International Friendship Day

I was helping out at the school International Friendship Day. There were traditional games from various countries and parents, teachers and students all dressed in their respective country's costume on that day. I was dressed in a Punjabi suit. Sorry, no picture, completely forgotten all about it. I was so busy.

Together with another mother from Singapore, we managed the 'guti guti' and 'five stones' stall. Remember? My memory is still pretty good on how to play 'five stones'. It was a great day.



Ann and Kai in their Japanese costumes which they bought when we went to Hokkaido


Children in various coustumes


Nice or not?



Very international indeed


Battle of the 'kuti kuti'




Teachers and students trying out the 'five stones'. It brought back fond memories to the Singapore teachers


Little girl from Japan doing the traditional Japanese dance


Teacher from Greece singing “the moon represent my heart" 月亮代表我的心. Her Chinese - two thumbs up!

If you look at the surrounding, we are not exactly situated in a glamorous expat area but the spirit of the school make this place very glam indeed.


The mamas did a Rasa Sayang dance, an Indian dance and a Japanese dance. Mums rock! No, yours truly can only do Zumba. *Grin*

Never give up

Kai came to me and ask me how to read a Chinese character. The word was wen （温）. A conversation started..

me : you don't know wen xi （温习）(revision) meh?
ds : I don't know, really don't know
me : that means revision
ds : Orrr
me : ok, tell me how you say revision in Chinese
ds : fu xi　（复习）
me : woa….

When Kai first came here, he was a Chinese borderline case. Can't speak, can't write Chinese fluently. Three years later, he is an above average Chinese student. Higher Chinese, not normal Chinese.  I thank the teachers' hard work, his very patient and heaven-sent Chinese tutor and above all, Kai's hard work and discipline.

Kai and his 'me' moment


This kind of moment gives him the greatest pleasure.  A cup of milk, some chips and his book. That's heavenly for him.

Coconut cheese cake

Everything must have a first time. Remember my cheese cake done earlier and I switched to using mascarpone. This time, I tried doing one with the dried coconut flakes. It was great!


Always try, you never know what you will get

Mother's Day

Cards from the children




Ann drew the prawns and dogs. Kai did the little humans. Always nice to know that you are being appreciated.

A new revelation and all about giving

Having been a Christian for many decades doesn't make me a professor of the Bible. The Bible is one book where new things are often revealed in old passages.

Not too long ago, a speaker spoke about God being someone who felt for the lowly, the underprivileged, the special people in society. One very profound question he asked.

"Why were shepherds chosen to be the first to receive the good news from the angel". Everything that is recorded in the Bible has its significance. When God uses someone for great things, He often choose the lowly ones.

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”

 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:8 – 15)

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress... (James 1: 27)

I have often said, "you may be doing well but other are not." If change has to take place so that those who are less privileged than us can have a better life, why not even if the change is painful. Sadly, many do not see it that way. To them, "why rock the boat ?"

God loves the underprivileged so much that He considers Himself one of them...

For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,  I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
(Matt 25:44 - 45)


Not long ago, I read this in facebook...

"This Labour Day, I hope to bless 12 ladies from low income families who have the desire and interest to bake but cannot afford to go for any kind of classes. Its not always about the profit I would make from them. But more to see the smiles on their faces and the joy they give me as an inspiration for me to carry on teaching. So tomorrow comes, I put aside my chef uniform and join the ladies in laughter and smiles to bake donuts and fill it up with love and lots of it. Happy a Blessed Labour Day 2012..!"

I am very inspired by this lady. God has indeed bless her richly and she is not hoarding these blessings. You know why she is so willing to share? She saw her mum did it. You know why her mum did it? She saw her own mum (the lady's granny) did it. So you see, it is really important to leave behind a legacy for your children, your children's children.


I also happen to know of a lady who runs a beauty salon. She gives free massage and facial to missionaries.


I hope, my dream of giving back to society will come true one day too. Never too old, never too late.

Who needs Mac…



Homemade burger. More nutritious than Mac. Avocado spread (mashed avocado with lemon) jalapeño, rocket, cucumber on a beef cum pork patty. Just a little effort and the family can have good healthy meal. Remember it is not about expensive food, it is about fresh, natural food minus all additives, preservatives, chemicals and all things fake.

The son is away

Kai is away for his P6 overnight trip, three days, two nights at this place call Jiande. Some kampong in China. He was very excited and was looking forward to it. He even had a little countdown beside his bed. He messaged back to say that the hotel has cockroaches. My son, this isn't a five-star hotel in SG. Apart from that, he seemed to be enjoying himself. Before he left, I told him this is his prelude to national service. I am sure he has a lot to tell when he comes home tomorrow.

Kai, being away allowed me to spend more time with Ann. Finally, she has my 100% attention. 

Finally, he came home with lots of surprises, one of them...

"Mum, it is so clean, cleaner than Shanghai. I didn't need to use the pillow case, the towel and the mineral water to gargle my mouth."

The conclusion is, the more advanced, the worst it has become. When a city is void of nature, everything is man made and when it is man made, it becomes bad. Cockroaches are part of mother nature, isn't it?

A message for all parents…

Chanced upon this. So true…

You did great, my princess!

Ann was awarded the I4C award for the month of April.  I4C represents initiative, care, commitment, collaboration, communication. Class teacher will select students who display any of these values and every month, most deserving students will be recognised. Parents of these awardees are invited to witness the ceremony. In the eyes of busy people caught in the rat race, this may not be a big deal. In the eyes of these little ones, it is a giant deal!

This is one aspect which SG schools must learn. It took them so many years to realise that character building is very important in the education process.  Yes, a student's life is not all about scoring top grades, getting to top school, getting a top job but not able to carry it out with a heart.






Yes, bravo Ann!

Since I was there, I also captured my dear son…

Hi, mum!

Parenting is a life-long journey, it never ends. It is a process where I keep on learning. It is not an easy task, the stress, the tears, the headache, the joy, the fun, the laughter, I always thank God for His Grace, His strength, His everlasting patience with me…Never out-source child-raising, no, not even to the tech gizmos.