Mummy, Help!

I'm not sure who is more happy receiving Christmas gifts -- not my sons, but muah! My husband and I spent 2 hours assembling their toys .... haha

I Love Christmas ... (Shopping actually) !

It has already been a ritual that the night of Christmas eve is reserved for party with my relatives belonging to my maternal side. And this is the 4th year that we've held it at Ming's condominum.

Thank God the weather was fantastic that day. I think Ming must have prayed hard for the weather, but forgot pray to win the top 4 lucky draw prizes, which is the main highlight of the event. It had us cheering at the top of our voices and sucking up to the guest-of-honor (Ah Ma) not to pick our names first. The 1st prize this year is a $80 voucher and the subsequent 2nd to 4th prize is a $50 voucher each. The rest of the prizes consist mainly of very practical presents such as tissue boxes, biscuits and recycled presents (which I'm sure everyone is aware of) such as perfume, souveniers from the beer promotion, photo frames, etc. I've got a packet of biscuit this year. Opps nearly forgot -- must credit Ming, Peng & Arbi for sponsoring the buffet dinner; and Daddy Yeo, Peng and Henry for the vouchers.

The kids enjoyed themselves most, cos they were showered with presents. And their mummy here too, has enjoyed shopping for presents for the past few days (with permission granted from Gavin, ok) who had kindly agreed to help to babysit the kids, while I shopped to my heart's content.

Did I tell you my dream job (last time lah) is to be a purchaser at some departmental stores or be a professional shopper. Now I wish I have the $$$$$ to set up my very own shop to sell clothes, gifts and anything trendy, except "kar-chung".

Honour Our Parents

I thought it only happen in my office that we were asked to put together an event within a 2 weeks notice. Luckily, quite used to this. We had this plan of organizing a Parents Appreciation Night in the middle of this year, but somehow we have been putting it on hold. God has His own timing and I truly believe that it will be for the best.

When God is is the midst, we can rest in Him to know that everything will in place at His precise timing. The Lord’s favour is definitely upon us. When the group size ballooned from 40 pax to about over 60 pax and God provided us with an alternative venue next to the church in Marine Parade fairly quickly. And He was there when we were planning and acquiring the gifts, especially the plants, the “Life” mineral water and the candle & tealight holders and also guiding us in planning of His program. Also, initially we had to turn over the room in 15 minutes, but the booking prior to our event was cancelled and we had ample time to set up the place *phew*!

The theme for the Christmas party was “Honour your parents” taken from Exodus 20:12. Of course, the party is for our parents and I can sense that they did enjoy themselves. Wasted, I didn't take a picture of them playing the games of musical chairs and blanket game. And how could they go home without hearing the Christmas message ... hehe. I think alot of the non-Christians parents sort of know the drill, they wanted to 'siam' liao, but were too paiseh to leave, or perhaps they were weak on their knees already after they heard us sang the song 至少还有你 Zhi Shao Hai You Ni, dedicated to them. Aiyoh, that night, my eyes were tearing from time to time -- when we sang the song, during Pastor’s sermon, and while saying a prayer of blessings to my parents. So paiseh, my mum has to offer me a tissue paper.

But what I really want to share is -- before encountering this small, but yet faith-building victory of seeing my parents actually coming for my church events, I have been facing a long battle within myself of fear of don’t know what – rejection? paiseh-ness (sometimes don’t know what to say or share really)?. 2007 is a Year of Victory, which God has promised. Pastor shared that in order to have victory, we need to enter into battle. And the one thing that is required of us is to step out in faith. So simple hor, but I tell you it is not -- at least for me. But the most challenging one was the first time that I had to bless my parents aloud and face-to-face during the 100K Blessings in July this year.

The background to my relationship with my parents has somehow become a bit "ke-ki" (polite/ formal). Having being married for so long (into my 10th year in 2008), and over the years, the returning-home-once-a-week gathering on Sunday, seems to have subtly drawn us apart by the millimetres each year and there is this mild awkardness at times, where you normally associate with CNY gatherings of just some superficial sharings. Sometimes, I feel I am just reporting of how the week has been for me and my family and would update them on the kids' funny moments or new tricks. Seriously, I can't remember when is the last time that I sat down to have a heart-to-heart talk, cos time is always so short on Sundays, and the kids are either cranky or noisy to deepen any conversation.

Boy, it was tough for me to open my mouth to invite my parents, especially my Dad to come. Perhaps, it's because I simply assumed that I still know my parents well, and in my heart and mind I can already foresee what would his reply and reaction be, and thus, I had a lot of reservations. I probably think too much liao. Anyway then, as the date of the event drew near and we needed to confirm the order of food and gifts, I signed up both my parents in faith.

My dad didn’t agree at first but gave me a vague reply, “I’ve got no appointment that day, but can’t really confirm. See how first.” And Mum’s reply is always depending on dad’s decision, cos she is one submissive woman who stands by her man, accompanying him wherever he wants to go or do (including roller-bladding at mid 50s) so that he will not be lonely, actually I think it’s more of her not feeling lonely. Anyway, both my parents came that night. Dad sent me an sms “Ok, see you there” only that morning after much pestering and smses. He came because he didn’t want to disappoint me that every other parent came and mine didn’t come.

