Cranky Domestic Goddess

My boy will turn four next year and I am planning on training him to work on house chores. Mom had been telling me it’s impossible that he would remember how or when to do them. Basically he won’t be able to recognize them. At least, according to mom, it wasn’t until I was 12, that I was able to hold the broom.

But my friend Cindy told me it isn’t so difficult. She introduced me to chore charts which enables me to reward my boy when he performs his work as scheduled and expected. It can also be used to encourage good behavior and instill a systematic behavior in a child. I thought that was an splendid idea! What’s more? These chore charts can be customized and printed for subsequent use. Most of all, they are free!

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When I was studying in the US, I had a Japanese roommate who told me that her dad would fly to the US twice or thrice a year to play golf! I was thinking to myself then, what a rich bast***! I later found out from my friend, Sherwood, that the Japanese has not many options to golf in Japan because it’s an extremely expensive hobby. Joining a golf club cost them a fortune. Besides, they do not have beautiful and spacious greens like those in the US.

Recently, we got in touch again, as usual we talked about what’s going on with our lives and then I recalled that her dad is a golf fanatic! So I asked if he’s still making his “ritual” trips to the US every year. She said she has been a few times with him to Las Vegas for golfing. In fact, she had picked up some golfing courses in Las Vegas and she’s now waiting to pass the exam to play in the green. And that’s when she suggested that I should take my family on Las Vegas golf holidays. My hubby is quite good with golf and I’m still at the driving range stage. *haha*

Perhaps for a change, we should go to Las Vegas for a golf vacation.

Just a couple of months ago I was back in Malaysia visiting my family, whom I very much miss. At the same time, also to celebrate Chinese New Year, which I haven’t been celebrating for a few years now. When I was young, I was very excited about Chinese New Year because it meant new clothes, shoes and lots of “hong bao” - red packets filled with money - which has an auspicious meaning for the unmarried ones.

Besides, there’s lots of gatherings with relatives and other family members whom we only meet once or twice a year. This time is the ONLY time when everyone is catching up with what’s going on with each other’s life. But this Chinese New Year, I was looking forward to meet one uncle of mine who loves to brag about his riches. I do not enjoy his bragging but it sure is interesting to hear about his many conquest. And so this year, he proudly announced to us that he had bought his daughter and son, who study and live in Florida, a residential home. Everyone gaped with surprise as it’s not cheap! Well, according to him, it is one of those affordable Florida holiday villas, that people buy as an investment. When his children goes back to Malaysia for 2.5 months during the summer vacation, he will rent it out to tourists or vacationers. We absolutely thought he is smart! A little braggy but has brains

We’re even invited to bunk in with my cousins when we visit Florida. Yippee!

My hubby’s cousin, whose 19 and still schooling, is always talking to her boyfriend, who has gone to Japan to study. I see her yakking on the phone with lover boy at least 5 times day. Besides, all the phone calls last about 30 minutes each call. It must cost her parents a bomb to pay her phone bills, I thought. I was appalled! I cannot imagine her parents paying her costly bills. Where is her conscience?!

One day, I was left alone with her at her parents’ because my hubby and his half sister had to run some errands for the coming Christening party of the little bundle of joy that joined the family about two months ago. Well, it was awkward at first because we were never left alone before. The silence was getting pretty intense. She was about to flip open her phone to call to Japan when an idea suddenly struck me to chat her up about her boyfriend. I quickly interrupted her and we had the longest chat ever. She’s so animated when it comes to the boy. Yeah I could tell she is very in love. Then I thought perhaps I should ask her how she feels about calling long distance and jamming up her phone line many hours a day. Then she told me that it’s very costly for her boyfriend to call back from Japan. So, he had asked her to call him instead. She’s been using phone cards all along. It’s cheap and efficient. Then she rang him up and let me say “hi” to him. WOW! I was amazed by the clarity of the voice and tiptop quality of connectivity. All these for just 6 cents a minute!

Ever since, I have been using the same phone cards to call home. I’m so happy I can hear my mom’s voice daily! I must thank my hubby’s niece for the great tip. Also must apologize to her for thinking she’s such a spoiled and inconsiderate brat who’s love crazy!

Yeps, Carolyn got what she demanded and hoped for. It’s been eons since Carolyn and John had been talking about remodeling their home. There’s always a snag each time they’re about to proceed with the idea. First, it was the birth of Ian, their first child, then Teddie, their second child.

