Food in Class

In school, it seems like we are always having parties & birthday celebrations. This means food in abundance - brought either by the parents or from me.

What a feast! KFC sponsored by a kid's grandma. The rest are homecooked food prepared by the caregivers, which is delicious!

Quail's eggs & lots of them, which we had a fun time peeling the shells off them.

Healthy & nutritious soyabean milk bought by a kid's mother.

A treat of bee hoon, fried chicken wings & stir-fry veggies

Lau Yu Sheng (with tuna) Looks funny but tastes great!

Celebrations & parties in class give both kids & parents an opportunity to just let down their hair, relax, have some food over chit-chat with other parents & have some respite time off for themselves.

Caring for a child with special needs is not easy & can be very draining at times. Besides the makan, fun & all, these are times of refreshing for many of the parents. Of coz, the kids get to enjoy the food & play coz no need to do work!

I Cook!

I woke up feeling famished! There wasn't anything interesting to eat around the house. Driven by hunger, I decided to make something simple yet delicious for myself!

Wholemeal bread with either garlic spread or sliced tomatoes & grated cheddar cheese on it. Pop them into a toaster oven for about 8 minutes. Longer if you want the bread to be more crispy & crunchy & the cheese more melty, if there is such a term! (Above is the "Before")

This is the "After" .

This is a very easy & versatile dish to make. Quick, nutritious & yummy! (To me at least!) You can substitute with other stuff like shaved ham, tuna, sardines or even baked beans (which I simply love!)

After all, taste in food is something very personal & subjective. And I have been know to eat some really weird & out of this world stuff! *burp*

Out of the Box!

I guess being a special educator means having to think & work differently quite often. 'Normal' teaching methods & techniques might not always work with the kids I work with. This is something not many people outside our field understand at all.

Worst, they think all we do is to babysit, change diapers & clean up poo & mess. Yes, we do all this but we also teach. Kids with special needs can also learn & they sure need to be given the opportunity to be taught & taught well. Teachers & parents can help to develop the potential in a child to the fullest, no matter how severe the disability might be.

You need to learn how to modify lots of stuff to meet their specific needs. E.g. modified utensils for feeding for someone who has limited movement in his or her upper limbs, enlarged photos or pictures for those with low vision or even concrete objects & textured materials to bring certain concepts across.

It is not easy at times. You might even get frustrated coz you just do not know what to do.

Especially if the child just screams, tantrums & rolls all over the floor non-stop. Or the child self-injures him or herself by bitting, scratching or hitting him or herself till there's blood everywhere.

But you know what?

When you manage to help a child who was not able to walk at all but is now able to walk very fast on the K-walker & even toddle 2-3 steps independently, it is worth it.

When you have a kid with a deliberating skin condition who started going to school only at the age of 5 but in 1.5 years time, has been transferred to mainstream kindergarten, it is worth it. The child's mother has also been equipped with the 'know-how' to educate other parents & children about her child's condition.

When a child who is very floppy with poor muscle tone is able to sit upright by himself without any support at all, it is all worth it.

No words can express how I feel when such miraculous moments take place.

Nobody also sees the bruises, bites, scratches, kicks, struggle & drama that goes on behind every behaviour that has been modified, every skill that has been picked up & generalized & every milestone a child has achieved.

But you know what? It is still worth it.

New Hair Do!

I bravely sat for hours & hours (at least 4.5 hours straight, hair's less stubborn now) until my legs cramped!

I am in the process of trying to tolerate not being able to wash or tie up my hair (thus looking like a "ghost") for a couple of days.

I bit the bullet & parted with $180 for my newly rebonded hair with red highlights & several bangs! It's a very unique asymmetrical hairstyle. Give comments when you all see me in person.

The short fringe is back! Think I look younger & brighter (as in fresher, not smarter!) with it

Some of you may like it, some of you may not. But it's ok, most importantly, I love it coz it it something different for a change. How refreshing to be able to do something "out of the box"!

3 Pots!

In class, we will sing the "I'm A Little Teapot" song with the kids during Circle Time or Music & Movement.

