Ice Skating 26

I hate most Saturday mornings bcos Popo would be grumpy. Last Saturday morning wasn't much different. To make things worse, while I was getting ready, the kids had to fight and Lil Shauna threw the new toys that Popo just bought for Lil Isaac somewhere. Popo was so angry. I hurried out of the house and forgot my jacket, Lil Shauna's ezlink and also her phonics bag and book. What a morning. Haiz.

Luckily ice skating was quite enjoyable. We spent quite some time trying to spin. Lil Shauna is horrible at spinning. Some time back, she was trying to battle the bad habit of leaning one side, affecting her spin. We seemed to have corrected that issue some what but she still can't spin. We just couldn't understand how spinning works. I hate spinning myself - it makes me dizzy.

We couldn't quite solve the mystery. I kept thinking that both feet have to be kept parallel and side by side whilst spinning. I had also thought that the spin was powered by the one foot drag at the beginning. The mystery was finally solved after mummy spent much time studying how others spin. It dawned on me that one foot is actually slightly in front of the other.  I don't know how that help but others are doing that and are spinning so it must be right. Additionally, after many youtubes, I suddenly realised that the spin was powered by the sudden force of pulling both feet together.  I tried myself and it worked! Lil Shauna was starting to get the idea too.

Teacher Raymond spent some time on her spins too. Poor girl was spinning so much that day.  Lol. I think she just need 1 or 2 weeks more to master her spin.

Mummy Lim

Turning Kick

Lil Isaac is always so serious during his TWD class. He may have problems staying still but always tries his super best during drills. Yday, Master Lee was trying to correct his turning kick, one of the testable items during the upcoming grading test.

To drill in the concept, the kids were made to practice on the padded wall.

I thought Master Lee taught well bcos Lil Isaac got the idea fairly quickly and his turning kicks improved.

The last part of the class was spent on mock grading test. The kids would go up according to their belt colour and perform as per what they would be tested during the test.

Lil Isaac was so serious in trying to execute his kicks and moves. But actually he looked so cute! I even saw Master Kim trying to hide his smile. He must have found the little boy very cute too.  Lol.

After class, Lil Isaac was so proud. He said that Master Lee praised him, telling him that his turning kicks are better than those of the yellow belt! Haha. I duno how true but definitely boost the little boy's motivation.

Mummy Lim

Oh Hot Water!

The contractor came as promised! Though Popo complained that the installation took over 2 hours and the workers kept walking in and out of the house to take cigar breaks and as a result dirtied the whole house. The installation cost $150.

I was actually very looking forward to having hot water after 3 days of cold showers. I suddenly am so grateful for the convenience of hot water at the flick of a switch!

When we were home, Popo said that the contractors told her that our heater spoilt bcos of the constant switching on and off. He said that the heater is made to last 10 years and should only switch on in the morning and off in the night. It doesn't consume much electricity, only what is required to power the switch.

Huh? What nonsense?!! If the switch is not meant to "inform" the water tank that we need hot water, therefore use electricity to heat and keep the hot water in the tank, then what is? I supposed there is some sort of thermostat and the water reboils if it falls below certain temperature. How could it not waste electricity if the switch is kept on the whole day?

I think we need to send those uncles for science classes. Ah... hot water.

Mummy Lim

Stupid Heater

On Wednesday night, I heard the kids screamed in the showers that the water was too cold. I lazily told them that the water would take some time to heat up while continued to scroll on my phone. Lol. Daddy Lim went into the showers next and he didn't complain. I assumed that all were good until I stepped into the showers myself. It was cooolllddddd! What happened to the heater?

The heater is spoilt, just when the weather is starting to turn cooler. Win already. I was hoping that it was merely throwing a small tantrum. Popo said that she tried to turn on and off the switch a few times yday but it didn't work. She even knocked on it a few times but it remained dead. So sad. 

It is indeed inconvenient without hot water. The adults can attempt to jump in and out of the showers but Popo had to boil hot water for the kids especially if the showers happened in the night. She demanded that the heater be replaced immediately.

Lil Isaac had phonics lesson at JE yday evening. I thought of buying a new heater from IMM but Daddy Lim thinks that it was too rush to get to IMM, buy the heater, settle dinner and be in time to pick Lil Isaac. It was then decided that he would send Lil Isaac to class while I go to JP and buy a heater from the C shop. Before I left the house, I checked online and was sure that the shop carries heater, both the instant and the central storage type.

