More babies!

Just heard the news about Ken's Uncle D and aunt K having their 3rd baby next year too! On top of that, my bro is also having another babe! Both due sometime in July or August! woo hoo! Baby D will have lots of playmates! Looks like the new baby bonus scheme is really working!!!

Coming to an end...

Thought I might just do a post, possibly my last before we return home to Singapore. We've got exactly 1 week before we leave Upper Hutt. We vacate our house next wednesday, and fly outto Christchurch on Thursday to go on our 2 week vacation on South Island. Guess what, we haven't started packing... where on earth do you start? Most of our own things are clothes, but we'll still have to pack up the rented stuff, and clean the house before handing the house back to the landlord. On top of all that, K has got classes right till the last day on wednesday, with his graduation dinner being on wednesday night! So we've booked ourselves into a motel nearby, arranged with a mother of jie K's friend to babysit them for wednesday night... I'm just praying that mei K will take it all in her stride, and not create a ruckus the whole night we are at the dinner! 

Too many things to happen over 2 days... and we fly out early morning on Thursday... all because we didn't want to waste 1 day with nothing to do, maximising our time traveling! Oh well... I'm sure all will turn out right. At least we have sold our car, at a lower price than I had expected, but at least the guy was kind enough to let us drive it till the last day. 

This weekend will be a busy one for us. Packing, and cleaning, catching up with friends for the last time, last minute shopping for christmas gifts etc. We'll be home only after christmas this time, so we apologise to those at home who won't be getting anything from us... just getting for those we'll see over christmas... anyway, we're trying to keep our luggage to minimum... hopefully we'll have some space for the yummy chocs though.

This is one of the things we have been keeping track... the girls' height growth. We've stuck flags on the back of the storeroom door (so they wouldn't rip it out). 

Jie K's growth: 96.5-99cm

Mei K's growth: 75-79.5cm

We really had to do it, otherwise we would never have known if they were really growing, except for them outgrowing their clothes, I guess. I was even looking at photos we took of jie K on her birthday in June, and realised that she was wearing a top that is now too small for her, and mei K has taken over. 

Although we really look forward to going home, and starting to adjust to our new life again, there are many things I'll miss here in NZ.

1. The weather. No matter how cold it was in winter, we really appreciate the coolness and dryness of the air here. And now that summer is almost here, we're starting to complain that it's too hot!

2. Our long walks. Nightly post-dinner walks with the girls in the double stroller, putting them to sleep while we have our couple time. Lately since K has had less work, we've been able to take 1-2 hour walks at night, especially with the sun setting only at about 845pm, it's just been great! Plus, the cool weather just makes our walks all the more enjoyable.

3. Our coffee group. The partners of the staff college have been meeting up every fortnight for the last 7 months. Will surely miss the company of these ladies whom I'm come to know, and we've all become very fond of, including the children. 

4. Playgroup, mainly music, kindy (for jie K), story-telling at the library. Activities that have kept us occupied during the weekdays. Not forgetting the adrenaline pumping fortnights when I lead the songs at playgroup.

5. Our garden and flat. Though it's not a place I'd live for long term, especially not during the winter months because of the lack of heating/dehumifying in the house. But it's a place we've felt safe in, served us well, including the garden which the girls love to run around in while I'm inside cooking, but still able to keep an eye on them. Just the outside area available to do things I wouldn't allow them to do indoors!

Painting in the garden

That's all I can think of for now... Memories are made of these blessed moments. 

Our little adventure.

Wow! After 8 months of cold, wet weather, we finally experienced what summer can be like here in NZ. K had a 5 day weekend, so we decided to take one last driving trip of North Island before he graduates. (of course we still have 3 weeks after to do more traveling elsewhere) It must be the most unplanned trip ever! We hadn't booked anything, or decided where to stay for each of the nights. We just knew we were heading north toward the East Cape, north of Hawke's Bay, to see the coast, and get some beach at View Larger Map">Gisborne. The final decision was made after this internet-savvy mummy had checked the weather all over NZ, and found that the sun was only going to shine in and around Gisborne for the whole weekend.

So we packed the bags, the kids, some food into the car, and off we went. We had driven up SH2 many times, and have stayed in Napier 3 times in the last 8 months (yes, we love Napier). This time, K had heard from his friend about Havelock North, which is just 1 hour south of Napier (3.5h from Upper Hutt). As we drove into the town, we both agreed that we'd stay the night here. It was the prettiest town we'd seen in NZ so far, with a nice village centre and cool cafes, and even a big playground! We were also won over by the big spa bath in the motel we checked-in to. Too bad we arrived late, and didn't get any pics of the place. 

The next day, we contemplated staying another night to soak in the atmosphere of this chic town. We'd noticed how much better dressed the people were. Even the mummies chasing after their kids looked better dressed than most of the kiwis we've seen in the Wellington area. (we later found out that it was a tiny version of Auckland with the more well-off professionals living there) It was the best place for K and I to do the thing we love... people-watch! But we decided we wanted to push on and explore more. 

After some people watching, coffee drinking (not me of course), shopping and a stop at the playground, we headed north to Gisborne.  After an unexpectedly long and boring 3 half hour drive, we found a beach-front motel in Gisborne, facing the pacific ocean. This was a 'real' beach to me, as previous ones we'd seen here either pebble beaches, or with rocks and waves which made it too dangerous to swim at. The sand here was fine and clean. Though the water was much to cold for me to venture further than knee-deep, K managed 2 swims and did some body-surfing. The kids just loved the sand, and could sit there for much too long, digging with just shells they found on the beach. 

On our morning walk

After seeing how much the kids loved the beach, we decided to stay another night in Gisborne, and forgo driving up the coast of the East Cape, which would have been a 6 hour drive to get to the next decent sized town to sleep at. We were blessed with really good weather throughout the weekend, at times getting abit too hot, especially being in a car whose a/c is broke! It must have been at least 30 degrees in the car! We just wondered how we'd get used to the heat and humidity back home... After leaving Gisborne, we drove back south to Napier. K decided to drive via the coast into Napier, and we found Port Ahuriri! It had pretty quaint shops, seafood joints, and to top it off, a beautiful hotel with a view! It didn't look like much on the outside, but K decided it was time to pamper us and himself with a luxurious hotel room! (as compared to staying in motels and motor lodges!)

Monday, we drove back home to Upper Hutt. It was a great relaxing holiday for me, thanks to daddy who helped with the kids, giving me time to read my book, or just to chill/stone at the playground while he watched them. The girls were also very well behaved, except for some tiffs at the playground. It was a rather liberating way to have a holiday, not needing to worry about where we'll be going, which place we'll be staying at, or whether we would even have a place to stay. We had agreed that if we didn't find a place, we'd just drive on till we found one. Interestingly, it was one of those holidays where K and I talked a lot on our drives, sought each other's opinion and concerns, and didn't have a disagreement throughout! Wonder if that's the way holidays should be done, as little adventures! 

We know that the Lord has brought us here to build stronger bonds together as a couple, and as a family. I thank God for that, as I can see how things have changed for the better. Personally, I think I have come to accept the role of a SAHM much better than before, also coming to accept that I don't need to be earning my own money to play a big role in this family.

To Scrap or not?

