郑氏郑家郑重成长录

Mom, finally, after all her life, of age 70, finally got to see Europe for 16 days.
I took long time to convinct her since last year and finally she decided to take the trip of faith, pilgrimage to Rome and Lourdes.

The trip departed on 20 Oct and ended on 4 Nov. 

The whole iternary are as follows:

Day 1 - Singapore / Rome (via Istanbul)

Day 2 - Rome:

• View of Colosseum (Out side view, and Arc of Constantihople)
• Trevi Fountain
• Visit to the Patheon Church
• St Mary Major’s Basillica
• Visit to St Alfonso Church (Our Lady of Perpetual Help)

Day 3 - Rome:

• Visit to St Peter B asillica Included Private Mass in church
• Entrance to the Dome of St Peter’s Basillica, the Dome
• Entrance to Vatican museums including Sistine Chapel
• Inside Antiquitites, Raphel Room, collection of Modern Religious Art, A picture Gallery and the Sistine Chapel with its splendid vault painted by Michelangelo
• Private Shopping time

Day 4 - Rome

• Entrance to San Callisto Catacombs
• San Paul’s Outside the church world
• St John’s Lateran Church
• Church of Santa Crocse in Gerusalemme
• Visit the Scala Santa Monument

Day 5 - Rome - San Giovanni Rotondo

• After breakfast, leisure drive to San Giovanni, upon arrival, visit:
• Lady of Grace Church (Santa Marie Delle Grazie)
• Including shrine of Padre Pio.

Day 6 - San Giovanni Rotondo - Montesant’ Angelo

• Excursion to Mone Sant’ Angelo
• Basillica San Michele and the Grotto

Day 7 - San Giovanni Rotondo - Tru Loreto - to Assisi

• Loreto visitation
• Santuario Di San Legonziano, Miracle Eucharistic
• Visit the Holy House of Nazareth, inside the basillica

Day 8 - Assisi

• Visit to San Francesco Basillica
• St Francis Church
• Visit to Santa Chiara Church
• Santa Maria Degli Angeli Church, including the Thornless Rose Bush, and Porziuncola Chapel in the church.

Day 9 - Assisi - Genoa - Turin

• Long distance coach to Turin, with a visit to Duomo San Giovanni.

Day 10 - Turin - Nice - Avignon

• Long distance coach to Avignon, with stop at Nice for brief city signts

Day 11 - Avignon- Narbonne - Lourdes

• Long distance coach to Lourdes, with stop at Narbonne for brief sights

Day 12 - Lourdes

• Free day for activity such as station of cross, confession, getting holy water, and socking of holy water.

Day 13 - Lourdes

• Free day for activity such as station of cross, confession, getting holy water, and socking of holy water.

Day 14 - Lourdes - Paris

• TGV to Paris
   

Day 15 - Paris - Singapore

• Visiting Church of Miracles Medal church
   
• Eiffel Towel.

After a long preparation prior to the trip to teach her how to use my camera, exchange of notes, attentive to some special place of interest, what are the insurance covered in her travel…She flew off on 20 Oct 2008.

Trevi Fountain - Rome

Colosseum - Rome

St Peter Sq - Vatincan

Group Photos - Rome

Now, she is back and safe and her hope to get her legs and sickness cured did not really work out… I felt she does have some disappointment after submerging herself totally in the holy water in Lourdes and praying for her recovery. 

Honestly, I do have slight disappointment as well, but I trusted GOD.  I know there is a plan and it’s only that we do not understand; but we will…one day…In HIS Time.

Meanwhlie, she is still excited to talk about the churches, the miracles and others she had seen.  WIthin 1 short 1 month, especially this 2008 years, she had many of her dreams come true.  I hope she is really happy and God bless my mom.

Was sharing with CW the other day about a 8 young boy.  On a fine sunny day, he decided to take some initiative to help his washing his father’s dirty car.  As he could not find a cloth to wipe dry the car, he suddenly remember seeing his mother using the wire coil to wash clean the dirty dark pot.   Since he know where his mother kept the coil, he reach for it and begin washing his father’s car.

