Seagulls in the sky...
an olive tree bursting with fruit...
a cobweb with 6 or 7 dozen spiderlings...
and a beautiful sunset.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
If you look, you might see
Wish I could have pointed these out to you...
Total Darkness
Read somewhere that if you don't get 6 hours undisturbed sleep in total darkness, you start producing cancerous cells. Eh, I neither recall sleeping in total darkness nor getting through 6 hours of sleep without being disturbed for a long long long long time now. So how arh?
Which reminds me of my last trip. On the leg from Frankfurt back to Singapore, dead tired from not too much sleep in not too much darkness, I sat next to this University Professor from I forgot where. He had quite a heavy breath which, could be why he was interested in what he was doing - researching bacteria in the mouth! Hahahhaa!! Anyway, he was interested in bacteria that create antibodies to fight off other bacteria which means that these bacteria actually protect us from those other bacteria as well. Interesting. Now, does that mean that I shouldn't brush my teeth daily?
Talking about dental habits...recently attended a seminar hosted by one of top research companies and they had a pop quiz that goes like this:
" 70% of the population in this nation brush their teeth once a day "
(A) China
(B) America
Answer: (B)
I did my own quick research and it's TRUE. 34% of Americans have gone one to three days without brushing their teeth!
Currently, your dental habits are horrendous! You don't brush your teeth daily and if and when you do brush, you prefer brushing the sink, pouring away the water in the cup or drinking what you should have spat out.
Which reminds me of my last trip. On the leg from Frankfurt back to Singapore, dead tired from not too much sleep in not too much darkness, I sat next to this University Professor from I forgot where. He had quite a heavy breath which, could be why he was interested in what he was doing - researching bacteria in the mouth! Hahahhaa!! Anyway, he was interested in bacteria that create antibodies to fight off other bacteria which means that these bacteria actually protect us from those other bacteria as well. Interesting. Now, does that mean that I shouldn't brush my teeth daily?
Talking about dental habits...recently attended a seminar hosted by one of top research companies and they had a pop quiz that goes like this:
" 70% of the population in this nation brush their teeth once a day "
(A) China
(B) America
Answer: (B)
I did my own quick research and it's TRUE. 34% of Americans have gone one to three days without brushing their teeth!
Currently, your dental habits are horrendous! You don't brush your teeth daily and if and when you do brush, you prefer brushing the sink, pouring away the water in the cup or drinking what you should have spat out.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Hello from Perth
Here's what I do for work.
Start the day with brioche french toast with butterscotch baked apples & mushrooms for breakfast,
visit 'The Swan Bells',
make a trip to Fremantle with some friends for a fish&chips lunch at a place called Cicerello's &
travel around in a Limo. Hahhaa...right! This last bit is not true. This was just one of the props in the set for my shoot here in Perth.
Start the day with brioche french toast with butterscotch baked apples & mushrooms for breakfast, 
visit 'The Swan Bells', 
make a trip to Fremantle with some friends for a fish&chips lunch at a place called Cicerello's & 
travel around in a Limo. Hahhaa...right! This last bit is not true. This was just one of the props in the set for my shoot here in Perth.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Tickled...
Found these pictures on my phone. One of your 7 girlfriends who came over on Sunday must have been playing with it and you must have been happily posing and smiling for the camera / her.
Am still tickled over what I saw on Saturday. We had some colleagues over for BBQ and there were 3 very pretty ladies. Saw you point to your right cheek, indicating that you wanted to be kissed on that spot from one of them - She did. I have never seen you do such a thing before so it was pretty amusing, albeit a little shocking. Aunty Sparkles told me later that you held on to the skirt of the other lady when we moved everybody back to our apartment - She didn't mind it at all. Hmm...you know you can really get away with quite a bit when you are 2.5 years old don't you?
Friday, February 23, 2007
Big deal
Went out and bought you 3 pairs of socks, 2 T-shirts, 1 short-sleeve shirt, 5 books, a bag of white nectarines and a plug & play video game console.
Something to wear, something to read, something to eat and something to play with. Not a bad deal for going to school yah?
Your Papa's looking at me with one raised eyebrow. He must be wondering... what's the big deal about starting school. Hmm... I wonder if he cried when he started school. He says he doesn't remember. I bet you he did! (",)
Something to wear, something to read, something to eat and something to play with. Not a bad deal for going to school yah?
Your Papa's looking at me with one raised eyebrow. He must be wondering... what's the big deal about starting school. Hmm... I wonder if he cried when he started school. He says he doesn't remember. I bet you he did! (",)
Thursday, February 22, 2007
1st Day At School
7:30 *Giggles in Dreamland* I don't look like I'm exactly excited by the prospect of going to school huh? 7:45 Mummy woke me up 8:00 Off we go to school 8:10 Hello school! 8:15 Sponge painting exercise. 8:30 Breakfast - 2 slices of Pandan Cake and a drink 9:00 Outdoor water play with Teacher Lui 9:15 Mummy leaves 10:35 Mummy comes back with my water bottle and takes a peep. I'm seated on Teacher Irene's lap. Mummy's told I was crying earlier. Mummy can see the tear streaks running down my cheeks. Her heart aches. 10:55 It's almost lunch time. Mummy takes off again 12:30 Mummy picks me up. Teacher Irene told Mummy I fussed only that one time, ate 2 bowls of Macaroni for lunch, learnt about the letter "F" and made a flower today.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Enrolled
You'd start school tomorrow! Pretty excited on your behalf - my little boy, who now stands taller than me when I'm seated on the floor, is going to start school tomorrow!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Irresponsible Blogging
Sorry friends, forgot to report that the son is much better now. He coughs still and we, or rather my parents, are watching him closely.
On a phone conversation with him earlier...
BY: Mummy, where is Papa?
Me: Papa is sleeping.
BY: Where?
Me: Papa is sleeping on the mattress.
BY: Where?
Me: Papa is sleeping on the mattress in our new house.
BY: Not upstairs? Not downstairs?
Me: No. In the rubbish bin!!
BY: *Giggles* NO!!!!!!!!!!
>>>Eh? He catches the joke?
BY: Papa is in the water bottle!!!!
Me: *my turn to laugh* No lah, Papa tooooooooo big, cannot fit into your water bottle!
BY: Yes!!! Water Bottle!!!!!!!!!!!!*Giggles*
*HaHHaaaaaaaHaaa*
>>>Your Papa, sometimes our Genie in a bottle. True.
On a phone conversation with him earlier...
BY: Mummy, where is Papa?
Me: Papa is sleeping.
BY: Where?
Me: Papa is sleeping on the mattress.
BY: Where?
Me: Papa is sleeping on the mattress in our new house.
BY: Not upstairs? Not downstairs?
Me: No. In the rubbish bin!!
BY: *Giggles* NO!!!!!!!!!!
>>>Eh? He catches the joke?
BY: Papa is in the water bottle!!!!
Me: *my turn to laugh* No lah, Papa tooooooooo big, cannot fit into your water bottle!
BY: Yes!!! Water Bottle!!!!!!!!!!!!*Giggles*
*HaHHaaaaaaaHaaa*
>>>Your Papa, sometimes our Genie in a bottle. True.
Shifting Sands
Had a strange dream yesterday. It's strange because I'm no longer a student anymore but still getting these type of dreams?
>>>I'm sitting for an exam. Most likely my 'O'levels. Not prepared. Not surprisingly. Anyway, so I walk in, sit down and started solving the problems in the Math paper. Question No.2 - I couldn't see the numbers properly. They were tiny and had a lenticular effect - the numbers changes depending on which way you look at it. So can you imagine? Calculating the volume of an object with constantly changing variables? I raised my hand to ask the invigilator to help me out. Asked him if he could see the numbers. He comes back saying, "You lied!" I was so bewildered by his outburst. He pointed to this scribble I had on the top of the page and said that I already knew the numbers. I was like "If I already knew, why would I ask you?" To make things more difficult, everytime my hands so much as brush over what I've written, it falls away like dust into nothingless. So here I am trying your best to work my answers out but it just keeps falling apart and disappearing!
When I think about this dream now. I see it telling me that I have no control over what is happening in this one particular part of my life right now, regardless of how much effort I put in.
How do you achieve your goals when events in other theaters influence your ability to maintain any semblance of a plan?
>>>I'm sitting for an exam. Most likely my 'O'levels. Not prepared. Not surprisingly. Anyway, so I walk in, sit down and started solving the problems in the Math paper. Question No.2 - I couldn't see the numbers properly. They were tiny and had a lenticular effect - the numbers changes depending on which way you look at it. So can you imagine? Calculating the volume of an object with constantly changing variables? I raised my hand to ask the invigilator to help me out. Asked him if he could see the numbers. He comes back saying, "You lied!" I was so bewildered by his outburst. He pointed to this scribble I had on the top of the page and said that I already knew the numbers. I was like "If I already knew, why would I ask you?" To make things more difficult, everytime my hands so much as brush over what I've written, it falls away like dust into nothingless. So here I am trying your best to work my answers out but it just keeps falling apart and disappearing!
When I think about this dream now. I see it telling me that I have no control over what is happening in this one particular part of my life right now, regardless of how much effort I put in.
How do you achieve your goals when events in other theaters influence your ability to maintain any semblance of a plan?
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Frustrated
Haven't seen you since yesterday morning after we packed you off to Ah Marh's house. Mummy's down with a horrible flu & cough combi. Literally coughing blood. Papa's having a fever too. It's terrible!!! 2 episodes of merry-go-round viruses in the family in 6 weeks! ANGRY!!! DIE DIE DIE YOU FREAKING SUBMICROSCOPIC PARASITES!!!
Monday, February 12, 2007
Shoots
Things we do to keep the toddler occupied
(A) Plant a garlic which has already sprouted. Found a small tray, gave you some cotton balls to place inside the tray and some water from the tap. Doubt the garlic will grow very well given that you prefer pulling it by the shoots. Entertainment value - 15 minutes
(B) Made a badge with your name on it. Was given one during a seminar recently - one of those name card holders. So, I wrote your name on the reverse side of my name card, drew a penguin, a chair, a sofa, a wall (this last request was a tough one) and slip it back into the holder. Bingo, your very own badge, which you wore for like only 2 minutes.
(C) Downloaded Thomas the tank engine episodes from youtube...Heheh, this one kept you occupied for more than half an hour.
Hmm... I should dump you in a playschool soon.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Growing up conversations
(Part I)
/YY, who do you want to be when you grow up?
