Finally Caught Up with 2008

It’s so fast to know that we are coming to the end of 2008 -- just like Singapore’s inaugural Formula One Race – before you know it -- the whole place is done up in a jiff and after that, it’s 61 laps down. Although this year is supposing to be a “Year of Sabbath”, but I find myself busier than ever. Perhaps, that’s why so that we can then practice learning to rest in the Lord in every circumstance or situation. The beginning of the year was good reminding myself to go slow and to spend more time with God, my family and my children.

I think I failed towards the mid of the year when we became short-handed at home with Gavin starting on his new job; and at work with Rina’s absence. Then, there was also the world economic crisis, but our family crises came much earlier. We were much more prepared knowing that we had just survived our family crisis and it will okay and enough. With all these happening so quickly, I find myself running on a threadmill at an even faster pace. Doing the same old routine and concentrating on running and eventually forgetting to turn to the source of power again. It was only until NOW - 31 December that I remember to pause and reflect on my life this past one year and deliberately taking time to pen this down. Should have switched off that exercise machine earlier!!! 

 As I began to look back, many moments of joy first began to flow back to me, which is left me a sweet lingering taste. Hopefully, I try to erase the hurting ones soon. There are so many other things I want to give thanks for: The smooth transitioning of Joel and Bryan of moving on to the new childcare, Little Skoolhouse. Especially Joel, who used to cry pretty often at the previous school. Now he’s Guy Smiley again. 

Bryan & Joel for being just them. Got a few canings here and there, overall, they are pretty good already, especially Bryan who is learning to be more sensible. I think his enrichment class did work for him. He gave Gavin and me $50 each today from his hard-earned savings to thank us for everything. We decided to still take $50 from him to teach him about giving, however, we spent it on their favorite Sakae Sushi instead. 

An over-the-causeway trip to Genting Highlands over CNY. It was partially subsidized by a relative, however, we managed to bless her back eventually with some luck at the jackpot during the last hour, when our relatives offered to relieve us from babysitting the kids, while they waited for the tour bus to arrive. 

“Gifts and surprises” blessings. Bought my Samsung Omnia at the Singtel Roadshow and won a Sony 32” TV. I also won the first prize of $70 Robinson vouchers, sponsored by my own dad for the lucky draw at our annual family Christmas party! 

In celebration of the 10 years of my marriage to Gavin and NUS, God leads me to something I wished and prayed for 10 years ago regarding these 2 areas of my life. I am rather surprised as God remembers everything and just as I was simply being sucked into in my own life and almost forgot about that. I thank God for showing it to me once again and waking me up from my slumber. Hopefully, he can also give me the same energy and fire, as I had 10 years ago. The spirit is willing, however, the flesh is weak. 

I started work in NUS in July and married in October of the same year. Both are like my left and right hand. It’s difficult to let go of one or the other. Often keeping them both balanced is hard. Although practice doesn't make it perfect at all, it does help makes things easier. 

Our 10 years of marriage is not like the bed of roses as you see now. We just leaned that rose shrubs need space to grow and the depth to allow their roots to develop. We also had cut from the thorns, got sunburnt from toiling under the heat and it takes a constant effort to water and prune them. It also calls for rolling up the sleeves and trousers to uproot the weeds or grass. I read somewhere before that a new rose bush is like a baby, while it requires a lot of love and attention at first, it will grow stronger and more independent with time and you will surely be proud of the results! It takes us both 10 years to mature as a couple and to be more tolerant of each other weaknesses and see our strengths instead. We still quarrel, but lesser petty issues nowadays. We can even joke about us being becoming accustomed to one another, or simply getting old already… haha. 

The other love of my life is my work and workplace at ARI, NUS. I still like what I am doing there still. It’s not that I’m loyal and signed life to NUS; or got no aspirations to move on. Besides, knowing what satisfies, motivates, and keeps me going, the most important reason for coming to an office of which many are more than colleagues, but turned friends, as we see each other 8 hours a day and 5 times a week. Many have left ARI, however, many of us are still in touch. A special thanks to these pals whom we had walked closely with and held hands in 2008. 

Yati – the one with big listening ears, and someone is who always there when I needed help, since day one when I started work at NUS. 