As you had guess it, the car was badly scratched and defaced.  If you were his father, what would you do?  The moral of the story is… looking at the intention behind the action.  This little boy may be naive and do not know that washing a dirty pot is different to a dirty car; but his kind intention is to relief his father.

OK, this is what happen in real life by Marina.  Yesterday, CW, suddenly walked out of the bath room and confronted Marina, “Did you unscrew the cap of the bathing cream?”

“Yeah…”  Before Marina can futher on..

“WHY!  Why did you do that?  The soap is very expersive and you pour away of the bottle…”: CW was furious..

“I want to help you because it’s tight and I slipped…”

“Why are you irresponsible…we worked so hard to safe and you just open it and so carelessly dropped the bottle and pour away half of the soap… you did not even tell us…it’s so danger as well…”

Marina stool there with tears rolling in her eye…after about 5 minutes of outpour, CW walked away.

I asked Marina, why did she do that.  Her simple answer was, because, the cap was too tight, she want to help to loosen it a little so that CW need not to use too much strength to unscrew it at end of week to top up the liquid.  However, she was not careful and drop the soap bottle, as such, half of it was wasted.  She did not tell us as it was not part of her awareness that she needs to do so.  Of course, apart of the Expensive soap, she was not aware how much it cost (hint…it’s from Nuskin…)  anyway, lastly, what she did not realise the danger of slippery of bathroom when the soap is not clear.

Many time, when things happened, it’s not easy for us to be aware of what we are doing, we, as parent, should look beyong what is the intention, or is’s plain playing prank or irresponsibility.

This is actually a back-posting…since I had not been updating this blog for sometime.  So, finally, got to upgrade the version to WP2.6.2 in Oct only.  As such, I felt there are many things that I had already oversight, or forgotten or “not-in-the-mood’ to blog….

However, I still have some “important” events which I do not wish to forget.

1 of it is certainly our official 1st family trip.

We departed on 1 Sep and came back on 4 Sep.  Even almost 2 months from then, (which is now), Kent and Marina still talks about it and looking for our next visit back to Disney.

It was an very early morning. We woke up at 3am and John pick us up at 4 and head off to Airpot by 4:30am. Though sleepy, both kids were full of zest and behalf very well in airport. We had our breakfast before we head off to JetStar boarding gate to board our plane. Both kids were very excited; especially for Kent. He has been dreaming about plane and this is the 1st time, he is gonna be on board 1 real big thing.

Waiting for our boarding, Kents already been looking out the window and cannot wait to board his “dream” plane.

Alas, we board the plane.  without long, all of them fell asleep….zzzzzzzz.z.z……

The story continue…

Yesterday & today, 2 days in a row…Marina LIED!

Yesterday, she lied that she had worked on her copying exercise. She was smart enough to put up a good show by ‘pretending’ she had done the exercise but lost her book.

She search a while, and in the end…admitted that she did not do her exercise.

I was very fury and for first time, punished her to stand at the naughty corner. (more…)

I am still in shock!

Last Sat while driving back from Novena with my 2 angels in the back seat, I was very tired and I manage to keep  awake till Punggol.  I approached one of the traffic lights, and suddenly, I just doze off.  Thank GOD, I managed to woke up in time and avoid an accident.  I thank GOD for looking after me, but did not take it as a SERIOUS message!

Yesterday, at noon, while driving along CTE, I was cruising on lane 1 and when I was nearby to TPE exit, not realising there is a long vehicle parking on lane 1 cutting trees, I accelerated to pick up speed to move up the bridge.  By the time I noticed it, I was too near.

Without hesitation, I quickly filtered left, but still crashed into the vehicle.  Looking into my mirror, I saw a van was ramming into me.  I managed to accelerate while the van jammed brake to avoid second collision.  I successful pull over at the shoulder and came down to inspect the car.

My car head light was broken, my bumper badly damaged, my right front wheel was out of alignment, my right side mirror was gone, both my back wheel rims were scratch, and my right body left with a deep cut and scratch from my door all the way to the back.

Thank GOD, I am alive and unharm.

