Look: Blush Beauty

KidsStartsNow

We have been fretting over V's Chinese. The parents are bad at it, we don't enjoy singing at karaoke coz we don't understand most words.  *hehe Guess 20% of Singaporeans can understand this dilemma, so if you are in this 20% , please read on. I have been reading up a lot on the different Chinese enrichments that might be suitable for V. She has grown up to be a fuss when it comes to the teachers, regimental sort don't sit well with her. When I look at my husband and me, we too! The more you are strict the more rebellious we get, guess this DNA has passed down and now it has thrown in a curveball back into our face. That's life…

I was pretty much prepared to send her to Berries due to the positive feedback from some parents. We did a trial last year but she wasn't much keen on it and I sort of hesitated. It took me a while to convinced myself that that is the route to take. Until, I read a few bloggers review on the school that they attended. Now these fellow parent bloggers are nitpickers when it comes to what is the best for their children.  The key points that they picked up are very similar to our family structure when it comes to Chinese and I like the term "Specializes in helping English speaking kids" Now, I don't think V has bad command of Mandarin, it is the confidence that is preventing her from being fluent. Very much like me, I converse well but get stuck in selected terms that I predominantly use in English.

Now I am going to share why this course is great for English speaking kids.  This school focuses a lot on conversational skills using technology. The team has created characters for their school tools, in the characters they made it into e-books that the children can watch via Youtube when they are home. Besides that, they made the classroom backdrop according to the scene of the books with live props! OMG so fun!

V was able to go through her ebooks in her 4 days holiday camp. It ignited alot of passion of learning since she was armed with "ammo" for the next day. Preparation is key isn't it?

Each group had to role play what was taught. I love the little details like character hats they get to wear.

You will realized the child gets into the role with ease.

I could tell this helped V transit into her Show and Tell very quickly. Which means this helps her activate her short-term memory as it can be related real quick via emotions. V proudly shows me her rewards cards (stickers) daily and I was told of their digital rewards systems that is displayed in their class. Apparently they collect gold coins!

Very suitable for tech savvy children of this century

I found the tools in Kids Start Now to be very useful for parents like me who has become pretty clueless in introducing chinese in a fun way to her. (It is really just our fault coz we don't find chinese fun - Read: Boring, strict teachers of our time) It is a chore for us to pick chinese books. Books from China are aplenty but getting books of their age group have comprehension too heavy duty and getting book at a younger level bores them. Chinese books are very "cheem" and are a tongue twister. Chinese word gives me headache- Is a pile of strokes all bundled up.

With our lack of enthusiasm, it is great to finally find a gem like this. I learnt from Dan, the school director a few things which I find useful that you will benefit.

Primary 1 preparation tips:

Streaming: 3 level Bridging, Core, Enrichment.  Streaming is in that class, so it happens daily. The teacher gives them a more tailored environment according to their needs. Basically grouped them at 7 years old *wails.

Show and tell: The kids are required to act their characters after reading. This will help in their conversational skills and encourage them to express better.

Character recognition: Helps facilitate early reading and they will learn hanyu pinyin too.

Kids Starts Now helps the child build Vocabulary. You see that is what we English speaking parents don't have! Chinese is a flowery language and I so admire the Taiwanese's way to describe an emotions or an item! For me, I use a single word to describe each emotion. *rolls on the floor laughing So yes, that impedes us from FLUENCY! Due to the lack of fluency, confidence level for conversational skills is at its super low.  True?

This is the MAIN reason V said yes to the camp. Teacher Marissa took time to let V warm up to her environment and attended to her until V found a friend. V has grown to be very sensitive to her surroundings and the people that she is unsure of. I sort of felt it that V will enjoy the class mainly coz I saw her teacher explaining in detail to the parent what exactly was happening to the child and how she took time to allow the child to overcome his issues and her words she chose to use were very positive. It felt really great as it has become a rare sight to see teachers especially those in enrichments centers to be so passionate about this. I personally love to learn from teachers who use their heart to teach and we know that is far by far a rare commodity.

