Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tricked Out
We've gone Trick Or Treatin' since Saturday- a party at the World Financial Center, Sunday at our apartment (that's the
day our management's office set it up), today in Brooklyn at my ex-boss' neighborhood (boy do they give out nice quality candies!)
and at my mom's and in-law's apartment building. I have to say, I enjoyed going out in Brooklyn- you get to see what
everyone is wearing and you're outdoors. Treatin' in apartment buildings are so not fun. Whatever the case is,
we have a boatload of candies that I've separated and taking the bulk to work. I'm saving some for my grandfather who
has the biggest sweet tooth and my bro in-law who has the next sweetest tooth.
***
I've been ranting with other parents who has their children in public schools. I don't understand why Sophia's
teacher insists that parents need to volunteer their time to help out with lunch (more like a late breakfast- they eat at
10:45a!!!!!). Or better yet, to bake pumpkin muffins. Or take a walk around the neighborhood to observe different
kinds of leaves. HULLO, WE ARE MIDDLE CLASS WORKING PARENTS! I cannot take off every freakin' week to do some
kind of class function.
When Sophia was at her pre-pre-k private school, not once did we attend any sort of volunteer work. Okay, so we
paid a pretty penny for the tuition, but everything was left to their devices. They never once asked us to do any sort
of volunteering unless there was a class trip (and even if there was a class trip, they were only limited to five parents
because of limited bus space!).
All this talk about public school teachers deserving to get paid more, I think it's a crock of shit. Maybe for
the higher grade teachers, but for pre-k, kindergarten, 1st grade? Nah. They have summers off, major holidays
off, winter and spring recess, Jewish holidays, when do they actually teach??? Instead of depending on parents
to get overly involved, they should DO THEIR OWN WORK FIRST.
Another thing is, I don't think Sophia is learning much from this class. She is a pretty bright child who thrives
on learning new things. I don't see any new curriculum that she doesn't already know from her previous school.
Oh, here's another thing that ticked me off- at her previous school, she had always done some kind of arts and crafts at least
once every week (or more!). At this school, the only arts and crafts she comes home with is coloring from a xerox copy. What
kind of crap is that!!!
I guess this is what happens when I put her in public school. I better start aiming to put her in a TAG (Talented
and Gifted Program) school/class next year or find a private school and pay the tuition out of my ass.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Still Sick
This congested cold I have won't leave me. I still sound all fucked up. I guess this will be known as the
month where the entire family was/is sick. We weren't able to a lot of things this month- go apple/pumpkin picking,
play at the park while enjoying the warm weather that came and went (and I am GLAD it's gone, let October's weather be AUTUMN,
not summer!), going on day trips, basically, just being outdoors.
Ah well, can't have everything in life, eh?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
In A Matter of Time
I knew in a matter of time, I would get hit with the cold/cough since I was the last one standing. Boy did I get
hit- with a horrible sinus congestion. No cough, but damn did my head hurt and my ears clogged. I got meds on
Friday, but I don't think they ever worked. I'm feeling slightly better, but I think I should be all clear by the weekend.
Just in time for the trick o' treatin'.
For the past few nights, mui has been waking up and crying in the middle of the night for no apparent reason.
I don't know if it's night terrors or she's got a stomach ache (she's been having diarrhea) or a toothache or afraid of the
dark... No freakin' idea. Whatever the case is, it's driving me INSANE.
I tried being sympathetic. That didn't work. I tried being nice but firm. That didn't work. My
patience began to wane. Then I started getting so peeved I was yelling at her to go to sleep. Of course that made
it worse. The minute I hit the light and closed the door, she went bonkers. So I had Phil sleep with her on Sophia's
big bed (the one that she doesn't sleep in because she's sleeping in our room in a toddler's bed, sigh).
For the second night, I was not caving in. I knew that if I let her have her way, she'll take advantage of it and
Phil will be sleeping with her on a nightly basis. Ohhh no. Militant Mom will correct that shit RIGHT NOW.