/Huh?
/Do you want to be Papa?
/Huh?
/Or Ah Gong?... Or Gu-Gu?
/*thinking face*...Papa and Mummy!
(".) aw
(Part II)
/YY, you want to be a Papa when you grow up?
/Yes
/How many babies do you want?
/One and one and one
/Ok ok! Enough enough!!
/YY, who do you want to be when you grow up?
/Huh?
/Do you want to be Papa?
/Huh?
/Or Ah Gong?... Or Gu-Gu?
/*thinking face*...Papa and Mummy!
(".) aw
(Part II)
/YY, you want to be a Papa when you grow up?
/Yes
/How many babies do you want?
/One and one and one
/Ok ok! Enough enough!!
Friday, February 09, 2007
How many mistakes am I allowed to make...
...as a parent? It seems so innocent to let you play in the water yesterday. You enjoyed it so much. It was noon, the sun was high up in the clear blue sky and you didn't shiver in the water. You even tried swimming, paddling so adorably with those silly uncoordinated strokes.
This morning, I woke up to find a boy with a raging fever. One whose temperature refuse to go below 39 degrees until at last resort, I used Voltaren. A superactive boy whose main activity is to buzz around the house and talk non-stop, is suddenly reduced into a baby-like state - dozing off quietly in your arms every now and then and staring into space. It's scary!
This morning, I woke up to find a boy with a raging fever. One whose temperature refuse to go below 39 degrees until at last resort, I used Voltaren. A superactive boy whose main activity is to buzz around the house and talk non-stop, is suddenly reduced into a baby-like state - dozing off quietly in your arms every now and then and staring into space. It's scary!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Fish & Eat
You see fish swimming in the water
You see fish in the market
You see fish in your porridge
Questions: At which point do you reconcile the fact that the dead fish you have in your porridge was once alive and swimming in the water? At which point do you start feeling for the dead fish in your mouth which was once alive?
You see fish in the market
You see fish in your porridge
Questions: At which point do you reconcile the fact that the dead fish you have in your porridge was once alive and swimming in the water? At which point do you start feeling for the dead fish in your mouth which was once alive?
Crazy prices
Received this SMS from a property agent: Beaufort on Nassim, within Good Class Bungalow area, 30 units with facility, pte lift, basement carpark, est TOP 2nd half 2008, 2 bdrm 1238 - 1496 sqft. 2+1 penthouse 2153 sqft. 3bdrm 1755-2174 sqft. 3+1 ground floor 2260-3584 sqft. 3+1 penthouse 3186-3681 sqft. Please contact me for appointment, thx.
I replied: How much for a 2bdrm?
The response: About $4.2m (list price)
*JAW DROP*
Just imagine. How much space you need for your toilet bowl. 4 sqft? @$3k/sqft, that's $12K for that toilet bowl! And if you have a maid, she will have to sleep standing up. Just hang her on a hook behind the store, unless you are generous enough to provide a 5X2ft ~ $30k bunk bed space.
I replied: How much for a 2bdrm?
The response: About $4.2m (list price)
*JAW DROP*
Just imagine. How much space you need for your toilet bowl. 4 sqft? @$3k/sqft, that's $12K for that toilet bowl! And if you have a maid, she will have to sleep standing up. Just hang her on a hook behind the store, unless you are generous enough to provide a 5X2ft ~ $30k bunk bed space.
Friday, February 02, 2007
A day off
Took a day off yesterday. Felt like I've spent very little time with you recently.
You ended up having to endure Mummy's barbering with kitchen scissors during bath time but was rewarded with a trip to the beach and a new SIKU snowmobile. Hahha! A snowmobile on the sandy beaches of warm sunny Singapore. What were we thinking? 
...welcoming baby Denise to your world. Hmm... it's not so long ago you were that tiny too!
...and getting your feet wet in a man-made stream.
You ended up having to endure Mummy's barbering with kitchen scissors during bath time but was rewarded with a trip to the beach and a new SIKU snowmobile. Hahha! A snowmobile on the sandy beaches of warm sunny Singapore. What were we thinking? 
...welcoming baby Denise to your world. Hmm... it's not so long ago you were that tiny too!
...and getting your feet wet in a man-made stream. 
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
It's going to be minus 20 tomorrow
Am happy to leave this place later. It's going to be even colder tomorrow! What a looooooooong day. Wednesday. 13 hour flight to Frankfurt. 2 hours layover. 2.5 hours delay. 2.5 hours flight to Helsinki. 4 hours sleep. 1.2 hour flight to Kuusamo. 3 hour meeting. Snowing! 20km on the snowmobile. Drank christmas tree juice. Knocked out for about 20mins, sleeping on reindeer rugs halfway through dinner. Finnish Karaoke. More drinks. Crashed into bed. Slept 6 hours. Friday. Awake & blogging.5:23pm(+2GMT)/11:23(+8GMT)
Snippet: He's sleeping, whilst holding on to the rubbish bin - the miniature replica used as a pen holder by Gu-gu.
Saturday 1:05am (+2GMT)
Flight out of Kuusamo was delayed because of this snowstorm in Helsinki... arrived in Helsinki to see everything's covered in snow. It's really quite pretty.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Redeemed
Called my creditors today...
Me: I got many questions regarding my bill statement.
Creditor: Alright, how may I assist you?
(1) Me: Ehh, I paid my bill via cheque but accidentally put '06 instead of '07. Can you reverse the late charges for both credit cards? $45 X 2? I've already sent in a new cheque.
Creditor: Yes, okay, we see that you have sent in a new cheque. Yes, we can reverse the charge on one card but you haven't made payment for your *** card.
Me: Huh? I sent in 1 cheque to pay for both cards. That's what I do everytime.
Creditor: Yes, 1 cheque is correct. But did you write both card numbers down on the back?
Me: Eh????????? aaaaaaaa......maybe not.
Creditor: Okay, do you want me to transfer $X as payment to the other card?
Me: Yes please!!!
Creditor: Okay. Done.
Me: Eh...Are you going to reverse the late charge for the other card?
Creditor: Yes.
*Phew!*
(2) Me: Eh, 2nd question. There's an Annual Fee charge of $150 for the *** card.
Creditor: Yes. What will you like me to do?
Me: Eh, can you waive that?
Creditor: Let me see....*Pause* I can see there are a lot of transactions for this card so yes, we can waive your annual fee charges.
Me: Thank you!!! So I can minus $150 off the bill?
Creditor: Yes. Minus off $150 and $7.50 GST.
Me: Oh. Right. Fantastic.
Creditor: And you have another query?
(3) Me: Yes. What happened to my points? Why did they disappear?
Creditor: ...they expired 31st Dec 2006.
Me: What? Expired? I didn't notice that. Eh...How? Can you put them back? (can almost hear him laugh!)
Creditor: (Controlling his laughter) Do you have anything in mind you want to redeem now?
Me: Eh no, not now but I can go look!
Creditor: Okay. Here's what I can do. I can put your points on hold but you must redeem them by the end of this month by calling this number again.
Me: Okay! I will do just that! *I love this guy!*
Creditor: Right. Do you have a another question?
Me: No. No more questions. Thank you very much!
Creditor: You're welcomed.
2 hours later......
Redeemed. 2 adult tickets to Underwater World & Dolphin Lagoon & 2 adult tickets for DUCKtours. I checked. Kids under 3, free admission.
Me: I got many questions regarding my bill statement.
Creditor: Alright, how may I assist you?
(1) Me: Ehh, I paid my bill via cheque but accidentally put '06 instead of '07. Can you reverse the late charges for both credit cards? $45 X 2? I've already sent in a new cheque.
Creditor: Yes, okay, we see that you have sent in a new cheque. Yes, we can reverse the charge on one card but you haven't made payment for your *** card.
Me: Huh? I sent in 1 cheque to pay for both cards. That's what I do everytime.
Creditor: Yes, 1 cheque is correct. But did you write both card numbers down on the back?
Me: Eh????????? aaaaaaaa......maybe not.
Creditor: Okay, do you want me to transfer $X as payment to the other card?
Me: Yes please!!!
Creditor: Okay. Done.
Me: Eh...Are you going to reverse the late charge for the other card?
Creditor: Yes.
*Phew!*
(2) Me: Eh, 2nd question. There's an Annual Fee charge of $150 for the *** card.
Creditor: Yes. What will you like me to do?
Me: Eh, can you waive that?
Creditor: Let me see....*Pause* I can see there are a lot of transactions for this card so yes, we can waive your annual fee charges.
Me: Thank you!!! So I can minus $150 off the bill?
Creditor: Yes. Minus off $150 and $7.50 GST.
Me: Oh. Right. Fantastic.
Creditor: And you have another query?
(3) Me: Yes. What happened to my points? Why did they disappear?
Creditor: ...they expired 31st Dec 2006.
Me: What? Expired? I didn't notice that. Eh...How? Can you put them back? (can almost hear him laugh!)
Creditor: (Controlling his laughter) Do you have anything in mind you want to redeem now?
Me: Eh no, not now but I can go look!
Creditor: Okay. Here's what I can do. I can put your points on hold but you must redeem them by the end of this month by calling this number again.
Me: Okay! I will do just that! *I love this guy!*
Creditor: Right. Do you have a another question?
Me: No. No more questions. Thank you very much!
Creditor: You're welcomed.
2 hours later......
Redeemed. 2 adult tickets to Underwater World & Dolphin Lagoon & 2 adult tickets for DUCKtours. I checked. Kids under 3, free admission.
Snippets of the little snippet
snip·pet
(1) A bit, scrap, or morsel
(2) A small or mischievous person.
I get these little anecdotes of what happened during the day on a daily basis from your grandparents. Here are today's highlights...
Ah Mah: Ni de er zhi gan cai suar ba xi! (Your son was performing acrobatics just now)/ Me: Hahhaa...ta zhuo shi mo ba xi? (What acrobatics did he do?) ===>Apparently, you pushed the chair right up to the edge of the split level dining area and sat on it. Another 1/8 of an inch and the chair would have tumbled down the stairs with you on it.
Ah Gong: He kept asking me to bring him to the zoo today. I tell him "No car, cannot go". He tells me to "Walk!". I tell him "Too far away, cannot walk!", he points to his tricycle and asks me to use that...and he's very chok giat. (cheeky) There was an aeroplane in the sky and he said, "Bird!" I told him, "No, it's an aeroplane". He said, "No! Bird!" I said, "No, It's an aeroplane!" but he insisted, "NO, BIRD!" So ok, I said "Bird" and guess what your son said?... "No! Aeroplane!"
