Hong Kong Disneyland

It's time for some updates... after a long season of laziness... :-P

Mei and Ernie checking in at Changi Airport.

Brought the girls to Hong Kong Disneyland last December. It was Ernie's 1st time to Disneyland and boy, was she excited! Ah Mei also had very fond memories of the theme park and was looking forward to returning. It was good for the parents too - during the school holidays, we often threatened to call the trip off whenever they misbehaved. Bargaining power??

"If you don't _______ (fill in the blank), I will not bring you to Tee Tee Mao (Ernie could not pronounce Mickey Mouse properly and we found it such fun to imitate the way she called the character) house to see Tee Tee Mao." Or, "If you don't _________ (fill in the blank), I will not allow you to "sit aeroplane" to go see Tee Tee Mao in his house. His house very big, you know?"

Daddy and the girls enjoying their 1st cup of mango pomelo drink straight upon arrival in HK. While the other tourists were standing around waiting to board the bus.
Tee Tee Mao and girlfriend/wife (have they gotten married yet? He has been courting her since the 1960s) were in their Christmas baju.

So we visited Tee Tee Mao house, took photos with Tee Tee Mao, Minnie Mao, Chip and Dale, Goofy and some elves. Watched fireworks in a heavy drizzle. Went for the Winnie the Pooh and Small World rides twice. Went for other rides. Watched all the shows. Watched the parade. Ernie was so excited during the parade she was screaming at the top of her voice (if you've met her, am sure you'll remember her voice is really LOUD) while she jumped up and down. The "Disneyland man" had to stay close to ensure she did not jump off the kerb and onto Main Street. The 3D show was good.

Apart from the girls, Daddy enjoyed himself tremendously in HK. He was extremely satisfied with the shopping. Bought working shirts from Black Label (they don't carry it in Singapore anymore) and casual shirts from G2000. He claims the designs are nicer than those in Singapore. His only disappointment is he could not found anything suitable from Zara. Daddy was also really happy with the food. We had dim sum every morning and the girls were pleased with the "prawn in blanket" aka har gao. We ate at the local dessert stall Xu Liu Xiang everyday, sometimes more than once a day. Daddy had his mango pomelo dessert and the girls were more adventurous - they tried several types of mango dessert. Ah Mei especially enjoyed the rice balls (tang yuan) soaked in fruit syrup. As for Ernie, anything cold and sweet was good.

Also met up with Uncle Hoe Seng over dinner and dessert at where else but ...... Xu Liu Xiang.

The stay in HK came to an end too quickly. On the flight back, Daddy was making plans to visit HK again. The food and shopping were really good and think among the 4 of us, Daddy enjoyed the trip most....

Our last bowl of yang zhi gan lu (mango pomelo dessert). Taken at the airport just before we boarded the plane. Yum!

Jan 2010 - Adjustments

January is usually a month of adjustments. There's so much adjustments we had to make especially this month with Big Mei going to school.

Wasn't it just yesterday that my big mei gave me a cheeky smile and cried "ehhh", when she took her first cyreal (and I teared), where she took her first step (and I was so worried), she performed her first violin concert and dropped her first milk teeth. This month, I had one of those moment - she entered the big girl school. The feeling is just so strange. It was one of confusion, sadness, pride and to certain extend achivement.

Our Big Ah Mei goes to Primary 1 this month, putting on her cute little uniform and she looks so small in the big school.

We been busy helping our Big Mei adjust to Primary 1. Must say that she is doing a better job adjusting then her daddy. In comes the Chinese and English spelling and this week she is having her first assessments. I FEEL STRESS.

To make matter worse, while we struggle on the school work, our Big Mei is also needing to complete the violin piece this week with a small performance at the end of the week. How are we going to do it? I am not sure how, but I am sure we will survive - everybody does.

While all these excitement occuring to our big Mei, our dear Small Rae also has her special moments. Rae goes to Nursery 2 on her own without the big Jie. While we go about getting the need to do done we are careful to remember Rae's emotions as well.

This month I also start helping up with Rae violin. Not easy but managing it. I had to think of creative ways to teach my little one how to play twinkle. Because she is quite a tough one to work on, I ended up putting her on a small table and getting her to practice so that she doesn't go running all over the house.Guess what, it works. :)

Adjustments, adjustments and more adjustments.

Our Mei Graduates from Kindergarten

Mummy and I are both so glad and proud of our little girl who graduated from the Kindergarten this week. We were very surprised and pleasantly please that we sent her to a Kindergarten with Christian values. We thought originally that if they are not in Pat’s they may not learn about the different clouds. But to our surprise the Kindergarten is pretty good. They teach her a lot of things and I must say they also inculcate the habit of reading. Mei reads a lot, she love reading General Knowledge subject books. She surprises us with the different layer of a rainforest, condensation, pest and aphids etc etc.

Our girl has come a long way, remember the early days, the Mandarin teacher will tell us that Mei will suddenly stand up in Chinese Class and sings Twinkle Twinkle because she doesn't know what the teacher is talking about. Today, Mei is ready to go Primary 1 as the teachers say. Our little girl can read 220 words and has a super duper memory. She is able to memories any little things. I believe this is to do with her violin training where she is expected to memorize notes and fingering. I must say I am unable to memorize the way she does.

Anyways, last Saturday was Mei's K2 Graduation Concert. She played Patsy - a superkid in a superschool for superkids. She played the violin and acted as one of the main role in the concert. She is this little girl who tells her friend who Jesus is. Its so her to want to talk about Jesus and share with others the 'right' thing – our little evangelist at home.



Well done Mei.

Megan - our little girl

Megan recently started having Chinese Spelling. We asked her about her test. It goes something like this:

Daddy : How did you do for your Spelling?
Megan : I did okay.
Daddy : Did you get all correct?
Megan : Yes.
Daddy : How do you know you got all correct?
Megan : Because I wrote all correctly.

We were once again reminded that our Megan is still a little girl - who is very innocent. She did not realise that to have all correct you need someone to validate what she did and not what she thinks she did. My little girls still have a long way to go.

1/4 2009 Year Update

It's so fast, we are already 1/4 into year 2009. I have been really busy. Days are getting longer and nights are getting shorter. Mummy gone back to work and as such daddy needs to wake up at 5.35am everymorning. Daddy is enjoying his drive to work with mummy a lot. We get to spend more time together in the car discussing about anything and everything.

The girls are doing fine. When I send mummy to school I get to see the little primary 1 girls going to school and it reminded me that our little Megan will be going to school next year. I feel a little sad because I realised that Megan is growing up and soon she won't want me to cuddle her, tickle her and play 'monster'. There's that tinge of disappointment. I am however glad that I was with her at every significant milestone in her life and hope to be there fore more.

Raeanne is doine well. We are contemplating if we should send her to Nursary next month. Although we know she is going to fit in really well due to her ability to articulate her wants but we are also concern about letting her go to school and be caught up with the Singapore's Education system and process. Not sure. not sure!

Gwyneth is doing well. She had her little jab recently and doc says she is fine. Gwyneth is already flipping back and forth and starting to 'sing' along with us. She is smilling all the time. She started having cereal recently and as we expected she likes it. She is rejecting the milk a little though.

Really busy recently and been really tired going through the routine. Hope to update more.

Gong Xi Fa Cai! - Happy Niu Year

The year of the Ox caught us by surprise. We realised it was coming only a few days before "chu yi". Daddy has been really busy with work these few weeks while mummy has been nua-ing at home and lost track of calendar days. With Christmas and the Sentosa trip coming so close did not help us in preparing for the coming Ox Year as well.

It is Gwyneth's very 1st CNY! Think she enjoyed herself during the celebrations. She was unusually excited to the extent of refusing milk and her little power naps. She played a good host and smiled and danced with to all who visited Gong Gong's house. We are starting to learn more about our little Gwyneth. She likes people to play with her, talk to her, and play peek-a-boo. She will reward us with a cheeky smile.

With the recent hit serial of Little Nyona, we decided to dress the girls in their traditional costume. And since Daddy has some Peranakan traces in the family so we thought it would be really nice to get the girls dressed in their traditional customes.

Looking back at Megan's first CNY, this little girl has grown so much. We still remember the first photo she took holding the orange. Now she looks like a big girl. So cute!

Our little Cheeky Raeanne enjoyed herself. She went 'wild' this CNY. Ate and ate and ate. During this CNY, we realise a strange 'likings' of little Raeanne. She likes Ginko nuts! Mummy did not like it. Daddy did not like it and neither did Jie Jie Megan. We never ever liked it but strangely Raeanne likes it.
The 2 jie jie's were dressed in their sarong kebayas for the 1st day. Mummy wore Great-Grandmother's Dolly Kabaya as well. Mummy look really really nice in it. Daddy could not get a traditional Baju in time so just took on some left-overs Kong Kong had. Maybe in our next Church Camp to Melacca (don't know when?) we will get ourselves a nice suit.

Here's wishing everyone a happy lunar new year.

