It’s About Time

Amanda today uttered what Jismyl mumbled in frustration over our inconsiderate neighbor living several floors above us. It wasn’t over some trivial matters but perpetual selfish behavior that annoys and inconvenienced others besides us.

So out of frustration, Jismyl muttered “that stupid neighbor.” Unbeknown to her, Amanda heard that and without understanding the significance uttered the same. Actually she was trying to tell me that mommy has gone upstairs to confront that neighbor. So she said “that stupid neighbor” several times over. Later when I brought her for toileting (she’s still in training), Amanda periodically muttered “stupid neighbor.”

I suppose a valuable lesson learned – don’t assume that children can’t hear what we mutter under our breath. They catch it real quick and unfortunately lacking the cognitive capability to process the context and reason for choice of words (or the lack thereof). Parenting indeed requires robust effort!

Good will is not that easy to foster even when one wants to be tolerant (an overuse and misunderstood term since 9/11).  Our 13th floor neighbor chose to hang out her dripping laundry out on the bamboo stick again on this 3rd day of CNY.  She has a history of being inconsiderate neighbor. Despite being warned by town council and neighbors who confronted them. Her audacious mannerism extends to her declaring her religiosity one day when i confronted her about her unacepptable behavior.  This morning, this same woman even attempted blameshifting to the neighbor one floor below hers.  Such liar even spewing lies through her teeth!

Well, that’s life in heartland of Singapore.  We either let these people carry on their inconsiderate ways or jsut pray they keel over one day soon (that’s mean, isn’t it?), or that the town council will seriously take action against them to placate and impose right behavior again.