(1) A bit, scrap, or morsel
(2) A small or mischievous person.
I get these little anecdotes of what happened during the day on a daily basis from your grandparents. Here are today's highlights...
Ah Mah: Ni de er zhi gan cai suar ba xi! (Your son was performing acrobatics just now)/ Me: Hahhaa...ta zhuo shi mo ba xi? (What acrobatics did he do?) ===>Apparently, you pushed the chair right up to the edge of the split level dining area and sat on it. Another 1/8 of an inch and the chair would have tumbled down the stairs with you on it.
Ah Gong: He kept asking me to bring him to the zoo today. I tell him "No car, cannot go". He tells me to "Walk!". I tell him "Too far away, cannot walk!", he points to his tricycle and asks me to use that...and he's very chok giat. (cheeky) There was an aeroplane in the sky and he said, "Bird!" I told him, "No, it's an aeroplane". He said, "No! Bird!" I said, "No, It's an aeroplane!" but he insisted, "NO, BIRD!" So ok, I said "Bird" and guess what your son said?... "No! Aeroplane!"
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Master Contractor
Me: Do you like this new house?
YY: Yes
Me: Do you like the old house?
YY: Yes
Me: Do you like this new house or the old house?
YY: New house...and old house!
Me: Papa, I asked your son whether he like the new house or the old house, he told me, "New house and old house".
PP: ....did he really say that?
Me: Of course! Why would I make it up?
The next day...(obviously he was still thinking about it)
PP: Eh, Mummy, your son very diplomatic leh.
Me: (clearly no idea the conversation from yesterday was still open) HuH? What do you mean?
PP: He can say "New house and old house"
Me: Orh! Hhahaaaaaha
Saturday, January 20, 2007
An official response from Coca-Cola
Just for fun, I wrote to Coca-Cola, warning them about the hoax. This is their response...
Dear Carrie
A series of hoax e-mails have been circulating which falsely claim that the recipient has been selected for a cash prize. This story is not true. It is not from The Coca-Cola Company, and we encourage you to ignore any messages regarding this hoax.
Kind regards
Coca-Cola Great Britain Press Office
Dear Carrie
A series of hoax e-mails have been circulating which falsely claim that the recipient has been selected for a cash prize. This story is not true. It is not from The Coca-Cola Company, and we encourage you to ignore any messages regarding this hoax.
Kind regards
Coca-Cola Great Britain Press Office
Pre-school
Toured 2 pre-schools near our new home. The 1st one looks a bit run down although they are less than 6 months old but the kids looked quite happy there. (Fees: $475 after subsidy)
The 2nd one was more organised, students were uniformed & well behaved and there was a waiting list. (Fees: $425 after subsidy) The lady asked, "Full day"? I told her no and that I was only thinking of putting you in for half day. She was quick to add that that's okay for your age but come next year, it will have to be full day. I asked, "Why?". "Oh, we follow MOE curriculum. We need a full day to finish the syllables. I wanted to laugh at her face! She must have seen my expression because she quickly added, "That's why our students do very well when they go to Primary 1!" I started laughing then.
Was telling my Ang Moh colleague some time back that I'm so put off by the word curriculum. It's ridiculous! At what other age can you pee in your pants and have fun? I was ranting on how impossible it is to find a playschool that does not emphasize on academics. To which he said this, "If you don't play, than how do you know that it is fun?" I feel my cause is vindicated.
I refuse to push you through a system that gets you so lost at the end. So what if you have a degree but do not enjoy the quest for knowledge?
The 2nd one was more organised, students were uniformed & well behaved and there was a waiting list. (Fees: $425 after subsidy) The lady asked, "Full day"? I told her no and that I was only thinking of putting you in for half day. She was quick to add that that's okay for your age but come next year, it will have to be full day. I asked, "Why?". "Oh, we follow MOE curriculum. We need a full day to finish the syllables. I wanted to laugh at her face! She must have seen my expression because she quickly added, "That's why our students do very well when they go to Primary 1!" I started laughing then.
Was telling my Ang Moh colleague some time back that I'm so put off by the word curriculum. It's ridiculous! At what other age can you pee in your pants and have fun? I was ranting on how impossible it is to find a playschool that does not emphasize on academics. To which he said this, "If you don't play, than how do you know that it is fun?" I feel my cause is vindicated.
I refuse to push you through a system that gets you so lost at the end. So what if you have a degree but do not enjoy the quest for knowledge?
Friday, January 19, 2007
You've won 1 million british pounds!
Hahaaaa... does anyone nowadays still believe such crap?
CONGRATULATION**YOU ARE A CERTIFIED**WINNER
THE COCA\'COLA COMPANY
PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD
1 Queen Caroline Street Hammersmith London W6 9HQ
THE COCA\'COLA COMPANY OFFICIAL PRIZE NOTIFICATION
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded annual final draws held on the (16th January, 2007) by Coca-Cola in
conjunction with the British American Tobacco Worldwide Promotion, your email was among the 20 Lucky winners who won £1,000,000.00 each on the THE COCA\'COLA COMPANY PROMOTION, However the results were released on the 16th January, 2007 and your email was attached to ticket number (7PWYZ2006) and ballot number (BT:12052006/20).
However,you will have to fill the form below and send it to the
Promotion manager of THE COCA\'COLA COMPANY for verification and then you will be directed to the courier company where a cheque of
£1,000,000.00 has already been deposited in your favour.
(1.) FULL NAME
(2.) FULL ADDRESS
(3).NATIONALITY.
(4) DATE OF BIRTH
(5) OCCUPATION
(6 )WINNING EMAIL
(7 )TELEPHONE NUMBER
(8) DATE OF WINNING NOTIFICATION
(9) SEX
(10) TOTAL AMOUNT WON
(11) MARITAL STATUS
Note: Please you are advice to respond back to this office through the secure email below.
(CONTACT PROMOTION MANAGER)
Dr. Perry Coleman
Tel:+44 70457 03518
Fax: +447075700390
E MAIL: claimsdept_cocacolapromo77@yahoo.co.uk
CONGRATULATION**YOU ARE A CERTIFIED**WINNER
THE COCA\'COLA COMPANY
PROMOTION/PRIZE AWARD
1 Queen Caroline Street Hammersmith London W6 9HQ
THE COCA\'COLA COMPANY OFFICIAL PRIZE NOTIFICATION
We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded annual final draws held on the (16th January, 2007) by Coca-Cola in
conjunction with the British American Tobacco Worldwide Promotion, your email was among the 20 Lucky winners who won £1,000,000.00 each on the THE COCA\'COLA COMPANY PROMOTION, However the results were released on the 16th January, 2007 and your email was attached to ticket number (7PWYZ2006) and ballot number (BT:12052006/20).
However,you will have to fill the form below and send it to the
Promotion manager of THE COCA\'COLA COMPANY for verification and then you will be directed to the courier company where a cheque of
£1,000,000.00 has already been deposited in your favour.
(1.) FULL NAME
(2.) FULL ADDRESS
(3).NATIONALITY.
(4) DATE OF BIRTH
(5) OCCUPATION
(6 )WINNING EMAIL
(7 )TELEPHONE NUMBER
(8) DATE OF WINNING NOTIFICATION
(9) SEX
(10) TOTAL AMOUNT WON
(11) MARITAL STATUS
Note: Please you are advice to respond back to this office through the secure email below.
(CONTACT PROMOTION MANAGER)
Dr. Perry Coleman
Tel:+44 70457 03518
Fax: +447075700390
E MAIL: claimsdept_cocacolapromo77@yahoo.co.uk
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Madam Contractor
Manage to call in a new supplier for window grills, got him to measure and quote on the spot. Looks like a nice chap with a Malaysian accent, about 1.75m, drives a Honda Wish, has an interesting looking chronograph watch from 25 hours, natural brown hair and brown eyes, a N73 phone with a picture of a cute little baby girl on the screen and a pair of black Everbest shoes with a hard clog base that sounds quite important when he walks. No. I will have no regrets murdering him for non-delivery should that happen.
Sold: A Queen size bedframe with mattress, 2 side tables, 2 lamps, a hideous cow-hide stool with 2 equally hideous matching pillows for $235.
Hey, I think I'm very great!
The one I married: I know. That's why I married you.
And tell me again why I married you?
The one I married grins
...and then I kinda remember why.
Sold: A Queen size bedframe with mattress, 2 side tables, 2 lamps, a hideous cow-hide stool with 2 equally hideous matching pillows for $235.
Hey, I think I'm very great!
The one I married: I know. That's why I married you.
And tell me again why I married you?
The one I married grins
...and then I kinda remember why.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Possessiveness
"IT'S MINE!!!!!" I was quite shocked. Never heard you say such things before. Didn't know you knew how. Points to how often we invite your little friends over to play with your toys.
...and YOU'RE MINE!!!!!!! Hehehe
ANGRY!!!!
Went to the new house to drop off some stuff. FUMING MAD! The bl**dy contractors have not started work yet! F**K! Even angrier that the one I married said "Why don't you call them yourself!" when I expressed my disfactisfaction at how things are progressing. @#&+@*&#@@!!!!!!!!!!!!! We gave them 2 bl**dy weeks and they have still bl**dy not started work! Fine. I shall call them and give them a piece of my mind. We're moving this Sunday goddammit! Things better freaking be ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! @%$&*&^^***!!!!!!! or else..... or else... I'd tar-pow some scalding hot Japanese KaniNabe soup and pour it down their throats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3:33pm
Uncle! So how?
.......Eh, ah, eh......They haven't called me leh.
WHAT?????? What they haven't called you????!? You call them !!!!!!!!!
.....ah, e, a.......I call them later?
No! YOU CALL THEM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*slams down phone*
6:00pm
UNCLE! HOW?!!!?????????
Eh, they say next friday
WHAT NEXT FRIDAY??????? I'M MOVING IN ON SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't know.
WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW??? WHY ARE YOU SO UNPROFESSIONAL? WHAT ABOUT THE WALL? WHEN ARE YOU COMING TO DO THE WALL?
See lar, maybe tomorrow
WHAT MAYBE TOMORROW?
We need to buy the materials...
