Lauren's Out-takes

Here are a few out-takes from photographing Lauren over the last month or so which perhaps you haven't seen (I don't remember sharing any of these ones). Lauren is now 2 years and 4 months today and her short life thus far has passed as it were a dream. She's growing up fast and I told Fidelia that before we know it, she'll be sitting in my tuition classes writing sentences with my students! Enjoy the pictures:

I'm trying to teach her the time but no matter where the hands point, it always seems to be 'six o'clock' according to Lauren!

Looking cute in daddy's sarong after her bath

Preparing a comfortable sitting for Monok and Bobby

Our glow-in-the-dark lollipops were a lot of fun

Eating at the Chicken Rice Shop in East Coast Mall with our friend from Melaka. Her doll 'Monok' thought that tray was a boat!

She found a tiny strip of shade

A little cheesy, that smile, but cute nonetheless!

Still fast asleep at 11.30am!! She shortly after, awoke

Lauren looks dashing in this fetching red dress

English Language Gaffe

Spot the English mistake.........

Potato and vegetable soup

This is a really simple dish which contains tasty food and can be done in around 20 minutes. Everything is cooked in one saucepan. Throw in the chopped chicken fillet and potatoes first. They are boiled for 15 minutes with a teaspoon of salt to speed up the softening process. Later drop in the carrots and broccoli for a few minutes. Season with mixed herbs and spices, and there you have it - a nice meal that anyone can cook!

A leisurely stroll around East Coast Mall

East Coast Mall. The most happening place in Kuantan, or so it says on its main facade. I strained to think of somewhere other than EC Mall to go and spend a night together with my wife and daughter. But EC Mall was the only place we could summon up from our creative memory slots (which must be rather bleak!)

Anyway, we made the short drive down to this yellow mall and had a saunter around, spending the bulk of the time in our favourite shop, Parkson.

While we have bought a few things from this store in the past, it has been but lower priced little objects like photo frames and air fresheners. We dream of the day in the future when we will be able to walk its shiny floors and make purchases of posh smart shirts, smooth duvets or home ornaments and vases.

Lauren walked quite a lot of the time so it was lucky we brought along a bottle of milk for her to guzzle down whilst continuously looking over her shoulder at people weighing up the standard of back-packs nearby.

There are lots of mirrors, as you would expect in a clothes store, scattered around Parkson, so my wife and I took advantage of a photo opportunity.

After a hard hours' window shopping and chasing Lauren through aisles of clothes and toys, I slump on the bench in a changing room whilst Fidelia tries on an item of clothing.

Actually, this is the first time since my ingrowing toenail popped up, that I've been able to wear my sports shoes! It felt familiarly comfortable to once again pull on a pair of socks and slip on my favourite pair of trainers.

Lauren, meanwhile, became fascinated with the three other Lauren's who suddenly appeared in the changing room...

After being on her feet for more than an hour, she eventually collapsed to the floor to rest her weary legs.

After calling for her to stand up and re-join us, she promptly turned her back...

And then became occupied with something from the First Floor...

We finished our night with the routine visit to KFC, and by the time we reached home it was 10pm and time for bed.

Hiatus explained and a 4-year wedding anniversary

I've been away on a 6-day hiatus from the daily postings on my blog. These last 2 months have been ones of illness and sickness of both the internal anatomy and the outer flesh.

First came the food poisoning from infected sausages. After vomiting four times and enduring nasty stomach pains, I overcame it, only to be inflicted with an ingrowing toenail. It was bloody, gooey and messy, not to mention painful when even faintly touched. That lasted for around a month and is only just fully recovering now. Then along came the tonsilitis with the accompanying sore throat, phlegmy cough, headache and tiredness. Finally I have just cast off a gassy stomach which has caused me days of gastric discomfort where I've been largely unable to eat. The medicine was the worst I have ever tasted, some kind of foul potion of off milk blended into cow's urine, mixed with ceramic balls. Vile. But it did the job. (A swill of pepsi immediately after popping the medicine helped to offset the awful bitter taste). Throw in a couple of severe headaches, and I've had it pretty bad of late.

However, I believe there is a purpose for all of our suffering, even when we can't accept it or understand it. During the last week while I have been battling my sick stomach, I have grown in love and patience towards my little daughter. Whether that is due to my increased effort to live virtues, or my inability to get angry with her due to my sickness, or a combination of both, I'm not entirely sure. But what I do recognise is that this period of ill health has seen me become more patient and compassionate to Lauren, and I'm chuffed about that.

Yesterday, on 2nd May, 2010, my lovely wife and I celebrated four years of marriage together. I can't quite believe how fast the time has gone, nor how far we have come during that time. Thankfully there has been no hiatus in our love for each other during these four years of marriage!

We ordered an anniversary cake from Mrs. Lee's Baker House downstairs, and she made yet another lovely cake which was not terribly cloying like a Secret Recipe cake, neither bland and dry like an awful sponge cake you find for free at Hari Raya or CNY. Here are the pictures: