Shifting of our Baby Grand - again!

Dear All

After about 1 year since we have shifted to our new home, we have finally decided to shift our little Baby Grand home!

We were so afraid my mum would feel nostalgic and upset if we shifted the piano, however, to our pleasant surprise, she told us, it's ours afterall, and she was only holding it for us till we could take it back! So sweet of her :)

Needless to say, Bert measured the space and we discussed where's the best place to put it. Once the decision was made, Bert was so sweet...he immediately arranged for the movers to transport it over, and for the tuner to tune up the piano. We did everything today (Sunday) from 3.30 - 4.30pm (shifting) and tuning from 8 - 9pm.

Since I hardly played the piano when I visited my parents over the weekends, the piano had a few sticky keys. Recently, I couldn't play it when I was there as either my mum needs help or I want to catch up and spend time with her and my dad. Hopefully with it now with me, I'll be able to make time to play it so that it'll not become a white elephant. The only thing is, I'll probably have to play it during the day (which is actually the most busy time for me till evening) otherwise it'll clash with the TV programs the family watches at night! (Read as - too noisy....the piano is located next to the sofa/tv area!).

During the shifting at my mum's place, the men ALMOST dropped my piano!! When I saw them letting it slid down a little in the van, my heart popped out of my chest in dread and shock! Fortunately, their quick reflexes caught the piano in time...it only slid down minutely...they had placed the main frame onto a trolley, plus the van was on a little slope. How could they be so silly as to release the piano in the first place without first securing it safely! Bert remarked from his 2 experiences with different piano movers, Singapore doesn't seen to have real professional grand piano movers! These guys look like this is the first time they are moving a grand piano (mind you, mine is considered one of the smaller ones too!)

The tuner doesn't come across as very professional either....however, we got them as they were cheap...at least 50% cheaper than the other quote! So I guess as the saying goes, when you pay peanuts, you get monkeys!

Love

Theresa

The Blind Side - The Movie

Dear All

We have finally seen the movie, which I believe was highly recommended by our LC couple A&P, titled "The Blind Side".

We rented the movie over this weekend. It was a moving story about how love for a fellow being moves a Christian lady to take action. It's about courage...both for the black boy (Michael) from the ghettos to want to change for the better, and that of a rich white lady who denies the fear of the boy and bravely ignoring friends to do what is right.

The best part is, this story of courage and love, that changes the path of life for both Mike and the white lady (who he calls mama), is actually based on a real -life story.

Sandra Bullock and the black boy actor really acted very well. The dialogue wasn't much, but their expressions reflect their emotions and reactions very movingly. Mike is like a gentle giant. He doesn't say much, but when he does speak, it touches the heart.

If you have not seen it yet, you must go watch it!

Love

Theresa

Universal Studio @ RWS - Recommended Family Hol activity

Dear All

We went to Universal Studio @ RWS on 4 Nov 10 (Thur). It was a haze-free and cloudy day with a small crowd. We went in the morning and on Tiffany's friends recommendation, headed 1st for the Egyptian ride. You have to put your bag & camera in the locker 1st before riding this, as this ride has fast spins, and it's in the dark. The 1st half hour usage of the locker is free, so go in the morning when there's hardly any crowd yet.

(Shrek's Castle - below)

(Our family with some Madagascar characters -below)

(Water world Stunt Show - below)

We had great fun on this ride & Tiffy, Feli & I went on it twice. This was our 2nd ride of the day, and unfortunately, at such an early start, Bert hurt the side of his back on the mummy ride...so a small word of warning....don't follow the safety instructions like leaning your legs against their safety cushions or your head against the head lean. This ride involves lots of spinning and jerks so keep your body AWAY from any part of the ride/seat. Just grab on tightly to the handle and keep your body closed so that you do not hit any part of your body on the hard seat.

(Egyptian statues behind us! - below)

The stunt show (water world) should not be missed! It's a fantastic performance!

If you had not gone to Gold Coast's Universal Studio yet, you must go for the Shrek 4D show. It's exactly the same as the one at Gold Boast Brisbane, except that ours is newer and cleaner!

Another show you must see is the Lights, Camera, Action in Hollywood Ave. It shows the special effects used to create a Grade 5 Cyclone. Just be careful not to be in the 1st row when you line up.

(The girls at their 1st ride in Park - above)

If you like India food, go to the Oasis Spices...not so much for the food, but the Egyptian murals on the wall gives it a nice ambience. If you order the Kids Menu, they throw in a free milk drink packet and a Woody Wood Pecker lunchbox for FREE!

Another ride worth trying is the Canopy Flyer or something like that. It's a roller-coaster ride but without the car! It's just you on a seat "flying" in the air. A fantastic and adrendaline feeling. Just make sure you don't dangle your legs but keep them tuck in as you'll fly near tree branches. The only thing is, the ride is short compared to the queuing time....there always seems to be a queue for this ride.

