Our lazy Sunday

Hello.. It's AMAZING how time flies.. It's Monday morning AGAIN! The presentation has been postponed to 3-4pm on Thursday afternoon and I still have more time to prepare for it even though I'm just about done. Oh well... At least it's on Thursday and I don't have to reschedule my tuition lessons AGAIN.

Yesterday 18 January 2009 was spent in a lazy yet fulfilling session. We got up very late and had our leftovers from dinner for brunch. Then we proceeded to watch delicious hunks on Split Second, a HK drama dvd of course. After a while though, the story line got convoluted and confusing and I developed a headache. hahaha

We brought our two sons down to the garden again for the walk and play time. They had fun chasing each other's tails and we trained them for obedience. Then we brought them upstairs and caged them whilst we ventured to the carpark with our remote control cars. hahhaha.

After a while of exciting drifting and banging down cones, we headed upstairs again to shower the dogs. Then, we settled down to watch a few more episodes.

Dinner was baked chicken with potato and boiled veges. I opened a can of baked beans as well. Yummy!

Saturday constrictions.

We spent more than 4hours at the salon today and I came out looking the same and RM300 poorer. hahaha. I trimmed my hair (ok the back of my head's a bit different now... there's a V-shape sloping down), rebonded the sides and colour-treated it. O well... and NOW I can't wash my hair for 2 days????!!! Tian ahhhhhhhhh!!!

ANyway, before that, we went to Old Town White Coffee near our place for brunch. I had Ipoh horfun and Milk Tea with Ice and Alan had curry mee and Coffee with ice. We walked around the area and realised that there was a DVD shop which sold tvb drama DVDs at wholesale prices. We bought and bought and I stocked up on my Kevin Cheng... Ooooo Droolsome!!

After the 4 long hours (what a patient husband) at the salon, we grabbed some stuff at Watsons and Ace Hardware (new cones for Alan to drif his new remote control car he had fixed himself around) and then left for Jaya 33 Section 13 for some seafood.

As usual, the diet was disregarded and the husband ordered and ordered. We had a Geoduck sashimi + steamboat, long dan fish with taohu in claypot, kailan fried in 2 ways and some chilli mussels.

We ate the geoduck and downed it with a absolutely marvellous herbal soup. Before the other dishes arrived, I started getting chest constrictions though. hahaha Think the soup was filled with too much tonics. Alan also started feeling the heat after a while.

Of course, we couldnt finish all the food and brought it back for lunch tomorrow. :X There will be no way I can get back into shape before CNY!

Prolonged agony

As luck would have it, after postponing / cancelling my tuition classes, I am free the whole of today! Hahahah the presentation to Mr CEO has been postponed till a later date - hopefully early next week and the dinner with Dr Mahatilr till April possibly.
Yeahhhhhhhhh!

I shall proceed to stone the whole of today to recuperate from the week and tonight it's KARAOKE at Pavilion to celebrate Loh's birthday. ahahah. I shall go to Pavilion early to beat the jam and to contribue to the economy..Haven't shopped in a while...eh.. wait.. I haven't left the house in a while.....

ZOoom ZoOm ZOom

Hello folks,
In another few minutes, I will be commencing my first class of the week. Both Alan and I had a slow and homely weekend. Basically, nothing exciting to update.
Maybe the fact that we watched the fashion parade that Uncle Jimmý's Chinatown Classic put up in the Centre Court of Mid Valley Mega mall last evening. The models were all at least a stately 1.8m (with high heels of course) and their gait reminded me of giraffes striding across a safari to pick fresh leaves from a nearby tree. The little boy model was abit awkward as well but all in all, the costumes donned by the models were beautiful and elegant. If I lose 10kg, I will consider buying afew :P

This week will be an interesting one. My student has recruited me as her marketing agent in a bid to acquire this big job from a well-known company which is redesigning its clubhouse in KL. My student owns an ID firm but is not confident of her prowess in the English language and therefore needs ME to do a presentation to the CEO and directors to win the contract. She is up against two other bigger firms. That will be on Friday probably.

