cool head gears...

Josiah has been wearing the cool-looking helmet for about 3 weeks now. He got used to it very quickly after one or two days... He is supposed to wear it for 23 hours per day for the next few months.

The helmet is to help correct the shape of his head, which is relatively flat on one side. Charis wanted to stick some Barney or Snow White stickers to make the helmet look "nicer". Thankfully we managed to make her drop the idea. I was thinking of air-brushing it into the Steeler Helmet. It would have been quite cool since the football season is just getting into way.

It is actually good for him to wear the helmet now. He is starting to crawl, stand, and tumble.. The helmet gives him extra protection. The only problem is that the helmet (and his head) stinks! We gave him a nick - Mr Cao Sng. Hopefully he will be done with the helmet by year end before we go back to Singapore. Otherwise, he will become Super Cao Sng... hahaha....

Anyway, he is not the only one who looks cool with a helmet...

saying goodbyes...

This morning we said goodbyes to Daniel and Christine, and their children Elizabeth and Emmanuel. They came to Pittsburgh the same time as us, and for the last 2 years we worshipped at the same church. Over time, the friendship between Charis and Elizabeth grew (even though they are 2 years apart), and they would play with each other after worship or during gatherings. Holding hands, running around, having fun....

In the evening as I was preparing dinner, Charis started to cry for no obvious reason. Usually we would stop her and get her to calm down. But this time we let her be. We tried to get her to tell us why she was crying, but she just kept to her crying. Finally we asked her was it because her friends left today - and she cried even louder... Saying goodbyes to friends is sometime so emotional, even for a 4 year old.

Eventually, after almost an hour of grieving, she managed to calm down a little for dinner. We talked to her about her feelings, the separation with her friends etc, as she sobbed and tried very hard to keep herself from crying again.

"How about this: God willing, at the end of the year, we go back to Singapore for a visit? Maybe for a few weeks?" I offered.

"No, I don't want to go back for a visit. (sob) I want to go back after you finish your work," she replied.

"But why don't you want to go back for a visit?"

"Because I don't want to say goodbyes again.... (sob)...." as a teardrop rolled off her cheek. Our hearts melted.

After a few spoonfuls of porridge, she asked "Daddy, why does your work take soooo looong?"

I offered an explanation: "Hmmm... because Daddy is stupid...."

"Hahahaha... that's soooo silly.... Nobody says they are stupid. That's being rude to themselves."

Hmmm... food for thoughts....

"Then why do you think Daddy is taking so long to do his work?"

After a few seconds of thought, she proudly replied "Because you are working on breathtaking, earth-shattering research!"


No, actually that's not what she said (although it would have been very nice if she had said that). What she really and proudly said was:

"Because you don't work hard."

See, there's no way you can deceive a 4 year old. From tomorrow, I will add 2 more hours to my current 14 hours workday. Or maybe 3.

downtown chicago

Just returned from a 6-day trip to Chicago... thanks to a Conference held there. The crowd was a little overwhelming at first, having arrived from quieter Pittsburgh, but it soon felt nice... a little like Singapore. :)

TK took a walk in the early morning, while Elaine and the kids snoozed away in the hotel room, to enjoy the quiet of the city before it woke. Here's a mini photo-tour of downtown Chicago (and more in following posts).

Down Michigan Ave towards the Chicago River that cuts across downtown Chicago. A city rebuilt after the great Chicago fire in the 1871.

the Trump International Hotel and Tower

Chicago Riverwalk

and river tour of the skyscrapers

lake michigan

A refreshing city downtown with commerce, shopping, relaxation and sports rolled into one... it's like Shenton Way, Orchard Road and East Coast Park together. Lots of activity even on a weekend, so unlike downtown Pittsburgh. Took a walk along Lake Michigan... really hot and humid (haven't perspired so much since Singapore!). Fortunately, the city is surrounded by lots of water so there was some breeze to save us from the heat.

@ navy pier

Headed there for the 10pm fireworks but we didn't make it! Despite of that, we were charmed. An enchanting destination that reminded us of Clark Quay and The Esplanade...





Stumbled upon the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows @ Navy Pier

Our favourite piece:

Alfonse Mucha's Four Seasons

chicagoans

I like them! Big-city dwellers with a touch of small-town friendliness and helpfulness... at least in my encounters with them :)

found: giant jelly bean

Cloud Gate aka "the bean" by Anish Kapoor

An interesting structure in Millennium Park that reflects the skyline of Chicago downtown.
We had fun chasing our reflections around and under the giant jelly bean. :)