Generally, you don't have to repaint your walls unless you changed paint color while you lived in your apartment, and your lease stipulates that you restore wall color to its original condition before you leave. If you rented your apartment from a management company, inquire if they have a mover's checklist to help you inspect your unit before moving out. You may even request an informal inspection from a leasing agent or landlord after you clean unit. At that time, inspector can inform you if you've missed any spots and help you prevent any deductions to your deposit.

If you've caused damage to your apartment during time you've lived there, you're going to face either a considerable deduction from your deposit, or you may not receive any of your deposit back. If landlord or management company decides cost of damage exceeds amount of your deposit, it's within his/her/their rights to sue you for difference. Owning up to damage and paying for it immediately is best way to avoid major headaches -- not to mention a "black mark" on your renter's record.

Some reckless renters who know they've caused considerable damage to their homes and know that dollar amount will exceed their deposits have elected to hit road suddenly and without warning. While some tenants may have gotten away with it, many haven't. And consequences of such actions -- including real possibility of a lawsuit filed from your former landlord/management company to gain compensation of rent they lost when you fled, plus compensation for damages, is far more expensive than accepting responsibility for damage you caused. Accidents and even occasional bouts of stupidity happen. Owning up to these incidents will pave a smooth path to your next home. Believe it or not, management companies and landlords do call on a prospective tenant's former management company/landlord. Moving is hassle enough. In renters' world, those tried-and-true rules you learned as a kid apply: Clean up after yourself, take responsibility for your actions, and you'll be well-received. Mom always did know best, didn't she?

Everything has changed. The world has changed. Mommy has changed. And it's all because Yee Sin came along.

When we came home, Yee Ting behaved very naughtily. She pulled tablecloth from table and ruined vase and flower arrangements. She kicked around when she couldn't find her color pencils. And when I was carrying Yee Sin, she would climb all over me and Yee Sin, hoping to get in between.

Thank goodness, my mother came. Amazingly, Yee Sin took to my mother that day. And I had time to look at Yee Ting in eye and reprimand her for her wrongdoing. I told her to come to my room as I had some things to tell her. I went to room before her. I waited for her while she ran around living room looking for her things. She brought her books, her dolly and her play-doh. When she entered room, she cautiously tiptoed.

Then it struck me, this little young lady has finally found mommy all alone, with nothing to do. She has finally caught mommy in a moment whereby she would be free from everything. It is possible that mommy is now way she was before. But she has to be careful. This time is precious so, in order not to spoil anything, she would tiptoe around.

I felt very guilty. I felt terrible. I was being a terrible mom to Yee Ting. For all those times I scolded her for being naughty, she was trying to get me to pay attention to her. She was trying to tell me something emotional like, "Mommy's always with Yee Sin. I am jealous!", "I want my mommy back", "I feel hurt", "I feel left out" and "Mommy! Pay attention to me. I need you too!". But she doesn't have vocabulary for it yet.

I sat with her in room for half an hour, playing, reading, laughing, joking, smiling, cuddling and I told her I love her about a million times. After all playing, I said to her, "Ting, mommy's sorry. I have no time for you, and I am extremely sorry for that. I love you. I love you tremendously and don't doubt that. It's difficult for mommy right now but nothing changed. I still love you. I need you to be a big girl, ok? I need you to be strong. I promise to make time for you everyday. I promise"

And this promise…..I kept. Yee Ting has never been better.

And as title goes…a little love changed a little girl from a little monster to a little angel. A little love goes a long way.