I had planned to clean the two remaining windows before the CNY - which is 3 days away - in one morning. Those in the bedroom and in the kitchen. However, the continuous rains from the last two days had dampened my spirit. I just didn't like to clean the windows in the wet atmosphere. However, before the morning is gone, I managed to clean a three-tier shelves. Think I will let my daughter has it for her subjects' materials.
It is always a chore to clean up old papers, documents and files. My colleague commented that I was very organised when I was working. However, nowsadays, things seem to get piled up very fast, what with my character of liking to keep things for a while before disposal. I have to change my mentality to decluster things soon and fast, least it will hamper good energy flow.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Lifetime of Holidays - Time sharing
I purchased a time-sharing piece from LOH for Amara Hotel with Luang. We have a week free stay in Amara Hotel every year if we do not book into one of the many overseas hotels affiliated to international interval. To be precise, it is not free as besides the capital cost, we have to pay a yearly maintenance fee to Amara Hotel for upkeep a week for a twin-bed hotel room. For year 2011, it is $401.02.
I remembered I and Luang first went to Bali. It was a trip where Luang went swimming alone and got stung by a jerry fish. It was lucky that the receptionist had a solution for jerry fish stund. Though it wasn't that effective, we had the fortune that was the last day at Bali. Luang was able to get medical help back home and apparently, she was on medical leave for a few days.
We went together using the time-share holidays resort at Canada. I too using the resorts at various time in Thailand and Australia- most recently at Tasmania and Sydney.
The time-share holidays had so far allowed us to have many wonderful holidays. It is great to be able to have family holidays in the resorts affiliated to the Internationl Interval.
I remembered I and Luang first went to Bali. It was a trip where Luang went swimming alone and got stung by a jerry fish. It was lucky that the receptionist had a solution for jerry fish stund. Though it wasn't that effective, we had the fortune that was the last day at Bali. Luang was able to get medical help back home and apparently, she was on medical leave for a few days.
We went together using the time-share holidays resort at Canada. I too using the resorts at various time in Thailand and Australia- most recently at Tasmania and Sydney.
The time-share holidays had so far allowed us to have many wonderful holidays. It is great to be able to have family holidays in the resorts affiliated to the Internationl Interval.
Travels
Before I embarked on travels on plane, I wanted to try out my first experience for travel with kid. My first destination was Genting Highland in 2003. We travelled by coach. It was a good journey. Prior to departure, I was worried over meal breaks and toilets for the little girl. I was relieved when my little girl took it all in her stride. She adapted so well that it paved the way for all our future overseas travels.
In Genting Highland, we had a great time and my little girl tried out all the kid's rides in various small cars. We didn't manage to take the cable car rides owing to cloudy weather; however, that had been made up by the various rides we took later in our other trips.
Came 2005, we went with a tour group to China's Jiang Nan, with extension - stay in Shanghai on our own. We stayed about a week in the 'Golden Bridge Service Apartment' and we lived there like a local. I loved Shanghai, a metropolis. Nearby the apartment, there is a Carrefor, where we visited so frequently over our stay there. Though we did not cook, there were abundant eating places some 10 -15 minutes walk away.
There is a bus terminal near the apartment where I travelled downtown to the central area for shopping and food and threatre performance. There is a Metro Department Store in downtown but it appeared very up-market. In later trips to Shanghai, I watched the 'White Snake Saga' which was so entertainng and of high standard.
It is a great place to travel in China. We went Hainan Island. We als went to Jiu Sai Guo before the Si Chuan earth quake devastated the route up there.
In Thailand, we went to Cheng Mai with my friend as well. The latest in Thailand was the Krabi Island with my extended family. All the generatin z kids were having a great time there. We too went to Vietnam to visit the Halong Bay.
The longest distance travelled was the South Africa trip.
Look like I have to plan for some trips during the March and December Holidays this year. The travelling bugs start biting again.....
In Genting Highland, we had a great time and my little girl tried out all the kid's rides in various small cars. We didn't manage to take the cable car rides owing to cloudy weather; however, that had been made up by the various rides we took later in our other trips.
Came 2005, we went with a tour group to China's Jiang Nan, with extension - stay in Shanghai on our own. We stayed about a week in the 'Golden Bridge Service Apartment' and we lived there like a local. I loved Shanghai, a metropolis. Nearby the apartment, there is a Carrefor, where we visited so frequently over our stay there. Though we did not cook, there were abundant eating places some 10 -15 minutes walk away.
There is a bus terminal near the apartment where I travelled downtown to the central area for shopping and food and threatre performance. There is a Metro Department Store in downtown but it appeared very up-market. In later trips to Shanghai, I watched the 'White Snake Saga' which was so entertainng and of high standard.
It is a great place to travel in China. We went Hainan Island. We als went to Jiu Sai Guo before the Si Chuan earth quake devastated the route up there.
