First major exam 4 years later

30th May 2022 (Monday)

Is the first day of the school holidays and also the day of her GCE O’Levels Mother Tongue paper. I hope she can clear this paper so that we can concentrate on other subjects for the rest of her papers year - end.

After her last SA1 paper 2 weeks ago, it was intensive (I hope!) revision for Chinese and Chinese and Chinese alone. Yah, so much that she’s sick and tired of Chinese. Haha! Then please clear this paper and we can forget this subject. Oh wait! Still have 口试 and 听力  papers, so still not really done yet. 

For record purpose, her exam timing was :

Paper 1 - 0800hrs to 1000hrs

Paper 2 - 1100hrs to 1230hrs

It’s a short break between the papers, so the day before I made her her Caramel Machiatto and chilled in the fridge, ready to pour into the thermos flask this morning. 

Packed a small bread for her so she can spend the time relaxing instead. I added her favourite Ferraro Rocher. 

and lor soh mom wrote a lengthy grandmother story, trying to encourage her. I forgot to print those cards.

I must remember to do the borliao stuffs once again.

But hor….. I checked with her if she read the note. My hottie girl said she didn’t coz she was eating and talking to her friend 🤦‍♀️. Haiyah, all the checking dictionary was 没用的.

29th May (Sunday)

Yesterday, asked the man to help bring her ‘battery dead’ Baby G to the watch shop where he couldn’t get it done as no shop around. So I had no choice but to make a trip to Hougang Mall, asked lil’ one if she wanted to follow me. She did and took more than half hour break (well in fact longer than that as she took a break before dinner n during dinner). It’s funny that she only wears her watch 4 years later too! Hopefully, it helps to take some pressure off her as I also try to cheer her up (at the same time reminding her countless times to be careful in her work 😂. Mom is not of any good help I guess.) 

1試験少ない

 YIPEE! One down!

No break though it’s the school Hol’s. The girls are required to return to school 3x this week. 

MT Oral starts early July, she’s like the first person on the list!  She’s got a very nice Index Number, I hope she gets that position in the whole cohort too! 🤣 Anyway if she’s on top of the list, she’ll probably be taking her oral on the first day. Which can be bad news as 郭老师 said that it’s usually tough on the first day, then next day easy. 我的天啊🤦‍♀️！

菩萨保佑保佑🙏

Lash Resurrection - 2nd appointment

Just a week after the first appointment a month ago, I could feel my eyelashes are lushier and getting a little closer to sexier. 

Amazing isn't it?  

Signed up another package + some introductory promo, thus now I have 4 more sessions. As explained my next appointment will have to be a month later. The other package serves as maintenance and it can be done every bi-monthly or every three months.  

On This Day (27th May) - # Reminders from FB#

27th May 2012

One last look before we cut the cake. Awww...

A FEW MOMENTS LATER >>>

Ahhhh!!!!!! My bag was cut into half.

27th May 2019

Lil’ one came back with 2 books from school library. I caught a glimpse of the brownish text block (as I was driving so glanced back) and exclaimed “Wah! So old.” 

Che-Che immediately flipped the book “wah! they received this book in 1991. Mummy you’re still in the school right?” 

I feel so ancient suddenly. 

She likes the selection of books in the school, “very arts arts type. Even have Les Miserables”

I think I can donate my unabridged book to the school? 

#checheisgoingtoreadthebooktoo# 

#shehasntstoppedsingingandlisteningtophantommusic# #betshesgonnaaskmetogetthemusicscores# 

#itotihaveitmustcheckthebombshelter#

27th May 2020

Yippee! 

But in the midst of cutting ingredients , prepping dinner so will have to wait. 

#flowershappypill#

27th May 2021

Getting ready to sweat 💦 it out. That small space! 

Let’s rock n roll Dawn Zoe 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧

A meet up

After 2 long years separated by the Indian Ocean, Mag finally came back. And a meetup is a must. I haven’t met up with her longer than that coz I was either away on holiday or had something on when she came back some years prior.  

I also haven’t met with Su Li for quite some time too so there were some catching up to do. I met up with Youli in November last year. But we’re missing one mummy, ML Those were the carefree days, when our kids were P1 and we all had so much fun gathering at Mag's house. The kids played together; the mommies talked and now the girls they're all grown up in their 20s and in Uni. 

Here's to many more years of friendship. Bearing witness of the girls' weddings or welcoming babies.

