Mervyn Hoe: My Daily Happenings

Now it's 5am and I just couldn't sleep. Wonder why. Suddenly I just realized that 2011 will soon end. Find that I need to enrich my own life as well as others. Volunteering --------------- In NUS, I have been actively participating in volunteering activities. However it got lesser and lesser when I am out in the work force. Is this common? I guess it's the change of priority and also I didn't include volunteering as part of an equation in my life. I have a few friends who are still actively volunteering such as Fred and Meitoon and really they squeeze out their time to cater to the kids. My boss has openly asked about people who are interested in volunteering in 2012 and there is actually a strong urge for me to join and also to tie in with my roots, NUS CSC... Because every year, they would actively do special projects and it's for the benefits of people. I should discuss more with Eve... Work --------- Happy to say that I have achieved what I have s...

My my!! We just calculated that from 2009 till now, we have paid a total interest of $20k for our house!! This is devastating.. This presses us on to even wanting to clear our house loan ASAP. Loans is such a terrible word.. People shouldn't keep scolding the F word, rather should scold this L word.. It is deadly. Imagine what I can do with this $20k!! Ha. All I want to do is to clear it and no one is stopping me. Once I get my title deed, I will make sure I laminate it!! Ha.. Really can't imagine those people who take up 20, 30 year loan.. It don't make any sense.. As the compounded interest loan can make up to 50% of their house price. This devastating fact is my motivation to down my L word ASAP..

Well from our bottom of our hearts, I feel that wedding dinners are really a waste of people's time and money. It's like every time I attend a wedding, it's just like following the motion, eg walk in, eating, video, champagne pop, photo taking. Are all these really that important and significant? And the food.. It's full of MSG and it starts so late. Just find that in our modern society, is it really crucial to carry out a wedding dinner? And when they start late, people would actually leave earlier before the wedding would end, and the amount of untouched food! Where would they go? Why can't they make it a simple affair? And come to think of it, is there a need to do those silly stunts just to get the bride? I mean it has been settled that they are going to get wedded already. I see them having to eat weird stuff, wearing weird clothes, dancing, and all these the bride didn't even get to see. What's the point in this? Can someone enlighten me... Imagi...

Well Josh has certainly increased his vocabulary alot!! And now he can say words like I am good I am Josh 不可以 Apple Orange Grapes Peach Daddy Mama Ma Gong Big Open Close Eeee Wei Bye bye Good night 暗暗 For songs, he will now sing the last few words such as 磨丽花.. The 花 word Majulah Singapura.. The ra word It's very fast, next month, he will be starting his class and really excited for him actually. Kate ........ Kate is growing and she really loves eye contact and that people actually speaks to her! And she will present you with a truthful and wide smile, which you can't afford not to feel happy about it!! She loves to bathe too and her favorite song is Hickory Dickory Dock. Now I'm more accustomed to her needs such as carrying her to sleep while outside, and even both Eve and I can change her swiftly from her soiled diapers!! Thank God .................... Didn't manage to blog these days but I will always remember that on 12Nov2011,...

Well recently there was a case of a girl being knocked down by a vehicle and subsequent another one. And the sad thing is that there are 18 people who walked past her and NO ONE actually stopped and help the poor kid. I have a two year old myself and it's at their age that they love to talk and walk too. And it pains me that the parents were not there at the spot with her as she was standing beside the road!! How can they?! Even if they are busy, they shouldn't let the child be alone beside the road.. If I were the driver, I may not see the kid as she is wearing black but will stop by if I hit something. When I see the little girl, the thought of the parents pops into my mind.. What are they trying to do? Now that she has gone, it really makes me think what lesson I have learnt from this. I feel that it's the parents responsibility to take good care of the children.. And their safety.

Well Last week is quite a fast week for me. Just feel that I have to really spend both quality time in church, family and work. And that comes about from time management. Josh now knows how to potty train himself and he will even pull down his pants and then urinate into the potty. And all of us are very happy when he shows us. Simply amazing! And quite a few times, without us knowing, he has already pottied and he came and told us!! Amazing boy.. Kate now knows how to laugh with sound!! And she loves to smile when people either sing or talk to her. She is indeed a talker and Eve takes very good care of her, knowing when she is going to potty too.. Yesterday brought my family to Punggol waterpark as they have a firework commencement party there. And I tell you, there are so many people there especially at the 7.30pm mark, as it was advertised on newspaper that this timing is the start of the fireworks. But organiser very clever. They started the fireworks at 8pm and slotted in ...

