My 2014's Labor Day.

Labor Day packed like don't know what.

We all woke up super early in the morning at 8 o'clock. Okaylah, 8 isn't that early but for a public holiday, IT IS. 

Anyways, this is one of the events where my dad, the main organizer who did everything from collecting money for the funds, coming out with the timeline to getting everyone in the Khoo clan to come together on this day and spend amazing time together.

The truth is it has been a bit more difficult to have everyone together at one place ever since my grandma, my dad's mom passed away years ago. It has always been at her house where my uncles/aunties/cousins meet at a very regular basis. Since her passing, my dad has championed that older brother role and making sure that we don't only meet on special occasions like weddings and chinese new year.

So, yes, Labor Day this year was a big day to all of us. 

We all met at Subway, Straits Quay where everyone is entitled to a sandwich each before the competition begins. So, eat away we did. Eat and talk, eat and talk and feed the baby and feed the baby some more so she doesn't get cranky. 

Then, time to warm up and put our game face on. But first, let Koay mop the floor because it was too slippery and like dusty/powdery. That itself is warm up for him already. It looked okay but the place is quite huge for one person to mop with eyes all looking at him. Not all eyes lah. Some people were later than the meeting time which is totally expected. Khoo family what. Hah.

The day started with two sets of Men Single, and followed by many other games. We have about 30-40 people. Yep, I have a very big family and loving it. That's why I want big family myself too. My grandparents have 6 kids. Hmm.. 6 doesn't look that bad ma hor? Heh.

My dad even special ordered and made these little trophies so that everyone will go back with something. Something memorable and something that they can keep. You can't see it in the photo but he also have our family photo printed on the side of these little goodies.

Kids also have of course. After the adults one ended, we then have a short session for the kids. We only have 4 kids that can actually play badminton (I think they play even better than me) and the rest are babies and toddlers. Such an eventful day even for the kids. I remembered Kelly being excited the night before, and she kept asking me which shorts she should wear in the morning. 

We were all divided into three teams. Team captains are Adrian Koay, Kah Wei and Steven Wong (eldest cousin). All these three captains are captains obviously because badminton is what they are really good at. All three plays badminton few times a week. Mad right? 

No prizes for guessing which team won first. Haha. So yeah, the day went one smoothly with babies crying occasionally because it was really hot and they were sleepy. Sha Lynn and Sheldon (our two youngest babies) were very good because they cry a little but fell asleep very quickly despite the noise and heat. *clap hands*

My dad estimated the day to finish at 5pm but it was only about 315pm after the prize giving. Yay to Koay and I because we needed to rush to another location for another family tournament. This time it's bowling. Two sports in a day. Not bad leh for Sarah Khoo. Heh. 

So, who won first place? 

Who?

First place with a gold mini trophy each: Team Steven Wong.

First place with a silver mini trophy each: Team Kah Wei.

First place with a bronze mini trophy each: Team Adrian Koay.

Hahahaha. THIRD PLACE OKAY. In another word, LAST PLACE! Koay used to be state player sumore. But then again, it was teamwork. He was the only one that won the match they he was playing in. The rest of us, all elek. All makan telur. Eh eh wait. I won one also in a mixed double with my uncle. 

Most of us either don't play badminton on a regular basis or never play before. Haha. It was fun though. 

Oh oh then the kids. Each get a medal. Wooots.

See! Everyone's happy day! 

And this is not all for the numbers. Quite many were absent because some overseas and some got business to do. So yeah. Khoo clan ftw :)

Right after that, Koay and I rushed back to my house. I got myself a very speedy shower and off we went to meet with his parents and picked Joe & Jaryn from Queensbay. Koay got no time to shower also and no time to have lunch. Good also lah, we both can lose some fats. 

With his family, it was also an annual kinda thing. Last year, we had a bowling contest girls vs boys and we lost. So, it was like a re-match. No need to say also know that the blue team wins once again. All the boys played really well leh. For me, my balls masuk longkang don't know how many times. 

