Discovering Morning Open Ice

With the covid-19 capacity restrictions, it is almost impossible to get slots for the kids to practice on ice unless they have lesson. Lil Shauna used to hit the ice 2 to 3 times a week but is now reduced to 1 or even none at all. It is bad, so bad. 

The date for her Elementary test had been set on 26 Jan 21. Her program has been firmed and while she can do most of the elements, she still struggles with her camel, sit, scratch combine spins and unfortunately, a critical component in passing the test. As the test date draws nearer, she had been whining and whining non-stop about how stress she is. I concluded that what she needed is simply more ice practice to gain confidence in the elements. 

A few weeks back, we attempted the impossible. We dragged the kids to the rink at 8ish in the morning to q, hoping to get a slot for the ice. Lil Shauna grumbled when I dragged her out of bed, asking me why she had to come along. Bcos the kids should work for the slots if they want to go on the ice; it is hard work and not just privileges dropping from the sky. 

We had bfast and I went to peek at the rink after the kids were settled at the table. At 8.15am, the q outside the rink was at about 10m long and this is when the registration starts only at 9.30am. Zzzzz. We didn't have a choice but to join the Q. Ended up, the slots for the entire day were fully taken up before we even reached the register. We had a very upset Lil Shauna, who then believe even more that she is doomed. Lol. 

It is not the end lah. I promised her that I would book her extra SISA ice to practice. The SISA ice online booking has resumed and the earliest sessions start 9 Jan. Then I remembered that she sometimes go on JCube morning full ice lesson with Coach Raymond and saw those on the Rink's calendar. Heng, I moved my butt to call the Rink and found out that those were open sessions also for advance skaters to walk in. While there isn't a real definition of "advance skaters", there would be plenty of skaters who would be jumping and spinning and amateurs are advised to stay away. 

Zaky had been wanting to skate with jiejie but no such luck bcos usually one of them would be taking lesson at one time. Why? The pocket says so. Thus, he was really excited to do the open ice with jiejie. I was pretty worried for I have seen how advance these skaters are and how crowded the ice could be. Nevertheless, we attempted, reporting to the Rink before 7am for the 7.15am session. Zaky was reminded times and again to stay out of the way of the advance skaters. 

I had to keep my eyes on Zaky the whole time. I saw jiejie teaching him a couple of drills before going off to do her practices. Zaky was fine generally until he tripped and fell. Then he was so grumpy and I took the opportunity to pick him off ice and send him off for bfast with Daddy Lim. Hoho. Lil Shauna handled the crowded ice much better though it irritates her much. 

The next open ice, we conveniently skipped Zaky. I think it is safer and more peaceful for everyone that way. The rink was again very crowded but I think some practice is better than no practice. 

This morning, we hit back the ice for the last open ice practice before school reopens. Oh yes, I was absolutely stone from the lack of sleep, having gone to bed at 3ish after the RI. It took a couple of nudges from Lil Shauna before I managed to crawl out of the bed. 

It was an absolute pleasant surprise to find an empty ice. Lil Shauna was so thrilled. Though the ice slowly filled up, it was still much emptier than the earlier 2 sessions. 

Despite skating for so many years, Lil Shauna hasn't made many skating friends and her practice sessions are usually quite lonely. For once, I had to thank IG and she had been following some same age skaters and started chatting with them on IG. These are K and E and they were competitors once. 

Ice practices are definitely more enjoyable when there are companions. Though they spent a lot of time chit chatting, the girls being more advanced than Lil Shauna also taught her a tip or 2. Lil Shauna also didn't forgot her purpose on ice and practice the needful. 

Like I had expected, the practices absolutely helped to boost her confidence towards the upcoming test. She has 4 more lessons and a SISA ice practice session before the test. I think she will be fine. 

Mummy Lim

Last RI 2020

It had been a long while since we attempted a RI. The last one was in early October and we had to take a Grab home from ECP bcos of the rain. That unpleasant memory did zero to prompt another RI, plus the rainy season kills whatever motivation left. 

Finally, somebody jioed. It does sound like a nice way to end 2020 and start the new year. Tadah! Some of the group wanted to attempt a 150km ride, starting with LP1. We planned to roll at 5pm with those heading to LP1 starting at 3.30pm. Did Daddy Lim and I do LP1? Siao ah? Hoho. I have never cross 115km and I am not sure I wanted to torture myself that way. 

