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Separation Anxiety, Part 2

21 Jul

This has been a busy month for us, traveling again in a spate of two weeks. I think both M1 and M2 are used to it already by now, being older and having more activities to keep them occupied.

Tonight as we prepare to fly off for another six-days of separation, I sincerely think separation anxiety should not be happening. After all, since our first trip away from them (to Hong Kong), over the years we’ve done more than a week for each of our trips to the far and the exotic, they did not seem to mind our absence.

They are much older now and with our lived-in maid taking care of them (and Grandma not troubled), they also have the pets to keep them company and school work to keep them busy, six days will fly by very soon. Anyway, there’s always Skype, iMessage and Facetime if we have to see or hear them…

Wish us a great holiday!

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Separation Anxiety, Part 1

17 Jul

Many years ago, when both M1 and M2 were old enough to be left with Grandma overlooking them, I thought I could finally have an escapade and go away for a holiday with just the hubby. There was excitement as I thought, finally, they are independent enough and easy for Grandma to take care and we can have some time for ourselves. Then worried thoughts set in. Would they be fine? Would they miss us? Are we doing the right thing?

The six days plan to Hong Kong was not too extravagant as it coincided with their school term break. We were to take a holiday after attending a work-related conference/exhibition held there. The temptation was just too irresistible and thinking of the freedom from having to worry about their welfare plus timing it with the school holidays, I thought it was perfect and would not be too troublesome for my mother as well.

So off to Hong Kong we went!

However, by the fourth day of our trip, we had separation anxiety! We both started to miss them terribly! How could this be? It was the first time both of us were away from them and the separation anxiety for us was too much, it was so nauseating; we couldn’t wait for the remaining days to go by quickly. All that great holiday plans to have a good time, gone in a blink of an eye.

We came back bearing gifts for them out of guilt and you could sense our relief when we saw them again.

Their sentiments over the separation?

Nothing amiss as both were having a ball bonding with Grandma, who indulged them in so many ways that they hardly had time to miss us. Freedom backfired on us as separation anxiety got the better of us instead of them!

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How You Spell Your Name Again??

15 Jul

Thank goodness I named the my two girls, currently code named, M1 and M2, with sensible sounding names that are easy to pronounce. Yet, we have people pronouncing them wrongly, or worst, spelling wrongly! Horrors.

During my early working years, I encountered many creative minds and with creative names, it was such an eye opener. The one that stands out most after all these years was from my working at a local publishing house. An enthusiastic ad salesman came a calling and introduced himself as Calvin but spelt, ‘Qalvin’, proudly showing me his business card!

Unimpressed, I queried him on this choice of spelling for the name and then, pointed out to him that a ‘u’ technically should follow after the ‘Q’ – typical of the letter ‘Q’.

I then went on teasing him, purposely emphasizing “QUAIL-vin” prominently, and this embarrassed the heck out of him. I guess he wasn’t impressed too for he never dropped by after that incident.

Honestly, I have no objections to one having a creative name, I am just of the opinion that it must be spelt correctly. Remember my ‘English teacher’ calling my mother intended me for? And it would be a bonus if the chosen name goes well with the person’s physical appearance.

Call me old school or whatever but wouldn’t it be more significant if one looks like their name? I often asked my girls if I had switched their names, how would it be like? They’d squint their eyes for a minute before bursting into contagious laughter! Obviously, they cannot imagine one being the other. See my point of one looking like their name?

I’ve come across a sweet lady aptly named Apple (coincidently in New York City), a bridegroom named Cyclops, perfectly healthy and with two eyes unlike what the name conjures up in the mind (only in Hong Kong you get something like this!) and of course, the timid bird-like Qalvin (in Kuala Lumpur)!

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Last week, I was down in Singapore attending an exhibition and met up with a ‘Seaman’ and a ‘Kinus’, from Singapore and Hong Kong respectively. I had to refrain from laughing in front of them as I found their choice of name so totally wrong with their physical appearance and country of origin.

Walking away, I commented to the hubby, “I met a Seaman.”

“Semen?” He asked incredulously.

“Oh stop it! It’s ‘s-e-A-m-A-n’. Got a couple of ‘A’s in between, ok?” I pointed out and in a way, was relieved Seaman did not look like a dick head.

“Aiyoh…. Why choose such a name?” the hubby could not fathom.

Makes me wonder too. Whatever happened to good old safe choices to avoid the embarrassment of correcting someone spelling your name wrongly?

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Don’t Talk to Us

27 Jun

When I was young, going to Singapore with my parents by car was always a happy occasion. Singapore! Grandma! Shopping! Yay. But the 7-hour journey was never looked forward to, too long an ordeal. The main PLUS highway was not constructed then to ease traffic traveling South.

