Hong Kong Day 1: Ladies Market, Sports Shoe Market, Avenue of Stars, Symphony of Lights

This must have been our MOST last minute preparation for a holiday trip.  Although the air tickets were booked as early as last year, and the accommodation was booked and paid in full in the first quarter of this year and I only had a vague idea of where we needed to go, but we didn't have a solid detailed itinerary, nor have we any plan on how to move from Point A to B.

A couple of days before we were to fly off, we booked our Disneyland tickets online.  Tip:  You could actually book with a local agent who could give you a small discount off, but we weren't sure if our agent could do that, and the logistics that followed, so we decided to purchased our standard tickets here. 

A little advice here and there from friends who knew or stayed in Hong Kong gave me ideas on where to go and what to buy.  Of course, the internet is a source of information itself.

So here we go... the night before Kakak packed and moved into her temporary home with 3rd Aunt.  The kids had dinner at 530pm, and we put them in bed by 830pm.  Victoria slept soon after, but the boy kept asking every 15 minutes-or-so, "When is the taxi coming?", "Is the taxi here yet?"

I think he finally shut eye a few hours later at the same time as both hubby and I.

Tuesday, 3rd June 2014

Alarm rang at 330am, and cab was to arrived at 4am.  Waking the kids at 345am was no feat at all, as they bounced out of bed with excitement.  To be honest, we did play "cheat" a little as I had them wear their travelling clothes before sleeping, so we didn't have to change them in the morning. ;P

We arrived at the spanking new KLIA2 and also received a RM30 discount from our taximan - thank God for that.  After checking in our luggage, we headed to Paparich for breakkie, which wasn't cheap.  In fact, all the food at KLIA2 was nothing near "low-cost" at all, although I applaud the management for the variety offered.

Getting to the gate... 

The biggest complaint is of course the lllooonnnnggg walk to our gate, which happen to be the last I noticed.  Even the other gates before us, still required at least 20 minutes of walking.. or was it 30 minutes?  We took close to 45 minutes from the Immigration to our gate (hubby please correct me if I am wrong) and along the way, I was thinking how deep in trouble one would be if one had been late for the flight (think Hanoi ).

But we got to the gate in good time.  Plane arrived on time, and we departed 710 as planned.

Second half the flight, the kids couldn't sleep so Tinklebell on mute mode kept them occupied.

Hong Kong, here we come!

Having arrived Hong Kong, I already felt hungry, but wanted to keep stomach space for all the yummy food which I thought was waiting for me just doors away from our rented studio in Mongkok.

Looking down before we landed

We collected our luggage, bought our airport express transfer and Octopus cards then headed to 7-11 and bought the cheapest local sim card costing HKD48 (with free HKD10 upload) and then proceeded to call our agent to wait for us.

I had problems calling out from my local sim, and the Information Counter lady was ever so helpful to check for me and solved my problem.  She even let me call out using their land line.  (First brownie point for the helpful locals)

With one check in luggage, 4 push trolleys, a backpack and 2 kids, I think we did pretty well getting from the airport express, to transit twice between MTRs before arriving at Mongkok MTR station.  Oh yes, before I forget, free wifi on the airport express train but pity my iPhone 5 was still on it's memberontak (retaliation) mood so only hubby got to enjoy the free access on his HTC.

Our agent met us as the designated point just outside the MTR exit.  We walked a few streets to our studio apartment, checked in and then refreshed ourselves before we headed out to scout for lunch.  It was 245pm then.  Malaysia time is the same as Hong Kong time, so this was a really late lunch and you bet we were all famished as our last meal was a small snack at least 6 hours ago.

The two double beds which were really about 4ft each and not our standard 5ft queens.

