It was early in the morning and I was packing Wan Qi's bag then I realised the two self made cars, fish and vegetable she made in school had a name Eunice printed on it. I then realised that the car does not belong to Wan Qi. After hearing one of my students caught stealing friends' storybooks, I was afraid that Wan Qi also steal her friends' things. So I decided to question her. But I swear I was just asking her. But she got so agitated that she began to cry and said that she was not the one who took the car. She said that she hated her class and bla bla bla.I tried to reason with her that its ok if she took it by mistake but she began to cry louder. Then I began to ask her who is Eunice then. She said she she doesnt know anyone by the name of Eunice and said that she must be from the morning class.
She got so upset that she doesnt want her breakfast. She told me she doesnt have appetite. Then I said she must eat something. And I thought it's better for me to leave her alone to cool down. So I told her to eat her breakfast and I will go and buy pork and carrot to cook for her lunch to be brought to school.
After I came back, I saw her writing on a piece of paper. When she saw me, she passed me the paper. I read the paper. It reads"Mummy, do you want me to go and die". I was like "Goodness, this little girl. She is so scary"and "hey, she knows how to spell these words" So I told her of course ma ma wouldn't want you to die. I took nine months to give birth to you and it was very painful. You were so little then and now you are so big. I had taken so much effort to raise you up. Why will I do that. My voice was calm but loving. She then ran to me and said sorry and gave me a big hug.
I told her that this is just a small matter. There is no need to say such a strong word. So she went to crush the paper. I told her that its important that we returned the things to the person. But we must make sure that we didnt take it intentionally. I tried to be careful with my words and yet at the same time deliver the message to her. She told me she didnt steal it. I told her thats good.
When we were about to go to school, I tried to test her again by asking how many girls are there in her class. She told me there are 13 and I wanted her to name the girls. And then she mentioned Eunice. So I was half convinced that there actually is a Eunice and she had been lying to me. She said she said it wrongly and that she spoke the truth. So I told her I will ask her teacher. She then said I can ask her teacher. Then I said ok if she is really speaking the truth, I will buy her a present. A reward for being a truthful and honest girl. On the other hand, if she is telling a lie, she will get punishment tonight. And she was so happy upon hearing that.
So I went into the hall with her. I thought I will just ask her classmate. But her classmates looked at me in a daze. So I thought I better ask her teacher. And when the teacher know that I am Wan Qi's mummy. She said"Oh, you are Wan Qi's mummy. Wan Qi is such an intelligent and smart girl. And she is very very helpful." I was happy to hear that and even happier to know that my little Wan Qi is a honest girl. As the truth is the teacher gace her an additional set wrongly. The Eunice is from the morning session. Phew, she didnt tell lies.
Though some of you might be thinking I am being too paranoid. But I just want to play safe. If she really did, at least I know it when she did wrongly the first time so that I can let her know that it is wrong to steal and lie.
And as promised, I ased Xihong to bring Wan Qi and I to OG so that she can chose her barbie doll which she wanted it long ago.
But in the end, she chose a doll at $22.90 with a cradle. I was like laughing inside me cos it was so much cheaper. A barbie doll is so so ex.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
In Preparation for Wan Qi birthday celebration - Stress
It all started when my aunt told her friend cum landlord that I will be able to solve the problem of getting the extra pencil cases(which is meant to be the goodies for Wan Qi's kindergarden friends). Her landlord promise that there will be 10 disney princess pencil cases when there are 2 only but thomas there are 10. So in the end, I have to think of ways to get it. Taobao website is full of resources so I tried and I found the same pencil cases but its hello kitty and mickey. Then 1 fine day, Wan Qi told me she has 3 more new classmates. I was like whtat !!!!!That means I have to start another spree again. So in order to get the minimum weight of 30kg, I bought toys and snow white key chain since this year, Wan Qi's birthday theme is Snow white and the seven dwarfs. I even bought a set of snow white and the seven dwarfs for the birthday decoration.
