Saggs and the City

And another thing...

2008-08-09T09:26:00.002+01:00

Whey hey! For more bumbling updates, read me here:

http://saggiessgp.blogspot.com/

It's still W.I.P but at least one post is up!

See you there!

Lovely Intermission

2008-07-18T02:36:00.005+01:00

Hello. 'Tis I, Saggs. The one with the droopy derriere/bottom/arse...oh you know the rest.

Well, here I am. Back. Not just on blogosphere but back, Back.

Back on our sunny isle, Singapore. Back where we started.

For good.

Oh wow. That felt somewhat surreal. Typing those words, deliberately putting them in italics for ahem, added effect. Heh.

The past few days have flown by in a blur. We've been blessed with welcome home parties, we've located our rather elusive contractor, sorted out some administrative matters, left others in limbo. We've had our fill of local delights - teo chew mui, satay beehoon, prata, fish soup noodles, bandung, the works. I've had way too many durians and a hoarse voice to show for it. We're in the midst of helping a cousin sort out the nitty gritties for his wedding next weekend.

There are friends and family to catch up with but this time there's no time crunch, no frantic need to find pockets of time to slot in one more meetup.

We're pacing ourselves. And I've had little time to think about, well, how I feel about moving back. But that's a good thing.

Anyhow...I'm not quite sure whether I'll continue this blog or start another so in the meantime, I leave with you this wonderfully composed post I saved for a rainy day. It's one by my sis.

As some of you may know, she visited us in London and in between, went on a whirlwind tour of Venice/Florence, Edinburgh and Paris. I asked her to be a guest blogger - to recount our adventures, and to give us her POV of her holiday.

I think she's done a brilliant job and I'd like to share it with y'all. So here she is with her maiden blog entry, my chichi.

Enjoy!

+++

This is my month-long overdue guest blogger contribution regarding my recent Europe adventure. I’ve got a few caveats before I begin.

1. As it’s been a month, “time has dimmed my memory”, quoting a line from the movie The Student Prince.
2 I haven’t been writing or typing for quite a while so you must pardon my odd phrasing, bad spelling and what-nots.
3. I’m long-winded.
4. Take some of the things I write here tongue-in-cheek.

I made my unholy three-week pilgrimage to Europe in late May and June, courtesy of my hubby and after relentless “coercions” and “pleadings” via emails, smses, and face-to-face “confrontations” with my lovely Qiubio (read: sis) about visiting her in London.

My hubby, Von, says he let me go so I’d spare him the constant weeping and gnashing of teeth, and regular fretting about not being able to visit my dream destination and my bemoaning of lost opportunities i.e. my regrets that we never made it to Europe for our honeymoon even though we were supposed to.

I must have been such a complainer and nag that my leaving for Europe immediately dulled the pain of his sponsoring my trip (he works while I’m just a lazy stay-at-home mum).

So after “pressure” from both sides of the world, I made my lonely but determined sojourn to the European Continent on 20 May 2008 on British Airways (I had an encounter with a grumpy-whumpy stewardess who kept yawning at me and snapped at me to “get out of the way” when she had to make her way to some cabinet to get me a pack of toiletries).

Though my trip included London, Scotland, Bath, Cotswold, Stonehenge, Rome, Florence, Venice and Paris, I shall write only about the parts where I experienced with Syl (or in the case of Venice, with Dennis and Danielle too). Owing to lack of space, I’ll only mention the highlights of each place, leaving Syl to fill in the blanks.

Highlights of London aka food tour

The first day in London was a bit of a daze because of long travel and time difference but I remember somewhat clearly my experience at Gordon Ramsay’s Claridges at Claridges Hotel (small trivia: the cast of Sex and the City stayed at this hotel when they were in London for the premiere).

I was quite excited about going to Claridges not just because we were celebrating Dennis’ birthday, but because I was going to try the gastronomy delights of a celebrity one-Michelin star chef. Was I going to face hell, fire and brim-stone from Gordon? As expected, these chefs are hardly ever at their own establishments since they are so busy filming. I would have loved to study his botox-free forehead.

I was particularly impressed by the appetizer which was ooh-la-la. What struck me about the pork belly main course that I ordered was how it looked and tasted uncannily like our local sio bak. Was Gordon trying to pull a fast one on me? It had a nice layer of crispy skin like the best of our local roast pork but I think the sauce and presentation differentiated it from our coffee shop version.

The ravioli was a tad too salty for me, although Dennis found it okay. Dessert was pretty good, and the coffee and quality chocolate truffles offered as after-dinner sweets, rounded the evening nicely. But that was before we froze our butts off travelling back to Dennis’ and Syl’s abode. A somewhat surreal experience (cos of jetlag) but a lovely night, nonetheless.

Before I left London, I had the pleasure of trying Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen. His Italian outfit is smart casual in feel versus upmarket Claridges which serves French. I liked the pasta that Danielle had. Once again, I ordered pork as a main. This time it wasn’t roast pork style but rather substantial slices of pork cooked over 12 hours, leaving the meat tender and moist. The tiramisu cheesecake that I had for dessert was not too bad. What impressed me most was the unpretentious setting and the fact that Fifteen was set up to arm ex-cons and wayward youths with skills to improve their lot in life.

My verdict: Gordon 3.5/5. Jamie 3/5. And an additional 0.5 to Jamie for his altruism.

Apart from trying Claridges and Fifteen, which was kindly arranged by Syl and Dennis, the couple also brought me to Fortnum & Mason’s for tea. I enjoyed myself as it was so quintessential English that I felt almost like a queen while trying to politely scoff down scones and quaint little cakes with wild abandon.

On the topic of queen, Dennis, Syl, little Danielle and I jiggled like Dancing Queens when we caught Abba’s Mama Mia at Leichester Square. The songs were so catchy that the audience – even the grandmamas next to us, ignoring potential hernia and hipbone fractures – broke into dance during the encore. We all agreed that the cast was selected for their acting rather than singing talent. The exception was the lady cast in the role of Mama. But the cute storyline, familiar ditties and good acting allowed us to overlook the vocal inadequacies.

Highs and lows of Scotland

Actually, the only “low” of the trip was not seeing the “Heilan Coos” (Cows). Syl and I had been so absorbed with our coffee (me) and souvenir-viewing (she) during a stop that we didn’t realise that a number of people in our tour group had taken a short walk behind the café to say helloooo to the “Heilan Coos”. We were bemused by our silliness.

One of the interesting bits of the tour was hearing the tour guide in a kilt do a dramatised account of Mary Queen of Scots’ life. The funny story of how her head rolled would forever be ingrained in the deep recesses of my mind. And Syl’s.

To cheer us up after the “sordid” tale of palace intrigue, the same Scotsman played an obligatory tune or two on his bagpipes. Problem is, the longer he played, the more out of tune he got. Still, top marks for his story-telling prowess.

The strange thing about the trip to Edinburgh is that I’ve very little recollection of Edinburgh Castle (the must-see place of Edinburgh). All I recall is that I had to queue for a while to get a ticket to go in. And I remember seeing crows. Syl did her own thing while waiting for me as she had been to the castle on a previous trip. I must say that she was an excellent navigator in Edinburgh. I became quite brain-dead when it came to moving around as she was the compass. .

Our trip to the Scottish Highlands was awesome as the scenery was the stuff of legends. To get us in the highlands mood, the tour guide who reminded me of French actor Gerard Depardieu (I think it made Syl’s day to hear a real Scottish accent finally), played celtic music from Rob Roy and the bagpipes version of that famous Titantic tune.

To play the Titantic song just before our ferry ride across the Loch Ness, didn’t go down well with me. But we made it across the extremely deep lake with nary a dip in its icy waters. We were spared hyperthermia and didn’t get to greet Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. I must say that seeing Loch Ness was really one of the highlights of my European tour. With the so-blue water enveloped by bewitching scenery, the lake so vast and air so fresh, it felt magical.

The other important thing I gained from the tour: Old MacDonald was probably Scottish, while McDonald’s hints at an Irish ancestry.

Bon Giorno (hello) Venice!

I travelled by train from Florence to Venice, where I was met by Dennis, Syl and Danielle at the train station.

I was rather looking forward to Venice as it’s said to be romantic. Was I going to find a Romeo or Cassanova since Italian men are known to be amorous and flirtatious? Either I held back due to constant flashbacks of a familiar male countenance and three cute girls, Danielle was mistaken for my daughter or I’ve a You-Don’t-Mess-with-the-Zohan look, I didn’t have much success in that department. Okay, I thought at least let me admire the male species from afar.

My hopes were dashed when the gondolier that we hired for our romantic ride through the canals of Venice was not Mr Universe, Mr Manhunt or even an Owen “broken nose” Wilson. Mr Average was hired simply because he was the cheapest. Syl and I could only look at a passing Tom Cruise gondolier wistfully, knowing that we had some extra euros on us. The lesson is: you may get less than what you bargained for. Nevertheless, the gondola ride was well-worth the sacrifice and the 80 euros that we paid.

I had expected gondoliers to break into O Sole Mio in tenor voices as they rode down the canals. Alas, the operatic outbursts that we heard came from:

1. A man singing in the bathroom (not Dennis according to Syl)
2. A Korean tourist who surprised us with his spontaneity as he stepped out of a water bus; and
3. A mysterious man seated in a gondola that went past our restaurant as we were imbibing wine.

The thing about Venice is that it’s populated with more tourists than locals. Locals number only 60,000. As tourists started driving prices up, the locals decided that it was way too expensive to live in Venice. You can imagine that Venice is like a ghost town at night. Many houses have been left empty and the very narrow streets are eerily quiet. If you ignore this, you’ll appreciate the romantic and old feel of the place. A lot of buildings have been left intact so Venice has a lot of character and flavour. With canals running through the place and travel water-based, Venice is a very unique experience.

Food was good in Venice. Particularly memorable was the squid-ink pasta at a cosy joint that wasn’t a tourist hangout. We had decided that we would try to follow Lonely Planet’s food suggestions, and save for one eatery, everything was mama mia!

Don’t forget Paris

The Hotel de Paris selected by Syl was located in the Montmartre area – a good choice as it’s an artist enclave, very colourful and schizophrenic. On one hand, they have the iconic Sacred Heart Chapel on a hill piously overlooking the whole area. Then at street level, there’s Moulin Rouge, sex shops, strip joints, peep shows…very strange bedfellows. In between, they have cafes, art shops and little museums. During the weekends, artists of varying talent come out to play. They sell their works in the markets, while portrait artists approach passers-by to sketch their likeness in exchange for some moolah.

The view from the Sacred Heart is breathtaking in more ways than one. It’s the second-best place to go for a view of Paris after the Eiffel Tower. After what felt like a thousand steps up to the top, I was breathless. The view that greeted me left me gasping…for air. Syl was quite the marathon runner while I felt like Kungfu Panda.

Regarding food, the Wee sisters went so crazy over mussels, we ate at the same restaurant and ordered almost the same dishes three times in as many days. Our cholesterol levels must have gone on an overdrive after the OD on mussels.

Syl and I decided that a day view of the Eiffel Tower was insufficient so we took a night cruise and saw the night version too. It was a heart-stopping moment when we saw the tower glisten in the night like diamonds. Apparently, every hour on the hour at night, sparkling lights come on for 10 minutes, dressing the tower in a resplendent gown.

For me, another memorable excursion was the visit to Museum D’orsay. It was quite an experience to see so many great impressionist works under one roof – works by Cezanne, Degas, Monet, Manet and Van Gogh, to name a few. Too bad I didn’t have more time to view the works in greater detail.

Monet @ Musee d'Orsay

As for The Louvre, I liked I.M. Pei’s controversial architectural piece in the centre. But the museum was so huge I got quite lost, spending about 20 minutes searching for the exit. I also took many, many, many photos of the Mona Lisa. Arriving fairly late at the museum and getting lost left me with very little time at the museum. I realised that I only had time for the Masterpieces Tour. Following the instructions on the audio-guide, I realised half-way through that they featured only three masterpieces, one of which I had already viewed – the Mona Lisa. There can only be that many angles of the Mona Lisa one can photograph, no matter how good the piece is.

The other two masterpieces featured were sculptures. Frankly, I don’t know how to appreciate sculptures unless it’s of the naked David and I had already viewed him in Florence (Kudos to Michelangelo for a great work of art.). I had to force myself to view the two sculptures from different angles (including Venus’ rear end), while listening to comments about how amazing the sculptures are….blah blah blah. Meanwhile, the smarter sibling who without the “benefit” of an audio-guide, had marched her way through a trillion exhibits and snapped a zillion photos.

Paris was quite an adventure to say the least, albeit a good one.

One last thing…

Thanks Qiubio, Dennis and Danielle for having made my holiday so very special for me. I felt really comfortable at your home, and my holiday wouldn’t have been the same without you. Thanks for bringing me around and for providing me with laughter, food and good family company. Love you lots. See you soon in Singapore!

+++

- - FIN - -

2008-07-18T02:35:00.003+01:00

In a few hours, the movers will be here. By the end of today, our things will packed away and sealed in carton boxes.

In the same way, so will our lives in London.

Has it really been two years? Sometimes it feels like we've been here much, much longer yet I remember incidents like they were yesterday. Then I take one look at Cheeks and instantly I'm snapped back to reality...

Time has flown by.

Cheeks, walking down H road,
on her way to her FIRST day @ nursery

I started this blog to jot down bits of our lives here. I wanted to document the trials and tribulations of Motherhood, my struggles at cooking (ha!), my experiences as a first-time SAHM. I wanted to have something to look back on - the good, the bad, the tears, the fears, the joy and laughter. I wanted to remember what we did, no matter how trivial or banal they were, and track Danielle's development and milestones.

I've been thinking how I should end my last posting from London. A summary perhaps? So here goes:

Hi. My name is Saggs. Welcome to my blog.

For the past 2 years, my family and I have been living in Southwest London, in the borough of Wandsworth. Some people call these parts, 'The Nappy Valley' because of the droves of families who live here. Our move from Singapore (where we're from) to the UK signalled my first time as a SAHM. If you didn't already know, that stands for 'Stay At Home Mum'.

When Cheeks first arrived to London, she was a month shy of 2.

This is Danielle then:

the day we arrived at Heathrow

Cheeks today:

at Tooting Bec Common

Well, obviously, she's grown. We all have. Not just older, taller, or wider (guess who? Heh heh.) but as a family. London opened a new chapter for us. It gave us our first glimpse of real family life. Our first taste of solid family bonding and togetherness. Before, family time in Singapore was always confined to the weekends and even those were often marred by Papa's frequent callbacks to the office. But here, with the English guarding their personal/family time, their holidays and weekends so possessively, work-life balance vastly improved for Dee and we had him wholly to ourselves. We relished every moment having him with us, and doing things as a family.

When I think about going back to the hustle and bustle of Singapore life, the long hours Dee has to put in for work, the time he has to spend away from us, I'm filled with immeasurable dread. I don't want to seem like a single mum again (it felt that way before). I want our family to be as it was here. I want the three of us, not just two.

Whether it'll revert back to what it was before is still left to be seen. What lies in store for us?

I don't know.

But I don't want to be afraid. So I pray, and I hope you'll pray for us too...

I should end this soon. The computer needs to be shut down and I need to clear the computer table in preparation for the move tomorrow.

But before I go, I want to thank you all for joining me on this wonderful journey. I've enjoyed spending time updating my blog with UK anecdotes and I look forward to more updates of our lives back in Singapore.

Until then...

Goodbye London, hello Singapore!

+++

It seems a shame my last glimpse of London will be from the plane, at a rather shabby Heathrow terminal.

Perhaps more befitting would've been this view of the city from the summit of Parliament Hill, Hampstead - with woodland all around us, the sun on our faces, the breeze carassing our cheeks.

Scenes of London, I think I'll have plenty. But if asked to choose how I'd best remember the city, this would probably be it. It's the scene dearest to me. The one I want etched in memory, and embedded in my heart... forever.

the street where we lived...

One last note on the almost 4 YO...

2008-07-18T01:58:00.007+01:00

Cheeks at almost 4:

loves to say:

I want to go home right straightaway!
it's not fair! (nothing ever is, kiddo)
it's really, absolutely the last one/story
that's not nice!
'vehicle', 'fabulous', 'pronounce', 'operatic voice'
mummy, I love you ever so much
可口可樂
please, Mummy? Please please, can I?
When I'm big...
it's morning time!
(on the phone) Hello, Papa? Where are you? I want you to come home now.

loves to:

wait for me to begin reading a story before she eats
race
tell people what they should or should not do (eg he should not stand so close to the road, she shouldn't litter)
huff and fold her arms in displeasure
make up silly songs
sing
pretend she's in a cocoon when she's all wrapped up right after a bath
drink pink milk (a Lola trait)
scan items at the supermarket self-checkout stations
sit on the counter whenever I pay for something
get my card, cash, receipt at the ATM
charm the pants off commuters in the Tube or on the bus
get her own vitamin in the morning, pour her own milk
cover her nose before digging for 'treasure'
have me run my fingers up and down her arm, her back
give me hugs, for no reason at all (very manjah)
drink Milo! Hahahahahaa...
point out graffitti

abhors:

baths
going into boutiques (it's boooorrrring, she wails)
going out!?
peas, in fact most veggies
blackcurrent jam
lessons
going to bed
the dark
dogs (loves cats. I wonder why? :P)
not being able to get a word in

Season of Farewells (Part 2)

2008-07-16T14:54:00.012+01:00

In response to this week's most FAQ: How are you feeling? I have but one pithy answer-- Wobbly. Like the English weather.

We've been experiencing rather erratic spells of weather here - swaying pendulously from resplendent bursts of sunshine to overcast, gloom and doomey downpours. But most days, the weather just wants to play peekaboo, the naughty thing. It teases us with slivers of sunlight then quickly draws the curtains with thick clouds of grey. It's going to rain, it's not going to rain, not, rain, not - we toss coins, chew our fingers raw, and shoot contemptuous looks at the umbrella, hoping we won't have to use THAT.

So you see, wobbly.

Likewise, my mood.

This week's been tough. Knowing it's our last week in London is tough. The mere thought of not seeing this place for a long long time is excruciating.

I find it difficult to move on yet have no choice. Time leaves me no options. So onward, I trudge.

Yet, despite the undulating emotions - I do have happy spurts - I am aware that God IS Good.

ALL. THE. TIME.

These past 2 years, He's seen to our every need, brought fantastic people into our lives, opened doors for us, healed us, comforted us, strengthened us.

I don't want to think that all good things come to an end. Instead, I want to know that things only get better. I may not see it now. But I'm sure they will.

Afterall, He knows better.

+++

We visited Ros and family in Egham (Surrey) on Tuesday. The initial plan was to board the G1 to Clapham Junction. But as inconsistencies in feeder buses go, G1 never came. So, I had to abort the idea and hopped onto 2 buses instead. Despite the glitch in transportation, I was unfazed. Afterall, the weather was GREAT. No one's allowed to be grumpy or mopey when good weather's in full swing, you know?

We always have a swell time at Ros'. Despite my initial protests to bring my own lunch (didn't want her to be stressed over cooking), I backed down when she assured me she'd whip up 'something simple'.

Riiiight.

Ros' first-class bak chor mee

After lunch, Cheeks attended a music class with Lavigne. She'd attended the same one on a previous occasion and had thoroughly enjoyed it. This time, however, she 'forbade' me to participate so I had no choice but to watch on as the other young 'uns trotted and tumbled with their mummies. She wanted to be independent so I let her. But I did so want to stamp my feet like a hippo and gallop like a pony. Hmph.

After the half-hour class, the 2 girls had time to play in the field next to the music class venue before we all trooped to pick Louisa up from her school.

