Cycling | Otter & Animals | Cycling Hilarious Disaster

Brayden 9Y3M22D

Bevlynn 5Y18D

These 2 weeks, we tried cycling around the neighbourhood. Rented bicycles from Anywheel.  

Daily from work to home in the evening and weekends around the Bukit Batok Hillside Park. 

I was the usual clumsy self, while the children competed from one end to another (Bev always tailing behind Bray; her short quick legs were already pedaling more revolutions on the wheels but Bray still outcycled her). After they had cycled several rounds, I had just finished one. 

This Mommy didn't fancy any competitions; especially one that she could never win. I prefer enjoying the greeneries, fresher air, evening skies - and sometimes doing a little balancing act when other cyclists or pedestrians walked so closely on the narrow paths.  

We stopped for Saizeriya for weekend dinners. 

On some work days, Hub and Bray came and "fetched" me from work with their bicycles. We'd cycled back along a short 25-minute path home. Along the way, we had been greeted by several friendly animals - chickens, birds, lizard and once, an otter was enjoying a swim. 

When I think of drains, water & bicycle, these 3 are definitely not a good combination together. 

In my university days, my coursemates had invited me to join them in cycling to classes. The bicycle I got had a high seat, so I needed to tiptoe to balance the bicycle. 

No longer than 5 minutes into the ride, I was already so confident and cycled at a faster pace (riding behind my coursemates). This is where it got interesting. There was a narrow, windy path we needed to cross to get to our campus; both sides of the path were little pond with high grass. As we got to the middle, I panicked as I forgot how to brake. The coursemate shouted that I should press the brakes in front. Then, I remembered and pull hard on the brakes. I thought to myself "Wait a minute, the bicycle is tilting to the left" (to where the pond is) and silly me, I forgot to put my legs down as I brake. So down I went.... Weeeeeeee~~~ (according to my coursemate, I went down with a smile and while I was in the water, I was happily enjoying and floating).

In my defence, I did not go down with a smile, but I did laugh at the silliness. And I was not enjoying the swim. It was too slippery that I was trying to pull myself out of the water but I couldn't so it looked like I was playing in the pond. 

My coursemate pulled me out. I was all wet with the muddy water, my backpack too. 

After that, we continued our ride to the campus. During that same day, I was trailing behind my coursemate again. When we were about to make a turn at a junction, a car was turning with me. I panicked, because the car made a steep turn at the last minute ------ and you can guess it, I went straight down into the grassy drain one more time. Whooooo----heeeeeee..... How lucky was I to take a dip twice in a day!

Those were not the only times I lost balance but that's enough embarrassing moments for a day. 

Hence, that's why I say: drain + water + bicycle = HILARIOUS DISASTER

 

Bev's Birthday | Timezone , Shake Shack | E & P Meet Up | Movies by the Beach | Wesak Day

Brayden 9Y3M6D

Bevlynn 5Y

We had Bray PTC and Bev's birthday party in school on the same day. Bev's classmates were excited and wanted a piece of the unicorn rainbow cake. At the end of the day, we enjoyed ice-creams & waffle at Lickers. 

It was a long weekend holiday. After Saturday swimming lessons, I went to Salvations to get some presents for Bev - they loved the bow and arrow, shopping board game - not so excited about the hello Kitty blind boxes.

For dinner, we met with Ev and Pat, who were travelling to Singapore for school holidays. We chose to have a picnic; Movies by the Beach at Sentosa. It was showcasing Bedtime Stories. There was such a crowd, we decided to leave for the beach so that the children can play sandcastles. It was nighttime, in the dark, we sat there overlooking the night view of Sentosa beach. There were occasional fireworks lighting the night sky. It was a brief outing yet fun for the children. 

On Sunday, it was Wesak Day. We went to pray at the temple. 

Then 2 things happened on the same day:

1) Found a note on the floor; which I donated away. 

2) Bought a cake with a voucher. It was FREE. I did not expect that.  

I chose a nicer pink & white cake. I thought I needed to top-up because it was showing a higher price tag. When I went to the cashier to pay, she told me it was fully paid with the voucher. There was a promotion on the cake I chose. The voucher was S$28 and the cake after promotion was S$27.20. I was delighted and surprised. How can it be such a coincidence!

For Bev's birthday, we went to Shake Shack and Timezone to celebrate. 

During my last business trip, I received an email on fraudulent transactions on my debit card. It was 47 online transactions for Paypal. Imagine the panic I had when I tried calling the bank. After returning, I had to make a police report.

I managed to finish reading "The Decision Book". There are many models highlighted. Some interesting models which I find easy to implement; the rubber band model, Pareto principal, conflict resolution, long tail, team model.  

 

 

Penang - Kenny Hill's Bakers || Singapore - Otto Prawning | Kids Fishing || Ho Chi Minh - Park | University Village

Brayden 9Y3M1D

Bevlynn 4Y11M24D

This week felt long and there were too many things happening. 

I received a call from a close relative. 

His wife had just asked for a divorce, she just left, a sudden news for him. When finances are tight, it can break a family. In a short week, he had to look for a caretaker for his only daughter, change her school in a different state, consider selling their home and deal with the divorce. 

