I'm going to learn driving... ... Yes! I enrolled myself for driving today, sad to say I chose "Auto", as I'hv got no confidence at all learning "manual". On top of this... ... wahaha!!! Ah Da paid the course fee for me (est S$1200). I must aim to pass the 1st time round and not waste any time nor money on re-test. My basic theory is scheduled on 15th November, 6.30pm. I have about a month to study for it... ... "I will work hard!加油，加油，加油！"

FAVOURITISM!!! Are you guilty of it???

Many of us will admit that it's easier to feel the love of a smiling and sunny-natured child than one that is screaming and kicking or making a big fuss.

One study by a UK company noted that there is a 13% of parents admitting to having a favourite child. In US, a 1/4 of parents showed favouritism, while in Australia a whooping 69% admitted in giving preferential treatment to one child. What about you???

According to the study, there are many reasons for favouring one child over the other. This may be because:-

1. he is more like you in looks / personality; and
2. you are his favourite parents; and
3. your child meets your expectations.

Dr Dirk Flower suggested that we parents should spend more time with the other child that we favour less. He also pointed out that all children and adults are different and are unique and we should not tall into the trap of comparing them, as this can hurt their self-esteem.

I must admit that I'm guilty of favouritism. Perhaps it is the guilt I felt towards Jonie, as I spent less time with her as she sleep with my in-laws and we can't get her to sleep with us. Furthermore, she lack so much in her speech development as my in-laws simply don't know what to talk to her or correct her of any mispronouciation. But I'm torn, on one hand I felt I should teach her more (in terms of behaviour / writing / speech) however on the other I'm unable to be stern to her. I just feel I "owe" her too much.

"Preferential treatment can be damaging to your child's esteem and it can turn into sibling rivalry and a competition for your attention, so AVOID going down that road." Dr Dirk Flower, Mother&Baby, May2010 issue.

Yes! I went Universal Studio with my 2 elder daughter, hubby and friends. We sure did enjoy our day despite the hot and humid weather. Although I didn't get to try all the rides but I still enjoy my time spent with my daughters.

The shows are great to watch but are too loud for young children. Hence my daughters did not really enjoy the show but they did enjoy the fire works that started at 1730 every weekends. We caught the 4D Shrek and personally like it a lot. I'm not too sure if it's comparable to those in the States, as I'hv never been there. However, there aren't many rides that you can test your limits.

*Not open yet*

Be prepared to spent a full day at Universal Studio to cover every corner and make the tickets well spend (expensive!).

Are any of you guys out there using StarHub cable or land line or mobile? Have you been experiencing very slow signal or just can't load a page? Have you been experiencing long dial tone which ended up being cut off? Or you waited for very long and the line didn't get trough?

I'm personally using StarHub cable for my internet and it take ages to load a page. Even as I'm typing now I bear the risk that this post might not be able to publish later. Believe it or not, my 3G under SingTel is even faster then my home cable. Totally disappointed!!! My auntie whom have recently signed up StarHub package which bundle in the land line, have trouble calling out and we have problem calling in. Guess the most disappointing part is that after numerous calls to the Customer Service, they didn't sent anyone down to her resi to check it for them. They even went to buy a new phone, thinking that the phone might be faulty. Being an elderly they have got no idea what is going on and furthermore their only son is furthering his studies oversea. Shouldn't StarHub sent a technician down to check on their lines, instead of asking them to troubleshoot themselves? Poor customer care = no customer service.

Recently received a call from a studio claiming that they are doing a promotion for their opening. They also promised that there is no hidden cost and that they are inviting us (the Family) for a photo shot just to "make known" their studio. As per the conversation, they will be giving us 2 edited shots and the whole session will take about 2 - 3 hours. Of course if you like the rest of the photos you will have to purchase them. Sound fair! So we went...

After about 3 hours of session, they brought us to another room to choose the photo we like. So we choose, then came the "VIP talk". The package goes like this, if you take up the package either in full payment or instalment you can enjoy: yearly events shots (birthday parties), one free album (in the size you chose according to your package fee), free make-up course and also yearly studio shots with CDrom. Maybe there are more on list but I think my ears got blocked half way. I personally felt cheated and I not too sure about how the rest of you felt. Does it sound like a scram? Or is it really a scram?

Maybe I am being too naive to believe in such "good" thing. BUT good thing did happened before and that's why I believe...

Probably 2 months back, I received a call from a cleaning company claiming that they have been in the industry for 20 years and would like to demo their dust mite vacuum cleaner. 1st impression, NO LAH!!! However after hearing them out, I decided to try them out. WHY? Because they mentioned: how long it will take, it's a free demo to introduce the vacuum cleaner, people have bought the vacuum cleaner with warranty of 10 years and the price (mouth wide opened and I stopped her. TOO expensive!) but she continued to say that they have per session service. SO? she mentioned that just give it a try, they understand that S$4,000 for a vacuum cleaner is a bit hard to swallow but they wish that we can consider their per time service as well. The sale man whom came on that day was not pushy and we have also decided to hire them to come once a year to spring clean before CNY.

All in all, there are times where we will meet with ad hoc scram but not all advertising should be condemned.

Selling Bright Starts Bouncer for S$40

*Barney not included*

The award winning Bounce Bounce Baby is fully loaded with toys, light and melodies. This compact activity zone has all of the features necessary to keep baby entertained! The bounce pad allows baby to bounce and dance, and the 360 degrees for full access to toys.

3 height settings allows platform to grow with baby.

Toy bars feature: Spring Ball Slider, hanging mirror and Caterpillar Bead Chaser.

Seat pad is machine washable.

Suitable for 4 months & up / up to 30" tall

Selling Giant Blue Net Bouncer for S$20

Selling Mothercare White Dress for S$8

- Suitable for 12 - 18mths

- With flower embiodery

- With matching hat

Selling 10 pink infant hats for S$10

Selling P'feather Tummy Belt, excellent for use after C-section. Personally used it to hold the tummy "up" so that it's not siting on the wound. To enable myself to sit up without so much pain.

It is stretchable and self stick, easy to use and can be washed. It's aprox 110cm in length.

*Not for fussy buyer and not for slimming*

Selling Baby Fox Sporty Skirt for S$4

*Suitable for 3 - 6mths*

Excellent condition

*Suitable for 3 - 6 mths*

Excellent Condition

Selling Utopia Convertible Dress for S$8

- Side zip

- Elastic Back

- Gather at bottom

- Untie to become full length dress

Selling TollyJoy Pilliow & 2 Bolster set for S$4

*Have 2 sets to sell*

Selling Secret Island Padded Dress for S$5

- Full length aprox 82cm

- Leafy design

Selling Peach Flowery Maternity Dress from Spring Maternity for S$5

- Label cut off

- Full length aprox 90cm

- Elastic back

Selling Cherry Blossom Gap Kids Dress for S$5

- Size: 12 (XL)
- Back zip
- Inner lining
- Full length aprox 80cm