This is what it is all about
Me : How was your 作文 exam?
Kai : I tried my best
Me : Good. What was the title?
Kai : 一个能令我学习的人
Me : Wow...so who did you write?
Kai : You and papa
Me : (I felt a lump in my throat)
I almost cried. When I made up my mind some 10 over years ago to be a full-time mum, to be the main caregiver to our children, all I wanted was to give them the best. As years passed and as they grew up, all I wanted was that they would become man and woman of character.
When I heard Kai told me that he wrote about emulating us in his Chinese essay, I was very touched. It was not about us being the great parents, it was about us leaving something in his life that he was able to write about. It was about him, being able to write about his parents in his essay. Now, which teenager would want to do that and do that in their school essay? I have always instilled in Kai and Ann, never be afraid to be different. More so for Kai when he went into secondary school where peer influence could be very great. I drilled and I drilled…speak up, stand up for what you believe in. The phrase “no herd mentality” is often heard in our home.
Today, I see my son personifying it!
Yes, I am a mum. This is a place where I write about this and that.
Health is wealth if you still doubt it…
I went for my practicum briefing at St Theresa’s Home. As I walked up the slope, memories just flooded my mind. Some 30 odd years ago, I was at the same home. It was then known as the Little Sisters of the Poor. I was just a student and was with the Red Cross Society. I was there with my team to do some voluntary work for the elderly. Roll back to the present, I am now a mother of two and back to where I first did my voluntary work.
The premise is beautiful. I salute to all the beautiful hearts who have put their heart and soul into making this place so serene, filled with tranquillity for the 200 elderly residents who are living the last lap of their lives. This is indeed giving them the full respect and dignity as they live out their life to the fullest. I went home with so much emotions and deep thoughts.
The Hamlet in me surfacing.
I think having a great home, having the space to move around were great ideas. The home even has their own mini-mart for the elderly to do their own shopping. It gave them a sense of ownership and responsibility. What a nice idea. However, all the residents were wheelchair bound. It saddened me so much to see some of them longing for their families and friends to visit them. Some, just stood and looked out of the windows with a forlorn look. What was going on in their mind, what were their thoughts? Was it a hope for a family member to come, was it a look into their past, how they were strong and healthy then or was it just a wait for the last day of their journey on earth? Thinking of my own parents, they really take care of themselves. Nothing to do with eating the best tonic. It is just living simply. They sleep early, wake up early (the wake up early, I pick from them but sleep early…erm…), believe it or not, they still sleep with no aircon, fish is their main diet and regular check-up. I am thankful to God for blessing them.
“Health is better than wealth” took on a new meaning today.
I went for my practicum briefing at St Theresa’s Home. As I walked up the slope, memories just flooded my mind. Some 30 odd years ago, I was at the same home. It was then known as the Little Sisters of the Poor. I was just a student and was with the Red Cross Society. I was there with my team to do some voluntary work for the elderly. Roll back to the present, I am now a mother of two and back to where I first did my voluntary work.
The premise is beautiful. I salute to all the beautiful hearts who have put their heart and soul into making this place so serene, filled with tranquillity for the 200 elderly residents who are living the last lap of their lives. This is indeed giving them the full respect and dignity as they live out their life to the fullest. I went home with so much emotions and deep thoughts.
The Hamlet in me surfacing.
I think having a great home, having the space to move around were great ideas. The home even has their own mini-mart for the elderly to do their own shopping. It gave them a sense of ownership and responsibility. What a nice idea. However, all the residents were wheelchair bound. It saddened me so much to see some of them longing for their families and friends to visit them. Some, just stood and looked out of the windows with a forlorn look. What was going on in their mind, what were their thoughts? Was it a hope for a family member to come, was it a look into their past, how they were strong and healthy then or was it just a wait for the last day of their journey on earth? Thinking of my own parents, they really take care of themselves. Nothing to do with eating the best tonic. It is just living simply. They sleep early, wake up early (the wake up early, I pick from them but sleep early…erm…), believe it or not, they still sleep with no aircon, fish is their main diet and regular check-up. I am thankful to God for blessing them.
“Health is better than wealth” took on a new meaning today.
Friends from Kenya
We are the United Nations family. Our friends from Kenya came over for dinner. Remember Gabriel? I blogged about him some years back. A former Asean scholar who left the high life to go over to Kenya to start the Tana River Life Foundation. Amazing guy. This time he came back and we had the privilege to invite he and his boys to come over to have dinner. It was a great time to listen and understand more about what he has been doing. He has been there for 18 years already and he has helped put a group of African kids to university. Only passion and a calling could get a person to let go of all comfort so that others could have a little more.
Here is a video clip a friend had helped put together.
We are privileged to be able to help out in our small little ways.
Two men with big hearts
Having a game of virtual golf and bowling
“If there is anything I can do, let me do it now for I will never pass this way again.”
We are the United Nations family. Our friends from Kenya came over for dinner. Remember Gabriel? I blogged about him some years back. A former Asean scholar who left the high life to go over to Kenya to start the Tana River Life Foundation. Amazing guy. This time he came back and we had the privilege to invite he and his boys to come over to have dinner. It was a great time to listen and understand more about what he has been doing. He has been there for 18 years already and he has helped put a group of African kids to university. Only passion and a calling could get a person to let go of all comfort so that others could have a little more.
