What Do You Do During Rainy Season?

I will never know what the children do during rainy days.... till I go out of the house and see this.


What is it?


How do you build one of this?


A steel table, a large piece of canvass and 2 very adventurous and creative boys....

Joel & Ethaniel peeking out of their "hut"

Is it fun?

You bet!!!

Mommy's Day Out to Singapore

After the 3 days intense training, I had a lot of time to hang loose.... The feeling is awkward because it has been ages... A VERY LONG TIME AGO.... when I traveled alone. I usually travel either with the children or hubby. Even if I travel by myself, it not more than 2 or 3 days. But now, I have 11 days by myself.... Hmm... what do I do?


I didn't really have any planned itinerary. For once, I wanted to play-by-ear. Meaning, do whatever I want, whenever I want it without a planned schedule. To my surprise, it worked out pretty well. On some days, I just slept late and others, I stayed up late. No curfew except for the MRT or last bus service.


The efficiency of the MRT and buses were exceptional and I traveled everywhere with either one of the services except to and from the airport. I used the taxi. It was too difficult to carry my heavy luggage all by myself.

Snippets of my trip to Singapore:

Boarding pass

Vivo city. I think it's a very new shopping centre in Singapore.

Char Kueh Teow at Vivo City. Very yummy. Cost SGD4.00 (RM10/THB100) per plate.

A mobile pre-paid card by Starhub in Singapore

I had a very good break. It was a very pleasant time hanging out with some very very old friends from school days and new friends too. I had a great time laughing, socializing and eating... I really believe that having a break is good for the soul. I highly recommend to all you stay-at-home Mummies.

Home Sweet Home

I have returned home to Bangkok since 26 June 08, Thursday.


Its good to be back home. I missed the children like crazy and of course, Thai food.


Its good to be using my own laptop, sleeping on my own bed, hugging my own bolster, lying on my own pillow ......


Nothing like home....

Training

I have been going through a very intensive homeschooling training from the ACE curriculum for the last 3 days.


I must admit that I was not prepared to undergo the training in such a manner. Let me explain... We were required to sit at a desk which is called "office" for the last 3 days, doing worksheet based assignment. Meaning, read some information and fill in the blanks. The information is required to be checked, corrected and re-checked. And eventually we had to take a test.


There were memorization of scripture, merit and demerit points depending on good or bad character behaviour and etc.


To sum it up, I am now brain-dead! When I return home to Bangkok, Thailand, I will be more gracious to my son. I can emphatize with him.... having to sit down and do the work requireds A LOT of concentration, focus and energy.


Anyway, I am glad the training is over.... It will take me a few days to recover and rest.

Happenings & Observations While in Singapore

I thought I will give a brief update about my trip...


16 June 2008, Monday


I arrived in Singapore at about 5pm on Thai Airways. Since my friend was busy, I volunteered to take a taxi.


I waited a the taxi queue and it was a short wait... no queue :-)


A taxi driver opened his boot. Since I had 2 baggage, one light and the other heavy, I lugged the small one into the truck of the car, silently expecting the taxi driver to assist me with the heavier one. He just stood there and stared at me. Fine. I struggled with the heavier baggage. After my third try and still could not get that heavy luggage into the trunk, he suddenly realised that he might have to stand there all night staring if he does not help. At last, he decided to help. Wow! Smart fellow.


This is my unforgettable "warm" welcome to Singapore.... which gave me chills.

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

The same evening, we went out for dinner at a foodcourt nearby my friend's place. I had "Mee Rebus", Hokkien Mee, Mee Suah with pig liver and Bah kut teh. After the "warm" welcome at the airport, I feel comforted by the familiar Malaysian food.

Mother's Day Out

I have enrolled myself in a homeschooling training organised by Teach Asia in Singapore. Their program is ACE curriculum which I have heard about but never really seen or attended their training. This is my first time attending a training organised by them.


Both the children, Joel & Ethaniel is at home with the maid & Dad for two weeks. My first time leaving home without them or hubby. My Israel trip in April 08 paved the way for me... and them getting used to me going away. I recently read a book that said "Motherhood is a temporary job and not an identity". I laughed! Its time I learn to let go... but they are just 6 and 11 years old.... Anyway.


I must say that it feels awfully strange sitting on the flight without knowing the person beside me. Usually its my little Ethaniel or Joel. A good looking Indian guy sat beside me and I said "Hi". That was the conversation for the whole 2 hours trip. His body odour cum cologne was killing me!!


I called the children at home and spoke to them for almost 20 mins.... just checking on what they are doing... Its nice to hear their voice.


Not only children goes through stages in their lives... so does Mothers.

Emotional & Physical Pain

Yesterday I was watching a documentary on TV. There is a couple in UK who experiments the effects of the brain when experiencing the pain of rejection and actual physical pain.

Are there any difference to the brain?

Apparently not.

When a person experiences emotional rejection, a part of the brain is triggered. The same part of the brain is triggered when a physical pain is inflicted.

So, the next time we see someone in a state of rejection, eventhough there are no physical bandages, the emotional pain is similar to someone with a broken arm or leg. We should try to be kind, sensitive and compassionate.

Interesting eh?