I called my insurance company and they asked me if my car still movable.  I tried and it’s ok, but the stirring is out of alignment, so I had to drive slowly and carefully to the workshop. 

While int he workshop, I recall the accident.  If I did not manage to filter left, I would have a solid head-on collision and which would push the engine backwards into my chest might result to chest-rip broken despite of air-bag; on top, the windscreen may broke into pieces and cut me deep.  Then, if I manged to avoid the head-on, but not been able to avoid the van, I will lose control and spin or overturn, or worst, broke the bridge barrer and fall off the bridge which may caused my life.

I really thank GOD for looking after me and help me to be unharmed.  I still have a family which my kids still have a father, to my wife a husband and to my mother, a son.

Thank GOD again!

After seeing our neighbor having a dog named Orea, and yesterday, during Shichida class, we talk about good habits and good moral education, which have a few sentences about taking care of pet, Marina requested me to get her a pet.

I told her that in the first place, she is too young to take care of a pet, because, firstly, she do not tidy her room. Her table was always in a mess and each time, we pack and tidy up for her, she will mess it up within a few days.

Next, she was given a electronic pet during her birthday, she was excited initially, and now, she hardly play, nor feed, nor taking care of her electronic pet, Fina. Therefore, I told her, until she can tidy up her room and consistently taking well of her Fina, she cannot own one. Else, she will ill-treat the pet and ended up, daddy and mommy is the one that is taking care of it.

She was a little disappointed and accepted the refusal. However, she said if she can tidy up her place and taking care of her Fina, I will have to get her a pet. I agreed and wanted her to set good example to her brother Kent too.

In the evening CW was enjoying her rambutan. For convenien, she took a trash-basket and place it near her, so that she can dump the seeds and hask from the consumed rambutan. When she was done, she left the sofa and left the trash-basket there. Marina saw it and comment…

“Mommy, did not set a good example, she is not keeping the place tidy and clean…” Though, I jokingly replied, “That’s why your mommy do not have a pet…”, I was most surprised for her to comment on it and make me ponder of our action, an mirror to them.

We as parent, got to be careful of what we are imparting in our children.

Mom marched in to my room and told me that she wanted to sell off Toa Payoh 3-room 2 weeks ago.  I called Michael, current tenant and initially, he did not want to buy.  Then, last week, he called again and agreed to the price of $190K

As I knew that he want to undercut any agent, if as much as possible, I cannot let him know that I am THE AGENT.  Thus, I called Alison to help me.

We went to the place (Toa Payoh) at  2:30 pm as requested by his mom (Very superstitious person)   Luckily Maggie was with me.  She explained the term and condition and the process of transaction and finally, completed the signing at about 5:00pm

So far, outstanding item:

From our end:

1. Need to produce a undertaking letter that the upgrading cost is bear by us.
2. The house is owned, solely by mum
3. A list of item to be included in the sales

From there end:

1. Arrange for his wife to be in Singapore
2. A letter of Power of Attorney
3. A bank loan offer letter

So, till 22 Aug, Michael should execute the option or his $1000 will be confiscated.

Thereafter, we will need to go for HDB interview, somewhere around end of Oct and then, takes another 2 months to complete the whole process.  Foreseen to be end of year.

Marina received her confirmation today.

She was so excited, jumping up and down cheering for her successful enrollment. This is really a good experience to see a child cheering and showing her joyful feeling. She has always wanted to be enrolled into CHIJ - Nativity Primary School. Her best friend, Eva, together with her another best friend sister, Erica, are all in the same school.

We felt relief as well as, firstly, it is a Catholic school, and next, it’s near to our house. So, if for any reason, we need someone to pick her up from the school, my mum, her granny, can do so easily.

Thanks GOD and Mother Mary for your intercede!

CW’s mom is in town.

Last night, CW brought Kent to mom’s place and I was told that Kent miss Mom so much and CW have tough time to bring him back home. So, we decided to bring Kent to Mom’s place early in the morning before we went for our excursion.

Well, for those reader who do know us well enough, in quick background of us….

