picking chestnut

Yesterday we went to the zig zag railway at blue mountain and the fact that in the olden years the people had to endure taking the train up and down is funny. I was having a headache so not so eager to be stuck there for nearly two and a half hour. the trip is not cheap. Whole family cost us $63.

Before the train trip, we went to a vegetable farm and visited an apple orchard again. The vegetables were cheap and fresh. As for the apple orchard, we picked our own fruit but the apples were not as big as the ones at shield orchards. We ate some apples and surprisingly the apples were not as sweet.

After the train ride, we went to a chestnut farm. The chestnut were spiky and we had to ply open them using a tong and glove. Fun looking around the chestnuts that had dropped down on the floor and to look for the untouched ones.

A picture speaks a thousand words

This picture was taken at the sydney tower by the staff there. We only retrieved it just now from the website. Mum in law is standing outside and Weiyi is right in the middle. We are all quite relaxed. the standing position says a lot of the relationship among us. Charlynn closer to me and I wanna to control her and the boys are left to be on their own. Mum in law and I not really happy to be in each other personal space and she was like an outsider in the Poon Joe Fai's family.

Weird how our body language will betray us right!!!

Child care arrangement

Joe now chooses to attend school from Tuesday till Thursday and everyday he would stay till rather late in school.

I have been trying to cope with this arrangement as the boys are really horrible.
I will have to tell Joe that he will go to school everyday and report back home by 3pm. Everyday fetching them is a chore too as the boys will be busy playing and they always say they could not see my car.

The boys without any body looking after them while I cook is disaster. Channery follwed their example and she fell down from the window and hurt herself. She was bleeding from the nose and probably had hit her nose afer falling down from the window frame. I could not cope with the kids running around and me tied up with the housework. The boys simply won't heed my advice when I tell them not to play ball game at home. They were either watching TV non stop or running around the house.

I am always angry these days and I know it's scary. Sometimes I got so angry that I lost control. Just now I pulled Chantz's hair so hard and felt so great to be able to pay back. something must be done if not I don't know what will happen

Feeling lousy as a CL teacher

On Saturday I went to the chinese school to talk to the teacher whose class I am going to take over. She was pregnant and she has to attend community language class on Sunday so she wanted out from her teaching duties. The principal told me to take over the week after next so I galdly agreed. I stayed from 9.30am till 12.30pm observing the class. Not easy to handle as the class although is small with 16 pupils but their ability is so varied. The 2 Korean kids are not so interested too. Well! To make teaching easy I will have to think of ways to engage them.

Heard from Prinicpal that boys had strongly opposed to taing part of the chinse eisteddfod ( lang3 song4) compettion. We told them they had to participate no matter what and guess what? Charles ran off and even talked back rather rudely to the Principal. He even disturd by climbing into the recycling bin in class. Principal said she had to give him a warning letter. Well! That's what he wanted!!! He is a scheming little one so he would find all means and ways to get himself out of the chinese lesson. In fact he refused to follow Joe home and walked all the way home himself. School ends at 5 pm and he only reached home at 6pm. Don't ask me why we are so heartless. sometimes I hope I can send my boys to boarding school and only see them once or twice a year. We have done our best to bring up the boys and if anyone thinks that we have not done a good job, so be it as it was never between them and me, it's between God and me and God knows how much effort we have put in to give them a good life and to teac them life skills that they should know for life.

Felt really pai2 say3 that my child misbehaved badly in class. Could never understand why he is so against learning Chinese language. He would hate us now but the language will be useful to him in future. Knowing a second or third language is like having another pair of wings.

Having son like that really drains all our energy.

Plant Thief

This morning I found out that someone had stolen my newly bought Frangipani plant which I planted a few weeks ago. The plant cost me $12 and I was really glad it is growing well.

I was really angry to find it stolen when I went out this afternoon. The person who stole it is really selfish. I think we better don't plant anything at the front yard.

When we came back from the visit from powerhouse, we met our next door neighbour and we told her what happened. She said that her next door neighbour also had a similiar experience. She said people are so desperate now so they stole others plants to sell at the flea markets.

I am really sad to lose the plant and hope the thief will not come to steal my other plants as well.

Anyway stealing act is never between him/her with me, it's between her and God. Those who find joys in making other miserable will never be able to find real joy in life.

Channery is looking like a boy

Channery is now looking like a boy as she insisted we cut her hair like papa and kang kang. She has been really tom boyish lately.

In school, she will run to Mr Lewis and stick to him. At home she will play with the 2 boys.

