Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

Kids,

You may read this years or decades from today, but I feel I need to write about this for you.

Did you know that Daddy loves you?

Did you know that when you were all little, and you’re unwell and threw up all over the bed or floor, he’s the one who’d go and clean the mess up?

Did you know that after a really, REALLY, long day at work, and although he’s exhausted from traveling from one end of Jakarta to another on his motorbike, he’d still try his best to come home just in time to have dinner with all of us?

Did you know when Mommy needs to be at work, he’s the one who looks after all three of you, takes you out and even changes your diapers?

Did you know that he loves his ‘imagine’ time with you? Yes, the time just before your bedtime when you’d have the bedroom lights out and he’d tell you super fun stories that Mommy could never create?

You know, there’ll most likely be a time when you feel that Daddy doesn’t love you.

Perhaps a time when he disagrees with what you ask or want?

Well, know this.

I agree with you, your Daddy has flaws, and is far from perfect.

But in all his decisions, he has your best interest at heart.

He loves you, very much.

He wants you to learn from life, to have a heart that can discern the bad and the wrong from the good and the right.

He wants you to have God-fearing hearts.

And you know what, we pray for you too.

Each and every one of you.

So, yes kids. Whatever happens, please remember.

Daddy loves you.

Very much.

…

To Daddy,

I know it’s close to a week late.

But, Happy Father’s Day.

I know you always try your best. And we all love you for it.

And, we thank God for you.

It’s only been just over a year since we last relocated to Jakarta, and I feel I’ve missed out on SO MANY happenings and NEW family friendly attractions!

I mean, Singapore is so small compared to Indonesia, but yet there are always new places and attractions built every year, regular events organised, and they’re well maintained too!

Anyway.

It’s the school holiday now, and I’ve had people telling me that they’re visiting Singapore for a few days and asking me for ideas on places to check out during their trip!

So.

Here are some ideas for you :

1. BEACH and WATER PLAY @ Port of Lost Wonder, Sentosa

This is at Sentosa, at Palawan Beach and the kids will have a blast here!!

Info:

– Official website >> HERE

– To check their daily activities for the families >> HERE

– For their opening hours and admission ticket prices >> HERE!

…

2. RIVER SAFARI

Okay. Here, you’re supposed to see Southeast Asia’s largest panda exhibit as well as the world’s largest freshwater aquarium!

It’s very near the Singapore Zoo and it’ll be fun and educational for the whole family, I’m sure!

Info:

– Official website > HERE

– Ticket prices > HERE

…

3. Singapore Zoo

We personally love the Singapore Zoo!

Do bring along spare clothes because you may want to let the kiddos spend some waterplay fun there too!

Info:

– Official website > HERE

– Ticket prices > HERE

…

4. Resort World Sentosa’s S.E.A. Aquarium

For the ‘bigger than any other aquariums you have ever seen’ experience,  go and check this place out!

Info:

– Official website > HERE

– About Marine Life Park > HERE

– Frequently asked questions > HERE

…

5. Gardens by the Bay

I’d recommend checking this place one late afternoon, and stay around till the evening. The lights and everything, they’re NICE!

The outdoor garden is free of charge, btw!

Info:

– Official website > HERE

– Admission tickets > HERE

…

Basically, I’d like to say that if you’re visiting Singapore for a few days, do check out other things to do as well (like the above), ie. Activities OTHER than shopping and roaming around Orchard Road =)

As for places to visit, there are heaps more that I could add to the list.

The Singapore Flyer, Sentosa Island, Jurong Birdpark, East Coast Park, etc.

Anyway.

I found this article ‘50 Things to Do in Singapore‘ (written by Ben Rush, from Asiarooms.com’s community page). Go and have a read too yeah for even more ideas!

Happy traveling!

Dear Anya and Vai,

I’m posting these photos because I’d like to remember these moments not just today, or this week, but for decades to come.