V was very positive about this camp and was keen on starting with them weekly in 2015. It got us so excited for she has rejected us up crazily too many times (and more honestly for her swim, music, tennis, golf lessons). Best of her, she started speaking simple words to me. That's by far is a great improvement from "I don't know"

Here I share her teacher Marissa feedback of her.

Victoria can understand and speak Chinese decently well, and the main area for oral improvement is growing her confidence in her own abilities (this is partly because she seems more reserved by nature).

A useful technique we use in class (and can be easily done at home) to build kids' confidence is to celebrate small victories and give kids a safe environment where trying is praised. This is very effective when learning a language.

For instance, if we ask a child a question and the child gets it wrong, we will first praise the child for trying (and give the child a coin via our encouragement system). We will then tell the child the correct answer and have the child repeat after us, and then praise the child again for trying.

We have found this method to be quite effective at helping kids build their self-confidence (especially since in P1, show and tell will be an important component in school), and a side benefit is this helps kids develop grit.

Some Information on Kids Start Now

We specialise in helping N2-P1 kids who speak predominantly English excel in school! We have been highly recommended by 11 mummy bloggers, and have also been featured by Young Parents’ as “Enrichment class that best nurtures your child’s interest in Chinese” (Jan 2014).

How your N2-P1 child will benefit:
- KidStartNow Reading Programme strengthens reading skills and vocabulary acquisition through animated storybooks
- Digital encouragement system builds interest in learning and motivates kids to keep trying
- Role-playing activities build oral confidence and prepare kids for Show and Tell in Primary school
- Home learning and quizzes reinforce vocabulary acquisition
- Free weekly K2 and P1 study sessions for additional practice

Special promotion:
Sign up your child for a trial ($10) before end 2014 and we will wave the $30 registration fee if they sign up for regular classes!

Contact details:
Please email (enquiry@kidstartnow.com) or sms/call (9820-7272)  for more information or to register for a trial.

Located at:CT HUB 2 Kallang Way #02-09 Singapore 339407

** Victoria was invited to attend the holiday camp and no monetary compensation was given. Opinions given was by V herself and she insisted on attending 2015 and we readily paid for her weekly classes. 

Ronald McDonald House - NUH

Made a decision this year that I will do my part as long as a children's charity comes my way.  It will be my selected cause. 

*Media Invite

A few of the bloggers were selected to attend a event on McDonald's Singapore fundraising events in support of the Ronald MacDonald House Charities (RHMC) Singapore. This is a global movement by the MacDonald's resturants around the world to celebrate the charity's 40 years of helping children.

During this sharing, I kept hearing about the Ronald McDonald House in NUH and how it has helped many families since it's set up in 2013. It got me curious about this and I made a trip to NUH to check it out. I made a call to Judy who is the Executive Direcctor who invited us if any of the bloggers were interested to see the house. She was on leave but got me to contact Leonard. She sent me the number and a note "Thanks for telling our stories" - it got me really curious on what was to come but this was not what I expected. I got more than a tour because I felt IT - the difference it makes and the warmth it offers.  Ronald Mcdonald House really did tell stories and this is my story.

Credit RMHC

Ronald MacDonald House

Just before you reach NUH  Ward 46, you will walk pass this interesting looking room. Do not be decieve by it nicely concealed front for you will be surprised what is stored inside.  As parents we know the pain of a sick child and the sleepless nights, waking up countless times to check on the fever, the vomitus we have to deal with and of course the incessant crying.  We get grouchy at work because we cannot function due to the lack of sleep. Take that extra MC and get marked by the bosses, grumbled about the high cost of medicine especially after a visit to the paediatrician.  The lists goes on with Childcare centre woes, helpers frustrations, the lack of help.

