Birthday at S.E.A. Aquarium

After my sad birthday last year (everyone forgot my birthday and Jhon didn’t plan anything for me thinking my family has plans), he decided to whisk me away to the largest sea aquarium in Asia. Yeyyy!

My birthday was on a Friday so we took our day off from work. We started the day satisfying my craving for KFC’s porridge at Harbour front centre. Yummy!

With stomachs filled, we headed to Sentosa’s S.E.A Aquarium. Jhon had already bought the tickets online so it was a breeze to simply walk in. It does not really matter anyways because the queue to buy the tickets was short. We simply saved 5 minutes.

To enter the S.E.A Aquarium, we went through the Maritime Expedition Museum. We floated through it because we had went there before, which I realized that I forgot to blog about and that was 2 years ago. Kwang kwang kwang…

Anyways, there were many people but not so congested and crowded. Before entering the main entrance, there is a room at the side of it with a quick sneak peak of what is inside. My first expression was “WAHHHH!!!” and it was funny as a few seconds later, a class of 4 year olds said the same thing.

The Aquarium was in several parts which represents parts of the sea that has different kinds of sea creatures. I tell ya, it was definitely beautiful especially if you have fascinations for sea creatures.

OKAY! Time for picture overload!

This is my favorite part of the entire place! I want to hold my wedding here!! When I saw the manta ray, I was gasping so loudly that I sounded like I was out of breath and drowning. IT WAS HUGE!!!!! Yet it flew so delicately. I never thought I would see a manta ray in real life after seeing them countless of times on National Geographic and Animal channels.

More more!

After the S.E.A. Aquarium, we headed to VIVO and went to Secret Recipe for lunch. HUNGRY! I wasn't sure if food was extra yummy or we were just too hungry. Haha

After lunch/dinner, we hang out at the observation deck and watched the sun sets. It was beautiful and a wonderful way to end my birthday.

Wind was blowing, the sun setting emitting an orange glow like an enormous candle and I am in my arms of my lover. Thank you so much, mahal ko.

   

The Battle of the Best Pantun & Tarian Majika Competition 2013

Fwar! Sound so grand right?

Shibly was selected by his teachers to participate in a Malay poem and performance competition between all districts of Al-Iman Kindergarten.

It was held in Singapore Expo, Hall 6 which was showcasing the Fiesta Pengantin Perdana exhibition. I know! Mak Su and Uncle Jhon also can sneak peak at wedding stuff. Hahaha The completion started at 9am, way before the main exhibition officially opens so the place was filled with only teachers, parents, children and supporters.

As I saw the kids got ready with their costumes, I could tell which district was much more serious and ‘gung ho’ about the competition. Some of them really went all out while some went simple; Shibly’s district was one of them.

[Shibly is at the far left]

After a while, I found out Shibly’s district was only informed 1 week before competition day that they have to participate! That was too little time for 5-6 year olds to practice and prepare proper props and costumes!!

Too bad they had problems with the microphone after the first performance. We could barely hear the kid’s voices. It was such a shame. Everyone was so cute, prepared or not.

Nonetheless, I still find their performance was well done. It was not polished as others but it was entertaining. His group’s performance was about a butterfly that was boastful and didn't want to make friends with the flies. One day, the butterfly was caught in a spider web. The flies contemplated if they should help despite of the butterfly’s character but in turn they did. Moral of story, don’t be stuck up and make friends because you will never know when you will need their help.

As for the other group, wah!! Nice costumes, props and some of them dance the traditional Malay dance so well! AMAZED! Confirm got a lot of time to practice.

Of course, Shibly’s group won consolation price and got a badge. We were proud of him anyways because he was not shy despite not being confident with the dance steps. He was engaging with everyone and host.

Towards the end of the competition, the children were asked to recite doa and recitations from the Kitab. It was cute and wonderful to hear them recite word for word. Many adults don’t even know doa or memorize Ayat Kursi.

Anyways, the family had to separate soon after the completion because bro had to rush to work and mom wants to shop at the expo. She was sad because she thought we would go out together and thought we had to go home. I told her we don’t have to end the day just yet. Jhon, her and I can always go out on our own.

Silly mommy.

All I can say, Shibly was happy, family was proud and Mak was satisdfied. YEY!

   

Divine Twenty Nine

I can’t deny when reality struck that I am 29 years old, I felt a pinch of anxiety and fear. I usually do not feel this way every year but this year I did. It was a new kind of feeling. Although it was just a number, society does put pressure on it especially on what I have accomplished as a woman.

