Sunday

We had a good day last Sunday. We did quite a bit of stuff and it was a mainly drama free, meltdown free day despite a pretty jam packed day.

We had Brunch in Loysel's Toy cafe. I didn't see any toys and I don't know why it is named a toy cafe. But they have damn bloody good coffee!

The cafe is by the river, we had a little walk after brunch. As much as Saffron can't really walk steadily yet, she just loves to walk! She  loves to follow Violet around. I should remind myself that I must share her enthusiasm for walking now because there will come a point when the novelty of walking wears off and she will want us to carry her all the time.

We went for an exhibit after that. It was at the old railway station. We had to queue for a while but the girls were alright. They were busy walking and running around. i did reward Violet with a ice pop after that. There were a few pop up cafes around the station, but mighty expensive. I realised that the popicle was $5 each and we bought two. No wonder they call it Popaganda. But the lemon olive oil one is good on a hot Sunday afternoon. We went home to change into our swim suits and went off for a dip! It was greast fun, splashing around, laughing. Nothing beats cooling off in a pool. If only I can have that lemon olive oil ice pop in the pool at the same time.

I was hoping that the girls nap well after the dip. No, Saffron has other plans. She didn't nap at all, much to my displeasure. I was hoping to rest a little too, but nope she was up all the way til we head out for dinner with the grandparents. She snoozed all the way in the car til almost after dinner. Then they went on the kiddy rides that Violet spotted while having dinner. Why ah, why are kids programmed to spot playgrounds and rides a mile away? Why aren't parents programmed to spot them before the kids do??!!!!!!

That isn't the end of the day yet. We went over to the grandparents' and they play some more. When they finally sleep, it was close to midnight. But it had been a good day.

Sisters

Happiness is seeing my 2 daughters having a good time together.

They seem to have a genuine liking each other. Violet will shower Saffron with plenty of hugs and kisses. She will tell Saffron not to cry in the most tender way. Saffron will always turn her head towards Violet's voice and she always always have a ready smile for Violet.

The New Boo

The newest Boo!
Obviously she looks quite different from the photo posted above. After all she is already 3 months old!

That is how long I have not written an entry. So much had changed, I don't really know how to navigate the new Blogger site. Which is a pain in the arse. Can I have the more straight forward site back please? I am a mother of 2 now, no time to waste navigating the site.

So much for 2011's new year resolution about having more ME time. I will write more soon(ish)

Zoo

We visited the zoo last weekend and had quite a good time. I always enjoyed visiting the zoo, although sometimes I do question what I am teaching my kid by bringing her to look at animals being caged up and not in their natural environment. I have been thinking about this issue and thought that at least, she grows up hopefully with a love for animals. From that, hopefully will learn to respect them and do more for them than I ever can. Zoos are places that should educate, and in that way, perhaps, a few animals gets 'sacrificed' and become exhibits.

I hate it when I sound like a hypocrite.

She loves the tram ride! It seems to be the highlight of the trip for her. Nope, didn't go to the water play park, since she was still having the runs and recovering. We didn't want her to get anything nasty nor infect some other poor kid.

The Sam Seng

She has finally finally accepted the hat once again. And that is due to her vanity. She has alright with one til she was about 8 months old. Everytime we want to head out outdoors, the second the hat touched her head, she would yank it off.

This trip was especially fun because she has taken more interest in the animals. She knows her animals, she has some faves and she will say the darnest things that makes us flip!

Goodbye Grandma

It finally happened. I had been dreading for the day, yet in some way, I am relieved. My grandma has passed on. A week ago, more precisely, on the 7th July. The above photo is the only one of my grandma, my mum me and little V. I remember it was V's first Chinese New Year. I remember that I kept telling myself that I have to remember to take a photo of the 4 of us. I knew there wouldn't be too many opportunities to do so.

Grandma had been unwell for a while. Things took a turn for the worse beginning of the year, around Chinese New Year when the doctors diagnosed her with cancer and told us that she had 6 months left. I took that piece of news pretty well in the hospital. It did take a while for it to hit harder. I broke down in the car on the way home. Was I sad that she was leaving? Was I sad that she might be feeling much pain? Maybe I was guilty that I didn't spend enough time with her. I used to feel sad after visiting her at home. Seeing her so helpless and immobile pains me so much that I couldn't bring myself to visit her enough. When it comes to stuff like that, I can be so weak. I made it a point to visit her more often this year. In the hospital and at home. Sometimes I feel so sad I would cry, even when I try not to, especially next to her. I just couldn't help myself, seeing her suffering needlessly. Deaths affect the people around a lot more than the one waiting for it to come.

