Mosquitoes!!!

Some time ago, I read on the LV fb group, of neighbours complaining about mosquitoes. I didn't think much about it since our family was doing well and didn't get attack by the mozzie army. 

The situation was so bad such that the GRC (or duno what) stepped in and offered to issue some kind of insect repellent. I didn't go and collect bcos no mosquito leh. 

Then it finally hit us. Maybe all the other families had set up their repellent and we stupidly become the easy target. The hives that we thought Zaky suffered from, are confirm mosquito bites. Hoho. He earned a day's MC from that. 

It was so bad that we wrote in to the LV MA and NEA. The MA was surprisingly fast in responding. They called and emailed back to say that NEA had already come down on many occasions and confirmed that the breeding grounds are not within LV but in some open fields nearby. So the only thing that we can do is to use insect repellent. Funnily, they at least assured that these blood suckers are observed to be Culex mosquito, usually bite at night and do not transmit dengue. 

These Culex mosquitos give small little itchy swells and tends to bite a few in the same area. 

They fly darn fast and so much more agile than their Aedes brothers. It was almost impossible to try to smack them and each one we smacked deserves a mini celebration. 

It had become so bad that we have started on mosquito repellent as well. 

How long ago have I last used a mosquito coil? Popo is so surprised that this is still sold in the market. It smelled like normal burning paper. I thought I remembered it smelling better. The kids were very fascinated. Zaky spent a good 5 mins observing and helping to blow at the flame to speed up the burning. Zzzzz. 

Daddy Lim bought this lemongrass diffuser that smells not too bad and we are taking turns to have it in the rooms for try out. 

Did they help? Barely. The mosquitos 更上一层楼 and are still biting. The trick is really to close the windows by evening time and hope that any that flew in from the balcony will stay in the living room. 

NEA responded too and offered to spray some duno what repellent on the wall bcos mosquitos tend to rest on the wall when they enter the house. Spray on all the walls in the house would mean that their staff will have to come into the house and walk all over. I pass. Popo will go crazy. I am sure she will rather we get bitten to death than to have people come and walk all over the house and into the room to spray repellent. Haiz.

Mummy Lim

Singapore National Figure Skating Competition: Elementary

It is finally D day. We have done all that we could in the limited time that we had. On Good Friday morning, I went to bed at 3ish after RI to wake up at 7ish to send Lil Shauna for her last ice skating lesson. She didn't do well with her only chance to skate with music and Coach made her do a few more times without music. She was of course super stressed and was super sure that she would lose. We can only think positive - to compete with herself than think about winning.

Like the last competition, there is an optional official practice session (by level) before the actual competition starts. There is like 4 mins to just do warm up (like in competition) and then skate once with music. That's it. Lil Shauna totally has no recollections of the last competition's official practice.  

Bcos the competition is in the morning, the official practice starts as early as 5am! Lil Shauna's session was at 6.15am, which also means that we needed to be at the rink at about 5.45am for warm up and prep. Did we go? Of course, bcos we needed all the practice. 

The sky was obviously dark when Daddy Lim dropped us and left for work. Coach already told us that he wouldn't turn up. Hoho. Coach so cleber. There are only 4 skaters for the Elementary competition and 3 skaters turned up. I kept reminding Lil Shauna that she needed to do her elements during the precious 4 mins but she ended up doing none except her footwork. Zzzzz. She said that she thought 4 mins is a long time. Got big clock at the rink dey. 

Fortunately, the skaters skating sequence was as per the competition and Lil Shauna was the last and they could continue to practice while the skater practiced their program with music. She was finally ready when it was her turn and she did great, better than most times when she practise with music. While they were at the session, I overheard the other 2 skaters' parents chatting. The girls, who are 8 and 10, had only been skating for 4 years! Lil Shauna had been doing 6 going 7! To give her some credits, the parents also talked about the amount of time that they have committed to the sports and there is always a strong co-relation. 

The session finished at 6.35am. The sky was still dark when we left for home. I am so thankful that we live so near to the rink, unlike some skaters who have to stay on and waited. We took the opportunity to rest and do some work before starting to prep again at 9.15am so that we can be back in the rink by 10.30am. She reminded me to tie her bun properly and not slant one side like her Elementary test. Hoho. 

All done. Pictures time. Front pose.

Stretching pose.

Back pose.

Skating pose.

Close up. 

On the way to the rink!

Bcos of Covid, the number of spectators is limited. Each skater was only allowed one guardian, who would be granted entry to the spectator seating at level 4. Only young skaters' guardian were allowed into the rink. I didn't bring Zaky bcos of the restriction only to realise that I would have better views standing outside the rink. Then again, Zaky would have grumble no end if I had made him stand that long. 

