My mother has left Singapore again (this morning). She arrived safely in Xiamen, China in the afternoon. She will be away for a month. Relatively short this time round, compared to her other trips.
As usual, before she left, she would stock up the freezer with food - chicken, fish, prawns, pork as well as some of her cooked dishes, such as her Taiwanese Lor Bak Chor. The only things we need to replenish weekly would be the vegetables. She is always concerned that we would have to spend money and time so she would do as much of the marketing as possible before she leaves. Mama, don't worry, we are old enough. We know what to do. But nonetheless, a big thank you to you.
Take care of yourselves, both you and Papa. Have fun and a good rest.
PS. I am actually missing my mother's nagging! Hahaha. I will DENY, of course, if any one of you tells her this. =P
Thursday, 12 April 2007
Wednesday, 11 April 2007
Baby
Before you all start jumping to conclusions, sorry, NO, I am NOT expecting again. I have already done my national service TWICE. Thank goodness, this "national service" doesn't need to go for reservist. Hmm... is that even possible? Hahaha.
This morning, I went to visit my cousin, Flora at Gleneagles because she has given birth to a beautiful baby girl, Johanna on Monday evening. Johanna is so cute and small! Little feet and hands, little nose, little mouth, little ears, little everything! Really CUTE!! Congrats, Flora.
Oh no, don't get me wrong. Yes, little babies are so cute but note the key word here is I THINK. I am not like dying to have another baby. I have enough, I have two. Hahaha. My goodness, I can't believe that my girls were once that small too! Time really flies.
This morning, I went to visit my cousin, Flora at Gleneagles because she has given birth to a beautiful baby girl, Johanna on Monday evening. Johanna is so cute and small! Little feet and hands, little nose, little mouth, little ears, little everything! Really CUTE!! Congrats, Flora.
Oh no, don't get me wrong. Yes, little babies are so cute but note the key word here is I THINK. I am not like dying to have another baby. I have enough, I have two. Hahaha. My goodness, I can't believe that my girls were once that small too! Time really flies.
22 pages
That is how much I have written over 2 days. It seemed a lot but it is actually not. I am just writing down my thoughts, be it words, phrases and/ or sentences, as they come to me. It is still in its rawest of raw form. I will need to refine them later. I will also need to sort them out later in sequence/ order. I am afraid if I stop now to arrange them, I will lose my train of thought (not that it is really any train, just lots of random thoughts here and there). And that is something I do not want happening, especially now that it seemed my writer's block is slowly becoming unblocked!
A good friend and fellow PhD student has today very aptly wished me, "May your writer's block get verbal diarrhoea!". Hahaha. That's a good one! Thanks, Dennis. I really do need it. =)
A good friend and fellow PhD student has today very aptly wished me, "May your writer's block get verbal diarrhoea!". Hahaha. That's a good one! Thanks, Dennis. I really do need it. =)
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
Writing
To friends who have been concerned about me and my writing, THANKS! I really appreciated all your concerns.
Good news! I have managed to write a little. Not much but it is better than nothing. The volume of writing should increase with time. I will definitely try my best to keep the flow going. Meanwhile, as I took a break from writing, I tried out this Blogthing.
Well, this is okay as long as I don't turn my Phd thesis into a piece of comedic writing. Hahaha.
Good news! I have managed to write a little. Not much but it is better than nothing. The volume of writing should increase with time. I will definitely try my best to keep the flow going. Meanwhile, as I took a break from writing, I tried out this Blogthing.
| You Should Be a Joke Writer |
 |
What Type of Writer Should You Be?
Well, this is okay as long as I don't turn my Phd thesis into a piece of comedic writing. Hahaha.
Monday, 9 April 2007
Chilli attack
In the late afternoon, I was hungry so I looked for something to eat. I saw a bowl of Sweet Potato Fa Kueh, left over from the morning, in the mircowave. Before I could bite into my fa kueh, my two girls saw me and asked to have a bite too. So I had to share the "already not a lot left" fa kueh with them. Marieann had a bite first, followed by Juliane and I took the last bite of the fa kueh. Before I could even start to chew, Juliane started crying out in tears, "Pain, pain". Marieann also started crying and whining about something and running straight for the kitchen dustbin. I was like "HUH?!? What's going on??". I thought my girls have gone nuts or something. Then it HIT me too, MAJOR TIME. I joined my girls in tearing.
