Couplehood Travels

Selfie with mummy's reflection on my shades

4 Oct is a special day.  It is your mum’s birthday and more importantly, your parent’s wedding anniversary.  We first met each other at the now defunct ‘Madam Wong 2’ disco club at merchant’s road in late 2001.  I think she was attracted to my robotic dancing moves (don’t laugh, all guys will go through this), she always flatly denies it, but somehow she talks about my dance moves a lot.  For me, it has to be the sassy long straight (re-bond) hair and bright smile of hers.  She was wearing a maroon red spaghetti strap top (this was the trend back then) with gathers at the breast area (yes, I’m a breast man) and tight jeans (yes, I’m an @$$ man as well).

Brunei is exceptionally boring.  Going to the cinema was about the only leisure you can find

We hang out for a while before I was due to attend a 3-month Ranger course.  Unfortunately, or in my perspective, fortunately, I got into a bike accident a day before the start of the course and that took me away from work for some time. I guess it was meant to be, as the time I spend recuperating meant that I could spend more time with your mum.  All was nice and rosy until 2 months later, I was informed that I would be posted to Brunei for work in Feb 2002.  Long distance relationships were tough to maintain and we hear enough stories why it doesn’t always work out.  Many thought that spells the end for both of us, but we persevere and made arrangements to visit each other often.  All in all, we still see each other every 3 months or less.  I was posted back to Singapore in Oct 2003 and from there, we started planning for our wedding and tied the knot on 4 Oct 2004.

Selfies like this are hard to come by when both of you are around us

After we had you, holidays were always planed to your needs.  We think about your dietary requirements, the necessary surroundings for you to be safe and adequate convenience for timely naptimes.  After a decade of marriage, we finally found courage and help for us to go on a “couple only” holiday trip.  Courage because we worry you can’t survive a night without us and Help because we didn’t want to trouble others (particularly your grandma) too much.  On hindsight, after our couple trip, I guess ‘Courage’ and ‘Help’ were not the issues.  It was simply “We can’t bear to leave both of you” on your own.

Yes, we used to be so trim and tan-looking in Dec 2001

Still, the trip did us a lot of good.  Our trip reconnected us again because it felt so much like “falling in love” again.  Our very first couple trip was in fact to Bali in Dec 2001 and here we are again in 2014, celebrating your mum’s birthday and our 10^th year wedding anniversary.  As the taxi driver drove us past Kuta beach, memories started to flow again and we could recall where we stayed (Dynasty Beach Resort), the surf shops we visited, the things we bought and the stuff we ate.  All seems such distant recollections, yet so close to the heart.  We did everything we wanted to do; and as and when we like to.  We woke up when we want to and slept as late as we want to.  Drink all the alcohol that our bodies can take and eat the things we want to eat; no matter how difficult it was to locate the place.  The feeling was indescribable and the closet word I can think of is “Freedom”.  We stayed a night in Kuta, followed by 2 nights at Ubud and I must say Ubud is really a magical place.  It is so rich in culture with great eateries and coffee joints.  We were lucky to be there during this period as there were interesting religious proceedings along the streets and weather was kind to us throughout.  Lodging was at ‘RoyalPitah Maha’ and this place is just amazing.  We had a villa overlooking the cliff with personal pool and ample space.  It was serene and we even had the time to do Yoga each morning.  Perhaps the most rewarding part of the trip was to be able to talk to one another without having a pre-occupied mind and interruptions from both of you.  We listed down 4 key objectives for the family.  They are:

1.  Both of you have to sleep in a room independently and the room has to be given a fresh coat of paint, redecorated and orientated for En Xi’s start to Primary 1.

2.    We will live healthily by waking up early for walks/jogs on weekends.

3.  We will meet up with HDB and private banks to do re-financing for our home and work towards a quicker journey to be debt free.

4.    As the above objectives are to be met by the end of the year, we need another couple trip next year to decide on things to be done in 2015.

Yes, I'm still wearing the same shirt after 10 years

 

It was all fun, until……

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"Dainty" En Xi, "What's up" Julian & "I'm so Irritating" En Jun

Mad cow trying to sniff the flower that En Xi is holding

It was the September School Holiday Week.  Although both of you are still in preschool, we had to time our holiday trips during school holidays as your cousins are all in primary school.  We planned for 2 back-to-back budget short trips.  A local 3D2N stay at the SAF Treehouse Villas @ Changi and an overseas 3D2N stay at the Bintan Lagoon Resorts, Bunganvil Villa (SAF).