We had tea back at Ros', followed Louisa to her music class (Lavigne and Cheeks played catch on the field outside with other children, blew bubbles) then all too soon, it was time to say goodbye.

As the South West train pulled up at the station, I took one lingering glance at Egham and said a silent farewell to the family who have enriched our lives so much with their warmth and friendship.

We'll certainly miss Ros and the girls. 10 months of friendship was too short, yet sufficient to seal our friendship. I look forward to catching up with them when they next visit Singapore.

In fact, I can scarcely wait.

Season of Farewells (Part 1)

2008-07-15T23:32:00.012+01:00

Women are a sentimental lot. We form attachments easily. We love to reminisce bygone days. We cling onto memories. We find it hard to let go...

Oh, I'm sorry, am I wrong to generalise?

Maybe it's just me. I am exceedingly sentimental. Almost to a fault.

This statue, 'Little Dancer of Fourteen Years' is by famous french artist, Edgar Degas, who was said to have turned to sculpturing when - hampered by deteriorating vision - was forced to give up painting.

When I began taking an interest in Impressionism and the artists who began this revolutionary art movement, I was particularly drawn to Degas because of his choice of subjects - dancers. I always thought he captured them on canvas so beautifully. He never drew them in arabesque, instead chose to show them involved in backstage activities or rehearsing.

And now, I have even more reason to feel an attachment to his work...

Cheeks and I met up with Val and Luke yesterday. To say goodbye.

We've always enjoyed our time with them. We've shared laughs, chatted, watched our children bicker and play well with each other. We've trawled tearooms together, sipped copious amounts of tea, sampled all kinds of cakes and pastries.

So, it seemed apt that our 'last' activity with them would involve all the above.

I chose The Orangery at Kensington Gardens because it's always been very dear to me. Ah, the number of friends and family I entertained within its whitewashed walls. It was THE place I developed the penchant for English tea (the activity, not just the drink). The place where Cheeks, Dee and I first enjoyed tea together. I'll remember fondly the squirrels skirting behind bushes and trees, the beautifully manicured bushes that look like giant 'thimbles' standing in line on the well-shorn lawn.

Cheeks and Luke in motion

I'm rambling...

I'll never look at Degas' 'Little Dancer' the same way again. Coz she was given to me by Val, on her farewell card to me, filled with beautiful, touching words.

Val/Luke - saying 'Thank you' isn't enough. Our London memories will always be filled with the sounds of pattering, running feet, trills of laughter, playdates that basked in warmth of the summer sun, shivered through the thick of winter... the smiles that light up your faces.

there was a better one taken by Cheeks but I kinda like this one.
I thought it was a well captured moment, don't you think?

Goodbyes and... Hello? Are you an Academy Award- and Golden Globe-nominated actress?

2008-07-10T20:33:00.010+01:00

Today was Cheeks' last day at nursery. I brought the camera along (like I'd ever leave home without it. Pooh!) to take snaps of Cheeks with her teachers and friends.

Suffice to say, it was bittersweet.

We were inundated with kind words from mothers wishing us the very best, bidding us farewell. Cheeks was smothered with cuddles from classmates, teachers and other non-teaching staff at school. Everyone was lovely.

Cheeks wanted to take pictures with EVERYONE. Unfortunately, some children were not at school that day, their mothers opting to start their summer holidays earlier. Sorely missing were pictures with Poppy, Sebestian, Boyd, Amelia and Maddie.

Cheeks went around announcing excitedly that she was 'going to Singapore!' and that she would be 'leaving London!' I'm glad she seems chuffed by the idea that she's going home soon. I just hope she knows she's not coming back. It's not another holiday. She won't return to this nursery after Summerbreak, nor will she see her friends, or walk through our big red door again.

+++

And now, I'd like to tell you what else we did today! I brought Cheeks to Hampstead to meet children's author, Lauren Child, of 'Charlie and Lola' fame. We trundled bumpity bump (with Cheeks in her buggy) to Daunt Books at South End Road for the book signing. It was publicised as an event to raise funds for UNICEF so I showed my support by purchasing the enhanced copy of 'That Pesky Rat'.

Cheeks meets her favourite author, Lauren Child! Woo hoo!

It was a thrill for us to see a 'minor celebrity' - albeit a children's author - so up close and personal. And Ms Child was utterly charming and down-to-earth. But very tardy! She showed up an hour late for the event. Tsk tsk! But everyone was all smiles the minute she arrived.

Hello? Hang on! Who is this I spot decked in a Vivienne Westwood-esque gingham skirt and dark glasses? Can it be? Have my prayers of finally meeting a star in celestial London been answered?

It had.

It was. Her.

I flubbered like an idiot. I asked for a photograph (what's the camera for anyway? I ask you!). I was as happy as a pig in muck because lo! She may not be Dame Judi Dench, ~~Gwyneth Paltrow~~ Julie Christie, or Helen Mirren Taylor (all Academy award winners), but she's still a star in her own gothic, quirky, movie right.

Behold! I present to you...

Me (grinning like a Cheshire cat) and Ms Helena Bonham-Carter!
Oh Ivory Merchant, Oh Sweeney Todd, Oh Oh!

Showing no mercy to Percy

2008-07-01T23:32:00.012+01:00

The writings on the wall. The page's been flipped.

'JULY' is staring at me squarely in the eye.

We leave in 19 days' time. (actually less by the time this entry is posted.)

+++

Anyhoooooooos...

Time for more sweet memories. Literally. Here's Cheeks to show us how best to enjoy a Marks & Sparks Percy Pig, the way she likes it!

'Having your Percy and Eating it!'

Well, something HAS gotta give

2008-07-01T23:17:00.024+01:00

Would I be a terrible parent if I confess that visiting Disneyland was hard work? Coz the song that comes instantly to mind when I think of our recent visit to Parc Disneyland Paris is Under Pressure by Queen.

You'd think bringing a child to a world famous theme park would be - oh how should I put it - a walk in the park? But hohohoboy...

Dee was donkey-fied (being the beast of burden as usual)
We were well and truly fried, nicely singed on the edges and all. (Geri mentioned 'chow tah' on FB, that's how bad it was!)

We were amateurs. Greenhorns. Novices to this big and overwhelming world they call Disneyland. It was a stampede even though the summerbreak hasn't quite kicked in yet.

We had 2 whole days but still, we couldn't cover EVERYTHING.

It wasn't a small world after all. They lied. Hmph.

Our 2 days there felt like we were part of a mob.

We had gone in thinking we could flit from one ride to another, see different 'themed lands' - Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland etc - with tra-la-la minimal fuss.

We didn't know how serious people (read: parents) were when it came to the 'meet and greet' sessions with the characters. People, they had targets they had to meet. TARGETS. Mums and Dads were busy striking off rides, ticking off shows they'd completed, and counting what else they had to cover. Kids were well prepared with autograph books and matching pens purchased from the Disney store. These were no novices, no siree, they were trained experts in the field of themeparks!

Dee and I were bewildered but quickly took notes on how to increase our efficiency from the Masters.

It was an Amazing Race (Disneyland edition) from the get-go. We braved the scorching sun, endured snaking queues, tut-tutted at people who CUT queues, dashed from themeland to themeland, witnessed children screaming at their parents, parents screaming their heads off... it was manic.

Yet, despite the rather frazzled experience. We enjoyed Disneyland. I think it was a combination of seeing Cheeks so utterly thrilled, and us working as a team to cover as much as possible that made the trip memorable. Once we got the hang of it, Papa and I split up to queue for rides, the meet and greet sessions. When our pace showed signs of slowing, Papa would remind me of how we'd zip about from one landmark to the next with gusto when we were on a holiday that we wanted. Instantly our engines would rev up again, and we tried best to make sure Cheeks got to see as many shows, take as many rides as possible.

There are many other anecdotes from this trip that I'd love to share - like the time we were left stranded on the 2nd day when Paris' Metro decided to go on strike and we had no means of getting to Disneyland (thank God for Disney staff at major stations who found alternative modes of transportation for Disneyland ticketholders), how we tried to be frugal and BYO-ed lunches (cooked rice! made porridge! packed sandwiches!) on this trip - but there are too many to put up on blog.

Instead I leave you with some photos. Just us. Beaming and grinning from ear to ear. Coz that's what sums up our maiden trip to Disneyland best...

getting cuddly with Sully

apprehended by the CDA (Child Detection Agency)!

with the chipmunks
kisses for Cheeks on her cheeks

Here comes the summer sun!

2008-06-29T11:26:00.019+01:00

(yet another b.p)
Hot on the heels of Summer are long lovely maxi-dresses, flipflops, sunbathing in parks, splashing around in paddling pools, tall gorgeous glasses of Pimm's, and of course, hot, flammin' Barbeques!!!!

We were invited to one at the end of June. Our hosts were the very lovely Ongs who organised a mini housewarming shindig at their swanky new pad a stone's throw from their previous apartment.

Val looking gorgeous in her polkadotted green dress
& Alan the BBQ extraordinaire!

With her new bowls
We got them as a housewarming gift for the Ongs :)

Dearest Ros with her new Cath Kidston oven mitten

The Ongs - they ALWAYS spoil us rotten with their smorgasbord of delectables! That day, we were treated to thick slabs of chargrilled beef from M&S, well marinated chicken pieces, bamboo clams from their local fishmonger (Steve Hatt, I think?), succulent lamb kebabs. We imbibed glass after glass of red/white wine and tumblers of juice as we sat chatting under the warm blanket of the Saturday afternoon sunshine. (Well, at least the men did. The womenfolk opted to keep fairskinned by escaping indoors. Heh.)

Everything was pretty darn awesome.

Dee, Alan, and Adrian

Jac, Val, me! (in mirror) and Ros

While we tucked into BBQ food, the kids, in the meantime, got busy upstairs with Luke's toys. The poor little tyke, however, was a tad unsettled by the sudden surge of estrogen in his house so spent most of the afternoon napping downstairs.

ducking the gaggle of screaming women by snoozing.
Wise choice! :P

Later however, all the children got into their swimsuits and played at the fountain located in the apartment compound. They ran round in circles, splishety splashed in the water, and had themselves a swimmingly good time.

the bevy of beauties in their bathing suits!

Now this is going to sound rather odd - especially coz we're moving back to tropical weather - but we'll miss Summer in London. It's the ability to experience the 4 seasons, really. Makes one appreciate hot summery days knowing full well temperatures will dip the rest of the year...

3 Fs*

2008-06-27T07:48:00.022+01:00

(yet another b.p)

This photo, taken last Friday, is my current favourite with Cheeks.

It shows us sitting outside some random Chinese diner at Leicester Square, waiting for Papa. We were in Chinatown to meet Aunty Mimi who had kindly organised a farewell dinner for us. She'd invited her son Pat and his gf along so that she could introduce us all (the adventurous couple went on a year-long sabbatical to travel the world). Papa had called earlier to say he would be early and would see us at the arranged meeting point. Clearly, he's not (bah!).

It was tough finding a good spot to wait for him. We were forced to uproot ourselves several times because typical chinese men were lighting up everywhere and blowing clouds of bad, BAD SHS in our direction (bah bah!). If SHS wasn't bad enough, it had to rain as well. It was a good thing we went to a box-office outlet earlier to get some brochures on the musicals. We covered our heads with them. To amuse ourselves, we made up silly songs (shasha white sheep have you any wool? Beauty and the fish...lalalala... Beauty and the goat, Beauty was a dope (just joking! heh)), we commented on the pictures on the brochures, we watched people dart in and out of shops, desperately trying to find shelter from the rain.

That's when I took the photo.

As we sat there waiting, I thought about something Zubeyde said to me - that Cheeks will not remember any of this. Not her life in London, the holidays here and around Europe, not Leicester Square, not this moment we shared under the rain.

I suppose that's why I'm a firm believer in taking photographs. A moment, however fleeting or inconsequential, is immortalized - forever captured in print or stored in softcopy, on a harddrive somewhere.

We need triggers.

Because, we forget. I forget. Although I take a gazillion photos a day and blog about some of my experiences, some events have already started to fade into oblivion...

And I think of how Life goes one full circle.

Eversince Cheeks was born, I have been stocking up memories for her. I know she won't remember her early years so the onus is on me to do the remembering for her. I'll tell her what her first sounds were, the blood transfusion she had to go through as a 5-day old infant, her first cruise and how tiny she was that we could bathe her in the bathroom sink, that Nainai was the first to introduce dragonfruit to her, Gonggong and Grandma had to tie the handles of ALL the drawers and cabinets in the house when it was their turn to babysit her, her favourite phrases at age 3 - 'because that's why' which later became 'because you see'. How she loved to end her sentences with 'alrighty!', say hi to Anna at the drycleaners every time we passed her shop, look out for Blendina at Tesco, loved the kids meal at Bertie and Boo's, the many, many happy moments Mummy spent with her while looking after her full-time...

In time to come, as my own memory starts to ebb - dates I once remembered at the back of my hand, holidays, family anecdotes, daily happenings - they will suddenly be a strain to remember. By that time, I hope Cheeks would have accumulated a treasure chest filled with lovely, precious family memories.

I hope she will take my old, wrinkled hand in hers, and walk me through our happy past. Remember, Mum? she'll ask. She'll search my face for some sign of recollection but I'll (probably) display none.

But it won't matter. Because I have her to rely on for all our memories.

Her memories will be mine. As mine are hers.

And they will be enough for the both of us.

* Favourite Friday Fotos

Gao Tu (The Art of Procrastination)

2008-06-26T23:25:00.013+01:00

(yet ANOTHER backdated post)

Heh heh heh.

Ho ho ho.

Kekeke.

Oh please let me tell you why I'm chuckling to myself. Please please please? I'm just dying to tell y'all.

...

Okaay. Am deafened by the deathly silence from the other side (yes, I do mean you lot). What's that phrase? I can cut the silence with a knife? I can hear a pin drop? The silence was broken by a slow, fizzy, poofy noise because someone failed to raise a buttcheek?

I feel déjà vu-ish.

This feels familiar.

Ah yes. It's reminiscent of the MANY times MOM (how's that for a reference, QL!!!!) does a strange little soliloquy over MSN whenever I skirt off from the IM without telling her. Ho ho ho.

Anywayz, I'm wonderfully adept at changing the subject so let's get back to it already.

Chuckling. Why? Because I have a whole backlog of entries which I am looking at in utter disdain. Oh, the tribulations of tu-ing!

So excuse me while I gather bits from here and there and try to piece my life - as of last week - together...

Thursday:
Dennis' cousins, Enrica & Eudora, who were in London/Paris for a 2-week holiday, treated us to a night off and tickets to see Avenue Q.

It was a riot! (the musical that is, not that Hubs and I staged one. Although quite frankly, I wouldn't mind protesting the need for more nights off ! :P)

Critics hail it as 'an irreverent parody of Sesame Street'.

Spot.On.

Brash, totally un-PC and absolutely unapologetic about it, I soaked up the ribaldry, gawped at the salacious scenes, and marvelled at the skilful puppeteering. And all the songs were catchy and rip-roaringly hilarious! A must-see on Broadway!

I was happy to enjoy a nightout with Dee. Occasions like these are so hard to come by, so few and far between. Sometimes I forget how it is to be just us - where conversations are not laced with anecdotes about Cheeks, work updates, or family. We walked hand in hand, snuggled in our theatre seats, finished each other sentences, enjoyed us.

That night, we were simply Saggs and Dee, not Mummy and Papa.

The other guy...

2008-06-25T13:20:00.007+01:00

JH called me today. Out of the blue.

To see if I was ok.

And just like that, he made a difference to my otherwise doldrummy day.

So thank you, bud. It meant alot to me.

Do I hear pratas and milo dinosaurs?

Openings & Closures

2008-06-24T21:23:00.015+01:00

A few months ago while on our way to the supermarket, Cheeks and I noticed the beginnings of renovation work taking place at a long-vacant corner shop.

We were curious, if not a little excited.

We watched the shop slowly take shape. Every chance we had, we'd peek inquisitively through openings left by the dog-eared newspaper sheets plastered over its windowpanes. We'd eye the woodplanks that leant against walls, cans of paint, bags of cement/plaster, wiring, boxes of store fixtures, piping that littered the pavement.

It wasn't long before we realised the shop was going to be a - very much hoped-for - cafe.

As fresh cafe posters replaced the crinkled newspapers at the windowpanes, I began to wonder whether we'd have a chance to sit and enjoy a cuppa at the cafe before leaving London. Opening Soon wasn't precise enough.

But Soon came sooner than expected and the cafe opened its doors to us on 21 May 2008. Dee's birthday. I remember the day well as it was the day chichi arrived to London.

Thank you...

I know it sounds awfully trifle - even shallow - to be happy over the opening of a cafe. But in a way, I felt we were given time - time to enjoy that bit more of London living.

The cafe is certainly nothing to shout about. In fact, it's a coffee chain that's a dime a dozen in London. But every experience seems impossibly precious now. I find myself clinging possessively to every sight, smell, taste, sound, memory, and finding it so very hard to let go.

I'm not quite ready to close this chapter of my life just yet. I'm not ready to say goodbye. So I think I'll linger a little longer.

(I really want to apologise for the incessant moping on this blog. But if you don't like what you read, just close the blogsite. It's that easy.)

Shiver Me Timbre(s)!

2008-06-21T21:55:00.023+01:00

Astounding but true.

Hubs and I LOVE the way the Prince of Wales speaks. Yes, I do mean HRH Prince Charles, the Heir Apparent, husband to CPB, father to Wills & Harry, The Royal who advocates talking to flora etc etc etc.

And now, I'd like to give you all a moment to gawp like freshly caught fish.

...
...
...

Done?

...
...
...

As we explored the grounds at Windsor Castle on Saturday, we found ourselves unexpectedly 'seduced' by HRH's crisp, private school influenced, ultra-polished, Queen's English- accented voice through our hand-held audio guides. So beguiled were we that we actually replayed his segment twice. Ok, thrice, but who's counting?

I think neither of us remembers what he rattled on about. He was waxing lyrical about something. What was it? The splendid tapestry hanging in the staterooms? The proud history of the castle?

I don't remember! All that comes to mind is the rich timbre of his voice, the beautiful way he enunciated his words... *sigh*

Oh. Help. Me. God.

Now here's another man who's been equally successful - if not more - in bowling us over with his verbal delivery - Simon Woods. He played the v dishy Dr Harrison in BBC's successful adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's 'Cranford'. This man's elocution is oh-my-gawd-I-can't-even-say-it -- pure, molten chocolate. Rich, smooth, utterly irresistible. *swoon*

Please, allow me to convince:

+++

In related news, we've done it. We've visited every royal castle in London. Windsor's the last.

The Sun wasn't in its most cooperative mood that day but we went ahead anyway. We weren't going to let a little weather blip scupper our plans, come hell or high water!

We weren't particularly impressed with the Queen's actual residence though I suspect it was a case of 'you've seen one, you've seen them all'. Cheeks did enjoy Queen Mary's Dolls' House though. The lavish opulence of the Doll House was dumbfounding. Besides the meticulously crafted furnishings and ornaments, the Doll House is equipped with electrical lights and plumbing - hot and cold water run in all the bathrooms!

There was a strong sense of déjà vu as I traipsed over the cobbled pavements. I watched Cheeks quietly listening to her special audio guide and marvelled how much she's grown. Before, she was a mere tag-along. Now she's an active participant who's able to follow the audio guide and walk through staterooms and galleries without too much complaint.

Anyway, here's a look at us - then and now. Our 1st palace visit (Tower of London) and our last (Windsor Castle).