She woke up at 2:30a so I went to see her, scolded her and left her room. That of course, left her crying (she
would stop for a few minutes and go back to crying). I didn't give a shit. More like, I wasn't feeling well and
didn't want to deal. Sometime around 4a, she had given up, probably from exhaustion (sucka). I didn't bother to
check on her to see if she was okay. I fell right back asleep (and that is a difficult thing for me to do). She
better not pull that shit again on me tonight.
On Friday, I went to a
Korean spa with my mom. My doc gave his approval since I was congested and figured the sauna would do me good. For
all you non-Korean spa goers, let me explain something- in one area where the men and women's sections are separated, you
go butt naked. Yes, you heard me right, HULLO! YOUR PUBES ARE EXPOSED!!! At first I was hesitant, but soon afterwards,
I didn't care. There were mostly older ladies there, so I didn't feel intimidated. I'm a mom of two, who's gonna
care that I have droopy boobs and a beer gut?
Plus I got a scrub down and a massage (with a milk and cucumber mask). It was GREAT! The jacuzzi's were awesome
too. Sauna, I don't think I can last long sitting in them, but they were interesting. They have an outdoor pool/jacuzzi
where kids can play in. And a food court. I plan on going back again.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
The Latest
Everyone is on their way to getting better although I think my "supermommy" immune system is slowly giving way to
the germs in the house. Woke up with a sore throat and a throbbing head this morning.
Olivia is constantly getting
herself into trouble. I think she does it purposely, just to get on Sophia's nerves. And I constantly hear Sophia screaming,
"MOOOMMMY! Mui is doing ________ (fill in the blank)!
And generally that happens when I'm in the kitchen.
She
loves to read books. And she loves to sit on laps- with a huge plop on your lap. These days, she loves to read any counting
books. I've counted with her, with a pause, waiting to hear if she can recite 1-10, and she's surprised me quite often.
I think the only number she has trouble repeating is ten, but I am always amazed on how quickly she learns.
She's
finally learned to say Mommy on a constant basis (late bloomer, go figure!) and everyone else's name. Even Elmo's name although
it's all garbled. I once quizzed her on Ernie (on her diaper) and she said Bert. Close.
After being out of school
for over a week, Sophia was reluctant to go back on Wednesday. Infact, she said, "I'm too tired!" Uh, 'cuse me,
but can I use that line on you, that I am too tired to take care of you? Psh, the nerve of a 4.5 year old.
All's well
in the work force. I'm still not working on Fridays since I have yet to get a confirmation on my full-time status. Since
I'm getting paid on an hourly basis, I will continue to use my "freelance" title and come in and out as freely as
I want. Okay, sorta. But I'm going to take advantage of it as much as I can. I'm still helping out with my old department
with little stuff here and there. And I do miss being creative. These days, all I've been doing is sitting on my squeaky
chair, staring at the boss' calendar. I spend most of my free time surfing. B-O-R-I-N-G.
I'm still obsessed with
Tony Leung. I can't help it. For the past week, I've watched some of his old movies to the most current ones (a must see
Infernal Affairs I, II, III). And boy, does he ever have a long list of filmography. Thank goodness for the NYPL having
a solid collection of his earlier works too. I might have to sign up with Netflix since they have some old titles as well.
On a side note, I've left him two messages on his website and he's responded to me. I think I really need to meet him in
order to get over my obsessiveness.
In other news, we are heading off to an island in the coming weeks for my cousin's
wedding. Ought to be interesting since it will be with my mom and sisters (Dad's got issues, so he's staying home).
3:16 pm
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Released
Drove up to the hospital to pick up Sophia and Phil yesterday morning. She was her usual chatty self but breathing
a bit abnormal, like she was trying to catch her breath. She was looking forward to taking a bath and feeling clean.
Phil too (he showered at the hospital, but who doesn't miss their own tub?). She won't be back in school for probably
another week, I presume.
Mui is soooooooo damn whiny and clingy when she's unwell. Sophia was and is never like that. And mui
is ever so picky with food- normally she eats anything and everything with such great delight. And all she asks
for is the TV. It's probably the only time I cave in during the afternoon.
Bad news, the nanny is out for the count. Sigh. Looks like we will have to flip flop our work schedules in
order to accomodate one another. Not a great way to start off a new position, huh?
