Ryan's Concert and Tembok Bali

Miss me? haha...joking. Too many things on my plate that I've got no time to blog at all.

So many things have happened/passed since my last posting - Ryan's Term 2 JMC concert, been to Kuching (work trip), Bali (2nd honeymoon trip), Bentong (durian trip); Jaden finally started a new school and Ryan's 5th Birthday party!

Piano Concert
JMC Book 2 concert - Rythm and stepping. The class has dwindled to 3 boys now. Well, better teacher-student attention....


A piece 'Party in the Sky' that he played on keyboard. Notice that he can play with both hands now. And at the end of the concert, Ryan was named the 'Best Performer' in his class. Probably the Principal gave face 'cos there was a huge turnout from our family with Papa, Mama, Mah-mah, didi and TaiYee attended the concert.

Bali

Tembok Bali Spa Village Resort

Botanical Garden

Monkey forest

Volcano mountain - Mt Agung

Day 1
We were in Bali for 4 days from 11 July to 14 July amidst the H1N1 scare. The holiday was pre-booked way before the H1N1 started in Mexico, so have to go loh even though scared :p The promotion by YTL was a steal at RM998 for the first night, and subsequent nights at RM399 per night. All meals were included (fine dining style), 1 hr spa, sunset cruise, welcome cake and they'll provide materials for activities as well e.g. we did the lontar drawing and it was free.

Well, I've never been pampered so much before. Upon arrival at Bali airport, we were greeted by the resort driver, who happily drove 2.5 hrs to our destination, on top of stopping wherever we wanted to - to take scenic pictures. The car was also equipped with a dvd player and tv to ensure that we were not bored throughout the journey.

The best thing was when we reached the resort, we were not quickly ushered to the reception for check-in but the staff welcomed us with a cool watermelon drink and a floral foot bath. They also massaged our shoulders to ease our tiredness. After that, they took us on a quick tour around the resort (which is not big at all with 31 rooms only and 2 suites). Btw, children are not allowed at the resort, not sure of the age group though.

We had our scrumptous dinner cooked up by Chef Danny from Ipoh and later, went star-gazing in the swimming pool. We were laughing our heads off when they pushed the bed to the middle of the pool and we wondered who came up with this brilliant idea! When we returned to our room, we were again surprised to find a warm floral bath prepared by the staff. How romantic :)

----to be continued

Jakarta

I was away in Jakarta for 6-days last week due to work commitment. We stayed at Hotel Atlet Century Park, which was opposite the badminton stadium where Lee Chong Wei won the Indonesia Open final the night before, beating Taufik Hidayat in straight sets. Since Indonesians are a patriotic lot (unlike Malaysians), we kept our mouth shut and did not mention that we were from Malaysia, in case they decided to pick a fight. On a side note, I mistakenly told a guard stationed at my hotel room floor that I was from M'sia and he said, 'O Kelantan...Manohara....' Oops! I wonder what's the impression of Malaysians to Indonesians...scary...and I quickly double locked my room door after they left. The guard was accompanying a technician who came to my room to fix the shower.

The room is actually quite nice


Jakarta is a city with a population of over 8 million people, being the twelfth-largest city in the world, as compared to Kuala Lumpur, which has only less than 2 million people. So, everywhere you go in Jakarta....you see a sea of people. It's no joke - you can see people by the roadside, doing nothing but just observing passing cars; jobs created by the unemployed and youngsters by directing traffic to earn some loose change (if given). And the most chaotic - is traffic jam! You think KL jam is bad - Jakarta is so many times worse!

Crazy mad rush on a Friday afternoon, that we decided to abandon our car and walk to the shopping mall

Shopping in Jakarta is generally a haven for shopaholics, if you have something in mind that you would like to buy as things are cheap. I bought a swimming costume for Ryan and he had been wearing it day and night for 4 days now (no, it's clean 'cos the maid will wash it at night and let it to dry overnight) :p

Ryan posing in his swimsuit

Singapore Trip

Singapore here we come!

We were at the Lion City for a short holiday last Saturday from 6 June to 8 June. It was really too short a holiday, so much so that we'd hardly enough time to visit places, shop, or even look up friends. Nonetheless, we tried to squeeze our itinerary with as much fun-filled activities for the boys and as much shopping as we could.

Our journey started at 10.30am on Saturday...'lo n behold, we couldn't imagine what awaited for us at the highway ahead from Sungai Besi toll to Seremban to Melaka. My gawd, massive jam, and bumper to bumper drive all the way. We contemplated turning back a few times but even the turn-off was jam-ed up. So how? Sit in the car lor and entertain the kids, who kept on asking 'Where are we going?' 'Why so long one?' 'I want to go there by aeroplane' 'I want to see the bridge now' 'I want to go to the zoo now'

Ryan says he wants to fly to S'pore


Look at the bumper-to-bumper jam


Jaden eating his sausage bread in the car


Stopover at the Restoran Jejantas at Ayer Keroh


The jam cleared after the Melaka turn-off and we continued our journey.

Again, at Tuas (Second Link), the queue was horrible, and we were unfortunate to experience kiasu Singaporean drivers, who refuse to give way.


Finally, at the bridge! Now, the GPS came in handy to bring us to Watten Estate Road, where we stayed for 2 nights. We finally reached my auntie's house at 6.30pm, after being 8 hours on the road!!


Early next morning, we went to Suntec City to buy tickets for the Ducktour (highly recommended by Yvonne). We paid RM100 for 2 adults and 2 children, as they were having half-price promotion for Malaysians and we were allowed to pay in RM. Unfortunately, there were not enough seats for the 10am tour (and the 11am and 12pm tours have been chartered), so we ended up with the 1pm tour. With so much time in hand, we went shopping at Robinsons and later had lunch at Tony Roma's. We thought the pork ribs were so-so only, rather disappointing, as we'd our hopes high....haiya, standard really jatuh...

