WE ARE EXPECTING OUR SECOND BABY!

Okay Announcement! We are expecting our second baby! The doc estimated the due date to be 31st May,... ngam-ngam Kaamatan lagi tuh.

Anyways, we added a ticker so that we can follow the countdown to the day.

She's a girl!,..and we already chosen her a name,.... wait till she comes out and then finalize lah. Can't wait to see how's she going to look like. By then, there will be FIVE GIRLS in this picture,.... hahahahah!

Christmas Holiday

Okay,...ini mungkin cerita last year,..but I want to blog about it juga coz its not easy for my family and Intan's family to get together. Especially with all family members are spread far apart.

Our year end vacation started at around 15th December,... My bro-in- law family flew in from US, Intan's parents and younger bro flew in from Indonesia, and we converged in Singapore. We spent around 5 days there, to relax, catch up,...and shop. Its pretty amazing because three families, from US, Indonesia, and Malaysia, meet up in Singapore for holiday. Not an easy feat considering getting all "required" documents done, like visa's, before getting together.


With Aunty Qing and cousin Justin.(left)

The three cousins,... Justin, Ashley, and Sydney.(right)


Sitting on Orchard Rd with Grandpa & Grandma.(left)

Dea, Intan, Denny, and the kids!.(right)


We even managed to meet up with oom Iwan, tante Yul, and Ika. Uncle Iwan (right)and aunty Yul were already in Singapore earlier, and Ika (left)came to accompany her parents. So it was a pleasant mini Indonesian gathering in Singapore.

In fact, there are other relatives coming to Singapore too for holidays, but unfortunately Intan and I couldn't meet them.

On 21st Dec, we flew back to KK, while Intan's family stayed on in Singapore, to meet up with the KK family! My mom, and sis Didi, fetched us from airport with their brand new Avanza (eisehmen!),...fitting juga lah,...habis banyak luggage kami bawa. She treated us to the newly opened drive-thru McD near UMS. We waited there for Tom to bring Danica & Tabitha, who are anxious to meet Ashley.

The next day. We left Ashley, along with her cousins, to experience life in Daycare. She adapted quickly. Sempat juga jumpa Jeffrey's son, Jordan in Daycare.

With Daycare principal, Aunty Mary. On the right, Jocelyn and Jordan.

Now, I have a new found respect for Daycare teachers. Can you imagine managing 30 kids at a time?!!!

After settling down,.. we had our anticipated Christmas Eve dinner prepared by my sis. Sedaaap. Very well done Didi!


Christmas Eve Dinner and exchanging of gifts.

Ashley got a Barney toy from Aunty Didi...



We continued our vacation by going to Kudat the day after Christmas for some fun and sun. I was excited too coz we get to go to the Tip of Borneo. Pretty amazing experience.

Posing at the Tip of Borneo. I cant help but be at awe.... cool man!

On the left, breakfast time at Kudat Marina. Very hard to get a still pic of all four girls together.



More swimming,.... under the careful eyes of our own "Baywatch" guard.

On the way back, we stopped at one of the Rungus Long House near Kota Marudu. I was very impressed by the enterprising orang kampung. Bought some interesting sourvenirs too.

After a fun filled trip, we went back KK and had some crabs for dinner.

For New Year eve, we went to Nagasaki restaurant for dinner, and went back home after that. We didn't do the dip into the sea ritual to "buang sial", although we had a few humorous stories of it. When we reached home, everyone was beat tired and slept. But Tom and I stayed up to see the Liverpool vs Bolton match on tele.



I think my sister, Pam, went to a countdown party with her friends, coz she wearing the dress & earrings that Intan picked for her for Christmas,...hahahahah! (Looks nice on you by the way)



We hurried back to Singapore via JB on 3rd January, just in time to spend a few more extra days with Intan's family. And then, we sent them back to their respective places.

