Chinese New Year

Two weeks after leaving Singapore for Hong Kong, we're back again for Chinese New Year. Prior to coming back to Singapore for Christmas and Chinese New Year, I was very excited and happy because this would be little Ba Ba first Christmas and Chinese New Year in Singapore. Well, Christmas came and left and we had great fun catching up with the family. But there was something that made us a little sad as we left Singapore.

Babe's 3rd aunty didn't look well at Christmas dinner. She had been feeling kinda sick and rundown for a while. Babe and I were just talking about how sickly his aunt looked over Christmas and we were hoping that she'll be able to get well soon. But who's to know what could happen. Just one day before flying back to Singapore, we got news that Babe's aunty fell, hit her head and had a blood clot and in a matter of a week or so, she went to heaven. We were in shock. Well, everyone was in shock. We made it home for the vigil and burial services.

That led us to Chinese New Year that seemed to be a little sombre. As we celebrated, we were reminded of Babe's 3rd aunty's absence. There were sadness around as Babe's mum and aunties talked about it. Sure, we know that she's in heaven but there's still grieving. We're praying for the family to heal.

This Chinese New Year honestly doesn't feel much like a Chinese New Year. Each year that comes, Chinese New Year seems to be losing it's lustre. As kids, we loved CNY. There were lots of food, visiting, hanging out with cousins and lots of fun. But as I get older, things seem to change. I guess grandparents, granduncles and grandaunts passing on might have had impacts on the celebrations or that we hardly visit people anymore. Or maybe it's that we've moved away for such a long time that we've lost touch with people, that made a huge difference too. Babe even mentioned that maybe we shouldn't fly home for both Christmas and CNY. But to me, that's the time that I really want to spend with the family. And especially now that his grandma is so old, we should try to be home more so that she'll be able to see Josias more.

So this CNY has been a little bittersweet. Nice to be home with the family but at the back of my head, I wished that 3rd aunty didn't have to be home with the Lord so soon. Anyway, that's enough of my rumblings. Happy Chinese New Year! Oh, please don't be mistaken that I don't like CNY, I actually enjoy CNY because I get to fly home to send time with the family and get to see my relatives too.

Time for Ba Ba to Start School

So it's finally time for little Ba Ba to start school. It's not something that I'm looking forward to. I dragged my feet with the application process till finally this week, I could no longer put it off any longer that I went to the kindy and dropped off the application.

When I dropped off the application, I wasn't surprised that I was told that little Ba Ba has to attend an interview. But still, I wasn't ready for him to deal with the stress of attending school at such a young age and the stress of the interview. At the back of my head, I was what if he fails the interview? How would he feel? I don't care if he fails the interview. But then again, he wouldn't know that he failed the interview, right? Because he's too young to understand.

Anyway, I had the conversation with Babe. We'll just apply for one kindy and if it doesn't work out with that kindy, we'll just keep him home for another year. And a year later then apply for a couple other kindies that we have in mind. We like having little Ba Ba at home. Currently, he goes to a couple of playgroups and he spends the rest of the time playing at home and we are happy with what he does.

On the topic of education, I want little Ba Ba to have a childhood. I want him to enjoy school and not be stressed up by trying to get all As. To me, I want him to look back and remember that he had an enjoyable childhood and no matter what his academic results were as long as he tried his best, his parents love him. Yes, education is important but character development is more important. So what if he aced throughout his education but he doesn't have morals and he turned out to be a crook. I'd rather him be a mediocre student and have a simple job but he's a moral man. Yes, you might think that I'm naive to think that way but that's what I really want for little Ba Ba.

So little Ba Ba, all Ma Ma wants for you is to be a God fearing man and that's all that matters.

First Post of the Year

I noticed that I've not as written as much as I had in the past on my blog. Wish I have more time every day but since the arrival of Ba Ba, my blogging and even my time surfing on the net has been greatly reduced. He takes the bulk of my time apart from work. Not that I'm complaining. So now back to blogging.

How was 2011 for me? 2011 started with lots of crying at home. Yes, we were blessed with little Ba Ba and January saw us learning to be parents and we are still learning to be parents. There were times that were frustrating but it was and it still worth it. The first 6 months of the year was also hard as we could not travel with little Ba Ba as we were under probation. But God was good. He brought people that we love and miss to us. We had family and friends that visited and ohhed and ahhed at little Ba Ba. It was very heartwarming to know that when we couldn't go to them, they came to us.

Summer rolled along and we had little Ba Ba's papers finalised and we flew home! Ba Ba took his flight. I was kinda worried but he did well. No complains at all. July also saw us taking our first trip alone without Ba Ba. I've always wanted to go to Maldives and it was exactly as I wanted the trip to be! Awesome! I got to see Eve too in August and we celebrated little Ba Ba's birthday in Spore too.

The rest of the year rolled on and frankly, there was nothing more that I wanted for the year. The year was perfect and there's nothing that I was like to change. A fantabulous year! And if 2012 can be as fantabulous as 2011, I'll be glad! Here's to a great year ahead!

One of my Greatest Fears

When I was doing my nails yesterday, I was reading a magazine and came across an article about a lady who by the age of 18 lost both of her parents. It was a kinda sad article but this lady to a certain extent did well in her life but of course, she misses her parents heaps.

And then, I started my morbid thoughts. Yes, me and my morbid thoughts. I was thinking, what if one day, either Babe or I go to heaven or what if both of us go to heaven and what would happen to Ba Ba? I remember on our way to and back from Maldives, I was kinda worried thinking what would happen if the plane crashed and Ba Ba would be left all alone. Maybe that might be one of the reasons why I was severely airsick on that flight.