Now that our time here in NZ is coming to an end, I'm starting to think of ways I can help the children remember their time here. One good thing that I think I've done is to keep this blog going for the last 8 months. It's a way to remember things I've done, and to log our loves here. But I've also toyed with the idea of doing some scrapbooking. That is quite the in-thing now I realised, though it's something that has been around for years. I'm just not totally confident that I'm creative enough to have fresh ideas, or even the time to do it. One thing is for sure, we'll be doing lots more printing of photographs now that K has managed to take some pretty decent shots with his toy. We're also thinking of ways to decorate the house with our own creations, rather than using someone else's work of art... unless of course we find great paintings(which we both can't do).  It's also a sense of knowing that we'll be able to enjoy our house more than we have in the last 5 years. Since we got married and lived in our own house, we've had to spend weekends at the in-laws house all the way on the other side of the island just for convenience-sake. Of course, when the kids came along, weekends were the in-laws' time with them... so that we again a necessity... so friday nights, we would basically pack up all we need for the weekend, dog included, and tow it all to their house. Then come sunday, we'd do the same with packing the whole family back home to get ready for the new week. It was rather bothersome, but after awhile, we got used to it. Now when we return home, the in-laws will be in our house. For me, it feels like I can now Live in the house that I really liked, though we'd have to put up with new changes, and much less space! 

So back to my question... maybe when we get back and start getting organised with printing out the pictures and getting the materials, I'll be inspired to start the work. I wonder if there's such a thing as a scrap book online? 

Will keep researching, and reading up... maybe I'll get some great ideas!

Baby News...

This feels strange and so exciting! It's like the first time I'm keeping a log of the on-goings of my baby... and it'll be my last one! Went for our 20 week anatomy scan yesterday. I had been looking forward to it for the last 1 month, and was so excited about bringing the girls to see the new baby on the screen too! 

At first, I wanted to be surprised by the gender of the baby, while K wanted to know... and I just couldn't stand the thought of him knowing and not me! Anyway, as the day drew nearer, I decided that I wanted to know too! I had a feeling that it'd be a boy, and thus we'd have to buy some new clothes for him, and thought that while we are here, we could take advantage of the summer sales to buy the nice baby clothes.

This being my third baby, I have gotten pretty good at reading the u/s scans as the sonographer was moving the sound head around my tummy. I also felt the first kick while the scan was being done, and even saw the legs kicking out on the screen. As he got down to the legs and the regions around it, I thought I spied a little diggly-dangly in the area. After which, the sonographer asked if we were sure that we wanted to know the gender. After confirming, he then showed us the little 'thing' I was looking at... It's a boy! He was very sure of it. So was I! He also mentioned that all is well, and the baby is right smack in the middle of NZ average size for his age, although I might have a slightly low-lying placenta, but the doctor we consulted later said he was confident that as the baby grows, it will fix itself later on in the pregnancy. 

Anyway, prior to all this, K was quite sure and very prepared for another girl. We had even chosen a girl's name, and not a boy's. This had influenced me, and I was also preparing myself for a third girl. After all, it's the only way we knew! Plus, we have all the girls clothes, and the 3 girls could sleep in the same room till they were older, and when we had enough money to get a bigger house! Well, with God's gift of this little boy, I'm sure now that this factory will be closed for good! We now have to think of a boy's name, and think of which school this boy will go too! After all, my alma mater which the girls will go to is an all-girls school, while K's alma mater...hmmm... he doesn't think too highly of it, plus it's really too far in the east for us. But, that will be a good 6 years before I have to worry about it again. 

 

First scan done at 14 weeks. Baby at 9.19cm

Here is scan done at 19weeks and 3 days. EFW: 301g (53%ile)

Can you see him pointing at his nose? Hope he's not digging it!

Here's a view of his arms and hands...

Trauma turned pleasant...

One week ago today, I experienced the most traumatic 1-2 hours in my life. It's just one of those things I'm going to blame on being pregnant. Went shopping with the folks at the shopping mall in Lower Hutt. What was to be a great shopping day thanks to the remnants of labour day discounts, turned into horror when I was in the department store, Farmer's, and was about to pay for my purchases. I had met my mum at the shoe department, followed her around before we decided to leave Farmer's. It was then that I realised that I was not carrying my backpack on my back!!! Now, I really didn't have much in there as it really served as the diaper bag, except for my wallet and camera! Not that I had much money in there, but the hassle of having to cancel my cards from overseas, and having them replaced would have just made it all too expensive. I just panicked. I tried to remember when I had to put my bag down, and only thought of the food court where we ate lunch at, and there after the changing room where I tried on some clothes. I had been pushing the girls around in the double buggy, and really had no reason to put the bag down any where else. 

I first searched the changing room, and asked the lady at the counter nearest to it. Not there... Went back up to the food court, looked around, asked the cleaners... nothing... Went back to Farmer's to check again. The lady at the counter then advised me to leave my particulars with her, and she'd contact security and call me if anything turned up. She also told me to go to the customer service counter of the mall and ask for help. Meanwhile, we went back to the food court, and asked the cleaner lady there again. She also directed me to the customer service desk, and personally walked me there to tell the service person to call security and to ask them to look at the security cameras to see what might have happened. Within 15mins, a security officer came and took me to the security room where they viewed the security cameras. They took the time to turn back the computer to when we were having lunch there. It then showed that I was not such a dud-head to leave my bag there, and even followed me tracks into Farmer's just to make sure that the bag was with me. They then told me to go to security in Farmer's and ask them to do the same as they had their own security cams in there. Well...(sorry if the details are boring you) I went back to the changing room counter, and the lady called their security, who then told her that nothing got turned in, and will call me if anything does... with that, I had lost hope of finding my bag.... I went to the bank to cancel my ATM card first (fortunately that was local)... however, at the counter of the bank, I got a phone call(yes, I usually carry my hp on me but not my wallet!). It was the security guy from Farmer's, and he said they found my bag in the shoe department! I was ecstatic! I just couldn't understand why I would put my bag down there... but then again, some parts of my day just seems to go by in a blur nowadays... 

I just thank the Lord for keeping my bag intact, and for helping me find it. I thank Him that I managed to keep my cool and not break down (which I just felt like doing). I thank Him that everyone was so helpful, understanding and service-oriented in helping to find my bag. Somehow, when I thought that someone might have nicked it, I just didn't believe that people in this friendly, pleasant country might be so dishonest. Perhaps I have too much faith in mankind, or I am just too naive... but I'm glad it wasn't this experience that has proven me wrong. It got me thinking of how the kind of service I might receive if this had happened in Singapore. For one, I know that the changing room counter lady who was just like a cashier, went out of her way to entertain me. A lady (another shopper) standing around who overheard our conversation was so nice to advise me to go straight to the bank first before looking for the bag. I was so touched by their sincerity. Wonder what a busy cashier in say, Robinson's, might have done. I have never ever lost a bag/wallet(touch wood) in a mall at home before, so I wouldn't be able to compare the level of service that's available in Singapore. Anyone care to comment?

An Update...

It's been such a long time since my last post... Need to post about our Oz and NZ trip with the family. K has been away for almost 1 half weeks now, and he gets home on friday late night... I can't wait. Although, his return then means that my parents go home :( Why can't we have it all??

Have really enjoyed my parents stay here with us... The weather last week could have been kinder though... It rained throughout the week, the temperatures dropped to below 5 deg in the morning and at night... What kind of spring is this? 

