Meet The Parents

Yesterday was Meet The Parents Day at LeLe’s childcare.

Most of the mummies I met in China agree with me that it is very difficult to find a school with decent professional teachers, especially the “Laowai Teachers” .(If you miss my previous complaint, please refer to http://qoofamily.blogspot.com/2008/06/laowai-english-teachers-in-china-sigh.html)

After our bad experience with a so-called international school, we decided to send him to Oxford Baby. It is a local private bilingual childcare. At first I was skeptical about it, as I worry about the teaching standard. However LeLe has been enjoying himself everyday, keeps sharing with me about his schoolmates and Teacher Daniel.

Attending today's session tells me why.

Teacher Daniel is passionate about teaching. The kids love him, so do the parents!

He told me that he is impressed that LeLe can recognize and read simple keywords, such as Brother, School , Father, etc which is rare for kids studying here. I'm glad to hear that. Our constant daily efforts of reading books to him have paid off;)

For parents who do not believe in blowing RMB120k per year (that is more than a year of Uni fees!)on international school education for a 4 years old, and do not mind your kids studying in an environment with mostly local Chinese students, I recommend Oxford Baby. It is not tagged with a well-known brand, but at least I can feel the teachers are serious about their work.

See the girl in Pink longsleeve? That is LeLe’s favourite. He likes girls with big eyes, not one that looks like his mum

Bubble Bath

We let the kids have bubble bath together and they really enjoyed it! They will soak for at least 20 minutes and refused to get out.
Pro: They helped wash each other's hair. Mummy does not have to lift a finger
Con: Meranda starts her sex education ..err..too young. She pointed at gor gor's little thingy and gave me a cheeky grin.

What to wear for Halloween?

Halloween is approaching. Before I’m a mother, dressing up as witches or monsters is not my type of fun. But now as a mum of two, I started to search for costumes weeks before the ‘big-day’.

What should I dress the kids as? Skeleton? Goblins? I surf good old Taobao and found some interesting costumes. I love the Carebear suit a lot, too bad it does not come in Meranda’s size.

Finally I decided to dress her as a Rat, since she is born in the year of Rat. LeLe shall be dressed as pirate, though some say he is too pretty and fair-skinned boy to be a pirate. ;o Shall apply some charcoal on his face. Haha!

Su-En and I decided to plan dinner at some kids-friend restaurant, instead of signing up for some overpriced ‘expatriate kids’ party’. Will post more pictures of the actual day.

My first deal

I closed my first deal. It means a lot to me even though I will not get any commission, since I have not hit my quota yet.
I have lots to learn in doing business in China, and am glad that my team leader is helpful and willing to share with me his negotiation skills. I almost lost the deal, due to me being too kind-hearted and too eager to please. However, my team leader helped to turnaround the situation.
Learning to negotiate all the legal terms with a lawyer is also a skillset that I never pick up.(This is so tough!)

Shall pen down what I have learnt, so as to constantly remind and improve myself


1) Be firm. Do not give too many options to customers/agents. Only 1 or two
2) Do not be too ‘customer-centric’ and be led by nose by 3rd party agents
3) Learn to understand all the legal terms in Chinese
4) Speak like a Native Chinese. While being a foreigner may be advantageous to
me in handling clients, but get real, most of the clients and agents don’t
speak English.
5) Learn to read behind the lines. 1 is not equal to 1. It may means 1.2 or 1.5
6) Learn to say 'No'
7) Never think that by saying‘No’, you will lose the deal.
Do not be too eager to please.
8) Do not be too honest. Learn to tell harmless lies.

11.5cm Booties

I saw this pair of booties at Reiss at Sanlitun Village, while waiting for Kerin for lunch. Love at First sight! But it is too high for me. 11.5cm. I can’t walk in such heels. I have no sense of balance, I fall easily…;(



Btw , this is Kerin! Very instresting lady! First time meet her though we have been gossiping over MSN for years about industry news, bitches about who slept with who, who marry who etc..haha.

