Victoria's First Orchestra

Victoria attended her first, black-tie, orchestra at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, KLCC as part of UMW Toyota Motor's annual Toyota Classics event.  This year, they presented the Covent Garden Soloists Orchestra featuring Pamela Tan Nicholson on the piano and Vasko Vassilev on violin, conducted by Miguel Angel Navarro.

As if all these names mean anything to this 9 year old.  I think the excitement AND anxiety was just that she had to dress up in a skirt and doll up pretty for a special date with Yeh Yeh.  

A week or so back, Yeh Yeh brought her to Setia City Mall to look for a long black skirt and formal shoes to match with.  Yee Sam came along to help give her opinion on fashion as I had to be home to supervise some minor renovation.  

Yeh Yeh bought her a 3/4 black pencil skirt and a pair of flat heel with gold trimming black shoes.  Her jewellery - a simple penguin necklace and matching penguin ear rings are her own, bought from Philip Island, Australia in November 2013.  

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

She didn't take long to prepare, confidently answering Yeh Yeh that all she needed was 5-10minutes to change, but she later took a bit longer.  By the time she came downstairs, Yeh Yeh was already waiting (like a gentleman) with Mama and William in the living room.  Everyone wow-ed as they saw her all dressed up - so matured for only a 9yo.

William was quiet, and later when I asked him, he said he couldn't recognize this pretty girl coming down the stairs.  In his own words, he said, "I thought she was another girl coming down and she didn't look like Jie Jie."

I snapped some pictures for both Yeh Yeh and Victoria - it's definitely a special day as grandfather brings granddaughter out for some VIP exposure.  Yes, it's VIP because there were many VVIPs and even the Sultan of Selangor graced this event.

Dinner was at KLCC for them, followed by the orchestra.  Well, did she enjoy herself?  She said she did, and it was a good experience for her.  Thank you Yeh Yeh for taking her out.  : )

CHECK!!

Guess what?

Both Vic and Will has taken a liking to chess!  It all started so random a few months back, and I have to credit hubby for being the one to introduce this game to them.  He is a master at chess and teaches them little tricks as they play along.

I have even learnt new terms from the kids, such as stalemate and castling.  The boy and his father even have their own secret terms like "do the Lockdown."

William loves chess, so much so that he'd invite us to play with him at every opportunity, sometimes at the most awkward times like during meals.  Victoria has more on her plate with tuition and homework and activities so to be fair, she have less time to practice on the board but equally excited about the game.

William would give a virtual level to each of us.  I am the worse at playing chess so he says I am at the beginner level.  Both my kids have beaten me at chess many times, and I have only a couple of victories to boast about.  I salute them because I did not let them win on purpose.

Daddy and Yeh Yeh are the "ultimate levels", and if they beat any of them, it will be a HUGE victory to them, one worth celebrating with ice cream!  In the beginning, losing to Daddy can end the game with some tears, so Daddy has resorted to allow the kids to "handicap" him by removing a few key players (like the Queen and Castle) in the beginning of the game yet Daddy still wins.

Popo playing chinese chess with Vic.  Unfortunately, none of us in this household knows how to play chinese chess so there's no challenger for Vic.  On the right, William challenges Gong Gong to a game, of which he won! 

We even have the Chess app installed in our phones so they either practice with the computer or start a game with someone.  I think this is a great game to kill off the boredom as it encourages them to strategize and think.

If you like chess or can play chess, invite them for a game and you will immediately be their new best friend!  The magic word in the house now is "CHECK" or better still, "CHECK MATE!"

Cutting It Short-er!

It's really hard to convince Vic to go for a hair cut.  I think she aims to have hair as long as Rapunzel, but alas, the weight of the hair will probably make her drop more hair!

We've been talking about giving her a haircut, and at one point she said OK.  I was pretty tied up with some stuff and also her exam was around the corner and I didn't want to "traumatize" her by taking that few inches off, so I left it be.

A couple of weeks after the exams, I reminded myself again that we should really go for that overdue hair cut!

So off we went, mother and daughter one Sunday afternoon, to the salon in a hypermarket nearby.  Good thing too, because it rained when we were leaving.  As a small reward or consolation, I bought her some sushi after the visit to the salon.

Damage for this haircut is only RM18.  Just dry cut, no wash or blow.  She wants her hair layered, so she has it layered.  It's about 3-4 inches shorter now.  Still can tie a ponytail with the new length but the girl thinks its too short, and mummy thinks its still too long.