Also on Friday is a dinner scheduled for Alan and wife to rub shoulders amongst the Who's Who in Malaysia. *sigh* it's yet another " entertaining session" for me again. At least I will get to wear my Daniel Yam (long time ago purchased but still hanging forlornly in cupboard). It will hopefully hide my bulging tummy (NO i AM NOT PREGGIE) with the chiffon folds.

Did I mention also that this old hag will be celebrating her birthday in Bali this year? Belated of course, knowing fully well my birthday iteself falls unfortunately on the FIRST DAY OF CHINESE NEW YEAR! shucks.. what are the odds of me spending my special day with throngs of kaypoh relatives asking the perenial question of maternity? Sympathies, you offer?

AnYWaYyyy, the dear husband will be digging into his piggy and bringing me to Ubud and Manggis in Bali, Indonesia to escape after the 2nd day of the new year, once we fulfill our obligations...It will be a 4 night package - 2 nights in Ubud (mountains) and 2 in Manggis (Beach). The package is aptly named "The 2 Faces of Bali" and both Alan and myself are suitably excited. He wants to buy Art pieces there and I just wanna savour Bali like I have never before.

Ok. Canned soup lunch beckons before I have to pry my eyelids open during tuition...Take care folks! Love.

The end year trip HOME :D

29 December 2008 (Monday)

After Jakarta, we got back to KL for one night only and drove back to Singapore on 29th late afternoon. Actually, we were supposed to go back earlier but Alan's SIMs got in the way... ;p

We arrived in Singapore at around 7+pm and then promptly went to our Mee Pok stall for our usual fix. Our remaining SGD18 sufficed and we bought ourselves a big yummy meal! Then, it was ASH TIME! hehehe.


30 December 2008 (Tuesday)

We hit our fav shopping mall in the morning- Suntec City! Duck rice at the food court was followed by Bedtime Stories in the movies. Nice show. Magical! Totally doesn't reflect reality though. haha. O well...


After the movie, Alan and I did some shopping around and then I bade him farewell at around 6ish to meet Gary for dinner. The perenially-late fella, turned up as expected and we finally decided on Japanese at Millenia Walk.

After my nabe and his set dinner, we ignored the call of beer and headed for jager bombs at Yello Jello, Clarke Quay, Gary's current favourite hangout. After being formally introduced to the bomb, I went on to pursue my personal fav-red wine whilst he had his burbon coke a lesser evil (because he was driving).

We chatted and bitched and just chilled...Chilling on a weekday never felt so good before. Clarke Quay is ALWAYS packed like sardines whenever I hit it (which is on clubbing nights) and for a change, it was novel to see the world stroll past whilst enjoying the evening. Maybe I am catching on in age so quiet evenings are more appreciated..hahaha. I got home around after midnight to the hubby who was playing his Sim City. haha and who had bought a remote car in my absense for SGD400! Dinners/drinks with my friends are getting costlier and costlier. ;x

31 December 2008 (Wednesday)
Today was dedicated to my family! In the morning, Mum and Jean and Ening joined us for a walk with Ash at East Coast Park. :) Our lil'doggie never failed to impress us with his obedience and cuteness. haha.
Then, Mum and my two sisters and myself and Alan picked my maternal grannie up for a steamboat lunch. We pigged out at this restaurant along Lim Tua Tao Road (don't ask me why it's named as such) and ordered like there was tomorrow. After polishing up all that was ordered, we bought durians, durian crepe (emicake shop) and also yam paste dessert to stuff our faces with once our steamboat had digested. We proceeded to stone at Grandma's bungalow until it was time to leave...
Alan wanted to pick up some spare parts for his remote ctrl car and we headed to Paya Lebar Tamiya after dropping the gang off at home (to watch their dvds). Then, we headed home to rest and relax. We commenced playing Mahjong at around 9+pm and waited for May and Paul to come over to celebrate the new year by counting down together. :)
Happy New Year Everyone! (belated but still very sincere)

1 January 2009 (Thursday)

Ahhhh the memories it brought back! We revisited Waterina (our condo) for lunch with Alan's friends Alex and Julia. Spahgetti was served together with yummy chicken drumsticks and then the watermelon we brought served as dessert. We played wii the whole afternoon and were subsequently trashed in every game by the 7yearold boy playing host. Xp

Tea with Sharon, ALmas and Jet followed and we all changed the venue last minute to MOF at Marina Square instead of Bugis Junction. Sharon entertained us all with her photographs of her recent trip to Japan and we traded stories and shared experiences and caught up with each others' lives. This group hasn't gathered since more than a year ago - the last time I saw any of these fellas was at my wedding!!!