#whenyouputthemummiestogether#

#verylucky13yearsoffriendship#

お弁当

The third day I’ve packed food for lil’ one as she has exams. The school (this year) is really weird. They ask the Sec 2,4s and 5s to bring own empty container from home and pack food from canteen, then bring it up to the class to eat. Huh?!? So much time wasted and esp for lil’ one who gets excited so easily, it’ll take her time to cool down. 

I didn’t get to do it for her first paper on 28th April. Only started doing for 29th April, 5th May and 6th May so far. 

Didn’t get the pictures for the first two, didn’t think to do so then 😬. 

29th April (MT1, MT2)

I packed her requested soba which was really messy as the sauce spilled out as she opened the container. (I think I only used that cute doggie double layered container thrice in the whole bento life?😂) Luckily I told her to eat her noodles in the plastic bag I’ve packed for her into the cooler bag, she managed to contain most of the spillage in the bag. 

5th May (SS, MA1)

Fried macaroni was next on the menu and it goes into a medium sized thermos flask. With the time she saved from running up and down, she was able to have her meal in class, do some reading for next paper and even power napped. 

6th May (BIO, GEOG, MT LC)

The cute lil’ Duffy and Friends dumpling which I made in March serves as her snacks. She wanted something light as she has a longer break for lunch between her Geog and MT LC. 

So cute right? Lil’ one had some before and she likes the taste of the fillings. Of course lah! 很多工 into it and she puts more 调料 inside. 

Into this trusty bag

10th May (CHEM, POA2)

A repetition of her no-nutritional-value soba for her break. Requested by her. Oh well, makes my life. 

This time packed into two separate tight containers to prevent any liquid spillage, thus explained for this bigger and ehh.... childish Hello Kitty bag     

Does she feel embarrassed carrying this bag now? But I feel she must feel proud that this bag followed her since primary school days, those days when I did the cute cute bento for her.   

One last one bento on 30th May for her MT O’ Levels paper for this term. 

 

On This Day - 5th May #Reminders from FB#

 5th May 2019

Was going through ingredients for a recipe and it calls for “titanium dioxide”. What the heck is that? Immediately my mind thought  .... my girls will turn into Iron Girls after that.

#ilearnnewthingseveryday#

5th May 2016

Last night, I was planning next week's menu.

Been abt 2 weeks since hub's back, the only change to menu planning is "I don't have to cook on weekends" 

Hv you wondered how my kids survived my horrible cooking? I can bake but can't cook. But hey! My kids did put on weight in his absence right? So I didn't kill them in the process...or maybe I almost did. 

As I flipped thru the recipes I printed out and planned what to cook for next week, I giggled at some recipes and brought back memories. 

1) The girls were bugging when I was going to do xxx dish coz they saw the stuff in the kitchen. On day itself, both were overjoyed when I said I was going to cook that. Lil' one has to add on "this is my favourite. I like to eat this xxx." When I presented the dish, they couldn't wait to tuck in......

Muahaha! I don't have to say what happens next. Che-Che asked if they were eating the same thing for dinner and she volunteered she'd cook instant noodles for dinner. Lil' one "pleaded for mercy" and asked if she can also eat instant noodle but no!! She asked Che-Che to cook for her dinner. That is a FAIL dish though I did follow the recipe. I wonder why I haven't junk the Seafood Crispy Noodle paper away. (But they don't eat seafood, I substitute with chicken)

2) first time marinated chicken was so-so. They ate but gave me a weird look. Then I tried another recipe another time n airfried it. Che-Che's remark was "why do you always change recipe?" Ok, I got the hint. Actually it was the marmite taste they didn't like the second try, first marinated chicken was something else and stir-fried. 

3) girls came home to a nice smell and eager to try the dish. They ended up eating the hard boil eggs only and if they're lucky - the minced pork too. I geh-kiang wanted to try Braised pork with eggs. And I was so "smart" to replace the cut pork with minced pork since I didn't buy that part and my motive was to plan menu in such a way that ingredients are used within a week. Uhh.......recipe calls for minced garlic. So ....can u imagine.... You either bite into the horrible garlic n scare the vampires away or bite into the pork. Took me some time trying to separate the garlic from pork. So lesson learnt! Better use big garlic which I don't buy coz supermarket sells them in big bagful and not like I really utilize that often. I made the mistake in previous house so always end up throwing away foodstuffs. For the record, I don't stock on onions too (only recently). Anyway, subsequent dishes I used shoulder butt so it was easier. 