Same people. Same jackets (me and Papa! totally unpremeditated!). Same photo taken with guard wearing bearskin headgear. But how we've all grown... in big and small ways. :)

Tower of London Sept 2006

Windsor Castle June 2008

The best bestest play

2008-06-19T14:46:00.017+01:00

(a backdated post)

After weeks of eager anticipation, we brought Cheeks for her first play (not to be confused with musical. No animated artists gesticulating wildly, belting out songs using their diaphragm - don't play play!) at Polka Theatre in South Wimbledon. It was a deliberate choice - Cheeks hadn't yet been to a play so I thought what better way to introduce her to that aspect of the Arts than through... Charlie and Lola!!!! Whoop whoop whoop! (seriously, I sometimes wonder who the real fan is here!)

Even Papa tagged along, quite chuffed to be part of the event.

We bought tickets for the 10:30am show. The play, lasting just over an hour, left us ample time to send Cheeks to nursery after. Super!

The theatre was all I expected a childrens' theatre to be - an inviting facade, a friendly cafe for one to grab a quick nosh before a performance, an 'exhibition area' with displays of props and puppets from past productions, a selection of rocking horses for children to climb onto, a crafty corner stocked with picture printouts and colour pencils to do colouring in, rows of shelves packed with popular childrens' literature. There was also a Toyshop, which sold toys (du-uh!), books, show programmes, and a panoply of C&L merchandise, which, after the show, I felt impelled to buy. Dang!

Despite arriving early, the theatre lobby was already teeming with schoolchildren. I muttered a prayer hoping they wouldn't cause a ruckus during the show and ruin it for everybody. Thankfully, they behaved beautifully. Phew.

--spoilers ahead--

The play was done 'puppet-style', i.e people holding up cardboard cutouts (?) of the characters. Because of this, I felt the characters' expressions were limited, although not entirely compromised. The 'puppets' were able to display different expressions - happy, sad, shocked - which weren't great, but all in all, they sufficed.

It was a thrill for me to observe the kids. The moment the lights dimmed and the oh-so-familiar themesong resonated through the speakers, the young audience leapt up and let out claps, squeals, screams, and cheers of rapture.

It was a mini rock concert.

Favourite bits
When coloured, paper butterflies were released. They flitted gently from the ceiling into the eager, outstretched arms of the children below. Truly a wonderful, magical moment.

The discoball that lighted up and spun from the ceiling, throwing tiny orbs of white light onto the walls of the little theatre, transforming it into a sparkly, dazzling wonderland.

Not so favourite bits
The puppeteering took away some of the 'magic'. I suppose they couldn't have done it any other way - 2 live size dolls on stage would've made certain scene changes a logistical nightmare. Not to mention, cumbersome.

And finally.

Did Cheeks enjoy it? I certainly hope so! But I really can't say. I surmise she did although she was a tad quiet towards the end. I snuck glances at her throughout the play and caught a smile here, a chuckle there, but she was rather reticent for most of the 2nd half. Certainly not the reaction we'd expected especially after successful outings to see Mary Poppins and Mama Mia, both of which she enjoyed.

Perhaps she's more a song and dance girl. Perhaps she was disappointed she didn't get to catch one of the paper butterflies during the performance. Perhaps she was tuckered out.

Regardless, I'm still glad we were able to bring her and I hope, in years to come, we can relive these memories through our library of photos.

On the goodbye trail

2008-06-16T19:07:00.026+01:00

There are so many things I want us to do, so many places I want us to visit and re-visit before we leave London. On my lengthy list:

~~Hampstead Heath (never been, would love to bring Cheeks to see the bathing ponds. Heard so much about them)~~
~~Windsor~~ ~~Castle~~ ~~(to~~ ~~catch a glimpse of the Queen (!) who actually resides there, and not~~ ~~Buckingham~~ ~~Palace~~ ~~as is the popular belief)~~
~~Richmond~~
Brentcross
Browse vintage boutiques at Angel/Covent Garden
Brighton (walk on the famous pebbled beach)
Climb to the top of St Paul's Cathedral for the breathtaking view of London
Catch another musical/play
~~Visit~~ ~~Columbia Road~~ ~~Flower Market~~
Stroll down Portobello Market/King's Ave/High Street Kensington/Hampstead/Regent-Oxford Street

Truth is, I know I'll be unable to complete the list even if I were to stick to it slavishly. I'll have to be content with whatever I can manage within our limited timeframe. As it is I'm already feeling the stretch - a classic case of wanting to do too much in too little time. Besides the list, I'm feverishly trying to set aside time for friends who've been so much a part of our lives here.

Because I want to, and because I think they're important.

Surprisingly absent from the list is perhaps a visit to the museums. I took that out because I managed to bring Cheeks to the National Gallery on the spur of a moment today. I'd love to bring her to all of them again if I could - the Tates, British Museum, Horniman - but I can't.

So I picked the grand old dame. She who houses almost everything.

We made a beeline for the Impressionists.

They were all on proud display - Monet, Pissaro, Cezanne, van Gogh, Degas, Seurat, Renoir - names that have, in recent times, become familiar to Cheeks because of the 'Katie' series by James Mayhew. She paused to ask questions about Henry Rosseau's 'Surprised', Degas' 'Ballet Dancers', Seurat's 'Bathers' and Renoir's 'An Evening at the Theatre'.

But the painting she lingered at most was one by Paul Delaroche, 'Execution of Lady Jane Grey', one of my favourite paintings at the Gallery. This was the running dialog while we stood gazing at it: (pardon the lengthy exchange, i'm writing it all down so I don't forget)

D: Mummy, why is the lady blindfolded?
M: Because she is going to have her head cut off.
D: Why?!!!
M: In the past, when the king was not pleased with someone, he would give an order to have their heads cut off.
D: That's not very nice!
M: No, it isn't. But because the king was very powerful, he could do pretty much what he wanted. I think this was King Henry the VIII.
D: I think he is a very evil king! We should cut off HIS head!
D: (scans the painting) Mummy, why is that lady on the floor?
M: She fainted, I think.
D: Why?
M: I think it's because she was overcome by sadness that the young lady is going to have her head chopped off. I think that old lady is her lady-in-waiting.
D: And what about that man at the pillar? What's he doing?
M: I don't think that's a man Cheeks, it's another lady-in-waiting.
D: Why is she turned away?
M: I think she's crying against the pillar, sweetheart. She's probably very sad that the young lady is going to die.
M: How do you think the blindfolded lady feels, sweetheart?
D: I think she must be very scared.
M: I think so too, Cheeks. Look at that big axe. (we both turn to look at it)
D: That king is an EVIL man. I don't like him! He should NOT chop off people's heads! *growls*

Before we leave, we browse the Gallery bookshop. I buy Cheeks a chocolate coin, a 'Katie' book, and a print reproduction of Picasso's 'Child with a Dove'. As we descend the stairs at Charing Cross station, I find myself... a little overwhelmed.

These museums will no longer be at my disposal. I can't amble through gallery after gallery any time I want to, or bring Cheeks on mini excursions to see 'the Greats' on a whim.

I guess it's true what many friends have been telling me of late - that it was good while it lasted.

In our case, perhaps a little too good.

Father's Day (in pictures)

2008-06-15T01:09:00.007+01:00

Cheeks proudly hands Papa the card we picked out for him

behind it she's drawn our family and ... Bambi!

Helping Papa blow out the candles...

...then helping him cut the cake

Happy little family!

Happy Father's Day, Dee! We love you.

and

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to my Bapak di Singapura!!!
xxx

Remembering... How Great Thou Art

2008-06-13T14:25:00.015+01:00

So there we were - half sprinting, half briskwalking, trying to get ourselves home in record time to unlock the main door, hurl our grocery bags onto the carpet, slam the door, lock it, then dash all the way to Cheeks' nursery. Hopefully, in time for school.

Despite the flurry and fluster, Cheeks, between pants, was able to conduct a (rather one-way) discussion with me regarding God:

D: Mummy, God is great, isn't He?
M: Hhehh hheh hhehhhhh. (this is me panting, btw.)
D: He knows what's good for us, right?
D: He knows what we should eat.
D: He knows what's best for us.
D: Mummy, without God, we'd be human bones.
M: Bo...? (silenced by sheer exhaustion *pant* from all that sprintwalking. *pant* Therefore *pant * unable to articulate. *pant* Manage to look quizzically (enough) at her to *pant* signal my incomprehension regarding her last statement. *pant pant*)
D: (mildly affronted) Ye-ess?! If God didn't make our bodies. We'd just be bones! Right? Huh.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Nod. Nod.

+++

Later, as I take the Tube to Leicester Square to buy some fresh supplies for the steamboat we're having with the Lanes tonight, I think to myself how incredibly simple yet true her words were/are.

A waft of something familiar distracts me. I watch a fellow commuter peel the skin, then chomp carefully on her ripe banana. And I thank God for my sense of smell and for the delicious fruit He's provided for us all.

I think of my conversation with Mona (Jelani's mum. Cheeks' friend at nursery). She tells me today that she'll 'miss us' when we return to Singapore. I think of all the kind, sweet words from schoolmums/playdates/friends here, telling us our absence will be felt, and our presence missed.

And I think about all the lovely messages from friends and family in Singapore, telling us how they can't wait for us to be back.

Then, for the first time after (what's been) a loooong time of feeling sore about it, I thank God for 2 of the BEST years of my life. Although I know I'll still miss the family life we have here, I am finally submitting it all to Him. Because He knows what's best. So I'm thankful for having had 2 wonderful, close-knit years with my Cheeks and Dee.

2 years of priceless, happy, cherished memories. Together.

And I think of how timely this reminder is. How glad I am that my 3YO can talk to me about God.

How in her own little way, she's prompted me of God's promises and His love for us. Jeremiah 29:11~13.

Raising a toughie

2008-06-10T13:03:00.013+01:00

Children are injury-prone. I'm sure parents the world over would concur.

On our way to nursery today, Cheeks struck her foot against an uneven slab of pavement, tumbled and landed - knees first, then palms down - before ending up completely prostrate on the ground.

...

Eversince she was a wee thing learning to totter about, Dee and I have assumed a 'go on, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, no need for tears' stance whenever Cheeks has a fall.

Or bumps herself.

Or suffers a scratch.

Or takes a knock to the head. (Unless they were super-duperly hard knocks, of course.)

As a result, (we think) Cheeks has grown up to be rather... sturdy?

Or perhaps there is some measure of truth behind the nutritious properties of durians? It's been said that pregnant women who consume durians throughout their trimesters will give birth to robust, bah-bah (firm-skinned & meaty), hardy offspring.

I followed the advice, seeing my ex-boss' 3 strapping, healthy, energetic boys. On a wild night of unstoppable gluttony, I'd wolf down 5 packs of durians on my own. At a go.

So yes, I do wonder whether it is the durians or our low-fuss attitude that has helped Cheeks become the stalwart she is today.

Anyway, I inch closer to take a look at her wounds. As I do so, she begins fishing for sympathy by crying piteously. I notice a few tiny spots oozing with blood on one knee. I wipe them clean. I take a look at her hands. No cuts, grazes or scrapes. Just dirty with bits of gravel.

I'm certain the fall isn't bad. I give her knee a quick peck to kiss the pain away, then tell her everyone trips and falls once in awhile. Even mummy does. But few have red polkadots on their knees like she has.

At the mention of spotty polkadotty wounds, she stops sniffling immediately and manages a chuckle. She likes the sound of that.

She takes one last, cursory glance at her wound, wipes her hands on her jeans then tears down the pavement again.

Pain (if any at all) and injury are clean forgotten.

Effects of Time

2008-06-08T23:38:00.022+01:00

I'm still finding London chilly at night. Me toes are turning ghastly blue as I squat here, perched on my stool, attempting to blog after the looooonnnngggg-ong-ong-ong (echo echo echo) hiatus.

It feels like a long time. And yet, it hasn't been. Has it?

I no longer see it fit to use the phrase 'Time flies'. Because to me, Time doesn't fly, it's evanescent.

A 13 hour flight, a one-way plane ticket, that flight across continents are all that separate me from here and there.

First Chichi was here.

Now, she's somewhere out there, in the clouds, snoozing as she flies over some country? Or perhaps she's keeping herself entertained with inflight movies. I hope they are good and make up for the undoubtedly horrendous service she'll receive from BA.

Sometime tomorrow, her almost 3-week holiday will come to a close. She'll be reunited with family.

Before long, so will we.

...

Every holiday earns me a new stamp on my passport, a new 'momento-magnet' on our fridge.

Every step I take now brings me closer and closer to home.

I loved having Chichi here. I loved throwing open our doors and showing her what life in the UK is like for us. I loved being able to show her around, cook for her, share experiences with her. Just having her around to talk to, and being a little sister all over again.

But this 'now you see me, now you don't' disappearing act is getting a bit too achy-chokey for my fragile fraying nerves.

Our last day is coming soon. It'll soon be our turn to be here one day, and not, the next.

...

Now here's a newsbreak. The good people (note the mild sarcasm) at the real estate company have lay claim to the apartment. Notice the hard-to-miss 'TO LET' sign that's been hammered into the ground right outside our soon-to-be-ex flat? A stark reminder that, yes yes, we'll be vacating soon.

them vultures. Bah!

Now, music moments!

Do you ever wonder why certain songs pop into your head? For no apparent reason? You've not heard them lately - not a single note, bar, section of melody. Nothing! Nada nyet nein.

Once in awhile - and if you allow it to - the past finds ways of creeping up on you. In my case, through music. This tune's been filling my head all night. I don't know how or why I pulled this out from my memory vault. I have trouble remembering personal events, much less songs from days of yore? Anyway, despite keeping it in cold storage - gathering cobwebs in some remote part of my grey, no doubt - this song remains an evergreen and I love that I can effortlessly belt out its lyrics despite the memory lapse.

(So it's teeny-bopperish. Stop them eyes from going all rolley polly on me.)

* oh, and I promise the next entry will be more upbeat!

Craft

2008-05-29T23:45:00.025+01:00

Cheeks striking an awkward pose with her
newly sheared fringe - courtesy of barber Papa.

Ha.

In a bid to inject a worthwhile activity to her otherwise humdrum termbreak, I whisked Cheeks to my favourite London museum, National Portrait Gallery, to participate in their 90-min family art workshop.

Completely gratis. Did I mention how much I love museums here?!!!

It was, as always, brilliantly conducted. Using one of its current exhibitions, 'Brilliant Women', as a backdrop for today's activities, the workshop began with a short introduction to portrait painter, Angelica Kauffmann - who she was and the painting styles she favoured. Next, the 16-or-so children (number of, not age group. But you knew that already, didn't you?) were asked to try their hand at silhouette drawing, similar to the one featured on the exhibition poster (see below) .

Children - heads bent over their drawing pads

Cheeks' 1st 'silhouette' pix.

The final activity, which lasted an hour, took place in the basement of the museum in a fairly large room frequently used for their family activities. The children were given step-by-step instructions on how to make a journal using felt fabric and paper. The task involved:

* Sewing paper onto the felt fabric (I had to poke the needle through the fabric/paper for Cheeks while she helped pull the thread through)
* Designing a booktag (drawing, cutting, pasting a design then sewing it to the end of the journal)
* Drawing a silhouette of a person, an animal, or whatever the children wished to include on the cover of their journal
* Cutting and pasting a label onto the 1st page of the journal.

Here's Cheeks, to demonstrate:

And voilà!

Cheeks' 'silhouette' of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster.
Methinks it resembles a wriggly spaghetti strand making a slow descent into water. Ha!

While we were busy getting arty crafty in London, what of my sis? Why, the intrepid mother of 3 is currently flying solo in Rome, exploring the ruins of the Palatino, sticking fingers into every orifice at the v holey Colosseum, and more importantly, checking out the suave and dangerously irresistible Italian men! (Now we know the real reason why she chose to travel alone! Hohoho!) After Rome, she's off to the epicentre of Italian Renaissance, Florence, followed by the Chianti region. Her final port of call will see her ensconced in the shell of her gondola as it plies through Venice's famous waterways.

And that's where we'll join her.

With any luck, we'll be cruising down the Grand Canal together - a glass of bubbly Prosecco in hand, listening to a soothing serenade, a warm breeze through our hair. With the breathtaking Venetian skyline as a backdrop, our brawny gondolier will push the oar through the quiet waters and sail us towards the golden sunset...

I've never been. So I can dream, can't I? :)

Excuse me while I take a moment to...

2008-05-22T10:38:00.005+01:00

WHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! :)

Man of 33

2008-05-21T00:29:00.011+01:00

Somewhere between snores, snorts and scratching his man bits (did I say 'bits'? I mean BIGORMOUS, POWERFUL *quiver!*, MANLY *oh my!* ORBS OF STEEL!!!!), my man turned 33.

Despite the lack of brouhaha surrounding his bday celebration (I say this because I always believe birthdays ought to be spent in boisterous revelry. The bigger and louder, the better. But that's just me.), I believe we still managed to make it special for him.

'Twas a simple dinner. Simple, but intimate.

I roasted a chicken (with lemon butter and thyme) and a joint of pork (honey roasted with a sage and onion stuffing). I made Insalata Caprese, roasted parsnips and potatoes, and for dessert, I tried out that molten chocolate cake recipe.

Party decor was the usual - the over recycled 'Happy Birthday' sign saved from numerous birthdays before. Cheeks made Papa a really nice 'Monster Family' card. I liked it so much I gave it a place of prominence - smack in the middle of the under-decorated wall.

(* Cheeks has progressed from drawing stick fingers. Them fingers? They be resemblin' flowers now. See example below.)

A bouquet of red and pink flowers vased in a cookie jar with a white satin ribbon tied round its waist, Rob Stewart crooning old standards in the background, and my dinner setting was complete.

We ate. We drank. We swirled round the kitchenfloor (we seem to do that alot. Think it may be a 'Chan family' trait). There were chuckles, kisses and cuddles throughout dinner.

The great part about big birthday bashes is the element of excitement, fun. But small, intimate ones - especially those celebrated with the ones you love - they are truly... some kind of wonderful.

Here's a low-down

2008-05-19T18:33:00.023+01:00

I am decided. I AM TRASHING THE 5 REMAINING UNFINISHED, UNINSPIRED, UNSPEAKABLY BAD ENTRIES related to 'The 12 days of termbreak'. Gah! Good riddance!

In my world, this would be me doing 'a Mel'. It's a private joke. I'm not elaborating.

Speaking of Mel, I received a lovely surprise and letter from her today. Reading sentence after sentence of her squiggly handwriting brought back many fond memories and made me grin from ear to ear. I sure do miss her. Thanks so much for the woolly socks, ma parrot. Mornings are still rather chilly so I'll be able to wear these for a couple more days/weeks?

Anyway, here's the low-down:

It's Dee's bday this Wed. And I've just decided (like half a minute ago) that I'm going to throw him an 'intimate' dinner party at home. Just him, Cheeks and me. It's going to be a simple home-cooked meal but I'm eager to try out some new recipes. One of which, this.
We visited Fenny's on Sunday and had a feast of ayam kuning and mee siam. I made key lime pie for the first time. It was goooooood.

A new cafe is opening in the neighbourhood. Exactly when, I do not know. I just hope I get to relax there and have a cuppa before THE MOVE...
...speaking of which, we've written to the estate agents informing them of our tenancy termination. *GULP*
My darling chichi is coming to London this Wednesday!!! Oh boy, I'm bubbling over with excitement here!

I popped down to Leicester Sq today to get Dee a last minute 2nd birthday gift. I got Gift 1 from New York, but thought what the heck! he deserves another.
Last Wed (14/5), Val and I committed parental kamikaze by going to an Orla Kiely sample sale on its opening day with kids in tow. We had to queue. It was crowded. The kids almost died of boredom. Val managed to bag quite a number of items despite the uncooperative kids. I didn't buy anything on Day 1 but went back the very next day for a second browse. That's when I finally caved in and got myself a bag. Why I need so many bags, I'll never know. Anyway, this one's brown with green handles and has O.K's signature stem prints plastered all over.

