It is the super hot time of the year again. It's much hotter than what you get in hottest Singapore.
Every time i'm out, i feel as if i'm going to get heatstroke. My face is so flushed i dont even need to apply any blusher. My whole face turns red as a lobster. My face looks more like the Chinese Opera painted face. I also dont dare to apply mascara now - for fear that it will melt under the terrible heat. Usually, by the end of the day, my makeup will be wiped off together with my perspiration. Haha!
Even when i reach home, i can still feel the heat on my cheeks.
~ Summer of 2007: 2 of our gay friends came to Shanghai for a week. I was 3 months pregnant and i brought them out everyday, walking from morning till night.
~ Summer of 2008: 1 of my girlfriend from Hong Kong came to Shanghai for a week. I carried 7-month old & 9kg Joel everyday (PLUS a heavy bag with diapers & 3 feeds of milk and water), walking from morning till night...and even to the stuffiest and messiest of wholesale places. Strangers looked at me and told me it's suffering for Joel. I didnt feel any better myself. My back, shoulders and legs ached for the next few weeks (even with all the "training" Elvis & i have since we're used to shopping long hours). After my friend left, Joel had terrible heat rash and i had to bring him to see the doctor.
~ Summer of 2009: ...Hopefully no one comes for holiday. Haha!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
fetish
Joel has a foot fetish...and a very serious ELBOW fetish.
Lately, he likes to place his head on my foot!!! He also likes to put things he likes (eg. his teddy bears, ones foot) inside the "hole" he forms when he sits crossed-legged and use his feet to "cover" them.
He loves to pinch & scratch our elbows when he's trying to fall asleep. Both Elvis & i have scars on our elbows and blood clots being "scratched out" before the wound is completely healed.
OUCH!
Lately, he likes to place his head on my foot!!! He also likes to put things he likes (eg. his teddy bears, ones foot) inside the "hole" he forms when he sits crossed-legged and use his feet to "cover" them.
He loves to pinch & scratch our elbows when he's trying to fall asleep. Both Elvis & i have scars on our elbows and blood clots being "scratched out" before the wound is completely healed.
OUCH!
a thorough check
This morning, 2 people from the hospital came to our house to do an interview. Initially, i was worried that they found Elvis' viral infection to be H1N1. They asked what he ate, who he came into contact with, and if the virus spread to any of us at home etc etc... It was impossible to determine what he/we ate becoz all our meals are taken outside. It could have been the uncooked BBQ beef or raw sashimi...
Fortunately, it was just a follow-up to make sure he's alright now. Maybe it's becoz of the Expo2010 that they're on the ball. We were also told to disinfect the surfaces in the house since we have a baby. Phew~
They also took down our particulars to check on our stay permit.
INFO:
Here in China, once you reach the country (unless you're on holiday and Singaporeans can stay for up to 14 days), you have to go to the police station in your district to report where you're staying. Otherwise, it's a offense for not having a Temporary Residence Permit (ζηεΎ) and you could get a fine of 500RMB/day, up to a maximum of 5000RMB.
Fortunately, it was just a follow-up to make sure he's alright now. Maybe it's becoz of the Expo2010 that they're on the ball. We were also told to disinfect the surfaces in the house since we have a baby. Phew~
They also took down our particulars to check on our stay permit.
INFO:
Here in China, once you reach the country (unless you're on holiday and Singaporeans can stay for up to 14 days), you have to go to the police station in your district to report where you're staying. Otherwise, it's a offense for not having a Temporary Residence Permit (ζηεΎ) and you could get a fine of 500RMB/day, up to a maximum of 5000RMB.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
happy birthday
Today is Elvis' 34th birthday.
He's been sick since last Saturday. Thank God it's not the H1N1 virus. He's feeling much better now although he still feels weak sometimes. He's back at work today.
In the morning, we sang the birthday song and had a tiny cake (only for mommy to eat).
We didnt know what to have for dinner since it's better to stay clear from oily/spicy food in the meantime. So...we ended up walking to a seafood restaurant near our place. Live seafood fished out from the tank! Fish, prawns, scallops! YUM!

Happy Birthday, Daddy.
