Train ride to the airport

Nobody likes to take the public transport except for first-timers like Miss Sera. That is why, this morning, I thought a train ride would be fun and exciting for her. Indeed, it was. So we drove to the nearest train station, parked our car there and hopped unto the train to the airport. Why the airport? Why to see the air planes, of course! Yes, somehow, I've ended up being one of those parents who bring their kids to the airport on weekends. Grin.

A little sleepy but the train ride very quickly woke her up and got her all excited

"Wow, look at that! Cars, buses, houses, trees, bicycles ... ", she was doing a running commentary, as fast as the train went

We went to Terminal 1 to the viewing gallery where we managed to catch some planes taking off and landing. She was going 'zoom, zoom ... zoom" and then, with sad eyes said, "Papa ... papa." Just a few more weeks to go Sera.

Happy Anniversary Baby!

It's our 3rd wedding anniversary today ... sadly we can't celebrate it together. But I've been thinking of you the whole day (that is, more than usual) and reminiscing our wedding day, the times before our wedding when we were young, care-free ... oh so freeeeeeeee ... ha ha! Anyway, here are some photos of us enjoying the outdoors, just the way we've always liked it.

At Berkelah Falls in Johore Bahru. It was a treacherous hike up to the falls as it rained during the hike and throughout the night. It just got worse when we realised our tent had a hole in it. Ha ha ...

At Pulau Besar off the east coast of Johore. Remember, it also rained when we trekked the rugged coastline of the island but that was a fun trip

At Pulau Tioman, our trek in the jungle

I though this trek over the island would never end! Your dad was way in front of us, fit as ever and the two of us were lagging way behind, struggling ... but it was memorable, in a funny and painful way

Our wedding by the beach. This time, we only had to struggle to hear each other exchange our vows while the air planes were zooming over us!


Our Sera ... hmm, what can I say .. we just simply love her!

And finally, that's you and a 'rounder' me plus number two on the way ... very, very soon!

Back to school

Sera went back to school yesterday and she was so happy, like she was deprived from school for the past few weeks. Strange girl! I wasn't too worried about any transition, seeing she was well adjusted to attending school back in Doha. As usual, she didn't even look back at me or grandma once she went through her classroom gate. Grandma managed to get some shots of her exploring the playground. When I completed the administrative stuff, I took a peek into her classroom and I had to laugh. Sera was like a 'little monkey' singing and dancing to 'Head and shoulders, knees and toes ...', while the other kids were sitting on the floor looking at her curiously and even strangely. I think she adjusted in a matter of minutes!

The pre-nursery kids have their own private playground

Within minutes, Sera was removing her shoes

This is her school uniform. I was a bit put off with the idea of her wearing a uniform since I remember having to wear the same pinafore for 10 years. This one looks cheery enough and since it is not compulsory (unless they're out on an excursion) I guess I could let her wear the top with her own shorts or skirts.

Dora's biggest fan

Dear amigos ... Gaston and Kelyan,

You wouldn't believe what I did today ... I went for the 'Dora's Pirate Adventure concert'! I saw her for REAL! My concert partner was Chloe, who wasn't a real fan of Dora's but I think she became one after the concert. That's us, holding the Dora flag we received at the entrance.

I couldn't conceal my happiness ... I was ready to burst with excitement!

The adventure begins ...


That's me ... with that expression throughout the concert ... ha ha ha!

'Say Map!' ... We needed the map to get to Treasure Island

Swiper ... that cheeky fox!

During the intermission, I was running around giving my grandma a good exercise ...

What a cool ship yah?

We did it!

It was a great concert ... so much fun! Thanks mama, grandma and auntie Evan for taking us to the best concert ever. Chloe and I had a blast!

Wish you guys were there!

