Cry - more photos

(So I'm still not in the mood to work although there's lots to be done, and I do wish I could bawl like Zara) The photo I posted earlier, wasn't taken when I had to leave her (at the house) for work (at the office). It was one of those days I was working from home, and while I came down stairs (from the study) to get a glass of water, I was greeted by this cry baby. She was just feeling manja (Malay: feel like being pampered/loved), wanted me to carry her. When I asked her why she's crying. She complained, "Paink Paink" (Pain Pain). When I asked here where pain pain. She pointed different parts of her body. I.e. Her head, her hand, her stomach.. I knew she wasn't in any physical pain, just wanted me to stay on and play with her, so I ignored her cry. She cried even more sorrowful, I thought it was cute and took the camera and started shooting away. Here are two more pitiful sight. Wicked, I know.

Ah Meen, Ah Meen

Paink Piank

Yikes! Back to work!

I wish the 10days of staying home, feasting, resting, holidaying, playing, having fun, did not end so quickly

I wish I didn't have 500 emails to respond to

I wish I didn't have too many urgent requests which have today as the deadline

I wish I could freely express my emotions, just like Zara

I wish I could show this face to my boss, and throw a tantrum and then just strut back home to continue with more holidays..

I wish Zara could gracefully wave bye-bye to me, when I leave her to go to work, and not kick up a fuss

Yikes! It's back to work.... *bawl*

Tanjung Jara Moments

Zara had a great time in Tanjung Jara. This is the 2nd time she went on a beach holiday, when we went to Penang in August 2005, she was much younger and wasn't talking and walking yet. This time round, I think she enjoyed it more since she's more aware of her surrounding. Daddy and myself could also enjoy ourselves as we have so many people taking turns to keep an eye on Zara who's constantly on the move especially during meal times. Some moments with photos. Fish Feeding There were lots of ponds with fishes surrounding the main restaurant. Fish food was given by the resort, and kids can help to feed the fishes. After letting her feed the fish once, at every meal time, Zara would walk to the reception area shouting, "Wis! Mum mum! Wis!" Her way of asking fish food from the hotel staff. She would then sit at the side of the pond, happily throwing fish pellets to the fishes, sometimes submerging her hand into the pond to feel the fish nibbling her. Sea and Sand Initially she was very uncomfortable walking at the beach. She didn't like the feel of the sand and was very afraid of the fierce east coast waves. However, on the last day of our stay, while we were walking at the beach, she actually dragged us out to the shore, and enjoyed the waves lapping at her feet. Dinner time entertainment We were entertained by a trio of musicians every night while dining. Zara really enjoyed their presence. She would go near the cello and try to strum the string, or she would join in by dancing. It was like she was part of the team. Cycling Daddy took the girls for a trishaw ride, and then we rented some bicycles. We cycled around the resort, with Zara taking a ride in Daddy's (it came with a child seat). It was really nice, especially when we rode on the path next to the beach, where we got lots of cool breeze. Zara very soon fell asleep, still clinging on to the child seat, on the moving bicycle. Swimming She really liked the pool. She was either in her neck float or was just playing in the jacuzzi or the baby pool assisted. Even on a gloomy day, she still wanted to stay in the pool despite the chill. Exploring Nothing beats checking out a new environment. The unfamiliar feel of the bed sheet, the height of the bed, the steps and walls around, a fallen leave or coconut, the canopy of trees, the bridges and the ponds. There was so much to explore for Zara. Of course, there's so much chasing to do as well for the adults. The Finale We had this special steam boat dinner arranged at the pool side on our last day, very romantic setting, although the food sucked! You could hear waves lapping, and get lots of sea breeze. Too bad it was a cloudy day and no stars can be spotted. (Can you spot King's Wife in this photo) Our next holiday?? Bali probably. Oh, I just can't wait!

