All By Myself... To Australia...

I had my first holiday overseas all by myself.


Not accompanied by family or friends. It felt a little weird. But anyhow, I took a brave step to spend some time in Melbourne, Australia with my Sister.


In fact, I have not gone on holiday alone with my sister for the last 15 years. Its always been with the family tagging along. Both hers and mine.


I am not sure if I will get the opportunity to blog the whole 19 days of the trip but I will make a brief outline of what I did:

• Peninsula Hot Springs: We went for a spa at the hot spring. It was amazing because the weather was so cold (according to me, the Asian) and the water was so hot. So, it was very nice and relaxing.
• Had a nice "yam cha" session with my cousin brother who has just relocated to Melbourne. I have not met him for 25 years or more.
• Great Ocean Road: Beautiful drive along the Great Ocean Road and visited the famous 12 Apostles.
• Victoria Market: Summer Wednesday night market
• Batesmans Bay, Lakes Entrance & Eden: Drove along the coastal road and spent a few nights along the beach.
• Fruit picking: Cherry, rasberry and blueberry. Awesome!!!
• Tour Melbourne City: Spent a whole day in the city - sitting on free tourist bus going around the city. Eating Italian food, gelato, souvlaki on Lygon St.
  
• Read 2.5 books - Patricia Cornwell & Bryce Courtnay
  

It was a relaxing holiday and I did nothing stressful or tiring. I ate a lot and laughed even more.


Thanks, Sis, for being a wonderful host and taking time to spend it with me, it was precious and memorable for me. Looking forward to more trips together!

On the Ocean Road Trip.... Did someone said that it was summer time?
Sure didn't feel like it! *shivers*

Great Ocean Road... The Twelve Apostles. Breathtakingly beautiful sceneries

Execution time!

Panning for gold

My trip was taken from Dec 3 to 22. I missed the children loads but we spoke almost daily on skype. The chocolates and lollies which I purchased for them made it all good ;-).

National Science Centre Trip

This year, I was just too lazy occupied to organise a birthday party for Ethaniel. Eventhough he had wanted one.

In the past, I managed to organise birthday parties for both of my sons for the longest time. As late as last year, Ethaniel still had a party. I just couldn't manage one this time round. The thought of planning, cooking, preparing, entertaining and cleaning was more than I could bear!

I felt bad.

He had wanted heaps of presents from his friends. I know, its nice to have heaps of presents eventhough half of them are either pencil cases or books. Nevertheless, its still nice. He is just 8 years old and the joy of birthday parties are still great!

So, instead of managing 20 children in a party, I have decided to bribe offer to take a few of his friends to a place of his choice and enjoy 1 whole day of fun, companionship and memorable activities. Well, he chose National Science Center in Bukit Kiara and we went on 30 Nov 09, Monday. The place is huge, fun, educational, cheap and surely able to keep his other 8 years old friends occupied. Nobody will be bored or restless, hopefully. Let's see... who is in his guest list.... Matt and Jon from BSF (Bible Study Fellowship), Timothy & Stef (cousins) and The Thomas's children. So, in all, there will be 8 children inclusive of Joel, his evil twin.

A carload full of ethaniel's friends

The Little Boy aka Robot Monster

The children at Science Center

Trying their hands at taking out the rope from the metal loop at the Science Centre

They spent a few hours at the Science center and then we proceeded to a open playground for them to play. The lake opposite Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya seemed to have a great playground, not the best but nice enough. They had a great time running around and really sweat it out!!!

Matt

Joel and Timmy

Jon

Stef and Ethaniel

Happy Birthday Ethaniel. I hope you had a great time hanging out with you friends.

Shots To Remember New Old House

I went to see our new old house in Kota Kemuning. Apparently, the Seller still have not told the Tenant that we have already purchased the house. She kept asking the Agent to inform them, when the house is sold. For whatever reasons, they still have not.

This is the land just across the house. Many papaya trees and lemongrass planted. The tall trees further up is where the children's tree house will be, hopefully.

The Tenant has been staying there for 5 years now and have done a tremendous job of turning the extra land on the side and in front of the house into a farming ground. There are papaya trees, lemon grass, chili, lady fingers, long beans and various other plants. I emphatize with them. After all their hardwork, I am going to harvest those yummy papayas. But most of it have to go especially the ones in the compound of the house. It looks too messy.

The side of the house... too messy now

Took some photos of the place. Nice to see the before and after shots. Like... "This is what the house used to be like and now it looks like this"... kinda thing.


I am undecided if I should start a new blog on the new house plus the renovation or just fit it together with this current one. After all, its part of The Journey of My Life... a new season but still "in the journey". What I am afraid of, is running out of photo space. Google has limited space per blog. I feel too lazy to start a new blog. Oops, the truth has come out. Maybe I just stick to the current blog and label it accordingly like "new house", "renovation"... when I run out of photo space, then, just start another blog. Will worry about it when the time comes. Today has enough worries of its own.

The surau (mini mosque) is the one with red roof. Its a stone's throw away from our place