日期：今天
地点：东北地铁线，前往多美歌地铁站途中
黑鞋哥哥和高跟鞋姐姐正在谈情说爱，卿卿我我。
米鞋爷爷摇摇晃晃走过他们，不小心踩到黑鞋哥哥的鞋子，好不容易坐到黑鞋哥哥旁边的座位上。
黑鞋哥哥被踩后，显然不爽，瞪了米鞋爷爷一眼，然后对高跟鞋姐姐说，踩到人也不会说对不起。音量之大，连我这个坐对面的鸡婆妈妈也听得到。
我心想，如果我家牛女在场，我会对她说，女儿啊，女儿啊，虽然你很高，但是脚不要伸得太长，不然绊倒人，还要怪人家走路不看路。
黑鞋哥哥，有一天，我们都会变老，对老人家多一点体谅，多一点尊重，应该会让你旁边的高跟鞋姐姐留下更好的印象。
→ 2 Comments分类目录： 私生活
It was an annual event for me and my hubby to watch the Chestnuts, a theatre production by Stages at the end of the year.
Joathan Lim would spoof highlights of the year, the result: funny & witty skits that made us laugh out loud.
Spoof of 2009 would be incomplete, without the inclusion of Ris Low.
When a friend shared the content during a gathering recently, the others had a good laugh.
So I thought I should share with you people too.
Here is the song:
On the 12th day of Ris-Mas, my true love gave to me 12 months probation
11 safari
10 ads from sponsors
9 English lessons
8 khaki jins
7 credit cards
From 6 different people
5 leopard preens
4-giveness
3-piece bigini
2 polar disorder
And a (pause) diploma in hospitality
You should watch the video, to capture the true essence…
Enjoy!
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I am born a party girl. After mummy’s one month confinement, I am ready for all the christmas and new year parties ahead.
Last Sunday, at Auntie Lynne’s house, the adults have to take picture when I was not in a very good mood. Moreover, mummy and those aunties made me wear this annoying hairband (I don’t have much hair to begin with) and that looked like ear muffs on my face. As a result, I needed to show my protest in the picture.
Interestingly, mummy found this photo which we took a month ago during Christmas. Although she was the one wearing the hairband, we had similar expressions. These adults just won’t learn that I have to be in a good mood to take nice photos. Mummy said she is going to try the hairband on me again the next Christmas.
These glasses were better. They hid my unhappy expression and I looked cute in them.
This was not my first visit to Auntie Lynne’s house. We came on Christmas Day. I slept better that time, with all the adults talking around. Maybe this had to do with this cute kor kor in the neighbouring car seat. (P.S. This kor kor is Uncle Kee Haur’s son)
That was one of the few occasions which I slept through a party. Most of the time, I was quite alert. Being a light sleeper in the day is my forte.
Mummy said if you have any tip which could help me sleep longer stretch in the day, please share.
I am so looking forward to Chinese New Year.
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With a baby in tow, I find myself looking at the accessibility of buildings and facilities from a totally new perspective. In the past, we go wherever our legs can take us. Now, looking from a baby’s persective, many places are full of navigation challenges.
These were some of the places we went recently:
1) ParkRoyal Hotel
We went there for their high tea and parked our car at the public carpark behind the furniture mall. The baby stroller had to navigate a flight of stairs from the carpark to the mall, AND another flight of stairs from the mall to the hotel. Not very stroller or wheelchair friendly.
There was no diaper changing facility at the hotel. Baby was wriggling on a tiny table top space between two toilet sinks while we changed her diaper.
2) Botanical Gardens
Very suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. There was a ramp wherever a flight of stairs was found.
Baby liked the smells and sights of nature. There were also benches and rubbish bins everywhere for convenient diaper changing.
3) Ikea
A shopper put many cushions in a shopping trolley and placed his son on top of them. The child looked comfortable but it also reminded us to wash the purchased cushions before use 
The aisles were wide for shopping trolleys as well as strollers. Nursing cum diaper changing rooms were also available. However, be prepared to wait for the room on crowded days.
