Celebrating May Pole

They made some head-decoration and a small version of the May Pole for this year's May Pole celebration. (I wrote once about it 3 years ago)

(You like the jumpsuit I just got for her? I thought it looks so cute on her!)

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

30.09.2009 - 3rd Wedding Anniversary

Today is our 3rd Wedding Anniversary. Like all the past years, we did not celebrate elaborately. Infact, a few days after our 2nd Anniversary last year I was looking through some letters on the cupboard where we usually put our mails and saw this newly-bought card with wrapper still wrapped on it. It says "Happy Anniversary", I asked Meng what is this card doing there & who is it for? He said "Ooops! It's for you. I forgot to write on it. Happpy anniversary!". >.< I know.

This morning I went to the gym in the morning for "Bums, Tums & Thighs" class and realised just how unfit I am. I was partnering this must-be-60plus indian lady & I think she moved faster than me. Then, towards the end of the class, I had "bum cramp" - I always have this when I do vigorous exercise and never knew it was a cramp. I always thought i had somehow sprained my back! Anyhow, the instructor came to me & told me how I can relieve the cramp: Lie down on my tummy with legs stretched out. Then fold one leg & hold it with the opposite hand for 10-15secs each leg. I did 4 sets & I felt better.

Today is also the 1st time I put Shean Wenn in a creche. 15 mins before my class starts, I brought her there with her water bottle, a change of clothes & some wipes. A carer held her hands & walked her into the room as I had to dash out to get a token for the Creche service. When I returned to the room, SW was quietly playing at the kitchen set area. I signed in for the creche, bid my farewell to her ("Mummy will be back ok? Love you!") & gave her a kiss. She didn't even bat an eyelid! I walked out feeling proud (that she didnt cling to me) and yet also a tinge of sadness (my girl is growing up so fast!).

After my class, I went to look for a friend of mine who is at the gym. Then, we both went to the creche to pick SW up. I showed my friend around the baby-gym area because she was thinking of bringing her own daughter there one day. After that, SW & I walked around the area near the gym (there is a town centre there). I spied a Primark* store there & excitedly went in to browse. I found a very thick rain mac for SW. There were only 2 sizes left, one for 2-3YO and another for 5-6YO. I asked a supervisor to check if there were any 3-4YO sizes & they came out telling there isn't any left. Left in a conundrum, I chose to buy the bigger size (5-6YO). I thought it's just slightly longer & i can fold the sleeves up. The 2-3YO fits just snugly & i was worried if during chilly times, the rain mac will not zip up well above all the thick clothes. When I showed Meng in the evening, he frowned & said it's too big. It isn't! Anyway, it is just an outerwear and she won't be wearing it that often. I think buying bigger size will do & it will last longer.

For dinner, I cooked pork ribs with chinese sauce and some vegetable. That was our "romantic" dinner. We wished each other a Happy Anniversary & proceeded to have our dinner. It was just like any other day.

Three years on, we have a beautiful 2YO daugher. I am very grateful for having all my family & loved-ones with me. I feel grateful that we have a roof over our head, more than enough food on the table, being able to experience the joy & laughter blessed to us in the form of Shean Wenn, good body and good health. Happy Anniversary to you, my (other) darling Meng!

(With our parents)

On our honeymoon at Jeju Island, the guide told us that in Korean mythology, the "Tol-harubang" (pictured above, the statue next to me) which means Stone Grandfather is a God of fertility & the Koreans have a superstition that if you rub its nose, you will get a son. If you rub its ears, a daughter. Obviously, it remains a superstition/myth. Our guide also told us it wasn't true for them (he & his wife have a daughter as well - they are Russians).


*Primark : A value for money clothing retailer who offers plenty of fashionable choices which won't burn a hole in your pocket.

Happy Chinese New Year : Spring of Hope!

Credits : Freebie Quickpage by Armina Designs

In her new dress morning of first day of Chinese New Year 2009.

"Wishing you a year of abundance and health!"





"Make sure you protect your eyes too!"

(Enjoying her sweet "kam")

Year of the Ox : Wishing you a meaningful & healthy new year and may all your wishes come true!

from our family.

Welcoming the New year.

(Some christmas gifts for friends's kids, Birthday present, housewarming present)

Here's a Christmas wish to all who celebrates Christmas : Merry Christmas!

And to all others, a Happy, Blessed & Healthy New Year 2009. As always, be safe and practice common sense when you are out celebrating!

(What do you think of my "festive" blog wallpaper/background?)

Shean Wenn's Birthday Celebration : Part 2

(Shean Wenn's pink classic #1 cake)

Meng and I organised Shean Wenn's birthday with a lunch on Sunday 22 June 2008 with family and close friends in our favourite chinese restaurant near our place - One which we frequent almost every weekend. Afterall, we chinese just love our food so we thought of getting people together to eat, drink (chinese tea, what did you expect) and be merry was a good way of celebrating our first born's first birthday!

Two weeks before the celebration, invitations were sent. We had about 2 tables of family and friends joining us (20 adults plus 2 babies, SW included).

I had half expected the day to be rainy, but it turned out to be pretty sunny and pleasant.

We had arranged with the restaurant (since we knew the manager) for a starters of dim sums (4 different variety) and then a full-on 8-course meal! A friend of mine commented to me "What? Are we having dinner for lunch?". Well, yes. We think it's quite appropriate to stuff friends. I wouldn't complain if I get fed good food. And it was indeed a pretty good meal.

(Ginormous Talbot Fish - Very FRESH!)

PHOTOS with the FAMILY

(With "Gu Gu Alicia" who came bearing not 1, not 2, but 3 pressies!)

In between lunch (we needed to pace our stomachs for the 8-course meal), the two babies (Shean Wenn and her friend Tobey) got re-acquainted and had a good time playing with each other, supervised by the parents, of course.

("My friend Tobey came for my birthday party too!")

Tobey seen helping SW out with her pressies.

After lunch, it was dessert and cake-cutting time. We bought SW's cake (in the shape of the number 1) from Patisserie Valerie with the Double Chocolate Dream filling with the decoration from their "Classic Pink" range.


PHOTOS with FRIENDS

(Tobey and parents all the way from Northdampton)

(With some of daddy's friends)

Her presents!
She can't wait to tear off the wrappers, and went inspecting every present while having her afternoon milk. This is what you call dedication!

"ALL MINE!"

(Please tag your presents on my flickr page - click on this image to go there)

Read the chip-pea's account here