Chile mine rescue
In case you do not know anything about this event, here is a summary for you.
5 August 2010, 33 miners were trapped when they was a cave-in at the San Jose mine in Chile. It was not until 17 days later that they managed to get in contact with the outside world, informing them that all 33 of them were alive and well. 69 days later, everyone of them was rescued.
I followed the live coverage on BBC news for two days whenever time allowed it. I was moved to tears, looking at each miner being lifted up. The past 69 days must have been hell for them. To be buried 2,050ft underground for more than two months was not a joke. I could imagine how they must have encouraged each other, motivated each other to stay alive.
It would have been easier to assume all of them dead but yet, inspite of the hefty mulit-million dollar rescue operation,
the country, the leaders of the country, the people of the country united together to save the miners. That's the kind of value we all should put on a human life.
In these days, news are nothing but gloom and doom. Terrorism, economic crisis, the rise and rise of unemployment rate, property bubble burst ...filled the newspapers daily. This event celebrates the beauty of human nature - survival, determination, unity, faith, love and the belief that miracles still happen.
Angels watching over us
Yes, I do believe they are.
Today, I almost send the kids to school with food still cooking on the stove. Usually, once we get out of the house, anything the kids forget and it is not important, we will not go back to pick it up. But today, I made the exception. I decided to go back home and get a pack of waffles for Ann and lo and behold, my food was still cooking on the stove. It would be unthinkable if I had just left the house with the fire on.
Yes, I do believe they are.
Today, I almost send the kids to school with food still cooking on the stove. Usually, once we get out of the house, anything the kids forget and it is not important, we will not go back to pick it up. But today, I made the exception. I decided to go back home and get a pack of waffles for Ann and lo and behold, my food was still cooking on the stove. It would be unthinkable if I had just left the house with the fire on.
Fire crackers
The last time when I saw fire crackers being released right before me was when I was just in primary school. That was really many, many years ago. Today, I got to see it again and together with my kids. What an experience for them.
Ok, ok. I know it was taken from a distance. But do you know how loud it was? It was SUPER loud (easily ranging from 120 to 140 decibels, comortable level for the ears is only 50 decibels). Any nearer, I would have lost my hearing and maybe got burnt too. So, if you would like to come back here again to read, be thankful that I took the pictures from a distance!
I could now understand why letting off fire crackers was banned back home. It was a very dangerous thing to do. Inspite of standing so far away, the fire crackers fragments flew all the way to where I stood!
The last time when I saw fire crackers being released right before me was when I was just in primary school. That was really many, many years ago. Today, I got to see it again and together with my kids. What an experience for them.
Ok, ok. I know it was taken from a distance. But do you know how loud it was? It was SUPER loud (easily ranging from 120 to 140 decibels, comortable level for the ears is only 50 decibels). Any nearer, I would have lost my hearing and maybe got burnt too. So, if you would like to come back here again to read, be thankful that I took the pictures from a distance!
I could now understand why letting off fire crackers was banned back home. It was a very dangerous thing to do. Inspite of standing so far away, the fire crackers fragments flew all the way to where I stood!
Go fly kite
Now that the hot season is over and before the bone-biting winter is here, dh and I decided that it is time to go fly kite with the kids again!
As the kids grow older, our parenting style will have to change. Just like kite-flying. When the kids were younger, we hold them tightly to us and as they grow, we have to slowly release them, allowing them to fly higher and higher to reach their full potential. However high they fly, however far they go, they will always know that they can still return to the comfort and security of their parents' hands.
Now that the hot season is over and before the bone-biting winter is here, dh and I decided that it is time to go fly kite with the kids again!
As the kids grow older, our parenting style will have to change. Just like kite-flying. When the kids were younger, we hold them tightly to us and as they grow, we have to slowly release them, allowing them to fly higher and higher to reach their full potential. However high they fly, however far they go, they will always know that they can still return to the comfort and security of their parents' hands.
Going to the gym
Recently, dh and I have taken up membership with a local fitness center. No, we are not health freaks but really there isn't much to do here. Taking up this membership also allows the kids to take up swimming lessons with the local coaches. It is a known fact that the Chinese produces some of the best swimmers in Asia. Since we are here, we might as well take the opportunity to learn from the best. At the same time, it will also allow me to take up my pilates once again. A good exercise for my poor back.
I realised that there are two group or people who go to the gym. One group that aspires to gain the six abs and another group...those who love to dress up in the most fashionable sports gear and hoping someone will notice them! As for yours truly, she is there to regain her school days' athletic stamina...hopefully
Recently, dh and I have taken up membership with a local fitness center. No, we are not health freaks but really there isn't much to do here. Taking up this membership also allows the kids to take up swimming lessons with the local coaches. It is a known fact that the Chinese produces some of the best swimmers in Asia. Since we are here, we might as well take the opportunity to learn from the best. At the same time, it will also allow me to take up my pilates once again. A good exercise for my poor back.
