We went for our Bintan trip despite the prelims and CA2 looming around the corner. Like previous exams, I am always preparing way in advance and then totally relax one week just before the exams.

This time, we managed to organise this for my side of extended family though there is not much - mum, bro, sis n family and ours. All 10 of us including kids. We sure had a great time sharing stuff and relaxing at the pool, the beach for a while, watch the sun rise and our very own BBQ ... hopefully we will have another such trips again in future.

Bintan 21st to 23rd Aug

---------

Nathan thought he did quite ok for his chinese oral on 19th Aug. What he had "aimed" and gone through before came up so he is confident.

The second day for his English oral (20th Aug), he felt totally bummed out on the conversation dept. He was asked to describe a good act he came across. His mind was totally blank on good act.

He laments how he's not see a real good act for a long time! He was quite affected by it but it's time we taught him how to move on after feeling disappointed with self.

Natasha is consistently prepared for the CA2, except Math, she seem to have alot to catch and I can't really put my finger on where she don't get it. Anyhow, she always surprise me with her results - pleasantly, let's hope she does it again.

The month of July/Aug was busied with DSAs.

DSA - Direct school Admission
IP - Integrated programme
GAT - General Ability Test
HAST - Higher Ability Selection Test
RI - Raffles
HCI - Hwa Chong
NJC - National
DHS - Dunman
PSLE. Everyone know that means. There was once a facilitator who said that it means Passing Simple Love to Everyone. But it's not what that means when you or your child is in P6.

----

We discussed through the schools to apply for and we picked HCI, NJC and DHS. I for one is most impressed with DHS's principal - for his humbleness, unassuming body language and encouraging speech. The student's performance displayed how they love their school life. HSI overall wowed me over. NJC didn't give an open house we know that it's a great school by it's own merits.

We made our trips to and fro Bukit Timah for briefings, tests, interviews and what naughts. It's been an eye opener for what your kid can be drilled through for scholarships and such. We had a good laugh over his interview Q & A, how he "spied" other people's academic results during the submission, he quickly made some friends during the short stint and did discussion over their experiences. It's been tiring but fun. I sure learnt much about his "ability" since he's gone through various tests and he has his fair share of how things work. We also "tasted" how to balance the run arounds with so many things still going on. And this fellow can still ask me when i am starting his calligraphy lessons... kuakua.

Nathan at this point was shortlisted by NJC, accepted by HCI and no reply from Dunman yet. He has already made his choice.
I am not sure if it means more work for me but I just want to remain really happy for him at this juncture.

Tomorrow is his PSLE oral. and he is still having tons of school work from his teacher and doing his ErHu lesson as I am writing this. This is what life will be like soon I suppose.

The last line...

I totally agree on this from http://tribolum.com/:

Like the poem, we all see this coming, for all our relationships. It’s what you do between the first line and the last line that matters.

-> like my Dad.. I was there when he was hospitalised, was there when he was sick and send him for medical checks. Thought of his birthdays and father's days. But was simply not able to see him for the last time even when asked to cos I didn't expect it to happen so quickly.
It didn't matter what was done in-between. It matters what I did at the last leg. Like the last line of the poem.

Oh well...

August is a real exciting start. I had alot pack in action this month but the flu virus has more in store for us.

family time table and the "add-on":

1 Aug- Nathan shortlisted for NJC. went for day camp
4 to 11 Aug - H1N1 virus healing and qurantine
8 Aug- help out for H.O.P.E.
9 Aug - farewell for Ong family as they are doing 2 yrs in USA.
10 Aug - H.O.P.E fair and Public holiday
16 Aug - Safra Bay run
20 and 21 Aug - PSLE oral
21 evening to 23 Aug - Bintan weekend break for my younger brother's BD
24 to 28 Aug - P6 Prelim and P3 practice paper 2
28 Aug - Natasha GEP screening test
29 Aug - Natasha school briefing on rebalacing affliation (to sec school)

As much as I love meaningful events, being sick is something I don't appreciate. Esp when it happens to my kids.
The H1N1 virus made me work harder at home but helped me to bond again with the kids. I've not had been the 24/7 mum for them since they're... P1? In terms of physical needs, I don't need to coax them, feed them, monitor them constantly. I am only with them on brain wave level - coach their studies, give them spelling and assessments, read newspapers, scream at them to DIY...
If you ask me, I'd prefer taking care of physical needs anytime. At least, it's immediately appreciated and the hugs means alot more.
The latter, is really for them to appreciate when they reach their 20s/30s and it's really much harder work.
But in anyway, they need to grow up and the latter will definitely take place more.

The worst of the virus is over - I pray that there will not be any more high fever and severe headaches. they are enjoying each other's company playing the computer games - whilst the rest of the schooling kids do their time at school.
This National day holiday will promise alot of indoor games - mahjong, carrom, movies since we are not going out.