Long Weekend Getaway Austin Height Day 1

The ultra long weekend is too wasteful to stay in Singapore but too expensive to fly somewhere. At times like that, the Causeway neighbour is our best friend. We did that the last National Day long weekend too with my brother's family.

This time, we are on our own bcos the 2nd F's PSLE Oral exam is around the corner. It was just as fun.

We took half day leave in attempt to beat the custom jam. Apparently, we weren't the only ones with the same idea. While the q was long at the Singapore end, the traffic was moving and we cleared the custom in 30 mins. Phew. We weren't so lucky at the Malaysia end - the jam was massive and we slowly inch forward. It took us a freaking 2 hours to clear the Malaysia end. Luckily Austin Heights is 30 mins drive after the custom.

Before long (after the custom), we arrived at the Airbnb. Daddy Lim did the booking and found us a nice little studio apartment.

There is a mini kitchen and 3 single beds in the living hall and a double bed in the single bedroom.

It was clean and neat. There was ample space for us. The towels, mattress covers and blankets were all very comfortable. You know how sometimes Airbnb comes with poor quality stuff. If I have any complaints, it would be the pillow. It would be fantastic if the pillows had been much fluffier.

The Airbnb was conveniently located where the action is. The Aeon shopping mall was a 8 mins' drive away. The kids were bugging to go to the Rocky Basecamp for some actions.

They are just so full of energy.

Being their 3rd visit, they are old timers already and went on scaling wall and climbing boulders.

The Basecamp was totally worth it. It only cost Rm25 per kid for 2 hours of fun.

We returned to the Airbnb vicinity for dinner before wasting our life in front of the gadget.

Mummy Lim

Strava 54km Challenge Part 1

During the last Strava 100km challenge, Daddy Lim noted that the youngest participant was 10YO. That got him and Zaky very excited bcos Zaky would have the chance to be the "youngest" participant in the next challenge and there is no lack of such challenges anyway.

Just then, the Strava 54km challenge came up. It is very do-able for the kids to try to clock 54km over a 2-week period from 3 August. Zaky was very keen; Lil Shauna simply tagged along since she would cycle along too if we do family trips.

Strava accounts were set up and the 1st trip was planned on Sunday morning to at least clock half the distance. Of course the reward had to be a good bfast.

The kids had done quite a few 20ish rides. The longest was the visit to the Merlion at almost 47km but took us a freaking 6 hours with plenty of breaks. A 20ish km ride will bring us on the PCN to the Bouna Vista MRT and back; a route that we are very familiar with.

We started the ride at about 7.30am. The sky was bright by then, which is good for our little blind bats.

Along the way, we spotted plenty of wildlife from huge monitor lizards to the otter family.

Then, Zaky complained about tummy ache and Daddy Lim decided to stop for roti prata bfast earlier than I had expected. It was barely 11km at that point.

Bfast solved all issues. Lol. The tummy ache was gone; Zaky said that he was probably just hungry. Lol. With the roti prata sitting satisfyingly in our tummies, we had new energy to cycle all the way to the intended turnaround point.

Lil Shauna is definitely stronger and able to go faster and further than Zaky. Daddy Lim and I took turns to slowly peddle alongside the boy. The boy self-entertained by training to go hands-free along empty PCNs and is getting quite good (but also dangerous) at it.

Finally, after almost 3hours, we completed our almost 27km ride. Yeah, 50% of the challenge done. I hope we passed on the love for cycling to the kids.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 179: Axle Start

We had suspected that it was jump week bcos it was spinning the week before. Coach Raymond usually alternate between spin and jumps. Lil Shauna is currently struggling with her axle jump. Axle jump is one of the most difficult jumps bcos a single jump is 1.5 revolutions. 0.5 more than the other single jumps. 

It was the usual warm up before we hit the ice. She can now do 1.5 revolutions jump on land, which is crucial in aiding her axle jump on ice.

I am sure I had better PR skills than Lil Shauna. In these years that Lil Shauna had been skating, I think I made more parent-friend than her making ice skating friends. Haha. As a result, I had been able to pass on some of Lil Shauna old skating stuff than to have them rot at home. 