In Thailand, we went to Cheng Mai with my friend as well. The latest in Thailand was the Krabi Island with my extended family. All the generatin z kids were having a great time there. We too went to Vietnam to visit the Halong Bay.
The longest distance travelled was the South Africa trip.
Look like I have to plan for some trips during the March and December Holidays this year. The travelling bugs start biting again.....
Generation Z
The generation Z are kids born within the last 15 years, I was told. And starting this year, kids born this year fall within a generatin called Generation Alpha. And it is only 10 years to create a new generation now. We have been living in times with constant changes. Parenthood skill changes, too.
To catch up with the generation Z, technology and creativity are the two words to always remember. I embrace changes, and I hope with my generation Z kid, I am growing with her, too.
To catch up with the generation Z, technology and creativity are the two words to always remember. I embrace changes, and I hope with my generation Z kid, I am growing with her, too.
Close on babies
Sumiko Tan's article in LifeStyle, Straits Times on 23th Jan 2011, gave me some thoughts and reflections. There are pro and con of having babies and children, the two schools of thought each has very valid reasons. I have experienced them over the years since my child is with me for the last ten years.
First I must thanks my doctors who had given me all the supports. Dr R Ray congratulated me for having adopted a child, saying, whether a child is natural or adopted, it is the same you have to bring him up. I tasted the proud moment of being a parent.
My extended family's support to help me in my journey as a parent is crucial.
Though I was the favourite aunt to my nephews and nieces, I have now a family to call my own. I am a proud parent of a darling daughter. I know the road ahead of us is full of obstacles and difficulties, but I have the confident that we will came out even stronger and loving each other more.
Talking about strinking population and the ratio of replacement level, I am more proud that I have done my national service as well - I have a replacement level of 1:1 - towards my beloved country.
First I must thanks my doctors who had given me all the supports. Dr R Ray congratulated me for having adopted a child, saying, whether a child is natural or adopted, it is the same you have to bring him up. I tasted the proud moment of being a parent.
My extended family's support to help me in my journey as a parent is crucial.
Though I was the favourite aunt to my nephews and nieces, I have now a family to call my own. I am a proud parent of a darling daughter. I know the road ahead of us is full of obstacles and difficulties, but I have the confident that we will came out even stronger and loving each other more.
Talking about strinking population and the ratio of replacement level, I am more proud that I have done my national service as well - I have a replacement level of 1:1 - towards my beloved country.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Subscription to Straits Times
The promotion by SPH on the subscrition of Straits Times attracted my attention two months ago. In the past, I had been reading the news on line. I found it satisfactorily and met my requirement. However, with the growing up of my daughter, I thought perhaps it was time to subscribe the newspaper for her reading.
In the beginning, I noted that she read the movie and TV advertisement in the Life Section of the ST. These are the section which I ususlly don't look at. It is good that she fills up the gap. So far, on her reminder, we went to see a movie on Gollivar Travel at Iluma. Being a local in the info age, today she downloaded the e-reading portal from the NLB onto her iPad. These are the things I strongly approved but have not the skills and time to do it.
The newspaper man delivered the paper between 6 to 6.15 am when we have a few minutes to flip through a few pages before leaving the house for the school bus. There is an obvious advantage in the subscription of ST as my computer is getting old and takes a longer time to link up while it is so easy to just flip through the papers for news.
In the beginning, I noted that she read the movie and TV advertisement in the Life Section of the ST. These are the section which I ususlly don't look at. It is good that she fills up the gap. So far, on her reminder, we went to see a movie on Gollivar Travel at Iluma. Being a local in the info age, today she downloaded the e-reading portal from the NLB onto her iPad. These are the things I strongly approved but have not the skills and time to do it.
The newspaper man delivered the paper between 6 to 6.15 am when we have a few minutes to flip through a few pages before leaving the house for the school bus. There is an obvious advantage in the subscription of ST as my computer is getting old and takes a longer time to link up while it is so easy to just flip through the papers for news.
Life long learning
I believe in the maxim: Life long learning. Most of the courses I did were for the quest of knowledge and for my own satisfaction. Sofar I had done an insurance course, a TCM course and most recent time, a property agent course. And now I am on the blog writing. I learnt blogging from my little daughter, who has learnt it from school. It is good to have a child at home where you can learn from her, especially in this info age which an acquaintance said children were the info age's local and we the aliens.
Insofar, I enjoy the blogging as it meets my objective and purpose.
Insofar, I enjoy the blogging as it meets my objective and purpose.
Computer Times
Look like I have to set a computer times for myself. I am so addictive to computing. I do not use the computer to play games, not at all for that, but to surf the internet and learn. The internet is so resourceful. Websites are so interesting. I have not indulged in the facebook as yet though I already have an account. Imagine there are people cannot live without the facebook.
