Bali - Part 3

Continuation from here and here.

Thursday (22 May) was another early morning start. We were at the lobby by 8 AM to wait for the Bali Sobek people.... We've made a booking with them for white-water rafting, and our package includes pick-up from hotel to River Ayung departure point, near Ubud.

However, being the ultra-spoilt people that we are, H did not want to ride in their van. Instead, we took our own car and driver (which was also good as it gave us some flexibility). Ride to our departure point was also pretty long... 1 1/2 hours? Or was it 2 hours? We passed by quite a number of exclusive resorts like The Four Seasons at Sayan, The KayuManis....our departure point was just next to the Como Shambala.

We changed and geared up with life-jackets, helmet and our paddle...and head on down the steep cliff to the River Ayung. I was told that the gradient is 120 meters! H kept on saying "it's not the going down. It's the climbing up later that is the problem!!! We'll see how fit your mother is!!"

The white-water rafting here is quite mild. That's why kids from 7 years old can come along. We did collide with some huge rocks twice, which we had to move to one side of the raft to avoid it from over-turning. That kept the adrenalin-pumping a quite bit. Otherwise, it was a tranquil float down the river.

The River Ayung

Waterfall @ The River Ayung

After approximately two hour, our rafting came to an end. It was then that I understood why the price for this rafting was so expensive. Look at the pics below:

Every raft have to be dismantled after each ride

Folded and Carried Uphill!

I was told that each of these rafts weighs 60 kg!!!

Plus the helmets, life-jackets, paddles etc...need to be carried up too!

This company also charges a premium as compared to the others.
WHY?

Think their safety standards are quite stringent (Boys' school also Okay-ed this company). They've got proper changing facilities etc at both the departure and exit points of the river. And I mean quite nicely built ones.... Our package also includes lunch, which was served by the river. But again, we didn't wanna eat. We decided to go on to Ubud for lunch. That's where the flexibility of having our own transport comes in. :-) Otherwise, we would have to hop onto their van to head back to the hotel.

Our exit point is just next to the famed Amandari.

So...naturally, I had to take a picture..... I've been to Amandari!!!!

Old Lady farmer...by Amandari

Now...where did we go for lunch???

At IBU OKA ....am told that it's the best Babi Guling in Bali!

Babi Guling

Quite Scary, hor??

I have to admit that when I saw the plates of babi guling and vege over rice, I was a bit kiah-kiah....like so messed up like that. So we ordered the meats to be separately served. Turns out... the pork was pretty tender and yummy.

This ornate door was found inside Ibu Oka...which is NOT a fancy place. So this door is kinda out of place lor.

After lunch, we jalan-jalan in Ubud abit. I was NOT allowed to go into Pasar Ubud.... Aiya..you know the 3 boys lah. Grumble Grumble Grumble.

Did stop by at the Cafe Lotus for a drink and a pee before we head on back to the hotel.

We arrived back at the hotel with another 2 hours to kill before dinner , so again...boys played at the pool and beach. Me? Had another potent cocktail. Happy hour maaaa...

We had dinner reservations at Ku De Ta @ Seminyak. Was quite impressed with the shops in Seminyak. Not the usual tourist bric-a-brac type of shops...but quite hip and stylish type of shops and merchandise. Ku De Ta is located just next to The Oberoi.

So romantic, yeah?? Unfortunately, we had our 2 monsters with us....who were talking d@mn loud in this fine dining establishment. Ku De Ta does have a kids menu (Thank God!) and S1 had a Chicken Snitzel roll and S2 fish and chips.

What did I have?

Seared Scallops for starter, and a veal something for main and creme brulee for dessert.

BURP!!!!

Bali - Part 2

Continuation from here...

After lickin' our fingers, we head on back from Denpasar to our hotel...arriving back at about 5 pm. Since we had some time to kill before dinner, the boys head out to the beach and pool. H and I just sat by the beach bar to enjoy the sea breeze over a potent cocktail for me, and a Bintang beer for him.

Boys naturally wanted to EAT-IN again. But with H around, we got to EAT-OUT.
Yay!!!! H had already decided where he wanted to go for dinner....and it's in Kuta.



Where did we go for dinner?



Give you a guess...

LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES.

YOU'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET!

Can guess??

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We ate at.....BUBBA GUMP!

It's a restaurant chain inspired by the movie "FORREST GUMP"

These signs are used to call the wait staff. RUN FORREST RUN means that all is A-O-K.The other sign, that's in RED, reads STOP FORREST STOP. And this calls out for the wait staff's attention.

Personally, I think these signs are pretty troublesome. You got to flip-up, flip-down etc. My LOUD voice can already what!!!

Some pics inside the restaurant

We had some shrimp thingy for starter and two HUGE slabs of baby pork ribs for dinner. A little weird to come to a shrimp place for ribs. But the ribs were kinda good. :-) Also had a key lime pie for dessert. No photos of food as we attacked our food as soon as it came!

S1 as FORREST GUMP!

Bali - Part 1

Yes. We are back!

