Braids

We were talking about braids and I said that I could tie Dutch braids, but not as well. Well I ended up tying for you. And you went to sleep with them and to school today in them!

Karate Brown 2 Grading

Today is grading day. This year it's held in SRJK Kong Min Cawangan 2 in Air Itam. I happily told daddy that it was the school where you had your karate camp back in May. Well, we sure were surprised when we arrived since there was no car there. And then I realised the photo did not look like those sent by sensei!

Well, we quickly checked the messages and turned on Google maps to bring us to the correct location. We still made it with sufficient time to settle down before the grading started. It was a combination of Brown 2 and Brown 3 students.

First was the kata. Could not get a good photo of you since we're seated at the back and you were quite far to the front. The examiner this year is stricter, asking you all to do it correctly and even coming down to correct certain students. I guess the technique must be more correct as you go to higher belts.

Next is the kumite. Your sparring partner is your friend from the dojo, Angelynn. 

The exam timing went further than the allocated time. After everyone completed the kumite, the examiner gave you all a brief talk about the importance of karate and doing it properly and time for a quick group photo before calling it a day:

Then we hopped into the car and headed for breakfast before going home.

P/s: Sensei proudly announced that everyone passed that day.

Final Day in Singapore with Evan

Got up today, packed up after breakfast and headed to the hostel with my luggage. And surprise, surprise, our young man.. hasn't even showered!

Ah well, while you showered, I loaded the luggage which I was going to bring back to Penang with me. Then we hopped into a Grab and headed to Vivo City. We were trying to decide on where to go, and ended up going here. Found a nice steak place. It even had set lunch. So we ate our steaks here.

We wandered around looking for some necessities for your room. Picked a present for Evelyn, tried a shoe which didn't have in my size (then got them to help reserve at Jewel Changi). You even bought a box of chocolates for everyone at home. Since we still had time, we sat down at this Italian restaurant for coffee. We also ordered take away for your dinner. 

Finally it was time to pick up some groceries for you and then we called a Grab and headed back after returning to the restaurant to pick up your order.

Sat around the room chatting and then it was time to call my Grab to head to the airport. You did not plan to go with me. And just as we were about to call for Grab, it decided to rain and then the ride got more expensive. As there was still time, we decided to try to wait for the rain to stop and for the prices to go back down. Unfortunately, it just rained on and the prices kept going up 😭

We finally had to bite the bullet and pay for an expensive ride, and it was quite a bit of a wait too.

While sitting around, waiting for the ride, you suddenly decided that you wanted to follow me to the airport.

Together at the hostel 

The Grab finally arrived and the traffic was building up. We arrived at the airport with sufficient time to settle the bag drop then head over to Jewel to pick up my shoe and have a very hurried dinner together.

The food was not too bad, except that we both didn't have much of an appetite, considering we'll be saying our goodbyes very soon.

Well, I tried my best not to cry, but I couldn't help it. I'm leaving my baby behind while I'm headed home. And that made you cry too. Haiz... daddy gave me an earful for that. Haha.. 

Monday at Orchard

Yesterday you asked your floor leader about the next day's plans. He told you there will be lunch and dinner provided. You asked if you could skip one of the 2 meals, and he said should be fine. So today, Chim Poh and I would be meeting Uncle Dennis and 2 more of her friends from Ipoh for lunch. Too bad that in the end, you were not allowed to skip either meals. So we did not get to meet for the day.

We met Uncle Dennis at our MRT station and hopped onto the MRT and headed to Orchard Road. There we made our way to ION to search for her friend. Took us a while and we finally met her.

Then Chim Poh headed with this friend Aunty Irene to look for another friend and told Uncle Dennis and I to head to the restaurant to get a seat first. We finally found it "Udon Shin" and were told that we would be seated once our whole group were present. Ok then. A short while later, the 3 ladies arrived.

The noodles were nice. No wonder Chim Poh says that there's always a long queue waiting to dine here. One of the lady, Aunty Annie paid for our lunch. Uncle Dennis offered to treat us to cakes, so we headed upstairs to this really atas looking place. But Chim Poh persuaded Aunty Annie to go elsewhere for cakes and coffee. And so we ended up here:

We sat there and chatted about anything and everything. What a nice bunch of people to chat with. Then we headed to Atria to a boutique as Aunty Annie wanted to exchange some clothes she had bought the day before. Did a little shopping and then we headed to Paragon where we were to have dinner with Aunty Irene's cousin. Had some time before dinnertime, so I managed to buy some kitchen utensils for you. 

Yes, dinner was at Din Tai Fung.. and it costs SGD200+. Gosh, imagine spending RM700 here!

