Simon, the Chipmunk?

Before...
After...


This Christmas, Tobey looks really different. We brought him to an eye specialist to confirm that he is really short sighted and alas, he is. So we had to make him a pair of spectacles. We were not used to his new look. His first exclamation when he saw himself in the mirror with his spectacles...

"I am Simon, the Chipmunk!"

Cheers to 2007!

It has been an unusually challenging and exciting year. I left the Ministry after 6 years to take on another path, still in the education because I think it is something that is engraved in my heart already. I begin this unknown journey to be an academia. I say unknown because there is no guaranteed route to success. I took the plunge but I hope that my inner drive to do "something worthwhile" with my life will give me the strength to survive. You get "knocks" on your head and there are rejections. Yes, I have my fair share of rejections this year, so much that I felt I am really not cut out for this. I was walking like an aimless soul. TS said he feels like he is hugging a ticking time bomb. I have became a time bomb, a za-dan (Chinese for bomb). Very sad indeed. But because of my personality and the kind of upbringing I had, I will not rest until I reach my personal mountain.

Today, I received the best and most invaluable Christmas present of all. It is from a stranger, a well known academic in her field, who shared the same sentiments with me about the education system. I hope to be able to work with her and I am glad that she has agreed to. I have missed the deadline but I will use the time I have to read up as much as I can. It is a field that is very close to my heart, talent development. Those who are teachers would agree with me that in the student population, there exists a group who are diversely talented, some far more gifted in some ways than you can imagined. But they are lost in the system, forgotten and diminished in value. Imagine if teachers recognise them for who they are, and what they can do, they will succeed in life, and the society will be benefited.

I remembered not so long ago, in the early months of 07, my good pal, CY told me that my horoscope says it is going to be a transition year for me. How true it is! I hope that the flowers will bloom next year for me and everyone. Cheers to 2008!

Flight of the Mosquito

What a cool toy, thanks Travis! The "mosquito" heli is a Christmas gift from Travis and family to Ryan, but the older guy in the house is more interested to take possession of it. It was a toy he has been eyeing on. Remote control toys, who can get enough of them?

R & M First Recital

R & M prepared a piece and played together. It was great to see how far these two had progressed. For Ryan, it has been a long and enduring journey, for both the mother and son. I remembered the beginning months of learning, we drove each other crazy. And it really doesn't help when you know music and simply cannot tolerate the not-too-desirable pitching and phrasing. I remembered Ryan saying, "If I knew it was going to be so difficult to learn the violin, I should have said 'no' to you." And God knows how many times I had wanted to give up and say enough is enough. But now at least he can play decent enough to say to me, "Mommy, I am beginning to like to play the violin now."

But he still takes out his gameboy more than his violin to "practice"...okay, persevere!

Liu Lian, Liu Lian, Liu Lian

Behold the powess of the King of all fruits. It is either you love or hate the durian. Most Singaporeans love the fruit, but not all...some run as fast as their feet takes them...Ryan is one of them.

1. It melts in mouth
2. You can smell it from miles away
3. It leaves its essence for days, in your home, your car, your FRIDGE
4. You get durian breath for the next few hours
5. No known mint can obscure the musk of durian, no detergent strong enough to rid the smell from your fingers.
6. Your car smells of durians for the next few days (if you transport them in it)
7. Your neighbours know you are having durians today
8. Pity those who do not like durians and have to take the lift (that you brought with you into)
9. you need a skilled person, and a chopper to pry it open
10. (with regards to point 9) Don't trivial with those thorns!

R&M

Ryan and Meredith met for one of the last time in Singapore. There was so much respect, care and understanding that went on between the two of them! Skuan Kei, Dawn and myself had a quiet gathering together to mark the end of 2007. Nobody knows what is going to happen next year. There were just too many things that had taken place this year...ups and downs, changes in life and career. 9 years ago, things were so different. We are just a group of teachers to be, simple lives and ideals. Now the group has dwindled to just the few of us left in Singapore. Everyone has moved on. And it is really amazing to see how this 9 years just went pass so quickly. All those wonderful memories of our schooldays and our annual trips together, we shall never forget. Who can forget those daredevil days when we took rides to the cemetary, our unforgettable encounter with the third dimension, and the endless jokes and laughter?

What goes on in that lil mind?

This is what's going on in Tobey's mind. It is probably a far cry from what's going on with Tobey's mommy's mind now. Yes, no jumping pokemons, destroying crazy monsters with tails on the head or weird looking aliens being zapped in space. Now mommy's mind is just in a state of shock from a series of shocks that shook her this morning...But one of them, I just want to let it out here...

I MISSED THE DEADLINE FOR 2008 ADMISSIONS TO ABC UNIVERSITY!

Darn, just when I thought, my world is more or less in place now and I am ready to climb the next mountain, I am lost. Anyway, I am kind of shocked and intrigued that there is only 1, ONLY 1, deadline for admissions for the whole year in this college. So if I miss this year, I have to wait 2 years to start my course??? Who knows what's going to happen in two years? More specifically, what will my brain cells be like in 2 years?

Korean is the taste of the month

This is the second korean meal I am having in a week. I am must be going through that korean craze phase again. I went to the one at Dempsey road a few days back with Mich, and the food was fantastic, though it was quite expensive. This time, we went to another near our place, along Pasir Panjang Road. Again, we didn't have to queue for our food, which will probably be the case if we are in the neighbourhood malls. It was quiet, as we were the only 5 families in the huge place. There is even a playroom for the kids. We love the greens! Ryan can't stop making his "hamburger" with the greens and stuffings. I think Korea food in Singapore is overpriced, for the amount we are served, compared to the ones we had in Vancouver. Here, we had to pay about $30 for a small dish of beef and you have to order a minimum of 2 dishes of bbq.

I think I am having another round of Korean next monday when I meet a colleague for lunch. Looking forward to it!

West End Steak

We ate at this restaurent at West End Village the other evening. I just had to try the T-Bone. It took like 30 minutes to be ready but it was worth the wait. Though the best, it was juicy and tender. But compared to the T-Bone overseas, this is considered a very tiny portion. The fish wasn't so good...had some kind of fishy taste. But still, it is a quiet corner to dine which we like. We would try all ways and means to avoid queuing up for seats in Singapore restaurants (except for Wan chai, maybe) We don't queue for our food, that's our family philosophy.

Housewarming

The house was warmed by some friends and ex-colleagues. Thanks for the wonderful food, we had two rounds!

Goong Bears

I am working from home today. I just feel so tired these days trying to get out of bed. Don't know what's wrong with me, but I am definitely not preggie. I really think I am getting old. This is a call for me to go back to some exercise regime or hot yoga. There is so much to do at home that I haven't found time to...like practicing on my piano or going down for a swim and a steam. Maybe today I may find some time out to do it. But first I need to finish up on a piece of work. Two more deadlines for this month!

Anyway, I have time to admire these pretty dolls sitting in my studio. Those who are Korean fans like myself would recognise these dolls. They are replicas from the show, Goong or "Princess Hours" and "Prince Hours". TS bought these for me when he was in China recently and I love it!

U Massage

We cannot get enough of massages, even after that many massages in Thailand that left me feeling numb, we wish we have massages everyday. So we grab the chance when one of our friends offered to let us try out his home "spa". He has a whole range of OSIM gadgets..for the feet, whole body, back, eyes...

We tried on the usqueeze and massage chair and it was really relaxing. Although nothing beats the human touch, this would be second best.

What a joke

This is one of those silly conversations that goes on between TS and Tobey, on our long car ride from the West to the East yesterday evening:

TS (to Tobey): What happens if a rat accidently jumps into your mouth?
Tobey: I would drink lots of water and bathe it.
TS: Then what if a cat jumps in too to catch the rat?
Tobey: What if it eats up my organs?
TS: Get the dog to chase the cat out lah
Tobey: Then how do I get the dog out?
TS: Play fetch
Tobey: but the cat cannot see you throwing the bone!

