Philippines

Brayden 7Y6M29D

Bevlynn 3Y3M22D

I spend the week in Manila Philippines. It is my first travel there. Such a nice place, with very welcoming people and good food. Did not manage to go around much due to work. The malls are well-lit and adorned with christmas decorations. They usually start decoration since early September every year. 

We had dinner on the last night at The Nest Dining in the Sky. It was on the 31st floor of Vivere hotel at Alabang. Beautiful weather and view overlooking Laguna De Bay. 2 weeks ago there were typhoon, good thing it was clear blue sky this week. The food was amazing, plus the band playing some music. It definitely brought out the very nice vibes of Philippines night life.

I had some time to read; it was a book on empowering thoughts. I have so much goodness in the present, there are certain times I overlooked and only focused on the uncertain future. Be grateful of the Now, otherwise, these moments will just pass in a blink. Although I have good times in the Philippines, I miss my family. 

A friend, SL just gave birth last week. We visited her while she is in confinement. I do miss the times when Bev and Bray were still little cuddly babies. Now they are running around, hugging, fighting, loving, playing...  

Mid-Autumn Festival | IKEA | Explore Philippines

Brayden 7Y6M24D

Bevlynn 3Y3M17D

This week was mid-autumn festival. This year we attended the mid-autumn event at Bukit Batok; there were magic show, yoyo performance, dance, singing, lion & dragon dance. The children loved playing at the playground beside the basketball court. We had a walked around the park with a lantern. 

We switched off the lights in the room to play hide and seek in the dark. It was exciting and fun. Bevlynn was just moving around randomly while Brayden was pretty good seeking in the blind. He could find us with the meek of sound from our voices. 

We had a gathering at Jane's house. The children played at the playground and there was a mid-autumn celebration beside the pool. They ate blue cotton candy and all looked like mini-smurfs with blue mouths and teeth. Bev loved playing with baby Aiden, Lucas and Caleb. 

Bevlynn played at a game in Ikea JEM. They gathered the random children and put them in teams of two. Bev was teamed up with a 5-yr girl, the youngest team. They had to sort the IKEA toys into the correct bin. Bev did pretty well, although their team was the first to play and took the longest time. But it was fun and they still gave some vouchers as awards. 

I had traveled month after month; from Thailand, Malaysia and I am leaving to the Philippines in another 4 hours. This would be my first trip to this country. I'll explore around.

Mommy-Son Getaway to JB

Brayden 7Y6M14D
Bevlynn 3Y3M7D

It was school holiday for Brayden for a week. We had plans for Legoland over the weekend but Hubs received a sad news from Kuantan. His cousin Ah Hao, 41 years old has just passed away due to infection. Since our last trip to Kuantan in March, Hubs met him in the hospital after his fall while at work. He never recovered from that fall. Life is so fragile.

I had a chance to spend a little more time with Brayden, Mommy-Son mini trip cross border to JB. Bray was excited and woke up early on his own and started washing up and waited for us to get ready. We waited awhile at the Kranji bus stop and passed the customs with breeze. We made it to SouthKey Mid Valley around lunch time. 

After lunch, there was a choice to choose between the playarea or the cinema Play+. He decided he'd prefer the playarea. He is now more independent and could play with other children. I had the chance to walk around and shop. By the end of the day, he did not want to leave and was complaining of how tired it was for him. But he enjoyed it and was very co-operative. He nap shortly in the grab car. We had to queue for bus and mrt. I hope he would spend more time with me, just a little more... 

When we reached home, Bev was waiting for us. She was still sick but looking very happy. 

They are at a very nice age now. They can play together - Cooking, Spiderman, singing the same song over and over - Not Alone, Not Alone (National Day NDP Theme Song). 

Brayden woke up in the middle of the night complaining of tummy ache again and walk around in the middle of the night. The next day, he could not remember any of these happening. Is this sleep walking? 

Bevlynn's speech is advance for her age. She really knows how to express herself very well. Brayden on the other hand is very good with Maths. Both has their strengths. 

 

 

Goodbye Coco | Brayden Reunion | Durian Party

Brayden 7Y6M8D

Bevlynn 3Y3M1D

In the one-week there was so many things done. 

Brayden did not want anyone to pull out his teeth. It was shaking like a coconut tree swayed by a typhoon, no kidding. He cried and cried and still would not let me pull it out. So I had to threatened him to a dentist. He kept asking me to wait and wait. After more than an hour and much scolding, he finally pulled the string that was tied to the teeth a little more and I surprised him with a karate chop on the string. It worked fast and clean. He was shocked but all happy. What a relief! 

There were more recording for a movie at the block near us. The actor was taking a motorbike and running down the street over and over. Looks like a super romantic scene. I really can't wait to see what is the content of the movie. I asked the children to go round and round the area for us to glimpse a little more of the scene. This silly mommy. 

Hub and I was at JB for a movie and massage. We watched the Deadpool vs Wolverine. Good watch. It kept us entertained with lots of comedy and as usual killing.

On Monday, I flew into Malaysia for work and met with Nic and Mandy for dinner. It was a last minute invitation but they could make it as well. Nic shared a photo of us taken more than 10 years ago - he was wearing the same clothes. 

Coco passed away while I was travelling. My dear little brown "teddy" dog. He was born in 2008 while we were in university, puppy of Baby (Shih Tsu) and Lady (Miniature German Pinscher), lived for 16 years and died peacefully on 29 August 2024, Thursday. He was my companion, gave me warm comfort, quick learner of tricks (dead, stand, sit) and always welcomed me with a long howl when I returned home. I knew this day would come. He was blind and deaf, hardly eating much in his last days. Goodbye my little one, you are dearly missed.

I had a midnight flight returning from Malaysia. It was a trip to Kerteh to provide a training to the customer there. But it was so last minute change of plan and I had to catch a flight from Kuantan. It was a small airport. I would not mind coming again next time if I am heading to Club Med Cherating since there were international flight. 

On Friday night, I attended the Plastic's Association Bowling Game - at CSC Bowling. 

It was fun. The last Hubs and I were here, more than 7 years ago, before we shifted to Bukit Batok and we had not have any children. Now Brayden could join us. I won 4th place and a voucher of S$30. Hooray! I even made new friends - one is a friend of Shawn (a colleague who had relocated to China). It is a small small world.  

On Saturday, we had a durian party in Bukit Batok neighbourhood. Mr Murali and an event emcee from Spikes of Love were there. He introduced the durian history about how in the 70s, durians only cost 60cents or less for one kilo. Now it is way more expensive than that 12 - 25 dollars / kilo. There was red prawn durian and Mao Sang Wang. Very delicious but I could not take too much. 

At night, we had a reunion for Brayden's ex-PPS childcare friends and family. All the children has grown, all in very different schools but they still have very good fun together. We had games like striking the ball to the players in the center, guessing game, ball dropping behind the players and catch (Bevlynn was very cute when she ran after the teacher and ran off tracks) and Red Light, Green Light. It was until very late, the children were still playing in the playground and wouldn't go home - just like how they used to be everyday after childcare. During the guessing game, Brayden was the fastest to give the answers for Maths and the other parents were asking me how he can count so fast? He is pretty good in maths I must say....