Archives for October 2011

Dinosaurs Live and The Science Centre

October 25, 2011 · By ·

'Dinosaurs Live!' Exhibition @ Science Centre

For a 'dino-phile' like Kyle, any dinosaurs exhibition/show is a must-see for him, so we took this chance to visit the science centre on Monday, since it was a post-concert school holiday for him. This exhibition reminded me alot of the Hollywood Dinos experience in Jurong Bird Park which we attended in January 2010, as both exhibitions featured live-sized exhibits that were able to move and 'growl'. 

The lights in the exhibition area were dim with large 'real-sized' dinosaurs, coupled with realistic sound effects that were enough to scare a 4 year old when he approached the T-Rex exhibit. While I was slightly distracted by the strong resin scents of pvc and plastic, most likely the materials used to make the dinosaur exhibits. Would have been better if the organisers used some forest/jungle scented air fresheners to mask the plasticky-scents to complete the whole sight, sound and scent experience for visitors.

Included in this exhibition is a Dig Pit, where kids below 10 can search for dinosaur fossils by digging through the sand pit, which was just about the best hands-on interactive activity for kids throughout the exhibition. Kids can also go around the tables in front of the exhibits to get their 'dinosaur passport' stamped, as they match and identify the exhibits with the ones featured in their booklets (The 'dinosaur passport' cost an additional $3 to purchase, by the way). The colour, etch and draw kiosks that were located towards the exhibition were not too intriguing for a pre-schooler.

Overall, I think Kyle will gladly give this exhibition an 8/10. I think it is a good effort by Singapore Science Centre, considering the affordable admission fees, which included the entrance fee to the other exhibits of Science Centre and an IMAX movie at Omni Theatre.

The Science Centre, Dinosaurs Live Exhibition & 40 Minutes Imax Movie  $30 Adult $22 Child (3-12 years of age)

Dinosaurs Live Exhibition 21 October 2011 – 26 February 2012 Science Centre, The Annexe

As for the rest of the Science Centre experience, considering the rough handling of the exhibits amongst the throngs of primary school children who visit the place in bus loads, the exhibits are in rather poor condition and in desperate need of some overhaul. But seriously, I can't complain when admission fees are only at $9.00 Adult, $5.00 for a child.

The Science Centre is still a good place to go nonetheless, when…

you have a pre-schooler that has octopus hands and love to fiddle with things,

(No need to worry about the 'see no touch' policy, as the policy in the Science Centre is you will need to touch or press a button to see how it works)

it is the school holidays, and you can't think of any other place to bring a preschooler on a dull and quiet afternoon,

Or the neighbours are having their renovations and the drilling and knocking noises are driving both you and your kid batty. And there is no way any one can get his afternoon nap (helps if you don't live in the east of Singapore)

So that gives us lots of reasons why we think we will be sure to come back soon for another visit.

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Categorized: Out and About ·

Some of our favorite things

October 22, 2011 · By ·

I realised this when converting my photos this morning; that I have not been taking photos of Kyle consistently for the last couple of months. It used to be that there will be new pictures at least every few days, and I realised that I have been a rather slack when it comes to taking photos for the last 6 months.

One of the best thing about this blog when I look back at my old posts have to be the past photos that I have taken of Kyle and the family. So this really reminds me that moving forward, I really need to be consistent in taking more photos, at least on a weekly basis. As Kyle is really growing up too fast before my eyes, and soon (sob sob) he will be out of his preschool years :(

We got to enjoy a couple of our favorite things this afternoon; sushi and sashimi for lunch! Kyle simply loves Tamago sushi and Chawanmushi, while I am a fan of Unagi Sushi and Sashimi. I would usually go for the cheaper option of Chirashi sushi don, which is bits of sashimi on top of a bed of sushi rice. Well, Japanese food is one of Kyle's and my favorite cuisine, not for hb though. But he is always a sweet and accomodating dad and hb to often go with what we feel like eating. I think these days, eating out is really expensive in Singapore. We had our lunch at Akashi at Orchard Hotel, and it cost us almost $90.00 for a 4 Tamago, 2 unagi sushi, a tini box of Chirashi Don and a Tonkatsu Pork cutlet set for hb! Overall, the Akashi experience is slighly overpriced for the so-so quality of Japanese cuisine that is equivalent to some of the other Japanese sushi chains. Have to eat out less often and improve on my cooking skills!