Back from The Island of the Gods just this morning.

Surprisingly, our AirAsia flight took off on-time, and got us back to the city 10 minutes earlier than scheduled! We were hoping that AirAsia would call us yesterday to inform us that our flight would be delayed! heee heee...so that we could stay a little bit longer in this wonderful island! :-)

Actually, our flight to Bali WAS delayed by a couple of hours. Plus we weren't told of the gate change. By the time we got to the plane, we had to sit separately. S1 was complaining..."shouldn't there be seat numbers???" was his remark! These people are so spoilt lah. Anyway, by the time we arrived in Bali and took a cab to the hotel, we just hopped onto our beds ZZZZZZZ.

The next morning, we took off towards Bali Treetops in Bedugul immediately after breakfast. H had gotten a car & driver from his Bali office. The drive was pretty long. Took us almost 2 1/2 hours to get to Bedugul from our hotel in Tanjung Benoa.

Immediately, we geared up.
Yup! ALL FOUR OF US!
Including moi! Harness and all...


There are multiple circuits....starting with...
YELLOW - the easiest
GREEN
BLUE
RED
BLACK




Here's some pictures of the place.



Looks scary?


I would not have allowed my boys to come here if their school did not okay-ed this place. S1 came here for his Year 6 Residential back in November 2007. Two teachers came to Bali prior to the trip to check out on all the places that the kids were going to go; making sure that the safety standards were up to par. This place is run by a French company (I think), and each person has double harness so that when one is released, the other is still secured.

So, here we are.


S1 wanted to do the BLACK...He had wanted to do that the last time he was here but was a little small. He thought he could do the BLACK circuit this time, but the attendants forbade him as he was still too young. Or should I say small-sized? So, reluctantly, he went on the RED. H followed him.


S2 was still too young for RED, so we started on the GREEN. Yes. I said WE. I went with him. The climbing, flying and such.

S2 on the GREEN Circuit

(notice that I am at the same level??)

I tell you...after completing just the GREEN circuit, I was soooo tired. Not so much of the climbing up. But more of the stooping, crawling and balancing on those hanging-thingys. The thing is that you can't really come down mid-way, you'll have to complete the circuit. There's no little ladder or whatever. Some points do have "exits", i.e. the attendants can make little pulleys to lower you down. But other than that, you'll have to complete the circuit if you want OUT.

Needless to say, when S2 went on the BLUE circuit, I tak-boleh liow lah. I asked him to go on himself.

S2 on the BLUE Circuit

As for H and S1, they both completed the RED circuit. S1 went on to do other circuits. H, like me...gave up after completing only one circuit. Our bones are not as young as they were!!

The boys did this for almost 2 1/2 hours!!

S1 and S2 on the BLUE circuit

Can you believe it?

I got the attendants to bring them down when it started to drizzle. I didn't want them to complete the circuits as that would take too long. S1 was just 1/4 into the RED circuit, and the attendant brought him down the pulley-way. As for S2, he was halfway doing the YELLOW circuit, so the guy just carried him down.

By then, it was already 2.15 pm...and naturally, we were now trying to look for a place to have lunch. We popped into a couple of restaurants, but H didn't fancy having Indonesian food, so we drove on. Stuffed ourselves silly with Pringles in the car until we saw KFC in Denpasar. Good 'ole trusted KFC....it's finger lickin good! :-) Ardent fans of Colonel Sanders, we are!!!!

Island of the Gods....

This Island is filled with these buildings called Pura.

Do you know what Island I am talking about????

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BALI

Well...that's where we are off to tomorrow evening. Luckily I booked the evening flight.

WHY??

H is still somewhere in the sky .....on his way back from Sydney. Yes. I did say Auckland before...but he went to Sydney for a day...and now has got to get his b&tt back home via Singapore. He'll only arrive here tomorrow morning. Can you imagine if I would have booked the morning flight? And the flight from Singapore is delayed? Would be one kelam-kabut panicky me!

Why are we off to Bali?

It's the boys' mid-term holiday, and since S1 had "suffered" for his braces, H thought that we should bring him somewhere to alleviate his sufferings! S2 untung for this. Actually, H wanted to go on a twosome holiday with me....but seems a bit sad for the boys if they have to stay PUT at home for the holidays. (Initially, asked mom to fly over to babysit the boys if we were to go away on our twosome holiday).

Anyway, we will NOT be doing any tours to the Puras. Boys aren't interested. H and I have already done the whole lot the last time we came as a twosome. Neither would we be lounging 24/7 on the beach and poolside. We already did this last January (read here and here).

INSTEAD, we want to do all the FUN and ADVENTUROUS stuff that S1 did when he went to Bali for his Year 6 Residential in November 2007. We want to go white-water rafting on the River Ayung, and to fly high up on the trees! Wheeeeeeeeee.....

Also...I want to go makan-makan at the famed Ku-de-Ta and Kafe Warisan! H has been to these restaurants and he told me to go there and savour the foods when I went with the boys the last time... But boys only wanted to stay INSIDE the hotel, and eat INSIDE the hotel. This time, with H...he can insist that we EAT OUTSIDE.

