Our agent got sick last weekend so postponed to a later date till he got well. Flu and fever season is in so everybody gotten sick nowadays. Anyway, both of us were discussing and we thought about the kidz, who is gonna take care of them and whatever we need to thought of. The plus and minus points of the options we have. So I list a few here.
1) Get a maid. Financially it will be a bit tight with the levy and salary. However there will be somebody to help you with the household things and cooking. Bad is you can never be sure if you will got a good one....sometimes I see things in my centre what some of the maids are doing behind their employer's back and it aint nice at all...
2) Get a car. Herman could drive us to my mum house here if we were staying at Tampines and drive us back if he isnt working. But financially it will be a bit tight so if we are looking for a car, must be cost efficient and easy to maintain.
3) Change job. That is more applicable to me. Somebody ever said to me that I could work in a childcare and look after the kidz at the same time in the childcare centre. More pay and the children are safe with me all the time. Bad thing is there wont be any more school holidays or term breaks, only rely on public holidays and your annual 14-21 days leave. And I love my current work place so 50-50....
4) Get a house nearby my mum or within the same area. Easy and convenient. But it is an 80percent NO cause its expensive and even the agent advised us against it....Unless either one of my neighbour decides to sell their house then we can have another unit...which I very much doubt they wanted to sell...
So here are my options. I am still weighing them at the back of my mind...but until we move and only then can we make the final decision so until then, just looking out at the options....
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Location, location,. location!
Been busy the last few days, surverying flats and comparing prices..I cant believe the cost of flats here. Latest we ask about a 5-room flat here costs around $545k! Kalau mati hidup balik pun masih belum habis bayar!
Reason we are looking around for a new house is currently we are using bank loan. U know how banks and interest rates are so switching to hdb loan. The two boys are getting rowdier and their things are piling up especially since big bro started schooling. So they needed a room and my in-laws are staying with us so we are looking for a 4room flat. 5-room if we can afford it coz the 6 bicycles needed space too, cant leave them outside the house. Each bike costs us around $2k-$3k each so not going to take the risk. Menangis air mata darah kalau hilang beb! Even with so many bicycles, Herman is contemplating of getting another one, crazy! Well, at least I know where his money goes!
Cant afford to get a place here, potong kepala punya harga even though its convenient and we are so much in love with the environment here. We know our neighbours well and even the shopkeepers here are friendly. I dont have to be afraid if the kids run off on their own. Big bro will stop by at the sinseh shop where there is a bench to sit. Small bro will stop by the bicycle shop where he will go around surveying the bicycles there. They dont mind them and even love playing with them.... from the mamak shop who sell briyani to the double storey hawker centre, everybody knows my kids. We know who to go to if you want to go urut, or if you want to berubat pun ada orangnya....everything is within distance, good schools and even my own workplace is a block away.
I wonder if my new neighbourhood will be like that...its so hard to get this kind of kampung atmosphere anymore, 'sigh'. I will really miss this place.
Anyway, we are definitely going to go for Tampines or Pasir Ris area. Probably be getting a car to drive the boys here to my mum's place...The agent will be coming over tomorrow to discuss over the financial matters and whatever thingy but by next month, everything will start to roll in and Insya-Allah by June, we be moving in to our new house.
Reason we are looking around for a new house is currently we are using bank loan. U know how banks and interest rates are so switching to hdb loan. The two boys are getting rowdier and their things are piling up especially since big bro started schooling. So they needed a room and my in-laws are staying with us so we are looking for a 4room flat. 5-room if we can afford it coz the 6 bicycles needed space too, cant leave them outside the house. Each bike costs us around $2k-$3k each so not going to take the risk. Menangis air mata darah kalau hilang beb! Even with so many bicycles, Herman is contemplating of getting another one, crazy! Well, at least I know where his money goes!