Lil Shauna did most of her warm up outside the rink as she was only allowed entry 30 mins before her competition at 11.18am. I was busy watching the other more advance level skaters compete and went ooooo and ahhhhhh... They are really so good. 

Coach was with her as she waited in the waiting area and was led to the rink when it was the Elementary skaters' turn to warm up. I was waving wildly as she skated past and feeling mega proud. 

This time, she remembered what she needed to do during the precious 4 mins warmup. 

It was finally her turn.  She had to stand by the rink side while waiting for her name to be announced. 

Just like any of her competition, I was a brunch of nerves as I watched her do her program and tried to film her with my shaky hands. I ended up with a lousy video as I was blocked at certain part. Luckily her school senior was watching her on live streaming and even helped to record screen. That video was taken professionally. 

She completed her program nicely and didn't fall down for any of her jumps. Hoho. Falls are common and we even practice how to recover quickly if she does fall. She ended her program too soon though and kept turning circles at the end to burn time. Haha. Did she win? We don't know as the judges didn't fly in due to covid and the videos needed to be sent to the judges for assessment. The results will take some time to come in. Will she win? I am not sure as the other skaters' elements are harder (though they are younger), meaning a higher technical score and they did well too. 

Whatever the result may be, Lil Shauna was obviously very relieved that the competition was over. So much so that she happily asked me to take her picture thereafter. 

Zaky came to JE to meet up for lunch. In celebration, we had a hearty Curry Monster, complete with dessert. 

I have watched her video over and over again, indulging in mummy's pride, sending it to family and friends and proudly posting it on FB. Win or not never mind. What is important is to see her showcasing all her hard work during the critical competition moment and she did just that. Super proud.

This afternoon, we met Coach for off ice. He commented that Lil Shauna did well for the competition, much better than the usual practices. Ya, I also think so. He also said that her timing was spot on. Is it? I thought she was too fast and he commented that she ended her last sit spin too quickly. Nevertheless she had done well. 

The next upcoming competition is the interschool competition, likely in July. Of course Lil Shauna is all "no, no, no" and mummy is all "yes, yes, yes". We needed her to represent her school and I think it would be helpful for the Leaps 2.0 program. 

Baby, mummy is super proud of you whatever the results will be. You have worked hard and done well. Let's go chase after that double sal and broken leg and whatever more challenging jumps and spins and start preparing for July competition. Hohoho. Love you.

Mummy Lim

Epic Outing Story

I had much anxiety when Lil Shauna 1st started going out on her own with her friends. Now, it is 家常便饭 and I don't even bat an eyelid. Monkey see, monkey do and Zaky had gone out with his classmates a couple of times. Nowhere far, usually JP or his friend's place in JW. 

About 1 to 2 weeks back, he had been half asking and half telling me that he has arranged to meet some do his classmates on Good Friday in JP for brunch. There was a possibility that one of the boys' (A) parents could send them to ECP skate park after that. He was very excited but the friend was alternating between going and not going. 

A few days before the date, he excitedly told me that the ECP date was firmed. He would  meet some classmates for brunch at JP and A would come later to meet for lunch and his parents would then bring them to ECP, expecting to return to the West at 4pm. 

Go lah, go lah. I don't want to see black face. Since we have no plans for the day, we had  planned to meet up with the Easterners - T & C at ECP and to pick Zaky up ourselves. 

Lil Shauna had her very last ice skating lesson on Friday morning. By the time we were home, Zaky had left for JP with his scoot, water bottle and wallet. What about helmet and knee pads? Zzzzzzz.

Of course it was mummy to the rescue. I arrived at JP only to see that Zaky and his friend J waiting for A at the MRT station. The plan was to meet him and then they would go to the Mac at Jurong Park before A's parents send them to ECP. This is where the epic story starts. 

I didn't leave Zaky and J. A doesn't own a hp and had given Zaky his mum's number. When Zaky dialed the number after A failed to show up after 30 mins, some lady picked up the call and claimed to be his sister. He told the boys to go to Jurong Park instead. Really? When Zaky tried to clarify, she said that she would call A's dad to verify and call Zaky back but she never did. In fact, she avoided Zaky's call. How did I know? I decided to drive the boys to Jurong Park and used my phone to dial the same number and she immediately pick up after letitng Zaky's call ring through many times. This is so not right for an adult to treat a child. By the way, I asked and she is 24.