We stayed on the Nusa Dua the last time...so this time, we are trying out Tanjung Benoa this time.....Errr Since gonna spend more $$$ on foods and the adventure activities, picked a 4* instead of a 5. Originally...I was itching to book into the Inter-Continental on Jimbaran Bay. T's (S1's friend) family always stay at the InterCon, and I wanted to see/experience abit lah. But as I was surfing around to look at last-minute deals, Novotel Coralia Benoa came up with great discounts. Plus the beach and facilities look kinda decent. Naturally, the bargain-hunter that I was, I quickly book into the Novotel. Will post some pictures when I get back...

Happy Half-Term!!!

Chicago Travel....

When I was living in the UK, I would tune onto Channel 4 to catch the Oprah Winfrey Show quite regularly. It was then that I had a desire to visit Chicago; as the show was taped at Harpo Studios. I actually wanted to attend one of those tapings!

Somehow I stopped following the talkshow after leaving the UK more than ten years ago. But Chicago still appeal to me. I would still love to visit Chicago for its museums, performing art venues, jazz clubs and beautiful skyline. All that is required now is to get a great Chicago travel deal that will not break the bank! Any tips as to where I can find this deal?

Time to Kill...

Time to kill...about 1 1/2 hours until my facial appointment, so thought that I will have a diahroea post. ;-) meaning I am going to have a jumbled-up load of crap for this post! hahahahahhaah

Well...as you know, H left for Auckland this Thursday. And that basically means I have the car ALL TO MYSELF. Usually, I would have to schedule my appointments so that they do not interfere with the usual pick-up/drop-off from work schedules..... So, with the car ALL TO MYSELF, I should be gallavanting ALL OVER THE CITY on Friday, right????
WRONG!

I was feeling sooooooooo lazy that I literally camped in-front of my TV the whole day. Did contemplate of going out just for the sake of going out. But was really tooooo lethargic. The more I lay on my couch, the more lethargic I got. Only got up to go out for dinner. Decided that we should eat out as S1 was gonna have his braces anchored down on Saturday, and that would be agony for him.

So, off we went to a Mexican restaurant called Amigos. We shared a beef burrito, nachos and (very un-Mexican) fish & chips. They had live music from 7.30 pm that night. But as usual, boys were busy with the DS plus we bumped into S2's classmates and family. Can you imagine the kids running around in the restaurant?? I quickly said my goodbyes and dragged my two boys out the door to minimize the chaos!

Yesterday (Saturday, 17th May)....I was a better mommy. Not the lethargic vegetable that was rotting on the sofa the day before. In the morning, I supervised the boys with their Mandarin homework....NOT that I can read...but I have to SIT next to S2 to get him along with his homework and revision. Then as a reward for their HARD WORK, I took the boys to watch this show:-

It was quite entertaining... but can anyone please tell me WHY does Aslan NOT come to save NARNIA when it was being attacked 1300 years ago??? He is supposed to have MAGIC, is he NOT?? Or when they were being attacked in this current battle? Why must WAIT to be INVITED???

Yes. It is just a show. Make-Believe... BUT I also want to know WHY!

Anyway, we were supposed to head home for MORE work, but then one of the moms that I bumped-into on Friday night asked my boys over for a playdate, which I took the boys to. The boys swam, while I chatted with the Italian mom over coffee.

Supposed to leave about 5.30 pm for S1's Orthodontic appointment...but got a call from the clinic to re-schedule. WHY?
Apparently, the machine broken down! And have to postpone Mitch's dental work by ONE WEEK! Charge so blardy expensive and they cannot maintain the machine properly?? I tell you, I am seriously thinking of changing S1's orthondontist to one that practises OUTSIDE of this clinic. Cheaper and the environment so much more calm and soothing. I went to check it out the other day. The dental clinic actually looks like a spa...with windows that look out to water feature, wood panelled walls, etc. My friend actually recommended this place, but I thought I should use the one that is linked with our insurance company. I thought it would simplify the payment process. But *Bleah* ... I just found out that I have to pay FIRST anyhow, and claim later. If this is the case, I would have gone to the spa-like one! Now S1's orthodontic work is half-done, I can't just switch like that. But for the routine monthly tightening, think I WILL switch to the spa-like one lor...

This Italian mom also don't like this Expat clinic... in her words "MONEY MAKING FACTORY" and we only go there because we do not have to have out-of-pocket expenses for our medical. *sigh* But dental...have to pay first, then claim. So, what for want to let this people earn extra money for nothing if I have to do all the Insurance paperwork ? Might as well go to one that is cheaper, nicer and just as reputable if not more. Don't you agree?

We started Sunday morning BRIGHT and EARLY with a very healthy activity..... We went for our TENNIS LESSONS! And then followed by BRUNCH!!! Okay...didn't really stuff ourselves lah. I had a Hokkien Fried Rice and boys each had a Quattro Formaggi personal pizza. Came home, showered...and now...me blogging to kill time for my 2 PM facial.(By the way, going facial so that I can KILL 2 BIRDS WITH 1 STONE. I can have my face cleaned and at the same time, I can ZZZZZZ!! Hee heee ) Still 1 hour to go..... So more crap to be dished out. Hahahahhahahahaah.. No lah.. think I'll take a breather here.

