Happy Birthday to Me Part 2

It had been a while since I wanted to buy an air fryer. We had one in the old place, which plastic had disintegrated due to prolong non-usage. We didn't replace it simply bcos the current kitchen is tiny. Then Zaky and I love fried food, and Popo happily encouraged the habit with deep fried chicken nuggets, seaweed chicken, etc. Not only are they unhealthy, the frying leaves a layer of oil stain that sticks on to everything after a while. 

The kitchen remains tiny but we have creatively found space via another shelf. Hohoho. We decided that it was time for IKEA. I found OMAR on the website and thinks that OMAR would be the savior. 

OMAR didn't come easy bcos of our stupidity. We made an empty trip to Jem IKEA bcos we didn't check the stock availability. We found OMAR in Alexander but didn't realise that OMAR comes in 2 packaging and had to make a second trip for OMAR's legs. 

As you can see, Daddy Lim humoured me bcos it is April and no demands of the Queen is too much. Hoho.

Hello, OMAR.. or half of it.

We couldn't finish the assembly bcos we didn't know how high is the air fryer. This calls for an urgent trip to Courts. Hoho. 

I had been goggling on the air fryer and finally set eyes on the Ninja bcos it comes with 2 separate pockets and much cheaper than the Philip's latest Smart fryer. No need so smart, can air fry can already. The rice cooker needs to be replaced too. Its flap cannot be held up on its own, is coated with a layer of oil stain and one side has melted bcos the kitchen is too small and it came in close contact to the stove. 

Finally! 

We still have space now. Hmmmm....

While there wasn't any deals to score this round, shopping and home improvements make me happy. Are these my bday presents? Can lah, can lah. It is April anyway and we still have more than half a month to go. Hoho. 

And my deal. Perfect for my office commute. 

I is happy. 

Mummy Lim

Happy Birthday to Me Part 1

April is a very exciting month bcos it is a month where all shopping is justifiable. Hoho. Auntie S asked what I am intending to ask from Daddy Lim. Shoes? Clothes? These are not big spending items and I can buy them myself. Then again, if it is too expensive, 我又不舍得买. Dilemma.

While I didn't know what I wanted for my bday, I do know that I needed a laptop bag. With the further relaxation of the covid restrictions, I have been going back to the office more regularly. I think there are plans to make it more permanent too. So, what I do know is how tiring it is to lug the laptop and commute. It gets worse after a long work day. My poor shoulder. 

I had been looking around and thinking if I need to splurge on a branded laptop bag. This calls for a trip down to IMM, hoping to score a deal. 

I saw the Tumi. 

I didn't like the design actually but it is heavily discounted and it is Tumi. I also considered the MK, which I then thought that it is too informal. 

Then, I saw this interesting one from Fossil.

With a lot of dismantling and then assembling, it can be converted into a shoulder sling bag but looks nicer as a backpack. It was $380 (I think) before discount and $221 after. The sales said that there is a further 40% discount if I bought 3 items, without a restriction on minimum price. 

After much looking around, I got a wallet for Lil Shauna and a coin purse to replace my disintegrating one. 

The total price? $207!!! So the 3 items had cost cheaper than just buying the laptop bag alone. Hohoho. It is one kind of happiness to do retail therapy but another when one scores a great deal. My mood totally lifted. 

Yay! Let's worry about the credit card bill when the time comes. Hohoho. 

Mummy Lim

Ouchy

Zaky was super keen for Daddy Lim to bring him to the ECP skatepark yday evening. I tagged along not to skate but to feed the mozzie. My eyes are so bad in dim lights now and I wouldn't want risk falling over scattered twigs and seeds.

The night was cooling and I had a nice time scrolling fb and playing candy crush. Hoho. This decathlon beach chair is a good buy. It is mine bcos Daddy Lim complained that it is too low/ small/ bad backing but fits me to the T. 赚到.

The best thing that happened must be getting recognised and called out by somebody that I got acquainted with many years back while walking back from the toilet with Zaky. 

I didn't even remember him (let alone his name) until he reminded about how we met. He went on to recount that it was 19 years back! Wow! That brought back the memories. He was with his gf then and now his wife. I remembered his wife clearly bcos she looked like 张柏芝. Such sweet memories. What is even sweeter is that he recognised me and said that I looked the same. Hohoho. Happy 到....

The night didn't go very well for Zaky, who was very excited to do his practices. 

Daddy Lim said that Zaky is probably too tired from the long day and night practices didn't seem like a good idea. He had 2 mega falls. The 1st, he aired and aired too much, didn't control and fell faceplant. Thank God for helmets. He literally hit his head on the hard concrete floor and said that for a few seconds, he got double visible. What the....