This little girl took on some of Lil Shauna's skating attire. She happily agreed to a picture with jiejie.

Yes, that little purple bottom was Lil Shauna's. Yes, she used to be so little too! Hohoho. 

We were spot on and Lil Shauna was working on her axle jumps during class. She looked like she needed to master a lot of courage to execute each attempt. 

To be able to do the axle (and double/ triple axles in the future), it basically means that she had to be airborne for as long as possible and spin very fast while in the air.  It also meant that it would hurt a lot if she falls. She is only at 1 to 1.25 revolutions currently and landing on both feet. I thought some of the jumps looked quite decent.

We were back on ice on Sunday and Lil Shauna worked on her camel and broken leg spins and axle jumps. Interestingly, she was on form and there was nothing much that I had to do other than the occasional video requests. I love such times. Hoho. 

It is also the very 1st time that she had managed to do 3 revolutions of the broken leg spin and stood up! She had been tipping off her skates previously and said that the trick was to squat down lower. That is really tough bcos it is on one leg and to hold in that position. Imagine how much core muscle to build up. 

She made multiple attempts on her axle jumps too. On one particular attempts, Coach Raymond commented that it was quite good. She still has a long way to go to complete her 1.5 revolutions and to land on one foot. 

Off ice was great too. Woohoo! I saw Lil Shauna doing her axle and (almost) double jumps. See lah, how not to love times like that. I can only hope that such good times last for the next practices. The magic usually disappears. 

We are also changing her classes format starting in August. For years, Lil Shauna had been taking Saturday 12pm class on 1/3 ice. Many of the skaters progress to SISA ice and she is one of the few who remain to fight for ice space with little dangerous skaters and big dangerous beginners on Saturday. Why? Bcos this time suits us perfectly as compared to SISA ice, which is usually on weekday evenings. We are also worried that she wouldn't be able to sustain 1-hour class and waste $$. 

We are finally taking the switch bcos Lil Shauna enjoyed the space during SISA ice while in prep of her competition. Moreover, the dangerous little and big people had been increasing and 1/3 ice is sometimes really too crowded. For a start, we are alternating between SISA and Saturday class to see how she survives. Yay!

Mummy Lim

27 Years and Counting

Last Sunday, the usual suspects met up for High Tea at the ParkRoyal hotel. This was definitely not the usual noisy little people running around gathering bcos the they were not invited. Hohoho. Only the littlest had the privilege to tag along...quietly.

The gathering format was at the request of our beloved Coach and Mentor; who was instrumental in helping us forge the strong bond that we have today. While she loves the little people as much as we do, proper conversations are impossible to sustain in their presence - try chit chatting in a hurricane.

The high tea was lovely. It was the same place where we had Auntie J's farewell.

When there is so much peace and time, my cappucino tasted extra nice. I only had to worry about my waistline. Haha.

The afternoon past quickly. There were plenty of proper conversations, catching up, talking about old times and laughter. We have 27 years of togetherness to savor and more to come.

With the kids entering tween years and becoming more independent, I can totally see such gatherings in the future. But of course, it would be a blessing if the kids can build a bond as strong or stronger than what we have. In the meanwhile, I look forward to the usual gatherings, the little people running around and having a ball of time while thinking of the nice quiet cappas that I would be sipping with the girls in the not too long future. Yay!

Then it was back to reality for Auntie H and I to NUSS to meet up with the Daddies and kids. The kids totally could do without us; spending the whole late afternoon in the playroom and the pool.

Mummy Lim

When There is Only One..

Last Saturday, Lil Shauna got to watch the NDP preview with her school. All P5ers in Singapore get the chance to do so.

It was a full day event, reporting to school at 2.30pm and home only at 10pm. Lil Shauna was so excited and couldn't care more about what we would be doing with Zaky in her absence.

We had plenty of time to spend with the boy. It was a very peaceful day bcos there was nobody to squabble with. There wasn't a need too either since he had all the parents' attention. He was even given the choice to decide what he wanted to do - Extreme Skatepark!

The day was too long to spend at the skate park. Since we were heading East, we decided to put him at the Forest Adventure to burn some time. He was told that he had to do the adventure alone and he was totally fine. We happened to choose a time where the courses were fairly empty.

