BBQ Cheap Thrill

I had been toying with the idea of getting one of those disposable BBQ sets since it had been months we last BBQ. It is not about eating BBQ food but the act of it. Yay, cheap thrill. Hoho. 

There are plentiful of such on Lazada and we got one for $20+. 

We finally got down to using it last Friday. Lil Shauna even happily went grocery shopping with me to buy the unhealthy BBQ hotdogs, bacons, satays, marshmallows... 

The set up is easy. Zaky got the set done up by himself. The instructions are all in Chinese but the illustrating pictures do the trick.

The black discs looked like charcoal but I think they are not. There is no open fire. When one of it is lit, there are little fire sparks that is then past from one to another. When all those black discs turned grey, the set is ready for BBQ. It didn't take long for the entire set to be lit. 

We were all very excited. Haha. 

As you can tell from some of the chao-tar food above, the "fire" is hot enough to cook the food properly. Most of our hotdogs and what nots are cooked food anyway. 

The BBQ set is supposed to last about 1 to 1.5hour. We were all full and done before that. What didn't last were those bamboo sticks that act somewhat as the BBQ grill. The fats from the food created extra heat and a lot of smoke when dripped on the black fuel. Ended up, a few of them broke from the heat and we had to substitute them with the sticks that were placed on extreme ends and less exposed. 

The disposal was easy too. Simply wait for everything to cool down and then throw! It was a fun dinner and the kids are asking to do it again. The set comes with an extra pack of those black fuels that we didn't use and would probably purchase another box (only) to use up those fuels. 

Two school holiday weekends has gone by. For some reason, once the midpoint mark is passed, what is left will pass very quickly. I had been reminding the kids to treasure what's left. Hoho. Just like the last weekend that the Fs came for sleepover, our kids go over to their place this time. 

Another 2-person law abiding sleepover. 

The kids say that sleeping over at their place is more fun than in our house. Can, can, go lah, go lah. Hohoho. 

Happy School Holidays!

Mummy Lim

Jiejie's New Toy

They are finally here!

In my previous post, I blogged about the possible temporary closure of the rink for renovation and how Lil Shauna was lured by Zaky's aggro skates. After multiple researches, we finally bought our Inline Artistic Skates. Woohoo!

Not only does this comes after much research and knocking into walls, it is also very expensive. I was referred to several overseas websites. The boots and frame come separately, just like advance level ice skates. Wait... this is ice skating boots to begin with.

Online purchases always come with a risk of wrong sizing. It is worse when it is from overseas. Then the overseas vendor takes so long to reply. Aiyo! I explored the option of buying only the frame to mount on Lil Shauna's old ice skating boots but that would mean that I would not have pro looking ice skates to skate with the kids on Sunday pm. 

Again while browsing Carousel, I saw another pair of Edea Chorus, which is the exact same combination as what Lil Shauna is wearing for ice now. This pair is older but cheaper at $300. Hohoho. The seller has stopped skating for over a year and the skates are still in very good condition. Buy!

Then I reached out to one of the ice skaters (Y) who has recently started inline artistic skating, with the intention to ask about the Golden Horse frame that she is using. I also know that she does ice blade and inline frame mounting service. She gave me fantastic advice, telling me the difference between the Presto and Advant Lt frame. The former is the generation 1 and the latter is the improved version with rocker, which mimics skating on ice better. Ahhhh... I also found out that she is able to help to order and mount the frame. Zzzzzzz... Her experience will save me so much trouble. I should have been thicker skin and ask since the beginning.

So voila! She helped to order the right frame size and we paid $399 for the Advant Lt frame and another $25 for mounting. I know, so expensive right. Ouch! 

Golden Horse is a Taiwanese brand and it carries ice skates too. The inline frame is actually gold in color but Y helped us to spray paint it silver. 

We collected the skates on Sunday afternoon and the Lil Shauna was eager to try them. We found an opened are near to Y's home. 

It wasnt too bad an experience. Lil Shauna was able to do the basic footwork, as well as most of the single jumps. While the kids are well-protected, the new skates are not. Her boot were scratched after a few failed axel jump attempts. Time to look for cover. 

