This is a "soft" announcement of our move.
Alex has officially resigned from the present job and signed on the dotted line for his new one. He's been asked to start work before the 10th of July. This means we have 4-6 weeks to pack up our life, our things, our kids (and their things), our hearts and our minds to a new place.
This will be a HUGE journey and I am at the moment VERY stressed and busy. I may not have the time or chance to update more...but do spare a thought for us! I will be drafting a proper letter to all my friends and family soon.
Meanwhile, we are getting rid of stuff at garage sales:
ChanGarageSale
Have a look and recommend anyone who's be interested!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
End of the Book
I know most people can relate to this...when one is near the last quarter of a book they are reading, it gets pretty hard to put it down. The end of the book draws near and demands our attention so much more that the rest of the book. It makes us "jump" into the roles of the book and often, we are even thinking of the characters even on our non reading hours.
We are near the end of another book. I am consumed with it and I am desperately wanting it to end. This book is the book of our lives here in Wollongong.
Over the past 6 months, we have had a series of changes in our life. Alex went through a few job prospects and we've finally settled into one that will tie us through. Just the last month a job came "seeking" Alex and we decided that the opportunity is too good NOT to give it a try. after so many rejections and less than attractive offers, we were prepared for this ONE to be just another one to filed as "experience".
Since then, we've been offered work, to relocate and to uproot our young ones again. This time to Singapore. Alex is 90% away from closing the offer deal and we were told we have up to 6 weeks to MOVE.
The girls do not know anything yet. We plan to keep it from them as long as we can. So I appreciate your sensitivity in the matter (if you see them!). We are honestly living in "limbo" at the moment. There's so much to plan and do yet, we don't know where to start.
The funniest bit is, my mom (see previous post), after spending a near fortune to arrange for a year's visa to come visit and spend time with us, she noww gets here only to learn that her holiday has to be cut short. The good news is, at least for the time we are there, my girls will have better chance to be multi-lingual as well as have more chance to relate to their family (physically see them and touch them, instead of just telling them about it!!).
We are praying for a smooth transition. Pray for us, for direction, strength, wisdom and loads of good choices and decision making.
The next blog just might be titled "We are NOT going!!" as if all becomes to difficult, we might just stay in Australia.
We are near the end of another book. I am consumed with it and I am desperately wanting it to end. This book is the book of our lives here in Wollongong.
Over the past 6 months, we have had a series of changes in our life. Alex went through a few job prospects and we've finally settled into one that will tie us through. Just the last month a job came "seeking" Alex and we decided that the opportunity is too good NOT to give it a try. after so many rejections and less than attractive offers, we were prepared for this ONE to be just another one to filed as "experience".
Since then, we've been offered work, to relocate and to uproot our young ones again. This time to Singapore. Alex is 90% away from closing the offer deal and we were told we have up to 6 weeks to MOVE.
The girls do not know anything yet. We plan to keep it from them as long as we can. So I appreciate your sensitivity in the matter (if you see them!). We are honestly living in "limbo" at the moment. There's so much to plan and do yet, we don't know where to start.
The funniest bit is, my mom (see previous post), after spending a near fortune to arrange for a year's visa to come visit and spend time with us, she noww gets here only to learn that her holiday has to be cut short. The good news is, at least for the time we are there, my girls will have better chance to be multi-lingual as well as have more chance to relate to their family (physically see them and touch them, instead of just telling them about it!!).
We are praying for a smooth transition. Pray for us, for direction, strength, wisdom and loads of good choices and decision making.
The next blog just might be titled "We are NOT going!!" as if all becomes to difficult, we might just stay in Australia.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
It's a sister thing
I received this card in the mail from my sister in law, Felicity. The card came with some nice and luxury gifts which I was embarrassed to be the receiver of but the words in the card ring so true to my relationships, I had to blog it!
When reading the card, I think of my relationship to (1) my brother,
my friendship with (2) my sister-in-law and most of all,
I think of (3) my girls... with their lives ahead together as sisters.
"Acting silly. Having fun.
Friends forever from day one.
It's a sister thing.
Being Nosy. Being nice.
Giving hugs and good advice-
It's a sister thing.
Knowing when push comes to shove
you can count on her sweet love-
It's a sister thing.
Year to year,
your whole life through,
I will be right here for you-
It's a sister thing."
When reading the card, I think of my relationship to (1) my brother,
my friendship with (2) my sister-in-law and most of all,
I think of (3) my girls... with their lives ahead together as sisters.
"Acting silly. Having fun.
Friends forever from day one.
It's a sister thing.
Being Nosy. Being nice.
Giving hugs and good advice-
It's a sister thing.
Knowing when push comes to shove
you can count on her sweet love-
It's a sister thing.
Year to year,
your whole life through,
I will be right here for you-
It's a sister thing."
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Time and Distance
Nowadays, when we ask Mathena "do you know where is Ah Kong?". Her answer is still definately, "on the plane!!". As the last time she knew, her Kong-kong hopped on a plane to a faraway place. She summed up all her airport experience and is finite with her conclusion.
Good news! On Sunday this time, my mom will be on NSW grounds and breathing aussie air with us. Mathena will be wondering where Ah Kong is, but Letitia will be showing off all her achievements and drawings to her precious Ah Mah!
Can't wait!
Pic of the CHUA side grandparents on Mother's day dinner.
Good news! On Sunday this time, my mom will be on NSW grounds and breathing aussie air with us. Mathena will be wondering where Ah Kong is, but Letitia will be showing off all her achievements and drawings to her precious Ah Mah!
Can't wait!
Pic of the CHUA side grandparents on Mother's day dinner.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Moms Everywhere!
Instead of boring everyone's socks off with the cushy lurvy durby bits of mother's day. I will write about what REALLY touched my heart (and yes, I had a lovely one!)
We had an excellent sermon in church. Of course the theme was moms but based on the "point of view" of the young and sweet virgin Mary (from the Bible, in case some of you are not aware!!). I have an attrocious memory in recalling details and I can't take notes but it went along the lines of this: "Joy & Pain of Motherhood!"
The grateful attitude of a mom: Every mom rejoice at her gifts (children) and on the news of their impending birth, it is usually an exciting journey to know that we are the bearers of GOD's creation. Mary had a moment of "what?!? why me?" but she soon realise the enormity of such a role. Mary quickly turned her thoughts and heart to worship God and all that He has done. Do we honour and continue to stand in awe at what God has done in the live of our kids? Do we pray enough for his will to be done? I knew I did a bit of praising and praying that but when the kids came out healthy, I just let life take over. Do we stop to consider those around us who had no such "luxury' of having little ones? How would they feel? I was touched and reminded that these gifts are only with us but for a short time. Our job are as stewards and we MUST NOT stop praying and interceeding for them.
Young Mary (Jesus's mother) learnt to release her child. Jesus quickly grew into ministry and "left" his parents to fulfill His heavenly role. I struggle with this issue very much as I am determined in my heart that my girls are not to move out of my home until they get married. The training ground is releasing them to grow up within the perils of the world. What a mess of a world they have to face. And them being precious little girls too, I am very protective towards them! Every mom wants to prevent the kids from hurt, pain and mess-ups. My girls are still tiny in the scheme of things yet, they go through enough dissapointment (mostly self inflicted) to cause plenty of scars and tears. Do we think of those moms around us who's kids are involved in life threatening habits? Do we support those moms in abusive households? Do we reach out to help those moms who's kids have moved out?
Pain, the final bit that opened all the flood gates for me was when we were reminded of those moms who gave birth to children with deformity and disability. Their pain and the children's pain is 24/7 for the rest of the child's waking life. How much can we endure? At what cost is a mother's love? Who can we encourage? I wasn't even able to cope when Mathena was in hospital for 2 days....dare I think the stuff these women face for the rest of the child's life?
We had our senior pastor and his wife share the sermon. There were both endearing and loving all the way. Plenty of jokes but sweet moments, inserted with videos of their own children's point of views. He ended with all husbands should love their wives like Christ loves the church. A common one? He suggested the how, that husbands should:
"protect their wives as they ARE the weaker one",
"should not use his strength to overpower wives",
"should love and honour wives",
"should never push wives for manly own needs (S word)",
"should show the children how to love their moms",
"should always understand that their wives get tired from trying to be a good wife",
"should take her as his equal" and
"should never belittle her" as "ALL moms have dreams and desires to be the best wife and mother".
I might have lost some points along the translation...but it sums up an excellent "How to Make a Mother Happy" for me on Mother's day!!
I am Happy!
