Celebrating Kor's birthday

My brother's birthday is exactly one week after Pam's birthday. So, it was another celebration again. Lots of celebrations happening this May...

We also celebrated Mother's Day at the same time since it was just one day apart. Went to Zuko, a French/Italian/Fusion restaurant just outside my parent's place along Upper East Coast Road. Been there twice and boy, it was so much nicer this time round as we ordered lots of stuff and shared. Pam's parents came along too since we were celebrating Mother's Day.There were a total 9 of us,including our helper.


We first ordered two plates of tomato bruschetta,which is a grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.Very tasty and yummy. Then we each ordered soup-french onion soup and wild mushroom soup.After the soup, we also had escargot. It is one of my favourite dish since young but didnt eat it this time because of my pregnancy. One of those foods that I do not know I can eat or ot during pregnancy.

Then, our mains came. We actually ordered to share with one another. We had 2 plates of squid ink pasta (linguine), 2 plates of grilled chicken with veggies, 3 plates of grilled hokubee ribeye and lastly my bro's birthday cake.

Our favourite dish was the grilled hokubee ribeye which is actually a Japanese cow that is reared in Australia. So, it is really tender, juicy and fatty! Melts in the mouth.Very nice. It came with mashed potatoes at the bottom and sauteed veggies.

More food pictures..

The squid ink pasta dish has been the dish that we always order as it was unique and fun...Well, at least CT and Janine had fun with the ink...(or rather we had fun laughing at Janine at her expense..)


Another part during dinner where we laugh at her is when we made her eat a slice of lemon to see her reaction. Cheap thrill...

How fun..

And finally, this is a picture of the cake I bought for my brother..it was a choc truffle cake.

I always leave such dinners with the feeling as if I was going to be in labour soon..so so so full.

Colleagues gathering

This is now the exam period and we get to go home officially at 12:30pm. I would usually make use of such opportunity to go home earlier and mark my papers.

Today, met up with my colleagues and ex-colleagues for dinner at Katong Village, Waraku Japanese Restaurant. It is a decent restaurant with lots of varieties which took us a long time to decide what to eat. Finally, I ate a set meal which consists of a bowl of rice, a bowl of noodles, pork cutlet and jap salad. Very filling as the noodles and rice was quite big portion.

2 among the group, are my ex-colleagues who are not teaching anymore. One of them, Cindy works in NPCC CCA branch now while the other is just taking a break.

The one sitting beside me is Annabella, also known as Anna. I knew her from my JC days when she joined the swim team. After that, we swam together in NUS as Eusoff hall roped me in to swim for them and Anna happens to be from Eusoff hall. Those were the fun days.

Anyway, back to the dinner..

Some of my friends ordered steamboat style with rice-one was the usaul steamboat pot, while the other is the paper-style steamboat where the soup and dishes are contained within this special paper.

We ordered side dishes as well- potato cabbage pan fried flour with mayonaise which tasted really nice. It actually reminds me of takoyaki. The other side we ordered was the usual japanese fried tofu (agedashi tofu).

Above is a picture of what I ordered. By the way, the camera did not capture all that I ate...

As usual, the whole night of our conversation was about students and our school. Hmm..what else could it be when teachers gather together..

We also celebrated Irene's and Kelvin's birthday. Kelvin is the one who recently left our school to take a break. We got them a simple mango cake. We were stuffing the cake into our mouths as we were all so full already.

Caleb's first new baby clothes

Just recently, my best friend, Marianne gave a set of infant's clothes to baby Caleb. I was pleasantly surprised and moreover, it was really cute. I definitely cant wait to buy stuff for Caleb but I know I have to really hold back as people would pass down some old stuff to me and friends/relatives would buy stuff for Caleb as well.




And I also do not want to spend too much on baby's stuff which he would outgrow very fast...