Back To Reality - Home from holidays

Our 4D/3N holidays up on the east cost finally ended, and we had to return home *sigh*. We were in Tanjung Jara for a family (my side) holiday, 18 of us (inc 1 infant, 1 toddler and 2 maids) in 4 cars went and we took up 6 rooms. It was actually the very first ever family holiday where every one were present (except my mum) since we were kids. We stayed in the resort the whole time, enjoying the pool and the sea, and some of us got to enjoy the spa as well (part of the package). I had 2 spa treatments consisting of 100min massage each as I took Daddy's session since he didn't like people to 'work' on him (his exact words). It was blissful.... The only complain about this trip was the mediocre food in the resort (where we took all meals) and the journey to and fro (almost 6hrs/trip) . Thank goodness for the new Karak Highway, or the journey would have been 8hrs from KL! We were lucky because King's Wife's daughter, Samantha, decided to come in our car on both the journeys, and Zara was really happy having her as company.

Just before we left the resort for home. We were the last to leave.

Samantha Che-che tickled one of Zara's funny bones on the journey home.

More photos and moments captured will be in later posts.

Gong Xi Fa Chai

On Chinese New Year eve, instead of dining at our place (the initial plan), we had it in MIL's because BIL was bringing 6 of his friends from the Philippines to join the dinner (we only knew later that these 'friends' were actually his new girl friend and her family/chaperon). No pix to show for the dinner since it was quite kelam-kabut (Malay: chaotic) to be having so many people in the house for dinner (normally it's just 6 of us). On the first day of Chinese New Year, as usual, we visited MIL early morning, and then it was lunch with my family. Zara did the GONG XI, GONG XI sign while addressing the family, and she also served tea to my side of the family (since this is our tradition). All I could say is these 2 days were really hot! Next few days there'll be no blogging as we'll be going for a holiday (unless I got so bored and there's free broad band connection in the hotel).

HERE IS TO WISH EVERY ONE

A HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

GONG XI FA CHAI.

新年快乐!

Wakey, Wakey, Sleepy Baby

Have seen many photos from Mom2Ashley titled Good Morning Ashley. Just like Ashley, Zara is always in a good mood when she wakes up in the morning, I thought I too should capture moments like this. This was taken last week, Zara was still sleeping when I had finished changing for work. Camera in hand, I woke her up by using the standard wake up call, "Wakey, Wakey, Sleepy Baby!" This was what greeted me, a smiling and good smelling (yes she smells like a sweet in the morning, and best of all, no morning breath!) toddler!

eyes opened; a cheeky smile; hands stretched out to be lifted up (to sitting position); a moment on the bed before she climbed down to start her busy day

On another note, I contributed my angelic voice singing to Lin Peh's Chinese New Year sing song project. Go here, if you want to know what it's all about and hear some of the bloggers singing!

Weekend - Fullmoon Party, Zoo Visit, CNY Shopping

Tasha's Fullmoon Dinner It was already a month since Tasha (my eldest sis' daughter) was born. We had a little family dinner party in a restaurant. It was a typical Chinese dinner with shark fin soup and suckling pig (both of which we don't take), and because it was close to CNY, we got to lou-sang (raw fish salad) as well. A full blown karaoke session was going on in another section of the restaurant (probably a company dinner). This group of people, blasting singing extremely outdated songs in horrendous voices. Tasha slept through, oblivious to the noise. Zara on the other hand was showing lots of interest in what was going on on stage, she kept wanting to get out of the room and when she saw people singing, she started dancing too, never mind if their singing sucked! Tasha sleeping Zara dancing The singing and torturing didn't end, until our last course was served and when the group has left. What a noisy dinner. Zoo Visit Daddy dragged brought us to the zoo again on Sunday. He thought Zara has picked up quite a lot of names for animals, and it should be more fun for her compared to the last time. The weather was so hot, and Zara so much heavier, it was quite a torture, physically, when I had to carry her in the sling. Zara was quite excited when we could see the elephants, giraffes and flamingoes up close. We got a chance to feed the camel, but Zara wouldn't do it as she was afraid. I fed it instead, and Zara just looked on gingerly. At one resting area, the zoo keeper was handling a tiny green snake. He passed it to me when I showed interest in it. And yes, I had the little fella twirled around my arm (Daddy was so disgusted he just walked away, so no photos of the snake lady). I asked Zara to stroke the snake, but instead, she was squashing the snake with her pincher grip! I had to unclutch her 2 fingers, fearing for the snake's life. I quickly passed the snake back to the zoo keeper. We spent almost 2 hours in the zoo and at the end of it, we were all sweaty and smelly, and then, it was to KLCC to enjoy the aircon and to get some retail therapy! Shopping This was the only weekend left before CNY (Chinese New Year), so we went to KLCC and did lots of shopping both on Saturday and Sunday. The sales are still on, more reason to grab something. As usual, we bought the most for Zara. She had to have new top, new bottom, new pajamas, new everything for CNY. Daddy wanted to get me a good and expensive handbag. One which is big enough to hold some of Zara's stuff like a water bottle, a few pieces of diaper, a tupperware to hold some biscuits. We were looking around in Coach, Furla, Burberry (oh, Zara just loves the signature sheep on display) and Ferragamo. I loved this and this (with pix shown), but when I looked at the price tag, I just cringed (although I pretended to look cool and behaved I could afford 10 of those). In the end, I settled for a LeSportSac which was just 10% of the price of the above items. I am too kiam siap (Chinese: stingy) still can't bring myself to buy a bag with a 4digit price tag.

