Another Solo Ride

The plan was a morning ride and I had asked to do the PCN bcos I havent recovered from the road trip mountain nightmare. Then on Friday night, Daddy Lim lost sleep and commented that he wouldn't he able to wake up for the ride. He suggested for a Saturday night ride instead.

On Saturday morning, the idea of a treadmill run was too painful and I proceeded on my 2nd solo ride without the sleepy head. Cleverly, I brought my snack this time. Haha.

The weather was great; it was the usual route but for some reason, it wasn't enjoyable. I was lonely and a headache plagued me not long after I started riding. I had a headache too the last solo ride but at least that started when I was on the returning route. Sob.

Nevertheless, I made it to the end at Buona Vista.

And had my well deserved snack. That was what pushed me on. 

The returning trip was bad with the annoying headache. 

I don't know what caused the headache, Daddy Lim said that it was the lack of sleep. I was thinking if it was the helmet, which wasn't too tight to begin with. However, the ache seemed to dissolved after I removed the helmet and loosen it further. Still, the ride was far from enjoyable. I was so glad to make it home.

This morning, Daddy Lim and I went for another ride. I was so ready to go on the road this time bcos the PCN ride was so bad yday. Moreover, Daddy Lil promised that we wouldnt go to the Police Coast Guard this time, which also meant no peaks. Yeah. 

It was the same route for most part though, we went past the same cemeteries and the chicken farms. The smell.... I can still remember it now. We definitely went slower this time bcos I was still very much breathing when we came to the same single lane road. After the 1st peak, which Daddy Lim insisted that it wasnt one of the peaks, but just a slightly steeper slope, we made a right turn, only to come to another huge slope. Zzzzz...

Daddy Lim hasn't tried this route before but it was definitely more merciful that the Coast Guard one. 

We went past several different farms along the way. As we didn't have a destination in mind, we decided to turn back not long after but not before we enjoy the fruits of our labour. Hahaha.

I definitely felt much more tired on the way back such that that straight long road along the chicken farms and cemeteries became a test of endurance. I was so happy when I finally saw civilisation. 

We clocked about 30km this time, our longest so far. Give me a ride with Daddy Lim anytime. 

Mummy Lim

Must Dye Hair

I usually dye my hair every 4 months. It has been a fine balance between not overly damaging my hair vs not looking overly hideous. It has been slightly more than 4 months and my grey hair are publicly reminding me to do something. I wanted to but didn't find a good day to take leave.

Bcos of my non-action, my grey hair had decided to shame me. It was so bad, that I have 2 colleagues commenting about my grey hair and telling me to go dye them. It has come to the point of cannot wait and I whined to Daddy Lim. My whinning absolutely worked and he suggested for me to do what I needed.

Such chance wait no man. The next moment, I was in the hair salon. Muahahaha. Ok, it was actually the next day after work and I outsourced child caring responsibilities. I was lucky that the usual salon was able to serve me despite being a crowded Friday evening and without prior appointment.

I am quite sure that I had flattened my butt from all the sitting; I was in the salon for almost 3 hours. I wanted a shade as light as possible and yet be able to cover my grey hair. The stylist had to smack thick chunk of dye on my hair. I felt as if my head weighed a ton after all the dye was applied. It was good neck training.

To play it safe, they kept the dye on for extra time to make sure that the grey hair would be covered. The end result was worth the suffering. It was a shade lighter than what I originally had.

After keeping my hair at one length for many months, I have asked for layering. There was so much hair on the floor after it was done. My head suddely feels so tight. No wonder the weighing machine was kinder to me this morning. Lol.

I was just in time to pick the boy from class. Perfect timing and a happy me.

Mummy Lim

SA2 Nightmare Starts!

I remembered how chill I was for the previous SAs, somewhat being proud that the kids have built a good foundation from the various enrichment classes that we had been sending them.

Lil Shauna had been academically strong in P1 and 2. Coupled with the fact that she sets high expectations for herself, I rarely have to fret over her academically. I had thought that she would similarly sail smoothly for P3 SA1. Her SA1 results jolt me awake from my sweet dreams. They aren't that bad but if I had put a little more effort to help her revise, she would have done better, especially for her Science. I was then told by many other parents that it is a big jump in difficulty and complexity from P2 to P3. It was also after SA1 that I discover the world of free good primary school exam papers.