Cant afford to get a place here, potong kepala punya harga even though its convenient and we are so much in love with the environment here. We know our neighbours well and even the shopkeepers here are friendly. I dont have to be afraid if the kids run off on their own. Big bro will stop by at the sinseh shop where there is a bench to sit. Small bro will stop by the bicycle shop where he will go around surveying the bicycles there. They dont mind them and even love playing with them.... from the mamak shop who sell briyani to the double storey hawker centre, everybody knows my kids. We know who to go to if you want to go urut, or if you want to berubat pun ada orangnya....everything is within distance, good schools and even my own workplace is a block away.
I wonder if my new neighbourhood will be like that...its so hard to get this kind of kampung atmosphere anymore, 'sigh'. I will really miss this place.
Anyway, we are definitely going to go for Tampines or Pasir Ris area. Probably be getting a car to drive the boys here to my mum's place...The agent will be coming over tomorrow to discuss over the financial matters and whatever thingy but by next month, everything will start to roll in and Insya-Allah by June, we be moving in to our new house.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Shadiq and Writing
Been making a point for Shadiq to do his writing for spelling and ejaan every nite for an hour...the most will be like 2 hours if he is VERY cooperative (or more like in the mood).
He have a lot of excuses when he is writing. Some are like having tummy ache, a sudden itch, frequent peeing, yawnings, drooping eyes and any chance he get to disturb the small bro...Small bro is smart enuf not to disturb the big bro (partly becoz he got caned for disturbing) but still manage to get big bro attention by shouting or playing nearby. Big bro is happy for any kind of distraction...
I made sure that he finished writing at least three to five words at a time, not only improving his alphabet recognition and writing skills, but at least teach him a bit of responsibility to finish his work. I do gave him rewards for every finished work like playing his favourite XBox 360 Ben10 game, watching his favourite cartoons or bringing him out.
Got to go now...big bro is writing and small bro is like trying so hard to get big bro's attention...Siddiq really looks up to his big bro Shadiq and he is also scared of him...proven to cry when Shadiq scold him.
He have a lot of excuses when he is writing. Some are like having tummy ache, a sudden itch, frequent peeing, yawnings, drooping eyes and any chance he get to disturb the small bro...Small bro is smart enuf not to disturb the big bro (partly becoz he got caned for disturbing) but still manage to get big bro attention by shouting or playing nearby. Big bro is happy for any kind of distraction...
I made sure that he finished writing at least three to five words at a time, not only improving his alphabet recognition and writing skills, but at least teach him a bit of responsibility to finish his work. I do gave him rewards for every finished work like playing his favourite XBox 360 Ben10 game, watching his favourite cartoons or bringing him out.
Got to go now...big bro is writing and small bro is like trying so hard to get big bro's attention...Siddiq really looks up to his big bro Shadiq and he is also scared of him...proven to cry when Shadiq scold him.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The River Cruise
Yesterday we brought the kidz to the River Cruise. Macam jakun! We were like taking photos, queueing when its not the time yet, behaving like tourists. Herman commented that I could pass off as one, hrumph! Regardless, Shadiq and Siddiq couldn't contain their excitement as we waited for the boat to arrive.
I was like scrambling around looking for a plastic bag just in case one of the kidz vomit....anyway the boat just of course cruise around the Singapore River, under bridges till the Esplanade. There Shadiq gets to meet his 'Giant Waterfall' as he call it or what we are more familiar of as the Merlion, haha!
Oh well, I remember a few years back, one of my K2 student wrote about the Merlion. We were like writing a few short sentences about our favourite places that we liked to go. His sentences run like this : 'I like to see the Merlion. Merlion spits water into the river.' Hahahaha! I did not mark it wrong but the next sentence crack me up: 'I like to spit water too.'
Anyway back to the river cruise. Guess who started to feel nauseous and dizzy? Not the kidz or the daddy but ME! I broke into cold sweat and my stomach started churning throughout the 30mins journey. It got so bad that when we were like out of the boat, I was like so 'mabuk laut' that I had to cover my mouth, worrying that I might hurl my stomach contents at any poor unsuspecting tourists eating nearby. Siddiq was also a bit dizzy I guess. He started to walk around in circles and had that dazed look in his eyes....but we didnt vomit...We survived with sweets.
