TK's potty training progress

TK started to poo into the potty as early as after birth during my confinement.

My confinement lady would notice my son's face getting red and quiet,

and quickly get the potty to poo him over the potty.

Since then, I've taken him to the washroom to pee and poo during the day.

He'd routinely poo once he's awake in the morn 6a and then 7a,

and later after morn first feeding.

We used at most 6 gauze napkins daily which is cost efficient,

since we hardly used any disposable diapers.
We only used disposable diapers for the first month.

As he goes into infant care center at 4m, he continues to use disposable diapers during day, and gauze napkins in the evening, and gradually, only at night. I'd change a gauze napkin in the morning after poo. Gradually, we use a gauze napkin only in the morning after poo. Lately, we use diapers day & night.

Now at 15m+ I've intro him to stand to pee.

He loves to pee standing up. We're all very proud of him.

He's very rhythmic, and loves music, including the song of TW, Korean dramas.

He'd sway from side to side the moment he heard the music on TV.

Just a few days ago,

he's learnt how to share,

feeding us breadand cranberries

(even though we told him he can't eat cranberries yet).

At 15m1w4d old, it's incredible.

TK is a mutual and obedient boy, yet active and understanding.

65th week of Dearest Bb TK

29nov - 5dec'11

449 days' old, you poo at
450 days' old, you
451 days' old, you poo at
452 days' old, you 
453 days' old, you
454 days' old, you poo at
455 days' old, you

65th week of motherhood

28nov - 4dec

- went for medical review and was told that I'm most likely to be on lifelong medication
- the chances for a healthy baby No. 2 is more than 90%
- was feeling a little too 'overwhelmed' and couldn't think what else to ask the neurologist Prof L
- Prof L seemed to be in a hurry to leave (I was his last patient for the day at 3plus in the afternoon)
- had to request for a re-issue of Medical Certification the following day
-
- went for Dharma practice
-

Quotable Quotes

“When we ask people not to cultivate resentment

some people ask us how can you live without resentment?

This is the miracle of mindfulness.

When you practice mindfulness you can learn to do most difficult things easily.”

~ Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

64th week Dearest Baby TK

22nov - 28nov'11

442 days' old, you stayed home with Grannies after you left the infant care; poo at 940a;
443 days' old, you
444 days' old, you poo at 105p;
445 days' old, you 
446 days' old, you went to a carnival in the morn and 'flew' kite at Marina Barrage with Dardy and Marmy; fell asleep on the way home;
447 days' old, you poo at 925a;
448 days' old, you

How PSLE Aggregate and T-Scores are calculated

To understand how PSLE Aggregate Scores are calculated, we must first understand T-Score. T-Score is the adjusted score a student will get for a subject, after a series of tabulations has been made.

T=50 + 10 x (X-Y)/Z

Formula for T-Score

X = Raw score of student
Y = Average Score of the whole cohort
Z = Standard Deviation* (SD)

Standard Deviation* (SD) is the spread of the marks around the average.

What is Standard Deviation (SD)
If the average score of 100 pupils who sat for English Test is 50 marks and the SD is 5, it means that 2/3 of the 100 pupils have scored 5 marks around the average, which means 66 of the students scored from 45 to 55 marks.

Similarly, if the average score of the same 100 pupils who sat for Mother Tongue Test is 50 marks and the SD is now 10, it means that 2/3 of the 100 pupils have scored 10 marks around the average, which means 66 students scored from 40 to 60 marks.


Example of how T-Score is calculated
Student A’s score for Science – 90 (X)
Average score of cohort – 70 (Y)
Standard Deviation - 25 (Z) (this means 2/3 of cohort scored from 45 to 95)

Using the T-Score formula

T = 50 + 10(X – Y) / Z
= 50 + 10 x (90 – 70) / 25
= 50 + 10 x 20/25
= 50 + 10 x 0.8
= 58

Student A’s T-Score for Science is 58.

Using T-Score to Calculate PSLE Aggregate Score
Let’s now take a look at Student A’s total performance

If the scores for the the subjects English, Mother Tongue, Mathematics and Science are 175, 170, 90 and 90 respectively, and the average score of the cohort are 120, 130, 75 and 70 respectively, and the SDs are 30, 35, 20 and 25 respectively, the T-Scores are 68.33, 61.43, 57.5 and 58 respectively. The Aggregate Score is 245.

64th week of motherhood

21nov - 27nov

- TK turn 14.5m today
-

- looking forward to a Carnival this Saturday and the Kite Flying Competition
- didn't win any prizes but was happy that we had a few cups of cold milo and though the Goodie Bag wasn't very attractive, we're happy to return home feeling contented
- wanted to go Sunday Banking


- had been raining these days in the afternoon
- hubby came to help me carry my stuff home (office to be renovated next month) and we were caught in the drizzle

- hubby fetched TK back from mum's place and made dinner after I reached home from work

- we took TK to see TCM after dinner
- went to a Carnival on Sat morning and hubby flew kite while I carried TK and watched
- attended Baby Sun's 1st month birthday Shower buffet and TK took a nap on the mattress
- reached home for veg dinner at the hub ($4.40 for brown rice + brinjal + fried 'su zhai er' + sweet sour 'gulu rou' + fried longbean with egg and $1.70 for fried beehoon)
- sleepy at around 11plus at night

63rd week Dearest Baby TK

15nov - 21nov'11

435 days' old, you poo at 1145a; strapped to the rocker the moment you stepped into the infant care; cried loudly when you 'lost' freedom; cried twice at night;
436 days' old, you poo at 305p;
437 days' old, you
438 days' old, you poo at 819a;
439 days' old, you 
440 days' old, you poo at 725a;
441 days' old, you poo at 1005a;

63rd week of motherhood

14nov - 20nov

- applied leave to stay at home to send TK to new infant care
-

62nd week Dearest Baby TK

8nov - 14nov'11

428 days' old, you poo at 810a, 1030a & 810p; Uncle R's birthday;
429 days' old, you poo at 745a;
430 days' old, you poo at 626p;
431 days' old, you poo at 730a;
432 days' old, you poo at 1230p; Granduncle F passed away early this morning at the hospital;
433 days' old, you went to pay last respect to Granduncle F; went to the doc again for high fever;
434 days' old, you poo at 710a; fever came down after mediction; took 1.33h nap;

62nd week of motherhood

7nov - 13nov

- Hari Raya Haji Public Holiday; Big Uncle K's 78th birthday;

- still doing packing as the office is shifting
-

- Big Uncle K hospitalised as he's not responding well and seemed drowsy;

