Dear Qinzhi

It seemed like yesterday that we were walking to school 5 days a week, but how much the world has changed since then.

SG launched into circuit breaker mode on 7 April, and we have been home since then.

When the world was to you home, school, orchard road and the others, the world became home. I wonder how you think, hmmmm, I didnt really ask you how you felt.

I would love to know.

Since then, you have not really stepped out of our block of flats, at most, you and Huaihao played outside of our house, we turned the staircase into some sort of a game area.

Mommy tried to involve you and Huaihao in cooking and you love it!

And of course, you had home based learning.

You loved the zoom meetings with your friends and teachers. You had online and offline tasks. Some days were good and some were not so good.

You didnt really like homework.

One day, you just didnt feel like doing anything.

Papa said you were lazy, and that you dont even want to practise or do tongue exercise, you lashed out crying and said, “i dont know how to do it!”

The cry was one of inadequacy and helplessness.

Mommy tried to talk to you because indeed, work is piling up and you didnt exactly know how to work around them. so at best, you just did it and didnt bother about understanding.

We had a heart to heart talk.

I asked you, if you had used your heart to spend the moments, which were not ever going to come back and you didnt, would you regret?

I could see that you were moved.

I told you how I had a piano and an organ when I was 7 but I didnt appreciate it too, and now I regret, because I didnt really use my heart then.

I hope that by sharing my experience with you, you needn’t have to go in circles, like I did to understand things. I told you so,

I said that if you knew what you wanted in life, and you did it with your heart, you would succeed and you needn’t even have to attend school, which was just one option of the many we could take out in life.

I encouraged you to work out a simple plan to carry about your activities, the ones you need to work on, and to rest and do the things you like.

The next day, you worked well.

And at the end of it, I did a quick summing up and told you that although it was busy, you had the satisfaction of working through it because you persevered.

On this day, papa cooked breakfast, how was it?

I think it was pretty good. The last time he cooked, it was when you were in my tummy, and he would do this kind of breakfast.

But Mommy had nicer things and all that Qinzhi liked.

Everyday was busy, for you and for me. I tried to keep everything neat and comfortable for you, I cooked meals you liked, I went to source for good ingredients even if it might be a bit difficult, I went to get different food you like,

On weekends we ordered in just to give you some variety and exposure to what is available,

I hope these little bits helped you form some yummy memories of this extraordinary time we live in.

Or perhaps, we choose to live in.

Most of all, I wanted to see you smile and be happy and to let you know, even if we are at home, we are not confined and can continue to eat well and live well.

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And when you look back later on in life, you will remember this time and the yummy things you have eaten will give you all the strength and inspiration you need to be well and happy .