Susannakwan’s Weblog

Dear Maddy

Just to update that we had a great time, though following a package tour is tiring and more boring than if we were to go with friends. We visited many theme parks and you like them all.

You were well behaved overall, but during the last few days, you consistently tested boundaries. You even said that you were scared of the hi-tech Japanese toilets, which make things difficult. Perhaps, I need to find out if security needs to be boosted from with you, as you seem very attached to physical comfort zones.

This trip makes me realise that we would be better off holidaying with friends during Summer instead of just me and you going to Greece. Luckily, Aunty Sueyi has since arranged for her, Uncle Terrence, me, you and Uncle Lionel to go to France and Switzerland together this August. Maddy, you would even see snow this Summer as a result. Hooray!!!!

Love you lots.

Mummy

Dear Maddy,

You will remember that mommy set up a game for you such that you could earn stickers before you go to Japan tomorrow. One sticker would buy you one small present eitehr for yourself or for your friends/family.

The rules are that you will get one sticker, if you (i) say hi to (a) Gung Gung, (b) Por Por and (c) 5 people that you know, (ii) had not been naughty 3 times withion 1 day and (iii) that you will get 2 stickers if you were good in your Mandarin class. The purpose of the game was to get you to understand that your actions are connected with your results. In so doing, you could understand that what you do will have a relation and connection as to what you will get as a treat. Meanwhile, it will also motivate you to “get out of your comfort zone” and try doing new things, for instance, say “hi” to people.

When in Japan, your key areas of learning would be empathy. This will allow your to try stepping outside of yourself and see how other people feel. Once you learn about empathy, it will definitely improve your communication skills and ease your temperament.

Mommy

This is the first time that I attended Rugby 7s at length and liked it. Once I adopted a different perspective and view the occasion, I noticed that it could be good. Maddy also went there with her daddy and it seemed that she liked it.

Next year, may be, I would get the tickets and bring Maddy there too, if similarly there will be a group going along with me.

Dear Madeleine,

This is just to recap that our dogs have received a legal letter from JSM, asking for them to move house. The reasoning behind it is that Olympics keep on barking. As a result, you, me and Aunty Remy had transported Olympics and Snowy to Uncle Norway’s house in Fanling, such that they could stay there and lie low for 1 month, till we come back from Japan during Easter. Thereafter, we would need to put Olympics and Snowy through training, such that they would not bark. In fact, Olympics is always biting everything and that includes freshly painted walls, already painted walls, your wardrobe corner, your doors and many other things. If truth be known, I have been consideraing giving Olmoics away right now. But, since I have been speaking to you for many times, testing if you would opt to just keep Snowy, upon which you clearly told me that you wish to keep both dogs, I would now try it out to see if the situation is bearable after the training we have now booked for them.

Aside from that, things seem fine. I just wish that the dogs would become less naughty when they come back from Uncle Norway, for with the current economic situation, we could not afford to move house.

Mummy

This represents one of a warmer wedding we attended. We wish Mary (my ex-colleague) all her very best.

On Valentine’s day, Maddy had the exposure towards a variety of socio-economic sectors.
In the early morning, we went to the HK voluntary work meetup group, wherein Maddy and I visited 3 different units of eldery people. The living quarters for some of these elderly people are extremely tiny. Maddy saw all this and I trust that this will widen her horizon to the world around her in HK.
Slightly before noon, we attended a lavish “introduction party” at the Penninsular Hotel for baby Clayton. There were lots of toys, balloons, a clown/magician and many others at this party. Maddy also wore a Dalmatian costume. She had great fun.
In the afternoon, we visitted Po Leung Kuk again to see our sponsored boy. Now that Maddy is more used to these Po Leung Kuk visits, she was rather at ease playing along with some Po Leung Kuk kids.
To Maddy, all I can give her are experiences, exposures and memories. By such exposure, I really wish that she could have a more overall view of the world.
In the evening of Valentine’s day, we had a very nice early dinner at Ruby Tuesday as well. This Valentine’s day is the best that I have had in my life .

Maddy won 3rd place for the SCMP X’mas Tree decorations competition. The present was a high tea at Island Shangrila Hotel. Maddy treated me and my mom.

In 2009, both Maddy and my dad share the same day of birthday. Maddy’s birthday is on 30 January and my dad celebrates his birthday by the 5th day of the Chniese Lunar calendar. In 2009 (namely, this year), their birthdays co-incide. Hence the joint blowing of birthday candles this year!!!
Wishing them manay many more happy days to come.

Our dogs are Snowy (“Suet Tsai”, a white chiwawa of 16 months) and Olympics (“O Tsai”, a brown toy poodle of 14 months).
They are very cute but not really trained.
Maddy asked me quite alot since beginning of 2008 that she wanted siblings. But, having been informed that she would need to have a new farther if she were to have siblings, she opted for pets.
Up to now, we have already received 2 management complaint letters and we fear that a lawyer’s letter would be the next “bomb”. With our new helper helping, the dogs were much more trained and calm. We just hope that we will survivce through the impending crisis.
BTW, our old helper Nuriyati was caught stealing from my mom and had to be terminated on Christmas Eve 2008. Lucky, Maddy understood and could get on with new situation and new helper.