In between times on the computer, I do housework. I did not ignore my duties, though sometimes in order to have more time on the computer, I have a quick fix for my meal. I do not want to have an elaborate meal. This was made possible, thank to the past when I progressively created some simple menu which I can use now for a simple and nutritious meal.
Nevertheless, it is productive and healthy for me to set aside a computer time. So, when I am with the keyboard, I don't feel guilty. Most importantly, when I am with my computer, my other activities should not be affected. It would be detrimental if I work on computer and my other activities are neglected.
In between times on the computer, I do housework. I did not ignore my duties, though sometimes in order to have more time on the computer, I have a quick fix for my meal. I do not want to have an elaborate meal. This was made possible, thank to the past when I progressively created some simple menu which I can use now for a simple and nutritious meal.
Nevertheless, it is productive and healthy for me to set aside a computer time. So, when I am with the keyboard, I don't feel guilty. Most importantly, when I am with my computer, my other activities should not be affected. It would be detrimental if I work on computer and my other activities are neglected.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
DIY Spring cleaning
Once in a while, we need to clear the cluster in the house to allow a better flow of energy. I spent 1 1/2 hours to clean the study area's windows. Next, I cleared some clusters in the bed room for another 1 hour after I have done the NTUC fairprice marketing. I had updated my accounts. I found that time was simply not enough for allocation. I had simple meals for lunch and dinner. I still have lots of clusters to clear. I also have other commitments and busy schedule in the days ahead.
School Camp
Daughter is away for a 3D2N school camp, starting from 24 Jan to 26 Jan. I can't help but missed her. The first night I was trying to sleep on my exercise mat to experience how hard it was to sleep on the hard floor. Later I removed the pillow to decide whether I could sleep without the pillow on. At the end, when I was too tired, I just slept on my hard mattress bed. I missed my daughter and worried that she would not be able to sleep well for the night. Today when she would be at the Pulau Ubin for the day activities there, I worried as the rain poured, intermittently, a few times, in the afternoon. Forsofar a girl had been so relied on mother to care for her, I wondered how she was getting on? Despite the coldness and wetness in the afternoon, I pray that the weather is fine at night for the students to have their activities and campfire safely.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Reading
Since young, my daughter has been brought to the library to borrow and read books. Besides I love to read, I suppose that is the best place for leisure outing. When I was working, the maid would go to the library on every Thursday to return and borrow books - Thursday is the day when our extended family would buy food home for dinner and the maid would have less work in the kitchen - despite the fact that she read fewer English words and spoke less fluently in English. At night, I would read both English and Chinese books to my daughter. On reflection, how attentive was my daughter then to quietly listen and turn the pages. Even now, many years later, going to library is always on her agenda, to borrow and read books. She learns of new authors from Learning Laboratory, which undoubtedly, instilled in her a further liking of the English language.
At my daughter Primary One's school Principal briefing, I remembered Madam Heng's parting words was to help her to get the children to read. This was an easy task for me as I had all along been doing that. She has so far top her class in the English subject. I hope I can support her more in developing her skill in reading and therefore reaping more benefits in reading.
At my daughter Primary One's school Principal briefing, I remembered Madam Heng's parting words was to help her to get the children to read. This was an easy task for me as I had all along been doing that. She has so far top her class in the English subject. I hope I can support her more in developing her skill in reading and therefore reaping more benefits in reading.
Working beyond retirement
There are people who defies retirement and carry on working as a second career - to keep their mind active. LK decided to do trading and according to her, her proceed was good, she had an average income comparable to what she got while working- that is really not bad. Syl mother could afford her leisurely retirement life - but she chose to work as a dish washer in a coffee shop food stall. E looks after grandchildren five days a week and took weekends off to play mahjong and goes karaoke sessions. This is another way of keeping updates with friends. L also carries on driving a taxi to supplement his pocket moneys. These are ways nowsadays seniors keep their mind and energy in a production mode. I used to see older and sometimes quite week persons clearing plates in foodcourts. Can't help feeling sorry for them; but who know, they may chose to do it to keep their life motor energy going.
Saw Mr Singh last Friday (21 Jan 2011) at Outram Polyclinic. He said he had worked for 34 years and had also retired for 34 years. What a nice number! Father retired at 60 years old (if I remember correctly) and mother at 61 years old. They lived after retirement for 29 years and 28 years respectively. For my parents, time spent dotted on their grandchildren, and of course, time also spent dotting on their grown children as well. My father passed on at 89 years old, and 7 years later, mother passed on, also at 89 years old.
