The Rainbow Fish

Both Mummy and son went on a children theatre outing today; along with dear son's school.

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His school had organised for this outing 1 month ago for all the children and Mummy decided to tag along again this time since it was a great experience the last time watching The Little Red Hen.

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Today, the children (a bigger group of them this time) are going out to watch this interactive musical adaptation of the story "The Rainbow Fish" at the Alliance Francaise located at Sarkies Road.

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We arrived at dera son's school before 8.45am to allow him to eat his breakfast before the bus arrives to pick us all up. It was a rainy & cloudy morning hence the atmosphere is rather chilly.

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Luckily for us all, the rain stopped when we departed the school to Alliance Francaise and stayed rather cloudy till the late morning.

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The children were served their early lunch after we all settled down inside the building. Before entering the show due at 11am, they were taken in groups to the toilet. Luckily for dear son, Mummy was around to make sure he was way well taken care of so he need not be waiting/queueing. Luckily child!

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Besides our group, there were also other children arriving the theare from Cherry Hearts. Everything was quite well managed and orderly. Our group of children also behaved very well. Just see how mischievious dear son is.........while everyone is queueing, he was busy getting mummy's attention.

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With the many exposures dear son got from the Little Red Hen and Barney Live shows, he appeared more relaxed this time at The Rainbow Fish performance. Although the theatre lightings turned off with the ambient pitch dark (due to the need to create luminous effects of the fishes and underwater creatures), he was not afraid at all.

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He was concentrating on what is happening on-stage and smiled occassionally when he spotted the starfish. It seemed to be his favourite as he kept asking me where the starfish went as it goes offstage.

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Lasting about 45 mins, the show ended and we're slowly ushered out of the theatre. Just then, Mummy observed some teachers who represented Cherry Hearts and especially one of them (wearing a spectacle) caught her attention. That teacher was particularly rough with the children and was seen pulling children towards her assembly.

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Our entrourage assembled and did headcount before boarding our bus heading back to the school. The children got settled down shortly and Mummy left for work while dear son is due for afternoon nap in school.

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On a side thought about the teacher from Cherry Hearts earlier, it was really an eye-opener. Mummy always hear others saying that child-care teachers tend to behave rough with the children and this action realistically confirmed it. It's sad for some parents though, who is ignorant about their teachers action and had never bothered to find out.

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Impression of Mummy

Here's dear son's impression of me, expressed in his sketches while in school few days ago waiting for me to fetch him home.

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Guided by his chinese teachers, he illustrated Mummy in an animated way that is so innocent. My child is really so adorable.

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Mummy is so amused and when shown to Daddy, he is also tickled by his drawings. Well done son......Mummy look so much like the muppet - Miss Piggy!

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The 43rd Singapore National Day

will be celebrated on 9 August 2008 this year.

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We're expecting a lot of excitement from our dear son when he watches the 'live' parade through TV telecast. After all, this year is slightly more special as he is starting to appreciate National Day. All thanks to the activities in his school, he was introduced to many things related to Singapore like the national flag, the different races etc.

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As the nation progressed into its 43rd years old today, there's no other wishes from a humble Singaporean; but for peace, harmony and social problems free for our future young generations.

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08.08.2008

On this day, the biggest, most spectacular athletic event of the year opens in Beijing China, with a BIG BANG ceremony!

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As many as Tens of thousands of chinese people (couples) join in the big BANG by rushing to get married;

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and some parent choose this day to deliver their little bundle of joy on this auspicious 日子 (DATE);

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while most offices (like mine) are likely to celebrate 08.08.2008 with a BIG LUNCH MEAL;

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Whatever plans you might have to welcome, celebrate or remember 08-08-2008, spend your day to your fullest and BEST though.

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Cheers!

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We brought the Canaries

On Sunday morning, our Taiwanese friend brought a German origin yellow Canary (yellow-green, with brownish streak on its back) as a gift for Daddy.

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Today, Daddy returned with yet another canary but of a Dutch origin. You should see how Happy our Daddy dear is! He is a bird-lover since young (influenced by his paternal grand-papa) hence can one imagine that he has 2 canaries now!?!

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The Canary is a small songbird and usually only the male ones sing. We were so impressed with the German one cos' merely 2 hours after settling down at our humble abode, it was already 'singing' by itself in its cage. The Dutch one did not lose out either. It was also singing and singing shortly after settling down at our place today!

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They are both so adorable! Even a non-bird lover like me am immediately impressed with the birds.

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Daddy says he is giving 1 of the bird as a gift to Mr Chua as it makes a great gift to a close friend of our family. Even then, our house is now a bird saunctary.

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This Saturday

Both Mum and son started the day mostly lazing around the house.

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Dear son kept himself entertained with the google box (Disney Playhouse) while Mummy took the opportunity to steal some cat naps (oh, slept late last night you see) - Yeah, lazy mama.