Never did I realise this is the beginning of my nightmare. I had to contact one of the toys supplier late at night for the prices bla bla. Then the shoe supplier which I intended to buy from was really hostile. Cos I needed 5 so I told him that I need which sizes and hoped he can helped me by gathering them, changed the price to 5 shoes so that it will be easier for my shipping friend. He said he cant remember so I provided the link and everything to my shipping "friend". However, he was quite fed up with him as he need to click each and everyone of them. So in the end, he told me that it is better I do it myself.
I tried but failed after many attempts. Then I realised its because the money has not been paid to the toy supplier. So I asked this friend to pay him first so that I can try to buy the shoes myself. But failed too. After stuck in the computer from 9-1pm. The key chain supplier suggested that the shipping friend should transfer all the money to me so that I can click by myself and that will be easier. So he did. And then I realised that the money still cant get through.In the end, I called China Taobao to find out why. I was told that cos I was a foreigner and need to apply for these and that. So I tried to apply failed. Ased friend to try. By then it was 3pm. I nearly cry out cos my money was frozen. I made ample calls to China, in the end the only way is to wait for another 7 ways to let the money go back to the shipping friend. But part of the money was allowed to be used so I thought I will used it to buy the shoes first since the supplier was hostile, I dont care I just want to get it.Tried but failed called them again, they say its the password thingy which I didnt set. I did infact I set for 3 to 4 times.
In the end, I decided to give this money to the shipping friend as a gift for trying tio help in the later part though if he had helped me the first time things would not have been so complicated. Still he kept helping me by trying to get into their system to apply for foreigner pass. This time the transfer was a breeze. But this friends insisted of not accepting. But he helped me to make all the purchases.
However, I told him I will still remit the moeny no matter what for his kindness
Total damage, the unknown scary china call bills, sleepless night,plus an angry husband. He was angry that I got stuck in the computer neglecting him. I'm sorry I promised this will the last time I organise spree. But the consolation, knowing that I have a very sensible girl. I was stuck in the computer for hours. She came a few times to want to play the computer. But I told her I have to fix this problem so she just went to play with dolls and read so many chinese books and Charlotte's Web. In the middle of the day she told me"妈妈，其实我的生日并不是那么重要的，没有也不要紧的" Oh her words melted my heart and I cried because I am so touched and also because I am so exhausted.
In the evening after I settled my thingy as the shipping friend will helped to do my purchases. I quickly go and do housework with Wan Qi's helped. She helped to vacuum and wipe the furnitures.
Mr Yeo, please dont be angry ok. No more such sprees. I know you care a lot about bonding. :>
Never did I realise this is the beginning of my nightmare. I had to contact one of the toys supplier late at night for the prices bla bla. Then the shoe supplier which I intended to buy from was really hostile. Cos I needed 5 so I told him that I need which sizes and hoped he can helped me by gathering them, changed the price to 5 shoes so that it will be easier for my shipping friend. He said he cant remember so I provided the link and everything to my shipping "friend". However, he was quite fed up with him as he need to click each and everyone of them. So in the end, he told me that it is better I do it myself.
I tried but failed after many attempts. Then I realised its because the money has not been paid to the toy supplier. So I asked this friend to pay him first so that I can try to buy the shoes myself. But failed too. After stuck in the computer from 9-1pm. The key chain supplier suggested that the shipping friend should transfer all the money to me so that I can click by myself and that will be easier. So he did. And then I realised that the money still cant get through.In the end, I called China Taobao to find out why. I was told that cos I was a foreigner and need to apply for these and that. So I tried to apply failed. Ased friend to try. By then it was 3pm. I nearly cry out cos my money was frozen. I made ample calls to China, in the end the only way is to wait for another 7 ways to let the money go back to the shipping friend. But part of the money was allowed to be used so I thought I will used it to buy the shoes first since the supplier was hostile, I dont care I just want to get it.Tried but failed called them again, they say its the password thingy which I didnt set. I did infact I set for 3 to 4 times.
