Christmas 2014

Wed 17 Dec 2014

Timely reminder from Dad that Bikia’s birthday is around the corner. 

Fri 19 Dec 2014

Sent out birthday greetings to Bikia.

Sat 20 Dec 2014

After work, met up with Bikia for dinner at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club. Found out from a Toastmasters friend that the restaurants there are opened to non-members as well. Bikia decided to go for the Lamb Shank whereas I had Spagetti Carbonara. After dinner we had a short stroll around KLGCC. It definitely looks exclusive (i.e. expensive) and surprisingly secluded even though it is in KL.

Wed 24 Dec 2014

Last lunch for 2014 with colleagues and we decided to go over to Nexus for a well-deserved long lunch.

Left the office at 3 PM and arrived at the airport at 4.45 PM by train. There was plenty of time to browse at the bookstore before the 6 PM flight.

After having pumpkin soup and a shower, we watched some TV before going to the airport at 11.30 PM to pick up Bikia.

Thur 25 Dec 2014

We had our annual photo session, just before the Christmas lunch at the Club.

With turkey, ham, sausages, lasagna, spinach, mash potatoes and dessert, it was a hearty lunch for everyone.

As Mum and Dad were interested in getting a smartphone (peer pressure from their friends – everyone is on WhatsApp), we went to check out the available data plans. When I said we, I actually meant Bikia… 

Fri 26 Dec 2014

We decided to get a smartphone first and sort out the data plan later as Dad insisted to stick with Maxis. In the end, we bought a Lenovo phone. It was slim, light and with enough memory. For RM530, it was a good buy.

Sat 27 Dec 2014

Operation Phone Transfer went into action as Bikia setup the new smartphone for Dad. He did the same for my Samsung phone too (a gift from Bikia to me after he bought a new phone with bigger screen for himself).

Sun 28 Dec 2014

Another trip to the airport to send Bikia off. He is flying to Cebu to celebrate the New Year there. Here is a photo taken from my new phone.

What ?? Another plane went missing ? Can’t believe there is another plane missing. This time it is AirAsia QZ8501. It’s MH370 all over again.

Received Bikia’s WhatsApp message. He sent message to Dad too, that he has arrived in Phillipines.

Tues 30 Dec 2014

In the evening, the news was that the plane had been found and 3 bodies recovered. 

Wed 31 Dec 2014

Can’t believe it’s the last day of the year. How did the year pass by so fast ?

For consolation, here are some cute photos of PG, officially the cutest Royal of the Year. 

Thur 1 Jan 2014

Back to KL and back to work as there is leftover work to be completed by tomorrow…

Austin Family in KL

Thur 10 July 2014

Arrival of Mum and Dad as well as Abi, Anica and River at KLIA, late on Thursday night.

Fri 11 July 2014

We went shopping at Nu Sentral to look for Abi’s Perfect White Singlet as he and Dad did not manage to get them at Petaling Street earlier today.

Sat 12 July 2014

River is still adjusting to MY time and went to sleep on Sat morning. After a simple and delicious meal of spaghetti for lunch, it was time for a visit to a local tourist attraction: we went to the KL Bird Park.

With entrance fee of RM25, we decided to head over to the Islamic Art Museum to have a look at the free exhibit while Abi, Anica and River did the proper tourist thing - getting up close and personal with the birds at the Bird Park.

After that, we headed over to the Hartamas Shopping Centre to visit the optometry shop to ask for cleaning cloth. At RM20, it wasn’t cheap and is not the exact specification Abi was looking for. This might turn out to be another hard-to-find item, as difficult to find as the Perfect White Singlet that is on Abi’s shopping list. By the way, we bump into Bumble Bee as well.

Sun 13 July 2014

Family get-together: Visit to Klang to meet up with the Dad’s family members. We had a sumptuous lunch, which include suckling pig, prawns, abalone, fish maw and longevity noodles. River enjoyed the abalone, showing us that she has refined taste. 

After lunch, we were at second aunty’s place at Bandar Botanic, where River was thrilled to meet Honey. However her over-enthusiastic attempt to hug Honey may have traumatized the poor dog.

Mon 14 July 2014

We were just chilling out at the condo. After dinner, Mummy and I had a short walk around Brickfields to explore the nearby shops.

Tues 15 July 2014

Tourist must-do: Sample the local cuisine delight and enjoy the local sights. 

Translation: Dim sum brunch at Avenue K and a short shopping trip to Ampang Park where Abi bought his RM50 watch.

