Kancamagus Scenic Byway

Just went for a one day trip to Kancamagus Scencic Byway at New Hampshire on 28 Dec (Thu). It is about 2 hours drive away. It is one of the most scenic routes through the White Mountains. The length of the Byway is 26.5 miles (42.4 km).
Luckily, our Christmas gift (sent by elder sis) from Singapore arrived on 27 Dec. Well, that's because the digital camera is inside the parcel. If not, we will not be able to take any pictures.
Another good thing that happened was that it snowed at White Mts. So we are able to play with the snow. Chrysla even lie down on the snow and make a snow angel. Haha!
Scenery at White Mts are spectacular and simply breathtaking. Took quite a number of pics.
Anyway, those who are interested can check it at this link:
Kancamagus Scenic Byway weblink

Dear Tom, Chinsu & Archie

You are right. Chrysla has grown up a lot... even as her parents, we are so sad that to see her grow up. So what we do is to watch her video clips...hee... we have her video clips esp those in usa...... we miss our little princess too....
Hope everyone is fine at home.
Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year.

It's been a while

Has been a while since my last post. Life at Massachusetts is great... nice to see such beautiful scenery..... which is very different from the scenery in Arizona....

Winter is almost here but it is already very cold over here..... it can be as low as 25 degrees F (-4 degrees C). It is so cold that I have to put on gloves..... seriously dun understand why some people can just be out at the streets without putting on any gloves...
Try to take pictures but too bad.... our camera seems to have some problems.... can only see some dark shadows on the screen.... haha! But my elder sis is very nice.... she bought a camera for me in singapore..... says that it is on offer...... so now jus hv to wait for her to send the camaera.... plus other goodies such as mamee snacks for Chrysla which is bought by her cousin Rainer using his own pocket money. Hee....

Recently have also just order some stuff online.... chicken rice mixture..... sambal chilli sauce......nonya steam fish chilli sauce and so on. One is about US$4 ++. So we can have chilli steam fish and oso sambal chilli prawns....

Chrysla is doing very well in sch.... oso doing quite well for her gym n piano...... even now Gavin has started to learn to play the piano.....of coz using the keyboard..... we did go n check out the electric pianos but it is not cheap..... it costs around at least ard US$2k to buy a reasonable electric piano. But if we intend to go back singapore next yr..... we will hv to postpone the plan on buying a piano for her.

Xmas Greetings

Howdy everyone!
First of all, we wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.


Love,
Gavin, Alice n Chrysla

New Car

Well, here are some pictures of our new car. This is our very first time owning a brand new car. Gavin is sure to dote on it....... guess probably more impt than me....haha!

Short Video Clips

Latest 2 photo albums

Hi everyone,
Just uploaded two photo albums. One is our road trip 2006 and the other is our apt, Forest Acres Apt.
And too bad, the children's day is on sunday and not monday....haha! If not, teachers will have a
long weekend.......
Oh yeah..... for those who don't know what the word 'sotong' mean........ it is actually a malay word... means squid...... it oso has another meaning ----- blur....

Love,
Sotong Alice

Happy Belated Teachers' Day

Hi teachers from Singapore,
Wishing everyone of you a Happy Belated Teachers' Day. Was on road trip from Arizona to Massachusetts and did not really have any chance to post any articles.
Hope everyone of you enjoy your precious long weekend... hee....


Cheers
Alice

Good News

Hi there,
Been a while since my previous posts. Well, good news must be shared with those who know us. Gavin got himself a job over at Haverhill, Massachussets. They require him to start work on 11 Sep and most probably we will start our road trip on 24 Aug....... though sis says that 23 aug is a better day according to the Chinese calendar. : - )
got to go.... packing now...

sotong

Joo Seng's picture in the newspaper

Have just changed to a new file..... the previous one doesn't work.

Piano Recital 2006

It was exciting to hear that Chrysla will be participating in the piano recital. This is her first time and she was very nervous about it..... Here are some pictures to share with you her first piano recital.

