Going Through

Ever wonder where we will surface if we dig a hole all the way through from here in Sunny Singapore? Well the brits did just that and guess where the drill bits came up? It's New York !

Maintenance

Honestly, I never liked running. Running round and round the track or the park to nowhere. Till, an acquaintant confided, that she runs 20 mins every evening to shed away those tummy hugging pounds. Plus a sensible diet of course. MM Lee, gave up golf to run to lose his belly years ago. In the last few years so much has been published on the benefits of jogging/running. Increases the stamina, weight control, maintain bone density and the mental alertness. Time for some maintainence work on myself.

Bought a pair of running shoes, with grit determination, started my first walk a jog at the, across the road, park. More walk than jog. Jogging had me huffing and puffing in just under 2 mins. But for want of a springy physique, I wogged on. Most evenings, 20 mins tops. One eye on the watch, two ears plugged into the MP3. Have been at this for the last 2 years. It's true, a good workout is refreshing to the mind and body. I strongly encourage homebody mums to take time to walk a jog. We may be priceless, but most of the time we fail to do any maintenance to keep the body supple for the next lap. When children finally leave the nest, that is when our new career begins!

picture courtesy from Artbywick.com

On Positive

A refreshing view on growing ageless. When the family goes about the day like any ordinary day, no cake with candles, no mention of the occassion, it's with a reason. To the retain their love ones at the age they last celebrated.

Mercury rising

Finally school's out. And indeed there is so much to do here if one is game for exploring. The 9km Canopy walk, Sungei Buloh nature walk, the book fair at the S'pore Expo, the food fair Expo and the list continues... The great outdoor walk would be a delight for the senses if only the weather could be cooler and the humidity lower. Ah.........so hot!!!!!!

Fishmongers

Such stark contrast. On one side, it's racing against time to pull out as many alive from the rubble while the other, after one week, it's still pondering....... still considering knowing very well time is running out. With so much donation of cash and aids pouring in from concern outsiders, what will happen to this funds? What is needed most now is prayers not cash. Praying that the survivor will pull through this calamity. To survive long enough for the aids to finally reach them.

Sour plums

Over breakfast, she adamantly stated. She does not listen to the news, read the papers nor check her emails. The news these days are filled with nothing but all about lust, war and killing. Blogging? It's a waste of time. Bloggers baring their true colours ranting under the cloak of anonymity. Has not check on one yet but has heard enough. Deeply religious, she spent most of her time coaching her two children. One, with asperger syndrome. Her assertion so strong that I did not dare to venture further. Had intended to share with her the joy of writing and introducing to her an interest. Something she can share and exchange with other mothers. Blogging. But it has to be another time.

No flowers give this much joy

No cakes give this much comfort

No presents give this much delight

Nothing gives more gratifying than a Big Bear Hug

A big bear hug from all my little ones that made me mum

Taking charge

After 8 long years, she called on monday. A delightful surprise, taking the call as I stepped into the elavator. Born into a wealthy family. Spent secondary one sitting beside her. Thick black rimmed spectacles and the bob hair. Merticulous with her words and work. At the beginning of secondary 2 she was sent off to a boarding school in sherborne. For the next 5 to 6 years we met yearly on home coming. After a degree and 3 years of working in London, she chose Singapore as home base. An accountant by training. Always in control always very sure. The independant her, next made the right contacts and attended the appropriate function to look for her life partner. After much sensible selection, she got married. She took care of the wedding details to the acquisition of the new apartment. 2 years into the marriage, she decided. Visited the gynaecologist. Two failed attempt and her mind was set. Adopted a daughter. Love and Joy filled her home. Adopted another two years later.

Stopped working recently. A lovely house for the children, she now wants to spent more time with them. Learning should be fun and and enthusiatic so it's International school for them. She is alway in charge of her life. If only I'm as in charge of mine as she is of hers.

Swallowing blue

It's the awakening of the senses. Not just about swallowing the blue. The tantalising scent, the gentle touch, the coming together of the minds, the endearing look, the comforting words. Small wonder, after 10 years and still nothing for the more refine genteel other half.

For the ears

Someone wrote into the forum page recently. He is proud to be born and bred here. For here, he has pick up many dialects and speaks more than two languages. More recently there has been talk to revitalise the myriad of chinese dialects. I grew up chatting cantonese with mum, and conversing english with dad as he speaks no cantonese. Mandarin bridge their language barrier. Weekly smattering of teowchew with grandma and daily blabber of hokkien and english with classmates. To the language teacher, it's Malay. Picked up mandarin here in singapore and spent 5 years learning japanese. Every chance I have I love to natter my dialects with the fishmonger, the butcher or even the dear old lady selling vegetables. It's dialects that gives the sense of belonging. Bahasa Melayu dengan the dear old nenek next door, a sense of bonding. To her delight the japanese lady behind the snack counter at Isetan supermarket spent the next 20 min telling me her seaweed snacks when she found that I understand japanese. A sense of pride.

Stick and Carrot.

It has been quiet on home front. It's the start of the mid-year exam week. Have read enough and seen enough. Stocked up on snacks and chocolates. Pocky sticks and carrot cakes a better way to get the little brain thinker going then plain stick and carrot. Youngest needs a little prodding. Son and eldest need the fuel to keep them going. What matter most is the effort put in.