Nonetheless, my brother and I would play ‘Spot the car number plate’ games or read books to keep ourselves entertained. After all, during the dinosaur era, there was no such thing as the iPod, iPad, what more smartphones and the radio stations then were hardly hip and happening.

Fast forward to now. Whenever we travel outstation, a good three to five hours’ drive depending on destination, the girls will be equipped with the iPod, iPad, phone, books and headphones. And they always tell me, “Mummy, don’t talk to us, we can’t hear you. If you need to, wave your hands, ok?”

Hrmph.

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The M&M Factory

17 Jun

Last year, we had our “Big Adventure Road Trip to USA” and it was an exciting trip for both the girls as it was their first time visiting the Land of Opportunity.

One of the many stops we had was at the M&M Factory in Las Vegas, Nevada. M2 was thrilled and pointed out, “Our factory! Our names! Whoaaaaaa!!!! How cool is that?”

A pat on the back for the parents to link their children’s names to something famous.

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Is English a Funny Language?

13 Jun

I’ve always loved telling my kids that prior to attending college, their grandma (my mother) had advised me to study English to become an English teacher (don’t laugh!), this being a noble profession. But I would scoff at that idea and gently break my mother’s heart and convinced her that I would fare better as a graphic designer instead.

While in college, I did enjoy my English classes, having signed up for both English101 & English102 AND scoring ‘A’s in both courses. I am most proud of the ‘A’ in English102 because firstly, it is not a typical class taken by Asian students and secondly, the lecturer was a mean looking, typical American lady and I was the only Asian student daring enough to be in her class full of American students. Until today, I still remember her name, Carol Ewing (and thoughts of Dallas and its theme song would break out in my mind!) Thankfully, the class was more of creative writing and I guess I stood above the rest.

Despite this, I feel my knowledge of the language is inadequate as I still cannot tell the difference between a verb, a noun and a pronoun, you know, all those linguistic jargon which are very important, along with correct punctuations and pronunciations. But having said that, it irks me to no end to see spelling mistakes and grammar error.

Last night M1 was sharing stories about her teacher and the way she pronounces her signature phrase: “Thats mean…” instead of “That means…” It has becoming so glaringly wrong and disturbing that her friends decided to pick on it. They purposely created a scenario to question the teacher to prompt her reply. And the whole time using the erred sentence repeatedly to the teacher, unaware of the situation! Naughty kids!

I think “That’s mean!” in this proper context of use.

And not to be outdone, M2 also shared about her teacher, who made a comment “I knows” in class. Immediately, her good friend made eye contact with her and pointed to her eyes and nose! These 12 year olds are so cheeky but then again, are they at fault?

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Why I Started This…

12 Jun

Lately, I have neglected my candy crushing ways and have been reading a lot of online news and blogs, friends’ and strangers’ alike. I realized most blogs belonging to my friends are either of food and their artistic skills at photography or showcases of their culinary skills and more photography. I salute them on their diligence at this; I could never do it, cook or have the patience to create art (or photography) out of something I would pop in my mouth and chew. But this got me thinking. So much has happened in my life, surely I could jump onto the bandwagon and attempt to record moments in my life to share with others. If I can’t write about food, there must be something; after all, I am a well travelled person, decent golfer, maniac candy crusher and regular connoisseur of alcoholic beverages (mood ranging from beer, cocktails to whiskey and wine). Then it hit me. My kids. It has been an amazing journey for the last 16 years with my two girls. The events that unfolded last week prompted me to seriously start some form of documentation, and gone were the days where I would take out my precious diary to jot my day. In days to come thereafter, it will be so nice to look back, read about it and reflect on that moment, laugh or get teary-eyed about it. I am one of those who likes to write although I always profess “my England not very terrer”. While I do enjoy reading, the days of technology—what with my iPad mini—has taken over my life and free time from holding a good ol’ paperback in my hands. So here I am, attempting to write (in no particular sequence) about my two girls, Megan and Mabel, code name: M1 and M2, 16 and 12 years old respectively and my life among other things. Here goes…

My Candy Crushing Days Are Over?

This game, Candy Crush, has gotten to me and for the last several months, I have been at it, racing through the saga at demon speed! The pinnacle was reached at Level 335 while we were in Penang for the school holidays! I felt a sense of achievement as I was the leader of the pack, ahead of everyone else at this game. But the sense of achievement was shortlived as that night, the app had an update, right after I completed the saga! Noooo….. another 15 levels to get to the end, so diligently I continued in my pursuit. But alas, after we came back from the break and diving back to life, I suddenly find my candy mojo gone! Vanished, powerless even with so many lives in the message box. I have been stuck at Level 347 and for the first time, feel like giving up the game and especially more so with yet another update to Level 365. Sigh… so unlike me.