I realised that there are two group or people who go to the gym. One group that aspires to gain the six abs and another group...those who love to dress up in the most fashionable sports gear and hoping someone will notice them! As for yours truly, she is there to regain her school days' athletic stamina...hopefully
Long, long holidays
When holiday comes, everyone, from all provinces will flock here. Everywhere is crowded with people and there is little enjoyment. Last year, during the golden week holiday, the four of us made a trip to Chang Zhou, a one and half hour ride from Shanghai. Gosh, it was packed, so packed. After that experience, we learn to either stay home or get out of the country during long breaks.
So on this day, being the Chinese National Day, we decided to stay home and have our mini celebration. When in China, do as the Chinese do...
A four-person bbq celebration! Of course, the happiest people are the kids!
When holiday comes, everyone, from all provinces will flock here. Everywhere is crowded with people and there is little enjoyment. Last year, during the golden week holiday, the four of us made a trip to Chang Zhou, a one and half hour ride from Shanghai. Gosh, it was packed, so packed. After that experience, we learn to either stay home or get out of the country during long breaks.
So on this day, being the Chinese National Day, we decided to stay home and have our mini celebration. When in China, do as the Chinese do...
A four-person bbq celebration! Of course, the happiest people are the kids!
Very, very early birthday present
My birthday won't be here until end of next month but I have already gotten my birthday present from DH. I was surprised, actually, in a state of shock!
No, it wasn't an HERMES bag or diamond ring. It wasn't a massage voucher nor a fine dinning dinner treat. It was....
Have always wanted to have a good camera with zoom lense so that I could take pictures from a distance, like when the kids are performing on stage!
Apart from my Kitchen Aid mixer, this is the next best gift from my soulmate!
My birthday won't be here until end of next month but I have already gotten my birthday present from DH. I was surprised, actually, in a state of shock!
No, it wasn't an HERMES bag or diamond ring. It wasn't a massage voucher nor a fine dinning dinner treat. It was....
Have always wanted to have a good camera with zoom lense so that I could take pictures from a distance, like when the kids are performing on stage!
Apart from my Kitchen Aid mixer, this is the next best gift from my soulmate!
World Expo - Shanghai 2010
Many of our friends have already seen the World Expo 2010 at Shanghai. They have travelled far to come and witness this world event. Yet, we who are staying at the very city that is holding the event, have yet to visit it. The reason why we have pushed back attending this event is because the weather has been very bad the past months and the crowd is simply impossible. Imagine waiting time to get into some of the pavilions is as long as nine hours (Glup).
With the weather getting cooler, we finally braved ourselves to the World Expo. I must say the Chinese did a fantastic job in putting up an excellent show!
...there were many, many more. Last but not least. My home country....
this is where I will always belong!
Many of our friends have already seen the World Expo 2010 at Shanghai. They have travelled far to come and witness this world event. Yet, we who are staying at the very city that is holding the event, have yet to visit it. The reason why we have pushed back attending this event is because the weather has been very bad the past months and the crowd is simply impossible. Imagine waiting time to get into some of the pavilions is as long as nine hours (Glup).
With the weather getting cooler, we finally braved ourselves to the World Expo. I must say the Chinese did a fantastic job in putting up an excellent show!
...there were many, many more. Last but not least. My home country....
this is where I will always belong!
Mephibosheth -- who?
All my years of reading the Bible, I have never come across this character - Mephibosheth. Who was he?
It takes little Ann, a five, coming to six years old little child to tell me who was Mephibosheth. He was Jonathan's son and grandson of King Saul.
Everyone is a teacher. Everyday is a learning process. There is no end to learning.
All my years of reading the Bible, I have never come across this character - Mephibosheth. Who was he?
It takes little Ann, a five, coming to six years old little child to tell me who was Mephibosheth. He was Jonathan's son and grandson of King Saul.
Everyone is a teacher. Everyday is a learning process. There is no end to learning.
Intense heat
We are now slowly moving into autumn or rather, we are already into autumn but there were days when it was really hot. I mean HOT, intense heat, skin-burning heat. Well, according to the locals, if summer was hot (42 deg C), then winter will be very cold. Brrrrr.....
We will settle one season at a time. While the heat was on, I made this cooling dessert...
Lotus seed soup with lily bulb and white fugus - served chilled
We are now slowly moving into autumn or rather, we are already into autumn but there were days when it was really hot. I mean HOT, intense heat, skin-burning heat. Well, according to the locals, if summer was hot (42 deg C), then winter will be very cold. Brrrrr.....
We will settle one season at a time. While the heat was on, I made this cooling dessert...
Lotus seed soup with lily bulb and white fugus - served chilled
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