Empty

This post is about me, mommykim, not about my girls. (Yes, I am entitled to write about myself from time to time.)

Today is a day of significance. Why? You may ask...

Today, I felt many things. Emptiness, weariness, loneliness, sadness, failure, just to name a few. Why so?

Today, I closed a chapter in my life. It's sad when chapters end. Especially when they started off interesting, full of hope, and been around long enough to give you memories. A good example was my dear godfather's demise almost 2 years ago. His passing gave me grief, in a way I could not have imagined. To me, he was a father I wish I had. God gave him to me, as my godfather. I should be blessed.

Today, no one has passed on. Thankfully. However, a place, a place where I used to spent 12 hours a day for 6 months being a cashier, retail assistant, packer, customer service officer, is now written out of my life.

No one knows much about me at that point in time except for family. I cut myself off from almost everyone unwittingly. I was too busy to be on facebook, to take calls from friends, and to even take care of my dear little missies. It was a good 6 months where I drove myself hard, mentally and physically, to set up Happy Haeyo.

I lost many friends... or rather, I lost the great bonding times that I shared with many great people in my life. I didn't have time for them anymore. I was always busy. I didn't even have time to tell them how much I missed them and how tough it was for me.

My good friend, helped me out when my shop started. It was so kind and helpful of her. In fact, she helped me even through the difficult times that I had during the first year. 2 weeks ago, she knew that I was going to close my shop on Friday, today, Feb. 21. She asked if I needed help a week ago. I said "Yes!" because I knew I was going to need all the help that I could get, especially good help. She said "Ok, but after 9pm.". Sure, any help any time would be good on this day. I didn't get a call from her.

My brothers, both whom I asked for help a month ago. One confirmed a couple of days ago that he couldn't help me because he was having exams the next day.  The other, said he would help. I didn't see him too. He was sleeping.

Friends, friends whom I considered close, were told that I was going to be moving out of my shop today. Few offered help, empathy, sympathy and care. Well... in Singapore, everyone is busy.

The people who came to pack up the shop with me were paid help. Very sadly, paid workers. Except for the hubs. As much as I always complain about him, he did take a day of leave to help. I don't have to pay for his help. 

It took many hours to pack all the goods and now the goods are all sent to the warehouse. That, will be another post for another day.

All that's left to pack up now, are my emotions. It's challenging. I started off by plonking down on the sofa and watching Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 at 2.30a.m. Actually, it's more of staring at the screen. My mind is still a blank. It'll take a while for reality to hit me, for me to really react to the sadness. Blogging about it does help alleviate it slightly... but nothing beats downing good 'ol soju for now!

Today is the day I feel really empty.

I awake.... from my slumber. Have not been blogging at all for the past couple of years. Such a lazy bum-bum..

So why am I starting again?

Been following a blog of a friend's and was reading her latest post. One thing led to another and I decided to look up a couple of blogs of some other really fantastic parents just to be "in the know". I found that I really enjoyed reading their posts. Informative, insightful, interesting... Next thing I knew, I was asking myself, "So, what happened to your blog?".

Thus, I began to look for (as in, search, because it has been THAT long!) my own blog. Found it within 5 searches and yes! I am going to start blogging again. I guess it's only fair (to myself) that I return to blogging again, to record the events, happenings, and give myself an outlet to rattle on when no one else is actually listening...


My walk into Baptist Bookstore this afternoon was like my browse on the Internet this early morning.

Both times, I was not in search for anything in particular... but on both occasions, I felt that I had found something interesting and inspiring.

At the bookstore, I found some pretty decent books for the girls. This title caught my eye: "God, I Need to Talk to You about MY BAD TEMPER".

This book comes in a series, and I just had to get at least 9 out of the 25 titles available. Simply because of the titles (topics very related to what I would like to address with the girls now) and the colourful illustrations. I also liked that the books ended with a prayer to God.





I am happy that I have walked back into my blogspot and thankful to have found my little haven once again...

Ahhhhh.... for the Dentist

Today, the girls didn't take the school bus to kindergarten because they were going to the dentist with me! I called up the School Dental Centre on May 2 (as instructed by the customer service officer in response to my email) and managed to get a slot for the both of them on May 16, i.e. today!

We got to know about the School Dental Centre's "Oral Health Care Services for Pre-School" through fellow mommy Serene's posting on facebook. Late last year, Estelle went to get her teeth checked at the School Dental Centre and I got all curious about it as she seemed really happy about it.

Since En Bi turned 3, I had made feeble attempts to look around for a dentist for the girls but never saw it through. By the time I really got down to calling the dentist (referred to by a friend), he was no longer practising in Singapore. That's how long I postponed my daughters' visit to the dentist.

We had the good fortune to be assigned a date so early since all slots in June were taken up! I would rather bring the girls earlier than later because I have this feeling that I would have forgotten about the appointment by then (which most likely be August) and it would bring us back to square 1.

