“I hope this void deck library contains some hidden gems,” I said enthusiastically to my children as we leisurely made our way to Blk 109D Canberra Walk. It was a scorching afternoon, but the heat did not dampen our spirits. Brimming with anticipation, I herded them toward the library.

The library itself wasn’t nothing to shout about, tbh, but it was still a fulfilling trip for me because I picked up two Primary 1 assessment books on heuristics. I could feel the lump in my throat and panic rising within my stomach as I flipped through the pages, coming to grips with the fact that just doing KooBits wasn’t gonna cut it. A mixture of surprise and excitement churned inside me as I realised that I should expose him to the various problem-solving techniques, including Guess and Check, Before and After, and Act It Out. Since when Maths had become so complicated?

Fortunately, this block was nestled within a scenic environment, so my cortisol didn’t rise to unhealthy levels. I took some time to relax on the giant hammock (that in itself would have provided sufficient reason for me to want to live here). I also dispatched my children to the nearby playground. It worked for barely five minutes before my daughter sprinted back to clamour for my attention. Together, we climbed up the rope way to the top of the playground. I must say that she is one spunky kid. No whining, no trembling of legs once she had my presence, she just scrambled up the rope way without hesitation. I wonder why she inherited her boldness from. (Definitely not me.)

10/10 will recommend because this Canberra neighbourhood was an eye-opener for me.