I went to Pristine’s school to talk to her teacher regarding school performance, attitude and overall behavior and progress. No, I wasn’t called specifically because of any naughtiness, her teacher just call parents on a regular basis so busy moms and dads will have an idea how their precious children are doing in school.
Ms. K (Pristine’s teacher) told me that she doesn’t have any concerns with her little student and that she is a pleasure to teach. Pristine was able to read all the basic sight words required of her age and is extremely confident in class. I am proud of my little girl.
While on my way out of the classroom, I noticed a chart posted on the wall with the names of the students. With that are dot marks and Pristine had two dots. The other children had more than two, some even have six! I wanted to ask her teacher but had no time so at bedtime, I asked Pristine what was that chart all about. She chuckled and told me, “hee hee..sorry mom!” Sorry? What for?
Turned out that those dots represent the number of times they were naughty or did not listen to their teacher on the month of February!! She just had two while the others had more! I am glad.
What has happened to the world? I can’t believe my hair is drinking hair dye every six weeks now. All that chemical jazz…doesn’t sound so healthy. I’m just in my early 30’s and having a full head of gray hair if I go beyond like 8 weeks without dyeing!
I hate the procedure, the time consumed, the mess, the stained ears, neck, lobes and most of all? I hate, hate the smell of hair dye. I’ve tried Wella, Loreal, Garnier and so many others I can’t remember. So far, I am sticking with Garnier, having the least chemically smelly of them all.
Every after dyeing, Pristine would say, “wow mom, your hair smells like medicine. Are you sick?”
Gaaah, getting old is like being sick!
I got a regular newsletter from Pristine’s teacher regarding the children’s packed lunches and snacks. The letter was requesting parents to send healthier lunches and snacks to their children and that nuggets and hamburgers are only when there’s a school party.
I prepare two boxes for her every morning, one of lunch and one for her snacks. Her main lunch box would have some rice, a main dish and fruit. The snack box would have either a strawberry milk or chocolate milk drink, another type of fruit or a sandwich or pancake (made by me). While I strive to pack healthy food options for her, sometimes my schedule derails and she goes to school without any veggies on her box. Those are the days that I feel bad and wish I could have crunched more on my time to think and make a more worthwhile meal.
Since receiving that newsletter, I have reviewed my schedule to include an R & D of menus and recipes for her. Hopefully, I can make something healthier to put in her meals.
I got an email from a friend of mine who gave birth two months ago. Her baby is so chubby and cute, I almost want to eat it! The new mom (my friend) had been talking a lot about her new stint as a mom, breastfeeding, the sleepless nights, the usual “perks” of being a new mom. Then she said she is so tired that in two months, she is back to her pre-pregnancy weight and body without dieting or exercise.
WHAAAAT!?
Just for the record, I gave birth almost six YEARS ago and still I am nowhere near my pre-pregnancy body, whatever that was! She is back in shape in TWO MONTHS? Without diet and exercise!?
What is the world coming to! *insert extreme jealousy fit here*
I work full time, 6 days a week. I’m not a single mom, I have a husband who’s working too and we help each other with the finances. I chose to work outside the home because it is the only option for us right now although I dream of someday, be able to work from home and tend to the needs of my child (future children) and generating income on the side by doing so. Wouldn’t that be perfect? Earning while staying at home?
The company I am working for has more than 80,000 employees with only around 800 female population. In this time of global crisis and recession, there had been lots of cost cutting programs going on: turning off lights during lunch break, reduction of printing and paper use, using mug cups instead of disposable paper cups, etc, etc.
Their next move? They want to cut down on the already minority female employee population. The reason they say or rumors say, is that working women have “issues” like kids can get sick, being absent because of painful menstrual periods, attending parent-teacher meetings, pregnancy, childbirth and others. If you are a mom, you know what I am trying to convey. For the past two years since working here, I’ve had family emergencies, I have brought my kid to office because the caretaker is sick and I have taken off due to painful monthly sickness so I am a very qualified candidate for the employee cutdown. I don’t know what’s ahead and all I can do is hope for the best.
I am sure I am not alone in this boat, there are hundreds and hundreds of women being sacked off their job due to the “issues”. Will this wicked corporate mentality go on and on, generation after generation? This is not the 50’s and I thought times have changed. So much for companies declaring they’re an “equal opportunity employer”.
Lately Pristine is hooked with opposite words. Her conversations almost always end up with opposites like this:
Pristine: Mom, why do I have curly hair while you and Papa have straight?
I have to tell you, she asks questions that are so difficult to answer. Even I don’t know why she’s grownup looking like Goldilocks (Brunette version)!
Me: Hmm, don’t you like your curly hair?
Pristine: A little bit no because it’s painful to brush my hair!
Me: Don’t worry, I’ll brush it for you softly and besides, girls with curly hair are BEAUTIFUL!
Pristine: And how about girls with straight hair, are they UGLY?
You must have already seen it coming. I need to be more creative with my explanations!
It’s been a while since I posted here. Once I was asked by a friend about my blogging addiction, when she was referring to my main blog. She asked me if even for once, have I asked myself why and who am I blogging for? My answer was, with regards to my main blog which I update everyday, no, I never asked myself that question. My love for writing propels me to write at that blog. And besides, living in Dubai, I have lots and lots to share.
But this blog? I am not sure if I could do the same. Might be the lack of time or lack of material or being hasty spilling out personal stories, petty fights and family secrets that keeps me from updating this blog regularly. I have read and fond of mommy blogs and now I know that no matter how easy it looks like, they are doing a great job of telling stories as it is. Raw and honest to goodness parenting stories I don’t know if I could even do half as much.
There. Just some random thoughts. I am actually practicing to type away feelings straight from my mommy brain to my typing fingers.
We were talking during bedtime and I asked her if her ears are still painful (due to an infection). She’s been taking antibiotics for it so I know that the pain must not be there right now, but still asked.
Me: Pristine, are your ears still painful?
Pristine: Hmmm, (trying to think or remember that her ears were a little bit painful the past few days but now the pain is gone…) A little bit, mom.
Me: Ok, let’s pray now.
Every bedtime, I ask her to give thanks and “ask” Jesus something that she wants.
Silence….
Pristine: In the name of the father…Jesus, please be nice to me! Amen.
I had to control my laughter.
Pristine: Mama, what’s wrong?
Me: I’m a little bit tired.
Pristine: Why?
When she asks questions, sometimes I don’t directly answer and instead let her think. Most of the time, she knows the answers to her own queries, it’s amazing.
Me: Why do you think mama is tired?
Pristine: (Really thinking) Mmm, mama has work from morning until night, drive home, kiss me in the door, cook food…
Me: (continuing) Prepare everything for morning, bathe Pristine, dress up Pristine…
She interrupted.
Pristine: Do funny things in the bathroom and in the bed!! *giggles* And, and, do funny voices of Thumper and his sisters!!
Which one of the acts I have mentioned above must be the main reason I am tired?
My husband’s got the flu and when he’s got it, he turns into a whiny, lazy creature that I truly hate. You see, no matter how light the symptoms are, he turns them into a man flu. Haven’t heard of man flu? Well, it’s a type of flu where the victim looks and vouches they’re almost dying when in truth one paracetamol solves the problem.
He wasn’t able to do anything for two consecutive weekends now - wasn’t to do anything AT HOME. On week days, he works like usual but when Friday comes (our weekend), he couldn’t get up until 12 noon and I’d have to take the babe out of the house so she’ll not sue me of making her a prisoner. She needs some sun also.
Two consecutive weekends and it’s just me and the babe going out for groceries or to the park. The man flu sufferer stays at home either sleeping or spending time in front of the PC. Lovely life!
Now, I feel he has passed me the bug. And am I qualified to laze around and not do anything? I doubt it!
