Jealousy

Becks hasn't been herself lately. Not smiling as much, more snappy, more glum. I notice it gets worse when Mong goes "hug hug Mommy!". Now he's even more cute, having progressed to "kiss kiss Mommy!" I see the effects of the 'extra verbal stimulation' on Mong. It's really a lot of hard work though.

I should know jealousy being the 1st child. It never struck me as that when I was younger why I LOVED torturing my younger sister. That seeing her cry was my biggest achievement. I think my mom made it worse by being convinced that I was born with a 'black heart' (direct translation from Cantonese).

Anyway it's gonna get tougher. To NOT focus on one child. How do couples have more than 2? Speaking of this, I'm reminded to visit the Lims. 3rd child, Matthias was recently born.

PS: For those who know me well, my relationship with my sis is actually pretty good now. :)

Zoo...again!

Airport or....zoo?

We let Becks make a decision and she chose the latter so we found ourselves going back there sooner than expected. Heh. This time we took a different route - to the Children's Zoo. The whole trip was about 2 hours or less. It was cut short by the heavy rain.

Nonetheless it was pretty nice cos again we saw something new. The entrance was much improved and there was a new addition (or more?) - mountain goats. The landscape was beautifully done.

I suggested to :B that she ought to visit it one more time - understand it's been 4 years for her - before her job stint in Japan. She isn't expected to return till at least 2 years...

Kids Experimental

I woke up at 4:30am to go to the loo and couldn't fall back to sleep afterward. I found my mind spiralling to find some reason, some excuse NOT to go for long-distance business trips, mainly the upcoming one to Brazil. My heart was even beating with anxiety.

I finally got a 'taste' of it. If I were to seek for any new job, regardless of better pay and position, if I'm required to travel, I'll definitely be VERY miserable. So I really cannot compromise on this part.

The day didn't start well with Becks screaming that she didn't want to go to school for her Children's Day celebration. I literally had to drag (with coaxing of cos) her up the bus. When I fetched her back in the noon, she was all smiles again.

We had our usual time together, having lunch and tea at CP with her favourite coin-pieces of barbeque pork. I swear being with her will make me fat. The food...and the wonderful company.

How nice it will be to have a long weekend regularly...but 'twas the last company holiday for the year. Sigh.

Anyway what I saw on the way to CP was appalling. Maybe I've been too good a kid *heh* or it's been so long for me that I can't remember how adolescents can be. 2 secondary schoolboys, walking along the street shouted at 2 secondary schoolgirls whom they know apparently. They turned back and one of the boys flung an half-empty mineral waterbottle at them. The bottle smashed at the impact of cos, water spilling and they left it there, on the ground. Damn them LITTERBUGS! Then my judgement was cut short when one of the girls screamed back: "You! Chao Ch** B**!" (THAT top-notch obscenity) And the boys laughed, both couples walking in opposite directions.

I think Becks was too busy looking at something else cos she didn't comment on the scene. Luckily. I was just too stunned for words.

Then further up, I saw a group of restless students seated on the floor, passing a ciggie around.

I wonder if I'm prepared for parenthood. It's definitely not for the weak-hearted.

Brazil...do I really need to???

Agenda drawn out, dates fixed, Thai counterpart has agreed to go, Boss has given green light....now to check with the customer.

Here's the flight route and schedule from Singapore to Brazil.

Connection: SIN- Frankfart - Paulo - Manaus
SIN Frankfrat : 1350- 0830hrs
Frankfart - Paulo: 1035 - 1715hrs
Paulo - Manaus: 0900 - 1150hrs

Upon arrival, it'll be a 11-hour time difference. I'm gonna be so jet-lagged. It would definitely take more than 100 cups of Brazilian coffee for me to survive.

*Cross my fingers (that the trip will not materialise!)*

The (Wo)Men Just Dun Get It Too...

I understand why people go for Botox, I understand why people go from Cup A to B, or B to C, etc. I dun understand this!

Thanks to :B on her Social Studies education, I only learnt about ganguro yesterday. I swear the Japanese amaze me more and more by the day.

With :B's approaching departure for Japan (to work), I've requested for her to source for the sick and twisted horror Japanese movies which I've seen in the past and dearly missed now.

Therapy Session...again

I am on half-day leave this afternoon. Finally the day has arrived for Mong to see another speech therapist. It is just behind my office building and this therapist apparently offer weekend sessions. Whatever the outcome, thanks to DDD for helping.

