App Store Updating

manually, by hand. I still couldn't figure out what is wrong with the updating of App Store. But I finally found a way to update my apps on my iPad. It is a lot more troublesome but it gets the job done. I had to go into the Purchased section of App Store and looked through the apps I have bought alphabetically and click on the "Update" buttons when I see one. It is slow and troublesome but I at least get to update my apps. Hope Apple finds a solution soon.

Working Later

Today we worked even later on our proposal as we wanted to make sure everything is fine. We only left at 10+ pm. I was really touched when I stated my status on Facebook as "Still at work" and I had friends commenting and telling me to "go home", "my kids need me", "take care", etc. Thanks all for your concerns! :)
I have not stayed back on campus that late before and it is really QUIET and suddenly, it looks really HUGE. :) A friend actually said "don't imagine things" lol. I guess it can be pretty easy to imagine things for some people when they are alone so late at night in so big a campus. But I was alright. I don't get spooked easily. I'm into supernatural stuff, remember?! Hahaha :P 

My workplace at 7+pm

Working Late

Putting in some extra hours at work because of the proposal we have to submit on 31 July.

App Store Not Updating

For some reason, the updates on the App Store on my iPad 3 (iPad new) are not updating! When I am at the Updates section of the App Store, the Update screen is blank although the red badge over the Updates indicated that I have seven updates via the badge. Tried powering off and powering up again. Tried hard re-set. Nothing. Not sure what is going on... :(

NE Show 2013

I really like this year's funpack for National Day Parade 2013. It is a good design, very practical as a backpack or as a sling bag so I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. :) Since 1997, all Primary 5 students in Singapore are invited to attend the NE Show with the objective of evoking a sense of patriotism amongst the students and imparting to them the significance of National Day. Being in Primary 5 this year, Marieann attended the NE Show which is basically a preview of the National Day Parade on 9 August. Marieann was in school by 2pm and the school brought them to The Float@Marina Bay to be seated in the late afternoon before the show starts. Marieann didn't get home till 10pm. She enjoyed the parachuters dropping in and the fireworks display but most of all, she enjoyed the NE Show in the company of her friends. :)

Lots of interesting stuff in the NDP 2013 funpack :)

Roach vs Me

0 vs 1 :)
The girls told me that there is a cockroach lurking around in my parents' bathroom a few days ago but I wasn't successful in trying to flush the pest out.
However, Lady Luck is with me tonight! As I was working on my notebook in my parents' room (so that I could watch tv too lol), I turned and happened to see the pest at the entrance of the bathroom! Since the girls were sleeping, I couldn't do the newspaper whack as it would be too loud. I did the next best thing. I sprayed insect repellent on it first, hoping to slow down its movement before I moved in for the kill. If you are wondering if the cockroach would now repel itself because of the insect repellent I sprayed on it? Nope, didn't happen but it did move slower lol. I took a couple of napkins, caught the cockroach and squashed it! What a rush! Hahaha. Don't worry, I used quite a number of napkins and after that, I washed my hand with antibacterial soap thoroughly. :) 

Ghost Month?

Not yet! But for some reason, I kept thinking that it is already ghost month. Even went to the temple as my mother has instructed me to do on her behalf during the ghost month only to find it is NOT ghost month yet. So embarrassing. :P Proposal writing is messing up my mind big time lol.

Learning Journey to Parliament House

Marieann went on a learning journey with her school to the Parliament House, Singapore on a non-sitting day. Through the visit, she learnt about the functions of Parliament, the people in the house and the roles the people play. Besides returning home being a bit more knowledgeable about the Parliament and the house, Mariean also returned home with a Mace bookmark that she bought at the Parliament Shop. :)
I have yet to visit Parliament House in Singapore. Wonder if it is any different from the Parliament that I have seen in Denver, USA and in Canberra, Australia. The house was in session too on the days I visited those two Parliaments which were really interesting to watch.

The Royal Baby has Arrived!

A day after the girls asked, the royal baby arrived! :) I can absolutely imagine the excitement over in England. I am so envious of my parents who are now in England visiting my brother and his family. Wonder if they would be joining in the fun and celebrations of the birth of the latest royal. :) 

When's the baby coming?

