(Backup) Our Pact - sent from heaven

As the girls gets older, we're on constant battle over the usage of phone. I scold che-che over her "big business" when she walks and looks at her phone in the mall, I don't even know why she complains she's tired of sitting down doing her work then if she's not looking at things in the mall?! While the internet is a great learning tool, it can also be the worst when the child can't have any self-control. Haha! Even adults have no self-control! But the worrying part is neglecting her studies. 

I've seen the sponsored advertisements in Facebook before, but then it was only iphone to iphone compatible. And honestly, lil' one don't fiddle that much like her sister. 

That’s why instead of scolding the girls, all I need to do is to control their schedule and .... lock their apps from the other room. All I hear is the "Oyy!" Being an IT idiot, I was surprised that the set up was much easier than I expected. It took me about 15 minutes to complete the entire set up and the girl's phones were C.O.N.T.R.O.L.L.E.D by this Master Brain. 

The entire app can be 100% customized to their week and daily routine. Like for example, che-che needs to go over to the tutor's house on Thursdays from school herself, so I extend the usage time for her.

So, what does OurPact App do?  

With the OurPact App I have the power to:

• Block girls' Internet across all synced Apple and Android devices
• Block girls' Apps (Facebook, Snapchat, Musicaly, Instagram) across all synced Apple and Android Devices
• Schedule Internet and App use according to girls' daily routine
• Set a limit to the number of hours I allow them to spend on the Internet and within Apps. Like sometimes che-che would ask me if I could turn on google for her coz she needed to check something
• Block Internet and Apps at-a-touch

You can opt for the free OurPact where there's limitations. I opted for the paid subscription, this money is definitely well-spent.   

Although, I am a SAHM and I'm almost everywhere with them after school so I feel so much safer knowing the OurPact app provides me with a little bit of control for the kids when I expect them to be doing their homework or studying. 

Thank you so much for the creator. You've done a great deed to all parents out there. Muack!

The amateurs BBQ-ers

老天爷 played the biggest joke on us today.

Brother booked a BBQ pit at a chalet and informed us weeks before. The girls were looking forward to this as I had made the exception of them missing their tuition and giving them their well deserved break. 

They were given 4 free tickets to Wild Wild Wet, thankfully father volunteered to go and take care of them. So we stayed in the comfort of the air-conditioned room, waiting for him to send over pictures and videos. THIS IS CALLED RESPONSIBLE PARENTING FROM A DISTANCE. Che-che did a good job in taking care of the two younger ones. Quite pitiful lor! She didn't get to play what she wanted. Nobody to follow her on those big slides. Anyway, I wouldn't dare to go on the rides (haha! this is from someone who dares to take roller coaster rides) even if I'm there. 

We proceeded to the pit to get everything ready. So excited coz... I haven't been a part-time satay seller for a long time. 

But it was a mistake from the start.

(1) Brother took a long time to start the fire. I should have googled- search how to stack up the charcoals. But I guess he knew what he was doing since he went through Army. Then mom came down, and there was another set of opinion that he set up wrongly. Hmm.... The guys from the pit opposite us came about half an hour later than us but they got everything fired up so quickly. Another family from another pit came close to an hour later, so finished everything so fast. Looking at the speed we get the fire (what fire?) up, I doubt I'll carry out the task of organising a BBQ birthday party for lil' one (she asked her daddy for one months before)  

I'm asking for trouble if I ever start to plan for it

(2) When I peered over the pit opposite us, I noticed they barbecued their food in different sequence from us. And I believe theirs would be the best - looking at the speed they finish barbecuing their whole lot of food, they were doing the right way.  I can only go on sighing at the state of mess we've created. 

Then dark clouds came in to join in our dull mood. I didn't welcome them at all. Lo and behold the expected thing happened quicker than I thought and .... we hardly barbecued anything! What were we going to do with the un-barbecued food??  真的是开玩笑。 老天爷再增我们。We had no choice but to continue BBQ-ing the food. Father came back with a parasol. Haha! You know we often complained that he has so many rubbish in his car... but this time he brought out something which is really useful. Since we're a bunch of comical inexperienced BBQers, give us 3 parasols also no use.  

I was soaked coz the rain plummet down so fiercely at us. After some time when we think we've barbecued sufficiently, we decided to pack up and head back to the room. 
Father did the disappearing act again, just when we were about to complain that he wasn't helping us at all, he came with a supermarket trolley and a canvas sheet from his car. Good timing! We loaded more things, which certainly expedite the whole moving process. 
We're damn smart in this except for BBQ-ing. We should be house movers/packers.

The kids barely even soak into the BBQ atmosphere, infact they were upstairs the whole time after they got back from Wild Wild Wet, took their shower and then it rained. 

I should have brought my AIRFRYER as it would have done a better and cleaner job. Conclusion : 
a) none of my family should organise a BBQ. Use an Airfryer, less oil.        
b) if the girls ever really really want one. I'll hire help. This way, I get to enjoy my food and company. 

WHAT THE #%^* !! - NYAA

I thought just her stupid Band +40hrs should suffice to get that 2 points. Now I'm hearing something new - NYAA Silver.

What the??!?! I would think that trying to get that minimum 40hrs (or 10hrs per year) is already a challenge and a "forced one". Not to mention, my girl has to specifically tell me she dowan to interact with people, with children.  To which I suggested she could volunteer to sweep the tombstones coz the dead won't be talking to her.  Now with this shit...so what are they trying to do? Of course you can choose not to do it. What this NYAA Silver do is it puts you over the edge over the others. Supposedly if every kid in Singapore scores 6points for L1R5 and everyone minus 2 points for CCA = 4points.

Not to mention I'm tad disappointed that the school won't help in anyway, won't suggest what to do.  What more I'm a clueless mom. I'm sorry to say but why is the school like this.  Though I'm somewhat happy that she's in my alumni, I'm also regretting that I had listened to her and didn't try to appeal a transfer to TKGS. So I pray hard lil' one score well to get out of this school. No way am I going to let my second child go through this. And with new implementation, who knows what upgraded shit the younger kids have to do. It's really no wonder that kids now don't get to enjoy as much as we did

 CCA bonus points are awards for National Youth Achievement Awards, which can aid in admission to junior colleges, polytechnics and universities.

  

NATIONAL YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (NYAA)

The National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) is an exciting personal challenge to young people between the ages of 14 and 25. It is a balanced program of activities design to equip youths with personal qualities and skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and their world.

There are 3 levels of the Award in which you can participate – Bronze, Silver and Gold, with each successive level requiring a greater level of commitment and determination.

The NYAA Program is a do-it-yourself kit for youth development allowing you to tailor the program to suit your own needs, interests and level of commitment. The program is divided into three levels which vary in difficulty and commitment. Within each level, you are required to complete various sections that will develop your physical, social and mental skills which will serve you well into your future.

Level of Award	Age	Minimum Time Period
Bronze	14 & above	6 months
Silver	15 & above	12 months
Gold	16 & above	18 months

SECTIONS OF THE AWARD

Regardless of which level of the Award you are participating in, you are required to complete non-competitive activities in the following areas:

• Service (volunteer for at least 60 hours spread over a period of 12 months)
• Adventurous Journey (4D3N outdoor camp with at least 32 hours of outdoor activities)
• Skills (At least 18 months or 12 months if you have completed this section at Silver level)
• Physical Recreation (Take up and indulge in a sport for at least 40 hours spread over a period of 3 months, Example Sports Elective)
• Residential Project (Plan, undertake, follow up and sustain a meaningful project that can benefit the less fortunate community at large, Example OCIPs)