Married with Children

Samuel @ Year 3 School Camp - Mt Evelyn Camp 10-12 August 2011

2011-09-18T23:16:00.000+10:00

Sandra at School

2011-03-03T21:12:00.003+11:00

Sandra attending a friend's birthday party

2010-04-25T17:33:00.003+10:00

Singapore Day Gathering cum Picnic @ Jells Park

2010-04-10T14:51:00.005+10:00

Hail storm today

2010-03-06T17:00:00.001+11:00

More on berries picking

2009-12-19T05:59:00.002+11:00

Berries picking at Bluehill Farm

2009-12-19T05:46:00.002+11:00

Sandra during end of year performance

2009-12-19T05:43:00.002+11:00

Its school holidays again!

2009-12-02T19:53:00.003+11:00

Ten weeks of school term have gone by in a twinkle of an eye. Soon it will be the Summer holidays but I dread the hot weather broadcast in the News. What am I going to do this break? Lots of things to read up and they are related to my work. Still I get to organise my time how I want it. I will miss my students over this long holiday away from school. And I really thank God for taking me on a wonderland trip to Australia for His purpose to be accomplished by me..

School holidays again!

2009-09-20T06:37:00.002+10:00

Its the school holidays again. I am so excited what lies ahead in the next two weeks. Two of my friends are visiting our family and staying with us for two weeks! Have to leave for the tullermarine airport soon to pick them up! No wonder I love the school holidays!

My darlings at Melbourne Zoo during Term 1 break

2009-05-08T21:29:00.000+10:00

Samuel at school

2009-04-08T00:16:00.003+10:00

Its the school holidays again and I am lovin' it!

2009-04-08T00:06:00.003+10:00

Finally the first school term is over and school holidays are here. Time to catch up on my blog, facebook, emails, msn msgr, yahoo msgr, and all the internet surfing. Its amazing how time flew by so quickly. Almost a year since I first started teaching in Australia. So familiar still in my mind the days as a teacher in Singapore, in JYSS and with all my buddies teachers. And my students and ex-students from JYSS, really miss ya folks. God has His amazing Will I don't know about, but His Will will forever be good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Kids experiencing the Sun, Sand and the Sea..

2009-01-25T00:06:00.001+11:00

Kids having fun in the backyard.

2009-01-17T15:46:00.001+11:00

Kids picking strawberry at Sunnyridge Strawberry Farm.

2009-01-17T15:44:00.001+11:00

Samuel's 6th birthday

2009-01-07T17:13:00.004+11:00

Car Sold! Lots of emotional attachment but....no choice..

2009-01-03T00:25:00.002+11:00

Selling my car, anyone?

2008-12-31T18:59:00.009+11:00

kids at sister in law wedding day

2008-12-28T02:01:00.004+11:00

My kids could get smarter with these mind tools..

2008-12-26T02:21:00.006+11:00

Christmas gathering

2008-12-24T12:53:00.004+11:00

Daddy looking..

2008-12-24T12:42:00.003+11:00

samuel and his remote heli

2008-12-24T12:36:00.003+11:00

a pirate!

2008-12-24T12:31:00.004+11:00

kids face

2008-12-23T15:02:00.008+11:00

kids at parkway

2008-12-16T14:02:00.000+11:00

Smiley Face in Heaven

2008-12-04T21:00:00.007+11:00

It is made up of the planet Mars, Venus and the Crescent Moon. It appeared two nights ago when I was quite sad. Took this special appearance with my handphone camera. Thank God.

Pastor Vic graduated from Havest Bible College..

2008-12-04T20:57:00.001+11:00

Pastor Vic after his Graduation Ceremony at Harvest Bible College.

Over the Weekend visited Puffing Billy Train!

2008-12-04T20:54:00.002+11:00

Puffing Billy Train at the Belgrave Train Station, Melbourne.
Friends from Singapore visiting over school holidays!

Morning Star Estate Mt. Eliza, Mornington Peninsular, extremely beautiful!

2008-10-25T19:52:00.002+11:00

Song dedication at Morning Star Estate, Mt Eliza, Mornington Peninsular for my Principal, Mrs Jeanette Wood's Retirement

2008-10-25T19:47:00.002+11:00

5th Anniversary of AOG S.O.L.A. Church

2008-10-13T00:14:00.004+11:00

Today marks the 5th anniversary of the church I am serving in. We have special guests who performed beautiful Christian songs during the service.

