Ayden is 1

Happy Birthday to our baby Ayden on his first birthday. We will have a little party on Saturday when Donncha get's back. Thanks to Aunty Mairead, Granny & Grandad and Aunty Savita for calling to wish him a happy birthday. Ayden loves being on the phone so he was all smiles. I've been trying to teach him to blow for Saturday - he's got some tough competition out there for the one candle. Iman says she'll blow and Ayden can make the wish! I'll be posting pics.

Iman's School Trip

I joined Iman's Reception year yesterday on their first school trip. I had several errands to do so I missed the first stop which was to the Jame Asr' Mosque. The second part of the trip was to the Royal Regalia building. When I was little it was called the Churcill Building with a statue of Churcill in the original courtyard and the attraction in the building was an aquarium which was a bit dark and scary for me as a four year old. Really I think it was just a collection of glass tanks but I was made to believe that they had a collection of piranhas!

I was late and missed the group photograph (which was in the BB today - Iman looked great). And I also missed all the instructions with regards to the questionnaire that I was handed along with my own group including Iman. And the fact that we had to lock away all handbags with camera and mobile phone. I did manage three pics before I was told to put everything away - just as well really as I had forgotten to recharge it and had no battery power left.

I can't really talk much about the exhibits or what everything is called (should have paid more attention to that questionnaire). It's an impressive exhibition and I was impressed yesterday as I was seven years ago when I first went there with Donncha. So the tv monitors don't work when you press the buttons but who ever watches those screens in museums anyway. It was an enjoyable morning with Iman and her friends. The girls were really good for me - each only disappearing a couple of times - but the staff there were excellent, very friendly and helped out with the kids.

Jack & Friends

Jack made new friends during Jasmine's open house on sunday. Here he is with Hasnah's sons (an old friend of Jasmine's from school). You can't see the younger boy's sinjang but both boys were wearing the real mccoys with the older boy being able to fold it by himself without any help. Impressive because I know grown men that stuggle to put them on!


Here's Jack with my cousin Ernie's son. Adam is four months younger than Jack.

Swiss Hotels

Well, another night, another city, another hotel but this one takes some beating. Reminds me of when I was 7 and used to spend my summer holiday's with my grandparents. The only difference in the room is the TV plus I guess the ensuite although it does match the decor of the bathroom in my grandparents house in Tipperary.

Met with with Swiss Mama and her expanding family last night - had almost given up on them as their GPS system doesn't seem to work well without manual intervention and of course, my hotel is not in a well travelled part of Geneva.

Looking forward to Friday morning when the plane starts to head east again altough it's a short trip home before heading to Chennai next week.

PopPop

If there was one thing that this Hari Raya has made it for Jack is the fireworks. I grew up with fireworks, Hari Raya would not be the same for me without them. They were not legal when I was growing up but everyone still had them. My sisters and I used to divide our stash into three equal piles that we would play on the first three nights of Raya. The smell of the white smoke, the excitement from lighting a rocket and running away quickly....it's all happy memories for me.

Wanting my own to experience the joy of fireworks during this time of year, I decided to introduce them gently by buying a small selection of tame ones. Iman have always enjoyed them but Jack naturally was not keen on them, initially running away screaming and then only watching from faraway. But one thing that he did take to immediately are the little "pop...pops" or "magic rocks" which are tiny parcels that give off a small bang if thrown to the ground or stamped on. Three or four weeks on, it has now become a daily habit for Jack and with Hari Raya now fading away I will have to start weaning him off his mini bangs. Even Ayden can sit forever just watching him throw them to the ground and then stamping on the ones unexploded.





As for actual fireworks, Jack no longer looks away with fright but jumps about with excitement a safe distance away. Even Ayden protests when he's taken indoors, he wants to watch everything firsthand. Luckily our neighbourhood shop is still selling the stuff but once that runs out we will have to raid my nephew Amin's stock when he's not looking!

Back to Cork

Donncha flies back to Cork today for the weekend so I thought I would use the opportunity to post pictures from our holiday. We wish we could be there this weekend especially Jack who always talks of Grandad, Grannie, Aunty Mairead, Aunty Eilis, Uncle Sean and forever looking for Aunty Emma!

Ayden and Kittens

This picture of Ayden is for Donncha who is away all this week and next week in London, Cork and Geneva. Ayden loves the camera and each time I get down to his level to take a picture he crawls over at speed with his tongue hanging out and laughing madly.