Friends, don't worry, there is a very simple and logical explanation for our seemingly strange outburst. The "pain, pain" that Juliane had cried out, was actually meant to be "SPICY! SPICY!" or colloquially, "HOT! HOT!". The bowl that contained the fa kueh was the same bowl that had earlier contained chopped chilli padi!!! (The chilli padi was for a family friend who came over for our Red wine chicken mee sua.) I think the maid might have forgotten to wash the bowl. For those of you who can take spicy food, you can imagine how SPICY it was for a 3-year-old, a 5-year-old and for me who haven't taken any chilli in my life!
We must have been a comical sight as the three of us were trying to squeeze in front of the tap and trying to cool our mouths and lips down with water. For a good half an hour after, our lips and mouths were still tingling away. Hahaha.
I realised that I actually lose out alot because I don't take chilli. There is this whole spread of delicious spicy food (smells good so must taste good) that I can't take, in all the different cuisine! I would like for my girls to learn how to take chilli so that they will not lose out like me, but not in this way. I really hope they have not been traumatised by this accident. We can find out - by giving them another piece of fa kueh. Hahaha.
Updated 10 April 07, 11:45am
PS. Some of you sharp-eyed friends noticed the inconsistency. If I don't take spicy food, how did I manage to eat the vegetarian laksa served at my temple? Well, simple, I washed it with water first before eating it. Yes, yes, I know that really just destroyed the taste of the dish. But it is the ONLY way I could eat "spicy" food. :P Okay lah, I will try to learn to take spicy food.
Friends, don't worry, there is a very simple and logical explanation for our seemingly strange outburst. The "pain, pain" that Juliane had cried out, was actually meant to be "SPICY! SPICY!" or colloquially, "HOT! HOT!". The bowl that contained the fa kueh was the same bowl that had earlier contained chopped chilli padi!!! (The chilli padi was for a family friend who came over for our Red wine chicken mee sua.) I think the maid might have forgotten to wash the bowl. For those of you who can take spicy food, you can imagine how SPICY it was for a 3-year-old, a 5-year-old and for me who haven't taken any chilli in my life!
We must have been a comical sight as the three of us were trying to squeeze in front of the tap and trying to cool our mouths and lips down with water. For a good half an hour after, our lips and mouths were still tingling away. Hahaha.
I realised that I actually lose out alot because I don't take chilli. There is this whole spread of delicious spicy food (smells good so must taste good) that I can't take, in all the different cuisine! I would like for my girls to learn how to take chilli so that they will not lose out like me, but not in this way. I really hope they have not been traumatised by this accident. We can find out - by giving them another piece of fa kueh. Hahaha.
Updated 10 April 07, 11:45am
PS. Some of you sharp-eyed friends noticed the inconsistency. If I don't take spicy food, how did I manage to eat the vegetarian laksa served at my temple? Well, simple, I washed it with water first before eating it. Yes, yes, I know that really just destroyed the taste of the dish. But it is the ONLY way I could eat "spicy" food. :P Okay lah, I will try to learn to take spicy food.
Sunday, 8 April 2007
maomaozoncatpila...
This morning I woke up to a chanting in my ear, "maomaozoncatpilamaomaozoncatpila...". Don't worry, folks, I am not that crazy yet to hear voices in my head. (Hang on, does hearing a song in your head count as derangement?! Hahaha.) It was Juliane chanting away.
Groggily, I asked her what was she saying. She just repeated, "maomaozoncatpilamaomaozoncatpila...". I was like, "Huh?!". She repeated again. As I shook the last remains of sleepiness away, I finally understood. She was mixing Mandarin and English phrases in her "chant" and in that funny pronunciation of hers, especially for Mandarin. She was actually chanting, "maomaochong (毛毛虫), caterpillar, maomaochong (毛毛虫), caterpillar, ...". Thank goodness, I am not scared of 毛毛虫/ caterpillars. Otherwise, I would have bolted from my bed. Hahaha. However, I can't say the same for a friend who is terrified of caterpillars. No, friend is a guy. Friend, you better pray hard your kids won't do something like that to you. Hahaha.
Juliane started chanting this morning because last night, I showed her a pic of a caterpillar which I chanced upon at work. It is interesting what/ how kids think about.
Groggily, I asked her what was she saying. She just repeated, "maomaozoncatpilamaomaozoncatpila...". I was like, "Huh?!". She repeated again. As I shook the last remains of sleepiness away, I finally understood. She was mixing Mandarin and English phrases in her "chant" and in that funny pronunciation of hers, especially for Mandarin. She was actually chanting, "maomaochong (毛毛虫), caterpillar, maomaochong (毛毛虫), caterpillar, ...". Thank goodness, I am not scared of 毛毛虫/ caterpillars. Otherwise, I would have bolted from my bed. Hahaha. However, I can't say the same for a friend who is terrified of caterpillars. No, friend is a guy. Friend, you better pray hard your kids won't do something like that to you. Hahaha.