Big hugs and many kisses, Sera

To the Zoo

There is one thing (ok, there are other things too) I'm really proud of Singapore and that is her Zoo. I know, it can be a 'zoo' living and working here in Singapore but I'm referring to the Zoo that houses all the beautiful animals amidst a tropical rainforest environment. This morning, we went to the Zoo and had ourselves a really good time. (Manu and Sylvie ... you'll be able to tell from the photos why I was so sad when we were at the Doha Zoo. 'wink')

Looking fresh and awake ... ready to visit and chat with the animals.
I mean, she really did chat with them ...

Sera and I checking out the lazy Orang Utans

This orang utan, so human-like in his mannerism, was fast asleep. 'Shhhhhh', went Sera

Sera was whispering to the crocodile sweet nothings

She was so excited to see this jaguar ... but she kept saying 'Baby Jaguar', as in Dora the Explorer! I can't imagine her version of an adult jaguar.

Isn't he so handsome ... and calm, despite facing 'a little chicken'
(as in Sera) who was waving and talking so loudly?

Giraffes ... feasting on the lush greens

We caught a glimpse of the Asian elephants and their mahouts just before they on stage


I'm not so into the animal shows but most of the time, messages of conservation, appreciation and
awareness for these animals are conveyed to the audience


White tigers ... they were stunning

Passing the Orang utans, we managed to see the arowana fish jumping out of the
water to eat the dangling fish. Cool!

This orang utan found a drifting durian skin, walked over to it, used a branch to bring it closer to him

After the Zoo visit, we decided to treat ourselves to ice cream ... but of course!

Sometimes, my daughter thinks she is the queen ...

And yesterday, she thought she was the 'Queen of the hawker centre'. Ha ha. Nothing to be too proud of as, for my friends who aren't familiar with a Singapore hawker centre, it's usually not the 'cleanest', cosiest or comfortable of places to eat. It is usually frequented by locals who want to whet their appetites with tasty and economical food. So anyway, after Sera was done eating her noodles, she stood at the corner of the centre and started her 'queen wave' plus her 'Hi!', 'Goodbye!' and 'See you!'

And as you can tell from the passerbys, they were very humoured by her.

"Hi auntie! ... " (This auntie was caught by surprised)

"Bye ... see you!" (Ha ha, she couldn't help but laugh)

She was not at all choosy with whom she waved at ... anyone that passed her received a wave and a 'Hi'

Too cute!

I had to post this photo of Sera and her two friends in Doha - Kelyan and Gaston. This photo was taken on the evening we were going to leave Doha. So this photo was essentially the last one of them together, topless!

"What is it you wanted to say Sera? Oh ok ..."

Sera just wanted to add that her tummy is not so big nowadays ... ha ha. Thanks Manu for the photo!

It's hot, so what else but to the pool!

Another pool time, but this time at Evan's club. Yes, that is apparently what we like to do, fizzle down in the water, from the yucky humid weather. The girls had a great time at the children's water play park. They were tireless, especially since they had been playing non-stop the whole afternoon indoors. I, on the other hand, was physically finished by dinner time but not Sera and Chloe, who were still raring to go in the indoor playground. Thanks Evan and Chloe for a great time!

Check out the water play park. That's Sera, to the left of this photo.

The water was very shallow, a bit too shallow for Sera to do her 'swimming'. So eventually,
she jumped into the adults' pool and gleefully said, "Swimming!"

The girls taking their shower. Chloe loved having the water sprayed all over her but Sera, unused
to having showers, was very wary of the spraying water.

See-saw, up and down! They continued their play, after dinner.

To the pool!

Nothing makes her more happy than playing in the swimming pool. Well, she would be COMPLETELY happy if Johan was here, of course. But she had a great time at the pool with Chloe and Evan today. She ran into the pool, once her floaties were on, bobbing in the water, laughing and just being her same old self.

Happiness ...

Twirling in the water

Chloe, Evan and Sera

Chloe was very fascinated by the wheel

Seafood dinner by the beach

When she's happy, she eats ...

Lunch time!

Slurping up her bowl of noodles

Watermelon for dessert

A very messy affair when she had ice cream for dessert ... after dinner