SOGETSU IKEBANA LESSON 2

Basic slanting arrangement at position no. 3

Shin 45 deg

Soe 15 deg

Hikae 75deg

Like my arrangement?

Alyssa's Swimming Test

Alyssa obtained Silver this afternoon at Tessensohn Road. It has been tiring for both of us having to go for practice in the morning and rushing to the test in the afternoon. Alyssa doze off in the cab and slept all the way home.

Anti- Shark Finning Soup

made a sweet cream corn and crab meat soup for the kids yesterday. they slurped it all up! alyssa called it anti-shark finning soup!

Alexus Planning for New Bike

alexus wants to get a new bicycle, using his salary earned and savings. he asked whether i could top up the rest. guessed it's ok since he had worked for it.

Best Wishes Once More

Richard will be sitting for his exams (Tues, 23 Nov) this evening before the term break. All the best to you, Richard. Put your best foot forward. After that, you can fantasise about your vacation!

Manicure for Alyssa

Alyssa's been pestering me to paint her nails. Did a quick one, complete with cute stickers. Quite a shoddy piece of work, but at least can keep her happy for a few days =)

SOGETSU IKEBANA

Attended my first Sogetsu Ikebana lesson with Richard at Kampong Kembangan CC. Our teacher, Josephine Chia, has been teaching the floral art form for the past 28 years and she commented that Richard was very creative! We were taught the basic upright style. Some of the key concepts learned today are:

Placement of the Kenzan

Shin 15 deg (longest)

Soe 45 deg

Hikae 75 deg

Jushi

Large, Medium or Small arrangement

Measurement of the Shin, Soe and Hikae

Giving Up Shark Fin Soup

I have decided to stop eating sharks fin soup or dishes with sharks fin. It is not because I don't wish to be called "evil" (though it did hurt a while), but more because I respect the views of Richard, who is very passionate about conserving wild life, and protecting innocent animals. I had arrived at such a decision not on impulse, but having discussed the topic with Alyssa and Alexus. I was very touched when Alyssa said she would also like to try "giving up" the yummy dish yesterday because she cares about the eco system and saving the earth. But she lamented that probably Alexus couldn't care less. Don't worry about Alexus for the time being. Maybe the eco camp would help him a little.

Father is recovering well

Gave father a call. He sounded cheerful and said he should be able to come over next weekend. Yay. He had enjoyed the Japanese rice crackers and buns.

Morning Well Spent

Monday morning 15 Nov 2010. Still feeling like I am stuck in a rut! So instead of heading for the gym, I jogged to the far end of Pasir Ris Beach. Sat down and mull over various issues, hoping to clear the clutter in my brain. The place was so serene, with no picnickers and campers in site. Only the cool breeze and and sound of waves, and occassional jogger. After half an hour or so, I managed to find enough reasons to motivate myself. The tranquility was broken by a group of teenagers searching for a spot to set up their base. I then took a stroll back home. Almost half a day had gone by. Got to take Alyssa to ballet class in the afternoon =)

Getting No Where

I had been going around like a headless fly running the errands. They aren't that physically demanding but it was the mental torture that I had to handle them mostly by myself. He would offer help only come when it is convenient. No special attempts will be made. Thank goodness father is recuperating at my sis place. When the issue of having to get boy out for the swimming class, I reacted with a stoic look even though I feel indignant about it. I'm getting no where even if I argued or retaliated. I'm exhausted, mentally.

Not Again

My original intention was to jog ten rounds at Aquaria Park, but changed my mind after the 8th round when I realised I was the only soul there and began to feel eerie. So I headed for the main road, intending to make it 4 km. I quickened my pace along the canal next to the pond as I realised the place was just as dark desserted. I heaved a sigh of relief near the far end of the track as a couple jogged passed me in opposite direction. But alas! I tripped over an uneven patch.... and SPLAT! I was on the floor! The man turned and called out (I presumed he was asking whether I was OK). I sat there stunned for a while, shouted back to him that I was ok, got back on my feet and started to jog towards the main road. My left hand and leg still hurt. Sigh.

Went Market

Father has been discharged. But he is not well enough to run errands. As such, I had to go shop for a week's food supply this morning!

Went Jogging

Went for a one-hour jog from home to Pasir Ris Beach in the evening. As it is Saturday, the place was packed with picnickers and BBQ kids. It was threatening to rain throughout and it started to drizzle as I jogged slowly out to the main road. Managed to hop on to a bus when it started to pour. Should have covered about 7km.

