Tip 212: Kids stage shows at malls

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It is amazing that these days, you can bring your kids to stage shows of their favourite cartoon or kids program character such as Barney or Spongebob. It can even be a free 30 minute show event at a shopping mall holding a sales event to attract shoppers to their shopping mall simply to entertain their kids. Most of the time, these shopping malls will not restrict entrance to kids to watch the shows for free. Some malls may have priority seating or photo taking with the characters if you purchase a certain shopping amount. But, this is still so much cheaper than a paid USD$80 ticket to a 2-3 hour show that the kid will find too long anyway. Why waste the money when you can get it for free?













As parents, we sacrifice the luxury of watching stage shows or cinema movies, especially if we have few people to depend on to babysit our kids. This is mostly true if you are living abroad, far away from family or even is new to a place and is unsure of how to locate reliable and trustworthy babysitters.














When I was at London, I was so looking forward to catch a musical theatre of Phantom of the Opera or Cats. But, kids under 12 years old were not permitted. We were even looking out for stage shows that were suitable for kids and even then, most shows were only open for kids above 4-6 years old.














Such kids shows do increase the curiosity, imagination and ambition of a child. To a certain extent, it does expand their wants list and daddy is trying now to teach Haruka to be content and patient. At a young age, if the kids are exposed to the variety of possible shows and fun they can see face to face, their concept of reality expands and they will dream bigger dreams. I tell Haruka to dance well since SpongeBob was giving out free souvenirs to kids who raise their hands up and dance. She did not win anything that day, but now she has a higher motivation to learn new skills everyday.

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(Photos shot around Christmas 2009 showing the family at a free photo session with free printed photos of SpongeBob Squarepants and friends from the Bikini Bottom at my office building mall during lunch, Astro Boy/Mighty Atom and Uran at a shopping mall catered for Japanese shoppers; and Barney and Friends singing all the favourites that Haruka was singing along and relating to the character names she knows well).

Tip 211: Apply for something & document your life

I just had time to relax after a busy day filling forms. That's the life of a daddy who runs the family abroad and relocates his beloved wife and daughter from their familiar territory. I guess I can't complain too much as my daughter is growing up well and mummy is taking good care of her. I just finished documenting all of the information I have entered in the forms I filled earlier into my personal library. I looked into my folders and see tonnes of scanned documents in folders named Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. All of this forms part of my wealth of experience and knowledge. It defines my life. I reflect back and can only attribute this to the act of applying. It can be for a new job, a university course, a contest, a home loan, a scholarship or even for entry into a country.














Only by applying, will you seek for information and if you are diligent like me, you could document them. Then, the next time, a form requires you to answer your Student ID and addresses of all your universities, or your previous company addresses and salary amounts, or your children birthcert numbers, you have them all ready. Unlike some, I never need to go back to search for my passport for its expiry date because I have them all at my finger tips.














I can say that I am quite an application guru now. To a certain degree, applications can cause some stress when you have not established a base where you started gathering information since young. For instance, do you keep information about your vaccination history during childhood on the types and dates of vaccination? The less you have tracked since the start of your education, the more likely it may haunt you one day when you start making applications.














We live in a mobile world these days and different countries have different information requirements we thought unlikely. Even if we do not start documenting our own life records, we may want to do that for our children to keep thorough records of everything. Or would we want to disappoint our grandchildren one day simply because we are not as savvy in keeping track with our life records and unable to stay with our children to care for their children? :)














Ok, I do think too far ahead for my age. Its hard to suddenly start documenting. As mentioned, make more attempts to apply for something. It can be for a new credit card, an exam for a new language or a new club association if we think that further education and migration are for the adventurous. It is because when we do start applying, our life grows and it may never stop growing as we document and reflect whenever possible. Of course, God is behind our every longing to grow as we seek after His grace in such applications.














(Photos show Haruka sitted at a sofa at church having her photo taken by pastor Keigo Ohtani, her latest fan and second photo showing Haruka with sunglasses at the Marina at Keppel Bay, and next along Clarke Quay riverside admiring a cute dog and being admired by the dog's owner).

Tip 210: Discover quicker better options daily

I blogged previously about the need to learn crucial business processes when moving to a new place. There is just so much to do these days that daddy can benefit when doing things quicker and getting faster and better results. Many would criticize of the approach to search for shortcuts in life. Yet, when you are already working hard and doing many things, it does help when you know shortcuts, so you can accomplish more in life. Of course, it is necessary to also know what the long route is and visualize it, so one has a better understanding of others and appreciation of the benefits of finding better options. One such example is how I could get my Permanent Resident (PR) status in just 2.5 months, when others who do not know better, may take up to 5-8 months. This has less to do with qualification, but how to be on top of the bureaucratic and online application system.