Juliane started chanting this morning because last night, I showed her a pic of a caterpillar which I chanced upon at work. It is interesting what/ how kids think about.
Coincidentally, the caterpillar was found by the same friend who is terrified of caterpillars. My friends and I have never seen a person run so fast before, from something so tiny. It was a AFV moment, if only we had a video cam. Hahaha.
Song in my head...
Have you ever experienced this - for some reason, a song that you have heard before just keeps playing itself over and over again in your head? Right now, I have a song in my head.
It is the theme song from "Roswell", called "Here with me" by Dido.
"Oh I am what I am, I'll do what I want, but I can't hide
And I won't go, I won't sleep, And I can't breathe, until you're resting here with me
And I won't leave, and I can't hide, I cannot be, until you're resting here with me
And I won't go, I won't sleep, And I can't breathe, until you're resting here with me
... ..."
At least, it is a nice song so I don't mind it playing repeatedly in my head. Imagine if it is "SpongeBob SquarePants" theme song, brr... scary. Hahaha.
It is the theme song from "Roswell", called "Here with me" by Dido.
"Oh I am what I am, I'll do what I want, but I can't hide
And I won't go, I won't sleep, And I can't breathe, until you're resting here with me
And I won't leave, and I can't hide, I cannot be, until you're resting here with me
And I won't go, I won't sleep, And I can't breathe, until you're resting here with me
... ..."
At least, it is a nice song so I don't mind it playing repeatedly in my head. Imagine if it is "SpongeBob SquarePants" theme song, brr... scary. Hahaha.
Saturday, 7 April 2007
Cake and tea, coffee and chocolate
We had an early dinner and went to Paragon to get a wedding gift from Liu Li Gong Fang. After getting the gift, we decided to go to Bakerzin for dessert.
The girls were really happy to be out after being cooped up at home for the past week. We ordered four slices of cake (2 different chocolate and 2 different strawberry), rose bud tea for my mother, coffee for husband and vanilla chocolate with marshmallow for me.
The girls were really happy to be out after being cooped up at home for the past week. We ordered four slices of cake (2 different chocolate and 2 different strawberry), rose bud tea for my mother, coffee for husband and vanilla chocolate with marshmallow for me.
Yah! We are going to have dessert!
The girls loving their cakes.
My vanilla chocolate with marshmallows. Real rich and sweet!
We were here at this particular Bakerzin once, with Juliane's godparents and son, and another friend in early January before her godparents relocated to England (due to work). That little girl sure has a good memory. She took one look round the cafe and asked, "Where is Kai Ye (Godfather in Cantonese), Kai Ma (Godmother in Cantonese) and Kor Kor (Brother in Hokkien)?". So Anthony, Ivy and Malcolm, Juliane does remember all of you and have often asked about you guys whenever we dined at places where we used to meet. Here are her photos. Hope to see you guys soon.
Friday, 6 April 2007
Good Friday; 观音诞
It is a coincidence that today is both Good Friday as well as Guan Yin Dan (Guan Yin's birthday).
Since it is a public holiday, I was able to help out at our temple (near Somerset MRT, behind SingTel). I started going to this temple since I was young by following my mother. This temple is famous for the vegetarian food (free) that they serve to their worshippers on special occasions such as Guan Yin Dan, Vesak Day, etc. They would serve vegetarian porridge, followed by laksa (this is the ONE that most go for, including me :) ), fried mee hoon with curry vegetable, fruits, dessert and drinks. It is not a very big temple but it has many worshippers and it has a very long history. The food that they sell for charity is also famous for the yummy factor and the hand-made factor. Often, we have people ordering in advance what they wanted or they would come very early in order to get what they wanted. We have often heard worshippers who regreted coming late as their favourite food item(s) was/ were sold out.
As usual, I was helping out with the selling of food for charity (I have always been doing this since I started volunteering my service in my mid 20s). I was there from 7:45am till 2pm, standing almost the whole time. It is hard to sit down when you are trying to pack the food, collect the payment and giving back the change.
I also learnt alot about human nature through these charity sales. I thought I would have seen the different kinds of people at one charity sale but it never fails to amaze me that I am still learning about human nature at each charity sale. Maybe because I am a student of psychology, I tend to see more into it/ analyse more deeply - the human behaviours and thoughts.
Although it was very tiring, I felt really good, happy and contented because I am doing something meaningful (the money from the charity sale goes back into charity, such as for the blind, handicap, poor, etc). I will have a very good night's sleep tonight.
P.S. Actually, already had a nap in the afternoon but can do with more sleep! =)
Since it is a public holiday, I was able to help out at our temple (near Somerset MRT, behind SingTel). I started going to this temple since I was young by following my mother. This temple is famous for the vegetarian food (free) that they serve to their worshippers on special occasions such as Guan Yin Dan, Vesak Day, etc. They would serve vegetarian porridge, followed by laksa (this is the ONE that most go for, including me :) ), fried mee hoon with curry vegetable, fruits, dessert and drinks. It is not a very big temple but it has many worshippers and it has a very long history. The food that they sell for charity is also famous for the yummy factor and the hand-made factor. Often, we have people ordering in advance what they wanted or they would come very early in order to get what they wanted. We have often heard worshippers who regreted coming late as their favourite food item(s) was/ were sold out.
As usual, I was helping out with the selling of food for charity (I have always been doing this since I started volunteering my service in my mid 20s). I was there from 7:45am till 2pm, standing almost the whole time. It is hard to sit down when you are trying to pack the food, collect the payment and giving back the change.
I also learnt alot about human nature through these charity sales. I thought I would have seen the different kinds of people at one charity sale but it never fails to amaze me that I am still learning about human nature at each charity sale. Maybe because I am a student of psychology, I tend to see more into it/ analyse more deeply - the human behaviours and thoughts.
Although it was very tiring, I felt really good, happy and contented because I am doing something meaningful (the money from the charity sale goes back into charity, such as for the blind, handicap, poor, etc). I will have a very good night's sleep tonight.
P.S. Actually, already had a nap in the afternoon but can do with more sleep! =)
Thursday, 5 April 2007
PhD...studying...writing...
Have you guys tried Blogthings? It has got some really interesting stuff, quizzes and such. Pretty accurate for some of them but you have got to be really HONEST.
While procrastinating (about my PhD writing), I chanced upon this particular quiz. I tried it and this is what I got.
It got me LAUGHING cos of the line "You could become a PhD in anything, if you set your mind to it". Accurate or what?! Aren't I doing my PhD now?! Hahaha.
Analysing the double whammy of my writer's block plus procrastination, one question appeared again and again: "What am I going to do after my PhD?".
I am someone who always need to stimulate my mind to feel alive and I am someone who strives on challenges. Studying is the best way to achieve both! It was so when I was doing my Masters part-time while teaching. And now, doing my PhD part-time while working part-time as a researcher and counsellor and being a mother of two. It is a real big challenge for me but I am enjoying every minute of it. (Ok, some of you must be thinking, "She is so WEIRD!". Hahaha.) I love studying as it allows my mind to soar. I guess I am afraid of what's going to happen after I finish with my PhD. Will my mind soar again? What is after PhD? Post doc maybe? Hahaha.
Okay, okay. I am going too far ahead of myself. I must settle my PhD writing first. So Friends, if you see me, do me a favour: ask me about my writing or for those who dare, whack me on my arm (I promise I won't use my Aikido on you. Hahaha.) to keep me on task for my writing. Thanks in advance.
While procrastinating (about my PhD writing), I chanced upon this particular quiz. I tried it and this is what I got.
| You Are a Great Student |
 |
Are'>http://www.blogthings.com/areyouagoodstudentquiz/">Are You a Good Student?
It got me LAUGHING cos of the line "You could become a PhD in anything, if you set your mind to it". Accurate or what?! Aren't I doing my PhD now?! Hahaha.
Analysing the double whammy of my writer's block plus procrastination, one question appeared again and again: "What am I going to do after my PhD?".
I am someone who always need to stimulate my mind to feel alive and I am someone who strives on challenges. Studying is the best way to achieve both! It was so when I was doing my Masters part-time while teaching. And now, doing my PhD part-time while working part-time as a researcher and counsellor and being a mother of two. It is a real big challenge for me but I am enjoying every minute of it. (Ok, some of you must be thinking, "She is so WEIRD!". Hahaha.) I love studying as it allows my mind to soar. I guess I am afraid of what's going to happen after I finish with my PhD. Will my mind soar again? What is after PhD? Post doc maybe? Hahaha.
Okay, okay. I am going too far ahead of myself. I must settle my PhD writing first. So Friends, if you see me, do me a favour: ask me about my writing or for those who dare, whack me on my arm (I promise I won't use my Aikido on you. Hahaha.) to keep me on task for my writing. Thanks in advance.