Weekend @ Sentosa

We used to take yearly vacations at Sentosa until we discovered Batam (cheaper) and Hong Kong(great shopping). It’s been quite a while since we took a family vacation there. So, with that we decided to book ourselves into a 3 Day 2 Nights Rasa Sentosa package over the weekend. The main objective of the stay in the island was to spend some time with the gals at the beach. We always found it a hassle bringing the girls to the beach and not able to wash them up without proper bathing facilities.

We definitely enjoyed ourselves.

It was Raeanne's first trip to Sentosa and the Beach.

It was also the first time she was taking a Luge Ride.

Daddy spent $44.10 on some silly 'beach toy set' but later found out that it was actually a gardening tool set. Till today, I still feel extremely stupid paying that money. Anyhow we eventually got the beach toy from the hotel giftshop at $9.90 only.

We brought the girls to watch Songs of the Sea after a quick dinner by some weird beach bar serving horrible Chicken Burger. But mummy's Pizza and Megan's Fried Cheezesticks were yummy.

The girls were so tired that they fell asleep early and mummy and daddy had some quiet moments having their room service and enjoying the awesome sea view (which daddy insisted on paying extras for).

The next morning started with a sumptuous breakfast for the girls in the hotel. Mummy and Daddy weren't very impressed with the breakfast though. We were just talking and guessed probably we been 'spoilt' a little for choice.

Well, the 1st highlight of the day was the girls' trip on the Luge Ride. It was Raeanne's first trip on the Luge. We were pretty excited about it. Mummy decided that we should take the duo ride package (which included 2 rounds on the luge and 2 rounds on the skyride). Megan rode with Daddy and Raeanne rode with Mummy. They were so happy and definitely wanted more. Daddy however was freaking out after the first ride on the skyride. Daddy never like heights, so we gave in to the girls and went for Luge ride number 2 without the skyride. The girls really enjoyed themselves.
The 2nd highlight of the day was our trip to the beach and swimming pool. We kept forgetting that our little Raeanne was only 2 years old eventhough she is articulating like a big girl. It was so funny. Raeanne hated the sand and refused to walk on the beach. She kept crying "its so dirty, my feet and hands are diry. How?". Still in her pampers, she started exploring the beach and made it her toyland. She had so much fun.

The 3rd highlight of the day was actually for mummy. Daddy had wanted to bring Mummy to 'The Terrace' for their wedding anniversary but daddy was quite sick during that weekend. We were quite disappointed that 'The Terrace" had already closed. So after looking around we decided to have dinner at Barnacles. Barnacles had beautiful scenery and the ambience was pretty. The girls enjoyed their dinner and mummy and daddy had their yummy steaks. Curious about who the chef was, we realized that the chef was the same chef that used to work at The Terrace. Highly recommended.

Within 1/2 hour upon returning to the room, the girls fell asleep. With that we are pretty sure they had a wonderful day.The trip was really a nice break. We had so much fun and laughters together. The girls enjoyed themselves so much. We are sure to return again.

Thank God for 2008

I was telling mummy at watchnight 2008 service, as we reflected of the year, that actually God has been very good to our family despite some of the challenges we had to undergo. It was a year which saw us undergo adjustments, discouragements, disappointments, challenges, healings and victories in our lives. These blessings outweigh the negatives.

Our Lau Kong went home to be with the Lord in April. While we were sad but we realised this is God's way of healing him. For all our sakes and the love for us, we have to know God cared so much for us that he had extended his life for almost 3 years so that we can all be prepared for his departure one day. During these 3 years, after the liver operation, he had enjoy so much of the family's laughters, parties, great-grandparenthood's joy and the nice warmth of his 2 darlings. He lived a fulfilling and victorious life.

During the year, mummy and I advanced in our careers due solely to the abundant favour of God on our lives. With that we also saw ourselves grow in our respective careers taking on challenges which we would not otherwise have the opportunities to better. While both of us are not fantastically brilliant people, we are very committed and put a honest day's work in all that we do.

This year we also saw the arrival of Gwyneth after some initial scare. Mummy had Chicken Pox in the mid of the year but we saw God's hands of protection on little Gwyneth. How can anything compare to the arrival of our 3rd born? Gwyneth arrived safely with no complication. We cannot thank God enough for the protection and His grace for giving us our youngest little baby. She is growing well and good, rolling over early, chatty and very alert.

Oh wow, God's hand of protection is on our family. Ko Ko, who is currently pregnant, had fell few times and God has been gracious to protect her and baby. Mummy's Daddy (AMK Kong Kong) had a very serious accident reaping the entire front portion of the car with Po Po in the car but God protected both of them and they came out perfectly fine. Daddy had 2 minor knocks this year on his old car and he is fine as well. We saw protection on TS Kong Kong as well. He had twitches in his face originally we feared for brain or nerve problems, but God proved to be the abundant Grace on him. How can we thank Him enough for such protection on our family.

