Sick vs $$

The children are off for their family holiday before school starts. So I am off for the week, yeay!
But being off for the week also means no $$$. Therefore, I have informed Starbucks in advance that I will be able to work the entire week.

And what is the worst thing that could happen, you think? Yeap, I get sick. It is awful, awful, awful. I hate it. Aghhh!! It was all pre-planned, pre-arranged. Everything was in place. And now it all isn't. Sob sob... Sunday evening, I started feeling weird. Monday morning I was feeling sickish. Come Monday night, I was having shivers and temperature in the night. I got up at 4 am to look on the internet for the nearest GP. First thing Tuesday morning, I am at the clinic registering myself (cursing myself also for not registering earlier, cos I had to wait for them to put me into the system), see the doctor who advised me to take a couple of days off because my throat and inside of my ears are all inflamed and swollen. Sigh....

Tuesday and Wednesday I rested, and on Thursday bright and early I called Starbucks... ready to go to work. When they heard my voice though (which still sounded really funny), they said not to worry and they've got me covered for the day. So they only want me to come in on Saturday.

I know, I know... there is no need to get all worked up. Except I am quite irritated and annoyed at myself for not being able to go to work!! Even when I feel I can... I guess it is perfectly understandable considering I will be dealing with food and beverages at Starbucks and a cough or a sneeze in the wrong direction will lead to many problems later on. So fair enough, I should just stay home then...

It just sucks to be sick :( Suckier to know there is no $$ coming in this week at all... AaaaaaaaAAaaaaAA!!!!!!!!

Try Hot Ribena

Exactly what the title says... it is awesome, especially when you have flu or cold.

Recipe:

1) Pour a little Ribena into a mug
2) Pour boiling hot water to the brim (or as close as you can, cos you can't get enough of it)

Hot Ribena rocks!

The true story about the lil monsters...

It is coming to the end of the third week I have 5 boys and occasionally, 1 baby girl with her mother around the house. And it has been absolutely CRAZY. At first, I thought it can't be that bad. If I can handle mfx, I can handle 5 boys, 1 baby girl and 1 annoying mother.

When I last blogged that I was stressed, that stress had carried on. Yesterday, when I was determined to put my foot down and tell them enough is enough, I am not getting paid any extra for the extra children and workload etc, the entire family was in havoc when I arrived in the morning. Drama from the annoying mother, and got my female employer really emotional and agitated, and I did not have a chance to say what I had to say.

Today, again...the moment I entered the house, my female employer - V, held my hand and led me to the dining room and closed the door. She told me she had asked them to pack up and leave the night before, but they had felt sorry for the children so could I please hang on for a couple more days? And she said "I'm begging you, please..." I felt really sorry for V, that she had such an irritating relative, so what else could I do but assure her it is okay? When she came home in the evening, I had to pat her on the back to tell her not to worry, the week is coming to an end.

Emo emo emo, here are the reasons why... sigh...

1) The cousins who had come to stay, Uyiosa and Irobosa had just lost their dad. Sudden death, nobody knows the reason yet. He's only in his early thirties. He just did not wake up one fine day. The children are confused and scared, and do not dare to return to the house where the incident had happened.

2) Their mother was too busy with funeral arrangements to take care of them, that was why they were brought from house to house, passed on from one relative to the other. And they just cry and cry and cry for their mummy. They misbehave on purpose, seeking attention. I really feel for them. How confused and upset they must be, suddenly losing dad and then mum not wanting them around!

3) Their mother is terrible. At first, when I first saw her... I thought "Poor woman..." and I truly wanted to help her. But then, true colours started to show. Not only she does not take care of her own children when she is around, she bitches on the phone complaining to people that "people" have not been sincere and genuine in helping her, that she trusts nobody but herself and all that crap. I mean, come on... whose house are you staying in? Whose food are you eating? Whose bed are you sleeping in? Whose phone are you using to bitch on? And who is taking care of your children for you while you BITCH on the bloody phone the entire afternoon, leaving your baby girl with FIVE boys who could have hurt her by accident meaning I have to look after 6 children instead.

And when she is not on the phone, she sleeps. Yes, the bloody woman SLEEPS!!! While her chlidren are misbehaving and thinking they can do anything now their mother is here, she sleeps! God helps those who helps themselves. I know I wanted to help her. I want to help the children. But her attitude just puts me off so much. I really can't help thinking what a terrible mother she is!!

AND she broke my house rule, yes one of my very important house rule.

NEVER WASTE FOOD!