Friday, October 12, 2007
Today's Update on S+O
mui (O) is eh. fever at 101/102. very very whiny and latchy. loss of appetite (normally a big
eater). literally had to hold her down to get three different medicines in her mouth. poor baby.
fia is better. she was chatting away with me today. still coughing a bit, still breathing hard, but at least
fever is down. she will be released from the hospital if the fever continues to stay down. the last thing she
said to me was, BYE MOMMY! and had this huge grin on her face. i wasn't sure if she was happy being able to finally
speak or happy that i was leaving. whichever the case was, her smile made my heart melt.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Update on Fia
As it turns out, we were misdiagnosed about how Sophia got
pneumonia (RSV). It didn't come from her allergies. It came from some mysterious person out there who got her sick. Today's
her second night there (as well as Phil's) and she's not better, nor is she any worse. But it seems like she's slowly
gaining her appetite even if it's a little bite here and there. And anyone who comes in close contact
with her, must wash their hands.
I'm a little worried with Olivia now. This morning, I heard her coughing, then heard some wheezing in her breathing.
She ran a low grade fever, hovering around 100-101. So I schlepped her in the doc's office and he prescribed some antibiotics
and cough medicine. I have to keep an eye on her incase she ends up the same as Sophia.
It's so frustrating and upsetting to see my babies unwell. Sigh.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
A Mother's Pain
Right now, Sophia is with Phil in the waiting room at the hospital. She's been vomiting/dry heaving since Saturday night.
All this stems from her allergies. She's been having a bad post-nasal drip which we couldn't stop in time and it dripped
all the way to her throat which is causing her to cough often. And yesterday the doc gave her a shot of penecillin because
she had been unable to digest and keep down any medications.
Last night whilst holding her frail body in my arms,
she fell asleep. It made me ache in pain to see her hurt.
10:29 am
Monday, October 8, 2007
Hurl.
So much for going apple/pumpkin picking yesterday. For the second time in a month, Sophia has had some kind of weird viral
infection. Not sure if it stems from school or the crazy fucked up weather we're having, but she's been vomiting for the
past 24 hours. She hasn't been able to keep anything down, including her medications. I think she needs to go to the hospital
because I'm worried she's dehydrated. Phil thinks the opposite. It's so painful to see her vomit non-stop. Sigh. I just
hope O doesn't catch whatever Sophia has.
I think we will have to move to a land of fake plastic trees for Sophia.
11:54 am
Monday, October 1, 2007
Finally!
September had been a very busy month. We attended a wedding, three kiddie birthday parties, a BBQ, Sesame Place
(Olivia was so spooked out by Elmo & friends, she woke me up five times in the middle of the night), Sophia starting school,
ballet and soccer (on the weekends).
As for the end-of-summer update, I only have one thing to say- we spent almost every weekend at the beach. Girls
loved it, got to play with their second cousins and we had nice tans. It was relaxing too- my cousin's children took
good care of our girls. Note to self- always invite older kids to entertain the little ones!
Sophia started her pre-k last month. No fretting, no crying, no nothing. I think she was very excited to
be back in school, after a two week break from her summer camp. The class is about 18 children, mostly kids
who are of Asian descent and in the lower income bracket. Not much of a diversity there.
I volunteered to be one of the parent reps (the other parent rep is an old classmate of mine from intermediate school- small
world). Already I've implemented a healthy snacks sign up sheet (instead of the teacher offering sugary cookies). Plus,
each month, the parents need to volunteer their time to help out with lunch. I'm sure there will be lots more things
on my plate in the next few months.
***
My other reason for not blogging- it's because I'm addicted to watching Tony Leung movies on DVDs (or videos,
youtube.com, crunchyroll.com). I'm also watching some non-TL movies- mostly gangster genres. I generally hate
them- too gory, too bloody and too violent. Can't say my Cantonese has improved. I still have to read the subtitles!
***
I also took the job to be the executive assistant. So no more photo research. No more web updates.
No more fun stuff. Now I'm in the serious business (and I better start dressing right). I just hope it's something
fun and challenging instead of being someone's beck and call bitch. Let's hope my salary and benefits will make up for
the sacrifice.
