Life of a yummy baby ... and now there are 2!!!!!

Melbourne City is really quite a cool place to be. It appeals to many a typical city-dweller; from smart restaurants to cafes, boutiques to shopping malls, bars and clubs, cinemas and museums.

It was no wonder we found so many Singaporeans feeling at home in Melbourne. Although we didn't have the time to browse along funky Brunswick Street or hop into any trendy bars or pubs, we went to the most happening cafe in town - Antica Gelataria - where Morgan's 姨 姨 (yi yi) now works.























We shopped at the happening Queen Victoria flea-market where they sold everything but fleas ...






















And also traipsed into the back alleys of Melbourne's busy Chinatown.

Finally feeling at home in our rented apartment, awaiting for a sumptous meal prepared by the best chef in town - my mother!!!

It was 6th April 2007, on a Friday evening. We headed for Changi Airport, in anticipation of a rather exciting family and wedding trip to Melbourne.

Caught in action: Mum wheeling Shawn&Wency's 'wedding present' while dad pointed us the way to the boarding gate. There's actually a story behind the 'wedding present' (on mum's trolley) .

After having our passports checked, we headed for the departure lounge and dad realised that the 'wedding present' had gone missing! We looked around frantically and searched the lounge, including the toilet that mum's just been in. Its not till minutes later that we thought we might have left it outside the departure gates! Hence we ran back and saw through the glass, that the 'wedding present' had indeed been left behind on a trolley! At this point we had to explain to the officials about retrieving this stranded 'wedding present' which they did, by giving us a special pass to go out and back in again. This finally brought light to the case of the mysteriously stranded 'wedding present' which for the time it had been stranded, had garnered full attention from several CCTV-cameras and airport security who were discussing the dubious contents on an unattended trolley. What a funny scene to think if the SWOT team were called down to uncover some dubious contents - only to find in that carefully wrapped 'wedding present' - contained an innocent box-set of micro-waveable cooking dishes! huhuh ...

[Flight to Melbourne was only 7 hours but we did not get to sit together because we got our tickets seperately and did not check-in online 48 hours before. Something we've now learnt to do on future trips.]

Melbourne greeted us with the lovely summer weather. We met Shawn at the airport who drove us back to the Docklands family service apartment where we rented on the 15th floor for a week. It wasn't all that cheap but it was a lovely location and the apt was very comfortable and well-furnished. It had 2 bedrooms and 2 good size bathrooms. It had a great view of the Docklands harbour, looking over part of the city. The kitchenette was also fabulous enough for my mother to get her cooking done.

A walk along the docks ...













Melbourne's evening skyline


TOUR around Melbourne



Melbourne city is so square on the map that I find it impossible for anyone to get lost in the city. There's the famous brown circle-line train that takes tourists into the city free of charge and runs a commentary at every stop. So we hopped off randomly at Kings Street and ended up at the Melbourne Aquarium.




Conversation with fishes :









The weird and the colorful of Australia's underwater world ...










Walk along Flinder's Street next to the Yarra River -


look out for street-art performances and some classic poses ...



















NEXT STOP - National Gallery of Victoria (St Kilda)














A white-blocs lego-building competition in the museum hall ...













Crowded at Federation Square!























Cool white contemporary wild-life ....

Thanks to Morgan's grandparents, mamgu and tadgu, for letting us stay over the week in Aberystwyth. It was a nice change from Malvern but unfortunately the weather hasn't held out very well for us. We had mostly rain and winds so Morgan spent quite alot of the time indoors. Mamgu commented that he had been practising his walking but "has not quite got the rhythm of walking yet". He either opened his legs too far apart when he's standing or he was kicking his legs all over the place as though he's in a Russian march. He made 1-2 wobble... and 3 steps on Friday but today he made an excellent 1-2 wobble 3-4....and 5 steps all by himself. Quite an achievement I must say!

Mummy, this is dedicated specially to you.

My Mother - our Superhero

She is always working hard from dusk till dawn.
She is always giving and sacrificing herself for the family.
She always put our needs first and herself last.
Whatever she does she wants only but the best for us.

She's our pillar of strength and the family's driving force.
On the outside she has this strong hard front ...
but on the inside she is really soft and lovely,
and provides the most abundant goodness and care for her family!

God knows how thankful and fortunate we are to have her as our mother.
And Morgan – to have such a protective & caring 婆婆.

I remember the time after I was born,
my mother wanted to return to work.
After a day in the care of my grandma and aunty,
I was refusing food, drink or sleep
till my mum came home.
No one except Mummy could put things right.
She had no choice but to quit her job
and thus became a fulltime housewife for the next 15 years ....
the sacrifices she made for me!

As I grew up, my relationship with my mother had not always been an easy one. Her way of showing love was in a protective sort of way - by hiding her feelings and being strict. You know the common saying, spare the rod and spoil the child. She expected only the best from me in everything I do and also to be the perfect role model for others. Because of her attempts to teach us good, she never showed us her 'soft side'. I constantly felt that nothing I did was ever good enough, that no matter how hard I try I still could not be that 'perfect daughter'. So I found it easier to be rebellious, stubborn and intolerant. I broke all the rules, came home with the wild parties and late nights. I probably gave my mom the most difficult time of her life!

I'm sorry Mummy for causing you so many heartaches!
You were the one who stayed up to see if I'd arrived home safely.
You were the one who looked after me when I could not be bothered with myself. You cooked and cleaned and washed for us even when you did not feel like it.

Thank you Mummy for everything you have done for us.
Becacuse of you, we get to enjoy the best things in life ....
You have done so much for me, but I haven't done enough for you! "

Now a mother myself, I began to understand how difficult and challenging it is to be MY mother. Despite the grief I caused you, you continue to love and care for me. Despite our conflicting views and ideas about life, you continue to provide and support me in your own quiet way. I used to think why could my mother not understand me but now I ask mysef, how can I learn to cherish and understand you better?

你是我们伟大的母亲 - where would we be without you?
I love you Mummy!



Your dearest daughter Pat