The Reading Room

Mondays have become unofficially ‘cafe day’. Since it’s our only off day and with both the girls in school, we are free to explore the different cafes in Singapore. So far, we have been to a few in Tiong Bahru, Beach Road, Orchard, etc.

Last Monday, Kless recommended The Reading Room (TRR). It’s situated along Bukit Pasoh Road. The look from outside may not be too inviting, but once we entered the cafe, we were immediately greeted by the old deco in the place, especially old telephones.

 

Hearsay from the staff, the boss of TRR especially like old phones but sadly, none of them are usable.

 

If are like to read a book while enjoying your afternoon tea or coffee, this is the perfect place to just pick up a book of the shelves and you will be lost in time for hours. Or pick up one of those card games / board games, you and your friends will easily have a wonderful time.

What about a game of chess on a mini board? Ask my wife and she will vouch that I am totally in love with such wooden stuff.

Interesting decos found in every little corner.

My usual cup of latte. Even the accompanying cookie is the old-fashioned ‘flower biscuit’.

Look what I found hidden in a corner? Walkman! If you have never seen one before, you are definitely not my era.

Or one of these? I’m not sure what is the actual name but it’s those film thing where you can insert a round film and toggle the switch besides to change your view.

Some of the books are for sale if you found something interesting.

If not, you can just be like us, bring a book and settle into one of the comfortable armchairs or sofas.

 

Or if you are feeling stress, they have a special wall for you. Directions for use provided.

It’s a happy cafe and I can foresee myself going back more often.

The Reading Room
19 Bukit Pasoh Road, S(089833)
Tel: 6220 9019
Opens daily from 11am to 2am

They are also available for corporate events, private parties, film/photography shoots, art exhibitions, book signings, etc..

I Hug My Mom 2013

Supported by the Singapore Kindness Movement, CHC organised the ‘I Hug My Mom 2013’ project. And this year, the families in our CG decided to join in and be part of this community project to show love and bring the message of Mother’s Day to the residents in Woodlands.

More than just that, our family was selected to be filmed for this movement.

The girls are totally natural in front of the camera, in fact they were more than happy to be filmed. On the other hand, Kless who was a bit camera-shy. But I think she looks so happy and pretty!

Happy Mother’s Day!

After the preparation was done at home, we headed to meet Claire and her kids. This was truly a family community event.

Jayne and Chernise were the 2 youngest members in this project. At 4, both of them played their part to encourage other children to give their Mom a hug.

Probably due to the filming or we were just too excited for the project, we arrived at the meeting point 45mins early. Thankfully the meeting point was at Causeway Point, we just sat down for some breakfast and coffee.

 

A group photo for those who were early, before we were all drenched in sweat from the scorching sun. Did you realised that the colour code was red? Some of us wore the ‘I Hug My Mom’ t-shirt too.

Yifei is the girls’ favourite uncle. Every time we go out, Uncle Yifei will be their tireless playmate.

The pretty mommies who were on duty for the day.

After the briefing, we are all ready to go! Target was at least 100 hugs!

My able partner for the day, Joey. She ran tirelessly inviting the people to hug their moms. So proud of her!

I Hug My Mom! To see more photos or find out what is the project about, click on this Facebook link.

 

It was a hot afternoon, and after almost 2 hours of hard work, the kids retreated to the comfort of the aircon area.

Jayne started her version of ‘horror’ drama. So cute! Jayden was the male lead cast.

Stole a photo from Kless. The beautiful kids from our CG. *FYI, I was the one holding the placard*

It was a resounding success @ Woodlands – I Hug My Mom 2013. Thank you all who came and supported the project.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Technorati Tags: Singapore Kindness Movement,CHC,Mother's Day

Celebrate Fatherhood - Guest Post @ Ai Sakura

Approached by Ai Sakura to guest post in her series of Celebrate Fatherhood, I was both honoured and shocked. I set forth to reflect on my short tenure (7 years) of being a father.

