Her test or my test?

I used to roll my eyes whenever my colleagues who are parents starts sharing on how stress they are whenever it's their kid's exam season. Hah, karma. Now I know exactly what they mean! I'm feeling exactly the same! It's like I'm the one sitting for the test!

C1 will be having her first Mandarin reading cards assessment tomorrow with The Little Professor program. When it comes to education, I have always regard my parenting style as carefree, non kiasu parenting. As long as they can socialise well, display enthusiasm to learn, polite and well behaved during class, the rest are just minor stuff. Grades are just part of the system. Ranks does not matter. However, what I had experienced this weekend is totally the opposite! I felt that sense of competitiveness in me, the same I had whenever I prepare for an exam during my schooling years. I can't hide my frustration and disappointment when she is unable to read well.

She is turning five in less than 2 months. I'm not going to be one those parents who makes their kid's life a hell. I refuse. But this aggressiveness is still lingering, waiting to be unleashed.. We still have a long journey to go. We have a lot to learn together and I am still looking for our balance. I really do hope we find it soon.

All you need is love and more coffee

I am one of those lucky girls to meet her life partner who shares her passion for life experiences and in many ways we have similar taste and opinion.

My very first memory of coffee with Topazman was back in 2010. We were on our first overseas trip together in Bali and tried the infamous kopi luwak. Other than our more than occasionally Starbucks moments, we also love to jalan-jalan cari kopi. 

The first cafe of the year: Standing Theory.

Located at the lesser busy part of SS2, Standing Theory serves good coffee and cakes.

Tales on the walls

We had a great trip up north in Penang last month despite the heat and the many many itsy bitsy teeny weeny obstacles which rubs us wrong.

We cursed the 24/7 jam in the island. Yet in these 6 years, topazman and I have spent 3 Christmases here. We need a new place.

I need to be on the move during the holidays. I always have this feeling that I dont have much time, and I need to do it all before certain period, certain time and certain stages in life, bla and bla and so on...This could actually be a disease.

And on that day, I need to see all the tales on the walls.

The first was easy. Only 2 minutes walk from where we parked - Love Lane.

Kungfu Girl. Heh I think she looks more like a creepy ghost girl.

To get to the rest of the tales, one we have to walk within 1km of the area.

the popular minions

Why am I here?

I used to blog on xanga.com. 8 years blog and now we gotta pay to write. So I am moving. Welcome to my blog warming!!

To celebrate this occasion, I will write about being 28. Inspired by a blogger named Kenny Sia, who wrote "xx things I did when I was xx" every year, I decided to write one my own.

So..28 things I did when I was 28.

1. Trying the pasembur ketam

Topazman and I were in Langkawi for holiday, celebrating my 28. We came across this gerai along the road beside the airport.

Pasembur is India rojak containing crab stick, eggs, dried beancurd, dried prawns and taugeh all mixed in peanut sweet sauce.

2. Playing with sharks

Blacktip reef shark seldom poses danger to humans unless roused by food.

During our trip to Langkawi, we went to Pulau Payar for snokelling. I cant recall there were sharks in the waters when I was there about 7 years ago...

These blacktip reef sharks were feed fried chickens.

3. Traveled alone

The very first time I travel overseas alone. The 'safest place' we all know is Singapore. Attended a Christmas musical at Marina Bay Sands, I also spent some time visiting the Gardens by the Bay and ArtScience Musuem. Only one slight problem, taking pictures with me in it.

Timer mode photo.

Ticket for one.

One of the well known piece from Nathan Sawaya

Quote Nathan, "Love lives forever. It outlives youth and a flat stomach and a full head of hair. And that's what makes it beautiful".

I always tell my man, "We are a team! I fat, you fat"

Dinosaur skeleton made using 80,020 lego pieces. It took him the whole summer to complete it. Talk about determination.


4. Laser tag game

Our first laser tag games at E-Curve. It was an awesome game but we were really lousy. Hahahhaha...Almost always at the bottom of the list.

All geared up in special suit and gun.

