My Pandora

I finally got my Pandora last year. I had been eyeing it for a while. There was a promotion and I got the bangle and a free charm at an attractive price. I like it a lot and had been looking forward to adding more charms.

For my bday this year, I asked Daddy Lim to gift me a charm and I said that I wanted a dangling charm. We were amatuer Pandora charms shopper then and didn't know that the trick was to select from their brochure before heading to their store bcos most of their charms were hidden. 

Daddy Lim gifted me this and proudly said that it is my birth stone.

It looked quite weird when I added this to the existing charm and I thought it was bcos it was lopsided. To compensate, I gift myself another charm to balance it. This time, I did my selection via the brochure before heading to the store to test out those that I had shortlisted. Pro already leh. I had been wearing my bangle with the 3 charms since. 

Last Wednesday,  I was on half day leave to spend some time with Ah yee before she heads home. We didn't go far and ended up at JE bcos we both had to be back by 5pm. There was a fair bit of window shopping including at Pandora. We took a brochure and Ah yee started telling me that my dangling charm looks weird. She asked me if it was indeed from Pandora. Of course! It came with the box and all! 

After flipping the brochure, we realised that it was indeed the birth stone series from Pandora but it was supposed to be a pendant! Zzzzzzzz. We had a good laugh about it. 

Later that night, ah yee surprised me with a Pandora dangling charm for hosting them. Finally, a real dangling charm. Lol. It was one of the charms that I shortlisted while we were drinking coffee.

What about the birth stone? It has found its rightful place too. Yeah, happy ending.

Mummy Lim

Family Ride

This post is 1 week late! I had been so busy the past week. Anyway, two Sundays ago, Zaky asked to go cycling and we managed to squeeze in a tiny ride before bedtime. He complained that it was too short. I agree, it was quite a lousy ride but we simply have no time. Since then, he had been asking to ride. We still have no time.

Then, last Sunday, we decided to meet my bro's family at Chervons for dinner. We decided to ride from our home to Chervons, which of course means to ride back after that. Lil Shauna wasn't too keen, especially when it was after her exhausting off class training. I suggested for her to cab with Popo and ah yee instead but she eventually tagged along.

The ride wasn't too bad but it took us a looonnnggg time. We had to make sure that the kids could catch up. The only incident was when Zaky was left behind while the rest made it across the crossing. My heart also dropped. Luckily, he was obedient enough to listen to his pretending to be calm mummy. He dismounted his bike and wait for the next crossing.

We made it alive to Chervons and dinner was extra sweet after the hard work.

I was quite worried to lose the bicycles though or come back to the bicycle rack to find only the wheel that had been chained bcos Daddy Lim and my bike have the quick release function. Fortunately, they were very much intact after dinner.

Lil Shauna obviously wasn't too keen to ride back. My bro was sending Popo and Ah Yee home and offered to send Lil Shauna too, along with the foldable bike. She immediately jumped at the chance. Zaky was happy to ride home with us.

It took us almost the same time to ride back. We would have gone faster if it wasn't for the boy who chatted with us non-stop. It was so difficult to hear each other but that didn't at all deter him from chatting and asking us questions. He has so many questions. Lol.

We made it home safe and sound and a very happy boy.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 97

I have no idea what happened bcos I was in the air. Daddy Lim had been instructed to bring Lil Shauna for class. She wore her old skates and after so many ice skating sessions and lessons, she knew exactly what she had to do.

Daddy Lim said that he went in and out of the rink bcos it was boring. Haha. Lil Shauna said that the lesson was more spinning than jumping. For sit spin, she said that Coach Raymond said that she has gone low enough and now to practice holding her sit spins. Of course, she was in her old skates and we have a different story for the new skates.

I asked Lil Shauna if Daddy Lim helped her to keep her skates at the end of the lesson. Nope, he went poo poo. Lol. I bet there wasn't extra practice after the class either. Zzzz. Well, at least they went to the library; I saw new books yday.

Now that mummy is back, so are our routines. The kids were made to do their chinese revisions in the morning before we headed to the ice for the extra practice. After weeks of only once a week practice, it is now time to step up and back. The off ice training is back too. Hard work starts all over again for the next ice skating competition, whichever it shall be.

Lil Shauna was in her new skates. Remember the anti blister gel and plaster that we bought?

We applied on the blisters prone area before she donned her new skates. Midway, she came out to apply more bcos the pain was coming.

All in all, she survived about an hour in her new skates and no blisters! The inner sole area was red though but no blisters! I hope it meant the running in of the new skates. Yeah! It had been almost 2 months since we got the new skates.