14 month old

I have to be discipline and do this every month, just to capture Zara's development. She turned 14 on Saturday, I had been so busy, only have time to do this now. Weight: ~ 7.9Kg (weighed 27/12) but I believe she's about 8.5Kg now b'cos she feels very heavy. Height: ~77cm This month, she sprouted another tooth, so she has 4 upper teeth, and 4 lower teeth now. Dexterity :

walking up stairs while holding up the rail, or the wall

likes bouncing on her feet, a bit like jumping, but not lifting herself off the ground yet

walks up and down steps Language : She has us amazed on this area, her understanding of the language is really good, and she's picking up new words almost every day. She's also started to join them to make them into phrases. Additional words she'd learnt this month :

Nah-yen (lion)

Nam (lamb)

moong (moon)

Spicy (after saying this, she'll stick her tongue out panting)

Laugh (Giraffe)

Stairs (she sometimes confused this with UP, she'll say 'stairs' when asking me to carry or asking me to lift her up to the bed)

Panda beh (Panda)

Pane (Plane)

Paink Paink (Pain, she says this while pointing her index finger to her chest)

Skeh Skeh (Scared, she says this while patting her chest)

Big

oh-nang (Orange)

gap (grape)

nai-nai (night night)

tir-tee (dirty)

soo (shoe) She says phrases like :

Tatak, wis (kakak, fish; meaning she wants kakak to give her fish)

Bye Bye Nah-yen/Papa

Go up stairs

Go park

Bird bird fai (fly)

More more biskuh (biscuit)/moonermang(banana)/wise (rice) She knows almost all the body parts : *eyes, ears, head, *nose, hair, neck, face, stomach, *pet-pet (private part), *breast (thanks to breast feeding), legs, hands, feet, pointer, belly button (*she knows how to say the word too) Feeding / Food :

Favourite is still fish.

Still mainly on breast milk, but on days when supply is low, she's willing to take a bottle of formula even from me unlike previously Emotions :

Started calling me Ah Meen (Ah Mee slowly turned Ah Meen)

became even more clingy.

Giving me more kisses on the lips nowadays

Showing some toddler tantrum nowadays, by crying, kicking her legs, arching her body when she doesn't get her way

Sociable, but when confronted by a stranger, can be a bit more quiet then her normal self

Being Tagged 3 5 times

I got tagged by King's Wife, Egghead, The Diva, YL, Greenapple, on the same tag, I'd better do this quick, since this is spreading so fast, most of the bloggers I know would have been 'infested' with it very soon! Here's the tag/meme: 4 jobs you've had in your life:

primary school teacher (every day after work, left with no more voice, and I felt as though I'd been in the disco the last 6hrs getting my ear blasted)

administrator in an English language centre for pre-schooler (cum substitute teacher, cum bum cleaner, cum baby sitter, cum child psychology)

system administrator in IBM (after that, there's no turning back; only big corporation like this lure me)

my current job, doing business processes in XYZ company 4 movies you could watch over and over

Joy Luck Club

1492: Conquest of Paradise

The Emperor and the Assassin (荆坷刺秦王)

Hero (英雄) (actually most of Zhang Yimou's movies I can watch over and over, just because I have problem understanding the Mandarin they speak :P) 4 TV shows you love(d) to watch

Whose Line Is It Anyway

American Funniest Home Video

?

