Chalet @ DownTown East

I cannot remember when was the last time I had stayed overnight in a chalet. I mean, it would imply that I would be in Singapore, then why won’t I sleep peacefully in my own room and bed? 

For the long weekend, we were originally planning for an escape to Desaru. I was searching for the transfer options, wavering between ferry (bad ferry timing but escape the custom jam) or driving. I was leaning towards the latter. Heng we didn’t. I read about the crazy custom jam to enter MYS, even at 5am. Hoho. 

We eventually missed Desaru bcos Daddy Lim remembered that he had to be on standby duty. I felt bad for the kids after hyping up the whole Desaru trip. I was intended to spent the $$ anyway and suddenly thought that we can book a chalet for the kids! They can invite their friends while Daddy Lim and I can have a peaceful long weekend. That sounds like the great plan. Right? 

The plan didn’t go as ideally. lol. 

We invited the SHSS gang for the 1st day and the big kids were invited to sleepover on the 1st night. There were 5 boys and 5 girls. I volunteered to stayover, just in case of emergency. Daddy Lim headed home bcos he was on duty on Saturday and there was simply no space. 

The boys met at 11am to go to WWW. Our room could see the big slide. 

As you can tell from the picture, the sun was scorching hot. 

The room is very decent and comes with 2 double beds. 

How would all 11 of us sleep ah? I am not the only one dwelling over the question bcos many of the kids came armed with their sleeping bag and Auntie TL brought 2 single air mattresses that were the boys’ life saver. 

The plan was to do BBQ but only for fun, thus I only ordered very little food. People are to find food from Ehub and there were plenty of choices. The boys were fed MacD when they exited WWW at 4ish. Perfect timing.

Uncle C and Daddy Lim set up the fire with the boys’ help.

The boys also set up their own “fire”, happily burning leaves and twigs. Zzzz. All kids like to do that right? 

The BBQ, though tiny, was a success. 

We had a surprise cake for Auntie R. She said that she felt very young again, to be celebrating her bday in a chalet. Haha.

The kids adjourned to the room, leaving the adults to catch up. The adults had to leave when the big kids started to chase the little ones away. 

The room, meant for 4, was messy when there are 11. We did some housekeeping, keeping the bags off the floor, so that there would be space for activities and to sleep. 

I was very efficient. The aunties left at 10ish, I was in bed, trying to sleep at 11ish. The kids went out to buy cup noodles for supper. Zaky went but came back empty handed bcos he said that he was not hungry. Then when the rest started cooking, he realised that he was hungry. Zzzz. So I got off the bed and went with him to get cup noodles. 

I saw the kids gathered on the floor, tucking in the noodles when I attempted to go to sleep. I think I did sleep despite the noise. I am glad that I am the auntie who stayed over bcos I don’t think any of the aunties would be able to do what I did. Unfortunately, I kept waking up, especially when somebody yell or loud laughter. They kept laughing loudly. T..T I pitied our “neighbours”. Then somebody grabbed my toes when trying to get off the floor to the toilet. Another time, T sat on my foot. Zzzz. I heard somebody commented that I should try to sleep deeper so that I don’t keep waking up. I don’t want meh? 

In the midst of my semi-awake periods, I tried very hard not to eavesdrop on their very interesting truth or dare and truth or truth story. I think they eventually attempted to speak their truth softer in case Auntie Dawn was eavesdropping and that lured me to sleep. The next moment, I was disturbed by the rubber rubbing sound made by the air mattresses. A while later, Nana was sleeping beside me. Finally, there was peace.

My alarm rang at 6.45am. So, the sleeping arrangement was - Nana, QQ and me on one bed, and the other 3 skinny girls on another. The arrangement didn’t quite make sense. Haha. The boys were scattered on the floor, some on the air mattresses, others on the floor in the sleeping bags.

I don’t think anybody slept well, some were stirring when I headed out for my jog at about 7am. 

I realised how “short” Pasir Ris park is. I think end to end is only about 2.5ish km. I haven’t jogged in a while. The last jog was before I broke my ankle and then I was trying to make my gym membership worth. Jogging is always so tiring. Zzzzz.

