Finally Back on the Big Wheels

I missed cycling last week bcos of the threatening rain that eventually didn't come. I felt so cheated. Thought it was only 1 weekend, it felt like a long time since I rode. Not only that, our Sunday morning rides have also been replaced by rollerblading at Kallang. So many things to do but so little time during the weekends. 

It had been even longer since I rode with Daddy Lim on WWF rides. He now works on Saturdays and totally clashes with the WWF rides. Then, his schedule changed and he now works on weekends' afternoons. Although it means that he needs to be back in the yard on both Saturday and Sunday, we at least got to ride together with the WWFs on Saturday mornings. 

Yday's ride was to the Heritage Bridge @ Yishun. With Daddy Lim and the usual kakis in our train, I got to draft a fair bit. The ride instantly becomes enjoyable when one gets to draft despite the climbs. Hoho. We were happily chit chatting as we go along and even Mandai on the way back didn't feel so daunting.

With cycling done on Saturday, it is no surprised that Zaky made us bring him to the Kallang Skatepark this morning. Sigh, the weather this morning was so lovely for cycling. 

The boy has improved a lot since the 1st time he donned his aggro skates. Auntie M and M were also at the skatepark and Zaky had benefitted so much from Auntie M's coaching. M's  companion was also lovely.

I was severely sleep deprived from yday's last night gathering with my colleagues but didn't want to miss the opportunity to do a different workout. With the gym still closed, I am so sick of alternating between jogging and HiiT. 

With that, it marks the ending of another weekend. Why so fast? T.T

Mummy Lim

Heading Back to the office Soon

How long has it been since I started working from home? Almost coming to 1.5 years! It was a rough adaption at the onset, made worse by HBL. Now? I am a pro working from home. I have a super pack morning routine, usually starting with a jog/ gym/ HIIT before I start work, making full use of the time that I would have previously spent on commuting.

The Government has announced the relaxation of rules for people returning to the work place. Previous times, whenever my company planned a little more to go back, we seem to jinx the relaxation and the numbers will go up, followed by the tightening of restrictions. This time, with the vaccination rates going up, going back to the office looks like a sure thing. Just last week, I was back after like forever for an on-site meeting. 

Preparing to return to the office feels so weird. I almost forgot how to put on makeup and have to dust off the dust from the makeup and brushes. Hoho. What I was most worried about was my flats giving up bcos of the prolong non usage. Heng ah, the flats held up nicely the whole day. Then it had to rain in the morning. I was already feeling and walking awkwardly in my working attire and had to juggle the brolly. 

This was my OOTD, taken as usual in front of the big mirror in the office toilet. 

Yes, yes, I got my hair done up and covered the greys. My last visit to the salon was almost 6 months back bcos the last 2 months locked at home and no need to see people. You can imagine how hideous I was looking before that.

In prep of returning to office, I have started to be a little more discipline with the face masks bcos need to go out and 见人了. I also got myself a new toy! 

The NuSkin Galvanic Spa that made me $500 poorer. Let's hope that it is a good investment and I would be hardworking enough to use it. 我要美美! 

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 246: Program

We eventually sent 3 music pieces to Coach. All 3 were recommended by Auntie J. We have the Hedwig's Theme song from Harry Potter, one of the famous theme from the Nutcracker and Cannon D. Coach eventually picked the Hedwig's theme and said that it is good enough for the test. Huh? Test only ah? Cannot use for future competition? Finding and editing music is such a tedious task. Coach says that the piece can also be used for competition but just in case we find "better" pieces. 

I can't help but ask Coach what makes a piece good music for skating. He said that there must be fast and slow pace and easy to follow. I get the fast and slow pace part but what is easy to follow? I even asked Auntie J, thinking that maybe it is some music jargon. 

No leh. LOL. We were like if the song has fast and slow pace and dramatic, how to be easy to follow? I think Coach smoked me. LoL. 

