justification for them. Hopefully one day everything will make sense and everyone is happy with whatever that they are getting. The worst part is not knowing what will happen the year after.

The part-time staff do know what is ahead of them. Some maybe already getting used to the life here, some maybe already looking elsewhere whereby we can’t stop them from doing so since we can’t guarantee them a post within a certain time.

Maybe one day we’ll be like what has been said and suggested, sourcing out our work. One thing about sourcing out is that the responsibility in making sure that staff getting pay is not with us, so we are not the guilty one. We just need to make sure whatever that we’ve asked for is being supply or done. Hopefully then, the part-timers can work for those companies instead of us who can’t promise them anything.

Well, if you are not in our shoes, you won’t understand what I mean. You would probably say, why not just create the post for them? Or why not just reduce the number of staff and just let go of them?

Well, things are not as it is, not as what you can see out there. There is much more. It is much more complicated as one could think of.

I just hope for the best to everyone. Meaning they get a secure job and we get the expertise that we need.

Am glad at the moment, they are around and mostly they are the one who light up the room or function of the company. Am glad that I’ve a permanent job, one that I look for ward to at every end of the month in getting my salary. One that I am still learning on how to be a better person, a better staff.

My blog has gone down from 2 out of 10, down to zero!!!! Ya! Did you notice my blog’s rating on my side bar!?

Sad huh!? What is happening here!?

I haven’t been updating my blog frequently, I haven’t created any art related things these days, my other blog is just stagnant, I’ve no assignment/advertorial post to write, I’ve no topic, I’m lagging behind on my Project 365, I haven’t been keeping myself grounded on reading The Magic, I AM DEPRESS most of the time, especially when I find that I don’t have time for myself! What the heck!

I’ve been excited about Instagram for Android, I’ve been excited about my sister coming home for visit, I’ve been excited about going to Nexus Resorts doing nothing, I’ve been excited about reading The Magic, I’ve been excited during my one week off.

Ya, I’ve been, but where are all those zest gone!? Is it because I was lacking of motivation? I haven’t been taking care of myself? Or maybe this is just temporary.

Who got an answer for it?

Ha! I’ve just checked my paypal and I’ve got a good balance over there! Yay!! Ooo… I love shopping!

I’ve just went to Kaison on Friday, doing nothing, just browsing… initially. Even taking photos on those cute displays on the rack. But.. ha! I found a cute cushion cover that is just right for our sofa set! I also saw some cute apron and animal design cloth peck that can be used to peck on other their drawing in the boys’ room!! I was happy at that moment when I did my purchases. Could it be that I am facing some financial difficulties that lead to my depression!? 

Hmm… comes to think of it.. I guess I’ve got the answer.

Yes, I do hope that I’ve more money. But at the same time, what The Magic (The Secret) is talking about is be grateful, have happy thoughts in order to have more. I should be grateful of whatever that I’m having now. Those money used for my education, for my upbringing, for my overseas studies, my job, my house, my car, clothes… etc.. and lots  and lots of stuff.

At least I don’t need to have a high volume visa & mastercard for my spending, right? Which really will even push me further with my spending, right?

Yup, so be grateful. Let’s maintain that and keep my finger crossed that I’ll eventually build the habit of thinking positive thoughts and being grateful all the time. I need to keep on trying.

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Okay, I’ve just been checking for some happy photos to load here, and I’ve actually found quite a number (Yay!!!)

Kids in Nexus Resort. Great day, great weather and great opportunity to look how much fun the kids had.

Magazines that I love. This means I've some time for myself!!

Love these two boys, who enjoyed some photo sessions with mommy..

Hiding under the umbrella while kids enjoy their swim. Grateful for the shade and opportunity.

Nexus Resort overseeing the sea, nice.....

Loving those displays in Kaison, therapeutic!

Loving the bright blue sky yesterday, grateful for the blue sky!

These photos are in random order and as you can see I’ve been playing with Instagram, PhotoWonder and Meitu Xiu Xiu.

Now, I’m feeling much better.. *sigh of relieve*

Glad To Be Here!

我老公要和我睡哦。。 怎么办？

妈咪，好过不要有老公啦。。

为甚么呢？

因为又要和他睡，他又不扫地， 不抹地， 又骂你和我们。。。

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

和孩子冲着凉的时候。。。

妈咪，这样做妈咪不是有很多工要做囖？

是吗？

是阿！又要跟我们冲凉， 又要读书给我们听， 又要煮饭给我们吃， 又要送我们去 学校， 又要扫地。。。

那你要怎么样做？

err… 我要乖咯。。

乖吧了吗？

err.. he he..

妈咪最爱看到的是你拿好成绩回来， 老师跟妈咪说你棒！

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早上吃早餐时， 问了老公要喝什么， 老公没答就给了老公 一杯咖啡。结果孩子笑了说：

妈 咪是个bad cooker.

为什么呢？

因为爸爸要牛奶， 你却给了他咖啡，那你是bad cooker 囖。。

妈咪不是cooker 啦。妈咪又不是rice cooker..

