Chinese painting 中国画

6月学校假期的时候送瀚今去了好几个不同的假期节目。看起来最好的就是中国画的课。画的真是不赖。

Chinese painting by Han Jin during a holiday program. I was very impressed and the teacher responded that the younger the children, the better they perform in arts, and she concurred that I will not be able to paint so well. :)

Legoland Preview

Clearing my backlog after P1 registration. Some pictures on Legoland preview. Looking forward to its opening in Sep to utilise my annual pass.

Property Hunt

Continuing with our property hunting. Made 3 offers till date, but none came through - one I changed mind not to buy, the other the seller changed mind not to sell, the last still in negotiation.

It's actually quite a nice experience to view houses, take a look of the different decoration style, have a chat if the seller is friendly, look at the different landscape, and explore the surroundings.

Here we are at a park in front of our latest favor. Hope this deal comes through.

小一报名 2012 - P1 Phase 2A1

The critical month came. Counting to 19 Jul for phase 2B. Here is the chart from MOE website for the vacancies after phase 2A1. It speaks for itself.

I attended a P1 preparation talk, hosted by Pei Tong Primary and collaborated by 6 other neighbourhood schools.

So what will be my back up plan? Wish me good luck!!!

小一报名要开始了，3年多的义工，搬家。就在这个月的19号。截至上个拜五，我们钟意的学校58%的学额已经满了。到我的阶段，还有再多一个阶段给曾经有哥哥姐姐爸爸妈妈在那个学校上过的。祝我好运！

Home Trip update - 池州

5月22日，到了池州。天气很少有完全放晴的时候，可是无损于这个小城的美丽。

 孩子们最常作的活动就是去附近的游乐场玩耍画图，在楼下的小操场玩，和朋友打麻将？

 家人总是给我们温暖和照顾，有哥哥姐姐玩的瀚今瀚月很开心。

 妈妈和瀚月先离开了，月底要结账。看看妈妈不在的时候，瀚今的幸福时光！

Home Trip update - 上海

5月20日，从新加坡到上海，飞机上瀚今有一张很帅的照片。

见到了久违的大舅，一直在心里揣测为什么一身儒雅谈吐非凡的大舅会一直单身，隐约听说原来也是有过钟意的大学同学。。。一生的遗憾和怀念？

和方龙一家在一起，孩子们一直很羡慕别人有cousin.

上海滩十里洋场的夜景。仿佛有纸醉金迷的舞女低沉的吟唱。The Bund under the moon, recalls its glory in the thirties with all the banks, hotels, clubs and the many movies, songs and novels setting scenes in the Old Shanghai.

 磁悬浮列车。301公里每小时. Maglev @ Shanghai travels 301km/h. Maglev vs. Bullet Train, which one is faster?

再见 - Yin Yin & Qing Qing

Just today, I said goodbye to two friends who are moving for good.

Yin Yin:

A really long term friend whom I know for over a decade, and we had worked in the same hospital in China (though not knowing each other then). She's probably one of my few girl friends who are still keeping contact not mainly for the sake of kid's gathering.

找到了很多年前的一张大头贴，清丽的友人。匆匆别过的时候离愁不是太浓，可是夜深的时候眼角涩涩的。从青葱时代的女友，一路走来，多亏了她对友情的时时维新，让懒惰的我还有自己的朋友。去到很远的US，应当是她随家人落根的地方。

Qing Qing:

Ling Ling's family is migrating to Melbourne. All kids went to play at newly opened Kiddy Fun @ Turf City.

玲玲一家要移民澳大利亚，皓俊是瀚今从小的玩伴和领队。皓清近期也成了瀚今的好朋友。又少了朋友。好像分别的时候，总是留下的人更孤单。

Montesorri

The 2nd day after our return, I sent Han Yue to the Montessori Childcare center at West Coast Recreation Center, which we had visited twice before our home trip.

The center is quite wore out compared to other newer center, but what really impressed me is the attitude of the teachers, towards children, parents, and their co-workers. On my first visit, a teacher (didn't get her name) received me after the admin staff explained about procedures. She spent at least one hour with, showing me around the school, explained the Montessori methods, led me through classes where the teachers are in action. I witnessed how the teachers handling a new crying child, how the teacher ask another colleague to attend to a child who wants to wee while she's hands are full with another child, how each staff acknowledges me and their coworkers.

On our second visit on a Sat, we met the form teacher, Ms Hassena who made the effort to engage Han Yue and introduce her to a classmate.

On the first day Han Yue went to the school, she let go my hands and walked into the room by herself. As there were one HFM case in the school, I was not allowed to accompany but to peep through the window. She was well composed, a little quiet, but followed through with no issue at all.

This is such a drastic comparison against another center in the same price range that I visited 3 times before, and sent her for half a day. The center is brand new with all fancy toys and decos, and is a branch of an established name. But the principal is rather rigid who insist us paying a full month fee even if we joined during the month at her advice as there were HFM outbreak in the early half of the month. Han Yue came back home wet. My maid said that she was crying and nobody attended to her when she fetched her.

So infrastructure vs teachers? I choose teachers, and hopefully the Montessori center doesn't fail me.

Some very blurred picture taken from iPhone from a distanced window. well, the center is old, but teachers are nice.

Home Trip 回家

See, I can quite comfortably term going back my in-laws place, as going home. Over a lunch chat with colleagues, non-Asian cultured are quite surprised that I can address my in-laws as 'Baba, Mama.".

Due to change in maid arrangement, we made multiple changes in home trip tickets. My parents came by to help over the transition, and my family went back to Chi Zhou, my in-law's place only.

Last Trip Summary - May 2011

This Trip Summary - May 2012
- Nice Scenery, nice people;
- Father in law is taking good care of mother in law, and we hired a stay in helper for them;
- Han Jin is still perfectly behaved with 100 marks;
- Han Yue improved remarkably from 60 marks to 90 marks, the only issue is that she sleeps with me after the return, and not sure how to arrange upon Han Jin's return (another 1.5hrs).

More photos to be updated when daddy brings the camera back.



Han Yue participated in a promotional enrichment class, and she followed through.

Mother's day

This year's mother's day passed with celebration with friends. I almost said that there were nothing from the family, but remembered daddy's bird nest, and two cuties' cards.. ;)

Mother's Day and Zi Zhou's 1st Birthday at Wan Ying's. 母亲节庆祝和子洲一岁生日，看朋友的更新照片吧！

We then had dinner at Xi'an restaurant along Clark Quay with Max's family. We strolled along the river, watched the thrilling bouncing tower, took photo in balloon city, and had fun.

updated with the presents from the kids.

Ballet

Han Yue started a Ballet class at Joyful Steps and Rhythms at Sunset Way.

Ms Jaime, the teacher is a very elegant young dancer who has a degree in BA, but has a passion for ballet and a RAD registered teacher. The moves she teaches looks to be more professional than what Han Yue attended before.

The little flaw is that she carries a little air and not really very patient with the children. But overall, her gracious moves and pretty instrument (want, hairband, fairy wings) and formal pink leotard and tutu and ballet shoes won Han Yue's heart, then, there goes mine as well so long as she likes. 

Happy Birthday, Max!

A good friend's birthday, another circle of friends. Happy 6th Birthday, Max!

Sentosa Farewell to Ayi 圣淘沙

In May, there were no post, but there were changes in the family.

* we sent off Ayi Imelda who was with us for 4 years;
* we welcomed to Auntie Mini to the family;
* we went back China to see grandparents, my in-laws;
* Han Yue came back with mummy and started Montessori half day care, and her ballet class;
* my parents came to Singapore to stay;
* we bid farewell to Yin Yin's family and Qing Qing's family;
* Han Jin is coming back 2 hours later with daddy, starting his holiday programme.

