Pictorial Updates about Korea

Thanks Chris and Dency for dropping me a line. Feels nice to know that we are connected in cyberspace through my blog.

Just going to post some more pictures about what I saw at Korea.

A korean classroom. Floor is "timber-decked", there are wooden tables and chairs, curtains, blackboard and the TV at the side is for projection from the computer.

A lesson going on. Notice that the children don't wear uniform?

A poster to welcome us! How nice.

A typical building along the street.

All of us at Incheon International Airport. The first one we took after touching down.

Mrs Soo (ahem!) at Daegil Elementary School.

On the street (the first day we touched down) called Dongdaemun. (Shopping!)

The trees at Nami Island. Aww.

More trees at Nami Island. Double Awwww...

That's me at the snowy Mt Sorak. It was so AWWWWWW....

Shopping

I was one of the shopping queens in the group (Disclaimer: Notice I said "one of the". There were some other shopping queens and I was only one of them. :-p )

I bought tons of earrings and accessories because they were so cheap!! And these are not those MIC (made in China) but MIK (figure that out yourself) I knw the market price. Earrings that are imported from Korea are costly in Singapore, so when I saw the earrings going at 1000 won (roughly S$1.50), I grabbed!

So my shopping achievement looks something like this:

1. A pair of black shoes that looks like boots

2. Tons of earrings and accessories

3. A few watches

4. A beautiful arty farty looking ring

5. A few tops

6. Ginseng powder (for my children)

7. A pair of grade B amethyst rings - 1 for hubby 1 for myself (my most expensive buy)

8. A packet of 1kg Kimchi for mum

9. Lots of Korean tidbits

10. A bottle of peeling gel for my face - I am also very happy with this buy. Makes my skin very soft and smooth!

The total damage: S$800

Retail Therapy!!

Korea 9-15 Mar 2008

As part of my MLS course, I went on a regional trip to Korea, fully sponsored by MOE, to visit the schools there. It was a very enjoyable trip -- good exposure to the educational and social culture, great scenery, fantastic weather (we even experienced snow at Mt Sorak) fabulous shopping (oops!) and above all, the great friendship that we have built. I did miss my family, but it wasn't as bad as I had thought, coz I was enjoying myself so much.

The above picture shows me at Nami Island -- the place made famous by the popular Korean drama "Winter Sonata". The place was so beautiful, with all the tall trees and long branches. I was so mesmerised that I have rented the entire drama home!

Cannot blog for too long as my tutor is getting suspicious -- will continue next time. See ya later.

Quick Update

The quickest way to update is to post photos!

Have to post photos of my children - they are growing more and more adorable by the day! I am one proud mummy!

Teng Teng and Xin Xin relaxing on bed watching what-else-but-Barney....


Teng Teng simply looks handsome from any angle.


Look Ma! I've got teeth!


The great architect at work.


这把泥土，这把泥土


B L U R


一家人，整整齐齐。

我开始上课了！

很久没有用华文。今天心血来潮，想动动华文笔，看看是否生锈。

最近，我又重返校园，到学府上课。我修读的课程是Management and Leadership Studies。基本上是一个主任的课程，主要内容是教导我们如何在教育界当领袖，引导教员，朝学校的使命与远景前进，带动整体上的进步。我的资历并不深，因此，在这方面，我的确有很多要进修，要学习。

虽然每天到南大（国立教育学院就在南大的范围内）的路途遥远，但是我还是非常享受上课的感觉。做学生太享受了。你的责任只是用心听课。当老师就不同了。这么简单的道理，我怎么到现在才领会到？

我会好好利用这四个月的时间，认真地学习，思考，反省，看书，聊天，交谈，研究，观察。我更会珍惜这么难得的机会，好好地充实自己，顺便休息，让自己在回到岗位上的时候，更有信心，更有魄力。

谢谢你花时间“听“我把我的感受写出来。

好了。不写了。好困！

晚安。再见！

Xin Xin Turns 2!

Xin Xin turns 2 years old today!

I cannot believe that my baby girl has grown into a beautiful young lady.

She is 2!

We went to the Zoo in the late afternoon, just in time to catch the Sea Lion Show at the Splash Amphitheatre.

Here are a few snapshots.


She was so afraid of being kissed by the sea lion that I had to "sacrifice"!

EEE PC

I think it is absolutely necessary to do a formal introduction of my new toy.

