The International Gal of Mystery

The little chameleon can easily slip into one of her many guises, adopting different nationalities even, to fool the untrained eyes of those who conspire against her (e.g. attempts to feed her foodstuffs that do not agree with her tastebuds).

Jae the Chinese gu-niang.

Jae the Dutch Lady.

Jae the Iranian girl.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wars

Greetings. I am Baybi-wan Jialoti, the youngest ever Jae-di to graduate from the Jae-di Academy. Observe how skillfully I wield my light-sabre. My master tells me I am too young to use the heavy-sabre now. How do you like my new Jae-di robe? I inherited this from my Master.



"Use the Force, Baybi-wan.", my Master never fails to remind me. I train hard each day, under the harshest of conditions and the strictest of discipline. This is the only way to develop a keen mind, an agile body, and a green hand.



This is me with my venerable Master, Jae-di Master Yoma.

Me : Yo, Ma. What's up?
Master: Beware the Dark Side, my young apprentice. Things you can't see can trip you. Always remember to turn on the lights.

Little Miss Messy II

They say we should let our children explore with crayons too!

Look at my master piece!!!!!!!!

Little Miss Messy

Mommy finally decided to let little Jaimie try her hands (literally) on the Crayola children paint set that she purchased eons ago, but which had been kept in storage until the lazy afternoon that was yesterday's.



"They say to let the child wear mommy's old t-shirt." - and so Jae put on mommy's t-shirt, one from eons ago, but for some reason had survived the garung-guni visits.



I guess "they" also said to lay a piece of majong paper on the floor for the child to doodle and/or paint on. Mommy tasked daddy to "draw something for her to colour in." Hence the Elmo face.



With some prompting, little fingers began to explore the different colours on the palette, a little hesistant at first, but quickly warming up to a messy eagerness.



Here's little Miss Picasso at work. "Draw something for her to colour in." ? Yah, right. When Jae paints, its without confines and boundaries.



Thank goodness the paint is fully water soluble. "Crayola® Washable Fingerpaints provide a worry-free fingerpainting experience!"



"You think I can only do paint, and not other mediums? Well, think again!"



Jae's handiwork.

Medicine - The Non-Drowsy Kind

Still coughing quite a bit today, despite medical orderly's assurance that the cough mixture prescribed to me by the MO is the powderful kind. Took half day leave in the afternoon so I can take my meds and get knocked out within the safe confines of home.

You know what they say about laughter and medicine...

This ad here made me laugh (2 times - one for each time I played it). Hope it works.

Sick Man of the East

That'd be me. Thank you very much.

Since last Thursday, I've been having these bouts of 'attacks' where out of the blue and without warning, I'd start sneezing, my nose would run and be blocked at the same time, I'd cough and wheeze compulsively until my voice is reduced to a tiny and hoarse croak. The worst of these 'attacks' happened on Friday night, when we went to Keming Primary School to attend their Mid-Autumn Festivel event, and on Saturday when we made a trip to the Bottle Tree Park. The strange thing was that the symptoms were really quite transitionary - a pill of Clarityn, bit of rest, and I'd be fine again the next morning.

This morning, however, was different. I felt unwell. The hoarseness in my throat didn't go away despite my deliberate attempt to get to bed earlier the previous night (after I'd expended like half a box of tissues blowing my puffy red nose).

"Better not let this drag on anymore, I thought. So I came to see you to grab some meds to hopefully put an end to this.", I replied the MO at the Medical Centre.

"Good call.", the MO said. "Not to worry. You'd be fine."

And then he sent me off to the prescription counter, to get these.


Potent stuff, these are.

1. Difflam: Suck on these for your sore throat; 4 times a day.
2. Piriton: For the flu; 1 tablet after meal; 3 times a day; may caused drowsiness.
3. Procodin: This is for your cough; 10mils 3 times a day; DEFINITELY will cause drowsiness.

"I know lah. This is the usual cough mixture that causes drowsiness right?"

"Er, sir. No leh. This one is very strong one. MO seldom give one.", said the medical orderly at the counter.

Ok....I thought. Like that today don't have to work liow lor. And I was right. After popping the tablet and downing 2 spoonfuls of the mixture, it didn't take long to feel my head swirling. I was nuah the whole day (not that normally I'd be exceptionally goot lut lah).

***************************
I was supposed to meet up with Idy and Stardust today for lunch at Lucky Plaza, originally. Ended up the lunch appointment gotta be called off cos little Iden came down with a fever and mommy Idy had to rush back home to attend to him.

Stardust got her lucky stars to thank for not having to risk life and limb being ferried in a car driven by a half-awake man.

Anyway, I ended up walking over to Novena Square foodcourt to grab lunch by myself. And I saw this.




