Batam Zaky 6th Bday: Day 1

Every year, it is a vicious cycle. I would give Lil Shauna a bday party and then regret when I realised how much work it was. Then I couldn't wiggle my way out for Zaky bcos it would be so "unfair". After the 2nd bday party in October, I would totally promised myself that there would be no more bday parties forever. However, by May the next year, my backside will be itchy and I found myself planning a party for Lil Shauna. *palm-face* This was exactly what happened this year. Zzzzz.. call me stupid pls.

I really got sick and tired of bday parties. So I tried bribing my way out and Zaky fell for it totally. He agreed to exchange a short getaway in place of a bday party. Muahahaha. Coincidentally, his bday fell right smack on the PSLE marking days and Lil Shauna has no school. He asked for Batam, at a hotel right next to a shopping mall with a big arcade. *magic dust* It was done.

The last time we stole a getaway to Batam, we opted for the earliest ferry and had to spend hours waiting for the mall to open and the hotel room. This time, I get cleverer and opted for the 11.50am ferry.

On our way to find a cab.

Excited us.

We arrived 2 hours earlier and checked in to find that there wasn't much crowd and should have come later. We tried to burn as much time as possible at bfast.

The kids were over-excited and ended up with very whiney while waiting. Zzzz.. Finally we could board. The kids were slightly more manageable on the ferry.

The ferry ride from Haborfront to Harbor Bay took us 1 hour. It was much alright except for the French  (?) man sitting in front of me, who was constantly looking at his hair and sunburnt face on his phone and peeling off the sunburnt skin! Not only did I frequently caught myself photo bombing his pix, I found his DNA blown onto our luggage! Maximum grossness!

The immigration was quick and we found our driver waiting for us. The transfer cost $80k and our hotel was about 10 mins away. We opted for the iHotel, which is conveniently 3 mins walk from the Batam City Shopping Mall with a big arcade. It is also one of the few hotel that fits Zaky's criteria and comes with a swimming pool. For a no itinerary holiday, a swimming pool is a must!

The hotel room was not ready and we headed to the mall for lunch. Yes, we ate again. I shall roll back to Singapore. The kids opted for this super cute restaurant but the food wasn't fantastic. Anyway, food wasn't important, the arcade was.

After lunch, we spent the next 2.5 hrs in the arcade, spending 150k (about S$15) but very happy kids. We headed back to the hotel for TV and a swim definitely before finishing the day with a dinner at the hotel.

I was excited about eating at the kopitiam right next to our hotel but I was the only excited one. Daddy Lim and the kids atas and wanted to eat at the hotel restaurant. We went to the mart opposite the hotel to buy grocery before dinner and I bought a ramly burger on the way.

It was a score; everybody wanted a bite (many) of my burger. Lol. Ended up, we still had dinner at the restaurant but the kids asked for minimum order and then asked for more ramly burgers. Muahahaha. I headed back to the stall for 3 more ramly burgers take away. Hehe.

I don't know why we were all so tired. Maybe it was the travelling but nobody lasted later than 9pm Batam time. I smelled trouble.

Mummy Lim

After 2 Long Years

This is so exciting!

Lil Shauna started ice skating in August 2014. It had been a long 2-year journey. She had done 4 Core lessons and touching her 60th private lesson. It basically means a lot of MONEY pumped in. Ice skating is an expensive sports but money aside, there are even more time, sweat and energy put into it. I hate to see it go into waste but there is always the lingering thought of whether she should stop now if this is not what she wants to do for long term.

In the 2-year journey, there had been a couple of plateaus and several occasions that either she or I wanted to give up. Fortunately, we are still at it. I just did a pulse check with her not too long ago and she confirmed that she still likes ice skating.

Ever since she started her private lessons with Teacher Raymond, he had at least on 3 occasions asked her to compete. She almost agreed the 1st time but changed her mind soon after and plainly rejected the next few invites. No matter what I say could change her mind; she wasn't confident and didn't want to fall in front of the spectators. My dream of seeing her owns the entire rink and dance on ice had been a faraway dream.