He's been sick since last Saturday. Thank God it's not the H1N1 virus. He's feeling much better now although he still feels weak sometimes. He's back at work today.
In the morning, we sang the birthday song and had a tiny cake (only for mommy to eat).
We didnt know what to have for dinner since it's better to stay clear from oily/spicy food in the meantime. So...we ended up walking to a seafood restaurant near our place. Live seafood fished out from the tank! Fish, prawns, scallops! YUM!

Happy Birthday, Daddy.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
fever
Yesterday, Elvis came home earlier coz he's sick. He had a 38.5˚c fever, body aches and diarrhoea. The symptoms are similar to Swine Flu, so he maintained a clear distance from Joel. (Our house is small lah, so it's just a few meters distance) He also slept in the other room - which meant i had to pack the super messy sofa-bed again! Haha! -.-lll
Today, his fever is down to 37.5˚c in the morning. Thank God. We'll go to the doctor later...
UPDATES:
The doctor kept Elvis in the hospital for about 4 hours to put him on the drip. (The doctors here always do that esp for patients with fever) Till now, 9.20pm, Elvis still doesnt feeling well. Think need to go to the doctor again (for the drip) tomorrow. The visit to the doctor today cost ¥1800/about S$360!!! (Usually for normal ailment, it will be about S$100) :[
Today, his fever is down to 37.5˚c in the morning. Thank God. We'll go to the doctor later...
UPDATES:
The doctor kept Elvis in the hospital for about 4 hours to put him on the drip. (The doctors here always do that esp for patients with fever) Till now, 9.20pm, Elvis still doesnt feeling well. Think need to go to the doctor again (for the drip) tomorrow. The visit to the doctor today cost ¥1800/about S$360!!! (Usually for normal ailment, it will be about S$100) :[
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
reading and talking
I know some mommies out there are excited and anxious after looking at Joel's video, and have rushed to the shops to get flashcards, DVDs, toys... Please dont get panicky. Let your baby take his/her time. And i hope the massage techniques i told you might also speed things up a little.
Joel also cant talk yet - just reading words he's been looking at since he was very little.
When you come to think of it, it's weird, right?
Can read, cannot talk. ;)
.
For those whom i didnt email, here's the method:
1. clench your fists
2. there's 3 "sections" (joints) on your fingers, right? use the middle section
3. press it against your baby's cheeks (baby facing you)
4. rotate both hands OUTWARDS in a circular motion
5. maybe can do about 20 circles everyday
I'm not sure what's the logic behind this...but it supposed to work.
Have fun!
Joel also cant talk yet - just reading words he's been looking at since he was very little.
When you come to think of it, it's weird, right?
Can read, cannot talk. ;)
.
For those whom i didnt email, here's the method:
1. clench your fists
2. there's 3 "sections" (joints) on your fingers, right? use the middle section
3. press it against your baby's cheeks (baby facing you)
4. rotate both hands OUTWARDS in a circular motion
5. maybe can do about 20 circles everyday
I'm not sure what's the logic behind this...but it supposed to work.
Have fun!
no!
Last night Elvis tested Joel with the flashcards.
Daddy: What is this word?
Joel: blue
Daddy: NO
Joel: black
Daddy: NO
Joel: duck
Daddy: NO
Joel: boo (cow)
Daddy: NO
Joel: nana (banana)
Daddy: NO!
Joel: borbo (bubble)
Daddy: NO!!
Joel: wowo yoyo (???)
It was so funny coz Joel was trying his luck for words he doesnt know. Some of the words that he knew before, he also seemed to have forgotten. Hmmm....
Anyway, new words he knew last night:
28. teeth
29. arms up (action)
30. arms down (action)
31. toes (he touches his toes)
32. yellow
...and today:
33. sheep
34. lamb
Daddy: What is this word?
Joel: blue
Daddy: NO
Joel: black
Daddy: NO
Joel: duck
Daddy: NO
Joel: boo (cow)
Daddy: NO
Joel: nana (banana)
Daddy: NO!
Joel: borbo (bubble)
Daddy: NO!!
Joel: wowo yoyo (???)
It was so funny coz Joel was trying his luck for words he doesnt know. Some of the words that he knew before, he also seemed to have forgotten. Hmmm....
