Done !

 SPM

But for some only... the Science students.

But what a relief for everyone. 

Some brought camera stands for big photography sessions while 

 others could not wait for the next chapter of their story.

Today we had episodes of fainting and forgetting to get up...but we are always reminded that there is hope even if you are late. I remembered a past event when a student came in late; to be exact 1/2 an hour later and came in semi pyjamas but still made it. She did it with a distinction !

The gruesome marathon is ending for many soon .

Parents and students alike will be heading for colleges and the next package.

That's life; it is a cycle.

So, next March will be the verdict.

The Future Leaders

 The winners.

They were established winners even in their school days. The school is really a ground for talent hunt as individuals develop their potential in all aspects; personality, academics, co-curricular activities and the list is infinite.I guess the most important is to win friendship and develop social skills that will mould your future.

It's hard to be successful without the support of your peers.

Today I cannot help but associate some students who have winning streaks in their walk so far.

This one has always been known as a song bird.

She has a sweet and mesmerizing voice that will tug your heart and the melody she creates is the taste of today. Here she is seen competing in "Soul To Shine' a couple of years ago and of course she won a prize.With her ukelele she sang to the hearts of the judges and audience. She loves to perform on special occasions too; like the Leo and Interact Nights and Prom night too. At all times, she will cause her listeners to applaud and want more. So, the school in her gesture to allow potentials to develop did not know that May Yean will one make a name for herself in the country.

As I follow her in the social media, I am not surprised that she won a bronze medal last weekend in 

"The Rising Star" grand finals under the eye of Yuna; the coveted one.

Mayean doesn't only sing; I can assure you. She is bright academically and even as the assistant head girl, she outshone many in her duties and her pleasant disposition is her golden trademark.

Surely, everyone is proud of her.

Well done May Yean.

This one surprises everyone non-stop.

Within a couple of months of his stay in London, this head boy has already made his existence felt and known by many through his outstanding performance in LSE. It's great to be young; it's greater to be able to adapt and respond positively in a new environment so effortlessly. I marvel at his adaptability for I have known of many who were crushed under such circumstances; being away from home and comfort. His positive outlook has been detected from his school days. Always having some surprises up his sleeves; his quick thinking skills have found him in winning positions most of the time. Never a quiet moment from him.

So, even in LSE he fights all the time.

After many rounds of scrutiny and tests, he made it as one of the only 3 selected candidates in an investment search for talent. He, I guess will be under the tutelage of the Equities Analyst Investment Funds Unit in LSE making decisions for tons of monetary ventures. He will be an added advantage to the unit.

Well, his stories have yet to be added and he indeed is inspiring to many back home especially among the Seafieldians; both students and teachers.

 Back home everyone is watching for the next conquest.

Indeed, we are proud of May Yean and Kaelan.

Playtime 2

 May insisted that I must follow them; playtime again !

She is a good sales person and her insistence persuaded us to peep at the talk of the town

 The "infinity pool" she claimed.

It's somewhat like the MBS one in Singapore ... from afar.

But it is quite impressive.

 We were greeted with this ultra comfortable park. A place of play for the young and boisterous. So, you see I was right. Modern parents are different. They give their best in everything to their young ones. So the playground is also very trendy; gone were the days when we played in wooden boxes, make-believe houses and 'masak-masak'. The kids today must be in the know of the latest gadgets and technology too.

Must grandparents be trendy too?

 There the 2 young companions; ready for a splash.

"When, when, when?

 It sure is enjoyable; so fun and cool. 

Given a choice, they will be in the water forever !

 The best part of the evening though was when Uncle Bert told the little one stories of 'why'...explanation after explanation; never ending but it is a bond which I am sure the little one will etch in his memory.

 Now little one ; you are also remembered... for your funny acts and expressions.

A bundle of joy.

 Happy first birthday, Caden.

So cute.

Play time

The Gym

What comes to one's mind when the gym is mentioned?

 We would probably associate it with a concept shown above.We go to the gym for a workout and pay a monthly fee to sweat out. We need coaching, company and equipment for a health programme. It's the norm now.

