The school concert and graduation ceremony

The end of a chapter in his school life. Cannot imagine that my miracle number one is moving on to a new phase in his life. Time flies indeed!

Can you spot him?

After the graduation ceremony, the students put up a spectacular show…



Where are my kids?


Here they are

What a great way to end their three years of education in a great school – The Shanghai Singapore International School!

My nerves

Flying home this Friday for a really short trip for the son. He has requested to sit for the DSA (Direct School Admission) test to a very good school. I have researched it, "spoke" to forummers , read students feedbacks and I do agree that it is going to be a good school for the son. Making through is going to demand a lot from him. Not making through is going to make him a sad boy. But as a parent, I cannot deny him. Told him he has to try his best.

He is still very cool about it (just four days away). I am, on the hand, a nervous wreck. But I am doing my best-est not to show him that mum is nervous. So, you see, very often, the parents are the ones placing stress on their kids. Kids can actually go through school life without any stress or pressure.

My tribute

The worship leader was leading this song at the Sunday worship service. I felt such a strong sense of emotions. Perhaps, it aptly described how I feel throughout my journey…

Wonderful song. Sometimes, old is good.

My Tribute
How can I say thanks for the things
You have done for me?
Things so undeserved yet you gave
To prove your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am, and ever hope to be
I owe it all to thee

To God be the glory, to God be the glory
To God be the glory for the things he has done
With his blood he has saved me
With his power he has raised me
To God be the glory for the things he has done

Just let me live my life and
Let it be pleasing lord to thee
And if I gain any praise, let it go to calvary
With his blood he has saved me
With his power he has raised me
To God be the glory for the things he has done

Oh what FAITH

A church tour leader was leading a group of 20 members on a Biblical location tour in Egypt. Instead of putting his tour group in danger, he offered himself to be kidnapped when confronted by Bedouin tribesmen. It began an eight-hour ordeal which ended with his safe return to Singapore. Amazing courage from a man of faith. He was interviewed by the national papers and he ended off with this…

'If God wants me to go, no matter where I am, I'll have to go; but if it's not my time, no matter where I am... not even a hair on my head will fall,' he said. 'That is my belief.' – Mr Vincent Toh

and the Bible talks about having faith as small as a mustard seed, you can move mountains. You know how small is a mustard seed?

Happy papa's day!

After a day of partying with kiddos, we have decided to keep the father's day celebration homely. Everything is home-made


Oyster soup


Australian wagyu  beef with mashed potatoes. Yes, that's how I like my mashed potatoes. I always think it is healthier to include carrots and broccoli.

Gifts from the kids

A card from Ann


Kai made an electronic card using technics which he has learned from his computer lesson in school. See that little smiley? His papa was to push the smiley to the present on the far right-hand corner. Once smiley reached it, it will opened up to a little message "Happy Father's Day" and then blow up to a bigger version. So cool right? *Wink*


A well-deserved meal for a great pops! A happy papa with his two kiddos!

Happy Father's Day to all fathers.

Farewell party for the kids

Finally, the many months of preparations for the party has finally come to an end and the actual day is here.

There were many kids, I really mean many kids were present and a handful of teachers came. We are really glad that we made it this weekend. By next week, many families will be making their move to various places. Some will move on to another country and some will move back to their home country. So, it was the right day which we have chosen.


The door banner


The place


The backdrop




Part of the crowd

Thank you for a wonderful time, thank you for the wonderful memories!

Bread making

Went for a bread-making course and came back with this.

Cranberry milk bread. Really nice and soft. Ok, who needs a bread making machine. I think I just save myself a few hundreds.

Shocking follow by sad…

The spouse messaged me and said that one of his Singaporean colleague died in Nanjing. I was shocked. I have met this guy before. What was really sad was that he has a five-year-old son. The last they heard from him was at 10pm last night over a conference call. Today, he is gone.

This again reminded all of us the brevity of life.

Missed by one mark

Kai came out from school and told me that he missed his top Science award this year by one mark. Being a mum, my first concern was if he was sad and disappointed.

me : Are you sad?
Kai : No
me : Are you disappointed?
Kai : No. Jason (the boy who beat him) deserved it.
me : Did you congratulate him?
Kai : Yes, I did.

That's great!. I think reminding him constantly that if he is good, someone else will always be better. Because he is top, there will always be someone who wants to beat him. I am happy, Kai took it very well. We aimed for a clean sweep this year, he didn't get it but you know something, this result is his highest in all his three years doing Science. Well done, my son!

Children – mine and others

We were on our way for dinner at one of the more popular newly opened mall. It is often frequented by expats children, mostly in their teens. There were four expat (not judging but it is really easy to identify them) teenagers outside the mall, two girls and two boys. They were loud, spoofing around, screaming and laughing out loud, taking a public place as their own home. Basically, it was a nuisance.

I was silent. Little Ann was holding to my hand and turned to look at me.
Ann : I won't be like that.
Me : Ok, good
Ann : (Her tiny face turned and look up one more time) I promised, I will never do that
Me : (Turned and looked at her with a reassuring face)Yes, I trust you
By the way, Ann is seven turning eight this November.

After dinner, we went to H&M to pick up some jeans for the kids. You can't imagine how fast they have grown.

Ann and I went to the fitting room for her to try out her jeans. A group of teenagers (expats again), boys and girls were turning the fitting room into a market place. I was very annoyed. The staff did nothing to control them. Actually, it is very difficult for them to control these kids. Some of them really think that they are the princes and princesses of the city.

Expat parents, while you are earning big bucks, are you even aware of what your kids are doing out there?