For those who are not aware of this.. Chloe will be attending school this fall. We chose french immersion for her .. because we didn’t want her to go to the south end school.. where we heard the kids there are pretty rowdy. But this town has a program called “Ready, Get Set and Go” for all the kids who will be attending school for the first time. I would have volunteered to help in this program if it wasn’t because of my need to take time to heal from my operation. This program is free.. and because of the short of funding this year.. it will only be for 3 days instead of 5. I really cannot fathom the government here, this program is so important to the kids here. .yet they are willing to sting on it.. but would pay millions for a new building to house some old farts. Don’t even get me started..!

Seeing teenagers come into our store. .during their school lunch break is not uncommon. And being a teenager myself.. many years ago I know how awkward it was to be one.. and if one has an acne problem it gets even more difficult to blend in and not be made fun of.

A lot of theories and remedies for acne had been recommended to me. .when i was a teenager.. but you see .. some are not facts at all. If you have a loved one or a friend who has acne problems, tell them about acne.com. Here you will find articles on treatment and prevention and much more. Read up more on all things acne related, I know my daughter’s babysitter could definitely benefit from it.

The man’s buddy was just in the other day.. and had said .. that his baby was colicky, so of course .. like any good and experienced parents/friend, we told him about grip water and oval drops. But nope.. apparently.. he thinks the baby isn’t uncomfortable and pain about it.. and that the baby doesn’t feel a thing.. and plus he had done EXTENSIVE research of it.

Ok.. buddy..!! no more dishing out advice to you .. that’s for sure..!! go ahead.. and torture your baby..! how silly can anyone get..?? to think that collicky baby don’t feel nothing..?? *slap forehead*

Summer is definitely my favorite time of the year and what better way to celebrate summer than with BBQs and picnics in the park or at the beach. Now that the brat is no longer scared of the beach and the water by the seaside, we try and go as often as the weather permits. But like any outing or outdoorsy activities, packing a great picnic basket is very important. I try to choose carefully on what to bring for the whole family.

In my picnic basket.. I never fail to bring some cheese and crackers.. they are loved by both the kids and the adults. Of course some wine to go with our little picnic lunch will be great for the adults. For someone who loves food like I do I make sure to pack some gourmet food, to cater to everyone’s taste buds. After all you want to feed them well, right? Some lobster rolls for us.. and macaroons for dessert are a must. If you are planning a picnic for the whole family, you’ll have to shop at Dean and Deluca! they offer the best in service and food quality. And don’t forget their snacks on the run as well..! Nuts and chocolates… as well as jelly bean mixes… I bet everyone will love the picnics you have.

Watch out for pictures of my huge fibroids on my health blog. I feel well enough to start writing abit at a time. So don’t forget to check out Desperate HouseCows. But I’ve to warn you all first.. it’s gross.. and ultra shocking.. so if you are not into very graphic.. and bloody stuff.. please don’t head over to my health blog.

Yes.. !! guess who is on Today’s Parent magazine..??

You will know you feel better.. when you want to look pretty .. dressed up.. or like me.. wanna get my eyebrows done. Yes.. this was how i felt today.. after waking up. But you see .. i stretched myself a little bit too much.. by going shopping.. and also eating out. 3 hrs.. is a long time to be out.. so by the time .. i got home.. i was quite exhausted.. tummy not feeling too good. .from the food i ate.. and slept for an hour immediately.

But you know what.. ?? after the second emergency operation.. i listened to my body alot more.. and didn’t pushed myself so much anymore. I wanna get well soon.. but the only way to do it.. is not being stubborn. .and pushed myself.. to the limit. So yes.. wanting to look and feel pretty is the road to recovery .. i believed. What about you ..??

For years.. since the brat was born .. i have my hair tied up.. because of the convenience.. and because looking after a infant means having her pull your hair.. as and when she wants. But now that she is so much older.. and like i said before.. my surgeries.. sorta made me wake up. .that there are other things more important. So i’m going to highlight my hair.. and literally let my hair down.. and take care of myself more from now on. Not that i haven’t.. but truth be told.. i neglected myself.. alot because of the brat and the business. So yes.. as soon as i’m well.. i’m heading out to Francine’s.

