Our Weekend Alone

This weekend, we were all alone (well.. just the 3 of us, Mei-mei, Kakak and I). Daddy, Ah Kong and Ah Ma left at 3pm to go to Ipoh for Cheng Beng which was planned for Saturday. Ko-ko headed to Ipoh from KL via train. 

Your friends were over at the house to prepare for the Geography CA2 group assignment. This evening, I made potato gratin and added some sausages on top of the grilled chicken Ah Ma had left for us. 

Later that evening, daddy video called us to celebrate Ko-ko's birthday. Here is the cake I had ordered from Etre and Ashley Kor-kor had helped to pick up for us. 

Birthday boy trying to cut the cake

On Saturday, I picked you up from music lessons and we headed to Queensbay. You asked to have ramen for lunch. So here we are:

Later I dropped you off at ballet and came back an hour later to attend the mock examinations:

Our Saturday evening's dinner was Kyochon. I added on kimchi pancake and also Korean egg roll Gyeran Mari.

I think I passed.. 

The reason why we ended up with the extra egg roll was because you were supposed to be decorating an egg shell for the upcoming Easter celebration. Except that the egg shell could not make it! It committed suicide by rolling off the coffee table!!

Another attempt at decorating your egg shell

Sunday morning was French toast.

I cooked butter chicken for lunch. Only thing is just as I started to cook, I realised that I had not bought cream (just as you had reminded me). So we headed to the nearby grocery store in search, but there wasn't any cooking cream. So bought the alternative evaporated milk instead. Phew! Still just as yummy.

Daddy came back early and brought back yummies from Etre. 

I had also prepared the water (ginger and pandan) for the seung wan yuen). So of course, you knew that I had glutinous rice flour. And asked to make your chewy chewy. You made these:

The little piggy looks quite cute!

And so that is what we did on our own this weekend. 

Happy 18th Birthday Evan

*Special thanks to Mei-mei who edited the video, making it prettier and with music and all*

Decorations

We'd gone back to BM just after Alan Ku-ku had cleared out Grampy's office. He'd moved the sand and some rocks from the fish tank into a container. Nanna asked daddy to help fill up a hole on the ground, so that her car won't roll in. And you spotted these beautiful rocks. You picked up all of them and brought them home. 

And then you decorated your window sill with them along with your Pokemons. 

All Torn Up

Well, not really. It's just the stitches coming undone from your uniform. Two of your shirts. But they have served you well.. since Year 1!! 

A few more months to go before you will be moving on to the secondary school. So I have stitched them up to last you these few months.  

Movie Date

With a little girl and an adorable panda. Hehe... yeah, we went to watch Kung Fu Panda 4. It was just the 2 of us. Daddy had wanted to watch Dune 2 (on IMAX) and coincidentally, there was Kung Fu Panda showing at around the same time. Of course Dune was a longer show, but it meant we had time to wander around the shops in Gurney Pragon, just the two girls. 

Posing with Po

And also this Spy X Family poster downstairs

And these Demon Slayer characters

Then we walked around the bookshop. It's a pity not many people buy books nowdays. You wanted to get some Manga, but they did not carry them. But you did manage to find a series of some cartoon you have been watching. So we got you 3 books from there, and 1 English workbook too.

We went to some other shops too: Nitori, Mr. DIY, Watsons before daddy called to say that he was done. We ended up eating Flip Burger. Never a wrong choice.. the burger (and taco) here is always yummy.

Quickly finished off the day with our grocery shopping in Jaya Grocer before heading home. Tomorrow is a school day after all. 

Saturday Night Dinner Out

 We had no idea of where to go for dinner. Ah Kong suggested we go to The Loft (wow.. not Chinese food). So, we got ready earlier and headed to Gurney Plaza. Luckily we were early as we did not make a table reservation.

We ordered pizza, the oldies had pasta.. dinner was delicious.

Cheese pull

Even longer cheese pull

Mei-mei's mocktail

Finished off the night with a little grocery shopping in Mercato before heading home. 

A Busy Sunday in BM

We headed over to BM today, to bring Alan Ku-ku's cookies as well as to say goodbye to him before he goes back to US on Wednesday.

He was out to meet someone from the bank. So daddy set about to fix up whatever needed to be fixed around the house: apply glue to the peeling cabinet, drill into the wall to fix the safe, and try to fix the cabinet door as it kept opening. 

Then Ku-ku got back shortly after Grampy's friends arrived. They were here to take the boat. Nanna finally agreed to give them the boat. 

By then, we were all so hungry. And it was rather late, so we decided to go to Ong Cheng Huat for lunch. Wah.. it has been a long time since we've eaten here and it's now nicer with proper roof and flooring.

"Tuak" with "Or Kau" a.k.a. Guiness Stout

Prawn fritters, octopus (slurp) and fried beehoon. We also had steamed fish. 

Dessert was fried ice-cream

Went home and daddy needed to continue his "work". This time to build up this shoe cabinet Nanna had ordered from Shopee. 

