@ Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG)

What a treat. The Brass Society (Singapore) put up a concert at the SBG and had many good pieces. I was plesantly surprised to discover that the Irish Inspirational Dancers were the guest artists and performed none other than Michael Flatleys "Lord of the Dance!" Woah!
(Twice! once on encore) Reminds me of the time my family watched the River Dance concert, one fond memory.

The band performed many movie main themes, like "Out of Africa", "Chicken Run", "Star Wars" (the Imperial March).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbefc11nyU8 short clip on: Chicken Run theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XamszbYeXSw Lord of the Dance

She does not like to pose for pictures.

(Not ours)

Kiki said - Look! Turtle! I've not taught her the word "Tarrapin". In time to come, I'm sure I've got to explain the different species which may look the same - turtle, tortise and tarrapin.

Poem

A poem by Leonard Cohen

"Ring the bells that still can ring,
forget the perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything,
that is how the light gets in."

The Blind Side

When I watch these kind of movies late at night before bed,,,,, it'll take me a long time to fall asleep. Many thoughts and inspirations pour in and I take heart to know that there are brave, caring, people around. That makes earth a bearable place.
I have such affinity with these themes probably because firstly, I have similar traits (or at least I hope I have), and secondly, I inspire to do.

The family in the movie.

The real persons. (Michael Oher and his legal guardian family.)

This movie is a semi-biographical drama film about an under privileged teenager - Michael Oher, and his adoptive family who gave him education and enabled him to become an American Football Offensive Tackle for the National Football League. He also played college football at the University of Mississippi.

Preview

Trying out our new purchase.

@ The Beach

video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLmfgwcTGs0

Look at her stance.

Toys

This is the present I bought for her for her birthday.
She feeds them corn and water.

@ The Playground

She wants to just lie on the slide.

"Mommy, lie down." she instructed.

Easy Morning

Today, I took a day off.
As guessed, Kiki refused to go school when she saw that we're home.
So, she took a day off too.

Easter Project

Her school project

Toys

This weekend, I bought three toys for her.

A magnetic drawing board, toy saxaphone & toy guitar.

22nd April 2011

I've never thought I would have this fuzzy feeling just looking at a card but hey, yes I felt so nice holding this handicraft card that the school made. They also filled the egg shell with jelly and we ate it this morning.

(with bits of egg shell pasted all over)

22nd April 2011

It has been three months since we last stepped into the pool. Time goes by so quickly, my membership at the gym is ending in another 7 months! We must visit the pool more often now that the sun is good these months.

Splashing video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o-6RwnzB24

Kiki is an "inclusive" person. She has the heart for all of us. On the onset of having fun at the pool, she remembers to ask Maricar to join in. She said - "Maricar, sit down." (and gestured her to sit at the edge of the pool to join us).

When she makes imaginary cookies, she feeds all of us. One at a time.

We played in the pool for an hour till her fingers wrinkled. She refused to get up and cried.

"I don't want towel! I don't want towel!" she shouted.

But I had to get her out, it's getting chilly.

Nevertheless, it has been a joyous time this morning.

She's tall enough to waddle in the small, shallow pool that is 0.5M.

Pointing to the depth markings, she insisted it was "W" (not "M") because she was reading it inverted. "Double-U" she said.

22nd April 2011

After shower, we had a few sticks of Pokey.

She slept well in the afternoon and also slept early tonight. The exercise must have burned some extra energy but she refused to take dinner at all. Maybe she's exhausted.

Eating Out

We didn't cook today, so we went to the mall for dinner and bumped into my boss.

Today was like the fourth time he asked: "What's your daughter's name?"

The Hawker Breakfast

Dim sum at our hawker centre.
On a rare occasion when there's no queue, we'll have some dim sum for breakfast.

A Soiree In The Park, 17th April 2011, Sunday

We were heading to the taxi stand and had to turn right at the lift lobby but Kiki mistaken that we were sending her to school and burst into tears (we normally head to the left, going to the market, to the mall or to the beach, etc.) It made me wonder; - is school really that unbearable for her? Why doesn't she look forward to school?

It's been many months since we last went to the Botanic Gardens, today, they were having "A Soiree In The Park" Symphony by Tanglewood Music School.

Kiki was delighted. She rattled on and on about the birds and the sun, she was unusually chatty.

She made me chase her, she loves the thrill in playing catch, to shriek in delight. Scream in sharp, excited laughter.

Berries Jam & Cheese (an odd combination for me) Maricar prepared the sandwiches and I told her I've never eaten it like this but I will try. Kiki seemed to like it though.

A Soiree In The Park, 17th April 2011, Sunday

If you were to visit the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, be sure to alight at the Visitor Centre drop off point. This will save you 20 minutes on foot. But if you would like to walk then by all means do.

We will surely be there early the next time we visit, the eatery there is just too alluring.
Here's a short clip for your viewing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd5bZheCRzw

Singapore Flyer

16th April 2011, Saturday

When the lift opened, she turned right. Because she was carrying her school bag, she thought she was going to school.

Today, she joined an older age group class for music. We've got to do some catching up because that class started three months ago and we're in the middle of it now.

Neverthelss, we're happy to progress.

Invictus (2009, Warner Bros.)

President Nelson Mendela and Springbok Rugby Team Captain- Francois Pienaar.
(Rugby World Cup in 1995 hosted by South Africa)


(in the movie- Invictus. Morgan Freeman & Matt Damon)

Also inspired by Invictus, the poem.

"Invictus"
is a short Victorian poem by the English poet- William Ernest Henley (1849–1903).

Our of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance,
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears,
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.

Of Little Things

(1)
As I lay lazing on mattress, feebly coaxing my baby to take forty winks,
she said, "Mama, bird - Aar! Aar! Aar! Aar!"

"No, a bird doesn't sound like this."

She stood her ground. "Bird, Aar! Aar!"

I stretched my ears and listened. Aar! Aar! Yes, the pitch was distinct and distant.
Indeed, crowing sounds like this.


(2)
She inched sheepishly nearer. Flexed her calves and pried on the Nachos I savoured. Here you are, I gave her half a piece.

"Mama, thank you." she ate and told me softly.

You're welcomed, drink some water please.

"Cheers" she knocked her cup against mine.


(3)
Feeling hurt?

Kiki and our neighbour uncle are fond of each other like grandfather & grand daughter. She holds conversations with uncle at the door, and uncle understands her baby-babbles. She runs to the gate each time a "clink or click" came from the door opposite. "Uncle", she would greet in her sweet voice.

Of late, she was withdrawn.

I think she was hurt the few times she called out to uncle and uncle ignored her.
Uncle was unwell last month and was probably preoccupied in his thoughts or wasn't in a mood to respond. Since then, uncle is now well, up and about. But Kiki retreats.

I explained to her that sometimes, people indulge in themselves especially when they are worried. I hope soon, the amicable pair would rekindle.

9th April 2011, Saturday

A gathering at Ashley's place.