I’d like you to know that we are very proud of you, and we really feel blessed to see both of you join in the Choir and performed the songs today, for Father’s Day.

It is our hope and prayer that you both grow up to be the kind of people God wants you to be.

The kind who serve and glorify HIM, and be a great blessing to many.

May God shower you with HIS love, mercy and joy.

Love you both. Always.

If you have been following my blog for a while, I guess you’d know that my husband and I prefer to bring the children to check out a different kind of experience than just going from one mall to another over the weekends.

(It was somewhat easier back in Singapore though, because there are just SO many happenings and family events organised there. Something I truly miss about Singapore!)

So.

When a friend shared with me how the Greenpeace ship – Rainbow Warrior – would be stopping by Jakarta for just the weekend, my husband and I were like, ‘Let’s go and check it out!’

And.

All five of us went over to the Port of Tanjung Priok last Saturday (June 8th).

[The yellow banner says ‘Our ocean, our forest, our future’]

I could still remember how I went and checked out the Rainbow Warrior ship when it visited Perth sometime in the 1990s.

I was still in high school back then, and it was part of our school excursion.

I asked one of the volunteers about it, and she shared how THAT was actually the 2nd Rainbow Warrior ship, which retired in August 2011.

This one is the third ship, the latest one which entered operation in October 2011.

So, apparently, some two decades later, my second time on board a Rainbow Warrior ship was spent with my husband and three children =)

Overall, I think it was a nice experience for us all.

We had plenty of opportunities to share with the two older kids about the importance of caring for the earth in which we live.

How there are companies who irresponsibly dump their toxic waste to the rivers, polluting everything and affecting animals, plants and the very people who live nearby.

How, in the name of making money and more money, trees are chopped, none are planted and the lands are left uncared for afterwards.

How there are many destructive things that happen all around us, but there are also people and organisations who try their best to promote positive actions to protect the forest, the ocean and the earth.

And how we too, should always learn to be responsible in our actions, however simple they may be.

Recycling, throwing our rubbish in the bins, etc.

Anyway.

We hope the two older kiddos remember the experience, and grow up to be responsible adults who also care for the earth God has created.

…

Here are more photos, taken with my iPhone.

[Inside the control area]

Anya started her first ever piano lesson in November 2012.

And, she had her very first piano concert on May 19th 2013, some six months later.

Together with her coach whom she calls ‘Ms Jelia’, Anya performed : Beauty and the Beast, Mickey Mouse March and the Chicken Dance.

Everyone was so quiet in between her three performances, and so I had to seriously restrain myself from clapping and going, ‘Wootttt!” each time she finished a piece!

This piano concert was a HUGE milestone for her.

And for us.

She’s very excited about it.

She practiced everyday, and although she told me afterwards how she’s so scared about pressing the wrong key during the actual performance, I thought she did very well for a first-timer!

(Plus, there were more than 350 people in the audience, so THAT alone must’ve been nerve-wrecking for her)

[Other than her piano performance, she also performed this handbell ensemble with three other girls, doing ‘New York, New York’ and ‘Sing’ – the Sesame Street song!]

…

Oh also, we were so blessed to have so many of our families coming to support her first performance too.

My parents came along, and Wilson’s complete family came too! (yes, Wilson’s parents, his two brothers and their wives and kid!)

On top of that, we also have friends stopping by to watch the performance.

Can’t thank them enough for the support!

[A shot with all performers]

…

Here’s the video recording of her piano performance :

Here’s the klip when they performed the Children Hand Bells Ensemble :

And this is the video of the WHOLE CONCERT from start to finish, thanks to @atamerica :

NOTE:

Anya’s piano performance >> minute 31:22

Children Hand Bells Ensemble >> minute 1:03:47

All photos in this post were taken by Wilson, the Daddy.

…

…

A little note to Anya:

Anya,

You may be reading this many MANY years from today, and Mommy just wants you to know that we are very proud of you and we love you very much.

Like what we’ve always shared with you, it’s never about your performance.

It’s more about you

… learning to be responsible and giving your best effort at all times,

… appreciating what you have,

… thanking God for all God-given talents,

… and developing them when you have the opportunity to do so.

Now that we are in Jakarta, God has opened up this door for you to be able to finally learn how to play the piano.

Always remember to give your very best to God, and appreciate the very people who support you throughout this journey.

We love you.

And we always thank God for you.

Found photos of my parents’ wedding in 1966!

Everyone looked so youthful then.

And it kinda made me wonder, emmm … what would Wilson and I look like if we were to get married in the 1960s?

Perhaps we would look something like this? Haha.

Anyway.

I’m sure life – close to 50 years ago – was so much simpler.

No mobile phones.

No internet.

No fancy gadgets.

And their day to day activities would most likely revolve around their rather big family.

(Like most other families, my parents each had more than 4 siblings and they themselves had four children)

Yes, things are so much different now.

And, raising children TODAY obviously has its pros and cons, when compared to how life would’ve been like for them if they’re to live in the 1960s.

…

If children today were to live in the 1960s, … they would have had less ‘knowledge’

Of course they could always read thousands of books and watch the news / other programmes on TV (a luxury good at the time).

But, in 1960s, they did NOT have access to real-time news updates that allow them to discover the happenings around the world.

Also, back then, they did NOT have the internet that would have allowed them to learn online, from experts around the world.

[Children today has access to ‘more’. Here’s our 9yo daughter, Anya, watching craft shows online]

…

If children today were to live in the 1960s, … they would have enjoyed more time with family and friends.

Back in the 1960s, I’m 100% sure that life in general was so much less competitive than how life is like today.

Most likely, parents then were not as stressed out about their children’s academic performance at school, and the children’s concern was more about playtime with friends.

Not quite about doing worksheets and attending enrichment classes.

[Courtesy of Humboldt Centennial Photo Collection]

And because there were no smart phones, no internet, and no gadgets, when children were not out playing with their friends, they would most likely be spending time at home, with the family.

ie. Opportunities for REAL interactions with friends and families were plenty at the time!

…

3. If children today were to live in the 1960s, … they would have had more opportunities to exercise better communication and social skills

This point is actually related to point no. 2 above.

It’s the direct result of spending more REAL TIME with friends and families.

If children today are more engrossed in playing with their gadgets and interacting with online friends than real ones, then how could they exercise values like, forgiveness, appreciation and toleration?

If children today are bogged down by worksheets and tuitions after tuitions every single day, then how could they go outdoors and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation that surrounds them?

Well, they couldn’t.

…

Yes, there ARE many lessons that we can learn from life in the 1960s, aren’t they?

Things like :

> Read books, don’t just be engaged in electronic media

> Knowing ‘more’ is good, but having communication/social skill is equally (if not more) important

> Spend more quality time (real interactions) with our family

> Develop REAL friendships

> Playtime is best when it’s done with real people

> Go outdoors more often

> Let children play and enjoy their childhood

Any more to add to the list?

Food for thought.

For me personally, and hopefully for you too.

…

What say you?

When we become parents, the reality is, children will demand a lot of our time and energy.

Breastfeeding / bottle-feeding them, preparation of meals, feeding, bathing and playtime, changing of diapers, dealing with tantrums and behaviours.

Not to mention, babies (even older children) who continue to co-sleep with both parents mean there’s less and less ‘couple time’ for the hubby and wife.

…

… when we’re left to just being with each other again one day, we hope and pray that our days together as a couple will be as wonderful as when we were both young and in love.

As I chatted with a few friends today, I was reminded of this ‘food for thought’:

We are married to our spouse, not to our children.

Our kids may demand much of our time and energy, but really, one day they will leave home and we’ll be back to just being with our spouse.

Back to being a couple, having NO one else around at home.

