Momo Diaries

「おくりびと」　予告編

2009-03-13T17:53:00.004+08:00

Winner of 81st Academy Award, International Language Film.

Little. Big. Boy #1

2009-03-03T17:54:00.004+08:00

Sometimes, it is the little things that your family says that makes you feel so touched and loved. R knows that I went to school today for my meeting with my supervisor. And judging from the way I was reading my notes the previous night, he knows that he better not disturb mommy. Today he asked me after school, "How's your day today, Mommy? How did it go?"

I was so touched by my little. big. boy. He is so old already, but to me, he is still my little boy. I think I am having some identity issues here haha!

P.S: The photograph is out of context here but I am trying to show that he is really quite a big boy now, his feet is like almost the size of mine, I recently realised!?!

Food for thought

2009-01-11T20:49:00.012+08:00

Had craving for some Japanese Yakitori today so we headed to Shokudo at City Hall. It is like Marche, kind of like a food bazaar of everything Japanese. The food isn't that great but I like the flexibility of ordering what I like. And most importantly, this is one of the few places we don't have to queue or wait to get a seat. Good news for me, but not too good for them I guess. The waffles here are very nice, so I usually eat something light for my main and reserve tummy space for their waffles with ice cream.

On a second note, I suddenly have this feeling today that I am really going to miss the food here. I think about the Bak Ku Teh at Keppel, my all-time favourite chicken rice at Clementi (the same stall since I was young till now), Claypot Chicken Rice at Queensway and Chilli/ Pepper Crab and I know I will feel disgruntled somehow when we are in Sydney.

Please slap me if I drink again, thanks.

2009-01-08T11:29:00.003+08:00

Okay, I am really stubborn, I admit it. I know I have an alcohol allergy since I was 18 years old (my first drink) and more than 10 years on, I still wish to defy that. This is what happens to me just 1 hour after my Lychee Liquour yesterday at Timbre. It was much worse, my whole hand was stiff and as if all my vessels are frozen. TS wanted me to go emergency. I got a tick off from him. It was like an elephant's limb yesterday, even had problems changing gears on my way back home. It subsided this morning though. And I noticed the symptoms seemed to have changed. It used to be rash all over and my fingernails would turn purple. But now, the symptoms are all confined to my left hand only. Okay, this is the last time, please slap me if I drink again. I will thank you.

Cheers @ Timbre Arts House

2009-01-08T10:58:00.006+08:00

It was a girls' night out at Timbre Arts House, it is a very nice place to just chill, against the backdrop of Singapore's CBD skyline. The food here is surprisingly very good. I was pleasantly surprised cos most pubs serve really underrated food. Their drinks were great too, but I cannot say the same for the band that played yesterday. We missed those days (10 years ago) when we would go to Europa ANA hotel for drinks and the band then was fantastic. Dawn showed us a photo of the group of us 10 years ago, and look how far we have gone? So many changes to our lives, and well, our appearance too. Cheers to 2009 and to friendship...and to the next ten years!

Life is not all about "You"

2009-01-08T10:30:00.004+08:00

I haven't blogged for a long time...been really busy catching up with work and completing my project that I was paid to do before I leave. As my boss puts it, "She can't go, till she finishes this!" Haha. Thank goodness it is joke. But seriously, I have like thousand and one things on my mind! The project, my publications, the moving, the clearing...

But this aside, I am looking forward to going to Aussie Land. Though a little uncertain about things, but well, life is all about uncertainty and how you unknot them, isn't it? My main goal is to "Find myself", I think at this point, I need to know who I am. Some people think I am mad to be still studying at this point, some think it is a great opportunity, but I know that a Phd without purpose is like a leaf that do not know the tree that it grows on. It is gog to be a long journey of self-identity...I know. Also, there are people in my life that I must not neglect in this process. With this mindset, I hope that I can get through this intact and sane! And at the end of the day, you can have gold and silver, paper and career, but what matters most is we are loved, and we love others.

Dawn: You might find that piece of object on Ryan's nose very familiar???

Goodbye 2008, Welcome 2009!

2008-12-31T23:50:00.003+08:00

Wishing all a great and blessed year ahead, may all your dreams come true and good health to all!

We are happy to see the flares from the ships, it would be too crowded to be at the Marina to watch the fireworks.

The Good Old Days

2008-12-31T13:23:00.003+08:00

Tiong Bahru, Singapore holds a special place in my heart. It is one the "unspoiled" neighbourhood where some of the authentic architecture of the good old days still remains. It is also the place where I spent the first 5 years of my life. Still remember those days where we live in a little apartment with grandparents and neighbours with open doors mingling. It is very different these days.

This is also where I can find good authentic cantonese cuisine. Next year, Meredith and Ryan will meet up in Australia. They look like a pair going on their first date. Who knows? Maybe this photo will come in handy a decade or two later? For now, they look absolutely so sweet together!

Christmas is Here #2 - It is all in that Little Blue Box

2008-12-23T10:35:00.006+08:00

As in previous years, my dear hubby has no idea when it comes to buying gifts. He just simply has no clue. He blames it on my fussiness. And I have long learnt that it is not possible to instill romanticism if you do not have it. Or it is just his engineered mind that believes that practicality is what matters, so you won't get to receive gifts that are of "no use" - like flowers. Anyway, so this year, he asked me again the same question.

"What do you want for Christmas...and anniversary?"

Okay, I don't blame you for lumping the two events together in one bundle, afterall they are a day apart. But can you for once think of ideas yourself?

"Why don't I bring you to the shop and you can choose anything you like?"

Then it won't be anything like a surprise!

"But you cannot take surprises, I know you."

Okay, I am inquisitive ok, if you put a packaged gift in front of me, I won't stop thinking what it could be. I will guess it till I got it right. But am I being punished for that?

To cut the long story short, I gave up. So instead of going to the shop, I gave him a riddle to solve. I remembered doing this last year too. The riddle goes like this:

"The key to unlocking the mystery lies in a Little Blue Box"

Tell me, which guy doesn't know the answer?! I cannot believe my guy doesn't know it. He asked the little man, who said:

"Mommy, is it something you can eat?"

You mean Chocolates? NOPE.

So I gave him another hint.

"The little blue box is in Takashimaya."

To cut the long story short again, he insisted the little blue box is in Lucky Plaza. He just wants to see me mad (Actually, he already knew what the LLB is cos he has searched the net apparently - okay, quite smart).

And when he and Ryan went into the LLB, I received a call.

"We found the LLB, and we BOTH have the same taste. But when we wanted to buy it, our jaws dropped."

So in the end, there is no Little Blue Box for me. But this is an important lesson for the two men. They have learnt three things:

1) It is no secret, the Little Blue Box never fails to win a woman's heart.
2) The Little Blue Box is NOT in Lucky Plaza (it never is, and never will).
3) You need to be prepared ($$$) before walking into the Little Blue Box.

Christmas Is Here...

2008-12-21T23:35:00.007+08:00

The Christmas season is here again. Each year, when I hear the Christmassy songs in the malls and feel the December breeze, I just kind of feel nostalgic. It makes me look back and reflect what happened through the year, and what's to come. And when I hear the carols, I really miss those days when I was carolling with my Church friends. Those memories of the good old days...

It is strange that no other festival makes me feel this way, not Chinese New Year, or the New Year whatsoever. Christmas gives me a special feeling. It is that feeling of being around friends, exchanging gifts, and also the celebration of Christ's birth.