She doesn't pay for any of the food in the house at all, and she just nicely sweeps the remainder of her food, and her childrens' if they don't finish into the bin. Bloody hell, I would really have liked to smack her. I tell the children over and over again, almost everyday...NEVER waste food. If you can't finish it, tell me... leave it. I will eat it. Or we will keep it for later. She just bloody comes and empties the plates into bins. And not just a little bit, a whole LOT! If she wasn't the mother of 3 kids and older than I am, I really would have given her a good long lecture.

4) The baby girl is absolutely adorable. Her name is Elaosa. 21 months, and she's just an angel. When her mother doesn't look after her, I do. And I can't just NOT look after her. THe boys play rough. You just have to watch her all the time. That's when it gets irritating I suppose. While I do love the girl, that doesn't mean the freaking mother takes if for granted that she doesn't need to look after her own baby. Sigh...

5) More people, more workload. I've been KO-ing lots since the extra children came around. I have grown to love them LOTS. And I don't want them to go. But it means extra loads of laundry, extra ironing, extra preparation of food, extra washing of plates.... a little extra of everything. I thought I would be okay, and I think I am okay... But by today, I have to admit, it is wearing me out.

That is it. My emo. Been malfunctioning after I get home from work. Just rotting in front of the TV. Eating junk food cos I'm too tired to cook proper meals etc. Feeling torn really. I love the children, don't want them to go. Yet, I think I need something more. $$ is a good motivation, but I don't want everything to be about $$$. Everyone here is telling me I should ask them for more $$. But I really feel it is almost inhumane to do so. So no, I haven't asked. It's just that the V and her husband already has so much on them, how could I just ask for more? I can see everyday that V is trying to keep up with her own life and helping out the annoying mother. V is hardly getting any rest herself. I just can't.

V just texted me now. Annoying mother is going tomorrow morning? I don't know what is going on. I hope all is okay at home, and no emo drama there. Poor V and husband and poor children who have lost their dad. But no pity for the annoying mother. I know it's mean of me to say so. But if you had seen her, you would agree with me for sure.

Milk and bread for tomorrow....

Untitled Emotions...

Sebab-sebab Saya Tidak Masak kat KL

Well, well, well....seeing how my dearest friends have been "asking" why I have not cooked for them, this blog is specially dedicated to those who feels left out from my "experimental cooking" :)

Tsk tsk...takkanlah saya tak nak masak untuk rakan rakan sekalian...? Aisehh, apasal fikir macam tu!!

1) Saya kan kerja kat mfx bila kat malaysia, bila balik rumah... sudah penat, sudah KO... cam ner nak masak ya?

2) Makan mamak kan sedap:) Saya tak pandai masak mamak!! Perut kambing... mmmmmmmm, nasi goreng ikan masin, nasi lemak...

3) Makan kat luar pun tak mahal sangat. Oklah... RM 5 - RM 7 ya? Kat sini £5 - £7! Tu pun makan yang murah dan biasa. Kalau makan yang bes, £20 seorang lah. Kat sini, kalau makan kat luar tiap tiap hari boleh jadi bankrup. BETUL... saya tak tipu. Kawan serumah saya yang kaya raya pun cakap macam tu. Dia orang pun buat bekal sanwic bawa pi tempat kerja mereka.

4) Saya kan tak pandai masak, takut nanti kawan kawan saya cirit birit ke? Nanti banyak kena ambil MC pula. Kat sini orang kan banyak minum alkohol...dah minum tu tak sakit lah. Sudah bunuh kuman pun. Saya kan runsing pasal kesihatan kawan kawan semua...

:)

Tapi bila saya balik nanti, dah pandai masak nanti... bolehlah tu!! Kawan-kawan sekalian masih pergi "International" kah? Dapat papadum free ke kena bayar?:) I miss you guys and all the dinner times... xOXoXOxo

p/s: Eh eh, saya kan ada buat kek coklat/mocha!! Dah lupa ke? Lolz...

What 5 lil monsters can do to you....

For once, since I arrived in this country...I felt stressed after work. Yes, something I haven't had for a while. For about a week now, instead of 3 boys I have 5 boys to look after. I love them, but... sometimes, like today... I really want to pull all my hair out.

Chuks 8, Ugo 6, Chidi 3. Now there is also Uyi 7, and Irobosa 5. At ONE same moment, it is possible that 3 of them are shrieking and jumping up and down, crying, talking to me, telling me different things at the top of their voices, trying to drown out the other two... and 2 of them are kicking and slapping each other and all I could do is raise my voice above all the noise to get some attention. Even then, it only lasts at most 2 seconds before it all resumes.

