My little girl is graduating from kindergarten!!! Donning on her convocation gown made me feel like i have aged so much and missed a substantial amount of her childhood! Didn't realised she has grown so quickly and soon next year she'll be in primary school, then 'O' and 'A' level and uni will come in a flash! Time to reflect if i have bèen a good mom! Yikes!
Spent 5 years with M1 and now it's time to move on. Bidding farewell to my wonderful colleagues and bosses was kinda hard sunce we've gone through so much together. SL always ask me if she was holding me back from spreading my wings and fully developing into the role since she is so reliant and not much of a coach. I feel that having worked with so many bosses, she is one of the best mentors whom I've ever encountered. Will so miss the wonderful people whom I've met in M1, the heads of department, the staff in HR, and many others whom i had the opportunity to cross swords with. Particularly my comp and ben team. We've gone through so many difficult loops together ie stepping up to take over payroll when the payroll ladies walked out; launch of new performance appraisal system; new flex ben schemes; group insurance reviews etc. I wouldn't be who i am today if there isn't such a supportive team! It's definitely a great environment to work!
My farewell note...
Dear Friends,
Today is my last day at M1 and I would like to thank all of you for sharing my journey.
My 5 years stint in this company is like being in a marathon, a challenging run filled with sheer determination, great fun and accompanied by good friends. I would really like to continue this path with you, but there is always an end to every race. Therefore let me wish you all the best in your future endeavours and continue your efforts to make M1 the employer of choice!
Here’s A little something for you before I leave…
For those who love music.. Click on “play” button to listen to a special dedication…
[“See you Again” by Wiz Kalifa]
For those who love life as it is i.e. with a dash of adventure, cynicism, imperfection and loads of love … here’s sharing my favourite comic strip…
Met Nancy whom I've not met in 11 years from Cardiff and she still remembered me! It was such a good feeling catching up over happenings in our lives. I was surprised to hear that she lost her husband to cancer and brought up an autistic kid on her own. How she gave up her job as a HR consultant with AON Hewitt to accompany her husband for treatment and radiation. Her reliance on god to grant her a child kept her going for the past years, overcoming tears and fears. Kid was diagnosed to be slightly autistic and she spent hours to understand his development and train him daily to overcome his condition...which is totally not apparent now. Because she was so good at it she even had time to volunteer and help families with similar needs. According to her, coaching parents into accepting that their kid is special is the toughest part of the job, as the father figure tends not to be around and mother lacks family support to persevere in the mundanely routine trainings and on top of that having to deal with the temperaments of the child at the same time.
In fact it makes me feel that having 3 kids and my apprehensions associated with taking on a larger regional role just seems like nothing when compared to her experience.The short few hours spent with her was so amazing that it felt like time came to a standstill and we are back to the days where we were mugging papers. Though i wasnt close to the PRC community then . They treated me like one of their own and shared exam questions etc. They were able to create a system out of the muddled and though they struggled with english as their 3rd language. The support was strong within the community and everyone worked hard! I am glad they see me as one of them and continued to keep in touch.
It was such a good feeling. I never knew i needed friends this much. And that i could learn so much from this experience. The connection is still there despite years had past. We are still who we are in spite of age. Or have we all changed in some ways?
On the way to raffles to get his 4th month vaccine and somehow he had some sense of the outcome and seemed concerned throughout the trip....
22 popular primary schools face the prospect of a ballot, after the latest registration stage closed. Phase 2B - the fourth of seven phases - is for children whose parents have volunteered in the schools, have links to churches or clans or are active community leaders.
At Nan Chiau there was an over subscription for placements (80:61) and we had to go through balloting on 23 july. As Chris had to work whilst mimi was away, we couldn't be present to witness the balloting process. Surprisingly, the school was extremely swift with it's administration. The result reached us in the evening. And guess what? The kids have secured placement at Nan Chiau Primary School! Chris was exhilarated as his voluntary hours did not go to waste! Having heard the result natalie seemed pleased though she didnt quite understand why it has to be nan chiau primary or what's so fantastic about it. Well she will understand when she grows up. I am worried that she may be overly stressed by the amount of work that's expected from her. Well let's bridge it when the time comes. For now, we shall celebrate the victorious win!