Some of the boys were up when I returned to the room. The sun was shining brightly but the day curtain worked very well. 

With the extra bed space, Nana must have slept very well after I left. So, V went to bed earliest at 2ish. The rest of the boys hit the sack at 3ish. The girls survived until 4ish.

The kids lazed around until about 9ish. I had to chase the boys out for bfast and they had MacD. The girls took time to use the toilet and finally made it out of the room at 10am too. I can see in C’s and QQ’s face, questioning life on why Auntie Dawn wakes them up so early on a Saturday morning. Lol. The girls went HDL for bfast. Never heard of that.

Auntie S was very nice. She made her way back to Downtown East to have bfast with me before heading off for her appointments. I earned myself a free bfast. 

There were more lazing around. In my half mental capacity, I managed to make plans to meet Daddy Lim at Suntec for lunch. At least that was half way home and I saved a tiny bit on grab fare. When one is that tired, all desserts make extra sense. 

I attempted to linger a little while more but my physical body didn’t agree. We left for home and I slept all the way home. Then it was mad unpacking and washing up.

The kids had different parents to eye power them though unplanned. Auntie J was there to pick ER for classes and stayed for a while after I left. Auntie R came with G shortly and enjoyed the slides in WWW. Then Auntie H joined in the evening. They only left after the kids had dinner.

The 2nd day chalet plan actually went haywire but yet worked out nicely. Nana had initially invited her youth to the chalet on day 2. Only Zaky and T were supposed to stay back. Then, her youth decided to meet somewhere, bcos there were still too many people in the chalet and it would be too crowded for so many. Nana went to join them but had to Uturn bcos she took T’s wallet by mistake. The sun was blazing hot, she was angry and tired to make the journey again and decided not to meet her youth. In the end, almost all the kids stayed back for dinner. They happily made their way to Swensen for dinner. Good life.

Nana managed to hitch a ride home from Auntie H. Heng ah, bcos we really didn’t want to drive all the way back to Pair Ris. By the time she was home, I had fallen asleep and didn’t even remember to check on Zaky. I had told him that he should call Auntie S instead if there is emergency bcos she is nearer. Hohoho. I don’t think Auntie S got any calls.

On Sunday morning, we had to pick the boys, the leftover stuff and checkout. To make full use of the journey, we did a little skate at ECP 1st. 

The boys survived and fed themselves MacD bfast again. I was pleasantly surprised that they also packed up the room and there was little to do when we arrived. 

With this, we wrapped up our chalet stay. The kids had enjoyed themselves very much. It took me the weekend to recover. I think I shouldn’t have such wild ideas in the future. Haha.

Mummy Lim

Big and Small Kids

4 years ago, Nana took her PSLE. Zaky went through the same pain 2 years ago. Once they entered secondary school, I happily relinquished my “part time tutor” role. Not that I don’t want to but I seriously can’t help unless I start studying the subjects myself. No! 

I have 2 very different kids. Nana had asked to have maths tuition in Sec 1 and then moved on to A Maths tuition in Sec 3. In that same year, we started her on Physics as well. This year, she is taking her O levels and the Chinese paper is as early as May. Yes, she started Chinese tuition as well. We moved several tutors/ tuition centers. We had to when there is no result. She is now taking Chinese tuition from 2 different tutors bcos she cannot decide on which one. Zzzzzz. Then she wanted to switch her Physics tuition and then tell me that she thinks she needed help for Chemistry too. Zzzzzzz. 

I don’t think Nana is so weak academically. Her panic button has been pressed and she thinks that she needed help in everything now. However, school work is hectic and so is her social life. She simply doesn’t have time. One late Sunday night, we sat down to strategise and she now soon has to make a decision if she is to concentrate on A Maths, Physics or Chemistry. She after all only needed 6 subjects for O levels and to go to JC. This is provided that she does well for her Chinese in May. 

