Thursday, June 30, 2011

Ashley, please do not be caught in the materialistic world

Dearest Ashley,

Aunty Jeslyn shared with Mummy that one of her customers' son is always comparing with his peers in his "branded" secondary school. He only wanted Converse shoes, branded jeans, hand phones and bags like his peers. His parents are in a dilemma: If they buy these branded stuff for him, he will continue to ask for more; If they refuse to buy for him, he will be so unhappy and feel inferior to his peers. Before Mummy gives my comment, I'll share another real-life story of my friend's friend's university daughter studying overseas.

She has been caught in the materialistic world since young. Being the only child, her parents bought her everything she asked for. Since Primary school to Junior college, she carried the latest hand phone, bags and wore the trendiest fashion. Needless to say, her parents work very hard to satisfy her ever growing appetite. When she decided to study in an overseas university, her parents would pay for her hefty school fee, expenses and rental. However, she is still unhappy as she feels the urge to buy the latest handbag which costs over $1000. Through friends, she became a part-time model behind her parent's back in order to buy that latest handbag and other branded stuff. When she realized she could earn big bucks so easily, she neglected her studies and spent more time in modeling. Mummy is very concern that her materialistic appetite will grow bigger each day and she will never be contented.

Mummy's university classmate used to drive sports car to the campus. The car that was his 21st birthday gift from his parents. What happens if one day he did not get what he want at 26 years old? What happens if he used up all his parent's money to satisfy his own desires? He started several pubs but eventually went bankrupt. He has to start learning how to work for others at a minimum wage at 35 years old.

All the possessions in this world is impermanent. They will go away at some point. What is permanent is what you have inside you - the good habits and values such as honesty, responsibility, organizational skills, trustworthiness, respect for others. These values stay with you forever. Now you know why Mummy and Daddy keep encouraging you and Abby to develop good habits since young. As for Mum & Dad, we are contented with who are we and what we have. We possess no branded stuff and that did not make us feel inferior. We simply do not feel the need to splurge on material things. We would invest in your well being and a holistic education. When we see you are serious in your study, wushu, singing, soccer, swimming, piano and honest, respect others including your little sister, and putting effort to be more organized, we are happy and contented.

Long story short...hopefully by now you will understand why we did not buy you the hand phone, iPad and PSP you wanted. We are afraid if we buy you these stuff, you will ask us to buy you a sports car for your 21st birthday which we cannot afford. Hahahah...

Love you son,
Mummy Dearest

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Ashley's Bah-ba-doo bah Jazz Piano piece

Dearest Ashley,

Mummy loves to sit by your side and video you each time you play the piano. Am sure Abby is inspired by you after hearing the beautiful pieces you played, the same way you were inspired by Kieran. Keep it up and very soon, you will play as well as Kieran.

Mummy has uploaded my favourite piece, "Bah-ba-doo bah" for our enjoyment and as background music for our family Monopoly Deal game. Hahaha...

Love,
Mummy Dearest

Monday, June 20, 2011

The really Fat Cat rhyme by Abby

Here we go...

Mat has a pet that is a really Fat Cat. Haystack, clip
It stays on the Hats and rolls on the Mat.
What is that Fat Cat trying to do?
She stays on the Hay
and says,"Meow"
and stays away from the dog.
The dog stays on the Wood to Look for some Food.
His Mood is Good when he sees the cat who Stood there for one hour staring at the dog.

By Abby Ng Tze Duan

Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Sea Lion who practises self-control

Dearest Ashley and Abby,

We had a wonderful time "scootering" at the zoo and watching hilarious animal shows with Godma's family. Ashley Kor Kor was picked as one of the 4 volunteers in the animal show to hold up the hula hoop for the Golden Retriever to jump through. That was fun!