Now, with both going to school, they finally found time to renovate their atrocious looking kitchen and the nauseating facade of their bathrooms. She was so excited about the opportunity that she’s asking me to pick the color of the granite for her kitchen countertop to match the rosewood kitchen cabinets. So she referred me to American Home Craft where I found a variety of granites for countertops. I must say I had difficulty picking one initially because they are all so beautiful. Besides, the company, she referred me to, sells the finest and highest quality materials for home improvement and that meet the standards of environmental friendliness.

Of course, besides the quality, Carolyn is captivated by the manufacturer’s lifetime warranty. Who wouldn’t? Anyway, I finally picked Tropic “G” Green for her countertop. She’s now as happy as a kinder! It sure feels good to be able to help out in instances like this. Now, should I pester my hubby for a remodeling of our kitchen? *hehe* Wishful thinking!

I maybe running a few sites but I’m a complete hopeless when it comes to backing up of data of my sites. When I moved from one webhosting company to another two years ago, I dreaded badly for someone to backup my databases, in case errors should arise. Unfortunately, none of my friends could help me because they were too busy and my databases were too large and time consuming. So I engaged a company which is an expert in home computer service. They worked magic because they were not only efficient, they made sure that I’m properly advised and coached on how to backup my databases and recover any data that is lost. It was one of the best services I experienced. Of course, they did the backup for me. So, I won’t have to pull hair nor have a nervous breakdown when I knew my databases were in safe hands - safely stored with them.

This coming Fall, we’re planning to take our 3 year old toddler to Disney World for a week. We’ve booked a 7-day stay at a brand new condo next to Universal Studio. It’s got lake front view and have all the amenities that a family with little children would find it paradise. For a minimum 5-day stay, we’re paying $300 per day. All these are made possible with Orlando Vacation Home. Now that is really affordable looking at the fact we’re able to make our own food while my boy will be frolicking happily by the pool while we’ll be busy sunbathing. We’re planning on a 1.5 day trip at Disney World. Our boy should be very satisfied. Imagine watching and taking pictures with his favorite cartoon characters. Honestly, I’m not too into this because I have been to Disney World numerous times during my studies in the US. So the only thing which will make my day will be a full day trip to Beltz Factory Outlet! I can make an early Christmas shopping, can’t I? *hehe* That’s such an awesome idea! I am oh-so looking forward to this trip!

My dear cousin will be sitting for her national examination this year. She’s always been weak with her sciences and mathematics. Aunt Michi has requested her childhood friend to coach her on Chemistry and Physics. That basically covers all of her sciences. She is looking into an alternative option to get help for Math Tutoring. Unfortunately, she only believes in one-on-one tutoring. She believes, this way, my cousin will get full attention, be able to learn productive study skills, build her academic self-confidence and, nevertheless, achieve full potential in reaching her goal.

That’s why I say, being a mom nowadays is not easy. We have to worry so much about our children whether it’s their social life, academic achievement or personal development.

When I was studying in the US, I used to call home using long distance calling companies. I wasn’t really a loyal customer because whoever gave me a better deal or call rate per minute, I’d switch instantly! Nope, no thinking twice! In fact, I enjoyed switching between companies because besides enjoying great family rates, I’d also get some souvenirs. The only disadvantage about signing up long distance calling companies is that calling expenses goes uncontrolled. There was once, I actually made over five hundred bucks of calls to friends and family members within a week. WITHIN A WEEK!!! Boy was I shocked to see the huge list of bill because I didn’t have enough cash to pay. I had to make emergency call to my dad so he could wire the money to me.

Ever since, I have asked around on alternatives to using these long distance calling companies. My aunt who lives in Oregon, in fact, is wise. She told me to use calling cards instead. I heed her advice and indeed it worked magic! I found my calling habit was better under control whilst using calling cards. At least I was always aware that my credit was limited and I had to limit my talk time. Calling cards are cheap, affordable and sometimes reward us with a cash back. So if you asked me, if calling cards are better? My answer is definitely a YES!

Guess what I found while searching for 2 Live Crew, my favorite hip hop group. I found a great site with a vast list of best rap artists. I even found 2Pac, Run DMC, P.M. Dawn and TLC. I just ran over their complete discography and biography on that site. Awesome! Now I even know the date of Fat Joe’s next album release. This is so cool!!! I’m gonna love this site … so will ya!