But of course when the rare time when mum comes over, they secretly thank God that they are saved from the horrible-cook mother and they can eat the real nice tasty homecook food from grandma. And there are some dishes i cooked n they didn't complain, and like I said THEY DID PUT ON WEIGHT. 

The only thing my girls support me is when I bake or make ice-cream.

There is a reason why I call them my guinea pigs.

#guineapig# #betterdontcookforthesakeofthegirls#

5th May 2016

So they had mass in school today. First thing I asked the lil' one is "so did u sit or kneel?" 

Throwback to her in P1? My blur girl.....and luckily she didn't go up to jiak-lor-ti

5th May 2014

Why? Why? Why? Technically they have like 9-10 months in a year to choose when to renovate the house... Why? It seems like new residents like to renovate their house when it's ....exam period!! Not the first time already!

5th May 2011

Guess what's her punishment?

For talking too much!!! Had to keep quite for 30mins. I need a break!  10mins gone n she's doing well.

TO BE CONTINUED ……..

12 more mins n she's keeping up well. Hmm...maybe should make her do this during musical.

A CONTINUATION …….

Haha! she kept looking at the clock. Then I kept asking her, is it 30 yet? Is it? She knew I was tricking her, smiled n shook her head.

After persistent query from me. She forgot "not 6 yet." and then she slap her own head when she realized she was foolish. Now extended another 10 mins

となりのトトロ Ang ku kueh

Another cute class, probably the last for now. 

Learnt so much from teacher Shirley. 

Mung bean are definitely not the girls’ choice, such a pity that only 2 out of 9 are peanut filled (the leaves are peanut filled). It’s really tiring so I’m not sure if I would make the mung bean ang ku kueh. 

Lash Resurrection on 26th April

Excited to know how this process is going to work. This is what I got from their website - browhaus.com

STEP 1

Your lashes are first cleansed with a lash shampoo to remove makeup and surface dirt.

STEP 2

Growth serum is applied to your lash line to activate and stimulate natural follicle growth.

STEP 3

Relax and finish off your treatment with a heated steam eye mask.

So according to Becky the previous time I went for eyelash perm she said I had some blocked follicles which may impede the growth of eyelashes. And it could be careless cleaning. Huh? I washed my face and always rub my eye area, still not clean?

A measurement is done for comparison later on. See my pathetic 'few strands of hair' eyelashes.

Left side

Right side

I have more hair on my right side. Haha! 

The cleaning with shampoo. Ooh.... that sounds so interesting. Is that for sale?  

I was shown a new set of shrink wrapped attachment, to prove that's it's new. I suppose that attaches to probably a microneedle? Had some weird sensation but heck that, it helps to remove any dead skin cells unclogging the lash follicles. I think mine should be too clogged up??  

The serum is then applied to the eyeline. The serum according to Becky is their own house line, not the same as the Extend Lash and Brow Serum, but it still has panax ginseng in it. 

The treatment ended off with a warm eye mask.

After care at home : 

To maximise the treatment efficacy, pair Lash Resurrection with Browhaus’ Extend Lash & Brow Growth Serum, applying once a day before going to bed. 

Let's hope I can get longer and thicker lashes. 

******************************************************

Footnote : I was curious over the process so went to check on it further. Sadly Browhaus don't say much in their website. 

I got the following information from thelashchapter.com

Not sure if this is the same that Browhaus use, but this is used in The Lash Chapter

The Lash Chapter : "Our painfree non invasive treatment allows efficient delivery of active lash loving properties deep into the dermis layer of your skin with our nano needle lash/brow pen allowing up to 95% better absorption to trigger lash or brow growth within 2 -3 cycles."

In the midst of tidying and organising

With the recent Taobao craze, I wondered where was I these years? It's not that difficult to purchase anything from Taobao afterall even though I'm struggling to read chinese. 

For the last 3 months I'm been getting containers that came in different shipment ; different timing. I must admit it takes a long time to arrive if compared to purchases made in Qoo10 or Shoppee (and a little pricey too!) 

Today, after what feels like an eternity my label machine arrived. And yay… I don’t have to go into computer n photoshop design labels anymore. Just print. I have brother label printers but this is different, have bigger shape option so I can print labels for my pantry, laundry items. Okay, slowly but surely I will get my pantry containers all printed out one day. Today, I got these done. Looks so neat right? 

