End of Term 2 2009

Yesterday marks the end of 2nd term for J. Today, we had a Parents/Teacher meeting. Although it seems strange that one is needed for nursery but I do appreciate the school’s effort for organizing it.

We first met with J’s English teacher who gave very good comments about J. She mentioned that she has no issues with teaching J as he is able to grasp the knowledge quickly. At times, she may think that he is unable to understand certain teachings today but the next day he is able to apply the knowledge. She also mentioned that J is very helpful in class and is always the one volunteering to help with some chores. This really caught me by surprise as he is such a baby at home and I have to nag at him to get some chores done. She went on to say “I have nothing bad to say about him and you should be very proud of him”. But she also noticed that J is more mischievous in the 2nd term. She also told us that J has a good friend by the name of E and they are always yakking away in class and at times, she has to separate them. However, J will still go to E and instigate some mischievous acts. Yes, you read it correctly, it is my J that instigate others. Unbelievable, right? Haha.

Next we met with the Chinese teacher who gave us an insight to her teaching materials which is a good learning for me as I have no clue what materials I can use to teach J at home. As for J’s performance, she says that he is lacking as J would constantly converse and reply in English. It is made worse as his best friend also comes from English speaking family and both of them would be conversing in English during Chinese lessons. With that, I need to make a conscious effort to include more Mandarin influence in our day to day.

For the month ahead, J would be able to wake up late and play till his heart’s content but woe is me as I would have to think of activities to fill his days. I can’t wait for the next term to start!

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

M's fav show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He would dance to the theme song and every morning, he would insist on having us turn it on for him.

In fact, one of his first words was "Mickey" instead of "Mummy". Sob sob.

Home-cooked meal

During my secondary school's days, my favourite class is the Home Economics class. Class usually starts with the teacher giving a brief of the theme for that day's class. Then she would demostrate the cooking technique. Then with our partner, we will start to practice the techniques by cooking up a storm. After washing up, we will sit down and do food-tasting by sharing our food. If there is excess, we will share it with other classmates and the male classmates will always be gobbling it down.

During exam, we have to plan the meal based on the theme and I enjoy planning the meal, listing out the ingredients and cooking methods. Of all the classes, this is the one that is easiest as we don't have to study as we can bring our receipe books into class. When eating out in restaurants, I would observe how a dish is prepared and the ingredients that goes into it.

Recently, I had the opportunity of preparing some home-cooked meal for K and the boys. I made the shrimp wantons and plan for the week's dinner. It is nice to be able to sit down for dinner and chat with K. It is also nice to see J enjoying the soup and have him making comments like "What soup is this, Mummy?" or "Mmm...what is that smell?...It's curry, I like it!".

J's 1st field trip

J went on his first field trip organized by his school. K accompanied him on the trip as I could not get the day off.

When he reached home, he showed me the map excitedly and "commanded" that I look at the map. As I look at the photos that K took, J would tell me what he was doing in each picture.

There is a new waterplay area and boat ride which seems quite interesting. Will check it out the next time we go to the zoo again.

Fluttering heart

Today, K and I celebrated our 5th anniversary.

When the doorbell rang, I was expecting delivery from my office but I was surprised by a very lovely bouquet that has everything in it - flowers, a teddy bear, chocolates and balloon in a straw basket.

This is the most beautiful bouquet I have received to-date. Most importantly, this bouquet brought back all the loving feelings that I have not felt in a long long time and it was quite overwhelming.

Afternoon delight

Father and son enjoying a swim in the afternoon.

Painful but necessary decision

As an only child, I do not have to be accountable to anyone. My parents leave it to me to make my own decision and is often supportive of what I did. Thus I am used to making my own decisions.

I made a decision that has brought inconvenience to my family, especially to K and the children. It is also through this action that I truly learnt that when 2 person gets married, we are not only marrying that person but the whole family.

Is this decision right or wrong? I don't know but I truly feel that this decision must be made in order to move on. I have been stuck in this rut for a long time. This decision is necessary and critical in order to salvage something that means a lot to me. Only time will tell if I have made the right decision. I will let time reveal the decision I have made as I am still struggling over it.

Through this incident, the respect I have for my FIL has increased even more. He has all along been my "idol". Even before I married K, I am already amazed that my FIL does not ever complaint about having to do housework on the weekend, washing the toilet, getting up early to go marketing with my MIL. He also does not complain when he has to help my MIL with her family eg when my MIL's mum passed away, he was at the wake everyday. As my MIL's legs are not strong, he sends her to the doc and even to the hair salon. He also has an ever-ready smile.

Through this incident, I have also learnt to be a better person and allowed me to understand K's family better.

What is kor kor eating?

Charlie

Whenever I watch Fighting Spiders, I can't help but laugh whenever I see the character, Charlie. The character of Charlie is really very cute and comical.

Also, I feel that M looks like a younger version of the child actor who plays this role. I think it is due to the crew cut, the physical built, the double chin as well as the smile!

The other day, while watching the trailer, J said "Look! He (Charlie) look like di di, right? Fat fat."

A tribute to my mother

I always thought that my mum is a superwoman; one with everlasting strength and never get tired. Etched in my mind forever, is the mother that wakes my cousins and I up at 5am to go jogging (she jogged, we walked) but that was almost 30 years ago. My mum is now 70 years old.

