Meeting a famous author!

We went to Parkway Parade MPH today to meet a famous author. I met him about 20 years ago when he came to my school to promote his book "Being Happy!" and "Making Friends".

Yes, we met Andrew Matthews, who was in Singapore to promote his new book "How Life Works". Andrew Matthews is the guy who inspired hubby to write his own cartoon self improvement book "Why Procrastinate" more than 6 years ago.

So besides getting his new book and bringing along all the old books to be autographed, hubby also presented Andrew Matthews with one of his books. ;)

About blogging

In case, you are wondering why there are so many posts in 1 night? Sometimes I don't even write 1 post in 1 month. Lol.

The trigger in a way is because I found out I have ex colleagues still reading my blog. I have lost touch with most of them since I stopped full time work for 4 years plus. So I am surprised some of them are still reading my blog. The fact that her colleague can tell me about the school bag I bought for RA means that she is quite current at reading my blog. (That particular post has 101 hits by the way. Shows that many people do care a hoot for ergonomics school bags. Recently, the ear piercing and the Ballet post broke the record with more than 150 hits. Most of my posts have only about 30 hits. Lol.)

So, while I know nothing about what happened to my ex colleague for the last 4 years, she probably knows every little thing about me, my hb and my kids. But maybe it means that my blog is still worth reading even though we have lost touch with one another. Haha. The problem of a blog is that you really don't know who is reading. Unlike FB, there is not easy for them to leave comments as well. I tried adding a notice board widget but people abuse it. Even with an additional email address filter, people can write rubbish on it. And I have not been able to erase that off. Zzz...

Hb has been asking me to be a full time blog writer. Learn how to make $ from my blog, get sponsorship etc. Learn from Xiaxue, Grace Tan etc. And I know there are a few successful family blogs out there. Cheekiemonkies, the daddy blogger, even went to LEGOLAND and even Australia for free cos they were sponsored. It is tempting, I admit. Having someone else pay for my holidays sounds wonderful esp since I really love to travel.

But now I know for sure that I will not go down that route. No. 1 is because I value the privacy of my family too much. I need to protect my kids as well. Imagine a stranger can walk up to RA and call out their name, and say "I know your name is RA. You study at this school. And your mummy bought a school bag for you last week right? " Even when it happened to me, I felt a bit uneasy. Let alone my gals. Having extra money is good but just not worth it for me. Worse, what if the reader is not my friend, family or ex colleague. What if it is a stranger with ill intents? With details from my blog, he can stalk RA. RA may trust him since he seems to know everything about her and our family.

Yes, I can omit all personal details about my family but it is too tiring to write like that. My gal xxx studies at school xxx and we stay at xxx estate. I probably need to blank off details even from photos I posted. I know I will lose the zeal to write. As it is, I am getting lazy to blog when I get bogged down by work or family commitments. So, I am not going to make it even harder for myself.

Second important reason why I do not want my blog to 发扬光大, is about freedom of expression. Why did that guy got sued by PM for writing libellous things on his blog? I mean your blog should be about your personal thoughts and views right?

If he had said the same things at the coffee shop, he would have been safe unless someone recorded it and put it up at Stomp. But because he wrote about it in his blog, think he even publicised his blog, he got into deep trouble. Not sure if he was looking for fame or notoriety. But he is now offering to compensate PM $5k and that has already been rejected. I really don't know how he is going to get out of this mess.

My take on this is that the more popular your blog is, the more you have to be careful not to write the wrong things, step on other people's toes especially important people or companies with a reputation.

Mine is only a simple family blog. I never intended to make $ from it. That's why I don't even look for sponsorship. I know so stupid.... If I have to think long and hard to filter off all the negative stuff, write like a PR professional (reminds me too much of work, haha), it defeats the purpose of even having a blog. My blog is just an outlet for me to express my thoughts and views be it positive or negative ones. A place to log my kids' growing milestones. Should they be interested to read it one day. Maybe even a resource library for them to refer to when they become parents themselves and need help with parenting in case I am not around to offer advice in person anymore.

My blog is one with simple intentions and so it shall remain as that.

Couple time

The gals have been asking to go Yeye and Nai nai house quite often this year. Maybe because ILs help bring them to school every morning (since I started work 1 hr earlier this year) so their bond is stronger. Anyway, today, they were at ILs house from 2pm till 9+pm so hb and I can have some couple time together.

Went back to Vivo city since I had a $50 Timberland e voucher to use. Bought a pair of boots last weekend for our Perth holiday in 2 weeks time.

Didn't know that it was the Navy open house this weekend. No wonder the carpark was so packed and hb spent a lot of time circling before we got a parking lot.

