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.

MC? What MC?

The first incident happened in less than a month after we moved to Kubang Kerian. I cut my thumb while washing the dishes. A big bowl (the gift that came with the purchase of a toothpaste) broke into half and cut deep into my thumb. Whitish matter (probably a nerve or tendon or something like that) can be seen.

I went to the HUSM, being the nearest hospital to our place. My left  thumb was given 5 stitches. I wasn't able to perform my works like cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry or even mopping the floor for more than a week. It's a bad feeling and I felt sorry for Wife who had to take over my responsibilities.

The second incident happened last month when my eyes became red. I had bad coughs and at a time, I developed a nasty fever. It got bad when my phlegm was yellowish and bloody. It took me 2 weeks to heal. Eye drops every 2 hours. Paracetamol. Good hygiene. Being careful with the kids. And out of the blue, I felt fine. It was a relief. But an unforgettable experience. 

I was clumsy for the first incident and I only had myself to blame. But for a person who had done cell culture for a few years, hygiene is always a concern to me. I just don't understand how the bugs got me last month.

Last Friday, I had slight pain on my left ankle. The skin was dry and seems cracked. The next day, it got worse. The ankle was inflammed and I started to have difficulty to walk. I took Cloxacillin 500mg at 4.30pm. It's a type of antibiotic and it is to be taken every 6 hours. On Sunday, The rash became redder.

What's going on, Daddy?

A deja vu feeling came to me. Another hospital visit in pipeline. My left leg became swollen. I felt feverish. 2 x-rays were taken on the left ankle. No infection was seen. No shadow could be seen around the bone, said the doctor. Osteomyelitis was ruled out.

Left leg was swollen.

It's another nightmare for Wife. She lost a good portion of study time yesterday, doing the kids' stuff. Putting them to sleep and waking up to feed the boys. I was feverish. I couldn't do much. I took 500mg of paracetamol and slept. I didn't feel good. Wife had to get things in order. 

The next step is to rule out the possibilities of me having diabetes. I had my blood taken for glucose checking. It might be one of the causes. For now, my leg is still feeling numb and painful. It's frustrating that I can't even send Darrien to school today and Wife had to take over the chauffeuring.

Let's get over with my suffering. 

#3 KL

Wife: Daddy is sick. Don't disturb him. Let him get well.

Darrien: Daddy go KL!?

Renaissance Hotel, Kota Bharu's Dim Sum Buffet is not a good choice for breakfast

It's Mother's Day tomorrow but in this land of Che Siti Wan Kembang, Sunday is a working day. So, we decided to celebrate it in Dynasty Restaurant, Renaissance Hotel, Kota Bharu yesterday. The place opens on for dim sum buffet every Friday and public holidays.

Sleepy Jacob

It had been 10 years since we last tried the buffet. It used to be a nice place to spend the morning. The dim sum dishes were prepared when we ordered them. And they reached our table piping hot.

We saw a row of already-prepared food on the banquet table and racks of dim sum at the side. Without much asking, we were seated and ready to be surprised. 

We were totally dissappointed with the food.

The first round of food

I took some baby octopus and cold prawn. They didn't taste fresh. Probably from the buffet leftover from other restaurant.

I bite into crispy prawn with some mayo and I agreed with Wife that even the mayo taste a bit weird.

I took some of their best dim sum.

I did mention the best dim sum, didn't I?

 Total disappointment.

I was taken aback when I saw Darrien put on his best behavior. He ate his porridge without being nagged on.

He had grown up much. I don't have to worry about him much anymore. Gone were days when I would be angry and constantly asked him to behave himself. I don't have to keep looking at him, worrying him that he might wander off far.

Oh! yes. He never go to any place without his Spiderman bag.

These day,s Darrien starts to say many things that never fail to put smiles on our faces.

Darrien says the funniest things #1 Baby shouts

In the car,

Darrien: Why baby Jacob shout(s)?

Mummy: Ask him.

Darrien: No.. Baby Jacob have no teeth. He cannot talk.

#2 Win

My parents visited us the week before election.

Kung Kung: Who win? BN or PAS?

Darrien: Parrot have wings. Parrot can fly.