5. Gold coast sepang

Year end holiday at the resort with friends. There were no good restaurants nearby for food and you have to travel all the way to Tanjung Sepat. Activities there are super expensive, I suggest you bring board games or just go for a swim in the infinity pool.

Dont go swimming in the teh tarik sea.


6. I am married!

Our ROM held in Putrajaya on 19 January was witness by our family and closest friends.

My favourite pair of heels in my life.

My favourite man in my life.

Thanks to Derek, Irene and Nicholas for the lovely poster of us (taken in Genting).

We are now busy with the preparation of our wedding party in 2014.

7. A night at a fishing village

It was an impromptu decision we made and we drove to Port Klang Jetty one Saturday morning. Took a ferry and stopped at Pulau Ketam Jetty.

Rented a room, put our bags down and started walking around the village taking pictures.

Rented a bike and cycled around.

This is what we do when we double date.


8. Went to the largest freshwater swamp in Peninsular, Bera Lake

Spent CNY at the in laws place, Pahang. This is our first CNY as husband as wife. However traditionally, angpows are only given after the customary wedding dinner and since our dinner is only planned for next year, we are still welcoming angpows!

One lazy evening, we decided to see something we havent seen, go somewhere we havent been. There is really nothing much in this quiet town of Pahang, other than the abundance of nature. Bera Lake is the largest natural lake which flows to the Pahang River, the longest river in Peninsular.

Managed to spare some time to visit the lake. Teh tarik colour as well.


9. Group valentines

Our second group valentines and this time we have an additional couple, Elaine and Ther Wei.

We went to Brotzeit at Sunway Pyramid and had a lovely time together.

Thanks to Elaine for the wonderful homemade chocos.

10. First picture with a politician

Met Yeo Bee Yin, Selangor DAP state assemblywoman for Damansara Utama. We were having our nasi lemak at Village Park when Ms Yeo and her gang came by.

Begged her for this picture (kidding) and wished her success in the upcoming election.


11. Voted for the 1st time

This was a very very drama election.


12. His big 31

The first time organising a dinner with a group this big. Actually it's only 7 person but..for those who knows me, I do not organise / unable to organise anything for the people I dont care about. May sound crude, but this is why I am special la.


13. Swimming with turtles

Our annual beach trip bought us to Perhentian Island this year. We flew to Kota Bahru and took a van to Kuala Besut jetty. Stay at Perhentian Island Resort and I must add that the food here sucks..barely edible. The sea and beach was amazing but I suspect our room is haunted..

We got really close to the turtles at sea as the turtle point was just in front of the resort.

Super happy we bought a waterproof camera. Snapped a total of 1066 photos in this 3D2N trip.

14. Cameron - double birthday celebration

Missing Cameron's weather as I am recalling this trip. This was a very eventfully packed trip and we were on our move most of the time.

Tea and scones is a must. I dont care what people say about 'chinese must eat chinese food'...come on larrr...we are in Cameron ma...

After that MUST go jalan jalan. Wasted to stay indoors when the weather is so fine right?

The visit to Lavender Farm, Time Tunnel and night market was amazing and colourful.

At night, we had steamboat and celebrated the birthdays of R&R (rehat dan rawat?? rest and relax??).

I didnt noticed this before...but why is "from wife" not there??


15. Terminal 21

Made a short trip to Bangkok. Terminal 21, a 9 storey 'airport themed mall' was opened in Oct 2011. Every floor of this mall represents a city, even the washroom (Rome, London, Tokyo, Istanbul etc). We visited the washrooms on every floor.

16. Promegranate juice

Sold for 100 baht for 3 bottles, this drink is extremely refreshing and rich in antioxidants.

Drinking this after a whole lot of street food in Bangkok is definitely a good combination. Of course, beer works as well.


17. 2nd 10 km

Completed the run with better results at 1:19:28 hrs. Contemplating the idea of going for a half marathon soon.

Had the road all to ourselves...how often can one get to see a carless Jalan Tun Perak??

18. The Villas - 6th anniversary

The husband surprised me with a 2D1N treat at the Villas, Sunway resort for our 6th year anniversary (calculated from Day 1 we held hands..wahhahahhaha!!!)