Zaky was not tall enough (145cm required) for the grand course and could only settle for the junior course. For $39, he could do the children and the junior course.

Zaky is totally independent and capable of the courses. Daddy Lim and I absolutely relax one corner. Woohoo, selfie on my Oppo phone not bad leh.

The junior course was supposed to take about 1hr15mins but the boy was done before an hour was up. I guessed it helped that he didn't have to wait for his turn.

Once we were done with the Forest Adventure, he was ready to have his 2nd wave of adrenaline rush. Off to the the skate park and thankfully ECP was so near bcos the boy was so excited.

It was a very mad hot afternoon. I was perspiring like mad just by waiting in the shade. The boy went up and down the slopes, round and round again.

Good, he needed to burn some fats. Haha.

We left the park only in the evening, completing our adventure to the East with pratas and bryani. It was another "best day ever" in the kids' life. Haha.

Lil Shauna had an excellent time too and came back with plenty of stories. She said that there were a lot of waiting but time passes so quickly in her classmates' companionship.

Mummy Lim

Please Reply 1992

I am a self-admit K-drama addict. When the mood strikes, I have this habit to rewatch some of the dramas, particularly certain episodes/ scenes. Recently, I just did for "Please Reply 1988" - a drama where the lead actress reminisces about her growing up years with her gang in the 80s.

Like the lead actress, my growing up years were plastered with good memories. It must be God's grace to be enrolled in SHSS and into a sports that I still heart. Most importantly, anchored with a group of girls (now still girly) who are still closely knitted since we were 13.

Recently, in prep of a gift for a very dear mentor, old pictures started surfacing. For a while, I forgot how 'tu" I used to look when I was a teenager.

I looking my worse when I was sec 1. The girls were very kind to at least not showcase (too many) my worse. Lol.

I know right, that silly hairstyle. Lil Shauna had such a fun time trying to guess who is who.

I started growing out my hair when I was in JC. That was an absolute right choice and I started looking more proper.

Then came the very "in" makeup - the very highlighted eyes. I actually still heart that look. Haha.

Those were the years... and these are the girls whom I absolutely love.

Mummy Lim

The Expensive Blind Bats

Lil Shauna started wearing glasses in June 2017 and Zaky joined her in April 2018. In the short 2 years' span, we changed like 2-3 pairs of glasses bcos their eyesight had gotten worse. Wait, the last complaint was the frame getting too tight only to discover that their eyesight had deteriorated too. Anyway, it meant new glasses and changing 2 pairs of glasses at 1 time is no joke to the pocket.

In December 2019, we changed their glasses and I was mega upset that Lil Shauna's left eyesight deteriorated so badly. In a short 6-month period, her left eye went up from 200 to 275. At this rate, I am worried that she would soon go blind.

Our kids aren't the only victims to myopic. Many of the SHSS gang kids are wearing glasses too and myopic became a hot topic bcos we are all so worried about our blind bats becoming more blind. Zaky was just complaining that he cant see properly in his glasses. Zzzz. That was when I heard about the lenses that can help to control myopic in kids. We started asking around and found that the prices of the lenses to be much controlled and ended up in one of the spectacle shops at Boon Lay MRT.

After testing, their eyesight has again detoriated. Haiz, I am not surprised anymore. Lil Shauna is at R: 175 (from 150) and L: 350 (from 275). Zaky went up to 175 both sides (from 125). Yes, all in the short span of 7 months. Boo. At this rate, I am really worried that they would go blind.

There are apparently a few brands of such lenses. We were recommended the ZEISS eventually. Total damage: $660 for 2 pair of glasses. My heart just bled. It used to be just Daddy Lim, changing his glasses once a year. Now x3 and 2 of them at half yearly rate.

The idea was to have full power lenses at the center of the lenses and reduced power on the surrounding. To be able to control myopic, the kids needed to learn how to use the surrounding lenses when reading/ looking at something near. By using the reduced power lenses for looking things that are near will help them not to stain the eyes. Is it guaranteed that their myopic will be controlled? Of course not. It goes back to proper eyecare and usage of the glasses.

