八连拍

Mary Kay

everyone in Mary Kay has a story to tell..... written when I was deciding to go for my directorship 

I joined in March 2010, went into Sales director Christina's skincare class, sat down and was pretty much convinced with the products. Didn't seemed like a con job, prestigious looking company with great credentials and so I signed up with Mary kay with $100 (to get a bag of products that is worth more than that amount) that very day as I really do need that range of skincare to go back to work and to get that at 30% was pretty much a good deal.

As like all normal people, I was one of those who left my Mary Kay bag in a corner while I carried on with my daily life forgetting I joined something until Belle reminded me to place an order in April... Plus the fact I was free so I agreed on attending some class to get $100 off my purchase. That day I learnt more about MK and its unique culture, and yes I was falling asleep most of it as its been years since I attended a course!!! It was really just something I wanted to enrich myself in the midst of parenting....

I placed my 600 points order and waited for the products to arrive and by that time its was May. Used the products with lots of enthusiasm and the effect was amazing! So that month Belle asked me to attend some unit meeting for some training which I decided "okie really no harm in seeing" Then OMG I was amazed by the enthusiasm of the women I saw that day.. like come on this is so unreal! Tears, hugs, laughters.. I sat there with folded arms and decided I may have stepped into a cult or something. Left the place and decided that this is not my cup of tea.

That month I was asked to help out in a school's event; corporate skincare class for the teachers and thought oh well... why not. Since parenting was starting to take its toll on me and I needed a valid reason to do something with minimum cost... and so I followed. Totally learned alot that day and spend my hours talking and chatting up with people and left very pleased with myself and so decided to ask my mummy friends if they were keen on attending one similar to one I just attended. Approached Shann 1st as at that time we seem to be chatting with each other almost everyday and the response I got was "I WANT!!!, She is my Idol!' I swore at that moment I was wondering if I was the one living in Mars as she seemed to know this brand way better than me...  she wanted to know if Mary Kay was the person who was to conduct the class and I sadly told her "eh die le " *opps. Nevertheless her excited rubbed off me and offered her place for a class.. since we were also due for a gathering and so we organized one that day.

The class was conducted by Belle while I stood by watching and assisting... the mummies were having great fun. That day I sold a little products which I decided that I could order another round.*yippee its what I call simple pleasures. During that time,  I chatted with some other people, recruited 2 friends (hoping it will rub off to them) and then I gradually died down. By June, I made a visit to office for some makeup class by this Malaysian Senior Sales Director Joanne and she "prescribed" some products and techniques to help me get my youthful glow. So my 3rd batch of orders was mainly for my usage ... I got complacent and did other stuffs, telling myself that selling ain't my cup of tea for my hopes of customers wanting to reorder seemed to have diminished. For me, to train my 2 beauty consultants were also real tough as my experience was really limited, at that point Belle was going for her directorship and so she really couldn't guide me along This was the point when I was real down..... cried heaps too, why? coz i sucked hahaha

In July, I received an email from a girl and she wanted to get for me a eye primer... as I am a techie freak I did go into some beauty forum to answer some questions, she was one of those that I answered, something about oily lids as she can't never put on eyeshadow. I met up with her at some cafe and she was so excited to be able to get the product as she did ask her friends in Malaysia about it and this friend swears by it. I think her friend was doing this in Malaysia.... While chatting with her she was looking at my skin and asking me how I achieve this and so I shared my story. suddenly she asked me how to get a discount if she will to buy? I was very apprehensive about asking her to join as I felt I was inexperienced to lead her into this. She however was real adamant about it.. so I called Belle to put this girl under her for her to lead but she refused. For this girl was attracted to me and could click.... and so at that point I  decided that I must be better in what I did.

