New discovery

We have heard of the Marina Barrage, read about it but have never seen it. We decided to check it out. Armed with the GPS, we tried to locate the place. The GPS brought us to nowhere (GPS is pretty useless sometime). We decided to give up and go home. Guess what, on our way home, we saw the road sign which pointed to ‘Marina Barrage’. It was a new discovery. A much better place to go with the kids instead of just hanging on at the mall.


 

This look familiar? She came back with us from Shanghai


 
Kite flying but without the pollution


The great outdoor

 
 
Beautiful place. So this is it. We are pretty sure we will be back again. Perhaps, with a picnic basket the next time.

Always good to look up

When I look around me sometimes, I feel frustrated. The crowd, the squeeze, the life-less people who just pass me by. One place always give me comfort. The space above me.

 
I will never get these in SH. When I look up, I know my kids are breathing good air. When I look up, I know there is hope in HIM.

Handmade is always good

Mother’s Day gifts…

A treasure map to find my gifts…(even on Mother’s Day, I have to work!)


…they are found! Cute right? All handmade. I have a little basket full of handmade gifts from my kids.

Back to school (updated with new pixs)

Never imagine myself to be good with limbs co-ordination. Somehow, they just don’t co-operate. I have always been known to be musically not inclined. Imagine two ‘cannots’  do not make a ‘can’.
I took up Zumba when I was in Shanghai. Some Singapore Shanghai mamas were looking for some form of exercise. One of them found a place teaching and gave us the information. I went and loved. It turned out, I was the only regular one. Yes, I hate getting fat. I like to remain fit and trim. (Realise, it is not slim) *Wink*

Came back home and continue with it. Seriously, I have never imagined myself to be at where I am. There is so much truth in this…you will never know till you try.

My plan was to look at the possibility of setting up a cafe. But when home, everything was only going upwards. Food was expensive, properties were expensive. Everything was just not within reach. To dabble with it means throwing myself into the furnace. Perhaps, teaching Zumba was a good idea. Classes are in the mornings, (kids in school) and by noon, I would be done and could still spend time with them. Sounds ideal.

So, off I went back to school. By the way, the oldest student for this course is a 85 year old lady (not from SG). So, move your butt. *Grin*

A peek into the class…



The group of us. Nice people.

 
It is not just about dancing.

 
Performing in front of the class. Was nerve-wrecking at first but once settled, it was pure fun.

 
Can’t tell the difference between the lecturer and the students.

 
Finally, after two days of sweat. With this, I can now learn Zumba for kids, Zumba for older folks and Zumba to tone so that there will be no chicken wings under my arms!

Let me share with you an irony. The person who taught me Zumba in SH was not suppose to teach but somehow, she managed to conduct a class. When I was looking for the instructor’s course, I asked a certified instructor in SG how do I go about doing it. She told me, you must first be a personal trainer. My jaws dropped. It seems almost impossible. Anyway, I emailed my instructor in SH and she said just go to Zumba.com. I went into the site and lo and behold…there are no requirements. Strange right? Some people are just so afraid of sharing information. But you know what? Beto, the founder of Zumba, revealed all the secrets of conducting Zumba classes in the website once you become a certified instructor!  

The final pictures…just came in from the lecturer.


 

Love is TIME

Really, this is so true. To children and perhaps even adults, LOVE is spelt with T-I-M-E. If you love someone, you would be spending time with them. During the May Day holiday, we brought the kids out to West Coast again. They really enjoyed themselves. At the end of the day, they both thank us for bringing them there to play. It wasn’t for very long, about two hours and they already found so much fun.

If only all parents will know that it is not about buying them the latest gadgets, giving them lots of allowance, bringing them to posh restaurants or even fast food joints, it all about giving them time to be themselves, to be children.

Bt the way, the next day was their mid-year examinations.

 

Kids will always be kids
    

Trying to flip each other!


mum just want to have fun!

Little Ann is sad

Ann was feeling sad. She said that there is this girl (Miss M) in her class who is very bossy and mean. On a few occasions, she has asked Ann to go away when she tried to join them to do homework while waiting for their CCA to start. Yesterday, it happened again. She was asked to go away. You know what, this girl is the class monitor. Sometimes, I wonder how teachers make choices? (Do they start the “tripod” training since young?)

Ann is someone who is very expressive. She loves having friends and loves being with them and having fun, doing things together. When such things happen, she becomes really sad. Mama ain’t happy either.

How can you ever outsource child-rearing? The best maid, the best childcare, the best grands will only provide the best for the child physically but how many actually impart right values and morals?
Yes, I know and I understand that these girls were probably friends since they were P1. After being together for 2 1/2 years, they have already build a strong friendship but do you have to be mean to a girl who has just join you?

Anyway, I have told Ann to ignore her. She will just be a fair-weather friend or acquaintance. There are many other nice girls in class. Like one girl (Miss E) who actually wrote Ann a thank-you note, telling her how much she appreciates her friendship. Yes, that’s what I call feeding the soul and imparting the right values to a child. Told Ann that this is the kind of friend she should keep for the rest of her life!

Told her that she should never behave like Miss M but should always follow the example of Miss E.
I am going to print these pictures and paste them in her room. Little things she must learn to make her a tougher person when she grows up.

人生无常

星期六看新闻，知道艺人，黄文永逝世。星期天晚上, 收到短信，中学同学也死了，得了血癌。感叹人生真的是如此短暂。

会演戏的人很多。可是，会演好戏的，有人要看的，已经不多了！朋友也一样。有很多朋友,不难， 有好的朋友是不多的。

人生是一场旅程, 有许多站，但每个人都会到达终点站。名人，伟人，艺人，平凡人。。。都会有一天来到终站。我想，这就是人人所说的。。。老天是公平的。