After dinner ritual

This is what Dana always does after her meal.

Trip to Hainan Island

One week from now, I will be in Hainan Island, China with my parents for their annual visit to my dad's hometown. The annual visit is especially to visit my maternal grandmother who has stayed in Hainan all these years. On this aspect, I am looking forward to the visit.

My younger brother and his wife have accompanied my parents on the visit last year and they related some horror stories regarding the state of hygiene. Of course the major cities like Haikou and Sanya are very developed (probably like Singapore), but the village which my grandmother is staying is still very much quite "ulu". It is normal to see villagers spit onto the floor during meals. When having a meal at the Hainan coffee-shop equivalent, life stock such as pigs and chicken will be waltzing pass you nonchalantly. Truth be told, I am a little apprehensive whether my weak Singaporean stomach can stand up to the test.

Hopefully, I can find internet connection in Hainan and will post the happenings from there. Meanwhile, I am trying to rest as much as possible to recover from the slight flu I am suffering from.

Sharing treats

Dana was very happy that Snowy dropped by and perked up an otherwise lazy Sunday -- I was not feeling well (down with flu) so did not bring Dana for her daily walk. The two dogs had dinner together and later enjoyed a dessert of slow-roasted pig ears.

Snowy's Zzzzz Day

Today is Sunday, usually the dogs would meet up and have some fun together. It's raining and Snowy decided that the best thing to pass the time is to play with the Zzzz monster...

ever so peaceful and carefree...

Zzzzzzz...

Lazy Sunday for Dana

Ear treats for Dana

"We slow roast our ears to ensure taste perfection

and a crunchy texture.

The natural pork flavour dogs love and great teeth cleaning,

all in one tasty treat!"

Nope, you did not read wrongly. I did type "ears" as in the organs used for listening. In this instance, pig ears have been commercially available as treats for dogs to chew and clean their teeth. Feeling generous today so bought a bag of roasted ears.

Dana loved her slow roasted ears. I am sure she will want to share with her canine cousins.

X'mas 2007 Gathering

Calling all family members. Our next family gathering will be the X'mas Gathering. Tentative details as follows:

Date: X'mas eve, 24 Dec 07
Time: 7-8pm till midnight (till X'mas mah)
Venue: GB's place
Food: Pot luck
Drinks: GB providing normal packet drinks (nutri-tea, pokka teas etc)
Booze: Ben providing some wine; all welcomed to bring others
Gift exchange: Please bring a gift ($5-$10) per head for exchange

Help needed: One X'mas tree for loan :)

Sms invite has been sent to all on 19 Nov 07. Please do reply soonest on your availability.

Cheers!

Part 2 - Wedding Dinner

The wedding dinner was held at the Hotel Royal at Queens Street. These photos, and more, can also be found at the following photo album http://liewfamilylife.myphotoalbum.com/ .

Yah baby....

Man... we can pose too!

Jinlun ever so playful despite his advancing age....

hmm... how to cut the cake without a knife???

Smile everyone :)

Brother & sisters

Tan Family: At least I had my photo taken as well...hehe

A smile for the cameraman (me)

Happy Wong Family
(Seth, currently the only grandchild in his generation)

Introducing Ah Cong or Sinclair's wife-to-be, JiaJia (Iris).

Their wedding will be in Sep 08. Welcome to the family, Iris!

Ladies of Liew Family

Horsing around in front of the kid (who's the kid???)

Jeremy & Adeline Wedding (161107)

Woke up at 5am today to prepare for Haili's wedding, first time on the female side... always on the male side (hopefully can bully the guys)

Smiling sweetly for the camera

the bridal car
(car plate was intentionally left out... no 4D bets)

Veiling her (from evil as Jialun commented)

so shy...

One for the album before setting out

Umbrella, ella, ella eh eh eh ella (pop song)


Jialun's Family with the wedding couple
(why... cos she's sitting beside me)


note the last one who keeps turning away...

praying for their future

is it done...

