Party Time!

I saw on fb that Zouk Mambo was taking place on Monday night and sent it to the cheong kakis, wondering who would go clubbing on a Monday night. No need to work meh? Until I was reminded that it was a PH eve. Hohoho. I like PH. Then, it was quickly decided that we too would go clubbing on Monday night. Hehe.

Our clubbing date comes once every few months, sometimes much longer bcos we are old already. Somebody would get itchy feet and throw the invite. The only challenge is to find a good clubbing place bcos we are so out of touch.

It was decided that we would head to Clarke Quay bcos the last few clubbing experiences there worked. I no longer have to wait for the kids to be in bed before making may way to join the girls. We agreed to meet at 10pm for coffee. Haha, I know, another obvious sign of our advancing age. Double shot somemore to keep the eyes from closing. It was nearing bedtime.

Hello, Clarke Quay with the pretty lights.

The girls shared that they had done their rounds and showed me a postcard on club f. I am always cautious of clubs with too young a crowd and this one sounded exactly like one of them. It promises free entry and housepour at $5 per glass until 12.30am. While we totally can afford, seeking bargains is in our blood.

I resisted entry at the door of club f; even the sales/ bouncers looked underage. I relented to explore the club after walking 1 big round in Clarke Quay and found nothing interesting. My 6th sense was totally accurate, the club was littered with what looked like undergraduates. We could possibly be 2x their age. Sob.

We didnt stay long bcos they got dragged out by me. I refused to even stay for the cheap drinks. The girls were accommodating enough and we were back to scouting the quay.

Probably bcos it was a Monday night despite being a PH eve, the Clarke Quay crowd was rather thin. The club that we had visited the last round had closed down. We attempted Pump Room only to find a ghost town. The only crowded (decent crowd in my perspective) place was the Highlander. We hesitated bcos there was a $20 cover charge, only to find out at the door that the cover charge was waived for ladies. Chey. We would have hit it directly if we had known that.

It was one of those DJ alternate with band clubs. The club was small and crowded largely with foreigners and we blend in easily. Sorry, young clubbers are my nemesis. The girls each got a Long Island Tea, claiming that they needed something strong to last them the whole night; it was also bigger than the usual housepour. I followed and my "tea" really lasted a long time bcos I was waiting for the ice to melt to dilute the "tea". Lol.

The music was so-so. Ok, the band was lousy. Many times, they were so out of tune that I only found out what song they were belting at the chorus. S-e-r-i-o-u-s. The DJ segments were shorter than the usual 30 mins and they had like a rapper to help bring up the mood. Hmmm.. I didnt see much effect actually. Lol.

We stayed until 2.30am, right after the band put up a lousy performance and then the DJ had to put on an Indian song. Ok, that was it. It was time to go home anyway. I am not sure about the girls but it wasnt too bad for me. I had ease my dancing feet and with the girls, any place is good. Ok, any place without a baby crowd is good. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Bcos SA2 is Over!

Finally, we are so done with SA2.

I am just as thrilled as the kids bcos there is no more need to force them to study. It had been so painful. Of course it might be a different kind of pain when the results come back. Meanwhile, we are sneaking in the fun.

It was the monthly gathering fun time. The original plan was Gardens by the Bay; sunlight and outdoor is always good for the kids. However, like Popo predicted, it must rain bcos the Indians' New Year is around the corner. There was too much risk and after much research, the kids headed to the trampoline park instead. We also realised how difficult it is to find indoor, cheap and interesting entertainment for the kids; they are stuck in that "too old for indoor playground and too young for teenagers' stuff" phase. Nobody in the right mind dares suggest their home; these kids are plain destructive especially when they are so physically big and strong now.

Zaky had been asking to go to the trampoline park and we have been procrastinating bcos of Lil Shauna's knee. It all fell in together.

It was so much more fun when there is good companion. No knee pain when there is fun. Serious?

Aunty H and Aunty T got to "enjoy" the trampoline jumping bcos of their little girl. Aunty S and I "enthusiastically" enjoyed being spectators. It was hard job trying to jaga the bags and the water bottles. Ha!