It was at this time, our families came together and tried to support him and his daughter. 

We were very surprised at how mature his daughter is, beyond her age. She showed a very strong front, to help her father. I guess, and we all hope, she's coping. 

This week too, Project Demure in Penang was moving forward smoothly. 

We had lunch at Kenny Hill's Bakers Bayan Lepas. The service was exceptional; the waiters introduced the menu patiently and also chatted warmly with us. We tried the salmon wellington, peach strudel and tiramisu were my favorites. 

On the weekend, we wanted to go SPCA in Singapore. But it was only by appointment. Bev & Bray were very disappointed. They wanted to see the hamsters, rabbit, cats and dogs. 

So we drove to a nearby location; Nature Kindred - there's a cafe and behind it was a small little pool for kids fishing. It was not a very good fishing spot (a small pool right beside the toilets) but for the children, they were easily satisfied with the activity. Bray managed to catch 25 guppies in the 1 hour, while Bev was the pail carrier - she needed to make sure the fishes don't fall out. Every guppy = 1 point. We exchanged for a little ice cube toy. That was fun.  

Also this week, I travelled to Ho Chi Minh City. 

It was stressful for me to prepare for this trip on a short notice, but everything went so well and the people here are so friendly and welcoming. (The locals tried to speak to me in English even though it was difficult for them, it was a nice gesture). The food here was also good. The stress went away... 

I met Sis Snow here. She was adorable, hopping from her grab motorcycle to collect a parcel from me. 

The Ha Spa and walking along the narrow streets were also a nice experience. I had also a 6km walk on the park in the center of HCMC. The park was surrounded by the sound of cars honking, yet it was relaxing when there were so many locals exercising in the park together. 

I also visited the University Village. It does bring back many good memories from university times. 

I'd hope to return here someday again.  

In the meantime, I missed my lil ones. They shared photos of prawning at Otto Singapore. 

 

Therapist Book | Good morning Monster | True Friendship

Brayden 9Y2M26D
Bevlynn 4Y11M20D

Good morning, Monster. 
It was an interesting read; a therapist's sharing of 4 emotional healing stories. From a disturbing, traumatic past to one of strength and happier ending. It gave an insight on how one can decide not to let the past define them; let go of the hurt; learn to be kinder to self and not continue allowing the past monsters to hold so much control over their lives. 

In all the stories told, parents played such important roles in the upbringing of their childrens' lives. The parents may not know it themselves because they were also the same victim of abuse. They did not stop the generational consequences and carry forward the effects. 

After finishing the book, I found inner strength. Not from enjoying the torture stories of others, but from realizing the problems we faced are so menial. 

This week I get to experience the power of true friendship.
Would one give away millions just to help their best friend's whole family with no conditions attached? No? Someone did. Seeing this single act, left me speechless. It's is really baffling, yet inspiring. I could not believe there is still such true and generous friendship. It's lucky to have such a friend. I want to build one too.

Chua Chu Kang Swimming Complex | Nanyang Dao | Hillion Mall | Lovebird is in the air

Brayden 9Y2M18D

Bevlynn 4Y11M14D

It was Mother's Day weekend. 

On Saturday after swimming, we decided to go Westmall for lunch. I wanted to have Nanyang Dao but the children and Hub wanted sushi. I was thinking how much I wanted to choose Nanyang Dao for Mother's Day meal; it's ok I'll just have what they wanted for now. 

The next day, we went to Chua Chu Kang swimming complex. This is our first time here. There is a wave pool with floats, children play pool, adult slide pool, spa jacuzzi pool and standard swimming pools. We really love the wave pool, Bray and Bev love floating in the yellow giant float. The waves were very strong too. 

Bray and Hub slide down the big slides. It looked fun.

Then we all got a good splash from the children play pool. 

We decided to leave by 6.30pm for dinner at Hillion Mall. We were running towards the bus stop to catch a bus. I had texted Jane one week earlier, wanted to plan Mother's Day together. But I got too busy with work and Bray's exam days, we did not managed to plan anything. 

I texted her on how's her Mother's Day. She asked if we'd like to have dinner together. I'd say yes, if she can come over to Hillion Mall to meet me. I did not want to pressure her as it was really very last minute for her to come out. 

I asked her what she'd like to have? She forwarded me the location of Nanyang Dao. I was taken aback, how coincidental? I thought what are the odds. The attraction is happening again. Hub looked at me, defeated. This was not something he'd like to have with the good selection of eateries in Hillion Mall. Afterall, it's Mother's Day so both mothers got to choose. Yay! We had our good fill of KL Hokkien Mee, Curry Mee and Char Koay Teow. The mothers were happy, so were the children. 

Also, one funny thing happened this weekend. 

I was home that day. Then a lovebird parrot flew in into our home. As I was approaching it, it flew and rested on my head. It didn't want to leave. The children loved it and wanted to keep it as pet. 

It was so gentle, flying onto everyone's head. It must have thought, ah such a nice looking "nests".

It's such a cute bird and not afraid of people. It stayed for one night, then flew off the next day. 

They'd say such an encounter means more luck and fortune are coming. Ong ah~~!