- received a call from the hospital again saying and asking for our consent for Big Uncle K to be placed under maximum ward management (no resusitation will be administered or ICU) as he's not a good candidate since he's suffered multiple stroke a few years ago and looking at his present state

- Big Uncle K passed away in the ward in the early hours; contacted immediate family and siblings, and enquired about the costs and details of the funeral wake
- attended to the DC for Big Uncle K at the hospital; missed the bus-stop as the bus captain forgot to tell me to alight again; heavy downpour on the way to the hospital
- cou drove me to attend a meeting

- Big Uncle K ex-colleauges and friend passed the 'bak gum' to mum in the morning
- bought some veg noodles and mee at the market and hubby helped carry Big Uncle K's clothes and photo
- took a cab to the hospital to meet the rest of the family
- arranged for the simple funeral and cremation at Tse Tho Aum at 2pm
- gathered at the hospital to collect Big Uncle K's body at 12n
- hoped the arrangement is best for Big Uncle K and 圆满

61st week Dearest Baby TK

1nov - 7nov'11

421 days' old, you poo at 6p;
422 days' old, you poo at 740p;
423 days' old, you poo at 815a;
424 days' old, you poo at 750a & 910a;
425 days' old, you poo at 9a; went to the doc for fever
426 days' old, you poo at 745p;
427 days' old, you turn 14m old; poo at 655p;

61st week of motherhood

31oct - 6nov

- ma went for check-up at the hospital
-

- Sun is Hari Raya Haji Public Holiday (long weekend)
- 

60th week Dearest Baby TK

25oct - 31oct'11

414 days' old, you
415 days' old, you
416 days' old, you
417 days' old, you
418 days' old, you are walking around the house;
419 days' old, you
420 days' old, you

60th week of motherhood

24oct - 30oct

-
- had help from another 3 colleagues to complete the packing for our dept 'BIG move' in Nov extended to latest by next week
-

A donation drive plea for Thailand by 30 Oct11

From: Lisa
Cc: Jason Leong
Sent: Wednesday, 19 October 2011 8:53 PM

Dear brothers and sister,   A friend of mine is collecting clothing for Thailand .   Could you please help us by sharing this message as we wish to collect as many usable clothes as possible over 2 weekends for the flood victims in Thailand. Usable clothing or warm clothing welcome.   Collection Venue :  Ruby Industrial Complex 35 Tannery lane ( 12 mins from aljunied MRT ) Contact person : George Seet  Hp: 9789 9082     https://www.facebook.com/camperscornerstation51   Thank you  and regards_/I\_

Quotable Quotes: What is worthy?

Spiritual cultivation might be difficult,
but to face its difficulties is worthy.
As this is worthy, it is not seen as difficult,
but seen as good fortune instead.

~Stonepeace

修行可能辛苦，
但辛苦却值得，
因值得不辛苦，
反而非常幸福。

Baby Expo 2011 is Back!

Date: 21 till 23 October 2011

Venue: Singapore Expo Hall 5B

Fri to Sun 11am to 9pm

Free admission

Where to send my 18m toddler (playgroup, Nursery and Kindergarten) for childcare?

xiyao childcare is a newly opened childcare in Kaki Bukit area.
1 week FREE TRIAL and EARLY BIRD 50% off (by end Dec 2011)

Add: 61 Kaki Bukit Ave 1 #06-26
Shun Li Park
Singapore 417943
Telephone: 6841 2083
Email Ms. Dela care@xiyaochildcare.com.sg

Their programme is very wonderfully tailored for young children.

Philosophy Today’s society has gone through huge changes. Even though there is material comfort, parents are spending less time at home due to long working hours. On top of that, many children are brought up by maids or single parents, often leading to the neglect of children’s emotional, mental and physical needs. The burden on parents is increased due to the fast pace of society and the shift to values that emphasise individualism, freedom and human rights. With all these changes surrounding our children, subconsciously affecting them on a daily basis from young, how can we ensure that our children grow up healthily? This is a tough question that today’s early childhood educators have to face.

Other than the usual teaching of knowledge, reading and writing skills, intellectual skills and art, our organisation strongly feels that it is very important to cultivate the heart and mind of the children from as early as in the preschool stage, instilling in them values like compassion, humility, self-respect, compassion and filial piety. With these values, the children will learn to be well mannered and respect elders, to take initiative and be self-motivated as well as to be patient and persevere. These will provide them with a strong foundation to face the adversities, hardships and challenges of life in the future.

Our philosophy is not just a theory anymore, but already materialised by our many years of practice and is greatly welcomed by many parents.

「性情教育」针对儿童成长环境在今天社会的巨大改变：物质充裕，但父母在家时间减少，许多孩子由女佣带大，单亲家庭增加，令孩子幼年成长得不到全面关注，加上社会节奏越来越快，父母生活压力沉重，社会流行价值观急速转换，强调个性、强调自由、强调人权，不良信息充斥…。这些围绕着儿童周边成长环境的改变，耳濡目染，正自小就无形中影响着儿童的健康成长。如何面对？在今天，是从事幼儿教育的人，不能回避的问题。

following quotes extracted from 《人生爱语》黎斯华博士著：

“Xingqing Education will prepare your children to become dignified and well-cultured people. This includes behaving in an upright manner by standing straight, sitting upright and walking steadily. It also includes observing social etiquette like giving way to elders, showing respect to others and paying attention when talking to people.”

“「性情教育」让孩子做一个堂堂正正、有教养的人：人要端正——站得直、坐得正、行得稳；人要守礼——礼让长辈、平视别人、说话要集中精神。”

59th week Dearest Bb TK

18oct - 24oct'11

407 days' old, you didn't poo in the morning after Dardy fed you 5.75oz of milk;
408 days' old, you still wanted some more after you finished all the cereals at 745p; Grandma came over to accompany you to the TCM after Marmy fed you some raisin bread;
409 days' old, you
410 days' old, you are gg to the Dharma singing practice with Dardy and Marmy;
411 days' old, you are gg to visit Granddad & Grandmum;
412 days' old, you
413 days' old, you

素食妈妈月子进补

要每日多吃几餐，以4-5餐较为合适。两餐之间最好饮水或果汁，以促进乳汁的分泌。
注意营养的均衡吸收。
可以食用麻油泡姜加素鸡或素肉。
麻油有杀菌之功效，并含有多种必需氨基酸，有助于产后气血流失的恢复补充。

另外，多吃高蛋白的海带`发菜`豆腐类。由于乳汁分泌越多，钙的需要量越大，所以膳食中多补充豆类 及豆制品`芝麻酱等。膳食摄入钙不足时可用钙制剂等。适当吃一些粗粮`蘑菇`紫菜等，以补充维生素B。

蔬菜类选用苋菜`西兰花`菠菜`玉米`红萝卜`黄瓜`豆类，可用麻油炒。
水果类可吃猕猴桃`鲜枣`山里红`樱桃等。
汤水类可食用`青菜汤`红糖莲藕汤等。

产妇应尽量到户外多晒晒太阳，这是补充维生素D最佳途径，可帮助体内钙的吸收。

59th week of motherhood

17oct - 23oct

- took leave to take care of the house
- have to complete the packing by myself for our dept 'BIG move' in Nov latest by next week
-

有素食的坐月餐食譜嗎?

