I had a great time at the Museum with my youngest son. I have not been for a long time and the entry fee for adult has gone up from $3 to $10. Entry fee for kid is $5.
I personally like the Photo and Food Gallery very much. Son likes the Singapore History gallery best because he is learning part of it in School now. He finds it easy to understand. What I saw brought back a lot of my childhood memories. My son finds that the metal pail is interesting as he has never seen it before. That was something I used for bath when I was a kid.
I used to buy only 1 stick of Satay from the Malay man who would only come by on Saturday. All the kids in my kampong would be waiting patiently for him and surrounded him the moment we heard his "Satay, Satay". We would all crowd around this little Satay gravy bowl and dipped our Satay there. Back then, no one cared or understood about virus and hygiene.
Those old black and white photos looked very familiar as my dad and mum have alot of that during their young age. They loved to pose and take photo at the studio. They loved going to the beach. The men liked to pose beside the motor-bike with their sunglasses on. Most lady would wear floar dress or skirt with a lacy scarf. I think they dressed up better and more proper than us these days.
I was surprised to find that the man in that Hainanese Chicken rice short vedio is someone I know. He sells chicken rice stall near my house for almost 30 years. He is in his late forty or early fifty now. He started helping his dad when he was very young. He has picked up all the skill from his late father. Hmm, I should go and get his autograph this Saturday and ask him when he has become movie star. Maybe it is difficult to find someone at his age to speak pure Haianese and have the good skill in chopping the chicken.
At the Fashion gallery, I found alot of comestics that my grandmother used to have them. That little square white powder, hair rollers and black pin. These days, we have so many designs and colours to choose for our hair pin. Grandmother has no choice but only used the boring black pin. I remember both my grandparents had this 100% silver belt which was really heavy. The pants that they wore was not those that had zip, buttons or elastic. They need to wrapped at the waist and then put on this heavy silver belt and I could never figure out how they did it.
Evelyn is right that I can spend a long time there. It took us almost 31/2 hours to complete our tour. In fact if it was not because son was hungry and we just rushed through towards the end, I think we would probably stay longer there. Overall I think it is a good place to go.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Patient and Trust
Yi Ren and I have learnt a good lesson in "patient and trust" yesterday when he came home 2 hours late from school.
His class ended at 3:30pm and he was supposed to be home by 4:30pm. When he was not back by 6pm. I was really worried because he does not carry a mobile phone and there was no way I could contact him. Now I am really aksing myself should I or should I not give him a mobile phone? My mind started to grow wild and imagining all kind of bad things that could possibily happen.
I found out from Derrick, his classmate when he called at 6:45pm that Yi Ren went to his place to chat and watch television. Oh my god, how could he go out without my permission. This is unaccetpable to me. At that moment, I was not worried but my anger just rise up to my head.
When he stepped into the house at 7pm, I was using unpleasant tone to question him. He simply replied that he waited a long time for the bus. How could he tell lie like this? Waiting for 2 hours for bus? That was impossible!! I was really mad and was almost screaming by then.
My youngest sister who was with us then told me to cool down and did the "discussion" with Yi Ren. She told him that what we wanted to know is what had happened and what exactly is the reason for him to be home late. I think he was more receptive with the way my sister was asking, he told her that Derrick invited him and he thought that it was ok for him to just drop by for a while. He did not mean to make us worry.
After hearing his reasons, I stressed the important of having mutual trust between two parties. If he is not going to be a responsible person by breaking rules, he is also breaking the bridge that is between us. Of course, I will allow him to play with his friends, but there will be some rules that he has to obey.
For me, I have learnt that it is not easy to be patient with your own kids. You just tends to get frustrated very fast if they are not doing what you expect them to do. But like it or not, we still have to find ways to educate and upbring them in the right manner. Parenting is not an job task.
Before he left for school this morning, he was so cute to tell me that "I think I better call you once I reach home. I am sure you will come home to "spot" check on me. Well, I am sure I will do that. Hahaha
His class ended at 3:30pm and he was supposed to be home by 4:30pm. When he was not back by 6pm. I was really worried because he does not carry a mobile phone and there was no way I could contact him. Now I am really aksing myself should I or should I not give him a mobile phone? My mind started to grow wild and imagining all kind of bad things that could possibily happen.
I found out from Derrick, his classmate when he called at 6:45pm that Yi Ren went to his place to chat and watch television. Oh my god, how could he go out without my permission. This is unaccetpable to me. At that moment, I was not worried but my anger just rise up to my head.