After moving out, I visit my mum on weekly basis. It is only in the past 2 years that I hear my mum complaining more about her ailments. All of a sudden, I felt that my mum has aged and is no longer a superwoman.

When I was young, my mum will always bring food back from her office annual X’mas party. There will always be a piece of cake and I would happily eat it without the knowledge that it was her share. (In the 70s, a cake was a luxury and a BIG deal!) When I grew slightly older, it dawn upon me the sacrifice my mum has made (when you are a child, giving up a cake is a huge sacrifice too) but still, I cannot comprehend the reason why. But now, I do.

My mother has a big heart and goes all her way out to serve her family and friends. When my maternal grandmother (外婆) was dying, my mother would visit her weekly without fail; cleaning up for my bed-ridden grandma. At the same time, my paternal grandma (奶奶) who was suffering from dementia had to be placed in a nursing home. My mother would also make it a point to visit her; stretching herself at both ends. That was the only time that I see my mum being worn out.

A few years ago, my parents had a fall (not at the same time). My mum was badly hurt and was bleeding in her leg, yet she kept her promise to visit me and never said a word about her fall. For my dad, while walking home at night after work, he missed a step on the stairs and fell and bruised his face badly that it was swollen. Again, they hid it from me because they do not want me to worry. It was only during my weekly visit that I saw how badly my dad was injured. I cried when I saw him in such a state and felt bad that even though I was a phone call away, I seem so far away. Furthermore, they have no one else to depend on except me; their only child.

There are many stories I could tell of my parents and I am sure that goes the same for most parents.

Today I pay tribute to my mother. A tribute that she deserves long ago.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers reading this.

天下的妈妈都是一样的
哦~ 天下的妈妈都是一样的
天下的妈妈都是一样的
哦~ 天下的妈妈都是一样的

不管风吹雨打，不管星期或列假
我的妈妈从来不放假，她工作为了家
厨房是她的天下 狮子头还有红烧鸭
样样她都精通不会假 她是我妈妈

从小常常挨骂 那是因为我不听话
不要以为这是种惩罚 她只要我长大
妈妈我感谢你 没有把我跟大毛比
虽然我考试没有得第一 她说只要你尽了力

不管太阳升起 不管夕阳它又落西
为了我们你牺牲了自己 我永远不会忘记
将来有那么一天 我把太阳高高升起
挂在你永远满足的笑意里 妈妈我爱你

天下的妈妈都是一样的
哦 天下的妈妈都是一样的
天下的妈妈都是一样的
哦 天下的妈妈都是一样的

Cards for Grandmas

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and we create some handmade cards for J and M's 奶奶 and 外婆.

I searched the web for some nice pictures and printed it out for so that J could fill it with colors. After that, we stick it onto colored papers.

While shopping in the supermarket, we saw a shop selling carnations and thus bought 2 stalks for each grandma.

J held the flowers on the way home and couldn't wait to give it to his 奶奶. He also specifically mentioned that he will give the pink flower to his 外婆 when we visit her tomorrow.

When I asked what he what present would he gave me, he said "A tow-truck!". Darn, and I was hoping for flower and kisses.

Football, Horses and Monkeys

Today, J and his friend, R had a free trial class at Soccatots. The class started with simple warm up exercises and they were taught simple skills of handling the football. Initially both boys refuse to join the class but after a while, they were soon enjoying themselves. I think the class is interesting as it teaches good physical co-ordination skills but J is reluctant to go for future classes.

After the class, we had brunch at the Bukit Timah Saddle Club. One of the riders graciously allowed R and J to pet her horse. I think that is the highlight for J as he loves animals. We proceeded to the restaurant. The ambience and service of the restaurant is great but the food took a while to come. Rach (R’s mum) and I were both presented a strawberry cake each as it is Mother’s Day weekend.

After brunch, we parted ways with Rach & R and made our way home.

After J’s afternoon nap, we took him to look at the monkeys. There is a family of monkeys that lives in the forest near the causeway to JB.

Many people would go there to watch and feed them (feeding them is an offence though). Some of them will come up close to us humans to get their food while some stay away.

Today, we saw them playing as one by one dive into the shallow river. There is this particular baby monkey who dare not dive in and was hanging for its dear life but finally lost his grip and fell into the river as well.

Today is a great day as J has been sick for a long time and has finally recovered and could enjoy himself in the outdoors.

Mr Sonshine 1st kiss

While watching M's favourite "Mickey Mouse Club House" this morning, I turned to M and said "Didi, kiss Mummy". (more of a command than a request)

Spontaneously, M lean forward and planted his lips onto mine. Then he lean back and gave me a “I’m so full of myself” smile.

That’s how I stole M’s 1st kiss.

Meeting Baby Lloyd

We finally celebrated Baby Lloyd’s 1st month. This addition to the family is celebrated at my uncle’s house (Lloyd’s grandpa). This is also the 1st time we are meeting him since his birth. He is an adorable boy with a feisty temper.

As M was ill, we only brought J to the celebration. The person whom he look forward to meeting is his cousin, S. Whenever we go to my uncle’s house, the 2 boys would go about their usual activity of visiting Bobby, the neighbor’s dog; going to the roof garden to look for millipede and going to the playground. Today, my uncle took both of them to ride on the LRT.

During those few hours, J has forgotten about my existence as he is enjoying all these activities. It is nice to see the 2 cousins enjoying each other’s company.

In a few years, baby Lloyd will be able to join in all these activities.