[Good ... ] Swimming Coach

I am writing this after so many edits.

Being a born worrier, it came across my mind that some may think I am getting paid or related to any of the recommendation here. 

As much as I'd love to, no, no compensation for writing any of the post here.

It is just my way of supporting good people, good brand. Win win, isn't it? More mommies get to know good stuff, companies/persons can continue improving, serving good quality.

Ok, this time, I'd like to be thankful for getting a good swimming coach. My daughter was in his care from about 3 years old, and my son started at about 4 years old.

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He is frank, GOOD with kids. They will be having fun while kids do respect him. How this can happen, I believe it is talent. 

Very patient. Has a good teaching pace and technique varieties. 

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Being very patient, result is really up to the child. It can be realllyyy slowww (my son). But he is exceptional. His peers took off swimming without float after less than 6 months

Journey of a thousand mile begins with one step

Wife, mother, friend, daughter, sister, employee, supervisor, referee, employer, seamstress, nurse, neighbor, crafter, cook, baker, ...

Those are hats that I put on when the need arises (I got some optional hats there, just because I love to torture myself, squeezing every last drop of energy)

At the moment, here are my todo list:

1. Important presentation in the office (at least important to me, for me :p)

2. Daughter 8th bday to plan (cake, goody bag, coordination)... It's coming in less than two week!!!

3. Son 6th bday to plan (Jan '14, but remember, I like to torture myself. So I am having vision of a pirate party at his kindergarten. His last bday there before primary school in '15)

4. Thousands of photos to screen and scrapbook (from 2011). Some need to be done by August because of my impulsive purchase of a photobook vouchers

5. Big relative visit beginning of August (house will contain about 15pax, a good three times of our current size. God knows how our meager 2 bathrooms can cope with this)

6. Family trips to plan

7. Teachers' Day gift to made

...

And... Of course, what a journey without unexpected hurdles along the way. The haze is coming and going (mystical air purifier is still on the wanted list on our house), the children are growing (yielding different needs each and every day. Soon we'll need to split their room I guess), school projects (seems like parents must  have unlimited 24hrs supply shop and being energizer bunnies) and ... some occasional illnesses dropping by.

All in all, I am still very much grateful of what He has granted. Each and every blessing and trial is His plan, I believe.

So, to sooth myself (and my tummy, since it seems I do snack more when I'm stressed), I keep on reminding myself, a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step... One step at a time...

How to Renew Indonesian Passport in Singapore

Combined, our family have a total of 5 Indonesian passport to maintain. That means, we should renew one every now and then.

But... Believe it or not... Every time one is due for renewal... I'm always on the frantic search of what is the current procedure and requirement. Honest.

I am still pinning my hope that somewhen, in the near future I hope, we will have a reliable official Indonesian embassy website to rely on. It was good for a brief period of time a few years ago, my heart fluttered with joy. (According to the friendly officer who took in my application, they are in the process of upgrading it. Yay! One can still hope for the best).

So... after the last one in April, I made a mental note to jot it down somewhere. So here it is:

1. Prepare all documents at home.
a. Completed form (black pen, CAPITAL).
b. Old passport and a copy of it (to be safe, both first and last page)
c. Singapore IC and a copy of it
d. A copy of Indonesian birth certificate (to be safe, I always brought the original. Just in case)
e. A copy of marriage/divorce certificate
f. Cash, fee is $35. Exact amount is better. In case no change.
g. Other card with your name and photo on it to be exchanged with a visitor pass.
No photo required.

2. Arrive at the embassy early to avoid long queue. I reached at about 8.30AM and a queue of about 15pax had formed neatly in front of the visitor pass issuance booth. Renewal application is only in the first half of the day. As my own rule of thumb, between 9.00-12.00.

3. Get a visitor pass, proceed to level 1

4. Get a queue number, and wait.

5. Submit your application

6. Go to payment counter and get the receipt. And then, wait for your turn for photo taking and finger prints.

(I completed all the above by about 9.15. Need to wait about 30 mins for photo taking. Apparently our passport is being printed between payment and photo taking time)

7. Your name will be called. Go to the photo taking room (beside left most counter). They will take your photo and 10 fingerprints. You will also sign your new passport on the spot.

