XiaoWaiWai

2nd Shanghai Trip (Part 2 - Food!)

2008-12-15T09:15:00.003+08:00

Hi all,

This is about food!
We had a great dinner with the Shanghai Teachers at 品三国, that means "Taste the Three Kingdoms". All their food names were based on stories of the "Three Kingdoms". We had a great time... Most of them came during their summer hols and we became great friends!

Look that this... it looks like soldiers on a dragon boat... head is quails eggs with a mushroom hair. Body is rice wrapped in pandan leaves. Think this is called 草船接箭。

This is a HUGE bowl... see the bread beside it for relative size. It is called 水煮鱼。To me it is more like 油煮鱼。They are fish and some veg put in hot oil (without cooking), it was cooked by it's oil heat.

And the all time favourite Xiao-Long-Bao 小笼包. It is very cheap and nice. The huge one is called Tang-Bao 汤包. It looks like a bao from the outside but the soup is inside. I had a hard time figuring out how to eat (with some graceful-ness)

They had the plate lifted up by a stand and I think I am supposed to put my face over it and sip up the soup. Can't waste the soup, it's crab soup! Heavens... =)

(We were just trying to funny and see if it looks like mickey...)

OK, Part 3 coming when I am free...

2nd Shanghai Trip (Part 1)

2008-12-13T17:00:00.005+08:00

Hi dear,

It's me with the coolest train i've ever taken...

In the past, the fastest train I've taken was the bullet train in Japan. But this is even faster!

This is the Shanghai Maglev! A magnetic train that travels at 431km/h. Faster than F1! (Haha... I've been telling the whole world that!) I can feel the lifting up (from the track) and the next moment, it moves... and it slowly increases to 431km/h. The houses and the trees went passed very fast...

One moment, I felt a little tremble (wondering what's wrong??), it took me a long while to realise it just passed an opposite train... and you can't see it!

Those who when through Relative Velocity with me... 2 trains passing each other at 431km/h each is like seeing something at 862km/h! (actually cannot see a thing. =D) Still remember? Relative...

=)

It is really 431km/h! No Camera Tricks!

Love,
Mama Wai

22 Dec is the day!

2008-12-10T23:55:00.002+08:00

Hello all,

Thanks for waiting. Just came back Shanghai a few days back. Last mission in Swiss! This is a real exciting trip. Share with you soon...

Yes! 19 Dec is my last day in Swiss. 22 Dec I will be reporting to my new work place at Grange Road. It is far.... (from home) but near Orchard.

Moving on to be the Secretariat for YOG (Youth Olympics Games)... isn't this unbelievable and exciting? 2 years break from the classroom in exchange for a "once a lifetime" new involvement. Actually I do not know what I am in for, only know that YOG 2010 is an event, a world event!

Will keep everyone updated of new excitments!

Have a good week and weekend!

I am back on the last day of school

2008-10-23T04:39:00.003+08:00

Today is really the last day of school for Sec 1-3. 2008 is really finishing... come 2009 and 2010!!

Really have not been updating this blog. Wonder if anyone still hop by and read...

OK, this is an announcement...
For all my ex-darlings, 19 Dec will be my last day at Swiss.
My red pen will rest for 2 years. Will be doing something different, something beyond imagination... Make a guess....

Tell u in my next post... (Hahaha...) Current darlings... Don't tell... shhh...

Hot Park: Hort Park

2008-06-05T15:46:00.005+08:00

This is one of the hottest place at the moment. Hot, as in well advertised in the papers... hot, if you go at the wrong time of the day.

It is situated at Alexandra Road, near the old SAJC.

This is the entrance. This is the unique bridge that you can see along the main road.

Some of the things you can see when you walk in.
Children's playground.
It is like a huge showcase of plants, some you can hardly find. You can see lots of fruits, from bananas to African Cherries to passionfruits! Lots of herbs and spices! Lots of flowers and orchids. The best is the dancing leaves! The leaves dance with music. YOU MUST SEE TO BELIEVE. It is really not the wind. Hunt for it and play some music using your hp or whatever.

There is also an old cotton tree. It produces cotton!

There is just so much to see... Explore slowly...

And... this is Mama's new friend at the park... Say hi when you see him...

Latest Outdoor Activity: Kite Flying

2008-06-04T08:37:00.002+08:00

Have been looking at this for a long time and we finally bought this at SKP. This beautiful kite takes off quite easily with the wind.

We went to the open field off Woodlands Ave 12 at 5 plus (the blocks provided all the shade we need, so it was good timing)
It is real open and windy.

And Wai Hoi trying to figure out the strings...

Wai Yan making faces at me!

