Woman’s Talk

Shermaine and myself attended a Jam making class in Science Centre during June’s school holidays. That was an interesting class.  We had both theory and practical session.  Now then I know even flowers have ‘sex’ as in male and female or I have forgotten all about science.

Shermaine!  I don’t know what to do with this girl.  She just can’t study on her own or at least don’t need me to remind her that her exam was around the corner.  I gave her a stack of past year exam papers to do but she took her own sweet time to finish and the best thing was, blank on some pages, especially comprehension and problem sum. 

Usually when I got back home from work, after dinner and shower, I need to look after Jayden.  So I have little time to teach her.  I told her to come to me if she has difficulty in her homework. 

So, I think I have no choice but to take leave to coach her.  Last 2 weeks, I took a couple days of leave to teach her.  As she is weak in English and Mathematics, I focus more time teaching her these 2 subjects. 

On the 2nd day of my leave, I was about to sit down and teach her, I received a call.  It was Shermaine’s form teacher.  She told me that Shermaine did not do her homework since January.  Even if she did, she will leave blanks for some questions or pages.  Her teacher said that Shermaine did not bother to ask for help and looked dazed during curriculum time.  I was shocked when I heard that, as everyday I would ask her if she has any homework for the day.  So far, none or if she has, she said she has done.  I regretted not checking her work.  I have little time with her since the birth of Jayden.  I told her to pack her bag and I did not have the time to check either.  The teacher said sometimes she will forget to bring books to school. 

I asked the teacher if she need parents to buy some files and book for student, she said only when the school give out slip informing parents that they need to purchase.  I was looking at Shermaine when her teacher said that and I think she was scared that I will scold her so she started to tear.

After putting down the phone which I’m glad as if the conversation continued, I think I will faint on the spot.  I talked to Shermaine.  I asked if she has problem in school, she shaked her head.  Or problem at home, she shaked her head too.  So I asked what’s the matter with her, but she couldn’t answer.

Till today, I also don’t know what happen to her.  I kept thinking that few days, is it that her dad is away all the time? Or is it my fault that I neglected her?  Or she just plainly dislike going to school or study?  Hardly the reason that she don’t love school because she has alot of friends in school.  She would come home and tell me who and who did what in school or have this and that at home, etc.

I guess the main reason is she don’t like to study.  How do I get her interested?  Can anyone tell me?

Shermaine has made tremendous improvement in her swimming since last week.  She did not cry when asked to swim in adult’s pool and she told me that she will not cry anymore.

The reason? Last 2 weeks, she refused to go down when her instructor called her name.  She cried and cried until the instructor asked her to “follow” him whilst he taught other student.  That means still in water but holding to the instructor’s shoulder until she stopped crying and willing to swim back to the steps.  At last she did it but again refused to go down the 2nd time.  This time, the instructor told her if she don’t go down, she will extend her lesson and also be put at the other side of the pool.  I guess she has no choice but to swim.

Today, she managed to swim free style but still has not master the technique of breathing.  Hopefully by next few lessons, she will be able to grasp the idea of breathing.

We had a cupcake baking session earlier this month.  Again no time to post then.  Hehe..

I have brought Shermaine for this session which she enjoyed very much.  She helped to display the cake cups on the baking tray and also decorated some of the cupcakes.

sprinkling toppings on the cupcake…

Happy with her creation…but not final yet

The end products….nice?

The comments : The cakes looked wonderful but a little bit sweet as too much cream used.

Shermaine’s birthday falls on Thurday this year. Infact her daddy wanted to bring her out for dinner that day, unfortunately, he received a last minute work order. But promise has been made to Shermaine to bring her out, so her mom that is me, got to take over this role.

So that very day, I rushed home from work. As my parents will not be free to look after Jayden, I have to bring him along. The 3 of us went to IMM to buy the cake. Shermaine chose a Mango cake.

Time flies, my princess is 8 years old. Hope she will be more sensible and not to make me worry for her so much.

Shermaine dreads going to adult pool during her swimming lesson. Her reason? She can’t ‘stand’ in the pool.

Last 2 weeks, her swimming instructor brought the whole group to the adult pool. Shermaine came running to me and cried. She said that she don’t want to learn in adult pool. Even after much persuasion, she also refused. So the instructor brought her to the children’s pool and showed her what he will be doing in the adult pool. I told her that her instructor will not let go of his hand cos he knows that she still can’t swim.

Yesterday, I accompanied Shermaine when the whole gang went to the adult pool. She told me to go into the pool with her and hold her hand. I said her instructor will be there, not to worry. I can see that she was still afraid but she managed to go into the adult pool when it’s her turn. I was so glad that she has overcome this hurddle otherwise I think she can give up swimming totally.