Little Snippnets

Again?
On the last day of school and student care, the student care teacher whatsapped me to inform that Zaky has accidentally damaged his glasses. Again??!!! Haiz.

When I picked him up, he said that he accidentally walked into a wall. Zzzzz.. the nose piece broke again but this time, the catch that was attached to the nose piece broke too. I am too embarrassed to go back to the spectacle shop and got help from Mr Superglue instead.

It is a quick fix for sure. I don't know how long that will last but hopefully until the next time he needed to change his lens. He is due for his eye review in December and I do hope that the expensive lens that we got for him is helping to control his myopic.

This frame is really lousy and we should keep in mind not to get the same model in the future. Seriously, I have zero experience with glasses. Haiz.

Same Size
We recently got Lil Shauna a new pair of shoes from Rubi. For a good while, we were able to share shoes though she had to get them in a size bigger.

This time, she got a pair that fit just nicely and it is exactly my size. She is catching up and very quickly. In her absence, I got to wear them. Hehe. At least I made sure that she had 开张 before I wore them.

She will soon be as tall as I am. Just that day, she hung her arm around my shoulder!

Fried Banana
We were talking about fried bananas somehow. Though it was nowhere near my favorite, it dawned on us that the kids had never tried fried banana before.

Just when we were lamenting that it is so hard to find them now, we found them at the western food stall that we were having lunch. So 巧. We had to buy it for the kids to try.

The kids said that it tasted plain weird. Hahaha. The fried banana very quickly made it to Daddy Lim's plate instead.

Lost Contact
The other day, Daddy Lim was telling us about his secondary school 40th anniversary gathering and how it was awkward bcos he had lost contact with all of them for a long while.

Lil Shauna then asked. "Why? Bcos they are dead?" ...... Must be Halloween gathering.

Mummy Lim

Jiejie Is Back!

In a wink of eye, Lil Shauna has left for her school's overseas immersion trip to Brunei and is back. She left on Monday morning and we sent her to school as usual. The school had arranged for a bus to send the kids to the airport and the parents had the option to hop on the bus and accompany their kids to send them off at the airport. No thanks. I am sure Lil Shauna was in good hands and good company of her friends.

Her bag was packed. She was using our trusty Hash Puppy luggage bag that had gone back a long way. We got this bag when we got married and it had accompany us on many trips far and near. It is still in great condition.

Lil Shauna was so excited on Monday morning.

And happily hopped off the car.

Mobile phones were initially discouraged but I had asked her to bring along anyway. But a day before the trip, the teacher IC changed her mind and said that mobile phones were prohibited. I had asked her several times to bring her phone nevertheless but being the model student, it brought her so much stress to go against the rule and she eventually decided to leave her phone at home. This also meant that she was contactless for 5 days and like the teacher says, no news means good news.

We missed her but there was much desired quietness at home when there was only one kid. Hohoho. No squabbling, no quarreling, no fighting.

Lil Shauna was back on Friday evening and parents had the choice to pick them from the airport or later in school. We opted for the former. Upon arriving at T2, there were loads of screaming teenager girls. Apparently, some idol/ boy band must have chosen the same day to visit Singapore. We tried but couldn't catch a glimpse of whoever it was but only to view very excited and screaming girls including some who were tearing from joy. Seriously?

Her flight landed at about 8.30pm. It was a while later that the little Smurfs appeared at the belt. Like every other parent, I was cranking my near in attempt to try to locate and peep at my charge. There! There!

Bags were collected and the little Smurfs returned to their eager parents.

It is definitely a new experience picking up my kid from the airport.

Lil Shauna was definitely pleased to see us.

Daddy Lim seemed less excited. Haha. She even hugged Zaky who gave her a lukewarm response. Hohoho.

It wasnt long before we were in the car on the way home. Lil Shauna then gave us a detailed account of her trip, the exciting itinerary and activities and the wonderful relationships that she had formed. She made a new BFF; her partner for the last 5 days.

With that, it marked the end of Lil Shauna's 1st independent overseas trip. She obviously is looking forward to many more in the future.

Mummy Lim

Bye Again GEP

Zaky came back one day and excitedly told us that he too made it through the 1st round of the GEP testing. Hey, that is so deja vu. Lil Shauna was just as excited 2 years back.

Again, the round 2 of the GEP testing took place during the PSLE marking period. On both days, I managed to send the boy for GEP before heading to the office and had Popo helped to pick him up after the exams.

It was really like history repeating itself. I brought a very enthusiastic and excited child to the testing center, just that it is now 2 years later and a different child.

It was exactly the same venue and the same walking route to the school before I dropped him off. On the way, he excitedly talked about the possibility of going into Nan Hua too if he passes the 2nd round. Hey, jiejie said the same thing! In the exact manner, I reminded him that the GEP is extremely tough and not to get too disappointed if he did not make it through.

I dropped him at the school and saw him headed towards the hall.

He was apprehensive the 1st day but perked up the moment he caught sight of his school mates. By the 2nd day, he was a pro already.

Exactly like how it was with Lil Shauna, he lamented about how tough the papers were. Again the same, he lost his enthusiasm the 2nd day and continued to tell us how impossible the Maths paper was. Lol. I know, jiejie said that same thing 2 years back.

The results came out today. Zaky didn't make it through the 2nd round. I didn't expect him to be the top 1% in Singapore. Out of the about 20 from his school who made it to the 2nd round, only 3 passed. I looked back my blog and saw 8 in Lil Shauna's year.

Was the boy disappointed? Well, he didn't look like he was. I think he already gave up hope when he completed the papers. Hahaha. Bye Again GEP.

Mummy Lim

Bcos SA2 is So Over

Finally, SA2 is over and the results are in. My hamster carrot maintained. I am reasonable ok, every year, I dropped the expectation a little bcos I know work gets harder. While my expectations are high, they are achivable; they must work hard to earn their hamster.

I was super encouraging and reminded them of their hamster target every SA but I doubt they will ever get one. Hohoho. Lil Shauna has the tenancy to screw up for SA1 but Zaky would perform great. Then Lil Shauna would buck up for SA2 while Zaky would be erratic. Hamster only materialised if they both meet the target. Awww.... Sorry but not sorry. Rearing a hamster is hard work and I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up as the main caregiver eventually.

Lil Shauna's SA2 results were indeed pleasing, with huge improvements to her maths. She improved substantially for her Science too bcos she did so badly for SA1 but I still think that she could have done better.

Zaky's result in Maths and Science were disappointing. He came home one day and told me without a hint of remorse that he lost 12 marks in Maths to careless mistake and he could have gotten full marks. Zzzzz.

Nevertheless, SA2 is over and I reminded them that they had tried their best or at least I think I had worked hard. Hoho. Play is now legit and the kids had played hard.

The kids had spent so many evenings after SA2 with the neighbour kids.

The weekends had been fun filled. From meeting the SHSS gang to the 3Fs.

They probably would have aced the SA2 and gotten their hamster if they had studied as hard as they played. Hohoho.

It is more play, play and play... Until school starts and Lil Shauna faces the PSLE monster.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 189: Mini Steps

Due to SA2, her ice skating schedule had been pretty messed up and that obviously didn't help the plateau that she had been stuck in for months.

Last Sunday, we headed for self practice before off ice and I was pleading for Lil Shauna to break through. Fighting please! I am so bored to see the same stuff. Once again, I don the "tutor" shoes and was at the rink side taking videos and asking her to do this and that. Oooo.. it had been a while.

She worked hard.. we both did. While she didn't master the broken leg spin, she was able to maintain 2+ rounds at times and the same applies to her camel spin. What she did conquer was the sit-pancake spin. Finally! It wasnt difficult as she already has good control over her sit spin, she just needed to do that minor adjustment. Yay! This turion teacher has good values.

The accomplishment boost her confidence and when she was back trying her broken leg, I heard her say to herslf "I only need to hold longer and stand up". Yes, that is the spirit that we need.