A Love Letter To Victoria

My dearest Princess,

I have not written a love letter to you for a long time now.  As I sit here at my desk, after having potter around the kitchen for a bit this morning, my mind drifted off once in a while on you. I'm wondering what you are doing now at school, whether you'll come back chatty or moody.  You're only 9 this year, but my, how you have grown as you experience a growth spurt this year.

I know you don't like me teasing you about your size, but sometimes I do that just so we can have some crazy moments, not because I want to hurt you, dear.  I like to squeeze your thighs and compare them with mine, or smack your bum just because I still can, and sometimes wrap my arms around your neck.

We don't often shopped together for clothes and girly stuff.  I hope you understand that's because both our schedules don't allow such luxury of time, and neither does mummy believe that we should buy carelessly whilst daddy work so hard at work.  We don't always see eye to eye on fashion too.  Sigh.  But do you remember the last time we headed off to Paradigm Mall, just you and I, to grab some stuff and also pop in Lovisa to look at some cute ear rings?  I thought you'd like them, and it's nice that you asked me for my opinion.  Eventhough we were rushing to our next destination, I really wanted to get you something from this shop and I'm glad I did.

Now that you have those cute little ear rings, I hope you'd remember our short escapade everytime you wear them.  We should have more mummy-daughter doing girly stuff.

So, how are you at school?  Isn't great that you have made 3 wonderful friends you can call them your BFF?  I hope these friendships last, and most importantly I hope they will be good influences on you, just as you become a good influence to them.  Remember we don't have to be followers all the time, and we don't have to cave in to peer pressure ok?  It's normal to want to be the same, but it's ok to be different too, because that's what makes you special.  So your hair will grow longer, now that we've gotten them snipped off a few inches.   So what if people notice that your hair is shorter now, because that doesn't change who YOU are.

My girl, my precious girl.  You said you never liked to be the eldest.  How I wish you have someone to look up to, as a jie jie.  I know I have been hard on you most of the times, pushing you to do better, aim higher, smile more, talk more, etc and that's only because I love you.  I'm sorry when I've scolded you too harshly.  I'm sorry for not taking time off to hug you.  I'm sorry for always being too engrossed in my own things or work and just expecting you to accept that.

I love you.  I really do.  I hope you believe that.  My heart breaks when you talk rudely to me.  Growing up doesn't mean you are allowed to talk rudely.  My heart breaks when you don't listen to me, and choose to be stubborn and do things your way instead.  How many times have I said... or reminded... or threatened... but you don't hear me.  Because of this, Daddy and Mummy really pray that you don't fall into the wrong crowd because you're just round the corner to being a teenager.

Would be nice if you share more about your feelings and learn to express yourself more.  It's hard to keep persuading you to come out of your shell, girl.  But if I can assure you again and again, I'd like to say that I love you no matter what.

Looking forward to the school holidays so we can do some fun stuff together.  Last night, I told you the hard truth that life is not about having fun, but everything is about hardwork and perseverance. I hope I did not demotivate you.  Hang on to your piano lessons, girl, but if it really drives you crazy just to practice, then stop it.  (note to self:  better start to secretly record her playing so that I can listen to them next time)


Love you XOXO,
Mummy

A Playdate and Some Sewing

During the one week school break in September, we did not go anywhere.  Vic had her replacement tuition classes, and Daddy was away in Nepal.  The kids kept themselves busy being here and there in the house, and time passes whenever you're with them... somehow this also means they dilly dally alot!

They had some friends over - Kristen and Josh.  K and V used to be in the same school before Vic moved to her current school, but they remained BFF through occasional messages on their phones and playdates during the holidays.  Josh is the same age as W, so it's great that all four could play together.

Homemade burger patty with whole meal buns, and airfried potato wedges and salad.  

They seem a bit shy for the camera, don't they?

Boys having fun with their food

They've had playdates before and it's sometimes the Monkey game, Monopoly, UNO, or handicraft, phone games, movies, tea time, and baking once, etc.

There's never enough time by the time they need to leave.  Oh well, still many more holidays and playdates to come!  Hopefully friendships like these last a long time!

Besides that, here's the children's first time experience at sewing.  I have quite a lot of clothe left from a previous project, and bought a bag of buttons from Chatuchak Market in July, so I thought why not let them try to sew something.  For a start, they sewed their names.  Nothing fanciful but it's good to keep them focused, quiet and sitted for a while.  I'm pleasantly surprised that the boy takes sewing so seriously!