Wednesday, 4 April 2007
Writer's Block & Procrastination!
writer's block - n. A usually temporary psychological inability to begin or continue work on a piece of writing. (Source: American Heritage Dictionary)
procrastination - n. The act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or defering an action to a later time. (Source: WordNet)
It's been confirmed. I am suffering from both Writer's Block and Procrastination, a truly lethal combination. With the writer's block, I haven't been able to write much for the last chapter of my dissertation. I am so near to the end and yet still so far away! Many kind friends have been offering advice on how to break out of it - take a break/ rest before coming back to the writing; do a word count to see how much more I need to write; leave it until panic hits; ... . Procrastination is definitely not helping with the writer's block problem. It just perpetuates the writer's block problem. Before I knew it, it's now a vicious cycle.
writer's block --> procrastination --> More writer's block --> More procrastination
Help me, anyone?
procrastination - n. The act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or defering an action to a later time. (Source: WordNet)
It's been confirmed. I am suffering from both Writer's Block and Procrastination, a truly lethal combination. With the writer's block, I haven't been able to write much for the last chapter of my dissertation. I am so near to the end and yet still so far away! Many kind friends have been offering advice on how to break out of it - take a break/ rest before coming back to the writing; do a word count to see how much more I need to write; leave it until panic hits; ... . Procrastination is definitely not helping with the writer's block problem. It just perpetuates the writer's block problem. Before I knew it, it's now a vicious cycle.
writer's block --> procrastination --> More writer's block --> More procrastination
Help me, anyone?
Monday, 2 April 2007
April fooled!
Today, I had counselling. I thought I was safe because it is 2nd April today, NOT 1st April so I let my guard down. Oh boy! How wrong I was!
A child asked me to pretend that the American national anthem is translated as Mei Guo Guo Ge (in Chinese Hanyu Pinyin) and for short, it's Mei Ge. Ok. Fine. Then, Chinese national anthem is ... Zhong Ge. Ok, I get the pattern, even though it sounded strange and not quite right. She then asked me what is French national anthem? Ok, wth the same pattern and rule, I gave her the answer - Fa ... . She was giggling away. I didn't get it and she asked me to repeat it a number of times and then it HIT me! I was April fooled!!! I am not going to repeat what the answer is. Those of you who are curious, please go ahead and try it for yourself.
A good friend laughed and said I was "gong gong" (Hokkien for stupid), repeated so many times. Well, how I know I was going to be tricked?! I was pure of mind, didn't think so much. And friend's verdict was: pure = gong. Hahaha.
Ok, maybe served me right for underestimating the kids now-a-days. It's a lesson learnt. Until the next April Fool's Day.
A child asked me to pretend that the American national anthem is translated as Mei Guo Guo Ge (in Chinese Hanyu Pinyin) and for short, it's Mei Ge. Ok. Fine. Then, Chinese national anthem is ... Zhong Ge. Ok, I get the pattern, even though it sounded strange and not quite right. She then asked me what is French national anthem? Ok, wth the same pattern and rule, I gave her the answer - Fa ... . She was giggling away. I didn't get it and she asked me to repeat it a number of times and then it HIT me! I was April fooled!!! I am not going to repeat what the answer is. Those of you who are curious, please go ahead and try it for yourself.
A good friend laughed and said I was "gong gong" (Hokkien for stupid), repeated so many times. Well, how I know I was going to be tricked?! I was pure of mind, didn't think so much. And friend's verdict was: pure = gong. Hahaha.
Ok, maybe served me right for underestimating the kids now-a-days. It's a lesson learnt. Until the next April Fool's Day.
Sunday, 1 April 2007
April Fool's Day
Today is April Fool's Day.
There are several explanations for the origin of April Fools' Day, but here is the most plausible one. April 1st was once New Year's Day in France. In 1582, Pope Gregory declared the adoption of his Gregorian calendar to replace the Julian calendar and New Year's Day was officially changed to January 1st. It took awhile for everyone in France to hear the news of this major change and others obstinately refused to accept the new calendar, so a lot of people continued to celebrate New Year's Day on the first of April – earning them the name April fools. The April fools were subjected to ridicule and practical jokes and the tradition was born. The butts of these pranks were first called poisson d'avril or April fish because a young naive fish is easily caught. A common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke. This evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continues on the first day of April. (Source: Dictionary.com)
When I was teaching, I was actually quite scared of this day. Had to be really alert or you would be April Fooled by the girls, not once but several times. That was the down side of being a nice teacher cos the girls would dare to play pranks on you. Hahaha. Hope none of my former students read this blog and know how scared I was then of them. Hahaha.