Mummy Lim

Yes Home!

Woohoo! I am home!

You couldn't tell how glad I was to board the plane, Qatar Air or not. The plane from Barcelona to Qatar was nothing to shout about. It wasn't as luxurious as the other business class U had taken. I caught 1.5 movie before dozing off and woke up to Qatar land. Truth be told, I was at times worried about the plane being shot down. I know, I was senseless, a by product of tiredness. The pathetic sandwich kept me full and I wasted nice business class meal.

There was just sufficient time to transit to the next flight. It was easy to tell where to go and a short walk. I cant tell if the airport was less crowded but I have definitely seen much crowded airport. The 2nd flight, which was 8 hours, was much comfortable. I had a single seat this time, right next to the window.

I was so excited to see the iconic Qatar Islands from the air.

I was hungry this time and had food. Yummy!

The routine continued - eat, watch movie, sleep - repeat mode. Eight hours on the flight was a breeze. I was happily indulging in a childless flight. Woohoo! There were some turbulences but the flight went well otherwise. The service was great with the stewardess checking on me now and then. I was an easy passenger anyway.

Finally, I touched down at Changi Airport at 8.45pm. It was almost 4 hours later than if I had taken Swiss. At least I was home.

The original plan was to join Daddy Lim and the kids at Aunty J's place. Daddy Lim and the kids came to pick me instead. I was hungry again and the Hello Kitty resturant was empty probably bcos it was pricy.

The kids came shortly. Looking at my food, Zaky asked if they had dinner. Lol. They must had plenty of fun at the gathering and forgotten to eat much. The kids were fed again before we made the long drive home.

Was I jetlag? I was tired when I disembarked but much more alive after unpacking and a good shower. I went to bed after midnight and planned to wake up for a morning ride. I had a solid 6 hours sleep and hardly stirred. This morning, my body was still very much exhausted when the alarm went off at 6.30am. The morning ride didn't happen. The next moment I opened my eyes, Zaky was starring at me and the sky was bright. I bet I could continue sleeping, maybe for the whole day, if I had the luxury to do so. I forced myself off the bed and started the usual Sunday. Though no ride, I hit the treadmill. In fact, when I was in Barcelona, I was on the treadmill for 4 out of the 6 mornings. I still put on weight bcos it was 3 meals and plenty of snacking to keep awake everyday. Haha.

Yawn. But I am BACK!

Mummy Lim

I Want to go HOME!

After a week in Barcelona, I really want to go home. In fact, I had been counting down. Most of the work was completed yday. Today was basically wrapping up. As the day passed, the excitement of going home was hard to bear.

My flight was at 8pm, transiting at Zurich. Like I mentioned, I had been worrying about missing the connecting flight given that I only had 1 hour.

The hotel/ office was about 20 mins drive but I wasn't going to take chance and left the office at 5pm. I don't want to miss any flight and I really want to go home. I was so happy to be at the airport and to checkin my luggage. At the counter, I thought it was strange that the checkin counter staff explicitly told me that the flights were on time. He even turned the computer screen to show me.

I was happy to clear the immigration and walked around the airport without finding anything to buy. It is afterall autumn and winter wear now. With another 1 hour to spare, I went to the business lounge, at least for a comfy seat. The wifi was definitely a bonus too. The gate information was only available about 30 mins before flight time. While waiting, I was happily looking at Facebook.

Finally, the gate number was available and I hurried to the gate. It was going home time! There was a short q in front of the gate but I didn't see any plane. I heard the lady in front asking the counter staff about the flight and she was told that she will have to pick up her baggage and go to British airline instead. I PANIC! For some reasons, the flight to Zurich wouldn't be happening! Boo! I was rescheduled to take a Qatar air flight instead. I also had to go collect my bag, exit the immigration area and recheckin at the Qatar counter. Can cry.

The Qatar flight was at 10.50pm and transiting at Doha. I would be home 4 hours later than original, touching down at 8ish on Staurday evening. I was too shock to ask questions and followed the instructions. Only while waiting at the Qatar checkin counter, I remembered that we are to avoid Qatar airline now bcos of the situation in Qatar; my manager's approval is needed to fly Qatar but I REALLY WANT TO GO HOME! I tried calling the company's travel agent after office hotline but the call just wouldn't get through.

When it was finally my turn, I couldn't care more, Qatar or not. Well, at least I tried to call the travel agent. Then, there was some confusion if I would continue to fly business. I was so desperate. Seriously, I think I would have taken the flight even if I had to fly economy - just get me home. After some waiting and texting Daddy Lim about the bad news, I finally got my business class tickets. It would be a 6 hours flight to Doha, then another 8 hours home. While waiting for the airline to sort out my tickets, an elderly (European) man was in the same plight as me, just that he was going to China.

I could still go to the business lounge but stupidly clear the passport control, which is in a totally different part of the airport from the lounge. Yeah there was no turning back. Can you see how grumpy I was?

The plan was to take dinner on the flight and it was all screwed up. Look at my pathetic dinner.

Then, I met the same elderly man and he started making small talk with it. Seriously, I was tired and grumpy and I don't want to talk. Ok, maybe I would if it had been a handsome young man. Lol. I declined the elderly man's offer to buy me coffee. He asked me if I was sure and that he was buying the coffee. Yes, I was so very sure. In fact, I don't want a lousy coffee at the pathetic cafe and I can well afford a coffee. I still have a lot of euros left and I also have my USD, SGD and 2 credit cards. Please just leave me alone to sulk.

I can only thank God that I fully charged my phone before I left the office. Imagine stuck and no phone. Boo! I hoped I would get home safely and no issue transiting at Doha.

Mummy Lim

Barcelona Alone Again on Sunday

I am so screwed.

I am usually not affected by jetlag but the trick is to resist taking naps, stay awake until the "right" bed time so that the body is forced to adjust immediately. That is what I usually do but this time, I gave in to naps bcos this place is SO boring.

The room was available when I checked in at 10am this morning. Happy! This will be where i would be spending the next 5 nights.

This area isnt near to town like my last Barcelona trip. When I looked out of the window, one side looked like industrial area and apartments on the other side. Look at how blue the sky was!

The plan was simple, take some rest, do some work and then venture out for lunch. I heard my colleague said that there is a shopping mall near to the office building and the office is near to the hotel.

I was nursing a tension headache. I guessed it was a combination of exhaustion and dehydration. I was amazed that they have no complimentary water and I have to survive on that little bottle that I brought from the plane. Yes, this little.

The alarm was set and I hit the pillow. For the next hour, my mind was so active. When the alarm sounded, I cannot tell if I didn't sleep at all or I had a restless rest. Anyway, it was time for plan B; I wanted to check out where the office building is. Google map says that it is 6 mins walk away.

It turned out that Google map tried to bluff me. The office building was exactly next to the hotel, literally a stone throw away. I like. I was also told that there is a shopping mall 5 mins walk away. The only catch is that it is a Sunday and bcos this is commercial area, no shops will be opened except for the restaurants.. Oh my, welcome to Europe. I decided to take a walk instead bcos the TV programs on the TV sucks. The only English channels are news. Sob.

This is the hotel building.

It is so iconic and gave me added confidence to find my way back. It was impossible to miss. I took a walk in the direction advised by the hotel staff and spotted the mall shortly. There was a small crowd and like the hotel staff mentioned, ALL SHOPS ARE CLOSED! I wasn't sure what were the people doing here. Lunch? Well, at least  I know that I had food options. There was at least an opened kiddy play stuff. I got reminded of the kids, who were dead beat from the sleepover and when I checked before I left, were ready for bed.

I needed water. There was Carrefour in the mall but it was closed. I decided to venture further instead. The area looked safe; I saw families with kids and quite some others walking their dog.

I think I walked into some residential area.

Along the way, I passed by quite some playgrounds.

The sun was good and it was warm in the sun; chilly in the shade. So funny.

I finally found a mini mart and got my precious water. I thought it would be clever to get a little snack too. Bingo. This was what left and not for very long.

The next hour was spent watching K dramas bcos the TV sucks. It was 3ish in the afternoon (10pm in Singapore) and I thought that I should catch a nap then dinner. The alarm went off the I reset it a few times and woke up to setting sun.

I dozed off again and with no alarm set this time. The next moment I woke up to popping sound. It was fireworks! I am not sure why.

I was less surprised at the fireworks but more at the fact that it was 9pm in Barcelona. I had an almost 6-hour nap, which was as good as a night's sleep but in Singapore time. I am dead.

It is now 11.30pm in Barcelona (5.30am Singapore) and I can't decide what I should do. Do I do some work that I barely did in the afternoon? Should I chomp my k dramas? When should I try going to bed again? Sob. I will let you know my tomorrow morning. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Updates: I am the sleeping queen. Muahaha.
I went to bed at Barcelona 1am and slept till 5ish the next morning. It was a restless night though; I woke up every single hour. Haha.

Barcelona Alone Again

Last week, it was decided that I would pop down to Barcelona for a meeting. Yes, it was decided just one week back and the past one week had been a crazy chase after deadlines and deadlines. Phew.

The kids were informed and though they whined a little, they are somewhat used to me traveling for work.  The only challenge is that I would be away for the entire week. Zaky did ask to tag along and permission is of course not granted. It is the school week and Daddy Lim has no leave. I think Daddy Lim dreaded the idea of me being away and being the single parent more than the kids do. Lol.

My flight was on Saturday night 11pm. I would love to travel on Sunday and spent an additional night with the kids but had issue booking a returning flight. Our weekend routine pans out as usual; I had a 26km night ride with Daddy Lim on Friday and even clocked my 4km treadmill quota on Saturday morning. The kids then went for their classes, like any other Saturdays.

We knew that we had to tired the kids out and brought them to bounce on the trampoline.

This was followed by the dinner and Popo went on an overdrive again to arrange for a sleepover for the kids at my brother's place. The kids were thrilled of course and so was Daddy Lim, who almost immediately planning for his biking trail ride on Sunday morning. Lol.

I took a cab to the airport and can't help falling in love once again with Changi Airport's efficiency.

The Q was slightly long at the gates and the taking off was delayed. The captain assured that we would land on time. Great, bcos I only had an hour of transit time.

My only comfort about the trip was that I would get to fly business class again. Hohohoho. After 2 previous business class travel, I am quite semi-pro already and knew what to do or where to keep/ find things. The leg space!

I was looking forward to taking pictures of the flight dinner but eventually decided to opt out bcos I was still freaking full from dinner. I also didn't think I should roll home. The only thing that I couldn't resist was the bread. Hehehe.

Flight alone also meant movie time! However, I was seriously exhausted from the late night ride and early morning treadmill run and could hardly kept my eyes opened. I was dozing off in front of the screen and still had my headphone on, which basically meant it was time for bed. Bed = an almost inclined seat. Nice!

At one point, there was turbulences. I couldnt tell if the impact and fear factor were reduced bcos I was half awake or it just fell safer when one is in business class. Either way, I liked it.

I went to bed at 2am and was up at 7am when the phone alarm went off. Darn! Should have switched that off. Time was too precious spent sleeping and I was up to watch another 3 movies. Hehehehe. This was what was left of bfast, simple bread and more bread and cold cuts. I am so easily satisfied.

The plane touched down on time. It says that it was 9 degrees! What? I hope that it would be warmer in Barcelona. was slightly lost while trying to look for the transit. Duh! Must be the lack of sleep! I was soon on my way and it was a long walk as I had guessed. I hate transiting in Europe. There was a train to take and immigration to clear. There wasn't much time pressure though, bcos I know that there was a later flight at noon if I missed the booked one.

I was more worried about going home. I would also have an hour for transit and it wouldn't be nice missing the flight; it would meant overnight in the airport.

The flight from Zurich to Barcelona was 1 hr and 50 mins. Food was served again and I ate again! Roll home. Zzzzz.

Finally, Barcelona!

Was it warmer? Yes, 11 degrees. Haha. The weather forecast said that it would be about 13 to 20s leh. Hahaha.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 96: Blisters!

We had so little ice time recently bcos of the school holidays and also Ah Yee and CY's visit. We only hit the ice once a week. Then again, now that Lil Shauna had decided that she would give Skate Bangkok a miss, there isn't a crucial need for extra practices.

Last week, I made her go for her class in her new skates and she ended up with a blister on the bigger foot. Bcos there was so much pain, she refused to practice after class and had only slightly more than an hour of ice including class. We usually fully utilised the 2 hours  Saturdays. We did attempt to wear her skates at home the past week but we only managed to do so on 2 days. On both occasions, she said that there wasn't much pain. My hopes are up!

This morning, we were running slightly late. Although we lugged both pair of skates, I made her wear her new skates. She has to run in them somehow and the sooner the better. It should be ok, right? Didnt she said that it was less painful when she wore them at home? She protested but still ended up on the ice with her new skates. Mummy 1, Lil Shauna 0. Ding! Ding! As a precaution, I gave her plasters on the spot that she always get blisters; the inner side of her sole. This works for Zaky in the rental skates.

A was on the ice too and the girls were happily chatting and practicing. Soon after, Lil Shauna complained of pain on the smaller foot. There wasn't any blister but the area at the inner sole side was red. She said that the bigger foot was fine and I was happy that the plaster helped. I didn't think much of it, she always get red patches when she wears her new skates. We adjusted her socks and she headed back to the ice.

Lesson was a lot on back spin. Did she master it? No, she still needed a lot more practice.

Just like the many other jumps and spins, she needed to find that sweet spot and the tactic. Until then, it will be quite some heartache and headache (with all the spinning). Lol.

Lil Shauna hasnt master her sit spin in her old skates. She naturally has more issues with the new ones bcos her new boots are so hard and she has a hard time bending down in them, which is needed in sit spin. Arrgghhh, I am hoping so much for her new skates to run in soon! Coach Raymond also made her do camel spin, which is spinning with a spiral. She tried that once and it was disastrous. It still is. Lol. She can't even do spiral properly, what more a spiral spin.

The end part of the class was on jumps and it was obvious that her feet were hurting. She could barely lift her feet off the ice. Relief was all over her face when the class finally ended. She said that she could feel blisters on both feet. Ouch!

She did get a big blister on the smaller foot and it does look painful. The plasters that we put on the bigger foot was hanging loosely, which isn't a good sign bcos it meant opportunity for abrasion. There wasn't any visible blister under the plaster but Lil Shauna complained of pain. Of course she refused to skate more with the blisters. Another short session this week.

At the end of the lesson, Coach Raymond asked us to consider the national competition in January 2018. The last one, he mentioned that it would be tough for Lil Shauna bcos she isn't fast enough. This time, he said that she should be able to handle the future star level, which is the same level that she entered in for the inter school competition. Of course I am keen. No need to travel out of Singapore somemore. Hehe. Lil Shauna was in too much pain to think properly about it though. Poor thing. I will ask her another day when her feet are not suffering.

After class, we headed to Watson to look for anything that can help with blisters prevention. We saw this lotion that looks similar to a roll-on deodorant. We also saw special plasters for blisters; I didnt know there are such! They are super expensive and we paid $10 for 5 small pieces. I so wish for the skates to be run in. Arrrggghh..

Mummy Lim

Kids Grow Up

We just finished the last of the mosquito repellent patches during the treetop walk. I bought new ones from NTUC.

They are 3 for $17 and I was complaining in my heart that kids spent so much money. But the complaint disappearred when a lady in the same aisle picked up 2 big tins of milk powder. Hohoho. At least I am way over that stage.

She was right in front of me at the cashier Q. Hers were over a $100. What is my 3 packs of mosquito repellent patches compared to hers? I also suspect that my patches will last longer than her milk powder. Yeah, kids grow up.

Mummy Lim

Bye for now, Ah Tioh CY

Good time flies. It was just end of August and the kids were excitedly waiting for ah yee and CY to arrive at Centris. Suddenly, it is already mid September and at this point, CY is mid air, more than half way home.

We (particularly the kids) got to spend a lot more time with him this trip. Afterall, Centris is so small, particularly the tiny bedroom and they had to spend most of their time at home in the living room. Then there is the HKG trip, which was so much fun.

The kids bid farewell to their Ah Tioh last night before he made his way to the airport. Zaky said that Ah Tioh is still his BFF And CY said that it is mutual. Lol. Lil Shauna even tagged along to send him to the airport. I have no idea what time she arrived home last night.

Let's hope that everything works well and we can plan a trip to France end next year. Hahaha.

Mummy Lim

Zaky's TKD

I was freaking tired by Sunday afternoon bcos of the treetop walk and swimming. It had been Daddy Lim's role to send Zaky for his TKD for many months bcos I would be busy with Lil Shauna's ice skating. It is so rare to be able to see the boy in his TKD class. Thus, I dragged my tired feet and tagged along to send him to class.

I remembered that when we 1st started his kiddy TKD classes, he would insist that I stand outside the glass window so that he could see me. Every now and then, he would steal glances at me to make sure that mummy didn't abandon him. Last Sunday, he barely realised that I was there. He was so engrossed in his warming up in the form of games. When he finally did, he flashed me a mega smile. Awwww... my heart melted.

Zaky is training for his black tip. He is more than half way through the required minimal 20 lessons. For grading test, they are usually tested on sparring, footwork and 1 set of pattern. For his black tip grading test, the sparring and footwork remains. However, instead of 1 set of pattern, he would have to remember the newly taught one for his black tip and the pattern for his red belt, red tip and blue belt. Out of the 4 sets, I heard that he would randomly tested on 1. That is also why they had to fulfill 20 minimum lessons rather than the usual 10 in a term.

I played a dual role on Sunday; I was Zaky's cheerleader and also videographer. Lesson after lesson, they revised on the patterns and so did they on Sunday. There I was, videoing all the 4 sets so that he can practice at home before the grading test. I am Kiasu parent. Haha.

Mummy Lim