The Whitewater raft ride is very similar to the one at Gold Coast, except the Singapore theme is Jurassic Park. It can be a bit scary for young children 10 years and below as there's a ride that's done in complete darkness. Be prepared to get wet! Don't forget to bring your poncho and if possible, do this the last unless you've brought a change of clothes and you've booked a hotel there to get out of your wet clothes. How wet you get depends on your luck! Tiffany got completely drenched! Me...I got a little wet on my pants. Some had direct hits on their faces!! Haha..it was very funny.

You can spend your whole day there! The prices of the candies are comparable to what you pay outside at the Malls. Their Hershey kisses is slightly cheaper at the Park.

Their souvenir shops and kiosks are quite fun to visit. There's one kiosk selling the Oscar statuettes. The stationery and stuff toys are a little on the pricy side but can't be found at the malls. So if you really like something, just go buy it if it's not too expensive.

Oh oh, before I forget, drinks and food there are VERY expensive! However, you most likely would have not much choice but to buy some of these items anyway...what with the hot weather, and hungry kids! However, the good news it, there are water-coolers everywhere, especially at the toilet entrances. So if you can stave off your children's clambering for sweet drinks, you'll save a bundle by just topping up your water bottles with water from the water cooler...just be careful that they are clean though...Tiffy & I saw a man using his hand to swipe off the tip and entire mouth of the tap to CLEAN his FACE and HAIR so as to freshen up! Whew!! Then some little children went for the same taps to drink from them!! Yucks! So, on second thoughts, perhaps it's still best to still to bottled drinks even if it cost a bit more!

Love

Theresa

Last Praying Parents Session @ School

Dear All

We had our last Praying Parents' session on Monday...we organised the All Saints Day Masses for the morning & afternoon sessions.

Here are the photos taken by the daughter of one of our parents, of me and Tiffany at the piano & guitar respectively, and Felicia singing with the impromptu choir. It was a spiritually-filled session especially the pm Mass with Fr Simon Pereira celebrating the Mass. This is the first time I'm jamming with Tiff and also the first playing at the Mass with another parent. (The first time I played "publicly" was 6 Oct praying session at the chapel and there was a surprise visit from Mother Superior, Sister Elizabeth of the Canossian Sisters Order).

Here are photos of us @ All Saints Day Mass at SACPS.

Tiffy @ guitar with Felicia

(Below: Tiffany)

(Below : Me at electric piano - we are in the SACPS hall)

SCC - Small Christian Community

Dear All

As you know, Bert & I attended the Apr & Jul PRE respectively. Lucky us, Fr Edward Lim

decided to hold a SCC (Small Christian Community) Workshop over the 28 & 29 Aug weekend. He intends to hold one after every 2 PRE sessions. As there are only 2 priest serving our parish of 10000 parishers, Fr couldn't cope...so instead of 4 PRE, we'll have 3 PRE sessions per year.

PRE (Parish Renewal Experience) is actually a very "old" concept started from Vatican II. As the catholic church is very vast, the Church, being wise, has decided to reach out to us parishioners to reconnect with our fellow catholic and build communities.

After PRE, then what? We have come to feel so much more connected to each and every member of the Body of Christ, and I must say I am a changed person. In the past, any fellow catholic "sin" used to be their problem, and not mine. I used to be indifferent. With a deeper appreciation of God's love for all of us, I cannot not feel the pain which Christ feels when a fellow catholic errs. Now, if I can do something about it, I try to be a model and initiator. If I can't act on it, I will pray for my fellow catholic. That's because whenever a part of our body is in pain, our whole body feels the pain and is affected. A fellow SCC participant so aptly shared the same feelings that I was feeling, so I know I'm not alone.

In order to give us an opportunity to build a small christian community like the very first christians did in the Acts of the Apostles, Fr Edward had given us some "training". SCC is actually our neighbourhood cell groups...but the difference is, most of us are from PRE. The danger of SCC failing is that they tend to be inward looking and exclusive. We are reminded that we are all called to be missionary and all-inclusive.

We met a couple, also from PRE, but had not attended SCC. They belong to a neighbourhood cell group. As we talked, they asked if they can sometimes join our SCC especially during Advent. I told them I actually thought we'll be joining their cell....then to my horror, they say can't, not because we are not welcomed, but their cell group comes from a certain industry. Huh? I thought...this was exactly what Fr Edward warned us about. If the cell is exclusive, it will die a natural death over time. I didn't say anything cos the cell only started last year. Whereas, we haven't even started yet. We have been forewarned by Fr though, that some will flourish, but

there will also be some who die.

