A happy and foggy dreamy birthday

January 8, 2008 Leave a comment

Elkan was jumping on the bed. Felicia went and picked up 2 wrapped gifts from the living room. Tracy was “preparing” something in the kitchen. Me? I was arguing with Elkan on the actual timing.

It was the eve of Felicia’s birthday. 2 mins to 12am, 7th Jan. Felicia showed me a e-Greeting photo done by Joanne on Facebook. Elkan was singing his own version of Happy Birthday. I told him that it wasn’t 12am yet, he pointed to the super-fast clock in my bedroom and he was right – it showed 12:10am.

I dragged Felicia and Elkan out to the living room. Tracy came out just in time – with a cake on her hand – singing happy birthday. There were only 2 candles (double 3) on the cholocate cake – that excite Elkan – who couldn’t wait to blow out the candles. We had the usual cake-cutting and gift-opening. 4 good gifts on the first hour of her big day. (From Meiling, Tracy, Jovel and me!)

It was a very foggy day. I would say it was the most foggy day I ever see in Shanghai. It was like walking on clouds. Low clouds, super foggy and magical. Felicia received a mystery flowers from an unknown sender. Tracy MSN me and told me it is from Felicia’s secret suitor. Haa…. I thought it was from Meijie.

We had a very nice birthday dinner later that day. Echo, Francis, Grey and family (mum and dad) joined us at Ruijin Hotel. We had good food at a very “heritage” place. The weather, fog, old building and atmosphere created a mixture of magic for our night.

This is Felicia’s 2nd birthday in Shanghai. The third one in this house. And possibly her last one in this city.

Filed under Family, Life in Shanghai, Wahbiang

Elkan’s 1st Commercial Shoot

January 2, 2008 Leave a comment

After many rounds of requests, Felicia finally let Elkan go for his first commercial shoot. Ever since Elkan is here in Shanghai, he has been "street-scout" to go for auidition. Having daddy and mummy (and aunties) in the advertising world, we know the dark side of this industry. To the commercial buyer, he is just a reference face to push a visual. Nothing greater than that.

Finally, we met a talent-scout agency who offered to pay for Elkan’s photography, port-folio and publicity fee, we decided to let them shoot Elkan. A 1-hour shoot became a 2-hour shoot. Elkan is very cooperative in his virgin shoot. Unable to understand the chinese-speaking photographer, Felicia has to "command" Elkan on the poses (kinda typical childish). I dun expect great classic…but hey, it is a free makeover shoot. And the producer allowed us to keep his photos for free!

Anyway, children grow up fast. We want to capture his cuteness and innocence. See this as a good excuse for us to put him up as a "talent".

Afterall, it is better than home alone with a bunch of adults. 

Filed under Life in Shanghai

The last blog of the year

December 31, 2007 Leave a comment

I shall conclude this year’s blog with these fun photos (taken at Francis house). It was a replay of Wahbiang Xmas Party games! Trust me, it was super hilarious! This is the last party of the year. And the last one at Francis’ rental house.

Filed under Life in Shanghai

Elkan’s 5m Encounter with the Lions

December 30, 2007 Leave a comment

Elkan was just 10m away from the beastly lions and tigers. Of course, he was sitting in the comfort of a mini-bus – watching the wildlife outside the windows.Yesterday, we decided to visit the infamous wildlife zoo at NanHui, Shanghai. It was famous for its blood-shed incident when a visitor was eaten up alive by its wild exhibits (lions!). Before we enter the premise, I was feeling quite nervous. Man, this zoo is almost 13 years old – and I have little faith on its facilities. Nevertheless, this is exactly what we need – a little risk, a little imagination and fear. It helps to fuel the excitement of a “Kenya wannabe” ride.

This place seems to lose its origin glory. There was sign pointing to a grand Chinese restuarant but the building is empty. The animal rides and games stalls at the entrance were rusted out. Tall grass grew along the gaps of the cement ground. It was pretty empty and quiet – I can really count the number of visitors. Less than 50, I am sure. Maybe it is winter…maybe they get better crowd in summer.

The entrance tickets plus the wildlife ride aren’t cheap either. It is about S$20/adult and S$10/child. The 20-min wildlife ride is S$30. The cab fare from our house to the zoo was S$60! And the journey there took about 1 hour. So, it isn’t a cheap excursion. For experience’s sake, I will not recommend to serious zoo-lovers. This place is only worth 4 out of 10.

Still, there is always an excitement, experiencing a “first”. Like in the movie “Jurassic Park”, our transport took us into “high-fenced” terrains where wild animals run freely. We came face to face – with tigers, lions, bears and zebras. Elkan was excited. Tracy was eager to get down to shoot. I was chatting non-stop with the driver and Felicia was trying to “belt” Elkan still on his seat. Elkan was banging on the glass and roaring at the beasts outside. (In Hokkien, it means “bay jai si” – don’t know what death is!).

