Happy Birthday June!!

Happy Birthday Ian!

Here he is visibly upset about dropping his half eaten crab pincer...

Ian turns 11 today!

I hope you enjoyed your day out with us :D

Party Planner

Ian's birthday party is coming up this Saturday and yours truly has volunteered to include a game or two into the itinerary--right there between eating, video games and cake--just so the lot does not spend four hours glued in front of the telly. 

This isn't my first time coming up with games for a kids party, although technically all those previous years doesn't count as it doesn't take two seconds to throw musical chairs and hide and seek into the mesh. And since now that I'm teaching, hey, who better than to direct those skills into contributing something to this party?

I spent the past week experimenting with a game or two with my classes, whenever I was able to sneak some time. I basically suck at coming up with creative games, so I did what I know best--a general knowledge game. The very mention of the name made my kids literally groan at the possible dullness by the sound of it.

However, they soon changed their minds. Here's how the game works;

1. Divide kids into smaller groups

2. Distribute sheets of paper and pencils to one elected member of each group 

3. Ask questions

4. Kids get 60 seconds to write down as many answers as they can come up with

5. Points are awarded based on how many correct answers they give

6. Winner gets bragging rights for the day

This is a list of questions I've been able to come up with so far and have tested;

Name as many...

1. Countries which names end with -land

2. Animals which live on both land and in water

3. Insects which do not have any color of the rainbow

4. Countries which names end with -a

5. Animals which names start with the letter C

The kids really enjoyed these games, but I'm running out of ideas. I try not to ask easy questions like no.5 and prefer those which require a little more thinking (no.1-4). Any ideas? I would appreciate it!

A (Late) Night Out at Hard Rock Cafe

Well finally something to blog about!

Ok, that really sounds depressing. Either way, yesterday we met up with our oldest cousin Wee Liat who was down here on a trip from Australia at Hard Rock Cafe. Dinner was supposed to start at 8pm, but yours truly, having had to travel to USJ (it was my maiden voyage there, worse that I was driving alone and unfamiliar with the place) for work, got lost twice on her attempt to get home. So dinner started at 9pm instead and by that time, everybody's stomachs were rumbling in symphonies. 

It was a good dinner overall with the talking and catching up, but sadly to say, HRC's food quality has dropped drastically and nobody enjoyed their food (which made late dinner sort of worse) not mentioning that the night cost us RM400. I think the only thing good about the night was that we all got to see Wee Liat again. You can be sure that we won't be visiting HRC anytime soon and would have rather spent that moolah at Chili's or TGIF. 

See any resemblances between us?

Ian loves his steak!

My burger...which I didn't love. Or even like. Bleh.

It's scary what we choose to sacrifice

Today, I scared myself.

I've always been one to put loved ones first; family, boyfriend. Whether it be a simple outing to a major decision, it was clear and simple. No need for second thoughts. 

Then I got this job--my first job--which has been causing me to sacrifice time to be with subjects of matter. At first it was missing two dinners a week with the family. Shortly after, I was cutting down on quality time with Phil on two days.

Now, this job--this, highly unstable job, is giving me back my two missing dinners but taking away five days of substantial quality time with Phil.

And I'm accepting as of tomorrow.

It's a bittersweet thing.

I'm happy to be able to no longer work nights...but, how could I have said Yes, to lean towards agreeing to something which would take away more of what little I have with him? Do I have to sacrifice even more sleep five days a week? Would I sacrifice it?

Yes, I would.

Knowing eventually, it would take its toll on me. I'd grow old faster, die younger and eye bags so big I'd be mistaken for a panda.

But who am I? Sacrificing all these for what? Money? It's sad.

It's just a job!

Loved ones are loved ones.

I just hope I'll only need to keep on doing this for not that much longer.

I don't want to be forced to give up more and more.

I just love this picture so that's why it's up here :P

The End of Birthday Celebrations

It's been too long a while since I've had a really great birthday.

This year's is one to always remember...thanks to the people involved and the days spent celebrating it, I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend it (other than having Phil down here with us, of course).

Tonight, my family went for our long awaited annual birthday dinner, this year at some really fancy Japanese buffet restaurant in Eastin Hotel. This marks the end of birthday celebrations which began at 12am Thursday and what a way to bring it to an end with great food and great company.

My family and I having awesome Japanese food!

A big surprise!

My dad got me this camera as my birthday present, something quite unusual for him as he normally gives angpows for my birthdays. 

Another big surprise!

My dad got my mum this really cool new phone, also something quite unusual for him as he normally gives her jewelry and angpows as well!

Sigh.

What a great birthday.

Happy Birthday To Me!!

Twenty-three!!

Woo hoo! It's my birthday today!!

It's been one I've been looking forward to a lot, even more than my 16th or 21st birthday as my 23rd birthday holds a lot of significance for me--or at least for this family because the number 23 holds a special place in our hearts.

I want to say thank you all soooo much for the birthday wishes I have been receiving and I'm touched you took the effort of sending them.

Also a special thank you to my family, most especially my sister June, for toiling over two birthday cakes for me and my mum's birthday! (I did mention we share the same birthdate, right?)

Here are a few pictures of our traditional midnight celebration :D

Our lovely cakes that June baked.

 Can you guess which belongs to who?

One of the best cakes I've ever had!

I didn't want to cut into the beautiful cake...but eventually I caved.

Oooh, and colorful surprises behold inside!

Someone sent me this lovely birthday card...and forgot to sign it.

