Category: The Other Half

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I’m 45 !

So I turned 45 today ! a good friend from home asked me so how do I feel at 45? I had joked that I will be needing some age spot removal really soon – hahah!! and I sat back tonite and thought a little about what i did 20 yrs ago – and what were the difference. Well, 20 yrs ago – i just started out working in the hotel industry – i just came back from a very challenging 6 months 10 days experience at boot camp for my new job. I was recruited to become Management Trainee. Little did i know that less than 2 yrs – i would be in the position to head a department. It was exhilarating – i was working a good 16 hrs a day – and less than 6 months later – i was transferred to the global division and headed out with a Task Force to build hotels – around the Asia Pacific Region.

Yes, ! i traveled lots – met lots of friends and went to lots of parties – went to a lot of site inspections and had lots of hotel connections or insiders discount. But 20 yrs later – all those hotel friends – are still in the hotel – some are still the Chef Concierge and some have branched out to become Executive Chefs for other establishment. But what I’m trying to say is – while I’ve moved out of the hotel industry – worked for a foreign firm in Spain and lost all contacts with these people – because I could never put in the kind of dedication of 16 hrs a day work away from home.

I don’t party anymore – i don’t travel anymore – I still work a lot but very close the my daughter and my spouse but I have no regrets. If I had to turn the clock back – would I have done it differently? No – my daughter is priceless – had i not given up my life back home – i would never have had her. As i grow older and celebrate my quiet birthday every year – each year becomes more meaningful because of my family here and my online friends. I can boldly say that my online friends have more “heart” than those that i’ve gone thru’ thick and thins with when I was in the hotel industry. Just like this gift sent on my birthday – arrived all the way from the States but coming from my daughter’s Kai Mah – it’s not only the gift.. it’s the thought behind the gift – that I truly appreciate and am touched. You all know who you are .. and you all make my life and me a better person. Thank you for making my 45th birthday a great one!

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What Makes A Great Dad

We came home from work today – and chloe announced that PB is a good dad. So i asked her why – she thought PB is a good dad – in which she replied – that PB had gotten her paper aeroplane from behind the tv. So I said to her – “oh – so that’s why he is a good day? you mean if he didn’t get you the paper aeroplane – he isn’t a good dad?” She replied – “nooo.. ! he buys us food – make money for us, cook, bathe me and read to me” In which PB replied – “she is a smart girl” hahaha!! And yes, he would buy the kid a spirometer if she needed one “touch wood”

But yes ! what makes a good dad? during our father’s and forefather’s time, one could never imagine a dad doing so many things for their kid – moreso, Chloe is a gal. Time has changed and more and more dad plays a more important role in their kid’s life and do a lot more. I read on my friend’s blog the other day how she felt she was a unfit mother. We all know that Dads will never feel like that because they never beat themselves up over anything like we moms do. We are constantly worrying – constantly at our kid’s beck and call – but time has changed and it’s up to us women to ask for help. Do not be shy – do not beat yourself up if you need help. Do not beat yourself up if you are tired – or stress or need to scream – you are only human. Men who refuses to morally support the wife are just being stuck in the dark ages – and are just asking for more domestic trouble and emotional breakdown. Women are such sensitive creatures and may i add “mad”and “unreasonable” at times. A little help – a little hug- a little encouragement will definitely go a long way. But women!! make sure you ask for help – women who don’t wanna open their golden mouth or feel inadequate because you need help – are just asking to be sent to Woodbridge aka mental hospital.

In any relationship – it’s an uphill task – it’s important that both party spend time talking – it’s important that men try and understand their wives and wives try and tell the husbands nicely what they actually want done today or this week – he ain’t no mind-reader – we all know that men don’t like to play games. So the moral of my story is – no one is an unfit parents – we all have to work hard to be good parents – we all love our kids and wives (if you don’t then stop reading). So a medium – a balance is important. Your say now.

