New Sunday Routine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mummy Lim

New Skates!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We got them. Hoho. 

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

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

Mummy Lim

Covid Restrictions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mummy Lim

Cooks!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mummy Lim

Another Oral Ordeal - Cracked Tooth Part 4

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

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

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

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

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

Mummy Lim

Covid-19 New Restrictions

First, the gym was closed. LV's MA was too enthu and closed the gym the very next day it was announced on the news, way before the effective date. But of course, who can complain when the MA is supposed to be "protective" and "proactive". Imagine my disappointment when I had already planned the next few days' gym regimen to make full use of it before the restrictions kicked in. 

When there is no gym, my weekend exercises are reduced to jogging and outdoor cardio HIIT. Both are equally tiring. Sob. I do get a good sweat out in this hot Singapore summer though. 

Sweat and more sweat.

Last week, Daddy Lim and I also caught Mortal Kombat in the cinema without the kids. 

We don't even remember when was the last time we went to a movie without the kids. This one M18 lah. I guess we all have to stay off the cinema for a while. 

The Government has advised us to stay at home this weekend and we did just that. We converted Zaky's maths tuition to zoom learning and we were home for almost the entire day. The kids cooked fried maggie meet for lunch. 

But bugged to have dinner outside - the last in the next 2 weeks (at least).

We had a little cycling/ skating in Jurong Lake before we called it a day.

Truth be told, I didn't quite mind the staying at home. It was a good rest and I kind of missed it. Hoho. 

This morning, the restrictions officially kicked in. Daddy Lim and I went for a quiet ride. The roads were indeed quieter and we didn't see many cyclists. 

Then tabao-ed bfast home in all-boomer style.

Zaky's ice skating class was intact. I had also earlier booked ice time for Lil Shauna. It was a little jittery trying to bring 2 kids to the rink as we exceeded the group of 2 ruling. 

JCube was a lot quieter than usual. Looks like people are all trying to do their part. I couldn't stay in the rink and the mall Management made it impossible to linger anywhere. I guessed they are trying to make it so uncomfy to stay in the mall and for people to go home and stay home as quickly as possible. 

That was what we did too. I tabao-ed dinner from Don Don Donki so that we didn't have to leave the house to go tabao again. 

The news just shared that HBL will start on Wednesday. I hope it will be easier this round with Lil Shauna already independent. I just hope that I don't pull too much hair with Zaky. Who can believe that it had been more than a year since CB. It does take some getting used too. Fighting! 

Mummy Lim

Finally a Teenager

Lil Shauna spent 2 birthdays in the midst of covid-19. At least this one was before all these crazy restrictions came into place. 

We had the 1st round with the Fs and had a feast also in view of Mothers' Day.

We had ice cream cake, courtesy of my brother's family but the candles were forgotten. So Lil Shauna pretended to blow out the candles. Hoho. 

On her bday, she happily pose for me before heading to school. She mega complained that she had CL2 and FCE WA2 on her bday. 

At least we had dinner at a nice eating place. I wanted Mookata but they complained that the kopitiam was too hot. Then we thought to go to the Korean place at Sunset way but Daddy Lim kept nagging that the parking is crapped and the place would be crowded. He kept pushing for Jem. Go lah, go lah. I cannot take all these whinning. Lol.

In the end, we had Japanese porky food. Not bad. 

Followed by Fluffy Stack. Lil Shauna loves it. Zaky was upset that Fluffy Stack doesn't serve anything ice cream and rejected the pancakes. Heng ah, one less person to share. Hoho. 

Both sets were gone so quickly. Daddy Lim complained that there is no meat but he also whacked what. 

I would have bought a cake and candles for Lil Shauna to do proper candle blowing but we were too full. Ended up, her cake and candles came one day late. 

Done! 

Dear baby, you have no idea how glad I am seeing you enjoying your secondary school and teenager life. Last year was tough with PSLE, Covid and your crazy growing up vibes. I am glad that we got through them alive. I love how you had opened up, gained independence (pls don't stay out frequently until 10pm, your old mother's heart cannot take it), made some tough decisions and forged new relationships. I am sure the next few years will continue to be exciting while we brace ourselves for new challenges and probably some difficult times. Continue to excel and grow in the Lord. I am looking forward to seeing your achievements, be it spiritual, academic, ice skating, social... I love it all. 

We love you to the moon and back. 

Spotted any resemblance?

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 17 and 237

Zaky mentioned that he wanted to stop his ice skating class when he was bugging for his aggro inline skates. Did he stop? Not yet, we agreed to continue with May's lessons as we have booked Coach's time. Is he still as passionate with aggro skating? The forest fire seems to look more like a bush flame now. Will he stop ice skating? He doesn't know but agrees that he would at least cut down on the number of lessons. 

He still looks like a dead fish many times during lesson. I know that it is not fun doing the same thing over and over again and yet barely getting it. In the 2nd picture, Coach asked him to stand straight to do his 3-turn and he ended up with a protruding tummy. Hoho. But I saw him improving. Slowly but surely. 

Lil Shauna is no doubt still with the sports. Ice skating has become more and more interesting for her (as compared to Zaky) with good skating peers and inching improvements. Oh, the competition results are not out yet. It had been more than a month and the judges must be scrutinizing the videos so closely. 

Lil Shauna is still trying for her double salchow jump. Mastering the double jumps is one of the elements to move on to the next level. When I checked back my blog, she was introduced to the jump in July 2020. I heard her and even Coach say that she is "almost there" so many times. Almost every lesson, I will see her fall until 四脚朝天 when attempting her double sal. Ouch!

It is jumping, falling, studying the video and repeat. Coach says that she is crossing her feet but not tight enough. As a result, she either lands on her wrong foot or 2 feet. 

She is aware of the issue but the problem is that she can't feel her legs/ feet when she jumps. Zzzzzzz. She said that she only knows what happen after she lands. Hohoho. I am not even surprised if she tells me that she closes her eyes in the air lor. Lol. 

She is more of a jumper than a spinner and I am waiting for the Eureka moment when she suddenly gets it, just like the axel jump that she had been stuck so long and suddenly gets it. Then one fine day (actually last Sunday), she was skating leisurely with R and attempting her double salchow jump. She didn't even look like she was going to try hard to jump and she nailed the double salchow jump effortlessly!

I do not always look at her when she is on the ice but right at that moment, I saw her did her 1st even double jump. Hohoho. She was more in shock and doubt. For while, I was wondering if she had executed an axel jump instead. Then, we were all jumping around in excitement. I got the next successfully double sal on video. Hohoho. The "almost there" is finally "there". This is like a Mothers' Day present wor. 

All in all, she got 3 good double sal jumps and then kept falling when attempting to land. Why? She landed with her CG on her butt but she cannot feel anything in the air and cannot adjust. Remember? 

I am hoping that she would not lose her double salchow jumps like she sometimes does. She is worried too, such that she volunteered to come to the ice for practice this morning. 

She is so enthu also bcos she has companion leh. 

Did she lose her jump? Well, she still managed and I saw her land one properly and the rest ended with her sitting on the ice. Hohoho. Fighting!

Mummy Lim