Saw Mr Singh last Friday (21 Jan 2011) at Outram Polyclinic. He said he had worked for 34 years and had also retired for 34 years. What a nice number! Father retired at 60 years old (if I remember correctly) and mother at 61 years old. They lived after retirement for 29 years and 28 years respectively. For my parents, time spent dotted on their grandchildren, and of course, time also spent dotting on their grown children as well. My father passed on at 89 years old, and 7 years later, mother passed on, also at 89 years old.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Happy City, Happy Home
I live in a happy city and I live in a happy home. I am very contented, I have all the things I want to ask for. There are shopping departmental stores abound, and a mrt station nearby where I can travel to all corner of the island easily. In my home, palm trees line up the playground and exercise station, pleasant breeze and the rain trees greet my eyes whenever my windows are opened. A field where people can exercise is within short walking distance, that easily provide the need for those who want to exercise. One can also easily catch 10 minutes of the morning sunlight as there is no blockage just before 8 o'clock in the morning.There is a good hawker centre two blocks away and City Qquar Mall is just a 10 minutes leisurely walk away.
It is accessable to United Square where my daughter tuition centre is, by bus, 2 bus-stations away or a 20 minutes leisurely walking distance away. For people who need constant walking exercise, this is where one can build it in their lifestyle.
Even the car park is lined with palm trees which have grown up to the 2nd storey. There are big and sturdy rain trees providing much shade to the cars as well.
It is very convenience for one to live in such a city, hence I call it a happy city, a happy home.
It is accessable to United Square where my daughter tuition centre is, by bus, 2 bus-stations away or a 20 minutes leisurely walking distance away. For people who need constant walking exercise, this is where one can build it in their lifestyle.
Even the car park is lined with palm trees which have grown up to the 2nd storey. There are big and sturdy rain trees providing much shade to the cars as well.
It is very convenience for one to live in such a city, hence I call it a happy city, a happy home.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Library
Library has become an intergral part of our life. When my daughter is young, we visited the Tampines library to spend our free time. The maid would visit the library on Thursday when she was free to borrow big books. I would read both Chinese and English books nightly to my daughter. When my daughter is older, she learn to choose books herself. The tuition centre - the Learning Lab has also introduced many great authors and hence their books in their curriculum.
The libraries we visited are the Toa Payoh Library, Hougang Library, Central Library, Woodlands Library, Sembawang Library and Bishan Library. The TP and H Libraries have the most books that my daughters used to borrow.
The libraries we visited are the Toa Payoh Library, Hougang Library, Central Library, Woodlands Library, Sembawang Library and Bishan Library. The TP and H Libraries have the most books that my daughters used to borrow.
Discipline
Raising a child, it is not enough to have only love and care. I wish I am a perfect parent, achieving 10/10 or getting full marks in my parental career for the sake of my child. However, there is no training school for one to be a perfect parent. While MOE schools teach academic subjects and provide tests to assess students to ascertain their level of proficiency, there is no such institution for parents. As a parent, we practise what and how we had been raised. Using basicaly the same knowingly/ unknowingly ways, with modification here and there, we prod along, hoping the little one will grow into a kind, strong and useful person.
The parental task is made more difficulty for me, as one who hardly court disciplinary action while growing up nor when working to receive one or to impose one on others. Looking around me, there are parents who resort to canes to ensure kids delivered the desirable school results and some desirable behaviour. There are parents who cane to obtain compliance. There are parents resort to endless persuasion and reasoning. There are also parents exercising authority and firmness. Those who grown up with canning tend to be mediocre, while those with persuasion tend to be more successful and have stronger bond with their mothers/ parents. I guess we want to carry out disciplinary of our child in the best way experts had advised, however, at the end of day, it is our own personality that end up carrying out the action.
Whatever reasons for canning or however persuasion one use, I think it all boils down to the parent personality and their own background of growing up. Whichever parent has the louder voice, he or she will mould the child in his or her predominantly ways of disciplinary, thus, has the stronger influence on the child.
As children have their own personality, we have to respect them. Help them when they have difficulty in self-
disciplinary; encourage, recognise and reward them for good practices, and explain the consequences of bad practices to them. The road to raising a healthy, considerate, kind, diligent, upright, and good child is no easy task. Let hope all parents succeed in their roles.
The parental task is made more difficulty for me, as one who hardly court disciplinary action while growing up nor when working to receive one or to impose one on others. Looking around me, there are parents who resort to canes to ensure kids delivered the desirable school results and some desirable behaviour. There are parents who cane to obtain compliance. There are parents resort to endless persuasion and reasoning. There are also parents exercising authority and firmness. Those who grown up with canning tend to be mediocre, while those with persuasion tend to be more successful and have stronger bond with their mothers/ parents. I guess we want to carry out disciplinary of our child in the best way experts had advised, however, at the end of day, it is our own personality that end up carrying out the action.
Whatever reasons for canning or however persuasion one use, I think it all boils down to the parent personality and their own background of growing up. Whichever parent has the louder voice, he or she will mould the child in his or her predominantly ways of disciplinary, thus, has the stronger influence on the child.
