The cry of a transient kid?
New house
New car
New people
New everything.
This is always how it will be.
New language
New country
New school.
How will I ever escape?
New room
New work
New plan.
I don't want to do this anymore.
New friends
New locker
New classes.
I hate always moving.
New books
New teachers
New street name.
I'm tired of lifting roots again and
again.
New desk
New uniform
New lesson.
When will it ever stop?
-by Taylor Reed
"They are used to it." A phrase which I often hear parents say about their kids who are always on the move. Really? Sometimes, the decision we made as parents, affect our kids so much. Is it too much to stop and just listen to that little voice?
Blended orange cake
There is this new craze in my mama's forum – blended orange cake! One mama tried and posted the recipe and a whole lot of us went to try it out.
I used two different methods – steaming (left) and baking (right)
Usually, a steamed cake is more moist. But this recipe is superb. Whether you steamed it or baked it, it is soft and moist!
I think my mum and sister are going to love this. They are cake and coffee type of people. Tasted especially good when chilled. It has a nice refreshing orange taste. (Read – HEALTHY!)
There is this new craze in my mama's forum – blended orange cake! One mama tried and posted the recipe and a whole lot of us went to try it out.
I used two different methods – steaming (left) and baking (right)
Usually, a steamed cake is more moist. But this recipe is superb. Whether you steamed it or baked it, it is soft and moist!
I think my mum and sister are going to love this. They are cake and coffee type of people. Tasted especially good when chilled. It has a nice refreshing orange taste. (Read – HEALTHY!)
One dish meal
The spouse is out of town. It is just me and my two kids in our foster home. Yes, it is all part of the deal. Remember I blogged about it ions ago. Expat wife is not glam, glam. 90% of her life is revolved around three things – home, kids and herself. If you are game for it, when the offer comes, take it. I promise you, it will bring you to the next level of your life…Ommmph
So, where does one dish meal fit in? When you just have two smaller mouths to feed plus yourself, you don't go for elaborate meal. Simple but must be nutritious. Never compromise that. Thank God for chefs who come up with one dish meal!
Prawns aglio olio
What better way to learn new pasta recipe other than from an Italian chef. I got the idea from chef Antonio_Carluccio. Of course, I have to modify. Can never compare the ingredients here and those from Italy. Using healthy brown spaghetti. Stir-fry some bacon with onions, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Pour in the al dente spaghetti and prawns, add some rocket pesto and dried basil. A dash of balsamic vinegar. Bon Appetites! Simple one dish meal *Burp*
The spouse is out of town. It is just me and my two kids in our foster home. Yes, it is all part of the deal. Remember I blogged about it ions ago. Expat wife is not glam, glam. 90% of her life is revolved around three things – home, kids and herself. If you are game for it, when the offer comes, take it. I promise you, it will bring you to the next level of your life…Ommmph
So, where does one dish meal fit in? When you just have two smaller mouths to feed plus yourself, you don't go for elaborate meal. Simple but must be nutritious. Never compromise that. Thank God for chefs who come up with one dish meal!
Prawns aglio olio
What better way to learn new pasta recipe other than from an Italian chef. I got the idea from chef Antonio_Carluccio. Of course, I have to modify. Can never compare the ingredients here and those from Italy. Using healthy brown spaghetti. Stir-fry some bacon with onions, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Pour in the al dente spaghetti and prawns, add some rocket pesto and dried basil. A dash of balsamic vinegar. Bon Appetites! Simple one dish meal *Burp*
Summer vacation
Day two of the summer vacation, what should I do with the kids? I read in a parent magazine that kids need schedule even for summer vacation. I sat the kids down and we started planning for it. Take away the one week which we will spent in Japan, we have another seven weeks to go…these are the things we have planned to do
Dance camp for Ann
Art camp for Kai and Ann
Swimming lessons, if not now then when? Summer is the only time to swim. Finally found an English-speaking coach for Ann
Chinese tuition once a week for 1 1/2hrs for Kai, just to stay in touch with Chinese
This is a good idea which I got from a fellow relocated mama – getting the kids to do a project on a topic which they are interested in. Kai chose the history of comics and Ann chose the history of houses. It is really interesting to note that such simple topic actually has tons of information behind it.
