Ok taking a break from my Europe trip and have some updates on the kids.

Took Kieran for a haircut last Saturday morning. Was in a rush so packed the kids in the car while they were still in pyjamas. We stopped for breakfast at our favourite roti canai restaurant and had roti planta. The kids were fighting as I ordered only 1 for them to share. I know Kylie will not be able to finish one, so mai share la..ok la..I gave some of mine to them also la…

Upon seeing the kor kor having the hair cut, our little girl also wanted one! But she just had her’s trimmed a few days back when my mom brought her to the salon. Kor kor was performing for a mini in-house concert in his music school (for like the mini-est part) but still he must look good ma…hahaha

That’s him in his new hairstyle and practising his recorder last minute…

Look at that cheeky face of hers…my hairdresser was of course pretending to cut la…

another random cheeky face pose…

Petting the rabbit at Bukit Tinggi one week ago…took her quite a while to gather enough courage to do that..

It’s been ages since I’ve been up north and since my cousin from Sydney is here I drove him up to Ipoh for some good food and also to meet up with our 2 other cousins who lives in Ipoh.

We left quite late as we dilly dallied we were on our way around 10+ in the morning. We stopped over Bidor for the duck leg noodles. The noodles is very different from the ones here, crispier and doesn’t have any boric acid after taste. I drank all the soup as it was sooooo yummy! Sorry was too excited and gobbled up the noodles before taking a photo!

Arrived Ipoh at about 1.30 pm. First stop has to be Old Town Kong Heng Coffee Shop lerr…

Again I forgot to take the picture of the noodles but here’s the empty bowl…

We also had popiah also, it was so yummilicious lor…

As if not enough, we walked next door to this coffee shop called Thean Chun, it’s actually right next to Kong Heng.

We had the famous steamed egg custard caramel & egg tong sui…

Then my cousin said the kuey teow soup at Thean Chun is better than Kong Heng so I mai try lor…(yes 2nd bowl…ok ok la…not that bad cos the first bowl was shared with Apah..and so was this one..)

After that only was I satisfied! Burp…

Actually not lor…we continued our journey to search for Funny Mountain for the smoothest, softest tau fu fa. This place is just opposite the famous Foh San Dim Sum.

After that only were we satisfied to the max and off we went to visit our cousins (daughters of the uncle in China).

Thanks to cousin Yong for her excellent memory we were able to find all the food destinations and of course the Ipoh cousins’ residence

After that we left to get the famous Ipoh Heong Peah from Gunung Rapat, which is the factory. I usually buy from the shop in town but according to cousin Yong, it’s more fresh from the factory..naturally lerrrrr…There was this unique display in front of that shop, displaying the items that the Chinese traditional wedding requires. Sorry the photo is not so clear as I took it thru the window…

After that I met up with my customer as he has the jalan(way) to the sweetest pamelos from Tambun. When we arrived the shop was already closed but thank goodness the shopkeeper lives there and we were able to ask them to re-open the shop! By that time it was time for dinner and off we went in search of a place recommended by cousin Yong’s friend. We have only very vague description of the place so we had a bit of problems looking for the place. We made a few rounds and finally gave up and went to another place which again have only very agak agak (rough) knowledge where it was!

We finally found it and indeed it was a popular restaurant as it was full house!

The kids fooling around while waiting for food…

One rapper and another violinist…

By the time we were about to finish I realised it was quite late. I immediately thought I should bring the kids to my family friend’s place for a quick shower so they can change into their PJs and let them sleep in peace all the way home. I walked out of the noisy restaurant to make a phonecall and before I could end the phone call I saw the family friend’s grandma, then the mom, then the father! wahhhh we were practically squealing! They were “scolding” me for not calling them to inform that I was in Ipoh. Then I realised the whole family was in Ipoh. What a coincidence! Ipoh can’t be that small?? Anyway it was really a great reunion as I haven’t seen some of them like for donkey years as some are living in New Zealand. We quickly rushed back to the house and showered the kids in a jiffy and had some catch up time with my childhood friends but we couldn’t catch up for long as it was already 11 pm!

