Bangkok Day 2 - Dream World

One of the main reasons to stay at PG is its proximity to the Pratunam market. The notorious Prarunam morning market opens as early as 5 am. It is mainly a wholesale market and the Thais shopped here to get their loots to sell somewhere else. Having walk past the market to get to the night market the night before, I knew exactly where it is. However, I was still a little jittery to have to leave the hotel room that early. I was out at 6 am.  I was much comforted when I see many people on the streets and I definitely wasn't the only one heading to the morning market.

The morning market was already busy when I arrived. To get good price, I have to buy a minimum of 3 pieces and some shops insisted on 3 pieces of the same design. Otherwise, the individual pieces may be 50% more expensive but still very cheap in absolute terms. Imagine buying a top at THB 150 or wholesale price of THB 100 each if minimum 3 pieces. I was over the moon SHOPPING! It was heavenly to be shopping and buying without having to think too much bcos they were all so cheap. Hehe. I bought some bottoms and some t-shirt. Their non t-shirt tops are a little too interesting for my liking.

The kids were awake when I was back to the room at 7 am. We paid for the hotel bfast that cost us about SGD 50 and it wasn't fantastic. The kids had a good potion and that was good. They often take some time to get used to food whej we travel.

After bfast, we set off to Dream World - a Thailand "home-made" theme world. I read reviews about it being pretty old but good enuff to entertain kids for a good day. We got a taxi with the help of the hotel staff and were quoted THB 500. When we boarded the cab, the cab driver told us that the hotel staff actually charged him a fee of THB 100 to ferry us. What an interesting industry. The kids, while waiting for the taxi. Both of them were wearing new clothes that we just bought. 

It took us about 1 hr to arrive at Dream World and we saw schools of children at the entrance.

 Apparently, many Thailand schools decided that it was a great day for school outing to Dream World. The foreigners had to buy entrance tickets at the information counter and foreigners can only buy unlimited rides ticket at THB 650 each regardless of age. The locals had option to buy single ride or just entrance tickets. So we also paid THB 650 for nainai who didn't take a single ride. Sob.

The kids were very excited even though we had been to much more interesting theme parks previously.

Unfortunately, the exciting rides had a height limit of 140cm, even viking. Lil Isaac loves the viking and had went on the viking many times in other theme parks. So the kids were reduced to kiddish rides. Luckily Lil Shauna didn't complain.

For some of the rides, they took on their own and I had the opportunity to capture this lovely scene. They do take care of each other when their parents aren't around.

The theme park had quite some titam games as well. Winning is probably 20% skill and 80% luck. Lil Isaac was lucky and he won this with his 1st THB 100.

I had to restrict the kids to only 2 games of such bcos our last visit to Taiwan theme park saw us came back with plenty of such small, cheap soft toys and we have kept most soft toys in the house in attempt to combat Lil Isaac's possible sensitive nose issue.

We stopped for lunch and it was either us not used to the food or the theme park served lousy food. We had an outdoor seating initially and I think I actually sat on a bee and got stung on my butt. I felt this sharp pain and brushed off this struggling little creatures with wings. Then I saw a small black speck on my butt but it was so painful. Daddy Lim plucked out what appeared to be a thorn and before I could truly decipher the struggling creature's identify, Daddy Lim averaged on my behalf and smashed it with his foot. Win already. The pain was bad and I went to the 1st aid station hoping to get some help.

At the 1st aid post, I was greeted by a man in his 50s, who cannot speak English. I had to reenact the scene and then rudely showed him my butt. Lol. But my acting must be quite there bcos he eventually understood that I was stung by probably a bee. It probably wasn't serious too bcos he gave me some alcohol to clean the wound and sent me off. The pain did subside  after a little while.  See, I was pretty much alive.

Maybe bcos we couldn't take the exciting rides or maybe bcos the park wasn't big, the kids and I were bored by early afternoon. We decided to leave after some pictures.

We left the park at about 3 pm and found a meter cab easily. Inclusive of the toll, it cost us about THB 500 to back to the hotel and all of us knocked out in the bus.

Back at the hotel, the kids had fun at the pool!

We ended the day early with a dinner at a pizza delivery place.

Mummy Lim

Bangkok Day 1

The flight to Bangkok went very well - SQ is the best. Haha. Daddy Lim sat with Lil Shauna while I sat with Lil Isaac and nainai.

