[Good Book] Roald Dahl books, The Witch in particular

'Matilda' was my all-time-favourite book. Little I knew then, that the author, Roald Dahl, has penned more book. Oh the joy, when I discovered it in Singapore (I've moved to Singapore when the web-age begins and we can blissfully google everything to our heart content).

To my kids, I tried to 'infect' them with the reading bug. From Roald Dahl, I've read to them 'Mr & Mrs Twit' (had them in stitches, the gross jokes are totally their thing), 'The Giraffe, The Pelly, and Me', the famous 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and 'The Witches'. We got the 15 books set, so the list is still going on.

(Image : www.Amazon.co.uk)


Quote below is a thought of a little boy, the main character, after he was transformed into a mouse by The Grand High Witch

"... It is not a bad thing after all, I thought to myself, to be tiny as well as speedy..."

[+]
1. It teaches a thing or two about life. I tried to take the above as a teachable moment for my kids. Whatever you get in life, might as well make the most of it. When life give you lemon... and stuff...
Likewise
2. Roald Dahl had a VERY fertile imagination. The details he presented are amazing. For example, in The Witch, he gave a clear instruction on how to differentiate witches from normal ladies. I, almost, believe that he met one at least in his lifetime. Well... call me naive... but I'm enjoying the fun adventurous side of the book.
3. Of course, Quentin Blake illustrations are marvelous. Even the kids like the detail, the accuracy. It's a talking point in its own.

[-]
At the beginning of each book, normally, the plot might be quite slow. This causes kids to lose interest if we didn't get to the exciting part soon enough. But once we're there... they'll be hooked.

Come on... try one... I recommend you to start with... 'Matilda'

[It Works] Berries World of Learning School

We are non-Chinese-speaking family. Both hubby and I know nuts on the language.

However, realizing the benefit of speaking the language in this everything-are-made-in-China age, we were quite adamant (until now) that our offspring pick-up our ancestor's tongue.

Background wise, my first born has tried 'Growing Up Gifted' bilingual enrichment class and Hua Language School before (both are located in United Square).

And since Nursery age we were introduced to a tutor who comes to our house once a week. She's also good, but I'm not sure whether she'd like to be broad casted here.

Last year, back from Parent-Teacher-Conference, I searched for more Chinese school to top up the home tutor. Because the teacher's feedback is that kid-no-1 oral Chinese needs improvement. So we contemplate between increasing the home-tutor frequency and an enrichment class. Finally we opt for class, where, by right, she can interact with her class mate. And... different exposure is good too...

Landed on Bishan's Berries.

[+]
1. They, at least they do give impression of, know their stuff. Curriculum, teaching materials are well prepared. Simple toys such as telephony-cups are included, which yield young kids motivation. If not to learn the Chinese, at least to go for lessons.
2. Teachers are kids friendly. Especially this year, I started 3 years old kid-no-2 too. He loves his teachers there now, after less than 2 months.
3. Gradually difficulties level is increased or mixed. Initially, I thought that they are teaching easier words to accommodate English-speaking kids. But I grew to realize that they are trying to strike a balance. Delicate work, but hey is works.
4. This impressed me. They have a unique system where you can collect lesson-voucher as MC replacement (can be used to offset next term fee). Taking make-up lesson at any day is highly encourage too. Arrangements are surprisingly easy. On top of the two method, we can also arrange one-to-one make up class with shorter class duration. With three option, it's difficult to waste the fee. Leaving me thinking, why didn't all school do the same...
5. The teachers do speak English. Even if it's simple English. Kids won't be so scared then.

[-]
Bad thing for me, but good for the kids.
Parents beware. Berries GIVES homework. Full stop. Every week, kids need to complete a homework which the parents are expected to mark.
Bright side, forcing me to learn too...

How? Let's leave it for another post, need to put two rascals to sleep now. They've been joking and joking on the bed.

[Post published edit] In June '13 haze, Berries has proven to be a good educational institute. They have reacted promptly to enable home based learning for the week affected by the haze. It is not required of them, but they did it. Three cheers for all service provider that goes the extra mile!

[Good Book] You Can Cook

To my family dismay, I am not a good cook.
I love to bake, though. (But that passion does not guarantee that what I bake is delish :p)

Anyway, to get to the point, I'd like to share a good source of... more than recipes... knowledge, may be.
It's Anabel Karmel cookbook series.

The first one I got is titled 'You Can Cook'.

