Dilemma
The confirmation has finally arrived. We will be heading to the east - Shanghai. Now, I am in a dilemma...
The kids are happily settled down in their schools. Kai is happy and is enjoying himself inspite of the intense heat. Ann is making lots of friends and inviting...(ahmen)...admirers. She is such a sweet, vocal, independent little girl and she loves to play with her classmates. When she was in the US school, all the kids adored her. I remember on her first day of school, she was treated like a favourite china doll in class. Every kid loved her...
Now that everything is settled, it hurts me to pluck them out and shift again. But on the other hand, I know this is a great opportunity for dh. From the west to the east, it's a great career move for him. Inspite of the not so ideal economic climate, he is still offered this posting...it can only be a miracle from God. This reminded me of what one pastor once said, in the midst of difficulties, God's people will remain safe. How true.
The welfare of the kids is always in my heart but as a wife, I also want to support dh... dilemma....
Why change
In case you are wondering why the change in my blog title...
Looking through my blog, I realised that many times I have written about raising my kids. Even though we are 'nomads', moving from place to place. The environment may change, the people around may change but I will always be a mum to my two kids. It was a done deal nine years ago. Even if I do become a working lady one day, I will be a working mum. So you see, I will always be a mum, nothing will change that...and yes, of course, a wife too ;)
I hope writing about my experiences as a mum will in some small ways, bring delight to your reading.
This is Ann's drawing of herself and mum
In case you are wondering why the change in my blog title...
Looking through my blog, I realised that many times I have written about raising my kids. Even though we are 'nomads', moving from place to place. The environment may change, the people around may change but I will always be a mum to my two kids. It was a done deal nine years ago. Even if I do become a working lady one day, I will be a working mum. So you see, I will always be a mum, nothing will change that...and yes, of course, a wife too ;)
I hope writing about my experiences as a mum will in some small ways, bring delight to your reading.
This is Ann's drawing of herself and mum
Not ordinary
The early morning is a busy time for me. Getting breakfast ready, seeing Kai to school, dh to work and sending Ann to school.
Once the mad rush is over,after the housework is done, it will be a few hours of 'me' time before the kids come home. I treasure that few hours every morning. Some of the things I will do are, walk to the market, blog, read, listen to audio messages or simply just enjoy the quietness.
As the kids grow older each day, especially for Kai, he will soon be a pre-teen. I know there will be challenges, even now, there have been a couple of challenging times. My prayer is now asking God to give me wisdom to raise up my kids. You know something, if you can raise kids, you can do anything!
God didn't answer my prayer by giving me '10 things you need to know in raising up a pre-teen'. Instead, through a message by Pas Joseph Prince...in the message, it talked about the barren women in the Bible. These women gave birth at a very old age but all their children were champions of God. Giving examples such as Issac, John the Baptist and Samson. These boys of barren mothers were all extra-ordinary.
I was reminded of myself...I was a barren mother too and God blessed us with two wonderful kids and these two kids are not going to be ordinary too.
Two days ago, Kai's class teacher called and said that Kai has settled in very well in class. Considering just one month back in Singapore from the US and back to school, he has in fact done very well both in his work and getting along with the class. His teacher was most impressed by his academic performance.
Yes, I am proud of Kai. I know he went through a very tough one year when we were in US. Going to the US school and coming home to the Singapore school. In school, he has to slow himself down, at home, he has to bring himself back...it was a tough one year for a then, 8 year old boy.
While kids were playing outside, he had to do his Singapore school work with mummy. There were times, I wanted to give up (a mother's heart is always soft). There were times, Kai found it unbearable and cried. But we both pressed on, we did as much as we could manage...
Today, he is proud to be often chosen as one of the few, to solve Math problem for the class. It is indeed a joy to hear him says 'it's worth it!'
The early morning is a busy time for me. Getting breakfast ready, seeing Kai to school, dh to work and sending Ann to school.
Once the mad rush is over,after the housework is done, it will be a few hours of 'me' time before the kids come home. I treasure that few hours every morning. Some of the things I will do are, walk to the market, blog, read, listen to audio messages or simply just enjoy the quietness.
As the kids grow older each day, especially for Kai, he will soon be a pre-teen. I know there will be challenges, even now, there have been a couple of challenging times. My prayer is now asking God to give me wisdom to raise up my kids. You know something, if you can raise kids, you can do anything!