This is our kitchen/pantry.  Comes complete with utensils, pots and pans, and detergents, and sauces (with dust layered on top, so I ignored them)

From our first floor balcony looking down at Mongkok Road

The main entrance, shared with other apartment owners upstairs.  It's old, and has a narrow stairs leading up, very typical and similar to what you'd see in Hong Kong drama shows, I guess. (I stopped watching a long time ago, btw)

Our entrance was in between two eateries, one selling "yau char kwai" and some snacks, whilst the other sold noodles, but there didn't seem to be much people there so we headed further away. Hubby led the way, and all the time I was wondering why couldn't he just let us eat downstairs because I was REALLY REALLY hungry, you know.  We chanced upon found this restaurant a few streets down, air conditioned and the waitresses were ever ready to help us with the menu.  It was actually a waiter who took our order but we told him we didn't know how to read the menu, so let him describe a few items to us, and we just said "OK."

Food rating = 2/5 because the rice was undercooked and everything was average.  Service was good and staff very friendly.

After a late lunch, we walked around the Sports Shoe Market street, passed the Ladies Market (but did NOT shop!... can you believe that? Hah!) but didn't find anything interesting.  It wasn't like we really knew where we were, (not me at least) and hubby was the one navigating and bringing us around with a map.  We went back to our studio to freshen up and rest a bit before heading out to Tsim Sha Tsui MTR.

These birds hanging around looked nice, but we didn't try them. 

Now this crowd looks familiar... hold on to your little fler tight in this human sea

Ladies Market during the day.  Admittedly, we did not go as we needed to get to Tsim Sha Tsui for dinner.  Since we stay around here, this could be any other time. 

Some cuttlefish balls which were probably better when eaten hot

Not appropriately dressed to enter The Peninsula, so we settled with just the fountain in front.

We ate here... Shanghai Popo in one of the malls

Dining area.  Waiting for our food.  Service not so good.

French beans

Beef cubes with rice cakes and roasted pine nuts.  Average.  

This was special and exceptional.  Wanton soup in chicken broth.  

Traditional junk

The most captured statue in the Avenue of Stars

Amateur actors and actress, haha

Having fun with the statues

That's all for Day 1.  Back to studio, very tired from all the walking.

Happy 6th Birthday William

For William's birthday, he was as decisive this year as he was in the previous years. When we asked him where he would like to celebrate, he immediately told us that it has to be at the same place as his 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th birthdays because he liked the food there and the special hats that he get to wear.

So we made our bookings early, and I'm sure we were the first to make a reservation for April, as the manager was shocked when he took down the date from me.

Saturday, 26th April 2014

We arrived on time for dinner.  Had our car valet parked (how nice it is to have this complimentary service for all diners, not withstanding how much you eat or spend), and proceeded to our table upstairs.

This year, the management gave William a bigger surprise than last year's!

Courtesy of the management - they gave William what he wanted ie a fireman's hat and his very own poster!

How did they make this poster?  Well, neither hubby and I knew what to expect except to expect something with William's picture.  A few days before, the restaurant asked for a closed up high-resolution photo of William, so I got down to work... did what I did best (ie shooting... with the camera) and William did what he did best (ie posing).

William was obviously very ecstatic!  He held his poster, looked at it proudly while admiring the details and wordings, and had it placed near him during the meal.  The chairs were decorated with ribbons, also courtesy of the management, whom we are so thankful to!

The little fireman with Popo and Gong Gong

His long sleeve shirt and silver tie - from H&M bought especially for this birthday dinner, and chosen by his Jie Jie

And what did the birthday boy ordered?  His favourite food - lasagne!  No need to think twice, he is so decisive lidat.

The cake was ordered from Fat Boy Bakes but it was nothing great.  We ordered the chilled oreo cheese cake, which in my humble opinion, I could have done a better job.  The cake was not cheesy, and too sweet and texture was too "gelatino."  No offence, to the engineer turned part time baker cum real estate agent, but he did not even thanked us for ordering his cake, nor asked for feedback or if we liked it.

Saturday, 12th April 2014

We had a joint birthday celebration with Mama Yeh Yeh and Yee Sok, Yi Sam and cousin Theodore at Kitchen Creatures located at Centrepoint in Bandar Utama.  The kids always have fun time with Theodore, especially William and Theodore would run around, tease each other and make fun at things.