And when I stand in between the kicking and slapping ones, I get punched or kicked as if I do not exist while they continue to tear at each other. And man, they really kick and smack real hard. Not kiddy punches or kiddy kicks yeah. I think they can beat up robbers and muggers real good with their little hands and legs.

Today also, I have collected in my head easily their wide vocabulary of foul language. The entire day they have been screaming and wailing and swearing at the top of their voices. I really don't know what most of them means... but it sure sounds insulting and the way they say it really is offensive.

Their favourite number one thing to call and insult each other today is "Dummie nine nine one". Okay, I haven't googled it. It's probably something really bad, I don't know. But they start tearing at each other as soon as one says it to another. I've only said "OMG" like a million times today in my head while they do that over and over and over again.

When they are playing on the Nintendo Wii, they have three remote controls so 3 of them play at one time. That means 3 of them will be whacking each other, crying out LOUD in pain and end in tears every five minutes or so. Then when I threaten to switch the Wii off, I get a SUPER LOUD "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.............!!!!!" like a tragic cry. Seriously... then stop whacking each other and stop jumping and stop screaming at each other. "Okay, sorry Jasmine..." then *WHACKKKK* "Owwww!!!" Tears start running down the boys' cheeks and they come to me showing me their hand or face or head again that's been whacked. I said "Stand away from each other PLEASEEEEEE??" "OK, sorry Jasmine..." I turn around to pick up the laundry and then I hear "OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW YOU DUMMIE NINE NINE ONE!!" " DON'T CALL ME DUMMIE NINE NINE ONE YOU STINKY POO POO!!"
*Slap, smack, punch, kick*

This goes on the entire day, except for when they are sitting down eating... Even then, "Jasmine, I don't like onion rings", "Okay, finish your chips then please" , "Jasmine, is there more pizza after this?", "Jasmine, can I have more ketchup please?", "Jasmine, he's kicking me under the table", "Jasmine, can I have Ribena flease?"(the flease boy pleads as if in great suffering), "Jasmine, can I have orange juice please?", "WHO LIKES PEPPERONI? THEY'RE DISGUSTINGGG!!", "I feel like throwing up..." , "JASMINE, HE'S GOING TO VOMIT!!!" *All scream in horrific fear of vomit*

*Splat* A huge piece of food drops on the carpet and all eyes look at me in anticipation seeing what I will do. "Sighhhhhhhhhhh..... (breathe Jasmine, breathe) Okay, who dropped that?" "NOT ME! NOT ME! NOT ME! NOT ME!" I look under the table... "Okay, pick that up now please...", I said in my calmest possible voice "IT'S UGO!! IT'S UGO!" "SHUT UP YOU DUMMIE NINE NINE ONE!""YOU SHUT UP!" "YOU SHUT UP" "Jasmine, he's asking me to shut up... mummy says he's not supposed to tell me to shut up".... (OMG.......)

The unpredictable weather today didn't help as the boys all like to go out to play in the back garden, but it's wet outside so they can't. Makes it worse when they stay indoors all day long. Also of course, that means I got to go in and out to put out the laundry and then to bring them all in again because it suddenly begins to pour, and when I run out to collect the laundry the boys shout in joy thinking they can all go outside and a mad rush to put on all their shoes at the same time, and I had to shout to tell them that it is raining and please to go inside. I don't know? Do little boys not have good eyesight? Can't they see it's raining? Sighhh.....I get all wet in the rain after bringing in the laundry, put down the basket and I see one of them crying and I asked, "Well, what's wrong now?" "YOU WON'T LET US OUTSIDE!!" My mouth fell open, not knowing what to say for a second. I caused him to cry now? (OMG) Seriously?

It wasn't too bad when it was only three boys to look after. But when the cousins - Uyiosa and Irobosa is around, the day can either be totally horrifying like today - or they can be extreme angels all at the same time. They just affect each other so easily. One screams, and all 4 others scream. One cries, and all 4 others are cry babies for the day. It only takes ONE to be angelic, and all 4 others will try to be the same. Today...just isn't the day.

All is good when daddy/ uncle finally comes home. I didn't even hear him as I was busy cleaning/ hoovering the room full of lego pieces and food crumbs. My stress levels dropped almost immediately...and realised that it was six o'clock. It was awesome how when the man steps into the house, the boys fell silent...

Ah well... that's today:) Fingers crossed for a better tomorrow:)

Another successful experiment in cooking...

Mostly, my creation... or rather, experiment heh...

Dinner menu consists of:

1) Grilled peppers
2) "Experimental but Yummy Special" Cod Fish
3) Joloff rice (this is VERY complicated to make. I had to buy THE BLENDER JUG to make it) hehe....
4) Beer or wine
5) Brandy bananas with vanilla ice cream for dessert

The dinner spread...

