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!

If you are good, you are really good
 
Met an old time friend recently. We chatted and talked about our kids. He told me me that his eldest is now in London doing his Masters in Law. In fact, he has already secured a job as a DPP here before flying off.
I remember this little boy. He was with the church Royal Rangers and I could often see him running around in church. That year, when he sat for his PSLE and when the results were out, I was asking my friend if his son was heading to RI. My friend was an old boy of RI. Naturally, I would expect his son to follow in his footstep. No, he said he would let his son decide. His son picked Swiss Cottage instead. I remember asking the boy why and he said, “I just like it.” By the way. he more than qualified for RI.

He has grown up and moved on to study law in NUS and will soon be a DPP.
Did going to a “normal” school stripped him of all the opportunities? Did it stopped him from becoming a lawyer? Look at some parents now, they are doing everything to get their kids to top school and probably, end up being a doctor, lawyer, engineer…whatever. I think this boy clearly showed that if you are good, you are really good. No school will make you good .

Incidentally, Ann came home and told me that one of her closer friends want to go to Harvard. Ann told her, “I just want to go to SOTA!”

Follow your dream, my girl!

Snippets

Last weekend, I attended a wake. A friend in church has been promoted to glory land. We have known each other for many years and have served on the church board together. He was truly a jolly good guy. He always giggled. He always has a smile on his face. Actually, I have never seen him frown at all. Sadly, he passed on. Not very old, probably only in his late 50s. I guess, heaven is a more worthy place for a guy like him. Enjoy your time up there, MK!

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At the wake, I met another old pal. He is a professor in NUS. Smart guy with smart sons. I still remember his eldest son, after his PSLE, chose to go to Swiss Cottage Secondary School. He could choose RI, you know. He qualified for it yet, he decided to go for a “non-elite” school. He is now doing his masters in Law and soon to be a DPP. Non-elite school, no air-con, no swimming pool…is he successful now? Need I say more?

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Remember that Scientific Thinking Programme? Well, Kai has been selected. Friday, he will make his way, together with seven other kids to the Republic Poly to meet their mentor. I asked Kai if all these are too much for him. He said, “no.”  I guess, when you are doing something you love, it will never be too much.

Yes, “non-elite” school. Bad kids? No opportunities? Failure? Doomed? I thank God for that experience. I now champion P6 parents to look beyond the name of a school!

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The school called and I went for my interview on Monday. I was very surprised at how I handled the interview. I could not even remember when was the last time I went for an interview. More than a decade ago, perhaps. There were no butterflies or sweaty palms. I just took on every question with ease. In fact, it was more of a chat than an interview. I guess life’s experiences help.


I got this in 2000. My employer then did nothing with it. In 2001, I decided to just invest my life on my kids. For these past many years, I always tell the spouse why did I waste my time and money on it. The spouse always said that, it helped to produce smart kids. You see, I was pregnant with Kai when I was in my final year and Kai influenced Ann.

Today, I see the reason for getting that. It paved my way to my next goal in life. Yes, I have been accepted to do my Masters in Social Science. I will graduate in 2016. I will be 50. What a significant year that will be. Kai will be doing his ‘O’ levels, Ann will be doing her PSLE and mama will finish her Masters. I will be the big push, the motivating factor for the kids to study. We will do it together.

There is never a waste in education, in whatever form it takes. Education is life!

Three is never a crowd
 
I love taking pictures of Kai, Ann and the spouse. It always gives me a warm feeling looking at them from the back. Father, son and daughter. The spouse is an excellent father to them. He hardly has to raise his voice because he is really cool, calm and collected. I always tell Kai and Ann…”if your father raises his voice, you know that you have not made him mad….you have made him very mad.”
Pictures of the trio I have captured…

 
 
 
 
 
Look at their height over the years. If only they don’t grow up so fast (so, I won’t grow old too).
真的，很不舍得你长大！

If only time will stand still

Chinese New Year has come and gone. That was how fast it has been. In a blinking of an eye, it was all over. The special moment was when a group of us met up at my place. These group is very special to me. I have know them since I was 13 years old. Yeap, that long. The friendship of more than three decades. It is rare, very rare. During this time, one has suffered from auto immune disease and is on medication. One had an open heart surgery and has a pace maker implanted...That life. To be able to wake up and breathe again is a privilege.

We don’t meet up often so this time, it was really nice to gather together. Cheers to more good years. This is what Chinese New Year is all about. The gathering of your loved ones, don’t shun it !


Friends


With our kids


Nice one. Aptly describes our friendship.


Chinese New Year family photo.

Ann, as usual, always trying to be funny. Kai has grown a whole lot. He is now taller than me.