tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345925702024-02-23T00:07:39.752+08:00Ethan and Talia's Worldאֵיתָן (ee-thuhn) solid, enduring (1 Ki 4:31, Ps 89) & טליה (tal-yuh) dew of heaven (God's kindness)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger514125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-8559121987484198102016-03-25T16:09:00.001+08:002016-03-25T22:00:04.343+08:00Paradise on a Night Train<div>After a harrowing morning we were elated to get tickets on the KTM night train!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBZ2BZCP-5N_tVzB6MAObp56MjMZrtW2BSdd_8zOaH2MpDaNfOGBGZr29XQKQWmABvGyPBYvXcT0XQeaGzVNhSVp-M3RB2-xQVApcCbrHrbO-xtcgERPZ0Cr6cmEHpjsxmEzZuQ/s640/blogger-image--2044807343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBZ2BZCP-5N_tVzB6MAObp56MjMZrtW2BSdd_8zOaH2MpDaNfOGBGZr29XQKQWmABvGyPBYvXcT0XQeaGzVNhSVp-M3RB2-xQVApcCbrHrbO-xtcgERPZ0Cr6cmEHpjsxmEzZuQ/s640/blogger-image--2044807343.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>In a gift of grace we got tickets on the train we always wanted - the night train from JB to Hat Yai! The time was only 9am and we had until 5pm - the whole day to have fun together in JB Sentral. So we made our way into the mall, up past the Koi Ponds to buy movie tickets. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEgwedyEyJAAkaqucA-DvfpWvpNFcXEWo77FIoD6lSrW9tIWSEw0XHVoZUADxQMYzIznEKyRNNWaAJxv-DEcCqW8tPGSB8VMl27oc_skMT4p2Dz-SGJIiPWH3OU-Z60LLxiJ1UA/s640/blogger-image-1381811981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEgwedyEyJAAkaqucA-DvfpWvpNFcXEWo77FIoD6lSrW9tIWSEw0XHVoZUADxQMYzIznEKyRNNWaAJxv-DEcCqW8tPGSB8VMl27oc_skMT4p2Dz-SGJIiPWH3OU-Z60LLxiJ1UA/s640/blogger-image-1381811981.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Today would be the first time for Ethan and I to watch a movie in the cinema together. As it was the beginning of school holidays we had 2 movies to choose from: Kung Fu Panda 3 and Zootopia. So Daddy didn't choose, we watched both! Zootopia was excellent and we had so much fun scoffing popcorn together. We are looking forward to show to movie to Talia cos she will love all the animals!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYajhpW8mrdOcIR-pdX66tE0FBSbHBOAtoICXFyZ42CKT_StLLXm7lwrKFVugfkvjm0vCnlonlrbWVFmvKIu-lL-2GdPYO2Swuk0LGRctUJ6uLN6r7pCI83DN40Ype5I2BwLTclg/s640/blogger-image--1788467973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYajhpW8mrdOcIR-pdX66tE0FBSbHBOAtoICXFyZ42CKT_StLLXm7lwrKFVugfkvjm0vCnlonlrbWVFmvKIu-lL-2GdPYO2Swuk0LGRctUJ6uLN6r7pCI83DN40Ype5I2BwLTclg/s640/blogger-image--1788467973.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>In between movies we found a nice Japanese cafe. Still overflowing with happiness and gratitude, I cold not resist buying Ehan a green tea cake while he did his homework. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcPeZ5wC8WQKkDPRzLmG7Jav_nEYtmKElRtD75QH82BtcUzZVsWhTl332q8gY6E1mu6Z7LDrZgNM8dxMVAmZzEQj-i_6VMgAim4IrqmjzugacA-L-j2FFRJo-7ffT7qvY8X2t0w/s640/blogger-image-959995028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcPeZ5wC8WQKkDPRzLmG7Jav_nEYtmKElRtD75QH82BtcUzZVsWhTl332q8gY6E1mu6Z7LDrZgNM8dxMVAmZzEQj-i_6VMgAim4IrqmjzugacA-L-j2FFRJo-7ffT7qvY8X2t0w/s640/blogger-image-959995028.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, across the Causeway the girls were having fun at a Cat's Cafe!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrQaxbSCIOJYxdaVeFajTwcN87taW5yaMABIhHHbe-9SYeZ95hOXmRGH5z7fxfWAPLTMv18PJ7WZG4Kd0n9qvbX-KHzWQ5q2qzvQwR8QFzD8j7DsTZVibHmVQ9JCKiO30PzExVA/s640/blogger-image--129544523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrQaxbSCIOJYxdaVeFajTwcN87taW5yaMABIhHHbe-9SYeZ95hOXmRGH5z7fxfWAPLTMv18PJ7WZG4Kd0n9qvbX-KHzWQ5q2qzvQwR8QFzD8j7DsTZVibHmVQ9JCKiO30PzExVA/s640/blogger-image--129544523.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Us boys preferred trains and nasi lemak! Well, we also bought 2 pairs of jeans for Ethan and snacks for the trip. The 5pm train was delayed for a long time. In fact it only left at 8pm, but I didn't mind because I was just so happy to be able to ride it! Ethan said maybe I prayed for the wrong train to be late! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GUzax4QWE4L6jcRiKSI8oK8xk5t2Fzhr5dDpE1bc_jsjg-MlCJRatLHBSGORa3mdZ0or9F-k7V8N67OlyN2CMzkBA0iyZ1p4ErmYLFCA-XmH4yc0t0JidYWN8UoG7KAJ1pB7KQ/s640/blogger-image-808811504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GUzax4QWE4L6jcRiKSI8oK8xk5t2Fzhr5dDpE1bc_jsjg-MlCJRatLHBSGORa3mdZ0or9F-k7V8N67OlyN2CMzkBA0iyZ1p4ErmYLFCA-XmH4yc0t0JidYWN8UoG7KAJ1pB7KQ/s640/blogger-image-808811504.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Finally, we were allowed to board! This was the first time Daddy used my trailer on a train trip cos we were carrying lots of stuff for the missions trip to Thailand!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tOTrKzPdm5v3PvBWp5KKLZXbONkr10CuE_KuCRtnia6QOIJSp0fSIZz8ITKN2Qgrdzluo9aQyQAxrSNZREDL_W-IoGuGXcaBxADn0emtvyGPoptnsy1ZQuRJtJVdriJlXGwpMw/s640/blogger-image--752573210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tOTrKzPdm5v3PvBWp5KKLZXbONkr10CuE_KuCRtnia6QOIJSp0fSIZz8ITKN2Qgrdzluo9aQyQAxrSNZREDL_W-IoGuGXcaBxADn0emtvyGPoptnsy1ZQuRJtJVdriJlXGwpMw/s640/blogger-image--752573210.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We settled into our beds and unpacked our drinks and nasi lemak. Ethan always look forwards to nasi lemak on the train! This time I had bought a "branded meal" as the restaurant was the only place I could find nasi lemak! But the packaging and quality was excellent, making it worth every ringgit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We bedded down for the night, supremely thankful to God for our trip. My Hotlink SIM card was working excellently so I messaged the girls and kept them updated. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIU6LZQt9vnOrj6KWQV0ZJlWttkR3R_Xcjm7lRdJMDspa41SMsBh0Cz6pnZiOWngz7JEWHcvcbyTleYCT3LIoKdvsNHIqa0kybfHtX2LUjc7i3w77Lng_eQqXilv-dno3sYDHdQ/s640/blogger-image-353401467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIU6LZQt9vnOrj6KWQV0ZJlWttkR3R_Xcjm7lRdJMDspa41SMsBh0Cz6pnZiOWngz7JEWHcvcbyTleYCT3LIoKdvsNHIqa0kybfHtX2LUjc7i3w77Lng_eQqXilv-dno3sYDHdQ/s640/blogger-image-353401467.jpg"></a></div><br></div>The next morning we got up early. Ethan was elated to still have more than 6 hours on the train even after waking up! We visited the restaurant car to enjoy coffee, Milo and the buns we bought the night before. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuLsrzg1iZOG4dY5GIwYFXUaaUlirwITm7RqNOP0ImnKwyYBmjZUoufotpb_AZtcQiO-Zl2GHOC8CdLuNKMvCmH5qvHptDIAatpPfmenZzBeD93AAsAjgLGF6irttFqRhis34BA/s640/blogger-image--1059144075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuLsrzg1iZOG4dY5GIwYFXUaaUlirwITm7RqNOP0ImnKwyYBmjZUoufotpb_AZtcQiO-Zl2GHOC8CdLuNKMvCmH5qvHptDIAatpPfmenZzBeD93AAsAjgLGF6irttFqRhis34BA/s640/blogger-image--1059144075.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Ethan is so happy on a long distance train, doubly happy on a night train, and quadruply happy to be with Daddy. I had also planned to tell him something special, so we went back to our beds after breakfast and closed the curtains for some privacy. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCk9O-3sbaQUYoG-I-IOEtUeb8N17qKOewBq5QvRq8jGfRYT_-6v-NdCqMW6TD_DgbygbwSc3w5X2udLksz0yNuOwZ8J4B1VO2vBSSdSG969iUWBZ7dZSeQXCUxnAhSeXEG8efw/s640/blogger-image-625822735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCk9O-3sbaQUYoG-I-IOEtUeb8N17qKOewBq5QvRq8jGfRYT_-6v-NdCqMW6TD_DgbygbwSc3w5X2udLksz0yNuOwZ8J4B1VO2vBSSdSG969iUWBZ7dZSeQXCUxnAhSeXEG8efw/s640/blogger-image-625822735.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Ethan had asked me some months ago for further details about where babies come from. "But how do they get into the mummy's tummy?" he queried. I had always wanted to be the first one to tell him, not read it in a book or from school, or from a giggling older boy. So I told him about a boys and girls private parts, how babies are made, and how God designed sex this way for when we get married! He was stunned! His reaction was similar to last year when he found out that Mummy and Daddy were both the tooth fairy and Santa Claus!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFScBuetG_wMJyHviVhk8qQyP-uFY3U3esJHs3KC_8YnpoXsf9Nh7S4pxIYYTyQ_Xk9cj2UWjYDzAuNZvbc_Upsq2Z2MbGLiqgaf59YBE91XJExEPN0C8tU61Ev2un6SVVH8W0w/s640/blogger-image--2129443549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFScBuetG_wMJyHviVhk8qQyP-uFY3U3esJHs3KC_8YnpoXsf9Nh7S4pxIYYTyQ_Xk9cj2UWjYDzAuNZvbc_Upsq2Z2MbGLiqgaf59YBE91XJExEPN0C8tU61Ev2un6SVVH8W0w/s640/blogger-image--2129443549.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He did say that he thought the news was "a little disgusting" because though Daddy told him he would like girls one day, he doesn't like them yet! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsUhyphenhyphenfmftuzBh_PC2gpifd41kuKr9oo1CqGfsmFy3EvRFFftbVCeQRVP4lRhuzJRGY1uaRaXiReFYnTUqw-bGIFFqrun4N9diM4x-cLRezeyhqCHpUa_0GEbPS2xfTicbcEmCyw/s640/blogger-image--368494004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsUhyphenhyphenfmftuzBh_PC2gpifd41kuKr9oo1CqGfsmFy3EvRFFftbVCeQRVP4lRhuzJRGY1uaRaXiReFYnTUqw-bGIFFqrun4N9diM4x-cLRezeyhqCHpUa_0GEbPS2xfTicbcEmCyw/s640/blogger-image--368494004.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Ethan settled into his travelling bed and made himself comfortable. He loves watching the views, and now reading his Kindle. I loaded a few "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books on it which he enjoys immensely. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xPYGRToI6l9O5ngfHgPtIh7_PjHwC2byGW4XLbygaGkneDeV54CtLFJoJ0CAkZ73QC_Uie2YvIKFOnG1hfD_2YzLgfG7HASIvyHx3Q9F3-oJjzyVBUvwOaN9vHlSO5hyphenhyphenPA3Bzg/s640/blogger-image--1527595680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xPYGRToI6l9O5ngfHgPtIh7_PjHwC2byGW4XLbygaGkneDeV54CtLFJoJ0CAkZ73QC_Uie2YvIKFOnG1hfD_2YzLgfG7HASIvyHx3Q9F3-oJjzyVBUvwOaN9vHlSO5hyphenhyphenPA3Bzg/s640/blogger-image--1527595680.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Watching him take in the views, enjoy the train, and seeing that precious smile spread across his face is all the reward I need to begin planning the next trip with Ethan even before this one is over. He is old enough now to turn to me every now and then, clasp me in a warm hug and say, "Thank you for bringing me on this trip Daddy."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKAK1WQMEYfPX-oA-ZZ-vDuHbEXS_jTaTQxQ3yeWg6sRmFzYxDDOeQylHhl8EV65Z0lCFQbqu5j9c70IG4U2MSdPWc1V1z359ZHlthjj3t28c207Tgl96KMF-GsW30QRBiNeqHA/s640/blogger-image--651568580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKAK1WQMEYfPX-oA-ZZ-vDuHbEXS_jTaTQxQ3yeWg6sRmFzYxDDOeQylHhl8EV65Z0lCFQbqu5j9c70IG4U2MSdPWc1V1z359ZHlthjj3t28c207Tgl96KMF-GsW30QRBiNeqHA/s640/blogger-image--651568580.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Snacks are of course a wonderful part of any train journey! Mummy had packed delicious rice crackers and green tea Pocky for her boys. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeYRF8bOKCtA4j-XXF8doH0oAXDYaD4WD0OD3vaQRRp6TklxI-YSghDzObCuwhAIOD-0pXPTWYNLpLyRDKrEo6Fq-KOzWV-GmxJUVPoRt9I8ZDtd8-IUObhk2p7r34iofMYYXvA/s640/blogger-image--628908164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeYRF8bOKCtA4j-XXF8doH0oAXDYaD4WD0OD3vaQRRp6TklxI-YSghDzObCuwhAIOD-0pXPTWYNLpLyRDKrEo6Fq-KOzWV-GmxJUVPoRt9I8ZDtd8-IUObhk2p7r34iofMYYXvA/s640/blogger-image--628908164.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We finally arrived at the border town of Padang Besar. We didn't know what to expect as this was our first time crossing the Malaysia-Thailand border over land. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaRIdBq54Ou2bpMwQDctZDvECYBifDdYW01vCxbfz5wb-26ATWacs547Wm7sVriQioH5Ln50jD0aql_gWxlOsAgmJ8SbmDe5s4qdkiM-KYCtCLKgkq6h2owZcTxRhVOneVBc8AQ/s640/blogger-image--57318846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaRIdBq54Ou2bpMwQDctZDvECYBifDdYW01vCxbfz5wb-26ATWacs547Wm7sVriQioH5Ln50jD0aql_gWxlOsAgmJ8SbmDe5s4qdkiM-KYCtCLKgkq6h2owZcTxRhVOneVBc8AQ/s640/blogger-image--57318846.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We saw many interesting trains, Thai carriages and engines. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-rrNH2uH149puG31ituAGdJlyDhLzEJ3EpGLzsoy0a79ZwPoakNDDMjpuYFwQQdd4NBz-us5MZuR-uuN42NBMx7zFTaABpBCVTnPLPFpMnQD3ucxyupo7U-c-5PKBE3O3Fhh1g/s640/blogger-image--1169503111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-rrNH2uH149puG31ituAGdJlyDhLzEJ3EpGLzsoy0a79ZwPoakNDDMjpuYFwQQdd4NBz-us5MZuR-uuN42NBMx7zFTaABpBCVTnPLPFpMnQD3ucxyupo7U-c-5PKBE3O3Fhh1g/s640/blogger-image--1169503111.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>We left our luggage on the KTM car and took our passports and valuables for immigration clearance. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SC688WnQoZlUMqx1G-ZTIoYbm6Xg83qnQWbtV9LQKeZk6cljB07eOgCKpmMQId7wDLieqZbXi4WYsYGuZGmlg4bI4ed3BVZyzvsRYBRuG_F_cUYKYlWW659P7d4cu1w_mhqIvw/s640/blogger-image--381541135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SC688WnQoZlUMqx1G-ZTIoYbm6Xg83qnQWbtV9LQKeZk6cljB07eOgCKpmMQId7wDLieqZbXi4WYsYGuZGmlg4bI4ed3BVZyzvsRYBRuG_F_cUYKYlWW659P7d4cu1w_mhqIvw/s640/blogger-image--381541135.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The train trundled off to refuel while we stood in line first for Malaysia immigration then for Thai immigration, all in the same building on the Malaysia side of the border. It was very convenient!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvHxY-62z6abU4kTyxo-bF6siEpObR3OGlSdWqTeYM7FS_TRYVjwGjHHAZdjG_mtARhVZCqZNqXNlBDqAq1kGr8ZD8Hk16yNgrzOmuwqV8HDGDA8iDdCxIgqppgF0_yDTAtbrrA/s640/blogger-image-301941802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvHxY-62z6abU4kTyxo-bF6siEpObR3OGlSdWqTeYM7FS_TRYVjwGjHHAZdjG_mtARhVZCqZNqXNlBDqAq1kGr8ZD8Hk16yNgrzOmuwqV8HDGDA8iDdCxIgqppgF0_yDTAtbrrA/s640/blogger-image-301941802.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I taught Ethan how to fill up his Thailand immigration form, then the friendly staffed informed us that the train would take 30min to come back and there was a cafe upstairs where we we could get a drink. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5QUFZZLDAiSXlvwvOAbyF23VtyEFC3MmWchTXFDtZF4LWuT0JS6v8eQUM5TD0sYAHCleWrYxEkpQeEeA4DbvtNr_1EJv7VYScUb8qMsXZ7sbbAT_pWcB-YLKeNZKLDRnSDdTpg/s640/blogger-image--351645225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5QUFZZLDAiSXlvwvOAbyF23VtyEFC3MmWchTXFDtZF4LWuT0JS6v8eQUM5TD0sYAHCleWrYxEkpQeEeA4DbvtNr_1EJv7VYScUb8qMsXZ7sbbAT_pWcB-YLKeNZKLDRnSDdTpg/s640/blogger-image--351645225.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Daddy had an excellent tea and we shared some delicious french fries. These really hit the spot and kept us happy while we excitedly waited for our train to return. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-l0RrPBu_LSuYnc-LNwc4QId9tOOyjp5xabEn0ubrRMGN_erzdOyRgYIEJfuCsWR_rqRO1AWvLmVO4psygVK9HuAqhGgCEJq77sEFd8cvvR9Uo4e-9M7IbZ95ZcEyAesQoRIfw/s640/blogger-image-1146478526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-l0RrPBu_LSuYnc-LNwc4QId9tOOyjp5xabEn0ubrRMGN_erzdOyRgYIEJfuCsWR_rqRO1AWvLmVO4psygVK9HuAqhGgCEJq77sEFd8cvvR9Uo4e-9M7IbZ95ZcEyAesQoRIfw/s640/blogger-image-1146478526.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>There wasn't a whole lot of people crossing the border on the train. In fact when the train came back it only retained one seating car and one sleeping car. The rest of the cars would not go into Thailand. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Yke5UKEKGjOGIMzbadFmId-f0IhCzn1szz8w0owhFBhpdxKyMHTdM5XcrScHxMFiR1M6RlF1sk-cL6fS_rpNEWsn9T-r5LV-7oBFDPWNUOw1esAA5s9RTUN8IqLFBuZcjJEYFw/s640/blogger-image-1283358667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Yke5UKEKGjOGIMzbadFmId-f0IhCzn1szz8w0owhFBhpdxKyMHTdM5XcrScHxMFiR1M6RlF1sk-cL6fS_rpNEWsn9T-r5LV-7oBFDPWNUOw1esAA5s9RTUN8IqLFBuZcjJEYFw/s640/blogger-image-1283358667.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>We reboarded the train and it quickly left the station. Without fanfare, after the past 20 hours, it smoothly crossed the invisible border and all street signs morphed into Thai. It would be another hour until we arrived in Hat Yai so Ethan cuddled into his bed to enjoy it for a few more precious minutes. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA8Jxak9yV-jMxO-N8S6PqXQ3GOO5byAUGdYgNOikKyiiJ4spuQjGloLg1DNZ6V5HOQiXIh6BTwj8v3p5TJMgG5Kc1VI0XTpCkY7R_62D5xYX0szRJ5rQrU9BqkMb_q-avv43JA/s640/blogger-image-1843278507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA8Jxak9yV-jMxO-N8S6PqXQ3GOO5byAUGdYgNOikKyiiJ4spuQjGloLg1DNZ6V5HOQiXIh6BTwj8v3p5TJMgG5Kc1VI0XTpCkY7R_62D5xYX0szRJ5rQrU9BqkMb_q-avv43JA/s640/blogger-image-1843278507.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Finally we made it! As always, Ethan was excited to arrive but not sick of the long train ride. "Was it too long for you Ethan?" I ask playfully. "Of course not Daddy!" he laughs. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_zg8NOXDDj9ZNSDmm0SBl9wfgUYQz_wF6GcA-M3kvqKgCdS-i_jilM8VsiKYbIaCgAr4wb5CNnHRSIP72H_fjCJhEl0JkU0P_AtCXyuNpaawtQcMMTm3HYiVYRbd29VeTarOgw/s640/blogger-image-511726821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_zg8NOXDDj9ZNSDmm0SBl9wfgUYQz_wF6GcA-M3kvqKgCdS-i_jilM8VsiKYbIaCgAr4wb5CNnHRSIP72H_fjCJhEl0JkU0P_AtCXyuNpaawtQcMMTm3HYiVYRbd29VeTarOgw/s640/blogger-image-511726821.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We crossed a few tracks and snapped a few pictures. Train buffs always take pictures before getting on and after getting off their train!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoO1janPVk-sF7twN3DDdazWeCTaOjI33Zxx9QdqwnZ5-9sP18KTWfthM2M1h3FKyp4N0iqcrn40bI-2TPzgqKZfBzdQ00ZnIl4Vs7tIqAZXXMZOd4DlMmRO0XHpQWiBLO0BQplg/s640/blogger-image-1726863943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoO1janPVk-sF7twN3DDdazWeCTaOjI33Zxx9QdqwnZ5-9sP18KTWfthM2M1h3FKyp4N0iqcrn40bI-2TPzgqKZfBzdQ00ZnIl4Vs7tIqAZXXMZOd4DlMmRO0XHpQWiBLO0BQplg/s640/blogger-image-1726863943.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Hat Yai station was very nice and much less hectic than Bangkok! The time table here showed the next night trains running to Bangkok and on to Chiang Mai. Ethan gleefully wanted to take that the next time! </div><div><br></div><div>Connected to the station was "The Train Hotel" where you could stay the night if you were transferring to another train soon. Guess who wanted to stay there? They conveniently sold 299THB data and mobile phone SIMs which got me connected immediately. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdDA_G1DPU-seUzlUxUV0zu5rkDNGtvkZfZYyivg_CMz5fc95g_3wVZ3LWt8TysR7o79-AFVGsTXVBOcSf8LCqHtesNYCPsM-7dmj4sI-hFqb6LIgssesDEZxA45bACjgk7QLEg/s640/blogger-image-1882146384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdDA_G1DPU-seUzlUxUV0zu5rkDNGtvkZfZYyivg_CMz5fc95g_3wVZ3LWt8TysR7o79-AFVGsTXVBOcSf8LCqHtesNYCPsM-7dmj4sI-hFqb6LIgssesDEZxA45bACjgk7QLEg/s640/blogger-image-1882146384.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Just outside the train station was the cutest little train engine on display. Ethan stared at it for an eternity while I got my bearings. We began walking to our hotel, bypassing all the Tuk Tuk touts. I was so pleased with my superb Burley Travoy trailer!</div><div><br></div><div>We checked into the hotel that I am so familiar with, and basked in the cool aircon and comfortable bed. Ethan enjoyed a relaxed poo (and read his Kindle) while I went back outside to buy lunch to eat in our hotel room. The big windows on the 14th floor displayed an unbroken view of Hat Yai. "Daddy look! You can see the train station from here." </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnheez4-yrmxvQEjedEShZZwOvGmmEiipFBcy5LqHm8ELdK7ttD63-K_yHS64EGU1IVBBHeBVeX16QsRQKBFeYReMsandezA4TZVEL_qSgCXyXD9qh4zjgWUmN0Bl4wigdkoYclA/s640/blogger-image--977305215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnheez4-yrmxvQEjedEShZZwOvGmmEiipFBcy5LqHm8ELdK7ttD63-K_yHS64EGU1IVBBHeBVeX16QsRQKBFeYReMsandezA4TZVEL_qSgCXyXD9qh4zjgWUmN0Bl4wigdkoYclA/s640/blogger-image--977305215.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Sometime in the quiet of the night that week, a train horn would sound in<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> the faint distance. A </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">little boy would spring from his bed and clamour to the window. His dreams are filled with the next train adventure with his Dad, and his Daddy's dreams are filled with thankful memories with his son. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsImp715BsYUbhkSmPiAh5IrWkvkAw9eTmluFWJPepXTpe3NlcMXvgiyOKeoKdxEd6bfFK4SLjCbNU1kEn7Op6A1ooD8eGCBQ0HaZpyv16Ho8XXkvCEWOO6-hQ4mE7ahrBUbp0NA/s640/blogger-image--202813572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsImp715BsYUbhkSmPiAh5IrWkvkAw9eTmluFWJPepXTpe3NlcMXvgiyOKeoKdxEd6bfFK4SLjCbNU1kEn7Op6A1ooD8eGCBQ0HaZpyv16Ho8XXkvCEWOO6-hQ4mE7ahrBUbp0NA/s640/blogger-image--202813572.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>Ivan Liewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524911871558672785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-19572101322305430032016-03-25T16:08:00.001+08:002016-03-25T21:51:57.899+08:00Grace and a Missed TrainTwo weeks ago<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Ethan and I had a grand adventure like this. We were going to take an early morning KTM train from Johor all the way to Thailand for the Sawa mission trip, but we were late! We ran through the Singapore checkpoint, sat nervously on a bus in a Causeway traffic jam, waited in a long queue of people at immigration, and ran to the train platform in Johor. We were supposed to meet the rest of the missions team the next day in Thailand, and if we missed the train we were in trouble. Both of us were very worried but we prayed to God and said, Jesus please help us! Make something wrong with the train so it won’t leave on time! If we miss the train, please show us some other way!