Mini Concert

After sending Jerilyn to a nearby music centre for more than a year, I decided to call it quits. Why? Let's just say that I was impatient.

I had been considering what kind of teachers to look for. In the end, I settled for Yamaha Music School. She was enrolled last August (which is about 8 months ago). With private teachers or music centres, they charge at an average RM80 for grade 1. However, YMS charges RM110. Despite the expensive fee, I gave it a try because of one reason. Friend told me that this centre organises concerts every year. Unlike big cities like KL and Penang, there are not many (maybe none) music centres in Ipoh that organises concerts for their students to demonstrate their talents. I think that it could be a fantastic platform for Jerilyn to expose herself to performances and boost her confidence.

Last March 2015, she performed for the first time in public at the centre itself. It was small scale with about 15 performers. She was the third performer and I couldn't deny how proud I was with her. She played two exam pieces very well with no mistakes and appropriate body language to enhance her performance. On the whole, I would give her an A+. You see, prior to the performance, many questions were running across my mind. I was worried about many things. What if she made mistakes she always do at home? What if her body was too stiff or her movement was too fake? What if she chickened out? There were many what ifs.... She herself was anxious about the whole idea since the day she knew about it. Thank God she managed to pull through. Again, I am very proud of her. In fact, another reason for being extra proud is the fact that she was one of the best performers that day. The other two who played very well were in their teens and the rest who were around Jerilyn's age were playing Yamaha 'Grade 1' pieces. If you know Yamaha's syllabus, you should know Yamaha's 'Grade 1' consists of nursery rhymes. There were also a few who hesitated while some made mistakes.

Next, I am waiting for the right time to stop Jesslyn from the current centre and move her to Yamaha. Recently, I found out that it took her 1 year to complete a Beginner's book 1 Theory. With this kind of speed, she will need another 3 years to start doing Grade 1. By then, she would be 9yo? On the other hand,  Jerilyn completed 2 books in half a year. The teacher is preparing to sit for Theory Grade 1 this August. Although you may argue that we learn for interest, not for exams but I believe that slow speed will kill student's interest. It is like learning A, B, C one at a time with a week break in between!

FIrst Day @ School

Don't you like this picture? Isn't it most appropriate for an important day like this where the sun shines on you  and you too, will shine like the sun in school?
Before she joins the primary school, I was worried that it would be difficult to wake her up in the morning as she used to cry even when we woke her up at 8.30 for montessori. However, to my surprise, to this very day (13.3.2015), she has not given any problems when being jolted up at 6.30am. Why? It is a puzzle to me as to you. Her sleeping habits hasn't changed so, it has nothing to do with sleep. Could it be because she likes school? Well, I hope so. Whatever the reason is, I hope she maintains her positive attitude towards school for as long as possible.

This has been her seat since Day 1. I wasn't worried as I thought the teacher would change their places sooner or later, just like what happened to Jerilyn. However, it is different with Jesslyn. She has remained at this seat til this day. According to her, some of her classmates have been asked to exchanges places. Anyway, it isn't all bad news. She says that the last person of every row is selected as the group leader. The job of a group leader is to collect books when necessary and do some errands for teachers.I have always encouraged my girls to be more active in school. It is equally important to learn soft skils and be seen rather than being a bookworm and scoring As without a life.

On the whole, she seems to like it in school (as can be seen in the photo). Two boys were busy wiping their teary eyes with hankies. After scanning the class, I was half relieved that there doesn't seem to have any naughty boys in this class. Those who would pull your skirt up or would push you to the ground.

Blur kid

Guess who is the blur kid here? Bingo - it's Jesslyn. She always makes funny remarks with language. Why is it blur then? It's because she always misunderstands the meanings.

For example, just today, I cut some ciku to be shared. When I told them what it was, Jesslyn quickly replied "Oh, teacher." I was still puzzled by her remark. She continued with "Cikgu mar. It's teacher lor."

She may also get lost in a conversation easily. For example, when the topic is ice-cream, I may ask questions like "Which flavour do you like, Jesslyn?" She may answer "Eat what?"  as if she just joins the conversation. In another example, we could be talking about our experience dining at a particular restaurant. If I ask her "Do you like to go there again, Jesslyn?" Her answer could be "Go where?"

This is how blur Jesslyn is.