As children have their own personality, we have to respect them. Help them when they have difficulty in self-
disciplinary; encourage, recognise and reward them for good practices, and explain the consequences of bad practices to them. The road to raising a healthy, considerate, kind, diligent, upright, and good child is no easy task. Let hope all parents succeed in their roles.
Early raiser
There are reports say that adults need 7.5 hours of sleep per day; short of which can lead to coronary problems. There are also report says that spending 2 hours or more a day infront of a TV or playing electronic games or on computer also lead to coronary diseases. Despite these, when one bio-system is no longer adhere to the ideal, one just has to adjust his lifestyle to reap the most benefits for his life.
I am nowsadays always awake at around 4am - 4.30am. There are options that one can just lay in bed, thinking/planning for the day, doing deep diaphragmatic breathing or get up to prepare/start the day. There are many things to do but the hours seems to be not enough for allocation. Our spare time do not based on hours but minutes. Very oftern, the time spent sitting inside a tranin are used to sms friends to keep in touch. If our routines occupy most of our time, we will constantly find that we need more effort to do something out of the routines.
My routines: drinking 1- 2 cups of water in the morning, juicing another 2 cups of veggetable juice, prepare daughter for her schooling, go to the football field for the moring exercise, eating breakfast, reading papers, doing blogging, surfing for required info, housework, cooking, fetching daughter to tuition/enrichment centres, snacking, housework, fetching daughter and go for dinner and reading and bedtime by 9 pm. I am very happy with my daily routines especially I look forward to the twice a week activities: joining two different group for chigong exercise and stretching exercise.
While I don't eat out during days when we are out in the evening, I will cook 'yummy' food that daughter enjoys. I cook what we love to eat, I surf and read what I want to know, on the surface, I am very happy.
I am nowsadays always awake at around 4am - 4.30am. There are options that one can just lay in bed, thinking/planning for the day, doing deep diaphragmatic breathing or get up to prepare/start the day. There are many things to do but the hours seems to be not enough for allocation. Our spare time do not based on hours but minutes. Very oftern, the time spent sitting inside a tranin are used to sms friends to keep in touch. If our routines occupy most of our time, we will constantly find that we need more effort to do something out of the routines.
My routines: drinking 1- 2 cups of water in the morning, juicing another 2 cups of veggetable juice, prepare daughter for her schooling, go to the football field for the moring exercise, eating breakfast, reading papers, doing blogging, surfing for required info, housework, cooking, fetching daughter to tuition/enrichment centres, snacking, housework, fetching daughter and go for dinner and reading and bedtime by 9 pm. I am very happy with my daily routines especially I look forward to the twice a week activities: joining two different group for chigong exercise and stretching exercise.
While I don't eat out during days when we are out in the evening, I will cook 'yummy' food that daughter enjoys. I cook what we love to eat, I surf and read what I want to know, on the surface, I am very happy.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
My plan for 2011
Finance
I have achieved my financial freedom. I live simply, the passive income I receive yearly from rent is more than for me to live comfortably with my daughter. I live near a MRT station, hence, the bulk of inflation caused by the transport in using a car do not affect me. Though food items is the highest increased in inflationery, I do not take red meat, so I will not be adversely affected by this concern. My investment is done solely for fun, at the same time, horn my investment skill, and in the process, gain some extra moneys for a long distant holidays.
Clearing all outstanding fincancial accounts, be they funds or CNY FD. The funds don't seem to make any progression and the FD, owing to practical reasons, has to be settled.
Other finance-legal related matter have to be attended to, such as Power of Attorney and related matters.
Hobby
Writing the blog-it is a life account of my past, my experience which is difficult to fully tell those I loved and those who love me. It is autobiography. I have attended a talk at Queenstown library on how to do up one, but never had a chance to sit down and start it. Now that I have commenced, I think I can continue, afterall, I enjoy writing tremendously. Revisit my life from the days I can remember, reap the benefits of experiences for raising my daughter, in the hope that she will become a better person.
Will also try to take part as far as possible in social groups to enrich my life and knowledge and for the sake of better health.
Personal Development and Well-being
Need to devote more time to my daughter on her school work and on her character building. Different outcome of child rearing owing to different personality and expectation will require a lot of effort on my part. Learn to interact with people with more listening skills. Enhance the relaxation skill through meditation.
I have achieved my financial freedom. I live simply, the passive income I receive yearly from rent is more than for me to live comfortably with my daughter. I live near a MRT station, hence, the bulk of inflation caused by the transport in using a car do not affect me. Though food items is the highest increased in inflationery, I do not take red meat, so I will not be adversely affected by this concern. My investment is done solely for fun, at the same time, horn my investment skill, and in the process, gain some extra moneys for a long distant holidays.
Clearing all outstanding fincancial accounts, be they funds or CNY FD. The funds don't seem to make any progression and the FD, owing to practical reasons, has to be settled.
