My customers

In my line of buisness, I meet different customers from all parts of the world. Years in the business and I have learn to tackle customers of different personalities with different cultures. There are the very nice ones and there are the real nasty ones. The challenge comes when I am faced with angry customers and I have to find ways to transfom them to be satisfied customers . Afterall, business is not all about making money and profiteering. The journey and experiences play a huge part too.

There are a few customers who left me deep impressions. One of them is a lady in her 30s who is battling with cancer and is left with a couple of months to live. She is tortured with cancer of the liver, breast, bones and now it has spread to her brain. She wrote to me and spoke of her struggles to leave her kids for her chemotherapy sessions and how much she wish to live for her husband and her children. All her children were under 10, with her youngest just a couple of months old. Initially, she had a very positive outlook and wanted very much to battle cancer. However, after so much of chemotheraphy and her greatly weakened body, not only was there no improvement to her condition, her cancer cells was spreading fast and fierce. Her confidence was shaken and she seemed somewhat resigned to fate that she was dying. She spoke fondly of her 3 young children and how hard it was to leave them behind when she died. It is heartbreaking when I communicate with her. There is nothing much I could do but to offer her lots of encouragement and a listening ear.

There was also a lady who had some disease of the brain. She was constantly in pain and was hospitalised many times. She loved to buy from me and loved to wear my clothes. She soon became a friend and she was always introducing people to me. Her daughters were all grown up and they soon became my friends too. I stayed in touch with her daughter when she was hospitalised. Even when she was dangrerously ill, she still asked her daughter to send her love to me. At the hospital bed, she had one wish and that was to buy clothing from me and to be dressed in it. Upon hearing her wish, I immediately chose something which I feel she would like base on my understanding of her, and got it sent to her. Soon after, I stop hearing from her or her daughter. I believe she has passed on.

There are still many interesting customers whom I come across. There was one who told me that a clothing she bought from me was cursed and it just literally disappeard in the air. Then there was one who had to get her husband to choose the clothes for her because she had no right to choose her own clothes. There are customers who are so grateful towards me that they sent me a gift or a card just to say thank you. They are usually the ones who brighten up my day and makes me continue what I am doing. And of course, there are the nasty ones (whose nationality I won't mention here) who think they could step on me and look down on me just because I am an Asian. Well, they forgot that I am my own boss and I don't tolerate such racist nonsense.

And there are many many more...

Thai Massage

On the last day in Thailand, I had the luxury of indulging in a 1 hour of thai massage as we still had some time to spare. Boy... was it painful! Maybe my body was already feeling very tired and sore with all the running. It had therefore feel more painful than it was meant to be.

Anyway, having a massage in Thailand is cheap. I paid about SGD13 for an hr of massage excluding tip. In Singapore, I probably would have to pay about SGD80 for the same duration of massage. I had initially wanted foot reflexology but I was thinking, since I was in Thailand, I might as well have their famous thai massage that cost the same as foot reflexology.

Thai massage is all about "pressure points" and stretching. I was massaged with their heels, elbows, whatever. When she made me sit up, I knew she wanted to "crack" my spine. There were lots of "cracking" sound in the midst of the massage and at one point, I really thought that my bones were going to be broken at her force. She was pressing my body so hard that I could hardly breathe. It was really painful but at the end of it all, I felt a deep relaxation and tiredness. That probably explained why I slept so much and am so tired like never before. I slept during the entire flight journey home and I slept almost the whole day today.

Overall, it was a nice experience that I would recommend to all who visit Thailand. Too bad my hubby didn't have a chance to experience it. He doesn't enjoy someone touching him and he told me, he would rather spend the money buying his stuff than going for a massage.

Exhuastion

I'm just back from my overseas trip. I am extremely, absolutely, completely tired! I slept at 2.30 am in the wee hours of the morning and only woke up at 12noon. I could still sleep but I was hungry so I had to wake up to eat. I didn't have my dinner the night before. The hubby cooked a simple meal of instant noodles with eggs. I had a quick lunch, read abit of newspaper, and after that continued to sleep! I had never been so tired. Even as I am typing this, I'm feeling sleepy again. However, there is still alot of work waiting for me to do and I couldn't go back to sleep anymore.