Her recent new Chinese tutor asked for her Chinese 10-year series and she drew blank. Nana said that her school didn’t ask her to buy. It is unbelievable, for NH, a SAP school that focuses so much on Chinese to not ask their students to buy the Chinese 10-year series. Zzzzz. I wouldn’t be surprised that it is sitting somewhere at home or in school.

I didn’t expect that I have to help her study for O levels but my mummy gear kicked in. The day after, I got her the 10-year series. 

Fortunately, Chinese is the only subject that I am able to still help. Our resolution is to finish the 10-year series paper 2s before her paper in May. I don’t know how do-able that is but we will try. As for paper 1, we will try to run through ideas but the actual coaching will have to come from the tutor(s). So far, we have accomplished 1 paper and we deserved a pat on our back. 

Zaky is totally opposite from Nana. He had been waving me off whenever I offered him tuition help. So far, he is not acing his papers but at least not flunking big time too. He is into many non-academic crazy stuff. Last months, he was trying to make $$ through dropshipping. Unfortunately, his idea that $$ can be made easily by buying and selling didn’t quite work. After realising how much administration, logistics and challenges, he gave up. He then started talking about trading in shares. Zzzzz. 2 weeks back, he went to interview at MacD and then did a 4 hour training session in MacD, earning $25 allowance. MacD eventually didn’t call him up. I think MacD has plenty of people who wanted to work than him who can only do Sunday afternoon shifts. 

Was he upset? Not exactly but the training was a good experience for him. He is also very proud to tell me how the McaD system works whenever we go to one. Hoho. What is surprising is that MacD paid $10.5 per hour now! In my times, it was like $4?!

Last Sunday, he said that he needed me to bring him for Muay Thai trial class. 

It was fun and he enjoyed it.

Then I realised why I had to bring him. Well, he is underaged and does need a parent/ guardian to sign the indemnity but more importantly, it was Evolve MMA, an atas brand and is very expensive. For $400 per month with a 1-year commitment, there is no limit to the classes that he can take. Bcos it is so much financial commitment, that is why you need the parent. 

Did we sign up? Of course not. It is even more expensive than my gym and I go about 3x a week. I bet there are many more Muay Thai lessons out there. 

Last but not least, the Mochi fur kid. Ever since we shifted, we had to make sure that we are home to feed Mochi his meals, which takes place in the morning and evening. On days that I go to the office, I would be worried that Mochi would be hungry, which I know he totally can do with a late dinner or even no dinner for a day.

I finally set up the automatic feeder. Hohoho. I attempted it when I was in the office. Got camera and mic some more.

I think it took him a while to figure out what was going on but food is food. Soon, the kibbles were gone.

While he would still need his wet food. This will definitely tahan him for a while.

Mummy Lim

The Fruit of my (Butt) Pain

I inherited my dad’s greying hair genes. Not only me but my siblings as well. I spotted my 1st few stands of grey in my secondary school years. At that time, spotting a few strands of grey hair was actually quite cool. 

Many years later, spotting grey hair is no longer trendy and in Asians’ context, it is very visible. I have seen ladies who tried to grow out their greys but we just don’t look as good as ang mos. Plus the transition period is unthinkable. 

I have resorted to coloring my greys. In the beginning, I can go for 4 to 6 months before starting to look hideous. In recent times, this has been reduced to 6 to 8 weeks. 

Coloring the greys is not only only an expensive business but also a time consuming one. I was with Jean Yip for a long time, until that branch that I frequent pissed me off. They were super pushy with sales and charge so much and I felt frequently like a carrot head. Then, I started “jumping salons” and even DIY-ing. I didn’t quite care if I ended up with super dark cover or different shades, it is better than spotting peeking grey. Not only does grey hair makes one looks older, it makes me look unprofessional. 

My last visit to Jean Yip was months ago. I finally decided to go back, not only to color my grey but also to refresh my highlights and to treat my poor scalp. This is my 1st visit to the BPP branch. I was told that it would take 3 to 4 hours. I brought my laptop and the hair stylist was telling me that I can work while I had my hair done. I know, but I didn’t want to work. T.T

I am Lion King!

After the highlights were done, the hair dye were slapped on. I felt like I just dunked my head in mud. Super heavy.

