What is THE Best?

Posted on | October 18, 2011 | 1 Comment

Like all parents I try to do the best for the kids. But sometimes I wonder what the best really means.

Just last week I realized why I’ve been restless about M’s school. While her current (public) school is great and Emma wouldn’t want to go anywhere else I keep wondering if (maybe) I should have enrolled her in the local private school.

It was my mom who made me realize this. She always worries about everything, to the point of not sleeping well. While some things are worth getting heart burns over others, like whether a package made it to us or not, isn’t. In the middle of our conversation about this missing (now found) package she mentioned that she just always wants the best for her kids (and grandkids). While I could have been a bit happier with more social activities in my young life my parents always gave me the best they could afford in terms of education (other things were not as important — this is more less what a lot of Asian/Chinese folks think). It’s just something that runs in the family. As long as the kids go to the best schools (most of the best school are private in Indonesia) my parents, aunts and uncles would happily eat ramen noodles everyday.

Because of this family attitude and my private education upbringing I realize that I am somewhat… or maybe quite… bias on private vs public education. Besides my bias view I was (still kinda am) feeling a bit guilty about not giving Emma the best. The thing is, we can afford it (we can even skip the ramens), and so what I am doing now is going against some long time family belief (I am third generation).

So last week I had this conversation with M:

Me: Emma, I feel bad because I don’t think I’m giving you the best for your school
M: Why?
Me: Because you’re going to your school and not so and so that so and so goes to which might be better
M: I like my school though. I learn lots and I love my friends.
Me: I know. (pause). Is it ok that all your cousins were/are in private schools?
M: Mommy, that’s ok. You don’t always have to be like them.
Me: (hmmm, wise child) Yeah, you’re right. BUT, by high school time if you don’t go to a really good public school mommy’s going back to work so that I can send you to a really good private school.
M: Whatever mommy…

Despite my realization and M and I’s conversation, next March I am going to the private school’s open house. It’s not for Emma. It’s for Jovie… I mean, she hasn’t made any friends yet, right? And M… she’ll just have to live with me giving her homework until she goes to private school.

On the card… a little something using Waltzingmouse’s sketch for this week. FUN, sketch! I was skeptical at first but I honestly had a great time making this. I used Scarlet Lime‘s main kit to help me with this project. Leftovers from another project which I will share tomorrow!!

I Don’t Run

Posted on | September 23, 2011 | 3 Comments

I used to run in college and a bit after I graduated. It wasn’t because I loved, or even liked, it but it was due to vanity. I’ve always pride myself in being skinny (or is thin the PC word for this?) but I gained a few pounds, 20 to be exact, the one year I lived in the dorms. Freshman 20 was no joke!! So after I found an apartment I not only went to aerobics I also ran. I’d run a good 30 minutes every other day and even though I lost the whole 20 lbs within a few months (three months I think) I kept running for a few years.

Now, you’d think running would get easier and I’d come to like it after a few weeks (or even months), but nope! I quit running a few years after graduation. I didn’t quit because I was ok with my weight or that I found something more enjoyable to keep myself in shape. I quit because my ex-husband said I ran funny. He wasn’t serious but ya know, being self conscious (and vain) I freaked out and quit. Since then I would only run on a treadmill and my workout routine consisted of high impact aerobics and weight training. For a few years, until before I got pregnant with M, I had a BMI of 13.

Now at 18 (BMI) I feel a bit large but, I haven’t seriously worked out since Emma threw up on me after Jovie was born. We were still in Missouri. I was doing the P90x and the whole “banan-superman” routine made M sick. I did try to get into it again but after one P90 and a few days of Wii Fit with Jovie all over me I lost motivation. I can’t wait to go to a real gym and do circuit training or something!

Back to running… I still won’t run. Lately a lot of my friends have been getting into running for all sorts of causes. Now and then a few of my friends would post on Facebook about finding a partner or two or three for some race, or just to run with for practice. Now and then I’d post a smarty pants comment like: Have fun but I only run if a Libyan terrorist is after me. While the comment was meant as a joke (I am full of sarcasm and smart ass-ness) I really have no motivation to run unless I have to. I do wish I have the want (and a slight like once I get going) but I don’t. There’s nothing enjoyable about the pressure I feel in my lungs when breathing while running. The only thing I like about running was that I sweated and I did loose weight. Ahh… too bad cause running is so cheap too!

Page above created using Scarlet Lime’s September kit.

Something Quick

Posted on | September 15, 2011 | 5 Comments

I am pooped! I’ve been cleaning the downstairs all day long. It’s not that I was super motivated but I lost my keys and I had no idea where it could have been. It could have dropped anywhere between the house and the school or anywhere inside. I didn’t realize it until later because ehm ehm… I didn’t lock the door when I took Emma to school. Bad me I know! We did finally find it. M did. And goodness, I was relieved! I was close to rekeying the doors just in case ya know.

So now I just want to go to bed (and just lounge around after the kids went to bed) and hope to get more energy for more cleaning. Now that the downstair’s clean, the upstairs need to catch up too.

Alright, just a little page using Scarlet Lime‘s August kit. I can’t wait to play with the Sept one. Waiting impatiently for the mail to come!!!

Oh, love the first bubble pic. It’s my Google+ profile pic right now. Do you have a Google+ account? If not, ask me and I’ll invite you. If you have one, you’re welcome to add me. Laters!!

