June travels : BANGKOK

(Patreeya & Shean Wenn cycling at the park. Bangkok 8 June 2010)

June was a particularly eventful, and busy month. It was also the month of Shean Wenn's birthday. Early June, Shean Wenn and I boarded the dutch airlines KLM to Malaysia. Two days later, still very jetlagged, we took another flight out of KL (Malaysia) into Bangkok, Thailand. Many people were saying this is a little brave/risky move but we were going there to meet family (Meng's family). The flight form KL to Bkk is approximately 2 hours and we flew via MAS this time, because it was comparatively cheaper than Air Asia's promotion of "free tickets to Bangkok to support the Thai people", so much for being a budget airline, eh?

(Enjoying in-flight food : Haagen Dazs. MAS 7 June 2010)

I'm pretty impressed that in this afternoon flight, MAS actually provided lunch of Satay + Rice and desserts and not to mention freeflow of juices (Sorry my darling Shean Wenn, orange juice for you because MAS doesn't serve apple juice for cattle class). The Pièce de résistance is of course their ice-cream : Haagen Dazs (Ex-boss Jason Fong did a good job negotiating for his brand of ice-cream to MAS). Shean Wenn had already chomped down the satay and was still going strong, when she saw the ice-cream, her face lit up & she couldn't wait to eat the ice-cream. The air-steward actually gave us one tub each and SW managed to singularly finish her portion! Even I was feeling full after the satay meal (which was pretty good, even for plane food). Needless to say, we didn't have much for dinner that evening after landing in Bkk and arriving at SIL Daphne's home around 8pm.

Our main purpose visiting Bkk is actually for Shean Wenn to be re-acquainted to her cousins, grandparents & aunty & uncle. So I don't have an itinery to shop nor visit any of the tourist places (I've done that many years ago anyway). I thought I could have a relaxing time and just sit & chill out. INSTEAD, I was in for a surprise.

5 days flew by so fast... everyday there is somewhere to be gone : We'd be out of the house by 930am and be back at 4pm, rest and if we're not eating at home, we'd be heading out for dinner.

DAY 2 (8 Jun) : Daphne suggested that we could bring the kids to a park nearby (I forgot the name) and rent bikes for them to cycle. I thought it would be a good idea! But what I did not anticipate was the heat. By the time we came out of the taxi and pushing the rented-bikes, I had sweat buckets. Bkk heat is really different from KL-heat (KL is in a valley, hence more cooling at this time of the year). Anyway, I persevered. The kids, esp SW seemed to not notice the heat and she was gleefully cycling along with Patreeya. SW hasn't cycled much before this so it was not surprising that she is still learning the ropes of cycling. She picked up pretty fast although still needs practice maneuvering the bike.

(With the family. Bangkok 8 June 2010)

After what seemed like an eternity (for me), we came to the kid's playground and there is when the kids get to "rest". I think the eternity was probably only 25mins or less but I welcomed this break! Patreeya & Shean Wenn explored the playground and went on many rides, slides & swings. Ok, SW does not like swings so she just looked on. They also had a break drinking water. Then it was time to go back.

Shean Wenn cycled for abit and decided she doesn't want to cycle anymore so mommy (ME) had to pull her bike all the way back!! (Along with my new camera which I was trying not to scratch or get any sweat on it). Shean Wenn had fun exploring the park and its flora with her grandparents and cousin. After that, we walked out to get a taxi to the nearest shopping mall! Like Malaysia, we like going to malls, where else can you go at 37c? Once we hit the mall, with air-cond blasting, I felt more comfortable. SW by this time was of course pretty tired out by her adventure today and fell asleep.

(Patreeya & Shean Wenn's antics in the "BURBERRY" cab we took. Bangkok 8 June 2010)

We spent the rest of the day shopping here.

