The Temporary Kakak

Before I continue with my post, here's wishing all mothers out there :

Happy Mother's Day!

I wonder if the kids can keep their promise of being extremely well-behaved just for the day.
:-)

The kids' exams are over... phew, what a relief. Luckily CE's exam was 1 week before XY's so I had time to coach them individually. Revision with CE was quite a breeze as his syllabus wasn't a lot. As for XY, although this was the mid-year exam where all the subjects were tested (8 altogether), I didn't spend that much time revising with her. We totally left out Moral (books not given back by teacher) and just browsed through PJK (only 1 writing book to look through). Anyway, these subjects are not calculated in the overall marks so I concentrated more on the 4 major subjects. :p

There's another reason why I didn't spend much time doing revision with XY. I was busy being the temporary Kakak. We gave Kakak a 2-week holiday back to her kampung as she wanted to attend her BIL's wedding. She's been with us for 4 years already and this is the third time she's gone back. Actually house chores are not difficult work, they are just time consuming. But I've got plenty of help. XY helped with sweeping and mopping the floor, using the magic mop. She also helped to hang the clothes sometimes. I only needed to iron the kids' school uniform coz hubby ironed his own working clothes. I rarely cooked, just a few times of simple noodle soup for lunch. We ate out during weekends and for dinner on weekdays, we "catered" from SIL. :D She was so kind to offer to cook for us. We ate at their house most of the time (I don't even have to clean up after that as she's got a helper) and packed food home for hubby (he's usually back from work quite late). When Kakak came back last Saturday (5th May), I happily passed all the work back to her. Ahhh... back to my blissful life.

Oh yes, while the kids were digging for stationeries for their exam, they found some "treasure" in the drawer. I've kept them there and forgot all about it. They are brand new, box unopened. Hubby won them in a credit card contest last year. I'm putting them up for sale. It's great as a gift for your little ones. XY likes to listen to it. She's learning a new Mandarin song (还是要幸福) by Hebe. I've printed out the hanyu pinyin lyrics, together with the Chinese characters, to help her pick up the language. Anyone interested to be their new owners?

Apple iPod Shuffle 2GB (4th generation) - BLUE
Price : RM109 (retail price : RM169)

Apple iPod Shuffle 2GB (3rd generation) - BLACK
Price : RM99

Life's Back To Normal

Hello everybody... I'm back! I've been away for almost a month and I'm really happy to know that I've been missed. *big grin* Now that Kakak's back from her Raya break (just got back yesterday midnight), my life is back to normal. No more housework. Yay! No more eating salty catered food. Yay! More time for myself and the kids. Yay! More time for blogging and blog-hopping. Yay! There are 900+ unread posts in my Google Reader. *pengsan* I'll visit you real soon ya... slowly, but surely. :-)

Before I continue, I must say a special thank you to hubby who's been really helpful during Kakak's absence. I'm so lucky to have such a "domesticated" hubby who has no issues with doing house chores. And very good at it too. ;-) Also a big thank you to my ever helpful and thoughtful SIL, who took care of most of our meals. It really saved me a lot of work and brain cells (thinking of what to cook). hehehe

As mentioned in my previous post, I was back in Penang for the 1-week school/Raya holidays. Didi complained of mouth pain on Wed (8/9) and doctor confirmed it was HFMD. He must have been infected before the trip. This round it was more serious, with rashes on his hands and legs (previous infection was in January, a mild one). Luckily he didn't have any fever, just mouth sore for 5 days. Good thing his appetite wasn't affected although he was in pain when eating. The mouth drop given wasn't really working. Jie jie's mouth pain came 2 days after him, on the day we got back home. She had fever that evening, but it went away after 1 dose of paracetamol. *phew* She also had rashes on her hands and legs and her mouth sore lasted almost 6 days. She relied mainly on ice and cold drinks during meal times. I'm so glad it's all over now. Please please please spare them from mouth ulcers in the future. It's such a torture!

Jie jie's school holiday was extended for another 2 weeks because the classrooms were used for the UPSR examination. I brought her to the dentist last Wednesday as her lower left lateral incisor was loose and painful (when she eats) and it bled sometimes. Her 2 upper central incisors are loose too but they're not causing any pain and there're no signs of new teeth coming out. So the doctor said they can wait. He extracted the lower left lateral incisor (using only the numbing gel) and filled up a hole in her upper left second molar. This is the 2nd time she got her tooth extracted by the dentist and she behaved really well. She did as instructed. All she requested was that I hold her hand while the dentist was attending to her. She even sat still on the chair behind the dentist when I got my teeth checked. Previous trip she was all over the place trying to see what he was doing and checking out the equipments. o.O

When I was making payment, she asked me a question. I had a hard time understanding what she said as she was biting on a gauze. After repeating many many times, I finally got it. "What's my reward?" A lollipop, which she "claimed" 3 days later. She was quite sad that her forgetful mommy didn't take back her tooth (how to get coins from the tooth fairy?). I forgot to tell the dentist I wanted to keep it. When we went back to the clinic about 30 minutes later (after packing lunch), they said they've thrown it away already. I told her not to be sad, as she already knew the tooth fairy is actually her parents. hahaha After thinking about it, I decided to put a coin under her pillow yesterday night, just to make her happy. Then she got confused with who's the REAL tooth fairy again. :-D Luckily I have her first two extracted baby teeth. Note to self : Must not be so forgetful next time.