The most memorial show for Mummy was the sea lion show. The trainer placed a fish in front of the sea lion and we all know how much sea lions love fish. However, it did not rush to eat the fish but waited patiently for the trainer to signal him to eat the fish. The sea lion knows that if it rushes to eat the fish against his trainer's will, it will not have more fish to eat. However, it knows it will have more fish to eat if it listens to its owner. This is self-control.

Self-control is the ability to control one's emotions, behavior and desires in order to obtain some reward later. In the 1960s, Walter Mischel tested four year old children for self control in "The Marshmallow Test": the children were each given a marshmallow and told that they can eat it anytime they want, but if they waited 15 minutes, they would receive another marshmallow. Follow up studies showed that the results correlated well with these children's success levels in later life.

By the same token, if you tell yourself that I must pay full attention in class despite the urge to talk or being distracted, then you will do well in your study. Coupled that with daily revision and study, you will receive the reward by end of the year - You will ACE your exam and you will be receiving the prize and recognition from your Principal during the year-end prize presentation ceremony.

If a sea lion can practises self-control, so can we!


Hugs & Kisses,

Mummy Dearest

Friday, June 17, 2011

The celebrity's 5 years old daughter who owns over 100 pairs of shoes worth over S$200K!

Dearest Ashley & Abby,

Mummy couldn't believe my eyes when I read the article on the celebrity's 5 years old girl who owns over 100 pairs of shoes worth S$200,000!

Mummy has 20 pairs of shoes and Abby has 6 pairs of shoes. I already feel it is an extravagant especially after chatting with one mother of 5 children who only buys shoes for her children when the shoes is worn out. Each child of hers has only one pair of shoes. Her sister who is my age, has six children and she never organized any birthday parties for her kids. She would buy a birthday cake for each one of them to celebrate with the family. The amazing thing is they all come from well-to-do families and yet they are still very prudent about their spending. We have a lot to learn from their thrity virtue.

That reminds me of my own parents. When we were young, we worn pass-down shoes and clothes, never eat out or go for any vacation. It was through their prudence virtue, they supported their 3 precious daughters through universities. We must not forget that. Still remember the story of Aunty Pat's Mummy? She brought up 9 children by selling noodles in school canteen. The morale of the story is, "It is not how much you earn but how much you save that matters at the end of the day."

My Mum always teaches us,"The flower will not always be red." What that means is we must save up for rainy days.

There is a famous Chinese saying, "富不过三代" meaning Fortune will not last three generations. Why? The first generation worked hard to accumulate the wealth. The first generation sometimes "over-compensated" the 2nd generation with what they did not have when they were young. Thus, the 2nd generation has no sense of money value and lack the skill to build upon the wealth. When come to the 3rd generation, the wealth is depleted by the 2nd generation. Mummy has a dear friend who happens to be the 3rd generation. You could tell he used to come from rich family because his hundreds of childhood photos' background was his Grandfather's bungalow, maids and big cars. It was a big blow for him as his Dad squandered the wealth away. My friend had to work as driver, waiter and other odd jobs to see himself through University. The fall from riches is devastation for him but fortunately, he looked beyond the past and worked hard for his future. He is now a successful man with a wonderful family.

Upon reflection, I decided we as a family should be more prudent in our spending. We'll still have birthday parties but at a smaller scale, no more Mac or Globe Trotters birthday parties with Magician; we'll buy shoes, clothes or stuff on a need-be basis and eat out less. However, we'll still go for our year-end vacation.

You will appreciate what your parents have done for you. We rest assured you that we will support you through universities like our parents, if we as a family, do the right thing.

Love,
Mummy Dearest

Abby's e-Art Gallery







Dearest Abby,

Mummy was surprise you even made up a story to link all your paintings together. The story goes like this...

Mum left home to take the bus to the MRT station to visit the bear in the zoo. She had a fun day in the zoo and went home.

Love,
Mummy

Ashley's growing-up photos






















































































Dearest Ashley,

Time flies...my chubby baby has grown into a talented young man. Mummy enjoys every moment with you and looks forward to more happy times together. Enjoy!