Multiparenting Cayen & Cayson

I seldom watch dramas , but the advert on instagram for this show led me to watch it as I had thought it was some kind of horror show.  Soon it became clear that it's not the ghost type of horror show. However, due to the rather graphic contents of certain scenes and how the storyline evolved, it was quite horrifying or disturbing somehow, especially to me as a parent.  I am particularly disturbed by how the parents didn't and couldn't have known how disturbed she was and they only knew way too late. And how bullying could be so serious in schools - hope it's a US thing only.  Despite the bad press the show may have gotten thus far, I actually encourage parents with teenager kids to watch it because I think it's quite insightful to us as parents to try to see what are the warning signs that a kid may need help and what's bothering them. After all, suicide is not really discussed in the open and the show does provide some perspectives.  Actually, I think it's...

I don't remember how it started but we mention God in a sentence. Cayen asked , "what is God?" I think we stuttered a bit - we are not exactly religious people. Then I tried very hard to think and explain in terms that he may understand.  Well, long time ago, there was no humans, only God. Then he decided to make a man and woman, who got married and made children. If people behave well, then next time they join God in Heaven. If they do bad things, then they will go to Hell.  Some people call their God Jesus , some call it Allah, some have many gods like elephant etc,  some believe in Buddha. Some  do not believe in a God. Some believe in a God but are just not sure which version is it.  Well, I think there's just one God, but it just looks and sounds different to different people in different parts of the world.  Next time when you grow up, you get to choose which God you believe in. 

After the previous article, one of my friends pointed us some of her perspectives on the topic as well. And I'm glad she did because those are very valid points too and in doing so, she's an activist too , but for a different cause - the toilet cleaning aunties. Her sharing (I summarised in bullet points) - Toilet cleaners are often old people... they work long hours with tired body and aching feet and I have seen supervisor scolding them. - No one likes to do such a job but they are trying to make ends meet. - While she may nicely talk to the auntie on wastage, she will not write a complaint as it may cause them their job. Perhaps they are not so educated or just want to get their job done by hook or by crook and bring the bread home. And the next day, they have to start their dreaded chores again. - Yes, the environment matters but human matters more. That auntie may lose her rice bowl and have no means to bring money home. She knew of cases where these people work as clea...

Last week, when I was in the toilet, I saw the cleaning auntie use the toilet napkins to wipe the wet sink.  I asked her why she did it (I know it's laziness) and she muttered some excuses. Then I told her that it's not environmentally friendly, and asked her if she had a cloth. She said she did. And then she tried to explain that she had to pull out some pieces of napkins from the dispenser so it's not so full and be jammed.  Yesterday, I went to the toilet again. And saw her using the napkins to wipe the area around the sink again. I immediately asked her why she was doing it again, why don't use a cloth? I reiterated to her that it's not environmentally friendly. She then promptly tried to wipe the floor and said it's dirty.  Why I feel so strongly about this is because these are not the only times I have seen it. When I was at Fullterton Bay hotel last month, the toilet cleaning auntie did exactly the same thing, only worse. She unrolled about a quarter of a...

Today's a special day as it was Baby Owen and Baby Kyra's full moon party. We headed out for both parties to send our warmest wishes. As usual, once Cayson sat in my baby carrier and we stepped out of the house, he actually shrieked and waved his arms excitedly ! This little guy loves to go out and play.  At Owen's party, Cayen, Don and Caleb ran around the room , and played with balloons and catching. Was happy to see the kids having fun.  At Kyra's party, Cayen was asleep for most of the first half but woke up with renewed vigour and jumped non stop on the bouncing castle with Caleb and Khai Yao - laughing and shouting that 2 years old and below not allowed.  After the lovely parties, we headed home and we realised that Cayson's two front teeth (bottom row) is out. Also, he can now stand on his own for 2-3 seconds! 2 achievements unlocked all in one night. Even Cayen was excited for his brother too. What a great day it was! 

My hypothesis: Once upon a time, most bosses stayed in their own offices in their own world, with their doors usually closed and one needed to make an appointment to get an audience. Then one day, one enlightened one decided to have an open door policy so that staff could approach them more easily. The next enlightened one decided that to promote even more interaction, there should be no offices, everyone should just sit with everyone - in the name of better collaboration & communication. This seemed to make lots of sense for certain industries like the creative ones who need to discuss a lot , and for the traders. Then someone decided that there should be no partitions, let everything be open concept. The idea caught on. And before we knew it, everyone else just copied blindly, regardless of the nature of their work.  Well, this is a good concept theoretically, until you have hardworking, high volumed colleagues who am not aware of their own volumes, until you need to focus...

Day 17 - Mon Decided to call her Handphone again. Someone picked up but they didn't seem to understand me. No reply to message. Day 18 - Tue  I called agency and asked her if I should cancel the work permit. She advised me to wait as she just had a helper who got stranded in Philippines due to typhoon and flight cancellation that day. But my helper supposed to be back last Thursday. Then again,  I wondered if it's due to the earthquake last Wednesday , but phone has ringtone and people picked up.  By night , I went to her room to check what she left behind. Still some home clothes left but not much. Also, I noticed the few $2 notes that's part of a fengshui display on a shelf in her room is no longer there - I had left it there earlier as litmus test of honesty.  I guessed she's not coming back.  Day 19 - Wed Worked till 11pm. Very tired.  Day 20 - Thurs Called agency again. Local agency managed to track her down via Facebook. She said she's not coming back...