In the end, I decided to give this money to the shipping friend as a gift for trying tio help in the later part though if he had helped me the first time things would not have been so complicated. Still he kept helping me by trying to get into their system to apply for foreigner pass. This time the transfer was a breeze. But this friends insisted of not accepting. But he helped me to make all the purchases.
However, I told him I will still remit the moeny no matter what for his kindness
Total damage, the unknown scary china call bills, sleepless night,plus an angry husband. He was angry that I got stuck in the computer neglecting him. I'm sorry I promised this will the last time I organise spree. But the consolation, knowing that I have a very sensible girl. I was stuck in the computer for hours. She came a few times to want to play the computer. But I told her I have to fix this problem so she just went to play with dolls and read so many chinese books and Charlotte's Web. In the middle of the day she told me"妈妈，其实我的生日并不是那么重要的，没有也不要紧的" Oh her words melted my heart and I cried because I am so touched and also because I am so exhausted.
In the evening after I settled my thingy as the shipping friend will helped to do my purchases. I quickly go and do housework with Wan Qi's helped. She helped to vacuum and wipe the furnitures.
Mr Yeo, please dont be angry ok. No more such sprees. I know you care a lot about bonding. :>
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Lazy Saturday late morning
It's a lazy saturday late morning ater we woke up from our nap.(ya cos Wan Qi woke up real early so we made her take a nap with us in the morning after breakfast)Then Xihong suggested we self drive to kukup. I was like hah now but I haven tell my colleague in advance so I said no. Then he sugested we go Sentosa.Ok though I am not sure what Sentosa can offer besides underwater world, watch dolphin which I dont want too. Cos Wan Qi has gone underwater world for 3 times already. Its really ex. Nevertheless, I go along with him.
Ended up we paid $12 for entry and parking. So ex lo and we ended up in the beach.But we were not dressed for that. It was hot hot hot. Even the sand was so hot when you stepped on it. But Wan Qi was having fun. We made sandcastles and Wan Qi wanted to moat around it. So she tried to collect the water to and fro from the sea. And went screaming when the big wave comes. Funny sight.
Soon after we left the beach and decided to explore Sentosa by taking their free bus ride. There was nothing much so we decided to go to Resort World. There was not much thing too except candylicious. We went in, shopped around and bought an ice cream. So ex $6 a small cup.
And we had tea break at Ruyi. Not bad though.By then it was 4pm, we wanted to go to Universal but at 7pm (cheapo)but we were not sure if the entrance is really $5 so decided not to wait as it was really boring to wait till 7pm. So we headed home.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Wan Qi miss her Gong Gong
Brought my dad to the airport last last Sunday. He went to Taiwan. At first, I was worried about the radiation thingy and called the agency to cancel it. But they reassured us that its ok over there at Taiwan if not they will forfeit my whole tour fare since its 2 days before we set off. Suddenly, I remember that my niece is Taiwan, so I asked my mum to call my eldest sister to check with my niece. And my niece said that everything is ok at Taiwan.
So off we went on Sunday. But I told my dad to wear and throw his clothes everyday as I read report that radiation particles will stay on the clothes if the radiation level is not too high it will be ok.
While we were at the departure place, we took a picture together. Then shortly my dad went in. Wan Qi gave a hug to her Gong Gong and said goodbye unwillingly. When my dad went off, she started crying very sadly and said she miss Gong Gong already.
And we got to console her for quite a while.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Wan Qi's learning journey
Wan Qi is going to be 5 soon. So fast, I kept saying to her this few days. I miss the cutie small small you, I would say. And she will pretend to be a baby crying. haha.
Back then when she was a little girl, I always set some targets like Wan Qi being able to do 40 pcs puzzles by the age of 2. Being able to recite Chinese poems by the age of 18months. Being able to use chopstick byt the age of 2 and bla bla. My mum said thats why I age fast. Ya but I cant help it owing to the nature of my job as a teacher. Nowadays, children are so smart.
