House visitation

For a long time, I have always wanted to visit my cousin, Shermaine's house ever since she moved out from her parent's place to her new home. During this September Holidays was a great time I figured to do just that. So we arranged and I popped by with the kids.

Its set in an old apartment compound, but in close proximity to great food in Siglap. So no complains!


I love the spacious living room where the toys were all over the floor and could even accommodate Danielle in her tricycle riding in it. Amazing!



I truly believe that a house speaks a lot about the owners and from it, I can tell how simple and practical Shermaine is, but yet not denying the children of anything as they seem to have everything that they need- for e.g having a piano, toy sets, computers, children's dining table and chairs etc etc.







And like Shermaine, the place exudes out a lot of character and creativity- from a nice brick wall, to a hand painted Chinese character that means 'family', keeping my great grandfather's Chinese medical hall signboard and repainting it, to making the door of the kitchen a nice drawing board for kids to display their creativity etc etc.




Caleb and Danielle really had a great time there!





And not only that, Danielle had fun trying on many dresses that were either too small for Lulu or that Lulu didnt like.


Thanks Shermaine for inviting me to your house! Loved it! Cant wait to try your cooking next time round! haha!

Last Kampung..

This morning, CT decided to take the family to visit the last surviving kampung (village) in Lorong Buangkok. I have always wanted to visit the place since its rare now in this modern day Singapore.

But before that, we had breakfast at Jalan Kayu.

My kids enjoyed eating the prata! Danielle had 1 and a half!

The Kampung was just few minutes away. Took us a while to finally reach as there wasnt any clear road signs to this secluded area except for this small signboard along a small and narrow road.



It was nice to see how people live so simply. Makes me grateful for what I have and assured me that even if I didnt have lots of money, I would still be able to survive in this country.




During our walk, I asked Caleb if he wanted to stay here and he immediately said no without much thought. The reason he gave was that the place is dirty and muddy.



Oh well..Caleb doesnt like to be dirty as mentioned by his teacher as well. His teacher, Susan commented to me before that Caleb would kick up a big fuss if he dirties his clothes while eating. Quite surprised because I thought kids love to get themselves all dirty and sweaty.

Anyway, during our walk, we managed to see some interesting sights like fruits and flowers




many ants everywhere. There were a few that went to my feet and bit me as well.



And birds in the open that you seldom see except maybe in Jurong Bird Park.



We all had a wonderful time opening our eyes to see another side of Singapore- a quaint little village whose fate is still uncertain.

Early birthday celebration

Celebrated my dad's birthday early this year as the restaurant was fully booked during that week and the week before. So we ended up celebrating 2 weeks in advance.

Went to Grand Shanghai Restaurant (it has been now my family's favourite haunt) for the celebration. Invited my relatives as well. So we sat in two tables. My parents love the place for its delicious food and ambience.


My dad's birthday is on the same day as my Pak Leong (Father's Brother's Wife) and my Gu Ma's (Father's Sister) birthday is also on the same month, just few days ago. So it was an all-in-one celebration!



I enjoy the live band and singing as its a flash back to the old times with soothing music. Great entertainment for the kids as well. So, it makes them sit still for quite a while!

This is a picture taken by Caleb


After a while, the kids got restless towards the end of dinner, just before dessert. So they went out for a walk along the Singapore River.


Had a great time. Definitely a more relaxing place than our usual Por Kee Restaurant which we go to every Chinese New Year but of course, way more expensive too! ;)

CT's colleagues

My hubby has been a chemical engineer after graduation and the life of a chemical engineer usually ends up either in Tuas or Jurong Island (the other side of Singapore). It's not an ideal location that most people would look forward to go to work in because it's not only far for CT to travel, but it's not convenient to get food there.

Anyway, after changing jobs a few times already (by the way, they were all in Jurong Island), he had finally joined a company called Afton Chemicals that is based next to Somerset MRT! How big a contrast is that- from Jurong Island to Orchard Road? However, he still needs to go to Jurong Island most of the time but at least, he drops by at his office once in a while which I feel is a good breather from the smelling of fumes and 'ulu-ness' of Jurong Island.

