A Happy Ending, A New Beginning

My boy celebrated his birthday on the last day of school today.

It also marked the last day of Kindergarten as he'll be going to Primary School next Wed.

As the K2s bid farewell to each other, I wonder what will be going thru their minds. My boy didnt seem to display any feelings though we'd told him repeatedly that he'll not see the friends that he's been seeing over the past 3 years from next week onwards.

Maybe it's the Dad that's gone sentimental. 

Thrice Exceptional

My boy was diagnosed (and confirmed) with ASD when we went to the psychiatrist on 23 Nov. High-functioning but also in possession of "splinter skills".

Other than poor social and conversational skills (attributable to ASD), he had scored very well (gifted category) in other categories during the WISC-IV IQ test that was administered to him that day.

Hopefully with right intervention at home and in school, he will be able to reach his full potential that God has given him.

Excuse me, are you an autistic?

Yesterday (19 Sep) we went to the Child Development clinic/centre for an appointment.

This appointment was to put to rest our uncertainty that he could be different from the rest of the children.

That he was autistic.

We spent a great deal of time being interviewed and him under the doctor's watchful gaze.

After about 2 hours, the verdict was revealed.

Doctor's preliminary assessment was that he was a "high functioning autistic". This meant that he displayed classical symptomatic signs of being one with high IQ given his love (obsession) with space and science-related topics.

I guess we were prepared for it for a long time and just wanted confirmation from the experts.

Personally I wasn't surprised but know that God had given us a really special boy who needs careful nurturing in order to bring out his greatest talent to benefit society.

Despite the financial pressures that we will inevitably face, I have no doubt that God will continue to provide and care for this family.

Thanks be to our God for this little boy.

Another friend bids goodbye

Farewell my Nikkor-S 50m f1.4, you had served me well.

The Truth is somewhere in here

When TT might not win

I thought it might be interesting to put some of my day-job skills in practice in the upcoming contest.

Underlying Assumptions:
1. Pro-ruling (P1) and pro-opp (P2) support levels remain the same at 60-40 respectively.
2. Dominant support of pro-ruling is for TT, subordinate is for TCB, none for TKL or TJS.
3. Dominant support of pro-opp is either with TKL or TJS, none for TT or TCB.
4. Readers will understand why the chosen percentages were assumed.

Scenario 1: TT 100% P1, TKL/TJS 100% P2
TT wins 60% with another strong mandate.

Scenario 2A: TT 80% P1, TCB 20% P2, TKL, TJS gets 80%, 20% P2
TT wins 48% with TJS/TKL following by 32%.

Scenario 2B: TT 60% P1, TCB 40% P2, TKL, TJS gets 80%, 20% P2
TT wins 36% with TJS/TKL following by 32%. A narrower margin, but a win nonetheless.

Scenario 3: TT 60% P1, TCB 40% P1 30% P2, TKL or TJS gets 50% P2
Probably the most optimistic (and realistic) scenario that can paint for TCB. It actually produces a draw with TT at 36%.

If this actually happens, it would have a lot of things to say about managing public perception, plight of the ruling party's reputation and nature of the voters who are supposedly anti-establishment.

Or it could also be a red herring: http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2011/05/presidential-elections.html

So, who's going to take the prime spot next week? Only time will tell :)

Outside Tokyo - Jindaiji Soba

Something that I saw during Japan Hour...

http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?29671-Jindaiji-Temple-Second-oldest-in-Tokyo

Jindaiji Soba!

Lunch with the kids asleep.

3G and GSM signal

Not an expert on comms but it seems that data and voice seem to be handled separately on the network when travelling along the NS line.

Even when I can get a strong "3G" signal on the phone, it doesn't mean that I can get a data connection to surf.

3G access

Seems that standing in the middle of the train carriage gives u better 3G signal to surf than squeezing near the doors.

C vs H

Just had another instance of the difference between my two kids.

C was minding his own business when H went over to pull his hair just becos she felt like it.