Well, where should I begin, the weekend was a long one as yesterday was Labour day, so we took a drive up to Waikanae, Otaki and Levin on Sunday, did some shopping... taking advantage of the Labour day weekend specials; spent the night in Waikanae. Thank God the week-long rain held up, and we were able to go for an evening walk, and the next morning, did an hour and a half walk down the Waikanae river to the beach... It was simply awesome... photos will come... I promise. This is one thing K and I will miss. The wonderful long walks with kids in double buggy... in cool weather, simply admiring God's wonderful creation. Saturday the gramps treated us all to the Loritz circus here in Upper Hutt. While it was nothing much compared to the huge ones we've seen, it was still entertaining for the kids. It was small... the tent sat about 300 ppl around the ring... but kids loved it. Both my Ks were mesmerised from start to end.

Back-track to 5 weeks ago (wow! time really does fly by!) mummy and 2 Ks flew from Wellington to Sydney on a 6am flight... which meant we were at the airport at 4am! By the time we got onto the plane, the girls were wide awake, and ready to bounce off the walls... The counter staff from Qantas we really quite nice to allocate the whole row of 3 seats to us though we only had 2 ticketed seats. So the girls were happy to be able to move around. But this mummy was too sleepy to keep them entertained. Thankfully there was a young boy(about 14) who was sitting behind us, and started playing with them. They got friendly with him, playing peek-a-boo. Che K even told him her name... I was most impressed by her social skills! That gave mummy time to have 40 winks. When we reached Sydney airport, the little one promptly fell asleep! We met my parents there at the airport, we were all so happy to see each other!! My brother and sis-in-law met us at my aunt's house in Newcastle in the afternoon after they flew in from melbourne. A family reunion down under!

Anyway, the rest of the week was spent catching up with family. We spent 2 nights at a cottage in Hunter Valley where the wedding was held. It's the first time I'd been to a western wedding... and I never realised how long-winded it could be... considering it was only a 3 course dinner! I thought Chinese weddings were bad... At least the hotels in Singapore got cut off time, and most people leave by 11pm. This was at the Lindeman's winery... you can just imagine all the drinking going on... and it just went on and on... fortunately we had 2 kids and a baby in our party, who were so good to sleep through the whole dinner, so we left early.

Caught the flight to Auckland the next morning on an Qantas code-share flight with LAN airlines (a chilean airlines). Never again will we fly that carrier... gave us all a scare by delaying the flight by about an hour after taxi-ing to the runway, because one of the engines wouldn't start! Imagine the thoughts going through my mind during the wait... not to mention 2 kids clambering all over me, a baby with my bro at the other end of the aeroplane ... thank God for grandparents! Thank God also for taking away my preggie illnesses just in time for the trip... otherwise I would have suffered through it all!! 

Anyway, the pictures I've posted tells about the rest of our trip down from Auckland to Upper Hutt. 

Too many things to be thankful for... New lifestyle to adjust to when we return, new addition to the family etc... 

Growing...

At 14 weeks, baby is now 9.14cm. We survived our trip out to Oz, and down the north island of NZ without daddy! 

Oh well... looks like I'm not going to win that deal of coming home lighter than before!!! Sigh... I was so on track till now...

In another week, daddy's gone for 2 weeks.... 

Surprise!

What showers of blessings we've received from the Lord! It's totally unexpected! First our chance to live here in NZ... now this....

We just went for our first obstetrician appointment today, and confirmed that the Lim household is expanding AGAIN! Baby no. 3 is already 12.5 weeks old! 

Phew.... no wonder I felt like I was losing it, and I thought I was taking such a long time to recover from the holidays! 

Questions like how, when, and why will be answered on a more private note... but this is God's gift. None of our expectations, personal agenda and plans can over-ride His greater plan for us. 

So, this is it... our lives are going to be changed yet again! 

In anticipation...

We are eagerly anticipating something that's happening tomorrow... It's really keeping us in suspense... keeping us guessing... 

Watch this space for updates!

Sick wee one...:(

For the last 1 week, this mum has been cleaning up after the wee one. She's been spewing from both ends. Fortunately the vomiting stopped after 2 days, but I think I haven't had to changed so many sets of clothes and diapers for a long time! She also went on a food strike for a few days, and there's really not much left of her. She went from being the active, ever ready to climb any chair, table or the like, to being my baby koala, sitting in my lap and cuddling up, so unlike her usual self. Whilst it was kinda nice to not have to watch her, and make sure she doesn't get into trouble, it was a painful sight to see her all curled up, with droopy eyes, and a pained expression on her face. I actually missed having my little bundle of energy, and was praying that she'll be back soon. Well, the weekend seemed a little better for her. For the first time in a few days she woke this morning with a smile on her face, and I'm here updating my blog without a baby in my lap! Hopefully this is the end of this week long trauma for her, and she can start replenishing herself, to fill up all those fat cells again.

Well, otherwise, the family had a fine weekend. Friday, we went to a ballet called Peter Pan at Te Papa. It was put up by the students of Jie K's ballet teacher. I was really impressed by the level of professionalism of the production. There were even dancers flying through the air! Of course, with all little girls, Tinkerbel was jie's favourite. She loved the dancing so much that at the end of the 1 hour show, she refused to leave, and even cried saying that she wanted more!!! Well, the dance school will be doing another show in Upper Hutt in Nov, and the teacher has said that the pre-schoolers (K's class) will be involved too! Hopefully she'll have the guts to get up on stage. The rest of the weekend was spent going on walks, yum cha with another family, and more walks.

I'm stoked by how we spent the weekend, and am really praying that we can have much more great family time together, taking walks, just chilling out, without needing to rush from place to place. I guess it helps also that the weather here is beautiful, with the coming of spring, and you're not pouring with sweat from the humidity. But I hope that we'll be able to continue this when we return home. For one, we will be spending a lot more time at home on the weekends now that the in-laws are living with us. That might help, not needing to shuttle from east to west so much. 

Just 9 more days till I embark on my solo journey to Sydney with the girls. A little worried about the 4 hour journey, but more excited that I'll be meeting my parents at the other end! 

Can't wait!

Recovering

It's been almost 2 weeks since my last post! Time really flies... I think I must have been having post holiday blues... I have had to recover from having visitors/helpers, and the holiday, Getting back into a routine, and the swing of things... it's been harder than I expected! I was feeling more tired than usual, feeling lethargic, I found it harder to control my temper, and to top it all off, jie K was more whiny and clingy than before! I don't know what brought it on. Maybe 2 weeks of having her way with the gramps was too good for her? Even getting back to the routine of sleeping by 730pm was so hard, and I was too tired to get involved with all that! My exercise routine has been disrupted for 2 weeks now... I'm sure it's contributing to all that tiredness.

So I decided I needed a bit more sleep. Like all of 10 hours every night... that has helped a little, and this week has been looking up! Dinners have become a bit more interesting too! 

Oh well, the netball season has ended, and our team ended 5th in our grade... which was not bad, though we think we could have been at least 4th. Unexpectedly, there's an indoor netball league that starts next week, but it's weekday nights. So I've not decided if I'll play much. Indoor netball is actually a bit different. It's a faster game, it's played 6-a-side, with only 2 halves of court. Anyone in the attacking half can shoot, though only 2 shooters and 2 defenders are allowed in the semicircle. But if a middie shoots from outside the circle, it counts for 2 points (like in basketball). It will be interesting, as I've never seen it played before. 

