We waited close to a decade for this day. But as the day drew nearer, our anxiety grew more intense too because with each passing day, we saw our chance dwindle. Ever since we could put our names down for the application, we did and each time, we were disappointed that the ballot number given to us was way off the number of flats available. And after numerous tries, the disappointment and frustration was taking its toil on us. We tried for the final time in March.  

On the morning of 16 July 2012, with bated breath, we walked down the aisle towards the little corner where the customer service officer was. We had stopped checking the website for the availability of flats.  It was a huge relief that there was. Though it wasn't our first choice, a good pal reminded me that God has plans for us and this was probably a more suitable place for us. :) 

The good thing is, we will be able to get the keys to the place soon. C was over the moon when she learned the news and jumping for joy literally when I told her that we would be spending Christmas at our new home.  "Home", I like the sound of that word. :) 

10 years of wait does make this day a little surreal.

It was lunch and I was with my kakis, Val and Justina. I can't recall what we were talking about but some how our conversation drifted to some of the books we read when we were kids. 

Val and I got really excited ... because of a series of books that we had when we were kids: Charlie Brown's 'Cyclopedia. It had 15 volumes in the series and each volume dealt with a different theme, from the Human Body, to Energy, to Stars and Planets. Oh, we have such fond memories of these books. 

That afternoon, I sat myself down to search for these books. It was quite a task because these books are out of print and it was quite impossible to get brand new ones. I managed to find a seller in the U.S.A who was selling her books at a pretty reasonable rate.

C was really excited when she saw a huge box and in it, all 15 volumes. That every evening, she started on volume 1 and didn't stop until I reminded her that it was late. The next morning, she brought another volume down to the car as she decided that she would occupy her time wisely while Daddy drove her to Art class. :)

I have a confession...

For several days now, my colleague and good friend, Just and I have been making daily trips to the Principal's Office.Nope, we aren't in trouble with the Boss, we just love her coffee. Hehehe.

You see, she has this absolutely wonderful machine in her Office and for teachers who do not lunch outdoors on working days, this is heavenly really.

Choices, choices! So many flavours to choose from. 

Nice and it makes our day. :)

I have been discussing with Daddy to get ourselves one of this too but we haven't been able to come to a decision.

We could get this one here:

Or this, which I really like. 

Or this, which reminds me of a penguin.

Aunt Di and Uncle Ben has this one here and they love it to bites. Hmmm.....

Lately, Daddy has been having problems with his mobile. It either hangs up on him or ... hangs up on him. So retiring that phone is only a matter of time. For the past 2 weekends, we have been going around hunting and trying to get our hands on the newly launched HTC Incredible S.

Unfortunately, trips to the various Singtel, M1 and Starhub retail outlets yield no success as they do not have any sets on display. However, he did learn that the phone would be on sale at the IT Show over the weekend and since we weren't able to make time to the Show, Daddy ordered it online and had it delivered to him in the office.

For now, he is happy and like a child, busy exploring his new toy. Reviews will have to wait. 

"Big Phone!"

This was C's exact words when she first saw the iPad and we were then in England.

We had a discussion some months back and she said that she wanted it so that she could play her games. I was wondering if it was a good idea because firstly, the iPad doesn't come cheap and secondly, C is only a young child and what was a kiddo supposed to do with a gadget like an iPad. It was suspiciously looking more like a toy for Daddy instead. Ha ha.

But then again, C has monopolizing my iPhone since Daddy bought that for me because of the many educational applications and movies. She absolutely loves the games that she can play on my phone and she probably knows the phone better than I do. She watches movies and video clips on the phone too and lately, we noticed that she has been squinting her eyes. Was it because of the tiny screen?

Initially we had plans to order it from Apple in the United States and had it shipped over then we changed our minds and thought since it was going to be launched in Singapore soon (it was like a good 3 months more) we reckoned we could wait. It was wishful thinking to think that we could waltz into the Apple Store to get it when it finally made its appearance hence it was onto the waiting list again.

Then this afternoon, Daddy got news that there was stocks and we headed down to get one for ourselves.

Daddy and C playing on the iPad while waiting for the sales person to come back with ours.

Yeah! Proud owners of the iPad!

That very evening, we used it to surf the Internet.

When Daddy bought Estee last year, the gadget was more like a toy for Daddy and Cheryl: Daddy loves the games that he could download, well, C too. And Cheryl loves the movies: Charlie and Lola being one of them amongst others.

So I was on a mission literally to hunt for a proper cover. I got this in the mail this evening!

The covers I previously were using didn't come with a stand and every time C wanted to watch her movies, she had to hold the gadget in her hands. Now, she can have the phone on the desk top. :) Nice!

C's 5th birthday is approaching fast and I was cracking my head as to what to get her.

