When my wife and I were at a lift lobby this morning, we overheard a woman on the phone (speaking in Mandarin):
"I'm sorry.....for the past two days, I had to stay at home because my family was served a notice to stay home for 7 days due to the H1N1. My son's school was affected.
I couldn't stand it, so I came out of the house after two days and I'll be faxing the document to you right away!"
When the lift door opens, I whispered to my wife not to follow her into the lift.
Such irresponsible behaviour. I'm sure there are many such examples around. I think this virus will be amongst us for a long time to come.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Afternoon Fun
Finally decided to bring the kids to the Singapore Flyer, after passing it by almost everyday while sending Yu Wen to and from school. We would often talk about it, referring it as the gigantic ferris wheel.
I have been confronted with questions such as:
Q:" Who are those people inside the ferris wheel?"
A:"Tourists."
Q:"What are tourists?"
A:"Err....people who travel to another place and have fun."
Q:" Why are some (cabins) empty?"
A:" EERRR....there are not many tourists nowadays. The economy is not doing well, and people have not enough money to fly on an aeroplane."
I was trying to use some big words here to stump her, otherwise I don't know where all these questions will lead to. Luckily, it worked. (Bad daddy)
And when we were actually inside one of the cabins, she asked:"So, are we tourists now?"
Bravo! Yes, we are tourists now! (Good daddy!)
We brought along Yu Wen's cousin Xin Ying, a spritely 6-year-old who has wanted to hop onto the Flyer for the longest time.
They had a wonderful time, not so much awed by the view but (I think) more by the novelty of it.
After that, it was water play (again!) at Marina Barrage. I reckon after spending $60 on a 30-minute ride on a giant bicycle wheel, a free-and-fun place of interest is certainly high up on my priority list. True enough, I think they had more fun with the water than the air at 400m above sea-level.
But never mind, it's fun playing local tourists and doing the touristy things once in a while.
I have been confronted with questions such as:
Q:" Who are those people inside the ferris wheel?"
A:"Tourists."
Q:"What are tourists?"
A:"Err....people who travel to another place and have fun."
Q:" Why are some (cabins) empty?"
A:" EERRR....there are not many tourists nowadays. The economy is not doing well, and people have not enough money to fly on an aeroplane."
I was trying to use some big words here to stump her, otherwise I don't know where all these questions will lead to. Luckily, it worked. (Bad daddy)
And when we were actually inside one of the cabins, she asked:"So, are we tourists now?"
Bravo! Yes, we are tourists now! (Good daddy!)
We brought along Yu Wen's cousin Xin Ying, a spritely 6-year-old who has wanted to hop onto the Flyer for the longest time.
They had a wonderful time, not so much awed by the view but (I think) more by the novelty of it.
After that, it was water play (again!) at Marina Barrage. I reckon after spending $60 on a 30-minute ride on a giant bicycle wheel, a free-and-fun place of interest is certainly high up on my priority list. True enough, I think they had more fun with the water than the air at 400m above sea-level.
But never mind, it's fun playing local tourists and doing the touristy things once in a while.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin
The very fair weather these few weeks have contributed to some clear blue skies, spectacular sunsets, and equally fascinating moonrise.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Water Play
What better way to cool down from the sizzling heat these days than having a dip in the pool? Both of them enjoy it so much that the parents were made to promise to bring them to the pool more often. My pleasure.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Pre-wedding-turn-family session
Yew Shen was one of my schoolmates from the now-defunct The Chinese High School. He was also one of the "brothers" for two of my CHS clients. I was glad my work made an impression on him so much so that he called me up one day to task me for a pre-wedding session with his wife, Vicky.
Now Yew Shen is a very busy lawyer. And I mean real busy. On the day of the shoot, he had to go back to the office at short notice, and had his handphone glued to his ear for almost the rest of the shoot, which incidentally was more than an hour behind schedule because he got home late.
It was a stressful shoot because I had one eye on my watch to check the time, another eye on the sky to check the light, and a third eye to check on him (to make sure he's not on the line).
But what was more memorable was at the end of the session, his parents, sister, brother-in-law and his niece and nephew had all gathered at the last stop for a family photo. Before that, he and Vicky had to pull off all the right moves and kisses and hugs for the camera, right before their eyes.
I say, that's a hallmark of a closely-knitted and liberal-minded family. I can't imagine myself doing that in front of my own folks. My family is close-minded and liberally-knitted. Whatever your interpretation is.
