Sukiyaki dinner

Decided to have sukiyaki dinner so happily shopped for some ingredients in supermarket. Love it that we have this small mall opposite our house. 

We were taking the escalator to the first floor when hubby turned around and asked me if I took the sukiyaki sauce. And I thought he took the sauce. Haha! Ok…two of us were checking out at the same time and we didn’t notice. I went back to the supermarket while they both went home.

Dinner is served. Cleared some meats we have at home + tofu 

“Kill at sight!”

YEEKS!

Just the other day I saw a hugeass cockroach in the kitchen. Freaking adult cockroach. Freaking disgusting. I can’t imagine if there are any baby cockroaches hidden in the house, a reason why I try not to have many clutter in the house. 

Of course first thing is to make sure the house is clean but no matter how clean I can be, the first point of entry from the chute, yard and PES is always my first level home.

As if Instagram heard me screaming I saw “cockroach”. Next minute I see these popping up. 

From 3 coins 

Choice (1)

Choice (2)

Choice (3)

Which one will you choose? 

I’m not sure if I’m that daring enough to even go that close to keep holding onto the equipment. But if I can and brave enough, I’d choose 2 and 3. Coz I don’t like the idea of me cleaning up the insecticide. You know I spray a lot just for a small cockroach and then …. cockroach leg kena and still crawling around for its final resting place. I have to clean up the whole spot coz would have left the mark somewhere. 

**edited on 16th June. Another insect catcher popped up in my Insta feed. Do I dare to go that close? I’ll probably be wearing gloves just to dispose the sticky tape. Maybe this is not feasible at all. Which stupid cockroach or lizard will stay in one spot for you to catch it? And if I’m the kind who will smack and make sure cockroach no way to run to, will I be dealing with cleaning up the sticky marks on the wall or cabinets instead? 

Sigh….. MAY ALL THE COCKROACHES IN THE WORLD BE WIPED OUT COMPLETELY. Die! You shall die! 

Nice nice?

Was a little bored while waiting for food. Turned it into a photo session with the menu. But when the food came, everyone just stabbed into their food so no food pictures. 

Is this nicely taken? 

LV Bag

Collected my bag at MBS. Didn’t take them long for repair , I sent my bag in on Les Mis musical day, waited for only 2 weeks.  

Was complaining to staff that the crown (cap) keeps dropping off. Staff thought coz never use for long so spoil but I said I used it daily. 

Happy to get my bag back, so tired to arm sling my current Kiki Delivery 🐈‍⬛ bag

Repaired bag 

The previous crown & zipper pull that dropped out. Dunno why I kept this? For souvenir? The last time I sent my bag for servicing was in July 2025, the day I met W for lunch at Ion. And the last last time was July 2024! 

Was looking at the bag and make a comparison with the other bag I was carrying. Why can’t they use this huge zip pull on the pochette? The crown looks more sturdy.

Anyway, I just need to understand why the crown just keeps dropping off from my pochette accessoires shoulder bag. And then I realised I’m the one spoiling the bag! 

So what made me use this shoulder bag as a sling bag for daily use to almost everywhere was that I noticed I hardly use it for few years coz I used to use it for dinners or better-dressed events. But like my friends all around me are married I don’t need to use it as an evening bag anymore, also how many musicals do I go in a year now? I saw LV were selling pochettes as crossbody sling bags so I thought I might as well convert my shoulder bag to a crossbody sling bag. 

The vachetta leather strap is connected to the zipper pull this way, so did my long mock leather strap (I wasn’t going to pay $725 for the strap so got one from Taobao for less than $5. 🤭)

 But when this part is heavily used on a daily basis. Even when I put in the cabinet for storage after an outing I always hang it on a hook. I evitably gave stress and weight to the crown. With the way I treat my bag, 迟早都给我弄坏。In conclusion I was the culprit who didn’t take good care of my bag 😂. 万幸是 repair is complimentary. 

Comparing to the other much newer pochette models I saw before. Upon closer inspection…..

they have the ring to secure the clip

I will not spoil this shoulder bag anymore. Keep it aside for the day my girls get married 😄. How about my small daily crossbody sling bag for now? I really don’t know how. I have another Kiki Delivery sling bag I bought from  Seoul’s Donguri Kyowakoku but I really can’t put many things in there. 

I was thinking that since I used this Mini Sarria bag with a darker colour strap when I went over to US for che-che’s graduation (I put the strap on our sightseeing days so I didn’t have to pack another bag and removed it when I went for her graduation. I was able to change from formal to casual with this bag. Smart right? 😉), should I use this instead? But it looks too extravagant-looking when I’m in my shorts. The pochette made me look simple. Sigh….think think think 🤔 

GOOD TO KNOW

Not that I’m selling my bag. 

I bought my bag cheaper than SIN’s price. I bought it in Europe and how much it has increased. My bag is well taken care of, I do clean my bags often. 

Her practicing her scales

As she practice her scales on her cello.

Let's start from the beginning.

