A Day in the Park

When I dream of parks, I dream of clear blue lakes with rows of swimming ducks, oblivious to their surroundings, and graceful swans and hungry geese strolling alongside waiting to be fed by generous park-goers.  I dream of sunshine with cool breeze and pigeons and maybe seagulls too. 

But alas... this dream is only a dream and a memory of the parks we know from UK.  Last school holiday in August, we visited our very own City Park in Seremban 2 where the kids can play on the playground, feeds the fishes albeit most are overfed already, and where we discovered the crows have made this their hangout place too.

Forget pigeons and seagulls, here are the crows...  they remind me of the evil guys in the animation show, "Epic"

Gong Gong drove all 4 grandkids there - Andrew, Grace, Victoria and William.  Sharon stayed home with Popo for her bath and morning nap.  Not long after we just arrived, Andrew had a nasty fall head first from the slide and bit into his lower lip.  Poor boy was crying due to the pain and hubby went across to an eatery to get ice for Andrew.  The other three kids ran around and played whilst we 3 adults tried to pacify him and assure him that he will be alright. 

After some time, the other 3 cousins came over and prayed to God to stop the bleeding, then we decided to move on to feed the fishes.  The bleeding stopped soon after - praise God for answering prayers - and the 4 kids were then engrossed with feeding the fishes and tortoises in the pond.  The fishes are now very big and didn't seem so interested in the bread crumbs that we threw in. 

Here fishy fishy... eat your breakfast

See how chummy and adorable this two can get - William (5yo) and cousin Grace (6yo).  At one time, Grace got upset when William didn't hold her hand... hehehe.

Here's one with all four kids taken from Gong Gong's camera.

A Couple Getaway

After our little escapade to Bangkok in June for just hubby and I went down the drain, with air tickets bought and burned, hotel room booked and fully paid and non-refundable... we finally got our couple holiday in August, but this time to nearby Langkawi.  The last time we were in Langkawi was back in year 2000.  This trip was the last holiday booked for this year, although the second lined up.  It was initially planned to be our second couple getaway, but looks like it's the first.

Since we lost a bit of money for the Bangkok trip - thank God it was all at unbelievable promotional rates - we weren't feeling very benevolent for the Langkawi trip.  That, and also because the hotels were either obscenely pricey to begin with, such as The Andaman and The Datai or they were too shabby for a 4 star price.  Finally we decided to settle with a reasonably priced hotel along Cenang beach - Fave hotel as we were impressed by the exterior and interior of the rooms, plus looks new and clean.

New it was, but clean not up to standard.  Probably Malaysian clean, but not Korean-hotel clean.  If that means anything.

We left the kids in good hands of Mama Yeh Yeh, and took the late afternoon flight to Langkawi.  When we arrived the airport, our car was ready (thanks to some people and a few phone calls) and we took a slow drive to our hotel, stopping along the way for a quick look-see-look-see at the stalls.

We travelled on this during our stay on the island... most grateful!

Prices were not cheap, and goods were old and dusty with no variety.  Put it simply, nothing we've not seen before.  I think even our local night markets here offer better.  Yes... that badddd!!

The pool at the hotel was nice, only that it was too open for people walking in and out of the lobby or hanging around the cafe to see.  Plus I forgot my bikini swimming suit.

Enjoyed a local coconut and a plate of rojak by the road side.

At night, hubby didn't bring me far for dinner.  We merely had to walk down to the pool side, where he had pre-arranged and fully paid for the dinner even months before.  The hotel arranged a special table with candle lights at one corner of the pool just for us.  Although it was a nice quiet corner, we were not alone, because the mosquitoes decided to join in the fun!  The waiters thoughtfully brought 4 mosquito coils to stink them away.

During the dinner, a cricket jumped on our table, and in the midst of our main course, I saw movement behind hubby's back and almost screamed my lungs out... it was Frederick the Frog (or the Frog Prince if you like) who sneaked up behind him, and jumped near my Coach, and that freaked me even more... thank God my bag was zipped up because I wouldn't want to bring home a frog as souvenir!

That aside, the dinner was very pleasant, because it's rare times like this that we get served without feeling hurried, no kids to hush or mind over, and full privacy to ourselves.  Hubby, when he made the booking - did asked for a butler to be nearby throughout dinner, but I guess the hotel staff didn't understand him clearly.

After dinner, we went out to check out the night life  - there was almost none.. by this time I was really disappointment with Langkawi... c'on, it's a tourist area with beaches and duty-free liquor, so where's the dancing and music and gwailos??  We chanced upon a small shop offering fish spa, and this being our first time, dipped our legs into the aquarium of garra rufa fishes.  It was initially so ticklish for me and I was really tempted to take my feet out if not for the vain pot in me to have my dead skins exfoliated!!  Total RM10 for 10 minutes for 2 pax... reasonable mou?