With the gang, it was easy to spot that Lil Shauna has shot up again. No wonder we have to buy new skates. Zzzzzz. She is going to catch up with the aunties very soon.

Dinner was at the Saiseriya in Liang Courts. The food was good and we had happy small people. In between meals, Zaky ended up playing with Lollipop and he was her best pal for the night. Daddy Lim said that they were playing baby games and hide and seek; Zaky was very patient and caring towards Lollipop. Can you see the so obvious hiding spot? Lol.

So much so that when they took a break for deserts and Lollipop came calling for Zaky to continue play despite Zaky exclaiming that he was very tired. So funny.

The fun didnt stop there. There was an outdoor carnival outside of Liang courts and we just had to visit.

Bcos of the rain, although it had stopped, the ground was mushy and the crowd was thin. The games were seriously expensive and the kids were allowed 1 game. After much consideration, it was laser tag. Yes, the muddy field didnt stop them.

It was $8 per pax for 3 games of 5 mins each. There was no strategy, no defense, just cheong but the kids just had so much fun just running around. Lol.

That ended the fun filled evening. I bet we are all looking forward to the next Christmas gathering. Yeah, Christmas is coming.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 141: Jumping! Jumping!

Lil Shauna tried jumping on ice last week and she managed baby jumps. Along the week, we tried practicing jumps off ice when time permits. She needed to learn how to bend her knee when she lands, allowing the hamstrings to take the landing impact instead of her poor knee.

It had been 2 months. While the pain still persist, Lil Shauna said that it was much better than weeks ago. I so missed her jumping.

Her warm up jumps went well and there was little or not pain. She tried jumping on ice during practices and there was almost no pain when she landed right. Yeah!

Finally, after like so long, she is finally jumping during lesson. I feel like crying. Is that the end of the tunnel?

While we had been continuing with lessons for the past 2 months, it had been a long plateau due to the knee pain. I think it will take some more time before she can start improving again. Fighting.

She didnt stay extra time after class but was agreeable to go back today. She even wanted to try to go back for off ice! Be prepared for muscle ache. Hohoho.

Mummy Lim

While Zaky was Busy...

Like I mentioned, we signed Zaky up for the unarmed combat course with the Singapore TKD Federation (STF). The boy was very enthusiastic and pleaded to go for the course even when it was right smacked in the weekend before SA2. Figuring that there isnt much to prepare for SA2 for a P2, we agreed.

The classes were 3 hours long on both Saturday and Sunday, held at the STF at some ulu ulu place near Whampo. Daddy Lim had the honor to send him for classes and complaint that there was literally nothing in the vicinity.

It was thereby decided that Daddy Lim will continue to nobly suffer alone on Sunday. I have greater plans with Lil Shauna - shopping. I buy most of the kids' clothes and watch them go through different fashion phrases. While Zaky had been faithful about his comfy berms and T-shirts, Lil Shauna has progressed from dresses to skirts to shorts. Demin shorts and T-shirts are her staple now.

My kids are allergic to shopping. Even our overseas trips to land of shopping rarely packed in time for shopping. While they may be interested to do "their" shopping, they are often happy to do without. I have been waiting for a long time for Lil Shauna to grow up and be willing to go shopping with mummy.

The time has come. She had been requesting to wear jeans to church and I had just figured out why - the girls in her Sunday school were mostly in jeans. She happily agreed to go shopping with me after church bcos we were going to buy clothes for her and the other option was to go home and mugged for SA2. The choice was easy.

We all had lunch at Haborfront before we started our "time". The 1st stop was funnily toyrus. It had been ages since we step foot in one and there were a couple of Christmas presents to grab. Lil Shauna happily showed me the "in" toy - some feisty pets.

I got conned into buying her some moj moj surprise.

The excitment!

I am quite sure she has started to realise the bliss of shopping with parents.

