Trip to UBC Hospital

A few days ago, Nenek slipped on some ice, and hurt her wrist. We took her to the clinic after work one day, and the doctor suggested an X-Ray. So today, Daddy took the day off, and we made our way to the UBC hospital to get an X-Ray. We hadn’t gotten Health Insurance for Nenek in time, so for this visit, we’ll be paying out of our pocket (She’s covered now, though). Many places don’t even accept patients without insurance, so we purchased one immediately. Luckily, UBC hospital accepts such patients. Hopefully, it’s not too expensive.

We decided to walk to the hospital. It’s only about 1-2 blocks away. We braved the snow and made our way slowly there. Melur and Arman noticed a Snow Man on the way, and stopped to admire it (or should I say, play with it).

The people at the hospital were really nice. While we waited, the kids played with a jigsaw puzzle just laying around in the waiting room. The entire trip to the hospital was about 20 minutes, and the physician was kind enough to examine the X-Ray and let us know Nenek should be fine (even though the X-Ray is suppose to be taken back to the original clinic for diagnosis).

We headed back by bus. We’ll need to go back to the clinic with the X-Rays for the official word. Hope you feel better Nenek!

Snow Day with Nenek

It’s snowing!!! We left early this morning to go to Safeway for some groceries. This would be Nenek’s first trip on the bus. I thought it’d be a good adventure for us. It was snowing lightly when we left, with slight accumulation. I let Nenek use Daddy’s old winter jacket. I hope it’s warm enough.

On the way to Safeway

The kids were playing with the wet snow, and Melur’s shoes got wet. So we didn’t want to stay long at Safeway. After purchasing just a few important items, we waited for the bus again and headed home.

That was when we noticed the snow getting really heavy. When we got off the bus near our house, everything was white. Hard to believe that less than an hour ago, there was hardly any accumulation at all. I think the kids (and also Nenek) were excited to see snow again, after such a long time. Arman and Melur spent the past few months in warm and sunny Malaysia.

On the way back from Safeway

When we got back, we warmed ourselves in the living room. I don’t think Nenek is used to the cold yet. But the kids seemed quite comfortable. Hey Mommy! Want to play with some snow? Come back soon…

Registering Arman at VSB

It’s Monday! We’ve been back about 2 days now, and before we return our rental car, we have an urgent piece of business to do – Registering Arman at the Vancouver School Board (VSB), so that Arman can start Kindergarten this fall.

Well… a short summary of what happened yesterday: Despite having a rental car (which we paid for), we ended up sleeping most of the day and not going anywhere. Aww…. I guess we were really tired.

Bright and early this Monday morning, after sending Melur to school at around 8 am, we headed over to VSB. Despite arriving at around 8:45 am (It opens at 8 am), we were number 6 in-line and finished at 10 am. I’m very impressed. We just have a bit of groceries to do before I return the car downtown.

We’re missing you Mommy. Hope you’re doing well over there. Come home quickly…

Leaving KLIA for Vancouver

It’s finally that time, for Daddy and the kids to leave Malaysia and head back to Vancouver. Mommy hasn’t finished her work here, so she’ll be staying in Malaysia a bit longer, hopefully for just a couple more weeks. Thankfully, Nenek Musidah has agreed to come along with us, and keep us company in Mommy’s absence.

Playing at the KFC Playground

After getting our bags checked in, we hung out at KFC for a while, and had another breakfast (we had breakfast at home too). There’s a playground there shaped like an airplane, which the kids really loved. We took some videos.

Today was a really long day, literally. We left in the morning, and arrived 20 hours later on the same day. Basically, today was a 40-hour day (24 hours + a 16 hour time difference). We had a quick transit at Hong Kong. I think the terminal was a bit over-crowded. We had to board a bus that took us to our airplane.

Transit at Hong Kong

The flight was relatively uneventful. The kids were well behaved. And we arrived safely, and on-time. We rented a car at the airport, and spent the rest of the day sleeping. And that was the end of our longest day.