Now Yew Shen is a very busy lawyer. And I mean real busy. On the day of the shoot, he had to go back to the office at short notice, and had his handphone glued to his ear for almost the rest of the shoot, which incidentally was more than an hour behind schedule because he got home late.
It was a stressful shoot because I had one eye on my watch to check the time, another eye on the sky to check the light, and a third eye to check on him (to make sure he's not on the line).
But what was more memorable was at the end of the session, his parents, sister, brother-in-law and his niece and nephew had all gathered at the last stop for a family photo. Before that, he and Vicky had to pull off all the right moves and kisses and hugs for the camera, right before their eyes.
I say, that's a hallmark of a closely-knitted and liberal-minded family. I can't imagine myself doing that in front of my own folks. My family is close-minded and liberally-knitted. Whatever your interpretation is.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Who's watching, really?
I decided to bring Yu Wen to the cinema today because it has been a long while my wife and I stepped into one since the birth of Yu Hao.Not knowing when I'll be able to watch a movie with my wife inside a cinema, so, running out of patience, I "cheated" on my wife by dating my daughter. There isn't much common choice for a 35-year-old AND a 3-year-old. For a second, I was tempted to buy tickets for "Drag me to hell", but the prospect of getting hell at home after my wife finds out diverted me to the more family-friendly "Monsters vs Aliens".
Coincidentally, just as KC is bring his girl to the cinema, CK (39east) is bringing his too.
I think a 3-year-old is too young to appreciate a full-length movie inside a huge, dark chamber. At least she didn't complain loudly, neither did she fidget about too much in her seat. The only parts that caught her attention were the female protagonist Susan's distress and fighting scenes. In the last 10 minutes of the movie, she eventually fell asleep on my lap.
On the whole, I had an enjoyable afternoon. I think "Drag me to hell" would have given me more bang for my buck. The cartoon was too short.
Coincidentally, just as KC is bring his girl to the cinema, CK (39east) is bringing his too.
I think a 3-year-old is too young to appreciate a full-length movie inside a huge, dark chamber. At least she didn't complain loudly, neither did she fidget about too much in her seat. The only parts that caught her attention were the female protagonist Susan's distress and fighting scenes. In the last 10 minutes of the movie, she eventually fell asleep on my lap.
On the whole, I had an enjoyable afternoon. I think "Drag me to hell" would have given me more bang for my buck. The cartoon was too short.
The day I felt like an EPL star
Not the money, not the booze, and certainly not the lap-dancers.
Injury to the knee ligament. Now I know how it felt to be an English Premier League star, when injured.
The left knee just refuses to bend, making it virtually impossible to put on my shorts on my own. Determined not to traumatise my girl to see her daddy walking around the house naked, I somehow contorted myself to put on some loose fitting undergarments. If you think it's easy, try it yourself.
The story was plain simple and stupid. I was forced off the bike path by a teenager who thought his grandfather owns the road. I think he was relishing his school-holiday freedom on his bike when he suddenly veered towards me just when I was trying to overtake him.
Watching me tumble head over heels on the tarmac road must have freaked his young mind out somewhat, or that he was a former voice actor who tried his best to provide a voiceover. I was quiet throughout (in my mind cursing) but this boy just refused to shut up by screaming "Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" in a variety of pitches, as if he was the one who was bleeding on the forehead and knees. I was trying to come up with the most original expletives but in the end it was a mere tame "Next time please cycle in a straight line!"
I thought my injuries were just superficial abrasions and I was still able to cycle the 20km back. Unfortunately, the pain got worse and worse and the next morning, the left knee just refused to obey me anymore. The only upside to all this? Heehee....I am exempted from all kinds of chores and people actually brought me water and fruits without me lifting a finger.
Wonder how long I can fake it.....
Injury to the knee ligament. Now I know how it felt to be an English Premier League star, when injured.
The left knee just refuses to bend, making it virtually impossible to put on my shorts on my own. Determined not to traumatise my girl to see her daddy walking around the house naked, I somehow contorted myself to put on some loose fitting undergarments. If you think it's easy, try it yourself.
The story was plain simple and stupid. I was forced off the bike path by a teenager who thought his grandfather owns the road. I think he was relishing his school-holiday freedom on his bike when he suddenly veered towards me just when I was trying to overtake him.