But for the families of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit,  our rantings on how we had to carry our sick child on our chest because the cannot breathe  well sounds like music because they can never carry their own with tubes and machine attached. Their bills rockets at $1k a day and some can stay for months in PICU. They bunk outside of the ward just to be there for their ailing child, so that the child gets to see a familiar face if they are awake or the warmth of a touch when they are asleep or even being lull by a beautiful voice. Life day after day makes no sense to them,  just hanging on to the hope that their child will be healthy once again. Or for a selected few, just some sort of normality before the ongoing countless operations. Then there are US, the parents who proclaim in FB that "OMG my child is finally asleep!" " Thank you God for sleeping children at 8pm, now is time for my wine".

Makes u wonder huh.

These families live in the hospital daily, making cleaners their talking companion, nurses their counsellors and Doctors their gurus.  Day by day their souls get weary and hope wears thin. Their faces are matte from the drying tears, their eyes tired from the sleepless nights, they are perpetually in their home clothes for NUH has now become their home. Then with a gleam of hope, they get called to stay in the Ronald McDonald House just along the corridor. The kind nurses and doctors go through their checklist and recommends them to rest in the house. The waitlist to stay here is long and requests gets send in on daily basis. But let me show you what this place offers.

Credit RMHC

Credit RMHC

Credit RMHC

The photos are from Ronald McDonald House Charity Singapore but here are mine. Let me tell you things that got me touched.

Playroom

The 1st thing that caught my eye was this library playroom. A small space where the siblings of the sick child can play. This is especially thoughtful because most siblings cannot understand what is going on and this is a good outlet for them to be in safe haven while the parents comfort the other.

A cuppie of goodies

The volunteers even painstakingly wrapped presents (gifted by the public) for siblings who are feeling down. These are the cheer me ups! He shared that most siblings doesn't understand what is going on :( sobx *If you wish to donate, do note that they take new items for siblings gifts

They run this Family Meal Program and today happened to be one of thsoe days. Each meal costs $150 (Lunch and Dinner) and the volunteers calls for caterer which  serves Halal Certified. The meals are NOT donated by the caterers but paid but the charity money. Although is nice to know that Mr Bean has kindly donated and brings them TeaBreak every thursday. *Any caterers willing to donate to this cause?

Where the food are kept for the families to help themselves

The food catered are abundant coz the minimum orders are 15 pax and there are only 4 families staying (2 parents or 1 parent 1 child)

Looks appetising

Dining Table

One can wonder how many times you can eat at the foodcourt if the child stays for months. Or how appetising can it be eating from the thermos flask?  But to be able to eat 2 meals in the comfort of this must be a luxury.

Tea snacks

The volunteers even baked cookies!

Leonard showed me around the kitchenette and highlighted the separate cutleries.

A separate microwave for different diet  requirements

That thoughtful right? Rice cooker all

Imagine fresh half boiled eggs for breakfast

It was so detailed that mircowaves are separated. The families get to cook as the kitchenette is equipped with an induction stove. Nestle sponsors the beverages and instant noodles which they can cook on the stove.

This, I was told to be the most desirable place of the house. Clean clothes anyone?

Truly be told, about half way I was still thinking of this place like a homestay with great hostess. I mean it seriously seemed like it right? …… until 1 family retured from their visit to the PICU. 2 extremely exhausted faces with dreary footsteps, 1 looked like he was in extreme pain. They looked up at me, smiled and walked into their room for that well needed rest. I was told later that the father had donated part of his liver to the child, chose not to recuperate at home but wanted to be near his dear child. I sort of choked and controlled that tear *sobx , thereafter seriously saw this house in a total different light. It was truly a "home-away-from-home" for families to stay close to their hospitalised child. At that point, I appreciated the idea of what this charity is trying to do and at what angle it was towards.

RMHC is an independently adminstered charity incepted in 1989 on a simple mission- directly improve the health and well-being of children in Singapore. They have helped more than 900 needy children in SG with their medical, surgical and rehabilitative treatments costs amounting to over $5million.