From that day onwards, I made visits to the office, sat in many people's classes to learn how to better myself and brush up on my skills of the skin care class. I spoke to alot of people in office on how to do this business better and found out that by being on the "ladder of success", company will give you leads. So I up my game... During this point, it was toughest time! for I have absolutely no idea how to sell and sell well. I sat in front of the computer trying to find tips but failed for great sales people can't write or teach. Its a very personal game.... I started to ask top sales people, my husband and of course my father in law- the person who sold cigarettes when he was a poor man and is a self made millionaire. His words of wisdom were "What is rejection? it worthless Florinda... don't get the emotions get the better of you. Totally pointless to sit here trying to figure out a way. You gotta do it and learn."

I swear its sounds easier than done... I struggled so hard with myself, fighting the worst part of me and hiding the best part. I ended up crying alot.  I know if I fail at this point I will never succeed in life for this is my big boulder that is blocking my path to success. I struggle many times opting out and going to find a "real" job for its seems so much easier, but nothing pays more in life than sales job and one that allows up to climb up in ranks. I saw a bigger picture then...

Everyday is a struggle but like all jobs it will always be.... I flew 11 years and still had crappy passengers who will irk me and I took it personal.. but hellya that's life.  I work hard because I have a determination and have realized in my life, I must never make excuses. If I am lazy then admit it... I however have started making efforts to observe successful people in life and realized they never made excuses ... at all. 

I am not sure where this journey brings me, I just know I got myself the fantastic skin I always wanted. the business aspect of it is just a start. This is a waiting game like all businesses, the most patient one wins.

Progress in playgroup (Day 3)

Day 3: I decided not to send her as we decided that her drama-ness intensifies with me around. So Grandma Ng and Aunty Nita driven by Grandpa Ng and DD T brought her to school (while I slept in , as she has been real sticky last 2 days and it took alot of me for I absolutely cannot work ) She was dropped off at the gate, though there was lots of grumbling, one teacher managed to take her away from them..

I received more photos and she seemed to do real well :)

Grandma Ng and Aunty Nita picked her up as they felt that they promised her so I left the duty to them while I worked. They came back so happy and reported what happen in school today, telling me that she was telling them stories on their way back home kekeke. I spent 2 hours with her before I ran out for meetings. (drama-ness & sticky-ness included)

doing my work with Elly

concentrating during lesson

getting into activities

sitting down with friends for circle time

Initiated to go up for demonstration (omg my JG works!!)

Ta-da ... guess who??

yeah Im done!

mummy I'm eating noodles soup.. yummy!

Trying to show a funny face when teacher asked me ;)

Mummy I'm eating banana

Her sms: yes she's better settled today. had a few short cries before 10am, longer interval and shorter duration for each as compared to yesterday. More settled through mid of lesson as she's captivated by teacher's picture cards, songs and games. after that no more whining at all. Asked for mummy in between routine transition but is able to accept reasoning.

We're glad she is taking it well too ;) but keeping our fingers crossed first as we do come across children who display bigger reaction on 2nd wk!

1 good things is that Victoria is very vocal and her ability to express her needs and emotion through words is good, this does reduce her anxiety to some extent. She understands what has been explained or reasoned to her, hence able to accept better as well

* note all captions were provided by Mrs Sim... 

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Progress in playgroup (Day 2)

Day 2- I went to the school with her and found out that it was water play(not informed) ... no clothes :( = lots of grumbling. So we started the day on a bad note, called home to get her swim clothes, by the time it came, she was real grouchy. Mrs Sim came in later at 930 and managed to take her away from me....

I got home and got photos of her progress through Whatsapp and I thank the principal much

Her sms: You 're welcome. It's our pleasure to be able to share children's progress with parents. Transition period for new parents/children is a very special moment.