Anyway, new words he knew last night:
28. teeth
29. arms up (action)
30. arms down (action)
31. toes (he touches his toes)
32. yellow
...and today:
33. sheep
34. lamb
another block
The riots in XinJiang, China has caused Facebook to be blocked too!
fyi, the people in Shanghai (and some other province) look just like Singaporean Chinese. But XinJiang people dont look like Chinese. They look like Chinese + Indian + Angmoh.
Riot reports here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090706/ap_on_re_as/as_china_protest
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/07/07/2009-07-07_over_1400_arrested_following_riots_in_china_sparked_by_tension_between_uighurs_e.html
fyi, the people in Shanghai (and some other province) look just like Singaporean Chinese. But XinJiang people dont look like Chinese. They look like Chinese + Indian + Angmoh.
Riot reports here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090706/ap_on_re_as/as_china_protest
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/07/07/2009-07-07_over_1400_arrested_following_riots_in_china_sparked_by_tension_between_uighurs_e.html
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
contact lens day
Almost every week, i'll go out to shop alone - slightly further away from home. On these days, i will wear my dailies contact lens and makeup. I always try to max out where i wanna go/do on those days becoz my contact lens costs S$2/pair. Haha! ;p
$2 is not a lot, but if u multiply by 30 days, it is already $60/month, $720/year. That is about 6 YEARS supply of monthly lens! But i dont think i will ever go for lasik.
On 'Contact Lens Day', before i come home, i'll go to the salon to do hair treatment and they will style a nice nice TaiTai hairdo for me. But every time when i reach home, i'll be back to being Mommy to Joel...so my nice nice hairstyle is GONE!!! Haha... That is so un-TaiTai.
Today is just the same.
P.S. If i just go to the supermarket or nearby (walking distance), i will just wear my home tshirt, a bottom...and look totally "nerdy" in my specs.

Photo taken on 27 May when i got bangs! Every week, my hairstylist will try to style something different for me. ;)
$2 is not a lot, but if u multiply by 30 days, it is already $60/month, $720/year. That is about 6 YEARS supply of monthly lens! But i dont think i will ever go for lasik.
On 'Contact Lens Day', before i come home, i'll go to the salon to do hair treatment and they will style a nice nice TaiTai hairdo for me. But every time when i reach home, i'll be back to being Mommy to Joel...so my nice nice hairstyle is GONE!!! Haha... That is so un-TaiTai.
Today is just the same.
P.S. If i just go to the supermarket or nearby (walking distance), i will just wear my home tshirt, a bottom...and look totally "nerdy" in my specs.

Photo taken on 27 May when i got bangs! Every week, my hairstylist will try to style something different for me. ;)
the content
When Joel reads to himself, he will go...
Boogi boorgi boori borr bushy pussy boori boogi boor
Moyi boyi bo woowowo nai bo hmm booboo boo
Ee ah yi chi chi ah ba ni ni wo ah
And he does this "sound" all the time moving his tongue (inside)...
Gor-gei gor-gei gor-gei gor-gei...
Boogi boorgi boori borr bushy pussy boori boogi boor
Moyi boyi bo woowowo nai bo hmm booboo boo
Ee ah yi chi chi ah ba ni ni wo ah
And he does this "sound" all the time moving his tongue (inside)...
Gor-gei gor-gei gor-gei gor-gei...
Monday, July 6, 2009
weekends eat & shop
Saturday, we went to XinTianDi Afternoon Tea before Joel's play class at Gymboree. After that, we went shopping in ChangLe Road.


We also saw the new shop, NPC: New Project Center. The shop was ALL WHITE! The chinese boss, Nic Li Chen, was doing a shoot on the 2nd floor, but we were allowed to go up. The 2nd floor was even "barer" than Edison's shop! They only have some clothes from Stage (by taiwanese singer Luo Zhi Xiang), Caonima, and Micheal Lau's toys. The 1st floor is basically NPC's own line and Nike Sportswear.
While waiting for Elvis to get cash from the ATM to pay for his new Nike shoes (coz their credit card/NETS service wasnt in operation yet), i witness something really funny. A few of the staff was mopping the floor! Some even took tissue paper to scrub it! And it was only their 3rd day of business. Stains really showed on their "flawless" flooring! Haha!

