Thank God for SUMMER CAMP!

Monday, officially, the first day of the summer holidays has begun. It is also going to be the first day of the five days that mommy is not around and daddy has to deal with a stay in mother in law and two active kids, seemingly with boundless energy and who are constantly arguing or fighting over some trivial issues or toys.

But thank God, there is something called SUMMER CAMP! We managed to register Ryan for a five days session with his school instead of going the full 10 days session for two weeks. The schools here in Beijing certainly know how to increase their revenue and having summer camps are definitely one profitable business. Parents are just too glad to sent their little ones off again to school, even for half a day so that some could still keep their sanity for a bit longer, besides getting the kids to learn a new skill or something out from the normal school curriculum.

Ryan is attending the IVY's Summer Chinese Immersion Program, where children will learn Chinese and be introduced to the Chinese culture in Beijing. We really want Ryan to learn as much Mandarin (Chinese) as he can while we are still here in Beijing. This little guy simply refuse to talk to us in Mandarin at home because he knows that we can speak English with him. However, he speaks a fair bit of Mandarin outside with the locals to get what he wants. In another words, situation can `force' him to speak and use his limited Chinese to `survive'. Therefore, we believe this one week will do him lots of good because they will ONLY use one language throughout the program and that is Mandarin. In fact, I think soon, he will probably speak Mandarin better than me.

The program does not come cheap though. The fee is RMB2800 (RM1400) for five days from 9am to 3:30pm daily, excluding transportation to and from school daily. But as long as he learns one more skill and one more language, we believe that the money has been well spent.

Ryan, 加 油!!

OMG! Summer Holiday has STARTED!

Yupe. The long summer holiday has finally arrived! Ryan's school held a year-end BBQ lunch for both children and parents alike on Friday to mark the closing of another year. I can still remembered us being invited to last year event when we were scouting for a suitable school for Ryan in Beijing, and now, here we were, attending our very first year-end event. Time flies. 

Soon, we will be attending our second BBQ lunch and it would be time for us to leave Beijing, based on our current contract.

I dread to think having both Ryan and Chenya at home 24 hours for 7 days a week. With Ryan at school in the morning till 4pm, I could at least get some peace and quiet when Chenya has her daily naps. But when both of them are at home, with nowhere to spent their boundless energy, they WILL let their energy out at each other. 

At least with the school on, Ryan could burnt off some of his boundless energy doing what he does best like running, shouting, fighting, jumping, climbing and swinging (like the picture above) in school with his classmates before he comes back in the evening. 

Without school, he will be finding ways and means to run, jump, shout, fight, climb and swing at home with his sister closely imitating every move and every step.

It is a good thing that we are at least going back to Malaysia for a couple of weeks to break the monotony, if not which, I am sure that I will probably go berserk and lots more white hair.

For now, I just got to manage them for one more week, in the absence of their mother who would be going to Guangchow for a meeting before we pack our bags to head back for a short break (which I really need to keep my sanity intact).

Wish me luck!

First 100 meters breaststroke Competition

We have been wanting to registered Ryan for some formal swimming lessons even when we were back home in Malaysia but unfortunately, either they said that he was too young or they could not find enough young children to be grouped together to start  a class or the venue was simply too far from where we stayed.

Hence, we we arrived in Beijing, we made sure that the apartment that we stayed has a club house with good swimming facilities and Park Avenue seemed to be the perfect fit. They have a bright Olympic size pool with good trainers and training program. We wasted no time in enrolling both Ryan and Chenya for 36 hours of private lessons each (with an option that the total combined 72 hours can be used by either one). It was rather painful (financially) when it came to making payment as it cost us something like RM7000 each. The only consolation is that the lessons are hourly one on one basis by a professional well trained coach whose credentials include being one of the National Swimming coaches, among others. Lee, was exceptionally good with children and having a son of just one year old (swimming like a fish) truly helps him in understanding how to motivate and encourage little ones to learn and have fun at the same time.

We certainly have seen how fast Ryan, who already loves the water even when he was one year old, learnt and progressed.

The biggest milestone and challenge was when after just 27 hours of lessons, he was asked to take part in the recent swimming competition held by the club. We were not sure but his coach has full confidence that the competition will do him good. So, we went ahead to registered him under the 5-6 years old category (since he will turned 5 by the date of the competition).

