Our new life in Hong Kong

Benedict's Montessori Experience

2009-03-02T16:19:00.000+08:00

Now that Benedict is going through Montessori, I must say that I should have signed Augustine up for Montessori when he was younger. The Montessori does not focus so much on linguistic and numeracy development, like the Shichida or the Rightmind programmes that Augustine went through, but it focuses on self discipline and self-care.

All the children are required to do self-directed work, be it having snacks, playing with Montessori toys, or simple handicrafts, or even simple household chores. But every child has to follow certain groundrules, such as taking turns, washing hands the moment they arrive and before they take their snacks, putting their hands behind their backs as they move from the classroom to the playground and queue up in an orderly manner, only working on their mats and keeping one item before they embark on another one. This really instils self directed discipline, and this carries over at home. And the children were allowed to handle delicate things like glass and vases and flowers and animals, just like adults, so they learn to be gentle with things. So Benedict can handle delicate things much better at 20 months, like a real steel fork, and pour water from a glass jug, than Augustine at 30 months. And he is better at putting away things and keeping things in their rightful place too.

If only Augustine learnt all these when he was younger! Then I would probably have an easier time disciplining him now. Alas, I wasn't around for him when he was younger to explore the possibilities of Montessori education. I just hope that Benedict will stick to the good habits he learnt at Montessori, and not follow his big brother's (sometimes) bad example.

Sweet Child(ren) of Mine

2009-03-01T17:30:00.001+08:00

Haven't updated my blog in a while...but for the sake of remembrance, I have to start recording stuff before pregnancy amnesia or old age completely obliviate my sweet memories of my children's childhood...

So lets start with Augustine...he was really sweet to his classmates recently. He made it a point to wait for the last girl in class to meet up with her caregiver before he comes home with me. And he helped the last girl put away her shoes on the shoe rack because he thinks that she was being too slow. :) To think that I have to tell HIM to put away his shoes when he reaches home! And he offered to bring candies to the monthly birthday party celebration, because we have lots of candies at home (thanks to the kind aunties who showered him with candies), and it made him so happy to receive so many thanks from his classmates, he radiated a kind of genuine, quiet joy and pride that day, that could have only come with sharing with other people. Oh I am so proud of him.

Benedict is getting more and more outgoing with each passing day. He enjoys playing with and learning from Augustine, and he is picking up much faster than his peers in the IMS playgroup and the Rightmind programme. Even though he lags behind in physical development (he is still between 10-25%tile), and still can't walk very well at 20 months, he is charming everyone he meets with he readiness to make small talk, and his intelligent response. And his smiles...because he had never tasted the sweetness of the only child and the bitterness of being dethroned, his smiles were much more innocent than Augustine's. He smiles just because he is really happy to be around, and not because he wants to gain affection.

And the brothers have really grown to accept each other. Although not a day has passed without some kind of squabbling, but I think their relationship has genuinely improved. Augustine has learnt to speak nicely to Benedict when he wants something from Benedict, and Benedict and kindly obliged. And being the sweet nature child he is, Benedict offers Augustine his toys, and Augustine does nice things for Benedict once in a while, like feeding him...and the next picture is quite a classic one of Augustine helping Benedict wear his shoes...

I feel so priveleged to be able to watch them grow up day by day...now enjoying motherhood in all its simplicity...

為救其他孩子醫生失去女兒

2008-05-17T12:11:00.000+08:00

為救其他孩子醫生失去女兒 2008年5月17日

【明報專訊】「爸爸，我沒死！爸爸，救我！」地震當天，36歲的四川南壩鎮醫生郝興軍聽到女兒在瓦礫下呼喊，但還有更多孩子的呻吟和呼救聲此起彼落。最後他救出了很多孩子，卻再聽不到女兒的聲音。

新華社引述郝興軍說，他當時離女兒就讀的南壩小學很近，地震發生後第一時間趕到現場，雖然明明聽到女兒在大叫「爸爸，救我！」但他覺得別人的孩子生命同樣寶貴，「先救一個算一個」，直到他回頭再尋找女兒時，已沒有了女兒的聲音。

「女兒才6歲4個月，去年剛上小學。」郝興軍抱覑女兒破損的紅書包，在已倒塌的南壩小學前呆坐了3天3夜了，「我對不起女兒啊，可那時候聽見別的孩子喊救命，我怎麼能見死不救？」南壩鎮屬於平武縣，地震後與外隔絕，救援人員直至前日才進入，南壩小學870名師生死傷近半。