 What happens when your niece tells you that the son also needs a workout plan at less than 12 months? A plan to play ? It sounded odd to my ears and I casually asked my sister " A plan to play?" I don't remember this when my children were growing up. Maybe I am behind time and I have lost understanding of what modern mothers do. So, I decided to follow them to see what the plan meant.

So, I was greeted with this...gymboree. Hurray it sounds fun.

 These brighten up the place and it's a children's domain alright.

 So the play begins. To entitle yourself to playtime, you must be named. So every child needs to register and thus qualify himself to legally play at the grounds.

 Like a gym, the place has all sorts of equipment to help the young ones play, exercise and socialise. I fail to comprehend why modern mothers have to go to such length to entertain...but my sister kept saying that this is how things work these days and told me to shut up and follow the new pattern. Follow the new trend and she ranted that my girls will do the same for their children too. I only remembered that as a young mother I had to run to so many places in between work and sending them to baby sitters...where got time to send them to gymborees? Anyway, 20 years ago such a term did not exist.

So the young, energetic mother will coax the son to climb and reach the destination ...

 Yes ! He made it and it s a feat ! Oh yes I also remember bringing my children to the Tanjung park in Muar and taught them to climb this way too...not a gym but an outdoor park.

I suppose things have changed and I really must follow the new trend.

 There Cayden also met new friends. It was indeed a delight to see triplets at the gymboree all having a great time together. Sometimes it is a refreshing change from school to see and breathe new things...like being in a gymboree with young faces. I enjoy the day with them and I am still coaxing myself to look at ideas and things in a new light and to accept them graciously; no need to rationalise too much...just follow. 

That will make me a more likeable person, agree?

Fun at the gymboree.

Smell Them

Stop and Smell the roses.

Of course the ones below are not roses.

But they are as pretty as roses though.

My nephew once told me; " Aunt, stop and smell the roses ! " What does that entail? It means to pause and have time to relax. It also says to throw away cares of the world and look at the little things in life that make you happy. It also means to laugh heartily and be amused at small jokes and happenings. Someone also told me that I have forgotten to laugh. I wonder why. It must be the changes that are happening to me. But I really must stop and smell the roses and learn the art of laughing aloud again. The petunia in my garden is a sight to behold. They brighten my spirit and I thank God for His creation.Yes. Smell them.

On a lighter note, an evening in town last weekend added some merriment as Christmas decorations are dotting the city. It's the season of the year again. Someone once commented that November and December are months that depict weekends in a week. They are months for celebration and rest.A walk in the malls will further brighten spirits as I am sure there will be fierce competition for the best looking one ! 

I wonder at the surprises that are in store.

Grace and Aaron related that the streets of Singapore are already in their top form. I am wondering when I can go visit the pretty city again. But I am sure the streets of Kuala Lumpur will be mesmerizing soon too and we hope they will be safe for tourists too.

All too many reasons to stop and smell the roses.

It's a good feeling to be in this season of the year.

They'll be back!

It's been a month !

In the olden Chinese ways, the newly wedded bride should have made a maiden trip home after the wedding on the ninth day... but it's alright. Culture does not really matter at times; it's the content of the heart that matters.

So, if you were to ask me, how does it feel to have your daughter married off and what next?

 My answer is simple; happy for them.

Choices are always self-made and we learn to stand by them and life goes on. 

The cycle of life is unavoidable. We go through it and we see the next generation go through it too. I learn from my parents and hands-on experiences and hopefully my children will also watch and follow.

There are certainly patterns to avoid and emulate and values to adopt and discard. 

What can we do as parents? Pray and hope that the next generation be vigilant and well.

It's good to have them back for the weekend and looking forward to pleasantries and celebrations.

It's also Aaron's birthday today.

So Happy Birthday, Aaron

Mom

Happy Birthday, mama.

Am I glad I have a chance to address her today.

She's 89; still feisty and adorable.

As I ponder about her today, I am grateful to God for giving her as an example to me and my siblings to emulate. 