On Sunday, we were carrying  a total of 5 pairs of skates - 3 ice and 2 land. So many skates. Hohoho. 

Mummy Lim

Law Abiding Sleepover

If it is not for the heightened phase, the kids and I would be on the Royal Caribbean cruise now with the other 2 families. Our trip was automatically cancelled bcos of the max 2 pax grouping. The kids and I are already 3. Zzzzzzz. 

The heightened phase has been tough. Daddy Lim and I were just discussing about how this feels more difficult than the lockdown. We concluded that humans are forgetful and forgotten how painful the lockdown really had been plus the fatigue from the never ending social restrictions since one over year ago. #痛苦

It is worse that the restrictive mode are both on last and this June holidays. The kids had been rotting at home. While they are still happy that school holidays had just started, I had to remind them how fast days pass when there is no school. Soon, they will be lamenting that they haven't done anything exciting during the June holidays. I feel them. Life has been tough with no overseas holidays plus lockdown with the kids while I WFH. I should close my eyes to their excessive gadget uses to save my sanity. 

To help to inject some enjoyment to their school holidays, we invited the 2 Fs for a sleepover last weekend. We are law abiding, just nice 2 persons. They were here on Saturday and left on Sunday noon when we headed to the rink. 

True be told, they didn't do much. Many a times, I saw all 4 of them hooked on the various forms of gadgets. Close eye, close eye, don't see, don't see. We did some nerds, which they lost interest quickly and went back to their gadgets. Zzzzz. 

The kids all huddled in Zaky's room for the night. I went to bed fairly early to prep for Sunday's early ride and heard they were doing crazy stuff in the balcony. The crazy stuff of course continued in the bedroom including hiding in the wardrobe. My heart... dont spoil the wardrobe lah. 

They went to bed after midnight with crazy lights. Zaky even spent the night on the beanbag. 

Next weekend, it is to the Fs' house. Hohoho. 

Mummy Lim

When It Pours

I remember the times when LV was still under construction. We would drive to the construction site, trying to guess if our lake view would be blocked by the upcoming condo next door. Fortunately, we still have great views of the lake from our balcony. 

Daddy Lim and I talked about having coffee and taking breaks while appreciating the nice views. Well, that did take place occasionally. 

What we didn't expect is the howling wind and splashing rain during thunderstorms. I think these come with the so-called unblocked views; nothing to block the wind and rain too. We have installed blinds at the balcony only to now realise that the cables that hold the blinds and are drilled to the ceiling/ floor, are no fight to the wind. The cables have come loose a few times and it is a heartache trying to get the contractor to repair them. We were told that we shouldn't use the blinds during thunderstorm. Huh? Then the blinds for sun only ah? Recently, another cable has come loose during a thunderstorm. Haiz. 

With the long WFH arrangement, I have personally witnessed the many storms. They come so quickly. 

This is the warning for us to go and closed all the bedroom windows. The bedroom windows are angled in such a way that basically invites the rain. Such hospitality. 

The thunderstorms are mercilessly. 

At times, I wonder if the rain would bash and damage the balcony. I lost count of the times that the window blown down the clothes rack and invite Popo's wrath. 

One day, when I finally gets irritated enough of the lousy blinds, we would get rid of them and install the atas zip tracks ones. I heard that is so much hardier but also so much more expensive. 

Mummy Lim

I also Ice Skating

Once upon a time, I was on the ice weekly to help Lil Shauna practice. Soon, she got too advance for me to give her practical help and my role was converted to rink-side tuition teacher, telling her to do this and that when I personally can't. Hohoho. 

Once upon a time again, I was doing core 3 group lessons with Zaky and started dreaming that I could continue learning ice skating and advance. It is indeed a dream and I woke up shortly. I only did core 3 and didn't progress. Falling down was too difficult to overcome but I constantly tell the kids that falling down is part and parcel of learning. Do what I say, not what I do. Hoho.

Lil Shauna finally moved on to her new skates and her old Jackson Freestyle was calling out to me. I also dreamt of inheriting them when Lil Shauna outgrown them. I finally wore them and hit the ice 2 Sundays ago. 

