Prawn Noodles

I have been feeling lethargic almost this whole week. And I was having slight fever earlier on the week. Three colleagues and two at home are coughing. I decided to have a break and not work in the afternoon.

On the way home, I decided to take away some food instead of coming home to cook.

The shop which sells these prawn noodles used to operate near my office but they moved to another area nearby when the shop owner they were renting from decided not to operate during the day time.

I only poured half of the soup into the bowl. Otherwise I would not be able to take a snapshot of the whole thing and the soup would cover the noodles and the ingredients.

The soup was so concentrated and yummylicious. The "keow teow" (flat rice noodle) was cooked to the right texture. The prawns though small in size were fresh. The ‘kangkung’ (water spinach) was overdone though and therefore the colour was a bit out but still tasted fine. The half hard boiled egg and bean sprouts were just perfect. Everything combined together to make one gastronomical affair.

Shrimp Paste

Mixture of Soup with Shrimp Paste

Yeah this is the type of food I eat when I want to boost some cholesterol counting in my system.

After my one hour nap, I was pleased to see the weather cleared up and went for 57mins of brisk walking around the neighbourhood after one whole week off. I enjoyed the walk and took time to admire all God’s wonderful creation – the sky with its changing clouds formation, the sun set, the birds chirping in the air, the trees and the plants.

On my sixth round, I also saw six neighbourhood kids riding on their bikes approaching. At first they left me alone. Then they started to take turns to encircle around me. I did not react. Further on, they tried to repeat the same thing but my eyes stared at the two who were trying to approach me. They got scared and aborted the idea. Then the whole gang left. I was left in peace again.

(These kids reminded me of my childhood as well (though not the bullying part. We never bully anyone).

When I attended school in the morning, afternoon time was spent playing with the neighbourhood kids. The games we played included the following.

1. Rounders (adapted to our liking ie. using our hand instead of bat).

2. Marbles (Yes, I was once the Queen of this game).

3. Using skipping rope made out of rubber bands, there were plenty of jumping and skipping games we could play using the rope.

4. Catching small fishes inside the shallow drains.

5. 'Stepping aeroplane' game.

6. Stone pebbles game.

7. Police and thieves.

Ah the joy of growing up ...)

Colleagues' Kids

I wanted to carry the baby girl but she would not let me. My colleague TI told me she does not even allow her grandparents to carry her, only her parents and siblings. So my wish was definitely out of the question.

The little 5 y.o. fella on the left is always running around and packed with energy. He called me 'cheh cheh' instead of aunty and I became his best friend during the trip. Whatever he was doing, he had never failed to check on what I was doing. He has observation skill to the extent that he was looking at my finger nails and commented that I have short ones. He then proceeded to show me his. He would also hold my hand and play with my fingers. His dad KK also commented on how he kept on sticking to me like super glue.

Rhema Learning Center Thanksgiving and Talent Time Night

The event was held at Sabah Golf and Country Club at 7p.m.

Chloe sang solo accompanied by Sarah Koo on the piano.

All the microphones were not functioning properly the whole night. And even sitting near the front did not help much.

Besides the Junior choir sang, two individual students performed on the piano and drums. A group of junior students also sang and acted.

The highlight of the evening were the dramas performed by five groups. All the creative juices came out during this time as each group had to write and act out their own script based on different theme such as love, peace, etc. given to them. There were so many props being used.

Barnabas and Chloe’s group won the best script award. I also thought their group would win because five of them acted really well and their voices were audible.

Being a Kid

Two days ago the lady boss brought her youngest son CG an 8 y.o. to the office in the afternoon while the boss was attending a meeting outside.

CG was playing computer games on his dad’s computer when nature call beckoned. He ran out from his dad’s room and on his way to the toilet, he told me he had to do his small business. I told him he had to use the toilet at the next door office and that what when he answered me ‘nevermind’. He went back to his dad's room and continued playing the pc games. Wow, he could stop his nature call just like that. I was impressed.

But ten minutes later he came out urgently and told me he could not hold it anymore. haha

Things kids do …

Gaya Christmas Celebration on 20 December 2007 (Photos)

Gaya Christmas Celebration on 20 December 2007

Chloe Chong and Alistair Ng were singing in the choir for The Cross & The Star event of the night presented by The Combined Anglican Church Children Ministry.

Alistair looked so cute all dressed up in his red shirt with blue pants, makeup on his face and hair gel on his hair. He was the youngest and all the girls singing in the choir were swarming to him like bees to honey. He was singing all through the performance and moving his body to the beat of the music. He looked so cute and adorable on stage.

At one part, Chloe was singing solo and there were so many photographers who went to the front of the stage to take her photo.

Both of them did us proud!

Before we left, Mervis Chong (Chloe’s dad) and I brought Chloe and Alistair to walk around Gaya Street.

The atmosphere was quite nice, with choirs singing and lights everywhere.

We adjourned to have supper at Diamond Restaurant.

Isn’t he cute?

This is Isaac Tai, born on 4 April 2007 to Andrew and Rebecca Tai.

Isaac is a joyful toddler and likes to smile a lot.

Rhema Learning Center Thanksgiving Night 15 November 2007

Chloe Chong moved in to live with us since beginning of 2007 because her dad has been busy going outstation for work most of the time and sometimes she has to be alone in the apartment.

Before she moved in, we enquired about transportation cost to and from her school from drivers who operate ‘school bus’ from our neighbourhood. Since she would be the first one to get on board and the last one to arrive home, the cost would be more than RM200 per month. Because of the expensive cost, she changed school to Rhema Learning Center joining her cousin Barnabas Ng.

At the beginning of the year when Chloe started to attend this school, she could hardly read or speak English and I spent some time with her at night doing her homework. But I could not do it for long because I usually feel so tired by the time I arrive home from work.

Anyway, at the Rhema Learning Center Thanksgiving Night I was completely amazed by how much Chloe has come to where she is now. That night I can say she was the ‘star’ because she was involved in so many performances. She also won some academic awards for all the hard work she had put in throughout the year.

Barnabas also did very well on his part in speaking Mandarin that night. He also won some academic awards. Well done to both Barnabas and Chloe! Keep up the good work kids!