Plumbing Works

I owned my home for 13 years.  I have only called the plumber once for a major choked in the toilet after a plastic container was accidentally dropped into the bowl.  Other than that, I did D.I.Y. on all the necessary plumbing and electrical work myself.  But I never liked plumbing work.

Last Thurs, on my way home from work, I received a call from my wife saying the plastic knob for the show has cracked.

I was planning to buy a plastic knob again but the D.I.Y.  shop only has this expensive metal knob costing at $40.

As I started to work on this after dinner, while they were relaxing in the living room watching TV.  I realized nobody came and asked how are things or even to check the progress.

Either they don't bother or they have total faith in me.

I like to think it is the later.  haha..

Fixing things has always been a passion for me.  I nurtured the hobby from my father since young watching him fix everything around the house.

So, growing up, I have always been a hands-on person.

Now I like my son to carry on this passion from me.  I would like to see him be handy around the house.

I brought him to hardware shop one evening, showed him the difference between a hammer and a mallet... the different parts of a hammer for their different usage.  He seems quite receptive.  Asking questions about the tool.

Maybe we'll do a project together, build a shelve or planter-box...

I'm sure he'll be better than me, just need to get him interested.

Maid-less Days...

Ever since Ally was born, we have been hiring Domestic Helpers to help-out around the house.

I wasn't without my concern before we hired the first, but eventually the work and housework and the attention required on the young ones weighed down hard and I had to agree to have a helper.

Well now my current maid is taking a vacation back to home town for a couple of weeks... and for the first time in 8 years, we have no helper.

At first I was quite excited with the idea that I can now do housework!  Do it at my standard, which by the way is higher than any of the maid we've hired.  My toilets are cleaner, kitchen is neater... If I say so myself..

While my wife and the 2 girls had their escape planned, they went on a 5 days Chiang Mai trip.  Leaving me and Jared to fend for ourselves.

Without helper, without my wife, without the 2 girls, I had to wake up early to do the routine.  I thank God that Jared was very cooperative during these few days, no fuss no nonsense.  Of course I have a good nanny... she's 42-inch wide and speaks multi languages... She the LG flat screen TV..haha

Switch it on, Jared will sit still for at least 45 min while I quickly do my housework.

During their absence, I have the chance of becoming a single-parent.  It lets me experience the struggles to balance work and home.  It became clear that the 4 year old has become my only companion, the bond between us distinctively became stronger.

I picked him up from childcare on the 3rd day, while I was driving, Jared suddenly said:
"Daddy, I feel sad when you left for work this morning."
I asked "Why?"
Then he said "Because I love you mah."

That was something he has never said to me before.

I felt all warm inside...

Finally, today my maid is coming home.  Her plane will be landing in an hour's time.
I seriously hope she's in it. haha

Mommy is Back to School!

It had been 17 years since I step into the "Working World".
This year, I decided to make a drastic decision to go back to school. This decision does not come easy. It actually took me 2 years to "think" and pray about it. And I do thank God and my institution for the opportunity and believing in me.

Finally, the day has come (6th August 2012) and I am now officially a student. For the next two years, NUS will be my second home.

Many friends had sent me SMS of blessing and told me to enjoy my student life. And I thought to myself that it can't be that difficult being a student. There's only one KPI (Key Performance Index) that is to study and pass the exam :p. Unlike working, we will definitely have more than 1 KPI to achieve. In fact, this is what I often tell my girls....

During the first week, I was constantly reminded by seniors and lecturers that being a Master student, it is all about adult learning. And after just one week in school, I am beginning to understand the true meaning of "Adult learning". It does involves lot of self directed learning and reading. And being away from school for the past decade tells me that I do have a lot of catch up to do. For someone like me who doesn't really enjoy reading, this two years is going to be a real tough.

The other challenge i face is carrying these thick textbooks between school and home. Just the pathophysiology and the Physical examination text itself already weights 3.6kg!!!

To date, I have already been given 2 presentations and assignment to do. So, if NUS is my second home, then library will definitely going to be my bedroom with the textbooks as my pillows.

Trying TCM...

Weather been bad.
And the kids have been passing their cough bugs from one to the other. Ally got the worst hit that prompt me to increase her ventolin puff.


I personally cannot tahan the taste of this Pei Pa Koa. But, I am so very surprise that Jared really don't mind the taste of the pei pa koa. In fact he actually asks for another serving 😃




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Toilet Training- A new milestones for Jared

Toilet Training.
This had been in my mind for quite a while.... And is training boys just as easy as the girls? I briefly remembered that the girls were all toilet trained by the time they reach two years old.
Many friends have come to me and ask whether is Jared already toilet trained. I would often replied them :"Not train yet cos he can't even tell when he wants to poo. I think he is just not ready." For months I have been giving myself excuses that boys are generally slower, so no point rushing them....


