It has been a whirlwind of back-to-back December holidays, so much so that I had completely lost track of time and what I'm supposed to do.
Went on a mixed biz/pleasure trip to Australia 1 week after completing my ICT, this time together with Shan and for the first time in 7 years, without the kids.
It was a short impromptu holiday for Shan and we went back to Melbourne again, after a long 8 years from our 1st Honeymoon trip. Just did a short weekend stay in Mornington, visiting the places that we didn't really manage to cover 8 years ago, and back to the CBD for her to unwind a bit while I finished up my biz meetings. Overall a good relaxed trip for Shan. The extra loyalty points from the hotel and lots of spare AUD cash on hand meant that it wasn't as expensive as it was supposed to be.
Straight after returning from Australia, was a 3D2N trip to JB together with the family. Stayed 2 nights at the familiar Hotel Jen in Iskandar Puteri Harbour. Let the ladies do their shopping and the kids play at the indoor playground. Good short break for the kids to bond, and spend some time with Dad and mum as well.
Did a Xmas BBQ at Sis's place and spent most of the time playing catch with the kids.
Xmas itself was spent at Takashimaya for our annual photoshoot with the large 4 storey high indoor Xmas tree. Good thing that we managed to get our photo taken, just merely 1 hour before the tree was taken down
Then another 2D2N cruise trip with Shan's parents on Dream Cruise. It has been at least 10 years since Shan and myself last stepped onto a Cruise ship, and that was when I had proposed to her back then. It was Ryan's first time as well, but probably Rainie's 3rd time. The kids had a good time playing at the waterslides and indoor kids club, while I had my first ever rock climbing experience.
Always thought it was much harder than it looks, but it wasn't too difficult for me physically, just a lack of experience in planning the climb, so I probably will give it a try again sometime in the near future.
Brought the kids to the Snow city for the first time, as we missed out the final day of the Line Friends World Tour Snow House at Plaza Sing. Good 2 hours of fun for the kids in the freezing temperature since we didn't visit any cold countries for holidays this year.
New Year countdown was uneventful.
Tucked the kids to bed early, then Shan and myself went back to our room to search for live broadcast of NYE countdown celebrations online. Was pretty funny that we were using multiple devices to check on countdowns from various countries/locations, and came across this picture on facebook, with a poignant hashtag that succinctly described what we were doing
#老了都在家里跨年
Went on a mixed biz/pleasure trip to Australia 1 week after completing my ICT, this time together with Shan and for the first time in 7 years, without the kids.
It was a short impromptu holiday for Shan and we went back to Melbourne again, after a long 8 years from our 1st Honeymoon trip. Just did a short weekend stay in Mornington, visiting the places that we didn't really manage to cover 8 years ago, and back to the CBD for her to unwind a bit while I finished up my biz meetings. Overall a good relaxed trip for Shan. The extra loyalty points from the hotel and lots of spare AUD cash on hand meant that it wasn't as expensive as it was supposed to be.
Straight after returning from Australia, was a 3D2N trip to JB together with the family. Stayed 2 nights at the familiar Hotel Jen in Iskandar Puteri Harbour. Let the ladies do their shopping and the kids play at the indoor playground. Good short break for the kids to bond, and spend some time with Dad and mum as well.
Did a Xmas BBQ at Sis's place and spent most of the time playing catch with the kids.
Xmas itself was spent at Takashimaya for our annual photoshoot with the large 4 storey high indoor Xmas tree. Good thing that we managed to get our photo taken, just merely 1 hour before the tree was taken down
Then another 2D2N cruise trip with Shan's parents on Dream Cruise. It has been at least 10 years since Shan and myself last stepped onto a Cruise ship, and that was when I had proposed to her back then. It was Ryan's first time as well, but probably Rainie's 3rd time. The kids had a good time playing at the waterslides and indoor kids club, while I had my first ever rock climbing experience.
Always thought it was much harder than it looks, but it wasn't too difficult for me physically, just a lack of experience in planning the climb, so I probably will give it a try again sometime in the near future.
Brought the kids to the Snow city for the first time, as we missed out the final day of the Line Friends World Tour Snow House at Plaza Sing. Good 2 hours of fun for the kids in the freezing temperature since we didn't visit any cold countries for holidays this year.
New Year countdown was uneventful.
Tucked the kids to bed early, then Shan and myself went back to our room to search for live broadcast of NYE countdown celebrations online. Was pretty funny that we were using multiple devices to check on countdowns from various countries/locations, and came across this picture on facebook, with a poignant hashtag that succinctly described what we were doing
#老了都在家里跨年
Summary of 2019 for major events:
- Ryan started P1
- We moved house - 1st time staying in a Condo
- Made a major purchase, bought a new place - will be ready in Aug 2019
- Mum facing Health issues
- Visited new countries/locations - Nepal, Sri Lanka, Hungary (Budapest), Minneapolis, Bangalore
- 2x Family Holidays: Hong Kong in June, JB in December
- First weekend spent (alone) in Korea - Did an awesome hike at their National Park
- Team swim across Straits of Qiongzhou (Jellyfish)
- Team swim around Perhentian (nice)
- 18th Stanchart Full Marathon in less than 5.30 (official records messed up)
Final words for 2019:Not really a good year. Top 3 reasons:
- Mum running into health issues
- Ryan's deteriorating behavioural problems
- Issues at work
Hoping 2020 will be a better year. Greatest wishes for 2020:
- My both Dads and Mums stay healthy and strong
- Ryan to improve his behaviour and emotion control
- Better performance at work
