Primary School Leaving Exams : Apr-10

2010 key highlight will probably be our first gal going thru' her PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examinations) this year.

Beginning of Qiqi's school term, we could already sense the significant amount of pressure and workload from the school to prepare the P6 students for this exam. It is now less than 4 months to the first exam, despite the heavy amount of homework, Qiqi is still not giving up her favorite TV show and many adhoc hobbies. I suppose with 'appropriate' amount, these could relieve some of her stress level. Nevertheless, I think it's about time the family also help to prepare and work together with Qiqi towards one of her important milestones in education. This exam must be Qiqi's victory in 2010... 加油, 文淇！

Please comment to support and encourage Qiqi... :-)

PSLE Timetable from MOE:

Mynah Bird & Its Family : Apr-10

About 6 months ago, we have noticed two mynah birds constantly flying around our air-con compressor unit. When I investigated further, I discovered that the mynahs have been pecking on the outer wooden plank which was used to cover up the HDB air-con compartment.

Shin Yang and I decided not to cover up the hole as we were afraid that the mynahs might already laid their eggs there. So, instead of sealing, we even provided some shelter to prevent rain from entering the hole.

A few weeks ago, we started to hear more and more activities coming from the compartment. Although we have suspected that some eggs might have hatched, we were curious to know how it would look like within that space. Thus, with some aid of 'technology', I managed to place a fluorescent lamp into the gap and video tape it. Do you want to find out what we discovered? Take a look for yourself, you won't regret it, it's almost like the discovery channel... :-)

Lunch Affair : Apr-10

Last year when Qi was in the morning session and Xuan in the afternoon, I thought things should work out better this year when both of them will attend the same morning session. Boy, was I wrong! With En in the pre-nursery, and Qi and Xuan dismissed at different timings almost everyday, I have to make four trips out of the house juz to bring the 3 girls to and from school!

We, the 3 girls and I, never had lunch together on a school day. We, the 2 older girls and I, never had lunch together on a school day either. Qi has no additional class only once a week, and after this week, she will have additional classes and taking lunch in school everyday. Xuan stays back in school twice a week, and on the one day her sis can come home early. Ma is also more active than last year, and do not join us for lunch anymore. In the end, En is the only one who takes lunch at home everyday! Even then, it is not a proper lunch either as she would have taken her breakfast less than 2 hours ago and she would be taking a snack upon arrival in school which would be less than 1 hour thereafter.. With a nearby confectionary shop that sells seemingly healthy and tasty porridge for breakfast, En's lunch is easy.. So, lunch is seldom homecooked now. Such a pity I am not able to polish and further improve my culinary skills.. ;P

Anyway, I do get some time alone with the girls separately.. ya, over food. Qi, who always prefer western food like subway or mcdonalds, also enjoys laksa and even its spicy gravy. Xuan who cannot call a meal without rice a meal, tried Long John Silver and liked it.. without a grain of rice. En, who enjoys all food, especially likes orh-kueh or yam cake now; she even enjoys the black and ugly gui ling gao from the same shop!!

All these eating out has taken its toll on me.. Now, I take lunch twice a day, snack on both healthy fruits and I-forbid junk food to 'clear stock' in-between lunches and dinner. I no longer like to step on my room scale; in fact, i hope its battery will go flat soon and I can continue in my world of denial!