防人之心不可无

害人之心不可有, 防人之心不可无.

今天算是体会到这句话的道理.

就是太相信别人才会吃亏. 感觉有点笨.

咳! 破才消灾, 算是花钱买个教训吧.

因此在这里做个笔记.

提醒自己凡事都要再三琢磨.

不是每个人都是善男信女.

Teaching Your Child

I am not a very patient person.  All of my friends know this.  But when Dylan and Jennan came along, I think I did quite well in my effort to change.  Still, sometimes emotions get the better of me and I lose my cool.  One of those times is when I have to coach Dylan in his reading.  I heard of people saying that we can never teach our own kids.  I wanted to prove this statement wrong… but only to find it’s so so so true (at least for me).

Thankfully Dylan is quite sensible.  After each lesson with me, I will explain to him why I was upset and also not forgetting to praise him that he has improved.  It can really go a long way.  Now he is in K2.  I really cannot imagine how things will be like when he goes to primary school next year…

It’s For Your Benefit, Cookie

Finally we brought Cookie for sterilization.  Well they say that there are a lot of benefits for dogs to be sterilized.  The obvious benefit, from my point of view is it will help prevent dogs from breeding and stray puppies being born, it prevents difficult dog behaviour like roaming and marking territory, and it prevents certain health issues like testicular cancer, urinary infections, and mammary cancers.  But, sterilization is also important from the dog’s point of view. During the reproductive season, a non-sterilized dog will become frustrated, and possibly destructive, without access to dogs of the opposite sex.

Side effects for any surgery are often similar between humans and animals.  There will definitely be some pain involved as there has been a surgery but this usually subsides within a few days and the long term benefits of sterilization warrant the side effects.

This was Cookie after the surgery.  She was totally lifeless…  But after 2 days, she was up and about again, barking at every and any living things.  So much so about the myth that dogs normally go tamer after sterilization.  My Cookie certainly has not…

Golden Anniversary

I don’t exactly know the wedding anniversary date of my in-laws.  But I do know that they are celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year!  Cheng and I are married for 12 years.  Still a long way to go…  We only hope that we could be as loving as them when we it’s our turn.  That would be a great testimony especially for our kids!

Been Sick

Have been falling sick in and out for 3 weeks.  I am not what I used to be… It’s taking longer for the older me to recover from a simple flu and cough.  Hope to blog again sooner…

中“毒”太深，不能自拔

我已中“毒”太深，不能自拔。本来只是一份简单的情人节礼物，竟然让我如此着迷。看完《步步惊心》后，很多感触。不知在什么时候被剧中刻骨铭心的爱深深吸引。发现自己迫不及待的等着续集。于是上网查询资料，下载了《步2》的小说。扣人心弦，现已对它爱不释手。

It is FINISHED!

Finally it’s over!  We have done what we could as parents.  Now we just need to pray and of cos…. wait….

After I lamented on how far behind we were for parent volunteering, doors seemed to open up all of a sudden.  God had heard our prayers!  Within the next few days we received calls from the school administration, accepting both of us for events which helped us clocked up to 42 hours!  There were some parents whom we know only managed to complete less than 10 hours.  We are indeed very blessed. 

Our last job was Mon Feb 13, Sports Heats (High Jump, Long Jump & Shot Put).   It was the most “siong” (most difficult) job.  Not just because we had to be in the sun but for the reason that both Cheng & I were still recovering from a bad flu and cough.  I was still running a fever then.  But for the benefit of our kids… we bite the bullet and carried on.

After 4 long hours… the sweet thoughts of full completion just couldn’t be described… we were found smiling away as we put our final signatures on the school record book.  No longer do I need to panic when a new email arrives in my inbox.

I’ll leave you with some interesting shots I took for the school during my last job.  I especially like the students’ facial expressions.

ArtSense Open House

All thanks to The J Babies, we were given the opportunity to explore some fun at the open house of ArtSense Studio.  After our lunch at coffee club yesterday, the whole lot of us made our way down to Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park.  The place is not so accessible if you don’t drive.  Too bad Jennan was feeling sleepy and grouchy, she didn’t want to have anything to do with the paints and crafts.  Leaving only Dylan having all the fun.

His final art piece… do you know what it is?

Staying Young

This year I am 38.  I don’t run as fast as I used to and my stamina is certainly way below any teenage girl. Really getting older by the minute.  But recently I went for a family dinner and was surprised to meet a manager who look younger than me but can you guess how old is he?

