Playdate with Poppy

Poppy is probably Cheeks' best mate at nursery. With the exception of Sebestian, of course.

This 4YO Canadian native has been living in the UK since she was a wee babe and is the only one in the family who speaks with a crisp British accent. Margaret, her grandma, drops her off at the nursery and I always enjoy my chats with her while waiting by the gate for the school door to be opened.

Poppy is always immacutely dressed, and has the MOST impeccable manners. So when Ann, Poppy's mum, invited Cheeks over for a playdate, I actually worried how 'chor loh' (un-ladylike) she would come across to the family.

That was the first time I'd dropped Cheeks off at a playdate, unaccompanied and unsupervised. Ann said it would be fine for me to leave her alone with Poppy, her nanny and Margaret. So I did. I left her there for 3 whole hours. Then, making full use of that free time on my hands, I did grocery shopping, bought birthday gifts, went home for some shuteye, surfed the internet.

When I picked Cheeks up later that evening, she and Poppy proudly showed off their artwork, and gave a rundown of what they did all afternoon - jumped on the trampoline, played in the garden, did art and craft etc.

And that, was how the both of us spent our 7th day of termbreak.

"On the seventh day of termbreak, my Mama gave to me - 7 minutes (it's true! ok, thereabouts?! !) busride to Poppy's, 6 笼s of dimsum, 5 min waaaaaalk! 4 new experiences, 3 turkish delights, 2 summery dresses, and a choc-caterpillar from Marks&Sparks!"

I am so running outta ideas here, aren't I? ;)

Only the mummies...

(this should've been last saturday's posting. Infront of me STILL stands a snake-like queue of backdated posts. Good Gad!)

Armed with Waitrose cupcakes, grapes and a punnet of strawberries, we commuted to North London for brunch at Val's. With chef du jour, Alan, at the helm of the kitchen, our tummies rumbled hungrily, eager to sample his cooking for the first time.

Alan, it seems, does not only possess a flair for cooking, he also has a flair for blogging his cooking adventures in a way that titillates our tastebuds. By the end of his food postings, we're sucking in GLOBS of saliva, and voraciously wishing we could join him on his gastronomic journeys.

Discontent with eating vicariously through his blog postings, we badgered Val into asking Alan to whip up something (anything!) for us shameless folk.

And dazzle us, he did.

We were treated to an amazing spread - oven-baked ham with curdled milk gravy, chicken liver pâté served with warm sourdough, and sauteed mushrooms. Val made a delicious tuna pasta tossed in pesto, and a refreshing fruit salad. The ham, soaked in its milky gravy, was succulent and baked to perfection. The chicken liver pâté was smooth, creamy, and oh-so-decadent. I'm sure our cholesterol levels sky rocketed that day, not that any of us cared. Alan suggested countering the richness of the chicken liver pâté with pickled cornichons. The saltish sourish flavours from the vinegar-soaked cornichons worked perfectly with the slightly bitter aftertaste of the liver. Divine!

Kids at lunch

After lunch, Val, Ros & I scuttled out of the house, leaving the daddies to take full charge of their scion. We'd negotiated a 'day off' with the dads and were keen to enjoy some 'girly time' with each other, sans kids.

We chose the lengthy shopping strip at King's Road, Chelsea, for our girly outing. With its panoply of high street shops, it was the ideal place to engage in some retail therapy.

Papas United

Mama Sisterhood

Despite the bizzare sunshiney rainy weather, we trudged on, unfazed. We visited VV Roleaux, a craft shop that sells all sorts of notions, we browsed at Warehouse, Oasis, Monsoon, but lingered most at Zara. We stopped for a teabreak at Patisserie Valerie, where we shared family anecdotes, giggled and guffawed, and complained to each other over tea and cakes. But all too soon, it was time for us to return to our familes, and slip back to our mummy roles.

We weren't greedy. A couple of hours was all we needed to rejuvenate, recharge, and rediscover ourselves. As we stepped into Val's house, arms laden with supermarket dinners, I felt (in fact, I think we all did) incredibly moved when our kid(s) charged towards us - leaping into our arms for a cuddle, screaming 'Mummy, Mummy!' - their round faces beaming, genuinely happy to have us home.

It's certainly nice to go out and do things the way we used to before we became mums. Every once in awhile, we need to reconnect ourselves with the other roles that help shape our lives - we're also friends, sisters, wives, daughters.

