Holiday Fun in Thailand, 9-14 Dec 09

More photos in my Facebook, don't think I have the energy to upload more pictures here.

[I know this is a very very late entry, since Jan, my work is getting heavier by the hour...]

We had a splendid year-end vacation with the Poh Family. Started off with a good flight by SQ, we took our 3-hour transfer to Hua Hin. This was our second visit but the first for the Pohs. he happiest people in this vacation had to be the kids for they had great company, all 5 active boys!

We checked into AKA Resort's 2-bedroom villa that comes with our very own private pool and cabana! That's what I called "life". The boys were so excited they changed into your swimwear and jumped into the pool! AKA is a good resort, the welcome snacks were a surprise and the breakfast spread was heavenly! As the occupancy rate was low on our first 2 mornings, we actually had ala carte brekkie buffet, which includes impressive menu such as egg benedict - WOW - it was very well done, the poached egg oozed out succulent sunny yolk that literally shouts "GOOD MORNING & WELCOME!"

To cut short the story... we visited the famous floating market and elephant camp where we rode on 4 elephants.

Our next stop was Bangkok and we stayed at a new boutique hotel called Ten Face (kinda weird name if you asked me). The service at Ten Face is not attuned to family groups as they were quite inflexible in certain ways to accommodate us. Imagine they expected us to pay for Raeyen's brekkie and our advanced booking for transfer to airport was not taken, etc.

Anyway, on a happier note, Bangkok was fun as we visited the Oceanarium beneath Siam Paragon - a mammoth shopping mall. We had great food and even foot massage at my favourite Blooming Spa along Sukhumvit Road. We celebrated Ivy's birthday at Jasmin Restaurant on the 4th floor of Times Square (next to Grande Sheraton Sukhumvit) where we had sumptuous Peking duck!

It was overall a FANTASTIC break for us before the new year started. Thanks, Poh Family!

Garden outing with the kids

The sun was out (finally), we took the great opportunity to bring our kids to visit the long-awaited Jacob Ballas Children's Garden near NUS Bukit Timah campus.

We were greeted by bananas after entering, Raeyen was especially thrilled to see banana flower, not only it's big, beautiful, it's hanging upside down.

There were many plants with interesting and child-friendly signages to explain what they were and purposes. They saw a cotton plant and henna tree. It was hard to explain what is a dye.... anyway, they enjoyed the area where kids could experience what photosynthesis is about.

We also like the section where all spices (rosemary, chilli, mint, basil, etc) can be found. I like the line-up of anti-mozzie plants - citronella, lemon grass and aloe vera; frankly I didn't know aloe can ward mozzies.

We didn't realise there was a waterplay area and so they played the slides at the dry area. Before we left, they visited a maze trying to find each other.

It was fun and educational, and somehow refreshing as it is a garden dedicated to the little ones. I am proud that we have such a garden for them.

Mom in pain

My mom was admitted to the hospital in the wee hours of the morning due to a second dislocation of her jaw plus the irritating pain on her tailbone caused by a very bad bedsore.

My mom doesn't deserve all these. Not a good person and a loving mom like her. She defended me when I wanted to further my studies after a lousy A levels. She helped with my fees. She got me my first diamond. She took me to my first holiday by plane. Yet, I wasn't there to help her when she is in need. When she needed a listening ear when she was well, we were busy catching up with other siblings. When she complained, we brushed her off. Now, we try to coax her to speak more. But how can she? With the pain she has to endure. It's heartbreaking. Everytime I see her fragile frame shrinks with each passing week, my eyes refuse to stay dry. Yet I can't let her see me weep. I weep in silence.

Her pain must be relieved. But how?

More decades of love

9 October 1999. I got married to a wonderful man who loves me dearly.


9 October 2009. We celebrated our full decade of love in a laid-back fashion, very us, and just us. Had a simple casual lunch at Relish by Wild Rocket. Had wanted to go Wild Rocket at Mount Emily but it was closed for renovation. At Relish, he had a yummy blue cheese beef burger with rucola, poached pear and walnut butter with fries while I had succulent beef cheeks with mashed potato. Desserts were perfect - warm molten chocolate cake and black sesame puree, both with vanilla ice-cream.

I wore a LBD from Guess Jeans, which my little angels helped pick. I love it and the 10th wedding anniversary was a perfect occasion to wear it.

I insisted of getting a cake to complete the celebration with our little ones. They were thrilled, involving them is a natural thing to do for a mommy.