Anyway, CT's colleagues from America (Hans, Chente and wife-Taiwanese who migrated to US) have been coming to Singapore to work and so we hosted them for an afternoon lunch at my parent's place.



I wanted to let them taste home cooked food in Singapore, instead of the usual restaurants they go to in Orchard.



I knew my mum would play a good host to them as she really has a gift of hospitality.

After a wonderful lunch, my mum actually served 9 different kinds of fruits for them to try.



There were snow lotus fruit (texture is like lotus root but its very thirst quenching. Taste a little like water chestnut), papaya, mango, pomelo, dragon fruit, longans, duku langsat, durian and mangosteen. What a spread!

And lastly, mooncakes with lily flower tea.


Could tell that everyone enjoyed the food!


At night, CT and I went to his American's friend's house. They have been staying in Singapore for quite a while already and they are actually from Texas. So they invited us over for a Texas BBQ session. How could I reject? Love American BBQ!

One amazing thing about this American guy is that he actually purchased a world class Gemini brand BBQ pit, and a smoker pit for cooking smoked food. He bought that from US and got it shipped to Singapore. He said that he went to Tanglin and saw the same BBQ pit for $3000 while he bought it in US for US$600 and after shipping, think he amounted to US$1000. So that was why he got it shipped over from US.


And probably typical American BBQ, there would be lots of drinks!


Frankly speaking, I am not a big fan of BBQ ribs. Reason is because I do not really like the smoked flavour of it plus the BBQ sauce which ends up overpowering the actual taste of the meat. And most of the time, the meat can be dry and there isnt much meat in the ribs. But I have to tell you that tonight, I had the best smoked pork ribs IN MY LIFE!! It was so meaty, tender and juicy. The smoker pit which he bought was really worth it!

There was also smoked beef brisket which was so tender and tasty, mashed potatoes which was absolutely delicious, black eyed peas, salad, BBQ chicken-super tasty, corn which was extra large in size and BBQ jalapeno with mozerella cheese and bacon! It's so good!!!



Here's what I had..(on my plate)



After dinner, the Americans all stayed back to play Texas Hold 'Em while CT and I drove some of his colleagues back to the hotel.

One of my wish is definitely to organise my own BBQ session with the kind of comfort food I love in a BBQ. Here's what I would have...

1) Mashed Potatoes with Egg
2) Garden Salad
3) Jalapeno with Cheese and Bacon
4) Steak
5) BBQ Chicken
6) Chilli Beans
7) Corn

Yep, that would be it. Love to keep it simple and straightforward.

Cant wait for my own BBQ pit..

Love the water

Many of my friends and family have asked me if I was going to send my children for swimming lessons at an early age just like what my mum did to me when I was young. Well, in my heart, I do wish to just jump into the kiasu-syndrome bandwagon and be like any Singaporean parent to sign their kids up for many classes so that my kids can be good in many things at an early age.

However, I am mindful that this will kill their interest at an early age as well and grow up hating the things they do such that eventually, they won't be happy and will not be good at it.

Even though I started swimming at 3 years old and taking part in competitions at about 5-6 years old, in people's eyes, I was good. But not many knew that I hated it. I dragged my feet each time I went to the pool. I tried to feign illness and get away from all those miserable trainings at 530am and 4pm. I was very unhappy. Its true that all those made me a very mentally strong person now and has made me more disciplined but because of that, I wasn't able to do as well as most of my peers like Joscelin who seemed to enjoy what they do and these people started swimming at a later age.


Anyway, for now, I am fine letting my children play with the water and allow them to increase their confidence in it first before thinking of the next step.

still undergoing construction

Made a trip to Punggol Beach today as it has been quite a while since we last came here. I was curious to see the progress of the 'makeover'. Well, it still look bare and pathetic.



More parts of the beach were being cordoned off for the construction. So think its all for the better.



Really can't wait for this place to be ready. Just hope that the food along this beach wont be ridiculously priced and end up a dead place.

Trip to the fire station

Caleb loves anything to do with modes of transportation, or rather, things that can move and has wheels. So one of the vehicles he likes is the fire engine.

So today, CT suggested bringing the whole family out for a field trip to the fire station. The station is open to public every Saturday morning at 9am. So we found one near our house and decided to go let the kids have some fun there. There was more fun than expected as the kids got to go on board any vehicles they catch their eyes on.


