Wishes for 2019

As 2018 draws to a close, I want to thank everyone for being a part of my life. 
Here's a photo I took which nicely represents the hopes I have for all in the new year. 

Wishing all my friends, my colleagues (past and present), my students, and my family (local and overseas) a Wonderful New Year in 2019! 

Meowgical Christmas 2018

A Meowgical Christmas 2018 to all!

Lovely illustration by Seo Kim

Happy 冬至 (Winter Solstice/ Dongzhi) 2018

Happy 冬至  (Winter Solstice/ Dongzhi) 2018

Happy 48th Wedding Anniversary

Happy 48th Wedding Anniversary, Ma and Pa!

My parents have been married for 48 years since 1970. 

Happy Birthday, Yaw Ming

A very Happy Birthday to my brother, Yaw Ming!

A cute Happy Snowman cake

Penang Trip 2018: Day 5

It was our last day in Penang. We lazed till 1pm before heading over to Hin Bus Depot to visit the Hin Pop-Up Sunday Market. 

Peranakan shophouese along the way to Hin Bus Depot

After the Sunday market, we headed back to Lebuh Pantai, Georgetown as Marieann wanted to get a few things from the shops. 

Street art on the wall of a cafe

Incidentally saw more street art

Mareiann had late lunch/ early dinner at an Ajisen ramen equivalent while I went back to Lebuh Presgrave hawker centre for dinner after leaving Marieann at the hotel. I had fried oyster and chendol. Yummy! 

I took pity on Marieann for not having tried local food so I packed Heh Chee (fried prawn pieces, tofu, sausages, etc) and Buah Long Long drink for her to try. Kudos to Noordin Mews for their excellent service. When I returned to the hotel, the staff immediately offered to unpack the food onto a plate and brought it to our room with a big smile! 

A Noordin Mews postcard in place of snack after turn-down service tonight

My goodies from the Sunday Market

Penang Trip 2018: Day 2

We had a late start to the day. We lazed around in our room until 230pm before heading out to Entopia by Butterfly Farm. 

Breakfast fruits and juice

Egg Florentine and Classic Breakfast with tea

Our driver guide brought us to one of the Batu Ferringhi beaches where we took an extermely short walk as we were both not interested but were too polite to decline the driver. 

We went to Tree Monkey at Tropical Spice Garden for the sunset and Thai dinner. However, there was not much of a sunset as it was raining before that. 

Appetizer: Mussel Salsa

Sizzling Bean Curd,  Blue Rice (butterfly pea flower) and Tomyum noodle soup (not in pic)

Thai Coconut ice cream

We were supposed to go to the Batu Ferringhi Night Market but decided to skip it. We arrived back at the hotel just before the thunderstorm started. Phew. 

More local Penang delights

Souvenirs from Entopia by Butterfly Farm

Penang Trip 2018: Day 1

Marieann and I flew to Penang this morning since we were last there in 2014 with Juliane. Yes, Marieann is willing to fly again after 4 years! Juliane skipped this trip because she had signed up for holiday tuition camp and was not willing to skip it. Just a heads-up, Marieann is still adverse to taking photos with me so there would be lots of my selfies on this mother-daughter trip. 

We departed a rainy Singapore and arrived in a rainy Penang in the afternoon. I just can't escape from the rain. Sigh. We stayed at Noordin Mews again, a Peranakan-themed boutique hotel, just within Georgetown. We were given a room on the 2nd floor and away from the stairs as requested. 

Welcome drinks (nutmeg) and fruits

As it continued to storm in Penang, we had a simple afternoon tea with home-made banana cake as we didn't have lunch and we took a nap too. 

Complimentary afternoon tea 

The key and lock system for the room

When the rain stopped in the evening, we took a Grab to Gurney Drive where we had the most un-Penang dinner at TGIF! Lol. 

Fried mozzarella cheese sticks

Fish and Chips

Sizzling Chicken and Shrimps

We returned to our hotel to find a most pleasant surprise waiting for us from Noordin Mews. Other than the turn-down service snack, Noordin Mews welcomed us back with a note and a bag of local tambun biscuits. It is a real thoughtful gesture by Noordin Mews.

KOMTAR in the background

Local Penang delights