An unusual looking moth flew in just before 8:30pm and landed on the antique display cabinet. It's white with brown stripes running down. The girls were thrilled to see it. Knowing how kids can be when excited, especially the younger girl who had once done this, "(Pointed to insect) Look, Mama, insect. (Squashed it with her finger) Opps, die already". I don't want a repeat of that! So I told them not to disturb it as it was resting for the night before flying home tomorrow. Thank goodness, they listened and left it alone. It's almost 12:30am and it's still there. Let's see if it is still around in the morning.
Saturday, 31 March 2007
Still awake II
My best friend, Min called from Sydney in the afternoon and we spoke over the phone for 30 minutes. Hope you will find them useful. It's nothing, really. But if you insist, you can pay me back by taking me SHOPPING when I go over to Sydney! SOON, I HOPE. Hahaha. Hey, Min, do you realise we have been BEST FRIENDS for over 20 years?! That's a LONG time. Take care!
I didn't realise that I was so mentally exhausted after the workshop. By 3:30pm, I couldn't take it anymore. I needed a nap. I slept despite the girls playing games (noisily) on their father's laptop right next to my bed. I was that tired.
I woke up feeling very rested but I did a double take when I looked at my clock. Can't be right?! I slept for 4 hours!! That's the longest nap I have ever taken and I have gotten my much needed rest. But NOW, I am wide awake. It is going to be a long night again.
Anyone online? MSN me!
I didn't realise that I was so mentally exhausted after the workshop. By 3:30pm, I couldn't take it anymore. I needed a nap. I slept despite the girls playing games (noisily) on their father's laptop right next to my bed. I was that tired.
I woke up feeling very rested but I did a double take when I looked at my clock. Can't be right?! I slept for 4 hours!! That's the longest nap I have ever taken and I have gotten my much needed rest. But NOW, I am wide awake. It is going to be a long night again.
Anyone online? MSN me!
Parenting workshop
This morning, I was at a parenting workshop. A total of 145 parents signed up but I didn't expect all the parents to turn up. Yet there was a huge turn-out of 100 parents! The topic of the workshop was "My Daughter and I: Connecting with your preteens and teens". It is a good sign, it means that parents are interested to get connected with their children and that parents are now more aware and pro-active.
We had group discussions as well as mini lectures in between. I thought the parents really enjoyed the group discussions. I could see the high excitement level when they were discussing and sharing their experiences and tips with one another. On the whole, the workshop went well: parents were nodding and smiling at the points said, laughing at jokes made, etc. Several parents stayed back after the workshop to ask questions. It gave me great pleasure and sense of achievement that I was able to help some of them with their problems. I really enjoyed interacting with the parents and I am glad to be able to share my knowledge with them.
Oh, by the way, I was the presenter for the parenting workshop.
"Children are our most valuable natural resource. - Herbert Hoover"
We had group discussions as well as mini lectures in between. I thought the parents really enjoyed the group discussions. I could see the high excitement level when they were discussing and sharing their experiences and tips with one another. On the whole, the workshop went well: parents were nodding and smiling at the points said, laughing at jokes made, etc. Several parents stayed back after the workshop to ask questions. It gave me great pleasure and sense of achievement that I was able to help some of them with their problems. I really enjoyed interacting with the parents and I am glad to be able to share my knowledge with them.
Oh, by the way, I was the presenter for the parenting workshop.
"Children are our most valuable natural resource. - Herbert Hoover"
Still awake!
I have to be at a workshop by 9am. I want to sleep but can't. I hope I can wake up on time in the morning for the workshop. Maybe I will try to hypnotise myself:
"You are getting very sleepy, your eye lids are closing, you are almost asleep. On the count of 3, you will be asleep. 3, 2, 1. You are asleep."
Am I asleep? Rats! no such luck.
"You are getting very sleepy, your eye lids are closing, you are almost asleep. On the count of 3, you will be asleep. 3, 2, 1. You are asleep."
Am I asleep? Rats! no such luck.
Thursday, 29 March 2007
Coincidence?
Remember on Sunday when Marieann gave me flowers? I had said that "I think I have better chance of striking Toto than to get a bunch of flowers from him (husband)". And on the very next day (Monday), I did strike Toto. I had forgotten all about it until a good friend brought it up. What a coincidence! Hmm...if what I say comes true, I better be careful in what I say/ wish for. Hahaha. Now, I wish for ... ... ... ...
