happy family!

i am so insanely into my blog that throughout the entire trip i was just thinking of stuff that i can include and taking ALOT of photos until daddy got quite unhappy and eventually, i grew tired of listening to his "again???" so i stopped or rather took fewer when he wasnt noticing. but it was a good trip. though i was pms-ing at the start cause i failed to understand why the aunties and uncles had to push their way through evverreee gantry. it was my first time seeing a group of four (or more?)passing through the customs checkpoint gantry all at the same time. HAHA! as always, mister nice guy daddy had to enlighten me. i realised that the elderly had this fear that they would miss the bus, miss the ferry, be left behind etc. it wasnt so much of kiasu-ism but fear and it is only understandable since they are old and move around considerably slower than most. come to think of it, the busy market scene was kinda cute. i wonder if i would even have the energy and guts to travel aboard when i am their age and moving around would be more of a hassel than a relaxing getaway. kudos to the oldies!
then, aging reminds me of aging gracefully which i think is very impt. and today, i met a fine example, tho second to someone whom i have always wanted to model after for how she has wonderfully brought up her kids with so much love that they respect and trust her. (that, another time) this amazing lady is our tour organiser, susan. she's in her 60s but fit as a fiddle, chatty like a hummingbird. she was extremely hyper even at 7am when most of us were still half awake. soon after she had gathered everyone on the bus, she started to entertain us with some introductory talk, jokes and even her random comments. she was a natural. and my, she makes a good CGL! lol. though she's so petite, standing at about 1.5m, her chirpy clear voice can travel miles i swear! curious, i asked what is her secret to her youthful mid forties appearance. "staying happy! organising tours keeps me occupied and happy!" she replied, smiling delightedly. i took a pict with her! and how could i have forgotten our very friendly batam tour guide who was so successful in entertaining us about the culture in batam. i shall upload all the photos at one go.
the rest was quite the usual - eating seafood, buying local goodies, visiting temples, shopping but argh... i have two regrets in this trip. i didnt have enough time to buy my white leather-rattan bag with a polka dotted scarf thingy. ( the shopping centre was too big for 2 hrs of shopping time! ): )okay, my description sucks but the bag's really nice and it's only 20plus. cries! the second regret was forgetting the alchemist, it would have made a great companion on the bus when they were all shopping for those local goodies! heh.

fun facts about batam:
- The current president built a bridge that joins 6 small islands of Indonesia. The first island is Pulau TonTon and I love how the bridge looks. majestic and beautiful. '
- One of the small islands are on sale now! price= S$5000. i think it's a pretty good investment if you have some business plan in mind.
- Head is the most impt part of the body for the indons and muslims. They would pick up a fight with anyone who touches his head. even the barber apologises before he starts with the haircut.

okay. and that's only about batam. if i were to talk about my entire weekend, i think i can write a book! (speaking of which, mark! your bestie seems to owe me a lil sth. hee) then, the few of you who are actually reading (thanks!!) would probly be sleeping by now, given how naggy i am...
i still love my blog! whee

fact of the day:
Candy made from pieces of barrel cactus was outlawed in the United States in 1952 to protect the species.

oooh. i so love bonbon. carrying a few types of candies in my bag contributes to a 5 red cars day.
if you have read curious incident, you would understand why.
and today's a 5 red cars day (: