Melbourne! Day 0

Finally! We have been pinning for this holiday for sooooo long. While I had the privilege to do 3 business trips thus far, Daddy Lim and the kids last flew back in November 2019. Zaky particularly missed inflight meals. The last time he had airplane food, he could still opt for kids meal. He is now considered an "adult" by airplane standard. I hope he stayed up late enough to eat his in-flight meal. 

I started packing a week back. My business trips are usually packed the evening before. This time, I didn't dare to risk. It is for 10 days and 4 people. We packed light, with the intention to do laundry, and ended up with just 2 luggage. 

Puffy earned a staycation at my brother's place. 

We thought that it is a normal staycation but it turned out to be a 5-star resort-style holiday. 

He rarely gets to eat fresh food at home. 

Both Daddy Lim and I worked today. We have been counting down the days and started counting down the hours. I was WFH-ing, every now and then, one of the kids would come and exclaimed that our holiday is taking place in a few hours' time! Hohoho. 

Finally! 

We got a tiny car that travelled from West to East, costing us $50. 

Very squeezy and I was very happy to arrive at T3 and to be able to get out of the car. Zaky kept complaining that I am too fat and infringing into his space. The pot falling the kettle black. Checking in was a breeze and so was dinner, though the food court was a tad crowded. 

Flying off!

Bye Singapore, hello Melbourne!

Mummy Lim

Post PSLE Results

Some mummies posted this. 

The next moment, all done. 

Last night, while tucking Zaky to bed, we both agreed that it didn't feel like he had just gone through one of the most major event of his 12 YO life that same morning. So strange. 

The primary school mummies' chat is buzzing with discussion on the S1 options (choosing secondary school). I felt left out. There is nothing to study and decide bcos there is only one option in the S1 portal - SST. Oh, Zaky can opt to take up Malay, Arabic or Bahasa Indonesian too. Nana had that option and she said that she cannot even cope with Chinese, let alone another language. Zaky just looked at me like I am crazy to even think about it. Hoho. 

Bcos everybody is talking about the schools, I cannot help to take a peek too. With AL 10, Zaky could have entered NH (11D) or SJI (10). Heart ache again. Luckily ACSI's COP is at 9 or my heart would bleed even more. 看爽的. 

The only sliver lining is the distraction from SST. I joined the parents chat group formed by the parent volunteers. The booklist and uniform purchase is up on SST website and the chat is buzzing with information. I found out that Zaky could inherit most of Nana's textbooks and SST does not have Literature, FCE and D&T. Science textbooks are optional (or use digital version) and no need to purchase Geography textbooks bcos the teacher will use notes instead. I think we can save alot on books. On the other hand, Nana's books are either hardcopy and digital bundle or new syllabus, meaning that she needs to buy all of them, eroding whatever savings from Zaky's side. Hahaha. 

Mummy Lim

PSLE Results the 2nd Time

I was so anxious when it was Nana's turn 2 years back. I had trouble sleeping the night before and was jolted awake at 5am bcos I dreamt that she got 237 and told me that she wanted to go to Bukit Timah Secondary school. I woke up and Google what schools had COP of 237 and where the hell is this Bukit Timah Secondary school, only to realise that it didn't exist. Lol. 

With Zaky, the anxiety is a big notch down bcos of his SST CO. But I panic a little when I doubted if we had accepted the DSA CO properly. I double checked a few days back and all good. He needed a AL 20 and below score to be accepted into SST and I very much think that it is do-able. Zaky simply says, "I think so". Not reassuring at all. Lol.

I thought I would have no trouble sleeping but actually was very awake when I lay on the bed at midnight. Looks like I am anxious afterall. The next moment, the alarm clock was ringing; I had no idea when I fell asleep. Hohoho. Obviously not anxious enough.

Zaky was very chilled this morning. He was still sleeping when the whole house was up. He happily played his computer games, had his bfast and then back to his games. I had to remind him to get out of the house at 10am. 

Probably the last chance to wear his school uniform. He had his track shoes on bcos it is an effort to cramp his toes into his black school shoes. I don't think the school cares anyway. 

When we just boarded the train, the fellow mummies in the parent chat already arrived in school.

Make me gan cheong. We were supposed to be seated by 10.50am and the results were supposed to be released at 11am. I was thinking if we would be late. 

Happily on the bus.

We arrived right on time. Zaky went to join his class. 

The hall was already filled. 

It was then the waiting game and the MOE video was broadcast, messaging that PSLE result is not the end to everything. Yawn.. boring. 

Finally at 11am, somebody started speaking. I don't even know who. The principle didn't even turn up and the parents were joking on the chat group that she is in Qatar chasing the world cup. Hoho. Like usual, some slides on how well the school did. 

On seeing the high %, people started clapping. Good meh? They haven't look at the details lor. Then the 2nd slide. 

Only 65.7% eligible for express lor. If you ask me, that is not great plus express cut off is 20 points. Maybe majority of the students eligible for express also didn't do fantastically well too. Ya, I am not impressed with their primary school and have been pinning for the day they graduate. There are 22 successful DSA applicants and I thought to myself that hey, Zaky is one of them!