We had an excellent sermon in church. Of course the theme was moms but based on the "point of view" of the young and sweet virgin Mary (from the Bible, in case some of you are not aware!!). I have an attrocious memory in recalling details and I can't take notes but it went along the lines of this: "Joy & Pain of Motherhood!"
The grateful attitude of a mom: Every mom rejoice at her gifts (children) and on the news of their impending birth, it is usually an exciting journey to know that we are the bearers of GOD's creation. Mary had a moment of "what?!? why me?" but she soon realise the enormity of such a role. Mary quickly turned her thoughts and heart to worship God and all that He has done. Do we honour and continue to stand in awe at what God has done in the live of our kids? Do we pray enough for his will to be done? I knew I did a bit of praising and praying that but when the kids came out healthy, I just let life take over. Do we stop to consider those around us who had no such "luxury' of having little ones? How would they feel? I was touched and reminded that these gifts are only with us but for a short time. Our job are as stewards and we MUST NOT stop praying and interceeding for them.
Young Mary (Jesus's mother) learnt to release her child. Jesus quickly grew into ministry and "left" his parents to fulfill His heavenly role. I struggle with this issue very much as I am determined in my heart that my girls are not to move out of my home until they get married. The training ground is releasing them to grow up within the perils of the world. What a mess of a world they have to face. And them being precious little girls too, I am very protective towards them! Every mom wants to prevent the kids from hurt, pain and mess-ups. My girls are still tiny in the scheme of things yet, they go through enough dissapointment (mostly self inflicted) to cause plenty of scars and tears. Do we think of those moms around us who's kids are involved in life threatening habits? Do we support those moms in abusive households? Do we reach out to help those moms who's kids have moved out?
Pain, the final bit that opened all the flood gates for me was when we were reminded of those moms who gave birth to children with deformity and disability. Their pain and the children's pain is 24/7 for the rest of the child's waking life. How much can we endure? At what cost is a mother's love? Who can we encourage? I wasn't even able to cope when Mathena was in hospital for 2 days....dare I think the stuff these women face for the rest of the child's life?
We had our senior pastor and his wife share the sermon. There were both endearing and loving all the way. Plenty of jokes but sweet moments, inserted with videos of their own children's point of views. He ended with all husbands should love their wives like Christ loves the church. A common one? He suggested the how, that husbands should:
"protect their wives as they ARE the weaker one",
"should not use his strength to overpower wives",
"should love and honour wives",
"should never push wives for manly own needs (S word)",
"should show the children how to love their moms",
"should always understand that their wives get tired from trying to be a good wife",
"should take her as his equal" and
"should never belittle her" as "ALL moms have dreams and desires to be the best wife and mother".
I might have lost some points along the translation...but it sums up an excellent "How to Make a Mother Happy" for me on Mother's day!!
I am Happy!
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Interrupt Rule!
Today I saw the HUGE need of the "Interrupt rule". Mathena was yelling her little lungs out trying to get my attention while I was having a conversation with my friend. At that point, I was embarrased! How rude my little one is!! YOU are up for some training, my munchkin!!! Don't think my friend saw any different but in my heart, I knew Mathena can do better.
We learnt this technique in our many parenting classes we took and have found it to be a most useful and delighting skill to teach our girls. Noone else promotes it except the "Childwise" Growing Kids God's way syllabus. We recommend it to EVERYONE and give full praise to it.
This is the scene: Recall the times when we are having a conversation with someone, on the phone or in person. When the little one goes "Mommy, mommy, mommy!!!" a zillion times and the volume increases with each annoyance. The child has something to say or something to show you!! The Interrupt rule gets them to put their precious hand on our hip, leg (wherever appropriate), and trains them to wait till we acknowledge them. The entire process is QUIET, and we respond(so as not to ignore them) to their need by putting OUR hand on theirs and gently squeezing them, and then, find a good point (in our conversation or sentence) to say "Excuse me, I'd like to acknowledge my child, can I get back to you?", and then, the little one gets here chance to "Speak!". The child will be assured that you know he/she's there, she knows that you'll find a moment to get to her/him and all parties involved are respected and happy! How sweet is that???
This works amazingly well and shows the world a standard shining in patience, virtues and Godliness. I am STILL training Mathena in role plays (practice at home every chance you get) while Letitia has got it very much under control. She sees the benefits herself and we see the wonders of what a little patience does to her. I have friends who have their 6 month old doing the Interrupt Rule and with more than 4 children in a household too. Can you imagine how orderly their days are???