The other day when I brought her to the hair salon, she cried when the lady hairdresser wanted to cut her hair. She kept saying she wanted the male hairdresser to cut for her. Look at her now and everybody thought she is a boy.

Channery's scar

The above picture is the punctured wound Channery had on the last day of last year. The wound was so deep that she had to be stitched 2 layers of skin. The wound has healed but we realized that her eyes shape had been changed. Now her right eye is a bit smaller than her left and its kinda longer because of the pulled skin.

For all of you having kids who hurt themselves, my suggestion is to send them to a cosmetics surgeons when your kids have accidents. Only heard about it after talking with a friend. Too late for regrets now.

Offer for a Job

On Tuesday, I went to CASS to apply for a job as a Chinese teacher/tutor at the Chinese school my children attend every Saturday. They are looking for a teacher for the morning session- Primary One. The principal and the head principal of the 4 schools interviewed me. Actually I was just trying and did not really feel threatened. Breezed through and they informed me yesterday that they had decided to offer me the job. Good that I can earn some extra income. The pay will be quite okay I think. I did not ask how much as I just wanna have time out to meet people and teaching is defintely good. Joe said probably a few hundred per Saturday for the 3 hours teaching.

Actually I sent in my application after talking to the school Principal last Saturday. An interview was held in January and we were still in Singapore. A teacher had asked for leave and that's why I have the chance to have the interview. They told me they will look at the other applicants and see who is the most suitable.

Actually I do not know whether I will do a good job. Somehow the years of teaching experience have me confident to speak my mind. Will try out and see how the students differ from the Singaporeans kids.

Channery's cough

Channery started coughing on Saturday and she is still coughing so we decided to bring her to see doctor today. We reached there at 8 plus after dropping the other kids from school. Channery was crying while waiting as she was afraid of seeing doctor. After examining her, doctor said she was not wheezing so that was a relief. Told doctor she can't seem to catch her breath after each cough and doc said there was whopping cough going round the kids' school so she might have gotten that. Told doc she had vaccine so probably won't get it but doc said even with vaccine, children might still contract the cough but maybe not so serious. Doctor said we should stop giving her the cough syrup as that was not recommended on young child. The dosage only cause children to hallucinate and not necessary useful and might have side effects. I think she probably had the cough as she took too many popsicles the other day. She had been really difficult these few days at night as she will wake up coughing and crying.

Checked internet and there are some interesting findings:

1. To stop night time coughing in a child or an adult, put Vicks Vapor Rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime and then cover with socks.

2. Cook 2 carrots and 7 red dates with water and drink as plain water.

3. A natural tea based cough remedy
Prepare a cup of warm tea with a squirt of lemon and a tablespoon of honey. The honey in the tea will help to coat your irritated throat and enable you to stop coughing.

4. Take a warm bath or shower
The steam from a warm shower helps to hydrate your irritated throat passages stopping the cough. Stand in the shower for at least ten minutes and breathe in the warm steam. This can be quite therapeutic.

5. Hot milk and honey can stop a stubborn cough
Prepare a steaming glass of milk to which you've added a tablespoon of honey. Drink this slowly before bedtime to prevent nighttime coughing. The warm milk can also help you to sleep if you have insomnia.

6. Chew on some peppermint candy
Keep a package of peppermint candies in your pocket and chew on one at the first sign of cough.

7. Add some humidity to your home
Dry coughs tend to be exacerbated by dry air. Invest in a good humidifier to increase the humidity in your living quarters. Not only can this stop your cough, it also may reduce your risk of developing upper respiratory tract infections.

8. Discover the power of vinegar to stop a cough
Add several teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Drink this slowly when you feel the impulse to cough come upon you. Vinegar helps to reduce the inflammation in your throat and upper respiratory tract which can help to prevent coughing.

9. Use fresh ginger to stop a cough
Ginger can be a very effective cough remedy. Peel a small piece of fresh ginger and chew on it slowly. Your impulse to cough should slowly disappear.

10. Drink lots of water
If you're in a situation where you'll be talking a great deal, always have a glass of water by your side. Sip it whenever you take a break from talking. This can help to keep your throat passages moist and reduce irritation.

11. A teaspoon (about 4,000 milligrams) of vitamin C crystals in juice every hour.

Game to try???

