An addition

Whilst at Batam, Indonesia with the God family (Godparents & God- sisters), received a SMS announcing the arrival of AIDAN TEO @  Mt Alvernia Hospital on 25 Aug 12 from the proud father Maxim. Arrived a day before his grandma's (Elsie) 60th birthday, it was like the stork delivering a birthday gift ... It's a BOY !!! Yeah !!! Visited the bouncing baby boy (with rosy cheeks) on Mon, 27 Aug 12. Guess, its his first glimpse of his "Grand Uncle" (Probably, quite happy that he already has more hair !!)

The part that is now getting used to is addressing Michael as "Kong-Kong Mike". Hmmm !! takes a little while to sink in. Looks like it will take a while but the timeline of yester-years are slipping away very quickly. Welcome to the world, AIDAN and congrats to Grandpa Mike & Grandma Elsie !!!

Weekend getaway to Batam

It started with an innocent question - Can you join us over the weekend to Batam ? After checking schedule, ... well yes !!! and was suddenly commissioned as the "tour agent" for the weekend getaway to Batam After rounding up the group comprising of Godparents, God-sister and the Elfs at HarbourFront, proceed to HarbourBay, Batam via WaveMaster 6. Checked in a the Pacific Palace Hotel (Hotel is in the shape of a ship) before the first indulgence - Lunch. That unfortunately took a while cos major decisions had to be made to combined two rooms into a Suite. After much consultation and separate recce trips, there consenus was reached and the move finally took place to move to Room 709.

First Batam meal was at Putri Bongsu where Nasi Padang was the order of the day. With all the many dishes, we ate to our heart delight with several top-ups along the way. Whilst running through the weekend programme, the call to remain a little longer at Batam was planted and a quick search for a nearby Catholic Church was done to enable the attendance of evening mass so that the group need not rush back for Sunday Mass the next day.

We finally managed to attend the 6pm evening mass at the Gereja Katolik Santo Petrus at Blok Dua. Service was of course in Bahasa Indonesia. Whilst the processing were similar, the understanding was a challenge. Mass ended at 7:20pm and its was off to more indulgens at Golden Prawn 555 for a night of "Seefood" (Yes, See the Food and eat) !!! Ended the day with foot reflex .... all in the same clothes since arrival.

Its that time of the year to don the "red" t-shirt for the event of the year, the National Day Parade. Though there were usually anticipation and anxiety in previous NDPs, as coordination of where to sit (usually need up with seats in different sectors), the SOP is already in place.

Just leave the house on time and set the r/v point for the end of the show meet-up. We were generally split between the BLUE and ORANGE sectors but all turned out well. As for the RED dressing, this was the best/closest that we could get to. Tones and shades of red+the "where's Wally" look.

Had reasonably good seats and the weather was most cooperative. Not too hot and with clear skies. Met a couple of friends in the crowd and spent some time figuring our, what's in the goody bag !!! On the whole, it was a good show. Lots of effort and coordination involved. Glad that my personal involvement in NDP is now downgraded to just watching !!!

HAPPY 47th NATIONAL DAY, Singapore !!!!

Logo Reps @ NDP

Owing to the lack of car parks at Bugis Junction, decided to divert to the next nearest parking venue @ the National Library. At the lobby area, there was a display of the NDP layout complete with spectators, all in logo form. A quick search and we found the few little logo characters that were donated for the display.  Nice !! Here's to more good years !!