Josh Wow. Yes he's growing and at times, I would just stare at him and see how much he has grown from the day I saw him born. Now, he is trying to be diaperless and would tell me when he wants to urinate. This is a huge improvement. At night, I would turn the lights off early so as to make him more attuned to earlier sleep timings. Not only that, I want him to have the habit to wake up earlier too, around 8am. Whenever he's at home, he will keep himself occupied with toys and of course seeing what we are doing. Example, when we are cooking, he would want to take a look at what we are chopping and what's on the kitchen table. When Eve is at home, he would want to be breastfed and like Sunday, he just keep wanting the breastmilk every hour until we are going crazy and berserk! Ah!! However when he is not here, he will not ever think that he needs the breast. So there is a dilemma as to whether to place him at my house or his grandma place. Certainly it's quite tax...

I'm totally amazed! With the full opening of the Circle Line in Singapore, it has brought places to be more accessible. This is very amazing. It took us around 30 minutes to reach Botanic Gardens but now, it takes us only 9 minutes! This is really amazing and it actually 'closer' for us to go Botanic Gardens than Bishan Park! Love the Circle line and of course want to thank God for letting us to get our current apartment which is very near the Circle Line! So happy and for my appointments which are in the west, it will be shorter traveling time. Thank you SMRT.

Well today was Saturday and I'm really very glad that my son was able to sleep with me in the living room for two straight nights in a row. Ha. I'm really proud of him. Because we are trying our best to night wean for him and yes, it's getting better and better. And the good news is that he is knocking to bed slightly earlier already! I have been thinking actually. Seeing happy families and seeing happy married couples. Families certainly bring lots of joys and also at tough times. From Eve's grandma, nothing cannot be impossible to be done. Can you believe a 87 year old could say this? I'm totally impressed. She has helped out in small and big ways in our house and it's certainly commendable. Helped us in cooking and washing dishes and also chores like sewing and ironing clothes. She is really helpful and she had 7children. How come it seems like in the past, having many children seemed easy? And now, we simply complain when we have one? And some even don...

Well now that I have been two years plus as a parent, somehow Eve and I will have common thoughts and at times, I even knew what she wants to say or vice versa. Telepathy. Concerts and outings. What a title?! I just attended a loud concert consisting of Jay Chow, Landy Wen and a few other artistes. They are quite inspiring and really, I feel they are talented in their own ways. When I see Landy, I feel that she is a career woman. Ha. When I see Jay Chow, I feel that he is relaxed by showing his music talents and words that I can't quite understand. Yet people love him. I am amazed. I really wonder what will I be if I see Britney. Woo. I'm not such a music enthusiast as compared to the past. Probably rock concerts are not for me now. I really prefer soothing songs and of course if Britney is here, I totally will go because I know her songs! This is the first time I enter a concert without knowing a Single song. That is really attending a concert out of your comfort zone an...

Well These days. I actually have been wondering. The roles that I have to play is really quite tiring at times. And not only I, Eve also feels it at times too. But somehow we have done it for the past two years already. I feel like forming my very own diary and write down my feelings rather than to type. Find it's more personal rather than to type. Typing here is not personal as you may be implicated probably if you type any wrong information or even mention about a company. It's quite serious sometimes because you may comment on some bad points on a company and they may sue you for causing their business to drop indirectly. So probably think twice before you type anything especially in Facebook that everyone is reading. Now I seldom post on Facebook or even post pictures or photos of my family already. It's kinda personal and it's good if I can keep them in my own blog rather than to air them out. So now I will reduce my contact in Facebook already. LJ ----...

One month hiatus! I really can't believe it. I have actually stopped blogging for over a month. Well September has been quite a challenging time for us because we have alot of thoughts for our home. Ideas such as engaging a new helper, becoming raw foodies, thinking ways to escalate my business and also taking good care of Josh and Kate. A new helper ------------------ We feel that there is a strong urge for us to have more home cooked food at home because outside food are really unhealthy and cancer causing. Worse of all, they are more costly. Then came the idea of a helper in our house because she will be able to help us in our cleanliness of the house and to prepare the food we want. However, what is stopping or delaying us is where is she going to sleep? That is a question. Otherwise it's fine. Raw foodies ------------------ I went for a body detox programme at Waterloo street and it's very good. From there, she told me to drink for fluids, and have more green veggies a...

My my! It's been one month since I have blogged!! Recently it has been quite hectic for my family members eversince Kate is born. Every night, I would be going to my mother in law's place and I will accompany Josh until he is asleep. At times, it may stretch from 12-1.30am. Imagine after that I have to walk or cycle back.. Ah. I may bathe and knock in at 2am. The journey don't end there. Kate would wake up in the middle of the night for nightfeed and it can be every two hours. I may awake at 4am and 6am.. So it's like a nap time for me at night. And then I would be waking up at around 8 or 9am depending whether I would have work or meetings. Later I would rush back and prepare lunch for my wife and after munching, I would leave home for appointment. At times I wouldn't have time to cook lunch or dinner because the time schedule don't allow me to. When I have finished my evening appointments, I would change up, and wash the dishes(if any). Then I can nap awhile a...