But of all the roles I've taken on in my life, this 'Mummy' role? It remains my most rewarding to date. And I pray it will always, always be.

6 笼

Hullooooo! Farmer Saggs here, still feverishly trying to plough through my untended, overgrown field of backdated blog entries.

On Friday, we ventured to the Docklands. Despite our 2 years here, I've only been to that part of London on one other occasion - dinner at Royal China with Val & family. That was a good meal, by the way. Canary Wharf is a business/shopping district in eastish London. The area is distinctly set apart from the rest of London by the beetling skyscrapers that shape its skyline. Housing there is popular with Asians and is pretty pricey, especially those that have an unobstructed view of the River Thames.

Canary Wharf at night

We were there to meet Joanne who'd kindly offered to show us around Canary Wharf's 4 adjoining shopping malls (Cabot Place, Canada Place, Jubilee Place and Churchill Place). Somewhat similar to Suntec City's adjoining towers.

We accompanied her as she trawled the shops in search for 2 black workpants - casting an eye this way and that, making mental notes of the shops as we went along. Jo successfully snagged 2 sleek workpants at NEXT. And after a cursory look around Monsoon and Gap, we headed for the DLR station to catch a train to Cross Harbour for dim sum at the floating restaurant, The Lotus.

Now here's an interesting nugget of info about this restaurant for those living in the UK. I've been told it serves bigger portions to Chinese who are conversant in either Cantonese/Mandarin. Apparently 'foreigners' (non-chinese or non-chinese speaking folk) are served 'foreigner' portions - small platters of food placed on plate warmers. But order fluently in Chinese with the waitstaff and voilà, you'll see your food portions dished out on large serving plates. Sans the plate warmers though, but who cares?

Lunch was good, especially the beef brisket and fish maw. The perrenial dim sum favourites, siew mai and ha gao, weren't too bad either but I didn't care much for the char siew cheong fun. Loved the sambal kang kong though. It wasn't spicy enough for my fiery palate but was extremely tasty. An hour and a half later, we rolled our distended tummies out of the restaurant, took a short walk around Cross Harbour, grabbed a train back to Canary Wharf for a quick cuppa at Starbucks, bought cupcakes from Waitrose, then headed home before the rush hour crowd came out in full force. Phew!

Alright, ditty update!

"On the sixth day of termbreak, my mama gave to me - 6 笼s of dimsum, 5 min waaaaaalk! 4 new experiences, 3 turkish delights, 2 summery dresses, and a choc-caterpillar from Marks&Sparks!"

This hopeless ditty lyricist is going on a short hiatus. We're off to Ireland today so there'll be no more singin' till I return! Have yourselves a good weekend, everyone!

5 minutes

Why I ever committed myself to a silly '12 day' ditty, I'll never know. It's a lyrical nightmare as you can already tell. But fine, I'll TRY... and finish what I started.

It's a matter of PRINCIPLE.

(Am averting gaze now. So, go ahead - yawn WIDELY, roll your eyes, beat your chests in anguish, et cetera. I know you want to.)

And while you're busy doing all that, excuse me while I continue with my 'riveting' rigmarole...

On day 5 (a Thurs) of termbreak, we had Cheeks' friend, Meilin, over.

Yao, Meilin's mummy, desperately needed to complete her work assignment so I offered to take Meilin for a couple of hours to allow her time to better concentrate.

The 2 girls frolicked in the living room, wolfed down their lunch (I fixed up a quick meal of pasta), painted, squealed in unison while watching 'Dora, dora, dora, the Explorer! Dora!' (accompanied by enthusiastic high-pitched squeals - hola! gracias! Swiper stop swiping! -- ARGGGGHHH!!!), squished, pressed and rolled out lumps of playdoh, did role-play - taking turns to be princess/queen, patient/doctor, mummy/daughter.

I always enjoy having another kid over. It relieves me of my child entertainer/minder duties and gives me time to chill and do other 'non-motherly/housewifey' erm, things.

I leave the girls to their own devices. On the whole, they play nicely but inevitably, there will be catfights. It's almost unavoidable. Children their age still struggle with the concept of SHARING, being LESS TERRITORIAL, that they CANNOT ALWAYS HAVE THEIR WAY.

So my tranquil moments were sometimes broken by shrieks of 'You must SHARE!', 'I had that first!', 'Don't do that, I don't like it!', 'Give that back!', 'Mamaaaaaa!'

Still, I did have some peace and quiet. Ommmm.