For 2 consecutive Sunday afternoons, I was on the ice with the kids without sticking together to abide to the law. It took me some time to get used to the skates but I think I started skating better in them last Sunday. Practice makes perfect. Yay! Slowly, I was trying my crossovers and learning how to do mohawk. What looked so easy for the kids were so tough. My body and feet were not listening to me to do what they are supposed to. 

While it was overall fun, I fell 2x. The 1st while trying to do a crossover and I tripped over my own skates. The 2nd, Zaky was "holding my hand" and asking me to do a bunny hop. I cant feel my toe pick and he didn't have the strength to hold me when I fell. Zzzzzzz.. while I didn't break any bones both times, I thought I had post-trauma aches later in the day. #oldbones

I think it is more enjoyable looking at the kids skate on the spectator seats. Hoho. 

At least I have funky socks to go skating. Hoho. 

Mummy Lim

New Sunday Routine

With HBL and the new restrictions, we had been staying home more than usual, like we should. The usual Sunday morning ride with Daddy Lim resumes bcos I cannot tolerate another run/ HIIT on weekend morning. Haha. 

I like this picture, the positioning and angle is so right and we look so skinny. Hohoho. 

While ice skating classes are off, we resumed ice time so that the kids can continue practicing and not forget too much when classes resumed. Lil Shauna needed to break into her new skates too. There isn't much place to roam while the kids are in the rink, so I decided to join the kids on ice. I could now use Lil Shauna's old skates; it had always been my dream to do so when she grows out of them. Hoho. 

I was worried. It had been a long while since I stepped on the ice + unfamiliar skates. I really don't want to fall down, dramatic or not. Haha. The feel is very different, just like what Lil Shauna had been mumbling about the whole of Saturday ice. But I can at least verbalized the difference, unlike Lil Shauna who can't even feel her toes. Lol. In comparison to the rental skates, the Jackson skates appear to slope slightly down in front. The toe pick is also bigger/ nearer to the ice such that I kept poking the toe pick into the ice in the beginning when I stroke. That is like super dangerous, like suddenly jam brake. Luckily, Zaky rescued me but he is also like a constant danger to me and I have to keep asking him to stay away 3m from me, like social distancing. Lol. 

I am proud to say that I didn't fall. Hoho. I managed to get used to the Jackson skates. Of course I cannot do fanciful stunts like the kids. At least, I managed a wobbly right cross over. Baby steps, baby steps. 

There wasn't much to do after ice skating and we basically nuah the afternoon and night away. I actually do that very well. Hoho. I have also contacted the inline artistic vendor but it is taking them so long to come back. Aiyo. I am also thinking that I should keep Lil Shauna's skates for myself. Hehehe. So many decisions. Let's see how it goes. 

Meanwhile, I have also I inherited Lil Shauna's old pair of sneakers. So strange, not supposed to be I pass to her meh? 

Mummy Lim

New Skates!

Not too long ago, Coach informed that the ice skating lessons will cease for all below 18yo and the rink is out of bounds too. #sadlife. Luckily, the sports council soon clarified that lessons stopped but those under 18 yo are free to go to the rink as public skaters. 

On a separate note, Lil Shauna has been super lured after seeing Zaky with his new aggro skates. She finally asked us to get her a pair as her bday present. I had also been toying with the idea of buying her a pair of inline artistic skates. These are different from inline blades, they are a cross between inline blades and roller skates with a huge stopper in front to mimic skating on ice but off ice. The wheels are mounted on ice skating boots and look like this.

Ice skating boots are very expensive so these inline artistic skates are expensive. There are a couple of brands in the market and very much unknown of in Singapore. 

These will come in handy when the rink closes for renovation. We were told that the rink is scheduled for a 12 to 18 months long renovation come July but Coach says that he hasn't heard any concrete news from the rink. He also said that these inline artistic skates feel very different and many ice skaters didn't quite like the feel. But when push comes to shove, bo bian right? 

