Woah! I have been missing in action for quite some time now. Actually, it was more like I was taking in all the action. Went to Sunway Pyramid for the Hari Raya Puasa long weekend. I really let my hair down and let go!!!!

First of all, we were upgraded to k class executive (Konsortium)when we were on our way back. Super comfortable. Plus because we got the first row of seats, there was a much bigger leg room.

Already started shopping right after we dumped our bags in our room and spent almost the whole day at the theme park screaming our lungs out. By the way, just in case you were wondering who is the "we" in question, it's me and my ex-colleague. we went up the water slide 4 times, trying out the different slides, but on the last time down, I almost drowned as the speed was too fast and our float toppled. I was overthrown from the float and yet I could not touch the ground. Panic came over me and I kept bobbing up and down in the float 'hole'. I was finally saved by a lifeguard.

Ate at Nando's too! It was not the same as when I ate in Melbourne or the sort of taste that I remember from Perth but it definitely did satisfy my craving for peri-peri sauce. Yum!


Fooling around with big frames 'spectacles' on our way to Sunway.

Was trying to take a picture of the night view from our room and I ended up seeing this amazing yet, a little scary reflection of ourselves!


Fooling around with big frame spectacles yet AGAIN! Hahaha!


The view from our room during the day.

Watching Getai

I used to think that going to getais (those temporary stages put up to allow the ghosts and humans to enjoy) were tacky. There will be singers singing ah lien songs, wearing ah lien clothes and patronised by lots of old ah bengs.

I am not sure whether it is an age thing or whether my perception has totally changed but I was actually looking forward to going to a getai and to embrace whatever that comes with it. It has finally dawned on me that it is something that is quite unique to these parts of the world.

I came home to echo-y loud music and walked towards that all too familiar stage with live singers belting out oldies and old Japanese style sort of songs. It was as if I was mesmerised. There was a lot of talking before the singing and when the singer did sing, it was obvious that age had caught up with her and her voice was not as loud and clear. I went up stairs to put my stuff down and was met with Dad.

Both of us came down again and watched the last hour of the live show before retiring back to our humble abode. There was an ang-moh sitting down to watch the show as well.

Before, I used to get creeped out by the fact that the front few rows of chairs were always left empty for the ghosts. Now though, I guess it is part of our culture and I just accept it.

Tacky as it may all seem to be, I quite enjoyed the whole experience.

Belly dance my way to slim-ness

The community club (cc) is just a stone's throw away from my house now. Used to scone at the activities and courses that they offer until my Dad became a course provider there himself.

I had previously picked up some brochures for belly dancing classes and aerobics classes at the cc. I finally decided on belly dancing as it held on Thursdays. Aerobics classes were on Fridays and I still wanted to reserve that evening for fun and friends.

After dinner (please see previous posting) and sending my aunts home, we came home (obviously). Dad and I had to pass the cc after we have parked our car at the multi-story car park. I didn't want to procrastinate anymore and decided to just sign up!

Quite excited actually as I had been wanting to learn this for quite some time. Other than learning something that I am interested in, I can get a decent workout! How wonderful! I'm excited (as you can see from all the exclamation marks).

First Aider!

It's been a busy week at work and my weekend is burnt. Burnt because I have been sent to attend a First Aid course. Finally!!

It was on very short notice and I realised that it was going to be from 8.30am to 6pm!!! What a drag! But after I went in for the lesson, I decided that it was going to be fun! It was, and I made a lot of new friends. All ladies of course.

The facilitator was also cute, not in the sense of handsome-cute but more humorous cute. He is an ex-paramedic with very real stories and lots of scenarios for us to play out. I had to 'kiss' a dummy and revive a baby dummy but it was all fun. I am kind of happy that I finally got to learn first aid. Even when I was in my Librarian job, I was not sent on this course. I'm glad to say that at least I now know what the steps to CPR are.

I wanted to buy dumplings from Fong Kee (People's Park Complex) as it was near where I had my course but turned out that my aunts went to our new place for a tour of the house and wanted to eat at Chinatown!

I walked the tourist streets of Chinatown such as Pagoda Street and Trengganu Street before meeting them to eat at the Chinatown hawker centre. If you are a Cantonese and enjoy traditional Cantonese food, then you should really try this stall called Macau Fong Cheng Cuisine (#02-211). It was yummilicious!!!!! Psst! It was so yummy that I had 2 bowls of rice :P

It's a new day

I am very happy today. Everything has fallen into place. I have truly begun my new chapter in life. I need to live my life as I mean it to be and not in a half here and half not kind of state.

I received an sms from my lawyer saying that she has sent me the final judgement from the Family Court. This morning, I did not have to go to work as it was Teacher's Day!! The funny thing was that I woke up with a vision of Mary and me in front of the grotto. Oh sweet loving Virgin Mary! She has, in her own ways, comforted me along the way, in ways, I do not know how to explain.

Today, I truly feel like a new person and I should try to remember this feeling and live each day like this.

I went out to celebrate Teacher's Day with my Dad as he is also a teacher. He teaches English and Chinese to adults at several community clubs. He has many loyal students. At first, he had wanted to bring me to Blue Jazz (Ha! Fancy that! My Dad bringing me to Blue Jazz!) for set lunch but it was pouring cats and dogs by the time that we wanted to go out. We decided to move to somewhere indoors but still in Bugis.

I think my Dad did not realise that we now had to change at City Hall in order to go to Bugis and once he realised that, he decided to change the eating place to City Hall instead. I recommended him the food court at Level 3 as there was this Japanese tempura stall that allowed you to choose and pick. It was a little like eating yong tau foo. Once we have chosen the pieces to cook, the chef will deep-fry the food there and then.

Dad loved the food!! Plus I also took the opportunity to point out the western food stall that I like to patronise. It is called Olive Fusion and I usually go to the one at Bugis food court. They have now opened one here as well. I think I will come to the Raffles City one more often since the one at Bugis tends to put too much garlic. I could still remember the time when I he put too much garlic that my whole mouth was chili hot and I kept tearing.

Accompanied Dad to Bras Basah Complex to get some oldies CD before heading down to the Esplanade. Dad wanted to get tickets for Chinese opera and to do some research at the library. I just wanted to wander about. Saw some visual arts exhibition and read some coming attractions at the Durian before finally meeting up with Dad and heading home again.

It was a peaceful kind of day but a nice one. Before we really headed home, I dropped by at the church and really went to the grotto to see Mother Mary. At first I even wanted to attend evening service but decided that I was not ready for that kind of commitment yet (Haha!).

After that we popped by the police station to change our address on our I/Cs and then headed home. Mum was at home waiting for us to have dinner.