After the morning church service, we have lots of nice food made by church members, including my Beef Rissoles and Baked tomatoes =).

We also celebrated little Pheobe's birthday! Praise the Lord!

Beef Rissoles with Roasted Tomatoes

2008-10-11T15:49:00.001+11:00

Pictures taken in Singapore when I was back for Holidays

2008-10-10T22:36:00.001+11:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31269921@N04/

parent volunteer

2008-10-03T18:35:00.000+10:00

Two more days before good bye

2008-10-02T16:19:00.001+10:00

Sandra is so sweet.

SAndra having her haircut at QB, Parkway Parade.

Morning breakfast at MacDonalds, Suntec City.

Lunch at Pizza Hut, Suntec City.

Children's Day dinner

2008-10-02T11:39:00.003+10:00

Took my family to the Swensens restaurant to celebrate Children's Day with my children.

Went prawn fishing with family

2008-10-02T11:35:00.003+10:00

Barbecued pincer prawns.
Samuel trying to hook a tiger pincer prawn.

Sandra wondering if she can catch a prawn.

Prawn fishing pond at Bishan SinMing Avenue. Nice place.

Prawn bait from cut up raw chicken breast meat.

Someone next to us caught a big prawn!

Time is so precious

2008-09-29T18:46:00.001+10:00

Samuel grew some angel's wings! My Angel!

Parent volunteering at Pei Chun Public School. Trying to gain additional credits to get Samuel in. =)

At Sentosa skytrain station, my kids running after a departing train.

The family-orientated Integrated Resort in Sentosa to be completed in 2010!

Yummy breakfast after church service

2008-09-28T12:18:00.004+10:00

Singapore Grand Prix Formula One

2008-09-28T01:12:00.005+10:00

The first ever Formula One Night Race in the world held in Singapore from 26 Sep - 06 Oct 2008. McLaren, BMW Sauders, Ferrari, Toyota, Renault, etc. teams descend on Singapore to make the finest race first time ever in the night.
Official_website: http://www.formula1.com/

Grocery shopping at Cold Storage

2008-09-27T23:25:00.012+10:00

Saturday night dinner with family

2008-09-27T22:52:00.000+10:00

What a day!

2008-09-27T17:12:00.005+10:00

We spent the almost the whole daylight hours at the Botanic Gardens. This time we brought the children's bicycles along. The SBG is the most beautiful place in Singapore, and I can't find another better place for families to spend their wonderful time together. After spending several hours just at the SBG, we went to MacDonalds for a nice meal and aircon. Singapore is really warm!

Another beautiful day

2008-09-26T17:57:00.002+10:00

Its friday, and I fetched my children back from their kindergarden class. Its a Christian based kindergarden run by Newton Life Church near Newton Circus. We went for a nice lunch at Carl's Jr Restaurant then headed for the Jurong East Regional Library. Oh it was raining the whole morning and some of the roads were flooded with muddy water. Surprising for Singapore that flood still occurs. Probably the authority should have better drainage system for flash storms. The traffic as a result was equally bad. Whenver it rains, more people will drive their cars to work and that caused massive traffic jams even on the expressways. We should have air transportation taxi services whenever it rains.

Another day at the SBG

2008-09-24T19:35:00.008+10:00

children at changi airport T3

2008-09-23T22:52:00.004+10:00

Children at The Singapore botanical gardens

2008-09-23T22:28:00.001+10:00

Singapore Botanical Gardens

2008-09-23T22:22:00.005+10:00

Melbourne snowed today at my house!

2008-09-19T18:23:00.002+10:00

Golfers having a good time!

2008-09-13T22:55:00.000+10:00

Birthday Party! for Liam (on 7 Sept)

2008-09-13T22:51:00.000+10:00

At a friend's place with his family and friends celebrating his 2nd son's birthday!

Thank you for Praying for Little Aubrey

2008-09-03T20:32:00.005+10:00

I have a wonderfully great news to tell you. Little Aubrey was able to gain admission into children's hospital for a heart surgery. It is very difficult to admit into the children's hospital because of capacity limitation. But Little Aubrey, by grace of God, was able to admit this friday. She will be healed! Praise God. Thank you for praying for Little Aubrey and God has answered you!
Latest (10/9): Please pray for Little Aubrey, she couldn't get her operation done last Friday and has been postponed to this week and is still awaiting confirmation date for operation. Please pray for Little Aubrey that she gets her operation date quickly. Thank you.