Actually in my heart, my main desire is for my parents to come to this party so that there will be an opportunity for my parents to get to meet my other spiritual family -- my pastor & wife, cell leaders, brothers and sisters-in-Christ, who have been my counsellor, guide and support and also for my friends to meet my parents, whom my cell has been praying with me. It has always been a great joy meeting many of my friend's parents and hearing their sharing. And it finally dawn on me that if I didn't open my mouth to invite my parents to come, then I am robbing them of this opportunity of experiencing this same joy of fellowship that I had.

That night, after blessing my parents once again, I felt that there was a change in our relationship, as if something between us has been removed. I believe this is only the beginning and there are more blessings to come.

My Name is "Blackie"

Have been busy lately with Christmas with feasting, shopping for Christmas gifts, spring cleaning and spending time with the kids before school reopens, however, the weather has not been great.

Talking about feasting, we had our admin lunch at the Straits Kitchen at Hyatt Hotel on Wednesday, 19 December. Lunch was good cos it's buffet serving local hawker delights. And we bump into Aunty Connie who brought her department there too.

Just prior to lunch, we had our gifts exchange. I bought a wallet for my secret pal, Selvi, who does not need anything, cos she is blessed with a husband who shops for her from clothes to footwear and even her Christmas presents for the office and gift exchange. And I received a lovely necklace from Fern Ni in my favourite colour, green.

Ate too much that afternoon and the new shoes that my mother-in-law gave were biting me, so I decided to have my bi-annual haircut. I hate going to the hairdresser, cos it's a 3-4 hours affair of washing, cutting, rebonding (this time round), colouring, treatment, blow dry and some minor trimming again. It's worst during festive period. I would usually give some excuse about rushing off to fetch my kids and then they'll get 2 helpers to colour and blowing my hair. However, this recent trip to the hairdresser was a nightmare and it broke my record of 4 hours. I sat from 4:30 to 10:00 pm -- a solid 5.5 hours. By 7:30 pm, I still haven't colour my hair and I was so traumatized that I decided to colour my hair all black, so that I need no go back to the hairdressing saloon to have "alps" of my head being touch up for a while. I was getting up from my chair every half an hour to stretch myself. I definitely got pins on my buttocks, cos I can't sit still, which also explains why I enjoy my events job lor.

And guess what is the first sentence that my husband said to me?

Gavin: Wah, so long ah, got buy my KFC burger or not?
Val: Yah, no $ to take cab, cos spent a bomb at the hairdressor liao.
(Ah! Now I finally managed to get his attention.)
Gavin: Oh, how's your haircut? Not much difference leh?
Val: I JUST rebonded my hair and colour my hair black.
Gavin: Oh I see.
Val: Never mind, go and eat your burger.

That night, I think my face was as black as my hair.

Christmas Candy House

The kids had a fun time decorating the Christmas Candy house, but didn't get to eat the house after that, cos they already had too many jelly beans and mashmallows, while decorating it.

Different Perspectives = Miscommunication

There are many languages.
There are many interpretations.
Is it an interpreter issue?
A perspective issue?
The wrong adverbs?
It's a miracle anyone understands anyone.

Words excerpted from http://www.loneprairie.net/

2007- A Bountiful Year of Piglets

This year has been a year of "fruitfulness". Many of my friends are having piglets. I think I have been to more hospital visits this year in comparison to my facials visits.

2007/2008
Mar: Gina (Gila) + Erik = Shayna Seah
Aug: Kristy (Colleague) + James = Kieron Ang
Sep: Jason (Gavin's cousin) + Sally = Isabella Ang
Nov: Connie (Cell group) + Boong Seng = Daniel
Nov: Verene (Colleague) + Jacky = Shirlyn Yow
Nov: Henry (Colleague) + Judy = Kelly Kwan
Nov: Val Hea (Gila) + Jacob = Aaron + Asher Kong (yah, twins!)
Jan: Rebekah (Cell group) + Chin Hsiung = Danielle
Jan: Meiyih (Cell group) + Lip Keong = Matthew

And of course, the hot topic for conversation these days has been baby talk. Which is why, one automatically promote to "aunty" level after giving birth, cos suddenly all our conversation suddenly focus on one thing -- our children. And then it snowballed to bitch about in-laws, maids and even husbands. Hehe.. I'm guilty of that too.

But seriously, sometimes, I wonder what would the single friends amongst us feel, when we keep on blabbering about kids and nothing else. What happen to those good old topics about last night's TV show, the new/interesting experiences, sharing of good tidings, or even the boring current events? I think I need a system to remind myself to zip up, especially among single friends, and try not to end up being sucked into the conversation about children. Please feel free to show me the boring look, or tell me straight off in the face (if I still don't get your hint) to change it from Kids Central channel to Arts Central or even Channel "yoU". I would rather you tell me bluntly, than to loose your friendship.