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/primary-1-registration-5-things-to-know-about-the-popular-parent-volunteer
Nathanael is down with fever! Am such a terrible mummy who didnt even know that baby is not feeling well! Fortunately grandma was here else we were so busy with the daily chores and routine with the rest of the kids that i have forgotten to think that he was down with fever when his body felt hot. Thought it was the usual weather and humidity. . Or perhaps it's just me who was constantly sweaty as though re-living confinement again. And since mimi is away for 2 weeks we have no extra help to make that sanity check. These are the days where one really appreciate the kindness and time provided by the grandparents! Rain or shine, Gong gong is here every day both morning and after work to help with the chores and looking after the kids. The third pair of hands are so important when it comes to bath time! Popo will always make a trip down whenever i ask for help, not wanting to infringe on our privacy and robbing our real parenthood experience where all things have to be hands on and rely on our own completion.
Well yes the silly old me who finally realised that nathanael is sick did it again. His fever spiked at night and i woke up this morning at 130am holding on to a super hot baby. Told chris to wake me at 12 but he has forgotten. Should have set my own alarm. Fortunately my milk supply is still pretty high. So with milk, fever seems to have started to subside. I blame myself for not being the attentive mummy that i so wanted to be. Praying hard that the fever will go away tomorrow and baby will be just as happy in his cutie elements!
Ps: despite the fever, nathanael is never reserve about showing gratitude. He gave me such a wide smile when i changed and fed him just now. Thanking me for all the sleepless hours and efforts! Get well soon my baby and all will be better!!
We have completed Natalie's enrolment today. Was told that there were only 81 placements under this phase. We are the 58th applicant. Not sure if there is a need to ballot. Hopefully the 1km will give us a better standing and avoid all the hassle of a heartbreak.
A NEW rule requiring children to live for at least 21/2 years at the addresses they used to apply for primary school has been introduced. Beginning this year, those who gain priority admission to schools based on distance need to live at the address for at least 30 months from the start of the Primary 1 registration exercise.
Those with a yet-to-be-completed property also have to live at the new address for as long, but this can start only from when they move in and not from the registration, subject to certain limits. If this condition is not met, MOE may transfer the child to another school. distance priority has always been given with the expectation that the family will live at the address declared for Primary 1 registration.
Besides proximity, priority is also given to parents with various relations with the school ie whether it's alama mater status, sibling referrals, or clan or church relations. We have joined the Hokkien Huay Kuan because of this. Membership has to be at least 2 years in order to meet the voluntary hours.. which amazingly is not stated. The witting organiser conducts induction for the new members and during induction it was shared and showcased to parents of the need to stay within a kilometre and the voluminous hours they contributed. Many have hit 100 hours and gotten into to thier top selection. There was a mum whose school that she targeted was so popular that despite the 200 hours put in she sold her place to ensure that she is within 1km from the school, investing millions into a property to hopefully secure a placement.
Well we succumbed to the pressure and joined as a member in order to get the kids into Nan Chiau Primary school ie the best ranked school in our area. However as only the hokkien member could contribute to the voluntary hours, me and my side of the family cant help. Chris tried his best and managed to squeeze in 59.5hours... 40.5 hours short of the hundred average. He very worried about the outcome. When i called the school and told him that her name didnt make the list. He was pretty upset with himself... but hey i tricked him. Her name was on the short list and he was even more relieved upon receiving the confirmation letter from the clan. Knowing that all that hard work has borne fruits!
So yes we will be able to register her for P1 on Monday 20 July and hopefully there is no need for balloting!
The children wanted to help in every chore involving the baby....including bathing. Here they are wanting to wash and wipe Nathanael who looks super happy with the amount of attention given.