After a painful 3.5 hrs and a very aching butt. I am finally done and I love the colors. Hohoho.

Did it cost me a lot? Of course. The highlight alone was $208 and this is on top of the coloring and treatment, that I had pre-purchased some time back.

Fortunately, I enjoyed my new hair very much, making my butt torture worth. Hopefully the highlights would make the new greys look less obvious. The hair stylist was telling me that I should go back to her and not DIY so that she can help with keeping the color consistency. I just felt my wallet lost some weight. 

Mummy Lim

Mochi and His “Toys”

I read that cats like all kinds of insects bcos they fly, hop, move, zig zag, whatever. Mochi wasn’t interested in the ants. They were probably too boring for him. 

Bcos we live in an old unit, there are plenty of interesting other insects for Mochi. Occasionally, we found dead cockroaches. Ewwwkkkk.. At least I only need to pick those up and throw them. That day, there was a bee that flew in through the kitchen window when I was trying to hang laundry. In my panic state and Mochi super excited state, he sneaked into the kitchen where the window was left opened (to facilitate the bee’s exit) and I almost locked him there. Then, I had to “rescue” him and had the bee joined us in the living room. I eventually managed to grab Mochi and kept us both safe in the bedroom, much to Mochi’s displeasure, which he show, through his incessant meowing. 

One of the weekdays last week, Daddy Lim told me that Mochi was playing with a huge grasshopper that probably flew in through the kitchen window too.

No escape even when it tried to hide under the cabinet.

Mochi looked that he was enjoying himself. I had to google and found that grasshopper doesn’t bite, even if it is huge but the hard casing would cause indigestion in cats. I hope Mochi was not hungry. 

When I came out of our room, the grasshopper was nowhere to be found. Daddy Lim only found a leg. Poor grasshopper. 

Later in the day, Nana sent us this. The legless grasshopper.

Did it jumped on Nana? I think not. Mochi probably decided to take it out from somewhere to continue playing with it, even if it was very dead. 

I wonder what we would find the next time… my heart cannot. T.T

Mummy Lim

Genting with a Gang: Day 4, Home Sweet Home

After the super late night, I really couldn’t wake up the next morning. The alarm rang, asking me to wake up for my HIIT. I snoozed and did wake up, changed and even went to the corridor. Then the HIIT video started playing and I reckoned that it was too much hard work. 3 HIIT in a row is way too boring. I went back, took off the shoes, jumped back into the bed and snoozed some more. Hoho. Mission aborted. 

We planned to meet at 9.30am to check out and have bfast. I am sure it was not only our family who struggled. Even Daddy Lim who turned in early was sleeping late. The kids were the best, waking up at 9.15am.

We managed to throw the last bit of stuff into the luggage (and also into the rubbish bin to satisfy my holiday fetish) and were almost on time. The other 2 families did better than us and were waiting at our door.

Bfast was at JR curry and we had prata. We had a little time to spare and the best way had to be more pool and darts games, which were conveniently located beside the restaurant.

The buses were scheduled to leave at 12pm and we were to checkin at about 11.30am. We literally finished the games on the dot, rushed for toilet and then 大包小包 to the bus terminal. 

The Liow and Fung families were in the same bus home. The Chan family drove and left slightly earlier for their 2nd part of holiday to KL. I was hoping that we have better seats this time. 

Zzzzzzz…. I don’t have such long legs and don’t need this leg space lor.

I think this bus was older compared to the one that brought us to Genting. Nana’s seat cannot decline properly and other than me, Daddy Lim and the kids had lesser leg space compared to earlier. Nevertheless, I rested well. 

The bus was supposed to leave when the passengers fully boarded. We didn’t leave until 12pm and that was when the last passenger turned up. He wasn’t wrong, bcos he was right on time but the whole bus was early and we were all waiting for him. The woes of group travel. 

The moment I boarded the bus, I turned on my sleeping mode. I wasn’t too successful when going down the mountain bcos the road was too winding. It was only after the 土产 shop that I powered up and slept for a good 2+ hours. In my half awake state, I was telling myself in my head that I should start working. There was a shitload of emails to clear. 