He has been showing signs of improvement, however, maybe being his mother, I am not satisfied and believe he is still behind his milestone curve. I only hope sending him to a playgroup next year can accelerate his progress. This becomes my mission on top of my list - to source for a suitable (big key word) playgroup. It may involve busting some buckeroos. :P

I need to make a conscious effort not to get lost in the whirlwind of events and neglect Becks. She is growing up fast. While I cleared the drawers, I found some digital photos of the troops 2 years ago. They have grown so much. I really miss them A LOT, being babies, being toddlers...but then that was a really very tiring part of my life so most of all, I'm just glad it's moved on.

Nesting Instinct

It's been a long long time since both troops slept by 10pm. Last night, with so much time on hand (and a firm believer that I shouldn't watch TV after 9pm for fear of 'visual stimulation' which can lead to insomnia), my nesting instinct naturally kicked in.

I opened up all 3 burstin drawers and started clearing them. Very very satisfied.

Next stop: wardrobe and troops' toys.

Senseless

Does it make sense? 2 people in a section. 2 of them "Assistant Managers".

1 of them is already seated here for 2.5 years. The other was here for an interview. We have been having difficulty finding the 'right candidate'. Maybe like the 'right man', it doesn't exist but Boss is not convinced.

So after 1 hour of arduous questioning and another few (draggy) minutes of discussion, Boss' decision was not to hire. YAWN! What is new????? Actually is there really a need for another one? Or are we just going through the motion...for the past 9 months?

Do you work for a boss whose vision you do not believe in or worse, cannot see?

xoxoxoxo

Lunch was with Jennifer who had her usual truckload of interesting theories to share.

I have been lunching with friends from 'outside'. Since my 2 kakis left the Shenton Way/Tanjong Pagar scene, I haven't found a regular colleague to lunch with who would not stop talking about work or other colleagues. Shallow conversational topics tire me.

Innovative Mooncakes

I found out today that TT without the right company is not as sweet.

I had the craving right after lunch so I ordered one for myself. I was alone....
I found myself hurrying through it, cursing that it cooled so slowly and gulping down to make my 60c worth. NOT the way to savour a cup of heaven.




'Tis the lantern festival soon. The Division has been receiving many boxes of mooncakes from vendors. The latest comes from Raffles Hotel. Snowskin with chocolate-and-wine filling. Colleagues swear it's expensive, it's good. I just tried one...my skin crawled. GROSS. Call me boring - I seriously still prefer the brown skin with lotus paste (with or without yolk).

*Feel like puking now...*

Spam!

Monday mornings are worsened with 50+ spam mails in your office account. The IT GM once commented to prevent it is "very difficult". Bah...! Simply incompetent.

So going through the usual routine of deleting senders whose names are not close to familiar, I read the remaining official ones. I dealt with a Brazilian customer by the name of Letitia a few times so I didn't expect this when I opened the email.

If the mountain won't come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain.. There's always a deep breath before a plunge. If three people tell you that you are drunk, you better lie down. Politics makes strange bedfellows. Pain is only weakness leaving the body. U.S. Marines proverb Law is the solemn expression of legislative will. CODE NAPOLEON Purely bluster and no substance. Don't take any wooden nickels. Possible Interpretation: Accomplishing two things with a single action. Interpretation: If you are going to do something, do it right. Two's company, three's a crowd. See also Dorothy Parker: You can lead a horticulture, but you cannot make her think. Don't remove winter vests (undergarments) until summer arrives. A woman's work is never done. Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. The head and feet keep warm, the rest will take no harm. Meaner than a junk-yard dog. Clothes make(th) the man. Christian New Testament All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Honesty is the best policy. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Funny as it is, yes, it did not have paragraphing. Argh.

Promise fulfilled

M and I didn't forget to bring extra clothes....so we did spend quality time with the troops in the pool :)

Sunday evening after dinner was spent as usual at MPH, at Becks' (or mine?) favourite section - Dr Seuss. So you figured, I didn't get to watch Singapore Idol Finals. Heh. So how ah, who's gonna win?

Saturday - let's recap.

Breakfast was with Ichiro and Dad at MacD's. The kids had a wild time playing with bubbles.

