Volleyball Clinic at Junyuan Primary by Thailand Junior Men Team

Teams from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and host country Singapore competed in the Asian Junior Men Volleyball Championship in August 2007. Got to know the Thailand team's coach and spent some time with the team. Thailand won the championship, Sumin and I took them out to Clarke Quay for some celebration.

I was fortunate that the Coach obliged to my request for the Thai players to run a coaching clinic to my team - Junyuan Primary School (JYPS). The Head of Physical Education/Co-Curriculum Activities Department, Mr Daniel, was also very supportive. He arranged for some Primary 2 and 4 classes to watch the clinic and exhibition match during lesson time. The hall was lound with cheers and screaming. Luckily we have a couple of Thai kids who could translate. The JYP players had a tremendous time, loved the clinic and couldn't stop requesting taking photos with the players!



Junyuan Secondary School Players with "super jumper" of Thailand. He REALLY can jump.


Corey LOVES taking photos. Hmm...if only she loves attending my trainings as much!



Corey with player from Philippines.



After a good fight against Korea in the finals and winning the championship, it's time to PARTY! Too bad all the dance clubs were closed on Tuesdays, we took them to the "mature
clubs.

China Jump in Clarke Quay.

Pump Room in Clarkey Quay.

Who cares if they crowd are much older!?! These boys are out having a rocking good time!

Ghostly pictures.

Teacher Sumin "wilding" on a Tuesday night. I bet she had a great meeting on Wednesday swinging her head around trying to stay awake!

Volleyball Clinic at Junyuan Primary School.

Teachers In-charge - Miss Sim (left) and Mdm Amal (right). Best TICs ever!



Thai players with (from left) PE/CCA HOD Mr Daniel, Thai Referee, Mdm Amal, Principal Miss Cheng, Miss Sim, Thai Head Coach, Thai Assistant Coach (between Miss Sim and Thai Head Coach). Wow...Mr Daniel should have taken up volleyball. He is tall!

Thai team with JYPS' Junior Boys and Girls (Primary 5).

Thank you Lunch at Ding Tai Feng in Tampines Mall.

Brighid's & Shannon's last day with Turaya & Cassius

Turaya is Brighid's best friend. They grew up together. Astrid (Turaya's mum) is expecting a 3rd child, and have decided to return to Perth for good. They left early July.

I didn't want to break the sad news to Brighid too soon, and only told her the night before we were to meet Turaya for the last time before she leave. Brighid didn't say a word, but her eyes were red instantly and tears started to roll down her cheeks.

In the morning we met Turaya, Cassius (Turaya's brother), and Astrid (Turaya's mum). They spent a good morning swimming in the pool and had lots of fun. After swimming, we went back to Turaya's house and took some photos. Turaya gave Brighid a deck of UNO card game for her birthday present.

When it was time to leave, the girls gave each other alot of hugs and kept saying goodbye, but hardly departing. Since Brighid was born until Shannon was about 1 year old, we spent quite an amount of time with Astrid and Turaya during the week on outings. It was sad to see them leave.

Before our last goodbye, Brighid told Turaya she promised to write to her. It's so painful to see 2 5 year olds leaving each other. Though sad, the girls had alot of beautiful memories since the days they were only crawling.

Turaya.



Brighid, Cassius, Turaya and Shannon.

Brighid's 5th birthday

This year, Brighid celebrated her birthday in school. I baked her a birthday cake -a pair of ladybirds, of which the teachers thought they were a pair of turtles! Doh!

I spent a bit of time in her school with the K1s and K2s, and they seemed to like me alot! Nicole, Danny and Brighid are known to be the Spice Girls in the school. The school was SO noisy, just filled with their screaming! Aiyo!

Believe it not, Brighid has a "darling" in school. He is a Vietnamese K2 boy, called Thien. According to the teachers, all the girls in school like Thien! I can see why they like him so much. He is the most handsome boy in school, but always helps those those being bullied, and comfort those who are crying. Mr Superhero!

Actually, during Brighid's first few days in Cherie Hearts (she started atended Cherie Hearts July 2006), she came home one day excited and told us she kissed Thien on his cheeks, because she loved him. The scariest thing was she told James and I that she wants to marry Thien when she grows up! Scary what kids these age can think!

Thien drew Brighid a very interesting birthday card. It was a boy and a girl, and between them are 3 hearts. On top of the picture, he wrote "I like you Brighid Happy Birthday". My goodness!

And here she is, my princess turning 5!

Hmm...now I that I look at it, it does look a bit like turtles!

Teacher Christine with Brighid. Very nice and sweet teacher.

Mrs Leong, Director of the school.

Thien, Brighid's sweetheart.

Shannon with Maia and Yara.

Elizabeth, Brighid, Nicole, Danny (all from K1) and Mavis (K2).

Ryan from K2.

The Spice Girls! Nicole from Philippines, Danny (half Filipino half German), Brighid.

Danny is Brighid's best friend in school.


All the girls can't get their hands off Thien! The 007 and his beauties.

The lovey doveys!

Brighid's K1 class - Clara, Elizabeth, Danny, Brighid, Nicole, Benjamin.

Girls strike a pose.


This is the drawing from Thien to Brighid. He asked me to help him write Brighid's name beside the girl, and his beside the boy. He even especially instructed Brighid she need to keep this picture in a safe place! When she get home after school, first thing she said at the door was "Mummy! Quick! Get the bluetac and put this drawing on my bedroom wall!". Hmm...

Brighig, Shannon at Elmo Concert with friend, Danny

I brought Danny, Brighid and Shannon to the Elmo Concert, and they absolutely loved it! After the concert, we had sushi for dinner. I can't believe a 5 year old can eat so much! Danny ate 8 pieces of sushi, a small bowl of udon, 3 pieces of chicken and dessert!

Check out Brighid's Dance Videos!
1) Expressive dancing
2) Hippy Brighid

A morning at Sentosa...

A morning at Sentosa Island...

We didn't spend too much time exploring the whole island. Took the girls to Merlion Tower, where the girls get to see our apartment from the mouth of the Merlion. At the foot of the Merlion Tower, we checked out the garden and rode on the Carlsberg Sky Tower, which was just so so.

Brighid was so keen to take a photo with the yellow phython. Only to freaked out after I pay! I was scared to bits when the snake was on my neck! The head kept turning to my face! Yikes!

We ended the day catching the sky train. Brave girls!

Shannon's cool shots

I took these photos during Brighid's swimming lesson at the pool. Shannon is usually quite camera shy. But not this time apparently!

Whatever...The Girls...Just Want to Show!

Some photos taken over the past months using my mobile phone. Believe it or not, I didn't get a camera phone till late last year. What was I thinking...I should have gotten one much earlier!! So much fun taking photos of my princesses!

Just the kids

I must have been good that Brighid and Shannon are "sent" to me. They are beautiful, bubbly, thoughtful, compassionate, and loving. Knowing that their mum is a competitive beach volleyball player, they are always encouraging and supportive, allowing me to focus on my trainings and competitions. This post is especially for my 2 precious princesses.

I love you in the morning when the sun shines bright.
I love you when the moon is full when it's late at night.
I love you when you smile. I love you when you're sad.
I love you when you're angry and even when you're bad.
I love you when you're sick and when you're feeling better.
And when I am far away I say, "I love you" on the phone.
I love you when you're grumpy. I love you when you're sweet.
I love you when you finish your meals and even when you spill milk.
I love you when you're lonely. I love you when you play.
I love you all year round and I love you everyday.
I loved you when you're little, and as through your life you go...
...I will love you forever no matter how big you grow.


These photos were taken by Charlie Lim in his studio. Brighid was about 3 years old and Shannon 2.5 years old.

Brighid's 2nd birthday on 4 July 2004. Shannon was about 8 months old.

Taken at Kanesha's birthday party. Brighid 2 years old, Shannon 8+ months old.

Brighid took part in the Motherhood Magazine Cutie Kid Contest. She was 2 years old. This is the 2nd round. She did really well in the first. During the 2nd round, she was the last in line and the wait really wore her out. She was simply tired and grumpy and not too interested anymore. We were just there for fun. It's amazing how some parents put in so much effort for this contest, they literally brought the child's bedroom to the exhibition hall! Brighid came in 3rd! The price is a huge hamper full of kids products! Though wornout, she loved being on stage!

Early 2004. Tom, Rae, James, Brighid, Shannon and I at Sentosa. I was competing in the Quiksilver Beach Volleyball Open. Brighid almost 1.5 years old. Shannon about 6 months old. Unlike most babies, Shannon likes to suck 2 fingers instead of thumb. Very cute!

Chinese New Year 2004. Shannon was 3.5 months old, and Brighid was 1.5 years old.

Asian Tours in Pathalung and Songkla, Thailand (2006)

The last time I competed in an Asian Beach Volleyball Tour event was in 1998 in Singapore. It sure felt great to be back on the sand! This is first time for the rest of the players (Joey, Carol, Theng, Sean and Gilbert). First stop was in Pathalung, followed by Songkla. An absolutely brilliant experience for us all. Amazingly, I met up some old mates that competed in the Singapore event in 1998!

As the tradition goes, farewell dinner and party after the finals, and heading out to the clubs afterwards. FUN!

Joey and "Ho-Ho" (Carol).

Theng and Sean.

The Singapore "troop" dining at Sizzler in Hatyai.

