Mom's Day celebration

We celebrate with May & family every Parent's Day, Christmas Eve and each other's birthday. This year, we celebrated Mom's Day with her, Megan, their helper Kasem and a special someone, Gordon. Hubby and I are very happy for May as she has found her soul mate after Yin has passed on.

We met at Acacia, Bishan Park for a simple dinner while the kids played in the park, only joined us after they were exhausted. Megan surprised me with a bouquet of flowers!

Though we do meet up from time to time, today was an excuse to meet and catch up. We have been friends for 25 amazing years! That's a quarter of a century, my goodness! May is very special to me and to us. She lends her shoulder for me to cry on, hears me out and goes all her way out to help me when I am in trouble. She is also the strongest person I have ever come across. She is the best a gal can ever ask for, better than a diamond.

Kieran, Raeyen and us love you, May.

To my amazing sister-in-law, Connie, we love you very much too. We miss you!

To my Mom, a speedy recovery!

To my Sis, I love you and am proud that you have brought up 2 very bright girls!

To my 2 other sisters-in-law, Amelia and Lisa, you are amazing too; your love and effort put into your families will pay off. My brothers are both fortunate to have you as their wives!

Happy Mommy's Day

To all my wonderful mommy friends, today is the day we celebrate motherhood and all the joy our kiddos have brought to us and for all the effort we have put in.



Pressie from hubby & the kiddos is an empire sundress from Women'secret.

We will be celebrating this day with my best pal, May & her family as usual. And yes, I'm gonna wear it this evening and to our Bali holiday in June!

One Degree 15

Took the kids to One Degree 15 on Labour Day to meet up with my best friend May and her family.

We just chilled out at this cool place catching up with each other while the kids had a blast at the playroom, pool and playground.

It's always nice to hang out once in a while.

Raeyen's new bolster

When I was small, I had a little cloth as my security blanket. Raeyen's security blanket is a little worn-out bolster.

I was inspired to get him a new one when I saw what this blogger mom had sewn.

While shopping at Vivo City, I was drawn to a pushcart selling frilly pom-pom like cute little skirts for girls. Then I was pleased to find that it sells taggy bolsters & covers! The lady told me the covers were sewn by the designer. The fabric has nice prints and the ribbons are eye-catching! Without hesitation, I bought the larger cover for Raeyen.

He was thrilled when I showed it to him. He has since used it every nap- and bedtime.

Cool name tags

Coutesy of What a Lovely Name

The bo-chap mentality

Weekday morning rush hour. Commuters walking hastily trying to catch a train or bus to work. This is a common sight in Singapore and in many developing and developed countries. But what's missing here?

This morning, a lady was sitting near the door of City Hall-bound platform at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. She was attended by another lady, and I believe they did not know each other. However, there were many onlookers gazing at them as if it was a "show". I volunteered to get help from the MRT staff.

Up went I go towards the Control Room and sought help from 2 staff. One followed me, and he asked his colleague to prepare a wheelchair.

Once the MRT staff has attended to the lady, I left for my train knowing that she would be well taken care of. While in the train, I felt disgusted by the onlookers for not doing anything. Feeling sick and weak in an unexpected place may happen to anyone! Wouldn't they wish that someone lends a helping hand if it happens to themselves or their loved ones?

People, take a moment to think. It's not rocket science but a simple human touch that is lacking here. We not have a simply bo-chap mentality, we also adopt a "aiya, it will not happen to me" mentality.

We certainly do not want our children to grow up in such an environment where there is no basic common sense and TLC.

Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

Japan revisited

My first trip to Japan was almost 25 years ago.

This time, due to work, I had the chance to revisit this intriguing country from 12-16 April (cherry blossom ended on 7 April in Tokyo). The weather was great with a temperature ranging from 15-20C.

The 6-hour flight to Tokyo by JAL was pleasant though it doesn't provide an array of magazines and latest blockbusters like SQ.

Checked into New Otani Hotel at Akasaka area after taking the airport bus, which cost JPY3,000 per way (SGD45). The ride was less than 1.5h.

Wasting no time, I explored into Harajuku, Shibuya and ended at Shinjuku for dinner with some shopping. The food floor of any department store made my eyes popped - there were a HUGE range of daintly presented food and desserts! They were oh-so-fresh-and-ultra-yummy. I tried sakura-infused cake and papa beard puff. I also bought a punnet of sweet and juicy strawberries for JPY600 (SGD9). I was pleasantly surprised to see a limited edition Agnes b dumpling bag and bought one as it's so durable, fashionable and functional. It cost JPY9,500 after tax rebate (SGD143) as opposed to SGD215 sold here for the usual range. I also bought Shinkansen stuff for the kids and other cosmetics (Aube Couture, Maquillage and MM)from a local drug store. At a bookstore, I bought the Jill Stuart mook at JPY1,000 (SGD15) with an umbrella, which came in handy as it poured in Hamamatsu on Tuesday.

Dinner was at Katsukura located on the 14th floor of Takashima, Shinjuku, touted as the holy grail of tonkatsu. I wasn't disappointed as the food was delicious and the batter was crisp but not oily. The chawanmushi was another not-to-be-missed, the broth used to cook the egg custard was top-grade and full-flavoured.

Came Monday was a full-day meeting at the office, I only had sushi at a sushi bar near Akasaka-mitsuke station for dinner.

On Tuesday, together with my very nice German colleague, we took Shinkansen to Hamamatsu for another meeting before our event the next day, hence there's nothing to talk about here. We shall fast-forward to Wednesday night as I took the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. On the way back, the weather was great and I could see the majestic Mount Fuji, it was a grand sight! I wish I was on holiday. After checking back into New Otani, I zoomed out for a quick dinner.