After 10 years of marriage, our love is like an unspoken relationship, at least for him (hence no flowers, very pragmatic). I am very expressive and I like to be told that someone cares, etc. Hubby on the other hand, is more reserved and he always thinks I should know what he is thinking without him saying it.

I asked him why didn't he ask me to call him every time I travel on business to know if I have landed or reached my hotel safely. He said it's because I used to call him so it's understood that I would call and there was no need to remind me to call him, and of course he cared about my safety when am overseas. But this is not the point. Men..... most men are like him, I guess.

Whenever my male colleague told me about where he would be going for short vacation because, "my wife likes it" or where they will dine because, "my wife likes to eat that", I can't help but have pangs of envy. Deep down, I know my hubby does things my way in an unspoken way. BUT, I still like it if he tells and says so.

I have to accept for what he is; afterall he gave me 2 beautiful boys because I wanted kids (though a little princess will complete the picture).

To more decades of love!

Mid-Autumn Festival & Children's Day Party by the Park

Raeyen's Kindy organised a party yesterday to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival-cum-Children's Day at a park near our place and families were invited. That, was a very nice gesture and a great opportunity for family bonding.

Kids were thrilled, took their Transformers lanterns, picnic mats and snacks. Kieran got to see his ex-classmates and teachers. It was a cloudy day and the moon was not visible, as a result.

During registration, Raeyen saw his favourite teacher, Mrs Rai and took a photo with her. He also joined his schoolmates at the "stage" singing songs that they learned. He really loves performing. Now he and Kieran are into the Wonder Girls' Nobody!

There was a walkabout around the park and some games. Raeyen was busy playing catch with his buddies while Kieran played ball. Both were drenched with sweat in the unbelievable heat! And, I was attacked by the irritating mozzies, arrgh!

We didn't win the make-your-own-lantern by parent-and-child contest and Raeyen could not understand why he didn't get a prize. He persistently asked, "Why Mommy, why I don't have a prize? Where is my prize?"

Mini break at Sentosa

We spent this one-week September school holiday at Rasa Sentosa Resort for a night. It was our first and will be the last. Simply because it was not value-for-money and the whole place is rather run-down.

First of. Our room wasn't ready, so we took the kids to the Kids' Club to kill time. BUT, it was closed for lunch - can you believe this? The toddler playroom was pathetically boring for Raeyen. The arcade rooms were lingered with stale air. When the Kids' Club was finally opened, we were told only kids above 5 are allowed! Kieran went in, but came out after 5 minutes because it was "boring". He was expecting at least somewhere along the same standard as what he had experienced at The Westin Bali.

Our so-called half-price package of S$217++ per room per night rate does not come with breakfast. When we got in after collecting our key, we were surprised that the carpet has stains.

When we went to the pool the next morning, the pool bar was not opened even through the afternoon! The sea-sport centre was also not opened until either late morning or noon.

Anyhow, despite all these unpleasantness, we had a blast riding 2-3 times on the luge in the day and night. The kids were happy that we spent some time with them. They blew bubbles at the hotel balcony and were excited when we saw a monitor lizard wondering near the pool. The only thing they were thrilled at the hotel was the kiddie rides by the waddle pool.

Kieran's part 2 celebration

We celebrated again on Sunday with our extended family at our home over dinner.

I prepared portobello soup, while my helper cooked sweet & sour chicken, eggs, Indonesian vege rolls and fried vermicelli.

The family arrived with Meg still decked in her sweet ballerina costume. Raeyen was very excited when he saw the pressie from them to Kieran and kept asking when it could be opened.

The kids ate together as they watched a movie from Disney Channel while the adults had theirs at the dining table, chatting from cycling to our home. We had Choya Royal Honey (click here to discover different ways of concocting a nice Choya drink) with lemonade as an aperitif and ended with Crabtree & Evelyn chamomile tea.

The whole clan proceeded to the playroom to reminisce May and our good 'ol days flipping through photo albums from secondary school to our wedding to our European holiday together.

The kids then played the remote-controlled chopper that May bought for Kieran before saying goodbye.

Kieran turned 7!

Hubby and I made plans to bring Kieran out on Thursday and Friday, respectively as a prelude to his birthday, afterall the school was closed on both days due to PSLE Oral exam.

Thursday. Hubby took him for a movie - G I Joe, as the title implies, it's very apt for male bonding. I bought the tickets for them at lunch and the came over to meet me for a quick one before scooting off for the show. They met me again after work. Kieran had evidently enjoyed the movie as he related part of the story to me on our way home by MRT.