This was until 3 days ago when Teacher Tara reminded me to bring few pieces of "briefs" for Jared. She then says she gonna toilet trained the boys in her class.


As a very kiasu mother, I packed 5 sets of brief and shorts for Jared the next day for him to bring to school.

I was pretty excited for Jared's 1st day of toilet training. Was wondering how many briefs he had wet for the whole day...

It came as a surprise to me that Jared did very well on his first day of training. He is able to inform teacher Tara each time he wants to pee n poo.
No accident on Day 1! Well done Jared.

It has been 3 days since Jared started his toilet training. I must say he has done well.

The portable urinal that I bought at Gmarket finally come handy.


Now, Jared had been so use to the brief that he resists the diaper. In the night, I will have to try very hard to persuade him to put on the diaper.

Finally, Jared is a big boy now.


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Ally celebrated her 7th Birthday

Times flies...
It had been a seven good years. From a chubby little baby to a much grown up pretty girl.



Happy Birthday Ally!


Every time when I look at her, she often reminds me of God's goodness in our life.


We love you, Ally!

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Little Ones at Work!

During the recent term break, I signed up a one day holiday program for the girls. The name of the program is "Little Ones @ Work!" It was organized by TTSH HR wellness department and MCYS.

The main aim of the program is to provide parent-child bonding by introducing the parent's work place to the children.

They were also being exposed to the various "Professions" that can be seen in the hospital. This includes some brief sessions with Doctors, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other allied health workers.

The program includes visiting several hospital restricted area such as the Cardio Invasive Lab, Operating theater, Artificial Limb centers, TTSH museum....etc

Ally told me that she even had a first hand experience of going through a CT scanner.


In the afternoon, the kids were welcome by our TTSH chef to lead them in baking oatmeal chocolate cookies. I had some while visiting the girls and it was really yummy!


I am so happy that the girls had enjoyed themselves.


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Quick dish: #1 Green Curry Chicken

As a working mother, it is always a challenge for me to cook a decent meal for my family. I'm always racing against time.

I have also thought of the easy way out, that is to pack dinner home... or just eat out.


But it is my girl's encouragement and compliment that keeps me going.

This will be my first post for quick dish. It will also serve as a reference for myself and maybe for my girls when they grow up.

I was in the mood for curry few days ago. Had decided to cook green curry chicken for dinner tonight.

It was a very simple and easy dish that only took me 20min to complete.

You will need:
- 2/3 of a medium size chicken (chop to pieces and removed the skin)
- 6-7 lady's finger and cut to 2 pieces each.
-1 medium size brinjal and cut to small pieces
-1 cup (300ml) low fat milk
Most importantly, you will need a packet of the special paste of the green curry.


The instructions for cooking the curry is just right behind the packaging and it's so simple to follow.


I actually added 1.5 table spoon of sugar to the curry to make it less spicy for the girls.



This pot of green curry is just nice to serve my family of 4.


Bel is always my no.1 supporter whenever I cook this dish.


- Posted using my iPhone

Trip to Animal Resort

It was one of those usual saturday morning when we went to Jalan Kayu and have our favorite prata. After breakfast, we decided to bring the kids to the nearby animal farm.





The girls were welcome by a flock of geese. They were all after the girls for the bread that they are holding!





Here's a video of the girls feeding the geese!

Jared feeding the rabbits.





Can you count the number of bunnies below?





Ans: ???





So cute little fellows.





Ally: Don't worry, Jie Jie is here.











It was a fulfilled Saturday morning and the kids had enjoyed themselves. Too bad, I heard the farm will be gone to make way for new housing development in another 1-2years.


- Posted using my iPhone

Location:Seletar farmway

Are Fats Good?

One of the way to keep myself awake while studying in the night is "snacking." Lately while coaching Bel for her CA2, I decided to reward her with potatoes chips. As we were both munching on the chips.... We had a little conversations.

Bel : Mommy, are fats good?

Me: Well, it depends.

Bel: Can you name one benefit of fats?

Me: It helps to keep your body warm!

(Bel gazes at me for a while)

Bel: Mommy, are you feeling warm all the time?

Me: !!!


- Posted using my iPad

Happy Birthday Singapore

This year Singapore is celebrating 46th Birthday. I'm glad to be able to attend the NDP for the 1st time at Float @ Marina Bay.


