As parents, we know that reading is important. Not only is it a life skill, it helps with the acquisition of language, nurtures the mind and hones the all important ability to focus. As parents, we try means and ways to entice our children to read. From dramatic bedtime story-telling to listening to audio books (instead of our favourite contemporary hits) on car trips etc. We invest heavily (both through purchases to spending time in the library) in books by acclaimed children’s authors such … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2014
Banana returns to…Taiwan: First Stop, Leofoo Resort (Guanshi, Taiwan)
Smitten by my first trip to Taiwan in June 2012 (and also losing my gamble to the wife), I’ve been pestering her (yes she handles all our trip itineraries and bookings) to plan a trip back to ‘Formosa’ – the Portugese name for Taiwan, which means ‘Beautiful Island’ – a name that doesn’t even do justice to the region and her people. Our maxim when we travel is the ‘3Es’ – Experience, Exposure and Education. We travel so that we open the pages of what our world has to offer in terms of culture, … [Read more...]
Village Hotel Katong – Modern Chic with Old World Charm
Mention 'Katong' and it would immediately conjure up images of Peranakans (Straits Chinese), their cuisine, their rich heritage and intricate patterns of geometric shapes, birds, plants and flowers. On the surface, we see vintage shop houses that line the East Coast Roads of Singapore. On a more personal level, we experience the warm and 'homey' hospitality THAT is exactly what you'd experience right here in the heart of downtown Katong. Opened since mid October 2013 on the site formerly … [Read more...]
Of Ghosts, Ghouls and Little Green Things: How the ‘other world’ changed my world…
Dedicated to the Blogfather, a friend and fellow Daddy whom I've the privilege of knowing through the realms of the ‘unseen’ world…in cyberspace. Source I never thought I would write about this. Until I was inspired by the Blogfather’s recent post where he recalled a hair-raising experience as part of the October ‘Season’s Greetings’. My father died when he was 44 and I was 13 (since we are on the topic, notice the ‘auspicious’ numbers – ‘4’ is never a good number for the Chinese and we all … [Read more...]
Hi-5 House Hits LIVE in Singapore!
Returning to Singapore again after previous sold-out shows, Hi-5 House Hits 2014 will be returning to Singapore with classic hits such as “L.O.V.E”, “Ready or Not” and “Give 5”, as well as some brand new catchy tunes! The all-Australian cast of Stevie, Ainsley, Mary, Dayen and new member, Tanika will put on their dancing shoes and sparkle on stage for two days only on 5 and 6th December 2014 at The Star Performing Arts Centre. I remember bringing Dana to Hi-5's concert when she turned 3 and … [Read more...]
SRT’s The Little Company Presents ‘Junior Claus’
Undoubtedly, Christmas is many people's favourite season of the year. However, with less children believing in Christmas, Santa is unable to wake up from his deep slumber. Seeing this as an opportunity, Grumpo The Greedy Elf decides to take over as Chief Inventor in Santa’s workshop, with one sinister goal: to ruin Christmas forever. Now, it is only up to Junior Claus (Santa's rebellious son) to save the day but he decides to run away from home. Will Junior Claus return home to save Santa? … [Read more...]
Waxing Lyrical about Madame Tussauds Singapore
I would visit Madame Tussauds Singapore again and again. Seriously. Why? Well, I was too 'star struck' and missed out on striking up meaningful conversations with my family during the media preview last Saturday. Here’s what transpired. You see, finally! I was so excited that we have our very own installation of the world-class attraction. Walking through the exhibits, any adult would be totally captivated to see legends, celebrities, international icons and political personalities…all in … [Read more...]
A Merry-Not-Scary Halloween: Safari Boo at the River Safari!
It's our family's first ‘Halloween’ outing…and it ain’t scary, it’s the Safari Boo! Yes, you read it right. It was MY first ‘Halloween’ experience at 40+ years old. We are not fans of Halloween. Mainly because the wife and I don’t believe in desensitizing and glamorizing terror, violence and gore to our kids -there’s enough ‘Halloween’ going around in the world as it is these days...just read the news! So when we received the invite to River Safari’s ‘Merry-Not-Scary’ Safari Boo Halloween … [Read more...]
Sweet, Succulent Swensen’s Lobster Rolls
Apart from its functional purposes, our senses can trigger a whole host of emotions and memories. I recently had such an experience and surprisingly, it was not at any exotic locations but rather at the all-familiar Swensen's restaurant. Sinking my teeth into their newly introduced Boston Lobster Roll and Slipper Lobster Roll transported me to Boston pier which my family recently visited in June. Sans the baying of the sea gulls and the sea breeze, the chunky, succulent flesh of the … [Read more...]
From Policies to Busy Bodies: When an Adopted Child is NOT a ‘Normal’ Child
Before we embarked on this adoption journey, we thought that the greatest hurdle was to convince ourselves that the child is ours. After all, there is no biological connection. But, you know what? That’s just hogwash – the moment we carried him in our arms, he is ours. In fact, in the short time span of 4 months, we have almost forgotten that he was adopted. Amazing isn’t it? All these worries about whether we can love the child as our own just dissipate into thin air. In every sense of the … [Read more...]