A special thanks to Leonard for taking his time to share with me all these inside information. I do like his honesty when he share his  beginnings of a part time staff because of extra buck but eventually turned career because he believes in this cause. Volunteer Yvonne who comes in 1-5pm to assist at the house and sharing me her reason of doing this. This is her 'Pay it forward' because she stayed in a Ronald McDonald House in Canada when her grandchild was hospitalised.  The House will love volunteers who can part their time looking after their house guests, making them rested, watching over their child when they rest. Time Slots are 9-1pm, 1-5pm, 5-9pm, they have an awesome security guard who doubles up as a volunteer for them at night.

If this is your cause,  do join McDonald's Singapore as they join a global movement to celebrate RMHC's 40th Anniversary.

1. Make a Donation and Show your Stripes.

From 15 Oct to 28 Oct, you can make a donation to the charity by purchasing a pair of red and white striped socks via Groupon. You can chose to purchase this at $10, $20 or $50

2. Share your stripes and raise awareness through #forRMHC and #RMHCSG

Help spread the word by dressimg in red and white stripes, donning socks or creating your own red and white themed images. Share them in Instagram  with #forRMHC #RMHCSG

3. Join them on 16th Nov for McHappy Day 2014

Besides the fact is MY birhday hahha! RMHC's 40th anniversary celebrations will culminate on McDonald's annual McHappy Day on 16th November 2014. You will see some 600 volunteers participating in the McHappy Walk and Sales across Singapore, selling the signature red and white striped socks. Families with young children are also welcomed to join the fun at the #forRMHC party at Tampiness Mall from 1-5pm. Members of the public can join in on the fun and participate at various booths that offer balloon sculpting, face painting for children, games and more. Ronald will also make an appearance for photo taking with the children.

Disclosure: I was invited and selected by OMY SG for the event and they have kindly donated $10 in my name to this cause. I received the cute red and white socks at the event and a nice Mcdees meal. No monetary compensation for given for this post.

Journal : Great things happen with the right thoughts

[Journal]

I have been on a journey. The journey has been very interesting and somehow it seems to have propel me into another level of adulthood . The last time I felt this way was after the birth of V, for she has alone taught me about patience, attachment, character, personality and many more. In my 20's, I seriously don't care about what you are made of, to me is well is just you.  There is only 1 choice - Like or dislike . Talk because we click and don't because the person talks crap. That's when we were in our 20's issit it?

As I slowly discover about human nature, life is finding that topic that will transpire and that everyone I meet must have a beautiful story to share with me. It may be now or it may be later in my life.  Training the brain to think positivity is not easy but once you embrace it, you see the world differently!

2014

Spirtually 

I am a cradle catholic in which I am born/bred into a family of rules, commandments, expectations. My values and ethics are clear but journey with God has been well .... mundane.  Just the beginning of this year, someone came into my life and gave me a advice "The reason you have uncertainity is because of your faith in God" I  thought about it very often. Is going to church, sharing about his teachings, proclaiming the word enough? Oh I'm terrible at reading the bible, listening to homily makes me sleep and cringe at people who codes bible phrases. But I believe in him in many ways,  I enjoy listening to stories of miracles, of being touched by the Holy Spirit, of life changing experiences. Most importantly, he gave me a heart of tolerance of all religion.  I don't judge what they do coz I don't know why mine does things in certain ways either!

This 2 months, I finally understood the term "WALK IN FAITH" In recent months, I no longer beat myself for my happenings in life and have learnt to send those problems that is not within my control up to him. I can tell you I don't fret about issues much, yes there are things that bother but I no longer think about it for days or have sleepless nights fretting how to solve it.  The feeling is just amazing!

Journey with Faith is for one to walk through and is not something that can be taught. To think that few years back, I heard a sharing on this and was thinking "siao one this person" but here I am writing about it now hahaha!

