Exams fever, finally over
I now understand why parents send their kids for tuition...it is an extremely exhausting, mentally draining task to coach the kids in their studies.
For the past one week, Kai was having his exams and I was helping him. From English, Science, Maths and Chinese...it was very tiring. In fact, I must said that Kai was really great in handlng it although there were many times, he just sat there and cried. He was back in school only in March, he missed term one and only did term two work and he was pushed into the cauldron of examinations.
I am not expecting much from him because to swtich from the US cirrulum to the Singapore cirrculum, it takes alot from him. Just like one mummy friend said "treat it as a warm up." Perhaps, also a training for him to handle the difficulties in life. I believe this process will make him stronger.
It has been draining for me especially when it came to Maths problems. Close friends and dh all know that I am hopeless in Maths but during these time, I pushed myself to learn and to me, the killer is the Heuristics (big word) Maths. Give an example -
6 children can sit at a round table. 8 children can sit at a rectangular table. 104 children are seated at 14 tables and there are no empty seats. How many round tables are there?
Well, for some of you, you may have already solved the problem even before you have finished reading this posting, but for me, a 'Math-dropout', this is like rocket science.
DH is an expert with Math or basically he is just very good with numbers. I make sure he explains till I know.(Poor man)
Kai asked why I want to learn, I told him so that I can understand and teach him. I know that to get into the world of my children, I have alot more to learn to ensure that there is no gap between us and that I am not just their mum but also their friend.
Gosh, looks like I need more ginkgo nuts, suppose to be good for my brains.
We went Japanese
You can call this a 'perk me up' dinner. It has been nothing but work and more work for Kai. It's the examination fever. Kai loves learning, it's the exams he hates very much. Well, all kids are like that. I have yet to find a kid who can tell me joyfully, "Exams, I LOVE it!" In fact, he has been complaining that it has been nothing but "do work in school, do work at home..." I had to remind him what comes after exams....HOLIDAYS!!!
No, I am not into feeding him with chicken essence or tonic soup (this is Chinese herbal soup meant for keep us strong and healthy) but I try my hardest to make meal time interesting and healthy. At least there is still some fun.
Yup...Japanese rice and beef teriyaki, Kai's favourite. He finished his rice first and slowly, savour his meat!
Sorry, not in the picture were to-fu and egg miso soup and tepanyaki bean sprouts...all went into the tummy in no time.
You can call this a 'perk me up' dinner. It has been nothing but work and more work for Kai. It's the examination fever. Kai loves learning, it's the exams he hates very much. Well, all kids are like that. I have yet to find a kid who can tell me joyfully, "Exams, I LOVE it!" In fact, he has been complaining that it has been nothing but "do work in school, do work at home..." I had to remind him what comes after exams....HOLIDAYS!!!
No, I am not into feeding him with chicken essence or tonic soup (this is Chinese herbal soup meant for keep us strong and healthy) but I try my hardest to make meal time interesting and healthy. At least there is still some fun.
Yup...Japanese rice and beef teriyaki, Kai's favourite. He finished his rice first and slowly, savour his meat!
Sorry, not in the picture were to-fu and egg miso soup and tepanyaki bean sprouts...all went into the tummy in no time.
Making preparations...
Now, we are picking up speed on our relocation preparation. I am so thankful. God has once again deliver angels in disguise.
I got to know a mummy through my 'mummy cyberworld'. She shared about her many years of relocating from places to places. She mentioned that she has been on the move since her first child was two years old (the child is now 12 years old).
Wow...that's a lot of moving, that's a global nomad! Comparing myself to her, what I have gone through and going through is really nothing.
Another mummy from the cyberworld introduced me to the person in-charge of the Singapore Int'l school and I have been in touch with him. He (Mr Chan) has most certainly helped to put my mind and my heart at rest in the area of education for both Kai and Ann. They will both be able to attend the same school. Mr Chan is always so quick to answer all my queries. I am really very grateful to him. Not only in terms of school, he has also helped us locate good neighbourhoods.
I have said it and I will say again - the power of the internet! Remember, it was the internet which brought us to the little chapel on the hilltop in PA where we found much love and the Loves! That love is still pouring in.
Barb Love emailed me "My personal opinion is that families should try to stick together as much as possible. That is where the kids bounds and boundaries come from - secure parents having a constant in their lives where they can be free to develop."