Mom told me that as the kids grow older, they began to feel the impact of us not being around. They missed us more than ever and they kept asking about us. I know Justin couldn't sleep because he was longing for either the hubby or me. Joel kept asking when we would be back. That made me feel terrible!

I would probably write more about my trip in my next entry. For now, I just have to tear away from the PC and concentrate on my work.

Busy!

I have not stopped to rest since this morning. I'm very busy today packing my stuff and getting ready for the business trip tomorrow. I'm always like this, leaving all to the last minute to pack! It's not just the clothes to pack. There are still the business preparation not done. The hubby can't stand it. He cannot understand why I can't get things done a few days beforehand. Well... that's just me. I don't know why too.

Thailand is going to be HOT! If I can't stand the Singapore weather now, I don't know how I am going to stand the weather in Thailand! I would be out the whole day, would most likely be stuck in the cab in their traffic jam, and I guess, I am just going to melt under the heat! Arrghhh... I am preparing lots of pain killers, just in case the heat and the fumes trigger my migraine (most probably would!). The only thing I am looking forward to is the food. I love thai food and after so many visits there, we are pretty familiar with the eateries on where to get good food. Besides that, there is really nothing exciting waiting for us over there. It's a routine for us.

As usual, I am going to miss the kids. I have not told them of our departure. They are surely going to be sad when we tell them, so I'll just leave it to the night to let them know. Dad and mom will be here to look after them. They are treasures!

So much said, it's back to work now.

Family pictures

Still depressed. So will be putting up pictures instead. I have no mood to beautify these pictures or to re-size them. These pictures remind me of the happier moments and hopefully can kick me out of my depression.

Justin

Did I mention before that Joel won 2 baby competitions?

Soothing the wound

Amid the stress, sorrow and guilt that seems to overwhelm me these days, there are at least 2 things that make me feel slightly better.

1. The hubby and I just realize that the school that we want to enroll Justin for Primary 1 (Tao Nan) is actually within 2 kilometers away from our house, giving him a better chance and priority to enter. This is important because where Justin goes will determine where Joel goes too. We are lucky because just another block or two away from our house, and we would be outside the 2 kilometres range. This realization comes after the hubby was being ridiculed by my cousin when he approached him for help with regards to the school. Nevermind, I WILL remember this. Well, that is another story and I will not dwell on it here.

2. We manage to find a seamstress to reproduce our design on paper. She is willing to do it at a lower price than our previous seamstress, and is able to speed up her work so that the designs could be in time for our business trip this Friday.

Well... at least, little it may seem, it's something to cheer about, huh?

Miracle

That's Jin daughter.

When I first saw Miracle, I fell in love with her. I don't know why, it is probably love at first sight. When she was just a little baby, she was not so pretty. As she grows, she becomes prettier by the day! She also looks grumpy with a frown on her face. But when she smiles, ahhh... she can melt your heart.

In alot of ways, Miracle is like her mommy. With a fiery temper that cannot be antagonized. That's why I told the mommy, she has found her match!

Both the hubby and I are very attached to Miracle. When she comes over, we will take turns carrying and cuddling her. In fact, she's like a daughter to us.

Our hearts are broken when she falls. And when we further know that she is hospitalised, we are devastated! It was all so sudden, so quick, so unbelieveable.

On that day, after dinner, we were sitting on the sofa and chit chatting. Jin was beautifying our plants with some hand-made ornamental balls. I was sitting on the sofa, making one of the "balls" and the hubby was holding on to Miracle and putting her by his side. We were very engrossed in our conversations. All of a sudden, Miracle slipped from the sofa to the floor. I thought it was Justin or Joel or Boo. When I knew it was Miracle, I had a shock. The hubby had a shock too and for a moment, he didn't know what has happened.