The boys are just 3.5 months difference in age.  

Tuesday, 29th April 2014

This is William's actual birthday and as he wished, he got to celebrate it in his kindy albeit a very simple, simple one with his friends.  A cake seemed to be a must with the kids, so we bought another cake just for the formality.  The smile from William's face was definitely one to be treasured, as he grinned from ear to ear and basked in the attention given.  We let him give out the coloring/story book which we bought for his classmates, which we thought were more educational and useful than junkfood and toys.  Of course, the kids would have preferred the later, and one child even exclaimed, "What??  A book?!"

At night, we had another of his favourite food for dinner - hokkien noodles.  As we don't often eat these, and kids don't get to eat much of noodles with dark sauce, this was considered a treat to them.  We ate at this place in Paramount Garden famous for hokkien noodles, no airconditioned, and just simple "dai chau" with Mama Yeh Yeh who made a surprise visit.

A drive after dinner to SS2 looking for Swenson proved futile as we then realized that Swenson has moved.  Thankfully we had an ice cream cake still in my freezer and we headed back home, to finish of the cake.

Dearest boy boy,

I wonder how many more years will you let me call you boy boy?  Well, you are growing up so well, and Daddy Mummy are very proud of your achievements.  You are more assertive now and have always been vocal and confident of yourself.

As you pray for yourself every night, I hope you pray for humility too, and God's wisdom and guidance be the light unto your path.  Do not be easily upset and disappointed. 

Draw to your heart's content.  Express yourself in your own artistic ways.  Build your strength in numbers and words, and may the books you read bring you knowledge and creativeness beyond your imagination.  Have I told you, how you amaze me with your reading and your curiosity to know?  You smile all the time and radiate so much happiness.  Even when you speak or when you look at me, your eyes are smiling.  How do you do that, I wonder to myself?

I hope you will never shy of hugging and kissing your Mummy Daddy.  I hope you will never let anyone make you feel little or shake your confidence.  I hope when you feeling low, you find refreshment and joy in Jesus.  

This will be your last year in pre-school, and next year onwards you will be in a bigger world, a bigger school, with friends that may or may not be very kind.  Stay the cute, innocent boy that you are, ok?  

Mummy loves you always and forever.  

Happy 9th Birthday Victoria

Victoria turned 9 on 10th April 2014!!  

5th April - The Saturday before her birthday, Daddy brought us to Pizza Hut for a treat because we don't really hang out at fast food joints, and this was something special to the kids.  But don't know why, this girl was happy one moment, and upset at something the next, and then the two siblings were supposed to share an ice cream dessert together but ended up I finished it for them... oh well, the few smiley pictures were not that great, so here's something more pleasing to look at ; P

Popo GongGong came up for the weekend.  Vic chose burgers for her dinner menu, so we brought her to The Grind Burger Bar at Section 17, PJ. It was also GongGong's birthday the next day (6th April) so it was a nice cozy celebration for the two birthday "kids."  

Happy birthday to Vic and Gong Gong

Family picture

Chocolate cheese birthday cake by Just Heavenly.  It was alright, not so heavenly though. 

Daddy's charcoal burger... may not look very appetizing due to the color of the bun but it's yummylicious! 

Gong Gong's burger... huge!  

No idea who ate this... maybe me

One with Popo Gong Gong

Enjoys his bite sized burger, sliced up nicely by Kakak

A few weeks before her birthday, we were still undecided on where and how to celebrate.  Yea, as always there would be a birthday dinner but I thought maybe she'd like a little difference this year - maybe a small playdate with her friends.  A picnic would need too much adult supervision and involvement so we ruled that out.  A trip to Skytrex, which was an outdoor eco-recreational adventure may send an adrenaline rush to some, but my girl - although she lovveeesss roller coaster rides and such, is still a timid mice like her mummy when it came to challenges like walking along shaky planks 5-70 feet across trees above ground level, or climbing up ropes or God forbid... doing the Flying Fox.  