Online Grocery Shopping

Posted on | August 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

If somebody ask me to name three reasons why I’d want to live in the UK I’d say:

History and all the old sites to visit
The friends we’ve made
Grocery delivery

First let me tell you this…

Until six month ago I was snob of a mom. I became a snob because of M. Emma was the perfect baby, toddler, pre-schooler and now (still great although less perfect… she sass and can get extremely loud) little girl. I could go anywhere and people would comment on how well behaved Emma was. I’d be the only mom with a 3-yr-old scrapbooking all day and night at a crop. No fits, or boredom on M’s part. Hubby and I used to have date nights and M would be the most perfect child to babysit. Her sitters LOVED her and they all want to one day have an Emma. Everybody thought we did such a great job of disciplining her and each compliment made my head bigger.

Then Jovie turned 18-months and she slapped my smugness away. While M was angelic at that age (except the one time she tried to crawl out of a Thai restaurant in the middle of Chicago or cut her hair) Jovie is a little terrorist. She makes people think I don’t know how to discipline my child.

She makes shopping not enjoyable. She won’t sit in the cart, she’d scream her head off, but she won’t walk with me either… at least for an extended amount of time. Jovie would run, she would touch and for no reason she would lay in the middle of an aisle and either roll around or pretend to sleep. When I came to get her she’d pout, not listen to anything I said and when picked up she became fish-like. I hate it when she does that because it’s really hard to carry a child who all of a sudden becomes straight and stiff. On a good day all’s quiet. On a bad day, you get the above and very loud screams. When any of the things mentioned happened I just try my best to hold her, move on and smile. Sometimes I’d whisper, “She’s two.” And I’d see an understanding nod and/or, “Oh, I remember that age.”

SO, YEAAAAAAA for online grocery shopping!!! I’ve done this a couple of times now and it is awesome! Not only do I not have to deal with Jovie I don’t have to have a list AND I can run to my pantry and double check if I have something or not. There’s no phone call home or guessing (I have three bags of lasagna noodles because of this). So far I’ve only ordered from Waitrose (it’s that store with the self scanner which I also love) because I’m just used to their goods and they have free delivery but I will order from Ocado (not a store, they just deliver food).

Am I now an online grocery shopper snob? Naaah! All my friends are doing it and so it’s just me taking advantage of the service available to us. I really don’t like grocery shopping to begin with and as one of my friends mentioned, there’s just too many redundancy in grocery shopping: Grab, put into cart, dump onto register, bag them (there are no baggers in the UK unless you ask), move all bags to car, move all bags out of car, move all bags into house, take all food out of bags and put all food away. Grocery delivery have left me to: Unbag and put away. SOLD!!

I have you have a great one! I need to go to bed. Groceries will be here between 9 and 10 a.m. Wednesday. Enjoy the page I created using Scarlet Lime‘s August kit and until next time!

PS: The above flowers were rub-ons. A bit hard to rub but when all was done: GORGEOUS!

Patio Furniture

Posted on | August 18, 2011 | 1 Comment

For a week and a half we had patio furniture… or at least 3/4 of it. A few weeks ago I found a great deal on Argos’s website. Before I go on, let me tell you about Argos…

Argos is a unique UK store. I think it’s unique because it’s a semi-catalog store. I say semi because Argos has a store front — just think of it as a Sears without the big store — but all the items can only be seen in the catalog (paper or online). With Argos, you only go in there to order and/or pick-up (you can order online and then pick-up in-store). If they have it, you go to the cash register, pay for it and wait for a few minutes for the item to be brought out from (I am assuming a gigantic warehouse) the back. If they don’t have it, they can advise you were the nearest pick-up is or have it delivered. Worst cast scenario: Pick another item or go to another store.

Anyhow, we found this 8-seat set for £249 (was £899). Real wood with decent reviews. Hubby started putting it together soon after the package was delivered (delivery only since it’s huge) and he realized that some hardware were missing. In the past it’s never been a big deal when something’s missing. The company we called would always (quickly) mail us the needed pieces. Even on Argos’s site, in the review section, a customer said she was missing some hardware and so and so customer service took care of the issue for this customer. I didn’t get to calling until a couple days later (between sick and activities) and had the most bizarre experience (this was also four phone calls later — all the reps were very nice though). Somehow they couldn’t order or locate the hardware to put the (3) chairs together. This was after the rep talked to the manager. And the best solution they could come up with was to pack everything back up and they could pick up and either do an exchange for something else because the other one was out of stock or a refund. They also said that if the exchange is a bit more they’d work with me. So I found something similar but for £150 more. They said no, that was too much to work with (me: Deep inside I was grumbling). Then I searched some more and the same one popped up. It WASN’T sold out!!

I pointed this out. I asked for a box swap but she said no. I really have no idea what management was thinking about because one, they couldn’t just swap a box of chairs WITH hardware for the ones without or if they really want to, do a complete exchange on the same item. But, nothing of that sort was an option and so now we’re furniture-less.

Gah!!! I told my friends we were going to have a BBQ!!!

Today’s page was created using Scarlet Lime’s August kit. I LOVE all the American Craft’s new goodies that came in the package. SO SO cute! I got a taste of Amy Tangerine’s yummies too! Another simple layout. I want to highlight the photos while still adding a bit of fun to the layout. I don’t like themed pieces and the non-birthday pieces that came with the kit was perfect for Jovie’s birthday party photos!