Picking apples Day

We went apple picking on sunday. It was fun and we ended up paying $22 for 2 cartons of Jonathan and Delicious apples. Children were really excited and wanted more but I refused as we could not possibly finish all the apples. surprisingly, we have finished a carton and only have another carton to go. Very sweet and delicious. Next time anyone of you coming to Sydney, I will bring you fruit picking k. Different season pick different fruit. See pictures la

JJ's birthday

JJ 1st birthday on 5th MArch 2009

Saturday Blues

Every Saturday is very tiring as the kids are at home and they refused to do their Chinese Class homework. They simply are not so sensible. They will hate us now but they definitely will benefit in the future.

Yesterday went to the university so that the nurse on duty can draw some blood from me. She was really skillful and I did not feel much pain. After that we went to Macdonald for breakfast. The happiest person is Channery I guess. She was really excited to be having the food. I slept most of the day yesterday as I was feeling rather tired. More to do with driving the car I think.

Today we will be going out for food as Joe had promsied th kids to eat out. They hate home cooked meals. Tried having bought food back at Singapore for 2 months and the result is gaining weight so outside food probably not so healthy. Joe kept saying I should stop buying snacks for kids and buy fresh food instead. It is easier said than done as kids simply love those kinds of food.

These few days

Last Saturday we sent my mum in law and WEi Yi to the Airport at about 9.30am. Total time taken was 50 mins and we have to pay $15 for parking. The carpark rate at Sydney airport is really a cut throat. After that, we went to Macdonald for lunch even though it was only 10 plus before heading back home. The boys as usual still did not finish their Chinese class work. It was really last minute but what can be done??? In the afternoon, Joe and I decided to move our beds from one bedroom to the next. We decided long ago the children would take the bigger bedroom while we would shift the double bed to their room. The change was really good as the children room looks so spacious now. I did a quick dinner with cabbages and meat and after that we watched a movie together.

We did not go out on sunday and ended up cleaning up the house. It was raining the whole day so really not a good day to go out. Told children they could finish their chines class work by sunday and they would get extra $5 bonus. Only Charlynn completed her work by sunday. The boys were simply too lazy to get the extra money :<
Called up Wei Yi after talking to mum in law as mum in law told us she told Wei Yi she regretted inviting her to Sydney. Wei Yi told us quite a lot of things and we were really glad she was back home happy.

On MOnday, Joe did not go to school as we had arranged so that Monday and Friday he would stay at home with me. Channery going to school on Monday and Tuesday so we can have some "Park Tour' time. We did shopping and watched a video together. Time flies and soon it was time to go and fetch the kids again.

On Tuesday, after sending kids to school and day care, I went shopping again to kill time. After I came back, I threw myself into doing gardening and othe household chores. While I was clearing the backyard, my Chinese neighbour chatted with me and told me the workers were coming over to do the fence on Wednesday. She even gave me a winter melon which she planted. We fetched Channery at 5pm as we wanted her to interact more with her peers. She was getting used to the day care and no longer had problem. In fact, she was so attached to a Mr wills that she practically ran to him when I dropped her off.

This morning Joe and I went to his university to have a blood test as we decided to take part in a cereal experiment. Ended up I was pierced twice but could not collect akythe lady blood sample. I had to go back on Friday. We would not take part if we are too healthy. They need participants who have slightly raised Cholestrol. We were surprised to find our blood pressure a bit on the high side. With fasting, usually my BP will be low. Will see if we will be selected. Free medical checkup and cereal so kinda fun. After coming back I did household chores and went to take a nap. When I woke up, I realized it was already 3pm and so I rushed out to fetched Charlynn. Boys have cricket lesson so after cooking noodles for Charlynn, I went out to fetch them again. In fact, the boys were so excited about their cricket as they will be going to watch a cricket match this coming Monday - actually skipping lesson. The school will be paying for their tickets. I felt like saying no but it will be a cruel thing to do.

Just had dinner after we came back from park. Feeling tired now so gotta go.

Busy Day

Yesterday we managed to find the seats for my mil and Wei yi and they will be going back tomorrow. Their flight is 12 plus so we have to send them to the airport at 9 plus. They will reach singapore at 5 plus and so they will have no problem going home by taxi. The ladies seem happy to go home. Mum in law was saying she could not sleep yesterday night as it was freezing. Turned out the temperature last night was rather low. Some areas as low as 6 Degrees. She should have turned on the heater but instead she chose to wear clothes. Funny that she won't use the heater since we have taught her how to do so.