This year we saw the family help up more in church (a little more). Serving now, unlike during our youth-days, where we were able to spend lots of time in Church, we realised that we had other things to take care of as well. Work, family and kids all took on a different perspective. So we try to do our little part in whatever ways we can. And if we can contribute as a family the better it is cos we get to spend family time together as family time is so precious. We hope the little things we do would please God. Mummy supported me whenever we had to take on those small projects or having to teach those morning classes. Praise God for a wonderful wife! I think some of the highlights were seeing mummy and Megan playing at Afternoon Outreach, Christmas and Watchnight services. When we saw so many people getting saved at the Christmas Service, our hearts were all moved.

God is faithful. We sometimes take God’s goodness for granted. It is only when we actually start recollecting that we realised that God is indeed Good. Especially on those little things we take for granted. Many times, these blessings outweigh the negatives. And also that sometimes these negatives were suppose to make us better people.

As a family, we approach the 2009 with some apprehensions especially with the upcoming downturn and the challenges ahead. But somehow, I have a quiet confidence in God that this is going to be a great year and we know God is going to be there to surprise all of us with blessings.
We pray that the year ahead will be one of health, fruitfulness, favour, abundance, unity and victories.

Raeanne's 2nd Birthday!

Raeanne turned 2 today!! :-). Blessed birthday, my 2nd-born.

We initially planned to have our usual family dinner at a nearby restaurant. However, this afternoon, Yi Yi Sarah called to say that she and AMK Kong Kong are down with flu. So better don't have dinner together lest the children catch the virus. Ok, so change in plans, we'll have dinner with only Kong Kong, Ma Ma, Auntie Lynn and Uncle Jingsong. Lo and behold, at 4pm, Mummy found that Raeanne was running a fever - 38.2 degree Celsius. To cut the story short, we had dinner at home with Kong Kong and Ma Ma.

Raeanne wasn't feeling too well and was grouchy and whiny even though she had 2 long naps today. The phlegm made her uncomfortable and she refused to eat. Glad the birthday cake cheered her up. She was her usual self when she took photos with the cake. :-).

The fever returned in the late evening. :-(. Hope she gets well tomorrow so we will be able to bring her out. We had wanted to bring her to either the zoo (yes, again) or Marina Barage.

Daddy didn't have to go to church earlier today as his class ended last week! Yeah! Daddy also just bought a new Korean Drama Serial on some ER thing about cardio surgeons. Think it is currently being screened on TV. He is now watching the 1st disc as mummy is updating the blog. Megan doesn't like this series as she is afraid of the blood and gory scenes. Her head is covered with a cushion 5/6 of the time when she drank her milk on the sofa. Our big mei really resembles me. :-). Ha ha... But happy for her that she is braver and has more courage than her mummy.

We Are the Reason

Megan played in the Christmas service this year. She did a fantastic job with the violin while mummy fumbled with the keyboard. By the way, this is Mummy blogging and I must include a very important disclaimer: I am not used to playing the church keyboard standing up ok! Ha ha, actually I was rather nervous. Come think of it, Megan rather "zai" - not at all nervous. She believes she was playing for Jesus' birthday party and her great-grandfather was watching from heaven (with a box of chocolates next to him). After the service, she said she wants Daddy to give a ballet recital at her next birthday party! Can't wait to see that!!

When we were first asked if Megan could play at the Christmas service, we prayed and asked for a suitable piece. We wanted something evangelistic instead of the traditional Christmas hymns and carols. We decided on We Are The Reason by David Meece but were hesitant as we were afraid it was too difficult for our Ah Mei. Daddy and Mummy felt it was a very meaningful song and really hoped Ah Mei (by the way, she doesn't like it when people call her that. She'll go "Please call me by my name. My name is Megan. So please call me Megan" in that psuedo-adult voice of hers) can learn to play it. Thus, we stuck to it.

So, we started by playing her the CD and teaching her how to sing the song. Mummy even sang it with her when she was out Christmas shopping and in the dressing room trying on clothes! Next, we tried the chorus with her on the violin and she picked it up extremely quickly as she likes the song. If mummy remembers correctly, she could play the entire chorus after going through twice with mummy. Thank God - phew!

Through this experience, we learnt yet a little more about our firstborn:
1. She not nervous playing in front of so many human beings!
2. She is more adaptable than we think she can be. We made changes to the song 4 days before Christmas and she could cope with the change in key, fingering, etc.
3. The violin is a source of security for her, despite the procrastinations over violin practices!

Included the video for your viewing pleasure.