Exhausted and 2 hours later, we met up with sis and Say for lunch. It's been a long time. Good ole company I can always count on. It almost didn't materialize cos the minute sis picked us up from our place, some light came on. Not the engine light, not the fuel light. Some light...which was shining bright and WARNING that you'd better do something.

So luckily, there was a petrol kiosk nearby with an Autoserv. The gracious mechanic, despite many many cars awaiting for service, came over and checked for us. He said it was basically OK to drive 'not long distances'. Tampines seemed fine...luckily Say didn't have to take another bus to meet us at CP (still Say, thanks for not minding if you had to).

And yes Say, CONGRATS for finding a new job in a completely different line. For better or worse, at least it's a shot at a brand new beginning. Good luck!

Mentos

I forget how addictive Mentos , the fruity flavoured one, can be.

I bought a tube, knowing that Becks love them but succumbing to temptation...and boredom, I ripped it and ate 5 dragees in less than 5 minutes. Dun blame me, the top 5 happened to be in my favourite colour/flavour - yellow.

*5...and counting...*

Black Coffee

I wish Boss will quit drinking his black coffee.

At about 10am every single working day, you will hear him sorting coins from his wallet, putting them in his pocket and heading out. To Starbucks downstairs.

These Japanese must really be highly paid. They cannot seem to bring themselves to consume the 3-in-1 or 2-in-1 available in the pantry. They must have this atas coffee costing an insane $5 per cup.

OK, I've digressed. Anyway, my concern is, his breath freakin STINKS! I swear I hold my breath each time he comes over and talks to me. It is a stunt - doing that, smiling and nodding all at the same time, trying to look like I am understanding every single thing he says when all I can think of is - wahlau, it really smells.

Obligations

I fulfilled 2 today.

I am clad in a considered-very-formal-by-my-and-this-office-standard formal long-sleeved shirt to meet and greet some big shot from Japan. I also sat through an hour-long presentation in JAPANESE without looking bored and stifling yawns in-between.

Talk about 1st class EMOTE. :P

And so the story goes....

No, I'm not blogging from the airport. I'm back in my (shit?)hole...in the office.

Early in the morning, I missed 3 calls from Boss. I knew it must be urgent so I returned it and was told to cancel my flight because NO, I DID NOT KNOW that Thailand has been declared a 'state of emergency' under martial law at 3am!!! Trying not to sound stupid/ignorant (can they be mutually exclusive?), I thanked him and said I would report to office as usual.

Personally, I'm glad. Becks has 'ordered' me to come home every night yesterday. I told her to please speak with my boss. Now, I dun have to disappoint a soon-to-be-4-year-old. :)

Professionally, I'm anxious. Cos there is a truckload of issues to discuss and settle with the Thai counterparts! Whatever they are not doing is creating this negative and intolerable spill-over effect on us. Looks like we have to grit our teeth and endure it a while more.

To places I (don't want to) go?!

I used to love travelling...with my family. Then I started working and the yearly holidaying stopped completely with them. I miss my dad's spirit of adventure, superb planning skills and generiosity.

Now, travelling is all about business trips. I just ended a discussion with Boss. He told me to 'travel more soon' as the Travel Budget for 2006 is under-utilized! Suggested customers in Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, India...and Brazil!

Rewind 6 years, I would have jumped at the chance. To see the world which I would otherwise not have been willing to part my own money with to see, to escape from the monotony of daily operations...BUT.

No thank you. Simply bad timing.

PS: To Bangkok I go tomorrow! Till Friday...

That 'Dreaded Dinner'

Oh, I didn't mention about the dinner I had on Friday. It wasn't so bad. :P We went to Hot Stones at Clarke Quay. Wonderful food except that I was smelling like barbecued beef (or how do you call it on hot stove - grilled?) all over in a matter of few minutes. My hair and skin got really oily and I was trying to shift my focus on the 2 nihon-jin in front of me (guest and Boss).

Luckily the guest didn't look and sound like she came from the mountains. She had her own sense of humour and could speak decent amount of English. And Boss, surprise surprise, was all charming and was striking up interesting enough conversational topics.

Still......let's not do it again lah. Not so soon.

Paranoia

I could really use more of impromptu lunches. Just now, I had another one with RJ again (we met last Monday).

