Trip to the Art-Science Museum

Brought Alyssa to the Art-Science Museum on 9 Sep 2011. Paid for three exhuibits : Van Gogh Alive, Dali Mind of a Genius, & Shipwreck.

Alyssa was all excited about Dali and pestered me to buy a felt moustache even before we started viewing the exhibits. The sound effect created at the shipwrecked was spooky and she said she really felt like drowning.

The visual display at Van Gogh Alive was really an eye opener. Though it was only a video presentation, we felt we could come close up to his work and ogle at the brush strokes. Alyssa was totally absorbed. She clapped at intervals, at times she expressed fear, especially when Van Gogh's self-portraits were projected (she said mainly because she felt van gogh led a sad life). At times, she felt she wanted to go into his painting and climb up the staircase to the beautiful house. She kept wondering how Van Gogh afford the painting and other art materials? which part of his ear did he severe? What sort of knife did he use? Exactly where did he shoot himself? What would I say to Van Gogh?

Over at Dali's, she was mesmerised by the melted clocks and was full of expressions. She was intrigued by the Clutch which Dali used to symbolise death or resurrection. Each time she came across the clutch in his work, she would exclaim "death!". She said it struck fear in her.

We spent 4 fruitful hours in the museum, and many more reminiscing the experience. Alyssa wore the moustache on the way home.

Tour package

Booked the tour package to Italy. As expected, he said "siow"go for 10 days, somemore not SQ flight ;( On the contrary, the children are looking forward and keeping their fingers crossed. Alyssa looks forward to see Milan's winter fashion, but day she would not want to look at the statue of david. hahaha

Planning

Talking about planning, I feel very frustrated that I am planning as if I am a single parent because he did not want to discuss the future. I don't know whether he had thought of the children's education. I don't see much of a future to plan for once the kids are independent. One case in point happened only yesterday when he told my maid "tell ma'am" when she told him the oven was out of order. He did not offer to pay for the children's vacation. He told the maid I should pay for the new rice cooker...

Alexus D & T

Alexus spent the Saturday in school. In his sms he told me that he's doing his D&T folio for submssion. He had been doing that quite frequently. So I told him that was too much time to spend on one minor subject. In the evening, he showed me some of the technical drawings for his folio. He'll share with me once the folio is complete. I was quite touched by his gesture. I think he knows I'm anxious. After his O lvl chinese results were made known to him, he did not inform me immediately. He admitted that he was afraid...

Possible Alternatives

Some ppl talked to me about living an active life after retirement. A few ideas crossed my mind:

a) working at Star Bucks cos I had always wanted to learn to make coffee like a Barista :D

b) working at the Jurong Dragon Kiln as a potter / helper cos I had always wanted to try my hands at pottery, but Alyssa said it's hot, dirty, full of mosquitoes and it's hard work ;P

c) find a job at the Singapore Zooooo - any job will do :p

d) start a blogshop?

Got to keep thinking.....

Year End Trip

Shall start planning a year end holiday trip with the kids. Really wish to go to one of the European countries. Upon learning the price of the package tour to Europe, Alyssa said it was ok to go for less expensive destination e.g. Japan (!!! and not other asian countries) She insisted that I bring Alexus along as well cos the trip would be boring without him =)

Mother's Death Anniversary

It's been a year since mother passed on. Will be marking the day at the temples. With other errands thrown in, hope everything turns out fine. Alyssa told me she still misses her grandma, and turned a little emotional.