GoNE FIsHInG


I brought Isabel to the Pasir Ris Elias Park During the weekend...

As we were walking towards the playground, we saw a place where a large group of people gathered. Curiosity got the better of us and we approached the place. We saw they were standing around 2 small ponds, each person with a small fishing rod, their lines are casted into the ponds, the third pond is smaller with many nets for the gamers to place their catch in to keep the fishes alive.

The fishes in the ponds are surprisingly big, in fact, its bigger than you can get in the market. I guess thats the main lure for the "fishermen"to fish there.

The probability of catching one is rather low too, the pond water is so murky, no one knows how many fishes are in there, there may be as many as 20 "fishermen" at any point of time, but there may only be 3 or 5 fishes in the pond. The onwner knows exactly how many fishes left by tracking how many fishes have been caught.

Every so often the owner will let go the fishes that are in the nets under the square PVC pipes floating on the pond. The moment the net is released, all lines will be casted toward it hoping the fishes will be stupid enough to hook on it. The whole proceduer is so artificial... might as well each person gets a pail of water with a fish in it, if you can hook it, its yours... better yet, just buy it from them, why waste time standing there under the hot sun trying to your luck? In the end you might go home empty handed.

I ever fished once when I was like 15, the only thing I caught was fever and flu. Never tried again.

Every friend that has been with us for more than 3 years will know that we used to own a dog... a beagle... name Ace (For those who don't know what is a beagle, look at Snoopy).

Today marks the 3rd year that he has left us...

I was not the one who raised him from a puppy, my wife did. From the day she brought him home, they were inseparable. She would walk him, feed him, bath him... Ace was one of the dowries that followed my wife into our new home, so I shared the responsibility of feeding bathing and walking him too.

I had never owned a dog before that time, not directly at least... my neighbor owned a stray,
althought it was a female, they named her "Bobby". Don't ask why...

Anyway, back to Ace...

He's like any typical Singaporean, loved Durian... he can smell the aroma of the durian sealed in a tubelware placed in a fridge. There was one occasion where he managed to open the fridge and single handedly took out 7 pieces of durian seeds in the middle of the night, swallowed EVERYTHING... including the seeds. Can you imagine the shock when we found him lying on the floor with a bloated stomach, the fridge was wide opened with its contents ransacked.

The next morning, he threw up 5 seeds, pooped out 1, which means, there is one more in him. For the next few days we observed his bowel movement and his behavior, it was very obvious that he began to have fever, and has no appetite, not even with his favorite fried drumstick swinging before his eyes can we get him to stand up.

He was brought to the vet where he was diagnosed to have something blocking his intestine and an immediate operation is required. We agreed to it, and on the same day they went ahead to cut him up.

After the opt, the doc showed us the durian seed slightly larger than the diameter of fifty cents coin... hardly chewed on. As for him, he's up and running 2 hours after the opt.

You'll think he has learned his lesson, but truth is, it happened to him twice. Once when he was 2 years old, the other time at 6 years old. Both caused by durian.

He's really intelligent, he knows when we are talking about him, he'll look at us from the corner of his eyes, trying to sense what are we going to do to him. Dogs don't lie, their body language shows their emotion... fear, happy, depress, stress, envy...etc just like a person.

I can still remember clearly how he'll sneak up on to our bed in the middle of the night and sleep in between us. I would end up waking up with my arms around his hairy body and open my eyes to see his big brown eye staring back at me.

Every morning I would I ask him: "Ace, got anyhow urine or not?" He'll give one of two answers... either he look at me and wag his tail (meaning he did nothing wrong), or tail between his legs and run to hide. If its the later, I would have to began my "treasure hunt" he is sure to have wee-wee some where... It could be at the TV console, curtain, sofa, fridge or shoe cabinet.

Every evening when we return from home, he'll be jumping around and running about... next is, he'll smell our shoes and pants trying to find out where we've been. He'll even go thru our bags to look for goodies.

We love Ace... We missed him still
Even after 3 years...

Christmas Weekend

Christmas is closer than round the corner, ITS THIS COMING WEEKEND!!!

What does Christmas mean to you?

Shop till you drop for things but not sure they like it? Usually this is the day that will test how much you know the person. When you are shopping, you'll try very hard to recall what was mentioned during any conversation that could give a clue what to buy.

The idea of giving gifts to people came from Saint Nicholas, who a few centuries ago, on Christmas eve night started to leave presents at door steps of the poor peasants, blessing them. They are so grateful that they started to make up stories about him.

Now people have immortalised him to be the ghost of Christmas, sliding down the chimney to deliver gifts. Kids are told to be good in order to receive gifts from him, they believe in the realness of Santa than the real Jesus

Crazy Party? Drug and sex?? When was Christmas an excuse to have mindless party? Pick up girls and try to get lucky? Do you know Christmas and New Year has the highest crime rate? Ranging from petty thefts to gang fights to rape cases, you name it they got it. Every year during this period of time, all policemen are placed on high alerts activating them when and where necessary.

But how many really know Christmas is a time for celebration... celebrating the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ who has died for our sin letting us reconcile with God whom thru Jesus, forgives us of our sin, welcomes us back with open arms.

