City College Party

Attended City College Party a few weeks ago.
As per the college's tradition, the school would organized a year end party for all the graduating students to celebrate the end of O level examination.
Previously, we'd always tried to choose an "exotic" place for the party, coupled with professional Deejays, special performances, door gifts etc. It wa fun no doubt, but the teachers were totally burnt out from organizing the event. Not to mention the higher ticket price is a deterrent to students who could ill afford such "luxury".

This year the college decided to try something different.
We decided to do away with fancy locations and over-elaborate programme. We held the event at the college itself with catered buffet. We invited students and alumni over the 8 years of school's existence and we had a great "thanksgiving party"!

It was AWESOME.
Lotsa catching up. Simple programme. Great testimonials. Love and appreciation in the air
Students from the previous years showed up. It was a great time of reunion.
What a joy it is to see their transformation, to celebrate their advancement and to know you have played a part in their lives.

With my wonderful colleagues
With my bff Tiffy
And this was us A YEAR ago, before we had our kids.
So glam right? Sighh hahaJiale, the most transformed individual!
I remembered visiting him at Kaki Bukit Prison,
the ex-gangster, now a youth leader

The "naughty" boys from the 2009 class who gave me alot of headache.
But oh what a joy to see them and hear them say
"Cher, ho sei boh?"
The 2008 Class
With my 1st batch of students, Matthew and Jessel
One a Uni student, the other a music director.
I'm so awesomely proud of them

City College Party holds much significance for me
This year is special because I've since resigned from the school to be a SAHM
This year is also significant as it marks the 1st year of being a mum.
Looking back, I asked myself, what would I have done differently for my students?

I think I would have been more gracious.
I would and should have given them a 3rd, 4th and 5th chance
I would walk a 2nd, 3rd and 4th mile
I would not have given up on anyone (Yes, I did give up on some)
I would do all the above because their mums would have done exactly just that

15 Seconds

15 seconds is all it takes for C to perform the stunt
I looked away to check my hp for new messages. It couldnt be more than 15 seconds.
And this was what awaited me



Time to childproof the floor with foam mats!

Btw, my little Christian fell off my bed that very night with a loud Thud!
He has been practicing how to flip and when he did succeed for the first time, he was rewarded with a bad fall. Sigh...
He is ok but the parents were and still are visibly shaken.
Well, I'm sure this is the first but would probably not be the last of the " falls "

Ai Zai... Steady Pom Pit Pit

Our Nest!

We've finally gotten our NEST after 2 years of praying and searching.
We just bought a 5-Rm flat near Serangoon Central. The process was simply Divine. Indeed God is really good and He has granted us the desires of our heart!
The flat was everything we've asked for - High floor, bright, airy, spacious (Boy I'm pleased with the big space) unblocked view and facing greeneries.
Thank you Jesus!

It's amazing how God provides.
2 years ago I've scoffed at the idea of relocating to Serangoon, complaining about how ulu that place is. But See? Never say never
2 Years, 1 wedding and 1 kid later, we are shifting to Serangoon.
Oh yes, we the kiasu parents have decided to plant our family in Serangoon because we are going to send Christian to Rosyth Primary - another kiasu behaviour which I would have never imagined myself adopting 2 years back.
Parenthood changes everything eh?

Ah well...
We've decided to engage KNQ to renovate our nest. I totally love their style!
The place really requires moajorReally looking forward

Some Pre-Reno Pictures:

Living room and Balcony

Dining Area


Kitchen

Common Room

Master Bedroom


Renovation would begin next week. Will post pics after 6 weeks.
Woohoo, so looking forward to our new place!

The "Cost Analysis" for Baby No 2

Following my previous post, blog "readers" (not that many though) have kindly pointed out that A&E's conversation on Baby No.2 had left out an important factor - Cost.
I even received smses to remind me that beyond sperm quality, THE COST involved should be a an important variable for consideration.
There is even one sms that read something like -
"aiya, your husband so rich, confirm can support a SAHM and 4 kids LOL"

Seriously, if we are THAT rich, we would be spotted in Porsche now and probably getting our property in River Valley/Orchard. I would not say we are poor (definitely not), but we are relatively comfortable. The decision for me to stay home is made based on our child-rearing beliefs and really, we made big adjustments in our lifestyle to accommodate that decision. I guess its just a personal preference.

Anyway, this post was born out of a rather interesting (or comical) conversation with the hubby on THE COST of Baby No.2. Trust me, between the 2 of us, I'm the one that is very mindful of THE COST. However, his usual over-logical-explanation-which- makes-perfect sense cracks me up as usual.
(Note to self - That's one reason why I marry him.)