Friday. After rushing home from half-day's work, I took Kieran and Raeyen to Orchard Road. Raeyen tagged along as I couldn't bear to leave him home. First stop was Kinokuniya for books; Kieran chose Star Wars while Raeyen had Thomas the Tank Engine. While we were walking to Takashimaya from Wisma Atria, we took a short-cut through Guess and a LBD caught my eyes.... I tried, the boys squealed that it was nice on me.... and yes I bought it. Then we went Bakerzin for desserts before going to Borders for more books. We left Orchard to meet hubby for dinner at Ajisen.

Saturday. We collected Kieran's Raspberry cheesecake from Secret Recipe at Square 2 but it was badly done (as you can see in the photo), even the quality of the cake has gone South. It was disappointing which I have no mood to detail here. Anyway, the kids had fun with their cousins as usual. Joo family even flew in his pressie from Perth - Ben 10 Alien Force swimwear + board shorts. Raeyen also had a new Lightning McQueen suit. Kieran wants Star Wars lego which he has yet found one that he likes because most are bad guys.

A cozy dinner

As part of farewell to Connie & Jamus before they return to Perth, we went to tcc at Marina @ Keppel Bay on Friday evening. We were glad that May & Megan could also join us as we have not been seeing them for quite some time.

The evening was warm with little wind. It was a nice drive along Keppel Bay Drive and we were greeted with calm waters and nice yachts at the marina. tcc is located on the second floor. Dinner was as usual great with unusual coffee concoctions. The company was even better.

After dinner, we walked along the marina and chit-chatted. The place was serene with carpet grass on a small greenfield where the kids roamed and played together.

Last day of School Hols

Can't believe one month past so fast!

To let the kids relish this precious day, we took them to Suntec for yummy lunch at Skinny Pizza (I regretted for not bringing my digi cam). We ordered the set for 2, which consists of any skinny pizza (had squid ink with loads of rocket leaves), 2 soups (slurped sweet corn and portobello mushroom), 2 non-alcoholic drink and a bowl of truffle-infused fries.

Highlight of the day was a movie treat at Marina Square of Transformers Return of The Fallen, which tickets were bought days ago. It was full of mean 'bots and action-packed. Despite the noise in the cinema, Raeyen fell asleep but woke up in full steam after an hour. Meanwhile, Kieran could recognise almost all the 'bots before their names were mentioned. He really likes Transformers.

On our way home and along the KPE tunnel, Kieran said his top favourites are Transformers, followed by Star Wars The Clone Wars then Ben 10 Alien Force. Raeyen's favs are Thomas the Tank Engine and Lightning McQueen of Cars. Hence, Raeyen's coming birthday theme is none other than his favourite blue steam engine. I must say I had been so busy that I didn't have time scouring stuff for his goodie bags and wonder if his Kindy allows for celebration amidst this yet another dreadful disease of H1N1 flu.

Summer fun in Bali

At last, our long-awaited holiday to Bali was materialised from 12-16 June onboard SQ morning flight. After more than 2 weeks without a helper, this break came in timely for the drained-out parents and the ever-energetic kids.

After immigration, we were whisked promptly to The Westin Resort Nusa Dua in a MPV (part of the Family Package which comes with 2-way transfers, breakfast for all, kids' amenities and a splendid room, of course). The check-in at the hotel was superb and we were upgraded to Club Room on ground floor with easy access to the POOL!

Wasting no time, we splashed into the pool after unpacking the bags. The kids got own tumblers (compliments from The Westin) which allow them for free drinks at the hotel (it's a brilliant idea).


In the evening, we left them at The Westin Kids' Club at 7pm so that we could have a quiet dinner at the hotel's Italian restaurant. Mama mia!


The next day, the kids went to the Kids' Club while we had a 3-hour fabulous and relaxing spa, which includes the heavenly Balinese massage, Lulur, flower bath and facial/hair treatment. It only cost us USD60nett per person with 2-way transfers!

On the 14th, we had a full-day private tour with a driver-cum-guide in his Toyota MPV. It was a great tour as we visited:

Monkey Forest

Paddyfield Rice Terrace

Ulun Danu (floating) Temple

Tanah Lot Temple

Uluwatu Temple

Seafood dinner at Jimbaran beach

We spent the next day basking under the nice, warm sun by the pool and the amazingly clear-water beach for more than half a day. We could see fishermen standing in the waters, about 300m away from shore! In the evening, we took a taxi to Kuta beach, the sunset view was very romantic and dreamy.