Watching me tumble head over heels on the tarmac road must have freaked his young mind out somewhat, or that he was a former voice actor who tried his best to provide a voiceover. I was quiet throughout (in my mind cursing) but this boy just refused to shut up by screaming "Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" in a variety of pitches, as if he was the one who was bleeding on the forehead and knees. I was trying to come up with the most original expletives but in the end it was a mere tame "Next time please cycle in a straight line!"
I thought my injuries were just superficial abrasions and I was still able to cycle the 20km back. Unfortunately, the pain got worse and worse and the next morning, the left knee just refused to obey me anymore. The only upside to all this? Heehee....I am exempted from all kinds of chores and people actually brought me water and fruits without me lifting a finger.
Wonder how long I can fake it.....
Monday, June 08, 2009
Topless
The car is the main subject, as the owner is going to sell it in exchange for something more practical. That's the thing with getting married and starting a family.
Every consideration is made around the family. At least a three-bedroom unit, a seven-seater, family meal (more bang for my buck), beach/park (no entrance fees needed, cheapo!) etc.
I can sense a tinge of sadness in Jamie's voice as she spoke about the sale of the little red car, which she referred to as "Xiao Hong" (Little Red One). I would too. Bye bye to the "uber-cool", "individuality", and the "wind-in-the-hair freedom". Bye bye to the chick-magnet, and hello grey/faceless MPV. Sometimes, I still try to look cool by winding down the window of my Toyota Wish and let the wind caress my hair....which of course makes it easier for kind-hearted motorists to come up to me and said:" Uncle, you forgot to switch off your hazard lights."
Every consideration is made around the family. At least a three-bedroom unit, a seven-seater, family meal (more bang for my buck), beach/park (no entrance fees needed, cheapo!) etc.
I can sense a tinge of sadness in Jamie's voice as she spoke about the sale of the little red car, which she referred to as "Xiao Hong" (Little Red One). I would too. Bye bye to the "uber-cool", "individuality", and the "wind-in-the-hair freedom". Bye bye to the chick-magnet, and hello grey/faceless MPV. Sometimes, I still try to look cool by winding down the window of my Toyota Wish and let the wind caress my hair....which of course makes it easier for kind-hearted motorists to come up to me and said:" Uncle, you forgot to switch off your hazard lights."
Monday, June 01, 2009
All's not lost
Over a three-day consecutive run of bad luck, at least I got to cover a wonderful/simple/elegant wedding, but not before I fret if the curse would descend upon the wedding day shoot. Fortunately, all went smoothly, and it capped a string of mishaps.
First, as some of you already knew, I lost the handphone that contains my contacts, calendar entries, and pictures and videos of my babies since they were born. That was a huge emotional loss. Then, there was a "trivial" HDB car park fine of $100, because I have parked at the unloading bay for a "brief" 30 mins. The next morning, I discovered my car's right side-mirror was smashed and the mirror was hanging like a decapitated head over my window. For no apparent reason. I was properly parked within legal limits, not obstructing any traffic, and it happened only in a 4-hour window from 4.30am to 8.30 am. The morning after, I got ice-cold water spilled on my trousers by a careless waiter at a cafe.
That prompt my wife to send me packing to all the different temples/churches/mosques to appease the gods/deities/fairies and stopped short of "hitting the small person", using a clog to hit a paper effigy.
Monday just started.....and I am looking forward to the week with baited breath.
But here's a set of pre-wedding pictures to freshen up.
First, as some of you already knew, I lost the handphone that contains my contacts, calendar entries, and pictures and videos of my babies since they were born. That was a huge emotional loss. Then, there was a "trivial" HDB car park fine of $100, because I have parked at the unloading bay for a "brief" 30 mins. The next morning, I discovered my car's right side-mirror was smashed and the mirror was hanging like a decapitated head over my window. For no apparent reason. I was properly parked within legal limits, not obstructing any traffic, and it happened only in a 4-hour window from 4.30am to 8.30 am. The morning after, I got ice-cold water spilled on my trousers by a careless waiter at a cafe.
That prompt my wife to send me packing to all the different temples/churches/mosques to appease the gods/deities/fairies and stopped short of "hitting the small person", using a clog to hit a paper effigy.
Monday just started.....and I am looking forward to the week with baited breath.
But here's a set of pre-wedding pictures to freshen up.
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