I was in town today with Ryan to buy some gifts. I told Ryan that it is time for him to think about others and buy something small for loved ones. He was really excited about it. He has been saving some money and today was a good chance because TS has a friend's gathering. So we headed for City Hall. I was shocked when I found out that Ryan brought along...$100! We were on the escalator when he took out the big note and looked at it. To that dear boy, it is aaaaalot of money and it was so sweet that he is willing to spend it away on his parents.

I asked him if he wants to share TS's gift with me and when we were in the shop, he was shocked to see that all the items were like $200 and above. The look on his face was indescribable. He said worriedly, "Can we choose something cheaper?" And the salesgirl brought others for us to see and he kept looking at the price tags. The sales girl was laughing away. It was the first time I see him reacting this way. He is so grown up! He was looking around the shop for nice designs. He has a good eye actually, a good taste (just like his mommy haha!)

Ryan wasn't expecting any Christmas present because he said the Bionicle we bought him some months back will be his Christmas present. But how can I not buy my dear boy a gift? So I went to the toys department and I asked him to choose a nice toy for a friend's nephew. When I went to pay for it, he looked a little disappointed. I thought he is really magnanimous but he is in for a surprise, I cannot wait to give him the gift.

Cousins Rule

2008-12-20T12:18:00.003+08:00

Ryan's cousins:

Christen - 6 years old
Aidan - 8 years old
Ryan - 9 years old

Iljimae

2008-12-17T23:20:00.005+08:00

This is a must watch for all k-drama fans. The theme song is really really poetic and beautiful...

When you know your voice is more distinctive than your looks

2008-12-16T23:19:00.004+08:00

You know something is not quite right when someone recognises you by your voice rather than your looks. I was at the university cafe with my friend when an undergrad came in front of me and greeted me. He was my student and I was his Music teacher. I think I was the only teacher (other than the Art teacher) who is familiar with most students in the school because I had to teach most levels and classes Music lessons. So it is also understandable that I do not remember all their names (except the cheeky ones, and those who are more than what you would call "cheeky"). But I remembered him clearly, because he always wears a wide grin. He is different from what he was 10 years ago. He has lost the baby fats and has grown way above me, tanner and well built. A fine young man! But he still wears the same grin. So we had a short conversation and part of it was:

"Oh, you can still recognise me after all these years!" (I was hoping that he would say, "you still look the same" or "you have not aged!")

But he said,

"At first I couldn't make out if it was you, but when I heard your voice, I knew it was you."

Oh great. Thanks. So do I have a really distinctive voice? But I don't really care for a distinctive voice. What I do want to hear is that...I still look the same!!

The Waiting Game

2008-12-13T09:32:00.004+08:00

Ryan finally bought his birthday present (after such a looooooong wait) with the hongbao that was given by his Aunt Serene. With that budget, he bought a Lego Bionicle and happily fixed it immediately he reached home.

The hongbao was stashed away safely for sometime. We didn't want him to be obsessed over toys and we have been really quite careful about that. You know how crazy they can get over some toys, especially in Singapore where these things are so easily accessible. One moment, it was power rangers, next moment, the kids throw aside their power rangers for pokemon, and then bakugan and whatever guns and mons there are. It was just crazy. We taught him the value of money and how we can benefit others more. I think it is really important to instill these values as they grow up. It hasn't been easy. We have got through those days of screaming and unreasonable tantrums. You know, the usual, "Why my friend can have everything and I can't?", "I want it now, now, now?!", and "You are very unfair to me". But these days, we are starting to see changes in Ryan. He has grown up.

He has waited. And discussed the budget and discussed with us what he should get. He doesn't expect things to just fall from the sky anymore and has learnt that toys are not the priority now in his life, there are others. And when I see how some Singaporean children behaved these days, I am glad that I have endured and chose to spend more time with him than work.

Potato + Pork

2008-12-11T20:08:00.002+08:00

I don't really know what's the origin of this dish, but it is an improvisation from various recipes from different cultures.

Sliced onion rings
Minced pork/ lean pork slices
Mixed vegetables
Potato slices
Corn starch
pepper & salt

1. Marinate the pork with some soy sauce, cornstarch, salt & pepper.
2. Coat the potato slices thinly with corn starch
3. Heat some oil in the pan and fry the potato slices till slightly brown on each side.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Add new oil, fry the onions and pork slices/ mince meat
6. Add the potato slices & the mixed vegetables
7. Add 1 Tb of soy sauce
8. salt and pepper to taste
9. Thicken the sauce with cornstarch (1 tsp mixed with hot water)
10. Cover and let it simmer
SERVE

Day of Reckoning

2008-12-10T13:11:00.004+08:00

Check out those clouds! A storm was brewing right outside our apartment. It didn't look so scary but the camera was able to pick out the texture and dimension of the dark clouds. It was like a day of reckoning...

What Tomorrow Brings

2008-12-05T21:00:00.002+08:00

We absolutely love this (expensive) toy

2008-12-03T15:32:00.003+08:00

I have been thinking of getting a mean machine for a few years now. For the past year or so, I love my Sony T100 but I think it is time....

At the Sitex Fair, I got a good deal for this camera which comes with a lot of freebies. I was wavering between the Canon and the Nikon but Nikon won me over. Like what many would agree, good photography is a matter of the lens, not the camera. I think the Nikon lens on the D60 is cool. When you hold it and take the first click, it is just an EXPERIENCE. I don't get that with the Canon. Besides the service at the Canon counter just sucks. They were trying so hard to undermine Nikon. When I asked what are their strengths against the Nikon, the salesman arrogantly whipped out this file and showed me a list of Nikon "flaws". He added, "You want made in Thailand? Then buy Nikon." Man, he should go for some attitude review.

I had wanted the D40 but it was sold out...anyway it is ok, cos it is a 2 year old camera already. I don't know all about the photography jargon but I know this is a cool camera. When TS knew I bought it, he said, "okay, you can take over the Sony now." Over my dead body...I will paste some hello kitty stickers on it.

Welcome to the online community, Ryan

2008-12-02T22:18:00.002+08:00

Ryan has been asking me for a year about setting up his own blog. Well, this holidays, I helped him set up one. He has some great ideas actually. Check out his blog at www.Ryan-nation.blogspot.com

My Lil Muse

2008-12-02T21:49:00.004+08:00

I love taking pictures of Ryan, I think he is my muse too. He is very photogenic in my eyes. Notice something different about the quality of these pictures? I bought a really cool (new) camera at the Sitex Fair Singapore. The Nikon D60 SLR. I am really besotted with my new toy. I decided to understand more about photography and learnt some tools of photography. Maybe pick up some of my father's legacy who was a camera/ lens technician.

See something "scary" in that first photo? Reminds you of "The Eye"?!??

Oishii salad

2008-11-30T21:49:00.007+08:00

We had friends over for dinner and instead of ordering KFC, we decided to make it a Japanese Italian evening. So I cooked two types of spaghetti - carbonara and Vongole and a salad in Japanese style. The salad - Japanese Avocado Salad is a must try. I adapted from a recipe and it was so delicious, it was wiped out.

Sauce:
1 Tb soy sauce
2 Tb Goba Shabu Shabu (dipping sauce for shabu shabu which has a strong sesame taste)
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp sugar
pinch of salt

Lettuce
Cherry tomatoes
Avocado
Japanese cucumber

1. Whisk together the sauce ingredients. You can alter the exact measurements of each ingredient to your overall taste for the sauce.