Main course... fish and rice

Side... grilled peppers

ALCOHOL...as my housemate said, "If you can't cook, just use lots of alcohol" (roll eyes...)

There was also entertainment after dinner :) Lead singer - Gene, lead guitarist - Andy
WOOT!!!

I am SO domesticated...

Look at my new toy... a blender jug!!! I rushed to Tesco after work last week so I could cook joloff rice for yet another dinner get together. Dinner had been planned specially for a Polish colleague of mine from Starbucks, it was her off day so I thought, why not? :) And of course not forgetting Gene and my lovely housemates...

I stayed up and cooked till bout midnight, just the rice!

Dinner pictures coming up....!!! :)

A good nannying day...

*Touchwood*, the boys are not angels like this everyday... but today they were...SUPER ANGELS...*kisses for the boys*

Arrive, good morning greetings..HELLO JASMINE!!! :)

Wash dishes from breakfast...

Bye bye mummy, ("Mummmm, can I play the Nintendo Wii please? Mummmm, can I play the Nintendo Wii please?" Mummy replies the little boy... "Yes, but LATER okay?" (about at least 5 times)

Change bed sheets and duvet covers, boys start a fight...they got separated - one upstairs and one downstairs.

First day of lessons, the boys moan and groan. Before today, it's been the big box and the small box (computer and tv). Nintendo Wii, online games, Tamagotchi ALL DAY LONG. But today, the parents and I decided it's time to do something more no? Big box and small box all day is no good for children hehe:) Fingers crossed, I know they are going to hate me cos of these lessons.
Prepare for mathematic lessons (lolz) cos I suck at maths myself, but okay I can do add and subtract okay? And some simple times tables...sometimes.

Do some serious lessons for a while, with kicking under table and annoying sounds from all 3 different boys. If it's not one it's the other. Suddenly all of them needs to go wee wee lots. And you can't say no. Little boy gets to trace lines....with his eyes not on the lines, but everywhere else.

Eldest boy wants to play the organ, wow! He only said no a million times before. Today he's got books ready and wants to learn an entire song. And he did:) I'm proud of him. Distracted or most probably just wanted to get out of maths, but I understand... I hate maths, so it's okay:)

Prepare sandwiches for snack time
Okay everybody, let's eat! "Jasmine, I don't want skin on the bread"... "I do! I do!!" (roll eyes... I didn't ask who wants skin on the bread or not) Just eat!

Iron laundry...

Youngest boy continues asking "Can I play the Nintendo Wii please? Jasmineeeee...can I play the Nintendo Wii please? Jasmineeee....." After a while, it becomes a buzz in your ear, and he's also used to talking to himself cos after I answer him like ten times, I stop answering... and he goes on and on...But today, he said "Please" instead of "Flease". He likes to say "Flease"...

Okay, so finally he gets to play the Wii while I prepare lunch...

Lunchtime!!! Stop talking please, and eat please... "But I'm not hungry!" or "Can I go now?" or "But I'm full already" when they have barely started eating. They end up with a not so clever trick by stuffing their entire mouth full of food, then say they have finished and go spit it out in the bin. Heh, so now I make them sit and swallow and open their mouths before they can go away from the table:)

Hang out laundry of the day (today it's the bedsheets)

Do more lessons, it's not easy to get the boys to even sit down in their chairs for a minute ...They think it's funny yeah... (roll eyes)

Time to go out to play...I iron some more.. then hmm might as well clean the kitchen floor
Kids run in ,"We're done playing outside!!" with dirty shoes, so the floor is dirty again
Feed them some more cos they're hungry... as they ARE hungry all the time except when it's the proper times to eat.. Sighh....

"I want to watch Harry Potter!!I want to watch Harry Potter!!"said the youngest boy. Normally he says "Harry Potter's ugly, he's disgusting. I'm scarrreeeddddd..." (Okayyyy.....nice change, we can actually sit down to watch a movie? Great:)

Put DVD on, little boy falls asleep... wow, even greater! Since when does he fall asleep when his two brothers are around? Yippee!! Put pampers on him:) Beautifooool.... my job is done! Daddy comes home!!!

HELLO DAD!!! BYEEEE JASMINE!!!:)

The children are lovely, and today I realise I am starting to become quite domestic. Kinda scary... ah well, wish me luck! Hopefully the boys are as good tomorrow and everyday as they are today:)

Dedicated to my awesome girlfriends...

I miss you girls and aunties so much.... MUAHHHH.....
Girl power... aunty talk....miss you all so much...
All you aunties...I LOVE YOU ALL!!!