Qiqi's PSLE result released : Nov-10

It has been more than a month of waiting and finally D day arrived.  25th Nov 2010 was the day Qiqi received her PSLE results.  A moment anxious to many in the family...

Since young, Qiqi has always been a happy-go-lucky gal, however, there were rare occasions where she demonstrated great confidence.  After her PSLE, from some sources unknown, she demonstrated a level of confidence so amusing and enormously great -she wants to enter Raffles Girls School and join their rhythmic gymnastics!  She kept repeating this wish as if she has already been accepted by the school.  Shin Yang and myself were pleasantly amused or rather entertained by this gal.  With her preliminary results, Maths(C), Chinese(A), Science (B) and English (B), we constantly scratched our heads and tried to comprehend her rationale for saying that.  We have only one conclusion - this girl was simply overly-optimistic!

From the moment her PSLE examination ended, Qiqi certainly has been very relaxed, watching TV, practicing her stretching, playing computer games, doing art and craft... not a single sign of worry was revealed.  She was like a bird, released and feeling it's freedom from the cage.  It was only the day before the results when she displayed a little anxiety and started to request Shin Yang and Xuan not to accompany her to school the next day.  I laughed, suddenly her confidence burst like a bubble. I teased her and suggested some neighborhood schools for her 'contingency' plan.

On the actual day, I was unable to be there for her (too busy at work)... We tapped on to technology, Shin Yang emailed me instantly from her iPhone, updating me every details.  Alas, Qiqi got her results... all As!  Definitely a leap of improvement for her, yet just above average.. :-)

Nevertheless, we were glad with the results... well at least personally, my hours of accompanying her studying were not wasted.  Of course, results were not everything... it was the process! the journey of hard-work and the joy of reaping the success.  In this PSLE journey, Qiqi should pay gratitude and thank her good fortune to having a group of kind and responsible teachers, who spent almost the entire year, putting extra hours and efforts in tutoring and guiding the students.

Buddhism is about winning and in this journey, Qiqi had emerged victorious in many aspects.  I hoped she continues to strive in her life, phase after phase...

Visit to Soka Gakkai Bangkok : Nov-10

Many many many moons ago when Jetstar offered super low airfares for some locations, Victor and some colleagues decided to take advantage of their offer and planned for a short getaway to Bangkok. That getaway did not materialize as Thailand subsequently suffered their recent most serious 2010 Thai red-shirt protest.. More than half a year later, we finally made our trip!

Ikeda Sensei brought Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism to 192 countries and territories worldwide. To trace Sensei's trail would be almost unthinkable, the least we could do is to visit the Soka Gakkai centres in these countries. Hence Soka Gakkai Thailand @ Wittayu Centre, Bangkok became our very first stop.



This SGT centre is a very humble one, very much like our Lor 18 Geylang centre although its premise is a little bigger. They presently have two halls and an office cum sales area, one hall with a gigantic butsudan and seats as all kaikans have, and another smaller hall with a more modest butsudan and members take to the floor to chant. A handful of members were chanting as we joined them and performed our morning gongyo for the day. The kaikan is currently undergoing some renovation and expansion.. I am sure this kaikan will be able to serve more members if we were to return for a second visit! :)

Xuan's 2010 : Nov-10

This is what this artwork is called, the future city.I drew,painted and decorate it. Took me 4 lessons to complete it.

This art piece is about a disastrous city because of global warming.I drew silhouettes of people and animals.The colourful smoke are the polluted air from the chimney.

En'en and Nanny : Nov-10

En'en is born a fortune baby.  Through her, our family (especially myself) has revived our faith and started learning and practicing Nichiren Buddhism earnestly. She is our 善知识, someone who is born to improve and bring our faith to the next level.

Not only the family's faith and good fortune have grown along with En'en, she also has an enormous benefit herself, and that is to have the great fortune of having a nanny who adores and treats her just like a family.

珍姐brought En'en up just like a family member.  Whenever there are events which are interesting for En'en, she will never miss her out.  Her spirit, energy and compassion have greatly impressed us.  Since En'en is young, 珍姐 has brought En'en to many special places and events, like 歌台, National day, Chalet... Recently, her "visa" to En'en has even extended to oversea trips.  So far, En'en has already traveled 2 times with her Nanny to Gentings and Penang.  It's embarrassing to say her first overseas trip is not with us.

Recently, Esther (珍姐's daughter) has compiled and burnt a photo disc for En'en.  I am sharing them to let you feel envious... :-)