However, at home, due to the many health ailments faced by my family members, they have turned to TCM for help.

3 pots happily sitting together: 1 each for mom, dad & sis. Sure smells horrid!

Thanksgiving: 10 Things I Am Grateful For!

I have been much blessed in my life...so much that I can't contain it & often, it overflows.

Thus, I've decided to give praise & glory to God & thanks to those around me who have loved me so much.

10 Things I Am Grateful For :
(in random order & in no particular order of importance k!)

(1) Cell members who love & accept me just the way I am (all my nonsense & silliness!)
Especially to Christina, Mindy, Ps. Kenny & Ps. Patsy, who helped walked me out of life's darkest moments.

(2) Closeness & strong bonding with my parents & siblings

(3) Being paid to "enjoy life" during the school holidays! (I miss my kids though, which is quite usual by the 3rd or 4th week of hols)

(4) Being able to use my mom's car whenever it's available & she trusting me with it (especially even after I've gotten in 2 accidents!) See what grace & mercy mothers extend to us?

(5) Having the discipline to go for my "Aerobics Dance" class every Monday evening & having stuck to it since July!

(6) Comfortable, soft & reasonably-priced shoes that fit my size 8 feet & poor half missing toenail. (As long as the toe's not complaining, get it!)

(7) The privilege & opportunity to serve my Father in His house. Also the loving, generous & big-hearted people in church whom I often come in contact with.

(8) Lots of red stuff to keep me happy

(9) Am not constipated.

(10) Having the luxury to sleep in & as much as I want these days. Zzzzz.....

Bollywood Veggies

On 23 Nov, I went on a family outing with some of the kids from school together with their families. It was organized by the Social Work Dept.

We went to Bollywood Veggies which is located at 100, Neo Tiew Road (Kranji). (tel: 6898-5001) ( www.bollywoodveggies.com ) Admission is $2 per entry with an optional additional tour around the farm for an extra $2.

How soothing & calming the greenery is!

What a rustic feel there is to things over here.

Shereen & I!

Hard at work I think! Haha! :)

Serena's Wedding

I attended a JC friend's wedding at Four Seasons Hotel earlier this evening. The hotel sure live up to its name - grandiose.

Ain't it cool that we are all still in touch after all these years?

One of them is a mother-to-be. Can you guess who?

The dessert that won my heart! White chocolate mousse with crunchy Royaltine, served with Morella cherries......*drool*

Hey Yongkai, you must learn how to make it k?

And of coz, my best friend & I *grin*

Sharon & Sylvia: Blessed Birthday!

We celebrated Sharon's & Sylvia's birthdays in cell last Friday. As you can see from the photos below, everyone was very very happy!

Wah! Look at Sharon, so delighted laugh until cannot see eyes! Sylvia also looks quite pleased!

Tiramisu & strawberry ice-cream treat from Christina! Thanks for blessing our waistlines!

Siao cell.....need I say more?!

Fiona's List of Most Wanted!

Hello dear friends & people who love me lots,

Instead of getting me something which is not of much use to me, let me help you out this year.

For Christmas & my birthday (which is coming up soon!), do get me something practical that I can use in everyday life from the list of items that I have listed below.

Do note that the list is not exhaustive & I will keep adding on to it from time to time.

Fiona's List of Most Wanted:

(1) Mouthwash (either Colgate Plax or Listerine Shiny Brite)

(2) Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser (for oily & combi skin)

(3) Green Bean Mask Pack from The Face Shop

(4) Any good brand of leave-in hair condition or hair serum/oil

(5) Foot Powder (to keep my tosies dry)

(6) New single-sized bedsheets (100% cotton please!)

