Recently, upgraded Sky's bike to the 18" and more horse power! He's loving it!

Seth looking abit grumpy cos he had no other choice but to take Shan's hand me down PINK tricycle.

Seth decided that running around and chasing the doves is a better idea than to be seen in a PINK tricycle.

After Shan and Sky were tired from riding round and round the Swan Lake, we then proceeded to Jacob Ballas. They played around the sand area for a while and we called it a day after they wetted themselves at the water play.

I have made it, being one year as a homemaker! Do I miss the corporate world? Yes, I miss checking on corporate emails, the adrenaline of rushing for deadline, the joy of being recognised for the effort you put in your job, the comfort of $$$ deposited in your bank monthly, the laughter and gossips while having lunches with colleagues. Thou shall not talk about the negative aspects of it!

During this one year, I watched scrutinised my kids every moment, shared happenings in their lives. I "snatched" Seth back to me. He was quite close to Tess (our helper) and sticky about having her to carry him instead of me! I bonded with them. I became their GPS, direct and steer them to the right direction and almost trying to instill values in various conversations we had. I was enjoying my "tai-tai" life and yet felt a sense of un-fulfillment. I started to reflect and pray for directions.

This one day, I happened to flip the Saturday "Recruits" page, something that I would do on Saturday if I had the leisure time to read the papers. This position in the paper attracted me enough to get me sit in front of my PC wanting to send my resume. However, the application is done via online and I had to input seven section about me ranges from personal data  to employment history. As I was filling up the info, I was wondering it was done in the name of fun (to test my marketability) or I'm ready to enter back to workforce.

Within a month, I got the interview and almost immediately after the second interview, I got the offer! It was timed so appropriately as I was given time to sign the appointment letter and only to start work after the September school holiday. It happened in a flash as this was the first and only job I applied. I contemplated if I should really be accepting the offer. First, Sky is going P1 next year. Have I prepared him enough? What about the holiday planned for the year end? Can I take leave since I just started work? Church retreat? Childcare for Seth? Shan going P3 next year, would it be a tougher year for her? I had not check out other jobs yet?!

Both hubby and I felt peace after praying and given many clear indication from God, I took up the offer! Things fell in place naturally. I was given many assurance that the kids transited well and still doing good despite me going to work. Almost every to-do list given to the kids were completed. Ok, I admit I am kiasu. I just can't stand the kids skiving and watching TV. Other than Shan who recently gotten her Star Pupil Badge, Sky especially surprised me. His tasks are completed duly (he used to whine a fair bit). I thought nothing of it when one fine day, I was showering Sky and he asked me if I knew why he does his work so fast and well recently. He then followed on to say it was because he had led God into his heart! Woah, I was amazed! Later on then I found out that his church kindy school counselor on a regular basis invites willing students to give personal bible story and kind of led them to receive Christ.

Looking back, I believe God had put me at home the last one year to lay the ground works. I was also able to handle the kids with the Daddy doing SOT early part of this year. I can imagine my mum (who's a non-believer) feeling uncomfortable with the many sessions of mock up cell and preaching done at our place if she was around to take care of the kids then. On a personal level, I was excited because I could tithe again and our Church's Arise and Build is starting soon. Hmmm, this must be partly why God gives me such clear direction that I could start work now. :p

Timing is so puuuuurfect! All glory to HIM!

Shan in her super high spirit, ecstatically called me to report that she was awarded the Star Pupil Badge. It was a goal she had set for herself beginning of this year and it was a great milestone for her. I was overjoyed too but got to suppress it since I was not at home.

Frankly, I wasn't sure what was the selection criterion. What I briefly understood from her was as long you are a Monitor/Monitoress, you naturally qualify. Aside from that, I guess would be the form teacher's assessment of your overall character and academic results. In fact, her class already had 8 students with the badge. This semester, she's the only one in her class to be awarded. It was a heart pumping session for her as she need to collect it from the P at the stage during assembly time.

Shan, Mummy is very very proud of you!

After these two activities, we were brought to our hotel and given welcome drink.

Sky made his first maiden solo performance during his Kindy's Teacher's Day dedication concert. He passed the audition and was chosen to perform on Teacher's Day.  The audition wasn't that smooth sailing actually. On the day of the audition, he blew it and totally blanked out. The teacher in charge called and said that Sky did not sing a thing. She mentioned that she would give Sky another chance the next day and if he still did not sing, he wouldn't be able to perform. After some praying and a small prep talk that he could do it, he gamely went for another try. The teacher subsequently called to say that he was in for the dedication concert.

Ok, Sky is not outspoken by nature. When I was working in my ex organisation, I cringed whenever I had to present to a large crowd. So, to sing in front of the whole school, I definitely can't do it. So, even comparing to one chap who sang Justin Bieber's most famous number "Baby",

or another one who had to recite 三字经,

Sky's simple song is really nothing to shout about. But to me, it's really BRAVO and a job well done!

Ooooh..back from a week of holiday! In fact, after a three full days of chionging in BKK, we had to have another relaxing getaway in Batam to beat the exhaustion. Endless eating, endless shopping and the heavenly massages (some were not that great though)! This time, we did not take much photos. Mostly, by the time we remembered to take pictures, we were halfway digging into our food.

We went back to our usual and must go haunts:
1. Ban Khun Mae @ Around Siam Square ~Authentic Thai food~
The mango salad, fish, tom yam soup and the desserts were superb!




2. Mount Fuji @ Siam Paragon ~Excellent Jap food at a friendly price~
The half finished food shown below really did injustice to the glorious things that we stuff into our stomach! We had much much much more than these.


3. TK&K Seafood @ Chinatown ~Succulent seafood~
Sorry no pics. We had our "dinner" there around 11plus after a Thai massage. It was too late and some items like squid were not available. Sad! Still, we took crabs and other stuffs.

4 Bird nests and Shark Fins @ Chinatown ~passable for thb300 / S$12
We had these after our dinner. Goodness, how sinful!

5. Vacum packed four guavas in cane juice from Siam Paragon back to Sg. In fact, Siam Paragon gourmet market is rather similar to the food hall at Takashimaya. Of course, the varieties offered are different and much cheaper!! This time, the kids enjoyed the guavas as much as we do.

We spent one and a half day at Platinum Mall. We were misson focused. Guys and ladies went separate ways. Guys were recalled when our hands were full and needed them to take over our purchases. :)) Just a year different, Platinum had another extension with another five levels of shopping! When you buy two or more pieces in the same shop, the price would be labelled as "wholesale price" and relatively cheaper. Being liked minded, when one of us found an item in a particular shop, another would also manage to spot another item from the same shop.  So, we often bought the items at wholesale price. It's not only the ladies but the guys too!