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Hmmmmm.....I guess moms do get tired on some days isn't it? Especially after a whole week of busy work schedule and rushing around, she'll love to be spared of the rushing on Saturday but get some decent sleep and laze around.....hee.........household chores aside.

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By the late morning ends, the duo changed up and headed for Cha Siew Rice lunch followed by supermarketing at the nearby NTUC Fairprice. Will need to get some fresh produce for dinner preparation isn't it? After all, weekend means to eat healthier!

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After coaxing dear son to nap, Mummy started dinner preparation (Double boil chicken drum-stick soup with dried scallops and Phuay Leng veg.). Shortly, mummy joined dear son in the dreamland!

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We welcomed the evening time with some Disney games to keep dear son busy while waiting for Daddy to arrive home; before setting up the table for dinner.
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Taking about food, a little digression here; dear son made a muffin in his daycare on Wednesday and brought it home! Mummy tasted it and was yummy! Hee Hee.....

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Well, after dinner, we kept ourselves occupied with the google box and family bonding time since Daddy got back from work. On the whole, it was really so lazily spent! Haa.

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Laughter is the Best Medicine

The House of ANG can't help but to agree with this quote - "Laughter is the Best Medicine" on earth!

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It's not even merely a quote or joke these days but people are beginning to use it in the form of Yoga (Laughter Yoga). We've also read; research have shown that Laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may possibly help protect most of us against heart disease.

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Not only so, Laughter helps us keep healthy by enriching the blood with ample supplies of oxygen, helps to remove the negative effects of STRESS, which is the number ONE killer today and helps to boost the IMMUNE SYSTEM, which is the master key for maintaining good health.

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With so many health benefits achieved through laughing, no wonder a World Laughter Day is celebrated - set on the first Sunday in May annually.

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Taking our little boy as an example, he derived so much fun and laughter yesterday simply by watching a pre-schooler animation on the cable - Pocoyo. As parents, we derived laughter & happiness by watching our child being so happy. (Moreover, we're more than happy to find out that the Pocoyo animation supports learning through laughter!)

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It is POSSIBLE for everyone to incorporate laughter into our daily activities, just as we do with other heart-healthy activities, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Don't hesitate, read something humorous and try to find ways to take ourselves less seriously; is one of the few things to kick-start laughter!

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Sunday Fun

After spending a lazy morning watching some cartoons and penguins documentary, we depart our place for Chiltern Park to attend Uncle Aaron's daughter's full month celebration in the late morning.

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We were not only treated to a feast; but had a great company of our friends too!

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The children were all going ga-ga playing in the air castle bounce. Of course, our little boy and his dad joined in. Who could resist the wholesome bouncing fun? Hee.....

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It was almost in the late afternoon that we decided to head home for the delayed afternoon nap. When we woke at nearly 6pm, we decided to gather our gang again at Mr Chua's place for dinner, followed by coffee and durians!! Haa............

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The children were treated to toys and cartoons, followed by so much cartoons that they were both (Kiet and his best buddy Poh Ong) so immersed with it.

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So, who were the greatest beneficiary of the Sunday fun? Of course it goes to - The children!!!! Who else since they get to enjoy the castle bouncing, napping, then eating and TV hogging? Haa...........

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We Rode!

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on the Singapore Flyer yesterday for the 1st time!

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Yeah.......BUT REGRETFULLY, we have to give it a thumbs down. We felt that the total experience was not up to our expectation and perhaps just ONE experience is already good enough. We'll not become a repeat customer - SORRY.

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First of all, we were put off that early morning when we arrived at the Singapore Flyer's carpark. We were informed by the valet plainly at our face that the parking charge will costs us a flat $7/- bucks! That guy didn't even wear a smile so we were upfront offended by his rudeness. We paid for our charges and move on so we can catch our boarding time booked at 9.30am.

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Besides the point about parking, we boarded the Flyer and yes, took us 30 mins to finish an entire ride but we were already bored after 15 mins into the ride.

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Dear son was asking to get off the flyer after about 10 mins and that was it. Master ANG also looked dis-interested, needless to say, same for the ANG Mistress. Except to keep occupied by snapping the camera away, there was really nothing much to see......Singapore skyline, the NDP rehearsal going on at the floating platform, the marina construction....yeah, maybe only after the casinos are completed, there might be something to 'WOW' at.

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After we got off the flyer, we walked around the retail terminal and found nothing interesting as a family. Of course we wasted no more time there and headed to Marina Square instead.

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At Marina Square, we got ourselves some snacks for our rumbling tummies at the Killiney outlet. Hot coffee, bread toast and half-boiled eggs! Yum......compared to the choices available at the earlier.......hmmmm...

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So after snacks, we roamed around until it is almost approaching lunch time. We decided to depart the Marina area as more people and road closures kick in for the NDP 2008 rehearsal. That was it, an experience we'll never ever have.