哦，妈咪是bad chef!

哈哈哈。。。

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Today mark the official start of my holiday with a mission – to give tuition to my two boys, especially Calvin. I’ve taken one whole week off from work, technically it is just 4 days leave, since Friday is a holiday for Good Friday. So, I’ve got the whole week to figure out how to improve his study, his interest in study and also hopefully build a stronger foundation for him on his languages.

He won’t come home till the afternoon, ‘cos normally he would be spending his afternoon time in the tuition center to go through some extra exercises on each subjects. But this time, our (me and hubby) plan is to pick him up earlier and get home to start his revision, since his exam is coming up next week. Though it is just normal school exam, nothing like UPSR, I’ve been worrying about him, ‘cos he seems to be so lag behind. The only subject that he has shown interest is Science. Arts, like usual is his favorite.

Normally he would be talking about stories that his teacher told in class that day. That seems to interest him more than the words or language itself.

So, there, I’ve taken one week off to do that, hopefully my leave is worth taking, since spending time with my children is really very crucial now on their growing up years. I myself don’t want to regret later for not being there for them.

Before they were home, I have ample time to do the house chores. Knowing myself that I can get bored and dis-interest very fast, I’ve got my radio / samba audio CD on in full blast (well.. not till the neighbor complain of course). With my old CD player, I’ve enjoyed some sweating time doing rewarding chores.

I guess I’m simple at times like this, I just needed some music to get me going, especially lively happy music, doesn’t matter which bookshelf speakers that I have, as long as I’ve some up beat music on.

Along the way, I’ve washed this little baby:

Read this book (which I hope to continue doing so for the rest of the month):

Well, I must say the first day is not as planned, ‘cos though I’ve tried to guide Calvin to finish off his school work and extra tuition exercise, we still didn’t have much time for making the card that has been assigned to him today.

Nevertheless, it has been a fruitful day. I’ve at least tried and he has promised to do better tomorrow. We have enjoyed out day, especially the boys, ‘cos what more we have taken some time off to the play ground which I haven’t been able to do with them for ages!

All work no play made him a dull boy, right? So there. Hope to do it more often. I mean the “spending time with kids” part, minus the shouting and rushing part.

I’m grateful to see that he is improving, though little by little.

Sunday, they’ve officially stayed over in my place till Saturday, means six nights in my house, all five of them (including my two kids). 4 boys and one girl! ONE girl! That’s it! All the rest are “batang” (it means with penis)

Do you know how noisy they could be? The boys are really loud till I’ve to shout to talk to them, to get my message across. I bet everyone in my neighborhood can hear me, ‘cos this normally happened early in the morning when I tried to rush them off to the car, get them ready, or at bed time where I tried to get them into bed without fighting, without sticking each feet into each others’ mouth! And those hours are the most quiet hours of the day!!! Of course my neighbor can hear me!!

Well, what did I learn over the course of those nights which mostly I was alone with them,  how did I survived and still maintain my sanity.. LOL

First, be calm.

‘Cos once you are panic, you’ll tend to forget things or get disorganized, and that’s when the kids will become harder to dealt with.

No big deal, just STAY CALM, unless they are trying to kill each other.

Second, know that you are in control.

In order to do this, you need to know what they like and don’t like. What are the things that can get their attention, and of course things that they are afraid of…. hehehe.. this can be used as a threat. Which is related to lesson number 3. Win their hearts if possible, so they’ll listen to you.

Third, use your power to threaten them. Especially if they are still playing or bully the girl. This is what I’d said “Okay, for those who didn’t listen, you can sleep with the dog outside. Or if you like, there is an empty room next door.” They always buy this, ‘cos who wanted to sleep outside!? What more they are scared of my dog, ha! And then the empty room, they hate to sleep alone ‘cos they are just .. well… maybe afraid of the dark.. and they love the air-con, which the empty room doesn’t have, ha! Gotcha!

Sure enough, after five or so minutes, they are all quiet down and sleeping.

Another thing that help me was I’ve actually cultivated a bed-time routine for my two boys. So I tried to bring the rest of the boys into that routine too. The girl are fine, she is my little helper.

For my two boys, one thing that can’t be missing every night is their reading time. Whereby I read to them every night on one small chapter of the book, feed them with information that they can linger around while falling asleep. This is very effective as to quiet them down and go into sleeping mode.

Forth, always remember they are small kids, don’t kill them no matter what they’ve done.

For instance when they kick or punch each other. Most probably they are just playing. Most seriously, that would be hitting if they are angry with each other, then that is the time when I intervene. Not that I kept quiet when they start playing rough, but I would think that it is normal, unless they really started fighting and one started to cry. Or they are doing some dangerous act like throwing heavy toys at each other.

Anyway, the fighting mode or the “I hate him” mode past pretty soon, say like after 5 minutes. So don’t take it too seriously.

Fifth, knowing that it will be over soon, ha!

So, try to enjoy the time with them while you can. ‘Cos pretty soon, they’ll be back to their parents.

Other things that happened was: I kept on calling the wrong name between my sons’ and my nephews’ names, ha!

