Saturday, December 26, 2020

More funny things the kids say and do

Ayden and Adamian are quite observant. They would point it out the moment they notice something changed in the room or their environment, like mini CSIs. We even 'tested it' at one point if they noticed something was different and within the hour they arrived home, they would ask about it.

Candy canes on the xmas tree: Ayden noticed it upon returning home from school.

Timberland logo: Adamian would say that his winter jacket and his dad's vest have the same little tree logo on it.

Ayden noticed the moment his dad wiped clean the inside of the windscreen of the white car. This is so subtle, I wouldn't even notice such a small improvement.

And then the boys would mix their english french and malay. Like 'Me makan gateau': I am eating cake. 

Adamian beat me at chess on 21 Oct 2020 - yup wrote it down (he just turned 5 years old). And he can count numbers up to ten in mandarin.

Few months ago I caught a glimpse of Ayden using a broom to get the toilet paper high up on the shelves (why didn't I think of that?). 

When I told Ayden there was no coloured paper to make different parts of the pop-up paper xmas tree, he said we don't need any - we can use the different coloured post-its. He also told Adamian once to be careful when plugging in the keyboard - to always ask mama or papa because it is dangerous.

Adamian would shout 'I miss mama!' and 'Super maria game!' (even if the lego Mario says super mario time LOL). He would also mispronounce 'Among Ous' (among us) and 'dadedoleler' (for french version of playdough).

Sometimes I selfishly want them to grow up fast so they can be more mature and disciplined, rather than fight like a cat and dog, but at the same time, moments like these make me appreciate their cuteness and adorable behaviour. Sigh.

Friday, December 25, 2020

Food from Brunei which I miss most

 I am keeping this list handy so I can remind myself to have some when I'm back:

- Small spicy popia

- Curry cashews

- Tart nanas

- Dodol durian

- Krupuk udang

- Krupuk ubi kentang tomatos

- Tronky

- Apollo choc cake

- Muruku

- Milo

- Cucur udang

- Tapai

- Hello panda

- Hati buyah

- Kuih cincin 

- Mee hoon

- Kacang jagus in curry


Resto: kfc, kolomee, nasi ayam, sweet sour chicken, kuih penyaram, kuih putri mandi


Friday, December 18, 2020

Badass mafia girl


 

Childhood memories...

As we are now 'stuck' in France and not able to visit my family in Melbourne, I can't help but reminiscence on my childhood memories... My parents are also 'stranded' in Brunei as they cannot leave the country until the viral cases subside. 

I really miss my three brothers. 

There were days where we would actually not do anything but just watch cartoons or TV shows all night. They even put up with my childish faves things to do like watch Akazukin ChaCha, play hello kitty video games and watch 'Ever After'. We would like sleep on the matresses which are laid down on the cold tiles in the living room (That always bring me back to the sleepovers at my grandparents' house in Belait with my cool cousins).

Afternoons of climbing trees... cycling around the neighbourhood.. playing sparklers or fireworks during Hari Raya. Fishing days in Darwin and taking turns driving the boats. Road trips in convoy... snacking in the car.. going through KFC drive thrus at like 2am cos we felt like popcorn chicken and cheesy wedges.

I saw them grow up right before my eyes... from annoying little brats or at most times cute little boys to grown up men. The pride I feel when I see them succeed... whether in sports, in their careers or in their love lives. I am glad my parents always encouraged me to be the 'third' parent... I used to hate babysitting them when I was much younger... and now I really miss those days... 

 

KEEP CALM I HAVE THE BEST SIBLINGS Poster | shawnetastephens | Keep  Calm-o-Matic

I hope Ayden and Adamian will love and care for each other as much I do for my own siblings.. that would be my greatest wish in life.

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Confinement update in France

As of yesterday, we no longer have to fill out any forms when leaving the house. Of course we still have to wear masks and distance ourselves from others. Telework where possible. No gatherings allowed except on Christmas day, and max 10 adults for that. There is a curfew between 8pm and 6am now, no one allowed out of the residence except for essential reasons. Restaurants and bars still closed till January 20. At least we can now travel between regions. Before the announcement, no one was allowed to travel beyond 20 kms from the residence and for more than 3 hours. 135 euro fine if anyone breaks the law (first time offence). The next government announcement will be made mid January.

I just started my annual leave last Monday, it will be for 3 weeks. The plan was to go to Melbourne at this time to visit my family. Sadly, this will not happen. My parents are still stranded in Brunei and anyway no international flights are allowed to enter Australian airspace for now. I read somewhere there was a deal with only New Zealand though for tourism purposes. Oh well, just gotta hang in there and enjoy the winter. Hoping 2021 will bring more health, prosperity, joy and happiness. 

Goodbye 2020 and good riddance.