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Observe: I observe that Lizhi’s father looked at her mother before replying to her question about why they never visited his family in Singapore.

Notice: Lizhi’s father has some misgivings about bringing her mother back to Singapore to meet his family and relatives. There is also a backstory we are told that the grandfather does not approve of the match. We are also told that her mother is of Cameroonian descent and French citizenship while her father is of Chinese descent and Singaporean citizenship.

Wonder: I wonder if Lizhi’s father was afraid that her mother would be discriminated against because of her race or the colour of her skin in addition to the life choices they had made to be artists. I wonder how the family would treat her and her mother in the light of this.

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Observe: I observe that Lizhi is homeschooled by her parents.

Notice: Lizhi does not think that she needs to go to school which is unusual for a child of her age. She seems to be confident in her ability to get along with other children despite not having had the experience of attending school with other children of her age.

Wonder: I wonder what it would have been like for her to travel with her parents and be in such a tight social circle, so close to them both, only to lose her father in an accident. I wonder if she ever felt the need to be in the company of other children her age.

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Observe: The setting of a big house.

Notice: The house is a symbol of the unfamiliar and unwelcoming environment that Lizhi finds herself in after arriving in Singapore to meet her father’s family. The house is also a place where Lizhi uncovers many secrets.

Wonder: Will students who live in HDB flats be able to relate to Lizhi's experiences in the house?

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Observe: Lizhi's mother asked Aunt Mona twice about meeting the grandfather.

Notice: Aunt Mona did not reveal Grandfather's whereabouts to Lizhi's mother, even when she was asked twice.

Wonder: Why did Aunt Mona not answer Lizhi's mother's questions about meeting Grandfather? Why did she keep changing the subject to avoid answering the questions?

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Observe: When Lizhi and her mother arrived at their destination, a big house with a garden full of trees, plants, and long grass, Lizhi seemed happy to see the natural surroundings.

Notice: This observation contrasts with her mother's reaction, who questioned whether they were at the right place, indicating a sense of uncertainty or dissatisfaction with the environment. The text mentions, "Are you sure this is the right place?" her mother asked. She did not seem as happy as Lizhi to see all the plants grass and trees.

Wonder: I wonder why Lizhi's mother felt apprehensive about the house and its surroundings. Was it different from what she expected, or does it reflect deeper concerns about their visit and the family they are about to meet?

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Observe: The character Lizhi is very mature (very strong girl lead) despite the circumstances surrounding her.

Notice: The issues and concerns brought up in the story may be relatable to readers but some, especially students, may not be able to comprehend and might be grappling with issues like identity and falsehoods.

Wonder: Would the Michael family ever come to Singapore after the long absence and mend ties?

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Observe: Lizhi and mum travelling halfway across the globe to meet late father's or husband's family

Notice: I notice the apprehension in meeting the family.

Wonder: If there was a change of heart eventually when both sides met. Would Lizhi be able to make herself at home in Singapore?

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O: Juliette seems frazzled and out of her element.

N: She remained patient and calm with Lizhi

W: I wonder what the family dynamics are like within the family and whether anything has changed after Michael's passing.

O: Lizhi thoughts are largely centred around memories with her father. Sometimes her mother shares memories of Michael.

N: She does not seem to be openly sharing about these memories and neither is she talking about how she feels about her father's passing with her mother

W: I wonder how she is coping with her loss

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Observe: I observe that Lizhi has not really accepted the death of her father

Notice: I notice she tries not to think of him so as to avoid breaking down which will also upset her mother. She also tries to remember specific things about him as she was worried about forgetting him. Going through such a 'turmoil' possibly due to the fact that she has not really accepted his death.

Wonder: I wonder how she would continue to cope in a new environment as being in an environment in close proximity to her relatives might 'affect' her more?

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Observe: I observe that Lizhi's grandparents did not like her mother.

Notice: A reason for the 'dislike' mentioned was where Lizhi's mother told her husband (Michael) that it was more important to work at something you really loved than to make a lot of money for children you might never have.

Wonder: I wonder how Lizhi's grandparents knew of this and if it there are reasons for the 'dislike'.

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Observe: I observe that Lizhi's mother will go to China and Lizhi will be alone in Singapore with Michael's family.

Notice: I notice that Juiette and Lizhi are not well-liked by Michael's family and that was the first time Lizhi is meeting them. It is not a norm for parents to leave their children in such an environment when they are not in town.

Wonder: I wonder how Lizhi will spend her days with them while her mother is away. How will Lizhi feel? Will it make her more miserable? Will they take good care of Lizhi?

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Observe: Julliet was going to leave her daughter with Michael’s family for some time while she settled some things.

