Working Out

The gym and pool are a stone throw away. There is no reason why I am not exercising. I had been trying to lug myself onto the treadmill once a week, usually on early weekend mornings. 

The gym was under renovation for a month and I opted to swim instead. The chill was tolerable. I just swam so slowly that I got bored at my own swimming. Lol. Suddenly, I wanted so much to be back on treadmill despite how much I hated jogging. At least jogging can be completed within 30 mins. 长痛不如短痛.

The gym was finally available but I still missed working out for 2 weeks. It is so easy to find an excuse to miss sessions. One particular weekend, Daddy Lim didn't woke me up bcos it was raining. Yes, he forgot that the treadmill is in the gym and that it is sheltered. Lol. See, such bizarre reason. 

After 2 weeks of being lazy, I managed to lug myself back into the gym. I was worried that I couldn't run after stopping for such a long time. Amazingly, the swimming must have helped. On Saturday, I completed 3 km on her treadmill. On Sunday, I did another 3km on the step machine despite the muscle ache. I was on leave on Monday and didn't want to lose the momentum. I completed another 3.6km on the treadmill. By then, my leg muscles were screaming.

Just when I was feeling so proud of myself, I saw that the man who was on the treadmill beside me had competed 10km! That was my 3 days combined. Lol. How come other people can run until so shiok ah? I shall be contented to be able to complete 3km each time. Hahaha. 

Mummy Lim

Good Enough

I walked past this "Korean Diaso" yday and couldn't help but bought 2 sets of imitation lego. I bet it would be good for entertaining kids during long dinner and they are so cheap! I am so right. Mummy instinct full throttle.

We used it during dinner yday. While the adults chatted, the kids were well-entertained. No noise, no boring kids. The kids didn't manage to complete it in 1 setting.

Today, we had 2 hours to burn after church and before TKD class. Clever mummy brought along the "lego". We had a light lunch at Starbucks and what is better than burning time by completing the sets.

The pieces don't fit perfectly like lego; the instruction manual sucks too. Well, what can we expect with peanuts?

Zaky struggled with the set and preferred the role of finding the pieces for the adults. Lil Shauna did fantastic.

Finally!

I will buy another 2 sets for the Malaysia trip. It is afterall so cheap.

Mummy Lim

One More Level Up!

It had been 2 weeks since the grading test, which also mean result day. The little boy is wavering between feeling confident and worry. Lol.

I assured him that it is fine even if he doesnt pass; he can always try again. I am quite sure that he would do fine as he was so confident right after the grading test. Last week, he even showed me the new foot work that he had learned.

He specifically asked me not to fish out my mobile phone for picture if he didn't pass. Bcos he will pai seh. So funny.

Did he pass?

He was so, so proud. I am sure the blue tip belt just gave him new motivation to continue working hard. Sorry ice skating.

He looked so cute in the class of big kids. There were so many red belts.

By the way, it was a great choice to switch him to the kids class. There are so many upper level kids and only 2 blue tip thus he had so much attention from the master, which was so different from the past. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

Pinky Lips

I have a problem with lipstick. Ok, the problem is with my lips. I often drooled at how some can carry colors on their lips so beautifully; different color, texture and all. So kissable. I am never able to achieve anything close to that.

The only time that I wore lipstick was during the teenager years, when I started experimenting with colors on my face. I am quite sure the result wasn't fantastic but a teenager's ego can blind quite some truth. Over the years, I barely own any lipstick. Age caught up and I needed lip balm, opting those colorless ones; I don't need attention to my fat lips.

The K- pop culture is to blame. One day, a colleague came in with such delicious lips and she gave credits to this different tone lipstick. Suddenly, I was excited again to try. On the business trip to Vietnam, I combed the DFS but didn't find what I wanted. I just needed to buy something and got a normal lipstick and was very dissatisfied.

The same colleague is super nice and gifted me this. Hehe.

Pinky lips yet not overbearing. I heart. Thank you babe!

Mummy Lim

More Fun with Friends

Lil Shauna has no class today. Teacher Raymond is away. Nevertheless, we were at the ice for practice. She saw her ex-school mates and one of the mummies was full of praises for her. She silently took in the ego booster. Lol. Shy but not shy lah.

She didn't talk much to her ex-school mates and opted to practice on her own most of the time.  It was tough though. She complained about the bumpy ice and how boring it was. The machine is still down and the ice was horrible.

Then, she met XY and she was overjoyed. Despite not meeting on ice frequently, they were very comfortable in each other's presence. They part play and part practice. I always like it when she has this kind of companion, practice becomes so effortless.

Lil Shauna enjoyed herself so much and time suddenly passed so quickly. She even didn't want to go when the session was up and asked to stay while more.

We waited for the poor crew to shovel the ice. It had been 3 weeks since the machine was down.