We tried Poulet for the first time, had our late lunch at 3pm. Then we went shopping separately, lol. We were too full at 6+pm but didn't want to have dinner too late since we still have to go fetch the gals from ILs house. So we went to Serenity Spanish Bar and we had just 2 tapas and 1 dessert. My favourite Grilled calamari in olive oil and we tried the grilled beef with foie gras for the first time. And ordered a white wine strawberry sangria (cocktail).

Food at Serenity is not cheap but the quality is good. We spent $80+ even though we did not have any mains. If they were cheaper, I will love to eat there more often and try the other tapas. But since they are not, it'll just be an occasional treat. My long-awaited Mother's day treat from hubby. Lol.

Parent Volunteer letter from school!

Almost forgot to blog about this though I did post in FB. On friday, we finally received the PV letter that we have fulfilled 60 hours of PV duty. So we can now register RA in phase 2B on 21 July. Last year, the school did not have to ballot for phase 2B so we have a good chance. Phase 2C on the other hand had about 91 applicants so there was a ballot for the 71 seats available.

I took quite a lot of no pay leave in the beginning as I was working a temp job at ex company last year. But all in all, we finished the PV hours quite fast considering that we only started in August and we hit the 60 hrs in just 3 months. All thanks to hubby who burned his Saturdays as PV to organise birthday parties for the students. One of my friends started earlier than us but only reached 60 hrs this year because both she and her hb had problems taking leave from work or volunteering on weekends. The things parents do for our kids...

Peppa Pig

The gals are big fans of Peppa Pig, an UK cartoon. RA stumbled upon it on youtube last year and never grew tired of it. RL became a fan this yr under Cheh Cheh's influence. RL has been bugging us to buy Peppa Pig's toys but they were not available in Singapore. Shipping from Amazon.co.uk costs way too much.

I was almost going to plan a Toy r us stop in our Perth itinerary next month because they do sell Peppa Pig's toys in Australia. Then lo and behold when we walked into Toy R Us at Vivo city, we saw Peppa pig toys. The girls were so thrilled and I was so relieved. Cos no need to especially plan at detour at Toy R Us anymore, and risk boring my mum and aunt and no need to hear my dear brother who is the driver nag too. Yeah!!!



So the doting Daddy bought almost everything on the racks for them. I don't want to come all the way back to Vivo city just to get one of Peppa's friends, he reasoned. Oh well, they really love it and play with the playsets almost everyday so I guess it's worth it.

My only complaint is that they package Peppa into every pack instead of selling a set of all her friends. Guess how many extra Peppa pigs we got. haha.

Ocean animals

RaeAnne showed me this picture she drew. Asked where did she copy from? And she said it was from the white board. Teacher drew and she copied. Looks cute to me. Not sure why there were 2 unnamed animals though. Lol.

17 May

We bought our first property, our current HDB 5 rm flat in Dec 2004. It was the second unit I viewed and I fell in love because it had 2 balconies. I have always been a balcony person. We fulfilled the MOP in 2009 and I have been on a lookout for a second property when I was a real estate agent in 2011.

2 years ago, we almost bought a unit at Citylife EC. Our ballot number then was 100+, really good for a HDB second timer. I was only eyeing only 1 choice unit and it was still available when it was our turn. It was a 4 bedroom and we could give each kid their own room plus a study for hb to store his books/toys. The space was so tempting.

But the deal breaker was being an EC, we MUST sell our HDB unit within 6 months after we collect the keys for the EC in 2016. By 2016, RA is only in P2 and RL is only in P1. Citylife EC is 2-3 bus stops away. If I sell away our HDB flat, the gals will have to take the school bus or I have to take the bus with them early in the morning everyday to get to and from school. They will be only in P2 and P1 so I rather they get more sleep everyday. Also, at my current HDB, I am within walking distance to my mum and my ILs. It was so convenient, how could I bear to sell my HDB? So, I hesitated at the booking counter, and within 10 mins, that choice unit was sold. Pity the property agent who served me then.

RA has been asking us why we don't have a swimming pool at our house downstairs because some of her classmates stay in condos. I always told her must save up if want to buy a condo because it's a lot of money. Ironically, it was only after I left the property business, that we finally saved up to buy a small condo unit without having to selling our HDB.

Not a mean feat considering that I was not working full time for 4 years in the last 10 years. Kudos to hubby who has always been the more thrifty one between the two of us and for clearing off our HDB loan 2 years ago single-handedly so that we qualify for the 80% property loan despite the government's cooling measures.

It is a small unit, only 84 sqm, 3 br on the 8th floor. But the quantum was right for us, less than $1million, it was an area I had been eyeing, and it was a short 5 mins walk to MRT.

The biggest sacrifice I would say is space as my current unit is 119sqm. But by the time it TOP, it will be 2019, the gals will be in P5 and P4 so I am not sure if we will stay there in the end as PSLE is a critical year. But if we do stay there, I know the gals will love the swimming pool and other facilities. So despite having a housing debt all over again, hope this is the right move to grow our assets for our gals.