YOU HAVEN'T BOUGHT THE MATERIALS? AND YOU NEED TO PAINT IT!!???? HOW IS IT GOING TO DRY???????? YOU COME IN TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we need to buy the materials first!
*TURN TO THE ONE I MARRIED AND THREW THE PHONE AT HIM* YOU TALK TO THEM!!!!!!!!!!!
The next day..8:15am
So, are they coming in today?
No.
So you fired them?
No.
So they are coming in to work on our wall?
No.
But you didn't fire them.
No.
What about the window grills? Did they order the grills?
The guy came to measure.
But how come our contractors never ensure the windows grills are up?
Move on.
What move on?
You're very corporate.
??!!??????????????????????????? I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!!!! I AM MOVING ON!! F**K !!!!!I'M CALLING THE CONTRACTORS IN THE PAPERS NOW! KNS!
3:33pm
Uncle! So how?
.......Eh, ah, eh......They haven't called me leh.
WHAT?????? What they haven't called you????!? You call them !!!!!!!!!
.....ah, e, a.......I call them later?
No! YOU CALL THEM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*slams down phone*
6:00pm
UNCLE! HOW?!!!?????????
Eh, they say next friday
WHAT NEXT FRIDAY??????? I'M MOVING IN ON SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't know.
WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW??? WHY ARE YOU SO UNPROFESSIONAL? WHAT ABOUT THE WALL? WHEN ARE YOU COMING TO DO THE WALL?
See lar, maybe tomorrow
WHAT MAYBE TOMORROW?
We need to buy the materials...
YOU HAVEN'T BOUGHT THE MATERIALS? AND YOU NEED TO PAINT IT!!???? HOW IS IT GOING TO DRY???????? YOU COME IN TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we need to buy the materials first!
*TURN TO THE ONE I MARRIED AND THREW THE PHONE AT HIM* YOU TALK TO THEM!!!!!!!!!!!
The next day..8:15am
So, are they coming in today?
No.
So you fired them?
No.
So they are coming in to work on our wall?
No.
But you didn't fire them.
No.
What about the window grills? Did they order the grills?
The guy came to measure.
But how come our contractors never ensure the windows grills are up?
Move on.
What move on?
You're very corporate.
??!!??????????????????????????? I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!!!! I AM MOVING ON!! F**K !!!!!I'M CALLING THE CONTRACTORS IN THE PAPERS NOW! KNS!
Sunday, January 14, 2007
200th post
Two hundredth post! Amazing.
This week is about moving! We're moving to our new home in a week. I'm moving out of my nice workspace into a miserably tiny desk at the office, the result of being in the 'wrong' location for my job scope.
The business managers in my office has decided that since my global team of 3 do not belong to this location, we shall not use up space meant for regional people!
The good news is that now, I can really really really work from home.
When we were in our new home yesterday, I pointed out your room, daddy & mummy's room and a very important "DO NOT DISTURB ROOM" to you. Hopefully that last door will hold up against a very determined toddler.
Horoscope from The Sunday Times January 14 2007 Lifestyle Section Page 21 : The stars are compelling you to move forward but it seems that you are more intent on hitting the brakes. Believe it or not, these astrological energies are working in your favour. They may be moving a little fast so try to catch up.
Wish me luck!
This week is about moving! We're moving to our new home in a week. I'm moving out of my nice workspace into a miserably tiny desk at the office, the result of being in the 'wrong' location for my job scope.
The business managers in my office has decided that since my global team of 3 do not belong to this location, we shall not use up space meant for regional people!
The good news is that now, I can really really really work from home.
When we were in our new home yesterday, I pointed out your room, daddy & mummy's room and a very important "DO NOT DISTURB ROOM" to you. Hopefully that last door will hold up against a very determined toddler.
Horoscope from The Sunday Times January 14 2007 Lifestyle Section Page 21 : The stars are compelling you to move forward but it seems that you are more intent on hitting the brakes. Believe it or not, these astrological energies are working in your favour. They may be moving a little fast so try to catch up.
Wish me luck!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
1 ounce = 28.349527 grams
Boy still phlegmy... decided to make some pear soup with chuan bei.
Your Papa and I split up. Him to buy the pears at NTUC and me to buy the chuan bei at the medicinal hall. I carried you, because we forgot to put you in shoes. So, what I got was one very squirmy independant toddler who was obviously not too happy being carried, on my hips.
Nice lady: You want the $5 one or the $14 one?
Me: Eh... $14 one and can you split that up for me?
Nice lady: Sure!
Couple of seconds later, she has already measured out 1 ounce and was apportioning them into individual packets. She lifted up the first packet from behind the counter to show it to me. I lean closer to take a look because it looks like twice the normal amount I would have put into your soup.
Big mistake.
The squirmy independant toddler found something interesting. A jar. A glass jar. A glass jar full of bird's nest. A glass jar full of bird's nest that costs $150. A glass jar full of bird's nest that costs $150 an ounce. A glass jar full of bird's nest that costs $150 an ounce within reach.
I hear a gasp. A loud gasp. Maybe it was even a scream. Who's to tell? My memory has since left me.
About a nanosecond after 'THE GASP', something breaks near my right leg. The culprit was on my right hip. I flinched...and looked. It's a jar. It's a glass jar! It's a glass jar full of bird's nest!! It's a glass jar full of bird's nest that costs $150!!! It's a glass jar full of bird's nest that costs $150 an ounce!!!!!!!!
Everyone's in shock.
The nice lady was not nice anymore.
...later, much later, in the car, on the way home, I told the boy, "Do you know, in some countries, some parents sell their kids into slavery for just US$1?"
Your Papa and I split up. Him to buy the pears at NTUC and me to buy the chuan bei at the medicinal hall. I carried you, because we forgot to put you in shoes. So, what I got was one very squirmy independant toddler who was obviously not too happy being carried, on my hips.
Nice lady: You want the $5 one or the $14 one?
Me: Eh... $14 one and can you split that up for me?
Nice lady: Sure!
Couple of seconds later, she has already measured out 1 ounce and was apportioning them into individual packets. She lifted up the first packet from behind the counter to show it to me. I lean closer to take a look because it looks like twice the normal amount I would have put into your soup.
Big mistake.
The squirmy independant toddler found something interesting. A jar. A glass jar. A glass jar full of bird's nest. A glass jar full of bird's nest that costs $150. A glass jar full of bird's nest that costs $150 an ounce. A glass jar full of bird's nest that costs $150 an ounce within reach.
I hear a gasp. A loud gasp. Maybe it was even a scream. Who's to tell? My memory has since left me.
About a nanosecond after 'THE GASP', something breaks near my right leg. The culprit was on my right hip. I flinched...and looked. It's a jar. It's a glass jar! It's a glass jar full of bird's nest!! It's a glass jar full of bird's nest that costs $150!!! It's a glass jar full of bird's nest that costs $150 an ounce!!!!!!!!
Everyone's in shock.
The nice lady was not nice anymore.
...later, much later, in the car, on the way home, I told the boy, "Do you know, in some countries, some parents sell their kids into slavery for just US$1?"
Friday, January 05, 2007
Sketch
Sketched this yesterday. You moved around so much it's out of proportion. I haven't sketched in ages. My models used to sit still for 3 hours, not 3 seconds so this is as good as it can get. At one point, you produced a snot bubble and I added that to the picture. Showed it to you and you laughed! My silly happy boy. Brought you to the doctor again this morning. He can hear you wheezing through the stethoscope. Thankfully, it went away after one session on the nebulizer. *sigh*
6pm: Another trip to the doctor. This time can hear you wheezing without the stethoscope.....another round on the nebulizer. Night nurse ask ... "You came this morning? Here again?" Ok, so not usual for 2 nebs a day huh? Thankfully, you reacted well to the 2nd treatment. Can go home. *phew*
7pm: Having dinner at the coffeeshop. I'm coaxing the boy to eat some beehoon. Then boy suddenly kicks the table. The chair topples backwards... I try to catch, 2 hands already occupied, bowl in one hand, spoon in another. Boy lands on the floor while still sitting on the chair, head hitting the ground first. Beehoon lands on boy's face, bowl & spoon spins across the air onto the floor. Boy shocked. I'm shocked. For a moment, all is quiet. Then out came the screams. So very loud. The whole coffeeshop falls silent, making the screams even louder. I was so mad, all I wanted to do was to scold the boy silly and give him a big whack, nevermind if he's already hurt or not.
7:30pm: Iced boy's head all the way home. Spread one big dollop of Zam-Buk over the swelling which has gone down quite a bit after applying the ice.
9:30pm: Bedtime...The mummy explains to the boy how he fell and why he should listen to the mummy. All the mummy wants to do is to keep him safe. The boy squirms around the room and doesn't seem to want to listen. The mummy gets exasperated, pulls the boy over and says "Look at me!" The boy looks. Unwillingly. The mummy can tell that the boy is not comfortable. Decides not to lecture him anymore in that split second and asks him instead "You know I love you very much?" Boy nods and says "Yes". Ok, think enough is said for the day.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Keep Thomas clean ok?
>>>>>Boy with 'Thomas the tank engine' briefs
MM: Keep Thomas clean ok?
YY: hm
>>>>>Later
YY: Mummy! BY yao4 ngh ngh!
MM: Ok! Let's go to the toilet. BY clever boy!
>>>>>Looking, staring, waiting (anxiously)...
YY: Mummy turn!
MM: Huh?
YY: Mummy turn! BY yao4 ngh ngh!
>>>>>Oh! Ok. I shouldn't be so rude...I shouldn't be staring at you while you are shitting.
MM: Ok ok... Mummy turn.
>>>>>A while later....***Plop!***
What a wonderful sound!
HURRAY!!!!!!!!!
.....Mummy tells Ah Mah...Mummy tells Papa...Ah Mah tells Ah Gong and now Mummy tells the whole world!
BTW, I'm awake at this ungodly hour because (A) Your nose is very congested and I can't sleep, fearing that you'd get another attack, (B) Your Papa is snoring like a wannabe rock band on drugs! I never knew he is capable of such an amazing nasal repertoire - since I'm always dead asleep before him & (C) I myself am coughing like an old ciggy addict!>>> Can't wait for daybreak...
MM: Keep Thomas clean ok?
YY: hm
>>>>>Later
YY: Mummy! BY yao4 ngh ngh!
MM: Ok! Let's go to the toilet. BY clever boy!
>>>>>Looking, staring, waiting (anxiously)...
YY: Mummy turn!
MM: Huh?
