Almost a Day Trip to JB

The optical shop informed that the glasses was ready for collection. We intended to drive into JB during the weekend but the thought of being stuck at the custom brings no joy. Nana was very keen to join us too, bcos she was dying for a massage. Bcos jiejie is going, Zaky tagged along.

To accommodate to the kids’ schedule and hopefully also to avoid too much jam, we decided to head into JB on early Sunday morning. The plan was to leave the house at 6am and we did! 

It took us about an hour to clear the immigration on both sides. What do we do at 7am instead JB? Massage! 

I googled and found 24/7 massage salons near to the Causeway. Fortunately, they eventually responded to my WhatsApp and I made an appointment for 7.30am. We were slightly early bcos the salon is literally like 5 mins drive from the Causeway.

I was trying to decide which kid looks more like me. Like none leh. lol. 垃圾桶捡回来的 - ok lah, they have my big nose and also super stubborn straight hair. Hoho.

I didn’t quite know what kind of massage the kids were after and booked 2 x body massage and 2 x foot massage. The kids took the body massage, claiming how their whole body was aching and needed relief. Hmmm… they are not the young people? 

The foot massage was very good. It wasn’t painful but very comfortable. Daddy Lim was more impressed with the big armchair that they had and declared that it was nap time. 

The kids also agreed that their massage was very good and relaxing. 

The next step was to look for bfast. While Daddy Lim was happy napping, I was googling for Tim Sum places and found one that was near, good google reviews and reasonably priced. It was only 3 mins drive away. Along the same street, there were several kopitiams and restaurants that were fairly empty, only this Tim Sum placed was buzzing. Must be the right find.

Daddy Lim found an empty space by the road side and we were lucky to find a table for 4. This tim sum place is one of those old school kopitiam places. To order, we carried a tray to the steamer and point to this and that. A glass display is on the other side, carrying all the different fried tim sum. Very much self service. 

Look at our spread for round 1. I am so happy that there were the 4 of us; we wouldn’t be able to try such variety if it is just Daddy Lim and me.

Still, the boys disappointed me. All of us are watching our diet, holiday or not. Zaky was the 1st to declare that he was full and had enough. I could eat tim sum all day long but unfortunately, my diet also didn’t agree. Haiz. 

The bfast cost us about RM100 and gave us very happy tummies. We went off to search for car wash places and didn’t have to search too hard. There was one right at the corner. More importantly, no queue. 

Snow wash + duno what = RM40. It took less than 30 mins and Nana was very intrigued by the 2 stray kittens. 

The timing was perfect, just nice for the mall’s opening. We drove back to JB City Square and were very efficient bcos we only have about 2 hours. Glasses collected, cargo pants bought, haircut done. 

Zaky was contemplating a haircut and I strongly encouraged him. It isn’t exactly cheap; we paid RM88 for some creative director. In Zaky’s mind, he will walk out of the salon like some Korean idol. I thought so too. In reality, he ended up just the same but with neater trimmed hair. Zaky was so upset with me; I cannot remember the last time he was this upset with me. I didn’t cut his hair and he didn’t look bad but he was upset that I made him do the haircut and he would be better off without. 

While we weren’t exactly hungry, we stopped for lunch. Daddy Lim was saying that maybe we wouldn’t do lunch but have desserts or snacks instead bcos of the heavy bfast. He ordered a fish and chips for himself. Lol. Zaky was still fuming and I had to coax him to have some snacks. 

We did last bit of food shopping before leaving for home bcos Zaky had tuition at 3pm. Immigration was smooth and we made it back with buffer time for tuition. 

Daddy Lim said that we should do more of this. I need to think hard bcos of the custom jam. Zaky said that he wanted to perm his hair and I promised that we could do that and would need/ plan an overnight trip, so that he can sit 3 hours at the salon. Lol. 

I am amazed at how efficient we were - massage, bfast, car wash, shopping, cut hair. We did everything that we wanted for the trip. Yay!

Mummy Lim

Project Rio - Let there be Light.. and Water too!

The seller/ tenant has officially vacant the unit though they had paid rental up to mid May 25. Yes, we 赚到. They had ceased the utilities on 16 April, and it is our turn to apply for the new account. Without power and water, no work can be done. 