At about 3pm, we walked Meilin back to her house then took a train to our next date - tea/dinner at XY and May's. I had shamelessly invited Cheeks and myself over to their apartment in West London. While Cheeks entertained the 2 ladies with her childish antics, I looked through XY's lovely water-coloured illustrations, and flipped through fashion magazines. We were treated to a comforting home-cooked meal prepared by May - stir fried spinach, baked salmon marinated with miso paste, and fried egg omelette. Dessert was 3 pretty Waitrose cupcakes that May had bought as a special treat. They were gone in seconds. Ok fine, minutes. They were really good. Thanks, May!

Uh-uh, didn't forget my ditty. You ready?

"On the fifth day of termbreak my Mama gave to me - an invigorating 5 min walk (from King's Cross tube station to XY/May's house), 4 new experiences (at 4 new locations), 3 turkish delights, 2 summery dresses, and a choc-caterpiller from Marks&Sparks!"

Pardon the parentheticals. They are absolutely necessary if you want to sing this song as it's intended understand the full extent of the song!

Oh, throw me a friggin' bone here!

Me & them Blogger Mums

The problem with backlog entries is it takes forever to plough through them. I've been storing half-written entries in the 'draft' box telling myself I'll get to them soonish.

Right...

A week has passed and I'm now suffering the repercussion of my own indolent blogging behaviour.

I won't be able to give a blow-by-blow account of what we did on Wednesday because of memory lapse. Also, I'd like to avoid a lengthy entry. So, I'm going to do the next best thing - write them out in (semi) point form?!

Wednesday:

• met blogger mums Val & Luke, Ros & Louisa and Lavigne

These 2 Singaporean mums are the ones I most frequently meet up with in the UK. Ros doesn't live in London so her travelling down to the City was a treat for us all. And because her visits are few and far between, there were a few places she wanted to look up. And that, leads us to our

• First stop - Japan Centre

Cheeks and I met Ros' family at noon to explore the newly-opened Daiso at the Japan Centre in the heart of Picadilly Circus. Unfortunately, the Daiso-priced (1.45pd) selection was extremely dismal - a mere peppering of 'cheaper' household and food items. I did discover, however, that Japanese curry packs, dofu and rice are cheaper there. Sugoii...

• 2nd stop: The Muffin Man

After a quick pit stop at Macca's to pick up Happy Meals for the famished kids, Ros and I hopped onto bus no.9 and made our way to High Street Kensington to meet Val and Luke. I'd surfed the internet for tearooms in the Chelsea area and was directed to 'The Muffin Man' at High St Ken. Whilst the tea was extremely value for money, and the carrot cake I ordered was delish, I thought the tearoom was sorely lacking in ambience. It didn't feel like an English tearoom at all! Ros ordered a coffee cake which turned out to be a huge disappointment - dry, bland, extremely forgettable. Sorry Ros, will choose a better locale the next time. Promise! Perhaps we should have stuck to ordering muffins only...

Ros & her sweethearts

Val and her lil champ

• 3rd stop: Holland Park

After tea, we mums walked our little troops to Holland Park to expend their energy. We needed some time to catch up with each other and the best idea was to have the kids busy themselves, playing. We made the playground our resting ground and chatted on benches while the kids played in the sandpit, went on the play structures, rocked to and fro on the 4-seater spring see-saw etc.

• 4th stop: Whole Foods

I admit, my interest to visit this store stemmed purely from the tabloids. I'd had enough of seeing pictures of Keira Knightley, Gwyneth Paltrow, Posh Spice et al, traipsing fashionably out of the store with Whole Foods reusable bags filled with organic products. I had to check out the store for myself. I would love to go completely organic. If I could. But I can't. My pockets are not deep enough for us to eat organically. So fully-organic meals at the Chan household will have to wait... long, long.

Whilst at the store, I bagged me some rice cakes (2 for 1pd), a scrummy chocolate bar (99p), and... a Whole Foods reusable bag. What can I say? I'm shallow. But hey, I now use that bag while out grocery shopping. And that's the whole point of it, isn't it? Save the environment, lay off the plastics? ;P

After Whole Foods, we parted ways with Val and Luke. Ros and I, together with our girls, made our way to Leicester Square by bus. Ros wanted to buy some pastries for her husband (awww... so sweet!). On the way, we stopped for some quick snaps at Trafalgar Square. Lousia and Lavigne had never taken photos with the famous bronze lions (that surround Nelson's Column) before. So I asked Ros if she'd like to take a couple, just for the memory.