The weather wasn't too kind though and it started raining, then pouring, since the afternoon. It then turned into this intermittent drizzle. Ended up, we had to delay the start time twice. Just when we thought we can start, the drizzle would start. It was like the sky was teasing us. 

We finally rolled off at 7pm. The roads were wet but at least there was no rain. 

Fortunately, the sky decided to be nice to us for the rest of the RI and the roads dried up quickly as well. The weather was fantastic for the rest of the way. Woohoo!

What is the most enjoyable of an RI? The supper break. Hohoho. 

Sadly but truely, the lonely TMCR follows shortly. We had a strong rider and he was pulling us at 42kmh at one point but I had to drop off. Cannot lah, I thought I was going to vomit. Lol.

Daddy Lim's legs started cramping up after TMCR, which was still a long way home. Some of the guys went on to complete the RI with another LP1, clocking 200km!!! Us? We went home to sleep in our cosy bed. Hoho. 

With that, our 2020 ended with a blast. It was a little sad that we were hidden under the trees at midnight and couldn't catch any of the fireworks. We did see the flashes of the fireworks though and heard the bom, bom, bom. Haha. Happy New Year!

Mummy Lim

Secondary School Posting Results

The Secondary School Posting result was released this morning. It would be either through SMS or via the S1 portal. I had been gan cheong all these while, worrying that I actually didn't submit the choices properly on the S1 portal. I did attempt to check the portal but when I finally moved my butt to go to do so, the registration has closed. So did I submit or not??!! *Bite nails* 

The result was due for released at 9am. Due to the Covid-19, there would be no reporting to the Secondary School but to check the school's website on the next step after the posting results. I had planned to take leave to help Lil Shauna with school books and uniform purchases. 

MOE is really efficient this time. At 6.30am, I already received the SMS of Lil Shauna's posting. No surprises. Her 1st 2 choices COP are above her results but it was nice to have some hopes. She got into the 3rd choice as expected. We were just talking about it last night and she too had expected to enter the school. 

It wasn't until almost 8.30am that Sleeping Beauty finally stirred from her slumber and saw the results. Her phone had been buzzing the whole morning with who going to what school but she slept on. Lol. She found 2 other class/ school mates who are heading to the same school but it wasn't a big deal bcos she is looking forward to making new friends. It is actually so strange; our shy girl had been looking forward to making new friends at the new school for a long time. 

Lil Shauna had been telling me that all the girls with long hair in that school have to tie braids. I had thought that she was joking only to learn the truth today. Really??!! Why??!! My SIL said that they even teach the girls to tie braids during orientation. Good, bcos the only thing that Lil Shauna can manage now is pony tail and I don't think I will find it fun to struggle with hair tying at like 6am in the morning. 

Nevertheless, we strike while the iron is hot and learnt from youtube how to do dual french braid. My 1st attempt and I thought it is not too bad. 

It can be tighter and neater. Ok, I need more practice. But french braids are really lasting and she had her hair in those braids the whole day and they even outlasted her ice skating lesson in the evening. 好料!

We checked the Secondary School's website early in the morning and there was limited information. The books and uniform buying was scheduled for tomorrow. Contrary to what we should be doing during Covid-19, the school actually encourage parents and students to go to the school to buy books and uniform than online bcos delivery will take too long. Huh? So inefficient? We had to book a time slot to do so and the book list is not available. 

I had saved some leave, intending to do the needful but now that it is so last minute, I had to activate Daddy Lim instead. Without the booklist, we are also unable to ask for hand-me-downs textbooks. Why like that? Haiz. 

Never mind lah, I shall spend my leave relaxing instead. Hahaha. To the next wonderful journey!

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 4: Working Really Hard

Lil Shauna was at her youth camp and therefore Zaky got to have his ice skating class. With 2 kids on ice skating, we needed to control a little to mitigate the impact on the pocket. 流汗... 

Zaky was in his running shoes for once and I made him jumped a little for warm up before hitting the ice. Then to quickly do the usual drills before his class at 1.15pm. There was so much whining and I had to raise my voice at him. Why they all the same? All like that? Aiyo! He was trying to do the waltz jumps that he had just learnt the week before. I reminded him that falling down is part and parcel. Soon after, he took a tumble right before class and he cried. Apparently the mental preparation didn't help. 