En Jun is starting to pick up all the wrong things from Shou Cong

This SO looks like Mummy

The local getaway was mainly for the Ong family and we were glad that both Charlene and Julian get to sleep over.  It was a lot of fun for the 4 of you, but not so for us.  Usually, we have it easy when both of you are playing with other kids, not this time.  En Jun, bring the youngest one, tends to be a little more impatient, sometimes unreasonable and most of the time, reckless.  First, there was the spiral stairway in the chalet, your continual running up and down the stairs meant that we have to be watchful over your shoulders ALL the time.  It was like, “Watch Out! Hold the Rails! STOP running up and down the stairs!” multiply that by 100x.  Then, came the emotional outrage during board games, Monopoly and Pictionary.  You were like, “Noooo, its like that…. not like this…. Arghhhhh!” and throws the dice on the floor.  But, alas, it was still all good fun.  We went to the playground by Changi beach and took strolls along the Changi boardwalk.  It melts my heart and makes me feel the trip is so worth it when all 4 of you kept telling me to bring you guys back here again.

And they wonder where is the dog?

I like the funny look on your faces.  Or is it just me?

The Bintan getaway was for the Wang family.  We decided to do this because Uncle See Chernn (Shou Rei and Shou Cong’s Dad) just started on a new job and Uncle Sam is having night classes.  So instead of a long trip like the last Taiwan holiday, a short weekend at Bintan island.  Everyone was looking forward to the trip as a great BBQ feast was planned for.  Just thinking of Gong Gong’s Sambal Kuning Fish with lime is enough to make me salivate.  In addition, Auntie Sophia will be bringing her sister’s kids, Estia and Damien along as well. Great fun awaits!

All Set and Ready to Go!

Unfortunately, disaster struck.  It was a day before the trip, En Jun started to have tummy runs and we knew what was coming.  We were prepared and cool about it, but what was about to happen was unprecedented.  One thing led to another and you started to develop fever.  After 1 day of oral medication, you began to vomit any oral medication that you took in.  Nonetheless, we pressed on and bought the family to Bintan.  You continue to vomit, had diarrhea and the fever was not coming down. I was convinced that you did this on purpose and literally went berserk with you.  I was relentless in forcing oral medication and you kept throwing up everywhere until we got sick of cleaning up.  You look at us with those sad and watery eyes, “I dun want to vomit.”  Looking back, I must now apologise for making you go through such an atrocious ordeal.  I was being plain silly.  Eventually, we bought you to the clinic and you were prescribed with suppository medication.  Things still did not improve after 1 night in Bintan and we took the next earliest ferry back to Singapore and immediately send you to KK hospital.  After about 3 hours of observation, you were warded.  All tests were inconclusive and your fever persisted for another 2 days.  Fortunately, on the 3rd day, your fever subsided.  All was well again and your appetite began to pick up.  Mummy took the biggest hit and was totally burnt out from the sleepless nights.  She was comforting and nursing you since the start.  You took sleeplessness to a whole new level.  She did not have a good sleep for close to a week and her belly button was severely hurt from your maniac digging. (Please don’t ask me why you do that, we are wondering as well.)  We are glad the entire episode finally comes to an end.

Still able to salute.  Hmm.. Potential Guards Opicer

Uncle Sam and Auntie Sophia bought you a Lego F1 Ferrari

Better times, you are eating and not puking!

A lovely card from En Xi.  That's you with the cold patch on your forehead.

You protect Mummy and Mummy rewards you with a medal and ice-cream treat.

I think you hate needles.  A mega syringe on the bad guy.

Morale of the story: Never plan for back-to-back trips.

En Xi cares for En Jun

Dear En Jun,

If you ever get angry with your sister and are not talking to one another.  Read this and remember that your sister cares a lot for you.

2311hrs.  En Xi was having a hard time using the pencil sharpener and kept breaking the lead. (It’s a weekend; you get to stay up late)

Mummy: Why don’t you use the battery operated pencil sharpener?