She finally had her SISA lesson y'day at 8.30pm after a long break. She was thrilled that there were only 5 skaters, which basically means a lot of space.

Coach Raymond spent quite some time on her footwork that I almost fell asleep. While I see the other skaters skating effortlessly, Lil Shauna was like constantly stuck. Zzzzz.

Things got a little more interesting when she started doing her axle jump. She can now do her axle jump off ice and is able to maintain the 1.5 revolutions on ice most of the time. The only thing left is to land on one foot.

The last part of the lesson was spent on her camel spin. There was a better one where she almost complete her 3 rounds and a couple of not too bad ones where she did 2+ rounds. She was able to combine a 2 revolutions camel spin with sit spin. She just needed to work harder to get the 3rd revolutions completed - we needed 3 rounds for the camel spin to be deemed as completed.

While she still didn't nail her camel spin and axle jump, things were looking slightly more promising. We just needed that little bit more omph. Fighting!

Mummy Lim

Passport Renewal

Our passports were barely half filled after 5 years but due for renewal. I thought it was so wasted but without a choice. Passport renewals are not cheap at $70 per passport. We waited and used the passport until the very last minute and finally got down to putting in the passport renewal request. It was so last minute that Lil Shauna was almost not in time to hand in her passport for her school's overseas immersion trip. Haha. Her teacher had been chasing and reminding her several times.

The other expenses for passport renewal is the passport picture. We had tried in the past to take our own soft copy passport photo but it is not the easiest with the white background and specific requirements. Without extra time to waste, we spent $$ to have it professionally taken.

To renew the passport, we only need 1 passport picture and I have no idea why the shop would always give us 4 to 6 and these pictures cannot be used after a limited time for such passport and visa application purposes. So wasteful. Anyway, we were told to make sure that the fringe doesn't cover the eyes and while smiling is allowed, teeth cannot be shown. What??

Tadah! Our passports pictures.

Zaky didn't need his taken having just done so for his TKD grading test some months' back. I know, Lil Shauna looks like a boy with her hair tied up right? Hahaha. The staff showed her the picture after it was taken and she didn't complain but she regret big time after they were printed. Too late. Now, she has to be stuck with a boy-looking picture for the next 5 years. Haha. I remembered that was what happened to me when I was a teenager and I had to live with a hideous passport photo for a long time.

The passport renewal took about a week. The process was really easy; ICA even sent us the half completed form when our passports were due for renewal. The tricky part was to schedule a collection appointment given our tight timeline and we eventually had to take half day leave yday for the appointment.

We ended up having to wait longer bcos we we too early by more than 15 mins. Those who come within 15 mins from their appointment time would get to be served 1st. That was probably what happened the last time and I remembered that the passport collections was a breeze. I think we waited for a good 30 mins for our number to be called. The kids didn't mind at all bcos they were busy with the gadgets. Zzzzz.

Once called, the issuance was done very quickly. We had our iris and thumbprint scanned and good to go. Finally, the boy can now join us at the automated queues at the airport. Yeah! He had been complaining so much every time we travel as he is the only one unable to use those lanes. We are good to travel once again.

Mummy Lim

Kena Thrashed x 2

The last basketball competition at Clementi was really hard to watch. We had harsh words for Zaky too and I was glad that he didn't gave up. Sorry, we really cannot contain ourselves. Wise words are always hard to swallow.

There was no lesson the week following the competition. Last Wednesday, I brought him for class and they played games on 3/4 court for the last 30 mins. Zaky definitely appeared to have taken in our advice and was playing better.

The competition was back yesterday morning. I was hoping that their team has more and stronger players this time. Other than the Wednesday lesson, we also had a few sessions at the basketball court and we hope it would help Zaky and help ourselves; another game that is difficult to watch is really too hard to bear.

We arrived on time this morning at 10.30am. I was glad to see more of his team mates including a girl with superb ball handling skills; I had been secretly watching her during training when she turns up. She is definitely a joy to watch.

There was some waiting and the team hit the court directly after the other teams were done.