According to him, Cost from an Economics standpoint should be viewed as Opportunity Cost and not just Price, as determined by demand and supply of market forces, which by itself is relative.

Opportunity Cost (OC) = the opportunities forgone in the choice of one expenditure over others
The OC of yours truly choosing to be a SAHM is the economic returns from working + potential future returns (measured in possible promotions, bonuses etc). The decision to have Baby No.2 does not change the OC already incurred in having Baby No.1 (albeit, w/0 Baby No.2, I'll probably be able to return to workforce earlier)
So from this perspective, it probably makes more sense to have Baby No.2 and No.3 to justify the OC incurred.

Next up, Sunk Cost
Sunk Cost = Cost incurred which cannot be recovered regardless of future events
The husband promptly reminded me the vested investment in the bundle of baby stuff that we've purchased from the US - electric breast pump, peg perego stroller, baby bjorn carrier, the 2 boxes worth of baby and toddler's clothing, Cosco car seat, the Braun electric thermometer, the tons of Fisher and Price toys etc.. these are sunk cost that cannot be recovered!
Hence, to enjoy Economics of Scale (EOS), it totally makes sense to have baby No.2 and SOON while the goods are still in good condition. EOS is also reaped when you purchase diapers in bulk for 2 babies, prepare baby food in bulk for 2 babies, organize field trips and excursions for 2 or more kids etc etc.

Yup, thats my hubby for you!
After OC, Sunk Cost and EOS, the argument based on ROI and Indifference Curve ensued.

I shall not even attempt to bore you guys with my attempted rebuttal based on the Diminishing Marginal Utility aka (Pleasure) of child rearing.
Boy, did we we have a good laugh over this so-called "rationalization"!

But really, parenthood is a lifelong responsibility.
How does one monetise the energy, effort, headache and worries that ensued with parenthood? How do I quantify also the joy and fulfillment in watching the little one's journey to adulthood?
I cant begin to put a price tag to it.

I read this beautiful quote by Elizabeth Stone years back:

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”



What a beautiful and profound statement. I'm only JUST beginning to comprehend this.

To Parenthood.

Baby No 2

OMG! I cannot imagine friends-cum-relatives are already asking us about Baby No. 2

Before we got attached: "When are you getting a BF?
Dont keep chasing after degrees, study enough liao!"

After we got attached: " When are you guys getting married?"

After we got married: " When is Little A or Little E coming?"

NOW that we have BbC: "When are you planning for No. 2?"

Seriously. There is No End.

So, are we planning for No. 2?
I'm really not too sure if this is the right time to think about this, granted BbC just turned 4 months. I'm still such a new mum and have SO MUCH to learn, though I must say BbC is a very very easy baby to take care... that I'm Blessed.

Well, the husband and I did talk about planning No.2.
(Here's how the conversation goes)

A: " Aiyo, BbC is SO CUTE! Cant stand it, I think we should think about having another baby next year"

E (Roll-eyed): " You would find him cute of course, granted YOURS TRULY is the one that is doing the feeding, cleaning, burping and disciplining while you play the loving doting daddy"

A: "I work hard to bring in the bacon ok..."

E: " Yup, that's true, thats not what I meant. I meant I'm with BbC 24hrs, and it is really taxing watching after an infant"

A:" Well, I'm just gonna get busier and busier and my sailing schedule next year is off-the-chart crazy. It's gonna be highly stressful time. If we want to think about family planning, it better be soon, or now."

"Plus, we are not getting any younger, Ok not just you, me too. According to research, the quality of sperm degenerates rapidly after 30 and under duress or stress."

E (thinking aloud) " Goodness, since when does sperm quality becomes a variable in family planning too?"

A: " What is the Chinese zodiac animal next year?"

E: " Rabbit"

A: " And the year after that?"

E: " Dragon"

A: " Ah-ha, didnt you always say you wanna avoid having a dragon baby? Remember, the bumper crowd syndrome? Crazy enrolment for primary school, enlistment for NS?"

E: " Oh ya, the DRAGON YEAR!, ahhhh I've totally forgotten about it! Ya, point taken, maybe we should consider..."

AND the conversation goes on and on...

So, has the husband convinced me to have a 2nd child?
Not quite, though I must admit- Im swayed.

His reasoning is perfectly logical (as usual). That coupled with the fact that I do want to have THE few kids asap while I'm a SAHM and hopefully return to workforce while they are much older.

BUt, silly as this may sound, I cant imagine giving BbC any less love and attention he deserved.
A 2nd child means I have less time for BbC, that by itself is a "killing" thought, at least for now.

Conclusion??? - Lets KIV
We'll see how
In the meantime, I'll enjoy my BbC to the fullest, every minute and second of the day


Erm.... Are you guys talking about me?