Some people wanted Nic Li's autograph and get a picture with him. I think we behaved nonchalantly so he came over to speak to us and Joel. But it wasnt as if Willbert Pan spoke with me (i think i will faint if that happens)! Hahaha... ;p
O ya, in 1 of the clothing store, there were lots of huge wordings all over the shop...and Joel started to say his version of ABCs. It was so funny the sales assistant laughed too! He's so cute! ;)
We shopped more while waiting for Ann. In the evening, we went to Chiang Mai Thai restaurant with Ann & Pick. After dinner, we went shopping again at JinXian Road to look for a Singapore clothing store - Revoltage. The boss called out to Elvis when we walked in. (This actually happened a few times when we're out. Once, a guy even "stalked" us. He kept following us around the whole H&M and i thought he was probably gay from the way he looked at Elvis. Finally he got a chance to speak to Elvis while i was at the cashier. I saw them and i was sure he was hitting onto Elvis!) Elvis tells me coz he's famous! Haha! Crap!
NPC:
http://www.freshnessmag.com/2009/07/04/new-project-center-store-opening-shanghai-china/
.
Sunday, we went to XuJiaHui and had lunch at a Japanese restaurant before Joel's session at MiKids. After that, we went to Highstreet Loft at TaiKang/JiaShan Road (http://www.highstreetloft.com) ...and Elvis decided to go cut his hair. So Joel & i went home first coz he was fussing a bit. After that, we had dinner at XuJiaHui's ι£ηΉηΎ Japanese BBQ restaurant again! It was sooo yummy! ;)




After dinner, we rushed home to watch the live telecast of the Wimbeldon finals between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. The match lasted a long 4 hours - with Federer emerging as the winner. Roddick played extremely well that day. Along with this win, Federer also won a record 15th Grand Slam title. Once again, he made history. YEAH!


We also saw the new shop, NPC: New Project Center. The shop was ALL WHITE! The chinese boss, Nic Li Chen, was doing a shoot on the 2nd floor, but we were allowed to go up. The 2nd floor was even "barer" than Edison's shop! They only have some clothes from Stage (by taiwanese singer Luo Zhi Xiang), Caonima, and Micheal Lau's toys. The 1st floor is basically NPC's own line and Nike Sportswear.While waiting for Elvis to get cash from the ATM to pay for his new Nike shoes (coz their credit card/NETS service wasnt in operation yet), i witness something really funny. A few of the staff was mopping the floor! Some even took tissue paper to scrub it! And it was only their 3rd day of business. Stains really showed on their "flawless" flooring! Haha!

Some people wanted Nic Li's autograph and get a picture with him. I think we behaved nonchalantly so he came over to speak to us and Joel. But it wasnt as if Willbert Pan spoke with me (i think i will faint if that happens)! Hahaha... ;p
O ya, in 1 of the clothing store, there were lots of huge wordings all over the shop...and Joel started to say his version of ABCs. It was so funny the sales assistant laughed too! He's so cute! ;)
We shopped more while waiting for Ann. In the evening, we went to Chiang Mai Thai restaurant with Ann & Pick. After dinner, we went shopping again at JinXian Road to look for a Singapore clothing store - Revoltage. The boss called out to Elvis when we walked in. (This actually happened a few times when we're out. Once, a guy even "stalked" us. He kept following us around the whole H&M and i thought he was probably gay from the way he looked at Elvis. Finally he got a chance to speak to Elvis while i was at the cashier. I saw them and i was sure he was hitting onto Elvis!) Elvis tells me coz he's famous! Haha! Crap!
NPC:
http://www.freshnessmag.com/2009/07/04/new-project-center-store-opening-shanghai-china/
.