(Image : http://www.annabelkarmel.com/bookshop)

[+]
1. Instruction is very clear, complete with photos. Step. By. Step.
2. It covers the basic techniques for everyday food, with very clear description of what we need to do. From bread to main course to muffin.
3. Variations to the basic recipes are included. Another presentation (small bread, big bread... all from same recipe), also another flavor (chocolate, vanilla... same basic recipe). This part made me feel like a true blue old-fashioned-mommy who can cook anything. :)
4. This book is actually meant for kids. So it is a good start for the kids.

[-]

Hmmm... Nothing is perfect. But I cannot find a worthy one to write here.

Morale from TV series, 'The Mentalist'

Ïf we focus on what we like and what we don't like
Life will be so tiring"

Well... or something along that line. Was watching it and listening to a couple of conversation (with hubby and kids) at the same time.

Anyway... the simple truth in it... how it summed up my dilemma at the moment, strikes me.

I have always wondered... whether our decision to keep me working full time is a good one.

When I need to pay the bills, I felt trully glad that I'm working.
Likewise when I heard things going on in hubby office.

On the other side of the coin, whenever the kids misbehaved...
I do wonder, if I raise them myself... 24 hours a day, 7 days a week... (well... may not be in physical term... but you get the gist...)

Will they fare better?

So what's that got to do with The Mentalist quote???

I realized... that life may be too short, and the number of hours in a day is too few, to nurture my wonder on above topic. It is a vicious cycle that can go on and on... grass on the other side of the fence and all...
To borrow Nike slogan, just do it.

Decide, and live on it, mending things as we go along.

"The secret of life is not to do what we like...
but to like what we have to do.." - wisdom from a very great woman, a principal of my high school.

Easier said than done, huh? Tell me about it...

Why do animals lick their newly born babies

This one is from my five year old daughter when we saw a horse birth on TV:

Why do animals lick their newly born babies? Is it because they want to get back all the blood?

How three year olds view i-phones and i-pads

Apparently, my three year old son had a quite deep discussion about i-phone and i-pad in his school, with his teacher and friends.

He proudly reported back to me in the evening:

Mommy, some Daddies have i-phone, some have i-pad.
But it's ok. Both are nice...
You can use i-phone to call.
I-pad is bigger, you cannot use it to call, but you can play games on it.
I like both.

So you see... nowadays they started IT education very early indeed.

k.i.a.s.u

Before I start, for the benefit of those who is not familiar with the word (which I suspected have no precise English equivalent):

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(from http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/kiasu)

Etymology

From Hokkien (驚輸 POJ: kiaⁿ-su, kiaⁿ-si); literally: "afraid to lose"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This kiasuism (oh yes... it's official English word now) is one of the thing that prompt me to write. Therefore before it starts gnawing on my brain, I'd better spill it out.

So you see... the story goes like this.

I had quite a shock on my first exam in a Singapore university. The exam was at the end of April. And, you know what, the students started all the preparation at the end of February!. Full gear, past year papers and all.

And my acquaintance with kiasuism continued. I then found out, that actually one's education in Singapore is prepared waaaayyy before university exam. It started, yes, you're reading this properly, even before conception.

A few facts, myths, everything that propelled my conclusion:

1. A father I know literally programmed his wife diet, in the name of getting a brilliant child

2. Until now, I still yet to get the chance to prove this, but I heard that Singapore parents may need to queue at unforgiving time of 3 AM to 5 AM for... primary school registration form.

3. A lot of schools requires voluntary work from the parents for the child to be considered for admission (for this, I had my near miss. My daughter is supposed to start in 2012 for primary. So at the beginning of 2010, I started asking and hey... volunteering slot is full!!! Oh well... what to do...)

4. It's not uncommon for good childcare centers and course providers in Singapore to include fetus in the waiting list. Before even the child is born.

The list can continue on and on... but it'll be quite boring. I just hope that you can agree with me on my statement two paragraphs above.

BUT! After being a parent myself. Somewhat magically I turned into one! Without knowing it, I went with the flow, registering my offspring to this and that courses. Caution though, I still hold back the reign, based on primary acknowledgement that kids NEED to play.

And... it is indeed tiring! To provide for the funds, sending kids to courses which end at 9 to 10 pm, coaching at home... and working in the morning. Most parents here walk through this path.

So... lastly... kudos to all kiasu parents. It's an honor to joint the herd.

PS : Feel free to leave your opinion on the message box, just to support each other, or to hold back the kiasuism a little. Kiasuism run amok is scary.