Sometimes it is hard to tell someone to go get something done about their acne scars – which was exactly what happened yesterday at our store. We have a long time customer – who always had this acne problem – but after she gave birth to her daughter – it seems to have gotten better. But a year and a half later – we see her at the store – and she was back with new acne and more scar. It was so bad – that Chloe didn’t dare go near her – nor cross her path – to get her movies where that customer was standing. Poor kid and poor customer of ours. I wished I knew where I can get her the best acne scar treatment but even if I did – how do I go about telling her without offending her. I felt so bad that Chloe behaved the way she did – but you can’t really blamed her coz’ it was really bad – the acne I meant – and such a pity – because that customer is really a pretty young woman. Anyhow, I took the opportunity to tell Chloe that personal hygiene was important – if she didn’t want to get acne in the future.
The Starving Artist
For the longest time Chloe wouldn’t color another picture when we go eat at Jungle Jims – and even when she does sometimes – she refused to enter her drawing for the Starving Artist contest. Why? because she said she already won once – a monkey – so she should let others have a turn. So I was surprised that she wanted to enter the contest again – after so long – I think it’s like a year now. So this was the picture she drew last week – to be entered when we ate at Jungle Jim’s again.
A Special Graduation Invite
Last year PB and I were invited to a special graduation of one of our customer’s kid. We watched Megan grow up since she was a kid – so it was quite an honor to receive a invitation for the party after her school graduation. The party was on a weekday, so we closed the store early that day and attended the party. The invitation card was very unique and I liked it very much – I had meant to get special Christmas Cards done up for last year – but never got around to doing it. So this year – I told PB – I want those special cards done – else I would be really upset – because the store is always busy during Christmas and we never get to send out Christmas greetings even though our intentions are there. So no more excuses – we will have our Christmas cards done early this year – and even if it meant having it done in the summer – we’ll have it out on time this year. In 2011, i’m taking time to cherish our family, friends – loved ones and the extended families.
Citibank Private Client
This citibank – Private Client’s ang pow isn’t mine – it was from Chloe’s Kai Mah (godmother) from Singapore. When I received the ang pow today – by mail – it reminded me – when once upon a time I was a private client with Citibank too. And yes, they treated their private client very well and once upon a time I did my investment with Citibank. Ever since coming to Canada – I no longer own a Citibank account – but it sure brought back lots of memories for me. You see I used to work for a good company that paid me pretty well – and I did have some extra money then – and I bought whatever I wanted and travel everywhere with my bosses and engineers. This Citibank Private Client ang pow reminded me of all the power I had before – for whenever I went into Citibank at the Robinson Branch – they know me by my first name – and always had my favorite tea ready. Those were the days ! those were the days? do i missed it? yes! very much! but having Chloe was more important. Had I not come to Canada – I won’t be a mom and I won’t have a good spouse. No regrets! money can’t buy me my own daughter nor a good spouse.
Her Dreams
My friend’s daughter – who just turned 18 found out that she is pregnant this week – yes – 18 is really young – and she had planned to do a nursing course at Dalhousie this year – but I guess she has to shelve that plan till after her baby. But who is going to take care of baby and her – she can’t just up and leave for Halifax to continue with her nursing course? or can she ? she asked me. I suggested maybe she can look into some online nursing degree , that way she can do it at home – and take care of baby as well as being near to her family.
I have seen my married friends to it – and if she was determined and has ambition – some motivation from her parents and support from her loved ones – having a baby at 18 is not as bleak. But having said all the above – my friend’s daughter – really need to get her act together and decide what she really wants for her baby and herself – for she needs to think for the future.
Friendship
I don’t have many friends and those whom I called friends are those who’ve known me for a long time and treasure me and accepts me for who I am. My rule for any friendship is I would never ask to borrow any money from my friends if i treasured their friendship – now would i take my friends for granted. But my friends need to back off and give me space when I need it. Even though I am very talkative – truth be told I’m a very private person – Chloe and PB are the most important people in my life – and of course, I have good friends that I’ve known for many years. It’s hard to be my friend – because I’m quite picky.
In my 11 years in Canada – I’ve gathered a group of friends – and these people are truly good to not only me – but Chloe and PB as well. They care for us unconditionally and remembers all our special dates and days – they are there for us – if we needed a helping hand – or a warm home to stay in – if we get power outages. I’m happy with my friends and the family I have – what about you?
A Canadian Ang Pow
PB’s dad had called me up on Chinese New Year’s day – to wish me “Gong Hei Fatt Choy” – so i explained to him that I was awaiting for his “ang pow” and told him that if he didn’t have a red packet – he can find something red and put money in it. So when Chloe came home from Grampie’s place that day – I received a Canadian “ang pow” – hahahah!! That was really nice of him – even though his “ang pow” looked funny – hahahah!! but it’s the thought behind it eh.
Prioritizing
For the last 2 years – I have been very busy – trying to make as much money as I can – not only in the store but also online but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t take care of Chloe well – I just didn’t get too anal when things weren’t cleaned at home – or even at the store. But towards the end of last year – seeing that the store was doing much better and we got some help from a friend to help organize stuff – I was able to get my act together with prioritizing my personal stuff.
I’m pleased to say that I’ve done some work around the house – that I haven’t attempted to for a long time – both because of my health and time – that I don’t really have. When people say that making money is not all that important – I beg to differ – it is important if you want to be able to pay up your bills and making sure that everything is running smoothly. So yes! i did make some sacrifices to see that everything is in order – and now it’s time to take care of my home front too.
Conference Call To Singapore
We made a Conference call to Singapore this morning – as soon as we got to work for fear that the weather – may caused us to lose power. The call was to Chloe’s kai mah (godmother) from Singapore to wish her a Happy Chinese New Year. I wished we could talk longer – but we were at the store and already there was customer – trying to ring in a debit – so I had to hang up quickly. Chloe didn’t say too much – because it was too cold at the store – and she was just sulking. But I’m glad we made the conference call – because it was the least we could do for her Godmother in Singapore – for she always send tons of gifts for Chloe and I. Gong Hei Fatt Choy – Lina!
The Kid Who Is So Bored
Poor Chloe so bored on a Sunday and wanting to visit her grandparents but can’t because her grammie went for a holiday with her dancing friends. Last week, she couldn’t go because Grammie went for a movie and had a some kind of a benefit. Yes! grammie is very busy! Chloe said to me – but grammie is busy in the summer – and now it’s the winter – when will she not be busy? The only reason why I send Chloe to her grandparents is because she loves spending time with them – she bakes and plays and reads with them – and also do craft work. Of course, during the winter – she can go sledding – and she was so looking forward to it – this winter. Poor Chloe! So bored! I told her if we go back to Singapore – at least Kai Mah will spend Sundays with her – hahahhaha!!