Eye checks and Weight

School Health Services came to the gals' school last week. They did eye checks, took height and weight.

Both gals do not have 6/6 eyesight, only 6/9.5 ie. Acceptable eye sight. Think it's only a matter of time before they got to wear glasses. Though I am restricting their ipad/youtube time by setting passwords to the devices. They seldom watch tv except DVDs with us during dinner if I cook. :P

RaeAnne
Height: 117.6kg
Weight: 18.7kg
BMI: 10-<25 percentile

RaeLynn
Height: 101.40
Weight:15.7kg
BMI: 50-<75 percentile

The weight difference between RA and RL is only 3kg. No wonder RA is at a low 10 percentile for weight and RL is of median percentile. I think it has got to do with RA dropping milk feeds. Nowadays she only eats a snack for BF usually bread or cup cake and same for before nap. She hates the smell of FM so she doesn't want to drink by cup and too big for the bottle. Fresh milk is too cold straight from fridge while uht packs are convenient and costly in the long run. Looks like we got to find ways to up her milk intake somehow and increase her food portion (she is still taking the same as RL) if we want her to gain some weight.

Doctor for a Day!

Heard of this children's event from my smh mummy friends. It is organised by Parkway hospitals for children aged 5-10 years old and they rotate the venues.

I signed up for RA when I found out about that the next one will be held at Parkway East hospital (old Eastshore hospital) cos it is the only Parkway Hospital nearest to home. I should have signed RL up too but I wasn't sure as she is not quite 5 years old yet. She only turns 5 yrs old in Dec. But I changed my mind and was glad that I did not sign RL up. When I saw kids as young as RL crying when the programme started or running in and out of the room. They are probably too young to focus for 1.5 hrs.

Anyway, RL was quite upset at the beginning of RA's 1250pm session as she can't join in and she won't have her toy stethoscope. She cried loudly at the registration counter and one of the organising ladies was really nice to give her a stethoscope to stop her tears.

RA was having fun wearing a yellow scrub suit and moving from room to room learning about hand hygiene, how to tie a bandage, change a baby's diapers, doing a procedure at operating theatre, etc. The event was very well organised with a photo session as well as a graduation session at the end when each kid was given a goody bag.

What I appreciated most was that there were activities for the kids at Level 1 too: balloon sculpture, beads art activity and photo taking sessions. RL was having fun and that helped with the waiting as RA only finished past 2pm.

Next year, if they have another event at Parkway east, I will definitely sign RL up.

First Ballet Exam for RaeAnne

Today is RaeAnne's first ballet exam. I only took a few hours off work so was really rushing to fetch her by bus from cc to school. I didn't learn ballet when I was young so I did not know that they were quite strict about attire during ballet exams.

No nail polish, earrings or panties are allowed during the exam. Yes, the gals only wear their leotards. I found the 3rd rule a bit weird frankly. But maybe it is unsightly if their panties peeked out of their leotards? Beats me.

Then,the hair must be neatly tied in a bun even for girls with short hair. RA has very short and layered hair so I really don't know how to bun up her hair. Luckily, the teacher said she will help to bun RA's hair and asked us to arrive early at 1230pm.

But when I reached the cc at 1210pm, she was still in the shower because the P forgot to inform RA's teacher that I am picking up early today. By the time, we reached her ballet school, it was already 1250pm. And all her classmates were ready and starting to practise. While RA had not eaten nor bunned her hair yet. Luckily Ms Joy offered her an OCK spring roll immediately so she could eat while Ms Joy bunned her hair.

Ms Joy bunned her hair beautifully, I don't think I would have been able to do it so nicely. Suddenly, RA looked so grown up and graceful. Haha. Then she managed to have 1 last round of practice with her classmates and waited for their turns to go into the exam dance hall.

There were 5 gals going for pre primary exam and it was only group dancing at this level, no individual performances yet. There were only two grades, Good or Excellent for Pre primary. A lot of ballet gals skipped this stage and start straight from Primary level exam. But since RA is still in K2, without the stresses of P1, I wanted to expose her to the ballet exam system and see whether she is really committed to learning ballet.

She did whined about having to practise her dance moves a few months ago during her additional weekly coaching class so I told her I will stop her ballet lessons after this exam if she does not want to continue. After all, she can always learn Chinese dance or other forms of dance in primary school without the need for exams.

But today after her exams, I asked her if she still wants to learn ballet and take ballet exams. She said yes. RA is very shy so I hope performing arts will help to boost her confidence and perform on stage. We will support her as long as she is really interested. So, looks like this won't be her first and last ballet exam yet. Lol.