The brat’s babysitter, Keegan had asked me to order for her some Proactiv acne cream, since she didn’t have a credit card to order it for herself. We usually do it for her.. with no problems.. but we haven’t found one that doesn’t need her not to sign up for a follow up course. But she didn’t want that.. because she didn’t know if it would really helped or worked for her skin type or not. So in the end.. we didn’t order it for her, I can’t really blame her.. because it wasn’t cheap either.. and for a kid who is still in school.. she definitely cannot afford to spend that kinda money if it didn’t worked.

You know.. with my operations.. and the emergency one that happened.. and because of not knowing what was actually wrong with me… i had so much fear. I really for that moment worried..that i may not be with my family ever again. And because of the operations .. i have a different perspective towards how i want to live my life now. Life is too short .. don’t you think..?? I feel that family comes first.. above everything else. For all the times.. we won’t leave the store.. because of our business, now I’m looking forward to getting well.. and taking a vacation at least yearly and taking care of my health. I hear that the Winter Park real estate is a great place for a getaway, whether as a couple or as a family. I’m gonna get PB to check it out.

My first Tim Hortons coffee after 3.5 weeks. Ahhhh..!!! bliss..!! I had my first surgery to remove my fibroids.. and had a hysterectomy in the meantime. But a week after surgery.. i had to go into the hospital again.. for an emergency laparoscopic surgery. Now the second surgery was more a shocking one.. because we didn’t know what was happening and threw my recovery time backwards instead of forward.. which by the way . .. i resent deeply.

Anyhow.. i hope this is all behind me now.. and i’m aiming to bring my weight down to 59kg.. !! wish me luck.. eh..! I haven’t started journaling my operation yet.. but i will as soon as i feel better. All of you should watch out for it.. because i have very graphic pictures.. and only one person had seen it so far. Check with Barb.. how gross it is.. if you want. When i am done writing my experience.. i’ll let you know where my health blog is. But you can also visit my food blog in the meantime.. and drop a comment.. Ice Cube Junkie

Ever feel like you donch wanna sleep.. because there is just so much you wanna do.. and not enough time.. and what a waste it is to sleep it away. I feel this way all the time and i shouldn’t .. because i should be rested. But i just can’t help feeling .. i wanna do more. Whether it is to watch a movie.. or to blog hop.. or to jot down my musing.. or doing housework… or just watching out the window.. at the quiet streets.

Yes.. a very proud one.. living in Canada.. for the last 7.5 - 8 yrs now. And how can one not be.. with Hossan Leong singing the whole story of Singapore..in just a few minutes. I missed home aplenty.. ! i missed the MRTs.. the food.. the humid weather.. and of course the shopping.. and all my friends.. and family from home. Truth be told.. if i go back for a holiday with Chloe.. i fear i may never wanna come back to Canada.

I know.. i had some nasty neighbours before.. and of course there are crimes too.. but in singapore.. if you are willing to work.. there is always something to do… a stable job. .and a room over your head.. because of our CPF. And doctors are aplenty… and we have a hospital.. in almost every estate.. and a few in Orchard Road. Unlike Yarmouth, we only have one hospital.. and we are pretty much at the mercy of our family doctor. If you get a good one.. no sweat.. but if you get one.. who tells you to bring your own sterile strip.. something ain’t quite right. I missed home.

A true show off this little brat of mine..! loves to dance.. and sing.. and just loves jumping about. Never a min of rest.. right up to the time she sleeps. If only we have half her energy… we’ll be able to get more done.

Hahahah!! i just realised that i can watch my favorite chinese tvb movies on YouTube..! yes.. you heard me right..! in fact i am just watching one.. when i am at the store.. and have nothing better to do. So for those overseas.. and can’t get chinese movies.. go to youtube ya..! Still cannot find.. write to me.. and i’ll give you the link. Awesome eh..?? well.. now i donch have to worry .. about not getting my movies to watch.. when i am traveling.

After my operation.. the first thing i noticed is .. my 24 weeks pregnant tummy is gone..! woohoo..!!! i can see my feet again..!! I used to think that i might need some diet pills even after my op.. but now that i had 2 operations in 2 weeks.. and my diet watched .. i don’t really think .. i need them now.

As today’s parent .. we all loved our child more than ourselves. Giving them best food .. and teaching them the right way and taking care of their health is what we do best. But protecting your child with child insurance is very important too. In case, of an emergency, you know that you can give your child the best health care.. of course we are not looking forward for these emergencies.. but you want to know.. that nothing can stop you from getting the best health care for them.. should the need arises. That is what good parenting is all about. Seeing the unforeseen.

You wouldn’t believed what i have to write .. about my family doctor. My dressing from my second operation came out.. and PB had called to see if he could do the dressing for me. Guess what the secretary said..?? That he can.. BUT .. i’ve gotta bring my own sterile strips.. and whatever needed for the dressing..!!

PENGSHAN or NOT..???!!!??? Yes…!! got this kinda doctor or not.. you tell me..!!!! AIYOH..!! i really donch know what to say about my family doctor lah..!!! Wait i get well.. i’m gonna SACK him..!

I count my blessings that my spouse isn’t anything like my grandfather or my dad. I remembered how my grandmother used to have to mow the lawn.. and do all the weeding in the garden.. when my grandfather was at work. As for my dad.. of course.. I have never ever seen him mow the lawn either.

As you all know.. how busy we are.. with our own businesses .. and having to look after the brat full time, therefore mowing the lawn needs to be done as soon as we get a free 15 mins.. without the brat.. else she wants to be out.. when all the bugs comes flying out.. while PB mows.

Reading was always my favorite past time .. when i was a kid. Because of it.. i speak alot better than most of my friends in my neighbourhood. Therefore, I hope to cultivate this love of mine to the brat.. but although she loves children’s books, she only wants to listen to the story.. and see the pictures.. but i’ll say that’s a start.

Since I”ve been so ill for the last two weeks.. it means.. that we weren’t making as much money.. in the stores.. as much as we would like to.. and employees salaries were higher too. Our dream basement with home theater and the works.. just have to take a backseat for now.

Thankful for the many rocks in my life at this point of time.. because i could have never gotten thru’ the last week.. if they weren’t there for me. Firstly, it was PB .. who dropped everything.. including the princess brat.. and stayed in the hospital with me.. throughout my ordeal… day and night. Secondly, were my in-laws .. they dropped everything to be with princess brat .. even though this is the busiest season for them in the garden. Thirdly, our very trusted and most valuable employee .. Keegan.. who dropped everything .. to take care of the store.. while PB was gone during those days.. working all days and nites… and sometimes.. doubling up.. and taking care of Chloe in the store.. while running the store. What an awesome girl..!

I cannot thank them enough for being such a huge rock and of course God for being there for me the whole time.. and hearing my prayers. And thanks to all .. who emailed.. and messaged.. and left comments. Special thanks to Barb .. you are a true pal.. ! Thanks to the Izea Team.. for your well wishes! And Gerald, Adele and Sarah Leblanc .. for your gift..! and well wishes .. and everyone who had dropped into the store.. and asked about my well being.. Gary, Sherry, Kerry .. Katelynn’s parents… and our regular customers. Thank you all for making my stay in Canada.. a meaningful one.

Due to some complications which I’ll get into later, I ended up in the hospital again last Wednesday. This time I was stuck there for 5 days and just got home an hour ago. I know I know, here I am on the computer again, but it’s only for a few minutes while I check my emails. I borrowed a laptop to use in the hospital but it was too old to run Windows XP, with only 64mb of ram it was barely enough to run ‘98 properly, and don’t get me started when it came to trying to hook up a wireless card. Needless to say I’ve been completely unplugged for the last 5 days.

Hiya, Everyone..!

Thanks for the emails.. the comments.. and the well-wishes left over msn.. and your prayers .. during my operation. I survived..!!!!! but i feel like a ton of lorry just ran over me. Still in loads of pain.. but i’m eating.. and peeing and pooping.. although everything taste a wee bit odd.. these days. I’m not really sleeping much.. nor sitting much .. nor doing anything much. Just alot of pain still.. but i know i will feel better everyday. Sorry.. i’m just not up to chatting with anyone.. hopefully soon. Thank you all once again.

First batch of strawberries from Grampie’s garden.. is for Chloe of course. Look at how big they are..!! awesome..!! Of course, Chloe is real happy.. and she was eating alot of it… and peas too. Grampie does grow the best peas in town. As for me.. i’m too heavy hearted to eat anything… or enjoy them. Tomorrow.. or rather in a few hours.. i’ll be going into the hospital for a major surgery. Of course, the doctors are going to do their best.. but you and I know.. there are risked. i wrote a letter to chloe on her blog.. just in case *touch wood*. But I’m gonna be really strong.. and i’m gonna be alright for this cutie pie.

