So, I’ve been asked umpteenth times where else would I be exploring aside from Holland (actually hor, the proper name of the country I’m visiting would be The Netherlands).

I haven’t really given it much thought, but since the neighbouring countries are Belgium and Germany, given the limited time I’ll be spending there hopefully I can hop over to Brussels and some places in Germany.

I did get ambitious and wanted to go Paris. Dave told me, “Real cheap! Go Paris can take bus. Or go Madrid, fly direct from Eindhoven on budget air!”

Bus?! 6hours leh. Like macam going Ipoh.

I also checked out the budget airfares to Madrid, cost about 70 odd euros per person, quite cheap I reckon but seriously doubt we have time to do that.

Both ambitious plans aborted.

Looks like we’ll be adopting the travelling style I’ve always recommended to friends going on holidays — reach the airport, take the map and GO!!!

Good leh, I like this style. Surprises awaits the unplanned mah.

At least that’s what I’m going to do for Amsterdam. Since the flight is arriving early in the morning, mom and I are going to deposit our luggage somewhere, take a map and EXPLORE! After we have enough of Amsterdam, we’ll make our way down to Eindhoven by train to meet Dave for dinner.

Hey, as least I got my first day’s itinerary planned out ya. As for the remaining days, I’m depending on my baby brother as to where’s good to go.

via

When you discover your workload has just tripled, the list of things to do become 2 pages long with tomorrow being the deadline, your work desk is so messy you can’t remember the original colour of the table top, and the world around is becoming blurry cos you’re running around like a headless chicken..

You know your leave/holiday is approaching. YAY!!

Cuteness! Maybe we can consider dressing as the Powerpuff Girls for Halloween party, and AstroBoy can consider dressing up as PIKACHU!!

[link via Say No to Crack]

One night, Mosquito and I were browsing through the Singaporea Arts Festival program book (yes I know we are so cultured) when we came to this concert where a full orchestra will be playing scores of video games music.

We went “FWAH!!” and booking was made the next day. Which was a right move cos the concert was sold out! We were lucky to get the cheap ticket ($20) we wanted. Heehee!

Concert was last Saturday and we decided to met for dinner before it starts incase our rumbling tummies disturb other people’s enjoyment of the concert. Mosquito asked me to meet earlier than our initial planned time but in the end she herself was late. *shakes head*

As a result, we had to wolf down our Carl Jr burgers and fries, which by no means come in small portions, and risking indigestion, do a brisk walk from Marina Square to Esplanade. We then went to the wrong side of durian — the theatre side. 2 suakoos.. -_-”

Having purchased the most economical tickets, our seats were way up on circle 3. When we finally reach the level for circle 3, panting from scaling all the steps, we hear the announcement that it’s 1minute to commencement of concert and latecomers will not be admitted blah blah. We started running. Haiz!

We got in in time to discover our seats are in the middle of the row. We had to sorry and excuse me our way in. Not realising how steep the seatings are and how high we are as we walked in back facing the stage, I got a shock when I sat down and above view is what I saw from my seat.

I couldn’t contain my excitement when the orchestra started playing music from Super Mario Bros coupled with screen snapshots from the game itself. So cute and nostalgic!!

But then that was like the only highlight for me. The songs that followed were of newer games that I didn’t play. Nonetheless, it was gooooood!

My shoulder and neck has been aching badly for the past few days so last night in desperation I dug out my trusty Ammeltz Yoko Yoko.

As soon as I applied it, Tiga fled in horror and sat at the far corner of the living room. MUAHAHAHA!! It was quite funny, but clearly not funny for him. I know lah the smell is pungent, but can’t help it mah.

He looked at me in disgust and refused to come near me the whole night. I feel so rejected. Sob!

Stretch!

Mom called last night asking about details of the trip next week. She then lamented about how long the flight is going to be but so glad she’s not travelling alone.

I told her to bring a book cos I’m going to sleep throughout the flight. To which mom immediately returned a loud “CANNOT!” and said we should chat cos such opportunity rarely comes along now.

-__-”

I’m not sure if I can handle talking to mom for 13hrs straight. I mean, got so many things to talk about meh?! Or maybe she really have alot things to tell me.

I want to sleep. Anyways we got the whole trip to talk to our hearts’ content what.

img004 by helifxer97.

As with all good Chinese festivals, there is good food associated with the celebration/commemoration. And if you have yet to realise, the festivals (major) coincides with the 4 seasons.

So we have:
Spring — Chinese New Year (aka Ang Pow Festival) [红包节]
Summer — Dumpling Festival [粽子节]
Autumn — Moon Cake Festival [月饼节]
Winter — Dumpling Festival (this time the sweet round one) [汤圆节]

Don’t you just feel so blessed being a Chinese?

We never go hungry.

So cute I can’t resist.

[pix via small boobs]

When my brothers and I were young, we always look forward to dad telling us bedtime stories. We’ll listened attentively to every word that comes out of his mouth, totally fascinated by the characters and storyline. To me, he was the best and funniest storyteller ever.

Often after he has told us one story, we would refuse to sleep and plea for one more. Sometimes dad would oblige, sometimes he’ll just say he has run out of stories for the day.

I’ve always wondered how dad never seems to run out of stories, his brain is like the grand library of bedtime stories. I’m sure dad repeated some stories, but we would listen to them as if we have never heard it before (which would be true cos we have short term memories). But ofcos dad also has his great source — the Bible.

Now that I’m older, I realised how blessed me and my brothers were, cos many of my friends have never had their dad or mom tell them stories when they were young.

I’m not sure about James and David, but the stories dad told lingered, leaving with me lessons and memories that can never be erased. Thanks dad! Have a blessed day.

It was a hot hot hot humid humid humid afternoon but we braved the 100% humidity and went for a walk in Botanic Gardens last Sabbath. Had initially wanted to go explore Changi boardwalk but decided it was too far and since Botanic Gardens has recently been renovated, it was chosen.

We mopped around the garden (seriously the air was so heavy we have absolutely no energy to lift our legs and skip along merrily) disturbing swans and looking for the elusive heliconia.

Extras in the background: Alice & 2 pigeons.

[some pix via WCIII]