:-)

Boys' Swimming Gala

Swimming Gala at the boys' school today. Thought it was to start at 9 am...and was contemplating how I was going to school, with H needing to go to the airport for his flight to Singapore and then to Auckland. So was going to leave the house at 7 am, follow H to the airport and then to the school for the swimming gala.

But over breakfast, S1 told me that it will start at 8.15 am. If I follow H, then definitely won't make it. So...when the bus came, and there was an empty seat; I hopped onto the bus to school with the boys.

Both boys were to swim in 2 events each.

For S2's first event, I looked out for him but couldn't find him. When I told him later that I couldn't find him for the first event, he said he missed it. I also donno how can miss one. Second event...he was last!!!

As for S1's first event, he didn't do too well either. I didn't know that his event was back-to-back. After the first event, I went back to my chit-chatting with some fellow moms. So missed my son's second event. So terrible, yah???

Despite both of my sons' futile attempts to collect house points, their house (which is RED) came out to be the CHAMPIONS!

:-)

S2's Production

This year's Year 3 performance was "101 Dalmatians"....and it was today!

Even S2 was a keh-laeh-feh, I did go to school for the performance. Must support abit lah.

Why keh-laeh-feh??
Aiyo....only TWO sentences...and he only came out at the end of the performance.

H had an important meeting this morning and didn't make it for the performance. Good thing also. Otherwise, he would complain with a "Why my son only a keh-laeh-feh??

Here are some pictures from the performance...

Dalmatians...(notice the teacher guiding the kids??)

Shorty S2 is hidden behind these guys.

Other Doggies...that helped save the puppies

S2...the Dog-Catcher (the one with the net)

Catching Cruella
Dragging Cruella Awaaaaaay...

This terrible mommy didn't charge the camera...so sort of ran out of battery. Bleah... The school said a video will be available for sale... Will probably buy it...eventhough my son is a keh-laeh-feh!!

S1's Braces....

Wrote some time back that S1 had to visit the Orthodontist. He did go for the initial orthodontic assessment whereby panoramic (teeth) and skeletal XRays, photographs, teeth impressions etc were taken. See my Dentist..Dentist Post posted last month.

Two weeks later, we were back at the Orthodontist's Office. This time, it was a consultation whereby the Orthodontist presented with the numerous treatment options.

The first option was........... Using HEADGEAR!
When S1 and I heard that, both of us were like "NO. Not that option!"
Can you imagine having a contraption (as shown below) strapped on your head when you go to school etc? Aiyo ....No lah.

Why does he have to use this?
S1's lower jaw is somewhat growing less than his upper jaw (generally due to lip-biting, mouth-breathing habits etc) and since he is still a growing boy, there is the option of correcting both the skeletal and dental imperfections. The headgear allows for this.

But since we both were quite adamant that the HeadGear is NOT an option, we proceeded to Option 2. This option would be using a new patented functional appliance (T4B - Trainer for Braces) used in conjuction with braces. Braces to straighten the teeth, and the functional appliance to correct the skeletal part. This option would need utmost commitment by the patient as the T4B needs to be worn at least 10 hours for it to be effective.

Option 3 was to NOT correct the skeletal imperfections, but only the dental. This option would require the extraction of four teeth.

We discussed about these, and decided to go with Option 2....which costs about USD 1900/-. D*mn expensive if you ask me! This excludes the monthly check-ups. Had to write to the insurance company for approval..... even then, calculated that I would still have to fork out about USD 400 or more ourselves. Was telling my sis...London Prices in Third World Country!

After I got the reply from the insurance company, we went to the clinic on Saturday (10th May) for the works. Waaa...before the Orthodontist started on S1, they asked for the letter from the insurance company FIRST!

Anyway, here are some photos of S1....

Mouth ALL Stretched Out....

Braces Fixed to Front 4 teeth (top & bottom but not yet anchored down)

S1's T4B Functional Appliance

When S1 wears his T4B, he can't talk at all. He has to keept the piece in his mouth with his lips touching...but not pouting. There is a tongue flap on the T4B which he has to place his tongue whenever he swallows. It supposed trains the tongue to be at the RIGHT position. Why?

Did you know that it takes only 1.7 g of force to shift a tooth's position?

The lip exerts can exert a force of 200g!
So lip-biting will create the mandibel (lower jaw) to be inner as compared to the upper jaw!!!

How about the tongue?
It can exert a force of 500 g!! So can you imagine if you are whipping your tongue all over the place in your mouth?? Incorrect positioning of the tongue can give you crooked teeth!!!!!

He's still getting used to his braces and the T4B appliance. Still can't sleep throughout the night with it which he is supposed to. The poor boy had abrasions which became blisters from the braces. Couldn't eat for the first few days due to the insert on his molar. But think he is adapting...He just said that he is starting to not feel them there anymore.