It looks like we are more wild inside than the place outside.

Filed under Life in Shanghai

12 days of Christmas @ Shanghai

December 27, 2007 Leave a comment

Looks like I am going to feast and feast this Christmas. I am going to put on more weights around my belly. I am going to match Santa’s size. No, I am not on a mission to gain weight. But it looks like this is the only fun activity around Christmas season. It is food, more food..and more food. Man, I really wish I can see snow this year.

God has been kind to me and my family & friends. I am always with good company of loved ones during this time of the year. Even when I am so far away from home, the spirit of Christmas never left me. Especially for Elkan, his presents occupied the entire floor! My Christmas tree looked so tiny in the presence of his many gifts. Young and popular, my son is certainly taking over me. I have to beg for a decent gift this year. (And I have to fight for a kiss from the Santa Gal during my Christmas Lunch with my cousin Yei and girlfriend Summer).

Joanne and ex-SQ cousin (50th & 51st Visitors) are in town this week. Feel so strange – I thought I just met Joanne 2 days ago in Singapore and now she is right here with us (at my house!). All of them (Juli, Kalinda, Joanne) have been here at different timing of the year. Imagine if I can have all of them at the same timing – that would be a really big Wahbiang Gathering at Shanghai Hotel 16.

Joanne’s leaving for Singapore this weekend. Francis is throwing his new year party this Sunday. Still 4 more days to celebrate before 2008 kicks in.

It has been an hasty and blessed 2007 for me. Thank you God.

Filed under Life in Shanghai

“Yo! Bend it like Beckham!”

November 30, 2007 Leave a comment

 
Man, I was trying to teach Elkan some football tricks – I landed on my butt hard! In the end, I was the only one going home with bruises and aches! I am getting old liao! Ouch! (Look at the green stain on my knee – yucky!)
 

Filed under Life in Shanghai

Design Bazaar (18-19 Nov)

November 30, 2007 Leave a comment

What a pity, this great bazaar is just a 2-day event in Shanghai. It is semi-outdoor with hip and fashion-stuff, very similar like a flea-markets of original designers’ goods. The organiser should really consider making this a regular weekend event. Sure attract the young and creative crowd.

(Above left – a man with long hair lent his hair for photo-shoot. Eee..how disgusting and meaningless art can be.)

Filed under Life in Shanghai

Beautiful Peak

November 30, 2007 Leave a comment

(Photo taken: Hong Island Peak on 22nd Nov 2007)

Filed under Life in Shanghai

My 47th Visitor – Hovman Goh

November 30, 2007 Leave a comment

Every time someone visits me from Singapore, I will certainly get them to bring me a copy of 8-days. Looking at the 50 over issues of 8-days, it seems that I have a bi-weekly subscription of 8-days.

It is unbelievable! Shanghai is such a popular destination amongst my Singapore buddies! Hovman – my 47th visitor! And more are coming! And no, there is no budget airline from Singapore to Shanghai. It is purely the good old attraction of charming Shanghai.

 
No matter what, you guys are more than just a number! You added so much life and fun to my funless life here. Hovman should have extend his trip a little longer. We are just so near to the real fun. We ended up buying jeans at Huai Hai Road.

Sigh…it is always a little sad to say goodbye to my friends and family. But before I knew it, it was another "hello". Guess I am extremely blessed.

 
Anyway, where is Jimmy? Meijie? And Gareth? Grrrrr……come come, I show you nice nice massage and KTV. Man, you guys are supposed to be my "bros"?
 
2006
May: Felicia, John, Ow Yong, Monica & Julian
June: Charlie, Jamie
July: Scott, Desmond, Yogi
August: Meiling, Bettina
Nov: Tracy, Ken, Jinwei, Hong Ai
Dec: Sam, Lusia (and 5 other family members)

2007

Jan: Felicia & Elkan
Feb: Serene (Jimmy’s wife)
Mar: Joanne
April: Mum, Dad, Leon, Auntie Amy and Uncle Benny
May: Kelvin, Diane
June: Juliana, Felicia & Elkan
July: Scott, Desmond, Yogi
August: Shawn
Sept: Tracy
Oct: Kalinda, Felicia & Elkan, Cousin Alvin
Nov: Hovman (he had fun!)
Coming in Dec: Auntie Amy, Cousin Chester, Joanne’s cousin (and more!)
 

Filed under Life in Shanghai

EveryDay Elkan

November 18, 2007 Leave a comment

First roller-blade lesson. First haircut. And many more Elkan’s firsts.

Filed under Life in Shanghai

← Older posts

Newer posts →