Water-less Weekend in Penang

It was a scheduled water interruption, which was supposed to start on Friday evening at 10pm up till 10pm on Saturday. We had initially planned to just stay at home since we still have the containers to store the water and would go to the golf club to shower. But turned out that the club also closed the showers to the members!

Then Ah Ma didn't feel well and decided that she did not want to go to the condo with Ah Kong. So in the end, the 3 of us decided to join him at the condo. We sure had a lot to pack, clothes, towels, beddings. Then we headed in 2 cars: Mei-mei with Ah Kong and daddy and I in another car where we stopped at Jaya Grocer to pick up some stuff for the condo. 

By the time we settled down, it was quite late. Unfortunately, Mei-mei's room air-con decided to KO. So you slept in the room with me, and daddy slept on the floor. We did not have extra bedding for the other room. 

The next day, we woke up, had a shower and headed to Tanjung Bungah market for breakfast before heading to Island Glades to send you to music class. Then went back home and got some stuff. Ah Kong also went home as he'd forgotten his medicine pack. So he brought Ah Ma back to the condo too.

Morning view from the balcony

While you had initially insisted not to miss ballet lessons, you ended up deciding to skip it. So we picked you up then stopped by the shop to pick up Ah Ma's hearing aids. Then I placed an order for a pizza Margherita at Otto Pizza and we picked it on the way back to Batu Ferringhi.

We relaxed around the house and in the evening, we went for a swim. Then we had to go off as it looked like a storm was coming. You'd spotted the parasailer while swimming, so took a photo of them from the balcony when we went home.

We decided that to be on the safe side, dinner was to be from Tanjung Bungah onwards towards Batu Ferringhi. So we tried out this Japanese Restaurant. Some home cooking style. The food was good and reasonably priced too. 

Supposed to be rose shaped, but it cannot be clearly seen in the photo

Decorations

We had some appetizers and each a main:

On the next day, you had no Karate lessons. So we got to sleep in a little. For breakfast, daddy convinced me to take a walk to the main road where there are Malay stalls selling nasi lemak bungkus. Urgh.. the uphill walk is tough.. finally relented to walk there. And what did we discover? The shops were closed!!! Arghhh... he asked if I'd wanted to walk to the nearby (not really near) McDonald's, and he got a "NO" as an answer. So we walked up the hill to the condo then headed to the carpark to get the card and drive over. 

For lunch, we decided to try the relatively newly renovated Astaka Hillside. The place was surprisingly airy and had an interesting variety of food choices. As it was still early, we headed to Island 88 (a.k.a. Island Plaza) where we did a little shopping then headed back home. 

Tuition was at the usual 3pm. It was supposed to extend to 5pm, but teacher didn't so once you were done, we headed downstairs to the pool.

View from the pool

Water baby having fun

Then it was time to head back, shower and head out to dinner before going home. We decided to go to the Astaka again. 

By the way, it was a good thing that we decided to stay at the condo. The water supply ended up returning 10 hours later (8am on Sunday) due to some high tide causing delays to the schedule. 

Swimming Progress

Your swimming lessons are never consistent. Something or other usually occurs and you'd need to miss a week here and there. 

Well from being afraid to go underwater, you have overcome that fear. Now Uncle Adrian is teaching you freestyle but you seem to be afraid and stop everytime he lets go and tells you to swim on your own. Today's lesson was peppered with threats of bringing you to the deeper end where you wouldn't be able to stop and step on the floor of the pool *laugh*.

And halfway from my book, I looked up to find you all the way to the deepest end of the pool!!

Swimming Lessons

It rained heavily today and we thought that the lesson would need to be cancelled. But at around 4pm, it started to get sunny, so we went ahead with the plans for your first lesson.

We'd dropped daddy off at Auto Bavaria before heading to the Sports Club. Got ourselves registered then headed to get ready for the pool. 

As Uncle Adrian wasn't there yet, you played in the kiddy pool until he came. First lesson was about breathing underwater. Uncle Adrian explained to you about breathing underwater. 

His comment: She's so afraid of the water... even worst than her Ko-ko

He'd teach you and then left you for a while as he coached another 2 children. While he was away, the 3 of us (Ah Kong, Ko-ko and I) tried to help you overcome the fear. 

After a while you had more confidence to put your nose into the water. And this was what you were doing before lessons ended for the day:

Good job, kiddo!!