And finally...

I'm prone to 'phasing out' these days. I walked home from the Tube station today with a million and a half things on my mind. Cheeks has to repeat herself three times to get herself heard. I feel awful. I'm trying to be more focused. But it's hard when you've got a gazillion and a half things...

Her love song

2008-05-14T20:00:00.017+01:00

There's something vastly comforting about slurping a hot, steaming bowl of instant noodles in the middle of the night. I huddled over a pot with Dee last night, each of us taking turns to pick up mouthfuls of curly noodles, and depositing them into our eagerly waiting mouths.

And after, I had me a large bowl of couscous. Yes, the unsuppressed obsession resumes.

I have been feeling very peckish of late. In case you're even half suspecting - no, I am NOT pregnant. In fact the only 'bump' I'll be sporting will be a result of my late-night rendezvous with food.

Last night, as I stand over the hob - chopsticks poised in one hand, waiting for the noodles to cook - Dee saunters in. And in what can only be put down as a 'my-wife's-making-supper-for me-oh-I'm-so-happy-tee-hee-hee!' moment (never mind that it was only instant noodles), he leads me to the middle of our kitchen dancefloor and there, on the cold white tiles, we sway silently to a tune in our heads. What are you dancing to? I'm curious to find out. I begin to belt out the first words to my song.

'That.'

I received this video montage of Ian and Geri yesterday. As I watched it over YouTube, I couldn't stop blubbering.

The reason for my waterworks? The music accompaniment for 'The Bear Family' segment (about 1:40 mins into the montage) that was composed, worded, and sung by Geri herself.

Those lyrics, they get to me every single time.

Geri's heart-felt profession of love to my brother through this song resonates my own feelings towards Dee.

I think of how different my life would be without him.

With the exception of my sister, I can't think of anyone else who's touched my life as much as he has. A life filled with immeasurable joy, laughter, comfort, warmth, and most of all, Love.

So yes, if I could live my life from the start, I'd spend it with Dee again...

*Verse*
You light up my life, With your smile
Your laughing eyes
Whisper I love you

Safe and secure, In your arms
You help me endure
All that was meant to harm
When I am near you

*Bridge*
Unreserved is the love
you offer to me
Undeserved is that love
A much treasured gift
You are the Sun that shines through grey clouds
My umbrella in the rain

*Chorus*

You are the melody that plays in my heart
Endless with no refrains
even if we were to start again

You are the melody that plays in my heart
Endless with no refrains
even if I could live life from the start
I'd spend it with you again

*Verse*
You melt the dark, With your warmth
And when you laugh
You paint sunshine in my heart
And a rainbow

Now that we're one, Everyday
I can awake
To see your precious smile
I'm so blessed

*Bridge*
Unreserved is the love
you offer to me
Undeserved is that love
A much treasured gift
You are the Song that I hum in the shower
A kiss from God to take away the pain

*Chorus*

You are the melody that plays in my heart
Endless with no refrains
Even if we were to start again

You are the melody that plays in my heart
Endless with no refrains
Even if I could live life from the start
I'd spend it with you again

*Chorus*
You are the melody that plays in my heart
Endless with no refrains
Even if I could live life from the start
I'd spend it with you again

A Mother's Day

2008-05-11T14:27:00.015+01:00

Today is Mother's Day. Not in the UK it isn't, but in the rest of the world.

Today should feel like any other but it doesn't. The sun, gloriously refulgent, hovers above us like a giant golden discoball. Is it me or does it seem particularly radiant today?

I wake up to excited hollers from Hubs and Cheeks wishing me a Happy Mother's Day. They look eager to be on their best behaviour. I stifle a chortle as Dee announces (rather imperiously) he will dress Cheeks and get her ready ALL BY HIMSELF as is MY day. I pretend to be blasé by this declaration but quickly pick up my dislocated jaw from off the floor when he's not looking.

I watch them as they brush their teeth together in the bathroom. I try not to supervise but I can't help myself. I help Cheeks with her upper row of teeth.

I glance quickly at my mobile and realise, hey! I have text messages from Mabes, Chi and Clara! They leave lovely well-wishes. Bless their sweet souls.

In an unpremeditated move, Cheeks and I both don ourselves in red. We look extremely festive - perfect hues to usher in the beautiful arrival of Spring. I'd say it's about friggin' time!?

We strike a sunny pose with our sunnies. Heh.

We mosey along to Tesco. On the way, I note how everyone seems to be clad in Primark? Maybe it's a south-west thing. Could people on this side of the river be more frugal?

We amble up and down the supermarket aisles picking up this and that as we go along. Then, as if by sheer magnetic force, the Sizeable One draws me steadily towards the Cakes/Confectionery section and wills me to pick out a chocolate cake from 'Tesco's Finest'. I am powerless against its hypnotic chants and have no choice but to submit to its demands.

Then, on a whim, I pick out a teabag holder. It has polka dots on it...

Back home, I make us 'lunner' (a cross between lunch + dinner?) - baked seafood pasta and erm, boiled frozen mixed veggies. 'Tis my weak attempt at adding some greens to the meal. Despite the short cuts, Hubs and Cheeks let out squeals of gratitude. I feel mildly like I'm distributing army rations to starving soldiers.

We sip wine and nibble on mini cornichons throughout lunner. I put on the movie soundtrack for 'Sleepless in Seattle' and get all fuzzy wuzzy. I love old standards.

After lunch, I do the ironing. I try on my new LBD from SJP's 'BITTEN' clothing line, a fantastic bargain I picked up while in New York. Cheeks pipes, 'I like your dress, Mummy.'

Before long, Sizeable One itches for cake. I'm asked to stay in our room while Hubs and Cheeks 'set up'. When they're ready, I'm led to the living room where the chocolate cake has been lighted with one, single candle. They cheer and clap enthusiastically as I blow out the flame.

Cheeks hands me her handmade 'card' (photo to be uploaded later), gives me a cuddle and a kiss and tells me I love you, Mummy. Hubs floors me with his well thought of gift.

how wonderfully appropriate...

It's Mother's Day today. But somehow it feels more like my birthday. I've been pampered. I am loved. I am on the top of the world.

All these for simply being a Mum? I could get used to it.

Saggs and THE City

2008-05-09T13:05:00.065+01:00

Out of all the weird-sounding, unintriguing, far-out blog names that swirled and sloshed inside my teeny cauldron of a brain, I chose the sanest and christened my first-ever blog 'Saggs and the City'.

It seemed a likely title. And I suppose, it still is.

'Saggs', a moniker bestowed affectionately on me by some of my oldest, closest friends was/is a shorter (cuter?!) derivation of my internet alter ego, saggingbehind, which, I lovingly named after my sizeable you-know-what. *raise an eyebrow*

'and the City'? Well, it's meant to be a tongue-in-cheek play on Candace Bushnell's successful book/drama spin-off ' Sex and the City'. Futhermore, we'd just moved to London - the bustling, cultural metropolis of the United Kingdom. A marriage of these 3 - for lack of a better term - 'rationale', and my blog name was sealed, etched forever (??) on the illusive walls of blogosphere.

The point I'm trying to drive at (yes, there is one) is that when I chose that name for my blog, little did I know that one day, I'd actually experience THE city.

That is, New York City - the city that never sleeps.

We've never been particularly inclined towards visiting the United States. Flights there were too daunting, too arduous (20-odd hours from Singapore?), the rate for USD always too high, too strong. But I suppose all that changed, somewhat, when we moved to the UK. Suddenly, the 8 hour flight duration seemed...manageable. And the rate of sterling, despite the economic downturn, remains strong against the Dollar.

I came home to London still high on the surreality of our trip to NYC. I foraged my DVD collection for movies filmed on location in New York - Prime, You've Got Mail, Serendipity, When Harry met Sally (surprisingly, all are my perennial favourites). It wasn't so much that I missed the city that made me re-watch those movies. I simply wanted the thrill of the holiday to continue to intoxicate me. And linger that bit longer.

I can think of one phrase that best describes how fleeting our 10-day holiday in the Big Apple was. It's one borrowed from 'The Bucket List' (a fab in-flight movie I was lucky enough to catch on our Virgin Atlantic flight back to London. Great recommendation, Jo!) -- '... like smoke through a keyhole.'

Sitting here, blogging our adventures, going through the 1,200-odd photos taken over the course of the trip, I feel displaced - didn't we recently leave Heathrow for JFK? Weren't we just at Central Park, posing infront of the Wollman Rink? And what, we're back? Already?!

our 3rd visit to Central Park (and we still couldn't finish seeing all of it!)
Our last stop -- the Wollman Rink

Every overseas holiday leaves me in awe of modern technology - how we can be in one country one minute, and another the next?

I don't think I'll ever watch a New York-based film the same way again. Streets, buildings and landmarks - they will look/sound, familiar. And yet, not. I'll wonder 'did I walk those streets?', or smile contentedly when I spot something I recognise . Yes, I was there. I did that, I'll muse.

Fifth Ave

These last 10 days we ate, breathed, slept the City.

If the buzz of London is able to spike one's heart rate, then the racy, pulsating beat of inner city New York will surely send one into cardiac arrest.

the bright lights @ Times Square

But the uneasy truth about NYC is - that despite the glitz and glamour we're frequently exposed to on screen, think 'Friends', 'Sex and the City' - it is a gritty, grotty city. Exciting and edgy, yes. But it's a filthy city tainted by garbage bags that clutter the city streets, Subway stations and trains marred by graffiti or worse, defecated on in corners and reeking of urine. It is a city where poverty is so apparent it's hard to ignore - by both sight and smell.

freedom of speech expressed through defacing a Subway wall?

Despite the startling blemishes, we did enjoy the City. There were SO many places to see, visit, explore. The distances we covered on foot could easily earn us the title 'NewYorkathon-ers'. (Our Top 3 walking achievements: 1) Walking from West 89th Street to West 48th, 2) West 4th Street to West 37th Street, and 3) Over Brooklyn Bridge in the sweltering heat. WLE!)

We borrowed the excellent 'DK Eyewitness Travel - New York' guide from our local library, took suggestions of noteworthy attractions off it, topped those up with pointers from Ed, Jo, Mabes and Dot (who visited NYC sometime in 2007?) and drew up an itinerary on an excel spreadsheet. Oh yeah, we were VERY prepared to explore every inch of the City!

From the West side to the East, Downtown and Uptown, we brisk walked from one avenue to the next with fierce determination. We explored Greenwich Village, East Village, Little Italy, K-town, the VERY extensive Chinatown, bits of Harlem, the Financial District, the Fashion Avenue, 2 museums, Central Park, Times Sq, Union Sq, Macy's, Woodbury Common, Century 21, Daffy's, Steve and Barry's, Madison Square Garden, UN Building, Ground Zero, Grand Central Terminal, Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Centre, Liberty Island, Lincoln Centre, South Street Seaport, and in between, refuelled by eating at great places (some of which were featured in movies)! Phew!

We covered A LOT.

Cafe Lalo, made popular by the movie 'You've Got Mail'

And while we're on the topic of food, our NY food trail was truly unbelievable. We behaved (according to a very appalled Jo) like a bunch of hungry caterpillars eating our way through the Big Apple (think Eric Carle). NYC is a foodie's paradise - from Magnolia Bakery cupcakes, H&H Bagels, Doughnut Planet, crabcakes at Sardi's, frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3, ikura sushi (with quails egg) at Sushi Mambo, milky korean soup Su Lung Tang, roast meats in Chinatown, tea at Petrossian the russian tearoom, to good ol' Macca burgers - we relished each and every bite*.

(If anyone's interested in our food trail itinerary, let me know. I'll email our list to you.)

And the museums. You gotta LOVE 'em. We were fortunate to catch an amazing exhibition by Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang at the Guggenheim Museum (pity the museum facade was under renovation tho'. Bah!). Even Cheeks enjoyed his installations. My favourite was the 'Rent Collection Courtyard'. The expressions captured on clay were remarkable. The Metropolitan Museum of Art didn't disappoint either. I was thrilled to be able to see so many Impressionists' works up close and personal. My favourites were all there - Monet, Seurat, Degas, Matisse, van Gogh...And I loved the fact that photography was allowed. Whoopee! Cheeks, on the other hand, enjoyed the Egyptian exhibit. She was thrilled to see a real sarcophagus.

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte - by Georges Seurat

So yes, there were happy times aplenty. But there were down bits as well.

New York is NOT a great place for kids. (Did I mention the number of caged-up, concrete playgrounds that utterly depressed me? But let's leave that for now.)

As Hubs and I sped from one landmark to another, Cheeks was imprisoned in the pushchair, all strapped up. New York is better explored on foot and she simply could not keep up with the pace. So, we had no choice but to stick her in the pushchair on most days. When we chose unwisely NOT to place her on wheels, it ended up being arm and shoulder burn-outs for poor 'beast of burden' Papa.

I cannot begin to count, or recollect the number of times she whined for snacks in the pushchair because she was bored silly; the number of times we nudged her forward to make her hasten her pace, our irritated tones telling her to Stop dawdling! because we were always rushing from one place to the next. The countless times we denied her playtime at a playground, how we shushed her to stop interrupting our conversations with our adult friends. She protested going into stores, dragged her feet at bathtimes, and while dressing to go out. All she wanted to do (it seemed) was to stay in Jo's house, and play. Instead we whizzed her about on dusty roads, meandering between avenues, we shot disapproving looks at her when something she wanted to do didn't fall into our travel plans. And we utterly screwed up her sleep routine by keeping her out waaaaay past her bedtime.

Exhausted Cheeks.
The constant whizzing hither and thither took a toll on her

Looking back, I wonder how much of New York Cheeks actually enjoyed? She must've felt constantly frazzled and ignored - like her opinions and needs didn't matter.

In our unflagging quest to uncover NYC, we marginalised the needs of our child.

Despite our parental foibles, I'd like to think she was happy just being with us. Because that's how I felt. Even though it was challenging at times, I was happy zipping around the City because I was with the 2 people I love most in life. And I'm glad we got to experience NYC together.

So thank you, God. For this trip. For everything.

Cheeks and me at Bethesda Fountain, Central Park

Us, on the viewing deck at Rockefeller Centre.
Behind us is the Empire State Bldg

jo & me (w Cheeks) slurping bubbletea in Chinatown,
toting our identical Marc Jacob bags which we got at a crazy warehouse sale in Greenwich!

Maison de Planel - where we put up for the duration of our holiday!
Merci beaucoup, Planels!

Cheeks first musical and she loved it!
(jet-lagged, she slept through the last 20 min of the show tho')

our 'never-ending' walk across Brooklyn Bridge
that culminated in a creamy sweet treat at Brooklyn's finest ice-cream factory

Now we know why Meg Ryan was in the throes of passion at this Deli!
The beef pastrami sandwich was Oh oh OOoooh....Yes!

The obligatory visit to Macy's.
But we were so 'shopped out' by Woodbury Common we couldn't shop any more, anywhere!

amazing exhibition by Cai Guo Qiang at the Guggenheim Museum at Upper East side

Cheeks, bursting with excitement, waiting to enter F.A.O Schwarz
(along 5th Ave). We caught StoryTime while there.

whispering into walls at Grand Central Terminal (very 'In the Mood for Love')

when tackling a raging bull, better to grab it by its ho...no, balls. Ha!

pondering the pointless loss of life at Ground Zero

friends we met up with in NYC : Ed, Yider and her hubby Chou Kai
We're so glad we got to hang out with them!

Priceless tips I've taken away with me (in relation to our lovely friends, the Planels):

Invest in Miyazaki, because he is THAT good
Treat your spouse like a girlfriend/boyfriend - smother them with kisses, cuddles and tell them you love them ALL.THE.TIME.
If you can afford a good set of kitchen knives, get 'em!
When entertaining guests, always serve on coordinated serving plates. They do wonders in presentation.
You can cook a gourmet meal despite the children.

Gros bisous!
xxx Le Chans

2008-04-28T01:54:00.001+01:00

I've done the 7th day! Just so you know. So scroll. Or maybe not. You're not missing out on much.

Through my eyes

2008-04-25T19:35:00.034+01:00

A walk down my favourite stretch between Leicester Square and Covent Garden.

I exit Leicester Square Tube station. Clasping Cheeks' hand tightly in mine, we cross the bustling street, onto Great Newport Street. We stride past The Arts Theatre ('that's where we saw Gruffalo's Child!' pipes Cheeks, every. single.time), Bureau (purveyor of lovely, expensive stationery supplies), the Photographers' Gallery, pizza joints. I tut-tut with my eyes as trishaws tear down the narrow streets, ringing their bicycle bells to draw attention.

At the junction of St Martin's Lane, walk straight ahead and this leads us to Long Acre, a shopping stretch that's home to many a high street store - NEXT, Reiss, GAP, Zara etc. Turn left and that brings us onto Monmouth Street.

Ah. Monmouth Street. With its melange of independent boutiques and shops - how I adore thee. We pass interesting cosmetic shops - brands I've never even heard of, peer covetingly into vintage boutiques with gorgeous shop displays, busy pubs, intimate cafes, a florist, finally arriving at Orla Kiely... Oh Orla, how I love browsing through your irresistably beautiful store (note operative word). I love everything. The store decor, the products sitting prettily on shelves, even the gorgeous lampshades. I do not know how best to say goodbye... should I buy me a mug, rainy day wellies, a bag?!

And then there's Candy Cakes, a cafe with a facade so sweetly-hued (pink, turquoisy shades), it's hard to miss. I'd go there every week if I could, just to have a milky cup of English Breakfast tea, enjoy cupcakes with brightly coloured frosting, and look at the rainbow display infront of me... I'm instantly transported to a happy place.

Cheeks and I thoroughly enjoyed our lemon poppy seed and blueberry cheesecake cupcakes today. They added an extra inch (possibly 2) round our waistlines/hips, but darn it, we were happy.

tea with Jo and Becky

Round the bend

2008-04-23T13:27:00.022+01:00

Blogging will be at snail's pace over the next few days. Besides obligating myself to finishing that infernal ditty (you know the one *roll eyes*) and a gazillion other incomplete posts, I am also surfing the internet, trying to do some research for our upcoming Big Apple trip.

Yes, another holiday. Please don't hate us. We are blessed, I know. But also very broke. The number of money transfers that have been ping-ponging from one savings accounts to another is, quite frankly, spiking my heartrate.

We leave next Tuesday. This means taking Cheeks out of nursery during school term. And we've just started a new term after that 2 week break!

While I'm not too perturbed by her skipping nursery - it's not like she's missing out on REAL lessons or anything - I am a tad concerned about the disruption these holidays are causing to our daily routine. And I like routine.

Afternoons are pretty much free and easy with walks, playdates, trips to the Common/library. But these are what we do, mornings:

Rise and shine, loo visits, et cetera et cetera,
Cheeks has breakfast. Sometimes she watches telly. Or not, depending on her mood. Sometimes she doodles during breakfast.
I potter around the kitchen. Have myself a mug O tea! mug O Tea! Begin preparing lunch.
At 9:30am thereabouts, we begin 'Lessons'. This is when I go through the alphabets, numbers, mandarin vocab, learning to tell time with her.

--> Not all together a very pleasant exercise, I have to admit. She absolutely ABHORS lessons! And the more distracted she is, the more irritable I get, and the more our neighbours HEAR ME. Seriously, I wonder why I even bother? She'll learn all these at school, no? Each session leaves us visibly upset, our chests heaving in frustration. Still, there are SOME good days. Thank God!