I have no idea who sent it O_o

Birthday cards from June and Mum!! Lovely!!

June's homemade birthday gift to me.

Inspired by our joke-cracking dad, of course. ;)

Look, No Touch

Yes, I know.

It's not even October yet and I've already gotten a birthday present for my mother. At the moment, it's on display on the dining table and will be until the 23rd. She'll have to look at it each and every time she wants to go to the kitchen--and come out of it. I wonder if she's tempted to pry the sides open...hmm! Oh well, could be fun watching her resist for almost a month! Heehee!

The truth about me and buying presents is that I love to do it. Birthdays, Christmas or just-for-fun, I try to find excuses to buy the people I love and/or care for things whenever I see something that makes me think of them. I normally think about what I'm going to get someone a birthday/Christmas present at least a few months ahead and always set out to buy it one month in advance. 

Except...

...when I have no idea what to get! :P

Velkommen!

I got word that my godparents, Linda and Ole had requested my blog address from my dad. I haven't met them since I was 8 years old so here's a BIG shout out to you both! I hoped you have learned more about us while my dad was in Denmark and wished I could have come along to visit! Hopefully, your visit to my blog will bring you more up to speed with what's been happening in our lives (OKOK, mine mostly since this blog is central to it :P).

To make things easier, here's a list of posts containing lots of pictures (so you don't have to wade through tons of posts to get to the juicy bits!)

Mooncake Festival '08

My grandma's birthday (just. look. at. the. colorful. cake.)

My holiday in Florida '08 - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

My graduation '08

A random pictorial post with pics of family + the bf

Chinese New Year '08

Puddles

...meh...the list is shorter than I expected. 

Enjoy!

Mooncake Festival

My family and I had a wonderful time celebrating the Mooncake Festival today. We spent quality time having a scrumptious dinner and playing with lanterns after. Here are some pictures from today's celebrations.

A Mooncake 

(the egg yolk inside represents the moon)

Mummy dearest prepared a wonderful dinner for the family and surprisingly, it wasn't Chinese! We had fantastic bacon wrapped chicken, bbq'd lamb chops, potato salad and a broccoli-cauliflower cheesebake!

People were begging for scraps while the lamb chops were being cooked outback!

We hung colorful paper lanterns all over the porch and patio, adding to the mood of the festival. On the floor is Ian's squirrel glass paper lantern.

Almost no tree or plant were spared of decoration! The view from our patio was very nice with all the lanterns hung around.

Mummy dearest fixing up a plant with lanterns

Ian was happiest playing with his lanterns and sparklers!

It's become tradition for us kids to encrust the porch floors melted wax from playing with candles. Here's June burning some away!

Candles await their infinite doom...

Here's wishing you a Happy Mooncake Festival!

Kids really do say the cutest things

My mother was busy in the kitchen.

Chopping. Slicing. Rapidly.

Then the blade slit her finger.

Blood came.

My ten year old brother jumped out of his chair, frantic.

He rushed to grab her tissues.

She was touched by his alarm.

She dabbed.

He looked at her finger, thoughtful.

"Please don't get blood on my food"

Because spending time with family is fun

June and I having a lil' quality sister chit chat time at TGIF

Delicious, fattening, artery hardening food!

The beef tacos were bad and we think you'd get a much better deal at the Mexican restaurant in Pavilion.

Guitar Hero Mania

"Haaaalp!! My coordination sucks!!"

The Pro showing off his skills!

Guitar Hero spares no one XD

A Colorful Birthday

The Birthday Girl

(and a good lookin' 80 years young one too!)

The Birthday Cake

(courtesy of my mother)

Catching up with cousin Joanne

The culinary highlight of the night!

A tale of two pairs of sisters

"It's too much of a beaut to eat!"

"Mmm...but I'll try my best!"

"Me too!"

Uncle Boon and his picture perfect "HO CHIAK!"

5 Reasons Why We Love Mommies

Glorious, glorious home-cooked Chinese food...

Graduation!!!

Pictures!!! Pictures!!!

Who doesn't like pictures?!?!

I have GRADUATED from university today and it was a memorable experience!

With mum and dad who got me flowers!

Great pic of my mum and me

Oodles and oodles of flowers are the way to go!

With my RP supervisor, Dr. Mahmud and his spankin' new locks

This is just one of many taken with all my coursemates!

Shubes and me lookin' pretty!

Will post more pictures when I get back from Florida!

My Absence in Pictures

Apparently, my absence of producing new posts have been noticeable. So, I've decided to share with you guys what I've been up to the past 18 days in not so many words becauseimtoolazytowriteanessay. Not too many pictures either but hey, they did say one picture = 1000 words. So I'm good. :P

The *main* distraction. 

Was incredibly happy to have Phil spend his break here from the (too much) sun and sand in Afghanistan!

We went to watch Marie Digby perform in person at 1Utama. Too many people were cramped into just one mall, but it was a nice show. Didn't quite expect Phil to buy her album but I'm glad he did because I'm enjoying it *so* much!

Ran into cousin Kelz while at the showcase too! Love the shirt!

Finally went to experience feeding fishies with our feet at the Fish Spa. 

Can't wait to go back for round two!

Met up with D-Man for movies and dinner. Provider of all things funny, as usual ;)

Celebrated a very significant date; my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. Had a wonderful time and ended up being happy to have Phil drag me on to the dance floor. Woot! Had cake.

Us doing what we spent most of the time doing; spending time together (at too many malls too many times). 

18 days sped by too fast, but that only means so will the arrival of August!