Remember that I love you

2008-05-17T12:07:00.000+08:00

母捨身救女手機留遺言
「要記住我愛你」 2008年5月17日

【明報專訊】互聯網上日前流傳一段「短訊遺言」的故事，搶救人員在一片廢墟下發現一具女屍，被塌下的房屋壓住，身體保持雙腿跪地、雙手撐地的姿勢。救援人員摸到她已無氣息，又向廢墟內高聲詢問，沒有得到任何回應。救援隊員正準備撤離，但救援隊長忽然察覺有異，再次把手探進女人懷中，高聲喊﹕「有人！有個孩子，還活覑。」

經過一番努力，救援人員將壓在她身上的重物移去，發現她身體下面躺覑一名約三四個月大的嬰兒，包在一張紅底黃花的被褥中，不僅毫髮未傷，而且被救援人員抱出來的時候正在熟睡。隨行的醫生解開被子做例行檢查，發現有一部手機塞在被子裏，醫生看了手機，發現屏幕上是一條已經寫好的短訊 ﹕「親愛的寶貝，如果你能活覑，一定要記住我愛你。」這條短訊在救援隊伍中傳閱，令看慣了生離死別的救援人員都不禁落淚。

业勤语录（三）

2008-03-26T23:18:00.000+08:00

今天我们到游乐场玩儿的时候，我不小心拐到了脚，一屁股坐在地上雪雪呼痛。勤勤见状，连忙坐到我身边，一手按着我的膝头，用关注的眼神看着我，说：

“妈妈，你的脚受伤了吗？”

我：对呀，妈咪的脚扭伤了，动不了了。

勤：那你要吃多一点饭咯，脚才会好！

我：（一时语塞）

Our 3 seconds of fame on Channel News Asia

2008-03-25T15:41:00.000+08:00

Ben and I on TV...cameo appearance...if you can find us...:p

Sweet children of mine

2008-03-20T22:13:00.000+08:00

Why did God make children so beautiful? They distract me to no end. Even their tantrums look heart-wrenchingly cute, especially when both cry for my attention at the same time. And their smiles...oh their smiles...I just want to do nothing but gaze adoringly at my children, so lovely they are to me...How do I ever discipline my children, when I feel like indulging their every whim?

But their lovely childhood is so short...it is like spring, one moment you gasp at the glorious bloom and the next moment, they are gone and the tree starts to bear fruit. They are now beautiful buds, waiting to bloom...and soon they will start their own families and bear fruit...and my babies will be no more...

Pretty babies, enjoy my caress whilst you may too, for soon you will fly the nest and seek out your horizons...parting is such sweet sorrow...and each beautiful day I share with you slips away like a shadow...

Row, row, row your boat...

2008-03-16T22:24:00.000+08:00

I put Ben and Auggy in a little box together today to see what they would do in such close proximity (as in, would they kill each other? :p)

Auggy bursted out with the song "Row, row, row your boat" and shouted, "The ship will start soon! Booooooooboooooooo...."

As with all seasoned travelers, they brought foodstuff for their journey...And here is Auggy expressing surprise at Ben eating up his supplies...

"Oh no....you ate my mushroom?"

And here is Auggy regaining his food stock from Ben...Ben definitely looked disappointed...

Ah...the joys of parenthood!

Day out at the HK Zoological and Botanical Garden

2008-03-15T21:46:00.000+08:00

Spring is FINALLY here!!! And spring is soooo worth celebrating. Beautiful flowers in bloom, sanguine weather, well-maintained HK parks....I simply luuuurrrrvvvvveeee the outdoors. Ironically, I enjoyed HK outdoors much more than the Singapore outdoors, though Singapore is a much "cleaner" city...I am sure the weather has everything to do with it. Or maybe it is because I am so not bothered about work here (term paper? what term paper?).

So it was a great day out. Clear sky, cool breeze, low human traffic (we set out as early as we could to beat the crowd). Both kids were good humored today. The only thing is...we should have brought extra batteries for the camera and packed our own lunch. But it's ok, we will definitely be back!

Here's Augustine trying to impress ang mo girls (actually there was another prettier one that he tried to chat up but she ran away before I could whip out the camera)

And here is Benedict trying to conquer the crocodile...

Here's Augustine trying to decide the odds against winning the crocodile in wrestling...

And this is Augustine's victory roar...

And having conquered the croc, Augustine must conquer the whale as well...

Benedict looking demure in his pram. :)

Beautiful spring flowers in bloom...too bad the battery went flat, else we would have more of the beautiful park...

