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.