New Year's Resolution 2015 and so much more

We kept it simple for En Xi's 7th Birthday.  Just a simple stay at home cake cutting.

If you notice, Ah Zhor is carrying a broken arm.  She fell at home recently, but is all good now.

Your aunties and grand-aunties are all so nice, never fail to celebrate your birthday.

Another year has past and our 2014 resolutions were not fulfilled yet again.  Sometimes, you get the feeling that the whole New Year resolution is just a waste of time.  So, for 2015, we thought, it might be best to write down our resolutions on paper, laminate it and display it prominently in our bedroom.  We want to wake up everyday and be committed to achieving it.  Unfortunately, this proved to be extremely difficult.  Getting a 7 year old and 3 year old to patiently pen down their goals were not that easy.  Not to mention, the crazy Dec 14 and equally hectic Jan 15 to celebrate En Xi’s birthday, coping with En Xi’s Primary 1, adjustment to routine to be made, preparing for CNY, Valentine’s Day in early Feb 15 and the list goes on and on, blah blah blah.

Gong Xi! Gong Xi!

Ok, all these are excuses, so other than the perennial resolutions, I’ve 1 big resolution for 2015.  That is to lead a healthy lifestyle and train up for competitive track and field event, specifically 800m masters.  I signed up for SAFSA track and field meet and was scheduled to run on 25 Feb 15.  Trained hard for it and never felt better than before.  I almost felt 10 years younger and could feel the wind beneath my wings (erh, not quite actually). Looking through the 2014 results, made me confident enough that a medal finish is easily within grasps.  So, I did a time trial the week before the actual event.  Raised my arm and had a good look at my watch at the finish line.  I couldn’t believe what I saw.  I clocked an astonishing 45s off my personal best time.  How could this happen?  Everything felt right.  It was supposed to be like how I used to do it in my younger years.  The pace was right.  My heart pumped at the same intensity as before.  The lactic acid build up and fatigue was just about right at each phase of the run.  The stride was the same and I kicked at the same point that never fails to leave my rivals in my trail.  Perhaps, I’m just no longer 21 years of age and 36 years old this year.  15 years is indeed a lot of difference.  Still, I did not give up and told myself that it is because I’m not running with fellow competitors during my time trial.  And so, I patiently wait for the eventful moment.  Regrettably, I did not participate in the SAFSA 800m masters.  I suffered a severe strain to my right calf during the time trial.  How ironic.  Mental note: Edwin Ong is no longer 21 years old and have to read your body better.

Anyway, here's the Family Ritual Photos for 2014

Year End Mad Rush

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I like this photo a lot. Perfectly illustrates the bond you guys have.

Dec 14 was indeed quite a mad rush for us.  A mental note not to go on a holiday, just before Christmas.  For the trip, we had to prepare for the itinerary, travel directions, pack, so on and so forth.  This is further exacerbated with the even earlier Christmas shopping and let’s not forget that we had to prepare En Xi for Primary 1.  Again, we had to purchase all the necessary books, stationary, uniform, study table and essentials before the trip.  Fortunately, I could take time off until the start of year 2015 and so, your grandparents helped me with the room painting.  It was a great team effort!  Everyone helped in one way or another.

En Xi made this for us, as she was pleasantly surprised with the new room

While grandparents and me painted the room, Ye Ye was the one to put in the finishing touches.  His attention to detail is like no other and through his meticulous endeavor; the quality of paintwork is really top notch.  In fact, I reckon its better than the usual contractor work.

But as always, sneaky you, you had the last laugh again.

Ah Ma as always, so caring and looks after our needs before self.  We couldn’t find time to bring En Xi to school for uniform fitting and was contemplating of doing it after the trip.  Wise old ah ma actually went to purchase 1 set of uniform for you and negotiated for exchange if it doesn’t fit you.  Thereafter, size you up with the uniform before making more purchases.  So nice right?  Isn’t it?

What does Mummy and Daddy do?  We just love you exuberantly.  Period.

Adelaide Central Market buying Candies

Rare shot of Ah Peh with En Jun

Pelican Feeding @ Penguin Centre, Kangaroo Island

Walkway to Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island

Its a long walk

On the Sealink Ferry to Kangaroo Island

Wonder where's En Jun?  Oh ya, he's afraid of birds that are bigger than him

Seal Bay was a really waste of time and money, photos plenty, nothing much to do

Rare shot of Ong Brothers

Ladies with the Man

Another long walk.  Why so many long walks?  Remarkable Rocks @ Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island

My favourite photo for the trip.  @ small jetty near accommodations, Kangaroo Island.

Penfolds Winery at Barossa Valley

Beerenberg Strawberry Farm @ Adelaide Hills

Hanhndorf Farm Barn @ Adelaide Hills

MindChamps Year End Concert and Pre-School Graduation

2014 was a good year for us.  It was the year that both of you get to go pre-school together and spend loads of time sharing common experiences.  The year end concert took a different approach as compared to previous years.  For the 1st time, it was a school centered concert with all students from every level.  This meant that both of you got to perform on stage together.  In the past, traditionally, K2 students from all centers would perform together in a separate concert.  It was fun watching both of you perform.  The rehearsals and actual day performance revealed a lot about your distinctly different characters.

In the build-up rehearsals, En Xi's classmate, Lucas, stands beside you and was very mean towards you.  He dug in his finger nails into your forearm when the segments calls for holding hands to form a heart shape.  It happened on 2 occasions and we had to intervene and asked the teachers to separate both of you.  The funny thing is that you did not complain on getting hurt because you wanted the performance to be as perfect as it can be and not disrupt the rehearsals.  After teachers found out about this, they stressed that you must sound out if the bad boy does it again.  Together with us reinforcing this message at home, you suddenly felt upset, not knowing if you are the cause to all this unhappiness.  I guess you are just sensitive and didn't know how to handle the situation.  You kept asking if you had done something wrong.  We assured you did not, but it was to no avail, as in your eyes, the concert was more important than anything else.  You simply wanted the performance to be perfect.  On the other hand, En Jun was rather timid in the rehearsals.  While, you display an extremely loud and vocal character during class, it seems that you do this to hide your fears.  Still, your teacher did not give up on you and pressed on to make sure you are ready to be one of the leads in your segment.

During the concert, En Xi was totally into the performance and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  En Jun, well, seems a little overwhelmed at times, but still managed to pull through his segment as one of the lead.  Enough said, some pictures from the very day.

Another indicator that you will grow up to be a stewardess

Don't understand why you always have a funny look

Keagan on your left is 'bio-ing' you

See that contrasting 'stunned' look

You are a painter and hate this outfit because it made you felt like a boy

Fat boy on the right (Lucas) is a bad boy

This 2 persons has milked a lot of money form your parents

I'm about to cry, but I'm holding it look

One of your best pal in pre-school, Paige and your Chinese Teacher Zhang

En Jun's teachers in N1, Ms Eloisa and Ms Zhou

Your English Teacher, Ms Ijah