Conversation Courtesy

Last Friday, as I was sitting on the sofa, crushing candies of course, M2, sat next to me doing her stuff. Casually I told her that daddy is coming home soon as he just texted me, and suggested to her to go wait outside to welcome him home from his golf game. Say “Hi” like they always do when I return home late by myself. But she said, “Why? Daddy doesn’t deserve my ‘Hi’”. My… my. What brought that statement about? I prodded and eventually found out. The man doesn’t say goodbye in his telephone conversations, ending the talk in a proper closure. In this context, if daddy can’t say Goodbye, she won’t say Hi; he cannot give a Bye, so he doesn’t deserve a Hi. I reflect back to my conversations with both of them and I realized I do say Hi and Bye each time. We may not think much of this but to a child, wow….. talk about conversation courtesy. We are always emphasizing the Please and Thank You but Goodbye/Bye is left out. Something to think about…

Twelve Going on 18

M2 is approaching her 12th birthday… all grown up 12 going 18!!! But 12 going 18 or not, the kid in her is ever so evident! She made a birthday wish list recently and this ain’t no simple birthday wish list! It comes complete with drawings, doodles and some fancy typography! Done up like how mummy would do for the grocery list or on a note to the maid. (clue: I’d draw a chicken or chicken drumstick next to the word chicken). Between M1 and M2, the artistic skills are more prominent in M2. M1 is more logical in her thinking, more studious and disciplined, sometimes I wonder where she inherited her traits! Certainly not from me or even the hubby. M2’s artistic skills amazes even me, a graphic designer/design director and creative mind, holder of a Bachelor’s degree in this profession! What is even more amazing is the depth of a 12 year old’s mind. Was I ever like this when I was 12? So determined, so creative, so sure of what is wanted? Dare I even list down a whole list of 15 items to show my parents what I want for my 12th birthday, a birthday age that is even not a significant one? I must admit I threw M2 a memorable 10th birthday party as I convinced her 10 was a special age and number, thus deserving of a special birthday party. So she had a Lego-themed party, complete with a backdrop, Lego themed cake and Lego party packs. Needless to say M1 also had a special cake for her 10th birthday and a smaller party, if memory serves me well.

M1's birthday list with 15 items.

M2’s birthday list with 15 items.

Happiness exudes from M2 in front of the backdrop.

Happiness exudes from M2 in front of the backdrop.

The Lego-themed cake.

The Lego-themed cake.

There Are No Two Same Peas In A Pod

I have two adorable and funny girls, each with their own characteristics. So different in character yet so similar. M1 is ever the practical one, sensible in her own way and even more so than her mummy sometimes! M2 adores her and it annoys me when I tell M2 something and she has to verify with M1!!! Can you imagine the annoyance of being bumped down the hierarchy? I have to remind myself not to get too riled up with the annoyance and simply just enjoy their antics. Each their own characteristic literally in shape, mind and thoughts. M1 is more round, practical and disciplined while M2 leans toward skinny, day dreamer and needs to be pushed constantly. It’s a challenge to balance the degree of treatment given to such different peas in my pod!

Mummy Must Binky Boo

Every night, I will chat with them in their room, recap the events of the day to end the day and prep for the next, a nightly ritual will follow suit. The binky boo act is all about spreading their blankets over them to tuck them in. I used to sing and dance when they were younger but nowadays, it’s a rarity. Sometimes they think it is corny yet at times, the little tap dance and jiggle breaks out. However, it is the binky boo ritual that I enjoy most and they always say daddy can’t get it right nor do it right. Must be a special mummy skill…

Are Your Ears For Decoration?

A few years back, when the kids got me so mad, I would lecture them to “Listen to your mother”. Then I’d go on a warpath and asked them, “Do you have ears? Are they for decoration? Use them!” They would meekly look at the floor, blink their eyes and nod. Nowadays, the outburst hardly happens as they would bombard me with chatter of their school activities simultaneously; even the dog joins in sometimes with his constant bark! So much so, MY ears have now become decoration themselves as I can’t seem to make head or tail what they are saying! So now, to tackle this, a hand is raised to mimic the stop signal and the typical “Can two people not speak at the same time? Take a number then only you can speak!” It’s funny how rules have changed.

So anyway, I am still contemplating whether I should start a site, blog or whatever to jot my thoughts and insights to my otherwise mundane life… While jottings may not be on a constant basis and subject to what the girls throw at me and what I make of it… I need a name, a cool name, one where people will remember easily!

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