I am happy

Accidently went into MySpace and read some of the poems written last year before deciding to stay at home permanently and give up on that paycheck... this is one of it.

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It's The Simple Things That Stays

Oh no, no more treats at restaurants, I think
But when Mark joins me at the table
With Jem banging his little hands on his high chair
The simple fares I'd prepared
Will do fine I think

Oh no, we have to tighten up on our spendings I think,
No more toys and Mocha Iced blend
Mark made a cuppa from those he bought in Malacca
And Jem offered me his little tea set
These will do fine too I think

Oh no, Christmas is round the corner I think,
With my new little nephews n all the little babes
I sure hope i have enuf for a little something
But little Kieran snuggle up my chin with a smile
That do fine for him I think

Oh no, there goes my diving trip again,
but that thot soon dissipate
With Jem splashing in his tub
And pass me his little watering can
That's perfectly fine I think

Oh no, how about the Aussie trip?
"Catch!" Too late the ball hit me
And their laughters ring so sweetly
As we run round the playround
Yeah, once again it's fine I think

The moon shines bright and the night arrives
A hug from Mark
And a kiss from Jem
Puts me back to dreamland
Knowing jolly well that all will be fine.
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this came to mind....

Really

Really
Chasing my 2 Js round the house,
hearing their laughter rings out loud
beats
chasing for deadlines to be met.

Truly
Screaming another round of "No! No touch!"
coaxing for the little mouths to open for food
surpass
cursing the boss for doing it last minute again.

Genuinely
Getting the house cleaned up and hot dinner done
with Mark lounging comfortably after work
fulfils
more than having good appraisals

Honestly
Playing dress up with them
donning a bowl for a hat
excel
sipping red wine in a Bow and Tie event.

Seriously
Dipping fingers into the paints
wiping creams out of tiny fingers
surpass
getting handshakes from the VIPS

Really... when you are with the things that really matters, having less might just amplifies the blessings a thousand fold.

Gardening

Yes yes yes!! I'm playing with soils now... dipping my manicured fingers into the grubby brown stuff. What to do??? I simply love flowers and my prayers for a man that constantly shower me with some just din get answered... i just gotta make my own dream comes through.

I have started with a herb garden since flowering ones needs more cares... look what i've gotten!



Spring onions from big yellow onions... goes well with my fishies



Basil !! my fav !! next to oregano... had tried some in my sauces... yummilicious!!



Chilli padi from seeds.. think it's gonna survive since the 3rd n 4th leaves r out.. the pot behind are coriander seedlings.

Driving up to Malacca

Early at 8am on 8th Nov, we met up with Winney's family at the Woodland's Carpark and started off to our first drive up to Malacca.

Our first stop is to Tebrau Justco to have a nice breakfast of toast and eggs. And of course topping up on necessities like more chips?

Next we moved on to Muar for the Kopi that Alicia's dad had recommended. Oh my... what a out of the way town. But it turns out to be a pretty little place which i think i'll like to go back if i have the chance again. It has loads of shoe shops, nice food and great otak!!

Finally we reached Jonker St. at 4plus.. and of course we had to go get our hands on some heavenly chendols after enduring such a long ride. Afterwhich we settled our dinner at Newton Food Centre, satisfying our tummies with hot bak kut teh and yummy sambal sotong. Back to the car, we rolled on to our 'home' for 2 days... A'Famosa Condotel

Rise and Shine to the Animal World!! Personally I think Bangkok one is more enjoyable but we still had fun. The Safari ride turned out to be more of a F1 track... behold a stuffy one. The package came with lunch and it was pretty amusing to have food vouchers. The kids had fun feeding the elephants with sugar canes and taking boat ride to a small island.

Evening time see us back in the town queueing up at Satay Celup. Woah!!! Super yummy!! SOmeone should bring this into Singapore... Then we went for the night market at Jonker st. Yes!! more chendol and this time round... we found Mango Chendol!! I luv their modern clogs but din get a pair... well, kinda regret now.

Day Three brought us at Mahkota Parade which little Jerome had to choose MacDonalds. Oh well, i do miss having Double McSpicy and Mark's Beef Foldover was yummy as well. We got Jem his toy golf set. Yes!! i have to mention the wonderful Cornetto Sundae at the Mac which i had before we left the building.

Drove off to look for the elusive peranakan food nearby... turned out to be a hard search. In the end, we settled for The Chicken Rice Ball where they do serve some nonya dish as well. Well, not too bad... the sambal was nice and our tummies were full for the long ride home...

More photos at : http://www.flickr.com/photos/ting-family/sets/72157603133582543/

Fishing at Marina South

The pond at Marina South is going to close soon to make way for the big project. Been seeing a lot of good catches from other anglers so we decided to have a go before it is gone forever. First time that we actually go for two rods at a paypond.. a bit painful to the pocket but joyful in the heart.

We had Dim Sum Buffet at Ocean Orient with Winney's family in the morning then proceed to the pond with them joining us for a while... Then later in the evening, Ivan came along with his brother.




Total catches : 3 barramudi, 1 Mangrove Jack, 1 Golden Pomfret

More photos at : http://www.flickr.com/photos/ting-family/sets/72157603132874825/

Lazy Dinner

One of the lazy dinner we had out of the fish we caught and frozen pratas. The kids had baked prata with sausage and cheese and shepherd's pie.