Fortunately, he was able to pick himself up and proceeded with his class. Coach Raymond then pointed out all the mistakes/ bad habits that I had earlier pointed out. Don't play, play. This tuition teacher 有练过的. In fact, it was like deja vu - the memories with Lil Shauna all flooded back, including the whining. Every kid must whine. Lol. I started wondering if it had been better if they had started ice skating at the same time and I could take the whining at one go. I decided that it wouldnt be better, I probably would have died at the double whining impact. Lol. 

Coach Raymond taught Zaky the footwork before embarking on the waltz jumps and he was excited to master the jump. He was very much fired up after class that he tried over and over and over again. I had to say that I am impressed at how hard he tried. At times, he was looking at how J was doing the waltz jumps and trying to mimick. 

He didn't get the jump eventually but he tried really hard and that is enough for me. He noted his own errors and tried to correct them. I like it when they think about what they are doing. 

With Zaky, he is older and is picking up faster. He is stronger too but he needed to learn how to control, which is difficult, given how clumsy he has always been. Let's see where the journey brings him. 

Mummy Li.

Only 1 Kid

Lil Shauna is busy the entire weekend with the youth camp and we are starting to learn how to spend the weekend with only 1 kid. After a lot of mental preparation, it wasn't too bad. 

Daddy Lim wanted to look for safety shoes at the Peninsula Plaza and we decided to bring Zaky to Suntec thereafter for "something" fun, even if we were without jiejie. He ended up spending $20 and had an hour's of fun at the arcade. 

Was he upset that jiejie was not available? Not at all. Lol. He was very pleased to be the only kid. He got to choose Subway for lunch, he got all the attention and totally enjoyed himself. Hoho. 

This morning, we brought Zaky cycling with an usual ka cyclist and his gf. I had thought that Lil Shauna would be busy from morning only to realise too late that she was available - we were loaning her bike to the gf. Lil Shauna wasn't upset. I think early morning cycling is too much hard work. Obviously sleeping in is an easier choice. 

It was an easy ride and Zaky didn't at all look like he missed jiejie. Hoho. 

On the other hand, Lil Shauna totally enjoyed herself at the youth camp, coming home and sharing excitedly with us. 

For sure this is only the beginning. I think I should start planning the stuff to do with Daddy Lim without the kids on weekend. 

Mummy Lim

Ice Skating 220: Doing It

After working really hard on Friday and Saturday, I only wanted to 放空 on Sunday. Stoning sounded like a wonderful thing to do. I volunteered to be with Lil Shauna while she did her ice skating lesson so that I can stone at the level 4 spectator seats. That was exactly what I did. Hoho. Mission accomplished - the stoning part. 

While that was my sole focus, she surprised me with several combined camel, sit and scratch spins. Those are part of her elementary program and she seems to be finally getting it. Speaking of which, I had the honor of her doing her program and "chasing" after her music during the last SISA ice. She looked fine without the music, but once with music, she looked like she 慢半拍. Lol. She was also obviously struggling with the combine spins then, which is a crucial component in order to pass the elementary test. Ya, got test. 

It is getting almost impossible to get the kids slots to practice on ice unless they have classes. Coach says that people started queuing as early as 7am on weekends to get a slot. Huh?! I need my life and don't have the time to Q 2.5 hours on weekend just to get my kids into the rink lor. In the beginning, we were happy to enjoy the empty rink with the limited capacity but now it is a pain bcos I can't even get the kids in. I am secretly hoping that things will be better with Phase 3 and the capacity will be increased. I even comtemplated signing Zaky up for group figure skating classes so that he can have extra practices. The kids so need the practice time now. Crossing fingers for phase 3. 

While Lil Shauna was working hard on ice and then off ice, we packed Zaky to the Fs' place. We were meeting for dinner and the kids were going to sleepover. Yay! More stoning opportunities for me. 

The night turned out well. 

I had my overdue rest too. 

Mummy Lim

HBD Daddy Lim!

It is finally Daddy Lim's turn. This year, we are all stuck at "home" and we decided to do something "fun". We thought of doing a staycation only to realise that it cost so much to get a tiny room to crowd together. I almost click on the "book" button so many times only to turn away the last minute. Cannot lah, the kids can just turn on one the room's aircon the whole day and have all of us stay in that room and use phone non-stop. Same, same. 

We started off the day with a chill ride and bfast at the WC market. 

Eventually, I made a booking for escape room at 12.30pm. I was on half day leave. We opted for the kids' friendly Kungfu Panda game so that nobody will tell me of nightmare in the night and find a chance to squeeze in with me. Hoho. 

We didn't make it out in time but were allowed to complete the game with the given tips. Not bad lah, we completed like 80% of the game. 