Rina – for being the advisor. Her sensitiveness and resourcefulness always calm me down. Through her, I’ve learned to go slow and not to bulldoze in my work, life and food, but taking time to appreciate the things around me more. 

Sharon – for being the new blood, for her initiative, and for allowing me to “boss” her around at times. She has been a great help. She’s also my new drinking pal - actually I’m more the newbie. I must get her to serve me “Blardy (M)ARI” the next time. 

Aly - for her understanding and maturity for many things in life, despite her youth. I go to her for my counseling sessions slumping on her comfy couch. She will not hesitate to give me a swift kick-in-the-butt when I’m a bit deranged. A fantastic khaki to share a cab to Wheelock for a cuppa of mocha or sometimes retail therapy to liven up our sour kana moods. 

Giving thanks to my spiritual family for their prayers and for showing me about God’s faithfulness and love in each of their testimonies. This year has not been an easy one especially for all, particularly for Rebekah and Eesh. We will continue to trust in His hope and victory, as we journey together.

Last but not least. Thank you God, for Your hands upon my family and my daily work, and for the many learning opportunities. For Your guidance and strength. Your faithfulness and providence. For the peace to know that life will be getting more challenging in the next few years, but you are there with us. May you continue to lead me to a purposeful and meaningful life.

I Cried At My Sons' Graduation

Today is a very busy day, as Gavin and I have to rush from Bryan's Mindchamps Graduation at Toa Payoh to Joel's Graduation Concert at Ghim Moh.

Every child was asked to stand out in front of the class to read what they wrote in their Thank-You to their parents. Being the sentimental Bryan, he couldn't control his emotions and started to cry. I asked him why he cried. He replied that he was very touched by what his friends had written and when it was finally his turn, he felt his emotions all welled up. Mummy also shed tears of joy and am very proud of him.

This is what he wrote on the card.

Heart-shape card of thanks.

Dear Mum and Dad, You are special because you help me pay for the things I want. Next time, I will help you pay for the things you want. I will never be selfish again. Mum and Dad, I love you because you care for me. mum and Dad, I will never lose you. Love, Bryan.

Leave-shape card of wishes

Bryan Tan: 1) I wish that my parents will spend time with me more often. 2) I wish they will be together in a happy life.

He simply loves the red cap.

Bryan with Teacher Johanna

Chef Joel performing a dance of "STOMP" with pots and pans.

By the way, he used to call himself a "cooker" when he was young, before changing it to "chef". I can't help but share with you his other "ER" jokes, which often had me in stitches. A straw is called a "sucker". A hanging hook is called a "hooker".

Supposedly, he was to be a farmer, but somehow I thought he looked more like a swordsman.

Guy smiley is so happy that we were there to catch his performance at his school concert. Although, he is not graduating till he's in K2 next year, however seeing him grown at a tremendous pace and is now able to perform 2 dances for me, makes me wanna tear again. I can't imagine when he graduates next year, I'll probably have to wear my sunnies and bring more tissues.

As you can see, it's always Joel bullying Bryan.

Lady-killer swordsman! Mr Baey in the making?

Among his "boy" friends (so called)

Joel with form teacher, Teacher Zai

A very tired swordsman. A pre-Chinese New Year shot? Yeah, I didn't notice that both of them were so red until I downloaded the pictures.

It's All Worth It!

Finally, I managed to hold my peace and waited till the end of 2 years to renew my mobile contract and most importantly to change my mobile phone to a SAMSUNG OMNIA. The annual Singtel Roadshow (around this time of the year) promises good bargains and freebies. So I left my kids and hubby at my mum's place, as I was mentally and physically prepared to queue for more than 3 hours just to get a new phone. However, the noticeboard there announced a minimum waiting time of at least 5 hours, which I thought it's crazy, as the dailies each day reported on the economic downturn. BUT, the crowd at the roadshow seems unfazed and I queued for more than an hour just to get a Q number! And another 2 hours hanging around the BookFest which was held concurrently at the same venue, before Singtel paged for me to return to collect and pay for my new handset, which took another 15 mins. By then, I was too tired and hungry to queue again to trade off my Dopod.

I thought I would just end my day with dinner with my parents and family for dinner at Viet Cong along Bras Basah Road. However, my parents decided to walk to Suntec for some shopping for winter clothing for their winter trip to Korea at the end of the year. Seriously, I'm not sure where did I get the energy to walk back to Suntec again.

