Ashley's 1st Pei Hwa's Cultural Exchange trip!

Dearest Ashley,

Mummy is so happy to see you in the bus. Abby and I can't wait to hug you the moment you got off the bus. You look tired but still in high spirits. We thanked the Teachers for taking care of you throughout the 3-Day Malacca trip, especially today when you vomited after drinking mixed fresh milk and apple juice. On our way to the car, we overheard your school mate telling her Mum that you volunteered to mix the chicken poo and other ingredients in an activity in the International School. You are indeed very sporting! I like your fun-loving spirit!

While you were away for the 2 nights, Mummy waited impatiently for your call. During our first overseas call, you shared with Mum that you learned about bravery and generosity from Zheng He. You even bought a $7 Ringgit Zheng He ship key chain for Dad. So sweet of you. Very smart of you to also pack Monopoly Deal to play with your roommates, J-En and Spencer. You sounded very mature on the phone.

On your second night, you shared with me that you bought bracelets for Abby, Lindy and Kathy and a little purse for me. I wonder how you stretched the $50 Ringgit.

This morning, I was worried when Mdm Foo called me to inform me that you vomited and would accompany you to the clinic. She is indeed a very caring teacher. After lunch, she even smsed to inform me that you had taken the medicine and dozed off. At 2:40pm, she smsed me that you were singing praises happily and leading the rest in the bus. You even sang Baby Baby and the entire bus joined in. Wow! You just held your 1st public concert, son! Mummy is truly proud of you to bounce back so quickly from your stomach ache and vomiting. See, your choice to enjoy the trip despite the little setup has set you up for your very 1st public concert with a bus full of Fans! I admire your positive attitude, son!

Mum is also very impressed by the gifts you bought for the family. You used your last Ringgit to buy bread for Ah Gong & Ah Mah instead of buying the Angry Bird toy touched my heart. Son, you've shown that you put your loved ones before self. Mummy is very proud of you. Am sure Ah Gong and Ah Mah are very glad to have a thoughtful grandson like you.

I feel that you have matured over the 3 days in Malacca. You have proven to Mum and Dad that you can take care of yourself and your roommates. With that, we will certainly approve your next cultural exchange trip to anywhere the school takes you. Cheers!

Yours,
Proud Mum & Dad

Ashley and Evan's version of "Baby Baby" by Justin Bieber

Dearest Ashley,

Wow! You and Evan formed a great musical pair! You guys blew me away as you sang the song "Baby Baby" accompanied by Evan on his guitar. The chemistry between the two of you is amazing. No rehearsal, just one try and your performance is splendid! Enjoy the video!



Hugs & Kisses,
Dearest Mum

Abby, the Little Adventurer at East Coast Park!

Dearest Abby,

Mummy was smiling away as you wrote in your diary last night that you love playing in the sand and making sandcastles. We had a great time at East Coast Park yesterday!

Mummy enjoyed watching you playing at the beach: fetching water using the wheelbarrow, grabbing the sand and let it blown away by the wind, filling the moulds with sand, making ice-cream scoops by the sandcastles, fooling around with Daddy, burying your legs in the sand and even doing a perfect split on the sand! Wow! This is amazing as you have grown to love sand so much compared to the same little girl who refused to step on the sand earlier.

After lunch, we cycled around to explore the place. The image of you cycling in your little yellow boots never fail to delight me as I see an independent girl cycling diligently to every corner in the park, the jetty and the lighthouse. You even went up to the lighthouse with Daddy. Do you remember the story of a little girl who takes care of a lighthouse? She befriends a star who has fallen from the sky. Though she loves her new friend but eventually she has to bid farewell to the star as it returns to the sky. Maybe if we visit the lighthouse at night, we could see stars too!

After a hard day work, we rewarded ourselves with ice-cream! You created a new flavour by mixing orea flurry with vanilla and eat it in a cone. So yummy!

We also took your favourite ferries wheel and flying elephant before we headed home. We will definitely come back with Kor Kor and explore East Coast Park again soon!

Hugs & Kisses,
Mum & Dad

The Lion King Musical

Dearest Ashley,

Last night's Lion King Musical truly blew us away! The performance was world-class! The actors, actresses, dancers, musicians and the lighting crew were awesome. You were singing and reciting the lines with Simba in the waterhold part. I could sense your excitement as you sang along with Simba throughout the 2-hour Musical.

Though you did not share with me, I could sense your disappointment that you were not selected to play the Simba role. Every experience is a good experience and each one brings you one step closer to your dream. The secret to Success is keep trying and improving.

The WWKK Chinese Musical is a wonderful experience for you, isn't it? You've learned so much throughout the 4 months of intensive rehearsal. Am sure this experience will stay with you forever.

You're very fortunate. Many kids at 10 years old still do not know what they want to be when they grow up. Same for Mummy. In fact, I have no clue what I want to be even in the University, let alone becoming a Head Hunter and an enrichment centre co-founder.