And today my sister Hanna found a new litter of kittens behind her kitchen and being the cat lover that she is, sent the mummy and kittens to Jasmine's house. I rehoused them in a new box this evening (and we have plenty of all shapes and sizes) so they are now happy and cosy in their new home. Amin my nephew is certain that the mummy is one of ours but I don't remember seeing a pregnant cat around the place. Anyway she'll be hanging around for a while.

Open House

Hari Raya is the time to take family photos. Go into any Bruneian household and you will always find a family portrait taken during Hari Raya usually in matching outfits. The last time my family attempted this impossible task was three years ago and it was not a success. We did not attempt it this year but we did manage to get all ten grandchildren together which in itself is a miracle! Not a masterpiece but considering the age range, having them all smiling and looking at the camera qualifies.
Jack was very proud to be wearing his new hat especially with matching outfits. Donncha did well for the day considering he hadn't eaten properly in 48 hours while travelling from India. Ayden as usual was all smiles throughout the day.

Iman made a trip to the hairdressers with cousin Zahra and came back with beautiful curls and sparkles in her hair. It helped to lighten her mood after a bad start to the day. Visitors wise, Iman had more friends come round than us and that's something we're going to have to get used to.

Selamat Hari Raya...

...to all our friends celebrating Eid.

The oil lamps are in the driveway are lit and looks fantastic. A couple of years ago my family gave up on the normal coloured bulbs that decorate houses at this time of year and instead going back to the traditional oil lamps - it's much simpler no need to replace bulbs and it's handy for the fireworks. Don't know what it is this year but the fireworks seem to be bigger and louder. Donncha a.k.a Mr. Meldrew was not impressed when we tried to put the little ones to bed.

We've got two big days ahead of us, welcoming, greeting and of course feeding. The usual menu....saffron rice, chicken curry, beef rendang, pineapple patchree and lots of nibbles and sweets to go with it. Look forward to having a decent lunch but even more to my first breakfast in 30 days....a big pot of tea and a big bowl of porridge!

Now I have to insert the $$$ into the green envelopes which is a bit like leaving the wrapping for Christmas Eve!

Hari Raya (Eid) only around the corner

Well, 3 weeks down and one to go. Brunei is getting ready for Hari Raya (almost like the build up to Christmas except without the parties). As usual this year, we are greeting guests for the first couple of days - something we look forward to, enjoy the experience (meeting old and new friends) and then get a chance to relax once it's all over.

This year, Iman will have a few friends from school visiting so it will be interesting to see her in action. Jack will have a ball this year no doubt, hopefully no repeat of last year's escape attempt when he befriended an ambassador's wife and decided that he was going with her in the car.

I've had my wings clipped when I attempted to negotiate a game of golf on the second morning .... no success there.

Meanwhile, I'm off to India for the week - back on Friday. The moon sighting happens on Thursday but everyone is confident that they won't see the moon and Hari Raya will be on Saturday. If somehow my religious friends manage to sight the moon on Thursday, I think I will have to walk home from the airport on Friday for missing the first day.....

Ramadhan and all it involves

Immediately on returning to Brunei, we headed straight into Ramadhan - fasting month, which means that Maria and I are loosing a little bit of weight (not eating, drinking or anything else during daylight hours). We are already in week 2 and looking forward to the end. The Pineapple Tarts have already started to make an appearance so you know that Hari Raya (Eid) is coming soon.

Each year, Maria's parents open their house for visitors which is a great time to meet up with people (almost like Christmas). It's likely to be a slightly less eventful this year, as last year on the second day of Hari Raya, we had a new arrival (Ayden).

A Trip back in Time

While having a late lunch in Cobh after a visit to Fota, we were lucky to catch a glimpse of the "Jeannie Johnston", a replica famine ship as it sailed (well, motored) up into Cork Harbour. With the photo in black and white along with the old Naval buildings in the background, you could almost imagine the scene from another era.

Carrots and Parsnip

Our children enjoyed the food in Ireland especially the potatoes and Grannie's gravy. Ayden tucked into the carrots and parsnip one evening even insisting on feeding himself!

Out In the Garden

What Iman and Jack enjoyed most about being in Ireland was playing out in the garden for hours and hours. The weather was lovely for the two weeks so most afternoons they sat out playing, running, skipping or just hanging out. Pictures above look like there was a serious discussion going on! Aunty Mairead bought them the little chairs complete with little table and umbrella.

