Sri has arrived!

We had fetched our domestic helper, Sri, from the agency yesterday evening.

On first impression, she seems to be very polite. However, her understanding of the English language is not so good. Our spoken Malay language is just as bad. I think we would have to rely on my father's help for the time being. Without my father around, we just have to rely on a lot of hand gestures to get by first.

It is really a lot of getting used to. Not sure how to give instructions to Sri. Will have to surf the forum for a sample routine.

Maybe for the time being, I will use this which I found on the "ExpatSingapore" forum - "A Maid's Day"...by Comments.. Any comments??

MONDAY

• Launder bed linen.

• Clean all showers/bathtubs

• Clean all bathroom sinks

• Clean all toilets

• Clean bathroom mirrors

• Empty trashcans

• Mop kitchen floor

TUESDAY

• Dust all surfaces in house including picture frames & ornaments.

• Remove and vacuum all sofa cushions on the sofa.

• Vacuum and mop all floors throughout household.

• Change and launder towels in bathrooms

WEDNESDAY

• Clean stove and oven – not just wipe down

• Thoroughly clean fridge – not just wipe spills.

• Clean all windows

• Mop kitchen floor

• Hose and mop downstairs patio

THURSDAY

• Dust all surfaces in house including picture frames and ornaments

• Clean all showers/bathtubs

• Clean all bathroom sinks

• Clean all toilets

• Clean bathroom mirrors

• Empty trashcans

• Mop kitchen floor

FRIDAY

• Vacuum and mop all floors throughout household

• Remove and vacuum all sofa cushions on the sofa.

• Change and launder towels in bathrooms

SATURDAY

• Miscellaneous chores as needed

• Hose and mop outside patio

DAILY

• Make beds
• Laundry as needed
• Clean kitchen after meal
• Wipe all counters
• Wash, dry and put away dishes
• Pick up toys, tidy up childrens room

MONTHLY

• Deweed downstairs patio

• Clean ceiling fans

• Wipe down insides of kitchen cabinets

Domestic help on the way...

The maid agency called up Mr Kho and informed us that the domestic helper, who we had selected, had passed her English entrance exam. Christine, the lady from LabourExpress, also informed Mr Kho that we'll be able to pick her up from the agency on Friday.

Mixed feelings...

1) Someone, other than family, will now be staying with us..strange..

2) We'll have to entrust the little one(s) to her...

3) People always say that employing a domestic helper is based on luck. If your luck is good, you end up with good help..If your luck is bad..well, you get the idea..

I have already discussed with Mr Kho. As Yitian has always been looked after by my mother, she and the maid will stay at my mum's place for two weeks. Firstly, it will allow Yitian to warm up to the maid. Secondly, the maid will be able to learn how to handle Yitian and what to cook for her.. (Everyone knows what a lousy cook I am..Ha ha..)

Hopefully, with good help, the Khos' will have more quality family time together.

Enjoying the birthday cake!

Me and Yitian posing for Papa to take photo with the tiramisu cake, courtesy of Wati.

Making a wish and blowing the candle together.

Yitian enjoying the cake very much...

It's My Birthday today!

It's my birthday today.

Mr Kho had to go to work, so it's just me and Yitian.

Today, I will be bringing Yitian to the library. My mum called and said that she'll be bringing Manfred to Jurong East and will meet us.

It was raining when we left the house. Yitian brought along her "Princess" umbrella. This photo was taken on Sunday when Mr Kho and I just bought her the umbrella.

The kids had fun at the library and Manfred borrowed two story books. One about trains and the other about dinosaurs..boys...

While at the library, a deliveryman called and said that he had a cake and flowers delivery for me and was waiting outside the house. But I'm not at home! I quickly gave my neighbour a call. Luckily Man Loong was at home and accepted the delivery for me. That's why we must get to know our neighbours well and not the usual "hi-and-bye". You never know when you will need help. Of course, this was not a critical situation. But like I said earlier, luckily for good neighbours.

The delivery was from Wati, one of my very close friends. A bouquet of six pink roses and a tiramisu cake! Thank you very much, Wati!

My two sisters, Aileen and Amy, have also sent me SMS to wish me 'Happy Birthday' and many close friends too, like Jocelyn, Shira, Derrick. Thank you everyone for remembering my birthday. And of course not forgetting my favourite two nieces..Stefanie and Shannon, who called and said that 'Kakak' reminded them today was my birthday!

I'm turning 33!

On June 25, I will be 33.

I much prefer to list down resolutions on my birthday than on New Year's day..personal preference..

1) To be a better wife to my husband.
2) To be a better mother to my girl, Yitian and to my new bundle of joy arriving in November.
3) To have at least $8,000 in my savings.

Picking GuGu up from the airport

Mr Kho's sister, Huimin, is coming back from a school trip to Japan. It so happened that she was in the same area when the earthquake in Tokyo happened and the guy who went around killing (was it 17?) people. One shudders to think if she had met with harm's way.

Thank goodness she's back now..