You're very exposed too. At a young age, you performed in several professional events and musical such as the 2 voices, 10 fingers and The Adventures of Wei Wei Kang Kang, etc.

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. When you're well-prepared and well-trained, you will be lucky in your next audition. If you wish to pursue Music Elective Programme, you have to meet the following criteria:

Music Elective Programme (MEP)

The Music Elective Programme MEP is designed to enable pupils with both academic and musical abilities to undertake a challenging Music programme. It aims to develop pupils’ conceptual and analytical faculties as well as creativity. This is achieved through the practical and theoretical study of Music. Immersed in a musically enriched environment, pupils are developed in the skills and knowledge of performing, composing and appraising music from a range of different cultures.

The MEP is a four-year course that prepares pupils for the GCE ’O’ Level Higher Music Examination. Pupils selected for the programme will take Music (MEP) in place of Design and Technology and Home Economics at the lower secondary level. In the mainstream schools, MEP pupils are expected to complete the 4-year course and offer Higher Music as a subject for examination at ’O’ level. MEP pupils in the Integrated Programme (IP) schools offer H2 and H3 Music as examination subjects at ‘A’ level or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Music at Higher Level. They may opt to sit for the ‘O’ level Higher Music examination.

MEP is offered only at the following schools:

Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

Catholic High School

Dunman High School

Raffles Institution

Pupils interested in the MEP are advised to select schools offering the programme among the six choices of school. They are encouraged to select an MEP school as their first choice.

To qualify for the MEP, the pupil must first meet the entry requirement of the Express course in the selected school. Upon admission to the school, the pupil must apply for the programme at the school. The pupil will also need to have attained at least:
■EITHER A pass in Grade Three Practical and Theory or Practical Musicianship examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) or the equivalent standard from other examination boards.(Application must be accompanied by certified copies of music certificates or mark forms.)
■OR in the absence of the qualifications stated above, a pass in both the written selection test and practical audition on an instrument (e.g. piano, rebab, erhu, sitar) conducted by the selecting school.

Higher Music in the GCE ‘O’ Level Examination is equivalent to a Humanities subject. Pupils who offer Higher Music will be allowed to use the Music grade as a Humanities subject grade for admission to a JC/MI.

Ashley, Mum & Dad are very happy to support your dream. We'll be even happier if you put in the necessary effort to realise your dream. Good Luck!

Yours,

Mum Dearest

Our 1st Universal Studio Adventure!

Dearest Ashley & Abby,

We had a wonderful time at Universal Studio yesterday! We took the family boat ride - Madagascar: A Crate of Adventure, very relaxing indeed. After that, we sat on our favourite characters in the carousel with Ashley on the Penguin and Abby on Gloria.

Next, we "flew" with the fairies and elves to Far Far Away Land. Thinking that it is a mild junior roller coaster ride in Enchanted Airways, we were all strapped and ready to just sit back and enjoy the ride. I closed my eyes all the way and my legs went weak after the ride. Lesson learnt is that Mummy can't even handle junior roller coaster ride, unlike my kids, you guys are so good at roller coasters. Ashley even took the scary Revenge of the Mummy ride with Daddy!

My favourite ride is the Shrek 4-D Adventure though we had a fair share of the Donkey's saliva! Next, you guys had so much fun at the Donkey LIVE show as Ashley was the selected celebrity, Pinocchio and Daddy was picked from the audience to have a live hilarious conversation with the Donkey!

Inside the Lost World, Ashley and Daddy took the Canopy Flyer while the girls took the Dino-Soaring ride with our pink Pteranodon, soaring up into the clear blue sky. Abby had fun controlling the flying with the white button on the control panel. A pity that the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure was closed. Am sure we'll come back again for the thrilling river raft ride through dinosaur habits. Ashley, Mummy promised to take the river raft ride with you the next time though I'm abit scared. We enjoyed the live WaterWorld show of death-defying stunts and awesome explosions.

We sat in the whirling twirling Accelerator and went dizzy after that. Abby wanted to go again but we got to move on. Mummy promised Abby to take the ride again the next time.

Our final ride was the Treasure Hunters ride at Ancient Egypt. Abby and Ashley drove your own desert jeep through an abandoned Egyptian excavation site.

Our final stop at Hollywood was an eye-opener! We were "caught" in a hurricane and witnessed the wind, fire and demage caused by the hurricane. Finally, we had come to the end of our Adventure and wrapped up the evening with the Monster Rock Musical.

Mummy truly enjoyed myself. Hey, there was not a single argument among the kids while we were walking in the hot sun or queuing for hours for the rides. Well done, kids! Ashley was The Greatest Tour who guided us well after his pre-tour research. Abby was very kind to offer to sit with the ride operator while I sit with Lindy the next time. With such wonderful behaviour, we'll definitely come back for more!