Immediately, upon reaching Suntec, I drag my family and headed back to the Singtel Roadshow again to trade off my old phone in the mass trade-off exercise. Indeed, I got a better trade-off rate of S$100 instead of $60, which I just checked with a Singtel shop the night before. I was extremely pleased. Then, I decided to stop by the redemption counter to exchange my receipt for a mug shot of my family, as a souvenir. The guy over the desk told us that he's participating our picture in the lucky draw to win a TV. Yet again, we spent another 1.5 hours there. I was so damned tired but very pleased with my new handphone, the higher trade-off value for my old phone and a souvenir mug shot. I didn't think much, but just wanted to head home to wash up and plonked on my sofa and watch my weekly dose of "Mobile Love Story"... Bliss.

Guess what? Almost a week later, Singtel called me to inform me that I have won a SONY TV in their "Best Smile Contest". Of course lah, I'm happy with my purchase that day what! But I think one of the main reason is having my whole family join in the picture to fill up the blue background, that's why the picture looks better...hehe!

Other than the lucky jackpot at Genting Highlands this year, which I played for fun during my last hour before heading back to Singapore, so far this is my biggest prize that I have ever win in my life. Seriously, I do hope to win a TV, as the TV at home is a bulky CRT TV, which we had for almost 8-9 years, and I think it's still very reliable that it can last us for another good 5 years.

I'm so happy with my SAMSUNG OMNIA and 32" SONY BRAVIA. It's all worth the queue!

I Saw a Rainbow Today!

God sets His rainbow in the sky
to remind us that
His promises never fail and
that His love never ends.

Bread & Butter, Bacon & Eggs

I tell you it's really tough explaining to kids about what we do at work. Below are his drawings of our jobs based on his understanding of what I tried explaining to him. At that moment, I wish I held a noble job, such as being a teacher or policewoman, and it is easier to explain to them too!

I think my own dad too faced the same problem (like me) explaining to the young me then about what he did for a living. I remembered checking with my dad frequently about what to fill up under the section on father's occupation on the form, and as to how I should portray him in my composition about 'my family'.

In my primary school, dad told me he was a policeman, and of course, I'm not stupid lah, as I have not seen mum washed and dried his uniform.

It was until in secondary school that I finally knew what he does. When he finally revealed that he's a  co-partner of an electroplating company, my sisters and I did not believe him at first, as he cried wolves too many times. It was only when he showed us his name card, that we try to believe him and even tried our luck to cajole him to buy us Reebok track shoes. Perhaps, that is one of the reasons why he hid it from us ... hehe

Oh man! I looked like a rabbit with floppy ears. Geez, if you don't know me, you could have thought I was an air stewardess or travel agent, based on his drawings .... hehe

It was only when Aly asked if the 2 other people standing in the background are Sharon and her, that we suddenly realized that it's not only Joel, but the majority of the kids are very observant. And I remembered often that he is able to draw for me the things he sees during his outing trips.

Erh, this picture seems like Daddy is selling eggs rather than machinery. And ah boy only gave his dad a few strands of hair - so poor thing.

I'm simply amused at the way Joel first draws the toes before adding the bubble shoes. And I also tried correcting him to draw the legs below the skirt or pants, rather than within the clothes. Perhaps, he really got X-ray eyes.

I love asking the kids to draw for me, as it is often funny and it reveals something about them too.

Curtains & Blinds

Have been so busy lately that I haven't had the time to visit my hairstylist since July. The fringe is getting longer and I hate having to constantly sweep my fringe as if my hands are not busy enough with typing *sigh*! That's why I have been keeping it long for the longest time till I cut it off this year. Having hair in the eyes is so uncomfortable. I wonder how can Paul Twohill from Singapore Idol managed to stay so cool.

I find it difficult to make eye contact with people with long fringe in a conversation. It's not sexy nor mysterious, but rather "pek chek". I wonder if I was talking to a ghost or a piece of wall. I really wondered if the person really understood what I'm talking about, as both the ears are being covered and the eyes were slightly revealed through the curtains-like strands of hair.

It's one of those days when our highly stressed brains decide to go bonkers again at around the 4 pm tea break. After lamenting so much about our own hair and other people's hair, we decided to solve the issue of "curtains".