It's how interesting to see Danielle taking control of the wheel instead of Caleb.


Even when we go out with the children, Danielle would want to sit with Daddy right in front, on his lap when we just entered the car so that she could play with the steering wheel. Danielle reminds me so much of myself when I was young.

There was a guided tour by the fireman himself to explain to us about the things in the fire engines and the processes they take when there is an emergency..etc.



There's Caleb clinging on to the ladder at the back of the fire engine.



I am sure at the very present moment, his aspiration is to be a fireman.



CT and I also had fun taking turns to play with the fire hose as we helped water the plants from afar and the building.Ha!

Initially Caleb didn't dare to use the hose to spray but eventually after seeing another kid do it, he decided that it was probably safe and fun to. So here's Caleb at it!


After that, we took the sky lift in the fire engine all the way up to many stories high.


Danielle and Vicky didn't come along as Vicky was scared to.

I was pleased with how Caleb wanted to go up the sky lift and how he didn't fuss at all when the fireman placed the helmet and safety harness on him.



Caleb looked really cute in the helmet as his head is so small as compared to the helmet.


From on top, it was a nice view and breeze and I saw Danielle with one of the firemen spraying the hose.


It was so much fun! After getting down from the sky lift, Caleb spotted an ambulance that just entered the station and immediately, he hopped into it.



Before we ended our tour in the station, they brought us to the control station to take a look.

It was a very enjoyable time and for the next few days, Caleb would surely be talking about it!

Best Teacher's Day gift so far..

I graduated from National Institute of Education (NIE) in 2003 and started teaching in 2004. Took one year no pay leave in 2005. So I have been teaching for almost 6 years. To me, I think I still have a long career ahead of me and so 6 years is still considered very short but I do feel that I have been teaching for a very long time already.

Anyway, as Teacher's Day is coming, I received an invitation from Singapore Poly to attend a Teacher's Day Celebration there as one of my ex-student, Wei Jun dedicated a poem to me. I was touched. I told myself, "I had to attend this no matter what it takes because I would like to appreciate him for the effort he has made to write a poem about me."

So anyway, went there and was warmly greeted by Wei Jun as he stood at the entrance waiting patiently for me. Met up with another of my ex-student, Steven as he happened to be in school and wanted to catch up with me.



It was nice catching up with my ex-students and knowing that they are doing well in their tertiary education. I never once believed that my time with them ends when they leave Secondary School as I would love for them to know that I will always be their teacher and mentor for life and can always turn to me if they face any problems. So I do hope they can continue to share their joys and sorrows with me.

Anyway, back to the celebration...

It was a simple but yet meaningful celebration with musical performances, video clips and reading of poems to individual teachers. I was touched when Wei Jun appeared in the video clip and expressing his gratitude to me for teaching him. I could definitely feel his sincerity. He even went up in front to read out his poem to me. I did cry in my heart as I was simply touched.

After the whole event, we talked more and he also introduced me to his present Mathematics teacher in SP as well as the Director of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering as Wei Jun is from that faculty. Everyone was so thankful of how pleasant Wei Jun is and I, too have witnessed how much Wei Jun has grown as a person, as a fine young gentleman if I would say.

Wei Jun, I am really very proud of you and do wish that you will continue to put your heart and soul in everything that you undertake so that you can inspire and touch the people around you. Thanks for inviting me over to Singapore Poly and making this Teacher's Day so memorable and meaningful for me.

My Beacon of Hope
A caring teacher, a loving mother
Full of grace, and filled with passion
A lady who taught me mathematics
And promised me many ticks

But I didn’t get that many ticks
Crosses were what I had got
Crosses which made me practise real hard
So that I wouldn’t get a GCE red card

Civics and Moral Education she taught too
Nevertheless enjoyable and impactful
Experiences she shared, stories she told
Blessings she unfolded, encouragement she gave

What I like most about
Was her constant saying: Perseverance
In God she believe
In God she preached

So I did like she said
And held on to my faith
I learned to count
And I got my A’s alright

But who shall this Beacon of Hope be?
She is my teacher, Mrs Dawn Goh

Seng Wei Jun
DARE/FT/2A/04