母親生產後在中國的傳統喝生化湯以助體內惡露的排出。滋補生產時消耗的體力可喝溫的有機葡萄汁 (紅和黑的最好) 或乾李子汁（prune juice），南方於產後馬上食用金桔餅，切絲後與薑和麻油炒，以通氣。西方用（caraway, anise seeds），印度用乾炒的茴香（fennel）和小茴香(cumin)飯後一茶匙。康復里根或葉煮水有助內傷的修補。(胎兒離開母體，留下一個傷口) 吃方面以補氣補血為主，來保暖身體收縮子宮。一般禁忌喝冰水和碰生水，如需清洗，用煮熟的水。可喝湯，也不建議洗頭，以免受寒。

中國南北 方坐月子的吃法不同，北方吃小米粥、麵條、雞蛋、紅棗，南方則以炖品為主，特別是雞，麻油雞，江南也吃甜酒雞蛋，兩廣一帶也吃豬腳煮青木瓜或黃豆。南北方 都不吃炒、煎和炸的食物，不吃生冷的，也都喝蜂蜜水，吃紅糖。迎接新生命應是慶生，而不應殺生。坐月子最好遠離血腥。北方人身材高大，坐月子的母親就以小 米紅棗粥為主，奶水也很夠。印度醫學先判斷人的體質，再建議用飲食香料等藥來調理平衡。受孕前就注意平衡體質，產後也如此。人的體質是受風、火、水的互動 不平衡時才產生。所謂體質是指某性質偏多。風性(vata)是動、快、輕、冷、粗、乾如冷乾的風，粗糙輕的食物如爆米花。火性（pitta）是熱、尖銳 輕、酸、偏油，如辣椒醬、夏日中午太陽、尖銳的聲音。水性（kapha）是重、油、慢、冷、穩重、寬、遲緩如大象的身體、午睡之後的昏沈。

母親餵奶需補充足夠的液體，液體的補充最好比每天正常的飲水再多1000cc，歐洲用大麥或燕麥（麥片）煮水50公克（4湯匙）加8杯水煮一個半小時。煮時 可加檸檬皮或一個檸檬。補奶水的有紅豆粳米粥（4份紅豆，1份米）或吃30公克炒熟的芝麻，也可做花生甜杏仁奶或芝麻奶，也可吃核桃糊、芝麻糊、杏仁糊、 松子糊。用炒過的糯米一起煮。 燒菜以蒸、煮、乾燒炖最好，乾燒是小火原汁燜，是最暖的燒法，選厚底的鐵鍋或玻璃鍋，Corning ware抹薄薄一層油，將根類切片放在最下面，莖類次之，最上層葉類或瓜類，可灑一點薑或其他香料。蓋緊用小火煮熟。如需要吃前灑一點麻油。胃口如不好， 可用榆白皮（silppery elm）煮水喝（一茶匙對一杯水）。避免吃剩飯剩菜和脹氣的菜如包心菜和芽菜。

以下是中國食補的一些建議：
補血：山藥2份、紅棗1份、適量粳米煮粥。
補心（神）：小麥1份、生甘草1份、大棗3份，加水煎服。補氣：黨參9克、白朮18克、黃蓍15克、粳米60克，先前三味煎湯，再入粳米煮粥吃。 

TK at 13m 1w old

TK is imitating fast.

Yesterday, infant teacher said TK went over to place blanket over his friends who were asleep.

He's so caring, isn't he?

58th week of Dearest Bb TK

11oct - 17oct'11

400 days' old, you are feeling better only a little runny nose; return to infant care; said 'aaasss' repeatedly;
401 days' old, you imitated Grandma's hand actions, putting a toy in one hand and waving/crossing hands and looked happy (hand guessing game);
402 days' old, you are sleepy but tossed about in the cot & Dardy thought you're hungry; played peek-a-poo with your buddy Aah;
403 days' old, you are gg to Granddad's place while Dardy & Marmy attended Dharma class;
404 days' old, you had fun at Granddad's while Dardy & Marmy attended a social gathering;
405 days' old, you
406 days' old, your favorite playmate is Dardy & Marmy; you're getting better at expressing yourself through words and gestures & enjoy being around other children; you play near other children but not really with them and experts call this "parallel play," and it's perfectly normal for a 13-month-old who still thinks the world revolves around him.

58th week of motherhood

10oct - 16oct

- had to take leave to take of TK at home with a high fever of 38.5 deg C sent to A&E KKH
- took multigrain bread as breakfast
- cut my finger accidentally on the sharp edge of the Nestle cereals tin

- sent TK to infant care since he's better
- made dinner after doing housework and tidying the house
- put TK to sleep by 915p when he yawned and looked sleepy

- took the new CCL to work and didn't save much time compared to the usual MRT-bus-bus journey
- adults bus fare increment of 2 cents per journey since 8 Oct 2011
- sent TK to infant care and met Tr Z outside infant care
- made a copy of my latest payslip and ID for the enrolment of TK in new infant care centre nearer to our place
- hubby bought dinner and ma came over to visit
- sent TK to bed by 940p

- hubby sent TK to infant care and I arrived earlier to office to check emails
- received a new assignment (yet to know details)
-

- went to Dharma class (last one for our batch)
-

- attending an Alumni gathering with hubby after sending TK to mum's
-

Lord, I don't know why you want me to carry this thing..

I received this email from a friend and

I understand how it is as I'm also learning to look after a little newborn.

The only difference is

my friend is looking after her grandson

(the Lil' one lost his mother who passed away from cancer).

This little one is blessed with many many people

who unconditionally carry the heavy load

(at the moment weighs less than 9kg)

I would remember this saying..whenever I've to carry the Lil' one (especially when he's crying).