I deeply believed that she needs to partake in competition. It will give her something to look forward to and worked for. Many parents told me that the competitions seem to boost their kids’ learning curve thereafter. It isn’t about winning but to break the monotonous and endless learning journey. I don't need her to win but to experience to really dance the entire rink. Unfortunately, the little girl didn't buy any of those until one fine day. Her peers completed in the KL competition and the parents brought back videos of the competition, showing her that it wasn't that tough. She finally agreed that she would participate in the next competition. I don't know what exactly makes her tick. I was half glad that she finally showed an inclination but half believe that she would change her mind.

After off ice on Sunday, we just found out that there is a Skate Bangkok 2016 competition held in Bangkok (obviously) in mid December 2016. Maybe it was the feel good emotions after doing well on ice and off ice practice that day, Lil Shauna said that she is keen to go for the competition!!!!!!!! Yes, finally after 2 long years.

Daddy Lim and I took several days to discuss about the logistics. Such competition doesn't come cheap; there will be new costume to buy, extra classes and test to take, membership and registration fees to pay. We have to pay for our flight and accommodation and also bear Teacher Raymond’s coach fees, flight and accommodation expenses. The Teacher Raymond's part will be split among participating students. These put us off but the thought of letting her have a once in a lifetime experience is too overwhelming.

We also spoke to her yday morning to confirm her desire in the competition. She affirms that she would like to take part regardless of her peers’ participation this time. That is all we need to make up our mind. I have just informed Teacher Raymond and I think it is time to start getting ready. Muahahahaha… I am so excited. I am obviously more excited than the little girl.

Mummy Lim

Making my Blood Boil

Lil Shauna didn't have to go to school today.  There is this home based learning today where she need not turn up for school but complete some assignments via the school MConline portal.

Last night, we had the computer set up. I also showed her how to log in and reminded her of the login password to the portal. There were 2 Youtube videos to watch and overheard him teaching her how to key in the website address while I was teaching Zaky his homework. There is a timetable to follow starting at 8am but Lil Shauna said that there isn't a need to stick to the timing so long as she gets the needed done. Fine by me.

This morning, before I got busy, I called home to make sure that the little girl was awake. She was and said that she was watching the required Youtube. Great, looks like it is a good start already. I reminded her to log onto MConline and wanted to remind her of her password but she hung up on me. Slightly later, I saw plenty of watsapp on the mummy group chat about the irritating portal; how it wouldnt load and stuff. I was getting worried but I got busy the whole day and didn't find the chance or remember to check on Lil Shauna.

Daddy Lim managed to knock off earlier than me today. I had a late call at 7pm and eventually decided to take it in the office. At 7.30pm, Daddy Lim watsapp me to tell me that Lil Shauna didn't do any of the MConline work at all! Why? Bcos she don't know the password... and she has no decency to call me to ask me the password! My blood boiled. The kids bugged me constantly when they fought at home over the ipad and expects me to play judge over the phone. Now with an assignment to complete, she totally chose not to call me but treated the day happily as a holiday. Spray blood. Daddy Lim sent me this while I was on the way home.

She was still at it when I reached home and was on it until almost bedtime at 9pm.

I also found that the boy didn't complete the homework that I assigned him last night. There was 听写to learn and I hated it when he is not concentrating. He gets frustrated by his inability to learn, followed by plenty of whinning and the final escalation to a tantrum. We go through this almost every time over Chinese. Arrggghhhh.. vomit blood the 2nd time.

Finally we were done with his 听写. It wasn't satisfactory but I think my blood vessels will blow if I continued with it. It was the girl's bedtime and she was on the ipad. I asked her to go to bed, which she defiantly told me that she hasn't finish her Youtube video. I was so pissed; MConline not at all done and here complaining that she didn't have enough Youtube.