Jie K has developed a love for dancing, especially ballet. It started when we borrowed Barbie's 12 Dancing Princesses DVD from the library, and followed on with watching movies of Disney's various princesses. Then I bought Barbie's Nutcracker and Swan Lake dvds, and both the girls can watch them over and over again!!! Last sat, we took jie for a trial ballet class. She absolutely loved it. She went straight into class without hesitation (it helped that she had a classmate from kindy, a boy, who was there for his first lesson as well). They were so attentive, and followed instructions as best they could. I was impressed. We've been so excited, and can't wait for the next class this sat. The first thing she asked for when she came out was dancing shoes like the other kids (the ones who were regulars). So we went to the ballet shoe shop yesterday, and we were so blessed that there were a pair of leather shoes (pre-loved) that were her size exactly! The nice lady sold it to us for $15, which I thought was a steal! I had done some research for 2nd hand goods on trademe (NZ equivalent of ebay) and some auctions were starting at $20! Anyway, jie K is thrilled with our purchase. She's even got a little pink ballet bag, which ah ma bought for her, for her little shoes. I wonder how long this will last... maybe she'll stick with it, and become a good professional dancer (am I imposing my dream on her? although I had dreamed of singing in a professional musical. Not quite the same).... or maybe our interests in sports will show up much later? Who knows... for now, I'm happy to develop whatever interests she has...

Anyway, here are photos for those not on FB. 1, 2, and 3.

I need to start running again!!!

Back to normal...

Sigh... the in-laws have left... They flew out at 6am this morning, so we were all packed into the car, kids bundled up, at 3.30am for our trip to the Wellington airport. 

I have mixed feelings about their leaving. Sad that after 2 weeks with them, the kids were very well entertained; happy, in the sigh of relief kind of way, that our lives can go back to normal routine again. Daddy K's mid-term break ends today, then it's back to the grind again. This also means that we're half-way through our stay here in NZ. 

We had a beautiful 2 weeks. The first just showing them around Wellington. Sightseeing, shopping, just doing the tourist thing. The second week, we took a road trip. We went up to the ski slopes of Mt Ruapehu to Whakapapa Village, spent 2 nights in Turangi, then went and spent 2 nights by Lake Taupo at Acacia Bay. The last night was spent in Napier, before driving back to Upper Hutt. It was truly an amazing journey, time spent with the family, and more so for me with the in-laws. I haven't really had so much close contact time with them for such an extended amount of time. It was good bonding, especially with the FIL. Will just show some of the pics here. will try to get them on FB soon. 

It started snowing as we were about to leave!

At Wai-O-Tapu, a thermal park

Happy Birthday Singapore!

The last few days have been pretty exciting I must say. On the home front, we were so excited, and were preparing for the arrival of Ah Ma and Ah Gong. The house was cleaned, beds rearranged, and made(!). And yes! I survived 1 whole week on my own with the girls! Woohoo! Also, yesterday was the opening ceremony of the Olympics. I can't believe how precise it had to be that it started at 8.08pm on 08/08/08. Must be chinese! I didn't get to watch it, but I've been scanning through the wondering images on the internet. I was still wondering why they would keep the athletes up till such unearthly hour(12am-4hr ceremony), especially when there are events happening the next day. Couldn't they start earlier and then do something prominent like light the flame at 8.08pm? No wonder half of the NZ team did not march in the ceremony... I'm sure there were many others who gave it a miss... 

Then of course, today, it's Singapore's National Day! Happy 43rd birthday Singapore. It's funny how 9th of August in Singapore seems to be another public holiday, great for a break from work, sit in front of TV, or try to catch a glimpse of fireworks from somewhere. I really just kinda noticed that being so far away, without a hint of any celebrations, I kinda miss all of that buzz that starts way before in June/July with the rehearsals and all. I don't claim to be super patriotic. Neither do I have really any sentiments about the day Singapore gained independence those years ago... It's just kinda nice that everyone is involved, yet not really involved in something as a whole community (if you know what I mean). I think it's been more so in the last year or so for me since we now have kids to bring to the previews/actual show. I get all excited trying to point out and explain the things that go on for Jie K... Not sure at the end of the day it's worth all that sweat, queueing, walking etc, but I sure did enjoy myself last year! The Singapore High Commission did invite us to a National Day celebration, but since K is not around, and I didn't think it'll be appropriate for me to bring 2 small kids to such an official function, where there would be foreign dignitaries etc, we decided not to go. 

Anyway, since we've been living here for 4 months now, and getting to know the ins and outs of the NZ govt/system, we start to appreciate what our govt has done/been doing for us. Sure, there are great benefits living here in this welfare state. I'll just list some of the more pertinent ones to me.

1. There's a minimum wage of $18/hr for anyone. Students and unskilled labour included. That's so much more than I was earning as a newly qualified physio! Notwithstanding the high taxes, of course.

2. Immunisation that falls within their programme, is free for children (foreigners included. You just have to prove that you live in the area).

3. Every 3-4 year-old gets 20-free hours of early childhood education. Standard/quality???

4. There's hardly any homeless people here. ie you don't see many people sleeping in the streets. Then again, I have not been to Auckland... but the impression is that it's quite the same.

There's always the downside... such as people taking advantage of welfare, misusing the money on drugs and alcohol; super high taxes, so the rich are actually paying for the poor. Just general 'poorness' that's felt amongst the Kiwis. 

Yeah... so we could go on about the negatives of the Singapore govt... but there are times when I actually am proud to be an ambassador of my little island state. 

ok so here are more photos:P I can start my exercise regime again! Thank goodness...

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We celebrated K's birthday 2 days early as Aunty A was going to leave the day before his birthday, and she wanted to celebrate it with him. We planned a scrumptious dinner, and spent most of the afternoon of her last day with us in the kitchen preparing! What a joy it was... and according to her, it's her favourite past-time... so she didn't mind, especially with the company of the girls running around our legs...

This was on the menu:

Homemade pumpkin soup (made by yours truly)

Prime Rib Roast (which we didn't get done really well cos we didn't have a meat thermometer, so I am actually enjoying the rest of the nicely done roast the week after in my sandwiches for lunch :P)

Dessert was molten chocolate cake with ice-cream (again, made by yours truly, courtesy of Martha Stewart's recipe) this turned out really well surprisingly, the 2nd time round. The first time, my butter was just so hard, it couldn't mix properly, and I just threw the mixture away. Of course, the 2nd time was worth all that arm workout (since I didn't have a mixer), like I said, made with lots of love and calories!

Yums... I'll try and upload my pics here.

Don't have to guess his age... He's not 3.

I was surprised at how nicely molten it was inside!

Oh well, the day after his birthday, daddy K left for Japan and Korea for 2 weeks. But, the in-laws arrive on saturday! We're all so excited! I think Grandma more than all of us! For now, I've survived 3 nights on our own... just 5 more to go!

Winter...

Here's the forecast for the next week... a big storm is going to hit us tomorrow... praying that Aunty A's flight gets out safely...

The temperature is usually lower by about 5 degrees due to the wind-chill factor... How depressing:(

Sadness turned to joy!

Have you ever felt the anxiousness, agitation and foolishness that overwhelms you when you've realised that you've lost your hand phone? Well that happened to me yesterday... foolishness because I've never lost a hand phone before, and I just couldn't figure how/why I had dropped it, thinking that I was just so stupid! I was so anxious also because we were meant to pick Aunty A up from Waikanae after her retreat ended, and didn't even know what time or where to pick her up from! Knowing that she didn't have K's number with her, and we do not have a landline, how was she to contact me?? Suddenly, I thought that we were just too presumptuous to think that 1 number was sufficient for her to contact us at. But, who would have thought that I would lose my 'life-line'? We tried calling my phone, but no one picked it up. It just kept ringing. I felt that there was still hope that the phone was still on, and that it was probably not stolen.