My inlaws informed us that they would not be joining us for dinner as planned and so we had dinner with Mum and Jean at Parkway parade at the foodcourt where I tucked into my favourite meesiam and meerebus. :D

2 January 2009 (Friday)
Alan and I escorted Mum to Katong Shopping Centre to meet up with the maid agent and to settle some documents. We savoured the famous chicken rice and anchar at around noon before sending mum to work at Tampines.

Alan and I then headed to Orchard where the loving husband bought a full set of 7 pots and pans, a knife set and a beautiful sparkling wok from WMF for his dutiful wife to slog with in the kitchen. All the items were going for a song at Robinsons. :D

We then headed to pick up more items on our list before making our way to Tanglin Mall to meet my ex-colleagues for tea. A whole bunch of them turned up - Gary, Josef, Auntie Meng, Kala, Wees, Yew Hock, Vicky, Alexis, Eileen, Leo and Wan Hui. A fantastic turn out! We chatted over expensive dessert and sandwiches and vowed to meet up again soon. hahaha. Shall I ask them out for clubbing this CNY? I know WHO will JUMP at the invitation!

Since Stephen and Da Jie cancelled on me, Alan and I headed for home after that at around 7+pm.

3 January 2009 (Saturday)
ALan and I went to say HI to my fatherinlaw at his stall (HarriAnn's Delights) at Tiong Bahru market. For all those who don't know already, my daddyinlaw sells all sorts of delicious delights at the market. His ondeh ondeh has been recommended on the Straits Times and his gluttinous rice (sweet and salty) is very popular. If you wanna try, do go to the Blue Zone at the spanking clean Tiong Bahru Market and just say you are a friend of Sharon's his dutiful daughterinlaw. hehehe. Friendship has it privileges!

We adjourned to Dorothy's flat in Redhill after that (bringing with us some salad bought from the market and also ta-paoing some ondeh ondeh for my pals to try. I quote Felicia savouring the gulan melaka ones saying that they ëxplode" in one's mouth! haha. Anyway... we all feasted on the potluck goodies brought by all. Sphagetti, sausages, fishballs, salad etc etc... and yes delicious dessert wine! *slurps lips*

After the feasting, we groggily decided to play wii and the raving rabbits put us in an even better mood. hahaha. It's amazing how stupidity bonds... All too soon, 315pm came and ALan and I had to leave to fetch TK from ballet school.

We brought her to pick up her Xmas presents - Barbie and the Diamond Castle (which in the end became Barbie and the hair iron curls) and then we roamed around Orchard Road. I had Tangs vouchers to exchange for from my UOB reward points and we went to do just that. Dinner was early and at the Jap restaurant at Paragon. Alan also bought me Sims 2 to play to fight boredom and I picked up some books for TK and myself at a small bookfair at Lucky Plaza.

We sent TK back early and headed for home to pack for our trip back to Singapore.

The Most Magical and Meaningful X'mas of My Life!!

I'm back home in KL!!! It has been an amazing 5D4Ns away in Jakarta.

24 Dec 2008 (Wednes n X'mas Eve)

We left our house as early as 4am to catch the Air Asia flight to Jakarta at 7am. Thank God there was no famed delay (only 40mins :P) and we got to our destination at 8+am. Lester's driver came to fetch us and we were carted to the office Jakarta city.