At the shop, as I expected, they only carry the instant type. I considered switching to the instant type but freak out just thinking about the wiring and the installation. I asked if the shop could help me to order the storage type from the other stores, arranged for delivery and installation and I will pay on the spot. The promoter said that it was possible. I would think so too. Which sales person doesn't want sales? 

However, the promoter said that they had to check for availability via what seemed to be the one and only computer in the shop. The computer was used by an uncle to serve another customer. And so I waited…. for almost 30 mins. I was so happy when it was finally my turn. My heater!

The same uncle at the computer attended to my request. Upon hearing that I saw it online, he asked me to order it online instead and that I can save on the delivery fees. I don't want to save the delivery fees, I want to have confirmation of the heater and the installation and I want it NOW. He then checked the system and told me that all the 3 storage heaters that I saw online are out of stock at the store. What???!!!! He insisted that I should order online and told me to call the contractor myself for installation. He said that it is the standard practice even if I were to cash and carry one of the in-stock instant heaters from the shop. He gave me the contractor contact number and kind of chase me out of the shop. Did you see the smoke coming out from my ears? How come got business don't want to make?

I headed to the H shop in JP. They also only carry the instant heaters. I asked if it would make sense for me to replace my storage heater with new instant ones. The sales who doesn't look very expert told me that it would cost hundreds for installation cost. Forget it.

We went for Plan B – Daddy Lim drove to IMM to get a heater while I head to JE to pick up Lil Isaac. Daddy Lim called me and said that the shop carries the storage heater but we also have to call the contractor ourselves. Arrgghhhh.. I called the contractor contact given to me by the C shop (heng, I didn't throw the contact away in anger). The contractor was nice and agreed to the installation on Saturday evening! Daddy Lim also bought the storage heater on the spot.

Daddy Lim was in time to pick Lil Isaac and myself from JE. While in the car, he also complained about the lousy attitude from the sales person, as if we had to beg them to sell us the heater. What is wrong with the sales people? Don't want to earn $$ ah?

The only silver lining? Lil Isaac get to shower with hot water that Popo prepared. The hot water was stored in the bath tub that the kids use when they were toddlers. He totally enjoyed the experience.

Let’s hope that the contractor come on time on Saturday and ends our nightmare. 

Mummy Lim

PSLE Marking

We used to avoid traveling during the school holidays and had no qualms taking the kids out of school to do so. However, ever since Lil Shauna started primary school, we had to fight with the rest of the parents to travel during the school holidays. Chey.

It has recently come to my attention that there are 4 days of PSLE marking taking place in the 3rd week of October! Aiya. If I have known earlier. Unfortunately, the realisation has also jolted the travel bug. It is now awake, asking what's next after the Korea holiday in December. Hehehe. I want to go for a holiday lah.

Mummy Lim

Evergreen Lego

It was a nice morning and the kids were playing nicely by themselves. I tried to be as quiet and invisible for as long as I can, enjoying the little peace. Unfortunately, the peaceful moments didn't last long. The kids soon cannot agree on what to play and how to play it. Chey. I tried to be the peace maker and encourage them to play a bit more but not successful. Double chey. Lol.

So, we took out the evergreen Lego. We still have a box of the regular lego but both kids appeared to have upgraded to the mini ones. Over time, we have a big Ikea box of mini legos and quite a few instructions books. 

Lil Shauna built an imaginary pet house with a huge garden. The end product was surprising pretty. 

Lil Isaac decided to follow some instruction books to rebuild some boats and cars. He is now able to follow the instruction books and build the models without help. Building the models isn’t difficult; it is the looking for the specific mini pieces that is daunting. This is especially so if that piece is the ONLY piece among the thousands of other mini lego pieces. At times, I had to ask Lil Shauna to help. She has sharp eyes. Lil Isaac is best just waiting for the pieces to be found. He makes a mess, sweeping lego pieces from left to right and back in the pretext of trying to find. Lol.

This is his accomplishment.

I like playing with lego too. The kids were asking if they can buy new lego sets for children’s day. Huh? No need lah. We have so many pieces already.