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Celebrating Racial Harmony

in PAT'S SCHOOL HOUSE today.

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Yes, the school had requested for parents to dress their children in any traditional costumes and bring along traditional food (if any) for that purpose.

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Last night, we prepared for dear son a Chinese costume, some black sesame candy & rice cakes (interestingly made in the form of a fish).

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We didn't manage to take any pictures of the school's celebration but we understand later in the day from the teachers that our boy was very well behaved (when he was wearing his Chinese peasant costume).

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We were told that he behaved as though he knows how to watch his etiquette that morning! Woo........we're surprised!Well, no doubt, bet he is becoming a very Vain Boy!

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After shower today,

..........I look like my Mummy, whose head is often wrapped up like this!!
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Home Bound on Day 4

We ate our breakie early in the morning since our transfer will pick us at 8am - BKK time.

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While making sure the last few items were all packed into our bags, we were ready to pull our luggages down and check out of our service apartments shortly.

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All thanks to the ANG Mistress's idea, the group need not wait too long at the airport to check themselves in. We were blessed with all the time under the sun to browse and relax!

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We spent a wholesome good time walking around and taking as many pictures of the airport as we wished.

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After a long walk, now sit back, relax and treat ourselves to tea, before boarding the flight shortly.

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See you soon Krung Thep!

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Day 2 Outskirt

We woke up, ate our breakie before the chartered van picks us all up at 8am - BKK time.

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Our short 2 hours on the road brought us to this temple called (Wat Bang Phra), also known in English as the "Temple of the Little Buddha" - located in Nakhon Chai Si district, Nakhon Pathom Province, in the west part of Bangkok.

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The former abbot Phra Udom Prachanart, more commonly known as Luang Poh Pern, was a famous meditation monk well known for his potent incantations. He has already passed on for several years. Of course these days when all of us visits the temple (everytime when we arrive into Thailand), we'll still pay a visit to the temple to pay our respect to Luang Poh Pern, whose body is nicely laid in a glass coffin at its main hall.
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Besides praying and paying respect, we also had the chance to enjoy the serene surroundings and feed the big big catfishes in the river. We'll idle around for 2 hours before departing the precinct.
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Next up, we proceeded to Don Whai Market, situated in Tambon Bang Kratuek for lunch. Over there, food vendors line both sides of a very narrow street leading to the river. Along the street, we can opt for either a sit-down or walk-around lunch!

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This trip at Don Whai market, unlike our last trip, we opt to walk around while buying food to fill our tummy as we walked. We wanted to explore as much as possible, taste as many variety of food as possible, save as much time as possible while walking and eating so we can finish and proceed to our next destination. Hee.......

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Next stopover, we visited (Wat Rai Khing) located in Tambon Rai Khing 32 Kms. from Bangkok. It was understood to be a civilian monastery built in 1791. The Buddha image was brought from Wat Sala Poon and enshrined here, later the locals named the image “Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing”. This temple is well known among Thais, faithful Buddhists frequently pay a visit to Wat Rai Khing to pay homage to the sacred Buddha image.

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While we were at Wat Rai Khing, there were many students in their uniforms and a A4 sized pieces of paper. It seems that they were undergoing some religious studies conducted by several teachers located all over the temple. The students were split into smaller groups of 7-8 each and had to move from location to location within the temple, seeking 'teachings' from the teachers.

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Finally, our last stop is at La Hu temple (The ANG Mistress's 2nd visit to this temple) where interestingly, devotees buy a tray laid with 8 kinds of Black coloured food to pray to the deva. Even the flower (plastic though) is in Black!

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Finally, all of us is heading back to Bangkok town with the intention to drop our belongings at the hotel followed by a good aromatherapy massage. Along the way, we requested the driver to bring us to our final temple destination (Wat Hua Lamphong) for us to make a few donations.

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Thereafter, all we know is that we're whisked into a couple room for shower, followed by body scrub and aromatherapy massage. The rest?

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Is history..........

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What went on Day 1?

An estimated 1hr 55 mins of flight time.
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A light steamboat dinner at MK Restaurant.
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A good visit to the hair-dresser to get my overdue crowning-glory done.
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Now, I'm returned to the service apartment and dropping dead soon...
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Good Night!

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Take Off

This afternoon that is.

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Woke up at 5am packin' those last few nitty gritties before leaving the house, there's still bringing dear son to daycare by 8.30am and meeting mum in law up for breakfast at 8.45am.

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Thereafter, I'll be picked up from home at 10.30am heading to the airport. It's a great great feeling going for a short break.

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Life these days are too hectic and many barely have this chance to catch their breathes.

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I'm so lucky to be able to take a break from work and well, think nothing else except get-away!

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So Krung Thep, I'm arriving soon.

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