This morning we decided to bring them around Sydney for the last time so after sending the kids off, we drove off to city. I was very angry with Joe as he was sititng at the back and I had a hard time trying to catch up with his instructions since he was not able to see clearly. I was really angry that I had to make a turn or change lane so abruptly. Driving like that is suicide and I lost my temper. when we reached Hay Market, we went to the IGA there and found the nuggets. They are actually more expensive than a stall down at the Hay market but we bought from IGA as they have first hour free parking if u spent $30. We ended up buying about $100 plus. The 1 kg and 500g packs at the Hay MArket only $26 and $14 only whereas IGA is selling them at $28.60 and $17.50 respectively. The 500g pack has a nicer packaging though. Wei Yi and MIL bought other souveniers and we headed off to the Fish MArket. LAst time we went there the parking was quite steep but this time we stayed within 1 hour so only paid $3. We also tasted 4 baked oysters while waiting for our take away orders of Fish and chips with salad. Wei Yi bought a half Lobster Set which cost $14.90. We had the take away food at a park near the Gap. There was a fisherman's fish and chip and the business was really brisk. The food was definitely more expensive than what we bought at Sydney Fish MArket.

After Lunch we strolled up to the Gap and the scenery was really magnificent. However, after driving to Bondi, I realized why Bondi beach was the most beautiful beach in Sydney. The weather was so nice and the scenery is breath taking. We continued our drive to Bonte Beach, then to Coogee beach.

We drove back to fetch the kids and then we went for their Art lesson. Jen taught them how to make a volcano with torch light. Really fun I think. While they had their lesson, we went to MArrickville MEtro to shop for the gifts my MIL promised the children. We spent $70 getting the gifts. When the boys saw their gifts, Charles immediately threw a fit and we were really annoyed with him. the other two kids were okay but he was simply very ungrateful. In the end, we came back and asked for home delivery instead of visiting a restaurant.

Now the children are watching Simpsons and they have not done their Chinese Class work. Today is simply a tiring and busy day for me.

Enough is enough

Yesterday something happened and if there are seats available, Wei Yi and my mum in law will be going back this Sat. I think Wei Yi has enough of my mum in law's unreasonabe behaviour.

It happened when I was preparing the food and she commented that I should not add in the bacon to cook the asparagus. I told her its only used the day before as I wanted to finish using the bacon. She kept on implying I am not doing a good job so I thought" if you are so good, yo do yourself" in my heart. After a while, I cooled down and started talking to her and I told her what I was thinking a few minutes ago. She got so mad that she dashed out and started scolding Wei Yi and me and said we are birds of a same kind and that she had enough of us. She said we are the difficult ones and WeiYi suddenly burst out that she wanted me to go online to get her ticket altered as she needed to go back for phototherapy for her skin. Her eyes were red and I really felt bad. She told me that she could not sleep at night and her skin condition is not getting worse - maybe due to the change of weather. Told her I can't do anything and I had to ask JOe. I called Joe up and told him what happened and we ould try to talk to Wei yi. We were thinking of bringing them to Blue Mountain and Port Stephen over the next few weeks and so we kinda feel bad that these travel plans have to be shelved.

At night we had a talk with Wei Yi and she insisted that she wanted to go back asap. Joe told my mil about Wei Yi's decision and my mum in law actually told JOe that she actually had the intention to go back and not staying till april. She still wanted to have the final say somehow. This morning, she asked Joe if he was going? Joe thought she was referring to him attending school so he answerred no. In the end, she said she was saying if Joe was going for story telling with Charlynn. We were really pissed off as she even said that she could not communicate with us so she really gald that she could go back earlier.

With her attitude and behaviour thus, We really don't know if she will be able to have friends and relatives willing to stick around.

Today's account

Today is Channery's second day of school and after sending the older kids off at school I sent her there. She started crying in the car and held on to me tightly. I sent her in and teacher said that Joe had left out a whole page of consent like allowing kids to be photographed, putting on suncreen etc. I signed about 10 signatures and really bubbled a bit as JOe assured me that he had done the forms properly already. He was given the task to do the paperwork and I get her things ready but he just did not do a good job. Channery was crying and holding on to me while I read and signed and that was not very pleasant.

I ended up calling and telling JOE what he had done. Not very mad but still I sounded very annoyed. Actually I wondered how Channery was doing in class too. She was still so clingy. Without my baby I am a bit lonely actually. I went shopping around the neighbourhood shops and Joe called me when I was getting in the car at about 10am. Told him I was going to drive to check if I could hear Channerys screams. Luckily she was okay I think.

At 3pm, I went to fetch kids but could not drive into the carpark as one idiot had left his car at the entrance and go to fetch his kid from school, stopping others from driving into the carpark. Such selfish act and that's is annoying. I ended up going to Woolworths to buy 2 loafs of bread. I fetched kids at about 3.15pm and the whole carpark was free of traffic. Maybe to go later so as to avoid the other parents.

