KWOK

Pictures, courtesy of bn, from the KWOK (Karaoke Without Kids) session on 28 Oct 06, at KBox, Cineleisure. It was lots of fun...keenly awaiting the next one which is supposedly gonna be soon after Raymond returns from his elephant-eating S. Africa trip.

Yeah baby~!!
Terry, you better keep your hands to yourself, you understand?!
I told you I'd knock you out if you don't keep your hands where they belong!
老婆, I promise I'd never lay my hands on another MAN!
Hey, I must get my hubby to understudy yours!
Terry, you see lah. Now I am stuck with you. You have much to learn, Padawan.
Oops, I have just broken my promise! 老婆,我对不起你!

Jaimie's First Photo Shoot

Last Sunday we brought Jaimie for her very first studio photo shoot. Bright Studio at Clementi was picked, since we have had pretty good experiences with them in the past.

To prepare Jaimie for the photo taking, we bathed her, got her to take her afternoon nap and immediately upon her waking, dressed her in a nice, comfortable jump suit and proceeded to the studio.

At the studio shop, we said we wanted the collect-after-2-days option rather than the instant polariod one. "This comes with the CD-ROM, right?", we asked. "Yes, it does." Good. With the subject, we were ushered into the photo-taking studio room at the back of the shop, that had a set of curtains in place of a door.

There was this white table which the studio assistant very promptly set up infront of the camera that was already preset onto a tripod. "你去外面等。", I was instructed by this middle-aged lady, whom I'd by then assume to be the photographer. "把baby给我" was the next directed at Angie. She complied.

Jaimie was handed to the studio assistant, a younger lady in her early twenties, who placed the subject onto the white table, in a seating position while supporting her at her waist so that she is propped up properly for the shoot. She squatted herself unobstruvesively by Jaimie's side so that only the light-colored backdrop would be seen from Jaimie's waist up, at the moment the shutter is released.

What happened next was something none of us had anticipated. Just as the photographer attempted to attract Jaimie's attention with this piece of jingly toy with bells, so that she would be looking directly into the lens, the baby let out a very, very loud wail. She had never done that in the past...always been ok in the presence of strangers, at the most becoming a little fidgety or making little noises of protest. But never a major wail like this time.

Obviously this terminated the phototaking attempt prematurely. We told the staff there that we'd bring her back once she has been pacified.

Thankfully, that didn't take long at all. 5 minutes later and a brief walk outside the studio shopfront, we were back in for Round 2. This time, Mommy was deployed to prop up the subject from behind, while I took up the task of getting her to look straight towards the camera. "不用那个bell.", I told the photographer, fearful that the same tactic might trigger a recurrence of the previous failed attempt. Instead, I played the clown by jumping left, right, up, down, from the back of the camera stand. It worked. A click of shutter release and the declaration "OK.好了!" from the photographer lady. I felt a wave of relief. And pride.

After an exchange of $12 and a receipt slip, we were told that the photos would be ready for collection from Tuesday onwards.

And here it is. When I removed one of the four passport-sized picture from the little white envelope, all I could think of was "So cute!". If you are looking at this and not thinking the same, I suggest you go get a new pair of glasses.

Historic Melacca (Part3)

For this trip, makan is very much at the top of the priority list. And at the top of the makan list we had the very very famous Capitol (3rd generation!) satay chelup. We were late on the first evening and there was an unbelievably long queue so we decided to get there before 5.30pm the following day. We did, and found the outlet to be closed. With the impression that we have been misinformed about the opening hours, we proceeded to a nearby kopitiam for murtabak and mee goreng.


Halfway through our meal, we discovered in shock that the previously closed doors have been opened, and almost instantly, a crowd had magically appeared from nowhere! By the time we hopped over, it was fully occupied and it won't be in another hour's time if we were to wait for someone to be done. Just look at the queue! And all these despite the drizzle!


We just couldn't leave Melacca without trying out the satay chelup. So we settled for the more obscure alternative - another stall, nearer to our hotel, selling the same improvised steamboat meal, named "Dip Lucky Dip". Oh well...perhaps the next time we'd get to find out just how much better Capitol's stuff is than DLD...


Of course, besides eating, we did the mandatory shopping too. At Tesco, no less!


After two nights stay, it's time to bid farewell. A parting shot at the hotel lobby before the 2 hour drive to JB for more shopping before finally going home!

Historic Melacca (Part2)

The icecream man's business was pretty good, with the hot weather in his aid. His merchandise was especially popular with the group of japanese girls and taitais.


These very colourful trishaws were a plenty on the streets. Business is highly competitive.


The rows of shops were packed with their souvenir wares...handicraft items mostly. Fridge magnets, straw hats, and these lovely windchimes.


The fireman posing with an old fire truck.


Not to be outdone, the soldier got his Kodak moment with an ancient armoured vehicle.

Historic Melacca (Part1)

It was meant to be a trip to Bangkok from 20th till 23rd, but those chaps at FinAir got bored with work amd decided that a strike was the next thing on their To Do list (What's wrong with these Finnish people!?). So long, Chak Tu Chak...looks like we'd only get to visit you another time.

After some desperate mouse-clicking over the internet, we came up with the contingency plan - a trip to historic Melacca! Yes....again.


Midway, we popped by Ah-Gu's place at Muah. Limei has grown much taller since we last seen her some 4, 5 years ago. Still as skinny, though. With her in the pic is Xiaobai the puppy.


After a little bit more driving, we've reached our destination. This is the view from our room (No. 1402) in The Renaissance Hotel.


Our first meal at Melacca - the famous chicken rice balls!


After lunch, we toured the historical city and visited attractions such as the famous "red building" - The Christ Church Melaka.


We took many photos.

Jaimie's new tricks

At five months, here are some of the new tricks I can now perform!


I can hold the milk bottle by myself!


I can turn over onto my side!


I can flip over onto my tummy!


I can balance a hanky on my head!


I can even do yoga!


With these newly acquired skills, I am a really happy baby!

Jaimie's Party Pix Strikes Back

Xalicia zeh-zeh kissing Jaimie mei-mei

Xaeus, Pam, Angie with two of the Power Puff Girls

Jaimie with Uncle Raymond

Jaimie with Uncle MacBook....er...Uncle Bernard

Jaimie's Party Pix

Uncle Yeow Seng with two of the Power Puff Girls

Caleb gor-gor and Joseph gor-gor playing the Narnia PS2 game

Aunty Greta and Jaimie

Xaeus gor-gor & Sera zeh-zeh

Happy National Day, Singapore!

Today is Singapore's 41st Birthday. Happy birthday~!

Today is when I'm 4 months and 3 days old. Happy day to me too~!

Today is also when many Uncles and Aunties and Gor-gors and Zeh-zehs came to my party. Thank you all~!

Today, I am the youngest in the group. Hmmm....not for long, though. Hee~!

The Many Faces of Jaimie Ng: The Last Stand

Sleepy:

Smug:

The Many Faces of Jaimie Ng Returns

Shocked:

Sad:

Satisfied:

Innocent:

The Many Faces of Jaimie Ng Part Deux

Happy:

Glad:

Curious:

Demure:

The Many Faces of Jaimie Ng

Amused:
Angry:

Annoyed:

Blur:

The New World

The past one month plus has been a flurry of activities. World Cup? What World Cup?! Firstly I was immersed into a totally new working environment, with new responsibilities, new colleagues, new bosses, and a new culture to assimilate into. Even this extent of adjustment pales in comparison with my other major role transition - that of Fatherhood.

It is very literally stepping into a new world. Everything has changed, and you see with new eyes. I felt like Neo stepping out of the Matrix, and into the Real World for the first time. Woah. Indeed.











Neo : Woah.



Introducing the latest addition to the family - Jaimie Ng Jing Yuan. 黄靖媛 was named so that she would possess the qualities of peace and graceful beauty. The name "Jaimie" has French origins and means "I love".

The world would henceforth never be the same.

Super Uncle/Aunty Band Thread

The Super Uncle/Aunty Band email thread.

