Goodbye 2010, Welcome 2011

As 2010 is coming to an end, I begin to reflect on what 2010 has been for me. Overall, I have mixed feelings towards this year. I have had my worst and best moments.
The beginning of the year had been the most stressful and distressing period of my life. Then, the period of self-pity, soul-searching and reflecting my life. Now, almost a year later, I have accepted the fact that 'what has to go, has to go'. There is just no turning back. Self-pity is self-destruction. There are many more unfortunate people out there. I began to understand this after reading news about deaths of youths, esp my own student. I also heard stories from students who had lost their parents at a young age of 4 and another 2 lost their parents too this year.
As compared to them, I had 33 years with my mum. It was not enough but again, I have to let go.
The kids still often talks of their Po-Po especially Jerilyn. Out of nowhere, she will ask questions like:

• Do you love Po2?
• Why is Po2 in the church?
• Who bought this? Is it Po2?

So, that was my worst moment. My best moments are definitely related to the children.
Jerilyn @ 4yo,

• she is more mature, understanding and caring. She gives in to her sister to avoid getting ear-splitting screams. She 'saved' her sister by pulling her back when she saw me in the car while they were playing the compound (my dad was in the house). When I scold Jesslyn, Jerilyn will stand up for her "Mummy don't scold her. Next time, I don't want you. Mei2, don't cry."
• she can read (I presume > 400words)

Jesslyn @ 2yo , the greatest development should be these:

• from baby-talk to a little conversationalist. Recently, she likes to play pretend call "Hello Daddy? Jie2 finish the papaya. Buy burger for me. Huh? Huh? Thank you Daddy. Thank you Daddy. Byee.." She can explain her actions/choices "I am scared of the clown. That's why I cry." "I don't want (this dress). It's too tight." "I want to boo-boo. I have stomachache."
• from diaper dependent to 100% toilet trained

I have put down a short list of resolutions and to-do list for 2011. I hope to achieve them as I have achieved my 2010 list. Welcome 2011!!!

Jesslyn @ 2yo

Jesslyn has just turned 2 on the 8th December. There wasnt any party except for a quiet dinner at Folie Folie on the night before and a cake on the actual date.

2 short years have passed and she is still very much the baby I held in my arms 2 years back. Here are some of the things she could do/say:

• Talks very well and uses long sentences. Just today, sis was disturbing, she scolded "Hey, dont disturb me. I am doing my work." (She was scriblling on Jie2's book).
• She sings very well. She sees a kettle in a book and she starts "Polly put the kettle on... " While her hands are at work, she entertains herself by singing. She is also flexible in changing the lyrics. For example, the song 'I see the moon and the moon sees me', she goes "I see Gong Gong, I see Mummy..."
• Potty-trained. Must add that accidents still happen. With Jerilyn, we were braver by letting her go diaper-free during the nights but with Jesslyn, we are more cautious.
• Jumps and climbs.
• Other than Wh- Questions, she also uses "Can" types of questions - "Can I go down?", "Can I have water?"
• Can recite all the letters in the alphabet and numbers up to 20.

Some of the things she still needs guidance are:

• recognising letters in the alphabet - she particularly likes 'J'. Show her any letter, she says 'J'
• recognising numbers
• confused with certain animals

Quotations

Meant to be posted 2 months ago but something held me back:

• While I was driving down a slope speedily, Jesslyn exclaimed "Be careful! Mummy.... Be careful! Mummy..."
• While shopping on 1 particular day, Jesslyn was being grumpy. Daddy scolded her twice and for both times, she sang to herself after being scolded.While waiting to pay at the cashier, Jesslyn held out her hand and said "Give me some money."
• Seeing angry/sad expressions on people, Jesslyn would ask "Why she(always she) so sad?" or "Why she cry?"
• When Jesslyn was proud of her sis, she showed me a puzzle "There.... Jie2 fix this. Jie so clever."
• When it irritates Jesslyn "Hey, dont sit here." "Hey, stop playing." "Hey, don't shout."
• When she is persistent "Mummy, sit here" Nobody answers. "Mummy, sit here!!" Silent. "I saaidd SIT HEREee!!"
• Jesslyn uses 'Today', 'Yesterday' in her sentences but it's not always used correctly.
• Looking at a mini poster of S.H.E.(the Taiwan group), Jerilyn said there are 2 girls. I asked "Are you sure? How many girls are there?" She repeated "2 girls." "What about this 1?" "It's a boy."(Referring to the 'tomboy')
• Jerilyn talks to objects and insects:
• to an insect "You go away. I don't want you. I will beat you. Go away."
• to an object "Don't fall down. You stay there. Be good."
  