Auggy's Soft Spot

2008-03-12T22:54:00.000+08:00

Today Miss Crystal (Augustine's English Teacher) related a nice story about him. One of his classmates cried in class. After some time, Augustine tore a little sliver of tissue paper from the tissue box and gave it to the classmate. When asked why, he said, "For him to wipe his tears with."

I have a SNAG on my hands! Wow!!!

业勤语录（二）

2008-03-12T00:01:00.000+08:00

最近我病倒了，早上没办法起来和大小仔玩。今天，业勤跑到我的床边来......

勤: 妈咪你怎么了？

我: 妈咪生病了，起不来。

勤：（十分紧张）妈咪你还可以走路吗？

我： ......

业勤语录（一）

2008-03-10T20:43:00.000+08:00

业勤会讲故事了，时常拿身边的小动物来做故事主角。今天他给我讲了一个故事，是蚂蚁搬米的故事。

勤：很久很久以前，有一只蚂蚁，搬了一粒米，然后两只蚂蚁，搬了一粒米，三只蚂蚁搬了三粒
米...

我: 这么多只蚂蚁搬了这么多粒米干什么?

勤: 煮成熟饭咯！

我：（语塞）

Augustine says...(1)

2008-03-10T12:15:00.001+08:00

When I reprimand him, I always get to his level and ask him to look into my eyes. Then I will ask him to apologise if it calls for apologies (like him hitting Benedict). Then one night as we were side by side on his bed, preparing to sleep, we had this conversation:

Augustine: (Wipes his hand with his "pi sai" on my face)
Me: That is GROSS!!! I am sooo upset!
Augustine: (takes my face in his hands) Look at me mummy ..I am sorry. And I love you. (plants a kiss on my cheeks where he wiped his hands)
Me: (Silence...trying very hard NOT to laugh...)

Random thoughts

2008-03-10T12:11:00.000+08:00

Haven't been updating this blog in a while...so here are some random thoughts so far:

1) Having a sick child brings out the worst in me. Having TWO sick children brings out the worst in both of us (me and zg).

2) Watch what you say in front of the kids. They will use the exact same words, tone and expression back at you when you least expect it.

3) Teething and flu combined makes miserable neighbours.

Augustine's bloopers (1)

2008-03-10T12:08:00.000+08:00

He is crazy over Hi Five these days, and one day he sings:

"Five maniacs lets do it together...."

(original lyrics: five in the air lets do it together...)

Augustine's first day at school! (3/9/2007)

2007-10-15T15:35:00.000+08:00

Yeah, I know, a little late in uploading...:p

Benedict flying up and down

2007-10-15T15:30:00.000+08:00

Wildhogs

2007-10-09T22:44:00.000+08:00

Just watched Wildgogs on DVD. It was such a laugh!
4 middle aged men.
Not very successful in life.
One has a decent wife but boring career (dentist), one lost his beautiful wife and sucessful career, one has a naggy wife and no career, one has no wife and no career.
All they really have got was each other, and their weekly ride on their Harleys.
One day, they decided to do something about where their life is going, and just hopped on their Harleys.
Doesn't everyone want to do something like that once in a while?
I sure did, which is why I went for this 2 year part time Masters course in HKU.
Just hopped on the plane with all my family, and here I am.
Watching late night DVDs in Hong Kong.

Trip to Macau 26/8/07

2007-10-07T15:18:00.001+08:00

This is us at Macau last month, at the St Paul's facade. Auggy looks happy...and Ben was sleeping, as usual. Well done, kangaroo boy!

Outing at Hong Kong Heritage Museum and dinner at Vincent and Grace's

2007-10-06T23:10:00.000+08:00

We went to the HK Heritage Museum today. Had planned the visit with Grace and Vincent (Kim's sis and bro in law), but David was having his nap, so we went ahead on our own.

HK Heritage centre is at New Territories, about 45 mins from HK island (by cab to Hom Hung station then by KCR). Auggy enjoyed the KCR ride very much, thinking that it was an MRT ride (yes he misses Singapore already).

So we spent about 1.5 hours there at the children discovery corner in the museum. It is like the most child friendly place we have been to in HK so far, the nursing room is a dream, complete with diapers (sizes S, M, L), wet wipes, water dispenser, sink, and even plastic bags to dispose of soiled diapers properly. Not to mention the pretty couches that we were sitting on. And there are lots of toys and games to catch Auggy's attention.

