These few days I was so caught up with the planning of Australia trip that my mum was wondering where we were and how we were doing. Called her up and she was so relieved to hear from me. She said she was extremely worried after hearing there was a duststorm in Sydney. Yes! The dust storm was rather scary. The whole sky was orange in colour and my car was covered with dust. Channery's friend walked to school and she felt ill after that. Those who have respiratory problem was told to stay at home as it is quite dangerous for them to wander out into the open air.
Actually now that everything has been booked, I am beginning to feel whether I am up to the challenge of driving around New Zealand. Tried driving long distances from Melbourne to Canberra, stopping only for toilet breaks for abt 6 hrs but somehow the type of roads are very different from Australia. Theirs are more of mountain roads and they practically all two lane roads - one direction each. Both of us have to be really alert to look out for possible hazards.
Looking forward to going for the trip and creating wonderful memories for the whole family. The kids are going to love the activities that we have planned. This weekend we are going to send my chickens away to a farm owned by his friend's son since we won't be around to take care of them. Will miss them since they are actually quite fun to play with in the backyard. As for JJ, he has been reserved at a dog boarding house again. Hopefully he will enjoy his 14 days there.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
New Zealand trip
These few days Joe and I are busy planning for our family new Zealand trip. We planned to visit both islands and only have 10 days or so for the trip. Joe and I went there 12 yrs ago for honeymoon and we told ourselves then that we will bring our kids back for visit. So, NZ being so near to Australia and so we decided to make the trip before we go back to Singapore in December for good.
Lots of things to see and do. At the north island, we will bring the kids to visit Kiwi fruit farm, visit glow worms and explore cave, see kiwi birds and other animals, soak in a mud pool, visit hot springs, see all the geothermal activities and visit Maori culture and eat their food. They will even get to stay in show farms hotel and visit the fliming sets of "Lord of the Rings" if we have time. We will finalize the final tour itinerary.
As for the south island, in Queenstownm we will bring them to ride the gondola and luge in Queenstown, take the shotover jet, bring them to see others doing Bumgy jump. After that, we will drive to milford sound to visit the beautiful milford sound. Hopefully we can catch sight of dolphines and whales and other wildlife there. After that, we will go for farm stay between Te Anau and Dunedin.Hopfully there will have lots to see on the working farm. We will proceed to find the Moeraki Boulders and try to visit the wildlife there. The Albatross colony, the fur seals, the yellow penguins, the blue penguins and so on. We will see if we have any time to see all these fabulous creatures. After the coast, we will drive towards Mount cook so that we can catch the Glacier. We won't be going to Fox Glacier / Franz Josef Glacier since they are at the other side of the island. We will just visit Mount cook and take a tour there. Told Joe maybe to take a helicopter up the mountain but the cost is too much. No way are we going to spend that kind of money la. After the glacier, w will head back to Christchurch and then take a plane back to Australia.
So far, the conservative estimated cost of having it all is about $15000. We will see how we wanna fine tune everything. The booking of airfares is a problem since we are not sure how to go about booking for all the flights. Will figure out. The car and motels and tour packages at various places of interest too. By doing everything ourselves and self drive, we will save a total of $10k and also the flexibility to adjust the tour according to our needs.
God bless everything will go as planned.
Lots of things to see and do. At the north island, we will bring the kids to visit Kiwi fruit farm, visit glow worms and explore cave, see kiwi birds and other animals, soak in a mud pool, visit hot springs, see all the geothermal activities and visit Maori culture and eat their food. They will even get to stay in show farms hotel and visit the fliming sets of "Lord of the Rings" if we have time. We will finalize the final tour itinerary.
As for the south island, in Queenstownm we will bring them to ride the gondola and luge in Queenstown, take the shotover jet, bring them to see others doing Bumgy jump. After that, we will drive to milford sound to visit the beautiful milford sound. Hopefully we can catch sight of dolphines and whales and other wildlife there. After that, we will go for farm stay between Te Anau and Dunedin.Hopfully there will have lots to see on the working farm. We will proceed to find the Moeraki Boulders and try to visit the wildlife there. The Albatross colony, the fur seals, the yellow penguins, the blue penguins and so on. We will see if we have any time to see all these fabulous creatures. After the coast, we will drive towards Mount cook so that we can catch the Glacier. We won't be going to Fox Glacier / Franz Josef Glacier since they are at the other side of the island. We will just visit Mount cook and take a tour there. Told Joe maybe to take a helicopter up the mountain but the cost is too much. No way are we going to spend that kind of money la. After the glacier, w will head back to Christchurch and then take a plane back to Australia.