4) Isetan Scotts
There were tiny drains in the carpark which we took for granted. However, the strollers’ wheels found them to be rather irritating.
From the carpark lifts to the mall, there were stairs to overcome. For the 5th floor leading to the resturants, there was a ramp provided. I thought it was more for the convenience of the food suppliers but nevertheless, parents with strollers would find this ramp useful.
The mall toilets had big table tops for ladies to put their bags while we touched up on our make up. I thought they were excellent for diaper changing as long as we didn’t dirty them.
A lot more to consider whenever I bring baby out.
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环保，近来很夯的字眼。
对地球而言，资源有限，不能毫无止境地消耗，要为我们的下下下一代着想。
对业者而言，长期能节省成本，也能展现企业责任感。
对消费者而言，是对保护大家共同的住所，地球，尽一分力。当然，环保近来也成功成为一种时尚活动。
圣诞佳节，大伙儿互赠礼物。礼轻情义重，不管亲友送什么礼物，都是那份情谊最重要。而看着一堆礼物，却让我联想到环保。
环保的三大原则是reduce（减少）、reuse（重用）、recycle（再循环）。
Reduce
如果知道收礼者喜欢什么，买他喜欢而且会用的礼物最理想。不过，我们都知道，不是每个亲友的喜好，我们都有十足的把握，结果造成，佳节过去，又是一份不会用的礼物摆在橱柜里，既浪费资源，又占据空间。
我想来主张，如果你不知道收礼者喜欢什么，请直接问他。虽然少了开礼物的惊喜和浪漫，但是经验告诉我们，十份礼物中，可能只有一份是又惊又喜，其余的都是惊吓。而那份带有惊喜的礼物，可能是送了几份摆一旁的礼物，累积经验所得的美丽结论。
Reuse
圣诞节，到朋友家聚餐，朋友女儿送给每个出席的阿姨和叔叔一个圣诞帽子。她学习如何与别人分享，也让我们这些老朋友拍了温馨的圣诞照片。聚会结束时，我主张，把帽子还给朋友，让女儿在下一个聚会，把帽子再送给来宾。这样一来，她可以再次享受送礼和分享的乐趣，也让来宾再拍张可爱照片，而且不会浪费资源。
圣诞礼物也不宜过度包装，浪费包装纸和胶纸。虽然我也试着重用包装纸，但是它们一般折痕明显，或者胶纸太粘，拆礼物时包装纸容易撕破，所以不容易重用。我喜欢用漂亮的购物袋或环保袋来包礼物，收礼者容易拆礼物，又可重用袋子。
Recycle
收到不会用的礼物，你会怎么办？转送给别人，或是捐出去。捐赠其实也不容易，因为也要考虑受惠者的需求。
最近看到外电的新闻，说国外有人设立了礼物交换中心。你可以把不会用到的礼物带到中心去，然后换取你所需的礼物。我觉得这个构思好棒，实用又环保。
相信大多数人都送过或收过recycled presents或再循环礼物。再循环礼物的形象，大多时候很负面。我曾在很久以前的一个圣诞礼物交换活动中，收到一个由不同食品凑合的礼物。送礼者承认，那是他在公司抽奖中，抽到的礼品，可恶的是，到我手中，有些食品已经过期。结果，这份礼物被投选为当年最烂的圣诞礼物。
不过不再循环礼物，又很浪费。礼物是新的，自己不用，送给比较会欣赏的人，能增加这份礼物的存在价值，何尝不是一个环保的做法。关键在于，考虑收礼者的需求。不过，如果这份礼物太烂，那就请送到再循环箱里，中止它被丢来丢去的可怜命运。
我觉得，还是华人新年派红包，比较环保。里面的内容，谁也不会嫌弃。红包封套，资源消耗比较少，而且可以再循环使用，符合环保原则。
2009年最后一天的博客，献给影响每个人的环保课题。也祝你2010年，心想事成，健康快乐度过每一天。
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人家是牛仔很忙，我则是牛妈很忙。
看我这个月写博客的次数，就知道我多忙碌。朋友说，看你没有报告孩子满月的情况，就猜到陪月阿姨走后，我应该是忙得焦头烂额。
的确，坐月时，自己和宝宝的饮食起居都有陪月阿姨照顾，我只要负责喂母乳，日子过得相当写意。
满月后，虽然生活上的限制大幅度减少，但是我这个新手妈妈的压力也随之增加。
一天24小时，大多时候孩子要喝奶，剩余的少许时间，要哄她睡诀，陪她玩，还要照顾自己的起居饮食和休息，时间还真不够用。
加上在照顾孩子方面，没有经验，光靠书上的理论，还有婆婆妈妈一大堆的古方妙法，很多时候还真是措手不及。而且很多时候，大家的意见和现实情况有一定的差异。例如，用不用奶嘴、睡不睡沙龙、摇不摇孩子睡觉、孩子哭了应不应该抱她、如果让她哭，要让她哭多久等等等？
原先的一些想法，被宝宝否定。是我配合她的需求，还是我太容易妥协？有时候挫折感很大，终于了解，为什么产妇会得产后忧郁症。
幸好，宝宝无辜、可爱的模样，能帮助减压。
针对各位婆婆妈妈的意见，我这几周的结论是，聆听、了解、然后筛选适合夫妻俩和宝宝的方法，因为我们一家人正在寻找契合点。