After lessons, it's bathtime for the both of us - she suds in the tub, I lather in the shower.
Lunch! chomp chomp chomp!
If there's still time, we play for abit. Else we get ready for school, or get ready to go out.

So yes, this routine will be disrupted. Oh I know, it's a holiday... heck?!

The weather has been tottering on wonderful these past 2 days. Despite the morning showers, I was able to walk Cheeks to school clad in a top (only!) and jeans. OMG OMG! Does this mean I can finally relegate all my winterwear to storage?

On Monday, seeing how school was having an inset day and wasn't open till Tuesday, I decided to bring Cheeks to the One O'clock Club at the Common. It's been ages since our last visit. Cheeks' nursery session falls smack during the opening times of the Club and by the time she finishes, the Club is ready to close for the day.

Seeing her play at the Club made me realise how much she's grown these past 2 years. She used to relish the sing-along sessions, used to trot all over the Club - looking for new toys, preferring to spend more time in the outdoor area. Now, she's content to sit quietly doing craft, or roll out the Playdoh. She plays by herself, unconcerned whether I join her in the activities or not.

Cheeks at the One O'Clock Club, aged 2 yrs 3 mths

Cheeks today, aged 3 years 8 mths

I'm also making a conscious effort to pop into shops/cafes/boutiques around our suburb more. I don't want to neglect them, especially when Time will abate my ability to frequent them soon.

So yesterday, I brought Cheeks for a walk around Northcote Road. We browsed inside gift shops - Huttons, All Good Gifts, we sauntered into La Cuisiniere and La Cuisiniere Too to look for a butter knife I've been hankering. We didn't sight any (I'm so regretting I didn't buy the cute polka-dotted one at Mousehole, Cornwall!). We shared a Ribena Light purchased at a newsagent's, continued to hop in and out of shops as they were closing, saw LOADs of 'Charlie and Lola' stuff that I want to buy but didn't. We went to Woolworth's, where I got Cheeks a 'Beauty Playset' for 1.99 pounds (she been spending hours playing 'Beauty Parlour' with her toys since, pretending to be their beautician and dolling them up for parties, picnics and other 'exciting' occasions.) Our last stop was ASDA. I browsed through racks of GEORGE clothes (all bleh), and we spent time flipping through kiddy mags.

Powerpuff girl, Buttercup, gets a makeover

teddy gets a combo: cut/wash/blowdry

It was close to 7:30pm by the time we got home. We were held up by a MASSIVE jam while on the bus and because we couldn't catch the connecting bus home, we had to walk 20 minutes back to our place. The walk did us both good though.

And so, another day passes... and I feel the need to cry. Just to let things out.

Not helping (or perhaps it is?). This:

Our weekend in The Emerald Isle

2008-04-21T00:11:00.023+01:00

It is so easy to fall in love with the countryside. Simply because there are so many things to love.

At the break of dawn, the farmyard comes alive - the cockerel rouses everyone from their slumber, donkeys nuzzle into the grass, scouring for leftover foodscraps, chickens cluck restlessly in their henhouses, waiting to be fed.

Yet, despite the cacophony of animal noises, it feels peaceful. It is a refreshing change of sights and sounds for city folk like us.

And the house we put up at for the past 2 nights - it is a house to love.

Drumbeagh House, County Cavan

They say a man's home is his castle. For Michael and Carolyn Lane (Andy and Meiling's parents), Drumbeagh House (pronounced as 'Drum-baaa') would certainly be their royal residence. It wasn't the tidiest, nor the most spotless of houses, but it was warm and cozy and I fell in love with it. Completely.

From the hand-polished stone walls, the mishmash of holiday memorabilia that bedecked the shelves and dangled from wooden beams, the house extensions that were meticulously planned and constructed from scratch, to the assortment of happy, smiley family photos found at every corner of the house - each bore evidence that this was a much-loved home.

It certainly was a good holiday. We ate well, guzzled too many pints of Guinness and mugs of tea, chatted late into the night.

Unlike our other holidays, we didn't plan an itinerary, nor did we set any objectives for the weekend. We weren't there to see the sights or do touristy things. In fact, our only aim was to plant an apple tree. And that, we achieved. We did things at a leisurely pace, taking time to appreciate the quiet rustic life instead.

This trip was also more for us to spend time with our dear friends, Andy & Meiling.

We'd always said we would visit their house in Ireland before returning to Singapore. We wanted to leave our 'mark' at their place, something distinct to help them better remember us by. That's how we came up with the idea of planting an apple tree in their garden.

I guess that's what made it all the more important for us to make this last trip to Ireland. To plant our 'friendship tree' and thank the Lanes for being great friends, and an integral part of our lives in the UK. We will remember fondly the roadtrip to Cambridge, camping in Kent, exploring St Albans, playing with firecrackers, enjoying the summer sun at Dunstables, the numerous coffee and makan sessions...

It felt surreal, planting those trees. I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness as we lowered the sapling into the muddy earth. What was supposed to mark a new beginning felt more like a final goodbye. All those months talking about planting those trees, and we were finally doing it.

I sighed a lot over the course of the holiday. By the end of it, I'd accumulated a sizeable cloud (think Moses) - some were sighs of contentment, others were just... heavy breathing perhaps? I love to kid myself.

But thank God for tea! Each mug delivered the warm comfort I needed. My 'hug in a mug', Andy jested.

I took 200-odd snaps in the course of 2 days. I didn't care. I want the photos to tell a story in years to come.

The trip has left me somewhat pensive. That night, as I lay awake, curled up in my London bed, I couldn't shake off those feelings.

And now, all I want is for them to go away.

(For full set of photos, view 'em here)

Stairway to Michael Lane's 'Faeryland',
lined with wild primroses

Playdate with Poppy

2008-04-14T14:14:00.007+01:00

Poppy is probably Cheeks' best mate at nursery. With the exception of Sebestian, of course.

This 4YO Canadian native has been living in the UK since she was a wee babe and is the only one in the family who speaks with a crisp British accent. Margaret, her grandma, drops her off at the nursery and I always enjoy my chats with her while waiting by the gate for the school door to be opened.

Poppy is always immacutely dressed, and has the MOST impeccable manners. So when Ann, Poppy's mum, invited Cheeks over for a playdate, I actually worried how 'chor loh' (un-ladylike) she would come across to the family.

That was the first time I'd dropped Cheeks off at a playdate, unaccompanied and unsupervised. Ann said it would be fine for me to leave her alone with Poppy, her nanny and Margaret. So I did. I left her there for 3 whole hours. Then, making full use of that free time on my hands, I did grocery shopping, bought birthday gifts, went home for some shuteye, surfed the internet.

When I picked Cheeks up later that evening, she and Poppy proudly showed off their artwork, and gave a rundown of what they did all afternoon - jumped on the trampoline, played in the garden, did art and craft etc.

And that, was how the both of us spent our 7th day of termbreak.

"On the seventh day of termbreak, my Mama gave to me - 7 minutes (it's true! ok, thereabouts?! !) busride to Poppy's, 6 笼s of dimsum, 5 min waaaaaalk! 4 new experiences, 3 turkish delights, 2 summery dresses, and a choc-caterpillar from Marks&Sparks!"

I am so running outta ideas here, aren't I? ;)

Only the mummies...

2008-04-13T08:36:00.035+01:00

(this should've been last saturday's posting. Infront of me STILL stands a snake-like queue of backdated posts. Good Gad!)

Armed with Waitrose cupcakes, grapes and a punnet of strawberries, we commuted to North London for brunch at Val's. With chef du jour, Alan, at the helm of the kitchen, our tummies rumbled hungrily, eager to sample his cooking for the first time.

Alan, it seems, does not only possess a flair for cooking, he also has a flair for blogging his cooking adventures in a way that titillates our tastebuds. By the end of his food postings, we're sucking in GLOBS of saliva, and voraciously wishing we could join him on his gastronomic journeys.

Discontent with eating vicariously through his blog postings, we badgered Val into asking Alan to whip up something (anything!) for us shameless folk.

And dazzle us, he did.

We were treated to an amazing spread - oven-baked ham with curdled milk gravy, chicken liver pâté served with warm sourdough, and sauteed mushrooms. Val made a delicious tuna pasta tossed in pesto, and a refreshing fruit salad. The ham, soaked in its milky gravy, was succulent and baked to perfection. The chicken liver pâté was smooth, creamy, and oh-so-decadent. I'm sure our cholesterol levels sky rocketed that day, not that any of us cared. Alan suggested countering the richness of the chicken liver pâté with pickled cornichons. The saltish sourish flavours from the vinegar-soaked cornichons worked perfectly with the slightly bitter aftertaste of the liver. Divine!

Kids at lunch

After lunch, Val, Ros & I scuttled out of the house, leaving the daddies to take full charge of their scion. We'd negotiated a 'day off' with the dads and were keen to enjoy some 'girly time' with each other, sans kids.

We chose the lengthy shopping strip at King's Road, Chelsea, for our girly outing. With its panoply of high street shops, it was the ideal place to engage in some retail therapy.

Papas United

Mama Sisterhood

Despite the bizzare sunshiney rainy weather, we trudged on, unfazed. We visited VV Roleaux, a craft shop that sells all sorts of notions, we browsed at Warehouse, Oasis, Monsoon, but lingered most at Zara. We stopped for a teabreak at Patisserie Valerie, where we shared family anecdotes, giggled and guffawed, and complained to each other over tea and cakes. But all too soon, it was time for us to return to our familes, and slip back to our mummy roles.

We weren't greedy. A couple of hours was all we needed to rejuvenate, recharge, and rediscover ourselves. As we stepped into Val's house, arms laden with supermarket dinners, I felt (in fact, I think we all did) incredibly moved when our kid(s) charged towards us - leaping into our arms for a cuddle, screaming 'Mummy, Mummy!' - their round faces beaming, genuinely happy to have us home.

It's certainly nice to go out and do things the way we used to before we became mums. Every once in awhile, we need to reconnect ourselves with the other roles that help shape our lives - we're also friends, sisters, wives, daughters.

But of all the roles I've taken on in my life, this 'Mummy' role? It remains my most rewarding to date. And I pray it will always, always be.

6 笼

2008-04-11T22:52:00.026+01:00

Hullooooo! Farmer Saggs here, still feverishly trying to plough through my untended, overgrown field of backdated blog entries.

On Friday, we ventured to the Docklands. Despite our 2 years here, I've only been to that part of London on one other occasion - dinner at Royal China with Val & family. That was a good meal, by the way. Canary Wharf is a business/shopping district in eastish London. The area is distinctly set apart from the rest of London by the beetling skyscrapers that shape its skyline. Housing there is popular with Asians and is pretty pricey, especially those that have an unobstructed view of the River Thames.

Canary Wharf at night

We were there to meet Joanne who'd kindly offered to show us around Canary Wharf's 4 adjoining shopping malls (Cabot Place, Canada Place, Jubilee Place and Churchill Place). Somewhat similar to Suntec City's adjoining towers.

We accompanied her as she trawled the shops in search for 2 black workpants - casting an eye this way and that, making mental notes of the shops as we went along. Jo successfully snagged 2 sleek workpants at NEXT. And after a cursory look around Monsoon and Gap, we headed for the DLR station to catch a train to Cross Harbour for dim sum at the floating restaurant, The Lotus.

Now here's an interesting nugget of info about this restaurant for those living in the UK. I've been told it serves bigger portions to Chinese who are conversant in either Cantonese/Mandarin. Apparently 'foreigners' (non-chinese or non-chinese speaking folk) are served 'foreigner' portions - small platters of food placed on plate warmers. But order fluently in Chinese with the waitstaff and voilà, you'll see your food portions dished out on large serving plates. Sans the plate warmers though, but who cares?

Lunch was good, especially the beef brisket and fish maw. The perrenial dim sum favourites, siew mai and ha gao, weren't too bad either but I didn't care much for the char siew cheong fun. Loved the sambal kang kong though. It wasn't spicy enough for my fiery palate but was extremely tasty. An hour and a half later, we rolled our distended tummies out of the restaurant, took a short walk around Cross Harbour, grabbed a train back to Canary Wharf for a quick cuppa at Starbucks, bought cupcakes from Waitrose, then headed home before the rush hour crowd came out in full force. Phew!

Alright, ditty update!

"On the sixth day of termbreak, my mama gave to me - 6 笼s of dimsum, 5 min waaaaaalk! 4 new experiences, 3 turkish delights, 2 summery dresses, and a choc-caterpillar from Marks&Sparks!"

This hopeless ditty lyricist is going on a short hiatus. We're off to Ireland today so there'll be no more singin' till I return! Have yourselves a good weekend, everyone!

5 minutes

2008-04-11T02:29:00.023+01:00

Why I ever committed myself to a silly '12 day' ditty, I'll never know. It's a lyrical nightmare as you can already tell. But fine, I'll TRY... and finish what I started.

It's a matter of PRINCIPLE.

(Am averting gaze now. So, go ahead - yawn WIDELY, roll your eyes, beat your chests in anguish, et cetera. I know you want to.)

And while you're busy doing all that, excuse me while I continue with my 'riveting' rigmarole...

On day 5 (a Thurs) of termbreak, we had Cheeks' friend, Meilin, over.

Yao, Meilin's mummy, desperately needed to complete her work assignment so I offered to take Meilin for a couple of hours to allow her time to better concentrate.

The 2 girls frolicked in the living room, wolfed down their lunch (I fixed up a quick meal of pasta), painted, squealed in unison while watching 'Dora, dora, dora, the Explorer! Dora!' (accompanied by enthusiastic high-pitched squeals - hola! gracias! Swiper stop swiping! -- ARGGGGHHH!!!), squished, pressed and rolled out lumps of playdoh, did role-play - taking turns to be princess/queen, patient/doctor, mummy/daughter.

I always enjoy having another kid over. It relieves me of my child entertainer/minder duties and gives me time to chill and do other 'non-motherly/housewifey' erm, things.

I leave the girls to their own devices. On the whole, they play nicely but inevitably, there will be catfights. It's almost unavoidable. Children their age still struggle with the concept of SHARING, being LESS TERRITORIAL, that they CANNOT ALWAYS HAVE THEIR WAY.

So my tranquil moments were sometimes broken by shrieks of 'You must SHARE!', 'I had that first!', 'Don't do that, I don't like it!', 'Give that back!', 'Mamaaaaaa!'

Still, I did have some peace and quiet. Ommmm.

At about 3pm, we walked Meilin back to her house then took a train to our next date - tea/dinner at XY and May's. I had shamelessly invited Cheeks and myself over to their apartment in West London. While Cheeks entertained the 2 ladies with her childish antics, I looked through XY's lovely water-coloured illustrations, and flipped through fashion magazines. We were treated to a comforting home-cooked meal prepared by May - stir fried spinach, baked salmon marinated with miso paste, and fried egg omelette. Dessert was 3 pretty Waitrose cupcakes that May had bought as a special treat. They were gone in seconds. Ok fine, minutes. They were really good. Thanks, May!

Uh-uh, didn't forget my ditty. You ready?

"On the fifth day of termbreak my Mama gave to me - an invigorating 5 min walk (from King's Cross tube station to XY/May's house), 4 new experiences (at 4 new locations), 3 turkish delights, 2 summery dresses, and a choc-caterpiller from Marks&Sparks!"

Pardon the parentheticals. They are absolutely necessary if you want to ~~sing this song as it's intended~~ understand the full extent of the song!

Oh, throw me a friggin' bone here!

Me & them Blogger Mums

2008-04-09T20:44:00.016+01:00

The problem with backlog entries is it takes forever to plough through them. I've been storing half-written entries in the 'draft' box telling myself I'll get to them soonish.

Right...

A week has passed and I'm now suffering the repercussion of my own indolent blogging behaviour.

I won't be able to give a blow-by-blow account of what we did on Wednesday because of memory lapse. Also, I'd like to avoid a lengthy entry. So, I'm going to do the next best thing - write them out in (semi) point form?!

Wednesday:

met blogger mums Val & Luke, Ros & Louisa and Lavigne

These 2 Singaporean mums are the ones I most frequently meet up with in the UK. Ros doesn't live in London so her travelling down to the City was a treat for us all. And because her visits are few and far between, there were a few places she wanted to look up. And that, leads us to our

First stop - Japan Centre

Cheeks and I met Ros' family at noon to explore the newly-opened Daiso at the Japan Centre in the heart of Picadilly Circus. Unfortunately, the Daiso-priced (1.45pd) selection was extremely dismal - a mere peppering of 'cheaper' household and food items. I did discover, however, that Japanese curry packs, dofu and rice are cheaper there. Sugoii...

2nd stop: The Muffin Man

After a quick pit stop at Macca's to pick up Happy Meals for the famished kids, Ros and I hopped onto bus no.9 and made our way to High Street Kensington to meet Val and Luke. I'd surfed the internet for tearooms in the Chelsea area and was directed to 'The Muffin Man' at High St Ken. Whilst the tea was extremely value for money, and the carrot cake I ordered was delish, I thought the tearoom was sorely lacking in ambience. It didn't feel like an English tearoom at all! Ros ordered a coffee cake which turned out to be a huge disappointment - dry, bland, extremely forgettable. Sorry Ros, will choose a better locale the next time. Promise! Perhaps we should have stuck to ordering muffins only...

Ros & her sweethearts

Val and her lil champ

3rd stop: Holland Park

After tea, we mums walked our little troops to Holland Park to expend their energy. We needed some time to catch up with each other and the best idea was to have the kids busy themselves, playing. We made the playground our resting ground and chatted on benches while the kids played in the sandpit, went on the play structures, rocked to and fro on the 4-seater spring see-saw etc.

4th stop: Whole Foods

I admit, my interest to visit this store stemmed purely from the tabloids. I'd had enough of seeing pictures of Keira Knightley, Gwyneth Paltrow, Posh Spice et al, traipsing fashionably out of the store with Whole Foods reusable bags filled with organic products. I had to check out the store for myself. I would love to go completely organic. If I could. But I can't. My pockets are not deep enough for us to eat organically. So fully-organic meals at the Chan household will have to wait... long, long.

Whilst at the store, I bagged me some rice cakes (2 for 1pd), a scrummy chocolate bar (99p), and... a Whole Foods reusable bag. What can I say? I'm shallow. But hey, I now use that bag while out grocery shopping. And that's the whole point of it, isn't it? Save the environment, lay off the plastics? ;P

After Whole Foods, we parted ways with Val and Luke. Ros and I, together with our girls, made our way to Leicester Square by bus. Ros wanted to buy some pastries for her husband (awww... so sweet!). On the way, we stopped for some quick snaps at Trafalgar Square. Lousia and Lavigne had never taken photos with the famous bronze lions (that surround Nelson's Column) before. So I asked Ros if she'd like to take a couple, just for the memory.

Once at Leicester Sq, we rushed to the bakery, picked up the pastries/buns, made a quick dash into New Loon Moon to search for the chilli I'd tried over at Joanne's. We found it, thankfully, and both Ros and I grabbed a jar each. Then it was home sweet home for all...

++++++

We will miss these 2 families v dearly once we... but I thank God so very much for placing them in our lives.

Oh. Let's not forget I still have to complete my '12 days of Termbreak' ditty: (help!!!)

" On the 4th day of termbreak my mama gave to me - 4 new experiences at 4 new locations, 3 turkish delights, 2 summery dresses, and a choc-caterpillar from Marks&Sparks!"

Pathetic, I know. (Trust me. It gets worse.)

On the 3rd day... she ate CORN.

2008-04-08T19:02:00.014+01:00

"On the third day of termbreak my mama gave to me - three turkish delights, 2 summery dresses, and a choc-caterpillar from Marks&Sparks!"

