Glad To Be Here

Yes, on the 3rd of Jan, we spent it with breakfast and some shopping, mainly to get some food for breakfast the next day. We went to Jusco in Coastal City. It is a posh area with expensive clothing line. So, basically we didn’t get anything for clothes.

As we walked in from one of the entrance, we were greeted by a big standing dog. The boys took the chance to take some pictures. It was just Hush Puppies doing some promotion on their shoes.

The next thing we did was to wait for a table to have our Dim Sum in one of the nicely decorated Chinese restaurant that is full with crystals.

It was weekend and like most part of China, there were full of people waiting in line, after maybe half an hour later, we got a table and started our late breakfast. The boys like usual can’t sit still after some bite. They noticed the decoration too and Cal requested to have his photo taken with the lighted beam with Chinese characters.

After that was a brief walk around that area and saw this huge theater in round building, these were taken just outside of Coastal City before we went in to have a cup of drink.

Both of them love Snoopy especially little Mer. So when I pointed to them these two figures in front of Charlie Brown Cafe, they couldn’t take their hands off Snoopy!

Went into Jusco after that and noticed that they are having sales up to 70% on certain items. However none that suits me especially when they are offering winter clothing now.  I wanted to get maybe some make up or sunblock, but just couldn’t slow  myself down with two boys attaching to me, even if I saw a nice necklace or accessory.

Hubby went off to get some food while we waited in a beverage store inside Jusco. At that time, Mer was just too tired  and couldn’t be bother with his surroundings and went to sleep on there on the chair without even looking for his milk. *wink*

Well, that was what happened on the 3rd.

What happened after the trip to Hong Kong?

Well, we had another visit the week after, not exactly after a week, as hubby has holidays from 1st till 3rd. Unfortunately on the day that we left, he was working. Anyway, this is to record down on things that happened after our first trip to Hong Kong.

Once got back from Hong Kong we went out of course. There were once that we passed by a fruit juice store that Cal loves the apple cushion, just look at him:

Once when we were outside of  The Garden City, there were people doing some rock climbing exercise, old and young. We took some time stopping there and let the boys watched.

After that was another few days they spent in front of the PC playing online games in PBSKids.org. That was the first thing they ask in the morning and Cal is getting expert with some of the games, ever Mer also getting good with Curious George.

Then came the day that we went to Hong Kong again on the 2nd of Jan 2009. Since Cal has his own Octopus card for the MTR, little Mer was a bit jealous and wanted to use it too. Fortunately with some praising, Cal let his little brother have a go most of the time and they went through the gate together. They became super friendly with each other during those time like holding hands, talking with each other and laugh together.

Our plan for the night was to view some lighting decoration in the Avenue of Stars, so right after dinner we went out with full gear of warm clothing borrowed from my sister. The two boys look like they are out for a ski! They were super cute in those thick clothing, made them look like a little ball *LOL*.

Took lots of photos of the night scenery of course but we didn’t manage to see what my sis said about the “train” decoration. Anyhow, it was fun! Hong Kong was still full of people even late at night after 10pm. That is when the night life started I suppose.

Well, the story didn’t there on my previous posting.

After going to the Central Library, we went to have our Japanese food dinner in ..err.. I forgot the place, but only got the photo:

It is actually occupying one whole street! Imagine, in Hong Kong, the shops are really expensive in rental, and yet this boss got two rolls of shop lots as his Japanese Food Shop! I’m amazed. It looks like a little Japan over there.

We have actually booked our table just to make sure we’ve got seats. They offer some games too.

Cal had a try on that, but of course he can’t get the top block to land on the one below after hitting away the middle one. It seems easy, but none of us can do it. It just need skills and maybe some help with linear motion, or whatever you call that.

While we were stuffing ourselves with yummy sushi, a “balloon man” came in to show off his skills in twisting belons into some figurine. The boys were amazed and Mer got his sword first. After some waiting game, then only Cal got his plane.

Just look at how happy he is.

We stayed a night in my sister’s place then only taking the train and bus and taxi home. While on the ride, little Mer fell asleep again and being carried all the way by hubby even passing the immigration. I took a blurry photo in the train from Hong Kong from the reflection on the window, which is the only way to capture all of us in one photo. Even Cal was also slept in the train after that.