She should be much busier than her current situation except that her partners are absolutely paranoid with her spreading the disease to them (and their babies) so she's 'isolated' from the new shop and can only run errands. You see, her 2 sons just contracted HFMD.

I know 1 of her partners had great difficulty conceiving and carrying the baby for 9 months...but to strap yourself with paranoia for the rest of your life, it's not gonna be an easy ride...for herself and those around her. Then my imagination started wandering to the cutlery we use in hawker centres, seats (ANY seats) our asses lay on, the poles our hands cling on for support (bus, MRT), THE HANDS WE SHAKE WHEN WE MEET NEW PEOPLE AT WORK, etc.

We can run but we cannot hide.

Water!

We accompanied the kids to play with water at the in-laws'....yes, 'accompanied'...cos we weren't playing the main role (actually M & I bumped into them at the lift landing)...and yes again, 'play with water' cos the troops weren't exactly swimming; we adults were not clad appropriately and did not even bring extra clothes to change!

So they had fun, all in about 20 minutes...only. I promise I will play a more active role next Sunday. :P

Of course my weekends aren't completed without 'my personal time', i.e. DVD Time. Rented The Descent for lack of new releases.

Did you know I absolutely cannot watch horror? Yes, I will be scared chicken shit. After The Ring (please....the Japanese version one) which left me traumatized for months, I no longer long for the thrill from watching horror movies. I had to ask M many times for assurance that the movie would leave me with no nightmares and also sms the opinion from my '2 crazy galfriends'. OK, nothing horrifying so I proceeded to watch. It turned out to be entertaining. Phew.

A Dreaded Dinner...tonight

I can't bear the thought of spending an additional minute with the company. Friends who know me know I live very hard by the "OTD* Policy".

My boss has to squash my TGIF mood by requesting (and assuming I am free. I RESENT THIS SO MUCH!) that I join dinner with a guest from Japan tonight.

Luckily Nat is joining too. She is one of the very few in my team whom I like and believe whose company I can enjoy.

*OTD=On the dot

Singapore Idol Result

Another confession...need I elaborate?

Singapore Idol

I have a confession....no....two.

I finally caught more than 5 minutes of it last night.
And I agree with DDD, that Jonathon Leong may just succeed Taufik.

Snacking

I may have an idea what is giving my idle-ness away. I've been snacking on a huge pack of strawberry plums while working (or not) which is lasting me more than a week (I'm getting so addicted to them!). It doesn't help that I snack openly with ease.

For those who understand Japs well, they are not crazy about staff eating at their desk. I'm not talking about a packet of chicken rice. Dun let them catch sight of any kind of miniscule matter you put in your mouth and chew. They can be that uptight.

Anyway, I have a bad habit of snacking. I do it to relive boredom mainly. Anything works...maybe except gua zi. Too much work. I remember I would spend most of my allowance in primary school on packets of Twisties, Calbee, Cheezels and...Kaka! 20c for a piece of crappy toy! There are a lot more images flashing through my head now but I can't remember their names. Chocolates work best to reduce stress. I know of some friends (yes WL, you are one of them) who do not snack at all. How can one be so disciplined???

My life would have been so boring......

Biz trip again

I am scheduled to leave for Bangkok next Wednesday with SW again. The meeting should be an easy one to tackle without any Japanese Managers (read: very ineffective) present.

But what is dreadful is it would be another round of spoon-feeding. Boss wanted to let them come onboard the project 2nd phase....I'm beginning to suspect he can tell I am getting restless...and idle. :P

Growth

1. The troops

They are growing so fast...physically and mentally. They are beginning to play with each other more. Recently, they would put their hands on top of their heads at the same time, go "Mmmmm" for the longest time and then go "POP!" as loudly as they can, lifting up their arms in a V above their heads also at the same time. Then they'll break up in giggles. Sometimes hugging while giggling.

It takes away the cute-ness using so many words to describe the 'game' to you...but if you ever get to see it, it's really another Kodak moment. OK, maybe just for me, the mummy. :)

2. Zits

I thought zits mostly sprout on one's T-zone area (on the face). Well, not for me, not this time. 1 below my left eye that's been most stubborn, 1 at my left temple that seems to have a 'life' of its own. Red, throbbing, glaring, irritating...HIDEOUS.

Last night while I was playing rough with Mong, he accidently hit it. I was in pain! Thanks for the reminder, boy...