Alan had an interesting time as we were both shown around the 6 storey building. I tried to look interested and stifle yawns though, from the lack of sleep (we had slept from 12am - 3am the previous 'nite'). We learnt the ops in Indonesia and Alan was inspired to do likewise for his office in Malaysia. Looks like I will have to live in KL for the next 20 years :P

Lester treated us to a nice Chinese lunch at the nearby shopping mall. When I say "nearby" , I meant only in distance - it took us a good 20+mins to get there by car, even though it was a stone's throw away. *sigh* the jams in Indonesia are HORRENDOUS. KL's seems like a piece of cake as compared - and please, Singaporean drivers, DO NOT COMPLAIN about the peak hour traffic in sunny Singapore anymore!!! People drive recklessly, as if lives are worth 200RP a piece and no one follows the traffic lights!!! Traffic seems to move when the lights are red - as Alan commented disgruntlely.

Anyway, once lunch was over, we were carted to our hotel in the city called Orchardz. I called Hema to arrange for a meet-up then and we decided to meet at Grand Indonesia for a hair spa experience. The 'sistah' and we grabbed a bite at oh-lala and then went to a hair spa recommended by Lester. Alan and Hema both did the traditional hair spa (which involved masking and massaging and blowing dry their tresses) whilst I decided to colour my head red for X'mas. After two hours, all of us emerged feeling and looking new...

Next on the list was a body spa experience in Surinah. This parlour was recommended online as well as by Lester. Barsih Sehat was the place's name. The massage was 120,,000RP (approx SGD$16) / hour and all three of us booked ourselves for 2 hours straight! Alan and I had a ramen dinner before that whilst Hema (on her prenial diet) had a tuna salad.

The therapists stepped on Alan and my backs, we resisted the urge to regurgitate the Ramen. I fell asleep after a while.... It was pretty late, 10pm I think, when we were done. The driver sent Hema back home and Alan and I visited her cubicle. She lives in a small little apartment thingie where (and I quote) when she steps inside, if she reaches out her right arm, it would touch the kitchen and if she reaches out her left, it would be her living room, and if she walks 5 steps, she would reach her bedroom....errrr.. she wasn't exaggerating. hahaha. At least she's moving to a better place soon!!

By the time Alan and I got back to our hotel, our long day (coupled with the lack of sleep from the previous night) aided us in immediately falling asleep.... Zzzzzzzz

25 Dec 2008 (Thurs)

Our driver came to fetch us from the hotel to Mama sayang orphanage at 11am. The journey took 2+hours and by the time we got there, Alan and I were zoned out. However, the excitement (and apprehension) at meeting our daughter, Melisa and the rest of the kids in the orphanage, plus the founders, Mike and Jev and really fantastic and lovely couple , woke us both up. We were immediately engulfed in hugs from both Mike and Melisa. :)

The boys got our bags and we were shown to our room. Wow. The whole interior of the house (which shares the compound with the girls' dorm) is nothing like what you'd expect of an orphanage. It's beautifully decorated - Jev's very into ID and also all the stuff was either brought over from Scotland (the couple lived there for years before moving to Jakarta in '02) or bought in Indonesia.

Our room was AMAZING. The huge and comfortable bed...beautifully designed. the whole room was decorated with a warm X'mas feel and we even had a 'welcome fruit platter' served! How very thoughtful!!

We were brought on a short tour of the premises by Melisa before settling down to a delicious (I put on weight in the orphanage!!!) lunch. Jev used to own a restaurant serving Indonesian food in Scotland and the food served was yummy! Mike and Jev engaged us throughout the meal, telling us all about Mama sayang and how it came about and also stories about the children. It was very heartening to see that all the children were very well taken care of and treated like family by the elderly couple in their 60s.

After the lunch, we decided to walk it off with Melisa. We intially had wanted to walk to the nearby lake (15mins walk away) but upon seeing Melisa looking for tired and exhausted from staying up the night before baking goodies for X'mas, we turned around halfway in our journey and went back to the orphanage.

Alan and I were then introduced to a resident dog named Cici. As we petted her , we realised how pathetic she was . Her whole body was covered with FLEAS and TICKS!! YUCKS!! We started plucking the parasites off her brown fur with a vengeance and soon, many young children (boys) crowded around us... I promised them a X'mas present each if they each plucked and killed 3 ticks from Cici and they started their killing spree with great dedication and excitement! Soon, the massacre was evident with the ground filled with bloody carcasses.

