PORTRAITS OF A SINGAPORE MOM BLOGGER 1

What is your earliest memory of your heritage?

“I think the most memorable moments learning about my heritage was visiting my paternal relatives during the Chinese New Year. It helped that I was always rooted at my seat and trying to figure out the language, so unlike the younger generation today. It is likely that I picked up my knowledge of basic Malay and a fair bit of ‘peranakan language’ from them. (Peranakans converse in a mixture of English, Malay and Hokkien).

My parents were already rather modernized when they wedded in the 60s. There was, unfortunately, no specific tradition that has been carried forward except for the food. My mum leant peranakan-style cooking from my paternal grandma who taught her the recipes.”

So, who is this Singapore Mom Blogger?

Please click image for full post

Read More

Changing Expectation to Appreciation

I think it all began when I started my motherhood journey, circumstances "forced" me to be ultra independent - something that was never in my dictionary because I have been fortunate not to experience any form of lack in my life before we started a family of our own.

(Please click image for full post)

Read More

We will walk the extra miles together

It was just more than three months ago, that I started my “Extra mile” project. It was to pick up a piece of litter every day. I also started a faceboook page (A Litter at a time).

My little extra mile has surprisingly, brought me rather far.

First, Minister Mr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Environment and Water Resources visited my humble site.

(Please click image for full post)

Read More

Thankful Tuesdays: Give them time to grow

When Junior J was younger, we used to worry about his social development. The boy didn't really like to go out, and showed a preference to books over playing with friends. He would freeze if strangers tried to talk to him. We tried to arrange playdates, prod him to speak to this or that uncle or auntie, but it was slow going. He also struggled with transitions: going out was a challenge because it took him half an hour of cajoling before he would accept the idea. He would hide in his room for ten minutes or so, before saying hi to his friends when they came over for playdates.

Fast forward to now, and we've been seeing a different him. He now plays with other kids at the playground. He readily approaches adults whom he is familiar with, to say hello and give hugs. Just the past weekend, we arranged to meet his penpal for some water play, and he got along pretty well with her from the start. If this was a year ago, he would have probably ignored her for the first 20 minutes or so!

(Please click image for full post)

Read More

Staycation: St. John’s Island

After reading in the ST about the one bungalow on St. John’s Island and wanting to relive one of their trips years ( or decades?) ago, my FIL made the arrangements for a short getaway. They were staying for 3 nights but we joined for only one.

Despite its unsavory past of cholera, beri-beri and leprosy quarantine, drug-rehab and prison, it is usually bustling with activity during the day with campers and 2 research institutes located on the island. I thought the 2 prison blocks still standing there was a little creepy though.

(please click image for full post)

Read More

Project - No to Anger

I'm on an anger management project. One that got me on and off track a few times, but still not giving up till I yield success. I want to yell lesser NOT yell at the kids and get my anger controlled. Easier said than done, but 'try' is the keyword.

Let me first set a realistic time frame - No yelling and get anger controlled for at least 2 weeks. After which, I hope I can celebrate success and keep this as an ongoing parenting project.

(please click image for full post)

Read More

From Princess to Queen

Join me and 23 lovely ladies as we take a breather from the mothering madness and walk down memory lane. The Wedding Day may have since long passed, but there are certain snippets from that day which we will remember fondly, and will always remember forever.

We were all Princesses growing up, and then there came a day when we became 'Queen'.

Please click image for full post.

Read More