We said our goodbyes to the two ladies. They hopped into a cab which brought them back to Aunty Annie's daughter's place where they will leave for Ipoh tomorrow.

Look at the pretty skyline we spotted just as we headed to the MRT station.

One thing about Singapore, it was very dark and quiet when we arrived at our MRT station near Ah Pek's house, but it feels safe. No worried about being mugged as we walked home. 

Hostel Check-In, Vivocity

We opted to try to check in as early as possible. The 4 of us hopped into Ah Pek (already packed car.. yes, we loaded the car yesterday). And off we went to the hostel. It took us less than 30 minutes to reach the hostel.

The NUS sign just as we turn in

First sight of PGPR

Got into the carpark, unloaded our stuff and tried to find Block 17. It was rather confusing as the signs dissappeared halfway. We did meet a young man (senior?) who pointed us towards the correct direction.

Everyone helped to carry your many bags of things

Stepping into the room. It's a corner unit.

View from your room

We then left the things and took a quick peek at the bathroom and pantry before heading off.

We went to Takashimaya to look at the portable air-cons in the other Best Denki there. We met a nice lady who eventually sold us the 8000 BTU Europace model. Paid for it and told them that we'll come back to collect it after lunch.

Then walked to Ion where we met up with Ah Mm and the girls and Uncle Dennis for lunch in Taste Paradise. Menu is dim sum. 

After lunch, Chim Poh went off to meet with her friends, while Uncle Dennis came along with us. We headed back to the electrical shop to pick up our purchase then headed to the car then to the hostel. Ah Pek dropped us off and we had the 2 strong men to carry the aircon to the room:

Then you got to work to put up the seal. I quickly helped to set up your bed and the small items. Uncle Dennis even commented that he's around to help out everytime you check into your study accomodations (Geo and now Helix House).😂

Here's a quick peek of the room:

After all was done, we walked to the center of the hostel block and waited for our Grab. 

The canteen

Waiting for our Grab

The ride wasn't too long, but the crowd in VivoCity was crazy! Uncle Dennis brought us to Torikizoku for some yakitori and nice cold beer. We even met the CEO of the company which brought this chain into Singapore, Uncle Dennis' friend.

Then we took the MRT back to Ah Pek's house as we'd planning to have dinner with them at home.

After dinner and a little rest, Ah Pek sent you back to the hostel where you slowly unpacked the rest of your stuff. 

Hello, Singapore

Daddy or I planned to go with you to Singapore, to help you settle down and to buy whatever you'd need to make your room as comfortable as possible. 

This morning we left earlier as you could not do your internet check-in and would need to drop off your 2 big bags. Daddy and Evelyn (yes she came along too, to say goodbye to you) waited in the car while we went to check in and get our boarding passes printed. 

When all was settled, we headed back to the car to have breakfast together. We went to the kopi tiam in Sungai Nibong. Then we headed back to the airport. We said our goodbyes and then went on to clear immigration and enter the departure hall.

Saying goodbye to Penang. Will be a while before you're back

Our flight was on time and after a short flight we arrived in Singapore. Stopped by one of the shops to buy some chocolates for the girls before going to clear immigration and to collect our bags. 

As we took Scoot, we landed in Terminal 1. Upon walking out, we're in Jewel Changi. Daddy texted to at least look at it, but you weren't interested. So we bought your pre-paid SIM card, got it set up and headed to the taxi stand to get our ride to bring us to Ah Pek's house. 

Took a quick photo of the famous waterfall

It was quite a long drive to Ah Pek's house. Chim Poh was home, and she opened the door for us. Rested a bit before Ah Pek, Ah Mm and the 3 girls got home from their morning activities. They quickly changed and we headed to the famous Boon Tong Kee, there was a branch nearby.

After that, 4 of us (Ah Pek, Chim Poh and us) headed to a nearby mall Junction 8 to have a look at the portable air-con and to pick up some stuff which we could not bring from Penang. The salesman was rather annoying and pushy, although the moment we mentioend portable air-con, he asked if it's for hostel. He wasn't too happy that we didn't fall for his ploy to quickly snap up the unit which (according to him) is running out very quickly.

Instead, we bought a stick vacuum cleaner. It was quite compact and good enough for you to clean your room. 

After that, we stopped by Nitori to pick up other household stuff such as the plate, bowl, mug, pot, hangers and a collapsible drying rack. And then we picked up a bolster (since you said you cannot sleep well without it.. and the cheapest they had in stock cost SGD69!!).

And finally, we picked up some toiletries from the Fair Price at the lower floor before hopping back into the car and heading home. 

Dinner was at home, we finished up the leftovers from lunch and ate charbeehoon which was cooked by one of the maids. 

