Kiasu-ism, Uniquely Singapore

My recollection of the earlier days of experiencing kiasu-ism is during test and exams times, where my classmates would swear that they were unprepared for the exams and tests, and only to come out from it being one of the top few students several times.

So I thought ok, they must be very bright. Until one incident where we headed to one of my classmates' house to work on a project and the mum commented innocently on how tired we must be with the exams as her daughter has been cramming through the nights for a few weeks. Lol.

Then there's another group of classmates who would never share notes citing that their handwriting is more like a scrawl and hardly legible but these are the same people who try very hard to peer at your notes, at the corner of their eyes, wondering why you have do much to write about when they did not scribble half as much. *evil grin*

Honestly I thought that would be the last of such petty kiasu-ism when I graduated. And THEN, I became a mum. 

Wow, once you are one, you are suddenly being judged / watched / critiqued on what and how much your child does, how you raise your child and what your child can accomplish. From the friendly girlfriends you once knew, the heat is on and I suddenly find myself being able to define, very clearly, the difference between friends and acquaintances. 

Need a hand? Here's some tell tale signs. :)

1) The strategic PV mums

2) The smoke screen mums

 

3) The non committal "if-I-were-to-share-too-much-my-kid-would-lose-out" mums

 

So on this Monday of a new week, my goal is to still stay sane, relatively unfussed with all these "competition" in this parenting jungle and motivated to just be the best fun mum that I can be for Dumpling. :) 

Wordless Wednesdays - DIY sandart candle

With X'mas coming up, you can create your own sand art candle as gifts! All you need:
- glass / jar
- wick
- gel wax
- sandart
- small shells / even small charms for decoration

Scatter the sand art in the preferred colour combination, add sea shells, melt the gel candle, stick in wick and slowly pour the gel in.

 

Saturday Science: Torchlight, Tissue and Canister

Children never fail to amaze me. Their little brains are just so absorbent and with their curious nature, they see so many possibilities that my jaded eyes simply do not.

I was having my lunch earlier and left Dumpling to her own devices which usually would mean she would be reading,building something or drawing / doodling.

She was quiet for such a long time and I got a bit suspicious. I saw her pottering around packing these into a plastic bag. She then told me she is doing an experiment.

She shone the torchlight through the canister and the tissue and proclaimed that the light is 'blur'. Riding on the moment, we discussed why that was the case and where else can we shine on that allows light to pass through. 'What if it went through a prism?', I asked.

She remembered our unit study some weeks back and could explain to me how the ordinary light would pass through and that it would then be 'split' to form a rainbow.

We love science and I love that we are able to explore, investigate and discuss. Even with simple items from home. Do you perform simple experiments with your kids too?

Foodie Fridays - Thai pancakes

I had so much good food in Thailand and took so many shots that I thought it would be good to start with something simple. :)

I am not a pancake person but I am definitely a cheese prata person. When I am in Phuket / Krabi, one of the simple pleasures that I enjoy is their version of 'pancake'.

Made with a simple batter, it's spread thinly over a pan and the 'filling' is added. Served with a wide range of savory and sweet choices - chocolate banana, strawberries, peanut butter, egg and cheese, etc., the options are just mouth watering. ;)

These are sold in carts peppered along the beaches and the prices are quite similar between the various vendors.

A Man and a Woman, a Mum versus a Dad

I think that the husbands of Type A personality wives may have it tougher. After reading Justina's post, it made me ponder over the subtle differences in parenting styles. 

As you know I am a typical Type A. Full of energy and I need to potter around because I just cannot stand the thought of "wasting" time doing well, simply nothing. As a friend aptly puts it, even the style of Yoga that I prefer is the high intensity type - one breath, one movement. LOL

Because of this, I am very anal over some routines and the poor hubs had it hard initially when he could not understand why I am so insistent on so many seemingly "little" issues! Here's a look at our "differences":

Me	The man
1. Honey, she needs to go down for nap. STAT! Otherwise, she’d go down late tonight and the cycle repeats itself the next day. And, it will be a vicious cycle!	1. It is ok. She can always sleep in the car and if she did not rest enough, well, then she will know better the next time.
2. Oh dear, you gave her this soup? Herbal chicken soup? This same one with alcohol in it? *face palm*	2. Oops! It is yummy so I thought she should try it. (Dumpling was laughing a tad too much and singing off key in the background by this time. And yes, it is the alcohol in the soup because IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME!)
3. OK, enough, the Lego set is meant for her. It is her birthday gift!	3. But I am just demonstrating and showing her how to put the pieces together!
4. And the song choices… where do I start? It does not even spell the words right!?!?	4. (both singing to the car stereo) L.U.V Madonna, Y.O.U you wanna????

The piece that topsit all? Our definition of meals… 

Disclaimer: Dumpling was not harmed in any way by the hua tiao jiu in the herbal soup though mummy Sue may have been traumatized by her off pitch key.