Try it, train up your child to standards higher than of this world. Get back to me and tell me the difference it makes. It took us up 2 plus weeks, and we are reaping the benefits since!
p/s It takes some getting use to for me as I am not a touchy-feely person. I kept pushing her hands off me out of annoyance but later realise it kept coming back (because we trained them to, Ha!!) It is NOT hard for the kids, just a parental resolve. You decide who sets the rules and standards in your family, not the child! It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.
We learnt this technique in our many parenting classes we took and have found it to be a most useful and delighting skill to teach our girls. Noone else promotes it except the "Childwise" Growing Kids God's way syllabus. We recommend it to EVERYONE and give full praise to it.
This is the scene: Recall the times when we are having a conversation with someone, on the phone or in person. When the little one goes "Mommy, mommy, mommy!!!" a zillion times and the volume increases with each annoyance. The child has something to say or something to show you!! The Interrupt rule gets them to put their precious hand on our hip, leg (wherever appropriate), and trains them to wait till we acknowledge them. The entire process is QUIET, and we respond(so as not to ignore them) to their need by putting OUR hand on theirs and gently squeezing them, and then, find a good point (in our conversation or sentence) to say "Excuse me, I'd like to acknowledge my child, can I get back to you?", and then, the little one gets here chance to "Speak!". The child will be assured that you know he/she's there, she knows that you'll find a moment to get to her/him and all parties involved are respected and happy! How sweet is that???
This works amazingly well and shows the world a standard shining in patience, virtues and Godliness. I am STILL training Mathena in role plays (practice at home every chance you get) while Letitia has got it very much under control. She sees the benefits herself and we see the wonders of what a little patience does to her. I have friends who have their 6 month old doing the Interrupt Rule and with more than 4 children in a household too. Can you imagine how orderly their days are???
Try it, train up your child to standards higher than of this world. Get back to me and tell me the difference it makes. It took us up 2 plus weeks, and we are reaping the benefits since!
p/s It takes some getting use to for me as I am not a touchy-feely person. I kept pushing her hands off me out of annoyance but later realise it kept coming back (because we trained them to, Ha!!) It is NOT hard for the kids, just a parental resolve. You decide who sets the rules and standards in your family, not the child! It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Thoughts on Being a Mom!
Since Mother's Day is around the corner... my role as a mom has very much been "in my face" for the past few weeks. Somehow, being a mom this time of the year has lost it's freedom. I now feel like I have to live up to a "standard" or I will not get a gift on the second Sunday of May!!
In reality, our family tries hard to water down this day. In my heart, I'd like nothing better than a simple sleep-in, my girls coming to my bed and telling me they love me, and then, for the rest of the day, I have nothing else to do BUT, stay in bed. I'd like my husband to delegate and run the entire house with the two girls, peacefully sorting out the activities and happenings of the day. I cannot see anything more lovely than to have all my meals prepared and if possible, meals for the rest of the week as well. I am NOT interested in gifts, hankies, perfumes, shoes or even clothes. The greatest gift to a mom is to have a "mental-free" day to herself.
As Letitia enters school life, she is inundated with things to DO to prepare and give me for Mother's day. I know because she tells me and shows me the results! She's been painting, crafting, making things etc and of course, there's the cards, the fundraising gifts and church assortments that comes with such an occasion. I feel for her. She seems to want to do all this but can't really understand the need, afterall, there's nothing much in it for her!!! She is still a kid, bless her little heart!
Mathena is only possesive of me when Letitia is on my lap. I have to grab my cuddles from Letitia nowadays. She is no longer the baby requiring constant care. Mathena has taken to herself the role of preventing Letitia from coming TOO close to me. She'll want a cuddle when she sees Letitia having one. She'll give me a pat-pat on my shoulder while she "car-gle" me. She'll yell, "where are you, mom?" knowing full well that I am STILL in the kitchen washing up. She'll still ask me "where are you going?" at any sign of me tucking them to bed hastily (sometimes, they go down early as they were showing signs of "attacking" each other, or sometimes I am just plain exhausted!!!). She has no clue yet, which is, GREAT!!