Anyway, the discovery was made as we were preparing to go to church, 20 minutes before service started. I realised that I'd probably dropped it at the Thai restaurant we were at the night before when I had taken my jacket off, and just draped it on the back of my chair. It must have fallen out while we were eating, or while we were packing up to leave... whenever...

We decided to go to the restaurant to look, which I knew would not be open, or to at least look around the area where the car had been parked. All this while, my heart was heavy, blaming myself for my stupidity. When we knew there was nothing else to do but to call when the restaurant had opened, we headed back. By this time, we were 20 minutes late for service. K asked if I still wanted to go to church. I debated for awhile, but decided in the end that it's the best thing, though I really didn't feel up to it. So here we were, sitting church, listening to the sermon. The scenes of the night before flashing in my head.... I was trying to picture what I should have done, what I would usually do before we left a place (ie check my belongings). I was even thinking about who I could put the blame on! Well, pastor preached on Romans 9. It was interesting how it was put across that we've been chosen by God in His grace and mercy... not because we are special in any way. It was illustrated by the example of Jacob and Esau. God chose Jacob, not because He was better than Esau, He just had to choose someone! I just kept thinking that I'm a recipient of His grace and mercy not by anything that I've done, and I really don't deserve it at all! All the more to be grateful, and store up my treasures in heaven, and not on earth. By this time, my anger and frustrations had quelled, and the joy of the Lord really filled me! I was, by this time, smiling and praising God. After service, I felt that a huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders, and I didn't worry if I found my phone or not. I told K that I had faith that it was at the restaurant, picked up by their staff.

Thankfully, I remembered the name of the retreat centre Aunty A was at, and looked the address up on the internet. We just assumed that she'll be done at 1, and made our way to Waikanae. Thank God also that Ken had her phone number on his Singapore SIM card, and retrieved it before leaving home. We were late getting to her, and as things would turn out, we took a 'short-cut' through a mountain road where there would be NO hand phone signal! So we couldn't even message her to tell her we were late, but were on the way! I thought she might have been frantic and worried about us. Hopefully she hadn't hitched a ride from one of her friends thinking that we didn't get her message! 

Oh, what an eventful day! We got to Aunty A half and hour late, but she was still waiting for us there. Phew...

Back to the hand phone... I called the restaurant in the evening, and found out that the waiter had actually picked up a phone, and gave it to one of my friends at the table, as we had left before the others. I was so thankful! I tried to call one of the girls, but she didn't reply, and my phone still kept going unanswered. My friend finally replied today. I'm so relieved that I've got my phone back. Thank God for that. He also gave me such peace to know that everything will be right in the end. As much as my hand phone is really not as important to me now as when I'm in Singapore, it still is something I can't seem to live without...

Winter marches on...

After the spate of good weather 2 weekends ago, the winter weather returned. No sunshine from Singapore could change that. The rain returned, but temperatures still remained higher than before, though it's forecasted to drop sharply again this week.... The best part of our 4 days with Aunty A is the yummy home-cooked food we had. It brightened up the otherwise gloomy days.... this was what we had...

Thurs lunch: Sa Por Fun

Thurs dinner: Lamb chops

Fri lunch: Fried rice

Fri dinner: Black-pepper prawns

Sat lunch: Nonya prawn noodles

Sat dinner: more noodles and tauyu bak (drool)

Sun breakfast: Porridge 

ok... doesn't sound like much... but when you have not had good chinese food cooked by someone else for a long time... this was good! Not to forget the valuable tips I got watching and helping her. Oh, of course I learnt how to make sambal belachan!!! yums... I won't be missing home food anymore! That's all I need! How easy it is to make the sambal... just need to tahan the grilled belachan smell for a few hours. We were eating all the time. What better way to define a holiday than to eat right? Now, I have to double my exercise regime before she returns on Sunday.

Anyway, both the Ks really enjoyed having someone staying with us. They bonded very well with Aunty A. We went for walks by the river and in the forest (during the breaks in the rain), and drives to Eastbourne, Martinborough (wine country), Greytown and Carterton. Walked through small art galleries, hung out together, cooked together, and at night, the kids would arm themselves with their books, and rush in to her room when she did, shouting, "READ". Best person to ask to read to them, I reckon. The girls adored her, especially jie K. 

I really thank God for all our blessings. I'm amazed at how mei K has suddenly 'caught up' in her development of speech, and in understanding in the last month or so. As a parent of 2, I constantly find myself comparing the milestones of my 2 girls, not to compare who's better but really to know that the wee one is up to speed. I was worried initially at how much slower mei K was in picking up words, and she didn't seem to understand us, or we understand her. This made it very frustrating for both of us, and I must admit may have contributed to labeling her as being 'difficult'. Perhaps, I felt that being the 2nd child, I did spend a lot less one-on-one contact time with her, battled with a jealous older sibling, read and spoke less to her, and generally felt guilty that I didn't spend the same quantity and quality time I did with jie K. So the Lord has blessed us with family time here in NZ for me to accomplish this! Although, I sometimes feel that I'm not always making the best of my time, but I'm sure some of it is well used. Now, mei K can probably say up to 20 words, understands us mostly, sings some words and do the actions of familiar songs. Her best word now (as expected) is "NNNOOOOOO!", especially when her sister tries to take things away from her.  I no longer feel like I "can't handle her" (which I used to think), in fact I now enjoy watching the little munchkin grow, though not in stature (she still remains tiny for her age), develop a sense of humour, and a very cheeky smile(if only we can capture it on camera). 

I'm also very grateful that daddy K has realised that jie K is starting to need more father-daughter time now. The last month has been so hectic for him, even the weekends are spent doing work. Last night, while I was at netball training, they had a nice father-daughter talk. Daddy found out what makes her happy:

1) Chippies and french fries

2) Playing with toys especially boxes that she can store imaginary chippies in (see 1)

3) Playing with babies and pushing them around in prams

4) Having someone read her books to her.

5) Books.

He has said he wants to make the effort to read to her at night, and speaking her love language. (although I'm sure no. 1 is not the best thing...)

Exercise Log:

Last Monday am run

Time taken: 25 mins

Last Wed am run

Time taken: 40 mins

Route: usual including Palmer Cres

Mon am run

Time taken: 30 min

In 1 week, I've received news of 3 new pregnancies amongst my friends! 2009 sure will be a fruitful one!

Sunshine after the rain

Yesterday, we had sunshine, and NO wind... It was probably the hottest it's been since we've arrived in NZ, topping at about 14 degrees. Today is just the same, with the sun shining, perfect day for a day out in the park. I know that it's sun from home because Aunt A just arrived here from Singapore on Saturday, bringing the sun here with her! Over friday and saturday, the rain was beating down, with huge winds. My netball match was even cancelled, when the week before, we played in the foul weather. About 5 minutes after our game ended, it started hailing! Anyway, saturday night, the gales sounded like it was blowing through our house. Being in a rented house, with windows that are not double-glazed, I was just praying that our windows didn't break, or our roof fly off! The weather forecast was for 140kmh winds. 