This was my second trip to Bali, the first was purely for meetings and I didn't get to see much. This trip, I was totally awed and immensed into how beautiful and culturally rich Bali is! We like it so much that we don't mind returning for a longer vacation (though I am still lusting for the Maldives).

Maid woes

This is it. We have bought a one-way ticket for Yani to return to Indonesia.

We are still looking for a replacement. Meanwhile, hubby and I will take turns to apply leave to stay at home for the kids. Such is a life of a dual-income family with kid(s). No wonder couples here are not keen to have children.

Mom's Day celebration

We celebrate with May & family every Parent's Day, Christmas Eve and each other's birthday. This year, we celebrated Mom's Day with her, Megan, their helper Kasem and a special someone, Gordon. Hubby and I are very happy for May as she has found her soul mate after Yin has passed on.

We met at Acacia, Bishan Park for a simple dinner while the kids played in the park, only joined us after they were exhausted. Megan surprised me with a bouquet of flowers!

Though we do meet up from time to time, today was an excuse to meet and catch up. We have been friends for 25 amazing years! That's a quarter of a century, my goodness! May is very special to me and to us. She lends her shoulder for me to cry on, hears me out and goes all her way out to help me when I am in trouble. She is also the strongest person I have ever come across. She is the best a gal can ever ask for, better than a diamond.

Kieran, Raeyen and us love you, May.

To my amazing sister-in-law, Connie, we love you very much too. We miss you!

To my Mom, a speedy recovery!

To my Sis, I love you and am proud that you have brought up 2 very bright girls!

To my 2 other sisters-in-law, Amelia and Lisa, you are amazing too; your love and effort put into your families will pay off. My brothers are both fortunate to have you as their wives!

Happy Mommy's Day

To all my wonderful mommy friends, today is the day we celebrate motherhood and all the joy our kiddos have brought to us and for all the effort we have put in.



Pressie from hubby & the kiddos is an empire sundress from Women'secret.

We will be celebrating this day with my best pal, May & her family as usual. And yes, I'm gonna wear it this evening and to our Bali holiday in June!

One Degree 15

Took the kids to One Degree 15 on Labour Day to meet up with my best friend May and her family.

We just chilled out at this cool place catching up with each other while the kids had a blast at the playroom, pool and playground.

It's always nice to hang out once in a while.

2nd day of school holiday

We took the kids to our neighbourhood swimming complex for a splash. And of all things, I forgot to bring our camera!

Anyway, to cut it short, they had a whale of a time for 2 solid, fun-filled hours. Raeyen kept himself occupied in a kiddy pool while Kieran slid down a not-so-junior tunnel. His dad had to convince the guard that Kieran would be fine taking the tunnel despite his under 1.2m height.

In the late afternoon, we watched Race to Witch Mountain with Kieran at Cathay. We missed its Mom 'N' Tots offer where kids under 7 years of age go free if accompanied by their parent/guardian. It was an exciting movie and Dwayne Johnson has been my fav actor packaged with muscles and sense of humour. You should rent the DVD on "The Game Plan" which he starred if you have not watched it.

CNY with the Animals

On the second day of Chinese New Year, we went to the Zoo to experience its new attraction - Rainforest Kidzworld.
It was a great day as the sun wasn't scorching as usual.

We were surprised to have found a Kampung House where old furniture, utensils and electrical appliances from the 70s were brought to live. We had a fun time relating to the kids how we spent our childhood watching TV in monochrome. Boy, life then was tough but full of fun and adventure. I remember my brothers catching spiders and us clanging pots and pans outside a nosy neighbour's apartment.

The most enjoyable part of the outing for our boys was waterplay. They spent more than an hour there and returned home flushed.

Hort Park Hot Park

It's a great sunny day today. Took the chance to visit HortPark at Telok Blangah area. It was nice but not what I expected to be. We walked around the park, looking at the glass houses, played at the playground and took a break around the rain trees.

We walked on the bridge that leads to Henderson Waves that stretches 2.4km. We only managed 1.8km and decided to return to HortPark (yeah, we are not so game, to think of walking almost 5km both ways is enough to tire my mind and body). We walked a similar path in WA's Valley of the Giants when Kieran was 14 months old - the weather there and then was fantastically cool and it was a joy walking on the bridge amidst tall, old trees.

Back to HortPark main lobby, there some fringe activities such as Calligraphy, figurine making, dragon beard candy and art & crafts. The kids were thrilled to receive 3 calligraphy artwork with meaningful words - Xin Fu Kuai Le, Xue Ye Jin Bu and most importantly, Shen Ti Jian Kang for their grandmother (my mother), whom we will visit this evening.