To our surprise and horror to an extend, we found out that he was actually registered in the 100 meters (2 laps of 50 meters) breast stroke in the 5-6 years category. His trainer as usual was full of confidence and told us not to worry. When his turn came, his coach came over and simply told him to swim his heart out and that there is nothing to worry about. Ryan simply smiled and got into the water. 

He was the youngest and simply the smallest in size among all the competitors. When the whistle went off, he just kicked away. Everyone was cheering. He started strongly and for the first 25 meters, he was neck to neck but clearly we could see him tiring as he approached the 50 meters mark. Our biggest concern was NOT for him to win. All we wanted was for him to finish the race no matter what because that would boost his confidence level and motivate him even further, knowing that if he put his heart into it, nothing is IMPOSSIBLE.

I can see the determination in his face as he surfaced each time to take a deep breath before pushing himself for another couple of strokes. By the time he made the turn, the others were already half way back. He kept on nevertheless, pushing and puffing. The entire crowd was cheering and clapping to urge him to go on.

When he touched the wall of the pool, everyone cheered. He DID IT! In 2 minutes and 22 seconds, Ryan completed his first 100 meters breast stroke competition. This was definitely NOT his best time as he has clocked 55 seconds for 50 meters before, according to his trainer but THAT is NOT important to us. We are the proudest parent there, because at the tender age of 5 years old, after merely 27 hours of lessons, our son COMPLETED his very FIRST SWIMMING COMPETITION!

The trainer came over and said “He might not have the physical strength but what he has is far more important, mental strength and determination.”

We could not be happier! Well done Ryan. When you read back this post when you are older, always remembers, NEVER QUIT nor GIVE UP in whatever quests you undertake. Just like your first 100 meters, with every stroke and every puff, you are getting nearer to your finishing line and everyone, especially your mommy and daddy will always be there to cheer you on! GO GO GO!

Small but Personal

This year's graduation for Ryan was rather different from the previous ones he had back home in Malaysia. As far as we can remembered, the couple we attended back home was `large' scale events. Held in concert halls or auditoriums, attended by hundreds of students from every class and age group and parents alike. Students from every age group were guided and trained for weeks leading up to the graduation event to perform while teachers and management take every effort to ensure that costumes, props and the venue besides logistics are well thought out to ensure a smooth and successful graduation memory for the students and parents alike. I must said that we, just like very parent sitting there at the event, were extremely proud when our child marched onto the stage and go through every move and motion to the rhythm of the song that they and the teachers have so painstakingly practiced for weeks.

But this year, we had a different sort of graduation feel for Ryan at Ivy Academy. We came expecting another grand event, just like the one we had back home. Instead, we were ushered into a medium size room with just enough chairs for 50 odd people. There were no stage, no elaborate decorations or props. Just a rostrum and a roll of small chairs neatly arranged in a row by the side with the our children's name written on them.

There was no elaborate speech. The graduation was only for Ryan's age group and there were only about 20 of them (some of whom have already left the country just before the event). The performance put up by the children was far from flawless but one thing was for sure, you can see the children  and the teacher having fun doing it.

It was simple but what amazed us and thoroughly touched our heart was how personal the event was and the teacher towards the children.

As the video showing clips and pictures of the children was shown, one thing was clear. As much as the children featured were excited, all three teachers were equally attached emotionally, touched, teary eyed and cried. At that instance, one can sensed their passion and their love for not only their job but for every child in that room as they relive those moments that they have spent together.

 When the lead teacher, "Uncle" Jeff took up the microphone, he could hardly composed himself and speak. His voice shivered as he spoke of how each child in the class reminded him why he was there in the first place and reignite his passion daily to help and guide this group of little but growing minds.

As each child was being called up to receive their graduation certificate, the lead teacher took the time and opportunity to share the unique character of each child. You can see tears swelling up in the eyes of almost every parent as their child stood in front of the class to receive his/her certificate. I was and I was darn sure that my wife was too.