Just last week, Coach texted me that there is a possible test date coming up in October and asked me if Lil Shauna would be ready. Huh? How would I know? Isn't Coach supposed to know better? He eventually decided that she would go for the next one. I think he is trying to smoke me again. Hoho.

Nevertheless, the training for the new test program has started. 

一，二，三，木头人... Hohoho. Lil Shauna tried hard and I was busy videoing in case she forgets the footstep. I also tried to video Coach in when he was showing her the hands movement. He was obviously more graceful than Lil Shauna and I hope that she could try to mimick. This always remind me of the very 1st program that Lil Shauna tried to learn and how I even had to help her remember the steps. Nowadays, she picked up so quickly and I am the one getting lost. 

Then the duo spent time perfecting the axel, which is the critical component for the test. 

How long will it take Lil Shauna to learn the entire program? I have no idea but there is no urgent rush. I am just very excited to see the finished product. 

Mummy Lim

Another Kallang Wave Mall Sunday Morning

On Sunday early morning, we were up and out, lugging the many pairs of rollerblades and the various protection gears to Kallang Wave Mall. Once again, we have dated the aggro skates family and Zaky was super excited to have companion. 

The sky looked gloomy but weather forecast said that it was ONLY a cloudy morning and thunderstorms weren't expected until afternoon. Fingers crossed or it would have been a very long journey, all the way to Kallang to have MacD bfast. 

Lil Shauna tagged along, sacrificing her beauty sleep. The teenager phase is the start of life where one starts realising the value of being able to sleep in. She is no difference and is now the last to get out of bed on weekend mornings for such activities. 

Thankfully, there was no rain. The skate park was surprisingly empty as well. While the boys were risking breaking bones, I was going round and round the tracks, initially with Lil Shauna and subsequently alone bcos the teenager complained that she was so tired and needed to conserve energy for the ice skating session in the afternoon. 

I did 20km! Wanted to skate a half marathon but the sun worked too hard and the boys were baking too much. 

It was a relaxed skate for me and I was happily taking in the sights of the various exercising groups. The uncles and aunties doing qi gong and wu shu are back, so are the different HIIT groups and the skateboarders. It was a busy Sunday morning. 

We finally left at almost 10am. 

At the very last min, the father and son had to crash into each other. Daddy Lim was trying to do an U-turn and Zaky was going at full speed trying to do some fanciful stops. Ji-ba-bomb!

The teenager just looked very bored. Hoho.

Overall, it was a great session. Zaky was super happy bcos he managed to do the soul grind for like 3 cm and Auntie M taught him something about jumping and pausing on the half pipe platform before a turn jump back. I am quite sure it has a fanciful name. Haha. 

Mummy Lim

Finally We Met Up Again

Despite the Covid, the aunties still try to meet up w/o the kids. Just nice, there are 8 of us. In additionally, Auntie SL, S and I meet up a little more often, usually accompanied with some shopping and alot more eating. We stopped for a while with the heightened restrictions, forbidding dine-in. 

The chance finally came. Hoho. I took Friday pm leave to meet them in town. The plan was a good lunch. Right after I applied for leave, I remembered that Popo was departing for her weekend cruise to nowhere the same Friday afternoon and there was nobody to man Zaky who was at home bcos school was closed for PSLE oral. Zzzzz. In the end, I had to bring Zaky along. Then Lil Shauna heard and wanted to join me in town after school. Auntie SL complained that I brought my whole family along for the gathering. Hoho. Luckily they love me and are willing to accommodate me. Lol. 

Zaky and I took a Grab down and arrived just nice for lunch. The aunties had a heavy bfast and we decided on Hoshino Coffee for us to lunch while they have a peck. This dine-in for vaccinated patrons rule is really confusing. I read that if there are unvaccinated children, the children must be from the same household. 

However, the restaurant staff insisted that everybody needs to be from the same household. We ended up with different side by side table. At times like that, no point arguing bcos the restaurant rather err on the safe side. 

