The Day We Sail on the RSS Endurance

Got a special email invitation to sail with the Republic of Singapore Navy in January and the first thing that came to my mind was, can I bring Xavier along?

This year marks a year of celebration for Singapore as its our 50th year of independence. Woohoo SG50! It is also the 50th year since the formation of our Singapore Armed Forces. Woohoo SAF50!

SAF50@Vivo kicks-off the year-long celebration with awesome display of military hardware, exciting stories to share, fun activities to engage in and special performances. One of the major exhibit is one of our Landing Ship Tank (LST), the RSS Endurance.

Hence you can see why I was so excited when I receive the invitation to sail on one of Singapore's biggest warship. But I wanted to bring Xavier along, to share this special experience with him. After a few emails, Xavier is clear to go too. Time to apply for my leave.

This trip is like a mini treasure hunt for information about life in the Navy and what's it like to sail in the big ship. There were a number of navy officers who takes on the role of ambassadors to bring us on a tour of the LST and explain various aspect of life in the Navy. Colonel Thng, 191 Squadron Commander, encourage us to ask and find out more information these ambassadors.

One of the terms Xavier learnt quickly is "Heads", which stands for toilet on the ship. He had to visit the Heads fairly often. After several briefings by the various commanders, we are ready to "slip off".

Bigger ships like the RSS Endurance has got bow thrusters to help the ship to turn. But it still need  help from the tug boat to  turn before we could set sail.

On the other side of the naval base lays the Formidable-class frigates, read stealth ships.

As we sets sail, we begin our tour of the Great RSS Endurance. Here's several of us engaging the ambassadors.

The main gun on the RSS Endurance is this 76mm Oto Melara super rapid gun. The ship also have "medals" painted on for each international mission it completed.

Spotted several different kind of ships when we were sailing. Ships on their way to delivery new cars, ships carrying many containers, ships carrying natural gas, even sampans with fisherman.

RSS Endurance has room to land two Super Pumas or even a Chinook. She has one of the Super Pumas secured on the deck level.

The ambassadors spoke fondly of their love for good food during their deployment in the open sea and how much they appreciate the cooks. Their cooks are trained at Shatec and are able to wipe out delicious food, even local delights like Bak Kut Teh and Hainanese Chicken Rice while in rough sea. They took us on a mini tour of the kitchen as well as the area where they have their meals.

Next we visited the Bridge. This is where the crew set the course and navigates the ship. We were told to keep our volume down as the crew needed full concentration to navigate a narrow path as we approach Vivocity. The blinking lights, the digital display, it almost felt like a computer game.

Next they showed us where the two Fast Craft Utility (FCU) are. The big area allows the crew to store their supplies for long mission, or to bring down the helicopter if needed.

As we approach Vivocity, we were out at the landing deck taking pictures of the surrounding. It is not often that you get an opportunity like this to take pictures from different angle.

Xavier was fairly hungry when we docked hence we didn't check out the booth while they are setting it up. But below are the information for the SAF50@Vivo.

Held at VivoCity from 12 to 15 February 2015, the SAF’s three Services (Army, Navy and Air Force) will come together for an experiential display of military hardware, stories and special performances. For more information, visit www.saf50years.sg.

You can ballot for tickets to go onboard the RSS Endurance, or take a ride out to sea on the FCUs too. There are also several performances available at the event, guest appearance by the crew from Ah Boys to Men 3, and several contests going on where you can win prizes so do check out the website for more information.

Xavier and I would like to give a big thank you to the Singapore Navy for inviting us to this truly unforgettable experience. In fact, Xavier been talking about the trip to his classmates non-stop today.

Happy Spidey Six Birthday Xavier!

It's kid's birthday celebration that makes me realise how fast the kids are growing up. Xavier celebrates his 6th birthday, Spidey style.