Once at Leicester Sq, we rushed to the bakery, picked up the pastries/buns, made a quick dash into New Loon Moon to search for the chilli I'd tried over at Joanne's. We found it, thankfully, and both Ros and I grabbed a jar each. Then it was home sweet home for all...

++++++

We will miss these 2 families v dearly once we... but I thank God so very much for placing them in our lives.

Oh. Let's not forget I still have to complete my '12 days of Termbreak' ditty: (help!!!)

" On the 4th day of termbreak my mama gave to me - 4 new experiences at 4 new locations, 3 turkish delights, 2 summery dresses, and a choc-caterpillar from Marks&Sparks!"

Pathetic, I know. (Trust me. It gets worse.)

On the 3rd day... she ate CORN.

"On the third day of termbreak my mama gave to me - three turkish delights, 2 summery dresses, and a choc-caterpillar from Marks&Sparks!"

Alright, so I'm cheating a little here. The 'turkish delights' are actually our friends Zubeyde and her 2 lovely daughters, Yasmin, and baby Suheyla. But hey, the 3 of them are Turkish and they are delightful, so technically I'm not wrong. Right? Anyway this is my song so nobody gets to complain about the choice of lyrics!

...

I have been filling Cheeks' termbreak with playdates.

Today, we met up with Zubeyde and kids. We'd arranged to go over to hers for a playdate, and Zubs suggested lunch - maybe try a little home-cooked Turkish cuisine?

Needless to say, I leapt at the offer! (Who wouldn't?)

I've never had real Turkish food before. Other than kebabs. They are a type of Turkish food, are they not? Zubs introduced me to bulgur - a cross between rice and couscous. It was scrummilicious! And apparently, really easy to prepare. According to Zubs, all you need is to:

• fry chopped onions together with tomato paste,
  
• add the bulgur,
  
• add water, (as much as needed to cook the bulgur, similar to cooking rice actually)
  
• salt/pepper to taste,
  
• some dried mint/basil,
  
• let it all simmer till the grains get fluffy
  
• serve!
  

Sedap!

She also let me try Tarhana soup which was hmmm... interesting. It wasn't bad. I just wasn't used to it. Definitely an acquired taste.

Tarhana soup

The kids had the soup for starters, and rice with corn.

Now this I have to document - Cheeks ate corn!!! The yellow kernals were in her mouth! She chewed! (More importantly) She SWALLOWED!!!

Girl who picks on veggies chews on corn

*faint in disbelief*

I really wanted to let out a celebratory yelp. My mind was screaming 'OH.MY.GAWD' in the same irritating, nasal tone as Janice from 'Friends' (don't even ask how, or why. The brain has a mind of its own?). I could've done an impression of a real 'Injun' wardance if I knew the steps.

But no. I had to play it cool. You had corn, eh? Sure. No biggie. Cool. Groovy. Peace out, sista!

It was a 'Thank You God! Hallelujah!' moment. Truly it was.

Now, snaps!

Zubs and me, in GREEN!

With 7MO Suheyla

Yasmin & Cheeks having fun at the playground

On the 2nd day of termbreak

"On the second day of termbreak my mama gave to me - 2 summery dresses, and a choc-caterpillar from Marks&Sparks!"

If given a choice, I am dead certain Cheeks would rather sleep in a dress than in her jammies. The girl is completely nutty over frocks. Her all-time favourite is a denim one bought by Mabes' mum which she insists on wearing every, single day to nursery.

Her crazed obsession began late last year. Since then, I've been subject to the same, insufferable question after bathtime, " Can I wear a dress today? Can I wear a dress today?"

And she trills this, over and over and over and...

But lo! Help has come to me in the form of these 2.99pd dresses from H&M - they be cheap & happy solutions for me poor, ailin' ears.

Oh thank you Lord. My sanity is restored.

On a surprisingly snowy Sunday...

(late posting due to internet hiccups)

At the rate I am quaffing down me mugs of Milo, I fear I will DIE once my resources are depleted. *wail* then * fling body over LAST bag of Milo in abject misery*

Before you unsympathetic naysayers tut-tut at my melodramatics, let me jump in by saying - I WILL SURVIVE! Even if it means substituting Milo with le common chocolat chaud (pooh!). I will NOT be coerced into buying Milo here! Nay, never!