? (I don't really watch that much TV) 4 places you've lived

Kajang (Primary school days)

KL (most of my life)

Stafford, England

Shah Alam (now) 4 places you've been on vacation to

French Riviera and the Alps (before we got married)

Turkey -Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Pamukkale, Cappadocia (for our honeymoon)

Sabah - Hike up Mount Kinabalu, Pulau Gaya, Sukau Rainforest

Thailand - Kok Mak, Kanchanaburi (for our 5th wedding anniversary) and many more before Zara was born, but I chose these 4 as they gave me the biggest impact. 4 places you would rather be

at the beach

in the mountains

shopping in the factory outlets in US

driving along Hwy 1 on the West coast of US (instead of getting stuck in a M'sian jam) 4 of your favourite foods

Duck - roasted, stew, grilled, fried, I just love duck!

Japanese - tenzaru soba, unagi, ramen, sushi

Dimsum - (only pork-free version) Cantonese, Shanghainese.. absolutely love it!

Deep fried stuff.. sinfull. 4 of your favourite beverages

teh si (tea with evaporated milk)

pure fruit or vegetable juice

lemon grass tea

soya bean 4 (or more) websites you visit daily

www.zara-low.blogspot (very important site, please book mark it)

www.blogspot.com (most of us think this is also important, and will pull our hair when the site is down)

the company website (to check stock prices, keke)

all the blog sites in my book mark (if there's updated post) 4 tagged

allyfeel

Fannie

Two Little Fellas (again, I know)

Helen (I know you LOVE tags) Enjoy doing it!

New Year New Template

So we're supposed to buy new clothes for ourselves for Chinese New Year. Since I eat full nothing to do (Chinese: too much time in my hands) the blog template is the 'clothing' to our blog, I thought I'll spruce it up and give it a new look too. After all, some of these itchy backsides people, like LB (going for the minimalist look, but in the beginning was giving maximum firewalling to his site anxiety among his readers); Ah Pek (now the romantic poet); Seng Kor (his blog now has his portrait, mask removed); have already upgraded theirs. I made some changes to this template, and Viola! New Year, new clothes! PS! Do I still need to give this guy credit since the template no longer looks like the original?

A morning with a busy toddler

Zara's Ku-che (my SIL) gave her this bag over the weekend, she told Zara it's for her to take along when she goes shopping. Yesterday, when we were about to leave the house for King's Wife's place, Zara wanted to take the bag along, and she kept muttering "Ping" "Ping" while holding it. Probably she wanted to go shopping with it. Here is Zara with her 'aunty' looking bag. (L) We going shopping?? Let me take my bag (R) Oh, I better make sure I bring my phone along.

(L) Ok, I think I got everything in my bag (R) Lets go now (L) I need to make a call to get an appointment to do my hair (R) Hello? Baldilocks Hair Salon? Can I speak to Richardo please?

Bye!