Please meet my friend, the EEE PC, also known as ASUS.

EASY to learn, work and play
EXCELLENT mobile computing experience
EXCELLENT internet experience

Let me give you a glimpse of its size.




I had some difficulty getting it configured for the wireless network on NIE campus, as the encryption code was not compatible. So, my hubby got me the mobile modem from Starhub. Now, we can hook onto the net anywhere, anytime!

From Monday onwards, I can go to school using my normal handbag. No need big haversack anymore!

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL STUFF!

I am doing pedicure...NOW AS I BLOG

My hubby had just bought me an eeepc. You know, the super small and light weight one.

And because it is so small and portable, I am able to type this blog while doing my pedicure, right at basement 1 of AMK Hub, Nail Palace.

Thanks to wireless@sg. Technology is such cool stuff.

Life is great.

I am a student again

I am currently on a full-time 4-month course at NTU/NIE. The name of the course is "Management and Leadership Studies" (formerly known as the DDM - Diploma in Departmental Management) This is my first week and so far, it has been good.

Basically, my timetable runs in 2 blocks; 9am-12pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm. On some days, I only have lecture or tutorial in the morning block. On some days, I am "free" the whole day. Most of these free days are meant for school visits and discussion.

For today(Friday), we are supposed to log into the discussion forum to discuss topics or do our online journal - blogging (an official one--not this one :p )

My daughter is pleasantly surprised that mummy is at home with her. I cannot forget the surprised look on her face when I assured her that "Mummy does not have to go to work today"

There are quite a number of deliverables from this course, some of which are pretty exciting. In a nutshell:

1. Personal journal
2. Designing a 10-week curriculum for a particular school (in my case, Unity Primary School)
3. Regional Visit - I am going to KOREA
4. Report on regional visit
5. Any other assignment from our electives

Quite a lot of work to do huh?

But, who is complaining? Not me!

My New Home

These are 2 pictures of my soon-to-be home - The Calrose.
I only have these 2 pictures showing the poolside.
News is that the project has attained TOP (temporary occupation permit).
The keys are being despatched in phases. Seems like it's by block.
We might be one of the last to get our keys as our block is at the "outskirt".
We'll just have to wait. So exciting!

Some updates on my kids

My new cheongsam!


I'm papa's girl.... (It was Mummy's birthday on 30 Dec!)


Don't I look like a cool dude?


POM POM time!

I've Finally Got A Helper

After struggling with taking care of my boy and the other etc etc for 7 and a half months, I have surrendered.

I've got a domestic helper wef 30 Dec 07. Which happens to be my birthday!

With her around, the housework has been entirely taken off my shoulders. Which is really good. Besides the housework, I'm also slowly training her to wash the car. The biggest relief is the night feeding. I finally get to sleep properly!

Got to rush off now for a meeting!

A Christmas Note for Hubby

Dear Hubby,

I've not written a card for you in a long time, perhaps for as long as we have been married. Got you a Christmas-Wedding Anniversary gift to start off the new year with -- nothing spectacular, just something smart to wear for the new year.

Christmas is a time when people count their blessings. For me, my greatest blessing is to have married you, and now we have 2 more little blessings in our lives -- Xin Xin and Teng Teng. Having the 3 of you makes my life complete. I don't ask for anything else.

Merry Christmas, and a merry lifetime ahead.

Love,
Mummy

Having an Extra Pair of Hands

Recently, I have got a helper a home.

This helper is commonly known as a "maid" locally, but I personally find this name a little degrading and less respectful, so I prefer to call her a helper.

Anyway, she is housed at my place for a period of 10 days 9 nights because my friends, who are her employers, have gone overseas for a holiday and hence needed to "tompang" her somewhere.

Her name is Eh Ka Paw Mu from Myanmmar, 24 years old. A young and sweet lady. Quite pretty in fact. She cooks well and is quite efficient in doing the housework. Since I have help, I have asked her to do all the things that I have been wanting to do but did not have time or energy to do. I made her clean the windows (gosh, those dreaded windows which are so dirty and difficult to clean and I had long given up cleaning them since god-knows-when), take down all the curtains and wash them and hang them back (I have a washing machine and dryer ok, so please don't think that I torture her), wash the toys (I used to wash them BEFORE Eston was born) and pack and clean the storeroom. I did this with her, coz I needed to decide which things to throw and keep. Eventually I threw half the stuff in the storeroom, afterwhich I was very, very pleased.

