Christmas Party in Kubang Kerian

We had our second Christmas party at our home in Kubang Kerian. Last year was done on smaller scale. This year, we had more varieties of food, cooked by Wife.

I cooked a simple yam dessert. The or nee was prepared earlier by Wife. I just added olive oil and cooked it under small fire. Wife prepared beef and chicken Shepperd pies. Then, there were spaghetti with beef sauce. And chicken sauce since some of our guests didn't eat beef.

The star attraction of the night. TURKEY! We were surprised that our nearby supermarket, Mydin was selling frozen turkey. It was a rare buy. We bought one around 3 kilogrammes bird. Wife searched the Net for a good recipe and I helped out by making sure the turkey was cooked nicely in the oven. It was grilled perfectly and I had a juicy bite of it.

We prepared fried chicken wings which I marinated with fermented tofu sauce, vegetable salad, cupcakes and cheese-cherry snack. Wife's friend brought bread pudding.

Wife said she didn't eat the portobello mushroom which she stuffed with minced pork, onion, bit of shredded cheese, bread crumbs and finely-chopped spring onion. I had one and I told her it's really finger licking delicious.

The boys were running around happily.

The children were enjoying themselves.

We invited our church carolling group to come to our house a week earlier. They reached our place as our guests were enjoying themselves. Around 8.30pm and the group leader told us it was their third stop of the night. We were told that there were 34 of them but almost 50 of them turned up. Bless all of them for their lovely voices. Our home was packed to the max.

Everyone was enjoying the atmosphere. 

Stay tuned next year to see what Wife will be cooking next Christmas.

Swimming time at home

Jacob was jumping excitedly when Wife started to pump up the mini portable outdoor swimming pool.

The water was cold but the kids couldn't resist jumping into the water.

Wife made sure the kids washed their feet thoroughly before letting them in the pool. Darrien brought the pink scoop and his few toys with him.

Seeing me taking photos of them, Darrien asked me to take a picture of his scratch marks on his thigh. 

Jacob was reluctant to make himself wet at first. After splashes and splashes of water from his brother, he started making big splashes as well.

The kids were really enjoying the cold water.

Hands up, bro!

Here a good splash on you! Yay!
 

The simple pleasure of life.

2013 Christmas celebration at Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Kota Bharu

I celebrated Christmas in Kota Bharu three times in my lifetime. Once when I was doing my postgraduate study in 2002. Then, with my wife and the two boys last year and this year. It does feel strange yet wonderful what marriage changes my life.

After Mass, the Christmas celebration began at the church closed compound, with the host and hostess tickled our bones every now and then.

Look at how big my Darrien is... as Peter Pan. It was a bit too early to put on Jacob's Reindeer costume. He was pulling it with his hands, probably too hot for him. The host gave him a Santa's hat.

They were getting attention from everyone! The boys were cool while their photos were taken from every angles. 

Parish priest, Rev Father Robert Daniel.

Fancy dress competition, for children below 6 years old, started late in the morning. My boys were given a pink card each for the judges to recognize them. They moved around in the designated area happily. Putting on their best behaviour and showing everyone the costumes which Wife had made for many nights with lots of love.

Guess what? Jacob was given first prize and Darrien the second prize. Both were holding the red presents tightly till they reached home. Wife sure had put many smiles on their faces today through her labour of tender love
.

Merry Christmas from me and my family. 

With Love in Kota Bharu.

Jacob is one year old

Jacob celebrated his pre-birthday celebration in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. Aunty Jasmine's birthday was round the corner and she celebrated hers together. Wife went to CintaKu Bakery to get him one nice, colourful birthday cake and spent a whole day preparing a great feast.

There were nine delicious dishes that Wife cooked with love.

Hong Zao chicken is not a everyday-eaten dish in West Malaysia. Except for ladies who are having their confinement months. People in my hometown may have it for lunch or dinner. Everyday.

Aunty Jasmine was ecstatic with the steamed squid dish.

I personally liked the fried lotus root dish a lot.

Everyone sang the birthday song. The black forest cake and the apple crust cheese cake were shared.

Jacob's actual birthday was on 1st Syawal this year.

 

We went to KL for a short holiday. And Jacob had a Baskin Robbins chocolate ice cream cake on his 1st birthday.

He enjoyed the chocolate ice cream and I just kept feeding him! 

A happy little son who smiles a lot. Daddy and Mummy hope that you grow up as a healthy boy and be a good child of God.
 
Happy Birthday, Jacob!

Ipoh and Taiping Zoo

We went to Ipoh and Taiping Zoo last weekend.

We stayed at the Regalodge Hotel which had really friendly, ever smiling staff. And they gave us free Coke and 100 plus and snacks and white coffee and milk tea... It's a money worth spent accomodation.

The breakfast was at Foh San Dim Sum Restaurant which is 5 minutes drive from our hotel. The food at the place is, to my opinion, not really nice. Nothing to shout about but the crowd was insanely huge!

Staff was friendly and even told us to finish our dishes first before ordering more.

We had pau, assorted dim sum, chee cheong fun,chicken porridge. 

We left for Taiping Zoo soon after breakfast. One hour drive or so, Darrien was very excited to see the animal statues at the ticketing counter.

Taiping Zoo was surprisingly very clean and the animals are well fed. They didn't look sad and thin like those found in National Zoo. The animal keeper gave some bread to Darrien to be thrown into the pond. For the many colourful fish in it.

The kids and me posed at the lions' den.

The sea otters were fun to look at especially when they were eating their lunch, standing up.

The white rhinos were really big.

While the bearded pig amused us.

The trees in the zoo were a sight to behold.

The swans are gracefully swimming on the pond.

Cute Darrien smiled at the camera with the giraffes. 

Hey, the bull is attacking people!

Sung Kee Chicken Rice in Kota Bharu

Sung Kee Chicken Rice, Kota Bharu serves very nice side dishes and silky chicken.

The chicken feet salad is a must try.The deboned chicken feet is slightly sour, sprinkled in lime juice. Tossed in some of the shop's chilly sauce, it'll be added oommpphh..

While we're ready to dig in, Darrien couldn't resist pouring some salty (soy sauce) as he called it. And pepper too.

There were many other side dishes but there were only two of us and the kids. We ordered pig ear stew. Our favourite food. Fragrant. Chewy. Just the right dish to accompany our chicken rice.

Who says one cannot find good pork dishes in Kota Bharu?

Tadika Fatima's Sports Day

It's their last day of school semester. The teachers organized Tadika Fatima's 51st Sports Day. They invited the parents to join the anticipated day as well.

Children were grouped according to their classes. Darrien was lined up with his classmates (4 Green).

It was a sunny day. By 5pm, every children was ready for the march past.

It seemed that parents were more excited than the children. My boy looked dazed. So did other children.

Sister Jackie led the march.

They sang Negaraku, state anthem and school's song.

Teacher Gan was supervising her students

There were 12 events. Darrien took part on the event named 'My Face'. The teachers amazed me when I saw Darrien followed their instruction. Waiting for signal. And PAK! Off they ran.

 

Teacher Gan made sure everything was in order

Darrien was ahead of his friends.

Ahh.. 'My Face' was actually a jigsaw puzzle.

Soon, his team mate arrived. They finished the puzzle together.

And off they ran to the finishing line.

Smiling Darrien.
 

It was a fun day for everyone, especially the parents. Everyone seems to be smiling and the teachers did their jobs well. Kudos to them.

 Darrien's happy with his presents.