But poor Benedict, he didn't quite enjoy himself, maybe he slept too much on the way there, maybe he was grouchy, he was wailing quite a bit:

And did Augustine care? Not really, except for the cursory: Don't cry, didi. And off he zipped to the various corners. This was the bird corner (he was seated in a weaver bird nest)

This is Augustine having fun at the Toy Museum section:

And after the museum, we went to Vincent and Grace's place at Tai Shui Hung (Mountain Shore-beautiful place, not congested like HK island). Grace prepared a wonderful Singapore style nasi lemak dinner with 5 side dishes for us (she is a great cook, like 10000000 times better than me). Then off the boys went to play at the playground. How wonderful it is to have adult company while the kids are occupied! :)

Auggy got into trouble!

2007-10-05T23:38:00.000+08:00

Augustine triggered the condo alarm today. He found this little red button near my bed, and like all inquisitive two year olds, he prodded the red button before we could stop him.

Then the condo alarm broke out. The building security called us, sounding worried, "Is everything alright?"

We apologised profusely, and security came up twice to try reseting the alarm, to no avail. We would have to call the security company ourselves tomorrow to deactivate the alarm. The whole episode was quite traumatic to Auggy, and it went something like this:

Me: See, no one will believe you now if anything happen to us. No one will save us in the future if bad guys come because the security will think that you are playing with the alarm.
Auggy: I won't do it ever again...
Me: The alarm is only to be pressed when bad guys come. But do we have any bad guys with us today?
Auggy: No...
Me: Hear that siren? The police will come and take you away if they can't find the bad guy.
Auggy: (voice shaking) No police...I won't do it again...
*Doorbell rings, security came up the first time*
Me: See, security is here to take you away.
Auggy: (voice breaking) No...
*Security went off, Auggy hugged me like a koala*
*Hubby got out of shower, found out what happened*
Hubby: See what you have done. Out of the house you go. The security will take you away when he next comes up.
Auggy: (wails) No.....!!!
*Security came up a second time. Hubby dragged Auggy to the door and out of the house. Auggy whimpered miserably*
Auggy: I won't do it ever again....boohoohoo....let me in...
*Hubby let him in, he hung onto me for dear life. Tired, miserable, and sleepy, he fell asleep within 5 minutes of getting on to bed*

Smile Ben Smile!

2007-10-05T23:28:00.000+08:00

Today Ben is in such a good mood...keeps smiling and chatting to everyone...

Here he goes in the morning:

And in the afternoon:

And later in the afternoon:

Awwwwwww...!

Movies, Movies, Movies!

2007-10-04T12:27:00.000+08:00

Nowadays, the only time I have for myself is after the boys (and also the hubby) sleeps. And that means really late late nights (or really early early mornings). So I signed up for a DVD rental membership to catch up on all the movies I have missed since 2004 (that was when I got really busy with work and also found out that I was pregnant), and so far my achievements this week are:

1. Dodgeball (this was really funny, especially the gym part. Struck a chord with my gym freak hubby)

2. 20, 30, 40 (this is a poignant reminder that most women, including myself, are still looking for a man to complete their lives. Which is why I particularly like the end where Sylvia Chang was all bright and cheery at 40, after having a divorce and 2 failed relationships.)

3. Bourne Identity (this is really cool, I am having a crush on Matt Damon already)

4. Bridget Jone's Diary - The Edge of Reason (I remember I cried when I watched the first BJ diary, but this one? Nay)

5. Bourne Supremacy (Matt Damon...drool...)

Tonight it will be Andy Lau's "A World Without Thieves". Highly recommended by the husband. IMHO, my husband does look a tad like Andy (though that is definitely not why he recommended the movie).

Yippee! I am starting to enjoy my life in Hong Kong! And of course, the time spent with the boys is wonderful too. (this is not an afterthought)

Augustine is our new camera man!

2007-10-04T11:22:00.000+08:00

This is Augustine taking himself...We were at Jumbo last Saturday, and he refused to let me get near the camera!

This is the view from his seat...not bad composition for a 2 year old! :)

This is how I look like to him. Hehehe...

Comparison of Ben and Auggy at 3 months

2007-10-02T01:21:00.000+08:00

This is Auggy...:)

And this is Ben... :

Spot the difference! :)

Ben's smile

2007-10-02T01:17:00.000+08:00

The most beautiful thing on earth must be the toothless grin of your own baby.

Ouch Mummy!

2007-10-02T01:11:00.000+08:00

Today Augustine and I had a conversation that goes like this:

Augustine: Ouch mummy my head hit the wall.
Me: Oh dear, is it painful?
Augustine: Mummy my head hurts. I can't talk. I want to see Dr.
Me: Ok. Dr will give you a jab and it won't hurt anymore.
Augustine: (walks to toy box to pull out his toy stethescope and gave me a mock jab on my thigh) Ok, no more pain right?
Me: .......Ahahahahahha!