Mummy Lim 

Next Grading Test

The next grading test is on 8 Nov. Lil Isaac is yellow tip now and would be promoted to yellow belt if he passed the grading test. He is learning the usually kicks now. Nothing too complicated. However, the boy is dead serious in all his classes. I would be glad if Lil Shauna has half of his concentration and efforts.

At the end of last week's class, he was super excited, running to me to tell me that he is ready for grading test! He has obtained a black tape. The masters gave out different tape during classes to motivate the kids as well as to track their progress. So black tape signifies readiness for grading test. Ahhhh....

Yday, while he was in class practicing the usual, I was peeping at the yellow belt kids practicing. In yellow belt, they started to learn some footwork. Accordingly to Daddy Lim, to pass the test, basically have to memorise the footwork. It was like seriously complicated. I dun see a pattern! I wonder how would Lil Isaac remembers. I told Daddy Lim that I would leave that to him. Oh, maybe I should look for my best friend YouTube too. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 25

Come to think of it, Lil Shauna had been learning ice skating for almost 1.5 yr. Other than the 4 core group lessons, she had 25 more private lessons. I cannot imagine the kind of money the one rink had earned from us and didn't dare to do the calculations too. I am just glad that she still has the interest and continues to learn new moves.

Yday's practice wasn't too bad. In fact, she always can do more with me than Teacher Raymond. Maybe I should sign up private lessons with Teacher Raymond and then I teach Lil Shauna in return. Haha. She did well with the ballet jump and is starting to manage the one-foot ballet pose. Surprisingly, her spiral also improved despite us not practicing that much. She is weak balancing on one foot but I supposed improves naturally as she continues to practice.

During class, I could see that she wasn't concentrating. Teacher Raymond is still faulting her for looking down but I think she did so much better as compared to weeks back. The lesson consisted mainly of practicing as well as some new footwork. She also learnt how to combine a waltz jump with a ballet jump. That looked quite nice. Hehe.

We have lessons for all weeks in October. I hope it will do her good.

Mummy Lim

Same, Same

Daddy Lim cuts his hair so very often. I don't think I have seen his hair longer than 5 cm. He said that it helps him to keep cool.

Lil Isaac caught Daddy Lim's fetish and loves to visit the hair dresser too. A week back, Daddy Lim brought him to one bcos his hair is too long. I wouldn't mind to grow his hair a little. This is afterall the only time that he can do so before he starts formal school. Maybe he would look like some Korean star with longer hair. Hehe. Too bad.

This is what happens next.

Errr... they went to the same hairdresser? HHow come they look the same? Haha.

Mummy Lim

Cat Museum

When I was planning the itinerary for the Korea trip, I was glad to know that there is a cat and a dog cafe in Myeongdong. That is where our hotel is located. It is basically a cafe that serves a drink at a flat rate and the cats/ dogs roam freely for the patrons to pat/ touch. As expected, the kids were thrilled.

I got to know that there is a similar concept in Singapore - the Cat Museum. So we brought the kids.  It is located somewhere near to the Mint Toy Museum that we visited some months back and has a similar concept of using a 4 floors shop house.

The museum is shoes free. We left our shoes in the locker provided and paid $9 per pax for entrance on the 2nd floor . Lil Isaac enters free (below 6 yo). On the 2nd floor, it house a cat family. The mama is on the extreme right with her 3 kids. The papa cat is unrelated but put together bcos he is also white. They are beautiful though not too friendly.  The white cats have one blue eye and one yellow eye. Interesting leh. 

The cats on the 3rd floor are for adoption. One part of the 3rd floor house the teenagess and adults stray. These are a little bit more friendly. Most of the cats were snoozing though. Not bad to be cat ya.

The other part of the 3rd floor housed many kittens. Yes, these kittens are for adoption too. The kittens were super action and we were so worried that Lil Isaac would accidentally step on one. The kids of course asked if they could adopt a kitty. Sorry lah, kids.

The top floor housed superstar cats. I don't know why they are so special. Probably they are not for adoption. Similarly, the cats weren't too friendly and most of them were sleeping when we visited.

We left after 1 over hour and the kids asked to come back again. The place is really nicely decorated. 

It is also well-manned by many volunteers. It is very clean in my opinion without much of a weird smell. I would consider this as a feat with so many visitors as well as cats. I heard teh volunteers saying that some visitors come abd spent hours with the cats! I think we would go back again. Thumbs up!

Mummy Lim