But next Saturday would be another painful session. He will have to have his braces anchored down. At the moment, the braces are still "free". Porridge for days??

Think I need to bring S2 to the Orthodontist too... Been reading from the Myofunctional Research site that a pre-orthodontic appliance can be used to train the teeth/jaw in children from 6 years old so that they may not require orthodontic work later. By the way, in case you are wondering...this is NOT a sponsored post. Just that I've been reading abit about orthodontic care in the last few days.... and S1's T4B is from Myofunctiona Research. :-)

Airline Dilemma....

Was just checking out flights to go home to Malaysia during the Summer Holidays...

My usual full-service KLM tickets cost USD 382 for the three of us (boys and I) for the period I want to travel.

BUT...

Tony Fernandez's low-cost budget AirAsia tickets cost USD 210 for the three of us for the same period. That's USD 172 cheaper!

It's a NO brainer as to which airline I should take.
BUT. BUT.
- Have to pay for check-in luggage.
- Sure overweight. So have to pay the extras.
- Have to pay for on-board meals.
- No priority boarding when travelling with kids (unless I want to pay??)
- Have to go to LCCT (which I don't really fancy)
- No kiddie pack for the boys.
- No short sitcoms to entertain boys....

So how like that?

How??????

88 Ways to Know If You're Chinese

Got this through the email today....this has been around quite awhile. Must have gone round the world and back. I thought it quite funny... My comments in blue.

1. You look like you are 18.
I wish!!! Probably need numerous NIPS and TUCKS to look 28!

2. You like to eat chicken feet.
Yes. I do. Don't you like foong-chau when you yum-char???

3. You suck on fish heads and fish fins.
Only the fins. Head I don't have the skill yet. Perhaps when I become a grandmother!

4. You have a Chinese knick-knack hanging on your rear view mirror.
Errr...this one definitely a NO.

5. You sing karaoke.
"I just called...to say I LOVE YOU".... of course I sing Karaoke!!

6. Your house is covered with tile.
Mmmmm... my own house IS covered with tile.

7. Your kitchen is covered by a sticky film of grease.
Not really. Since maid has to mop and clean-up everyday.

8. Your stove is covered with aluminum foil.
YES!

9. You leave the plastic covers on your remote control.
No lah.

10. You've never kissed your mom or dad.
NOT True.

11. You've never hugged your mom or dad.
NOT True.

12. Your unassisted vision is worse than 20/500.
SPOT ON! Am as blind as a bat!!!

13. You wear contacts, to avoid wearing your "coke bottle glasses".
Why coke bottle glasses, ah??

14. You've worn glasses since you were in fifth grade.
Near enough

15. Your hair sticks up when you wake up.
My hair so thick and long; how to stick up leh? But S1's definitely does!

16. You'll haggle over something that is not negotiable.
No harm in trying, right?

17. You love to use coupons.
If there is a discount. Why not?

18. You drive around looking for the cheapest petrol.
Petrol fixed, right?

19. You drive around for hours looking for the best parking space.
Not anymore. Driver drops me right in front of the lobby. ;-P

20. You take showers at night.
Why? Cannot ah?

21. You avoid the non-free snacks in hotel rooms.
Of course lah! Mark-up is horrendous, okay! Go and buy from 7-Eleven next door lah.

22. You don't mind squeezing 20 people into one motel room.
Oh. This one I mind. So many people.. NO privacy lah.

23. Most girls have more body hair than you, if you are male.
Not applicable leh.

24. You tap the table when someone pours tea for you.
Never got the hang of doing this.

25. You say "Aiya!" and "Wah!" frequently.
Wah! You so cleber to know this one!

26. You don't want to wear your seatbelt because it is uncomfortable.
This one don't agree. SAFETY FIRST!

27. You love Las Vegas, slot machines, and blackjack.
Me scaredy-kat. So not that true...But if you give me YOUR Money, then different story. :-)

28. You unwrap Christmas gifts very carefully, so you can reuse the paper.
Only if the wrapper is very very nice!

29. You only buy Christmas cards after Christmas, when they are 50% off.
NOT True.

30. You have a vinyl tablecloth on your kitchen table.
NOT True.

31. You spit bones and other food scraps on the table. That's why you need the vinyl tablecloth.
NOT True. We use another plate.

32. You have stuff in the freezer since the beginning of time.
How true!! Just cleared them out today....as one of the freezer conked-out yesterday. *Bleah*

33. You use the dishwasher as a dish rack.
No dishwasher.

34. You have never used your dishwasher.
Already told you NO dishwasher.

35. You keep a Thermos of hot water available at all times.
No need. My Aqua dispenser dispenses both HOT and COLD water.

36. You eat all meals in the kitchen.
NOT True.

37. You save grocery bags, tin foil, and tin containers.
Not tin foil lah. How to save? But grocery bags are really handy as garbage bags!