Alright, so I'm cheating a little here. The 'turkish delights' are actually our friends Zubeyde and her 2 lovely daughters, Yasmin, and baby Suheyla. But hey, the 3 of them are Turkish and they are delightful, so technically I'm not wrong. Right? Anyway this is my song so nobody gets to complain about the choice of lyrics!

...

I have been filling Cheeks' termbreak with playdates.

Today, we met up with Zubeyde and kids. We'd arranged to go over to hers for a playdate, and Zubs suggested lunch - maybe try a little home-cooked Turkish cuisine?

Needless to say, I leapt at the offer! (Who wouldn't?)

I've never had real Turkish food before. Other than kebabs. They are a type of Turkish food, are they not? Zubs introduced me to bulgur - a cross between rice and couscous. It was scrummilicious! And apparently, really easy to prepare. According to Zubs, all you need is to:

fry chopped onions together with tomato paste,
add the bulgur,
add water, (as much as needed to cook the bulgur, similar to cooking rice actually)
salt/pepper to taste,
some dried mint/basil,
let it all simmer till the grains get fluffy
serve!

Sedap!

She also let me try Tarhana soup which was hmmm... interesting. It wasn't bad. I just wasn't used to it. Definitely an acquired taste.

Tarhana soup

The kids had the soup for starters, and rice with corn.

Now this I have to document - Cheeks ate corn!!! The yellow kernals were in her mouth! She chewed! (More importantly) She SWALLOWED!!!

Girl who picks on veggies chews on corn

*faint in disbelief*

I really wanted to let out a celebratory yelp. My mind was screaming 'OH.MY.GAWD' in the same irritating, nasal tone as Janice from 'Friends' (don't even ask how, or why. The brain has a mind of its own?). I could've done an impression of a real 'Injun' wardance if I knew the steps.

But no. I had to play it cool. You had corn, eh? Sure. No biggie. Cool. Groovy. Peace out, sista!

It was a 'Thank You God! Hallelujah!' moment. Truly it was.

Now, snaps!

Zubs and me, in GREEN!

With 7MO Suheyla

Yasmin & Cheeks having fun at the playground

On the 2nd day of termbreak

2008-04-08T09:08:00.009+01:00

"On the second day of termbreak my mama gave to me - 2 summery dresses, and a choc-caterpillar from Marks&Sparks!"

If given a choice, I am dead certain Cheeks would rather sleep in a dress than in her jammies. The girl is completely nutty over frocks. Her all-time favourite is a denim one bought by Mabes' mum which she insists on wearing every, single day to nursery.

Her crazed obsession began late last year. Since then, I've been subject to the same, insufferable question after bathtime, " Can I wear a dress today? Can I wear a dress today?"

And she trills this, over and over and over and...

But lo! Help has come to me in the form of these 2.99pd dresses from H&M - they be cheap & happy solutions for me poor, ailin' ears.

Oh thank you Lord. My sanity is restored.

On a surprisingly snowy Sunday...

2008-04-06T23:13:00.019+01:00

(late posting due to internet hiccups)

At the rate I am quaffing down me mugs of Milo, I fear I will DIE once my resources are depleted. *wail* then * fling body over LAST bag of Milo in abject misery*

Before you unsympathetic naysayers tut-tut at my melodramatics, let me jump in by saying - I WILL SURVIVE! Even if it means substituting Milo with le common chocolat chaud (pooh!). I will NOT be coerced into buying Milo here! Nay, never!

And, now that I've managed to break out in cold sweat...

...we be talkin' about the weather again! Yes! It be a fine topic for this continent.

Haven't you heard? It snowed here...in Spring! Gasp!

What next, I hear you whisper. Blizzards in Summer? Heatwaves in Autumn? Snow in the Sahara? Well, why not? The weather's all barmy!

Cheeks enjoying a few minutes of snowplay before church
(And yes, we were a little late.)

Guess which one is Papa Chan? Heh.

Frosty Common

Despite the bizarre weather blip, we were glad it snowed. For obvious reasons.

After church, we adjourned to Fortnum and Mason's as we'd made reservations to have tea there that afternoon. Tea was served at the newly-refurbished St James' Restaurant located on the 4th floor - one of the 5 restaurants housed in F&M's.

We arrived a little early and had to stand in the cold, waiting for the store to open its doors. But it was well worth the wait.

I enjoyed every moment of it. We all did.

Which, in a way, surprised me. Not because I didn't expect to enjoy tea there- I did - but I'd thought it would be a stuffy establishment (dresscode was 'business casual'! Like, excuse me!) with pompous waiters and so quiet an environment, you could hear a pin drop. I was all prepared to talk in hushed tones, make sure I sat 'elegantly', in manner of Mme Carla Bruni, hold teacup with pinky raised. That sort of thing.

But the service could not be more warm and inviting. Our waitstaff was attentive, smiley, and wonderfully obliging. So despite the elegant surroundings, we were able to relax quite comfortably in our upholstered armchairs, and sip tea from the beautiful bone china teacups.

Dee reminisced over his Lapsang Souchong. He said its smoky smell reminded him of his grandfather's wax umbrella. I know this sounds rather odd but that tea brought back happy childhood memories for him. And I sat there, smiling, listening to him tell me stories of his Ah Gong, even though I've heard them a thousand times.

A friend in her blog likened Sunday's snow experience (indoors), to being in a 'snowglobe'. I couldn't have described it better.

As I gazed out of the window - looking down on the view of Picadilly Circus, snowflakes flittering down onto the pavements - it did feel like I was in a snowglobe. Like the white particles had recently been churned to create the 'snow' effect, and I was one of the tiny figurines residing in the transparent orb.

If God was watching from where He was, He'd see insignificant little me, warm and toasty in a restaurant, enjoying finger sandwiches, buttery scones served with rich, thick clotted cream, lovely pastries, and Royal Tea. He would see me smile, and thank Him for this opportunity, this blessing...

After tea, we popped over to the Royal Academy of Arts. This was yet another spur of the moment decision as we didn't know F&M's was located so close to the Museum. We paid the entrance fee to visit the 'From Russia' exhibition.

Our decision to drop in for the exhibition was spurred on by the works of Monet and Renoir, some of which were being showcased. I had recently introduced both painters to Cheeks through the book 'Katie meets the Impressionists' by James Mayhew. I borrowed it from the library and it's one of her favourites. The story centres around Katie's imaginary journeys into the paintings she sees at the art gallery. It's a very creative book and it helps introduce children to famous artists/paintings. I highly recommend it.

Although the paintings featured in that book were not included in this exhibition, I was still able to interest Cheeks for some time with other Monet and Renoir paintings. I described the paintings to her, then in turn, asked her to tell me what she saw, and what she would do if she could enter the pictureframe. That way, the visit was kept interactive for her. Besides the 2 painters, I was also able to point out others like Cezanne and Gauguin, as well as other important Impressionists.

Of course, after awhile, all this proved too tiring for the little one. Still, I was glad for some 'exposure'.

Hubs and I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition and walked out a little more 'enriched'. We both like Matisse's 'Harmony in Red' and are thinking of acquiring a print replica of it for our house.

Admittedly though, Art remains very subjective. Some art I enjoy - like those produced during the Impressionist period - some remain a mystery. Some I get, some I don't. Like this one:

Black Square by Kazimir Malevich

I be simple minded. I be uncultured. Pundits call this 'the turning point in the development of Russian avant-garde'.

I say - whatever. I (still) catch no ball, or square, in this case.

Our date with Tate

2008-04-05T22:50:00.027+01:00

(a very backdated post but what the heck)

I look forward to weekends, I really really do.

We have Papa all to ourselves. For 2 WHOLE DAYS! We do things as a family. We enjoy lazy Saturday mornings. Hubs brings Cheeks swimming at the leisure centre. We chill infront of the telly, explore bits of the city, try out different cafes/restaurants - basically savour our last moments in London together.

Since returning from Singapore, we've been trying to fill our weekends with all sorts of activities. But it feels like a race against Time. We're struggling to squeeze in as much as possible, but we're losing months, days, hours, minutes, seconds. Timbaland coolly raps about how he's 'runnin' outta time'. The lyrics - they merely roll off his tongue. Me? I feel it.

And honestly... I'm starting to feel a little desperate here.

This Saturday was supposed to pass like a non-event. For the 1st time in weeks, we hadn't planned to go anywhere, or do anything that would earn us a shiny, new entry in our London logbook.

Hubs returned home Friday night absolutely knackered, and a tad flu-ey. So Saturday swimming was off and I thought we'd stay in to let him rest. But after dawdling for a large part of the morning, he suddenly decided no, we ought not waste a perfectly good weekend. So a flurry of last minute ideas began whirring in our heads - visit Portobello Market (again)? See gorillas at the London Zoo? Visit a museum? Which one? Where?

Of course, as luck would have it, by the time we were ready to scoot out of the house, it'd started to drizzle. But then, this IS London. We weren't going to let a few drops of rain hold us back! So off we went.

After a rather silly train ride toggling back and forth on different lines - we changed our minds so many times en route, you see - we found ourselves in the quiet suburb of Pimlico. Home to Tate Britain.

There was a Peter Doig exhibition going on but we're not familiar with his work, so we decided to save our pennies and give it a miss. Once inside, we made a beeline for the free family activity - the Art Trolley.

Located on the first floor of the museum, the Art Trolley is not, as the name suggests, a trolley. It's more like a huge wooden cabinet that's stocked with all sorts of material - artcard, pieces of fabric, textured cardboard, ribbon, string, cellophane etc. The idea is for children to exercise their creativity and produce artwork based on the artpieces they see at the galleries. From the trolley, they are allowed to choose any material they need, place all their supplies on trays provided, then proceed to the various galleries to begin work.

Cheeks chose a painting from the British Art section. She liked it coz it depicted a family scene (it was slightly morose but she didn't notice it so... heck!). And for the next hour and a half, we busied ourselves working on the piece together. Dee and I took turns to help her. We cut out the fabric and icecream sticks for her of course. Everything else she did on her own. The result?

The Saltonstall Family by David des Granges (Tate Britain)

The Saltonstall Family by Cheeks, Dee & Saggs, Tate Britain
Whaddya think?

Although the outing was spent largely helping Cheeks with her artwork, it was still eventful for Dee and me. We took turns exploring the museum - one would sit with Cheeks while the other browsed. So everyone benefitted. Everyone was happy.

It's such a shame the Singapore Museums are still want of such activities for children and families. Kids learn so much from such trips.

An 11 year old shared the bench with us. She was making a room out of cardboard box, magazine cuttings, and bottle caps. After we'd completed our mini project, Cheeks wandered over to lend a helping hand. Together they cut, glued, stuck, and pasted.

When we were all done, we brought our completed work back to the Art Trolley. Cheeks had her photo taken with her artwork by the museum staff (to be uploaded onto Tate's website). And for being creative, the museum bestowed her with a cool totebag.

What can I say - these museums are awesome.

Cheeks working on her artpiece...

...then gets involved in another project

Cool tote from Tate!

12 days of Termbreak

2008-04-05T02:10:00.014+01:00

(To sing to the tune of 'The 12 days of Christmas'. With great gusto.)

"On the 1st day of termbreak my Mama gave to me - choc-caterpillars* from Marks&Sparks!"

.
.
.

Oh.
to be continued...

(Zoom in if you want to see ALL the
chocolate smudges on her hands and face!)

* I know know, 'choc-caterpillars' is quite a mouthful. I DID TRY! Now, geddoverrit.

Down by the Water...

2008-04-04T22:33:00.025+01:00

I hate to do this but it seems I must - be a weather girl and deliver updates about, well, THAT. It's simply too hard a topic to eschew, what with the vagaries of THAT here.

Right. Let's get a move on the subject then, shall we?

I MUST rave about the gorgeous weather we've been having these past 2 days!!! The Sun's been too generous, treating us to huge doses of warm, golden sunbeams. We be unworthy, O sizzling One!

The days are also longer, and it feels... right. Walking home at a quarter to 7 today was utter bliss - seeing the evening sun linger on the horizon.

If only things can be consistently THIS GOOD. But good things never last. The weather people at the meteorological station have already indicated there'll be showers over the weekend. GAH!

+++++

Cheeks and I were invited to a friend's place for lunch over at Canada Water today. Joanne is someone we got to know at a SUKA event. We've since dropped our membership with SUKA but continued to keep in touch with Joanne. Mostly through FB.

This was our first visit to Jo's, and our 2nd time walking around Canada Water. I shouldn't include our first experience, really, since it was dark by the time we arrived and I couldn't quite acquaint myself with the area. But what I saw today, I liked.

I didn't get to walk around the shopping area yet again but the way to Jo's was an eye-opener in itself. The residential area in Canada Water is so unlike other parts of London. The bits I walked through had none of that old, grotty, run-down feel that is evident in so many of the suburbs. And it had a quiet serenity about it - which I can't quite put my finger on - less hustle and bustle, less traffic? Cheeks and I strolled past lovely, low-rise, gated apartments, neat rows of new-ish brick houses, and stood on a crossover, admiring the canal that runs through Canada Water and Surrey Water. So pretty.

Lunch was simple yet delicious home-cooked pineapple pork and fried rice. Besides us, Jo had also invited another friend, Shasha, who's from Beijing. We had a riotous time sharing anecdotes/opinions on the NHS, the reserved Brits, their work, life in the UK, the weather (again!!!), laughing over HK celebrity scandals, SPGs, the transport system, anything!

Jo also introduced the BEST bottled chilli to me which I must now hunt down at Leicester Sq. It was shiokus! And I made banoffee pie for all to share over a cuppa. Which, they were kind to compliment. *tiny beam*

Cheeks behaved immaculately all afternoon. While we ladies chatted, she entertained herself by watching Cbeebies, played happily with Jo's Sylvanian family dollhouses and figurines (Jo's a huge fan!), and made clay people which we later baked in the oven and brought home as momentos.

She didn't fuss for attention. Ok, maybe a teeny bit. So I was able to enjoy adult conversation/ company, with little interruption.

And that was my extra bit of blessing for today - getting some time away from Cheeks, yet having her right there with me. All topped off with glorious weather, now let's not forget THAT! :)

my cheeky litte angel ...sometimes. :)

Asserting Oneself

2008-04-02T17:22:00.010+01:00

(4ish PM. Door opens. Cheeks finds me, seated.)

D: Mama, can I have a snack on the way to the supermarket?
M: No, you can't. You just had some snacks.
D: But I only had 2 snacks.
M: No, you had 3. You had a sandwich, a chocolate egg and some biscuits... AND milk.
D: (pouts) But I want to eat something on the way to the supermarket!
M: You don't always have to eat something on the way to somewhere!
D: Oh yes I do!
M: No, you don't!
D: Yes, I do! I do! I do!
(huffs)
D: (imperiously) I'm going to put you in your room.
M: Why?
D: Becoz you are squibbling with me.
M: Squibbling?
D: Yes, we are having a quarrel.
M: Oh, you mean squabbling!
D: Yes, Sqaaw-ber-ling!
D: Now. I will let you be in the room, ALL BY YOURSELF!
(Closes bathroom door)
M: (mumbles to self) Sure, I don't mind being in 'the room'. I'm stuck here on 'the throne' anyway! *sniggers*

Starry starry eyed

2008-04-01T11:13:00.013+01:00

There's something rather equine-like about Kate Moss. Oh I know, she's a 'clotheshorse'! Now excuse me while I kick myself in the rear for this neighsty joke. I'm just horsin' around, peeps! It is, afterall, April Fool's. One should be allowed barn, I mean, bad jokes.

I've been doing quite a bit of stargazing lately. Unfortunately, this recent obsession with constellations has little, no, NOTHING to do with astronomy. It's the 5-point figure I like. In tiny prints. Make that a motif of stars.

Why? I be finger pointin' at Kate Moss.

Sometime last month, she celebrated her 34th bday in true celebrity fashion by stepping out in this stunning, starry Chanel number. I don't care much for KM herself but have to admit, she has an effortless style about her that's hard to ignore. And I thought she dazzled in this ensemble. So commit to the stars, I did.

KM in that starprint jumpsuit & sheer dress by Chanel

But wait. I can scarcely afford this 5-figure Chanel dress! So what's the next best thing a girl can do? Scour around for similar type outfits of course, especially with smaller pricetags. Here are some sparkly numbers I've been eyeing:

I like the top left corner one best. Because of the feminine pussybow. Perhaps when the price is right, I'll be able to sprinkle some of that stardust in my cupboard too!

Out of a muddle puddle

2008-03-31T10:37:00.014+01:00

On Saturday, somewhere between Battersea and Chelsea - as bus 137 trundled along its planned route over Chelsea bridge - Cheeks rattled off, 'D-A-N-I-E-L-L-E! That's MY name!'

It was the first time I'd heard her spell out her name correctly, all by herself. Her other spelling attempts always began well with letters 'D' and 'A', then got a little fuzzy in the middle, but always managed to end off confidently with 'ELLE'. The repetitive 'Ls' and 'Es' were easier to commit to memory? I don't know.

So Saturday's name spelling was no small feat. Not to her Papa and me at least. I think we'd always assumed she'd take some time to learn to spell her name, seeing the number of alphabets involved. But she finally got all the letters down pat.

Hubs and I gave her a thunderous applause. Right there, on the bus.

+++++++

Today, she finally learned how to write the numbers '5' and '9'. She'd always found writing these two numbers a little tricky and despite patient coaxing, would give up halfway.

For '9', I tried to make it easier by asking her to draw a circle with a long stick by its side. She took one look at it today and said it looked like 'a person's head with long hair'. After that, she wrote it out exactly the way she saw it.

'5' was more challenging. She'd always managed to get through the first bits - the horizontal then vertical line - but the curve was somehow beyond her. I asked her to imagine it as a hook, but to no success. But something must've clicked inside her today coz when I showed her the strokes, she suddenly exclaimed, 'the curve is round like a pregnant woman's tummy!'

She couldn't have written the number more perfectly after that.

I guess it's very true how children learn things at their own pace, and in their own time. It's now my turn to learn, and commit that to memory.

TIME

2008-03-31T00:54:00.005+01:00

Day light saving started on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 1:00 AM local standard time.
Current time zone offset: GMT +1 hour.

Tea buds do Ladurée ...

2008-03-28T19:12:00.026Z

In part 3 of our continuing 'Tea Buds' series, the fanteastic foursome, Valelee, Saggs, Cheeks & Woof (better known as Luke, but he likes to pretend to be a dog sometimes so let's call him 'Woof' today, shall we?), found themselves in the more upmarket part of London - Knightsbridge, home to the world-famous Harrods department store.

Knightsbridge is the epicentre of the rich and richer, and trawling haunt for fashionistas with a penchant for expensive, high fashion.

As Cheeks and I ambled along Brompton Road, gazing into shopwindows, I chanced on a pretty, pink display at Harrods that featured a joint promotion between Moët et Chandon and Ladurée, the renowned french patisserie. The display made mention that a Ladurée tearoom was located on the ground level at Harrods. I'd never tried Ladurée's famed macarons, much less experience a quintessential french salon de thé, so the idea was extremely appealing. I wasn't sure if Woof and Val'lee would be ok with my suggestion but they were very sweet and obliged, despite having visited Ladurée while on holiday to Paris.

The Ladurée tearoom is situated at the far end of Harrods, through the foodhalls, past the Krispy Kreme counter. It doesn't have a lot of seating and is split to 2 areas - dining in the brasserie, and a 'tea only' section. We were offered a table by the windows by the friendly waitstaff. I was very taken with the pastel-hued surroundings and wall display neatly stacked with giftboxes, tea cannisters and the prettiest satin ribbons you ever did see! A pity photography was not permitted in the tearoom, but under the guise of taking shots of the kids, I surreptitiously snuck in a snap or two, like this one of Woof:

how's THIS for sneaky? heh.