Anyway I will download the pics later...just bought a couple of terrapins and Shadiq called them Upin and Ipin! Got to clean the tank and bathe the kidz now so toodle-doo!
I was like scrambling around looking for a plastic bag just in case one of the kidz vomit....anyway the boat just of course cruise around the Singapore River, under bridges till the Esplanade. There Shadiq gets to meet his 'Giant Waterfall' as he call it or what we are more familiar of as the Merlion, haha!
Oh well, I remember a few years back, one of my K2 student wrote about the Merlion. We were like writing a few short sentences about our favourite places that we liked to go. His sentences run like this : 'I like to see the Merlion. Merlion spits water into the river.' Hahahaha! I did not mark it wrong but the next sentence crack me up: 'I like to spit water too.'
Anyway back to the river cruise. Guess who started to feel nauseous and dizzy? Not the kidz or the daddy but ME! I broke into cold sweat and my stomach started churning throughout the 30mins journey. It got so bad that when we were like out of the boat, I was like so 'mabuk laut' that I had to cover my mouth, worrying that I might hurl my stomach contents at any poor unsuspecting tourists eating nearby. Siddiq was also a bit dizzy I guess. He started to walk around in circles and had that dazed look in his eyes....but we didnt vomit...We survived with sweets.
Anyway I will download the pics later...just bought a couple of terrapins and Shadiq called them Upin and Ipin! Got to clean the tank and bathe the kidz now so toodle-doo!
Monday, January 18, 2010
What's Up?
Been very tired lately..after the school hols, its been a roller-coaster ride since, wow! I am so hoping for my pay increment, the last time I had a pay increment was four years ago so praying hard it might be better this time....sometimes they can be very tight with the money thingy...even when it comes to bonuses....but at least I am grateful that I have enough to eat, a roof over my head and clothes to wear, extras are a blessing and we must always be happy with what we have. Whatever extras are for our children and our own families to share with.
Shadiq been doing a lot of writing..with in between frequent toilet breaks, aching bones, yawnings and doodling with constant 'help' from the small bro. But at least he finished a few pages and his handwriting 'improved'. Don't ask him to spell though, he memorised it today and forgets about it in five minutes time...'sigh', but still make it a point to try though...hope I am not setting a bad example to anyone, I hate using force to teach as it will only put them off studying and learning anything. The more you scold and force, the more stubborn they become and will only retaliate by not doing anything.
Siddiq is into home renovation. He will take out anything within his reach and placed them somewhere else within his own convenience. So sometimes things got misplaced or hidden beneath cupboards, pails and even in the insides of shoes. Like there was once Herman wore his shoe and he shouted out in pain. Coz a toy was in it and he placed his unsuspecting foot into it. So if anybody need any home improvement, please apply here. But I will not be responsible for any damages or lost properties that will happen, hahaha!
Siddiq is also learning his spelling and unlike his brother, he is able to spell satu, dua and tiga.....but then he is just mouthing the words or more like singing it. Poor big bro had to write and spell and memorise.....but sometimes he can just be so plain lazy!
Shadiq been doing a lot of writing..with in between frequent toilet breaks, aching bones, yawnings and doodling with constant 'help' from the small bro. But at least he finished a few pages and his handwriting 'improved'. Don't ask him to spell though, he memorised it today and forgets about it in five minutes time...'sigh', but still make it a point to try though...hope I am not setting a bad example to anyone, I hate using force to teach as it will only put them off studying and learning anything. The more you scold and force, the more stubborn they become and will only retaliate by not doing anything.
Siddiq is into home renovation. He will take out anything within his reach and placed them somewhere else within his own convenience. So sometimes things got misplaced or hidden beneath cupboards, pails and even in the insides of shoes. Like there was once Herman wore his shoe and he shouted out in pain. Coz a toy was in it and he placed his unsuspecting foot into it. So if anybody need any home improvement, please apply here. But I will not be responsible for any damages or lost properties that will happen, hahaha!