I had to take a call at 2pm bcos I forgot to apply for leave and my calendar filled up. There was a meeting that I couldn't push. Ended up, the kids benefited from ice cream while I took the call. 

At 3ish, we were nicely seated at Park Royal Line, ready to enjoy hi-tea. 

Woohoo!

We must be hungry people. When I had this hi-tea with the girls, it took us like 2 hours to finish and there were leftover. With the kids, we were done within an hour and ALL gone. Hoho. Only left with good memories. 

The hi-tea was obviously too little bcos we started thinking where to go for dinner next and ended up at the Korean restaurant at Sunset way. The bulgogi and ginseng chicken were perfect to end the day. 

Ah kim sent Daddy Lim a birthday cake but we didn't have space to savor it. 

The feasting continued today. Like that can roll already. 

We finally got to eat the cake.

Nobody wants to take picture with the bday boy but at least they oblige to recreate this picture.

Fb prompted me this old picture. I think it must be at least 6 years back. So different now. Haha. 

Mummy Lim

Independence

Lil Shauna has moved into the adolescent phase and slowly gaining her independence. She had been so busy during this school holiday, so much so that she needed to keep a calendar to track. 

Her school bookshop part time work is still on-going and she worked a few hours per week, still without knowing how much, when and how she would be paid. Lol. Bcos we are now further from school, traveling to and back from school is a hassle. Ended up, Daddy Lim is activated to pick and/ or send her and he ended up getting busy too. Lol. Then we have to factor in the rainy days, where we would have to pick her from the bus stop and also "got lost" days - she boarded the bus 172 instead of 180 (Q side by side at interchange) and ended up at some really ulu Civil Defence Academy. Daddy Lim was in the yard and I had to activate a Grab to pick her up. 

She has joined her old Kindergarten Church youth group with a weekly Saturday zoom meet up from 4pm to 6pm. The timing is really not ideal and we now have to wait her for to be done at 6pm before the next family activity.  Otherwise, she had to take the call in the car, which isn't conducive, like last week. Zaky had been bugging to go to ECP skatepark and Lil Shauna had to choose between taking the call in the car or forgoing ECP. 

She got to the park. 

She also remarked a few times that we haven't been supportive of her youth group meeting. Sob.

She is also busy with Faith Methodist SunJam. The SunJam teachers did a fantastic job engaging the tweens despite Covid-19. Just last week, they had a baking session. 

That is not the end of her list. She asked to volunteer for her kindergarten church camp and had been helping at the church for the past 2 days. She came home exhausted every day and exclaimed that she didn't know 5YOs are so hard to manage. Lol. Now you know ah. Daddy Lim and I then have to make arrangement to send her to and back from church. Just that day, she was in the prep meeting that overrun for 45 mins. Poor Daddy Lim and I were sitting and waiting silly in the car. Right now, we are waiting for her to tell us what time to pick her up. 

Then she has her youth group camp coming up on 19 and 20. Due to Covid-19, the "camp" is in small group basis and hosted by the church's member. It was supposed to be an overnight camp at an allocated host place but we were not comfortable in her sleeping over at some strangers' house, Christians or not. We agreed for her to attend during the day instead.

In addition, she had a couple of outings with her friends, ice skating classes, church graduation ceremony.... Busy right? Confirm busier than me.

While waiting for her in the car the other day, Daddy Lim and I talked about it. We were complaining that we had to wait for her and that her youth group zoom call is at a lousy timing only to recall that it was the same when we were teens. It dawned on us that we are the ones who have to learn to slowly let her go. At some point, she will have to decide if it is family time or church/ social/ school time and sacrifice one. It is an uncomfortable phase bcos it is new for all of us and we all had to make adjustments. We shared that with Lil Shauna, who found it very logical as well. I have the feeling that she will adapt better than we do. There are afterall so many activities to distract her and I am sure these are more interesting that accompanying her old folks. Awww... I miss my baby already. 

God is good and keep her safe in the right company while she grows and spreads her wings. Amen. 

Mummy Lim

Updates:

Lil Shauna finally got paid for her part-time job!

She earned $87!!!! She was paid in cash and had worked a total of 27 hours, which means a hourly rate of $3.22. Hahaha. Is that even legal? 

But she is very proud of herself and so are we - earning her real 1st bucks at 12 YO. 

Ice Skating 218/ Ice Skating 2

Lil Shauna had her ice skating full ice on Thursday morning and I could accompany her at the rink with my laptop. It was nice to be able to see her do her lesson. 