************************************************
28 Mar 06 (0903hrs) – SHU wrote:

YS,

I've found it. Check out this website http://www.fourtonesmusic.com/index.html

$14 per hour during weekends, including equipment (2 guitars, 1 bass, 1 6-piece drumkit + cymbals, amps + optional keyboard). Location is pretty ideal and central, at Boat Quay area. Need advanced booking.

Are you all ready to jam, or is it, once again, one of those chui gong LP song cases...? Oy, dun make me buy the score book for nothing, okie!

YS - percussions
SH - bass
Bn - guitar/ keyboard? (bn choose one, dun be so ambitious!)
Who else?? Pls indicate interest for instant sign-up! No prior experience required.

29 Mar 06 (2001hrs) – SHU wrote:

Looking good.....

YS - percussions
SH - bass
Bn - guitar
Pam - keyboard

Enlistment still on. Sign up now!

3 Apr 06 (1000hrs) – SHU wrote:

band enthusiasts, check out :

http://www.luthermusic.com/cgi-bin/WB_MainPageGen.pl

YS : i believe this is the shop you were talking about last nite. The above website has got classified ads section. Shd be able to find some deals that suit us.

bn : make use of your one-week leave to quickly brush up your basic guitar chords and strumming techniques. be ready... (btw, sidetracking abit...let me kn when u managed to find dai ai ling's CD. thnx)

Pam : this is just to place on record your reply last nite, and I quote "if you all serious, then I serious lor!", unquote. I THINK we are quite serious here. be ready too. You may want to start picking up from where u left off 10 years ago, on your grade 7 piano skills.

Terry : new member, going on the tamborine with straw skirt. welcome! Pls get ready straw skirt.

3 Apr 06 (1744hrs) – PAM wrote:

halo, mr shu,

u sound very threatening in ur email below leh....must put in black and white somemore...: (

u hv the music scores for the songs u guys gonna play? email me so i can practise, coz i only play classical, not pop....i'm gg for keyboard lessons hor....dun play play, am dead serious!

3 Apr 06 (1800hrs) – SHU wrote:

WAH SEH! *applause*

YS would be happy to hear about your declaration of your level of
commitment.

One thing I learnt from working experience....must put things in black and
white. If not, sometimes tak jalan, and all will be for naught. It's what we would call "Mouth Talk LP Shiok". No action one....

Latest update -

Mr Chuah and Mr Shu (Dumb and Dumber) actively sourcing for bass guitars
already. Both have received quotations for 2nd hand pieces.

Mr Bn has been strongly encouraged to source for his guitar set as well.

As for music scores, nw that everybody is serious, I will go and finally tear open the wrappings of the book I bought when shopping with YS two weeks ago. Will see what I can distribute to you all.

YS - can email us the website URL you found, with the mayday chords/scores?

All - I think can start thinking of band name liow.

5 Apr 06 (1111hrs) – SHU wrote:

Pam :

this score is for you to practice. This is slow song by Mayday, main instrument is piano. Since you are the most accomplished musician in the band now, maybe we shd start with this piece, to boost confidence.

YS : you can try out the accoustic guitar part. You know how to read TAB?
If not, you can visit this very helpful site :

http://www.guitar4christ.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=4

There are many other useful stuff in the main site e.g. what to look out for when buying beginner's guitar/bass, basic guitar lessons and so on. Check it out.

In the meantime, bn and i got to respectively learn our basics first, b4 it makes sense for me to send out those other band scores.

11 Apr 06 (1153hrs) – SHU wrote:

It is happening.

For those of you all who are doubting our level of seriousness (admittedly, I used to be one, prior to last nite), doubt no more.

We've had our inaugural jamming session at YS's place last evening. And jamming and rocking were what we did.

No more words now....words are unnecessary. Music has now filled our veins, our dreams.

Next challenge : Zhiming yu Chunjiao. Here's the score. 'nuff said. Go practice.

11 Apr 06 (1920hrs) – CEDRIC wrote:

Please guys take some pictures or vidéos, I will love that!!!!!!!!!!

;)

************************************************

Here you go Ced, pix from the Band’s very first practice!