AFter fetchig kids I told them I was fetching Channery but Charlynn was against the idea. She said should let her stay till 5 plus since we pay for it but the boys wanted to go get their baby sister. She ended up feeling lousy as I went ahead to get baby. She was so angry that she stayed in the car and refused to talk to me. She sulked even when we reached home and stayed in the car for another 10 mins. I was really mad of her bad behaviour. Luckily she thought through and decided to come in and talk to me. A bit longer and I would be out either scolding or spanking her.

Just now paid $114 for Channery's fees. That will be an extra $456 per month and we really have to watch our finances this year. MAybe have to cut back on eating out and buying luxurious items for kids.

Getting along with MIL

I just had a tiff with my mum in law. She commented that my house is always like a war zone and I told her its like that when we have such a big family with 4 kids. She commented that my house never like that and I reminded her of course since she only has one child so her house was peaceful and quiet. She got offensive and said God gave her only 1 kid. I told her ours was our choices so we have to accept the consequences of noise and chaos. She ended up scolding me being always picking at her and trying to find faults with her. I am really fed up with her being like that. She even said that she regretted coming here and that I am bullying her because she does not have a husband. She said she knows the kind of person I am and she refused to comment further. What kind of person am I ? The villian who was always out looking at faults of others????

In fact yesterday WeiYi called up her friend in the living room and she got really excited and spoke at a loud voice. I was in the living room and I was okay with that but my MIL charged in and scolding her up side down saying that she was inconsiderate and she had to stop reading because of her. She never gave face to others and I quickly get WeiYi to go out with me to go and fetch the kids. She always thinks of her own interests first and she thinks others are nuisance. As a daughter in law I can't talk reason to her at all. Nobody is able to enlighten her on how her behaviour is like a spoilt brat.

I know I cant change her and the only person I can change is myself. I must love her unconditionally since she is my husband's mother but sometimes I just got so fed up with her. Without her presence, my life is so much wonderful and carefree. Maybe staying apart is the answer to my miseries since she keeps on saying that I am the bad egg.

Outing at Manly beach

Yesterday we went out taking public transport. We drove to Duwich hill and then took a train to circular Quay. After that we board a ferry to Manly beach.

When we reached there, we decided to buy somw bread and stuff from aldi and then we bought 2 roast chicken and coleslaw from coles. That will settle our lunch. Total cost was $30 plus and that is some savings. WeiYi insisted on paying for the stuff so yesterday's lunch was on her.

The beach was really beautiful and the waves was really fun. Chantz and Charles did not eat their lunch and just jumped into the sea. After a while, I went looking for them to come back for lunch and was told Chantz had lost his spectacles. The waves was really powerful and he accidentally dropped the spectacles. told Joe to bring them back and I went into the sea to search for his spectacles. Charlynn joined me on the search and we had a lot of fun in the sea. An hour later I came back empty-handed and thoroughly wet. Charlynn brought her clothes and I took her to the toilet. I did not bring any change of clothes so I went back to the rest of the family soakig wet. Joe insisted I changed into his set of clothing and I came back like "bao1 ba4 zhang3". Very funny that I could manged to squeezed into my hubbys clothes.

After staying till about 3 plus we decided to make out way home. WeiYi did a final search on the beach and then she proceeded to the life guard to ask if they had a lost spectacles. Luckily for chantz, someone had retrieved his glasses and he could save his pocket money. He was really happy and we were happier as we can save making a new pair for him.

Anyway we were really glad to go outdoors at the beautiful Manly beach.

First day of school for my baby

Saturday Children had Chinese class. The boys were really cooperative as they would receive $10 if they did their homework and go for chinese class. Actually we had been paying a lot of expenses for them and the amount is just nice to cover the extra cost they incurred. Boys need to have $10 per week for cricket and Charlynn $3.50 for tennis lesson. They could also use the money to buy things for themselves. They do not have actual money. All transactions are recorded in my little note book.

Btw today is the first day of child care for Channery. She will be attending school for 2 days- Monday and Tuesday. She had been looking forward to attending school since we enrolled her on Friday. She was still quite okay when we brought her in this morning but she cried immediately when I told her I was leaving. REally breaks my heart to see her tearring. I went back to her school at about 10am and did not hear any crying so hopingfully she is doing fine. Will fetch her later at 4pm. The cost is $57 per day form 7.30-6pm.