The great Oz adventure - Part I

Melbourne
Our great Oz adventure started with Melbourne. By the time we arrived, check-out, bought our phone card, check into the hotel it was close to 10pm. Thankfully, there were hard-working Asians, we managed to get a nice Korean dinner at a Korean restaurant.

 
Citadines at Bourke Street. Nice, clean and comfy hotel. My only complaint, no laundry in the apartment.

Melbourne is known as a city with four seasons within a day. It was 9 deg C when we were there for summer! Thankfully, we had jeans, light jacket and a rain jacket and of course, heat pads from the chemist. Heat pads for summer?

Nevertheless, Melbourne remains a nice city for us. The people are nice and friendly even in the city center. The environment is very pleasant.


Our first lunch appointment with the spouse’s ex-colleague. We were treated to real Italian food.

Then we roam the streets of Melbourne.

Christmas in the air

  
Nothing can stop the shoppers


 
Moving Christmas story outside Myer. They do this every year. Each display window shows a chapter of a Christmas story with narration. You move along to enjoy the display and listen to the story.


That night, we had a fun dinner with the Leishman family. Friends are important in our lives. I have known some of them for 20 to 30 years. We had so much fun that the boy cried when we went home. Precious.

Visit to Melbourne is not complete without a visit to the Victoria Market.

 
 
The kids love markets. Even if there is nothing to buy, browsing around and enjoying the atmosphere are good enough.


 
Hot coffee and hot chocolate kept us nice and warm.

The final dinner was with my ex-colleague. She brought us to a Vietnamese restaurant. The best in Melbourne. The food was superb. Sorry, no pix as we were too engrossed eating and talking.

Our fourth visit to Melbourne but never a dull moment.

Our next stop, Sydney. We flew via Tiger Airways. Daredevil pilot and lousy airport staff. Budget, what was I expecting?

For a start…

Came back from the great Oz adventure, followed by Ann’s dance camp, then Christmas… Hardly have time to settle down. Today, have to go get uniform for Ann. She has grown so much. Yes, I am so behind in my blog. For a start, look at this…


2003…there were three

 
2013…then, four.

Terrarium

What is that? I have never come across this until we went for a workshop. It was an interesting one and the kids enjoyed thoroughly.


That’s a terrarium. Growing plants in a bottle.

 
Very attentive children

 
Let the work begins

 
Getting their hands dirty, picking their plants

 
This is mine

 
Ann’s. She wanted a desert

 
That’s Kai’s. So man!

 
Sitting pretty.

Such ‘gardening’ is most suitable for yours truly, I have no green fingers!

Next week, we will embark on our Australia trip. A road trip. So, look out for it!

She is NINE!

Yes, my little princess is nine! This year, she celebrates with kongkong, popo, uncles and aunties. A very happy girl.


Look how she has grown!

What a change

It has been only one year, yet, this one year has seen such a great change! Last year, I struggled to find the right school for Kai. Look what he is doing this year…


My boy – the resilient one, the strong man, the fighter.

This time, he is the one talking to parents and the P6ers about his school. Giving them a better understanding of what his school is all about. As a mum, I am very proud of him. Since going to S1, he has grown very much. He still has his many bad habits but I must learn to count my blessings. He has indeed matured as a person. We have tried on a few occasions leaving him and Ann alone. On all the occasions, he has risen up to the challenge of being the big brother in charge of the house and his little sister. Ann has also learned that when mum and pops are not around, big brother is in charge!
This was what I wrote last year…

We were all looking forward to Home for Christmas but honestly, it wasn’t the best. It has been one roller coaster ride. It has been very demanding and draining mentally, emotionally and physically. It was trusting and believing even when the world came crashing down on you. Challenges in life have to be handled but when it came to injustice, discrimination, it was an uphill task to fight. Even as a mum, trying her darnest to ease the pain, it proved too much for me that I broke down many times, even crying myself to sleep.

What a change indeed!


So much truth in this.

Show you care

We joined the church to distribute food bags to the lower income group. Yes, in affluent Singapore, there are still many poor people. These people live in one room flat. They live a very simple yet contented life.


   
I was hungry. And you gave me something to eat.
I was thirsty. And you gave me something to drink.
I was a stranger. And you invited me in.
I needed clothes. And you gave them to me.
I was sick. And you took care of me.
I was in prison. And you came to visit me.’
“Then the people who have done what is right will answer him. ‘Lord,’ they will ask, ‘when did we see you hungry and feed you? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in? When did we see you needing clothes and give them to you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. Anything you did for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:35-40

Short notes


I have been busy lately. Was helping a friend who is going through some very tough times in her life. It is good to be able to be there for her. At the end of the day, when your friend is so appreciative of your presence, it really makes your life worth living.

It is not just about you, it is about people around you.

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I facilitated my first seminar. It was a privilege to be able to hear Dr Tan Lai Yong speak on the 21st Century Competencies. Dr Tan is an inspiring figure. Who really is he?

 http://travel.cnn.com/singapore/life/dr-tan-lai-yong-going-beyond-call-duty-open-eyes-and-heal-sick-309620

Here is a video clip too.

During his talk, he got two of his students to share about their lives. One of them share about his life and his sister’s life. It was really interesting. The boy talked about PSLE results. His sister, two years older than him, scored 272 and made it to the top girls’ school in Singapore. His score was 184 and he made it to a neighbourhood secondary school, normal acad. He was disappointed but life went on. He studied very hard and at sec. 2, managed to switch to the Express class. Now, both in their 20s, leading a very different life. He is an undergrad studying Bio Engineering and his sister…slacking at home. Not studying, not working.

All parents should attend his talk. So many parents are just so hung up on getting their kids to score straight ‘A’s, so hung up on the PSLE T-score. It  absolutely does not  guarantee a bright future for the kid. I just hope that parents open their eyes to see what really matters is the passion of the child.

Dr Tan mentioned three important things in a child’s life. In this order 1)Friends 2)Passion 3)Grades. I am very glad that the school principal was there for the talk. Bravo!

Incidentally, I just received an email from Ann’s school

“For the present P3 and P4 level, the pupils have been promoted to eight classes: 4 ‘Integrity’ classes and 4 ‘Care’ classes. Pupils in these two clusters are also equally spread based on their overall percentage. There is no last class. (For pupils who are weaker in Math or Mother Tongue, the school will arrange for additional support.)”

Step by step, we will get there. Hopefully, we will have bright kids who will excel in their own field and parents will take pride in all that they are doing.

It is not about grades, it is about what you want in life.

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Ann did very well for her SA2. An overall improvement from SA1. I am happy for her. Her first year back in Singapore and into the Singapore education system, she definitely has performed way beyond my expectation. Is it a pressure cooker here? Is it stressful for parents? Is there a need for tuition? No, no, no! I have finally come to a conclusion. The people who complain most about the education system are the ones who have not only inflicted the stress on themselves but also their kids.

I am just very thankful that God in His own way, has intercepted my plans. Kai did not make it to the school I wanted him to go but is enjoying school and education. Ann did not make it to my alma mater but she had made some very good friends and good teachers.

It is not about kids, it is about parents.

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Writing competition. The National Library organised a flash fiction writing competition. I got Kai and Ann to submit a story each. Guess what? I submitted one under the Open category!

It is not about winning, it is about trying.

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This week, we will be distributing food to the lower income group staying in the Redhill area. Kai will be presenting at the school Open House. Our days are pretty fulfilling the way we are leading our lives!

It is not about saying, it is about getting up and doing it!