Camping for the first time - Pulau Ubin

The husband had ambitions of bringing the children camping. It was in the first half of the year that he bought a tent as he set his mind to do this with them. Now that the year is nearly at the end with him not needing to go to work, I was truly impressed when he said that he will do it.


The husband plotted the possible days the children can go... and the fateful day was picked - to be the Tuesday, 27th December. The weather in December is typically erratic and that was a possible show-stopper. After researching the weather, though, the husband made the decision on the night before that they will indeed go.


That morning, the daughter awoke - probably from excitement - very early; before I climbed out from bed (and I was the only one who had to because I had to work). The husband and the girl headed out to the supermarket to get their needs, and I did not even see them before I left for work. I kissed the sleeping boy and sent a text to the husband to say that I had to go already and requested for pictures.

Food and all their barang

I had a headache just looking at the things they had to pack, but I also appreciated that the children were in the best hands ever with the husband, and I was also thrilled at the night off from Mommy duty.

Look at how excited they are!

Boat-ing to Pulau Ubin

Arrival

Jelutong Campsite

Camp all set-up

At this point, they had rung me 2-3 times. Telling me they were leaving the home, they had arrived, and the last conversation of the day was them saying that they had arrived, set up their tent, it was drizzling and that they needed to pick wood for their campfire later. Besides the fact that 'there are many ants', they sounded in good spirits!

Picking wood

Probably one of the highlights, roasting marshmallows!

Caption of this pic when the husband sent it: Jake and his Godzilla

So the boy must have thought (probably insisted) that the blob in the pic was Godzilla! Love their over-active imagination, hilarious.


While I was out at dinner with my friends, the husband texted me that they had gone to sleep. It was so nice to know that they were experiencing something entirely new, love it!

Asleep - this was probably the highlight of the husband's night.

So, I didn't query how they answered nature's calls, but K did mention 'by the seaside'. HAHA! That really cracked me up; and it's good to know that they are hardy enough to, well, get on with it.


In the night, the rain came down hard - I was actually cold in my bed - but the husband texted that they were fine in the rain. So good to know, that they survived the one night.

Champions!

Waiting for the ferry back to SG

I tell my friends with pride, that the husband brought the children camping. We are firm believers in exposing them to an active lifestyle, and the husband is truly the best person to lead such activities.


The kids may not know it yet, but such experiences are truly amazing and I know that they have grown in their own ways from this, not to mention the special time they spent together with their father.


Thank you, husband for creating such lovely memories of the children. I am so proud of all 3 of you for enjoying this adventure!

My running journey - personal best achievement

Before the year closes, I will finally get my ass down to updating my personal best record that took place 24 September, 2016.

It was a team relay (approx. 10.2km x 4 runners to form the distance of a marathon) and one that I was approached to form a team for, three times. I rejected to be part of the initial sign-up because (a) it seemed too far ahead to commit to  a race on a weekend (b) it was at night time and I do not prefer to run at night (c) I had lost motivation to run any races at all this year.

I was then approached to replace a colleague who could not make it, but they found someone who could commit before me. When I was approached a third time, I guess things were meant to be and so it happened.

Truth is, I did not prepare for the run but one cannot deny the hard work that the body is used to through a period of time, and oh boy, did I surprise myself when I broke my personal best time of 10km!

Statistics of the day

Group results

The weather was hot and looping 2x on the same circuit is so un-fun. I think the mind was not too strong that day because I was walking at parts, but still happy to have set a record.

Part credit must be given to the husband, because his parting words to me when he dropped me off at the race was 'try for less than 1 hour'. I guess it really was up to me and I truly did it. HOORAY!

I didn't run, I flew!

Christmas Day, 2016

Instead of hosting Christmas at our house this year, we did it at the brother's as he has a new abode and everyone was so blessed to be able to celebrate this day in his cosy domain. It was made even more special, as we all got treated to the feast that my sis-in-law cooked up. It was very yummy!

Happy tummies

Dessert was this rich, choc-matcha cake the sister organised.

In between food, we had some games, gift exchange and chit-chat. As always, it's the simplest affairs that are most heartfelt and amazing.

The best present one can ever have - family

As the day winded down, I was hit by a feeling of nostalgia. There has been so much pain, sadness and bad news this year - which I know must be the case every single year, but this year just feels so much more poignant. I truly think it's age, and I am mindful that it is I who controls my feelings and thoughts, and it cannot be a bad thing to be more optimistic and cheery in what I construe inside. As this year winds to a close, I wish that all the bad things are good lessons learnt, and I am even more thankful of the good things. I am definitely looking forward to 2017 and more positive thoughts!