</span><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJr4iwF2OXqFVNcdnyr7dsj5_6uUX6hS26dF7pGhf6Mpo7IdnpO0jy1w_qUJab_xCCpkJEU8fhbnLy_zCsttjlY6IhPzavKphdDf01zs3rTN2qYRvApklqNrNPblu8pDM0kfbLaA/s640/blogger-image--1726372977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJr4iwF2OXqFVNcdnyr7dsj5_6uUX6hS26dF7pGhf6Mpo7IdnpO0jy1w_qUJab_xCCpkJEU8fhbnLy_zCsttjlY6IhPzavKphdDf01zs3rTN2qYRvApklqNrNPblu8pDM0kfbLaA/s640/blogger-image--1726372977.jpg"></a></div></div></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font><div>We ran panting and sweaty and arrived at the station, but they said – the train left 10 minutes ago! We were so sad. I went to the ticket counter to ask about the 5pm train. “Is there any seats on the night train to Thailand tonight? I knew that this was impossible. Because I had been checking weeks ago and all the tickets for the night train had been booked long ago. They are the most popular and always sell out first. But I just asked anyway and the lady said, “Two of you? This is your lucky day we have two sleeping beds on the night train available!” “Yes, I’ll take it I said. But how is this possible I asked her?” She said, “I don’t know. Someone must have cancelled their tickets at the last minute!”</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BWVkP1D-rZg7wu60VsedHIjFjFIM0oRrLSd3eEyK3V9T28sOQpFGWyWEL7PuAyoOKFBn_FOFToZXdEuZ73YWcAzrP7seOnFIKEhJh145fqRNDf93fCKTKvFIFDOMsLvr87fvKA/s640/blogger-image-774358687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BWVkP1D-rZg7wu60VsedHIjFjFIM0oRrLSd3eEyK3V9T28sOQpFGWyWEL7PuAyoOKFBn_FOFToZXdEuZ73YWcAzrP7seOnFIKEhJh145fqRNDf93fCKTKvFIFDOMsLvr87fvKA/s640/blogger-image-774358687.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>I bought the tickets and collapsed in the chair. We were going to be okay! We were saved from the mess we were in. For a long time we thanked God, and I told Ethan: “This is grace son. We don’t deserve the tickets on the night train. It was our fault that we missed the morning train, and there would be no way to ever get tickets on the night train – except that we did! And the people who decided not to go were kind enough to release their tickets. God gave these tickets to us. He didn’t have to, but he did!” </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7K01TeYvWRPfwnGqEGiHy3EZn0GOb10JGhHCsbc5wtFj5OE0Uz9pqxlM3MeFyb5q7zyXUmXn-P6jRG6D5In-5p_1uy-BJAReh6Y_77IQ4Bd01azHKw2k4VbJcqdFzY6-Y_UJMw/s640/blogger-image-101496744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7K01TeYvWRPfwnGqEGiHy3EZn0GOb10JGhHCsbc5wtFj5OE0Uz9pqxlM3MeFyb5q7zyXUmXn-P6jRG6D5In-5p_1uy-BJAReh6Y_77IQ4Bd01azHKw2k4VbJcqdFzY6-Y_UJMw/s640/blogger-image-101496744.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div></div><div><div>Getting to a point of humility and receiving God’s grace can be a painful process. When I was late for that early morning train, running across the Causeway and looking at my watch there came a moment where I knew we were definitely going to be late and would in all probability miss our train. I had a little boy to take care of. I was hot and sweaty. I was frustrated and angry. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It’s much easier to be angry at someone else rather than yourself! It’s always easiest to put the blame on those closest to us. So in my head I was struggling with putting blame on my wife! “If we had left the house a little faster, if she had been quicker etc. etc.” I was battling with these thoughts in my head because a part of me wanted to blame her, but another part knew it was neither right nor helpful to do so!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>After some struggle I resolved it in my head. This was while Ethan and I were stuck in a bus in a traffic jam on the Causeway. I turned to him and said, “I am sorry Ethan, we may miss the train. It’s daddy’s fault. But we’re still together so let’s be thankful for that and let’s trust God for whatever happens.” There’s something healing and peaceful about settling in your heart that you will truly take responsibility for what is going wrong. The problem doesn’t go away, but you accept whatever happens and you are at peace. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBbesp2yRjQyXlbiLtKo-G3cLtNYQ7gKvXNWbyx-bHg5av7fTpSl5I_FJ2bKEcs1BTx_eO73YxJzjoEFlEi-9kv9Uxwsr_C37G8t8kTEYzdHnFuh2lECkbHSsGNbhb1kik7Dr0Q/s640/blogger-image--1537335896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBbesp2yRjQyXlbiLtKo-G3cLtNYQ7gKvXNWbyx-bHg5av7fTpSl5I_FJ2bKEcs1BTx_eO73YxJzjoEFlEi-9kv9Uxwsr_C37G8t8kTEYzdHnFuh2lECkbHSsGNbhb1kik7Dr0Q/s640/blogger-image--1537335896.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Jesus saved us! He showered us with abundant grace! That night, Ethan was in paradise, because for him, paradise is a bed on an overnight sleeper train with his Dad, on a ride that lasts for 20 hours! And that noisy, bumpy KTM train ride was better than any Shinkansen because we didn’t deserve it, but God gave us exactly what we needed.</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Ivan Liewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524911871558672785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-17644330146175491452014-10-07T17:40:00.001+08:002014-10-07T17:40:58.662+08:00Daddy Daughter Date - Overnight!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You A few weeks ago I suddenly realized that Talia has not yet had an overnight date with her dad. Determined to rectify this, I planned a one night hotel stay at Thistle JB. Later, I remembered this was the site of Ethan's first overnight stay with me too! At that time he was just 3 years old. Talia kept saying she was so excited leading up to the trip, and Ethan kept saying he was going to miss Daddy so much!</span></div><div><br></div><div>We decided to take the bus instead of driving so hopped onto the TS8 from Outram MRT at 10.10am. Talia has picked out nice dresses to wear with Daddy so I made sure I had a nice shirt too!<br><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9aieE0UqppMLQFfCTYlps8MYSw7-W3H_hUO2K59HhnHqpeqskOYlN_oXeYpXeDlEYWm6xSCke7KPEjxdQ_SGp-XM_7mSG21gkkqZ4lsAlDbbwYPiKHBd-a841xzkO7nYDfAmxw/s640/blogger-image--771237356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9aieE0UqppMLQFfCTYlps8MYSw7-W3H_hUO2K59HhnHqpeqskOYlN_oXeYpXeDlEYWm6xSCke7KPEjxdQ_SGp-XM_7mSG21gkkqZ4lsAlDbbwYPiKHBd-a841xzkO7nYDfAmxw/s640/blogger-image--771237356.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Crossing into Malaysia, the immigration officials stamped Talia's passport and asked, "First time?" Well not quite since Talia has crossed via the KTM a few times but this was her first time via the road route. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We found a nice restaurant to eat in City Square that served ramen. They had a cute kids tray and Talia loved it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyx2kJFyCSEj2_zSK0TAXaj09ypWSFglrvBdjFiqwdsCA6RWPDaWmRfhvBhQWFYfgDnlyEbkDyVV_A6C0eHhpK1FpwVIy6gSRHt8n1HewqXPzXTTSpk0hYHUJ1ZMehWiMSdEGjA/s640/blogger-image--1266430380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyx2kJFyCSEj2_zSK0TAXaj09ypWSFglrvBdjFiqwdsCA6RWPDaWmRfhvBhQWFYfgDnlyEbkDyVV_A6C0eHhpK1FpwVIy6gSRHt8n1HewqXPzXTTSpk0hYHUJ1ZMehWiMSdEGjA/s640/blogger-image--1266430380.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I told her that it may not be as good as the ramen we usually go to at home, but it was quite passable and Talia certainly enjoyed it. "You said it may not be good Dad, but it was good!" She beamed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After buying an Auntie Anne's pretzel we took a taxi to Thistle, arriving at about 12.30pm so our room wasn't ready yet. We went straight to the pool where we Had a great time swimming. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w8DyhmMwIlPB-FnJQXNmcJcqY2iNL4pbHSiYBAXhQv7VBGOdmn03dh6onykMY5xwIR3uZhloSfDx3soGrCTlk2l6eCCqzWRQPrwhKGpHV7S6lzCZHrQSEfqGPR8VlWihkyM1Lw/s640/blogger-image-736331145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w8DyhmMwIlPB-FnJQXNmcJcqY2iNL4pbHSiYBAXhQv7VBGOdmn03dh6onykMY5xwIR3uZhloSfDx3soGrCTlk2l6eCCqzWRQPrwhKGpHV7S6lzCZHrQSEfqGPR8VlWihkyM1Lw/s640/blogger-image-736331145.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Soon it got a little cold so we dried off and cuddles together on the deck chairs with the thick fluffy towels as blankets. The breeze caressed us and I hugged my daughter. It was turning out to be a fantastic daddy daughter date. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After while we went to shower and change, and discovered a large hot jacuzzi bubbling in the change area. "What's that Daddy?" Knowing she was familiar wih Japan I replied, "It's an onsen, sweetie!" And she put her swimming costume back in gingerly tried it out. She discovered that putting her feet in the cold water first helped her get into the hot water. Soo. She was seimming around the 35 deg water. "This is so nice Daddy!" She kept saying. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We got our room keys, had a shower then had a long nap. The travel, swim and hot bath really sapped Talia's energy cos she slept 3 hours until 6pm!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45j8W9v65qbHMPxCtbBotktfijv1COpQtUNRgEzp4DZejTrPnMdMX7fLosiz5fyLFXlHwnPbV6Fu3KM7ICGBqWfin0f2ptEsiqIqo5qCFSnOxE7v3-WBCLSwGW44wGkzg9ax4Ew/s640/blogger-image-1054603875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45j8W9v65qbHMPxCtbBotktfijv1COpQtUNRgEzp4DZejTrPnMdMX7fLosiz5fyLFXlHwnPbV6Fu3KM7ICGBqWfin0f2ptEsiqIqo5qCFSnOxE7v3-WBCLSwGW44wGkzg9ax4Ew/s640/blogger-image-1054603875.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We got changed and walked out to dinner. Talia was wearing her colourful halter neck dress which she had kept aside months earlier for a date with daddy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Spending time alone with your daughter is quite different than with your son! Talia likes pretty things and appreciates nice surroundings. Ethan likes creature comforts too, but activities like cycling, exploring on trains and the outdoors are really his thing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJN7z0kDvVfg3lNMiatbocShPx0shM89vLte3EKRkJ1X3AkOI5_j_nBKO4Dzs4Nqbaifc8ceAI7a8DP8vXJyWWOEyBInp4aUWLS4Yub15QK8avFviSIgmUgNVVkq_RUab1Krw1DA/s640/blogger-image--1388750727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJN7z0kDvVfg3lNMiatbocShPx0shM89vLte3EKRkJ1X3AkOI5_j_nBKO4Dzs4Nqbaifc8ceAI7a8DP8vXJyWWOEyBInp4aUWLS4Yub15QK8avFviSIgmUgNVVkq_RUab1Krw1DA/s640/blogger-image--1388750727.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Talia really enjoyed the dinner. She ordered fish and chips, but when my chicken cordon bleu arrived, she ate almost all of mine. The fish and chips was excellent, so I also ordered calamari which was similarly superb. We topped it off with a lava cake that was really yummy. "I'm so full Daddy!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgHHwJcwT4InaFhQfRak9DjlD16PI1EPxMrVvOKa_w7qiLsKbEEBpLjQ4G6NIx_cj12_cu1GPbganD6dht9oRs3g7IjeOEs3EAgEMAgEZA1sEySMT_wA3E_fPoZYTztdVofLVew/s640/blogger-image-1245261286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgHHwJcwT4InaFhQfRak9DjlD16PI1EPxMrVvOKa_w7qiLsKbEEBpLjQ4G6NIx_cj12_cu1GPbganD6dht9oRs3g7IjeOEs3EAgEMAgEZA1sEySMT_wA3E_fPoZYTztdVofLVew/s640/blogger-image-1245261286.