A LITTLE RESPECT PLEASE!

Let me ask you ... is it so wrong to ask for a little respect? Well I guess it is ... for some people! Although, I am no angel, although I am just as imperfect, as the next person standing next to me, although I am so-far-off, from being the best Mummy, wife, daughter, sister(-in-law), aunt, friend or neighbour ... I know ... I try my darnest in almost anything I do in life. So why is it so hard ... to ask for some bloody R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Arrgh! I'm not one to go into details or wash ALL my dirty-linen in public, NO ... I have too much pride for that! But its getting increasingly more difficult to grit my worn-down teeth ... or bear with it! Am I supposed to bear with the humiliation ... just so I can make peace with the world or those around me? Am I supposed to just "fake-a-smile" & pretend that I am having the time of my life ... when in my heart ... I feel so utterly humiliated? Am I supposed to swallow my "extremely-limited" pride & hold my (acid) tongue, in public??!

Is it so damn hard to ask for a little respect?

Am I not worth it ????

Am I not worthy .... at all ???!

There's no point in elaborating or explaining. I guess I will get over this ... like I do, with so many things in my ever-pathetic life (do I even have any other choice?) ... but its been try-ing & so damn HARD!

Hard on my pride ...

Hard on my self-worth ...

Hard on my confidence ...

Hard for my soul.

I'm just venting .... really .... I neeeeeed to! Or else ... other worst things might come out of my potty mouth. No one wants to hear the kind of words that I'm really capable of .... when I'm pissed off! So I usually try to bite my tongue & bear with it. Coz when I can't bear it any longer, the do-er with definitely face my wrath ... & usually, it ain't a pretty picture!

Sheesh! I think ... I'm feeling a bit better now ... just a little ok?!

Back to real life ... huh?

HELLOOOOO .... EVERYONE !

Yes, its me! Nope, we did not fall off the face of the Earth & disappeared ... just busy with stuff, that's all. I have been a terrible blogger coz I know I have tonnes of stuff to blog & I still did not move my big butt ... & just do it. I don't know when I will be able to get myself up to date & I do feel kinda stressed about it ... haha, yes ... I know I'm anal like that, well that's just me.

A quick update!

Hubby's officially now a civilian. For those in the know, we are now officially stepping into a new phase of our life. One bad news though .... errm ... Hubby did not get his (last & final) pay ... yet! That just pissed me off, big time! I mean who works & don't get paid ... DUH! I mean if you were employed by a small-time company, then maybe ... but those who know who was Hubby's employer (our government, no less!) sees it fit to not give him his last pay check on his last day of work (they see fit to only pay him at the end of the month!!!) WTF!!! Our last paycheck was during the 2nd week of January (!!) & we've been gingerly hanging by a thread ever since ... we still are! I am totally pissed off & angry ... coz we were really caught off guard! You would think that one of the biggest employer in the country could at least get this simple thing right ... but I guess Hubby is just a small fry in their big organisation. Nobody cares about the "little men" - the rich & powerful only take care of each other! So while we hang on for dear life with what little money we have left, I am still fuming & bloody enraged! The pay better be in by the end of this month .... or someone's gonna get chopped big time! (it could be Hubby ... haha!).

Well, let's move on to (other much) nicer things ....

My dear Ryan's ... been going to school. There are good days & some not so good ones. He's been crying & refusing to stay in school, clutching on to me or his Daddy (for dear life). He's also missed nearly an entire week of school in February (being very sick) just before Chinese New Year (more about that in a separate entry). So as you can guess, after the loooong weekend ... he was not very happy that he had to (re)attend school. Tears & more tears ensued! Sigh ....

I've been cooking (a lot) these days. Its getting (much) better & I'm relieved to say that I'm coping with the new schedule. When Ryan is in school, I get more than a hour or so of "ME-Time". The house is oooh-so-quiet (you can hear a pin drop) & I can (get to) do some light reading, cook in peace, log on the Internet or just catch up on some daily chores. It seems (much) easier to do certain things, when there's no (rather annoying) 3 year old, breathing down your neck, bugging you every 30 seconds. Oh! don't get me wrong ... Ryan's the love of my life, but every-one needs a little time & space .... even from their loved ones. My (short) time & space comes ... when Ryan goes to playgroup, daily. I thank God ... for helping me keep my sanity & my wits .....

As we are stepping into a new phase of our lives, we have gone totally frugal (meaning : thrifty, cheap-skate) . We try to cut costs by eating more at home (for almost every meal), especially on weekdays. We are trying to cut corners wherever & whenever we can. Its been a tough & interesting journey but we're still learning & experimenting. I am glad to report that Hubby is a firm supporter of this "Frugal Drive". In fact, he comes out with equally (bizarre) cost-cutting measures that help us to trim our expenses, even more. He's also been good at giving me support & lending a helping hand ... in executing these measures. I am glad to report that Ryan has been a real trooper too. He doesn't seem to mind or even remotely care that we are spending a l-o-t of time at home (that's a huge relief!). In fact because we tend eat more at home, his appetite is getting much better! I hope that continues.