God didn't answer my prayer by giving me '10 things you need to know in raising up a pre-teen'. Instead, through a message by Pas Joseph Prince...in the message, it talked about the barren women in the Bible. These women gave birth at a very old age but all their children were champions of God. Giving examples such as Issac, John the Baptist and Samson. These boys of barren mothers were all extra-ordinary.
I was reminded of myself...I was a barren mother too and God blessed us with two wonderful kids and these two kids are not going to be ordinary too.
Two days ago, Kai's class teacher called and said that Kai has settled in very well in class. Considering just one month back in Singapore from the US and back to school, he has in fact done very well both in his work and getting along with the class. His teacher was most impressed by his academic performance.
Yes, I am proud of Kai. I know he went through a very tough one year when we were in US. Going to the US school and coming home to the Singapore school. In school, he has to slow himself down, at home, he has to bring himself back...it was a tough one year for a then, 8 year old boy.
While kids were playing outside, he had to do his Singapore school work with mummy. There were times, I wanted to give up (a mother's heart is always soft). There were times, Kai found it unbearable and cried. But we both pressed on, we did as much as we could manage...
Today, he is proud to be often chosen as one of the few, to solve Math problem for the class. It is indeed a joy to hear him says 'it's worth it!'
Mr 'hao hao lao ba' (good papa)
The kids are very fond of their papa. They are at their 'downest' when dh is out station. When Kai was much younger, each time dh went for business trip, he would surely cry. Likewise for Ann, she wasted no time expressing her love to her dad. In fact, it is pretty common to have her saying 'I love you daddy' various times in one day!
Need I say more...
They ain't heavy, they are my kids.
The kids are very fond of their papa. They are at their 'downest' when dh is out station. When Kai was much younger, each time dh went for business trip, he would surely cry. Likewise for Ann, she wasted no time expressing her love to her dad. In fact, it is pretty common to have her saying 'I love you daddy' various times in one day!
Need I say more...
They ain't heavy, they are my kids.
Mr Specky or Mr Intellectual
Myopia is a rapidly worsening public health problem in Singapore. Surveys have indicated that myopia afflicts 25% of 7 year olds, 33% of 9 year olds, 50% of 12 year olds and more than 80% of 18 year old males in Singapore.
Cause of myopiaWe still do not have a complete explanation for the development of myopia. There is certainly a genetic factor which makes certain people (and ethnic groups) more susceptible to the development of myopia. However, this does not explain the rapid increase in the prevalence of myopia in Singapore over the last 3 generations. The gene pool has not changed, but the prevalence of myopia has accelerated rapidly. This strongly suggests that environmental influences interacting with the genes have played a major role.
A recent study in America suggested that leaving the lights on at night when babies were asleep might have predisposed them to developing myopia. We have also been able to induce myopia in chicks, tree shrews and monkeys simply by manipulating their visual environment. This is further evidence of the major role played by the environment. Whilst we cannot yet pinpoint the exact environmental factor, it is quite likely that this is related to the heavy amount of reading and near work our children are exposed to, which is certainly much higher than that in the past. (http://www.snec.com.sg/eye/myopia.asp#1)
And yes, Kai belongs to the 33% of 9 year old males in Singapore and yes, he reads heavily.
After we came home from US, Kai's school had a health check-up for the the kids in school and immediately, he was diagnosed to have myopia. An eye check-up followed and he is now Mr Specky!
Hmmm...looks more like Mr Intellectual
Myopia is a rapidly worsening public health problem in Singapore. Surveys have indicated that myopia afflicts 25% of 7 year olds, 33% of 9 year olds, 50% of 12 year olds and more than 80% of 18 year old males in Singapore.
Cause of myopiaWe still do not have a complete explanation for the development of myopia. There is certainly a genetic factor which makes certain people (and ethnic groups) more susceptible to the development of myopia. However, this does not explain the rapid increase in the prevalence of myopia in Singapore over the last 3 generations. The gene pool has not changed, but the prevalence of myopia has accelerated rapidly. This strongly suggests that environmental influences interacting with the genes have played a major role.
A recent study in America suggested that leaving the lights on at night when babies were asleep might have predisposed them to developing myopia. We have also been able to induce myopia in chicks, tree shrews and monkeys simply by manipulating their visual environment. This is further evidence of the major role played by the environment. Whilst we cannot yet pinpoint the exact environmental factor, it is quite likely that this is related to the heavy amount of reading and near work our children are exposed to, which is certainly much higher than that in the past. (http://www.snec.com.sg/eye/myopia.asp#1)
And yes, Kai belongs to the 33% of 9 year old males in Singapore and yes, he reads heavily.