The full ice was super crowded with a mixture of advance skaters and what appeared to be non-skaters. Hmmmm.. was it a public ice session? Fortunately, nobody got seriously knocked over; the skaters all have common sense to give way to the very advance skaters who would be executing that very difficult jump. Speaking of which, I saw how the skaters cleared the ice when one of the advance skaters started her program and filled the ice after she had completed her very difficult jump. I was reminded of the railway market in Bangkok. Hoho. 

Lil Shauna was practicing her program for her elementary test. At the end of the session, she exclaimed how expressive she was with her hands during the program. Got meh? How come I never see? 

What I saw was her attempt at camel, sit and scratch spin, a combination required for her test and how she flop on the ice bcos she couldn't hold her spin. Hahaha. She has plenty of work to do. 

Bcos Lil Shauna had other commitments on last Sunday afternoon, Zaky took jiejie's usual Sunday session with Coach Raymond. This is his 2nd individual lesson. 

We arrived slightly earlier to warm up. While he doesn't have expensive Zuca bag, I at least bought him a backpack to carry his skates instead of the recycled bag. The skates can be safely and securely tucked at the side pockets. 

I also bought him skating pants. With the right attire, his pro-ness increased by a notch, regardless of whether he can really skate or not. Haha. The pants have also lengthen his legs and the oversize T-shirt covered his tummy. Wah, so 显瘦! What he needs is a face mask to hide his chubby face lah. 

Zaky hit the ice and had forgotten what he was taught the last lesson. *Palm-face* I vaguely remember the mohawk, the backward crossover and got him to practice those. 

It was more 3-turns and footwork during lesson and he was also taught how to do 2-foot spins. We continued practicing after lesson and I was so reminded of the times when Lil Shauna was little. Bcos Zaky is older, he also grasped concepts easier. He is a lot more daring too as compared to when Lil Shauna 1st started her individual lessons. What doesn't change is how they all whined to leave the ice after short practice. Zzzzz. 

Lessons for the kids have been booked for December. With 2 kids on the ice, it also meant more pain on the pocket. Aiyo. 

Mummy Lim

Secondary School Selection Done

Right after the PSLE results are out, the students were given a week to opt for their secondary schools. We were given 6 choices and opted to submit the S1 form online. 

I am impressed with the guide that MOE gives to every P6 students.

I don't remember having something like that when I was in P6. At my time, we select the school before the results were released. Don't ask me how I ended up knowing what to choose bcos I don't and it is by God's grace that I got into SHSS. I didn't even know where the school is and never heard of it before I put it as my 2nd choice. 

It is only recent years that I found out that the the choice order does not give more priority. I was shocked with my SIL shared with me. This is in MOE website. 

"For 2020 P6 cohort, the order in which a student lists their school choices *does not* give them priority in determining who gets a place". If 2 students have the same aggregate score and vying for the last slot, it is determined by a computerised ballot, regardless of choice order. If the vying is between 2 students with 2 different scores, the slot goes to the student with a higher score, regardless of choice order. I couldn't tie my head round the same score concept; I bet there are many with the same scores until my SIL reminded that decimals probably do the trick here. Ahhhh.... So clever.

Lil Shauna and I discussed about the school choices and tagged out the possible ones before the results were released. In a worse case scenario, we were looking at the schools near to our home though they don't have many exciting CCAs to offer. Interestingly, I have managed to influence my daughter to find a school and get into a fun team sports CCA. With the released results, we scrutinized the choices earlier identified and further narrowed down to the final 6 choices. 

The decision for the choice placing was left to Lil Shauna. The idea is to put the highest 2020 COP score schools at the top and so on. In the event of schools with same COP, then she should place the one that she desired to get in more on top. I wanted her to have some ownership in the selection. We put in 2 schools with COP above her score. If she gets in any of the 2, it is indeed God's blessing. Out of the 6 schools, 3 of them are girls schools. The girls schools' CCAs offering is really interesting. Out of the 6 schools, 3 of them are Christian schools. Some of the choices are really far and Lil Shauna has prepared mentally to travel. 

This blind selection is really nerve whacking. Though she makes her choice knowing her results and the last year's school COP is made known, we cannot tell how many will chose which school and whether the COP will be jack up. *Nail biting* The results will be released in the last week December. Then there is school reporting, buying of school books and uniform. It sounded like a busy last week already. 

Mummy Lim