On my part, I told them we could make their masterpiece into a pencil box or frame it up.  They chose the former.  Up till today, I have not done my part yet *gulp*

Here are the apprentice tailors at work:

My Princess and Her Eczema

It's been a long time since I last wrote about Victoria's food allergies and eczema.  I did a search on my blog and the last time I wrote something about her skin condition was way back in February 2012, more than TWO years ago!  I don't even know where and how to join the dots from where I left off until now.

The fact is, it's been a roller coaster ride the past two years, at least for me.  This is because at a few points, I really thought that she'd be cured completely, and then after awhile the itchiness and redness returns.  Then I not only have to motivate her again but also myself too.

A summary is:

1.  We've stopped seeing the Dr in Tangkak.  That was in April 2011.

2.  We've not done any more blood tests for allergies since August 2012.

3.  Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - I brought her to a traditional chinese doctor in USJ a couple of years ago too, can't recall when exactly but I can remember his corner lot house with many herbs growing in the garden and some dogs and his consulting "office" was an open table in the patio. Complimentary "leong cha" for his regular customers or friends who dropped by to chat, as I saw.  Paid RM50 for some herbal cream in a small container and RM180 for their homemade organic papaya enzyme.  Out of this two, we've used the cream but not the enzyme.  Dunno what I'm gonna do with the enzyme now, maybe I should fertilize my plants?  We visited only once, got some advice on diet and that was it.  I guess I'm just not comfortable with seeing snake wine in a bottle.

4.  In 2012 itself, when Vic was 7 and in Standard One, I started her on a strict candida diet.  If you google candida diet, you'd be shocked to see the amount of food that one should avoid.  Here's one link just as an example. There are other links which are less stringent, but basically the idea is to eliminate sugar, molasses, fructose, syrups, or any other kinds of sweet food from the diet.  Even certain fruits such as grapes and red apples which are generally very sweet fruits are to be eliminated during this plan.

Let me clarify.  Hers is just skin eczema and allergies, and nothing else.  It's not severe candida like some who have itchiness elsewhere.  In fact, the only reason why we'd look at candida as a culprit was because this was first mentioned by Dr Wong in Tangkak.

We didn't stick to the plan long.  I suppose it was around 3-6 months and during this time, Vic's skin condition did improve.  I read about leaky gut symptoms too when I found a book in a Christian bookshop and it also recommended a whole lot of supplements and food.  The ones that I introduced or reemphasized into her diet was organic virgin coconut oil, lotsa garlic (we buy from wholesale), organic olive leaf extract, organic oregano oil and probiotics.

5.  In 2013 we attended Randy Clark's Healing Rally at DUMC, and Vic stood up for healing.  From then on, we believe by faith that she has no more allergies, because Jesus has healed her completely.

Now I know that wasn't much of a summary, instead seems more like another long, dry post of mine.  But really, there's so much in between that I've omitted.

I guess I'm just tired of controlling the types of food she eat.  I'm tired of watching out, fearing if, and asking why.  So just letting food be food, as good as it can be, and trusting our God.

So, Vic eats normally for a long time now, and we still practice healthy eating.  I reminded her and William many times, that even if we have no allergies, we'd still be eating good healthy food.  She's been taking eggs and bread and egg noodles and many other food stuff which she has refrained from when younger.  Forget the sweets and candies because that was never in our "allowable food" list anyway.

Photo taken at Ante Kitchen & Bar during Mama Yeh Yeh's birthday dinner

This year when I was away in the UK in July, she developed some bad rash and the eczema worsen on her arm folds and neck and face.  One day, after a meal, she had a bad outburst of rashes all over her body and legs and arms.  Thank God her face was spared!

Long story cut short, a pediatric consultant friend of ours recommended seeing the dermatologist at her hospital.  She wrote us a referral letter and helped us get an appointment slot.  We went, and pleasantly discovered that the doctors there were really good - took close to an hour to understand her history and clarified our query.  We didn't have to wait long to see the doctor, nor at the pharmacy.  We were given big supply of creams and medicine and the best part was, we paid NOTHING as students are not charged in government hospitals.  Wowzers!

We just brought Vic for her follow up appointment and she was seen by another dermatologist who spent 45 minutes with us on eczema management.  He basically answered most of our questions hovering in our mind even before we asked!  Again, we were given a fresh supply of creams and charged nothing.  Finished everything within 1.5hours with hardly more than 15 minutes wait!