Love.
Mummy Dearest

Life Education

Dearest Ashley,

We had a wonderful evening last evening. After the Malacca briefing, we head straight to West Mall to have our Pasta Mania dinner, did our shopping for the trip and played ice hockey at Time Zone.

Mummy loved to see your satisfied face as you dug into your crunchy cheese and ham pasta while I shared with you the Chinese newspaper article on Life Education written by a Mother for her 5 and a half years old son, all the children and parents in this world:

3 weeks ago, my friend's 15 years old son committed suicide over a trivial matter; 2 weeks ago, my neighbour, a mum carried her child and jumped off the block. This is very devastating news. I'm writing this article on Life Education to share with the parents and children.

One's character development must start young, especially the chapter on Life. As parents, we must cultivate Life value daily. Everyone of us must cherish our life for ourselves and for our family.

My 5 and a half years old boy recently threatened me to jump off from 7th floor if I didn't buy him the toy he wanted. He wanted to make me sad by jumping off the building so that I will lose a son. I sat down with him calmly and explained to him in details why we must cherish our Life: Son, you only wanted a toy, if you can't get it today, it doesn't mean you will not get it tomorrow, you will get it if you put in effort, not by threatening others.

Son, you threaten mum because you know mum loves you. You put your Life on the line with someone who loves you and you love, have you thought about it,if you really jumped, what is the impact on people who don't know you? What would be their reaction? At most, they will be uncomfortable for 1~2 days and not remember you after that. How about you? After you jumped, you will never enjoy the tender loving care from your Mum and Dad, you will never play with your friends, you will never enjoy your pizza, you will never get to see the future cool stuff better than iPad or Space shuttle that is beyond your imagination? Are you willing to give up all these, just because you are angry or can't get what you want at that moment?

My Mother, your Grandmother, did not buy me a piano just because I love music, even if I scored 100 marks, she also did not keep her promise; I was so sad then, but I never thought of ending my life. Today, at 37 years old, I finally get the opportunity to learn piano with my beloved son, this is what I live for.

Today, I'm a writer. If I were to commit suicide when my teacher scolded me, my mother caned me, my friends misunderstood me, I will never enjoy the wonderful life and my beloved son today.

I cannot stop other people from doing wrong. As a Mum, I can only teach you to do the right things and cherish your life. We all experience negative thoughts, feelings and events. We cannot control what happened to us but we can control our reaction and the outcome.

Remember the incident where you dropped your bread twice when you someone accidentally knocked you? Mummy cannot stop people from knocking you but I can encourage you to hold your tray firmer and pick a new bread. Just because someone knocked you and caused you to drop your bread twice, you just stand there and complain. Does it serve any purpose?

Ashley, your future is beyond your imagination. You're blessed with many talents that will take you very far if you continue to work hard and put in the 10,000 hours to sharpen your skills. No pain, no gain. Cherish your talents and your life. We love you, our beloved son.

Abby's Happy Mothers' Day card

Dearest Abby,

You're such a sweet daughter. You used a sparkling orange pen to decorate the border of the card with lots of hearts. You asked me why you drew so many hearts? You said you love Mummy that's why you drew many many hearts. Such a darling.

You wrote on your card,"I love to sing and dance with Mummy. I love my Mummy. Happy Mothers' Day" Mummy is very touched by your kind words. I can't wait to dance with you along with Baby Baby and Never say Never by Justin Bieber.

Thank you very much for the lovely Mothers' Day Card.

Love,
Mummy Dearest

Abby: I'm drawing me and Yi Yong having a meeting to discuss how to bring in more classmates to our class

Dearest Abby,

You're so adorable. Few nights ago, you were doodling and when Mummy asked you what are you drawing, your answer tickled my funny bone so much that I almost fell off from your bed!

Mummy,"BB, what are you drawing?"
Abby, "I'm drawing me and Yi Yong having a meeting to discuss how to bring in more classmates to our class as Raine and Melody are leaving."
Mummy,"Do you have a plan?"
Abby," Yi Yong said he wants to buy children from Ikea and bring them to our class."
Mummy,"Hahaha..."

Next morning at the breakfast table...
Mummy," BB, Do you think Yi Yong's plan will work?"
Abby,"I don't think so."
Mummy, "Why?"
Abby,"No Mummies will sell their children right, Mummy?"
Mummy," You're right. Mummy will never sell you and Kor Kor away, no matter how many money. You are priceless to us."
Abby," Then I must think or another plan."
Mummy," Maybe you can organize a party to invite many children to your class to see your artwork and what you have learned."
Abby," I'll discuss with Yi Yong. Thanks Mum."
Mummy, "You're always welcome, BB."

Keep thinking, BB. Am sure new friends will join your wonderful class.

Love you always,
Mummy Dearest