I can even use my own design. Yay! Means this year's Teacher's Day stuffs I can just print and stick. 

Love this cute label for lil' one. I had it coloured printed out by the professionals more than a month ago. So atas right?  

Responsibility

Lil’ one passed me this paper with all the leadership etc… thingy written on it. Then I’m reminded of the year she was the Environment Rep. I always tease her the “rubbish dump girl”. 🤣

#从垃圾桶捡回来的宝宝回垃圾桶#

I must admit this girl does her duties well, she does her task to the best of her ability. Just like me..... Mom always remind me why everytime whenever she picks me up from school (primary school), I always need to rush back to class to empty the bins or sweep the floor. Infact che-che too! So I'm happy to know that I've raised my kids well. 

Self pampering on 15th Apr

It’s been ages since I last went to my beautician ( before 2019?) . Not all the time, but I’ve done eyelash perming; eyebrow embroidery there a few times. So when I had to book for che-che’s Brow Construction at Browhaus, I made an appointment for myself to do Advanced Lash Curl Up. Was really excited but my lashes aren’t as long and thick as before …😥 cross my fingers that I can blink blink my eyes and 出电 with humsome guys 🤣. 

This is the after result of my pathetic 几条毛 perming. 

It’s recommended to avoid getting the lashes wet for the next 24hrs which proves to be a little tricky. A cleansing sponge helped me for the next 2 days. I have to remember not to be rough in washing my face. I do feel the perming lotion getting into my eyes when I washed my face the first 4 times which was really uncomfortable. I don’t remember I had this problem last time.  

I’ve signed up for 3 sessions of Lash Resurrection. Becky showed me hers and it’s so thick and beautiful, I hope I’m making the right choice and keto is not causing my eyelashes to drop otherwise it’s really money wasted. originally a 3 session costs $756, I paid $610. I only checked the price later, what the staff told me was $280/session x3 would be $840 so I’m saving. Yay, I forgot they always like to “sell things”, “promote things like so cheap”. They even asked me to get a store credit card which is valid for 2 years and it’s transferrable, would only need to pay 85% of the full price instead. Nah..I still have dunno how many packages with my beautician (ear candling, bust massage, tummy massage, cupping, facial). Forget it, I wouldn’t know what’s going to happen in a year’s time let alone 2. And che-che would head off the the States then, then how? I do not want to have my money stuck here as well. 

Left the place $845 poorer. (I pray for stronger willpower the next trip to say no to anything new they ask me to get) Got a Lash and Brow Undercoat which I have to use it twice a day to protect and moisturize lashes. I applied 3x a day though! Bought the Lash n Brow Serum which helps to ‘achieve longer, fuller and stronger lashes and brows like never before in just 4 to 6 weeks.’ 

Took this from their website on Lash Resurrection 

Revising Japanese n want to learn german

Something that I regret not doing while in SQ is to re-learn Japanese and pick up German. It was a good way to pick up a new language since language is something that we need constant practice, and as ambassadors for SIN and having so many different passengers on an almost daily basis, it's an opportunity not to be missed right? Yah, but I did miss the opportunity.  

So the question is why didn’t I express interest in the course?

1) If I remember correctly, I’ll need to be in Singapore most times (or was I to be grounded for months?). As it is, I was also studying for my Diploma at that time and I’m not that intelligent to cope with so many things. Most times I have to catch up with lessons at least a week or two after the rests, so if I were to add on a language course I’m only putting more pressure on myself. I don't think I'll be able to go sightseeing anymore, as I'd be holed up in the hotel room studying and studying.  

2) I would have preferred to continue with my Japanese if given a choice. I took up Japanese before I joined the airline, therefore it makes sense that I should continue and upgrade myself. However that would also mean that I would be rostered for more Japan flights even if we had Japanese stewardess on board. Another reason, while I love Japan flights with all the kawaii things I wouldn't want to fly to Japan all the time. Still not willing to forgo much of my sightseeing in other countries. PLUS! A big PLUS! I tend to spend more than my allowance in Japanese stations. So how can I have any savings if I were to overspend?   

Fast forward to 2022, 20 years after I left the airline, I finally picked up the ipad (Using Goodnotes to make my notes) and revised a little of my nihon-go. 