The next day, we went to town for shopping.  Was nice that we had a mission - to buy a Yamazaki 25 years, on top of shopping for our own liquor.  I was too excited at the prices and almost planned to buy half a dozen wine plus a bottle of Sheridan coffee liqueur (cheapest was RM57) when hubby reminded me that we are only allowed 1 litre each through customs.  Wanna take the risk?

Well, at the end, no shops had Yamazaki 25 and we brought back only 2 bottles of wine, plus a lot of chocolates and a little souvenir for the kids.

We visited Nusantara selling traditional remedies made by jungle harvested herbs and a sea cucumber species where we bought some to try (help local industry mah)   

Massages in Langkawi were all full and no opportunity for walk ins, plus they were really expensive.  In my mind, I was still comparing Bali and Thailand with Langkawi where massages and shopping was so invitingly cheap.

On Day 2 dinner, we ate at Porto Malai Langkawi.  Hubby used to hang around here during his bachelor days and short stint in Langkawi. 

Mine

His

Pleasant place for a stroll and dinner

On our last day, we strolled along the Cenang beach again where hubby caught a baby crab ( because of my sharp eyes, hehe ) then we checked out and drove to the Crocodile farm (but didn't enter) and went hotel hopping.  We checked out Four Points by Sheraton and then lazed around in The Andaman before moving on briefly to The Datai and then down to town again to return the car.

Honest to the bone, we were both missing our kids even at the end of Day 1.  We called them a few times, and they were happy and didn't sound like they missed us.  Before leaving, William asked hubby if we didn't bring them along was because we didn't love them... awwww... that really broke our heart but it was good he asked and not assumed.

Well, the next two holidays will be as a family... and I'm looking forward!!

Happy Birthday Mi

To the most influential, outstanding and wonderful woman in my life... my mom.

We celebrated my mom's 66th birthday a few days earlier to coincide with the school holidays and also our short break in Seremban before returning to PJ.

Yi Yi made a room booking at Silver Dragon Restaurant where she is one of their regular customers due to business entertainments, if I may say... so altogether Popo Gong Gong, Yi Yi, myself and hubby, plus two maids and 5 boisterous, active grandkids (actually Sharon is too small to be labelled as boisterous, but since she has the same DNA it is safe to say that she will eventually be like her super active brother Andrew, or sporting talkative sister Grace, or even like her cousins Victoria the Tai Ka Cheh and William). 

Dinner started at around 730pm with a round of peanuts and ordering of foods.  After and during dinner, we had voluntary karaoke singing kicked off by William, Grace, Andrew and Victoria with Psy's Oppa Gangnam Style.  Thereafter, Gong Gong took over with serenading us with oldies.

We also finished off a bottle of year 2012 Merlot red wine by Queen Aberdeen.  Two bottles would have been more satisfying... : )  With our wine glasses, we each made a toast to our dear Mi and Popo.

Here's to long life, good health and multiple joys, ending love and warm friendships, above all God's blessings upon your life, Mi...

"You have always been my role model, ever more so now that I am a mom myself.  Sporadic and random times I find myself "in your shoes" and then I felt like I understood you even more.  

I remembered how you toiled in the kitchen to ensure we have home cooked meals and not catered nor tapau-ed food, a soup was almost a must.  

I remembered how you lovingly woke up early just to prepare my breakfast and then to wake me up without the slightest grump or whine.  I remembered how you were always there to pick me up, most of the times earlier than when my school dismissal time.  

I remembered more, how you'd sponge me when I was younger so that the fever subsides, how you'd ensure the floors were clean, the beds were made, the laundry washed and folded, and never once did you demand that we helped you.  

These, are just but a few of the many miracles I remembered.   

You to me, is my superwoman.  At this time, I feel I am less than half of what you are, and even a week without domestic help I am burned out with fatigue, two weeks and I'm almost a wreck and anything exceeding that, I am at risk of breaking down or two months - a walking time bomb.  

How can I even compare myself to you?  But yes, I know I am special because I am my mother's girl.  You are not only sacrificial, but you show never ceasing love.  A dedicated grandmother.  I pray God's blessing will continue to shower upon your life. "

Beancurd with minced pork

Pumpkin fried with salted egg.  It was supposed to be crunchy but this was soft and wet - still nice.  I kinda thing anything taste nice with salted egg

Prawnnnssss... my fav!  These were fresh and of reasonable size.  I told the Captain to pick those as big as possible. 

Steamed cod fish with soy sauce

Status quo... or default... or standard... the Yuin Choy

4 Sky King Belacan Style

Eating cake.