This post is about the Sentosa trip we went with Ayi Imelda. Again, my heart-felt thanks to her for taking care of the family and my prayer for her with the new baby and a settled life.

Zoo

Han Jin let me out, in exchange of a song of ‘Calabash Brothers', my childhood memory and one of the few good kids cartoon domestically produced when I was young. I planned to submit the paper for the new maid, but WP on-line is not available after 10pm. So I have the luxury of time now to update the blog.

The quality of the mass production does look to be as good, though. :)

A busy today:
- went to meet the new maid and current employer at Clementi mall at 8am;
- went to zoo with Max's family;
- went to Plaza Singapura for Han Jin's Yamaha, bought a watch for Ayi as the farewell gift, and went to Musee for underarm hair removal. heehee;
- went to meet the maid current employer again to get the signed form;
- went to block 18 to meet and play with our usual cliques..

HJ Level 2 升二级了！

After 3 months' weekly session with APS swimming school, Han Jin passed the level 1 for beginners.

What he can do now:

- swim about 5 meters with a board;
- blow nose bubbles for 10 times, and 10 seconds each time;

Here is his certificate! and a sumptuous home-made dinner at Max's and the pretty mum who cooks well!

DIY Soap 手制肥皂

Participated a RC event to Soap Ministry @ Orchard Central, for soap making workshop with the kids.

Children had fun and made their own soap. Procedure:

1. we cut the goat milk soap base;
2. the staff will cook the soap base to melt into thick liquid;
3. we measure the ingredients, including herbs, essential oil, color, vitamin E etc, and mix the ingredients;
4. when soap base is ready, it was poured into the cup and we have to stir quickly to mix well all the ingredients;
5. pour the semi-liquid into molds;
6. go for a lunch with friends (Renae in the picture with big eyes :);
7. get our hardened soap after lunch

和孩子们一起参加一个手工制作香皂的学习班，据说天然无害，eco-friendly.

 我们的成果，瀚月最爱的粉红色和瀚今最爱的小汽车。

Bowling + New Ayi 保龄球/新阿姨

带孩子们去打保龄球，他们不亦乐乎。重要的是儿童道的两边有护栏，怎样也不会掉到沟里。我就没那么幸运，打的超烂。。。

最近在积极准备孩子要换阿姨的心态，有点担心他们不会适应。所以会告诉他们妈妈去找新阿姨，会带看得上的阿姨再见第二次和孩子们一起，会询问孩子的意见。一段对话：

Mum: Ok, kids, we need to change a new Ayi.
HJ: Ok.
HY: Why?

Mum: Because Ayi need to go home to take care of her own children and her mum.
HJ: .....
HY: Why?

Mum: Because Ayi's mum is sick and she couldn't take care of Ayi's children any more.
HJ: .... (playing his toys)
HY: Why Ayi's mum is sick?

Mum: Ayi's mum is getting old.
HJ: ....
HY: Why?

Mum: While, when people are old, health condition is not very good, and will fall ill easily.
HJ: ....
HY: Why she is old?

Mum: everybody will turn old one day. You will grow up and mummy will grow old.
HJ: ....
HY: (ponders), when I become mummy, you will be old?

Mum: yes, that's right. Would you love mummy when I'm old?
HY: I love you, mummy. I will bring you to playground, and buy you pink camera and hello kitty toys.
HJ: Mummy, I love you. When you are old, I will take you to the zoo and buy you toys. I will buy a Ferrari, and sell it and then I will have a lot of money.

(Realising the conversation is drifting, I started to ask specific question.)

Mum: Ok. Let's talk about the new Ayi. Do you want a pretty or not so pretty Ayi?
Both: Pretty.
Mum: Do you want a tall or a short Ayi?
Both: Tall.
Mum: Do you want the new Ayi to have long hair or short hair.
HY: long hair.
HJ: Never mind la.
Mum: Do you want the new Ayi to be always happy and smiling?
Both: Yes
Mum: Do you want the new Ayi to play with you?
Both: Ok.
Mum: Do you want the new Ayi to read story book to you?
Both: Yes!
Mum: Do you want the new Ayi to cook nice food for you?
HY: Yes!
HJ: Yes, I want chicken rice!
Mum: Do you want hte new Ayi to feed you?
Both: Ok!

