It kinda seems like it has been all about Ryan this week on the blog so I'm sending you off into the weekend with some of Richard's phone photos of Ryan (which were taken in May). Rest assured, babydoll had plenty of adventures this week, both on her own and with Ryan. In fact, yesterday evening we brought both of them to a charity carnival at Ryan's preschool and babydoll had an absolute blast. From participating expertly in the arts and crafts activity to running around on the football pitch with boys more than twice her age and size, she was in her element. There'll be more of her next week on the blog, I promise!

Have a great weekend!







Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Catwalk cameo

I was invited to Noel Caleb's first month anniversary of the opening of their new concept store at Orchard Central today. Ryan accompanied me. We were early - had time to look around the store and watch the first segment of their runway show.

The store carries ten labels, encompassing women and children's wear, jewellery and bags/purses. We bought this green checked shirt with tabbed sleeves and a grey hoodie for around $50 from Curiosity, an Australian label. Ryan loves hoodies, plus his favourite colour is green, so this was right up his alley.


Adding to the fun, Ryan got roped in to do a cameo on the runway, along with two other children. They were asked to walk with the models for the finale.

Here he was, front row at the show, waiting for his turn.


Doing a quick interview! The lady in the photo is Eileen Yap, the founder of Noel Caleb.


Post-runway photo!


If you're in the area, check out the store at Orchard Central, #02-24/25.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Updates on Ryan



Last month, we met up with Ryan's preschool teachers for a parent-teacher conference, to discuss his progress and things like that. He's doing great. The teachers said that he gets along with everyone; he's really easygoing and he is comfortable hanging out with anyone. He reads well, writes well. He likes to draw a lot. His Mandarin, including his Hanyu Pinyin, is good enough such that his Mandarin teacher assumed that we coached him at home (we don't).


In particular, the teachers mentioned a project in which Ryan took the lead. The children were discussing plans to make a charitable donation and they were deciding which charity to donate to. Ryan took the lead: helping to document and tally the votes, writing a letter to the school office to inform the office of the final choice, leading a group of classmates to the office to deliver the letter and explain its message and even using a camera to take photos of the whole thing. I thought that was quite impressive.



Ryan is doing golf as an extra-curricular school activity; something which I think he has a love-hate relationship with. According to the instructors, he is quite good, and when I talk to him about golf, he's happy and enthusiastic. On the other hand, whenever I remind him that he has a lesson, he will tell me that he doesn't want to go (too late though as I'd already paid for the term). I know that he enjoys himself during the lesson (I sit and watch him from the sidelines) so I was a little perplexed at his reluctance. Recently, I realised the reason - the golf lesson is conducted under the hot sun and I know that he really doesn't like being in the sun. When he actually goes for the lesson, he always has a good time and forgets about the heat, but when he's at home and we dissect it, he definitely remembers the discomfort!

Ryan is still taking swimming lessons once a week. Apart from golf and swimming, he doesn't do any classes. I have a feeling we won't do golf next term though! Haha!



Ryan's modelling/acting life is pretty busy. He had a casting call on Friday, followed by an audition on Monday (yesterday) and he has another casting call later this week. Keeping our fingers crossed that he'll be selected for one or more of the roles.


These photos were taken last Sunday at the beach near Parkland Green. We'd finished our meal and Ryan and I ventured out for a walk, while Richard minded babydoll who had fallen asleep. Ryan headed straight for the beach. I was surprised because I thought he wanted to ride his scooter along the path. What surprised me even more was how at ease he was with the sand and the surf, even taking off his shoes unprompted. When he was much younger, he was not a fan of the beach at all - he hated having sand between his toes and he was very uneasy with the surf. Now, he's a pro. I told Richard that it must be because of all the training he got when we went to Bali and to Mauritius!


Ok, that's all!

Richard was away on business for two days (yesterday and today). We were very happy to have him back in time for the weekend. We haven't any plans though - lately our weekends have been true weekends: lots of rest, lots of relaxing, lots of family time and lots of nothing.

Hope your weekend is looking just the way you want it to.











Thursday, October 23, 2014

Retired

October 1st, three weeks ago, was my last day in the office. 

I didn't think that I would cry, but I did. After 15 years in the same organisation, how could I not? Especially when the staff were so lovely and genuine in their farewells and thank yous. 

I was so touched at all the personal visits to my room to say goodbye, the farewell gifts, and the farewell lunches. It was amazing to know that the staff think of me fondly, remembering things that I did for them years ago, things that I'd myself forgotten. If I'd gotten such positive affirmation on a regular basis, I might have been motivated enough to stay on! Haha! No, no, I'm just grateful that, regardless of whether I was a good lawyer or not, people were sorry to see me go because I was a good colleague. It was a lovely feeling to have, something that I will treasure.


So, what have I been doing over the past three weeks? Well, my days have been filled with these lovely people.




There's more to tell, of course. I'll do that soon. For now, suffice it to say that I'm happy, I'm excited and I'm renewed with purpose. 

As the motto of this blog goes - "It's a brave new world". 


[All photos taken in Mauritius, September 2014]

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Visit to Petrosains











On our last visit to KL about three weeks ago, we took the littles to Petrosains, the science discovery centre in Suria KLCC. Have you been to Petrosains? It was our first time inside! We always walk past the entrance on Level 4 of the mall thinking that the place seemed so small - actually it is only the entrance that is on Level 4. The centre occupies levels 4 and 5 and there is a total exhibit area of more than 70,000 square feet. I left my brother outside, thinking that we'll just be half an hour or so (he said he'd go to the bookshop). As it turned out, it took us four hours to get through the centre, and that's without looking at all of the exhibits!

The exhibits are all related to the science and technology of the petroleum industry. There is even a replica of an oil rig which you can "board" and explore. Most of the exhibits are hands-on and some are interactive. These interactive screens were very popular with the littles. We spent a long time in that little area, playing with the screens.

It was a good outing, the littles enjoyed it and they were sorry to leave.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Life of a Model


Ryan spent two days last week on set for his latest project - a television commercial. That's one of his co-stars, Cana, who is supposed to be his sister in the commercial. They look alike, don't they? We are pretty excited about this project and are eagerly anticipating seeing it on air!

Interestingly, Ryan's screen daddy (Hoong) and screen mummy (Shu Qian) were the same actors who played his parents in a print commercial that he did about two years ago. What an unexpected reunion!

Another wholly unexpected encounter was when, Randall, the representative from the ad agency recognised Ryan as Ryan from this blog! It was a very happy moment for me, especially when he told me that he/his wife have been reading our blog for years and that he/his wife have found inspiration in our posts. That is amazingly awesome and I don't know what to say except thank you, thank you. I feel so grateful.

When I spoke to him, I had not posted for two weeks but our conversation inspired and motivated me to get back to blogging! Haha! There has been quite a lot happening in our household recently, which is why the blog has been on the backburner. I'll update you as we go along, yeah?


Friday, October 17, 2014

A different point of view

Hello... we've been busy busy busy. We are all doing great; everyone is happy and life is good. I've lots to share with you - come back next week, ok? 

For today, here are some photos of babydoll from Richard's phone. These were taken from March till May this year.

Enjoy the weekend!











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