57th week of Dearest Bb TK

4oct - 10oct'11

393 days' old, you
394 days' old, you
395 days' old, you are gg to Granddad's place for the long weekend;
396 days' old, you are celebrating Children's Day for the second time;
397 days' old, you
398 days' old, you
399 days' old, you

57th week of motherhood

3oct - 9oct

- sent TK to infant care the earliest
- confirmed the enrolment to another infant care next month
-
- gg to meet my ex-teacher & classmate after work

- sending TK to mum's after work
- today is Children's Day (infant care is closed)
- gg for Dharma class after dinner

- attending a parenting workshop at a newly opened child care at kaki bukit ave
- 12 new CCL stations are officially open on 8oct

- some interesting facts as follow:
$6.7billion = cost of building the fully underground orbital Circle Line linking all radial lines leading to the city
33.3km = length of the Circle Line from Dhoby Ghaut
40 = Total no. of trains for the Circle Line
14mins = time saved for commuters travelling from Bishan to Buona Vista, taking 26mins on the Circle Line
69m = length of each Circle Line train, consists of 3 cabins instead of the six-car of the current Main Line trains
17 football fields = size of the Kim Chuan Depot, the world's largest underground depot
~400, 000 = estimated daily ridership after the full opening of the Circle Line, from Dhoby Ghaut to Harbourfront
over 250 = no. of staff that will be rotated daily for duties on the Circle Line when it is fully opened on 8 Oct 2011
6 mths = amount of time spent training operations staff on the theoretical and practical aspects of the job
3.5min = average waiting time during peak hour at any station from one-north to Paya Lebar
670 = no. of passengers a Circle Line train can accommodate
35m = depth of Bras Basah station which was the deepest and most challenging station to build

- attending additional class conducted by Ven YW (vegetarian lunch provided)
-

ExCEL Convention 2011

It'll be the first time (if I'm given the 'green light') to attend the following..and maybe the last time..

Opportunities don't knock twice on your door.

So, what are you waiting for?

Do look out for the exciting post-reflection around 12nov2011.

One of the places is the Marina Barrage Tour.

The PS21 ExCEL Convention is an annual event and platform for public officers to showcase, recognize and celebrate innovative ideas, projects and efforts that have created value within the Public Service.

The theme for this year is

"Towards an Exceptional Public Service"

Customer-Centric • Collaborative • Creative

It reiterates the need for public service officers to challenge the present and prepare for the future. The sub-tags convey the aptitude and values every public officer and agency should have in order to achieve organisational excellence and be ready for the future.
The ExCEL Convention will be held over two days on the 10 and 11 November 2011 at the F1 Pit Building.

TK 1st lunar birthday bash

Grandpa carrying TK ready to sing 'Happy Birthday Song'..祝你生日快乐！祝你生日快乐！。。。'Now it's my turn to carry TK,' said Grandma.
It's cake cutting and needs the professionals to do it. They're non other than Dardy and Marmy.




TK's 1st lunar birthday family photo 2011

                        TK putting a toy on Marmy's palm

Look! I've a pointed thumb. TK playing with cousin B with Grandpa on the left and Marmy on the right. But where's Dardy? O-oh..Dardy is the camera man, of course.

56th week of motherhood

26sep - 2oct

- woke up early to take a walk in the neighbourhood
- hubby bought breakfast and we left the house together
- Pa came to fix the ceiling light with a wooden stool and a new round bulb before dinner
- hubby made multigrain porridge with brocoli, tomato, carrot, pearl beans, french beans etc
-

- woke up for brief walk before returning home to make beehoon for breakfast
- the few pieces of cabbage which I cook last is too salty as I added 3 pinch of salt
- had

- hubby is on course this week so I'm sending/fetching TK to-and-fro infant care
-

- there's no Dharma class this week
- gg to send TK to mum's after work for the weekend
-

56th week Dearest Bb TK

27sep - 3oct'11

386 days' old, you met Tr T on the way to infant care;
387 days' old, you say 'Ra-ra' everywhere you go; call Grandma 'ah-ma' so accurately; are taking so little milk before sleep;
388 days' old, you didn't take any milk before sleep;
389 days' old, you are taking a class photo didn't take photo as it was postponed due to many absences from the cases of HFMD lately since early Sep; say 'Ra-ra' everywhere you go when Dardy & Marmy are changing and getting to leave for work; gg to Granddad's place for the weekend;
390 days' old, you
391 days' old, you
392 days' old, you

55th week Dearest Bb TK

20sep - 26sep'11

379 days' old, you
380 days' old, you have been saying 'Ma-ma' very often and when Marmy appears, you looked at Marmy and said 'Ma-ma; Grandpa came to visit you after dinner;
381 days' old, you
382 days' old, you
383 days' old, you like to say 'A-sst'; you met your cousins and walked a few steps; Granduncle gave you a gift and after you took the things out of the paper bag, you put them back; you tried abit of the pandan cake Marmy bought from Sheng Siong Supermarket;
384 days' old, you
385 days' old, you like to raise your hand with palm facing out and when Marmy give you 'Hi-5' you smiled with eyes closed and tilt head backwards; you said 'O-oh' when you couldn't put the ball back into the bag behind Tr T; Grandpa came to fix the light and stayed for dinner; Marmy asked you to sayang Grandpa, stroking Grandpa with your right hand, and when you hit Grandpa in your walker, you came to sayang Grandpa;

55th week of motherhood

19sep - 25sep

-
-

- attended a In-Conversation Dialogue in the afternoon
- met hubby at vegetarian restaurant before Dharma class
-

- attended a Workshop in the morning and hubby bbsat TK
- went for family gathering at Aunt's place and ate almond jelly
-

- Ma going for check-up tomorrow
-

The buffalo - heart-rend​ing news story from China

Humans can stop and think before they act...if attention is drawn to the pain and suffering of what they are about to do.
This buffalo has changed the life of these butchers  - heart-rending news story from China

人性的光輝面... The Bright Side of Human Nature ...
悲傷的水牛停步不前，驚恐流淚。The buffalo standing still, sad and frightened to tears
【人民報消息】不管人相信不相信，這件事發生了，就在香港。 據《世界新聞週刊》報導，一群工人牽著一頭水牛走進一家包裝廠內，準備將它宰殺做成牛排和燉牛肉。當他們接近屠宰房門口時，那頭悲傷的水牛突然停步不前，兩隻前腳往前跪下，眼淚也跟著撲簌簌地流了下來。那頭水牛還沒有進屠宰房，它是怎麼知道自己將要被宰殺的？這一點比人還靈。

「當我看到這種被人們認為是愚笨的動物，竟然在哭泣，　以及看到它那充滿恐懼和悲哀的雙眼時，我忍不住地發起抖來。」一位受到極度震撼的屠夫 Shiu Tat-Nin回憶說。「我趕緊叫其他人過來看，他們也和我一樣地訝異！　我們不住地推拉著那頭水牛，可是它卻一動也不動，只是坐在那邊不斷地哭泣。」

