Year end road trip to Penang

Nearing the end of December, I had such a great holiday with our friends. We got to spent our New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in Penang, Malaysia.

On 29th Dec,6am
We (my hubby, I and Chloe) start our trip from Singapore to JB, drove our car and park it at our friend's house as we will only go in one car instead of convoying :). We (and 4 of our friends) set for our first destination : breakfast at Yong Peng.




Lunch at Sekinchan

and sight seeing - paddy field

the rice factory

After another 4 hour we arrived at Ipoh and stayed 1 night at this 'famous' inn Sekeping -Kong Heng.

Ipoh - old town

 

in front of Sekeping - Kong Heng

After that, we had dinner together and got some rest. With our Chloe in tow we just relaxed in our room instead of go walked around town with them. 

dinner together with friends

The next morning, we spent by having breakfast at 4 different locations in Ipoh.

nice old town coffee at Ipoh and laksa

This trip a bit more of gourmet holiday trip because we always look for nice place to eat hehe.

We saw so many caves while driving towards Ipoh town and we managed to make a short stop by at one of the 'caves' while we were there.

amazing sculpture by nature

Next, we went to  Taiping Lake for a nice photo shoot together. 

We stopped by for lunch at Nibong Tebal.

Great seafood and reasonable price

By afternoon we arrived in Penang by ferry and straight went to hotel at Sekeping-Victoria.
This place is awesome.
Although safety is another issue here (steep staircase with no railing! and bay window with no grills for safety! weks) because I had Chloe so we kind of very cautious when we were in the room (just to make sure, the door is always locked and windows shut when Chloe is in the room)

Then we met our other friends who is from Penang so he guided us through some of the famous places in town.

morning walk in Penang

Strolling at Gurney Road

Have dinner at 2 different locations and by end of the day we are full... with food and happy memories :).
At 10pm they decided to have a drink and walk around the town but since Chloe was tired, we decided not to join them.

The next day, we went to the biggest temple in Penang called Kek Lok Si.

Had great time climbing all the stairs with Chloe in my hand. Had a nice assam penang laksa and some rojak. Then we drove around to buy some nice biscuits to bring home. Another place we visited is Blue Mansion. A very old building and World's Heritage Site. Spent our afternoon there before going back to our hotel which is in another location. Ryokan Hostel.
Dinner was at Pavillion Mall.
 
The next day is 1st January - New Year day. We had breakfast at the hostel in the morning. So happen that they had an event of big walk in town so there were lots of people on the street that morning. We continue our day by walking around nearby our hotel finding some mural paintings that's uniquely Penang style.
Took some photos of them. and set off to go back home to Singapore.
This time we went straight to Kuala Lumpur for nice lunch at this Japanese Restaurant - Starhill galley. And reach our friend's house at Kempas by 8pm.

Overall, on this holiday gathering we had such  a wonderful time. Our friend drove us for about at least 6-7 hour a day (we stopped by at a few places like Ipoh, Tai Ping, and Sekinchan to have a break from long driving) so the whole journey actually was spent on the road hehe. But that's the best part of road trip right? We have a good laugh together. Well, words can't say much of the happening time. So here are some pictures of our memories together :

Good year starts with good friends and memories :)

Happy New Year 2013!

First day in office

Today is the first day at work in 2013.
So far so good. And early morning my coleague gave me these postcard.

Lovely. 

Thanks friend.
Have a good day everyone!

New Year Resolutions 2013...

flash back a year ago.. I wish and I hope I can accomplish what I set for year 2012..
and now coming to year 2013.. a lot has happened. More memories and happy times and also down side.
But overall I thank You Lord for making my life fuller than ever, for your guidance in my life, your patience towards me and my family.

This year I wish for :
more happiness, more quality time with my family and more patience for me.
Less stress work.. lesser worriness and less problem in our lives.

I hope all of my family member are in good health, more prosperous, and live a happier life.
Welcome 2013 and
farewell 2012.

Christmas gifts from my hubby

Something that I wont buy for myself... a book. Not just any book. It is a sewing book.
Thank you honey!

and for him I bought this...

as usual. Guys stuff. or thingy. which he claims will make him a better photographer. hehe. Anything just to make him happy.
Love you :) hehe

Merry Christmas!

