The Passage of Time

A chat with my grandchildren Nathan and Grace would instantly confirm that time has indeed whizzed by faster than we knew it. As acknowledged by many, time flies faster as we get older!

Nathan, a people person has grown leaps and bounds. I was amazed at his improvement in vocabulary, conversational and reading skill. Gracie who finds the brother an inspiration is catching up fast and doing well. Obviously, she is beginning to have a mind of her own. Both are unique but never stingy with their affection for their gung-gung and po-po.

This time, they were given total freedom and were allowed to "camp" with the grandparents. We could tell that they had thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it just as much as we had with them.

"Camping" with grandparents.

Bedtime Story, a Must before Sleep.

All Set for Christmas!

At Tun Fuad Park.

At the Restaurant of H Benjamin Residence, Kundasang.

At Kinabalu Golf Club, Tanjung Aru.

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At a Mamak Restaurant waiting for their favorite Roti Tissue

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Durian in Ranau. Gracie thoroughly enjoyed the King of the Fruits but not so much for Nathan.

The Organizer

It didn't take long to notice the house had a unique visitor. The sofa cushions were re-arranged with specific colour pattern. Shoes were neatly laid out. Her story books neatly arranged. Our little helper had offered free service without us asking or urging! 

I was fascinated by her desire for order and neatness. Whether it's a DNA-driven or learned trait, with proper nudging, it should be an asset for this adorable little young lady, Gracie, my pretty granddaughter.

While she may have different poses to watch the TV,  the usual pose was - lying on three similar colour sofa cushion which I believe would provide added comfort! :)

The Language of Heart Pounding & Finger Pointing

Our third grandchild, Livvie proved to be a difficult nut to crack as far as warming up with her grandparents was concerned. Her tolerance level to be cuddled by her po-po and gung-gung was unusually short. This was made worst if she caught sight of her parents. Her separation anxiety would quickly set in.

Throughout the attempts to warm the relationship, she had used her sign language of "heart pounding" skillfully and effectively to cut short her separation anxiety. Heart pounding was followed by finger pointing to the direction of her parents. The concern of her parents was of course whether her "Please" requests (sometimes tearfully) should be entertained or denied! In the end, the requests were normally honored.

My understanding of sign language for "Please" is placing the hand over the left chest and move in circular motion. But her pounding gesture must have been a non-verbal desperate "please"! (Smile...)..... Still, I was impresed and fascinated by her maturity at such tender age. She chose to communicate her desire in clear sign language rather than through typical crying and wailing!

Getting ready her finger pointing language!

Don't be deceived by this. This lasted barely 5 seconds! Hahahaha.....

This was probably the longest because 

she lost sight of her parents!

Look closely to her teary eyes with her po-po!

It Took More Than Luck to See a Rafflesia!

When my daughter's family were here in KK to spend Christmas and New Year with us; Nathan, my grandson had already planned in advance to do some specific things in Sabah. Having read about Rafflesia flower and pitcher plant from a book he borrowed from the library, he was very keen to see these two items. We were very keen to make his wish come true.

So immediately after checking out from The Village Mersilou at Kundasang on 26 December 2017, we set out to Bombon at Kg. Merakau Fish Spa in Ranau to have "massage by live fish" first. This is the specific site my daughter has identified to have the fish spa. At first, I thought the kids might freak out after seeing so many huge fish in the river. But they stepped into the knee-deep river in no time. They kept luring the fish to suck their hands by holding the fish food pellets in the palms. It was their first experience to be able to touch and caress live fish in a river. That was an exceptional experience for all of us!  We totally enjoyed the sensation of being kissed, nibbled and sucked by the soft lips of the fish.

After the fish spa, we drove to the Kinabalu National Park because we knew of a huge Rafflesia replica and pitcher plants in the Botanical Garden. Of course the kids knew immediately that the Rafflesia was not a "real" one. But fortunately, his wish to see pitcher plants was fulfilled. 

Rafflesia replica in Kinabalu National Park is the usual 5-pedal species.

"See there, the pitcher plant!"

Just when we thought the boy would be disappointed because he could not see a real Rafflesia, a casual chat with the counter staff at the Entrance to the Botanical Garden gave hope to the boy's dream. We were told that a Rafflasia has just bloomed at the Poring Hot Spring. It's 75cm diameter and a fairly huge one. Immediately, we made a return trip back to Ranau to the Poring Hot Spring.

Everyone was overjoyed of the perfect timing of the blooming of a Rafflesia which coincided with our visit to Ranau. Rafflesia, recognized as the world's largest as well as the rarer flower really has no specific season to bloom. Once it blooms, it lasts for just three to five days. Hence, one is considered really lucky if he/she manages to see one. This particular Rafflesia flower we saw is considered even more rare because it has 6 pedals instead of the 5-pedal species. Nathan is indeed one lucky star!

Rafflesia starts with a tiny bulb on the root of the vine.

The bud gains in size and the shape is similar to cabbage. 

There is no guarantee that each and every bud will bloom. 

The fact it, the chance of a bud of becoming 

a blooming flower is rare. 

Family Reunion 2017

Time flies. The family last had a reunion more than two years ago during the occasion of Paul's wedding in July 2015 (Read here). 

This reunion was particularly significant and special because of the addition of a new member in the person of little Livvie, my third grandchild in the family.

We had such great time doing many many things together. We ate, we exchanged presents, we chilled out at Kundasang, we hugged and we laughed. For the first time, we had our family photo taken by a "professional" at the Louis Pang Studio. This reunion will be remembered for a very very long time...........................

Family Photo taken on 22 December 2017

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Reunion Dinner of the Lee's Extended Family in Conjunction with Winter Solstice 2017 on 22 December 2017

This was also the occasion to celebrate birthdays of three.

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Reunion Dinner with Family Members on 

23 December 2017

Turkey for the occasion!

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Family Reunion Dinner on 24 December 2017

Little Helpers.

Tiramisu by Sam-Rachel Team.

Roast lamb by Paul.

Presents for Each and Everyone after Dinner

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Christmas Eve Worship Service in BCCM KK (E)

My grandchildren had been dreaming of participating a candle light Christmas Eve Worship Service and that wish was fulfilled.

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Steam Boat at The Village Mersilou, Kundasang on 

25 December 2017

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Barbecue on New Year Eve 31 December 2017

By this time, Sam and Paul's families had returned to Singapore. But we were indeed pleased to have new guests in the persons of Meng How's sister and husband, May Yan and Michael joining us for the New Year Eve's barbecue.