我以前看过这个有关“默契”的故事。大石头有一个缺口，于是到处寻找一块能填补缺口的小石头，条件是小石头必须完美无缺的填补这个缺口。可是找了许久，大石头找不到“完美”的小石头。另一块小石头告诉大石头，不然你先带着我，等到找到那块完美的小石头，再替换我也不迟。大石头于是让这块小石头先填补那个缺口，虽然不尽完美，但是经过长时间的磨合，这块小石头和大石头竟然磨成完美的搭配。
我这块大石头，也正在和小石头磨合。
这是女儿满月的“造型”。生产前买的裙子（右边紫色那件），虽然标的是给零到三个月的婴孩穿，不过比比看，还真是大了些，所以穿了
Ｓｔｅｐｈａｎｉｅ夫妇送给宝宝的粉色裙子。原先准备的不一定适合，或是时间点不对，重要的是灵活处理。
→ 4 Comments分类目录： 哦！辣妈
After the birth of my lovely daughter, I observed the Chinese custom of confinement.
To me, the definition of confinement is:
- confined to home for a month
- a long list of dos and don’ts
- main objective is establish a demand and supply milk system
The following is the list of things one is supposed to abide during confinement. I shan’t tell you the things which I follow and those which I don’t, just in case one of my elders is reading this blog
For those who are using it as a reference, please use it with a dose of rationale.
1) No plain water. One can only drink red date logan drink and other hot beverages like milo. Nurses in the hospital said that milo is a “confinement favourite” in Singapore.
2) One has to sit down while drinking water. No standing up and drinking water at the same time.
3) Confinement foods include ginger-laden dishes such as pig trotters cooked with vinegar, fish cooked with wine,
chicken cooked with sesame oil, and soups. I am lucky that my confinement lady is a good cook and she cooks a variety of dishes so that I don’t eat the same thing repeatedly.
4) One has to avoid cold drinks and foods. This include foods which are cold by temperature, such as cold milk and those which are “cold in nature”, such as bittergourd. Foods kept overnight are also a no no.
5) Everything is ginger-based to help you ”expel wind”. This include the massage oil used by the massage lady. Ginger can also be added to your bath water.
6) One has to wear long sleeved tops and long pants during confinement.
7) One is to bath with water cooked with specific herbs. You can buy those herbs in Chinese medical halls. They come in convenient filter packs, so they don’t leave a mess after you bathed.
One is not supposed to wash her hair. The old tradition is for the whole month of confinement. The modified version is for the first 12 days or any length of time which you can tolerate.
9) One is not supposed to use the fan. But air conditioner is fine.
10) One is supposed to have lots of rest and not carry heavy things. Of course, one is not supposed to go out, unless it is a trip to see the doctors.
In this month, I must admit I am glad I am living in the era of the internet.