That's me above, with the traditional tied-back CURTAINS with ribbon on each side. And below is Aly doing a rendition on how to draw the BLINDS. See whether if you can remember this particular type of Venetian blinds of the 1970s. One needs to twist the plastic knob at the end of the stick to the panels to tip the horizontal slats open.

Sorry babe, I know you gonna kill me for putting this clip on my blog, however, I only promised that I'll not post it on YouTube only ... hehe

And I could not help laughing when I viewed this clip of yours again. You are very cartoon siah! Muahahaha!

Guess Who Is This?

Found some of these digital pictures while clearing my dinosaur ZIP disks.

He is the sweetest when he sleeps, but the loudest when he weeps.

Aiyoh! Those scary eyes. Whenever he stares, Gavin and I will automatically switch to "Your wish is my command" gear.

Ah, that orange po-chim (bolster). It was meant to be a keyboard wrist rest from Kalms Gift shop, but the mother here is so creative that it ended up as his bolster. I bought like 5-6 different types, but his favourite is still the orange one which his kor-kor bought for him as a welcome gift. He is still using it, but of course, it's being thrown into the washing machine fortnightly.

I bet you thought that was Bryan, but he is actually Joel. Must put the 2 of them together side by side to tell the difference. As usual, it's always the younger one bullying the older one.

This is one of my favourite shot. Didn't know my photography was that good huh ... hehe

Missing You

Irresistable Family Cuisine

It's a Hock Chew dish of rice cake, which mum only cooks once a year. And my sisters and I would cancel all appointments to rush home and relish our so-called "Family Cuisine". However, none of us has even tried our hands on whipping up this dish yet.

The Father and the Bride

Phew, luckily there wasn't a digital shot of the Father, Groom & Bride all at the same time :P Perhaps, they were in the albums tucked away somewhere in the cupboard. During my era, we used films and had to wait patiently for the photographer to develop the pictures after the wedding and to painstakingly put them into albums. That would take nearly about a week. I can't remember where these digital shots came from. Maybe I scanned them the last time - yeah - using a scanner. Thank God for digital cameras !

One word of advice to couples who are going to take wedding pictures. 10 years down the road, the album goes into the cupboard, so spend wisely on your wedding pictures. I remembered the lady from the bridal studio was cajouling me to get another 20 over extra pictures which amounted a couple of hundreds of dollars. However, I thought to myself whose gonna see those pictures again after the first year of wedding - probably only me and Gavin and later on the kids. You know it's rather depressing to see how much weight I have put on over the years. And the kids kept on asking why they aren't in the group pictures. Thus, up to the cupboard it goes.

Pink Ribbon Walk

Aly and I signed up for the ribbon all in a matter of an hour.

That's us looking so great in our pink Ts and sunnies!

The meeting point where Stamford Raffles stands. I'm sure he must be happy to see so many people there, at least can ogle at the numerous female participants.

It's a nice slow evening walk along the Singapore River, which we passed by Boat Quay and Clarke Quay and then going around the bend at Quayside before headling back to the Parliament House all within an hour. I thought the walk itself was rather short and we even continued walking towards Marina Square for dinner after a short break of ice-cream, Milo and raisin buns at end point. I guessed what makes it fun and less tiring was because we chatted non-stop along the way. We hope make this our yearly affair and get more of our colleagues to join us next year.

Almost A Perfect 10

Boy! I can’t imagine I’m married for 10 years already! I was one of those late bloomers, where most of my coursemates were already going steady in their boy-girl relationships in the tertiary years, yet I was a swinging bachelorette. I can’t bear the thought of crying till my eyes popped out, especially if I have to send my boyfriend off to NS (National Service aka army) and then missing them badly. I told myself, I’ll find someone when I start working. I vividly remembered my ex-Poly Cell Leader, Johnny (He hates us calling him “Righteous Brother”) giving us advice to list down the criteria that we would like to see in our future life partners and to start praying for that special “someone” during our teens. Me being in the “young and sweet nothing’ age, began to ask God for :

A Christian partner, so that we can communicate in the same channel and if we can’t, then can at least bring it up to God, who will be my mediator and judge…hehe. Communication. Boy, his communication can’t be that bad, if he’s a Sales Executive, sure can have 2-way communications. Yah talking about sales, he used to joke that he stays 10 minutes away from Orchard Road. I thought WOW he must be staying around District 10, just 10 minutes walk away. Actually partly true that it takes about 10 minutes drive away, if we were to take the shortcut from Tanglin Road to go to Queenstown.