En Xi: It’s noisy.  I don’t want to wake DiDi up.

(So sweet right?)

1937hrs.  It was Sunday evening.  Mummy is away on holidays and it’s just myself with the kids.  My limited culinary skills compelled me to order home delivery pizza for diner earlier.  En Xi begins whining about being hungry and having a tummy ache.  The doorbell rang and it was the pizza guy.  I opened the door and quickly took the pizzas in.  At this very moment, there was a loud glass breaking sound.  En Jun just dropped “Yu Yee Oil” bottle on the floor and it shattered to pieces.  I screamed at En Jun, fearing that he will walk over the glass pieces.  After all the commotion was over and the mess all cleared up, En Xi walks over and spoke to me.

En Xi: Daddy, don’t be angry with DiDi.

Me: Why?

En Xi: I had tummy ache.  He wanted to apply “hot hot” for me.

Me: Okayyyyy. But he could have been more careful.

(Defending DiDi yet again)

Sibling Rivalry 2 and Father-Children's Weekend

Another Milestone, Milk Teeth are starting to fall off

Every time I come home from a working trip, En Xi seems to grow a little taller and display a new level of maturity. (Sorry, not you, En Jun, you continue to look too small for your age and exhibit traits of a big baby… :p) My recent trip to Hawaii was only 18 days and again you never fail to amaze me.

You are taking good care of your brother and often look out for him.  At times, even defending on his behalf when I’m lecturing him.  What’s even weirder, is that both of you have a real “love-hate” relationship.  Not in a BGR sense of course, but in a “sibling love-rivalry” kind of way.  En Jun delights in being a nuisance and takes great pleasure in irritating the hell out of you.  His groundless accusations and taunts agitate you.  You stand absolutely defenceless and all you can do is whine.  Whining on En Jun is akin to “fuel on fire”, the more you whine, the more En Jun gets a kick out of it.  Despite all this, I think you guys will be great pals when you grow up.

 

Happier Times Together

It seems that the same situations happen in pre-school as well.  At night, we shared about our day and hear similar stories about who was nasty and said not so kind words to you.  You rant about them and displayed the familiar behaviour at not being able to resolve your own conflicts without help.   We wonder how to help you?  But, I guess, this is part of growing up; you learn how to resolve your own conflicts and disagreements.  Sometimes, parenting is also about taking a step back.  Letting you fall and be there to support you when needed.  Not rushing to you at the very first sight of danger.

Father-Children Day @ S.E.A. Aquarium

Talking about trips, this weekend was a get away trip for Shichida Gang. Xuan Ying’s mummy, Auntie Angie and Azela’s mummy, Auntie Amy and Your Mummy, Rei Wang went to Bangkok, Thailand for a shopping spree.  So, for this weekend, it was just the both of you with me.  We visited the S.E.A. Aquarium at RWS Sentosa and this was our 2nd visit.  Given that both of you are older now from the last visit, I really believed that you guys would appreciate marine life better.

Everything at Sentosa is seriously overpriced

When queried about your best part of the day, the unanimous answer was remarkably the heena on your arms, which cost me $10 each.   You never know what goes on inside a child’s head.   I absolutely enjoyed the quality time we spend together.  Without your mom, meant new rules, lots of running around, exploring the unknowns and pushing boundaries beyond your comfort zones.  En Xi literally took matters to a new level and I had to be on a constant look out amidst a swamp of people.  En Jun held my hand throughout and was within 5 metres radius from me when he wandered off to explore.  Nonetheless, we still miss Mummy by Day 3.  We miss the healthy and sumptuous dinner you prepare for us and the routine that helps us stay balanced.  I have a bad feeling that both of you are going to be sick on Monday.

 

Daddy's futile attempt at Selfie

Another futile attempt. I think you guys are just trying to irritate me

En Jun turns 3!

'Twist!' Boys are so crazy over cars!

En Jun turns 3!  The saying "Terrible 3" is for good reason and it has time and again proven to be true.  It happened to En Xi and now its your turn to transform into a "Nah Na Na Poo Poo!" irritating boy.  The cutesy form has all but dissipated.  The white wearing angel on your left ear is now on sabbatical leave, leaving only the dark cape wearing devil with horns whispering in your right ear, "Throw all the toys on the floor... Pretend to cry... Ask to carry.. Break mummy's arm..."  Still you get away with all your naughty doings on most occasions, especially with strangers with those big watery innocent weary look.