The inflight entertainment worked the moment we boarded the plane and that served us really well. We should have requested for kids' meal bcos they took a long time to serve the actual meal. Nevertheless, Lil Isaac was well entertained by BayMax. He felt asleep about 15 mins before arrival and we had to carry him off the plane. 

It was a long walk to immigration and my arms almost broke. Luckily he could still fit into the trolley and he didn't wake up when I put him in. Lol. 

He continued to sleep through immigration and only woke up after we collected the luggage. 

I have Google and saw many recommended the airport rail over the taxi given Bangkok's horrible peak hour traffic. We decided to try that too and found exact directions to get to our hotel from the airport using rail. 

We had wanted to take express train but to find that it is not in service and took the city train instead. The latter stops at every stop and took us about 30 mins to reach the Ratchaprarop station, which is the 7th stop.

We then took a cab to our hotel - Pratunam Glow (PG). Now, this was the tricky part. It wasn't tough to get a cab. The cabs were lining up.  However, it was tough to get the taxi driver to understand our destination and it was even harder to find one that would charge according to the meter. The quotations ranged from THB 100 to 200. We eventually paid THB 100 to get to the hotel, which was actually very near. I read that it should cost less than  half that price. Zzzzz. Anyway, we were glad to make it safe and sound. I didn't remember having to bargain with cab drivers so much during our last trip in Bangkok. Then again, that was years ago with Daddy Lim and ah yee. We weren't even married then. Haha.

PG is a fairly new hotel, located right next to the Pratunam market. Hehehe. We booked 2 rooms but unfortunately did not get a connecting room, only side by side. We had dinner at the MacDonalds right at the ground floor of the hotel before heading to the night market nearby. The kids were cooperative. We had to get some clothes for the little boy who soiled one and complained that the other one was not comfortable. I was dying to shop too and had a long shopping list. Shopping rarely happens in my previous trips bcos my kids aren't shopping kids. Sob. But we did manage good shopping on the 1st night! All of us bought something. Hehe.

I would really love to shop in Bangkok. It would be so painful to have to go home empty handed. Muahaha. 

Mummy Lim

Too Fast

We got to spend supposedly 5 days with Ah Yee and Uncle C before we flew off to Bangkok and them to Bali. However, we were all so busy that I sometimes feel that I didn't really see them much. 

On the 1st 2 days, they were so busy for their wedding and so were we. On the 3rd day, we didn't see them much after work. Ah Yee was out with her friends and we had dinner at home with Uncle C. Popo was very warm, constantly worried that Uncle C wasn't eating enuff. Uncle C played toys with the kids after dinner while I happily took the opportunity to hide in the room. Haha.

On the 4th day, I took half day leave and was supposed to have lunch with them in town but was stuck in the office until 2pm. We still get to spend some quality time catching up and most importantly shopping. It has been so long since I get to shop with somebody. 

On the 5th day, we brought the kids ice skating. Lil Shauna was very much independent while the boy continued to be a hazard to everybody. Ah Yee and Uncle C were worried to be near him while he was constantly looking for them. It was great that the rink wasn't too crowded and we skated for at least 1.5hour.

We went visitation with Ah Yee and Uncle C on CNY day 1 and then flew off to Bangkok. We wouldn't see them until they return from Bali on Wednesday. Then they would be flying home on Friday. Sob, I think I miss them already.

Mummy Lim

Off to Bangkok in a While

Maybe bcos ah yee and Uncle C were home, there wasn't that much hype about this Bangkok trip. We are now at the all familiar playground in T2 after a morning of visitations. This would help to burn off a lot of energy and tame the kids a little in the plane... I hope.

We have some programs planned out and some free time to fill. I really, really hope that I get to do some shopping. It would be so sad to not to get to buy anything at all. I want to go chatuchak too. Bangkok, here we come.

Mummy Lim

The Wedding

Popo, Ah Yee and Lil Shauna stayed over at my brother's place on Saturday night while Uncle C stayed in a hotel. Daddy Lim arranged for his colleague to cover his duties and didn't have to go to the yard on Sunday. 

Lil Isaac woke up bright and early at 7 am given that he slept at 7.30pm the night before. That was good as we had to be at my brother's place by 8.30am. Ah Yee and Uncle C would be using our car for their wedding. They had decorated Sixty and night before and this was what greeted us. Daddy Lim was the chauffeur for the big day.

We arrived at my brother's place to see Lil Shauna still in Felicia's pj. 

Ah Yee was still happily having bfast. Hmmmm... shouldn't she save the calories for that 0.5cm off the waist? Haha. She started preparing after that and everything was a mad rush thereafter. I had to help iron her dress and to braid her hair and guests started arriving before we were ready. I ended up braiding her hair with an audience. I was so worried about messing up but luckily the hair turned out fairly well. 

Lil Isaac played the role of the 小舅子 and was all dressed up to open the car door. 

They were all monkeying around at the void deck while waiting for the groom. 

Finally, mission accomplished.

Everything was made simple. They had tea ceremony and a simple buffet lunch for the guests. We were busy with the guests and kids and forgot to take a proper picture of the actually not so newly wed. This was our very best..

The guests left after lunch. We sent Ah Yee and Uncle C back to the hotel for a little rest. We too were exhausted. 

We had a family dinner in the night at the restaurant at Hard Rock hotel. 

The food was good and I was bursting from all the food. The kids were thrilled when the night ended with a trip to Candy Land. 

Mummy Lim

Saturday

Ah Yee and Uncle C were supposed to arrive in Singapore on Friday night. However, there was a strike in the Paris airport and they missed their connecting flight. They were given a nice hotel stay at Frankfurt airport and their connecting flight was switched to SQ instead, which made them fairly happy despite the delay.

So on Saturday early morning, they were home at about 7.30am! Though they weren’t noisy, Lil Shauna woke up to greet them. Lil Isaac heard us talking and woke up minutes later. The kids were so excited to see them and were constantly in their way trying to talk to them or show them something while they attempted to settle down. Lil Isaac even attempted to show them that he could now do homework but gave up shortly when he realized that they weren’t interested to see him do homework. Haha.

Lil Shauna and I left the house for ice skating class while Popo brought the rest to my brother’s place. Sidetracking, I think the Heelys is definitely worth our money. Lil Shauna is so good in them now and she will ask to wear her Heelys whenever she has the opportunity.

Only Janelle was at the rink. The other 2 girls only went in the afternoon for their class. This is Janelle and she is 10 this year. She’s really petite and is smaller than Lil Shauna. I don't know when she starting ice skating but is a lot more advance than Lil Shauna in her figure skating. I heard from the other mummies that Teacher Sally saw potential in her and asked to coach her. 

Lil Shauna practiced really hard. In fact, for the 1.5 hours before class, she was constantly working on her different strokes.  We also practiced this new one-foot twist, complete with 2 backwards C-curve crossovers, that was taught 2 weeks back. This is the 1st figure skating move that combines a few different strokes and when done correctly, really does finally look like figure skating. Lil Shauna loves that move so much and was willing to keep practicing. She finally got it after the 258th try and we were both jumping with joy. Hehe.

She went for her class at 12 noon and went about doing the usual stuff. She’s a lot more confident this time and remembered to hold her head high a lot more despite being still so ever shy. She also performed her one-foot twist nicely for Teacher Raymond, who looked pleasantly surprised. Haha. Lil Shauna was then taught the other foot twist and it basically shouts a lot more practice until she gets it. She was also taught the other kind backward curve and it looks difficult already. Teacher Raymond also taught her the one foot jump. Lil Shauna was far from getting that one. Teacher Raymond mentioned that the class went well this time. I thought that Lil Shauna’s forward and backward crossover looks unnatural but Teacher Raymond assured that she got the stroke so I guess practice will make perfect. 

It really makes sense to put class on alternate week so that we have ample time to practice. Teacher Raymond taught Lil Shauna new moves every lesson. We will be off ice for a long time after this lesson. This coming week, we will be off to Bangkok and the rink will be closed for the next 2 weekends for ice hockey tournament. We ended up booking lessons for the remaining 3 Saturdays in March. 

We didn't have many activities for the rest of the Saturday. Remembering that it was Valentine’s Day, we attempted to look for an amp for Daddy Lim – my present to him. Unfortunately we have to leave empty-handed as the amp that I approved was out of stock. Daddy Lim had wanted to get a gigantic one originally, which I asked him to make sure we have space to keep it before he make that purchase. He was upset though but I had to stand firm. We have quite some very big “ornaments” at home already. Lil Shauna gained from the trip instead. We were at Bras Basah and she got her very 1st bible.

Lil Isaac gained from a nice feast of chocolate desserts.

