OK...This is it..the only one day this century where you get all the `1's in the same row. Many are tying the knot today. Some have planned it for ages while some are rushing to meet the dateline because it is naturally the `coolest' thing to do..Well, I certainly hope that these couples know what they are getting themselves into and not just being cool among their peers that they got married on 11.11.11. It would not be so cool if the divorce paper is signed on the 12.12.12 once they start to realize that it was all a big mistake getting married and yes for life when you are actually not ready for such a big commitment.
They are also those who happily welcomed the arrival of their newborns or probably some who choose to shift into a new home. Congratulations.
Well. I'm already married, so no more chance to be cool on that. Chenya already arrived 4 months earlier and hence no chance to have a 11.11.11 baby. (eemmm...why didn't I think of that when we were planning our production schedule...) No more money to buy house as I have to be contented with our current comfortable nest that we called home.
So, anything special today for me?
Since this is the one in a lifetime event, I thought I would probably pen down how I spent it so that I could always revisit this page a decade or two down the road.
Woke up exceptionally early and so did Ryan! He has been making a big fuss on not wanting to go to school for the last one week. For some reason, he slept very early the night before even without watching his favourite `Little Einstein'. He was in a jovial mode which was good.
My MPV has been scratched by some idiot who seemed to have problem reversing his/her car last week and has been sent into the workshop. I had some appointments today and hence I need the use of a car. Hence, I have to sent my wife to take the LRT to work so that I could use her car later.
Ahhhh...this is special. Ryan followed me for the first time to drive mommy to take the LRT . It was rather memorable. After dropping mommy, I drove him home to get him ready to go to school. It was pouring dogs and cats by the time we left the house for his school. It must have been the alignment of the numbers because he was absolutely excited to go to school today. The teacher took him from the car and he was happily waving goodbye.
That is followed with my leisurely taken breakfast with my cup of coffee and morning papers at my favourite coffee shop before I went into office. Replied a couple of emails and off I went to drop off a tenancy agreement and cheque to my client at Taman Tun. Had an espresso at Secret Recipe after that before heading back to the office. On the way, I was informed that my MPV is ready for collection. Made a turn to Ampang. Picked up my mechanic and he drove me (in my wife's car since I need him to test drive it to iron out some issues) to Batu Caves where my car was. It was pouring and we had a rather interesting conversation about holidays especially now that we have children tagging along.
The repair job looks good and I was slapped with a RM1200 bill! Emmm...should have told them to discount to make it RM1111 instead....auspicious ma.....
Drove my MPV home while my mechanic drove my wife's car back to the workshop for servicing. Finally had my lunch back near the office at 4:30pm. By 5:30pm, wife called and she was already on the LRT on the way home. Rushed to the LRT station to pick her up and proceed from there to pick up Ryan from his daycare cum school. He was super happy of course to see both of us picking him up. Drop him at home to have his milk and his TV while we went to have an early dinner at Restaurant Ta Ta Di (our regular makan joint).
By 9pm, we were trying to get Ryan to bed since he has to get up very early on Saturday for his concert. And yes, before sleeping, got him to try out his costume and get all my videocam and camera fully charged for tomorrow. In the process of getting Ryan to sleep, both of us also dozed off with Chenya already happily in La La Land....
Well. That is what 11.11.11 was for me...
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The Oldest Special Woman in my Life
The oldest special woman in my life now is 95 year old! She felt in love with me the moment she laid eyes on me. For years in my youth, I slept near her bosom, listening to her heartbeat. She has seen every part of me, knows my very best and have seen my very worst. She is my grandmother....I was staying with my grandmother when I was studying in standard one till six. My parents and my younger sister were all staying at Port Klang. They left me with my grandparents back in Kampar since I had just started schooling and they thought it would be best if I did not follow. I had the most memorable and enjoyable 6 years of my childhood life there...
Recently, we heard that she had a fall and was unwell. We rushed back to Kampar to see how she was. Thank God that she has recovered well...well enough to listen to Ryan singing to her his `Twinkle Twinkle little star." while she reciprocate with one of her favorite old timer cantonese number.... She looks radiant at the age of 95 and visiting her and looking at her, reminded me of the years I spent with her and how much she and grandpa loved and adored me ...