I didn't snap, I simply walk away to the room and told Daddy Lim to take over the kids. If the kids' sole agenda is to make my blood boil, they are very successful today. I shall go and vomit more blood.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 59

The rink was fairly crowded and it doesn't help with Lil Shauna's practice. We guessed that Teacher Raymond would work with her spins and we practised that as well. Lil Shauna seems to hit a plateau again but yet not. She has been stuck at her stretch spin and loop jump for weeks. However, I can see that she is getting better and better with her other jumps.

She still didn't manage her stretch spin and loop jump during class. Stretch spin requires her to spin on one foot and the other foot crossed over the spinning foot. She hasn't manage that cross over, complaining that the centrifugal force knocked her foot off each time. Zzzzzz. I don't know how to help her; it is not like I can help her yank her leg over as she spins. She is really on her own and has to figure out how to make the posture works. As for her loop jump, it seems like she hasn't figure out the concept of what is required. Aiyo.

After she lost steam spinning, Teacher Raymond worked on her jumps. It is so frustrating that she can jump so much better outside of lesson but totally lacks energy when she is in class. Arrggghhh, I want to bite her.

There was no Sunday school for Lil Shauna today and we headed to ice slightly earlier. I told her to practice whatever she wanted and said that I wouldn't interfere. I tried and even downloaded K drama to watch. However, she has to ruffle my feathers by complaining that she has a headache within mere minutes of hitting the ice.

I ended up hawking at her and making her practice. Sometimes, being too nice to her doesn't work. She wasn't happy of course but ended up starting to get the leaping off concept for the loop jump at the very last few minutes. I am now super to work on the loop jump but I think Lil Shauna is not. Lol. She also added more speed in her other jumps and did quite a few good ones. Teacher Raymond saw one and he looked quite impressed.

She was still complaining of headache when we headed off for off ice. I was worried that we had to skip class again but it worked out fine. See, she really is a drama queen. In fact, she did very well in off ice jumps today. She suddenly realised how to tuck one of the foot in while jumping, which definitely helps in the jump. I was so proud of her and she was proud of herself too. It was a good day eventually despite the lousy start. Hehe.

There is a competition in Bangkok at the end of the year. It is exactly a few days before my Bangkok business trip. Lil Shauna is finally keen. I am hoping that it would all work out.

Mummy Lim

Core 3 with Zaky Test

Finally, it was the big day. We were very confident that we would pass anyway but it was still surprisingly stressful. I was quite sure that Teacher Raymond wasn't hawking at me but spent most of his time scrutinising at the kids but there was still this pressure, the "just in case I couldn't do it and fail" or worse, had another spectacular fall. Lol.

I was sure to wear the too small knee pad but I didn't fall. It did give me a little psychological boost. I spent a lot of time yelling at Zaky though; he was skating around crazily at top speed. Interestingly, bcos his threshold for falling is so much higher, his twists were so much better than mine.

Did we pass? Of course. Checked off one item on my new year resolution list!

Will we proceed to Core 4? Teacher Raymond asked me the same question too but he is of course more concerned about Zaky. I have not decided. It had been a tiring 5-week with 2 kids on ice. The Isaac gorgor's presence helped alot. Zaky was happily skating with the gorgor the last few weeks. The gorgor seems to want to proceed. As for us, Zaky seems more interested in his TKD and he would probably choose TKD over ice skating. He can only choose one sports to focus on when he goes into P1 bcos we only have so much time. If it is TKD, then there is no need for him to do Core 4 actually. As for me, the dramatic fall has left a trauma in my heart. Lol. I am not sure if I would do Core 4 even if Zaky proceeds on. Let me think very hard and asked my brittle bones for opinion. Hohoho.

For now, I am just glad that I have finally taken proper ice skating lessons. Yeah!

Mummy Lim

Some Evenings at Centris

When we were at the old place, it was like a taboo to go to the playground or void deck to play. I never figured out the reason behind Popo's disapproval. Anyway, play is not fun when there is a lack of play mates.

One of the benefits of shifting to Centris is the convenience of the swimming pool and playground. For some again unknown reasons, Popo is now very receptive to the kids playing at the playground. Of course, the play time has to fit nicely into her schedule of things.

