The Fringe

This is my doll.
Oops.... the sides of the hair needs some trimming...
I tried to save 20 dollars and trimmed her hair on my own.
She looks like a dolly, doesn't she?




A dolly who isn't very dolly-like.
Just look at the way she sits while watching the TV.
She just likes to behave so ruggedly.

22nd June 2O1O

Today is our wedding anniversary.

We've known each other for 16 years and married for 7.
Almost every night, we sit and chat by the windows in the kitchen.
Sometimes recapping on the day, sometimes in awe with baby's recent development, sometimes airing and ironing our differences, and sometimes talking cock. Like what were we saying last night... oh, about mourning. He said the mourning period for a kin should be one year; you excuse yourself for New Year, Christmas and all sorts of social activities. I asked- then how long will you mourn for me? He said- the same number of years I know you, for example if I've known you for 40 years then I will mourn for 40 years. I said HEY! I am not gonna die in the next 30 years you know! And what mourn for 40 years, you're gonna mourn when you're in heaven?

And this is a glimpse of our twisted humour.

There is no special formula to a happy marriage. I think the practicalities of life in a city like this take away the romance sometimes. You talk about work, finances, juggling of home affairs, upbringing of the kids, in Singapore--- the pressure of academic success puts off many family plans. and what else,,, all sorts of mortgages - car, house, what-nots, the in-laws etc. But, it is still up to a couple to keep the marriage alive. It is so easy to let the intricacies of life ruin any fun you may have; so ya, I guess even keeping a marriage takes effort.

Every time after Bren helps me scratch a spot on my back where I couldn't reach, I would smile and turn to say-- what will I do without you?
He would reply-- get a wooden scratch-er.

And so, this is us and our funny senses.

Saturday, 19th June

Both watching Mickey Mouse Club.

The children doesn't know how to have interactive play yet but they could do parallel play (alongside each other). Ryan could serve me "tea" and made sure I slurp it up "seeuueeze" like this, and he will do the same.

Saturday, 19th June

Peek-a-boo

She loves playing peek-a-boo and gets even more excited if she thinks you are trying to catch her. Chuckles aways excitedly.

She was actually "tangkup-ing" on the sofa before GM started playing with her.

"Tangkup-ing" is a slang between Bren and I, it refers to one of things I do; - starring into space, lost in thoughts. Whenever I do that, he would say that I am being "tangkup" (Malay for "catch or caught"), being caught by godknowswhat and am in my own dreamy world. I've only discovered that Kiki does that too. Well, it is not necessary a bad thing, cos tangkup-ing can be quite relaxing you know. It's like unwinding your mind while something casual and nice is happening at the background.

Saturday, 19th June

My Godma said: "I haven't carried you, Kiki. Two times you didn't let me carry you."
And so I said, go ahead!
"But she will cry," my Godma said.
Give her some biscuits, that will do the trick. I said.

Saturday, 19th June

Concentrating on peeling the toy capsican.

We went to Anna's house on Saturday.

It was the most fun outing we've been to. Mainly because Kiki finally could interact and play.

Well, she still did her round of crying and refusing everybody but warmed up to everyone relatively quickly. (quickly = 1 hour). Luckily Anna's home has many toys and my cousins all could coax babies very well. (well, they are all school teachers!)

My camera ran out of battery, hence I've only captured a few activities. But here's what we did:-

Song and dance (Casio keyboard), TV- Mickey Mouse Club, napped, ate porridge, painting (marble rolling paint), water play, pretend play (tea time), snack, motor skill (fruit cutting) outdoor playground & bubbles, bathe (twice!) song and dance again.

In between we all chit chatted; Godma, cousins and aunties, so many of us! Reminds me of Cairnhill days, how nice.

Like Father, Like Son.

The T-shirts say - "LIKE FATHER" "LIKE SON"

Sunday 20th June 2O1O

We spent just 20 mins at the pool because her fingers got wrinkled up and the water was chilly. She loved splashing the water with her palms and was very happy at the pool.

(I have since trimmed her hair after seeing how untidy her hair looked. She now looks so darn cute with a straight fringe. Looks like a doll, I must take some pictures to show you).

I am a fan of that ugly fruit

http://www.avocado.org.au

check out recipes too.

June Holiday Gathering 12th June Saturday

She needs warming up as she was afraid of people eventhough she has us around.
Her GM blew bubbles for her to play and tried to break the ice with her.



Watching as my cousins set up the tables.

About two to three times in a year, we have a family gathering at aunt Lee Choo's house. Mostly during the June and December school holidays because my aunt and three cousins are school teachers. I take my hats off to any school teacher in Singapore.

There is a roof garden where you can rent the BBQ pit but most of the time, we do the cooked food version rather than BBQ, cos it is easier with cooked food.

The gathering was a very nice one, we had good food and games! Lot's of laughters and Kiki even joined in the "passing parcel" game. She even took a dig at PJ who screamed at the three times she was stuck with the parcel when the music ended.

It was also my uncle Meng's BD, which we all didn't know and wasn't prepared.

uncle Meng is 61. He was 25 when I grew up under the same roof, which made him an uncle who was disciplinary as well as fun. I can't help but told Bren that when he becomes 61, Kiki will only be 18. Which makes us very old parents, even older a parent than my uncle is. Bren chided me for thinking this way, but you know, it's the truth and it's just a passing thought I have.

The night was very nice and warm, and Kiki enjoyed herself very much. She laughed, squealed in excitement and joined in the games. There was only one drawback; she cried terribly in her sleep intermittently throughout the night! Gosh. Imagine my helper and I had to coax and assure her she's home and safe. She must have played too much. The daddy got so upset with me as I insisted on staying through the party till late. He gave a curfew at 8pm for all outings. Well, I don't know how I could push my luck the next time but I feel that this is part and parcel of growing up. She has to learn to distinguish the real life and what's impressioned, although I think in a young baby's mind,,,,,,,, everything leaves an impression and every impression is real.

在新加坡，

到处都是中国人。

They are the people doing my cooking at the foodcourt, they are the people washing my hair at the saloon, they are the people giving me a good rub at the Spa, they are the people picking up the litters at the beach, they are my neighbours, they are my colleagues, they are the workers at the condominium site, they are the bus 'captains' driving the buses, they are the promoters at ISETAN, NTUC, KIDDYPALACE, they are the waitresses at the seafood restaurant, they are my mother's friend, they are my friend's wives, they are my friend's tenants, they are everywhere I am.

在新加坡, 到处都是中国人。

Janice

My cousin Janice is a Philanthropist.

Meaning, she's a:-
Person who practise goodwill to fellowmen; especially : active effort to promote human welfare.

She once worked with NCSS - National Council of Social Service, but has an undying need to explore beyond our 699.4 km2 and so she went to further her quest with the LKY School of Public Policy http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/home.aspx and now, she's temporarily in India; you can read about her adventure here -- http://adventure-india.livejournal.com/

I always believe that if we strip off fear of lack, selfishness and what nots, we will all be sharing and taking care of each other. Then, there shall be education, elemination of diseases & poverty.
But I think at this evolutionary moment, we are not there yet. But it doesn't mean we stop trying. May the betterment of humankind be forthcoming. Ahem.