A kiasu mum?

Alright! The title says it all. Why? Because I have tonnes of people telling me that I've put Leia into school TOO EARLY. Okay, don't get me wrong. I'm not affected by these remarks. For starters, my own mum was the first to give me hell. Her reason? My daughter is too young for school, she's only 18months, what if the teachers torture her and yada yada? I totally understand her concern, in fact, when she said it, I'm starting to panic.

Maybe I should start of with why I chose to put her in school. Cw wanted her to be in school when she is 2 yrs old, meaning this September. I negotiated with him as my dad was starting to get tired from his granddaughter. Don't be mistaken by that sentence, it just simply means that he is tired from the running after her and what nots. He still loves her like crazy. So Cw said in June when we are back from our Japan trip.

So I enrolled her in the June intake, but since I'm still looking for a job, and thus been bumming around at home (No, I'm not going to be a SAHM), I've seen how happy my dad is when I'm here. Simply cause responsibilities are going to be with me and he can finally relax. That's when I realised once I'm out in the working force, this child sitting thing would start its toil on him. For crying out loud, he is 65yrs old running after a baby. I can't let that happen anymore and thus, I rang the school up and asked if there is any intake for March and they told me yes.

I know some kids start PG at 22 months or mothers would skip the whole PG stage and just go pre-N when their kids turns 3 (Honestly, with the curriculum like this, how can students not be stressed in Singapore?). My reason for putting Leia in school is because of my dad. But is this too "kiasu"? I guess I'm just being paranoid or something. But my dad has heart problems too and gout (which is caused by his stubbornness for not changing his diet of red meat) hence this decision.

But of course there are other alternatives - Just be a SAHM, which means Leia start school next year. I dunno if that's a solution. Or something I thought about is - Get a baby sitter. But once I start this topic, friends of mine will go "Just put her in school. She can socialise and make friends. No use for a sitter, if you need to pay money, I'll rather Leia goes to school"

Call me a bimbo, but I'm googling stuff like "Besides school and home care, where can my baby go?" Ressults?

I even tried typing Singapore behind:

Which is just telling me whats the education structure like. I know, Leia's mum is like crazy. But hey, lets face it - when we are stuck, even if its a nonsensical situation, we google. I bet most girls even google "Should I marry my boyfriend?" or "Should I accept this guy" and so on and so forth.

Anywho, I don't know if I'm being kiasu here, I'm just here to seek out opinions. Different mothers have different parenting methods. It doesn't mean her method is wrong as well. I just keep thinking how tiring my dad is and when I go back to work, and the toil is taking on him, I just find myself selfish. At the end of the day, Leia's my responsibility not his.

He is helping me which I'm totally thankful for. But if he is starting to get too tired then as his daughter, I have to help him right? I know some might even go, its a dad's responsibility to help his daughter, then let me correct you - Leia's his granddaughter, not daughter. I'm not sure if you guys know, when I'm back from work, I tell my dad to rest, cause he is tired from looking after her full day. I don't claim myself to be a good mum, sometimes I find Cw doing a better job than me.Give him the credit, I know Cw is a good dad. But the point is, I can't be selfish to just dump my responsibility on my dad. Its being selfish and irresponsible. I just hope Leia can cope well with making friends.

However, if there are other alternatives that allows my dad to rest and I can go to work knowing that everything is ok, just tell me. I'm open to opinions. It might really help me alot. :)

A picture of us together at the TCS photo shoot:

And what else am I doing now besides typing this blog? Watching an old school chick flick, don't judge me okay? I miss movies like these. HA! =X

A tribute to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew - Things I appreciate about him

I know everyone will roll their eyes, but please allow me to type this as this is the last time I'm writing stuff about him. History books might change, kids that are of Leia's generation will be reading about him, so he will definitely be remembered and "go down with history". But these are just things that I'm thankful for. This is going to be a lengthy post.

As I'm not working, I was listening to his biography, his statements and even what cabinet members have to say about him.

I know many readers are against the PAP. Like I said before in my Facebook post, I'm NOT here to garner people, I'm NOT here to do propaganda work (Like seriously? On a non-existent blog?), I'm just telling you guys what I appreciate about him,

I was a history student, I learnt European history, China history and of course, Singapore history. I was one of the pioneers taking history as a O level subject. What got me into writing this was when I learnt more today why guys have to do NS (Which by the way, has got lots of people talking like scraping that whole system). I'm not to sure about you guys, but I learnt today that the British troops decided to pull out in 1971 since Singapore was independent. Our General back then was a Malaysian. Yes, we didn't have an army on our own, we had to depend on someone else, that was when he introduced NS. My dad was the pioneer of National Service. He was the FIRST troops to be enlisted. He have that photo which stood on the TV deck proudly. I know guys will hit me hard by saying "Piss off! Wait till you ladies go into NS, then you'll know its a waste of time." But from the incident of British troops leaving Singapore and we are such a tiny dot, I'm sure MM Lee needed to do something. We can't have a Malaysian General after separation.

