Memories

Here is the Chinese Box which I aquired at D's work mall. As soon as I saw it I knew it would be exactly the box that would hold all Grandad's "stuff." Those wee mementos that were important to him and therefore very special for us.

His leather case stands underneath which Jude & I spent a childhood wondering about the contents. It was always strictly forbidden - but I remember that we did manage to climb up high one day and found, to our delight, little brownie snapshots of our Dad from WW2, ( he must have been 19 - 22 ) small mementos of Italian Women, and quite a few truck/mobile shots from perhaps Egypt. I remember Dad being very cross that we had managed to come across the suitcase. At the time I remember wondering whether there was more to the fact that Judy & I had climbed up on a footstool to get the case...and therefore unsafe...he was very angry...much more than the incident warrented. Dad was usually never angry at us so I knew this was serious. Now that I have the small ( and insificant for some ) contents I can understand his reserve, and wanting to shield his daughters from a horrific time in his past.

I have medals and letters, and my task now, is to gather this together and put them in the Chinese Box & Dad's old Leather Case. There are also a few mementos from Mum - not much - probably the most treasured thing is a big Superman Card which Nick made for his Mama just before she died.

Underneath the leather case is an ordinary old wharehouse trunk which holds heaps of Nick & David's growing up times. Not many photos of new borne David to show Jordy ( no time for photos I suppose ) but lots for later - lots of holidays & the day to day stuff.

So the Chinese Box will serve us well and I'll have much satisfaction filling it with family mementos. It was well worth the inspection at customs but that's another story!

My other aquisition is the wonderful ' Lust en Lesen 2009 " Calendar. My DIL said it MUST be part of the sitting room - and after a bit of rearranging I am very pleased.

Liam leaves for Wellington tomorrow. He is very excited and so he can be. Celia can be very proud. Watch Out World - here comes Liam - be well - Go Do It!!!

Homeward Bound

As the plane lifted off from Singapore Airport I felt an overwhelming grief for my loved ones I was leaving behind but what wonderful memories to take with me. It was the most amazing 3 weeks spending every day with wee Jordy and now I can share all my stories with my family here.

When we flew over the Southern Alps I knew I was nearly home. For an all night flight the time went well and I managed to entertain myself with 3 good movies: Deception ( recommended highly ) Summer House ( a French Drama ) and Looking Forward ( Kevin Spacey )

Customs in CHCH was an interesting experience as I knew it would be. The large Chinese Box I just had to have to keep special memories had to be declared and the Customs Officer and I had a great time undoing all my wrapping and then making it secure again for the flight to Dunedin. Dora, the big strong plastic bag came in very handy here. The Officer was a new dad and he'd been up all night with his wee teething babe - you can imagine our conversation! He also thought it prudent to clean my sneakers before they came into the country so I now have very sterialised sneakers!

I arrived in Dunedin to a beautiful spring day and even coming from Singapore's heat it wasn't cold at all. ( if my flight had been today I wouldn't have made it home cos flights into Dn have been cancelled due to strong winds ) Wonderful Margaret was there to meet me and we spent an hour or so sitting out in the sun chatting about "you know who!" Celia and Margaret have been avid blogger & picasa visitors and of course are very very delighted with the new member of the family. Margaret had even kindly bought me food and the garden man I'd arranged to do lawns and a wee tidy up of the garden had done a great job so my homecoming was not so bad at all.

It feels wierd to hang washing out on line after Singapore drying system.

It has made it easier to come home to Springtime though - Dalmeny looks not too bad when the sun is shining. I wonder what Jordy will think of the big hill!

I am really missing my Daughter In Law. Have had a great old time trying to transfer photos on to the computer and then transfering to blog! It's not letting me transfer easily for some reason and I have had to do it all sorts of round about ways to accomplish this - hmmm - very frustrating...

David's just text to say Dora & Jordy are watching Gilmore Girls. How lovely that I can picture the exact scene! Coro's on here.

Jordy is Six Weeks Old Tomorrow

My three week holiday being with wee grandson holiday is drawing to a close.


This is my wee babe a few days after I arrived -


- and here he is now!

How wonderful that I have been able to spend this special time with David, Dora & wee Jordy... watching him grow from a newborne to a little 6 weeker who has been developing his uniqueness day by day. From seeing him first thing in the morn ( not the early early shift thank goodness! ) watching his little playtime gymnastics on the mat, sharing his first "out & about stuff", bath times, and most of all, the cuddles when he gazes at you with the most adorable eyes. The feel of his little body is just magic. He already communicates in his own special way, and not unlike his Mama Maree you can read his facial expressions very easily.

