We brought the Canaries

On Sunday morning, our Taiwanese friend brought a German origin yellow Canary (yellow-green, with brownish streak on its back) as a gift for Daddy.

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Today, Daddy returned with yet another canary but of a Dutch origin. You should see how Happy our Daddy dear is! He is a bird-lover since young (influenced by his paternal grand-papa) hence can one imagine that he has 2 canaries now!?!

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The Canary is a small songbird and usually only the male ones sing. We were so impressed with the German one cos' merely 2 hours after settling down at our humble abode, it was already 'singing' by itself in its cage. The Dutch one did not lose out either. It was also singing and singing shortly after settling down at our place today!

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They are both so adorable! Even a non-bird lover like me am immediately impressed with the birds.

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Daddy says he is giving 1 of the bird as a gift to Mr Chua as it makes a great gift to a close friend of our family. Even then, our house is now a bird saunctary.

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This Saturday

Both Mum and son started the day mostly lazing around the house.

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Dear son kept himself entertained with the google box (Disney Playhouse) while Mummy took the opportunity to steal some cat naps (oh, slept late last night you see) - Yeah, lazy mama.

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Hmmmmm.....I guess moms do get tired on some days isn't it? Especially after a whole week of busy work schedule and rushing around, she'll love to be spared of the rushing on Saturday but get some decent sleep and laze around.....hee.........household chores aside.

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By the late morning ends, the duo changed up and headed for Cha Siew Rice lunch followed by supermarketing at the nearby NTUC Fairprice. Will need to get some fresh produce for dinner preparation isn't it? After all, weekend means to eat healthier!

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After coaxing dear son to nap, Mummy started dinner preparation (Double boil chicken drum-stick soup with dried scallops and Phuay Leng veg.). Shortly, mummy joined dear son in the dreamland!

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We welcomed the evening time with some Disney games to keep dear son busy while waiting for Daddy to arrive home; before setting up the table for dinner.
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Taking about food, a little digression here; dear son made a muffin in his daycare on Wednesday and brought it home! Mummy tasted it and was yummy! Hee Hee.....

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Well, after dinner, we kept ourselves occupied with the google box and family bonding time since Daddy got back from work. On the whole, it was really so lazily spent! Haa.

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Laughter is the Best Medicine

The House of ANG can't help but to agree with this quote - "Laughter is the Best Medicine" on earth!

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It's not even merely a quote or joke these days but people are beginning to use it in the form of Yoga (Laughter Yoga). We've also read; research have shown that Laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may possibly help protect most of us against heart disease.

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Not only so, Laughter helps us keep healthy by enriching the blood with ample supplies of oxygen, helps to remove the negative effects of STRESS, which is the number ONE killer today and helps to boost the IMMUNE SYSTEM, which is the master key for maintaining good health.

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With so many health benefits achieved through laughing, no wonder a World Laughter Day is celebrated - set on the first Sunday in May annually.

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Taking our little boy as an example, he derived so much fun and laughter yesterday simply by watching a pre-schooler animation on the cable - Pocoyo. As parents, we derived laughter & happiness by watching our child being so happy. (Moreover, we're more than happy to find out that the Pocoyo animation supports learning through laughter!)

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It is POSSIBLE for everyone to incorporate laughter into our daily activities, just as we do with other heart-healthy activities, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Don't hesitate, read something humorous and try to find ways to take ourselves less seriously; is one of the few things to kick-start laughter!

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Sunday Fun

After spending a lazy morning watching some cartoons and penguins documentary, we depart our place for Chiltern Park to attend Uncle Aaron's daughter's full month celebration in the late morning.

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We were not only treated to a feast; but had a great company of our friends too!

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The children were all going ga-ga playing in the air castle bounce. Of course, our little boy and his dad joined in. Who could resist the wholesome bouncing fun? Hee.....

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It was almost in the late afternoon that we decided to head home for the delayed afternoon nap. When we woke at nearly 6pm, we decided to gather our gang again at Mr Chua's place for dinner, followed by coffee and durians!! Haa............

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The children were treated to toys and cartoons, followed by so much cartoons that they were both (Kiet and his best buddy Poh Ong) so immersed with it.

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So, who were the greatest beneficiary of the Sunday fun? Of course it goes to - The children!!!! Who else since they get to enjoy the castle bouncing, napping, then eating and TV hogging? Haa...........

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We Rode!

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on the Singapore Flyer yesterday for the 1st time!

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Yeah.......BUT REGRETFULLY, we have to give it a thumbs down. We felt that the total experience was not up to our expectation and perhaps just ONE experience is already good enough. We'll not become a repeat customer - SORRY.

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First of all, we were put off that early morning when we arrived at the Singapore Flyer's carpark. We were informed by the valet plainly at our face that the parking charge will costs us a flat $7/- bucks! That guy didn't even wear a smile so we were upfront offended by his rudeness. We paid for our charges and move on so we can catch our boarding time booked at 9.30am.

