Nerikiri and Matcha Making

Came across a posting on Facebook for a Nerikiri and Matcha making in Gurney Plaza in conjunction with the Yosakoi Festival. So we signed you up for the session. It was the perfect timing, since it's right after your exams, we were headed to have your eyes tested and the session just about gave us enough time to arrive, do a little shopping for your friends and then start the lessons. 

It was a very small group of maybe 5-6 participants. Turned out the "teachers" are Japanese. You told me later that only 1 lady could speak good enough English. But at least you had fun. 

Here's the Nerikiri. It's a type of wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet) made primarily from sweetened white bean paste and a binding agent like gyūhi (a soft mochi). And you made a "Mount Fuji".

Then you moved on to the Matcha making session.. well it's just a whisking session, I guess, but you need to know the best temperature of the water and how much to whisk. The lady helped you take a photo:

And what did daddy and I do to wait for you? We walked around for a place to sit and have some drinks and ended up in Ippudo as they had a promotion for drinks. It came with this 1 free set of grilled yummies:

Yummy Yakitori

Added this "Nasu Dengaku"

We started with beer, then moved on to Sake:

When you were done, you joined us after stopping to buy some stuff from the "Japanese Fair" by Mercato. This was your drink:

You then headed to Mr DIY to quickly buy some stuff before joining us at the carpark to head home for dinner. That was a fun day.. 

Date Day with my Princess

Today is a day off for me. Daddy is working as his company does not recognise this public holiday. So we both planned a day out. The initial plan was to watch a movie in GSC Queensbay. But daddy suggested that we headed to TGV in Paragon which has better sound and screens. 

So we took a Grab to Gurney Plaza where we did a little shopping before you decided that you needed to sit down. We headed to Nando's to have lunch. 

When we were done with lunch, we walked over to Gurney Paragon. Bought some shirts from H&M then headed to the cinema floor. We got our popcorn and a drink and waited for them to let us into the cinema. Today we watched Inside Out 2. It was a nice show.

And after the movie, you did not seem to want to go back yet. So we walked around a little in Watsons, and Jaya Grocer and picked some stuff before getting into our Grab to head home. 

It was nice just spending time with you, listening to you telling me all sorts of things. We should do this more often 💕

Golfers in the Making?

We made the trip to Gurney Paragon to have a go at the golf simulator today. Ah Kong came along too. 

Something new for the both of you. You both seem to enjoy it. 

Daddy giving instructions

Evelyn having a go

Ko-ko's turn for instructions

Got better as you practiced more

Ah Kong also had a go on and off

Daddy also hit a couple of balls

While sitting there, we also had some food and drinks.

It was a fun day. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Mei-mei said that she'd love to go back again... to eat the snacks ! 😅

Away to KL

It was an early morning for all of us. You needed to be in school by 6am. But since you'd just be on the bus, we planned for you to eat your breakfast on the bus so that you can sleep in a little more. You woke at around 4.55am then went to shower. Made you a small cup of Milo and off we went. You arrived in school at around 5.55am. 

Dropped you off and headed home.

Some parents were following the bus (in their car) so we received updates from them. Ahem.. our little girl, never bothered to keep us updated. Lucky for "Find My iPhone" which let us know where you were. 

We didn't hear from you (even when the bag was lost). Finally decided to send us some updates when daddy teased you about it. Taken at the top of the Twin Tower

That evening (after a long day in KLCC, Aquaria, Petrosains and Twin Tower) you arrived at the hotel at around 9.30pm. Daddy called you for a quick chat and then let you shower and spend time in your friend's room. 

The next day we checked to ensure that you were up. It seems that you were up, but didn't think of letting us know that you were already up...

After breakfast, first item on the itinerary was Superpark. You all went in through the back door, it seems. 

Then one of the parents posted this photo:

She said so "geng". Made it all the way to the top to ring the bell! You must have had loads of fun there.

Lunch was next at Envy Sky Dining. Meals were already pre-ordered. This was yours:

I assume you all had time to go out for some photos too. You sent us a few of the view outside:

Then you headed to Lot10 to the MiNature Museum. Apparently some kids were quickly bored and waited outside, while you seemed very excited about it. And spent quite a bit at the gift shop too. 