8. KEEP the receipt for collection 3 working days later.

9. Collection is on second half of the day. My own rule of thumb is between 2.30 to 4.30. I know... Such a narrow window frame. But I always play it safe. With no car, the embassy is not exactly conveniently accessible. Oh... I also always avoid Fridays for collection. That's because of my chronic laziness to find the working time on Friday.

10. To collect, just bring the receipt straight to the counter. And voila... a crisp, brand new passport. :)

PS: For Indonesian FDW, after payment, we'll need to proceed to level 2 for a small interview and contract signing. I'll take note the next time we renew.

[Trough the Eyes of A Child] The Best Mommy in the World

Influenced by TV, I guess, my children are generous with exaggerated superlatives (worst day ever, best present in my whole life, ... Sounds familiar, no?). 

One time, my five year old told me, "You are the best Mommy in the whole wide world!"

I love to ask a 'deep' question to kids and get their innocently creative answers. Answers that are genuine, have not been shaped by media, school, other people thoughts...

And so I asked him, "How can you know that I am the best mommy? Who knows others are better?"

He pondered a while and replied solemnly, "Because to every kid, his mommy is the best in the world."

There were times we beat ourselves whether we are doing well mothering the family. I hope with this little post we can be reminded that to our kids, we are still the best. Keep going...

[It works] Mind Stretcher Writer's Toolbox

In our family, as much as possible, we try to cope without enrichment.

However... In teaching composition, hubby and I met our dead-end. After spending time with our daughter doing a couple of English composition practice papers (more than three BOOKS) we admitted that we need a professional help. White flag.

Searching around, we found Mind Stretcher Writer's Toolbox program. So now, these are the pro and cons:

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1. Basically, every week a student need to compose, teacher will check, student depart with homework of copying her/his work with correction. This method, painful but effective, the idea, vocabulary, structure, and the corrections are committed into memory. Progress is visible. 

2. They also learn idioms, simile, poems, riddles, tongue twister, ... A good variety. Our daughter loves the jokes part. 

3. Reasonable fee, for that quality. 

4. They told me that class will still goes on even though with one student. That's a commitment I like!

5. Organized parent teacher meeting, so we get to discuss kiddo progress... Or lack of..

6. This is not related to Mind Stretcher but I think is important. To be able to express one's idea, written and verbal, is critical, no matter what profession you are in. Or, no matter what subject you are doing in school.

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I believe, nothing is perfect. Thing I hope to be changed is their system to notify no-lesson day. Parents are supposed to rely on letter or SMS. It's not exactly fail proof. I'd prefer a lesson calendar.

As with other post, I receive no compensation for my opinion. Still paying the course fee in full, GST and all...

14 August '16 update:

Regretfully, this year, I observed a decline in the teachers retention and quality. This is a real issue for any enrichment center. Material is still good. But of course, delivery is equally important.

A tribute to all kindergarten teachers

We were walking to the swimming pool this morning. Then this conversation happened between my five year old and me:

Son: Mommy, I just rested my eyes

Mommy: You mean you walk while closing your eyes?

S: Nooo... I was looking at green green

M: Wow. Who taught you?

S: Mrs. Kwang

Lovely Mrs. Kwang is my son's kindergarten teacher. And previously, dear daughter spent three years under her loving care. 

Salut to all kindergarten teacher, who do not only teach the ABCs and 123s. Who has been most courageous, taking charge of many little kids in one room (I have one little and one not-so-little at home, and I've been loosing hair. So it's indeed a knightly act to me). Thank you for designing such wonderful activities and excursions in their formative years.

Fall and run

I enjoyed watching babies. Little gutsy bundle of joy.

Stand. Fall. Step. Fall. Walk. Fall. Run. Fall. 

After every fall, little darling will get up and try again. 

Recently, I observed that quality in successful people. They have little fear of falling, of making mistake. And, most importantly, after every fall, they righted themselves up, and try again. 

With this revelation, I set my heart in nurturing the gutsy baby quality in my kids. It's ok to make mistake. Forget about it, carry on.

After all, that's how human learn to run. 

P.S. Two little rules though, careless and repeated mistakes aren't ok. Striking a balance is difficult, but we shall try.