We had a late start to the new year this morning. Everyone refused to get out of bed, which is extremely rare except for all the inappropriate times, and we didn't really have any plans for today apparently. It was like we were all trying to reserve energy for the coming challenging of the new year. And yes, we definitely see a busy and difficult year ahead. And no, I'm not being pessimistic.
When we finally got ourselves out of the house, we had lunch at The Asian Kitchen (Raffles City). Our first instinct was to eat at Ding Tai Fung but hey, it's the new year… new choices… new habits… maybe we'll have new experiences and surprises too. As it turned out, the food was decent and affordable. No regrets. Thats great for our first lunch of 2015.
After that, we headed to Suntec to buy Sophie her study desk. We have been looking around for an appropriate and affordable ergonomic study desk for her since she's likely to be doing more and more independent desk work at home. We settled for one model from Kettler. With my neck and upper back issues still pending, I'm hoping to save the kids from the pain… literally. Along the way, we saw a trampoline on sale at a roadshow. I was super tempted. It's sturdy and small enough to be put away. It would be a great vestibular and proprioceptive sensory integration activity for Alfee. However, it's over $460. Honestly, I was upset. I'll keep searching for a good trampoline for him or maybe I'll just go ahead and buy it.
The kids slept on the way home so CK dropped me off at Thomson Plaza to get some school supplies. The crowd at Popular was overwhelming so my shopping experience was ruined. I was surprised that some parents were buying school textbooks on the first day of the new year! I just grabbed a couple of assessment books and queued at the cashier very reluctantly. While waiting, I overheard (not bu choice because they were talking so loudly) a young adult complaining to her friend about her computer. As she grew more and more emotional and agitated as she went into the details of her problems. Soon, all the vulgarities started spilling out of her mouth. I wasn't offended but I remembered how CK always frown at youngsters who curse and swear loud enough for others to hear. He thinks these people are attention seekers and such behaviours aren't very good for their image.
Suddenly, a fatherly looking man turned round and told her in a very low voice to stop. I couldn't hear what he said but I managed to catch 'there're children here'. He wasn't angry or out to embarrass the young girl. And to my pleasant surprise, this young lady also took it very well. She apologised and lowered her voice. I didn't hear any foul language after that. I love what I witnessed. A concerned and polite dad educating other youngsters to be more socially responsible and an educated and humble young lady who accepted criticisms and moved on graciously. It must be my lucky day… maybe 2015 would be a good year after all!
In the evening, CK took Alfee to his room for some reading practice while Sophie sat down and did some reflection and quiet work before sleep. I know it's the first day of 2015 and we really should be doing new year resolutions instead of 2014 reviews, but I thought it's a nice simple task to kickstart the year. In fact, I'm leaving the resolutions for tomorrow. I once read that we tend to list a whole bunch of unrealistic new year resolutions if we do it before the end of the year. After all the excitement and celebrations, we will somehow be more realistic and list down more achievable resolutions. Since Sophie is pretty unlikely to think very hard about her review or goals, I searched the web for readymade templates. In the end, I downloaded the template from Skip To My Lou, mainly because it looks fun to do and not at all intimidating.
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