“Marina, was raised and be with us since she was young. As for Kent, he was taken care by CW’s mom since he was 2 months old. We ask CW’s mom for help and she came down to Singapore to help us look after Kent during the day time. At night, we will bring him back to be with us everyday until he was 3 years old where we send him to pre-school. Since beginning of this year, CW’s mom went back to Malaysia and Kent is with us full time. That’s why Kent is very closed to CW’s mom and retain that special relationship”

Kent, before leaving the house to his granny’s place, asked me to be with him. He wanted us (CW and myself) to be with him in granny’s place to play with him. I did not pay much attention on his appeal and told him that I need to ferry Marina from Sunday school and violin class. We will pick him up around noon time and depart for a excursion to Malaysia for lunch and shopping. We felt that he should be alright with his granny and they will have a good time after a few months of separation.

We pick him up at around noon and we all (including CW’s mom and siblings) left for Malaysia for our lunch and shopping as planned.

On the way, Kent begin to mis-behalf. Well, it’s one of those day where Kent have forgotten all his manner, (we though to ourselves) so, we mere show some “authority” and “sweet-talk” Kent will be alright.

During our lunch, Kent begin to move around and not sitting still on his chair which, we had educated him much that all must not leave their seat unless they have finished their meal. We felt that Granny is in town and he wanted to be with her and of course, with Granny and Granpa around, they will pamper him and he can get away with it.

We did not want to put CW’s parent in difficult situation as they have not seen their grand child for a while especially Kent, they first grandson. So, we had deliberately to be slightly more lenient . When we finshed our meal and heading for our cars, he struggled off our holding and just running towards our car in the open field. Despite, we shouted for his name and wanted him to stand still, he would just ignore. Luckily, the open field did not have any traffic and our car was very near to the restaurant. When I strictly remark that it’s a danger act, Kent just answer back that there is no traffic.

We headed for Tesco after that. In Tesco, they have thoughtfully build a small trolley for children. Kent and Marina wanted to have one of their own; unfortunately, though, we gotten the last few, because Kent fell down and in a hurry, one of other children “stolen” one of our trolley and left with only one. Marina was very thoughtful to let Kent have hers. Kent happily push his trolley and begin shopping with us.

Kent was unlike our last visit 2 weeks back nor like our usual weekend marketing at NTUC. Instead, he would not listen and stay at our side, he just push the trolley to any place which he deemed interested and running wild. I managed to got hold of him once where he run 100m away with his mini-trolley to other side of the huge Tesco. I reprimanded him and shouted at him which this is the first time I did it in the public!

He begin to play tandem and sit on the floor. Each time, I scolded him, he would rebuke back and purposely refused to admit his mistake. He went to the extend that he would not want to talk to me and want to look for his Granny. He cried for a while, hoping his complaint to CW could get him a hug and protect him from this evil daddy. CW was also upset and refused to talk to him nor given him any comfort.

Today, Kent was totally different kid which we had tried to bring up and educated. We felt that maybe,Granny is in town and he just leverage on them, thinking that we will not do anything to him. I used to beat him if he is not well-behalf, but have not lay a hand on him since March POV which I had made a commitment and also believing that Love is a better way of education.

Kent was challenging our authority and did not keep quiet even if I am scolding and put him in the “naughty corner” He just continue making some noise and also answer back any question that we asked in a rude tone. I have to shout at him at his face to shut him off. I was totally at my top and he really does drive me mad.

CW did not agreed with my manner, but I told her, we had tried both “sweet-talk” and “authority” and Kent, today, mere ignore us. I gotten a cane in my hand and walked straight up to Kent. I know normally, he will break down, but this time, i know that he controlled his tear and did not cry.

Many thoughts ran through my mind and what should I do to this fellow! I begin, trying to understand what is in the mind of Kent…here are some of our Q&A:

Q1: “Kent, whey didn’t you listen to us today….”

A1: “because I want to make you angry…”

Q2: “Why do you want to make us angry?”

A2: “Because I don’t want you to be happy…”

Q3: “Why don’t you want us to be happy?”

A3: “Because, you make me cry!”