So far, the conservative estimated cost of having it all is about $15000. We will see how we wanna fine tune everything. The booking of airfares is a problem since we are not sure how to go about booking for all the flights. Will figure out. The car and motels and tour packages at various places of interest too. By doing everything ourselves and self drive, we will save a total of $10k and also the flexibility to adjust the tour according to our needs.
God bless everything will go as planned.
Chinese Language
Last few days passed so quickly when I have a task on hand. I was busy marking my students' work since they will be having a test this week. Lots of revision materials to help them revise. Most of my students were really hardworking but I have a few who are really quite laid back. They probably will not score well for the test and they seem - don't really care. Kids do not see why they have to learn Chinese language and I am really saddened by this fact. When I was young, I was really better in languages than Science and Maths. Reading was a favourite pastime since it opens up a whole new world for a kampong girl. My parents never really bring us anywhere and teach us anything and we grow up rather sheltered and ignorant. Only in books, I can lose myself into another world. Nowadays, internet is so informative and fun and colourful that kids will not want to read. Need to find more interactive games. sites in Chinese language that will interest the kids too so that they can master the language while playing at the same time.
Anyway,I am looking forward to sending my family back home in December so that there are more chinese programmes in Singapore. Here all Tv programmes in English and the kids are turning into bananas - yellow skin, white flesh. Hopefully my sons and Channery will learn to write and breathe the language.
Actually nowadays many families in Singapore do not speak Chinese language and the kids really struggle in school. They only have 2 periods of CL class daily and that is simply not enough to master the language. Need to have more exposure so that they can read and write well. Knowing how to speak the language is not good enough, writing and recognising the characters are most impt. We only have to learn 500 frequent words to become good in the language.
It's a long road to success to encourage my kids and students to learn and love the language but I will keep trying.
Anyway,I am looking forward to sending my family back home in December so that there are more chinese programmes in Singapore. Here all Tv programmes in English and the kids are turning into bananas - yellow skin, white flesh. Hopefully my sons and Channery will learn to write and breathe the language.
Actually nowadays many families in Singapore do not speak Chinese language and the kids really struggle in school. They only have 2 periods of CL class daily and that is simply not enough to master the language. Need to have more exposure so that they can read and write well. Knowing how to speak the language is not good enough, writing and recognising the characters are most impt. We only have to learn 500 frequent words to become good in the language.
It's a long road to success to encourage my kids and students to learn and love the language but I will keep trying.
Bathrust trip
Since last week, Charlynn has been chattering non-stop about going for the trip today. I just came back from her school after sending her there before 6.30am. Their teachers told them to go earlier but there were still many that were late. I left after waiting for about 15 mins and decided to make my way home.
Frankly speaking, the children were all so excited to be away from their parents and they were all practically beaming with joy. Even though they are going to stay only one night away from home, they do not seem to mind at all. The parents seem to be the ones to be really worried and I could not help smiling at some of the comments of the parents. Two parents were caught saying that she gave her child handphone so that she could contact the child but she probably can only hear from him when the teacher allowed him to call. They even commented that their child's teacher is pregnant and how to run after their kids. Why so many questions?? Their children are so overprotected and I wonder what will happen when their child leaves the home. children are like horses without reins but parents still wanna hand on tight.
I think it's really a good opportunity for the kids to have excursions so that they can learn to take care of themselves. This trip to Bathrust is too short,
the kids should have more days away from home.
Frankly speaking, the children were all so excited to be away from their parents and they were all practically beaming with joy. Even though they are going to stay only one night away from home, they do not seem to mind at all. The parents seem to be the ones to be really worried and I could not help smiling at some of the comments of the parents. Two parents were caught saying that she gave her child handphone so that she could contact the child but she probably can only hear from him when the teacher allowed him to call. They even commented that their child's teacher is pregnant and how to run after their kids. Why so many questions?? Their children are so overprotected and I wonder what will happen when their child leaves the home. children are like horses without reins but parents still wanna hand on tight.