2. Arrange all the greens in a bowl.

3. Dribble the sauce over the salad

4. Voila!

Strolling by Marina

2008-11-21T23:34:00.006+08:00

We went to watch the musical, Ave Q the other day at the Esplanade. Great fun and the music is still stuck in my head! TS and I spent a quiet evening walking along Marina Bay to soak in the city. The skyline around Marina Bay is certainly shaping up everyday with the Integrated Resorts construction and the new CBD. I think I am going to miss Singapore somehow or another when we leave in February. But we are certainly looking forward to a new environment.

Family Album 2008

2008-11-19T18:15:00.000+08:00

Message in Life

2008-11-18T11:22:00.004+08:00

Through everyday's ups and downs, I have came to realise one important message which really helps me through everyday life. In life, there is some loss, there is some gain. We cannot expect everything to fall in place the way we expect it to be...with this, I wake up a happier person everyday!

For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A Moment in Life

2008-11-15T22:47:00.003+08:00

We took some family pictures at the studio recently since I had a convo package. Photographer Matthew from Protrait Gallery was very good with children and Ryan had no problems posing for every photo. The adults didn't fare too well though. But the pictures turned out very natural!

Dear Ryan

2008-11-15T20:29:00.007+08:00

To my Ryan, stay the way you are. You are loving, caring, helpful and the sweetest nine-year-old I know. You love Bionicles so much that you sometimes go over the top about them. But at the end of the day, you would amaze us with the things you say and do.

A lazy Sunday afternoon

2008-11-13T11:29:00.004+08:00

Baking can be such a therapeutic process. Especially if there is a rare occasion where there is no agenda on a sunday afternoon and you just want to spend quiet time at home with family.

Extra Virgin...What?!

2008-11-12T15:45:00.007+08:00

(A conversation about Red Indians' names)

TS: Let's give ourselves a Red Indian name. What would you call yourself?

Me: Hmmmm, WHITE RIVER. You?

TS: I am always very caring towards people. So...I will call myself...CARE BEAR.

Me & Ryan: (Rolling eyes)

Ryan: Er... (walks towards a bottle of olive oil on the kitchen cabinet). I will call myself

EXTRA VIRGIN

TS & Me: What?!

What the Heck, Carpe Diem!

2008-11-11T11:19:00.004+08:00

We are going! After the initial shakiness and the uncertainty, we finally decided that we are going to Sydney. Thanks for everyone's support and words of wisdom, I mustered my courage and decided what the heck, SEIZE THE DAY! I think the main question we asked ourselves is, "If we don't go, what will we be doing?" And the answer is, no prizes for guessing...

STILL THE SAME OLD THING.

Okay, so let's pack our bags and go for a challenge. We don't want to be doing that "same old thing" for the next 3 years. We need some spice, some action, some hype!

Of course, I went through some psychological stress..."I am not good enough, I am gog to flop this, I cannot do this" I really need to cast the demons out of me. Like Mich says, I am psycho. Maybe I am haha! Psycho Paw.

The.Stressed.Look

2008-11-09T22:50:00.004+08:00

This is what my dear Ryan has self-choreographed weeks before his end-of-year exams. While playing with my handphone, he created a background and asked me to take a picture of him. He said, "This is how I look when I am about to take my exams." Okay, Ryan, I got your message...

The Young (and Blunt) One

2008-11-03T15:37:00.007+08:00

Taken in 2007. They grow up so fast!

Conversations like these are to be remembered...

(After talking on the phone with each other for 10 minutes)

Ryan: Mommy, I don't want to talk already.

Mommy: Why? You don't like to talk to me?

Ryan: I need to rest my mouth.

Mommy: Er....#!??@!?

Thanks for your honesty (nicer word for bluntness), Ryan.

Loss for Words...

2008-11-02T22:31:00.004+08:00

Two of my most favourite idols of the music world. Now, they both stand side by side in my piano studio. These two personal photography of Leonard Bernstein and Lang Lang are the most precious gifts I have ever received in my life! Was so touched that I cried when I opened the parcel.

These are from Willy and Joanne Haroutonian. Joanne is a music professor and Willy her husband is a immensely talented musician and photographer who plays the violin professionally in the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington. These are Willy's personal collection when Lang Lang and Bernstein played and conducted the orchestra. They are just one of the most wonderful couple I have ever met, passionate about music and the arts education and the nicest people I ever known.

A New Beginning?

2008-11-02T14:40:00.004+08:00

So now Is the time to move on? But as the time approaches, it is really nerve wrecking.

So many things to think through, to consider, so many things to do! This step would change the future, we know. Are we ready to begin on this path?

When I applied, I told myself, since I have taken this path already, just give it a try. I know it is going to be difficult to get a place. I was rejected from another Uni, and that was my first choice. Well, maybe it is a blessing in disguise. On the other hand, I was just thinking, maybe I should be a housewife, have more children! Then I became really confused.

WHAT DO I WANT TO DO?

And I am STILL confused. TS's condition for me to to study is, "You better not tell me you want to be a housewife at the end of the day."

I totally understand what he means. Everyone has to make some kind of sacrifice if we were to take this path...

Back from the Dead

2008-10-31T12:11:00.003+08:00

Haven't posted for such a long time...been burrowing myself in my own confines for the past few weeks, battling the demon in me. I guess this is called the mid life crisis? Or maybe identity crisis, health crisis, personal crisis, whatever...

Today, I got a letter.

Firm Offer of Admission

Congratulations! Your application has been successful and I am delighted to offer you a place at the University of Sydney.

Course: Doctor of Philosophy
Research Department: Faculty Of Education
Supervisor: Ewing, Robyn Ann
Associate Supervisor: Bloomfield, Dianne Margaret
Date of commencement: 02 March 2009
Probationary end date:02 March 2010
Earliest completion date: 31 March 2012
Latest completion date: 31 March 2013

But not sure if I should do this or not...a really hard decision to make.

Happy 9th Birthday, Ryan!

2008-09-29T09:46:00.002+08:00

21st September 2008...In memory of my Grandfather, Thomas Ho who shares the same birthday as me.

Let The Race Begins!

2008-09-23T15:26:00.007+08:00

The world's first Formula 1 night race is going to be in Singapore. 3 Days, 4 Minutes & 33 Seconds to the Singapore F1 Grand Prix.

Let the Race Begins! You bet I will be down there for the night race.

Mama Mia!

2008-09-22T10:15:00.002+08:00

We went to watch Mama Mia last weekend and had a blast laughing. It is crazy, ridiculous but simply hilarious. How can I not go when my favourite actors and actress are in this show! Colin Firth, goodness, this is really off his English romantics, "Pride and Prejudice", "Bridget Jones Diary". And Pierce Brosnan in his ultimate role other than James Bond! His singing rocks (haha!). Just imagine Meryl Streep, Peirce Brosnan and Colin Firth singing and dancing is enough to knock you out of your seats. Kudos to them for even agreeing to film this! Go watch it and have a good laugh! This is the ending credits and stay on for the last bits when the guys come on, can you imagine James Bond in spandex and glitter?

I am waiting...still waiting....

2008-09-18T09:16:00.004+08:00

and with God's grace, I hope we will accept what's to come....that's all.

Mooncake Festival Celebrations

2008-09-15T17:01:00.000+08:00

What a Kitty Surprise!

