The one about fun, faith and friends...

A budding lawyer in the making? I sure hope not!! Now don't get me wrong, I have every respect for the legal profession, after all I've been a lawyer for over 15 years and am still one! Still, every father wants his child to have the best and if possible, be even more successful. Maybe he'll excel in tennis or golf?

Fun
Seriously though, what I want for Ethan is for him to be the best in whatever he chooses to do. He's sure to like bowling though! We recently had our Penang-Perak Bar Games which was, this year, hosted by us in Penang. As I was bowling for Penang Bar, Jo and I brought Ethan to the alley for some Sunday morning fun.

He was thrilled to bits seeing the ball rolling towards the pins and sending them flying in all directions. The bowling alley reverberated with his laughter and screams of delight. Ethan even got into the high-fiving with his dad.


Recently also we brought Ethan out at night to our friend Hooi Lin's birthday party. Hooi Lin has since moved to KL and she was up here in Penang for her birthday. She invited a few friends for a gathering at her hotel suite which turned out more like a kid's party with the many children there having a time of their lives.

Ethan checking out what the fuss is about...

Where's the birthday girl?

The Makcik Gang reunited, albeit for a short while...

Faith
We brought Ethan to the St. Anne's Church in Bukit Mertajam during its week long celebrations in conjunction of St. Anne's feast day on the 26th July. The little fellow was a little perplexed with this diversion from the ordinary. However, he quickly adjusted and had a grand time there. He was smart enough to not want to make the trip up St. Anne's hill on foot, so his now much fitter parents had to take turns carrying him up. Once there, he did his share of candle lighting and "prayer".


On a sad note, Jo's Uncle Raymond was called to the Lord after a tough battle with illness. It was a third huge loss for the Holloway-De Vries family in a year and particularly for Aunty Pam, who has now lost her sister, her brother and her husband.

Jo, Ethan and I drove down to KL for the funeral. He was perfectly good during the trip and was magically well behaved at the church during the funeral mass. He took to Jo's cousin Craig's wife - Susan - for some reason and stuck with her throughout most of the service. It was a moving ceremony as Uncle Raymond was always the life of every party and would be sorely missed. He never failed to make us all feel like part of the family. In the end, it was his faith - in God and in his extended family - that saw him through. We'll miss you Uncle Raymond.

Ethan sleeping on the trip down to KL...

Friends
Although "friend" is a common word, it may be the most misunderstood or the most unappreciated position of all time. Jo and I are blessed with good friends and for that we are always thankful.

We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on July 10th. It was a simple dinner for the both of us but we were feted to a nice wine, cheese and supper after at Stacy & Mel's place. There to share our special day were Sue & Yan, Carolyn, Raphael and of course Stacy & Mel.



Jo and I have recently been taking Salsa dancing lessons from Carolyn at her studio - Ohm Dance. As a result, we have made new friends and enjoying ourselves swaying to a new Cuban beat. We are by no means proficient in the dance but have learnt enough to have a good time and able to attend more events which are related to it. I guess, for me personally, its not really about mastering the moves and swaying to the rhythm but more about having the opportunity to mingle and to hang out with more simply fun people.

The Salsa gang at Rasa Sayang...

A bigger crowd at Ferringhi Garden...

Posing after class at Ohm Dance...

There's been much to be thankful for in the last month. The year has been zooming along, unlike the slow year last year. I guess its a clear sign that things have been busy and eventful. Here's to even better times...

The one about achievements and milestones...

Ethan had his very first Sports Day at school last Sunday 1st July 2007. The poor boy had been sick the week before that, missing three days in school with fever and cough - the worst part of a viral flu. He had missed the full dress rehearsal on Friday as his fever only went away one day before the big day.

That Sunday, we brought him to my in-law's place for our usual Sunday lunch. Sports Day starts proper at 4pm but we had been asked to bring Ethan in half an hour early. So ever the eager parents, we dressed Ethan up in his uniformed T-Shirt and cap, bundled him into the car and arrive right on time only to find the school compound packed with people already! Jo's mum came with us and my mum also dropped by to cheer the grandson on!