My church just did a Candle Light Service. It was awesome... 7000 candles all over the darkened hall, candle lights flickering but brightening the beautiful faces holding the candles. For the Christmas Weekend, there'll be special Carnival and Special Services with drama, acting out the birth of Jesus.

If anyone interested to attend the Christmas

Special Service, or bring your children or niece and nephew to the children church... all are welcomed.

This week got extra time to do blogging.

My Boss went Thailand going one hole after another hole with his ball and stick. Ahh... don't get any wrong idea, he's there for golf, enjoying the sun and hospitality of the people there.

I love going there too. I've been there 5 times, now planning for the sixth trip there, each has different experiences and feelings, but its all nice and fun. One thing I'll always remember from there is their famous Drag Queen Show. "Tiffany Show" which usually cost $500 baht person including drinks

The first time I watched their Drag show I was scared... so afraid the tarnsvestite will come and disturb me. I just wanted to watch from the furthest distance possible, best if its from the balcony. I've see the brave men in the first row seats abandoned their wives and girlfriends and ran to the back row for cover 5 minutes after the show starts. The Ah-Kuahs only attack men completely ignoring the women. They grab the men's head and force their faces into their fake boobs, or they try to kiss guys... but its very funny watching from far.

But why is it such a trend for them to be a drag queen there? The concept of stepping out of the closet for an asian society is really unprecedented. Since the beginning of civilization, men are the outward dominating type, the protector of country, the warrior. Whereas women are domestic based feminine, gentle weaker sex. If the guy is determined to be a women, they would have to leave home town in shame never to return again. Driven by poverty... one can do the most drastic for survival.

But in Thailand, drags are so popular that they have beauty pageants for them... turning them into drag "Queen" literally. Movies about them are common too. Also some of them are more beautiful and behave more like a woman then a real woman. I think its because of their passion in being a real woman. Though not female by birth but a woman by choice.

In the army we call these people 302 (three-Oh-two). They serve as clerks, 9-5 working hours. Protected by law, almost untouchable. A simple complain of sexual harassment from them, is enough to 'hen-tah-tah-ki" any regulars for years.

But bottom line is: They are still people. God wants us to love them and help them discover themselves again. I've seen people like them turning from their old ways and turn toward God. Now they are fathers of many children, facing no rejection from anyone or society.

Well... Jesus loves them, we love them too.

Brought Isabel to see a doctor as she was throwing up everytime she drank her milk...

Doctor gave her something for the giddiness and vomiting.

But the label says:

For Giddiness and Vomiting.
May cause drowsiness.

So is it for better or for worse?

I Brought a friend to SGH Pharmacy during lunch time to see a pharmacist to get high on nicotine... No la... the truth is, he's a heavy smoker, 35-40 sticks a day, easily costing him $600-$700 a month. I really want to help him quit for the sake of his children. Imagine saving that amount of money for less than a year the whole family could afford to go Korea for a week.

The pharmacist recommended him Nicotine patch, each box with 7 patches cost $19++, better than him spending $150 a week on cigarettes.

He got a pretty high ego, he keep insisting he'll be able to quit with in a month, but the pharmacist shook her head and warned him on his attitude, Cos he's been smoking everyday for 20 over years, it will take a while.


In order to completely quit it, he'll have to embark on a 8 weeks detox program. Starting with higher dosage of nicotine, reducing gradually until finally rid of it from the body.

She warned him about the withdrawal symptoms, becoming cold turkey. My friend laughed at it... wait till he go thru it.

Well... I'm back form Genting.

Ooo...K... la... not too bad, considering we only get to be indoor all the time. (Its cold and wet outdoor)

Day1 - Getting there is half the fun

Wakingup at 6am, we rushed through the motion of getting dressed and dressing the princess then set off to catch a cab to Lavender where the coach to Genting will be waiting for us.

We coordinated with another family of 3 that once we catch a cab from our side, we'll pick them up at the end of the road. But after flagging down a couple of taxi NON of them willing to take us the moment we told them we have 4 adults and 2 kids. So we have no choice but to take separate cabs.


Fast forward 7 hours later...


The weather there was good... Cold... but sky was clear though. Since most of them are tired from the 7 hours bus ride, we decided to stay indoor for the time being.

The indoor Theme Park has plenty of kiddy rides, Isabel was extremely thrilled to see it. I think she rode the Merry-Go-Round about 200 times








Isabel had the ride of her life when she took up the Junior Bumper car challenge.

First she had no prior knowledge of what a bumper car is, next, she has no idea how to ride one. But since she wanted to try it, so we let her do it.

If only she figured out how to stop the car from spinning round and round on the spot. It would have been fun for her.



A very big improvement with the whole place is the great increase in the number of restaurants and eating places, the good old MacDonald is still there.

But the prices are ridiculously high, like... RM14 (S$6) for Wan Ton Mee... or RM24 (S$9.50) for Bak Gut Teh... its not even a high class restaurant, its just a hawker stall. The floor is littered and sticky, I don't think they ever washed it ever since they opened for business.



The weather was not really good on the second day. It rained most of the time, when its not raining it will be cloudy. you can't see more than 100m before you.