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Year 0
Getting ready to receive our first born into the family, nothing can be prepared beforehand of what is to come. I have decided to be a hands-on daddy, be it feeding, bathing, changing diapers, making milk, etc. Fatherhood is anticipation.

Year 1
Baby is more interactive now, more attention seeking. But the joy of seeing my darling Joey always out-weights the tiredness from work. Fatherhood is enjoyment.

Year 2
Experiencing the so call ‘terrible two’ symptom. It seems like fatherhood is no longer easy or fun. It is during this period I questioned my decision of having kids. Without Joey, I could have enjoyed life with the missus. I missed my ‘freedom’ nights. Fatherhood is tough.

Year 3
Time to think and plan for another child. Seriously, I have never thought of a boy, I mean girls are so cute and I am quite enjoying Joey’s ‘daddy’s girl’ attention. Fatherhood is heavy responsibility.

Year 4
Birth of a second girl (yea!). Reliving the entire experience of sleepless nights and 2-hr shift work. However, the sight of seeing Joey carrying baby Jayne really ensured me that all is worth it. At the same time, I have to grapple with the cruelty of seeing how Joey cries non-stop when she starts to attend Nursery. Fatherhood is heart wrenching.

Year 5
This is probably the easiest year of all. Joey is enjoying school and Jayne is super duper cute. Fatherhood is heaven.

Year 6
Another round of ‘terrible two’. No amount of experience or preparation is enough cos every child is so different even though the factory is the same. Fatherhood is unexplainable.

Year 7
Joey attends Primary 1 in my alumni school. This is exactly how I have imagined on the day she was born, my child studying in the same school as me. Amazing! Jayne starts Nursery and I have grown emotionally stronger, to stay calm when I see her cry in the morning but laughingly tells me her day when I pick her up after work. Fatherhood is growing up.

Are fathers appreciated? Who and how should we appreciate fathers?
I believe family (wife and kids) should show love and support as fathers do go have to make tough decisions and usually we do not have much support from other fathers around (unlike mothers). But personally I stand on the belief that a father should learn to appreciate himself. If we do not know how important our role is, or if we do not have a healthy self-image as a father, we will not be able to live strong and do well.

Daddy is a choice! The moment I have decided to be a father that decision stays forever!  

Joey Turns 7

Yup, we are late in her celebration. But for kids, it is always late than never.

Pardon the not so clean wall, but the focus is on Mummy Kless’s handiwork. I am just blessed to have a wife who loves to do handicraft. Such events are never the same without her simple yet pretty decos.

Goodie bags for the kids who are coming.

Joey obviously took after the missus, she did her part for the party too.

This year, thanks to Cadbury Dairy Milk – Singapore, we were able to do a special birthday celebration for Joey. A 1 hour Joyville Ride on the Cadbury Bus! Just one look at the bus/ tram is enough to bring out the smiles on the kids and adults too.

All aboard for the Joyville Ride! Joy on Board!

Even if you are not a chocolate fan (why aren’t you?), you will definitely enjoy the ride with friends and all the wacky props available for you.

 

The adults won’t be beaten by the kiddos.

And the winner for the best dressed couple, goes to … the Law couple!

It was a short ride to the Woodlands Waterfront, where we alighted for a while to take some groups shots.

Birthday girl with all her friends.

And the Kuan Family.

In the 2nd half of the ride, more chocolates were given out to everyone.

The relaxed part of this plan was the inclusion of the 2 fantastic bus captain from the Cadbury Bus. They led games, gave out props, entertained the kids, gave out chocolates, and even took photos for us. Mr Nut-pod & Ms Fruit-top.

 

All the planning was well worth it all due to this precious smile.

We had once of the best party! No fuss, not too long, lots of laughter and beautiful people.

After the bus ride, it was just right to end off the celebration with some refreshment back at home and an ice-cream cake to cool off from a hot day.

Thank you everyone for making it yet another special and memorable birthday celebration for Joey. Love you all!