So anyone with baby's stuff which you will not use and would like to donate to baby Caleb, do let me know or pass them to me soon! Thanks! :)

Celebrate Pam's birthday

Today, went to Changi Airport to celebrate Pamela's(my sis-in-law) birthday. We went to "Soup Restaurant" and had lots of food. We ate beggar's pork rib, samsui ginger chicken with lettuce, sweet potato leaves with sambal, lotus root soup, bean curd, noodles. It was very yummy.



Last but not least, we had ice cream cake from gelare which mum bought.

Janine cant help but stare hard at the delicious looking ice cream chocolate cake.

CT and I had to rush lunch as we had to go down to hospital for our antenatal classes. We were about 5 mins late and the class started already and immediately, the instructor made us to exercises which she taught us last week. I was telling CT that I might just puke from the filling lunch.Haha...

It was fun attending classes at the hospital to prepare me for the birth of baby Caleb. I had learnt a lot about my body and to prepare me mentally. During today's class, we recap on the exercises taught-abdominable exercises, pelvic thrusts, pelvic floor muscles exercises, breathing exercises etc. Today, we learnt about preparations for the different stages of labor-what to expect and what to do.

The instructor also taught the husbands how to massage the wives while going through the stages and how they can help. So, it was fun having CT massage my back and doing the breathing exercises with me.

After class, I went to my mum's house to rest and bathe. Then we went out for early Mother's Day dinner which my church organised. It was the Mandarin Ministry that organised it. So, CT and I invited my parents and my mum-in-law. We all went in my mum's van.

Dinner was at Qian Xi Lou at Civil Service Club which I have been there almost every year since I joined teaching as they hold the public service swimming meet there. So, quite familiar with the place. Too bad I cannot compete this year because of my pregnancy.

Oh...forgot to mention that Janine came along as my bro and Pam went out to watch "Spiderman 3". So, I was given the task to babysit her. It was tough keeping her occupied and amusing her during the journey as she was so active and I was so inactive.,,because of my weight and tummy.

Glad my mum helped a lot throughout the dinner.

The dinner was filled with performances and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. There were a group of ex-convicts who were drug addicts that came up on stage to sing a couple of songs. Very touching. One of them even shared his story about how he started taking drugs and joining a secret society when he was 13 yrs old...and how his mum kept worrying about him.

He kept going in and out of prison many times and to many different prisons. But his mum never failed to visit him though she was very disappointed. Each time he got out of jail, he wanted to start afresh but he would always go back to his old ways. He then talked about how he met a guy whom introduced him to go church and from then on, he changed for the better.

After his mum saw his tremendous change, she also accepted Christ. His mum was there at the dinner and she too gave her testimony about how she went to temples to pray for her children as all 3 of them were drug addicts. She even paid a lot to the monks there as they told her about different solutions like burning incense paper and drink it etc..She was desperate. Even when the son accepted Christ, she told him that he will surely not last and will go back to his old ways. But, it was indeed a miracle that he didnt go back to his old ways, but instead went around giving his testimonies to people about his miraculous change in him after so many years and how God has been really good, working in his lives.

His dad during the tough times even had a mistress and when the mother gave her testimony, she shared that after accepting Christ, she learnt to forgive him and even invited him and the mistress to church. Such peace!

It just brings to my mind about a verse from the bible," I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

There are just so many testimonies going around about God's goodness and even I, myself have lots of stories to tell about what God has done in my life and will do in future. I just cant wait to spend my entire life with Him and please Him.

Reality fanatic

For the past months or so, I have been catching my favourite 2 reality shows- American Idol and All-Stars Amazing Race. Both of which will be ending soon. Sobsob.

I like reality shows because it tells me what people are like but of course, I take it with a pinch of salt since reality shows like these are 'staged' in some sense. I have a love for learning about human psychology and why people behave/act the way they do. If I ever had a chance, I wish I can study psychology...and going into the minds of people.

I guess, this love helps me in my teaching as I totally understand what most students think and so, I tune my lessons according to what they like and yet, still helping them to learn. Guess that is why most students appreciate me better even the normal technical students.

