Happiness Journal 22/9/25

Most days, I drag my feet to pick up my children because I have nothing but a night of drudgery to look forward to.

Today, however, I hastened my steps like a rat scurrying towards a mousetrap for two reasons.

First, the son has become obsessed with cattle and zebras, so I couldn’t wait to tell him about how some Japanese cattle have been painted with zebra-like stripes to reduce the likelihood of them getting bitten by flies. It’s a cool piece of trivia that I’m certain will stay etched in his mind.

Secondly, while decluttering my Sc folder, I found a hard copy of the map of the Singapore Zoo. I have probably hoarded it since 2021! In an era where apps are the go-to answer for everything, this physical map has elevated to be a relic of history. I know he will pore over the details with great excitement. Hopefully, this means that he will watch less TV tonight.

Happiness Journal 29/9/25

My son asked me if I knew the difference between bees and wasps. Previously, he has asked me about the difference between grasshoppers and praying mantises, so I thought it was just his inquisitive mind at work.

Then, he asked me, “Do you know what 马蜂 is?”

“Huh!” I admitted my ignorance.

Turns out that 马蜂 = wasps, something that he learnt from his Chinese teacher in school today. Apparently, she was going through a lesson on bugs, including ants, flies, cockroaches, mosquitoes. What’s more, she got him to remember the characteristics of insects: six legs, three body parts, two antennas.

I must be channeling good energy into the Universe because my son has met a great teacher.

Happiness Journal 3/10/25

As an Armour Infantry soldier, I used to dread taking bus 975, which would transport me to my army camp, situated in a godforsaken part of Singapore.

Yet, today, I took the same bus with my children. Past my army camp because the dairy farm my son had yearned to visit was *further* from civilization than my army camp.

However, no feelings of dread plagued my heart. I won’t say that I was eager to visit the cow farm, but I wasn’t rejecting the idea, either. Beneath feeding the cows hay lay something more gratifying. My six-year-old boy has things he wants to do to fill his free time. May he never lose this zest for novelty.

Happiness Journal 5/10/25

Brought home two Chinese preparatory books for kindergarteners from the book exchange corner. Was on cloud nine when the son took to the chapter on animals and spent about 30 minutes listening to me speak Chinese and attempted various exercises.

Then, striking while the iron was hot, I went to the local library to borrow two Chinese magazines published in Mainland China for him. One featured pandas while the other featured elephants. Which are animals that have tugged at his heartstrings. Will endeavour to read aloud these feature articles for his benefit. Actually, I’m a bit weary of my country’s educational system and the boundaries it sets to test sixth graders effectively during their middle school entrance exam. Hopefully, these Mainland China magazines will help broaden my perspective!