Zaky was hungry and the kids' meal with carbonara pasta caught his eyes. There wasn't adult size carbonara. When served, the kids' meal was so mini. Lol. The pasta cannot even fill half of his stomach lor. Lol. 

The apple juice glass is slightly bigger than a shot glass. Luckily his mother got foresight and ordered other food to supplement. Before the other orders were served, he already finished his pasta and exclaimed that he was still hungry. Lol. 

We finished lunch and was doing window and electrical appliances shopping. Lol. Super auntie right? Not long after at 3ish, Lil Shauna came joined us and it was her turn to exclaim that she was hungry. We ended up at a coffee joint. So much eating. 

The aunties left at 5ish. Daddy Lim picked up us and we headed to Suntec for dinner. Hoho, eat again. 

The meet up was definitely a good break from the monotonous life routine. Though the aunties complained that the topics and language needed to be censored with the 2 kiddos around. Haha. 

Mummy Lim

Same Size

Since many moons back, Lil Shauna and I have been sharing shoes. I could also happily fit into some of her bigger tees and 'inherited" her big school camp/ events dry fit t-shirts that she doesn't wear anymore. They are perfect pieces for wearing at home. 

Y'day, the kids wore red tees to school. The kids ended up wearing the same tee to school, both are Lil Shauna's P5 camp t-shirt. 

Yes, Zaky has joined the "same size" gang, we can all share the same size t-shirt and shoes. As a result, Lil Shauna is always finding chances to use Zaky's aggro skates. She said that she can go faster in them. Amusingly, Daddy Lim commented that the 3 of us can now all share t shirts and shoes and save $$. Haha. It is so ironical that he tells me about saving $$. Hoho.

The next moment, he enthusiastically proposed to Lil Shauna to buy her a new pair of rollerblades. Huh? Why? We have way too many wheels in the house already. I came to realise how small my voice is when it comes to objecting the father and kids from spending $$. Zzzzzzz. Not too long after, this appeared at home. 

Happily unboxing. 

Lil Shauna's complaint about her atas and expensive inline artistic skates is that they are not fast enough. So Daddy Lim got her these big assed wheels ones. 

Wah, she wanted to go how fast? Luckily he has the decency to buy her entry skates. These are $199.

Of course we have to go try out the new skates. Off to Kallang Skate park we went last evening. 

The tracks were wet given that they were mainly indoor and take time to dry up from the earlier downpour. We could still go around on the inner, rougher paths but had to share paths with the skateboarders and the kiddy kick scooters. It was super busy. We had thought that the skate park would also be wet but were pleasantly surprised that it was much drier. The boys risked breaking bones at the skate park while Lil Shauna and I went testing her new skates. 

Can she go fast? Of course and she had to slow down for her poor mother. We skated until 9ish. Lil Shauna then attempted the skate park ramps. 

Zaky attempted to trick his mother to try the ramps. Siao ah? 

We finally left for home all sweaty and tired. 

This morning, we skipped the cycling. Daddy Lim and I headed to the Jurong Lake park for more skating. Lil Shauna upfront told us last night that she wanted to sleep in. We tried asking Zaky this morning and he plainly rejected us. Ok lah, we 二人世界.

That is how it would be as the kids grow older right? 

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 244: Skating Music

Lil Shauna's SiSA ice continues and I too continue to enjoy watching her on the ice. Lil Shauna headed to the rink for her warm up while I went to tabao a teh to "enjoy" my "watching her" session. Hoho. On the way to the rink, I met Coach and he said that we can start preparing for "skating music" for her basic novice test. I had thought that the basic novice test needed several double jumps but was corrected that only axel is needed and she got that many months back. Yay!

Her last elementary competition, she again scored badly for her skating skill and performance. I had asked Coach how she can improve on those and he said that she has to stroke harder for the former. For the latter, to choose better music. Zzzzzzz... What is better music? When I asked Coach what is "skating music" this time, he simply replied "classical". Wah, I don't know classical leh. 