They were organising this Singapore-International bowling competition, or something, and had this two-lane bowling alley installed right smack in the centre of the mall's atrium. And from the second floor, you get to view the machinery that sort and position the pins working. Quite cool.

A visit to the MPH bookstore on 2nd storey later, I bought this, because it had a 20% discount sticker slapped onto its cover. Even then, it still managed to reduce my wallet's contents by $42.71. Wonder when I'd actually pick it up to read, and if it'd suffer the same fates as my recent book purchases which invariably ended up half-read.



*****************************************
Oh, during lunch at the food court, I made two new friends from Taiwan.

I was carrying my tray with my lunch (Grilled Fish Set) on it, and looking for a seat in the very crowded place.

"Excuse me, are either of these seats taken?"

"Oh, no. Please." The bespectacled man gestured to the seat besides him.

The other man sitting opposite the first looked up from his plate and stared at mine. He was a little on the plump side and wasn't wearing any specs. "这是什么饭?", he asked me.

"啊。这是 "Grilled Fish Set". 我是在那个摊位买的。" I offered.
"哦不，我是想知道这饭里有什么，为什么是青色的？"
"哦。那是用斑兰叶煮的饭。"
"你是本地人吗？你的国语讲得很标准。" The slimmer bespectacled man spoke again.
"哈哈。是吗？还可以啦。呃，我是本地人。你们是外地来的吗？"
"是啊！我们是台湾人！"

And so we chatted while having our lunch. About food and about tourist attractions in Singapore, mostly. I found out that both of them are from Taipei, were here for leisure, and would be departing Singapore this coming Wednesday. They've already been to the major shopping arcades including Orchard Road and VivoCity, and have also visited the Mid-Autumn Festival decorations at Clark Quay. I asked if they'd gone to Sentosa yet. They said no, although they've been told about it. Told them that I just brought my family over there yesterday. They both seemed surprised that I'm married, so I guess they probably are single themselves. Both of them looked to be in their late twenties/ early thirties. The bespectacled guy (范) is working as a medical representative in some German Medicine Company. The other chap (李) is an entrepreneur who sells "过滤器". I wonder if they were the air or the water types. But I didn't ask.

Before we parted, we exchanged namecards and contact information.

“现在我们是朋友了。下次你到台北，来找我们。我们一定招待你。不必跟旅行团！”

Nice chaps, these two.

Fleeting Fun

As soon as Jaimie woke up this morning, we prepped ourselves and set forth to Sentosa, for some early morning fun. By the time we reached Palawan Beach, it was only 8.30am.


We manouvered to one of the beach bences and settled ourselves in. Mommy promptly slipped little Jae into her swim wear, and matching shades!


Little Miss Vainpot, all dressed up for that Kodak moment.


Mommy packed breakfast so we could have a little picnic by the beach.


Being the early birds meant we practically had the beach to ourselves~!


The new sand playset was a present from Jae's 姨婆. We have only gotten hold of it yesterday and immediate deployed it to action today.


There was a water feature area nearby, and as usual Jae enjoyed the splashing fun time. As usual, I ended up getting very wet.


Back to the beach. This was Jae's second dip into the sea. This time she got to experience just how salty sea water was, when a big wave splashed up onto her face!


Shortly after this shot was taken, rain clouds started to appear. We quickly packed our stuff, showered down Jaimie and headed home. By that time, it was pouring cats and dogs.

A very short, early morning funtime at the beach. Just by ourselves. It was fun while it lasted.

Showtime At Granny's (Again)

Inevitably, this afternoon's visit to Granny's turned out to be yet another of Jae's matinee performances. With the little Ng's innate desire to hao-lian fueled by the elder Ngs' appreciative laughters and supported by mommy Ng's encouragement and prompting, it became a session where Jae just went on showing off the new tricks and stuff that she has picked up recently (some of which we have no idea on their origins...).

BZ SAT

That's what happens when the weather is too good on a weekend - we can't help but pack in many activities to fully optimise the 'rare opportunity'...way too many.

After her morning nap, Jae went over to 奶奶's place for lunch and to play.


Jaimie the little botakhead has several caps and hats accessories which she'd sometimes put on to look more feminine or when she wants to look 美美. Today she put on the Disney Princess hat that Aunty 恬敏 bought for her from HK Disneyland.


While Jae was having porridge at granny's, Angie and myself walked out to the nearby row of eateries to grab our lunch. On our way back, Angie couldn't resist buying this box of animal pastry. These 3 cuties are made of 月饼皮 and have 红豆 fillings in them. Cost only $2.50 per box.


When Jae was going to have her afternoon nap, we promised her that when she woke up we'd bring her to the swimming pool. The weather remained good, so we got to keep our promise and proceeded to Yishun SAFRA. Mommy left Jae's swim wear at home, but that didn't stop Jae from getting her dip in her diapers and shorts! With her botakhead, she'd just looked like a topless little boy, so none would be the wiser. Haha!


