Back to School | Piano Recital

Brayden 7Y4M7D

Bevlynn 3Y1M0D

It was back to school time. Again, it is very hard to restart the daily routine; waking up early, going back to school, having to finish all homework, going to bed early. 

On Sunday, Brayden had his first recital in front of a crowd. He was shaking and nervous. The night before, he did practice and confidently playing the 2 songs; Canon in D and Forest Song without the scores. In front of the crowd, he played so softly and looking nervously to the camera. Bevlynn couldn't sit still during the recital. I had to remove her from the room. 

This would be the last recital with his teacher Ms Phoebe. She was his first piano teacher, and she was planning to pursue her studies in the UK in music therapy. 

The fun antics of the children during the holiday in Penang. 

• Bevlynn was feeding Daddy a long biscuit. Then Daddy bite the biscuit and she started crying. She said "Daddy bit my finger". But Daddy didnt even touch her finger, she was very dramatic to get attention. 
• I described to Bevlynn something wearing pink, going around... (I was referring to her, she was wearing pink). I asked her to guess what is it? She said "Ghost" I laughed out loud because I only taught her the word a day before. I told her there are many ghosts staying in empty houses in Penang.
• Bevlynn took care of everyone, Brayden on the other-hand acted all crazy whenever he is excited. 
• Brayden and Bevlynn played PS5 in Penang most of the time. They played "It takes two". Bevlynn only liked running about and spraying water "Peeing". Brayden was very good at the game, he learnt very fast and almost finishing the game. 
• Brayden won first in P1 for Yizhishi; with the highest score. Good job! 
• When you ask Why... Why... Why... Bevlynn always say "I Like~~~" (sounded like a Thai accent)

Holiday | Family Photoshoot

Brayden 7Y4M0D

Bevlynn 3Y0M24D

We were in Penang for a week. The week before, Brayden and Bevlynn had been together with Uncle Max and Grandma by themselves. 

It was an eventful trip. 

I wanted to take a family photo to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary. It had been a photo shoot which I had been wanting to have for the family since Bev was 1 year-old. But it was just so hard to organised; The time had never been right and I could not find a studio which I liked. 

So while the kids were away in Penang, I was able to search for a studio and coordinate the photo shoot plans. Lucky thing, the studio had a good slot on Saturday available - this is the only slot left for the week. I quickly made the reservation and start planning for the clothes for the children. I had a nice white dress for Bevlynn so that would have done it. For Brayden, we had to go scouting around in Penang for quite a bit. I thought it would have been easy but it was not. We went to several places, including Queensbay, Sunshine Farlim, Anakku, AEON Bukit Mertajam, 1st Avenue, and finally Prangin Mall. The only store available was SY Kids in Prangin. We bought the vest, jeans for Brayden. However, the sizes did not fit well so we had to travel there once more. While there, we additionally bought boots and long socks for Bevlynn.  

We had to make a dress tryout at Winter December Studio at Bukit Mertajam. It was not too far from Bukit Mertajam AEON. After a few tries, I found the dress I loved - a lacey long sleeve dress that is not too revealing. 

In the last minute, Max and Kai Xin could also make it for the photoshoot. I am over the moon with this news. It has been more than 5 years we had took a family photo together; the last one was during Max's graduation. So it was a good opportunity to take once again with the two grandchildren in the picture. 

Mom was very anxious to put on a white dress. She was afraid she'll not look good in it. Since our theme was black and white luxury, the other choice was to put on a black dress. Good thing the ladies a the studio also convinced her to put on the white dress, it looked really good on her. 

When we were putting on the make-up and the men were dressing up in their coats, I really felt so touched that all of us could make time for this moment and do this all over again. It really gave me the nostalgia of my wedding day 10 years ago.... (back then, we were young, getting ready to make the next big step in life) This day, just reminded me how far we have come in life.. 

