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)