Vic enjoys cutting the cake and serving them

Sharing a moment with Kakak

Happy pictures

Sometime back we celebrated the birthday of a little boy called Moses.  Moses is a wonderful happy boy, who just turned 6.  We discovered shortly before his birthday that he can spell BIG words and read very well, way beyond what a little 6 year old is expected to.

We know Moses and his mother about two years ago.  Even without a father, Moses is considered well behaved, polite and cheerful.  His best friend at cell is of course the other and only boy near his age... our very own 5 year old William - who fondly nicknames his friend, "Moses Who Parted The Red Sea."

Well, of course this Moses did not part the Red Sea, but one day, we pray he will know the Lord in a personal way and do great things for Him.

That Saturday morning, we met with Moses and his mom at Ikano.  The kids played at Kids World before heading for Japanese lunch which was Moses' favourite, and mine too... and the kids too!  Who doesn't love Japanese food??  I'm even slowly getting to like sashimi.

Not the most macho pose for boys but well, this was the one picture that can see their full face

Don't look like that at girls, ok?

Look out behind you... it's Doc Ock!!

In the afternoon we got the kids to sleep, followed by church in the evening and another round of play at Kids World.  Because William did NOT sleep whilst his sister did, we gave him work to do instead whilst his sister got to play and jump and run around and squeal like she always do, with Daddy.  And Mummy did not mind just sitting by the side with William... making sure he finished off a satisfactory amount of written work and reading. *evil laugh*

In the last half hour of so before closing time, we let him off, and the kids played like there was NO TOMORROW!  Literally... coz Kids World was almost empty with only us ruling over the whole place!  Here are their happy pictures... their squeals of joy and laughter and begging for more was PRICELESS!

Faster, Daddy!  FASSSTTEEERRRR!!!

Wheeeee!!  Don't let go, William!

Finally, thank you Daddy for paying the cut-throat, exorbitant entrance fees for us to play inside...

... and for being the work-horse spinning us round and round until the operators had no heart to make us leave... till the very VERY last minute. Hehehe... MONEY WELL SPENT!!

Make ugly faces with Optimus Prime!

Oops I did it again!

A few weeks back on our way back from school, I chatted with the girls about their school day.  It was a normal topic, almost routine and getting boring to some extend as their answers to my question of "How's school today?" always gets the same reply, "Good."

My subsequent question would be, "Any Ting Xie, Ejaan or Spelling?"  And then the it began.  Vic answered, "No" whilst the other girl answered "Yes" and now my ears pricked up.  Then Vic quickly changed her answer to "Yes" and I guess hoping I won't notice the initial discrepancy.

But I did.  And I did what I do best.  I grill.

I found out that Vic was out carrying books for her BM teacher and during her absence, the teacher wrote out Ejaan words on the blackboard, but it was cleaned off before Vic returned to class.  So she didn't know about the words to learn, until that faithful Ejaan day.

I did wrong

I did something really bad but at that time it was purely out of anger, so much anger because this wasn't the first time of her forgetting her Ejaan or Ting Xie words... worse still, she did not even copy them!  And this was because of her Monitor duties, which we told her should NOT affect her studies.  I know... it's just Ejaan words, it will not determine the person that she will be, nor if she will be successful or not, it's just words.  But it didn't seem like JUST words at that time, you know.  It was the whole thing about not asking her friends about class work missed during her absence, the whole tidak apa, main dulu attitude...

So I told her if she can't handle Monitor duties, then... quit!!  So many angry words slew out of me, and when I went home I rummaged through her tuition work and found pages of undone work and threw it at her.  OK, before you judge me, this was one of my bad mommy days.  I'm sorry, I really am.  

Well, the following day she "obediently" followed my words and told her class teacher that she will relinquish her role as Monitor and her class teacher apparently asked why and said "OK, effective September."  She came home reporting to me, and since I already felt bad from the time I said such bad things, I slowly asked her if she really wanted to be Monitor, then go explain to teacher the real reason and say Mommy has changed her mine.  So the next day, she went back to her class teacher to "say all these."

But guess what... the following day, we were at her canteen and I walked up to her class teacher to explain the situation myself, and her class teacher seemed blur.  She didn't know anything about this incident, and then I sort of knew that my Vic probably didn't do any talking to the teacher like she told me she did.  Who's telling the truth, was there a misunderstanding, I don't know, but Vic insisted that she did, and I leave it as it is.

  
Class Monitor she is still... she wears her badge proudly and checks with me that it's straight and not "covered" by her shirt collar.  She shares this duty with her BFF, Kristen who assist her and they split responsibilities taking down names of noisy classmates and helping teachers with books. 

Birthday parties

A few weekends ago, the kids and I attended 3 birthday parties - first birthday party was of my buddy's son's 6th birthday at McDonald's, another of my maternal Grandpa (great-grandfather of my kids)'s 95th birthday and the third was the birthday of Victoria's BFF from school.