一位香港的包裝廠老闆Billy Fong說，「人類一直以為動物是不會像人一樣哭泣，可是那頭水牛真的像個嬰孩一樣地啜泣著！」當時至少有十幾個強壯魁梧的男士在場，他們的心被哭軟了，負責宰殺的那些男孩內心更受到觸動，眼淚也不禁奪眶而出。其他的屠宰工人聞訊也都跑過來圍觀這頭哭泣下跪的水牛，現場擠得水洩不通，都被眼前的景象給震住了，其中有三個人更是當場就呆了。他們說，以後宰殺其它動物時，將永遠不會忘掉這頭淚流滿面的水牛。到了牛也哭、人也哭的份兒上，大家心裏都很清楚，沒有一個人忍心下得了手殺它。接下來面對的問題是：如何善後。

最後他們決定大家一起出錢買下這哭泣的水牛，並且送到一間佛寺，交給那些會愛護它的出家人，好讓它可以安心的度過這一輩子。決定做出後，神奇的事又發生了：「當我們向這只水牛保證不會殺它時，它才肯移動，然後起身緊緊跟隨著我們。」牛是如何聽懂人的話的？Shiu說：「不管你們相信不相信，這是千真萬確的事情，雖然聽起來確實是不可思議。」毫無疑義，這頭水牛改變了這些屠宰工的一生。

http://renminbao.com/rmb/articles/2011/4/16/54517b.html (accessed July 28, 2011)

2011年4月16日 星期六人性的光輝面...The Bright Side of Human Nature...主旨： 這頭水牛改變了這些屠宰工的一生This buffalo has changed the lives of these butchers

The Buffalo standing still, sad and frightened to tears
According to the news release from China’s People’s News, whether people believe it or not, this incident actually happened in Hong Kong. The Weekly World News reported that a group of workers were bringing a water buffalo into a packaging factory, ready to slaughter it to make steak and beef stew.

STORY OF A BLIND MAN

Ignorance is the state of not knowing the truth while stupidity is the dull state of mind that allows us to repeat the same thing over and over again despite its negative consequences. A mind enveloped in stupidity could not link the laws of cause and effect, seed and fruit. 

There is a story of a blind man who argued that light exists not. Being blind, he would refute, "Well, if light exists, let me see it, smell it, touch it or beat it like a drum so that I can hear it."
The blind man would laugh and jeer at his friends: "You fools! You are trying to prove something to me which is not.  I have five senses. Prove that light exists, I am open to accept it if you can do so. You all are fooling me; I am not blind because light exists not. If light exists not, the eyes need not be there."

He would further argue, "You are all blind, for you are dreaming about something that exists not. The whole business of light is just a fiction, a deception, a fraud."
Being tired of this blind man's stupidity, the villagers decided to bring him to the Buddha.

Buddha said, "Don't bring him to me because he needs no conviction. But, I know of a doctor whom you can bring him for treatment . He needs eye or vision to see light."

The blind man was taken to the doctor for treatment. After six months, he was able to see.

By that time, Buddha had moved to another village. The man came running and fell on his knees at the Buddha's feet, saying, "You have convinced me that light exists."

Buddha said, "I have not done anything. Your eyes have convinced you, there is no other way."



Moral of the story:

Like the blind man, we continue in an unintended direction. Knowing that you don't know can be an open, inquisitive and humble state of mind, full of possibilities for exploration and learning. Like the blind man who is so dogmatic that light exists not, we too may fall into the same trap when we doubt about Nirvana.  We can be as blind as the blind man.

《弟子规》

《弟子规》是人们的生活规范，依据至圣先师孔子的教诲编写而成，教导学生为人处世的规范，做到与经典同行为友。《弟子规》是儒家的基础，人性的基础。

“弟子”的意思有两个：一是指孩子；一是指学生；“规”就是规范。
《弟子规》原名《训蒙文》，原作者李毓秀是清朝康熙年间的秀才。以《论语》“学而篇”第六条：“弟子入则孝，出则悌，谨而信，泛爱众，而亲仁，有余力，则以学文”的文义以三字一句，两句一韵编纂而成。分为五个部分，具体列述弟子在家、出外、待人、接物与学习上应该恪守的守则规范。后来清朝贾存仁修订改编《训蒙文》，并改名《弟子规》，是启蒙养正，教育子弟敦伦尽份防邪存诚，养成忠厚家风、教育孺子的最佳读物。

几百年来，我们中华民族的祖先，一直坚信这样一个简单的道理：小孩子在他年少时(0～13岁)，记忆力非常好，应该把前辈的人生经验、生活智慧记忆下来，牢牢地背记，并烂熟于心中。尽管此时他还不理解其深刻含义，但是先记住，好比牛先把草吃下去，有时机再反刍一样，孩子随着年龄的增长，理解能力也在成长，到了一定年龄自然酝酿发酵，必然有更深的理解和领悟。如果在孩子在记忆力强的时候，不给他一些经典的东西储存到脑子里，没有“厚积”，怎么能“薄发”呢?怎么能融会贯通、触类旁通呢？

全集在线观看

Bb TK standing in front of TV set at 11m 2w 1d old

On 22 August 2011, Monday evening

after TK had his dinner,

it's time for the TV variety show ‘百万大赢家’

TK stretched out to reach for the accumulated prize money.

'Oh no, I need to use 3-choose-1 helpline 三选一..'

TK is playing Peek-a-boo and holding 'The Original Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra'.

'Let me see..how do I turn to the first page..'