What did I wish for? Shhh... it's a secret. If I tell you, it may not come true. ;)
What did I wish for? Shhh... it's a secret. If I tell you, it may not come true. ;)
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Kopi Tiam Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
I take my breakfast on days that I work. (On days that I don't work, it will depend if I feel hungry or not.) My breakfast usually is just a piece of bread and a glass of Milo. But I find myself getting hungry again quite fast. Friends have said I have a bottomless stomach. Hahaha. When I was young (primary school to JC), I used to have oat porridge as my breakfast. Now that's really filling. I remembered not feeling hungry at recess times and thus, saving alot of money in this way. When I went to uni in Brisbane, I didn't have the time to cook my oat porridge breakfast but I found the perfect substitute - Weet-bix! Those of you who have studied in Australia would know what I am talking about. With Weet-bix (which is a high-fibre wheat cereal biscuits), it is either you love it or you hate it. Of course, I loved it. I would take it with Sanitarium So Good Soy Milk, usually Vanilla flavour and I would often add raisins for more chew. Since I started working, I have gotten lazy. I still eat breakfast but I no longer take the effort to make sure I have a good one.
Today, I finally had a breakfast that's comparable to my oat porridge of youth and Weet-bix of adulthood, in terms of the filling and sustainability factor. All thanks to a bet I won. Thanks, Friend. Hahaha. It might have been very common to some of you but I never had it before - the kopi tiam breakfast. (It could be because there are no kopi tiams near where I used to live.) The breakfast set consists of two soft-boiled eggs, toast (with butter or kaya) and tea/ coffee/ Milo. It is really good! I never felt so full. Actually, I was still quite full when my colleagues and I had lunch at 1pm but I must uphold my reputation of being a bottomless pit. Shhh... don't tell anyone. Hahaha.
So if any of you wants to have a kopi tiam breakfast, just give me a call or sms or msn. I will join you. Yes, even waking up earlier for it! =)
I take my breakfast on days that I work. (On days that I don't work, it will depend if I feel hungry or not.) My breakfast usually is just a piece of bread and a glass of Milo. But I find myself getting hungry again quite fast. Friends have said I have a bottomless stomach. Hahaha. When I was young (primary school to JC), I used to have oat porridge as my breakfast. Now that's really filling. I remembered not feeling hungry at recess times and thus, saving alot of money in this way. When I went to uni in Brisbane, I didn't have the time to cook my oat porridge breakfast but I found the perfect substitute - Weet-bix! Those of you who have studied in Australia would know what I am talking about. With Weet-bix (which is a high-fibre wheat cereal biscuits), it is either you love it or you hate it. Of course, I loved it. I would take it with Sanitarium So Good Soy Milk, usually Vanilla flavour and I would often add raisins for more chew. Since I started working, I have gotten lazy. I still eat breakfast but I no longer take the effort to make sure I have a good one.
Today, I finally had a breakfast that's comparable to my oat porridge of youth and Weet-bix of adulthood, in terms of the filling and sustainability factor. All thanks to a bet I won. Thanks, Friend. Hahaha. It might have been very common to some of you but I never had it before - the kopi tiam breakfast. (It could be because there are no kopi tiams near where I used to live.) The breakfast set consists of two soft-boiled eggs, toast (with butter or kaya) and tea/ coffee/ Milo. It is really good! I never felt so full. Actually, I was still quite full when my colleagues and I had lunch at 1pm but I must uphold my reputation of being a bottomless pit. Shhh... don't tell anyone. Hahaha.
So if any of you wants to have a kopi tiam breakfast, just give me a call or sms or msn. I will join you. Yes, even waking up earlier for it! =)
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
Pre-school Fieldtrip to Singapore Discovery Centre
Today, Marieann's and Julaine's pre-school organised a family outing to Singapore Discovery Centre. I jumped on the chance to accompany my girls on this fieldtrip. No, it's not because I haven't been there before. In fact, I have been to SDC but it was a couple of year back when I was teaching in school. I have been thinking about going back (you'll know why later). This opportunity came up so I just grabbed it.
Next, we went back to SDC and were ushered into the iWERK theater to watch "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag". When it was announced during the bus tour that we were going to watch this movie, I almost flipped with joy! I think from that point on, I was more happy and excited about the whole fieldtrip than my daughters were. The movie was about an air-force pilot's intense training programme at Nevada's Nellis Air Force Base. I could name all the aircrafts on the movie: there were A10, F15 Eagle, F16 Falcon, F18 Hornet, Tornado, F117, B2, and E2C Hawkeye, etc, etc. The dogfight scenes (here it means the airborne combat), the roars of the aircrafts, ... The movie was so cool! I could feel my adrenalin pumping too. Something funny: a parent overheard me when I was naming the aircrafts and explaining to my girls the techincal bits of the combat, he asked if I am working in the Air Force. Hahaha. I will take that as a compliment.
All in all, it has been a very good day. I got to spend time with my girls on an outing and as an added bonus, I got to see my aircrafts in a fighter pilot movie.