We did some real clothes shopping as well and she got a new pair of jeans from H&M. Buying clothes for her had been a chore. She had been in that "too big for children clothes and too small for adult clothes" stage for a while. I was pleased when we realised that an adult size 2 can now fit her.

She needed a lot more training though bcos her legs were aching from the shopping. We decided to stop for an ice cream before heading home. Along the way back to Haborfront, I got myself a pair of sneakers, I had been eyeing for a pair.

Lil Shauna had the honor of wearing them home bcos her heelys were killing her feet. Yesh, we can share shoes now. Haha.

The ice cream treat didnt come free but with a Maths practice paper.

We didnt finish the paper but made good progress and proceeded home.

Zaky had a great time at the course as well and didnt grumble about missing out on shopping. He came home and was eager to show us the sleek moves from breaking free from a back grab to moves that can dislocate one's shoulder. I was just very glad that he isnt strong enough to really dislocate my shoulders. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Grading Test Again?!

When Zaky decided that he wanted to continue with his TKD after attaining his junior black belt (JBB), we were told that it would take a year to get his 1st pom.

To recall, he was given a provisional pass and spent another 3 months practicing before he finally attained his JBB. That was just the last grading test, about 3 months back. After the official pass, he continued with his classes, learning his new pattern and some self defence moves. He loves those, probably felt like some real fighting to him.

We were not expecting any grading tests soon, thinking that the next one would be 1 year away. We were surprised when he was told to take the coming grading test some weeks back. Apparently, these are internal grading tests to make sure that these JBBs are on track before the actual pom grading test.

We signed him up since the Masters think that he was ready. I was appalled when I realised that he didnt know his pattern 2 weeks before his grading test. It wasnt really his fault, he is usually the only (or few) JBB in class; they have dedicated classes for JBB but dont fit our busy weekend schedules. As such, his classes were usually used to practice the patterns for black tips.

Of course we panic and even asked one of the masters to help him with the pattern after class so that I could video and practice at home. Last week, I even reminded him before class to ask the master to help him practice. Yesh, last minute hug the Buddha's leg. We managed to at least "hug some toes" and Zaky was able to remember the pattern. Hehehe.

The grading test took place on Sunday and was different from the usual ones. We reported at 9am and there wasnt any extra practices that the Masters usually put the kids through before the grading tests. Then we realised that he needed his guards, which we didnt bring. Zaky was of course upset but the center was able to loan him some and the storm was calmed. Heng ah.

The boy posed for me.

Before he turned all whinny again about not wanting to take the grading test. My guess is that he wasnt confident. Luckily the Masters soon called for them and he left to join the q for the grading test.

The test took some time. The waiting time was fully utilised for Lil Shauna - preparation for the Chinese paper on Tuesday. Haha.

She was hoping that she could read some books and relaxed. Sorry lor.

Zaky finally exited the exam hall and was visibly upset. He started crying and said that they were required to do some self defence moves which he had not learnt and couldnt do.

Now, that is another story. We had signed him up for the extra unarmed combat classes the same weekend afternoon. On Saturady and Sunday, he spent 3 hours each at the Singapore TKD Federation to learn unarmed combat/ self defence. The Master said that if he passed this course, he wouldnt be tested for unarmed combat during his pom grading test.

This cleared the tears, which called for a hearty bfast since the boy had worked up a great appetite and our tummies were also grumbling after the long wait. Yum, yum.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 140: Baby Jumps

Last week, Lil Shauna said that she thinks she might be able to jump this coming week. I had my hopes up. It had been way too long. Along the week, I kept checking with her on her knee but the pain still persist. Zzzzzz..

The day started good, it was one of those days where she seemed to be on form and I havent seen that for a long time. We tried some jumps before we hit the ice and she complaint that her knee hurts. Sob. It is a vicious cycle - her fear for pain made her rigid, landing with a locked knee, which sends all the impact onto her knee, transforming into pain. We tried practising landing with a bent knee and for the hamstrings to absorb the impact. It works! Particularly when she landed right. My hopes were further elevated and I was hoping to see some small jumps on ice.