Sunday, we went to XuJiaHui and had lunch at a Japanese restaurant before Joel's session at MiKids. After that, we went to Highstreet Loft at TaiKang/JiaShan Road (http://www.highstreetloft.com) ...and Elvis decided to go cut his hair. So Joel & i went home first coz he was fussing a bit. After that, we had dinner at XuJiaHui's ι£ηΉηΎ Japanese BBQ restaurant again! It was sooo yummy! ;)




After dinner, we rushed home to watch the live telecast of the Wimbeldon finals between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. The match lasted a long 4 hours - with Federer emerging as the winner. Roddick played extremely well that day. Along with this win, Federer also won a record 15th Grand Slam title. Once again, he made history. YEAH!
more words
I just tested Joel on another 2 sets of flashcards...and i'm so excited to update the list! I also realized he tends to think that words starting with the alphabet 'D' is duck, and 'C' is "boo" (cow). His pronunciation is also not 100% accurate lah. But when he says the correct word, u can hear the "resemblance". Haha!
19. bubble
20. kick
21. nap
22. blow
23. lion (joel roars)
24. touch
25. ball (joel says "ball ball")
26. sit
27. sitting
That's all for now. Of course he still doesnt know the bulk of the words on the stack of flashcards. Most of the time, he will blabber the words according to the number of syllabus. But he still deserves a kiss and a big hug. ;)
19. bubble
20. kick
21. nap
22. blow
23. lion (joel roars)
24. touch
25. ball (joel says "ball ball")
26. sit
27. sitting
That's all for now. Of course he still doesnt know the bulk of the words on the stack of flashcards. Most of the time, he will blabber the words according to the number of syllabus. But he still deserves a kiss and a big hug. ;)
my baby can read 3
I've uploaded a video of Joel reading!
Check out my Facebook video here:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=102531937892&comments=#/video/video.php?v=102531937892
A few friends are amazed. Keke... ;p
Usually he's better at this. Coz just before this, we recorded a video with Elvis' Canon...and its battery went flat halfway. So Joel wasnt concentrating the second time after his milk. And he was playing with the wet tissue too. Haha! ;p
Also, here's a website to learn ABCs!
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/fun/games/abc/
Check out my Facebook video here:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=102531937892&comments=#/video/video.php?v=102531937892
A few friends are amazed. Keke... ;p
Usually he's better at this. Coz just before this, we recorded a video with Elvis' Canon...and its battery went flat halfway. So Joel wasnt concentrating the second time after his milk. And he was playing with the wet tissue too. Haha! ;p
Also, here's a website to learn ABCs!
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/fun/games/abc/
Saturday, July 4, 2009
heal the world
www.michaeljackson.com
Dozens of memories updated by the minutes/seconds - all around the world! This message (below) particularly touched me. I'm not a huge fan of MJ but it was his music that my sisters & i grew up with. He is a legend and will be remembered in the hearts of those who love him.
July 3rd 1:20PM
Mildred
The Moe Town ride
Hi everyone I remember when I had the pleasure of meeting Mr.Jackson it was back in 83 or 84 he came to Detroit Michigan and they were doing a special tour and he came to hitsville in Michigan my daughter was going on 8 months and we were close to the float he was on and he seen us and ask him body guard to come and ask me could he hold my baby girl I let him and he held her until his float passed threw everyone and made sure I got her back he took my hand looked me in the eye's smiled and say thank you that what I remember about Michael and that will always stay with me for ever and his music will always live by the way my daughter is now 26 years old and never knew she was held by the king of pop.
I just saw a funny one too! Here's it...
July 3rd 1:36PM
jemma wright
hello
sorry you die but you are my faruiote singer and i miss you music but it would happen in the end wouldn't it sorry goodbye miss you
Also on Facebook
R.I.P.
Dozens of memories updated by the minutes/seconds - all around the world! This message (below) particularly touched me. I'm not a huge fan of MJ but it was his music that my sisters & i grew up with. He is a legend and will be remembered in the hearts of those who love him.
July 3rd 1:20PM
Mildred
The Moe Town ride
Hi everyone I remember when I had the pleasure of meeting Mr.Jackson it was back in 83 or 84 he came to Detroit Michigan and they were doing a special tour and he came to hitsville in Michigan my daughter was going on 8 months and we were close to the float he was on and he seen us and ask him body guard to come and ask me could he hold my baby girl I let him and he held her until his float passed threw everyone and made sure I got her back he took my hand looked me in the eye's smiled and say thank you that what I remember about Michael and that will always stay with me for ever and his music will always live by the way my daughter is now 26 years old and never knew she was held by the king of pop.
