Christmas 2025

Merry Christmas 2025! I received a special Christmas gift from 阳阳 this year! This is better than anything money can buy. I would love to receive this gift every year!

First Rollerblading Lessons

Meimei has been very focused on helping 阳阳 build up his strength in hopes that it helps his ultra mobility challenges. She found there are rollerblading sessions in Tampines central and signed up for trial lessons. Its on Saturday mornings so easier for us to bring them to attend the sessions. 

It's good that they have rental blades. They even recommend that the kids continue to use the rentals for a month. If their interest persists, then we can get them new ones. Plus by then they should be falling as much. I hope they stick to this, it's a good sport to train up their strength and balance.

Staycation @Pan Pacific Singapore

We organised a 2 nights staycation at Pan Pacific Singapore this year. We had a suite and 2 connecting rooms which was so fun for the kids. Everyone could gather at the living room at the Suite while having their own personal space in the connecting rooms. And the best part is that it's not all that expensive. This would be my go-to for all future staycations at the Marina Bay Area.

 

Movie With Kiddos: Zootopia 2

Since we are on staycation, we gave the kids a treat and brought them to watch Zootopia 2 at the movie theatre. They loved the big screen and surround sound and totally enjoyed the movie. With streaming and mobile devices these days, its rare for kids to taste the wonders of a true movie experience.

Apple's Buggy Glass

Feeds of complaints of the buggy Liquid Glass update has been filling my Youtube feeds but I kept an open mind. YouTubers like drum up shit to get views so I always watch such videos with a healthy dose of skepticism. And usually I will hold off updating my phone so others be the guinea pigs and provide free end user testing services to Apple during the live Prod testing.

But I've been forced to update it now due to "Security patch" and lo and behold the bugs are real and still plaguing the OS. My calendar just went to a Liquid Glass state where no one can see what the day is. Ain't that such an amazing feature?!

The Stare Down

Everyone was so tickled when Yeeyee shared these in the group chat. Not sure how she managed to catch the kids in a staring match. But surely 萱萱 and 阳阳 lost to the incredible stern gaze of XY. Anyways it's all in good fun.

*P.S. The effect of the pictures is best viewed on a desktop browser.

Roundup Nov25

Another month with travels and jet lag. I'm coming up to crunch time on my project so am busier. I missed a number of outings with the kids because of it. Well I'm not complaining. I've already have more time to spend with the kids than most other parents.

Waiting At Pan Pacific Singapore

I've found my new chill spot while Meimei and kids go for church. It used to be the Coffee Bean at Plaza Singapura but the church is renovating its premises and move the services to Suntec convention halls.

The new spot is at the Pan Pacific Hotel lobby area which is a sprawling area with many coffee tables and chairs. There is an open concept cafe that operates in the lobby and guest can order coffee through a QR code on each desk.

The place is busy but quiet enough. The aircon is always at a good cool temperature and I like that there are not many 'public' crowds at the place. Mostly its hotel guests that come and go about their day.

Work Travels: McAllen Food Nov25

Same'o same'o food.

 

Work Travels: Success Around The Corner

We were at PF Changs today for lunch. Normally I wouldn't come here but it's a work event so I sucked it up and joined the team. Got this from the fortune cookie. Crossing fingers that it turns out to be true!

Elixir Haul #31: Small Bottle For McAllen Nov25

 

Work Travels: McAllen Nov25

In McAllen for UAT. It's been only a couple of weeks since we were here so it's quite tiring to have to travel 30 odd hours to get here again. This time I'm the only BFL here. Hopefully this is the last trip for the year. It's punishing to travel 30 odd hours to be present for a week. But it is what it is and I have to be present for the UAT.

My ride for this trip. The weather is oddly warm for a Nov month. So I came without any jacket. Hopefully a cold front would not come through in the later part of the week so I don't have to go to the mall to grab one.

Kids @ArtScienceMusuem

I did not join Meimei and the kids for the trip to Art Science Museum. They took lots of pictures though and it looked pretty fun!

Reading At The Bookstore

I've always had a picture of the ideal life where my kids are diligent and good natured. They would be resourceful and love to read books at the bookstore. Looks pretty close to what I had dreamed of. 

AirPods Pro Max!

I've been deliberating on getting a pair of AirPods Pro Max for a long time now. With an upcoming trip to McAllen I finally decided to get one. It was definitely a whole lot more expensive than the Sony MX but it rests better on the head. For a long 30+hrs journey it would make a difference on comfort.

The sound isn't really terrific nor outstanding. But I like that headband and how it rests on my head. It does not have a weighted feeling like the Sony. But anyways the real test would be on the trip to McAllen. We'll see if I still hold the same view after the tiring journey.