2008-09-15T16:41:00.002+08:00

I got a kitty surprise from Mich. She has helped me realise an unfulfilled dream of having a kitty cake this birthday. Of course, those men in my life would never buy me one. They think it is too childish. Whatever happens to personal choice? I have state my preference and they just simply decide it is not for me, not even for my birthday.

So thanks Mich for this kitty surprise! And the cute pinko kitty "LV" key pouch to go with it, that is really really nice.

Vogue No More

2008-09-09T10:34:00.005+08:00

In Vogue India magazine, a child from a poor family modeled a Fendi bib, which costs about $100.
A man modeled a Burberry umbrella in Vogue that costs about $200. Some 456 million Indians live on less than $1.25 a day.

Vogue India editor Priya Tanna’s message to critics of the August shoot: “Lighten up,” she said in a telephone interview.

Extracted from The New York Times

When do we draw the line between a joke and the reality? It's not funny when you outrightly "other" people in sexism, racism, ageism, and classism all at one go, at their expense

Charles Taylor: Liberalism

2008-09-08T14:27:00.003+08:00

"The politics of equal respect, then, at least in this more hospitable variant, can be cleared of the charge of homogenizing difference. But there is another way of formulating the charge that is harder to rebut. In this form, however, it perhaps ought not to be rebutted, or so I want to argue.

The charge I am thinking of here is provoked by the claim sometimes made on behalf of "different-blind" liberalism that it can offer a neutral ground on which people of all cultures can meet and coexist." p. 95

"A society with strong collective goals can be liberal, in this view, provided it also is capable of respecting diversity, especially when dealing with those who do not share its common goals; and provided it can offer adequate safeguards for fundamental rights." p. 94

Taylor rightfully state that there will be tensions and difficulties in pursuing these objectives but it is not impossible.

Are we ready to be a liberal society?

Taylor, Charles. (1994). Multiculturalism: A critical reader. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.

We ARE all human beings, and we DESERVE the same respect

2008-09-08T11:55:00.005+08:00

I don't usually want to discuss socio-political issues on my blog, especially if I know I am going to have ALOT to say, so I think, might as well, don't start.

But this recent Serangoon Garden case was really getting too much to bear. As a Singaporean, I am really upset that these are the thoughts of my fellow countrymen.

Read here for the full report. It all started when a contractor chose a vacant building in Serangoon Gardens estate (an estate populated by middle class residents in mostly landed properties) to house about foreign workers. Angry residents there signed a petition to object the infiltration of foreign workers into their estate, airing concerns of safety, traffic (human traffic, they mean?) and property valuation.

Some comments from the article in 93.8 Live were appalling.

"It's the kind of estate where the kids call me up and they're coming home at 10 o'clock after school. They say "I'm taking the 317 and I'm walking home". And I say, "yeah, walk home!" With the domitory out there, I'm not sure whether I can make the same decisions anymore."

Other comments make further assumptions that foreign workers are likely to disturb the peace in the neighbourhood, loiter around looking out for maids, conduct crimes etc. And this blogger had this to say,

"Foreign workers, please come here to contribute to our economy, build our skyscrapers & condominiums but don't ever come and live near me especially if I'm middleclass Singaporean living in a private property."

"Lets all sign a petition like the Serangoon Garden folks to keep foreign workers out of our neighbourhood. If Serangoon Garden residents won't have them, why should the rest of us?" extracted from Diary of a Singaporean, Sept 6 08.
Are these coming from citizens who treat other citizens as human beings?

Are we teaching our children the meaning of differences and that the colour of one's skin has a certain derogative meaning, something to be feared rather then celebrate?

Do we judge people base on their skin colour, their social class, their family background, their educational level and their nationality?

Yes, we may feel uneasy having live in a more diversified neighbourhood if we have always been quite homogenised. But we shouldn't make such judgments. Put yourself in their shoes. Everyone HAS feelings and everyone deserves So foreign workers has no feelings? That they do not deserve respect? And they should stay and live as far as possible from the neighbourhoods?

Maybe it is time to think that how we treat others determines how we get treated.

Maybe it is time to rethink how we educate the meaning of MULTICULTURALISM or in Singapore's context, MULTIRACIALISM.

Don't just do lip service.

To all these people who has been making such unfounded remarks/ assumptions/ comments/ opinions, please read Charles Taylor, "The Politics of Recognition". In Multiculturalism. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.

What Exactly Am I?

2008-09-05T21:33:00.004+08:00

Can't resist this cute little thing. It comes with Mummy and Daddy too but I think they are big enough to be my bolster. What exactly is it? I cannot figure it out. A seal? Beluga whale? Not sure.

My Family of Heroes

2008-09-05T21:25:00.006+08:00

Ryan has been attending an animation art class for the past months. I think he is really enjoying it. The teachers are very passionate with their art and really build a great relationship with the boys in class (yes, all boys). Here, he has to create his own family of hero characterisation. He has to draw their front and side profiles, the side profile is especially difficult. I think he is really creative, giving them their own costumes, names, supernatural power and even has a story behind it. I like the kid best!

Good friends, Good Food, Crazy Stories

2008-09-05T20:51:00.012+08:00

Have you seen bigger jackfruit than these? I'm an expert at this.I ate alot for my dinner today...My tummy shows it.This is one big seed.Mommy has no time to take pictures, I will.Aaron, the big boss and one of his "out of this world" adventures. I am really hungry. The director is thinking of making Aaron's stories his next "art" film...

These days, it is really hard to meet up with the whole gang, so when we are able to form a table of 12, it is really a rare opportunity. Everyone is going places. Next time, we have to meet somewhere out of Singapore! Aaron gave a treat today, because he is accepted to teach at the Hong Kong International School and will be leaving end this year. So we took the chance to make the big boss treat us before he goes. Meeting with them is never a quiet affair, we will be the loudest in the restaurant. We ate at Por Kee, still my favourite Cantonese place. If you are there, must try the champagne pork ribs ($6 a piece), spring chicken and the yam dessert. This place reminds me of my grandma's cooking. To top off it off, we had durians at Geylang!

What are you thinking, Ryan?

2008-08-29T12:13:00.002+08:00

I have been trying to inculcate some chivalry in Ryan. So I have been preparing on how to buy a gift for someone you love.

1) Think about the gift you want to give.
2) How much resources do you have?
3) Where to get it?
4) How to get it?

These are important...you have to plan, especially if this is the first attempt at buying a gift. So Ryan had been thinking and thinking. Then for my birthday, this is what I receive...

MONEY...$3.80 to be exact.

I asked him, how do you decide on the amount? He said,

I just throw in everything I have got. It is the thought that counts!

Thanks, Ryan.

Boys, like men, just don't get it, do they?

Ritz's Greenhouse

2008-08-28T09:18:00.006+08:00

Had a sumptuous dinner at the Ritz's Greenhouse. The food and ambience was great, love the desserts especially! The chocolate cake was heavenly, and after having two small slices, I was like "That's it, nothing can go in anymore!" It was so rich! A pity that I couldn't have space for their waffles and ice cream...and more seafood!

Ryan had enough crabs to last him for 6 months. He loves crab and prawns...I think he inherited this from my father who loves seafood, especially clams and oysters. And they are both born on the same day, 21st September...this is really uncanny and it is really a nice way for me to know that abit of Daddy lives in this little boy.

A Sweet Surprise!

2008-08-28T09:11:00.003+08:00

First there is one, then there are two, and now we are a family!

Thanks, SK! It was a sweet surprise!