My girls have been asking me about the baby.

My girls: When is the baby coming?
Me: What baby?
My girls: Kate and William's!
Me: I thought she gave birth? 
My girls: *rolled their eyes*
Me: OI, that's my move. Cannot use. 

I seriously thought that Princess Kate has given birth. Guess not. 

The Other Side of the Globe

It is so strange to see my parents/ the girls' grandparents together with my nephews over in England on Skype lol. We are so used to my parents being over this side of the globe. :P It is really funny to see my youngest nephew cosying up to my parents and trying to play pranks on my parents. He was only a baby when my parents last saw him. But thank goodness, we have been Skyping frequently so my parents are no strangers to my youngest nephew. :)

Play vs Work

The sisters had a vastly different day.
Marieann - Play
Marieann was invited for a play date by her classmate, Nicole. The play date is at The Rink, JCube. Marieann and her classmates ice-skated from 10:30am to 12:30pm. It is the first time that Marieann ice-skated and she did pretty well, that is, she wasn't falling on her bottom all the time lol.

Going boldly where no novice skater would and didn't fall!

Yeah, I did it!

Marieann and her classmates

She joined her classmates (and Nicole's mother) for lunch (I have been abandoned!) and they later went to Nicole's place. I was initially hesitant to let her go to Nicole's place because Marieann still has homework (both school and tuition) yet to be completed and there's no one to bring her home. It was only when Marieann promised that she will do her homework when she comes home and Nicole's mother assured me that they will send Marieann home that I relented and let her go enjoy herself before coming home at 5pm.

Juliane - Work
Juliane was also invited to go to the play date but she decided that she would rather do her homework. We were both working at Starbucks, JCube. When I ran to check on Marieann at The Rink (twice), Juliane waited for me at Starbucks while doing her homework. In 3.5 hours, she managed to finish 80% of her homework while at Starbucks. Not bad. Maybe she can focus better when working outside.

Hard at work!

As we were "abandonded" by Marieann, we had lunch at Watami Japanese Restaurant before heading home at 3pm. Lunch seemed so much more delicious, satisfying and enjoyable after a hard (half) day's work. :)

My Ishiyaki Stamina Don ($11.80): Pork rice with egg yolk in stone pot, salad, soup and a drink

Juliane's Okinawa Ramen (half) $6.90

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

I have to seriously think about what to do with my apartment in Brisbane. I have been procrastinating for far too long. I need to take actions soon. :(

Pushed Around

What would you do if you are being pushed around?
I know what I would do and it won't be a pretty sight...

Racial Harmony Day 2013

The schools are celebrating Racial Harmony Day today. Students in primary and secondary schools could dress in one of the four main ethnic groups' traditional clothes for today. No uniforms. :) Thank goodness, we bought new cheong sums for the girls when we were in Taipei. Both Marieann and Juliane proudly wore their new cheong sums to school. :) With their short haricut, they look like China dolls haha. :P Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of them. Maybe I will make them wear their cheong sums again so that I can take a photo. :)

Proposal

Busy writing a proposal now. This is the first time I am writing one as a co-Principal Investigator. :) Such a different responsibility lol. Quite an experience lol. :P

In Shock!

At first, I thought it was a really, really cruel and sick joke that the media has pulled about one of the stars in Glee being dead. Started Googling and found more and more news of his death. 
OMG! I am totally in shock!! Cory Monteith (who played Finn Hudson in Glee) has passed away! He was so young! SIGH. Rest in Peace, Cory (Finn). I will definitely miss you in Glee. :( 

Arrived Safe and Sound

My parents have arrived safe and sound in London. They were initially afraid that my brother might not be able to find them as they would be disembarking at a terminal which my brother has not been to. They told me they would call me if they don't see my brother and I would then call my brother. It was all unnecessary worrying on their part. :P

Going to England

My parents will be leaving for London tonight to visit my brother and his family for three months. I know my parents are really excited to visit my brother and his family as they last saw each other in 2011. They are carting lots of goodies over to London for my nephews as well as for my brother and my sister-in-law. :) Their BA16 will depart at 11:05pm and arrive at 5:30am in London. My brother will be picking my parents up from the airport.
Ma and Pa, have a safe flight to London. Enjoy yourselves in London. :)

Go Back?