Oh, another good end to the day. I won Toto! Hee hee. It is just a very SMALL amount lah.
A message to a good friend: ORH! I know how! Can sleep tonight. Hahaha.
In school while waiting for the transport to SDC
There were 3 busload full of parents and kids. We arrived at 9am+ and were immediately taken on a SAFTI Military Institute bus tour (a 20 min tour). This is new to me. I don't remember bringing my students on a bus tour around SAFTI at my last SDC visit. Trust me, I would remember if we did because there is a A4 Skyhawk on the grounds of SAFTI. (In case those of you still don't know, I am into aircrafts, especially fighter aircrafts.) But I do remember the A4 that's outside of SDC, it was there the last time too. We saw the Parade Square, SAFTI Tower (which all those who have been through NS and reservist would be very familar with and "fond of", hahaha), Officer Cadet School, Ceremonial Hall, SAFTI MI HQ, SAFTI Entrance, etc. The bus tour was nice, especially seeing the A4 (the aircarft, not A4 size paper), the tank and guns. But I found the whole thing very propaganda-ish. (NB. There's nothing wrong with your eyesight, so quit rubbing your eyes. That line was meant to be tiny! Why? Just to be safe than sorry, you know what I mean?!)
SAFTI Tower
A4 Skyhawk
Next, we went back to SDC and were ushered into the iWERK theater to watch "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag". When it was announced during the bus tour that we were going to watch this movie, I almost flipped with joy! I think from that point on, I was more happy and excited about the whole fieldtrip than my daughters were. The movie was about an air-force pilot's intense training programme at Nevada's Nellis Air Force Base. I could name all the aircrafts on the movie: there were A10, F15 Eagle, F16 Falcon, F18 Hornet, Tornado, F117, B2, and E2C Hawkeye, etc, etc. The dogfight scenes (here it means the airborne combat), the roars of the aircrafts, ... The movie was so cool! I could feel my adrenalin pumping too. Something funny: a parent overheard me when I was naming the aircrafts and explaining to my girls the techincal bits of the combat, he asked if I am working in the Air Force. Hahaha. I will take that as a compliment.
We had a quick lunch. I went through the SDC exhibits quickly with my girls, as we only had 30 minutes left before meeting at the bus at 12pm. I really wanted to try my hand at the Shooting Gallery, using real SAR 21 rifles but there was just no time. (I think I tried something like that that before at Paya Lebar Air Force Open House and had lots of fun.) Another time perhaps. Before we returned to the bus, I dragged my girls somewhere for 1 photo shoot. No prize for guessing with what. Yes, I dragged them back to the A4 we passed by, outside of SDC. Hahaha.
The girls posing with A4 Skyhawk
Juliane and I (Marieann was asleep) on the trip home
All in all, it has been a very good day. I got to spend time with my girls on an outing and as an added bonus, I got to see my aircrafts in a fighter pilot movie.
Oh, another good end to the day. I won Toto! Hee hee. It is just a very SMALL amount lah.
A message to a good friend: ORH! I know how! Can sleep tonight. Hahaha.
Sunday, 25 March 2007
I received a BUNCH OF FLOWERS!
Today, I received a bunch of flowers! I was really, really HAPPY. No, NOT from my husband. (I think I have better chance of striking Toto than to get a bunch of flowers from him.) My older daughter, Marieann gave me the bunch of flowers. Ok, you may say my husband had to pay for it (anyway, the flowers were from Cold Storage for $3.50). BUT it was my daughter who HAD the thought and ACTED on it to get the flowers for me.
I was really surprised to see Marieann running up to me with the flowers, with a big smile on her face and saying, "Mama, this is for you". I can't quite describe how I felt at that moment. It was like there were flowers blossoming in my heart, happiness just burst forth and resulting in the biggest smile ever on my face. I am happy, not because Mariean gave me the flowers but because the flowers is an expression of her love. No, I don't need presents from my daughters to show that they love me. It is the thought, that's behind the action, that counts ALOT!
Thank you, Marieann. With or without the flowers, Mama loves you. That goes for you too, Juliane.
I was really surprised to see Marieann running up to me with the flowers, with a big smile on her face and saying, "Mama, this is for you". I can't quite describe how I felt at that moment. It was like there were flowers blossoming in my heart, happiness just burst forth and resulting in the biggest smile ever on my face. I am happy, not because Mariean gave me the flowers but because the flowers is an expression of her love. No, I don't need presents from my daughters to show that they love me. It is the thought, that's behind the action, that counts ALOT!
Thank you, Marieann. With or without the flowers, Mama loves you. That goes for you too, Juliane.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