When he stepped into the house at 7pm, I was using unpleasant tone to question him. He simply replied that he waited a long time for the bus. How could he tell lie like this? Waiting for 2 hours for bus? That was impossible!! I was really mad and was almost screaming by then.
My youngest sister who was with us then told me to cool down and did the "discussion" with Yi Ren. She told him that what we wanted to know is what had happened and what exactly is the reason for him to be home late. I think he was more receptive with the way my sister was asking, he told her that Derrick invited him and he thought that it was ok for him to just drop by for a while. He did not mean to make us worry.
After hearing his reasons, I stressed the important of having mutual trust between two parties. If he is not going to be a responsible person by breaking rules, he is also breaking the bridge that is between us. Of course, I will allow him to play with his friends, but there will be some rules that he has to obey.
For me, I have learnt that it is not easy to be patient with your own kids. You just tends to get frustrated very fast if they are not doing what you expect them to do. But like it or not, we still have to find ways to educate and upbring them in the right manner. Parenting is not an job task.
Before he left for school this morning, he was so cute to tell me that "I think I better call you once I reach home. I am sure you will come home to "spot" check on me. Well, I am sure I will do that. Hahaha
Monday, March 9, 2009
Steamboat Kaki
Beauty contest at dinner table? No, no, it is just my group of Steamboat Kaki. Don't know why we arrange to go on our usual "boat" gathering that night and went for a buffet dinner. This is a group of people from different ages, work in different fields and have different interests and hobby. But we have somehow manage to click together well and maintained our friendship for more than 15 years.
We don't meet very often, probably 3-4 times a year to catch up. Most of the time we will end up having steamboat and chat the whole night. We realised that not everyone like hot soup stuff, but we are all crazy fan for steamboat. We enjoyed the steam coming out from the soup. Too bad can't do facial while eating hehehe. Dip the prawn, fish, beef etc with hot spicy chilli. Wow!! just not everyone can appreciate that hot burning feeling at the lip after we finished our dinner.
Whenever we can't make it, we will say we miss the "boat". We have not started "sailing" our boat yet this year, so need to work it out fast to sweat out together soon. Just can't wait for the next gathering to come.
Anyone has any good suggestion for steamboat place?
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Want and Need
I have friend who asked me how I can end up buying nothing when everyone is buying like crazy over sale items.
Well, I will say I enjoy shopping but I am not a person who will buy on impulse just because the item is on sale. Donya, my best friend from Taiwan is the first person who has described me as someone who is a good companion to shop. She has made a few interesting statement about me. I must say she is a good observant although we only shopped together probably less than 10 times.
1. "Li Li is fine to shop anywhere and will not feel bore even though she may not buy". Donya is right about it I guess this is due to I enjoyed seeing things from different ranges, it can be from premium range to anything you can find at the low end market. I am actually very open in giving myself an opportunity to know what is the "in" thing now in the market and the different product type that cater to different class and age group.
2. "Li Li is willing to give comments when shoppers need advice." I take this as a way to improve friendship. It is through all the arguments on colours, fashion sense etc, that we get to know each other taste better.
3. "If Li Li needs to buy, she will buy without hesitation and will do it really fast if the price is reasonably right." My belief is buy at the right time, right place and right price.
Donya is really a true friend who understands me in and out. I remembered on 1 occasion that I shopped with friends for Chinese New Year Clothes and shoes, they thought that I was either crazy or under some kind of stress.
We went from one shop to another for almost 3 hours and everyone bought something for themsleves and I was still empty handed. After taking a short coffee break, we entered a boutique shop where everyone was saying that they wanted to go somewhere else to look around first before deciding. So I decided that I would stay at the shop and we would meet 1 hour later. When we met again, they were shocked to see that I have bought 5 tops, 3 skirts and 3 pants in the same shop. Moved to the shoes shop next to it to buy 4 pairs of shoes. I spent about $650 in just two shops in less than 1 hour and completed my shopping for the day.
Come to think about it, I am glad I am always leveraging well between "Want" and "Need". I always spend on what I really need and fully utilize what I have bought. A "want" maybe just an implusive desire at that point and you may end up regretting having it. We need to be contented with what we have as more sometime does not necessarily mean good. Whatever we have, we need to feel blessed and be happy with it.
So I always tell my friends that my strategy in shopping is "Don't go shopping with an intention to buy, and you will end up getting what you like and need.
