Secondary School Selection Done

Right after the PSLE results are out, the students were given a week to opt for their secondary schools. We were given 6 choices and opted to submit the S1 form online. 

I am impressed with the guide that MOE gives to every P6 students.

I don't remember having something like that when I was in P6. At my time, we select the school before the results were released. Don't ask me how I ended up knowing what to choose bcos I don't and it is by God's grace that I got into SHSS. I didn't even know where the school is and never heard of it before I put it as my 2nd choice. 

It is only recent years that I found out that the the choice order does not give more priority. I was shocked with my SIL shared with me. This is in MOE website. 

"For 2020 P6 cohort, the order in which a student lists their school choices *does not* give them priority in determining who gets a place". If 2 students have the same aggregate score and vying for the last slot, it is determined by a computerised ballot, regardless of choice order. If the vying is between 2 students with 2 different scores, the slot goes to the student with a higher score, regardless of choice order. I couldn't tie my head round the same score concept; I bet there are many with the same scores until my SIL reminded that decimals probably do the trick here. Ahhhh.... So clever.

Lil Shauna and I discussed about the school choices and tagged out the possible ones before the results were released. In a worse case scenario, we were looking at the schools near to our home though they don't have many exciting CCAs to offer. Interestingly, I have managed to influence my daughter to find a school and get into a fun team sports CCA. With the released results, we scrutinized the choices earlier identified and further narrowed down to the final 6 choices. 

The decision for the choice placing was left to Lil Shauna. The idea is to put the highest 2020 COP score schools at the top and so on. In the event of schools with same COP, then she should place the one that she desired to get in more on top. I wanted her to have some ownership in the selection. We put in 2 schools with COP above her score. If she gets in any of the 2, it is indeed God's blessing. Out of the 6 schools, 3 of them are girls schools. The girls schools' CCAs offering is really interesting. Out of the 6 schools, 3 of them are Christian schools. Some of the choices are really far and Lil Shauna has prepared mentally to travel. 

This blind selection is really nerve whacking. Though she makes her choice knowing her results and the last year's school COP is made known, we cannot tell how many will chose which school and whether the COP will be jack up. *Nail biting* The results will be released in the last week December. Then there is school reporting, buying of school books and uniform. It sounded like a busy last week already. 

Mummy Lim

D Day - PSLE Results

It is finally the Day. I didn't know what to feel or expect. Lil Shauna had been a consistent performer and usually performs better in year-end exam (SA2) than the mid year one. However, PSLE is a T-score, in comparison to the rest of the P6 cohort and nobody can really tell how one would perform. 

She didn't do that well for Prelims and she was exhausted when it was finally PSLE. I still remember how she came back from her Science paper declaring how tough it was and how she couldn't care any more. That was scary. 

Maybe it is a 1st born thing or maybe she had shown academic performance, I have high hopes for her. She had been keeping her eyes on RV but that will require her to do really, really well and I felt that bubble burst after her Science paper declaration.

Finally, it is D Day for PSLE results. There was unspoken anxiety and stress y'day. I felt it and it was mounting for me but I didn't want to verbalise and stress her. Only every now and then, we hear Popo remind us (as if we needed reminder) that PSLE results will be released today. 

We didn't talk much about it and went to bed. I then had a dream about Lil Shauna's PSLE result. In my dream, she scored 237 and she wasn't pleased nor sad about it. There was even breakdown of her scores that was handwritten - EL 80, Maths 92, Chinese 77 and I can't remember for Science. Then her form teacher wrote "Well Done, Shauna!" underneath the score. She then told me in the dream that she wanted to go to Bukit Timah Secondary School. I remember feeling disappointed with her results and was asking her if she had tried hard enough only to realise that it was pointless to ask. With that, I was jolted awake. 

It was 5am in the morning. I was disturbed, so much so that I couldnt fall back to sleep. I am that kind who can fall asleep at night within seconds and that kind who turned on the lights and TV to sleep in hotels when I travel for business. So losing sleep is a HUGE thing. After much tossing and turning, I grabbed my phone and started checking schools with 237 COP. Then tried to google Bukit Timah Secondary School's COP. It turned out that there isn't such a secondary school. Hahaha. Is that a sign? I was hoping so badly for her to attain at least 243 in PSLE bcos that opens up so many more options. 

Lil Shauna was up early as well and told me that she too had a bad dream. Is that a sign too??? It turned out that hers was about screwing up the elementary ice skating test. Lol. I shared with her my dream and she asked me about her HCL score, which wasn't shown in my dream. Haha. 

I took a day's leave and had a morning walk with Lil Shauna. We talked about the PSLE results and assured her that bad scores is not the end. I am sure that she would at least get into the express stream and there are more chances following her secondary education. 

Daddy Lim and I then went for bfast without her. She was too nervous to eat. Then she spent the rest of the morning rushing us to school. She was to arrive in school by 10.30am. I had expected a lot of waiting but she was too much nerves to wait at home. 

Only 1 parent was allowed per kid and the parents were arranged to wait in a classroom next to the kids. The kids would receive the results on their own then head to classroom next door to "collect" the parents. On the way to her classroom, I kept making her pause for me to take pictures. No more chances le leh. 

The sitting arrangement for the parents was the exact of the kids. I am surprised that Lil Shauna is at the 2nd row despite her height.

There was a fair bit of waiting before the VP's speech, sharing about the overall school results. 

Ok, 11.1% above 250, crossing my fingers. Then the outstanding performers' name was flashed and I didn't see her. Aiyo, bubble burst le, bye bye RV. 

Finally, the results were released to the kids. It comes in the form of an A4 size leaving school certificate, A4 size result slip and an envelope containing the S1 option form. Soon, the students came one by one to collect their parents. The wait was antagonizing. There were a couple of girls who hopped by that I had thought was Lil Shauna - all tall with glasses and pony tail. Lol. As I waited, I had to release my stress by texting Daddy Lim who in turn was so irritated. It was like the perfect brew for panic attack and the mask didn't help. I needed the distraction.

I had guessed that it was by class registration number and I was right. After like forever, I saw Lil Shauna ran excitedly to me. She was the no. 35 out of 43 students. Must be good score, right? It turned out that she didn't know her score bcos she didn't know where to check but was excited bcos she saw her grades, which were really decent. The score was actually covered by the envelop. Hohoho. 

Lil Shauna was overwhelmed when she saw her results. It was definitely above her expectations and she started tearing. Luckily I got bring tissue paper. Lol. With her good results, she was happily checking out her friends' scores as well to realise that many of her classmates, ex-classmates had done well. The top scorer in her school scored an amazing 270 and was one of her bffs! 

Her results absolutely called for a celebratory lunch and we were so overjoyed that we almost forgot to pick up Zaky who went to Student Care. Luckily for Daddy Lim's reminder. 

With the stress done, hunger set in and so did tiredness after the whole episode. We all deserved a good rest. 

We spent some time looking through the guide given by MOE and refining the original secondary school choices that we had earlier identified. Lil Shauna had some decisions to make before we submit the S1 form by next week. 

The big question - am I satisfied with her results? True be told, I am not sure what to expect after her Science paper and that dream. Haha. I always know what she is capable academically and thought that she had indeed achieved her potential this time. It is actually Lil Shauna herself that is more amusing. After finding out her friends' score, she now thinks that she could have done better. Hahaha. 

Mummy Lim

Many Firsts

Two Saturdays ago, we attempted the 1st house cleaning for Cookie. Lil Shauna was in school and only Zaky helped. There was a fair bit of washing and drying and wiping with the anti-bacteria spray. Daddy Lim had the easy job to watch over Cookie while we labored over the cleaning. We had almost 2 sets of his accessories and he was soon comfortably settled back in his cage with new and clean bedding. 

The only appreciation that I got was to minimize the tunnels. It is so difficult to clean and for weird reasons, Cookie loves to pee and poo in the tunnel and then get himself all stained. I have been like cleaning tunnels like almost everyday. 

Last Saturday, it was cage cleaning day again. This time, we are a lot more efficient and faster. Both kids pretended to be busy and I had to call out to them a couple of times. Zzzzzzz. Lil Shauna did the washing this time while Zaky got the easier job, watching over Cookie. 

Cookie now has more IG followers than I do and update his IG so much more frequently than I do. Lol. Daddy Lim takes so many pictures of Cookie and I swear that he takes Cookie in a nicer angle than he did for us. 

The school holidays have officially started. Lil Shauna has found herself a part time job - the school bookshop auntie has hired her to prep for the book sales coming up. Lil Shauna said that it was bcos the bookshop auntie likes her. Well, not only that but I think she looks big and strong and good for carrying books. Lol. 

She worked 2 hours last week and it was mainly manual work, carrying books and papers. She came back and complained about paper cuts. This morning, she was told to report at 9am only to be told that Auntie has wrongly scheduled too many helpers and asked her to report again at 3pm. Daddy Lim had to be activated to pick her up and sent her back at 3pm. Her work has made Daddy Lim very busy too. Lol. The best part? She doesn't know how much she will be paid per hour or how she will be paid. She only know that her wages will come next month. When next month? No idea. Lol. I am quite sure that it is cheap labor but a good experience nevertheless. 

This school holiday is the 1st holiday in a long time that we didn't travel. With the home-based learning and all, Zaky had spent way too much time at home. He is bored and gets lethargic after the entire day of gadget time such that he becomes whinny and grumpy at the end of the day. For the 1st time in his 5 years in Student Care, he actually asked to go to Student Care during the school holidays. He reckoned that it would be more fun than staying at home and facing his parents. Haha. I had been worried that Zaky would be reluctant to attend Student Care after jiejie graduates. The worry is unfounded and he has so many Fontnite buddies in Student Care. 

He came back from Student Care happy and relating about the non-school work that he had done. He only asked to go back for only 1 week as a trial bcos he has his Netflix series to catch up on for the rest of the school holidays. The kids sure are busy. Let's see if he would ask to extend. 

Lil Shauna has camps and outings with her friends lined up. Zaky also had his 1st outing 3 weeks' back. His classmate had invited him to his place where he spent the whole afternoon petting the pet bunny and watching Crime Watch on TV (??!! Haha). 

I had initially thought that the date wouldn't happen like how kids always made arrangements without their parents' consent only to be jammed break. He had such a great time that he didn't want to come home. The hosting family was so nice to invite him for dinner too. Look at the table of good food! They have arranged to do it again next week and Zaky wanted us to send him over at 6am so that he can have the entire day. Siao ah!

I think I should also make some plans with Daddy Lim without the kids this holiday. Hahaha. 

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 216/ Ice Skating 1

It happened to be full-ice on Sunday morning for JCube ice and of course I grabbed, only to have Lil Shauna complained that it was too rush for her Sunday church zoom. Zzzzzz. 妈妈很难当.

Coach Raymond suggested to book the full hour and to share between Lil Shauna and Zaky. Nice. Bcos Lil Shauna wanted to be on time for her zoom, she offered to go first. Zaky was happily playing his hp until Coach Raymond spotted him and told us that he could hit the ice too for warm up. 

He wasn't too sure what to do on ice after skating a couple of rounds and kept going back to Coach and jiejie, disturbing them. 

Coach Raymond is helping Lil Shauna to prepare for her Preliminary test. She needs to do a sequence with a 2-min +/- 10 sec music. We have extended the Despicito piece that we had originally intended for her last competition and it does look like she still have a lot to work on. 

Lil Shauna hurried off the ice after her lesson though she could still practice and skate. Zaky was up next and being his 1st lesson, Coach Raymond made him do all the basis crossovers to see where he is at. The lesson was spent all on 3 turns, mohawk and backwards crossovers. It brought back so much memories of when Lil Shauna 1st started. Then midway, he came asking for water. Lil Shauna would never do that; she would rather die of thirst then to open her mouth to ask for permission for breaks. Haha.

Zaky totally enjoyed the lesson and he went on to tell me how much he perspired. From doing 3-turns and mohawks? Haha. 

The kids got to practice on the 2/3 public ice that was extremely crowded. Lil Shauna gave up after a while. Zaky was more enthusiastic. Not bcos he wanted to practice but he found a couple of boys who were about his age and he was happily showing off his limited skills and then pushing to push them on the seal. Lol. Whatever.

Mummy Lim

First New Bike Rides

Daddy Lim and Lil Shauna were on a quest to replace my beloved Giant MTB that we easily and quickly sold off on Carousell. She wanted a hybrid bike too so that she could go as fast as Zaky. She could fit a size S bike and it wouldn't be too difficult looking for one for her. Daddy Lim tried persuading her to get a roadie instead but she rejected him flat. Haha. 

Unlike Zaky who bought the 1st bike that he could fit, Lil Shauna did a fair bit of "shopping". She tried a brand new Velo, one of those small wheels bike that could go fast but she thought the handling was too twitchy. She also tried a brand new Raleigh hybrid and this time, Daddy Lim said that it wasn't good enough bcos the parts were the "best parts" from China. She eventually settled for a 2nd hand Giant hybrid. Daddy Lim drove her all the way to Tampines to try the bike. Ya, better buy after the need to drive so far. 

The bike was a few months old and we paid $560 for it. I don't think Daddy Lim bargained. We were told that it was on sales as the seller had changed to another bike. 

On Friday night, we took the new bikes and went for our 1st new bike rides. We started on the PCN and switched to the pedestrians walkway in between connecting PCNs. It was not fun trying to navigate bumpy and winding walkpaths, which was made worse having to share with pedestrians. Then we switched to the roads on segments that were quieter. The kids were no stranger to road cycling but it is better to be safe than sorry. 

We rode all the way to Riverside. 

We were lured by the many cafes only to see that they were all crowded. We eventually settled for a drink and snack at one of the kopitiams on the way back. 

I had envisioned us cycling all the way to the barrage and beyond and back but I think that was too much to ask for a tiring Friday night. Nevertheless, the kids easily nailed 30km. They were definitely faster. Lil Shauna has again secured her 3rd fastest rider title. Zaky struggled a little on the returning trip but all good nevertheless. The kids had plenty to learn on how to work the gearing and road safety. 

Most of the times, Daddy Lim was leading while I swept bcos I didn't know the way. Haha. At many points, I saw how much the kids have grown - from their kiddy bikes to PCNs on their MTB to the adult size hybrids today. 他们又长大了. So emotional!

Mummy Lim

Online Shopping

I have to pat myself on the back that I have been fairly disciplined during the many initial months of WFH and didn't spend crazy money on online shopping. Then we started browsing alot for furniture in preparation of the move to LV. Most of the shopping were still done at brick and mortar shops. It was tough, we somewhat need to feel that sofa/ chair/ dining table/ shelf before we commit. 

The online shopping frenzy only started when we were shifting. There were so many interesting little household gadgets to buy online. They didn't cost much (on its own) so I wouldn't feel the pinch if they turn out to be lemons. Interestingly, I have not regretted on the online purchases so far but instead had to throw away a lousy shoe rack that I bought from a shop. More interestingly, there seems to be always something to buy. How come my house is so lacking? Hohoho. It will be Redmart grocery today, another box/ shelf tomorrow, a door mat/ rug the day after. Aiyo. 

The thrill from the buying is only so-so and it is difficult to feel the pinch with the electronic payments. But I have to tell you the immerse excitement of waiting and receiving the delivery. Hohoho. The parcels really make my day, even if they are groceries. Haha. 

The we found Carousell while trying to find Zaky's bike. Hoho. Another joy. We also bought the 2nd hand Cookie's cage and tunnels online. With Zaky's new bike, Lil Shauna also declared that she needed a new and faster one. Ok, the number of bikes have officially outnumbered the people in our household. This calls for some clearance and for the 1st time in my life, I have sold off something via Carousell - Zaky's old Trek and my beloved Giant MTB. 

We sold my Giant MTB for $200, slightly more than 50% of the price that we bought it for, after 3 years. These are the only pictures left. 

Zaky's Trek needed quite some servicing and we sold it for $160, less than half price of what we bought but better than to leave it idling or to pass on for free. 

Daddy Lim asked the kids to behave. Now that we have found Carousell, we can sell anything, including Cookie. Hoho. 

Mummy Lim

New, New, New

The kids didn't mind that the cage and accessories are 2nd hand. The hamster didn't look like he minds as well and instead looks very comfortable. One thing that Zaky did bug for are tunnels to expand the new home. I am glad that we anyhow anyhow but managed to buy a habitatrail cage bcos that brand also carries a whole series of tunnels. They aren't cheap, the pet shop sells like $5+ a piece and we will need many, many pieces to do a proper tunnel. I found some cheaper versions online but aren't sure if they fit. 

That was when one of the carousel sellers whom we approached earlier responded. He has a whole lot of tunnels to let go and we got them for $35. Daddy Lim picked them up in the evening and the kids busied with the cleaning and attempted some tunnel. This is only half of what we bought.

We did build something for the hamster and lured him with a treat into the tunnel. Hoho. Cheap thrill. 

Did you see? Did you see? There were certain parts of the tunnel that was super narrow and we were worried that he would be stuck but he actually managed to u-turn in that narrow space. We then lured him out with another treat and removed the tunnel in case of whatever accident that could happen in the night. 

This morning, Daddy Lim and the kids were eager to give him cuddles before they headed off to work and school. Faint. We were also advised that he had a bad name and he is now Cookie Lim Daogeh! Ya lah, Cookie is like so easy; we also had so many other Cookies in the past for the many black and white fishes. We prayed for it and that the Lord bless Cookie and our Home. Amen!

Mummy Lim

New Member

It had been years since the kids asked for a pet. I have always use it as a carrot for their academic performance. I never say no hor. In fact, the kids have 2 chances a year but they always take turns to screw up for the SAs. Oops, so sorry. 

Well, I had even compromised and they had fishes on a couple of occasions. But they said that it is different. Like you cannot hold it in your hand kind of different. 

The kids got even more upset when the cousins got a pet doggy last year. I am like the worse parent on earth. Lol. Sorry but not sorry. Having a cat/ dog is like having another kid that doesn't grow up. I cannot, really cannot. However, their incessant pleading did make me re-consider, not a cat/ dog but something smaller. The kids had been fairly responsible with the fishes too. Not 三分钟热度, at least got 五分钟. Lol. Coupled with Lil Shauna's hard work for PSLE and Zaky's good results (except for Chinese) for SA2, it is the perfect reasons to buy them a .......... Hamster! Woohoo!

The kids were so excited. If it had been a dog/ cat, we would have adopted but hamsters only a life span of about 2 years and we decided to buy instead. We found a 2nd hand decent looking cage and got that for $18, along with some accessories. The seller also passed us leftover bedding, sand bath and food. Zaky was so excited to get the hamster only to realize that the nearby pet shops sold out and needed to wait for Sunday. 

Meanwhile, he helped to wash the cage and to dry it out. 

Then insisted at 10.30pm that we needed to wipe dry the parts and cannot air dry. Huh? Why? Poor me got dragged out of bed. I was already on the verge to lala land. 

Early Sunday morning, he woke up to prepare the new house for his new hamster. All set up, 只缺东风. 

The pet shop opened at 10am. We had a hearty bfast at Bakers and Cook (again!). It was so good but so expensive. 

Then Daddy Lim dropped us at Jem and left for car servicing. The kids willingly took their Sunday school zoom call at the mall before the grand agenda of the day. 

We chose a Sapphire, only to Google and know that it is a Campbell Dwarf hamster. 

We were supposed to keep it in its new home, let it get familiarised and not touched it at all for 4 days. 

I cannot help but admit that it is so cute. The whole family was looking at it while it explored its new home.

Lil Shauna was quick to set up an IG for it. Believe it or not, his followers are increasing and I think he will soon have more followers than I do. Lol.

Mummy Lim

Eye Checks

I always wonder if Zaky is abusive to his glasses or they are poor in quality. While Lil Shauna's glasses held up, we kept having problem with Zaky's nose piece. We just got their atas Hoya lenses glasses in February 2020 and one of Zaky's nose piece came off again. Zzzzz. 

We were supposed to get the kids' eyes checked after 6 months for these Hoya lenses but it was the CB then and we missed the checkup in August. So just nice, we planned to do the eye check-up and to fix Zaky's glasses. 

The opticians still remembered us. I must be the mummy who was grumbling and so upset about the kids' eyes (and expensive glasses). Lol. Lil Shauna got her eyes checked 1st and was worried. She said that the bad eye seems to have further deteriorated. Die.

Her both eyes have increased by 25 (R - 225, L - 400). Her asti in one of the eyes increased by 25 too. She can still keep her glasses. I thought that it is not too bad already for 9 months. Happy. Hehe. 

Zaky's vision is intact! R -250, L - 225. Yay! His asti in one eye also went up by 25. Doubly happy. Hoho. The kids were glad too bcos they know that mummy is going to scold people if their eyesight worsen again.

I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed that the Hoya lenses will be able to control their myopic. They are already so blind.  I just read that myopic will only stabilise in their 20s. Huh! Still got 10 more years!???

Mummy Lim

Another New Bike!

Zaky got his kiddy Trek mountain bike 3 years ago (I think). It was his bday present and it was almost $400! I almost fainted and learnt that I should never send Daddy Lim to go shopping with the kids. They will only come back with expensive stuff. Tested and proven a couple of times. 

Lil Shauna inherited my Giant MTB when I moved to my beloved Liv Langma. Even before that, Zaky would always be the slowest during our family ride despite her being on her Btwin kiddy MTB. We had been toying with the idea of buying an adult bike for Zaky. The only problem is that he is too short and even the smallest adult bike is a challenge, not to mention that it is super difficult to find a not too expensive new/ used one in that size. 

Daddy Lim had been on the lookout for a bike for Zaky as his bday gift. We had visited a few bike shops only to be told that the sizes are out. One of the shops' auntie even asked Daddy Lim if he had watched "前线追踪" - there is a surging demand for lower tiers bikes, they have flown off the shelves and are out of stock. 

Last Saturday, we drove to this neighborhood bicycle shop that advertised a size 47 Raleigh hybrid bike. We arrived only to be told that it had been sold. Chey, why they didn't update status. Over lunch, Daddy Lim found another ad for a Btwin XS hybrid bike. The seller is based in CCK and responsive. The next moment, we were in CCK viewing the bike. 

We were told that the bike is about 1+ yo and lightly used. Zaky tried the bike and was barely tall enough. He took to it easily while his poor mother was worried that he would crash and hurt himself and the bike. Heng ah, no ah. The bike probably hasn't been used for a while; its chain dropped when I was testing out the gears. We all got our hands black with the chain oil. Otherwise, the bike looks decent enough. 

We eventually bought it for $230 when it was advertised for $260. The brand new bike was about $370 from Decathlon. I only used my 三层 bargaining 功力 when Daddy Lim agreed to the deal; he said not to bite too hard on the young chap seller. Hoho. 

Zaky was so pleased and was asking to go cycling after his Maths class. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't accommodating and it was raining and drizzling non stop until the late evening. It was too dangerous for him to ride in the night. At least he got to ride in circles in the carpark while his mother paced up and down to ensure that the carpark is clear. I have to constantly remind him to watch out for cars, both moving and stationary. There were a couple of expensive cars in the carpark. Heng ah again, nobody and nothing got hurt. 

We did take a ride on early Sunday morning bcos there was forecast of rain in the later morning and we needed to be in time for Zaky's core 4 test. 

It was a short ride to WCP via PCN and pavements. This time, Zaky went 2nd in line and easily caught up with Daddy Lim. It was Lil Shauna who ended up struggling. She has the heaviest bike among all. We cycled a little on quieter roads on the way back. It wasn't too bad, we just have to watch out very carefully for the kids. 

We are planning for a longer ride. I think it will be fun now that Zaky can ride longer and faster without grumbling. Funnily, it was Lil Shauna who is whinning. Lol. She now wanted a hybrid bike too so that she wouldnt be the lowest in the family. Wah, like that no end right? Haha. 

Mummy Lim

Passed Core 4!

 Yay! Passed le! Passed le! 

Zaky said that he wanted to continue learning and to start one to one lesson. He was wavering between learning from Coach Condrey, who taught him for Core 3 and 4 or Coach Raymond, so that he can be together with jiejie. 

We have signed up an individual lesson with Coach Raymond to try. It was actually meant for Lil Shauna, who can't make it. She is such a busy lady now that PSLE is over. Lol. That session is only taking place at the end of November. We will probably try to see if Coach Raymond has time for him earlier in November. 

Zaky complained that his toes hurt when he went back to the ice for practice just now. The skates is very fitting. We ended up taking out the sole and that gave him a little more space to buy a little bit more time. I saw J changing skates and am hoping to buy over his current skates. Those are definitely bigger. Or should we buy Zaky a new pair of entry skates? Hmmmm.... 

Mummy Lim