(7) Any kind of Body Lotion

(8) Any kind of Hand Lotion

(9) A good eye serum for eye bags & dark circles

(10) Hairbands

(11) Bilberry Leave-In Detangler (with UV protection) from The Body Shop

(12) Za Dark Circles Gone Eye Mask (from Watsons)

(13) Aqurea Moisturising Cream (ICM Pharma brand) (from Unity)

(14) 71% Ecuador dark chocolate from www.elovela.com

Thanking you all so much in advance! *hugs* Love u all lots too! :)

Flea Market Galore@Tanglin Mall

My 1st attempt at running a flea mkt stall was on 3rd Nov. 2nd attempt was on 8th Nov. Finally, 3rd try on 1st Dec. This one at Tanglin Mall is very established coz it has been going on for many years & the traffic flow is very strong.

Usually it's on every 1st & 3rd week of the month. But for the festive season in the months of November & December, it's on every week of the month. This is something not many people are aware of.

What are you looking at ah? Haha!

Digging hard at work!

Side view of mom "keeping an eye" on the goods.

It's really a pick-up-whatever-you-want kind of flea mkt. You can't be too structured or rigid. If not, you will end up throwing a huge tantrum on the floor coz it's too much for you to take!

Nasi Lemak!

Some time in September last year, my cell group sold nasi lemak & its cousins (fried ikan billis, peanuts, chilli & otak) to raise funds for our church building fund. It was tiring but very fun trying to get everything sold so that we don't have to "ta pao" all of it home!

(hint): Notice my medusa looking curls?

Thanks to Sharon's exceptionally superb cooking skills! She prepared all these by herself leh.

Want to buy any? *grin*

Some People Have No Sense

A couple of months ago, I was rudely awakened from my deep slumber by shouts of panic & horror from my siblings.

"Che, wake up! Somebody poured paint on mummy's car! Quick come down & look".

Look I will but sure didn't appreciate looking at it at 7am!

Apparently, someone has REALLY poured paint onto her car. Our neighbours' car, (2 houses away) also got it. We called the police who came, asked some lame useless questions, scribbled details but still could not do anything about it. *some help*

We were told that this was not the first time it has happened. Someone has also poured super heavy duty glue on my neighbour's car as well. Mmmm....starting to sound suspicious. In fact, we have a "suspect" in mind.

We reckon this poor suspect has such poor communication or language skills that he or she is not able to verbalize or make his or her frustrations made known had any of our cars blocked his or her runway. I thought he or she would have more class than to resort to something as despicable & lowly as to pour paint. What an insult to yourself, don't you think?

Apparently, Sunshine Terrace has just gotten less "sunshiney".....

To Rebond or not to Rebond?

That is the question I have been asking myself & a few close friends around me recently.

Horror of horrors: Perhaps attempt to curl or perm my hair again?

I can't decide...how how?

Do I want to sit for hours & hours (at least 5 hours straight for my stubborn hair) until my bottom's flat?

Am I able to tolerate not being able to wash or tie up my hair (thus looking like a "ghost") for a couple of days?

Can I bear to part with the $200+ should I decide to go ahead with it?

Oh my dear counsellors, what would you all suggest? Feel free to email me or drop your comments in here.

Oh by the way, did I tell you all that I am quite inclined to have purple highlights done? Have been drooling over them for quite some time.

Thanks! :)

Fun Moments & Sweet Memories in School

Here are some random photos from school.

The Children's Day Committee hard at work! Notice the creative usage of the boxes from Ikea?

Some of the art pieces we did in class.

Using beans of all kinds, white glue, felt & various textured materials.

Me with a "tattoo". Had a hard & painful time scrapping it off my face later *ouch*

"Fruits" of My Labour

Look at some of the techniques I picked up from the workshop. My humble creations & 1st attempt into the world of endless impossibilities! Want a flatter tummy? Longer hair? Erase those eyebags & dark circles? Eradicate that huge blemish on yr nose? Eerr...sorry hor, you might have to wait a while before I get the hang of things ya?

I cropped this metal pot from a photo & did the "fake" flowers & leaves on it. Nice hor? So delicate, feminine. The background is done using "splatter spray" technique.


This was done using the "Kaleidoscope" feature of the Corel Picture X program.

This is what I'd call "rojak". It is MY creation after all. I can call it whatever i want!