Applying an account with SP power is not difficult and can be efficiently done online. We got an appointment. Somebody needs to give condo access to the utilities staff and also be present if the switches are in the unit. We have no idea where the switches are and decided that it would be safer to be present.

Bcos I am the one with the flexible work arrangement, of course I am the one to be present. The appointment was on Friday between 9am to 10am. I was pleasantly surprised that we have a bus across our block that brings me very nearby to Rio Gardens, though the bus ride takes a good hour. 

I buffered ample of time and Google map did its job very well, reminding me when to alight. I had to cross a long overhead bridge. 

Then cut across some estate and the canal before entering Rio via the side gate.

It was a good 7 mins walk. Though unsheltered, most part of it was shaded. 

The SP Powers staff turned up on time and I was even informed when they were arriving within the next 15 mins. That prompted a question - how to open the main/ side gate ah? I eventually figured out by testing out the telecom at the gate itself. Hoho. 

In the end, I didn’t have to open the gate; I don’t know how the staff got in anyway. I also got to know that the switches are outside the unit. Hohoho. At least, the staff tested and confirmed that the power and water are switched on. Yes, we now have lights and water, but no fans. Hoho. 

The next step? We will be meeting the IDs and their electricians next Wednesday evening for measurements. I think work will start soon after? Oh ya, the kids had finally seen the unit last week and now jiejie also wanted her bed on the bay window to maximise space. 

Mummy Lim

Another Bicycle Sold!

We bought Nana’s Liv Alight Hybrid bike back in November 2020, right in the smack of Covid. That was when everyone was buying bicycles and cycling and so did we. We paid $560 for the 2nd hand bike, which the seller claimed that she had bought it just a few months ago. While it had been 4.5 years since we bought the bike, Nana probably cycled on it less than 20 times. The bike did go for a RI trip though, bcos a cyclist friend loaned it once. 

Trying to cycle as a family is a big logistic task and even more difficult as the kids grow older and have colorful social lives. Our last family cycling trip, which we amazing did 50km was sometime back in 2024. Ever since then (and a long time before that), Nana’s bike has been sitting locked outside the house. We sold Zaky’s hybrid bike for $70 in March 2025, when we bought his bike (also 2nd hand) for almost $200. He outgrew the hybrid and it was also in a not great condition due to the lack of maintenance. 

Given that we will be moving in a few months’ time, Daddy Lim and I are commencing our decluttering mission. We had recently sold our stock wheels for $30 and $45 (my and his). We changed to the Hunt wheels shortly after we bought our roadies and that was back in 2018. While the prices are on the lower side, we figured that we will just keep storing them in the storeroom and do the same when we bring them to the new house and eventually throw them away. A little money is better than nothing. 

With the same mindset, I thought of selling Nana’s hybrid bike bcos it is so underutilised. Keeping it longer will just lead to bigger depreciation. I listed it on Carousel for $380. I didn’t think that it would fetch such a high price given that it is almost a 5 YO bike. Yet again, it is one of the “cheaper” bikes on the platform. 

There was little interest and some lowballers. Then, a serious buyer asked if I was willing to let go for $300. He is intending to buy the bike for his wife and ask about the condition of the paint work. I said ok to the offer and he asked to view the bike.

While it is not obvious in the pictures, there were quite some marks/ stains on the bike frame. I didn’t even know if they were stains or scratches. Bcos he asked, I became conscious and made an attempt to clean up the bike on Sunday night.

Armed with degreaser, then some car wash spray, then added on the hand soap and finally down to Mr Muscle kitchen cleaner, I was wiping and cleaning for a good 30 mins. At 1st, I couldn’t remove many of the marks and half suspected that those were scratches. Eventually, Mr Muscle turned out to be the winner, alongside an old toothbrush. By the time I was done, I was so impressed and told Daddy Lim that I should charged $350 - the extras would be my labor cost. It was seriously hard work.

The buyer came to view the bike and bought it. My hard work didn’t go to waste! This $300 will go into my foldie fund. I am intending to get a new foldie to ride to work when we move. Hohoho. 

Mummy Lim

Zaky is Baptised too!

One year ago, Nana out of the blue asked if she can be baptised. I don’t know why she thought I would disagree. Of course I was thrilled. For a 1st generation Christian parent, there is no bigger joy than for their kids to find a personal relationship with the Lord; not be a Christian bcos they are borne into a Christian family but choosing the Lord as their personal saviour bcos they really believe in Him. Praise the Lord. 

