Commencement 2009 and back to a family of four!

Monday, 18 May began with an overcast sky and freakingly cold weather that slowly turned into drizzles, thus dampening our hopes for attending my commencement which was an outdoor ceremony later. I've asked myself countless times that is it still significant for me to attend the ceremony since I've completed my course almost 9 months ago and my closest course mate is back in SG already and I do not know that many of the current graduates. However, I guessed that's a secret part of me being vain to want to put on the gown and the mortar board to show everyone that I've attained a Masters degree. But the greater part of it is that the commencement signifies a closure for me - a closure to these 2 years in Boston, a land so far away from home that I have never dreamt of coming beforehand, by which it has also brought to me a new life with it - my newborn son, Br.


As my dear hubby kindly reminded me after my commencement, we are now only about four months away from going home. In my mind, I wondered where is home? Is it in our 1200 + sq feet condo at Eden by which now is leased to a Chinese family where we hardly spent our time in it except weekends or is it our current little 600 + sq feet 2 bed room apt in Cambridge where we shared much laughter and tears with our boys?

My sincere and heartfelt gratitude to my beloved hubby who has been the greatest pillar of support in my life.

I am thankful of this Chinese girl, XJ whom I hardly know her for taking this picture of me and emailing it to me. If not, I would not have a picture of myself sitting amongst the graduates when KP and my mum are busy pacifying the two boys after spending a long morning outdoors.

While I sat through the ceremony awaiting my turn to walk up the stage to collect the diploma, I reminiscise about the difficult times that I have to struggle through stacks of reading and writing papers all in the midst of taking care of Ry who was about 7-15 months old then. I have always felt a tinge of guilt towards Ry by which I felt that maybe I was to blame for his speech delay. Looking back, I think that I have not provided Ry a conducive environment for exposing him to much oral speech then because both K and me were so busy with our work. Often instead, we were thankful that Ry was a quiet boy in nature, which thus made our lives much easier.



Is it a sign to come? Can't imagine myself attending Br and his commencement twenty years down the road.

Also, after 18 May, my mum will be returning back to SG 2 days later and we will be back to our small family by which I have to cook, wash and care for the kids on my own without the much appreciated help from her for the past 3 months. It was hard for my mum to leave her grandsons especially Br whom my mum helped to take care most of the time since Ry is still a jealous little tot.

My mum who has sat through all my graduations be it, primary, secondary, JC, BSc, BSc (Hons), PGDE and now, MEd. I am really happy and thankful for her presence here at the commencement.

Last, 18 May is also a day for a joyous occasion. Our close family friends here in Boston, A and SX have just welcomed their second child, a beautiful daughter on the morning itself. A heartfelt congratulations to them.

Minuteman Nature Park _ 26 Apr 09

Last Sunday, the temperature in Boston climbed to 34 deg C even though it is still early spring. Therefore, we decided to pack the whole family and do a short hike around the Minuteman Nature Park at Concord, which is about 20 minutes drive away from our apt. Before going for the hike, we went to Full Moon restaurant in Huron for brunch. This restaurant is a highly recommended place for kids as its meals are delicious and very child friendly, complete with a play area at the side for kids to occupy themselves while the adults can slowly enjoy the meal. Needless to say, Ry has a great time there!

The Minuteman Nature Park is reserved to commemorate the Patriots fighting against the English in the 19th century. Before we begin the hike, we get to watch an award winning introductory show about the history of the place at the visitor center.

With 2 small kids in tow, we can't expect to hike the whole nature park, which will probably take us the whole day. Therefore, we only did a short 30 minute walk at the beginning and then my dear hubby walked back to drive the car to meet us at the next location and we drove to the center of the trail where we get to visit a historic farmhouse and learned about the 19th century life from the park ranger there.

After this, we continued to drive to the end of the trail where the first fire opens during the war begins at North Bridge. It was a very picturesque place and we were happy to be welcomed by the sight of the cooling river water in the midst of the hot midday.