We told him beforehand that this would be the last time he will be celebrating his birthday in school. Understandably, he was super excited about his birthday. The birthday cake design has went through countless changes. He finally settled on Spiderman for this school celebration.

As it was his last school celebration, we decided to upsize his cake to 3kg to cater for the whole school. Lucas wanted to blow the candles on his cake too so he celebrated together with Lucas.

His classmates have something extra. All of them turn into Spidey and friends. Ha.

As usual, we have our own family celebration over the weekend. Something small, something cozy. Lilian ordered food from Lee Wee & Brothers. They are perfect for small parties.

Xavier choose Batman for this birthday celebration. Kids nowadays are so fortunate, having getting two cakes per birthday.

Took a few group shots and save some happy memories. Happy 6th Birthday Xavier.

Mother's Day Celebration at LV - 2014

Mummies were in for a surprise this year.

The boys' school, Learning Vision @ Raffles Place organised a Mother's Day cocktail for the mummies. There will be the usual food and drinks prepared by the teachers and kids performance put up by the children. What the mummies didn't know was that the teachers roped in the daddies to do a little dance for them.

It was suppose to be a secret. But Xavier "I cannot keep any secrets" Lee let the cat of of the bag and told Lilian almost everything. All this while I pretended I did not know what Xavier was talking about.

We were all given the link to the dance and the music we will be doing. The daddies then tried to practice in secret. I did it when Lilian was asleep. Think the auntie across my unit enjoyed the free show. Then 1/2 hour before the cocktail, daddies stream into the school to do some last minute practice. It was pretty funny when we had to practice in the dark so the mummies would not know the surprise.

Xavier's class then perform Skidamarink and Inside My Heart.


The teachers also prepared activities for the children to do with their mummies, like a instant photo booth and cupcake decoration.

Wishing all mummies Happy Mother's Day.

Xavier turns 5!

Wow, another year zooms by and Xavier is 5! Although most of the time I wished the boys grew up quickly, it's milestones like birthdays that you just wish they stay this young.

This year Xavier chose the TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle) theme. COWABUNGA!!

Polar Puffs and Cakes had the license for the TMNT cake designs so we got the cakes from them. I also found some cool party masks and goodies bag from MtradeNoveltyStore.com. We did his celebration in school on the Friday before his birthday. Xavier was so excited about his birthday that he started announcing his party the week before. We dressed him up in the TMNT tee I bought for him from San Francisco.

Lucas came over from his class to join the party. I love the shot where both boys blew the candles together.

His class look so cute with his classmates wearing the TNMT masks. Lucas came over from his class to join the party.

He had a mini party at our place with his cousins. My sis-in-law made alphabets with jelly.

Happy Birthday Xavier! We love you!

Kids Workshop at Army Museum

I got an invitation to a Kids Workshop at the Army Museum recently. I was surprised as I have not heard from the army since my MR parade in 2011, now they want to "mobilise" my son already? But I'm glad I brought Xavier to the workshop, he had so much fun.

The workshop is actually organised to reach out to children, to let them know what SAF is about and the meaning behind protecting Singapore. I have tried to give Xavier an insight about serving National Service before this but I think I ended up confusing him. This might be a better option, I thought.

Being my first time to the Army Museum, I almost got lost as I didn't know it was right beside Singapore Discovery Center and both shares the same carpark. The Army, Navy and Air Force have already set up their exhibits at the different areas of the Museum. Xavier immediately warm up to familiar faces like Andy's kids.

Andy had earlier "jio" me to come in my No.4 too. But I have "camouflaged" my army stuff so well that even I myself couldn't find it the night before.

We mingled around, shake hands with the other parent bloggers, spoke to the people organising behind the workshop. The program started with COL Seet addressing the kids about who they are and why they have to defend and protect Singapore. For those guys who have been through army, you might imagine a stern officer talking authoritatively, army style.