I caught a couple of movies while we were there. First was Zathura, a space version of Jumanji... I would anytime prefer the old one. This new version is so limited in creativity. Confined to a house, with 2 boys Pickering at each other. Not to mention the actors expressions are all wrong.

The second movie is Harry Potter. If I've never read the book, if I've never come to know the characters in details, I would have called it a great movies just like other movie critics giving it a 4 star rating.

But NO... The director has done a lousy job shortening the story, omitting important details that is essential to the development of the story later. The Potion teacher, Professor Snape has only 2 lines in the entire show, making him a Keh Leh Feh back-drop. His relationship and hatred for Harry Potter is also to have a great part in the later development. The Head Master of Hogwart is so uncool, I can over look the fact that they cast a short man for a tall and lean Professor Albus. But him becoming a raving lunatic strangling Harry Potter in a fit of anger that was never in the book, its just all wrong.

Anyway... Back to Genting.

On the third day, we were debating to take the cab or the cable car to the bus terminal. Of course the kids would love to sit in a cable car. But some of them are afraid of height which is understandable. In the end... cable car.

by the time we reached Singapore after another 7 hour bus ride. its 10pm. By the way, I also watched Transporter 2 and Tom Yum Goong on the coach, but that's another blog.

Going to Genting...


Genting Highland is celebrating 40th Anniversary. Although I don't see any promotion going on (I guess they don't need to promote as they have a rather high booking rate), together with another 2 families of friends, we'll be heading there for a holiday.

Its been...what?... 5? 6? years since I've been there. I remember it as the boring kiddy rides theme park, zero shopping area, tasteless food courts and a big casino with lots of uncles and aunties smoking and gambling.

But they say things have changed, improved tremendously, much more exciting for all ages. For one I heard there'll be a new roller coaster, the last time I ride a real one was in Gold Coast... raining... it really hurt to have rain drops hitting on my face while going down hill at 100 km/h, I could hardly open my eyes.


I'm no sucker for these rides anymore, in fact I never was one. But my lovely wife is the daring one, during our honeymoon in Australia, she pulled me into every Q for the scariest rides she can find on the list.

Someone ever said: "Why you pay money to scare the sh*t out of yourself?" True hor...




But there'll be a new experience... the indoor sky diving. At RM50 you'll get to have a feel of how its like to hover in the air. By the time you get the hang of it...times up.


There's 2 cinema up there showing the latest movies like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Dragon Squad, SPL, Zathura... they'll be screening it even past midnight. I know I'll sure to watch at 3 of the movies.


I'm sure we'll have a great time there.

Life's Like That

I'm seriously considering to switch to buttons instead of zippers.

I was going to a seminar the other night, but before I went down the hall, I decided to go release the much accumulated excess fluid in the bladder.

Of course I didn't use the handicap toilet.

As usual, the men's room was not as crowded as the ladies' probably because man does it faster... (1)unzip, (2)Wee, (3)zip, (4)wash hand, (5)go... some don't even bother to look at the mirror.

I went from step 1 to step 2, but when I go for step 3...it happened... the zip got stuck.

I proceeded to start pulling it in all direction with no better result. With a final pull and not knowing my own strength... nightmare happened... my worst fear... THE ZIP GOT RIPPED APART!!!

How many of you know its not possible to repair a zip with bare hands??

I stared at it with my jaw dropped to my chest but quickly recovered my expression not wanting to draw any attention. Moving swiftly to the nearest available cubicle and closed the door behind me. My mind racing to calculate my options...

I spent the next 10 mins sitting on the toilet bowl in my underwear trying with futile outcome to mend back the zip. At the same time I messaged my friend to find safety pins for me.

I can almost hear him roaring with laughter when I was sending the message. When he finally showed up 5 mins later, he could hardly suppress his snickering.

Well... all is done... I did my best to pin my pants together with me already in it... of course I have to be in the pants before I pin it, otherwise how am I going to get in it?

Coming out of the toilet I was very cautious not to walk too fast or make big movement, I looked down to check constantly ensuring the gap is not opening further especially when it got a little too breezy down south.

The rest of the night was ok... just a little distracted.

Isabel has more or less got rid of her bed wetting problem, she is able to wake up in the middle of the night if she has a full bladder and go toilet on her own without switching on any light. Which is quite an achievement for her.

This morning at 3am, she came to my bedside mumbling something...

"Daddy... Pillow... (mumble mumble)... meeting..."

I thought I heard wrong. Then she said again,,

"Daddy... Pillow meeting... Come..."

????? (Pillow missing? Pillow hitting? Pillow singing?)

I followed her to her room and watched her climb back to bed.

I tucked her back but asked her has she gone to the toilet. She quietly climbed out again and went to do her business and came back to bed where she is fast asleep again, leaving me completely puzzled with what she said earlier.

At the Beach...

At my age, I really don't get to be invited to BBQ as often as it used to be. But upon this rare chance eating some mouth watering good old fashion BBQ food, I got my whole family to be there.

Isabel loves the beach, but hate the sand. How does it work out? She'll get all excited about going to the beach but don't dare to step on the sand... I had to carry her onto the beach screaming, kicking. But once she got over it, she's ok. The only problem is she dare not move her feet too much fear that she get sand in her sandal, half hour later, her legs were so numb with pins and needles she just stood there crying for help.