It was really difficult to take the photos with children and such a large group (7 adults, 2 children). Still it was fun and meaningful especially for my mom. Mom and Dad had been married for 39 years, Hubs and I were married for 10 years, while Max and Kaixin just got engaged, Gene just got hooked up this year. Brayden is 7 and Bevlynn is 3; making our perfect 10 very special. 

When we got the photos, it looked amazing! 

Then I recalled, I had a good, amazing journey. My proposal was at a castle, my wedding was at Banker's Club that looked like an interior of an English castle (walking down the stairs with my Dad), and my 10th anniversary photo looked like one from a dreamy royalty theme. It all blended so nicely. I am truly blessed that all things fall into place so nicely so far for my family. None of it would have happened if I don't have my Hubs, children and family with me. 

 

No Kids | I miss Grandma

Brayden 7Y3M22D

Bevlynn 3Y0M15D

The kids were in Penang with their Ah Mah. Now me and Hubs have some alone time with no kids.

I spontaneously decided to go for a date night at the cinema. I made Hubs change his clothes and pulled him to a cinema without telling him the plans. He asked what was the movie and I told him "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies". The show was starting within the next minutes. He didn't have the chance to read the reviews on this movie and thought it was a Taiwanese movie. 

But when the movie started, he eventually found out it was Thai. It was a touching movie; I sobbed from the beginning till the end.... and so were the people around us. He said, there was not enough time for the credits to roll and the lights turned on. Then, he'd realized that everyone was looking all wet on the faces. 

It was a good movie and there were so many similarities to the life of my own late maternal Grandma that it reminded me of her. 

My Grandma used to wear the same type of flowery clothes with jade on her hand. She was kind and loving. Spoke Teochew. Prayed to Kuan Yin. During the Ching Ming festival, she will gather all the children and follow the ceremony to pray to the ancestors. She used to wake up really early to prepare and help out with the curry mee hawker business by her youngest son. During CNY, she would have all the children at her house and we played gambling cards. And the day after CNY, she would feel lonely again and there were many leftovers. Her children especially the sons were fighting for her inheritance (the corner house at Relau). She would give her money to her youngest son whenever he needed. Her money kept hidden in a biscuit tin can was stolen. Her daughter (my mom) cares for her alot and visited her almost every weekend with us. She would dress up nicely whenever the children were coming to visit. She held my mom hands and said she was very tired and dreamt of my Ah Gong. In the end, she left her house to her youngest son because he needed it more than the eldest. She left some jewelleries to my mom, found by my mom while cleaning her room after her death. It was like the same jewelleries my mom said she liked. 

After she passed away, during her 7th day of funeral, all the families came to the living room together. My mom and I smelled a very nice flowery scent in the room we were in. It was very light and brief. The rest of the family did not smell it. We know it was her presence in the room. It was her way to bid her last farewell. 

I MISS MY AH-MAH! 

There were several messages portrayed in the movie: 

• The elder always kept to herself no matter how hard the situation may be. She always said "I am alright" and "Don't worry" but in fact, she feels lonely and loved to get some company. 
• Sometimes they will scold you to leave them alone but actually, they didn't want you to be burdened about taking care of them. 
• She don't complain badly about her children, no matter how bad they've treated her. 
• Do not have to fight for the inheritance because no matter what they will give it to the one most needing it and meant the most. 
• The Grandson asked if the Grandma loved him at all after giving her inheritance to her son. She responded to her Daughter I don't know who I love the most but I do know that I wanted to be with you now the most. This is after the Grandma was diagnosed with cancer and was already very old and frail.  
• The greatest moment was taking care of the Grandma; which was more valuable than any inheritance. 
• The million he had received from the hidden savings the Grandma made to her Grandson was in the end spent to give the Grandma a good resting spot. 

Penang trip | Changi Terminal 4 Arcade | It Takes Two

Brayden 7Y3M17D

Bevlynn 3Y0M10D

The children are in Penang for 2 weeks. 1st week - they'll be staying with Ah Mah with out Daddy and Mommy. We went to the airport Terminal 4 early, had dinner with Hubs and said our farewell. As we went in, the two children were very co-operative. Brayden loved playing at the highest slide but Bevlynn wasn't tall enough, so she wasn't allowed in. 

