Deepavali celebration in school

This is the third year Janelle fits into this.. And most likely it's the last year and it's getting too short for her. 

Love her smile on this photo.. Looks like a big girl, she is a big girl now..

A day off with Janelle - S.E.A

31st Oct, it's a deepavali replacement holiday for both Janelle and me.. So I wanted to do something different, since it's a holiday..

Despite I'm having diahoreea that morning, I pull myself out of bed and out of the house to bring Janelle for exposure. Wanted to introduce "fish" to her so I choose S.E.A Aquarium.

She shouted FISH when she first saw the big fish tank.. Which caught me by surprise as usually she will copied us rather then saying without prompt..

The happy girl went exploring 

Loves her participation, she pointed at the starfish and says "fish"

Before stepping out of the place I realized that I didn't take photo with her, so grabed her and took many.. 

Hip ups: hungry girl is an angry girl... After 30min in aquarium, and she is hungry, recess time at school... She refused to walk and see anymore. "NO" and "FINISHED" was her answer to everything and anything till she found food area. Bought a donnut for her which costed $4... @@ 

Counting down, tickets for me, maid and Janelle + donnut + car park, that's $100 for one morning. That's Singapore. 

心血来潮的宵夜

My tummy starts to make noise after 2 hours of night calls... Hence I pinged the ladies and asked if anyone wants to join me... 

Here we go.... 海底捞 @ 313

Babies

Today my husband told me that he is fearful of babies as bad memories just returned. He request to exclude him from all activities of babies affair.

I don't agree, but I respect him...

Prayer: Lord, I pray that you love will fill E.

Little cheeky Janelle

Very rare occasion where she willing to put on a hat.

Banana flies

I don't like to buy banana cos it attract those fruits flies but my hus love it.. 

Do you know:

Fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs at a time near the surface of fermenting (ripening) foods or other organic materials. The entire life cycle from egg to adult takes only about eight to ten days so they proliferate with great rapidity. They can also lay their eggs in sink drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles and cans, garbage bags, and even damp mops and sponges.

Found a method online to wrap the plastic cling wrap over the stem of banana can keep the banana longer and fresher but also noticed that it will keep the flies away...

Hus birthday

Sis CC invited us over to her new condo for house warming, and was thinking since all uni friends will gather together, I shall arrange for a surprise birthday cake for him..

Brought Janelle over to have a "swim", and hus doesn't want to join the crowd ended just dip in the water with moving. Yes boring to max.

Thanks to cc, she homemade cheesecake for hus...

We brought out the cake before they start their mj session.. To be frank, I know He has no heart for birthday song.. All his heart is on the mj and he must be scolding me to delay his mj session.

While they are playing their mj, CC putting her boy to bed.. I'm alone chilling at their balcony. Wondering when we can also own a condo that comes with balcony... Haiz

Janelle 8th birthday

Since Janelle was born, MIL always tells me that don't celebrate birthday for kids.. I wanted to hold a huge 1st birthday and she rejected... 

But since we accepted Christ, i trusted in Lord and believe in pouring blessing upon Janelle. But cos Janelle has her sleeping pattern, I don't want to disturb. And thinking no one to visit and she just can't be still to sing birthday song or take photos. Maybe mommy life is bored, so this year I wanted a little surprise party for Janelle. I didn't invited friends since our little place can accommodate less than 10 include us.. So only asked my baby sis and brothers over..

Set up a surprise rainbow for her.... She was so happy when she came home and saw the balloons on the wall.

My cheeky Janelle with the backdrop.

Yiyi Jessica bought her a princess balloon from Japan in May, and I got papa to pump it up for her... 

My little princess are all dressed up and ready for the party

Yiyi came with so many balloons.. She was so excited.

Took a ground photo before dinner started with 1st batch... 

After that it's all in a mess that I have no time going around to take photos. Preparing dinner for all, the kids are running and asking for this and that, mocha runs around and meimei crying because she scare of dog.. Haiz.. Janelle was so excited and refused to sit down for dinner, she joined the children running around... 

And hus showing off his hamster and me running around making sure everyone is good...

Janelle was a bit cranky as it has over her sleeping hours, so we did a quick birthday song and put her to bed.

Do we need filter system at home?