Deciding that the children were certainly very nice and sweet and loveable, Alan and I decided to treat them with chocolates bought from the nearby supermart. Melisa walked with us and showed us around the vicinity. We bought bar after bar of chocolate wafers and an icecream for Melisa and then returned to Mama Sayang to distribute them. The children politely accepted and said "Thank you Auntie / Thank you Uncle!" They are indeed very well brought up! :)

We badly needed a siesta and retreated to our bedroom to snooze from 5-7pm.

At 7pm, dinner was started and we hurriedly dressed and got ready. It was a huge affair (did I mention they have 2 Xmas trees ,1 in and 1 outside the house?) Everyone sang some songs first before dinner commenced. Alan as usual was trigger happy and he managed to capture some very beautiful shots (which I will upload when I am less sleepy).

Dinner was delicious. Jev served up a mean Xmas dinner and Alan and I both enjoyed, for the first time in our lives, a true-blue traditional X'mas dinner. Roast turkey, salads, veges, macaroni etc etc. I was as stuffed as the turkey when I stopped chewing at last!

Mike was a great host and we chatted with him post-dinner. We also gave Melisa our presents for her. We had bought her a couple of items from America - a Fossil watch (a belated pressie for her bday), a tinkerbell t-shirt from disneyland, a book (1 for Melisa's friend, Esther too), a key chain from Disneyland and one from Malacca and also a yellow wallet from Forever21. She was certainly overwhelmed.. haahha

We also passed Stephanie (an 8 year old girl who was originally the candidate for us to sponser) a little note book as an Xmas present.. We then invited her and her friend Anna to join Melisa and Esther and Alan and myself out on a day trip the next day to Dufan.

When all the tables were cleared, the hall was made available for the most important segment of the night - the Xmas presents distribution!! All the presents were moved into the small green hall. Alan and I had bought each of the hundred children some stationery which Mike and Jev had gotten prior to our arrival from Mangga Dua. They also had gotten the older children to wrap the gifts up individually.

It was fun to distribute the presents to the children who excitedly and politely received them and thanked us for them. In each package lay a pencil case, some pencils, 4 small note books, 1 bigger A4 note book, an eraser and etc.. I had help separating the pencils into those for the girls (Winnie the Pooh, Tinkerbell, Barbie Doll, Mickey Mouse) from those for the boys (Batman, Ben10, Kungfu Panda ). By the time all the gifts were distributed, beads of sweat had gathered on my brows. Another kind donor had also coughed up some money for a pair of black sports shoes each for the children. What a thoughtful gift! Unfortunately, he paid for only 50% of the shoes and Mama Jev had to come up with Rp for the other 50%!

The children's arms were filled with presents and tidbits and the younger children were grinning in glee. The older ones were more reserved but you could see the appreciation on their faces. As jev and mike gathered all of them for a last prayer, I could see my tears well up in my eyes. All the children had their eyes closed and were fervently praying to God to thank Him for his benevolence. Alan and I were not forgotten in their prayers as well.. :)

26 Dec 2008 (Friday)

We had originally decided to go to Taman Safari (to feed the lions / giraffes etc) but I decided against it because the kids wanted to go to Dufan (a huge amusement park not unlike Disneyland). We commenced our journey by car (with Melisa, Esther, Stephanie and Anna in tow) at around 745am and got there by 930am.

We queued for the tickets which cost 120,000Rp per pax regardless of age and then entered at around 10am. We took the carousel and went to queue for the Viking (which Anna and Stephanie bravely agreed to sit on). Almost towards the end of the Viking experience did Stephanie start brawling...for her mama...as tears rolled down her cheeks, I tried to comfort her but she could not stop crying until her feet were firmly planted on the ground again. It was very sad to realise that a young child will cry for her mum when in fear no matter how badly her mum has treated her. [ side story: Stephanie was our original choice for sponsership but her mum came back to Jakarta and wanted to bring Stephy away from the orphanage and that was why Alan and I lost that opportunity to connect with Stephy on a deeper level. Apparently, and according to Mike, after Stephy's mum had come and proclaimed her sudden & new-found interest in her daughter and yet left her high and dry (and till this day has not claimed her), Stephanie's character has changed somewhat for the worse. She has become moodier and keeps to herself more. Sad isnt it?