I love being a mom. I was actually voted the least likely to have kids in high school as I was all butch and clumsy. Maternal instincts did not appear in my nature or my being at all. I even remembered struggling with Sunday School kids when I was in Uni. NOW, I will not change anything or any of my life for the whole world. I will complain every now and again but, I am generally very contented and joyful with my GOD-given role. I know, I am only doing maybe 65% of what I should and could do with regards to teaching my kids but in my heart, I know I am doing my best and out of love for them. That's my motivation, my guiding rule and my direction. My kids embarrasses me (in public!). I embarrass myself(very often) and we often wonder what went "wrong". My girls will always be a gift to me. The bestest, coolest, undeserved and most precious gifts I can even have.
May all those reading...remember your moms (make that phone call, give that $$ and give that hug!), and have a good time with your family. I am hoping we'll be having fish and chips for lunch!! heeheee!!!
In reality, our family tries hard to water down this day. In my heart, I'd like nothing better than a simple sleep-in, my girls coming to my bed and telling me they love me, and then, for the rest of the day, I have nothing else to do BUT, stay in bed. I'd like my husband to delegate and run the entire house with the two girls, peacefully sorting out the activities and happenings of the day. I cannot see anything more lovely than to have all my meals prepared and if possible, meals for the rest of the week as well. I am NOT interested in gifts, hankies, perfumes, shoes or even clothes. The greatest gift to a mom is to have a "mental-free" day to herself.
As Letitia enters school life, she is inundated with things to DO to prepare and give me for Mother's day. I know because she tells me and shows me the results! She's been painting, crafting, making things etc and of course, there's the cards, the fundraising gifts and church assortments that comes with such an occasion. I feel for her. She seems to want to do all this but can't really understand the need, afterall, there's nothing much in it for her!!! She is still a kid, bless her little heart!
Mathena is only possesive of me when Letitia is on my lap. I have to grab my cuddles from Letitia nowadays. She is no longer the baby requiring constant care. Mathena has taken to herself the role of preventing Letitia from coming TOO close to me. She'll want a cuddle when she sees Letitia having one. She'll give me a pat-pat on my shoulder while she "car-gle" me. She'll yell, "where are you, mom?" knowing full well that I am STILL in the kitchen washing up. She'll still ask me "where are you going?" at any sign of me tucking them to bed hastily (sometimes, they go down early as they were showing signs of "attacking" each other, or sometimes I am just plain exhausted!!!). She has no clue yet, which is, GREAT!!
I love being a mom. I was actually voted the least likely to have kids in high school as I was all butch and clumsy. Maternal instincts did not appear in my nature or my being at all. I even remembered struggling with Sunday School kids when I was in Uni. NOW, I will not change anything or any of my life for the whole world. I will complain every now and again but, I am generally very contented and joyful with my GOD-given role. I know, I am only doing maybe 65% of what I should and could do with regards to teaching my kids but in my heart, I know I am doing my best and out of love for them. That's my motivation, my guiding rule and my direction. My kids embarrasses me (in public!). I embarrass myself(very often) and we often wonder what went "wrong". My girls will always be a gift to me. The bestest, coolest, undeserved and most precious gifts I can even have.
May all those reading...remember your moms (make that phone call, give that $$ and give that hug!), and have a good time with your family. I am hoping we'll be having fish and chips for lunch!! heeheee!!!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Term 2 for Mathena too!
I really have to tighten the belt on Mathena. She is showing signs of "wisdom in own eyes" and as parents, we have to stop laughing at her antics (esp the not acceptable ones) and take the moment to teach and guide her. She now thinks she is the class clown and she can get away with everything...She's reading Letitia's book (a handmade book written by Letitia about her family)
So, her term at home also starts now. These are the fun stuff we have been up to and we've discovered that she is drawing more than scratches now. Enjoy!This is actually a "girl", with hair, body, hands, and lips! I remember Letitia doing work of this level when she was around this age. Sigh!!
The end result of building... a castle with trees?!?
This is the start of training her concentration skills. Building stuff without mommy's help! On normal terms, it'd be "mommy, help!", "mommy how to do this??", "mommy, where ARE you??", while I try to ignore her.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Term 2
Letitia started term 2 of school. This looks like the start of a busy term. Letitia is now wearing winter uniforms and see how she towers over her sister Mathena.
Been wanting to blog but have not had must events till now!
This is Mathena wearing Letitia's old jumper but looking as refreshing and smart!
When we had a little time in the car on the way home (after we dropped of the Downy kids), I looked at Letitia and told her that I missed her during the day. We had one of those moments where I knew in my heart that she understood my love for her. She gave me a sweet look and told me she knows! My baby is so grown up, sigh!
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