After surveying both menu and the irresistable panoply of pastries at the counter, I laid my bets on Macaron Pommes Caramel, while Val'lee opted for her favourite, Ispahan, which she adores because it contains lychee. We each ordered a pot of tea - Val had Thé Royal aux fruits, a blend of China and Ceylon tea with cornflower and scented with black wildfruits, red berries and flowers, whilst I had Thé Mélange Spécial Ladurée, a delicious blend of orange, rose, vanilla and cinammon. Comforting!

I now understand why Ladurée is a much-lauded patisserie. Unfortunately, I'm an amateur when it comes to writing up a proper food assessment. I have but a tacky hyperbole to describe the moment I bit into my crisp-shelled, apple and caramel filled macaron - I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.

It was gorgeous. Fragrant roasted apples paired with thick, gooey caramel cream. Together, they were a match made in dessert heaven. I was sweetly sated.

Whilst their mums basked in sweet, heavenly decadence, the children entertained themselves by being 'LOUD & LOUDER'; they pretended to call their dads on their mummies' mobile phones, played nicely, then bickered with each other. It was clear they cared nothing for the propriety of the tearoom!

Woof wolfing down his pistachio macaroon

the customary 'after tea' shot

So after taking a last, lingering swig of my tea, we reluctantly left Ladurée and adjourned round the bend to Hyde Park.

Once at the park, the children took off like a bunch of feral monkeys on the loose. They scurried hither and thither, refusing to heed our frenzied hollers directing them to go 'this way!' and 'that'! They made their poor ol' mums run races with them. They pretended to be firefighters, taking turns to use Cheeks' yellow umbrella as a waterhose to put out fires which were 'torching': 1) their mums (!!!), 2) trees, 3) dustbins, 4) postboxes. For the rest of the time, they happily picked up twigs, walked hand in hand, sang silly songs, held private conversations with each other.

They had a GRAND time.

And what of Val'lee and me? We became human icicles.

Damsel in distress, Cheeks, calmly calls Firefighter Woof on
her mobile, then patiently waits to be rescued

not quite lapdancing but there were
pretty nifty lap-patting moves goin' on there!

A Walk to Remember

2008-03-28T00:35:00.011Z

We took full advantage of the absence of rain to spend time at the Common yesterday. I realised how much I've missed it even though our last visit was a mere few weeks ago.

All around us was the blossoming evidence of Spring.

I've walked the Common a thousand times since moving here. So many sections are familiar to me. But today I took my time to acquaint myself with it. All over again. I lingered to admire, to appreciate, to take in the vast expanse of greenary around me.

If only my mind could somehow retain, capture scenes the way I see them, I could play them back, again and again, like one of those scenic powerpoint presentations we so often receive through email. But our ability to remember, though amazing, is unreliable. And to commit everything simply to memory would be somewhat imprudent, ill-advised? Too careless an action. For memory is but a mental impression. And that, will fade over time.

I cannot leave such moments to chance. I do not want to strain to remember. But perhaps through these, I'll never forget.

Never marry a man...

2008-03-27T17:48:00.007Z

...who throws his weight around!
all 16 1/2 kg of it! ;)

For better or for worse...

2008-03-26T22:24:00.002Z

to have & to hold...

Sometimes the relationship between a mother and child feels vaguely connubial.

When we become parents, do we not enter a sacred covenant ordained by God to be earthly guardians of our children? Do we not vow to love, comfort, honour and keep, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and love... as long as you both shall live? (I'm paraphrasing a bit here but you get the idea.)

I can think of so many ways parenthood can be likened to a marriage. Let's see, we:

Prepare their meals,
Launder/iron/fold away their clothes,
Clean up after them,
Make their beds,
Smother them with 'hello' and 'goodbye' kisses
Make time for them,
Invest time building that strong, meaningful bond,
Share their meals, lament the amount of wastage when there are leftovers,
TRY HARD NOT to eat their scraps,
Share many precious, loving moments with them,
Listen to them talk, or at best pretend to listen to them jabber on and on
Patronize them (guilty!)
Listen to their grouses, their victories, their stories (tall, or otherwise)
Guffaw at their jokes, yes, even the bad ones
Encourage them when they fail,
Buy their underthongs, toiletries... stuff
Cajole them into doing things WE want them to do (oh yeah...),
Worry about them,
Care for them when they're sick,
Catch them when they fall
Love them like every day's the last

How's that for a list?

Still, despite the conjugal similarities, there are differences. 'course there are.

There is no courtship before this 'marriage'. No weeks/months/ years spent wooing, beguiling, impressing. No sitting around, twiddling thumbs, waiting for that warm fuzzy feeling to bulldoze its way into our hearts.

After birth, we're thrust with a child who - love or loathe - is ours for keeps.

We have no say in choosing a parent or a child. We're not shown swatches, nor given a grand selection to pick and choose from. We can't try on for size. There's no waiting around to see 'if the shoe fits'.

Because every thing is decided by God, in toto.

Perhaps that's why I can't help but feel Cheeks has the raw end of the deal here.

Instead of a mum, she's stuck with an idiosyncratic, impatient, dismissive, emotional, highly strung, stickler for rules and schedules, disciplinarian, persistent nag, boring old stick-in-the-mud.

(In case you're thinking it - no, I'm not attempting to self-deprecate.)

How often I've failed her. My Achilles' heel being my perennial inability to curb the torrent of emotions within me. I emote too easily, recklessly. But as a mum, you simply can't give in to impulsive emotions. You. Just. Can't.

Yet time and time again, I do.

Sometimes I watch her, watching me. I notice how she cowers ashamedly when I show my displeasure or disappointment. How visibly distraught she is when I'm upset. How she reacts nervously when I'm impatient with her.

And in my moments of delirious fury - when my face darkens and my voice transforms into a thunderous boom box - her apple-shaped face crumples up, her tears fall like rain. She reaches out for me, arms extended half the way, wanting to be held and comforted, yet unsure, afraid. She's desperate to know if I still love her, and when I hold out my arms, she quickly burrows her head in my chest, and whimpers, 'I'm so sorry, Mummy, I won't be naughty again', or 'I love you, Mummy. Even when you're naughty,' after I've given her a lashing.

And my heart - it dies inside of me.

I worry how my thoughtless words and actions will have an adverse effect on her. But often, it's a thought that pops to mind too little, too late.

Many a time, I feel I'm the one who should be apologising for appalling behaviour. I'm the one who needs the assurance that despite my foibles, I'm still loved.

But Cheeks, she's always a step ahead. She offers them to me ever readily, freely.

My manjah munchkin is always quick to proffer cuddles, profess 'I love you so so much, Mummy', pucker up for a kiss - sometimes for no apparent reason.

She makes me feel loved. All the time.

I am totally undeserving of this adoration. This love and adoration that seem to echo the marital vows 'for better or for worse'.

So here's mummy thanking you for loving me, Cheeks. Even when I'm naughty...even at my worst.

Cornwall

2008-03-25T23:20:00.013Z

I began this post a million different ways in my head. I even scribbled notes (in bullet points!) because I didn't want to leave any memory out. But I'm sure I have, inevitably.

Despite the lovely holiday, it's great to be back in London and I'm immensely grateful for today's burst of sunshine. If only the Easter weekend could've been this sunshiney. Still, I cannot gripe since we were blessed with good weather on most accounts.

For the past 4 days, we immersed ourselves in Cornwall history, food, culture, enjoyed every square mile of its breathtaking coastal view. From scrumptious cod & cornish cream tea to cliffs & coastlines, it's no wonder many have fallen for the quiet charm of Cornwall.

+++++

I had in mind a whole list of things I wanted to share with you about our trip but it's hard to write when you're not 100%. And I'm not. So I find myself struggling to find the words. Sorry about that.

I have no choice but to leave my memories of our trip in those bullet points I spoke of earlier. Unfortunately, they will neither paint a decent picture, nor do the lovely hols any justice. But, they are all I can manage for now. I am putting up some photos though. Perhaps they will help give you a glimpse of our sojourn there. Afterall, nothing says it better than pictures. Sometimes.

Harbour beach @ St Ives

A fishing village called Mousehole (pronounced as 'Mow-zel') that we visited

Blotches of memories:

Crazy detour to Wales due to my folly. Saw a magnificent rainbow there though.
Daffodils, snowdrops growing willy nilly by the side of roads
Enjoying delicious Cornish cream tea
Experiencing hailstones at Lands End
Almost blown away by gusty winds
Sent various postcards to self
Vast expanse of sky that went unobstructed for miles
Amiable locals
Great seafood
The distinct smell of charcoal emitting from village chimneys
Half-dressed children playing by the beach, running in and out of the water, having absolutely no concept of cold
Cheeks the social butterfly, making friends with children at Hastletown Pub/Inn
Cheeks ordering food on her own at The Mermaid Seafood Restaurant. Asked for 'more water please!'
Went off the beaten track, visited a lavender farm in Devon. Made friends with farm cats Eleanor and Tabitha
Cheeks eating baked beans and brocolli!
Cheeks suffering from motion sickness and vomiting twice in the car. Over the same side of my sleeve
Hair is slapped across forehead in almost every photo due to gusty winds. Bah!
Listening to Simply Red's 'For your babies' during a car ride and feeling on top of the world
Lovely stay at 'The Hollies', our B&B. Great breakfast every morning.
Visited a local 'Craft Farye' in Hartland, Devon. Tried malt cake for the 1st time. Bought the best fudge.

My favourite shot of the whole trip - craft hanging outside a shop

Hubs keeps it together with a beanie. I, on the other hand...

Cheeks building sandcastles at Harbour Beach, St Ives

The first time I've seen a child play at the beach in winterwear!

The rocky cliffs @ Lands End

Before Easter

2008-03-20T14:22:00.014Z

I'm listening to tracks from Maria Lanza: The Essential Collection off iTunes. Picked up the CD while out on a jaunt to Sainsbury's. For 2 quid, I get a double CD of his ultimate hits. Woot! But geez, how my tastes in music are changing, and mirroring those of my Dad's. Point to note.

There are days where Hubs looks at me fixedly and utters 4 'magical' words - You. Should. Blog. This.

Today, is one such day.

Hubs would like me to remember TODAY - carve it in stone for all eternity if you will - because (he thinks) it marks a milestone for me.

I successfully baked a cake. He loved it.

And there you have it. In 2 disjointed sentences. My ONE achievement for 2008.

Then began his sagely speech on the virtues of practice, how MIL didn't get to where she is without practice... lah dee dah.

Bottomline, he's proud of me. But geez, I feel like a 5YO getting a smiley star for a job well done? Fine, shall not be ungrateful. He's a v supportive hub and I'm truly, truly blessed. I know that. I married him, didn't I? :)

I don't have a pretty picture of the banana cake (recipe courtesy of Happy Home Baking ) but no matter. Me blogging this is all I need to conjure the image of him enjoying morsel after morsel in my mind.

So what happened over the course of the week? I feel like I have to religiously jot down my weekly goings-on, from now up till the day we leave. Which, we've set on 20 July, btw. Hey, I sound pretty calm revealing this over blogosphere! Did I mention the vigorous heart palpitation as I typed THE DATE out?! Breathe, breathe, breathe...

Loads to look forward to though, going back - minor renovations to the flat, getting Cheeks settled into a new nursery, thinking about work options, and of course celebrating my 33rd year on Planet Earth! I haven't had a proper celebration in yonks so methinks a nice party is in order, eh boys and girls? *WINK*

Coming back to the week's events. 'Twas a usual week, dappled with some sunny highlights:

Went through 3 new DVDs - Annie Hall, Shadowlands (cried buckets!), & On Golden Pond -- Val, they'll be heading your way!
Lovely playdate @ Yao's
Cheeks made Easter cards for her fav friends at nursery - Poppy, Hannah, Sebestian (but of course)
Made that deeeeeeelicious banana cake

Also, here's a bit of personal trivia I thought I'd share. I'm in luuuuurv truly. madly. deeply with COUSCOUS!

For the past 2ish weeks, I've been scoffing down bowls of these fluffy grains at PRACTICALLY EVERY MEAL! I'm compulsive, I know I know. I fear I'll have to chow down bags full of cc till I finally tire of it, or die of excessive consumption, whichever comes first. Man, I really LOVE that stuff! That, and marks&sparks 'Percy Pig'. Me be nibblin' on Percy's ears now. Chew-weeee!

And lastly,

HAPPY EASTER WEEKEND, y'all!
We're off to Cornwall!

The tale of the animals who went under covers

2008-03-19T20:17:00.032Z

One hot, summery day, a long long LONG time ago, the animals on Earth - silly, loopy creatures that they were - decided to take a leaf out of Adam & Eve's book, and clothe themselves in garments.

So they did.

After the last animal had been clothed and dressed, they went about the savannah doing exactly what they did every, single day. As if nothing was amiss! They sun-bathed in the muddy murky river, grazed lazily on the grassy plains, stretched out their legs for a run, and kept an eye out for easy prey. They did EVERYTHING with clothes on!

They were rather pleased with their new looks and some animals, I have to admit, looked rather stylish.

Giraffe - looked stately in her poncho

Elephant - preferred to keep things under wraps

even Gorilla sported white, sexy underpants!

Then one day, a young zebra, who'd braved rocky terrain, arrived at the savannah. He was not from those parts and had walked a great distance. He was a handsome beast with shiny black and white stripes and a mohawk-like mane. He knew nothing of the clothing madness that had taken over the savannah.

The animals were aghast when they saw him. Nervous whispers buzzed around the animal community - Who was this zebra? Where did he come from? But more importantly, why was he NAKED?!!

The female creatures felt faint with embarrassment. The males went hot under the collar appalled by the young zebra's lack of decorum. They marched up to him in unison - while trying hard not to trip over their long gowns - and demanded an explanation.

(Suddenly, a hunter with gigantic binoculars appeared from nowhere! The hunter was kind and did not seek to harm the animals, merely to observe them. Imagine her surprise when she found she'd stumbled on a rather peculiar scene. As you'd expect, she could hardly contain her excitement so she whipped out her binos to take a closer look. But let's not dwell on this insipid character since she's not critical to the story, shall we?)

So where were we? Ah yes, the affronted animals and the 'naked' zebra.

They marched up to the bewildered zebra.

'How dare you enter our grounds without any clothes on! Have you no shame?' they bellowed.

'Clothes? What need have I for threads when God has blessed me with a handsome black and white coat?' the zebra replied, quizzically.

He continued, 'Why should all of you be clothed in garments when God has given you gorgeous feathers, silky hair, thick luscious fur, cool scales and hides of different wonderful prints & patterns? Why do you hide your natural beauty under uncomfortable clothes? Shouldn't you be proud of what God's given you, and be comfortable in your own skin?'

Startled by this revelation, the animals suddenly felt silly and very ashamed. Slowly, one by one, they took off their ridiculous garments and... began preening themselves rather furiously, worried that the clothes might have inflicted damage on their God-given skin!

Later that night, everyone threw their clothes into a heap and burned the lot. (Well, not quite everybody. Gorilla, kept his pants on because he suffered from incontinence.)

When the flames died down, all the animals gathered at the savannah square and feasted on a gigantic lemon because, ahem, it happened to be lying around.

THE END (thank God!)

In the wee small hours of the morning

2008-03-17T10:44:00.009Z

At precisely 3:48am this morning, I got out of bed, groped my way through semi-darkness to the far end of the house, got under the covers and snuggled up next to Cheeks. On her bed.

It was a surprising reversal of roles.

Today, the little one did not have to wake up to yet another one of Mummy's 'disappearing acts'. Neither did she have to drag her limp body and favourite bolster to papa and mummy's bed in search of comfort and security.

Because today, Mummy did the seeking instead.

As I lay beside her, my unsettled mind began to calm - miraculously lulled by the sounds her snorts and snores, and the steady thumping of her heart as I lay my head against her back. I clasped her cool feet in my hands - slightly miffed that she'd taken her woolly socks off again - and within minutes, drifted to sleep.

I felt safe, comforted.

And I'm the Mummy.

I've always heard it said that 'children are a blessing from God' but I never quite realised the depth of its meaning, or how real it is in my life. For all the heartaches, sacrifices, difficulties we endure for them, with them, our children remain our little BIG blessings.

You may not know it now but as much as they need us, we as parents, need them too.

I was a little late finding that out. But I'm glad I eventually did. Today.

Renewed

2008-03-13T22:17:00.016Z

Cheeks with Xueying and May

Here's a photo to make some of you gawk in disbelief. That's Xueying in the photo alright. Not some superimposed shot of her plastered next to Cheeks who, I might add, is grinning rather contrivedly in the Taiwanese snack joint.

I brought Cheeks to Leicester Square today to hang out with old schoolmate, Xueying, and her flatmate, May.

This was not our first meetup with Xueying in London. We caught up over local food at Bugis Street Brasserie off Gloucester Road some weeks ago. The local fare there is satisfactory enough, although I still feel it pales beside Malaysian-run C&R.

So the next time Xueying and I decided to meet, I told her I'd introduce her to the more authentic spread at C&R. She and May were not disappointed with their cha kway teow and nasi lemak orders. :)

Xueying and I go a long way. We were in the same primary school together and were in the same class in lower secondary. I learned she was in the UK through a mutual friend of ours who alerted me via Facebook. The wonders of networking websites!

I haven't seen this girl in eons but was pleased to catch up on her current life. She's here doing a 3rd Masters (!!!!) but before this, she worked as a curator in some of Singapore's museums as well as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple/Museum in Chinatown.

Anyway, I'm glad to be able to rekindle an old friendship, and thankful for the chance to catch up from where we left off.

Creative Xueying folding
a paper napkin 'monster' for Cheeks

Musings in the time of a Tempest

2008-03-12T19:26:00.030Z

This has got to be a hasty post!

The internet connection has, for the past 2 days, been most sporadic. Never have I played a more competitive game of 'peekaboo' with an electrical device. Our modem has been teasing (taunting, more like) me incessantly with flickers of hope - a hope that bears a certain greenish gleam that signals "Yes! We have liftoff". But ohhh no, the insufferable contraption chooses to remain unflaggingly erratic - denying me entry into cyberspace.

I've tried different means of getting it to function. I've done the whole 'I'm not looking at you, so you go ahead and do your thang' thing, I've stolen furtive glances, mere glimpses, only now and then, so it doesn't feel the 'pressure' to perform. I've even left the computer off for HOURS ON END (which is over and above what I can manage!). Yet, it remains unmoved. Just irritatingly skirt-ish.

I am most distressed. And I blame it all on the confounded weather again! This whole not being able to connect nonsense? It's the WEATHER's doing!!!

Now, most people when left with one less preoccupation flitter naturally to some other more productive means of pastime. Uh uh, not me. I am not 'most people'.

In fact, I am an embarrassing excuse for a human being.

I should be more productive. Instead, in the hours left to my own devices - when Cheeks goes off to nursery - I re-watch videos, try to take power naps, iron, snack on the bed, flip through free mags, mooch around. Before you know it, it's time to pick Cheeks up and I'm none the wiser, literally. Literarily.

I should read more. By my bed are 4 books I've purchased from thriftshops: Atonement, The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing, Anybody Out There, & Under the Duvet by Marian Keyes. They would constitute as easy reads, would they not? Instead, I find myself strangely (read: mind bogglingly) hesitant, almost digging in my heels from picking them up and poring over page after page of easy literature.

I'm daft, in this draught. ---> Oh, humour me.

So anyway, hey! So much for a hurried post! Verbose, c'est moi.

One beary blustery day...