Saturday, 12th April

After a decision to select three good friends to play with at Kids E World, in IPC Shopping Mall, we had to find a suitable date which was really tough because we had to skip an art class and rush to Children Church thereafter only to play for less than 2 hours and a quick meal at McDonald's.  

William and two other friends (one from cell and another a younger sibling of Vic's good friend) were part of the play outing too.  So there were 6 kids altogether, together with our helper Joanne and hubby.  I had an appointment so I couldn't make it.  I'm touched that her friends, although all were staggeredly late, made it and this must have made Victoria's day.  Because if they could easily have said no thank you, as they each had their respective weekly activities on a Saturday morning.  

Girls with their dracula french fries!

So there... you see Vic's birthday celebration runs like a festive season... from the weekend before to the weekend after!

To my precious princess Vic,

Sometimes I have so much to say to you - the good things of course, and sometimes I just have none.  Because girl, you can either be such a cheerful, clownish and sweet girl and then change to a solemn, moody child over a small displeasure.  I wish I understand you more.  I wish you open up your heart and thoughts more to your loved ones.  You ain't getting any younger, and very soon we'll be celebrating your 13th birthday.  Already this year, Gong Gong made an observation that this is your last single digit birthday.  

Mummy Daddy love you. I hope you know and believe that.  Remember a time you shared your feelings with Kakak behind our backs about we not loving you?  That really hurt.  I came into your room when you were asleep, and prayed and shed tears.  Despite the times when I nag and scold you, or reprimand you for giving me an attitude, I would NEVER, ever trade you for anyone else.  

But if there was one thing I could advice you on girl, please be more teachable.  You are at a stage where you talk back and question us.  You have your views and I encourage you to voice them in a gentle manner.  You may not get what you want at all times, but at least you tried.  You may not be right all the time, but that doesn't mean you are not bright.  You are our unpolished diamond.

I wish you good health, I wish you love, I wish you forgiveness, I wish you joy and happiness to radiate from within you, I wish you everlasting good friends, I wish you passion in your studies and music and art, I wish you maturity beyond your age and childhood pleasure, most of all, I wish you Jesus.  Stay close to Him in whom you are always VICTORIOUS.  

Love,
Mummy

Growing Up

Look, by now if you've been reading my blog long enough or know be close enough, to know that I'm pretty emotional and sentimental when it comes to certain things close to my heart.  Certain thoughts can make my eyes got misty very fast.

It's been a long time since I last walked my son into class ever since we started this morning car pooling routine with a neighbor whose daughter studies in the same school.  Also, it's always so convenient to drop the kids off at the entrance where the teachers are ever ready to open your car door, bring the child out, and then the child walks straight into the school.  Also, we are always almost right on the dot on time, so it makes sense not to park, because it will take another 5 minutes.

So having said all that, I haven't had much chance to walk my boy in, unlike last year when he was in the afternoon session.

But last Friday I had the chance.  So I strolled into class with him, and wished him good bye.  He bade me good bye mummy, and then walked to his table and as I watched him just a couple of metres away, he happily chatted with his friends, as if he forgotten me so soon.

I lingered a few seconds more, before feeling a little out of place as the teacher went about her morning routine checking on the kids and I stood there like a mother hoping.

Yes, I was a mother hoping.

I smiled and walked off to the door where the partition of the 6 year and 5 year old classes were.  That was a good 10 metres away from my boy but I had a good view of him still.  He was looking in my direction as he chatted with his friend still... and I seized the moment to blow him not one, but TWO flying kisses.  I knew it landed on his cheeks, as they always did.  He saw them coming.  But that was all he did.

Sob sob.

That was all he did.  He just looked at me for that two seconds, then continued on with his friend.

Sigh.

I left to the waiting car outside and shared my heart with hubby.  All he said was, "I told you so, one day he will ..."  Pretty consoling huh.

At home in the afternoon I shared my heart with my little boy.  The one who always hugged and kissed me, assured me a hundred times a day and more, on how much he loved me.  The one who would play with my hair everytime he misses me.  The one who'd plant oily kisses on my cheeks during meals.