On Thursday, as my meeting in the office only started at 10am, I decided to explore the much talked-about Tsukiji Fish Market. I left my hotel at 5am, took train from Akasaka-mitsuke station to Ginza and transferred to Tsukiji station. I followed the crowd towards the famed market.

There were many people, fishmongers and visitors blended in harmony. I have never seen so much fresh seafood in my life, they were so fresh that the place did not give the usual fishy stench. As I explored further, I found the auction area. One man was seen shouting his lungs out as the auction was going on. Hunger pangs struck just after I was done with the market. Navigating my way out, I was lucky to have found the alley where the sushi bars were located. My friend Fannie recommended that I ate at Daiwa, there were queues and it took me 45 minutes to get a seat and 15 minutes to finish my meal. I had the JPY3,500 set (SGD53) consists of uni, chu-toro, ebi, squid, etc, it was THE highlight of this trip. I was happy I went to the market and returned to my hotel in time for my walk to office for meeting before heading to the airport.

All photos can be found in my Facebook.

Kieran, the bronze swimmer

Have been so busy that I couldn't find time to update my blog!

Anyway, Kieran took his first swimming test last Saturday, 12 April at Raffles Institution. It was for the Bronze stage, which is the basic.

He was jittery at first but warmed up real soon.

He swam 16 x 25m, treaded water for 3 minutes, stayed afloat for 1 and made a float from his PJs.

What was unexpected after the test in the waters was the survival Q&A test, which his instructor did not inform us about. He was asked what one couldn't do at a swimming pool. He scratched his head and answered only when prompted.

Once the examiner said, "Congratulations, you passed the test.", Kieran was beaming and so were we.

I am so proud of him.

Kieran the model

Kieran played model while preparing to attend a wedding dinner, on his daddy's behalf. Shirt and jeans from Old Navy.

It was Friday the 13 when the dinner took place. Hubby worked late hence Kieran became my partner. The dinner was held at Havelock Road near Zouk and I decided to drive there. I wasn't sure of the location, got lost and circled around Chinatown twice until I met my guardian angel. The KFC delivery guy was riding on his bike, halting next to us at the junction. I asked him (who is a Chinese national) for direction and he led me to our venue! How sweet of him!

Play

Snapped some pictures of the boys playing at home.

Farmer & Builder at work (Raeyen used playdoh as "dirt" for his dump truck)

Leapad Fun

2nd day of school holiday

We took the kids to our neighbourhood swimming complex for a splash. And of all things, I forgot to bring our camera!

Anyway, to cut it short, they had a whale of a time for 2 solid, fun-filled hours. Raeyen kept himself occupied in a kiddy pool while Kieran slid down a not-so-junior tunnel. His dad had to convince the guard that Kieran would be fine taking the tunnel despite his under 1.2m height.

In the late afternoon, we watched Race to Witch Mountain with Kieran at Cathay. We missed its Mom 'N' Tots offer where kids under 7 years of age go free if accompanied by their parent/guardian. It was an exciting movie and Dwayne Johnson has been my fav actor packaged with muscles and sense of humour. You should rent the DVD on "The Game Plan" which he starred if you have not watched it.

A nice afternoon with Kieran

This week begins the first week of school holiday in 2009.

I took leave to spend some time with the kids. After Kieran's cartoon drawing class yesterday, the whole family had lunch at Swensen's to enjoy its 1-for-1 weekday lunch promotion. After lunch, I took him to my hairstylist for a hair cut while I have my usual hair treatment. Kieran has never stepped into a professional hair salon (he either goes to a"ma-ma" shop or those $10 Japanese-styled quick-cut hair shops) before and this was his maiden experience and he likes it very much.

Despite having a good lunch, he asked me to bring him for some food after the haircut. So I took him to Hairloom & Caramel for another new cafe dining experience. That was my second visit. Previously, I dined there with Ivy and Josephine where I had tofu salad ($7.50) and they had chicken salad in honey mustard dressing ($8.50), with a cup of homemade lemongrass drink on the house.

Once we stepped in, Kieran already likes it. Looking at the montage above, you too, will fall in love with its quirky decor and ambience. I like the upholstery of the chairs and stools in particular, as well as the wall mural. I read from a magazine that the owners designed the place and bought the furniture. My hungry son, who is in a growth spurt now, had creme brulee (my fav too) and a eggnog cup cake while I only had its signature Vita Plum (ice-blended vitagen with sour plum).

It's nice to spend a quiet afternoon with my little boy to bond and talk nonsense. Wonder when will I do the same with my other little boy, Raeyen.

A Chinese who failed Chinese

My poor boy failed his first Chinese test on Monday.

While he was nonchalant about it, his mom was anxious like an ant in a hot pot!

Friends said I should put him in a Chinese enrichment class, such as from TienHsia or Beijing Language School or private tuition. My goodness!

Tomorrow, he's going to attempt Maths test for the second time.

Oh, how I loathe our education system!

Movies I wanna watch

There are a few movies I wanna watch, some are those that my hubby will not be interested, meaning too feminine and boring by his standard.

Those I wanna watch with girlfriends:

He's Just Not That Into You; Confessions of a Shopaholic and Marley & Me. In fact I have the Marley & Me book and decided not to finish reading it because many times, movies are not as good as the books.

Those I can watch with him:

Angels & Demons, which book I had not read and have no intention of reading. I read the Da Vinci Code, which was far better than the movie.

X-MEN Origins: Wolverine, ahhh.... Hugh Jackman.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, which Kieran is looking forward too. This film features the animal transformers, hope it can be as exciting as its prequel!