Funnily, the kids opted for similar style of frames. Lil Shauna is still into her big Harry Potter frame. I asked if the glasses were any difference. No leh.

The optician suggested for us to return in December for another round of testing. Sob.. I hope our $660 investments will help to slow down their progression.

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 176: Post D Day

With the competition hype gone, it was back to hitting the ice and working hard to master the next spin and jump.

I had been trying to make sense of the competition scores, tearing down to the details.

Lil Shauna has an overall score of 14.27, making up of a total element score (TES) of 6.34 and the judges total component score of 7.93.

It took me a while to realise that the TES is based on the planned program that we had submitted prior to the competition. Depending on the difficulty of the submitted program, a base score is given for each element; the more difficult, the higher the score. During the competition, the judges will then give extra marks or deductions depending on how good or bad the element was executed. Yes, every single element. So somebody with a more difficult program "confirm" a higher score if the elements are executed properly. For Lil Shauna, she actually improved slightly on the TES as compared to the last one.

The bigger component is the PCS (Program Component Score). I had to ask Coach Raymond and was told that it was made up of Skating Skills and Performance, factored by 2.5. The judges were really strict this time round and generally low(er) scores were seen across the board. Lil Shauna's Skating Skill really sux. She doesn't push hard enough or hold her strokes and look down on the ice quite some times. Fortunately, she is aware and accepted that hard work is needed to polish up. Whether she would really work hard on the basics is another matter altogether.

I thought she did so much better in terms of performance; in fact the best since she started competing. Well, we did last minute practice before the competition but her performance surprised me. She was performing to a "happy" song and I reminded her to smile and be playful. The evidence was captured by the professionals.

See, got smile!

Back on ice, she wanted to train on her basics, starting with stroking properly. Actually, that is really hard work despite something so easy. She has to get that into her muscle memory. Soon, she was stroking the old way. Zzzz. Hard work lah.

Then, it was down to her camel and broken leg spin. Coach Raymond taught her during class and she continued practicing after class and on Sunday ice. Still far from it.

I had been wanting to make her do her stroking, camel and broken leg exercises at home to train up the muscle but keep forgetting. We did likewise when she was training for her sit spin. Fighting!

Mummy Lim

New Phone, New Data Plan

Finally, my 2-year contract was up and it is time to get a new phone and more importantly a new mobile plan. The Samsung S8+ had served me really well, despite me cracking its screen at the Fremantle Prison (Perth) about 6 months after I got it. The data plan is the one that I had an issue with.

My basic plan is so basic that only comes with 3gb data plan per month. I duno who still survives with 3gb per month. I paid to upgrade it to 5gb several months back and was surprised that I still struggle with the quota in some months. The apps are using too much data nowaday lah. Daddy Lim has a freaking 30gb with unlimited data during the weekends. My eyes had popped out with envy a long time back.

It is finally my TURN! Hohoho. While I knew that I wanted to change to a similar priced plan but one that is data rich, I was shocked at how much I had to pay for a Samsung handset. The basic S10e is asking for $598 with my basic plan. I had been on Samsung for a long time but I really  买不下, which got me looking at other handsets. Daddy Lim is currently on Huawei and Lil Shauna is on Oppo.

After much considerations, I wanted to go for the Oppo too. At the M1 shop, the sales wantedwan help me check if my Company is on corporate plan with M1 and I confidently quoted that my Company is with Singtel. Luckily the Sales insisted to check. To my surprise, I could get corporate discount!

In the end, I upgraded my mobile plan 1 notch since I am eligible for the corporate monthly discount. What I am even more pleased is the $250 handset discount bcos of the corporate plan. Hohoho. I cannot stop smiling. With the discount, I got a newer Oppo model - Oppo Reno.

Lesson learnt - don't be so stubborn; it doesn't hurt to check. I now have 15gb of data plan per month and FREE UNLIMITED data during the weekends. Ouch, my face is hurting from smiling too much. Haha.

Mummy Lim

D Day: I got this Feeling...

Finally, it was D day after 2 months of intensive training. Even though it was D day, it wasnt any more relax. Lil Shauna and I made it to the rink for the 3pm ice session for last minute practice.