Getting Ready for School

I occasionally buy workbooks for Jerilyn to practise writing. However, her interest lasts as long as the smell of a new book. After writing and scribbling few pages, her interest fades and the book has to be shelved for at least a week before one day, she happens to spot it from the shelf and starts scribbling again. This is so except for the 2 books which I bought about 2 weeks ago.
The moment I bought the books, she has been doing the exercises non-stop. She is so engrossed with the exercises that she spends 2-3 hours each night on the exercises. On the first night, she didnt even have breaks in between. I was the one who had to stop her as my eyes were already drooping. When it is time for bed, she insists on taking the books with her into the bedroom and won't stop writing 'til we turn off the lights. She is so into it that right after waking up from her afternoon naps, she says "I go down to do my work, ok?" There was once she immediately sat and started doing the exercises the moment we came home from shopping.
The 2 books are published in Singapore. I have a few books of my own which were bought in Singarpore many years back and indeed, there are still one of my favourites. These 2 books are as appealing to my daughter as those books to me. In short, Singapore published books have better quality thus more appealing to readers?
It seems like she is preparing for school. She always says that she is attending school (soon) and calls me 'Teacher' while she is my student. After each exercise, she wants a star to be given. She thanks me very loudly with full sincerity. When she makes mistakes and doesnt get a star from me, she sulks.
Wondering if most children go through this stage where they show extreme enthusiasm in studying and schooling.

Quiet yet Eventful

Some of you must be wondering where have I been for the past few weeks. No blogs, No Facebooking. Have been as quiet as a mouse on the cyberspace.
Though quiet here, my life has actually been quite busy and eventful. There have been numerous decisions to make in the past month. Firstly, I came across AirAsia's promotion to Australia and was tempted to grasp the cheap air tickets. I finally did after much persuasion from my sis.
Next, I had to decide if I needed to change my car as my hubby complained about the poor condition of my Saga. During the process, we narrowed down to Matrix and Kenari. After 2 weeks, we have decided to go for Kenari as there have only been negative comments for Matrix. I don't want to take the risk.
Other than that, I was also burdened with the decision of where to send Jerilyn for kindergarten. There are two potential kindergartens in my area. 1 has enrolment of 100+ and the other has only 10 kids. I personally prefer small groups to large groups but upon visiting the less populated kindy, I understand why the other is over populated. To me, the main problem is impression. The impression the teachers here gave was unprofessional. Both the teachers I met have long hair and both just let their hair loose. It's alright if they look tidy but sadly, that's not the case. The teacher who entertained me spoke terrible English. It was very Manglish. Moreover, I doubt this kindy has a proper system as overall, there are only 10 kids from all ages.
Last year, this time, we took my mum to Meru Valley Golf and Country Club to check out the plaece. After procrastinating for a year , we had finally taken the trouble to join the club. One of the reasons we join this club is to avoid the congestion in a public pool.
We also booked 2 nights at Resorts Hotel, Genting Highlands in conjunction with Jerilyn's birthday upon coming across another promotion for Genting Club members.
The only mission we have not accomplished is going to Singapore. It's not for leisure but business. However, there are too many activities and going-ons now. I need a break. Need to save some $$ too.

Mozilla vs Explorer

I usually use Explorer when I suft the net. However due to the high recommendation for Mozilla, I sometimes turn to it. It has its advantages over Internet Explorer. What I find peculiar is when I browse my blog, the layout is different from what I did in Explorer. Why? Why? Why?