I showed her how to pack the sand and make sand castle. We had a great time there. Until some kids came and kicked it down.



Getting Isabel to eat has always been a challenge, but surprisingly she didn't need much persuasion to complete her dinner, maybe its because she got her friends with her. The food was pretty well done, thanks to my lovely wife carefully watching the fire, not over cooking any of the food.

The maid enjoyed herself too not of the food, but rather the company of other maids from the same country. They are like long lost friends reunited, joking and laughing. At one time I had a nagging feeling that they are laughing at the way I speak malayu.

MacDonald Party For Isabel


Isabel turned 3 years old on 25th October. We really didn't know how we're going to celebrate it. At first we thought we'll just buy a cake, let her blow some candles and call it a day. But many friends were calling and asking: "Where's the party?" so we might as well have one.

We know Isabel enjoyed the MacDonald party we were invited to 2 months ago. After finding out the details, we were able to book a room for her to throw a party.


We were there at 2:45pm, her god-mother started on her hair.























Isabel's cousin Daryl and her god-sister Verina

The games are the same at every party, Isabel already anticipated it and knew exactly what to expect, hence she's not shy or panicky at it.















Placing the most clothes pins will be winner
















"Happy Birthday to yooouuu....."

Me and my wife would like to thank everyone who attended the party, thank you for making it a memorable day for Isabel.

My baby Ally was born a miracle child. Surviving a 6 hour major heart operation 2 days after she was born. Recovered and went home after only 11 days in hospital.

Not convinced that God's hand is upon her?

Here's more prove...

She's now 8 months old, but managed to climb out of her 4 feet high, properly secured crib, fell to the ground but not a single bump or scratch or fracture or even redness or sore on her.

It happened when I was cooking in the kitchen while the maid was washing the common toilet after I demonstrated to her how to remove the stubborn stain off the floor which she claimed impossible to do. (She keeps forgetting I was the one in charge of washing that toilet for the past 5 years.)

Ally was sleeping in her room.

Suddenly I heard a soft "THUD" followed by loud and persistent crying. I quickly dropped the half cooked macaroni cheese I was meddling and ran to the room with Isabel trailing at my heels. In my heart I was thinking "please let her not be on the floor". But to my horror, she was on the floor trying to sit up.

My heart almost stopped, I carried her, pacifying her and checked her head for any bump or swelling but couldn't find any.

I called my wife to tell her the incident, I was ready to bring her down to KKH A&E to do X-ray, but she reminded me that we have a doctor friend whose clinic is just across the street, he can do a check on our baby or even drive us to hospital if necessary. So I called him to come over to our place ASAP.

I went to the toilet and started banging on the door wanting Yani to come and assist in checking.

"YANI! COME OUT!" (Ally crying in the background)

" Nandi, nandi..." (Sound of scrubbing floor and water running)

"NAN YOUR HEAD LAH... COME OUT NOW!"

"Nandi lah... "

"NOW!..."

"Grumble...mumble..." (Open door)

"Ally climbed out of her bed and fell to the ground!"

Her eyes widened "AIYOH.........!!!"

Despite Ally's struggling protest, I managed to strip her down to butt naked to check for any indication of anything broken...

Nothing... not a bump or anything sore.

"Sir tak tengok?"

"What deng... what gor?"

"Tengok lah!"

"Tak tak la... Saya...eh... masak masak... makan Kasi Isabel." (my malayu one piece one piece type)

"Oorr Sir tak tengok..." (looked at me like its my fault)

5 minutes later my stunt-performing baby was smiling, happily eating biscuit and playing with her elder sister.

Not long later the Doctor arrived. Again, we got Ally butt naked for him to check. He made her stand, grab things, checked the head, and every part of limbs and back... Everthing seems fine...

Its a miracle... Thank God...

Although the ordeal was over, my hands were still shaking an hour after the incident. You can't imagine the shock of finding her on the floor fallen off the height higher than a table.

I immediately lowered her bed to a level where she could hardly reach the top edge.

There is this Sandwich Vending Machine at the entrance to the building where I work. Sells Piping hot sandwiches at $2-$2.50 each.

This morning, while I was there with a colleague, I noticed there is a package in the slot where customer picks up the item. Its the $2.50 one...

FREE LUNCH!!!!

It must be that someone paid for it and didn't wait long enough for it, walked away thinking the machine is faulty. But the thing is you need to wait for at least 80 sec before it dropped out from the oven inside.

Whatever... Its in my stomach now.

Just bought this new XBOX car racing game: Project Gotham 2

Me and my wife got pretty hooked to it, and believe it or not, I'm losing to her most of the time. I became the one who drives like a girl.

Isabel was pretty excited with the new game too, although she don't get the control right, bumping around most of the time or even drived in the wrong direction, but nevertheless, she enjoys it too.

One time I was in the heat of a neck to neck race with my wife, eating dust from her car most of the time, but in the last moment, I made a swift move and over took her to win. I jumped up so high and shouted so loud, Isabel was so shocked that she immediately started crying.