After we came home from US, Kai's school had a health check-up for the the kids in school and immediately, he was diagnosed to have myopia. An eye check-up followed and he is now Mr Specky!
Hmmm...looks more like Mr Intellectual
Some simple baking and cooking
Due to our impending shift to Shanghai, I have decided not to unpack fully. It is only a wise move. It just doesn't make sense to unpack and to pack up again in a few months time.
Many of my cooking and baking tools are all stored up. But the kids are all dying to have mummy's cooking and baking. Little Ann has been pestering for her little cuppies. Decided to just make simple cupcakes with no decorations. She didn't mind at all.
Hand-roll sushi for dinner
'Teddy-head' sushi, special request from Ann
Making cupcakes...
Kai helped with the mixing
Scopping the mixture into the cupcake cups
All done. Before baking...
After baking
Nice spongy cuppies but not so pretty
Due to our impending shift to Shanghai, I have decided not to unpack fully. It is only a wise move. It just doesn't make sense to unpack and to pack up again in a few months time.
Many of my cooking and baking tools are all stored up. But the kids are all dying to have mummy's cooking and baking. Little Ann has been pestering for her little cuppies. Decided to just make simple cupcakes with no decorations. She didn't mind at all.
Hand-roll sushi for dinner
'Teddy-head' sushi, special request from Ann
Making cupcakes...
Kai helped with the mixing
Scopping the mixture into the cupcake cups
All done. Before baking...
After baking
Nice spongy cuppies but not so pretty
A different kind of beauty
Since coming home, our weekdays begin at 5.15am. This is because Kai starts school at 7.30am, he has to be in school by 7.15am and the school picks him up at 6.25am every morning.
But the good thing about starting the day early is that you can see the beautiful sunrise. Not quite like what we used to see in Macungie but it is still a beauty to behold.
Whether it's the city or the countryside, they are still the works of God.
Since coming home, our weekdays begin at 5.15am. This is because Kai starts school at 7.30am, he has to be in school by 7.15am and the school picks him up at 6.25am every morning.
But the good thing about starting the day early is that you can see the beautiful sunrise. Not quite like what we used to see in Macungie but it is still a beauty to behold.
Whether it's the city or the countryside, they are still the works of God.
Drying clothes
My friends in the US, thought you might enjoy this...
These couple of days, the weather has been really bad...no sun means having a tough time drying our clothes. This is when I deeply miss my dryer in Macungie
Rain or shine, my clothes get dry.
Here, in Singapore, we depend heavily on the good Sun to have nice dry clothese to wear. This is why?
A bamboo stick with clothes hanging on it and using pegs to secured the clothes. The stick is then stuck into a special hole (that metal portion) to hang out to dry. Yes, we save lots of energy and electricity depending on Mother Nature. But when it rains for consecutive days, the dry will be a better choice.
My friends in the US, thought you might enjoy this...
These couple of days, the weather has been really bad...no sun means having a tough time drying our clothes. This is when I deeply miss my dryer in Macungie
Rain or shine, my clothes get dry.
Here, in Singapore, we depend heavily on the good Sun to have nice dry clothese to wear. This is why?
A bamboo stick with clothes hanging on it and using pegs to secured the clothes. The stick is then stuck into a special hole (that metal portion) to hang out to dry. Yes, we save lots of energy and electricity depending on Mother Nature. But when it rains for consecutive days, the dry will be a better choice.
Relocation...is it all glam?
If you are to ask people who have been relocating all their lives, 9 out of ten will tell you that seeing the world, experiencing the difference cultures and meeting the different people are the perks of moving around but is it glam? They will tell you, it isn't. The packing and unpacking are enough to cross out the word 'glam'!
I used to envy people who moves around the world, it really make their life more colourful but now that I am experiencing it, it is really not for the faint-hearted. But with life being so short, when opportunities thrown at you, you will want to make the most out of it for yourself, for your kids, for your family.
Not bragging about the role of a mother because I am one but really, without her being the pillar of the house, it is really difficult for the family to enjoy the bacon! The role of the mother is even more important when it comes to relocating the family.