We have had a lovely Saturday together. Jordy watched his first Flight of The Concordes episode and then we headed off to Great World City for the bestest lunch at Bangkok Jam. Thai mango lime salad, chicken green curry and the most delicious pork dish I've ever had. After a walk about the mall David Jordy & I visited Bukit Chandu ( the war museum ) while Dora had a much needed rest at home. We had thought we might go to Santosa but it really has been too hot this last week to do anything too much in the open. The museum was well set out and I am keen to visit other wartime memorials next visits.

Couldn't let my last night go by without making Tuna Salad for my family and we have now had a very relaxing evening writing thankyou cards on behalf of Jordy, and because wee babe has for once gone straight to sleep after evening feed we have had ice cream and parents extroidinare are even able to watch an episode of Gilmore Girls! Dora even managed to do a blog! Usually at this time we are cuddling, singing and playing the piano, trying to settle the wee darling.

I always knew that I would love being a Grandma but didn't really realise how much one tiny little baby could steal my heart.

Jordy darling I am yours forever and ever. Take good care of your Mum & Dad for me and your Singapore Grandma & Grandad. I can't wait for you to start blogging!!

Jordy's First Cultural Experience

Today we visited the beautiful Singapore Arts Museum. The building itself is worth a visit ( it used to be St. Joseph's School ) and today we had the added attraction of a special exhibition of Vietnamese Art After 1990. The work was especially poignant for us reminding us of our visit to Hanoi last April. One of the works, a cluster of models of buildings we recognised was one of the favs.
After a wonder enjoying the art and ambiance we headed off to Dome, quite an upmarket cafe where we enjoyed a very refreshing lunch -
While Dora gave wee Jordy his afternoon feed I wondered around Chimes which is a sureal garden eating place looking for a wee church that I remembered from my very first visit to Singapore. It is one of those places that I have carried with me in my mind's eye and will continue to do so as it was as still and as peaceful as I'd remembered. It is the simplicity and the whiteness that I love.
Back to Dome to pick up wee whanau and as it was still so very very hot and not quite time to head back home we took a relaxing wee forest walk to Bukit Chandu which is a historic rememberence park commemerating the Battle for Singapore during World War 11. It is a poiganant place and has amazing views. It would have been good to visit the museum but although wee cherub was enjoying his afternoon emensely Dora & I both knew that we would be pushing the boundaries to put him through another cultural experience.

So another perfect day with little cherub. I am trying not to think that this magic visit is nearly over but I am beginning to feel a shadow of sorrow.

It is now 7:15 and David has arrived home with delicious tea. David works very long hours here compared to NZ working time but now it's the weekend and he can look forward to special time with his little family.

Afternoon Clubbing

Yesterday was extremely hot even for locals so it was a good day to head off in the afternoon to chill out at the club. Dora, Jordy & I joined Grandma Daisy & Granddad Dick and we had a wonderful time nibbling tasty snacks, reading newspapers and swimming. What a life! The picture above is where wee Jordy will hang out when he's a wee bit older. It's a great water playground and I will look forward to hanging out with him here at a future date.

Wee man was SO GOOD. Not a peep out of him and when Daddy David arrived in the later evening we all went for Jordy's first evening dining experience at Jumbo's Seafood.

So many delicious dishes - fried squid, prawns, but the speciality was the chilli crabs. The plate was enourmous and I wondered how on earth we would manage to do it justice but as this is Dick's very favourite dish we managed to almost scrape the plate clean!!


It was a wonderful wonderful day and Jordy's Grandparents were so proud of him - not one peep from him the whole time. His mum & Dad were very amused as they waited by the hotel entrance - all they could hear was The Doting Grandparent Club singing Irish Lullibies to him as we carried him down the stairs like a little prince to the car. It was a different story part of the journey home but wee man is allowed the occassional slip up!

Singaporean Hospitality

Yesterday I had my second ever massage. On my last visit to Singapore last April, I was Daisy's honoured guest for my first in a lifetime and we have decided that we will make an afternoon of pampering ourselves a tradition. It truly is an extraordinary experience to be painted in ginger and then rolled in a wrap. But the fun really begins when big woman sits on you and starts pounding and stretching trying to make knotty old me into a pliable rubber band. Jane certainly knew how to iron out my tense muscles and I felt very light and relaxed when Daisy & I met after our treatment to have barley tea. It wasn't till I woke up this morning that I felt as though someone had been sitting on my back all night!!! However after warm shower all was well and I am now reaping the benefits of all that stretching.