I didn't quite know what Lil Shauna was learning during the lesson bcos I was busying on my laptop. When I intermittently raised my head to look at her, she was doing footwork, then jumping, then spinning. Hohoho. 

I told Lil Shauna about the basic novice test and the music. We needed a piece that is 2min 30 sec, +/- 10 sec. The 1st person that I thought of who would gladly help is Auntie J. She asked me if it should be Waltz music. Huh? And if it should be 3 or 4 beats. Double huh? Over the next few days, she sent us several famous classical pieces. So nice of her. #感动 She asked if it must be classical or symphony pieces work too. I have totally no idea. I played a big part in choosing the last not good enough music, remember? Next step is to ask Lil Shauna for her preference and send some to Coach for his opinion. He is afterall doing the chorography and knows Lil Shauna's capability best to skate to the music.

While I was listening to the pieces sent by Auntie J, I suddenly remembered that I was told by R's mummy that there is a 13 YO age limit for the basic novice and a 15 YO limit for intermediate novice. Doesnt that mean that Lil Shauna should go for intermediate novice test instead? The program for intermediate novice has to be 3 mins long and Lil Shauna's has only skated to max 2 mins program. By the end of the 2 mins, she always look so breathless and panting away. She can meh? 

Upon checking, the age limit is for international competition. Ah... Coach added on that we cannot skip test level too. Hohoho. 

Ok then, we shall all work hard. Hopefully this time, we can find "better skating music".

Mummy Lim

Updates: Coach saw us at the rink this afternoon and passed us Lil Shauna's medal from the last elementary competition. 

She got 3rd largely bcos there were only 4 skaters in the competition. Hohoho, never mind, we don't say, nobody knows. Nevertheless, it didn't stop me from being super excited over the medal. Hehehe. 

1st RI without the Daddy Lim

While Daddy Lim was with his previous employer and working hours were a lot more relaxed, he wanted to do one RI every month. Siao ah? While we didn't get to do 1 every month, we did about 5 or 6. 

Then came his overworked lungs and the crazy working hours. I told him that I wanted to do 1 RI per quarter and it was his turn to call me "siao". Lol. We managed a measly one in April, not even in Q1. It looked like it may be the only RI that I would be doing for the year. Haiz. 

Then a cycling kaki jio-ed and I jumped at the offer. It was my 1st ever RI without Daddy Lim but I think I can manage to catch up and complete. The most is to call Daddy Lim to corm save me. Hoho. While I don't know how to change a tube in times of puncture, I at least asked Daddy Lim to pass me a spare tube so that somebody can nicely help me to change. Haha. 

We started at 8pm on Friday evening. It was supposed to be "relaxed" pace. Never trust cyclists when they say "relaxed pace"; we were going at 28 - 30kmh and no designated break until we arrived at Changi Village. With the dine-in restrictions, all we did was to top up drinks and I munched on a much needed mini Mars bar that I brought. Then it was off again to the dreadful TMCR. 

Maybe we were going too intensively and I felt a cramp coming in my thighs by the time we were done with TMCR. This was when the Yoko Yoko came in so useful. I was generously smearing it all over my thighs and neck. 

We took a much needed break outside Arc Macdonald on the way home. Ice cream hasn't tasted so good in a long while. Hoho. Out came the Yoko Yoko again and I was hoping that it would keep the cramps away until home. 

I did make it home without cramps. Woohoo!

So done! My legs were so tired and I can feel the suanness even in my sleep and the entire Saturday. Hoho. 

Mummy Lim

Small Wheels

Last Sunday morning, we headed down again to the Kallang skatepark. We dated the aggro skates family that Zaky had befriended the week before. It was actually quite funny. When we were leaving and a distant away from the skatepark, I lamented that we should have gotten the aggro mummy's number. Zaky then enthusiastically volunteered to run back to the skatepark to ask for her number. Good, extra workout for him.

