Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Sunday

My Grandfather would have been 96 on July 7th, next month. 
Although he was old, he had been very much alert and active, right up to last week. 
Well, he was regularly going to the casino for his games, right up to few months ago. Or perhaps few weeks ago, I am not sure, I will ask his maid later tonight. Gambling is not something I am proud of but I am unable to deny that between my Grandpa & myself, it ran deep, or should I say, deepest. He has yet to reveal to me his secrets, but yet, it was me who had never asked. In his hay days, he had the reputation of predicting dice combination using his hearing. Although I've inherited his loud voice, his was more thunderous than mine. 

I go to my Grandpa's frequently over the school holidays and I lived under his roof when I was 4 & 5 years old. And then again when I was 13 till 16.  

We didn't discuss any deeper meaningful issues nor were were expressive. He had a lot going on in his life, family and race horse betting. So I had basically lived in part like a child-servant, cleaning cars, running errands, oh ya, stepping on his back, using my weight and heels for a back massage. I did this till I was rather old, like maybe 13. 

During the June & December school holidays, my Grandpa would gather my cousins and I to greet him before he left for the race course. We would have to do the: "公公, 胜利!" cheer, triumphantly with raised fist. When we were young, we just did what we were told. It was a culture that still makes me smile inside.  

Before he began his races, he would bring us to Tung Lok at Liang Court for Tim Sum breakfast. When he won money, he would give us $10 each. Judging by my faded memory, my Grandpa had a long winning streak. I do not know why he nor my uncles did not make good with the money they had. They could have invested. At least in properties, but they didn't. But well, they all had a flat nearby and had transport. 

My Grandfather had a water-bed in the 80s. My cousins and I had so much fun playing Pirates and Gulliver's travels on my Grandpa's water-bed. The bed lasted many years despite our jumping and rolling. One day, it broke and the water flowed from his bedroom, emptying itself until the living hall. Luckily, I wasn't there to witness or clean up. These stories still makes me smile inside. 

There was once I shattered a big, glass low table in his hall. That glass table was tinted black, and has the shape of a foot. I think it was three-footed, being triangular. All I remember was that I was circling the table, skipping to a tune. The next thing I know, there was a loud crash and the big piece of ornament was shattered. I had an earful not from my Grandpa but my Aunts. I was 5 and they always told me I was trouble. 

Last week I visited my Grandpa twice. I took comfort that he declined the cash I had insisted on giving him. He told me to use it for myself and my children. Being a gambler that we both were, I took comfort in knowing that he was contented with what he had or had not gotten. 

Grandpa passed away peacefully after his morning showers. We were told he passed in the same position as he was Baptised. He had lived a full life. Good bye, 公公. Thank you for the Adventures. 







Saturday

We resumed violin class after 3 weeks' break as we didn't go anywhere overseas, we practised the new song- Hunters' Chorus the first two weeks in June, then on-and-off on week 3 because I got relaxed.  We were glad she was "made the leader" when her teacher asked the other kids to follow Kiki's bowing (ups & downs) as many of them got mixed up. It was encouraging for us because many times we had been reprimanded for wrong bow directions. But like I said, I have developed thick skin and just kept going, having no ego. I like Hunters' Chorus for its "horn-like", "trumpet-like" and "horse galloping" sounds. At least that's how I feel about that tune. It's like a hunting season's prep anthem. We shared a bowl of Lor Bee Hoon after class, followed by Udders. I had the liquored ones of course.






Saturday- Meet-the-parents-day



 In the morning, Colin doodled on a drawing block while I was preparing to go to his school to meet his teachers.

He showed his sketch to me and explained that he drew "our house", which has long staircase (the black wriggly lines are staircases), there's also a lift inside the house if you don't wanna use the stairs, he says. I asked where's Mama? there were only three stick figures in his drawing. He says, no, Mama's in the house, the three persons in the garden are Maricar, Kiki & himself.

 Then, my aunt called to inform that my Grandfather has passed away.