I read my blog post on Nana’s baptism and saw that I had asked Zaky if he would be baptised too. He wasn’t ready then and said that he would see if God would speak to him.

Fast forward 1 year later and Zaky came with the same good news. He wanted to be baptised in CNL too. Of course I am supportive and just as overjoyed. 

His baptism was on Easter Sunday, just like jiejie. Daddy Lim and I attended the service and were much more prepared for the long service, as did 1 year ago with Nana. The schedule was similar and started off with videos of the people who would be baptised. 

I duno why Zaky had crazy hair for his video. lol. It was pretty touching though. 

The worship went on for a long time, for as long as it took to baptise all 12 of them. Finally, it was Zaky’s turn. 

Again, the pastor said a lot to him.

With his wet clothes and all, he went to hug jiejie, who obviously didn’t share his hugging enthusiasm. lol. He went off to change but shortly texted that he had forgotten a change of underwear. Luckily, there was a supermarket next to the church and we bought him disposable underwear.

All “clean and dry”. Haha.

Zaky was awarded a certificate. The pastor said that it is his house deed in heaven. I hope it is a big house. 

The service ended with holy communion and also worship. 

Yes, Zaky is baptised too! Praise the Lord for choosing the kids to be His children and touching their hearts. May Zaky continue to seek God and strengthen his walk with the Lord. May the Lord bless him with abundance and surround him with God fearing people to aid his growth. 

Mummy Lim

Happy Birthday to Me 2025

We went to my bro’s place for dinner 2 weekends ago. It was sort of a belated birthday dinner for my SIL. In the end, we ended up exchanging birthday present. Haha. Not only were there good home cooked food, there was birthday cake too. I tell you, Daddy Lim and I are so deprived of home cooked food. 

Zaky goes regularly to my brother’s house for dinner, a good habit that he has picked up when Ah Yee and Athena were here. Popo always welcome him with open arms and special menus. Nana popped by occasionally bcos she is so busy. 

Happy birthday to me. The cake is so pretty.

Happy to me again today. I have turned 46. I forgot how old I am since I turned 25. Hoho. It does scared me a little that 50 YO is just around the corner. While they say that age is just a number, the failing eyes, extra wrinkles, greying hair, etc., don’t fail to remind me that it is a big number. Haha.

Bcos I didn’t like going to the office on my birthday, I took leave and decided that Daddy Lim and I will go JB. We did that last year too. We were intending to drive in bcos it is a workday and we think the traffic would be smooth. Then, the car was sent for the 60k servicing the day before and we were told that it would take 2 days to complete the servicing. Fortunately, we could still get train tickets at good timing. The kids had to go to school on their own in the morning though. 

We took a bus to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint. I didn’t realise that we have a straight bus from Junction 10. It had been years since Daddy Lim took a bus. He had to take a MRT yday to come home after dropping the car and had to google on how to pay for the MRT fare using credit card. 

We left the house at about 7am and arrived at the train checkpoint at about 7.45am. I was surprised to already see a long Q, thinking that we were early. Shortly after, the gates were opened. Everything went smoothly thereafter and we were in the train. 

The malls open only at 10am, so we headed to across the street for bfast. We went to the restaurant that the aunties brought me the last JB trip. 

It is such a pity that there were only the 2 of us and we didn’t have the stomach to order more. There was the camera shy nasi lemak too.

I found the food ok only. Daddy Lim was a lot more impressed, maybe bcos he was hungrier. He was also very impressed with the deco.

With bfast done and the tummies happy, we took a grab to Paradigm Mall. There is a furniture shop that we wanted to browse.

The timing was perfect. We arrived nicely at 10am. The mall was so empty. 

We also saw that the mall has installed new obstacle course. I hope it is safe or that the safety net holds. Hoho. 

While the main objective is to look at the furniture, shopping is also a top priority. 

Daddy Lim and I each brought a backpack and he was commenting that his bag was empty. However, it wasn’t for long. Hoho. 

We bought clothes. Zaky wanted some rings. Nana said that she wanted bigger earrings. 

Even though we left the kids in Singapore, we were always thinking of them. So nice of us. Hoho. 