We went on to another of our favorite things to do as a family; foot massage!

Kyle is this foot massage junkie that loves getting a foot rub. Every night before he goes to bed, he will ask me for a couple of seconds of foot and back massage!

For an active child like Kyle, it is quite a feat for him to be able to stay still for 30 minutes while the therapist gives him a foot massage. For the next 1 hour, while waiting for hb and I to finish our massages, Kyle was quietly playing with his matchbox cars on the chair.

It was only after when I walked to the reception area that the receptionist told me that a certain caucasian lady who was seated on the left side of hb's chair complained about the noise that Kyle made. Kyle in fact was really quiet and compliant while waiting for us to finish our massage, he crashed his matchbox chairs together for less than 5 minutes, then when I told him to stop, he quietly played with his cars on his chair for the next half an hour.

Our post foot massage experience was shortlived when we heard about this other customer and her complaint. She was so irate to the point that she took the email addresses of the prioperter of this foot massage chain of shops to complain about her less than satisfactory experience here. Just too bad I did not get to hear about it from her and meet her, I would definitely not stay silent on this.

First of all, this massage premises have an open concept where chairs are laid side by side with only a wooden divider that can be used in between the chairs, so it is inevitable to hear noises from other patrons. In fact, each time when we visit their premises, we will always hear a patron who will be fast asleep in his/her chair, snoring really loudly and consistently throughout the next 30-60 minutes! Morever, there is no rule that children are no allowed in their premises, especially since Kyle was a patron in this instance. Also if she wanted exclusivity, she should have paid for a 'personalised and behind close doors' foot massage service and not a foot massage that cost $29 per half an hour, with patrons seated next to one another.

It is people like that, who give expatriates a bad name. The expectations that they have for that little amount of money that they spend are not reasonable. And besides, this really demonstrates a low tolerance of assimilating in another's culture. We learn to be tolerant and gracious of one another and noise in an open concept like this. If she demands total silence and peace, she should jolly well pay for that! I have to say this, what a cheap ang moh she is!

Arrgghh…this is just one of those days that a seemingly relaxed and quiet weekend afternoon is spoilt. Just had to rant a little in this space…

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Categorized: His World · Tagged: ,

Let Praises Fill this Place 让赞美飞扬

October 21, 2011 · By ·

For the last two weeks, hb and I have been trying to get Kyle to perform his concert item at home, but he has never revealed his dance steps for his performance. His response to us each time we asked has been, "It's a surprise, cannot show you, You will see on the concert night." I am actually rather impressed by his resolve to keep this performance under wraps, especially when it comes to his usual ability to keep secrets :S

Let Praises Fill This Place 让赞美飞扬 was the title of the song that was used for Kyle's school performance this year. Last year, the theme was tied to the story of "The Caterpillar and the Shoemaker', so all the performance items followed the storyline. This year it was rather disjointed with non-related performances.

The theme for this year's concert was conceived after some of his kindergarten's teacher and staff had the opportunity to experience an exchange programme with two preschools in Cebu Philippines. They shared skills and knowledge teaching young children and were able to be an instrument of peace and blessing to the less fortunate. Despite the disjointed performances, this year's theme for Kyle's school concert was still very meaningful as it was a night of 'rejoicing and celebration' (from the words of the programme outline)…

'of the achievement of the children's development milestones, though songs and dance using musical instruments, may our hearts be encouraged to persevere in doing what is right. Let us draw strength from God, who is our Source of hope, to put others before ourselves, and recognise that we can be instruments to channel love and hope to others!'

"Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor of the Lord shines on you!" Isaiah 60:1'

Coincidentally, I  chanced upon the same verse while doing my BSF studies of the book of Isaiah about 2 weeks ago, and I thought the verse really reminded me of Kyle's school.

This year's costume was a little more 'Chingay-liked', nonetheless, the kids in his class all looked adorable in their costumes, finished with gel and glitter in their hair. With the exception of one of the older group of kids who were decked out in pvc-liked black and red mid-driff tops with a black 'tie', complete with a silver chain tied to their black bermudas. I would have cringed if Kyle had to wear that costume, as it came across very s&m and cheena styled.

Here's a slight shaky video for the performance, Kyle is the third child from the right.

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Categorized: His World · Tagged: ,
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