This coming week will be the finale of the Amazing Race and I am pretty excited who will win. I like that show for its challenges and the places they visit. I am also a person who strongly believes in the wonders of travelling...and how it opens your eyes to many things and thus, increasing my knowledge and wisdom.

2 days ago, American Idols sang songs of Bon Jovi and boy, I loved it as I have always listened to Bon Jovi since I was a teenager and I totally 'dug' their performance when they sang it. I absolutely loved Blake's performance that night...as it was the most entertaining and most original style of a Bon Jovi song.Do check it out! (if you know Bon Jovi's songs)

Another cook out

Usually during the weekdays, CT and I would have home cooked chinese meal which consists of 3 dishes, soup and rice. So, when it comes to weekends, I tend to eat Western or other cuisines that is not Chinese. Anything ranging from Thai food, Jap food to even Turkish food.

So this weekend, I decided to cook Coney dogs, since I had sausages in my fridge. Yep, it was another filling night where I just cant move after eating. Haha..We both had 2 coney dogs each and the pork bratwurst sausages were thick and fat.

You think it is not much...well, that was the same respond CT had when I told him we would be eating coney dogs for dinner and he replied," Only? Enough or not?" But who knows, that came with lots of other stuff too...

I made a light olive oil garden salad with lemon juice, cream of chicken mushroom soup and a light fluffy pastry to go with the soup (roti prata).

So, we ended up stuffed!

Cant imagine those hot dog eating competitions where the person eats 40-50 of them. Amazing.

Happenings in my life

Well, nothing much has been really exciting in my life except more kicks from baby Caleb throughout the day as well as going to East Shore Hospital weekly on Saturdays to attend antenatal classes with CT.

I chose East Shore Hospital because it is reasonably priced as well as it is not so crowded. The other reason is that it is located in the East which makes travelling down easier to go for classes or doing visits.

I have really learnt a lot from the class about how and why the body is changing. The nurse will first talk about nutrition, then breastfeeding, signs of labour, bathing the baby etc. Next few weeks will be teaching me how to exercise and breathe properly to ease the delivery of baby. How interesting I must say.

Currently at the moment. CT and I have decided to employ a helper a month before I deliver the baby to take care of me. I have never wanted to relied on one but it seems I do not have much a choice since CT prefers to stay in our own house and both our mums are not free to take care of baby.

I do not wish to employ one because it seems inconvenient to have someone new coming into our family and stay with us. And also, I do hope that aside from all the maid stories that I have heard, I can still trust them.

I do pray I will get one who is honest, pleasant, takes initiative, hardworking and has the ability to take care of baby Caleb, cook and clean the house.

Cooking

Last Sunday, I felt like eating burgers. So, I decided to make my own mushroom swiss burger.

Bought ground beef and seasoned it with salt, black pepper, worcestershire sauce and tomato ketchup. Usually, I would add beer as it would taste nicer but I guess I didnt want it to be so fanciful. So, I kept my seasoning simple.

So I first sauteed the white button mushrooms with onions. Then I made my beef patties and grilled it. Then add the cooked mushrooms on top, and lastly, top it off with cheese on top before putting on my already grilled bread with melted butter.

It was delicious and filling as we both took 2 burgers each. Had baked beans, salad, and chicken vegetable soup for sides. Actually, I had mashed potatoes too but decided not to cook them after I saw that there was so much food.

It is really simple to make. If you do not eat beef, you can always replace it will grill chicken breast or grilled dory fish. It will also taste good.

Give it a try!

new additions to blog

Just to let y'all know that I have added on movie recommendations in my blog. The reason in doing so is because CT and I love watching movies and thus, I felt it might be useful for those who like to catch a movie but do not know what is good out there. Pre-warning: The movies that I recommend is purely my own personal recommendations and thoughts written about it.

The other thing I added is a website link(on the right side column) to the forum which I live in-The Punggol Forum. My neighbourhood has their own forum and lots of useful titles for you to read up if you like to-e.g for food lovers-gd places to eat or recipes, for pregnant mothers & mothers, lots more.... as well as a wide collection of photographs to Punggol.

Do check it out when you are free!