I was lucky to be able to get drawn for 4 tickets on the rehearsal performance. Didn't opt for the actual day because the kids would then be able to watch on TV on the actual day.

We were there as early as 4.30pm although the parade only starts at 6pm.


This year theme is : Majulah! It means the Singapore Spirit. To me, Majulah would mean everyone standing together as One People, One Nation, One Singapore! I am just so proud to be a Singaporean.


The performances were awesome! The organizer had did a good job in ensuring that we (audience) will be entertained both by the emcee, the fantastic musical that show cast the history of singapore and the big bag of goodies sponsored by the various organization.


Once again, Happy Birthday Singapore! And Happy Birthday to my father in law as he is also born on 9 August.


Posted using my iPhone

I'm now an IPhone user...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Isabel 1st exposure to vegetarian food

Vegetarian Chicken Rice...


Mommy: Isabel what did you have for lunch today (Bel was in Church today attending some children workshop)

Bel: (paused for a while) I had vegetarian chicken rice and teacher told us the chicken meat is "fake" one.

Mommy: Is the food yummy?

Bel: I only ate the rice and the 2pcs of cucumber, I threw away all the chicken meat.

Mommy: Why did you do that?

Bel: I'm scare to eat them cos I thought maybe they were made of plastic since they are fake!

I almost fell from my chair when I heard her reply. Maybe, the children church teacher should have explain to them that the meat is make of glutton rather than they are "fake".

- Posted using my iPhone

Conquering 1.6km

22 May 2011
It was like a usual Sunday morning and we were all up and ready to leave house by 7am. When we reached Padang, there was already a huge crowd gathering in the field.
Bel was scheduled to run at 7:45am for her category.


Bel seems nervous before the start of the race. We kept encouraging her to go for her best timing as this was only her first race.


Ally was also there to support her sister.


Ready... Get set... Go!


Isabel completed her 1.6km in 9 min 10 secs. Her best personal best so far. Well done!

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Running the Race

Isabel will be running in the coming Cold Storage Kids Run '11 for the first time.

She had registered for the 1.6km run for her 9-10yrs category.





She was rather excited and had started training with Daddy to run on alternate days.

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This is Silent night... But nowadays its anything but silent.
My wife had been busy preparing this night which her few good friends will be gathering with their children... all 20 of them... Jared as seen in the picture, is dressed as Superman. This is his 2nd Christmas, he sure is getting a lot of present too.

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Ice Skating

Their Aunt... (my sister) brought them to the Leisure Park for a ice skating session. I think Ally is getting better. Maybe one day, she'll be better than her sister.

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9th Anniversary

On 13th Oct, we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary.

At first, I tried to book a table in Carousel 2 days in advance, I have tried the seafood buffet and now is looking for a reason to walk-in again, but was too late as others have already made reservations 1 week in advance. I was placed on the waiting list but I know I would never hear from them again.

I settled for the next best thing... The Fullerton hotel, "Town" restaurant.

Where's Mommy?

I'm hungry! What's for dinner?

There's something stuck in my teeth!!!

When I was making the reservation, I told them it is for my wedding anniversary, not only did they remember the occasion, they even gave us a complimentary small cake.

Thanks for the 9 wonderful year, with many more to come.

First Swimming Lesson

For years, I've been trying to teach them to swim, but they won't listen to my instruction. They just cling to me or the side of the pool afraid to go any deeper.

Finally I've decided to send them to a proper coach for swimming lessons.

I booked the lesson in SAFRA Yishun. Heard its rather popular as for the past 2 sessions I couldn't sign them up as the places were already fully taken.

Before the lesson, Isabel was worrying if she would drown, or swallow water, or what if water goes into her ears... But Ally was rather neutral, she just want to have fun.

I wasn't told that they have to have a swimming board ready, but our friend who's daughter was in the earlier class, called me to inform me of it.

When the class started, they began by doing some warm-up. The girls gingerly joined in as they are unfamiliar with the people there.


Coach Soya, and her assistance coach Lisa patiently went through the safety and then the basic foundation of breathing and holding breadth. One of the student is repeating the course cos she failed the test at the end of last course. She looks not a day older than 4 years old...

Another girl is simply a princess of her own La-La land. Doesn't care about the on going lesson, played in the baby pool for most of the time. Her mother has to keep dragging her back to join the group.


After the lesson, they were eager to practice more, immediately I could see the improvement of the water confidence and the movements.

I hope this will improve their health and well being, and for me I will get some exercise too. I'm planning to hit 20 laps by the end of their last lesson.