Enen's SK Project Open Night : Aug-11

It has been almost three terms that En'en is attending Soka Kindergarten, or SK for short. According to other mothers, SK conducts an open-house every quarterly for parents to look at their children's work as well as visit their children's learning environment and speak to the teachers. This is however our very first Open Night visit!

I was greeted by very cheery and colorful decorations the moment I entered their activity room. Upon closer look, I saw that the big room had been segregated into areas for various animals; the children's theme for this term was animals. Rabbits' corner, garden for caterpillars and butterflies, fish pond corner, juz to name a few.. The animals or decorations at each corner were all craft work by the students!

En'en was very proud to have all of us in her school, in her activity room, and enthusiastically showed us around, and even introduced us to her teachers!

A special gathering : Aug-11

16 years ago, I started my career as a system analyst at Singapore Airlines in 1995. Although I did not stayed long in this company, I had fond memories working there because I definitely encountered the nicest colleagues I had met throughout my career life. Since then I had moved to my currently fifth job at GSK and many re-organization had also happened within SIA, not to mentioned I was also married with 3 daughters now!

This year, Genevieve and the SIA gang organized what they called the "B-lumini" gathering (since we were in teamB during SIA times) and we were cordially invited. Great food were served along with excellent fun but it was the connection again that was priceless.

Morning breakfast at Changi Beach : Aug-11

Papa and mama are going to Indonesia in a few weeks time and are not sure how to go to the Tanah Merah ferry terminal. Since it is a public holiday, I decided to drive them there to show them the route and place.

After the 'demo', we then decided to have our breakfast at Changi Village food centre which is nearby. We did not expect a crowd on a Hari Raya holiday, but surprisingly we are wrong. The food centre is packed with long queues everywhere. No complains on the food they sell there, but a stroll later at the beach is definitely refreshing on a holiday morning.

My Pets Zen and Zeke : Aug-11

On my birthday, papa bought me my dream birthday present. I had wanted a little companion to play with and so i thought of birds. So when papa discussed it with me I started researching on these little furry creatures. I found out that the top 3 species/types birds suitable for pet owners were 1st a budgerigar (like mine) 2nd a cockatiel and 3rd a canary. I thought a budgie would be nice. Today, papa bought me 2 budgerigars for my birthday! A male and a female, the male was light blue with zebra patterns on its wing and a long tail. The female was an albino bird. I got a pink cage (no other colour with the same pattern :( ) it was in a shape of a semi-circle but taller. It came with two perches, two small bowls and a circle swing, we bought some food too. When we got home I was super happy, I put the cage with the birds on the washing machine and filled the bowls with food and water. The birds stood in their cage like two statues and did not make a single song, when we got closer they kept moving to the other side of the cage. Papa said they needed some time to get used to their new surroundings, but I was very impatient whenever I looked at them they still looked like statues. However when evening came, they started to relax a bit. the male bird sat on the swing for almost one hour not wanting to come down. The female bird looked like she wanted to have a turn too, but he would not give in. Papa said that they needed fresh air so he took the cage out of the house and put it on the shoe rack. The birds seemed more lifely as they chirped loudly when they saw other birds fly past. I decided to name them Zeke for the male and Zen for the female. This is the best birthday present I could ever have.

Visit to Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum : Aug-11

Quite remarkable that we actually visited our 2nd museum in a month!

This time we visited one of the largest Buddhist temple on our lands, called "Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum". The temple is simply magnificent, from the elaborated architecture to its detailed internal design and countless Buddha statues and historical artifacts. Anyone visiting the place would be impressed by the splendid efforts incurred.

My sentiments after the visit were mixed. While I am proud to visit the place as a Buddhist, I somehow felt something is amiss. Buddhism teaches us about entirety of life, and how to apply Buddhism in life to achieve happiness for everyone. For some reason, I cannot feel that Buddhist purpose there. Instead what is more prominent to me is the kind of "God-human being" relationship. Looking at some devotees praying to Buddha statues, I wonder if they are "throwing" their problems or wishes to the Buddha and expecting the Buddha up there (the "God") to solve their problems or grant their wishes? Is Buddhism merely that? I ponder as I admire the exhibits in the museum... and at the end, I just feel so grateful to be able to encounter Nichiren Buddhism through Soka, which is based on the Lotus Sutra, king of the sutras which Shakyamuni Buddha preached in the final 8 years of his life. Nichiren Daishonin teaches us to apply Buddhism to our lives, taking personal responsibility and accountability in achieving happiness for self and others. There should be no greater joy then when you are in control of your own life.

Visit to Asian Civilisations Museum : Aug-11

The idea of visiting a museum has always been an unappealing one to me, probably due to the fact that I need to see, read, walk, think and try to digest and understand the long history in the shortest span of time during the visit. Many a time i will choose to visually admire the magnificent artifacts our ancestors created with a brief glance of their history.

Xuan has recently visited the Asian Civilizations Museum and has been boosting about how fascinating her visit is. Her "nagging" becomes so "bad" that I think we should go as a family outing just to 'shut' her up.

I cannot remember when is my last visit to a museum, must be a number of years i suppose... anyway, this visit strikes me with multiple surprises...
1st Surprise - $8 for the entire family! in fact, kids are free, adult is $4!
2nd Surprise - thought En'en broke an artifact! turn out that it is a jig-jaw puzzle!
3rd Surprise - TV consoles with interactive videos everywhere, no need to read!
4th Surprise - iPhone application can be installed and used to view 3D effects around the museum!
5th Surprise - Can easily spend 2 to 3 hours there, enjoying!

I can go on and on with my surprises and how my jaw keeps dropping... bottom-line is, Xuan is right, that Museum is really GOOD! What particularly impressed me on is the advancement in technology in the museum (as if they hear my complains) BUT not in price. I wonder where you could find such 'lobang' nowadays, most prices just keep going one direction, UP.

After the museum we continue to enjoy ourselves by the Singapore River bank, enjoying ice-cream and walk under the shiny sunshine. A good time spent in conclusion.

Lucifer Momento for P5 Cubs : Aug-11

After the memorable time the our cubs have spent learning and performing the Lucifer dance for the P5 camp, here is the video clip Victor has put together for our young champions! (^_^)

Click here to recall our P5 camp..