The kids had been going down to the 5th floor to play quite a bit. It is also the usual gang who play at the 5th floor and the kids had made quite some friends. They would usually go on their scoot/ bicycle or just happy to run around at the playground. Their "friends" also include 4-legged ones. Lol. Anyway, it looks like they had a lot of fun.

This was a typical early evening.

Zaky was riding a bike and it wasn't even his. The owner asked to try his scoot while Zaky tried his bike. Lol. That is also the beauty - the kids learnt to share freely and most of the equipment can be found at the end of the day. Centris plus one.

Mummy Lim

When Popo goes for Medical Appointment...

Mummy will take leave to "babysit" the kids and send them to the school bus. On such mornings, if mummy feels up to it, we will do something "special". Now that Lil Shauna is in Primary school, there is only Zaky to man.

I always had an interest in baking. It is not that I bake fantastically but I still enjoy doing so. Unfortunately, life got too busy and most of my baking stuff had to be discarded after prolong periods of sitting in the cabinets. I stopped totally when the oven died. After we shifted to Centris, I can always hear the built-in oven calling out softly but persistently to me. I wanted so much to bake cookies with the kids. Cookies are super easy and they don't create a huge mess like cakes. However, I was put off just by the thought of Popo's disapproving look.

Finally, we had our chance. Muahahaha. When the cat is away, the mice come out to play. To save work, we bought instant cookie mix; just add an egg and a stick of butter.

Zaky was overjoyed when he realised that we were going to do something special. I didn't want to use all the cookie mix and have no idea how much is a 'stick' of butter; big or small stick? The beauty with cookie also lies with the fact that it would still turn out fine even if the amount of ingredients is not precise. We wasted some egg and butter bcos it felt too much. Zaky helped to mix everything together and put them onto the baking paper. I was worried that the cookies wouldn't turn out well bcos the dough felt too wet.

How did the cookies turn out? They didn't look too bad eventually.

They were very sweet though and we didn't even add any sugar. I am very sure whatever calories that I burnt on the treadmill that very morning were replenished by the cookies. I actually preferred hard crunchy cookies but these are the soft ones. Zaky and I polished 2 off. We would definitely eat more if they aren't so sweet or are cruncher. I guess we can explore making cookies from scratch the next time; there are so many easy recipes from the Internet. For now, I just have to worry about how to answer to Lil Shauna, who didn't have the chance to bake the cookies. I am so dead.

We made good use of the morning and accomplished some homework as well before sending the boy to the school bus. I almost can't believe that he is going to P1 next year. We used to have plenty of tears whenever I sent him to the school bus. No more now.

I even had time to finally dye my hideous hair and spent the afternoon working from home with my beloved cup of double tall latte. Yum!

Mummy Lim

Core 3 with Zaky Lesson 4 and Ice Skating 58

After the gigantic fall on my poor left knee the previous week, I seriously wasn't looking forward to class. I was keen to listen to Daddy Lim's advice to wear the knee pad but also didn't want to embarrass myself. So, for a 1st time in a long time, I wore 3/4 pants to ice skating. I am usually in shorts bcos we spent so much time outdoor after ice skating class.

I wore the junior knee pads that I bought for Lil Shauna and was glad that I could squeeze in. I know that if I were to fall, the knee pads wouldn't help much with the physical pain but at least it would help psychologically during lesson.

After one week of usage by other users, the skates were better. At least I could move on ice but I was still extra careful and paying extra attention especially when I have to do the twist. Teacher Raymond only asked us to twist while going in anti-clockwise direction; I fell going clockwise the last lesson. Maybe we would be tested only on one direction?! Then I would have fell in vain! Noooooo!!!!!

The test will be next week. Zaky and I are confident of passing actually. However, I will have to think very hard about continuing Core 4 bcos I don't want to fall down. Lol. Zaky is very game though.