We headed home in the early evening. The boy fell asleep after dinner at 7.30pm and was upset when he had to wake up to shower back home but fell back into lala land shortly and didn't wake up until the next morning. Lil Shauna followed Popo to my brother’s place for a stayover, given that it was Ah Yee and Uncle C’s wedding ceremony the next day.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Mummy Lim

Mummy was Sick

I couldn't be gladder when Lil Isaac appeared to have recovered from whatever virus over the weekend. Then I fell victim.

God bless me with a healthy body. So whenever I do come down with anything, I feel like a dead fish. Daddy Lim is always amazed at how dead I could be even at the slightest fever. Lol. I think I am just not used to being sick. 

On Monday afternoon, I felt chill-ish and nauseous. I suspected that I had caught Lil Isaac’s virus. By the time I was home, I could only muster enough energy to take a shower and flopped on the bed. I wasn't even warm enuff to be deemed as having a fever but I felt so bad. While I drifted in and out of sleep, trying to get rid of the I-think-it-is-fever and battled the I-want-to-vomit feeling with 2 panadols, Daddy Lim was at war with the kids. Lil Isaac ran in and out of the room and I heard some yelling and door banging every now and then. After an hour, I could at least think coherently and helped to put some order into the chaos. The kids completed whatever homework and we hit the pillows. I didn't vomit that night but didn't sleep well either, waking up to burp or to shift from one room to another bcos Lil Isaac took all my bed space. Zzzzzz. I sick leh.

I was still alive on Tuesday morning and there was still no fever. I headed to work as I had to man a career fair. It was a miserable 5 hours at the fair. The aircon in that facility was in full blast and I was already feeling the chill. With the air con, I think my blood froze. A few colleagues commented that I looked pale and I felt weak. If I had the energy left, I would have done cartwheels when I finally finished my shift. I again survived until end of office day and headed home. I even skipped a night global call. By the time I was home, I was finally running a mild fever but surprisingly felt much better than Monday. I could do the usual homework and stuff and even had appetite for dinner. Maybe my body has been toughened.

By Wednesday morning, the fever was gone and I was back in office. I think my body was recovering. Having slept early for the past few days, I refused to sleep early and was on my iPad until midnight. I am finally alive!

Just when I thought things are starting to go uphill, my monthly friend came today and pulled along stomach cramp. Arrrgggghhhhh. Mummy cannot fall sick. This golden phrase is not from me. It is from Daddy Lim. He had been so busy for the past few days. Lol.

Mummy Lim 

Healthy Terrarium

Remember the terrarium that I made during my department's Christmas gathering? It survived! In fact, it is growing!

I have no green fingers and absolutely hate plants. The last time that I tried keeping a cactus alive was at least 10 years back and that short experience was painful for both the cactus and me. So, I am glad that the terrarium made it with little or no effort on my part.

But now that it is growing so well, I actually find it quite gross and wonder what else to do with it. I hate the idea of soil and roots and them all mingled up. How huh?

On a totally different note, I got reminded that CNY is coming at a MRT station.

Ah yes is coming home for CNY and you bet we will have a special spread for steamboat dinner this year. I like!

Mummy Lim

Weekend with a Sick Boy

After Lil Isaac merlioned plenty on Friday night, we have decided to cut down on the activities over the weekend. It wouldn't be nice for him to spray his vomit in public. Gross!

Right after Lil Isaac vomited on Friday night, I distinctly remembered Daddy Lim said not to give Lil Isaac so much water (bcos he vomited a lot of water). A wire in my head short circuit and I didn't give him any water at all but tucked him straight into bed. I realized that he might be dehydrated only after he was in lala land. In the middle of the night, he must be so thirsty and hungry and asked for milk. He eventually settled for honey water when mummy refused to give him milk for fear of further upsetting his little tummy. He finished 2 x 100ml bottles in minutes. Poor boy.

The little tiger woke up hungry on Saturday morning and asked for food. We didn't dare to give him too much but he kept asking for more and more food. We had intended to keep him at home and he was good to stay at home, accompanied by the iPad while I brought Lil Shauna out for her ice skating practice, followed by phonics class. Daddy Lim would pick the boy after work. Look at his puppy eyes.

