Learning journey...
 
Ann came out from school and asked me if she should take part in the Math Olympic Competition. Inside of me, I was “hmmm, ahhhh, really?”

Me : You sure you want to? You won’t be stressed?
Ann : I thought of trying. But teacher said that we will be tested on P5 Math.
Me : Huh?
Ann : I feel like it. First round will be in school. Second round will be in NUS
Me : If you really want.
Ann : I ask koko (Kai) tonight.

Such is the spirit of Ann. She just enjoys trying. How can I, as her mum, kill this spirit? Even if she doesn’t win anything, the experience will be something which will stay with her for a long time. It will be part of her learning journey.



At night…

Ann : Koko, should I go for the Math Olympic Competition?
Kai : Competition or class? Competition, you go. Class, don’t go.
Me : (Hahaha) She already finished the class last year!
Kai : Ok, go!

You go, girl!

My pride, my honour
 
As I watch them grow, I am proud of what they have achieved this far. I am glad with how we have brought them up. They have grown up doing what they love. We have never pushed them into what we want but we have always allowed them to pursue their interest. We only ask them for one commitment and that is to give their best.



Kai is doing very well in the Boys Brigade. In spite of its hectic schedule, he has produced good academic result, getting the recognition and promotion and still having time to strum his guitar. Today, he received his promotion and he is now deputy platoon commander! *Salute*


Showing his pride. Getting ready to receive his promotion.

  
Well done!

My ballerina, my princess, my daughter. Seriously, I think God has created her to be a dancer. If music is for the soul then, like someone said, dance makes music visible!
 
 
She is so natural when the music starts. She remembers her steps, every movement is executed with so much precision and grace. Like her name, Ann means gracious.

It is indeed an honour to be your mum. It was never easy raising both of you. You both are different, very different. I see my challenges as a means to make me stronger by the year and yes, indeed, it has.

People tell me to prepare for the rebellious teen years but you are already 14 this year, you have only become a fine young man. You are not perfect, you have your moods but those are not issues of a rebellious teen.

While your classmates are slogging away in tuition centers or with tutors, you are having fun doodling away in your room, sewing sock monsters, playing with your dog figurines. You never did worse than them, in fact, your performance was top grade. You have your crazy moments. There were times, I worried I will have no more hair to pull out but you are still my princess and the tougher it is handle you, the closer I get to God for only He will give me the wisdom to raise you.

Indeed, honoured to be your mum.

Low level commitment
 
Sigh…so what if you have a fanciful building to hold many people with a low level of commitment.

Malacca trip
 
Ann, at nine years old, went for her first overseas trip. I was pretty worried at first but I couldn’t stop her from going. It was a learning journey with the school. All through her growing up years, I have been teaching her life skills, survival skills, never talk strangers, always keep to the group… I guess, it was time for her to put them into practice. With much prayers, we saw her off to her first overseas trip without us.

Cheerful little spirit, all ready for the time of her life.

After two days and one night, she came home, safe and sound. She talked so much about her trip and what was most comforting was that she remembered everything I have been teaching her. She even helped her room mates to turn on the shower. You see, the hotel’s shower was the two taps kind. One hot and one cold, you have to balance it well so that you would not be burnt or be shivering in the shower . Not surprising, often, the kids today are used to the self-adjusted type of tap or the parents would be doing for them. In short, low on life skills.

Then, there was the squatting toilet to be used. She even taught some kids how to do it right…hahaha. Thanks to our three years stay in China.

Teach the child to fish and she will never go hungry!

The journey begins
 
Started my Masters in Social Science course. Last night, was the first lecture.
I left formal school in 1987. After a break of seven years, I went back to studies in 1995 to do my degree. I graduated in 2000 and at the same time gave birth to Kai. Now 2014, I find myself back in school again. A long break of fourteen years and with two kids in tow, I am back. I wonder what gave me the courage to return to the books? Have I gone mad? But I am very thankful that I found the right school. A lesson for all who wants to do private studies. Make sure you have researched enough, talked to the right people. There have been many cases of fake private institutions. After collecting the fees, were not able to start classes.

The school has insurance for all students to protect their welfare, there were contracts to sign, fees can be paid by instalments with zero interest.

After the orientation last week, I came home to tell the spouse that I was overwhelmed but he being a supportive husband  told me that I will do well because that is my passion.  Last night, as I sat at the lecture room, I heard of so many cases… …the single lady who was in her 30s didn't mean to say what she said to her cancer-stricken mum just before she died …the 14 year-old girl who has three fathers  ... the man who threw his wife into the swimming pool …the mum of four who felt that she was merely a helper at home and nothing else ... however, all came out of their situations, a winner because they found the right counsellor. This is what life should be. Before I pass on, let me leave a legacy for those whom I leave behind.  Tay Ping Hui, a Singapore actor said it very well…

 “What I’d like for our society is not to shy away from moments of compassion. To be human, care. If you’re angry or feel injustice, do something. Act, don’t just talk.”

  

He is 14 already!

This is the first time that Kai is not spending his birthday with us. He has gone for his school camp and only come home on Friday! Sigh…sign of his growing up. The children has indeed grow up so fast since we came home. He is now standing at 1.7m tall and is still growing. Where has that little baby boy gone to? 太快了！


 
My son, grow up to be a man of wisdom, a man who thirst after Godly wisdom!

Why argue till the cows come home?
 
There has been a big debate, both online and offline on LGBT. Even when I was attending my parent facilitating class, we were also debating on this topic. I cannot imagine mothers agreeing that LGBT is acceptable? “Some babies are born like that.” “Oh, very poor thing, a man trapped in a woman’s body!”. “She likes to dress like a boy.” etc, etc…
Come, come…are these not words which you hear from the media? Movies, dramas, sitcoms…you know what are these? Acting, not real!

I am a Christian, I believe God created Adam and Eve. He first created Adam and felt that it was not good for him to be alone and He took a rib out of Adam and created Eve. Why a rib and not a toe or a brain cell? Simple. That a woman will stand by the man. They should be standing side by side, supporting each other.

Then the Lord God made a woman. He made her from the rib he had taken out of the man. And he brought her to him. The man said, “Her bones have come from my bones.
Her body has come from my body.
She will be named ‘woman,’
because she was taken out of a man.” That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. The two of them will become one. (Gen 2: 22 – 24)

Ok, even if you are not religious, just look at the most natural beings on earth that have gender difference. The animals. They are just their natural self. Not influence by society or other beings.
Tell me, have you seen a tiger mating a tiger or a lioness mating a lioness. Simple as that!