All in all, it was like the most fruitful trip ever to Ipoh accomplished in one day!!

We went for a short getaway during Cheng Meng as Kieran’s school had the day off and Apah too applied leave. We decided to pack up and went to Tiara Beach Resort upon reading this pretty mama’s getaway there. I was not too impressed with the place but the kids were overjoyed! Since I was told the food was not too good there I decided to cook our own dinner! I brought along a small stove.

The weather was kind to us and the rain was held back and the kids could immediately jumped into the pool. They really had a good time.

It was time of the month for me so I couldn’t get into the pool with the kids…so can you imagine how bored I was? I started cooking early as I figured they will get hungry after the swim. It was a simple dinner, fried spaghetti with eggs and the kids, especially Kieran gobbled it down.

We had bread & eggs for breakfast and again the kids were so excited to rush into the pool again. We let them swim till 10 + while we packed up and got ready to check out. The kids were so disappointed to leave but we really had to as I don’t think I can survive another day there!

We stopped over at Seremban to have lunch. I wanted to eat my favourite Teochew Kiamchai stew and as usual we turned into each street to search for that shop. I can never remember which street it was but this time I told myself to pen down the address! It has like the best kiamchai stew ever ok! We bought takeaway to bring back but the price has increased quite a lot…

I know it’s like taking forever,,,solly lor…this is like going to be the finale …I hope..

I think I even got the HK Day 3 - 4 mixed up..cos didn’t really check the photo sequence..the TST dinner is supposed to be after my shopping trip in Ap Lei Chau and the my visit to my friend’s twins should be the day before that. Nevertheless….

After the TST dinner, we continued our journey to Mong Kok. I’m not really interested in that crowded place but I wanted to get my imitation Epal charger & car adapter lor…sorry la LB, me buy not so original stuff…We had tong sui too but it wasn’t the best I had. They didn’t allow us to take photos and I actually answered back and told them it was their priviledge that I took photos. Many years ago I wouldn’t dare to answer back but now, it’s a tourists’ world in HK, “Man sui man sui man man sui!!!” (long live tourists! muahahahahha…) So since they pissed me off I’m not going to advertise them..and they were not that good also..blek..

Then I saw this…..wah…must buy some to try la…

Didn’t really like it as it was wayyyyy too sweet…and I ended up lugging it all the way back to Shenzhen and then back to KL! Siow max!

So now I continue the day before this..

The previous night we went to the Victoria Peak. We took a cab as I was too lazy tired to walk to the tram station. The can driver was kind enough to explain the various ways of going up hill and the charges and ended up it’s cab all the way up the hill. The tram is quite expensive but it would be worthwhile if you visit the Madam Tussaud’s Wax museum as well since they have a package deal. However, we didn’t want to go in since I was arrested the last time…

View from the top…it was sooo beautiful…I just love the nightview of HK…I can’t get enough of it..in fact forgot how cold it was…

Altho we didn’t go in the wax museum…must die die take some photos also ma…

Shopping must go on eventho it’s a the Peak and after 9 pm!!

The final day at HK..

Packed up and went to buy my favourite Cocktail buns to bring back…and placed luggage at the concierge at the hotel my brother stayed in. We decided to go back to Shenzhen in the evening. So there are still a few hours of last minute shopping to go…and Amah haven’t bought a pair of shoes yet!!!!!!!!! I was looking for the Crocs Wedges but didn’t see any until I landed at Times Square. My brother had to meet up with friends for yum cha and he asked me for some Angpow packets. Meaning he’s meeting friends with kids. So I had the “brilliantes” idea and asked him to bring Kieran along to collect back angpows to balance back! muahahahaa…1 adv…I got rid of Kieran, 2nd earn back train fare to Shenzhen…isn’t it brilliant???