Other finance-legal related matter have to be attended to, such as Power of Attorney and related matters.
Hobby
Writing the blog-it is a life account of my past, my experience which is difficult to fully tell those I loved and those who love me. It is autobiography. I have attended a talk at Queenstown library on how to do up one, but never had a chance to sit down and start it. Now that I have commenced, I think I can continue, afterall, I enjoy writing tremendously. Revisit my life from the days I can remember, reap the benefits of experiences for raising my daughter, in the hope that she will become a better person.
Will also try to take part as far as possible in social groups to enrich my life and knowledge and for the sake of better health.
Personal Development and Well-being
Need to devote more time to my daughter on her school work and on her character building. Different outcome of child rearing owing to different personality and expectation will require a lot of effort on my part. Learn to interact with people with more listening skills. Enhance the relaxation skill through meditation.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
My mother
The person who influenced me most in my life is my mother. She was a first generation of Singapore citizen in our family, who was immigrated from China when she married my father at the age of 17. My father was 7 years older than her. I have four sibling and I am the younger and the only daughter in our family. Ever since I was born in the Naval Base Asia Hospital, my mother had been working to help out my father to raise our family. My mother is a traditional asian woman, she respected her husband, she cared and gave unlimited love to her children.
Way back then, our family was a dual income faimily. That explained why we had a life that was much better than those of my neighbours who toiled around in the factory / farm. I witnessed how being independant and have a constant income gave rise to a comfortable life during my childhood days. Not that I could have what I want during those days, and though I still compared poorly with my wealthy, chauffeur driven. classmates in the secondary school days, nevertheless, I was comfortable to have a daily allowance and not to worry over my school expenses/ tuition fees throughout my schooling life.
Mother loves me but she did not spoilt me. She showed me fairness in love towards my siblings. She cultivated in us a strong bond in our siblings though we did not grown up under one roof all the time. Owing to circumstances, we grown up near and yet far, far yet our hearts were closely knitted together.
She showered kindness and concern among relatives and friends in her own traditional ways. She too loved her own sibling. I had never left her a day throughout my grown up years, and I must say, I am the luckiest person in the world to have a mother so close and love me so much. I felt I had abundant of love that in my adult years that I decided to give the love to a child when I decided to adopt one.
During those days of hardship, I learnt to be independant and diligent. With a very high achievement oriented outlook, I came out top of my then Si San Public Primary School. With a high score of PSLE, I had applied and was posted to the prestige NYGHS.
From the current literatures, breast-feed babies form a stronger bonds with their mothers. My strong bond with my mother could also be due to my being breastfeed till 'quite big' (mum's word), perhaps, up till 3 or 5 years old. I started my schooling when I was six years old. During those days, it seemed the school fee was free if you were at the right school going age. There was no such privilege if you were under age or over age. Hence I had the fortune/misfortune to repeat my primary one and fell in group of the right school going age pupils. There was also a pecular system during those days. When I was at my upper primary level, there was pupil in my school who attended our public school (a Chinese school) in the morning and attended another school (an English School) in the afternoon. He had stopped this, I guessed the system had ceased to allow such two sessions of schooling.
Like kids those days, my childhool was spent climbing our neighbour trees, playing the five stones, and others. My play mates during those days are long lost-touch. Even my primary school classmates, owing to resettlement of the whole village, they are no where to be contacted.
I believe strongly in neighbourhood primary schools. But when I went to NYPS to attend a school talk given by the school principal for my daughter primary education, I was mesmerized by the majestic building. It was like a mother, opening up her hands, receiving her home coming children, that I could not resist, and decided to enroll my daughter in the school despite the fact that we were living very far away at Tampines.
I hope my daughter will be blessed with a very holistic education and she is able to grow up with a fond memery of her primary school education.
Way back then, our family was a dual income faimily. That explained why we had a life that was much better than those of my neighbours who toiled around in the factory / farm. I witnessed how being independant and have a constant income gave rise to a comfortable life during my childhood days. Not that I could have what I want during those days, and though I still compared poorly with my wealthy, chauffeur driven. classmates in the secondary school days, nevertheless, I was comfortable to have a daily allowance and not to worry over my school expenses/ tuition fees throughout my schooling life.
Mother loves me but she did not spoilt me. She showed me fairness in love towards my siblings. She cultivated in us a strong bond in our siblings though we did not grown up under one roof all the time. Owing to circumstances, we grown up near and yet far, far yet our hearts were closely knitted together.
She showered kindness and concern among relatives and friends in her own traditional ways. She too loved her own sibling. I had never left her a day throughout my grown up years, and I must say, I am the luckiest person in the world to have a mother so close and love me so much. I felt I had abundant of love that in my adult years that I decided to give the love to a child when I decided to adopt one.