SA2 started this week and I didn't take any chance this time. Since last week, the Chinese revision on 生字 has started, along with the starting of past year papers for the other subjects. I didn't help Lil Shauna prepare at all when she was in P1 bcos I didn't know what to and P1s are not subjected to real SAs anyway but mini tests. Poor Zaky is now working on past year papers too bcos jiejie is in the regime and someone will scream "not fair" if didi gets away scott free. Haha. However, I go much easier on him as compared to Lil Shauna. Interestingly, Lil Shauna didn't complain when she spent more time than Zaky revising. I guessed she knew she had more to cover.

Lil Shauna has completed her paper 1 for both EL and CL. I had been reminding her to stay focus on the topic for her EL compo bcos she can get so carried away in her writing and write out of point. She writes way too much! We did a few 作文 practices, hoping that it would help. She is taking her EL and CL oral today and we similarly tried practicing for her CL oral. She is potato girl and trying to converse in Chinese is almost mission impossible.

Lil Shauna is feeling the heat and hoping that SA2 would be over soon. I feel exactly the same way. Fighting.

Mummy Lim

More Blisters!

Lil Shauna went back to the ice on Sunday afternoon after church. Her feet were already sore from the practice the day before. She didn't complain and went onto the ice after apply the gel.

She worked hard on her spins and did her jumps. The issue came when she was trying to do her flip jumps. After a few flip jumps, she felt the blister like pain on her smaller foot. We had to stop to put the blister plaster, hoping that it would help. While doing so, the more experienced skaters were telling me that the skates were probably too big/ loose, which was what I suspected bcos it is always the smaller foot that is more impacted. One of them then suggested this thing called the ezeefit bootie, which helped him. It doesn't seem to be sold in Singapore. From the website, it looks like this; somewhat like an ankle guard but I think it is much thinner.

Lil Shauna didn't last very long even with the plaster. She looked like she was in so much pain that even I was convinced that she should stop.

The blister plaster didn't help bcos it had shifted. See, that boot is indeed too loose. Then again, bcos children's foot grow very quickly, it didn't make sense to buy skates that fit just nicely. Moreover, Lil Shauna has 1 foot longer than the other. I heard from the skaters that there are people who actually bought 2 pair of different size skates to overcome the different foot size issue. Wah.... I hear kaching, kaching.

We replaced the plaster and went for a chocolate that can overcome all blister pain. Haha. I tried searching for the ezeefit bootie but didn't find any in Watson. Daddy Lim was activated bcos he was with Zaky in West Coast Plaza and there are some sports shops there.

He could only find ankle support and we were guessing Lil Shauna's size. We bought the ankle support as an interim solution.

She tried it in the night and had a hard time trying to slip it on. But once on, it wasn't as tight as I thought it would be.

I hope it would help. This is so difficult.

Mummy Lim

First Road Ride

The last time I rode on the roads, I was a teenager. Fortunately I didn't meet any accidents but the fear of cars zooming close by stayed with me. The same fear lingered so many years later such that our rides were largely confined to PCNs or a tight squeeze with the pedestrians on the walkways.

Daddy Lim is getting bored with the same route; there is afterall just that many interconnecting PCNs in the West. If we were to go onto the roads, we would have so many more options. I eventually decided to try; it should be quite similar to motorcycling right? The only difference is that I would never overtake a vehicle in my manual 2-wheeler.

The date was set for Sunday morning where there would be lesser cars. He also suggested that we go for roads that aren't so crowded to make the first road ride less daunting.

We set off at about 6.45am and the sky was starting to get bright. We hit the road soon after we started. It was quite all right and the road wasn't that busy. I think motorists are also more aware of cyclists as compared to when I was a teenager.

Daddy Lim said that the end destination is the Police Coast Guard before we turned back. Ok... I have no idea where that is but at least he knows where to go.

After the initial stretch with a few traffic junction, we came to a long, very long road that goes on forever. I saw cemetery and smelled what smells like chicken farms. On the other side of the road, hoards of road bike cyclists seem to be heading back from where we were supposed to go.

Bcos it was a long straight road and we were going faster, it was much tiring than the usual PCN route. Little did I know that the long flat stretch was a luxury. We soon progressed to a 2-way single lane road and that was when the nightmare started. It was up slope and down slope and more slopes that came one after another. Ok, maybe there were only 5 peaks in all but I was totally unprepared for such. Each peak just gets more and more difficult to climb. I was ready to turn back after like the 2nd one but Daddy Lim convinced me that we should press on. Sob.