******************************

My younger 8 month old daughter Ally is discovering things about herself. Just last week, she started to clap her hands or wave goodbye. Lately, she found that she can shake her head left and right, so when she's happy to do it, she'll shake her head and laugh to herself, she laugh more when she knows we are watching.

The latest is that she's now communicating purposely, not thru non-sensical crying, but thru sign language. See. We've been teaching her to sign "Milk", so now when she's hungry, she'll show it to us what she wants instead of crying, and she does it clearly.

******************************

I was reading the Digital Life, as usual another article about blogs and bloggers behavior.

Some girls have gone to the extend of posting nude pix claiming it to be themselves, writing stories of their sexual experience with strangers. But I don't believe it to be them. Heck! The blogger might be some sick guy living out some sick sexual fantasy thru the blog, claiming it to be "her" own personal experience.

What is this world becoming...

Today is me and my lovely wife's 4th wedding annivesary.

So... I would like to dedicate this blog to her with a poem I wrote:



To My Lovely Wife:

One thousand four hundred and sixty days since we've made our vows
With a promise to Love and to Hold forever and no matter how
and sealed it with a kiss on your cheek oh so tender
Our hearts and souls and lives then joined as one forever

One thousand four hundred and sixty days since we said "I Do"
To each other with our love that is so ever true
Knowing we will always be by each other's side
Through thick and thins and with nothing to hide

One thousand four hundred and sixty days since we bonded our souls
together in unity with the Holy Ghost
In agreement we'll walk with God's Ordinance
In steps, in tune, to the furtherest distance

With a ring as a token of the sacred vow
I will love you the best way I know how
By giving you all my worldly possessions
And attending to you with undivided attention

With the truth of God we'll hold on tight
With the Light of His Glory we'll never loose sight
With His Strength we stand strong as a family
With His Promises we'll go on and on happily

The future of our marriage is in our hands
Withstanding the test of time like a diamond in the land
Oh my lovely wife, I Love You
Cos you make me want to be a better man

Happy Anniversary!

Me and my wife brought Isabel for a buffet dinner in town.

Food was ok, its the dessert that's more mouth watering.

I saw this little chocolate tart that has a piece of gold foil on it. I took one to show my wife.

"Joon boh... real gold meh???"

"Joon!! Boleh Makan one... I saw it on TV once."

"k. k. I go and try"

I thought to myself... wouldn't it be nice to have a birthday cake completely covered with gold? With the candle lights, it should be pretty glaring. ya?

SNACK ATTACK!!!

My lovely wife is not going to be happy with this...

I don't know why but I suddenly seems to be able to hear Burger King frying the fries and also the sprinkling of the salt. Mmmm...

Sooo... Tada...

Last evening while I was having some quality time with my 2 Princesses, taking funny pictures of them with diapers on their heads...

Suddenly, Isabel turned and pointed to the kitchen door. "Daddy!!! What's that???"

I looked in the direction of the dark corner and saw, to my horror, A FLYING OBJECT!!!

COCKROACH!!!!! YUCKS!!!!

I tried to remain calm. Telling them its ok... But the truth is I darn scared of flying cockroahes, its direction is so unpredictable. It has no regard what its flying towards. Man... the thought of one flying towards me and stuck to me sends chill down my spine.

I steadied myself and did what a man of the house should do. I turned to Isabel: "Quickly, grab your chow-chow (pillow), run to your room." I grabbed Ally who was of course oblivious to the danger behind her, and ran to join Isabel in her room.

Before shutting ourselves in the room, I turned to my maid giving her some instructions: "Yani! Kill it! Kill it! Quick! over there!"

We stayed in the room untill Yani came in, signaling that she has properly disposed the pest outside.

I'm not ashamed of what I did... just not that proud that's all..

Haa...

Its a been a week since we're back from the Thailand trip, I thought all the residue of the trip should have worn off by now. But how we just wish to go back there soon.

I feel comfortable there... The people are humble, warm and friendly, hard working and helpful... Love it there.

This time its going to be just me and my lovely wife. Just the two of us blending into the people there, eating along the streets. I always wondered how a deep fried cockroach would taste like. (I swear they really sell that)

They also sell those icicles sticks made from soft drinks frozen, like Pepsi or Coke. Cost 3 baht per piece, which is like only S$.0.10
Later in Singapore, I saw some punk selling in a Pasat Malam the same thing but made from syrup water costing S$0.80 Whoa man... step away from the stall.

I remember teaching Isabel how to greet the locals when we are there. The only one I myself know is "Sawadi-Kap", But I also told her that the girls have to say it differently... like "Sawadi-Kah" or Kap Pun Kah"(thank you from girl), "Kap Pun Kap" (from the guy).

I didn't know how much Isabel could understand the concept until yesterday...
I found a small toy Harmonica for her to play with. After a while, she turned to me and asked: "Daddy, is it you say Harmoni-cup, I say Harmoni-ca???"

How cute is that??

I almost flipped laughing.

Its true I tell you...

Whenever I make a cup of coffee and set it on my table, the phone will ring... I'll be called away to attend to some issues whereby it will take long enough for the coffee to get cold when I come back.

I need my coffee today...

See Lion Show?? Sea Lion Show??