I've known my buddy for 13 years now, and she and her son Lucas shares the same birthday.  We first knew each other when we were single (but not available) ladies working in the bank, then through our change of jobs, wedding, first child, second child, etc... how time flies. 

This is Lucas' 6th Birthday @McDonald Mutiara Damansara.  The kids each had Happy Meal with a little minion (I still don't understand what's the craze about) inside, played some games besides the usual sing-song-blow-cake-photo-session.

Vic had her special Fillet-O-Fish without the tartar sauce.  I took her nuggets instead.  William apparently ate two servings of nuggets since Tayla (sitting beside him) found the nuggets a tad too "spicy" for her tastebuds.

Look at the collection of Ironmen!!  All belonged to Lucas' Daddy.  Come in handy to decorate the yummylicious cakes.  The red velvet at the back was very moist, soft and fluffy... simply glorious!

A picture of Victoria jie jie with sweet Tayla.  We "babysitted" her as her parents were not around and as usual, she is so easy to manage. 

Tai Gong's 95th Birthday at Restaurant Sam You, PJ. 

My grandpa holds a special place in my heart, right next to my even more special late grandma whom I call my Popo and who passed away 15 years ago.  I grew up a few years in Ipoh in my maternal grandparents' home, and they took care of me when I was a toddler.  I don't remember much, but I do remember my grandpa used to bring me for evening walks down the road and we'd stop to see some white pigeons in the neighbor's house. 

Now my grandpa is too old and sadly, too grumpy too to remember to relish such sweet memories.  I wish and pray for peace in his heart, and that he'd smile more in his last few years on Earth. 

A family picture with the patriach.  The kids found it funny to put on funny faces like Vic's bunny look and William's fries-cigar.

William is always ever-ready to blow candles on the birthday cakes.

And finally... Kristen's 8th birthday at Camp 5, 1 Utama Shopping Mall.  First time experience for both kids.  While jie jie and her friends went in for an hour's supervised climbing session, William and the other younger siblings of Vic's friend stayed at the boulder area next to the cafe. 

For a boy who thinks he's a superhero who can cling on to walls, this is just the perfect sport for him.  He loved it so much that he cried when we told him it's time to leave! 

First try... getting a little push from Daddy

Group shot

All geared up and getting ready for action. 

Fooling around with Zachary

After the climb, the kids were famished. 

This was taken during the initial "testing time" which is to gauge how well the kids can climb.  Vic was very timid during the actual climb.  She took so long at one stage that the guide started yawning!  

Childhood is so much more fun with parties, don't you think?  A mother friend exclaimed that she doesn't like her daughter to go for so many parties because she thinks these parties will spoil the child and derail the child from her focus on studies, but it's not like every weekend there is a party to go to, right? 

I'm happy that the kids have friends and invitations to go to.  These are just a fun way of destressing, a change from the monotonous studies and school, and also great bonding time with friends!  Pity the parents, though, we have to shop for the birthday presents and chauffeur them around... but hey, who's complaining!  Haha...

Hurry Up!

This seem to be my most popular phrase now in the house - HURRY UP!  And I am not even telling this to my girl (because girls are generally slower than boys, and have higher tendency to dilly dally, right?) but it's to William.

Aarrghhh!  It starts from the morning, from a gentle "Boy boy, go clean up now, go brush your teeth, etc" and then it's "Hurry up, eat your breakfast, we're gonna be late for Baobei."

Mealtimes is a common time for me to keep repeating these same words like a broken record player.  It's either "Hurry up!" or "Quickly!" or somewhere along the lines of being late, and counting down.  The little fler is unfortunately unfazed, and he's still in his carefree mode, happy-go-lucky mood and launches into his infectious laughter whenever I am too serious with him.  How to handle la?  His eyes talk, like they are telling me to chill and inviting me to laugh along.  But for the sake of punctuality, I have to put up a strong and serious front.

On my left, his sister eats her food without much a problem.  The only thing I have to remind her is to NOT gobble down her food.  Aaahh, how I wish the boy on my right would quicken even half the speed of his sister.  His backside seems to have invisible needles too, that makes him NEED to walk around.  Maybe it needs to feel the tip of Mr R O Tan...

But the cane is hardly out.  It comes out when his mouth stops chewing for more than 10 minutes or if I don't see his food diminish.

Where have all the time gone to?  Sometimes I imagine myself in his little 5yo body, being bossed around to hasten his steps and coaxed to move along.  It sure ain't no fun. But if it ain't this way, then would things get moving?

So William... or Spiderman or SM as you call yourself, remember that with great powers comes great responsibilities.  In your case, by being older means bigger responsibilities.