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We washed up and Talia commented, "This restaurant is old but nice Daddy." She has just discovered rustic!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7P7a4FGBdXuInB7BmmJx4_GZvXarEFGml4OcClV1WVh26PZfxso6myb56smhcx0qP86RiZAkA97rta3Iv5fAx4iogbic4zGY0z6meNTWM5m6Kq-Lakp7VnNquEELHJReB4jMng/s640/blogger-image-1194641226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7P7a4FGBdXuInB7BmmJx4_GZvXarEFGml4OcClV1WVh26PZfxso6myb56smhcx0qP86RiZAkA97rta3Iv5fAx4iogbic4zGY0z6meNTWM5m6Kq-Lakp7VnNquEELHJReB4jMng/s640/blogger-image-1194641226.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We were so satiated and tired that we flopped into bed and cuddled each other sleep without the bedtime story! We had a good long sleep, rising before 8am and headed down to breakfast. We were quite the romantic pair! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHsPFasZUlafL4ZiDdO8ON0ZlpheOK3n09I7dIn492vPpgpMyXq9MmT0IhXIg3d36dvehofh_nqAv-YqBeb67reMHYRaEYkWkUbggcTVKd6y6wO0WBjH3rWqVwaYDUU17vCgL5w/s640/blogger-image--1707463426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHsPFasZUlafL4ZiDdO8ON0ZlpheOK3n09I7dIn492vPpgpMyXq9MmT0IhXIg3d36dvehofh_nqAv-YqBeb67reMHYRaEYkWkUbggcTVKd6y6wO0WBjH3rWqVwaYDUU17vCgL5w/s640/blogger-image--1707463426.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Breakfast looked nice, but as is in most Malaysian hotels the breads, pancakes and coffees were all not up to par. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjff7hwcoEvGLA1z3OWXGubZm0cnh0qUxRGj3wjuXgNr8blZ3BDILHsYZ_6mbwy1rldXSaVTjAW5S7hEO7vHm-6tZtoV7Rerp3CYv7CAeAAm3rKQeQp3QwMfi8Dfk8kAhtUizong/s640/blogger-image-2147240646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjff7hwcoEvGLA1z3OWXGubZm0cnh0qUxRGj3wjuXgNr8blZ3BDILHsYZ_6mbwy1rldXSaVTjAW5S7hEO7vHm-6tZtoV7Rerp3CYv7CAeAAm3rKQeQp3QwMfi8Dfk8kAhtUizong/s640/blogger-image-2147240646.jpg"></a></div> </div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Talia appreciated the nice layout though and I did find some ham and hash browns which she enjoyed. The Malay noodles and curries were much better!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPAdXbpWG7z46IfDkGm4YVUyNQiBD8kVQdKFYwWnmlNq1XpMycTHDNZmCRZJNZxi5bbE0tAyB8_FIQexyaoGgmaZf7fbVEhosUzhamXJyglyg1xS14MrVwwT9vQNubGu-n5_bNw/s640/blogger-image--349524019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPAdXbpWG7z46IfDkGm4YVUyNQiBD8kVQdKFYwWnmlNq1XpMycTHDNZmCRZJNZxi5bbE0tAyB8_FIQexyaoGgmaZf7fbVEhosUzhamXJyglyg1xS14MrVwwT9vQNubGu-n5_bNw/s640/blogger-image--349524019.jpg"></a></div><br></div>After her breakfast I thought Talia would want to swi, but she said she was tired again! So much like her mummy! Since it was a holiday, I said we could do whatever she wanted so we crawled back into pajamas and bed and read our Chicken Little book!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6jeSLz5lJK_m9wfox_LE9D4Q1mq3i-rcO7r-uaXz6sLVsNDjxpUrNt23a1JTyT0ck64lZMv2llHYMZtz8GCkTX_BsZXO1NkoN-03f0cLUfhw2JB-L0thruTmLWksOtUdOuztYw/s640/blogger-image-33723588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6jeSLz5lJK_m9wfox_LE9D4Q1mq3i-rcO7r-uaXz6sLVsNDjxpUrNt23a1JTyT0ck64lZMv2llHYMZtz8GCkTX_BsZXO1NkoN-03f0cLUfhw2JB-L0thruTmLWksOtUdOuztYw/s640/blogger-image-33723588.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>Soon she was ready to hit the pool so she donned her date dress again and we were off!</div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3FSawRIasCZgfENFTfqUbJsubQY9ryuxlapntR9CiOF0LQQn2oyZciAehAMDrA5r_tmBhBIk58zut73Hdk7CbfeDkK8dHnFHnRG0p6f1eKWEtlsMSCsVjfchwsvq-oobam6AmA/s640/blogger-image--1300277800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3FSawRIasCZgfENFTfqUbJsubQY9ryuxlapntR9CiOF0LQQn2oyZciAehAMDrA5r_tmBhBIk58zut73Hdk7CbfeDkK8dHnFHnRG0p6f1eKWEtlsMSCsVjfchwsvq-oobam6AmA/s640/blogger-image--1300277800.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The Thistle pool is great for Talia. The only thing that could be better was if the slide area was opened up again. Looks like it's cordoned off permanently though. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnuImJnag2qK-39b_Bv7cYr_z6l-3fZHAu2ZkAtcVpZoFhONX_FqVi-U1TUW0sBUTj6tqo1jLvUWQz9YbuEZ0nW_jPDIKBVa05NXsrNfZuyMcLNtRj_zFDABU1klUiPYu4Sl1Jg/s640/blogger-image--1016538870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnuImJnag2qK-39b_Bv7cYr_z6l-3fZHAu2ZkAtcVpZoFhONX_FqVi-U1TUW0sBUTj6tqo1jLvUWQz9YbuEZ0nW_jPDIKBVa05NXsrNfZuyMcLNtRj_zFDABU1klUiPYu4Sl1Jg/s640/blogger-image--1016538870.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Talia is such a good swimmer it is really easy to be with her and keep her safe poolside. No floaties, no coughs and yells! She sucks and dives and swims around like a fish!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCXzSZF7AouMLG4SNH77gHr5YP482RkRaFmm8toLYqb6Y5LLcEfb5QjddWKdoLGz6UDs-IQmUzNK-qRm7uCFk9MpOkfepPmy3kkGAb40_bPhZ9p3TwlDqNJvOqvpY4YLXTKWCjA/s640/blogger-image--2128191416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCXzSZF7AouMLG4SNH77gHr5YP482RkRaFmm8toLYqb6Y5LLcEfb5QjddWKdoLGz6UDs-IQmUzNK-qRm7uCFk9MpOkfepPmy3kkGAb40_bPhZ9p3TwlDqNJvOqvpY4YLXTKWCjA/s640/blogger-image--2128191416.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once again, we curled up in the warm sun after the cool dip. This was one my favourite parts of the whole trip!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamPnbe_g93nOergnAxJz43OgMOdfLjwuoTcMLIPfj18pROOY3CpV25lYjnUVmCiOsHYiCyqpPUegrKIVm27TedTsoXNZA_9ZFPNgIjokG1GS3GPLX4pTTtcDeNA9nDzl55BanZQ/s640/blogger-image--1946658935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamPnbe_g93nOergnAxJz43OgMOdfLjwuoTcMLIPfj18pROOY3CpV25lYjnUVmCiOsHYiCyqpPUegrKIVm27TedTsoXNZA_9ZFPNgIjokG1GS3GPLX4pTTtcDeNA9nDzl55BanZQ/s640/blogger-image--1946658935.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Words cannot describe it! Daddy-daughter outings are quite different than father-son outings. I think Talia will learn what feeling safe and healthy love from a guy is like from her dad. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp20XG3bRoEunPI9r6l_4Y7V1VjCsLezVopXDPg9NrHbA_Mzsys2PS-ZgLo3cc91aPXpZOSBRMBdZqOT_-W3oKwMDWRWJTVmazfFsmI19fp3rJQGix_q7HFvp0v0xuSr9JGptnQ/s640/blogger-image-1927183238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp20XG3bRoEunPI9r6l_4Y7V1VjCsLezVopXDPg9NrHbA_Mzsys2PS-ZgLo3cc91aPXpZOSBRMBdZqOT_-W3oKwMDWRWJTVmazfFsmI19fp3rJQGix_q7HFvp0v0xuSr9JGptnQ/s640/blogger-image-1927183238.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Soon it was time to go upstairs and bathe before checkout. I drew a nice warm bubble bath for Talia and she loved it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVtU7HpVOKcQwOBvW2stgCWI_8nB-d616z41C396_76JudP9Yd9O76QgevgJa-4CVrW_D9OwaXgRTm3o99IeA9wDMbzWE6f9RLdM-i36VZ3QgAs4R5Ud6VSEAKPmlPhNxQw1q6w/s640/blogger-image-1195572288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVtU7HpVOKcQwOBvW2stgCWI_8nB-d616z41C396_76JudP9Yd9O76QgevgJa-4CVrW_D9OwaXgRTm3o99IeA9wDMbzWE6f9RLdM-i36VZ3QgAs4R5Ud6VSEAKPmlPhNxQw1q6w/s640/blogger-image-1195572288.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">However when she got out Talia said she wasn't feeling very well and cried, "I want mummy!" This plea did not cause panic in me, unlike with Ethan five years ago! Must be my gargantuan experience racking up! Talia had cool water, cool aircon, chocolate cake and felt better. I think she overheated in the bath and also used up all her sugars as it was nearing lunch time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We checked out and took the hotel shuttle to JB City Square where we had lunch and caught the bus back to Singapore. Talia slept on the way, and as promised, Daddy kept her safe!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mMfb5xfSuKR_jfKdYfZO6bFsIAAXWfIj7SvqgayL4Aawrc-Osrlj1aTYNYO04WH70VV3Tgc8to9fKWnmU6cUN2yYqXBOpl7N1kes0p2y7qdCdVjjWSoFTK-M0sVLJXcjEcVPTw/s640/blogger-image--771090297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mMfb5xfSuKR_jfKdYfZO6bFsIAAXWfIj7SvqgayL4Aawrc-Osrlj1aTYNYO04WH70VV3Tgc8to9fKWnmU6cUN2yYqXBOpl7N1kes0p2y7qdCdVjjWSoFTK-M0sVLJXcjEcVPTw/s640/blogger-image--771090297.jpg"></a></div><br></div>We were home at around 4pm (could have been shorter but we missed the 2pm TS8 as this was the first time i used it in the return journey). Ethan squealed in delight that we were home. I got a huge bear hug from him am while Mummy got an equally long and passionate hug from Talia!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJTt6svK_ffYR1NX4kB7Moam_Iy2W6t_DtetVzozhQKl4Se3fhX1h4uxyOZSGU0PVVTaNvhSW-PEn7sKuKEREAmJmnhP_TFI99LPjEqnVNMGJaM2QD60BQE8Yaib81pcKaIDNUg/s640/blogger-image--1960460115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJTt6svK_ffYR1NX4kB7Moam_Iy2W6t_DtetVzozhQKl4Se3fhX1h4uxyOZSGU0PVVTaNvhSW-PEn7sKuKEREAmJmnhP_TFI99LPjEqnVNMGJaM2QD60BQE8Yaib81pcKaIDNUg/s640/blogger-image--1960460115.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Later I took them downstairs scootering. Talia zipped up to me while o was writing this blog entry. "Daddy can I tell you something?" I put the iPhone down. "I really love you so much," she said. We hugged and I told her I was so glad that we had this date. She chuckled, "The bed was so comfy!" Next time we will bring Ethan and Mummy along with us!</div></div>Ivan Liewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524911871558672785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-10672027097200036862014-09-03T20:15:00.001+08:002014-09-04T00:26:43.389+08:00Money Not Enough<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A pile of four $2 bills stared up at me from the dining table. They far exceeded Ethan's daily pocket money, so how did a 7 year old boy come by this windfall? We asked him the following day, and were thankful that Ethan immediately confessed to taking $10 from Mummy's purse. He offered full restitution, paying it all back from his savings, because he knew that taking the money without asking was wrong.*</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEl7BPaPWLlDczyTYuvcskCU9dcIv3ec9b7bPB7MyGBK-LS8zPXid07e8pg8u7_MqfgndDtKeRwxFI8FZagpKoeg0MeSIcOCNuiZDUjAMWmBfPM0dgITJdptXxg6GlTBvjmRm5A/s640/blogger-image-1732713663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEl7BPaPWLlDczyTYuvcskCU9dcIv3ec9b7bPB7MyGBK-LS8zPXid07e8pg8u7_MqfgndDtKeRwxFI8FZagpKoeg0MeSIcOCNuiZDUjAMWmBfPM0dgITJdptXxg6GlTBvjmRm5A/s640/blogger-image-1732713663.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>After dinner, I told him that I was proud that he was honest, but I also wanted to understand more. "Ethan, why did you take the money?" His answer surprised me: "All my friends get more money than I do. I only get $1.50,” he said softly. “Brian gets $2, James gets $2.50 and Mark says he gets $4,” he exclaimed. “It’s true. He showed us and he really had $4!” Ethan got increasingly animated as the amounts escalated. For a moment, I was stunned as this was the first time Ethan had ever expressed such comparisons and I was not expecting this conversation so early in life. You see, Ethan attends ACS Primary, so I knew these economic comparisons would be a part of life. </div><div><br></div><div>While I rummaged through my mind to figure out what to say, I attempted the explanation that there are many children in the world who have less than us. Ethan saw through this lack of relevance immediately: “But Dad, that’s not what is happening in my class!” No wool can be pulled over these 7 year old eyes, so I took a deep breath and gave more of the truth. “Son, you know Daddy’s a pastor right? God gives us more than enough for our needs, but the fathers of most of the boys in your school earn more money than I do. When Daddy decided to become as pastor, I knew that I would earn less money. But that’s okay because I wanted to obey God, and He will give us all we need.”