So, when the next day was just perfect, we took the trip up the Mount Vic again, this time with Aunt A, walked down Oriental Parade, and had Indian dinner with her.

Oh yes, I must mention that we were really happy with the bag-load of goodies Aunt A brought for us from home! woohoo... we were so excited, kids included. Packet rempah, other things we needed, even books and Dora the Explorer DVDs from the grans! Heaps of thanks to Aunt A for bringing, even risking being overweight baggage coming here... Now I've gotta look for fresh crabs! She brought the spices for black pepper crab! yumm.... drool... can't wait. 

Last week has been a pleasant baking experience for me. I had bought some frozen puff pastry few weeks ago to make a pot pie which came out very well. (both K and I have a soft spot for pastry) With whatever was left of the packet, I decided to try making sausage rolls by just putting cooked sausages, rolling it up in the pastry, and baking it! It was the easiest, most popular cooked snack by far. Daddy K had also been craving for curry puffs. Unfortunately, the last time we saw it on the menu at a Malaysian restaurant, it was sold out! So i thought I might try making it with my puff pastry, though it's not the favoured type he likes. (but you know beggars can't be choosers!) I searched the internet, and found a site that said you can use leftover chicken curry as the filling! Thus, chicken curry was on the menu for the next night's dinner. I then used the leftover curry to make rectangle curry puffs! Voila! The family now thinks I'm the best cook in town! Both daddy , jie K and even mei K (who only ate the crust) were asking for more! I was pleased... How easy to satisfy my customers at Mama's Cafe! I'm now inspired to try more things! 

Piping hot curry puffs!

Exercise Log:

Monday and Tuesday am run:

Time: 30 mins each

Tuesday pm walk 

Jie K in stroller, and Mei K in backpack

Time: 1 hour

Monday am run:

time: 25mins

For those who have not seen our new pics on FB, here's the link, and here

Aunt A comes back to stay with us on Wednesday after she comes back from Christchurch. Have to plan the days to spend with her! Can't wait!

Half of 2008 gone???

My, how time flies when you are going about everyday busying yourself with children, thinking of how to keep them entertained... Then again, I really go about each week barely even knowing what day/date it is. Each day is associated with what activity we're going to... with that, 3 months have flown by... it's the start of July, the second half of 2008... where has time gone? 

We look forward to having a familiar face from home here with us in 2 weeks time. A is coming to stay with us for 4 days, after spending 2 days in Wellington, and 2 days in Christchurch. We are looking forward to a different chef in our kitchen too! A chef well known for her skills, especially in peranakan cuisine! I can't wait! 

Well, we've effectively lived out a whole school term here in Upper Hutt. This is what it's been like during the day till daddy comes home:

Monday am: chill out at home 

     pm: Kindy

Tuesday am: Playgroup

     pm: Kindy

Wednesday am: Gymbaroo followed by hanging out at shops in Lower Hutt

         pm: chill out at home

Thursday am: Library story-telling

          pm: Kindy

Friday am: Mainly Music.

     pm: Park if weather is good. Every other week the partner's meet for lunch. 

So, the term break is here... what will we do for the next 2 weeks? Contrary to what this mum thought, most if not all of the above activities cease during the term break! Most of the activities that happen then are catered to the older kids who are out of school. So, what do the ones with younger kids do? Fortunately, this mum has been actively making some contact with other mums, and has been invited to at least 1 mum's house for coffee and to let the kids entertain each other, giving us a break to catch up with adult conversations... 

Well, I know that the rest of our time here will fly by just as quickly if not faster, with parents and in-laws visiting, holidays and a wedding to attend. I need to learn to treasure and cherish each moment, make the most of the time for the kids, to have fun with them, 'educate' them. I somehow feel like I have been neglecting them, in a way, allowing them to play by themselves, not engaging them in 'adult' conversations as such... How can I better make use of these precious months when their minds are absorbing everything like a sponge? For one, I know that che K will be far behind her peers when she goes back to N2 next year... thoughts of "can she catch up?"," will she be able to read by the time she's 4 like the others?" Never thought I'd be like that... but I guess every Singaporean has some of that KS streak in them, eh? 

Oh well, only time will tell.

Feeling fat... need to exercise more... Eat less of my yummy chocolate brownie! (the best brownie I've ever made... from scratch ok!)

Exercise Log:

Tuesday am run

Time: 25 mins

Thurs am run

Time: 30 mins

Another fall...

Sigh... I think I'm just a bit too old to start playing this game of netball. Last saturday, I fell over again during a match! I don't even recall how it happened. It was in the final quarter.I either kicked my opponent or she kicked me. Well, this time, thank God no skin left on the ground. Rolled over, got up and carried on. BUT, about 5 hours later, my left ankle was hurting, and I was limping around, in che K's exact words "like and old lady". When I finally got to put my feet up at night, there was a small swelling, and severe pain, that I felt like amputating the foot off!!! I now know how my patients feel... the very thought of having someone mobilise and treat my ankle was just too painful, so I decided to treat myself... 2 days later, lots of ice, elevation and neurofen, I'm walking normally, and even contemplating a run tomorrow morning. 

Having said that, I had the most fun playing WD on saturday. Although we lost, but I think I've found the position that suits me best. Really hoping that I'm better by this weekend so I can play again.

Well, the papa K has been so busy this last week. Having 3 or 4 assignments due within a week. I can sense the stress is building up. But i really thank God for sustaining him, and us. K has decided that the family needs to take priority, so we've been privileged to have him home every evening to help feed the girls and then putting them to sleep before putting in a good 2-3 hours of work. I try to stay up to support him, whilst trying not to snack with him too much... I know that some of the NZ guys have been staying in camp, only going home on the weekends. So I can't complain. It could be worse. I really grateful that K tries to spend as much time as he can with us, especially on the weekends, knowing that some of his peers put in so much more time than he does... Sometimes he feels that he's losing out, being Singaporean, you just can't help comparing yourself with others. I feel it's the quality not the quantity. Like I said, it could be worse... imagine 1 whole year like that in Singapore, where the workload and the competition could possibly be double!

Today was also the 2nd time I led songs at the playgroup. It's been such a joy. Although it's just 10-15 mins, singing 3-4 songs, but the adrenaline that flows through me, and the happiness and smiles on each one of their faces, is just enough to keep me going till the end of the day. The children are easy to please. Their rapt attention from beginning to end, as long as you are talking or singing, us just remarkable... who ever said children had short attention spans? Just ignore the parents observing you, be silly, and jump around for the kids!

Exercise Log: 

Wednesday, Thursday am run:

Time: 30 mins

Route: 4km up to Palmer Cr

I need to start exercising again soon!

Somewhere over the rainbow...

The view from our window...

Update: some photos in previous posts. Including my bruised knee...

Totally weaned... finally!