Zara was in one of her 'naughty' mood this morning. I gave Zara her First 1000 words book to 'read', while Daddy and I were busy getting ready for work. She was happily flipping, pointing out to things she knew and uttering the words. "Ao" (Cat) "Dog" "Nai-yen" (Lion) "Eh-Bit" (Rabbit) and then "PIAAK..." she tore out one of the pages; she held the torn piece in her hand and looked at me. Since she learnt how to appreciate books, she had never torn any pages out of any books. I wonder what happened this time. I went over to her : Me : (stern voice) Zara, that's not nice! Why Zara tear the book? Zara : Tuck (Take)! (she gave me the torn piece) Me : (stern voice) Mummy don't want! Zara : (gave me a fake smile) Me : (lecture time) Zara likes this book right? Then why Zara naughty? Tear the book? Now you see (put the torn piece next to the page it was torn out), you cannot see Elephant any more. (Shouted to Daddy) Daddy, you see, Zara tore her book! Zara stood up, and started pulling her pajamas top up (a sign showing that she's nervous). I picked up the book, and wanted to put it back to the shelf. Zara immediately hugged my leg. At this time, Daddy stuck his head out from the bathroom, "What happened?". Before he could say anything else, Zara quickly let go of my leg, walked to daddy, and hugged his leg. This is probably her way of saying sorry, so I thought. I picked her up, and said tenderly, "Zara saying sorry is it? OK, next time don't tear your book any more ok?" I put her down, and continue dressing, while Zara walked to the shelf to pick another book. 5 seconds later, "PIAAK.." She did it again, this time she tore a page from her Nursery Rhyme book. I quickly went to her, smacked her hand, and told her sternly, "Zara cannot tear your book! Why Zara naughty?" Daddy chipped in, "Zara, you tear your book again huh? Why you naughty?" What happened next really caught us off guard. Zara looked at us (normally if I smacked her, she would fret a bit, but this time she didn't). Tossed the torn piece down at the book. Waved her hand in the air and said, "Bye" While walking towards the bed room door nonchalantly. What the.. ?? My jaw dropped! I asked, "And where is Zara going?" She just turned back and looked at us one more time, and tried to reach for the door knob, and said "Bye" again (of course she's not tall enough to actually open the door and get out) Cha-dou! (Cantonese : Being caught off guard) I can't help wondering what will happen when she gets older, she'll pack her bags and go to Mama's (Cantonese : Paternal Grandma) or YiYi's (Hokkien : Mum's sis) house? Or she would talk back like this kid when she knows how to speak better? Note: I normally used yai-yai (Cantonese: naughty in a mild form) instead of naughty, unless she's really badly behaved. As for smacking, I do it only when warning has been issued and she just ignored it.

Separation Anxiety

After the long break during Christmas & New Year, and with me working from home twice a week since we had broadband, Zara has become ever closer to me.

Starting this year, on days I go to the office, when I drop Zara and Tuyam off at King's Wife's place, Zara would kick up a fuss. She would be reaching her hands out for me, put on a very sad face, refusing to follow Tuyam or Lita (King's Wife's maid) into the house. Normally, I'll pick her up from the car seat, say my bye bye firmly, tell her to be good and that I'll see her later, passed her to either Lita or Tuyam, get back to the car and drive off. Making our parting short and sweet.

this is how she looks like when she doesn't want me to leave her (this is not taken at King's Wife's place, but the situation and the expression is the same)

Tuyam said at King's Wife's place, Zara would be fretting, and during nap time, she would be tossing and turning, and mumbling Ah-Mee (her pronunciation of Mummy). Sometimes Tuyam has to call me in the office and let me talk to her. Normally it's just a 'Hi' from her, some talking from me to tell her to be good, listen to kakak, and then a 'bye' from her and end of conversation. It seems to help her to feel more settled. While working from home, she would constantly try to climb up the stairs, or point up to the study from the courtyard, and start calling "Ah Mee". I have to avoid coming downstairs, because if I do, she would rush to me, then cling on to me and refuse to go with Tuyam when I have to go back to the study to work. Even in the middle of the night when I have to go to the washroom, if she so happened to turn to my side and found I wasn't there, she would sit up and then call for Ah Mee (crying will start if she didn't see me in a few seconds). I wonder what would happen if I was given a summon by the boss to go for a business trip??!! How will the both of us cope with the separation anxiety?