Now, we have our own General, Colonels and Lieutenants to call our own. We need not "borrow" or rather depend on another nation to protect us anymore. As much as you guys hate NS, Singapore now, a mere dot can protect itself because of one man.

Another point MM Lee said which makes sense was or rather a journalist asked him "What would you say to Singaporeans who wants equality?" To that he replied, "There is no such thing as having equality. Imagine someone saying this, so I must make him as equal to, say, maybe me? But what I can do is pave the way for that someone, by introducing scholarships, education system." This is very true. You have no-one to blame but yourself if you're not so called "up-there". If everyone wants the easy way out because MM Lee is supposed to treat everyone as an equal, there is no such thing. For starters, at least he abolish racism. If not Singapore won't be living with the different races. If you have a thing for other races, then that's your issue.

It's true I'm not "up-there" yet, but I can only blame it on my laziness. But at least I made up for it. Not sure if you guys know, I've started working FULL TIME at the age of 19. I quit Nyp, and I felt ashamed for taking pocket money from my mummy, so at the age of 19, I was already financially independent. I wasn't earning much even please. Like I started of at $6/hour? A decade later, I am a degree holder, a house and car owner - I dare say it's my job and how I worked hard for it. I'm not here to show this part off, my friends who were drop outs like me? They started working too! There are people who worked hard to get where they are as well. I bet there are some who thinks I rely on my parents, but now you know the truth. Ask my sisters, my husband or even my parents - They might pay for education, but the things I OWN - Yours truly. So I didn't have the equality treatment, but at least I had a job and a good education system to be thankful for. I'm sure you guys are proud of having a NUS, one of the world's finest university. No other country has it except us. Education is definitely recognized even if we were to go elsewhere. Foreign students also finds it hard to be enrolled, just like how hard it is to get into Cambridge, Oxford and universities in the Ivy League! 

Without jobs and an education system, no matter how hard I work, I don't think I can reap fruits of my labour today. The money that I lend to Cw for his grant by the way, wasn't from my parents, so now you guys know how hard I saved, else I can't just fork out 16k for him, cough up my car deposit of 20k, just like that. True, Cw might be spoiling me etc, like paying for the baby and back then when I quit my job which EVERYONE (my mil inclusive) disapproves off, but I dare say - Most of the bits that I have now came from me. If you guys want to be calculative by saying that Cw is paying for my meals outside, then let me ask "which husband or boyfriend don't?" But we are drifting away now. I'm thankful that he opened up Singapore to attract foreign companies for setting up base in Singapore.

So yea, abit of myself, abit of what I'm thankful for. I don't know when I'll ever mention MM Lee's name again as his legacy and what he created will always be here, I'm just wishing that people with negative comments will leave him alone.

Bless you Sir - May you and Mrs Lee be reunited forever more.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew's passing

I finally got a laptop - An acer to excel! (Okay, I was pretending that I'm the marketing person for Acer and you need taglines right?) It is Cw's gift out of the blue. I was telling him that I wanted a laptop and if he could go down with me to IT fair as he is better with specs and stuff, when he said "Okay, I'll just get you one." To those who thinks Cw is spoiling me, he might. But in all other defense, I buy him nice stuff too, just that he claims to all his friends that I bought rubbish, as he ain't brand conscious.

Reasons why he doesn't wear the Burberry shirt anymore? Because the colour has ran, Reason why he ain't proud of the ralph lauren shirt anymore? Because there is a hole where my grandma washes it so often. The ONLY thing that's presentable? His Hermes belt. HAHA! I got the black Hermes belt with PHW.

This was taken from the RLM website! Btw, their webby has amazing stuff, although slightly cheaper than other portals. But the customer service and the navigation of their website is SUPERB!

So to thank him for this laptop, I think I'm gonna spring him a surprise for our anniversary. I was thinking of a home cooked meal, but we'll see. I bet everyone's (Cw's friends and mine) are laughing at this line too. Like how can I be domesticated? I'll see.