I like to draw and I remembered that it was my grandma who gave me my first box of water color. It was one of those ancient one with hardened color paste where you have to wet it with water before you could paint. I remembered having so much fun that night.
My grandma is a very creative person. I like to draw and I remembered drawing Ultraman after Ultraman fighting monsters of my own creation. And I remembered bringing my drawing every 5 minutes to her for her comments before I will proceed, and her comments were always "good","Beautiful" or "more colour"...
I remembered how she teaching me how to make roses, water lilies or cherry blossoms from color papers. To this day, I can still vividly remembered how to a few pieces of color paper into a stalk of rose..She even taught me how to make gold fish out of eggshells.
I remembered how she used to stay up till the early hours in the morning, peeling onions and garlic or dried anchovies for her dishes and man..some of her dishes are so yummylicious....My mouth waters just thinking of her tender pork ribs steamed with soy bean paste or her steamed egg ....
Of course the memory that will remain deepest in my heart and soul was when I was bitten by a dog on Labours Day when I was in Standard Five. It was a holiday and I went butterfly catching with my best friend. We happened to wander into the compound of a house where the guard dog was chained to the ground. I can still remembered how fierce the dog was and he was pulling so hard that the chain broke. I remembered running and falling and the next thing I knew was a very bloody ankle. I limped home and told my grandma. She panicked (I think or I'm sure). I could not walk anymore till the pain. She wrapped up my wound and carry me on her back and walked to the clinic located over 30 minutes away! I remembered passing out due to the loss of blood and pain.The wound was badly treated by the first doctor and got infected. For the next one month, I could not walk and she has to take me to another doctor daily to get the wound cleaned and dressed. I remembered being carried down from the bed every morning, carried to the bathroom every time I want to wee wee and carried back to the bed in the evening.
I had to write this down less my fading memory fails me. I want to be reminded again and again of what this great woman has done for me and I want my children to know a little bit more of their great grandmother.
I am so glad that Ryan takes an immediate liking to her. It was such a tender moment, watching him stroking her fragile hands, and reminding her great grandmother to drink more water. It was even lovelier to hear him sing for her ...
I am truly thankful for this woman that GOD has sent into my life ....
Friday, November 4, 2011
Bali - Tanah Lot Temple and Mengwi Temple
September 2011 (Backdated post)
We were contemplating whether we would want to go out from Club Med since Club Med has so many activities to occupy us and Ryan really wanted to spend all his time in the pool. However, it would be quite a pity if we don't venture out at all and have a look at what Bali has to offer. Moreover, I was checking the web before leaving for Bali and there were some very nice places to take pictures.
So, we approached the activities center and got them to recommend us a half day tour to someplace nice. Since it was only for half a day, they recommended us to visit the Tanah Lot Temple and the Mengwi Temple. I have seen some very very nice pictures of the Tanah Lot Temple in the internet and I was pretty excited to see it for myself....
We left at 8:30a.m after a hearty breakfast. There were another 3 couples in the same coach so the tour was rather private, just like we prefer. We really dislike travelling with huge tour groups because there is very little attention and you always ended up having to wait for someone at every stop ....
Travelling from Club Med Bali to Tanah Lot Temple takes approximately 1.5 hours going through the morning hour rush. Traffic in Bali can be horrendous...and there seemed to be only one traffic rule there....which is ...THERE IS NO RULE!
Tanah Lot Temple (temple in the sea) is one of the place to take good evening sunset pictures. We were advised against it because there would be a larger crowd and there is also the likelihood of rain.
I must say that the place does not disappoint for good photography. I just wished I had more time and probably a chance to catch a really cool sunset ...maybe my next trip ....
Ryan showing off his kung fu within the temple grounds of Mengwi Temple.....
We were contemplating whether we would want to go out from Club Med since Club Med has so many activities to occupy us and Ryan really wanted to spend all his time in the pool. However, it would be quite a pity if we don't venture out at all and have a look at what Bali has to offer. Moreover, I was checking the web before leaving for Bali and there were some very nice places to take pictures.
So, we approached the activities center and got them to recommend us a half day tour to someplace nice. Since it was only for half a day, they recommended us to visit the Tanah Lot Temple and the Mengwi Temple. I have seen some very very nice pictures of the Tanah Lot Temple in the internet and I was pretty excited to see it for myself....