Besides the slight blip, which made us late for our appointment time by 15 minutes, the whole process went on pretty well. Let me tell you about this "slight blip". I had assumed that the School Dental Centre would be situated in the National Dental Centre, therefore, we walked towards the National Dental Centre's lift lobby at the carpark. We even made our way up to Level 4, but found ourselves entering a rather sombre environment with just the adults waiting around. A quick scan at the signs on this level increased my suspicion that we were not on the right track. After a check with the Cashier, I was re-directed to the opposite building, which was the Health Promotion Board building.

Within a minute, we were already in the right building and at the School Dental Centre. It took almost 10 minutes for our number to be called (though there was no one at the counters) but it was just a short wait after the registration. When our queue number flashed on the board, I called the girls to leave the play area and proceeded to Operatory 25. Behind the glass doors, there were almost 50 cubicles in the colourfully decorated area. It was a little maze-like trying to find the cubicle where our dentist was waiting for us. Luckily for us, they spotted us and called out to us instead. How could they have missed us, the "fresh meat" waiting to be pounced upon! Just kidding.

En Bi took her seat on the dentist chair first. She was offered a pair of yellow sunglasses (for kids) but was not really keen to put it on. (I think she didn't really like the colour and design. Lol.). Finally, she had the sunglasses on and was enjoying the interaction with the dentist. The dentist introduced En Bi to the tools that she would be using on her and then explained that she will be, first, counting her teeth. So, yes, the dentist officially announced that En Bi has 20 teeth. Next, she moved on to clean En Bi's teeth. That was also a breeze with the dentist talking her through the whole process (which took less than 10 minutes). At the end of the treatment, for being so cooperative, the dentist gave En Bi 2 stickers. She chose Spongebob Squarepants stickers, yet again.

En Bi at her first dentist treatment

Seo Yeon was observing En Bi's treatment and although it was obvious that her sister didn't have any issues about it, she was still not ready to have those menacing-looking tools enter her mouth. We had to start off with Seo Yeon sitting together with me on the dentist chair. She didn't even want to have the sunglasses on at all. So, we left her at that and the dentist started her cooing. It didn't take long for Seo Yeon to warm up to the dentist and agree to sit on the dentist chair by herself. They had an extra cushion to prop her up and started the treament. Seo Yeon also has 20 teeth. And surprisingly, although she's not as avid a fan of teeth-brushing as her sister, the dentist declared that her teeth were well-maintained. For a moment, I was glad that she attended her current kindy because they practise good oral hygiene by brushing their teeth after meals.

Seo Yeon showing us a "V" after her first dental treatment

There was no choking, squealing, or the "I don't want...!", that I had quite expected. In fact, everything went on very well and I have no doubt that I will be bringing them back again 6 months later for another check. Might I add that the treatment fee of $9 is very affordable and economical. I like this!

 Check out the yellow sunglasses on the table (left) and a  parting shot with the obliging dentist (right)

Squirming on the Piano Bench

After a long day, and dinner at Ikea with Tona and Kimi, I still had to rush home and clean the girls up before bringing En Bi for her first piano lesson with Teacher Rebecca.

I was quite anxious and nervous, wanting to see if this would really be better than her current group piano lessons. Before today's lesson, her finger techniques and note reading levels were almost zilch. I was at a loss because I didn't have the proper skills (and patience!) to teach a child piano even though I know what she was doing was somehow incorrect. So, instead of drumming my fingers on the table, I decided to let her go for one-to-one piano lessons with Teacher Rebecca.

Am not exactly proud to show this video, but this was the only video I took! I should have taken more... Anyway, this was taken after the importance of fluency was explained to her. Phew! At least the notes didn't sound so detached after the explanation and a couple of tries. And looking at the video again, I am quite happy that her fingers were curved.

It was a good start, except for her constant squirming on the piano bench. That happened because she was shy. Good sign! Means she likes the teacher! :) On the other hand, it really slowed down the lesson because she wasn't really concentrating on what was being taught, but busy staring at the new face. Nevertheless, she completed the lesson still happy and wanting to come back for more.

To The Ugly Duckling

We had a fun time watching the show. Lovely!

"Best" seats we have ever had so far, among all the performances that we have been too. Mainly because I didn't realise that "The Ugly Duckling" was going to be on, and by the time I realised and spent some time gathering the kakis, we had only row EE left. For those who frequent the DBS Arts Centre or those who have had the privilege of ever being seated at that row, you could guess how much we wanted to watch this show.

The Ugly Duckling remains one of the most popular and memorable productions that The Little Company has staged. Originally presented in 2005, the production played to sold out audiences and received rave reviews from both the public as well as schools who brought their students.

This is Seo Yeon's inaugural performance attendance. I think it goes the same for Claudia too :) (Claudia and Charlene were dressed up in sweet matching outfits by their mommy. Always eye candy!). Seo Yeon happily watched the performance throughout and we had a good time enjoying the story together.

En Bi was not fussed seated away from Seo Yeon and myself. I didn't note that there was a gap in the seats that I had booked. I seated Seo Yeon and myself at the 2 seats that were separated away from the rest of the gang but near enough. If there was no aisle space between En Bi and Seo Yeon, we would actually be side by side. En Bi was seated beside Kimi and had Auntie Tona guiding her through the show. So she was doing great on her own! Good going En Bi!