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday and my church has a service in Expo for all Presbyterians in Singapore- a combined service. CT and I gave it a miss because I didnt want to be in crowds. Instead, CT suggested bringing me to the Pasir Ris Park to catch the sunrise.

Truthfully, I would much rather catch up on my sleep as I have been lacking from the days of waking up early in the morning for work. But since CT initiated (which he seldom does), I wanted to support him by agreeing to it and wake up at the usual time during working days-which is 6am. CT suggested as he knew I would like watching, which I do..

So, today at 6am, woke up as usual and took the same usual route as I would have gone to school as my school is near the Pasir Ris Park. I really felt as if I was going to work. We managed to catch the sunrise though it was not very strong and contrasting in colour. It was still pleasant to catch the breeze and see the pastel colours in the sky.

There were an elderly couple there already doing their morning exercise.

At times, we could catch the commercial airlines flying in the sky as it is near the airport..

We also caught sight for an egret looking kind of bird along the shores..

After that refreshing time in the morning, we went for breakfast at Pasir Ris Market area.

Every time I catch the sunrise/sunset/beautiful flowers, I always thank God for his creation. Indeed there is a God who created all these and He is the same one who claims: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

May this Good Friday weekend be a good time for you to reflect upon the meaning of Good Friday and Easter Sunday to think about His love, think about His goodness..

22 weeks old

Baby is now about 22 weeks in my womb and boy, it has been kicking. No complains as I love to feel it kicking. Its mostly awake at night after dinner time but recently, baby Caleb has been kicking in the day time when I am in school too. Hope he is learning Mathematics as I teach my students! hehe





Here is a picture of him. He is now too big to take a full picture of him.

When CT saw this, he said, "wha..caleb so handsome.."

Hmm..go figure..

Another life experience..

This morning, had breakfast with CT as it is his off day. After breakfast, went NTUC to get some stuff for the teachers at camp to munch. So I bought fruits and some crysanthenum tea drinks for them. I dropped CT back home before I drove to the camp site.

On my way along TPE, I went to the fastest lane and just minutes later, the car in front of me jammed brake and I had to jammed my brakes as well as the car came to a complete stop from the usual 80-90km/h we were all travelling. And immediately when I jammed brake, I looked in my back mirror and saw the car behind me was still travelling in his normal speed, I knew I will def get a hit from his car and yup, I did. It was a 5-car collision at the fastest lane along TPE.

The car behind me that hit my car was a Lexus and I saw the front seat passenger getting a hit on her head as their car was travelling the normal speed when it hit my car. I actually stopped in time without hitting the front car but all thanks to the Lexus, that my car had to hit the front car.

The jammed brakes was probably due to 2 cars who already at the side road and the silly Singaporean syndrome kicked in as the car drivers in front were all rubber neckers, being so KPO! One of the men who was already at the side road rushed over and asked us if we were ok. I was like..yah..cant believe this is happening but well, this is not a new experience for me getting jerked by a hit. I am thankful that I was driving a merc and not some light metal car. If not, my back will def be badly hit.

Definitely recollections of the train accident in US came flashing by in my memory.

The man who came to help us, actually stopped the whole traffic in TPE and signalled for us to go to the side road on the left. It was amazing how he controlled all the 4 lanes for us to move over. Anyway, after we did that, the man introduced himself as a claims adviser. He said he could help me settle all the paperwork and get my claims for me. Of course, I was more than willing for him to help as I was totally lost as to what to do. All of them were busy snapping pictures, while I just couldnt be bothered and just snapped one shot of my own car to show CT. Ha

My car bumper came off while the Lexus car number plate in front was totally gone, smashed and vanished. The car in front of me was a cute orange Nissan car. Not as badly smashed as I would imagine..just dented in the boot area. My car was the 3rd car in that sandwich.

After taking down our car numbers and contact numbers, the car adviser guy told me to drive and follow his car to his office cum workshop where he would help me settle. I asked if I needed to pay anything and he said no as he would claim everything from the last guy who hit me. So, I was relieved and drove right behind his car to his workshop nearby in Ang Mo Kio.

