Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother (BHTM) [1]

I'm only halfway thru.. but I have so much I want to share with you..

in the first few chapters she went into such detail i thought only you, violinists could emphatise. "violin hickey" she mentions.. and immediately i thought of you, of grace. i felt so in touch with the violin really... and that only us, strings, can understand her..

She goes on to elaborate at how she works at it.. oh man.. so close to the heart.. and i bought the book really cos of the controversy it churned up in the papers and reviews...

the descriptions she put into how she tigered her girls to practice put me into work as well.. haha.. drilling the scales which i just tried... oh man.. if not for this bk, i think i'd nvr want to touch scales EVER man.. haha.. but if i dun touch it, my LH won't grow.. so yeah.. i'm so glad for the book.. though i'm only halfway thru..

i actually dun feel she's such terrible tiger though the facts put into the book may seem otherwise to readers.. she loves her kids and the nice things she did for them and nice words she put to them were actually all partially hidden..

*fully recommended!!!!*

Voyage De La Vie

After getting today's episode off my chest, lemme attempt to give an impartial review of the Voyage De La Vie I recently watched at the Festive Grand.

Voyage De La Vie is the resident show at RWS. Its a combination of circus, a little dance and singing by Jonathan Leong.

Felt that the show didn't really brought forth the story line that the website described. Supposed to be the story of a boy's adventures and growth. But I totally didn't feel that point.

The choreography was great though. I especially liked the acrobats on the loop. Could really feel the portrayal of love. The rest are more of show offs, esp the swing hanging above our heads. Felt that the lady balancing on two sticks on her arms wasn't quite enjoyable. I didn't like her look la. haha.. felt such an auntie to me oppz...

The finale show really brought out the choreagraphy. Darling and I were both very impressed with the way they changed their sets, really was thought and world-class. Its quite an interesting show through and through. Very rojak and singaporean as they put in both music, dance, pyrotechnics and acrobatics into one performance.

Nice la, but maybe not worth 100+++SGD.

I mentioned that i had to give an impartial review as firstly, it was such an enjoyable experience as there was my darling to share it with and our dearest Kenneth got us such great seats i'm so appreciative for!

Exciting Lesson..

Today's lesson was a little familiar yet not so familiar.

Was so glad to see Keith, my previous trainer. He was tasked to guide a combined group lesson today as Sandra, last week's trainer wasn't around. It was quite a mixed group, with me being the least experienced.

I like his style. Definitely more friendly, but he doesn't scream around like Sandra. And he will gather us after a trot to give us good guidance.

However, despite the familiarity, i was assigned a different horse today. If u have read the previous posts, u'd know that I'm already so accustomed to We Are On that a new horse actually is so rare an experience for me. JD was assigned to me and its really a relatively cooler name. Fortunately, Keith guided me to JD as I expressed my unfamilarity with JD.

And I'm so glad I expressed my unfamilarity to Keith as JD wasn't such a simple horse as We Are On. JD's blind on the left eye and Keith says he's sensitive to being pulled. Keith followed to comfort me that JD's a really good ride despite all that as JD has such a soft canter. (I haven't even gotten used to trotting lorz... -.-)

So I was really cautious. Kept my reins in control yet making sure I didn't tug without realising or for no good reason. JD was a really lovely ride as it is so easy to walk and trot him. Comparatively, We Are On puts on so much resistance despite my kicks.

P.S. I was given the whip today but didn't really need it...

So no tiring kicks today. But side story, the weather was so hot one of the students felt faint and dropped out of class halfway.

That aside, I come to the climax of the lesson today. I already wasn't quite used to JD's trot as his rhythm is obviously quite a far stretch from We Are On, and our trotting today was much much much longer. I had problem keeping up with BOTH the speed and the duration. We didn't have much rests. Just kept trotting on and it was so tiring and hence i was sometimes bumping all over, unable to keep up and almost falling le.

But that falling wasn't an issue as JD's so sensitive he will slow down when he feels i cannot keep up. We learnt the serpent ride today and was trotting around and over some obstacles. Quite smooth for a first time. Unfortunately, the Serpent ride required us to go in an S shape and I was happily trotting when suddenly JD went out of line and a little berserk. I tot he was being naughty and tried to pull him back on track den he freaked out and almost threw me off the horse!

What happened was so fast I couldn't really remember what I did. I remember screaming and screaming (which was so wrong cos I have to coo in a low voice to calm JD down). But I was a little caught off guard and I dun remember if i was scared or what. I think I was, haha, for that moment, but I was more focused I guess. Trying to figure out what made JD freak out and absolutely standing on two legs running about berserk!

Very fortunately, I heard Keith went 'sit', but hello, the saddle is like veritcal, how to sit sia? Nevertheless, I obeyed and tried to sit la, quite impossibly weighed myself down and somehow I managed to rein him in and prevented a fall.

I think Keith was really relieved. He said he's keeping his 2 month no falls in lesson record and counted. and so we trotted on.

After lesson, saw a lady with one side of her sleeves and trousers covered in brown yellowish sand. and her friend went to tell someone at e clubhouse she just fell. OMG. Looks like falling from horse is really common!

I guess I'd just have to learn how to maintain balance. Oh, I forgot to tell you what made JD berserk. Keith later explained to me that it was all the sand that the trotting gathered that's disturbing his eyes and made him nervous. And I went *raise eyebrows* and *nod in realisation*. Now, not just dogs, I have to protect my horse from flying sand. Horses are like how sensitive lorz. -.-

P.S. Just bathed and found some bruises, believe to be from this episode... oppz.. not really escaped unscratched it seems...

Culina

Randomly picked Culina @ Dempsey on Friday... was walking arnd thinking what to eat, but actually, I already knew I wanted to try that shop when we drove past.. :P

Then, finds out today about its exquisite foods and wines, 'leading purveyor of gourmet foods and wines', and so the websites says... haha.. amazed at my random choices..

No pictures thanks to no camera phone policy... but i try to describe la..

Oysters had a variety, like 6 different types to choose from. Tell the truth, i TOTALLY dunno how to choose, the oysters were all salty naturally though.. not like the ones in boston, i rmbr one or two not tasty de..

Escargots was quite to liking, not very French leiz.. i felt its more like HEALTHY French.. (when was French EVER healthy sia..) juicy good escargots..

The main courses were just perfect. The juiciness cant even compare with its presentation. Its very weird they stacked my trout on to of the brocolli and carrots, liddat how to cut!?!?! I lurve the chef.. haha.. he keeps all the original tastes of his main and brings out the tenderness and fragrance of the meat so skilfully..

*PRAISE*

Sigh and double sigh..

I'm questioning myself, did it happen the last time we were there as well?

Mummy's upset that we have to carry home so many things. Oh, I kind of remember le, cos last time i left early for work, so I dunno if she has many things to bring home!

Seriously dun remember.. was she upset the last time too that aunts and uncles brought stuff to occ?

i'm so... not happy. :'( I rmbr the last visit to occ was like heavenly. I had time with my book, had time to swim and tan etc. it did rain too. but not so bad. I dunno. I guess the previous visit was more family. This time was more mummy.

What about me? Maybe I really NEED to just travel out ALONE. Can you imagine, leng? THe last time u suggested something so ______ to me i was totally against your idea. Unfortunately, maybe with a little of leng influence, this idea i was abhorred about I'm actually accepting and making it mine. GOsh.

Naples?
Or Ubud?

All. By. My. Self.

Riding Again!!!

After another few months of waiting.. Sabine finally slot me into another term lesson. Unfortunately, this is the last time i can take lessons as guest, in future will have to pay membership and all.. quite alot of money involved.. i'm not quite prepared to fork out... YET...

And today's lesson.. was so great! So enjoyable and familiar, as i walked in, towards the familiar board and realise i'm scheduled to ride We Are On again! So glad, so thankful, to have someone - somehorse familiar...

I was quite unsure, actually chose a helmet a tad too big... but stuck with it.. the instructor gave us full control lorz, i have actually NEVER used the mounting block, always led the horse to the arena then mounted. today had to mount ALONE, seriously, my first time.

But no difficulty at all, i was nervous, kept talking to him, We Are On (W), but its alright, found his stable, released the crown and cheek piece with some difficulty, led it out of stable.

trainer was rather unfriendly though.. didn't smile, quite strict, really let us on our own.. i didn't know where to led him to, very long never sit so high, abit unsound without seat belt.. lol..

so we were asked to trot after a round of walking and u know, as usual, its impossible to get W trotting! He's sooo old, and sooo tired, and i'm also so tired.. i'm sure he enjoys the walk while i enjoy the ride. But since i paid for lesson, i better learn well, so i kicked and kicked so hard that i nearly teared... but still he didn't budge.. still walking on.. lol..

okay we struggled for fifteen minutes trying to get the horses into trot, and well u know, i love it! haha.. it was fun.. when i finally remember how to trot properly.. it was time to end e lesson.. awww...

and guess what? walking the horse back, i actually feel happy enough to WANT to keep riding... to be willing to fork out that sum of membership... okayokay.. dun think too far.. finish the lessons first.. haha... :P

Thank God..

Thank you, Thank God Thank God..

You won't believe how grateful I am,
To find someone who understands.

So full of appreciation for this gift,
You have taken pains to guide me towards.

Someone I thought quite impossible to exist,
Someone so dear and ever so giving.

I'm so thankful I'm at a loss for words,
To put my joy and gratification.

As actions speak louder than words,
God, I will appreciate this gift more than ever.

I will take care of the gift and treasure it well.
I will be a good lady for this gift.

Thank you, Thank God.