Today wasn't very good as she was more naggy and grumbled lots, there was at one point when her brows turn red and the teachers knew she was on the verge of crying and brought out "Elly"- the security toy. V controlled her tears well and I received a text to ask me to come early; hoping that she can end her school well. Very thoughtful of Mrs Sim :)

Her sms: Hi, as Victoria is more emotional today as compared to yesterday, you may want to come slightly earlier, say aroud 1130 to shorten her day? She is doing fine right now in class, just that the frequency of her asking for mummy is higher than yesterday, hence would suggest to end her day before the patience runs out. 

water play

she asked for sandwich, had 4 small slices of butter sandwich

drinking water after having sandwiches

Her photos from her principal

As promised, Mrs Sim whatsapp me



Sitting down with her classmates


Lesson time


Doesn't want to sit down in the floor, all the younger kiddos sitting on chairs instead


Music, dance time


Transition from classroom to toilet for hand washing... Doing the train walk


Silent Reading time


See eating lunch!!!!!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

1st day of playgroup

7th February 2011 marks the day my princess starts school by herself!!

I gave her a prep talk about how she must listen to the teachers, no biting, no fighting, no crying and that we will be around in school to wait for her. surprise surprise Victoria DID NOT CRY!!!! we are soooo proud of her.....

DD T and I walked her to school at 9 am (which was 5 mins from Grand's Ng house)

Aunty Nita bought her a barney school bag.. which has 3 pull ups, her Elly toy and milk.

her cute little cubbie...

we got there in time for outdoor play... so all her classmates were wearing their shoes

Today is hula hoop day.. check out their cute faces!!!!

Everyone meet Donna!!! V's 1st friend in playgroup.... she came up to V and started playing with her... *sweetness.

At this point, I walked away while Mrs Sim (principal) took her to the sand pit to distract her... DD T stayed with her until the outdoor play was over. Walked behind her when Mrs Sim was holding V's hands to go into the school, he too quietly walked away. We both sat outside the school for a good 20 minutes and heard crying ... my heart wrenched, DD T was very sure it wasn't V as she would have been screaming. Mrs Sim came shortly after and commented that our V is a nagger muhahhahah!! for she was asking and asking and asking "where is daddy? where is mummy....." we told her to say we went to work. She convinced us to go home and return at 1130 to pick her up.. so we went back to do the most mundane thing : Wash car.

At 1130 we walked back and went upstairs to check on her ..... guess wat??

we saw her eating!!!! lunch!!! CHINESE food!!! Rice with soup, tofu and egg tofu.. its a miracle!

she even clean up after finishing her food... oh yes she is wearing her JG shirt coz she chose her shirt for school and school to her is JG.

Mrs Sim took a lot of photos for me in her iphone and I have requested that she whatsapp me, it was her behavior while we were away. We walked home and she was so chatty telling me what happened, telling me she danced, read book, colour, eat rice.... She is very excited about day 2 of school, oh well I hope it goes well.

We are so proud of her.......

Uncle Roy's 60th

Although sick.... I had to attend

DD T and me were back to One Altitude the next day for my uncle's 60th birthday, I sort of persuaded him to hold it there as I had a good deal from my close friend and hell the place was nice! Like the ideal place to hold a 60th birthday, to be seen and heard right?

I grew up with uncle roy, like literally..... He is the uncle of my ex, means I knew him since I was 16? hmm 16 years now... gosh how time passes by huh? I grew up 1-7 with my nanny, 7-16 with my parents, 16-21 them, 18-30 with the airline, 27-32 with Trevor... sort of la. That family plays a very important part in my character building, they have a very strong family bond, going on trips together, meeting up almost fortnightly. Which is why at 32 I still see them almost every few months hahahha, even after we broke up, I visited his parents every Christmas without fail. Yes I have very good up bringing.. and now trevor sees them very often too. Its sort of weird for him in the beginning that he has to hang around with my ex but he got used to it after awhile. He is all okie if I go clubbing with my ex too and always remind me to call him coz he pays my drinks and picks me, sends me etc. Trevor is not a clubber, he likes playing xbox, simple man.... or he rather drinks in the coffeeshop. *very boring But they say successful marriage is made up of 2 individuals who leads their own lives.

