Hot Water in Kitchen

There are some amenities that change your life.

Adding an instant hot water heater to the kitchen sink has changed the way we wash dishes in Penang.

No more gel-like grease sludge that takes way too much detergent and water to wash off!

I was in such appreciation that I spent some time checking it out when I realized it was installed--I did not even wait to get out of my work clothes!

~ Shien

Junior Senior Banquet

--the Premier Dalat Event of the Year

Being that Penang is perpetually warm and humid, we decided to rush a shot of us gussied up for the highly celebrated and anticipated JSB before tromping to the event.

(Thank you Lilian for helping us look fabulous!)

~ Shien

Pursuading Mochi to be More cuddly

Since we got her, Mochi has been very opinionated and independent. She certainly knows what she wants and tells you about it. Probably why she fits into our family perfectly.

She is great fun to play with--she is acrobatic and loves to chase things!

But she wasn't the most cuddly of cats. She would let you pet her for a few seconds before running off. And she would hardly let you hold her without screaming and squirming!

However, she started calming down recently. It is as if a 'chill switch" was thrown and she realized she had the good life!

She started letting us pet her more, and then she let us hold her without complaint for some time.

Love...

~ Shien

Fort Cornwallis Field Trip

Who knew that a military fort could turn into a playground for 3rd graders?!!

Well, during this field trip, it certainly did.

As the 3rd grade class from Dalat IS descended eagerly on the historical monument, they were warned that they would be locked up if they did not behave...

"See, kids? Look what happens when you do not listen?!!"

 

Okay, just kidding--no children were traumatized.

 

Another reminder as the day ended--those left behind will be turned into stone!

Naps on the van ride home!

Hmmm... I wonder why I don't get invited on the Elementary School Field Trips?!!

~ Shien

Easter Egg Hunt--Urban Style!

Monica and I were a bit concerned that the egg hunt in the house would be way too easy for Ian and Aria, and anti-climactic.

However, we went ahead and packed the eggs and hid them as best we could while the children were playing in their room.

Finding many of the eggs in plain sight, the kids seemed to get confused and needed prompting and hints to discover where some of them were hiding!

 Quantifying the collection after the adrenaline fueled frenzy!

Mochi really enjoyed jumping into the wads of paper shred!

She would have crawled into the basket if it were big enough to fit her!

The hunt lasted a LOT longer than we expected--I suppose eggs can remain hidden when you are egg-crazed and too excited!

~ Shien

Smore Time!

After baking bread to re-stock our home from the trip, Monica thought it would be a perfect time to make some smores.

The kiddos could not agree more!

There was some debate as to the best way to make a perfect smore--even on how much sear or char on the synthetic edible pillows of sugar that go into them... 

Nevertheless, the heated debate ended abruptly as each smore was assembled and mushed down for immediate dispatch!






~ Shien

Kuantan--Jalan Telok Cempedak

Decades ago, when I was younger than Ian and Aria, our family made a trip to Kuantan and stayed at the now venerable Hyatt Regency on the coast at the end of Jalan Telok Cempedak.

I was excited yet apprehensive about re-visiting the bay with my family, but was surprised to find the water clean and bluish--great considering the high surf that afternoon, and the hotel beach front recognizable.

Ian and Aria had loads of fun with their newly purchased sling shots from Cameron Highlands.

Back where our car was parked, we found a few uninvited guests picking through the trash cans.

And on the way back to Penang, we found a way that the government is trying to save on labor...

~ Shien

Pool & Waterpark

While waiting for the waterpark to open, the kids tried a game of pool

Then, we took some pictures at the amusement park. Ian was not thrilled.

Finally, we made it to the waterpark!

They has a sick twist on the 'lazy river'. They sent WAVES through it, doubling the depth of water as the waves passed through! They were intense enough to cause me some nausea, but the kids loved it!

Slam dunking wet hoop was also great fun!

 
 Concessions were pricey and portions were small... but they tasted good!

And then there were the three giant water dumping piranhas that pummeled you with water.

 

Because there was little traffic in the park, the kids could ride the tubes continuously. Sadly, we did not discover the larger rides up a secluded trail on the base of a natural hill until the end of the day and Monica did some exploring...

Reason to return some day.

~ Shien