He told me that for a splilt second, his mind went blank and he forgot that he was holding on to Miracle. At first, Jin and I thought that Miracle was fine. She slipped and landed quite slowly on the floor. I saw that she had hit her shoulder and we thought it should be fine since her head was spared. Little did I know that she had in fact hit her lower skull. She must have hit a sensitive and fragile spot!

The hubby is filled with remorse and guilt. Eventhough Jin doesn't blame him, he feels very sorry for what has happened. He is feeling very down and out. Afterall, he is a father himself. He feels for Miracle and he feels for Jin.

Jin, thank you for your forgiveness.

A poem

When I was a baby
You would hold me in your arms
I felt the love and tenderness
Keeping me safe from harm.

I would look up into your eyes
And all the love I would see
How did I get so lucky
You were the dad chosen for me.

There is something special
About a Father's love
Seems it was sent to me
From someplace up above.

Our love is everlasting
I just wanted you to know
That you are my special hero
And wanted to tell you so.

My sorrow

These 2 days have been upsetting for me and I guess, my blog entry would be depressing. I'm stressed by all that is happening around me.

I'm very sad about my dad. Everytime when I think about him, I just want to cry. The ironical thing is that I don't cry easily. Whenever I meet with adversity, I would mostly retreat to my world and think. But for my dad, I just can't handle it.

I'm very worried about Miracle. Her fall is my hubby's fault. Imagine, her mommy has never made her fall. But my hubby has accidentally caused her fall. We feel very bad and guilt stricken. We just hope all will be fine with her. It was a chinese new year meet-up and it was supposed to be a joyous occasion. Jin, we are very sorry about it.

I'm also stressed by my upcoming business trip this Friday. All preparation is not done and we are not eqipped to meet with the suppliers. I desparately need a seamstress but I can't seem to find any who is willing to help us to speed up our design. If I still cannot find any seamstress within the next day or 2, my business trip would most likely be a flop.

So much to do, so much to think about. But all in all, I just hope that life treats my dad better and Miracle be well. That's all I ask for. The rest can wait.

My dad

As I am writing this entry, the tears just come to my eyes. I am writing something that touches the bottom of my heart and is something I feel burdened and sad. I am writing about the man who is the most important to me. My dad.

I am borned into a good family with loving parents who dote on me dearly. Yet, with the love and tenderness, they have never spoilt me. They taught me to be a good person with a good heart.

When I was young, I was the princess of my dad's eyes. He was a hawker. Irregardless of how poor he was, he would never forget to place a sweet or chocalate in his pocket when he came back from work, as his daily routine, to surprise me. When I was just a little girl, he hugged me to sleep. Even when I grew up to be a young lady, he never failed to check on me and to cover me with blanket before he went to bed. He never lay a hand on me. He never gave me pressure in my studies. His philosophy is that as long as I tried my best, he would accept whatever result I got. When he had no money to eat, he would never deprive his family of good and nutritous food even if he had to work doubly hard to earn more money.

I always remember during my younger days, when I was in fright, I would shout for my dad. Not that my mom is not important to me, she is. It's just that my dad holds a very special place in my heart. I love him so much and I wish I could do more for him.

My dad has a hard life. Because of his hardship, he gets worried easily. To him, money is important because it would mean his family would have enough food to eat. From young, he cultivated a habit of savings. But because he is so worried about having no money for tomorrow, he could not relax and enjoy life.

My dad is ill now. He has problem with his stomach but he refused to be treated. He knows the problem in his stomach is not a minor one and he doesn't wish to know. To him, hospitals signify death. He just wants to live the rest of his life in peace. However, he is not spared of the pain. He is constantly in pain and sometimes, he pass out blood. Still, he wish to be ignorant of his illness. I respect his wish but it pains me deeply to see him in pain.

My wish is to provide him with a good life when I am able to earn. I could now, but when I am capable to provide for him, he is in pain and I feel helpless and useless as a daughter. I have always wished to bring him out for a tour to any place he wish to go. But when I could realize my dream now, he rejects my intention. He doesn't want me to spend unneccessarily and he told me he is too weak to go overseas.