I have also been reading a lot on frugal blogs, to pick up any tips that I can possibly try out. I noticed that a lot of these blogs are based in the USA (by mums) & not many local/Asian ladies blog about being frugal (not that we are not frugal). So I guess although a lot of their tips are not really relevant here in sunny Singapore - winter & snow, heating & electricity, Goodwill, couponing, even their penchant of eating lots & lots of beans (?) .... there are still plenty that I can learn. So I'm hoping to learn more from there thrifty ladies - & be a thrifty one, myself.

To tell you the truth, I have actually started a few other blogs in the past ... Yah! Don't laugh ok! I know ... I can't even keep up with one blog, why bother to create more! Well, I did it because I didn't want to write about those specific topics in this blog ... as "Three's-A-Company" is more of a family blog, more about our daily life .... not so much about my many interests. I am at a crossroad ... do I combine these blogs together? I guess one of the reason why I separated them is because when people go to my other blogs, they only read about those specific topic & not so much about my personal life (which I'm not that keen). I know ... isn't it so ironic? If you don't want people to know about your personal details ... then why bother to blog rite? Arrgh! I guess its a fine line of knowing certain details about a blogger that bothers me a little. Take for example my other blogs - I set up 1 blog for being frugal, 1 blog for Bentos & one blog for meals that I cook for my family. The frugal & Bento blog was created last year & hasn't been updated regularly. The new blog I created this year - on cooking home-cooked meals, was something I did up, so that I can get a better idea & keep a "visual-track" of what I cook for my family. I am no great cook & there are no recipes to show (for now) coz I am not confident that anyone wants any of my simple recipes ... haha! I cook & take pictures to "inspire" myself - & encourage my lazy ass to prepare a variety of dishes, create or learn some new & healthy recipes to feed my (rather fussy) family. Not only do the recipes have to be dead easy, they have to be frugal (cheap) & not spicy because I refuse to cook a separate dish just for my kid. Everyone eats the same stuff in this house .... I ain't the maid!

So that's it guys ... a rather long update on our current state of life. I'll try to get some pics up very soon. I guess first up - should be Ryan's 3rd birthday (waaaaay back in January). Ain't I a horrible Mummy ...?!!

Tell me if you guys are vaguely interested in reading up on the other blogs & I'll happily oblige. Meanwhile, take care & I'll see you in ..... real life! To-de-looooooo !!!!

BUSY AS A BEE

Yep! That's been an understatement! We have been kept busy with the usual stuff & more. Since Ryan started playgroup this year & it was also his birthday, we've been kept busy since the first days of January. Is this how 2010 will be? Busy as can be?? One consolation is ... time does pass very fast when you are busy. Bad thing ...? You are always so damn tired & there's never enough time in the day .... to do the million other things on your Task List. Duh!

Ok, I've been a BAD blogger & I haven't been updating regularly. Not only haven't I finished updating last year's backlog, I have further created a new "monster" ... with the arrival of 2010, comes with it more photos & stories, yet untold. I promise I will get to them somehow ... some day. Haha ... when? I can't promise you ... but I will get them all done, really!

Meanwhile, I wanted to put up a adorable pic of my munchkin taken recently in downtown Orchard (on the first day of 2010). His hair was still long here ... errm .... does he look a little like a girl? Yes!! my boy has been mistaken for a girl ... many a times during his lifetime (especially when he grows out his hair). Does he look like a "pretty" girl to you? Oh well, whatever!

He looks kinda cute here (he was holding his newly bought orange Yo-yo) & was being rather co-operative ... so the photo turned out quite well (nice natural lighting too). My boy .... is 3 now! I can't believe it! I love him more each day ... & eventhough he's still a little mischievous rascal, I can't imagine my life without him!

This photo now adorns my PC, as the wallpaper. Everytime I switch on the computer, I see Ryan's smiling face. Awwww!!!!!

220TH POST!

Haha ... wasn't my intention, to write about the the 220th entry but it had a nice ring to it. Besides, this will be probably my last entry for 2009, so I just wanna end it on a nicer figure ... haha! Yes, I know ... lame excuse.

My other excuse ... is to put up pictures of my 2 boys. They have given me some cute poses lately, so I just wanted to put them up here ... to round up my year.

Although life has been extremely tough, both of them make .... everything worthwhile. We may have our rough patches, we may have our disagreements, we may have our arguments ... but I love them both, with all my heart & soul. I don't know where I'll be, without them .... in my life.