Anyway, after we disembarked from the Viking, we went for something safer - peddle boats! We rented two peddle boats (Melia, Esther & Anna in 1) and myself and Stephy in the other. It was fun! And stephanie was a very determined driver who wanted 100% control of the wheel.

A ride on the ferris wheel was next and all 6 of us got to enjoy the beautiful scenery and delicious breeze. The weather was heavenly that day and as the wind whipped through our tresses, Alan and I savoured parenthood...

Esther, Melisa and I wanted to have a go on the Tornardo next. Ahhhh for those uninitiated, the Tornardo is one helluva scary ride. It will fling you into the air and twist and turn you 360 degrees. We queued for approximately 20mins before it was finally our turn. Alan was nursing a weak heart and taking care of the two underaged children. hahaha.

It was so FUN! I shall cease to describe here but provide you with more photos soon...

After the ride, Stephanie was starving as she proclaimed and we quickly brought the girls to fill their bellies. Stephanie eats very well and finished the whole plate of noodles. She even helped Anna with some of hers because Anna didn't quite fancy what was served to her. Conversely, Melisa eats like a chicken and pecked at her hotdog- leaving half still on the plate by the time we were about to leave. She constantly grimaces at being asked to eat / finish her food as well. Weird huh?

Anyway, after the late lunch, Stephanie renewed her vigour and wanted to sit on the small little roller coaster (especially meant for children). The four children then sat on it whilst 'ibu' and 'papa' stoned on a stone beach whilst waiting. We promised to bring the kids shopping if they turned up without a tear in the eye after the roller coaster ride.

True enough, for the 'belanga' Stephanie and Anna emerged from their ride (they sat on the first seats ok!! gutsy kids) all smiles. We then took the teacup (revolving ride) before leaving the very packed Dufan for the Mall Malathir Gading.

Waking from our power nap, we headed into the mall to feed the kids first. We brought them to A&W to have cheese n curly fries and waffles with icecream and also rootbeer floats. Stephanie, as usual, had alot to eat. We were amazed at how a little girl of 8 could eat so much!

We then shopped for some clothes. First, the two little girls had their pick of tops and jeans and skirts and then the two teenagers grabbed some tops and jeans as well. Alan and I picked out 10 shirts for the boys back in the home and 10 for the girls which we were to give out the next day.

After that, we walked aimlessly until we decided dinner was in order and so we had some local food in a small little cafe. (the food would later give Alan and myself the runs...) after that, we picked up some chocolates for the kids in the supermarket , together with a sack of 20kg rice and then called the driver to bring us all the way back to the orphanage.

The kids were still waiting a movie in the hall when we got back (part of their Xmas period package) and Melisa distributed the chocos whilst Alan and I retired upstairs into the comfort of our bedroom.

27 Dec 2008 (Saturday)

We woke up later today and packed to leave. We showed Melisa the pics from the day before and then had our oily fried egg breakfast before leaving for Bandung. We said our goodbyes to the children sadly and I gave out the t-shirts. The younger children were so cute and I promised them to buy them some clothes when I next visited them- hopefully it would be soon.

I also entertained them by letting them play the games on my iphone and also scribble their names on it. I learnt names like Charise, Kevin, Kelvin, Darisito, Feri, Ardo, etc etc.. all in one seating. before I left, I also made the boys to pluck 'kutu' from the doggie everyday and 'sayang' the 'anjing'. hahaha. They fervently agreed. hahaha. How cute!

We bade goodbye and went our way and the journey to Bandung almost killed us. Hour after hour, the clock ticked and we still hadn't reached our destination. By the time we got to our hotel, it was already after noon. We decided to then head to the volcano tungkahan perahu- widely acclaimed and recommended by 2 of my friends.

The jam almost made us give up and head else where. We took HOURS to get from the city to the top of the volcano. The scene wasn't worth it AT ALL. Everyone was crowded around a little crater and yes we could still see the sulphuric fumes emitting but it wasn't the grandest Natural sight I had seen in my life. The touts were irritating as well and the car park was packed. After at most 15minutes, we decided that enough was enough and wanted to make our way down.