So, however busy we are as parents today, be sure we nurture our marriage.

Build on that relationship.

Communicate and talk about OTHER topics too (other than about the kids)

Do things together, as a family and as a couple, and enjoy a good talk with each other.

Because, when we’re left to just being with each other again one day, we hope and pray that our days together as a couple will be as wonderful as when we were both young and in love.

[Photo was taken at 00:00, 1 January 2010! =) ]

…

Next month, it’ll be our 12th wedding anniversary.

Gee. It’s been TWELVE years.

But really, I thank God for the kind of relationship we build on all these years.

It’s not easy, because it requires *huge* effort from BOTH parties (and, mercy and help from God!)

(read: ‘blind love’ alone is definitely not enough)

There are tough moments of course, but thank God, amidst our busyness (work, housework and raising of our kids), we both have the willingness to work on our relationship, to communicate, and to be open with each other, while keeping our life fun and sometimes, spontaneous =)

(Yes, regardless of how long we’ve been married for, we believe it’s good to just be silly with each other here and there =)

Anyway.

I must say that it’s all possible so far, because of God’s grace.

Because of God’s grace alone.

If I’m looking to get a dozen of my kids’ underwear, half a dozen of sleeveless shirts for Brie, or a school bag or something, this is the place I’d check out!

It’s called ITC Mangga Dua.

And, it’s SUPER crowded.

Every day.

(Somehow the ground level is the most crowded. The higher floors are not as packed.)

Anyway.

In this ‘mall’, you’d see piles of sandals, shoes, and handbags.

Lots of fake branded goods =)

You’d hear salesgirls referring to you as ‘sister’, ‘mommy’ or ‘dear’ in their attempt to ‘connect’ with you and get you to buy stuff from their shop =)

…

I went there today with the 3 kids.

Yes, just the four of us.

And, I did my ‘homework’ =)

ie. I told Anya and Vai:

– Stay with me at all times, to avoid getting lost (or, emmm … kidnapped)

– Not to walk behind me, and not to walk way ahead of me. Hold on to me even though I can’t hold their hands (because I’d be pushing the pram)

– And, not to make any comments whatsoever, when I do my bargaining thing with the sales people =)

…

After a good 3 hours, we found the stuff we wanted to get, and everyone was happy. Tired, but happy =)

And, to those who’re planning to visit ITC Mangga Dua for some ‘wholesale’ shopping, here are some tips for you:

1) Watch your belongings (including your precious children =). At all times.

2) Dress casually. Avoid accessories or dressing up unnecessarily.

3) Check other shops and compare prices BEFORE buying anything.

Because most likely, you’d find another shop selling it at a much cheaper price.
The downside: You’d need to spend ‘more’ time looking around, and going back to the previous shop if you can’t find any better deals elsewhere.

4) Bargain. Bargain. Bargain. Nicely.

It’ll go something like this:

You : How much is this bag ?

Sales: Oh, it’s Rp400,000  (and she’ll then tell you how great a product it is)

You : Can it be lower ?

Sales : Yes, by a little bit. I’ll give it to you for Rp350,000. Special price!

You : Rp250,000?

Sales : No, we’re making very little profit already.

You : How much then can you offer me?

Sales : We can’t go any lower than Rp, 325,000.

You : Okay. Rp300,000 ya  *pretends to want to browse and leave the shop*

Sales : *looks at boss. Boss gives a nod* Okay. I’ll get a new bag for you.

PS: Don’t be surprised if you somehow ask around AFTER buying it, find the exact same product, and the salesgirl’s starting price (before bargain) is at a lower price =)

…

And, here are a few more tips shared by others on my Facebook =)

a) Be there at 10am

b) Wash your hands before eating, esp. After touching dusty stuff.

c) Avoid weekends. Super crowded.

d) Eat their Soto Betawi at those food stalls where they display all the yummy stuff on the counter

…

Happy bargaining! =D