38. You have a piano in your living room.
Nope. But in my mom's living room, there is a Grand Piano. Does that count?

39. You pick your teeth at the dinner table (but you cover your mouth).
Sometimes lah... depending on what I ate. But if at home, I don't. I just go brush and floss my teeth.

40. You twirl your pen around your fingers.
Oh! This one I cannot do. Pen will probably fly-off.

41. You hate to waste food.
Who doesn't??

42. You have Tupperware in your fridge with three bites of rice or one leftover chicken wing.
I'm a good planner. So don't really have leftovers....

43. You don't own any real Tupperware - only a cupboard full of used but carefully rinsed margarine tubs, takeout containers, and jam jars.
Mmmm.... I do have ONE set of Tupperware (given to me by my aunt).....

44. You also use the jam jars as drinking glasses.
No lah. Not so cia-latt.

45. You have a collection of miniature shampoo bottles that you take ever time you stay in a hotel.
Hahahah...Wanna see my stash that I took from Awana Kijal??

46. You carry a stash of your own food whenever you travel (travel means any car ride longer than 15 minutes). These snacks are always dried and include dried plums, mango, ginger, and squid.
Not so wai-sik. And I don't like those preserved fruit thingys.

47. You wash your rice at least 2-3 times before cooking it.
Don't you? But now as the maid cooks it, donno if she even wash the rice leh....

48. Your dad thinks he can fix everything himself.
Don't think he thinks that.

49. The dashboard of your Honda is covered by hundreds of small toys.
Mmmm... I used to have a HONDA. But I am never one who puts toys and thingamajigs on the dashboard. I cannot stand those dolls that have their heads shaking all the time. They just drive me NUTS.

50. You don't use measuring cups.
I do!

51. You beat eggs with chopsticks.
Nope. With a fork. It's easier.

52. You have a teacup with a cover on it.
More of a tea-mug.

53. You always look phone numbers up in the! Phone book, since calling information (*69) costs 50 cents.
I do try to look it up first!

54. You only make long distance calls after 11pm.
Not really. I just use H's phone (paid by company maaa...) Hahhahaha

55. If you are male, you clap at something funny and if you are female, you giggle whilst placing a hand over your mouth.
Don't ever recall H clapping. But I have to admit, I do giggle while placing a hand over my mouth. Why ah???

56. You like Chinese films in their original undubbed versions.
Of course! Why want to watch a film where the mouth of the actors all look weird and not synchronised to the dialogue?

57. You love Chinese Martial Arts films.
Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao...

58. You've learnt some form of martial arts.
Not personally. But H, S1 and S2 have some form of martial arts training.

59. Shaolin actually means something to you.
Siu-Lam-Chi

60. You like congee with thousand-year-old eggs.
Pei-thann-sau-yoke-chok

61. You prefer your shrimp with the heads and legs still attached.
Not really lah. Lazy to peel. I remember our family dinners, mom never orders shrimp when dad is not around.... Heheeheh. Because he is the one that peels the shrimp for all of us!

62. You never call your parents just to say hi.
Got lah.

63. If you don't live at home, when your parents call, they ask if you've eaten, even if it's midnight.
Not true.

64. When you're sick, your parents tell you not to eat fried foods or baked goods due to yeet hay.
Now, I'm the one that tell my boys not to eat all these yeet-hay stuff. Plus I will boil barley water for the boys.

65. You know what yeet hay is.
OF COURSE!!

66. You e-mail your Chinese friends at work, even though you only 10 feet apart.
I never did that!

67. You use a face cloth.
No. I don't.

68. You starve yourself before going to all you can eat places.
Hahahah...Not anymore. Gastric problems, you see.

69. You know someone who can get you a good deal on jewelry or electronics.
Not in this country.

70. You save your old Coke bottle glasses even though you're never going to use them again.
Why Coke bottle glasses, ah?

71. You own your own meat cleaver and sharpen it.
Otherwise, how are you going to chop the whole chicken into pieces? Or the pai-kuat??? That reminds me, I need to go out and get a new one!

72. Your toothpaste tubes are all squeezed paper-thin.
Quite true.

73. You know what moon cakes are.
How many months more before we get to buy a box?

74. When there is a sale on toilet paper, you buy 100 rolls and store them in your closet or in the bedroom of an adult child who has moved out.
Not toilet paper sale over here....but used to go to those warehouse sale and stock up on diapers, sanitary napkins and what-nots.

75. Your parents know how to launch nasal projectiles.
Excuse me!!! We are rather refined people!

76. You iron your own shirts.
Why? What would the maid do then? Sleep?

77. You play a musical instrument.
Nope. But S1 and S2 learning the sax and flute respectively.

78. Even if you're totally full, if someone says they're going to throw away the leftovers on the table, you'll finish them.
Nope. Body cannot afford it. Shapewise and Healthwise....

79. You've eaten a red bean popsicle.
Nelsons? Or Kings?

80. You bring oranges (or other produce) with you as a gift when you visit people's homes.
Cannot be leung-sau-hoong-hoong.