During those days of hardship, I learnt to be independant and diligent. With a very high achievement oriented outlook, I came out top of my then Si San Public Primary School. With a high score of PSLE, I had applied and was posted to the prestige NYGHS.
From the current literatures, breast-feed babies form a stronger bonds with their mothers. My strong bond with my mother could also be due to my being breastfeed till 'quite big' (mum's word), perhaps, up till 3 or 5 years old. I started my schooling when I was six years old. During those days, it seemed the school fee was free if you were at the right school going age. There was no such privilege if you were under age or over age. Hence I had the fortune/misfortune to repeat my primary one and fell in group of the right school going age pupils. There was also a pecular system during those days. When I was at my upper primary level, there was pupil in my school who attended our public school (a Chinese school) in the morning and attended another school (an English School) in the afternoon. He had stopped this, I guessed the system had ceased to allow such two sessions of schooling.
Like kids those days, my childhool was spent climbing our neighbour trees, playing the five stones, and others. My play mates during those days are long lost-touch. Even my primary school classmates, owing to resettlement of the whole village, they are no where to be contacted.
I believe strongly in neighbourhood primary schools. But when I went to NYPS to attend a school talk given by the school principal for my daughter primary education, I was mesmerized by the majestic building. It was like a mother, opening up her hands, receiving her home coming children, that I could not resist, and decided to enroll my daughter in the school despite the fact that we were living very far away at Tampines.
I hope my daughter will be blessed with a very holistic education and she is able to grow up with a fond memery of her primary school education.
Connectivity and Emotional Relationship
There are many ways of connectivity between people. I think the most powerful connectivity is the so called 'soul-mate'. Believe it or not, 'yi' can be so powerful that the chi generated can heal a body. 'Yi' and 'soul' are very similar, as far as I am concerned, perhaps, 'yi' is somekind of a wavelength. If two persons can connect, they can be buddy. Short comings and adversity can be overlooked between the two persons. Once the two persons have the right connectivity, there is no generation gap, it is above love and care, they become 'soul-mate'. The emotional relationship becomes like a fish is to water in a Chinese saying, or forget the age gap in the emotional relationship.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Tuition - Subjects Enrichment
For all my 15 years learning journey, I never had any tuition. We are independant learner. Our parents were illiterate but with very strong motivation to send their kids to school to learn to read and write. They experienced so much inconvenient having to engage a friend to help them writing letters to send back to China. For their children education, as far as I am concerned, I have all the encouragement to do well and constant reminders that they had suffered by not being educated owing to their circumstances. I was showered with praises and recognition for doing well in school by my parent and their clan association. This had further motivated me to do well. I probably had a better nurturing environment as compared to many of my contemporary that I have an edge over them. Many did not have a chance to go beyond their secondary level. With some luck and right environment, I completed my 15 years of education, though not without hardship and difficulties, both to myself and my parents. I cherished my 15 years of education journey.
Not only not having any tuition myself, I gave tuition to others to help my parent defray expenses in my education. The tuition experiences had also enriched my life during my late teen and young adult years.
Fast forward, the tuition nowsaday has become an extended studies from school. If you don't send your child for tuition, he stands to lose out - what with the current practice of the tuition centre writing their own curriculum - a cutting edge for competition. The tuition nowsadays are not restricted to re-learn what you are taught in school, but with intensive application of what basic / concept you have learnt. A good student excels further; a mediocre student becomes more proficient. If a child mind is able to absorb, I believe he should be given a chance for the exposure.
Not only not having any tuition myself, I gave tuition to others to help my parent defray expenses in my education. The tuition experiences had also enriched my life during my late teen and young adult years.
Fast forward, the tuition nowsaday has become an extended studies from school. If you don't send your child for tuition, he stands to lose out - what with the current practice of the tuition centre writing their own curriculum - a cutting edge for competition. The tuition nowsadays are not restricted to re-learn what you are taught in school, but with intensive application of what basic / concept you have learnt. A good student excels further; a mediocre student becomes more proficient. If a child mind is able to absorb, I believe he should be given a chance for the exposure.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Positive Thinking
People around us are generally quite positive in their outlook. We need to think positively to navigate our life. By not being looking at things positively, but so hatedly, be it owing to selfishness, jealousnessor other reasons, the ultimate victim will be the one who harbours the negative thought. To learn to be positive, one must start from having the right attitude.
Sometimes, relative being over-anxious in our safety could appear to be counter positive. But we could look at it from another angle. We could channel his concern to revisit our safety arrangement and reap the benefits. By not wanting us to be burdened over by his problems, we could respect his privacy.
Being positive, we could sail through life breezily.
Sometimes, relative being over-anxious in our safety could appear to be counter positive. But we could look at it from another angle. We could channel his concern to revisit our safety arrangement and reap the benefits. By not wanting us to be burdened over by his problems, we could respect his privacy.