Need help in autumn dressing

I'm hopeless when it comes to autumn/winter dressing.I know how to dress up my kids, but not myself.
This morning, I stared at my wadrobe for 5 minutes and still have no ideas of what to wear. How can I look chic with layering, without feeling like a "Bah Zhang"?(Rice Dumpling) As I'm a real estate broker, I have to dress the conventional way. (Recently went to a networking event, every broker turned up in black suits. I'm the only one in white pants suit).
I ended up wearing a grey sweater, black pants and blazer.(boring)

Have been following Jane's blog for some fashion sense. Simply admire her chic, funky style. She looks great in almost every outfit! Oh yes, her mum is classic glamour too.
http://seaofshoes.typepad.com/
http://atlantishome.typepad.com/my_weblog/

If you have any more cool sites to share, let me know. I need more fashion guidance.

So Kawaii

Weekend dressing is always fun...Here is Meranda's latest style..
Funky Kawaii style =)

New bag 2009

Despite me 'complaining' that hubby is turning naggy and superstitious, he is still my very sweet guy..*mushy mushy*
He got me a Gucci bag for our 5th year annivesary pressie. (Chenyi helps him to buy in Italy)..
It is my type of colour and I think it goes very well with corporate suits, casual wear etc.
Yippie!! =)
 
 
 
 

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Getting Old and Superstitious

 

Believe it or not, my hubby is getting old and superstitious.

 

Baby Dylan is celebrating his 1 month old this coming sunday.As good friends of Ng Family, we are looking forward to attend this joyous occassion.

 

Then... hubby says Meranda cannot attend. Why ?

He was brought up by his super superstitious mother, thinking that it is inauspicious to go to ManYue and  birthday parites until age 12.

He actually had to hide under that table to eat the birthday cakes else his mum will nag at him. HUH?? 

 

Knowing that I do not believe such stuff, he had not practised this 'rule' on LeLe for the past few years.

Now that we have 2 kids, he makes it an excuse to at least let Meranda follow this 'traditional rules..'

 

I'm obviously NOT going to deprive my 2 kids of such parties and let them lead pathetic childhood.

So, we came to a compromise that this illogical rule shall bend when she turns 2years old.

 

Can't believe that he is into such old woman's tales..*sigh* ;(

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girls' nite out

It's so good to catch up with good old friends each time I came back. My schedule was packed with the 2kids, but I always make it a point to catch up with these few.
We had dinner at Waraku - they serve yummy affordable jap-style pasta, followed by jap dessert. And drinks at Clarke Quay..did not stay till wee hours, but still, i had fun!

The Wedding and The Dress

Last Sunday was Peter and Kia's wedding. Before the trip, Bernard told me it shall be held at Sentosa, but he never told me any details about it. Just one day before we took the flight back, I saw the invitation card and the fashion code reads something chic, comfortable, sandals, no heels etc.. Oh no, I have already packed my evening gown and heels which does follow the rules, and now i got to think of what to wear again.
I nagged at him for not telling me earlier on, and he assured me I can find something before the day.
Until Sunday morning, I still have not found the dress and already start to resign to fate that I shall wear inappropriately to the wedding.
Then, I stumbled onto this tube flower Maxi dress at some neighbourhood stall at CCK...It is so my style and ..it is CHEAP! Only S$7!!!Cheaper than China's pricing??
Sometimes, last minute shopping can turn out well ;)

Enough of the dress, the Qoofamily extends our heartfelt congrats to the most mushy couple in bj and wish them happily ever after..

dress up hair

I always wanted to have a baby girl, even before I got married. Why? So that I can doll her up..Dress her up in frilly dresses, put on girly clippies, plait her hair etc.. I have a recent addiction - source for pretty hairbands and clippies for Meranda. Look at her and her recent hairbands. Doesn't she look sweet?
..i'm such a vain mummy..

8th day in singapore

I'm now in singapore,at Dale's apartment. This is my 8th day, left 2 more days before we go back to china land.

Past few days had been super busy and 'miserable' having no ayi to help me take care of my 2 kids.( I'm already so used to such life,,help!) Got to literally beg parents for help, take turns with bernard on who to take care of them. Life really changes after motherhood. You do not have your own life, your life belongs to your children. Schedule evolves around them, and no leisure coffee breaks and shopping with gfs...

but hey! I'm Not really complaining..despite all these, they are still my #1 and I still love them dearly.;)

Since i'm in SG now, shall make use of the chance to do as much blogging as possible,before I return back to city of banned websites..