By then, it was almsot 5pm and I was starving. We hadn't had anything to eat all day (since the oily egg at 7am) and my gastric juices were working overtime. We wanted to eat at the restaurant called The Peak and called Zesa who gave us Lili's number.

Lili however, directed us to a SALAH place which thankfully housed a beautiful stone cafe which was frequented by the CEO of Indo. We decided to end our torment (at around 7pm) there. Imagine, we had gone without food and water for 12 hours! MY GOD. That was a horrid experience. I literally sat in the car until my nerves were knotted and on my knee cap, there appeared this vein in the shape of a round bubble. It now feels like a bruise but it's much more painful than that... I hobble instead of walk now...

The stone cafe is a beautiful restaurant overlooking the whole of bandung. It plays live music and ALan and I (and Mr Driver) enjoyed a romantic dinner. I ate like there was no tomorrow - tom yum soup, beef steak and rum and raisin milk shake and when I finally got to the hotel (at around 9pm) and finally had the runs...the effect of G n G - gastrics and gorging. ;p

Brave though weak, ALan and I booked ourselves for a pampering good time for SGD26/hour. We did a foot bath, massage and facial in the spa downstairs. I fell asleep halfway through...

It was midnight by the time we returned to our hotel room.

28th December 2008 (Sunday)

To beat the jam, Alan and I left the hotel early for the airport (ignoring offers by the chauffeur to bring us to the malls). We got there at around 1130am in anticipation to board the plane departing for KL at 310pm! After checking in and waiting somemore, Air Asia announced (without apology at that) that the flight to KL was going to be delayed and would take off at around 5pm. *big sigh* We continued to wait somemore -thank goodness I had bought a book at the airport to keep me company.

By the time we arrived at the LCCT at KL, it was almost 8pm. We thankfully boarded a limo cab and directed the driver for Sri Tiara. The memory of what would occur immediately afterwards will never cease in the future to bring a shudder to my spine..

The taxi driver, a kindly looking Malay in his early 30s, perhaps, starting driving like a F1 contestant with no tomorrow. He sped and overtook every moving vehicle in sight. I held on to Alan's hand for support, inwardly asking myself whether I had survived the Jakarta jams only to die at the hands of this reckless rodent.

All of a sudden, the driver overtook precariously another taxi within an inch and was horned at angrily by the other driver. Our RR(reckless rodent) promptly cursed loudly in Malay and wound down his window to show a universal greeting (twice). The other taxi driver's blood boiled and he tailgated our cab and horned loudly and flashed his lights. Our RR did not hesitate and rolled down his window AGAIN and this time, in his right hand, he welded a crowbar which he angrily flashed at the fellow daredevil. I can only assume the passengers in the other cab were feeling about as enthusiastic as both Alan and myself.

Thankfully, the other RR gave way in the end and after more uncomprehensible cursing, our taxi driver deposited us at the lobby of Sri Tiara where we got down, wobbly knees and all and made our way upstairs thanking God for delivering us from the hands of a devil.

It was Home at Last!

I Kissed my Diet Goodbye!

23 Dec 2008 (Monday)

I was sick and tired of feeling fat so I decided to hop into the swimming pool at 5pm to do afew laps. There was an interesting sight that greeted my eyes there though. Someone was catering a dinner at the pool-side. and there, right in the middle of things, was a sizzling suckling piggie! ahhhh...

I swam and swam until I could swim no more and then got ready to go out for dinner with Alan and the Kua family. They took us to this far-away place (45mins car ride) called Coconut Flower Restaurant and we had a merry X'mas meal together. Almost every dish was a seafood platter and after the yummy crabs, bamboo clams, lala, herbal chicken, fried beehoon, tomyum prawn soup, and curry sotong, I kissed my diet good bye! *sigh*

We proceeded to come back to Sri Tiara and hosted them for dessert. A log cake from Westin Hotel. :) Hayden happily chomped down the icing x'mas tree and the santa on a motoccar figurines and we licked our plates clean of the tiramisu. ;p

After they left, Alan and I slept at 2am as we were busy printing some photographs to bring to our daughter, Melissa, in Indonesia.