Two new photo albums

Hi everyone,
Been quite a while since my last post. Anyway, just wanna let u guys know that I've included two photo albums. One is on Chrysla's gymnastics recital performance and the other is on Chrysla's trip with her gymnasts friends to Sunsplah waterpark as part of the gymnastic summer camp program.
Enjoy the pictures!

Rover Dinner & Spring Fling Carnival

This carnival was hled in Chrysla's school, Rover Elementary School on 28 Apr 2006 (Fri) from 4.30 to 7.30 pm.
Not only do they had performance from kindergarteners to fifth graders, they also had quite a few inflatable playgrounds.

Chrysla's 9th birthday and Tax Date

Well, no one will be able to forget Chrysla's birthday coz her birthday is always on the income tax deadline ----- 15 Apr.... haha!

Well, as compared to her birthday last year, it was really a mini birthday celebration for her. Well, i did not allow her to celebrate in school.... so she can only celebrate with both of us.
Anyway, we received two parcels from sis on the same day. Chrysla was so delighted. Well, of coz, we got her to open these two parcels as her birthday presents are inside. hee...
She really got a lot of birthday goodies. She has a pink beautiful nightie, a white softy blanket as you see from the 1st picture in the photo album and a lot of titbits. She fell in the love with the white blanky that she could not stop playing with it.

We went to Walmart and tried to shop for a birthday cake for her. But the cakes over here are kind of sweet as compared to those in Singapore. Saw these ice cream birthday cakes and asked her if she wanted it.. Guess what? She did not want to coz she wanted to decorate her own cake so in the end we just bought a sponge cake with some cake decoration stuff.

We also brought her to Fiddlestick so that she can play mini golf again... as usual... two of them played and i took their scores for them.... hee....

She really enjoyed the game a lot.....

Since there were only three of us, we only prepared noodles, chicken wings and of coz the birthday cake. Oh yeah, she decorated the cake too..... coat the chocolate fudge onto the cake, sprayed the chocolate chips and also putting the decorations on the cake. She had a lot of fun.... guess this is a special way to celebrate her birthday and probably more meaningful to her.

RE: Misbehaved Gal

Hi sis,

According to Chrsla and her teacher, her friend did not provoke her at all. That was what I thought too in the beginning. Well, she revealed to me that she threw the pebble to get her friend's attention coz she wanted to check the school work for that particular day.
i told her that is the wrong way of communicating with her friend. Now, when she leaves for school, i will always try to remember to tell her to be respectful to her friends and teachers. Guess it is just part of her growing up. Most of the time, she is easy to handle.... but when she mishaved.... the whole world becomes chaotic too... hee....

What to do? She is borned in the year of cow... that means she is a stubborn girl. i hope no more such nonsense from her anymore.

Mee Siam... YEAH!!!!!!!!

YEAH!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!

We have mee siam for breakfast this morning. Mmm...mmm....mmm.... It is simply delicious and more imptly... with sambal chilli!

Hee...... went to Lee Lee Asian Supermaret on Tuesday. Happen to see this packet that had all the ingredients for mee siam. Sedup! Also saw one that is for cooking mee rebus. Hee... in the end, we bought two of them. It is a really simple way of preparing at home esp overseas.

Writing Test

Chrysla had a writing test which was graded by another school district (mini MOE). Instead of having picture compo test like in Singapore, she had a writing prompt test.

Here it goes

'Two friends are alone for a day on an island. Write a story about their adventures during that day.'.

Short and sweet right? This is what she has written.

This is how they grade her writing:

• ideas: expressed ideas clearly with detail



• Organization: includes beginning, middle and ending



• Word Choice: uses everyday words correctly. Experiments with new and descriptive words.



• Voice: Shows feelings/individuality



• Sentence Fluency: Uses a variety of Sentence patterns.



• Conventions: Spells grade level words in context, Capitalization / Punctuation, Writes legibly

if i am not wrong, each component comprises 6 marks.