I was shock to see my Primary 1 students reading Mr Men stories in class. Or even thicker books like The series of fairies books that are so popular with my students.
Hence, I started to read Roald Dahl's books(my favourite author during my childhood time) when Wan Qi is 3yrs old.She didnt reject it but wouldnt read it on her own. So I figure its a bit too tough. I just read it to her for entertainment purpose.Then I decided to buy a set of Mr Men. And she loves it, she thinks its funny. Then I bought some thicker books when she is 4. But she didnt read on her own. So I just left in the lower shelf, hoping that she will go and read it by herself when she wakes up at 6 plus or 7 every morning to do reading aloud(which I am proud of but also sick of it cos she is so loud that she wakes me up)Finally, after lying on the shelf for a few weeks, she started reading them. And thats it, she started reading the thick books that my students are reading. She reads Enid Blyton now, Nancy Drew, The fairy series, Scardey cats, and last few weeks Roald Dahl. However, for Roald Dahl, she will read just a few chapters and she will pester me to read it for her. Yesterday, we finally finished Matilda but at 12 midnight. She doesnt want to stop as she is too curious about the ending. That's the thing about Roald Dahl's books, one simply cant stop from reading it.
So tala, Wan Qi is able to read on her own by the age of 4.
For Chinese, she is able to read on her own too. Now she is reading Journey to the West simplified version and with the help of HAN YU PIN YIN. I have not taught her HAN YU PIN YIN. But she will try to use phonics to help her use the HAN YU PIN YIN to read the chinese characters. And if she didnt get the sound correctly, she will think about it and correct herself. She is able to read our Primary 4 textbooks with some help. I must say she can recognise and guess the characters quite well in context.
But for writing, she seems to be not doing so well. It took her a 2-3 days to remember simple chinese characters like 4,5. She is better in her English spelling though. Within minutes, she is able to memorise all the 10 spelling that I gave her.Thanks to Auntie Sharon I guess. :> But oops sometimes she still cannot distinguish between a u and a y which makes me very angry.
As for abacus, we had stopped her from going as we didnt see any progress. So we just coach her at home. She is able to do sums using abacus till 90 plus. For mental calculation only within 20. But sometimes she will also forget if we didnt let her practice.
As for English, I let her do comprehension, grammar and rearraning sentences. Have not gone into compos writing yet as I am not very confident of doing a great job. Hopefully there will be a good enrichment centre that can do this job. Or perhaps I should let her read some model essays now just to start the ball rolling. haha.
So much for academic, she is learning swimming from her daddy. But frankly speaking we are too lazy. This year she only went swimming twice. But she knows how to use the swimming board now and even tried to play "water polo" with some of the older sisters there by using one hand to hold the board and the other hand to throw the swimming hat to her new friends.But once a while, she will miss and sink into the pool. Luckily, I bought the arena swim suit where there is a "leash" that is attached to it. So Wan Qi dont have to drink too much pool water.:P
I was hopping for Wan Qi to learn ballet from Singapore Ballet Academy but have not receive any news from them yet. I guess I need to call them up instead.
Many enrichment are put on hold. I guess I am not as hardworking as when Wan Qi was young. Simply too tired to go for enrichment.
Oh but she is attending art lessons in cc which is quite atrocious. Previously,she will draw a person with "flesh", after attending the art lesson, she draws skeleton man. I asked her why she told me because they have nothing to eat thats why turn to skeletons.Gosh, this girl. I am afraid she is just not an artistic person.Think will just stop her art lesson.
So she will just have one enrichment which is the phonics lessons and ending soon too. By then think her only enrichment will be ballet. Cos we like to spend time playing with her during weekends.
I hope Wan Qi will continue to be a happy learner. Thats my wish for her. :P
Back then when she was a little girl, I always set some targets like Wan Qi being able to do 40 pcs puzzles by the age of 2. Being able to recite Chinese poems by the age of 18months. Being able to use chopstick byt the age of 2 and bla bla. My mum said thats why I age fast. Ya but I cant help it owing to the nature of my job as a teacher. Nowadays, children are so smart.