Her story goes, she doesn't have the full story. She is A's mummy duno who and A's mummy was not available. A had left with his dad but she doesn't have the dad's number when I asked for it. She said that she would try to reach A's mum and call me back... the same old story. When I finally received a call about 10 mins later, we just arrived at Jurong Park MacD. This time, it was a man, who isn't A's dad but duno who. He apologised that the plan had flopped and that ECP wasn't happening. He said the same thing about A's mum being unavailable and only back 15 mins later. 

Just then, Zaky and J found A in the MacD at Jurong Park with another group of his classmates. Wah lau eh. I was fuming but decided that the boys would resolve among themselves. Despite the whole drama, A acted like no drama had taken place. Now I realised how much more responsible our Zaky is. 

Zaky and J were still very excited about ECP and J's parents had also started calling to understand the situation. A insisted that ECP was happening. I asked A to call back the man who just rang me to say otherwise. A decided to ring his mummy instead, who is supposed to be unavailable, remember? 

It sounded like the same lady picked up but when she heard A's voice, his mummy miraculously became available and took over. What the... She told A in mandarin that ECP wasn't happening but after A insisted, told him that they have to wait until 2pm. Zaky and J were still hopeful. I pulled the plug. I told Zaky that we would bring him ourselves, having arranged to meet C and T. J's mum called and they had also came to pick J. I encouraged J to leave bcos I have no faith in this A anymore nor his parents. 

I took Zaky home and A's mum actually had the audacity to call me at 1.45pm to ask where A was. I told her that about the boys waiting 45 mins in vain and his mummy was not at all apologetic. I was dumfounded and got upset this time. The kids being irresponsible, I can understand but the parent acting the same way, I cannot. 

Was Zaky upset over the incident? He wasn't really bcos we still ended up at the skatepark. 

T and C eventually couldn't join us but the boy didn't mind. It started raining not long after and the boy still didn't mind bcos he had his fun. Since we were already in the East, I bugged Daddy Lim to drive us to Jewel. We are mountain tortoise. 

We went all the way to Jewel for the foodcourt. Hoho. Then to take the iconic photo before home sweet home. 

Bucket list ticked. I is Singaporean.

Mummy Lim

First RI 2021

I wrote in my diary that I wanted to do 1 RI per quarter and completing 4 in 2021. Something went wrong bcos Q1 slipped by and I didn't do any RI. Hohoho.

Now that Daddy Lim had gone back to the shipyard to work physically, he doesn't even have time to do the weekly Saturday rides with WWF. Yes, I had gone on lonely WWF rides without him and realised how nice it is to ride with him and know that he is always looking out for me. Fortunately his schedule allows us to ride on Sunday mornings with some of the usual gang. 

The RI opportunity finally presented itself - the eve of Good Friday. The eve of long weekends are the best for RI as it offers ample rest thereafter. We gathered a couple of the usual guys and had 2 of them on non-roadies. One of them even loaned Lil Shauna's hybrid as his bike was being serviced. Ya, they power. 

We started the ride at 7pm. The spirit was high but the roads busy. It was the usual route. Oh boy, it had been a while. We agreed that it would be a friendly speed RI. Along the way, we saw so many cyclists in all shapes and sizes - roadies, foldies, mountain bikes, so many. Most of them were on pavements but the sheer number amazed me. Now I know why the bicycles are out of stock in Singapore. 

The RI went without a hitch but took a long time. Why? Bcos it was friendly speed to begin with, then we had a 2nd dinner (after the 1st one at home) at Changi Village and then supper at WCP MacD. Hoho. Then on the way home, right at Shenton way, I had my 1st puncture of my life. 

I had always imagine punctures to be very dramatic but apparently nothing of the sort. I felt a ppppffff and then when I looked at my front tire, I saw that it looked like it had gone flat. I had thought that it was an end to my RI bcos we have no lining to replace. So sad. 

While we don't have anything, the guys have everything. Somebody whipped out the new lining, the tire lever and the pump. Whole set. 要什么，有什么. Then the guys also jumped in quickly to replace the lining. 

What was my role? To stand one side and make sure that I don't hinder the action. Lol. At best, I was helping to take pictures and shine some lights to enhance visibility. Hoho. Oh, I didn't forgot my selfie too. Ya, when the rest were pouring sweat over my tire. Hohoho. 

The culprit? This tiny skinny piece of wire. Seriously? 

We made it home at 2.40am. It was a very long 8 hours ride. We spent too much time eating. Hoho.