He was really nice and I felt he was God-sent. He told me that he was already at the side of the road as his client's car broke down and needed his help. So, he witnessed the accident. I think without him, I would be so lost and helpless. So, he helped me to fill up the paper work and told me to leave my car here as they would repair it and get the claims from the 3rd party. My car was in no state to drive further anyway as the bumper was already dragging the floor and I just felt insecure driving the car, feeling that the parts will just fall off one by one. Haha.

He helped me to get a rented car for me to drive-a Toyota Corolla. I transferred my stuff from my car to the rented car and drove home. In between all that was happening, I had to make calls to the teachers at the camp site whom I couldnt get as no one answered. So, I called my school and told my VP and asked for off from camp. She told me to go see a gynae to get the baby checked.

So, I drove home, met up with CT and we both went to East Shore Hospital for the checkup since my gynae was there. Another assurance from God was not only sending the car adviser to be at the accident scene but to allow CT to be off on the day of the accident so that we can both settle the stuff together. I was glad he was around to accompany to see the gynae together and spend the day together.

Ok, baby Caleb is fine after the checkup. So, all is well.

Actually, the funny thing is that CT always wanted to re-spray the car and change the bumper as it already had some scratches. So, we were both glad that it can now be achieve without us having to pay a cent. The other funny thing is that last night, I was quite upset that I had to go back to camp this morning and complained to CT that I didnt want to go for camp. CT said that he prayed for my safety last night and asked me,"eh, what did you pray for huh?" I said," I just complained to God that I had to spend the whole day in camp doing nothing and felt so worthless.." So, CT said, "yup, God answered your prayers and my prayers. He kept you safe and now, you have 2 days mc. So, you do not even need to go back to the camp at all."

So, truthfully, the rest of the day, I was quite happy being with CT and enjoying his company as last night, I was very sad that it was CT's off day and I had to spend the whole day in camp, including the campfire (since it was last night in camp).

What a blessing in disguise! :)

Going camp despite...

These few days, the whole of Sec 3s have camp at MOE adventure campsite along Dairy Farm Road. Nope, its not an animal farm as much I wish it is. It is just a campsite for students to do obstacle courses and nature walk at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

My colleagues all felt that I should not be asked to go since I am pregnant..It just tells a lot about my school management doesnt it? But in all honesty, I do not mind dropping by to take photos with my students as I will definitely miss them when I go on maternity. But as a responsibility for me to stay whole day in the camp, I wasnt too happy.

Anyway, yesterday was the first day and it was a torture because the 12 teachers who went because they are form teachers of the Sec 3 classes all spent their time mostly in a small aircon room watching DVD in our colleagues' laptop to spend our time. There are about 15 instructors who were conducting the whole camp, so I felt so redundant.

At about 545pm, I told my CCA HOD who is overall in charge that I wanted to go home to eat my home cooked dinner and rest as I was allowed to go home at night for sleep. And you know his reaction...he asked me:" Do you have to go back so early?" I couldnt believe my ears as there was so sign of empathy for me who stayed the whole day in camp and feeling so uncomfortable.

I had to tell him about eating home and having my due rest. Spent some time explaining before he said ok and reminded me to be back again in the morning early the next day. Sigh...

Who will Caleb look like?

I have been having friends coming up to me with stories about getting a gender mixed up at the day of delivery itself when they realised that they did not get the gender the gynae told them.

So, I am kind of mentally prepared but whatever the case is, I have been wondering how will my baby turn out to be. Who will he look like? Daddy or Mummy?

So far, most parents with first new borns seem to take after the dad. That is from my observation but I also know of few cases that they take after the mom. Hmm...

So, will Caleb look like this??

(featuring baby CT)

With cute dimples...?

With the ah beng look..

Or this?? (featuring me!)

fat and round...

Or the ever drooling baby..

Hmm...that waits to be answered..coming to the hospital near you in July!

