Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Goodbye 2008, Welcome 2009!


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



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!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

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


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.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Christmas Is Here...


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.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Cousins Rule


Ryan's cousins:

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

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Iljimae



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

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

When you know your voice is more distinctive than your looks

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!!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

The Waiting Game


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.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Potato + Pork


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

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Day of Reckoning


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...

Friday, December 05, 2008

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

We absolutely love this (expensive) toy


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.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Welcome to the online community, Ryan

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



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"?!??

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Oishii salad



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!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Strolling by Marina























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.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Message in Life






















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

Saturday, November 15, 2008

A Moment in Life






















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






















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.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

A lazy Sunday afternoon





















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.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Extra Virgin...What?!

(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?!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

What the Heck, Carpe Diem!

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.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

The.Stressed.Look



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...

Monday, November 03, 2008

The Young (and Blunt) One





















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.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Loss for Words...



















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?

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...

Friday, October 31, 2008

Back from the Dead

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.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Happy 9th Birthday, Ryan!



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

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Let The Race Begins!







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.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Mama Mia!

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?

Thursday, September 18, 2008

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

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

Monday, September 15, 2008

Mooncake Festival Celebrations

What a Kitty Surprise!



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.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Vogue No More

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

Monday, September 08, 2008

Charles Taylor: Liberalism

"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

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.

Friday, September 05, 2008

What Exactly Am I?


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




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

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!