Ice Skating 125 & 126: Full Ice

We worked hard over the weekend and I was anxious to see the results. I was crossing whatever that I could, hoping that the hard work amounts to something. Tired leh.

Lil Shauna had 2 days of full ice lesson, back to back. It was a mad rush to reach the Rink and be ready by 7.30pm. On both days, she had the opportunity to do her program with music a few times. She needed them.

I am so pleased that she has improved. Then again, the last full ice lesson was so lousy that she can only be better. Coach Raymond said that too but also that she still has loads to improve. I cannot agree more. Unfortunately, we have no time. Sob. I cannot tell what exactly is wrong but she looks lethargic when she actually works hard. Maybe her strokes still arent strong enough. Of course she can raise her leg higher when landing, jump higher, go down further on her pancake spin.... whatever... she just needed to try her best. At least she is decent enough to be on ice now and she doesnt pant like mad at the end of her program. The treadmill helps? Hehe.

I really have to give it to these kids actually. On both days that we were there, the rink was littered with other young skaters. I believed many of them are regulars, like night classes/ practices a few times a week.

Right after we were done on Wednesday night, the speed skaters kids took over the rink. I wonder how late they will work into the night and school resumes early the next morning.

Bigger kudos to the parents, who not only accompany their kids to these classes and practices but paid for these expensive lessons. The speed skaters' parents also had to help cushion the rink side by skating heavy thick cushions on and off the ice. Well, I guess I wouldnt mind if Lil Shauna is indeed so good in her skating one day...

Mummy Lim

Back on Track

Lil Shauna's drilling continued on Sunday in Coach Raymond's absence. It started off with treadmill running early in the morning. I dragged her off bed plus the nasty fall under her belt, she had zero enthusiasm for the treadmill. Too bad, too sad. Nevertheless, she completed 2.5km though at a lower speed and with multiple short breaks.

Part 2 of the drilling started in the afternoon - we headed to the ice. Bcos most coaches were in the Skate Japan, the 1/3 was so empty. At some point, there were only 3 skaters; the perfect ground for hardcore drilling. Muahahahaha.

T, a talented skater, who is 1 year older, was also on the ice. I kept telling Lil Shauna to model after her bcos she pushes herself so hard everytime. We worked very hard on the change foot spin, then her sit spin before moving on to the jumps. The finale had to be the program. Bcos it was 1/3 ice, she was able to do complete her program without feeling that she would die from exhaustion. She was made to do the program a few times until she screamed murder. We would only know the fruit of our training during this evening full ice lesson. We only have 3 more to go.

Lil Shauna said that I pushed her harder than Coach Raymond. Haha. Then again, she really did work hard the last 2 ice time. If only she can have the same attitude everytime she hits the ice. That is all that I ask for; not even winning the competition.

Remember Zaky was considering if he would continue with his TKD? He took a short break and used the Perth holidays to consider. He eventually decided to go back and was in class on Sunday.

It was then that the Master better explained what it meant to be given a provisional pass for his junior Black belt. It is as good as a pass and he would get his junior Black belt (comes in the form of black and red) during the upcoming ceremony. However, to make sure that he really knows his pattern, he needs to take the grading test again in end August. He is given the option to order and buy the new uniform. His name will be embroidered on it and it has a red and black strip at the collar, matchy matchy with his junior Black belt. The uniform cost freaking $190!!!! Then again, Lil Shauna's ice skating stuff are a lot more expensive. He can wear his chio chio uniform for the ceremony as well as his August grading test.

Upon attaining his junior Black belt, he can continue learning and attain his poon, which is the different levels within thd black belt. There are altogether 9 poons. Each level comes with increasing amount of difficulty and will take at least a year to prepare. Even the Masters are not all the 9th poon. It only make sense to buy the new uniform if he is intending to continue. Otherwise, we should be happy with bringing the junior Black belt and the certificate home. This certification is recognised in Singapore and also duno what TKD Frederation. He will be stuck with a junior Black belt until he attained his 2nd poon or 15 years old.

Zaky said that he is happy with just passing his August grading test. I think he is bored with TKD already. Let's see what is next. Meanwhile, we stopped the kids' swimming class. The kids had been learning from Coach Alex for almost 2 years and had attained their Gold certification in March. Theoretically speaking, they are now more competent swimmers than I am and I have a greater risk of drowning. Hoho. They are now learning the butterfly style and also improving their other swimming strokes and timing.

Lil Shauna was initially reluctant to stop bcos she takes the swimming class with her best friend in school. Zaky wanted to bcos he is plain lazy. Haha. In the last week, it was Zaky who wanted to continue bcos he said that he likes swimming with Coach Alex. All good things come to an end. Like it or not, time and money can be better channelled as the intention to make them competent swimmers had been achieved. Popo said that Zaky cried in the last lesson yday.

New adventure awaits.. what is next?

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 124: Dooms!

Lil Shauna had lesson last Tuesday evening before Coach Raymond left for Skate Japan. It was a lesson set for doom.

On Monday evening, we had a sumptuous steamboat dinner at my brother's place. Lil Shauna was all ready for sleepover. I only remembered about the lesson late at night, after we left for home. I specifically called to tell her to go to bed no later than 11pm.

We met up with the kids at JCube after work on Tuesday. The moment we met them, Lil Shauna was telling me how tired she was. Zzzzzzz. She said that she did go to bed at 11pm and had no idea why she was so tired. Of course she was, we were all recovering from the holiday; I was tired too. On top of that, she had been playing the WHOLE day, including a movie. It would have been a miracle if she wasnt tired.

I tried to prep talk her bcos the full ice lesson was so precious. As expected, she did miserably bad. She was totally lethargic; TOTALLY dead. She didnt have strength to do her sit spin properly and was obviously out of breath for the 2nd half of the program. No wonder Coach Raymond has been asking me if she is active in other sports.

I was so upset with her. I even sneaked to the rink side to warn her in the middle of class, something that I dont usually do. It didnt help. Haiz. We can only rely on the 3 remaining full ice lessons.

While Coach Raymond is out of town, tutor mummy has plans to drill the girl. I had wanted to build up her stamina though I didnt think she is really bad given how active she had been in the various sports and at the playground. Haha.

I finally brought her to the gym on Thursday evening. The kids had been bugging me to do so bcos they associate the gym with "fun". She was on the treadmill and completed 2km easily but also a nasty fall bcos she went too fast. Zzzzzz. Then we went another 4 rounds around the pool. See, her stamina isnt that bad.

This morning, she was drilled on the ice despite not having lesson. We spent almost 2 full hours on the ice. We worked very hard on the spins, over and over and over again. She tried and worked hard. The public ice was crowded and we had to stick to the 1/3 ice and utilised that to practice what we could. I even bought new wireless headphones to help her with the program. They worked perfectly.

The session ended well. She was totally exhausted with barely strength left to take off her skates. Haha.

By the way, her new costumes from taobao is here! Zaky said that she looks like Elsa.

Mummy Lim

Post Perth

It took me so long to write this post bcos I was so sick of blogging after rushing through all the Perth posts. Haha I had wanted to capture all the memories while they are still fresh. With the hot, humid Sgp weather, I feel stale already. Why so hot?! Give me back Perth's cool weather. Sob.

This is the first time that we had gone on such a long and extensive holiday with my brother's family. I am glad that it turned out really well and paves the way for more ahead.

In my head, Perth always has this notion of being a layback town. It wasnt really so but we never got used to the shops closing by 6pm. Imagine no entertainment at all by the time you knock off from work. Overall, the campervan experience was fabulous and I wouldnt think twice to do it again, just maybe not in winter. Haha. We didnt have enough time in Margaret River and could have made Fremantle a day trip instead. A colleague was telling me that Fremantle is actually nearer to the airport than Perth City. There were days that I felt "wasted" bcos we didnt do much but when I recalled and blogged about the trip, we actually acconplished a fair but. Then again, it would likely be years before we visit Perth again.

My bro and SIL had been really kind and "kept" Popo with them throughout the trip. That "distant" really helped me. It would have been a nightmare if I had to live with her in those small spaces for so many days. In fact, I found the capacity to care for her during those 8 days. The magic instantaneously disappeared when we are back bcos she was constantly black face at the amount of "work" we gave her back home. Haiz, a story for another time.

The routine hits full force the minute we were back. However, Daddy Lim and I managed to sneak a authentic Sgp bfast bcos the kids were more keen on their gadgets.

Remembered that the fishes went on a vacation too at Nainai's place? Daddy Lim had expected the kids to forget about them but they didnt. In fact, it was Zaky who had been constantly talking about them while we were in Perth. He had also been asking for a bigger tank and we agreed if all the fishes survived.

We were only left with 3 fishes. Poor fish. We were only left with the orange ones.

Zaky was still trying his luck for a bigger tank. I had been seriously impressed with how Zaky had been taking care of the fishes and cleaning the tank. So much so that I decided to allow the kids to add to the new family. That called for a trip to Qian Hu. Look at all the colourful fish!

The kids had a hard time deciding even when Mummy allowed fishes no bigger than guppies. They eventually chose a guppy each. Haha. Tehy were so careful with the fish and insisted to carry them in their hand on the car ride home.

We did get a bigger (but cheapo) tank and an ornament. Still no pump though. I hate the sight and smell of fish poo trapped in the filter. Eeeewwwweeee...

Changing tank in operation.

Tadah!

The kids benefitted not only with a holiday but also new pets. Not bad huh!

Mummy Lim

Perth Day 8: Swan Valley Cuddly Farm and Home Sweet Home

It was again an early morning. I headed to tbe gym before back to bug Daddy Lim. He had promised to accompany me to the CBD bcos we needed to get nougat from Woolsworth to bring home.

Obviously he wasnt too keen and had to be dragged out. Lol. I had envisioned an early morning walk but he didnt share the same vision. We eventually had to walk bcos the CAT bus wasnt in service until 8.30am bcos it was Saturday. Lalalalala.

It was a great morning walk, in my opinion. Haha. At least we had a nice coffee and Daddy Lim got a sausage bun. 

We were like Woolsworth 1st few customers for the day. We werent the only ones waiting for its door to open.

There is never only 1 thing to buy at NTUC. The same theory applies to Woolsworth. After securing the nougat and many other stuff, we headed back by foot, much to Daddy Lim's dismay.

Back in the apartment, it was a mad frenzy of bfast and final packing. It was time to go home. We set off late bcos of the packing and the challenge to squeeze all the luggage into the 2 tiny cars with mini boot. We eventually succeeded. It was like trying to solve some Maths' puzzle. 

Finally, we set off at 10ish. The Cuddly Farm was 30 mins drive away. We wouldnt have much time in the farm but it was better than trying to walk the empty streets and trying to pass time.

Chicken!

Piglets!

Cuddly Farm! 

The kids were so thrilled to be patting, feeding and carrying the furry friends. 

Feeds were provided and constantly topped up.

The farm wasnt big, just nice to burn 2 hours. Other than the cuddly friends, there were other animals too.

And other fringe activities like the bouncing castle and the tractor choochoo train.

We left the farm at 12.30pm. The men dropped us at the airport with the luggage and headed off to return the cars. The rental place was near to our service apartment. We waited, had lunch and they finally made it back right on time to check in.

Soon, we found ourselves in the air.

To beautiful sky.

None of us slept and fortunately found enough entertainment to last through the 4 over hours flight. 

That marked the end of our Perth trip. It was the 1st long overseas trip with my mum and brother's family and wr had great fun. Sob, we didnt want to be back. Why is it so hot?!

Mummy Lim

Perth Day 7: Caversham Wildlife Park and Shopping

Bfast!

Then it was idling until 9am where we would collect the car for the next 1.5 days. With great companion, the kids were never bored.

After driving 5 days of campervan, the rented car must suddenly seemed very small to Daddy Lim.

The Caversham Wildlife Park was about 30 mins' drive away. 

The 1st animals to greet us were the kangeroos! There were so many of them this time and so many to feed.

Zaky provided a buffet line and attracted so many kangeroos.

My attempt on selfie.

Daddy Lim did a better job than me. His kangeroo didnt look too happy though. Haha.

Haha, the kangeroo ended up looking better than I did. We were glad to be early. The feeds were free and free flowing. By late morning, the kangeroos were all too full to eat another bite. 

The Quokkas again!

Not smiling leh. I think the ones on the poster looked cuter.

We saw cute little bunnies and guinea pigs but only kids below 5 were allowed into the enclosure.

 The kids could pat the sheep and goats though.

Somebody attempted to selfie again.

There was a long q to see and take pictures with koalas. Of course we joined the q. Koalas leh.

The koalas were followed by the wombats. This is Nata. She was so comfortable in the zookeeper's arm and was dozing off.

There was snake too.

You can see that it was a loooonnnggg snake.

We also caught the farm show. We saw the sheep dog at work and the sheep shredding. Poor sheep has no privacy.

After all the fun, we had a late bite and re-visited the kangeroos before leaving the park. Like I mentioned, the kangeroos were all full by them. Most of them were basking in the sun and taking a nap. This one sleeps until....

We headed to some honey place some 15 mins away. There was free flow of honey to sample and it wasnt expensive.

Before we headed back, we dropped by the Mondo Nougat place. While they advertise free samples, they werent not too generous. We had to face the not too friendly staff to ask for the different flavor nougat. I didnt buy any as I didnt like the taste.

Zaky wasnt able to sample the nougat as they contain almond, he spent his time posing for pictures.

We drove back to the apartment to park the car before taking the CAT bus to the CBD. We had guessed that parking wouldng be readily available or cheap. It was Friday and the week's only late night shopping. The shops were opened to 9pm. Yes, 9pm and it is already deemed as a big deal.

We had dinner and Zaky complained of a nasty tummyache. He bugged to go back to the apartment but not after he had bought a toy from Target. I wanted to cry bcos I wanted to shop. Fortunately, Daddy Lim was so nice to suggest to bring Zaky back 1st while I shopped with Lil Shauna. 

I heard that the tummyache mysteriously disappeared once they got the toy and were on the way back. Magic..... I so wanted to buy something but it was all winter wear. Any purchases would have been impulsive buy and I would have been better off if I slowly shopped in Singapore. Lil Shauna got a new pair of jeans though.

Coincidentally, my brother was intending to bring the 2 younger girls back and we tagged along. I actually wasnt too confident of the way back. Haha. 

We arrived back at about 8.30pm, to the apartment that we would be spending the last night.

The night was considered as young for the kids, who busied themselves over their loot before continuing with more murderer and heart attack.

The adults were dead tired. Haha.

Mummy Lim