Well, I will say I enjoy shopping but I am not a person who will buy on impulse just because the item is on sale. Donya, my best friend from Taiwan is the first person who has described me as someone who is a good companion to shop. She has made a few interesting statement about me. I must say she is a good observant although we only shopped together probably less than 10 times.
1. "Li Li is fine to shop anywhere and will not feel bore even though she may not buy". Donya is right about it I guess this is due to I enjoyed seeing things from different ranges, it can be from premium range to anything you can find at the low end market. I am actually very open in giving myself an opportunity to know what is the "in" thing now in the market and the different product type that cater to different class and age group.
2. "Li Li is willing to give comments when shoppers need advice." I take this as a way to improve friendship. It is through all the arguments on colours, fashion sense etc, that we get to know each other taste better.
3. "If Li Li needs to buy, she will buy without hesitation and will do it really fast if the price is reasonably right." My belief is buy at the right time, right place and right price.
Donya is really a true friend who understands me in and out. I remembered on 1 occasion that I shopped with friends for Chinese New Year Clothes and shoes, they thought that I was either crazy or under some kind of stress.
We went from one shop to another for almost 3 hours and everyone bought something for themsleves and I was still empty handed. After taking a short coffee break, we entered a boutique shop where everyone was saying that they wanted to go somewhere else to look around first before deciding. So I decided that I would stay at the shop and we would meet 1 hour later. When we met again, they were shocked to see that I have bought 5 tops, 3 skirts and 3 pants in the same shop. Moved to the shoes shop next to it to buy 4 pairs of shoes. I spent about $650 in just two shops in less than 1 hour and completed my shopping for the day.
Come to think about it, I am glad I am always leveraging well between "Want" and "Need". I always spend on what I really need and fully utilize what I have bought. A "want" maybe just an implusive desire at that point and you may end up regretting having it. We need to be contented with what we have as more sometime does not necessarily mean good. Whatever we have, we need to feel blessed and be happy with it.
So I always tell my friends that my strategy in shopping is "Don't go shopping with an intention to buy, and you will end up getting what you like and need.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Digusting Act
Oh my god, can't believe I saw this in the bus!!! I boarded bus 26 at Geylang Lorong 25 to head home after my shoulder treatment. After I have settled down on my seat, I noticed the man sitting across me on the right who wore green tee-shirt with a pair of black short looked terribly dirty. His hair was so messy as if he has not combed it for a few days. No one wants to take up the seat that was next to him as he was coughing all the way without using a tissue or hankerchief to cover his mouth.
After a few rounds of cough, he began to clear his throat with strange noises and then guess what? He actually spit out his phlegam without holding it with tissue!!!! I just felt so digusting to see this and my stomach was feeling upset as if I would throw out anytime. Just cannot wait to arrive as soon as possible. 15 minutes before we arrived into the bus inter-change, he spit 2 times again, one time is his phlegam and the other was saliva.
When the bus stopped at the bus interchange, this digusting dirty man just alighted the bus so fast and was no where to be seen in just a few second. All passenages just alighted the buses as though nothing has happened. I thought not for me, I need to tell the bus captain. I cannot imagine how the passenagers on the next trip can breath or travel in this condition. The bus captain was thankful to me and immediately went to the office to get pail and mop to clean up the place.
I hope this is just an exceptional case that I saw. We need to be living in a clean and healthy environment. Everyone nees to play a part to save the earth. Hope we will have more considerate people around us.
After a few rounds of cough, he began to clear his throat with strange noises and then guess what? He actually spit out his phlegam without holding it with tissue!!!! I just felt so digusting to see this and my stomach was feeling upset as if I would throw out anytime. Just cannot wait to arrive as soon as possible. 15 minutes before we arrived into the bus inter-change, he spit 2 times again, one time is his phlegam and the other was saliva.
When the bus stopped at the bus interchange, this digusting dirty man just alighted the bus so fast and was no where to be seen in just a few second. All passenages just alighted the buses as though nothing has happened. I thought not for me, I need to tell the bus captain. I cannot imagine how the passenagers on the next trip can breath or travel in this condition. The bus captain was thankful to me and immediately went to the office to get pail and mop to clean up the place.
I hope this is just an exceptional case that I saw. We need to be living in a clean and healthy environment. Everyone nees to play a part to save the earth. Hope we will have more considerate people around us.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Greed
A friend called me and told me that she had been cheated RM70,000 by a group of syndicate. I was shocked to death. She is an adult with many years of working experience living in a big city. How could this happen to her?