To my two darlings, I love you both ... more now, than ever! Please stay the course with me & I know .... we will make it through, on the other side!

(P.S : Yes ... I'm being nostalgic & mushy. So sue me! )

S IT NEW YEAR'S EVE ... ALREADY?

Oh my God! Where did 2009 go? Has it been a year already? It really went by lightning fast! I can recall nearly a year ago, (when) we just celebrated Ryan's 2nd birthday ... & soon we will be celebrating his 3rd! Oh my gosh! I can't believe that my boy is turning three (very) soon. Ok, so he's still small-sized ... but he's been making great steps forward (more on his developments in an another entry).
As I look back on 2009, I feel rather tired ... & a tinge of sadness. It has been a very trying year for me (& my family) but I know I have a whole lot to be thankful for. Eventhough life has been pretty damn tough for us this year, we are still together, alive & kicking! We made it through (barely) ... but I am glad we are still here, stronger than ever! Although 2010, is expected to be (yet) another tough year for us, with Hubby changing jobs & money being tight ... I pray, that we will make it through. I hope God is looking out for us ... protecting us. I hope He senses our (urgent) needs & I hope He will shower us with His Grace & Blessings. I pray for my family's happiness & health, I pray for enough funds to feed, clothe, & shelter us. I pray for a better life ahead ...
I realised although December is nearly over, I still have a lot of back-log to clear & even more pictures to upload. I haven't even blogged about my birthday nor our short trip to KL. I am quite bogged down with stuff these days. With what ... you might ask? Errm, with stuff ... haha!

With hubby at home these past few weeks (he's clearing his annual leave), I have been busy feeding both him & my boy. I tell you ... cooking & cleaning up, 3 times a day (plus the usual mundane daily chores) .... is no joke! Just when you finish one meal, you have to start preparing the next meal. Of course, you also have to figure out the next day's menu. Also the grocery shopping that goes with all the cooking ... errm, hey its no fun at all! I wonder how some people do it?! I really thought it would be a total breeze for me (as I have definitely been cooking more these days) to prepare & cook everyday but I have to admit .... its been damn tiring! Not to mention the endless menu that I have to think up ... so that the family won't get bored eating the same old thing everyday. Trying to think up the various ways to make (boring) chicken wings extremely delicious is extremely ... taxing, to say the least! Trying to keep things simple (easy) & under budget is also a given, knowing that we have to tighten our belts pretty soon.
Arrgh! I pray that God will keep me sane, during these trying times ....


If I don't get the chance to meet everyone ... just wanted to wish ... one & all - Happy New Year! May 2010 bring better times ahead - lots of luck, love & health. Stay safe & treasure your loved ones!

A POSE LIKE NO OTHER

Just wanted to get this photo up. Its so DAMN cute! ... I think it deserves a page of its own. Haha! My Ryan comes up with the weirdest of poses, this is only but one of many, he has created thus far.

Is this kid made for better things ... or what? With a personality like that, only the stars are impossible, ya?

WE'VE BEEN BUSY, BUSY .....

Aha! We've been kept busy the past two weeks. Apart from our usual routine, we've been busy :

1) Running endless errands/buying stuff
2) Hubby's been painting the house - its yellow!
3) Preparing for Ryan's birthday party in early January - party deco, goody bags, cake, menu, presents, etc.
4) Cleaning up & clearing up the home (lots of junk to clear!)
5) Registering & gearing up Ryan, for his playgroup (nope, its not nursery)
6) Celebrating my brother's & my birthday in December
7) A short trip up North - yes! we left the country!
8) A personal family crisis - still unresolved!

So, as you can see ... we've been pretty busy lately. As usual, I have a big bunch of photos to go with our hectic schedule, especially of Ryan's first official holiday overseas! I will try to update as much as I can ... but I am acutely aware that I will probably not be able to finish all my updates before the year is up.

As I am celebrating my birthday this week, I foresee more photos & memories created ... yes! more for me to update.

I leave you with a funny-face photo of my two lovable boys. They never fail to amuse me & brighten my cloudy days. How can you not love them? I know I do ... more then they know!

Hope everyone's enjoying their year end activities & holidays! Looking forward to 2010!!!

TO THE FISH FARM WE WENT

P.S : I blogged about this here, earlier. So here's the long version, folks! Yes ... its full of photos, haha!
We have been to Qian Hu a couple of times before but I managed to get many nice pics, this time round. This time we remembered to drop by earlier, so we didn't have to rush. This was a last minute outing as we had earlier wanted to go to Ikea (to survey something) but cancelled it at the last minute.

What a coincidence, Ryan was wearing his "Fish" shirt on that day! It was easy to decide on the place because it was nearby plus the entry & parking was free. The fish food however was not ... haha! Oh well, you can't have everything free ... I guess!