We left at 8:30a.m after a hearty breakfast. There were another 3 couples in the same coach so the tour was rather private, just like we prefer. We really dislike travelling with huge tour groups because there is very little attention and you always ended up having to wait for someone at every stop ....
Travelling from Club Med Bali to Tanah Lot Temple takes approximately 1.5 hours going through the morning hour rush. Traffic in Bali can be horrendous...and there seemed to be only one traffic rule there....which is ...THERE IS NO RULE!
Tanah Lot Temple (temple in the sea) is one of the place to take good evening sunset pictures. We were advised against it because there would be a larger crowd and there is also the likelihood of rain.
I must say that the place does not disappoint for good photography. I just wished I had more time and probably a chance to catch a really cool sunset ...maybe my next trip ....
Ryan showing off his kung fu within the temple grounds of Mengwi Temple.....
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Club Med Bali - Daddy and Me!
September 2011 (Backdated post)
One of the most unforgettable experience in Club Med Bali is the things I got to do with Ryan for the very first time. It's that special bonding that I will cherish forever and I definitely want to put it on record here lest I forget or for Ryan to read when he grows up (in case I don't get to tell him).
I will let the pictures do the talking here.....
Here we were...father and son, catching crabs by the beach .....
The first sunrise that we watched together as a family ....awesome experience ...
Being a golfer, it has always been my dream that I would be able to have a round with Ryan and here we were in Bali, having two rounds of golf together and the memory ...priceless...!
Ryan wanted to be like Avatar ....
Having fun in the pool ....
The Kung Fu master and his young apprentice in front of the Mengwi Temple ...
A very exhausted daddy and his very happy son after a visit to the famous Tanah Lot Temple ...
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Club Med Bali - A Cool Deal!
September 2011 (Backdated post) - Continuation
(Club Med Bali Poolside bar during sunset)
With the MATA fair promotion earlier this year, we managed to secure a pretty cool deal from Club Med. Buy One and FREE ONE! Pretty cool huh? And children got to stay, eat and play for free. Suits Ryan just fine.
I have never been to Bali before and the last trip my wife made to Bali was decades ago. This is also my first trip to a Club Med and I have heard raving reviews of how fun staying at Club Med can be.
I must said that I was not every impressed upon touching down at the airport and got a pretty nasty experience taking a taxi from the airport to Club Med. I made doubly sure that I purchased the taxi coupons from proper counters set up within the airport. Friends were telling us that it was pretty easy to get a taxi there and is much cheaper than ordering one from the hotel. (Honestly, I prefer to have one from the hotel waiting to pick me up when I arrived especially if I'm travelling to countries in Asia than trying to arrange one when I arrived). Anyway, after agreeing on the price and since currencies in Indonesia runs into hundreds of thousands and millions (which take some adjustment to..hey..I'm not used to be a millionaire ok), I paid him in big notes (mistake that I made when I change my Ringgit at KLIA for not asking for smaller notes). The taxi counter conveniently `forgot' to give me back my change. Although after conversion, it is still a relatively small amount , RM2 or thereabout, the impression is that the locals are out to swindle tourist like us in whichever way they can....
OK. I can live with Rm2 poorer. One guy from the taxi counter guided us to the taxi which was parked at the airport parking lot. Upon loading all the bags, he expressly now asked for a tip. My wife and I were like..."Huh? Tip again? for what?" Realizing that we were reluctant, his face somewhat changed from the `smiling..hello tourist' look to 'hei..I don't work for free' look....
We looked into our wallets and realised the smallest Indonesian currency we had were 100,000 rupiahs! I have a couple of USD in my wallet and ended up giving him USD5. Expensive tip!!!
Trip to the hotel was uneventful and honestly, I am still smarting from having to pay such an expensive tip.
Club Med is definitely a welcoming sight.
The rooms ....
The poolside and the poolside bar ....heavenly ...
View of the poolside bar from the beachfront ...
The mini golf course....6 par 3 holes ...
The beach ....
Sunrise at Club Med Bali beachfront
Did I like Club Med? Of course. I enjoyed the good selection for food available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I enjoyed that I got to order any drinks that I want. I had countless glasses of Bali draught beer, wine both and red. I enjoyed the games, the activities and the nightly entertainment put up by the resort staff themselves. (They are indeed a talented lot). I enjoyed the sight of many beautiful bodies and pretty faces..ahem....