Recently i saw some article on facebook that how harmful is heavy metals to our health and it is very difficult to expel from our body. Recalled the BRT treatment Janelle went thru in previous years, there is always heavy metals found in Janelle body. So was thinking if should we get a filter system at home since water is one of the important sources in our body. I was thinking if really that important, i don't mind to set aside one to two thousand for a good water filter for my family.

When i start researching and went wild on my reading... more and more filter system comes in.. and getting more and more expensive.

1) Diamond water - one of the brands that had been in Singapore market for many years and pop's place had used for a few years before we removed it. The product claimed it helps break water molecule clusters into smaller clusters for easier absorption and will enhanced the metabolism, improves gastrointestinal condition, improve fruit taste, better absorption of health supplements/medication, plants will growth faster and healthier and boil easily.

It consists of 6 filters:

• Filter A: Top notch ceramic filter, thoroughly filter out impurities like chlorine, dirt, rust and bacteria. 
• Filter B: activated carbon & natural mineral stones remove organic contaminants, unpleasant odours & colours in the water, while regulate mineral content. 
• Filter C: metal ion filter thoroughly removes heavy metals, chlorine and other chemical contaminates.
• Filter D: natural magnetic ceramic balls with natural mineral magnetic stones effectively break water molecule clusters into the smallest possible size.
• Filter E: natural mineral stones stabilises energy in the water to keep water molecule clusters at the smallest size for a prolonged period of time. 
• Filter F: calcium ions helps balance the water to a mild alkaline level.
• Price: $1680 

Push factor: 

• Diamond uses carbon filter but doesn't effectively remove harmful contaminants. Reports and news from Taiwan and Hong Kong claimed they have made false claims and banned them.
• Out of the six filters, only two are certified.

 

2) Hydroflux - one of Singapore’s first very own brand of water purification systems. It products Alkaline Water that brings benefit our immune systems. The filters will eliminate harmful bacteria. The Carbon Filter removes many volatile organic chemicals, pesticides and herbicides as well as chlorine, benzene, trihalaomethane compounds found in tap-water. It breaksdown the water molecules too, and 50% improvement in hydraiotion and 3x more effctive detoxification process. The water system produces water with anti-oxidant properties which help to boosting our immune systems.

Hydroflux filtration system is equipped with a 4-staged filtration system:

· Sediment filter - Remove dust, clay, water rust and other solid particles.

· Ultra-filtration filter - Consist of pores size 0.01 Microns, remove bacteria, micro-organisms.

· Carbon Filter - Using activated carbon technology, removes chemical substances such as chlorine, TMH compounds, borons etc.

· Alkaline Filter -Inputs alkaline mineral salts such as Ca into our water to increase the pH of the water, turning water from acidic to alkaline which is more suitable for our consumption.

Manufactured and shipped from our factor base at Korean, Hydroflux filters are strictly tested and certified.

Price: $2,188.00 / $2688 with purewater for baby

Each Filter change cost about $250

3) 3M - this is the one where i saw xiaxue photos beside it in homefix. It claims that their carbon block technology will reduces chlorine taste and odour, slime and rust, cysts, heavy metals like lead and with hot water applications.

Price: S$1,488

This morning, i asked myself again. Do we really need a filter system in Singapore where we all know that government had did a very good job with our drinking water ensuring it is safe for us to drink.

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/askst-could-tap-water-to-homes-be-contaminated-by-heavy-metals-from-the-pipes

TravelLodge - Batam

*Throw back to June 2016, Family Trip to Batam

Hus requested a family trip with Janelle, so planned a 3D2N short trip to Batam. It has always a No-No from me to Batam because of my motion sickness on the ferry, But my hus always wanted to go because of the cheap cheap grocery. 

I have to admit I'm not a good planner for trips... Lots of mistake i made.

1. There is a promotion from Batamfast of 50% off for NTUC members for tickets over the counter. We went to the counter and they shared that they are not able to book return ticket for us, it had to be done at Batam side or via email. My hus forget to bring his card, so we can't purchase on that day. Tried dropping email to Batam side, but no response at all, and bring an elder and special needs child i don't want to be in a situation where we don't have ferry ticket to return home, so i bought the return ticket online with full price. 

Who knows, when we purchasing ticket over to counter on the day itself, they told us we can't purchase one-way ticket with the discount. I'm like WHAT? you told me that you can't book return ticket for us cos your system are not connected, now you tell me that i can't get discount as it only eligible for 2-way tickets. ARGH..... Didnt give a good start of holidays.