She did all these on top of the daily mopping, cooking, washing of dishes, and occasional laundry and toilet washing. She also re-packed my kitchen (the cupboards and drawers were in a mess eversince my mum came - she's good at stuffing things everywhere but not in a systematic way) and cleaned up whatever she could clean.

I realised that I feel happier during this period, because my house is CLEAN.

This is my NORMAL standard. In the PAST.

And I have just realised how much I have lowered my cleanliness standard eversince I have had kids.

Snapshots of myself on all fours scrubbing the toilet floor with a 8-month pregnated belly at 11pm suddenly whizz through my mind. That was before Estelle was born.

After she was born, I still try my best to upkeep the cleanliness (I wash her toys periodically, okay!) but have let go of some things like windows.

After Eston was born, I struggled very badly. It came to a point when I was going mad. I couldn't cope.

We got a part-timer who comes on Saturdays for 4 hours to do big items like washing the 2 toilets, vacuuming, mopping and ironing. We pay her $10 per hour. She is not very thorough but I just keep her because she desperately needs the money. I just close one eye and live with it.

I like the idea that all the housework can be taken off my shoulders, but will not contemplate getting a full-time helper at the moment. Prefer to have our own privacy and save on this cost. I will make do with a part-timer, but I do hope that the part-timer can be as good as Mu. Perhaps I might ask my friends if we could arrange for Mu to be our part-timer. Let her earn the extra cash. Why not, right?

Tomorrow I will be sending her back to my friends. It had been a good arrangement.

:-)

Terminal 3

Nothing much to see yet, but definitely will be a nice place to hang out in future.

Genting Nightmare

We courageously took both our kiddos up to Genting for a holiday. We took my parents along, thinking that with their help (they are the daytime caregivers anyway, so kids are ok with them) we would be able to manage pretty comfortably and have some fun. Moreover, wanted to give my parents a "year end bonus" as they really come over faithfully, rain or shine, sick or not sick, to take care of my kids. They deserve a little treat.

We had overestimated our abilities, underestimated the kids' capabilities, and misestimated the possibilities.

Let's not count the packing part. Packing for this trip was already a logistics nightmare. Packing for ourselves was easy. Some clothes and toiletries. Finish. Packing for them? Day clothes, pyjamas, socks, bips, toiletries, diapers (how many... got to count), milk feed (how many feed, also must count), containers, hot water flask, shoes, food, toys, etc, etc. The list is endless.

Let's talk about the trip. The first thing that went wrong was that Estelle had developed fever on our journey there. She probably could not take the long journey. We gave her paracetemol (we had brought it) and a monitored her temperature (nrought a thermometer). Things didn't improve. In fact, her fever shot up to 39 degrees celcius and we had no choice but to send her to the doctor (there was a clinic there) Cost us RM140 (which thankfully can be claimed), but the experience there was the one that traumatised her. Doc had to insert the medicine in her backside which sent her wailing and screaming loud enough to rock the whole Genting. One of the medication tasted awful, so she took one dose and then refused to take subsequent doses. We had to force the fever medicine down (she usually takes her medicine willingly through the use of a spoon) which made it very unpleasant for everyone. So she went on throwing tantrums and giving everyone hell.

Her fever subsided and we could take her on the indoor rides. But we decided to skip the outdoor rides. Which was really a shame.

Eston had some running nose but he was generally ok. The NOT OK part was, he simply stuck to me like superglue! He refused to sleep with my parents, and I have to be within his sight! Within sight nevermind, must carry all the time! I super cannot take it. All the time he wants to be latched. Like I'm some kind of cow!

So, the 2 monsters took turns to cry and cling on to the both if us until we became super exhausted.

The good part ---- prob the small win of RM68 at the casino. We won RM168 at the jackpot but lost RM100 at one of the table games. Was an experience la.

And, I managed to buy a pair of pretty heels.

That's about it. The rest was simply a NIGHTMARE.

Will never do this ever again.

Check out the naughty kids!

Dip in the Pool

I threw Estelle into the pool when she was 4 months old.

Eston experienced his first dip on 4 Nov 2007. A quick calculation -- Almost 6 months old.

Sigh. Mummy is so unfair.