But above all, I enjoyed the company of my wife and Ryan as we got to do things that we have not done before...(more of that in my next post)..
The only sore point that I had with this resort is that the GO (Guest Officers) were paying too much attention to guests of their own countries. There were many Koreans, Chinese nationals from China, Japanese and Aussies...but unfortunately, throughout our entire stay, I guessed we were the only Malaysian and we have only met one Malaysian GO lady from Penang. So, we were kinda of left out and were pretty left unattended to ..though we managed to meet and got to know three rather cute and hot GOs from Korea, Japan and Bali herself...(all thanks to Ryan who has the tendency to attract pretty gals without much of a problem with his cheeky smile and bold moves in approaching them...I guess Daddy would have to learn a trick or two from him soon...)
(Club Med Bali Poolside bar during sunset)With the MATA fair promotion earlier this year, we managed to secure a pretty cool deal from Club Med. Buy One and FREE ONE! Pretty cool huh? And children got to stay, eat and play for free. Suits Ryan just fine.
I have never been to Bali before and the last trip my wife made to Bali was decades ago. This is also my first trip to a Club Med and I have heard raving reviews of how fun staying at Club Med can be.
I must said that I was not every impressed upon touching down at the airport and got a pretty nasty experience taking a taxi from the airport to Club Med. I made doubly sure that I purchased the taxi coupons from proper counters set up within the airport. Friends were telling us that it was pretty easy to get a taxi there and is much cheaper than ordering one from the hotel. (Honestly, I prefer to have one from the hotel waiting to pick me up when I arrived especially if I'm travelling to countries in Asia than trying to arrange one when I arrived). Anyway, after agreeing on the price and since currencies in Indonesia runs into hundreds of thousands and millions (which take some adjustment to..hey..I'm not used to be a millionaire ok), I paid him in big notes (mistake that I made when I change my Ringgit at KLIA for not asking for smaller notes). The taxi counter conveniently `forgot' to give me back my change. Although after conversion, it is still a relatively small amount , RM2 or thereabout, the impression is that the locals are out to swindle tourist like us in whichever way they can....
OK. I can live with Rm2 poorer. One guy from the taxi counter guided us to the taxi which was parked at the airport parking lot. Upon loading all the bags, he expressly now asked for a tip. My wife and I were like..."Huh? Tip again? for what?" Realizing that we were reluctant, his face somewhat changed from the `smiling..hello tourist' look to 'hei..I don't work for free' look....
We looked into our wallets and realised the smallest Indonesian currency we had were 100,000 rupiahs! I have a couple of USD in my wallet and ended up giving him USD5. Expensive tip!!!
Trip to the hotel was uneventful and honestly, I am still smarting from having to pay such an expensive tip.
Club Med is definitely a welcoming sight.
The rooms ....
The poolside and the poolside bar ....heavenly ...
View of the poolside bar from the beachfront ...
The mini golf course....6 par 3 holes ...
The beach ....
Sunrise at Club Med Bali beachfront
Did I like Club Med? Of course. I enjoyed the good selection for food available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I enjoyed that I got to order any drinks that I want. I had countless glasses of Bali draught beer, wine both and red. I enjoyed the games, the activities and the nightly entertainment put up by the resort staff themselves. (They are indeed a talented lot). I enjoyed the sight of many beautiful bodies and pretty faces..ahem....
But above all, I enjoyed the company of my wife and Ryan as we got to do things that we have not done before...(more of that in my next post)..
The only sore point that I had with this resort is that the GO (Guest Officers) were paying too much attention to guests of their own countries. There were many Koreans, Chinese nationals from China, Japanese and Aussies...but unfortunately, throughout our entire stay, I guessed we were the only Malaysian and we have only met one Malaysian GO lady from Penang. So, we were kinda of left out and were pretty left unattended to ..though we managed to meet and got to know three rather cute and hot GOs from Korea, Japan and Bali herself...(all thanks to Ryan who has the tendency to attract pretty gals without much of a problem with his cheeky smile and bold moves in approaching them...I guess Daddy would have to learn a trick or two from him soon...)
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