Ever since I hurt my wrist last year, bowling is the one sport that I never enjoy anymore. So yeah.. I did my best though :) If Chloe wasn't in the list, I will most likely be the one with the least score. Haha. It was a fun night. Before heading home, we dined at the food court. Their yummy curry fish head is very yummy. I think last time better but it was still quite good. Maybe my tummy was so empty that whatever goes inside, it would be great. Who knows? 

And that was our Labor Day. A very eventful and memorable day spent with our families and as tired as I am right now, thinking back carves a wide smile on my face. 

And it's Saturday tomorrow, even more reason to smile. 

On a side note, 9 more sleeps to Thailand. NINE MORE.

Public Holiday Best Gilerr.

*dances around while humming a random song*

Just because it's a Public Holiday tomorrow. 

Public Holiday usually means roadtrip or doing fun things with a lot of people or with just the two of us. But usually, spend holidays with a bunch of people a lot nicer, don't know why.

Oh! And also can sleep until the sun comes up. No need to set alarm clock.

I think that moment when you turn off the alarm clock in your phone is probably one of the best feeling. Serious.

Then again, tomorrow still have to set alarm clock because got breakfast session with all the relatives before our Annual Family Badminton 2014 kickoff. 

After that, it's Bowling Competition with Koay's side of the family. I think it's going to be Girls vs Boys. Hmm.. 

Such an eventful day tomorrow. What is rest guys?

I'm quite excited lah actually. Confirm lose d since my team all can't really play eh, although Koay is our team captain. I myself play like what only. Haha.

Oh wellz.

Thank God it's Labour Day tomorrow! 

Last year's Labor Day quite happening also actually. I'm totally enjoying to the fullest this day that is created for all those who works. 

Youth Wave Challenge 2014.

There will be NO youth service for two weeks due to this Wave Challenge. 
26th April and 3rd May.

A bunch of us went to the Balik Pulau Sports Complex early in the morning. Goodness, no more sleep late on weekends. So sad okay.

Anyways, Ben and I was supposed to the helpers but Ben could only be there for a few hours. I saw Baxster doing nothing and he obviously couldn't play any sports, so I got him to be my partner for secretariat stuff. We're a very effective team because he willingly did the score keeping and I was the timekeeper. At least not so stressed out.

Officials of the day :)

There were other helpers from other churches. Initially, they needed more but on that day, we actually had too many. We both actually spent quite some time doing nothing. Oh and officials get free drinks and lunch. Yay! :)

My favorite all-time. The Yeo's were selling them one bottle for RM1 only! 

This Saturday got another round of Dodgeball and Floorball. Imma going to spam and stock up at home. SO CHEAP OKAY!

Koay said got a lot of calories but less sugar d ma so shouldn't be that bad. Haha.

And doctor did mention that I have to constantly take in sugar. The body needs it. Maybe that explains the face expanding and the kgs increasing. Hah.

I shall keep trying to eat healthily and go for more hiking session.

It was such a long day but for the people who were playing, I guess time passed pretty quickly for them. There were a lot of teams for captain ball, both for men and women. For frisbee, only 4 teams that was from 2 churches. 

Frisbee not easy leh. I've tried it once and boy, if you don't have stamina or have very little, you can't survive. Speaking from experience here. But it is quite a nice game. Just have to run a lot and learn how to throw them frisbee.

Captain ball was indoor so yay to not getting a sunburn, but then the place that fireBRANDS sat was wind-less and fan-less. 

WE WERE SWEATING LIKE MAD DOGS! And we weren't even playing. We were just watching. Don't know if some kgs were shed or not that time since so much sweat came out. Hahaha.

All in all, it was a good Saturday spent with buddies. We did not win any placing but we all had fun. Is fourth considered as a placing also ah? Hmm..

Anyways, I think compared to other Wave Challenge, this was prolly one of the smallest. I remembered my first Youth Wave Challenge back in those years and the whole places was packed with sweaty humans. 

Actually, also because we used to have all four sports in one day and now they split them into 2 days. Yeah, that's probably why it felt small this time. 

And I used to be one of the players. Now, I will give any excuses not to be playing. WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO ME!? I loved sweating after playing sports. LOVED. Now, I'm so lazy its not even funny anymore. Heh.

New in my list: Hiking.

Padan Muka I.

This is first time ever going through such thing.

Having my car towed away. 

The best part? 

I didn't even know it was gone. Only until my friend and a stranger came and told me.

In 2013, I've got two love letters. One in January and the other one in April. So, having my car towed away by the MPPP was quite a huge thing.

When I found out, I didn't know how to react. The first question popped in my head was, "Where to claim back my car?" Then only, "How much the penalty wei?"

Such a laugh-able moment. 

Yes, I've parked at a yellow line area at a lorong. It's the place where I park everyday from Monday to Friday. However, someone decided to complain to the MPPP and they bring the tow car machine thingy.

Apparently, when they were there, they sounded the siren and those cars that were not supposed to be there moved and I was the only one who didn't move my car. THAT'S BECAUSE I DIDN'T HEAR ANY SIREN! My colleagues all also didn't hear anything.

Supposedly if MPPP notices that your car is going against the rule, they will clamp it for 4 hours. After 4 hours still never move your car then they will tow it already. Not if someone make a complaint. 

My friend told me that there were so many people on the road looking while my car was being towed away.

I called my dad and we went to Lebuh McNair (seventh street) to pay the fine and get back the car.

It was then only they told us that someone lodges a complaint and they had to tow it away. The officer asked me why I never go move my car. Obviously I didn't hear the siren lah!

I was supposed to pay RM300 but they gave me 50% discount. When everything was settled, the officer said sorry to me. I was like, "U tak payah sorry to me lah. Not your fault pun!" 

We exchanged smiles and I said thank you to him again. 

It was a lesson for me to learn. A very expensive one, but it could have been worse. If it's police love letter, it could cost me RM300 with NO DISCOUNT. 

So, I am grateful that this happened. Afterall, who ask me to park along yellow line. Who? Haha.

Thank You Jesus.

What Weekend?

Family night happening in less than three hours!

Wave Challenge tomorrow morning.

Mission Trip Fundraising on Sunday.

Wahhh this week so many things to do. 

Weekends that doesn't feel like one.

Sha Lynn's One Year and Guan You's One Month.

Since Guan You's (my cousin's newly born baby boy) is celebrating his full moon on the 19th (which is the day Sha Lynn was born a year ago) at Homes Chef Garden, we decided that Sha Lynn's 'party' would be held there as well. Nothing huge really. 

It was just family gathering over these two precious babies special occasion.

Of course, the Shas and Khoos had a proper dinner celebration for baby girl the day after over peking duck and roasted little piglet and other yummy stuff. Not that the birthday girl will remember any of it. Hah.

Anyways, it was a simple night with lots of laughter and talks in the air. All the relatives unite, really. 

We ended the night with a birthday song and God bless the birthday girl song. Then, we let her eat her mini cake by herself. Too bad there wasn't enough cream on it if not sure super cute.

Photos are not in order because I'm feeling extremely lazy today and I would like to keep my energy for the final rehearsal tonight. 

So, feast away your eyes. Some photos might be too orange. I don't know lah. I lazy and I don't like to edit. I like original. Hahaha. 

Don't know why speaking of original, immediately I thought of the green tea ice cream wafer that we had and blogged about here. CRAVING FOR IT NOW but Koay is in Ipoh no one can bring me go buy or buy for me. No, I'm not that spoilt. Hah.

One year old.

Mission Trip 2014 Flyer.

19 days to go.

Who's Going to Japan?

Yours truly :)

This is such an exciting news.

Six days and five nights to Osaka.

Fully paid holiday, along with other travel agencies.

It's like work but it's not work.

Thank You Jesus, really.

You keep blowing my mind away like that, it's crazy.

Another crazy thing is apparently colleagues who have been with this company for almost 10 years still have never  been selected to go for famil trips overseas like that, and I have yet to complete my second year.

Not that I'm saying I'm doing exceptionally well here. 

God's blessings are just beyond measures. 

Totally wow-ed.

Totally Random.

So, this weekend flew by pretty quickly.

We had Good Friday, Sha Lynn's 1st and then Easter Day and Sha Lynn's 1st Dinner again at night.

Pretty packed weekend, but I did managed to steal some good naps in between.