When I first applied for my PR, I realized that one has to book an appointment online and the calendar showed that the next available appointment to just submit the application and documents was in 3 months! I was surprised by the number of applications and then figured out that probably some people would have missed their appointments and the online system ought to show the new available earlier time slots. Yet, I checked and could not find them. So I wrote to the PR officer and he informed me that the system does replenish earlier time slots and I just need to look for them. Then, it dawned on me that I needed to search them at night after the system batch job replenishes those time slots that has been cancelled by other users online. I checked at 9pm and found an appointment in the next 2 days. I wrote to thank the PR officer after 2 months and said I am looking forward to be a PR soon and probably got a quicker approval by highlighting my application. Again, there was a need to book an appointment to collect the Identity card when the approval letter is received and the next available appointment date was again 2 months in the future. I followed the same method and checked the calendar at night and found the next available appointment in 2 days time. I figured out that there must be many immigration agents who start booking appointments when they start work at 8am and did not do so when the IT batch job replenishes the appointments in the system around 9-12 at night. If a typical applicant would just select the next available appointment each time which would be roughly in 2 months time ahead, the applicant would already have taken 4 months plus the time necessary for approval which could be 1-4 months, making the whole application period to be 5-8 months time. Then, there is the possibility of having clashing schedules since such an advanced date may welcome new events in life that may require canceling this appointment to fulfill PR duties. Besides this, it is also necessary to get the right photo types and be prepared to make medical check ups quickly upon receiving the PR approval letter. It just shows that when you do the right steps, you can save so much time. Time is money because when I got my PR, I got additional CPF contribution from my employer as well as subsidised rates at government hospitals/clinics.














These are probably some of the things our children may not realize that daddy can do to make things better for them. There are many things a daddy does that does not get mentioned on father's day.














(Photos show more Singapore zoo trips that Haruka enjoys).

Tip 209: A vision of achievements

At 2 years old, Haruka is growing up well. She has interest to learn and has the attention span to concentrate on minor lessons. I am sure part of it is due to her intelligence and ability to observe and grasp new lessons. Another part is due to her dad providing her a vision of her achievements. When kids play, they begin to learn how to play, understand the objectives of play, derive satisfaction from it, imagine role play and envision different outcomes from the play time. The child observes daddy, mummy and others close to their heart and want to be as clever and as strong as them. They believe that by reading picture books or by playing toys, they not only amuse themselves, but also learn to be like daddy or mummy. They begin to develop a vision or ambition to achieve something more each day.



















A child learns through play. But it is through communication with others during play that the child learns better what to expect out of play. For instance, a child may have learnt how to combine lego blocks together to form a larger block. But unless the child is exposed to the different designs and construction possible, the child may be limited in his/her vision to see what the possibilities are. It is not about pampering the child with too much time spent together. At some point in time, the child needs to learn to play alone, learn independence and to think on his/her own. Yet, just 5-10 minutes during each play, it can be worthwhile to point the child in the right direction. To provide a vision of possible achievements, to communicate ambitions and examples of good values and admirable deeds. These are powerful images that would assist the child to dream and to imagine. Then, the child will learn how to create such visions on their own. I would for instance build a new lego design and structure at the beginning of Haruka's play and create a story behind this design and structure. If I have the time, I would point to Haruka the new type of design I tried, so she could review such new design concepts. After a while, she prefers to play on her own and feels daddy is imposing his designs on her. Then, it may take just daddy's presence to play by her side to praise her for her new creations and suggest to her what she can do to make the lego structure more interesting without doing it for her. The vision is painted and it is fun to admire it together and creatively consider the different possibilities.



















I do the same when encouraging good behavior in Haruka. I create a vision that Haruka will be praised by her teacher and students at Sunday School. I remind her of how it felt when she stood on the stage in front of the church and recognized as a member of Sunday School with applause from everyone. I praised her on how well she smiled when she stood on the stage and she should increase her good deeds and well manners, so that she will have that pleasure again on stage. When she was younger and could not envision such grander ambitions, I would just point her to a fun role of being a Barney girl. I am sure all this impacts her creative thinking .

(Photos show Haruka at Singapore Botanic Garden, the only botanic garden with many awards that opens the longest hours, yet not charge any admission fee.

