USA Bound

(USA Bound - A mini notebook for her to document her next phase of life)

One of my colleagues at work is going to the US soon. So I made this mini notebook for her to document her phase of life.

Talking about this colleague of mine LT, I can still remember the initial years when she just joined us. The rest of us were rather skeptical of her and a few others who came along at the same time. Hahaha... those were the days.

As years passed, we have grown closer. Not to the very close type, but close enough to share common hobby, secrets etc. We have worked together for many occasions too, and through all these, I truly admire her dynamism and dedication to whatever that is entrusted upon her.

I truly wish she will have an enriching journey in the USA, although I am surely going to miss her too.

So smiley

(Having fun at the Changi Airport)

Mei Mei is one gal who is definitely different from her jie jie. While Atria seldom cries when she was much younger, mei mei is one who screams at the top of her voice. But she is also much more smiley too.

When mei mei is in a happy mood, she is really soooo adorable. Loves the way she likes to interact with people and her eyes will grow wide with delight. She is also easily excitable haha.... I love her smiles too. Always make my heart melt even though I am super stressed with her constant high pitch screaming :(

With her along, I was initially worried whether I will be able to spend equal time with both of them. Since Atria is also rather attention seeking at the moment. I am very grateful to my mum who is always there for us (even on weekends when either the hubby or I need to work sometime) and is showering mei mei with all the love when Atria cling to me. The hubby also played a huge part too. Without his support and being so hands on, I will not be able to juggle my work and family till now.

Time passes so quickly. Mei mei is already coming to 15 months. She is walking rather well now. And its seems like yesterday when I delivered her at home. ...

Hard Work Paid Off?

(Working really hard at home)

About a month ago, I spent the whole of youth day holiday and burnt several nites of midnite oil to complete an assignment at work. I was thinking was all this hard work worth the effort? Or is it just going to be another complete waste of my precious time? Well, I got the answer 2 days back.

At the beginning of the workshop, I was still rather apprehensive about myinterpretation of the assignment given. Has I interpreted it correctly? Is it detailed enough? Can I defend my case? I was worried sick about some of the sections that were not done by me (as we divided up our portion to work on it) and how am I going to present it when I am not even convinced myself. My worry and fear was aggravated by the fact that I saw my other colleagues shot down flat by the consultant (who of course were supposed to help us).

My group presented last during the workshop. We were not even sure whether we get the chance to present. But I am so glad we did.

The hours spent on working on this assignment paid off. My work was given the thumbs up by both the consultants. I am so happy!!!

This is a defining moment to me. Haha... As I mentioned earlier that I really needed a booster in my work.. and I think this is it! I just needed the affirmation that I can do my job well. I needed it badly as I just switched my portfolio and was at quite a loss to what to do. Woah! This assignment allows me to tell myself the big YES, I can do it! Ha Ha Ha...

I am still on cloud 9. But for how long will this booster last? I really dont know. With so much changes happening in my workplace nowsaday, I really dont know. I just wish it will last for as long as I need it.

My Superhero

(some rare moments of fun @ Mac with all her gor gor)
(Gor Gor entertaining her)

(My superhero - Look at her big swollen eye)

2nd Jan 2011.

Atria had such bad eye bacterial infection, coupled with prolonged high fever. (more than 10 days). She was admitted to KKH. As a mummy, I was so super worried about her. The hubby was outstation at the moment. I felt so desperately alone.

My dear Atria did me proud. She did not cry or even made the slightest sound while the nurses get the plug (for IV) on her. I named her my superhero. With the plug on, she was rather limited in the movement and was slightly affected by it. But, she still behaved exceedingly well.

We stayed there for a total of 4 days. She was totally bored as there is nothing much to do there. We must say big thank you to all the aunties and uncles who came and showed there support and they also brought games and videos to entertain her (also relieving me so that I could go and bath or have a short break) :)

Atria survived the ordeal, which I am glad. I learnt so much from my girl. The little ones have such extraordinary strength that the parents cannot imagine. They have grown much stronger (not without the trauma etc) after all these challenges. As parents, we have so much to learn from them. And I am still learning from them every single day.

Singapore Arts Museum

(Laying the track for the trains - note the tracks are not connected haha..:)

(Busy at work)


(Permission Train Station - That's the station name according to Atria :)

We made a trip down to the Singapore Arts Museum last sunday after looking at my sis photo. This is our 2nd trip there and compared to the 1st, Atria had really grown up and enjoyed the museum activities much more than the previous time. I can still remember she even cried at one of the station due to the fear of the scrotch tape :(

Most of the activities were fun and engaging but she had a blast at the Glass Hall when she was allowed free play with all the available materials. Well, she spent most of the time at fixing the train station and laying all the track. Guess she was inspired by the Thomas & Friends train set that her Yuhan jiejie showed her the previous day. When asked what's the name of the train station, she gamely said "Permission Station!" Hahaha... what was taught in school did sink in her i guess :)

We spent quite a fair bit of time at SAM, cos we also happened to meet my sis and my nephews whom Atria is rather close with. They played and Mei Mei also had her fair share of play "walking" around at the Glass Hall. Well, she could not appreciate most of the activities yet but did have some fun at the Dearest Mummy section.

After SAM, we went over to Raffles City for a very late lunch before heading back home. After almost the whole day out, we stayed home and enojyed a quiet night, "recuperating" before work starts again the next day.

Hmm... I would say that with the gals growing up day by day, bringing them out is getting easier (Still can remember the initial periods of handling both gals out :( I am really looking forward to more outdoor activities for the 2 gals, as there is the time we can spend some quality time with them.

Exploring Changi Airport

(At T2 Gallery. Mei Mei at the half crawling learning to walk stage)

(Mei Mei attempting to make the move to stand up)

Since having mei mei, T2 and T3 have been one of our favourite hangouts. Not only becos it is airconditioned (to avoid the unbearable heat), it is actually quite friendly for kiddos learning to walk and still in that half-crawling-going-to-walk stage.

Almost every other week, hubby and I would bring our 2 gals to T2 or T3 for either breakfast or dinner. We used to hang out at T3, but due to its recent closure (for renovations), we had to turn our attention to T2,w hich is not too bad too.

We were at the Gallery one of the weekends, and Mei Mei then was learning to walk and still half crawling. Well, Mei Mei is one gal who is rather different from her jie jie. She is definitely more gung-ho, and won't take no for an answer (or else, she will scream her head off!!) She is now coming to 15 months and still not steady walking on her own yet. Well, we will see how and when she is ready to move on from here.

You make me Smile

(Use my favourite twine to embellish the LO and some hidden journalling too.)
(Love this tag. Hand stitched by Amy Tangerine from SC June Kit)

(The whole LO. Using mainly June Kit from SC, with some other embellishment)

She make me Smile.

Finally managed to complete a layout after a long time.

Been trying to scrap more regularly. Currently, I can only scrap while my 2 girls sleep at nite. And that is only when they sleep early and I dont have mountain of work to be done for work. So that gives me about 2 hours every nite to scrap before the fatigue overtook me and I need to crawl into bed.

Well, this photo of Atria was from a long time ago, before Mei Mei comes. Remember we were at Labrador Park just spending some quiet time together as a family. Loves her smile and her curly hair. Such rare moment to capture her shot. (She refused to look at the camera most of the time)

I am contemplating whether should I cut her hair cut since I love her curls at this length, but on hindsight, the messiness that accompany this make me think twice. Hmm... still thinking.