Last day of 2008 @ the Zoo

Decided to bring Gine to the zoo once again since Hubby had to work and Mummy Barney has got so tired of shopping. We spent almost the entire day at the zoo, much longer than our normal trips as we only get to ride on the trams during weekdays (as Friends of the Zoo). Of course, Gine could not forgo her ride at the carousel located at the Rainforest KidzWorld.

Gine posing in front of the monkeys. She even knows "white-faced saki monkeys" now.

Gine was upset after the elephant show as she was being splashed by the elephants during the show.

On her favourite carousel. Mummy Barney also managed to climb onto one and had a ride too!

Ip Man

Finally managed to squeeze out some time to catch a movie though I have been on leave for the past week. Surprisingly, Hubby was also on leave and we decided to "turn-back-the-clock" - to return to our "pak-tor" (courtship) days.

Was not even aware of the synopsis of the movie that Hubby chose to watch -Ip Man. Only knew it was a movie about martial arts and my ex-colleague found it unbelieving that I was going for this type of movie when we met up for lunch @ COVA (another restaurant recommended for their wide variety of sweet disserts).

Storyline was simple - A semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun. He was also the celebrated martial arts master of Bruce Lee.

Was actually touched by his love for his wife & son, his family and friends and of course, his country. However, of course, felt that the portrayal of the Japanese in the movie would lead to some controversies in the now improved Sino-Japanese relations (or perhaps, I was being a little more sensitive).

What really caught me was the advice given by Ip Man to one of the young lads - "Whatever that you do in life, is of your own choice."

A movie worth watching if you have not done so...

Miss "Photogenic"

Not too sure whether it was Mummy Barney's influence or cos Mummy Barney has asked Gine to take so many photos that she has been "seasoned".

Recently, whenever she comes across anything beautiful (i.e. xmas lights, scenery, statues etc), she will go, "Nice. Mummy, take photo."

And she will start posing right in front of me while Mummy Barney scoured for my digital camera immediately...

Posing in front of the xmas tree @ Meritus Marina Mandarin

Gine with her new-found friend at our friend's xmas gathering

At Parkview Square - attraction with nice statues and indoor pub

Gine trying to pose like the statue

Another try at posing like the crane statue

Inside Doraemon ride @ BHG Bugis

"Do I look like a model?" - Gine in front of the xmas decorations @ Bugis Junction

The Panda Trio

Finally able to start clearing my annual leave. Started to make appointments to meet and catch up with friends, ex-colleagues and what I have forgone since being promoted to "Mummy" status. Yup, shopping, movies, afternoon tea and lots more...

Catch the Panda trio for a start at Imperial Treasure @ Ngee Ann City. A good place to catch up and dim sum but do remember to make a reservation, even during the week days.

Short trip to Taiwan

Was separated with Gine for the first time, in 2 separate islands. Had to go on a business trip to Taiwan for an event held there. Had to take the 'red-eye' flight out of Singapore as Hubby just came back from Jakarta on the same night.

Weather was cold in Taipei. Hard work in Taiwan before I finally have some time to walk around Taipei on Saturday night before I caught the first flight back to Singapore the next day:

Yummy Chicken cutlet@ Shilin night market

"Da chang bao xiao chang" - Glutinous rice with sausage

Accommodation @ Far Eastern Shangri-La Hotel

View from hotel room

Morning breakfast @ hotel cafe

X'mas decor @ hotel lobby

Guess what "R" means?

"R" - rooftop (43rd storey) of hotel. Bird's eye view of Taipei (101 tower at the back)

Airport Boy

Hubby has been flying off for overseas meetings and conferences during these few months - Cairns, Bangkok, Manila and now Jakarta (for a week!). Would bring Gine to the airport each time Hubby flies off or at least Mummy Barney would try to welcome Hubby back at the airport, if possible.

Guess Gine has got used to going to the airport so frequently that she even called Daddy - Airport Boy. Asked her why and she could not really explain. Perhaps cos Hubby has been going to the airport so often. Unfortunately, Mummy Barney also has to fly over to Taiwan to work over this coming weekend...and this is the first time that Mummy Barney and Gine are being separated, in different islands...

Days out with Cousins

Gine's child care centre was closed for two days and had to think of ways to keep her occupied and 'entertained'...

Went to Gine's favourite haunt with her favourite yiyi gor gor - Singapore Zoo. Unfortunately, Gine did not enjoy herself at the new water theme park @ The Rainforest. Well, at least Greg and his Mummy did...

Work Out at East Coast Park

Always had to crack my head hard, thinking of where to go to spend our weekends. Unlike others, we do not have the 'luxury' of heading back to our parents' house for a day of family bliss...

Decided to go to East Coast Park for our breakfast and it was quite out of norm that Hubby and I decided to cycle down ECP. And of course, we brought Gine along, strapped to a child seat, cycling from McDonalds all the way to Safra at Tanah Merah.

Tough but definitely enjoyable!!

Christmas Season again?

Was indeed shocked when I saw the Christmas lights along Orchard Road. Couldn't believe that we are almost at the end of yet another year...

As I strolled along the streets with Gine and Hubby, started to "stock-take" what I have done over this past year:

Mum and Dad have left us for more than a year. Though we may have moved on, we still miss them, deep down in our hearts. At times, I do wonder, what will I be doing now, if they are still alive? Playing poker cards and teasing each other, right on my parents' bed? Or perhaps we are out having a big family reunion at some Teochew restaurant?

Well, sad that my siblings and I are not able to meet as often as we did previously, when Mum and Dad were still around. The number of dinner gatherings we had this year was definitely less than the days when we had our dinners at our parents' place within a month...

I have also changed my job - wouldn't say that its for the better but at least, I do not dread going to work anymore. Everyday now is a challenge, sometimes, even out of my control.

Health seems to have deteriorated, perhaps age is catching up on me (I definitely sound old!). Guess there is no eternity in life and we just have to remind ourselves this cruel fact every now and then....

Anyway, definitely look forward to the new year and enjoying more fun time with Gine, as she grows each day!!!

A Fun Weekend @ Marina Barrage

Finally, Mummy Barney found time to bring Regine out for great fun during the weekend. Unable to think of anywhere else to go, we decided to venture to the newly opened Marina Barrage.

Generally, a great place for family outing. Picnics, bubbles, kite- flying, photo-taking and many other outdoor activities that you can think of - roller blading, water play, scooting and the list goes on...

Regine definitely enjoyed herself at the barrage...

My Smart Little Princess

Always looking forward to Regine achieving new milestones in her life - learning to walk, calling her 1st 'Daddy' & 'Mummy', how to express hersef, learning how to speak in proper sentences etc. Somehow, recently, felt that she has been talking non-stop - from the moment she wakes up till the time of her afternoon nap. And once she wakes up from her nap, she will tell you "Mummy, I wake up already." and there goes my peace....

Dinner at Waruku, ECP

regine's happy face

She has definitely brought much joy with her cheeky behaviour and funny speeches. Hubby and I were amused by her after we finished our dinner at ECP last Saturday.

We were walking towards Mac after dinner at Waraku and Regine started to struggle. Trying to encourage her to walk, Mummy told her, "Let's walk to the MacDonalds there."

And my smart little princess had her way to convey this message to her Daddy, "Daddy, Mummy said we go over there to eat MacDonalds."

Hubby was caught by surprise as we just finished our dinner and digestion has not even set in and Hubby decided to tell a white lie.

Hubby replied, "No, there is no MacDonalds there."

And Regine went, "Har (literally and loudly), no Macdonalds there. But Mummy said we go there to eat MacDonalds."

In the end, Mummy had to correct her that we are going to walk to Mac but not to eat at Mac. Guess this is one of her 'strategy' of getting her treat of Macdonalds....

Then just before we drove off, Regine was standing in the centre of the rear seat (in between the 2 front seats) and Mummy had to tell her in a stern voice, "Regine Lam, please sit down. If not, you will fly off if Daddy brakes his car suddenly."

Guess what was her response?

"Mummy, I don't have wings."

My Creative Princess

Not too sure when Regine started to be so 'creative', but it was until recently that Mummy Barney realised her creativity. She can be quite shy in front of strangers but will be lively and start singing in public whenever she hears her favourite songs. There was once when she started singing in Suntec Toys 'r' us when she heard Barney singing 'A B C' and even started dancing, right in front of everybody.

And she can be really creative. These are some of her songs she 'composed':

(to the tune of Mary had a little lamb) Barney has a dinosaur, dinosaur, dinosaur

Barney has a dinosaur,

And XXXXX

Where is Mummy? Where is Mummy?

在这里 在这里

Morning bells are ringing

Morning bells are ringing

Ding ding dong

Ding ding dong

Five little dinosaurs (monkeys) jumping on the bed

One fell down and broke its head

Mama called the doctor and the doctors said

No more dinosaur

Jumping on the bed

My Princess

Have been so caught up with work that I didn't even realise my blog has not been updated for the past 2 months..time really flies!

Took this photo during cousin's wedding in early October. It has been quite a while since I last attended a wedding dinner. Surprisingly, I was a little excited about the wedding, indeed.

Didn't even realise that my little princess has grown quite a bit. I count my blessings that Regine was quite an easy child to handle, since the day she was born. Sensible and independent.

Unlike other kids, she doesnt throw tantrums even when she does not get what she wants. Or perhaps, Mummy simply ignores her wails and cries...

At her age, she has already started helping Mummy with simple household chores - carrying her own clothes from service balcony back to the room, folding her own clothes, making the bed the moment she wakes up etc. Perhaps, she does take after Mummy, in one way or the other (though she definitely does not look like moi). I still remember how Mum left me home alone (when I was only 5 years old) during rainy days in the past, and rushed to fetch Greg's Mummy from primary school.

Regine definitely has a mind of her own, and you cannot simply make her change her mind once she has made her decision. Mummy always gives her opportunities for her to make her own choice and I definitely hope that she can make her own decisions, in her own life, as she grows up.

Just hope that she will stay as adorable as she is now, and always that popular among others (Even had aunty who commented that she looked so gentle and ladylike?? aka you xiu in Teochew).

If only Mum and Dad were still around, it would be such great fun to witness how Regine would have interacted with them...

Missing Vivo...

Have not visited Vivocity for quite a while. Missing it terribly...

Finally got an opportunity to spend some there...