Langkawi Getaway

It came as a nice surprise, hubby announced his already planned holiday for us as a family. I really felt that he had done a sweet thing. It's something when guys take the initiative for a good thing, kinda feel that someone cared, aww, like being held in a warm blanket. Of course, we're also taking some risks as this would be the first flight Michael will be boarding. I kept thinking of whether he would experience his ear drums pop (think that's the way to describe it) or would he throw up, but Michael just loved the experience on the plane, so much so that he could have spoilt the foldable table attached to the front seat!

Awana Porto Malai was a good stay, Michael adored the pool and promptly reminded us of his daily schedule to swim as soon as he wakes. Mommy just kept away from getting drenched as sonny splashed the water around. Nothing beats family fun time. And Underwater World Time. And keeping Michael within distance time. And I wann Chuppa Chups time. It's so great with a child around. Don't mind the tantrums, there's always a rainbow after a shower.

Our holiday nearly turned into a tragedy on the eve of our departure. In a matter of seconds Michael got loose and headed to the koi pond and tripped head down into the water. I was only a few steps away but could not reach him to pull him out. It was dark there and i had to be careful where to put my feet so I would not accidently have steppend on him. My heart skipped a beat when I realised he was motionless. He cried instantly after I pulled him out of the water. I kept thinking how unbelievable it is that it happened as I hugged him tightly to calm him down. I could have lost you, I said. Thank God for having mercy on us.

Dinner with a friend had to be cancelled as we had to tend to Michael. We had to search for his other pair of shoes as his new pair was drenched with fish pond water, only realising that the shopkeeper had not returned them to us after we shopped at her store. Then the rush to Kuah before the shop closing time began. We got the shoes back but dinner had been much much delayed.

With all the exhaustion and the adrenalin rush, we finally got to unwind at the Red Tomato. They serve really yummy pizzas and cheese toasties. Michael was rewarded with a big scoop of vanilla icecream with butterscotch and banana slices. Poor kid was too tired to really enjoy his dessert, he was still a little shaken over what happened. So was I.

A good night's rest and a morning Chuppa Chup helped Michael get going. The hotel manager allowed him to feed the fishes after breakfast and boy did he have a good time doing that. He had no reservations going near the water again, each of his clumsy moves sending jitters through my spine. Let there not be another episode! Now I understand why mommy was so panicky when we do something adventurously enjoyable. It was just too threatening for her.

Stepping into Queen's Bay Mall Jusco member's day was like consolation for me, I was able to get some new clothes for Michael at a huge discount. With that taken care of, I need not worry seeing him outgrowing his tshirts before new ones come along. Finally, just very thankful we came home safely.

waa... time flies

Symptoms of time deficiency:

1. sleep deprivation.
2. memory loss.
3. fragmented speech.
4. high-speed brain processing.
5. massive brain drain.
6. ......

Chives for a good Heart

There is a certain rustic charm in home made dishes. I made my first attempt in cooking some chives pancake for my dad today. Gao Choy Piang, that's what he'll call it in his English accented Cantonese tone. They are really simple pancakes whisked out of water, wheat flour, egg, chopped chives, salt and pepper; dropped into the pan for a light searing. Olive oil for his good health, I reminded myself. As the mixture cooks itself with the bubbling oil, I recalled how he would buy these pancakes from his favourite brunch place and ride home with them in a plastic bag hanging on the handle of his scooter. It must be the sweet aftertaste of chives that he loves, I keep saying. He loved them so much that he would never stop buying them even though I think the seller is ripping him off terribly - RM1.50 for a pancake with some egg in it. He would buy three. If not for his diabetes, I'm sure he would take the whole platter. So chives in a pancake to delight my daddy. At 70, you would want to enjoy food without the hassle of getting them from outside.

Thinking about how he believed in the medicinal values of chives and how much he enjoyed them, I realised that this would be one of the things that would be part of my memory of who he is. Funny it is how food would become relished as a story of our lives, intrinsically and solidly weaved. Yes, home cooked food builds self-awareness, well, at least for me. Special Porridge, a deadly tasty concoction of eveything edible found in the kitchen added into boiling rice was Daddy's specialty dish when mom's away. Amused by the changing ingredients in this powerful stew, I never grew out of it. No surprise, porridge was the first thing I learnt to cook well. I am tickled by the fact that sweet foods do not attract such a nostalgia, despite that I'm a die hard sweet tooth. Perhaps we identify with food chiefly because we identify with the person involved. Like Daddy - chives, fatty pork, gravy, special porridge. Hmm, how shall I say it? Simple dishes are like garnishes, adding flavours to my soul. And this flavour may take eternity to age.

