nice weather for outdoors

rock for sale

I was tidying up the house when I found this rock that Rey has been washing the day before. It was laid carefully on a tissue paper by the window sill, with a hefty price tag of 800 dollars! (Yah, he wrote the dollar sign the wrong way.) Later that day, Rey mentioned something about not earning any money because nobody has offered to buy the rock. I told him frankly that I can eat 16 Japanese crabs with that amount of money instead. He is still waiting for the generous customer.

大猪

Rey came back from school 2 days ago looking rather disappointed. He explained that his class is doing a short musical of the "3 little pigs" for the upcoming March performance. And he is sad because he is the 中猪. He wanted badly to be the 大猪 because the 大猪's house is the strongest and thus wouldn't be eaten up by the wolf. Now, let me make this clear. Although the story is on '3' little pigs, there will in fact be around 6 children playing the 小猪，中猪and大猪respectively. This is because if a child is given the most important role in a play, the other Japanese mothers will cry foul. Which is why there were 30 桃太郎 instead of 1, appearing from a peach in another kindergarten's play.
I tried giving all sorts of reasons like, "It has been decided by the teachers", "The 大猪is the smelliest", "中猪is not too big, not too small, just right, as in Goldilocks story", "If everyone wants to be the 大猪, there will be no story". But he was quite adamant. In the end, I told him to approach the teacher and tell her how he feels. I lectured him on the importance of fighting for one's chance when one grows up. Who knows, he might get a chance to change his role. You never know unless you have tried, right?

Guess what, he came back the next day and said that he is fine with playing 中猪because some good friends are with him. And, he is just as satisfied since his GF will be playing his favourite大猪role in his place. Sign, kids.

Happy moments

Sticky like glue

Farewell at Terminal 3 (sobs)

Rey slept throughout his flight so he wakes up Hungry.

Hi all, back in Kyoto. I think I'm starting to hate limousine bus rides, especially when I'm sleepy, tired and hungry. Our life routines fall back well in place, with Rey going to school in the mornings, me doing housechores, and preparing for tuitions. Once Rey is home, it is almost 100% Rey and I together. Papa sleeping as usual (and yes, I'm complaining).

Valentine

playing domino

art competition

Rey has his 1st participation in an art competition. I told him that the theme is about "Chinese New Year" and he can draw whatever he wants. So he drew 2 oranges, fireworks and wrote some Chinese characters and handed in the work. He didn't win of course, but it was a good experience for him.

the last day of CNY

It is said that we can only open the angpows after the 15th day of CNY. So the children waited till this day before they can count their 'blessings', which will end up in the banks.

more creations

'LOVE' biscuits

In preparation for Valentine's Day, we tried decorating icing on the biscuits.

Just look at the variations!

拜天公

We went to Cheltton's house at around 10pm and when the clock strikes midnight, prayers and burning of offering starts. The 9th day of the Chinese New Year is the birthday of the Jade Emperor of heaven. The Hokkiens and Teochews will offer thanksgiving prayers to 天公. This is what ah ma does every year. We'll prepare food offerings, incense papers, and also sugarcane.