Belated Birthday Celebration

A belated Birthday present for Juliane. Took her to watch a movie of her choice. I was surprised by it, not the theme but by the choice of language the movie was in! Guess what we watched! :D My mother who is a Taiwanese would be pleased to know there is hope. 

Took Juliane to lunch at Shashlik

Must think twice next time before watching a teenage romance comedy with your teenage. Between the two of us, we used up a pack of tissue during the sob sob scenes. "Fall in Love at First Kiss", a Taiwanese remake of the Japanese manga "Itazura na Kiss" is a refreshing departure from my usual genre of movies. :)

Happy Birthday, Juliane!

Happy Birthday, Juliane! 
I hope you have an amazing day and for all your dreams to come true. I am proud of who you are and I will be at your side to support you always. Love you lots!

Congrats, Marieann!

Marieann received her EAGLES (LEADERSHIP) award this morning at Moulmein-Cairnhill Edusave Awards Presentation Ceremony. I am really proud of her! 

She initially wanted to skip the ceremony because she was shy. But I insisted that she attends the ceremony as it is an acknowledgement of her achievement and skills as a leader. It is a celebration. After the ceremony, I could see that Marieann was happy to have attended it. 

Happy Birthday, Marieann!

Happy Birthday, Marieann! 
You have grown into a young lady full of kindness and compassion. I won't want you any different. I wish only the best for you in life. May you overcome every problem life throws your way and may you always remain confident and comfortable with who you are. Lots of love.

Marieann wanted a cat but this is the best I could do - a plush cat as my mother is still mourning the death of our tabby who passed away in 2001. 

Release of N Results 2018

I accompanied Marieann back to school to collect her N level results. As usual, I was much more anxious about it than Marieann! "Keep zen, keep zen", I was muttering to myself while seated in the hall, listening to the teacher and Principal addressing the students. By 2:20pm, Marieann had collected her results. However, by 245pm, I still had no idea how she did. In her usual manner (as with PSLE), she was comforting her classmates. 

Marieann walking to collect her results

Marieann did well enough to continue with her O levels or DPP (Direct-entry-scheme to Polytechnic Programme). She decided to do her Os. 

Off-time

I had some off-time with Juliane since she didn't go to Penang with Marieann and I. 
We went to watch Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (Marieann didn't go with us as she has already seen it with her friends.) We had a late lunch at Muji cafe after the fantastic movie. 

A quick photo before the movie started

Penang Trip 2018: Day 6/ Home

It is our last morning at Noordin Mews. We had a leisurely breakfast before leaving for the airport around 10am. We have had a great stay (again!) at Noordin Mews and we will definitely be back. 

We had the same breakfast items as our first breakfast. A full circle lol

Bye bye, Room M

This is the first overseas trip with Marieann without Juliane. We are still figuring out our differences/ similarities in travelling. I have had a wonderful trip with Marieann. I hope there will be more trips to come with Marieann. :) 

Going home

Home!

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 4

It was an free and easy day for us. No schedule and no plans to follow, just went with the flow. 
Lazed around and watched tv in the room after breakfast haha. 

Fruits and Nuts Granola

We took a Grab to Lebuh Pantai (Beach Street) just after noon to browse around the area. We didn't intentionally look for Penang Street Art as we saw them back in 2014. 

I had dessert at China House, one of the famous cafes in Penang.

The highlight of China House - the bakery table with 30 different cakes available daily

I went for dinner alone while Marieann napped. I went to Lebuh Presgrave hawker centre, just a street away from our hotel. It was my best hour ever for the trip haha. I had Hokkien Prawn Mee and Ais Kacang. Yum!

The famous 888 Hokkien Prawn Mee 

I also saw 2 kittens and a cat on the way to and back from the hawker centre and played with them for a while before going back to the hotel. 

An unexpected late night entertainment happened around 1120pm. There was a fireworks display which we could view through one of the small windows. Not sure what the occasion was.

Tonight's turn-down service snack -peanut brittle