Spanish for Deepavali

The plan was to go to a cafe for today's lunch. But we could not decide on where to go for lunch. We narrowed it down to The Big Pantry and Javu. Then daddy suggested Hola by Javu since you were not around when we last went there. Before heading over, we stopped by the Wine Shop to pick up a bottle of wine. 

We had the whole place to ourselves. Someone only came in later. Here's the yummy food that we ordered. You were nodding as you ate the food:

We had some of the tapas we had ordered the last round and some new ones (with cheese) which we could not order the last time we were there. 

Bread monster

Here's the wine we had:

It got your "mark of approval" and so this is another place which we can visit again.

Japanese Night

Tonight's menu is Japanese night. So Ah Ma and I headed to the Fettes Park market early in the morning today to ensure that we are able to get the cut of fish which we want. 

All ready to be cut

Head portion.. not ours

He's got lots of salmon in these foam boxes

Tonight's dinner of beef and salmon are cooked by daddy while Ah Ma cooked the fried garlic and vegetables. 

Sake, of course, is part of our dinner:

Thara Thai

Your last trip back, we went to Rose's Home for Thai food. This time round, you said that we could try this place again. Surprisingly the restaurant was rather empty for a Saturday. But the service was good. Daddy ordered the food and this is some of the food we had:

Pandan Chicken (not nugget sized)

Green curry chicken

Miang Kam aka One mouthful

We had other food (which I had forgotten to take a photo of) such as the claypot tanghoon prawns (Goong Ob Woosen), acacia omelette (Khai Jiao Cha-Om) and fried kangkung. 

Overall we think that the food in Rose's seems to be nicer than what was served here. The ones we preferred here are the prawns and the larger sized pandan chicken.

Evan is Back Again

We're so happy that you'd be back again. And for a 2 weeks stretch at that!

The plan was to buy Hokkien Mee for your lunch, since Ah Ma was going to cook curry mee for dinner. But it was just raining so heavily in Penang with strong winds. After your exams, you informed me that you were heading to the airport. I had asked how the weather was and you said it was sunny. 

Unfortunately, your flight got delayed from 12pm to 1.30pm. You said that you'd grab something to eat at the 7-Eleven while waiting. Later you informed us that it was further delayed to take off at 2.30pm. This time you were going to get out of the departure hall when you discovered that you'd receive a meal ticket. It was for Starbucks. Ah.. so you save some lunch money today (then again.. you'd be eating in Penang if the flight was not delayed). 

We suspected that the delay was due to the heavy rain in Penang which delayed the flight from Penang to Subang. Luckily the flight finally took off at around 12.30pm from Penang, so there was no more delays on your flight back. 

Welcome back. You'd be stuffing yourself with loads of food and sleeping until noon (or later!) for the next 2 weeks. 

Making IC

We picked you up from school today as you have turned 12 and it's time to apply for your IC. You changed and wore back your school skirt in the car. We decided to go to the JPN on Anson Road instead of the UTC, per daddy's preference (but after today, he's saying UTC is a better option with more parking). 

Anyhow, he could not get a place to park, so just the 2 of us headed to the 3rd floor to submit the application. 

We arrived at 3pm and after a bit of a wait, your number was called and they processed your application. Next is to wait for your photo to be taken. The man taking your photo was very nice and patient. The photo IC application is certainly less rigid than making our passport. You could have your hair over your shoulder and did not need to remove your earrings. We were then told that we can collect your IC at 4pm.

Daddy came around to pick us then we went to pick up my contact lenses and buy some Him Heang goodies before heading back to collect your IC.

We had to get another number and when you were called and had everything processed, the lady at the counter said that since this is your first IC at 12 years old, her manager would like to give you a gift and take some photos (with my permission). We sat down a while and then were called to some room at the back. Here's the photo taken:

A small gift, but nice gesture for new IC applicants. 

Going Back to KL

I guess the thought of it going to be 2 months before your next trip back, makes it harder for you to return to KL. But that is life. We teased you that had you opted to stay back in Penang, you'd never have to face this. Then again, we need to made difficult decisions which is best for us. You know that the course in KL is way better than what there is to offer in Penang and of course at that time probably did not realise how much you'd miss home. 

But I'm glad that you came back and got to have a little week of being pampered while being on study break. We hope that this trip back home cures a little of your home sickness. We could see that you were feeling sad as the Monday to return to KL approached. Trust me, we also felt sad knowing that we'd see you only in 2 month's time. 