Actually it was quite the opposite. He engaged the kids in a informal way, joking with kids, asking them questions like a gentle father. And that set the tone and manner of how the whole workshop was done. All the SAF personals at the workshop were excellent in engaging children, super patient and kids friendly. Its a side of SAF I could never imagine, seriously.

The whole group was split into three, each going to the Air Force, Army and Navy "booth" to learn more about what they do and to do some crafting. Our first stop, Air Force.

Manning the "booth" single-handedly is MAJ Kenny, an F-15 pilot. And the first task for the kids was to build a paper plane, complete with their name on it. The kids had so much fun throwing the paper planes to see whose flew the furthest.

He then explained the roles the Air Force plays, the various helmets they used, etc. He kept the kids attention very well. Even when some kids playfully poked their paper planes on his head or try to "velcro" the badges onto his head, he didn't mind at all.

When he asked who wanted to try on their uniform, Xavier gamely raised his hand.

Next station, the Army. The kids were told to pick one of the kids sized uniform and put it on. Was a strange feeling folding Smart 4 for Xavier.

They were given insight of the various tanks we have, hands-on carrying the full pack and what usually goes into the full pack, how combat ration looks like, etc.

Then it was time for them to build their own leopard tank. Xavier got help from "Uncle Johnson".

Last stop, Navy. Xavier was having so much fun he just couldn't keep a straight face for photos. The navy officers explained the various navy personal roles to the kids. They also instructed the colour flags, each which represents an alphabet. Letter "M" seems to be the favourite as it means MacDonalds.

The kids then roleplayed the various Navy roles and work as a unit to spot and destroy the "pirate". Xavier took up the role of the looker to spot the pirate and inform his captain. Instead he kept directing the gunner instead. They then get to build their own submarine, complete with a Singapore flag.

Final task for the day is to put all their handicrafts together into a little project, "What Will You Defend?"

Xavier had fun piecing his project together. He decided where he wanted to place the tank & the troops, the submarine and the plane. I only helped him to "cement" the position with plasticine.

Lunch was next and the kids get to choose one of these lovely cupcakes as dessert. Xavier chose the 3-strips (chevrons, as COL Seet pointed out) which is the 3rd Sergeant rank. My rank in NS.

After lunch, the kids were free to explore the other areas and activities on their own. We checked out the mini SCO meant for kids.

Its a mini version of the Standard Obstacle Course (SOC) we are to go through during our national service (NS) days, all 12 obstacles scaled down. I didn't manage to take photos of all as Xavier was running about in excitement. I guess to the kids, its just a fun playground.

They also have an area where the kids can ride battery operated mini camouflage green jeeps, practice shooting with Nerf guns and making some more army vehicle models using pre-designed cardboard.

Overall, its been a very fun and informative day for both Xavier and myself. The program was well-organised and tailored towards educating kids about what SAF does and the roles they play, through games and fun activities.

If you are keen in the workshop above or like to have more information, please kindly contact Stephanie Chia, Senior Manager (NS Policy) at her email address: stephanie_chia@mindef.gov.sg.

Mother's Day Performance 2013 @MBLM - Learning Vision @ Raffles Place

Following their wonderful Christmas Caroling in December, Marina Bay Link Mall (MBLM) has invited the school to perform on two days during lunch time in celebration of Mother's Day.

The first performance on 7th May was a dance to the extended, remix version of the song Do-Re-Mi from The Sound of Music. The children gets into position.

And here we go.


Very fun dance. I have seen Xavier practice his dance at home but to see so many children doing it together is so wonderful. Photo time after the performance.

For next performance on 9th May, the children sang and dance three songs. I was late and didn't take much photos. There is one of the few photos with Xavier getting into position.

The first song is a Chinese song.


The next song is a Malay song. I split into two videos as I change my shooting position half way through.


And the final song is an English song followed by the dance to the song Do-Re-Mi from The Sound of Music.

After that, the children presents their little "Happy Mother's Day" sign to their mummies.

Xavier said he had fun during both performances.