Yes, he has not stopped, albeit all these love gestures have lessen.  But I asked him why didn't he return my flying kisses, nor did he hug or kiss me goodbye in the morning?

Then he shared with me that it was because when he did that, his friends would always tease him and laugh at him.  He had to hide behind the little partitions to kiss me in the beginning of the year.  They'd tease him for saying that he loves me.

I am wondering why kids that age can be so mean.  Don't they hug and kiss their mommies?  Don't they love their mommies too?  So I told my boy, "If something happen to mommy and that was your last chance to kiss and hug me, and you did not... because you were afraid your friends laughed at you... how would you feel?"

And let that thought linger in him.

Oh well.  Deep in me I know hubby is right.  One day.  My boy is growing up.  But I still hold on to his promises to me, that he'd still hug and kiss me in front of his friend EVEN when he's in college, he'd still hold my hands to cross the road, he'd still play with my hair and tell me he loves me, he'd still bring me out for lunches and call me now and then when he's started work as an adult.

Yes, those were his promises.

I write them down here with tears streaming down my cheeks, and hope he will keep them.

Celebrating Daddy's Birthday

Saturday, March 29th 

The months of March and April are filled with birthday celebrations... within our immediate family, it's Daddy's first, followed by Gong Gong a week later, and then Vic's a few days after, and finally plus another 2 weeks, it's William's.  If we add in nephews, aunts, and nieces, we'd have also Joshua's a day after Victoria's, and an aunt's birthday before Gong Gong's birthday... I think I may have missed out a couple of birthdays too, but let's not get carried away.

Daddy's birthday - as with previous years, was celebrated in a quiet fashion.  His wish.  I think maybe one year I should not grant his wish, but to really make a BOOM-BA-BA-LU-KA BIG celebration!  Haha... whatever that means.

In the morning, we took out little muffins the size of 50cent coins and a candle for Daddy to blow, followed by a birthday song, kisses and the kids presented Daddy with their self-made cards (comes with vouchers to redeem for free kisses, meals, hugs, drinks, etc)

Later, we had a simple lunch at Kitchen Creatures in Centre Point, Bandar Utama.  Our kids have their art class in the vicinity and it was convenient for us to pop in, have a nice lunch before sending the kids to Children Church.  Reservation was made to ensure we had a quiet corner table.

At night, we drove to Kuala Selangor, to celebrate an Office Blessing for a cell member.  There were 20+ of us including children, as we prayed and bless this new business belonging to a Korean brother.  Towards the end, the cell surprised hubby with a birthday cake and a birthday song, before hubby left for his F1 event in KLCC.

Receiving a birthday prayer of blessing

Green Tea Hokkaido birthday cake

And that about wraps up for Daddy's birthday... sorry no home made cakes from the wife, no special 3 course home cooked menu, nor did I sewed him a sweatshirt, buy him a present, or prepared anything other than a phone call restaurant reservation (eventhough I paid with my supplementary credit card, you were the one who paid for the meal).  I'm sorry honey, if compared to other wives who do so much more, but I hope you will always be assured of my love for you - 365 days a year.  Thank you for being a wonderful hubby to me, a dedicated father and a filial son - an exemplary model for the children to follow.

Jesus and Joseph

A few weeks back, William and Daddy were setting up a IKEA table.  The boy suddenly remarked, "Daddy, I am like Jesus and you are like Joseph the carpenter."  I thought it funny that he should compare himself to Jesus because Joseph was a carpenter and the father of Jesus, so in his little mind, this was how he accustomed the relationships.

; P

My Apologies

Busy busy busy!

It's been so so long since I last wrote a post here.  The past 1.5 month has been very busy for myself - with the three projects that I'm involved in being in full gear.  Sourcing for quotations, mental matching of furnishing, decision on colors and theme, timeline check and liaising with contractor and suppliers, all whilst still juggling time for the children and chauffeuring duties.