Practicing the scales is something I haven't heard for a long time but it's necessary for any beginner.

Reminds me of the time we heard a neighbour practicing the scales on his trombone. Che-che and I said "maybe this kid just join the school band" Heard the scales a few times on weekends, fast forward months later I didn't hear anything. I casually mentioned about it at home, looked at her n both of us said at the same time "maybe the kid quit band already" and burst out laughing.

And the other neighbour who would play his dizi いつも何度でも. Only once I was free at that time so l went to the piano and played along. Dunno if he/her heard me accompanying him/her. I haven't heard the person playing for years now. If only we have a bunch of talented musicians (excluding us coz we play trash music) in this compound it'll be so nice to gather and play together. Speaking of which Che-che was talking about how she likes going to Uncle Boni De Souza's house last time.

“ I want to learn the cello 🎻”

15th May (Fri)

The sudden 讲到做到 message from her on a  Friday. She suddenly “woke me up from the monotonous afternoon ”. It came as a surprise coz she hasn’t mentioned about wanting to learn the cello (跟妈妈讲也等于没讲）for a long time. 

Let’s dig up the past, the history

*Unofficially in 2007, perhaps after seeing the huge cello and the kind lady (in Mozart concert) who yi yi orh orh to let her hear the sound. Coz in an orchestra a newbie won’t be able to tell all the instruments apart. She came home said she wanted to learn cello, she likes it. 

2nd Oct 2015 - Infact this isn’t the first time she mentioned she wanted to learn cello. Turn back the clock to 2015 when she’s in Sec 1 (thankful that that I’m able to trace back the date in FB).

I wasn’t going to let her learn coz we don’t print money, need the money for tuition, school CCA already take up so much time + tuitions + piano x2 kids I don’t have day to slot in a cello lesson without me getting more exhausted with all the chauffeuring around different places. And honestly it was a “what if she doesn’t stick thru this”? What are we going to do with the cello? I had to throw the violin away after 8 years before moving house just coz she didn’t even bothered to open the case and touch the violin. Gave me the hint that she wasn’t going to bother with violin anymore.

27th Apr 2016 - Then she tried asking me and I didn’t reply her 我假装没听到她 😌. I don’t want her to play me out again. 

This photo was taken in 2007 and so coincidentally the only photo I took of her on stage was with a cellist not a violinist. But seriously I have no idea why she likes the cello.

Does she have musical talent? 🤭 mummy buay paiseh to pass this comment

In her short stint aka distinguished guest appearance in violin class, we attended one recital put up by Ms Low for her students. Che-che was selected as one of the two students in her little class to bow a few strings. Haha! Ok lah a few notes better than nothing at all, the rest of the class only have the chance to sing 🎶 “AAAAAAEEEEEE111111EEEEEE.” 

That means my daughter has some talent right? I had to deliberately buy her a white dress just for that one recital. Sigh…. If she continued maybe she can wear it another time. 

Can’t remember when but years later during one of our convos, she mentioned that I should have made her continue playing the violin when she was younger. How am I suppose to have the patience to coax her when she’s adamant to stop the violin? How to tahan? She’s basically complaining “I want to stop violinnnnnn…”, “my fingers are painfulllll….” Complains when I made her practice at home, when I’m sending her 🚗 to MParade Yamaha from Tampines and then from MParade to all the way home 🚗 in Punggol. Non-stop 唠唠叨叨听了都很烦 😡。

Tell me who is so patient? If you hear this all the time would you put a stop to it? But yes, I felt it was quite wasted in that short period of time. She was the one who requested to learn the violin AND ALSO the one who wanted to quit. Has the 三分钟热度. Do I dare to let her learn the cello or not? After 被骗一次我不要被骗第二次。

Screenshot from blog entry on 24th Feb 2007 https://athenamummy.blogspot.com/2007/02/massive-update.html?m=1

Haha! Think she’s like me, more interested in music than dance. She yawned and proclaimed “so boring” after accompanying her sister to watch Nutcracker back in 2017 🤣.

Two scenario that may materialise years later - she could have blamed me for letting her continue the violin/destroying her smooth fingers with calluses if she hated it OR in her case asking me why I wasn’t firm and insists she continues (afterall I’m a Tiger Mom). If it’s the former, I would have regretted like crazy over the amount of money wasted just like that. We aren’t rich people. If it’s the latter, I’d ask her back the question if she is in my shoes will she pull her daughter out of the class. 

Yes over time I did think about the cello afterall it’s good to learn music, tho I have no idea how I’m going to squeeze out money for her. It’ll be nice to do duets with her (but I need to practice piano very hard first 🤣).

As for saxophone, I wasn’t going to pay for her when she mentioned after stepping down that she wanted to buy a saxophone.  

So if she plays the cello, will she practice that often at home? She hardly plays the piano after she started work. Only the last 2 weeks she sat down and started tinkering the keys with classical pieces. Everytime she plays the classical pieces I will secretly record 😂.  

