KK in March

We had a refreshing break in KK for the school holidays

Our mornings started with this view

And ended with the most amazing sunsets

We dined with family and friends

Made new ones

And strengthened our friendship

We hung out by the pool

And the Marina just admiring the boats and yachts

Played on the little beach at the hotel 

And a short trip to Sapi Island albeit with the masses!

And we enjoyed many dinners especially Chinese seafood!

With plenty of garlic and chillies!

Lobster!

And crabs!

Which the boys devoured - and all the better now 

that they are now able to pick out the meat themselves!

Maria 1 Appendix 0

It's a weekend we won't forget. Firstly our adventure journey from KK with the two hour detour in Lawas spent with two mechanic brothers who looked like they were going to pull our car engine apart. 

Then yesterday my suspected "food poinsoning" took a turn for the worse till I was writhing with so much abdominal pain. Unable to take the pain anymore I made Donncha drive me to our nearest hospital to get some relief. Upon examination the doctor said he suspected appendicitis and ordered an ultrasound. Me "Forget the ultrasound, just give me painkillers and I'll go home"! 

Thankfully I was promptly overruled as it did turn out to be my appendix and the surgeon came in an hour to remove it! It all happened very quickly - thank you JPMC - and I was back in the suite by 12midnight. It's also some minor miracle this happened at home as opposed to the last 9 days whilst we were away!

Unfortunately (or some might say fortunately) today is the last day to attempt 14.5 of the Crossfit Open. I did want a score for this considering my big 0 for 14.2 but hey ho. Not sure which would have been more painful!

Hopefully I will be allowed home today! 

St. Patricks Day 2014

What we did this year on this fun-filled national Irish green holiday 

If there was one day to have a green smoothie than its this one. In this was spinach, banana and melon and plenty of chia seeds for extra luck!

Donncha and I went deep into the green for a jungle walk

Followed by a lovely lunch with my Crossfit friends

And FaceTime with Grannie and Granded in Cork. We hope all our family and friends in Ireland and beyond had a lovely St Patricks Day!

Ayden's Year 2 work

It was Parent-Teachers meetings at school this week and I wanted to share two pieces of Ayden's work that made me laugh and filled me with plenty of motherly love. The first is a poem; My Mum

My Mum is as strong as my Dad

My Mum is a great cook

My mum is as beautiful as a butterfly 

My Mum is as nice as a fairy

My Mum is as smart as a calculator

My Mum is as fast as a lion

My Mum is as comfy as an armchair

I love the first line most (sorry Daddy) and the calculator line (he's never seen me try add my weights at crossfit!. And I have never been described "as comfy as an armchair". This one's for keeps!

Ayden's class teacher says he's very competitive and this second piece says all that!

Weekend jungle walks

This weekend has been all about the jungle for us. Yesterday morning we took Iman to one of our favourite walks with the deep pools which Iman absolutely loved. Its amazing what you find in the jungle and the cascading pools are one of the best features and so close to built up areas.

And this morning the whole family went - probably the first time we have all gone for a walk together. Unfortunately no rock pools in this area and we had a few moans. But we did it what we needed to do and the kids were rewarded with fruit back at the car.

I will never tire of the jungle and all it has to offer ~ despite all the cobwebs I walked into this morning. I know many that would be terrified to walk into one - so much taboo about going jungle walking - but to me the jungle is an oasis that offers endless adventures and is simply the best Brunei has to offer.

Mr. Fast

Ayden only knows of one way to get around : F A S T! When he's on two legs he only runs. He runs around the house, up and down the stairs, in the garden. Last week he fell over and blamed a rock got in his way! Even when its bedtime he runs into bed often crashing before he gets there. 

When he's on two wheels his little legs are peddling as fast as they can go. His battered bicycle needed some repairs today and he went to the cycle shop to get his brakes fixed and a stand put on. And as soon as he got back he zipped back and forth happy to have working brakes and doing new "tricks". I watch him clenching my teeth but boys will be boys and Mr. Fast's knees are testament to that!

7-9 Swimming Competition, Mumong

Another swimming competition this afternoon. This time solely for the younger swimmers ages 7, 8 and 9. As Iman was not swimming she spent the afternoon with Donncha and so it was just myself and the boys. 

Ayden is now in the 8 year old category and swam 25m fly, back, breast and free. He had a very good afternoon and finished with a bronze for backstroke, silver for free and fly and a gold for his breaststroke. What was even more exciting for Ayden was many of his mates in his year group at school participated in their first competition in the 7 year old category. Afterwards in the car Ayden said, "I'm very proud for those that swam in their first competition". Such a nice thing to say.

Jack swam in the 9 year old category and competition was very tough. Jack missed a medal by one place for the free and likewise for the other strokes he came 5th and 6th place. He was sad and a bit disappointed but we are so proud of his achievements all the same.

Six Nations 2014 - Ireland vs Scotland

It was my first trip to the Aviva Staduim in Dublin and my first international rugby game. For starters we won with the weather considering it was chucking it down the day before and the day after. Secondly what a great first game it was to be at, with Ireland winning and it was a great experience to witness that. What overwhelmed me most was the sheer volume of people there. I had never been in a stadium so big and so full. And what more, every time a penalty was taken, the whole stadium went so silent that you could almost hear a pin drop. Looking forward to going to future games especially with Iman, Jack and Ayden.