Yes! As of last week, I'm officially not mei K's cow anymore!!! As a grand old age of 16 months, I've finally managed to wean her off the breast during the night, and we are all getting much better sleep now! It took a whole week to get to this... a whole week of sleepless nights for all of us including che K. Che was waking up in the middle of the night crying and screaming, perhaps having night terrors, but definitely woken up by mei's cries which sometimes lasted up to an hour! After 3 nights, I was ready to throw in the towel. The disturbed sleep I was getting nursing her through the night seemed much better. At least it was sleep, and I was the only one who was disturbed. It first started out as trying to get her to go to sleep by herself, and to be independent of us throughout the night. However, our ever agile mei K was just to smart for us, and climbed out of her portacot several times, falling down on 2 occasions. So, we decided to just sit by her cot just to ensure she doesn't fall out, but to let her cry herself to sleep. That really didn't work. It just made everyone in the house so highly strung and grouchy from the lack of sleep. Che K was acting up in the day, being moody and just not talking to anyone. So we lost that battle... But the good thing that came out of it was that she had already gone for 3 nights without nursing! So I persisted another 3 nights on my own in a separate room with mei tugging and pinching and pulling at my tits every 45 mins or so... Again, after 1 week, I was ready to surrender. But, I thank agony aunt C who encouraged me to press on... and I did for 1 more night. That night, I won! Every time mei woke up that night, she just tossed, turned, found my arm, then promptly fell back to sleep without a whimper. Hallelujah! 

Exercise log:

Tuesday am run

Time: 20 min

Route: Ararino St  8  Messines Ave 8   Fergusson Dr

Thurs am run

Time: 20 min

Route: as above

Fri am run

Time: 30 min

Route: Fergusson Dr  8   Palmer Cr  8   Messines Ave 8   Ararino St

Sunday am run

Time: 50 min

Route: Moonshine Rd 8   Moonshine Park 8   Trentham Memorial Park  8   Fergusson Dr

Happy 3rd Birthday K!

Yesterday, che K celebrated her 3rd birthday! We had a great time, and God really blessed us with wonderful weather for a day out in Wellington city. We had decided on going to the Wellington zoo instead of the Staglands wildlife reserve as we had found out that Staglands had animals running around in the open for us to feed them. But after the experience we had with K at the Lindale animal farm, where she was so freaked out by the goats and pigs who came so close to her, we decided the zoo would be a better option. 

The weather turned out to be the best day to be at the zoo, as it was not too windy (for Wellington, that is) and the sun was out! She seemed to enjoy herself, though she was too scared to get too close to the enclosures. It was a decent zoo (esp since it was in the middle of the city)... but being singaporean, we just can't help comparing it to our own zoo, and of course, there's simply no comparison. There are times like these that I'm proud to be Singaporean. Of course, we don't have kiwis or kangaroos or wallabies, or even kookubaras (we were fortunate to hear it laugh!). The interesting bits for me were really the native birds and animals. 

After the zoo, we went to have a late dim sum(they call it yum cha) lunch, then went up to the Mt Victoria lookout. We had dinner at home, and had the birthday cake, and ended the day by watching the Chronicles of Narnia: the lion, the witch and the wardrobe at home. Yes, we haven't seen that one, and the next one is out already! For those who haven't seen the 1st one, I'd highly recommend it. It was awesome!! The parallels to the Christian faith was just so subtle, yet so powerful. I can't wait to see the next one, the Prince of Caspian.

  

Did I tell you that I made the cake? Oh... what a failure it turned out to be... it was the best tasting fudge brownie, but the ugliest looking Dora-wannabe cake! I was really too ambitious in thinking I be able to do that! Well, I'm too embarrassed to show what it really looked like here... maybe in private...For the record, only her black hair turned out right... I covered the rest of the ugly cake with lollies!

Today, we were invited to the house of a couple from church who were from South Africa. They had adopted a girl from China, who's 7 months older than che K. They got along so well, and played so beautifully. We were really happy that they managed to connect, and the adults got time to get to know each other over lunch. Che K really enjoyed her weekend thoroughly. Hopefully, we can try and make a regular play-date with her new friend.

Well, speaking to the couple, they shared with us the challenges of raising an adopted child. Although they had had her from 14 months, they spoke of the emotional baggage she still carries with her. She is a really cute, happy, extroverted child, who has boundless energy. She's so sociable, and speaks to almost anyone. Yet, at the back of her mind, she probably still has scars from the memories of abandonment, and the orphanage she lived in. Her parents said that she always portrayed babies as being very sad, and some images of many babies together in a room made her cry once. They also related a conversation with a counsellor who had counseled another adopted 4 year old. Somehow, it came up in the session that the child had related her fears and sadness with knives! This was later related to an attempted abortion while the child was still in-utero!

Doesn't it make you wonder???

Amazing little minds...

Today after church, che K was singing this song I was unfamiliar with... when I asked her, she said it was a song she had just learned in sunday school. It went something like,"I am the way, the truth and the life." In some rhythm... She just kept repeating this line, so I thought that was all she remembered.

Just earlier after we returned from our sunday grocery and mini 'sightseeing' trip to Eastbourne, she was jumping on the bed singing, (in words I tried to decipher) "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one see the power but with me." Something to that effect... After putting the pieces together, I realised what it was. "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." John 14:6. Of course, I had to correct her, and sing with her the right words to her tune. I then struck me how easy it was for an almost 3 year old to pick up and memorise these verses through play and songs! If only my mind was half as nimble... 

Seems like she's learning more from church than kindy... Well, as much as I wonder how much of Singapore they miss or who they remember, che K has on more than 1 occasion suggest that we return to her sunday school in Singapore. She said she preferred it there. When I asked if she was referring to the one where aunty C usually is singing and dancing, she said yes...(imagines mad mom grinning from ear to ear...) Of course, in comparison, SACC's children min is much more organised than the one at UHBC, and it's different in many ways. Firstly, UHBC's congregation is like 100, and there are like less than 10 children in K's class for kids 3-5 yrs. The children stay with the adults in service for the first 10 mins of songs and announcements, then go across the road to the hall. There, they sing maybe 1-2 songs informally, have a story read, and then have art and craft. So in all, I think it's just not as full on, and 'fun' for her. One other thing that I noticed though is that they have a creche for kids under 3. There's a big play area for toys, even a big doll house! I tried to put mei K there once, but alas... 5 mins later, she was bawling her eyes out. I'm still a bit hesitant to even try again.

Oh well, next saturday is che K's 3rd birthday... ambitious mummy has decided to bake a cake... since it's quite the norm here, as compared to buying one! Thanks to one of the ladies at our partners lunch, (ie partners of people on the staff course) I found a shop that rents out cake tins in various shapes. Brought che K to have a look, and to choose which cake she'd like. Needless to say, she chose Dora the Explorer... So mummy dearest is now trying to decide if I should use the Martha Stewart brownie recipe, which I'm not sure will take well to a mould, or an easy chocolate cake recipe. Both of which I've never tried making before... Just in case it doesn't turn out well, we might not invite anyone to her birthday party :p

Well, the plan is to bring her somewhere to catch a glimpse or to play with some snow, if we're lucky, otherwise to invite the Korean family to have a small picnic at the park. Will just see what she wants...

Hila-rious...

On the way to Wellington city, we drove past this billboard... an advert for Tui Beer... 

If Hilary wins, Monica gets her job back.

(click on the link above to see what it looks like)

Feeling the pressure...

Just wanted to put up the photos we've taken over the past 1 month. All the photos are now on FB. But if you are not on FB, then here're the links and here...

So the last week has been relatively uneventful. Big K is up to his ears in books (really!). The stresses of the course is building up, and even we can feel it. I've been trying to be the good supportive wife by staying up with him while he slogs it out... Over the long weekend (today NZ c

elebrates the Queen's Bday!), I just had to exercise by patience and understanding, and to try to occupy the kids while he studies. But, the 2 Ks were not so cooperative, and insisted that daddy play with them! Oh well, perhaps I could have done more by keeping them busy or bringing them out. Anyway, k wanted to 'make-up' for the 'lost' weekend by bringing us into the city. So we went... walked the Oriental Parade, drooled over the sea-fronting property, whilst talking over our investment plans which may help support our retirement...(not!) Then we had dinner at HK BBQ, which has been recommended as closest to the REAL DEAL. We had chicken rice! yums...