The saddest thing of all is that he told me he would die at 70 years old. He is 68 years old now. That was told to him by a fortune teller and he took his words for it and self programmed himself to die at 70. I asked him why he chose to believe that fortune teller. He told me that whatever the fortune teller spoke about his past is true therefore there is no reason for him not to believe the fortune teller about his future. I hate that bastard fortune teller!

I wish I could be given a chance to let my dad enjoys life. But what can I do when he is constantly in pain? I wish I could take his pain away. Sometimes, I even wish my life could be shortened just so that he could live longer.

I love you, pa.

Morbid Thoughts

I just went to Jin's blog and I get really spooked by her vision. Her vision comes at a time when I am confirming/have confirmed flights to some destinations for my business travel. She talks of birds and one of the places I am going is Vietnam, with its bird flu! I have also talked to the hubby about going India. One of the state, Chennai in India is recently striken with the Tsunami and there were many deaths. We would also be going to Hong Kong. That trip to Hong Kong was on promotion and we thought we should give it a go as we really wanted to spend some quality time as a family. Then, there is the Thailand business trip which we would be going next week. All these places, besides Hong Kong, involves some form of risk. In Thailand, we have to travel to the outskirt of the city to visit the factory. That factory is pretty deep in.

I just hope all will turn out fine.

On Diet!

For health reason, the hubby decides to go on a diet, and I decides to join him too. Being a vainpot, going on diet is not that uncommon to me. So, when he asked me what kind of diet he should go for, I told him lets go for South Beach Diet. This diet is created by Dr. Arthur Agatston and is basically a diet emphasizing on low carbo intake. However, it is not as drastic as the Atkin diet.

Previously, I had tried this diet and it did make me lose weight. However, I sucumbed to carbo temptation and I gave up. Now, together with the hubby, we decided to give it a go. I know it's going to be tough. In Asia, our food generally focus on carbo intake. It's hard to find anything at the eateries that contains little or no carbo.

The first few meals were good. We ate chicken chops, nuts, eggs, cheese and anything that is high in protein. We cut down on rice, bread and anything sweet. However, come the next few meals, the hubby start feeling the effect. Due to the lack of carbo, the body goes to starvation. The hubby starts feeling lethargic and generally feel odd and discomfort.

For me, I'm pretty okay. Having gone through the diet before, I know that to perservere, I cannot entirely cut back on carbo. From time to time, I still indulge in carbo-rich food. I don't fancy sweet stuff, so no chocalates and dessert is absolutely fine for me. But I do eat fruits. For the hubby, having nothing sweet in his diet is not alright. He has a sweet tooth and he eats lots of chocalates, so for him to cut back on chocalates is a big deal. I told him not to deprive himself or he will not succeed in the diet. The key is moderation.

It is not going to be easy as I had known too well from my previous experience. But if through the influence of me would help him cut back on high caloric food, I would try to perserve and to encourage him. Afterall, I want him to be in the pink of health and with his usual kind of diet and no exercise, it's sucide!

Good luck to us!

9th day of Chinese New Year

Today, there is a big prayer session at my parents' house. I would be going over to their house for the prayer later in the night. The prayer would start exactly at 12 midnight. There would be lots of offerings including chicken, fish, noodles, fruits, paper offerings and many many more.

Just a brief description of what this event is about. The ninth day of the Chinese New Year witnesses offerings to mark the birthday of the Jade Emperor, who is believed to be born just after midnight on the ninth day. The Jade Emperor was considered a supreme deity who had created Heaven and Earth. He is also known as Ti Kong or Heaven God. On this day, some Chinese (especially the dialect group Hokkien) offer incense and pay their respects to him.

For my parents, after the prayers, we would usually have a meal that is cooked with the prayed items. It is also common to include 2 long sugarcanes with the prayers. Again, there is a history to the sugar cane. Legend has it that in days of yore, a foreign army invaded the Hokkien heartland. All the Hokkien soldiers fled into the fields and immediately a whole forest of sugar cane sprung up to hide the army and protect it from the enemy. This saved the Hokkien race and since then the Hokkiens have celebrated the ninth day of the Lunar New Year by placing stalks of sugar cane on either side of the front door.