It all started with her Chat room via internet and then get to know someone who told her that he has a business contact from Nigera who would be shipping cash and diamonds via Malaysia and need someone to clear the shipment. Of course they promoised that once if the deal is completed, they will pay her. The first time that they asked money from her was to TT courier fees in order to receive a package which contains some documents which is for clearance of container. Subsequently, they requested more money saying that the shipment cannot be cleared due to custom issues. The money is to be used for this purpose. They assure her that all the money that she has paid upfront will be returned to her once shipment is cleared. Finally, they show her a luggage with stacks of money and told her that she needs to raise US150,000 in order to buy some chemical to remove a "stupid" endorsement on luggage. They told her in order to take the money and diamonds back to UK, the endorsement needs to be removed to avoid custom issue at UK. At this moment, she being to panick and could not take it anymore and confess to her husband that she has gotten into troubles a large sum of money actually was loan from her credit card. Mind you, she was being stressed by the syndicates for almost 3 months without telling anyone. Her husband has brought her to the police station to file a report.
After she told me the whole incident, she admitted that this was due to "greed" that lead her to this bad shape. She is also a person who just get to trust people too easily. She accepted it now and take it as a lesson to learn. I just felt so sorry that this is way too expensive a lesson to pay. I believe she must have revealed a lot of information about herself including her job scope in the logistics/shipping areas. With the information they gathered, they must have told her that they need someone who is familiar with the local clearance process. The reason why she continued to provide money was by then, she was worried that they might harm her son since they have her particulars.
My advice to her is that she needs to be careful when she is chatting with total stranger from the internet. She should not reveal all her identification to someone whom she does not know. I am just a timid person who have no courage to "chat" with anyone whom I do not know. This is a plus point as it is a way to avoid getting into trap set by people who have ill intention to harm the other party.
I need to share this terrible case with my kids to alert them. It is lucky that they cheated her in her home town. I cannot imagine if she has left the country and went to somewhere else to do the transaction, what would have happened to her? I sincerely hope that she has not signed any documents that can lead her to any legal issues. She has to be more alert and sensitive in the future.
It all started with her Chat room via internet and then get to know someone who told her that he has a business contact from Nigera who would be shipping cash and diamonds via Malaysia and need someone to clear the shipment. Of course they promoised that once if the deal is completed, they will pay her. The first time that they asked money from her was to TT courier fees in order to receive a package which contains some documents which is for clearance of container. Subsequently, they requested more money saying that the shipment cannot be cleared due to custom issues. The money is to be used for this purpose. They assure her that all the money that she has paid upfront will be returned to her once shipment is cleared. Finally, they show her a luggage with stacks of money and told her that she needs to raise US150,000 in order to buy some chemical to remove a "stupid" endorsement on luggage. They told her in order to take the money and diamonds back to UK, the endorsement needs to be removed to avoid custom issue at UK. At this moment, she being to panick and could not take it anymore and confess to her husband that she has gotten into troubles a large sum of money actually was loan from her credit card. Mind you, she was being stressed by the syndicates for almost 3 months without telling anyone. Her husband has brought her to the police station to file a report.
After she told me the whole incident, she admitted that this was due to "greed" that lead her to this bad shape. She is also a person who just get to trust people too easily. She accepted it now and take it as a lesson to learn. I just felt so sorry that this is way too expensive a lesson to pay. I believe she must have revealed a lot of information about herself including her job scope in the logistics/shipping areas. With the information they gathered, they must have told her that they need someone who is familiar with the local clearance process. The reason why she continued to provide money was by then, she was worried that they might harm her son since they have her particulars.
My advice to her is that she needs to be careful when she is chatting with total stranger from the internet. She should not reveal all her identification to someone whom she does not know. I am just a timid person who have no courage to "chat" with anyone whom I do not know. This is a plus point as it is a way to avoid getting into trap set by people who have ill intention to harm the other party.
I need to share this terrible case with my kids to alert them. It is lucky that they cheated her in her home town. I cannot imagine if she has left the country and went to somewhere else to do the transaction, what would have happened to her? I sincerely hope that she has not signed any documents that can lead her to any legal issues. She has to be more alert and sensitive in the future.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
A touching moment
I was really mad when Yi Ren, my youngest son handed me his spelling book to sign. Guess what, he failed his spelling by 1 mark!! You know what was my first reaction? Blood started to boil up to my head and I just lost control and raised my voice at him.