It was her 5th competition and the 3rd for Preliminary; she said that she is not anxious. Indeed, her mood was light as we headed for the ice time.

The rink was opened until 5pm with the center rink cornered off for advanced skaters. We had about 1.5hr. It wasnt too crowded at 1st but the crowd slowly built up with skaters doing last minute training and the public. Again, I hear Lil Shauna complaining that it was too crowded. What's new? We spent time practicing the elements and also practicing how to smile and perform. Smiling also need to learn.

We had plenty of time to get ready and had toast for dinner. The competition look was completed by 6.30pm. The colorful shiny freckles worked! Then I realised that last week's pure white ones look classier. Too bad. Haha.

Pictures, pictures time.

Close up of her shiny, shiny. So cute, right?

As the competition drew nearer, Lil Shauna got more and more anxious. She was rushing me to help her wear her skates when there was still plenty of time.

This time, we asked if the Fs were free to see her compete. They had to rush down from Clementi after class. Just nice, the schedule was delayed.

Lil Shauna's competition was right after the ice resurfacing. While waiting, we sneaked in a picture with Coach Raymond.

He obviously can pose better than her. See!

Finally it was warm up time. The skaters had 4 mins. By then, Lil Shauna was a bunch of nerves. She had forgotten mostly what I had asked her to practice and was simply following instructions from Coach Raymond. She kept skating back to the side to see what else he wanted her to do. Faint. Zzzzzzzzz...

Four minutes were up in a blink. As Lil Shauna was the 7th skater, Coach Raymond asked her not to crowd the rink side but she was too anxious. When the 5th skater was skating, she came hurriedly to ask where Coach Raymond was. She was so amused to find him munching on his dinner burger by the side. Lol.

I had been the videographer for every of her competition. This time, she requested for Daddy Lim to do so instead so that she could look at me and remember to perform. For once, I get a chance to watch her skates not through the lens. It was beautiful.

She completed her program nicely and was able to smile and perform and was extra graceful. She totally charmed me. She managed almost 8 revolutions on sit spin. However, she wasnt the only skater who put on a good show. We had watched many of her competitors practice during SISA ice but all of them were a notch up during the competition. Many of the competitors were much stronger too. Four of them were doing axle and another was doing complicated spins. Why are they competing in Preliminary ah?

The Fs left after she had skated. We stayed on to watch and support Ruby and Jasper, who were participating in the Elementary.

She had to don her glasses and was totally weird with the sparkles. She looked like she had shiny pimples. Haha.

She waited for Ruby to be done to take a picture. Poor Ruby was barely recovering from the flu bug.

We waited a long time for the results. It wasnt out when the Elementary was completed. We contemplated going home but eventually decided to stay on for the results; the results on the spot were much more detailed. Daddy Lim had to bring Zaky home 1st.

We waited and waited and waited. We even watched the advance skaters compete. They are really good! The results were still not out when the competition ended. There were still many mini skaters waiting around. We then realised that they were all waiting for the prize presentation. As there were only that few skaters competing in the basic skating competition, participation would guarantee a medal. Lil Shauna lamented about resisting joining competition when she was little. Haha.

The results were finally out. To Lil Shauna's disappointment, she came in 9th out of the 12 skaters. She thought that she had done well. I thought she had tried hard too and was all comforting. While I dont expect her to win as her competitors were so strong, it puzzled me too that her score dropped drastically from the last competition. Well, what's done cannot be undone.

Disappointment was hard last night. I had a hard time falling asleep and couldnt help thinking what else we could do. I even rewatch her video and compared it to her last competition and noted that she made similar mistakes as per the last round. Then, I went into studying the detailed score to realise that her element score was slightly better than the last round. The judges were alot more stingent on the other scores this round. Comparing to her competitors, she did fairly well for her performance but her skating skills sucks.

This morning, she was feeling so much better and I took the opportunity to post my observations. I was encouraged to see how upbeat she is and is eager to try harder.

The results were finally posted just now and we were studying her score and videos together for areas of improvement. The 4th to the 9th placing had really close score. The 4th was 14.77 and she was 14.27 at the 9th place. That 0.5 makes all the difference.

I really hope that she would work harder. Back to ice on Saturday!

Mummy Lim