YY: Mummy turn! BY yao4 ngh ngh!
>>>>>Oh! Ok. I shouldn't be so rude...I shouldn't be staring at you while you are shitting.
MM: Ok ok... Mummy turn.
>>>>>A while later....***Plop!***
What a wonderful sound!
HURRAY!!!!!!!!!
.....Mummy tells Ah Mah...Mummy tells Papa...Ah Mah tells Ah Gong and now Mummy tells the whole world!
BTW, I'm awake at this ungodly hour because (A) Your nose is very congested and I can't sleep, fearing that you'd get another attack, (B) Your Papa is snoring like a wannabe rock band on drugs! I never knew he is capable of such an amazing nasal repertoire - since I'm always dead asleep before him & (C) I myself am coughing like an old ciggy addict!>>> Can't wait for daybreak...
Monday, January 01, 2007
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
"Go. You have 16 minutes! I'd meet you at the Fullerton koi pond later". Your Papa left his phone at a friend's home. Mine had ran out of battery. He was reluctant but jumped out of the car with you near the Golden Shoe carpark. 6 minutes later at 2350hrs, I drove into the UOB plaza at Boat Quay alone. Couldn't find a parking lot so I abandoned the car along the side, got into the lift and made a dash for Marina Bay.
I hurried across Cavenagh bridge, through the underpass at Anderson bridge and was at Queen Elizabeth Walk when the fireworks went off. Not satisfied with the view, I trampled on some plants (apologies to the National Parks Board), climbed over the railings onto Anderson bridge and walked across it towards the old Merlion park to get a better view. Better.
After 8 short minutes, it was over. Was turning to cross the road to head towards Fullerton when I spotted you both. EH? What's the probability of that happening in a sea of 150,000 people you'd think?
I feel good about 2007 already.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
I hurried across Cavenagh bridge, through the underpass at Anderson bridge and was at Queen Elizabeth Walk when the fireworks went off. Not satisfied with the view, I trampled on some plants (apologies to the National Parks Board), climbed over the railings onto Anderson bridge and walked across it towards the old Merlion park to get a better view. Better.
After 8 short minutes, it was over. Was turning to cross the road to head towards Fullerton when I spotted you both. EH? What's the probability of that happening in a sea of 150,000 people you'd think?
I feel good about 2007 already.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Beach Boy
We had quite a few people coming up to us asking for permission to take a picture of you buried up to your neck in sand. Next time, I shall stick a sign in one of your buckets welcoming contributions to your "Preschool Fund" or "$5 a picture" for the conservation of one cute toddler / future tax payer (in low supply, according to our government) ...
Saturday, December 30, 2006
YY shirt where? Sentosa Cove & "Organic" schools
Sentosa Cove
Had dinner with some friends who had an apartment at The Berth. I didn't know that Sentosa island can be that big. Took me more than 10mins to drive from the Sentosa gateway to the cove. Your Papa, who came later by cab said the fare from Vivo city costs him $6+. We spent a total of $12+ just to get from the entrance of the island to the house. ($2 car, $6 taxi, $2 entrance fee X 2) Quite ridiculous! Anyway, we had a wonderful dinner and you had a wonderful time playing with their children's toys and I had a pleasant flashback because the place reminds me of Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove in Brisbane - a place your dad and I visited in 2003, before you came along.
"Organic" School
Was introduced to the Steiner school system. Another friend of mine calls it the "Organic" school which, is not far from the truth. Because the toys they have there are all handmade with natural materials like wood & shells etc and kids draw using rectangular shaped crayons (for better grip) made of beeswax! They believe in nurturing creativity so there is lots of arts & craft activities. Kids even learn how to make their own soup, bake and they serve only organic food! There is no emphasis at all on academics i.e kids are not taught how to read or write (apparently these are not natural activities for preschoolers*) Instead, they are encouraged to experience the rhythms of the year, including seasonal festivals and feel the rhythmic course of each day. Quite impressed. Fee? $600+ a month. *faint* Quickly recovered and asked about subsidies...but apparently not recognized by MOE so not subsidized!!???!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Sticker Fun
Had some fun today with your loot from your cousins' christmas party at Safra Toa Payoh. The party last night was a blast. You were so happy throughout. Being the shortest and youngest kid there, you had the privilege of having the 1st go at the pinata. Swung pretty well with the plastic bat and managed to hit it twice. Am really very proud of you. When the thing finally broke, all the kids went for the sweets and stickers in a frenzy. It took you about 15 seconds to make out what was happening and when you did, most of the sweets were already snatched up but you were still quite happy with just stickers and went round shouting "Stickers! Stickers! Stickers!" excitedly, picking them up from the floor and then handling them over to us for safekeeping.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Loss
I'm told your great grandmother had 8 sons, 5 of whom died while she was still alive. Your Ah Gong remembers 2 of them and one only just vaguely as a boy who very ill and coughed a lot. Tuberculosis maybe?
The other, died during a riot in the 1950s. There was a commotion outside the house. He went outside to look and was hit by 2 stray bullets whilst standing at the doorway. He was 16.
Out of fear that she will lose yet another child, your Ah Gong was taught never ever to called her "Mother".
This 16-year-old Granduncle of yours was credited to have kept his family alive during the Japanese occupation. He must have only been no more than 8-11 years old during that period. He picked up Japanese. Nobody knew how or who taught him. But with this ability, he managed to keep the family safe and fed with extra food rations from the soldiers, sometimes trading things like cigarettes with them.
Your Ah Gong said that when he died, your great grandmother tried to bite her own tongue off. I can imagine... how does anyone cope with such grief? Over and over and over and over again?
The other, died during a riot in the 1950s. There was a commotion outside the house. He went outside to look and was hit by 2 stray bullets whilst standing at the doorway. He was 16.
Out of fear that she will lose yet another child, your Ah Gong was taught never ever to called her "Mother".
This 16-year-old Granduncle of yours was credited to have kept his family alive during the Japanese occupation. He must have only been no more than 8-11 years old during that period. He picked up Japanese. Nobody knew how or who taught him. But with this ability, he managed to keep the family safe and fed with extra food rations from the soldiers, sometimes trading things like cigarettes with them.
Your Ah Gong said that when he died, your great grandmother tried to bite her own tongue off. I can imagine... how does anyone cope with such grief? Over and over and over and over again?
Panic
...still looking for a school for you next year.
**********What if you go missing ????***************somehow ran out of school and disappeared?????????? What if you are bullied???????? What if you got hurt?????????What if the food is unhealthy??????????? What if ..........ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
**********What if you go missing ????***************somehow ran out of school and disappeared?????????? What if you are bullied???????? What if you got hurt?????????What if the food is unhealthy??????????? What if ..........ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Ah Lian doing research
Researching which school to put you in next year. Came across one named "Pu Hui Kindergarten".....Couldn't stop laughing! It means 'SEETHING FIRE' in Hokkien. Can totally imagine. A roomful of preschoolers. Wha-leow-eh!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
找媽媽!
(looking at something intently on the wall)
Y~找媽媽!找媽媽!
PP~誰在找媽媽?
Y~The ants 在找媽媽!
PP~Orh, the ants 沒有 hold hands hor?
Y~hm
PP~the ants 沒有hold hands 沒有 stop 沒有听話,乱乱跑hor?
Y~hm
Y~找媽媽!找媽媽!
PP~誰在找媽媽?
Y~The ants 在找媽媽!
PP~Orh, the ants 沒有 hold hands hor?
Y~hm
PP~the ants 沒有hold hands 沒有 stop 沒有听話,乱乱跑hor?
Y~hm
Monday, December 18, 2006
Stiff Neck
You've been holding your neck at a strange position since yesterday. Brought you to a doctor in Telok Blangah today and he said 3 of your neck tendons were off position and set them back in place for you.
A check on the web threw up a few possibilities...
(1) Meningitis (WHAT??????)
"It's an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that line the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis is usually caused either by a virus ("aseptic meningitis") or by bacteria...the symptoms of meningitis aren't always the same for everyone, and they don't appear in any particular order. But these are hallmark signs: a fever, stiff neck, headache, and sensitivity to light."
(2) Torticollis (WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?????????)
"...a rare condition that causes a child's head and neck to tilt to one side. Acquired torticollis can be caused by a swollen throat due to an upper respiratory infection, a sore throat, or even a sports-related accident. The swelling loosens the tissue surrounding the upper spine, which causes the bones to move out of their normal position. This causes the neck muscles to go into spasm and the head to tilt to one side. The condition can also be caused by swollen lymph nodes, pneumonia, or a vision problem. In very rare cases, a brain or spinal cord tumor is to blame."
(3) Strain (.....phew!!!)
"When your child strains or "pulls" a muscle, she has stretched or torn the muscle tissue or the tendon that connects it to a nearby bone. The neck, back, thigh, and calf muscles are the ones most often strained. These strains are frequently the result of overuse, as in the case of a Little League pitcher who develops a sore arm."
Now I recall....we played football yesterday. You insisted on throwing it like a shot put, spinning 180 degrees to the left and then tossing the ball across the hall! Must have strained your neck then.
*Wha piang* Only 2 years 3 months 3 weeks old and you already have sports injuries!
A check on the web threw up a few possibilities...
(1) Meningitis (WHAT??????)
"It's an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that line the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis is usually caused either by a virus ("aseptic meningitis") or by bacteria...the symptoms of meningitis aren't always the same for everyone, and they don't appear in any particular order. But these are hallmark signs: a fever, stiff neck, headache, and sensitivity to light."
(2) Torticollis (WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?????????)
"...a rare condition that causes a child's head and neck to tilt to one side. Acquired torticollis can be caused by a swollen throat due to an upper respiratory infection, a sore throat, or even a sports-related accident. The swelling loosens the tissue surrounding the upper spine, which causes the bones to move out of their normal position. This causes the neck muscles to go into spasm and the head to tilt to one side. The condition can also be caused by swollen lymph nodes, pneumonia, or a vision problem. In very rare cases, a brain or spinal cord tumor is to blame."
(3) Strain (.....phew!!!)
"When your child strains or "pulls" a muscle, she has stretched or torn the muscle tissue or the tendon that connects it to a nearby bone. The neck, back, thigh, and calf muscles are the ones most often strained. These strains are frequently the result of overuse, as in the case of a Little League pitcher who develops a sore arm."
Now I recall....we played football yesterday. You insisted on throwing it like a shot put, spinning 180 degrees to the left and then tossing the ball across the hall! Must have strained your neck then.