Finally, we came to the Police Coast Guard. I have never been so happy to see a Police station. I definitely looked more energetic in this picture than I really felt.

After a short break of water (yes, only WATER), we had to go back the same way. Daddy Lim said that we should have some snacks after about an hour of cycling but he only said that at the Police Coast Guard but didn't ask me to bring any before we started the ride. Boo.. why like that? As we were starting to head back, we saw a road bike cyclist who had just arrived and was enjoying his delicious snack bar. Roaarrr.. with or without snacks, we still had to cycle back.

Daddy Lim said that we should peddle as fast as possible when going down the slope so that we can harness on the ignition to roll up slope as much as possible. That saved my life a little but I still peddle like crazy to conquer the up slopes.

After some crazy cycling, we were finally back in JW and stopped by the petrol kiosk for a drink. Cold Ribena never taste so appealing.

I made it back alive. Daddy Lim asked if I would like to do this road cycling thing again. I told him that I would have to first forget about the pain. Lol. It is this ride that I played with my gears so much, switching among so many gears as I go down slope to gain speed before switching gears again when I am climbing up. At times, I think my bike was barely crawling upwards. For a large part of the up slope journey, all I could see was my front tire bcos I was concentrating so hard on pushing 1 foot down after another. I occasionally looked up so as to see the road and to gauge how far I am from the peak. The drop in emotion was so real when I finally made it to the top only to realise that the next one was coming. Zzzzzzz.

Well, at least we cycled on the road and I am alive. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Night Safari

My company has the Night Safari card that grants 4 complimentary entries. I applied for the card and we were on the way to Night Safari. The last and only time we were there, Zaky was non-existent and so Lil Shauna was nothing more than a toddler. I can't remember much about the Night Safari except that we took the tram.

The kids were excited having not really been there before. We had dinner at MIL's place before heading to the Park together. On the Park's website, it listed 4 entry timings and we were almost on time.

The Park was crowded! We thought it wouldn't given that there was a heavy downpour just a while ago. We got to know that corporate card gave us priority entry. Happy!

We entered the Park to find snaking Q for the tram. SKIP. The 1st show at 7.30pm was also full. We decided to use our legs to walk the trail and the trail was very empty. Apparently most of the crowd was in the tram Q.

The Park didn't feel big; there were 4 to 5 short trails and animals to see along the way. There were also a few enclosure to see the wallaby and bats and flying squirrel at close range. By the way, flying squirrels are huge despite being called a squirrel. They looked like fat koala bears to me, just that they are perched on top of the tree and a lot more active and agile.

We stopped for ice cream after 2 trails.

We were lucky to chance upon an initiative that the Park is starting. We got up close and personal with this raccoon-like animal. It was busy finding its favourite treats - mice in the setup. We saw its trainer dangling half of the mouse at it frequently and got the little guy very excited. The kids would love to pat it but weren't allow as it is still considered a wild animal and not domesticated pet.

After a little more walking, we headed back to the threatre 9for the 9.30pm show. It was a nice show and the kids were very entertained.

They even took pictures with the owl after the show.

It was 10pm by then and though the tram Q was much shorter, we were beat after an entire day's activities. We headed home after sending nainai home and both kids fell asleep in the car. They must be really tired.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 99

Ooooo... we are one lesson away from class 100! Not only am I reminded of the long journey since we started Lil Shauna's ice skating classes, I am also reminded of the investments that we have made so far. Haha.

It was again new skates only day and I think it is the way to go henceforth. We worked on her spins before class and she did quite a few nice ones but she needed to find the way to hold her scratch spins. She needs to go faster and spins more rounds. We also worked on her sit spins. Though she hasnt mastered standing up from her sit spin, she is now working on holding her sit spin.

We proceeded on to her jumps and that was when her smaller foot started hurting. We rubbed more gel and she went back for some more practices before class. I am wondering if I needed to lace her smaller foot tighter, suspecting that abrasion ocurred bcos her skate wasn't tight enough and her foot is sliding around when she jumps.

Coach Raymond worked on her spins. With the tips given, her back spin definitely improved.

Then of course, her sit spins before 1 attempt at camel spin. Her camel was obviously very dead looking. Lol. She was taught a new spin - the Attitude Layback spin. The standard one look like this and the skater looked exactly like a spinning ballerina in one of those music boxes. Super nice.