She is warm, kind, generous, gracious, and has a heart of gold.

Like my father, she is independent and loves her children dearly.

She gives more than she receives; that is why she is so blessed.

She loves to have people around her and sets up dinner for friends; young and old.

She entertains and makes herself useful and loved.

Many can testify of her kind acts.

It is an attribute to want to put up with people as she opens her home to many.

Her phone calls to her children and grand children are incessant; she needs to know their well-being.

Here's a photo of mama and her baby.

Guess her age then?

Many of us siblings wonder at the baby she's holding.

Who is the baby? 

When we asked her she replied that it was sister no2, then it was me, then no3 then it was...

So her memory may have failed her but she is nevertheless our dear mother; no matter who she is carrying.

Those were the days when it was the norm to have many babies; no matter what age you may be at. Mothers then went through much at child birth with little medical care and help. We are thankful that she went through all the difficult days and still thrived on till this day with vigor and little complaints. 

Mama worked hard during her younger days; I remembered her sewing right through the nights and stood for hours till her legs swelled; cutting away clothes for her customers. Back then my no.2 sister and I were well-trained by her. We edged her cuttings and hemmed clothes for a pay of 5 cents per piece. We had to work for our pocket money. But it was good; it taught us the value of money and how to save. 

It is a best practice.

Now you know why my no.2 sister is such a good manager of funds.

Though she did not go to a proper school, she has attributes in life that far out beat many who went to school. Her honesty, right behaviour and living skills is a legacy for many to remember.

 This is from the book of Proverbs; and if I have to recite the verses at her every birthday, I would gladly do so. It is her in words.

A wife of noble character who can find ?

She is worth far more than rubies...

...She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy...

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness

her children arise and call her blessed;...

Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all...

 Happy Birthday dear Mother.

We love you. 

May the Lord's goodness to be abundant in your days to come.

SPM 2013

 This is a strange year; at least historical for me.

I am caught between 2 schools; the old and new.

But nevertheless all of them are my children.

SPM as I have always shared is a test of tenacity, stamina and perseverance as the period of testing is awfully long; a month.

SPM is crucial to many as it will determine the future paths taken by many.

So here it is ; the best that ever can happen be with my students.

 This is my new place of work; strange to me but I need to establish a tie; very quickly.

 To these children whom I hardly know; may you be blessed with good wishes from me.

To the protege and protegee that I have nurtured for the last 5 years; I cannot forget you.

May the best be with you all too with much love.

So, the fight is on.

Fight the good fight, boys and girls.

With my best blessings.

The Second Call

 It has since been a year; I thought it was just yesterday.

Last October we were with her in London for her call to the English Bar.

 Sara at Lincoln's Inn for her red letter day last October.

It was raining but the rain did not dampen any spirits.

 Lincoln Inn's Bar dinner was a memory for keeps; it was an experience allowed because your dear one is called to the Bar; not to serve drinks but to serve the public. So dad and I indeed had the honour to eat and drink because Sara was called. So, indeed money cannot buy chances.

 Yesterday saw dad and I busy chasing for time to attend another milestone event in Sara's career; her call to the Malaysian Court. So, with this she can now practise freely here but the best news of course; she is no more receiving a trainee's pay... there is an increase! That's a mandate for a dinner treat,Sara.

 I stole a shot; hope I do not have to defend myself for stealing a picture of her here !

But it was indeed a year of hard training which took the stamina out of her as she comes home late in the evenings and completing assignments after assignments; but what is easy in life?

 We are the proud parents; so is the proud boyfriend. So, Sara is now on the path to a legal affair.

May the Almighty ever be her source of guidance, reference and wisdom and the protector in all her undertakings.

She came home; delighted and elated. So she spent the afternoon baking for her favourite master.

A cake for Mr. Kumar for Deepavali. A special word of thanks from the mama to the master  for leading her through the chambering days and making it possible for her to stay on.

 Indeed he has been a skilful guide and mentor.

Congratulations and may your days be meaningful ones as you serve the public; Sara.