Today is the 1st day of Phase 2C Primary One school registration in Singapore. I made an important decision today, i.e. to decide a Primary school for Rachel. To me, it is an important decision because deciding for one child, also means it affects the other child in 4 years' time.
I have been deliberating over the choice of 2 schools, both near to our home vicinity (within 1 km). The reason for shortlisting these 2 schools is because, one has a string ensemble CCA (which I hope Rachel will be able to join when she progresses to Pri 3), and for the other school, hearsay among mothers and teachers in the neighbourhood that it is a better school in terms of its academic results as it gives out a lot of school work for the children.
Up till last night, I could not decide which school to pick. So I drove Rachel to both schools for her to take a look and gave the choices to her. I asked her which school does she prefer to study in for her Primary school years. To help her further, I told her, if 1 school has to play violin, the other school has a lot of homework to do, which one would she choose.
She replied me without hesitation, the latter school. The choice is clear to her. When I asked her why is it that she does not like to play violin. She said because she can't sit down when she's playing violin. What a reason!
Hearing my little girl, I finally sorted out my thoughts, as much as I would like her to continue playing violin, I do not want to assert too much pressure on her that she must take up a CCA in that in school. I will just let her continue with her weekend violin class.
The primary one placement results will be out on August 11. Past records of this school showed that balloting is required even for those staying within 1km. I hope I do not have to go through the balloting phase this year given that the birth rate was considerably low in Year 2003.
No. 1 Fan
Shannon is Jie Jie's No. 1 violin fan. Everyday without fail, she would ask to watch the violin performance of Rachel that we downloaded onto our phones as video clips. Even Barney show video clips couldn't catch her attention as long as the violin video clip. And everytime, she sees Rachel's violin case and music stand (with her violin book) in any part of the house, she will raise her arms to show the action of playing violin.
Last night, just for fun, I let Shannon had a try at playing Jie Jie's violin. She liked it so much that she didn't want to let go of it when we told her to keep it back in the case. How I wish Jie Jie has as much enthusiasm as her little sister when it comes to playing her violin.
Last night, just for fun, I let Shannon had a try at playing Jie Jie's violin. She liked it so much that she didn't want to let go of it when we told her to keep it back in the case. How I wish Jie Jie has as much enthusiasm as her little sister when it comes to playing her violin.
Our Pet Lobster
This is the fresh water lobster that Rachel brought home from her violin concert. Actually, not exactly the same one, because the original lobster that was given by her teacher died after 2 weeks. Cause of death : unknown.
So I went to the aquarium shop and bought her a new lobster. I don't think we will ever let the children keep any animals (such as cat, dog, hamster, rabbit etc) as pets in the house. We don't mind to keep a little water creature in a small plastic tank at home to let the children play with. Still can qualify as a pet right?
Fresh water lobster is easy to rear. Just feed it with a few grains of cooked rice every day and change its water twice a week. We used filtered water, really "fresh" huh? Hope this replacement lobster will survive longer than the first. So far so good. It has been with us for more than a month now.
So I went to the aquarium shop and bought her a new lobster. I don't think we will ever let the children keep any animals (such as cat, dog, hamster, rabbit etc) as pets in the house. We don't mind to keep a little water creature in a small plastic tank at home to let the children play with. Still can qualify as a pet right?
Fresh water lobster is easy to rear. Just feed it with a few grains of cooked rice every day and change its water twice a week. We used filtered water, really "fresh" huh? Hope this replacement lobster will survive longer than the first. So far so good. It has been with us for more than a month now.
Finally The Day!
Today is the last day of treatment that P has to go through. I am glad that it's finally going to be over for him. It really hurts to see him suffering from all those side effects each time he came home from hospital.
It hasn't been easy for everyone but I am glad we pulled through it together as a family. The greatest credit goes to P himself. I admired him for his strong will and positive attitude.
There are also many people out there whom I'd like to say thanks to - to all our family members, friends and colleagues who have helped, supported and comforted us in one way or another, and kept us in their prayers along the way.
Thank you so much. We could never say enough how much we appreciated it.
It hasn't been easy for everyone but I am glad we pulled through it together as a family. The greatest credit goes to P himself. I admired him for his strong will and positive attitude.
There are also many people out there whom I'd like to say thanks to - to all our family members, friends and colleagues who have helped, supported and comforted us in one way or another, and kept us in their prayers along the way.
Thank you so much. We could never say enough how much we appreciated it.
Bronson's 4th Birthday Celebration
Today is my little nephew, Bronson, 4th birthday celebration. My sis-in-law held the celebration at my sister's new place by organizing a bbq (a housewarming cum birthday celebration).
(This is my little nephew, Bronson)
(My elder nephew, Brandon, my bro, sis-in-law & Bronson)
The kids are the happiest of all!
A Day Out with the Kids!
Normally I would take a few days' leave during each year's June and December school holiday period to bring the kids out. But I was really busy during the recent month of June with work and matters at home. Rachel asked me during the June holiday period why is it that she does not have school holidays like Brandon kor kor. I replied that because kor kor and her go to different schools. The fact is that Rachel goes to a childcare centre and the centre operates 5.5 days a week, 270 days a year (minus Sat afternoon, Sun, 11 days of Singapore public holidays and 5 days for teachers' training) without school holidays.
So I promised her that I will take a day off in July to bring her and mei mei out. Here's what I did on a day trip out with the kids. Our first destination was to The Animal Resort. It was the first time the children came so close with the animals. Both were so afraid that they don't even dare to take pictures with them. I hope to provide them with more opportunities like this to get close to nature and not grow up as urban kids.