2. Hotel. I was told that Harris is a good consideration of hotel to stay in. It's near the shopping mall and its clean. When i was reading the blog for family trip to Batam most of them booked HARRIS Resort Waterfront Batam and they took free shutter bus over the shopping mall. Blur me which i thought this is the HARRIS. This is a resort and is about 45min away from city area. the journey out to source for dinner tired us out le.

3. Brought my MIL along. I thought since she not been working and had been staying home. I thought it will be good to bring her out to enjoy a family trip with us and Janelle. Who knows i created a blow-up and made the son and mom volcano erupted.  Till now they are still at cold war. :(


Here's we go:

Taking the ferry

Janelle was enjoying the ferry, she was singing "row row row the boat and "Sailor see sea"

Check-in HARRIS Resort with free shutter bus picked up from the ferry terminate. After Janelle napped and we headed out to Nagoya Hill Shopping mall for dinner. This is the one of the most crowded and biggest shopping mall in batam.

I have booked a 7-seater taxi on day 2 at SGD$80 and it brings us around to visit the tourist attraction place. Batam is very small, so really nothing much to see. My MIL insist Janelle wear that dress she bought the day before in Batam supermarket as she says the material will keep her cool and this is the type of dress that she wore when she was young |||.

The two are trying on their batak clothes.

MIL was having motion sickness from the car journey, we decided to end their day in batam day tour after lunch and let them rest in hotel. 

After we dropped them back to hotel and took a short nap, me and hus went to town area again for shopping. The taxi driver took us Mega Mall Batam Centre Being a singaporean how can we not have root beer float from A&E, a drink we missed.

On Day 3, before heading back to Singapore, we brought janelle down for a swim.. Family bonding time.

Janelle enjoyed the window view looking out at the sea... 

Whitening Pills

Everyday exploring to too much of UV. So got myself this - whitening pills - was told that it helps to protect UV and achieve whitening effects. Not sure how true it is. Will update review after this bottle.

The very first instant noodle

When in the nissen museum, i learnt that this is the very first instant noodle that was started the trend.

So how can i not get myself one to try.

It doesnt come with the packet seasoning, as all the favoring are already in the noodle itself.

verdict: not to my liking. never regret, at least i tried.

Work from home mom

A day when all come into one... Stress of a work from home mom...

1. I didn't managed to get a good night rest, 

2. I have a few conf meetings to host later but my mind is not working to sort out my thoughts

3. She is having holiday and wants your 100% attention and accompany

4. She refused to go grandma place

5. She refused me to go else where.. Even walked into kitchen without her she cries

6. When helper is more busy then the mom

At this very moment, how i wish i'm a stay home mom that can give her my attention.

Travelogue - Japan Osaka

Annual girls trip, and this year to Japan Osaka. My very first time to be in Japan, was way too excited. First time I'm away for 5D6N, the longest girls trip I have stretched.

We took a midnight flight out and touched down in Osaka in the morning. My luggage was 1/3 filled (10kg).

We bought an one way airport express train plus one day unlimited subway ticket, online package at 1500 Yen from http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html. 

The seat number is allocated to you, and there's train contractor to check the tickets. Even its empty, you are not allowed to take any other seats that's not allocated to you. This is Japan.

Dropped our luggage at hotel, no early check in was allowed. They go by book... 3pm means 3pm. So headed down to 黑门市场 for our lunch.

Other then food, we shopped for 2 hrs in one small drug store. Most of the duty free drug store would have a few chinese to assist you on any enquiry that you may have. They can help to do the translation. This is our loot from one store. Girls power. Hahaha.

After shopping, we are hungry again, so we went for our tea break of ramen. You have to choose your preference of how you want your noodle to be prepared. J says "you MUST try their hard boiled egg" so here we go. This is the best ramen I had in Osaka. *Must try* you can check up step by step guide on how to place order: https://gurunavi.com/en/japanfoodie/s/2016/06/ramen-shop.html?utm_source=JNTO&utm_medium=post&utm_term=ramen-shop&utm_campaign=JNTO_post_ramen-shop&__ngt__=TT0c0c71ca6001ac1e4a0e0fJzc6Y4DrMRPHUZqyIJQ4qQ

Another round of shopping starts, i didnt get anything as the clothes are too kawaii or too down to earth for me. There are many hello kitty and the girls was stuck in disney store for a good 2 hrs. 