I have to agree. The environment may change, the school may change... but as long as the kids can return to a constant familiarity, (it's defined as "freedom of behavior justified only by the closest relationship")return to a sanctuary, feel secured and protected all the time, free to express their views and be themselves...then moving will no longer be a fear but always a joy to look forward to.
Perhaps, this relocation is reminding me not to go all treaded path but to create new path in an untreaded road.
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you - Deut 31:6
Now, we are picking up speed on our relocation preparation. I am so thankful. God has once again deliver angels in disguise.
I got to know a mummy through my 'mummy cyberworld'. She shared about her many years of relocating from places to places. She mentioned that she has been on the move since her first child was two years old (the child is now 12 years old).
Wow...that's a lot of moving, that's a global nomad! Comparing myself to her, what I have gone through and going through is really nothing.
Another mummy from the cyberworld introduced me to the person in-charge of the Singapore Int'l school and I have been in touch with him. He (Mr Chan) has most certainly helped to put my mind and my heart at rest in the area of education for both Kai and Ann. They will both be able to attend the same school. Mr Chan is always so quick to answer all my queries. I am really very grateful to him. Not only in terms of school, he has also helped us locate good neighbourhoods.
I have said it and I will say again - the power of the internet! Remember, it was the internet which brought us to the little chapel on the hilltop in PA where we found much love and the Loves! That love is still pouring in.
Barb Love emailed me "My personal opinion is that families should try to stick together as much as possible. That is where the kids bounds and boundaries come from - secure parents having a constant in their lives where they can be free to develop."
I have to agree. The environment may change, the school may change... but as long as the kids can return to a constant familiarity, (it's defined as "freedom of behavior justified only by the closest relationship")return to a sanctuary, feel secured and protected all the time, free to express their views and be themselves...then moving will no longer be a fear but always a joy to look forward to.
Perhaps, this relocation is reminding me not to go all treaded path but to create new path in an untreaded road.
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you - Deut 31:6
More on brown rice
If you have become more interested in brown rice, there was a feature on healthy food in The Straits Times - Mind Your Body (14 May 2009). Brown rice was mentioned.
Brown rice is tops when it comes to health....compared to polished grains like white rice, wholegrains like brown rice contain more fibre, nutrients and phytochemicals (beneficial plant compounds). Studies show that a diet rich in wholegrains reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and diabetes. Brown rice also gives you 50% more fibre than white rice. To get white rice, the refining process removes much of the bran and the germ of a wholegrain, leaving only part of the grain called endosperm, which is mainly starch.
...and starchy food are broken down into sugar (it's a huge irony, how we reduce sugar intake in our diet but yet eat so much rice). It is therefore, healthier to have more brown rice than white rice in our diet.
Now, I have a 'gi-mongous' (Kai coined this word by combining the words 'giant' and 'humongous') task of brain-washing my family into eating more brown rice!
If you have become more interested in brown rice, there was a feature on healthy food in The Straits Times - Mind Your Body (14 May 2009). Brown rice was mentioned.
Brown rice is tops when it comes to health....compared to polished grains like white rice, wholegrains like brown rice contain more fibre, nutrients and phytochemicals (beneficial plant compounds). Studies show that a diet rich in wholegrains reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and diabetes. Brown rice also gives you 50% more fibre than white rice. To get white rice, the refining process removes much of the bran and the germ of a wholegrain, leaving only part of the grain called endosperm, which is mainly starch.
...and starchy food are broken down into sugar (it's a huge irony, how we reduce sugar intake in our diet but yet eat so much rice). It is therefore, healthier to have more brown rice than white rice in our diet.
Now, I have a 'gi-mongous' (Kai coined this word by combining the words 'giant' and 'humongous') task of brain-washing my family into eating more brown rice!
There are treasures...
Our time in the US helped us to appreciate the outdoors.
Going to the malls now meant getting something or going for meals. We no longer enjoy hanging around or strolling at malls. Maybe it is also because there are just so many people in that limited space.
However, the outdoors in Singapore are not very enjoyable unless we go early in the morning or late in the evening when the weather becomes much cooler.
One Sunday, dh and I were thinking of where to let the kids' spirits fly. It is the examination period and giving Kai the space to run and relax will be good for him. We decided to head for the West Coast. We have never been there, that was our very first. It reminded us once again that if we do not tread on the unknown, we would never be able to discover hidden treasures. It was just a short 10 minutes cab ride to the West Coast Park.