Personally and emotionally, I do not feel like I am 29. I still spend my days watching cartoons and pretty much like to behave childish when the time fits. But suddenly the number 29 appears in front of my face.

Most of my lady friends by now have been married for minimum 2 years and lately, a few of them are welcoming or has recently welcomed their 2nd child. Especially in the Malay community, if you are an unmarried 29 year old lady, there is something wrong with you.

Hahaha There is nothing wrong with me, hokay? I guess my previous failed 5 year relationship kinda set me back and here I am, going for another 5 year relationship with the best man I could ever asked for. I am very patient when it comes to relationships and letting fate flow at its own pace plus, my maternal instincts or ‘gatal nak kahwin’ (itchy to get married) mood comes in very late, as in only late last year. haha

I suppose it’s not that bad. At least I am in a stable and long term relationship and in the works of making everything official in the eyes of the law and God. *wink wink* I am definitely grateful for that.

Of course, I am grateful for my health, home, work and family although it has its holes.

Perhaps it’s not THAT bad. As long as I am not ignorant with the choices I make in life, I am pretty sure I will be alright. The only thing I pray and hope for is a smooth journey ahead.


   

Fun in the Sun at Pulau Ubin

Believe it or not, it’s a first time we visit Pulau Ubin and knowing it’s one of the nature picturesque places to be in Singapore. It was a perfect place for nature, trekking and photography lovers like us. Plus, it was our 69th month anniversary so everything fell into place.

We headed to Changi Jetty in bus no. 2 at 8am and we were so lucky everything went smoothly. You see, bumboats will only depart if there are 12 people ready to go. If not, you have to wait. So as soon as we entered the lobby, uncle called us in. Good hor?

We rode with a group of bike enthusiasts and their bikes looked gooood. I love the water although my swimming skills are low and it was so nice to be in that boat, salty cool air blowing, sun shining, rocking to the gentle waves with the sound of water crashing and soft engine rumbling. I could sleep at that moment from being calm.

In 10 minutes or so, we arrived at Pulau Ubin. It was the most rural part of Singapore and it was beautiful. Isn't nice to live so simply? It’s nice to get away from the city or even neighborhoods to just this. Brand is irrelevant; what is important is its necessity.

At first we wanted to be ‘gung ho’ about our trekking and wanted to go by foot. It’s nothing new about us trekking at long distances but the sun was merciless and piercing that day. At 150m mark, we decided to rent a bike like normal people do. haha

It was the best decision ever because it lighten our load on our backs (Jhon’s bag was filled with camera equipment and mine was fill with food haha) and the WIND! Oh the WIND! I love you.

We headed to Chek Jawa which is one of the spots to visit in Pulau Ubin because it is a part of the island that is at its natural state.

Everyone had to park their bicycle near a resting point and just at the entrance, we saw wild hogs! That was the first time I saw wild hogs and it was a complete family with its babies. Oink oink!

We checked out a Tudor style house with a firepalce which leads off to a jetty that over looked a tiny island called Pulau Sekudu.

After that, we headed to the Mangroves walk. It was SUPER WINDY and beautiful but HOT! It was because by this time, the sun is reaching its peak.

Fortunately, we found a perfect resting spot for shade and a quick lunch. It’s our standard tuna sandwich and salad. Yummy!

Every passerby couldn’t help but peeked at our food. =P

After resting and cooling down for 2 hours, we continued our walk. The tide was still low so we managed to appreciate the mangroves more.

And we got to see mud skippers and the tiniest cutest crabs we ever seen; perhaps as small as our nails.

As we exited the mangroves, we entered the forest and encountered a look out tower. Of course, we climbed up and of course, we didn't stay long as the wind gently swayed the tower. We always try to brave ourselves and pretend we are not afraid of heights but I think we lasted only 2 minutes? Haha

That was the final trail and we ended up to the rest stop where we left of our bicycle. We didn't realized how tired our legs were until we had to climb up a slope. Just a gentle slope! It was literally and metaphorically an up and down ride. There were steep and gentles slopes but both times, we would struggle up and always eventually dismount and push.I was clearly unfit and Jhon’s knee problems were acting up again. But the ride down was oh so fun!

When we finally reached the main entrance of Pulau Ubin, it was bitter sweet. We truly had a lot of fun but at the same time, so thankful for what seemed endless hills and knee burning cycling.

Yet again, we were lucky because bum boat driver needed 2 more people to depart and there we were! The other 10 people should thank us or they have to wait longer. Haha

Jhon and I were sticky, exhausted and red but was it worth it? YES!