As normal, this needed intervention and she was sent to the Naughty Corner.

After a long bout of wrestling and bawling, she was made to apologise to her bro. Naturally that wasn't the kind of stuff that our spunky girl does willingly.

But what Caeden did warmed my heart. As he'd stopped weeping, he stood up and went over to Hayley and gave her a hug. Loving your transgressor, indeed.

I pray that this spirit of gentleness will continue to remain in the little boy and not be overcome by the me-first and retaliatory mentality that has become so prevalent in this world.

Next Trip

Inspired by the latest Japan Hour travel guide, I'm writing this with the hope that it can be used for our next holiday to Japan (whenever that comes).

Okayama City
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okayama

Kurashiki Bikan historical quarter:
http://www.japan-i.jp/kurashiki/kurashiki_bikan_area.html

Shidoshima Island:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5435.html

Points of Interest:
Osaka-Kyoto, Kobe-Himeji, Okayama, Shidoshima, Kurashiki

Caeden chooses Jesus

Our boy has truly grown up.

Tonight in bed, Caeden started singing the EKC rap that he was taught on Sundays. It was the first time that he sang anything (other than the Doxology) to me that he'd learnt there.

After the rap, he started to share (or should i say narrate) the Easter story. About Jesus, Jerusalem, his disciples and the cross. As a concerned (and rather conservatively optimistic) Christian father, i wondered if he'd truly understood the meaning of salvation. So i just had to ask to find out.

"What happened to Jesus on the cross?"
- he was nailed to it (stretching his hands wide whilst lying down)

"Why did he have to die?"
- for all bad people. There were 3 crosses. Jesus was in the middle.

"What happened after he died?"
- a soldier poked his side and blood came out. Soldier said there was a lot of blood on his hands

"What happened next?"
- they put him behind a stone and an angel pushed it away. Then Jesus came out. After that he went up in smoke.

"Where did he go?"
- to heaven.

"Do u want to go heaven?"
- yes. Because i choose Jesus.

Caeden has chosen Jesus. In faith, i believe he has.

Thank you, Jesus for saving this little boy.

My funny boy

And so it starts

Got this at Bishan MRT today.

Let's Do Politics!

Just like an anxious groom waiting for his bride, I'm sure many Singaporeans are waiting excitedly to play their part in nation-building. As an early-pioneer of the Gen Y pack, I'm also one of those "non-political apathetic youth" who's eagerly awaiting to put the tick in the appropriate checkbox on that sacred day.

But for those who've yet to make up their minds on whom they should support, why not try the word association method?

How to do it:

1. Write down the name of a SG politician (or wannabe)
2. Think of a word (or phrase) that you would associate with him/her
3. Write it down
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 until the list is exhausted (or you get exhausted)
5. Determine if the word/phrase written is favourable to the ruling party or the "opposition". If you're old skool type, print the list out and ask your friend to mark for you.

I've put down the names of a few prominent politicians as examples, but you can make up your own list:

Politician	Word / Phrase	Favourable to:
Lee Kuan Yew	Beneficient	Ruling
Lee Hsien Loong	Respected	Ruling
Goh Chok Tong	Loved	Ruling
Mah Bow Tan	Adored	Ruling
Tin Pei Ling	Misunderstood	Ruling

So, if you came up with a list like the one above, your choice is clear right?

Have fun!

PS: Of course with all political discourse, disclaimers apply.

Outdoor play

Disadvantage of an outdoor park in Singapore. Closure due to lightning risk.

Up up and away!

The clever thing that statisticians invented abt having a basket of goods is that the increase of a plate of carrot cake from $2 to $2.50 is not 25%.

Dinner at Sakae

Reminder to self: paying nearly 50 bucks for dinner doesn't constitute good value. Ajisen next door probably better.

When God powders the skies

Total Defence Day @ APSN Katong

Car kilometerage

70k for a nearly 7 yo car.