Notice: Despite being young and unfamiliar with her father’s family, Lizhi is open to the idea of staying with them and getting to know them.

Wonder: I wonder why Julliet will agree to leave her daughter with people she has not met and who do not seem to like her. Given their strained relations, I wonder what makes Julliet trust Michael’s family. I also wonder if Lizhi is putting up a brave front to make things easy for her mother.

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Observe: Lizhi's mother wanted to go straight out once they touched down at the airport and she told "them" about her flight details. However, when she was out of the arrival gate, she said that she did not really expect anyone to come.

Notice: She seemed to long for someone (Lizhi's grandfather and aunt) to be at the airport as she was eager to be out of the arrival gate. It was different when she stepped out of the arrival gate.

Wonder: I wonder how the relationship between Lizhi's mother and her grandfather and aunt was.

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Observe:

I observe that Michael was a successful painter and was sought after as people would fly him to paint the walls of buildings (houses, restaurants, banks) around the world.

Notice:

Michael’s parents seem to have such outdated thinking, preferring him to be a doctor/lawyer rather than pursue his passion. Juliette, being French, is also something that has strained their relations.

Wonder:

I wonder why Michael’s parents are not able to look past Michael’s life choices and accept Julliet and Lizhi. I also wonder if Mona did anything to help her parents reconcile their relations with Michael and his family.

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Observe: I observe that Lizhi travels to Singapore with only her mother to visit her father’s family.

Notice: I notice that Lizhi is very close to her father. Despite having passed away for a year, Lizhi constantly mentioned and thought about her father.

Wonder: I wonder if Michael is still alive, will they still go to Singapore one day? Will it be easier for his family to accept Lizhi and her mother?

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Observe:

I observe Lizhi's description of her father and mother.

Notice:

I notice that Lizhi's father seem more free-spirited as he enjoyed travelling around to paint and her mother was the one more worried about Lizhi not attending a regular school. But both parents made sure to keep their promises (except that he was not as prompt as Lizhi's mother because he would forget sometimes).

Wonder:

I wonder how life would be like for them if this family had stayed in Singapore instead of France.

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Observe:

I observe that there is a mother and daughter (Lizhi) travelling to meet Lizhi's father's family . The setting is in Singapore because the taxi driver mentioned "Neo Tiew Crescent".

Notice:

I notice that Lizhi and her mother came from France and had never been to Singapore. Lizhi seems like a bubbly girl.

Wonder:

I wonder how Lizhi's father's family would receive them. Would they welcome them warmly or be cold towards to them?

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Observe: I observe that Lizhi's father is a Singaporean, while her mother is a foreigner.

Notice: I notice that Lizhi doesnt look Chinese as she has pale brown tan.

Wonder: I wonder why Lizhi is given only a Chinese name when her parents have English names.

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Observe: I observe that Lizhi's mum will return to France and will not be with her during her stay with the dad's family.

Notice: I notice that the family relations are strained between Lizhi's mum and her husband's family, so much so that they did not even send anyone to pick mother and daughter up at the airport.

Wonder: I wonder if the family is even curious to know about Lizhi (a granddaughter) and Lizhi's mum (their daughter-in-law), not having seen them all these years. I also wonder why Lizhi's mum can bear to let Lizhi face a family of strangers all by herself? What is the reason that she is unable to be there as well?

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Observe: I observe that nobody came to pick up Lizhi and her mum at the airport.

Notice: I notice that the strained relations are due to Lizhi's dad not choosing a conventional career and also marrying someone of a different race and that these are rather common reasons that parents and children may fall out.

Wonder: I wonder if how a young girl like Lizhi will cope, being caught in the middle of such a strained situation where even adults may find stressful.

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Observe: I observe that Lizhi and her family have been travelling over the world.

Notice: I notice that Lizhi has not been enrolled to any regular school before.

Wonder: I wonder if Lizhi's mum is planning to let Lizhi settle down in Singapore and enroll her in a regular school.

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Observe: I observe that Lizhi's mother is someone who believes in keeping promises.

Notice: I notice that even though she seemed reluctant to go to Singapore, she still proceeded with the plan as she had made her promise to her late husband (Lizhi's father).

Wonder: I wonder if there were other reasons why Lizhi's mother was not looking forward to meeting her husband's family in Singapore and why was she rushing to take the flight out? Who will take care of Lizhi? Will Lizhi stay in Singapore permanently?

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Observe: I observe that Lizhi's father recognises that first impressions are important and yet does not  care about his dressing.

Notice: This seems contradictory .to what I am used to since we are told that we need to present a neat appearance when we wear uniforms.

Wonder: I wonder what kind of man her father is since his thinking does not follow conventional logic.