And finally- school’s out. Qinzhi has completed her secondary 2 and will further her studies next year in sec 3.

Just where-did the time go?

I sincerely hope Qinzhi had a great learning experience despite all the unhappiness, stress and everything else .

I recall Qinzhi went through so many headaches and bouts of giddiness. And I think that was really uncalled for-I mean, the suffering need not have to be.

If Qinzhi could do more to build her physical health and do more active work on managing emotions and stress. I hope Qinzhi can take an active approach on this end because this is what will be most important in time to come.

If she can build her physical health, actively work on managing stress and emotions, the physical suffering will be gone and she will be able to ride secondary school easily just like the waves rode the wind.

This month, Dad and Mom had an opportunity to travel to Japan last minute and that was because Dad made an error in his work and has leaves to clear. So it’s interesting how life works, you can’t plan for trips like this.

So grandpa hopped over to nanny Qinzhi and Huaihao. But during the weekends, Karyn’s daddy took the kids out for some arcade fun and pizza!

Then the kids rejoined Gengyan jiujiu and Chef Kong for a quick coffee.

Then Gengyan jiujiu cooked dinner

On another weekend, Gengyan jiujiu also took the kids to Jolibee, and indeed, this was their first experience having Jolibee fried chicken

And during the trip, Qinzhi was texting me this, that she misses me.

Qinzhi managed to meet up with 2 good friends during her holidays, one is estelle, a friend from primary one, and the other is yuwen, her friend from alps before she changed school.

In these 2 meetings, Qinzhi could independently take the public transport herself to town to meet with her friends, keep me in view of her whereabouts and handle her own meals with her own savings and most importantly -had great time chatting and catching up with her friends.

I love how she is doing this , not forgetting old friendships and taking the time to connect back again.

Then we b both had a chance to head out and get some respite from home. And we totally enjoyed it ,

When I had a fight with Huaihao on not going to Pasir ris, Qinzhi -after all the days os keeping quiet, finally lashed out at her brother. But after that she texted me

“[2:03 pm, 11/11/2023] QinZhi Is Slay 💟💟❤️: dont argue so much
[2:04 pm, 11/11/2023] QinZhi Is Slay 💟💟❤️: leave him alone and go to ur room and rest or sleep”

I love Qinzhi for the gentleness she exudes.

But there is something else I really like Qinzhi to take note of, and that is her management of time. Mommy used to be like Qinzhi too, and I was taught a lesson by a big chef when I was late.

While being early or late on small promises might not seem like a big deal now, they will in time to come -when not being on time becomes a lesson to be reckoned with. And I do not want Qinzhi to learn to be punctual that way.

Also, Qinzhi had a chance to head over to Paris Ris for some popo yiyi pampering over the weekend. I hope love from these 2 guardian angels inspire Qinzhi, warms Qinzhi and carries her far in life.

And 2 days before we left for Korea, we took the opportunity to eat together as a family and more importantly to celebrate ah mei ayi’s birthday. We head over to Peach Blossoms and had lots of yummy food

After talking about going to Korea, Qinzhi is finally here

We stayed at Gangnam and the next day we had fun at Lotte world

The food was good in Korea

Afterwards we hit the streets of Bukchon hanok , Samcheong dong, cheongwadae, insadong, ikseondong, and myeongdong

And we had more food

Had the chance to sneak out with Qinzhi and we had bingsu!

Soaked in some Christmas ambience at myeongdong

We next headed to Busan via bus and did a temple stay at Beomeosa

And the kids tried lots of new things

⁃ staying in a temple in a Korea styled ondol on the floor

⁃ Sleeping at 7pm and waking at 3am

⁃ Walking to the temple at 345am

⁃ Doing prostrations and 108 of them

⁃ Stringing a rosary together

⁃ Meditation and tea with a monk

And we are off to Jeju !

Visited yongduam rock

The dongmun market and had a Jeju black pig bbq!

we visited Yongduam rock and dongmun market before having a bbq dinner which HuaiHao has been looking forward to, then we found a nice bingsu place

Then we drove southwards to sangumburi crater, then saryeoni healing forest, the Oedolga for a sunset view,

we also visited the Jusangjeolli Cliff which is a spectacular display of columnar joints near the coast in the eastern Jungmun Tourist Complex, where the waves breaks and dark red hexagonal stones make up tall layers, is considered a gift of nature and was designated as Natural Monument No. 443

After a lunch of cutlassfish we drove to sanbangsan, and then walked down to the yeongmeori coast, the kids then found a theme park and did the viking ride?! HuaiHao actually turned a little stiff in the midst of the ride and had a little headache . Following that we had a nice cafe treat before checking in to Jeju Shinhwa resort.

The next day we headed to the Jeju Shinhwa theme park but it was not enjoyable for us all, the rides were too intense . But we did more go karting which the kids enjoyed, then to Osullac Tea Museum for some green tea desserts and then around evening time, drove to the Noeul coast and saw schools of dolphins having a great time in the water.

Then it’s off to Seoul, we didn’t actually do much. The first evening, Huaihao wanted to get to Toys R Us in Dongdaemun and we headed over from Apujeong, so it was really far. But we had a memorable time at Nudake having desserts! The second last day in Seoul, we did COEX as Qinzhi has planned but Qinzhi had a tummy upset probably due to having raw squid kimchi. So the whole afternoon was spent at the hotel.

The last day in Seoul, we checked out at 11am , had lunch then walked about Lotte Mall at Myeondong, then its off to Seoul station for the train ride to the airport.

I think what was good this time was to let the kids know it is like to walk about in winter, with heavy clothing and public transportation in a big busy city like Seoul.

Everyone was challenged in one way or another, due to the above, and it was compounded by the lack of ability to speak Korean and having to find the way about the big city.

But all is well and I am so thankful everyone is back to rest for the holidays.