I particularly love this shot I captured of Ryan looking up into the eyes of his `favourite' teacher, Jeff and how Jeff put his arms around my son, almost father like. They have a very special bond, one that some teachers, unfortunately have forgotten to build in their quest to educate the young minds under their charge and to excel as the star teacher who could train up the smartest and well behaved child.

There were no Star child awards. There was no Best Student award nor was there a Most Improved Student award. We needed none, because every child who was sitting there that day and who so proudly walked up to received his/her certificate is a star student in his/her own right, unique with their own individual personality, talent and vast amount of untapped potential.

As Jeff shared with us, when we met him, "Don't curb the energy of the young ones nor see their curiosity to try new things as not being well behaved. Instead help them to channel their energy in a positive manner and encourage curiosity to explore." And that is something that we are learning as parents everyday.

Yes. This graduation was SMALL and pale in comparison to those we had before but this graduation IS PERSONAL and PASSIONATE.

Ryan's Graduation 2013

It seemed like only yesterday that we were in Beijing for the very first time, sourcing and looking out for a school for Ryan to attend. And I still remembered clearly the last day that Ryan spent in his school back home in Malaysia where we had a small farewell gathering for him and his classmates at Little Footprints. I remembered that day well, where when he was asked to speak in front of his class, he bravely (as always, without any hesitation) came forward, looked at all his 20 something classmates and said "I love you all."

I remembered Ryan's first day walking to his new school at Ivy Academy in Beijing from Oakwoods Service Suites where we were staying while waiting for our rented apartment to be ready. The air was getting cooler and colder as the chilly wind picked up for the cold Beijing winter was fast approaching. He was cheerful and excited, while we were apprehensive and uncertain. Apprehensive and uncertain as to how he would take on to his school, environment, classmates and teachers. I remembered too well, the days when he kicked up a big fuss in the morning and refused to go to school back home.

Well, needless to say, our fears were quickly put to rest, when he happily and without a care, followed his assistant class teacher to his classroom upstairs while we busy ourselves with some final registration paperwork.

I must said that IVY Academy, the enviroment, the teaching methodology and concepts and above all his class lead teachers and assistants suited him well. I have not seen the happiness that he radiates every morning, getting ready to get onto the school van to go to school and how disappointed he will be on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays when he could not go to school!

At a blinking of an eye (seemingly to us), Ryan graduated from his first year last week at IVY Academy. It was not a big fanfare graduation, unlike the one he had back home in Malaysia but it was a meaningful one. It has been an interesting several months for all of us, being relocated to a foreign land, foreign culture, language and environment for the very first time and it has indeed been an adventure all the way.

For Ryan, although his first year at IVY has come to an end, he will be returning for a second term next year, with the same teachers (which is good as they are his favourite teachers for now) while Chenya, who will turn two in July will very likely follow his brother's footsteps to start her first schooling experience. Now, all our fingers and toes are crossed at this point in time as we are again apprehensive and uncertain of how she would take on to this entirely new adventure but then again, that is precisely what life in Beijing is all about, an ADVENTURE and a whole learning experience.

Migrating To a New Blog

This is our new blog on my babies adventures. I guessed it is high time for me to start another one now that my adventures go beyond Ryan with Chenya on board. Might as well, since, my previous blog no longer allows me to upload any more pictures since I have apparently exhausted the maximum storage space to upload pictures and uploading pictures of my adventures is what I do best.

I must admit that I have been pretty lazy lately since I had problems with adding new post on both my blogs (http://babynme2008.blogspot.com and http://mynikonni.blogspot.com) late last year via the proxy I paid for to bypass the great big firewall of CHINA.

Now that everything is sorted, (hopefully), it's great to be back writing about our lives here as expats in Beijing, China as we see these two super hyper active `monsters' growing up before our eyes. It's amazing to see how far Ryan has come now that he has just turned 5. Going through the previous blog at Baby'N'Me (http://babynme2008.blogspot.com) certainly does bring back fond memories and quite often a tear or two, and to me, that is the biggest reason why I have decided and push myself to restart this new blog for them, so that in time to come, we can all drop by for a visit and revisit the great moments that we have gone through and relive the adventures that we have had via the pictures that we have took together.

If you have been following us in my previous blog, welcome back. If you are a new visitor, welcome to our adventure and we certainly hope that you will continue to come back as we share our adventures with you.