We normally park Lancelot at the church when we visit the school which is nearby but this is the first time Bren has tagged along for Teachers' review on KiCo. I asked him to bring me inside the church so that I can say a prayer for my Grandpa. My Grandpa was not Catholic,  nor am I, so I hope we'd leave judgements aside because a prayer is a prayer.

 

 Some trending stuff on board. 

 A first aid kit, is it in French? remedes are medicine I suppose, like a remedy.

 Teachers raised many red flags pertaining to Colin's development. 
They showed me some of his colouring work that "were done in frustration". (example below)

They explained that many times, he didn't complete class activities, for instance on the board (top picture, yellow papers), Colin's piece, is an unfinished piece of work. He didn't finish tracing. (bottom left)

The teachers explained that we could all put in more effort to help the little boy develop. ..................... they said that we really ought to have meaningful play with him, as in, do activities with him, play ball for motor skills, play dough for finger strengthening. use jumbo oil pastel crayons with him, try to steer him to use his right hand if possible, and to play memory games. use bigger size T-shirts so that he could dress and undress himself during shower time. etc. 
I made a mental note to do something about it, and I was glad Bren sat in and hears for himself, so we could carry out the plans together. 

When it comes to art, I am really not too concern if the drawing takes shape or form.
I think Colin's doodles are alright.

 Self-portrait 
Not bad mah... looks cheeky like him. 

 It's high time for the food pyramid to be inverted, isn't it.

Kiki was supposed to make a book mark but she wanted to make a door tag that tells others not to disturb us, asleep in bed.



 She drew these back-to-back on a same piece of paper. I asked her, how am I to choose which side gets the bluetac and which side to be displayed? Both sides, I like.

she wrote- winh wan do you like?
she meant- which one do you like?


 Colin, on the other hand, began his "training", starting with colouring.
His colouring strokes progressed from neat to hurried. So..... must let him develop patience?



Float Hope



 So, my float club has moved out from its owner's home, to a shop near Kembangan MRT station. (about 10 mins on foot, 15 mins if you walk in a pace like mine).



 The stacks of bags at the background are the salt for the pod. 
One ton of salt for a pod. That's like 1000 kg and that's what keep you afloat. 

 He needed to soak off the back aches. 
I just wanted to revisit the psychedelic experience I had on my first float but it didn't happen. 
So I take a rest and listen to my heartbeat. Why does my heart beat so.... feebly?
I need to exercise. 



 I suggested to Derrick to stock up these colouring books for sale. 
He says he has ordered them and they're on the way. 




 Sneaky Pod. 

 Ta-da! 

 One selfie before I do the OM thingy.


Friday, June 26, 2015

Kung Fu Pandan III


Is this Kung Fu Panda III only coming here next March??? That's darn far away!

I wanted to watch - Inside Out, but it's not screening yet, TED 2 also not yet..... 

So I will be going for my Float tank later after work. First time to their new premises. 

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Mid Week


 Today went to my customer's place to submit two tenders.
Visited a few buyers to put a face to my name lah. 
They correspond with me for so many years and only see me once in a blue moon cos I was hiding in a cave. But I really sucked at making small talks, big talks whatever talks. That is why I remain at middle management. 

Anyway, we went to that Jap restaurant for lunch and asked my sis to join.
I pondered for a while if I should eat this, because you know..... salmon fats are very fattening....


Just on Monday, I was graze shopping and bought a pair of kids shorts from M&S, it fits me you know? Hahah. really. Kids age 13-14, ang moh kids sizes are huge. 

I'm on the brink of shedding 3kg... so I must Gabatte, keep it up.



Tuesday, June 23, 2015

In a day's work


Suddenly so busy!

So many projects to send quotations on. Hurry Hurry do my work!

KiCo went to Sports Hub with their school this morning.

Their nanny sent me these photos--









At workshop for Function Test of equipment but still have time for selfie ya?

I look tired...






was so hungry.................