We headed for bfast after class before returning for practice. Lil Shauna did most of her practice herself but asked for water break shortly after hitting the ice. Zzzz. After another short practice, she asked for another break. Zzzzz. This time complete with snacks.

The lesson went fine. Teacher Raymond concentrated on her jumps and she also practice on her half-past-6 loop jump. She has a long way to go.

Mummy Lim

Scared!

I have many fears in life, like fear of butterflies and fear of horror movies. Among the fears is also the fear of going to the dentist. I hate it.qq

It must be the traumatic childhood experience but I also know the importance of the regular checkups. Forget about 6 monthly, I will applaud myself if I could do it once a year.

I had this pain in one of the top left molar. After seeing how bad Zaky's tooth decay was, I booked myself an appointment. I better arrest the problem while it is still possible; I think I will faint if I have to go through a root canel.

The same dentist who treated Zaky attended to me. I was so lucky to have the children's room and the dentist was so nice to replay the last movie for me. Lol. I got to watch the Secret Life of Pets. Muahahahaha. Truthfully, it does help a little to distract from the agony.

The dentist took a record of my teeth status, calling out a sting of weird acronyms as her assistant made record. I was hoping that none of it means tooth decay. Indeed there wasn't but I was told that one of the molar had 5 fillings! I didn't know that.

To check for possible delay in between the molars or under the fillings, I had 3 x-rays taken. I never knew decay could take place beneath fillings. Anyway, I was asked if I was pregnant. Thankfully, no!

The verdict.... clean! No decay at all. The dentist said that she is happy with my teeth status. I can tell you that I have 100x happier. Muahahahaha. She said that if there is decay under the old filling, the old filling has to be dug out, decay fixed and given new filling. Sounded like a nightmare to me already. She could also dug out the old silver filling to put new white one if I want to, purely for aesthetic. Siao ah?! She also mentioned that my front teeth are rotated and asked if it bothers me; retainer could be the solution. I was rigorously shaking my head. Siao ah?!

Apparently, I have no decay at all. The pain that I had been feeling could be a sensitive tooth. I was given a good scaling and cleaning treatment and was on my way. The treatment did end with a yucky tasting solution applied to my teeth. For the next 30 mins, I was disallowed eating, drinking and rinsing. Plus the solution left a disgusting aftertaste in my mouth. Roaaarrr... but at least I made it out of the dental clinic alive and I had the disgusting aftertaste washed away with a bubble tea. Muahahaha.

Mummy Lim

Pain, Always Pain

Lil Shauna has such low pain tolerance. Wait, maybe it doesn't exist at all.

The intolerance started when she was a pre-schooler. It started off with tummy aches. Then she progressed to pain in the calves and behind the knees. Those were real pain, which kept her awake at bed time and even woke her up in the middle of the night. I googled and those were probably growing pains. The internet also said that not all children will experience growing pain; only those with low pain threshold. Ah ha, that must be my Lil Shauna.

Every now and then, she will complain about headache, tummy pain and even chest pain. When we ask her to rate the pains, the pains are always very high on her scale yet she could function normally most of the time. To add on, she is super dramatic. A little cut or broken skin and she reacted as if she had just been slashed and don't remind me about bath time thereafter. A little pain in her leg and you can see her limping around.

It has come to a point that I can no longer tell if it is real pain or she is faking it. Every pain is very pain. Zzzzz. On Monday, when I picked her up from Student Care, she complained that she felt breathless in the late afternoon. She said that it was as if her lungs didn't get enough air even when she took deep breathes. Of course I panicked. Cough? No. Stuffy nose? No. Headache? Yes, but only when I asked.

I texted Daddy Lim, who didn't think that it was a big deal and told me to monitor. For the next hour, Lil Shauna acted like the most lethargic person in the world and intentionally took deep breathes in front of me every now and then. However, she could talk normally, walk home normally and eat normally. Zzzzz.

The drama continued through dinner but miraculously disappeared after shower when it was free time (to watch TV). Haiz, I cannot tell if she recovered or she exaggerated the discomfort. I have a drama queen at home.

Mummy Lim