Then, the outstanding results students were recognised. 

They were asked to stand up and almost all of them are from Zaky's class. 

No, Zaky is not one of them. Hahaha. Just like Nana's name didn't appear on the screen 2 years back. 

Finally, the result is released to the students one by one. 

How did Zaky do? Drumroll.......

AL 10!!!! 

In the old system, his score would be about what Nana had achieved. I was happy and not happy. I teared. I am happy with his good results but not happy bcos he could have gotten into NH like jiejie (indicative COP 11) but we have already accepted SST CO and there is no avenue to reject. Sob. Zaky on the other hand, was very proud of his achievements and kept telling that he wanted to go to SST, regardless of his results. With that, I am comforted in my heart. 

What was the breakdown?

Maths: AL 1 (above 90)

Science: AL 2 (85 - 89)

English: AL 3 (80 - 84)

Chinese: AL 4 (75 - 79)

Zaky had always been very strong is his Maths and Science (and thus SST). I was glad that he didn't kill himself with Maths careless mistakes. He said that it was an easy paper. I had expected him to obtain AL 1 in Science. The English and Chinese results are a pleasant surprise. I had never expected him to do so well for Chinese and thank his Chinese tutor, who worked so hard with him in the weeks leading up to PSLE. 

I think I had too little faith in Zaky's academic. I have always thought that he is equally strong as Nana academically but his inconsistency worries me. I didn't expect him to do so well in PSLE even though I know that he is capable of achieving this result. As such, I applied for SST. My bad but he is happy with SST. It all worked out well. Zaky said that we needed to have a celebratory lunch. 

One more milestone achieved. Couldn't be more proud of him.

Mummy Lim

Hanging Up Her Skates

Yes, we have agreed, Nana would hang up her skates... for good... or until she thinks she wants to skate again.

Nana had been distracted for a long time. She is getting nowhere (near the national squad) in her ice skating and her other activities piled. On many occasions, she told me that she cannot cope. It was me who cannot let go of her ice skating. While it isn't me on the ice, I had grew up with her in this journey... 8 long years. 

She suggested stopping several times and the frequently increased in the recent years. We at 1st agreed to skate until the rink closes for renovation and that was supposed to be this July or next year. The plan was shelved when there is news that the land that JCube sits on will be redeveloped for residential use. So the rink will go somewhere and the developer doesn't want to dump $$ to renovate the rink now.

Then Coach Raymond had a stroke and stopped her classes. My last hope was her taking classes with Coach Gen. Just 1 lesson and I could see the improvements. 

She was supposed to have her group lessons with 3 other girls and Coach Gen yday evening. This lesson was shifted from last week bcos she injured her ankle (again) during netball. She has never taken group lessons since she started figure skating and I was eager to hear her feedback. The group lesson focuses more on basics and the posture and I thought she looked good. 

Then she fell while executing an axle jump and hurt her injured ankle again and cannot continue with the lesson. Haiz. 

I was upset. I said that I was upset bcos she is not taking the precautions to protect herself. However, after reflection, I think I am upset that she is not giving the focus and priorities that I expected to ice skating. She had a whole day of activities before ice skating class yday and was tired. When one is tired, injuries find their way in. 

We had a big argument on the way back. I agreed to stop ice skating (my heart broke) and I insisted that she drop out of her school's sKy Leaders program and not to take up drum lessons until she earns her own lesson fee. This sKy Leaders thing is 1 of her 3 CCAs in school. She is also in Netball and Council and I had been nagging at her for the longest time to drop out. She kept hugging onto it and I think it is FOMO. She really had troubles coping with so many things on her plate and I lost count of the discussions we had in how to manage her time and deciding what she needs to shave off. She had cut down on her weekend social activities and had benefitted. At one point, she was struggling and didn't have time to rest bcos she cannot say no to invitations, like all kinds. 

So, it is concluded. I emailed the Teacher IC yday and requested to pull her out of the program. She is dropping the ice skating. 

I had troubles sleeping last night. I am not sure if it is the quarrel with Nana or the PSLE results. I think both but the former bothered me a lot more. I made it a point to resolve this  morning. 

This morning, I broke the ice. I told Nana that I didn't regret making her drop sKy and I have also come to terms that she will stop skating. Coach Gen was my very last attempt and it didnt work out. She said that she had also wanted to drop sKy and I only helped her to accelerate the decision. We agreed that this is a good outcome, just that the process to reach the conclusion could have been better. We both know that sKy and skating had to go and were just hanging on. She then left happily to school for her netball and Council Camp. 

Am I upset? Of course. My heart broke. It had always been my joy to watch her on the ice and during competition when she had the whole ice to dance on. I guessed this is my journey as a parent, learning to let go. I supposed it is time, instead of expecting the kids to take this or that lesson, I should do so myself now that I have more time. Hahahaha. 