Harlo!!!

Just took a break... Went to Bangkok for shopping!! Or rather I went there for weight lifting, I'll explain later.

Anyway, went there with my wife and my elder daughter, who was on the plane for the very first time in her life. I was worried at first that it might be a bad experience for her as I heard kids would cry becos of the cabin pressure causing pain in the ear. But she was fine, ate and slept thur the journey.

Bringing kids for vacation is never the same as going on your own. "Just a kid" you might say... but the kid comes with whining and crying, can't walk for long hours so need to be carried most of the time, needs nap every afternoon, drinks milk 3 times a day.

The first day there brought back memories of the previous trip I went with my wife. The Tuk-Tuk in particular... in the day time its cheaper to ride than the night. Why? Becos they will drive you to other places rather than your destination. They will tell you "Please help me... I bring you to gem shop, you stay there for 10 mins, I get coupon for free gas, after that I drive you to your shopping". Every Tuk-Tuk you flagged down in the day time will be like that, waste my time. But I have to admit, riding it is fun, especially if you hum the James Bond theme song to it.
Taxi is cheap, starting price is 35 Baht (S$1.45), 15mins later at most is only 60 Baht (S$2.50) CHEAP! CHEAP! CHEAP!

We went to this place call the Safari world, where supposedly the animals are running free in a controlled environment. Lions, Tigers, rhino... except no elephants. Not a single one. Funny we all think why is there no elephant in Thailand zoo? Are there so sacred they there are not to be kept captive?

We told Isabel that we are going to Sea Lion Show, she happily sat and waited. the sea lion came and performed. But the expression on Isabel's face was not exactly right, a sort of puzzled way. only after the show then I realized why. She asked me: "Where's the Lion? I thought Daddy you said we're watching a Lion show?" She was not wrong to ask that cos the way I put it was misleading, as I said we going to sea lion show, she thought its see lion show.

Saw this article on the web:

Today's Next Magazine got both of them beat. In the words of a Disneyland restroom attendant named Emily: "The child is already six or seven years old. This is not an infant. But the mother still picked him up and put him into the handwashing basin to relief himself ..." The reporter interrupted her: "Yes, the newspapers have photos of a little boy urinating right outside this restroom." Emily continued: "No. He was not urinating. He was defecating into the handwashing basin. When I saw him, he was in the middle of the process of defecating. Someone else was washing her hands in the adjacent basin. It was disgusting." Thus, on opening day at Disneyland, Emily's Magic Journey experience was to pick up feces from the handwashing basin. "This place is huge with more than twenty partitions. At the time, some of them were still unused. I told the mother that there were more partitions. She replied in putonghua: 'It'll be quick. It'll be quick' and continued."

Wake up this morning with a shock... "wha liao...almost 8am!!!"

Usually I will try to leave the house by 8am, but end up always late by 10 minute, reach office lagi another 20 minutes late. Haha... Although boss never say anything, but long term like this also paiseh la. Tomorrow must wake up and leave earlier. Maybe even early enough to do some exercise.

When I was about to leave the house, my mother-in-law came in, which means I am REALLY late man... I usually don't get to see my MIL, cos I leave before she reaches and she leaves before I reach, haha like play catching like that.

At the LRT station, I saw this malay couple pushing a stroller. When the train comes, everybody chiong inside, leaving the couple and the stroller still on the platform. Of course la, some of the people step in the train and ke-blakang puseng at the door to face outside, want to be the first to get out, don't care whether there's anybody behind them that hasn't got on the train yet. Mostly this kind of people want to chiong for the lift, as if the lift will be faster than walking down the stairs. Actually by the time the lift reach the LRT platform level and bring them down to MRT platform, I would have reached by stairs already. Really don't know why these people so KS for what? So hard up for seat, for lift, everything has to be the first. Some even willing to snatch seats from pregnant women. *tsk tsk tsk...*

Nowadays the gov'ment "encourage" or "educate" the people to stand on the left if you are not walking up/down the escalator, the right side is for the fast pace people to rush for time. But every now and then there is sure to be one or two tortoise that just came down from the mountain, never receive the message from gov'ment that will stand on the wrong side. Then the people behind will purposely make a loud "tsk tsk" sound to signal their displease. Most of the time they bo hio the "tsk tsk"sound, especially those teenage couples, making use of the time to catch up on hugging, totally oblivious of the people behind them. If I ever catch one of my daughters like that I sure give her jia-lat jia-lat.

***************

Headline in the newspaper: "Seawater fit for drinking now a reality".

At least this type I don't mind drinking, but the Newater comes from waste water... those that we flush down the toilet, filtered, then goes back to your tap... think of it already scared. But gov'ment says its very safe, you always see all the gov'ment people will each be holding a bottle of Newater during any big event, trying to promote the brand and the safety of it. Now they have another brand call the "Desaline H2O"(seawater)... Sounds like for washing contact lens. hahaha

Of course I trust the Singapore Gov'ment, they have the highest standard in everything, especially the safety of the food. Other country can get food poisoning, animal virus and stuff but not here, everybody still can eat, drink and be merry.

*************

Ok better get back to work, if not my boss will fry my cuttle fish.

