A Japanese Couple in Town

Ta-San and Chi-San were back again in Ipoh early this year.

This time besides the golfing, we "stumbled" on an Indian colleague's wedding at the YMCA. We were there to find a dance class for Chi-San. She attends ballroom dances in Tokyo and wanted to continue here as it was a form of exercise for her. She is so into dance that she attends the International Dance Competitions when they are held in Tokyo.

Anyway, Chi-San was excited about the wedding because she was interested in the culture here. We managed to take a photo with the happy bride and groom. Plus Chi-San got the contact for the dance class so she was especially happy.

Later that same night we took them to try our famous white coffee, this time in another part of town. They preferred the this shop. The shopkeeper also introduced to us their new product - a 3-in-1 packet you that you make yourself at home. Then because they were foreigners they gave a 500gm packet of the coffee (a smart entrepreneur if you ask me)

Then it happened that HJ's cousin was getting married in Penang just a couple of days before Chi-San left for Japan. They were happy to be invited and the 1st thing Chi-San asked was what to wear. Being Japanese, she had gone to Jusco (a Japanese owned store) and later to a boutique I recommended her. All in all I think she bought 3 suits of clothes before she finally settled on one. LOL.

She was fascinated by the wedding dinner at the G Hotel in Penang, by the clothes the bride wore and how pretty the bride was. She was also touched by the warmth by which she was received.

The next morning after the dinner, we went for the tea ceremony at the home of the groom's parents. There was the usual refreshments laid out but we had a lllooonngggg wait because the groom was stuck in the jam in the Penang Bridge!!!

It would have been real boring if Chi-San and I hadn't started chatting and exchanging our 'life stories' as Ta-San said. So I got to know Chi-San better and like her all the more.

Ta-San and Chi-San will be back again this July 2009.....

Armish, the boy next door

Armish is now almost 2 years old. He speaks a smattering of English and fluent Punjabi. He has grown to be a handsome little boy, with twinkling mischevious eyes and an outgoing nature.

He loves playing with Bernie and climbs on a chair that he drags to the 5 foot wall separating our houses. If I am there he will call out 'bring ball!' with outstretched arms and an eager look on his face. If I say 'no' he will reply with a sulky 'bring lah...!'.

Bernie loves to play with him by jumping up and touching him with her wet nose and Armish would scream and ask for more. But put the 2 of them together and Armish will irritate Bernie enough for her to give a warning growl or run under the car and hide.

Unfortunately Armish still lives with his grandparents while his parents work out of town. They return ever so often and bring him gifts but nothing is like staying with your parents however much your grandparents may love you.

Armish is a strong willed boy; unfortunately that will is not properly moulded to be an asset - instead when he does not get his way, he yells and screams and push and hit.....and the grandparents shake their head and give in with narry a reprimand....it is so sad to see that.

Pedicures & Artwork

It all started when Kim wanted to get her toe nails painted and Delia and I came along for the ride. Both of us had never done it before and I was curious to experience a pedicure.

In my mind I thought that would be my first and last. BTW the picture on the left is my third so ... you guess right LOL. Delia and I got hooked.

Our first was done in a place called 'Kuku Spa' which sounds kinda well.... kuku in Malay means nails but kuku in Chinese means something else....(you know, the member that some women say some men use to think with ;) )