Our dinner. Fish our own dinner. My very first time fishing, and yes managed to catch ONE. Yes, only one. We fished till the staff has no eye to see and help us to caught one sea brass 15min before they close. 

Day 2 - universal studio Japan. It's amazing... Their new rides are much more taller, longer and faster than Singapore. But those older rides wasn't that fantastic. However I love their interaction with the guests.. Every staff there make you feel like VIP. 

*side note* changed a hair style for me.. chopped of my long hair a few days before fly off to japan. :)

And we ended the day with 大阪烧 @ dotombori.

Day 3 - We bought a 2 day Osaka pass that gave us unlimited train rides for 2 days...
We decided to visited Nissen as it's further away,  There is a session that you can make your own noodles, but need to book early online, we missed it.. Nevertheless we can make our very own nissen favor cup noodle with 4 ingredients of your choice in self designed cup.

The cup noodles comes in all sizes. King, Big, standard and mini.

We even shopped at autobacs for car accessories. 

But nothing much for me, but i got this for my new ride for Janelle. 

Ended our day 3 with beef and puffer fish which are one of my wish list in Japan. When i was looking at the menu, J: just order the must expensive set of each as it will come with many different parts of beef and different cooking style of puffer fish. And she is right, that's the right move.

The puffer fish - grill, fried, sashimi, steamboat, marinated and porridge and this is serving for 2.

Day 4. I lost my 2 day pass :(, another trip that i lost my train card. no choice that i have to buy a 1 day pass.

To Osaka Castle. A place has to go.. Really nothing much there, but it's an tourist attractions that says if not been here, means you have not been to Osaka. 

So done our tourist job, time to be shopper again. J wanted to get her baby food from a baby department store at end of Shinsaibashi street. Things like pampers, food, pigeon's item etc are cheaper in singapore, but it's too heavy for me to bring back as janelle only use milk bottle detergent for baby, the rest she had outgrown. So while she shop for her baby food, me and A shop at Shinsaibashi. There is one kunbu specialty store they served you a kunbu soup as a tea, and it's so nice that i bought some back. 

Love their mochi 

Time for offload to hotel and dinner again. This is J wish list, the crab meal, they serve nothing but crab. I ordered a seasonal set, which means only available in Apr-June. Even the steamegg also come with crab.

Too full to go back hotel and sleep, so we ended in drug store again. We store for everything from shampoo, to pats to mask to drugs items.

Day 5 - last day of our trip. The agenda of this day is to get whatever items we want to bring back singapore. So early in the morning, A and me went 黑门市场 to get fruits.

My feet was too tired for shoes as there was blaster for the long walking journey, so i changed into slipper. In Japan, they dont wear slippers.

A want to get melon for her family. SGD$30+ for one melon... and there are more exp one too.

J meet us for lunch at 黑门市场 because we cant get enough of beef and fresh seafood.

Once done with lunch, we shop for snack and tidbits for souvenirs.

And since we havent had TakoYaki from our wish list, so while we are looking for one.. we found one store that can DIY. you must make 15balls, so just nice 5 for each of us. Dont know how 1 person can finish 15balls. The staff will prepare all the ingredient for us and using body language to explain to us how to make. In this store, they also sells a DIY sets that you can bring home (even include the cast iron tray for making the balls)

We rushed back to 黑门市场 again to buy raw beef to bring home... Promised hus that i will bring back kobe beef for him. During lunch we tried a few store of beef steak, and i love this store the most, so i went back to them and pack kobe beef and waygu beef back to Singapore for my hus. Their price is highly but they will do a vacuum pack, and filled with ice packs in ice bag for you. It's says not a problem for 10hrs, which was ok when i opened up 12 hrs later.

We cook the kobe the next day and it's very nice, the juicy feel, the melts in the mouth.. Love it to max. But hus preferred Australia beef.

Mummy is fair, daddy has beef, janelle also has strawberries. This tray cost me SGD$20. 

Deposited all the items in hotel, and we went for dinner. This is another wish list from J, grill seafood, and it's very nice too.. 

Once filled our tummy, went back to hotel and pack all the items into bags. Every one is 1 bag to japan and 2 bags back. I came back with 30kgs, not so bad isnt it.. And we know that we will be very tried after all the long walks and we will need more luggage space, we booked business class for the flight back. :)

First time having something soupy on flight other than instant noodles. It's a great way to end our trip.