Bunratty day out

The furthest we wandered from Cork with the children was probably Co Clare to visit our friends Claire and Rob who were down from Dublin. It was fantastic to meet them again after two years and meeting their children Luke and Elsa. As the pictures tell, the children got on great.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is a must stop on the tourist map. Lunch at the Creamery was a bit chaotic with five children under 5 but we managed to get everyone watered and fed. It had stopped raining (only day it rained on us in the two weeks) so we headed into the park for a walk. Unfortunately thanks to a tour group that trooped ahead of us we never managed to get into the restored castle so I can't say what's in it but the folk park was great fun. It's made up reconstructed farmhouses, cottages and shops showing what everyday life was like in rural Ireland about 100 years ago. There was a lady making pie in one house, a teacher in the schoolhouse (who scared Donncha) and real sweets in the post office! There was even a storyteller in one house and she just talked and talked about the old days and what life was like. You could spend hours listening to her if you had the time. It was fascinating and such talent to just talk and talk - must be the water around there!

We finished the day with a trip back to the Liddy farm for tea and rhubarb crumble - Claire we're still thinking about it! It was lovely to meet Claire's parents again who we haven't met since Claire and Rob's wedding in 2003. Unfortunetly the cows decided to stay away but the tractor and the explanation of where the cows get milked etc made up for that.

It was late by the time we got back at Cork with a quick stop in Mallow for McD's. Everyone was on strike so we had to get them out of the car. An excellent day out and great to catch up with the ever expanding Micallef Clan (!)

Apples and Giraffes

We spent a morning at Fota and saw the giraffes, zebras, fed the ducks etc. There were lots of monkeys but none as animated as the ones we see at Supasave but the kids were happy to run around and play on the slides. Feeding the ducks were a big hit.

A neighbour of Donncha's parents kindly invited us down to her garden to collect cooking apples. Kids were very excited to do this as was Sitty. It brought me back to the orchard at my first boarding school Bedgebury where cooking apples actually tasted good!

Recovering from jetlag

After 24 hours travelling, we finally managed to arrive into Cork's spanking new Airport only to find that there we no trolleys available - Welcome to Ireland .......

Needless to say it's been a challanging couple of days with everyone coping or not coping with jetlag - worst offender so far has been Sitty !!!!

The kids have settled in well and are now very familiar with 'Rumah Grandad' and have reacquainted themselves with old friends.... hanging out with Ruari below
Ayden is enjoying the Irish Summer ......
Walking the dog ..... both Jack and Iman take turns ....

Iman appears to take a running jump at a slide

Jack is facinated with his dad's unshaven look - much like his uncles in Brunei

Day 1 and we head to see the Voyager of the Seas pulling to Cobh Harbour - impressive sight.... Iman was not impressed however as she fully expected the ship to sound it's horn !

Where we sported and played.....

Mostly packed and almost ready to go. Listening to Cork's 96fm would make you change your mind with talk of bullying etc on the streets of Cork but I much prefer to think of Cork as below.

So, it's Brunei, Dubai, London and finally Cork on Saturday morning

Two days before we fly.....

Guess I should really start packing. I'm very good at making lists before going on trips but usually leave the packing for the actual day which get's a bit confusing now that I have to pack for 5! I was just trying to upload pictures of our trip to Singapore but nothing is working for me at the moment so maybe another day.

Murphy's Law

Well, another American city, another long discussion with an immigration officer - from what he was saying, they are randomly checking newly issues passports (mine was issued late last year) and therefore I was selected randomly for further questioning.... hummm......

Surrounded by Blackberrys

So - we have a room full of executives from various parts of the world but mostly based in the US/Canada/Mexico - they all have one thing in common - each has a Blackberry that is constantly referred to for email or just out to sheer boredom (seems to me that most like to at least touch their Blackberry once every 5 minutes)

Feelling slightly technically inadequate but don't think it's something that I will take to any time soon. Not seeing much of the place so can't make too many observations regarding the city except that it's huge - probably has the population of Brunei in one square mile......

Pulled Over in LA

A new experience for the McCarthy suitcases - claiming residence in Brunei and having a visa for Saudi in your passport was probably pushing it, so sure enough, after a quick glance at my documents, I was advised that I would be required to answer a few extra questions by the US Customs. It was all pretty smooth despite them having difficulty in getting access to Brunei on their systems. There was also a confusing question re why I was using another passport from the one I used when I worked in the US back in 1998 (now that's an impressive search that was available at the gent's finger tips). Question was easily side swipped when I pointed out that my half full passport (current) was only issued in late December 2006.