Big bone - Part II

Now I understand why the pet shop owner said that the lamb bone can last some time. Because even for dogs, chewing a real lamb bone is tough week. After Dana tried biting on the bone after coming home, she only lasted some 10 minutes before giving up.

Now, after dinner, she started another attempt at the bone and succeeded in dismembering one of the joints from the bone. After that and further breaking up the joint, she drank some water and thereafter left the bone alone.

Family Day

Today was my company's Family Day and a few of us had planned to go, at least to collect the food. As it turned out, only three of us will be going, and considering the long journey to Jurong plus the unbelievable petrol prices, we decided against going to the Family Day. Instead we went to Target Cafe (again!) for lunch.

Dana waiting at home, ready for her outing.

Nothing new to report at Target Cafe. The western food was good as usual. Wife tried the mee goreng and declared it passable but not really up to her standard -- not spicy enough.
On the way back, we spotted a pet shop and went in to take a look. The owner kept a very friendly one-year-old golden retriever. He had beautiful white teeth.
The owner said that she never brushed the dog's teeth. The dog's teeth was well maintained because she gave the dog a huge lamb bone to chew frequently. As Dana's teeth is a little stained (understatement), we decided to buy the lamb bone. Its quite expensive ($26) because it has been smoked..like smoked salmon! Woo...

The two dogs naturally could not wait to get their paws on the huge bone once they sniffed its presence.
Snowy, ever the boss, monopolised the bone. The three of us - wait, four, including Dana, took great pleasures watching her work her way on the bone, pulling and gnawing away.
Dana was just acting prissy in not biting the bone together with Snowy. She pounced on the bone once she was safely back home and away from Snowy's eyes.

Lazy Dana

So lazy was Dana that she chewed on her raw hide bone lying down.

Sleepy Holiday

Although today was a holiday, I woke up at 8am as I have an appointment with Ben and dad to visit Botanic Gardens with the dogs. I looked out of the window and was dismayed by the rather heavy rain. Since the weather was wet, informed Ben and Dad that outing was cancelled. As I was wide awake, I read the papers and wandered around the flat with Dana. Then I got progressively sleepy and went back to bed....with Dana....I guessed she was sleepy too. So the three of us slept till 12pm!

Went to Beach Road hawker centre for chilli noodles (actually prawn and pork rib noodle with lots of chilli sauce) and had a waffle with chocolate dip ($2.50 for a one waffle with dip set from Belgian Chocolate). Don't be fooled by the long queue, its just because the service is super slow. Food wise, the waffle was fresh and warm and the chocolate dip nicely sweet and fulfilling. The store also serves a cholocate fondue set, prices range from $7 plus to $14 plus for the royal set.
I also bought a waist pouch ($18) with camouflage design from the "army" shops on the 3rd floor. I intend to use it during my walks with Dana (to carry my water bottle and Dana's poo bag). It will also be used during ICT although the camouflage designs are not the same as our No.4.
Before going home, my wife and I dropped by the neighbourhood reflexology shop for a 40min reflexology session. Like the uncle said, we will sleep well and that's what we did. Initially, we wanted to rest only for a short while before bringing Dana to meet Snowy and Coco but as we were nicely conditioned by the reflexology session, we overslept and woke up only at 7pm. Had to inform Ben that we won't be going over today. Sorry Dana for not bringing you to see your doggie cousins.

That's Dana now, resting by my side as I am typing. Going off to SLEEP again....

Wedding coming up

Cousin Adeline or Haili (as I have known her all my life) will be getting married next Friday. From our childhood days, circa 1982, till 1998, her family and my family stayed pretty close in Marsiling -- five minutes walk apart. We probably attended the same primary school!

Let's take a look at some of Adeline's photos in our teenage years.

X'mas 1993 - At Aunt Jac's place

Gathering 1997 - Adeline's birthday

I will post photos of Adeline's church wedding and wedding banquet after next Friday.