Last Carbo load lunch at Mahota, Tampines Century Square.
Surprisingly nice meal at reasonably priced
There are choice of Little box / Regular box where you can pick 1 base, proteins, supplementary, greens and drinks.
I chose yong Tao foo. A little special where I have to go choose the ingredient inside the market. 6 pieces at $2.40. Pay additional $2 for a brown rice or noodles and they will help you cook 👍🏻
Small island of Indonesia
Nothing fancy, a 2D1N getaway with my family. We go see and experience it ourselves.
Yes, finally stepped into Batam.
Everything, as usual was arranged by my hubby. We gotten the ala carte type where we bought:
1. Ferry ticket at 10% discount. Departure 830am from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Harbor Terminal, Batam
Upon departure, we bought our data plan SIM card cost $10 for 6GB right at the terminal itself.
2. We booked driver at cost $60 for 10hr. Contacted the driver and off we go in the 6 seater Avanza.
Didn’t know there is time different between Singapore and Batam 🤔 Yape, Batam is 1 hour later. Singapore 9am and Batam 8am
3. 1st, stopped at a nearby coffee shop for our breakfast. Traditional local coffee, tea and prata
We ordered Egg, Egg+Onion, plain prata and chicken murtabak. All at only SGD$10+, somewhat reasonable.
4. We stop at the nearby Tua Pek Kong Temple.
Me and hubby took a 2hr traditional massage at $38. The kids booked for 1.5hr leg massage at $25.
We then proceed to this place called golden city. Here we 1st stopped for some layer cake tasting. Well, it’s very commercialised with busses sending passengers over to taste and purchase the layer cake.
Nope! We bought nothing from here 😂😂😂
Just a turn, we are here within golden city for our lunch. It’s tourist recommended place for lunch, and so we are her. We are tourist 💁
Total bill $42, very reasonable considering the portion and dishes that we ordered.
Just another turned, we arrived at this GoCart playground. Each $15 for 10minutes GoCart drive.
The children enjoyed the GoCart a lot. They were sharing their experiences on how slow, how fast , how sharp was the turn. Although it doesn’t look appealing to me, but happy to see the children enjoying.
Another turn and we reached the place where Cheng Ho cruise located. It’s Cheng Ho cruise replica. I have no idea what is this cruise about but the driver said it was where Cheng Ho stopped by.
Cheng Ho was a great Chinese explorer. He expedited to explore the world for the Chinese emperor and to establish Chinese trade in new areas. He stopped over at Batam as well.
Next, relates to Cheng Ho as well. The mosque 🕌 dedicated for Muslim Chinese people there. The architecture combined both Chinese and Malay elements. Rather unique to me. 
😊funny, this driver likes to help us take family pictures.
We were sent back to our hotel, Biz Hotel $68 for 2 rooms – including free buffet breakfast. Hotel was moderate and complete.
Very quickly checked-in and we proceed to next destination which is the Berelang Bridge. 30min journey from our hotel.
We stopped at Diana Layer cake shop for quick taste and yes, we bought a big box of original layer cake.
To the Beralang bridge which is 30min drive. Okay, we all dosed off 💤 dosed off
We stopped at one end of the bridge and walked to the opposite. Took few pictures and enjoyed the scenery on TOP and along the walk. Was Super windy, in fact, was very strong wind. Nice 👍🏻
Little do we expect, the bridge was half closed for marathon in next 7hr time 😂😂😂
Like really we going to run 🤔
Back to Batam town – 30 min drive again. This time to the real shopping cum food heaven (coz of its price).
Best meal was somehow a random choice we picked in Nagoya mall. The dinner was so sumptuous and at only $19
Seriously, we ordered another take away avocado juice at $1.50 only 😊
Quickly got 2 slices of cake and off we go for our pre-booked massage
The Kamayan massage wasn’t as good. Should have tried the highly recommended secret spa. Nonetheless, the 2hr massage still Shiok.
Next, we went back to hotel.
We went to the roof TOP to sing birthday song for our princes. And video called my parent. Small cake but memorable 2018 birthday nonetheless. Rooftop birthday celebration while videocalled grandpa and grandma
Bought cup noodles which is like a much have whenever we overseas. Also bought 2 bottles of yogurt drink for the children. Nice 👍
sleep 💤
Next morning, we went for the hotel buffet breakfast and 10am boarded the free shuttle bus to Nagoya Mall for our Makan + Shopping ✌️
We did our phone tempered glasses which cost $3 each. Phone casing which is like $3 as well.
