November is going to be a very busy month for me. Tomorrow, I’ll be creeping towards another black hole at work. Hopefully, it will disappear by end of the month but until then I’ll have very limited time apart from trudge to work, get through the day, trudge back home, spend a little time with Little Edison before I crash into bed. I’m going to miss my blog again.

For the next two weeks, I need to participate in the user acceptance testing (UAT) of a new supply planning system that the company is going to implement early next year. The challenge is not the system itself but to manage my daily works and reporting when I’m physically seated in the conference room whole day for the UAT. So, it’s going to be mad multitasking again.

The system is developed by a supply-chain company that is aimed to provide the best supply-chain solution that helps our company’s business growth and to operate in a more efficient and sustainable way. From raw materials to finished goods, the system provides understanding of supply chain obstacles and opportunities; creates optimal supply plans that maximize customer service while maintaining low inventory level.

It may sound like a perfect solution for the company, but many of us are worried about how this system will affect our current work. New procedures need to be established. The transition period from the old to new system is going to be challenging but I wouldn’t say it is killing us. By hook or by crook, the system has to go-live early next year – a target set by the higher management.

On the bright side, I’m really looking forward December because my mother and siblings will be coming to Singapore to visit me. I miss them so much and I’ll be taking a few days off to bring them around. I’ll be going to the Universal Studios again for sure. Little Edison will have heaps of fun mingling with his cousins. And it’s school holidays too!

On an even brighter side, the company will be shutting down for a week during Christmas. Yippee! I’m sooOoo looking forward a break. I’ve yet to plan what to do during this week but I know I desperately need a new hairdo. However, no overseas holiday plan as V needs to work on that week.

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Last weekend, we planned to bring Little Edison to the West Coast Park. The last time we went there was more than a year ago. I can hardly remember how the park looks like, except the huge playground and the McDonald’s.

When we finally reached the park after more than half an hour drive, we were so disappointed as we couldn’t find a car park space. We waited for more than 20 minutes but still no luck. At each lane, there were more than three cars queuing up and waiting for car park space.

We left the park and went shopping at IMM instead.

The next day, we brought Little Edison to the Punggol Park instead. We live so near to this park but ironically, we’ve never bring him to this place. The weather was quite windy in the morning; we took a slow walk while Little Edison rode on his tricycle from our home to the park.

“It’s too sunny! I need a shade!”

Punggol Park is located at Hougang and it’s a family-orientated park with facilities specially catered for family leisure. At one side of the park, there is children playground, sandpit, jogging path, small pond for fishing and wooded area for leisure strolls. At the other side of the park, there is a big open lawn area for kite-flying as well as picnics. There is also a woodball course here.

“Hey Mom, I saw a speed boat here!”

Overall, it has been a nice outdoor trip for us. It’s nice to have such a beautiful park within our vicinity although the children playground is not as fantastic as the ones at the east and west coast.

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Our last visit to The Polliwogs indoor playground was almost a year ago. I blog about this fantastic playground HERE.

Last weekend, we visited this place again and I noticed that it has changed so much. Now, there is a café at the chill area for adults. It provides quick snacks, finger food, fruit juices, tea and coffee at reasonable prices.

It’s also a great convenience as we no longer have to walk to the neighbouring food outlets, which are usually crowded during weekends.

However, with this new café, free flow of tea and coffee is no longer available. Another trade-off is that the eating time is also included in the play time. Perhaps, that’s the reason why they extend the play time from 1.5 hours to 2 hours.

Little Edison’s favorite game here is the ball pit.

My plan is to bring my niece and nephew here when they come to Singapore to visit me in Dec. Together with Little Edison, I’m sure they will have heaps of fun here.

Have you been to The Polliwogs recently?

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We attended the Kindergarten Graduation Concert in Little Edison’s school last night. It was fun and exciting, watching our little boy performing on stage.

Before the concert, we were informed that no photography and video-recording are allowed. The school has engaged a professional photographer to take pictures and the concert will be recorded as well.

Parents can purchase pictures and DVD of the concert through the class teachers. The innocent me just left the camera at home. When I reached the school hall, I was surprised to see everyone snapping away with their cameras. V teased me again for being so innocent. Singaporeans don’t care, he commented. He is right again.

Well, I managed to snap a few pictures with my iPhone. However, the picture quality deteriorated badly after a zoom.

The concert started with an opening speech from the school principal. After the prayer, the graduating K2 students marched into the hall in their graduation gown. One by one, they walked up the stage to receive their graduation certificates from the principal and Pastor.

Certificate presentation to the graduating K2 children

I’ve to wait for another three years to see my little boy walking up that stage in his graduation gown. Phew!

Performance from the pre-nursery children

After the certificate presentation, the concert began with performances from the pre-nursery children. Little Edison’s class was the second to perform. When the first class was performing, I heard laughters from all over the hall. Some of the children were literally day-dreaming on stage. Only a minority few were dancing. The class teacher was standing in front of the stage to guide the little children.

That’s our little boy on stage – leftmost in yellow attire

Soon, it was Little Edison’s turn. For the first few minutes, he was busy looking around the stage – the big display, the camera-man, the audience etc. I know him well, he gets distracted easily. Especially with new environment, he will scan every single corner of it.

Luckily, with his teacher’s guidance, he started dancing along with his classmates. Although it’s just a short performance, we know that the children have practiced very hard for the show. We’re proud of Little Edison for every effort that he put in before and during the show. Well done, boy!

Class Photo. I like this one!

I asked V, “Why is our boy standing on the leftmost and not at the center? Is he less talented than the others?”

V replied, “Don’t worry, dear. Andy Lau started his acting career as an extra without any proper dialogue too. Now, he is an award-winning actor.”

Okay, he is right (again).

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Oh my, I can’t believe I’ve to worry about this issue so soon. I know that bullying at school is nothing new, but I can’t believe that even preschoolers can experience it.

Yes, there is a bully in Little Edison’s class. No, he is definitely NOT the bully. Given his small build, friendly and sociable character, I don’t think that he will ever bully anyone at school.

This morning when Daddy V was waiting for Little Edison to be dismissed from his class, he witnessed one boy repeatedly slapping Edison’s back with his hand. He held Edison’s hands with his other hand so that he is unable to defend.

I was so mad. I want to know who that bully is, and most importantly, who his parents are. I certainly want to confront them and ask them what is wrong with his son.

Of course, Daddy V is super mad too. He reported the incident to the teacher immediately. Apparently, the teacher seems to be aware of the issue. I want to know how she is going to tackle the problem.

Intellectually, I know that children don’t always get along. Especially at the age of three, they are quite territorial. Pushing, hitting and difficulty in sharing are common behaviors in young children.

Emotionally, it can be traumatic for parents like us to witness our children being bullied, sometimes violently, by their peers.

I want to talk to the teacher tomorrow. To be continued…

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