Sad to say, I’ve fallen into the conventional trap of being a Singapore mum.  I’ve become KIASU.  I’ve been so output driven when it comes to coaching him that I feel resentful when he doesn’t cooperate.  I know he’s still young but I’m so fearful that he cannot catch up.  I buy him countless assessment books.  And everyday, whether he has school or not, I’ll make sure he does at least one page of assessment of each type at home, in addition to whatever school work he’s given. 

He isn’t a poor learner but his handwriting is still a major concern for me.  At one point, I even suspected him of being dyslexic.  But I was told that if he’s dyslexic, he wouldn’t be able to read, and I have to say he’s quite good with word recognition. 

I’m not expecting a genius out of my child.  But I badly want him to be able to cope in two years’ time when he enters primary school at six.  It’s really not possible to rely on the school entirely as realistically, he doesn’t get enough one-to-one guidance that he needs now in that kind of environment. 

Maybe you’ll say I’m stressing ourselves out and I should learn to relax.  Well, easier said because the child is mine and his problem isn’t anybody’s but mine.  But having said that I do try not to stuff him with academic stuff.  I understand very well that all work but no play will make Gavin a dull boy.

So while I’m typing my thoughts out here, he’s watching Sesame Street on the tele.  He still has another 10 minutes.  After which, it’s time to work on those assessments and finish up his work for his afternoon class.

I don’t know where he unearthed this pair of binoculars from but he was no doubt very smittened with it.

For the past few days, he was using it to watch his favourite television programs and obviously found the amplified version of his fave cartoon characters rather amusing. 

Then this morning when he wanted to go for a walk, he decided to bring it along and used it to check out birds, aeroplanes, insects on the ground and even buildings around. 

I didn’t realised that a useless pair of binoculars was so much fun to a kid.  But I have to say I really enjoyed myself just watching him going around looking at everything innocently through those lenses. 

And through his untainted sight, I realised one more thing.  That there are really quite a lot of things around me that I’ve not bothered with.  I only look but I do not really see. 

The following is a verbatim transcript of an interview with Sesame Seed done up by her altered ego.

What is Oh My So Cute huh?

Oh My So Cute is my new blog focused on all things graphically cute online.  Everything featured in there has to be graphically pleasing to my eye.  Some of them are stuff to buy, some are just art eye candy and some are sites on cute but free graphics that I like to share.  I’ve always like graphic design and this is an extension of my interest really.

Why another new blog?  You mean you’re so free woh?

Ah…such a silly question but well, because firstly my webhost allows me to set up multiple domains on the same host plan.  And if it isn’t already obvious, blogging is my hobby and I have lofty ambitions of retiring as a problogger with passive residual income actually.  It might sound unrealistic but hey, one can always dream no?  Please don’t quote me there!

You design the blog yourself meh?

Well, no of course.   I’m definitely not good with CSS so no way can I design a blog from scratch.  I adopted an existing wordpress theme and basically tweaked it around, and put up a simple self-made banner.  This is what I’ve been doing for all my blogs anyway.   

So you expect your regular readers to visit your new blog ah?

Yes of course!  Just once at least and give me some feedback.  If they like it enough, they can visit again and link the blog up even.  It’s really up to them of course. 

You can afford so much time with your numerous blogs meh?

What sort of stupid question is that?  Time can never be enough!  Whether it is one or numerous blogs.  I just have to deploy my time well which is spending all my waking time in front of my computer even if it means sacrificing some toilet time.   Don’t even ask me how I manage my work, household and quality time with my family.  Those are out of the equation.  And may I remind you to avoid asking me questions that I feel is too private for sharing!

(Cheh. Maciam I so like to ask you liddat.) 

A new name I coined for him, just for fun, not because he’s green like Shrek.  Nah.

And unlike Shrek, he was very happy to be a father.  You should have seen him when I was pregnant.  Whenever we were out, he would put a protective hand blocking my tummy if there were any signs of impending danger.  Like people walking too near to me. 

Then when the boy was born, he was half the confinement maid.  Bathing and changing him in the mornings before heading to work, sometimes coming back during lunchtime to check things out and then rushing off again.  It was a difficult time for him as well, but he never complaint very much about having to help out with the boy, even in the nights.

Maybe he doesn’t seem that gentle with the boy these days especially with their wrestlings and what nots, but I know he loves him a lot.  In fact, he showers plenty of affection on the little one (none left for the mommy) on a daily basis and I believe the person he most miss when he travels is also the boy. 

So I asked the boy to wish him a happy Father’s Day in the morning.  No celebration he asked in return and that made me rolled my eyes.  What do you expect?  We don’t even celebrate Mother’s Day mind you.  And that kept him quiet, promptly.

My MIL made these zongzi or dumplings at the request of her son.  She must have spent a couple of days preparing and making these.  Beneath the small bundle, I can just picture the mammoth amount of time and effort put into them. 

I know because I used to help my mum prepare dumplings as a kid.  Special efforts to select the rice, wash and dry the leaves; then preparing and cooking the ingredients.  Not forgetting the final bundling process.  The work involved was really no small matter.

And as I was eating them, I realised that after my mum and my MIL’s generation, the making of such dumplings is lost on most women of today.  I mean, apart from a handful, how many of us know how to make one of these or is even remotely interested to do so?  In fact, the only person I know how to make this and isn’t of my mum’s generation is my brother. (And believe it or not, my dear husband just said he’s interested to learn.) 

Well, I for one would just settle for those ready made ones.  I probably should be ashamed of myself really.   But think about it.  Money in exchange for some time saving and mind boggling work.   Much more convenient I say.