About 3 or 4 years older. But I think God could have heard me wrongly and gave me 3+4. But it’s good in a way too, as I’ll always look younger than him. And thus won’t get stupid comments that I brought my younger brother out for a movie. 

It would be good if he has a car. As I’m being spoiled by dad for ferrying us around. By the way, we are both working part-time taxi drivers for our kids. 

He must be able to help out with housework. Because I’m one lazy cow too. However, I got do my part okay. Mum used to nag at my sisters and me that unless we can guarantee that we marry a rich guy, if not, better learn to do some housework. 

Job security. Nah….. went through quite a rough patch over the last few years. Even the bulls and boars of the financial markets came and went. What more could a marriage of 10 years escape such turbulent times. 

Must like children and be willing to "bear" 2 children with me. I had more than what I asked for - with Gavin being forced to actively participate in the role of fathering - bear the children's nitty-gritty needs last 2-3 years.

And the list goes on…..

To cut the story short, I met my husband at my former workplace and we got married about 3 years later ‘cos seeing him at work every other day seems like a long courting period and the rest is just like a movie … “1 man & 2 babies”.

And God answers all my prayers, especially the last few points right up till now. It takes years and many tears, to understand that God is not there to harm us, but He has the best plans for me and my family through molding and refining us to be wiser and stronger. God works all things for the good of men.

The first 10 years of marriage had its ups and downs, in fact, every time when both of us enters into marital distress, it actually brings us to a deeper level, but it’s a choice of what we really want – a deepening of hurts or a deepening of relationships, which could improve if couples know what to expect and thus make their own choice. The initial years of staying with my mother-father-and-sister-in-laws were another set of adjustments. Sometimes, I feel it was better actually, as we both tend to tone down our quarrels. We finally got our privacy, when they shifted out 7 years later, partly due to space constraints because of the 2 growing kids. However, staying alone also has its weakness, we found it harder to control our tempers, and arguments tend to fly in front of our kids. Gavin and I went through some trying years in our 7th or 8th year (commonly known as the 7th year itch). Gavin was then a stayed home dad for about 2-3 years, in between some part-time jobs. Besides the job search/security, the children were also often factors of our quarrels. It had not been easy, especially for Gavin to let go of his ego and stay home with the objective of settling Joel, who is a difficult kid. He really puts in a lot of effort.

I really wanna thank Gavin, who in the last few years had been taking care of the house(work) and especially spending time with the kids. He ferries, bathes the kids and settles their dinner. And we began to see results from the father and son bonding. It would not be possible for me to concentrate on my heavy workload job as an events organizer, if not for that peace that I know that all will be well taken care of at home. Sometimes, I feel that I can trust my husband more with the kids alone during the weekends, than I trust myself, as my kids walk over me, knowing that I’m more lenient with them. As we celebrated our 10th anniversary, we have both learned to take things one at a time and we also got to understand each other better. Perhaps, we have aged too. One thing that I have learned is not to put high expectations on one other, including myself, but instead learning to put my trust and hope in God for His providence, faithfulness and love of knowing that He will always be there for me.

And lastly, for the KPOs – We celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary with the kids at IKEA cafe ..... how romantic can it be, huh? Hubby had requested a new bible, as his was torn, which shows that he has been reading His Word. :) It's something that I’ve been praying most that he would grow deep in his walk with God.

And me, haven’t learned my lesson well enough to 'ketok' him a stone or flowers on such memorable occasion, but instead went for retail therapy a few days earlier and got myself a bag. I’m happy as long as he doesn’t complain that I’m buying another bag again. If he does, I’ll just pass him the receipt of my new bag lor!

Looking forward to the next lap.

Formula One - Keep Your Eyes Open and Ears Shut

McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain

(AP Photo/Oliver Multhaup)

This weekend had been rather busy -- having to rush home just to catch the inaugural 2008 Formula One Singtel Singapore Grand Prix! Not really a F1 fan, but managed to catch a few races on cable TV only on Sundays, when we head down to mum's place.