I hope the kids had a great time and understood the "moral of they story". It was really an enjoyable way to understand "The Ugly Duckling" story presented by SRT's The Little Company.

This is the collage I did up for En Bi's "Show & Tell" session in school. Really kills 2 birds with 1 stone. Saves me the trouble of doing up a collage just for the "Show & Tell".

Our Staycation

It was an easy, fuss-free, 2D1N stay there, short 'getaway' before PapaKim joined the rat race again. He made some last minute babysitting arrangements, that really didn't work out at all, in the hope that we could have some twosome time. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my time both with and without the girls during this staycation at Marina Bay Sands.

Without the girls: 4 hours - Went to the pool, chilled out, ate big, fat dinner...
Girls arrived: Rest of stay - Went to the pool again, walked around hotel vicinity...

Walking along Helix Bridge

Smiles all over

Checking out at the lobby

This is the collage for En Bi's "Show & Tell" session.

It was a good stay. Happy :)

'E' Day!

After a brief consultation with my good friend (the foodie), we decided to swing by Etna with the kids. So that's how we started the day's outing by filling our stomachs at Etna @ Upper East Coast Road.

They served us yummy bread while we were waiting for the food. Mmmm... I absolutely loved what we ordered. The usual fare, but it just tasted really YUM.

After that, we decided to go to East Coast Park for a walk. Cut across the path of the Standard Chartered Marathon runners, stood at the Cable-Ski Park for a while to admire the lanky and sporty. Then continued to walk along the coast. It was windy, sunny, what you would expect of East Coast on any other afternoon.

Then came the dark clouds and crackle of thunder indicating impending heavy showers. Okay, time to make our way back home. Pass the Cable-Ski Park again, no sight of our instant hit - this cute, young, blonde, curly-haired guy. Never mind, continue back on our path home, and cut across the running path of the marathon runners again. We ended the short walk there with a promise to the girls, that we would bring them back with their pail and shovel so that they could build a sandcastle.

Oh, by the way, it's 'E' day because we went to "Etna" and "East Coast Park". Both places begin with the letter 'E'. Hur hur.

Early Valentine's

Round and around we drove up the carpark of Orchard Central and slotted into a lot on level 5. We thought we were lucky to find a lot near the elevator (when we went home, we wished the exit from the lot would have taken us a lot less manoeuvers!).

Today, we are here at OC to celebrate love at "Sarang". Get the pun? Well, I happened to spot Sarang's Valentine's special menu in the newpapers and thought, hey, why not? We are always on the lookout for potential joints that offer yummy and authentic Korean food. The website (http://www.sarang.com.sg) looked convincing, in fact, quite enticing as the layout was clean, pictures of the food were well-taken and looked tasty, plus, chefs were Koreans.

When we arrived, there was a strong wind blowing and the sky looked dark. The staff at the outdoor section of the restaurant were busy putting away items that would be blown away if the wind got any stronger or would get wet if the rain came. We were really surprised when we asked for a table for the 4 of us and heard a "gonggg" as we were walking in. LOL. Talk about announcing your arrival. Now we know that the gong there served a purpose and was not purely for decor.

We did not really ponder over what we wanted to eat because we were there for that special menu and were ready to try it. We just ordered an additional "Panda Noodles" for the girls (Jajangmyeon) which came out a little spicy. PapaKim was quite adamant that Jajangmyeon are by default, not spicy, so they should have pointed out that it was spicy. En Bi took a mouthful of the Jajangmyeon and called "Fire"! They took a while to replace the Jajangmyeon (well, we should be glad that they offered to replace it) with a non-spicy version but it was disappointing because the noodles were more bits and pieces rather than 'full-length noodles' the second round.

Our order turned out better than expected and we were therefore, pleased. The efforts in the presentation of the food were lovely.

The joke of the day: PapaKim and I walked out feeling that we could have eaten a little bit more, like something was missing from the course. We thought, maybe that's just the way it is with restaurants nowadays, underfeed you when you order a set meal so that you'll order more. What made us realise that we were short-served our MAIN course was this huge picture of "World Star" pasted right outside the pretty walls of Sarang restaurant. Then it clicked in PapaKim's mind.

PPK : "Hey, the staff asked us whether we wanted chicken, pork, or beef, right?

MMK: "Yar, and we said 'beef'. OHH! They didn't serve us the beef!"

Good gracious! PapaKim was not going to ask for the main course but I was in my "auntie" mood and just refused to leave without trying the Bulgogi. I went up to the manager and just told him politely that we weren't served our main course. Jaws dropped. But his recovery was quick. He told us that he would get the food prepared and pack it for us to bring back. Good fire-saving skills!

We went back exploring the place a little more, with packed bulgogi in hand.

What I liked about this place:

- Really cool ambience;

- Friendly staff;

- "Odaeng" in a cup of radish soup (this pleasantly surprised us) + Seaweed-flavoured crackers for Appetiser;

- Authentic and good-tasting Korean food.

Worth a try!