The one that Lil Shauna attempted looked definitely none like this. Lol. Obviously, she has a long way to go, a very long way.

By the end of the class, she said that she was so dizzy from all the spinning and refused to continue. The dizziness was luckily easily overcome by a bar of chocolate. Haha.

Did she get blister? Still yes and on the smaller foot. The other foot was also sore. Sob, poor girl. Though blisters, she definitely tolerated the pain better than when we 1st started. Fighting!

Mummy Lim

My First Solo Ride

I haven't rode for a while bcos it had been rainy. I am dying for a ride. Last night, I briefly mentioned a morning ride to Daddy Lim but we didn't confirm. I fell asleep while tucking the kids only to wake up at 5am bcos it was too cold as somebody had snatched my blanket. Haha. It was a blessing in disguise bcos I managed to set the alarm for an hour later.

The alarm sounded and I was up but sleepy head Daddy Lim refused to. I was tempted to go to bed but eventually persisted. Daddly Lim half heartedly wanted to tag along but was so slow mo-ing that he was still in his PJ when I was about to get out of the house. Chey. And he has to be home by 8.30am to send the car for servicing. I thought I would be better off alone. Haha.

So I did! My 1st solo ride. It was slightly foggy and the sun was brilliant this morning. It was so beautiful and many picture perfect moments. I only got this one bcos I didn't want to stop often.

I rode the usual PCNs and all the way to Buona Vista. I played around with the higher gears and went a little faster. I did get a little lonely at times though. I also got a headache and stopped for a biscuit break. I brought biscuit bcos dinner was miserable last night and I was worried that I might faint from hunger. Lol.

Overall, it wasn't too bad and I clocked my 26km. Yeah! I still prefer to ride with Daddy Lim anytime. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Goodbye

It is amazing how fast a month flew by. Without realising, it was time for ah yee to fly home to Paris. She had spent an additional 2 weeks with us after CY left. Just as we got used to seeing Ah Yee at home, she had to leave. Sob.

We managed to have a few family dinners in the last 2 weeks, we caught a movie with her  and I had an afternoon just with her. Nevertheless, the extra time was still too little time.

The kids definitely enjoyed her presence. I heard about the countless donkey, uno, heart attack and board games that they played with her while we were at work.

Well, all things come to an end. Towards the end, Ah Yee was obviously missing home and CY too. Regardless of how great hosts we were, she was living out of her suitcase. Nothing beats the comfort of her own home. It still feel strange to say that her home is now "Paris" and not where we are.

We had originally wanted to visit her in Paris last year but it didn't materialise as Europe was a rather chaotic then. Though still a long way to go, we do wish to visit her next December. Ah holiday... did you just see my eyes sparkle? Lol.

Till then, take care of yourself. Good health!

Mummy Lim

Good Practice

On Sunday morning, barely 8am, Zaky was jumping on me, waking me on. I lured him to the TV and dozed off on the sofa. I woke up to a boy captivated by the TV and sneaked back to the room for an hour more of much needed snooze.

We did make it to church as planned. It wasn't that bad. Afterall, I had almost 6 hours of sleep, just like some of the backside itchy nights where I stayed up to watch K drama. I didn't look that bad either.

After church, Lil Shauna was sent to the ice. We only brought her new skates. She is definitely starting to tolerate them better. Now that she is breaking them in, the tiger but lack of sleep mum is also back. After watching her "lack of energy" warm up, she was made to practice the basics. She had not been bending her knee while skating, complaining that the boots are too stiff to do so. Fortunately, she obediently put in effort when I ask her to do so or I would roar at her.

We worked on her jumps and when I was satisfied, we started on her spins. We started with her back spin only to realise that her entry position wasn't strong. The same entry position applies to her scratch spin and we ended up working on that. Though not totally corrected, she did quite a few nice scratch spins. She worked very hard on her spins.

After more than an hour, she took a rest and whined about a potential blister. We applied more gel and put a plaster over the sore area.

She headed back to the rink, which was fairly empty, for 25 mins more practice. The tiger mum retreated. At the end of the session, the blister appeared to say hello. Poor Lil Shauna. I asked her if it was painful while skating (of course!) but she didn't want to stop bcos the rink was so empty and it was so rare. Thus, she wanted to practice more. I love it when she is all fired up.

It was definitely a great practice. I hope every skating day is like that. Haha.

Mummy Lim