I think it's really a good opportunity for the kids to have excursions so that they can learn to take care of themselves. This trip to Bathrust is too short,
the kids should have more days away from home.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Horse riding
After visitng Elizabeth farm, we made our way to blue Mountain. At first we decided to go shopping in Paramatta but the whole carpark was filled and we really not in the mood for shopping. We stopped for lunch at a cafe and saw the brochure for horse riding. After lunch, we made our way to Richmond North.
We were actually around this area last Sunday but did not venture into the side road. When we reached there, we decided to go for an hour horse trail. Channery was the first to sit on her pony. A local girl Brittany held on to the reins and led her around. Chantz was the second one to get on the horse follwed by Charlynn. While we were waiting to be mounted onto our horse, Chantz's horse was frightened and he ran off and shook Chantz on the floor. Chantz fell stomach down on the ground. He immediately stood up and seems okay. Joe and the others rushed to his side but I stood where I was. I was really calm and "unfeeling". Not worried and just let the people there to lead him away for washing. I remembered only saying"no problem, no pain, no gain, he is alright!". This mother did not react hesterically or worried sick until she could not continue what she was doing. I just took his word that he was okay and by looking at him, he was absolutely alright. He did not even shed a single tear. After he got back, he was put up on another horse and then Joe and I mounted onto our horses. My son is like me - a tough cookie in front of outsiders!
The horse ride was actually quite fun. Charlynn, Chantz and Channery had someone to hold the reins for them but Charles, Joe and I led our own horses. Quite an experience for all of us. I really only became scared after we reached home. What if Chantz was seriously hurt?
Well! Been checking up on him and he really is alright. He even played rough with Charles the night before.
Will I let them go horse riding again? Maybe if they are really keen. The whole experience for the whole family is priceless but the fees is $150 per session.
Will upload more pictures in facebook!
Elizabeth Farm
Yesterday we went to Elizabeth Farm after taking MacDonald breakfast. Boys been there with the school and they liked the place so we decided to visit it. It is actually an old building that has been restored and the furnishings were reconstucted. As the video shows, everything is fake but everything is what it will be during the early settlement.
Write up of Elizabeth Farm
Commenced in 1793, Elizabeth Farm is Australia's oldest European building. With its deep shady verandahs, it became the prototype for the Australian homestead. It was built as the home of John and Elizabeth Macarthur and was the birthplace of the Australian wool industry. The interiors contain reproductions of furnishings and objects belonging to the Macarthurs, giving visitors an authentic glimpse of early l9th century life. Elizabeth Farm is situated in a gloriously recreated 1830s garden. There is a tearoom that serves Devonshire teas and lunch.
The house comprises two parts; the servants quarters of eight rooms and the main house of aound 15 rooms. The home, although large for the time, is a relatively modest dwelling compared to other historic homes such as Vaucluse House and Elizabeth Bay House
The gardens at Elizabeth Farm reflects over 200 years of European tradition and includes some of the oldest exotic plants in Australia.
Want to experience history rather than just read about it? At Elizabeth Farm – Australia’s oldest surviving homestead – you can wander freely through the old house and garden as if you were its original occupants. There are no barriers, locked doors, fragile furniture or untouchable ornaments in this unique, ‘access all areas’ house museum.
Built in 1793 for John Macarthur, known as the father of the wool industry, and his wife Elizabeth, tales of passion and anguish, early colonial political skulduggery and the genesis of Australia’s wool trade are cemented into these walls. So come by, run your hand along the sofa, or simply sit on the shady verandah and enjoy the garden, experience the history and make yourself at home.
At 23, John Macarthur’s military career was in trouble. He arrived in Sydney with a wife and sick child and through speculation and cunning, his wealth and influence grew over a few decades and he became one of the most prosperous colonists in New South Wales.
His ambition and abrasive personality brought him into conflict with successive Governors. On two occasions he travelled to London to defend his name: in 1801 for his part in a duel with Lieutenant-Governor Paterson and in 1808 for his role in deposing Governor Bligh. Exiled in England until 1817 Macarthur pursued commercial opportunities, in particular the promotion of the colony’s fine wool.
Ever an enemy of ‘emancipists’, or freed convicts, who challenged the dominance of landowning ‘exclusives’, Macarthur’s story is coloured with turmoil and conflict. When poor health forced him away from public life in 1832, few were sad to see him go. "He is now a wayward child and remains at home brooding,” said Governor Darling, “but I expect is not altogether idle.”
John Macarthur bought his first sheep in 1794, mostly to eat.