Today is a major event in the hearts of many Chinese. I am a free-thinker. But for my parents, I would usually attend this event faithfully.

Boring entry

Not long ago, Justin and Joel preschool was struck with the spread of HFMD. I was very worried that Joel would be down with HFMD because his classmate got it. On top of that, during the period of the spread, Joel was not feeling well and therefore his immunity was low. I didn't know about it until the school wrote a letter informing parents of the spread. By then, students were already falling ill.

I monitored Joel and Justin for some time for any signs of HFMD. Luckily they were spared. However, to be cautious, I stopped them from attending school. That lasted for a full week. Together with the chinese new year holiday, we had all not gone to school for a long period of time. I used to sleep in the wee hours of the morning and woke up really late and lazed around.

Eversince the beginning of the week, I no longer had such luxury. Business goes back to normal. The kids start attending school. And I have to wake up early to drive them to school. Now, I am feeling so sleepy throughout the day. I can't think of anything to write in my blog but I know I have to write something or laziness will kick in and I'll stop writing altogether.

So, that's about it for today. I'm sooooo.... sleepy. Zzzzz............................

Do you have a 5Cs husband?

Someone posted this in a parenting forum today.

Do you have a 5c's husband?

He will CARE for his wife no matter how busy his work.
Yes, the hubby does. I still remember days when he would put aside all his work to rush home because he knew I was not well or when I am down and out. Work is never top of his list. His wife and kids are!

He will CONCERN his wife when she troubled.
Yes, he does. The same as above.

He will COMFORT his wife when she is feeling down.
Yes, he does. He will just do about anything to cheer me up if I am depressed.

He will COOK 4 his wife when she is expecting.
He cooks for me from time to time, not neccessarily when I am expecting. I just need to tell him I am hungry and he'll find food for me. So far, I cannot find anyone who cooks better instant noodles than him. The noodles and soup are just right. The kitchen will be in a total mess after that though.

He will COMMUNICATE with his wife when they have conflicts.
He tries. Sometimes, it's me who wants to shun him away because I am too mad. Overall, he does speak up his thoughts and always try to resolve whatever disputes we have to the extend of apologising to make peace.

So, I guess, he does make a great husband. Of course, there are times when we both get on each other's nerves but there is really nothing more I would ask for in a husband.

Happy Valentine's day, my dear hubby.

To Jin

I confess. I'm not good with designing blogs or any internet thingy. I'm introduced to a blog by my lovely friend, Jin. She helps with my buttons, insert the clock, unkymoods, counter, links and the doodleboard. She's such a darling. I just need to point out what I like, and she will help me to make it happen.

Thank you Jin for helping me with my blog. I know how busy and lack of sleep you are. I appreciate what you have done for me!

The crazy weather

Yes, I'm melting in this weather. It's so hot! I'm feeling lethagic for the whole day and I don't enjoy leaving the house and subject myself to the heat outside. The hubby and I brought our kids to the outdoor playground at West Coast today at 1pm. We just went there for a mere 10 mins and decided to leave the place because it was too unbearably hot. We came back home and slept instead.

The only thing I wish to do is to hide myself in the room with the air con blasting at me. When was the last time it rained? The weather is so crazy nowadays. Just a month or two ago, it was raining almost everyday.

Coupled with the stinky haze at night, it's getting me very frustrated. I wish my whole house is air con. Then again, if my enitre house is air con, my bill would probably hit the roof.

The weather station predicts tomorrow' s temperature would be 34c. Well.. I guess tomorrow would be just as hot today. Arrghhh! Please... give me some rain!

Business Trip

It is the time of the year when I need to go for my overseas business trip. I am not looking forward to it. There were too many incidences of spiritual disturbance when I was in Thailand for me to enjoy the place. Black magic was widely practised and you never know when you were stepping on the toe of the suppliers. I had been badly disturbed when I was there to an extend of completely shaken. There were a few hotels which I had stopped going and a few areas I tried not to enter.