Blog Break

I have been missing in action from the blogsphere for quite awhile already. Doubt anyone missed me. huhuhu Anyway, I'd better write something (will keep this short) before you all think that I've disappeared into thin air or I've gotten preggie (sorry Olive, your prediction didn't come true this time). hahaha I close shop already loh (for now). :-D

Here are the reasons for MIA :

#1 Was down with flu 2 weeks ago, with fever for 5 days (38+ºC to 39+ºC on the first 2 days). Went for blood test and nose swab -- got the Influenza B virus. Luckily PIL were around -- FIL helped to send the kids to and fro school. And that leads to the next reason.

#2 PIL were here to help take care of my 4+ month old niece. She was advised to be 'quarantined' as my nephew got the chicken pox (from kindy). So they stayed and took care of baby at my place. Unfortunately, SIL discovered spots on her the day PIL left (after taking care of her for 10 days and CH's spots have dried up). Poor baby, whole body and face covered with spots and I heard she's coughing and developed fever 2 days ago.

#3 Kakak has gone back to her kampung for Raya. I've been maidless since 29/8. She'll be away for 4 weeks. It takes awhile to adjust to life without that extra help at home. But so far so good. We've been "catering" food for lunch and dinner from SIL so it really saves me a lot of work from preparation, to cooking, to cleaning up. I'm so thankful for her help. I don't even have to think about the menu and the kids love her (or her maid's) cooking. From next week onwards, we'll cater dinner from outside for 2 weeks, till Kakak comes back.

#4 I'm now back in my hometown for the school break. First time bringing the kids back myself (by flight) without hubby. Luckily they didn't give me much problems -- minimal toilet visits and they held my hand ALMOST all the time. :-D

All these reasons = limited online activity. So I'm officially declaring a blog break till end of Sept. Have a good holiday and Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

Cheaper Airfare

Kakak will be going back to Indonesia in August (for a month) to celebrate Hari Raya with her family. She's been with us for 2 years already and we've just renewed her contract. Every time I think about her long leave, I'd be wondering how I'm going to survive a whole month without her. I know, I know, I'm terribly pampered. :p Too dependent on her already. Anyway, I'm sure we'll be fine. Definitely more work to do than usual but it's just for a month. Sure can survive one. :D

She told me the nearest airport to her kampung is Semarang but AA doesn't fly there. Based on my "research", there's no direct flight from KL to Semarang. She'll have to transit Jakarta. I finally decided on Garuda Indonesia. It's better to get the ticket from one airline, just in case of delays. When buying from different airlines, if the first flight is delayed, causing her to miss the second (or connecting) flight, the ticket is considered burnt and she'd have to buy a new one. And there's the risk of the tickets being sold out.

Garuda has a special fare for Indonesian passport holders. I've checked with a tour agency, for the same flight, the price was very much higher (more than double). With the special fare, it's also cheaper than buying from 2 separate airlines. Purchasing the ticket is hassle free. I don't have to go to their office to make payment or to collect the air ticket. I made the booking via telephone and given 3 weeks to make payment (bank-in or transfer funds online to their Citibank account). After payment's been made, just fax to them the payment slip and they'd e-mail to me the e-ticket. So simple.

By the way, this is NOT a paid post. Just want to share this with you. So if you plan to buy flight tickets for your Indonesian helper, do check out Garuda Indonesia for comparison purpose.

Do Not Assume

Last week when we're at the cinema, I discovered something in the toilet. No, nothing yucky. But something concerning my maid.

While PaPa was buying the tickets, I was taking care of CE (chasing after him). So I asked Kakak to bring XY to the toilet. When PaPa's done, I went into the toilet to look for them. I found XY standing near the basins alone. Kakak was inside the toilet stall. When she came out, I told her it's not safe to leave XY waiting alone outside. What happens if some bad people take her away? Gosh... that's a scary thought. Told her if she needs to use the toilet, ask XY to stand inside, facing the door. Or bring her out to me first.

I always remind her to keep an eye on the kids when we're out. And never to follow any strangers anywhere, even if they said we asked them to. But I've assumed she knew how to handle XY in the toilet coz the previous Kakak wouldn't leave XY standing alone outside.

I'll usually bring XY to the toilet in shopping malls when we go out with PaPa. If PaPa's not with us, Kakak will be the one to do that coz I'll be taking care of CE. But I've always stayed somewhere outside or near the toilet waiting for them. Luckily nothing has happened. It's so scary, thinking about all those sick and crazy people out there.