Here is a video clip a friend had helped put together.
Two men with big hearts
Having a game of virtual golf and bowling
“If there is anything I can do, let me do it now for I will never pass this way again.”
Kaisu (afraid to lose) parent for once
Yes, for the very first time, the spouse and I became kaisu parents. Ann is only 10 year old. She has two more years to go before she sits for her PSLE and decide which secondary school to go to. Last weekend, we brought her to SOTA (School of The Arts) open house. It was meant for P6 kids. Since Ann is into ballet and we were free, why not.
The school is impressive. Big, loads of space and first class facilities. They even have two fully equipped auditoriums (they may have more)…and who say all schools are the same ah?
We attended two dance showcases. The girls were good. There were three boys. I admired their courage to go against the norm and most of all, I respect their parents for allowing them to pursue their dreams.
Ann was captivated. She enjoyed the performances thoroughly. She went home and started practicing her splits. I think, going for the open house was a great idea. It gave her a goal to aim for. Being strong willed need not be a bad thing. If I am able to help her transform this trait into something positive, it becomes, determination.
And who says we need foreign talent? This piece caught our attention. It was called pop-corn.
Do you get it? So good isn't it.
Yes, for the very first time, the spouse and I became kaisu parents. Ann is only 10 year old. She has two more years to go before she sits for her PSLE and decide which secondary school to go to. Last weekend, we brought her to SOTA (School of The Arts) open house. It was meant for P6 kids. Since Ann is into ballet and we were free, why not.
The school is impressive. Big, loads of space and first class facilities. They even have two fully equipped auditoriums (they may have more)…and who say all schools are the same ah?
We attended two dance showcases. The girls were good. There were three boys. I admired their courage to go against the norm and most of all, I respect their parents for allowing them to pursue their dreams.
Ann was captivated. She enjoyed the performances thoroughly. She went home and started practicing her splits. I think, going for the open house was a great idea. It gave her a goal to aim for. Being strong willed need not be a bad thing. If I am able to help her transform this trait into something positive, it becomes, determination.
And who says we need foreign talent? This piece caught our attention. It was called pop-corn.
Do you get it? So good isn't it.
Stressful days, depressing days but all is well with my soul
I haven’t been writing much cos I have been busy with my daily chores, studies and of course managing my kids. Ann has been really difficult for the past weeks and months. She is stressed. I don’t blame her. The amount of work that is given to a 10 year old kid is crazy. The teachers are busy finishing the syllabus and the kids are busy with completing their homework. Absolutely right, there is no learning. It makes me wonder what is the purpose of education. Where is the change?
As a young kid, she doesn’t know how to cope with this new found stress. She released by shouting at us and of course, being a stay-at-home-mum, I get the most of it. When she goes into a frenzy, there is no stopping her. I am laden with a heavy heart. My only refuge is to stuff earphones into my ears and just listen to God’s words. A comfort and I try the darnest to stay calm.
But when the shouting went on for days, the patience runs out and on one occasion, I actually slapped her on her face. A wake-up slap that you do not shout at your mother, you do not show disrespect to your mother. Unimaginable, that coming from me. It hurt her physically but it damaged me emotionally.
When all has calmed down, what do I do? Apologise. Yes, good mum apologises. Yes, good parenting is about eating the humble pie not without first explaining why you react the way you reacted. That the behaviour is absolutely unacceptable.
The flour has gone stale, the sugar has turned into rocks. I have no time for baking therapy. It is just do, do, do….
I think, my lessons in class are my therapeutic sessions.
This is one gadget that is a need.
This is what I have learned in class. Where do you belong? Most people are placating. They try too hard to give in. Ann belongs to the blaming part. I really have to help her, I really need to.
I agree. “The problem is not the problem, coping is!”
I haven’t been writing much cos I have been busy with my daily chores, studies and of course managing my kids. Ann has been really difficult for the past weeks and months. She is stressed. I don’t blame her. The amount of work that is given to a 10 year old kid is crazy. The teachers are busy finishing the syllabus and the kids are busy with completing their homework. Absolutely right, there is no learning. It makes me wonder what is the purpose of education. Where is the change?
As a young kid, she doesn’t know how to cope with this new found stress. She released by shouting at us and of course, being a stay-at-home-mum, I get the most of it. When she goes into a frenzy, there is no stopping her. I am laden with a heavy heart. My only refuge is to stuff earphones into my ears and just listen to God’s words. A comfort and I try the darnest to stay calm.
But when the shouting went on for days, the patience runs out and on one occasion, I actually slapped her on her face. A wake-up slap that you do not shout at your mother, you do not show disrespect to your mother. Unimaginable, that coming from me. It hurt her physically but it damaged me emotionally.
When all has calmed down, what do I do? Apologise. Yes, good mum apologises. Yes, good parenting is about eating the humble pie not without first explaining why you react the way you reacted. That the behaviour is absolutely unacceptable.
The flour has gone stale, the sugar has turned into rocks. I have no time for baking therapy. It is just do, do, do….
I think, my lessons in class are my therapeutic sessions.
This is one gadget that is a need.
This is what I have learned in class. Where do you belong? Most people are placating. They try too hard to give in. Ann belongs to the blaming part. I really have to help her, I really need to.
I agree. “The problem is not the problem, coping is!”
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