The joys of motherhood! (not just when the boys are asleep...:p)

My Plan, My Choice, My Destiny.

2007-08-12T15:49:00.000+08:00

So many people asked me if I feel excited going to HK.

Frankly, I don't feel a thing...

This is the fruition of a planned getaway for 1 year. Slowly but surely, I see my plan unfolding before me.

I also see God's hand in this, else everything would not have moved so smoothly.

I did plan to get away from the maddening crowd in Singapore, to spend time as mother to my children and wife to my husband. First, the scholarship to HK, then my husband's appointment in HK, then the birth of my second son and maternity leave. Suddenly, I become as good as a SAHM, the focus of my life being my 2 kids.

And I am grateful for this time away from work. Suddenly, the focus turned inwards. To family, to friends, to my children. I see so much of my kids now, and that seemed like the most natural thing in the world to me. Work? I have a lifetime of work before me, but my children will only really need me for 6 years or so. After which, they will be more than eager to fly away.

And that is my job for now, to help them grow wings so that they can fly away. Augustine is doing not bad now. Whenever I go out with him, he is running to the next attraction so fast that all I get to see is the back of his head. As for Benedict, well, the umbilical cord has been cut, and he is fast becoming his own, except for the symbiotic feeding relationship we now have with each other.

Grow up soon, my dear boys, so that you may spread your wings and fly...

Don't feel like I am going away...

2007-08-11T22:37:00.000+08:00

What is the difference between staying in Sinagpore and Hong Kong?
The address.
Frankly, I think our lifestyle won't change too much. We'll still be staying in a 3 bedroom apartment, we will still enjoy gym membership. We will still go shopping and eating out every weekend. We will still enjoy char siew and roast duck (albeit that of a far superior quality). Our parents and in-laws will still be with us whenever we need them (though at the price of the airticket).
The real difference is: I am a student again!
And Ben and Auggy will learn Cantonese!
In fact, we went about our lives today like nothing big is happening...went to United Square for dinner, brought Ben and Auggy, and my parents to Globetrotters, and Auggy c0mpletely enjoyed himself there. Ben was doing what all 8 week old babies do best: sleeping after a feed. Frankly, Ben won't even notice that we moved. And Auggy will do fine as long as the people he loves are with him.
So really, Hong Kong is a lot nearer to my current life than say, Little India or Geylang Serai...

2 more days!!!

2007-08-11T00:49:00.000+08:00

Managed to meet up with a group of uni friends, and one of which I only met five years ago when he was about to leave for his PhD...and now it is my turn to go overseas for my masters...I wonder, who in this group of friends will be next to go overseas for some time?

It is amazing how the composition of this group has changed and grown over the years. One has added her hubby to her group. One has added his pregnant wife to the group. Two of the group has actually married each other. I now have two kids, and I brought Benedict to the outing today. (Hehe...QX's unborn child is going to be a girl...Will Auggy or Ben stand a chance?)

Ben was pretty well behaved today. Except for the occasional cry (once cos his diaper needs to be changed, once cos he is hungry, once cos he is bored), he slept through the outing from 8pm to 12 midnight. As I am typing, he is still sleeping...

I wonder how Auggy will take my disappearance today. I left him at mum's place today, and forgot to go home! I really forgot that I'm supposed to go back to Clementi today! When I asked a lift from BX, I was thinking of my home in punggol! Gosh... Poor Auggy will be shocked tomorrow morning when he wakes up...:p

3 more days!

2007-08-09T23:27:00.000+08:00

This is the first national day that went by without me watching the parade. Why? I was catching up on my reading when my second son, Benedict, was finally asleep. My first son, of course, was happily watching the ational Day Parade, so I thought, I finally have a moment to myself, not to be lost of course.

Hubby called to say that all our boxes have arrived, and he has unpacked all of them. What a man!

So happy...3 more days before I can be united with him again... :)

Countdown to HK - 4 more days

2007-08-09T00:03:00.000+08:00

4 more days to our new life!
I haven't gotten too excited yet. But I am sure that I won't be able to sleep the night before. This always happens to me whenever I am about to embark on something new...
And dear Benedict will be 2 months old!
And Augustine is right smack in his terrible twos stage!
Can't imagine how am I going to cope, but I know we will cope somehow.
Hubby's doing everything at HK right now: buying new furniture, area cleaning, fixing the light...he is so wonderful, I dunno how to thank him enough...
And how exciting, our things will reach HK tomorrow...hubby will be doing all the unpacking...
I am truly a blessed young mother, hehehe.