The moon was visible even at 6 o'clock. I snapped this shot while waiting for the girls to shower. This is the face of the moon 3 days before 中秋节.


After having dinner, we went from Yishun Ave 4 to the Bottle Tree Park along Ave 1. Once there we met up with the Chiah family. This was the shot that got our little jealous Princess into a brief crying fit.


Shortly after, BabyJaz showed up too. Here're the 3 maidens, lined up in ascending age from left to right.


Jazel 姐姐 and Jaimie, showing off her Mickey Star lantern that blasts the "Home Sweet Home" tune.


This was our second visit to the Bottle Tree Park, and the first at night. It's really a beautiful place, but pity...both Angie and me started to display symptoms of falling sick, probably due to fatigue.

That's what happens when the weather is too good on a weekend - we can't help but pack in many activities to fully optimise the 'rare opportunity'...way too many. *Sigh*

Grow Like A Champion, Grow

For our Genting trip coming up this Dec hols, we needed to get a passport made for little Jae. The last photo shoot was 10 months ago, so we thought it necessary to get a more recent picture for the passport application. So, we returned to the same Bright Studios in Clementi last Saturday.

This second visit was soooo much smoother and prompter than the previous one.

No need for any bell-ringing. No crying bouts. No wrestling with baby.

Just a simple order of "Smile, Jaimie! Say 'Cheese!'", plus a bit of finger snapping (by me, behind the camera), and it was done.

I went to collect the prints and CD-ROM from the studio just now, after knocking off from work. When I got home, I showed Angie the hardcopy prints. She was pleased with them. I then uploaded the softcopy image onto the laptop and viewed it side-by-side the earlier shot taken 10 months ago.

It was a WOW moment for both of us. While we had known that our little girl must have grown much during this intervening period, we were still pretty amused to find the signs of growing up to be quite apparent.

Well, see for yourself here - 10 months worth of Jae growth.



P/S: Ok lah...for 10 months, the hair growth really isn't much. If you are to extrapolate using the current rate of growth, little Jae would still be having too little hair in another 10 months' time. *sigh*

The Little Triumphs in Life

"If you're focused on what you've left behind, you will not be able to see what lies ahead." - Remy, Ratatouille

How many times have you wallowed in the past at the expense of your future?

How many times have you wailed at your losses and forgotten to celebrate your gains?

How many times have you blamed your inadequacies on any and everyone from yourself to the holy divine?

How many times have you allowed apathy to dilute your passion into numbness?

Well, be repressed no more! Tune up the emotive knobs in your system. Tune them way up!

Rejoice in the smallest of victories. Celebrate the tiniest of successes. Cheer the trivialest of triumphs.

Why be just happy when you really oughta be ecstatic!

"Visit from the Genies" Tag

When you're down and you're out
It wouldn't help even if you pout!
Simply make a wish to you-know-who
Hopefully it will soon come true!

Excuse my silly little limerick above. The tag that came to me from Mamatang does require me to "write a short paragraph" about being visited by the Genies, so this was what I could come up with.

** Start copying now **

Rules:

1. Write a short paragraph about your visit by the two Genies and include a link to the blog that passed on the Genie Symbol to you.

2. COPY the Rules and ENTIRE List below and post it on your blog.

3. List down your wish.

4. Place your name below the last name on the list and pass on the Genie Symbol to at least 5 other bloggers.

5. Please put up either one (or both) of the Symbols of the Genies on your blog to show that the Genies have visited your blog:

The Genie King, the Genie Princess and their trusty Genie Buddy have visited:

Mariuca would like to wish for happiness and success.

Adrian would like to wish for good health and happiness.

Emila would like to wish for happiness and success.

Trinity would like to wish good health for Jan’s brother and Yah and Wan and success

MPG would like to wish for love and peace

Jean would like to wish for stress free work environment and happiness

Cbenc12 would like to wish for health, happiness and luck for my family and friends and me too!

Paris Beaverbanks would like to wish for more publicity! Hooyah! (taps swollen head)

Giddy Tiger would like to wish for longer weekends and never-ending holidays!

Shooi would like to wish for peace on earth, love, good health and happiness.

Chinnee would like to wish for happiness and good health forever!

Hui Sia would like to wish for love, health, wealth and happiness.

Chew Lee would like to wish hubby for a successful business venture in Singapore.

Mama Tang would like to wish for health, wealth, success and happiness for everyone.

Clement would like to wish for the ability to eat without getting fat.

Welcome aboard the Magical Flying Carpet for the Ride of your Life!

Alakazam!

***End Copying Here***

Now, Clement wishes to pass this tag to:

1. Joyce @ The Chiah Family (Haha! This time I AM faster than you!)
2. Idy @ Twin Terror
3. Mommy Stardust @ All That Glitters About Vincent
4. Noelle @ Our 3 Js
5. Angelcow @ Obasan & Ajuma
   

Best wishes.

爱你变成害你

到育婴网站去，看到一个年轻的妈妈在询问大家的意见：她的宝贝儿子快一岁了。一岁生日时想带出外他庆祝。动物园？不行，她老公说细菌太多了。商场里的游乐场又没什么特别，可能孩子会不喜欢。于是问问讨论区的网友有什么意见。

因为大姨妈要来，本女王心情已经受到荷尔蒙的控制，很想找人吵架。看到这样“卫生条件讲第一”的论调，我的火就上来了。当然我就尖酸刻薄地说了一些逆耳的话。好玩的是，还有一群志同道合的朋友（还有老公！）一唱一和。

我们都不是坏人，也不是要把快乐建筑在别人的痛苦上。我们只是一群不愿意害自己孩子的家长，也不忍心看到一个天真活泼的小孩基于卫生理由像母鸡一样地被困在“安全又卫生”笼子里。

为什么有些人就是看不到孩子的免疫力是要在与细菌的抗争中培养起来的？现在竭尽所能帮孩子与细菌隔离，你就是训练他成为将来的药煲子！狼女说得好，干脆买个泡泡袋把孩子装在里面吧！真空隔离，又有护垫，安全又卫生！我原本写道：“这是极好的主意！将来他长大之后，就穿太空装。但是要确保没有人恶作剧地把他头上的玻璃头盔摘下来。”但是在讨论区，还是给对方留一点颜面吧。
孩子是我们国家未来的栋梁。我这么说，有些人还是觉得很遥远，觉得自己的孩子不需要做国家栋梁，只要一辈子做自己的心肝宝贝就可以了。那我告诉你，以后，你的孩子就是保护你的人！搞不好将来发生战争，孩子躲到妈妈后面，说：“妈！森林里有很多细菌，我不要去！机关枪很脏，我没有带消毒药水！”，或者受到一点挫折之后就要生要死，或者是告诉妈妈说：“妈妈，走到停车场的路上太晒了，我不要去做工了。”……你不悲哀吗？你无需悲哀。因为做父母的很快就会回归大地。孩子还有很长的一段人生要自己走。

小时候，听过一个故事：一个孩子偷东西，他的母亲纵容他。后来，他当上了匪徒，最后被绳之以法。临刑前，他叫自己的母亲过来，说有最后的话要跟母亲说。老泪纵横的母亲忙把耳朵凑过去，儿子一口把母亲的耳朵咬下来，说是母亲的纵容害了他。如果我们举一反三、触类旁通，这跟在日常生活中过度保护孩子不是有互通之处吗？

不要以爱的名义害自己的孩子吧！千万不要啊！不要呵，不要！

若有得罪之处，请多多包涵。

成长的里程碑 之 讲话

媛媛现在17个月大了。

我做妈妈的，每次看见孩子到达了她成长的另一个里程碑，心里都无限欢欣。

媛媛之前都在学习讲话。她很多音都发得不准，而且发音的准确度并没有太大的进展。很多音也发不出来，她想模仿也模仿不来。

她17个月时，对于发音突然开窍了似的，能够发出的音节突然增多了。她好像找到了运用口腔的技巧，尽管意思还是一知半解，然而很多词语都能够似模似样的模仿着讲。有时听收音机，她也突然模仿DJ的句子的最后两个字发音。大约两个星期前，她开始能够把两、三个词语串起来讲。上个周末，她竟然还能够用中文背1到10！我和老公在惊讶之余，也觉得非常骄傲。骄傲的，不是孩子的“聪明”，而是她来到了成长的一个重要里程碑。我甚至很想握媛媛的手恭喜她学会了一样新的事物！

媛媛语言上的成长，我觉得居功最大的，是我妈妈、我家婆还有老公。我觉得我一直在低估孩子的学习能力。我也没有好好的教她讲话，尽管我整天和她胡说八道。然而，妈妈、家婆和老公，他们却是非常耐心地、有方法地教媛媛。对于这三人，我一直内心都充满感激与感恩。我一直汗颜的，是我是一个教师，但是我却没有很好地教媛媛。我似乎比较忙着她的起居饮食，比较少在意她其他方面的进度。或许，这就是我和老公分工合作的地方吧！

现在孩子很会模仿了。我们做父母的，更加要注意自己的言行举止，因为我们的一举一动，一言一语，都会让孩子看在眼里，成为她学习的榜样。

有些孩子比较早掌握某些技巧，有些需要多一点时间。无论怎样，每个父母看到自己的孩子到达他成长的里程碑时，心里都是有着同样的感动！

孩子，加油！未来的世界是你们的！