Lil Shauna proceeded to warm up in the public ice. Before long, she came off whining about a bad knee. Zzzzzz.. my hopes of jumping.. all gone.

She whined for a good 5 mins. I tried massaging, adjusting her knee guard, helping her stretch and nothing works. Arrggghhhh... I gave up and send her back to the ice.

It is either she exaggerated the pain or it went away bcos she appeared ok shortly. Maybe it was just me - you know how they say that the degree of pain is indirectly proportional to the mummy's proximity. Haha. She did a couple of spins before I urged her to practice jumping on the spot and landing on a bent knee. I helped by holding to her hands and alleviating some of the impact.

Then she progressed to jumping independently. When she gained enough confident, she did a couple of waltz jumps; the easiest of all jumps. For the jumps where she landed well, there was little or no pain! This is a good opportunity to build a good landing habit! We also progressed to loop jumps! Lil Shauna was a little rusty but it was a loop jump! And little pain when she landed right! Woohoo!

Class was back to spin mainly.

Coach Raymond made her do a couple of loop and flip jumps but had to stop bcos she complained of pain. I guessed she was too anxious about the pain and didnt concentrate on landing properly.

She didnt want to skate more and I didnt push her but I know that we are going to do a lot of jumping practices back home. Muahahaha. After class, I told Lil Shauna how I missed her jumps. She had the exact sentiment and is so done with spinnings. Let's hope.

Mummy Lim

Daddy Lim on Business Trip

For the last few years, Daddy Lim's job has kept him fairly much grounded in Singapore. It was me who had been travelling rather frequently. So, it felt a little strange when Daddy Lim said that he was going for one.

It was a short trip, from Monday to Wednesday. The kids were actually thrilled bcos they got to skip student care and squeezed in our bed for 2 nights. Apparently, I didnt share their enthusiasm.

The car will be available and I did contemplate driving to work. I even stepped up on my practice over the weekend, only to back out on Monday morning. Hehe. Daddy Lim wasnt due at the airport until 8.30am and offered to send me to work. Yeah, escaped the need to drive on the 1st day.

The kids were largely manageable in the evening but I did wish for an extra pair of hands especially when SA2 is around the corner and there are tons of revision to do.

Meanwhile, Daddy Lim sent us fabulous pictures of his upgraded suite.

And views from his room. Nice.

On the 2nd day, I was supposed to go to the other office and took the MRT. Hehehe. Another excuse not to drive.

Finally, on the last day, I couldnt find another excuse and drove to work.

It wasnt too bad! Largely bcos I was so early and the roads were fairly clear. I did worry about the need to drive home; the road outside my office is from hell. Fortunately, I managed to leave the office slightly earlier and avoided the traffic. Tadah! My 1st ever self drive to and back from the office after 5 freaking years and the car is intact. Hohoho.

Daddy Lim was home on Wednesday evening. We missed him but didnt feel that we needed him excessively. Hahaha. That is why only Mothers' Day needed to be celebrated. :p

Mummy Lim

Happy 8th Birthday Zaky

Eight years ago, a little bundle of joy came into the world and disrupted our lives.

The little bundle is now not at all little (though he thinks he is) but just as or more disruptive.

He is still a joy nevertheless and we love him all the same.

He is always looking forward to his birthday and always lamenting that he has to wait so long while jiejie's bday comes earlier. Errr.. each one is 12 months away.

Finally, it was his big day. We have no fancy bday parties but tiny bday celebrations for the little boy. He asked to go to the skate park and of course got his wish.

This time, with a little encouragement, he even attempted a steep slope that he said was super scary. He also tried jumping off steps. Bit by bit, he will one day get the crazy stunts. Yes, I must be crazy to encourage him.

While Zaky was zooming around in the skate park, Lil Shauna was contented playing with sand at the beach.

Zaky eventually joined her.

Until we pulled the kids off bcos our tummies are rumbling.

We arent a family of foodies but the kids do have some favorites and one of them being Mache. Yes, they do have expensive taste.