Day 2 of Bintan..our last day

Woke up early this morning at about 7 am to catch the sun rise. I was a little sad as last night, my room air con was freezing such that when we went out this morning, my camera started to fog up. So, I couldnt really get good pictures of the beautiful sunrise that we saw. Here is what I could take with my foggy camera..

The next picture was actually a nicer one with the slanted coconut tree in the foreground and the sun was much stronger...but sigh, my lens refused to clear up..oh crap. Well, just use a little of your imagination and enjoy ;)

After catching the sunrise and walking in the beach, we went to swim in the pool which overlooks the beach. This is my first time swimming since my pregnancy and I was really looking forward to this so much so that I dreamt the night before I came to Bintan about it. I dreamt I forgot my swimsuit and was so upset with myself. Glad its just a dream.

I was looking forward to it as I love to relax in the pool and moreover so, now that I am pregnant and lack exercise. I was pondering as to whether to get a maternity swimsuit or not but didnt wish to waste such money on it as I have lots of swimming costumes already and didnt want to add another one to this 'collection'. So, instead, I wore my bikini which is of course free size for any pregnant women as size of tummy doesnt matter! haha..

bought this bikini in the states as I wore it to swim and tan there...since my apartment had 3 swimming pools and we stayed so near the beautiful white sandy beach of the gulf shores and 45 mins drive from florida. So, glad this came in handy now as I would NEVER wear it in Singapore...haha..unless there is absolutely nobody around staring at my flabs.

If you are wondering who took that picture for us..well, nope, its not a third party but we just left the camera on the beach chair and set it to timer.

Here are more pictures of the nice big pool overflowing out of the edges as if the water flows to the sea.

The bar area..

I know I havent written down the name of the resort I am staying yet. Well, this is because I thought of letting you guys guess. But anyway, I shall say it now. This is actually the Nirwana Gardens Resort. So far I have been to Bintan, I have always stayed in this same place because the price is most reasonable with good amenities that meets my needs.

I saw Bintan Lagoon but didnt choose to stay there last time and now cos it is a place for family and golfers since there is a golf course there and though I love to play golf and always dream of becoming pro (wishful thinking), I cant now. Maybe next time when my kid grows up...

Other places like Angsana and Banyan Tree doesnt meet my requirement because CT and I do not indulge in spas and I think in my lifetime, I may not do so as well. I just do not feel that I need one...and prob do not like the idea of people touching me and breaking my bones. Haha...dunno.

There are places like Club Med also in Bintan but that is also a place with family and if you are very active. Obviously I am not now.

Anyway, back to Nirwana...I like this place because it is huge and has a nice pool and a beach just in front of the resort. This is what I look for in the hotel plus its nice and wide range of buffet food for breakfast for free. They serve Japanese food, Nasi Lemak, Bee Hoon, Fried Rice, the usual sausages, potatoes, curry chicken, bread pudding, etc..and stalls which will make sunny side up for you or omelettes with your own choice of fillings, as well as pancakes stall...and also the whole array of different bread, muffins, cakes, fruits and cereals.

After such a filling buffet breakfast, we went to walk around in our hotel and take more pictures..

This is a picture taken at the balcony at our room.

This is the view from our room..can see the beach from here..


Picture of the beach..

After walking for a while, the weather was too hot..so we went back to our nice cool room and chill out...or in our terms, NUA... We actually slept for a good hour before we changed and checked out of our hotel.

Though the trip was so short, I enjoyed and appreciated the time we could just getaway for a night as I knew there was no other time we could do so.

Guess the next time I come back here, will be with Caleb.

Bintan Getaway Day 1

This is the start of the holidays and I am required to go back to school everyday over the next week. So, CT and I went to Bintan during the weekends for a very short getaway before baby Caleb is born. I figured I would not have anymore time to do so since when its the June Hols, I will be going through my 3rd trimester.

I chose Bintan, even though its expensive, because I prefer to take ferry and moreover, I only had time for a 2days, 1night stay. So no point going somewhere further. I also like the beach and the surroundings there.

