Chloe’s Annual School FundRaiser

Well, it is that time of the year again, Chloe’s school Christmas Fundraiser. This year, Chloe and I are hoping to raise more than we did last year ($861). Therefore, I’m asking for your generous donation – for the fundraiser. 1 ticket is for $2, 3 for $5 and $10 for 10 tickets. As usual, overseas winner will get a 25Ibs fresh lobster airflown to you by yours truly.

As for others, the 1st prize is for a Gift Card Tree Value at $1000, Second Prize is for a Gift Card Tree of $460 and 3rd Prize is for a 25Ibs fresh lobster. The draw date is December 16, 2013.

For those using paypal, please paypal to PB at kalamaf@gmail.com (he’s better with the money). Please no obligation everyone – but in the spirit of Christmas, I do ask anyone who feels like giving to give generously.

This year Chloe will not participate in the student who raise the most money award because she had already won 2 consecutive years. So we’ve talked about it and if she does raise the most money, she will step down and let the prize go to the next student.

I thank you all in advance for your kindness and generosity and God bless all of you abundantly.

PS :  Advertisers and Sponsors are encouraged to give generously!

Parents & Teachers Meet In Canada

Parents and Teachers meet are quite different here in Canada as compared to the ones in Asia.  As my friends from home report their year end Parents and Teachers meet on Facebook, I remembered those days when my own parents and teachers meet with my ever long suffering mother who would take time off to go for my Parents and Teachers meet to get my report card.

My mom loved going for Parents and Teachers meet even though it would mean that she would lose a day off or sometimes change shift with her co-workers, you see my mom was a midwife in the local hospital back home and that would mean that she would literally have to owe someone a favor.  In Asia, it’s different when you need a favor to your co-workers, you kinda were indebted to them and need to repay at some point in your life. Yes, those crazy Asians!

During my Primary school days, I was quite the embarrassment to my dear mom, I was in a convent school where girls were supposed to be demurred.  I was for one, none of that – demure was never in my vocabulary.   I was too talkative, too opinionated, strong willed, the red indian and the ring leader of all mischief in the class of 40 girls.  Yes, I stuck out like a sore thumb in the convent school.  My dear mom was seen nodding occasionally and never once did she try to explain to the nun who was my home room teacher about my ill gotten manners. But I knew that when I got home, it would not be the end of it because I would get a good caning when my dad came home.

But things took a 360 degree turn when I went to Secondary school at 13.  At 13 years old, after my PSLE (Primary School Leaving Exams), my aggregate being over 85%, I was promoted to an independent school.  Being in an independent school meant that my teachers were mostly British or those who’ve graduated in teaching college from overseas.  Suddenly, being too talkative, too opinionated made me the best speaker in the school debate team, I became my teachers’ pet overnight, you see why my mom loved going to Parents and Teachers meet now.  Yes, my British and England graduate teachers found my outspokenness a refreshing change, they encouraged me to speak my mind and to follow my dreams and that anything was possible and to be brave.

Reading about some of my friend’s report on their own Parents and Teachers meet made me realized that not much have changed in some parts of  Asia but in Canada our Parents and Teachers meet are very diplomatic.  My own experiences with Chloe’s Parents and Teachers meet are 99% positive.  They always concentrate on her strength and try very hard to work with us on her weaknesses, Chloe’s teachers always sees the best in her  and wants to help her to reach her goal’s and strengthen her weaknesses.

I’m very grateful to all of Chloe’s teachers, they are very dedicated and they work so hard to help Chloe become what she is today.  Chloe loves school and all her teachers very much, it is such a joy to see her eager to go to school every morning.  Every single one of her teachers had an open communication line with us throughout the year and gladly worked with us to help Chloe.  I liked everyone of her teachers and unlike my mom, who was the lone ranger when it comes to Parents and Teachers meet, PB and I attend the meet as a Parental Unit.  Chloe and I are very lucky because PB plays the very nurturing father who is actively involved in Chloe’s school and her entire well being.  PB is the one who sends Chloe to school and picks her up from school and also completes her homework with her and watch and see that she finishes her piano practices and reads with her while I stay in the store and handle the paper work at the store.