I’ve never really love the sound of violin (I only like the sound) until she picked up the instrument. So for me to crazily think I want to learn is really a stupid idea. I’m not willing to cut my nails extremely short. But if I’m allowed to daydream, it’ll be so nice to play duets. 

Learning the cello now means she’ll have to take the responsibility to pay on her own coz 她已经赚钱了 💰. When she comes up with the money herself she will feel more 心疼 and ensures she pulls it thru. So it’s wise for me not to give in to her request back in 2015.

She contacted the tutor, a reputable cellist, and a day is set. 

18th May (Mon)

She must be excited / looking forward to the lesson, she has waited for 11 years (or perhaps more if you count the unofficial declaration) to finally hold a cello. She wfh today, I sent her to the tutor’s place and waited elsewhere for her until time for pickup.

Logistics

Decided that I will pass her the car in the future if it’s possible. Quite silly to idly wait for her when the time can be used to do something at home. 

Tutor loaned her a unique Japanese cello, not that I can tell 😬

The week 

I secretly audio recorded a little of her practices. Hubby saw me snooping around outside her room door and asked what I was doing. 🤫 Mammarazzi in action. Recording so I have something to keep. 

On Saturday. I requested to sit in her room to watch her practice. It might be my one and only time to sit in; the one and only time she allows me in. As I watched her an overwhelming sense of pride radiated thru my chest. 虽然不是我还学费, I’m just happy and proud of her. 

25th May (Mon)

Lesson started earlier and she had to return to office. The idea of asking her to drive herself cannot be done today. Not wanting to return back to the mall (we had our dinner there) after dropping her off, Che-che asked tutor if we can sit and wait for her in the house. I finally got the chance to see the studio room. 

Tutor is very encouraging. Although che-che is a fast learner there were few times when it sounded funny he encouraged and praised her. I will be the most critical person to tell her off lor! But since I wasn’t paying the money I shall keep my mouth shut and let her feel sim-tia if she continuously don’t put in effort and her progression is slow. He decided to photocopy another song for her since she moved quicker than he expected, was saying “shall let you play from Suzuki. I chuckled, he looked up from the music stand smiled and asked “why”? Explained that she learnt the violin using the Suzuki Method. When he asked her if she remembered which was the last piece, che-che sat there looking blur 🤣. I hummed two tunes coz I wasn’t sure which was the last piece. Now that I checked the songlist for Book 1, she only played 4 songs. 4 songs and keep complaining 😄. 

Nevertheless I’m looking forward to her first cello recital. 

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

Old links related to violin :

Her first violin lesson, click HERE 

21st Jan 2007’s Children Mozart Festival, click HERE

Children Mozart Festival thru che-che, click HERE

My relaxation

In a musical mood so chose all the musical pieces to play 

Lazy days / simple dinner

Lazy day, no idea what to cook. If only breathing in air can make one’s stomach full 😉. 

Cleared the freezer.

Pizza and nuggets for dinner

Nobody wants soup. So I just heat up the soup for myself. 

Still tastes as good as the day I made this. 

Bon appétit! If only I have garlic bread right now 

Initially wanted to make my German sausage but since there were leftover nuggets after the family took their share, I decided to just clear the plate. Not without making my nuggets taste like currywurst. 😬

Guten Appetit! 

On This Day - (18th May) #Reminders from FB#

18th May 2024

On a Bombardier CRJ550 where the engines are behind the aircraft. Cool....

#suaku#

So small, so cute. One toilet right at the back and the moment you step out this is what you see. If I decide to sprint (as if), how many seconds later will I reach the flight deck door? That is if the angmohs don't suddenly stick their legs out and trip me 😂

l've never sat on an aircraft that uses the seat as a flotation device...i think.... Can't rmbr what were the aircraft type we took long long time ago to fly domestically in the US.

18th May 2024

A typical singaporean aunty anyone can identify overseas. Haha!

18th May 2024

Relaxing by the lake, it's really cooling but the ☀️ I shouldn't complain coz it's only a very very nice 23deg cel.

Hi cutie doggo 

18th May 2024

Yummy yummy. Haven't had soufflé pancakes for years.

#iamnotonketo#

18th May 2016

First airfried eggs. Only egg whites, yolks have been used for ice-cream making.

今天吃了六粒蛋，明天真的变傻蛋。

18th May 2016

*was tagged in my friend Julia’s post*

Well this just brought back a crap load of awesome memories…...and that "damn I'm old" feeling 😄

18th May 2012

Her new winter cap. Nice?

18th May 2012

Cleared up the optical mess left behind by the naughty girl. Hmm! She thinks her mother so free huh?

18th May 2011

Came out from shower to see girl writing this on the whiteboard.

5. Sleep

Heehee!

Footnote written in 2023 :

Oh yes! Caught Aricia Ting in action.

So what was nor 6? Eat?

18th May 2011

Happy Birthday, Summer! 

18th May 2008

*tagged in classmate, Cheryl’s post*