What If We Changed Our Perception?

There's been a lot of talk about this thing called the "work-life balance". Many have lamented and complained that they're working too long hours and not spending enough time at home. I do agree that in Singapore, we spend more active time in the office than at home. Some like it, many don't. 

But to me, it's really a matter of perception. I used to clock in at the office at 7.30am and leave only after 11pm. The team of us used to joke and say that leaving at 7pm means we're on half-day leave. This is certainly unhealthy and leaves absolutely no time for self and family. Not to mention the fact that we sleep late because, well, we reach home late. But what if we're just working the usual office hours, making it home in time for dinner? 

As Christians, we're always hearing about serving God. But is that confined to just physically serving in the church and going for mission trips? There are many missionaries whose main job (and I do mean job because that's what feeds their families) is serving the church. But they won't say that's their job; they'll say it's their mission. But there really is no difference. They get an amount of money as salary and they do what they're "employed" to do. What if you bring a troubled youth to a pastor at 9pm and he says "sorry, I can't minister to him because I want work-life balance."? 

As a mother and home-maker, everything I do is my job. Times when I feel frustrated (and that's very often!), I have to remind myself that this is my calling, this is how I serve God. 

I think serving God is not just what most people think it is. Even helping to pick up a little child who fell is serving God. So we can all serve God in our jobs. What if we think of it as our mission instead of just a job? What if our forefathers and the early immigrants (who started the country's journey towards affluence, which is the very factor that let us afford work-life balance) said they want work-life balance as well? Will Singapore be what it is today? Will we be spending our time along the five-foot way or Shenton Way? And anyway, how many of us really spend time with our families when we're home, instead of just watching tv and doing other individualistic activities? 

Outdoor Play

The hubs being away means the boys spend more time at home, since I don't really fancy bringing them out on my own. Dayen can be a real challenge and I don't enjoy running after him in the malls. But I know the boys can't be cooped up at home all the time. So I'm ever grateful for the neighbourhood playgrounds around us. 

There, they get to run around chasing each other, climb up and down and really, just expend their neverending energy. 

It's a pity their bodies are still recuperating and I can't bring them for some water play. Once they're out of their observation period, our options are expanded and there's so much more we can do. 

Spreading the New Year Cheer

The boys' school organized a trip for the K1 students to go distribute some goody bags to the needy in the neighbourhood. I felt this is quite a good initiative as it gives the children exposure and also helps them to realize that not everyone is as affluent or fortunate as them. While they may not understand the full extent of such an exercise, it helps to create an impression in them and teaches them to be generous and charitable. 

The children were a little shy and reserved and needed lots of encouragement to step forward and present the bags. 

I had the opportunity to be a parent volunteer (my first!) and observe Dallen's interaction, or the lack of it, with his friends. The boy kept to himself the whole time! No wonder he's been telling me he doesn't want to go to school. I witness none of the joy and liveliness he displayed while at BDP. He's an entirely different person here. BIG sigh! How do I get him to open up and enjoy school the way he used to?! 

Hefty!

Dayen was previously hospitalized for a case of pneumonia. For a stay from Wednesday to Tuesday, his hospital bill came up to a hefty $11k. This is excluding pre and post consultations and medications which are still ongoing. He'll have to be on medication for 6 months and the medicines are certainly not cheap. 

Good thing we had the foresight to buy insurance for the boys when they were just a few months old (very cheap premiums!). Recognizing the fact that medical fees are going to cost us an arm and a leg and that children these days are prone to sickness, we'll rather spend the money on paying for their premiums rather than scrimping on them. On 2 occasions, insurance has paid for a big amount of medical bills; for the hubs' surgery and Dayen's pneumonia. This is indeed money well spent. With HFMD being so prevalent and new viruses mutating every now and then, who knows when we'll need to make our way to the hospital. It's nobody's desire to be sick. But sickness is definitely part and parcel of living. 

Till We Meet Again!

The bro's CNY trip back to SG has come to an end. It's a pity we didn't manage to go out as a family this year. Everyone was busy with engagements and what-nots and it's just very difficult to find a time that can fit into everyone's schedules. Oh well, it was great while it lasted and the cousins got to spend some time together and it's great that Lester is quite taken with the boys. 

We had dinner together before they fly off. The weather was good and the food delicious. We even managed to spend some time playing at the neighbourhood playground before saying goodbye.

Have a safe trip back and till we meet again, take care!

The Sentiments of a Parent (cont'd)

This has always been how my mum likes to cook her vegetables; with lots of ingredients thrown in for flavour.

But after my bro commented that having too many ingredients spoiled the taste, she cooked her vegetables this way the very next day. 

Enough said. 

Annual Affair

The only gathering I look forward to during CNY is the annual lunch/dinner that we have with Elaine and family. I seldom get the chance to spend time with the Godson and I'm glad we have established this tradition. Moreover, Dallen always enjoy himself when he's out with the kids. 

This year, we have a tighter timeline to play with in terms of arranging for an appropriate time to meet up as the hubs has to fly off on the 4th day of CNY. It isn't always easy cos Elaine has certain obligations to fulfill and the kids return to school after the festive public holidays. In lieu of the hubs' travel arrangement, Elaine ignored the in-laws, suffered a few black faces, and met us for lunch. I'm glad she did. We had a splendid time, at her expense. Sorry, Laine! 

After lunch at The Wine Company, we adjourned to Ben & Jerry's for some ice-cream before heading to Jacob Ballas for some outdoor fun. 

What's a meet-up with her without some gossiping? So gossip we did, and had lotsa joy doing it!

Predictably, the boys got knocked out with the day's activities.