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一开始就决定喂母乳，因为母乳能增强孩子的免疫力，妈妈也能比较快恢复身材，就连奶粉公司的宣传传单也写着，六个月以下孩童，最好的饮食是母乳。
不过，喂母乳需要很多的坚持。坚持孩子饿了就喂她；坚持和宝宝培养一定的默契；而且不管别人说什么，都要坚持自己的决定。
出院前一晚，宝宝怎么喂都不满足，一把她放在婴儿床，她就哭。护士说，前几天，妈妈奶水不够，建议我们给宝宝喂奶粉。我坚持再喂一次，如果宝宝还是饿，我们才向奶粉“妥协”。幸好，我的坚持有所回报，宝宝安稳入睡。当时，感受到小小的满足感。
出院第一天，宝宝回到家，显然不太适应。她不久前才降临这世界，好不容易适应了医院，接着回家又要适应一个全新的环境，确实需要一些时间。可能真的饿了，又或者缺乏安全感，一直要求喝奶。我这个“理想主义者”又“敢敢”不在家中准备奶粉。陪月阿姨见状，好心相劝，说买一罐奶粉放在家中，以备不时之需。
整个晚上，宝宝一直要喂奶，让全家人疲惫不堪。阿姨说，宝宝看起来是饿了，而且妈妈显然无法满足她。凌晨5点，在缺乏睡眠，意志力非常薄弱的情况下，我让阿姨喂宝宝40ml (毫升)用奶粉泡的奶水，就这样，败给了40ml的奶粉。这个决定换来了两个小时的睡眠，可是醒来后，挫折感很大。
过了一阵子，也释怀了。想想这次的“挫败”只占了许许多多喂奶次数的小小比例，没有什么看不开的。
接下来，喂奶的情况大大改善，宝宝也适应了新环境。
你看她双颊鼓鼓的，而且还有一点点双下巴 
新手妈妈，一切从零点开始。不管你工作或在生活其他领域有多么能干，或者多有才华，学习当妈妈，一切从头学起。
→ 4 Comments分类目录： 哦！辣妈
6 Nov 2009
1pm (Shopping Mall)
Was having lunch with a friend when I noticed spotting.
Called gynae and was told to go to her clinic to check if I was in labour.
Called Hubby to come home to fetch me.
330pm (Gynae’s Clinic)
Was connected to this monitor to check fetal activity as well as contractions.
Doctor said I was in early stage of labour. She suggested going for dinner and shopping. I could admit myself into the hospital when signs became more serious.
6pm (Serangoon Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre)
Went for my favourite fish porridge and coconut drink. Many people said coconut drink is good during the last two weeks of pregnancy.
Things were about the same when we finished dinner so we decided to head home.
830pm (Home)
Woke up from a nap because contractions were becoming painful. I found myself bleeding so we decided to go to the hospital.
9pm (Hospital)
Admitted into labour ward.
Was allowed to move around in the ward, did some simple yoga exercises to help relax, had some toast and milo to boost energy. Watched both channel 8 10pm news & channel U 11pm news.
7 Nov 2009
12 midnight (Hospital)
The contractions became more painful. Was given epidural. Drifted in and out of sleep.
6am (Hospital)
Dilation was past half way mark and water bag burst.
1030am (Hospital)
Dilation reached target benchmark.
Feeling the urge to push and midwives gave the go ahead.
1130am (Hospital)
The top of my baby’s head can be seen. Doctor arrived.
With a final push, baby was out. She cried loudly, so did I.
It was unlike those baby advertisements where the female lead’s tears rolled down her cheeks elegantly. Mine was the “unglam burst into tears” situation. Relief, anxiety and excitment, all overwhelming emotions rolled into one.
After some cleaning and lots of photos taking, baby was sent for check up and mummy waited for her maternity ward to be ready.