I just got so mad that when I asked him if he had revised his list, he told me yes, I learnt a few. What a good answer to give me. This really drive me crazy. I was scolding so angrily that I begin to hit him with my hand. After about 10 minutes, Yi Ren began to shout back and said "Why are you beating me when I have tried my best"? I could not accept this reason and almost wanted to slap him on his face. But then I began to tone down and told myself to communicate with him instead of just throwing my temper. I know he is a kid who will not just accept punishment without knowing where went wrong.
So I told him that it is not so much of that 1 mark, it is the issue of him not managing his time and work correctly. Then I tried to ask him to be honest with me and own up if he has forgotten to learn or just learn a few words. In the end he admitted that he has forgotten to learn but again saying that he has tried his best. Then I show him examples of where I have seen him tried his best in other area. For this particular case, it is definitely an unnaceptable act of telling lies.
By now, I saw that he was holding his tears back and a very remorseful look into my eyes. I looked at him and asked if he has realized his mistake? I was really touched when he actually opened his mouth and said "Yes, Sorry Mum, can you please forgive me, I will not do it again". Why I am surprised was because in the past, normally I have to demand for an apology after punishing him. I think it is quite normal for a kids to refuse or do it reluctantly when at that moment they were also angry.
It really touches my heart and I just could not hold back my tears. He came over to wipe my tears and hug me. Both of us were crying together. Later on, he told me that he felt so sorry that I have done so much for him but he has disappointed me this time. He also told me that the Value education class that he attended in school taught him to be a honest person and need to have intergrity. If he makes a mistake, he must be brave to admit it and then move on with corrective action. He was acutally feeling guilty when he did not prepare well and failed.
I was very glad that we both had this open communication to share our views. I realised from this incident that he has grown more matured. Most importantly is absorbing what he learnt and applied to life. He assure me that he has learnt from here and will share his concerns and problem with me to work out solution together whenever he has issues. I also told me that I am not a mum who expects him to be top in class, but I am very strict about bringing up a child with good character. As this will lead him to a more successful path when he turn into adulthood.
The night ended pleasantly with both of us kissing each other. Oh yeah, I also told myself not to hit him anyone. When I woke up in the morning, I found my right tumb turn blue black. I think he has grown bigger now so if I lay fingers on him, I will be the one to suffer. hehehe. Instead of him having pain, I was the one who got hurt.
I just got so mad that when I asked him if he had revised his list, he told me yes, I learnt a few. What a good answer to give me. This really drive me crazy. I was scolding so angrily that I begin to hit him with my hand. After about 10 minutes, Yi Ren began to shout back and said "Why are you beating me when I have tried my best"? I could not accept this reason and almost wanted to slap him on his face. But then I began to tone down and told myself to communicate with him instead of just throwing my temper. I know he is a kid who will not just accept punishment without knowing where went wrong.
So I told him that it is not so much of that 1 mark, it is the issue of him not managing his time and work correctly. Then I tried to ask him to be honest with me and own up if he has forgotten to learn or just learn a few words. In the end he admitted that he has forgotten to learn but again saying that he has tried his best. Then I show him examples of where I have seen him tried his best in other area. For this particular case, it is definitely an unnaceptable act of telling lies.
By now, I saw that he was holding his tears back and a very remorseful look into my eyes. I looked at him and asked if he has realized his mistake? I was really touched when he actually opened his mouth and said "Yes, Sorry Mum, can you please forgive me, I will not do it again". Why I am surprised was because in the past, normally I have to demand for an apology after punishing him. I think it is quite normal for a kids to refuse or do it reluctantly when at that moment they were also angry.
It really touches my heart and I just could not hold back my tears. He came over to wipe my tears and hug me. Both of us were crying together. Later on, he told me that he felt so sorry that I have done so much for him but he has disappointed me this time. He also told me that the Value education class that he attended in school taught him to be a honest person and need to have intergrity. If he makes a mistake, he must be brave to admit it and then move on with corrective action. He was acutally feeling guilty when he did not prepare well and failed.
I was very glad that we both had this open communication to share our views. I realised from this incident that he has grown more matured. Most importantly is absorbing what he learnt and applied to life. He assure me that he has learnt from here and will share his concerns and problem with me to work out solution together whenever he has issues. I also told me that I am not a mum who expects him to be top in class, but I am very strict about bringing up a child with good character. As this will lead him to a more successful path when he turn into adulthood.
The night ended pleasantly with both of us kissing each other. Oh yeah, I also told myself not to hit him anyone. When I woke up in the morning, I found my right tumb turn blue black. I think he has grown bigger now so if I lay fingers on him, I will be the one to suffer. hehehe. Instead of him having pain, I was the one who got hurt.
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