Alyssa empathises with the sharks

I had shown Alyssa some videos on shark finning. Yesterday, on our way home after ballet class, we came a cross a poster at Pasir Ris MRT. The poster featured a bowl of shark fin. Alyssa exclaimed "it's about shark finning!". So we stopped and read the small prints on the posters and realised that it was campaigning against shark finning. Alyssa was visibly moved by the article and said shark finning was like chopping people's arms and leaving them to bleed. She beginning to empathise with the poor sharks.

BOY's GOING TO ECO CAMP

I attended parent's briefing for Boy's upcoming Mawai Eco Camp. The coordinator made a slide presentation of the trip. It looks so interesting. I wish I could join them.

Bad habit

Couldn't sleep. So played Bejeweled Blitz till 2 am. I had better stop before this time-wasting habit creeps back on me... sigh.

Father Is Hospitalised

Father's vomitting and giddiness had worsened. He was admitted to the hospital and sent for brain scan. After fetching Alyssa from English class, I took a bus to the hospital. On my way to the hospital, alot of things went through my mind. Father had given up so much for us and his grandchildren. It was in the last couple of years that he really "enjoyed" life. I wept because I felt sad for him. I hope he could be around and strong enough to enjoy his golden years. It was 9.40 pm when I reached the hospital. He had fallen asleep, looking very pale. Spent sometime sitting there watching him (thank goodness the hospital allowed). He woke up just when I was about to leave. He told me that he would need to undergo more tests the next day. Spent another lonesome hour travelling home.... having a throbbing headache and too mentally exhausted to sleep.

Teachers Abusing Power

Alyssa asked me how children were punished in school in the past. I recalled vividly that in those days (when I was in pr sch), teachers seemed to have absolute power over the students. Here are some of the abuses I witnessed in primary school:
Teachers tearing our exercise books when they were not pleased with our work;
Teachers throwing exercise books through the window when they were in foul mood, sending the pupils scrambling out of the class room to retrieve them;
Teachers who physically punished students by pinching, slapping, using rulers, brooms etc;
Teachers who humiliate pupils by sweeping their faces using the broom or feather duster, or dust their faces using chalk board duster, or drew whiskers on pupils' faces....

Another Tiring Sunday

After settling father's issue, got to send Alyssa for ballet class. She's signed up for grade 3 exams and coaching lessons have commenced. Thereafter, went to mother's place to clear the flat. During the entire afternoon there, I was tensed and let out a few screams over some imaginery and real creatures. I was exhausted because of the screaming rather than the actual work. The rest of them were getting used to the noise.

FATHER IS NOT WELL

Father was rushed to the hospital this morning. He had felt giddy and vomited since yesterday. After observation, we were told that the possibilities are ear/nose that causes imbalance or he could have had a stroke. He would need to return for specialists attention. Looks like he's gonna miss the China trip that he had planned with his friends. He is supposed to fly on Tuesday, and was talking excitedly about it yesterday. I recall getting a divinity lot in Japan, saying that "...patient will stay long in bed". Looks like instead of happening to me, it has been happening to my family members - so far Alyssa, mother and now father. And we've been shuttling between home and hospital for since April due to various reasons. Sigh. Hope father's ok.

SHARK FINNING

Richard shared with me about his strong feelings against shark finning. He had also stood by his decision not to consume the shark fin soup at wedding dinners as a form of silent protest. I was rather taken aback by his judgmental statement, but do respect his opinion about the issue. Will discuss this issue with Alyssa.

Youth Killed at Downtown East

Read about a youth killed over a staring incident at Downtown East during Halloween. His family must be devastated by the tragedy. Spoke to Alexus about it. Hope he drew lesson from this news.

GE 10 km Women Run

Completed the 10 km in 1:18:35.

ALEXUS' CONFIRMATION 31 OCT 2010

HALLOWEEN 2010

Threw a Halloween Party on 30 October 2010 for Alyssa and some of her classmates. It was tiring but rewarding in seeing the children having so much fun. Most of the kids were dressed to the occassion, and they were all so engrossed in the Halloween. Richard was gracious to accept our invitation and took time to join us amidst his studies. Alyssa said he's the GOH, so they made sure they gave him a "scare" upon his arrival. After a few false alarms of his arrival and failed attempts to scare the GOH, the kids finally had their last laugh when they "scared" him at the toilet (and so they thought).