Random Weekend Snaps

Here are some random weekend snaps that don't fit into any category in particular:

One weekend, the family went to JB for a day to celebrate dad's birthday. Here's me wolfing down the last of my bak kwa sandwich because unlike the rest of them, I knew I would starve if I didn't have breakfast (which was a great decision because we only got there around 3pm and started eating at 3.30pm - I was already hungry AGAIN despite my bread, god knows how the rest survived). 

Chinese food which I don't fancy too much, but we got daddy's favourite roast duck which he enjoyed. 

Massage time at a cool new spa that was really cheap for the high standard! 

Then we went to get our hair and nails done! I didn't get a mani/pedi unlike the other two ladies because I was unhappy with my dye job and had to stay back to grouse until they redid it for me :O

Another sumptuous dinner to end the night! 

Happy daddy :3 

It was our first time taking public transport into Malaysia as a family, and to be honest, it was extremely exhausting. I don't know if it's worthwhile doing it often, haha.

Good hair day 

The boy accompanied me to a university fair :*

Then we went to have awesome BBQ stingray and chicken rice in my estate!

Had a slight public transport mishap which caused me a lot of angst but it was all well in the end because we went to...

Visit the puppies!!!

 They loved him :3

<3

Another weekend we went to support Joni on her flag day collection! 

It was a disgustingly hot day, look at all the beads of perspiration... 

Such a cute pair. 

This time we went to visit the kittens! They're barely a few weeks old and are still so tiny. 

Finally collected my TB loot which came in a SACK WTF HAHAHAH.

Slipping through the cracks

Today during our weekly lesson, my tuition kid and I discovered that we attended the same primary school. Though of course, about 10 or 11 years apart. He was dumbfounded at that idea and said that he couldn't believe it, admittedly, I was tickled that he felt so surprised. 

It made me realize though, that we can have such different experiences - "we" not only points to just him and myself, but any two people in Singapore who has gone through the same education. Everything considered, I am proud of our education system - if anything, it has groomed me well. I may not be anything close to a top scholar, but I believe that I've benefited greatly from it all round. 

I benefited even though my primary school had the "stigma" of being a "neighborhood" school - as did many of my peers, a number of whom I'm still familiar with today and who are doing exceedingly well. Today it dawned on me however, that not everyone gets the same experience.

Here is my student, 10 years on from our time, supposedly studying in an improved study environment, and yet, he has slipped through the cracks. This reminds me that the privileged few that we know, are exactly that - the privileged. Many kids in Singapore fall behind the vigorous education system and they're often left lagging behind for ages because the work piles up and gets progressively harder at an aggressive speed. It's difficult to keep up when your head is barely above the water.

Of course in any kind of cohort, be it a test of academics or physical strength, there will always be a percentage that don't test well. But I wonder if our country will continue to neglect these students; who are not to say less intelligent or less able, they just need more time. 

From what most of these weak students report - there's never enough time. I wonder how we can help them more. 

FMFA Weekend

Sam and I were really excited about the FMFA and had booked our tickets way back at the end of last year. Though to be fair, he was way more excited than me, seeing how he actually knew who the bands were... Unlike me who was more of koala bear hanging on and eager to check out the sights :P

So we were pretty gutted when we found out that the entire thing was cancelled. Especially since we had booked an accommodation specially for the event and it was un-refundable at the time the cancellation was announced. I actually felt extremely angry and helpless at the news because it meant that we had wasted the money and I'm definitely not one to squander cash carelessly. With no other option left, we went for a staycay in place of our original plans (since they didn't exist anymore), and it was pleasant once I stopped thinking about the $$ lost. 

Right in the centre of Joo Chiat, which is really at the other side of Singapore and almost completely foreign to me. I was kinda disgruntled about having to travel so far for "nothing", and to add insult to the injury, stay 2 nights. But at least there was loads of food nearby and the place was mostly tranquil. 

We were upgraded to a family deluxe room because ours was under construction. It was nice and huge with lovely windows but we didn't really have much use for the huge space or the extra bed. The shower was faulty though, so we later moved back to our original room (which was ready by then). 

It was much smaller but really nice and cosy. 

I was starving by then because I came by straight from work and didn't have any time to eat lunch in between. Tried these chips to stave off hunger while the boy prepared instant noodles for me. I chose them because I thought they'd be nice (reminiscent of the sweet chilli & sour cream chips we had in Sweden), but sadly they tasted strange to me. It was so unsatisfying. 

Loving the natural sunlight streaming in and the fluffy sheets. 

QT had to finish the noodles for me. 

Managed to drag ourselves up for a night out since we've been wanting to visit Cider Pit, which we've never been able to bring ourselves to prior because it is just too damn far. 

I had a light cider. 

Their chilli cheese fries is the best....... God I want some now.

The boy had some bratwursts too, I didn't try any because I was stuffed but he said that they were pretty good. The prices there were also not bad at all!

Sending our friends pouty pictures because they didn't make it. 

Took a stroll along the street after before joining some of his friends for some drinks and games since they had an accom nearby too, incidentally for the same event. 

It was pretty fun and chill, especially since I was meeting many of them for the first time. We had such a long day though so we didn't stay too late before hopping back to our place to crash. 

Spent the morning in bed with Jiro Dreams of Sushi and yakult. 

Had to drag ourselves out again for food! 

My qt leading the way for an otherwise clueless me. 

He had his favourite mee!

I still don't see what causes all the raving, but I guess I just don't have the taste for it. 

Saw a cute kitty and talked to her for a bit.

We then went in search for vietnamese pork chop rice which I was desperately craving for!

Bought this abysmal packet of pork chop rice which was dry and gross, and came with extremely watery sauce (it's supposed to be thick). To add insult to the injury, after buying this packet, we walked past another Vietnamese place and I saw people eating the exact same thing - just in a beautifully delectable version with amazing looking sauce.. AND... at a slightly cheaper price. I was so upset. 

So I took a nap and then had a bubble bath after, hahahaha. 

To comfort me on my terrible lunch experience, the boy went out to get awesome vietnamese pho for me for dinner! He also went an awfully long way to get the famous Punggol nasi lemak for himself, a portion of which he shared with me - and I must say, it is worth all the praise and the high price. 

Woke up the next morning and lazed around loads. 

What a qt I have :* 

The weather was crazy hot, that made me a little grumpy. 

Leaving the armpits of Singapore.

Dying from the heat. 

Went to visit the little kittens!

Sooooo tinyyyyy.

Pancake wanted a try of my noodles. 

3-people mahjong because we're kinda addicted. Hahaha. 

<3

Had an insanely unhealthy and greasy dinner, almost had heart burn after this. 

Good friends make for good company :3