My camera has become Justin’s possession. Last time he likes to view the clips and photos by himself. Now, he likes taking photos with it. Here’re some shot which I can see “something” or “someone” there:
The fan / ceiling:
Isabelle and Justin’s right foot!
Isabelle, kakak and his plane:
For the rest, it’s more on his fingers blocking!
22 October 2006 (Sunday)
Pangkor Island (Day Trip)
We went to visit hubby’s Indian friend in Sitiawan on Deepavali, we could just went over to Pangkor and spent a night there, but there wasn’t any room available. So, we headed back home, and went to Lumut again the next day. It’s an unplanned trip anyway, that’s why we didn’t book any rooms in advance.
We arrived at the jeti in the morning, and bought the tickets for RM10 per adult at the carpark. Shortly after that, we found out that we kena tipu already. It’s RM10 for tourist, but for “local”, it should only be RM5. Only hubby’s cousins are smart enough to bargain for local price.
After we reached Pangkor Island, we took the shuttle van to Seaview Resort. It belongs to hubby’s golf sifu, so we could use the facility there. Before we started anything, food was served to us. It’s prepared by sifu, and mainly consisted of seafood. Really yummy food, but no photos taken as everyone’s too busy putting their fingers on the prawns and crabs!
Then, we changed and went to the beach first. As usual, Justin doens’t want to go near the sea, he only preferred to play on the beach. All his cousins would rather dip in the water than playing under the hot sun. Luckily, I brought along some toys for him to play by himself.
It’s getting very sunny in the afternoon, so we went to the pool instead. After swimming for a while, everyone got changed again and we had a picnic by the pool. SIL had prepared lots of sandwiches, junks and cool drinks for us. The kids were very happy to munch on the junk food. Me, also “set my boundaries down” and let Justin had his share.
We should have waited until late evening to see the hornbills, but the kids were too tired. So, we left and everyone slept on the ferry, except Isabelle. She slept too much already by the beach!
24 October 2006 (Tuesday)
Orchard (Teluk Bahang)
I stayed in Tanjung Tokong when I was a little girl, and grew up in kampung style. I used to go to my uncle’s orchard in Teluk Bahang, especially during durian season. It’s not durian season yet, but since we’re back in Penang, I decided to bring Justin and Isabelle there to visit our relatives.
Right after we got out of the car, the swam of mosquitoes as big as flies were already surrounding Justin and Isabelle. Mosquitoes like to attack young kids first, but I already prepared some Mozzie Clear for them. So, the mos were just lurking around me instead!
My dad brought Justin for a stroll in the orchard to show him durian, rambutan, cempedak, starfruit and an apple tree. It’s a really apple tree but doesn’t have big apples lah…
Justin didn’t want to walk by himself as he’s afraid of the dogs. When I was younger, there’re more than 10 dogs here, but now, I think there’re only 5 left. My uncle and aunty are more than 70 years old already, and their daughters are in Australia. So kesian seeing them still have to take care of that big orchard by themselves.
We never leave the orchard empty-handed. My uncle always gives fruits to us whenever we’re there. He gave us some papayas and starfruits to bring back home.
19 October 2006 (Thursday)
Zoo Negara
Hubby supposed to work in KL today, but he decided to take half day off to bring us to Zoo Negara first before working. We arrived there at about 10.00am, and the car park was pretty empty. The festive holiday was still days away, and the zoo was not crowded at all.
We took a ride around the zoo as we’re rather unfamiliar with it. It’s been more than 17 years since my last visit, and it’s hubby’s first time to the zoo too. We took some time browsing the map and looking at the animals on the ride.
Justin was very happy to see the animals. He could recognize zebras, giraffes, elephants, rhino, hippos and etc. He wanted to see the lions and tigers, but we didn’t get a good look as they’re very far away from us, hiding in their dens. Isabelle was just smiling and giggling, she’s just feeling happy going kai kai with us for so the past few days.
After the ride, we went to see the apes and monkeys. Justin would like to see orang utan, but we couldn’t find one there. However, he’s happy to see the gibbons who’s making lots of voices, as if they’re singing!
Then, we went to watch the animal show consisted of parrots, a seal and an orang utan. When Justin finally got a chance to see a real orang utan, he got scared as it’s climbing towards us! But after it went on stage for its performance, Justin was feeling alright again.
After the show, we went to see the penguins, but too bad there’s only 3 left. And they looked so “charm” in the glass room. Not active like the penguins I saw in Philips Island. Hubby and I planned to bring our kids to see the little penguins there next year end, mmm…. can’t wait for that.