I have been having a series of meetings with MOE. A former MOE colleague joked that I should go back to MOE, my former workplace. Lol. See how things go. :P

An Adopter of New Technology?

I always think of myself as not that into technology lol. I am pleasantly surprised by the results. :)

You Are in the Early Majority

You aren't the earliest adopter when it comes to technology. You like to wait things out a bit. You love new things, but you want to wait until they are proven. Being on the cutting edge is expensive! You may feel like you're the last person you know to get on board with a new idea or thing, but you're still rather early when compared to the general public. It's likely that you know about something a while before you decide to go for it. You like to do your due diligence. You are open to new ideas, and it's likely that you're quite active in your community. You have your ear to the ground. If someone recommends something to you, you'll probably check it out. And if you like it, you'll pass on the recommendation.

Are You An Early Adopter?

Seminar + Reunion

I attended a MOE Seminar on primary school education today. It is the first time I am attending it alone as I am the only one left in the original research team. It is strange but at the same time, exciting as I am standing on my own.

The Minister of Education watching a demo lesson

Besides attending the seminar for work purpose, it is also a reunion with my former colleagues from MOE HQ as well as from schools. It is really great catching up with them. :)

Scary Advertisement

Both my girls are finding a particular tv advertisement spooking. It is the one for Singapore Children's Society Charity Show where it features a series of dolls and the last doll has a bandage on its arm with blood showing through. My girls thought it is too horror movie like and it actually turned them off from being interested in the Children's Society which is definitely not the organiser's original intention. :( I wonder how many children are scared off by the ad as well. 

First School Holiday

Not bad for the girls. Getting a school holiday (Youth Day 7 July - replacement holiday on 8 July) so soon after school reopened only a week ago. It's a short week this week, only four days of school for the girls. :)  

Stuck at 201!

It seems like I have been stuck at Level 201 of Candy Crush Saga for the longest time now. :( Soon, soon. One of these days I will get all the lucky combos and moves to clear the level lol.

Minecraft?

The girls have been begging me to buy Minecraft to install on my iPad. I see them playing it on their iPhones and it seems to be a really addictive game. I prefer they spend more time on their studies. :P The only reason they want me to buy it is so that they play Minecraft on a bigger screen (on my iPad)! Not sure if I want to buy it... Maybe if they do well for their end of year examinations, I will definitely, seriously consider buying it. :)

See You Again by Carrie Underwood

See You Again (uploaded by carrieunderwoodVEVO)

Moved Out

When I checked on my neighbour in the evening, I found an empty nest. :( The spotted doves must have realised that the location where they built their nest was not the most ideal place. It was sheltered from the sun BUT not from the rain, especially when it was raining heavily the past two days. I feel sad that the doves have moved out. It would have been a wonderful opportunity for the girls to observe how the doves take care of their young when it hatches. However, I wish the doves all the best and that they find a much more ideal place to build their nest and rear their young(s).

Happy to see You!

That is what one of my counsellees said to me when I saw her today for counselling. This is the first week of school and counselling has resumed. It was really touching to hear that. That simple phrase had definitely made my day too. :)

Moved In

Our new neighbours, the pair of spotted dove we spotted (no pun intended) earlier on, have moved in. I saw the spotted dove sitting on its nest this morning in the midst of the heavy down pour. I wonder if it is going to be alright as there wasn't much shelter from the rain. My mother said it's bird-brained to have built the nest at the aircon unit. I don't know if my mother was trying to be funny or what but she said that with a very straight face. Lol.

School's In

First day of school for Semester 2  
The girls reported the following when I asked them "How is school?": 
Exciting - meeting up with classmates and friends. 
Exciting - giving souvenirs bought from Taipei to teachers and friends.
Overall, school is okay, reported the girls.
Guess it will take a lot more before they will say that school is exciting.