Helen Plus Three

One year I planned a trip to Malacca, left so early and still got caught up in a jam at the causeway, and another on the way back. That's what public holidays create for those who don't leave the country by flight.but by car. Oh well, that in itself is an adventure of a different kind. Another year, I stayed in Singapore, took the folks for a picnic at Pasir Ris and ended up breaking my ankle on a rented cycle. Should I be weary, sure I should be. I want to chill with just me-time, but sometimes you just want to make the old folks a little happier with the small things. No nothing noble nor is it a major sacrifice, it is not impossible to chill while making that effort. It's just, sometimes, many times I just don't want to plan or do,   don't want to be forever thinking about upcoming never-ending deadlines and issues. Life is so stressful, my head is so full I can't see the path in front of me, I've wondered off and need to get centered again. Loo...

We did a drive in the Getz all the way to Malacca and it was smooth all the way. Not bad for an old small car.(thumbs up!!) Let's not talk about the HICCUP getting through the causeway from 5AM. You expect that on a public holiday. Chendol But hey, it was worth it. Managed to get in pereanakan food and Chendol, little bit of shopping, fireworks, firecrackers just after midnight of the CNY. Shops, well mostly closed on CNY Day1 although there were some still opened. Food not an issue, the sights were mostly open. Pony rides at the base on St Paul's Hill...

Pink Episcia, sweet blooms from my balcony garden Plans never always turn out the way you expect them. So instead of driving across the causeway tomorrow I'm spending the long break at home in Singapore. It will mean I'll be getting 6 hours more rest than I would have plus plus, of course add on the traffic jam time crawling across the causeway back and forth. There's a always a silver lining somewhere when you think about it. It probably also means I'll be doing more sleeping than I had planned. Is that good? I don't think so. Quiet time, time to read the books, fiddle with the plants, time to do some more scrapbook card experiments and may be more time to do some walking trails and therefore exercise. We do have a lot of parks, just check check out the N Parks website. Amazing actually, there's so many. I'm thinking let's check out the Labrador with a friend. Will Lo Hei (toss raw fish) after the weekend. There were no eggs at ...

It was lovely lovely drive up, pretty smooth  but just a little glitch (traffic jam) on the way back. There was an overturned 18 wheeler lying turn turtle on the side of the highway. The three nights in Malacca was pleasant and not that tiring considering we did some sight seeing of new sights and didn't get quite as lost seeing as how the GPS seemed to be quite spot on. Managed to make it the old ST Francis Xavier Church(built 1849) for the Sunset mass at 6pm at Saturday. God's providence we got a parking space(the one and only just in time) We took in a cruise of the Malacca River, that was beautiful and scenic. The murals on the back of the shops were superb. Sunset as usual is wonderful at Pantai Puteri of Tanjung Kling, breakfast at out favourite breakfast shack , nostalgic, yeah it's still there. The pratha (roti chanai) is better and the coffee is just as good. We tried something called Satay Celup, a Malacca specialty which is essentially steamboat bu...

I never tire of the Zoo. That’s where we went on one of the September school break holidays. Surprisingly we got there in about an hour in all by bus from home. The weather, thank God was kind, it drizzled a little for the very initial part of the walk but then disappeared and remained warm but not hot. Ticket prices have also gone up and up .. something like $5 more per person since the last time we were here. Unfortunately Alr does not qualify as a child any longer, only Arn so total admission was close to $100 with the boat ride on the lake, which was something new to try. We headed for the boat dock first, walking past the sleeping Tapirs. The boat ride was a pleasant 15-20 minutes, quiet, at a leisurely pace and smooth, could almost make believe we were NOT in Singapore for a little while. Of course it was too slow for Arn. We got off close to the new Kidzworld with the Water park, .but.we walked in the opposite direction to visit the old lions and the gira...

Horrors and wonders....  Phnom Penh, Siem Reap... more than 1000 years of History and rich cultures inter mingled and it's where probably many of our Asians have our origins and links ... and no, let's not forget too the more recent horrors from 35 years ago(killing >2mil people including women and children) - the despicable action of man's tyrannical rule - Pol Pot; and evidence of reckless land minds in surviving victims. Still today, there are wounds and healing stories from among second generation descendants of lost loved ones. The country is beautiful, and clean especially Siem Reap, if you have strength in your legs, see it now.  There's lots of walking and climbing to be done... Get the Banana Fritters in Siem Reap, couldn't locate those in Phnom Penh !. 1 of the 200 odd (torture) prisons set up by Pol Pot, the grey border marks the cell walls  where they once used to be, for 1 person and a little box for crap and pee. shackles B...

Finally getting away, further than Malaysia with the kids. Savings ? Never enough so why? You take the  load with the kids while it 's school term - push push, clear books, tidy bags..work through maths problems or project issues after work, a continuous cycle, of pushing, driving, moving them forward... until the exams are over. And then it is not just they who need the break but me too. T ake a break or get broken!   I can feel it happening... Just got tired and decided , let's go somewhere different, so borrow a little and let's get back to working your &*&*.. off once you get back. Nothing will change but at least I will take this window and create some new memories in it to carry me through the next few  years (you think?) . Life is unpredictable.

School hols are stressful unless you can afford to take them on long overseas holidays. How to keep them occupied,  is always the question at the top of your mind. What to do?  The kids have to get out of the house or they would be vegetating with the digital games. We took a trip to Sentosa, during the Hari Raya Haji holiday. Surprisingly it was not crowded at all, as we expected.  We had not been to Sentosa in a while so why not.  Sentosa can be an expensive place with a family of 3 kids, unless you plan to slump on the beach of course. But the kids needed to get out and do things.  There were no long queues which was great. We took a few rides on the Luge, 2 for me and 3 each for the boys. It was fun. Alr was a real speeder, almost crashing into the slow sign barrier. Once done,we took a walk to the other end of the beach to look for the Mega Zip (the flying fox thingy).   That was expensive like a lot of the amusements on Sentosa.  ...

Nat'l Day goodies... It was National Day (9 Aug) a public holiday, an excellent rest day. Of course the highlight seems to be the designer Tote bags... (more style with age.. 45 after all!!)  From home you can hear the jets roar and the helicopters rumble and the fireworks boom.. and unless you turn on the tv to watch the parade, only the ears will get a tiny bit of the celebrations happening down at the Padang. Yesterday evening   (while the sky made 'parade' noise)   I played badminton with Aor. As much as I groaned when he asked me to play with him, I suppose I am glad that I still have the capacity to move (with some speed) the way I must (the joints are still flexible enough,) .. Of course I perspired, (should I say sparkled … hey the pores are not clogged yet…. surely a very good sign ). It was hot, there was a breeze (the wind comes out whenever the rackets come out… strange).

22 June I was reminded that this is the last week of the school holidays. I am glad really, because it 's stressful, the house almost feels chaotic without the order of school timetables, and beside it's not like I get holidays too . So to cram in a little more play, on Tuesday I took a half day, prayed that it didn't rain, to let them have their swim. Actually it was mostly Ar who was pestering me about it, he wanted to practise his new found skills. We went to Anchorvale, dad brought us, mum wanted some sun and so we all went. I call it the mini Sunway lagoon, cos it's not just pool but slides and slides and waterfalls and water dumps here and there. It was pretty crowded in the play area for a weekday. Alx had to go to school, commitments to meet. It didn't rain.. Why is it, you don't want to entertain their every want (should not) but at the same time you feel you still need to give in to some things and go the extra mile ?   Do you know what I...