You will see us there often, till the kids got tired of kites.

Thanks for Remembering My Birthday!

2008-05-29T00:25:00.002+08:00

Thanks for remembering my birthday! This is from Indra, our CCPE, the rose is so nicely done...
Blur... but really nicely done!
And many other presents on the last day of Term 2 Week 10!
Also received many well-wishes from many colleagues, ex-students through sms-es, facebooks and emails. Thanks! I feel so loved... haha!

Playground @ Big Splash

2008-03-19T02:09:00.005+08:00

Explored this new place. Newly renovated at East Coast.
I think this is the swimming facilities, not sure if it's ready. The first level is the bicycle and skates rental with a 7-eleven beside it.This is the nice, traditional look of the fastfood KFC

Skate area, with some restaurants at the building at the background.

There is a kids playground on the 2nd level of this building, and some eateries on the 1st floor.
A nice view of the sea...

And the kids...

Wai Lok, who is fascinated by the birds
Wai Yan on her 4-wheels

Wai Hoi showing off that he can ride a bicycle without support.

Quite a fun, but tiring day for the kids n Mama ;)

Term 2 starting tomorrow!

2008-03-16T23:27:00.007+08:00

March hols ended just like that... Term 2 is going to start...
Before I start work, I'll just put up my few favourite pics taken today. We went to the nursery after breakfast. And this is Wai Yan and her...

See No Evil
Hear No Evil
Speak No Evil
Tulips taken at the nursery cold room
Sunflowers!

More pics to share... in my next post... ;) Gotto prepare tomorrow's work!

Mama is working very hard in school

2008-02-22T09:18:00.004+08:00

Hi to all those constantly visiting my blog. Sorry, have been very busy with school. Hardly any time to blog (one of the reason is i'm quite slow in updating blogs).

Wanted to put up a blog on Caterpillar and Butterfly... but dear Wai Hoi set the butterfly free the morning it emerged from its pupa stage. Did not get a chance to take a pic of the Lime Butterfly.

Thanks to Nuture Cove for bring life, really life to education!

Ok, going back to work! will update again soon, I hope.

Shanghai Trip Part 3: Shanghai @ night

2008-01-28T01:33:00.000+08:00

This is Shanghai at night... First pic is the Pearl Tower. 东方明珠. It is one of the "Must Visit" in Shanghai. It was very very cold when I was there. We took a lift to the top of the tower. From there, you will be able to see a 360 degree portrait of Shanghai view.

The next 3 pics were taken at The Bund. 外滩. The first faces the other side of the river while the other 2 shows the brightly lit city buildings.

Up next is the place where we had our dinner twice. It is a restaurant in a huge boat. Can you see the dragon head? Unfortunately, the boat is not moving, just a bit of sway caused by the current.
This interesting boat restaurant is harboured under the bridge. This pic was taken after our dinner on our way to the Acrobatic Show.
These 2 pics were taken at the show. Amazing show indeed! A lot of balancing, from chairs to humans. A lot of coordination too!

By the way, they are throwing many hats.

More to come... Enjoy your week ahead everyone!

Visit to Wetland Reserve Sungei Buloh

2008-01-21T08:42:00.001+08:00

Cannot remember which weekend, we visited Wetland Reserve Sungei Buloh. Good weather, but wrong time...

By the time we reached there, it was high tide! current was strong and part of the trekking path was submerged by water. We had to back-track cos we can't go any further.

So we can forget about the mangrove, all plants at the mangrove area were submerged. No mud-skipper, nothing!!! Managed to locate a few crabs that hugged the barks of the trees. Luckliy no crocodiles.
Along the tracks, we see a lot of huge lizards like this! Komodo Dragon? I'm not very sure. They can be more than a metre long!
Wai Hoi and Wai Yan posing for a pic.
Wai Lok probably don't know what is happening, he had a good sleep along the track with a nice breeze.
They never failed to smile at the camera.

So, moral of the story is...
Be there early, maybe 9am?

Prawn Fishing!

2008-01-18T09:49:00.000+08:00

More interesting Shanghai pics coming...
With very little time today, sharing something closer to home.
This is Nature Park at Bishan. It has a golf driving range and 2 small ponds for prawn fishing.
It costs:
$15 for 1 hr
$25 for 2 hr
$30 for 3 hr

Good thing about this place is that it has fences around the pond and safe for children. Kids can run all over the place.
And...
I saw them putting in a net full of prawns... which means there are prawns really in there!

So we got a rod and some bait. Took a net to keep the catch.

This is Daddy and Wai Hoi trying to set the bait on the hook. WaiYan will run when the prawn is caught and struggling on the line. She is funny!This is Wai Hoi's catch of the day! not bad huh? We managed 7 prawns in 1 hour. I thought that's good enough for the kids.