Cute hor? Hungry? Nissin cup Noodles......*slurp* :P

Bear Fruit Heritage "Digital Art" Workshop

Hello! I sure have been busy! I attended the above-mentioned workshop on 26 & 27 November, conducted free by the National Library Board (NLB), held at Toa Payoh Library (9am to 5pm).

On the 1st day, we meet Mr. Damien Wang, a librarian from the NLB at the main entrance of Sultan Mosque at 10.30am. We were told to be there with our digital cameras & drawing mediums & art materials. Along Arab Street, there were many buildings with very interesting architectual details & special features.

Upon reaching there, I was introduced to the trainer for the day, Mr. Tan Haur, who's an accomplished artiste himself. (http://www.tanhaur.com/). We were told to take some pictures of the buildings around us while waiting for the others to come. There were quite a few SPED teachers too. Some were from SAVH, some from LKC.

When all had arrived, we took a less than 5 mins walk over to the Children Little Mueseum. In there, you will find many toys from the days of our past.

Me standing outside the entrance of the Children Little Museum (40, Kandahar Street, Tel: 96257300). Entry fee is only $2!

Have some of you watched this before? This was way before my time. Some of you "more mature" folks might have fond & fun memories of it.......

Oooohh! Found anything you like? I do remember playing with some of these toys leh!

Traditional ice-kachang & F&N?

Tick tocks, nick nacks, bric brats & what have u? Some of the vintage watches were going for like $100 to $280! *whew* Being old sure ain't cheap! In fact, you increase in value!

I think the photos speak for themselves. Some of you might feel nostalgic already......

A Special Deepavali!

Every year, I'd be invited to my pal's house to celebrate Deepavali. Basically, I go there to not only celebrate this special occasion with her family but to enjoy the yummy & fantastic free food she dishes out so generously to her guests! Some of our colleagues from school were also there to join in the festivities!

And of coz, how could I forget a special photo of me & my godson! He has been a wonderful source of joy, fun & doing "nonsensical" stuff together behind his mother's back ever since we met! His mom is always coming after us with a carving knife! Haha!

Water Baptism Weekend

Last weekend, both my cell member, Sharon & my best friend, Lina, got water baptised! I am so happy for them for taking this step of faith & in obedience for doing so! Some cell members even commented that Sharon looked younger upon emerging out from the baptism pool! Haha! Sure or not??? Eternal fountain of youth? I also want leh!
Lina, I'd like to let you know that I've been much blessed by your presence in my life. Though our friendship has gone thru many ups & downs, it has definitely grown stronger! What a blessing you have been! I am also so proud of you for finally going ahead to be water baptised! What JOY it must be for our Abba Father!

Elements of Down's Syndrome

Thought it would be good to provide my readers with basic general knowledge of some of the types of disabilities I have commonly come across in school.

A well known & most common one is Down's Syndrome or Trisomy 21. It is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosone. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British doctor who 'discovered' it.

Often, Down's Syndrome is associated with some impairment in cognitive ability & physical growth as well as facial appearance. Down syndrome can be identified during pregnancy or at birth. Individuals with Down's Syndrome can have a lower than average cognitive ability, often ranging from mild to moderate learning disabilities.

Some common physical features of Down's Syndrome may include:
(1) A single transverse palmar crease (a single instead of a double crease across one or both palms)
(2) An almond shape to the eyes caused by an epicanthic fold of the eyelid
(3) Upslanting palpebral fissures,
(4) Shorter limbs (floppiness)
(5) Poor muscle tone
(6) Protruding tongue.

Health concerns for individuals with Down syndrome include a higher risk for congenital heart defects, gastroesophageal reflux disease, recurrent ear infections, obstructive sleep apnea, and thyroid dysfunctions.

Early intervention during childhood, screening for common problems, medical treatment where indicated, a conducive family environment & vocational training can improve the overall development of children with Down syndrome. Although some of the physical genetic limitations of Down's Syndrome cannot be overcome, education & proper care will improve quality of life.

In my next entry, I shall share with you all my experience working with children with Down's Syndrome - my little darlings! :)