Today, as netball training, my legs were just like jelly, or my shoes were slippery, but i took 2 hard knocks on the court during team drills, both on my right knee! I was like flat out on my tummy both times! You know like try to fly but only skimming the surface of the netball court! How embarrassing! The 2nd time, I felt like a rugby player diving in for a try! Fortunately (or not) I was wearing long

s. The 2nd fall, I landed pretty hard on my knee and that hurt! I had like road-rash on my knee, and found most of my skin on the inside of my pant-leg... sigh... But after I sat out a team drill, I found myself playing better when I returned to the court!

Maybe my legs were just jelly from the run I did this morning...

This is what it looked like the morning after...

Exercise Log:

Sat morning run:

Time: 30 mins

Route: Ararino Street 8     Palmer Cresent   8   Fergusson Drive

Mon morning run:

Time: 32 mins

Route: Same as above

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" Psalm 1119:104-106

Beautiful weekend

The good news is, this mum survived 5 days and 4 nights alone with her 2 active kids! So, daddy dearest wanted to make up for lost time by bringing us on a long weekend trip to Wanganui and to see the West Coast. When I was planning for the weekend and booking the hotel, the weather forecast said that it would be a cold, wet and gloomy weekend. We decided we'd just go by faith and enjoy our family time together. By the grace of God, the weather was perfect. It was even warmer than we'd expected! We had a great time. The highlight of our trip was going up Mt Taranaki, seeing Dawson Falls, and the one and a half hour trek through a trail while covered in clouds. The best bit was on the way out of the trail, che K was voted the best downhill walker of all time, jumping over roots and muddy patches. Such a change from the grouch we had on the way in who even pretended to sleep on daddy's shoulder so that she could be carried. 

The better news is still to come!!!

Weight lost to date: 1kg!!!!(WOOT!)

Still too slow... but this will spur me on!!!

Exercise Log:

Tuesday walk with stroller:

Time: 1 hour

Route: Trentham Kindy  8    Messines Ave  8    Moonshine Park  8     Moonshine Walk   8   Trentham Kindy

It's been the least exercise I've done in a week!!! Sigh...

Now I know...

I've been bringing the girls to the Upper Hutt Baptist Church Playgroup on Tuesdays for 3 weeks now. It's at the church we've been visiting, and will probably settle at for this year. It's a really nice place for mothers and fathers alike to bring their kids, and just have time to sit around talking over coffee with other parents, while the children have 2 hours of free-play. And it's packed with about 30-40 kids in total, but about 25 turn up each week. The 1st week I went, we filled up the last slots of the playgroup. Like one of the mothers I spoke to told me, it's a relief for her to go to these playgroups, so she doesn't have to think of how to entertain them without leaving them in front of the TV. 

Well, today while at playgroup, the lady who leads the group mentioned during the last 10 min of singing that anyone was welcomed to take over the singing time. They usually sing kiddie songs like  from the Wiggles, or just nursery rhymes etc. At that time, it didn't strum a chord in me. I just remember thinking that the singing time could be done better. Just lying in bed putting the girls to sleep, I suddenly had a shiver down my spine, and saw a vision of the someone singing sunday school songs, and another person reading bible stories to the kids in that same hall with the very same kids at the playgroup! I asked the Lord what it meant, and He showed me that I could be the one doing those things. The playgroup attracts mothers from the community, who do not go to the church at all. I've only seen 1 familiar face from Sunday service at that playgroup(other than the group leader). I felt that the Lord was showing me that this could be a good way of evangelising to the innocent minds of the children through songs and bible stories! At the moment, I'm still unsure if this is really the vision of the people who started the playgroup, and if they had intentionally made it secular. The Lord willing, I'll try to come out of my shell and approach the organiser to share my vision, and volunteer my help. 

Perhaps this is my purpose...

1st netball match!

Played for the first time yesterday! Only for 1 half... but that was quite good enough. What an experience! My first ever competitive netball match. I think I might not have done much good to the team being on the court as WA for 1 quarter, then WD for the next quarter, but the coach said that I played alright for my first time on court. Perhaps if I had stayed off the court, they would have kept their 2 goal lead at half-time:P But who knows... the shooters were quite tired at the end, and they lost quite a number of the balls. 

Well, looking forward to more court time now...

Papa K is away. Left for Auckland today, and back on Thursday. I'm really glad that I've established a routine for the kids with most days packed with activities. Makes the day go by quicker. Today was great. Che K was so cooperative at dinner, she fed herself, and helped me to oversee mei K while they played in the garden. Mei K also liked dinner today, and was one of the rare meals where I was not fighting with her to sit and eat her meal... sigh... gives me such pressure to prepare yummy meals for them. I must say, though, that I think my cooking seems to be improving, although, I still stand in front of the freezer everyday and wonder "what on earth should I cook today?" My repertoire of dishes only stretches so far. Eating everyday for so many weeks, really challenges my creativity. On top of that, the limited availability, or rather the extraordinary premium you have to pay for asian spices, and the rarity of things like pork bones and fresh fish, and even prawns(!), makes it more difficult. Up till today, the only stir-fried veg I've cooked is with oyster sauce or just with garlic and soy sauce... Of course my loving husband says it's his fav veg, and truth be told, I've never really seen him eat that much veg before... I'm the one getting bored with cooking the same styled veg just with different types of vegetables! I also stumbled upon a traditional Maori dish called 'Boiled up' on my own quite by accident. I saw some pork bones in the supermarket, which was labelled at 'bacon bones'. Not quite knowing what the difference was, I bought it thinking that I could use it to make soup with water cress which we got from the weekend market. After making the soup the first time, I realised that the bones were actually smoked, and gave the whole soup a bacon-y taste, which was alright as I'd thrown in carrots and potatoes as well, it was very tasty, albeit a little salty. Yesterday, we had a netball team potluck, and our coach made that traditional Maori dish especially for us to try, and what do you know, it was exactly like the soup I had made twice in the last 2 weeks! Her soup had pumpkin and celery, I think, on top of what I had put in, boiled till there was much less soup than mine, but the overall taste was the same! 

Will try and update with pics on special dishes I do here. 

For now, it's just cooking to please the little one...

Some photos for now, Happy Mother's day!

I've put up some more photos on my Kodak Gallery. Some taken by K's new toy. I haven't figured out how to link it to my blog. 

Anyway, a friend made a comment about my last post about hitting children being illegal in NZ. She said that in UK, it's the hitting of the child on their head that's illegal, so I thought it might be the case here too. Yesterday at church, I read in the newsletter that they are getting a petition signed. It read "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be criminal offence". So perhaps, the case here is that any form of hitting is against the law here!!!

Was pulled out of bed and asked to go running this Mother's day! It was nice though. Came home to find the breakfast was ready, and che K ran up to me and wished me Happy Mother's day with a hug and kiss! Thank you all... 

Exercise log:

Thurs pm run/walk with stroller

Time: 50min

Route: Trentham Kindy 8    Trentham Memorial Park  8   Moonshine Park    

Sun am run

Time: 40 mins

Route: Moonshine Park 8   Trentham Memorial Park  8  Fergusson Drive