And, now that I've managed to break out in cold sweat...

...we be talkin' about the weather again! Yes! It be a fine topic for this continent.

Haven't you heard? It snowed here...in Spring! Gasp!

What next, I hear you whisper. Blizzards in Summer? Heatwaves in Autumn? Snow in the Sahara? Well, why not? The weather's all barmy!

Cheeks enjoying a few minutes of snowplay before church
(And yes, we were a little late.)

Guess which one is Papa Chan? Heh.

Frosty Common

Despite the bizarre weather blip, we were glad it snowed. For obvious reasons.

After church, we adjourned to Fortnum and Mason's as we'd made reservations to have tea there that afternoon. Tea was served at the newly-refurbished St James' Restaurant located on the 4th floor - one of the 5 restaurants housed in F&M's.

We arrived a little early and had to stand in the cold, waiting for the store to open its doors. But it was well worth the wait.

I enjoyed every moment of it. We all did.

Which, in a way, surprised me. Not because I didn't expect to enjoy tea there- I did - but I'd thought it would be a stuffy establishment (dresscode was 'business casual'! Like, excuse me!) with pompous waiters and so quiet an environment, you could hear a pin drop. I was all prepared to talk in hushed tones, make sure I sat 'elegantly', in manner of Mme Carla Bruni, hold teacup with pinky raised. That sort of thing.

But the service could not be more warm and inviting. Our waitstaff was attentive, smiley, and wonderfully obliging. So despite the elegant surroundings, we were able to relax quite comfortably in our upholstered armchairs, and sip tea from the beautiful bone china teacups.

Dee reminisced over his Lapsang Souchong. He said its smoky smell reminded him of his grandfather's wax umbrella. I know this sounds rather odd but that tea brought back happy childhood memories for him. And I sat there, smiling, listening to him tell me stories of his Ah Gong, even though I've heard them a thousand times.

A friend in her blog likened Sunday's snow experience (indoors), to being in a 'snowglobe'. I couldn't have described it better.

As I gazed out of the window - looking down on the view of Picadilly Circus, snowflakes flittering down onto the pavements - it did feel like I was in a snowglobe. Like the white particles had recently been churned to create the 'snow' effect, and I was one of the tiny figurines residing in the transparent orb.

If God was watching from where He was, He'd see insignificant little me, warm and toasty in a restaurant, enjoying finger sandwiches, buttery scones served with rich, thick clotted cream, lovely pastries, and Royal Tea. He would see me smile, and thank Him for this opportunity, this blessing...

After tea, we popped over to the Royal Academy of Arts. This was yet another spur of the moment decision as we didn't know F&M's was located so close to the Museum. We paid the entrance fee to visit the 'From Russia' exhibition.

Our decision to drop in for the exhibition was spurred on by the works of Monet and Renoir, some of which were being showcased. I had recently introduced both painters to Cheeks through the book 'Katie meets the Impressionists' by James Mayhew. I borrowed it from the library and it's one of her favourites. The story centres around Katie's imaginary journeys into the paintings she sees at the art gallery. It's a very creative book and it helps introduce children to famous artists/paintings. I highly recommend it.

Although the paintings featured in that book were not included in this exhibition, I was still able to interest Cheeks for some time with other Monet and Renoir paintings. I described the paintings to her, then in turn, asked her to tell me what she saw, and what she would do if she could enter the pictureframe. That way, the visit was kept interactive for her. Besides the 2 painters, I was also able to point out others like Cezanne and Gauguin, as well as other important Impressionists.

Of course, after awhile, all this proved too tiring for the little one. Still, I was glad for some 'exposure'.

Hubs and I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition and walked out a little more 'enriched'. We both like Matisse's 'Harmony in Red' and are thinking of acquiring a print replica of it for our house.

Admittedly though, Art remains very subjective. Some art I enjoy - like those produced during the Impressionist period - some remain a mystery. Some I get, some I don't. Like this one:

Black Square by Kazimir Malevich

I be simple minded. I be uncultured. Pundits call this 'the turning point in the development of Russian avant-garde'.

I say - whatever. I (still) catch no ball, or square, in this case.

Our date with Tate

(a very backdated post but what the heck)

I look forward to weekends, I really really do.

We have Papa all to ourselves. For 2 WHOLE DAYS! We do things as a family. We enjoy lazy Saturday mornings. Hubs brings Cheeks swimming at the leisure centre. We chill infront of the telly, explore bits of the city, try out different cafes/restaurants - basically savour our last moments in London together.