From our family  to yours... wherever you are :)
Here is how our Christmas 2012 went..
Lots of food, gifts and abundance of love.

It is perfect.
Love you Jesus!
For You have sacrifice Your only son... so that we all can be saved.
Thats how much You love us. Thank You Oh Lord!.
May we all live abundantly in peace, joy and harmony.. in good health throughout the years to come.

Merry Christmas everyone :)

Hair bow clips

I learned to make these through one of the blog. Thanks pinterest! Here are the tutorials from other blogger.

 And here are my tutorial..

and the results...

If I can do it, you can too :)

Happy crafting!

What a normal day should be...

I read about the tragedy news that happened last Friday in US and it really broke my heart. I wept and shed tears for all those victims, especially the small children. It happened in a far away place (that I never set my foot on) but I can imagine how painful what the families going thru. Yes, I pray Lord. Oh Lord why this happen? Why have bad people out there? How can we protect our children and the future of their lives if so many bad things happened?
I don't know the answer but I wish I can have a normal days just like I had it when I was a small child.
Oh how I wish it was something like this...
peaceful, quiet afternoon.. with my baby taking a nap in her rocking sling
pick up all the mess - a sign of lively and active toddler - in my house
running my sewing machine and make some beautiful dress for my Chloe..
have a sip of tea in the kitchen while waiting for my washing machine run slow and completely stop

its raining outside with some strong winds but I am grateful
because I know that my family survive another day
with a grace from God.
Thank God for my good day. Pray I sent to those families whom I know God has another plan for their lives.

New halterneck dress for Chloe.

I am so glad I can finish the new dress for Chloe. I did a similar one before (didn't take any photos of the process) with cotton fabrics.. and it looks very vibrant and colorful when Chloe wears it.

So this time I use satin fabric.
I love how it turns out. :)  Tada. Chloe in her new dress. :)
 

I'm not sure if you all want to follow my way of sewing as in most of the time it is try and error kind of things, so if you are beginner just like me -with records of 1 out of 3 dress is successful most of the time :) - and want to know how I did it, here it is  :

- firstly, of course have a fabric and some thin fabric for the lining inside.

- then make a pattern. Take any dress she own and trace the outline. Any pattern that looks similar like this will do (as I said it is try and error so I dont use any measurement hehe). As long as you give about 1cm bigger than the dress itself it should be fine.

- then fold your fabrics and cut it following the pattern. Make it 2x

- and do the same with the lining fabrics (its white for this dress)

- next, sew it together and remember you have to sew on the false side so when you flipped it out you'll get the right side done nicely. (hope pictures explain it better :))

- and sew them together until it looks like this. (sorry, I dont know how to explain better hehe:)

- next, make the collar part ( I forgot to take picture when making the leopard halterneck dress so I give you the picture of the polkadot dress)

- last one is the tricky part..Since my fabric is satin, it is kinda slippery and I feel its better to use hand to stitch the collar to the dress.

- well not so good with my stitching but as long as it holds on firmly and doesn't compromise with comfort I'm fine with it. (not for sale so abit 'messy' is fine with me haha)

- Finally... the result. 

What you think guys? err ... ladies ? :)

note : this tutorial is for beginner only, any expertise please excuse my way of sewing :) I promise I'll do better next time round.

Happy sewing everyone!

Happy Anniversary from my hubby...

2 weeks ago...

This is what real life is... :)

 

Happy Anniversary honey. Love you too! :)

As much as I love my inlaws...

I also have this feeling of being taking for granted or even worse... being taking advantage of. :(
I'm sad.
I've been living under the same roof with them all for almost 5 years, yet I still get hurt or having these kind of feelings.
Why I have this kind of negative feeling? Why I can't be just like other normal people who loves their families without holding back or expecting any returns (in terms of love, respect and sort of things).
And these feelings are always there... inside me.
Well...right now I'm just praying for the best..
For my mum inlaw - to be more wise with everything she says..  or does.
For my sis inlaw - to be able to get a job that suits her so she would be able to live on her own,
For my brother inlaw & his family - for them to be able to move out of our house and be independent on their own.
And for myself...
I pray Lord... for a peaceful mind and grateful heart
as I've been short of patience and feel bitterness inside me.
Bless our family O Lord... once more. and not let us drown in unhappiness.
Amen