Happy Halloween!

Yeah, it's Halloween again;
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In Singapore, our children do not go door to door in their costumes begging for treats and playing pranks. It's most commonly another usual day unless you're attending a Halloween Party at some clubs in the evening. Our children will be hidden behind closed doors in our culture here. (haa haa.....)

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Today happens to be a Friday and most of us are in good spirits (cos' weekend is around the corner!!!). Out of fun/education, we'll usually try to celebrate festivities and get dear son to participate hoping he will enjoy the experience as much as we do.

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As he is still a little young to understand and celebrate Halloween, we did not deliberately purchase any merchandise this year. Perhaps when he is older, we can elaborate and explain this 'holiday' to him.
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For those who are attending a Halloween party, Have a great 万圣节 nevertheless!

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COFFEE been?

I hope most of us have not miss out the October treats from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

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It's their 45th anniversary apparently hence special treats were thrown every Wednesday in the October month. It's just too bad I keep missing out their Wednesday offers due to some reason or another......but for the fun of it, tomorrow's the last day to catch it!

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We're leaving town

in another few hours.

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Another self-drive short trip up the City of Entertainment ourselves. Away from the recent financial and commodities buzz..............the family just want to stay away.......have some peace, be entertained and feast like there's no tomorrow.

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Haa...........we just wanted a short break from work honestly....that's all. Wish us a safe and enjoyable trip!

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My Family

OK.

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Now, this (shyless) mama is going to show her dear son's drawing to everyone - for a chuckle.

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The impression is so cute; drawn out of an innocent 4 year old of his dad, mum, himself and his dear friend Poh Ong.

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From the left, his dad - according to dear son while drawing, dad has a pair of small eyes, big stomach and short hair while his mama, big eyes, small stomach and long long hair (is it ?!?........haa haa)

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Next, dear son drew of himself - he was mumbling that he is smaller (compared to dad and mum), with short hair and small stomach. Standing next to him is Poh Ong. He did not elaborate why he added so much 'hair' onto Poh Ong's head (when mummy asked him) but he was happily adding those 'hair' during the colouring process (**scratch head**)

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Well, this is it, my child's master-piece, signed off by him.

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Enya's 2nd Birthday

Mummy drove dear son to Aunty Gwen's grandpapa's house along Paya Lebar to attend Little Enya's 2nd birthday...

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Dear son loved birthday parties and had a lot of fun to himself along with many other children in that evening.

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We looked like we had a fun-filled evening haven't we?

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The Central Fire Station

We saw the opportunity to visit the Central Fire Station located down Hill Street today since the day started bright and sunny!

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Without delay, we quickly got ready for this outing. We explained to Kiet about visiting the fire station and mentioned that there'll be water hoses there for fire-fighting demo. You know what, dear son insisted that he 'gear' himself with his raincoat before setting off! - Haa.....

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We arrived at the Station at around 10.30am. It was not too crowded except for a few expatriate families with their young children queueing up to board the turntable ladder (of the fire engine). Not wanting to miss the opportunity, we also joined the rest to board the ladder and get a first time experience! Phew!!

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After the turntable ladder ride, dear son got excited when he spotted the water hoses! Needless to say, both dad and son obviously wasted quite an amount of water!...............while Mummy was snapping pictures away.....opppsss!

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After the 'water-play', we explored the fire engine exhibit, climbed up the ambulance, seated on the fast response paramedic-bike and not forgetting to take a picture with the fire-fighter heroes!!

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Gosh, there's still so much to explore in the station isn't it!?!

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In the heritage gallery, we were in awe with the displays of the antique fire engines and the firefighting equipments used in the olden days.

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We were lucky to meet WO Rosly who shared valuable information with us about the civil defence's progression in Singapore through the years and his experience being a firefighter back in the 1970s. We were like little children learning to real-life stories!

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Besides the company of WO Rosly, there were also customised interactive stations placed around the gallery for visitors to have a close-up experience of what fire fighters and rescuers go through during a mission.

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In appreciation of WO Rosly's time spent with our family, we got dear son to trace a fire-engine onto a piece of paper and sign off in his own name. He was also very courteous and anticipating when he presented his little 'gift' to WO Rosly!

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Oh, before we leave the gallery for lunch, we took a picture of our child in the children's fire-fighter suit which he was very pleased with himself.

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Now, does anyone agree that he do look smart in that little suit and helmet? Heee......

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Theatre - The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Ok, this is interesting.

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I'm going to bring dear son to "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" theatre next month and I'm all excited about it. It's the mummy and son 1st theatre date!

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I remember dear son's school had introduced the Hungry Caterpillar story to their children since playgroup (last year). I wonder if he still remembers but I'm not going to tell him much about theatre. Rather, I'll read him the story at home again and give him a surprise next month at the theatre.

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JUST A MOM?

I like this one.....
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A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.
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She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. 'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'
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'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mom.'

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'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,' Said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

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The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

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'What is your occupation?' she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. 'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'
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The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.
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I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. 'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?'
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Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters)... Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

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There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.
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As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
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And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'
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Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.
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Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations' And great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?' I think so!!!
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I also think it makes Aunts 'Associate Research Assistants.'
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May your troubles be less, Your blessing be more, And nothing but happiness, Come through your door!
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The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
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Happy Children's Day

Yo yo.....my dear child; and to all the children out there..........HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY!

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It's a day dedicated specially for you and it's all about enjoying it. Coincidentally, today happen to also be a Hari Raya Puasa public holiday here hence Daddy & Mummy get to spend this entire day with our dear son.

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So what did we do?........hmmm......not a well planned day out to somewhere though. It was simply us starting our day having breakfast at Holland V, followed by a quickie grocery shopping at the Cold Storage. Mummy intended to cook pork stew for lunch and also prepare pasta sauce for tomorrow's dinner (all the cooking done in one go!).

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The rest of the day was simply spent at home, dear son was treated to his playhouse disney cartoons while daddy dear sorted out his affairs; Mummy cooked and tidied the humble abode.

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After all, Children's Day is about spending quality time with the family isn't it?

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There's no loss at all for dear son since he had already been treated with Happy Meals, Movie, Games and Entertainment in his school few days back!

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Imagine the "shock" on Mummy's face.......when his bag unveals the amount of pressies he received from school........

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It's really a blessing....being a child.

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