Weekend Culinary Feat

Besides going shopping on Saturday and visiting my eldest sis on Sunday, during the weekend, I spent quite a fair bit of time in the kitchen. Saturday After we came back from the wet market, while we were sorting out the shopping, Tuyam commented about Daddy buying apples again as we already had some in the fridge. Daddy mentioned that those in the fridge were not nice, and he would like to chuck them away. I just read about Greenapple's post about double boiling apples to make a drink, so I thought I'd tried it out using these 4 unwanted apples + 5 mud-chou (Chinese: honey dates). After 5hrs in the slow cooker, a wonderful drink was produced. We all loved it, especially after it has been chilled! Thanks Greenapple! Since Zara loved Ping's mum's fish porridge so much, I made Pomphret (couldn't get Mayao/Kurau from the market, so I just substituted it with Pomphret) porridge using her method for lunch. I didn't like it at all *blech*, but the little cat took 1 big bowl for lunch, and another big bowl for dinner! So I guess it must be good for her standard. Sunday After coming back from my sis' place, I got Daddy to look after Zara while I tried to bake some chocolate chip cookies for Chinese New Year. I like making this because it's so simple and the recipe is a hand-me-down from Ping's Australian FIL. While trying to get Zara to take her evening nap in the living room, Daddy fell asleep first before Zara (=.=), and Zara walked to the kitchen to kay-poh (Chinese : busy body). She was very good though, I told her I was busy, the oven was hot, and asked her to play at the dry kitchen area while I worked on the cookies. She cooperated, and stayed out of my way and the oven's!

.

Dough on a baking sheet, nice golden choc chip cookies I managed to bake 2 bottles (old Hollick bottle), they are very nice, just a bit too sweet (I forgot to adjust the recipe like I used to in previous years). And for dinner, I thought I'll make salt baked red mullet, a recipe from Jamie Oliver. The fish was stuffed with ginger, spring onion, coriander leaves (the recipe calls for fresh thyme, rosemary, lemon and bay leaf, and since I didn't have any of the ingredients I compromised with what I could find in my fridge), laid it on a bed of course salt, covered with another layer of course salt, and then baked in the oven.

Fish before entering the oven, cooked fish with the salt cake scrapped off I find the fish was too salty, I think probably because I pricked the skin accidentally before I baked it. However, both Zara and Daddy loved it. I chose the bits which were not too salty for Zara, and Daddy just cleaned up the rest of the fish after Tuyam and myself took a little each. Anybody has any proven cookies recipe to share which is easy to make, and delicious? I would try to make another batch of cookies the coming weekend.

Tasha & Zara che-che

I went to visit my eldest sis, T, at home. My little niece, Tasha, who's now 3 weeks old, have grown quite a fair bit compared to the last time I saw her. She has very chubby cheeks and even double chin now, thanks to Enfalac A+ and a little breast milk (my sis is still breastfeeding, but because her milk volume is very low, Tasha's main source of milk is from formula. Still, it's better little than none). Tasha has very big eyes and prominant double eye lids, compared to the time when she was born, her features are now even more prominant. She doesn't look Chinese at all (then again, both T and BIL don't look like Chinese too)! I think she's going to grow up to be very beautiful.

Zara was very happy to see Puh-Pay (her way or pronuncing Baby) Tasha. She was very gentle with Tasha, looking at her tenderly and stroking her. She even tried to sing and dance for Tasha (as since on the top left hand of the photo below).

She got a lot of praising from me, I told her she really behaves like a che-che (Chinese: elder sister) now.

After All She's a Girl

Zara's physical strength sometimes makes us wonder if she's going to grow up to be a tom boy. When she was 10months old, she would lift up an orange using 1 hand; At 13th month, she would try to lift up her tricycle, and drag it to wherever she wanted it to be. And once, she even carried a bag with 2 tins of formula (sample from her Paed) weighing 1Kg in total from the living room to the kitchen. Recently, however, she has shown some feminine interest. When she gets hold of a hair clip, she tries to clip it on herself. And when she spots my bracelet or spots hers, she would ask for it; and then attempts to put them on her wrist. To make her keep her hair clip on her hair, we tell her, "Zara looks pretty!". To encourage her to have the bracelet on, we tell her, "Wah, Zara's bracelet so pretty!". She would then happily have those pretty things on. When she puts on these 'pretty' accessories or put on a piece of clothing she thinks is beautiful, she point to those items or pull her clothes up to to show off when she sees familiar faces. She would like the person to comment that it's pretty before she walks off with a grin. After all, she's a girl; she likes pretty things, likes to look pretty and likes to be complimented.