2008-03-10T13:32:00.023Z

1/2 a chocolate easter egg (thanks Ros! I had the Flake one. Err, but were they meant for Cheeks? Opps.), 1.5 packets of Maggi Mee (assam laksa), 1 mug of milky tea, and a couple of Charlie and Lola episodes after, I am not closer to shaking off this 'blue bug' that's been plaguing me all day.

It's going to be a sluggish, dreary week what with depressing reports from the 'Bay-bay-say' on v stormy weather ahead. When Cheeks and I popped out to her nursery and the supermarket, we could already see varying levels of devastation left in the wake of them raging winds - mangled, turned-out brollies, fallen sign boards, stray dustbin lids - littering the pavements.

It is so NOT umbrella weather.

And I'm in desperate need of a laugh.

Yet, I find out later, it takes very little to lift the spirits.

There's no wow factor in the activity Cheeks and I engaged in. So alright, we baked again. What's new?

The thing is, despite the rather frequent sessions, baking remains a big deal for me.

You see, I am not prodigiously adept in baking, cooking or anything that involves being holed up in the kitchen for hours on end. It takes some measure of willpower to get me into that part of the house, much less work from it. So whenever we complete a 'kitcheny project', I can't help but feel a tremendous sense of achievement.

I got this recipe off a blogsite Roslyn directed me to. And I think it's amazing. The recipes are easy to follow and the author of the blog is - get this - a mother of TWO... now wait for it...BOYS! Honestly, I don't know how these mothers do it. I find myself constantly floored...

So anyhoo, Cheeks and I slaved all afternoon to create these:

Beary milo biscuits!

Will you take a look at that ginormous grin on her face? Now that, was all I needed to quell the pesky blue bug.

Dental Ditty

2008-03-06T12:23:00.011Z

This, is Cheek's toothbrush. Or otherwise known as Captain Toothbrush.

In case you're wondering why the honorific for a common bathroom object, let me assure you it's purely tactical. We've not turned looney here.

Our bathroom seems to be the backdrop of choice for many of Cheeks most atrocious outbursts. I blogged her bathtime 'madness' previously, and now have to add teethbrushing woes to the list. She prances wildly round the bathroom, squeals, squirms, goes on a kicking rampage, gnashes her teeth when I advance towards her with the toothbrush.

Please! Tell me that other mothers face the same problems with their kids during teethbrushing! Tell me I'm not alone!

The tussles I get into with Cheeks at EVERY SINGLE teethbrushing episode make me think it might be easier to train a koala to do circus tricks, persuade an eskimo to migrate to a desert, convince MJ that he's REALLY black, not white, than it is to get my daughter's 'wired shut jaws' to open.

I've tried various methods to get round the problem, but have to say this latest attempt has met with the greatest success.

I've made up a silly ditty. With accompanying marching actions coz, ehh, it's got a marching band tempo goin' on there.

So now, before we brush her teeth, I do a whole song and dance number just to prep her for the session. She's been lapping it up and getting her pearly whites polished in the process. Score!

I'd sing it for you but I fear you'd barf all over your screen, your ears melt into your temporal regions, or something vile happens to your innards.

Hence, I leave you with its amateurish lyrics. Perhaps when Cheeks gets the words down pat, I'll upload a video of her 'performance'.

Capt'n Toothbrush will save your teeth
When he flies to spaceship mouth!
Capt'n Toothbrush will kill the germs
that make cavities in your mouth!

Blast! Blast! --> Cheeks fav part of the song

Speaking of ditties, I'm reminded of this beautiful one which not only bolstered ad retention but worked wonders for its campaign.

Remember?

Age of Reason

2008-03-05T23:16:00.005Z

I'm one tiny step away from reaching the end of my tether, and one mammoth step closer to taking a suicidal leap into the fiery depths of (parental) Hades! Because hell, I want to be a diabolical mum!

Pardon the theatrics again. The drama mama in me cannot help rear her flamboyant head. Remember, peranakan blood yada yada yada...? Ok enough.

Lately, I've been consumed with nefarious thoughts towards my cheeky offspring.

You see, she's been acting like a rabid mule - madly stubborn. So in my mind, I've been playing out scenes that involve hitting her head *gleefully* with a skillet to render her unconscious, slinging her over my shoulder, then dropping her like a sack of potatoes infront of her school's frontgate. Leave her to the experts!

But the problem is - school. That IS her problem.

The past 72 hours have been a nightmare where taking her to nursery is concerned.

My poor ears have been subject to screams, yells, wails, howls and yowls of varying decibels. The girl's begged to be left alone, left at home. Her behaviour at the dropoff have invited horrified stares from other mums. Even the principal had to step in, the teachers had to pry her from my ankles. That was lovely day 1. Drama.

(I should not have sent her to school on the day we arrived back in London. But I thought - against better judgement - that by keeping her awake, she'd be able to shake off her jetlag quickly. Deranged is me.)

Day 2 fared no better. She began the waterworks at bathtime. Then came a litany of complaints involving Sebestian calling her 'ugly', classmates throwing things at her and calling her 'impertinent' (!!!), teachers not liking her et cetera. To be honest, I wasn't sure if she was telling the truth but decided that if she was really getting bullied, she'd just have to learn to stand up for herself. But I had a niggling feeling she was fibbing to get herself off the hook. That day, she single-handedly pulled the nursery down, brick by brick, with her screaming.

Day 3 (today). Before she can pull any stunts on me, I sit her down for a MAJOR pep talk. Tell her no amount of tears is going to make Mummy change her mind about school. If she isn't liked at school, no matter, Mummy & Papa love her. Sebestian thinks she's ugly? Poppycock, Mummy thinks she's beautiful, God made her beautiful, so she should ignore other people's comments. I tell her I know she can be brave at school and that' ll make me so proud of her. But, I hastily add that if she REALLY wants to stay at home then she' ll have to stay in her room ALL DAY and be IGNORED. Now, is that what she wants? I then leave her to her thoughts.

That had to be the clincher. Coz 10 minutes later, she walks up to me, lips quivering, blinking back tears, tells me she's sorry for making me upset, asks for a cuddle and promises she will not be difficult at nursery later .

And she wasn't. Huzzah!

Well, I've made myself sleepy writing this long post. My tenses are running all over the place and I am now stuck with no pithy ending.

Just to add...

It must be awfully unsettling for her to come back after such a fun-filled holiday. I'm just glad she finally relented and opened up to reasoning.

How long more will she bend to reasoning? I'm not sure. But I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.

Hoooooooooooboy.

Home

2008-03-03T07:07:00.010Z

Ask me what I miss most about Singapore and I'll tell you - hand over heart, barring family and friends - it's the ability to come out of the shower, dripping wet, with absolutely no fear of catching a chill.

Honest to goodness.

I ain't loving the return of the goosebumpy chicken skin reaction that surfaces post shower.

Apart from that, it's good to be home. Here. Although, quite ironically, London isn't home, nor is this old Victorian conversion flat our very own pad. Yet, everything feels safe and familiar. Everything is just as it was. My plant is still stubbornly on strike, refusing to flower. It's all bendy windy, with stalks careening towards the kitchen window trying to catch some sun. Our laundry sits dry on the horserack. My towel is draped over the radiator. And I can still catch whiffs of our 'beddy scent' in our room.

It was, afterall, 12 short days. Even then, I did miss home and life here.

This trip to Singapore was something of a foretaste of life back on our sunny isle. A family life chockablock with social commitments and activities.

We were forever zipping somewhere, filling time with something, perpetually meeting with people. We scarcely left time for ourselves - moments where it was just us. The 3 of us. Of course there were pockets of time where we'd (individually, unfortunately.) spend time with Cheeks - Dee brought her swimming, I brought her almost everywhere with me and utilised transport time to catch up with her, talk to her.

But aside from such moments, well.

In case I sound like I'm griping, I'd like to qualify by saying I know we had a choice. We could've lain low but Hubs and I - with our proclivity for social activities - chose to meet with people close and dear to us. So we did.

And it felt as though we'd never left. Apart from the new buildings, new facades, new attractions, new T3 - the constant strive for progress that's expected of Singapore - nothing else felt new.

The kids squealed at the mere sight of each other, smiley faces abound, uncontrived conversation - our 12 days were filled with raucous, side-splitting laughter, tears of joy, sentimental moments, great catchups, overindulgence, joyous celebrations, eager pursuits of the baby trail.

Come July, this may well be the sort life we lead henceforth.

Yet, a little part of me wonders whether I'm prepared to embrace it all again.

We've quickly eased back to life here. Hubs has left for work, I resumed my daily routine with Cheeks, I packed her off to the nursery, I did the laundry and ironing, picked Cheeks up, we played, read stories, ate dinner, slept.

Life here, though markedly quieter, is wholly ours. Time is ours. And it's just us. Just the 3 of us.

With a mere 3 odd months to go - whilst I'm excited & eager to return to all whom I love and hold dear - a part of me is sad to let go of this life. My home, here.

We heart Cookies

2008-02-18T22:33:00.019Z

Last Sunday (17 Feb), on the spur of a moment, I decided to bake belated birthday cookies for my niece, Huihui. She turned 5 this Valentine's Day.

Because we missed her bday do entirely, I wanted to make it up to her by surprising her with a batch of heart-shaped cookies - to show we were thinking of her despite the distance. But what began as a simple surprise became a full-fledged cookie-fest and I ended up baking for all the family.

For my Valentine girl

For the Tays

For ma folks
No icing as they'd find it too cloyingly sweet

Cheeks was ever the eager beaver. As a show of her 'commitment' to the baking session, she donned her HelloKitty apron, her groovy sleeve protectors, and took out her toy rolling pin and cookie cutters. She did all these BY HERSELF. She was that enthusiastic.

And as expected, she OD-ed on cookie dough and icing.

But we had oodles of fun and loads of pretty cookies after, and that's all that counts, eh? :)

Smiley faced hippo by Cheeks which she did for herself
It vanished within seconds of this photo

4 Weddings and another one...

2008-02-18T01:38:00.003Z

As some of you may know, we'll be back in Singapore very soon to attend my brother's wedding. On my wedding checklist:

* Kebaya (check)
* Kerosang (check)
* Church wedding outfit & shoes (check, check)
* Accessories to be worn during wedding (check)
* Handmade 'Just Married' sign (check)

and, last but not least... copies of my wedding speech.

Yes, I've been asked again. For the 5th time. In my lifetime.

I really hope this is the last.

Will there be torrential rain and flashfloods? Oh, I don't know. I'm just going to do my best and speak from the heart.

Ian/Geri, if you're reading this - it is done. *hugs*

RED

2008-02-15T13:36:00.009Z

I'm almost tempted to put this down as a serious case of conjunctivitis - seeing how we've been subjecting our eyeballs to so much red lately they've turned quite scarlet.

It's the crimson-hued festivals we've been celebrating, you see. Red banners, posters, hearts, roses, chocolate boxes, lanterns, firecrackers, balloons - everywhere is splashed with ruby red or dazzling gold. They're hard to miss, much less ignore.

We're not griping the fiery hue though. How can we when it's brought us through 2 very joyful and abundant occasions filled with friends, feasting, but most of all, Love.

For those who love and are loved...

2008-02-14T08:36:00.008Z

May it be forever.

Tea buds

2008-02-13T21:31:00.007Z

A cup of tea solves everything.

(age-old British saying)

For a nation that consumes a staggering 165 million cups of tea per day (surpassed only by water), refusing a warm cuppa, when proffered, would almost be considered a sacrilege.

To the English, Tea is comforting, Tea is therapy, Tea is the happy pill for a bad day, Tea is the anti-depressant, Tea is be all and end all of British life.

The consumption of Tea is an experience in itself, and can be heightened by dunking shortbread, rich tea biscuits, hobnobs, digestives, or buttery biscuits. Better yet, Tea is perfect when accompanied by a selection of delectable tea-time nibbles - assorted finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, cupcakes, and the like.

Tea is also better shared with a friend. Friendships can be developed over a hot, milky, comforting cuppa.

After Makiko & Dan returned to Japan, Cheeks and I cut down our visits to tearooms and cafes. It was only when we got to know Val and Luke - who seem to share a similar passion - that we rekindled the weekly jaunts to some cafe-out-there-not-Starbucks.

Together, we began trawling London's best-loved tearooms and cafes. With a greedy vengence!

For the past 3 'playdates' (more like teadates for the mummies, really), we've been to different tearooms/cafes around London. Between sips and chomps, we catch up with each other. And we've kinda begun DVD swopping with each other, mostly tear-jerkers or heart-warming classics. What a bunch of sentimental sops we are!

2 Fridays ago (1 Feb), we caught up at Shipp's Tea Room in Borough, nearish London Bridge. Cozy and exceedingly quaint, the old-fashioned tearoom exudes warmth with its pastel hued walls, country-styled tablecloth, and wooden furniture. I loved the ceiling with its white chandeliars, and pretty array of teacups suspended near the shop entrance. Against the walls were rows of shelves and display cabinets stacked with bone china tea sets. It had the perfect ambience as tearooms go - charming, and inviting.

Then last Fri (8 Feb), we popped over to Ottolenghi, a swanky cafe located in Islington. With its modish interior and vast selection of pastries and savouries, I was sold at the shopfront. Once inside, the cakes did not disappoint. The apple vanilla cake I ordered and Val's chocolate rum were divine.

My teensy weensy grouse on the place? That it lacked a certain...'soul' - something I found more evident at Shipp's Tearoom. Perhaps it was a tad too pristine, too tailored for young, fashionable yuppy types? So whilst I found the pastries pukka, I still prefer a comfy spot to nestle in and while away the afternoon. But I doubt it'll be long before I drop in at Ottolenghi again though. Afterall, I did say the cakes are DIVINE, did I not? :)

the heavenly bevy of beauties

my apple & vanilla cake - gorgeously good

the little chocolate monster!

The Stuffed & The Sulky

Shaky CNY Part II

2008-02-11T18:33:00.001Z

Despite the frayed nerves and fretful thoughts of a (possible) burlesque performance, the session at Cheek's nursery went great.

The day saw me spending the afternoon with the children from Danielle's frontclass (a total of 22 kids). Besides leading in origami fish, I was also asked to read a CNY story ('Ling's Chinese New Year' from the nursery's library). These went off without a hitch.

The school wanted to show the children how to hold chopsticks as part of their CNY activities. They'd prepared boiled noodles for the occasion and asked if I could do a demo. Which, I had no choice but to. So as best I could, I showed the kids the right method. I'd brought Cheek's training ones along , just in case, and it ended up being a huge hit with the kids. They thrilled at how deftly they were able to pick up the noodles using those, compared to the fiddly grownup ones.

I also taught them how to say 'Gong Xi Gong Xi' which they belted out enthusiastically whilst passing mandarins to each other (I made them do this in a circle so the children passed mandarins to each other while piping the greeting). I explained the significance of ang pow giving, showed them pictures of Singapore's CNY night market, and listed different new year goodies that were consumed during the festival etc.

I was fortunate the session went well. The children were very involved, asked loads of questions, and were more attentive than I had expected them to be.

Cheeks seemed rather puffed-up by my visit, which, was kind of expected, I suppose. She stuck close to me, smugly 'reminding' her little friends at intervals that I was 'her mummy'. I had to hold myself back from being her mummy at certain points though - reigned myself in from chiding her infront of her friends when I saw her do things that would otherwise have riled me at home.

Suffice to say, it was a wonderful experience - talking and interacting with Cheek's schoolmates, gathering insights to their wonderfully diverse personalities, picking subtle charateristics through their words/actions. Some children stuck out more than others, of course. And my favourites, if I may be allowed to reveal them here, were: Maddie (for being exceedingly precocious), Venus (for being the most inquisitive and enthusiastic) and lastly, sweet 4YO Poppy (for simply being a darling and the only girl to choose baby blue origami paper.)

the school dedicated 2 whole boards to
Chinese New Year

this side of the board shows the activities I did with the kids last Thurs.

A close up.
In this pix : Cheeks, Hannah, Sebestian & Boyd

my 15 minutes of 'fame' ;P

A shaky start to the (Chinese) New Year

2008-02-06T23:28:00.000Z

I have been asked to appear in the buff to a raucous 20-odd strong audience. My buck naked performance is scheduled for tomorrow, from 1pm.

I am an insane kamikaze who's landed myself in an uncomfortable predicament. I have promised to show up, lend my support towards 'the cause', so it's improbable I can back out from it now.

By the way, did I mention my audience is just over a metre tall, and between the ages of 3 & 4?

Yes. I've been asked to speak at Cheek's school. About Chinese New Year! Oh the horror!

Public speaking is not my forte. I don't care how old you are, whether you're male/female, heck, I could be addressing a group of 5 individuals and I'd still feel the heebie-jeebies! (not to mention feel like I'm giving an address in sheer nakedness!)

Exposés aside ...How do I intend to depict Chinese New Year? Let's see. I've prepared:

A toy broom (to show that we clean the house before the NY, sweep away the bad luck, that sort of thing...)
2 mandarin oranges (as is a custom)
Assorted ang pows (need I elaborate?)
A pair of chopsticks (they want me to show them how to use it to pick at noodles. Good grief, I don't even hold it right!)
The Official Map of Singapore (2006 version, in Mandarin. To show the bright lights of Chinatown)
Chocolate coins in red packets as a sweet treat for each child to take away at Hometime.
This:

For the past half hour, I have been folding and creasing origami paper. I'm going to show the kids how to make origami fish because '年年有餘', get it? And yes, I am fully aware origami is a Japanese thingamy but hey, if it's listed as a CNY craft activity on a kiddy website, that's all right by me.

I recognize my own shortcomings in the creative department so I've no choice but to resort to websites like this over the Internet. But bless 'em all for being life-savers!

Anyhew, wish me luck. I sure do need it this Chinese New Year!

(Oh, and I hope the kids enjoy the session with the jittery 'nudie Mummy'!)

*heart kerplonking wildly*

(not) Much ado about nothing

2008-02-02T01:58:00.002Z

I'm going to blog this beginning in mid-sentence - pretend we've been deep in conversation, chatting about nothing of consequence. Because that's what this post is - about nothing, really.

... so hey, there are a couple of movies I've been eager to catch. Some recent releases, some from 2007:

1) Cloverfield (Cheeks calls this 'the statue with no head' whenever we pass the movie poster. Am wondering whether it's worth seeing since my cuz commented over FB that she actually hurled after. I can only presume it was due to the intentional jolty camera movements, and not becoz the movie was that bad. ??),
2) Lust, Caution (how can I resist watching the ever-talented-brilliant Tony Leung on screen, I ask you?)
3) Atonement (ahhh, James McAvoy. Reason enough.),
4) Juno, (looks quirky. I like.)
5) La Vie En Rose (the story of Edith Piaf. Should be interesting.)

Have you seen any of these? Were they any good?

+++++++++

I've also been listening to arias.

I dug some out from memory - from days of yore where Dad flooded our ear canals with powerful, rich in timber, vibrating voices: Maria Callas, Mario Lanza, Enrico Caruso et al - voices that reverberated around the house because (I'm convinced) Dad played them at full volume (ok, so I exaggerate. But it was LOUD), making the music pretty hard to ignore. Through Dad, we were introduced to a great many operas, such as 'La Boheme','La Traviata'. Eventually, I grew to love them. And now, I find myself soothing a frazzled day with music from certain romantic arias. I'm going to put this down to an age thing. But who's to know? Perhaps one is drawn to certain music because of its ability to evoke memories? Anyway, this is one of my favourites:

+++++++++++

Spring will soon descend on us. My favourite flower, the daffodil, has been lending some cheer to the weather with its sunny appearance. This time last year, Dee was struck with Bell's Palsy. When I look upon their bright, happy hues, I am once again reminded of God's grace on our family.