As for Ko-ko he swam a little, but also got tired. Haven't swam for too long!

We had to round by a coffee shop to pick up dinner before heading home. Mei-mei was hungry and luckily there was a stall selling friend chicken skin which you both ate on the way home. 

Evelyn Goes Swimming

As we were going to stay in the condo over the weekend and Ko-ko is finally cleared to go swimming,  we decided to let you try out the pool too.
As daddy was very afraid that you might.. er... have an 'accident' in the pool, we went to Mothercare to pick up some swimwear along with some swim diapers. And also some swimming trunks for Ko-ko as his were too tight. Then we bought you a float too.
Did a little shopping and it was time to head to the condo. Ah Kong and Ah Ma has arrived earlier and had already cleaned up the place.
Shortly after that we all got ready to go swimming.  Floats were inflated and ready. Went to the pool and realised that I forgot Ko-ko's mew water gun. So I headed back to pick it up.  Went back to the pool to find Ko-ko's new float was too small. Had to make another trip back to pick up the giant turtle float.
By the time I reached the pool for the 3rd time. Daddy had already put you in the pool and you weren't too happy about it. You didn't like the float and quickly cling to me the moment I got into the water.
After a while you did not stick so closely to me and even happily splashed water. You even kicked a little as I held you. Daddy blowed bubbles under you, but you didn't seem impressed.
Soon it was time for you to go back. While Ko-ko continued and even had fun in the jacuzzi you had your bath then took a nap.
Here's a picture of you all dressed for your swimming session:

Swimming

You had a wonderful time swimming over the weekend. So since the school holidays is approaching and there is no homework for you to do in the afternoon, Ah Kong brought you swimming at the Penang Sports Club yesterday. There you met the swim coach and when Ah Kong asked you, you were keen on having lessons. So Ah Kong spoke to the coach and the same night, the coach called and arranged for the first lesson to be held today.

When asked how it went, you said you enjoyed it. You said that you have "completed the first step". I had question marks in my head, wondering what the first step was. After asking a few more questions, I found out what it was : breathing in the water and putting your whole head in the water. Also you told me that the coach held you in the water as the water was "1.1 meter".

Wow! This is an improvement from when you had swimming lessons in your other kindy. After a few classes you simply refused to allow me to pack your swimming stuff to bring to school!! Great job, my little guy.

Let's Go For a Swim

It looked so sunny yesterday evening. And I was feeling a little too lazy actually, but you seemed to energetic yesterday and poor daddy was trying to take a nap. So mummy brought you down for a swim. At first I thought of doing it by myself, but Ah Kong was also keen to bring you swimming. So in the end, we went down with Ah Kong and Ah Ma too. The last time we went swimming you got sick and that was the scariest time ever.

Dressed you up in your new swimsuit and off we went. As usual you refused to get into the water at first. Ah Kong had to carry you into the small pool with you trying to get your foot on the sides, struggling!

Finally mummy gave up and told you to sit in the small pool while I went into the bigger pool. Of course, you decided to join me immediately. After a while, you started to relax and enjoy the warm water. Even kicked the water. When Aunty Ruth and Uncle KK came down, you even showed off your kicking skills. After that, you decided that you didn't want to get out of the water. But I dare not let you play for too long, so we wrapped you up and headed to the condo for a warm drink followed by a warm bath. That was fun, let's do it again soon...

Evan down with the flu

We went to stay at the condo on Saturday. Since the weather was nice, we decided to go down to the swimming pool for another attempt with you. The first time we took you to the pool, only Ah Kong went in. Mummy forgot to bring my costume and daddy was still at home as he had a wedding dinner to attend. You refused to get into the water. Instead you were stuck to me like glue!

But on Saturday since mummy and daddy brought our costumes, we went down along with Ah Kong to the pool. You were rather afraid of the water initially, and refused to let anyone other than mummy to carry you in the water. But after a while and daddy doing funny things to amuse you, you calmed down a bit and even let daddy and Ah Kong carry you in the pool. You even wanted to follow daddy blow bubbles in the water.

I guess we over did it this time. Played too long in the cold water as you started to sneeze yesterday. Worst still you were up very often throughout the night, and I could hear phlegm when I carried you. You seemed better this morning, but Ah Ma just called to say that you seem to be a bit "manja" and didn't finish your milk.

I hope you will get better today darling.