Children Ha! Yesterday was a well spent day but it was quite taxing on me. But I enjoyed it very much. In the morning, brought Josh to Jacob Ballas at Botanic Gardens and he loves the water feature so much! He heard the water feature and straight away wants to remove his shirt! He has came here before and he enjoyed it then. There is only one Singaporean (me) and the rest are Caucasians. They really let their children free to roam and I bet they are regulars to this beautiful park! We spent about 40 minutes there. Thank God I brought avocado bread for him as he was hungry after the event. We later went to a sand garden and even picked up saga seeds! Around 30 of them. Josh even picked up and place them one by one in the plastic bag!! Work When I came back, I straight away had my lunch and headed for 3 appointments till 7pm.. Was quite hungry then. Wife Rested awhile because I have sore throat and slight fever. This is due to the Old Chang Kee that I have eaten the day...

Kate Hoe (3.18kg) -------------------------- Well nowadays or "now a nights", I have been effectively sleeping from 5am onwards. Ah. Its mainly accompanying Kate. She is a newborn and she is still slowly adjusting to our day and night regime. When she is in the womb, she is mostly active at night and of course, when she is born, the pre 9month sleeping habit sure prevails. According to books, it will take about 6 weeks or so for her to adjust back to our normal day active and night sleeping. So, at 1 plus, she would be sound asleep. But around 3-5am, her big eyes will be opened and my confinement lady and I will take turn to accompany Kate, while Eve will occassionally wake up to breastfeed her. And of course, I will wake up at around 10 plus every morning... Ah!! Imagine if I have work in the early morning.. But thank god my career allows me to have this flexibility. Josh Hoe -------------- Now Josh knows more words!! Add to his words list Daddy Eight Five Steady Bear Ma Bus...

Yesterday evening, it was indeed a father-son time for me and Josh! And we enjoyed so much together. We took cab to Suntec and guess what? He really loves car ride because he is able to spot and tell me things that he know! Such as tractors, cranes, lorries, tunnels, cabs, trees.. Amazing boy. We went to church and he played himself the toys which are available there. And he enjoyed himself. Learning some building blocks as well as cooking stuff. After church, we went to the nearby Esplanade to have his dinner. I knew that the NDP rehearsal was there, so we found a spot, beside Marina Square and we sat there to enjoy the breeze and to feed him. I'm so happy that he finished all his food and when the first fireworks started, he straight away made the fireworks sign by opening his palm and pushes his hand up, a sign he will do when he saw the fireworks video in the iPhone! And he loves to link things that he know. So he straightaway pointed out to my pants that my iPho...

Well, wanna share with you that currently, we are adjusting our lifestyle with our daughter. All children have demands and now, both of our children have their separate demands but they have one common one: breastmilk. Now our daughter is 6 days old and she is sensitive to the breasts! What do I mean? During day 3, at night she rejected the breasts totally even though she was hungry. And the next day, Eve called the Breastfeeding association and found out that it was probably due to Josh drinking it and his saliva was on the breast. My daughter felt that there was a difference and that's the reason for it. Now, we would wipe first before feeding her. Amazing! Yesterday was really quite hectic. Slept at 6am. Can you believe it? My daughter was awake and Josh was asleep since 12am. Then Josh woke up at 3.30am. That's when things are jumbled up! Josh wanted Eve to nurse(this was the normal routine before my daughter was born). However, his sucking is quite hard on Eve and after 15...

Hey Everyone! Woohoo!! Our daughter is born!! So happy! She is born on 110711, 2019hours at Mt Alvenia. She is 2.960kg and she has alot of hair!! Really want to thank God for his provision and also his protection over her and Eve. I received a call on 110711 at 3.30pm from Eve, and she told me that her water bag burst at home. I was on train back at Novena Station. Upon hearing that, I straight away went out of the station.  And bought my lunch and headed straight to Mt Alvenia.  I met Eve at Mt Alvenia as she took cab from home and we were warded at 4.30pm.  This time, the delivery time was around 3.5 hours and this is amazing and you gotta hear it. At 8pm, the nurses said that she only dilated for about 6cm (still got 4 more cm to go). The contractions became stronger and until a stage she was kneeling down and I have to practically support her with my own weight!! And the next minute, she told me that she is pushing. And I told the nurse that she is pushing...