For a while, I thought it was winter and snowing in Singapore. Look at the amount of ice they scrapped off.

It is always so much more fun when you do it with friends.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating and Core 3

As expected, Lil Shauna didn't do well during off ice training last Sunday after a long break. Ok, “didn't do well” is an understatement. It didn't help that there were only 3 of them, which mean that they got extras.

I did get to check with the kids’ mummy and was told that they did well in the competition and won medals. It was easier for the boy as there aren’t many male ice skaters. The girl, in my opinion, is talented and hardworking. The mummy showed me video of the competitors and remarked that the competitors for this competition, though from SEA, are generally not strong. I showed the video of a “weak” competitor to Lil Shauna, hoping that it would boost her confidence.

Seriously, she needs to start joining competition. Teacher Raymond also reckoned that she is more than ready. It is not that I want her to win medals (Ok, I did had that little dream) but competitions will give them a goal to look forward to, to spur them on. I have been told countless times by the gang’s parents that the kids’ passion towards ice skating deepen with each competition and they found stronger natural drives to push themselves. Once the kids started, it seem like they can’t stop. They also noticed that the kids’ performance after each competition leapt. We definitely needed that; Lil Shauna seriously lacks the drive and had been either plateauing in her performance or inching so very slowly forward.

After off ice, I asked Lil Shauna about her fear and she said that she didn't want to fall down in front of others. Of course I tried to assure her that such things do happen and it can happened to anyone; she shouldn't be hampered bcos of that. I asked if she would join the next competition and she said that she would. The video is working its magic. But I have a sense of deja-vu. Hey, we had similar conversations before and she eventually backed out. Chey. Let’s hope that I get lucky this time.

Now, the little boy. Teacher Raymond seems keen on the boy and asked me why I didn’t sign him up on Core 3. I hope he sees potential in Zaky rather than revenue. Haha. I said that I needed a rest. I really do. It is very tiring trying to handle 2 kids on the ice; one who throws tantrum bcos he couldn't do it and needed so much coaxing to practice and the other who needs me to nag so much to practice properly. Teacher Raymond encouraged me to do so soon and not to wait too long in case Zaky forgets what he has learnt in Core 2.

The little boy is still keen to progress but he is not pestering me. I think he still likes his TKD better bcos it is so much fun and he is doing so well. Know what? I have just signed him up for Core 3. He still has to make a choice by the time he hits P1 on which sports to focus on. For now, he will not get his own skates as there is a high possibility that it is TKD instead. What’s better? I have signed myself up for Core 3! Muahahaha. I have been thinking of learning ice skating proper when I saw Lil Shauna progressed to figure skating. However, I feel a little embarrassed to do this at this age. Zaky will be my perfect smoke screen. I have hidden agenda for signing Zaky up. I learn bcos my son is learning. Ah, what a perfect mum.

Mummy Lim

Need!

I don't know what happened but there is suddenly a long list of needs and every single item on the list is not cheap. Money is always not enuff. Zzzz.

1stly, remembered my watch had failed on me some moons back? Would you be amazed if I tell you that I had been wearing Lil Shauna's Smiggle watch all these while? I know I am low maintenance and it is high time to regain my image. I need a proper watch. Only Lil Shauna thinks that it is perfectly cool for me to continue wearing her Smiggle watch.

Before I manage to buy a new watch, Daddy Lim is whinning that he needs a new watch too. He had been wearing one of his expensive watches after that Seiko failed him and he wanted a "cheap" watch. His definition of "cheap" is very different from mine.

We are going for our Malaysia roadtrip in 2 weeks' time and we needed a proper GPS. For the previous Malaysia trips, we would opt for the data passport. Each activition cost $15 and consumes data. It just didn't make sense in the long run.

I need a BIGGER bag. Wait, not any bag but a big bag that is decent looking. I had been using a black bagpack for a long time. There were days where there were so many things to lug and I get frustrated trying to squeeze things into the bag or pull things out of it. Like today, I wanted to send Lil Shauna to the rink after church and before off ice. I had to resort to Daddy Lim's Dueter bag. That bag is amazing... amazingly heavy. I think it weighs a ton even when it is empty.

I also need a cap. Ok, this is a "want". Hehe.

See, so many, many things to buy.

Mummy Lim

Hamster Talk

Early yday morning, right after Zaky woke up, he asked that we go to the condo lobby some time during the day. I was rushing to leave for ice skating class with Lil Shauna and I didn't probe for reasons.

It was only during the MRT ride that Lil Shauna updated me the reason. Zaky's classmate has promised to give him a hamster and said that she would leave the hamster in a hamster cage at the lobby. The kids were very excited at the prospect of becoming pet owners whereas I was very sure that his friend lied. It is all kids' talk.

I took time to explain to Lil Shauna that we can well afford a pet. It is more the taking care. It is too troublesome to make arrangement whenever we travel and travel is my indulgence. I am not going to give up the only opportunity to regain my sainity over some dog/ cat/ hamster/ fish/ whatever.

When we met up with Zaky, I explained it all over again and told them very surely that his friend probably lied. Still, it didn't diminish their tiny little hopes.

Throughout the day, there was much hamster talks. I was so worried that the kids would be greatly disappointed when there is no hamster at the end of the day. I even promised that if the kids do well in school next year, when Zaky goes to P1, we will buy a hamster! Ok, I do hope that they would forget about the promise by the time comes. Haha. If they don't and really are motivated to work hard in school, I wouldnt mind fulfilling my promise.

So, is the hamster sitting in the lobby waiting for us? Of course not. We made our way to the lobby and reminded Zaky not to be too disappointed when he finds no hamster. He looked fine when there was none and said that he would go and question his friend back on Monday.

Sometimes, I hate such kids. Lil Shauna once had some classmate who told her that she would give her a dog. It git her so excited too but the dog never came. Zaky has classmates who told him that his parents have millions of dollars and the little boy came back and kept asking us how much we have. Aiyo!

Mummy Lim

Mine!

We finally agreed to settle with Subway for lunch yday. Lil Shauna asked for chips on top of her sandwich. We were supposed to share the lunch until... I attacked the chIpswich before her.

Somebody grew upset.

Ok lah. It was for photo effect. She did share her chips with me. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 54

We were finally back on ice after 2 weeks' break. We did attempt to practice the last 2 weeks but the little girl simply lacks motivation. It was so hard to get her to practice properly. Zzzzz.

I was worried about class. I was quite sure that class would be bad after such long time away from ice. At least the usual Mac bfast was good and I took comfort in the little joys of life. Haha.

The rink was crowded. I hated it when the rink is crowded bcos it makes it even more difficult for Lil Shauna to warm up and practice before class. I was too lazy to join her on ice. Anyway, she knew exactly what she had to do. I also think that it is high time for me to step away and for her to be independent.

Today was an interesting day. 1st of all, I chatted with the father of a boy. His boy took Core 2 with Zaky a few weeks back and had progressed to Core 3 now. He was trying to find out more about private lessons and praised how good Lil Shauna is. Ok, Lil Shauna thinks that she isnt that good as compared to her peers. Then, we met Lil Shauna's ex-schoolmates. They are taking Core 2 now and their mummies were again impressed with how good Lil Shauna is. They praised her and I could see her eyes shine.

Lil Shauna didn't practice too hard before it was time for lesson but she was feeling happy enuff to strike me a nice pose for picture. Must be all the praises.

Teacher Raymond said that the competition went great and asked Lil Shauna to join the next one. Haiz, I heard this like 4x and my neck already grew longer.

The lesson didn't go very well as I had expected. At the end of the class, Teacher Raymond asked if she was scared, lazy or no strength. She said "no strength" and I am quite sure that she would "die" in off ice tomorrow. Muakahahaha. Let's work hard to practice and I hope that the ice machine would come alive soon. It had been more than a week and the ice is super lousy. Lil Shauna complained about bumpy ice.

After class, while she was changing, I chatted up with a lady whom I noticed had been taking lessons for a while. The people taking classes are always the usual suspects. She too noticed Lil Shauna and commented that she is good. Wah, 4 persons in 1 day!

We then made our way for the library after class. While waiting for the lift, a teenager asked if Lil Shauna was Shauna. I looked at her and panicked if my pea brain was acting up; I have no recollection of who she is and was started to feel ashamed. Then she said that she had been reading our blog! She would be starting lesson with Teacher Raymond soon. Wah, I was very shocked. I never knew our blog has readers beyond the usual gang. Thank you!

Before we parted ways, she asked Lil Shauna to 加油! Yes, the little girl needed plenty of those.

See, interesting day, right? The little girl definitely is feeling pleased with herself and I hoped that it made her day as much as mine. More importantly, giving her the boost that she much needed to continue working hard for the sports.

Mummy Lim

Vietnam with No Kids

I was to go to Vietnam for a short business trip. Last year, I visited the Vietnam office in June and converted it into a family holiday. Unfortunately, it was so freaking hot and we became lazy, spending a lot of time hiding in the aircon hotel room or swimming pool.

This time, we decided to spare everyone the torture and for me to head to Vietnam alone. The trip was for 3 days - Wednesday to Friday. It was fortunate that another colleague needed to visit the Vietnam too. Companion is always good.

Like all the other business trips, I had been telling the kids way in advance to help prepare them for my absence. I did miss the kids alot on Tuesday but was all ready for 3 kid-less days by Wednesday morning. Muahahahaha. Car rides without kids are so peaceful.

The SQ flight to Vietnam was almost full. I almost completed a movie and enjoyed the flight meal. Shiok ah.

Hello, Ho Chi Minh. I was reminded of the crazy traffic.

We dropped the luggage at the hotel, had a quick lunch and started our work day. The schedule for this trip was packed. We did have time for nice dinner and shopping in the night. I tried to call the kids but they didn't sound too interested to talk to me. Apparently Youtube is more interesting. Chey.

The 1st night at the hotel took some getting used to. I was exhausted but took a long time to fall asleep. Sleep was interrupted. I gave up and woke up at 6am, opted instead to have a nice and slow bfast.

Day 2 went past in a breeze. My Vietnamese colleague brought us for authentic pho for lunch. It was so good that I only remembered to take picture only after the tummy was satisfied. The soup was unbelievable!

In the night, it was another attempt at shopping. We walk past this crowded square to the same shopping place. It makes one wonder if the people have to work the next day.

I tried again to call the kids. This time, they were quite obvious to show me that they weren't interested. T.T Sleep was a lot better.

Day 3 was done in and we headed to the airport for a 4pm flight. See how happy we were.

The SQ flight was slightly delayed. I completed the movie that I watched during the incoming flight and even had time to watch another.

I touched down at almost 7pm and reached and settled down by 8pm. For the next 3 hours until the little people went to bed, I kept hearing somebody yelling for mummy. It must be pay back time. Lol.

Overall, it was a great time.

Mummy Lim

Losing Its Lure

I was like many Singaporeans who went crazy over the Pokemons. I have to admit that it is strangely satisfying to catch Pokemon. Their cuteness must have some magic but the magic didn't last.

After a while, the desire to catch Pokemon died. It is the same old Pokemon and I have no desire to run around to catch Pokemon. I have enuff running after my own real monsters. I didn't like leveling up the Pokemons too. There is no way to conquer gyms with the crazy powerful Pokemon players around. Did they do nothing but play Pokemon?

See, the lure to play Pokemon disappeared.  I hope it means that I am sensible or maybe I am just too old to be in the targeted group that Pokemon is chasing after. So long, little monsters.

Mummy Lim

Sunday Afternoon

There were no classes after the grading test. The grading test ended earlier than I expected. I contemplated roaming the mall with the kids but nobody seems excited at the suggestion. Nobody violently objected when I suggested going home and so we did.

Still, nobody wanted to be confined at home the entire Sunday with Popo. The kids suggested rollerblading bcos they saw some kids taking lesson at an indoor inline skating center next to the TKD center. We did exactly that. It had been a long while since we rollerbladed. Happy kids.

This was our 1st attempt to do it in Centris. The pavement at Centris isn’t too bad for rollerblading.

The kids rollerblade round the pool, which wasn't big and there were some narrow paths but they did well. Zaky took some getting used to, falling down a couple of times and then he was good to go.

The weather was beautiful. Despite being midday, the sky was cloudy and it was super windy. I was happy to watch the kids going around and could do so whole day. Muahahah.

The weather was so nice that I had to join them.

It was good fun but hardly a workout; my wheels were too fast and the pavement too short for real exercise. I was enjoying myself, blading around while listening to Jay Chou until the kids took over the headphone. They enjoyed skating with music despite not knowing any of the Chinese songs on the playlist.

Lil Shauna got bored and we headed home only to change into the swim gear for more fun! Strangely, the weather took a sudden change within minutes. I was still looking forward to the cloudy and windy day only to meet the scorching sun. I could feel the heat even when I was hiding in the shade. The kids were just so happy to be in the water, escaping the heat. They played so well together and I love times like these.

As for me, I regained my Jay Chou to accompany me.

Mummy Lim

Blue Tip Grading Test

Zaky had been looking forward to his grading test. He has learnt his pattern a long time back and can't wait to go to the next level.

Daddy Lim was available to send us before he head back to the yard. We had a hearty bfast.

By the way, Daddy Lim got new image after not shaving a few days. Haha.

We were just on time and Zaky went into the center right after he was properly dressed and geared. He was in full gear and would be tested on sparring too. He said that he was anxious but he didn't look too bad.

This time, a new system was in place and the students came in batches; different timing for different belts. It was a lot less crowded and more systematic. The school continued to have a live broadcast of the tests.

Unfortunately, the resolution was very bad and I couldn't tell which was Zaky. I thought he looked like he was in the 1st batch (center 1st row).

Then, there was somebody in the 2nd batch that looked like him too.

By the 3rd batch, I gave up. Lol.  The answer? He was in the 3rd batch.

He was confident and said that he knew all his patterns. He thinks he is going to pass and happily posed for me after the test.

Even jiejie wanted to be in the fun.

One more grading test down. Results will be out in 2 weeks.

Mummy Lim