Since returning from Singapore, we've been trying to fill our weekends with all sorts of activities. But it feels like a race against Time. We're struggling to squeeze in as much as possible, but we're losing months, days, hours, minutes, seconds. Timbaland coolly raps about how he's 'runnin' outta time'. The lyrics - they merely roll off his tongue. Me? I feel it.

And honestly... I'm starting to feel a little desperate here.

This Saturday was supposed to pass like a non-event. For the 1st time in weeks, we hadn't planned to go anywhere, or do anything that would earn us a shiny, new entry in our London logbook.

Hubs returned home Friday night absolutely knackered, and a tad flu-ey. So Saturday swimming was off and I thought we'd stay in to let him rest. But after dawdling for a large part of the morning, he suddenly decided no, we ought not waste a perfectly good weekend. So a flurry of last minute ideas began whirring in our heads - visit Portobello Market (again)? See gorillas at the London Zoo? Visit a museum? Which one? Where?

Of course, as luck would have it, by the time we were ready to scoot out of the house, it'd started to drizzle. But then, this IS London. We weren't going to let a few drops of rain hold us back! So off we went.

After a rather silly train ride toggling back and forth on different lines - we changed our minds so many times en route, you see - we found ourselves in the quiet suburb of Pimlico. Home to Tate Britain.

There was a Peter Doig exhibition going on but we're not familiar with his work, so we decided to save our pennies and give it a miss. Once inside, we made a beeline for the free family activity - the Art Trolley.

Located on the first floor of the museum, the Art Trolley is not, as the name suggests, a trolley. It's more like a huge wooden cabinet that's stocked with all sorts of material - artcard, pieces of fabric, textured cardboard, ribbon, string, cellophane etc. The idea is for children to exercise their creativity and produce artwork based on the artpieces they see at the galleries. From the trolley, they are allowed to choose any material they need, place all their supplies on trays provided, then proceed to the various galleries to begin work.

Cheeks chose a painting from the British Art section. She liked it coz it depicted a family scene (it was slightly morose but she didn't notice it so... heck!). And for the next hour and a half, we busied ourselves working on the piece together. Dee and I took turns to help her. We cut out the fabric and icecream sticks for her of course. Everything else she did on her own. The result?

The Saltonstall Family by David des Granges (Tate Britain)

The Saltonstall Family by Cheeks, Dee & Saggs, Tate Britain
Whaddya think?

Although the outing was spent largely helping Cheeks with her artwork, it was still eventful for Dee and me. We took turns exploring the museum - one would sit with Cheeks while the other browsed. So everyone benefitted. Everyone was happy.

It's such a shame the Singapore Museums are still want of such activities for children and families. Kids learn so much from such trips.

An 11 year old shared the bench with us. She was making a room out of cardboard box, magazine cuttings, and bottle caps. After we'd completed our mini project, Cheeks wandered over to lend a helping hand. Together they cut, glued, stuck, and pasted.

When we were all done, we brought our completed work back to the Art Trolley. Cheeks had her photo taken with her artwork by the museum staff (to be uploaded onto Tate's website). And for being creative, the museum bestowed her with a cool totebag.

What can I say - these museums are awesome.

Cheeks working on her artpiece...

...then gets involved in another project

Cool tote from Tate!

12 days of Termbreak

(To sing to the tune of 'The 12 days of Christmas'. With great gusto.)

"On the 1st day of termbreak my Mama gave to me - choc-caterpillars* from Marks&Sparks!"

.
.
.

Oh.
to be continued...

(Zoom in if you want to see ALL the
chocolate smudges on her hands and face!)

* I know know, 'choc-caterpillars' is quite a mouthful. I DID TRY! Now, geddoverrit.

Down by the Water...

I hate to do this but it seems I must - be a weather girl and deliver updates about, well, THAT. It's simply too hard a topic to eschew, what with the vagaries of THAT here.

Right. Let's get a move on the subject then, shall we?

I MUST rave about the gorgeous weather we've been having these past 2 days!!! The Sun's been too generous, treating us to huge doses of warm, golden sunbeams. We be unworthy, O sizzling One!

The days are also longer, and it feels... right. Walking home at a quarter to 7 today was utter bliss - seeing the evening sun linger on the horizon.

If only things can be consistently THIS GOOD. But good things never last. The weather people at the meteorological station have already indicated there'll be showers over the weekend. GAH!