We wanted to see the tigers and lions again, but by the time we reached there, both Justin and Isabelle had fallen asleep. Hubby took everything we could via viewcam so we can show them later when we’re back.
Since it’s getting very sunny and hot by the afternoon, we left the zoo at about 1pm.
16 October 2006 (Monday)
Kuching: Riverside
Hubby’s friend, the bridegroom, came to pick us up. He’s been picking up friends from West M’sia for the past days, and I think he must be wondering why can’t we all take the same flight? And we’re staying in different hotels some more … 
We joined the rest of the gang for lunch. It’s a reataurant with a swimming pool, but I didn’t notice its name.
After that, we went checking in at Holiday Inn Kuching. The room was great, Justin could see the river and boats! The first thing we did after checking in was sending the dirty clothes and carseat cover to the laundry! I dare not open the plastic bag, and hubby had to do the dirty job by sending it to the laundry! Ha! I really ta pao the mess and “imported” it to Kuching because I didn’t want to have it soaked up in the car and wash by myself later when we’re back to KL.
Both Justin and Isabelle didn’t want to take nap, so we went jalan-jalan at Plaza Kuching and the river bank. The haze was not as bad as I’ve expected, and we walked by the river for the evening until Justin fell asleep on his stroller and Isabelle sleeping in her sling, carried by hubby. Hubby’s friends who’s staying at Hilton joining in the walk as well. We managed to catch up with each others while waiting for hubby’s friend to pick us all up for dinner.
At night falls, we went to Hui Sing hawker centre for some local delicacies. I took kolok mee, and I like it really much. The pork satays were really tasty too and Justin ate lots of it.
We went for some coffee at Bing!. The environment was great, and Justin was having a good time sosialing with hubby’s friends. Isabelle was sleepy, and she just wanted to be with me. Hubby’s phone was ringing all day long, and he’s still talking over the phone even if it’s already after office hour. He’s more like working far away than on a vacation though. Next time, maybe we should go somewhere where there’s no coverage so he can be more relax.
By the time we reach the room, both Isabelle and Justin were very tired. They were sound asleep after we changed them into pyjamas. Hubby went drinking with his friends again while I stayed in the room with the kids.
17 October 2006 (Tuesday)
Sarawak Cultural Village & Holiday Inn Beach Resort
Since the bridegroom needed the “heng tai” to be at his place before 7am, we decided not to join the gang as the kids were still in dreamland by that time. We went for a day trip to Sarawak Cultural Village with the shuttle bus service provided by the hotel. It’s RM60 for each adult, and free for Justin and Isabelle.
We walked from house to house of different races in Sarawak, and I personally like Rumah Orang Ulu the best. It’s not sunny that morning, but there’re lots of mosquitoes as it’s been raining the night before. We’re running away from swam of mosquitoes in front of Rumah Orang Cina and Melayu!
We spent some time watching an Iban lady knitting in the tradisional way. Justin saw the Iban’s tradisional costume hanged on the wall, and he said it’s “ball ball shirt”. The end products were selling at RM180, it’s rather expensive to us, so we didn’t get any.
I was wearing high heels, as I didn’t bring my sport shoes with me. I didn’t expect us to come here as I thought we’re suppose to join the wedding only. So, here I was walking with my heels stucked in between the planks of wood at long houses and wooden platform. But that didn’t bother me much!
After the sight-seeing, we went to the teater to watch some cultural show. We enjoyed the show very much (except hubby who’s still talking over the phone outside the teater). By the end of the show, the dancers came down from the stage to invite us for some joget dance together. One of the dancers carried Isabelle on stage and Justin was crying for his mei mei as he thought she’s being taken away. I had to comfort him, thus I didn’t get to take her photo of her first “presentation” on stage, but only on viewcam.
Then, we took the shuttle bus to Holiday Inn Beach Resort. We went for lunch first as we’re really starving already. Justin couldn’t wait for the food to be served!
After filling up our tummies, we went for a swim at the pool. It’s great to dip in the water on a hot sunny day!
So, what’s the best thing to do under in the sun with breeze blowing on our faces?
1. Afternoon nap
2. An icy-creamy ice-cream!
We went back to the hotel after 3pm. At first, hubby planned to put the kids for a nap, but they had already slept on the way back, so they’re fully alert. We got prepared early for the wedding dinner, and waited to be picked up to the “restaurant”.