All the hype and daily news reports leading to the actual race did make me feel excited. Besides ogling at the snapshots of handsome F1 drivers, like Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, I'm also in awe of the illumintated skyline of Singapore - such a beautiful and spectacular sight.

Somehow, I felt proud of being a Singaporean, being a part of it, hosting the first night race, although exactly contributing to anything at all. I think it's just like how the Chinese nationals felt when they hosted the recent Beijing Olympics 2008.

Check out the Boston.Com website for more spectacular pictures!

The lighted Marina Bay Street Circuit of the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix (REUTERS/Tim Chong)

The city skyline with the illuminated Marina Bay City (AP Photo/Oliver Multhaup)

I wanted to bring the kids down to Cityhall to hear the actual roar of engines and to have a whiff of burnt rubber. However, the thoughts of snuggling up the sofa in the comfort of my own home and after that putting the kids to bed, without having to squeeze with the throngs of people were simply more enticing, especially when you have 2 young kids. Also, they would probably be complaining about the deafening noise. Talking about the deafening noise. Although I wasn't there on site, but I felt abit deaf - YES - even from watching the race at home. I was blasting my TV while watching the final race on Sunday. When I finally managed to chase my kids to hop into bed at 9:30 pm (only after much assurance that Aunty Carol had taped the program on cable TV for them), I then plucked on my Sennheiser earphones and blasted them in my ears again. SHIOK! But I totally agree that nothing beats being on site, soaking in the atmosphere and having the feeling of adrenaline kicking pumping from the heart to the brains. Next year perhaps, I'll try to get my hands on the single day tickets for the practice sessions. Anyone can help me babysit the kids from 25 to 27 September 2009?

Coming to the End of My Youth

There's a Chinese saying that women in her 40's is like a rose. And youth to me (according to Contiki Tours) is between 18 - 35 years old. Sometimes, I really wonder what stage in life am I in now?

Middle Age?

No prize for guessing how old am I?

When I was googling, I found out an interesting fact about Singapore's definition of YOUTH. * chng * chng * chng*

It's between 15-30!

Taken from National Youth Council Singapore website.

But as compared to my Australian and Hong Konger friends, I'm considered quite lucky to a Singaporean and thus more "youthful" :P

Oh? It's Val's Birthday Today!

As it was raining that Saturday, dad and mum could not rollerblade, so they invited their gang -Uncle Joe & Aunty Peng to play Nintendo Wii at home. Carol reported that while playing into the wee hours of the morning, dad was suudenly reminded of my birthday, courtesy from Nintendo Wii, of course.

Out of curiosity, I actually went and turn it on to find out for myself. This is what it reads:

Yah, instead got reminded to exercise again ... urgh! Gee but seriously, I must thank Nintendo Wii for such great service, man - for Dad gave me (& all) a birthday treat at Pu Tien Restaurant at Kitchener Rd!

Happy Teacher's Day

Joel's drawing is a good reminder that we should not only thank the teachers, but also the administrators and helpers - especially the aunties - who prepare food, clean up the school and bathe the kids!

Why Is It Called The Singapore Flyer?

It was Teachers' Day, thus the childcare centre was closed. So we bought the kiddos to the Singapore Flyer on discounted tickets, which I had earlier purchased from the company's union.

And the kiddos asked the toughest question: Why is it called the Singapore Flyer? (Mummy thinking very hard and at the same time wondering why don't they ask their Daddy instead of me. My middle name is not Google, ok?) Mummy trying to act cool and gave them the most logical answer that I could think of. "It is because it makes you feel as if you are flying in the air and you will be able to see the view of Singapore, especially when you reach the top." Let me know if you have a better answer. Anyway with kids, as long you give them an answer, can already!

2008 Formula One Singapore Grand Prix

The Suntec area

Erh... what's the actual name of the place with the floating platform, where we just had our National Day Parade? Marina Padang?

Singapore's Integrated Resort (IR) - Marina Bay Sands

The aerial view of the Singapore Flyer venue ... looks like a heart!

Drawing by Joel.
Did you also recognise the Merlion, Benjamin Sheares Bridge, Singapore Grand Prix race track and the Duck Tour boat?