Sarah meets Jovan again

Last month, we met up with Jovan, Sarah's friend, who used to stay at the same apartment.  The kids regularly saw each other at the playground until last year when Jovan and his family moved to a landed property near the airport.  Since then, the moms have chaperoned three dinner/playdates for these two monkeys =)

Sharing a bowl of strawberry ice cream

Fun dinner with Catherine and Jovan

Having fun...

Making faces :)

Dinner date at Sushi Tei :)

Baby elephants =)

Retro themed company dinner

Avago (company) dinner
G hotel, August 19, 2015

Retro get up for most of us :)

With Mi Mi, Huei Huei and Hong Choon

Chinese full course meals

Budaya Parade at Straits Quay

Two weeks ago, Fairview students were invited to participate in the Budaya Celebration by the Sea at Straits Quay mall.  The event is a cultural showcase in conjunction with Merdeka celebration.

Hari Merdeka marks the days that the Federation of Malaysia gained its independence from British rule.

We bought the Indian dress a day before the event :)

Fairview kids are ready for the parade! 

This stolen shot captured the kids in various states of boredom. Love it!

Love all the colorful national costumes!

Sarah and her cute friend, Natalie.

The parade is about to start.

The parade begins.

Waving at the center stage.

Second part is about to start.

Sarah walking/dancing in front :)

Packed meals were provided after the parade.

Driver's license renewal in a flash!

Got my license renewed!

On my birthday last July, I dutifully went to Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan or the Road Transport Department to renew my driver's license.  I'm documenting the procedure below.

1.  Get a queue number, inform them it's for license renewal.
2.  Present your documents at the counter - license renewal form, old and current passport copies, driver's license.
3.  Pay up the renewal fee, cost is RM30 per year.  One can choose to renew in 1/2/5 years.
4.  Get the payment slip and proceed to the photobooth room.  They will take your photo on the spot.
5.  Wait a while for the printed card and say hello to your shiny, new driver's license!

The whole process took about 20 minutes only!  This is amazing since back in the Philippines, renewing your driver's license takes a significant amount of time and your patience!  Social media reports say some have to wait weeks, even months (!),  before they can claim their license card.  And there's the unnecessary medical examination and drug test that is mandatory.   How I wish my fellow Filipinos can also be served efficiently by the Land Transportation Office.

Juan Tamad pose, Sarah's version

Sarah's version of Juan Tamad's pose.  Gurney Paragon Mall.

From Wikipedia:
Juan Tamad (Filipino for "Lazy John") is a character in Philippine folklore noteworthy for extreme laziness.^[1] He is usually portrayed as a child, although in some interpretations, he is said to be a young man.

Justice League Run Penang

July and August have been my leanest run months.  Since we came back from our July Manila vacation, I ran only once in Penang.  With no helper at home, I couldn't find the time to run regularly. My running time was spent doing house chores, preparing meals, going to the market and taking care of Sarah.  

I had to give up a half marathon race in Kuala Lumpur because I was not prepared well. My hotel stay was refunded but not the promo flight.  Oh well.

But the Justice League Run last August 30th was doable.  It was only 8km and just here in Penang.  I prepared my family's breakfast first before I left the house at 6am and was actually back home by 9:30am!  I felt less guilty leaving for my run :)

The 8km race was about to start!  Race started and ended at the Esplanade.

Run complete in my Wonder Woman shirt!

It turned out to be my fastest run, yey!

This is true even in life.  We all can be super heroes in our own ways.