Siddiq is also learning his spelling and unlike his brother, he is able to spell satu, dua and tiga.....but then he is just mouthing the words or more like singing it. Poor big bro had to write and spell and memorise.....but sometimes he can just be so plain lazy!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Characteristics of a Muslim Husband
A good friend of mine sent me this a few weeks back via e-mail but I only manage to read it today. Enjoy!
No one ever thinks about the characteristics of a Muslim husband. It is always what a wife should do for the husband...and the list never ends; home management, tutoring, ferrying the kids, caring, cooking, cleaning, washing, working, you name it, she is doing it. so what about the brothers?
Our beloved Prophet SAW was not like this. So,why the men of this ummah? It is quite interesting. so I thought I'd share it with you !!! What a Muslim husband should be like...
>
1. Dress up for your wife, look clean and smell good. When was the last time you went shopping for designer pyjamas? Just like the husband wants his wife to look nice for him, she also wants her husband to dress up for her too. Remember that the Prophet (PBUH) would always start with Miswak when returning home and always loved the sweetest smells.
>
2. Use the best names for your wife. Call your wife by the most beloved names to her, and avoid using names that hurt their feelings.
>
3. Don't treat her like a fly. We never think about a fly in our daily lives until it 'bugs' us. Similarly, a wife will do well all day - which brings no attention from the husband - until she does something to 'bug' him.. Don't treat her like this; recognize all the good that she does and focus on that.
>
4. If you see wrong from your wife, try being silent and do not comment!
This is one of the ways the Prophet (PBUH) used when he would see something inappropriate from his wives (R.A). It's a technique that few Muslim men have mastered.
>
5. Smile at your wife whenever you see her and embrace her often. Smiling is Sadaqah and your wife is not exempt from the Muslim Ummah. Imagine life with her constantly seeing you smiling.Remember also those Ahadith when the Prophet (PBUH) would kiss his wife before leaving for Salaah, even when he was fasting.
>
6. Thank her for all that she does for you. Then thank her again! Take for example a dinner at your house. She makes the food, cleans the home, and a dozen other tasks to prepare. And sometimes the only acknowledgment she receives is that there needed to be more salt in the soup. Don't let that be; thank her!
>
7. Ask her to write down the last ten things you did for her that made her happy. Then go and do them again. It may be hard to recognize what gives your wife pleasure. You don't have to play a guessing game, ask her and work on repeating those times in your life.
>
8. Don't belittle her desires. Comfort her. Sometimes the men may look down upon the requests of their wives. The Prophet (PBUH) set the example for us in an incident when Safiyyah (R.A) was crying because, as she said, he had put her on a slow camel. He wiped her tears, comforted her, and brought her the camel.
>
9. Be humorous and play games with your wife. Look at how the Prophet (PBUH) would race with his wife Aisha (R.A) in the desert. When was the last time we did something like that?
10. Always remember the words of Allah's Messenger (PBUH): 'The best of you are those who treat their families the best. And I am the best amongst you to my family.' Try to be the best!
>
In conclusion: Never forget to make Doa to Allah - ta'ala to make your marriage successful. And Allah ta'ala knows best!
No one ever thinks about the characteristics of a Muslim husband. It is always what a wife should do for the husband...and the list never ends; home management, tutoring, ferrying the kids, caring, cooking, cleaning, washing, working, you name it, she is doing it. so what about the brothers?
Our beloved Prophet SAW was not like this. So,why the men of this ummah? It is quite interesting. so I thought I'd share it with you !!! What a Muslim husband should be like...
>
1. Dress up for your wife, look clean and smell good. When was the last time you went shopping for designer pyjamas? Just like the husband wants his wife to look nice for him, she also wants her husband to dress up for her too. Remember that the Prophet (PBUH) would always start with Miswak when returning home and always loved the sweetest smells.