There is a mums' forum where I am a member, many 'relocated mums' share about their experiences. Some people have questioned about how our kids feel with this 'unsettled lifestyle'. One mum aptly sums up with this answer "Although the environment is different, I will always try to make sure that the "home" is the same. At least if they are unhappy, home is always a sanctuary to them and we can always talk abt any problems".
Making the home a sanctuary is a huge task which I try my hardest to perform. I am no supernatural being and there are times I fail and fail badly but I will be in cloud 9 when I hear my kids always asking to go home when they are out. It shows that it is a place of rest, of security and of comfort.
But I do hope for a more settled lifestyle for the kids as they approach their pre-teens and teens. I know that will be a time where they will be making friends and want to be with them for most part of their lives. Yes, friends which I have made at that age are still the best of friends now. We may not see each other everyday, we may not chat on the phone for hours but when we do meet up, we are always able to continue where we last left.
If you are to ask people who have been relocating all their lives, 9 out of ten will tell you that seeing the world, experiencing the difference cultures and meeting the different people are the perks of moving around but is it glam? They will tell you, it isn't. The packing and unpacking are enough to cross out the word 'glam'!
I used to envy people who moves around the world, it really make their life more colourful but now that I am experiencing it, it is really not for the faint-hearted. But with life being so short, when opportunities thrown at you, you will want to make the most out of it for yourself, for your kids, for your family.
Not bragging about the role of a mother because I am one but really, without her being the pillar of the house, it is really difficult for the family to enjoy the bacon! The role of the mother is even more important when it comes to relocating the family.
There is a mums' forum where I am a member, many 'relocated mums' share about their experiences. Some people have questioned about how our kids feel with this 'unsettled lifestyle'. One mum aptly sums up with this answer "Although the environment is different, I will always try to make sure that the "home" is the same. At least if they are unhappy, home is always a sanctuary to them and we can always talk abt any problems".
Making the home a sanctuary is a huge task which I try my hardest to perform. I am no supernatural being and there are times I fail and fail badly but I will be in cloud 9 when I hear my kids always asking to go home when they are out. It shows that it is a place of rest, of security and of comfort.
But I do hope for a more settled lifestyle for the kids as they approach their pre-teens and teens. I know that will be a time where they will be making friends and want to be with them for most part of their lives. Yes, friends which I have made at that age are still the best of friends now. We may not see each other everyday, we may not chat on the phone for hours but when we do meet up, we are always able to continue where we last left.
This is our house, this is our home
For our American friends, this is a glimpse of our home...we live in high-rise cos' space is limited. We really enjoyed the big space in PA...looking at the pictures, you will know why...
Bird's eye view from our home. It has been raining alot since we came back. Guess is ever so gracious isn't it. He knows our body is adjusting and He is helping us buy sending cooler days...
Blocks and blocks of apartments or flats. At least 80% of the population live in houses like these. On a clearer day, we could actually see the central business district from our home
A miro-mini hallway leading to three bedrooms. The living room cum dinning hall...what's behind the big cupboard...
It's a library and ....
...TV corner. Yes, our home has always been kept empty so that the kids will have space. Now that they are growing bigger, we will soon be looking at having more furnitures. Just the other day, Kai was asking about having more chairs in the living room
Entrance to the kitchen. Turn left, you have .....
...separated bathroom and toilet all in the kitchen.
Our house is not as big as the one we had at Macungie but in it, you can find the same kind of warmth, love, discipline and...odour! Oh...but for sure, it is bigger than some apartments we saw in New York city.
For our American friends, this is a glimpse of our home...we live in high-rise cos' space is limited. We really enjoyed the big space in PA...looking at the pictures, you will know why...
Bird's eye view from our home. It has been raining alot since we came back. Guess is ever so gracious isn't it. He knows our body is adjusting and He is helping us buy sending cooler days...
Blocks and blocks of apartments or flats. At least 80% of the population live in houses like these. On a clearer day, we could actually see the central business district from our home
A miro-mini hallway leading to three bedrooms. The living room cum dinning hall...what's behind the big cupboard...
It's a library and ....
...TV corner. Yes, our home has always been kept empty so that the kids will have space. Now that they are growing bigger, we will soon be looking at having more furnitures. Just the other day, Kai was asking about having more chairs in the living room
Entrance to the kitchen. Turn left, you have .....
...separated bathroom and toilet all in the kitchen.
Our house is not as big as the one we had at Macungie but in it, you can find the same kind of warmth, love, discipline and...odour! Oh...but for sure, it is bigger than some apartments we saw in New York city.
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