Zaky was in lala land when we were home. We expected him to be but I found him on my bed after shower. No, he didn't play punk but was bitten by mosquitoes as he had left his door and window opened. This also confirmed that the "hives" that we assumed the last time were really mosquito bites. He had like at least 5 angry big swells. Daddy Lim and I spent the next good 5 mins in his room trying to kill those pests and boy they do fly nimbly and didn't look like normal mosquitoes. Must be commando trained ones. 

The original plan for Daddy Lim to sleep in Zaky's room was aborted bcos we couldn't kill the final 1 (or 2) that we saw flying around and didn't want they to have a feast on Daddy Lim. They were seriously too fast for us with old and tired eyes at 3am and after a RI. We ended up all squeezing in our room and then we saw a mosquito in our room too. We tried but couldn't find it after a while and were just hoping to sleep in harmony with it. 

We have emailed both the MA and also NEA. Hopefully the mosquitos infestion can be managed soon. 

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 233 and 234: Preparing for Elementary Competition

Lil Shauna passed her Elementary Test in January and she had to repeat her camel spin bcos it was barely good enough. Nevertheless, it was a pass and earned her an opportunity to compete in the Elementary competition after competing 2x in the Preliminary competition in the last 3 years. Ya, it means that it took her that long to finally "master" her camel spin that is still "squeaky" at times. 

We were told that the National Competition would be in March 21. It was then further pushed to beginning April 21. Lil Shauna was super reluctant to take part, just like how she was so uber stress over her Elementary test. I was all for her taking part. Afterall, the elements for the competition would be very similar to what she had in her test. Why waste? So, it was decided. Hoho, mummy helped her decides. 

There were some changes to her program, like 40% of it. Coach also added in axle jumps. It took a while for her to finally learn her program and there was very little time left to practice with music. Not that we don't know how crowded the rink is but it is really very crowded in the last month. Ended up, when she is finally ready to practice with the music, she usually get to do her program max 2 times and sometimes once. Then she will always screw up when she get the chance to skate with music. Zzzzzzz. So much so that I also asked Coach if Lil Shauna is ready. Coach says "Just Do It lah". Ok lah. 

We had SISA ice on Wednesday. The last of the last few sessions. We got her to don her costume to try it out. 

She must be in good mood and acceded to my request for pictures. 

Coach must have seen how unprepared Lil Shauna is and asked if she wanted a final lesson this morning. Confirmed want. This is like the last of the 佛脚. 

Despite being very sleep deprived, I drove Lil Shauna to the rink this morning and the rink was so very crowded. Obviously, she is not the only one who hoped for some extra last minute practices. 

We also saw the other 3 competitors and while they are all much younger than her, they are all doing axle jump in their program. The youngest is only 8 and already doing a double slachow jump in her program. More difficult elements = higher points. Stress. 

Then Lil Shauna's camel is not very cooperative and she struggled with her sit and broken spin combi. I can only comfort her to not compete with others but with herself. The other 3 may also have been training for Elementary for a longer time. I also reminded her that the rink may be closed for renovation for up to 18 months come July 21. This may be the last time that she gets to compete before the ice closes for renovation. Fighting! Go for it!

Mummy Lim

Finally Met Up with the Chan Family

Long long time ago, we met up with the Chan family so very often, whether a visit to their place or a run in the park. These meet ups are usually fairly impromptu. 

Then Covid came, then Lil Shauna became very busy such that impromptu no longer works. The Chan family had tried to date us several times in the past months. If it is not bcos Lil Shauna has something, it is bcos we are meeting my brother's family. 

Finally after so many months, we met up with the Chan family again. We dated Boo to Stingray but both girls eventually decided not to do it. Companion or not, Zaky was happy with what again turned out to be an individual session/ lesson. 

He learnt another few more tricks and already asked to go back again next week. Kallang very far leh. 

We met the Chan family for dinner. The girls had so much 悄悄话 and didn't want us to join them at the table. 

The kids happily ran around in the open space outside popeye after dinner. It is so funny that running around can be so fun. Lol. 

The parents eye power only. In fact, Daddy Lim and I don't even need to eye power our kids anymore. Hoho. 

Before long, it was already 9.30pm and time to go home. I wonder when we will be able to find time to meet up again. Secretly, the aunties had been meeting more regularly than the kids. Muahahaha. Shhhh...

