We are going on a Road trip!

With the Swine Flu scare going around, we are paranoid about flying. We heard so much about the poor air quality in the plane cabin, and didn't want to catch any kind of flu, swine flu or not.

We have limited options. We have been to Bintan 3 times in the past 2 years already. Batam isn't a choice destination, and Sentosa feels too close to home.

And so we are packing our bags, and driving up to Malaysia! Yes, our friendly neighbour. We will be driving up to Kualar Lumpur, cameron highlands and Malacca...

And so the journey starts early tomorrow morning, and clinche as it may sound, its not the destination that matters but the journey to get there...whatever!

Expectations vs Reality

The annual Teacher's Parents Meeting is just round the corner, and I am so dreading to be there to meet her teacher and to pick up Nic's report card. Nic haven't been performing too well in the school and I am anticipating that there's going to be quite a number of complaints from the teachers. Oh well, guess I have to face up to it.

When I was first diagnosed, Nic wasn't even 2 years old then. Being confronted with my own mortality, I thought I just wanted Nic to have a childhood, to have fun growing up, and be as carefree as possible. I do not know whats in store for her in the future, but I guess the least I could do is let her have a happy childhood when I am still around. Who knows how long that will be. Well, Nic spent much of her early years watching lots of Barney, Sesame Street, Hi-5, on TV, playing "masak masak" with Grandma, playing with the kids next door, going to the library...not a really structured sort of routine, but pretty carefree. We travelled often, sometimes taking her out of school during term time, while we take short trips. I wasn't the flashcard flashing kind of mama, but i tried to cultivate her interest in books with little success.

As Nic enters into formal school, my expectations for her were simple. Just do your homework when you need to, and pass all the subjects. I guess school life couldn't be so carefree anymore. She had to adopt a more structured routine, and had to adapt to a pretty different kind of lifestyle, something which she is still trying to get used to. She has to sit for exams, she has homework to do, spellings and dictation to learn, and her performance will be graded.

Nic thrives on compliments, praises and positive reinforcement. I think all kids do. She did well in her chinese language last year as she endeared herself to this sweet young chinese teacher. Its a different case this year, she hasn't been doing her chinese homework, and seems to dislike the subject. the teacher seems to have issues with her as I see the remarks she leaves in Nic's homework. I guess thats the variable element that is beyond our control in nurturing her love for a particular subject.

The kids in Nic's school will be streamed this year, where the kids with the top grades will be in the first 3 classes, while the kids with lower grades will be in the bottom 3 classes. While I am not agreeable with the streaming process, its the reality that the strong will thrive, while the weak will be ousted in due course. Its no longer enough to just pass your exams, you need to excel.

With school being so competitive, I do wonder if I had been slack during the formative years of her young life. Am I paying the price now?

And the Stressed Out Mama ponders...

Taking it Lying Down

Just back from treatment today. Its been a long day, literally, just waiting for my turn. I can't imagine the number of people who need to turn up for treatment today. Its terrible, isn't it? I don't mean the crowd, but rather the terrible fact that there are so many people who are stricken with the disease. There were not enough reclining seats in the treatment area, and i ended up having to have my infusion done lying down on a hospital bed. Hmmm....first time getting treatment lying down...I hope its not bad luck! Hahaha

So much for now. Pretty tired from all that waiting. Gonna turn in early tonight.

Twittering

I have tried very hard, I have resisted but failed miserably, I have succumbed to the temptation of Twittering. I am still tinkering around the features. So if you are curious about what this old bird (read: me) is up to, click here:

aww, look: Parents of the Year

The Parents of the Year has got to go these parents in Melbourne

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/parents-fail-to-realise-son-missing/2008/12/22/1229794320089.html

I Made It Through Another Year!

Yeah! One more candle on the cake, one whole year to be thankful for!

Yes, I have turned a year older at the stroke of midnight. Its a quiet day with a simple lunch at Ivin's and dinner at Jack's Place. I didn't have to prepare dinner tonight, so thats a good thing for me. No presents from Nic, cos its exam season, and "she don't have time to draw a card". Its ok, Nic, just do well in your exams, thats the best-est present I would ever ask for. Mike got me a netbook. Small, and fits nicely into my tote. What else could I ask for? :)

Its a bittersweet day. I couldn't help but miss my papa a little more on this day. I miss going out with him for our birthday dinners at the East Coast Seafood Centre. I missed the quiet walks along the beach after these dinners. I just simply missed his presence...even more today


It didn't help that a dear friend passed away not too long ago. Even though we have not known each other for too long, I couldn't help but miss her. Its not too often that I am able to meet someone who is able to click with you, who understands the situation that we are in and the predicament we are in. Who else would understand the frustration of our forgetfulness and being "mentally slow"? Having said that, i am glad I am still able to solve Primary 2 problem sums :) they are not very easy these days.

I am looking forward to the year ahead. It has been 5 years 10 months since the initial cancer diagnosis, 1 year 10 months since the relapse. Life has been good, and I am looking forward to more :)

YouTube - The Mom Song

Happy Mother's Day for all mummies reading this...I am sure you can relate to this song ;)