Let’s go for lunch before leaving Nagoya mall. If only I will come Batam again, I don’t mind just be here for massage, food and shopping 🛒
Too much, too heavy a meal. 
Bye bye 👋 Batam
Was a great getaway experience for us. That’s what we needed. Simple getaway, another experience that add into our lives.
Yeah 😉, clocked my 32km weekend run. So much easier when I have someone to chat with along the route. Always felt the best when it’s over. Can’t be happier when it’s done.
Was anticipating for today’s run due to some of new route. Never run before, excited a little. But what made today’s run even more interesting was, we ran half our distance under the rain. The rain has made my run easier. So, why is sunshine better?
Chatting and wasting time after run 😊 well, I don’t mind 😂😂😂
This is what I look forward to after my weekend long run; food and some company 👍🏻
Went to temple to pray for Ryan’s better result. PSLE releasing this Thursday. Of course, nothing could be changed but I feel is good to let the kids know that God is approachable 🙏
Admired the kids sincere look when praying. Ryan even asked if can borrow him money. He wanna pay oil for further respect. And he literally returned me the money when he returned home 👏👏👏
Renee loves this street ice cream. Prices increased to $1.20 now, still reasonably low.
Early dinner at Seoul Yummy booked through eatigo – 50% discount. We ordered 2 sets, a spicy hotpot and another cheese hotpot.
Finally, Avacado chocolate chips muffin for tomorrow breakfast.
Have not try, better be nice 😉
It’s been a while since I prepared breakfast for the kids. Feel really bad on that.
Supposed to cook Bak Kut Teh as lunch but we went to school open house and lingered around for too long.
Bak kut teh and fried lady’s finger has became dinner instead.
1st time cooking bak kut teh. Added hard boiled egg, shitake mushroom and tou pok. All into pressure cooker with Meat function. Done in 12minutes. Successful, they love it.
Can try to reduce the water to 1.5 liter.
Chili padi, as usual, is a must.
Premium spare ribs and spare ribs super yummy.
Prior to this, I also went for coffee with hubby and had our favourite steam bun from ya kun. Feeling sinful for eating so much.
Nevermind, tomorrow 34km. Keeping my finger cross that I can make it.
Guess it’s not only me who always constantly looking for places to satisfy both kids and ourselves, as well as keeping the kids aways from gadgets.
Its weekend again. As usual, the hardest thing is always to decide on where to eat and what to eat. Glad that this time round, renee has her idea. It’s in her bucket list to eat at this place, Yum Cha at Chinatown.
Omg. Why not?
I don’t need to scratch my head to decide 😂😂😂
Come on, what else is in your bucket list. Just name it and I’ll follow. So happy 😊
Anyway, we finally recalled that we have been here many many years back with my mom.
Overall, we love this place coz of its traditional setups, with people from young to old chatting noisily 😊
Happy to have meal together as a family, regardless. Thanks for always believing with mommy. Lovely 😍
Saturday 14th Nov
Weekend is time for me to recharge and of course bonding time with kids. Never to forget my weekend Long run which I know I cannot miss although had always wanted to. 
Thank god that I didn’t slack down but laced up to the park to run. This morning, My ‘evil-me’ kept repeating ‘hot, sun was out’ and it was 7.10am. ‘Angle-me’ telling myself, please show mercy sun.
Anyway, the sun indeed scorching hot. Perhaps I have got used to it or my GEWR dry fit cool me down? Nothing stop me. I, as agreed to do 12km, did 13km at 6.16pace. No gel and just with a bottle of water. Bravo lady! 💪🏻
Love to feel my sweat tickling down my face and listening to my body’s heart rate and feel my leg and body heat. Amazing. Thanks for going out – I am awesome too 😜
I do not want my kids to feel they were neglected – never perfect full-time working Mom feeling. Juggling between kids healthier meal, house chores, their school work and not to forget healthier active lifestyle.
After Ryan morning Badminton lesson, they were all indulged by my so-called humble healthier version of lunch. Surely better than foodcourt.