Mummy Lim

Learning to be a Parent (of a Teenager)

I thought that I was "there" when Lil Shauna started displaying teenager traits last year. One of the main adaptions is her busy social life. We have started getting used to not seeing her on Saturdays bcos she is so busy. If we have anything that we intend to plan on Saturday, we have to check with her and date her in advance. #大忙人

As we approach 2021 and Lil Shauna starts her new secondary school journey, I realised that last year was only the tip of the ice berg. Being a teenager is a hard thing and living with a teenager is equally hard. 

Lil Shauna is starting to embrace her new-found independence, from shuttling to school via public transport, to taking the train to town to meet her youth group friends, to spending a lot of time in her room, to vocalizing her opinions, to taking on social media... We are learning to let go as she is learning to embrace her new identify.  

The differences didn't particularly hit me until the recent cruise trip where we got to spend so much time together again. It was hard to accept that she wasn't as enthusiastic as I thought she would be when just before Covid, the kids embraces all kinds of trips and holidays passionately. She rolled eyes at so many of the cruise activities and suggestions that I brought up that I think she could see her brain multiple times. I am even worried that her eyes wouldn't roll back. Lol. 真的长大了.

Just a few days back, she was upset when a boy classmate found our blog and started sharing her pictures around. While I didn't think it was a big deal bcos I blog about good stuff and post QC approved pictures, it wasnt the case for her. Well, I supposed her reaction is understandable if I stand in her shoe. As such, our blog is now locked up. Not that we have thousands of followers to begin with but I just enjoy using the blog as a diary and I find it so useful to trace back which hotel we stayed, when who started what classes, how bad were their eyesight at which time... the trouble of giving accesses to family and friends are particularly painful though.

Alright, let's continue to embrace and grow together as our precious 1st born treads through these challenging but also exciting teenager years. For one, she is totally enjoying her school, her CCA and her youth groups. PTL.

Taken from her IG. Is she going to kill me?!!?

Mummy Lim

Stingray @ Kallang Wave

I think the kids' 1st taste of the flow ride was back at Sunway lagoon a long time ago. Zaky fell in love with it but there aren't many places in Singapore with the facility. After procrastinating for so long, so much so that the Flow Rider in Sentosa has closed down, I finally signed Zaky up for the lesson at Stingray @ Kallang Wave. That was in February 20, right before we went into the lock down. 

We signed Zaky up for a 2nd lesson right after and Lil Shauna was also keen to try but the lesson never take place. Every now and then, Zaky would remind me to check but the lesson never resumed. 

His interest for the Flow Rider was re-ignited during the cruise. I like it too when Zaky goes for physical activities. Hoho. I was reminded to check the Stingray classes and while the classes are still suspended, the Stingray is opened for public booking at $35 per pax per hour. Let's go! 

We booked Zaky a 6.30pm slot last Saturday. It was a single kid Saturday bcos jiejie was fully packed with her youth group activities. Zaky didn't mind all the attention that he recieved from the parents. Fortunately the afternoon thunderstorm also passed right on time and we arrived to no sights of lightning warning. Yay! 

Only 1 parent/ guardian is allowed and I had the honor to accompany the boy. Daddy Lim found himself a spot to watch Netflix while he waited. Zaky was the only 1 booked for the slot though it allowed up to 5. 

Though it was a public session, there was a dedicated lifeguard and another staff manning the station. I remembered the staff to be the same instructor who coached Zaky in his last lesson. Neither of them recognize each other. Mummy knows best. Haha.  

It started with a safety briefing by the instructor. He was calling for Zaky, who didn't hear him. Thinking that Zaky is probably some Chinese kid, he ended up calling (again) and speaking to Zaky in Chinese. What ensued was a funny conversation in Chinese until Zaky had to ask if they can converse in English instead bcos his Chinese is so poor. Lol. 

Before they start the session, I was asking if there is a difference between the Stingray and Flow Rider. There is and the instructor went on to explain a ton that went over my head. Lol. Yay, lesson start!

We didn't know what to expect. Given that it was a public session, I had thought that Zaky would be left to do whatever. To our pleasant surprise, the instructor ended up coaching him and bcos he was the only person, Zaky ended up with an hour of private lesson. Hoho.

Zaky was taught various poses and even standing up, which he said was so straining on a particular knee. He also some barrow tricks that looked like him rolling around at the edge. Lol.

All these while, yours truly was busy taking pictures, videos and playing my sudoku. The time slot was perfect with the setting sun, unlike how it was on the crusie. Hoho. I didn't expect Zaky to last the entire hour, I can imagine how tiring it can be, but he did. Of course he was exhausted after the session and was telling me how more difficult the Stingray is bcos the FR is bouncy and this is not. Huh? Never mind, exercise is good for you. Hoho.

Mummy Lim