Motherhood

I absolutely love motherhood. if you have been reading my blog from  the past, you will know how much it has changed me as a person. My children are a constant reminders that life is beautiful. Crafting a career for a person who uses her heart is challenging. Many times, my heart cries louder than their cries and it hurts not physically but very much mentally. You start to question your actions and doubt the choices you make. But at the end, my story to all mothers is that I chose to tell my children how much I love them vs telling how crappy they make my life by their constant screaming, fighting and sorrow crying. Nagging is not my forte and I do not enjoy doing that. So I hug and kiss them way more than they enjoy their mummy squeezing them and smothering them with kisses.

There was 1 day that V told me "But mummy you don't do anything, you just go drive here/there and go office" I was taken aback by her words and looked back at what made her derive at this statement. Okie I admit I don't do housework, don't cook, dont feed them medicine, may not be there to bathe/ put them to sleep daily, don't comb their hair, don't make milk daily.... hahhahah Then I realised why she said that. Is motherhood really about all these physical work? I have no answer for that.  My child may never understand the work I do at this point in her life, but I just have to carry on. The day will come like how her father saw and understood, the dynamics of my role. For now, I just treasure the flexible time that allows me to see my children in the positive light that I am given.  To be given a platform to have conversations with her and guiding her to achieve potential. To be able to hug and kiss my babies umpteen times because both of them don't push my buttons daily to irk me.

Leadership

Career has been propelling me further than I have ever expected. The ability for me to handle humans are extraordinary. To train to see the best in a person and to control emotions has been quite a journey. Decisions made are not to benefit them but make them better in what they do. I am a sensitive person and this allows my radar to be on alert most of the time. Training my mind not to look at the problems but how to identify the opportunity the issue brings is something takes time to impart! To learn that you are not the most important but they are. Leaders managing leaders has been so darn interesting! You think managing people is a toughie, try handling leaders! Leaders have desire to be someone and that makes that stubborn in many ways hahhaha. I know coz I am one!

The message has been clear, the journey to start writing my inner thoughts, struggles and truimph. By my sharing I know the message will reach to the right people that needs it most.  Book writing I am not sure but I have enough stories in my life to inspire. 

Vaby - August Box + Giveaway!

I received my August Vaby Box! Am so in love with it !

Bear is the children's .. Just for modelling purpose

My personal favourite would have to be the Labra! What a nice suprise to receive an item for ME! I have been wanting to get a adhesive bra but sort of got clueless with teh range in the market. Think most of us will remember 'Nubra' most but I don't like how it becomes after rinsing it. This one however looks amazing and it has a POUCH, a pouch - yeah you heard me right! Just did my research and the website is selling Labra at $79.90 and Vaby is at $49.90! Remember to join my giveaway at the end of this post to get this Vaby August Box for free!!!

Comes in Black/Nude Cup A/B/C $49 Korean Adhesive Labra- A backless, strapless, seamless and self adhesive from Labra. Made of thick premiumsilicona gel with from Closure. The unique push-up design provides maximum support and cleavage without binding bra straps. It is washable, reusable, skin friendly and comes with a storage bag. 

Besides that, I got to try a few samples  and it included

1. Skip and Hop Bibs $4.90

2. Natural Cotton Diapers By Baby Organix (Made in Korea) 1 pack sizes of S/M/L/XL $17.90

3. Lavender Fields Concentrated Laundry Power by IdoCare $12 for 1 Kg Box

4. Nutreme Organic Food

5. Portable Mini Fan

6. Kids Party Entertainment Voucher

7. The Playhouse Unlimited Play Pass 

but I'm most excited with the Lubra coz is for ME!!

Drop by Vaby.com.sg to browse through their Daily Deals and Shop.

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In my last post on Vaby,  there was a open invitation for all to attend their open house. Here are some photos of my happenings that day.

Had to post this coz Bb Kate was not exactly very pleased when they put the balloon hat on her! But like a true blue blogger's child, she fulfilled her responsibility to squeeze in that smile ! *rofl

We participated in their contest during their event

V won us a photography session and a packet of baby diapers!

Here are the sponsors of the day

The team for Vaby Singapore!

It was a hot day at The Playhouse but it was great catching up with fellow parent bloggers. The children had unlimited play that day so no one really complained much.