Well for this month, I have made very few posts! This isn't good. Guess what happened to me? From 12June2011, I contracted chicken pox and I tell you, it is a skin disease that I do not want to remember at all. It is mixed with fever that reached to 40 degrees. Not only that, I have over 300 of the chicken pox from my head scalp down to my feet! The worse is when they appear on my body and face when I have difficulty in bathing. And when I soap myself, the feeling of the small bumps on my body makes me to have goosebumps!! This is seriously very terrible feeling and ordeal. For almost two weeks, I was unable to work and cook too. And we were fearful that Josh will have it. Also for that period, I couldn't even carry and kiss Josh. Bad feeling Coz I'm afraid that the weight may burst the pox! Thank god I have my wife who can take care of Josh and also my mother in law. She even took the trouble to place the calamine lotion on my body. It's really a noble act! Now, I'...

Been going to zoo twice this month. In fact, we have bought a family package such that we will have an unlimited number of times for the entry to zoo. Eve Josh and I enjoyed every single trip because we find that through actual interaction for the animals, Josh is able to learn much better as to what is the actual animals are like. He loves the mini waterfalls. Ha. And he enjoyed the water performance by the seal. I personally is also amazed by it. Now our house has two hamsters and they came to our house, they are only 3 weeks old. It has passed two weeks and we are very amazed that they have grown to adult size! Think we have fed them too much. They are actually being given away because the previous owner has 5 hamsters. Josh takes good care of them too. When he is eating apple, we would ask him to give some to hamsters. And he pulled out from his mouth and give to the hamsters!! This is so funny. More to come.

Hi Today Eve and I went to Old Kallang Airport and Merlion to see the Biennale art pieces. It's quite fun as we find that Old Kallang Airport is really old. And it sets the mood of being a white elephant. There are a few art works that are commendable, however some are not sure what they are trying to express. Picture of us waiting for the shuttle bus from Old Kallang Airport to Merlion. This bear picture is well done by a primary school student and it's made just by sketching with a pen! Ain't it good? This is actually a hand woven art piece and initially I have no idea what it has sown, but strangely, when I see it through camera, the words are very obvious!! Marina bay skyline with Eve The Merlion pictures are in another camera and I tell you, the Merlion hotel is really able to let people to stay overnight!! And it's at a cheap rate of $150 and the scenery is superb!! Too bad it's fully booked. Had a fun time today!!

Well in life, you will definitely been compared to someone in one way or another. Otherwise, you compare yourself with other people. Many a times, you will feel that other people are far better than you yourself. But now, I'm 27, I just feel that comparison is good, but you have to know that everyone is different and God has actually made us different so that we have different strengths. When I was in secondary school, I join Art club and yes, it's quite degrading compared to those uniformed groups because it's like a 'do nothing' club. I do feel very annoyed at times but who cares, Coz at the end of the day, I have learnt quite a few art skills and made good friends! Now, I'm a married man and when I see other people that don't have children, at times I feel that yes, I may not have much of their 'free' time. But I know that at home, I have a lovely son and wife waiting for me and my time is their time. And I'm very happy about it. At times I ma...

Well, I want to thank God that for the last quarter, I'm the top producer in my organization among 250 people! Yeah. Want to thank my clients who have the faith in me and of course I put in effort in it. And upcoming months, I will do extra hard for my career as I have a family to build. So Mervyn, continue to Jiayou. I have also been promoted to an Executive Financial Consultant and it's really a rewarding post because with this post, I represent top 10% in Prudential. As a dad, of course it's fun to be in. Seeing Josh grow as well as taking care of my pregnant wife is at times taxing, but the efforts are rewarding as I feel that both my son and wife love me very much. This is very important and that makes me even want to work harder in my career because family is the pushing factor. At times, I must allocate time wisely to be a dad as well as an FC. Hence, I must plan time with my wife and to allocate time for home cook meals. We both feel that it is important for us to h...

Josh is now recovering from his flu and phlegm and I tell you. This time is actually really challenging for all of us. He was tired at 10plus yesterday and slept. At 11pm, due to a large noisy sneeze from my upstairs neighbour, he woke up and started to cry. We took quite awhile for him to settle down as babies do not like to be disturbed in their sleep, moreover he is recovering. We just have to be patient with him and due to that, he was awake till 3am! Can you believe it? I brought him down to Shop and save at 12am and then we went back home. He insisted that he's not sleepy and wanted to go out. We went to the playground, and played there for quite long until Eve and her mom came down. My my. It's really topsy turvy. And I took a bath before I slept. Josh, I really hope you can recover well... Spending time I find that he's feeling kinda insecure at times, since now Meimei is soon due in July. According to our Gynae, it's a normal sign for babies to cling to the mot...

