Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Maid-free Days (23-31 Mar)
8 days without my domestic helper was made less painful with the help of mom. I had applied for a few afternoons off and had been spending it over tea with mom & Travis. Sweeeeet!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Signs of Idleness
Excessive online surfing.
So I now know snails do have eyes - black and is a hermaphrodite.
So I now know snails do have eyes - black and is a hermaphrodite.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Speak Mandarin (just try lah...)
The problem is finally addressed. Has Singapore not been battling it for a long time?
"If both (parents) can speak Mandarin, don’t speak to your child in English, or one in English and one in Chinese. Speak to them in Mandarin, leave their English alone — they will master it."
I agree with this wholeheartedly. I was raised communicating in Cantonese which later progressed to Mandarin when I started schooling. I believe English only dominated my conversations at upper secondary level. Dad was educated in an English-speaking environment (i.e. ACS *ahem. Need I say more?* and grandpa was an English teacher in a now-defunct school) whilst Mom was fluent in Cantonese (damn that I could never quite master the sarcastic Cantonese phrases) and most importantly, she was a home-maker. This allowed the stronger influence of conversational language in the early years.
I'm really trying to inject Chinese in the troops' daily life (prior to this, I had blogged about it more than once, right?). It helps that Becks is in a school that still lays heavy emphasis on both English and Chinese; she recently brought home a list of words which even I had never learnt before so during this week's school holiday, we are doing it together. Having kids does re-fuel my interest, however, I'm afraid that I'm just racing against time. The rate at which they are growing, observing, absorbing, is surely faster than what I can pick up....
So if the above theory (quote) holds true, it would be a vicious cycle, wouldn't it?
"If both (parents) can speak Mandarin, don’t speak to your child in English, or one in English and one in Chinese. Speak to them in Mandarin, leave their English alone — they will master it."
I agree with this wholeheartedly. I was raised communicating in Cantonese which later progressed to Mandarin when I started schooling. I believe English only dominated my conversations at upper secondary level. Dad was educated in an English-speaking environment (i.e. ACS *ahem. Need I say more?* and grandpa was an English teacher in a now-defunct school) whilst Mom was fluent in Cantonese (damn that I could never quite master the sarcastic Cantonese phrases) and most importantly, she was a home-maker. This allowed the stronger influence of conversational language in the early years.
I'm really trying to inject Chinese in the troops' daily life (prior to this, I had blogged about it more than once, right?). It helps that Becks is in a school that still lays heavy emphasis on both English and Chinese; she recently brought home a list of words which even I had never learnt before so during this week's school holiday, we are doing it together. Having kids does re-fuel my interest, however, I'm afraid that I'm just racing against time. The rate at which they are growing, observing, absorbing, is surely faster than what I can pick up....
So if the above theory (quote) holds true, it would be a vicious cycle, wouldn't it?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Lunch@Keppel Marina
Lunch was at Privé, a fanciful dining place at Keppel Marina where sparkling water (not mineral water) is served and where men were found smoking cigars (not cigarettes).
I had organic mushroom soup and veal - price notwithstanding, the food was just...'unique'.
This is when I go - please give me my wanton mee anytime!!!
I had organic mushroom soup and veal - price notwithstanding, the food was just...'unique'.
This is when I go - please give me my wanton mee anytime!!!
Monday, March 16, 2009
What's In a (nick)Name?
Sometimes whenever I see a friend on my MSN list with a witty nickname or remark grousing about their current condition, I would drop a short note just to touch base.
There's a guy friend (we are not close anymore) whose nick has been "inflammed testicles at rest" for a long time and my curiosity is fast getting the better of me!
There's a guy friend (we are not close anymore) whose nick has been "inflammed testicles at rest" for a long time and my curiosity is fast getting the better of me!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 02, 2009
Sunday, March 01, 2009
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