Watch out for my next post on Sungei Buloh!

Shanghai Trip Part 2: Outside the school

2007-12-28T00:09:00.000+08:00

As promised...

A scene where all were trying to get up a crowded bus to work. I really appreciate the transportation system in Singapore.

These are shops that we need to walk pass to reach school every morning. Selling 油条，肉包，煎饼 and 豆浆. Every morning I will ask myself if I should buy and try, for the sake of "Responsibility to Self and Others", I gave up. Cannot afford to fall sick.

Next few pics were taken at the road side market...

This couple were selling live chicken. they were then killing the chicken and "de-feathering" it when I took this pic. Look at the environment... behind them were construction site and garbage area.
Selling Oranges in a truck... there were apples and vegetables on the floor.

Selling live fishes... the fishes were still barely breathing.

More pics coming, but it's late now... please be patient and wait for the next post.

Have a good Weekend!

Where did mama go in the holidays?

2007-12-27T00:04:00.000+08:00

Hi all,
Must be wondering where I disappeared to?
Have been busy with school, then to Shanghai, then spent the rest of the holidays with my 3 wai-wai-s.

Sharing some pics from Shanghai...

This is the school that I was attached to... Jian Ping High School. The Golden Apple is their icon. It greets us every morning when we step into the school.
On the wall is the big digital screen that welcomed us on the first day, stylo, right?

This is their basketball courts and students gather there for morning exercise every morning. Exercising in the cold... cool, right?

Then they will be back in their classroom again for lessons. Small space for big kids! 45 in a small classroom. They do have a screen for powerpoint presentation, a blackboard and a hot/cold water dispenser at the back. (Tap-water is not drinking water!)

Part of the school. The fountain will only be on during lunch-time.

Oh, this is breakfast provided by the school. Choose either Soya bean drink or porridge. Plus other dimsum like xiao long bao 小笼包，jian bing 煎饼，and other baos to choose from.

Tell you all a secret, can you see the wooden chopsticks? I thought they are disposables like those in Singapore, I threw away 3 pairs before I realised that they are NOT! hehe... In my heart I was thinking... Wow... Good Quality Disposables!

I also visited other schools. This is Yan An Senior High School. Nice right?

Look at the huge fountain that welcomes us. Where do we have the space in Singapore?
OK, more pics coming...wait for next post...Many nice pics to share...

With kids on an excursion...

2007-11-12T02:22:00.000+08:00

This is one of the Pro-family policies that I can applaude the Government - allowing 2 days of Childcare Leave (without condition). I seriously think that it should be allowed with kids up to 12 years old, not just 7 years and below.

This year, I took a day off to follow the kids and their friends at school on an excursion, to Kid's Kumpong at Pasir Ris.

Hardly get a chance to do it as their outing usually falls on our busy Term time that it is impossible to take leave. This is another chance hard to come by, so i went!

Wet wet Tuesday morning, if u all can still remember...

They started with a Pet Show. A race up the ropes between "Minnie" and "Mickey". Quite cute. Followed by close interaction with white mice, hamster and rabbit. Can you see "Minnie and Mickey"?

This is "Minnie & Mickey" on Wai Hoi's hand.

After that, the kids were given raincoat, a pail and a fishing net, and off they went Lungkang Fishing. Let me assure you, it is not as easy as you think... the fishes really can swim...

Pose for a pic...
After fish catching, the kids were brought to a section where they were given small packs of fish food to feed the kois. They are really fat!

For $10 each child, they get to see a pet show, catch guppies, feed kois, geese and rabbits. Finally, the kids were given a small mineral water, a chocolate bun and an ice cream.

Not bad for city children... there are other places where city kids can explore... like Farmway at Seletar, Farms at Kranji.

Well, all these are efforts for real life experiences... Engaged Learning?

I'm back!

2007-10-30T13:22:00.001+08:00

Finally...

O-level AMath and EMath papers are over...

I am always impressed by many who can really keep up with their blogs. I really requires a lot of stamina, determination and commitment. Kudos to all of you! I really score F9 for maintaining blogs. Never mind, I shall try harder.

Ok, here are my wai wai pics...

Will try to update more often...

Oh No! June Hols are ending...

2007-06-15T17:00:00.001+08:00

Oh dear!! June Hols are ending soon, this is the end of week 3!

Next sem is going to be very short, exciting and challenging! O-levels Amath paper 1 and paper 2 on 22 and 23 Oct afternoon! So far yet so near!

Ok, I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Haha!! Or I WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Or I MUST MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Aiya, watever!

