Archive for the ‘Just us’ Category

It’s amazing how our eldest boy is not afraid to mount on horses, hug a koala bear, hold a monkey’s hands, grasp a crab, chase after the biggest birds and be the best buddy of dogs, cats or even lions 

but

Is most afraid of one of the tiniest creatures on earth - ANTS, FLIES, BEETLES….and all small insects are treated like the STINGING BEES as if they are out to suck his blood.

[Once in a while, it is really funny to see two growing up boys running for their lives, around the house with a small little insect flying around their heads *haha*.]

This makes us indispensable to each other because while I manage the small insects, Brendan will shield me from the furry ones *grin*.

While in Australia, Brendan’s regret was that he couldn’t fly his buddy kanga home

So, his fear is about the tiniest living things that might plant an attack, causing the least harm and not the gigantic furry animals.

It’s also interesting how he will appeal to us to spare the life of the tiny insects and just to catch them and let them go in the open *really kind-hearted*.  If I know how to catch a mosquito and fly without harming it, of course I will try but how I wish I were empowered with that special swiftness and agility *tough*. Perhaps, I should also take down video of those frantic exclamations the next time our boys sight an insect. This video will prove useful in future to let them be grateful of the heroine who has been saving them from countless invading insects *haha*.

While this live crab sent chills down my spine, Brendan was actually holding it with bright smiles on his face.

That day, Brendan asked…..

Brendan :”Mommy, can I go on an adventure to mingle with the wildlife? I would want to meet up with the lions.”

Mommy:”LIONS? Okay. Yeap. You can opt for a South Africa safari tour.”

Brendan: “You mean those trips whereby you can only view the lions from the jeep?”

Mommy:”Yes.”

Brendan:”No. I mean those adventures which allow me to live around the lions for at least a day and be in the same enclosure and be friends with them.”

Mommy:”What?” *I couldn’t believe my ears*.

Brendan:”Yes. I would love to have an experience living with them even if I am torn to pieces.”

 Oh! For that wholesome EXPERIENCE!

Our son, who is so fearful of the tiniest beings is hoping to live, eat, play and risk being attacked by the most ferocious animals on earth. I am not surprised that he actually means it for the affection he has for animals.  If he ever made it safe and sound, he would be famous and I would be the proudest mother on earth to have such a brave son:)

Am I sensing a profession that he would blend in naturally - Yes. At the zoo.

*****

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I realise…

Spending more time together can be destructive if it means also getting on each other’s nerves more frequently and minding each other’s business too much.

To make the best of spending more time together…..

 Remember.

 Nag just enough,

Complain less,

Engage in activities together,

Mind less of each other’s business,

Communicate more but constructively,

Respect each other’s way of living and presence,

Think less of our pride - Give in.

I guess fiction arises when two persons spend more time together but with communications breaking down.

In our daily conversations, Darren taught me: “Mommy, I read that to live to an old age, we must MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS.”

Yeah! A golden tip in life:) *one that we often forget - when we spend more time with another person, we become nosy*.

This is really a timely reminder when I am spending more time with growing up boys. 

I am so loving every minute of the time I spend with our boys everyday although they do get on my nerves sometimes (or all the times)…*haha*

I felt bad putting Brendan through extra pressure. However, if we don’t try, I would blame myself for giving the opportunity a miss. Haiz…

So for past few months, mother and son were extra busy identifying secondary schools to enrol in, going for OPEN HOUSES and registering Brendan for Direct School Admission (DSA). Then as a result, there were the General Abilities Tests (GAT) and interview that he has to attend for secondary school’s DSA shortlisting, in addition to preparation for his preliminary/PSLE examinations.

[Our boy was tested on his higher ability analytical thinking and articulation skills while being recorded during face-to-face interview. Imagine myself going through a grilling interview at 11 years old. I would have cold sweats but we are proud of our boy for passing it with smiles:)]

I felt like a step mother breathing down his neck. It was really madness for past few months with my adrenaline soaring high. It seemed like I was the one enrolling for schools and attending the interviews! Our comfort is that our boy actually volunteered to attempt for DSA without us psychoing him. He discussed the schools with us too after learning more about them. Seriously,  I feel blessed to have a self-motivated boy.

We are over the moon….

Then, I was 10 times more elated than being told my own achievements when we received the good news!  Brendan was given a confirmed place in an ideal secondary school with 6-year Integrated Programme (IP) leading to the ‘A’ Level examinations before he has officially sat for the PSLE:)

Our boy made it, being one out of the only forty over successful applicants!  As long as he meets the criteria of express stream in his PSLE.

If our boy pursues the Integrated Programme (IP and also known as through-train programme), he will bypass the GCE ‘O’ Level examinations and eventually sits only for GCE ‘A’ Level examinations at the end of his 6-year education in the programme. The IP targets to expose the students to a broad-based education and enrichment activities besides those core subjects.

It has always been our hope to expose our boy to a broader education and enable him to develop in other areas besides just studying academic subjects for a certificate. Eg. social responsibility in life, leadership and entrepreneurship.

Then we started to think twice….

I have this concern : “What if students in IP do not make it in ‘A’ Levels and in the end, do not even have a GCE ‘O’ Level certificate to fall back on?”

Well, this is a true worry but I guess it is a risk that all students in IP has to take, including our boy. Do I really want to worry that far as in 6 years later?

If you are interested to know more about Integrated Programme, you may read here and here.