We went to the Free Arcade Area at Terminal 4. It is near G18 gate at the corner. It is quite a distant from the usual gate for Air Asia so we will need some time to arrive and play there. The children wanted to play non-stop. There were car race, Street fighter, foosball. Since it is unlimited play, there is no token needed and the children can simply play without worrying about losing the game. 

Although we arrived early at the gate for departure, there was a 1 hour delay of the flight and so the children and I were waiting at the terminal. We ended up playing some games on the phone to kill time. By the time we arrived at Penang, it was past midnight. 

On Sunday, we went to Sunshine Air Itam to shop for groceries. The usual coin wishing well is their favourite spot. For dinner, we were at Esplanade. The children playground is no longer there. Bev and Bray were taking photos with the dinosaur. The dinosaur funnily "ate" Bevlynn. They were playing with bubbles again.... 

There was very good green tomyam, pizza, balitong. Our favourites. 

At night, Bray and Bev wanted to use the telescope to catch some stars. But there were only lights from the hotel nearby. Bev could not focus her eyes looking into the scope. She even closed both eyes and said she saw the lights. What types of light? She said it was pink colour lights. There were only 2 bright yellow spot light in the telescope. I wonder what she really sees in the telescope or was she imagining? 

Bray was sleeping in Uncle Max's room. Bev was saying over and over she'd sleep in Uncle Max's room too but in the middle of the night, she'd walked back to my bed. Then go again to Uncle's Max's room and mine again. She really could not decide where she'd like to sleep. Finally, she'd fall asleep next to me. 

Brayden played some games on the PS5 - Metal slug, Robot game and It Takes Two. He always used the hammer to hit my male character in the head and get him stuck to the floor. He loved it and wasted time doing it over and over, laughing at how my character was scolding... It was quite fun and additive. 

I would be leaving tomorrow. Now the children can have some more time with their grandparents and uncles. 

Bevlynn turns 3 | School Holiday | Strengths

Brayden 7Y3M9D

Bevlynn 3Y0M2D

Little Missy Bev turns 3. She added so many words into her vocabulary, although her words are not clearly enunciated. Just like an example, she was showing a box with her fingers over her eyes and said "I want to take oto" I was like, you wanted to play Lego? She said "no, Oto!" Is it you wanted to take motor? "No, I want to take oto mommy" Ohhh, you want to take photo... 

All her words are usually missing the beginning sound. 

As the clock strike after her birthday, there's a sudden realization that she is no longer a baby and she has grown so much into a little lady. No more baby words, demanding for more independence now. 

Two of the children played floor is lava at the playground. After 10 seconds, one needs to search for a new spot before the floor turns into lava. It was a fun game for both of them. Bevlynn always made mistakes in stepping onto the lava floor. 

Brayden was making a presentation in Speech Academy. He did the same presentation 1 year ago about the role of a "Teacher". Last year he taught the class on how to perform jumping jack. This year, he only prepared the speech one day before the presentation day. We skipped the practice class since we went to legoland. Despite all this, he was not nervous at all. He presented on how to fold a boat. Almost at the end , the boat last step did not turn out accordingly. Good thing he quickly mended the paper and the boat was made. This time, he is more confident! 

During the last week, he was quite bored as there were no classes in school. Shou Zheng, his best friend had invited several of his friends to go over his house and play together over the weekend. They really had fun playing with air gun and Playstation 5. 

It was a hectic week at work, firstly due to the announced changes in management. There was a change of MD and RSM. And furthermore, it was announced right before our leadership training. But I particularly liked the training, it highlighted on how to enhanced strengths. I had some very prominent strengths including Achiever, Self Assurance, Learner, Intellection. The trainer was right; often times we put more emphasis on improving our weakness than on strengths. With more focus on enhancing the strengths, one can polish it even more and gain from it.  

In order to further strengthen the strengths, you can have several role models and take them as examples.