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Things You Should Know Before Migrating

Canada is a great place to be if you are migrating – moreso, if you are a someone who has money and coming to Canada to start your own business. The government is very generous with their money – and medical is free here once you become a permanent resident. There are many things you can get here that I can get from home too like diet pill for women but before you migrate – just make sure you know where you are migrating to. Why? because i missed the convenience of having a food court a few feet away from home and of course food from home that I can’t even get unless I wanna drive 8 hrs to and fro to the city.

The winters are harsh in Canada and the summer is short – and if you are thinking that you can be lazy in Canada, well, think about it because jobs are hard to come by – as they give first priority to the people in Canada first. But knowing Asians I know it isn’t hard to get a job if we want to – it’s our accent that makes it somewhat harder – for although we think we speak perfectly ok – they still can’t get what you are saying at times. As for me – even though i’ve worked for foreign bosses all my life – some people still finds it hard to understand my kinda english. What else do i missed..?? the weather, the food, the shopping malls, the high tech buildings and of course the short vacation I can take – for once you own your own business – you are obligated to work all the time.

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Small Town

So we had quite a week here, which actually started in December, where our ferry link from USA – Maine to our town was canceled abruptly. Yesterday, even after a rally in the city with representatives from all over Nova Scotia to plead with the Premier and other officers in charge came to a dead end. The Premier office wouldn’t budged. We are not directly affected but the nonsense that came with this ferry thing and the letter by our own town councilor trying to kiss butts with the Premier sure sent me fuming. What good is a town councilor when he goes and do his own thing to try and be part of the “old boys”? It really made me sick to my stomach – I know politics is dirty – but even for such a small town and someone whom I had elected..?? time to get some moving quotes I said to the spouse because what hope is there – no airlines, no ferries – what next? they gonna dig out the highway?

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The Kid and The Man

Every mother would agree with me – that whenever they look at their kid – it is nothing short of a miracle. Till today – 6 years after giving birth to Chloe – it never fails to amaze me how God makes it possible for the woman to carry the baby for 9 months in our belly – growing from a size of a pea .. till she is ready to come out. And that may be the reason why mothers are never harsh on their kids – they can get away with just about anything.. but not the spouse.

Are you like me…?? always picking on the spouse but never the kid..?? I’m guilty .. that’s for sure – the spouse cannot raise his voice at the kid.. nor can he ignore the kid.. but it’s alright the other way round.. well not the raising the voice part.. because Chloe is taught better. But when it comes to buying things – it’s the same way.. anything for the kid.. but nothing for the man – if the kid needed a lcd monitor – zoom i would be out there getting her a new one.. if hers was broken.. but if the man’s monitor was broken, i would tell him to make do with a used one from the store.

Everything for the kid – needs to be new or fresh to eat – the spouse and myself.. we can eat leftovers .. no biggie…?? what about you ..?? are you this way..?? or is it just me..?? I know of some mothers here who would be all dressed up .. and make up .. and their kids gets their clothes from Salvation Army – a bagful for $10. But i couldn’t do that.. if anyone would to wear .. anything from Salvation Army… it will be me.. not the kid.

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Kid With Conscience or A Good Head On Her Shoulder?

The other day, I turned around while going on the treadmill and Chloe had just finished her dinner and trying to get to some stuff besides the computer table. She was quietly doing something behind me .. and when i turned around.. i saw her using a eraser from the back of her pencil rubbing it against the wall. The first thing that came into my mind was the kid must have been drawing on the wall – so I asked her .. “what are you doing?” .. i wasn’t shouting or anything.. but it made her jumped.

She quickly screeched and said “it was an accident .. mom..!!” in which i replied .. drawing on the wall isn’t an accident !” In which she replied – “i was trying to pick up something .. and my pencil slide on the wall and it marked the wall a little – i was just trying to clean it. I wasn’t drawing on the wall! i would never do that”

That actually set me thinking – actually – even when Chloe was very young, she never drew on the wall. She did put stickers on my coffee table though – but nope she didn’t jump on our couch nor our bed .. or even when Sarah invited her to jump on her bed .. when they had a playdate – she had said “no thank you” .. and when i asked her why she didn’t .. she had explained that it wasn’t very nice. So yes, we’ve raised a kid with conscience ? or a good head on the shoulder? I can’t complain eh.

