I didn't realize that it's been that long since I posted an entry. Thanks for the reminder Linda!
I know now that I do have an international audience....ok, not so international, only SG and US. And I'm glad I asked Jerry (my truly American reader) about my blog and found out that it was such a hassle to leave a comment. And here I was, wondering if anyone was actually reading my blog. Although it was never meant to be a public source of information, it does help to know that there are people out there who were interested in what I had to say.
Anyway, I just came back from a week of training support in Shanghai. Something's not right when you download your emails on Friday at 5pm, login again at noon on Sunday and find a warning that your mailbox's almost full! Totally ridiculous.
I'm due to travel to Manila on Tuesday (27 Oct) for about 9 days (subject to change, depending on the work situation). This is to support system implementation. Don't even ask me to get started on that project, cos I don't want to start getting rude online.
We had another trip to the zoo last weekend, before I left for Shanghai. It was another fun filled day, although I think our trips to the zoo are not as educational as some others might make it out to be. We typically head off to the Rainforest Kidzworld for the kids to play at the water playground first. That's followed by a carousel ride before we explore the other parts of the zoo. By the time we actually get started on the tour of the zoo, the both of them (Xavier and Keane) are pretty tired. So we manage only about 5 animals before breaking for lunch. Lunch actually signifies the end of the outing. My hubby's generally not someone who can go on an outing for more than half a day. Besides, we have to drop by at the grandparents' every Saturday.
Xavier is showing more maturity as the days go by. He is totally detached, which can be a good thing. No whining about me not spending time with him and all that. But is that good in the long run? I don't know and I won't try to find out. I'm also very detached myself. Five days in Shanghai, and I only call home on Friday, after an sms to announce my safe arrival on Monday. Terrible huh? Other than Xavier, I think Keane and Ryan may not miss me that much, since I'm not really there most days anyway. Am I being a terrible mom?
Keane is talking in more coherent sentences nowadays. Ok, not full sentences but at least he is string a couple of words together. I worry about him a little but I think it will all work out. The latest thing we are into with Keane now is to do a roll call, like how they would in school.
Dad: 陈炜衡！(Keane's chinese name)
Keane: 到！ (Here!)
Dad: 陈毅恩！ (Xavier's chinese name)
Keane: 在这里（here....and proceeds to point at Xavier)
Dad: "Keane's classmate's name, which I can never remember"
Keane: 没有来！(didn't come)
It's hilarious cos Keane then makes a game out of it by doing a roll call for everyone in the car. This is a huge improvement for him, even though it might be something that other kids can do very competently much earlier than Keane. I appreciate every step he takes towards his speech, no matter how tiny. I feel comforted when he picks up the Hop on Pop book by Dr Seuss. It's his favourite although it took him more than 3 years to decide to pick up a book.
Ryan appears to be the most intelligent of the lot. He can now call 哥哥(brother), daddy, aunty, 公公（maternal grandpa), 婆婆 (maternal grandma), 阿妈 (paternal grandma), 爷爷(paternal grandpa)....all but mummy.....I think I'm ah-mmmmmm but that remains to be determined. Initially I thought Ryan was the most clingy of the 3 and I guessed it was because of the month that I spent with him at home after his operation. Whenever he sees me, he wants me to carry him. After a while, I'm not so sure. I think he's manipulative cos I'm the only person who will carry him out of the playpen. Why do we put him in the playpen then? He's a typical toddler who would not stop moving and touching stuff. He climbs pretty quick as well.
Ryan has a pretty high EQ. Whenever the dad scolds anyone of them, he'll keep quiet. If we tell him off, for touching the vase or doing something dangerous, he will cry. I yelled at him this morning as he was pushing the vase, which was as tall as he is, and it was swaying. He then went to lie down on the bean bag and had that comtemplative look on his face. His eyes were slightly wet with tears and he had a slight pout. I went over and explained why I yelled, gave him a kiss, and he was off in a second, with a smile on his face and off to his next adventure.
Xavier and Keane are both participating in the school's year end concert. I am so looking forward to it since it will be Keane's first stage performance.
A couple of weeks back, I went to the Formula 1 practice day event, courtesy of the Company. I took part in a Founder's Day contest by creating a craft work with a colleague. Both of us won tickets and had a great time. We were able to go for a walk in the pit lane and had a tour of the BMW Sauber garage. It was an eye-opening experience. Pretty cool.
I haven't been having an easy time at work. But I'm not complaining. I'll just manage things to the best I can. If something fails, too bad.
Shanghai was fun in a weird way. I didn't go out shopping or sightseeing. But I had the chance to meet people whom I've been corresponding with. It was good to put a face to the name and voice. The people I met were all friendly. We had a group dinner on Wednesday night and we had such a fun time, I laughed almost non-stop throughout dinner. I only wished I had more time in Shanghai. During the first night at the hotel, I was bitching to myself. This hotel is weird, there's a glass window between the toilet and the bedroom - why the hell would they want this? Actually I think it is a trend now, to allow you to watch a movie while soaking in the tub. But this tub was facing the wrong way....the taps were at the place where your head needs to be if you wanted to face the TV. I didn't want to sleep with that window, looking into the toilet so I tried to figure out how to lower the blind. After some time then I realize that it was an electric shade - silly me. Then there were 2 single beds, one facing a door (leading to another room) and one facing a mirror. Obviously not good. So I had to drape a towel over the mirror and settle into that bed facing the mirror. Then the next night, the internet service was cut off while I doing my work. Then the following night, there was a power surge, so I heard a couple of bangs (sounded like someone knocking on my door), the lights started flashing and the television went off. It took me about 5 minutes to convince myself I wasn't having a visitor from another dimension. And we're talking about the Four Points by Sheraton, no less.
My hotel reservation was screwed up so I had to move to a service apartment on Thursday. It was even creepier cos the apartment had 2 bedrooms, a living room, a small dining room, a tiny kitchen and 1 toilet with a shower. I couldn't decide which room was less creepy. The TV, my sustenance at night, was in the living room.....but I had a glimmer of hope when I saw a glass window behind the couch, between the living room and a bedroom. I told myself - aha! this "window between rooms" invention does have a benefit after all. I raised the blinds and voila! Frosted glass. Darn. So I had to comfort myself with work and chatting online with some friends from work.
I was very impressed by the Maglev which I took to/from the airport. It saved me a lot of time in travel and was cheap. The food portions in restaurants were huge and we always cannot finish the food. Talk about wastage, I felt bad but I couldn't stuff myself with another piece of meat. Luckily there was always fish on the table. I actually ate some beef during the steamboat, something which I normally don't do.
So there you have my experience in Shanghai. I really want to go back there again. If I do, I'll make sure to find some time to explore the place.
I'll try to update my blog again when I'm in Manila.