'e want

It took me a few months to figure out why little Malcolm asks for things using "e want ..." instead of "I want...". When I ask him "Who wants ...?" he will reply "Malcolm".

Well our little one been listening to the parents talking and sometimes when he asks for something, my wife will repeat it to me with "He wants...". After many many times of hearing "He wants....", Malcolm figures that it is the right way to inform one of us when he needs something.

"e want kai-kai"
"e want tum-poo-ter" (favourite addiction)
"e want juicee apple" (regardless which juice given)
"e want pillow" (security blanket)

Reading Rabbit

Actually the real title is "Reading Habit" but when I was young, there was this cartoon show called "The Tom Foolery Show" and each time somebody say you better 'kick that habit', a rabbit will hop into foreground and be kicked out of the screen.

It was really funny then but somehow when I grew older, it didn't seem all that funny and I have no idea why I find it sooooo hilarous then.

Same with my 2 year old kid, when he was about 6 months, anything that drops makes him laugh. Now it takes more than gravity on objects to make him laugh. He is starting to understand those cartoon and will laugh at some of 'em. Too bad we don't have Tom and Jerry cartoon show here on cable. Those are very good classic.

Kids have good imagination since they are not bounded by any norm/laws that we adult have grown accustomed to. Reading helps mould their imagination since words are only words, it is the mind that recreate a world out of those words.

It is good to start reading to kids when they are young. The best success formula for kids is to start them reading from a young age. I'm a bookworm in the family but I don't see myself being bright in school. Perhaps I didn't read enough, that's why I'm here writing a blog instead of doing something more worthwhile (like earning more money or writing beautiful poems or even helping the needy).

These days, I digest about 2-3 novel per week depending on the length of the books. It's a fun thing to do if you prefer to avoid the internet, TV and expensive cinemas. Just have to remember not to forget that person who sleeps beside you nightly cuz' he/she also need some attention too.

So many books, so little time.

A hiking we will go

Hiking! I'm itching to hike!

Been sitting on my butt here the past 3 weekends, 2 of which I was under the influence of flu (blocked nose, see previous post). My long overseas trip was splendid, having lots of fresh mountain air and good hiking/biking trails. Weather wasn't too great most of the time since it was spring, lots of cold rain there.... brrrr!!!



The tree top walk in McRitchie (Singapore) is great, would like to do it again if I had a chance. Catch is I need a group to tag along with since I require their support to make it up there with a 12 kg kid.

Used to be an avid hiker in my own group but alas, time have broken up the group. Some got married with kid(s) like myself, some have new found love and dissappeared into their cave, some left for overseas, some gained other interest like blading or cycling or diving, some lost interest in hiking altogether.

That is why it is always good to maintain a group even though I'm not active in it. I think it's wiser having more young people in the group since they usually have more time and the energy to hike 2-3 hours, even after partying till 3am the night before. Some of them don't even need sleep, just hike on adrenalin.

If you like to hike (Singapore's Bukit Timah), drop me a comment or email.

Diaper changing

One of the first few things a dad would have to learn hands-on (with big clumsy hands) is how to change diapers. Once you get the hang of it, it's quite a quick procedure if and only IF the baby complies.

No books which I've read teaches you these things.

• NEVER put a dirty diaper beside a baby. With a well placed kick, the contents of the dirty diaper would be splattered all over the floor. Worse, you'll have to clean the infant's feet and change the whole linen. Sometimes they don't have to kick, just a couple of rolls and they will reach the diaper.


• NEVER yank a toddler out of bed while he's still sleeping to wash his butt. Even with nice warm water, he/she will scream his lungs out until you end up a bit deaf. Instead feed them warm milk and wait for them to get into their active self.


• NEVER remove a baby's diaper without a waterproof pad underneath. Sometimes with baby boys, they can spray a foot away, thus avoiding the waterproof pad.


• NEVER ask them if they want to change diapers. Most of the time, they rather continue what they are doing instead of a short sidetrip to the bathroom. Tell them they have to change diaper and perhaps get to blow soap bubbles while at it.

Experience is still the best teacher. Anybody wants some hands-on and smell sh!t daily? I guess not but somebody has to do it.

Bad Flu bug

Never had weird flu like these before, no fever, no headaches, no body aches. But I had a runny nose, thick phlegm and it lasted for 2 weeks. This flu bug was passed around in my office, 2 out of 3 had taken MC within the past month or so.

Kinda hard to breath in office with the aircon on. Aircon does dry up the mucous inside the nostril/windpipe, had to breath hard though my mouth just to clear the airway.

Anyhow it's all over now, ALMOST.... felt something in my throat. Could be just dried up mucous this morning.

Rained at 2:45am yesterday night, heavily I might add. A good relieve since it was quite warm (cloud covered nite) when I went to bed.

Looks like it's gonna be a warm and sunny day today.

The new CEO

A company, feeling it was time for a shake-up, hires a new CEO. The new CEO is determined to rid the company of all unproductive workers.

On a tour of the facilities, the CEO notices a young chap leaning on a wall and relaxing. The room is full of workers who were busy working, except for this guy. The CEO decides to let his staff know that he means business!

The CEO walks up to the guy and asks, " And how much money do you make a week ? "

A little surprised, the young fellow looks at him and replies, " I make $300.00 a week ......... Why ? "

The CEO then hands the guy $600 in cash and screams, " Here's two weeks' pay. Now GET OUT and don't come back ! ".

Surprised and in fear, the guy immediately leaves. Feeling pretty good about having fired his first worker, the CEO looks around the room and asks, " Does anyone want to tell me which department that worker belonged to ? "

With a sheepish grin, one of the other workers mutters, " He was the Pizza Delivery guy from Domino's."