+++++

Cheeks and I were invited to a friend's place for lunch over at Canada Water today. Joanne is someone we got to know at a SUKA event. We've since dropped our membership with SUKA but continued to keep in touch with Joanne. Mostly through FB.

This was our first visit to Jo's, and our 2nd time walking around Canada Water. I shouldn't include our first experience, really, since it was dark by the time we arrived and I couldn't quite acquaint myself with the area. But what I saw today, I liked.

I didn't get to walk around the shopping area yet again but the way to Jo's was an eye-opener in itself. The residential area in Canada Water is so unlike other parts of London. The bits I walked through had none of that old, grotty, run-down feel that is evident in so many of the suburbs. And it had a quiet serenity about it - which I can't quite put my finger on - less hustle and bustle, less traffic? Cheeks and I strolled past lovely, low-rise, gated apartments, neat rows of new-ish brick houses, and stood on a crossover, admiring the canal that runs through Canada Water and Surrey Water. So pretty.

Lunch was simple yet delicious home-cooked pineapple pork and fried rice. Besides us, Jo had also invited another friend, Shasha, who's from Beijing. We had a riotous time sharing anecdotes/opinions on the NHS, the reserved Brits, their work, life in the UK, the weather (again!!!), laughing over HK celebrity scandals, SPGs, the transport system, anything!

Jo also introduced the BEST bottled chilli to me which I must now hunt down at Leicester Sq. It was shiokus! And I made banoffee pie for all to share over a cuppa. Which, they were kind to compliment. *tiny beam*

Cheeks behaved immaculately all afternoon. While we ladies chatted, she entertained herself by watching Cbeebies, played happily with Jo's Sylvanian family dollhouses and figurines (Jo's a huge fan!), and made clay people which we later baked in the oven and brought home as momentos.

She didn't fuss for attention. Ok, maybe a teeny bit. So I was able to enjoy adult conversation/ company, with little interruption.

And that was my extra bit of blessing for today - getting some time away from Cheeks, yet having her right there with me. All topped off with glorious weather, now let's not forget THAT! :)

my cheeky litte angel ...sometimes. :)

Asserting Oneself

(4ish PM. Door opens. Cheeks finds me, seated.)

D: Mama, can I have a snack on the way to the supermarket?
M: No, you can't. You just had some snacks.
D: But I only had 2 snacks.
M: No, you had 3. You had a sandwich, a chocolate egg and some biscuits... AND milk.
D: (pouts) But I want to eat something on the way to the supermarket!
M: You don't always have to eat something on the way to somewhere!
D: Oh yes I do!
M: No, you don't!
D: Yes, I do! I do! I do!
(huffs)
D: (imperiously) I'm going to put you in your room.
M: Why?
D: Becoz you are squibbling with me.
M: Squibbling?
D: Yes, we are having a quarrel.
M: Oh, you mean squabbling!
D: Yes, Sqaaw-ber-ling!
D: Now. I will let you be in the room, ALL BY YOURSELF!
(Closes bathroom door)
M: (mumbles to self) Sure, I don't mind being in 'the room'. I'm stuck here on 'the throne' anyway! *sniggers*

Starry starry eyed

There's something rather equine-like about Kate Moss. Oh I know, she's a 'clotheshorse'! Now excuse me while I kick myself in the rear for this neighsty joke. I'm just horsin' around, peeps! It is, afterall, April Fool's. One should be allowed barn, I mean, bad jokes.

I've been doing quite a bit of stargazing lately. Unfortunately, this recent obsession with constellations has little, no, NOTHING to do with astronomy. It's the 5-point figure I like. In tiny prints. Make that a motif of stars.

Why? I be finger pointin' at Kate Moss.

Sometime last month, she celebrated her 34th bday in true celebrity fashion by stepping out in this stunning, starry Chanel number. I don't care much for KM herself but have to admit, she has an effortless style about her that's hard to ignore. And I thought she dazzled in this ensemble. So commit to the stars, I did.

KM in that starprint jumpsuit & sheer dress by Chanel

But wait. I can scarcely afford this 5-figure Chanel dress! So what's the next best thing a girl can do? Scour around for similar type outfits of course, especially with smaller pricetags. Here are some sparkly numbers I've been eyeing:

I like the top left corner one best. Because of the feminine pussybow. Perhaps when the price is right, I'll be able to sprinkle some of that stardust in my cupboard too!