I finally woke up when Zaky asked for snacks and I realised how much I didn’t want to start my email. lol. But all good when I finally moved my ass and spent the rest of the journey clearing a good part of work. 

We stopped for a late lunch at Yong Peng and the 2 families were at the same eating place. It felt like holiday again. Haha. 

There was unfortunately a traffic jam on the road, caused by some traffic accident. We got to the custom slightly later than usual but clearing the custom (both sides) was easy. We arrived back at the BPP taxi stand at 7ish and had a quick dinner. 

Daddy Lim and Nana went to pick Mochi; I was busy unpacking and doing laundry. Zaky simply took care of himself and got out of my way to avoid my post-holiday wrath.

I hope Mochi enjoyed his staycation as much as we did. Nana said that he was meowing pitifully all the way home. SS updated us regularly on his well-being while we were away, mentioning that he seems to get used faster this round and that he was super chilled most of the time. 

Mochi was trembling when he got home and was meowing a little, hiding a little but overall he appeared ok. He ate well the next morning and was very normal. He did take a while before he started using his litter box. We have a cat who is full of shit. Haha. 

It was a really enjoyable holiday. It was years before Covid that we traveled in such a big group. While there was a fair amount of waiting and coming to a consensus wasn’t the easiest, we all had loads of fun. Spending time with the ladies was wonderful. The kids took great care of themselves and I think I bothered them more than they bothered me. I duno when we will get to travel together again and hope for it to happen soon.

Mummy Lim

Genting with a Gang: Day 3, Outdoor Theme Park

This was a super tiring holiday. It was even more tiring than working but at least we were having fun. Lol.

I had to drag myself out of the bed for a light and easy HIIT. I patted myself on my back for my discipline and will power. I wished to be lazy too but I was reminded of the eating ahead.

It was an outdoor theme park day. The park was opened from 11am to 6pm. Bfast was noodles and tim sum and then we had more darts games. 

We headed to the theme park with an eager lot. Somehow, we all looked forward to the outdoor theme park more than the indoor one. 

The kids led the way most of the time. The adults were busy trying to log into the SkyWorld app, linking the tickets to the app, creating group for all the ticket holders, so that we can request for the VR pass, which is essentially a scheduled fast pass. We ended up utilising 2 out of the 3 passes bcos some of the interesting rides ran out of passes and the other rides were not crowded.

I definitely enjoyed the outdoor park much more than the indoor one. There were a lot more things to see and the rides were more than just spinning round and round or kena throw around like rag dolls. More importantly, I had the uncles and aunties for companion for the rides. 

The kids worked out among themselves on who to sit with who on which ride. I heard it was a noisy affair at times. We stayed out. Zaky was very popular with MM and she was constantly seen talking to him, holding his hand, asking him to piggy back throughout the day. Later in the day, I had to rescue my son from the little girl, helping to fend her off. So funny. 

This is what you have after a while, when the adults ran low on battery.

We chose to be bag caretakers.

We left when the park closed at 6pm. We (or the kids) could have gone on much longer. These 3 had a similar picture taken the last time we visited Genting. Zaky was much smaller then.

We settled for dinner at some bbq place.

The food looked better than it tasted. The meat was dry or maybe I overcooked them. 

Our family obviously finished dinner a lot faster than the rest. The other families either have little kids, small eaters or both. Hoho. We decided to go for dessert while the rest finished their dinner.

That completed the meal and left our tummies much more satisfied.

The night’s live band plan was called off bcos 3 late nights in a row was way too tiring. Daddy Lim wanted to turn in early. I was planning to do some karaoke with the adults but there was no immediate room available and required some waiting. We opted for plan B, which was to chill in one of the rooms while the kids chilled in another one. 

Ended up. It was another late night. We chit chatted until 2.30an and the kids did likewise in the other room, until we went to “collect” them. Only Daddy Lim was happily asleep in our room. Hoho. 

This holiday is so tiring. Hoho.

Mummy Lim