Hamsters!!!

We started keeping pets recently - 2 hamsters to be specific.  Just a couple of days back, my neighbour (who also has 2 hamsters) decided to go for a holiday and hence asked us to take care of their pet hamsters while they are gone. 

Before I know it, Rachel shared that her classmate was giving her yet another hamster for her birthday!  I didnt think it was real, but boy! when I returned home last night, I was 'welcomed' by a sight of 5 hamsters!!! Sheesh... I felt that we have a mini-zoo here or something.

After getting over the initial shock of being invaded by hamsters, I felt that it is pretty therapeutic just watching them run around and nibbling on their food and even sleeping.  If only life for us is simpler.

I also reckon having hamsters help the kids to learn some responsibility as they have to change the bedding every now and then, maintain contact with the hamsters, and feed them.

Humour Books Online

I remember how I used to borrow joke books in secondary school and enjoy the humour that spring from the pages; not to mention riddles such as 'Why did the chicken cross the road?' Cannot remember the answer, but such were the things that occupy my free time.

Pastor George Ong spoke at our church yesterday and brought along his 12 volumes of books. While I was unable to attend the sermon due to my commitment to teach the kiddies at the same time, I had the chance to browse through his books... and again, the funny bone gets tickled.

Have decided to include just one example of his humour: Teacher: If I give you two sentences: Danny is walking home. He saw a dead man. Can you join the 2 sentences together? Student: Danny saw a dead man walking home.

Hopefully as the kids grow up, they will learn to add humour to their lives and learn to enjoy the journey along with the sparks rather than to take life too seriously... I know Rachel will... she is already picking up joke books... :)

Kuantan - the Sea, Sand and Skies

During the recent school holidays, we decided to drive to Kuantan for a short family vacation. Ambitious plans were made whereby we decided we would meet at Woodlands at 8:30am!!! The kids packed their bags and hit the sack real early in anticipation of their early rise. Lo and behold! The kids were really up early... and were roaring to go :)

The drive took about 8 hours and were interspersed with multiple stops. With 3 MPVs and 22 persons (adults and kids) in tow, regular stops were a given :). Finally being guided by GPS for the final leg of our journey, we passed through a very unfamiliar stretch of residential estates before arriving at Swiss Garden Hotel where we would be spending the next 2 nights at. En route to Swiss Garden, we stopped by a pottery shop where I managed to snap this photo (along with an unnamed mozzie). I thought the colours were pretty!

The day after the kids (and the fathers) were ready to hit the sand and sea. In all they spent more than 2 hours catching hermit crabs and playing by the seaside and going out to sea. Nathan and Theodore did lots of stunts including 'flying fish' stunts... wonderful to have caught him in action.

After 2 hours, we had to drag ourselves away from the sea else we risk being totally sun-burnt. All of us were definitely a tone or two darker, but all had great memories of the times spent together.