Well, that’s much about our trip to Hong Kong. Will probably do that again next year which is only a day away.

We went to Hong Kong on 27th and came back on 28th. No problem with lodging as I’ve got my sister over there, though her place is small (all apartment in Hong Kong), but at least we have got company over there and the boys absolutely love to be there, especially when they can play with their cousins and their toys.

We went to the 43rd Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo in Victoria Park. While we were getting there when there were lots of walking to do, little Mer slept and have been on hubby’s shoulder most of the time.

There were lots to offer, but since we are not local and most of the stuff are more suitable for local such as cooking oil, electrical goods and food. Some how we still managed to get some Chinese medicine and Cal absolutely love the yogurt ice-cream.

Unfortunately there is no sight of scrapbook products or even rubber stamp, else I would have grab some.

After that we went to visit Hong Kong Central Library, it is huge! Not sure how many levels but sure is more than 5! No camera is allow in there, but ehemm.. I’ve sneak some. O n our way there, they boys was fascinated about the tram.

The Central Library looks like a shopping mall. Once step in, you’ll notice there is a escalator in front, and there are conveying belt on top of the ceiling for automated book return.

We only managed to go to the children library on 1st floor. They even have rooms for multimedia and toys!

Too bad that the toys’ area was full, so we didn’t have a chance to go in and let the boys play with the free toys.

Right after Christmas, on Boxing day, it was still a working day for hubby, so that night after he was home from work, we went out to have dinner in Ajisen, but the boys didn’t have their afternoon nap and when we got there by bus, Mer already been sleeping, so he slept all the while when we were having our dinner. Maybe it is a good thing too, as Cal can sit still and have his bowl of Lamian.

After we had done with our dinner, Mer woke up right when we stepped out of Ajisen! He has been doing that when we went to Hong Kong the next day, will talk more about that later. So we had to bring him elsewhere so that he can have some food. We went into McD.

After that was more photo taking day with all the lighting and Christmas decoration that they haven’t taken off. But Cal has been putting up funny faces whenever we wanted to take his photo, still there are some that has been taken nicely.

Almost all the shops are on sale now, but none that I find is suitable for me to wear back in Malaysia. They are all selling warm clothing or winter clothing now. Even if there are shoes that suitable, they are still too expensive even after 50% discount, from maybe RMB800 a pair! So forget about buying things.

All these photos were taken at the same place in Shekou, Shenzhen.

It is already 1:30pm, and the boys are not having their afternoon nap yet. Let’s just get recorded on things that I wanted to put into my December daily.

Yesterday: Brought them out to the playground twice. It is just too bored to stay indoor only for all of us, but is was cold out there and today is even colder, so today we haven’t step out from the apartment yet.

As for this morning, they have been good but did something dangerous as Cal climbed out from the windows between the rooms and climbed into the other room from the window! I’ve warned them about that but never though that he would do that! So I got them to promise me again for not to do that again ever!

Like usual Cal knows how to get into pbskids to play games, so they were on the computer almost all the time.

Had some apples for them and apple is Mer’s favourite fruit. Here he pose for the camera without looking at it.

ok, got to get them to sleep

Yup, we have arrived safely in Shenzhen and my life as a full-time mom, cum maid, cum cook has officially started. It doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy it and it also doesn’t mean that I’ll be cooking 24/7 or every night.

Yesterday we arrived almost half an hour early with Air Asia direct from KKIA T2. Our flight was at 9:25am. Arrived just before 8am and there were many people checking in, though there were two counters operating for check-in AK552 but it still took me half an hour to get to my turn.

We have bought the express boarding pass earlier on but there were around 30 people with that pass! After getting my hand luggage, we straight go to the departure hall and past the immigration. While buying some sweets the boys need to go to toilet and right after that is boarding time. We had to rush in order to get a good seats. Thank God that the boys walked by themselves all the way to the plane!