But on days like these, Trev will come out with me.... he is a hot favourite with everyone as my husband makes himself very comfortable and can hold conversations very well. I busied myself with the event while he hung around at the smokers corner... The rain threatened the party twice but it was a scare! Uncle Roy enjoyed himself very much and it was really pleasant as a niece to see him celebrating his 60th with 60 friends and family!! Like his speech to us, all a man wants at 60 is to have great friends and close family by his side... I wish to be like him when I turn old! I hope to be able hold a party and in it has my children's friends!! 

Uncle Roy always tell me how he has my photo sticker (which we took when we were very young) that sticks on his photo frame that sits in his office of the high court. I gave to it to him when he was DPP and his office was in Winsland to now a district judge whose office in High Court.... how he looks at it every day before his court hahahah. I always tell him the best gift to him is that I stayed out of trouble and never once saw him in his office!!! 

27th January 2011 (ii)

After a nice nap, we got ready for dinner, (Dd T and Grandpa drove back to office to clear up some work.), which is why we were late for our appointment. Reached One Altitude at 7pm and managed to catch Singapore in the evening. V was so going "wow, mummy wow" at the view!

Princess's dinner view!!!!!! Yes i think she is a very lucky gal....

i order a crab meat ravioli which she didn't eat 

foie gras, cheese and some other stuffs

the hams platter: wagyu, angus and parma and some other stuffs, think got rabbit something

tks aunty leona for the Armani top, she lurves it!!!! 

My close buddy who made this dinner possible

her god brother who bought her the cake...

I relented by going close to her..  after this photo... i was a goner

Happy 2nd birthday Victoria!!!

Having dinner here was fantastic... the view is to die for!!! I'm so coming back for a meal as I was going going gone by 830 and didn't enjoy the meal as much as I should. But the princess was in her seat the whole time having her bread and olive oil, parma ham and truffle fries!  I did enjoy my appetizers a lot but that was about it, I started to shiver and the meds wore off and..... we made the decision to pack our cake that was bought by her god brother (my very good friend who works there). We got home, sang her  the birthday song like goodness how many times! She was dancing and going crazy.... ate her cake and enjoyed the night with everyone while mummy me showered and crashed. The sad part was I didn't even get a chance to kiss her on her birth time. But thank goodness for Daddy who kissed her for me..... 

The Princess had a blast!!! 

27th january 2011

I woke up sick... boo hoo


Nobody worked today... Daddy "closed" office and Grandpa didn't go work either, Godma took leave, I moved my appointments for the day.

look at me, like a sick bird.... but V was all perky and excited about our zoo trip! The Ngs drove to our place and we set off together for grandpa ng was sure to be lost since everyone's last trip to the zoo was too long ago.  I left V in their car so that I was able to snooze a little and also to avoid being too close to her. Yes it sucks that I can't even carry or kiss her on her birthday.....

We reached the zoo at about 10-ish and did the usual tourisy photo taking with the parrot (btw came out real nice), will take a shot of it and post another day... I hardly took any photos despite me bringing my D90, just too woozy to concentrate on photo taking.

I decided to do the hippo, giraffe route this round for she was too tiny the last time we were here to enjoy   ... even paid $5 to let her feed Rina. Sooo cute la the giraffe, but stinks. We did the usual stuffs and reached the Kidzworld where there was a Doggy show which she so enjoyed, after the show stripped her to her diapers, walked to the water play but she decided against it and had to dressed her back again. >,..<  Then we brought her tro see her fav rabbit and Grandpa bought her a rabbit hairband, which she wore for the rest of the trip.

We lunched at Ah Meng's cafe and finish the zoo at 2pm, bought stuffies, elephant cup for her and photos which costs grandpa $75 *duh, but nice la.

[DD T drove to the doctors' and guess what I had the tonsillitis which means I have to be quarantined from her for 2-3 days. Thank goodness for grandparents man, DD T slept with Godma, while I slept alone upstairs with the fan. It was really a blessing to be able to rest so well while I am soooo sick.]