Kiddies are geared up right now. So I throw the big question in:
Mum: Do you want a new Ayi?
Both: YES!!
.....
HY: Can I have a new mummy also?

????!!!!!! I'm outrageous. "ARE YOU SURE?"
HY: No No NO.. I want mummy only. (good that you know you made a serious misstatement).

To felt my importance again, I throw the last question:
Mum: Do you want the new Ayi to sleep next to you at night?
HY: I want to sleep with mummy! (felt better...)
HJ: I want to sleep with mummy also! (felt even better... but it's another question on how to arrange the room after both new maid and my parents are here).

That was how I was preparing my kids for the change... what we can draw from the conversation: HY is really at the WHY stage and she can drill you to the last point. HJ has past the stage and becoming a little indifferent sometimes.

We went bowling, and I did badly. My scores are probably worse than HJ's, as there are shields on both sides of the kiddy runway.

another keyboard player 瀚月敲键盘

Look at how Han Yue plays keyboard.... No one taught her before. 没学过钢琴的丫头也弹得是模是样。。。

Maid 保姆

She's been with us for 4 years. When she joined us, there were just Han Jin who attends full day child care. There were grandparents around to help out.

Then there came Mei Mei. Grandparents went back. She takes care both kids, fetching Han Jin from school, with Mei in tow, shine or rain.

There were times that I am not happy about her behavior, attitude or dressing style. But at this time, when she needs to leave the country for good, I just want to say thanks to her for taking care of the children, filling their days when I'm not around.

She probably has spent more time with kids than I did. She was definitely part of their growing story.

However, I wonder, how soon the kids will forgot their Ayi (a very intimate name in Chinese generally means aunt). There will be other aunties later on. It's quite sad for these group of women, coming to a foreign land, taking care of other people's kids, while leaving theirs behind.

Thank you, Imelda. I wish you all the best in the future.

在我家工作4年的保姆突然要回菲律宾，真的打乱了我的一些计划。不想说我怎样取消机票，四处找新保姆，动员我的父母来帮忙。

只想说她在过去4年里照顾孩子，对孩子也是有着相当大的影响。真的帮了我很多忙。是我的孩子童年时期很重要的人之一。以后我们还会有不同的保姆，过久了孩子可能会忘了他们最初的‘阿姨’，这是一种很亲近的叫法，估计以后的保姆不会叫阿姨了。

祝福她一路好早！

工作的意义

西海岸公园都快成我们家后花园了，3个休息日里去了两次。不太热的天气里瀚今和瀚月有玩新的游戏。瀚今可以独自爬上绳索塔，瀚月可以玩小飞狐了。淅淅沥沥的小雨后来下着，坐在麦当劳的椅子里，爸爸去买早餐，孩子们累累蔫蔫的，空气中凉丝丝的带着爸爸刚走开时有点暖暖的呼吸，红瓦屋檐滴答着雨。那一刻，在速食俗世的麦当劳，居然有世外的感觉。

第二天去上班地铁的路上，远远看见路边二楼上一个妈妈在教孩子给过往的行人挥手，上班高峰时间，也许没有人注意，绝对没有人停下来，我就这样前五十米就看着她们，唇角上牵，那个妈妈看到我，一个灿烂的笑，孩子不停对我挥手。我就这样咧着嘴笑开了，一直笑到地铁站。

工作的意义在那里？

- 工资可以供给家人，提高生活水平；
- 工作给人独立感，有助于提升自我满意度；
- 没有人是不可或缺的，所以对大环境影响不大；
- 但总体社会还是需要人们工作，来提高总生产值的。

我一定要工作吗？不可以在家带孩子吗？。。。。。。脆弱的时候的疑问，明天还是会乖乖去上班的。。。