81. You fight over who pays the dinner bill.
I'm so kiam-siap. I won't fight!!! Hahahahah

82. You majored in something practical like engineering, medicine or law.
How do you know????

83. You live with your parents and you are 30 years old (and they prefer it that way). Or if you're married and 30 years old, you live in the apartment next door to your parents, or at least in the same neighborhood.
Hahaha... Not I. But I know many people as-mentioned. :-)

84. You don't tip more than 10% at a restaurant, and if you do, you tip Chinese delivery guys/waiters more.
H always shakes his head when I tip....with a "chann-hai kiam-siap lor" remark. :-)

85. You have acquired a taste for bitter melon.
Should be bitter gourd. And yes..it's quite nice cooked with chicken and black bean sauce.

86. You eat every last grain of rice in your bowl, but don't eat the last piece of food on the table.
Now married already, can eat the last piece of food on the table!!!

87. You know why there are 88 reasons.
Fatt-tatt lah!!!

88. You see the truth in this and then send it to all your Chinese friends.
I'm going do with a twist... I'm gonna turn this into a TAG. Tagging the following:

wmd

Laundryamah

MommyOf3Angels

Shern's Mom

Mott

Judy

Misha's Mum

bp

mama pumpkin

Sting

Dancing Queen

SAHM


And anybody who wants to have some fun in this!!!

Contrast....

Am I living in a 3rd World Country?

Many would probably say it is a "developing" or "emerging" country.

Yes. The capital city has skyscappers of all sorts, shopping malls with every designer label under sun and restaurants serving cuisines from the four corners of the world....

Skyscrappers in One Part of the City...

(courtesy of Google Images)

Latest Addition to the City - Already completed.

Harvey Nichols will open in Autumn 2008

(Courtesy of Google Images)

But I would still call this a 3rd World Country. Why??

For one.... the most basic human requirement, i.e. Clean Water is not available to it's citizens. Can you imagine my shock when I discovered there is no piped water into my house? I do know that my house is equipped with a groundwater pump, but I thought this was to supplement the water supplied from the mains. It was only when my groundwater pump conked out, and the service people came that I discovered that was it. My water was all from the ground. Water from the mains? Nadda! Zilch!

I kepoh-ed when I visited other people's homes....and found that this is the norm. No wonder the whole city is sinking....subsidence due to the excessive withdrawal of groundwater.

And what about garbage collection?? My garbage is collected once a week by these little carts that you see below. The garbage collector comes and actually digs out the yucky refuse from the garbage compartment. No such thing as using a garbage can or bin. Many a times, the garbage bags are of no use...as when the garbage is dugged out, the plastic would have torn strewing all the yucky contents onto the ground. OR...the garbage collector would tear out the plastic to seek for recyclables that he could sell. Yes...people are so very poor.

Typical Garbage Carts

Apparently, 49% of the population live below USD 2 per day. Compare this with my kids' lunch at their school which would cost about USD 2/- for a main course. No drinks or fruit included.

Was on my way home from lunch this afternoon...and snapped the pictures below... They were taken on a short stretch of road. These are very typical scenes....

Begging Boy No.1 with his Performing Monkey....can you see the clothes being dried by the side of the longkang?

Begging Boy No. 2 with his Performing Monkey... he's about 50 meters away from the 1st Boy

Begging Boy No. 2's Monkey...all dressed up and on a bike!

Hawker Stall by the Road...err... I don't dare to eat by the roadside here lor..

First Impression Counts

You have just completed your studies...and is all ready to search for a job.
What's the first thing that a potential employer sees?
You guessed it right.
It's your RESUME.
That is why a well-written resume in the correct format is very important. It gives the potential employer a good first impression of the job-seeker, which might then lead to a job interview. On the other hand, should a sloppy resume land on the desk of the employer, it would most likely be discarded without much thought. Therefore, it is imperative that job-seekers prepare a proper and professional resume. There are many resume templates available online that could assist in this task. Check them out to select the ones that suit you best.

More About Balls....

Eh...I didn't want to have a whole series of posts about balls... But just so happens balls were discussed in the car on the way back from Mandarin class. It started off pretty innocently.

S1 - The people in Chinese class kept using swear words.

Me - Just ignore them. If they want to be rude and uncouth, let them be.

S1 - But they kept writing all these swear words including the F-word on my Chinese book.

Me - Why don't you sit far away from then, and sit closer to the teacher?

S1 - I'm already sitting next to her...I am like only 2 inches from her. She doesn't understand those swear words so she doesn't scold them.

Me - Why don't you sit with the girls then? Rather than with the boys?

S1 - Mom. It is a girl that is scribbling all these swear words in my book!

Me - Huh? Maybe she likes you...and hoping that you will give her more attention? Errr...I think you are too young for the other things.

S1 - Like Kissing?

Me - Yup. Definitely too young. So don't think about it.

At this point, this S2 interrupted with...
S2 - Yeah. Don't go and do the sexual thing!

Of course I was a little surprised! Somehow...S1 then started talking about his sex education class at school (Year 6 students have sex education class in Term 3)...