When I reached there, I immediately knew that I was under-dressed for the dinner. It’s not a restaurant, but a “ballroom” of a restaurant. But never mind, I couldn’t wear anything fancy anyway by carrying Isabelle who likes to put my dress!
Before the dinner was ended, both my kids were fussy already as they’re tired. They slept in the car on the way back to the hotel.
18 October 2006 (Wednesday)
Rushing back to KL
We didn’t do anything special today as we’re going home on 3.45pm flight. We took kolok mee and Sarawak laksa as breakfast, and they’re really delicious. I like the laksa, even if it’s totally different from Penang laksa.
Then, we went back to the hotel to pack up our luggage and check out our room. We went for lunch before heading to the airport. This time, hubby tried not to miss our flight!
So, it’s bye-bye to Kuching till we go there again…
We’ve been planning for a family trip to KL and Kuching for months, and we’re glad that we’ve “done it” and be back to home sweet home today. Here’s the summary of our trip:
15 October 2006 (Sunday)
Aquaria (KLCC)
We left for KL in the afternoon, and arrived at KL Convention Centre at about 4pm. We wanted to visit the aquarium first as it’s raining by the time we arrived.
It’s our first time there, and I’m surprised that both Isabelle and Justin enjoyed looking at the marine animals, reptiles and amphibians very much. Justin could recognised sharks and stingrays after this trip, and for the rest, he said “fish” only.
After that, we walked to Suria KLCC for dinner. It’s really crowded everywhere as it’s buka puasa hour, and it’s a Sunday too. We took sushi at Genki, but we didn’t enjoy the meal as much because Isabelle was very grumpy. It’s really hot there that night, probably due to the crowds.
We went back to hubby’s apartment at around 9pm, and put the kids to sleep ASAP. I got lots of cleaning up to do as the place was a mess, even if hubby told me he already cleaned up days before we arrived. But I still thought that it’s not sparkling clean enough, so I mopped the floor again while hubby helped out with the furnitures. By the time we went to bed, I told him to set the alarm as we had to catch the 9.45am flight to Kuching the next morning.
16 October 2006 (Sunday)
Leaving for Kuching
Hubby and I supposed to get up at 6am to get ourselves ready first before waking up the kids. However, my man switched off the alarm when he heard the first ring, and dozed off again. I woke up when it’s about 7am and when I saw the sunshine, I really got panic! So, we quickly got ready and by 7.45am we’re heading to the airport.
Hubby decided to take an alternative route thru Balakong and cut off to the airport from there. He said there’d be a traffic jam if we went by Seremban Highway. Little that he knew, that was a bad accident happened along the route we chose, and we’re stucked in a bad crawl.
Thus, hubby drove all the way back to KL and used Seremban Highway to the airport instead. He was driving really fast, and I got myself buckled up at the back seat while Justin was in his carseat in front passenger seat and Isabelle in hers at the back. Since hubby was speeding at 150 – 160 km/j, all of us were feeling quite sick. Justin couldn’t take it anymore and he puked! He had “tao fu fa(half-digested milk) vomited onto himself and his carseat! He cried out loud too as he was not feeling well and was in a mess.
I really lost my cool and started nagging at hubby while cleaning up Justin and changing him up in clean clothes. Luckily, I had spare clothes in the car and lots of wet tissues. Then I cleaned the carseat by picking up the “tau fu fa” with my hands while holding my breathe!
Justin was very grumpty, so I gave him some raisins. When hubby stopped for the fuel, I bought some bread for Justin as he was feeling hungry. But that’s another big mistake as he vomited again, at the back seat this time! I got to clean up another mess, and changed him in clean clothes again. I told hubby not to speed too fast this time as I’m out of clean clothes for him in the car and the rest were kept in the luggage in the boot. So, hubby slowed down to 120 km/j, and still rushing to the airport. He even hit a bird which was flying across our car!!! My temperature was rising already, but still had to comfort Justin who’s already semi-conscious and persuading Isabelle to wait for her feed as it’s not the right time for nen nen!
Finally, we reached the airport at 9.30am, but we were not allowed to check in anymore. We were left with no choice but to purchase another tickets for 11.00am flight. So, we ended up spending more than RM1400 for the tickets which are supposed to be cheap since we took Air Asia! But as long as we’re all safe and sound, money spent is not a big issue. I wanted to lecture hubby but because Justin was feeling much better now, I just kept my mouth shut. It’s not worth spoiling our moods on our vacation anyway.