Sorry, boy. Mummy did not forget. In fact, Mummy had your swimming gear prepared long ago when you were only 3 months old. But, Mummy got busy and did not manage to arrange a swimming outing. The logistics arrangement to take the 2 of you out on a swimming trip --- GOSH --- *roll eyes*

Anyway, we did it. Eston had his first dip at the swimming pool at Raffles Town Club. I had to ask my parents along so that I have extra hands to help out, esp in the bathing part. Haiyo. Super cham.

Anyway here's Eston in his handsome gear:


And of course Estelle who was already having fun in the water:

Blink Blink ;)

I have finally done it. The lasik surgery.

Went for the evaluation test on Sat morning (24/11/07) and there and then decided to just do it. I got my vision corrected on that very afternoon at 5pm.

The process is a little "scary". I lie on this surgical bed. The doc tapes my eyelids to keep them "up". Then a big metal ring thingy is "sucked" onto my eyeball so that I cannot blink. Then my cornea flap is flipped and the laser did its thing. There was a burning smell. I had to stare at a blinking light. Many a times, I sort of shifted my eyeball a little and the laser would stop. I had to focus on the blinking light in order for the laser to work. When it is done, doc flipped my cornea flap back and pressed out the bubbles. Then the procedure is repeated for the other eye. Ironically, I wasn't scared at all. I was just so determined to get over this "handicap".

The after-effect was very uncomfortable though. I could not open my eyes and they felt very strained. Hubby and Estelle came to give me moral support and to take me home. I slept immediately.

When I woke up, wow, I could see the world with a whole new pair of lens. Literally.

I'm glad I did it. Good riddance to spectacles and contact lens.

Blink Blink ;)

The Calrose

For those who do not know, I have bought a new place to live in and it is called The Calrose.

Everything is done and we are just waiting for the TOP!

As it is a private condo, it will come move-in condition, but I do have some plans to do it up a little.

We have a pretty big PES (personal enclosed space) which I prefer to call a patio. I plan to lay over with some nice wooden outdoor flooring, put up a water feature by the side, put a little swing there with a coffee table and probably another small settee, comfy enough for my hubby and I to sit there for some quiet moments, or for me to curl up and read a book, or a nice coffee with a couple of close friends on one of those afternoons.

For the master room, we'd most likely construct a platform and dump our current king-size mattress on it.

For the kids' room, I'll keep the furniture mobile. Will get those cute cute beds and table for Estelle and Eston. It must be comfy and cozy, and yet conducive for study.

We'll hang our plasma on the wall in the living room. If we have spare cash, might do up a simple feature wall.

So lovely. I can't wait.


The adventure pool.

What is WRONG?

For those who have been coming to my blog and seeing Eston at 4months+ for the past few months, I am so sorry.

I really wonder what is wrong with my life. Why is it that I just do not have time to do my own personal things. Like blogging.

By the way, Eston is already 6 months+ going on 7.

I guess it is the whole system that is so very wrong. I joined teaching to teach, but I am doing tons of other things that is NOT teaching. And I wonder what work I am doing.

I do not know where to start, so I'm not going to talk about it. Lest my boss reads this and fires me.

Not going to go on complaining. I'll talk about nicer things.

Eston is 4 months ++ turning 5m soon

My cute boy!!!

Snapshots of Eston

Hi guys! This is how I look now....


I don't like you sticking out your tongue!


I love pom pom time!


Papa says I have to start young...


;)

Bintan Agro Resort

I've been up to my neck (it might have gone to the brain alr) eversince I went back to work. It's been a real challenge (the more accurate word would be "struggle") straddling between family and work. I have learnt not to take things too hard, so I'm still generally coping fine. I have got very strong home support from parents and a wonderful hubby.

We decided to squeeze in a 2D1N trip to the above resort over the National Day long weekend. Only took Estelle along. Eston, Mummy will take you when you are older ok?

Here are some photos to share.


Estelle with Mummy in the ferry


The restaurant on an island


People kite-surfing


Estelle running around on the beach


Just woken up ...


Getting ready for the day


Bonding with Papa

Estelle Playing At Giordano, Takashimaya

I was at ORCHARD ROAD

Yesterday, I attended the briefing for Middle Managers on the 360 Degrees Feedback Exercise at Teachers' Network. The briefing was indeed brief - Started at close to 4pm and ended at 4.40pm! Wow.

Tompang Greg's car and went to the Bistro at Borders for a quick bite with Simon. I had to shut that lion in my stomach - it was roaring non-stop. I had mushroom soup and garlic bread, plus my all-time favourite beverage - strawberry milkshake. Aww. Makes me hungry just reminiscing about it.