Learning German is what I'd love to do, I bought a set of German Language Kit in 2020, hoping to take CB time to start learning something new. 2 years later nothing is done as I'm just so busy. Perhaps I can do it when I don't have to be so uptight over any of the girl's education. 

wünschen Sie mir Glück  

Having fun with an iPad

A few people I know owns an iPad apart from having a phone. They usually use it to watch dramas in a bigger screen. I wasn’t into iPad because I hardly have time to watch dramas after dramas but during our trip to US in Dec I was kind of interested in owning one. 

More so after when we got stuck in LA and I started thinking to self how nice it would be to have one - lil’ one can use it for her SLS. Also I have been wanting to pick up German, I think it’ll be nice to make notes in iPad. Che-Che told me a lot of people in JC do that. Wow! I didn’t know that. I only knew about this recently when I went into study vlogs in Instagram. The students do their notes so asthetically attractive. I didn’t know there’s such an app called GoodNotes and there are digital planners which one can purchase and download. Sounds really good, especially the planners as I’m crazily mad over planning things. 

I was checking between iPad Pro and iPad Air, more inclined towards iPad Air with the cheaper price between the two. Passing by an Apple Store in Brea Mall tempted me. The cons tend to weigh heavier than the pros so I didn’t go in.  How often do I use it? I don’t have time to watch dramas or play games all the time so it will be a white elephant after the interest dies down. Moreoever, I don’t have to wait for anyone to finish their tuitions outside the house now for me to kill time. I usually pick lil’ one up from school on time so.. even if I happened to have that 10 minutes to spare outside VJC, I’d rather do a quick check on my emails; clear stuffs on phone (my phone’s memory is almost full!). 

Some time in March,  I remembered hubby has an iPad in the house. He hardly uses it now. When I checked his drawer, I noticed he has 2 - iPad 6th gen (2018) and a mini iPad (2019). My goodness! If I had bought one, it might end up in the drawer within a few months. I asked him if I can have it and he gladly gave it to me after deleting and reformatting the iPad. So yay! I finally got one old model but it’s okay. 

I downloaded a few apps which I’ll need it here. And then I embarked on my “studying”. But you know what? I was trying out the Notability and GoodNotes 5 app and instead of embarking on German, I went to revise my Japanese. Haha! It’s good fun being able to write on the iPad. Bought an OEM iPad pencil from Shoppee and then I had so much fun scribbling with ease. 

Yesterday,  I purchased a digital planner from Etsy and started jotting down a few things. Primarily with lil’ one’s major exam dates and I decided to be more hands-on with her. She doesn’t seem to be in sync with her revisions (can sukat sukat jump chapters, then forget what’s done or not done 😖) , so I have to plan the topics she needs to revise and then I’ll 🐯 mom enforce. I’m still exploring GoodNotes but taking a break now to blog. Blogging seems so much easier here too! I’m lazy to lug the laptop around with me, old laptop also battery doesn’t last that long without the cable. 

はなみ - over some days

あっという間に1年が経ちました。そして今、3月です。桜は、私のお気に入りの時期である春の到来に間に合うようにゆっくりと咲いています 。

私の美しさを見るためにフラワードームに向かいます。

Yes, it’s the time of the year again. My cherry blossoms are here.  Majority of the trees are botak and they will slowly bloom, slowly but surely. しばらくお待ちください 。

Charged my battery the night before and brought along DSLR and lenses. I was a little disappointed as I ended up using my phone more than the DSLR. I think there’s something wrong with my 55-250mm lens. Perhaps it’s time to upgrade my lens😬? It wasn’t easy too especially when Che-Che was with me and I took long time with the photo taking. Honestly speaking, I can’t have anyone with me if my main purpose is to take pictures,  I need to be alone coz I tend to take longer time than anyone else taking photos and usually with family members or friends, I have to do it quickly.  

In the end we only spent less than an hour there

Photos taken on opening day - 4th Mar 

The second time (8th Mar) I went on my own before picking lil' one up from school. I spent almost 2 hours in there. See the difference in the photos? 

Haha! Okay maybe not this shot

On 22nd Mar - spent 1.5hrs. Again I could take as many photos, in many angles. 

 

1st April - was with lil' one. I have lesser photos coz this girl lagi more impatient than her sister. Aiyah! Best is when I'm alone lah!  

My visits to the Flower Dome just for sakura display often exceeds the membership fee I pay. It's my happy place, a place where I can immerse myself in the display of flowers and immerse myself in taking photos not a selfie but of the beautiful flowers. A place where I can put my worries anger aside and live for that moment.