The aggro family usually heads down on Saturday mornings but came to join us knowing that we would be at the skatepark. #感动 The little jiejie, M is 7 and the cute little didi, also in mini aggro skates is only 3! What were my kids doing at 3? I thinking they were pushing their skate scooter around and I already think that it was a formidable feat. Lol. 

Lil Shauna came along in her inline artistic skates. Auntie S also tagged along, wanting to practice rollerblading. This time, I went much faster on the tracks and longer bcos Lil Shauna was skating so much faster, pulling me along at the start. I is old auntie. Zzzzzz. All in all, I clocked a total of 20km. Hehehe. It did get a little boring towards the end. 

While I was going round and round the tracks, Daddy Lim and Zaky were doing dangerous stuff at the skatepark. Daddy Lim didn't fall this time bcos he didn't dare attempt anything that comes with a high risk of falling. Haha. Zaky totally enjoyed himself going up and down the ramps. Auntie M, the aggro mummy even taught him how to do a jump into the ramp and do a soul (sole) grind. Zaky was able to do the grind for 3cm but he was mega proud. Lol. 

We headed home at 9ish bcos the sun was working full force and the boys at the skatepark were getting the full blunt of it. 

We decided to simply skate at the Jurong Garden Park this morning. Rushing to Kallang is way too taxing every Sunday morning. Lil Shauna didn't say if she is keen and we decided to let her sleep in. 

We tabaoed Mac bfast and then it started to drizzle. We were happily feasting in the car when the drizzle turned into a thunderstorm. Zzzzz. 

It was obvious that skating was out. At least we get to "picnic" in the car. Haha. Heng, we didn't go Kallang.

I am glad that I didn't wake Lil Shauna. She was still in lala land when we were home after the "car picnic". It looks like nice weather to sleep in.

Mummy Lim

When Popo Not at Home

Despite the heightened phase, Popo's Dream Cruise remains in operations, though with heightened restrictions as well. For a while, she was hesitant and I encouraged her to go - fully vaccinated and she doesn't need to work or study. Why not? We need to live with the new norm. In a bad case, she just earned herself an extended 2 weeks "staycation" in one of the hotels. Didn't sound too bad. So on Friday afternoon, her bags were packed and zoomed off.

Nice! Hohoho. I can taste freedom!

We aren't that bad and survived very well without Popo. While I can't cook, food options are plentiful and we even "made" pizzas for Saturday bfast. Nobody went hungry. What we did instead is a lot of cleaning. 

On Friday and Saturday, I scrubbed down the kitchen. It is not that Popo hasn't been cleaning but with failing eyesight, stains are often overlooked. I scrubbed away the many patches of mould and wiped away the dirt and lizard shit on the wall corners. I hate lizard shit. Zzzzz. It is hard work and these if not cleared, becomes impossible to remove after months of accumulation, like what happened to Centris. 

The kids got their fair share too. There is no Popo to 伺候 them. They have to take their own water, wash whatever dishes that they used, helped wiped the table, etc. On Saturday evening, bcos it had been exceptionally windy, the whole balcony and living room were covered by dust and dirt from the nearby construction. I got the kids to vacuum and mop the floor and scrubbed the balcony. Yay, there were a lot of complaints. I is 听不到..

I cannot deny that it is hard work doing the household chores and working full time. Kudos to the working mummies. I doubt I can do this for long and I didn't even do any laundry or wash the toilets. 

Popo was back at Sunday noon and started her whole cleaning regime like we had turned the house upside down or play with mud in house while she is away. 看不到, 看不到.. I had a hard time trying to shut away her constantly telling the kids not to do that and this, that this and that is dirty. Haiz. 

Lil Shauna had to practice her "cooking" in prep of her FCE WA3 on coming Thursday. She had to make a fusion burger. While the result didn't turn out too bad and the burger was delicious, the kitchen was a mess. 

I can tell that the cooking talents and genes didn't skip generation and go to her. Hohoho. 

I was very glad that I didn't have to clean up the mess that she left behind though. Hohoho. 

Mummy Lim