S1 - Did you know that if your balls are uneven, that is if one is higher than the other, you cannot walk straight?

Well, THIS I do NOT know.

Do you??

Playing Balls of All Sizes...

Bet my title caught your eye, huh??

What came to your mind leh??

Notti. Notti....

All I wanted to say was that I've been playing with balls of all sizes this week. There's the fairly large BOWLING BALL..... and then there's the sort of medium-sized TENNIS BALL and then there's the small-sized GOLF BALL....

Err...actually...there's one more set of balls that I played with. This one you don't want to know! *wink* *wink* kkakakakakakkakka

Updates....4 May 2008

This had been a very very busy week.

Started Monday with yoga and cross-training in the gym in the morning. Then went home, shower, had my lunch, and then out again to do my weekly grocery shopping. Got home, instructed maid on the night's dinner, and then took kids to their mandarin class. Managed to have a foot reflex whilst waiting for kids to finish their mandarin class.

Tuesday... I went to school for a parenting workshop in the early morning. Then to my scrapbooking group till about noon. Brought one of the scrappers to a scrapping shop for supplies. Bought some papers myself (err...have to say that scrapbooking is not a cheap pastime!!!! Spent about USD 65 there. Aduh!) Rushed to my long overdue facial appointment. Face was like a pimple plantation. Yes...this NomadicMom is still soooo youthful that she still sprouts pimples... ;-P By the time I got home, it was 4 ish. Kids were already home. As usual, had to scream at them to have their homework done etc...

Wednesday... Had to go to the driving range to practise my shots. H made bookings for us to play on Thursday with two of his colleagues....and he told them that I was a PRO! Aiyo....give me pressure only. So, in the AM, went to hit 100 balls...and thereafter, I met with some ladies for bowling and lunch. Did some shopping (had to buy a few things at the optical shop and the pharmacy) and then for my mani/pedi. Only went to do the mani/pedi because had to wait for H to pick him up (as you know...only 1 driver and 1 car)... The rain in the evening was soooooo bad that I was literally stuck at the same spot for at least 30 minutes before we managed to inch forward. Got home just in time to watch my 8.30 pm show on Wah Lai Toi. H and I actually ate our dinner in front of the TV in my room. :-)

Thursday... We picked up one of H's colleague at 10.30 am... and headed to the golf course. Again, jam on the highway. At first, thought it was because of the mass exodus of people getting out of the city during the holiday...but turned out there was an accident. Had a light lunch before we teed off at 1 pm. My first two holes was BAD....and it didn't help with H ngam-ngam-cham-cham about my swing and my putting. The middle bits was quite alright. Hit quite a few good shots. The last few holes...I played badly. Waa...d@mn tiring man. Never played 18 holes before. Always just 9 so far. The last hole, I couldn't really see my ball. It was like so dark already. When we finished the final 18 hole, it was almost 6 PM. Cialatt man.. we played for almost 5 hours!!! No lah.. Not that because we were bad but because the course was pretty full...holiday and all. Oh...one thing about this golf course is that ALL the caddies are females. And somehow, I think it must be a prerequisite that they have LONG hair. So it's quite weird to see these female caddies with their long hair (not tied up, mind you!!) flowing down their backs, and heavily mascara-ed eyes! According to H, these girls are give a small sum every month for their beauty works!!! No wonder the guys like to play at this course!! ;-P

Friday... was hoping to veg out at home but had to be a GOOD mommy. T and his brother were gonna go ice-skating, and their mom S asked if I would like to bring my boys... so, I did lor... Took boys ice-skating and then followed by a movie. What did we watched?

FORBIDDEN KINGDOM starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Alright only, if you asked me...but the kids enjoyed this show tremendously. S2 laughed soooo hard that I am sure the whole theatre heard him. (Actually, about a few weeks back, we mistook another show for this one. We went to watch the THREE KINGDOMS starring Andy Lau and Sammo Hung. Alamak! It was in mandarin. Luckily, I could understand... H and S2 was totally BLURR!!! )

Saturday ...YIPPEE!! I finally could stay at home and VEG out!!! Woke up late, and slept in the afternoon too!!! Watched a new series that H bought. Ahhhhh...sheer bliss...

Sunday... We went for tennis in the morning, came home. Showered and then rushed out to the mall to catch the IRON MAN in the cinema. Came home...veg out some more...and then left kids with the maid. H had to meet one of his partners for work. I tagged along. Not for the meeting...but because I wanted to buy a couple of things at the mall, plus the World Bowling Ranking Championship was going on and I wanted to go kepoh. Saw Shalin Zulkifli bowled in the quarter-finals. She lost to her Latvian competitor. Waaa...really so close. She won the first game, lost the second game. The third was the deciding one....it was right up to the 10th frame! In the end, she was defeated. 183 to 189. So close!!! The other Malaysian lady, Wendy Chai got into the semi-finals. As for men's, Zulkifli (no relation to Shalin. I kepoh and asked their manager...I was standing next to him, and kepoh-ed lah...) got through too. The semi-finals and finals will be tomorrow.