While there were more and stronger players this time on Zaky's team, the other team still ended up stronger - in skills and physics. At the start, things were looking optimistic and Zaky was playing well. Yeah, he listened to what we told him. The girl was really an asset to his team. Her ball sense and control was so good!

However, when fatigue sets in, which didn't take too long, Zaky obviously wasn't thinking. The game got harder and harder to watch. Zzzzzz.

From the game, it was obvious that Zaky's ball controlling skill sucks. Whenever he gets the ball, he dribbles for at most 3x, then he was eager to pass the ball regardless of whether he was tackled. In addition, he didn't look at where his team mates were and simply blindly throw the ball. Out of the 5 balls that he passed, 4 of them were threw directly to his opponent. Faint!

His team got thrashed again - 20 to 2. The 2 points were scored at the very last minute. Heng ah. While his team was bigger and stronger this time, they were all like playing the basketball game individually. Zzzzz. Only the girl was at times partnering with another stronger boy.

We again had harsh words for Zaky after the game today but also praised that he did better but only in the beginning of the game. I so think that he should work on his dribbling skills. Secret training on the way.

Mummy Lim

School Overseas Immersion Trip Briefing

Unlike some primary schools that allowed the entire P5 to go for overseas immersion program, Lil Shauna's school is selective. The children were allowed to make 2 choices out of Beijing, Hong Kong and Brunei.

Lil Shauna wanted so much to go Beijing but she was not selected. It wasn't that easy; the kids had to go through interview somemore. One of the questions was whether she is a picky eater. Zaky would have failed the interview already. Haha. Lil Shauna also opted for Brunei bcos we had been to HKG so many times and the HKG trip was supposed to be in June and might clash with our June holiday. The HKG trip was eventually canceled and all the kids were made to go to Brunei instead. She was also selected for Brunei.

The trip is to take place in the last week of school. Zaky was full of envy bcos jiejie didn't have to go to school. Haha. Envy for the wrong reasons. In prep of the trip, a briefing was held from 5pm to 7pm today.

I already told Lil Shauna that I would be late. I walked into the crowded room at 5.40pm and the briefing was already underway. The briefing was intended for both the parents and students - I found it so boring. Lol. Fortunately, the briefing ended by 6pm and the rest of the time was kept for Q&A. There were the usual questions - how many per room, can they bring hp, how kind of food, etc.

I was so glad that there weren't many questions and the session ended before 6.30pm. I asked Lil Shauna what happened before I arrived and she said nothing much. Heng ah I didn't come on time.

While the school encouraged the students not to bring phone, it was not restricted so I told Lil Shauna to bring. Hoho. During the briefing, the teacher also discouraged snacks. Discouraged only - bring! Lol. I mean, how nice it is to be able to munch on potatoe chips and watch TV on the bed in the hotel at night. Hohoho.

Lil Shauna is very much looking forward to the trip, which is the exactly opposite of how she felt when she was told that she was selected for Brunei. She wasn't sure if she should go for the trip bcos Brunei sounded so boring as compared to Beijing or HKG. But now, she is so excited bcos it is like a 4 nights of sleepover with her friend. Lol.

I have not much worries about Lil Shauna. She is so independent. While I cannot trust that she would bring back everything (she lost the whole shower bag during the P5 camp), I am sure she can take care of herself.

Mummy Lim

Mambo!

In my entire clubbing life, I had only been to Mambo once. I was never a Mambo fan bcos I so dislike big disco clubs in the past like Zouk. Moreover, retro music was plentiful then and there was no need to go to Mambo. Tell me about Mdm Wong and Ridleys and my eyes sparkle. Ya, I just like the cosyness of those small little clubs.

Nowadays, clubbing is infrequent and the biggest headache is always where to go that has a right-age crowd. There had been clubs that we tried that were disappointments and a double whammy when clubbing dates are already so rare.