My parents came and visit us for a change yesterday, mainly to see my newly painted house with its multi coloured walls in different rooms, mah-chiam like child care centre like that(in some ways it is).

I like it when my parents visit, they bring me goodies as if visiting some long-time-no-see old friend (we visit them every weekend), this time they brought me fruits, tibits and 30 eggs...

The eggs in my fridge disappear at the rate of 2-3 eggs a day, but I don't see the eggs in my dinner dishes everyday!!??!! Where can it be?? Hatched and become chicken?

I think its my maid using eggs frying rice for lunch everyday, maybe if I do a cholesterol level test on her, it will shoot sky high.

Anyway, the main entertainment for my parents when they are here are my 2 princess. The Song & Dance & Stand-up Comedian all-in-one will be Isabel. Ally only need to be cute and cuddly, she'll get all the attention.

Isabel don't get as much attention from people beside us parents anymore. Just the other day, with a group of friends came over to my place, I saw her quietly sitting in the centre of the living room floor by herself eating a piece of cake, even with so many people around her, nobody seems to notice her. My heart went for her and I sat down next to her. She shared the cake with me as if showing appreciation of my company. My God, sometimes I wonder to myself, how did she grow up so fast. How much have I missed from her life, I do miss the times when she was just a few months old, when me and my lovely wife are so excited over every little thing she does.

Isable surprised me with her vocab of Melayu the other day, who knows she might even know more malay words than I do. Not only can she count from 1-10, she can tell the maid " Makan Nasi", where to put things by saying "Taruk Sini", "Mao? Tak Mao?"... Very soon she'll be having a real conversation with her in Melayu.

During the earlier days when the maid first arrived. Once, she was cleaning the floor when Isabel said to her: "Auntie mati", Yani looked up in surprise, she tried to smile but she must be thinking: "why this little girl so bad? Tell me to die?"
But in actual fact Isabel was saying: "Auntie ma di (clean the floor in mandarin).

Of course we explained to Yani what she meant, hopefully she believe us.

This cannot be true...

I can't be that weak...

I take vitamins supplements regularly, I sleep enough (at least 6 hours), I take fiber from vegetables and fruits, I finished my antibiotics the other time I was down with flu.

WHY AM I SICK AGAIN????

It came so fast... my nose was a little runny on Tues night, then...
WHAM!!!

The next day I was coughing like an old car that couldn't start.

I suspect the air quality in the office is really bad, I think everyone in it has been sick at least once for the past two months. Some twice, me THRICE.

My maid must be thinking "Why Sir so sick chicken? Me here 3 months, him sick 3 times... aiyo..."

I don't even dare to hold my baby so often.

Speaking of which, Ally was seeing me and Isabel off at the door this morning cos I was gonna bring Bel to my mom's place where her Gu Ma will bring her to Centerpoint and dress her up like a princess and pay $5 for each pic taken.

Anyway... it's the first time I see Ally cry when we were leaving.

Aaawww....

this means she's growing, no longer an infant who's oblivious to her surrounding except when the milk bottle is coming.

She is plain adorable.

I have a monkey tattooed on my behind... and no, I'm not serious.

But I do have a pierced ear .

*********************************

I remember some months ago, there were a few cases of fallen window casement, causing injuries... real bad...

Then I also vaguely remember something about the government giving order that all window casement units are to be retrofitted with aluminum rivets.

Few days ago, my mail box was stuffed with this "genuine" looking reminder, reminding the owners to have their windows inspected, otherwise there will be a fine of thousands of dollars.

Being a law abiding good citizen and not wanting to take chance of my window falling off and break someone's head, I called up to check on the so called "free inspection" that the reminder is offering. Only to find out that they are charging $40 for admin, although its true that them coming down is free.

(*snap* snap* finger)... Hello? Do I look like a sucker?

I hung up without agreeing anything to it but quickly called up HDB to confirm the necessity of such inspection on my flat.

"NOOOooo... Sir your flat in ****** is new sir, CONFIRM no inspection required, already passed QC one." exclaimed the nice HDB officer whom I may be sending a letter of commendation if I can recall his indian name correctly.

A-ha...

Moral of the story is: Please do a proper investigation before engaging a contractor.

Today my whole family had dinner in Swensen's with a "long-time-no-see" friend of mine and his family. We were suppose to meet up with another "long-time-no-see" friend cos he just came back from Canada for studying there for 2 years.

But I think there was some communication problem... so in the end there's only the 2 families.

Tip of the day: Don't use email to arrange meetings, SMS is fine, never use emails...

Dinner in a restaurant with 4 kids can be "fun"... my side of the table has 6 glasses of water, why? Because the children were toppling them all over if it's placed infront of them.

The art of conversation is to be able to communicate in adult and kids language simultaneously, being able to hold a senseable mature conversation with friends and talk to kids in child like language.

Zack, Ben's elder boy, is quite a chatter box comparing to my Isabel, he can hold a conversation with me pretty well considering I just met him 3 minutes before. He's smiling most of the time, curiously asking his father questions to satisfy his inquisitive little mind.



Isabel sat down at the table and looked thru the menu like an adult, she happily pointed to the "Coit Tower" which has an American flag on it.