From left: Joey, Ken, Edwin, Sean, Me, Carol, Sean, Theng.

Joey with Thai official, Jit.

Back row from left: Gilbert, Edwin, Ken, Sean

Front row from left: Theng, Carol, Me, Joey

They call us the "siao-cha-boh" from Singapore.

There was a humourous performance during the closing ceremony. This young girl is seducing Theng.

Now she is boogey with Jason from New Zealand. He seems to enjoy the tease!

Hmm...I know what you are thinking. But she sure got the "balls" to get on stage, aye! Man...she was really funny! Cracked me up!

With Koizumi from Japan.

And the party begins...Theng and Edwin representing Singapore in the beer drinking contest. Theng only had to drink a mug. Poor Edwin, he had to bottoms down a jug! Yeeks!

Our flight back to Singapore was delayed for 4 hours. They boys suggested polka card games "Chua Dai Di". Loser to do star-jumps!

Shannon turns 3 on 11 November 2006

On 11 November 2006, Shannon celebrated her birthday at Globetrotters. The theme of the party was "Princes and Princesses Gala". Shannon was "Princess Pinky Shazpot" and Brighid was "Princess Butterfly".

Hey Rae, thanks for the beautiful fairy dresses from Perth! The girls loved them!

We hired a face painter and she did a brilliant job with all the kids! Everybody had a great time. Unfortunately, we were using disposable cameras in the indoor, so most photos did not turn out too well. Anyway, here are some decent ones.


Face Painter at work, transforming Shannon's face...



Ta-da! Transformation!



Brighid with her best friend, Turaya.



Shannon's ex-schoolmate, Clement, from South Africa. With his mum, Matilda.


Janicia's dad and mum (Felicia and daddy Janicia???)


Po-po (Grandma in chinese) with Brighid's Godma, Sumin.



Joey (my beach volleyball partner), Sumin (my buddy and Godma to Brig) and I.












Terri, Janicia and Siying (Brighid's ex-classmates)



Mr & Mrs Leong (Director of the girls' current school, Cherie Hearts Treehouse), Jasmine (Maia's mum) and Meng Choo (Wenwei's mum).






Shannon's favourite hobby...EAT!"I will show you how to EAT!"




Presents!!!


At last a nice smile for the camera! This is Wenwei, Shannon's favourite friend! The only time she would smile for the camera!

The Swiss Giants in Town

ICONS IN RED AND WHITE is a Swiss Festival organised by the Swiss Embassy to promote Switzerland. In May 2006, the Swiss Embassy brought in 3 Swiss Men, 2 Swiss Women, and 1 German Women Beach Volleyball Teams to Singapore for 2 weeks for some exhibition matches, and run some clinics for the Singaporean youths before they head to Shanghai for the World Tour. What I think of them? Friendly. Nice. Serious. Giants.

Sean, Kok Leong, Joey and I represented Singapore to compete in the 4-on-4 friendship match against the Swiss team. Although there weren't many spectators, there were great music and good weather. The Swiss players worked really hard to hype-up the crowd, but typical Singaporeans, simply can't "open up" to enjoy the fun at the beach! Yea, we lost. But it was great fun competing against the Pros!

After the matches, we were presented some sourvenirs and prizes. They were fabulous stuff sponsored by Billabong and Swatch! The Swiss Ambassador, Mr Daniel Woker, also presented a special gift to me, in appreciation to my effort in helping to organise the whole event. It was so great!

During the night, there was a sumptuous Swiss dinner. It was ssssooooo good, especially the pastries! Everyone cruised over to KM8 for a drink afterwards. I brought Brighid along. It was fun chatting with the players, espeically with Sasha. He gave me so much insight regards to beach volleyball development. The players enjoy playing with Brighid. Especially David. Brighid calls him "Koh-koh" (elder brother in Chinese Dialect) and even drew him a hand painting as a gift for a new friend.

This is my first time competing against world class players. How I feel? SSSWWEEEEEEETT!!!!!!!

The Pros conducting Beach Volleyball Clinics.

Singapore vs Switzerland. Guy with black singlet and red cap is Sean, the other guy with black singlet is Kok Leong. Joey is the on the right behind Kok Leong, and I am on the left.

With my partner, Joey.

Swiss Ambassador, Mr Daniel Woker, presenting me the sourvenir.

Players, Officials, Referees, Sponsors, and Personnels from SSC, VAS and Swiss Embassy.

With Sasha of Switzerland. He is MUCH taller than this. I am standing 2 steps higher!

Swiss dinner function. Swiss folk performance. That's my Brighid! Dancing to the tune.

Brighid and David chilling out at KM8.

Hello World!

At last, I am convinced to set up a blog. So here I am! And so the journey begins...