Beyond Academic Excellence: As parents, we fret over how we can prepare our children for their future because we know deep down inside that preparing them to be 'book-smart' or 'exam-smart' is not enough. Developing their talents and interests may also not be enough. All these, while good, would be futile if our children do not have the essential life-skills to cope with the changes of this volatile, unpredictable, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world. Often times, we see seemingly smart … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2016
Jammin’ Away Food Wastage!
In our household, we love fruits. The kids request for bananas, grapes, apples and oranges nightly and we love watermelons, papayas and pears too. We buy a bunch of fruits every week at our grocery runs and I try to stock up when certain seasonal fruits (such as blueberries and strawberries) are on sale. As the saying goes, 'out of sight, out of mind'. Often by the end of the week, there will be some overly ripe of fruits lying in the fridge, forgotten. I've started making jams … [Read more...]
Staycation at DoubleTree by Hilton (Johor Bahru)
So there it was, the moment we stepped right up to the reception counter, catching us totally by surprise - “Mr. Sim, here’s a cookie for you to enjoy” said the receptionist sweetly before she processed our check-in…and the cookie was warm and it tasted good. We're impressed! Welcome to the Double-Tree Hilton, Johor Bahru. It’s been awhile since we stepped into a Hilton hotel – the last time was 17 years ago for our wedding banquet in Hilton, Singapore! So imagine our … [Read more...]
Jack and the Beanstalk – A Giant of a Performance!
Just like the fabled magic beans, this latest production of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' by Lyngo Theatre, UK (brought in by Act 3 International) is full of surprises and I’m trying very hard not to well…spill the beans. But this I can say: that at the end of the performance, we felt reluctant to leave the theatre! It was entertaining enough to have the adults and kids in the audience riveted to our seats. Even our 2 year-old offered a few chuckles throughout the show! Here’s what you can look … [Read more...]
Mid-Autumn Festival at Wan Qing Yuan, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall
‘Glowing Memories of Childhood’ at Wan Qing Yuan - Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall 晚晴园-孙中山南洋纪念馆 – A Survival Guide Before you go aglow! There have been a few media features on Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall’s 'Glowing Memories of Childhood' where iconic playground structures of yesteryear are featured as large lanterns sprawled on the well-manicured lawns of Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall. They are indeed magical to behold and provide for a unique outing for families…or … [Read more...]
10 Reasons to visit Mid-Autumn@Gardens by the Bay 2016
This Mid-Autumn at Gardens by the Bay took me completely by surprise. I had come anticipating to see our favourite Garden adorned with beautiful lanterns but walked away with much more! Beyond just lanterns, it was actually very culturally immersive! A unique place to learn just that bit more about Chinese culture and folklore! Here’s 10 reasons why you should visit: 1. Gigantic Lanterns: There are 10 beautifully lit, larger-than-life lanterns that depict the story … [Read more...]
Be a Garden Trooper at Gardens By The Bay!
I'm a plant lover and I look up to friends who have green thumbs, especially those who are able to plant (and harvest) their own crops of vegetables and fruits, be it at their own corridor garden or at the community plots. In fact, I was a 'Gardening Club' member when I was in Primary School and spent my Saturday mornings pruning plants (Ladies Finger, Brinjal, Lime and more) under my teacher's supervision! My Mom-in-Law who resides in Penang owns and curates a beautiful garden. When I … [Read more...]
Froth@Ascott Raffles Place Dining Review
I don’t know about you but I like to be pleasantly surprised. And this was exactly the experience I got recently when I visited a well-known restaurant here in its relocated premise at the Ascott at Raffles Place. A stone’s throw from Raffles Place MRT, right in the heart of Singapore’s CBD. Firstly, I was surprised that such an intimate and cosy restaurant can be found right in the heart of busy CBD. The 140-seater restaurant with its minimalist vibe opts for a dichotomy of simple black … [Read more...]