The Card that Says it All

2008-08-28T09:00:00.002+08:00

Simple

Life is simple
A simple girl born on a simple day
The simple girl meets a simple man
A simple tiny sweet grows
an everlasting love
A simple gesture every year to
show the love for the simple girl
And for this simple year
A simple gift from the simple man
that brings good health and beauty
to the simple girl

Happy Birthday
From your simple hubby : )

When I read the poem, and looked at the card, I really doubted he wrote it himself. But apparently, he did. And the way it was cut and prepared, it can easily passed off as a card bought off the shelf. The poem is simple, but the effort TS went through to prepare this card, I must say it takes alot of diligence and precision. But I was really puzzled and asked

Where did you get the embossed hard paper from? It looks like you bought it

No, the whole thing is made by me.

Then where did you get the paper?

I saw this xxx brochure, and it contains all the nonsense about xxxxxx, so I thought I am not going to read this. So I cut the front cover page.

Oops.

A Simple Birthday for a "Simple" Girl

2008-08-26T12:49:00.003+08:00

What a nice birthday cake! But not mine!

Happy Birthday to ME! Thanks everyone for your birthday greetings, well wishes, love, care and concern...I am indeed blessed.

This morning, I was awakened at 6:30am by the two men in my life to a rousing "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" that totally jolted me out from bed. I can imagine the prelude before that when the bigger man tells the smaller man to shout at a count of 1, 2, 3 and before that, must have made fun of me drooling in my sleep.

I was told that this year's theme for my birthday is simply, "SIMPLE". When I walked out to the living room in the morning, a pink water bottle filled with up with water greeted me...along with a little card. Okay, that's really simple. Then when I read the poem on the simple card, it was a simple but sweet poem about a simple girl and a simple man on a simple birthday.

Then came a phonecall.

"Where do you want to go eat tonight?"

Okay, the simple man did not plan yet as hoped. The simple girl has to decide. So I said, "Pan Pacific's Keyaki Restaurant".

He has no idea how much it cost, I know when he said, okay. Then an sms came, that says,

"Know which restaurant to go already. I will book."

Apparently, the simple man has found out that Keyaki will burn a hole in his pocket so he gave a simple proposal to another restaurant called "Botan" which is 1/5th of the price at Keyaki.

I think this year's theme should be "Budget". And the simple man says,

"No, that's next year's theme."

Life's a Blessing

2008-08-13T12:06:00.006+08:00

I am back at work, after landing from the plane at 4:30am on the same day!!! All because I am so blur to mistake my arrival day. I thought I am arriving on the 12th and have a day to spend resting my jet laggedness before I go back to work, but I have to be soooo blur. So here I am, just 6 hours ago, I was in Shanghai airport getting a really really good Tui Na massage. My gosh, it was so good, all the toxins from my body were flushed out. I then realise that all the massages I have in Singapore are all child's play only. And not to forget, I also spent like another 5 hours loitering during transit at Shanghai too.

It was a really short trip but I spent some good quality time with Sis and the two boys. Though we are mostly fussing over the little ones' needs, I treasure those makans and talk. Back in Singapore, TS was nice to meet us at the airport when we arrived and we had breakfast (he was that hungry) at 5am. I just wanted to go back to wash my hair and skin! He was so sweet. I went to the ladies at the airport before he turned up and he was there waiting for me, just outside the ladies with this wide grin on his very sleepy face and gave me a big hug. It was the same grin I saw when I returned from Japan with Mich the other time. And Mich called me just when I stepped into office today. All of a sudden, I felt really blessed...that I have people who really care for me! So despite all the tiredness, I am really happy...

Tah-Tah & Me

2008-08-11T11:54:00.000+08:00

The bond of cousins

2008-08-08T13:03:00.002+08:00

Ryan and Lucas are spending some quality time together, bonding with each other. It is a really sweet affair.

Roadtrip Across the Border

2008-08-08T13:01:00.001+08:00

L.U.C.A.S

2008-08-05T12:27:00.006+08:00

Lucas, Lucas, Lucas, Lucas...five things I like about you.

1) Specially poses for the camera
2) Eats like a food machine
3) When you are done eating, you pat your head to say, "I am done"
4) Has a serious and a funny crazy side
5) Likes my toe colour!

Prince Linus

2008-08-05T12:14:00.004+08:00

And now, there are three princes...Ryan (Li En), Lucas (Kai En), & Linus (Wei En). Isn't he sweet?

Off we go (went)!

2008-08-05T12:03:00.003+08:00

I have been missing for days, cos I was on another journey to the other side of the world to visit Sis and the boys. At first, I had to really mentally prepare myself for the much dreaded plane ride. I wasn't exactly looking forward to it after the experience for Paris which was....very long. But actually this time, I really learn to appreciate China Eastern. It service is impeccable, and consistent (since I have sat on it thrice). Seats are quite comfy. The only complaint is that the plane always seem to have a very weird smell...which is not.very.nice. Other than that, it is value for money. But someone is making himself comfortable right from the start of the trip.

Graduation Snapshots

2008-07-31T11:05:00.011+08:00

Some updates in my life...I thought and thought of whether I should go for the convocation, and in the end, I went! It was just a ceremony, but it is really about thanking those people who believed and supported me throughout this study. I wouldn't have been able to do on my own. Thanks TS for all the humour you injected now and then that kept me sane. Tobey, who had to be used to having mommy at the computer more than with him and to my profs who are so encouraging...

Finding ourselves...

2008-07-28T13:22:00.004+08:00

It is not about the "what" question (what shall we teach)
It is not about how we teach or why we teach.
It is about WHO is the self that teaches.

We teach who we are.

Adapted from Parker Palmer.

What do we want in life?

2008-07-25T12:57:00.003+08:00

The Hair Saga

2008-07-20T20:33:00.007+08:00

Some time down the road, I will probably remember how crazy I was to have done this. Mich asked me what inspired me to do this?!? Well, too much K-dramas? Mid-life crisis? Or just simply stress? I needed a change. So I went to get my hair...extended. I grew my hair! Within 1 hour, I have long wavy locks! The lady who did my hair told me I am going to look so different even my family members won't recognise me.

TS said he cannot bear to touch my hair, "I see dollars and dollars hanging all over it". Ya, it cost a bit, but well, just this once lah, I am just curious. I chanced upon this shop in Far East Plaza and they really did quite a good job. TS also went for a haircut, and it was hilarious that the young funky hairdresser told him, "Today, I give you a modern look! Many ways to gel your hair."

I almost couldn't recognise him when he came out of the shop!

So this is our new US!

Chance is...

2008-07-18T22:23:00.002+08:00

Chance is being there at the right time, right place and meeting the right one.

......

2008-07-18T22:11:00.002+08:00

Prepare for a new me.

What is the purpose of education?

2008-07-04T12:47:00.006+08:00

"Assist the children in searching and shaping their destiny by identifying who they really are"
Finlandia University Teacher Education Standards

That, to me, says it all...

Living Life is about...

2008-07-03T11:28:00.004+08:00

Catching your breath and pausing to think about what life holds.

Is it a dream?

What if one day we wake up to realise that all that exist is a dream?

Somebody's dream.

Would you pay the price and to make them come true?

“We are always getting ready to live, but never living.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

When he sings, my heart just melt...

2008-07-02T17:09:00.000+08:00

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This is the most played song in my audio system now in the car. It is Tobey's favourite song, that he shares...only with me! He has been listening to it over and over again ever since I introduced him to Les Miserables. Interestingly, it was also my favourite song when I was young and how I pretended to be Singapore's version of Eponine...