I bring V with me most of the times when I visit Grandma. I thought it is good for her to know her a little more before she is gone for good. V does tell me, in her baby way, that Great Grandma is in pain, and she will massage her. V was a little afraid in the beginning, maybe with all the tubes running through the nose and the hands. Eventually, she was good. She would tell me about her Great Grandma after every visit. She talks about Grandma still, about the funeral, the wake and how she is resting. It is very comforting to hear her talk about all those things now. I remember changing her diaper on Grandma's bed during the 5 day wake. She started talking about Zhou Zhou (great grandma). Talked about Zhou Zhou's bed, how she would massage her, how she is in pain and that she is sick. As much as it was comforting, I felt pain. The last time I cried was the time my mum called to tell me that Grandma had passed on. I was feeling fine until that moment.

It was unreal and still a little unreal to be at her funeral. Seeing the coffin, seeing the photo, seeing everyone else being there. The one thing that had been on my mind for a while had been that I wouldn't be allowed at the funeral or wake because I was preggers. I wasn't there on the first day and wasn't there on the last day when everyone else sent her off and she was cremated. I wasn't allowed to be part of the prayers, but at least I was there at the wake for the rest of it. It helped me coped better with my grief.

These days, I have been thinking about the days when I was young and living with Grandma. Those memories! A lot to laugh about, a lot to smile about. Grandma was a very witty woman with plenty of sharp retorts and sayings. She made excellent chocolate cakes. I remember her curling her hair every night. I used to play with those plastic curls a lot. I miss her cooking. I miss sitting down with her every night talking. She used to get us ready for school in the mornings. We need to remember all those happier times and not the not so pleasant ones. For the last time, goodbye Grandma, thank you for the good memories.

I wouldn't want this Jelly in my Belly

My sister made some jellies and took it to a birthday party. I was at my mum's when the other sister took it out and let me try. I thought it was more suitable for a Halloween party! Check out the gross amount of colouring she used! I refused to try the jelly! What flavour is it? Algae? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Rose and Pineapple

My brother bought me a tin of these cookies. I had just a few and there are a lot more to go. It is rose flavoured with just a teeny weeny of pineapple taste in it. Nice and not too sweet. A tin of cookies from this place always remind me of my wedding.

Bangkok Day 3

I think 3 hearty dinners in a row is just about the most that I can stomach. I can't do heavy meals too much these days, there just isn't enough space for The Little One and all that food. I will feel so stretched and uncomfortable that walking about can be quite a pain. Smaller and more frequent meals are the way to go now. Funny thing is, I didn't feel too bad with all the eating in Bangkok. Perhaps I wasn't eating as much as I think I was. I will miss in BKK definately, and it will be the main reason I will go back. Next time we may wanna consider Chiang Mai! I am keen on a makan trip to Taipei too..

I was telling The Husband that we didn't sightsee much this time too. All the time spent just eating and taking it slow. Sometimes, we had to do just that - eat and relax and enjoy each other's company.

Going loco in Jim Thompson. I always had fun shopping here.

Ala Project Runway...

Bangkok Day 2

Shopping is not something that I do really well. Unless I have tonnes to spend, it will be a totally different story. I didn't know going into Naraya can be so much fun. HAHAHAHA!

I almost died in Platinum Mall. If it wasn't for my sister, I wouldn't even be in that place. I am surprised my dad was actually pretty patient throughout the whole Platinum Mall episode and so was The Husband! It wasn't all the bad, we were pretty early and the crowd wasn't in til much later. When it got crowded it was almost as unbearable as Chatuchak market. That said, even I bought some stuff. Not really for myself, more for The Little One. The clothes are so cheap. Less than 3 bucks for a set of clothes! Less than 10 bucks for a dress! How not to stock up you tell me?

I am still smiling in this picture because we just started with the shopping in Platinum Mall. I wasn't looking half as enthusiatic when we were leaving.