Sports Day

2008-09-02T17:54:00.003+10:00

Please pray for Aubrey to get well..

2008-09-01T18:05:00.005+10:00

Dear friends, please kindly pray for Little Aubrey to get well. She has been admitted to hospital due to problems with her heart. Little Aubrey is daughter of Michael (my colleague). Everyone is worried about her. I am sure your prayers will be heard and Little Aubrey will get well! Please tag me when you prayed for Little Aubrey so I can thank you.

Vision from God during Prayer night

2008-08-31T18:18:00.002+10:00

It was a month ago when our church had a prayer meeting night at Pastor Robert Gorman's house. While we were discussing about the future growth of our church, I had this vision during our prayer and this is what I saw. I saw a towering roof like a spire with a very pointed top rising out of our current church compound. I was so moved by the vision that I spoke it out during the prayer session. Today, our Senior Pastoress Doris Soh showed me something that the church had been using until the end of last year. I have not seen it before and it is a church leaflet given to church goers during Sundays. The picture of the church building with the steep spire roof was the logo for the church on all leaflets since the church started but was changed to a descending dove beginning this year. Amazing right? Praise God.

Pastor's wife baked me a cake!

2008-08-27T22:37:00.000+10:00

My blog visitors count reaching 5 digits..

2008-08-20T20:07:00.003+10:00

I wonder if the counter can take five digits. It started all with four digits only. Maybe it resets to 0000 instead of 10000. about 25 more visitors to go...

Laminin - A Protein that keeps our cells together. Awesome!

2008-08-12T22:33:00.002+10:00

A youtube.com video clip about Laminin:
-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4

Durian King.....

2008-08-10T23:47:00.001+10:00

Bought another great durian today from Boxhill The Centro shopping mall. I remember how I got my sore throat, so this time I eat only a quarter of the delicious flesh, leaving the rest for some other time.

Southland Shopping Mall at Cheltenham

2008-08-10T23:45:00.003+10:00

This is Westfield Southland Mega-mall near where I live. This picture taken from the third level of the shopping mall. Isn't it huge? The mall stretches very far from one end to the other end, and I believe it is three or four times larger than Parkway Parade.

This picture taken from a telecommunications shop in the Southland shopping mall. My internet connection and telephone services provided by this Company. And I have become a very good friend of the shop manager and he came from Malaysia. He is also our church's Youth pastor!

My beautiful memories from Junyuan SS

2008-08-03T21:11:00.011+10:00

All my wonderful memories from Junyuan Secondary School *sob sob*... Whenever I feel down, feeling sad, lost, I take out this file and the book. They are very special to me, very special in my heart. They were given to me before I left Singapore. The only memories from JYSS I have here. The file contained all cards, gifts and letters from students, teachers and friends from JYSS wishing me all the best as I took the leap of faith to go come to Australia. Every moment of my life, I will remember the friendship I have with my fellow Junyuanites. God bless all of you!

Feeling much better

2008-07-27T08:41:00.002+10:00

I sore throat stopped its menace last friday. At last I feel strong as a lion once again. I can use my voice the way I used to doing during my classes. I am really glad to have eaten the durian though, because it is really delicious! Never ever a chance where you can buy a Thailand durian for $4/KG in Singapore. I am going down to the same shopping mall again cos it is Sunday (after church), and wonder if I should buy another durian *grin*.

My sore throat

2008-07-23T22:53:00.003+10:00

Ate too much durian over the weekend, remember the durian I bought? It was a really tasty durian. In fact, I got sore throat because of eating up the whole fruit. I guess its all about no pain, no gain. Haaha. How true. My throat now hurts but it is getting better.

Dr Peter Lam and wife Yeen

2008-07-20T23:00:00.006+10:00

Met Dr Lam and his wife for lunch today.

groceries at saveway

2008-07-20T22:55:00.005+10:00

can you see the durian?

My girl Sandra

2008-07-17T22:07:00.005+10:00

My darling Sandra grinning into the camera.