'Double Twist' I wish I can bully my ah ma, yeye and jie jie forever...

Just for record, we didn't shortchange you just because you are the 2nd child.  We still held 2 x birthday parties for you, 1 at home and 1 at school.  Its great to see you so happy.  En Xi was equally thrilled and joined your celebration as well.  I wonder if she enjoys celebrating birthdays with you; or the candy in the goodie bag.

'Twist!' This is my class N1B.

'Twist!' En Jun forever in "twist" pose.

Update on your health.  You are still sick on every other week/month and it happens after every review with the pediatrician.  I have a strange feeling that your "Ba Zi" clash with the Doctor.  We will be switching you to another doctor and introduce some form of TCM for you as well.

My very first gun cum sword

By the way, Mummy was disapproving with me to buy a toy gun/sword as your birthday gift.  I pressed on anyway and explained, "Not buying a toy gun or sword for En Jun is like never buying Barbies for En Xi".  So please, thank me when you grow up ok?

Just recently, we went to Hello Kitty Town again, but this time with all your childhood friends.  Family 1: Auntie Angie, Uncle Terrence, Xuan Ying and Wei Hao.  Family 2: Auntie Amy, Uncle Cheong, Azeala and Eton.

Finally a different pose from En Jun, albeit with an irritating look.

Shichida BFF! Azeala, En Xi & Xuan Ying

Best Pals.  En Jun and Wei Hao.

Daddy tried a new hairstyle.  Mummy says it looks irritating.  What do you think?

The Boy is Sick Again

Very Expensive Medication

You have been sick every 2 months or so.  Body immune system is weak and largely contributed by your poor diet that is filled with biscuits, cookies and more snacks.  You had stomach flu and puked non-stop.  Anything that went in your stomach, food or fluid, all came out within 5min.  Mummy washed and mopped and cleaned.  She was a maid on that very first day when you fell ill.  We visited the pediatrician twice and were extremely irritated that he didn't diagnose you with the right medication on our first trip.  And he had the cheek to make us pay his $80 consultation charges on our 2nd visit a day later.  After 3 days, you are now much better and more energetic.  Anyways, the antibiotics are making you more hungry and we are hoping that will improve your diet.

Out for a ride after 3 days at home

Your scooter in your favourite colour green and your sister's bike in her favourite colour pink.

Spelling using Visuals

En Xi's Spelling List (10 words) every Week for each Term in K2

At the start of K2, we started revising your spelling using the Shichida method.  The 'flashcard' method seems to work in the beginning until the number of words jumped from 5 to 10 and each word becomes longer and seemingly more complicated.  Learning soon became a chore and laborious.  It was no longer fun and the treats no longer motivates you anymore.

As always, mummy to the rescue.  She thought hard about it, stared at her birthday gift and asked........  Mr Google on her Samsung Note 3 answered.  There were many sites that offers alternate means of learning for the right-brained child.  The Visual Way.  By using different colours to write the letters of the word to differentiate the phonics sounds and drawing related objects within the flashcard should work.

Daddy's best shot

Daddy tried, but somehow it didn't feel right.  You were still not intrigued.  Often, you pointed out that the picture should look otherwise.  We spend more time discussing about how the flashcard should look, than learning the words.  So, we let you do all the drawing instead.

It is tough to decipher what your drawing is all about.  They all look fascinating, filled with imagination, full of flavour.  Yet, we can't really figure out the story behind the drawings until you tell us about it.  At times, the stories are beyond the ordinary folk tales.  Sometimes, its about your day in school.  We still spend more time talking about your drawings than practising your spelling.  But the outcome cannot be more different.  Your spelling results have improved tremendously.  Self confidence has been regained and you are much more engaged.

En Xi's favourite "Damsel in Distress" theme

Another Day in En Xi's Life

Perhaps, the best part behind all the drawing and learning is the time we spend together bonding.  The story telling from you connects us and allow us to know you much better.  To understand why you do things the way you do.  To understand the way you think and what matters to you most.  To know the little things that occurs everyday in your life.