>
2. Use the best names for your wife. Call your wife by the most beloved names to her, and avoid using names that hurt their feelings.
>
3. Don't treat her like a fly. We never think about a fly in our daily lives until it 'bugs' us. Similarly, a wife will do well all day - which brings no attention from the husband - until she does something to 'bug' him.. Don't treat her like this; recognize all the good that she does and focus on that.
>
4. If you see wrong from your wife, try being silent and do not comment!
This is one of the ways the Prophet (PBUH) used when he would see something inappropriate from his wives (R.A). It's a technique that few Muslim men have mastered.
>
5. Smile at your wife whenever you see her and embrace her often. Smiling is Sadaqah and your wife is not exempt from the Muslim Ummah. Imagine life with her constantly seeing you smiling.Remember also those Ahadith when the Prophet (PBUH) would kiss his wife before leaving for Salaah, even when he was fasting.
>
6. Thank her for all that she does for you. Then thank her again! Take for example a dinner at your house. She makes the food, cleans the home, and a dozen other tasks to prepare. And sometimes the only acknowledgment she receives is that there needed to be more salt in the soup. Don't let that be; thank her!
>
7. Ask her to write down the last ten things you did for her that made her happy. Then go and do them again. It may be hard to recognize what gives your wife pleasure. You don't have to play a guessing game, ask her and work on repeating those times in your life.
>
8. Don't belittle her desires. Comfort her. Sometimes the men may look down upon the requests of their wives. The Prophet (PBUH) set the example for us in an incident when Safiyyah (R.A) was crying because, as she said, he had put her on a slow camel. He wiped her tears, comforted her, and brought her the camel.
>
9. Be humorous and play games with your wife. Look at how the Prophet (PBUH) would race with his wife Aisha (R.A) in the desert. When was the last time we did something like that?
10. Always remember the words of Allah's Messenger (PBUH): 'The best of you are those who treat their families the best. And I am the best amongst you to my family.' Try to be the best!
>
In conclusion: Never forget to make Doa to Allah - ta'ala to make your marriage successful. And Allah ta'ala knows best!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The New Year
Everything seems to be getting back on track...im back to work, 'playing' thru the hours with the kids at school, kept reviewing the lesson plans and 'entertaining' the newbie parents at school.
Shadiq in K1 now and already I'm panicking...he got English and Malay spelling next week, juz got the list today. Its five words per day, each word around 3 to 5 letters. And already I am stressing myself whether I should push him to pass everything or let everything slide as per normal, letting him progress at his own pace...Herman flipped over the spelling list, saying its too early and whatever complains....I bought a few exercise books, made him write and spell the words until he groans in frustration....then it got me thinking, "Why am I so kanciong? Let him try and if he doesnt get it, its okay. He will get there someday." I close the books and told him to play....'sigh' Baru K1 I already kanciong like what and me being a preschool teacher should know better, what a role model. Just gonna make him write and spell a few words at a time, he will get there someday.
Siddiq is really into exploring. Exploring includes opening cupboards and throwing out its contents, digging out the pots and pans in the kitchen, anything within his reach will have its contents spilled out or put in his mouth.
Shadiq in K1 now and already I'm panicking...he got English and Malay spelling next week, juz got the list today. Its five words per day, each word around 3 to 5 letters. And already I am stressing myself whether I should push him to pass everything or let everything slide as per normal, letting him progress at his own pace...Herman flipped over the spelling list, saying its too early and whatever complains....I bought a few exercise books, made him write and spell the words until he groans in frustration....then it got me thinking, "Why am I so kanciong? Let him try and if he doesnt get it, its okay. He will get there someday." I close the books and told him to play....'sigh' Baru K1 I already kanciong like what and me being a preschool teacher should know better, what a role model. Just gonna make him write and spell a few words at a time, he will get there someday.
Siddiq is really into exploring. Exploring includes opening cupboards and throwing out its contents, digging out the pots and pans in the kitchen, anything within his reach will have its contents spilled out or put in his mouth.
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