By 1801, the year he was sent to London to face charges of shooting his commanding officer, his flock of over 2000 was the largest in Sydney. With the support of Lord Camden, the promise of 5000 acres of prime grazing land and six of the King’s Spanish Merinos, Macarthur returned to Sydney in 1805 to commence wool production on a large scale. The breeding merinos were kept at Elizabeth Farm while their offspring increased greatly in value, number and reputation on the fertile sheep runs at Camden.
As British industry sought more and more wool, colonial graziers grew rich and powerful. By the 1820s Macarthur’s wool was prized for its quality and abundance – the groundwork laid for Australia’s richest primary industry.
More pictures will be uploaded in my facebook.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Joe and I
We met in university time and now it's been 16 long years. Wow! We have known each other for such a long time and sometimes it feels that we are still behaving like youngsters. Most of the time, we are like the best of friends whereby I will confide in him and he does likewise. Many things have happen along the way and we have somehow came through as one. There are many things in life that we have disagreements on and many things that we have an united stand. To say that we will be forever together is not going to be for sure since we can never know for sure what the future holds. Read a lot of news clips whereby people do silly things during midlife crises and we both have a good laugh at the many things that these "seniors" do. Walking out of marriage, finding a younger partner, getiing flashy car and stuff etc.
Love Joe for being there for me. I have definitely aged and gain many extra pounds over the years and still, he still loves me like I am still the same me sixteen yrs ago.
Why am I writing this?? Well! sometimes we woke up and just look at one another and hear the noises out there in the living room and have to drag ourselves out. We both know now we have to go play Daddy and Mummy roles. Being parents sometimes means we are at opposite army camps but many a times, we make peace and hug and made up. Who knows what happen tomorrow?
Love u Joe for being there for me and helping me grow. I am actually a very childish woman who really needs her papaJoe to guide and dote on her. :>
Love Joe for being there for me. I have definitely aged and gain many extra pounds over the years and still, he still loves me like I am still the same me sixteen yrs ago.
Why am I writing this?? Well! sometimes we woke up and just look at one another and hear the noises out there in the living room and have to drag ourselves out. We both know now we have to go play Daddy and Mummy roles. Being parents sometimes means we are at opposite army camps but many a times, we make peace and hug and made up. Who knows what happen tomorrow?
Love u Joe for being there for me and helping me grow. I am actually a very childish woman who really needs her papaJoe to guide and dote on her. :>
Life's choices
Never feel better now that a decision has been reached. Joe and I are really looking forward to seeing everyone back in Singapore. Life still goes on but I think we should think of duty and other things. Fear of failure is necessary if we wanna make something good out of it. No fear means we will likely take things for granted.
Interesting that sometimes many things will happen and u have to make a totally different decision to cater to the needs of all parties. These few days Charles been really cooperative and we managed to do quite a bit of work. With less scoldings and more coaching, he actually wants to work. Boys like to "waste time" watching television programmes, eating snacks etc before they settled down to do their work. We term wasting time, they term it relaxing. Many a times we lose our temper and scolded them upside down and then they felt fed up and refused to response. That's the kind of situation whereby it is both a lose-lose situation. Telling them work first and play later just won't register in their little heads. They wanna have fun and then do their work. Maybe boys will be like that their whole lives but what can we do??? Push them away with our harsh words and anger or simply wait and help them along the way???? Good habits are cultivated but somehow we have been doing that but they simply heed nothing. What will cause such a lasting impressions that they learn the fact and get on with life with all the right values to exceed?
For those who like to quit and find a new job, being a parent will be a struggle for them. As parents we cannot quit the role and has to carry on working in this "job".It's challenging and a lot of hardwork and sometimes u feelt hat u do not have bonus or rewards. It's endless chores and giving. Being burnt out means we have done something wrong somewhere and need to find solutions to the problems. If feeling overwhelmed, try to take on smaller job scope. Celebrate small success and not trying to complete everything all in the same time. Enjoy the process and see what surprises the job have. Many a times, the rewards roll in slowly and before long, it's time to retire and u will start to miss all the fun.
Parenting is such an interesting job and if I am a boss, I will see how the person treats his family members. Those who are able to take good care of his family will be able to take care of my business.
CRazy thoughts ho but somehow that's what's in my mind now. Gonna publish it anyway.