It’s Justin’s and Isabelle’s first plane ride, and he’s very excited. We’ve been telling him that we’d go on a plane ride for months, and finally, the day came! He’s very happy to see and be in the plane. I was worrying about Isabelle making a fuss on the plane. She’s willing to nurse when we’re taking off, but then she only cried when we’re landing as she didn’t want to nurse anymore. We’re really thick-skinned anyway, so we just “ignored” other passengers lah if they couldn’t tahan her crying…
After one hour and 45 minutes, we reached Kuching International Airport. What a relief after a long and hard morning! Oh! See that bolster with Justin? It’s his “kai kai è‡è‡” and he goes everywhere with it.
Since this blog will tutup kedai next week as we’re going away, I decided to update Justin’s progess in advance.
I don’t have the habit of measuring his height and weight, but he definitely outgrown some of his pants and weights much heavier lately. His tummy also got bigger and rounder this month, thus he looks like Donald Duck from his back when he walks with his diaper pant on. It’s so cute looking at his diaper moving from side to side, just like a waddling duckling.
His 4 big canines haven’t come out yet, but he eats very well now. I don’t have cut noodles, vege, meat as fine as before, and he can chew pretty well.
His appetitite has grown bigger too. He’ll snack around almost every hour, and he likes raisin, grapes and corn the best. Since I don’t wish to have a little fat boy, I have to make sure that he gets to play outside in the evening, running around, kicking ball, “driving” his car, or going to the park if the weather is good. I have a chance to exercise too!
By the way, he likes swimming a lot now! He’ll put on his neck supported and walks or floats by himself, he doesn’t want us to hold him anymore. If he chokes and we quickly tell him it’s alright and he’s a brave boy, he’ll be happy playing again. Thus, bathing time is a fun time to him, as he likes to stay in his tub. We need to persuade him to get up now.
He is potty trained already, no more diapers at home except nap and bedtime. But I still let him wear diaper when we’re out, just in case. But I think he’s a bit paranoic about it as he tends to go to the toilet frequently and tell me “No pee pee.” He doesn’t know how to take off his pants yet, so we still need to help him with that.
He is interested in alphabet and numbers lately. We try to make learning letters and numbers fun for him by playing puzzles or counting pictures with him. He can recognise some of the letters, but not in order, just randomly. But for numbers, he’ll count 1, 2, 3, 12, 5…to 10. I’m still trying to “correct” number 4 to 12, dunno why he misunderstood 4 as 12. *Roll eyes*
He likes to arrange things in line and pretend they’re railway track. Train set is still his favourite toy at the moment, but 2 of his sets already “half dead” as he plays too much and these made-in-china toy are really low quality ones. *Sigh* Got to shop for a new set soon.
I considered myself “blessed” with a considerate little Justin who doesn’t show much jealousy since Isabelle’s arrival. He’s been very loving towards his little sister, and hardly beats her for the past months.
However, since Isabelle knows how to grab and play with toys, Justin’s beginning to show his obsessiveness and “fights” with her. Even if Isabelle’s playing with her newly bought rattle, Justin will say it’s his and snatch it back. I’ve talk to him endlessly that he needs to share with mei mei, but this little fella tends to forget about our talks.
Last Sunday, we had a dinner with some relatives, and there’re some toddlers and babies involved as well. Being a “casavona” again, Justin was trying his best to get his cousin’s attention. But the little girl didn’t want to play with him, and she hit Justin’s head with her hand at first. Justin was shocked and stood there for a few seconds. Then, she hit him a few times again with her spoon. This time, Justin burst into tears, and came to me for comfort. It’s the first time he’s been hit as there’s no one hitting him at home.
After he’s done crying, I asked if he’d like to play with her, he said “No…no…pain pain” I took that as an opportunity to talk to him.
Me: Justin, do you feel pain pain?
Justin: Pain pain, mei mei (cousin) beat.
Me: So, if mei mei (cousin) beats you and you feel pain, that’s how Isabelle feels when you beat her. So, you don’t beat mei mei, ok?
Justin: …. *thinking*
Me: Don’t beat mei mei, ok dear?
Justin: Ok…
So far so good. He’s not smacking Isabelle’s head for the past 2 days as I kept reminding him how painful he was when he’s beaten by his cousin. He can still remember that incident clearly. But, he still refuses to share his toys.
This morning, he’s happily playing with his tool set in our room.
Isabelle was interested, so I just gave her a piece.
When Justin saw mei mei’s holding his toy, he quickly snatched it away. Gee…
It’s a full moon tonight, and I thought I’d let Justin play with his lantern outside, admiring the full moon and eating mooncakes at the same time. Too bad the air was really stuffy, and it’s really hazy that the moon was not as shiny as previous years.