The second time, he didn't even know what went wrong but ended up body slamming. Daddy Lim said that Zaky was trembling when he reached him and thought that Zaky had broken a rib or something. Zaky said that the pain was very intense at the impact, so much so that it hurts to breath till the pain subsided. This one left him brawling and also signified time to go home. Daddy Lim says that the night aggro sessions are probably too much; Zaky fell multiple times too last Friday. 

Daddy Lim felt so bad for the boy and kept offering to buy him an ice cream. The crashes must be really bad. At times like that, I do regret that we made the kids go into such sports. Maybe I should have started them on singing/ drawing/ music classes when they were little, interests that wouldn't hurt themselves physically. Too late already. 

The good thing is that no bones were broken but he ended up with a bruise on his hip bone. 

Oooo... I like ro rub blue black but Zaky refused to let me. Let's shelf the Friday night sessions for now. 

Mummy Lim

Super Busy Sunday

Bcos Daddy Lim worked last Saturday (actually he didn't have to but screwed up his schedule), he had arranged for Zaky to have his aggro skate class on Sunday. This is the 1st time that I sae him do one to one lesson with Coach Nizam. 

It was the usual super early morning to ECP skatepark to avoid the sun. The lesson didn't look that intense. There was a lot of explaining, good demonstration before Zaky got to try and everytime Coach was explaining or demonstrating, Zaky was sitting somewhere. #oldman I like how technical Coach's explanation is. I overheard him telling Zaky how the body should be facing, at which point he should navigate the turn. It was a lot about control and not anyhow jump as high as one can. 

I left for my usual skating when his lesson was ending. It was a shorter set this week due to the lack of time. I came back and saw that M came! Zaky also found new friends. 

They looked so cute sitting on the grind bar, like little birds on the wire. 

Daddy Lim had to rush back to work and dropped us off at church. Physical Sunday school is resuming and I get to attend service physically too. Lil Shauna has no program and joined me for service. I was glad to have her company. After 2 long years away, it is great to have somebody to go church with. 

We had lunch after church and the plan was to head home for a rest before Zaky's Chinese tuition. The plan failed bcos there was simply not enough time. We had to head direct for tuition. The boy was so tired that he fell asleep seconds after we boarded the mrt. In times like that, the train ride felt too short. I had to wake him to get off and we had about 20 mins before class. He ended up napping on the bench at the mrt station. 

The nap was a life saver, giving him the much needed energy for the tuition. 

Mummy Lim

Last Friday Night

Last weekend had been super happening. The most happening news is that we have booked our air tickets for our Melbourne holidays at the end of the year! Woohoo! There had been so much excitement about travelling. Everybody around me is talking about some kind of traveling plans. I like. I get excited looking at the traffic built up at the 2nd Link. Hohoho.

I was in the office on Friday. Going back to the office to work seems like a reality in the near future. Auntie SL was also in the office and suddenly, we made a Friday night date. Happening siol.

Auntie SL decided to go to Timber X and after a long day at work... tadah!

We started while waiting for Auntie S to make her way from Tampines. 

The pizza, recommended by Auntie SL was good. 

Chill drinking is never my thing but it did feel fine after 2 years of non-existent night life. 

Auntie S was very kind to entertain and accommodate me for pictures without meitu. Hoho. 我们要诚实.

Timber X was nice. There was live music but we unfortunately didn't get an outdoor table. I think Daddy Lim and Lil Shauna would like the atmosphere. Zaky would be very happy with the pizza. Lol. I would bring them back. 

We left at 9ish and headed to Quay Clarke for an ice cream. Daddy Lim and the kids were heading back from ECP skatepark and nicely offered to pick me up. I was told by the aunties that we were at Central and they kindly see me to the pickup area before to the mrt.

It was at the pickup point that I suddenly felt very unwell. It started with dizziness, then the ringing in my ears, the tunneling vision and yellow shades. I knew that I was fainting; I had similar episodes when I was much younger. I also knew that I needed to sit down or risk blacking out. There I was, right by the pickup point, sitting on the floor in my short skirt. I think I got weird looks but I cannot care more. 

Daddy Lim couldn't find me and called to ask me to walk to where they were based on the GPS. I was in no state to walk and fortunately, they eventually found me. Daddy Lim said that I wasnt at Central Mall like what I had said, but was at The Central. Why so many? 

I started recovering once I was seated. The ringing disappeared and the vision returned as quickly as it had hit me. What replaced was queasiness, tummy cramp and profuse perspiration. I was dripping sweat while waiting for Daddy Lim to come save me and I was so grateful when I finally saw the car. It was shining when it turned into the driveway. 

What caused the fainting spell? Hmmm.. my guess was alcohol and dehydration. I used to have low(er) blood pressure and always lower blood counts, a thalassemic trait. 