Tobey would only sing to me...and when he does (only once!) sing "On my own", my heart just melted like a cornetto on a hot hot day...it was so sweet.

The Case of Mr T..Gotcha!

2008-06-30T09:45:00.003+08:00

First thing first, the mission FAILED even before it can start. We planned to get up at 6:30am to get there at 7am so that we could get to action but we couldn't get out of bed! Okay, let's put this into context now. You see, we have been "terrorised" by this person every morning at 7a.m. in the morning. Let's call him Mr T. Mr T. would be lurking somewhere in the West Coast Park and shouting his lungs out as if in regular contractions like some daily clockwork lung power exercises. For a few days, we tolerated. But it went on for months! And we just want back our sleep!

We had enough. For a week in June, we didn't hear Mr T. making his routine shouts. He must have been on a holiday cos when he came back, his lungs were stronger! The noise was as if it were just next to our apartment!So we rehearsed the day before how we are going to approach him. I pretended to be him, and TS planned three different scenarios to approach him. Before that we made some generalisations about Mr T. What kind of person is Mr T.?

1. Mr T. is definitely not a young chap
2. Mr T. is a ex-commando or some instructor
3. Mr T. has powerful lungs

TS further made 2 hypothesis. The result predicted, "He would never be caught" Why? First, those who want him to be caught are those who are still sleeping and cannot get up early enough to nab him. Second, those who are up early enough would probably feel there is no need to stop him because they have already woke up. And we fall into the first category of such people.

Why didn't I think of that? But I made some observations, every time I look out the window, I would see this lean, tan-looking old man (shirtless and very athletic-built) jogging along the road. I was thinking, "wow, this man is really something, I admire his spirit". But today I was wrong, dead wrong. IT WAS HIM, jogging and shouting away.

Mission (im)Possible

2008-06-29T00:16:00.002+08:00

We have a mission tomorrow morning at 7a.m. I wish I do not have to resort to this. This is insane...who wants to get up at 7 in the morning on a SUNDAY? This reason alone is enough for me to make sure I get this done by tomorrow...

Will keep you posted on what this mission is about.

ART in a different light

2008-06-28T19:55:00.007+08:00

Everyone is born with a gift, and it is a challenge for us in life to identify it. For children, I do think that each child has a special gift. If we identify it early, it can possibly mean lighting a pathway for success. If we do not, it is talent wasted. I can make Tobey learn music, go for music lessons and practice. But I know nor matter how hard I try, he is not going to be the next Joshua Bell. It is all about innate potential. He does not have it...for music at least. Instead, through the years, we have come to sense about what he can and should do. ART.

He doesn't paint, or sketch. He loves pencilling. It is something that he cannot stop doing. Today, we had some experts' advice at the Singapore Toys and Comic Convention. He brought along his sketchbook and showed to world renowned animation artists such as Gary Eskine. They had very positive things to say about Tobey's artwork. It is beyond his age. One of them mentioned that he has techniques that would bring him through in this industry. Like how he understands how characters come in different directions and overlaps each other in the third picture, the dragon comes across and the bat coming from the front and overlapping each other. It is something to do with art direction. The aerial view drawing of the car took me by surprise too. And his use of creativity to transform cute creatures to monsters. It is amazing. I am glad now I can appreciate what he is doing. It is all in his mind. We know where to go from here today...

Musing about France

2008-06-24T10:26:00.008+08:00

TS says, "Paris is not a city for you, I don't think you will like it if you stay here". "Why? Quite nice what" I quipped. But as usual, the mean mean guy already has an answer to his planned question.

"Because you are reminded that you are short everywhere"

Now, that's a lame joke, but I hope you can see what I mean from these pictures. And of course, it became the joke of the whole trip during more than 20 train trips that we took, I was constantly reminded, "Let's go that way, sortie".

Obviously this guy is your Singaporean "kopi-chiam-lo-ti-guy" (hokkien slang for bread dipped in coffee, a Singaporean way of having bread and coffee) and I can forgive him for his ignorance of the French lingo. But I had my revenge. Notice where the arrow points to in the picture.

On a side note, you can also see how at home tourists in Paris can be. The Lourve Museum does not have a dress code as you can see, despite housing the world's most valuable art pieces. This tourist was wearing those thin fabric slippers from his hotel...he can survive the Museum's marbled floors, but I am not sure how he is going to fare on Paris' cobbled sidewalks. Some painful foot reflexology rocks for him.

We saved Mona Lisa for the last stop for suspense's sake, since it is considered the most famous art work in history. I am no art buff, so I cannot appreciate it, except that I can tell, it is really one art work that defines great artists, looking at the richness of the colours in skin texture in defining softness and depth of the person, (especially through her eyes and smile) as if she is looking and smiling right at you. You can see how hugely popular the Mona Lisa is, from the pictures...

My Man, My Muse

2008-06-20T10:03:00.001+08:00

This post is dedicated to my man. Thanks for being my muse, and obliging to this photograhy wana-babe's requests, "wait, stop there, don't move, inspirational shot". Thanks for being there and believing in us...and do continue to be my muse for life.

P.S. I know you are reading this, don't kill me for putting this up!

Where Heaven Meets Earth

2008-06-20T09:26:00.002+08:00

Etretat, Normandy...One of the most beautiful places on earth. This place is set in a quiet little town but once you hit the boardwalk and look around you, you will be literally stunned by what you see. Picture can paint a thousand words but standing there to feel the openness at this French coastline is beyond words can say. We walked right up to the top and there is a huge golf course right up there. Notice the lady in the picture on the far right of the picture? We really gave it to her...she had to do some acrobatic balancing to get to that tip, the path only last than 2 feet wide at plunging height of at least 200 metres.

Our fairytale stay in france

2008-06-19T12:03:00.014+08:00

Staying one night in Chateau Tesnieres is like a fairytale dream, especially for a city gal like me who hardly see any wider bigger space than the Istana in Singapore. Wish we had stayed here like for a week but that would probably cost me a fortune more than both our tickets to France. The chateau was built in the early 19th century and the count and countess of Tesnieres used to lived there. It has been restored, under the hands of John and Siebreu who really looked into details while keeping the tradition and beauty of the place. The journey to look for this chateau was not easy being in the obscure countryside but that is what makes it lovely isn't it? It is near to a medieval town called Vitre but the town is comparably small and could be easily missed unlike big cities like Paris or Rennes.

When we reached, there was an elderly couple living there too (For 3 days) and they were seen sitting below a tree just reading and relaxing. Being Singaporeans, I find it really hard to wind down and just do nothing. We walked around the whole place and explored the place. Hosts John and Siebreu made a point to be around but "not around", if you know what I mean and respected our private quiet time. There are only 5 rooms available for stay. The one we chose is on the second floor. And of course, the horror buster like TS didn't hesitate to imagine if this place has any "special history". He was extremely uncomfortable that the doors to our room are unlockable and repeated this question twice to Siebreu haha!

We "almost" had the whole place to ourselves, with the company of 3 white peacocks, 2 dogs and a cat. The peacock made its prescene known quite obviously, haha, even throughout the night at regular hours! But it is perfectly ok, i love the atmosphere. TS said the white peacock is the princess who lived there and has since been under some spell. So what about the other two? Her guards, he said. Wild imagination indeed.

