Coppélia reprised

Well, on a happier note, here are some pictures from a recent performance of Coppélia the girls went to see (well, not from the ballet itself, since recording equipment is forbidden in the concert hall, but close enough). They're both taking ballet, and are very keen on it, so we go whenever we can.

B dancing during the intermission.

An art installation made up of circling paper birds.

It's not often they get to wear their silk dresses! Happily, no one spilled anything.

One half of the Esplanade Theatres.

Ballet -- and a serene night under the stars -- can make one feel quite dreamy (see B's post here).

Becky will be having her own ballet performance very soon; her next RAD exam is coming up in less than a week.

It's good to see young kids taking an active interest in the arts -- of their own accord, and not because they were forced into it (remember those piano lessons you had?).

My sweet :)

when you wish upon a star...

So the one-week March holidays are here, and what better way to start them off than with a bit of Disney! Disney on Ice is in town, with their almost-two-hour show Princesses & Heroes. 

I don't know what it is about Disney productions that always make me tear up; the last time we were at Disneyland, I teared up as soon as Sleeping Beauty's castle came into view. I think it has to do with the whole childhood thing; you know, like in that song Toyland: Childhood's joy land / Mystic merry Toyland / Once you pass its borders / You can never return again... When you've grown up my dears / And are as old as I / You'll laugh and ponder on the years / That roll so swiftly by / That roll so swiftly by...

Well anyway... Disney always brings a smile to the faces of children, and that's always a lovely thing. The Disney on Ice show brings all the usual Disney favourites to life, and when you live in 32-degree heat year round, there's always a vicarious pleasure in seeing a bunch of people cavorting about in an ice rink.

Yes, it has to start with the mice. Minnie was one of the show's hosts.

The classic interpretation of Middle Eastern life in the 8th century (though theoretically Aladdin was set in China).

It can't be easy skating in that puffy blue thing.

Yep, the seven gigantic dwarfs.

Belle does the cancan with some cutlery and a giant candelabra.

You gotta love how they just keep on smilin'.

Our favourite, Ariel. Honestly, I think she's the only one of the Disney princesses who does anything strong or brave, and anyway, everyone loves mermaids right?

Yes. Creatures of the deep.

Those little kids won something or got their parents to spend a thousand bucks to give them a couple of minutes in that boat. I love the whole posture of that mermaid with her hand on her hip.

Yes, they are what you think.

Prince Phillip in chains. Later, with his Sword of Truth and Shield of Virtue, he fights Maleficent in dragon form (and wins of course, yay).

Sigh, every girl's dream date. Maybe not with the wire cage, but certainly with someone who treats you with all the care, respect and courtesy you deserve.

Tinkerbell at the show's finale. Fireworks came out of that thing, which was pretty cool.

Satisfied customers. 

This was the first time we'd been to this train station. It looks quite Star-Trekky, don't you think?

Random shot taken by Beck. Honestly, I do look a lot more friendly in real life.

Waiting for dinner. Becky explains the ticket's fine print to Ro.

I'm glad the kids always want sushi rather than McDonald's.

Becky does her maki face.

Ro is getting good with chopsticks! 

Thank you Lord for such a lovely day!

holiday fun!

So here are just a few pictures from our little holiday! It was a long weekend staycation really, but a much-welcomed break. 

The lovely thing about these little staycations is that sense of luxury and relaxation we don't normally have -- orange juice in long-stemmed glasses with little napkin things underneath for instance!

Then, we get to do whatever we like in bed (and we would just leave everything we like in bed as well if we could!).

Bubble baths are always a treat when you don't have a tub at home...

... as is swimming...

... and the jacuzzi.

On the third day, poor Ro started sniffling and had to pass on the swimming. I thought she was very decent about just doing her activity books by the pool while Rebecca splashed about.

This was a crow that visited the pool every day and almost pooped on me.

Gratuitous pregnancy shot. Well, there was a big mirror and it seemed the thing to do at least once during the nine months.

Then there was a lion dance in the hotel! It was really quite thrilling to see them up close. Here they are futzing with a whole bunch of oranges somewhere in their bowels.

When they get up, they leave peeled oranges in the form of Chinese idioms that all have to do with fortune and well-being and other good stuff. Here it says "feng sheng shui qi" -- something like "wind and water rising".

The lions gave the kids a couple of oranges, but because Rebecca was the one who had to work for them -- like putting her hand in the lion's mouth, for instance -- there was a brief dispute on who they really belonged to.

Then of course there was the seemingly endless supply of food... yogurt and cereal and juice...

... fruit and eggs and all manner of greasy stuff...

... even I luxuriated in leisurely cups of hot chocolate.

Naturally, we did a lot of things that had nothing to do with homework or other boring responsibilities.

But the time came to say good-bye (for the present) to our beloved room...

... we know we'll be back soon though!

More pictures here.

museum fun

Here we go!

Yeah, we actually have a Philatelic Museum -- an entire building dedicated to stamps.

Posing in front of the talking Penny Black. Yeah, it actually moves and talks -- pretty neat eh. Did you know that the Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp? Yeah, cool stamp-y history!

A dragon stamp from Poland. I'd love to make him into a softie.

Getting into the spirit of a 19th-century trading junk. This was part of an exhibition about the spice trade and colonisation.

The Heritage Room is done up like a 19th-century shophouse. We call these red wooden clogs cha kiak; they were commonly used way back when, and there still are people who use them today (like my kids!!), but the making of them is a dying art. The clogs are designed to keep the feet dry and are surprisingly non-slip; they make this distinctive clackety sound when you walk in them, which immediately brings you back to the 1950s.

B posing in front of some traditional Peranakan nyonya kebaya. Peranakan is a Malay word meaning "those born here". From about the 15th century, intermarriages between Chinese traders and local Malays created the Chinese Peranakan culture, which is a unique integration of the Chinese and Malay/Indonesian cultures. A large part of my family is Peranakan, and everyone busts out their kebayas at important dos like weddings. You can read more about kebayas here.

An old photograph of a Peranakan family. From the 1930s, I think. This was at the Peranakan Museum, which was just down the road from the philatelic one. The kids themselves were keen to go, and I thought, "Great!". I love old photographs; I imagine the sitters getting up after having their picture taken, and what they did next.

A Peranakan wedding. Children in old photographs always tend to look so mature I feel. That little girl next to the bride was a sweetie though.

Peranakans of the Straits Chinese Society Association, circa 1930. I think they all went to a tea party after this.

A New Testament Bible in Baba Malay, from 1950. Baba Malay is spoken by the Peranakan community.

A Peranakan bridal chamber.

The museum mascot. I love the way the sculptor captured the cat's natural form and grace. The plaque above him reads, "In memory of the cat that adopted this building and became the museum's mascot, 1998-1999". Well, one thing's for sure, never underestimate the enjoyment you -- and the kids! -- can get out of visiting a local museum. See more pictures here.