In evening, before berries class, kids requested Subway for dinner. Let’s go, why not?
Ryan as usual ordered teriyaki chicken without vege and 3 seasoning. Renee, more wiser choice with cold-cut-trio and 2 seasoning plus some her Favourite vege. Me, spicy meat and all vege 🍔
With these healthy meal for everyone on the table, we quietly indulged ourselves in our ways. 
After berries, dessert time; we will often alternate between Ya Kun or Blackball. And today, we go for black ball.
Ordered our usual warm Signature Dessert which includes Grass Jelly, Yam Q, Golden Sweet Potato balls, RedBeans, Pearls and a small capsule of milk to be added onto it.
Ordered hot as well which does not come with grass jelly but more liquid base. Love both!!
Sunday morning, I will not to let me telling myself that I and exhausted and strive to spend time with kids; I prefer outings than staying back at home when they will be on their gadgets. Morning, unless I can’t, else I will swim with them. I enjoyed Swimming with them and Ryan was my freestyle coach 😜
Our usual Compass Point lunch place has close down for renovation. Today, for the first time we tried pastamania just located outside Swimming complex. We were all famished after an hour Swimming (Ryan swam for 2hr) 😱
Not too bad but I felt a little over price for the presentation: 
I admit that I am an easily angry Mom. Trying hard to control, not sure if my anger management skill improved or I have learnt how to let go, but I am more calm and gentle to the kids as compared. Kids, what you say?
Back home, we settled ourselves enjoying waffle and my coffee while couching around watching movie – family equal life.
Evening Sunday run time again! After my GEWR with Renee on 1st November, I sort of confident that Renee could handle 5km run non-stop on her own perfectly well. And Ryan as usual will try his best to join in. Opss, Mommy can run on her own at her own pace.
A shot at the lift before heading to the park:
Indeed,Renee did her 2nd 5km on her own. She was rather upset for she didn’t got her ideal timing. But told her that going out to run is already an achievement and every run is a a training. Ryan did well. Glad and proud of them.
Best is when Renee told me that she could run 5km non-stop coz she recalled me telling her not let the mind take over our run. Listen to our leg and body and ignore mind; didn’t expect my words were craved deep in her heart ✌🏻
My run isn’t that good but is ok, recovery run perhaps after 13km run yesterday: 
Sunday family run & cycle day
I missed the days when I could lace up and run anytime. How much I had anticipated for a clear sky, after more than a month of haze. Finally, this morning 77 psi reading, we have decided to run this evening. Keeping our finger crossed that the PSI wouldn’t shoot any higher in the evening.
At 6pm, PSI was then 101. Decided to continue our run & kids cycling session. Ryan started cycling with Daddy. Renee ran with me. It wasn’t a comfortable run for (1) I forgotten my palm grip bottle & (2) the haze wasn’t as pleasant. But, still glad we came out and run. This run set as a small training that gives me a little confident for my upcoming 10KM GE women run – targetting next Sub-1 with 5.40pace.
Renee will be doing her 1st 5KM GE women run. Today, she recorded her reading via Runkeeper with 2.91km at 7.10pace. Awesome thou. Sorry coz mommy doesn’t wanna pace you today 😦
Daddy who ran after cycling with Ryan did extremely well with pace of 5.21. Bravo to all despite the hazy days. Didn’t have hope for a clearer sky as much ever.
Kids at home on weekend
Weekend supposingly should be a better bonding time with our kids, but may not always be so. Often, I will try to make some effort to be more connected with them by adjusting my time, perhaps watching movies with them or play some board games with them. Making sure we spent wiser and best time. If times do not permits, perhaps due to my house chores or I myself engaged on gadget-time, that’s what they do.. ‘Glued to their gadgets too!!’
The new Y-Generation world. Cruel but no doubt the hard truth 🤔
Managed to snap 2 picture of them today:
Renee – watching movie ‘Into the Woods’
Ryan – online game with friend (see the phone)
Something modern parents have to embrace and learnt to accept. I should cherish every moment regardless – at least we are all safe and happy in our home-sweet-home. Happiness sometimes can simply be sitting there watching my kids having gadget-time. No worry be happy! ✌️
TybMoments 