I was shock to see my Primary 1 students reading Mr Men stories in class. Or even thicker books like The series of fairies books that are so popular with my students.
Hence, I started to read Roald Dahl's books(my favourite author during my childhood time) when Wan Qi is 3yrs old.She didnt reject it but wouldnt read it on her own. So I figure its a bit too tough. I just read it to her for entertainment purpose.Then I decided to buy a set of Mr Men. And she loves it, she thinks its funny. Then I bought some thicker books when she is 4. But she didnt read on her own. So I just left in the lower shelf, hoping that she will go and read it by herself when she wakes up at 6 plus or 7 every morning to do reading aloud(which I am proud of but also sick of it cos she is so loud that she wakes me up)Finally, after lying on the shelf for a few weeks, she started reading them. And thats it, she started reading the thick books that my students are reading. She reads Enid Blyton now, Nancy Drew, The fairy series, Scardey cats, and last few weeks Roald Dahl. However, for Roald Dahl, she will read just a few chapters and she will pester me to read it for her. Yesterday, we finally finished Matilda but at 12 midnight. She doesnt want to stop as she is too curious about the ending. That's the thing about Roald Dahl's books, one simply cant stop from reading it.
So tala, Wan Qi is able to read on her own by the age of 4.
For Chinese, she is able to read on her own too. Now she is reading Journey to the West simplified version and with the help of HAN YU PIN YIN. I have not taught her HAN YU PIN YIN. But she will try to use phonics to help her use the HAN YU PIN YIN to read the chinese characters. And if she didnt get the sound correctly, she will think about it and correct herself. She is able to read our Primary 4 textbooks with some help. I must say she can recognise and guess the characters quite well in context.
But for writing, she seems to be not doing so well. It took her a 2-3 days to remember simple chinese characters like 4,5. She is better in her English spelling though. Within minutes, she is able to memorise all the 10 spelling that I gave her.Thanks to Auntie Sharon I guess. :> But oops sometimes she still cannot distinguish between a u and a y which makes me very angry.
As for abacus, we had stopped her from going as we didnt see any progress. So we just coach her at home. She is able to do sums using abacus till 90 plus. For mental calculation only within 20. But sometimes she will also forget if we didnt let her practice.
As for English, I let her do comprehension, grammar and rearraning sentences. Have not gone into compos writing yet as I am not very confident of doing a great job. Hopefully there will be a good enrichment centre that can do this job. Or perhaps I should let her read some model essays now just to start the ball rolling. haha.
So much for academic, she is learning swimming from her daddy. But frankly speaking we are too lazy. This year she only went swimming twice. But she knows how to use the swimming board now and even tried to play "water polo" with some of the older sisters there by using one hand to hold the board and the other hand to throw the swimming hat to her new friends.But once a while, she will miss and sink into the pool. Luckily, I bought the arena swim suit where there is a "leash" that is attached to it. So Wan Qi dont have to drink too much pool water.:P
I was hopping for Wan Qi to learn ballet from Singapore Ballet Academy but have not receive any news from them yet. I guess I need to call them up instead.
Many enrichment are put on hold. I guess I am not as hardworking as when Wan Qi was young. Simply too tired to go for enrichment.
Oh but she is attending art lessons in cc which is quite atrocious. Previously,she will draw a person with "flesh", after attending the art lesson, she draws skeleton man. I asked her why she told me because they have nothing to eat thats why turn to skeletons.Gosh, this girl. I am afraid she is just not an artistic person.Think will just stop her art lesson.
So she will just have one enrichment which is the phonics lessons and ending soon too. By then think her only enrichment will be ballet. Cos we like to spend time playing with her during weekends.
I hope Wan Qi will continue to be a happy learner. Thats my wish for her. :P
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