Imagine Ethan's shock of seeing his school, usually peaceful and inspiring, taking on a whole new image! With music blaring over the PA system, noisy children, parents and grandparents crowding the grounds, Ethan hardly recognised his own school. So, the moment his teacher yanked him out of his mum's hands, he was struck with anxiety and fear. Ever since he was young, Ethan had always been clingy to his mum while he was sick and soon after too. This time was no different as Ethan began to get agitated and as soon as they started the formalities, he was crying away.

Jo had to calm him down and soon he was smiling again but refused to allow his mum to leave his side. Then it came time for his class' turn to compete.

The teachers divided his class into two groups and they 'raced' against each other to run thru' cones and hang up a silvery cardboard star on some hooks. Due to his reluctance, Ethan ended up 'running' the anchor leg. Well, as luck may have it, the other team got mixed up, Ethan ran the last leg and won the race for his team!

Ok, ok, its not the Olympics but to us, there and then... it was much much more. Ethan was a lot more traumatised by his being separated from his mum during the 'medal' ceremony and he cried his eyes out! Still, all was well after that and we went home, safe and sound - clutching a brand spanking new gold medal.

The Learning Garden all dressed up for the big event...

The Little Swan class 'marching' in - with Ethan second from last in line...

The kids standing for the national anthem with proud parents snapping away in the back...

Ethan safely in Jo's arms...

Ethan running the final stretch, with his mum in sight...

Tears of absolute joy...


We've seen so much improvement in Ethan recently and his therapists have all said that he's headed in the right direction. We all hope and pray that this continues.

The one about catching up...

Yes, loads of catching up to do here. Much has happened, although not all can or need be cronicled amongst these virtual pages. Suffice to say its been a busy last couple of months.

Since Ethan's birthday, things have been routine. His first term at The Learning Garden came to an end and he went on a boring two-week holiday break. We sent him back to school for a one-day program of water play in the first holiday week. He kinda enjoyed that I think!


After the break, the second term began. School and therapy, same old same old. However, we recently had an "evaluation" meeting with his teachers. They were unanimous that Ethan's improved tremendously from when they first met him. In fact, Ethan's begun to say a few words too! Yep, "apple" which from him sounds more like "appa" and "ball" which sounds like "baal". Still, to his parents its like a symphony.

His comprehension has improved a lot too. Result of his therapy work. I must say, he has taken well to his occupational therapist Ms. Heng. We can clearly see vast improvements in his behaviour. He's now sitting down and patiently waiting when told.

Ethan at Occupational Therapy with Ms. Heng

With his Speech Therapist Ms. Ang

On the personal social front, we've had quite a few gatherings. Mostly birthdays but we do look forward to the opportunities to meet up and catch up. I guess thru our respective daily toil, we should be grateful for those times we can squeeze out of our busy schedules to share with good friends. That is really what it is all about. We don't have the luxury of wasting our precious moments with trivialities, with materialism or with selfishness. That is simply what we should appreciate.

Since my last blog, we've had a birthday celebration for both Yan & Jinny at Bagan; for Sue Khoon at Beach Blanket Babylon and for Carolyn at Mel & Stacy's house. We also met up for Mel & Stacy's anniversary - albeit Mel was away in the US on a business trip. Sue Khoon and Yan celebrated their 1st Anniversary with champagne at their place and a few of us were there too. The next birthday will be Jo's in September but before that will be our wedding anniversary this coming July 10th. Two big events to look forward to. Watch this space for updates....

Yan & Jinny's Birthday celebrations

Gang's all there plus friends...


Sue's Birthday party at BBB

Wendy, Jo and Sue smiling away...

Whole gang plus more friends...

Carolyn's do at Mel & Stacy's...

A relaxed evening indeed...

The one about Ethan's 3rd Birthday...