Coincidentally, I got to IG-friend a few ice skaters who are also into these inline artistic skates. That started my whole research into these skates. We can't get them locally and needed to ship from overseas. I was recommended a website and was about to purchase the boots and wheel frame to suddenly realise that Lil Shauna's current ice skates are also very worn. Checking back, she had been wearing them since December 2018. She used to change her skates every 1 to 1.5 year. Her feet stopped growing and she didn't outgrow this pair.

Switching gear into ice skates research, I realised that her current skates, which we bought for $520 - Jackson Freestyle + Jackson Aspire XP blades - are "entry" skates for advance skaters. They are good to bring her into axel, which also means that she needed better upgraded skates to bring her to the next level of skating. More advance skates are tougher and protects better. This brings us to plan B, new ice skates and only buying the inline artistic wheels and frame to mount onto her current Jackson skates. I is clever. 

After checking with a different Coach, who sold her the current skates, we were recommended the Jackson Premiere boots + MK professional blades. Total cost = $900!!! Coach Raymond recommended the Edea Chorus boots and Coronation Arc blades. I saw those at $750. Zzzzzzzz.. It would have cost us less if we bought them online and shipped over but always with a big risk for mis-sizing. Lil Shauna has always been wearing Jackson skates and we don't know the sizing for Edea skates.

I am a Carousel shopper and had been lurking and looking for good ice skates stuff after buying Zaky's Jackson Mystic skates from Carousel. Coincidentally, I saw the exact almost new Edea combi skates going for $550. The best part, the seller is one whom Lil Shauna had been following on IG and often saw in the rink. The Edea skates are size 24.5. We decided to meet at the rink y'day to try out the skates. The seller had only worn them once and while the sizing is right, they are too narrow for her. 

Jackson skates are much wider but Lil Shauna's feet aren't that wide actually. Edea skates are very snugged and narrow. Lil Shauna was so surprised when she tried on the skates. She kept saying that it feels so different. I was trying to ascertain if the sizing is right. She definitely has to get used to the skates and break into them but the sizing must be right. She cannot feel her toes. Zzzzz. I lost track of the times that I asked her if her toes were scrunched up. 

She got to skate in them to try out. I still remember how painful it was when she tried to break into her Jackson skates. While on ice, she kept telling me how different they are. I know. What I wanted to know is if her toes are touching the tip of the boots lah. It was after some skater ladies whom I had befriended (afterall, I had lingered in the rink for so many years) and on the same Edea skates enlightened that the toe pick is further from the ice and that the rocker is a 7" (her current are 8") that Lil Shauna could see some light. By the way, I have no idea what those means. 

Eventually, Lil Shauna could feel her toes and confirmed that the sizing is right. Yay! 

We got them. Hoho. 

Lil Shauna continued to skate in them for the rest of the session. Coach saw her trying the skates and asked if they fit. They do and while Lil Shauna kept saying they they feel very different, I thought that she got used to them fairly quickly. She didn't look like she was struggling and was soon able to do her spins (except camel) and even axel and double salchow (only 1) jumps in them. She did complain that her poor pinky toes hurt. I know right. I heard that Edea skates are a lot easier to break into. Let's hope so. 

Now, it is back to the inline artistic skates research. 

Mummy Lim

Covid Restrictions

First it was the gym, then it was the 2 person rule. Not long after, HBL kicks in and all tuition and enrichment classes turn online. The kids' ice skating classes are deemed as indoor activities and ceased for all under 18 yo. Ouch..

Daddy Lim and I had our 1st 2 persons ride last Sunday since a long time ago. 

It wasn't too bad, just that we had to take turns blocking the wind. 

For the last 2 weeks, I had been alternating between HIIT and jogging bcos of the closed gym and I am so sick of both. Hoho. Such that even when it has to be a solo ride and the sky was threatening to rain, I pressed ahead this morning. 

The sky was super gloomy and it was drizzling throughout. While no rain, the wind was super strong that I scared myself silly a few times being blown off course. Serious... I had planned to uturn at Lau Pat Sat but the sky was too threatening and I turned back at Lab Park instead. Coincidentally, I met one of the usual ka riders. Hoho. 

Having a companion to ride with really make a whole world of difference. The return trip was so much more enjoyable. On the way back, it looked like the sky has cleared at JW side and we intended to extend our ride only to be hit with a thick drizzle. Safety 1st, no point trying to risk against wet roads. 

How was HBL? One year back, HBL was horrible trying to coordinate the timetable and the use of laptops between the kids. Lil Shauna is a lot more independent now and kept herself in the room. The only times that I see her are during recess, lunch and PE lesson where she had to do crazy stuff. Hoho. Zaky still needed a fair bit of help. 

This is my "work buddy". Most of the times, there aren't enough stuff to take up the full period and my work buddy ended up sneaking in TV, gaming and handphone time. At times like that, it is best to close both eyes and ignore to keep one's sanity. My work buddy watched so much TV that he missed out on a zoom lesson. Hahaha. 

While Lil Shauna is very much confined to her room, she had to do her eCCA in the living room. 

Ya, with shoes. Ya, Popo went crazy. Too bad that her expensive netball shoes are not meant to be washed. They didn't look too dirty to me actually but that didn't stop Popo from wiping down the whole floor after that. I see no evil, live longer. 

Let's hope that the Covid cases will come down soon and we will soon be back to the new normal. 

Mummy Lim

Cooks!

I always know that I am courting my own death if I ever agree to the kids' plead for a pet. I thought they had became more 懂事 and responsible after seeing how Zaky look after the pet fishes. 骗人的 and I got 骗... 

We got Cookie in early November 2020. There was so much excitement then. The excitement died down as quickly as it come. Zzzzz. Soon, it turned out that I got the honorary weekly cleaning duties. Not fair!

This is how the routine goes. Somebody, usually not me, will feed Cookie in the morning. I already got the cleaning duty and refused to take on the feeding duty. His cage gets wash once a week on Sunday morning. Most of the time, everybody chipped in to help. Everybody also volunteered to look after Cookie as a way of helping when his cage gets cleaned. Zzzzzzz. So clever. 

His cage would be clean and freshen up with new sand and bedding while his tunnels are left out to dry. I will then fix his tunnels, which he absolutely adores, usually on Tuesday. This had been going on for months. 

He rarely gets to run outside of his cage bcos it is so difficult to watch over a little, fast thing and make sure that it is not running to where he shouldn't. Occasionally, somebody will take him out of his cage for some affectionate time. Fortunately, Cooks loves his cage and even refuses to come out sometimes. 

Y'day morning, he had the rare occasion to run around under my watchful eye. 

He is so cute. Hohoho. He looks like one of those cocktail sausages. 

Mummy Lim

Another Oral Ordeal - Cracked Tooth Part 4

It had been 2 months since my last review. The instruction was to eat normally and I did just that. 

The last review, I told the dentist that I felt sensation in the tooth upon impact. That feeling is long gone. The tooth doesn't hurt too when I chew but it is also shorter than the rest and I am not sure how much of the "not pain" is bcos I am not using it. It doesn't hurt to hot or cold food/ drinks too. It all sounds good right? But periodically, it hurts upon contact with no apparent reason. Just last week, it hurt badly an entire day, even when I brush my teeth and rinse. I still eat very well though. Hoho. 

I was hoping for a next step, a closure but I had none. The dentist is still unable to conclusively diagnose the problem. The metal banding didn't 100% eliminate the pain, which means that crowding wouldn't too. The alternative is a root canal that always come with a 50% success rate in the longer run and this dentist is super pro extraction and implant. Sound so scary already.

He said that I should explore my options and decide. He even suggested for me to seek a 2nd opinion or to wait and see since there is no major pain now. The metal band is not a solution. There might suddenly be a day that the pain comes back bcos the crack is aggravated or infection. Then I will know that I have ran out of time. Zzzzz. 

I haven't decide. I am thinking of a 2nd opinion and will wait until the Covid situation is better. I wasn't even given a review date. Meanwhile, let's pray that the tooth will hold up. Hohoho. I hate dentist. 

Mummy Lim