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Besides the point about parking, we boarded the Flyer and yes, took us 30 mins to finish an entire ride but we were already bored after 15 mins into the ride.

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Dear son was asking to get off the flyer after about 10 mins and that was it. Master ANG also looked dis-interested, needless to say, same for the ANG Mistress. Except to keep occupied by snapping the camera away, there was really nothing much to see......Singapore skyline, the NDP rehearsal going on at the floating platform, the marina construction....yeah, maybe only after the casinos are completed, there might be something to 'WOW' at.

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After we got off the flyer, we walked around the retail terminal and found nothing interesting as a family. Of course we wasted no more time there and headed to Marina Square instead.

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At Marina Square, we got ourselves some snacks for our rumbling tummies at the Killiney outlet. Hot coffee, bread toast and half-boiled eggs! Yum......compared to the choices available at the earlier.......hmmmm...

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So after snacks, we roamed around until it is almost approaching lunch time. We decided to depart the Marina area as more people and road closures kick in for the NDP 2008 rehearsal. That was it, an experience we'll never ever have.

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Celebrating Racial Harmony

in PAT'S SCHOOL HOUSE today.

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Yes, the school had requested for parents to dress their children in any traditional costumes and bring along traditional food (if any) for that purpose.

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Last night, we prepared for dear son a Chinese costume, some black sesame candy & rice cakes (interestingly made in the form of a fish).

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We didn't manage to take any pictures of the school's celebration but we understand later in the day from the teachers that our boy was very well behaved (when he was wearing his Chinese peasant costume).

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We were told that he behaved as though he knows how to watch his etiquette that morning! Woo........we're surprised!Well, no doubt, bet he is becoming a very Vain Boy!

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After shower today,

..........I look like my Mummy, whose head is often wrapped up like this!!
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Home Bound on Day 4

We ate our breakie early in the morning since our transfer will pick us at 8am - BKK time.

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While making sure the last few items were all packed into our bags, we were ready to pull our luggages down and check out of our service apartments shortly.

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All thanks to the ANG Mistress's idea, the group need not wait too long at the airport to check themselves in. We were blessed with all the time under the sun to browse and relax!

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We spent a wholesome good time walking around and taking as many pictures of the airport as we wished.

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After a long walk, now sit back, relax and treat ourselves to tea, before boarding the flight shortly.

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See you soon Krung Thep!

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Day 2 Outskirt

We woke up, ate our breakie before the chartered van picks us all up at 8am - BKK time.

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Our short 2 hours on the road brought us to this temple called (Wat Bang Phra), also known in English as the "Temple of the Little Buddha" - located in Nakhon Chai Si district, Nakhon Pathom Province, in the west part of Bangkok.

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The former abbot Phra Udom Prachanart, more commonly known as Luang Poh Pern, was a famous meditation monk well known for his potent incantations. He has already passed on for several years. Of course these days when all of us visits the temple (everytime when we arrive into Thailand), we'll still pay a visit to the temple to pay our respect to Luang Poh Pern, whose body is nicely laid in a glass coffin at its main hall.
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Besides praying and paying respect, we also had the chance to enjoy the serene surroundings and feed the big big catfishes in the river. We'll idle around for 2 hours before departing the precinct.
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Next up, we proceeded to Don Whai Market, situated in Tambon Bang Kratuek for lunch. Over there, food vendors line both sides of a very narrow street leading to the river. Along the street, we can opt for either a sit-down or walk-around lunch!

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This trip at Don Whai market, unlike our last trip, we opt to walk around while buying food to fill our tummy as we walked. We wanted to explore as much as possible, taste as many variety of food as possible, save as much time as possible while walking and eating so we can finish and proceed to our next destination. Hee.......

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Next stopover, we visited (Wat Rai Khing) located in Tambon Rai Khing 32 Kms. from Bangkok. It was understood to be a civilian monastery built in 1791. The Buddha image was brought from Wat Sala Poon and enshrined here, later the locals named the image “Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing”. This temple is well known among Thais, faithful Buddhists frequently pay a visit to Wat Rai Khing to pay homage to the sacred Buddha image.

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While we were at Wat Rai Khing, there were many students in their uniforms and a A4 sized pieces of paper. It seems that they were undergoing some religious studies conducted by several teachers located all over the temple. The students were split into smaller groups of 7-8 each and had to move from location to location within the temple, seeking 'teachings' from the teachers.

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Finally, our last stop is at La Hu temple (The ANG Mistress's 2nd visit to this temple) where interestingly, devotees buy a tray laid with 8 kinds of Black coloured food to pray to the deva. Even the flower (plastic though) is in Black!

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Finally, all of us is heading back to Bangkok town with the intention to drop our belongings at the hotel followed by a good aromatherapy massage. Along the way, we requested the driver to bring us to our final temple destination (Wat Hua Lamphong) for us to make a few donations.

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Thereafter, all we know is that we're whisked into a couple room for shower, followed by body scrub and aromatherapy massage. The rest?

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Is history..........