I just saw a funny one too! Here's it...
July 3rd 1:36PM
jemma wright
hello
sorry you die but you are my faruiote singer and i miss you music but it would happen in the end wouldn't it sorry goodbye miss you
Also on Facebook
R.I.P.
new store on changle
Willbert Pan Weibo opened a fashion store, NPC, at Changle Road yesterday. (2 days ago, since it's already past midnight now)
The new shop is in the exact same location where Edison Chen's shop ACU was. I wonder what's with all the alphabets... The shop is co-owned by Chinese VJ/host, Nic Li (who looks like HK actor Mo Shaochong).
We'll go check out the store since it's on Elvis' favourite street! ;)
The new shop is in the exact same location where Edison Chen's shop ACU was. I wonder what's with all the alphabets... The shop is co-owned by Chinese VJ/host, Nic Li (who looks like HK actor Mo Shaochong).
We'll go check out the store since it's on Elvis' favourite street! ;)
my baby can read 2
I wrote some words on Joel's magna-doodle...and he surprised me with 2 more words!
cow & duck
After that, we just say A-to-Z (without looking at any alphabets)...and this is what happens
Mom: A
Joel: "D" C D E
Mom: F G H
Joel: I
Mom: J K L M N O P Q
Joel: R
Mom: S
Joel: T
Mom: U V W X Y
Joel: "D"
I repeated it a few times and Joel said the same few alphabets. The clearer ones are D, E, I, R, T. Seems like Joel likes to say D-D-D too!
Thanks, Lulu the Spider.
;D
cow & duck
After that, we just say A-to-Z (without looking at any alphabets)...and this is what happens
Mom: A
Joel: "D" C D E
Mom: F G H
Joel: I
Mom: J K L M N O P Q
Joel: R
Mom: S
Joel: T
Mom: U V W X Y
Joel: "D"
I repeated it a few times and Joel said the same few alphabets. The clearer ones are D, E, I, R, T. Seems like Joel likes to say D-D-D too!
Thanks, Lulu the Spider.
;D
Thursday, July 2, 2009
my baby can read
Yesterday and today, i showed Joel flash cards (text only).
I'm very surprised he can recognize some words! Some pronunciation is not accurate...and he roars 'HA' at the word TIGER. I'll count it that he can "read" it too. Keke... ;p
Sometimes he can read the words, other times, he cannot...or says the wrong word...or says 'Papa' (his bear soft toys).
1. tiger (joel roars)
2. blue
3. hi
4. black
5. purple
6. eyes (joel says "ees")
7. elephant
8. baby
9. red
10. cat
11. green
12. brown
13. white
14. cow (joel says "boo")
15. duck
16. stars (joel says "xing xing")
17. Daddy
18. bear
19. bubble
20. kick
21. nap
22. blow
23. lion (joel roars)
24. touch
25. ball (joel says "ball ball")
26. sit
27. sitting
28. teeth
29. arms up (action)
30. arms down (action)
31. toes (joel touches his toes)
32. yellow
33. sheep
34. lamb
35. banana
36. apple
37. butterfly
He's so cute when he tries to read the words...but he's more interested in grabbing the cards from me. ;)
I'm very surprised he can recognize some words! Some pronunciation is not accurate...and he roars 'HA' at the word TIGER. I'll count it that he can "read" it too. Keke... ;p
Sometimes he can read the words, other times, he cannot...or says the wrong word...or says 'Papa' (his bear soft toys).
1. tiger (joel roars)
2. blue
3. hi
4. black
5. purple
6. eyes (joel says "ees")
7. elephant
8. baby
9. red
10. cat
11. green
12. brown
13. white
14. cow (joel says "boo")
15. duck
16. stars (joel says "xing xing")
17. Daddy
18. bear
19. bubble
20. kick
21. nap
22. blow
23. lion (joel roars)
24. touch
25. ball (joel says "ball ball")
26. sit
27. sitting
28. teeth
29. arms up (action)
30. arms down (action)
31. toes (joel touches his toes)
32. yellow
33. sheep
34. lamb
35. banana
36. apple
37. butterfly
He's so cute when he tries to read the words...but he's more interested in grabbing the cards from me. ;)
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