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Daphne

Kidspeak

Nobody’s doing any marrying anytime soon

June 24, 2013

Kids

Truett: Last time when you were small, was daddy your brother?

Me: WHAT?? No…Why?

Truett: Then how did you marry daddy?

Me: Ohhh, that’s where you’re going with this. Ok, see…kao fu (uncle) is my brother, just like you and Kirsten. We grew up together and had lots of fun but siblings don’t get married. I only met daddy when I was 19. We were friends in school and then one day daddy asked me to marry him and I said yes. That’s more or less how it happened.

Truett: Daddy is your friend? You married your friend??? Hahahahahahahah how can you marry your friends?

Me: How is that funny? Well, first he was my friend and we liked each other a lot so he became my boyfriend. Like an extra-special friend. And after a while, I realized daddy was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with so I agreed to marry him.

Truett: Then next time who am I going to marry?

Me: Don’t worry, one day when you’re older, you’re going to meet someone special. Someone who loves you and makes you happy and who will be just right for you.

Truett: But what if I don’t meet anyone special?

Me: Trust me, you will, son. In fact, I think you’ll be too busy fending off girls so remember to pick a good one ok. And hey, you’re too young to worry about stuff like that now.

Truett: Ok.

*pause*

Kirsten: Kor kor, I cannot marry you anymore. I will choose from my N2 class – Elliot, Derrick, Javier, Afiq or Berwin.

Me: Young lady, there will be no choosing until you turn 18. Or 25. Daddy is going to make sure of that.

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seriously somewhat serious

Smoke gets in your eyes

June 20, 2013

haze

Photo credit: Today

I’m not very much fond of of talking about the weather but today I make an exception because the haze situation here is clearly out of control.

I woke up this morning and for a moment, I thought the house was on fire. Hurriedly, I bolted out of bed and was relieved to discover that it was the haze but only just – and it’s the sort of relief that comes when you realize that you’ve been stabbed in the thigh instead of the neck.

In the living room, the kids were already changed and ready for school like they usually are. The husband opened the door to step out and the haze was so ridiculous that everyone hastily retreated back in. I’ve never walked into the Sahara desert during a sandstorm or tried to escape from a burning building but I imagine it feels something like this.

So we’re all home and I’m trying to create a protective bubble with all the windows closed tight. Who would have thought that the little air purifier we got some time back is now the single most treasured appliance in our house? I make the kids crowd around it like a campfire spot because for now, it’s the closest thing we’ve got to clean air.

It’s not really working though.

The kids are having drippy noses. Baby Finn is rubbing his eyes all the time and he’s hacking away with a mild fever. It feels miserable enough for me so I can only imagine how much worse it must be for their tiny lungs to cope with a Pollutant Standards Index level that’s well above the hazardous range.

It makes me want to hulk smash something except that it will be too strenuous while I’m breathing in dangerous smoke particles. And it’s getting hard to look on the bright side when one can barely see at all. Let’s hope things get better soon.

You guys stay safe!

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