Pregnancy was the best thing that happened to me. Besides bearing the 'gift from God', blah blah, my complexion was never better! But then who would really notice me while I had put on 23 kg at the peak of the pregnancy.

I hope this is just a phase. Sigh, at this age I'd think I have passed puberty stage and be done with these 'monsters'.

PLEASE LET THE HEALING BEGIN!

A.A.Milne's LINES AND SQUARES

This is what I got from RJ. I had an impromptu lunch with her. It was overdue too. I haven't seen her for a while especially with her new (and bigger) shop-moving. Oh hey, and because I like this gal a lot, let me do this for her. Check out her shop here.

So what is "Lines and Squares"? It came in the form of paper strips, ones with grids, bound together. Each strip, because of its size, holds only a 2-line stanza.

Whenever I walk in a London street,
I'm ever so careful to watch my feet;
And I keep in the squares,
And the masses of bears,
Who wait at the corners all ready to eat
The sillies who tread on the lines of the street,
Go back to their lairs,
And I say to them, "Bears,
Just look how I'm walking in all the squares!"
And the little bears growl to each other,
"He's mine,
As soon as he's silly and steps on a line."
And some of the bigger bears try to pretend
That they came round the corner to look for a friend;
And they try to pretend that nobody cares
Whether you walk on the lines or squares.
But only the sillies believe their talk;
It's ever so important how you walk.
And it's ever so jolly to call out, "Bears,
Just watch me walking in all the squares!"

Produced on a manual Olivetti LETTERA 82 typewriter
Copyright. Milne A.A.

/ we are BooksActually

It's so cute! And thanks to her, I found out that Milne is the guy behind Winnie the Pooh. I dun fancy Pooh but I appreciate the history and background. :P

Insomnia

No, it was so NOT WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I only managed to fall asleep at 6:30am....and had to wake up at about 8am.
I am not sure if it was related directly to the big cuppa TT I had but I swear it was the last time. Well, at least till the next decade.

My 15-minute nap saved my sanity.

Anyway, I also went for my much-belated eyebrow tweezing session at East Point. I am now convinced only Anita can do it. I wanted her but she wasn't free and considering it was so last minute, I decided to let this young gal, pretty and obviously a fashionista with very very bad teeth, do it. And now, I'm officially bald. The end of my left eyebrow that is.

Huuuuuge TT

Lunch was at my mom's. It's been so long since we went there cos it's usually drop-and-go.

I was craving for a TT; haven't had it (at Amoy) since my kakis left.
I wasn't expecting a 'dinosaur' size. $1.50...it was worth it.

To the zoo we go!

What's a leave application during the school holiday? Asking Becks for her choice on where to go, the answer is always the same. Well, most of the time.

The weather was darn fine. Also because of good pacing, I did not develop a headache. :)

FOZ membership expires in Nov 06. Time for renewal. Ha.

Garden City

Thanks to IMF, I haven't seen so many potted plants and flowers on my way to work for a long time.

Nice...

"Project"....NOT.

Sigh...and so my "project" has failed. :B and I will forever have 2 differing views which can never be supported by statistics.

I conclude:
1. My blog has no readers (those who have left their comments are actually fictitious).
2. My blog has no male readers.
3. My blog has no real and/or human male readers (only dog/s trained miraculously to recognize words but not type).
4. My male blog readers are shy.
5. My male blog readers cannot be honest.

ps: Yes I'm bored again. Hey, I caught this very nice song on radio this morning. Listened on for the DJ's intro though I already reached the office. By Backstreet Boys. Dun judge me.

Chocolate...no more?!

McD's has phased out the chocolate-flavoured ice cream for their waffle cones. The 95c ones. I found this out 2 days ago when I stood in line to buy one.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. Really????? Singaporeans prefer vanilla to chocolate ice cream??????

Many years ago, I already couldn't believe it that McD's stopped selling their milkshakes. Cheap and good. Maybe then I was the only one who loved it. But hey, it's been revived.

Once bitten, twice not shy?

Mood

Have you seen the big ads in Metro lately? I'm-in-a-I-feel-like-shopping-mood-today, blah blah.

So I'm inspired. I'm in a I-dun-want-to-talk-about-it mood now.

Just kidding. I'm just tickled by the picture. Actually I found it while looking through shots posted as tribute to the late Steve Irwin.