Just a quick note.. on my operation. The date is set .. and the operation is at about 8am.. on Monday morning - 23rd of June 2008. My EKG came up normal.. but my hemoglobin is at 98 .. not ideal .. to me. Some tests were taken today, if nothing else happens between now and then.. i should be having my op as scheduled.

So .. in the meantime.. if you don’t see me updating.. it’s because i’m on bed rest .. and any major updates .. will be updated by PB on his blog - www.gator-byte.com

Asked the brat anything.. and she would answer.. “I’ll try!”. If you tell her to go to bed early.. she will answer … “I’ll try!” .. if you tell her to sleep the whole night.. she will say.. “I’ll try..!!” seriously .. i donch know where she learned that from.. but anything she donch know if she can do or not.. she would answer .. “I’ll try..! ” Certainly doesn’t sound like a 4 yrs old kid eh..?

We are trying to give our store.. alot more exposure.. by advertising on the radio, papers .. and even on the internet. But right where our store is.. i think we should consider having some digital signage, so that those taking a walk out during summer time will take notice of our store. Afterall, digital signage is just about everywhere.. and if you think about it.. they are the one that keeps us interested.. and want to see what is coming up next on the screen.

For those who haven’t been here before.. please know that i am going for a major operation next week. I’m having a hysterectomy and having my fibroids taken out. My fibroids are huge .. and it is making me look like i am 24 weeks pregnant. There is currently some complication with it.. because my hemoglobin is extremely low.. and i’m diabetic. So the risk of me taking the operation is even higher.

Why i didn’t go for the operation earlier..?? I hung on for the longest time.. because my daughter.. Chloe needed alot of attention. With a business to run.. and a child to take care of.. i can’t possibly .. take time off.. and leave everything to PB (the spouse) .. to take care of everything.

Now that Chloe is alot older.. and isn’t an infant no more.. i feel it is time to do it. Of course .. there is still fear.. that i might not come out alive. I am not afraid to die.. but i’m afraid to leave the ones i love behind. Chloe is still very young.. even though she ain’t no infant.. but for PB to raise her on his own.. should something happen .. i don’t dare to think of it.

But i’m a survivor.. !! i am gonna go into the operation with the right frame of mind.. but not without doing everything i can .. in case something does happen. Like making sure that all my finances is taken care of.. and a new will drawn up..and signed by a public notary. I wanna sit down and write a letter to chloe.. just in case.. but i’m too emotional about it.

My surgery is scheduled for Monday. Today .. i’m going in for another blood test and am fasting right now .. and EKG .. and some other visit to the pre-op nurse on Friday. I’ll update as I go. Stay tuned.

What a day this was..! from a sudden call from the gynecologist that he wants to see me.. immediately .. and that tomorrow is not possible. So we closed the store.. went the the doctor’s office.. waited .. saw him.. went to another doctor.. and then went to get my x-ray done. Pending to be done tomorrow is my another blood test.. and EKG.

Not known when the operation is gonna be .. but pretty sure .. it will be next week.

My look certainly wouldn’t spark much interest.. but those of my babysitter would. She has no make up on .. and she can have messy hair.. and yet look absolutely sweet. Plus she does have a very sweet disposition. She doesn’t really need to do much to flirt or to attract the boys in this town. I know so .. because we have customer/s wanting to date her.. and asking how old she is.

I’ve noticed that men are attracted to quiet and sweet gals.. gals who are soft spoken and not loud like I. Most men can’t stand a smart mouth girlfriend.. because they outshine them. So if you are trying to flirt with a guy .. don’t try to win in every conversation you are having. Like i said.. the guys love the sweet and quiet gals.. and the ones that smile as sweetly as my babysitter. Oh .. also they love the damsel in distress kinda gal, so no body building please..!

And if you feel that you can the champion in flirting you can try Extreme Style by VO5 a game that is not only fun, you might just pick up a thing or two about flirting from it. You might just win in this Ultimate Flirting Championship and don’t forget to check out your Victory Hair while you are there. Or better still grab the widget.. and put it on your blog.. so that you and your friends.. can enjoy the game together. .it’s really fun.