Anyway, after a nice makan and chat, I walked straight to Wisma to my favourite boutique - Southhaven. After all, I only had 30 min to shop and I didn't want to waste time. Southhaven is a shop that I never leave empty-handed. Their designs are nice and classy. Clutching my new purchase, I headed for the MRT to go home.

I told Simon I had to blog about this. I was in Orchard Road on a Thursday afternoon. Cannot remember when my last visit to Orchard Rd was...

It's 3.30am now. I better finish up my banking stuff and go to sleep before that little one cries for feed. :)

Eston is 2 months old!

Eston turned 2 months old today - 11 July 2007. He weighs 5.6kg and that is a pretty healthy weight for a 2-month old. Estelle was a bit smaller at 2 months.

We went to this little cozy restaurant called Madam Q Steakhouse off Thomson Road. Ironically, we didn't bring Eston along because he has not recovered from his Ezecma and we do not want to expose him to the harsh conditions of Singapore weather. Estelle was pretty well-behaved, the restaurant owner was really friendly and hospitable, the restaurant was nice and comfy with a good ambience, and I had enjoyed the food. It was a lovely dinner.

We felt bad for leaving Eston behind at AMK with my MIL (mother-in-law), so we bought a little chocolate cake and sang a birthday song for him. I planted a kiss on his cheek while Pei Shi played the birthday tune on her violin. I could watch my Channel 8 drama (the 9pm one) in peace while Estelle ran around and played with Pei Shi. Pei Shi really dotes on my girl girl.

Eston's face is much better today. The redness has gone down and he smiled more today.

Husband volunteered to sleep with boy boy tonight. Today I feel much better.

I'm going to join Estelle in bed now. I look forward to a good sleep tonight.

Nite Nite.

Heart Pain, Body Tired, Soul Frustrated

Heart Pain...
Eston has been having some rashes on his face, but this week it became more serious. His face is all red and his skin is extremely dry. I've been putting olive oil on his cradle cap, but improvement has been rather slow. I started applying this QV cream on his face. No doubt the dryness improved slightly, but his whole face became so red that I became worried. Finally took him to the PD and he concluded that this is a case of Ezecma. Gave us steroid (in cream form) which is also an antibiotic, and some moisturizer to apply on his skin. I applied it on him earlier and he is now sleeping. I hope he improves tomorrow.

Body Tired...
I do tons of housework every day. I have a backlog of (school) work to clear but I cannot even cope with clearing emails, let alone do work. It is 1.45am right now and I can only blog at such unearthly hours. On days that I don't blog, this is the time when I do mopping, washing toilet and everything else that needs to be washed. I am too tired to even start a list of the things that I do at home. At night, Eston wakes up for feeds. As I breastfeed, I'm usually the one sleeping with him. Husband and daughter sleep in the master room and they both only open their eyes at daybreak. I try to catch up on my sleep in the day, but it means I have lesser time to do housework (meaning I have to do it at night). And, no matter how ypu nap in the day, it's different from having a good night's sleep.

Soul Frustrated...
Because of a lack of proper rest, my milk supply has gone down a fair bit.

The other day in the car, husband asked me, "My brother asked us why we don't want to get a maid." I said, "Having a maid will give us other problems. Besides, we don't want to fork out the extra cost." Inside my heart, a little voice was screaming, "We can cope IF YOU HELP OUT."

And I'll be less frustrated if YOU can take care of yourself.

The Oasis

The Oasis will be stepping into history soon.

Since today is a school holiday (Youth Day), we went to the 海京楼台湾粥 Restaurant for lunch.

The food was quite yummy, but we went there more so for the scenery and experience.

My dad and mum with Estelle.

Me with Estelle.

The restaurant against the gorgeous backdrop.

Bigger picture of the backdrop.

Eston sleeping soundly in his pram, totally oblivious to the place.

My Ex-Pupils

(From left) Wee Kheng, Pei Sheng, Chee Chean, Cerella, Ting Xian, Shu Yuan, Me and Eston (on my lap) and Estelle (on the floor).

Some of my pupils from Class 5/6A5 2001/2002 came over to visit me on 30 June 2007, Saturday. Some of them are sitting for their O levels this year, and some have graduated from secondary school.

It's nice to see them being so grown up and doing well. I'm happy.