Ethan's turned three and we celebrated his birthday twice this year. Firstly, we had a cosy tea party at our place on Sunday 6th May - having over around 30 people comprising family and friends (and of course kids).

The modest crowd enjoying themselves...

Ethan collecting his precious presents...

Cake time!

Yes, its an Elmo cake...

Another shot of the guests...

On Ethan's actual birthday, we had a small celebration at his playgroup - we brought cake and goodie bags for his classmates. Needless to say, the kids were excited as this provided a break from their routine morning tea. Ethan seemed quite enthralled by it all, even bopping along when they all sang his birthday song.

Ethan and Mum arriving at his school...

The "Little Swan" class...

The cake being prepared in front of watchful eyes...

Ethan's moment in the limelight...

Our son... all grown up

Happy Birthday son...

The one about educating and schooling...

Wow! Yes, it's been ages since I blogged. We've mainly been pre-occupied with little Ethan. We've started him on a playgroup at a local school/nursery.

At the end of March, we enrolled Ethan into the Learning Garden, a much recommended place to enable him to experience mixing around with other kids. We felt that he's not had much opportunity to play with children his age.

After just two days in "school" Jo and I were approached by one of their directors who expressed concern over Ethan's ability to follow the class. Follow the class? The boy's hardly three years old. Anyway, we knew there and then that this place was made for "schooling" and not education. To me, learning at Ethan's young age should be really about playing, social interaction and living skills.

Anyway, after the two week orientation, we started leaving Ethan alone with the class teachers and he has proven to be quite a trooper indeed. He hasn't caused too much of a mayhem within the class nor has he had much seperation anxiety. Needless to say, his parents are awfully proud of him!

Ethan's getting ready for his first day at playgroup...

Ethan and his proud mum...

Ethan's speech is delayed as he isn't saying much still. So the poor boy's being subjected to therapy and the whole works. For the time being, he's finding all that quite fun and quite an adventure. Still we want to give him every opportunity yet hope for the best. His third birthday is coming up this 8th of May. Has it been three years already? What a ride its been for both Jo and I! The ups and downs have translated to a amazing experience. Nothing has been perfect but then I prefer it as such. Battle scars of experience makes the journey worthwhile.

We are so looking forward to the rest of the way...

The one about lost photo opportunities...

Yes, i'm back. It's been ages since my last blog entry and lots have happened.

Will quickly run thru the past three weeks or so and let the photos speak for themselves...

Firstly, way back on Saturday March 3rd, I was at my friends' Aarolyn & Chin Sing's wedding at the Trader's Hotel (formerly the Shangri La). It was a pleasantly cosy wedding which I was given the honour to emcee. Have been emcee at quite a few weddings - six, I think. Lost count. Sadly, I don't have any photos of the event as yet.

Mum was invited by my Uncle Teddy on a trip to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. In fact Uncle Teddy decided to splurge on his siblings and took a big part of the Dielenberg family with him! All eight of them were to fly off from KL on Sunday 11th March for a meaningful holiday. Friday after school, Mum drove my Aunt Florence to Taiping where they met up with my Uncle Gilbert & Aunt Sooi See. The four of them then drove to KL to join the rest of the entourage.

With mum away, we took a break from our usual Saturday night out with friends but instead invited them over to our place for a dinner. Jo cooked up a storm and we treated our lucky friends to an Italian style meal. Did take a couple of photos of the food but can't remember where I saved the shots! Sigh!

Mum was back by Thursday 15th but she didn't finish the available exposures on her disposable camera. So, no photos here yet....

On Saturday 17th March, Jo and I went for a nice dinner at Ribs BBQ. The food was delicious as always. After that, we met at Mel & Stacy's new house. It was a kinda pre-house warming intro to their place. This time, I managed a few photos.


The big event of the month would be our little Ethan's first introduction to school! Yes, we enrolled him at The Learning Garden in their Playgroup class. We felt that he has been craving companionship with other kids and it was time for him to socialise with those his own age.