Naps like these are the best already. Also, because I'M GOING TO JAPAN IN JUNE! More on that later! :)

Gonna post more photos on Sha Lynn's 1st tomorrow or something.

Just randomly wanna talk about this here.

Sha Lynn Turns One.

Be it Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Blogger, Imma spam all with baby girl's photos and happy birthdays. 

Just because I can.

Notice how in every photo here, Goldie is always nearby her. One time, she wanted Goldie to be with her IN her bath tub and cried all the way during bath time because all Goldie did was sit nearby and watched her, not bathe with her. This baby I tell you. Love you still :)

The joy I get when I see her being so attached to Goldie. Ahhh. Best feeling ever.

Blessed One, Sha Lynn.

Stiff.

My neck feels so stiff right now.

I need a good long sleep with a pillow worth at least RM200!

Hahahaha. 

Can invest money on good bed, pillows and blanket. Other things no need.

:)

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you.

My peace I give to you.  

I do not give to you as the world gives.  

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid"

thank you Jesus.

2D1N Kuala Lumpur.

The whole family woke up at 4am and got ready to hit the road. Left the house at 5am and stopped by Ipoh for a nice warm breakfast. Nope, not at Foh San. 

He has always like driving to KL (or anywhere outside of Penang) either very early in the morning or early in the evening. So that we can always see sunrise or sunset. 

Go see sunrise, come back see sunset. He's quite romantic la in the way. 

We spent a night at Jaryn & Joe's place. LOVE THEIR STUDIO APARTMENT! Everything also got okay! Clean and new gymnasium, reading room, indoor playground, garden overlooking the city, barbeque place and infinity pool. 

INFINITY POOL! Okay, any apartments with this for sure win liau. FOR SURE!

First shopping place: IKEA.

Got a few stuff there for the parents and baby girl since her birthday is in 4 days time :)

Boys assembling a multi-tray-to-keep-documents-thing. At this moment I can't think of what it's called. Hmm..

We came back after IKEA and headed to the pool. The boys wanted to go gym first so the ladies decided that we shall just go to the pool. The sky was getting dark okay. Let's not waste anymore time. The pool is calling already. This shot was taken from the gym. I didn't bring my swimsuit also don't care. Shorts and t-shirts will do. 

Working out and looking at the city from the 6th floor, yes.

It started drizzling and then we saw purple lighning zapped at a distance and we straight came out. It became really dark in the span of few minutes. It's crazy. Quite scary really.

While waiting for the storm to pass, we selfied :)

Poor boy came down to swim but it started pouring really heavily. Then, it kinda stopped. But the lightning and thunder was like everywhere. So, he just stood there and daydream. He was so ready to make a jump for it. Too bad Koay. Too bad.

Just one night away from my family and I started missing them terribly. Just that weekend, don't know why. 

Thank God for video calls. 

April no more holiday.

May, you come faster.

Moodless Monday.

NO MOOD TO DO ANYTHING TODAY.

DON'T EVEN FEEL LIKE EATING can you imagine that.

Kept feeding myself with chocolate to take away the headache.

Coming Home!

We are on our way home after spending a night in the mad city! 

Definitely not enough but I'll still take it! 

Good times spent with him and his family ! :) 

Keep Swallowing.

One of the worse things to happen during a good night's sleep is when you swallow your saliva and the pain wakes you up. 

Then, you try to swallow more and the pain gets even worse.

Immediately, you switch sleeping mode to praying mode because the pain is just too unbearable. Somehow, you fell asleep and it was a smooth sleep again.

Until you wake up in the morning, no more saliva to swallow.

The pain seemed to be gone after you brush your teeth and you thought it's gone!

After make-up, you swallow again to final check and wala, it's back again.

You walked into the office feeling pretty worn out with all the swallowing saliva going on and then you started sneezing non-stop.

You got your materials ready and heading towards Prai to meet some corporate clients. You decided that on the way, you'll stop by at Klinik Huang and buy some medicines.

I lazy to say the rest already.

Yeah, one day in the life of Sarah Khoo. 
April 11th, Friday.

It's going to be okay by tomorrow morning because we going to the city of madness!