Garden outing with the kids

The sun was out (finally), we took the great opportunity to bring our kids to visit the long-awaited Jacob Ballas Children's Garden near NUS Bukit Timah campus.

We were greeted by bananas after entering, Raeyen was especially thrilled to see banana flower, not only it's big, beautiful, it's hanging upside down.

There were many plants with interesting and child-friendly signages to explain what they were and purposes. They saw a cotton plant and henna tree. It was hard to explain what is a dye.... anyway, they enjoyed the area where kids could experience what photosynthesis is about.

We also like the section where all spices (rosemary, chilli, mint, basil, etc) can be found. I like the line-up of anti-mozzie plants - citronella, lemon grass and aloe vera; frankly I didn't know aloe can ward mozzies.

We didn't realise there was a waterplay area and so they played the slides at the dry area. Before we left, they visited a maze trying to find each other.

It was fun and educational, and somehow refreshing as it is a garden dedicated to the little ones. I am proud that we have such a garden for them.

Dainty pretty scarves/hankies

The first time I saw pretty scarves and hankies in Japan, I couldn't make up my mind if I should have them.

The second time I saw them, I got to have them and bought four in one go.

Raeyen's favourite tune

10 October 2009 (4 years and 3 months old)

Mom in pain

My mom was admitted to the hospital in the wee hours of the morning due to a second dislocation of her jaw plus the irritating pain on her tailbone caused by a very bad bedsore.

My mom doesn't deserve all these. Not a good person and a loving mom like her. She defended me when I wanted to further my studies after a lousy A levels. She helped with my fees. She got me my first diamond. She took me to my first holiday by plane. Yet, I wasn't there to help her when she is in need. When she needed a listening ear when she was well, we were busy catching up with other siblings. When she complained, we brushed her off. Now, we try to coax her to speak more. But how can she? With the pain she has to endure. It's heartbreaking. Everytime I see her fragile frame shrinks with each passing week, my eyes refuse to stay dry. Yet I can't let her see me weep. I weep in silence.

Her pain must be relieved. But how?

Is there joy in schooling here?

I feel a little emotional whenever I hear news of school-kid committed suicide. Some as young as in primary schools.

What made them do it? What was the motivation pushing a tiny soul to end the journey?

There are many questions in my head. Was it pressure from school, parents, peers or the society? Was there ever any happiness or joy in our educational system? What is our value system - meritocratic or ??? I don't know the answer. What I do know is the stress all of us have today. We have to cope so many things in a day. For me, coaching Kieran in his school work on weekday evenings becomes a chore. It irks me whenever he doesn't understand what I was explaining. My heart aches and my mind goes bonkers. I don't think I can take it. Initially we thought the after-school care could help, but it doesn't, and so did my friends told me.

So what parents to do?

We enrolled him in Singapore's favourite haunting place - tuition centre. Much to my displeasure. But what can we do? Pop goes our weekends of family togetherness and comes chaotic madness of chauffeuring. I don't know if it's good for Kieran or me; but I really don't know which is best.

AGAIN I stress, I DON'T LIKE OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM! There is no balance, kids are stretched, so are parents. It's like a test to our tensile strength, waiting for the breaking point.

Raeyen's performance

Raeyen has been practicing the Malay number - Di Tanjung Katong for weeks.

Yesterday, we caught his performance at his Kindy's year end concert. He wore a nice purple Malay costume, complete with a songkok. So cute.

Kieran was excited as he is part of the audience unlike in the past years when he performed on stage.

Raeyen loves to perform and we were happy that stage fright was never a problem for him.