</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpUv0YoQOXjfBXYEmyVyxK83tUfdtPmeBg3K2oMutBnckvT3cdXan9SyMS2CWiui8AKJW1ZJUDWFeGnOP2nBCgPYF6CvnMXDvC2nhqvJ4_9ca2bxEQH05LkyiKogXOxktE9yb4A/s640/blogger-image--807603366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpUv0YoQOXjfBXYEmyVyxK83tUfdtPmeBg3K2oMutBnckvT3cdXan9SyMS2CWiui8AKJW1ZJUDWFeGnOP2nBCgPYF6CvnMXDvC2nhqvJ4_9ca2bxEQH05LkyiKogXOxktE9yb4A/s640/blogger-image--807603366.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>The left side of Ethan’s face contorted into the cutest expression as he assimilated this new information - so much so that I had to stop myself from laughing! We talked a little more. I explained that I wanted him to learn than $1.50 was enough and that he needed to accept that his friends have more money. Suddenly he exclaimed, “I know, I know…it’s like the bible story of the rich man who gave $10 and the poor woman gave only 10 cents, but Jesus was happy because she gave all she had!” Now I thought this application of values (Mark 21:41-44) was pretty good for my young son, even though some details of the parable were creatively modified, the original context did not match our situation exactly, and I wasn’t sure whether my son thought I was a poor widow! </div><div><br></div><div>In God’s economy, we have no shame earning less than others around us, being a poor widow, or having a smaller allowance. In fact, this spiritual truth applies to not only money but whatever resource we have. It matters not how much we have, and it matters even less how this compares to others. What matters in God’s economy is how much we entrust to Him.</div><div><br></div><div>Ethan learned a few things this week about not comparing his $1.50 to others and the financial realities of Dad being a pastor. A few days later, to further drive home the truth that money is not everything, I packed him a special home-made lunch that no amount of money can buy from the school canteen. “What’s that!?” his friends inquired, seeing the unusual meaty sauce accompanying the pasta. “Oxtail stew!” Ethan replied, “Have you eaten an ox before?”</div><div><br></div><div>*<i> Ethan gave his permission for me to write his article. Though he did wrong, he was honest about it and I am very proud of him.</i></div>Ivan Liewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524911871558672785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-19586660336067765912014-08-13T22:43:00.001+08:002014-08-18T18:50:56.027+08:00Bike PackingWe did it! It's our very first time bike-packing! We have been talking about thhis for some time and Daddy surprised Ethan today, who was so excited about this special outing. <div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwpr4Fny_YngAoa75qHPNS8x15IgNsqA8bGkZta8qrg2wmnnUMb4aShuNEfSuUz8F-JloXaUlbjII8yhKuRhAzRYmQOsd6RS9oiD7Ip8tYY2k_iM4dHoQyKxZs4HmixvcfyehtQ/s640/blogger-image--1801575982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwpr4Fny_YngAoa75qHPNS8x15IgNsqA8bGkZta8qrg2wmnnUMb4aShuNEfSuUz8F-JloXaUlbjII8yhKuRhAzRYmQOsd6RS9oiD7Ip8tYY2k_iM4dHoQyKxZs4HmixvcfyehtQ/s640/blogger-image--1801575982.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Daddy has been researching for some time and tomorrow Ethan has no school, so Daddy came home early and after a snack we left home at about 6.30pm. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3NWquMQaKPTpI6ZcArYtyQITwqtVKjzOEiF_cMykK9IG8Aprm0TTtyX-bE0NeCeoIZ8ymrZZOvp0W4lFFxv4kxl4nFjlTI_5sWXLTgR0j8D58B_q4TqXRN9pbhqfnSJwEF0_uQ/s640/blogger-image-89453820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3NWquMQaKPTpI6ZcArYtyQITwqtVKjzOEiF_cMykK9IG8Aprm0TTtyX-bE0NeCeoIZ8ymrZZOvp0W4lFFxv4kxl4nFjlTI_5sWXLTgR0j8D58B_q4TqXRN9pbhqfnSJwEF0_uQ/s640/blogger-image-89453820.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The fact that we biked with all our stuff made it all the more exciting! I squeezed a 2 man tent, bedding, clothes and food onto my Brompton. I am so pleased that my huge saddlebag is getting good use too! All the learning and research is paying off!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13oFjYnI287VRyhFMrqeZOKjoiVYT6Zpwpl97tKZpQn8CTNZLyaDezgdidC7vWTeL5ZKUvMToAYxrN_bzyVA7Ld6vJcO6O8kojN4fILIOgX6y0s62itUnlECoyqNE5I8VMr-Q7g/s640/blogger-image-116195989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13oFjYnI287VRyhFMrqeZOKjoiVYT6Zpwpl97tKZpQn8CTNZLyaDezgdidC7vWTeL5ZKUvMToAYxrN_bzyVA7Ld6vJcO6O8kojN4fILIOgX6y0s62itUnlECoyqNE5I8VMr-Q7g/s640/blogger-image-116195989.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our first stop was to put some food into Ethan cos it was kinda late already. So we ate on the park bench at Gardens by the Bay East. "Take a picture Daddy!" requested Ethan. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wmwSjgFVSBKk4ZtBRPOVMPd3FkKsoaaodgt8mkxJ9BH-cMlonDUOSdOmgdjfPiyYjWYB_OmT62XueFBY5hyx6nQhx-iL2HHyg44u75a541ARNvI0uNdirP6WsApV5BpYz4C3IQ/s640/blogger-image-831042384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wmwSjgFVSBKk4ZtBRPOVMPd3FkKsoaaodgt8mkxJ9BH-cMlonDUOSdOmgdjfPiyYjWYB_OmT62XueFBY5hyx6nQhx-iL2HHyg44u75a541ARNvI0uNdirP6WsApV5BpYz4C3IQ/s640/blogger-image-831042384.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Not bad for cycling from home eh? We finished half our pasta and then pressed on toward East Coast Park. By this time it was quite dark and we were moving on mostly sidewalks, so we were slow and careful. Ethan handled his bike very well. We reached East Coast and cycled into Area D where we pitched our tent. fortunately we had a super bright Li-Ion flashlight which even allowed me to take this photo of our seaside haven. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJDl-1c-SUgX1ATKZ7YFE4DXuuEfAOX2XPj6MreluzahqeXdKSLZck9hZFZ9ADt2gucVKjiCSKXAAriO4ZjAYZ_8-E7ADN_Ya6lrttKK1eNc8kseXha2dDinCacrGVqUJm8hGQQ/s640/blogger-image--1395766194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJDl-1c-SUgX1ATKZ7YFE4DXuuEfAOX2XPj6MreluzahqeXdKSLZck9hZFZ9ADt2gucVKjiCSKXAAriO4ZjAYZ_8-E7ADN_Ya6lrttKK1eNc8kseXha2dDinCacrGVqUJm8hGQQ/s640/blogger-image--1395766194.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Of course, it's grainy but our setting really is beautiful. Ethan is having a grand time. We finished our dinner, showered, brushed teeth and bedded down for night. Lots of cuddles and chats and looking forward to Burger King breakfast in the morning!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf319boIvYPoD2Ojj3_EcVSzzR6r6nSXykUdAKLI7mGqOezZ3foS_1C4K0WWdjfvkaCsM-0t_NUY-roqS9m0OClzI3fdapsTEznTjhJmmVjdcNLxzjuekw7GFVgRs3tFgc8p2o0Q/s640/blogger-image--440356364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf319boIvYPoD2Ojj3_EcVSzzR6r6nSXykUdAKLI7mGqOezZ3foS_1C4K0WWdjfvkaCsM-0t_NUY-roqS9m0OClzI3fdapsTEznTjhJmmVjdcNLxzjuekw7GFVgRs3tFgc8p2o0Q/s640/blogger-image--440356364.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ethan is sleeping soundly as I write this. I can hear waves rolling onto the beach. An occasional toot of a ship marks the night. There is only one other tent in sight and the three girls there are quiet. The weather is a cool 27 deg with a chance of rain in the early morning hours. It is fantastic, peaceful, and very comfortable! </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Why is it so comfortable? Must be that queen sized air mattress with bedsheet that I managed to fit into my Brompton touring bag! :)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYAWaR9Z9unSa5XUBNTTVOKFzNJx18JIDfau7jAk996xhOjmhAS_1QOazZthqWPvc5EsD_oTj48mLv5t9UumCNPFco8hJ4MT4Gmp4azKPwjgULvG_5vRGyay8DY_c_bMfZi-iXw/s640/blogger-image--266263998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYAWaR9Z9unSa5XUBNTTVOKFzNJx18JIDfau7jAk996xhOjmhAS_1QOazZthqWPvc5EsD_oTj48mLv5t9UumCNPFco8hJ4MT4Gmp4azKPwjgULvG_5vRGyay8DY_c_bMfZi-iXw/s640/blogger-image--266263998.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It's been great so far. We will definitely do this again. I need a lighter sleeping pad, an alcohol stove to cook on site, and coins for that vending machine nearby! Notes for next time: BYO toilet paper, garbage bag to cover Brompton for security and rain protection, better organize clothes, slightly warmer top, blanket or a sleeping of some kind for Ethan. Temp was a very cool 27 deg. </span></div>Ivan Liewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524911871558672785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-88819491445692889052014-08-02T10:48:00.001+08:002014-08-02T13:05:29.354+08:00Saturday Morning Cycling<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Daddy hasn't been cycling with the kids for quite a few weeks, so it's a great outing today! Talia remembers how she cycling all the way home from MBS by herself, so she wanted to ride "by herself" today. </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIa1hduIDwHuSYEDLckOqWN7fEK3RYyPXu3sxf6rXnVEUDfeaMPdDLYrcAcYCSGUHxMPCyd9evYTGEo33XpuPuDT5_XlRuZqH01DLe5SrA2qO0P1zGxSe8XOHnizBzRbjrTSm/s640/blogger-image--495014693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIa1hduIDwHuSYEDLckOqWN7fEK3RYyPXu3sxf6rXnVEUDfeaMPdDLYrcAcYCSGUHxMPCyd9evYTGEo33XpuPuDT5_XlRuZqH01DLe5SrA2qO0P1zGxSe8XOHnizBzRbjrTSm/s640/blogger-image--495014693.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here we are coming up Shenton Way. Ethan was an excellent sweeper and they know my signs for stop, slow, and 2 up quite well! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RlQWpd4qkbCQWZjNGYdMRnEZvpmjYvoRcn3_kvKLOoPJqYbkSYjzj4wTR5ZoiLof6fe-Cv_jeyzcfVs_Ye4XrXKJqqMIMLLZ5JFYWatwHeVIBdWe99znhElXVC0m7mt7qCbO/s640/blogger-image--1034555913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RlQWpd4qkbCQWZjNGYdMRnEZvpmjYvoRcn3_kvKLOoPJqYbkSYjzj4wTR5ZoiLof6fe-Cv_jeyzcfVs_Ye4XrXKJqqMIMLLZ5JFYWatwHeVIBdWe99znhElXVC0m7mt7qCbO/s640/blogger-image--1034555913.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the Marina Barrage bridge we stopped to see a Police boat being hoisted over the bridge into Marina Bay for the NDP coming this weekend. Quite a sight to see even a small boat being lifted over the bridge. "This bridge doesn't go up," remarked Ethan. "The boats go over."</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73bH033ajAXeXo_YoXabBDKODROLpxl3Dxs4FiB8i1WVS5g6iW01zHibkpOaTDcyOomqHGX9VJhq3D4keQWU0BSEMonsKkr6rHuwWw7OKr-DGrxMJDfGDs974kArh25Ygfiu4/s640/blogger-image-652714526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73bH033ajAXeXo_YoXabBDKODROLpxl3Dxs4FiB8i1WVS5g6iW01zHibkpOaTDcyOomqHGX9VJhq3D4keQWU0BSEMonsKkr6rHuwWw7OKr-DGrxMJDfGDs974kArh25Ygfiu4/s640/blogger-image-652714526.