It was funny because it was so spontaneous and trust the big guy to think of such a joke. Riddles and jokes are a part of our conversations especially during those long car rides. In Vancouver, this was what happened too, when five of us (my sis, Edwin, Ryan, TS and myself) will be thinking of riddles, some really ridiculous ones, to solve. And most of the time, we hear ourselves echoing, "So LAME!"

Finally, I can breath

Good news, finally! Yesterday, I heard from my prof that it is finally conferred, and done...my MEd (you can read the abstract here) It has been quite a journey. If I can do it all over again, I would just finish it in 1 year full time. Forget about working and doing it part time. It was crazy. In the first year, I had to juggle a 8-9pm job, attend evening classes, complete assignments to the wee hours of the morning. I almost lost my mind! Especially during the April-July period when my office is the BUSIEST. With SYF and NDP going on, and that year I was the conductor for NDP and SYF, it was a mad mad year. You should see me then, half this size and running up and down the National stadium controlling 1000 teenagers.

Although I handed in the final bound copies in August, I could not really take any long breaths because, anything can happen. So it is finally finished, end of the road. But looking back, I think I had more exciting times. Now I am just collecting fats under my tummy because I sit down for 9 hours a day.

So it is finished. What's next???

The fact of Life

By now, most of you, Singaporeans would have heard and digested the news about the deaths of 5 young, potential and talented men in the dragon boating incident in Cambodia. The news has been splashed over the front pages for the past few days
here

It is very unfortunate that these lives are cut short just like that. My prof was quite affected, and having a son in competitive canoeing doesn't help. But 'death' has always been an elusive term to me. If I can avoid talking about death, I would. All this because I have seen death and have come to terms with death being a part of life. Strangely, I always bear the thought that I would not live for long, considering the genetic endowments of my family.

So, a part of me, wants to tell her that we all die one day, if not from illness, it is our jobs. There is a risk in every job in life. Funnily, I used to joke with my friends that even teaching is not safe. Look at all those old fans that spin all day in the classrooms (those days lah, not now with the 'classrooms of the future') and switched on to maximum 'turbo' speed because the students are always complaining they are hot, they can simply give way and land on you one day. And, it really did happened, to one of our uni mates, last heard he was seriously injured...

I am being cynical. You think teaching is safe, or any job for that matter? Think twice again. When it is our time to go, it is time to go. Death comes in all forms and ways.

yacht club to the left of the picture


We have been thinking of checking out the yacht club below our place for quite some time. So yesterday, we decided to not cook at home and try out the eateries there. We went to the Wharf, which overlooks the sea, or rather, the private yachts. It was one of the quietest and private places you can dine in Singapore these days. And the prices are quite affordable, between $8-$20. However, it is not that fantastic. We had fish and chips but still, nothing can beat the ones I had at the Fisherman's Wharf in Perth.

The skies were overcast yesterday so we didn't catch the sunset but at least, we enjoyed the quiet dinner evening.

Life's an Art

Everyone says Tobey has a knack for art, so I am trying to look for a good art teacher. If anyone who has any idea about art and how art should be taught, share with me! I am quite an art idiot but I am sure I don't want to send him to those centres that ask you to draw "A day at the zoo", or "My family".

Tobey draws from inspiration, the stories he reads or shows he watches. Like in these two pictures, he was inspired by the Japanese movie, "Tales from Earthsea" and transformers. He especially likes dragons.

TS commented how good his proportions are and the details to the nuts and bolts on the transformers mask. Cannot see it clearly from the photo though. Take it from a design and technology person like TS, few teenagers can achieve this and he is your worst critic.

Maybe I am just impressed because I am one of those who cannot draw for nuts!

X-Wing

Tobey completed his Star Wars lego X wing fighter in just one day...a test of endurance because there were tiny little parts and he had to fix it part by part. He got frustrated towards the end when he got some parts wrong and had to dismantle and redo the delicate structure all over again. And now, nobody can touch the x-wing, because it is too fragile.

Bowl Over, Tobey!

We decided to have some activities to pack our Saturday. We did quite a number of accomplishments actually...and in the order of the day, we did,

1) Tennis
2) Lunch at Wan Chai, one of our fav HK food outlet
3) Marketing
4) Church
5) Dinner at in laws
6) Bowling
7) Supper at another HK food outlet

All in a day! And it officially ended at 1am.