So, after a hectic time, enjoying each other company, with the shouting and crying of the children, plus the minor sickness like flu that we infect each other.... everybody went back.
Now, as we sit at our JB home,.. we sorta missed the chaotic time we had. Ashley missed her cousins too. Anyway, its always nice to spend time with the family. If God willing, we can get to do this again for 2006.

Goodbye 2005,....Hello 2006

Has been a while since I updated this blog. I'm sure everyone else is also busy towards year end. Anyways, I finally got a chance to sit down and blog.

Everytime, when I reach this point, I find myself asking whether what that I did this past year was right, what I decided was correct... or perhaps could I do it a little different and better. To be honest, I felt I did not give my best effort this year.

To sum up my 2005 in one word,.....COMPLACENT.

Its not something that I want to boast about. It happened and I cant do anything about it now. I did not get that sense of achivement yet. This is what I need to improve on this year.

On the other hand,...being a father along the way really helped. Yes, there may be times when Ashley is driving me mad, but that is insignificant compared to her being with me. Sometimes I still cant believe that I am a father. I think I still didn't potray the real father figure to her yet. Another area I need to improve.

There are time where I was being selfish. I am thankful that my long suffering Intan is still patient enough to put up with my antics. I definitely need to improve on being a better man to her.

Apart from that, I grateful for the good health God mercifully gave me.

So, the question is, ....What to look forward to for 2006?

I most certainly have to improve all the above. The bar was set pretty low last year,... I need to raise it this year. I just pray that God continue to protect and provide for my family, with another blessed addition in my household by mid 2006. THAT I definitely look forward to in 2006.

Oh ya,...there's another thing that I am looking forward to in 2006.......

Uncle Melvin

Our college friend was in JB for transit yesterday! Unfortunately for him, his Air Asia flight was delayed till 11pm (...kasian!). So we took this chance to catch up with him!

Suprise! By June next year,... Melvin & Mona will be expecting their first child. So in the mean time,...practice dulu angkat baby with Ashley! (Bulih lah,..pass juga sikit-sikit)

Congratulations you two! So, since your baby will be born during World Cup, want to give a footballers name,.....ohh, I dont know, say for example... Maradona? (chuckles)

What happens at home when Daddy's out?

Let me share with you a glimps of what goes on at home.


Getting online, sometimes chatting with aunts in Indo & KK.


And then,...when tired, a little exercise is good, (even our dog Tung-Tung joins in). Wah,...Sioknya!

CHRISTMAS!,....its just round the corner!

In Singapore, Christmas is always celebrated with nice and elaborate decorations all over the island. We went there to catch the christmas atmosphere. This christmas tree outside Paragon is just one of many HUGE christmas trees along Orchard Rd to Tang Lin Rd.

And at night,...all the lights come out! Very nice. I just hoped Ashley was able to appreciate it the colorful decorations.


Inside Takashimaya, all the christmas decorations is on sale.


After seeing all that kan,...we suddenly want to celebrate christmas faster,...hehehehe,... looking foward to go back home christmas and celebrate with the family.

"I'll be home,...for christmas"

Yoga Baby

Intan was doing some yoga exercise at home. And then Ashley pun decided to follow, both of them are doing the exercise in front of the TV..... Amazing how flexible si Ashley's body is, and how amazing Intan's body is,....hee hee hee!

As for me,...ada susah sikit lah,.....I cant even touch my toe.....kalau dulu duuuuulu,...masih boleh lagi!

Aquaria KLCC

Went to KL last weekend coz I need to attend a meeting in my HQ.Intan and Ashley also came along to accompany me, and at the same time, jalan-jalan in KL. We checked out the newly opened KL Convention Centre, with its main attraction, The Aquaria.

I was really excited,..... coz I LOVE FISH!... and they taste good when cooked. Anyway,.. the entrance fee was a bit on the high side,...RM28 for adults and RM15 for children. Luckily, children below three have free admission.

We got to see a lot of species,..... ranging from fresh water fish, to salt water fish, crustaceans, and even reptiles.

Check out this vertical tank. It has a tree as its centre piece. Very creative.....