So.  If you ask me now, if Vic can eat anything and everything?  Yes and no.  She's taking everything we eat except for shrimps and crustacean.  It's OK if there's a shrimp in her soup or fried with her noodles once in a while, we just remove it and she eats the rest.  We won't freak out, or jump at the waiter or ask for a change.

I'm sorry, Mummy

She's apologized to me a couple of times - for the inconvenience she thinks she caused us to bring her for doctor visits, or the expenses we pay, or like recently, she felt "bad" or appreciative that Daddy took leave from work to ferry us to the hospital because parking was a challenge there.  For each time she shared this with me, I tell her, "No girl... it's NO inconvenience, NO issue on money, and we do this all for us out of love.  So don't say sorry."

Acts of Kindness

I bet we have all heard the phrase, "Random acts of kindness" which basically means a selfless act performed by one to someone known or a stranger.

In our household, I have had to arbitrate arguments between Victoria and William many times, or shush them up, or rain down warnings and if it's bad, I'll have to call an old friend out.  This is so rare, and I thank God that most of the times, it's mainly petty, annoying things the kids do to EACH OTHER just to irritate the other party.

That's what siblings are for, right?  I remember my brother and I, who are just less than 1.5years apart in age gap (he being the older one) used to say and do stuff to irritate each other too.  We'd stretch our vocabulary even to call each other names and have the last word - even when one of us is on a different level of the house!  I remember once when I borrowed his prized Batman cap without asking, which got him so upset at me!  Haha...

So, on one hand I know that likely this "getting up each other's nerves" will not last for kids, but on the other hand, I'd like to have some peace and show of love between them.  I guess it all started one night when things got too out of hand, and I decided that enough is enough.  I told them that they have to:

1.  Show one act of kindness to each other,
2.  Say something kind to each other,
3.  Greet each other the first thing in the morning (or when they see each other the first time during the day) and lastly,
4.  Hug each other good night.

What would be the repercussion if one does not obey the 4 magic criterias?  Well, then the child sleeps outside the room in the dark, not alone... probably with a couple of lizards too!  (I know I know... scare method may not work after a while and shunned upon certain quarters)

Now that we are easily more than 6 months into this "Act of Kindness", I can see that they enjoy it although sometimes they beg me to give them a break.  I have since raised from one act of kindness to TWO acts of kindness, with the other 3 criteria unchanged.  Sometimes the rule of the game can change a little, eg a kiss will give them a pass for everything else.

By dinner or prayer time, I'd ask them each to share openly, with verification by the other party.

The fun part is seeing them do the acts.  It could be as simple as bringing the other person's plate or cup to the kitchen, or bringing water for a thirsty (or non thirsty) sibling, or preparing the pyjama and squirting toothpaste onto the toothbrush for the other party, or helping to bring in the bag, or helping the younger one with homework, or even scooping food for the other person!  Of course, at first they didn't know how to, or what to say and do and needed ideas beyond sharing food.

This is almost a daily affair.  I may not check everyday but I hear and see them improve.  As for the sibling annoyance, yes it's still here but a lot lesser now.  : )

Happy 9th Birthday Victoria

Victoria turned 9 on 10th April 2014!!  

5th April - The Saturday before her birthday, Daddy brought us to Pizza Hut for a treat because we don't really hang out at fast food joints, and this was something special to the kids.  But don't know why, this girl was happy one moment, and upset at something the next, and then the two siblings were supposed to share an ice cream dessert together but ended up I finished it for them... oh well, the few smiley pictures were not that great, so here's something more pleasing to look at ; P

Popo GongGong came up for the weekend.  Vic chose burgers for her dinner menu, so we brought her to The Grind Burger Bar at Section 17, PJ. It was also GongGong's birthday the next day (6th April) so it was a nice cozy celebration for the two birthday "kids."  

Happy birthday to Vic and Gong Gong

Family picture

Chocolate cheese birthday cake by Just Heavenly.  It was alright, not so heavenly though. 

Daddy's charcoal burger... may not look very appetizing due to the color of the bun but it's yummylicious! 

Gong Gong's burger... huge!  

