Ice Skating 292: After Forever

It had been so long since I last saw Nana on ice. June had been a super relaxed month. SISA ice had been canceled left, right and center bcos of insufficient skaters. For one, ice skating is an expensive sports (read: affluent parents) and when travel opens up, everybody travels. Then the Zamboni went down and the ice was not ideal for classes. Adding on sprained ankle, Nana basically didn't skate much. 

July isn't any better. It was covid and her school netball competition and she wanted to cut down on ice skating to concentrate on her netball. We didn't do any SISA in July and had classes on Sunday afternoon instead. Bcos of church and to send Zaky for tuition in the afternoon, it is difficult to make time to see her on ice. 

I finally got my chance last Sunday. I dragged Zaky to JCube after church and we taobaoed lunch to eat at the spectator seats. We made it just in time to see Nana in class. Bcos of the infrequent classes, she was lamenting that she had almost lost her axel and for sure lost her double salchow. Her double toe was almost there before June and had now gone into hiding again. 

She got back her axle and managed to land several double salchow. 回来了！

I had hoped to see her practising hard after class. I must be dreaming to think that she would. After her lesson was J's lesson and she was chatting and leisurely skating with R around the rink. Zzzzz. For sure, I cannot expect any hard work from her until R goes for her class. 

Then the 3 of them monkeying around Coach to look at the video of J's attempted axel jump. 

Once upon a time, they were all so tiny. Now, all of them are about the same or taller than Coach. 

As expected, Nana finally agreed to show me some real skating when R was in class. A couple of spins and some jumps later, she told me how her ankle hurts, her head dizzy, her skates loose.. Zzzzzzzzzz. In the same space, I saw this young skater working so hard on her own. Zzzzzzzz. 

After class, we walk around the mall and I fed her late lunch. Then, she happily went to meet her friend and left me her skate bag. #mummy'slife

I headed home via the MRT and wanted to pick up the scooter that Nana has left at the station for days bcos she kept forgetting to pick it up. 

This was what I saw. 

Tell me, what is she trying to lock? The hand rail? Haiz, despite me telling her multiple times to lock the scoot properly. Then again, it is either Singapore is too safe or the scooter is too lousy that nobody cares to steal. I think it is the latter. 

Zaky went to meet jiejie and friend too. As a result, it was just Daddy Lim and me for dinner. 

I was telling Daddy Lim that we must get used to just the 2 of us time soon. We look like we are doing that very well already. Hoho. 

Mummy Lim

Kite "Running"

Zaky came home happily on Friday and said that the student care outdoor activity was kite flying. He loves student care on Friday bcos of the outdoor activity. The kite was gifted by school. He didnt get any bcos he was too late but his friend, who got one, didn't want it and pass it to him. 

He bugged us to bring him kite flying on Saturday. Jiejie was busy with her youth programs and thus the "only kid left" gets whatever he wanted to do. Kite flying it shall be. 

We headed to WCP in the late afternoon when the sun wasn't working so hard. Unfortunately, the wind wasn't working hard too. Zaky showed us how he "flew" the kite in school, which basically involved a lot of running. 

Something doesn't seem right. Kite flying cannot be so tiring, right? We tried googling on how to kite fly but in those videos, the wind was howling and the kite like automatically fly into the sky the moment it was released. Zzzzz. 

We all took turns to fly the kite, but actually more like taking turns to "run" the kite. Lol. It was seriously hard work and we were not the only family "running" the kite. Muahahaha. 

We didn't last very long. Daddy Lim and Zaky were sweating buckets after "flying" the kite for less than 30 mins and we decided that it was time to call it a day. Lol. 

Before we left the park, Zaky asked to climb the spiderweb. 

Once upon a time, the pyramid looked so big with the tiny kids. 

Mummy Lim

I Have a New Crown

 

I finally got my permanent crown after the procedure was delayed by a week due to covid. 

I have come to believe that there is no comfortable dental procedure. This crown fitting was much tolerable but not comfortable. 

I was surprised how easily the temporary crown was yanked out, wasn't it cemented? 

So cute looking, right? It is actually soft. Yes, I touched it. Hoho. 

The dentist had to "clean" the "naked tooth" before trying on the permanent crown. The naked tooth was so sensitive and there was a lot of putting on the crown, taking out to trim, putting back on, hit repeat. Each time the crown was removed, put on, grind test, it hurts. The worse is the cleaning off of glue after the temporary crown was removed and the final cleaning before the permanent crown was cemented. 救命啊. I clenched my fists and hoped so badly for it to be done and over. 