Dinner was supposed to be at Hutong but many kids were not hungry yet (was only 5.30pm). You told me you bought instant noodles. It seemed that it was allowed, so you bought that to eat in the room later. Later you told me that Carol wasn't well, probably from the Carbonara which was too rich. But you were fine. 

Called me again at 11.50pm, giving me a heart attack. It seemed you just wanted to say goodnight. 

Today, is zoo day. I hope that you did not leave anything behind in the hotel.. I had reminded you MANY times already. 

Just received this photo saying that you have found yourself:

We'll see you later in the evening.

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. 

Day 3/Part 1: Discover Scuba Diving

Surprise! There was roti canai served for breakfast this morning. Yummy. 

Roti canai with dhal and curry

We headed back to the room to get ready for our first scuba diving experience. 

We had signed all the forms yesterday evening before heading out to Romantic Beach, so all we needed to do was some briefing from Minh and to wait for our boat. 

While waiting, you both went to the beach and attempted to torture another crab. The poor thing must have been so scared, it even flipped on its back and could not move. We had to flip it back on the feet and then leave it alone! Rascals!

Finally our boat arrived and we all hopped in while Minh loaded the boat with all 5 sets of diving equipment. We had to stop at Ombak Dive Resort to pick up 3 others dive students and another 2 instructors. 

Took this opportunity to take pictures:

Off we went and turned out, we were going to Romantic Beach again. Stopped out in the sea for the 3 students to jump into the water. Then we headed to the beach to have our lessons. Minh was with Mei-mei while the 3 of us were with Nikki, learning how to breathe with the equipment, what to do if we lose the oxygen and later swimming. Daddy had problems with the oxygen and also worried about Mei-mei so he gave up. In the end, they both played on the beach while Ko-ko and I went scuba diving. Minh stayed with Ko-ko while I was with Nikki. It was interesting, although it seemed that the water was rather murky. I also had ear pain at one stage, but was lucky to have Nikki help me.

Went back after that to shower and then it was lunch time again. What was on the menu? Italian, of course!

Our nice, cool drinks

Mozzarella Caprese

Spaghetti Aglio Olio

The rest of the food we ordered was a repeat from the other days. As always, the food was amazing!

We went back to the room where Ko-ko rested. Daddy, Mei-mei and I took part in the coral adoption program. The nice man, Dewan explained to us why we needed to have coral conservation.

Mei-mei picking her "baby"

Dewan helping to tie down her coral

Mei-mei's coral

Photo of us together

We later tried to go snorkeling at the house reef, but Evelyn was not feeling well. So in the end, we went back to change into our swimsuits and headed to the pool, while the boys headed to the house reef. They met us at the pool and we headed back to the excursion center again for the boys to adopt their babies. 

Ko-ko and his baby

Petting Oyen while daddy was with his coral

Daddy and his baby

Our babies

We also filled up a sticker with our names, and email address. We also got to name our babies:

Evelyn : Pinky

Mummy : Biggy

Evan : Jack

Daddy : Tiny

Sunday Part 2

So the boys had gone for a drive around Taylor's College and Sunway College. Then they had coffee and next daddy wanted to have craft beer. So Uncle Google told him there was this place nearby "The Great Beer Bar". Daddy and Uncle Dennis had already started as it took us quite some time to reach the meeting place. Ko-ko also had a drink. I bet daddy had to really persuade him to get something which is not plain water *laugh*.

The man working in the bar was amazing. He would recommend based on your preference. 

Group photo

Just us girls

The damage (only halfway through). We drank more after this photo was taken

Then we walked to the nearby Starling Mall to buy a couple bottles of wine for dinner. Believe it or not, we decided to go back to the Honest Butcher. I tried my luck to inquire on table availability via the WhatsApp number which I had communicated with for our earlier booking. The person initially said that they were full, but in the end agreed to have a table for us. 

So after buying the wine (and toilet break), we headed to the restaurant for dinner. Here are some of the food we ordered:

Tee-hee.. sneaked a shot

Before leaving, Mei-mei wanted a photo of herself trying to eat the bull!