54th week of motherhood

12sep - 18sep

- it's Mid-Autumn Festival and our neighbours invited us to join in the fun near the lift lobby for the first time
- Pa came to visit and had dinner together after Dardy volunteered to make dinner for us
- it's a busy week with checking of emails, carrying extra duties and photocopy the missing document for a 'client'
- made some suggestions and 'earn $2' per entry

- surfed internet and checked emails
- assisted a colleague with the printing of colour document
- submitted a doc due on end of Aug upon email reminder to do so by tomorrow
- assisted another colleague with problem to her password
- called hubby before 6p to fetch TK as I overstayed to do work

- rushed to office for meeting only to find out it is to be postponed 30 min as a few of the colleagues are late due to various reasons (eg. traffic congestion)
- had Hari Raya Lunch (beehoon set meal w some dau ghee n cauliflower)
- surfed the internet for information and checked emails

- sent/ fetched TK to-and-fro infant care centre as hubby is on course
- the centre forbade outsiders to enter and teachers have to carry the infants to the entrance door
- hubby reminded of the confirmation of the delivery and after calling the shop, they're delivering by noon tomorrow

- woke up 6a at the sound of the alarm clock
- sent TK to mum as hubby and I are attending Dharma class on Heart Sutra this evening
- hubby packed and cleaned the house as the metal cupboard will be delivered by noon
-dreamt that TK is no longer w us, but I was able to take it without much sorrow

- hubby went to buy food & read the papers at the nearby Community Library
- 2pc of pancake (ming zang kueh) for brunch and
- went to buy lotion & took subway for hi-tea
- called mum at 630p and TK is taking nap while mum take her dinner
-

- went Sunday banking
-

54th week Dearest Bb TK

13sep - 19sep'11

372 days' old, you like to chew your fingers and bite very hard when hungry;
373 days' old, you poo after feed;
374 days' old, you poo after feed; you made V-sign with your hands;
375 days' old, you are gg to Granddad's place to stay for the weekend; pooed at 750a; came to find Marmy when Marmy went to the bedroom washroom to shower and getting ready to go to work; pushed the door and was surprised the door can swing more than 90 degrees and squeezed through the tiny space; stood by the bed and walked while Dardy is still sleeping;
376 days' old, you woke up at 4plus in the morning & stayed awake after feed till 6a;
377 days' old, you are coming home after dinner; Grandma called & you answered the call; are able to walk 7 baby steps for the first time?
378 days' old, you are still having runny nose;

TK at 8m 3w 1d old

Having suffered the sudden attack of AVM and aneurysm last April during my pregnancy,

if anyone were to ask me,

I'd tell him/her I have no regrets, TK is the best thing that has ever happened to me..other than TK daddy.



This is someone who is very special.

TK happily lying on the roll mat..

 

   

TK first potty training success shots at 12m 1d old

The happiest person seems to be non other than TK himself.

TK sat on the potty and within minutes

he's finished with his 'business'.

At TK's 1st birthday bash

TK stayed awake for the whole morning as Marmy was busy preparing the food.

At times, he wanted Marmy to carry

and TK looked at Marmy flipping and tossing the food in the pan with one hand

(hash brown with lettuce to go with multigrain bread, macaroni, mee sua with baiye or dried tofu).

Marmy bought some biscuits, apples

 

 and the Lil' ones can munch on Gerber Graduates puffs,

 

and Heinz orchard apple biscotti.

TK was feeling hungry as Marmy fed him 25% of his ususal portion of cereals

and he continued to play on his own.

Dardy was busy doing his work in his room and at one point

TK was sitting quietly on the floor beside Dardy's chair

(exploring whatever he can find)

When finally TK was about to leave home at 1145hr, he was already feeling very sleepy.

He went down to sleeping position from sitting position in his baby stroller

and hit his head at the side of the stroller

(Dardy had to return home to get the tea tree oil to apply on his head).

When TK entered the infant room, everyone greeted him with "Happy Birthday TK"

and he slowly opened his eyes

and looked around him (after a short nap of 15min).

Oops! Angel, be careful of your head.

Tr is going to put on the party hat for TK.

Aahil put on his Sunday best and waited patiently.

Yes TK, you're turning 1 year old today.

"Thank you Aahil for your gift. Shall we open up and see what's inside?"

"Can you hold the gift while I go and find my ball?"

TK is so excited sitting on Dardy's office chair for the first time!

Can you guess who's the real BB (Big Boss)?

Do you know?

Bangala is also a racist term used mainly in Singapore to refer to Bangladesh workers.
Bangala is the plural of Mongala in Lingala

53rd week Dearest Bb TK

6sep - 12sep'11

365 days' old, you cried for milk at 645a; at 840a ate some puffs on the way to infant care;

366 days' old, you turn 1 year old today and (Dardy & Marmy on your behalf) made a wish; you visited Dardy's office for the first time; pooed at 8a sitting on the potty on your own for the first time;

367 days' old, you poo on your own for the 2nd time;
368 days' old, you poo on your own yet again for the 3rd consecutive time; Dardy agreed to take you to the pool but Marmy have to find you a float first; you enjoy your first swim after 'warm-up' after Dardy taught you to clap hands;
369 days' old, you are gg to meet your Lil' cousins at Grandaunt's place at Granddad's place for 2 nights;
370 days' old, you came home for dinner; Grandpa came to visit you with a lantern from Granduncle;
371 days' old, you are gg to nap on the floor on mattress at infant care;

To view TK's poo, click 'Read More'

53rd week of motherhood

5sep - 11sep

- sent TK to infant care with Dardy and did more packing
- went back to office after lunch to check emails, etc
- came home to make dinner and probably go for jogging with Dardy & TK in baby stroller
- sky was filled with dark clouds by the time Dardy reached home w TK
-

- had breakfast after sending TK to infant care
- clarified with infant teachers the timing of the cake cutting and photo taking session (should other parents come, there'll be cake, baby biscuits, drinks etc)
- continued to do more packing of Dardy's stuff
- went home to make lunch while checking email
- worked on the minutes of our Project
-

- prepared some foodstuff to bring to infant care for TK's 1st birthday bash at noon
- left home around 1145a with hubby & sleepy TK in stroller
-

- gave away some brown rice cereal satchets to TK's classmates plus 2 water bottles
-

- went to stay at mum's for the weekend
-

Invitation to a Green Day!

Project? TK 1st birthday wish for a safer and eco-friendlier place to live in
Aim? To reduce undesirable wastage, litter etc and minimise killing (practising lovingkindness)
When? 7Sep 2011
How? Use as little water, electricity, disposable etc and take meatless diets

May all be well and happy living in this world.

A Happy Teacher's Day to all the dedicated teachers!

Dearest Teachers,

This is a special day for you.

You have worked so hard and with so much love.

Thank you for taking such good care of me.

Below is a little poem for you:

To all my dearest teachers who

Showered me with so much love

Holding me tightly in your arms

Inspiring me to be independent

Never giving up on me

Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree

Wishing upon a star up in the sky

All his teachers stay healthy and cheerful

Not to worry and be happy

 A walk down memory lane..from the day TK is born... ...

The Whole Truth about whole-grains

This is an article from the

Health Promotion Board of Singapore

(HPB)

from DigiTools

entitled

The Whole Truth about whole-grains

Some examples of whole-grains are brown rice or brown rice bee hoon, long rice white rice etc.

There are also some online whole-grain recipes available.

Research shows the different foods components in whole grains

(eg. antioxidants, phytoestrogens and fibre)

work together to protect our health.