Like my mom, I too wouldn’t missed Chloe’s Parents and Teachers meet although I must admit that my mom’s must be quite stressful.  But it also dawned on me how much my mom must have wanted me to have a good education to put me in a convent school (tis’ was not easy to get into one back then)  and then approved that I go to an independent school instead of a all girl’s Chinese school.  But here in Canada, Parents and Teachers meet don’t make parents feel like they are incompetent but partners, teachers don’t glorify themselves here, they give all the credit to the children when they do well and want to be your partner when your child is weak at some areas to find solutions for your child.  I’m grateful always for awesome teachers in Chloe’s life.

New Toy For PB & Chloe

Yup!  A PS4, just came by courier yesterday with the rest that was ordered to sell in the store.  PB kept 1 for himself and the rest was picked up and sold out first thing in the morning.  So it was a really busy morning for us at the store – actually midnite launch at our store.

We got ours at a wholesale price – the JOY and PERKS of owning your own store I guess, plus since we had 150 in order for our regular customers and all were paid for in advance, it was a really deal for everyone.  I never object to anything that PB wants to buy, like I said before, we don’t put what we buy on credit cards, we pay everything in cash even the stock at our store, everything is fully paid for. So no reason to say no to anything he wants because he never stops me from buying anything if I paid them in full.   So this weekend, guess what PB and Chloe will be doing?  hahahahha!

I’ll Never Forget

Sometime in June this year, my girlfriend from Singapore whom I’ve worked with some 25 years ago sent me and Chloe a huge box of food and goodies for Chloe.  She refused to take any money from me and the postage alone cost about $350 and if you take a look at the food below, you can mentally calculate how much she spent on food for me and Chloe.

All the above food were food i cannot get here in Canada and my girlfriend Regina patiently collected all the food and sent them over to me as a gift.

This was her gift for Chloe and instant camera with 10 boxes of films.  The camera takes instant pictures and it’s great for kids or anyone who loves to have fun.  Chloe was so thrilled with the camera – that she showed everyone her camera, especially her friends from home.  She didn’t bring it to school because she didn’t want to lose it.

Anyhow, I wasn’t able to thank Regina properly because that box of stuff must have cost over $1000.  So finally, I found out what she likes to eat and I asked Chloe’s godma in Singapore to help me get some gift certificates for her.  I never forget anyone’s kindness towards me and my family and even though I may not be able to thank them personally, I try hard to repay them for their kindness.  As for those who are unkind to us, I just ignore them completely because I won’t waste any time on those folks, I’ve got so many friends and family who loves us unconditionally – and Regina is a living testament of this kindness.

A Round Up Of The Summer 2013

Yes, a little round up of what we did this summer.  We had planned to go to PEI but because of the closing of the cottage that we had bought only 2 minutes away from the beach, we had to change our plans but it was all worth it.

We loved the cottage and since its a 2 mins walk from the beach only, I forsee many, many more wonderful summers here with lots of BBQ and gatherings with friends and family.

PB bought me a new phone, because I told him my iPhone wasn’t big enough – so I’m using a Samsung Galaxy instead now.  No i’m not on contract, we bought the phone outright.

1ST bbq at Grampie’s this summer

Followed by a charity auction for this painting by local artist Andre Haines in support for the Hebron Art Center, I won the auction for $200 – really a steal.

We of course visited the farmer’s market.

Went to Cape Fochu for lunch one Sunday

And had a second BBQ at Port Maitland beach because Godma Lynn from Toronto came to visit.

We also hired someone to build Chloe a playhouse in our backyard

And headed up to Halifax for the Basker’s Festival.  Stayed for several nights and had more authentic Asian and Japanese food.

We also drove an hour to Digby to try out the new Japanese restaurant because the one in town wasn’t open yet at that time.

We headed out to the clay shop in Quinn pool for Chloe to do some clay art.

This year we went to Upper Clements Park with friends and family.

Bought a garden art piece for almost $200 from a local artist in town.

And went bowling.  All in all it was a pretty good summer.  Now to welcome the fall.

Oopsie !  and I forgot the wonderful airshow that we went to as a family but met plenty of friends there.

Fruit Season For Chloe’s Class

Yes, it is that time of the year again – fruit season at the Wallace Brother’s Apple Farm in Port Maitland.  And since we know Andy and his wife so well, they are such special people to Grammie when she was alive, we try to keep the tradition going even though Grammie is not with us anymore.  This year we started late as we had so many things going on in the store and at home.  Apples are for Chloe’s little friends.

And pears for the teachers as well as PSA.   It is common for us Asian mothers to bring fruits and other things for the Chloe’s classmates and teachers because they are so good to Chloe in every way.  I hope I can still get some plums for the teachers and kids this year.  Next week, the Macintosh apples are going to be ready for picking, so we will be heading out to the Apple Farm on Sunday to pick apples for the class and teachers again.  We usually bring in a few rounds of fruits till the end of the season.

I Feel Bad For You Mom !

My ! my !!  I have a really good kid !  why?  yesterday was anti-bullying day and usually the school will take the kids out for a walk with their pink clothing.  Usually, they take the route to downtown but this year they took another route.  Yesterday morning, Chloe had asked if I was giving out candies in which I had replied – nope.  And Chloe said to me “Ohhhhh ! i wished you were”  and I didn’t reply at all.

So happily we sent her to school and before sending her lunch to school, we had gone to Bulk Barn to see if I can find any pink candies but there were none to be found that are individually wrapped.  So we bought these rockets to give out to the entire school, if they were to take their walk downtown.  But the school took a different route, so we still have the candies and when Chloe came back from school, she explained to me that they had walked a different route but she was thinking of me – and said to herself :  ” Oh ! I feel so bad for my mom now!” hahahhahaha!!  so cute right?  and of course, I asked her – “how did you know I was giving out candies? because I had already said no ??”  And her reply?  I know you Mom!  you always try to do nice things for the everyone!  lol !  oh my!  she is truly my daughter!  She just cracked me up!

Chloe Is In Grade 4 !

Yes, time does fly !  I never fully understood when my mom used to write on autograph books for my primary school friends ” Time and Tide waits for no man”, now I do.  Chloe is almost 10 years old now and it almost seems like not too long ago, she was a baby in my arms and I was so emotional and so overwhelmed and questioned myself as to how I can bring this tiny little girl up to be a useful person, a good person.  And here we are 10 years later, all grown up and kind, mostly a good and obedient girl but of course she is a kid and thinks she knows everything and is quite sassy at times till we warned  her that there is consequences for being sassy. But yes, overall, I’m grateful , very grateful for a healthy and good kid.

Chloe was very excited to go back to school, a few days before school re-opened, she told us that she can’t wait to meet her new teachers, her new classmates and everyone in school.  She can’t wait to learn new things.  This morning, she woke me up with such a big smile and hug, am I not the luckiest mom you tell me?  So we sent her off to school and we quickly informed her new home room teacher about her asthma meds as well as her milk bottles, I’m hoping she will speak up for herself like her what her old home room teacher had taught her. But I’m pretty sure she is going to have a good year and she will be working hard and all, but this year, we are going to have to spend more time helping her out with her homework and PB had volunteer to do the homework part with her during his lunch time.  Woohoo!

New Glasses For Chloe

We had gotten some new glasses for Chloe because she had complained that she can’t see that clearly with her old glasses even though it was less than a year old.  A eye test with the optometrist and eye doctor was scheduled as soon as the school term ended in July and true enough she needed new prescription.  We had wanted to recycle the old frames since they were still very new only to find out that with using the old frame, we won’t be getting the buy one get one free deal and it and if we were to get new ones, it would cost about the same amount albeit a little bit cheaper.

So we decided on getting her 2 new pairs that cost us about $500 because we chose the lenses which has that scratch proof thingie and very thin lenses, so that it won’t weigh so much on her.  We then donated the old ones to kids who needed them.  Chloe loves her new glasses and couldn’t wait to show them off to her friends at school.  We are not spendthrift but when it comes to the kid, we want the best for her, especially if it is a necessity.

Birthday With Friends

Jessica is 7 years at the end of the month and to celebrate her birthday, this year she had it at the bowling alley and the party at her own restaurant of course.  Makes no sense to have food somewhere else when you have your own restaurant right?  Both Chloe and Jessica grew up pretty much together and even though they don’t play a lot together at times because she had to look after her brothers, we still try to bring her out as often as possible.

This year we’ve done a lot with her compared to previous years because she had a cousin over from China and her grandparents were here for part of the summer, so she didn’t have to look after her younger siblings as much.  We even got to go to Upper Clements park with her and the cottage that we just bought.

I hope to be able to celebrate Jessica’s birthday with her every year and so does Chloe.