Today will be your second paper of the 10 papers you'll need to sit for the AS. Good luck to you and we'll discuss on your return trip mid-exam. Yup, discovered a bonus period where you have a 2 week gap between papers that you can come back to Penang.

By the way, this is supposed to be training for when you go further to study. As daddy says, tickets are not as cheap as KL-Penang. So how is it that you are making that trip back every 1.5-2 months? 😏

Evelyn's Party with Friends

Daddy and I have (albeit reluctantly) agreed for you to have another party this year with your friends. This time, we decided to do it outside instead of at home. Earlier this week, I went to Art Lab to inquire about the options for crafting. Then we initially decided to have lunch at Chimac Station, but daddy said to consider other places. So we booked a table at "Unknown", another restaurant in Queens Waterfront. 

The girls arrived a little later than the 12pm. We'd not considered that some folks may not know that the meeting point Tealive was in Q1. Anyhow, most of the girls arrived and we headed to the restaurant. Soon, everyone in the party arrived and lunch was served. Left you all to enjoy lunch and headed to have my own lunch. But before that, a group photo:

After lunch was done, we headed to Art Lab where the table was already set up for the group. And you all got busy designing and painting:

There was another freebie which came with the "moons" which you had painted. Painting the fan.. well it was more a marbling form of painting where you dip the fan into a pail of water which has paint added to it. Everyone had a go:

This is the final artwork 

And before we left, it was time for cake and the birthday song:

And another group photo

The girls were also given a party pack and you opened the presents they had gotten you. A very interesting selection of presents. They are so creative in getting you gifts. You are blessed to have such good friends. 

Then it's time to go home. The shop gave each of you a bag with some goodies and to put in the moon and fan. On top of that we'd also prepared a party pack for everyone which was filled with a capybara keychain and a capybara pen. 

I hope that you enjoyed yourself with your friends who celebrated this special day with you. 💗

Happy 12th Birthday, Evelyn

How time flies. 12 years just flew by following your early arrival. And now, our bubbly, energetic little girl turns 12. 

Happiest Birthday, to our little ray of sunshine. May you always be the happy, cheerful and kind girl that you are. 

Evelyn's 12th Birthday Party at Home

This is the invitation card you created. 

Had to rework it so many times as you left out lots of details!!

Today is the day for your 12th birthday celebration with family. It has been a busy 2 weeks for me leading to your party, but we managed to get whatever we needed for the party. What is on the menu? It's barbecue, of course!

We had to start preparing for the party from 3.30pm onwards; Setting up the venue and starting the fire for the grilling to start.

BBQ master on duty

Being cheeky as I took photos of the day

Set up of your photos over the year

Capybara party pack 

Daddy took quite a while to cook the food, as it was in waaaay larger quantity than last time:

Smoked chicken

pièce de résistance: The wagyu steak

Some family members came late, some were early. We got a little hungry before tou-tou arrived, so we taxed the sausages. Hehe.. 

After daddy cooked the steaks, he took a break and joined us for a while before cooking up the prawns.

Nice to have the family around the table

The not-so-kiddy table

Grilled prawns

After dinner was done, it was quite late as we had started eating late. Sat around and soon it was time for the cake and birthday song. But before that, some photos with the birthday girl:

You picked this sparkler on top of the normal candle we got. 

Then Nanna, Ee-ee and Teo-teo wanted to head back. But before that, a little goofing around with Ee-ee to see who is taller.. 🤣

Next it was time to open your presents:

From Audrey and family - it was a GIANT capybara

From Ian and family-It was an instax (Instant camera)

From Ko-ko-A Montigo bottle

From daddy and I- Your iPhone 15

Yup.. this is the capybara you got from Audrey

We hope that you had a memorable 12th birthday party at home. It was a tiring day, but I hope you and everyone who attended had a good time.

Birthday Party Prep

Bought these colourful paper frames with the plan to have your photos of you from birth up till 12 years old. Here you are helping me arrange them by the years:

There were 2 sets and you arranged them side by side:

Here's a video of the photos all put up for the party:

Chef Daddy in Action

This weekend, Ah Ma and Ah Kong are in KL attending a wedding dinner. So we planned to cook spaghetti Bolognese for dinner. Of course, we had garlic bread to go with it. Daddy said my sous chef needed to improve her skill to make the bread more buttery. So in the end, I had to take over the job again. 

Yummiest dinner.. love it so much:

Of course, we needed to have a glass of wine with dinner

Simple and delicious dinner at home. Easy to cook and loads of leftovers for you while you are around for the school holidays.