What did they do today?
"Tennis training". Like pro or not?
Then one got bored, took out his skateboard...
Then both got bored, decided to paint on their skateboards. Can you see Ann's skateboard?
There it is!
Day two of the summer vacation, what should I do with the kids? I read in a parent magazine that kids need schedule even for summer vacation. I sat the kids down and we started planning for it. Take away the one week which we will spent in Japan, we have another seven weeks to go…these are the things we have planned to do
Dance camp for Ann
Art camp for Kai and Ann
Swimming lessons, if not now then when? Summer is the only time to swim. Finally found an English-speaking coach for Ann
Chinese tuition once a week for 1 1/2hrs for Kai, just to stay in touch with Chinese
This is a good idea which I got from a fellow relocated mama – getting the kids to do a project on a topic which they are interested in. Kai chose the history of comics and Ann chose the history of houses. It is really interesting to note that such simple topic actually has tons of information behind it.
What did they do today?
"Tennis training". Like pro or not?
Then one got bored, took out his skateboard...
Then both got bored, decided to paint on their skateboards. Can you see Ann's skateboard?
There it is!
Ex-MD on FB
I have actually wanted to deactivate my FB because strange comments are being posted on my wall. Also, I told myself I have to live by example. If I do not want my kids to be glued to the laptop, I must show them that I do not. Living behind the great firewall is also sometimes difficult to access. But then, there are so many old friends popping up and some friends asking for prayer support are also posted on FB. Decided to just hang on to it but only respond when there is a need to.
Just found out that my ex-MD is also on FB. Surprise, surprise…she is a no-nonsense MD. Very task-oriented and goal driven but a very nice lady. Really surprise that she has time for FB…Or maybe she has an administrator. Hahaha
Kai's pottery
He didn't manage to finish this by the end of the school year.
So, I hope to bring it back to SG and asked his pottery teacher to help him finish it up
This one is beautiful. One of his rare serious works. I will use it as my mini milk jug.
You may see it if I invite you over for coffee and…quiche *wink*
Best worship session…it has been such a long time
We had such a wonderful worship today. Old songs were sang…When David sang, You shall go out with joy, Lamb of God…
It wasn't pitch perfect, in fact, the drummer kind of went off-beat but the worship was fantastic. The worship leader didn't need to do anything, he just worshipped. The worshippers were spontaneous. Sometimes, it is like that. You don't need to sing the latest songs, you don't need pitch perfect singers, professional musicians…you just need to touch hearts. Even Kai enjoyed it!
When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You Jesus
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
I'll bring You more than just a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
She maybe young…
In the morning, I was telling the kids that don't always assume that life is always comfortable…good food, good home, good school…Nothing is for certain. An economic crisis, a political instability, natural disaster…all these events can take place and they are all beyond our control. It is not negative education but giving them a lesson in reality. I told them they must always be prepared to live simply. Of course, while we have, we appreciate them, we enjoy them and if we don't have, we must still live a happy simple life.
We were having our lunch in a restaurant which serves quite good chicken wings. Ann loves them. She was thinking and thinking if she should have one more serving of the wings. You know why she was thinking so hard? She ran out of her drinks. If she eats another wing, she will have no more water to drink. Looking at her and knowing her (Ann is pretty much a foodie like me), I asked her…
me : would you like to have another wing?
she : but I don't have any more water.
me : we can always order another cup, do you want?
she : if it takes too much money, nevermind lah
awww…..I gave her a big squeeze and told the waiter to give her another cup of drink
(so melt your heart when you know that your kids have been listening and remembering)
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