I give you 3 tries…

I did not photoshop this picture.  Merely just touching up the exposure lighting only.  He has a daughter in her 20s.  Believe me I can address him as “uncle”.  Cos he is really that senior.  He is 55.

Wonder how would I look when I am in my 50s?

Great Friends + Great Fruit = Great Fellowship

This post needs no explanation… Durian speaks a thousand words.

Super Stressed About Parent Volunteer

From my earlier post you will know that Cheng and I are doing Parent Volunteering (PV) for Dylan’s primary 1 admission.  In a way it’s also for Jennan.  Cos if Dylan gets in, then we won’t have to worry too much for the little girl.  Last year we started so strongly.  There was a time I was so confident that we could complete the whole 40 hours by end Dec 2011.  Nothing can be further from the truth…  Right now, we barely crossed the half way mark.

Each time a new PV email comes into my PC, I feel like a heart attack coming on for it is the fastest fingers that will win the race.  The parent who responded the quickest to the mail will get the job.  Many times we came in so close… but yet so far.  There was a time when I replied an email within 6 mins but I was not shortlisted.  Man… those housewives were awfully fast!

Like all parents, we will do anything for our kids.  Especially if they look so cute!  So Uncle Francis, you’ve got to buck up!

Steamboat for 人日

CNY is slowly coming to an end.  But celebration doesn’t have to.  This year we tried out a new idea to have steamboat outside the function room of our friends’ condo.  Something different from our usual practice.  As for the kids, it doesn’t matter where we have our dinner.  As long as they have each other, it will always be special.

Hope you had a great “Birthday” (人日) too…

From Black & White to Colour!

Learned this trick from a website.  You can try it on your own too.

Look at the image below.  Stare at the red dot in the middle of the model’s nose for 30 seconds. Then stare at a white wall or screen and blink rapidly!  You should see my lovely girl in colours!  Isn’t it amazing!

Happy CNY!

My parents and sisters have already boarded the plane to China to visit some long distance relatives in Xiamen.  CNY’s visitation this year is already half done before it has even begun.  Still we want to let the kids enjoy a bit of the festive mood on day 1.  Thus we brought them to see their “roots”.  To visit their old but yet very strong and healthy great grandmother.

My Ah Mah was happy to see the little ones

Jennan wasn’t co-operative initially and I had to make her to take this picture.  Which explained why…

I titled this “Life is full of Tears & Joy”

Still a little emo here

Finally she gotten over it and smiled for the camera

We wish you a wonderful LONG year. Everyone HUAT HUAT HUAT!!!

Reunion Dinner

After such an awesome dinner this year, steamboat will never be the same again.  I still cannot get over the dishes!  I am too spoiled.

Spices and Sauces

Live Prawns on Satay Sticks

Try out the U.S. Wagyu Beef

And Now the Japanese Beef!

How about a change, Japanese Black Pork

Delicious Beef Cubes prepared by the Restaurant Manager himself

Lastly, I leave you with our very own Homecooked Alaskan Crab!

My Birthday

It was my birthday yesterday.  After coming back from a crowded Hong Kong, the last thing I wanted to do was to “squeeze” with others over a meal.  Cheng & I decided to have it simple and choose to celebrate a quiet evening at T2 Swensen’s.  Truly, hardly anyone was there on a Wed night.  Nothing fancy but just the company of love ones.

 

My boy is so sweet & thoughtful.  He only found out at the dinner itself that it was my birthday.  As we were on our way home, he said he would like to buy me a present.   With all the shops closed, we went to a 7 eleven store near our place and he picked up this for me.

Potato Chips from my son.  As we walked out, he asked me…

Dylan: Daddy, what time will you come home tomorrow?

Me: Late, cos Daddy has CG on Thu.

Dylan: Then Fri?

Me: Yes, Daddy will be home early.

Dylan: Ok then, I will get you a present… a toy.

Me: I thought you’ve just gotten me a present (referring to the chips)?

Dylan: No.. that one not counted. Chips is for eating. I will get you a toy on Fri.

I looked at him and smiled all the way back home…

HK 2012 – Day 7

Sorry for the wait.  After Disney on Day 7, there was simply no energy left in me to blog or post up the photos.  I choked up 7+GB of space in my memory card just on the wonderland.  Plus the fact that our holiday was coming to an end, thus feeling a little down.  Finally found some time after all the unpacking to put up a few of my favourite pictures of Disney.

You can go to my facebook to view more pictures of DISNEY.