No sign of Posh by the way ..........

A Day Off In Sydney

It's been a busy day in Sydney - dropped off the McCarthy suitcase at the hotel having skipped a queue of hundreds at the customs check - blame foot and mouth in the UK I was told ! Saw Sydney harbour, Opera House etc ..... muesli overlooking the ferry terminal before heading off to surprise Warwick and Janine at their shop...... Janine was there and we had coffee covering the latest news from BSB - it was lovely to see their business expanding into the arcade and we will start a petition in Brunei to move the Nail Girls on so the business can expand even futher - Sorry to have missed Warwick.....

Elmarie treated me to a whirlwind tour of Sydney - don't talk to her when she's driving as she get's lost but at least I've now driven over the Harbour Bridge...... followed by several liquid refreshments and a seafood chowder.....

Kevin Mac is looking as healthy as ever with the same response when asked 'So, what's the news' comes a standard reply of 'Not much now.....' and that after a few years on the missing list......

All that in the first 12 hours in Sydney - a place for tourists for sure but I think the McCarthy suitcases (with kids in tow) will probably head for Brisbane for more kid friendly activities should we come back.

Oh, by the way, it's a first, but I am the last of the McCarthy siblings to visit Sydney - now that says something...........

Our Little Scholar !

Potty Training hasn't really taken off for Jack as yet, but he's certainly showing that he's above his "Topsy and Tim" books

McCarthy Suitcases make it to Riyadh

Greetings all from Riyadh where it's 44 Degrees even early in the morning. Hotel feels like a hotel in Brunei - nobody around and not busy in the restaurants. Staying in the Marriott which feels somewhat like the Green Zone with all the security. Leave tomorrow via Dubai again to Brunei

Another new city for the McCarthy Suitcases

Dubai - for 14 hours before heading down to Riyadh - only people I've met so far are either from India or the Philippines. Not going to explore, a run, lunch and then back to the airport.

Count Down Begins

As many of you will know, it's almost time for our two year trip back to Ireland. This year we bring Ayden for the first time along with Sitty who is coming along to help as three kids under five on a long haul journey is not exactly going to be fun! Aside from the usual family and friend get togethers, we do hope to get the chance to go west to Ballybunion (beach above) where I spent most summer vactions when we were young - one might say that was the extent of my travels then besides the regular trip to Tipperary to see my grandparents.

Meanwhile, I need to get to Riyadh, Sydney, potentially Mauritius and most definately Singapore before even considering traveling to Ireland. Still, everyone is now very excited but to be honest, I think Sitty takes the prize for being most excited.

Sultan's Birthday - Hanging Out

Hanging out with Zarah waiting for their grandparents to return from the Palace - Jack is starting to show signs of real growth and is putting on the pounds at last !!

Strike !!

Rumbling through the photo's taken while I was away recently, I came across this photo where it was clear that the person taking the photo had won the argument !!

Pink Playdough

Iman and I made playdough this afternoon and it was a success which was a big relief and I had one very happy Iman with her pink playdough. Mothers reading this will understand what I mean when the little ones are excited that Mummy is making playdough for them and it turns out being gooey mess. The recipe was given to me by a teacher in Iman's school in Bangkok *Thankyou Teacher May*. For those who need something to occupy the little ones on a rainy afternoon here's the recipe. I think it's foolproof, easy and will save you $.

Mix the following dry ingredients in a medium pot :
1 cup white flour
1/4 cup salt
2 tbs cream of tartar

Combine the following and add to dry ingredients:
1 cup water
1 tbs veg oil
2 tsp food colouring

- Cook over medium heat and stir. After about 3-5 mins it starts getting thicker and a ball will form in the centre of pot. Turn out the mixture and knead on a lightly floured surface. It should now firm up and feel like playdough. Store in airtight container or plastic bag.

Art Exhibition

JIS art was on show at the Empire last week and on display was one of Iman's paintings so we went to have a look. It was very exciting for Iman seeing her painting in a frame. And she was also excited to see her friends' work. From her kindy class there were 3 paintings chosen including hers. Jack just wanted the little label!

Zahra too had a painting exhibited - her big red fire engine though she maintains her flower painting should have been there instead.

End of Term

It was the end of term for the junior school yesterday and their celebration evening was held last night. All our kids performed beautifully. But my camera didn't. I did get a good picture of Fatin performing in the junior orchestra and one of Iman and Zahra below in the entrance of ICC.