Finally! The permanent crown has a porcelain outering but metal core. The dentist was proudly telling me how that helps the asthestic. I don't care, really. I just want to be pain free and no dental procedure. But it does feel very smooth when I ran my tongue over the crown. The feeling is quite shiok. Hoho. 

So yes, one more item ticked off. I am due to go back to the dreadful chair to replace the old metal filling that is probably accelerating the cracking. Then I think I am done. I cannot live through a root canal and will keep the last cracked tooth until it is time to say goodbye. 

Mummy Lim

Covid Freedom!

I have officially ended my covid confinement at 12pm Monday. Yesh, I am free! 

What pleases me the most is actually not exiting the room but the major clean up. The room was filthy! The bedsheet hasn't been cleaned, the floor not mopped and toilet not washed since Lil Shauna was confined, then I took over. A good 12 days of filth! The floor even felt sticky. Eeeeewwwkkkk... 

I actually started the clean up operations last Thursday. I cannot avoid seeing the thick layer of dust that has accumulated on the windows and the shelves. The toilet and fan were thoroughly washed on Sunday night. Come Monday, it was bedsheet washing in the early morning, then mopping when I finally exited. The floor was sparkling clean and the room smelled so nice. Daddy Lim benefited big time. 

Are we fully recovered? I continue to hear Lil Shauna coughing. My cough has subsided but I had been plagued by this extreme tiredness. I thought I am imagining things but I really struggling to stay awake at times. I am blaming everything on covid now and hope that things will go back to normal soon. Yawn, I am sleepy. 

Mummy Lim

Covid Day 6

It is the bright morning of Day 6 and how had it been? Surviving. 

So far, day 3 had been absolutely worse. The blocked nose and coughing were so bad. I figured out that there must be medicine to treat those symptoms and I need not suffer in vain. Googled, found telemedicine on MOH website for covid cases and made appointment. I used to read about how sick covid patients waited for hours for the telemedicine appointment. Things must have improved bcos I got my appointment instantly. 

I was told to prep my IC and an ART kit and done an online supervised ART test. I was still hoping to be -ve on day 4 but the C line appeared so fast and strong and knock out all of my hopes. 

The appointment was done in less than 10 mins and I have officially become an added number to the Government's statistics. The doctor also prescribed medicine for sore throat, blocked nose and cough. I was told that the medicine for the nose and cough would cause drowsiness but didn't worried too much, thinking to myself that I had lunch time to sleep the drowsiness away. 

The medicine arrived right before lunch, falling nicely in my plan. 

They really work wonders and soon, the blocked nose cleared and the coughing soothed. I was so pleased and took a nap during lunch when I felt the drowsiness hit. 

I have underestimated this "drowsiness". It hit me so hard. I woke up for the afternoon meetings but was grouchy, couldn't concentrate very well and very thin in patience. I wasn't functioning and managed to push a non-critical meeting away. By the last meeting at 4pm, I was ready to doze off. 

Right after, I hit the sack again and slept for another 1 hour. I only felt much better after that. And as the drowsiness wears off, so did the effect of the medicine and the blocked nose and coughing start creeping back. What??!! So, it is a choice of the lesser 2 evils? I learnt and chose to keep the drowsy medicine to only at night. Hoho. Then the low grade fever came back. Why? Why? Why?

I felt like I was on revival mode from Day 4 onwards, just when I was wondering if I was ever going to get better from covid. However, my energy was also depleting from the long week and I was so glad that it was Friday. Never mind that I would be confined during the weekend, I am finally getting some real rest. 

Popo is still standing strong, did her supervised ART on Friday morning and left for the cruise. The moment she was gone, I started happily walking around the house, like a mouse out to play. I figured out that the rest of the family had been covid-ed and had natural immunity against the covid-ing. I did obediently stay in the room most of the time lah. I understand that the family had natural immunity but there is no 100%. 

Day 5 (Saturday) was spent mostly in the room. I had plenty of rest, did some work and even revised 口试 with Zaky for his prelims starting on Monday. Yes, prelims are here. So fast, too fast! Health wise, I was feeling so much better, if not close to normal. 

I will be a free bird tomorrow! Was it tough confined to the room? Not exactly. I had it so much easier than the rest bcos I got to "escape" at times and walk around the house. I do miss the air outside the house though. I want to go out!

Mummy Lim

Covid @ Day 7 and Day 2

Lil Shauna's wish of escaping the room didn't materialise last evening. As a result, she got to sleep with Yours Truly. Well, our bed is big enough and we slept comfortably on it. With the help of the panadol, the fever went again and I slept fairly well. 

This morning, I still woke up with a low grade fever. I took another dose of panadol before starting work. With the fever gone, I actually felt normal. The sore throat, flu and coughing are manageable and I was bragging about it. 

I am the typical 新加坡人, 装厉害 . I obviously spoke too soon bcos the blocked nose and coughing hit me hard in the afternoon. It drained me of the energy. Zzzzz. While I could still work as normal, I did take extra time in between meetings to rest. 

Lil Shauna continues to whine the entire morning. She was a chirpy bird when she finally left the room and even made Daddy Lim bring her to JP in the evening. FREEDOM! I wonder how the air smells like outside the room.

Today is Day 2. I hope the blocked nose will clear up more tomorrow. I cannot breathe properly lah. Hmpf.. 

The most amazing feat? I managed to clock my 8,000 steps by walking round and round in the tiny room. I am dizzy. 

Mummy Lim

Covid @ Day 6 + New Covid +ve

Oh yes, I have fallen. Hohoho. With almost everybody in the family gotten Covid, I did feel a little lonely. Hahaha. When Zaky was infected, I spent the nights sleeping in the same room with him and I thought I would be infected but I didn't. Lil Shauna had been a lot more independent but we used the room (and toilet) a lot more too. It is just a matter of time... 

Last night, I developed a sore throat that didn't go away this morning. I tested when I didn't have to and it was -ve. I can no longer trust if I really have a sore throat bcos everybody feels some sort of throat discomfort when there is a +ve case around you. Hoho. 

Then I got the body chill and suspected a fever. I was at 37.8. 来了. I tested again at noon and there it was. 

It was so faint at 1st before the line turned darker. I do feel like I was testing for pregnancy. Haha. 

I packed my stuff and joined Lil Shauna in the quarantined room. 

It is Day 6 for Lil Shauba and she is so desperate to get out. She tested and was running around the house excitedly when there was no line. I got her to shower and prep for early exit, which she did. 

But was called back shortly bcos a very faint line appeared. Hahahahaha. 

So, I had company on my day 1 confinement. 

We even ordered Koi to share. Haha. Only to realise that I forgot the pearls. Zzzzz. 

My symptoms are manageable. My sore throat wasn't too bad and while I was running a 37ish temperature the whole day, I was highly functional and worked as needed. 

It was only in the evening, when I think I ran out of adrenaline that I suffered. The fever came back and I am feeling weak. I am so glad to have Lil Shauna for companion and imagine how lonely and sad it was for her battling high fever on her day 1. Tomorrow I will find out tomorrow how lonely it really is when she happily exits the room. She cannot wait and had been whining the whole afternoon. 

Bcos I am tested +ve, Daddy Lim got another 4 days of LOA. He just went back to work this morning and came back again in the afternoon. Haha. 

My appetite? OK leh. I thought it is like the perfect chance to lose weight now. Chey. Counting down to day 7. 

Mummy Lim

Covid +ve @ 72hrs + Sending Off

Yday was Day 4 and the 72nd hrs that testing could be attempted. Lil Shauna is feeling so much better. The fever didn't come back after the 1st day, the sore throat is so much better, she didn't sound like she is coughing excessively but still very nasal sounding. She had a lot more energy too and started finding things (in the room) to self-entertain.

Popo cooked us porridge and we had lunch together - us at the dining table and Lil Shauna on WhatsApp call. She was hoping against all hopes that she would be tested -ve so that she could join us in sending Boo off at the airport. 

Did she? No lah! Her symptoms are still so obvious, I don't see how she could be -ve. I saw her stared intently at the kit and went "oh sh*t". Lol. The T line appeared strong and clear the moment the solution reaches the T slot. Hohoho. 

It was a long way from our home to the airport. We headed direct after Zaky's tuition and arrived at 5ish for dinner at Jewel. It was our 2nd visit to Jewel ever and saw the iconic radio tower, joking how every kid must draw the radio tower when asked to draw Changi Airport. Hoho. It still applies now.

The Chan family arrived at the airport at 7ish. There was enough time for coffee while the little ones run around at the airport. I was so glad that the airport wasn't crowded and there was plenty of space bcos the kids were definitely nuisances. The running gang.

What were the 2 teenager girls doing? Lil Shauna asked me to video call Boo the moment Boo was available. So while the adults chatted physically, so did the girls. 

Lil Shauna managed to take a group photo with them.

All thanks to technology.

She was in the kids' group photo as well. Hahaha.

We said the final goodbyes, took plenty of pictures and hugs. 

Before the Chan Family crossed the immigration. 

Lil Shauna got to witness all these via the WhatsApp call. I didn't feel so sad at 1st but also felt like tearing seeing it through the girls' eyes. It is such great blessings that our kids have also forged such strong friendships, just like their mummies. Maybe bcos the adults can always arrange to travel and meet but it felt like a much longer goodbye for the girls since that freedom is not their call.

We left after the Chan Family entered the immigration. All the best to them in their new adventure! We will meet again when they are back for holidays or maybe one day, we will visit them in the 羊 meh meh land. 

Mummy Lim

Another One Covid +

Our family was not spared this wave.

Lil Shauna complained of a sore throat on Wednesday evening. Her ART turned out -ve much to her wishes. She had made plans to sleepover at Boo's place, as part of the farewell plans. The Chan Family are moving to NZ again and have no definite plans (for now) on their return. 

She had planned to go to Boo's place after school on Thursday, and they would do HBL together on Friday, then continue the sleepover until Saturday. On Thursday morning, her sore throat was still bad and her 2nd ART continued to be -ve. 

I texted her while on the way home from office on Thursday evening. She said that she was already at Boo's house, her throat was still bad and she thought a fever was coming. She measured and was 38ish degrees. Whatever that she had, I thought she should come home. It isn't the time to pass any viruses to the Chan Family, who are leaving on coming Sunday. She agreed, probably bcos she was feeling unwell. 

Not long after, she called again to say that the ART was +ve. Zzzzzzz. The Chan Family didn't quite mind bcos they all had fallen previously and had natural immunity. Uncle C even said that Lil Shauna could sleepover still. No lah, natural immunity does mean 100% protection. Lil Shauna wanted to come home too. 

Daddy Lim was activated to go pick Lil Shauna. When he finally arrived, he said that we had 2 problems - an ART+ kid and a flat tire. Why??!! 

Must be God giving us the chance and time to say goodbye. 

While waiting for the mobile car repair crew, the girls got to spend more time together. 

Lil Shauna barely had any appetite, so Daddy Lim benefited from the extra dinner. Lol. 

After like 2 hours, they finally made it home. Just like Zaky, Lil Shauna got the premium suite aka our room. She was burning with fever and complained of a super sore throat.  

Unlike Zaky, Lil Shauna is a lot more independent. She spend day 1 (or evening 1) sleeping alot. Thankfully, her fever subsided with panadol. She said that the night was rough bcos she was coughing alot. She had some appetite though.

I kept telling Lil Shauna that she needed to try to eat, eat whatever. After her last fainting spell, I get super gan cheong at anybody falling sick. She got whatever that she craved for, from ice cream, to potato chips to chocolates. Popo was nagging that it is too heaty and had been trying to feed her coconut water and barely water. I don't care, it is covid, not some heatiness sickness lor. Eat, she must. 

Today is day 3. The fever is gone but the sore throat is still bad. She sounded super nasal and is still coughing. Popo is hoping that she would be tested -ve at the 72 hours mark, so that it would less likely spread and affect her chances of going for her cruise holidays next week. I also hope lor. I super need Popo to be away. 

Lil Shauna must be feeling better. Bcos while we brought Zaky out this afternoon, she was turning our room out, looking for secrets. 

Those are the cones I used for rollerblading lor.

Mummy Lim

Ride to Railway

It had been months since Daddy Lim rode. He now works on one weekend and the other one is stolen by his new love - aggro skating. Not only does he have skating companions (including Zaky), he is taking aggro skating classes and thus has no time for cycling. I think I saw a family of spiders settling in comfortably on his roadie and building their colony. Hoho. 

He finally had both weekends off last week. He accompanied Zaky for class on Saturday and generously offered his Sunday morning to me. Let's go cycling!

Instead of roadie cycling, which he isn't sure if he still can ride, we went gravel and hybrid cycling instead. He suggested the old railway and we managed to jio another cyclist friend who too wanted a leisure ride.

I am very pleased with the ride. Other than the initial journey that required some gentle climb, the rest of the ride was very enjoyable, particularly the green corridor (I think that is what it is called). 

It is my 1st time visiting the old railway. 

I seriously cannot see in the poor morning light and trying to remain calm amidst the crazy flying bats, while taking this picture. 

We then visited the old station.

I was so reminded of 九份 and 十份. Must pose for pictures. 

Daddy Lim posed so weirdly. Lol. I did a better job. 

This one so IG-able.

One last one before moving on. 

Just a while later, we stopped and must take another picture bcos it was so scenic. 

It didn't even look like Singapore. 

It was such a nice ride that we think we should bring the kids back. One day.... 

Mummy Lim