After settling them in, the rest of the passengers were getting on board. Fortunately there were some nice people sitting in the front role which doesn’t mind about the boys being noisy and some times pushed the chairs. Later on along the journey, we made friends which actually a mother with two daughters going to Shenzhen for vacation together with another family. We have actually exchanged emails!

Right before touched down, little Mer slept! So I had to carry him all the way till immigration and while claiming our bag, he woke up, thank God. Went out to meet hubby and went for our lunch straight in Cafe De Coral some walking distance away.

As for the night, we went out to enjoy some Christmas deco while having our dinner in Papa John’s.

As for today, my official duty has started, so far so good. First was to prepare breakfast for them, the next thing was to bring to the playground nearby which was damn cool out there. I hope they won’t catch any cold over here and be able to enjoy the stays. Tonight’s dinner is A1 Bakuteh, packet brought over from home *grin*.

I still haven’t put up a Christmas tree in the house, simply because there is no tree to put up, so I definitely going to get one this year. Doesn’t matter if the rat will have good delicious dinner later, doesn’t matter if it becomes dusty later, doesn’t matter what my mom prefer (she would prefer not to have it). I’ll have one and decorate it together with the boys, then take it down with the boys too. That will be after we got back from China next year.

Ever since the rat took over our house and basically every boxes in the house that store stuff, we have defeated and lost a Christmas tree to them, including all the decoration, so it is about time this year that I’m getting a new one. Hopefully I can find one that is around 6 feet tall and the branches are healthy looking. I hope it won’t cost me a ton including those decoration.

I bet the boys will love it especially when they can decorate it with me.

I went in Home & Garden during lunch hour  just now, they are offering sales for the whole store and the Christmas trees are in 50% discount! Unfortunately according to the sales rep, some of the bark are broken. They have some Christmas deco as well, but I don’t see any big star over there, else I would have grabbed one. So, no luck for that.

Yup, tomorrow’s plan will be looking for a Christmas tree and get those Christmas mood started.

Note: image taken from library2.nalis.gov.tt

Here, this is going to be an all photos blog post, with caption of course.

This is where we stayed - Seafest Hotel.

View from the hotel front.

Sunset taken from the hotel.

The day after, I was caught up with meeting, so didn’t go anywhere, but I
managed to visit the local pearl store.

This is where we go to get our pearl.

See all those glittering stuff? Sorry, it was getting dark then..

Did I get anything for myself? Of course! A pearl bracelet and earrings.
*Grin*

We get to visit Sipadan Island the day after. More photos..

Some other island that we saw on our way to Sipadan

Sipandan Island from afar after more than 30 minutes boat ride.

Relief to be able to stand on the ground again.

Left side view of Sipadan island right from the jetty.

Right side view of Sipadan island right from the jetty.

We tour around the island in an hour.

Sea-turtle hatching site. It normally takes 45 days for the little turtle to
come out from the eggs, then they’ll only be release to the sea at night, to
avoid being eaten from predator.

Little sea turtle which was born just that morning at 6am (23th May).

After the walk around the island, it was time to head back to our hotel. We
took a different path back to see other interesting places / island around.

Since visitors are not allow to over-night in Sipadan Island, they’ll
have to go elsewhere to stay. Divers can’t fly straight away from the dive
too due to the pressure difference.

Kapalai Resort with lots of star fishes on its water.

Mabul Resort, just beside Kapalai.

Another resort nearby.

Sand Island which doesn’t have trees initially.

Still here, my one hour is not up yet, so might as well write another post before I’m disconnected from the net.

I’m sharing a room with my colleague who runs on the machine almost everyday. So I’ve promised her to check out the health centre here (Seafest Hotel). They got a few machine including those weight machine, but there doesn’t seems a lot of people using them. Right before we came down last night, there were a man there but he doesn’t look like a body builder for us, which obviously are not taking bodybuilding supplements, so we are really not going to embarrase ourselves if we would to use the machines here. However, I don’t have my running shoes and extra clothes for exercise, so Mary is the only one using the health centre last night. All hers *LOL*

As for me, I was trying to get myself connected to the Net by using my handphone, but the line connection here is very low, sometimes down to zero. I really wish it could be better so that I can talk to my boys longer. I wonder if they miss their mommy..