Jojo

One of Zara's favourite book was about Jojo a baby who likes to play with his food instead of eating it. Every time when Zara misbehaves, we'll ask her if she's yai-yai (Chinese: naughty in a mild form) like Jojo. Actually Jojo isn't really naughty, just playful, but it was appropriate to use this to teach Zara. A few days ago Tuyam told me this conversation took place when she was looking after Zara, and Zara was throwing her toys in a tantrum. Tuyam : You naughty huh? You Jojo? Zara : Za-ah! Tuyam : You not Zara, you naughty, you Jojo! Zara : *pointed to her chest* Za-ah! Tuyam : You Jojo! Zara : *kicked her legs, about to cry, pointed to her chest* Za-ah! Tuyam : Ok Ok, you Zara, not Jojo. This morning I was changing to my work clothes and Daddy was in the shower. Zara walked into the bathroom, and started tapping the shower screen. Me: (while adjusting my clothes) Zara, what are you doing? No response from the bathroom, so I went to check on her, guess what I saw? Zara had her hands in the toilet bowl playing with the water! *YUCKS* Me: *rushed to her and slapped her hands* Zara, yai yai! Mummy told you cannot touch that! It's big people's potty! The poo poo goes in there!! Very dirty! Zara touched it, get germs, then stomach PAIN PAIN! (Had to say the above phrase by phrase, so she could understand) Zara: *clapped her hands* beat! Me: *scooped her up* Yeah, mummy beat beat Zara because Zara yai-yai! Zara: *stared at me* (I think she knows she's at fault) Me: *brought her to the sink* Now your hands are dirty, must wash hands! Zara obediently let me wash her hands. After cleaning her up, I brought her out of the room. Zara : *pointed to her mini library* Jojo! *clapped her hands* Beat! Me: Yes! Zara yai yai like Jojo lo, that's why mummy beat beat! Next time don't be yai-yai any more ok? Not sure if she understood my 'long lacture' in the bathroom and will not pull that stunt again, but she definitely knows how to relate to Jojo.

Malacca Trip

We arrived in Malacca on Monday afternoon, and went over to Ping's house after we'd checked into the hotel and freshened up. Zara made herself right at home at Ping's, playing with Shirleen's (Ping's niece, who's about the same age as Zara) toys, or anything she could get her hands on. Shirleen was clinging to Daddy most of the time, I never knew he was such a child magnet as normally kids are afraid of him because of his height (King's Wife's kids called him Big Uncle up till today). Ping's parents cook very well. They made us nasi lemak for dinner and home made cendol for dessert (yummy!); and for Zara, her mum made her fish porridge which Zara ate the whole big bowl, and saying 'GHG' (her 'good') all the time.

Clockwise: Delicious home-made nasi lemak; Zara having her fish porridge; Daddy the child magnet (Shirleen refused to get down from his lap); two toddlers trying to read.

After dinner, we went back to the hotel with Ping. The hotel was like an ice box, freezing cold! Daddy gave Zara a quick shower and changed her to pajamas, then we went down to the coffee house to have hot tea to keep ourselves warm (should have brought along my winter jacket and ski mask!).

Zara had a great time playing with the things on the table. She was so excited and busy. Daddy helped to look after her, brought her for walks so that Ping and I were left alone and we could talk.

When it was Zara's bed time, we sent Ping back home, and then took a car ride just so Zara can fall asleep in the car as I thought she would be too excited to sleep in the hotel room.

On Tuesday, we picked Ping up and went to Malacca town to have brunch, followed by some shopping. It was a good time to be in Malacca, because the town was quiet (traffic was good), and there were lots of Chinese New Year goodies for sale. We bought some biscuits and jam tarts although Ping's mum have already given me quite a lot of home made cookies to bring home.

We then sent Ping home as she needed to help her mum with cookie making, picked up more goodies from her mum like star fruits and bananas grown in their relative's back garden. We went back to town for late lunch and then headed back to KL.

Malacca is still a very pleasant place to go to, food is good, and relatively cheap, and there's still lots of home made goodies to enjoy. We really don't mind visiting Ping back in her home town yearly when she comes back.

Ping brought back quite a lot of prezzies for me and Zara, but one of the nicest is this handmade (I'm a sucker for any thing handmade or home cooked) Brazilian necklace by one of her Brazilian friend. Very nice. Have to find an occasion to wear it.