After our pampering experience, to carry on the tradition ( we did this last time too ) we drove to Daisy & Dick's club where we met up with D&D, wee Jordy and Dick, and after a lovely lunch by the poolside we enjoyed a great swim. This is a wonderful place and will be a great place for wee man to hang out with the family. His cousins love coming here with their Grandparents. It is so well set up for kiddies & grownups to just enjoy the water and to relax. We have made plans to go again on Thursday and David will meet us there after work. Yeahhh!

A big big thankyou to Daisy and Dick for a wonderful day.


No visit to Singapore is complete without a visit to Orchid Road so with very specific instructions from Dora on how to get to the places I wanted to browse around ( I have a reputation for managing to get myself lost ) I left my wee family behind and ventured forth. Now that I am a regular visitor and not just a three day tourist I know which places I want to wonder. Tangs is always a treat and I wish we had a great big HMV store in Dunedin to browse around on a wet weekend. Three floors of music and movies. Alas, I couldn't find my new fav. TV serial Mad Men, but don't think it's released yet. Then off I went to meet Mother & baby who were having their first trip into town by themselves. Dora is into the swing of out & about, no probs and Jordy is a real little cafe boy already. All the fellow shoppers think he's a wee cutie and although we try not to compare with the pushchair crew, cos we know that's not very nice, he really wins hands down everytime.

The shops here are mind boggling, and everything is displayed with artistic flair. I think I'm beginning to work out the layout - remember Dunedin has only two malls and only one has an escalator!!!

Jordy's First Party

It is the tradition in Singapore to hold a party for the newborn at one month old so today family and friends called in to celebrate Jordy's arrival.

D&D had ordered catering and this was set up in the landing outside the apartment. Many dishes - fish, squid, curry, vegetables and noodles and mee siam, a really tasty spicy soup dish. Delicious light puddings are also included. The caterers organise everything and the dishes sit under gas burners so everyone can eat when they want. When Shenn arrived he said " yea there's a barbecue outside" - It's such a hassle free way to party.

Guests began to arrive about 11ish and wee man of the day was looking very dashing in his little NZ tiki tshirt. Of course everyone just adored him. He gazed at everyone with those deep dark eyes and seemed to be taking everything in. He even took all the photos in his stride. It was great catching up with extended family again and Dick entertained us all on the ukelale - when he next visits NZ he will have to catch up with the Wellington ukelale club - I wish Finnie could hear him cos he'd really enjoy it.

Alas - all good things come to an end and by 1ish wee Jordy had had enough of being social butterfly. ( I have the sneaking suspicion that he will be very much a contemplative sort of fellow rather than a party player. )
By late afternoon when he still hadn't settled we did what we all try and went for a drive, but no, not even that - he was very cross with us - it wasn't until we wheeled him around Labrador park by the sea that he returned to his usual quiet meditative state. His mum & grandma love him very much as they knew that his delight with this park would cost them both mosquito bites!

It is now late in the evening and the wee petal has been asleep since his tea time feed allowing Mum & Dad to have much needed sleep.
So the big day was a huge success and ended on a high note with the All Blacks winning the Bedisloe Cup - needless to say, after such a big day, there was no West Wing watching tonight!

Busy Days

Friday differed from our usual routine - Dora, bubs and I had big day out yesterday leaving home just after lunch to deliver boxes of these sweet little gem cakes to her workmates. Dora's office is a very huge bright modern space and lucky for me situated in a very shoppable mall, so while workmates gooed over baby I entertained myself in the shops and Dora had organised for me to have my Vietnam & Xmas photos developed at the same time.

We thought we'd play it by ear ( translation - play the day according to Jordy boy ) and when I met up with them all was looking good. So off we went browsing around the beautiful shops. We even managed to sit down like ladies and have the
most superb pancakes. Dora obviously felt like she had returned to her favourite planet!

Wee Jordy continued to be very content for the rest of the evening - even at bath time and when Daddy David arrived home he was greeted by three happy chappies, and to celebrate the day we watched an episode of West Wing. Just like old times!

My Grandson is One Month Old Today!

Whatcha lookin at Grandma - I'm still looking exactly the same as 5 minutes ago!

To mark this occasion wee Jordy decided to show us how he could lie on his tummy and hold his head up high. What a boy and I think he is already aspiring to play rugby as he seemed to be trying to do a scrum - kicking his wee arms and legs and he actually managed to move himself half way around the mat!


D & I thought a little afternoon stroll might be nice so in the latish afternoon the three of us spent a very relaxing walk around parts of the Botanical Gardens. David had taken Margaret & I to the Orchid Garden part in 2005 but there is so many parts to it I will be able to spend many holidays exploring. It will be fun when wee man is old enough to see the turtles and feed the ducks. He especially liked the sound of the waterfall so think eventually he will be a waterboy although bath times are definately not his fav pastime yet!