The marking criteria is very different from Singapore. My teacher friends, what do you think of it? How is it compared to Singapore's marking scheme?

Misbehaved Gal

Just about 3 weeks ago, Chrysla was sobbing when I fetched her from school. Well, i thought someone had teased her and she was feeling upset. Sigh..... turn out it was the other way round. She threw a tiny pebble at her friend's back. Oh gosh... I serioulsy never imagined such things will happen to her----- being a "brave and daring" gal. Anyway, her form teacher Mrs Reynolds told her to write a letter to us and we have to sign it. Boy.... i was so angry with her. Anyway, she was grounded for that week and not allowed to come out from her room except for meals. Guess how i feel when I met her form teacher at the Teacher-Parent-Conference a week later and realised that she "strangled" her friend during recess. So I have to tell her why such acts are unacceptable and what are the right way to convey her message to her friends. Sigh..... i wonder if she ever did that in DLS. Anyway, she did quite well in school except for respecting for others. Guess i have to work harder on her moral issues.

Chrysla's Social Studies Report

Chrysla's Report on Abraham Lincoln

She has to do some research via the internet. Once she is done with the report, I helped her to copy the text and picture into Publisher Pro. With the Publisher Pro template's, her report looks neat.

Feel free to leave a comment or suggestion.

I earn US$17 from Amazon!!!

Hurray!!!!!!! Hurray!!!!!!! Hurray!!!!!!!!
I've just sold a book at Amazon Marketplace for $19. But minus the commission fee i will get around US$17. Haha!
I am both thrilled and excited!!!!!!!!!!
Another 22 more books to be sold in Amazon.
Wish me all the best!

New handohone no. / comments

Hi,

Please feel free to give any comment to any of my posts. Teachers....... teachers.... would appreciate if you can just comment on Chrysla's compo writings.

Oh yeah.... 1 more thing. I'll be terminating my current Singapore handphone. Have already got a new connection over here. Will let u all know via email.

Chinese Cultural Center

Went to the Chinese Cultural Center the first day of Chinese New Year. Some Americans were taking this opportunity to have a strike just outside CCC. They were unhappy with the Chinese in China skinning the animals alive. That's what I assume from the pictures I saw.

Surprisingly, the CCC was very crowded. There was a stage for performances and a lot of stalls selllng Chinese Art and Crafts, food and even Koi fish. They even had an auction for the Koi fish.

We did not stay for long as it was just too crowded. So we left early.

Well, at least we try to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Brave Soldier

This is also another journal writing by Chrysla. Thought it was quite well written...... i really wonder how her class teacher teaches writing to the class. Maybe should observe her lessons... and learn from her.... hee..

Spongebob

Chrysla wrote a story about Spongebob Squarepants at school. It is one of her journal writings. I thought this story is kind of funny......

Artwork by Chrysla

Chrysla always enjoys using paintbrush to do some computer art..... she is really good at this....

Reply to Julie

Hi Julie,
Want your email address so that I can send u a CNY e-card.... hee....
So that I can scold and criticize u in private. Haha!
So how's life? Did not really talk to u for a long time on the phone the other time. How's your parents?
When are u coming to visit me? Hee...... i will pray every day for that to come true..... : - )Better start buying 4D and Toto from now onwards.... hee...
By the way, my hp is out of service.... did not pay the bils.... hee.... anyway, too expensive to continue having it over in US. I will be getting a new phone with US connection. Will also be requesting for international SMS. Then watashi shall SMS u..... hee....
Keep in touch though......
take care,sotong

Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!!!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Chinese New Year.

May all your dreams come true.

A song for everyone.......

Sam Hui ----- Cai shen dao

This year is the year for both JS and myself.... coz we are born in the year of dog....

Zodiac sign - dog

click on the link above to find out more about the characteristics of those born in the year of dog.