Secluded retreat surrounded by tropical gardens, it also include a private infinity pool which we enjoyed very much. This has been my favourite resort so far, and the second fav being Aston Kuta at Bali.

19. KL tower

Groupon was selling coupons for KL tower buffet lunch at Atmosphere 360 restaurant, admission to the Observation Deck, Animal Zone and Blue Coral Aquarium for RM98. Despite knowing that the food at the restaurant was bad, I went ahead purchasing the coupons just to experience dining in our very own rotating tower and to enjoy the view from above.

Indeed the food was barely edible. Every now and then, when I recall the array of food on our table, I will feel the urge to puke.

What was worth it was the breathtaking view and the wonderful moments we spent in each other's company.

20. Fireworks

I miss the fireworks every year. It's either I forgot to go, or stuck in the jam until the show is over. But not this time.

Went for both France and China.

Love France's show, probably because of the feathery feel.

Love China's show as well because despite the rain, they have put on a good display.

21. 3D art

I love coffee. I love coffee art. So when I found out that Coffee Stain serves 3D art coffee, I was thrilled. I had to go there.

It was a disappointment that they could only do the 3D art on hot chocolate...I was devastated! Drama...

So we ordered our coffee fix anyway, and then ordered the 3D art hot chocolate just for sharing and taking pic.

Cute right... I am hoping to learn this one day.


22. Baking

Ok I dunno if this can be considered baking. This is super simple, anyone can do it. The ingredients required: cocoa powder, sunflower oil, brown sugar, milk, a pinch of salt, flour and ice-cream.

Objective: Brownies in a mug

Step 1: Mix the flour, sugar and cocoa powder and salt until even,

Step 2: Add the oil and milk and continue stirring until even

Step 3: Put in the microwave oven, bake for 1 minute

Step 4: Add ice-cream - I used oreo ice-cream

Proud...


23. Night run

One would have thought that night run would be less tiring as the weather is cooler at night.

We joined the 8.5km Tropicana Golf Course night run. I had a hard time completing it. Actually it is easier to run in the morning. This is because during the day we have utilised most of our energy doing normal stuff, says the hubby. Makes sense...

24. Night with Tiesto

It was crazy, we went to SIC, bought half a dozen of beer and waited for Tiesto.

We were too old, couldnt finish the beer and ended up smuggling it out to bring back home. Funny things we do sometimes.

25. Cotton candy

Inspired by the colours of cotton candy, I did my nails in alternate purple and yellow. Got some comments about it looking like M&Ms which is kind of upsetting.

It's cotton candy inspired. I am stubborn like that.

26. Taman Negara

Hubby always promises me something interesting so that I will follow him back Pahang. More often than not, they become forgotten promises. Dont think he does it on purpose, somehow seems to be held back by circumstances.

This time we made it. He brought me to Taman Negara Pahang. See, I am very easily satisfied.

Many interesting things nature has to offer. Among many others, we spotted blueish leaves, wild mushrooms and a deer.

Our ultimate goal is to hike up the world's longest canopy walk in the world's oldest tropical rainforest.

One hour later, we reached the canopy start point

Long long way

High high up

Far far away

We really enjoyed ourself but we got really hungry after that and decided to have the deer we saw earlier for lunch.

Hahahaaa just kidding.

27. Durian McFlurry

Not sure why we dont have it in Malaysia, I thought we love the king of fruits so much and will find countless innovative ways to incorporate its strong pungent odor into anything.

Tried the durian McFlurry in Singapore. I like it.

Recently heard that now we have durian coffee. Havent gathered enough courage to try.

28. Bukit Tinggi

Another spontaneous trip. News has it that there will be water shortage in our area. We decided to escape the heat and 'dryness' and drove up to Bukit Tinggi for a short escape.

It was also our national day.

Look closely and you will see the reflection of Colmar Tropicale in the bubble.

All smiles...

Looking back at the year, I realised that there were many happy moments. Dont cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

Everyday, we make memories.. Let's paint lives with happy ones..

Happy New Year!