"SHMILV" - (poem for michael) inspired by chicken soup for the soul

those little fingers and dainty toes
bright round eyes and garlic-like nose
flashing me smiles pacing on twos
saying "see how much I love you"

brush of your eyebrows bends like the moon
the turn of the ear at the touch of the spoon
every mouthful of broth and heart wrenching cough
saying "see how much I love you"

sleep is sweet play is bliss
such is your day that flies like a kiss
i cherish these moments watching you grow
saying "see how much I love you" so

hope you'll be strong hope you'll reach high
to live a legacy never gone by
such is the whisper of my heart that cries
"see how much I love you"

pre and post christmas cheer

For those whom I had not wished some Christmas cheer: merry belated Christmas and happy new year! Christmas came and passed in such a jiffy! I wished it would be longer. We threw a Christmas Eve seafood steamboat supper for our youth and young adult leaders. Thankfully, mom-in-law was willing to help prepare some delicious chicken broth which made it all the more sumptous. Marketing with Michael was challenging, especially when he's excited to look at the different things offered at the stalls and we had to be careful as the floor is slippery and wet. It was the second time I get to prepare crabs for a meal and I forgot about those thorns jutting out of the claws! Baby was franctic being left to play alone as I got absorbed in preparing the food in the kitchen. Finally the crowd came to the rescue. With 4 or 5 people surrounding our little star, he decided to settle for some play and talking. But it was pay back time from mommy the day after - he virtually superglued himself to me and refused to let me leave him, even to make his meals.

We received many presents, even Michael received presents, which made it all the more exciting. Unwrapping presents now had to wait till we have recouped our energy and Mikey baby has slept. Besides a wipe and write board book, t-shirts and an angpow, this baby was given a multi activity walker with a electronic activity board that could be detached to be placed on the floor, placed in a sitting position or fixed with wheels as a walker. He was having a great time exploring the dashboard this morning. Really really grateful to Michelle and Danny for this costly gift, and for lugging it all the way from Singapore - thanks for the love!

In conjuction with Christmas, I decided to let Michael try some finely flaked cod fish (they are so expensive now adays!) but he doesn't seem to like it; preferring sweet potatoes and carrots instead. Maybe he's got a sweet tooth like me. Also starting him to eat some brown rice porridge with spinach and fish - he doesn't like it either. I'll let him try a few days more and then we'll see. He's scooting more often then crawling, many times attempting to stand. Looking at him grow, I can't stop telling myself how fast time passes - he's nearing 8 months now. Soon he'll be walking and talking. I do feel a little impatient wanting to see what he'll be like as more of his personality shows as he grows. On the other hand, I do wish time would not pass so quickly so I could savour him as he is now more. Maybe I'm afraid that I would forget how he was when he's little. To be honest, I seem to have forgotten how it was when I went into labour and then confinement. And now, a new year is just around the corner. Another new mile with changes coming my way. I'm excited!

first sign

I truly understand how frustrating it is not being able to get your point across, you just end up feeling annoyed. Michael grunts and throws tantrums when he couldn't get me understand what he wants. For a seven-month old, he's very expressive and assertive. We have been having battles of baby crying versus mommy trying to survive the travailing eversince day 1. The seventh month crying was much different - he expresses more clearly his particular intention and tries to communicate - just that I could not tell what he is fussing about. Every time he cries in frustration, I secretly wished beneath my seemingly cold reaction that someone should really come out with some interpreting tool that we all could afford before he wears me down - I bet it'll top Ikea as the next best seller in history.

God heard my silent prayer of desparation, really, He did. Soon, I chanced upon a book on teaching hearing babies sign language so they could use their hands to communicate before they could talk. What a great resource! It's a bit of work but I'm glad to get my hands on it. The first signs I taught myself and baby was MILK, EAT and MORE. He giggled the first few times I placed my fingers on my lips to mimic eating, later he just ignored what I was doing. I kept on signing anyway. After 2 days, Michael attempted his first signing - MILK for supper. It was his usual time for milk. When I responded with milk in a bottle, he looked very pleased and gulped down the contents with a delighted sparkle in his eye. I sensed relief and also like baby, satisfaction, that finally, we could settle some issues without going through a battle. It feels somewhat like we've advanced from savage to civilization, just because we could communicate sensibly. Really, really happy for this milestone.

stationed anyone?

michael's crawling has progressed from a clumsy lunge and a quick reverse to smooth crawlies - though he tires easily, he sure does not show any signs of giving up. The floor's the favourite place now, I have to watch him whenever he approaches the edge of the mattress I have laid on the floor. He has bumped his head hard couple of times and I think he has learnt to be cautious when mummy says "careful!". No new photos yet, sorry folks.