Again, so thankful for a good helper to keep the house clean and cook our meals.  On a few good days, I get to take a much needed late afternoon nap, or sleep in just a little bit more before heading out again.  My helper is a truly God sent - reliable and independent enough to carry out her daily chores and any additional tasks given without supervision.

I may have lost a few precious kilos which I hope not.

In the midst of the busyness, hubby has been so supportive in his involvement too - much of the time being the chauffeur to places I am still not confident to drive to, and giving his valuable input and more importantly, paying the bills.  We had fun too, and I guess we improved over time, learning to handle all these with God's grace.  Hubby is a constant reminder to me to take it easy, and not let anger or frustration seep in as we dedicate all our projects to God.

I have already pulled out two offending white hairs sticking out of the top of my head, teasing me in the mirror.  The rest of the white hair I can hide in between the non-whites.  I will deal with them later when I am more settled!  (Pray for good Groupon deal, hehehe)

An expensive month!

Sowing in March, April and possibly all the way till June - these are challenging months. Hopefully harvest comes in quick ; )

So much to write, so little time, and worse is I am now partially inconvenient because of my beloved laptop being in the repair shop due to some burning smell emitting from the Power Button area.  We managed to salvage my precious files (oh imagine the "damage" and heartbreak if my company accounts, work files and priceless picture files are lost) and now I work on our desktop with an external hard disk.  Hopefully the repair costs is not too much (this is the second time my laptop went to the "hospital") otherwise I'd have to face the dilemma of pulling the plug on it, getting a new one or just revert to the desktop.

So how have the kids been?

Victoria's turned 9 a week back.  I had trying times with my daughter before that, ended up us both in tears separately... but in the secret chambers of my heart, only God understands the intense sadness and disappointment.  I wonder now if I've had given so much pain and tears to my parents?  She's only 9 and I dare not think how it'd be when she enters teenagerhood.

On the bright side, some mornings we get to share the sunrise together, albeit just for a couple of minutes before the turns of the car bring us into the housing neighborhood where her school is located, blocks our view.  On most mornings as much as I can, I pray for her before we reach her school.  I'd park by the entrance, come out of the car and lug her heavy school bag out of the back seat, before the princess disembark herself.  Then we hug and say good bye.

The security guard once complimented me that my princess is very pretty.  Out of the blue.  Yikes, that was sweet of him, but also puts a little fear in me in case he tries to be funny with my girl.  Although I think Vic is too "proud" to even talk to strangers.  Just in case, I warned her for the umpteenth time to be careful, yada yada yada...


William - on the other hand is still very manageable at this age.  Lately he has been reading his children's Bible (the one given by cousin Theodore for his birthday last year) - this time all by himself, now that he has learnt to read.  He finished the 521 page the first round and we all congratulated the little boy on his achievement.  Then he wanted to read the same bible a second time...

He has his "theological" moments.  One day I came home in the afternoon and he was all alone in the dining hall reading his Bible.  Maid was cleaning the living area.  I praised him for being good and, a couple of hours later, just as we were serving dinner, this boy took his bible out to read again.  I had to tell him to put the Holy Book away so he can start eating.  He replied me, "My dinner is not important, reading the word of God is more important."

???

On another occasion, I told him to go upstairs to our room first to get ready for sleep.  I came in later to find him reading his Bible on our bed, with only one light turned on.  So I reminded him, "William, it's not good to read in the dark" and the boy replied me again, "Mummy, my eyesight is not important, but reading the bible is more important!"

There are many more similar conversations with him.

A few nights ago, as we each pray for an item, William prayed along this line, "God, please let me be a pastor next time, and teach me what to say to the people in church.  Teach me what to tell them, and what to pray for them...."

So, he says he's no longer interested in being a scientist now, and mummy discourages the pilot / astronaut ambition, and being an artist can still be a past time.  He says he aspires to be the YOUNGEST PASTOR and he admires Joash, the youngest king in the Bible.

That is all for now.  Adios, blessed weekend and my apologies for the long hiatus on my blog.