At the entrance, the kids started getting excited about seeing the fishes.
My niece, Ayra ... starts to pose for me. Ryan ... he's busy looking at the kois.

Wow! So many fishes.

The two cousins, enjoying the view. They were getting very excited ... just looking at the kois in the special pond.

A quick pose!

Aaah! Now we have some food for the fishes.

Hubby, giving the kids a helping hand. Aiyah! the man in green, stood too close to my niece ... spoilt my photo!

Ayra, smiling for me.

Photo's a bit blur (blame my digicam!) ... but they still look cute ya?

Ayra : Nah! Fish ... I give you some more food.

Ok, one last burst of food for them. Let's move on to the other stations.

Well, here we are at the turtle pond. Hey ... where are all the turtles? (I realised that I didn't take any photos of the green turtles. Oh well, there's always next time. By the way, their pond was dirty & a bit disgusting though .... )

Hubby : Take some for the turtles, Ryan.

Ryan : Let me count the pellets ... one, two, three ...

Ryan, taking a handful from Daddy (lucky its just fish food pellets & not money huh .... haha!)

Hubby ... looking at something rather interesting?

Ryan's turn to look at something interesting, whilst Ayra keeps doing her thing.

Can you see Ryan's Fish T-shirt (from Osh Gosh - cheap, less than 10 bucks)? Its says "Genuine Fish" ... haha ... so funny & apt, rite?

By this time, we have bought 3 packs of fish food. I think a packet is a dollar (not cheap ok). I think they can easily make a "fortune" every weekend, if you see the crowds of kids there.

More please, Papa.

Hubby : This is how you throw the food!

Can you see in the foreground, a group of ladies sitting on the ground. Errrm, you won't catch me doing that! Besides I'm too busy snapping photos & I have to stand to get nice ones .... ok, excuses excuses. To tell you the truth, I find sitting on the floor in a public place too dirty for my comfort ... so there, sue me!

  Ayra, stays true to her peace sign ... whilst Ryan acts nonchalant (as usual).

Seems like Ayra was trying to get Ryan interested in the peace sign but my boy, ain't buying any of it! Can you see his bo-chap attitude? Complete with legs on the bench ... so ah beng rite?

Ayra still smiley ... but Ryan's getting really bored with all these photo-taking ... haha!

Ok one last pose kids! Ayra gives me a sweet pose & Ryan finally manages to smile ... aiyah, the ah beng pose is still there!

More feeding ... I think this is a new packet of food. Lucky fishes!

Look how tall my girl has grown!

Yes, I'm counting ... Papa!

Oops! I dropped some ... into the pond!

Yeah! I give the fishes some ...

I need more Papa ... I need more, can't you see!

Looking spacey, I see.

Them lucky fishes. Some are rather chubby ... & why not?

Hubby : My supply is running low, kids.

The two kids grabbing what few precious pellets are left.

Ayra, throwing some love to the kois. Doesn't she look pretty here?

Eh! I need more ....

Whilst the kids are busying themselves, Hubby was on the phone ....

Let's grab more, since he's not looking!

Ryan (must be) looking at his Daddy ... & giving a cheeky smile!

Ryan walking back for more fish food. Can you see in the foreground (the kid in orange), lying down on the ground, yep! he's catching the poor longkang fish ... commando style!

Well, its time to admire the tanks of fish.

Ayra giving the small (shorter) boy a lift.

Hi, Sucker Fish! Its just me, Ryan ... & Kakak Ayra!

Ryan : Oooooh! What's that Mummy?
Mummy : Its a sting-ray, darling.

Too cute to eat rite? Besides, its too expensive lah! Better as a pet.

Ok, look at these strange creatures ... at first I thought they were mutated, but then there's a whole tank-full of them. So I guess its a species? Don't know the name though. Is this God's work? Or the work of people ... who wanna make money-business from odd looking fishes? Beats me!

Another look at those strange looking fishes. They look like they have bent-out-of-shape bodies. No they weren't wriggling or contorting themselves, they were shaped that way! I was pretty amazed & kept looking at them.

A lone ranger?

See how much they cost each? Not cheap huh? I guess you have to pay ... for being weird & different!

Another sting-ray.

This giant fake arowana fish was atop the entrance of the air-conditioned room that the real expensive arowanas were in. Yep, that's the luxury you get to taste, if you are born a arowana ... you get to stay in a special room that's fully air-conditioned, in tropical-warm Singapore.

From another angle.

At the exit, I made the kids pose awhile (yes, I do that sometimes. I know ... its evil isn't it). Ayra's always game for a photo, whilst my son ... is not! Oh well!

Ayra gives me a sweet pose, as usual Ryan cannot be bothered to look at the camera (so what's new?).