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Eventually, Talia got tired and I pulled her along. Those hubs and coaster brakes on her Specialized Hotrock 16 sure have some friction in them! I expended a fair amount of energy pulling her at 20 kph with Ethan keeping pace. Ethan can now handle 40km over half a day, so when Talia graduates to Ethan's bike, I think we can do 50km/day bike holidays with me pulling Talia on Ethan's Fuji 20. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcYV4jS4peZwYgUzm9i1QbN8W8CK-3YwSfXOwjMw6Bhyvg8FaMrBVYA5DPv1O5paO0IRNdiDZ2OfBcDTe_ma0tyMy40ZcCHB5drUG7TMvD9Yua31R1xOjfFIOXsnu6pgMjLLP/s640/blogger-image--1541168894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcYV4jS4peZwYgUzm9i1QbN8W8CK-3YwSfXOwjMw6Bhyvg8FaMrBVYA5DPv1O5paO0IRNdiDZ2OfBcDTe_ma0tyMy40ZcCHB5drUG7TMvD9Yua31R1xOjfFIOXsnu6pgMjLLP/s640/blogger-image--1541168894.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Talia's energy ran out very quickly. We would definitely need a carrier or seat of some sorts for her to be on a family tour. Her mood immediately perked up when we got to our cafe stop however. Ethan requested a green tea frappucino, an expensive indulgence Daddy doesn't mind once in a while, as all of us share and enjoy it very much! :)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5i98_1PmZ5-iL9SaIh6e-S1DF1jAz5rkUiHk2OnOf6b6PqqqyNzs46ROqXIex-NDU0oSWrYek_gHZHb_oaOFm8BNVjQ98e_9K2EJAVeG0ooro6wVM7HJpO87f3DGiWkvzdEM/s640/blogger-image-61605620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5i98_1PmZ5-iL9SaIh6e-S1DF1jAz5rkUiHk2OnOf6b6PqqqyNzs46ROqXIex-NDU0oSWrYek_gHZHb_oaOFm8BNVjQ98e_9K2EJAVeG0ooro6wVM7HJpO87f3DGiWkvzdEM/s640/blogger-image-61605620.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Brain freeze and loving it!! Even better, the kids become very amenable to doing homework in a nice cafe. Look at these studious little ones enjoying learning amidst bayside views at One Fullerton, Starbucks.... Cost = $8 for all 3 of us!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPayWU4_d8DIvIpw9oOkaDzPeJ5tetV1n9GMnDfVEj9ViIq64M9q8ghKs06MGbSTj-Q-pCeS257lVMyUB1-SzqZBhlUDGyzeYCToMrPPdNscV_1RRB7QQ1VOk2KCkvOIgO5xYSA/s640/blogger-image--1760187391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPayWU4_d8DIvIpw9oOkaDzPeJ5tetV1n9GMnDfVEj9ViIq64M9q8ghKs06MGbSTj-Q-pCeS257lVMyUB1-SzqZBhlUDGyzeYCToMrPPdNscV_1RRB7QQ1VOk2KCkvOIgO5xYSA/s640/blogger-image--1760187391.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Daddy tutored in fractions (which Ethan seems to have a good handle on) and gives good marks too! :)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHCM3QEL_odcrTlYPsVD2uP9Jqc6_BRmiCTwxt-_aUhE1d4yGv38Y7IuTaJS08_Msd8z4NCA5m4IW8et0uXLnIe1s8300mPYLSbcweD3oIb9KE8PMxgkkeDf7di_LQcBOzaqOnQ/s640/blogger-image-298403410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHCM3QEL_odcrTlYPsVD2uP9Jqc6_BRmiCTwxt-_aUhE1d4yGv38Y7IuTaJS08_Msd8z4NCA5m4IW8et0uXLnIe1s8300mPYLSbcweD3oIb9KE8PMxgkkeDf7di_LQcBOzaqOnQ/s640/blogger-image-298403410.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">All that was left was lunch at Lau Pa Sat and a short ride home. In 32 days, Mummy and Daddy leave for Paris to ride the Veloscenic to Mont St Michel. I am already thinking of making a second trip there with the kids, enabling them to ride the same 400km route. </span></div>Ivan Liewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524911871558672785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-28464810873914260242014-07-07T11:50:00.001+08:002014-07-07T11:51:29.394+08:00The Gift of Fatherhood<p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s2">I</span><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">t’s almost unfair how much influence I wield as a father to my young children. My wife spends more time with them, sacrifices more for them, yet the moment I step through the door I am greeted with, “Daddy’s home!” and am showered with adulation. </span><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">All the love I invested in them as babies and toddlers are now being returned a hundredfold! They love me wholeheartedly with every fibre of their being. </span><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I can scold them fiercely until they are in tears, then not 10 minutes later explain that Daddy disciplines because I love them -- they collapse in my arms, restored and relieved. I</span><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> know this kind of relationship is for this precious season, so I am </span><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">unhurriedly </span><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">savouring it.</span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2amS_28H0g3MDrzvybDzO39AishyphenhyphenT32C8On50qao1tY3XvmIHfHWSE_K2pbQTZdKKtk_jbT_MszKTRJtgvJI2ZfD7qzhAPTacfzwY1_py9u8YwB7Y5O-wh31DxP7O0MGKbhyphenhyphenXbw/s640/blogger-image-1266331970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2amS_28H0g3MDrzvybDzO39AishyphenhyphenT32C8On50qao1tY3XvmIHfHWSE_K2pbQTZdKKtk_jbT_MszKTRJtgvJI2ZfD7qzhAPTacfzwY1_py9u8YwB7Y5O-wh31DxP7O0MGKbhyphenhyphenXbw/s640/blogger-image-1266331970.jpg"></a></div><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s2">I am convinced that this adoring early season of fathering is God’</span><span class="s2">s gift, because I am immensely enjoying guiding my son and daughter. </span><span class="s2">“</span><span class="s2">Train up a child in the way he should go;</span><span class="s2"> </span><span class="s2">even when he is</span><span class="s2"> old he will not depart from it” (Prv 22:6). In this season of childhood, if I am </span><span class="s2">willing to invest time, it easy to love, embrace, bond, and thus guide and train my children. I need to dig my foundations deep now, because I know the environment of fathering will get more difficult in coming years. When my son finds his wings, I want him to depart from my arms and my home, yet not depart from the ways of God and the Scripture I am teaching him now.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s2"><br></span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s2">MoneySmart and Asian Parent recently estimated the cost of raising one child in Singapore until completing secondary school </span><span class="s4">at $280,000-$340,000. While pr</span><span class="s2">agmatists wonder whether parenting is worth it, I am encouraged by the new generation of fathers I see. We have heeded the research about the importance of fathers, we know love is spelled T.I.M.E., and we have bathed, fed, told stories, and played with our children. We know that materialism is fleeting, and we are listening to the advice of involved fathers and spiritual leaders we respect. We are not doing this with gritted teeth, because we have already tasted the joys of fatherhood. The wisdom of Scripture and godly advice is already blessing me as I obey.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s2"><br></span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s2">What is my</span><span class="s2"> reflection on the price of children this Father's Day</span><span class="s2">? </span><span class="s2">$340,000 is a bargain for the return I am getting. I'll take two please.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p>Ivan Liewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524911871558672785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-52761951626559794652014-04-30T13:12:00.001+08:002014-08-02T11:17:43.202+08:00Plating and Prettiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ethan loves his Ipoh hor fun chicken noodles that Mum cooks at home. He painstakingly plated it and wanted to take this picture! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaVfICLUttJvZ5UVDuoeku3IYmnv0eKan_uHaqzVRsZxp0P1L5tfP_ZujuHgKJut9chHXpbFKNw1UJr9Kiqv6G5oT1zypvscWqk36fqLUGzOF-6DEYYtSRjr3hchQh_lFh8K3tA/s640/blogger-image-1125286557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaVfICLUttJvZ5UVDuoeku3IYmnv0eKan_uHaqzVRsZxp0P1L5tfP_ZujuHgKJut9chHXpbFKNw1UJr9Kiqv6G5oT1zypvscWqk36fqLUGzOF-6DEYYtSRjr3hchQh_lFh8K3tA/s640/blogger-image-1125286557.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Talia is not so particular about her food arrangement, preferring to doll up the photo with her own prettiness!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-0mr8oeD7Bn-L3iqndEBN8ohmOSNwpbRMz4dfvC_qcehhE40MY00_o3Eg-MgtBJ5ItcbNPxXEW9ZAH_Jm1FFSFTPqYbqq7I4ma9lo3EEU0B6yqmSUjEuoTy6PNOZF0E_1ATTuQ/s640/blogger-image--1072837525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-0mr8oeD7Bn-L3iqndEBN8ohmOSNwpbRMz4dfvC_qcehhE40MY00_o3Eg-MgtBJ5ItcbNPxXEW9ZAH_Jm1FFSFTPqYbqq7I4ma9lo3EEU0B6yqmSUjEuoTy6PNOZF0E_1ATTuQ/s640/blogger-image--1072837525.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Ivan Liewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524911871558672785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-48569846905766367072013-12-29T20:42:00.001+08:002013-12-29T20:42:13.620+08:00Sunday Bike Outing<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6exWKaOBo4I/UsAYpwX458I/AAAAAAAADwc/t84BaXCvnHE/s1600/photo%2B1-733620.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6exWKaOBo4I/UsAYpwX458I/AAAAAAAADwc/t84BaXCvnHE/s400/photo%2B1-733620.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5962793012277340098" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpCd3O7yfniZRmPRShQeXKkkbrL44MjKTQ32iobWaqV6qEdAwQV8_0ue6aJixQW8-nOPu6Mv42QvkXnge4ebfgH0Au8WqPkSrs0XBD415SrBVfBtjmYCWmNj-Gnw6MCVh1HE/s1600/photo+2-740620.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpCd3O7yfniZRmPRShQeXKkkbrL44MjKTQ32iobWaqV6qEdAwQV8_0ue6aJixQW8-nOPu6Mv42QvkXnge4ebfgH0Au8WqPkSrs0XBD415SrBVfBtjmYCWmNj-Gnw6MCVh1HE/s400/photo+2-740620.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5962793042883816466" /></a></p>A quick unplanned jaunt on a Sunday afternoon turned into a great
<br>Daddy time. The kids napped in the car on the way back from church, so
<br>were ready for a quick outing on a cool windy day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-85522806273286180112013-12-27T09:30:00.001+08:002013-12-27T09:30:23.381+08:00Cycling Day<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlCDU1-HDLs/UrzYL5kRoTI/AAAAAAAADwA/KIDH3JMDGkk/s1600/photo-723382.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlCDU1-HDLs/UrzYL5kRoTI/AAAAAAAADwA/KIDH3JMDGkk/s400/photo-723382.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5961877705674826034" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2KxQRNB1vM/UrzYMh-WDBI/AAAAAAAADwM/mOM3DacGgZc/s1600/image-725891.jpeg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2KxQRNB1vM/UrzYMh-WDBI/AAAAAAAADwM/mOM3DacGgZc/s400/image-725891.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5961877716521585682" /></a></p>We turned Boxing Day into Cycling Day with a short morning ride to
<br>Marina Barrage. Daddy managed to snap this picture of all of us as we