But as I thought further, I realised that even if God decides to take me or both Babe and me home, Ba Ba would be well taken care of. I've got to trust God on that. I've got a loving family that would take Ba Ba and love him. Ba Ba has wonderful and loving godparents in Singapore and in San Diego who would step up if the need comes. And hence, there shouldn't be any worrying.

And that's when I calmed down and thought, yes little one, God will take care of you. And in the same breath, Ba Ba, remember that Da Da and Ma Ma love you very much and no matter whatever that happens, you'll always have our love. But sorry, dude, we can't be buying the whole of Toys 'R' Us even though I know secretly Da Da would love to do that!

A Great Week

I had a fantabulous week! Mum, Joanne, Joe and JC flew into HK last Saturday night. On Sunday afternoon, we went to Disney. We had a super duper time!

This was the first time for the kids to Disney. Little JC was super excited. She's been watching Winne the Pooh for gazillion times and she was so excited when she took Winnie the Pooh's ride. And she had a blast watching Lion King too. She loves watching Lion King at home and when she watched the musical in Disney she was so entranced by it. Ba Ba was watching the musical quietly too and when it was time to clap, he clapped and squealed so happily!

Then we went on my all time favourite ride in Disney, It's a Small World. Little Ba Ba was so intrigued by the ride. His eyes were everywhere. He was clapping and bobbing his head. I just wanted to hug and squished him when I was watching him. He seemed to have a great time at Disney. He didn't fuss or cry. He behaved beautifully even though he was tired. He did his run around, waved at strangers and smiled at everyone. There were random people that took photos of him. Got me kinda concerned but then again, there's no need to be really uptight and get mad with people.

Overall, Ba Ba and JC had a great time at Disney. Little Ba Ba had such a great time to the extend that we were thinking maybe we should do Christmas at Florida next year and maybe we should get a year pass for Disney. Oh yes, we're starting him young! Will put up pics soon

9 Years and Counting!

On the 23rd of November, we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary and adding the 10 years of courtship, we've known each other for 19 years. That's more than half of my lifetime.

The truth is that, there were times that I thought that we may not make it. We're like any other couples that have arguments and then we get mad and we take time to make up. A marriage is never easy, I'll be the first one to admit. I wrote this on a dear friend's Facebook status, she was getting married that day, 'Enjoy the day. Remember the wedding is just a day or 2 event but a marriage is for a lifetime'. Yes, a marriage is for a lifetime. And sometimes it's hard.

For those of you who know us well, you'll know that Babe and I have very different personalities. We're almost polar opposites. It takes a lot for us to make this marriage work out. It takes a lot of giving and taking. There are times that it takes a lot from Babe to try to coax me when I'm mad over little things. I love him for that. I love him for making so much effort to make this marriage work. Babe is not one that would buy flowers or make grand gestures to show me that he loves me. But it's the little things that he does that make me feel special. He understands and he's fine when I fly off for 2 or 3 weeks to States, or have dinner with my best friend who is male or when I want to go to Disneyland for the 10th time. And there's more examples.

Ba Ba has also made a change in our relationship. When Ba Ba arrived, the first few months were kinda hard. We were new at being parents and we were not sure of what we were doing. Sometimes we disagreed and get mad with each other but everyday was and is a learning experience. These days, we're much better. And when we have a disagreement, I'm reminded that I want Ba Ba to know that he has loving parents that love each other. And that when all else fails, he can turn to his parents knowing that there's always love at home.

And here's to more great years to come. Thanks Babe for loving me and I'm so thankful that God has chosen you for me. Thanks for being my best friend, soulmate and partner.

Cousins

Rachel, my ex-student, who was my flower girl, had this up on Facebook. When I read it, it hit the nail on the head! One of my best friends is my cousin. I call her Monster privately. Of all my cousins, I guess we're the closest. We've seen each other's highs and lows. We have an unique friendship. We always pick up where we left off and we're fiercely protective of each other and importantly, we've never judged each other but rather stand by each other. I remember I've called her when the going got tough and I needed someone to call to and she was all ready to listen. Thanks Monster for loving me. It means a lot to me. And yes, she was my bridesmaid too.

I've always thought that everyone is close to their cousins. I used to think that it was natural for people to hang out and call their cousins best friends. But guess I was sorely wrong. Apparently some people hardly ever hang out with their cousins. Some people see their cousins once in a while, once in a year or maybe hardly ever. But for the Sims and the Lims (dad's sisters's kids), we grew up together and it was very different.

From a very young age, we used to play and hang out from babies. And even when 2 Sims left at a very young age to Manila, we still hung out when they visited Spore over summer. And to this day, I still see the 2 Sims when I visit America and would often stay with one Sim and make a side trip to see the other Sim. And I've another girl Sim living in LA. We used to live next block to each other and basically we grew up with each other. She's another cousin who lives abroad and whenever I'm in States, we make time to catch up. We try to co-ordinate our trips back to Singapore but sometimes we miss each other by just days. Yup, going to miss her by days this Christmas.

There's more cousins that I could write and talk about. I love them all. And I'm very thankful that my parents and my uncles and aunties have made a conscious effort to make or let us hang out when we were kids. And it was those fun play sessions that our friendships started and cemented and now, I call my cousins friends. I've the same hopes of Ba Ba and JC and my other nieces and nephews from my cousins and future kids that my sisters, my cousins or I might have. I want them to have the same friendships and experiences as us. Love you cousins!