*Wha piang* Only 2 years 3 months 3 weeks old and you already have sports injuries!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Daddy's home!
Lots of travelling these couple of weeks. You saw more of your Papa than I did. *Counting...* 2 days in 3 weeks!
Saturday
Brought you to Cold Storage @ Jelita. They have mini shopping trolleys there. Mistake. I hadn't prepared you for such excitement. So, we went round the supermarket at least 6-7 times before we got what we needed.
Patiently waiting for Papa @ the airport. There was a little girl standing next to you with huge dark eyes and lovely thick black hair. I asked her how old she was. She held up 3 fingers and said "Three". I turned to ask you how old you were. You said "FIVE!" Hahhahaaa!! You win lah!
Sunday
Cancelled our Crepes & Ice-Cream party this morning. Both you and I were sneezing our heads off! Gave you 8 drops of Zyrtec. Myself, loads of very hot coffee. Felt much better in the afternoon so we went off to punch in @ Kuan's Christmas Party.
Here with Santa (Uncle Erik)
Saturday
Brought you to Cold Storage @ Jelita. They have mini shopping trolleys there. Mistake. I hadn't prepared you for such excitement. So, we went round the supermarket at least 6-7 times before we got what we needed.
Patiently waiting for Papa @ the airport. There was a little girl standing next to you with huge dark eyes and lovely thick black hair. I asked her how old she was. She held up 3 fingers and said "Three". I turned to ask you how old you were. You said "FIVE!" Hahhahaaa!! You win lah!
Sunday
Cancelled our Crepes & Ice-Cream party this morning. Both you and I were sneezing our heads off! Gave you 8 drops of Zyrtec. Myself, loads of very hot coffee. Felt much better in the afternoon so we went off to punch in @ Kuan's Christmas Party.
Here with Santa (Uncle Erik)
Friday, December 15, 2006
Call you back later...
If you have 2 incoming calls, who do you say "Call you back later" to?
The Family?
The Friend?
or...The Colleague?
Undoubtedly, it would be 'The Family'.
Hard luck being 'The Family' don't you think?
The Family?
The Friend?
or...The Colleague?
Undoubtedly, it would be 'The Family'.
Hard luck being 'The Family' don't you think?
9 drinks in 1 dinner
Had a night out with some colleagues to wrap up the year at Saint Pierre. We had the degustation with wine accompaniment. By the 5th glass, I was happily toasting to some x-rated stuff...
MOMOTARO TOMATO
sauvignon blanc 2005 montana vineyards *Hmm...
granite of green shiso with momotaro tomato and fresh sea urchin
HOMARD EN TOFU
riesling gueberschwihr 2001domaine zind humbrecht *Not really
home made tofu scented with lobster consommé,
cucumber noodle and ikura dressing
VENTRÈCHE DE THON AUX LENTILLES
mâcon villages 2003 maison joulie *Nice!
flamed japanese toro with warm salad of green lentils, tomato-fumet dressing, imperial soy sauce and grated fresh wasabi
ROYALE DE CÈPES
bourgogne blanc cuvée gerard 2003 nicolas potel *Not bad too
braised leek with winter truffle, royale of porcini mushroom
and caramelised hokkaido scallop
TERRINE AUX TRUFFES
bourgogne rouge vieilles vignes 2002 nicolas potel *A red!
homemade foie gras terrine layered with black truffle served with raisin
and poached pear compote with coal toasted brioche
SORBET
sorbet of armagnac marinated plum with white chocolate mendiant
OMBLE CHEVALIER EN GRENOBLOISE
cote de nuits villages 2002 maison joulie *Yummy!!!
fillet of steamed artic char with yuzu and caper sauce with savora espuma, pan-fried brioche crumbs and parsley purée scented with oba leaf
JOUE DE VEAU EN GIBELOTTE
la grave pomerol 2000 *Eh?..So-So
slow braised veal cheek with crispy bacon, caramelised shallot
and mushroom petit farci
CRÈME BRULÉE AU SAKÉ
late harvest riesling 2002 cloudy bay *Slurp! like choya...except nicer! Any more??
sake scented cream brulée with cinnamon infused rice pudding
and chocolate maki
CLAFOUTI AUX POMMES ET CHATAIGNES
chateau doisy dubrocca 1998 *Yet Another??..Why not? *hic
caramelised winter apple clafouti with home made candied chestnut
and marron glacé ice-cream
MOMOTARO TOMATO
sauvignon blanc 2005 montana vineyards *Hmm...
granite of green shiso with momotaro tomato and fresh sea urchin
HOMARD EN TOFU
riesling gueberschwihr 2001domaine zind humbrecht *Not really
home made tofu scented with lobster consommé,
cucumber noodle and ikura dressing
VENTRÈCHE DE THON AUX LENTILLES
mâcon villages 2003 maison joulie *Nice!
flamed japanese toro with warm salad of green lentils, tomato-fumet dressing, imperial soy sauce and grated fresh wasabi
ROYALE DE CÈPES
bourgogne blanc cuvée gerard 2003 nicolas potel *Not bad too
braised leek with winter truffle, royale of porcini mushroom
and caramelised hokkaido scallop
TERRINE AUX TRUFFES
bourgogne rouge vieilles vignes 2002 nicolas potel *A red!
homemade foie gras terrine layered with black truffle served with raisin
and poached pear compote with coal toasted brioche
SORBET
sorbet of armagnac marinated plum with white chocolate mendiant
OMBLE CHEVALIER EN GRENOBLOISE
cote de nuits villages 2002 maison joulie *Yummy!!!
fillet of steamed artic char with yuzu and caper sauce with savora espuma, pan-fried brioche crumbs and parsley purée scented with oba leaf
JOUE DE VEAU EN GIBELOTTE
la grave pomerol 2000 *Eh?..So-So
slow braised veal cheek with crispy bacon, caramelised shallot
and mushroom petit farci
CRÈME BRULÉE AU SAKÉ
late harvest riesling 2002 cloudy bay *Slurp! like choya...except nicer! Any more??
sake scented cream brulée with cinnamon infused rice pudding
and chocolate maki
CLAFOUTI AUX POMMES ET CHATAIGNES
chateau doisy dubrocca 1998 *Yet Another??..Why not? *hic
caramelised winter apple clafouti with home made candied chestnut
and marron glacé ice-cream
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Tang Poems, Gingerbread Man & Orangutan tails
Ah Mah has been trying to teach you this Tang poem for a couple of days now.
静夜思 - 李白
床前明月光 ，
疑是地上霜 。
举头望明月 ，
低头思故乡 。
She was quite successful in getting you to recite this other one...
春眠 - 孟浩然
春眠不觉晓，
处处闻啼鸟。
夜来风雨声，
花落知多少。
albeit with some help in between. But with Li Bai's 'Thought at night', you'd only go "hm" after each phrase. On one occasion, you asked her, "What 举头,低头?" and then went "hm" again when she explained it to you.
After yet another one of her failed attempts, I asked you, "YY, 床什么?" Much to our surprise, you started reciting the poem, word for word, without any prompts in between.
Arh! So, you were listening huh?
Did this quiz on learning styles a while ago and the results indicated that you were a strong auditory learner. Pretty true.
Gingerbread Man
Read you the story of the Gingerbread Man a few times now. Bought you one from the supermarket yesterday. He was wrapped in a plastic bag tied with a nice checked ribbon. Had a nice smiley white frosted face & three colorful chocolate buttons.
"Mummy open!"
~"YY want to eat the Gingerbread man?"
"NO!!!"
~"Mummy eat?"
"NO!!!"
~" Then don't open it. The ants will eat him up!"
"???"
The Gingerbread man stayed in the plastic bag. Safe.
Tails
"O-ang-u-tan!"
"Huh?"
"O-an-utan!"
"Orh, Orangutans!"
"hm"
"YY saw Orangutans in the zoo right?"
"hm"
"YY, Orangutans got tails?"
"Yes"
"YY got tail?"
"No"
"hmmmm.... Birds got tails?"
"Yes"
"Fish got tails?"
"Yes"
"Polar bears got tails?"
"No"
"Ants got tails?"
"No"
Pretty impressive and then....
"Snakes got tails?"
"No"
"Yes, Snakes got tails.... Butterflies got tails?"
"Yes"
"No, butterflies got no tails...."
It went downhill from here...but the one that you got consistently correct was the fact that you didn't have a tail. Hhahhahhahaa!!!
静夜思 - 李白
床前明月光 ，
疑是地上霜 。
举头望明月 ，
低头思故乡 。
She was quite successful in getting you to recite this other one...
春眠 - 孟浩然
春眠不觉晓，
处处闻啼鸟。
夜来风雨声，
花落知多少。
albeit with some help in between. But with Li Bai's 'Thought at night', you'd only go "hm" after each phrase. On one occasion, you asked her, "What 举头,低头?" and then went "hm" again when she explained it to you.
After yet another one of her failed attempts, I asked you, "YY, 床什么?" Much to our surprise, you started reciting the poem, word for word, without any prompts in between.
Arh! So, you were listening huh?
Did this quiz on learning styles a while ago and the results indicated that you were a strong auditory learner. Pretty true.
Gingerbread Man
Read you the story of the Gingerbread Man a few times now. Bought you one from the supermarket yesterday. He was wrapped in a plastic bag tied with a nice checked ribbon. Had a nice smiley white frosted face & three colorful chocolate buttons.
"Mummy open!"
~"YY want to eat the Gingerbread man?"
"NO!!!"
~"Mummy eat?"
"NO!!!"
~" Then don't open it. The ants will eat him up!"
"???"
The Gingerbread man stayed in the plastic bag. Safe.
Tails
"O-ang-u-tan!"
"Huh?"
"O-an-utan!"
"Orh, Orangutans!"
"hm"
"YY saw Orangutans in the zoo right?"
"hm"
"YY, Orangutans got tails?"
"Yes"
"YY got tail?"
"No"
"hmmmm.... Birds got tails?"
"Yes"
"Fish got tails?"
"Yes"
"Polar bears got tails?"
"No"
"Ants got tails?"
"No"
Pretty impressive and then....
"Snakes got tails?"
"No"
"Yes, Snakes got tails.... Butterflies got tails?"
"Yes"
"No, butterflies got no tails...."
It went downhill from here...but the one that you got consistently correct was the fact that you didn't have a tail. Hhahhahhahaa!!!