I had been seeing posts of Mambo and something in me stirred. I mean, how often do we hear retro music in clubs now? Even if a familiar retro tune is played, one has to suppress that excitement to prevent an instant revelation of age. Lol. I shared that desire with Aunty S and SL. Aunty S still thought that Mambo happens weekly on Wednesday night until I reminded her that it wouldn't work - there wouldn't be enough crowd bcos the people who would go Mambo now are likely with good earning power but low in energy. These people would not tahan clubbing on Wednesday night and on weekly basis. Hohoho.

The date was on despite Aunty SL's absence. She is even more remote a Mambo/ retro fan. We agreed to meet at Clarke Quay at 10.30pm. I was still at the NUSS club with the Chan Family at 8.30pm and had to drag the kids off despite their pleads for 5 more mins of playtime. I also want my Mambo playtime.

It was a mad rush and Daddy Lim was so nice to send me. He was actually full of envy; he wanted to go Mambo too but no kakis. I wasn't going to bring him when it was a solo date with Auntie S. He ended up with a lonely pint of beer somewhere before heading home. Hoho.

The night was still very young at 10.30pm at Clarke Quay on a Sunday night even though it was a PH eve. It was also nearing Halloween and we saw a couple of Chinese vampines here and some skeletons there.

We took a little walk around Clarke Quay but there wasn't much to see and I got reprimanded for making Aunty S walked in the drizzle bcos it will upset her beautifully  set hair. Haha. We decided to enter Zouk at 10.45pm to absolutely no Q at the door. The cover was $35 each for 2 house pours.

Like all other clubs at 10.30pm, Zouk was empty and we took our time to explore. We were the absolute mountain tortises, visiting the new Zouk for the very 1st time.

We obviously weren't the only ones; there were many others taking pictures in front of the iconic Mambo Jumbo sign.

We happily parked ourselves at the speakers at the side of the dance floor. The loud music didn't upset us probably bcos our hearing had already deteriorated with age. Lol. What was upsetting was the fact that the "speakers" were subsequently "shared" by others. It was the typical "slowly inching" in moves that we were once familiar with. The DJ started at 11pm but it wasn't nearing midnight that the better retro music really came on.

It got too squeezey and we headed to the dance floor. It was my almost 1st experience in Mambo. With every other songs that the DJ played, I started asking Aunty S if it was retro bcos they sounded so unfamiliar. Zouk still has that 2 iconic platform islands in the middle of the dance floor. When the clock struck 12, the platforms were crowded... but with middle age men doing the typical Mambo moves!

Aunty S said that it was different in the past where men and ladies (mostly ladies) crowd the platform, even if those men on those platform were 20 YOs younger. Lol. They weren't really dancing but like doing sign language with a little bit of body suaying. They basically know like every word of the songs and every word has like an action, including Oooooo and Ahhhhh. The moves were largely synchronise but it was plainly weird to see a huge group of bulky (not only muscles) men doing that. The best part? They all looked damn proud of what they were doing. Hohoho. I couldn't help but feel disgraceful of my generation for a while. Hahaha.

The dance floor got crowded after a while too. It just wasn't Aunty S and my style. We left the dance floor for our 2nd glass of bourbon coke and found heaven at one side of the dance floor, where we stayed through the night. It was just right; there was enough space and we could see the platforms and DJ though at a distant. The groups around us were nice people too. Bingo! Oh, we totally blend into the crowd and feel very young somemore. I told the shortsighted Aunty S that the average age is at least 35 YO. Hoho.

As the night progressed, the retro songs become more and more happening. Aunty S was super high that the "Mambo move man" beside us was so impressed and she even earned us some free drinks. It was some sour plum premixed that I googled and is supposed to be one of Zouk's special drinks. It tasted very sour plum, sweet and it left sticky residue. Aunty S generously took my half a shot glass on top of the shot glass that she was offered. Yes, after being away from alcohol for such a long time, I am not adventurous, sour plum or not. She said that it has no kick and she barely tasted the alcohol even after several other shot glasses. Power siah.

The happening retro music was slowly replaced by less happening ones and it was also nearing the time to head home. We left Zouk at about 3am to a long taxi Q. Every other taxi was changing shift and the poor security manning the taxi Q was busy calling out the destination. Also bcos of that, I found a stranger to share cab. More coincidentally, the stranger live in Centris too! He eventually paid for the fare and refused to take my share. Woohoo!