The boys with their cousin, Ben.


Ben and Jaden, with a skeleton. Ryan hid behind Jaden as he was scared (Only a teeny weeny of his green shoes are showing)



Ryan, Ben, Jaden and Nic mesmerised by the fountain....


After Tony Roma's, we rushed for our Ducktour. The boys really enjoyed sitting in the 'duck'.

After the ducktour, we shopped again, till we drop dead (rather the children dropped dead tired). We headed home for a short nap, had dinner at a nearby chinese restaurant before heading to the Night Safari. My cousin, Michael joined us with his son, Ben while his wife had to put little Nicholas to sleep.

Again, at Night Safari, we enjoyed the half price promotion for admission (tram ride no promotion), paid RM66 and another SGD30 for the tram ride.

Why does Ryan has so many funny expression?

Tram ride

Next morning (Monday) we'd breakfast, spent some time with my auntie, played and 'tortured' the house dog before heading to Orchard Road for more Great Singapore Sale!

The journey home was a brisk, left Orchard Road about 2.30/3pm and reached KL before 7pm!

Level 1 US Kids Golf

Ryan had completed his 6-weeks Level 1 US Kids Golf program and will be taking a break before advancing to Level 2. Coach James commented that Ryan is well advanced for his age and is definitely ready for Level 2. However, Papa is hesitant to send him for Level 2 just yet as he wants him to practise more at home. So, we'll see how and will decide in a month's time.

Below some pics taken during some of the classes.

In the putting green.

Jaden practising his swing at the driving range.

Ryan perfecting his iron shot.

At the bunker, listening to coach James.

Ryan's practice shot.

His turn to wait.

Apparently he's sensitive...

Of thunder and lightning

It had been raining rather heavily in my area and whenever there's thunder, Ryan would be scared and will run to me quickly.

Me : Ryan, why are you so scared of thunder?
Ryan : Because I've got 'sensitive' ears

Of Mandarin

Ryan was reciting 1 to 10 in Mandarin....

Me : What about 11 to 20?
Ryan : shi yi, shi er, shi san, shi se.....oops.... I've got 'sensitive' tongue

Choosing books

Jaden's school book club gave a brochure for parents to choose a variety of books at a very good price. I thought it'll be good to engage Ryan to choose his own books (of course, I'll scrutinise his selection :p). I showed him a selection for kids 6 and below, and obviously the boy has too many to choose from and hence, cannot decide:

Ryan : eeny-meeny-miney-mo......ok, this one!

Then, he turned over to the section for boys aged 7- 9 and he saw lego knight books.

Ryan : Ok, mummy, I don't want all the other books, I only want these 2 books.
Me : But it's for kids aged 7 and above and you're only 5
Ryan : Never mind lah, mummy is 7 yrs old, can read to me
Me : No, mummy is 33, not 7!
Ryan : Aiyo, so old...never mind, mummy can read all the books to me

*slap forehead*

His favourite food

Ryan has a few favourite food, such as Hokkien mee, wanton noodle, fried rice, spaghetti, etc... and when he's on it, he can normally eat an adult portion. While eating his favourite Hokkien noodle one day,

Ryan : Hmm...this is so good, I cannot stop!

Ryan oh ryan...I wonder where's all your fats. You're bones and only weigh 19kg!

My baby Jaden is 3!

The little bundle of joy came into our life on 2nd May 2006, a day after Labour's Day.

With the blink of an eye, my baby is already 3 years old!

Just want to share a beautiful poem, My Child by Elizabeth Pillari:

Come back into the fold of my protective wings.
Let not your spirit be restless,
For you are here with me.
I will always be your one on which to lean,
your rock, your number one fan.
Fear not child to speak your mind.
Undo the wrongs of the day,
And together we'll make them right.
Speak of heartaches, so that they may be subdued.
Share your joys, so that they may be my joys too.
Always know that I am with you,
For you are my precious gift from God.
I will always love you,
And keep you safe from life's hardships.
I will cushion your bumps,
And tend to your scrapes.
I will guide you tenderly;
Your brilliant eyes will always be my sun;
Share with me your heart,
And I with you.
I love you.

Mom

Pantai Hospital @ 2 days old


Bath time @ 3 months


Inquisitive fellow @ 6 months


Pangkor @ 14 months


Korea @ 30 months

3rd Birthday Party at Kidszone

3rd Birthday Party at TGIF

3rd Birthday Part - Ultraman Cake

Family photo plus nephew and niece

Busy Saturday

We brought the kids to a lawatan sambil belajar to Monsters & Dinosaurs exhibition at Mid Valley last Saturday. We remembered to bring the Astro bill to enjoy a RM4 discount on the adult tickets, thanks to information on chumsyashley blog :) The boys were thrilled to see the dinos although we thought it was a bit 'pathetic' - only a few dinos exhibit and bugs; and they also have a huge giant shoe there, which we thought have nothing to do with the exhibition.

Praying Mantis

Dino in the background - Apotosaurus? Forgot the name....


Unicorn Beetle

After the exhibition, we went to Pet Wonderland. The boys adore dogs and were asking where the puppies were. Luckily, it was 'Exercise time' for the puppies. The puppies were out of their cages in stages and the kids just love observing them.

We were so tired after that but we still have not completed our 'task' for the day. It'll be Jaden's birthday this Saturday and we still have not bought him a present. After McD, off we went to ToysRus to get some stuff.

Slide at ToysRus

We had a short rest at home and had to rush out for grand-mama's birthday dinner.

What a busy busy day! :)