Lesson learnt : Never assume your maid knows what to do, even when you think it's common sense.

Goodbye Old, Welcome New

Yesterday, we sent Kakak off at the airport. We were supposed to have breakfast before going to the airport (her flight's at 1:15pm). But on the way to the shop, we had to turn back home to take the flight confirmation print-out. The 'big head prawn' me forgot to take it but I have the details in my handphone. Apparently they'd need the print-out for check-in but if we don't have it, we can print it from Air Asia's sales office at the terminal.

After going home to get the document, we don't have time for breakfast anymore. So we headed straight for LCCT. When we were approaching the Nilai Memorial Park, there was a 1km jam. A lot of cars just parked by the road side. I think there aren't enough parking space inside. Luckily it cleared after the entrance to the Memorial Park. It's always like that, when you're rushing for time, there's bound to be bad traffic. Grrrr...

When we're at the airport, CE got so cranky (don't know for what reason). He insisted on pushing the trolley and he doesn't want us to help him. But he can't do it himself as you'll need to push the handle down to move it. Moreover we were rushing for time, so Kakak and I pushed the trolley with him holding the handle and crying his lungs out. At some point of time, he was being dragged while hanging on to the handle coz he refused to walk. :-| And when I tried to carry him, he struggled and sat on the floor. He has never misbehaved like that. I wondered if he really knew that Kakak was going away and never coming back. That or he's really crazy over trolleys. Even at the check-in counter, he was still wailing coz he couldn't move the trolley. And it was quite embarrassing as people were staring at us.

After checking-in, we went to Asian Kitchen for a drink. Bought sausage buns for Kakak and XY. Those buns are really expensive (RM4.90 each, which we could get for RM1.60, max, at bakery shops). We took some photos there (with Kakak's camera) and CE was still cranky. Didn't manage to take a smiling photo of him. And he didn't want anyone else to carry him except me. Kakak must be quite heart-broken coz she adores him a whole lot. When we were at the International Departure gate, we hugged and bid our farewells. Looking at her crying, I had teary eyes too. XY cried when we were waiting for Kakak to go through Immigration (we could still see her from the gate). But when we told her we'll get her a new Kakak, she's alright again.

We were maidless for about 24 hours as the new one arrived this afternoon. My BIL's maid also came together. The taxi driver left them both at my place. When both of them were inside the house, CE went and hugged one of them and let her carry him. I was very pleased to see that coz he had an instant liking to his new Kakak. Unfortunately, he didn't want her to feed him. He still prefers me over anyone else. It'll take some time for them to get used to each other. Then she'd be able to handle him better.

As for XY, she's very friendly with Kakak. She has just come back from kindy and when I asked to bathe, she quickly asked Kakak to bathe her. When I went upstairs to check on them, she was playing with the rubber ducks. No wonder she's so eager to ask Kakak to bathe her. It's been quite awhile that she gets to play with toys in the bathroom. With a new Kakak, she thinks she gets to do things her way.

What's my first impression of Kakak? Well, she's quite pleasant looking. She says "ya" to everything, although sometimes she doesn't understand completely. I must remember to give very specific instructions as she's new with us. I mustn't assume she knows what I want. She's worked in Malaysia before, so she's not so 'suaku' (ignorant). She can cook and she even knows how to switch on the kitchen hood without me teaching or telling her. There are a lot of things to teach her and hopefully she'll get used to our way of living soon. I really hope I'm lucky enough to get a good maid for the second time. Wish me luck!

Her Good Friend Has Gone Home

Yesterday, my BIL’s maid went home to Indonesia for good. My maid and theirs have become very good friends as they meet quite often. When we went back to PIL’s house together, they slept in the same room. We’d “baby-sit” the maids for each other when either of our families are out of town. So they’ve spent quite a lot of time together and have become rather close.

BIL wanted to extend her contract but her husband didn’t allow her to continue. She had no choice but to turn down the offer. It’s really not easy to get good and reliable maids these days. And she’s highly educated too (till SPM level). It’s really a hassle to get a new one. Have to get used to a new person and train her all over again.

Before they left for the airport, we went over to bid her farewell. We shook hands and hugged each other. Seeing her in tears made my eyes teary too. As for the 2 friends, I can see that they were parting with heavy hearts. I told my maid that good friends don’t come by often and if she really cherishes the friendship, then continue to keep in touch when they’re both back in their home country.

I’m wondering how it’d be like when mine goes back end of this month. CE is too young to know what’s happening but XY is one emotional girl. When we left hubby’s hometown without Kakak during CNY, they were already crying uncontrollably when saying their goodbyes. Now I’m thinking if it’s a good idea for the kids to send her off at the airport or just say goodbye at home. Whether it’s at home or the airport, must get ready lots of tissue papers.