I know she loves books and she can spend hours at the book store browsing and flipping through the pages. And she is very interested in reading except that she feels handicapped when she has to stop to blend unfamiliar words.

So I thought this would be good. C has the older version from Leapfrog but it has since gone bonkers. 

Then we have been talking about getting her own room. Well, C has a room but it is more of a store than a room for her daily use.

Well, Daddy and I will have to fix her a ceiling fan ...

and then get her a bed for her soon... She is fast outgrowing her cot-turned-bed.

C has also been talking about growing something and for the longest time, I have been putting it off. So I thought may be we could go down to the nursery and get her the tools and materials needed for her vegetable patch.

Apparently, Daddy had great plans for me... .

He wanted to get me one of these cool looking, head turning vehicles so that I could ride myself to work everyday. 

 

Well, it looks simple enough and definitely makes traveling a whole lot easier. 

Check out the video I found on Youtube:

I will definitely love it but one big turn off is... finding a place to park it. I don't trust the people here. They will steal anything and everything and if they can't go off with it, they will probably vandalise it. Surely I can't be blamed because there has been reports about people who travelled around the world on their motor bikes, or bicycles, and made it through the war-torn countries, poverty-stricken folks only to have their means of transportation stolen along Orchard Road in Singapore. Unbelievable! 

Well, owning this little beauty will for now, remain what it is, a wish. I am just happy having Hubby Dearest drive me to work every day. :)

Daddy's been drooling over this little gadget for a long time and several days ago, he finally purchased it online. And since then, patiently waiting for it's arrival.

This morning, the package finally came!

:) Daddy's new Nexus One. 

We support Billy Graham and his Prayer for Our Nation.

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.

We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it
building self esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!"

How true!

We are looking for a booster seat for our Precious but we are still undecided about which to get.

After some research, these are just some that we have shortlisted although our options are still very opened.

Candidate No. 1: Britax Frontier Booster

1. Children will be secured in a 5-point harness
2. Suitable for kids at least 25 lbs, 2 years of age, and 30" tall.
3. converts to a belt-positioning booster suitable for kids up to 100 lbs.
4. Adjustable armrests give them a place to put their hands.
5. Lift the armrests and little ones scramble in and out on their own.
6. Cup holders provide a spot for juice.
7. Generous cushioning and breathable fabrics ensure maximum comfort on the next family road-trip.
8. An adjustable crotch strap and an easily adjustable harness and headrest provide a customized fit for growing children.
9. The HUGS Harness cushions the neck and just.

Candidate No. 2: Britax Monarch Booster

1. Expanding padded armrests
2. Same weight, height, and weight capacity
3. Option to be a backless booster
4. More side impact protection for torso
5. triple layer of padding in the seat area and easily removed, machine washable plush fabrics.
6. Headrest is adjustable with just one hand
7. Seat can accommodate children from 30-100lbs.
8. The padded armrests expand away from each other, creating space for bigger passengers that may need a wider seating area.
9. There are also retractable cupholders (which the kids love) are in place on either side of the base.

Candidate No. 3: Combi Buon Junior

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1. Simple and stylish junior seat which can be used up to 11 yrs old
2. Shoulder belt position can be adjusted freely
3. Equipped with drink holder
4. Junior seat with high backrest and side protection
5. Adjustable should belt guide
6. Ventilated pad and air gate
7. For baby 15 – 36 kg
8. Size W455xD455-465xH670-810mm
9. Weight 4.2 kg

Candidate No. 4: Mothercare Adv. SP

1. Suitable from 9kg/20lbs to 36kg/79lbs (approx. 9mths-11yrs)
2. Baby/child faces forwards in a seat with an integral harness secured in the car by an adult seat belt
3. Converts to a booster seat for an older child
4. Side-impact protection and head cushions
5. Easy to adjust headrest and harness
6. Includes chest and buckle pads
7. 5-point, 1-pull harness
8. Removable hand washable cover
9. Seat dimensions: Height 71cm, width 45cm, depth (front to back) 48cm

I guess this will truly be a dream come through if I could catch one of the world's most talented artistes; Lea Salonga on stage doing what she does best.

I first heard her when I was in secondary school and she sang Kim in Miss Saigon and I was completely blown away by her very powerful and crystal clear voice. And then on, although I had wanted to catch Miss Saigon and see how the production crew managed a helicopter on stage, I didn't see it when Miss Saigon came to Singapore some years back because Lea didn't play that part. I guess, I just couldn't accept anyone else playing Kim after that. She also played in other equally successful musicals like Les Misérables.

Then I saw this on the papers and I really hope I can see her in person and be mesmerized by her angelic voice again... .

Just a little treat:
here is a clip of Lea doing a real classic, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"


And this is my favoutite song from Miss Saigon: