End of Tai-Tai Career

Today is Di's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! We celebrated with a cake that has Lightning McQueen (the red racing car from Disney's movie "Cars") on it and the munchkins were so thrilled, they co-operated for every photo shoot just so they could lay their hands on (or rather, savour) the yummy cake. :)

Apart from Di's birthday, today also mark the end of my tai-tai career. Starting tomorrow, I will be back in school with a fully packed schedule. All my classes start at 8am and end around 5-6pm, Monday through Friday. In addition, I have bible study till 9:15pm every Tuesday. The few hours I have after school on weekdays would have to be spent wisely, making time for the munchkins, Di, assignments and homework, plus sorting out some household stuff (eg. bills, budget, etc.). I have to set aside some time on weekends for revision too, on top of family time.

Sounds tough? I think its more than just tough. But its now or never, you know what I mean? So I'm determine to ride the storm and survive the 2-year accelerated course. With the help of our LORD and support from family members, I believe all things will work together for good. Keep us in prayer, ya?

As for the munchkins, I'm indeed privileged enough to be a full time mommy and given the opportunity to grow with them for the past 2½ years. From using baby sign languages to mumbling a few words past the 2-year mark, they have miraculously started speaking in sentences over the past 3 months. One could actually hold a rather "sane" conversation with the girls now, and that's an achievement I must say. Though I'm a little sad that I have to leave them in the hands of the childcare centre while I move on to develop my own career, I am equally thankful they are learning so much more in playgroup. And I must admit I really enjoy the new skills they've acquired from attending the playgroup. They could dance and sing all day, and that brought joy to me and my family.

Come what may, my priorities will always be my family, so if I seemed very anti-social from now on, forgive me for time is not on my side and many are my obligations. Don't give up on me, my friends. You can email me, text or even buzz me! I will not disappear from the surface of this earth, so keep in touch! Thanks! :)

Blessed Easter

Blessed Easter, everyone!

Every week when hymns are sang during the worship at my BSF class, I'd be reminded of an old hymn which I learn in the 1980s. I can't remember all the lyrics, and certainly none of the chords, but I do remember the first stanza and its chorus which goes something like this...

Our God is far greater than words can make known
Exalted and holy, He reign from His throne
In infinite splendor He rules over all
Yet He feeds the poor sparrows and He knows when they fall

His power is great and will ever endure
His wisdom is peaceable, gentle and pure
But greater than all these glories I see
It's the glorious promise that He cares for me

Beautiful, isn't it? I hope I got all the words right. If you happen to know the entire hymn or better still, lyrics with the guitar chords, pleassssssseeee... share with me, ya? Thanks!

Days Numbered

My days are numbered... What would you do if you know your time is up, yet there's still so much to do? Well, I have for myself another 12 days to the start of my full time course, and I'm trying to make full use of every second now to do whatever I had been planning to do for the longest time while the kids are away in childcare.

My to-do-list includes:

1. Spring clean the munchkins' bedroom (done 2 days ago.).
2. Re-organise my handbags in the wardrobe (completed yesterday.).
3. Go through the munchkins' clothing, give away those they can no longer fit and bring out the new, bigger ones (checked!).
4. Carve out a section of my wardrobe for the munchkins' growing collection of bags (done!).
5. Getting a new vacuum cleaner with true HEPA function and high suction power (finally bought it this morning!!!).
6. Start a record book for Ya-Ya to note down the critical dates where non-routine chores (eg. change of air con or HEPA filter) are performed (just did it).
7. Make space in the books & stationery cupboard for my new files, notes, reference books, etc.
8. Re-organise the clothes in my wardrobe.
9. Buy anti-dust mite pillow for the girls.
10. Source for cute iron-on patch for the girls' new pillow cases.
11. Update shutterfly albums which are long overdue (sorry!)
12. Get new regular button-front sweaters for the girls to wear during nap time in childcare.
13. Hunt for a suitable adult raincoat for Ya-Ya who will need one to ferry the girls to childcare in wet weather.
14. Birthday celebration (lunch + movie + tea) with Di (programme confirmed.).
15. Birthday celebration for my dad (waiting for dad's confirmation).
16. Lunch date with my sisters (confirmed.)
17. Go for a relaxing weekday shopping (date & kaki booked.)
18. Breakfast by the bay (date & kaki booked too!)
19. Visit aunt & granny.
20. Catch up with as many friends as I possibly can!
21. ... the list goes on...

So what do you think? Do I sound like I going to be called home to be with the Lord in 12 days' time? Kekeke... Seems like it, isn't it?

"Deed" Trouble???

Yesterday, 3rd April 2009 @ 6:00pm, in a tiny little office located next to a butterfly garden, I signed pages and pages of legal binding documents which made me felt as if I had just sold myself into slavery (卖身契 in mandarin)...

Just kidding! The fact is, I was more than happy to have my signature penned all over the document called the Deed (a writing or document executed under seal and delivered to effect a conveyance). Apart from marriage & kids, this is probably the greatest commitment I had gotten myself into so far. I am now "obliged" to devote the next 5 years of my life to a career I believe I was called to - nursing.

As I've come to the 100th post of this blog, and having entered a covenant that will keep me busy as a bumble bee, you will probably see less of my postings from now due to fully packed schedule. Having said that, perhaps not... I may end up posting more often than before if I have lots to pour out to you folks after getting myself into "deed' trouble. Hehehe...

Anyway, wish me all the best, my friends! Keep me in prayer if you can. Thanks! :)

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us -
yes, establish the work of our hands."
- Psalm 90:17 (NKJV)

Paranoia

Do you find yourself acting strangely after becoming a parent? Do you hear your newborn baby cry in the middle of the night, when he/she is actually sound asleep? Or have you ever place your index finger near the baby's nostrils to confirm he/she is still breathing? I have, and I still do. Paranoia was never part of me until the arrival of En & Xuan, and I found myself stuck with this "disorder" till now.

After the series of events (lung infection, surgery, hospitalisation, etc.) which took place since February, my maternal "antenna" would respond to the slightest sign of a cough, or even a mere choke coming from the munchkins. Some nights, I literally jump off the bed when I hear a cough from the girls' room. And whatever food that triggers a cough are banned from the kids' menu for now. In the past, I never believe in abstaining from certain foods when one is ill. "Eat everything in moderation" had always been my principle when it comes to food. Now, I watch my girls' diet like a hawk. Eggs, chicken soup, honey, french fries, raisins or citrus foods, etc. are a big NO-NO.

Its sad to deprive them of so many of their regular foods, especially when they don't have many to begin with. But if you witness the munchkins coughing right after a small serving of honey stars, or cough for a good 3 hours in their sleep from 9pm till midnight after having eaten some french fries over dinner, you'd rather watch them eat plain bread with sky juice. No joke!

Gong-Gong and all my other family members are not spared. My paranoia drove me to inspect every snack given by them. It's for the good of their grandchildren/nieces, I'd say. And of course, for a peace of mind for the mommy too. Nevertheless, I pray this disorder won't last for long. For as soon as the munchkins are cleared of this respiratory "ordeal", I am certain I will be back to my old self. Or will I ever be???...

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" - Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)