I am not vulnerable to spirits but my wild imagination and my fear makes me "attractive" to them. This time round, I am no longer as fearful as before. But still, I have my reservation and I know I have to be extremely careful.

Though in my heart, I do not wish to go, I know I have to. I'm preparing myself for a clear mind and most importantly, confidence before my trip. I just hope all dealings will be smooth and I return with a peace of mind.

Fake Monk?

Today is the 2nd day of the chinese new year. As I was working (being a boss of my own, I have no off days at all), I heard this very rude shouting "OI! OI! COME HERE!". Initially, I still thought that it was the neighbours because I couldn't believe that anyone that I know could be so rude. I ignored it. The shouting continued. My helper went to the door and I followed. There standing right in front of my gate was a monk asking for donation. He asked us for donation and in return, he would give us either an amulet or a string. I brushed him off and told him I did not want to donate.

I still remember during my younger days, when I met with such monks, I would definetly oblige to give them donation eventhough I had my doubts. This was because being a buddhist, I thought it was only proper and right that I donate to the monks. I was also fearful of their curse if they left without any money. Some "monks" would say something silently if they were being rejected and I was so worried that the family would be cursed just because I was stingy with that $2.

I soon learn that I am wrong. Though I am not a staunch buddhist but I do know that the "monks" gestures to ask for money is not right. If they are really monks, they can only ask for food. These monks who went door-to-door in disguise of tibetan and thai monk could be nothing but fakes. They are usually china men trying to earn a quick buck.

So now, when I see such monks, they would just get a straight-forward answer "NO'". Espcially now, during chinese new year, they are trying to take advantage of the festive season to ask for donation in disguise that they would bless the family. Nevermind if they want to curse me or my family if I reject them. I do no wrong and I believe karma will not befall me.

Death bird?

At my neighbourhood, there is a bird. I don't know how it looks like but its calling is very distintive. The strange thing about this bird is that it will fly to our area only during certain times and it will call and sing throughout the day.

My dad told me that this bird is a death bird. Whenever it comes, it will bring souls away. For my dad, whenever this bird comes, he would feel alot of discomfort and his health would generally goes down the hill. I didn't believe it until recently. It has come on a very frequent basis and keeps calling and calling. Not long after, my area here starts to have funeral after funeral. The bird seemed to be situated at somewhere near my house. Before long, a funeral was spotted at my opposite block. Not long after, another funeral was detected at the other side of the block. It is with a sudden that the bird stopped calling for a couple of days. Just yesterday, I heard the bird again, this time, a few blocks away from me. That night, they started to build the tentage for the dead.

Isn't this too much of a coincidence?

This hubby of mine...

Let me know how to murder the hubby! Sometimes, he is such an asshole.

We were out bringing my parents for dinner. After dinner, they wanted to go to a chinese new year bazaar. Fine with us. But what I can't stand most about the hubby is his damn mood! Everybody was happy but he had to give me that mood swing that spoilt my mood! Why? Just because he had difficulty in parking! Ok... I know we are relatively new drivers. Nobody blames him for taking a long time to park. He just stressed himself and later, blew it up on me! Why me??!!

Then during the entire outings, he gave me hell of a time. I really regret going out. There I was trying to hide the displeasure from my parents and there he was, giving me a difficult time.

Then comes the road directions. We were at a new place so I tried to guide him by looking at the street directory. Then he kept asking me, "are you sure? are you sure? I don't think we're at the right place". Well...it's not only once he asked. He asked and asked and asked, and pissed me off. I'm not all that patient, you know.

When we reached home, I refused to talk to him. And vice versa. He is still giving me the cold shoulder. Probably waiting for me to bow down first. I will not and he knows me well enough for that! I am very tempted NOT to drive him back from work today. Let him go and take the train!

I really hate it when he drives. It's fine when all goes smoothly but I better pray that we don't meet hiccups (espcially parking) or he'll give a kind of attitude problem. I rather I drive. When I stressed, I keep it within myself and MANAGE on my own. No point blowing my top and gets everyone upset.

MAN!

If you want a shorter life.....

Drive!