A diet rich in whole-grains helps lower the risk of coronary

heart disease and diabetes.

The high fibre content also makes for a more filling meal,

so we won't feel hungry again so quickly.

This helps us to manage our weight while allowing us to enjoy food with carbohydrates!

I've made the switch. Have you?

52nd week Dearest Bb TK

30aug - 5sep'11

358 days' old, you celebrated your first Hari Raya Puasa;
359 days' old, you tried to stand up (from sitting then squatting position) without support;
360 days' old, you celebrated your first Teachers' Day at infant care; Marmy sent you to Granddad's place while she attended to a dinner (won a 46th out of 50 lucky draw for TK which is a household appliance - a thermal flask and a warmer)
361 days' old, you stayed at Granddad's home as infant care centre is closed; Grannies took you to the doc as you're feeling feverish;
362 days' old, you coughed so badly till Grannies brought you to see doc again;
363 days' old, you played with yourself (moving head from left to right while Marmy carried you) and laughed;
364 days' old, you are turning 1 year old (angmoh) in 2 days; Marmy made birthday bash invitation to your 'classmates' (as usual teachers celebrating for infants who turn 1 year old)

52nd week of motherhood

29aug -4sep

- planned to staying at mum's place with TK for another night after visiting Uncle at his house
- went to buy the safety door with Dardy after dinner
- Dardy made delicious bee tai mak soup with cabbage, carrot, mushroom, dau ghee, kidney beans..
- updated my profile, checked emails and tweeted
-

-
- celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival in advance with colleagues (left at 8plus in the evening)
- had a small box of mooncakes to be given to the department from the stake-holders
-

- won a lucky draw in company dinner for the first time
- the food was so-so but I heard the seafood was good (fresh)
-

- stayed at home to bbsit TK to tidy as infant care centre is closed
- Dardy came with more milk powder for TK before we left for Dharma class
- Sis LC sent us home in her 3-week old car
-

- took a light brunch and went for a swim before we continued to do more Dardy's packing
- stayed up late to discuss with Dardy our Project
-

- Ma came to drop by in the morning with a box of vegetarian mooncakes from Uncle
- fetched TK after dinner at Mum's
-

This is a sure 50-50 correct question

Who will be Singapore’s next Elected President?

Coral seaweed jelly

This organic seaweed is rich in enzyme nutrients, minerals, calcium, iron ,multitude fibers and jelly form proteins. It is especially good for skin care, vegetarian diet and daily fiber diet intake. It grows naturally and contains no artificial fertilizer or chemical.  

How to cook/ prepare seaweed:

1. Seaweed salad

- take appropriate portion (depends on how many serving you are preparing) of dry seaweed and wash with clean water.

- soak the seaweed in clean water until it turns transparent and moderate brittle, this takes about 8~12 hours depending on water temperature

- it is then edible (or you may leave it in refrigerator for later consumption)

2. Juice

- take appropriate portion of cleaned seaweed from step 1 above (seaweed salad preparation)

- add your favorite fruit or choice, red jujube and honey into fruit blender

- blend them together for healthy drinkable juice

3. Cold dish

- take appropriate portion of cleaned seaweed from step 1 above (seaweed salad preparation)

- add shredded ginger, garlic, vinegar, salt, soy sauce and sesame oil (omit garlic for vegetarians)

- after mixing them together and leave it in the refrigerator, wait for flavor percolation, then add sliced red carrot, white sesame seeds

4. Energy drink

- Add soybean milk, apple and juice from step 2

- this energy drink is especially good for teenagers and menopause women

5. Rock-sugar "sea bird-nest" soup

- blend appropriate amount of soaked and clean seaweed from step 1

- add red jujube, Lyciun chinensis miller, astragalus membranaceus, right amount of rock sugar. Add water to boil them all together

- you may filter the boiled soup

 

6. Jelly: boil in hot water until sticky, add dark/rock sugar and stir continuously till dissolved. Let it cool down before putting it in the refrigerator.You may like to add 桂花（学名：Osmanthus fragrans，英文Sweet Olive）for taste and medicinal benefits.

 

7. It can be served as sashimi, salad and "kalabu".

桂花Osmanthus fragrans or Sweet Olive

中医认为，桂花有很好的药用价值(medicinal value)。古人说桂为百药之长，所以用桂花酿制的酒能达到“饮之寿千岁”的功效。桂花性温、味辛，入肺、大肠经，煎汤、泡茶或浸酒内服，有温中散寒、暖胃止痛、化痰散淤的作用，对食欲不振、痰饮咳喘、痔疮、痢疾、经闭腹痛有一定疗效。

红茶性温，有暖脾胃、助消化的功能(improves appetite)，可以促进食欲;红糖具有益气养血，健脾暖胃，驱风散寒，活血化淤之效，特别适于产妇(women after delivery)、儿童及贫血者(children & people with anemia) 食用。因此，脾胃虚寒及脾胃功能较弱的人可以适当喝桂花茶温胃。但表现为胃脘灼热疼痛，口干(dryness of the mouth)，饥饿却不想吃东西(poor appetite)，小便色黄(yellowish stools)，大便粘腻等症状的脾胃湿热的人不适合饮用。

Sabbe satta sukhi hontu

Pronunciation notes:

• a is pronounced as u in cut
• ā (or aa) is pronounced as a in father

Sabbe satta sukhi hontu is the key of the development of lovingkindness and compassion. Although most religions teach us to love our neighbors and even our enemies, it’s often hard to know exactly how to do that.

Buddhism, being a very practical tradition, offers a number of practices, including the development of lovingkindness (metta bhavana), and the development of compassion (karuna bhavana) meditations. Each of these practices helps us to develop a healthier and more loving relationship to oneself and others.

Metta is often translated as love as well as lovingkindness, and the essence of love in this sense is that we recognize that all beings, just like us, wish to experience happiness and do not wish to experience suffering. Metta is an empathetic sense of caring for others’ well-being. It’s for that reason that sabbe satta sukhi hontu (“may all beings be happy”) is considered to express the heart of the lovingkindness practice.


In cultivating lovingkindness, we commonly repeat phrases such as “May all beings be well; May all beings be happy; May all beings be free from suffering.” The accumulated effect of those words, when they are mindfully repeated, is to create a genuine sense of caring.

