Monday, June 30, 2008

Singapore Flyer

I survived the Singapore Flyer with 2 x 20-month old tots! We were in a dilemma that morning when we were supposed to bring the munchkins to Jacob Ballas Children's Garden. But the morning sky looked a little too gloomy for comfort, and it would mean we'll be stranded at the JBCG if we encounter a heavy downpour. So Di asked if we should change our plans and head elsewhere, like for example the Singapore Flyer? I was hesitant...

What if it rained as well? Di said we could shop around the area since there's a mall below the gigantic facility, or even head down to Suntec City should the weather let us down.

What if the munchkins get bored halfway through the ride and wants to get off? You know its totally impossible. And what if they turn cranky because of that? Won't that affect the other passengers on board the capsule? Again, Di reasoned we won't be "trapped' inside the capsule with too many people, considering it was a weekday. So if they do turn cranky? We pray for understanding from the other riders? There were so many "what if"s ringing in my head...

Anyway, conclusion, Di felt its a wiser choice to go to the Flyer, and so I just commit the day (and weather) to God and off we went. The rain stopped before our arrival, and the munchkins get a never clearer view of the skyline on board! We shared the capsule with another family of 6 from India. It was a great experience and nope, there were only laughter and smiles throughout the ride. What more can we ask for? There is no doubt the wisest among us all is --- the almighty GOD!

Here are 2 pix taken from the Flyer for viewing pleasure.
















"To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen" - Jude verse 25 NKJV

Monday, June 16, 2008

My First Niece

Please give a big hand to welcome Natasha, my first niece and my father's 3rd grandchild!!! Noticed how much she resembles En & Xuan in their first week?
Cousins! From left: En, Xuan and Nat.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Father's Day

I realised Di and I are not very into celebrating any occasions except birthdays and Christmas. We were not excited about Mother's or Father's Day, probably because our own parents didn't think much of these occasions either.

Anyway, its Father's Day today and we've got nothing planned. Just as I celebrated Mother's Day managing the kids & chores (cos it was Ya-Ya's off day), Di will stay at home to help babysit the munchkins while I head down to my sister's place later. Well, its not that I'm as evil as to intentionally make him work hard on Father's day. Our kiddos are down with cold/cough and my sister is doing her confinement, so I can't risk the girls infecting little Natasha, my first niece, who arrived last Saturday.

So I guess Mother's and Father's Day will continue to be quite boring until the munchkins are older? Or maybe it should continue to remain this "low profile" as a family tradition? After all, if you love your parents, the celebration should be an everyday event instead of an annual affair, isn't it? And you don't need throw elaborated luncheons/dinners to show your love for them, right?

On a separate note, I think I'd better remind En & Xuan in future that mommy & daddy won't mind a good lunch/dinner at a fine Japanese restaurant (note: must serve fresh, yummy sashimi) on any other days except Father's & Mother's Day. Hahaha... Just kidding!

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Farewell 1... Welcome 2

Don't be mistaken. The kids are not turning 2 yet. Today is the last day of their 19-month baby-toddler journey. They will turn exactly 20 months old tomorrow.

So why is that different from any other day/month? Well, I kind of label toddlers who are age 20 months and above as BIG kids. Its the same logic as saying you're 19 years old, and everyone goes "Wow, so young!" And then the moment you hit the big 2, people start to see you as an adult. When you finally reach "attained" level 3 (age 30)... you can almost join the Senior Citizen's Club! Hahaha...

Anyway, I suspect by the time the munchkins hits 2 years of age, I'll feel very awkward telling others they are 24, 26, or 30 months old. We'll probably use "years" as an unit of measurement instead. So they'll be 2, followed by 2½, blah, blah, blah... After all, when my sister delivers her baby girl in a few weeks time (I'm so looking forward to that day!), En & Xuan will lose their "Baby" title in the household. So I'd better get them used to being labelled as big kids now. :)

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

"Jon & Kate Plus 8"

I'm madly in love with the Gosselin family! Huh? Goose... Who???

Nope, they are not my friends, neighbours or relatives. They are a family of 10 who resides in Central Pennsylvania and are the main cast of a reality TV series entitled "Jon & Kate Plus 8". Check out the series on SCV's channel 70 (Discovery Home & Health) at 5pm daily from Mon-Fri. Alternatively, find out more on www.sixgosselins.com

Why do I love them so? Because Kate is such an amazing woman who is humorous, totally "human"and yet capable of handling a pair of 7 year old twins PLUS a set of 3 year old sextuplets! Not forgetting the tonnes of laundry to be done and having to prepare 3 piping hot meals a day for the entire family.

Okie, yes, she does yell at her kids, sometimes she enters into "switch off" mode, and she may seemed overbearing in certain situations. BUT, I can totally understand those moments because I probably experience only a tenth of her stress daily, yet I feel like admitting myself to an asylum at times. Imagine how much love Kate harbours in her heart when managing her 8 kids. It takes an overflowing fountain of affection to remain "human" at the end of every day. And for that, I bet she prays at least 100 times more than I do a day.

Jon is equally adorable and witty. I see a little bit of him in Di and I'm proud of them both. Both are dedicated fathers who works hard to bring home the bacon, and still try to make time for the kids and family activities.

Well, a mommy of multiples from the SMH forum once said "GOD won't give you multiples unless He knows you CAN handle it". I'm beginning to agree with her. How else can you explain the presence of my very capable and cheerful maid. She must be GOD sent. Hahaha...

Monday, June 2, 2008

5290 Days

I knew her from the moment I was conceived,
And for the next 20 years where she had lived.

She was tall, fair and a little heavy on the bottom, a result of child bearing.
But her short, well set hairstyle never made her any less feminine.
She was young, yet strong as she braves the tides of life,
A great source of comfort, a wellspring of love I can't deny.
When she was laid to rest in the cold December rain,
I was sad, yet glad she's relieved of all the pain.

There'd be a birthday dinner thrown for her today, had she lived.
I wish for her to be here, for there are so many things she had missed.
She'd be delighted to help babysit En & Xuan;
She'd be walking them every evening, holding their hands.
There are a thousand and one thoughts I'd like to share with her;
I needed her to know how much I love and appreciate her.

Now I look forward to the day we meet in the heavenly places,
Till then, a very Happy 56th Birthday, my mommy, my dearest.


Born - 2 June 1952
Deceased - 8 December 1993
Missed - 5290 days
Remembered - always

The above short poem is written in remembrance of the most important woman of my life; who's fondly remembered till this date by my dad and her 4 princesses - Teng, ah bee, Airene and me.