During the evening, Marwin (SW's older cousin) came up to me and said something very cheeky which caught me off-guard. He said, as a matter of fact : "Ah Kam, how come you didn't buy alot of presents for me and baby Patreeya? Why only 2 presents?".

:-/ Kids say the darndest thing!!


Day 3 (9 Jun): More shopping! In the evening, we had a small birthday celebration for Shean Wenn. I bought a chocolate cake for her in the afternoon and she gets to blow out the candles surrounded by her cousins and grandparents. Then, FIL, SIL & I went out for a massage. It was after the massage that I started experiencing mild gastric pain/food poisoning.

Day 4 : Daphne has been planning to go for an expo selling designer goods. Unfortunately this year's event wasn't as interesting so the only purchases made that day were food, in particular the Tao Kae Noi Seaweed ! Yes, Thailand has a good brand of seaweed. I regret not buying more because SW loves eating seaweed. Day 5 : Somehow during one of the days while chatting with SIL Daphne, we discovered that we both knew Lilian from Wrong Side of 30 (WSo30) - What a coincidence! I have been reading WSo30 for a good few years now and have became "friends" with Lilian but have never met her in person. Daphne on the other hand, met her once at a function at the embassy. So the only reasonable thing to do was to arrange to meet up! We managed to squeeze a meeting amidst both of our busy schedules... Lilian came with gifts for SW. A red bag filled with goodies any girls will want! Thanks alot Lilian. Unfortunately, Lilian forbade me to post up photos of her. So you probably won't believe me if I'd say she's tall, gorgeous & very cheeky!
So that concludes our trip to Bangkok. It's really too short a trip and I hope we will return to visit again, but this time for a longer period of time. :) Thanks to Daphne & Ekk for being wonderful & obliging hosts. Next time I must remember to bring more gifts for the kids ;)

PS : I just noticed none of the photos have me in it! :P

A guide to Summer BBQs

A mishmash of activities happening since the start of summer, which is marked by the first of many BBQ gathering! ("Hooray, summer has started, let's bring out the charcoal & skewers!")

Tip #1 : EVERYTHING IN BALANCE & PERFECT HARMONY
Yin & Yang, Colours & Monochrome, Left & Right. Balanced.
Tobey & Shean Wenn refueling after a very extensive play time over the weekend at Sam's birthday BBQ


TIP #2 : LIVE LOVE LAUGH Kaka & Shean Wenn sharing a laugh and rolling on the newly laid grass at Sam's house over at the weekend!

Last weekend we were invited to Sam's 2nd Birthday held at his parent's house in Northampton. Their backyard boasts a newly laid grass which were so soft! Shean Wenn really enjoyed running around or in the case above, rolling about on the grass. No, it isn't prickly at all.

She napped a little on the way there and was recharged so she had a fun time playing with her other little friends : Sam (the birthday boy), Tobey, Bernice, Brandon & Kaka. Halfway we ventured upstairs and Shean Wenn was fascinated by the aquarium. She tried to count fish! Actually she can "count" now, she will go like this "One, two, three, four, seven, eight!!" And then she will rejoice by clapping her hands!


TIP #3 : DRIVE A MEAN MACHINE!

TIP #4 : DO THE TWIST! 1st photo : SW twirling, twisting & dancing with her friends at Ryan's Full Moon.
2nd & 3rd photos : Tobey showing how you should do the twist!

In June, we attended Tobey's 2nd Birthday Party held at their house in Cambridge. The weather was a little chilly but it subsequently became clearer & sunnier as the day progresses. Shean Wenn was pre-occupied with all of Tobey's toys. She especially liked Tobey's red car (is it Roary?). These days she is quite fascinated with "driving"- and her sound effects are pretty "thrilling" - she seemed like she is driving pretty fast! Ooooh... perhaps an F1-driver in the making? I have to "tell her" she's "driving too fast. STOP!"Haha..