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So here comes what you have been waiting for. The giveaways! You can now get to try the subscription box and this is an economical way of testing out the vast array of baby/children's products in the market.  Have a chance to be surprised monthly!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gu Ma Jia

Are you a fan of home cooked food? Smacked in the middle of in Macpherson is a nicely nested restaurant that serves Aunty Gu Ma's home cooked dishes. (Gu Ma means aunty so in the true blue singaporean style, its aunty aunty hahaha)  I am not usually the one who travels for food but couldn't reject authentic chinese home cooked versions of food. Staying in a family that serves predominately eurasian dishes, this calls for a hunt in the sennett estate. I got slightly lost in that area coz of the construction and unless you drive abouts there normally, this area can be a maze coz of the confusing signs that spans into big major roads.  But anyhow, I found it! Parking is slightly tricky but I was told there is a small lane behind the restaurant that has parking. So take note of this tip :)

Gu Ma used to sell chicken rice in Tampines, check out her photo and see if she is your now defunct chicken rice store owner! She has since moved on to dishing out her delicious home cooked dishes to US. How lucky of us,right? Many of us  are deprived of home cooked dishes and note this resturant if you are one of them. I spoke to her and walau she is damn strict on the fresheness of her food coz she goes to the wet market to pick her food, suppliers must be damn scared of her.  But then again, rule no 1 of home cooked food is that we buy and we cook on that day isn't it? I know that's my practice.

Here are some of my highly reccomended dishes!

Claypot Chicken with Ginger and Sesame oil [$15/$22/$28]

Just like how my mum does it. If you are one of those who loves confinement food then this is your must order. The chicken was nice n tender sans bones (not those ugly chunky type), thinly sliced ginger and black fungus. So nutritious, just the way I like it.

Assam Fish Head Curry $28

I eat home made rempah (chilli  paste) dishes on a daily basis and this is Gu Ma Jia's exclusive spicy and sour assam blend gravy, defintely not bought off the shelves type.  The assam is not those that hits the back of the tongue but has a light subtle flavour. I like the generous vegetables that comes along with it that adds a crunch to the assam gravy.

Kyoto Pork Ribs $20

Come to think of it, I don't know if this pork is from Kyoto or not. But nevertheless I love the succulent flavour of the pork as its not dry or fatty.

Yuan Yang Ki Lan $10/$15/$20

LOVE!  no need to tell u why, just too yummy!

Home made tofu with mushrooms 

I love her idea on how she makes her tofu in the kitchen.  Its like same same but different, you know what I mean?

Crispy Bean Jal $12/$18

Brinjal lightly tossed in marmite and fried with french beans! I love bringal and this has to be the 1st time eating it this way. Yums!!

Salted egg Prawns

A Singaporean favourite. We like anything with salted egg gravy so no need to explain.

I found out that they have a 2nd level for events and birthdays equppied with karaoke system and projector all. Total space for min 70 pax and more… I can visualize a family birthday for the elders who are enjoying their food and the young ones crooning away.  Very much how we locals like it.  Please do call them for catering services for large events and if you are working/staying around, they have bentos for deliveries.

Oh and if you are like me who likes fruit enzymes. Enzymes are protein molecules which are life forces of all biological activities in the human cells which helps the body digest and absorb nutrients better.  Gu Ma has concocted her home version and has it as a drink or a dessert.

It is a great place for bonding session with the family. Gu Ma Jia won an award for the "Top 10 Restaurant" at the Singapore Food Festival 2010 and a second time in 2013. Make a trip down and enjoy her hospitality!

Gu Ma Jia Tel: 62852023 Opening time: 11-3pm, 530-10pm

45 Tai Thong Cresent Sennett Estate Singapore 347688

*Disclosure:  I was invited by AT Marketing and Consultancy together with hungry bloggers.  No monetary compensation was given. All opinions are mine.

You can read Mother of Xander's review and Gingerbread Mum's review here too! Enjoy :)