Overall, it was a great night. I had a terrible backache the next day from the prolong standing; Aunty S was already complaining of bad knees the moment we left Zouk. Hoho. I already told her that we would head to the next Mambo. Yay!

Mummy Lim

WWF with Kids and Ice Skating 188: Dead

Somebody asked if anybody knew how to ride to Coney island and back via PCN. Upon hearing that the next ride would be via the PCN, Daddy Lim got very excited (much, much more than I was) and asked if we could bring the kids.

We did bring the kids but we didn't go to Coney Island bcos it is a freaking 90km route and our kids are not trained for that kind of distant. It was decided that we would head to the Bukit Brown cemetery instead via mainly pavement and PCN. Spooky!

PCN = slower speed and with kids = crawling speed. Other than our kids, the ride leader also brought his son and the other riders joining the ride were reminded that we would be crawling on this ride. To make up for the "long' ride, we started at 6am, 30 mins earlier than usual

The kids were very excited and it was easy to get them out of bed. I was hoping that their excitement would last throughout the ride. Yes, I was worried, particularly Zaky. We know how he can whine when he is hungry and tired. Not fun.

We were up at 5am and kids at 5.30am so that we would be on time. We were slightly early and the kids ran off to the nearby playground. Ya, at barely 6am in the morning.

While the intention was to use the PCN, we had to 1st find a way to get to the PCN and ended up riding on the road.. all the way until Chevron!

The kids had rode on the road before but usually on isolated roads and for short distant. We did that in Sunshine Coast too and their poor mother almost lost her heart. This time, it was very different. The kids were very well protected with adults in front, behind and beside them and they the totally enjoyed the experience. By the way, the ride leader son is a teenager at 15 YO and used to road riding having done RI with his Dad on several occasions.

The other riders were so patient and nicely rode at 15 to 18km/hr. I was so surprised that nobody fell off their bike due to the slow pace. Haha.

The PCNs were much welcome and were fairly empty in the early morning. We came across a whole family of otters crossing the cannel!

We hit back the road after the PNC at Buona Vista. Soon after we got on the road, it was up and down slope + hit repeat. At the initial steeper slope, Zaky finally gave up and stopped midway. It took a lot of encouragement before he began riding again up the slope and we eventually caught up bcos the rest nicely slowed down to wait for us. It didn't help that he has a kiddy mountain bike.

With each upslope that we encountered, I heard more and more of Zaky's whine and I was so worried that he would really give up. Lil Shauna was a champ and was riding in sync with the group. Fortunately, Zaky pressed on and we eventually arrived at Bukit Brown.

It was another fortunate that the sun was shining brightly and there was nothing spooky about Bukit Brown.

Until we saw what appeared like a horse appearing from one of the misty lanes. Seriously, a rider and horse in the cemetery? I got reminded of the jack'OLantern.

It turned out to be real and the lady kindly stopped for us to admire the horse. It was beautiful.

We did a quick tour of Bukit Brown before the most favorite activity - bfast, at the Adams Road Hawker Center. Zaky insisted on the nasi lemak. There were several stalls selling nasi lemak but were all awkfully slow. Zzzzzz.

The ride back was uneventful but Zaky's energy was also draining and I had to keep reminding him to pedal harder and not hold up the whole group.

We made it home safe and sound - 41.6km, completed in about 4 hours with bfast break. Not too bad.

It was indeed tiring for the kids. The moment they were home, they went for calories loading.

That was not the end for Lil Shauna. Not long after we were home, she had to go for round 2 - her ice skating class. Even before we arrived at the ice, I heard her grumble about how tired her arms and legs were. Ohoh.. never a good sign.

As expected, lesson was lousy. She claimed that she was tired and there were too many people. Zzzzz.

I know that it was indeed tired but I really need to grumble - she had been stuck at her axle jump, camel and broken leg spins for like months! Yawn.

Mummy Lim