Mummy Lim

A Busy Saturday

It was the Company's Family Day. The last time we had a physical Family Day was in the pre-covid world. That is at least 3 years ago. Then, the kids being kids, would happily partake in such activities. Now, I literally have to plead with the teenager to keep the morning for me and join me at the Family Day. 

The event started early and we had to leave the house at 8am, robbing the teenager's opportunity to sleep in on a weekend morning. I didn't dare ask the kids to take mrt and bus, like how I normally would go to the office. I am worried that they would murder me and grab to office instead. 

Not bad lah, there was bfast and atas coffee. 

And kiddy games. 

Nana was entertained for a while and then complained that it was boring. Zaky was happy to do it over and over again to win all the prizes that he can get his hands on.

We left at 12ish after lunch and met Aunty S and the kids. Nana and Zaky went to watch Wakada Forever with T. C caught it earlier and said that it was a nice show. Nice or not, I don't know but it was 3 hours long. When we met up with the kids, Zaky said that jiejie fell asleep in the movie for an hour. Zzzz. It seems like it isn't as nice as C said.

Nana said that the 1st 2/3 of the show was boring and she simply closed her eyes for "a while". The next moment, she saw the lead actress crying on the screen. She thought that she had dozed for 15 mins but right after, the credits started scrolling and the movie had ended. Lol. 

The other aunties came and joined us for dinner. 

We have a much bigger group this time. Even though covid restrictions have eased up and there is no longer any group size restrictions, the different aunties just got busy with different things. No problem, who can meet, meet lah. Whether it is 2 aunties or 8 aunties, the meetup is just as good. 

With that we finally headed home, after a long Saturday. 

Mummy Lim

Fruitful Weekend

On early Saturday morning ride, I was reminded that Christmas is coming. 

This also means that our Melbourne holidays will be here soon. Counting down to 11 days. Hoho. 

In the late afternoon, Daddy Lim brought Zaky to the new indoor skatepark at JE. We had high hopes bcos it is so near and there was a lot of hype about it, particularly the big foam pit. Zaky was so keen to try it and the 1st attempt was thrilling. The 2nd and 3rd attempt was tiring - not the jumping into the pit but the attempt to get out and adding on heavy aggro skates is no joke. In his 4th attempt, he struggled for super long to climb out. 

He was so tired with all the climbing that he had no energy left to skate thereafter. The skatepark was also much smaller than the one in Selegie. The boys stayed for about 1 hour and decided that it was time to go. 

We came home to a crowd bcos it was Popo's bday. To good food!

The 2 younger Fs slept over and I woke up to 3 Nana-lookalike on Sunday morning bcos the girls loaned Nana"s clothes. 

Instead of riding on Sunday morning, I accompanied Daddy Lim for bfast before a jog at the Jurong Lake Garden. 

It had been so long. The last jog was in ECP many months back. I wore the shoes inherited from Zaky. 

The sole was so thin and another piece dropped. Looks like I can soon buy new shoes. Hoho. 

Zaky had his active SG basketball session and I see more parents compared to Wednesday.

The last 30 mins was spent on games and I thought Zaky played well. He got 2 balls in through very nicely done lay-up, which he later admitted that it was probably luck. Lol. I was very excited at his games like how I usually am. I am also glad to hear another mummy sitting behind me equally excited. Hoho. 

We met Nana in JP for lunch and got her glasses done. 

She also finally booked for herself a trial drum lessons. She had been bugging to buy a drum pad (is that what it is called?) and to take drum lessons. Not that I didn't want to put her on drum lessons but she simply has no time. Even when it is the school holidays, she struggled to find time for the trial lesson. I had been nagging at her to give up some but she insisted on holding on. I think it is FOMO. Nagged enough. Aiyo!

Nana didn't join us for dinner. Sunday dinners are to be reserved for family but she claimed that we already had family dinner on Saturday. She ended up meeting her youths to celebrate somebody's bday. Daddy Lim said that we should have good food to flex to her. We were obviously hungry people, who only remembered about the picture after everything had been consumed.

Flexing. 

This marked the end of our fruitful weekend. 

Mummy Lim

Hoya Again

I was just wondering how I should spend Nana's $400 Wellness Benefits provided by the company's insurance and she immediately told me that she needed new glasses. Her frame is slanted and the lenses scratched. Why? Bcos she 吃球饼 during her netball and despite the multiple reminders to wear her old glasses during netball, she never remember. 

Their last eye check was in April 2022 when Zaky got his new glasses. His lenses were also badly scratched but at least his glasses lasted for 2 years. Nana last changed her glasses in April 2021. The only comfort is that Hoya had protected their eyes and their eyesight didn't further deteriorate. 

Eye check is an anxious affair for everyone bcos mummy will be very upset and will scold people if their eyesight deteriorates. Heng ah, no need to scold people again this time. 

Nana was busy choosing her frame. She is always in this big round black frame. This is her current look. 

The final 2 pairs that she shortlisted.

Looks the same right? Hahaha. 

Let's just be happy that her eyesight maintains. Bye to $500. 

Mummy Lim