Itchy Rash
Received a call from your Ah Mah at 6pm yesterday, telling me your rashes hasn't gone away. Rushed home to find a little boy covered all over with red patches and scratching madly. Immediately packed you up and took you to the doctor. The one, near our house was closed for renovation. Darn! So, drove you to your regular PD.
On the way there, you fell asleep but woke up suddenly to continue scratching. At one point, it was so irritating, you started screaming from anger, frustration and discomfort. All I could do was drive faster. Got there, dumped the car with the valet and carried you to the clinic. The nurse at your PD commented that you have not been there for a while but added quickly that it was a good thing. *scowl*
The doctor gave you Zyrtec, ...*something prednisolone 1:1*... and some Calamine lotion.
Bill. $76.30
Fed you the medication before we left the clinic. Almost immediately, the itch went away and you calmed down immensely.
The sleep last night was peaceful.
This morning, you woke me up by saying "Good Morning! Good Morning!"
So happy.
On the way there, you fell asleep but woke up suddenly to continue scratching. At one point, it was so irritating, you started screaming from anger, frustration and discomfort. All I could do was drive faster. Got there, dumped the car with the valet and carried you to the clinic. The nurse at your PD commented that you have not been there for a while but added quickly that it was a good thing. *scowl*
The doctor gave you Zyrtec, ...*something prednisolone 1:1*... and some Calamine lotion.
Bill. $76.30
Fed you the medication before we left the clinic. Almost immediately, the itch went away and you calmed down immensely.
The sleep last night was peaceful.
This morning, you woke me up by saying "Good Morning! Good Morning!"
So happy.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Lapland in January
Arggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just been booked into a teambuilding session located in Kuusamo where mean temperature is -15degrees. MINUS 15 degrees! HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Polar Bears, Haircuts, Night shifts & Wagyu beef
Brought you to the zoo today. Alone. Which was a good idea because we move at our...your pace instead. We saw some stingrays, a otters, tigers, kois, polar bears, lamas, a tree full of gibbons, lots of flamingoes, some playful orangutans and 3 colorful parrots. The tigers were interesting to watch today. They were all very active - surprisingly active during such a hot and humid afternoon -and attracted quite a huge crowd to the pavilion.Haircuts
Gave you a hair cut last Thursday. Fringe is a tat short this time round but I think I'm getting better at it. Been your hairdresser since birth. (",) Quite like the result I'm getting so I don't think I'd be bringing you to the barber shop anytime soon.
Night shifts
You've been sleeping through the night for the last couple of months. Say from 10pm to 7 or 8am in the morning. I thought that our night shifts has ended. I was dreaming. Two nights ago, you started waking me up. (Me only because your Papa is away) It goes like this... "BY wants to Shee Shee!!!" Tried hard to ignore you but the decibels climbs up twofolds with every repetition. By the 3rd rendition, I'm up! Half carrying you, half dragging myself to the toilet. When I try to put you back in your diapers. You protest and we fall asleep before it happens. 3 or 4 hours later, an encore! Somehow, I'd remember that you are not wearing diapers and bolt right up! Again, we'd stumble to the toilet together. This is really exhausting. *sigh*
Wagyu beef buffet
Had a 3-day training session at the Hilton last week. This also equates to 3 days of buffet lunches at Checkers Brasserie's and 6 teabreaks with all-you-can-drink coffee or tea. My nervous system is reeling from an overdose of caffeine. Anyway, on Thursday, they had a Wagyu beef themed buffet. It was the best! I have never ever eaten so many different kinds of beef dishes in one day in my entire life! The young lad at the carvery station was a bit "ngiow" with the cut but it was still good. I really like their beef consomme which tastes like essence of chicken - with beef. (arh-but-then?) Had 2 servings but will help myself to the entire pot the next time.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Mind Games
Went swimming today. I haven't swam for more than a month. Used to swim 3 times a week when I was in uni, then this slowly dropped to once every week when you were in my tummy. I remember I could still do 8 - 12 laps @ 39 weeks. Nowadays, it would be an achievement to swim 8 laps once a month!
I decided it was high time I picked it up again, before I have to buy myself a new swimsuit. Again. At my age, I shouldn't be buying myself new suits every year. I.e I shouldn't be growing anymore! So, 20 laps was my target but I didn't think I could do it.
Then I had an idea. Instead of counting each lap I swam, I'm going to count down instead. So the more I swam, the less I had to swim. It's bizarre. Somehow, my brain liked the idea of only 6 more laps left rather than 14 done, 6 more to go. It's like the half glass of water - Is it half empty or half full? Quite nincompoopish.
Took me so many years to figure this one out. But it got me there. I finished the 20 laps in 25 minutes and did another 4 more to cool down. Was amazed and in high spirits! The 2 white strands (never found 2 at one go before) discovered while blow drying my hair didn't even bother me later.
Anyway, lesson to learn. Good to set targets. Better if you can figure out how get there before taking the first plunge and even more better if you can stick to it.
Psst...the twin antagonists have been eliminated!
I decided it was high time I picked it up again, before I have to buy myself a new swimsuit. Again. At my age, I shouldn't be buying myself new suits every year. I.e I shouldn't be growing anymore! So, 20 laps was my target but I didn't think I could do it.
Then I had an idea. Instead of counting each lap I swam, I'm going to count down instead. So the more I swam, the less I had to swim. It's bizarre. Somehow, my brain liked the idea of only 6 more laps left rather than 14 done, 6 more to go. It's like the half glass of water - Is it half empty or half full? Quite nincompoopish.
Took me so many years to figure this one out. But it got me there. I finished the 20 laps in 25 minutes and did another 4 more to cool down. Was amazed and in high spirits! The 2 white strands (never found 2 at one go before) discovered while blow drying my hair didn't even bother me later.
Anyway, lesson to learn. Good to set targets. Better if you can figure out how get there before taking the first plunge and even more better if you can stick to it.
Psst...the twin antagonists have been eliminated!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Let's go!
Brought you to the doctor today again. 3rd time in a week. Am starting to wonder if your illness is a physiological reaction to my travels. It's happening often enough for me to notice. Doctor's diagnosis: Exanthem subitum. No medication required. Will go away in 2-3 days.
What is Exanthem subitum?
Information culled from the web " A sudden onset of high fever of 103° to 106° F with few or minor symptoms. Most children appear inappropriately well for the degree of temperature elevation, but they may experience slight anorexia or one or two episodes of vomiting, running nose, cough, and hepatomegaly. Seizures (but more frequently general cerebral irritability) may occur before the eruptive phase. The rash begins as the fever goes away. The term exanthem subitum describes the sudden "surprise" appearance of the rash after the fall of the fever. Numerous pale pink, almond-shaped macules appear on the trunk and neck. They become confluent, and then fade in a few hours to 2 days without scaling or pigmentation."
Fee: $0
What? Free? This versus your regular PD who once charged us a $45 consultation fee for examining the lump on your thigh caused by the injection she gave you. Nice!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
and just one more....
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
More Postcards
Another question from the "Why don't penguin feet freeze?" book. Goes something like this... A fly is flying in the opposite direction to a moving train. The fly hits the train head-on. As the fly strikes the front of the train, it's direction of movement changes 180 degrees and at the instand it changes direction, the fly must be stationary and since, at that instant, it is also stuck in front of th etrain, the train must also be stationary. Thus, a fly can stop a train.
There were 4 responses to this, the last one being of interest to me. Apparently there is this person, Zeno of Elea, who around 450BC said that a moving object is always in motion, and yet at any given time it is somewhere (that is, stationary). WE humans cannot see, measure, or imagine an infinitely small time any more than we can truly imagine infinity. We never will.
Got me thinking about your udon noodle zouping session. I think my mobile video camera can only capture 15fps. Your noodle went from there to not there in between frames and I couldn't find the one frame that had the noodle travelling up halfway towards your mouth.
So, each frame is like a frozen moment when everything stops. Therefore, going back to the train and the fly, neither stopped each other. One just went from being alive to being goo. The other just went from stop to stop.
Got it?
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Postcards
'Timberland' @ Target
Spotted your pair of Timberland shoes in Target today. Only that it wasn't branded Timberland and costs only AUD$14.99 or AUD$11.99 after a 20% discount. Everything was the same, except for the logo. I think I paid SGD$35 for yours, after a massive 60% discount during the Great Singapore Sale. Given that retailers normally make a margin of between 30-50%, we can now peg the cost of goods at approximately AUD$7-8 or SGD$9. Imagine this. SGD$9 at one end and SGD$87.50 at the other end. Same shoes, different logos!
How do I console myself?
Hahhaa..
Boys Sandals. Leather upper. Made using genuine leather. Long lasting wear. Size 8. AUD$24.99 (AUD$19.99 after discount)
Notes from 30.11.06
Think size 8 might be too tiny for you. Wanted to exchange them for a size 9 or 10. No stock! *Sigh* Got you another pair of sneakers instead.
How do I console myself?
Hahhaa..
Boys Sandals. Leather upper. Made using genuine leather. Long lasting wear. Size 8. AUD$24.99 (AUD$19.99 after discount)Notes from 30.11.06
Think size 8 might be too tiny for you. Wanted to exchange them for a size 9 or 10. No stock! *Sigh* Got you another pair of sneakers instead.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Chicken Wings
Was telling your dad and my colleague this morning that you can eat a whole chicken wing by yourself!
Gu-Gu brought some BBQ chicken wings back home for dinner last night. I was munching on the wing portion. You saw and wanted to eat it too so I gave up mine and let you have it, helping you with the bones along the way. You finished it and asked for more. Gave you the drumstick portion as well and you finished that too, this time, all by yourself.
I was staring at you while you ate. It wasn't too long ago that I was scraping the banana and payayas with the spoon so that you wouldn't choke on 'solid foods'.
Ah Mah must have noticed me looking at you and guessed what was on my mind. She commented that you've grown and can now eat chicken wings like anyone else.
I want to cry.
My baby's grown up!
Gu-Gu brought some BBQ chicken wings back home for dinner last night. I was munching on the wing portion. You saw and wanted to eat it too so I gave up mine and let you have it, helping you with the bones along the way. You finished it and asked for more. Gave you the drumstick portion as well and you finished that too, this time, all by yourself.
I was staring at you while you ate. It wasn't too long ago that I was scraping the banana and payayas with the spoon so that you wouldn't choke on 'solid foods'.