51st week Dearest Bb TK

23aug - 29aug'11

351 days' old, you still feel discomfort as your 5th, 6th & 7th teeth are 'forcing' their way out; you 'blinked' and smiled at Tr E; Grandma came to visit you; have been pointing with you finger telling us 'Look! I know this one.' or 'I'm turning 1 year old soon.'; heard Mr. Tan JS PE Rally 'live'
352 days' old, you napped after you had 5oz of milk and pooed at 710a; Marmy & Dardy sent you to 'school'; you played w the toy car and stood in front of the TV console holding the edge;
353 days' old, you waved goodbye with flying kiss to Tr T; Grandma came to visit you;
354 days' old, you stayed home as Dardy & Marmy have no Dharma class; you bit off (scratched) the paint on the TV console while you stood there holding the edge;
355 days' old, you went for your 1st Presidential Election with Dardy and Marmy; lunch with Grandpa & Grandma to celebrate your first birthday; went to Lil' Grandaunt's place but  to only meet met your cousins cousin BC with your birthday cake; you received presents from 3rd Granduncle and angbaos from a few Grandaunts
356 days' old, you are gg to Grandmum's place to celebrate again; didn't go went for Sunday banking; you pat your head after you fell face down while crawling when Dardy asked you where pain pain;
357 days' old, you were feverish in the morning & Granddad carried you to see doc w Grandmum; you didn't poo

TK's coming to 1 yr old

Photo taken on 16 Aug 2011 at Infant Care

when TK is 11m 1w 2d old.

Front row: Trivona and Eli

2nd row: Tr Eunice with Angel, Marcus, Chloe, Aahil and Tr Devi with TK

Back row: Tr Zena with Ning and Tr Thila with Chang

51st week of motherhood

22aug - 28aug

- woke up at 7a and took a slice of multigrain bread, did some chores before leaving for work
- handed a few jars of DIY coral seaweed jelly to neighbours
- had brunch at 1040a, worked for a few hours non-stop and had late lunch at 345p
-


- Aunt L and mum is coming to visit
- no Dharma class tonight
-

- first time to cast vote for Presidential Election (PE)
- TK went along in baby stroller
- lunch with family to celebrate for TK's first birthday

- went to mum's place to celebrate again
- went for Sunday banking
- 

TK's first visit to Asian Civilisation Musuem at 1 day to 11m old

TK went to the musuem with Dardy and Marmy
to see the Terracotta Warriors

It was sunny and

both Dardy and Marmy

is feeling hungry.

We found out that there's no vegetarian food

at Raffles Place MRT station.

We pushed TK (sleeping) in the baby stroller to Komala's near City Hall MRT station.

TK woke up inside the musuem.

There're some works by local artist Justin Lee
placed at the entrance to the galleries
of the ACM,
which transports visitors into a dream-like night scene.

The dramatic new setting
sees Justin's stylish Terracotta Army flanked by graceful fairy-like maidens
armed with modern technologies.

 Graphic symbols of contemporary Singapore emblazon flags that rise above the quirky army.

Each flag is bordered with Justin's signature motif, the Chinese Character Double Happiness.
This too represents the successful marriage of East and West.

This work blends Western pop art with traditional Eastern imagery,

and gives rise to a new reading of a work that is a mix of many cultures,

and thus decidedly Singaporean.

Although the Terracotta Warriors are tomb figures,

Justin's playful use of colour and light suggests that life after death

might not be so bad after all.

His miniature warriors sport chic, red scarves and black headphones.

Theres's even a lady holding a laptop.

Once inside the gallery,
there're alot of exhibits on different religions in SEA.

There's a sandstone figure of Buddha protected by Naga Muchalinda
(11th - 12th Centuries, Cambodia)

Lord Buddha’s footprint (Buddhapada) in bronze

is an imprint of Gautama Buddha's foot.

The Buddhapada is the earliest symbolic representation of the Buddha.

The footprint is a magical objects which enables one to act at a distance on people related to it.

It has become the central focus in mandala created with the ancient Buddhist Pali Yantras.

50th week Dearest Bb TK

16aug - 22aug'11

344 days' old, you cried for milk at 3plus in the morning; only drank 4.5oz at 655a; poo at 705a; finish the remaining 1.25oz at 8a;
345 days' old, you are teething and the right lower tooth #5 is visible; drank alot of water and skipped milk as you're feeling sleepy;
346 days' old, you had milk before Dardy took you to school; still say '爹爹('die-die') to Dardy and everything else;
347 days' old, you are attending Tr HL last class at SBF with Dardy & Marmy; you'd give her a e-photo collage as pre-gift for X'mas; poo alot in the morning when Dardy took you to toilet;
348 days' old, you still feel discomfort as your 5th, 6th & 7th teeth are 'forcing' their way out but much better appetite after more than 9 days; Dardy bbsat you in the morning, fed you, and took you for 'Rally walk' in the wet market where you shook hands with the aunties, waved at them, 'pointed' here and there as you moved; went to Lil' Grandaunt's place and played with your bb cousins and had honeydew instead of cereals
349 days' old, you turn 11.5m old; Grandpa came to visit you and you had cereals before you fell asleep on Grandpa's shoulder;
350 days' old, you

50th week of motherhood

15aug - 21aug

- hubby is fetching TK as he's no OT
- had 2 slices of bread as breakfast but ate it only at past noon

- went to the groceries to get
-

-
- took TK to Dharma class to attend Tr HL last lesson as she's got a gift for TK

- TK is not gg to visit/stay at Grandparents' this weekend
- attending a workshop on business etiquette and communications
-

- our first time to cast our votes for the Presidential Election (PE)
- PE is scheduled next Saturday and we'd still bring TK along in his baby stroller and take our queue to vote as there's no one at home to look after TK

- TK is celebrating his lunar 1st birthday next week
- took TK for Sunday banking

My First Buddha's Joyful Day Celebration 2011

Buddha's Joyful Day

or Ghost Day

as most Chinese called it
is the 15th day of the 7th month in the lunar calendar.

This day falls on the 14 Aug 2011, Sunday.
We're going for lunch with Dharma friends at the Eight Treasures Vegetarian Restaurant,
next to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Chinatown.

 I don't like to sit in a high chair,
so Dardy had to carry me (sit on his laps while Marmy fed me)
and I got to travel from one Uncle/Auntie to another
It's so fun playing merry-go-round!

and Uncle Ven CG even chanted Heart Sutra for me..

Dardy & Marmy took me to the nearby Buddha Tooth Relic Temple


This is the first time I visited this temple.


I kept looking around me and I knew it's the 7th month of the lunar calendar. Look at my fingers!

 an angmoh jiejie even took photos of me


Dardy and TK (that's me) looking up in the sky


there're so beautiful deco hanging from the temple


I'm entering the inside of the temple up the ramp.

where there's praying and chanting

I love to hear the chanting