1st day of School

Dear Mini-N,

Some people say, sending a child to school is like breaking a child. He is born with his own personality, his own ways of living and his own inner sense of what life is about. Then we send him to school and we break through all those things in hope that he will one day conform to society. Just like Ladi Di needs to learn how to manage life as Your Highness in the royal palace. So Mini-N, you were introduced to society on the 1st of July, 2010.

Yesterday, 1st of July 2010, was your first day of school. I just want you to know that the most heart wrenching day of mama's life is also the same day. 1st of July 2010. The principal said it's best we do it tough rough. So she ordered a teacher to take you away to the class upstairs. I wanted to speak to you, to tell you that "Mama will come back, ok? Mama will come back for you! Then we can go home again and you can have ice cream."

But the principal interrupted to say, "Let the teacher take him away fast. It's better for the child."

How you were bawling all the way. You cried, "Mamaaaaa!!!! Auntieeeeee!!! Mama carry! Mama carry!"

All I wanted to do was to bawl as loud as you but the principal started on telling me about the registration and forms and all that. I could hardly concentrate. The principal took me into her office and started explaining about all the rules and regulations of this center and I was only half listening. The other half of me was trying very hard to listen out if you're still crying.

Auntie (your nanny) was running around wildly outside, also trying to find a spot if she can still hear your voice. I could see that Auntie probably also wanted to bawl as loud as you.

After all the long winded talk about school fees and holiday camps, the principal finally let me go upstairs to peep at you. You were standing there with your teacher, not wanting to participate in anything and gasping for breath with all that crying. Poor Mini-N. What have mama put you through?

When we picked you up 1 hour later, both Auntie and I was standing outside at the gates and it seemed to us like it took hours for them to fetch you and unlock all the 20 thousand locks. Poor Mini-N. You were still gasping for breath from the crying and looked a bit disoriented. I picked you up immediately, you were slightly limp and your entire body was cold. Poor Mini-N. Cried so much until you have no more energy.

We got into the car and i said, "Hey Mini-N. Now is time for ice cream!" Just like your mother, you litted up at the thought of food. The journey home was a short one and by the time we reached home, you already sang a whole song by repeating again and again, the word 'ice cream'. Yay! Mini-N is back! But.. but... tomorrow is another school day..