Tip 208: To love is to Remember

As I reflect on life and on my relationship with God and others, I realize that the act of remembering has life changing and powerful impact in one's life. Sometimes, even if the act of remembering does not result in significant good actions on our part to recipocrate and do good works to repay the debt we received from the giver, it is fine to just remember. I blogged once about the importance of remembering God while we were young. I am beginning to inculcate this to Haruka even as she is just 2 years old. Though, the concept of remembering may have little to do with how strong our memory is. It helps to have good memory to remember the details of location, time and date and people involved in our history who have helped us. Yet, it takes more than contemplation, as gratitude may be a function of how we value kindness.














I would always talk to Haruka and ask her if she remembers a certain person and relates the incident and location. Then, I would ask her what that person did and if she loved that person.












It is the lunar Chinese New Year soon. I am preparing red packet 'angpow'. When I was away from the chinese community in Tokyo and London during Chinese New Year, there were fewer friends and relatives that I would need to prepare an angpow for. So this coming Chinese New Year will be an exciting one for me and for Haruka. It will be Haruka's first time receiving angpows as we somehow got distracted with travelling or were busy with work during the previous new year. After all, it is not a holiday in Japan. As I prepare angpows, I remembered my church members who would look out for me during church services during Chinese New Year as they have prepared a RM10 angpow for me. It may not be a big amount now, but its a generous amount for non relatives to be giving a RM10 angpow to a church member and I remembered everyone of them for their dedication, generosity and love shared many years during my childhood. Now that I attend a Japanese church in Singapore, I realized that there aren't too many children who would find a SGD10 or even SGD20 angpow as meaningful to be remembered for, even if I would stick to a routine of doing the same every year. Probably most churches in the city would face the same situation. So what do we do? Do I make a trip to a poor neighbourhood village or to the aborigines at Cameron Highlands to give out angpows every year? Or do I keep a prayerful eye for a needy family in a Malaysian church to share this ritual of love?

Somebody asked Abba Antony (St. Antony the Great of Egypt), "What shall I do in order to please God?"












He replied, “Do what I tell you, which is this: wherever you go, keep God in mind; whatever you do, follow the example of Holy Scripture; wherever you are, stay there and do not move away in a hurry. If you keep to these guidelines, you will be saved.”












We are living in a fast paced results oriented materialistic society. It is becoming harder to pass through the eye of a needle and appreciate the love that God has for us and share that same love to others. Yet, we need to remember. Sometimes, it may mean not being in a hurry always. Find time to remember.

(Photos show Haruka at the Singapore Botanic Gardens and a shopping mall lantern display).

Tip 207: Save first, enjoy later

The story of capitalism has seen many enjoy great material comfort and luxury, only to lose it within a day.















I watched The Oprah Winfrey Show which showcased a TV anchorman who lived a celebrity life only to suddenly lose his job after 26 years when his TV station closed down abruptly. The next month, the anchorman had 0 income, but 2 mortgages to pay off and a lot of other installment plans such as holiday hotel timeshare plans, 24 month fitness gym subscription, kids' university fees, insurance plans, regular savings investment plans and many others. From a life of cocktail parties every other night, he had to resort to search for a job instantly and decided to take a 80% pay cut to be a part timer at a pet shop.















He had to surrender many of his investment plans and incur losses, sell off assets at a loss and resort to rent a home and car instead. All the years of hard work to build his wealth results to nothing when he incurs great loss when selling his assets and investments abruptly.















Unlike Asians, many do not keep large savings for rainy days. The solution: save 1 year of income before committing to any new mortgage or large ticket expense.















As I look back, I can understand the temptations to enjoy or over invest beyond our means. The sales person who want get you to spend on gym expenses, will sell you a 24 month plan and share with you the discounts you may enjoy. Yet, you may later find yourself moving to another city or country and not utilizing the membership after all. Similarly, insurance agents or investment brokers may give various incentives that may tempt customers to invest beyond their means.















What is the optimum path to manage money to live a good life? God first, people second, then money, then things. Delay our craving on things till we manage money well for a good sustainable future in today's volatile fast changing world. After a while, we may realize things can matter very little.














(Photos show Haruka a little unhappy to pose with a Black Pete (Zwarte Piet, Sinterklaas's helper) during the Dutch Christmas event Sinterklaas feast at the Hollandse Club, at a playground at the Harbour Front mall, along the Christmas lights at Orchard Road and a Christmas party at a home of a Japanese Christian of the church we are joining now in Singapore).