His assistant

After much deliberation, Nanna finally decided to have the shoe rack (should be called "cabinet".. it's so tall!) outside, just next to the door. As the floor was sloping, daddy had to fashion something to hold the cabinet in place, and not topple over. 

Then we headed out to dinner. We tried Wu Fuk but it was closed for a private function. So we headed to Tang Shan Restaurant. It was a long wait for our food. But luckily it was quite tasty.

Fish

You had to have a few photos taken

Then it was time to drop Nanna and Alan Ku-ku home before we headed back to Penang. Tomorrow is a school day for you.

Dinner at Mum's Nyonya

Today I was just too tired to go to BM again. Instead Alex Ku-ku insisted that they'd join us on the island for dinner. Ok lo.. so after dropping you at ballet, daddy and I headed to Tanjung Bungah to pick up fried banana and fried tnee kuih. Traffic was horrendous. Luckily daddy asked me to call to order in advance.  

There was a queue but my order was packed first as I had pre-ordered

So this was their "pre-dinner snack" when they arrived in the house. Soon it was time to head to the restaurant. We went in 2 cars. And this is what daddy ordered this evening:

Dinner guests

Then when we were finally done with dinner.. we jiggled our tummies a little to make some space for dessert. This is mine:

Sago gula melaka

CNY with the Phuah's

This year's dinner with the Phuah's was a little late due to Grampy's passing. And because Uncle Sin Chuan and family were going to KL tomorrow, Ah Ma had to pick today (a working day) to have dinner with the family.

Ah Ma's hard work for tonight's dinner

The "adult's table"

The "kids" table (all grown up). Missing Ko-ko who's back in KL

It was a lovely dinner. Everyone enjoyed the food Ah Ma cooked. We also sat around for a while. Later the kids went into the garden to play with some fireworks.

Then there was a surprise: A cake for Uncle Sin Chuan whose birthday was coming up.

Chinese New Year Celebration in School

Today is the Chinese New Year Celebration in school. This time it's probably during chapel since it's Tuesday. Hope you had fun.

Two Days of Penang GH

Daddy tried to tail the ambulance as best as he could. The driver must have been F1 trained. He just zoomed pass all the cars and of course, ran the red lights all the way (which we could not). When we reached the island, the ambulance driver turned on the sirens. We sure got worried. Later realised he did that so that he could run the red lights!! Duh!! 

The nurse and driver showed the hospital assistant the forms and grampy was pushed into the yellow zone in the ER. Then I had to register him. 

That was when the waiting game began. We waited from 1am until around 4am when I went in to talk to the doctor who then told me to wait!! I told her Nanna was old, but she asked 1 person to be around. So daddy sent Nanna home, but halfway back he called and told me that I might as well go home and wait for any calls. Just as I was waiting at the curb for the car, I heard someone calling out Grampy's name. I quickly rushed back into the ER and well.. the busy doctor was finally able to see him and needed details. Nanna also walked in as they had called while I was talking to the doctor. She gave him his medical history. The doctor could not locate the referral letter from the Gerik GH. I walked out to search but could not locate it. Nanna was standing next to Grampy and noticed it just left on one of the shelfs!! Well, at least he's finally getting some much needed attention. He needed scans etc, but some only to be done in the morning as it was closed for the night. They had to re-scan, X-raw (whatever) again as the Gerik Hospital could not let us have the scans!! So much red tape... it was ridiculous. We finally got home to catch some sleep.

Woke up the next day to eat breakfast and then head out again to the GH. Doctor called me to inform me that he would not answer them. Had to inform them that he was hard of hearing. 

Believe it or not, Grampy was still in the ER. But the Orthopeadic specialist had seen him, then we had to wait for the Neurologist to see him. They needed to determine which ward he needed to be put on (depending on the specialist). He also needed a MRI. 

Nanna talking to Grampy

We sat outside to wait for Grampy and at around 12 daddy came with the both of you to bring us to lunch. But just as you were about to arrive, the doctor said that the specialist was coming soon. So Nanna decided to stay back. 

We had Otto Pizza for lunch and also packed something for Nanna. I went back to sit with her, but in the end we headed home as there was nothing more we could do. We also had to "avoid" him as they had inserted a catheter and every time he saw her, he'd insist that he needed to get up to pee!!

Nanna wanted to go home to BM to rest. So we dropped her home. Shortly after that, I received a call from the hospital asking me to go in to sign a permission form to allow them to put a tube to clear out Grampy's lungs. Daddy planned to go home to change car before heading over. I'd fallen asleep and by the time I woke up, we were at Sungai Pinang. He had decided to go straight to the hospital. 

I found out that Grampy was moved to the Red Zone in the ER. Signed the form. The nice doctor also gave me a run through of his conditions. Got to stand there with him for a while (he kept wanting to sit up and to get up to pee!!). I kept saying that I needed to go off (told him he had a catheter, but he even ask me back "How would you know?"). In the end, I had to leave when they needed to wheel him away to insert the tube. 