Then it was time to call it a night. Such a long and tiring day. 

Day 5: Time to say goodbye to Hatyai

This morning, all of us headed out to have breakfast at the bitter gourd noodle place. Everyone except for Ko-ko enjoyed the breakfast. He thought that the bitter gourd taste was too strong. Mei-mei enjoyed the kuey tiau which is with a chewy texture.

We then headed back to the hotel to shower and then headed out to Big C for our last hurrah. Bought lots of groceries, including coffee, instant noodles, rice, and snacks. 

Went back to the hotel with our tuk-tuk driver (same guy for the past few days), and then packed up.

Playing with the cat

As it was still early, we checked out and crossed the road to a cafe on the opposite side of our hotel. It's called Pewter Tag Pattiserie. The decorations inside is very pretty. 

We went upstairs to have a look. It's very pretty... but very hot!

We had coffee and some cakes to share. 

Of course, Mei-mei had ice-cream!

As Ko-ko did not really eat breakfast, he needed something to tide him over until we reached Penang. So he and daddy headed to the nearby kopi tiam which served Penang food.. and ate lunch there.
Mei-mei and I on the other hand headed back to Jaelek and ordered her last Thai Milk Tea for takeaway. 

Our van driver arrived at 1pm sharp. We loaded our stuff into the van and started our journey back. The driver stopped by a rice shop and we initially didn't want to buy more, but ended up buying some glutinous rice too. 

On our return trip, we used the newly opened Sadao border crossing. Wah.. when we arrived, the queue was so long. And there were only very few counters open. But shortly after that, they quickly opened a few more counters and we cleared immigration on the Thai border within 30 minutes.

We also had to get off the van again this time with all our luggages to clear the Malaysian immigration. This was also done very quickly.

Hopped back into our van and off we go back to Penang. 

Arrived home before 6pm. We're lucky that traffic was good all the way, even crossing the bridge. 

Day 4: Exploring Hatyai and Shopping

This morning daddy and I headed out to his favourite porridge shop. We walked and we walked and we walked.. and then, the shop is no longer there. Sigh.. we can see that many shops were impacted by the floods. 

So we walked back. One of the shops was selling what looked like wan tan mee and the smells were wonderful.. or maybe it's coz my tummy was so hungry. Anyhow, they were not ready to open yet. 

So we gave up and headed back towards the hotel where we had seen (from our research) a shop selling bitter gourd noodles. Wow! It's so yummy. 

Ah Kong and Ah Ma had breakfast at the cafe downstairs from the hotel. This hotel did not have their own restaurant. Then we hopped into the tuk-tuk which brought us to Kim Yong market. We wanted to buy some cashews and snacks from this regular shop which daddy's friend usually frequents. Took us a while to find it. The sellers in the market were kind to point us towards the correct direction. 

Then we hopped into this really tiny and antique tuk-tuk who even had to ask someone on the road for directions to our hotel *sweat*

By the time we got back, you kids were finally up and almost ready to go out. Got this nice driver outside our hotel. We wanted to go to Central Hatyai. But before that we needed lunch. Ko-ko's friend gave another recommendation for boat noodle Chern Lhong Noodles. Ok, sounds good. 

Quite big portions, and not the cheapest. But hey, we're on holiday and it tastes good!

When we were done eating. Daddy texted our driver and he was soon here. Then we arrived in Central Hatyai. 

And they were having a pets fair. Guess who was the most excited:

Then we all went our separate ways to shop. 

We met up at the designated place and time and daddy called the driver again who came to pick us up.

We went home and then the 3 of us headed to Olivers for a massage while Mei-mei and Ah Ma had drinks and cakes. The same driver brought us there and back too. He's daddy's new best friend!

Dinner was at a restaurant just down the road, Jaelek. We asked the front desk to help us book a table. She said we could just walk in, but I explained that we had old folks with us and did not want to have to look for another place in case we could not get a table.

Miang kham

Tomyam soup

Cham Orm Omelette

Green curry

Fish cakes

Kangkung

Tanghoon prawns

Pandan chicken

Dessert

We headed towards the hotel and left Ah Kong and Ah Ma to go up while we headed back to the night market as Mei-mei said that she did not get to drink her frozen coke. The one she got at the night market in Songkhla was not frozen. Ok lo.. so we walked back there again.

After that, Ah Ma called to say that Ah Kong had wanted to go with us to the night market. Ko-ko and daddy decided to walk back and bring him over, and we both walked into this shop selling clickers. This time it's not full at all (it is a Sunday and most people have gone back to Malaysia).

Picking the keys

Worker sticking on the keys

Ended up Ah Kong threw a fit about not wanting to go, so the boys saw us and waited for us to go back together.