The highlight of Aquaria is definitely "The Tunnel". You can see all the fishes swimming over you. The Ray fish is beatiful, gliding slowly and majestically. Si Ashley pula try to reach and catch the fish...:)

Aquaria do not allow flash photography inside, but if videocam,... no problem. Next time I come here, I will make a point to pakai digicam. Here is a pic of everyone favorite fish,... The Shark!

Wo Tie!

Today, Intan was so gracious to make something extra special for us,....Dumplings! (I love my wife...kiss!). Although we can find dumplings here in JB,... tapi not quite the same.

Reminded me of the time I had makan with some friends after movie in Sedco,... we wanted some dumplings.

Girl #1: Minum apa bos?
Dean: Oh,...mau order wo tie dulu,... bulih tulung panggil?
Girl #1: Tunggu ah,...........HOI! WO TIE!...SINI KAU!
Girl #2: Mau order Wo Tie ka bos?

Nama dia Wo Tie barangkali!...haahahhah

DI LARANG MASUK?....or

Saw this at Giant last night,...couldnt help myself but laugh!

MALACCA....Malaysia Historical City part 3

Okay, check this out. This is the Maritime Muzeum.

The ship has a lot of pictures and stories of war between the Bajau and the Portuguese, Portuguese and Dutch,..etc.
Inside is air conditioned. And before entering, we have to take our shoes off... so bolehlah tercium bau kaki orang. heheheh!

Here we are standing at the bow of the ship! Tingginya!


It was getting a bit crowded inside, so Ashley and I went out to check out the cannons.


Ashley trying to figure out how to open the treasure chest.





Next We visited Bukit Cina. This is the settlement of the entourage accompanying Princess Hang Li Poh, who was sent to be marry to the Sultan. Nothing much here, only the cemetary. But yang interesting is the Hang Li Poh Well. Imagine, last time, this place was full with China girls mandi-mandi! hee hee hee (grinning).


Hang Li Poh Well. It is said, if you drink from this well, you will surely come back to Melaka again. I tried to drink from it, but it was caged,... so minum mineral water lah...


A few days later, we met up with my old friend, Pritchard and his fiancee. Wanted to try the famous Melaka Chicken Ball Rice. Tapi, punyalah banyak orang.... tengok nie! Sampai di luar bah berbaris mau makan nasi ayam!

After around 45 minutes of waiting, we finally got a seat.

Pritchard and Viven.

Dean: "Bila lah kahwin chard?"

Pritchard: "Entah, next year barangkali"

Dean & Intan:"Bah :)!"

So there you go folks,... our DeepaRaya holiday in Malacca. Can say that this was a of the fun holiday for us.

MALACCA....Malaysia Historical City part 2

okay,...sambung cerita

Christ Church and Stadthuys
We are standing in front of the Victoria clock tower and fountain. In the backgound lagi is the Stadthuys. Previously, the Dutch governor stayed there,... now its the Ethnography Muzuem. Has all the detailed accounts from Malacca sovereignity to Japanese occupation.

On the right is the Christ Church, with it's distinct red color. Trishaw rides hang around here to pick up potential customers. When asked how much the ride was, "rm12 saja.. ok tauke?" ....terpaksa decline politely. Some of d trishaw have stereo boombox fixed in it, occasionally you can hear Crazy Frog song!..hehehehe

Across the road, was the mini tulips garden and miniature wind mill, evidence of the Dutch influece. We wanted to show Ashley the flowers, but baby was KOed.. hehehehe!




No trip to Malacca is complete without eating the famouse "Cendol Melaka". We went to a small shop in Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat)... VERY NICE!,.. and cheap. Its only RM2.20 per bowl. Baby Ashley just woke up,... so not in the mood for cendol...heheheh!



So, after a whole day of sightseeing, eating, buying souvenirs, its time to go back hotel and relax. Of course being the princess, Ashley get to use the "Bath Tub" first,.... heheheheh.

We have more places to visit the follwing day,... so, to be continued.