But with this laptop, there wouldn't be misaligned pictures as all along I've been blogging with the Mobile blogger and thus, pictures are always misaligned, so no more to that nonsense. More to saddened news, MM Mr, Lee died today. I don't hope that he will survive through SG50, the pain is horrendous. I wasn't born in the era where tonnes of Singaporean witnessed first hand the buidlign of houses to accommodate all, or whereby he separated from our neighbouring country as it is pulling down our progress.

But what I know is:
1) I have a comfortable home
2) I have good amenities in my house - water running through taps and a heater to keep my bath warm
3) A good public transport system. It's track is failing, but let's face it peeps - The CONVENIENCE to travel to and fro with the mrt lines. In 2019, Lentor to woodlands is just 2 trains away.
4) Our education system is recognised anywhere else (Imagine if I have a degree in Poland, I have no idea if it would be recognised in the EU region)

If not for him, Singapore would still be a kampong.

So yes, today we mourn our loss, but for him to build Singapore as one of Asia's RICHEST country, is no mean feat.

I hope SG50 would do a tribute to MM Lee, that would be some history worth watching. ;)

To all those who have nasty comments, have a heart. We lost a man of vision, a son lost his father. Only someone inhuman would have stuff to say about that.

To keep things on a lighter note, let me show you guys what I'm doing now while  revamping up TheClothesShopp at the same time.

Alice in wonderland! I wonder how many read the book by Lewis Carroll. I read the book when I was a wee teen and I love how she described things vividly.

Okay, I'm signing off now. Got an interview to go to and a facial after. Goodbye!

D' Good Cafe

I'm pretty sure lots of people have heard of it, so this review is pretty redundant. But I must say that I have nothing but goodness for D'Good cafe!

We hadn't heard about it. No one was talking/showcasing/blogging about it. We chanced upon it actually. Cw and I had dinner at Holland V and after dinner being the glutton me, I need waffles/pancakes/crepes. Anything doughy or made of flour which ain't bread. 

It's located quite off. Like above the hill top. But still manageable to look out for. 

Twas beautiful! It wasn't even Christmas yet (we went there in September, this post is like 6mths late) but it kept my breadth away. It could be the lights, it could be the stomach growling, it could be the company or even the anticipation of a hearty pancake after, but I pissed Cw off my snapping this picture FIRST before getting a seat. So this shows how much I love the ambience! (But in my defense, a good photographer takes pictures AT THE MOMENT and not leave it and come back 1min later to capture. He who does not understand the logic. Le sigh)

How I love my waffles/pancake/crepe done? I take it plain. Yep, NO topping or ice cream. It must be drizzled with maple syrup, and I must have a dollop of butter. I got a few friends who asked why I take r plain? Don't udders or new places like scoopz and even wafflelicious serve waffles with ice cream, and that's like trending? I have no idea why. I think I really prefer it to be done the classic American way. 

The waffles? Perfect! Crisp and soft at the same time. I think those who loves the American waffles will know why. And the portion is huge. I couldn't finish it all! 

I'll definitely come back! Cw won't though. Why? Because as we were eating, a group of people (we are talking like massive 7-8 pax) were behind us taking pictures! Like I swear, the ONLY place they didn't touch was our table, so the ambience was totally ruined halfway. 

But nothing can deter me in going back. Maybe without him. I mean, if a food is nice, IT IS nice. Period. My tummy is all for it. Btw, I did ask Cw how he rated the food and he also gave them two thumbs up. It's just the crowd. So guys, what are you waiting for? 

D'Good Cafe is located at:

273 Holland Avenue

#02-01

Tel: +65 6219 9807

This is random, but a picture of how Leia is like in my tummy! I'm being a Darth Vader now:

I bet all Cw's male friends will be like "Eewwwww" =X *synical laugh* 

TheClothesShopp

Finally finally finally! TheClothesShopp is here! Or rather, I meant launched! Put more effort into it this time and pictures are better now! I don't have a professional website yet, but I'm getting quotations from a website developer!

For now, it'll be on out Facebook page and Instagram! 

Some pieces I loved from TCS:

And of course the dresses:

Loving each and every piece!

For now, do follow us on Instagram @the_clothes_shopp and also on Facebook via our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/TheClothesShopp/152446768273715 

I will definitely announce when our website will be up, so stay tuned! :) 

Oh and not to forget our little star:

Cheerios! 