And our Tobey (Lil Spidy, which Mich, my good old friend, decided to call him), has a ball of a time at the bowling alley, where he has managed a good starting mark of ...26 points. But it was more hilarious to watch him bowl. We had a good laugh over how his orangie bowling ball always seem to change course of direction somehow down the alley, to which he answered,

"I have special powers."

Land of a Thousand Smiles...and Massages

We went and did only three things: Shop, Eat, Massage.

Bangkok-Cha Am-Hua Hin-Bangkok

Armed with bottles of sunblock, I think I am ready for Thailand tomorrow. Actually, that's all I care about and I have not even packed!

2 More Days to the Arrival of the Darth

It is two more days and TS will be back. In these 10 days, I think Ryan and I have accomplished quite a number of things. I totally devoted myself to teaching Ryan and pushing him a little for music. You know how these things need alittle push these days.

He has almost completed his Suzuki Book 2 and is playing quite well now. After all these 2 years of heartache, sweat and frustration, he knows what a beautiful tone sounds like and notes the slightest out pitch of the violin. And the best part was, I have finally seen this day that I am able to play a violin-piano duet with him. We did a tune together, it wasn't perfect but I am glad he is able to coordinate.

He has also fixed his star wars x-wing and learnt to cycle two wheels! Little spiderman is growing up really fast and I hope that he will always be that sweet little spiderman he is.

The Missing Link(s)

I know my past few posts are on star wars...please forgive me for imposing all these star wars mania on you, since it is also not exactly the the star wars craze now, and the trilogy is closed...over with. But I cannot help it, I am influenced.

Part of the reason for this has also got to do with my lack of inspiration given the absence of two important things in my life right now. TS is away in Shandong (wherever that is within China) with my camera...

At this exact time, I think he is climbing some mountain in Shandong called Mount Tai Shan. Never heard of this mountain in my life but according to TS, it is one of the most sacred mountain in China, and that all emperors of China pay pilgrimage to this place every year for thousands of years. Wow, I didn't know that!

[a digression] I used to think that if I have a chance to go back in time, I would want to be transported to the early English days, wearing those victorian dresses (you know, those empire lines and soft flowy chiffon-like dresses) and sipping tea with a wide picnic spread. But for TS, I think he would be probably on the opposite side of hte continent, as a general in manchurian times. By the way, he is a huge fan of Genghis Khan.

So in other words, we will probably never have met in those times. And in current times, we are like the East Meets West...in any sense of the word (from food, ways of dressing, movies, fashion sense, language preference, et cetera et cetera). We used to have arguments about almost everything. But now it is quite funny, looking at how we would approach the differences. But well, that's another story.

I hope he climbs it (Mount Tai San) safely! Jia You!

Lego star wars

To all star wars lego fans.

The beautiful world of music

I attended a beautiful concert yesterday and there is this particular piece that really touched me.

Blue bird.

You can access the music in my newly constructed webpage, Momo's chronicles on the right!

If you are stressed, insecure, uneasy, loaded etc, etc, listen to it...

Deal or No Deal?

It is that time of the year again...to give out presents. I seldom buy Ryan stuff. But I made a deal with him every year, that if he can meet my expectations for his exams, I will buy him something he likes. It is like setting goals for my spiderman. I must say, he has improved. Last year, he lost the deal. This year, he finally did it. I guess as Chinese, we are still very traditional in this sense. We believe in trying and trying till you reach your goals, then you will reap the rewards you sow.

So this is the value I am trying to teach my little spiderman. Of course, when he was younger, he didn't buy our idea. He would cry and demand that he have it nor matter what. But these days, he is very much grown up and realised he has to do his part for the "deal".

He has gotten his band 1 for his exams, so I have to fulfil his wish...to have a star wars lego X-Wing Fighter. And he has done his research to make sure it fits into the $90 budget.

So tonight, I got to go find this rare X-Wing...I think I know where I can get it...hopefully it is still there!!