Guess what, since our cell members do not belong to Simei nor Tampines, but from Bedok, Loyang and Pasir Ris, we are in the "Belonging" group! Haha....hoping to belong somewhere!! And being the "lost" child, we are so blessed to have Fr Edward himself as our Spiritual Director! Yippee!

Since 29 Aug is also Bert's birthday, we couldn't spend time as a family to celebrate it with him. However, I think it's nice to spend his birthday together with me, learning more about the early Christians struggle to give us the faith and God that we all believe in! With that model in mind, we will try to be like the early Christians, spreading the Good News so that others would be added to the flock.

We, however, did have a birthday cake for our dear Bert, the man and centre of our little family, though belated by a day :) Here's 2 shots of him with his birthday cake.

A Sad Day - 1 Elephant Nose Fish died :(

Dear All

I was so sad that one of our elephant nose fish died. We couldn't find him yesterday. Then Bert noticed that he was swimming in a zig-zag manner. He was caught amongst some cotton wool (that was holding the roots of some plants in the aquarium) at the bottom of the tank this evening.

Tiffy and I were trying to push the pump as a goldfish seemed to be stuck between the pump and the side of the tank. As we pushed the pump away, the goldfish shot downwards and away. Later, as I walked by the tank, I was shocked to see the elephant nose fish dead.

This evening, we surveyed that found the other elephant nose fish swimming amongst the plants. He looked a little pale. Hopefully he'll survive and grow big.

Our hamster, meantime, is really a sloth! Did you know hamsters are the 4th laziest creatures around? He practically sleeps all day and a major part of the night, perhaps staying up for about 4 hours darting around up his "space" station, sand-bath and wheel. He likes to sleep hanging upside down the tubes..he must think he's a bat!

Love Theresa

Sermon by Fr Ignatius Huang - 22 Aug 10

Dear All

Our visiting priest, Fr Ignatius Huang, who is also teaching our novices, gave an insightful sermon today.

Today is Lay Apostulate Sunday. The readings include disciplining is important for children to be taught was is right from wrong, and about the gospel when a disciple asks Jesus how many can be saved, and Jesus didn't reply his question but instead told him it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

The eye of the needle is the name given to the door that is opened in the night in a fortress to allow an unloaded camel to pass through. A fully loaded camel cannot enter such a door. Fr. Huang explained that Jesus didn't bother to answer such frivilous question that doesn't add any value to our lives, except to satisfy an idle curiosity. Instead, Jesus focused the disciple on how he should be concerned how he could save his soul. To do so, we need to be detached from worldly and material things. We have to know how to unload and be detached in order to enter the kingdom of God.

He said Jesus was constantly surrounded by people who ask immaterial and insignificant questions, that do help them enter the kingdom of God or make themselves better people. E.g is Peter,when told how he will die a matyers death, asked Jesus what about John. He said Jesus told Peter, to the effect of, mind your own business...don't be KPO about other people's affairs. Instead, be concern about your own affairs.

He shared that once, when he was having lunch with some priests, one of the young priests was re-telling them the question he had posed his primary school catechism children...which angel is the head of all angels...Fr was agitated and couldn't stand it, and decided to tell the young priest, what value does it add to the children to know such frivilous question except to satisfy their curiosity? A better use of the catechism time is to teach the children more about their faith. So parents, teachers and catechists, please sit up and take note!

The last story that he shared was quite moving.

A rich old man had a collection of paintings done by the masters. As his only son was killed saving another soldier at the Vietnam war, he willed that all the paintings will be auctioned off. Amongst the paintings was his favourite...the only portriate of his son done by the soldier whom his son had saved. The soldier did it as a remembrance of the man who saved him, and gave it to the father as a heart-felt gift.

When the auction started, the first painting to be auctioned off was the old man's favourite...the painting of his son, done amateurely by the soldier. The gathering of art collectors did not want the painting as it was not a masters and insisted that the auctioner moved on with the main "course". The auctioner said he could not until the first painting is sold off. As no one wanted the painting, a single hand shot up to make a timid bid. It was the gardener who served the old man and his son for many long years. He said he treasured the painting but he could only afford at most $10 for it. The auctioner asked if there were any bid higher than $10. The gathering of buyers roared get on with it. They want the real deal.

The auctioner then threw down the gravel to seal the deal, then to everyone's surprise, declared the auction over. This drew anger from the crowd. The auctioner then explained that according to the old man's will, the person who bought his son's painting gets the rest of his collection of master paintings!

The lesson Fr Huang wants us to take away was this...the kingdom of God is the same. If we set our eyes and heart on Jesus and treasure Him, we get all the treasures of the kingdom of God as well. Personally, I was touched and moved by this analogy.

Just to share this sermon with you today :)

Love Theresa