Mar26 Roundup

Slow month for pictures. Traveling for work didn't help. I'm very much into getting McAllen stabilised and finishing the quarter close. Hopefully all these will change the next few months since the project is now live.

My First Big Arch

McDonald's had launch a new burger in the US, the Big Arch. There was some meme going on the internet when the CEO of McDonald's posted videos of him trying the Big Arch and then other fast food chains CEO did the same. 

They don't have it in Singapore so I was rallying to try it while I get the chance here in McAllen. I was disappointed they destroyed the old Big Mac taste I was so used to when they introduced a new recipe a few years ago. Been on double burger since but the Big Arch may be a new staple for me.

Turned out pretty good. It seems to have bits of bacon and fried onions on it that gave it that extra flavour kick. I wonder if it'll be the same in Singapore if and when it arrives because the Singapore McDonald's have to be Halal certified so the ingredients they may slightly differ.

Whatever the case, this is my go-to now in the US McDonald's.

Work Travels: In McAllen Again For Quarter Close

The plane was fully packed with only a single seat left on my flight from Singapore to San Francisco. It seems there were diversions of flights due to the Middle East war and many folks who were originally going through Dubai or Doha were instead sent eastwards to get back to the US instead through Singapore. An Indian boy about the age of 萱萱 was seated in the middle seat beside me. My Papa bear instinct kicked in on the trip and I helped him with the food, gave him wet tissues to clean his hands etc. His parents had a baby and were seated further back after the bathrooms.

I came early before the quarter close to make sure we had things nailed down so it'll be a smoother close. Several of the DT team members are also coming on-site. I have Martin for company this trip though so I expect it'll be easier for meals. I requested for a larger car so Martin can get in haha.

 

Raid Shadow Legends: Reset Queen

2x Primals again. I had 50 shards and wasn't hopeful. It took 197 primals to get the last mid-tier Mythical Fjorad. But somehow it popped after 18 shards. I'm elated but also cursing myself for selling her 6 star soul few months ago. I never thought I would pull her and made the bad decision to sell her soul which would have added another 20 speed. For a buff stipper, speed is everything and I in my foolishness sold it. Bah!

Activating Big Sis Mode

They often squabble like all siblings do. 萱萱 tends to be very stern, less flexible and sometimes in my eyes, bullies 阳阳. 阳阳 is soft, sometimes naughty and dearly loves his sis. I had always wish they get well together because I was never close to my bro. I would like them to learn from Meimei and have a good relationship with each other. But 萱萱 sometimes makes it very difficult to see that.

Until she gets put into a situation where she has to be the big sis. So it happened today where I refuse to carry the swim bags and insist the kids carry their own. Suddenly it triggered 萱萱's big sis instinct and she simply picked up 阳阳's bag too. I like seeing it but also know it's a fickle moment. The challenge is how to make it more permanent where 萱萱 knows she is the big sis and should act like one.

Table Tennis Class

Meimei research and found ActiveSG table tennis training for the kids this week during the 1 week school break. We had briefly chat about picking up table tennis as a CCA during dinner. 阳阳's going to P3 next year and would need to pick one. Table tennis is a good sport to help him build agility and strength in his joints. We had hope this training would spark the interest in table tennis.

Unfortunately the kids had lots to complain about the training. Meimei commented in resignation after that she can give up the idea of getting a table tennis national coach to teach the kids. Well I'm glad Meimei tried to get the kids the best.

A Slippery Stowaway

We had a tiny stowaway today during our journey home. I had just entered the PIE when something moved in the corner of my eye. I was driving so I had to keep my eyes on the road. But you cannot ignore something that has a wiggling tail squirming past your dashboard. The kids were very excited seeing him though.

I couldn't do anything till we were parked. But by that time, the little stowaway had already gone to the corner which served as a good hideaway when I tried to catch it with a tissue. The kids were irked by it and I took the opportunity to tell them about not eating in the car. We can only hope it finds another place away from our car to hide. It had better not fall onto my face or body when I'm driving though ... that may cause an accident I would definitely be so embarrassed to explain.

The F*cking Stupid Guard

The rain was so bad I got all wet just getting to the school gate to try and pick the kids. Ana had already picked them from the gate but I was trying to give them a lift. So Meimei had to be the go-between since only she has the app to contact the kids on their watch.

Eventually we managed to confirm that I would pick them from the school drop off lobby. However when I reached, the kids were outside gate 4 and only allowed to go into the school again when I arrived.

When 萱萱 and 阳阳 got into the car, 阳阳 was visibly shaken and in a foul mood. 萱萱 seemed to be very angry too but trying to console 阳阳. From the bits and pieces of conversation I could make out in the journey home ... the rain was so horribly strong I couldn't hear much ... the school guard refused to allow Ana to go into the school and they were stopped at the gate. The security guard pushed 阳阳 and he nearly fell down the stairs.

So 阳阳 felt bullied and was very angry that he couldn't fight back. So without any way of direct recourse, both kids let out their anger and frustration by drawing up a demeaning picture of the guard together with a few choice words. I didn't chastise them for the strong language as I remember feeling the same utter sense of helplessness and fury when I bullied as a young kid.

Yeah the rain was so bad ... my shoes and socks were soaked.