Hols coming...

2007-05-21T16:33:00.000+08:00

Hi people, remember these??

See what she is doing?

My dear girl took everything out and try putting everything back. Don't worry, not a single star missing. Was trying to get her to count how many in the jar... Anyone counted?

SA 1 is finally, now is Intensive Mother Tongue lesson and the preparation of the June Vacation Programme, still remember??

Thanks for dropping little notes on the TagBoard.

Sorry Huay Tyng, it's a pity that your note came late, don't think I'll have a chance to visit Melb again. Should have told me earlier, then we can meet for Pizza!! Haha!

OK, take care...

Exam Period

2007-05-04T11:24:00.001+08:00

Exam period, relax a little before the paper comes in. Going to have 10 piles coming in 2 days. So what do i do now?

Haha... play with kids!

Go to the zoo, see tigers, elephants and monkeys! Now the membership of Friends of Zoo is so expensive, $150 per year. So there goes $135 with a 10% discount.

OK, here are how the kids look like now...

Guess will only update after all the marking.

I am still alive!!!

2007-04-12T12:06:00.001+08:00

Yeah Yeah! I am still alive...

Hehe... No pics for those faithfully viewing... wait for the next posting...

Went Melbourne for a short holiday in late March. Nice weather, cool...

Have been very busy recently.... Started school on 2nd April! Taking 4E2! back to the same classroom, but different faces. They are nice! Also in the process of shifting to the HOD room, so you know where to find me... call 110 outside the HOD room.

OK, gotto work! Will TRY to update soon...

Wai Yan goes to school!

2007-03-20T17:10:00.000+08:00

There is one thing that a teacher is deprived of... bringing your own child to school on his/her first day. Today is a chance hard to come by... Bringing Wai Yan to school on her first day!
But...
it rained on Day 1.

There, waiting outside the classroom.

As expected, she cried and cried, at the top of her voice. But I'm sure she will be alright and will enjoy going to school... just like Wai Hoi.

Chinese New Year is going to be over soon...

2007-02-28T16:20:00.000+08:00

Chinese new year is never complete without Chinatown. Seeing people queuing for Lim Chee Guan Bak Kwa. What is so nice about it? Queue for hours... Many people think at we will never make it to Chinatown with 3 kids. Haha! Prove them wrong! We went! And you will not miss this uncle with his Erhu. Cheerful old man...

And of course, all the decos for the Chinese New Year. My little boy managed 2 simple decos.

And for those who missed the baby... This is our 3.5 month old Xiao-Le-Le. As his name indicates, he will smile at anyone who calls him.

Today is Wei Xin's 2 year old birthday. So fast...

Just 1 more month I will be heading back to school, better enjoy before all the crazy marking starts... ;)

An experimental Weekend

2007-01-29T10:01:00.000+08:00

Another rainy weekend, no beach activities or whatsoever, so we did an experiment instead.
We bought some red cabbage (it's actually purple in colour)
Want to show that the purple pigment can be extracted and it's alkaline in nature. So if you add some vinegar (acidic) it changes colour... (hehee... too chim for son's "Show and Tell")

Breaking the cabbage into smaller parts and add some water.

Add some heat...

Water changes colour...

And it's purple! (in a white plastic cup)

Add some acid, it will change it's colour...

Well, i doubt the kids understand what is happening, at least they enjoyed the tearing of the cabbage into pieces and seeing the water changing it's colour.

hmm... see what we can do next week, CNY is coming, manybe some deco for the house?

This is xiao mei posing for a pic while doing the experiment... hehee...

Bottle Tree Park on 20/1/07

2007-01-21T22:21:00.000+08:00

Weekend is over just like that...

This is something different... Have been to the Bottle Tree Village a few times, this time is Bottle Tree Park!

Bottle Tree is usually found in Australia. Bottle Tree Village boss shipped some over and planted in Singapore, so we can find some here...

This is Bottle Tree... (It looks like a bottle, izn't it?)

This is another bottle tree found in the park.

Some flowers that you can find there...

Other parts of the park... looks good? (sigh... minus the MRT track at the back)

There is also a small pond for the kids to catch fish... Err... $10!
And the kids really enjoyed themselves...

A weekend...

2007-01-20T00:31:00.000+08:00

It's another weekend again... Are we going to the park after breakky?

Well, looks like it is going to be a pancake breakky... yummy yummy... Er... lunch? music class @ 5pm and maybe dinner out?

Then comes Sunday, go mummy's place... anything new?

Hehee... to be continued...

Waiwai blogs

2007-01-19T17:13:00.000+08:00

This is the first time blogging... hehee... more to come... wait till i get everything up!