<br>zoomed past these windows at Marina Bay Sands.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-45888018484295431952013-12-27T09:21:00.001+08:002013-12-27T09:21:57.779+08:00City Bus Outing<div><p style="margin:0px;font-size:12px;font-family:Helvetica"><span style="font-size:12pt">Talia expectantly hugged me this morning and whispered that we are having a Daddy Daughter Date today. I laughed and gently reminded her that Ethan is coming too. "Uh huh," she said, </span><span style="font-size:12pt">"A Daddy, Daughter (and Ethan) Date!" </span></p> <br><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xgw2ZRKR_T4/UrzWNqOB0iI/AAAAAAAADvQ/hIyiWSlf_c4/s1600/photo%2B1-717780.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xgw2ZRKR_T4/UrzWNqOB0iI/AAAAAAAADvQ/hIyiWSlf_c4/s400/photo%2B1-717780.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5961875536891466274" /></a></div><div><br><br><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bQr6xx9d-SA/UrzWOdwT4AI/AAAAAAAADvY/EjEqVGR4KtU/s1600/photo%2B2-720918.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bQr6xx9d-SA/UrzWOdwT4AI/AAAAAAAADvY/EjEqVGR4KtU/s400/photo%2B2-720918.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5961875550725464066" /></a></div><div> <br><span style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:16px">We are taking the 1 hour double decker 197 to Jurong to check out the new JEM mall. It's a great time to take the bus since it is empty and quiet (until we got on board). We get the front seats on the double decker which is a wonderful view. Talia is doing well with her new glasses and Ethan his showing his new missing teeth feature! </span></div> <div><font face="Helvetica"><span style="font-size:16px"><br></span></font><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j6LLU0sF24w/UrzWPOvMf7I/AAAAAAAADvk/XSjZYVdv8cU/s1600/photo%2B3-723820.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j6LLU0sF24w/UrzWPOvMf7I/AAAAAAAADvk/XSjZYVdv8cU/s400/photo%2B3-723820.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5961875563874123698" /></a></div><div><br><br><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gZKh105Zf94/UrzWP76QDcI/AAAAAAAADv0/mNmpjt3XgJY/s1600/photo%2B4-727359.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gZKh105Zf94/UrzWP76QDcI/AAAAAAAADv0/mNmpjt3XgJY/s400/photo%2B4-727359.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5961875576000089538" /></a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-69131442492917159452013-12-16T21:42:00.001+08:002013-12-16T21:42:23.561+08:00Talia's First Spectacles<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pkHxzeFCSNs/Uq8DQUBMCHI/AAAAAAAADu0/ZstQrVXda0Y/s1600/photo%2B1-743562.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pkHxzeFCSNs/Uq8DQUBMCHI/AAAAAAAADu0/ZstQrVXda0Y/s400/photo%2B1-743562.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5957984410820937842" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCSQiVl80k0/Uq8DRQheftI/AAAAAAAADu8/KMRVgBvWr1g/s1600/photo%2B2-748012.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCSQiVl80k0/Uq8DRQheftI/AAAAAAAADu8/KMRVgBvWr1g/s400/photo%2B2-748012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5957984427062492882" /></a></p>Today Talia has her eyes tested for the first time. We say that her
<br>eyes are from Mummy cos they are big and round, but her eyeballs are
<br>from Daddy because their aberrations have resulted in the same 3.50
<br>astigmatism that beloved Dad had when he was a child. We are hoping
<br>she still looks more pretty than googly after these glasses.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-65465308586418500562013-01-05T19:43:00.001+08:002013-01-05T19:43:15.698+08:00Flyer<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zcGeAtt-R5A/UOgR1PND2AI/AAAAAAAADtc/wH627CbWtCM/s1600/image-795699.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zcGeAtt-R5A/UOgR1PND2AI/AAAAAAAADtc/wH627CbWtCM/s400/image-795699.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829929323943155714" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-18259638293892988062013-01-05T18:28:00.001+08:002013-01-05T18:28:49.225+08:00Marina and River Boating<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATqwnsX5u5I/UOgAYaflkcI/AAAAAAAADsU/dnFydnfi-iI/s1600/photo%2B1-729225.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATqwnsX5u5I/UOgAYaflkcI/AAAAAAAADsU/dnFydnfi-iI/s400/photo%2B1-729225.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829910137059774914" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AsP-3bR5sks/UOgAZDVvRJI/AAAAAAAADsg/erEQ9aZRlwM/s1600/photo%2B2-732490.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AsP-3bR5sks/UOgAZDVvRJI/AAAAAAAADsg/erEQ9aZRlwM/s400/photo%2B2-732490.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829910148024321170" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjd1S-Vq-SLgp1u9ArGa-yIMYN06p6ROv47bQI1bJEXgpbwdoWHMufxGHL6HWirealKuNFVWSjcWGObFoVeQe51qyuKMqOihuOLAQRZzcWF4xr73hEIubWwdon-0GCuKDJpw/s1600/photo+3-734944.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjd1S-Vq-SLgp1u9ArGa-yIMYN06p6ROv47bQI1bJEXgpbwdoWHMufxGHL6HWirealKuNFVWSjcWGObFoVeQe51qyuKMqOihuOLAQRZzcWF4xr73hEIubWwdon-0GCuKDJpw/s400/photo+3-734944.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829910161082466962" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olwt90Z19SQ/UOgAalDafOI/AAAAAAAADs4/fFJqgYPRPm4/s1600/photo%2B4-737918.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-olwt90Z19SQ/UOgAalDafOI/AAAAAAAADs4/fFJqgYPRPm4/s400/photo%2B4-737918.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829910174254136546" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-70002966915413052642013-01-05T18:27:00.004+08:002013-01-05T18:28:15.129+08:00Marina and River Boating<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9AOW9jItFb0/UOgAP2MuXGI/AAAAAAAADrk/gHKTZ9iUtmA/s1600/photo%2B1-795129.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9AOW9jItFb0/UOgAP2MuXGI/AAAAAAAADrk/gHKTZ9iUtmA/s400/photo%2B1-795129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829909989878029410" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimrd4yWVjiWBvuCsWHk3B0j0pwwQfRLm8nhZF8_iA6uyApq79uBBASo16dyulVZIOhRWNnK6eaWMuf8T16-F9ByFZqtAclWOUNNoiS-ZK6XHLdAuDwqkEzzj4LtEyuTqHEv8/s1600/photo+2-798062.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimrd4yWVjiWBvuCsWHk3B0j0pwwQfRLm8nhZF8_iA6uyApq79uBBASo16dyulVZIOhRWNnK6eaWMuf8T16-F9ByFZqtAclWOUNNoiS-ZK6XHLdAuDwqkEzzj4LtEyuTqHEv8/s400/photo+2-798062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829910001430784210" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYrvp0Ma5ro/UOgARWF5TlI/AAAAAAAADr8/K6ZpMK2aB-8/s1600/photo%2B3-701666.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYrvp0Ma5ro/UOgARWF5TlI/AAAAAAAADr8/K6ZpMK2aB-8/s400/photo%2B3-701666.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829910015619190354" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64U09voHnGA/UOgAST_cRUI/AAAAAAAADsI/lX6vshBC50A/s1600/photo%2B4-704662.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64U09voHnGA/UOgAST_cRUI/AAAAAAAADsI/lX6vshBC50A/s400/photo%2B4-704662.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829910032235119938" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-47220939135782619902013-01-05T18:27:00.003+08:002013-01-05T18:27:44.961+08:00Marina and River Boating<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJR3i85J0MdIXmRsNQpu71ioL9XnWxH6ZpFXWpLDtgp8pYBXQbBi1-Nu_wP9PIZA3gqCUkwSpw_KmloqOpMtEHqyydPlZlG5SdLqefp_TEwyO6YObd5WRZw73-G6kAhRZrSs/s1600/photo+1-764962.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJR3i85J0MdIXmRsNQpu71ioL9XnWxH6ZpFXWpLDtgp8pYBXQbBi1-Nu_wP9PIZA3gqCUkwSpw_KmloqOpMtEHqyydPlZlG5SdLqefp_TEwyO6YObd5WRZw73-G6kAhRZrSs/s400/photo+1-764962.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829909863272955586" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQns2ZszULlXyMDfns9YEfFl4dmyEDNToSvFjREPPgyKud99-oxjVGsi91IaY3ERx3Vaozmzk99wQo3ehAKkzk_Wf-KYM3WEpCjwDALWM3Y7bpKlG9nB4Tjvxeyd9Q_vJxZk/s1600/photo+2-769917.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQns2ZszULlXyMDfns9YEfFl4dmyEDNToSvFjREPPgyKud99-oxjVGsi91IaY3ERx3Vaozmzk99wQo3ehAKkzk_Wf-KYM3WEpCjwDALWM3Y7bpKlG9nB4Tjvxeyd9Q_vJxZk/s400/photo+2-769917.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829909882870941074" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAb7fBCeP4H7JrqSxZpJ7k8J4l0NDxghf_83yKIhBLK2kBc2OWppWfNfuc3IW6MqP3d7BDES6Ebf_7RzKcdr28uo48iqHmysyni3BjqqqR9ItiPMG8wVsH0G5ukm-HTBflbE/s1600/photo+3-773650.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAb7fBCeP4H7JrqSxZpJ7k8J4l0NDxghf_83yKIhBLK2kBc2OWppWfNfuc3IW6MqP3d7BDES6Ebf_7RzKcdr28uo48iqHmysyni3BjqqqR9ItiPMG8wVsH0G5ukm-HTBflbE/s400/photo+3-773650.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829909897738729522" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ue_t9oKMJC4/UOgALuTEg3I/AAAAAAAADrY/Xfx4i8zgFWU/s1600/photo%2B4-778189.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ue_t9oKMJC4/UOgALuTEg3I/AAAAAAAADrY/Xfx4i8zgFWU/s400/photo%2B4-778189.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829909919037686642" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-88778724316761821822013-01-05T18:27:00.001+08:002013-01-05T18:27:19.927+08:00Marina and River Boating<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c7ILffAjv2Q/UOgACGO7k7I/AAAAAAAADqQ/nxjAZffpjHc/s1600/photo%2B1-739928.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c7ILffAjv2Q/UOgACGO7k7I/AAAAAAAADqQ/nxjAZffpjHc/s400/photo%2B1-739928.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829909753664082866" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AfeojaCMaSI/UOgADMIlgDI/AAAAAAAADqc/7Ez69BR4Fa8/s1600/photo%2B2-743955.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AfeojaCMaSI/UOgADMIlgDI/AAAAAAAADqc/7Ez69BR4Fa8/s400/photo%2B2-743955.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829909772427952178" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HjVYyqLGODY/UOgADzWYQyI/AAAAAAAADqo/OQ8Tz2y7XIs/s1600/photo%2B3-747421.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HjVYyqLGODY/UOgADzWYQyI/AAAAAAAADqo/OQ8Tz2y7XIs/s400/photo%2B3-747421.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5829909782954787618" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-19555089921403008532012-10-07T17:01:00.000+08:002012-10-07T17:20:27.613+08:00Ethan's Shinkansen<iframe width="560" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0ix1PO0_PXg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Ethan loves his train toys! Yesterday we had a huge train party and today he rebuilt Te tracks. This is another rebuild with Daddy making a 2 storey overhead and Ethan innovating a long train with multiple engines! The video is taken by the train maestro himself!Ivan Liewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524911871558672785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-38204385982265151112012-09-09T14:56:00.001+08:002012-09-10T15:25:43.613+08:00Yet Another Train JourneyDaddy and Ethan took yet another KTM train journey, our fourth thus far. Ethan is now old enough to call it a father-son trip, and was expectantly looking forward to it. He sang about what would happen, how boys would be with boys and the girls would have their own mother-daughter outing.