Interesting that sometimes many things will happen and u have to make a totally different decision to cater to the needs of all parties. These few days Charles been really cooperative and we managed to do quite a bit of work. With less scoldings and more coaching, he actually wants to work. Boys like to "waste time" watching television programmes, eating snacks etc before they settled down to do their work. We term wasting time, they term it relaxing. Many a times we lose our temper and scolded them upside down and then they felt fed up and refused to response. That's the kind of situation whereby it is both a lose-lose situation. Telling them work first and play later just won't register in their little heads. They wanna have fun and then do their work. Maybe boys will be like that their whole lives but what can we do??? Push them away with our harsh words and anger or simply wait and help them along the way???? Good habits are cultivated but somehow we have been doing that but they simply heed nothing. What will cause such a lasting impressions that they learn the fact and get on with life with all the right values to exceed?
For those who like to quit and find a new job, being a parent will be a struggle for them. As parents we cannot quit the role and has to carry on working in this "job".It's challenging and a lot of hardwork and sometimes u feelt hat u do not have bonus or rewards. It's endless chores and giving. Being burnt out means we have done something wrong somewhere and need to find solutions to the problems. If feeling overwhelmed, try to take on smaller job scope. Celebrate small success and not trying to complete everything all in the same time. Enjoy the process and see what surprises the job have. Many a times, the rewards roll in slowly and before long, it's time to retire and u will start to miss all the fun.
Parenting is such an interesting job and if I am a boss, I will see how the person treats his family members. Those who are able to take good care of his family will be able to take care of my business.
CRazy thoughts ho but somehow that's what's in my mind now. Gonna publish it anyway.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Library Day
Every Tuesday and Thursday are our Library days. Tuesday we do rhymes and songs with babies. Thursday is story session cum craft. Channery loves to go there to listen to stories but when I wanna teach her phonics, she would run away. Hope she can read soon if not papa must tell bed time story for many more months.
Cupcakes Day
The people here like to have donation drive to help one another. This time round is cupcakes day. $1 for a cupcakes to help children's hospital. We bought a few to support the cause.
Spiderman son
Last Saturday Charles climbed up to the rooftop after we told him he could not eat the cookie. The other kids were being rewarded for completing their work. He climbed up and refused to come down. After an hour and a half, he finally decided to come down. We bathed him and then sent him to school. He is really a hard nut to crack. See pictures and he even threw a stone at me.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
What's up
These few days I am down with flu so everything seems to lose its colour. Not so enthusiatic about life and seems life is on autopilot mode. Had an outburst of emotion on Monday and Joe was the one to receive my hate mail. Really ought to give love mails but somehow writing down all the frustrations help me to see things more clearly. Joe was still apprehensive and did not know how he should react around me but I had already gotten past that. I did a cleaning up of the whole house and felt really pleased after that. Not too good of me to pile my problems on him but he should try to shoulder some of my resentments since I am the one cooped at home with a child and have no friends to mingle. Really looking forward to going back home whereby I can still go out with friends.
Actually when one falls sick, things seem so grim sometimes and I just do not have the energy to be patient. Last Saturday, my students had a hard time since I was so sick. Those who did not do their homework really had an earful from me. Kids just wanna have fun but what about learning and doing what they had been told? I am not a crazy teacher who gave a lot of homework. I always make sure the kids should be able to complete their work with ease and yet I have students who claimed they had to do school work and other tuition work. Chinese Language is such a beautiful and useful language to master but all these kids just do not see the beauty of it. Pity them and also to my boys who think that we are imposing on them. Boys will regret one day that they never try harder to study the language. We will never give up on having our influence on them but that is really discouraging since they kept thinking otherwise.
Love being useless once in a while. There is no perfection in life until the day our coffin is closed.
Actually when one falls sick, things seem so grim sometimes and I just do not have the energy to be patient. Last Saturday, my students had a hard time since I was so sick. Those who did not do their homework really had an earful from me. Kids just wanna have fun but what about learning and doing what they had been told? I am not a crazy teacher who gave a lot of homework. I always make sure the kids should be able to complete their work with ease and yet I have students who claimed they had to do school work and other tuition work. Chinese Language is such a beautiful and useful language to master but all these kids just do not see the beauty of it. Pity them and also to my boys who think that we are imposing on them. Boys will regret one day that they never try harder to study the language. We will never give up on having our influence on them but that is really discouraging since they kept thinking otherwise.
Love being useless once in a while. There is no perfection in life until the day our coffin is closed.
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