My Father is Bob the Builder

Hi everyone,

Its been another good week for us. We had a wet rainy weekend last Saturday week where our trip to Gold Coast ended up being a Wet Wash Coast. We ended up in a shopping mall games arcade called Timezone relieving our childhood days! The parents were more excited than lil Aerin, who was more interested in the lights at the arcade whilst the parents were trying to outdo each other at the mini kids bowling alley. (Ariff won by a mere 20 points)

Ariff just received his company car this week and after weeks of dreaming of a sporty car or a flashy jeep, the car was rev'ealed to be a massive Ute! We had a good laugh and Aerin kept pointing to Ariff in his hard hat and saying "Bob the builder". In her mind, her dad is good ol' Bob.

Aerin is slowly transitioning into the "terrible two" period that childcare books kept referring to. Lots of tempers, helicopter turns on the floor and screaming matches on which outfit is to be worn. Its been a source of amusement and a baffling time for us as we try to maintain the power struggle with the lovable lil tyke! Now we know what our parents when through!

Its Anzac day this Friday which means that its a long weekend for us. We are planning to go to Alma Park Zoo tomorrow since the weather is clear.

We hope everyone is well and we miss everyone heaps! Take care and love heaps.

p.s Congrats on hitting the target Eita & Byrd!

The Working Musketeers

Hello everyone,

Its been a busy time for us - all three of us back in the work and playschool groove! Ahhh.....back into the rat race again! Ariff started work as a Project Engineer with Patrick Hastings and he was so happy that he could not wipe the smile of his face during the first week of work! The weather is slowly changing into cold Autumn mornings. We tend to be very homely during the week since we are all tired from the work and Aerin from all her playground antics. Last weekend we explored the city for a bit of late night shopping which was wonderful since they had heaps of street buskers and activities. The weekend was filled with grocery shopping and catching up with Ariff's cousins.

I had an interesting moment at work last week which showed me how uncultured Aussies can be. A girl at my work ("the dumb blonde sheila") was commenting on public holidays and somehow the month of Ramadan was brought into the conversation. She viciously commented how ridiculous it was for Muslims to be fasting and how the purpose of fasting seemed nonsense to her. She reflected how during her time in UK, her fasting Muslims colleagues were so grumpy that it drove her nuts. I was eavesdropping the whole time (since I sit a few tables away) and I was thinking how sad it is that this girl grew up with narrow-minded views in comparison to the tolerant global Malaysian. I ended up hoping that the dumb blonde sheila would choke on her non-halal chicken during lunch.

Anyway, here's some pictures of us at work and play! We are heading to Gold Coast this weekend to catch up with Ariff's old friend. Should be some nice Kodak pictures then!

Love heaps to all.

The Koreans and those delicious kangkung

Hello everyone,

Let me share with you a story about our lustful neighbour, the "Koreans" (aka the bush possums). One night a bunch of drunken Koreans staggered through our conservative residence and started shouting out a Korean name and going through our yard. Yours truly and my other neighbour started to peer out the window to basically tell them to shut up when lo and behold, to our shock, we found out that the Koreans were searching for their two friends who was happily doing the three legged lambada in our neighbours porch. After much shouting and embarrassed pants pulling, the Koreans wandered off into the night only to leave two very miffed neighbours. Sheeeesh.... and I thought there were looking for their lost cat.

Anyway, atuk and wan sadly left on Sunday after a week of fun and food! Wan had put on her "Superwan" hat and ensured that we had our dose of curry ketam, nasi lemak and nasi ayam in a matter of 3 days. Not to mention the rearranged food larder and sudden appearance of a miniature playground in my small backyard! Ahhhh...things we do for love! I even got the hint that the new blender and ironing board that they bought meant that i would have to start ironing and blend those sambal! Aerin as usual bullied both of the grans for cuddles and her fair share of Barney videos viewing time. Thank you Wan and Atuk! Come back soon!

On another happier note, I found out that my neighbourhood market sold kangkung! Ahhhh...those delicious skinny greenies! I was actually having withdrawals until this discovery. I always take kangkung for granted in Malaysia, but never again. Kangkung Rocks!

I don't have a picture of mah favourite vege, but here is my Chinese money plant for your happy viewing!

Love heaps.