Family Lunch at TGIF

The Family at TGIF

Daddy accumulated a few points from his credit card, and managed to redeem it for a few vouchers at TGIF. So today, Daddy is taking out the whole family, Nenek Rahmah, Atuk Kandan, and all the siblings for lunch at TGIF One Utama. Daddy didn’t have much time in Malaysia to begin with, so we grabbed the first opportunity we had.

Mommy and Daddy

We just had a Big BBQ yesterday, and already we’re set to binge out again. TGIF is a great family restaurant. It was a little dark, but otherwise the restaurant was quite accommodating for large families.

Uncle Danny and Aunty Miza

We took this time to catch up on old times (not that we didn’t do a lot of catching up already). It was a little more mellow than last nights “robust” BBQ, but with 5 kids ages 6 and under, it was still quite energetic. We managed to take some pictures, and a video.

After lunch, we decided to take a short stroll around One Utama. That’s when we saw a Reptile Exhibit. We didn’t really want to go in at first (it was a bit expensive), but they enticed us with a little snake, right at the front door. So I guess we couldn’t really resist.

It’s a very small exhibit. Most of the “reptiles” were in little aquariums. I say “reptiles” because for a Reptile Exhibit, there were sure a lot of mammals and spiders. Who named this exhibit a Reptile Exhibit in the first place?

We got Melur and Arman to hold the large Albino python. They were pretty excited. We didn’t have to pay anything, but we were required to buy a picture taken on their digital camera. Go Figure! I guess they have to make money somehow.

The Albino Snake

We had to leave in a hurry. Cause Atuk Kas and Nenek Badariah were throwing a little Tea Party for Uncle Danny who’s leaving for Japan in a few days. He’s actually relocating there for a few years for Shell. Lucky him? Or unlucky him? He’ll be moving there with Aunty Miza after the baby is born.

The Aunties

At that was the end of a pretty long day. I tell you, I was stuffed beyond imagination, with a large TGIF dinner, and then a pretty decent Tea Party at Atuk Kas and Nenek Badariah’s house. We’ll be skipping dinner tonight.

We wish Uncle Danny and Aunty Miza all the best in their adventures to Japan.

It’s BBQ Time

Barbeque at my Mom’s place has always been famous amongst family. My mom’s BBQ recipe is TO… DIE… FOR… **pause** really! It’s home prepared by my Mom (Nenek Rahmah) and home barbequed by my Dad (Atuk Kandan), with a little dash of tender loving care. And my mom’s house has always been big enough to entertain our large extended family. It was one of the few things we look forward to coming back from Vancouver. Check out the Buffet Spread!

It was a good evening to be with family. I think everybody from Daddy’s side of the family was there. The mood was festive, with every age group accounted for.

Above, you see Daddy’s many Aunties (plus one cousin in the middle). We’re also expecting a new addition to the family in the coming months, a new cousin to Melur and Arman. I wonder if it’ll be a boy or a girl.

I wonder what the kids were doing all this time, aside from eating food. I’m sure Melur is off playing with her cousins and younger aunties. Arman on the other hand, is a little solo. On the right, he's trying to play with one of Nenek's many cats. Arman loves cats. Too bad our house on UBC campus doesn't allow cats. Maybe if we get another place that allows cats. We tried taking pictures with Arman, but he kept making a scrunched up face. Buruk laa, Maman. You know you want to manja with Mommy and Daddy. What’s up with that?

Anyway, we had a great time with family. Daddy’s only here in Malaysia for another week or so. I wonder when we’ll get another taste home after returning to Vancouver.

It’s great to be back!

It’s 2008! What a way to usher in the New Year. We spent New Year’s Eve at Atuk Kas and Aunty Badariah’s house in Kampung Tunku. It’s a really nice place perched atop one of the highest points in Kampung Tunku. We could see far over into the horizon, from KL to Puchong, and maybe even Shah Alam.

Pictures turned out a bit dark, but there were a lot of fireworks. We had our own little fireworks display. But best of all, it was nice to be with extended family on this joyous occasion. What will we accomplish this year?

Happy New Year 2008