Yuletide season, Hong Kong

A well-deserved holiday

Recently, Hong Kong has been ranked in the list of Healthiest, Happiest and Most Expensive countries/cities to live in respectively:

Bloomberg Global Health Index - (outside of Top 50)!

World's Happiness Report 2017 - ranked #71

Economist Intelligence Unit, Most Expensive- ranked #2

On the same note, the city of Singapore is ranked #25 (but #1 in Asia) and #1 as the world's happiest and most expensive city respectively. Happy and expensive in correlation? Would be strange to think so.

Taken from STEM to STEAM: Science and Art Go Hand-in-Hand:

Dr. Jerome Kagan says that the arts combine the three major tools that the mind uses to acquire, store, and communicate knowledge: motor skills, perceptual representation, and language. He further adds:

“Art and music require the use of both schematic and procedural knowledge and, therefore, amplify a child’s understanding of self and the world.”

The Girls growing up quickly.

Enjoying their afternoon cartoon.

Sisters learning how to play together.

Loving sisterly touch.

Learning how to sit.

Her first 'smile'.

In April 2010, we received a second blessing. Our second girl was born. Her delivery was totally unexpected. That night, we were surprised every step of the way. On-the-spot decisions had to be made at every turn. Looking back, the roll of events now seemed quite funny however at that time, they were really stomach-churning.

The night she was born.

In her tutu

Grandma

Grandma flew home earlier this afternoon. I don't think Rosebud realise it yet as she is still her playful self. Grandma accompanied us for over a month. She looked after Rosebud during the day making sure her food was prepared properly and she sleeps enough. And also did a little, well lots of, shopping.

Rosebud along the months:

First few days



First month



Second month
Third month
Fourth month
Fifth month
Sixth month
Seventh month
Eighth month

When Rosebud was born, we gave her various nicknames: Rosebud, Sunshine and Pret. When our domestic helper heard us calling her Sunshine a few times, she actually thought the baby's name was that! We will post her pictures soon.

Recently, Rosebud has learnt to do the Michael Jackson (as my mom puts it) a la Indian dance movies moves where her hands hang on to the bars on the cribs and she swings from side to side.

Yesterday, we planned on having Thai spicy food for dinner but changed our minds at the last minute because missus has been coughing for a week and I have an irritating sore throat. So we decided to have Chiu Chow food instead. Looking back, I am glad we did so otherwise we will be very sick after that. Rosebud was very active in the restaurant. She only finished half her dinner and then started climbing in the stroller. At the restaurant, there were a lot of Japanese tourists and four tables of what I guess are Libyan tourists. A lady from the latter group on her way out asked if she could kiss Rosebud. Actually, I didn't really hear what she was mumbling so I just smiled and played on with Rosebud. So she took her hands and kissed it. That was nice, befitting the treatment of a princess.

Me and missus have been discussing about creating a blog to capture the wonderful moments of our first newborn, 'Rosebud', who was born on 28 December 2006. So, here it is.