Suzette's Parenting and Breastfeeding Blog

It has already been one month! I am so happy since I have left my job. Well, to be fair, I did not really leave without anything at hand, although when I tendered my resignation I had nothing to be considered.

But during the period I served my notice, there were opportunities, and I started with writing reports. There are a few reports that were my responsibilities, so I agreed to work on them even after leaving – of course I am paid for that lah.

So, this whole month, I have not been really ‘free’ yet, still tied up with report writing, and that has occupied my whole of July, and perhaps another 1 week in Aug.

Very strange, the moment I left the job, there are opportunities elsewhere, tiba-tiba muncul. I have been interviewed for 2 client-side positions, and these are looking quite positive. Freelance business also looking positive as well. Maybe this is another choice point again! I won’t go starving! LOL!

I have not had good time to update this blog, but will try to resume my used-to-be-daily frequency as soon as I can.

We have been anxiously waiting for the notification letter. In March, my dad gave false alarm. Then DH read something which is not relevant to us, but thought it was for us. Made us worried for a while, thinking that we lost our letters…

Went to check with a few people who also tried to register for the same school. Then felt some relieves, because they all haven’t received anything yet.

Then last Wed DH asked me again about this in the morning. In the afternoon I got the letter! Yay, Ian has been accepted into our choice of school.

Immediately I went to the school to settle and complete the registration process. What a relief.

Next would be Isabel’s turn. Gosh, this kind of thing is so stressful ler. I can’t imagine later, have to worry about secondary school, tertiary education, etc. Endless worries. Sigh!

Since starting in this pre-school, every Friday Ian has been given a library book to be read at home, to cultivate his reading habit.

At first it was alright, for a 2.5 or 3 years old child. Then, I noticed the books’ standard has never advanced. They are about the same, even until this age of 6 years.

Look at this as example:

I don’t know about other children his age, whether they find this too easy or still interesting to read or not. I think the library books are losing their meaning and purpose now.

Ian has already got a very good reading habit. He reads everyday, and his current interest is in the picture bible, which he reads everyday and deeply buried into:

He doesn’t just read the picture, he reads the words and he can remember what each character says, and he can tell the story out again to others.

His other favorites are the dinosaur books like the 2 below:

Again, he doesn’t just look at the pictures, he reads the words. He can tell us facts about dinosaurs, quoting the books.

And he can also read the Roald Dahl’s books like Charlie and The Chocolate Factory:

He is also trying to read my books. Jurassic Park (by Michael Crichton) is his current pick.

The only issue he has with reading the more advanced books is – he cannot follow the sequence. He hasn’t got the habit yet. He would keep flipping to the end, wanting to know the ending, and then he would go to the center, trying to know more about a specific character, etc.

He just told me today, that he is going to re-read the picture bible, starting from Genesis (first book). He has decided that he wanted to learn how to read books from the beginning. Hahahaha!

Anyway, I don’t know whether his reading level is common for his age or not. Is the school going too easy on this, or is he too advanced?

Yesterday I finally went to the newly opened Tesco (not very new already, 3 weeks old). Been rejecting it because there were so many people. But I think the crowd has subsided, so I went yesterday.

My first impression was – Hey, I know this place!

Yes, its layout is exactly the same as the Tesco Mutiara. EXACTLY! Where the trolleys are placed, where the products are categorized and placed, they are all consistent.

I like it, because I don’t have to relearn where to find the stuff that I want.

Talking about Customer Experience, I think banks (and other supermarkets/hypermarkets) should learn from them! As a customer, my experience was so great.

I am loving it more and more now…

Gosh! Today is 21st July. 3 weeks gone, since I regained my ‘freedom’! And guess what? I have been busy and haven’t enjoyed my break yet! I haven’t got a full day to read my book, go to cafe to tan-sai-gai, shop, do my pedicure, etc yet!

Okay, last weekend doesn’t count, although went to Tioman Island with DH’s company trip. We brought the kids, so ended up stressed all the way – but kids enjoyed, and we are happy because of that! Just that, it wasn’t for me lah.

I have been working on some projects, report writing stuff for my ex-employer. This is a good way to start my freelance business. It keeps me busy for this month, then next month I sek-zi-gei. I worry about that next month lah. Kind of accustomed to this now, a bit back to those old days when I worked from home most of the time.

I have a few options that popped up in the last week. Had a job interview, and have another one lining up. Out of sudden, there are so many opportunities around! I am so glad that I have quit, and am available to explore all these.

Last week I was still undecided whether I want to be back to full-time employment or not, since I have started to love this freelance stuff. This week, I think I have made up my mind – financial burden is still heavy, too heavy for DH alone. Freelance is really no guarantee. So, I will still want full-time employment, if it works out.

Whatever it is, full time or freelance, I am all excited about what I can do. As long as I am out of the previous job, I am like a happy bird! LOL!