That little adventure didn't really damaged the Friday night. I got home safely afterall. I just ended up with an early Friday bedtime and very glad that I wasn't cycling the next day. 

Mummy Lim

Urban Skating Adventure

Auntie S, T and I had been learning skating from Coach J. I think we had taken like 4 classes from him and he has decided to take us out skating. I have invited the kids  particularly Lil Shauna, who loves urban skating. Now, what is urban skating? I think it is generally skating from one point to another, and non park/ PCN. This is the time to put the skills learnt to test. 

Lil Shauna was keen but hesitant bcos she had to wake up early again after Saturday's unearthly official practice. She asked if the Coach is nice. Hmmm.. I wasnt sure if she meant like handsome nice or personality nice? I told her that she will probably perceive him as a fat uncle. She went on to conclude that he is nice bcos most fat uncles are funny and thus nice. What?! I went on to ask if Daddy Lim is nice and Lil Shauna went "YES" without hesitation but a sly smile. Hoho. Daddy Lim is a Fat Uncle.

The meet up.was at 8am on Sunday at Raffles City. To the MRT!

We were slightly early and the kids self entertained. 

I was busying gearing up and wanted to warm up. The kids waited until the last min bcos they are so good and can jump right into it. As I take more of the classes, I come to realise that the rest of the family are all damn good with skating but nobody offers to take me and I have to pay to take lessons. So ironical. Haha. 

Pictures shortly after we started. 

The starting part was a familiar route, from MBS to Barrage and then along that PNC. I just did that last week. Then instead of towards ECP, we headed to Kallang through another ECP. It took us lesser than 1 hour and 2 mini bridges along the way. 

We survived! 

I was intending for more. Like more loops around the kallang tracks but the rest were more keen to have bfast and go home. OK lor. The skating wasn't difficult for Zaky but tiring bcos his tiny wheels are not build for distant. 

We were doing small talks while de-gearing when Coach J asked if Zaky eventually took aggro lessons from Coach L, who was recommended by him. I tried putting in a nice way that Coach L seems to have eventually ghosted from us and Zaky is now taking lessons from Coach N. Zaky proudly went on to tell us that Coach N won 3rd in some Singapore aggro skating competition. Then, Lil Shauna butted in that she also got 3rd. Hahahahaha.... out of 4 skaters... even she was laughing at her own joke. 

We had a well-deserved 2nd bfast at the foodcourt. Our gears formed a mountain. So many, so heavy.

It was a cab ride home bcos so far, so heavy, so hot, so tired.. so many reasons. Hoho. 

I thought the urban skating experience was brief. Like most of it was done on the PCN; I had expected a lot more pavement and walkway. I thought that my last 2 weeks of ECP has a lot more difficulties and I had put my T brake, snaking, turn stop to more practice than this trip. Nevertheless, it was a good confident boost and I feel that I am so much better than when I started going round and round in Kallang. Hoho. I told Coach J that I wanted to continue learning, that he can teach us more tricks and also slalom. Hoho. 

Mummy Lim

Singapore National Figure Skating Competition 2022: Basic Novice

Remember the very reluctant Lil Shauna who didn't want to join the competition at the Basic Novice level? Bcos she lost to Coach, who simply said "Join", we ended up registering. Hohoho. I wouldn't lie, it is a struggle. 

She passed her Basic Novice test in Januray this year and her program is somewhat like her test program, just more difficult and complicated. We had 2 months to practice and it didn't help that Lil Shauna didn't seem to feel the urgency in the initial weeks. By the time she thinks that she needed more practice, the SISA ice time was packed with every skater who is also trying to prep for the same competition. The public ice time wasn't any better and the rink's capacity was increased too with the easing of covid restrictions. #died

The last few SISA lessons were bad. Lil Shauna struggled with crowded rink. There were so many skaters per session and each got to skate only once with music. I saw her during class last Wed and she was fumbling on ice big time. Her double salchow was still very inconsistent and I was worried for her. 

Today is her big day. The official practice was at freaking 5.50am. Did we go? Of course! We needed the tiniest practice time available. Coach was again very 厉害,  and told Lil Shauna that he wouldn't be coming for thr official practice. Hohoho

Daddy Lim dropped us at the rink at 5.20am. Literally 摸黑. We were up at 4.45am. 

Lil Shauna worked hard and the practice with music was so much better than usual bcos the ice was empty. 

We went home, had bfast and chilled a little.

Time passed so quickly and soon it was time to get ready again. I managed to bun her hair with many hair pins.

All done.

Back at the rink, the wait was increasing antagonising. Like every previous competition, I was as anxious as Lil Shauna. I was so gan cheong last night, that I even lost sleep. Losing sleep is a damn big thing for me lor. It didn't help that she was last of the 4 skaters. 