We did a little registration for Leia at Star Learners! Why I chose star learners is mainly because of the cirriculum. With phonics and mathematics (although lets face it - to study Maths at N level?) I'm sure she'll be exposed to the whole genre of the Singapore school system. I pulled her out of Star Learners Montessori because after much consideration, I feel that it's best to let her be exposed to the whole genre. The Montessori concept is more development which I don't see anything wrong (and not against any mothers who has their children in Montessori) but with the whole genre of learning, at least Leia won't struggle much in the main stream. 

Anywho, so she was in PJ's when I went into the school. Hahaha!!! 

I purposely went into hiding! I need an independent baby. I mean, it's nice that she's clingy and all but how to make friends! PG level is mainly to socialize and make friends. So I gotta let her know that she must be independent enough. 

More pictures: 

School fees are affordable! It's $520 (after subsidy) per month for full day! Yep, decided to put Leia there full day but of course, it's either I pick her up from work (I end at 5pm nowadays) or my dad will since the school is at bishan! Hope my little one doesn't hate school because I know I sure hated school. Hahaha!!!

Moving on to bigger projects - TheClothesShopp! It finally underwent a huge revamp! So a sneak peak on what's coming up! 

Blue hues crop top! 

The website ain't up yet, so it's mainly to follow our Instagram and Facebook page! More details coming soon! :) 

My birthday!

So I'm in the room blogging, while putting Leia to bed at the same time. How? Shove (okay, I didn't do that) a bottle of milk, turn on the fan, off the lights and play gentle music (in my case, my singing) and off she goes to bed. So she's just beside me while I'm blogging.

Love being a SAHM for the moment as it's nice to be fully hands on with Leia. Of course, not to mention the tiredness. But as she gives me her cheeky grin, what's not to like? 

I should be googling Japan soon. Seeing that Cw won't do it and it would all boils down to me, but then again, ain't complaining because this would mean that he hafta go to the places I wanna go. If not Google himself the places he wanna go, which truth be told, he won't. Hahaha!!! Anyways, my second skydive would happen in Japan. Ever since my skydiving experience in New Zealand, I've told myself to mark my territory through the skies whenever I'm out of singapore! :)

Today, let's talk about life as a SAHM. Okay, I'm kidding, else no one will read my blog. Not that I have many readers to start off with. But it's very out-dated. My bdae treat at MBS! 

Yes, let me take you back to last year. Hahaha!!! 

So if any of you guys are feeling romantic and well, finds that once in a while to splurge is okay. I'll recommend the premier room in MBS! Comes with bath-tub and all. I'm NOT saying I'm rich, but it was my bdae month and Cw finds it okay to splurge on that month. He ain't romantic, but he knows how to keep his wifey happy, I gotta say. 

The room as you can see filled with the Yaps. One's slacking at the sofa, the other crawling: 

The premier room has the king size bed and a sofa which turns out to be a sleeping bed. This is where Leia sleeps!

A huge sofa bed for my girl. She napped shortly after we reached. She was too active in the taxi! So naturally, we had time for ourselves in the hotel..... TO WATCH TV, softly of course. It was so tempting to hit the shops when she was sleeping, but I didn't have the heart to leave her behind in the room. Imagine if she wakes up and all. Total negligence right? 

Took a 1 minute tour and gotta say, I love the bath tub! 

The only photo of myself! Haha!

I love the service they had, not to mention bfast was held at level 57 sky lounge! A whole city view. But Leia was throwing a tantrum in the restaurant so we didn't enjoy much. What she enjoyed most was the swimming tub that we created for her. Obviously we couldn't bring her to the infinity pool, so we created her own swimming tub! She loves the water. 

Some night view:

Didnt have the flyer view, too bad for us. Experience? Lovely! Amenities? Excellent! I loved their supply of TWG! I finished EVERYTHING! Now you guys know my weakness for tea! Definitely a tea person over here. Gotta wait for commission to come in and then I'll host another staycation for the Yaps! I know pple finds it stupid, but I love it! I find it relaxing! 

Next up - a little cafe I chanced upon and even Cw loves the food albeit the people in it. :) 

Almost one month since I've last blogged! Left my company and now I'm taking a break before commencing my new career! One thing good about taking a break - I can focus on Leia's school now. She's gonna start school on the 15th and now I'm hoping that she can cope! I'm now having second thoughts on whether she'll be a tad too young.

These thoughts crept in because my grandma went all anxious and told me that she can hardly speak, and you want her to go to childcare? Perhaps dragging school to 4mths later might be a better idea. Cw however, feels that it's time to send her. This gives my dad a break as well! 

I wonder how young kids goes to school nowadays. Can mummies help me out by letting me know? Haha!