Ventured into Central and visited my “favouritest” shop and got myself a new purse. I really wanted the Monogram Vernis in bright red but they ran out of stock everywhere…so I settled for this…

love even the box that comes with it….

Then I got all excited as they swiped my credit card, they were able to show me the exact exchange rate for the transaction and it was really low!! I immediately wanted to get the bag but they ran out of stock for that particular one, despite me going to 3 different outlets..The salesgirl told me that the new stock just arrived that morning and it ran out by mid day! Dang those China tourists..they are the major buyers now..and even caused a queue outside the shop! Blek!

Then met up with the rest and we continued walking around Times Square at Causeway Bay. And I finally bought my Crocs wedges at RM10+ only while it’s selling at I think at RM165 here..Then I saw this and couldn’t resist…

My 1st Anteprima bag…

Wanted to get Birkis but since I didn’t bring my HSBC credit card I was not motivated to buy lor as HSBC card entitles a 5% discount…I know it’s so little but kiasu-ness took over…

 He was doing this at Lane Crawford Times Square and then a security personnel came to tell us that photography is prohibited and again Amah so fierce scolded him that I’m taking photo of my son..cannot ah???

Shopping continued..and my brother was getting restless and kept looking at the watch and kept reminding us to go off early..however both Aunty Fiona & myself told him we shouldn’t go back so early since the trains operate till late…We managed to buy more stuff at Sogo…good thing they had Nicholas & Bears there and I managed to get some lovely tops for Kylie. Aunty Fiona managed to get something from N & B since they have sizes from Age 2 - 16. I even bought a size 16 before that could fit me! This time round I was not so lucky so I don’t have a matching item with Kylie…

The repacking was swift and I had to stuff my stuff at Aunty Fiona’s bag as mine was full…While we interchanged trains at Central, I ran out to buy my absolutely last item from HK which was the Chinese Sausage from Yung Kee! The train ride back to Shenzhen was smooth and we were back in Shenzhen in time for supper…

The next day, we extended our check out time as the flight was 9 pm. We walked around Shenzhen. Nothing much really, concrete jungle just like HK but the shops of course not as appetizing as HK…not my cup of tea lor..  But this one must try la…

and photos of the lovely flowers…can u spot Kieran hiding? 

and a very funny sign indeed..and I’m guessing that the sign was trying to say something like this,,”Love the environment and help us protect it..” 

After a while I really couldn’t take it and wanted to go back early and catch a foot massage before we leave. The massage was very good and all my tiredness just disappeared! However the masseuse was very rude as he wanted to get some tips from me and I couldn’t understand what he wanted and he lost his temper! When I finally found out what he wanted I of course denied la…shiats..lost temper on me..mei sei kor…

Thought of having dinner at the airport to avoid being late. Wanted to check in first then have dinner but the check in counter was not open. Since we were there first, we thought better queue up first. And just minutes there was a long queue behind us! We thought, lucky us..if not it will take forever to check in. We didn’t realise that after checking in we were not allowed to go out but have to go in the boarding area! I was almost in tears as I was soooo hungry…and the officer told us there’s a restaurant in the boarding area BUT didn’t tell us the prices were overly exorbitant and major lauya food was served.

 Looks good??? Looks then can be really deceiving…not only did taste like instant noodles, it cost RMB120 per set, one main noodle/rice plus salad,watermelon and Chinese tea…

We were the only idiots patrons eating there and we saw a few people enquiring the price of the food and ran away at the speed of lightning… what an experience! So remember, eat first then only check in ok!!

Like not enough of food, Kieran insisted to eat something on the plane and they ran out of choices except for the roti canai..

I was sooo tired and wanted to sleep badly. I saw a few rows of seats empty and took over one row and stretched out to snooze…but I could hear Kieran running up and down in between my snooze…so irritating….

Overall, it was a good and meaningful trip..

THE END!! 