It was pleasing to see that Lil Shauna was being extra nice to Zaky and it was rare to see them so loving. Haha.

Zaky's actual birthday day started a little rough. Daddy Lim said that he had wanted to bring us for trail and on a route that he had never explored before but based on Google map, the route looked fairly flat. Lil Shauna was deceived and agreed to join when she was never a fan of trail or even cycling. I of course had to tag along.

It was a massive exercise having to pump the tires, load the 30kg bicycle rack and bicycles onto the car. Fortunately Daddy Lim did most of the work. We woke up on early Sunday morning to head to Dairy Farm.

Flat trail my foot!!!! It was super difficult. The kids and I had difficulty both going downhill and up. It was damn scary. Even Daddy Lim admitted that it was too tough for the kids.. what kids.. even me too. Sob. We spent most of the time pushing the bike instead of riding bcos it was either too difficult or scary. Lol. Along the way, it was a buffet feast for the mosquitoes. Daddy Lim said that we wouldnt be bitten if we didnt stay stationary for too long. Ya, right...

The exploration didnt take too long bcos we came to realise that the trail was really too difficult for the kids and me. 勉强是没有幸福的. We rode on the pavement back to the car and the route was super short; we didnt even ride far. Haha.

The massive efforts to prep for the trail was definitely not worth for the little that we rode but at least we had a great bfast. Haha.

We had agreed to go to church but the plan was called off bcos of a tantrum from jiejie and she was grounded for the afternoon.

Ended up, Zaky roamed JP with Mummy and decorated his own cake.

Then to Takashimaya to select his bday presents. He had asked and missed jiejie a few times but was happy to recieve all the attention from us. He was talkative and chatting constantly.

The father and son back view looked so similar. I couldnt help but take a shot.

Fortunately, Lil Shauna reflected and cooled down in the afternoon and agreed to partake in the candle blowing.

And a fantastic dinner at Swensen - Zaky favorite eating place. He had a complimentary ice cream too.

Attack!

With that, his little celebrations came to an end and 12 more months to the next one.

Happy bday little boy. We love you to the moon and back.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 139: Still Cannot

It had been weeks since we stopped jumping bcos Lil Shauna's knee hurts. I was really hoping that last week's break would do her knee some good. Along the week, I kept asking about hed knee and she said that it was still painful but seems to be better.

My hopes were up; I am so bored of her spinning. Come Saturday, she tried jumping before she hit the ice - PAIN. Zzzzzzzz. Why like that? To think that she had been just as active for the past months, swimming, hiking, cycling, playing catching, badminton, soccer - you name it, she probably done it. However, the pain appeared to be unbearable when she needed to jump and land on ice. Haiz.

So, it was back at spinning. She seems to have hit a plateau too. Seriously, I think she needed to do something else other than spinning to help her progress.

While the medical specialist deemed that no medication is needed and the injured ligament will self heal over time, we are going back to Voltaren as recommended by Aunty H in hope of speeding up the process.

Of course we didnt stay for extra practice after class. Haiz. Fighting!

Mummy Lim

Goodbye Sandwich

Sandwich was one of the pioneers who came home with us from Lil Shauna's bday longkang fishing trip. That was in May. Along the way, we got Sandwich friends and some of them only live a miserable few days. Nevertheless, Sandwich survived.

The last was our Hong Kong trip in early September. We came home to only Sandwich surviving. Zaky was uber upset but was convinced that we shouldnt add on more fishes.

Following which, I did think that Sandwich looked lonely. It wasnt as active as it used to be and wasnt eating as well too. I even google to make sure that molly fishes can live alone. Yes, they can.

This morning after my treadmill, I was told that we lost Sandwich! I looked at the kids, who were occupied with their gadgets and didnt look like anything happened. Chey! I had thought that there would be tears. Lil Shauna discovered Sandwich and it was simply cleared away. No drama.

I guessed the kids had lost interest in the recent weeks. While they would still feed Sandwich, Popo now takes over the water changing.

Goodbye Sandwich! You have lived a good life, just like what Zaky said.

Mummy Lim