Us.

Christmas Eve tradition with 015

This year's plan was to potluck with the gang. The husband experimented with curry chicken to contribute to it.

This maketh a good curry

We had a super lazy morning, with the husband nursing a bad tummy. Thankfully, he seemed well enough to get on with the long weekend, so phew! While he manned the stove, I took the kids and sorted out the venue and presents.

Checked in and enjoying the comfy bed

Bad weather, so it was tub play

In-room entertainment: Pie Face

We did our usual of hanging out, wining and dining, and the kids managed to hit the pool when the weather cleared up slightly. The highlight of the evening was the gift exchange, as always and it was a riot.

015

Tradition is what makes it special, because it is through reflection of the past years - 2015, 2014's roadtrip to Malaysia.. and many of the past years that we spent together - that form beautiful memories.


Another Christmas down, another new year to look forward to.
Happy Christmas!

Cuddles in bed

Pardon my just-awakened-face

'Give me a face sandwich!'

Simple joys

Enjoying this lazy sight.. before the new year kicks off!

Happy days

On some days, we really play at work :)

Our first Gold Class experience

It's going to seem pretty suaku, but it's the first time the husband and I enjoyed the gold class experience at the theatres. It was a gift and it only took us a year to get round to enjoying it.

Amazing seats and the blanket that helped me snooze get very comfortable

Wine and cheese platter for two, thanks

We watched Star Wars, which was a great movie to use the tickets for because it was a movie that was more than 2 hours long, but truthfully, I was truly so tired I probably did fall asleep at some parts of the movie - oops.


The experience was amazing! The ticket buying was quick (separate lines from the other cinema-goers), the lounge was exclusive and not crowded, the menu was lit up (hah!) and just like from a restaurant, and the seats were the most amazing. Truly felt like the business class of the movie theatres.


Thankful for the opportunity to try this as a gift too. How lucky!

Krabi, days 4 & 5

Pictorial updates of our last 2 days in Krabi....

Day 4: breakfast at the hotel

Look who crashed our meal (all I could think of was
how hot the poor guy must be feeling inside!)

View from breakfast - hotel grounds

View from breakfast - beachfront

Some pool after breakfast

Lounging

Lounging

Lounging

The most strenuous form of activity we did one of the mornings - headstands for 2

Hit the gym once more one of the days

Lunch snack

Us, Krabi Dec 2016

One of my favourite pics - as carefree as parents on holidays sans kids

Picking our dinner

What a beautiful sight

Final day, breakfast back at the café across the street

I wish this was my living room!

Right after breakfast, we had to return the bike that we rented. We then learnt that there would be road closures due to the visit from the Thai King. We did not wish to miss our flight, so off we went to the airport 4 hours before we were due there. We spent the afternoon at the airport reading, and finishing off the random snacks we had in our mobile pantry.


It was nice touching down to have dinner with the family. We spent the night hanging out - the parents, sis and her busband came over - and we finished off pretty late, talking and consuming some Friday night drinks.

Krabi, day 3

We awoke lazily this day. My head did not explode - hooray!
The husband suggested going to a café across the road for breakfast, and of course I said yes. I had no better idea anyway. I must say, that this café truly was pretty awesome.

Gorgeous sea-facing view

Latte, fruits and pancakes for me

I was very happy with this venue! It got slightly sunny and hot by the windows, but it was still an undeniably amazing spot for breakfast. The food was pretty awesome too, and I really enjoyed it. Good job to the husband for spotting this place! He discovered it on the day when he went for a run.


After a filling breakfast, we proceeded to laze by the pool.. then hit the beach.

Husband is reading. I have not seen him read this much since..
I cannot recall when!

We had random, sporadic food for lunch by ordering food on the beach. We had grilled chicken, corn and beers/water. After the sun set, we headed back to the hotel and hit the gym.

Use at your own risk - what a welcoming message.

Us.

We ended the night with a sumptuous dinner at our usual haunt, then headed back to read at the hotel lobby (live music - never mind that I nearly went blind because lighting was so poor).

Rescuing my face after being dehydrated in the sun

Health update: no more pounding headache, which is good; but the ringing in the ears was still present. Good enough!