2 weeks school holidays in Australia!

2008-06-29T21:44:00.002+10:00

Its my turn to have school holidays! I was really envious of my ex-colleagues and students who had a nice holiday while I had to continue teaching when I come to australia. Now it is finally over for term 2 in my aussie school and everyone has packed up and gone home. I am thinking what I can do here, two weeks of school holidays! Wow, I think I am going to drive out into the country and see the beautiful rolling green pastures and beautiful lakes and rivers. Finally I have time to travel around!

My daughter napping

2008-06-21T22:45:00.002+10:00

Sandra lying on floor in my empty home.

My darling daughter and me

2008-06-21T22:34:00.005+10:00

My daughter came looking for me after Samuel refused to let her take pictures with my handphone. My son took this pic. My new home in australia.

My daughter's new bed

2008-06-21T22:28:00.004+10:00

Bought a second hand Tiffany child's bed for my little darling girl. Its from a church friend whose daughter has grown up. Fixed it myself in the children's bedroom. Need another bed for Samuel darling.

friday nite dinner

2008-06-21T22:20:00.002+10:00

This was my dinner on friday. On my way to fellowship at my pastor's house in Vermont South. Normally I would cook my dinner but last night was quite a rush for me from work. For your info, the fast-food chain Red Rooster is as popular here as KFC is in Singapore. Yummy.

Here I am, safe from trouble

2008-06-17T23:30:00.002+10:00

Dear all, it is good to be back on my blog. It has been almost a month since I stop writing about my life. The past one month was the worst and the most enriching moments of my entire life. It is like the catchy Star-Trek theme, "To a place where no man has gone before". Certainly there are already a lot of people here in Australia, but the feeling of coming over with my family was really like the feeling of being the first strange encounter in a foreign soil. I thank God for His protection and mercy. Without Him, everything can go wrong and will go wrong. When I thought about every bits of memory I took with me to Australia, I cherish them to the last drop. I miss everyone in my ex-school, and my dear friends I have "abandoned" in Singapore. You are and will remain my true friends.
The life here is fascinating. Everything stops after working hours. A few supermarkets will remain open until 8pm, but they also close early on weekends. It is fascinating how shopping is not a favourite past-time among Australians. I realised that the TV set is a lot more interesting that going shopping. The work-life balance is very real here. Everyone works because they want to have a good life, not to get a busy one. I am not sure how this drives their economy, but we back home really worked too hard by their standards.
I miss all my students who send me off that special night. I have all their farewell gifts as my companion in the night when I miss them. It is getting cold here and winter has probably arrived early this year. Gotta wrap up well and keep warm to avoid getting a severe chill. I will put some photos when I take some and post for all of you. =)
Take care and study hard.

post exam lunch out together with beloved colleagues

2008-05-12T23:27:00.002+10:00

As they say, 'nothing under heaven will be together forever.' it is a sad truth about our lives. One day we will part ways. It is not what we do that will be remembered. It is how others feel towards us that will stay in our hearts for the rest of our lives. Thank you my dear friends for your being my companions during our journey together. Memories of you will last forever.

Celebrating Sandra's 3rd Birthday!

2008-05-01T21:49:00.000+10:00

Engaged professional photographer for children family album

2008-03-29T22:57:00.003+11:00

My wife hired the service of an internationally known photographer to take pictures of my two kids to create a family album. Seems this is the best time to do so because my kids are at their cutest moment. We want to capture their special moments for posterity. One day we may just look back with fond memories.

while waiting for samuel at enrichment class..

2008-03-29T12:18:00.003+11:00

My children together..

2008-03-27T21:56:00.002+11:00

My children together taking a pic by daddy. So heartbroken that my daughter was sick as she was down with flu. So she is wearing a pink coloured wind breaker to keep herself warm. Hope she get well soon! Hugs.

sandra goes grocery shopping

2008-03-22T01:01:00.001+11:00

Look at my dearest she is so relaxed daddy pushing the shopping cart while she looks at the beautiful world around her.