Ah Mah must have noticed me looking at you and guessed what was on my mind. She commented that you've grown and can now eat chicken wings like anyone else.
I want to cry.
My baby's grown up!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Can't you sleep little bear?
In every spread of this book, except one, there is a picture of the big bear with the little bear. On that particular spread, the illustration was drawn through the perspective of the big bear.
The Boy, "Mummy, where is the big bear?" The Mummy stops reading, looks at the picture. How to explain perpectives? Says, "The big bear is behind you." The Boy looks sideways at The Mummy. The Boys eyes starts widening and slowly, very slowly, turns his head to look behind him. The Mummy realises what she has said. Literally. The Mummy wants to laugh but decides not to. The Boy is looking behind him now, "WHERE?". The Mummy quickly turns the page and says "Here. Look. The big bear is here!"
Saturday, November 18, 2006
More on Books
Attended the Asian Children's Writers and Illustrators Conference.
Met someone today whom I never thought I'd meet. Ho Minfong, the author of Sing to the Dawn. I read it when I was 14 years old! (The only other literature text I enjoyed was Harper Lee's To kill a Mockingbird)
Right now, I'm into books writted by Rohinton Mistry. His book A Fine Balance got me depressed and so, I went on to buy his other book, which I'm now reading called Tales from Firozsha Baag. I have the propensity for self inflicted mind torture as you can see. Had to convince myself that reading A Fine Balance and We need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver back to back was the combi that got me morosed.
Anyway, back to the conference. What did I learn?
(1) Our state libraries subscribe to certain standards. Books that fall out of these standards will never be acquired for the reading public.
Oh...he who does not read books is wondering when the lights can be turned off. Later...(the next morning)...Read an article featuring Ho Minfong in the papers. What a small world. Her brother, the successful businessman she talked about but did not name during her speech is none other than Ho Kwon Ping, founder and chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings. Attended his talk on entreprenuership some many years ago in NUS. Wow! Again. And now, back to what I have learnt....
(2) This is the normal ecosystem: Author => Agent => Publisher => Distributor => Bookseller => Reader
(3) This is how the monies are distributed through the ecosystem.
Bookseller 35-50%
Distributor 10-15%
Publisher 10-15%
Agent 10-15%
Printing 10-15%
Author (10)-25%
Yes, the author, unless very famous and very successful in the first place, makes no money at all. They are like algae. Responsible for sustaining the ecosystem but gets no recognition at all for their importance.
I have to take another break. Later... Back. From the book fair at Expo, beach and dinner with your YeYe. It's 10pm now
(4) Top 10 lists. In the UK, it's based on receipts from the till. In the US, it's based on the numbers sold to the booksellers (Meaning, all you need to do is print half a million books, ask Borders to stock them for a day and immediately, you become a bestseller.
(5) Books sell better if they come in a series. Harry Potter did not take off until Book #4. Think about it. Secret Seven, Famous Five, Mr Midnight...
(6) Manuscripts: If even you need to send them out, please remember to double space them. Otherwise, one more reason (if not the only) to not read them.
(7) Who influences book selection?
Recommendation from a friend 40%
Author 35%
Review 24%
Advertisement 14%
Promotion 5%
Book Club 4%
(8) Pictograms & Infographics. This is very important in children's books. The combination of words and pictures needs to be balanced properly.
(9) Graphic Novels are becoming more and more popular.
(10) In Singapore, don't expect to sell more than two to three thousand books per title. And going by this example, the 'Teenage Textbook', which sold about fifty thousand copies during it's heyday, is considered a phenomenal success.
Met someone today whom I never thought I'd meet. Ho Minfong, the author of Sing to the Dawn. I read it when I was 14 years old! (The only other literature text I enjoyed was Harper Lee's To kill a Mockingbird)
Right now, I'm into books writted by Rohinton Mistry. His book A Fine Balance got me depressed and so, I went on to buy his other book, which I'm now reading called Tales from Firozsha Baag. I have the propensity for self inflicted mind torture as you can see. Had to convince myself that reading A Fine Balance and We need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver back to back was the combi that got me morosed.
Anyway, back to the conference. What did I learn?
(1) Our state libraries subscribe to certain standards. Books that fall out of these standards will never be acquired for the reading public.
Oh...he who does not read books is wondering when the lights can be turned off. Later...(the next morning)...Read an article featuring Ho Minfong in the papers. What a small world. Her brother, the successful businessman she talked about but did not name during her speech is none other than Ho Kwon Ping, founder and chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings. Attended his talk on entreprenuership some many years ago in NUS. Wow! Again. And now, back to what I have learnt....
(2) This is the normal ecosystem: Author => Agent => Publisher => Distributor => Bookseller => Reader
(3) This is how the monies are distributed through the ecosystem.
Bookseller 35-50%
Distributor 10-15%
Publisher 10-15%
Agent 10-15%
Printing 10-15%
Author (10)-25%
Yes, the author, unless very famous and very successful in the first place, makes no money at all. They are like algae. Responsible for sustaining the ecosystem but gets no recognition at all for their importance.
I have to take another break. Later... Back. From the book fair at Expo, beach and dinner with your YeYe. It's 10pm now
(4) Top 10 lists. In the UK, it's based on receipts from the till. In the US, it's based on the numbers sold to the booksellers (Meaning, all you need to do is print half a million books, ask Borders to stock them for a day and immediately, you become a bestseller.
(5) Books sell better if they come in a series. Harry Potter did not take off until Book #4. Think about it. Secret Seven, Famous Five, Mr Midnight...
(6) Manuscripts: If even you need to send them out, please remember to double space them. Otherwise, one more reason (if not the only) to not read them.
(7) Who influences book selection?
Recommendation from a friend 40%
Author 35%
Review 24%
Advertisement 14%
Promotion 5%
Book Club 4%
(8) Pictograms & Infographics. This is very important in children's books. The combination of words and pictures needs to be balanced properly.
(9) Graphic Novels are becoming more and more popular.
(10) In Singapore, don't expect to sell more than two to three thousand books per title. And going by this example, the 'Teenage Textbook', which sold about fifty thousand copies during it's heyday, is considered a phenomenal success.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Penguin books sale!!!!!!!!!!!
19 Nov: I thought I was in Vivo city! There was this book fair, a furniture fair and a food fair all side by side and the whole of Singapore must have made at least one trip here this weekend. It was packed! Bought half a dozen books for you, two for myself, some dark soya sauce and some potato chips.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
The island of Sodor
GG: YY, where did you go just now?
YY: Park
GG: Huh? Where?
YY: Island of Sodor
Mummy *did I hear what I heard?*
GG: *a little hard of hearing* Where???
Mummy: The island of Sodor!
YY *shy smile*
GG: What?
Mummy: The island of Sodor. That's where all the train engines live.
YY *My mummy gets it!*
GG: Huh?
Mummy: *Hahhaha!!!* YY, say Goodnite GG.
YY: *grinning from ear to ear* Goodnite GG!
BTW, this was where we went...
YY: Park
GG: Huh? Where?
YY: Island of Sodor
Mummy *did I hear what I heard?*
GG: *a little hard of hearing* Where???
Mummy: The island of Sodor!
YY *shy smile*
GG: What?
Mummy: The island of Sodor. That's where all the train engines live.
YY *My mummy gets it!*
GG: Huh?
Mummy: *Hahhaha!!!* YY, say Goodnite GG.
YY: *grinning from ear to ear* Goodnite GG!
BTW, this was where we went...
Another reason not to buy rubber clogs...CROCS?
"3-year-old Shiyr Chong had her big toe ripped off after her rubber clog got caught in the gap on the escalator at Admiralty Place Mall....While experts say the type of footwear generally does not play a part, 'soft shoes' made of rubber are more likely to be caught in the gaps, compared to 'harder' ones." ~ extracted from Channel NewsAsia
Monday, November 06, 2006
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Chaos & Creation. Why don't penguins feet freeze?
Watched 3 inflight movies enroute to London. They were ClICK (Adam Sandler), THE LAKE HOUSE (Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves) & THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway).
Funny. They were like a trilogy to me. All of them had their theme centered around career fulfillment & family life. Forget about balance. There's only 24 hours in a day. 1 hour put on this side will mean that that same hour is taken away from that side. Bleak.
The only groovy thing from these movies was the song "This never happened before". Love it. Must get it.
Found the soundtrack in HMV. It was going for 24 pounds I kid you not! Crazy. But now at least the music ignoramus knows that it was Paul McCartney who wrote & sang that song. Ok. Maybe his album will be cheaper? Aahaa! There! 'Chaos & Creation in the Backyard', eh...13 pounds!?! Well well well. No thank you. Go back then buy.
Bought this silly but interesting book titled 'Why don't penguins feet freeze' instead.
3 examples from the 114 more questions found in this book:
(1) Most substances melt when heated, so why does my scrambled egg turn frpm liquid to solid as I cook it?
(2) Why does a biscuit that is left in the open overnight become soft by the morning but a baguette left out for the same length of time become so hard that one could knock someone with it?
(3) Please read the this sentence and count the Fs:
FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE-
SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF-
IC STUDY COMBINED WITH
THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.
How many did you see? On first reading, most people see only three. However, the answer is actually six. Why is this?
Funny. They were like a trilogy to me. All of them had their theme centered around career fulfillment & family life. Forget about balance. There's only 24 hours in a day. 1 hour put on this side will mean that that same hour is taken away from that side. Bleak.
The only groovy thing from these movies was the song "This never happened before". Love it. Must get it.
Found the soundtrack in HMV. It was going for 24 pounds I kid you not! Crazy. But now at least the music ignoramus knows that it was Paul McCartney who wrote & sang that song. Ok. Maybe his album will be cheaper? Aahaa! There! 'Chaos & Creation in the Backyard', eh...13 pounds!?! Well well well. No thank you. Go back then buy.
Bought this silly but interesting book titled 'Why don't penguins feet freeze' instead.
3 examples from the 114 more questions found in this book:
(1) Most substances melt when heated, so why does my scrambled egg turn frpm liquid to solid as I cook it?
(2) Why does a biscuit that is left in the open overnight become soft by the morning but a baguette left out for the same length of time become so hard that one could knock someone with it?
(3) Please read the this sentence and count the Fs:
FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE-
SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF-
IC STUDY COMBINED WITH
THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.
How many did you see? On first reading, most people see only three. However, the answer is actually six. Why is this?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
