A Breakthrough

18 May

I thought I was going to be stuck at Level 914 of Candy Crush for a long time, bunched up at this point with several fellow candy crushers. This is by far the toughest level I have encountered.

But last Thursday, the unexpected happened. I was traveling in the car, on the way to the bank, when I played the game and the breakthrough came.

I must admit I had to use the lollipop three times when faced with just three jellies and not many more moves left to go. After the breakthrough passing 914, I breezed into the new chapter, Delectable Depths, with relative ease.

I am now at Level 927.

Finding a Balance

15 May

It used to be when we went out for dinner on Saturday nights, it was easy to order our food once we decide what to dine on. When M1 was still around, with the four of us, we had the numbers to eat what we fancied. Choice was only the challenge rather than portions.

Now that M1 has gone off to university, it has become difficult for the three of us as far as portions are concerned. We are small eaters and it becomes a big challenge especially if we decide on Western cuisine. Two mains and two appetizers are definitely too much, what more three mains? But one main and two appetizers are not enough! How do we deal with this?

We are still trying to figure it out.

Addiction or Distraction?

14 May

Frustrated that I could not progress for my usual virtual games, I needed a distraction and decided to try the game, 2048. The girls and hubby play it all the time but I abstained fearing addiction.

My goodness! It is quite addictive. There are several versions available to download but I find the five tile version easiest to lull away time. Every now and then, I would pop over to this whenever I find myself stuck at my usual games.

Black or Black

12 May

Every Monday without fail, I’d stare at my closet and debate what I should wear to the office. This black pants or that black pants (and it’s always pants not skirt). It’s funny considering all my black pants are of one brand only but I must say, different cuts.

After it is decided, next debate is the top: a black round neck tee, a black V-neck tee or a black polo tee. For a person who deals with so much colors (and creativity) at the office, I always maintain that my wardrobe shouldn’t be crowded with so many colors that I become indecisive. Even with just one color, black, I am always in a predicament, what more a myriad of color?

Many weekends ago, both girls wore black to go to the mall. I was aghast and queried why they had to wear black. To which they retorted that I always wear black to the office, why can’t they? Can’t argue with them. Sigh.

One Track Mind

11 May

It was a quirky conversation after dinner. The night before we left for Tawau, Sabah, M2 sounded envious that we were going away again.

Out of the blue, she declared, “Let’s go to Your-rope!”

“Your-rope?” I raised my eyebrow, “you mean Europe.” I was emphasizing the “you” instead of “your” in the pronunciation.

“No, Your-rope,” she reiterated.

I was intrigued, “Why? Don’t you want to go to USA instead to visit your sister?”

“I’ve never been to Your-rope.” Ahh. I’ve been enlightened.

“I know,” I replied her. But before I could go on, she blurted out, “London! But you’ve been there.”

I nodded.

“Paris! Hmm… You’ve been there too. Rome? Been there! See? I am replying for you to me! You’ve been to all these places and I have not,” she said.

“Well, you’ve been to the good places starting with the letter ‘S’,” I pointed out to her, “Singapore, San Francisco and Sydney but Sydney doesn’t quite count cos I was four months pregnant with you.”

Silence.

“Let’s go to Your-rope!”

“When you are older, ok?”

Why Aren’t You Studying?

8 May

There was a time I called myself the Study Police. My duty was to ensure that M2 in particular (I didn’t have to worry about M1) would be bogged down with her books and studied until her brains oozed with instant answers in preparation for upcoming exams. Trust me, it was very stressful for both her and me.

But last year, the national education system changed, the school had to follow suit and suddenly, my Study Police role became obsolete. Things are now less exam-based. However, every now and then I will still need to check on her. Like last night.

“Why aren’t you studying? Why is the iPod in your hands?” I asked.

“I am,” M2 replied me, “I am studying.”

“With the iPod?” Disbelief in my voice.

“Yes. I am studying Pixar story plots.”

Ka-doosh. M2 at her best yet again!

Stalled 

7 May

Going away was good and bad. Good because of the company, golf and food. Bad because wifi connection was quite a hassle, therefore communicating with both M1 and M2 was sparse, what more playing my virtual games online. We had to log in daily and each time only one device was allowed. Phone or iPad? Hassle indeed.

The week before the trip to Tawau, I made much progress for my virtual games but was stalled at Level 908 for Candy Crush and at Level 737 for Farm Heroes. And for Candy Crush Soda, issues cropped up while in Tawau.

I made it to Level 345 on the iPad but not on my iPhone. As wifi was such a hassle, I couldn’t move on and my devices were not in sync. When I finally managed to solve this, taking turns to log in my devices, I was appalled to find that the app was not updated! Either way, I was stuck and it was most frustrating.

Now that I am back, I am at my games with a vengeance. Candy Crush is now at Level 914, Candy Crush Soda at Level 351 but Farm Heroes is still at Level 737. Bummer.

Where Did You Go Again?

5 May

Last night we got home by 11.00pm and M2 was not asleep. So it was good to have a little catch up with her.

“Where did you go again, Mommy?” she said.

“Tawau, Sabah.” I replied her.

“Oh.” Then a longer one, “Oooohh…” as it dawned on her.

In her world of her own to be on the internet without constant supervision and my telling her wifi is sparse, it looks like she has been oblivious to where we have been the last four days!

“I thought you went to Bangkok again!” she sheepishly admitted.

“Haha… Did you wanted the Rolls Royce again?” I pulled her leg.

“Err, no. I found a new car and thought of asking you to get it instead!”

She never cease to amaze me.

Last Day

4 May

We’ve checked out from our hotel this morning and will play the last game shortly at Tawau Golf Club. It’s been hot, challenging but good and fun.

As always I look forward to our next outing with the same crazy bunch. 

Again!

3 May

So we played at Shan Shui again today. Simply because we thought we played here yesterday, we would be familiar with the course. 

But no. I lost another four balls today. Sigh, I shouldn’t complain. It was self-inflicted. Good fun though.

Tomorrow is our last day in Tawau and it will be an early tee off at Hot Spring Tawau Golf Club. How fast time flies when one is having fun.

Tonight we are eating at Yah Hoo Restaurant again. Simply because the food is good. But the choices are different save for the fish porridge which we had two nights ago. All in all this trip has been wonderful.