How long will this haze take to disappear this time? We’re going to Kuching mid of this month, and from the news, the haze is pretty bad over there. I’m wondering if my 2 kids will be doing well when we’re there….
Now, I’m clueless of what to do in Kuching. How to go sight-seeing with a toddler and a baby? At first worried about hand, foot and mouth disease, then now worrying about the haze. What a big headache!
I was away for the past 2 days, attending a training at my headquarter in KL. Since I’m still a moo, I needed to express at least 2 times during the training, and I really got lots of “attention” from others! Not to mention my cooler bag, which someone thought it’s my handbag. *Roll eyes*
It’s really uncommon in my company to see an expressing mother. Some said I’m soooo “wei dai”, sacrificing for my baby, so troublesome also didn’t give up, and also, “Can leave your baby already ya? Come back and join our training lah!” So free meh? If can travel also no salary given to me one, I’d rather stay in my own little shell lah…
Gee, why am I so negative today? Let me tell you…
I signed up with this company as a business associate, sort of like buying a franchise. But we don’t pay loyalty, just got to get all the student’s books from them, which we earn nothing at all. We earn from the students’ fees as pre-charged by the HQ. Everything was ok at first.
But now, HQ has developed and diversified a lot. Some of those who can cope with it make lots of money in return, while others just so-so only. Me, I belong to the so-so group. So, we have to attend some leadership and marketing training to cope up with our sales.
But the thing is, most of the training are really targetted to people who has strong will in making fast and big money, like insurance or direct sales. I’m not those type of people. I found it rather ridiculous singing, shouting slogans, clapping hands, and “crying out our pains” during the session.
If my brother is in these trainings, he’ll benefit a lot as he’s really a sales person. Thus, he’s doing extremely well in insurance line. While me, I’m very dull and bored, didn’t change at all before and after the training. Sound like a waste of time huh?
But what to do? It’s compulsory to attend the training. Just got to drag myself there and sit in there as there’re more to come. *Sob sob*
I thought of giving a big surprise to hubby by driving to Penang Airport to pick him up on last Friday. Before he got on the plane he gave me a call in the afternoon.
Hubby: Going on the plane now, see you later…
Me: Guess what? I thought of picking you up later.
Hubby: I know, but don’t come, xxx will pick me up after work. I’ve arranged with him.
Me: Huh? You know that I’m going to give you a surprise?
Hubby: Of coz, but don’t come. Too troublesome.
Me: Ok, then I’ll go to work.
After the conversation, I was driving and driving around my neighbourhood, wondering if I should go to work or straight home to pick up Justin and Isabelle and set off to the highway. I couldn’t make up my mind. Even though he asked me not to pick him up, I think he’ll still be thrilled to see us there. But I was worrying about MIL’s reaction of me driving alone with 2 kids. She’d surely against the idea and how am I gonna “sneak” them out? I could go alone but what’s the excitement of seeing me only but not his prince and princess?
So, I was driving and thinking and driving and thinking, until 1 hour later, I made up my mind to …. GO TO WORK!!! My colleagues said I was so not myself, the real me will just go straight to the airport and I won’t be indecisive. It’s true, that’s the way I was. But after being a mother, I’ve been thinking too much!
And so, that’s it, we waited for hubby to be back and he arrived at home around 10pm. We’re in the room as Isabelle was asleep by that time. But out of a sudden, Justin woke her up and told us to go downstairs, he said he wanted to go kai kai. And we meet hubby at the staircase. My boy was so excited, he wanted hubby to carry him immediately. When he saw MIL and SIL, he told them “Papa come back, papa come back….” Non-stop! He’s so happy to announce to everyone that hubby’s back.
On the other hand, Isabelle’s a bit blur. Probably she’s just awaken up from her sleep, or she hardly recognised hubby. But my man just couldn’t wait to carry both of them at the same time, he’s also very excited.
Needless to say, they spent some time playing together. And I FINALLY got some “me” time to read my magazines after 2 weeks! Hubby said he’ll take care off them that night, and wanted Justin and Isabelle to sleep by his side, on the floor. Thus, I got the king size bed all to myself. Yippie!
But after he snoozed off, he couldn’t hear Isabelle’s hunger cry, and I got to get up and attend to her (hey, he said he’ll get up and carry her to me at first!).
Man…say only, and when he’s asleep, he’s a pig.
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