What do I know about Joan?

1. She was born in England, came to Australia when she was 3
2. She had 5 sisters all very close to her. Still has three, one in home and two passed away
3. She doesn't like garlic
4. She played tennis until she is well into her 70-s
5. 3 years ago, she walks faster with her walking frame going through supermarket isles than us.. slow down Joan!
6. She served in WW2
7. She never forget anybody's birthdays
8. ???
????

"Ibu Mertuaku"

My mother in law, Joan is coming to see us. As much as I'm excited to seeing her again [after 3 years] I'm also a bit anxious. Our house at the moment is not so geriatric friendly. What shall I do with those three super active superheroes? how many kilo of tranquilizer shall I order? the toilet is still not done {we wanted to take out the bath and put simple shower - with handrails probably?} - I think my lovely husband might be underestimating the job because today is 19th jan.. and we might see Joan on the 23rd Jan! and her bedroom is probably 10% done???
aiyyyooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

A trip to Lavender Farm

This is the symbol of that farm.. I'd love to know the names of the backdrop mountains [not brokeback mountain! hehehe]

Mummy showing off her big tumtum

hey dude

The whole place smells nice.. calming.. and I can hear the bzzzzz bzzzzzz sounds of busy busy beezzzzz sucking up the pollen. They sell honey as well but it doesn't taste like lavender at all. We had some lollies that taste like lavender.

Kantoi lagi

Went walking for less than 30 minutes last night, soooooo tired and zzZZZ soon after maghrib.

I remember.. how many life times ago, I was still fit and young and we went walking on Penang Hill.. sort of for the best part of the day. Took the bus to Botanical Garden and came out at Air Hitam.. I think it was like 9 hrs walking in the jungle of Penang Island. We were a bit anxious we might get lost but then hello this is an island -- we'll be OK..

The next day I remember walking 'kengkang' and the whole body was sore from walking.

If I do walk the Overland... I will have to keep on walking the next day and the next and the next and the next... can I do it?

tick tock tick tock

Aladdin is 7

But still behaving like a baby... he turned 7 on Saturday. I had to work... but my boss (bestest boss in the world) did finished off the job so that I can go home earlier.

For weeks leading to his birthday he was a pain. Telling everybody that his birthday is close. This is the first year he's been whining about presents.. before this on birthdays, I just bought a cake n that was it. This year he even suggested we have the birthday party in the park.

so what did he want??
Optimus prime - this high [big one ofcourse!]
if you can't get optimus prime, I want a guitar.. not just any guitar, an electric guitar! [AMBOI]... or mummy - you can get me a camera...err can I have two presents????

I basically told him that he's not going to get any of those ridiculous and expensive presents, and if he keep bugging me - we might cancel his birthday altogether! [SCARED!]

I kept on saying no, no, NO!! to his suggestions... finally he said - "Mummy, if you can't get what I want.. just get what you want, I just want A present..."

aaaahhhhhh - so 'kesian'??? I got him optimus prime and Aminah bought him n his brothers heaps more - toys, books, color pencils, stickers..all nicely wrapped up with colorful papers! and ribbons

Now who are the victim of marketing bullies??

I am happy to buy him a present but I can't help thinking I'm being manipulated by.. something... somehow. Let's take a bet how long the expensive toys will last???

** anything above $10 is EXPENSIVE OK!

Please Explain....

I don't know that Christchurch is "Amsterdam down under"??.... or is it legal throughout New Zealand... eh Yati? ... please explain!

This shop here, although the OPEN sign was lit up, I couldn't see anyone at the counter ??? At least two shops of this kind I saw in not too far distance between each other. Maybe Che Wang can explain??

Welcome to Mars??

Remembering Christchurch: This quirkie little alley also along Manchester St. [same st. with malaysia delights] in the evening this little alley is bursting with open air musics, as you go into it the corridor sort of widen, like a little courtyard... with people drinking and talking and some grand old furniture out in the court yard. I wish we had a meal there but it was quite cool in the open air and we didn't want to eat inside the pub restaurant. Kids loved the hanging bikes... why wouldn't you?

Malaysia Delights

We saw this shop on our way to supermarket in Christchurch. Unfortunately the shop was shut.. it did not matter to us anyway because it's not a halal shop... but 'malaysia delights' kinda sounds a bit kinky-ish --- don't you think???

Is it a good idea?

I think by now we can safely put Christmas and New Year behind us, the other day I went walking with my new kathmandu waterproof bush walking shoes with a new pair of new woolie socks for about 30 minutes (if not less), only jaywalking with Orion around the block... came home totally wasted! aarrgh how am I going to walk for freaking 6 days? I think Aminah said it's about 3 to 4 hours of walking everyday [with about 15 kgs backpack]for 6 days.
You see when I did the pledge - all I was thinking was 'Survivor'.. yeah - no worries, I will get thin and fit and have loads of FUN.. but now the semi-reality started to creep into me.. toilet situation, leeches? wet and rain and cold??? and stinking feet.. and armpits (mine and others!). You think I should just chicken out? and have this bush walking boots for a 'momento'?? yeah momento of failure!!
or I should keep on pursuing it - getting fit.. after all we want to do it in May.. plenty of time to get fit... but I still need to get:
1. sleeping bag
2. bagpack
3. thermals
4. gators?
5. rain jacket?
6. tent?
7. ##???

If this trip don't make me fit... it certainly will make me broke!