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Sunday, 4th July 2O1O

We don't have a telephone at home, we all use mobile phones, and so I do not know how come Kiki knows about telephones. Maybe it is from the TV she watched.
She loves playing with telephones, especially mobile phones. She talks into the phone like there's someone on the line. She refused to move away until she has had enough play with the phones.




Forcing the handset onto her daddy.

Sunday, 4th July 2O1O

We are going to see the specialist for consultation on allergy.
Her wrists, arms, back of the neck and even nappy area have rashes when the food doesn't match her body. The culprit could be pork. I am not too certain if egg is also a culprit hence we better investigate with the doctor's advise. Kiki's last vaccine is postponed for the time being.

I have not come across anyone raising a child on a vegetable diet, and I worry if the nutrients are enough. But from what I see, I would better listen to her body and give her what goes well with her instead of trying to assimilate meat proteins into her.

Let's see what the doctor says this Friday.

Another Interesting Site

I was just blog surfing when I stumbled onto this blog http://diy-obasan.blogspot.com

It says "DIY Obasan and Okaasan--the life of a mad crafter (a thing of the past since the birth of my son) and full time mother"

This lady is pretty amazing with her hands, and for the love of her son, she crafts his favourite cartoon characters onto rubber stamps for him. Pretty amazing.

She also does many personalized designs and runs an online shop--
http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?includes[0]=tags&search_query=rubber_stamp&filter[0]=handmade&filter[1]=children

I am surely gonna check it out. =)

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.

Chopin by the Lake

I, for one, is an idiot to classical music, but Pam insists I have to start making an effort to enrich not my life but that of my baby. She says I don't have to be a musician to go to a concert like this and she was right.

I may not appreciate the music but it was an interesting experience and I ought to try new things and perhaps, in my journey of bringing up Kiki, I may enrich myself too.




First Pianist:- Daniel Wnukowski (Poland)
(followed by second pianist - Izumi Tateno (Japan)
@ Singapore Botanic Gardens, 30th May 2o1o.

Just see the number of people there!

And they all came prepared. They are very seasoned picnickers, they had everything a picnic should have - sandwiches, tea, snacks, biscuits, wine, cooler tub, director's chair, noodles, cakes, (I did not see Curry), all sorts of mats- rolled-up plastic straw type, yoga mats, folded PVC ones and tent sheets. And some had Real Picnic Baskets complete with handkerchief tied on handle. You know, the bamboo woven type with top lids that open by lifting from the sides. Boy, was I really in Singapore? I thought.

I was surprised to know that so many people turned up for a concert by the park.
Am I "sua ku" or what?
From my respond, you could certainly guessed that in my world, there isn't this form of activity.

This is an enlarged view of the people at the park.

My gauge on the profile of the attendees were 80% foreigners, 20 or less % locals.

Even the Asians there were mostly Taiwanese.

At Botanic Gardens

Practising walking.

The cheeky little girl with Avocado in her mouth.

We couldn't stay seated at a spot for long because Kiki is still young and restless.

So, we sat up the slope where the walkway is. In between crankiness and listening to the concert, she took walks, had some snacks, gave applause, hummed a tune and got restless.

I do not know how to appreciate this form of classical performance but an outing like this is refreshing. There were many children around, playing badminton, football, having picnic, riding on their skate scooters and running about and it was a nice to see so many families, all having a good time. The whole time I was there, I kept thinking I must ask Anna, GM, Dajie to bring Kaikai here the next time. I will look out for the next concert and shall ask the whole troope here. We will surely have more fun together.

Art Jamming - 29th May 2010

Tonight, I painted an abstract of the Dragon.
Very oriental and the people say, it reminds them of Yakuza Tattos.

I've told Bren that I'll do this piece for him. The dragon has its appeal to us, for its majesticity and ferocity.