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My 2018 in review

Past few days, I have been struggling and juggling a lot.  I am really not fond to end the year feeling crappy and more so to start the year feeling unhappy.  Not sure if I shared this here before (memory loss), there was one year when on the 1st Jan, there was a huge quarrel in the family.  Because of that the whole year was crappy, whether you believe it or not.   So, I vowed that on the 1st Jan of each year, we must start the year happily.  Avoid confrontations.  Avoid people who are unhappy.  Say nice things.  Eat sweets.   But things can't be avoided in the past few days.  I was fatigue and spent Christmas Day just resting.  We had to cancel our trip to Penang (which turned out to be a blessing as the traffic was horrible).  I wanted to go somewhere with the family, but plans turned to clinic visits and running chores. Anyway, before this post get any more depressing, let's just stop. Few things ...

I Don't Know

This is one phrase that I really dislike to hear.  It's not like I don't use them.  I only use them when I have tried my best and yet I still can't find the solution and so I wanted someone else for help and I said this. When my girl started to use this phrase, I knew I have to stop it immediately.  Why?  Because I am married to a guy who used this too often. Tell this phrase to a boss and you will get a poor appraisal.  Tell this phrase to a teacher and you will be reprimanded for not paying attention. To me, this is a very irresponsible phrase.  It shows that you are not determine to know more, you don't care, you don't want to improve, you are lazy, you don't want to think, you want the easy way out, you act stupid and so on. It's a very easy answer and it ends with a full stop or an exclamation mark.  And it ends just like that. If the other party accepts this, then you will be off the hook.  No need to do more. If the...

Review: Grand Lexis vs Lexis Hibiscus at Port Dickson

I have been to both and can honestly tell you that I much preferred Lexis Hibiscus to Grand Lexis.  And here's why. Lexis Hibiscus Pros: 1. Very near to the highway. 2. Located near the beach (although very small area). 3. Food stalls located within walking distance to the hotel. 4. Better services from the staff. 5. Bigger pathway for walkers and cyclist (for those who like to do some walking and cycling). 6. Better view of the sea. 7. Swimming pool is located outside the chalet with sea view (depends where the chalet is facing). 8. Sauna is provided in the chalet. 9. Wide spread of breakfast buffet. Cons: 1. A bit more pricey. 2. Public pool is boring. 3. No kitchenette. 4. If it rains, the sound on the roof is very loud because of the material of the roof (sounds like zinc roof). 5. Toilet door is without lock.   Grand Lexis Pros: 1. Nice public pool with slides for the kids. 2. Big swimming pool inside each room. 3. W...

Happy Fish - After 6 lessons

If you haven't read the first post on Happy Fish before, go here .  Again, I will emphasize here that I am not assigned to write an advert for Happy Fish and I do not receive any benefits from this. After exploring a little bit in the place, found that there is a baby changing area located upstairs and 4 hair dryers are provided for us to dry our hair.  Isn't that great? Now that we are 6 lessons in, my girl can submerge, not afraid to jump into the water and hold her breathe for longer period. The place must be very well known by now as there are many, many parents and kids and the place is so crowded before and after our class.  The pool for us to practice before and after the class is always packed.   My girl is one of those who are following instruction closely and if we were not doing it in a group, I believe can further teach her more.  But because the rest of the kids in the group are not following instruction and some always absent ...

The Big Kindy Search

Year 2018 is coming to an end.  Which means school holidays are starting soon.  Which means the new school term will start in 2019. Which means my girl will be turning 3 soon. Actually, I have no intention to send her to kindy yet.  I feel 3 years old is a bit too young and I don't want her to be bog down with homework, etc.   I have heard some mommies commenting that they have regretted sending their first born too early to school.  As a consequence, the child became traumatize by school and refused to step foot into any school.  So for their next child, they only sent when the child turns 4. But that didn't stop me from going around searching for a kindy.  I know I know...I am being a bit paranoid.  Kiasu. Since there are so many kindy out there and the price varies, I have decided that I will not check out those big franchise names kindy.  Like RKids, QD, EDW, etc.  I do have my reasons.  Let me tell you one by ...

About upbringing

Few days ago, I had a chat with a Grab driver.  The conversation started about my work and then flows to our family and kids.  Coincidentally, his only daughter is just a day older than my girl. His daughter is on formula from 6 months old till now and weighing 18kg and is overweight for her age.  So he is asking what formula I am using for my girl and when I said I don't give formula and he asked why.   For my girl, I just gave fresh milk when I stopped breastfeeding at 2 years old.  I tried sheep formula and in my heart still don't feel comfortable about giving processed food.  So I ended up giving fresh milk.  Fine it is also processed, as in squeezed out, packed in bottles and shipped.  But lesser things are added into it. I am not against formula.  I am just not comfortable with the ingredients in it.  And I have seen kids who drank formula are a little on the hyper side.  He told that his girl can't sit still...

About parenting

I have to admit that I am not a perfect mother.  I have my ugly days when I shouted at my girl and would sometimes whack her when she does naughty things.  Especially on days when my patience run low, energy running out and spouse not helping.   But end of the day, when we go to bed, I will tell her that I love her and would tell her I am sorry if I hurt her and we end our rift before bedtime.   I don't pamper her as much as some does.  Because the grandparents are pampering her enough, so I am the bad guy in the family.  But at the same time, I let her know that I love her very much and that she is very precious to me. Enough said about what I do.  I just want to share what I see and hear. Recently, my girl was invited to a birthday party.  She is the youngest among the bigger girls.  There were about 7-8 of them, about 5-10 years old.  My girl was not shy and immediately went to play in the playroom where toy...