Another thing was I have to stop referring myself as “mommy”, but instead just say me or “Yi-Yi”.

Oh, and probably one last lesson: Get them involve.

Things like picking up their own cloths from the floor, brushing and bath themselves, collecting and folding clothes, bring their own plates to the washing basin, picking up their own toys. But at the end of the day, sure there are still things laying around on the floor, oh well, the sky is not falling anyway, so never mind, getting my own sleep is more important than keeping the house tidy at that moment.

Important things is to remember asking them to do things that they can do by themselves.

I’m thankful that at least whatever that I’ve cooked, they’ve no complain and they even finished eating them (mostly.. except vege..). Am also thankful that they ate those sandwiches that I’ve prepared for them everyday.

What I’ve learn about my kids was… “Sigh… they are pain on the ass.”  LOL!

Somehow my boys become annoying and demanding, plus need some behavior and manners management. Probably when they are the one who is away to stay with my sister, they’ll be the more manageable ones.

So, Rebecca, listen, your kids are fine. Enjoyed your trip to Korea. Don’t forget to get me something from Korea, say like..err…Gourmet Gift Basket ? 333:))

I really salute those who has more than 3 kids, even more if the kids are very near in age. *Saluting with a serious face*

What time is it now? – Just past exam time, yay!!

What is the decoration in the house now? – Still Chinese New Year blossoms.

What is the song playing in the car’s CD player? – Micheal Buble christmas songs!!

I guess we are a bit abnormal, huh!?

I mean it is February, Valentine’s Day has just gone and today is Ash Wednesday. But Christmas!? It was gone for 2 months by now, right? Yet, my kids still wanted to listen to Michael Buble.

Hmm.. probably his voice is attractive? Or simply ‘cos Christmas songs are just uplifting to listen?

I guess is the 2nd as they can’t really tell the difference between Michael Buble and Michael Jackson (I’m guessing, but I never know…)

Another thing is, probably they love to listen to Christmas songs ‘cos that reminds them of presents!! Though it is more blessed to give than to receive, but to me, well.. they are my kids, I can choose when not to give them gift, right?

Not sure if giving up is also another form of giving, ha! For example giving up of smoking? (Good idea?)

*** I’m not sure if cigars also consider here, but for a non-smoker like me, they are all the same. ;0)

What am I saying here? Okay, enough of the timely update for what’s happening so far about the kids.

Let me zoom back on this:

Yup, a nicely wrap bouquet of flowers with flowers that I love, especially the bright yellow Gerbera and the White Lily.

Why about this bouquet of flowers?

This was for a dear colleague of ours who are waiting for her operation to be done in Selayang Hospital. I don’t know how to get into the details of her operation, but I do hope that this bouquet of flowers will brighten up her day a bit, made her feel special a little bit more and happier a little bit more. Most of all, praying for her speedy recovery and sending good vibe her way for healing. I know money could be what she needed most right now but I also think that having a happy and confident heart for the operation is really important, that’s why I chose to give her flowers since I know that the financial part has been taken care of.

So, get well soon my friend.

Being curious on how good my Philip blender/juicer, I started assemble it and started my work right away. This was also something in between waiting for my chicken to marinate and cooking it.

But as you know, normally blender do produce some machine sound and that had attracted Calvin to come into the kitchen to check it out what were I doing. Like usual, this curios and adventurous kid of mine, always like to have a try on new things.

Well, since he is tall enough and the machine is easy to operate, I’ve taught him how to do it and he did it quite nicely.

Next thing was, little Mervin also came into the kitchen and demanded (yes, demanded!) that he also have a try.

Okay, since Calvin knows how to do it, they both work together. One was peeling the mandarine oranges and the other one controlling the machine.

So far so good, so I’ve started to fried my chicken chop. And I did check on them in between, making sure that they are fine.

After a few oranges, Mervin said it seems to be too much already, but I’ve actually (yes I did) assured him that it won’t do any harm for another one or two more oranges.

But then… “Oh no!!!! Mommy!!!”

Okay.. it was too late now. Those juice just burst out from the blender and everything just all over the counter top, back splash area and the floor!

Next thing was, Mervin said “See! I told you, it is too much already!”

Okay.. whatever, it is too late now. Then within seconds, they are out from the kitchen and back to whatever that they were doing before coming into the kitchen. It was so funny though and I was surprise at myself that I wasn’t even angry. Probably cos I was the one who said it was okay. But who knows how many more oranges that they’ve put in after that.

Ha!

Next thing was.. well.. I still have to finished cooking my chicken chop first, before I can clean up the mess.

And ya.. that machine.. well.. I have to dismantle it and clean it inside out. Using about half an hour time to do that. That’s also why I’m writing this post this late. Just wanted to share this funny incident. The part that I love most was Mervin quickly told that he was right and both of them quickly made their exit from the kitchen. Luckily this in-house-maid know a bit of dismantling machine, else, goodbye Philips.

Well.. at least they’ve tried before and nothing lost. I still couldn’t help smiling though..