After visit to the animal resort, we went for lunch at Swensen's as Jie Jie has been pestering me to use the ice-cream voucher which her school gave out to the children.
After lunch, we proceeded to The Farmart. It was supposed to be an interesting place (according to what I read on its website) featuring a variety of farms such as Bee farm, Koi farm, Lotus farm, Quail farm, Orchid farm, ornamental fish farm, live lobsters, crabs, DIY water fountains etc. At Farmart Centre, there is also sale of aquatic plants, farm essentials and exotic meats like crocodile, quail, ostrich, venison and bullfrog. Children can interact with animals at the animal corner which include goats, frogs, tortoises, fishes and other small animals. However, to our disappointment, most of the shops were closed and we did not get to do anything there. I guessed because today was a weekday (even though the website said it is opened everyday).
Next, we went to Singapore Omni Theatre to catch a IMAX movie, Sea Monsters.
After the movie, the children played around with some science exhibits.
See how heavy (or light) the children are. Shannon weighs 11.39kg on Planet Earth and 1.93kg on the Moon.
Rachel weighs 20.54kg on Planet Earth, 3.49kg on the Moon, 7.69kg on Planet Mars, 23.79kg on Planet Neptune and 51.79kg on Planet Jupiter.
Toothless Angel
Rachel's lower front milk tooth dropped off today. This was her 1st tooth that came off. She was really excited and called me at the office to tell me the news. I asked if it hurts and she said no. What a brave girl!
Keeping Fit!
It's been some time since we talked about taking up yoga class together before P falls sick. The heart is willing but the flesh is weak. We never really got down to doing that until now. And now I have to attend it alone, until P is well enough to join me.
I registered for Hatha Yoga (Elementary) class for a 3-month period at a CC near my home. It is conducted once a week, 1.5 hours each lesson. I started my 1st lesson today. Not sure if it is the style of the instructor or because this is an elementary course, I find the pace of the lesson really slow. Now then I understand why the instructor needs 1.5 hours for each lesson.
However, there was something interesting that I learned from the instructor today. He was teaching us the technique of slow breathing and what good it does to our body, health and overall wellbeing.
He shared examples of various breathing patterns of creatures in nature to show us interesting parallels between breath, behavioural characteristics and life span. For instance, those creatures that are easily excitable (quick to jump, or edgy) breathe with higher rapidity. A mouse takes 50 breaths per min and lives 3-4 years; a chicken takes 30 breaths per min and lives 12-17 years; a horse takes 16 breaths and lives 40-42 years; an elephant takes 15 breaths a min and lives 70-80 years. And the most immovable of all creatures, the tortoise a mere 3 breaths per min and can live up to 190 years! As for humans, we take in an average of 12 breaths per min and can live up to 100 years.
What is the morale of the story? If you want to live a long and healthy life, you must try to keep your calm and cool at all times and not get agitated or angry easily. Because when we get angry, our breathing speeds up and we breath faster than usual and it affects our health. That's why when people get angry, their blood pressure goes up.
I registered for Hatha Yoga (Elementary) class for a 3-month period at a CC near my home. It is conducted once a week, 1.5 hours each lesson. I started my 1st lesson today. Not sure if it is the style of the instructor or because this is an elementary course, I find the pace of the lesson really slow. Now then I understand why the instructor needs 1.5 hours for each lesson.
However, there was something interesting that I learned from the instructor today. He was teaching us the technique of slow breathing and what good it does to our body, health and overall wellbeing.
"Oh men and women...! You have defaulted from good health by being shallow breathers!"
- Rishi Gorakhnath
He shared examples of various breathing patterns of creatures in nature to show us interesting parallels between breath, behavioural characteristics and life span. For instance, those creatures that are easily excitable (quick to jump, or edgy) breathe with higher rapidity. A mouse takes 50 breaths per min and lives 3-4 years; a chicken takes 30 breaths per min and lives 12-17 years; a horse takes 16 breaths and lives 40-42 years; an elephant takes 15 breaths a min and lives 70-80 years. And the most immovable of all creatures, the tortoise a mere 3 breaths per min and can live up to 190 years! As for humans, we take in an average of 12 breaths per min and can live up to 100 years.
What is the morale of the story? If you want to live a long and healthy life, you must try to keep your calm and cool at all times and not get agitated or angry easily. Because when we get angry, our breathing speeds up and we breath faster than usual and it affects our health. That's why when people get angry, their blood pressure goes up.
The Breath of Life
“By slowing the rhythm of your breath, the vital energy will reach high levels; by increasing the frequency of the breath, this energy of life will diminish.”
- Gheranda Samhita
“By slowing the rhythm of your breath, the vital energy will reach high levels; by increasing the frequency of the breath, this energy of life will diminish.”
- Gheranda Samhita
A Lazy Sunday
It was a lazy Sunday where everyone just laze around. The kids have been down with cold and runny nose one after another lately. Since they finally got well, I brought them for a swim. We hardly used the pool facility since we moved here 5 years ago (not even once a month).
Look at how much fun Jie Jie is having! Both my girls love to swim so much!
Birthday Celebration
I was really fortunate this year to have 3 birthday celebrations: one with my parents and sister's family (1 week advance), one on the actual day with my beloved family and one with 2 very good and close friends of mine since school days.
(My sis, bro-in-law, and cute little niece, Elysia)
(My little angels)
