The Sound of Music

Posted on January 30, 2007 by The Giddy Tigress

Yesterday night, while nursing Ethan to sleep, I managed to catch a bit of the SAG awards on the telly. That’s Screen Actors’ Guild awards to the uninitiated. Apart from the usual hooha of actors and actresses dressed to the nines (hey, I love watching the awards for these too, mind you!), there was a honorable award presented to Julie Andrews. By the way, I must have been living in a cave all these years, cos I just found out that she is now DAME Julie Andrews.

Anyway, during the flashback of her accomplishments in life, I was reminded of how much I loved the famous musical she starred in, The Sound of Music, where she memorably portrayed Maria von Trapp. My Mom was the one who introduced me to this wonderful family musical, and eventually, I learnt all the songs in it by heart. Endearing songs, that will forever be remembered by generations to come.

About 2 years back, my parents and I went to see the broadway version of The Sound of Music, but it was still the original silver screen version which stood out more.

For me, Julie Andrews will forever be synonymous with The Sound of Music. What will my name be synonymous with in future?

Posted in Close to Heart & Home, Relax & Celebrate | Leave a comment

Learning Mandarin at Home

Posted on January 30, 2007 by The Giddy Tigress

I can’t believe I got hooked AGAIN.

For years, I have been able to successfully avoid getting Chinese-serial-hooked and NOW it has happened again. And it’s not even the conventional Cantonese Wah Lai Toi serials I’m referring to. It all started when we let Ethan watch the closing credits song of the Hokkien drama serial on AEC at about 7-ish pm. The TV was still on after that, and I got hooked onto Love Concierge, a Mandarin drama serial produced in Singapore. Hey, I can’t speak and understand Mandarin to save my life, okay? So thank goodness for subtitles… Malay ones, but it really helped me understand the show.

What can I say? Maybe it’s the premise of the show based around wedding planning which I like, or maybe it’s cos I am deprived of Chinese TV serials.

Anyway you look at it… I am hooked.

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Helping Ourselves

Posted on January 29, 2007 by The Giddy Tigress

We don’t have hired help.
We ARE our own hired help.
My hubby and I are not at all comfortable with having strangers in our house, much less going around the house cleaning every nook and cranny. I know I know – we are extremely fussy that way, but we really prefer to do the household chores ourselves.

Since the arrival of our baby boy, cleaning the house has become more demanding and extremely necessary. We would take turns cleaning while the other takes care of baby. It’s difficult but well worth the effort.

And the results are priceless.

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We Need More of These

Posted on January 25, 2007 by The Giddy Tigress

Today as I was leaving my apartment for work, I witnessed a fellow apartment neighbor watering the plants in the common lobby area. Immediately after I ask my hubby “Why is she watering the plants?”, I kicked myself mentally.

Why, I thought…these are the people society really needs. People who look beyond themselves and offer a helping hand regardless of creed or color. When I was young, the media preached “Semangat Kejiranan” all day long. What I saw this morning is really Semangat Kejiranan in practice.

To my fellow neighbor, I salute you. I wish everyone could use you as an example and emulate your good deeds.

Now what can I contribute to my society?

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After Baby’s Arrival…What Next?

Posted on January 23, 2007 by The Giddy Tigress

One of the dilemmas faced by working parents is the task of looking for a reliable and trustworthy babysitter… someone to look after their precious one while they are bringing in the dough.

My hubby and I are united in deciding we want a daycare babysitter only. For one, we decided to breastfeed our boy and breastfeeding at night is a surefire way to keep the milk supply going. Plus… we find it such a joy to come back from work to face a cheerful and happy baby. Seriously, looking after baby is so much more fun than dreary work. I kid you not.

I honestly cannot understand why some parents would voluntarily choose to have their babies taken care of by total strangers, in the guise of babysitters. Some quote the excuse “I don’t know how to take care of babies” – then why have babies in the first place?
Parenthood is a lifetime learning experience, and there are so many lessons we learn each day.

So if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and learn my lesson of the day now.

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