Being positive, we could sail through life breezily.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Investment
Talking about investments, there are many ways to invest. I am quite into the idea of buying shares with a good divident payout in order to generate some passive income. Together with a small profit in trade, my chicken feed performance for last year was a mere $400 per month. This is good for payment of my utility and telephone bills. This compares with what AK, a blogger, who aims for $50k pa as a passive income is world apart. Anyhow, since I seriously started in Aug last year, there is room for a good performance for 2011. Keep it up.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Diet
Before I came up to this blog, I had a hearty breadfast - cooked rolled oats, added vegetarian marmite, dried prune and turkey fig, also nuts (brazil nut, walnuts, madcademia nut and almonds). Today I shall have salad with 50% whole meal bread. It will go with a mix of 5 colors veggi - to extract various nutrients as advocated by many nutritient experts. Dinner will be steam cod fish and green leafy veggi. I will have sweet potatoes and my daughter will have steamed rice. What about her lunch? Think I will cook pasta with chicken soup bought from the hawker stall. It is always a challenge to come up with ideas as to what to prepare for myself and my daughter for meals.
Most of the days I will try to prepare meals at home. However, when we have activities outside of the house, we will eat nearby. Our favourite meals are the fish slice soups noodles/yam rice, or chicken rice at Peh Kio hawker food centre, the hokkien mee/thunder tea rice at toa payoh hdb hub basement food court, crispy noodles/brown rice at hougang kopitian food court, beef udon/yong tau foo at city square mall banquet food court, organic brown rice at fortune centre.
It takes time and discipline to develop a healthy meal plan; creativity to maintain it. Of course, motivation is needed to start the healthy meal plan in the first place. I was tested IGI some more than 10 years ago and declared a diabetic in 2008 to be on diet controlled at Polyclinic. It is crucial for me to maintain a balanced diet. It is not easy to define 'a balanced diet' especially in our country where eating is a national past time. Insofar, my condition has been controlled as evident in my own scheduled blood tests. Anyhow, not to be complacent, I need to revisit my condition often.
Most of the days I will try to prepare meals at home. However, when we have activities outside of the house, we will eat nearby. Our favourite meals are the fish slice soups noodles/yam rice, or chicken rice at Peh Kio hawker food centre, the hokkien mee/thunder tea rice at toa payoh hdb hub basement food court, crispy noodles/brown rice at hougang kopitian food court, beef udon/yong tau foo at city square mall banquet food court, organic brown rice at fortune centre.
It takes time and discipline to develop a healthy meal plan; creativity to maintain it. Of course, motivation is needed to start the healthy meal plan in the first place. I was tested IGI some more than 10 years ago and declared a diabetic in 2008 to be on diet controlled at Polyclinic. It is crucial for me to maintain a balanced diet. It is not easy to define 'a balanced diet' especially in our country where eating is a national past time. Insofar, my condition has been controlled as evident in my own scheduled blood tests. Anyhow, not to be complacent, I need to revisit my condition often.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Health and Fitness
I shall dedicate every Tuesday's posting to healthe and fitness. Spending two hours at Botanica Garden doing chi gong with the support group - nancy and others - I simply feel good. This has become part of my life, going to BG on Tuesdays, breath in the oxygen and exhale all the carbon dioxide and toxins in the body, feeling exery cells and organ with chi, let the chi circulating, allowing my yi to heal the body, get rid of the staleness, and replace with healthy fresh oxygen........
Other than Tuesdays, I will do my chi exercise at the football field, ending with a 2 rounds walk around the area. Feeling good, not to mention that the walking helps in strengthening my bone- the weak bone caused by the side effect of the drug I am taking daily. Talking about walking, since young, owing to circumstances, I walked a lot. Walking from home to the bus stops - a 15 minutes walk- to catch the early bus to school in Bukit Timah from the then Naval Base. Not known the then Semb shipyard is still in existence.
Doing housework is a form of exercise, too. It is a blessing to know how to do housework and to love to do housework. In the process, we relax ourselves from brianwork and provide the needy balance. Burn out the excess calories and to gauge yourself of your energy level. Today I have done my laundry, too. And now I am cooking for my dahling.
Other than Tuesdays, I will do my chi exercise at the football field, ending with a 2 rounds walk around the area. Feeling good, not to mention that the walking helps in strengthening my bone- the weak bone caused by the side effect of the drug I am taking daily. Talking about walking, since young, owing to circumstances, I walked a lot. Walking from home to the bus stops - a 15 minutes walk- to catch the early bus to school in Bukit Timah from the then Naval Base. Not known the then Semb shipyard is still in existence.
Doing housework is a form of exercise, too. It is a blessing to know how to do housework and to love to do housework. In the process, we relax ourselves from brianwork and provide the needy balance. Burn out the excess calories and to gauge yourself of your energy level. Today I have done my laundry, too. And now I am cooking for my dahling.
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