That night, I received a call at around midnight. The doctor explained that they needed to intubate him. That was the most difficult call I had. The next call was from another doctor to ask more about his medical condition. Called Alex Ku-ku and told him that he should come back if he could. 

He arrived the next morning. We picked him from the airport. 

When Nanna arrived, I told her that she had to inform Alan Ku-ku about his condition. He immediately made arrangements to come back. 

We headed to the hospital and found out that Grampy was finally moved to the ward. We thought that he must be getting better. Had to wait for visiting hours. Found his bed, right in front of the nurses' station. Turned out that there was no place in the ICU. He was not awake, understandably since he'd choke with the incubator in his throat. I guess if I was honest to myself, he didn't look too good. Daddy managed to park his car and found us. He was teary eyed too when he was Grampy. 

After visiting hours was over, we went home to rest. Ko-ko was going back to KL that evening. I asked if you wanted to visit Grampy. I'm not sure why you were initially unwilling but then changed your mind when you took one look at my expression. I'm glad you did. Even to see him in that condition. I;m sorry that Mei-mei did not get to see him; we were worried that you'd be scared/traumatised when you saw him.

We went home to eat dinner. But then received a call again to go back to the hospital. This time Nanna, Ku-ku and I went, while daddy stayed home so that he could drop you off at the airport. We spoke to the doctor (his situation was grim) and then they informed us that they have a bed available in HDU. It was a long wait as they needed to clean up the bed (previous patient had some highly infectious illness). We decided to head home. But within 30 minutes of arrival, the nurse called Alex Ku-ku (he had just left his number as alternative contact just before we left) asking us to go back again.

When we arrived.. we were too late. Grampy didn't make it. He left us with just 40 minutes to go before Valentine's Day ended; before it was 15th February, Alex Ku-ku's birthday. 

Heading to Gerik

We drove back to Penang today, daddy driving Ah Kong's car (with Ko-ko) and me in the BMW with the rest. 

Just as we crossed the second bridge, my phone rang. Mei-mei answered and Alex Ku-ku called to say that Grampy had a fall while fishing. His friend, David had informed them. 

We reached home and unpacked then went out to buy lunch (a late one) before starting back out on the road, this time heading to Gerik.

Cannot imagine seeing this view again

We arrived at the hospital at about the same time as Nanna, Alex Ku-ku, Ah Kim and her cousin. But Grampy was not there yet. Turned out it was not easy for the ambulance and rescue crew to reach him as he was in the orang asli village. As Ku-ku was standing outside the hospital, he saw the rescue services driving pass with a boat. We guessed that was brought in to get Grampy from the other side of the river.

We asked the ER man to contact us when he arrives and head out in search for dinner. As it is only the 3rd day of CNY, we ended up eating KFC.  

Then Grampy arrived. After checking and scans, we made arrangements to send him to the Penang General Hospital. Daddy called the ambulance service to make the arrangements. When the ambulance finally arrived at 11pm, the moved Grampy into the ambulance and we followed in our car while Ku-ku went back to KL. 

CNY Day2

Our second day is usually a relaxed day at home, just spending time with family and chatting. This year, it is even more relaxed as we do not have to prepare anything for dinner. We're eating out (I think this is the first time ever since I have gotten married). Lunch was the usual chicken porridge, filled with all the special ingredients.

Today we finally got around to making the seung wan yuen. For the past few days, we have been too exhausted from preparing for the many meals. Ashley Kor-kor who would usually make them with me had to go visit family on Chim Poh's side, so I made it this year with Tiger Chim Poh and Jane Ah Chim.

Master blender at work

Ta-da.. all done

Then I had a shower (all peanut smelling) and we headed out to Ferment Boulangerie for coffee and to relax. Mei-mei did not join us as she wanted to play at home.

Ahh.... coffee

Garlic bread

Bread platter and add on of truffle butter

Then we went home to find these... the yummy Hakka Ngau Pek Yuen. Still had to stuff some in despite just coming back from tea.

Then it was time to get ready to go off to Tong Hoi for dinner. Believe it or not, dinner was at 5.30pm! There were 3 sittings and we were booked for the first sitting. 

Lou sang

Aftermath of the lou sang stirring

Suckling pig

Treasure pot of all things expensive (I obviously don't know what they are)

Some meat dish

Everyone's favourite Kon Chien Har

Hor Fun

Evan and the prawn.. I think you ate 3?

It was when we were leaving that we realised that our dinner menu was not a standard menu. We were served food which Chim Poh had ordered (per Tiger Chim Poh's input), which was probably one of the other reason that we were placed at the corner of the restaurant (on top of a little more privacy).

We then went home to relax a little, play with fireworks a little. Then we added the final touches to the Seung Wan Yuen; the flour layer. 

Daddy had already boiled the water (ginger and pandan leaves) in the afternoon. Popped them into the water and voila.. dessert is served:

And our biggest fan for the evening is Piano Kor Poh. She got to eat them before heading back to KL.