Finally warm up time. 

By the way, that is my company jacket. Haha. 

How did she do? She fell for her double salchow and couldn't do her camel combined spin at the end. She was quite upset with herself when Coach told her that the last spin is likely not considered. 

How do I feel? I was absolutely relived and super happy bcos I could see that Lil Shauna had worked hard in the last weeks and had tried her best. 

Unlike the last competition, the judge was onsite this time, which also means that results are released fast. Lil Shauna was very worried throughout that she would come in last. Of the 4 skaters, 2 are the same young girls who competed with her last year in Elementary and both won her by leaps. 

By lunch time, Coach has texted that she got 3rd in the preliminary results. Hohoho. I hope preliminary results wouldn't change. She is again very far behind the 1st and 2nd place (the same girls who beat her last year) and very closed to the 4th place. She again didn't do well for her skating and performance skill as compared to her competitors. 

Lil Shauna was relieved that she isn't the last. I am just happy that we are done. Phew. 

Mummy Lim

 

Happy News for my Wanderlust

When Covid hit in end 2019, we were hopeful and told ourselves that traveling would probably resume by the end of 2020. The year past and so did 2021 and there was no travelling. #sadlife

I wouldn't lie, I was feeling depressed at end 2021 and still depressed in the beginning of this year. It was that dreadful hopelessness, the feeling of having nothing to look forward to. 

Thankfully, despite the omicron wave, travel restrictions seem to slowly ease up. I had in my plans to travel at the end of the year, regardless of whether there is still covid, as long as traveling is reasonably allowed. That idea comforted my soul. I was planning to go to somewhere that speaks proper English and has good healthcare system so that if somebody is indeed tested +ve in the foreign country, we would be in good hands. The kids are dying to travel again and willingly take the risk with their crazy mother. In this case, I am not sure if mummy knows best; mummy doesn't care anymore. Lol.

It became clearer that we would visit Melbourne at the end of the year. I didn't dare book anything yet, monitoring the situation before committing. Then the wonderful news came with the PM speech. Hohoho. 

I had assumed that PM would be announcing the easing of covid restrictions but I didnt expect this level of liberalness. I like. Suddenly, everybody is talking about traveling again. This is a topic that I contribute excitedly and never get sick of. 

Originally, it was just Melbourne. Then, fireworks exploded when it was announced that the travel restrictions between Singapore and Malaysia would ease. Hohohoho. 

We are now exploring another possible trip during the June holidays. We heard that the touristy places/ attractions in Malaysia  had been badly impacted by covid. I am hoping that it would pick up by June, ready and welcoming us with opened arms. 

I am so looking forward. The last time we travelled, the kids were still kids. Now, we have a teenager and a tween and I couldn't imagine how traveling as a family would be like. I am game to try. Hoho.

Mummy Lim

Skating Fun

Last Thursday, Daddy Lim actually took leave to bring Zaky to the ECP skatepark. Such big sacrifice for skating. 

They left early morning, along with Lil Shauna, who was heading back to school for some duties. During previous school holidays, it is always me who took leave to bring the kids out. Now that the roles are switched, I felt a little left out. Pui. 

Auntie M also took leave to bring M to the skatepark. Bcos Zaky had companion, it was non stop skating until noon and without sunblock. The sun was scorching hot. The boys came back and Zaky was charcoal black while Daddy Lim was lobster red. So funny.

On Sunday, I got my chance to go to ECP skatepark with the boys. Zaky was very excited bcos M would be there again. Auntie M had bravely brought 2 kids on her own to the skatepark. Come, I clapped for you. 

The rain clouds were threatening when we arrived at ECP. It started to drizzle but didn't turn full blown. 

It wasn't obvious in the picture but the horizon far out was blurred by rain. I told Daddy Lim to come save me if I did get stuck somewhere. Luckily, the sky started to clear as I skated. I made it to the big green bridge. 

Last week's experience had given me a lot more confidence. 

Not only did I conquer the greenbridge, I also manage to cross the mini-er one and made it to the Barrage and then all the way to MBS.

So proud of myself. Hoho. 

The way back was less interesting and I was trying to act cool, thus donning my sunglasses, then cannot see properly and I stumbled so many times over twigs and seeds but still want to act cool. Lol. Then the rain was threatening again.

Fortunately I made it back without any misadventures and no rain. Hoho. Zaky was still happily skating and skating with M. We finally left the skatepark at about 11am. This time, I made Zaky slapped on sunblock. Daddy Lim still insisted to act macho. OK lor. Fortunately the cloudy weather helped. 

Another skating day!

Mummy Lim