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2010 Is Finally Here !

So the year 2009 has come to an end.. and 2010 is here finally. Should i say finally? well, kinda! although we did pretty good overall for the store, especially the last few months, after we put everything into perspective – I have to say personally – we were a bit stretched. But in 2010, we looked into email archiving services for my food blog because I have way too many fans/friends there.

Well, in 2009 – chloe started with a new preschool – right up to the summer holiday. She then went to summer camp both at the Y and the Youth Center but both didn’t work out well, because she wanted to bring her sitter a long – which defeats the purpose of helping her to be more independent. We did go for a short break last year to the city but it was way too short. Then Chloe started school in her new school – and we had to let her sitter go (we didn’t have enough hours for her). Follow by the kid bothering my Chloe and then she came down with a bladder infection – and the many meetings with the school to try and settle chloe in nicely.

During Chloe’s winter break we managed fabulously and even went for different events with family and friends. We also managed to get all our Christmas shopping done for Chloe’s friends and for our customers. Plus we are darn proud that we made a huge contribution to Chloe’s school. For this year, I’m hoping to take more care of our health and spend more time with Chloe. My new year’s resolution ? Bo Chup!

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Bring It On .. Winter..!

While someone I know is not having much success with his job search, we had our tires changed to winter tire this afternoon. The tire shop was darn busy – there was no short of work there. Yes..! they were darn expensive.. close to $700 for the 4 winter tires after taxes.. but not much one can do.. especially if you don’t know what winter is gonna be like from year to year.

We had to change it .. because the all seasons one that we’ve just put new this year – was skidding so back during the last snowfall a few days ago, i was really afraid. Plus, we are heading to the city for my eye doctor’s appt in the New Year – more so must make sure the tires are somewhat good ones. So .. i feel safe tonite.. when we were on the road. Bring it on Winter..!!!

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Nova Scotia Driver’s Handbook

Yes, we have been darn busy, while others expects a digital frame for Christmas present, the ang moh gave me this for an early Christmas present.. when he went to renew his driver’s license which expired on his birthday yesterday. I’m guessing he is fed up being my driver for the last 10 yrs.. yet i keep complaining i don’t get out enough. Truth be told.. i know how to drive.. but only an auto.. plus you all know i drive on the other side of the car… so darn scarey lor. Back home.. i had to go for numerous hours of driving lessons.. before i took my test.. coz’ i’m one person. who hate failing. Competitive..?? not that.. but don’t wanna lose face. I’m sure i can handle driving on the highway.. but on busy roads like the city.. i am assuming i need to get use to.. but no matter what.. i’m taking my license here.. coz’ chloe ain’t getting any younger.. and if i wanna do stuff with her.. i just gotta learn how to drive.

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New Phone

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PB had been using his old model phone for like 5 yrs now, the phone still works.. but the face plate, well, lets just say.. it doesn’t wanna come on when it should.. and the battery don’t last too, too long either. His old model was a Samsung .. but like any responsible adult.. one don’t just go out and buy stuff .. when you want to.. or feel a need for change. Well, unless of course you are rich lah.. muahahha!! which we are not… although some may think otherwise.. but really we are NOT..! Anyhow, he was looking to change his old model and was looking at the many cell phones they have at Rogers (local phone shop here).

And since we know the manager of the store.. and he recommended this new Nokia model .. and it really didn’t cost PB a lot of money .. just a contract of 3 yrs which is the norm here.. but we figured there is no harm.. because we’ve always had this # even before i came to Canada. So how do i feel about his new cellphone..?? it’s a cellphone .. muahahhaha!! these days.. beside my laptop.. the rest .. well, you can say .. i only use them when absolutely necessary.