Our relatives were gracious enough to not only accompany us to the Windows of the World Theme Park, they drove us there in their new car! The park was really crowded despite the fact that we it was kind of late in the afternoon. The car park was full and thank goodness there was another car park nearby so . We quickly bought tickets and off we went in.

That’s the entrance of the park. I was quite impressed with the many imitation & miniature wonders and famous landmarks of the world there. However, we couldn’t complete the whole park as it got dark by 6.30 pm….what a pity..

Our little friend of course enjoyed himself very much in the park. We left the park and went to dinner at a Hakka Restaurant. Again our relative got lost along the way but we managed to find the place to eat..We tried to pay for the dinner but they were just too quick and managed to pay first!

The food was very tasty but I found them a tad too saltish, in fact the food so far in various restaurants we’ve been were quite saltish…made me eat more rice than usual! blek…

The bowls and cutlery are sterilised and wrapped when served to us. But there is an extra charge for this service, I think it was about RMB2 extra for a set!

After dinner, they drove us back to the hotel. We were so tired and full of course from the meal and we exchanged telephone numbers and hopefully we will be able to return the favour when they come visit us here in Malaysia!

Flight out was really early and it was not only on time, it arrived earlier than the scheduled time! I’m pretty impressed with AirAsia! The moment we took off, I had Kieran’s homework out. He still has a couple more pages to complete. This time I asked the teacher for the homework in advance and he completed most of it during the CNY break. Didn’t want to repeat the ordeal as per last trip to Hong Kong last June, couldn’t handle all the backlog homework!

The flight was very smooth except for Kieran who made some noise while taking off and when we were about to land as he couldn’t handle the cabin pressure. Upon arrival he was jumping cos of the cold wind. We had to walk down from the plane and board a bus to the terminal so the cold wind kinda got to the small boy! hahahaa.. He was screaming when he washed his hands in the washroom on arrival as the water was like icy cold

The moment we got out of the arrival hall there were guys approaching us offering taxi service. The first guy offered RMB350 to our hotel but we thought it was kinda high so we walked on. We tried asking for advise but didn’t really get good ones. Then we settled with an unlicensed taxi for RMB170.00. The ride was about 40-45 minutes as the hotel was in the Luohu area (near the HK border).

The hotel reception was really slow in checking us in and we got kinda irritated with the guy as he spoke in heavy northern accent mandarin and didn’t make any attempt in speaking slowly! We noticed that most of the workers come from the north, even the taxi drivers, that’s why we couldn’t get any advise from them on where to go for good food or shopping areas. The hotel room was bearable, quite big and clean.

We were waiting for my uncle to come down to meet us so we started unpacking and I discovered I forgot to pack Kieran’s pyjamas!!! Warao! I had to run out to get some for him so we walked towards the train station and saw a shopping complex there. I knew it’s going to more pricey since it’s in this area but I didn’t want to go too far. So bought 3 sets at RMB100 (actually still quite cheap after conversion and also the quality was very good!). We had this lady who was recommending me a manicure following me and she helped me ask around for the pyjamas place! Then I was obligated to get a manicure done!! Had a nail extension done at RMB100. Pretty good deal even though I know I can get it done cheaper elsewhere!

Our uncle managed to find us and we went out to Dong Men on recommendation by the receptionist. This uncle is Apoh’s 3rd older brother who was innocently sent back to China due to some reasons which I can’t disclose here. He was separated from him wife and 2 daughters and I really feel so sorry for him now…living all alone…

The shopping here at Dong Men sucked big time, really pasar malam type and really not worth the time to come at all! And we had difficulty finding a place to snack as Kieran was complaining he was hungry! We actually had a meal after we checked in but he got hungry so fast! Must be due to the cold weather.

We had to pay upon ordering meaning, before the food arrived! And the food sucked too! Blek..