So, this morning was his first day and it went well indeed. He was very attentive for once and actually sat down to play with puzzles and other toys. He did want to play outside longer than he was allowed, which caused him to throw a major tantrum but otherwise, I'm certain he would settle in quickly and successfully.


The past three weeks have been pretty much stressful for many reasons for both Jo and I. Hopefully the Easter season and a fresh new month of April will shower us with some blessings. We'll be looking forward to that...

The one about flying time and having fun...

Hi there! It's the 3rd month of the year already and I haven't really gotten out of the "festive laziness" rut. Much has happened on many fronts - the home front, the social front, the work front and the current affairs front. Ardent followers of my blog (yes, all three of you) would know that I've centred my blogging exploits on the above themes. I'm actually hoping to expand my horizons a little and go into the more edgy and controversial; the more suspenseful and traumatic. Or I could just blog about American Idol.

In any case, there's much to catch up on..so without further ado...

Valentine's Day - the one day many have criticised as being over-commercialised and over-rated. I don't know about that - after all, what's so wrong about taking a day off to recognise the loves of our lives? Mushy and not befitting any macho man image, you may say, but many a macho man was conceived out of love. So, why not get stupid and cheesy and corny or any other snack-foody about it all. Having said all that, we had a simple Valentine's Day (heh heh). Jo and I joined all our friends - Jinny & KH, Sue & Yan, Stacy & Mel and Wendy for a hearty meaty meal at Ingolf Kniepe at Hillside. Drinks later was at the nearby Torch Pub. It was fun in an understated way. I got Belgian Chocs and a couple of Liverpool Addidas T-Shirts from Jo while I treated her to a Tiffany charm bracelet.



On Friday, 16th February, we were invited by Mel & Stacy to McDonald's at Sunrise Tower for Naomi's birthday. It was a fun time for the kids and adults alike. We brought Ethan along and needless to say he had a howling great time.
Latest advert from McD's....

The animated crowd of adults at a kid's party...

Ethan, Jo, Mia Sara and Nazriah...

The kids around the birthday girl Naomi...

Two hectically busy days at work after that, we got to Chinese New Year. We had our usual reunion dinner of Steamboat at our place. Mum worked hard to get the food all organised and we had Jo's aunt and uncle as guests. With the requisite fireworks "display" after dinner, Ethan seemed a little taken aback by all the fuss.

Ethan with his grandparents and grandaunt Vickie watching the fireworks...

On the 1st day of Chinese New Year, another great family shot...

On Monday night (2nd day of Chinese New Year) we had a gathering of old friends at Jinny & KH's place. This was to be a low-keyed old SXI boys gathering. We had Tze Meng, Melville David, Jimmy Baptist, Steven Thor joining our usual gang for some catching-up and reminiscing.


We had a welcomed break till Wednesday when we got back to work. The festivities continued with some of our friends still on leave. By "festivities" I mean more eating, eating and mahjong of course...

Our gang's annual Chinese New Year do was held this year at Furosato Restaurant in Pulau Tikus. Yes, we decided that we should have Japanese food for a change. Strange but admittedly a good decision - the food was very good and we had a massively great time at dinner and at Jinny & KH's place thereafter. We snuck in a game of Taboo which is always good for a laugh or two.



On the home front, my mum will be going on a well-deserved trip to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam with her brothers and sisters - my Uncle Teddy and Aunt Lily, Uncle Gilbert and Aunt Sooi See, Uncle Francis and Aunt Cecelia and my Aunt Florence as well. It should be a fun outing for her and I do believe she is very much looking forward to it. Uncle Teddy has generously agreed to foot the cost of travel and he has been extremely excited about the whole event - actively arranging hotel and tour plans.

Jo and I are pleased that mum will have this chance to really relax and enjoy herself and hope that everyone will take the opportunity to spend valuable time together.

This will have to do for now, I'll be blogging more soon... promise!