Work

Stressful, hectic, tired. These 3 words summed up the feelings at work in the last 2 weeks, given the volatility in the FX market. The positive side to it is that our revenue run rate is now ahead of budget. I will be a very happy woman at work if not for the recent massive hiring of the bankers from another rival bank. Talks of huge 2 yr guarantees for these guys meant that there will likely be not much left in the bonus pool for us next year. To rub salt into the wound, my role maybe be adjusted, to make way for one of the new hires, who happened to a " friend" that has not contacted me regarding her move to my bank. In the worst case scenario, my job may even be at risk. My hope of securing a new job before their arrival is looking bleak, given the uncertain economic environment, and most banks have froze hiring for the year. I am praying daily for guidance and wisdom. I have been blessed tremendously during my 15 yr banking career and I am sure God will have his plans for me. I need to be patient and faithful and here is one of my favourite verses from Proverbs that reminds me of that.

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Tessa is stressed and sad...

Tessa is growing up too fast! Not only physically, but also emotionally...

EXAMS!

She is beginning to feel more self-imposed stress from exams. Last week she looked visibly upset because she thought she did badly for her Maths mock exam. This is quite unusual as she is normally the happy–go-lucky type of girl. Fortunately, she was wrong in her expectations. I could not describe the joy in her voice when she called me in the office the following day to tell me she got band 1 for the paper! It turned out that she got stressed because she got stuck in the first problem sum. That wasted a lot of time and she had no time to check the rest of the paper, hence the conclusion that she would not do well! Her main Maths paper falls on my birthday this year and now she tells me that her present for me will be to do well for the paper!

WEIGHT ISSUES!

She thinks she is fat, and that she does not like her legs. I asked if anyone has teased her about her weight. She said no. My best guess is all her good friends are really skinny ( hmmm sounds like mummy’s case!) and so in relative terms, she is bigger and fatter. She said she is trying to cut down on her food intake since she does not like to do sports. I told her the important thing is to cut down on sweet stuff and junk food. I assured her that she is not fat now but it is unhealthy to put on more weight. She said she feels sad about it, which surprises me as she is normally a very bubbly girl. I read that girls will start becoming more self-conscious when they are about 9-10 so I need to have more heart-to-heart talks with her going forward. My worst fears is to have kids with low self esteem so I better manage her feelings properly now before it gets out of control. And of course, I better join her in her diet plan as well!.

Another chat with Tessa

While I was going through a difficult chinese comprehension passage with Tessa tonight, she suddenly asked me :" Mummy , is there any job that is not stressful?"

Me: " Not really, every job has its own stress."

Tessa: " I want to find a job with no stress!" ( hmm...obviously she inherited my lazy genes)

Me :" Maybe you can be your own boss and sell handbags..."

Tessa :" Then I will have to find people to work for me? That is still stressful!"

Me:" Then maybe you should marry a rich man"

Tessa :" Then I do not have to work?!? YES!"

Me :" But it is better to be a capable woman that earn your own money. What if your rich husband is not nice to you?"

Tessa:" Then we will get a divorce! " ( OMG! I think it is time to ban her from our gossip sessions!!)

Our wonderful Sydney Trip! 3-11 June 2011

We spent 8 wondeful days in Sydney and I am suffering from serious post holiday blues now!. We had great weather, company and even enjoyed some wonderful Malaysian and Italian Cuisine! Accommodation at the Start City Apartments was fantastic at A$320 per night for 2 families and it was within walking distance to Darling Harbour and even China Town. The kids had great fun at the Taronga Zoo, Wildlife Park and Sydney Aquarium during the day and we had lots of fun playing charade at night, with Uncle Jonas and papa as the best entertainers! It was also good to spend time with grandma, who will next turing 70 next year ( but does not look her age at all!). The only disappointment was the day tour to Port Stephens where we did not have much luck with seeing the dolphins! The adultswere also not too lucky during our "gai gai" sessions at night and we are thankful that the Singapore government imposed the surcharge here for Casinos! Check out some of the highlights of the trip!

This was on day one where we went the the Campsie foodfair and chanced upon a little fun fair at the park where all the rides were free. We waited 20 mins to try this ride but it was worth the wait! This operates like an auto car so we saw a few kids " crashed" into the barriers before us. Jacob and Tessa both did well, controlling the car on their own and we survived without any accidents!

Best day of the trip - Taronga Zoo!

Tessa is almost as tall as the world's shortest bear! Hmm does not sound like a compliment!

I love the giraffes!

All smiles after a wonderful day at the zoo!

At the Reptile park. Master " Wu Gui"!

Forcing the overfed birds to eat!

One of my favourite pictures taken at the Birubi Point Beach

The kids looking out for Dolphins on a cruise. They claimed that the saw two but I did not see any!

Thanks to Uncle Jona's sharp eyesight, we spotted the captain of Australian soccer team Lucas Neill, taking the same lift as us in Star City.

Taking a family pic after a wonderful meal at Mamak, the fabulous Malaysian restaurant at China Town. Thank you Uncle Douglas.

Another wonderful meal on our last night in Sydney - Crinitis at Darling Harbour. This one metre long Pizza is yummyyyyyy!

Final shot with Grandma before the departing for Singapore... We will be back!

My baby is back!

And she had lots of fun despite the minor complaints about sleeping in a tent! She enjoyed abseiling and tunnelling and she was lamenting about missing the Flying fox due to time constraint. She said bathing with cold water was not an issue as she had tried doing it at home a few days before the camp. She had also made a few new good friends from other classes and her group leader was not that annoying after all. Food was ok but as expected, she enjoyed the nasi lemak most because of the fried chicken wing! She is now looking forward to next year's camp, which may be held overseas. I am very happy that my prayers are answered and she is blessed with a great time at the camp. Check out her before and after camp face below!

Missing my baby...

Did she eat well today?

Did she enjoy the activities?

Did she get along well with her team mates?

Can she shower without water heater?

Can she sleep well tonight without air-conditioning in her sleeping bag? ( a big switch from her usual 18 degrees celsius temperature!)

Will she remember to put her sunblock and mosquito patch tomorrow?

Does she miss mummy and papa n didi?

I will only find out on Thursday evening. I am so glad I will be the one picking her up from school that day....

Tessa is off to camp!

My baby girl is all grown up ( last measured height of 141 cm!) and ready for her first camping trip! All the P4 girls from MGS will be attending a 3 day/ 2 night camp tomorrow, organised by the outward bound school where they will get to sleep in tree huts and tents! We packed her bag last night and here are some of the items in her bag.

Unfortunately, Tessa is not too excited about the camp. The students were assigned in groups randomly so she does not get to be in the same group as her classmates and she has an annoying group leader. She is also not too keen on some of the physical activities like abseiling. I think I made it worse by telling her how " aggressive" the mosquitoes were during my first camping trip! However, I assured her that it will be a fun experience, learning to work with different types of people and she will have more good friends in school after the camp. I am praying for good weather for girls and may all of them be blessed with a fun-filled session!