Time passes so quickly. We settled for lunch bcos our legs were so tired. Lunch was meh. We thought of having a slice of the humongous cake that we saw at one of the cake shops. Unfortunately, our tummies didn’t cooperate. 

We took another grab to return to JB City Square. We needed to collect the contact lenses that we have ordered online and Daddy Lim wanted to make a new pair of glasses too. While he got his eyes tested, I ran around, grabbing muruku, tau sar piah and rotiboy. 

We were right on time for the train. Waiting in line was a torture though bcos my legs were so tired. Fortunately, immigration and the train ride home were again very smooth. 

Back in Singapore, I had to order a grab for him to collect the car. Google map said that bus 170 will bring me home and it is the same bus stop that we alight. Why? Doesn’t that go into JB? As we were trying to figure out, a kind man told us that there are 2 different 170 bsuses stopping at the same bus stop and we have to open our eyes wide to catch the right one. Regardless, the 170 that I needed to go home would come out from JB and how fast the bus will come depends on how bad the custom jam is. At that point, the electronic board said that it was 37 mins. 

In the end, I didn’t want to risk it and took one of the many buses that headed to the Woodlands MRT to continue my way home. There was no other mega celebration on the day bcos I rushed off to color my greys. It had been 9 weeks and my greys were all very eager to meet the world. I couldn’t hide them anymore. Sob.

Speaking of which, I got my 1st grey hair at my right sideburn. This signifies the many more to come and greys at sideburns are so hard to hide. I had this urge to chop off my hair and grow out my greys, like totally. I was told by the hairdresser that it would take 3 years for short hair and it would be 3 painful and ugly years. 

I did cut my hair, chopping away the frizzy ends but nothing as drastic as I imagine. Anyway, new hair for the birthday. Happy Birthday to Me!

Mummy Lim

1st India Trip 2025 Part 2

I was up at 6am again for the gym. This time, I was tortured by the elliptical machine. This one is the killer. So tiring. I missed my favorite elliptical machine, that has been replaced/ removed from the Junction 10 gym.

My 1st call was starting at 8am IST and I had time to sneak a quick bfast before call. The non-veg spread was limited.

Wednesday (day 3) at work was uneventful and we continued to work very hard. After a long work day, we rushed back to take a call at 7.30pm. I managed to order inroom dining before the call. Happy!

I know right, not very healthy. Never mind, I need happy food in Mumbai. 

Thursday (day 4) was the last day in Mumbai. I have decided that it is a non-exercise day bcos I have back to back calls starting from 6.30am IST. Darn the time difference. There wasn’t enough time to go to the gym. I could wake up extra early and do a HiiT in the room, but it was too torturing. I was very glad to skip the exercise too bcos my hair had been so fried. I brought 2 different shampoos, thinking that one of them was conditioner. I had been washing my hair without condition and felt like I had been wearing a hair of hay. 

It was another long day. At least there was proper lunch - we had a team lunch, we finally have enough people in India to call it a team lunch. Hoho. My colleague said that I must try this sugary ball of sin. 

This is really damn sweet. I cannot even finished half the ball. In Mumbai, even the usual cookie/ brownie/ cake is extra sweet.

The weather was damned hot. It wasn’t food coma that killed my afternoon but the sun. That short walk to the restaurant and back zapped all my energy. By the time it was 5pm, I was half dead and very sleepy. A car was arranged for us at 7pm for the airport. 

This was my dinner at the airport. 

I was intending to skip the inflight supper bcos sleep is important. 

Time passed quick enough and it was time to board. My colleague and I were in the same row in the middle block but separated by 2 big Indian men, bcos the travel desk would usually help us book aisle seat. Aisle seats are good, but not when the middle passengers are big people who not only took the arm rest but invade into other people’s air space. Zzzz. 

I skipped supper as planned. I tried to sleep as much. There was some turbulences during the flight and I remembered feeling anxious in my half awake state. 

It was pouring when we landed. There was some slight swaying of the plane. I think it must had rained very hard bcos the offloading of the luggage was delayed and there was a backlog, which further added on to the delay.

After a 30 mins wait, we were informed by a 2nd SMS & email that the offloading needed even more time. We were given the option of requesting for a free home delivery of the luggage. I opted for that bcos I barely have much from the trip and nothing valuable at all. At least I got free milo.

The luggage was finally “home” at 5pm. All good! One more trip completed. 

Mummy Lim