My birthday didn’t end at lunch & a burst zip shopping. We had to cut our my shopping short as Apah had to go back for a tele-conference with his colleague. So he dropped us back at Apoh’s. Therefore…… I decided to go to dinner at Genji @ PJ Hilton to continue my Japanese food hunt for the day. And best part Apah was not around, so no black face but unfortunately Apoh spoiled it a bit by complaining that the food was not fantastic and was so expensive bla bla bla…(actually quite true..blek)

But…I can’t blame Apoh though cos the bla bla set I ordered was like a fraction of the one I ate at Sushi Groove but tripled the price, the katsu don was kinda mushy but the tempura and soft shell crab (sorry no photos cos the kids dug in immediately) was pretty good.

Monkeying around

Good thing the kids behaved relatively well and didn’t make a lot of noise or threw their food around, except for Kylie who did spit out some on the floor! She has this bad habit when she doesn’t like the taste of the food. Want to smack her but I’m afraid she will hate food more if I do so! She’s already not eating much.

Chinese New Year Preparation

I’m really not into the CNY mood except for the baking cookies part so my deco in the house will not be as elaborate as Christmas. Besides I will not be here for CNY!

However, a visit to Ikea ended up buying some deco and I was soooo happy that the meatballs are back!! A visit to Ikea is not complete with their meatballs!

Irrisistable eventhough I know the plant will not last….

It’s going to be the year of the rat….hence the rat table mats and some hanging deco..

I baked cornflake cookies yesterday and some peanut cookies. I don’t know what happened but I’ve lost my touch in the peanut cookies. Somehow didn’t turn out as what I have baked before in the past. But I’m sharing the recipe nevertheless..

Traditional Peanut Cookies

500g peanuts

500g plain flour

250 - 350 g icing sugar

Cooking oil (sorry never calculated how much)

Method

Fry the peanuts and remove skins then blend till fine (the finer the better the taste) (I couldn’t find my small blender, that’s why the peanuts were not as fine)

Mix blended peanuts with flour (sieve & sugar then add in oil to mix and make a consistent dough, errr able to roll together and doesn’t break la…

Then roll into desired shapes, brush egg yolk over the top & bake in 180 deg celc oven.

Went to KLCC one day (my quest was to complete visiting all the malls in KL to capture the Christmas deco…but I managed to cover the main malls only) to bring the kids out and do some Christmas shopping, saja la..excuse to shop only…and of course to try out my new toy.

Had to meet up MamaPumpkin on the way there to return her curtains but I was so blur and missed the turning into the restaurant she was eating so she had to come to KLCC to meet me in one of the drop off areas. So while waiting for her we camwhored outside..and it was really a nice day, not hot at all..

How? Ada (Any) potential as models or not?? 

We went out to the park too to let the kids play. This was the first time ever cos usually all the time cannot be wasted from my shopping) but I thought the weather was just too good to let them stay in doors (finally the mom sacrifices for the kids..blek) The kids were so happy but Amah just had to endure the outdoor for a while until I cannot tahan (stand it) anymore…Apah was busy snapping pictures of them and suddenly my lil samseng (rough) girl climbed up one of the playground thingy…dun know what it’s called la..but it was like kinda high and Kylie of course has no fear of whatever!

The Christmas lights & deco inside the mall was really nothing to shout about so I’m not going to load any pics here…too many leow ma..

Before I get into the trip, would like to thank dear Kat for sending me a Christmas card all the way from the middle east! Wow, so surprised to received a snail mail card since it’s kinda rare with the internet cards, Facebook..etc…Thanks again!

We went to the Singapore Zoo quite late as Amah & Apoh wanted to do last minute shopping while the kids spend some time at the pool. Amah miscalculated and didn’t bring enough clothings for Kylie and brought too many for Kieran! Really last minute mia pasal (reason).

