this and that from mama

Children must always love going to school

Yes, they must. It is when they love going to school, they will love learning. There is this saying “Do what you LOVE and you will never work a day in your life.” It is good that we have been away. Being away made me care less about the paper chase, the pressure cooker education system. You see, when you stay overseas you miss school sometimes because of heavy snow days, typhoon and a whole lot of other reasons. The kids didn’t learn less and they were not in any way more stupid. In fact, school or no school, everyday is a learning day.

This is their second week of school and I was initially worried that Kai and Ann will not enjoy school in Singapore. Well, little Ann seems to know what I am thinking. Daughter and mama have telepathic power. She came out from school and said, “mama, I love going to school.” “I love Singapore school, I just miss my SSIS friends.” So happy indeed to hear that. I told her, we will arrange to meet her Shanghai friends.

Over dinner, I asked Kai. “Can you use one word to describe your secondary school life?”.

Son : Interesting

Me : Even more interesting than SSIS?

Son : Yes, there are more interesting things to do.

Kai is definitely an advance learner. He enjoys hands on subjects. Design and Technology is fast becoming his favourite subject. Science experiments are more exciting now. Because of his reading habits, he enjoys Literature, Geography, History. The three years in Shanghai has helped him improve his Mother Tongue. It is no longer a chore, he can breeze through it now.

Last weekend, we went to school for the Tea with Principal session. Met the principal for the very first time and I love her. She is a no nonsense lady. Very disciplined and regards values as an important aspect of life. You can see what kind of principal the school has by looking at the kind of students they produced. Very well mannered, very disciplined. Kai thoroughly enjoys his time in school. In life, when a door is shut, it may not be a bad thing. It could mean a window of opportunities.

It is definitely the right choice to be home.

Looking back…

Seeing Ann walking out from school brought back so much memories…Time has changed. I was always looking out for Kai walking out from school. I have looked after him since he turned one and I have always been the one sending and fetching him from school. Only when he was in P2 that I decided to let him take the school bus cos’ it was really impossible to send two kids to different schools at the same time. After taking the school bus for just one term, we were off to USA and then Shanghai. I continued to be their main caregiver, seeing them to school and seeing them home even when we were overseas.

Felt strange just seeing one child walking out from school. Kai is now in sec 1 and he is completely capable of taking care of himself. Soon, Ann will also not need me as much. Then, it will really be an empty nest. Age is catching up too. Since school started, I am so exhausted, completely, thoroughly exhausted. The day starts at 5.15am. I tried sleeping early but I am such a light sleeper and because of that, I could hardly have a restful sleep. Like the other day, I slept at 10.30pm, woke up at 11.30pm and then 2.30am and finally 5.15am…sigh. They say, old people sleep lesser. Is that true?

Another Election

This era must be the era that saw the highest number of elections. It is very interesting to read some of the analysis, it is like playing the game of chess!

One more year and it will be two decades

It has been 19 years. 19 years has been a long time. We have been together for that long, been through the valleys and the mountains. Standing side by side, hand in hand. There were challenging times, there were good times. What kept us strong is having the same focus – Christ.

The signs are showing, always 25! *wink*

Stay wise

I have always wanted Kai to be independent. Before we came back, I have already told him many times that once he gets to secondary school, he must learn to take the public transport on his own. Well, he did it the other day and today will be his second time doing it. But…

The son was lost today and the mama was like the ant on the hot pan. It was 3.15pm and he was still not home. Oh Lord, please protect my son. He has been away for a good couple of years so doesn't really know his way. Called up the school and they said that all sec 1s have been dismissed....aiyo, where is my son? Called him on his handphone, no reply. Finally, he came home at 3.30pm.

son: I took the bus from the wrong side of the road.
me : Where were you?
son: I think Funan, Bras Basah area
me : (Eyes big big) Why you didn't call me?
son : Left my phone at home, on silent mode
me : How did you manage to come home?
son : Cross the road and take 33
me : Very good!
me : Scared? Did you cry?
son : No, through out the journey, I could recognise all the places
me : Well done

I am thankful for the opportunity to raise up my two kids on my own. Every opportunity I have, I bring them out, using the public transport. I kept reminding the kids to observe their surroundings and stay alert. It pays off. Sometimes, as parents, we tend to do everything and give the best for our kids. We tend to always keep them on the safe mode without realising that it may not be the best for them. Exposing them to challenges in life at a younger age will make them a David at a later age.

Straight As is one thing, being street wise is another. It's survival!

Good job, my son!