Hey Recently, my son had sore throat that led to slight fever and flu. Due to that, at night, he feels uncomfortable to rest and he would cry even more. This is really quite challenging. Due to this, he clings more to Eve. In fact, we contacted BFSG (Breastfeeding Support Group) and she said that this is very normal as toddlers would regard their mother as the one and only. As I have major roadshow this weekend, this made me feel even more strained because of the reduced sleep that I have. And now, thank god that my MIL is there to help us. I really hope that Josh can recover asap and honestly speaking, health is certainly wealth.. Food Been quite awhile since I have posted some good places to munch. It's at SuShi Tei and wow I tell you their sashimi is very worth it. Love the first bowl and the prawns are very sweet and there is a piece of fat tuna, really awesome!!! Woohoo. This bowl is $18. Ha. The chawanmushi with the salmon roe eggs is another signature dish and I recommend th...

I really am spurred on! Now, my wife is managing Josh Hoe's blog because she finds that it is a good avenue to update Josh's growth. Yeah and in the meantime, I manage my own Mervyn Hoe's blog. Time is ticking so fast. And I just feel that one has to really progress with time too. Josh Josh, last night took a nap at 715pm and woke up at 830pm. This is an anomaly as usually he would take nap at 5plus in the afternoon and wake up at 630pm. From that, he will be awake for 5 to 6 hours. Hence, due to the late nap, he slept at 1 plus, nearly 2. I was really shagged out yesterday because there was no afternoon nap for me as my schedule didn't allowed me and at 1230pm, I cannot control and slept. In the end, Eve accompanied him and made him sleep. I'm really so proud of her to individually take care of him to sleep. Biennale 2011 Oh! We went to Biennale 2011 two days back and we only went to Singapore Art Museum. It's really an eye opener as you can see different artis...

Well Now a days, for weekend, it is only Mervyn Eve Josh time. And I tell you this is certainly a good but of course tiring days to go through because of the time spent on housework, taking care of Josh, cooking and going out. These days, Josh really sees and learns what we do! I did a 'hole' using the Lego and showed him that it can be seen through it. And guess what? He will use it as a peephole. Yea! He enjoys bathing now and now that for water to be poured down from his head, he is fine with it and he will wipe his hand with it too! Very good right? His progression with eating his own food is good because now he is able to control better with his hands and the spoon! Ha. Hence not so much drip on the shirt!! :)

Honestly, I'm really so excited!! I really hope to clear finish my current house ASAP and initially wanting to clear by Jan2014.. But I aim to clear it by Jan2013.. Or even earlier.. Woohoo. Everyday, this is the new driving force to keep me motivated in my career!! Woohoo. Seriously.. Yea. I have seen my house loan interest and that's scary. It's like every month, I'm paying $700 to the bank as interest. This is not what I want for myself. Its like throwing $700 into the drain. Imagine those who extend their house loan to 20 to 25 years.. The interest is even larger!! That's why I advice my clients to quickly pay off their house and it can be their asset fully!! And there is a certificate given to them too!! Can't wait to have mine. Woohoo!!!!!!

Hihi! It has been awhile since I have blogged for myself. Opps. Anyway, I am very glad that now Josh is growing and learning quite a lot.  A few weeks back, he started to eat by himself. Currently, he is able to feed himself without much drips onto his shirt! Great improvement. For his animal liking, yes, it has grown. He knows how to point animals on the story book when we read out the names. Amazing. And recently, there is a wasp nest (harmless) growing on my plant and he spotted it. Coincidentally, there is a wasp picture in the animal book. And he straight away points to the outside window direction. Cool right? Well, I have more pictures on the Awards Night last month, and she is my boss and my wife and I hit the award!! :) So many exciting things to come: =Daughter in July 2011 =Car license =More time for family And of course to work hard!!

Hi Everyone! How have you been? Its been awhile since I have actually blogged. Here you go! Some insights about what has happened! I had my company awards night and its my first time on stage! And that crowns me top 40 in the entire 3500 Prudential force in Singapore.  This is certainly an award and a night to remember because not only its limelight for me, it is also a chance for me to get an award from Prudential! In 2009, I got 1 award from Prudential. In 2010, I got 2 awards from Prudential. And in 2011... we shall see! Well the first picture is really amazing. Make me feel as if I'm in Manhunt. Ha Second pic is Eve and I! Very happy that she also qualify with me for the dinner. Third group picture is the Financial Consultants from my organisation to hit this award! So happy! This year 2011 is yet another promising year ahead! Yeah!

Some Sabah Pictures to share with you....