In the park, there are at least six to seven different types of playgrounds. As it is near the coast, there are lots of ships and boats. And yes, SPACE!
Spotted some toad-stools - mushrooms not edible. And have we got a visitor - a squrriel
Kai & Ann were 'disturbing' some leaves. These are called touch-me-not or mimosa. Once they are tocuhed, the leaves will close up.
Notice those nearer to Kai's fingers, they have closed up while those away from his fingers, remain opened. Ann calls them 'shy plants'
At this park, hand-painted drawings are found all over the place, on the rubbish bin, pillars etc...I thought that's really a nice idea and these were painted by kids because there were names of the painter and the school which they came from
The kids had lots of fun playing at the different playgrounds
It was a fun-filled day indeed... we will be back!
Our time in the US helped us to appreciate the outdoors.
Going to the malls now meant getting something or going for meals. We no longer enjoy hanging around or strolling at malls. Maybe it is also because there are just so many people in that limited space.
However, the outdoors in Singapore are not very enjoyable unless we go early in the morning or late in the evening when the weather becomes much cooler.
One Sunday, dh and I were thinking of where to let the kids' spirits fly. It is the examination period and giving Kai the space to run and relax will be good for him. We decided to head for the West Coast. We have never been there, that was our very first. It reminded us once again that if we do not tread on the unknown, we would never be able to discover hidden treasures. It was just a short 10 minutes cab ride to the West Coast Park.
In the park, there are at least six to seven different types of playgrounds. As it is near the coast, there are lots of ships and boats. And yes, SPACE!
Spotted some toad-stools - mushrooms not edible. And have we got a visitor - a squrriel
Kai & Ann were 'disturbing' some leaves. These are called touch-me-not or mimosa. Once they are tocuhed, the leaves will close up.
Notice those nearer to Kai's fingers, they have closed up while those away from his fingers, remain opened. Ann calls them 'shy plants'
At this park, hand-painted drawings are found all over the place, on the rubbish bin, pillars etc...I thought that's really a nice idea and these were painted by kids because there were names of the painter and the school which they came from
The kids had lots of fun playing at the different playgrounds
It was a fun-filled day indeed... we will be back!
A sad birthday party
We attended a birthday party together as a family. Actually, it was a kid's birthday party, the kids were invited, so we tagged along. Time has changed.
It was a very sad moment... it was a kid's birthday party without the parents around (dad was no where to be seen and mum has left very early). The grands were there instead. When the time came to cut the birthday cake, the party host asked if there was camera to take picture of the birthday kid, there was none...no pictures, no parents...no camera just a bunch of kids clelebrating....
Maybe it has become a norm where dual income is a 'want' in the family, where brithdays are celebrated among friends only and the parents just need to foot the bill...maybe I am the old one who is still living in the 'old-fashioned' days where pictures were taken with the birthday child and family...maybe...
I couldn't wait for the party to end because looking at the event gave me a very heavy heart. If we as parents cannot put aside 1 1/2 hour of our time to be present for our child's birthday, then why have it? Not being judgemental...it was a Sunday night and the party only lasted 1 1/2 hours...if indeed there were any unforseen circumstances, then make it just a small family affair.
We attended a birthday party together as a family. Actually, it was a kid's birthday party, the kids were invited, so we tagged along. Time has changed.
It was a very sad moment... it was a kid's birthday party without the parents around (dad was no where to be seen and mum has left very early). The grands were there instead. When the time came to cut the birthday cake, the party host asked if there was camera to take picture of the birthday kid, there was none...no pictures, no parents...no camera just a bunch of kids clelebrating....
Maybe it has become a norm where dual income is a 'want' in the family, where brithdays are celebrated among friends only and the parents just need to foot the bill...maybe I am the old one who is still living in the 'old-fashioned' days where pictures were taken with the birthday child and family...maybe...
I couldn't wait for the party to end because looking at the event gave me a very heavy heart. If we as parents cannot put aside 1 1/2 hour of our time to be present for our child's birthday, then why have it? Not being judgemental...it was a Sunday night and the party only lasted 1 1/2 hours...if indeed there were any unforseen circumstances, then make it just a small family affair.
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