Yay! USA here we come!

Great! we're heading to USA this year end. And that means che-che will miss her WBAS this year. Though she was enjoying herself last year and wanted to go again this year, she can't give up this trip as she has been asking us for the longest time to go back to US again. She's damn lucky! Some kids don't even get to go so far, are not so well- travelled like her.

Lil' one is super excited as it's her first trip to so far far away.

I'm excited too even though I've been there before. Nothing beats going on holiday right?

Not sure what hubby is planning. I used to plan itinery but I'm too tired now..... I can't cope with so many things on hand. I'm sure it's going to be a fun trip (provided the kids don't fight with each other)

Edusave Award

It's the first time che-che attends an Award Ceremony. That's because the very first time when she got two awards in primary school, one she wasn't eligible to get the monies as the monthly salary ceiling is above the requisite. However, she got the monies for another one but strangely there wasn't any ceremony. The cheque was simply passed to the girls in school.

Thereafter, she had another 1 more of EMB in between that time and now, which again she couldn't go for the ceremony. But I'm wondering...... there were some kids I saw who ..... I doubt their salary ceiling is below coz if they can stay in a condo, that means their salary must be of a substantial amount too right? So perhaps we can lie the next time any of the girl gets the award? 

This ceremony is held in our Function Room. Good right? Don't need to go and cram and sit through lengthy ceremony, just to get that few seconds shot of your child. Get to mingle with some neighbours, otherwise everyone is always so busy with their lives. And we're basically stuck at home coz' the girls always have to clear their school homeworks or tuition homeworks on weekends. 

The girl. She ASKED if she can not go for the ceremony and when I told her to neaten up her pleats for picture taking, she told me she can wear her pinafore the other way (anyway nobody knows also, they look the same front and back). GRRRR.... she's trying to be funny with me. She wasn't that vocal when she was younger now the true side of her shows. 

Didn't smile much, but luckily she managed a forced smile for this shot.        

EDUSAVE AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT, GOOD LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE (EAGLES)

All Singaporean students from Primary 4 onwards in Government and Government-aided schools, junior colleges/centralised institute, independent schools, specialised schools and the Institute of Technical Education are eligible for the Edusave Award for Achievement, Good Leadership and Service, which is given to up to 10% of students who have demonstrated leadership qualities, service to community and schools, excellence in non-academic activities, and good conduct. 

The values of the award are as follows:

• $250 for Primary 4 to 6
• $350 for Secondary 1 to 5
• $400 for Pre-University 1 to 3
• $500 for Institute of Technical Education/specialised school

EDUSAVE MERIT BURSARY (EMB)

All Singaporean students in Government and Government-aided schools, junior colleges/centralised institute, independent schools, specialised schools and the Institute of Technical Education and Polytechnics who are not recipients of any Edusave Scholarship are eligible for the Edusave Merit Bursary, if they are within the top 25% of their level and course in terms of academic performance, have demonstrated good conduct, and whose monthly household income does not exceed $6,000 (or per capita income does not exceed $1,500).

The values of the bursary are as follows:

• $200 for Primary 1 to 3
• $250 for Primary 4 to 6
• $350 for Secondary 1 to 5
• $400 for Pre-University 1 to 3
• $500 for Institute of Technical Education/specialised schools/Polytechnics

EDUSAVE GOOD PROGRESS AWARD (GPA)

All Singaporean students in Government and Government-aided primary and secondary schools (from Primary 2 onwards), junior colleges/centralised institute, independent schools, specialised schools, the Institute of Technical Education and Polytechnics (from Year 2 onwards) who are not recipients of any Edusave Scholarship or the Edusave Merit Bursary are eligible for the Edusave Good Progress Award, if they are within the top 10% of their level and course in terms of improvement in academic performance and have demonstrated good conduct.

The values of the award are as follows:

• $100 for Primary 2 to 3
• $150 for Primary 4 to 6
• $200 for Secondary 1 to 5
• $250 for Pre-University 1 to 3
• $400 for Institute of Technical Education/specialised schools//Polytechnics Year 2-3

They are so different

I'm reminded just how different my two girls are.

School - related

Big one : Will be like in Lala-Land like that. She'll forget to pass me any notices / forms from teachers. She'll not write down homeworks in journal and sometimes forget what homework/s she needs to do. She'll take some time to think through because I don't like my girls to go to school without doing any homework/s

Lil' one : Very alert. Will shout and tell me what homework/s she has for the day. And then try to shove the consent forms into my face when I'm driving. Needless to say, she's the more responsible one. 

Nudging

Big one : Needs alot of nudging that I do get really angry with her. I die already also must come out of coffin to remind her to do something. She gets her work done after lots of scolding.

Lil' one : She reminds me things that requires my checking / acknowledgement etc.. She's very automatic.

Misc

During our holiday in Shenzhen, we bused back to our hotel from an attraction. The girls sat together and I told them how many stops away we are to our destination. Somehow I napped in the bus, for maybe 10mins? I woke up and then muttered "where are we now?" Lil' one responded "6 more bus stops" and I noticed she has her fingers either stretched or bent to a number. She's the one who is very attentive. Her sister? Just waiting for us to tell her where she needs to alight. 

God created them so differently. 

Baking

There's so many things I'd love to bake (though it seems like everyone in the family seems to cut down on desserts recently. Don't ask me why. Maybe everybody is getting conscious of their health??). 

I've been wanting to do nicely icing-decorated cookies; cake pops; fondant cake; lovely varied flavoured cupcakes; decorated brownies etc.. I've got so many books in the storeroom waiting for me to flip through and start using the recipes. I've got muffin trays; eclair trays all waiting for me. BUT I never seem to be able to find the time to bake. Why? In the daytime when the girls are in school, I spend my time cleaning the house. OCD me needs to have the house clean and neat. Even when I do decide to heck housework and start baking, I'll never ever finish baking in that 5hrs. Perhaps if it's something easy and no need decoration, perhaps that's achievable? But then my top priority will be the house cleanliness.  

When SIL asked me if I baked pineapple tarts this year, I told her I can't find the time. The previous year when I did, I had to bake halfway; keep the rest of the dough then continued late at night (that was a long interval in between). 

It's the satisfaction any avid baker will tell you that ...sometimes it's really hard to control and they do get moody if they can't bake.