In the evening, it was time for River to get into the pool.

We had bah kut teh for dinner. Then it was Movie Night featuring “The Lego Movie”.  Has a nice song too: Everything is Awesome!

Wed 16 July 2014

Tourist activity: Visit to the Aquaria.

Grandpa’s treat: new toy for River.

Movie of the Day: Frozen. Another nice song: Let it Go.

Thur 17 July 2014

While everyone is enjoying dinner, yours truly is still stuck with “slave” role at the office.

Stayed overnight at Bikia’s condo so that we can have an early start to Penang the next morning.

Trip to Penang

Fri 18 July 2014

Everyone was up and about by 6.30 and we started our journey at 8.10 AM.

We had brunch at Ipoh, and arrived at Penang at 1.40 PM, and waited for the owner to arrive to pass us the keys for the rented bungalow. It is very spacious, 3 storeys with 5 rooms. With 7 adults and a toddler taking up 4 rooms, it was good getaway for our 3 days 2 nights stay.

After a short rest for everyone, we were off to the photo studio for our 5 PM photo shoot. While the ladies had their make-up done, the guys started with their photo shoot. At one point, River decided to go into her hugging mood. As I was next to her, yours truly was hugged tightly by her niece.

After the photo shoot, we had a nice Chinese dinner at Penang Street, recommended by Dad.

We took more photos at the bungalow before we headed out to explore the food area near Shamrock Beach.

Sat 19 July 2014

After breakfast, we headed to the beach where Abi, Anica and River played in the sea while the rest of us stayed in the shade and chit-chat. With Anica and River back at the bungalow and River having her afternoon nap, we headed out for lunch and had Indian food.

At 4.30 PM, we again headed out, this time to Gurney Plaza for some shopping before having dinner at the famous Gurney Drive.

Back at the bungalow, with River in her hugging mood, almost everyone had a hug from her including me, Grandma and Uncle Danny.

At 10 PM, we had our supper at the bungalow. This can’t be good for everyone’s waistline. Note to self: to have additional jogging sessions to get rid of the excess calories !!

Sun 20 July 2014

After checking out, we headed over to QueensBay to have lunch before dropping Beh Ling off at the airport.

Arrived back in KL at 5.30 PM, which is not too bad.

Mon 21 July 2014

With packing all done before 5 PM, Mum and Dad as well as Abi, Anica and River were ready to take the train to KLIA at 6 PM.

Before that, River demonstrated her signature pose (lying on the floor, with her arms spread out) when she was not allowed to go out the front door. Anica explained that River decided on this pose as the initial tactic of falling backwards and knocking her head was too painful. The second tactic of slowly sitting down before bursting into tears routine was perhaps too tame, so it has been refined to the “lying down on the floor spread eagle” and bursting into tears.

While being put into the stroller for the walk to the train station, River again burst into tears as she wanted to be carried by Mama. With Mama admonishing her “River no!” she went into sulky silence mode for the rest of the walk. 

At KL Sentral, it was a quick good-bye kiss for River and then everyone went in the entrance to catch the 6.15 PM train to KLIA. 

Sat 26 July 2014

Back to KK for the Raya holidays. We arrange for Hangout session with Austin, for Mummy to learn how to use the tablet (gift from Bikia after he bought a new tablet for himself) for the video call. There was a small hitch at the beginning. No audio from the tablet. In the end the mute icon appeared and it was pressed to unmute it.

Sun 27 July 2014

We had a second Hangout session as Grandpa couldn’t make it for last night’s session.

Tues 29 July 2014

Major milestone: Mummy manages to send out email on her own after reminding her that she needs to switch on the wifi before using the tablet.

Thur 31 July 2014

Back to KL and back to work.

July Family Photos

A picture is worth a thousand words. 

Although most of us were initially reluctant when Beh Ling suggested to have studio photos taken during our July Penang trip, the result was priceless and everyone was happy with the final photos.

Here are the family photos where all 8 family members are in

All the adults

Three men and a baby

Austin family

Mummy with Abikia & Abi

Just the girls

Looking Good

Good things in life don't come cheap. It costs $$$ to have these studio photos taken during our Penang trip, but I must say, everyone looks good !

While the ladies were having their hair and make-up done, the guys started their photo shoot session. Here are the results of our hard work, which would not have been possible without the help of our professional photographer Karen and main sponsor Beh Ling.

After a makeover by make-up and hair stylist...

Just chilling

Striking the CEO pose

The latest addition to the Lee family