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That day he asked 100 times when we were going to train station. Mum and Talia left for Bollywood-Veggies early in the morning so we had the day together as well. We filled it with lunch at Marche and the afternoon working in Daddy's office before setting off in the evening.
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"Daddy, I think this KTM train is nice but it's a little old," he said when we boarded. I assured Ethan that it was the same as the other KTM trains we took but because he had just been on the JR Kyushu trains, the Malaysian ones looked old!
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We happily ate dinner in the sleeping bunk as the train left Woodlands at 7.00pm sharp. After chatting, reading, snacking, and exploring Ethan was tired but not wanting to sleep. Fortunately Daddy recognized the symptoms and enforced story and bedtime. After that, all was quiet and Ethan slept till morning.
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At 6.45am I was awoken with an excited yell, "Daddy, we're still on the train!" This is how Ethan always wakes up the KTM sleeper - happy and bubbly! We munched on biscuits while waiting for our stop. Daddy discovered that our train was an hour behind schedule, so we got off early at Dabong rather than at Kuala Krai so we wouldn't miss the return train home. <br />
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One iced milo, two tea tarikh, and two roti cenai later we were refueled. After restocking drinks and packing lunch we were back waiting for the train. <br />
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Daddy noticed a new poster for a new train (Malayan Tiger Train) that supposedly started in Jan 2012 running between Johor Sentral an Tumpat. The sleeper berths are a new design and they look nice. Daddy will have to check it out for a future train trip. Since we are getting quite accustomed to these trips, we also need to raise the bar a little. Daddy is thinking about bringing the Brompton, cycling around and staying in a simple hotel for the night before catching the return leg to Singapore -- two nights with cycling and trains!!
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We are now enjoying the scenery aboard the train. Lots of interesting rock formations rising out of the tropical rainforest here in northern Malaysia. It's almost time for our nasi lemak lunch, though Ethan has been snacking so much that we are both quite full. <br />
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I just discovered that JR Kyushu donated these decommissioned trains to Malaysia. I would have taken this on this recent trip if I had known. Will take next time with family. Can go from JB (not Singapore yet) to Wakaf Bahru (Khota Bahru). Great for overnight then homestay or Renaissance Hotel in Khota Bahru! :)
Japan also donated trains to Thailand so I gotta figure out whether these trains are running there yet!
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If you watch this youtube video all the way to the end, the contrast between the last carriage showing Malaysian culture and the rest is quite funny! :) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqJrIdXXPK8&feature=youtube_gdata_player">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqJrIdXXPK8&feature=youtube_gdata_player</a>
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Earlier today I discovered that there is a new train running on this line, the "Malayan Tiger Train.". I googled it after I got home. Imagine my pleasant surprise to discover the train itself was a donation from Japan! To be exact, it is the blue train from JR Kyushu that used to run between Tokyo and Kyushu. Now renamed as the Malayan Tiger Train, it runs on the East line between Johor Bahru and Tumpat!
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Ethan always has such a wonderful time on these trips, and he is now becoming more aware that his Dadday makes special effort to spend time with him on these outings. I think he is very grateful, though of course he cant express it in words. A super big hug, lots of "I love you Daddy!" makes it so worthwhile. Plus of course we know that we're building strong foundations of memories for the future!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-8495428339013410592012-09-05T10:52:00.001+08:002012-09-05T10:52:26.189+08:00Kindergarten Concert<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1Yma8nN_6bpNr8zgtLYWN3WSIWe0WVEbfsr_or78O_J-PB1ALVaq5LRYynZm-g_GMPFNECCIztVKRHT5w0w0TrbQTMFfiAGXNV84-dP7iwEerhXtP8rRvxt4mk77JaLiT2c/s1600/IMG_3038.JPG+%25282%2529-746190.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1Yma8nN_6bpNr8zgtLYWN3WSIWe0WVEbfsr_or78O_J-PB1ALVaq5LRYynZm-g_GMPFNECCIztVKRHT5w0w0TrbQTMFfiAGXNV84-dP7iwEerhXtP8rRvxt4mk77JaLiT2c/s400/IMG_3038.JPG+%25282%2529-746190.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784520138151507170" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeB7DJ8WIHAhdpXXXdZjcrTxuTXOvwIimGk0FQN7VfKLGvi0os8D9lzpdBbwKCvVkI6CNNVNoVeZKO6fGLM__76r1ghSXaxHGtMq4fFOMYntU3SQImjKbLq3BRvJD5pGykfM/s1600/IMG_3681-748225.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeB7DJ8WIHAhdpXXXdZjcrTxuTXOvwIimGk0FQN7VfKLGvi0os8D9lzpdBbwKCvVkI6CNNVNoVeZKO6fGLM__76r1ghSXaxHGtMq4fFOMYntU3SQImjKbLq3BRvJD5pGykfM/s400/IMG_3681-748225.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784520143445944706" /></a></p>It's the last concert that Ethan and Talia will be in together, as Ethan is off to big boys school next year. The big regular BRMCK do each year. Here is Daddy with his Norwegian Viking Disco Dancer and my Hula Girl. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-11224660612524520022012-09-05T10:48:00.000+08:002012-09-05T10:49:18.821+08:00Love Is Taking Care<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4jx3v44JQlHYPQPRHuDXy5GLzGkSn84MccAC_NOK4Fei1xssA8Z9JG_cv5JAGGkbEpVSk_lX0RzO-P4PQE4j3w-zE0bJPouPQlwgqkZHlAcJLnt6FJaWaI1XVESrB5wgYTM/s1600/IMG_3690-758822.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4jx3v44JQlHYPQPRHuDXy5GLzGkSn84MccAC_NOK4Fei1xssA8Z9JG_cv5JAGGkbEpVSk_lX0RzO-P4PQE4j3w-zE0bJPouPQlwgqkZHlAcJLnt6FJaWaI1XVESrB5wgYTM/s400/IMG_3690-758822.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784519334565327890" /></a></p>Talia's been very loving and trusting of Ethan recently. She has always been, but especially so the past few weeks and Ethan responds to her so well. It's really wonderful to see our children appreciate one another! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-90667359733215365102012-09-04T23:54:00.001+08:002012-09-10T15:32:53.711+08:00Biking with Kids<div class="mobile-photo">
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It's been so much fun biking with the kids, exploring all the park connectors and trails in Singapore's burgeoning landscape! Can't beat the Brompton S2L-X's flexibility as a fast bike for myself with Ti seatpost then swapped with all the kid's attachment in 2 min for this fun cruiser! </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-991058235438952992012-05-31T22:09:00.001+08:002012-05-31T22:20:58.875+08:00Brompton with Trail-Gator and Front Seat<div class="mobile-photo">
What a great outing we had at the Punggol park connector! Mei came to ride and photograph us, and we are on our first longer ride with the trail-gator. I wanted to mount it as low as possible on my seatpost. It can't go any lower otherwise Ethan's front wheel would be too close to the ground. I need to shave off some metal from Ethan's attachment brack to increase the angle and allow the mount on my seat post to be even lower. As is, it performs wonderfully after I figured out how to attached to the Brompton fender stays when Ethan is disconnected. I dare say it would be even better than on a "normal bike" as the mount point on the Brompton is much lower and hence more stable for Ethan's bike being towed. Possible improvements are (1) quick release on seatpost attachment to permit better folding/carrying Brompton (2) lowering Trail-gator attachment point by modifying angle bracket further (3) shortening trail-gator by cutting/drilling more metial off the Trail-Gator. </div>
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As usual, Talia loves her front seat. It's been more than a year since I fit this together and it's still fabulous. The simple attachment method to the C-bag frame is excellent and the recycled aero-bars make the cheap seat look fantastic! At $35 this customized seat was the best deal ever! Please forgive the lack of helmet for Talia... I accidentally brought the wrong one and she wasn't too happy. Hence my towel on the handlebar for her to rest her delicate head!</div>
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What a great afternoon outing at Labrador Park! Daddy took some mug needed time off after some packed weeks, and we stuffed 1 Brompton and 2 kids bikes in the car. This included Ethan's new bike which he pedals and balances so wonderfully!<br />
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The day included lots of sight-seeing, enjoying the sea breeze, and pretending to be different animals. Ethan and Talia cycled the length of Labrador Park a couple of times and explored the paths aroud the playground and "forest."</div>
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After much cycling we had a picnic of satay and fried rice and Ethan and Talia ate so well, laughing and chatting all the way through!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiE7xBEN8vk/T6jSpjMFjbI/AAAAAAAADn4/Q5u121rSs0Q/s1600/photo%2B3-738263.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5740069336346103218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiE7xBEN8vk/T6jSpjMFjbI/AAAAAAAADn4/Q5u121rSs0Q/s400/photo%2B3-738263.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34592570.post-78553121277559917022012-05-04T16:06:00.000+08:002012-05-08T16:22:46.720+08:00Pedal Cycling Day One<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Yoiw5aQiyaY" width="540"></iframe>
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Ethan got his first pedal bike, a Specialized Hotrock 16 with coaster brakes. Daddy chose this one as it has decent components and an aluminium frame to make it a reasonable weight. Lots of time on his previous balance bike has made my cycling son adept at balancing so we started his bike riding career with no training wheels and he has taken to it very well. After a bit of practice of how to get started he is doing very well. This ride is after about half an hour of practice and no falls! Daddy sure is proud!Ivan Liewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01524911871558672785noreply@blogger.com2