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What went on Day 1?

An estimated 1hr 55 mins of flight time.
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A light steamboat dinner at MK Restaurant.
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A good visit to the hair-dresser to get my overdue crowning-glory done.
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Now, I'm returned to the service apartment and dropping dead soon...
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Good Night!

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Take Off

This afternoon that is.

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Woke up at 5am packin' those last few nitty gritties before leaving the house, there's still bringing dear son to daycare by 8.30am and meeting mum in law up for breakfast at 8.45am.

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Thereafter, I'll be picked up from home at 10.30am heading to the airport. It's a great great feeling going for a short break.

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Life these days are too hectic and many barely have this chance to catch their breathes.

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I'm so lucky to be able to take a break from work and well, think nothing else except get-away!

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So Krung Thep, I'm arriving soon.

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An Impromptu decision

will bring both ANG Master and Mistress off to a trip to Bangkok today and tomorrow.

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What do we mean by today and tomorrow?.......Well, the ANG Master will take off this afternoon while the ANG Mistress will follow suit tomorow. Interesting arrangement eh? A few friends are with us in this trip and we're all going there partially for leisure, the other "work" matters.

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Our little boy will be staying at his grandparents home while we're away for the next few days since we are reluctant to disrupt his daycare routine.

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Our updates will be strolling in as soon as we can!

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Turut Track

I visited a very special customer yesterday whose facility is located inside the Turut Track.

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A very narrow road and drive leading to the facility after turning in from Neo Tiew lane and there, I found very very interesting stuffs.

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I won't reveal who this customer (since it's sensitive) but here's a few pictures of the customer's surrounding facility:

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It's all transmission cables! Perhaps someone can already guess who this customer is?!? **Blink**
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Happy Birthday

to me!!

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So now it is apparent to everyone why I've gotten a Japanese dinner treat from Master ANG yesterday isn't it? Hee Hee.........

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Oh well,..................It's my actual birthday today and I didn't make any plans for a BIG BASH. Our dear Mr Chua, Ms Wong and Poh Ong however were sooooo............. sweet to make time and had dinner with us at our humble abode.

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We made easy dinner arrangements since it was starting to rain in the evening. Without delay, Master ANG ordered takeaway KFCs! Ms Wong brought our all time favourite Lana Chocolate Cake and I heard she had to take a cab to Greenwood Avenue during her lunch time to pick it up....Awwwwwww - MANY THANKS FOR THE LOVELY CAKE MS WONG!

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After dinner, we were entertained by the movie CJ7. The kids really loved this movie cos they were seated watching attentively. We put the coffee & tea to brew while we set up the cake for the singing & cake-cutting.

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Our boy won't want to lose out definitely. Sis-in-law earlier brought from polar bakery, a mini "Thomas-the-Train" theme cake for him just to join in the cake cutting regime. Regardless whether he is the birthday boy or not. (See? How lucky to be a well-loved kid isn't it?? Everyday is a birthday.......Envy Envy)

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After downing our cakes with hot steaming coffee/tea, everyone packed up and call it a day. We sent our guests off before settling down for a good night's rest.

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I guess all birthday celebration naturally is granted a wish; I wish that everyone will be living a good and happy life, everything running easy and smooth.

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Happy BIRTHDAY TO ME!! (again)

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1st of July

On 1st of July,

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this same day last year (2007), the Singapore Government increased the GST rate from 5% to 7% and;

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1 July was a Sunday back in 2007 and on 1st July in 2008, today is a Tuesday. So on Tuesday, how about a little evening out with the husband? Ok, l'm digressing.

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With no kid in tow this evening, both of us took the chance and headed down to Robertson Walk after work. We strolled around the vicinity, admiring our surroundings before the sun sets. It's been ages since both of us have this chance to see what's new and not!

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We noticed that a lot of F&B restaurants and outlets have changed. Yeah of course, it's about several years since we last stepped into Robertson Walk vicinity.

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We're both amused to see that the Double O bar is still hanging around operating at the same spot! Haa...

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Double O bar was one of the places we both once patronised and during those days, we have not even known each other yet! We also walked over to check out this acclaimed bakery called "The Patissier" at the corner of Mohd Sultan.

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We were intending to get a small cake but..............Hmmmm, we're both however not impressed with their counter-staff. While we were there browsing around trying to make our choice of cake, we overheard the lady saying this to another male customer "......it depends whether you want quality or quantity".

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We looked at each other and our head tells us to drop the idea totally about getting a cake from them.

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Sorry, we won't patronise you anymore, whether or not you are the best pastry shop in town.

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We settled for dinner at this YOYOGI Japanese Restaurant. Being a Japanese restaurant, they definitely did not fail to adopt the courteous manner in serving their customer and making them feel as comfortable as like being home.

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We both felt more relaxed and enjoyable now compared to the earlier experience at The Patissier. It was really a nice nice date with Master ANG.

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Thank you for the dinner treat hubby! **Blink Blink** Can I have another round please? Heh Heh.............

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