Lil Shauna and I had a great time practicing. The other 2 girls were there as they had their 1st private lesson on Saturday. The girls’ mummies commended my patience and how Lil Shauna was willing to practice the same move over and over again. I really have to praise the little girl this time. She really put in a lot of hard work. Some of the moves are really tough. She might whine quite some but really did put in a lot of effort to practice even on days that she has no classes. Unfortunately the girls’ lessons are in the afternoon and ours in the morning. We might not have plenty of opportunities to see them in the rink in the future.

The little boy came while jiejie was in class and asked to eat MacDonalds. He must be really deprived. Lol. We headed for a movie in the late afternoon – Strange Magic. I have to say that the animated movie is indeed very strange. The kids enjoyed themselves and I am impressed at how the little boy can now sit and watch an entire movie. He used to lose interest midway and I have to start engaging him in a conversation about the movie to make him stay in the seat. The movie has some adult theme, like how the man whom the princess was engaged to was caught cheating and there was way too much singing in the movie, like ¾ of it.  The songs stuck with us though and we kept singing that few lines over the weekend. Our Saturday ended early after dinner and no vomit. Yeah!

Our Sunday was super boring. We skipped church on Sunday but pushed ahead with the gym class or would have difficulty trying to find time for make-up class. We roamed Vivo city aimlessly after class and headed home after dinner. Lil Shauna was so bored and kept asking what we would be doing next and next and next. But again, no vomit! 

Back to Lil Isaac’s stuffy nose and irritated throat issue, he did seem better on Friday and Saturday. Maybe he was too tired and thus the issue didn't bother him or us too much. It was bad yday and he was clearing his throat every 5s before he drifted off to sleep. It was so super irritating. We will probably bring him back to the doctor for a review on Thursday.

Mummy Lim

To the Doctor

Popo called me at 4 pm to say that Lil Isaac vomited twice, both after meals. She said that she would bring him to the doctor and he would skip phonics class today. I agreed. This would also be the perfect chance to ask about his flu and cough.

If you followed my blog, you will see that he had been coughing and having stuffy or running nose for like forever... ok, ever since November 2014. There had been major bouts of cough and running nose in between (like 3 episodes) but otherwise just stuffy nose and what appeared to be itchy throat. When his throat is itchy, he would do this irritating "ahem" sound in attempt to sooth it. It becomes unbearably irritating when he does that like every 5s. Arrggghhh.

There were days that he seemed very much better and then the stuffy nose and itchy throat will come back before being overtaken by another major bout. On days that he only has stuffy nose and itchy throat, he would be fine in the day and the stuffy nose seems to act up only in the morning and night.  The stuffy nose will definitely trigger the itchy throat. It also seemed to happen alot when we are in the car. His phlegm is usually clear and the last doctor also said that his lungs are cleared.

We saw Dr Chua this time. He is one of the usual doctors that the kids used to visit when younger. He is super patience and spent a long time explaining and examining his patients. Most importantly, the medicine that he prescribed usually worked. This explained the long q and waiting time at his clinic. As the kids grew older, we visit the other clinics alongside his, just like Lil Isaac's last visit. The other GPs don't seem to be as 厉害.

Dr Chua's clinic opens at 6.30pm. I started queuing for number at 6pm and was the 1st on q but was shortly joined by another person. By the time the clinic opened, there were at least 10 persons in the q! I related the entire story and Dr Chua suspected that Lil Isaac probably has a sensitive nose. We actually suspected that too. He has a history of eczema and allergy to nuts. Daddy Lim's family has long history of eczema too. Additionally,  Lil Isaac still has sensitive skin and eyes. He frequency ended up with puffy eyes after a few rubs. Dr Chua said that he is going to prescribe some medicine and wanted us to come back next week for follow-up and to allow him to tweak the medication.

The whole visit didn't take too long. While waiting to collect the medicine, this father with his little kid in the q suddenly came into the clinic and said that his kid is having a high fever and "shivering". The kid was actually having a fit and was attended to immediately. I was shocked. I knew young children with high fever may lead to seizure but this is the 1st time that I actually witness. Scary.

Lil Isaac didn't have much dinner and ate some noodles in the late evening.  We fed him the medicine before bed and he suddenly vomited a lot liquid and probably whatever little dinner that he had. I had originally thought that the vomit was triggered by his cough, which Popo said so but I think he might really have a case of mild stomach flu. I wasn't feeling well last night too and was queasy while in the office today.

We also kept most of the kids' soft toy leaving only nono. Dr Chua suggested so as well as Auntie H previously. We ended up with 1 big bag as well as plenty of space in the bed.

Mummy Lim