No idea who ate this... maybe me

One with Popo Gong Gong

Enjoys his bite sized burger, sliced up nicely by Kakak

A few weeks before her birthday, we were still undecided on where and how to celebrate.  Yea, as always there would be a birthday dinner but I thought maybe she'd like a little difference this year - maybe a small playdate with her friends.  A picnic would need too much adult supervision and involvement so we ruled that out.  A trip to Skytrex, which was an outdoor eco-recreational adventure may send an adrenaline rush to some, but my girl - although she lovveeesss roller coaster rides and such, is still a timid mice like her mummy when it came to challenges like walking along shaky planks 5-70 feet across trees above ground level, or climbing up ropes or God forbid... doing the Flying Fox.  

Saturday, 12th April

After a decision to select three good friends to play with at Kids E World, in IPC Shopping Mall, we had to find a suitable date which was really tough because we had to skip an art class and rush to Children Church thereafter only to play for less than 2 hours and a quick meal at McDonald's.  

William and two other friends (one from cell and another a younger sibling of Vic's good friend) were part of the play outing too.  So there were 6 kids altogether, together with our helper Joanne and hubby.  I had an appointment so I couldn't make it.  I'm touched that her friends, although all were staggeredly late, made it and this must have made Victoria's day.  Because if they could easily have said no thank you, as they each had their respective weekly activities on a Saturday morning.  

Girls with their dracula french fries!

So there... you see Vic's birthday celebration runs like a festive season... from the weekend before to the weekend after!

To my precious princess Vic,

Sometimes I have so much to say to you - the good things of course, and sometimes I just have none.  Because girl, you can either be such a cheerful, clownish and sweet girl and then change to a solemn, moody child over a small displeasure.  I wish I understand you more.  I wish you open up your heart and thoughts more to your loved ones.  You ain't getting any younger, and very soon we'll be celebrating your 13th birthday.  Already this year, Gong Gong made an observation that this is your last single digit birthday.  

Mummy Daddy love you. I hope you know and believe that.  Remember a time you shared your feelings with Kakak behind our backs about we not loving you?  That really hurt.  I came into your room when you were asleep, and prayed and shed tears.  Despite the times when I nag and scold you, or reprimand you for giving me an attitude, I would NEVER, ever trade you for anyone else.  

But if there was one thing I could advice you on girl, please be more teachable.  You are at a stage where you talk back and question us.  You have your views and I encourage you to voice them in a gentle manner.  You may not get what you want at all times, but at least you tried.  You may not be right all the time, but that doesn't mean you are not bright.  You are our unpolished diamond.

I wish you good health, I wish you love, I wish you forgiveness, I wish you joy and happiness to radiate from within you, I wish you everlasting good friends, I wish you passion in your studies and music and art, I wish you maturity beyond your age and childhood pleasure, most of all, I wish you Jesus.  Stay close to Him in whom you are always VICTORIOUS.  

Love,
Mummy

Frozen

Last December, we brought the kids and maid to the cinema to watch the movie "Frozen."  Only recently, the kids caught on the Frozen fever especially with the theme song, "Let It Go" sung by the show character Elsa.  The two months gap was probably because they couldn't watch the movie again (no downloads were available yet) and I didn't open YouTube for them.  It struck me suddenly that we've only watched this highly rated, award winning animation only ONCE - compared to the other shows we normally watch a few times.

So now the kids especially William have been humming, singing this song.  Just a few lines here and there that they know, and definitely the chorus part...

"Don't let them in, don't let them see,
Be the good girl you always have to be,
Conceal, don't feel,
Don't let them know...
Well now they know...

Let it go!
Let it go!
Can't hold it back anymore,
Let it go!
Let it go!
Turn away and slam the door,
I don't care, what they're going to say,
Let the storm rage on...
The cold never bothered me anyway."

The bold words are the ones that William likes to sing.

Yesterday morning over breakfast, he proclaimed that I was Princess Anna, jie jie is Queen Elsa and then I chipped in... "Daddy is Kristoff" right?  He stopped and protested, "No no... Daddy is not Kristoff!"

Then which character is Daddy?

William replied without hesitation, "Daddy is Prince Hans!"  (If you've watched the show, you'd know that Prince Hans was the good prince in pretense, and later showed his true intentions to kill both Princess Anna and Queen Elsa)

"What about you, boy boy? Are you Kristoff then?"  (Kristoff is the commoner who eventually fall in love, save and end up with Princess Anna)

So I thought William being William, (he likes to take the hero roles and give the bad guy roles to Daddy) he'd want to be Kristoff himself.
 
Only a few seconds delay, William quickly said, "I'm Olaf!  The snowman!"

LOL!!   

(This mother thinks he is sooo cute, because for once he didn't choose the hero character but a funny one - the silly snowman who wished to be in summer)