Paris in ten days

2008-06-18T22:12:00.001+08:00

The Mont St Michael

2008-06-18T17:40:00.001+08:00

The Mont St Michael sits on an island all itself. Kind of errie looking as we approach the medieval castle built on a mont in the middle of no where! At certain times of the year, water will gush in at the speed of galloping horses and tourists are said to have drowned by the force of the waves. But when we went, it was low tide so we are surrounded by sand bars and meandering streams. We don't dare to walk onto the sand because TS mentioned that people have fallen into quick sands but we did see groups of adventurous people walking through the sand. The place is hauntingly mesmerising. I cannot believe how people lived there centuries ago. But it has a really dark and turbulent history, as we walked and found out at the castle itself. This place has been said to be the second most must-visit place in France after of course, the Eiffel. But because it is out of nowhere, it is kind of hard to access it. We are also kind of mad to be driving around and around to reach it, come to think of it...

Goodbye Paris...

2008-06-16T21:31:00.004+08:00

We are back! It was a very tiring trip but well worth it, we felt like we really stepped back in time in history. I think the eiffel tower was one of the biggest highlight of all. But second to that would be hard to choose...would it be the lourve museum, the mont st michael, the chateau or the versailles? But one thing is for sure, we miss our kaya bread, kopi and meehoon so much that we hit the hawker centre the moment we are back and attacked on some good old hawker fare. Seriously, we are kind of tired of eating bread, baguettes and french loaf everyday...but we can see the French were serious about their bread. They carry their loaf everywhere they go, it is not unusual seeing them tuck some loafs in their haversacks in the metro and eating on the go.

Ready for Paris

2008-06-05T11:34:00.003+08:00

We are ready to go...My sarong kebaya "SIA Girl" Hello Kitty says, "Can you bring me along?" Sorry, if Tobey is not going, it won't be fair to bring you along. Flight leaves at 4pm today. I am at home, suppose to work half day today but worked up feeling quite unwell (I got to get better!). I have like ulcers at the side of my mouth, which I bit on it twice and aggravated the situation, one on my tongue and another in my throat (which I think has gone away)! I think I am feeling really heaty these days, have been downing myself with fruit juices and what nots. But I ended up with a bad headache and slight fever from all these ulceration. Gross stuff aside, I am going to see a doc later before going. TS says I have to make sure my immune system is okay, so that we can take in all the sights in Paris.

From Paris, we are also going Normandy, Brittany and Versailles. Decided to skip Loire Valley as it is really super expensive (touristy hyped). Of course, we are missing all the beautiful chateaus but nevermind, we have made up for that by staying one night at a Chateau in Brittany. Disneyland Paris, we are still thinking about it...

This trip is going to cost a bomb, but well...life is short right? And what's more wonderful than going Paris with your loved one? More about the trip soon!

P.S: Thanks Dawn for the Kitty!

Renewing faith

2008-06-05T11:21:00.004+08:00

When we walked into St Thereas's Church, we were really impressed by its quaintness and charm. It is really unlike many other catholic churches we have been to. We are attending masses here and signed up for the RCIA to renew my faith...that's Ryan doing a spiderman stunt.

I....can give you everything...

2008-05-26T11:27:00.002+08:00

The song is cheesy, alright..but with Takuya Kimura in it, who cares! This advert is hot hot hot...only he can pull of an advert like that. And with lyrics like that to those Kimura moves, I just want to fly down to my mama shop (mimimart) downstairs and tell my friendly Blue Horizon Indian minimart shopkeeper, "Give me a Kimura Gatsby!"

This advertisement is totally working, Gatsby must have paid a good fortune to Kimura for this.

I am dedicating this post to two dear friends, Mich and Liz who cliqued instantly through a connection called the "Kimura Phenomenon". Ya, tell me about it, it is a phenomenon in Japan. He is, according to them, a national icon and no one else is even close!

Well, in my tai tai toweled up hair at Liz's cosy Kobe home, I was introduced to Kimura, but only after the retort, "You don't know who he is? How can you not know him?!!?".

Tobey, the Reader Rabbit

2008-05-21T16:16:00.003+08:00

Tobey, at 8+ years old, loves to read. I am thankful for that, that I don't have to make him read. When asked why don't he go outdoors and do some sports instead, he would say, "I am not an outdoorsy kind of boy, I am more of a homey boy."

Haha! It was so funny that I burst out laughing. Whoever taught him to say that? But he surely knows himself well.

By the way, that beautiful pair of legs is not mine, in case you are wondering.

Japan Snapshots #2

2008-05-21T15:57:00.004+08:00

I am suffering from Japan fever. Still missing its food! I think 1 week in Japan is grossly insufficient and I am totally missing the food! So upset I am that I nearly booked another trip to Japan for June. We were about to book when news of the earthquakes around China and that region broke out. And TS was like, "okay, we are not going there. The plates are all connected." He has done his research. He googled and found that for the past weeks there were more than 10 earthquakes around Japan (though small and insignificant tremors). Mich says for all he knows, he can jolly well choke on a fishbone in the hawker centre (touch wood). But that guy is not convinced, so we are not going Japan to have my sashimi and ramen. Instead, we will be having coquettes, quiches and baquettes.

XOXO Paris

2008-05-15T17:03:00.003+08:00

Really excited, just booked tickets to Paris for ten days of rendevous in Paris! Always wanted to go Paris from young but never got the chance. Till this day, I still have with me the Lourve Museum's art book which my father bought for me when he was there on a business trip long long time ago, when I was a little girl. I remembered I was so happy with the gift (he knows me well, hehe) that I signed on the cover! Come to think of it, he really knows me well somehow, cos he didn't end up buying me a French doll.

I figured we (TS and me) need to go on a vacation together. We need time out to really spend quality time together. The last few weeks have been difficult and we just had to look forward to life ahead! And a week ago, I also heard about some sad things (regarding marriage and relationship) that happened to my friend that made me wonder if it is really so hard to sustain a marriage these days...life has become too complex and unpredictable.

Paris...can't wait to soak in the fashion, food and history!

Death Note Meets CJ7

2008-05-06T11:33:00.003+08:00

Lately, Tobey began drawing using TS's PC which has a tablet for drawing and editing. I thought it would be good to start Tobey on using such software to draw since he likes to create animations so much. He wants to be an artist but when he learnt from his teachers that artists don't earn much and usually have disturbing lives, like Van Gogh who snipped off his ear, he decided an computer animation artist would be better. He was quite excited to know that he could create animation for movies! Here, CJ7 is haunted by Death Note demons.

Koyasan

2008-05-04T16:25:00.002+08:00

One of the most memorable part of Japan stay was at Koyasan, a world heritage site in Japan. Perch on top of a mountain is a religious and sacred place founded twelve centuries ago by the priest Kûkai for the study and practice of Esoteric Buddhism.
Surrounded by a thick forest of massive cedars, the area known as Okuno-in, or the Inner Sanctuary, is the setting for a vast cemetery that features the mausolea of numerous famous Japanese, including that of the samurai ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi as well as memorials to the spirits of soldiers killed in the Pacific War.

When one is there, a temple stay is a must. The monks there were extremely hospitable. They looked after our every need from the moment we entered to the last seconds into the cab to the train station. We woke up early in the morning to attend their religious prayers and had vegetarian fare. The peace and tranquility cannot be described, have to go there to feel it. It is a place where one can put down all worries and burdens and feel released from all earthly pressures and tasks.