Memories of mom

It has been 2 months since my mom passed away. Same as me, she is also born in the year of dog.
Frankly speaking, I do not have a lot of good memories of her. Most of the time, I can only remember the times when she was mad with us.. or quarreled with dad. Both of our parents are hot-tempered and you can imagine the sparks caused by them.
But one thing I can remember vividly is that my mom took part in a story-telling competition. She has to tell a story about the importance of talking using Mandarin instead of dialects. If I am not wrong, that was also the time that they are starting to promote speaking using Mandarin. She won in the story-telling competition. I am very proud of her. That was also how Pei and I ended up speaking only Mandarin instead of Cantonese at home.
I also can remember the times where she brought us to the Queenstown National Library. She exposed us to reading... which definitely is a great habit....coz I have been a bookworm since young.
Although my elder sister and brother were often caned by my parents, I was always spared coz I was the only one who was obedient most of the time. I guess that's why I can still remember the incident quite well coz it was the first and last time that my mom ever caned me. My elder brother and I did not take any shower after school. Our grandmother tried to persuade us but in vain. And soon, my parents came back home after work and mom was furious that both of us did not bathe. She threw a pencil case towards my brother but it did not get him. I guess that made her even angrier. It happened that I was near her and I was caned by her. My sweet and sour first / last time.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is just around the corner and of coz there isn't much celebration unless u are at cities like New York... there is a lot of Chinese over there and a Chinatown. So I guess they will celebrate over in New York City. But still, we still have our own way of celebrating.... that is to have reunion dinner on CNY's eve. HHhmmmm...... just like the Thanksgiving Day, we are gonna having a steamboat dinner again. Maybe we will go down to Lee Lee's Supermarket this weekend. Guess we will be seeing some Singaporeans from the Air Force. They always like to go down to the supermarket during weekends.
Well, at least this New year can save up some money. : - )
Dad! Are you still buying the coin for Chrysla? I don't mind... hee.... next time, these coins are going to be very valuable in the future.

Hey Julie

Thanks for your comments, Julie. It is okay if Chrysla can cook better than me..... it will definitely be an advantage... hee... next time I will wait for FOOD...... from her.
By the way, u still have not given me your email add. How to email to u?

Graciousness is.....

• when the emergency vehicle is on emergency, vehicles on the road will drive to the edge of the road or stop their vehicles some where so that the emergency vehicle can pass through easily.



• when the school bus stops, the vehicles from both directions stop at a certain distance and wait for the children to board or disembark the bus.



• at a cross junction with no traffic lights, the first car that reaches at the junction will drive off first.



• We left our car at the gymnastics school coz it cannot be started. Prior to that, we bought a lot of groceries. We thought we had to walk home when Chrysla's friend's mom gave us a lift back home. The next day, Gavin was there to check on the car. A man was there and volunteered his help. He sent Gavin to the Autozone shop so that he could test the battery and sent him back to the gymnastics school again.

Comments

just a reminder esp. my friends. If u want to email to me but very lazy or too busy (ha! ha!), u can always click on the "comments" button and you can write to me. Actually, it is meant for u gys to write comments about that particular post. But if it's private matter, then jus send me an email to my email then!

Alice

Home Sweet Home

Has neverposted anything on our apartment over in USA. Gavin has been staying here since Dec 2004 whereas Chrysla and I have only been here since Jul this year. It is a 2-bedroom 1 bath apartment. One thing I like about this apartment is the spacious living room as compared to the one in Singapore. Those who have been to my apartment in Singapore will know what I mean. Hee.... Anyway, here are just some photos of our apartment over here.

This is Chrysla's study table in her room.

This is our living room. The computer table and bookshelf are behind the sofa.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving dinner was on 24 Nov 2005. We had a steamboat dinner at our small balcony. We bought a lot of food from Lee Lee Supermarket a few days before the dinner. We bought food such as abalone, fishballs, sharkfin soup, quail eggs and prawns. Chrysla enjoyed the dinner the most.