The last time I went was with CT during our 'honeymoon' in August, 3 years ago. So, it was a good time to relive those times before the baby comes.

I enjoyed the ferry ride as I love being in the sea. So, the choppier it is, the more exhilirating it was for me and CT,despite my condition now. There was TV mobile shows in the LCD TV too. So, it was quite a comfortable and entertaining ride.

When we first arrived, we went to the hotel to see if we could check in early. They only had 2 single beds available..which we didnt want. So we told them we would wait. We dropped our luggage with the resort and went for lunch at Pasar Ole Ole. Where else could we go? When we arrived at Pasar Ole Ole, we walked 5 mins away from it and went to the hawker centre for local food amongst local people. So the food there was much cheaper.

We just had vegetable rice to fill our stomachs and the only regret is, we didnt change our money to Rupiah. So we still had to pay in Sing dollars which they would earn more. Anyway, still much cheaper than tourist places food, I figured, and happily gave them $6 sing dollars for both our lunches. I enjoyed the Indonesian vegetable rice dishes, especially this wierd looking green chilly sauce which was very tasty and spicy! We both had fried chicken, fried prawns in skewer, and veggies.

After a nice and cheap lunch, we walked back in the sun to Pasar Ole Ole for shopping. We bought ice cream and prawn crackers. We had to spend our time there while waiting for the bus to take us back to hotel. Once we headed back to hotel, we checked in to our room which CT upgraded for my comfort and treat.

Check this out...the living room

Our bedroom...And our spacious toilet with 2 sinks..

By the time we checked in, it was 4 plus already. We went to our hotel, bathed and rested till dinner time. We were watching TV and doing my Math Olympiad questions. To me, this is relaxing..to be able to stimulate my brain a little but yet in a relaxing environment. It was fun as CT did the questions with me.

At night, we went to the Kelong for dinner...our usual dinner experience in Bintan. We would go there to catch the sunset. We actually just missed the bus to the Kelong but the hotel staff was nice enough to take us on their private jeep to the place before the sun sets.

This is the picture of the kelong restaurant..
We ordered a dinner set for 2 and boy, there were a lot of various dishes. Take a look!

Let me tell u what we ate: vegetable chicken soup, seafood fried rice, seasonal veggies (xiao bai chai), fried lemon chicken, sweet and sour prawns, gong gong, chilli stone crabs. All tasted really nice. It was probably one of my first time eating the gong gong as the whole thing...and when I pulled out the flesh, it looks exactly like the shell just that it is darker in colour and of course, softer.

It sure looked like a dish from fear factor right? But who cares if it taste good?

After a very filling dinner, which we wiped the food all out, we went back to our hotel and walked in the beach from one end to the other end within the hotel. We were so exhausted after that that we fell asleep when we went back to our hotel room, which was only about 10pm then.. zzzz...

lying so straight..in 18 weeks

Went to the gynae today for the usual checkup. My weight gained was suddenly so abrupt that the gynae told me to watch it. Sobsob. That was why that night after the visit, I had brown rice porridge for dinner at bedok central which made me hungry even after eating. sigh. So far, I have put on about 4 kg since pregnancy and for my first trimester, I only gained 1 kg. So that was why the sudden 3 kg jump kind of left me off with a warning by the gynae.





Anyway, I must say I have been rather disciplined in my eating. I do not crave for any food and I just eat as per normal. Maybe snack a little when it comes to 4pm. But other than that, everything is normal.





Gynae confirmed that the baby is a boy..much to my relief because I have heard of stories that the gynae tell them one thing and after it is borned, they realised it is a diff gender. I dont wish for that to happen to me.





Took a scan of baby and boy, it was big and straight! It was amazingly lying so straight...check it out!

The head all along used to be on the left side, but it seemed to have turned and now it is on my right. Can you see the spinal cord? Babies are supposed to be curled up in the womb I thought so was really surprised at this picture.

Pamela told me that after this, I wouldnt be able to catch the baby in the scan as he would grow too big.

Caleb is now about 12 cm for the record.