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老公想为女儿取一个古代名人的名字，但是以前，男女机会不平等，所以女名人相对少，而且名字没有什么特别。
一天，他兴致勃勃回家告诉我说，他找到一个绝妙的字“曌”。
“曌”念zhao4，意思是“日月当空，普照天下”。
根据网络资料，以下是这个字的由来：
一日，武则天心血来潮，想为自己取一个好字，可是琢磨了好几日，还是没有找到最合适的，就决定向天下文人征求最吉利的字，于是一张征求御字榜文贴到了长安城墙上。
话说少林寺有一个烧火的和尚，叫明空，此人除了方丈教会自己的僧号，斗大的字不认识几个。
这一日，明空到长安买菜。买菜回来，到城墙处，他忽然觉得肚子疼，想上茅厕，抬头看到城墙上贴一张纸，也没细想就撕了下来，准备如厕用。
守侯此皇榜的御卒见好几日没人揭榜，就到一旁的西瓜摊吃西瓜。御卒吃完西瓜回来，正好看到明空揭榜，心中高兴：总算有人揭榜了，自己可以复命了。
御卒见明空揭了榜想走，急了，上去就把明空拽住：“和尚你不能走！”
明空见一个当兵的拉住自己，不知道怎么回事，问到：“官爷，为什么不让我走啊？”
御卒就把武则天征字的事讲了。
明空一听，一屁股坐到地上，昏过去了！等到御卒把他叫醒，明空嚎啕大哭，哀求到：“官爷，我不知道哇，我哪里会测字啊，您放过我把，我把御榜再贴上去，您看行吗？”
御卒一听摇头到：“不行，你必须和我进宫！”明空见求情不行，只好跟御卒去见武则天。
明空一路上又懊恼又害怕，懊恼自己莽撞揭了御榜，害怕自己会掉脑袋。但是，他不想就这样稀里糊涂地死了，于是脑筋一转打定了注意。
武则天听说有人揭了榜，很是高兴。连忙让揭榜人进殿。
明空颤颤悠悠进殿，见到武则天连忙跪倒请罪。武则天见进来一个和尚，又请罪，问到：“和尚，是你揭榜了吗，你为何请罪啊？”
明空低着头说：“我是出家人揭御榜恐怕不合适，有辱圣明！”
武则天一笑说：“无妨，你到说说你为我测的字是什么？”
明空到这时候只有豁出去了，说：“我这个字，字典里没有。”
武则天说：“那你写出来吧！”
于是武则天命左右给明空拿去纸墨。明空歪歪扭扭地写了一个“曌”字，这是明空在路上想好的，他就认识自己这两个字啊，所以干脆把二字叠加，变个“曌”出来。
武则天一看这个字，呵，还挺独特，问到：“和尚，这字怎么读啊？”明空一愣，这他到忘记了。好在他还算机灵，眼珠一转道：“日月当空普照大地，就叫照吧！”
武则天听了大喜，赏赐明空10万两银子重建少林寺。明空欢欢喜喜地回少林寺了。
后来，武则天作了皇帝，还为这个字作了一首打油诗：
日月当空曌，则天长安笑；一朝作皇帝，世间我最傲
原本，想用侄女中间的名字“希”，但是配上“曌”，听起来像“夕照”。
有朋友开玩笑建议，不如叫“希施”，西施可是四大美女之一，符合名人条件。
还有人说，叫“希望”，我笑着回答，英文名字还可以叫”Hope”，搭配他爸爸的姓”Foo”，就成了“Hopeful”，还中英对照呢！
最后，决定遵循家谱，用“诗”字搭配“曌”。我孩子辈的男孩儿都用“诗”来命名，我觉得女孩儿用也不错，我家翁也很赞成。
不过，也有人告诉我，用爸妈的名字，显示对父母不敬。我不介意，外国人也常用自己或爸妈或爷爷奶奶的名字命名，例如Geroge, Senior George, George Junior等等。
朋友笑说，我们俩公婆”tekan”我们的女儿，因为她日后都要大费周章告诉别人，她的名字怎么念，是什么意思，写作业时，名字笔画比较多，但是我和老公都认为，名字特别，让人留下印象，这些小问题，她应该可以应付。
女儿的英文名字叫 Zee Zou，和足球明星Zidane的昵称Zizou 同音。
中英名字，都以名人做考量，中西合璧，可见爸爸妈妈的用心良苦。
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