Thats me AT the Singapore Flyer

2008-03-21T17:02:00.000+11:00

The Singapore Flyer

2008-03-21T16:51:00.002+11:00

My family was at the Singapore Flyer in Marina Singapore. A real masterpiece in Southeast Asia being the first wheel to exist in this part of the world. All thanks to the company which built the london wheel in london ofcourse. This blue ring by night will definitely be one of the major highlights when the Singapore casino and the youth olympics opens in 2010.

huge sand castles found at east coast park

2008-03-21T11:09:00.002+11:00

Large sand castles created at the sandy beach near the lagoon food centre. It must have been some competition that ended just a few days ago. Does anyone know who made these beautiful sand castles?

sandra sleeping on the bike

2008-03-16T15:54:00.002+11:00

sandra cycling at the East Coast Park

2008-03-16T15:50:00.004+11:00

My dear girl practising her cycling skill. She is so eager to come to the East Coast she pushed her own bike from the car park to the cycling paths. Go go girl.

Sunrise by the East Coast Park

2008-03-15T11:41:00.001+11:00

Here I am seated by the sea, watching the birds fly across the sky. The morning breeze is blowing gently over the shore. I look up at the ball of warmth peering its rays into the still blue waters of our beloved nation. I wonder how long the sun will remain as it is, hovering at that angle in the clouds. This is the best moment every morning.

balloons

2008-03-14T09:41:00.002+11:00

Picture of samuel taken holding a bunch of balloons. A young couple gave the balloons to him. He was really happy that night.

My dearlings been supportive of me during National Service

2008-03-03T22:28:00.002+11:00

TOP #1 picture that comforted me during the cold and lonely nights I was away from them in the army camp bunk when I stayed-in.

TOP #2 picture of my son Samuel very happy to try out daddy's Army Beret.

TOP #3 picture of my daughter (at Suntec) during weekend outing when I was able to book-out from camp.

TOP #4 picture of another picture of my daughter at Suntec.

TOP #5 picture of my son Samuel at the Mac Donalds outlet in Airport T1 two days before my in-camp training.

TOP #6 picture of both my children at Airport T3 the night before my in-camp training.

Somehow, when I return to army for in-camp training, I always felt I was a recruit going to report for army. The feeling kept coming back every year, an experience that is forever etched in my mind.

Happy Lunar New Year 2008 - Rats!!!

2008-02-09T11:51:00.000+11:00

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Lunar New Year 2008! This is a significant event for billions of Chinese people around the world. The story goes when an ancient monster long time ago known as "Nian" which means "The Year" in Chinese often attacked and killed many villagers in China. Nobody could stop the hideous beast but to just run away fearing their lives.
Then one day, an ancient wise sage appeared to the villagers and was told that "Nian" was about to attack again. The wise sage came from the deep forests in China and he thought he might want to test and defeat the beast to save the lives of many. So, true to the warning, "Nian" attacked one night.. This time, the villagers have the wise sage with them, who immediately jumped to action. He rode his horse and fought with the beast. Fortunately, he was able to trick the beast into his forest where he was stronger there and eventually defeated "Nian".
The wise sage came back to the villagers and told them that "Nian" has been defeated and will not trouble the villagers again. But, he warned that during every lunar new year, the villagers must put up red banners and lanterns on their houses. They must also light firecrackers and perform lion dances. These, he said, would frighten the beast away and will therefore not attack them. The wise sage found out about this after defeating "Nian".
Where is "Nian" today? It was said that the beast still remained in the deep forest under the guard of the wise sage. But sometimes, the beast do escape....

My two children darlings...

2008-01-22T21:36:00.000+11:00

This photo never fails to cheer me up. Whenever I am down, sad, very sad, depressed, I turn to this photo. It's a very unique photo. I don't know if you notice, the expression on my children's face is original, true excitement and passion sparkles from their eyes as they looked at me on the swings. They give me the only few joys I found in life.

The Paradoxical Commandment

2008-01-21T21:44:00.000+11:00

From: http://www.kentmkeith.com/commandments.html

Has been cold weather for many days...

2008-01-19T21:03:00.000+11:00

The period of time I recalled being warm, humid and stuffy in the night was long gone. The weather has been heavenly for me, as I truly enjoy cool temperatures especially in the night. Even in the day, I perspire less, and I feel more comfortable at work. I hope the weather will remain this way (though some people I spoken preferred the weather warmer coz they can't take the cold). Still, whatever it may be, cold or hot, humid or dry, or anything on earth or in heaven will separate my love for God.
The weather has helped me physically, I was able to jog longer in cooler temperatures. My physical fitness level shot up quite quickly in a week and was able to pass my IPPT quite well. I was satisfied with my IPPT results (something like NAFTA), and I don't have to worry about IPPT until next February! Hippee!