Expect the Unexpected

2008-05-03T13:19:00.005+08:00

Life's many mysteries. Things that you thought would never happen, will happen and must happen, for a reason.

Fushimi Inari Shrine, a shinto shrine near kyoto with thousands of torii gates, one of the filming locations of Memoirs of Geisha

Food for the soul

2008-05-03T12:38:00.011+08:00

Did I say I love Japan? One of the things I like most is the food. From sashimi at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo to the vegetarian fare at koyasan temple, everything dish was immaculately decorated and prepared to perfection. Can't help but feel a great sense of satisfaction because you can really appreciate the effort that the chef put into the dish. This is life. I have not touched a plate of chicken rice or cha kway teow since I am back. Not in a hurry, though! But one thing for sure is, I will never walk into sakae sushi or sushi tei again in my life.

Creme de la Mer

2008-05-02T14:42:00.006+08:00

Bought this really expensive "Miracle" Gel recently from Duty Free Hong Kong. What was I thinking? For this amount of money, I can buy a return air ticket to Hong Kong again. But I gotta try it, since it was given so much hype about it and has a devoted following. I think I would try anything haha, for beauty's sake. It is a really great cream for Singapore's humid weather, just a little goes a long way.

The ingredients are all natural, from the sea...extremely light and non greasy. The marketing strategy is amazing too.

http://www.cremedelamer.com/miracle/miracle.tmpl

Darkest (waking) hours

2008-05-02T10:43:00.005+08:00

What is life?
What is love?
When life and love comes together, it is like a sweet lulling dream
one day, one is awaken
to find that life and love is but a passing dream
for there is a larger life that exists
just that we cannot see it

One wrong turn, one wrong move
everything changes
you look down
and there is nothing
Nothingness...
this is reality but is it?
Must we wake up?

Many questions, no answers
caught in a web of complicities
entwinned in hopelessness
A moment of folly
A life-time of guilt, remorse, pain
Pillow tears and suffocated cries

Life's final journey
Love, Life and without each other
remains not with you
but with the others.

Magical moments

2008-04-29T15:12:00.005+08:00

That day, I shed a tear. I was in the bathroom when I heard this beautiful music from the violin. I was wondering who was playing? It sounded mature, musically beautiful and heart wrenching. I have been listening to many endless evenings of sreechy chicken-screaming violin playing for the longest time and god knows how many times I have stormed into the room to confront the horrible sound that was coming from Tobey's practice room.

But that day was different, magically different. I heard the most beautiful playing thus far. I walked into the room to verify that it was what I heard. And I could see Tobey enjoying the music, playing it with heart and focus. I melted and shed a tear. I told him, it was the most beautiful music he has ever played. He has brought out the soul from the instrument and he is enjoying what he is playing. That moment made all the sacrifices worthwhile. I believe that even though a child is not gifted in music, he can appreciates it and learn to make music a part of his life. It takes more effort but it is worth it at the end of the day when that day comes. And for me, that day has arrived, the turning point for me and Tobey.

Japan Snapshots #1

2008-04-28T09:56:00.002+08:00

Had a wonderful vacation in Japan for a week with Mich. Love it, love it, love it! Love the food, the service, the people, the historical and cultural sites, the air, the weather! It wasn't so fun lugging our luggages around, especially up and down the train stations getting from one train to the other. Guz that is the trade off for having covered quite a bit instead of following a tour group. We met up with Liz, a friend teaching in Kobe and she frightened us when she told us there were tremors just a day before we arrived! But to the Japanese, these tremors were probably nothing. Went to Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, Koyasan, Hakone, amazing we did it in 7days. We both agreed the best part was gog to Koyasan, a religious place set in the mountains. It is now a listed as a world heritage place. Glad I went on this trip, without Tobey and TS, though the two were really jealous. But at least, a little separation at times is good! Tobey was so sweet to say, "I have to learn to take care of myself when Mommy is not around. But TS wasn't so sweet, he said he doesn't need to switch on the radio anymore in the car since I am around. Get what he means? That guy is meany mean mean.

More of Japan in the next posts!

Koini Ochite

2008-04-18T12:41:00.004+08:00

Love it, love this song! She sings it better than John Hoon, maybe it is just so much more with heart. This album is really good for a laid back weekend. Olivia Ong is a Singaporean singer based in Japan, who signed up with a Japanese record company at 15!

恋におちて

2008-04-14T14:14:00.001+08:00

Beautiful Song...'Fall in Love' Heard a version by Olivia Ong too, I think she sounded better. John Hoon is cute but lacking stage presence.

Japan Awaits...

2008-04-14T13:41:00.003+08:00

When will Mommy stop doing this to me?

2008-04-11T09:09:00.005+08:00

I was just going through some pictures and came across this one, taken just before Meredith was about to leave for Australia. See how prettily dressed was Meredith? She came especially prepared (for their parting lunch), but Tobey didn't. Notice Tobey's body language? He couldn't even smile right! In fact, he was quite displeased to be put in this situation. He is at this phase where girls are not the closest thing on his mind...but he does have very exquisite taste for girls. I remembered him telling me when he was 5, that a little girl he saw at the bus stop is "not pretty". Oh dear...

Then what is pretty? In political correct moments, he would say, Mommy is the prettiest. That is so nice to hear...these days especially! But surely, Meredith is on his "pretty" list because he shyly agreed.

I am cute and no one can take that away

2008-04-11T09:01:00.003+08:00

The two "men" in my life ain't too happy about this. One found it "irritating", the other feels it is "embarrassing".

What have hello kitty done to deserve these? Whatever it is, no one is going to remove my kitty from the vehicle.

More of Ye Eun

2008-04-09T14:53:00.001+08:00

My goodness...see how accurately she places her fingers all across the piano? Her spatial skills are also equally unbelievable at 5 years of age!

Five Year Old Blind Pianist

2008-04-09T14:48:00.001+08:00

This clearly shows that music giftedness is partly nature, partly nurture. This girl has no previous experience, or even training, how did she managed this? On top of that, she is blind since birth. If not for an innate superb listening and pitch skills, what else can account for this?

Easter "Super" "Yam" Cupcakes

2008-04-03T08:34:00.004+08:00

Verdict...

Taste Good, Don't Look Too Good.

I kept lamenting how "unartistic" it looks. But Tobey and TS were very kind. First Tobey gave a 5 minute speech entitled, "There will always be a second time". It went on and on and on, that this is only my first time (what), so the next time will be better and how things may not be always right on the first try. So comforting.

Then TS (who had an uneasy stomach the whole day), ate up three cupcakes. But he added, "The Yam ones taste better."

HUH???? What yam?

These are English cupcakes, for heaven's sake. And, and, they are NOT yam, just colouring.

And to top it all up, TS made a slogan and song for my "unappealing" cupcakes, which I thought was an ultimate insult. You have to hear it from the horse's mouth and now we have Tobey mimicking too.

Super cupcakes....Super.

I made a solared powered car

2008-04-03T08:13:00.005+08:00

Tobey's school has a robotics programme and one of the things they made was a solar powered car. The own class has to make it and they had a race to see whose is the fastest. I was curious if he knows what he was doing besides just fixing the parts up. He was able to explain each part and tell how it works. I think back in my school days, I was only first introduced to physics when I was in Secondary 1. The parts were very fragile and he has to keep fixing it back.

I think they should make a solar powered Barbie Doll which can move and talk for the girls in the class.

By the way, Tobey, you cannot get "more sun" from holding up the car to the skies.