"Project"

I'm doing a l'le project here. It's just a simple question that requires an honest answer, preferably from males.

Are all males (straight, non-straight, handsome, ugly, young (hopefully above 12), old (to infinity and beyond),...wait...let me rephrase - male HUMAN BEINGS) into porn?

Troops' Day

How lovely if Monday is an off-day every week.

I dunno if I am getting verb-obssessive with Mong. I am really trying. I have also started toilet-training with him. Once every 1-1.5 hour. It was successful 4 times (out of 6-7 I think). I tell you, one can never imagine my thrill out of seeing urine sprout and him smiling back at me while looking at the 'fountain'. Pretty special moment. :P

It has also been a very looooong time since I had lunch with Becks. Just mother and daughter. We took the bus and had lunch & tea.

I had my own usual time in the noon. Rented a French comedy - The Secret Adventures of Gustav Klopp. I am amazed I can even remember the full title and get drawn by it. Turns out French humour is really tops... I am also lucky to find the lead played by the very cute dude in Love Me if You Dare, Guillaume Canet.

The evening was spent playing bubbles. Did not succeed in encouraging Mong to say 'more' or 'again' though. Damn. I will try again (read: obssessive).

Working resumes tomorrow...and I was just getting used to be a full-time mother (oh?).:P

Tien Hsia "Graduation" Performance

10 lessons already. Becks, together with her class, gave a performance of recitals. My 2 crazy galfriends joined me.

The performance this time was lack-lustre. The kids didn't seem to enjoy themselves and unfortunately, there was also no individual/dual performance like the last time. Bah...and I let Becks wear that cute skirt for her to do a dramatic curtsey (momma's dream. Haha).

At least :B got to taste the wonderful teh-si I blogged about. Actually...twice.

After that, my 2 crazy galfriends got even crazier by joining us to The Animal Resort. Yes we picked Mong on the way there. Despite having few animals and visiting there this frequently, it is still fun. We saw this unidentifiable bird...really sad, really old, really defensive/fierce, all caged up, with sparse curly hair like Albert Einstein's (I am not kidding) and a wattle as big as your Prada bag. So that made it to my list of scary animals in the resort, besides the iguana.

1 crazy galfriend left for home, the other followed us back for the kids' lunch and then to my in-laws' place.

The weather was crazy. It was a long tiring day...definitely memorable.

Singapore Idol Finalists...in heartland!

I need to save myself from embarrassement by assuring you first that I do not follow the show one bit. But I listen enough from the morning Class duo to know that Jasmine cannot make it, that Joakim was being bullied (and finally, it's the end of his sufferings after his boot-out last Thursday) and that Hady is the only promising one.

So anyway, a trip to CP on Saturday morning made me discover that the 4 finalists were dropping by on stage at 3pm.

After lunch and right after M picked Becks up to go to her Popo's place, I was left alone to walk home. 3:08pm...good timing. I strolled to the main arena and saw screaming people (mostly teenagers?) thronging the front of the stage. I could barely see the faces of the Idol finalists, barely hear them...they were just mumbling into the microphones!

5 min and I was out. I wanted to blog about the experience...but I think I'm just left with the thought why I did that crazy thing.

Speech Therapy

With a name like "Prudence", with an office located downtown and with an accent, I did not expect Mong's 1st therapy session to be cheap.

It is pretty eye-opening as her methods to get Mong to say certain words (it's the bloody verbs that elude him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) which we haven't been able to were effective. Well of course it had to be effective considering that speech pathology is a major and people have to pay a freakin amount of money to get an overseas BSc for it.

So sadly, my observation is true. I've read that by 26 months old, a toddler would be able to achieve this and that. Mong can't do all of it. His speech is delayed. I mean he's darn good with the nouns but he can't do verbs. And he's demonstrating echolia.

Sometimes I wish I hadn't read so much to get myself into a state of worry, panic, disappointment, etc. I mean, my mother, MIL, some aunties, even my maid assured me that their friends' or siblings' sons (hmm...mostly boys) started speaking only at the age of 3+. Mong is a pretty clever child. He has NO problems picking up the mechanics on how things work just by observing once. Maybe M is right - that our son will just grow up to be a typical engineer. All brains and no EQ. :P

ps: Many many thanks to DDD for her resourcefulness and efficiency. I need to call them to check which therapist has weekend slots. I wonder how other working mothers cope.