Other blur incidents include not completing her homework. You will see question marks on her books occasionally, which you won't find in Jerilyn's books. I don't know if it's blur or just don't care with  her work. Jesslyn doesn't bother to ensure that she finishes everything. What do I mean by incomplete work? One of the most absurd cases would be for instance, instead of writing the whole word 'BIRU', she wrote 'BI'. She may complete half the sentence, half the page and even colour half the car. Thank God I don't have this problem with Jerilyn.

Birthday Celebrations

The past two birthdays (Jerilyn and Jesslyn) have been something to remember about although for different reasons.

We celebrated Jesslyn's 6th birthday at KL Tower last December (2014). The idea was planned in advance. I bumped into a promotion advertised in Groupon. For RM69, the deal includes a tour in its aquarium, entrance to the observation deck and buffet hi-tea in the revolving restaurant. Not sure it is a good deal but I have always wanted to dine in the revolving restaurant with my family. Thus, I bought 5 tickets, including for my dad.  On the whole, the experience was not very welcoming. Firstly, the aquarium tour was too short to last approximately 2 hours wait before we were allowed to dive up the tower to the revolving restaurant. Secondly, we did not have lunch as I did not know that the hi-tea would only open to visitors at 4pm (or was it 5?), on the dot. My dad in particular was famished by the time we had our hi-tea and Jesslyn turned blue. Thirdly, Jesslyn was so shy while the waiters came over to our table to serve the slice of cake (complimentary), rendering a birthday song to the birthday girl. In fact, she was so overwhelmed that she cried. How embarassing! Thank god the surroundings were quite noisy thus, overpowering her voice. She was not the only girl who celebrated birthday that day. The birthday song was sung about 20 over times.

Nevertheless, we had a fulfilling stomach at the end of the day. The buffet selection was good. The new experience of walking around the revolving restaurant and getting lost was something to remember. Other than that, Jerilyn's first tattoo on the face was something she is really proud of. In Malaysia, you hardly see a kid with face painting especially one as daring as this. If you spot one, the chances are it will  be a butterfly or a flower.
In fact, Jerilyn almost made a girl jump when her father pointed to Jerilyn and asked her to get 1 like Jerilyn. Unfortunately, not many people appreciate 'art' this way. Same went with Jesslyn. If I am not wrong, she only allowed the artist to paint a small cartoon on her arm.

The most enjoyable and comfortable experience in this trip was staying in a 75ft executive room at Eastin Hotel in PJ. The room came with 2 toilets ensuite. This was my second visit and has been the best hotel I have ever stayed in.


Turning to Jerilyn's birthday, she turned 8 on 27th January this year. The attention is not on the lavish celebration. We had a simple meal at secret recipe. This birthday is special because I bought her the most expensive birthday gift and the value is not only in the price.  It's a telescope which I bought online from national geographic. I have always wanted to get one telescope. Both of us were very excited. It cost me RM500. She was ecstatic with her new toy. However, til this very day, we have not really made good use of it. Other than peeking at our ceiling (I know that's not what it is meant for), we used it under the sky once after a rainfall. :p

I don't like to spend the night outside, exposing ourselves to robbers and any other dangers. Other than that, I don't fancy staying outside under this humid weather after a bath. What a shame huh! Alright, I promise to allow Jerilyn explore the sky with her telescope soon. :p

Rubik Cube

I have never been a fan of rubik cube simply because I know it's mission impossible for me.

However, I hope my kids (particularly Jerilyn) can do the 'trick'. Jerilyn has always been interested in scientific matters and activities that require logic thinking. Therefore, it is a matter of time before I get her a rubik cube. The day came when she watched a tv programme showing a Chinese player who solved more than 10 cubes in half an hour, blind-folded. Ever since, she nagged and nagged 'til the day I bought her one rubik cube.

I would say that she really has a strong logic thinking (if that is what it takes to solve this puzzle). She managed to solve one side of it after fiddling with it for a day or two. I only showed a short clip on youtube before she solved it for the first time. On the whole, she watched attentively for less than 10 minutes.

It has been a week since it was bought and she still plays with it. Every time solving one side of the cube. As much as I wish to teach her in completing the whole Rubik cube, all I can do is to give her moral support. :D

She also tried to explain the moves, the twists and turns to me but being a sucker in this, I just pretended to listen and nodded my head vigorously while thinking "How can you make sense out of it? There is no logic.", simply incomprehensible.

Maybe one day soon, she will be able to complete the whole cube.