After driving daily for more than 2 months after obtaining my license, I believe my blood pressure must have shot up. Every day, there is bound to be drivers who surprise me with their recklessness. Most of the times, I don't honk at drivers eventhough I am very tempted to. The simple reason is that I'm a newbie driver. I could be easily "bullied" on the roads and the last thing I want is to get into accidents just because I have honked someone. The hubby has told me that experienced drivers hate to be honked eventhough they are at the wrong. And they would lose it if they are honked by someone who is a LEARNER FEMALE driver. As such, I try to control myself and just curse and swear behind my wheels.

I have also noticed a trend. People tend to look down on van drivers. Yes, I admit I drive a van and I am damn proud of it. Why? Because it is an economical way of transportation. It is by choice that I choose to drive a continental Combo van instead of a car. I could afford to buy a car but I refuse to spend so much money buying a certifcate so that I could drive. I hate to pay 100% more in taxes just to own a car. Fuel is cheap for a van too. I am paying less than $100 on fuel which is amazing at the distance I am travelling.

It is simply crazy to own a car in Singapore with the restrictions and all. The hubby and I have therefore decided to buy a van that would just cost me a mere 5% tax with an even better capacity engine than the average car. Why should I pay more money when ultimately a car and van serve the same purpose? I rather put the money into my bank account.

I reckon that even when my business expands, I would still stick with a van. It doesn't matter whether we are being laughed at or being ridiculed. What is most important is that, at the end of the day, we know we are not slaves to our own vehicle.

Preparation for the Chinese Lunar New Year

The Chinese Lunar New Year is coming. This Chinese New Year is a simple affair for us. Basically, there will be no visiting as the hubby family is travelling to Perth, Australia. We don't have much relatives anyway. On the first day of the lunar new year, we will be visiting my parents, who stay just at the opposite block. Then it would be rest and relax for all of us for the rest of the celebration period.

Though we aren't visiting, it has always been a tradition for all of us to endow ourselves with new clothes and do some spring cleaning, signifying a brand new beginning of the year. Much of the spring cleaning have been done. Just the shopping which I have been procastinating.

This year I have baked some cookies and tarts. I regret baking because I refused to eat what I have baked. The process of baking and the overwhelming buttery scent turns me off. So now, I have pineapple tarts, peanut cookies, kueh bangkit sitting there, untouched.

When the kids grow older, the hubby and I would probably take the chinese new year period of long holiday to bring the family to travel since we do not need to do the routine visitation.

It's funny that when I was young, I used to look forward to Chinese New Year because it would mean new clothes, lots of outings and receiving money. But as I grow older, I no longer get excited over Chinese New Year. To me, it's a rather boring period when all the shops, eateries and malls are closed. Moreover, the money I need to fork out for ang pows can really burn a big hole in my pocket!

My window dropped!

That greeted me when I woke up this morning! My helper came to tell me that she dropped the window. I couldn't believe my ears at first. How could a window possibly dropped? My immediate reaction was to ask her "did it hit anyone?". She told me no.

When I freshen up alittle, I went to investigate what could have gone wrong. Apparently, when she was trying to wipe the windows, she exerted too much force and the window just came came off. The metal holding the window was badly dented, indicating that force was exerted. She told me that after the window dropped, she quickly went down to pack up the broken pieces and swept away.

The windows were repaired and reverts were replaced when we moved in less than 2 years ago. So, it puzzled me how it could possibly dropped. Time and time again, I have reminded her to be gentle. She is certainly not ladylike when she handles her work. She slammed the toilet doors and has broken countless items in my house.

This time round, I reprimanded her gently. I told her that the reason why the window dropped was partly due to her doings. I told her she needs to be more gentle. It's no joke that the window dropped. It could have hit someone and I could not imagine the outcome! I saw that she is very shaken and I did not go further. I just reminded her never to let this repeat itself again. At the moment, the hubby refused to let her touch any windows until a contractor has come to certify that all our windows are safe. We thought it's safe but after this incident, we can never be too sure.

Now, I'm just praying that we won't be charged to court. Hopefully, the cops don't come knocking at our door.