Q4: “But, i did not make you cry, unless you are not listening to us first and papa have to scold you…Can you don’t make us angry, so that papa will not scold you and make you cry?”

A4: “OK”

… such similar type of conversation went for a few good 10mins until I found the “real reason”

Q5: “today, papa did not make you cry in the afternoon right…then why did you not listening and want to make us angry…”

A5: “because you did not come to popo (granny) house to be with me…”

Q6: “But papa need to fetch Marina back from Sunday school and then bring her to Violin class, right? Then, papa said papa will meet you later and fetch you right…?”

A6: “But I want you to be with me and play with me at popo’s house…”

Q7: “Were you angry with papa and mama, because we did not go with you to popo’s house and you purposely make us angry?”

A7: “Yes”

I was shock and the answer does blow me off! I have ignore his feeling this morning resulting him to feel that we do not love him. So, he “revenge” and want to get our attention.

I assured him that we love him and will not want him to leave us. I was even shock to hear that he want to pack his pillow and stay with Granny because our house are boring. I have to hug him and “sincere-sweet-talk” with him. I realisd I cannot treat his special fellow like a normal 3 years kid. He seems to know things that was beyond him and he had outgrown his peer!

So, initially, I want to bring him to KL at end of Aug, as I’m going up to M&Y. I thought it would be a fabulous idea for Kent to stay with his granny over weekend where I will be going for course, on top, he will get to take his favorite double-decker coach!! Out of respect, I brought out this plan and asked if he would like to come along. I reminded him that it will only be him and me and during the weekend, he will only be with Granny. I told him that it’s not because papa and mama did not want to love him, but we just thought that he may enjoy his stay with Granny and we can take coach together. We told him, if he do not want to go, he will stay home. His answer, “NO”

Kent, I am sorry that I overlook your feeling and treated you like a kid. I should respect your feeling and I promise I will not do it again!

Papa love you always!

Remember, we have our secret “Knuckle - Five” way of Man-to-man agreement!

Finally! The day is here. Our baby girl is now6 years old and we have to decide to register her into which school.

Initially St Nicholas was in our top list, not only was it a Catholic school, it was a top school and her aunt, Monica, and now her cousin, Charmaine had their education there. However, in view of past years statistic, it was always over registered and as such, enrollment need to be balloted. On top, it is far away from home (Yeah yeah, how far can it be in Singapore), so we had finally drop the idea. True enough, we checked last night and it left with only 20 seats. I am very sure that by today, it will be over filled.

Then, Holy Innocent was our next choice. It was not only a Catholic school, (ok ok, my first criteria is that it have to be a Catholic School!) it was also a co-ex which mean, Kent will be able to get into the school without problem. Unfortunately, hearing from some rumors, from the mouth of past graduates, we decided to give it a miss. (Hey if you are keen on the rumor, send me an email!)

Thus, CHIJ Nativity was the next logical choice. It was a Catholic school, all girls’ school and it’s very near our house. We did not join the crowd yesterday as Monica shared her experience with us that to go only on the 2nd day. So, by 1st day evening, we can judge if we stand a chance with the choice of our school or we prepared to join the ballot party.

We checked Teletext and MOE website (http://www.moe.gov.sg) and found that there are still about 50 available seat for CHIJ, so, we went to IJ at about 3pm and given a number tag of 52. We were a little worry as we were not sure if the #52 was the total number of students registered since last night or this morning. Anyway, we just leave it to GOD (Mum have been praying for us for this enrollment)

We went into the admin office and found out that the registration have already been “closed” despite the officially closed time is 4:30pm. We checked with the admin staffs and found out that from there past experienced, there won’t be any body coming to register on the 2nd day afternoon… well, we are the odd one. So, she passed us a form and we gladly filled out the detail. We asked about the #52 and was told it was the total number of students enrolled since yesterday.

Since the total available vacancy is 90, which mean #52, make us high chance that it will be automatic accepted. THANK GOD! ALLELUIA!

Our girl is going to Primary 1 next year…and in no time, she will be taking her PSLE, GCE……