Aria Makes Paper

All break and no friends causes an Aria to get woefully depressed.

"Mom! I'm-so-bored. There's nothing to do!!"

After numerous attempts to re-direct (try a myriad of toys and games), mom was getting a bit frustrated until she remembered that she wanted to introduce Aria to paper making!


Aria really enjoyed mushing the paper shred from the school office into a pulpy mess...

Then grinding them in the blender and tinting them pink with food coloring...

Meanwhile, Ian was hungry for breakfast, so he made some really yummy scrambled eggs.

The next step back to paper was screening the sludge...

Not to be outdone in the wet kitchen, Ian was stirring up some fluffly eggs...

Mom stepped in at this stage to help Aria get the thickness and weight of the paper right...

See, no more bored Aria!

~ Shien

The Bappes Visit--Batik Painting & Jellyfish Feeding

After a year, we got to see my sister Kem and her kiddos.

My mom came along to help out.

We had so much fun painting batiks with the Dunhams that we decided to do a set with the Bappes. So I checked out the school van to take both our families there. Along the way, I demonstrated local 'air-conditioning'.

Because Kem is an accomplished artist in the batik medium (albeit she uses the dyes on rice paper and silk), we went to work immediately.

It was also our family's second time, so we dove right in.

Even mom had fun after some initial apprehension. She finished well after some consult from Kem.

Look at the beautiful finished work!

Once again, Ian took time to painstakingly craft every stroke of color.

 

Meanwhile our super-secret pair of girl-spies entertained themselves despite the heat, rain and mosquitoes!

The next day, we went to swim at the Paradise Hotel Pool, and spend some time on the beachfront too. It began really well, then at some point...

It became a 'jellyfish feeding' when Cay got stung by jellyfish tentacles. First aid with ammonia, anti-histamines, ibuprofen, sleep and some time took care of it.

Thanks for visiting!

~ Shien

The Dunhams Visit--Penang Hill

After almost 2 decades, Monica and I re-united with Greg and Sharon Dunham, friends from College! Now, years later, they have 4 children!

We took this opportunity to ascend the famous Penang Hill.

I forgot that they modernized the train cars. Now they are bigger, faster and air-conditioned!

 

 

 

The train ascended so quickly, it felt faster than an express elevator and our ears popped frequently. It was almost thrill-ride fast!

Soon, we were at the top station, and the air was noticeably cooler.

Trouble was, it was hazy from the slash and burning smoke blown over from Indonesia. So what should have been a stunning view of the city in the background is flat grey in these pictures.

Still, our kids enjoyed tearing around the open areas.

And Ian found a cat to befriend.

He often finds animals to play with wherever he goes.





~ Shien