Yesterday Dawn, Leslie, Ida, Shen, Young and Tien visited the new member of the family. Those boys are going to be great playmates for Jody. The are so delightful, very noisy as little boys can be ( well the two youngest - Shen is a very patient quiet older brother ) They all became very engrossed in The Adventures of Massey Fergusson so yeah! it's a hit! We will be catching up with them all again at Jordy's big one month birthday party on Saturday.

Jordy was such a good boy today that i managed to cook tea - no probs. I'm afraid he is a little unsettled tonight but his mum & dad have patience EXCELLENT and calming him with wee cuddles. They are wonderful in their new role - wee Grandson is in very very capable hands.

I have begun reading Two Lives by Vikram Seth and can tell it will be a goody.
Other than that just cruising in and out of Jordy days. It is like being in a little cacoon here, very peaceful, even when wee man cries ( which isn't very often! )

One Of Those Days

It started out so well...

there we were, supermarket shopping completed by 10:30 and feeling very pleased with ourselves....then it all turned to custard. Wee cherub wasn't being particularly cherub at all so we abandoned "how to" book and showing our independent streaks went off on our afternoon outing a little earlier today.

This time to very upmarket mall where all the ex pats go and had very civilised afternoon tea and a potter around the shops. Found some sweet little Chinese bags for gifts.

But eventhough lots of fellow shoppers were very forthcoming in their delight with cute baby wee Jordy just didn't want to get into the swing of it really. Poor wee petal - but after his bath and early evening feed i.e. when his Dad came home, he settled into a much needed sleep.

Most obvious sign of busy day was that mama managed to undercook rice in fool proof rice cooker!!!

And now we all feel quite normal again after a wee relax with Gilmore Girls.

Motherhood is like travelling - every day is different and you never know what to expect.

Happy Four Weeks to Jordy

It is a little after 7p.m. Sing time so Jordy is officially four weeks old.



We have celebrated by having good old Kiwi tucker - Shepherds Pie. Alas I cannot take credit for this great feast. The Yip family have dinner together every Sunday evening but as Darling Dora has been unwell with fever and other ghastly things Ida kindly cooked us a take away.
Due to Dora's unwellness ( which is quickly improving ) I managed my first babysitting task last night as D&D made a trip to the Dr. Wee Grandson was very good and after a wee chat, whereby I do all the chatting and he listens attentively, he popped off to sleep no probs and I watched The Office Series 2.

Wee Jordy is notably changing everyday, he is so alert and his wee face looks even more like a cherub. Honestly he is so so cute. Now, between feeds he lies and entertains himself very well indeed, kicking and stretching his wee legs and arms all over the place. His favourite thing to do ( after feeding ) is listening to his mum play the piano, that's when he's not listening to me of course.

Before getting into Jordy time today I took a stroll through Hort park which isn't far from here. Truly serene and green. Singapore has such amazing sureal places of nature, so different than NZ's wild bush green. Here it is manicured lush and exotic.

David and I took a trip for takeaway Hawker ( promise to get back to that gas stove soon folks! ) and then we left wee Dora to rest while David took his Mum and his son on a really lovely Sunday outing along the Esplanade. Perfect breezy afternoon and wee child genius just sat back in his stroller contended the whole time.



Oh yes, just remembered, took a bus to Volvo City yesterday ( of course! ) and David and Jordy picked grandma up with her very restrained shopping and we had a wee stroll along Labrodour Park. He loved that too. his mum can't wait to be joining us in these expeditions.

First visit to wee Jordy

It is now my 5th day with Jordie and he has totally captured my heart. Already it is hard to imagine life before this beautiful little joy came into our lives. I am very contended just to watch, hold and talk about him. Yesterday I took a wee walk up to the Hill Top to enjoy a little moment in this amazing city and must make sure I do a little more sightseeing but nothing can beat hanging out with wee man.
D&D have created a very loving peaceful space and it is so nice just to pace our days according to Jordy, each hour being different than the last and each day we notice little milestones that he manages to achieve.
I swear he knows me already and today when we took him to the hospital for a jaundice test he looked at me with such anger as if to say Grandma how could you let this happen to me! But he is a very forgiving wee soul and was soon back to letting me nurse him. And guess what! He's the only person I know who looks interested when I sing him a wee song.

Bestest Mum and Daughter In Law In World has helped me set up this blog site so I can keep in touch with Jordie when I return home - and to share NZ stories with him - but won't even think about that yet - Still have two glorious weeks to love and to hold.