"Daaaaddyyyy... I want the one with a flag." *eyes twinkling*

I should have read between the lines, she only wanted the flag. The ice-cream came, she took the flag, but refused the ice-cream (she never liked Ice-cream), I end up eating the whole thing myself.

Anyway, I'll be arranging for the familes another dinner party for a total of...1,2,3... 6-8 adults and 6-7 kids... productive familes, ya?? The guys are all born in the same year, went thru the same training in the army, we are now proud fathers to our wonderful children.

I'm in a mood for BBQ this time... The kids can run in the park and play swing, while the guys we can relive with our army days stories, the girls can sit around and compare labor pain.

"Epidural?... No Epidural???"

It should be fun.

I looked at my aquarium... so dull and lifeless, beside the green colour lobster who's suppose to be BLUE ( it was crystal blue when I bought it from the shop), I also have a Black Ghost who lost his partner 2 weeks after they moved in... poor thing, now the surviving one thinks he's a lobster and moved in to the same hole with the real lobster.

So I went to buy some newbies... in came the 3 little stooges: Larry Harry and Terry, the 3 apple snails, followed by 4 mini puffer, they are so mini, I couldn't capture it properly in my camera.

My lobster is the happiest when the snails landed, it didn't waste any time prying the juicy flesh out of the shell, but after umphteen tries it finally gave up and go back to the canned food that I drop in for him. The snails are just too tough... but that doesn't mean the lobster isn't trying anymore. Today, after 2 weeks, its still trying its luck, dragging the snails into the hole... when that happens, I have to go dig it out.

I'm just plain HAPPY!!!

Happy happy happy!!!

Company not giving bonus? Never mind... still happy
No increment? ... also still happy.

I'm happy becos Ally just did her ECO scan to check her heart, its been 6 months since her major heart opt. Doctor gave her a clean bill of health, he even cancel the next check up

Praise the Lord!!!

Ever watch the reality program "Fear Factor" and puke seeing them eat worms and cockroaches???
Well... Isabel did.

We were watching it on AXN channel after dinner (why did they put such show during dinner time?). When it comes to the part where the contestant have to eat live worms and roaches to win extra cash, suddenly Isabel felt disgusted and puked her dinner out

She has always been easily disgusted by such things, even at her own soiled diapers. She would refuse to touch diapers from her sister, running away like Superman seeing Krytonite.

Ally has began to learn to explore the new world of our living room... she started sitting in the walker, pushing herself back anf forth, pulling down cushions and thuging at dangling wires.

Once, I found her tugging the rubbish bag and chewing joyfully.

She is such a bundle of joy for us.

Everyday when she sees me, she'll kick her legs and smile, stretching her hands for me to carry.

My maid should star in the new Singapore horror movie "The Maid"she is the best candidate for the role... reason? : She claims that can see "them" at times.
Ooooooo.... Eerie

It all happened very recently...


But I put a stop to it, nipped it while its it a bud. I gave her a good polishing before she use it to scare our children.

This kind of things, if you believe, it will be there. If you don't believe, it will never appear.

I personally like to watch horror movies, not the gore type like the American style, but the Japanese eerie style, commonly known as J-horror. Scare the sh*t out of me... love it.

I was fooled by the carefully designed trailers of some Korean horror movies, they look so scary on TV ad, but its a really a boring show when watched.

Always finish your antibiotics...

Please take my advice. If you ever get sick (touch wood) and you are given antibiotic by the doctor, do finish it as told.

I was pretty sick 2 weeks ago, down with flu and cough. The doctor gave me five days worth of antibiotic told me specificly to finish it. But feeling better after 2 days, I totally stopped poping the pills and went back to my routine. Although there's still signs and syptoms like mucus and phlem, I though my good old body can fight it off by it self.

But 2 weeks later it lost the battle, I am now down with the flu again.

Some people say my Ally looks like the baby from certain diaper advertisment. One even thought she is the baby from the brand... (she almost asked for her autograph).

But if anyone got any kang tao to let Ally be a real Ad star, please leave your name and number in the comment section, her manager will call you shortly.

Is it true that its easier for pregnant ladies & women carrying babies to get seats than man with babies?

NNnnnnnoooooo!!!! Its just as impossible...!!!

Singaporeans don't give up seats for people who needs them any more. from the way they step on toes to get into the train before passengers comes out, shows that they are very hard up for a seat. why would they give it up?

Singaporeans see the MRT seats as their bed, they will close their eyes, and pretend to sleep so that they are oblivious to world beyond their skin. So that its not their fault when some pregnant lady stand in front of them and not have a seat. "Hey... I had my eyes closed, how do I know?" Yeah right, very convenient.

I noticed that if they don't get a seat within the first 30 secs when they entered the train, their window period of opportunity is over. They can stand from Pasir Ris to Boon Lay for all they care... no seats means no seats, some times they have to fight for it with some young people... tsk tsk tsk...

I walked in to the train umpteen times with a baby in my arms, nobody ever gave up their seats, maybe only once, but that's only becos I stared at him for 5 whole mins until he can't take it anymore. But in general, men don't get seats for carrying child in hand. Its like...:"You're a men... be a men."