We also went for Ryan James's Full Moon at Milton Keynes where she met more new friends! We had a good time sans daddy - he had to catch up with work & we went with Simon & Mich instead. The journey there was pretty crazy! Two 2-year-olds with me at the back seats, them screaming almost consistently & perpetually, me almost pulling my hair out. Shean Wenn was screaming "Mannamory Mannamory" (Balamory, her favourite Cbeebies programme now) or "Josie Jump! Listen (to) Josie Jump!" (Her fav character from Balamory). It was quite stressful, I almost leaped out of the car when we arrived! :P

(Photos taken by Chek San, Michelle Lam & Tsu Lin)

Water Play : SW at the pool

1st JUNE 2009

On 1st June, I made my way down to the park with SW. I had looked at the weather forecast and knew that today & tomorrow (2 June) were the only days with brilliant spell of sunshine & high temperature (mid-20's) this week. I slapped on sunscreen for the both of us, brought some essentials down (some toys, water, baby wipes , etc) and headed to the park. The walk to the park can be interesting if I bring her along the "longer" route, via the pathway next to the Thames River - she likes to glance and tell me what she sees on the way. For example "Momma, ants!", "Boat", "Bird chirp chirp, fly!" (she will also clasp her mouth and laugh when she says certain things **rolls eyes** - she certainly is a very chatty & happy toddler).

(Our "longer route" to the park, along the River Thames)

However, on that day, we didn't go the long route. I arrived and met my friend - a nanny to two gorgeous girls (their parents are Malaysians). MZ was there and she was all prepared, ie the kids were donned in swimming suits and playing happily in the shallow pool there. Now, I don't usually allow SW to go into the pool because it always looked a little dirty to me. But that day I had a better look. They changed the water everyday and since it was early part of the day (around 11am), the pool's water was still very clean and only another 3 or 4 other kids were playing along.. SW pleaded to me to let her in. Actually she had been pestering me to bring her "swim swim" for the past week - I kept hearing "Momma, go outside swim!!" (Yes, she manages to speak in sentences now. Very very interesting.) I thought "Why not! Don't be such a spoil-sport".

Needless to say, she happily went in and played in the water and an hour later, I had to drag her out kicking and screaming. Ok, maybe not kicking but she was not very pleased. I had to reason with her that she needs to eat lunch and drink some water, besides, KaYee & JoYee (her friends) are already dressed. SW agreed.
We had so much fun that the next day I made plans to go to another nearby park with Mich & Kaka. But 20mins before we left the house, Jessica called and told me she's in the park next to our place so we all headed there again. The three kids : SW, Kaka & Xin Yi splashed about for almost 2 hours (stopping for rest-breaks a few times). I think SW enjoyed it the most, she seems to be the one in the pool longest. Always finding something to do or be happy about. Jessica commented that SW is really such a waterbaby! She is right. I am now looking for swimming classes to bring her to. The local leisure centres usually have this "Aquatots" classes for baby & parent. For kids below 4, you need to accompany your child and since I love swimming myself, I really look forward to this. Hope I can book us a slot.

Oh, and I cut my hair the week before. Nice? It feels lighter, that's for sure. And shampooing these days takes just 10secs. Best is no more tangled hair.

Cadbury Buttons Fun on the Farm

(Shean Wenn's been to Fun on the Farm @ Mudchute Park)

I heard over the radio in the car last week about this event and promptly came home to research about it .Their website over here was pretty interesting, with illustration of the Cadbury's Button's mascots all in brilliant colours. Since the event was free (just register online to get a max of 4 tickets. Beats me if you have a family of 5 or more!), I duly registered for the 3 of us.

After sending my parents off to the airport (they fly back to KL today), we went back and got ready for this. It was a HOT HOT DAY! Briliant for a day out, I thought!

