KHao Construction

KHao got his rubber boots when he was 3. He wanted one just like his grandfather's and father's. He spends lots of time in his garden digging soil and here in PD the only thing I saw him doing was to dig. With full concentration, feet apart, he dug away at the beach. Never seen a happier kid just digging.

The moment he opens his eyes he would run out to join Uncle Sony and we wouldn't see him for hours.

Here, he is helping to sandpaper the stairway.

Borhan says he has excellent observational skills and would point out any discrepancies that he notices. Borhan is very impressed by this 5 year old.
His mom told us that he once sawed a broom handle to obtain 2 equal parts by lodging the broomstick into the grooves of the metal drain cover.

Helping out in the Kitchen

The girls trying hard to get rid of black squid ink after helping to clean and gut the squids for lunch.

Han enjoys watching his grandfather cook and would ask endless questions.

What are you doing now?

What did you add in?

He is happiest when put to task and would ensure he does a good job. He can now crack eggs without leaving bits of eggshells in and is able to cook his own omelette.

Fai helping Pohpoh pound onions.

Henna @ home

Machika came with bag full of inai.

She was so captivated by this ancient body art since having her hands decorated at Batu Caves, she has big plans for henna art in Japan.

Using a paintbrush

Only JY would think of tranfering the paste and using a piping bag and piping tip instead.

Beautifully decorated hand and foot.

Sam@PD

After setting foot in the house for 5 minutes, Sam moaned "I am BORED!" "There are trees and more trees in PD. I can't take it!"

Oh dear, not a good start.

But things changed for the better after her mom suggested she help to pluck a ripe papaya. She enthusiastically did the task but when she cut it open, it had gone soft and mushy inside.

So she threw the fruit into the compost pile.

Minutes later, this was what was left of the fruit. Red-eyed starlings loves papayas.

Seeing how she enjoyed harvesting the fruit, I told her I needed help plucking some herbs from the garden. She followed me around as I showed her what I needed for dinner. She helped me dig out a few stalks of lemongrass, 2 sprigs of curry leaves and 3 limau purut leaves. Then told her to give them a wash and slice them into smaller pieces. I added in a few slices of ginger and onions.
And finally, what she had been wait for - pounding everything into pulp for my chicken marinate.

I have never seen anyone take to the pestle and mortar the way she did. She was so focused and did a marvellous job.
Can't wait for her to come again. Next time, I will get the ingredients for sambal belacan.
Thank you Sam for all your help.

Pasir Panjang Forest Reserve

The last time we came to this place, it was at high tide and we didn't get to see the coast line. Our timing was perfect this time.

Ean looking for snails

The kids had the whole beach to themselves to discover

JY's collection of shells

Ean and Machika bonding over snails.
Machika came back for a 2week visit and she was rather disappointed that Ean no longer clung on to her requesting for reading sessions. She was all smiles when Ean finally warmed up to her and spent the whole time at the beach by her side.

The boys creating their own world under a mangrove tree.

I had to take this photo. Sam was determined not to like PD as she says that she is a city girl who can't live without a dance studio.
This beach had so much to offer that in moments something caught her eye and she loudly exclaimed "So Beautiful!" and beckoned her sister to take a look. After that the inner-kampung girl was more apparent. It was nice to see her finally enjoying herself in PD.

Rocky beach. so different from the one we usually go to.

Machika and Ean :)

Tranquility

Walking out to the carpark. No one else around. Some trees were labeled. The next time I come, I will take a closer look at the trees.

Chess 2June2011

Arian is into chess - chinese chess and english chess as he puts it.
He came for a visit with his chinese chess set and introduced the game to Fai.

Fai couldn't quite get the game and so they went on to play english chess.
The next day, Arian decided to teach me chinese chess. He said he would make it easy for me by giving me 'handicap' and promptly removed 4 pieces and threw in a few helpful, strategic hints.
He then gave a brief overview of the game and showed me how each piece can be moved.
He tried his best to teach me but my grey cells just couldn't remember the chinese characters and the moves each made and after a few exasperated minutes, Arian said "It is ok Aunty Yuling, I think I want to play with Fai now"
Oh Dear... I will try harder next time, Arian.
The few days Fai spent with Arian triggered the Chess Craze and he would now insist we play either chess or draughts with him everyday.

I hear it is similar with Arian too.

The beach @PD needs a clean up

A leisurely walk to the beach

and was greeted by trash.

More trash

A packet strewn by someone who should have been trained better.
I didn't know it at that time but it took a foreign student from Japan to make me realise that instead of just griping about the state of the beach I should have gone about cleaning it up!