It's Like National Geographic

Around here at the moment.

Other than the Easter Bunny another little critter waddled by. All we needed was our "pet" snake to sneak up behind him and BAZINGA........

We Had A Visitor

Last Tuesday afternoon and not one that you pick up from the airport - actually not one that you pick up at all.....

He or she seems friendly enough - not that it stopped for a chat !!

Somebody Stole My

password and has been busy blogging ?

I will not mention any names......

But I'm back - yipeeeeeee

So I haven't been doing much blogging for a while now and it seems the old man has taken over, well not any more - I am ready and raring to go....

We have been fairly busy of late,

with a flying visit down to Sydney to see Dot with the lot, running Noodle & Monkey around, school grand openings, the old man's trip up to China and squeezing in soccer every other day.

Really - I don't know where to start...... So I guess just anywhere you guys aren't really going to know if it's correct or not hey ??

So here is what we have been up to - Jenaya was a student ambassador at the official school opening last

Wednesday night - she was mixing and mingling with all the dignitaries, Kai's Saturday soccer team (the one Marty coaches) are through to the grand finals in 3 weeks time YAY, I won a camera YAY YAY (at the family fun day at school), Jenaya tried sailing & survived Yipee, we discovered a part of Singapore that surprised us all , Jenaya's indoor school soccer team came 5th in the Volkswagen cup - woo hoo (best result CIS girls team has ever had in this event), Kai left for school camp this morning - he will be back Wednesday afternoon, Jenaya left for school camp in Thailand last night - we worked out that neither child is really attached to us, Jenaya's women's soccer team played against the Singapore national team, I made meat pies for Australia day - oh yummmmmmo, Marty got a coffee machine for his birthday - boy does he love that baby, Jenaya & Kai made crepes for breakfast last Sunday, Oh it's been bloody hot, We have workmen back trying to fix some water damage again - hopefully Davo the electrician/plumber/painter/ what ever else he is can fix it this time (fingers crossed),

Jenaya got the correct name on her football jersey (finally) for school yay - always good (go Goodcare hehehe) Kai made the under 12's soccer team for school........ mmmmmm there can't be much more to tell ?

So here are some photo's ahhhh it's good to be back - might have to change my password - that will fix the problem........ Don't make me name and shame you - you know who you are !!

Oh one last thing - we might be heading over to Sweden come July YIPEEEEEE !!!!

Thai Beef Salad .....

And a lazy game of Trouble to finish the evening off .... Noodle and Kai have been picking on their mother - I guess I better sort that out tomorrow.

Football games and practice this evening has worn the kids out. Nic is still shattered from last week in Sydney. And I went for a run this afternoon to see just how the knee was , and to see just how much fitness Ive lost in the last month .... very scary. Sabah race is (only) six months away, so its back to basics and the training diary started with this afternoon's shambolic effort.

Here's a little snap of this evening's dinner prep

Sunday night 10pm or near enough, kids in bed , Daisy out the back. Where the heck did the weekend go?

Niccos is down in Sydney checking in on Dot, which is good news for both of them I suspect. I reckon Nicole will sleep well after the flight and a busy day.

After a 730am Saturday airport dropoff the usual Moose clan weekend football frenzy resumed in ernest. Kai's ANZA U10 team got a hiding 4/1 (must be the coach I hear you say) from the fifth placed Gunners down at Tanglin Trust. Jenaya's practice run in the evening provided Kai and I an opportunity to kick the rugby ball around down at Turf City in the rain. We have not been down to Newton hawker for ages, so that was the dinner order ; chicken murtabak, satay skewers, fried rice, washed down with lime juice. (sorry David forgot the photo !)

The Monkey managed to redeem himself today with 3 goals in his Brasilian squads 5/0 win over the SHOOT Japanese team. It hosed down rain for the second half and the last ten minutes were torrential. If i can work out how to lift the photos from my crackberry I will upload them tomorrow.

This evening we went to Thomson Road to watch Noodle's ISA squad play the Singapore Police team in their womens league game. It was a very fast and physical game, and it would be been even better if the pitch was not so wet. There were some very good skills & think some of the girls may have been from the Singapore National team she played against two weeks ago. Jenaya played a fantasic game at left back, controlling a very physical and bigger girl who was keen to take her on. Taylor our goally took a hit to the wrist, so unfortunatley have been home via a Gleneagles Hospital detour.

There were some domestic chores jammed in between activities, though no sign of the nap I was angling for hehe .... OK time to head for zeds, more domestic action tomorrow !

** I didnt have any sporting photos from the weekend to post, but this is one of Jenaya's shots of an orchid we have beside the pool.

We will see you Wednesday night wifey! xxxxxxx Monkey, Noodle , Mooseman

Happy 36th Birthday to one cool chick

A very happy 36th birthday chicky !!

It's sposed to be every mans dream to have the younger wife - well I am living the dream as Niccos regresses ..... It's been a hectic weekend with the usual football frenzy in full flight - nary a moment to stop and post.

We had a fantastic Mexican dinner at Margaritas on Saturday night to start the celebrations. The Birthday Sunday started a late getup, kids in the bed, presents , bacon and eggs for breakfast.

I hope for my young wife it just doesnt get any better than that ? Here are a few photos to start, and I will tidy this up later tonight!

Lots of love always from Jenaya, Kai , and MOI XXX ....

Sometimes

You have to stop and be thankful & happy with what you have.

And that I am - extremely happy, very thankful and so very very lucky.

What a week !!

YAY YAY YAY

It's Friday - The bestest day of the week .....

What Is Thaipusam ?

Well today I headed down to Little India to the Sri SrinivasaPerumal Temple with some very lovely ladies to check out the Thaipusam Festival. WOW.

Anywho I will explain a little about it, it is a Hindu festival celebrated by Singapore's Tamil community. It is an annual procession by Hindu devotees seeking blessings, fulfilling vows and offering thanks. Celebrated in honour of Lord Subrahmanya, who represents virtue, youth and power to Hindus and is the destroyer of evil, it is held during the full moon in the 10th Tamil month, called Thai.

The Thaipusam ceremony starts very early morning at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple where devotees fulfill their vows with a 4.5km walk to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. The first batch of devotees usual carry milk pots and wooden Kavadis, decorated with flowers, palm leaves and peacock feathers. The milk they have carried is then offered to Lord Subrahmanya at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple.

Some devotee's also

piece their tongues with skewers and some carry spiked Kavadis, which require elaborate preparations. Lots of chanting, praying and indian drum playing is all part of the preparations - I think to help them take their minds off the pain !!

In preparation for carrying a Kavadi, a devotee has to prepare themself spiritually. For a period of about one month, the devotee must live a life of abstinence whilst maintaing a strict vegetarian diet. It is believed that only when the mind is free of material wants and the body free from physical pleasure that a devotee can undertake the sacred task without feeling any pain.

Family members and friends will accompany the devotees who will offer support, usually by praying and chanting. The sacred ritual of Thaipusam is a true act of faith.

What a fantastic morning, the Tamil community were so welcoming, offering food to us, talking to us and sharing their beliefs. They didn't mind people shoving camera's in their faces and the looks of amazement on all faces while watching their rituals. It is definitely a date for the diary for next year.

So Here a Few

Of my recent photo's with the new beast ..... Not great but getting there.....