(Shean Wenn "driving" us to Mudchute Park)

We arrived at Mudchute Park after lunch and the whiff of grilling hotdog from the jumbo hotdog stall outside the entrance really tempted us to grab another bite!! Shean Wenn excitedly walked and ran to the entrance, she's a chirpy chatter... a kid was coming out of the event with an owl mask and she squeeled "OWL OWL! Wooooohh wooohhh (the sound that owl makes)". I had big expectation of this event, especially when it involved such a big name in confectionery.

BOY... was I in for a big disappointment.

The whole point of organising something as exciting and targetted like this is of course for publicity of your product or brand.

The event itself : Tents were scattered across a vast field. When you first enter, you get to pet the farm animals on the left : Sheep, Ducks & chickens, goats, etc. Then you are met with the Cadbury's main event section : A few tents that host a few activities. I guess they expected a bigger turn out for this event but I could see alot of empty spaces. It was very child-friendly though, with ample toilets & baby changing facilities on the grounds and a section for First Aid - very well done.

(Click on image for a bigger view)

The animal petting section : Shean Wenn loves looking at the ducks & chickens. She also pet a lamb! Their activity zone (Monkey Climbing & Activity Zone) was too old for SW, so we tried to engage her in some other stuff. Meng carried her and she dunked a ball into the basketball hoop. Then we headed off to meet the mascots. I think this was the part she enjoyed doing alot! We met with Monkey, Pig & Penguin!! She was soo delirious - I remember when I was younger I was terrified of mascots... I will shy under my mom's sleeves and will not budge and no amount of coaxing & bribing will be able to persuade me to shake hands or take a photo with it! SW on the other hand was a good-natured "fan". She waited for her turn while the older kids "inspect" the animals : touching, poking (yes, I saw a few kids trying to poke and torture the poor mascots!), sniffing, shouting at or pulling the mascot. When it was her turn, she went and shook their hands/fins/paws, touched it gently & posed for a photo. Oh, she was just the cutest fan!

Mr Piggy meeting with his little fans!

Miss Cheeky With Mr Monkey!

She loves the penguin, when asked what penguins do? She will imitate their waddle.

And boy, I do pity those who were inside the mascot's costume - what a scorching day it was and they must've almost suffocate underneath that layer! Good job to them.

Looking around, I see that some tents were a little empty. We went to one which I thought SW might enjoy. The table where we could decorate a cookie! SW was given a Tea Biscuit and we could decorate it with the accompaniments.. but wait, all the bowls were SOOO empty! There were a measly amount of silver balls, decorating icing etc around - just look at the photo below to see. It feels like they were really rationing their stock (For what and who???). Anyway, SW was quite happy that mommy helped her out with her cookie - Look! (Daddy didn't know how to operate my mobile's macro-mode)

A helping hand from mummy

In the same tent, SW wanted to play with their sandbox. SADLY, both sandboxes lack the most important "ingredient" : the SAND! I had to ask a member of staff if they have extra sand. The helpful girl came over and poured a few handfuls of sand into the one SW was playing. And yes, she didn't bother filling in the other box!!!.. Oh, the poor kids. I saw a boy scooping some sand from this box to the other box so he culd play in it. What's with this rationing of items?? Oh, I would find more to come.

BEFORE the filling of sand : Look how sad it is to play here.


AFTER : Much better.


Goodie Bag : Best way for your customers to get to know you better is to know what you're about. What was in SW's goodie bag? ONE (1) pack of Cadbury Button (roughly 25g), 1 Mask in one of the mascots, 1 sheet of stickers of all of their mascots (6 stickers on that sheet), 1 colouring book & a pack of crayons. Honestly, Cadbury could've put a little more effort (ie goodies) into this. My suggestions : Put a few packs of Buttons, some money-off vouchers as a reward for your next purchase and perhaps a few souvenirs that a child could have that will help remind them of your product/brand? I mean, if you spent money developing the whole "identity" of your product which resulted in 6 mascots, surely you could have prepared something that will help jog their memories of you?

This is like a perfect case study of "How (NOT) to host a Product Marketing Event during the Credit Crunch" - just scrimp on everything and hope no one will notice. Give them bare minimum to work with and see how brilliant they can imagine our product to be. And perhaps they will also feel the imaginary JOY!


Success factor?
Location : 5 stars.
Did SW enjoy it? She sure did! And that's probably most important.
Will SW know what's Cadbury's Buttons? Unlikely because by the time she opens the small pack that they gave her, she'll have to share some of it with her friends or mom. :D
Will SW urge her mom/dad to get her a pack of Buttons when she sees them in the supermarket? Unlikely, one pack of sample isn't enough to jog her memory.
Will SW voluntarily ask her mom for a pack of Buttons? No.

My thoughts? A flop when it comes to both entertainment value for a kid of 2YO or from a point of a marketing event. Don't scrimp, it's no fun, I can't imagine how good your product is if I cannot see/touch/taste it and I certainly won't be tempted to pick up the next pack of Buttons when I'm shopping at Tesco's.

Meng commented that if we had to pay for tickets, he'd ask for a full refund! Me, I'm left wondering how could Cadbury's get this SO WRONG??

(As a Cat Man (category manager) I've done my fair share of organising this kind of event to know how to promote & market fast moving consumer goods)

Afternoon Tea

On Wednesday, my friend Michelle invited Jessica & I over to her place for tea. Actually it was to thank Jessica for baking the lovely cake for Kaka's Birthday.

After attending the playgroup, I met up with Jessica for lunch at the nearby cafeteria. Then, we headed to the bus stop and took a bus (it was a 45min ride from there to Michelle's place) over to Michelle's home.

Michelle was going to bake us English Scones & Jessica brought over some ready-made ingredients for her egg tarts!

The process :
Kneeding the dough for the egg tarts into their mould.

Pour egg-mix into the top. Bake.


Enjoying ourselves!


Voila!! Yummy scones fresh from the oven.


Egg Tarts.


What were the kids busy doing? Doing what they know best - PLAYING!


Showing off their masterpieces (I'm just there to be in the photo :D I didn't contribute making them at all.)


By the time the scones & tarts were done, the wind has died down a little. It was still a tad chilly and it wasn't a brilliant day, but at least it wasn't raining so we decided to have our Tea outside, English-style, of course. Scones with clotted cream & jam, English Tea (with milk) & Egg Tarts & soya bean drink! Haha.. it's a case of east-meets-west. Sorta.


We enjoyed it so much although by the time I went home, I was KNACKERED! We reached home at 645pm and that night, we had simple dinner because I didn't have time to cook a proper meal. Shean Wenn was so tired she slept from then to the next morning, waking up around midnight so I made her a bottle of milk since she skipped dinner.

Spring : Season of fun!

Date : 21 Mar 09
Temperature : 15c
Weather : Sunny

Two reasons why we decided to head out to the park last Saturday! Glorious sun (not gonna last as I just checked and starting tomorrow for the next 4 days there are rain clouds!), perfect for spending the day outdoors. After lunch, Meng drove us to a new park - somewhere we've not been to, a park at South of the River Thames.





She, obviously enjoying basking in the sun, jumped up & down imitating the duck's quack and hopped around like a kangaroo or a bunny (see photo below of her "being" a bunny). My little <開 心 果> "hoi sum gor" (cantonese for "Happy Chappy"), she is.




There were ducks & fowl aplenty in the park and Shean Wenn, being an animal lover (she knows most of the animals in her book, even different kinds of birds - ie she knows her owls frm her parrots) went close to have a look at duck & geese swimming in the pond. But then, suddenly the geese started to honk! She retreated and pat her chest signalling she is scared! Haha.. that was funny. I guess she can't tell from the books or telly how loud a goose can honk!

We strolled around and allowed her to play in the kid's playground for awhile. And slowly walked back to the car. Overall, a very pleasant 2 hours to spend a Sunny Saturday outdoors.