Holiday at Hongkong & Shenzhen

Last month, we brought the kids to Hong Kong and Shenzen, China. It was a hot hot holidays and occasionally rain. Please prepare cap, umbrella or raincoats. We stayed in a relative place in Yau Ma Tei, at the city centre. But if you are looking for hotel, I would recommend Mongkok as it was near all the shoppings centre and stalls. You just need to travel everywhere with the MTR (subway). Every tourist attraction like Disneyland, Lantau Island, the Peak and even Ocean Park are link. A little research and study the map will do. So upon arrival at the airpost, the first thing to do is purchase the Octopus Card (like a debit card).

We took train from HK to Shenzen (Lou Hu). But before that, we had applied our visas at the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia. There's arrival form to fill in and all are available just besides Immigression Counters. Need to do a little running. Just be careful when you bring small children as this area is more crowded. Our hotel Shun On Holiday Villa, was just beside the Lau Jie Subway in Shenzen. I would strongly recommeded as it was so convenient. And don't be shocked, Shenzen is as developed as Hong Kong!

We only managed to visit Splendid China and Window of the World. You must not miss the shows in Splendid China. It was so brilliant.
Overall, enjoying especially the kids!

Delicious Konnyaku Jelly

My girl asked, "Mum, why did everyone loves your jelly?"

It just finished within few minutes served. I was so delighted. I actually made some for a potluck gathering and then, someone asked me to make for her daughter's birthday. There was no secret actually, you just need to make sure using the correct ingredients and supplied. The fruits need to be fresh and colourful. And, this jelly powder brand that I used below so far was the best and easiest.

thebookpeople

I actually bought few collections from this company, The Book People;-

1) Complete set of encyclopedia (20 series)- cheap and informative for my girl.
2) Read at Home (40 series)- Biff, Kipper - My 3 years old son love it.
3) Girls' story (20 series)- Interesting story and related esp for my girl.

It's all paperback but the price is reasonable and interesting. All is only RM200 including the postage from a relative from UK. I can't get this price in Malaysia and most bookstores did not sell a complete set. You may have to run from MPH to Borders just to get a complete collection.

Bukit Tinggi

We went to Bukit Tinggi last weekend, which is after the school holidays to avoid the crowd. It only took 45 minutes to reach our apartment. The 3 days 2 nights trip turned out to be 2 days 1 night! We departed after lunch from PJ. Packed dinner over Bukit Tinggi was well known to be super expensive. Staying in Meranti Suite was rather disappointing, due to lack of maintenance.

So after dinner, we travelled to the Colmer, which is the landmark of Bukit Tinggi for its French Medieval village. Nice to take pictures but not much of activities for the children, so rather boring after that. Back to the apartment, nothing much, slept early.

Colmer, Bukit Tinggi

Next day, visit the animal farm - rabbit, donkey and what else? Rather disappointed as it was similar to our local zoo's condition. Then, we went to the Japanese Garden. This was better as it was better maintained and the scenery was good. Afterthat, we went to the Colmer again for lunch. There was only 3 eateries, not much of choices. Again took pictures and then, hanging (lepaking around)...We left around 3pm. Too bored.
My advise, this place is worth to visit for a day trip or an overnight will do.

Junior Music Course Part 2

My girl has completed Term 2 and going to Term 3. Four students had dropped/withdrawn from this course. Not easy, weekly commitment and daily discipline to force your kid to practise!!!
I can say my girl is not interested but I told her that she has to complete the whole course, which is 2 years. Then, she can chooose for some other activities that she likes.
So for parents, my advice is you have to be determine, and prepared for this 2 years commitment if you wish to enrol your kids for this JMC.
Anyway, this course is a good exposure on finger exercise & keyboard.

Finalising the Right Kindergarten_2

It had been sometime since I last updated this blog. Very busy with my fulltime job and caring the children. But somehow in the beginning of this new year, I am making a resolution, to update a least a new post each month!

Well, currently my kids and I are busy adjusting to this new kindy and I thought I might share some researches and opinion in kindergarten searching. I believe new mums and dads are quite concern now, since we only have few kids and more demanding. So, last month had been a busy month visiting and surveying the kindergartens around Bandar Utama, Mutiara Damansara and Taman Tun Dr Ismail, and I had also listed a few criterias:-
1) Location and neighbourhood - good accessibility
2) Building Site and Facilities - well kept
3) Programme and Cost - Interesting (not conventional type)

Finally I had shortlisted 3 kindergartens:-
1) Peter and Jane at Mutiara Damansara http://www.musikgarten.biz/AMC_PeternJane.htm
A very impressive site but slightly congested on accessibility. Anyway parking is easy and this specially built kindergarten is rather friendly for pick-up/drop-off. Security is good as the main office is located exactly at the entrance and the entrance is quite control.

The staffs were friendly and actually brought us around the kindy. There's definately a lot of children and the open concept classrooms make the whole interiors happening. Teaching aids which applied montessary system was neatly arranged and appeared aplenty.
I quite like the atmosphere but the prices are definately very pricey. For a half day session, it cost nearly RM600 per month for just the tuition fees. Mandarin is only introduced in K1 (5 years old) and for additional mandarin, there will be 2/3 sessions a week (the fees is nearly RM800). These exclude trips, art material, uniform, lunch etc.

2) Fungates at Mutiara Damansara
I heard a lot of good feedbacks on fungates kindy since it was established by a Malaysian and it definately meets the needs of our cultures here. However, the location and site of this kindy is quite small - 3 and 4 years old at a corner linkhouse while the 5 and 6 years at the shoplots. Those kids who go for daycare will be transported to the linkhouse in the afternoon session.
Programme was quite interesting with a lot of different exploration and it has its own inhouse materials. Children will be exposed to some Christian songs and story which me and my husband was quite reluctant on this matter. Fees are cheep, at approximately RM300++ per month for half-day. Mandarin is taught in 4 years old classes and quite detail. Will actually considered this if not for the facilities and the Christian Song and stories.

3) Diyana, Taman Tun Dr Ismail
This is the biggest and most established kindy. Overall it look like a mini school which I guest my kids will not have problem to adjust to primary school environment. It has a big field, cafe, library, computer center, science corner, garden etc. The classrooms are separated but a little disdvantages as it is quite scattered and can get lost if you are not familiar as the compound is too big. I am quite worried of this especially on security issues.

The programme is montessori cum thematic which I think was quite fine. Teachers appeared friendly and there's really a lot of staffs helping out especially during the first week (both my kids are there now). The fees are slightly expensive but still I find it cheaper than P&J. What attracts us is basically a full Mandarin lesson in the afternoon.
After enrolling for a week, I noticed that one of the main issue is the traffic to the site. Rather difficult as parents had to park and bring the children to their respective classrooms. But on the positive aspect, parents get to meet with the teacher direcly everyday!
Parents can check up the website at http://www.tadikadiyana.com.my/.