The zoo’s car park system broke down so we paid cash for the parking. It was a good thing cos remember..my Autopass cannot pay for parking (so claimed by that Autopass staff at the Causeway). We parked and got down in a hurry as we wanted to go for the animal show which the hotel concierge told us that it was at 1.30 p.m. After we got the tickets and the Zoo map & activities flyer…we realised that the show started at 12.30 p.m. instead! Shiats…of course couldn’t make it la! Then later we realised the later show at 4.30 p.m. was cancelled due to renovations in the zoo. Huh?? If they could have a show at 12.30 p.m. what’s the renovation got to do with the 2nd show? Doesn’t make sense lor…bad excuse to cut us short man!

We then walked around since the next show was at 3 pm and then suddenly realised I left my laptop in the car! So I had to go back to get it and told the rest to wait for me at the restaurant. When I came back to the restaurant, I couldn’t see the gang! Oh no!!!!!!!!! Not again! The distance for me to go back to the car and come back to the restaurant is more than enough time for them to go to the restaurant from where we parted so it really didn’t make sense why they have not reached the destination! I again began to wonder if they went to the wrong one, there were only 2 places to eat inside the zoo, but the other place is like so far away! Then I just sat there waiting…waiting…then I thought I better get some food. As I approached the queue, I saw Apoh!! Yeah!! They just arrived and were sitting the other side so they didn’t see me. They took so long as Kieran stopped along the way looking at the animals..

Food at the zoo was relatively ok and the price for the quality was more reasonable as compared to the crap we ate the night before at Din Tai Fung, Wisma Atria. We ate at the Din Tai Fung branch here at the Gardens, Midvalley the week before and found the food really bad and over priced. Then a friend told me it was better in Spore, hence I tried it and found it to be even worse! According to another friend, the Din Tai Fung at the Paragon is the best but I’m not convinced and I don’t think I wanna try it even if given a chance…

Back to the zoo…after the food, we went to the aquamarine amphitheater for the next show and it was really full. We managed to find some seats but the maid had to stand with the stroller…Halfway thru the show…it started to drizzle….pitter patter…pitter..patter…blip…blop…blip..blop….bisssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…..argghhhhh!!!!!!!!! The rain was so heavy we had to run for cover and we were stuck at the shaded area for quite some time. We didn’t purchase for the tram rides as the tickets were already so expensive…so I thot of saving some $$ and didn’t get it…drats…it was SGD5 more for each adult & SGD2.50 for the kid…so Amah was a scroodge saving money so didn’t get lor..So we just waited…and then the rain began to subside and we decided to walk on and then saw the polar bear so decided to go in to have a look but then it started to pour again and began to flood too!!

See the crowd at the covered area…then we were getting so tired and fed up and went to get the plastic rain coats at SGD3 each irregardless of size!! So cheating lor! Blek!

As we walked back towards the entrance of the zoo the rain subsided but we were all so tired and the kids were complaining and wanted to go home…..

We left and went round looking for a suburban shopping complex. Wanted to buy some stuff from the supermarket. I was told that the frozen turkeys are much more cheaper than KL so we wanted to get 2 back for Christmas! We stopped at the first one I saw not too far from the zoo, but it was a cash card payment only car park so I parked at the side of the road and told them to wait there while I go in to get the turkey. However as I was checking it out, I overheard a Singaporian couple commenting the price was on the high side. I asked them if it’s cheaper over at NTUC Fairprice and they said it was so I decided to go there instead, since it was just on the opposite side.

I drove off and saw the sign at the car park entrance indicating SGD2 per entry and no cash card payment system was indicated so I was overjoyed and made my way in. At the ticket dispenser machine I realised to my horror it was a cash card payment system! Argggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…. I had no choice but to just take my chance and stuffed my Auto Pass in and the barrier miraculously opened up! Aiya that woman at the Causeway really gave me a scare for no reason!

We loaded up our trolley in no time (almost forgot that we are not shopping at home!) The turkeys were at a steal price of SGD5.50 per kg only! So one turkey at about 5 kg was only about SGD28 or about RM65 only!! Cheap leh!!!! Here’s a peek of my shopping loot…(there’s more…couldn’t fit in la..)