2008 - A Great Beginning of Good Hope

2008-01-11T21:38:00.000+11:00

I cannot feel more joyful than any time of my life. As I look back at 2007, the sense of achievement in my life, my personal, social, work and the spiritual, have reach all time high. My children have grown up stronger than before, and they seems to be enjoying whatever that have. I see 2008 as the plateau of joyful emotions and peace from the actions of my past three years. I am not sure what will come in 2009, but I am already feeling that something nice is coming, which tended to coincide with my son going to primary one! Yes we have found a top primary school for him and the principal has accepted my wife and I as parent volunteers, which means we stand a greater chance of getting my son into the school. Hoping for the best!

The Boys' Brigade (BB) Vesper

2007-12-29T02:27:00.000+11:00

Great God who knowest all our needs,
Bless Thee our watch, and guard our sleep,
Forgive our sins of thoughts and deeds,
And in Thy peace Thy servants keep.

We thank Thee for the day that's done,
We trust Thee for the days to be,
Thy Love we learn in Christ Thy Son,
O may we all Thy glory see!

Amen.

Horrible experience..

2007-12-22T03:05:00.000+11:00

My family and I had an awfully horrible experience at Teck Ghee market hawker centre during dinner. I really thank my wife for spotting it before I did, almost paid for the food that was served to us. This has to do with a western food hawker stall where we ordered a plate of chicken nuggets for my children, as they loved nuggets lots. So what happened was, my wife saw one of the hawker stall helper dropped two pieces of nuggets from the plate to the hawker centre floor only to quickly pick it up and came over to our table and asked for money. Unknown to him, my wife saw everything from nuggets falling to the floor and him picking up two pieces of nuggets and put back to the same plate that was served. So when I almost paid the dirty guy, my wife raised her voice and said that the nuggets dropped on the floor. But the helper replied that its the chilli packets that dropped and not the nuggets. My wife insisted that she saw with her own eyes that two nuggets fell on the floor and he picked up with his dirty hand (we sat on the table directly next to the stall!). In reply, he said, "So do you want or not? Want or not? Don't want ah?" OFCOURSE WE DON'T WANT IT!
What angered us was that he lied about not dropping the nuggets and insisted that the chilli packets dropped. Well, we refused to pay and decided to leave the place asap. Worst of all, as we were leaving, they asked us again if we still want nuggets (they refried the plate of nuggets and wanted to serve us back). Oh my goodness!
So, I want to urge you reading this to be very careful how our dear hawkers handle our food. I condemn the act, but I want to emphasise that not all hawkers are like that. This one experience is the very first I have encountered in my entire 34 years of existance.

Pictures from Perth..

2007-12-18T20:01:00.001+11:00

Cavasham Wildlife Park - Kangaroo enclosure

Cavasham Wildlife Park - Camel ride

Cavasham Wildlife Park - Koala sleeping with baby

Vineyard - Grapes for making wine

Strawberry Farm - Picking

Subiaco Weekend Market - Beautiful flowers

Endless driving - long roads between towns

Penguin island - Entrance

Penguin island - Guided tour of endangered blue penguins

Freemantle - Shopping scene

Perth City night fall.

Back from Perth Australia!

2007-12-13T01:45:00.000+11:00

Yes, I am back from Perth after a week's vacation with my family down under. I have taken lots of pictures from our vacation trip but haven't got the time to upload to my online album. Once I have done that, I promise you will see some really nice pictures of my family on vacation!
Till then, have a sweet and wonderful time with your families. =)

Samuel doing stretching Exercise!

2007-11-27T02:35:00.000+11:00

Samuel doing stretching exercise during warming up session for school outdoor party and games.

Samuel Enjoying himself in school

2007-11-27T02:30:00.000+11:00

It was during a school party recently. My darling Samuel was enjoying himself during a dance workout at the party. Look at him, so cute!

Sandra and her new pinky hat..

2007-11-27T02:13:00.000+11:00

Finally first pic since dunno when. Sandra and her new pinky hat with brother standing next to her.