Our Trip To Anchorage, Alaska

AFTER SETTLING DOWN A WEEK.... we flew to Alaska.  

Yes, I was super excited!  I have never been to Alaska, I have plans to... I never thought I would be flying there instead of cruising in by ship.  LOL...  

The flight from San Francisco took a couple of hours, five or six if my memory is correct.  From Alaska airport we checked into a hotel room which fits the five of us.  First thing upon arrival is to get a rented car, that is for sure.  

Couldn't exactly remember what we did or what we ate, but the very next day I remember going to Alaska Wild Life Conservation Center park where there are bears besides some other animals as well.  It is not a zoo but a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska's wildlife through education, research and quality animal care.

Yes, of course the kids were ecstatic!

Getting all excited at the airport, this young one... 

Slow drive on Alaska roads... 

At the Alaska Wildlife Conservation  Center

At the entrance... 

Saying Hello to one Bear Bear.... 

And who is in Anchorage?

GABRIEL!!

My almost long lost "son!"

So nice to see him again... 

We have him as our tour guide, no need to mention...

LOL... 

Home Eat Is the Name

OUR BREAK TIME... 

It is the first day of Pre K for my eldest grandson.  He was excited.  He had been staying at home with his granny for two whole weeks!  One day he turned to me seriously and asked. "when am I going to school?"  And so... it is time.  He has grown up and ready for his first day at a public school for toddlers, Pre K... I suppose it meant Pre Kindergarten... 

And so on the first day, his papa and I took him to his new school.  He was all excited no doubt about that.  He was not in the morning session so school for him starts at 11.40am till 3pm.  That gives me enough time to prepare him breakfast and lunch at home.  He will drink milk in the morning (he is a picky eater) and on certain days, he eats scrambled eggs (by lots of persuasion).

His pre-lunch is at 10.30am, sometimes I cook porridge, at times rice balls... at times noodles... and make sure that he eats his fair portion before he goes to school.  For his snack box, it varies each day, cookies and snacks... at times bread.  (I need to think the night before)  His food selection is very limited and to make sure he eats, the food he eats each day is the same for the following week.  LOL... 

After we dropped him to school on this day, my son and I went for lunch nearby.  It is a Hongkong cuisine restaurant called Home Eat and we normally ordered the same dish whenever we go.  LOL.... I guess we are picky eaters too!

 

Sourish noodles.... 

Our favourite pepper chicken... 

At times we order beef hotpot... 

And at times our little one followed us before he goes to school....

Never Have I Ever...

FOR THE FIRST TIME... I won something from a bank!

It was Public Bank 60th Anniversary this year and an officer told me that every three months, the bank will select some winners.  Not just the branch I go to, but for the whole of Malaysia.  When I heard that, I just laughed it off, the chances of getting a big or small prize is almost nil to me.  LOL... 

Imagine my delight when I received a Whatsapp message from the officer that I won a limited edition of a smart watch, and that I were to collect it on a Saturday from the bank.  They have a roadshow or something like that.  

Upon entering the bank, I was given a door gift and were ushered to a tea table where food were laid.  As it was already brunch time, I just took a bit here and there and waited.  To cut the story short... I just have to take a picture with my gift and after that, thank you and bye..... LOL....

For the bank's proof that I have already claimed my prize...

And after unraveling the box....

It is indeed a smart watch...

Too big for me....

More for men...

I have someone in mind....

It benefits him more than me....

LOL...

Ferrying in Santa Cruz

SAILING ... CRUISING... whatever it is called... 

We went to Santa Cruz Craft Harbour the next day, my son wanted to show me his big project... the bridge!  We set sail on a ferry, its free of charge, it stops at certain jetties to let people off... but we just want to experience the round trip from one end and then back to where it started....

We set sail on a ferry.... taking us along and back... the river.... 

And here is the overhead bridge... 

It is still undergoing...

The happy guy who is eager to see what his papa does each day.... 

But I think they are more eager to play with the sand instead.... 

And I as usual... must take some pictures to remember where I have stepped upon.... 

My 1980s Look With Chatgpt

DIGRESSING... 

AND BACK TO THE 1980ssssss... it is like Twilight Zone.... 

Someone put up in Facebook that seniors over 60 now are in a way "blessed" cos we get to go through some aspects of life which is so much different from they are now.   One example is that we did not have handphones or computers during the time we were studying... and that is what makes us today.  LOL... 

I am born in 1960, I went through many phases of life.... 1970s when I was in Secondary school, 1980s was the time I started working, married with three kids and fast forward till today, I have five grandkids to keep my busy... zooming with them.  LOL... 

Yes, I want to join in the fun of the 1980s... it is a trend in Facebook yesterday and I saw many put up their 1980s look.  Most of them are young, all with black hair and they might actually were toddlers in the 1980s.  However, I have grey hair even in my 1980s, thanks to Chatgpt.... 

My real looks???

Nahhh.... I look nothing near to these....

LOL....

Beautiful FISH at Harbour Dr, Sausalito

TIME TO INDULGE... 

We went to a restaurant called FISH, there is a story behind the name and why it exists.  Being me, I just browsed through and it is one of the best restaurants near the bay in Sausalito.  When we reached there, I was surprised to see that the outside seating were mostly occupied than the ones inside the restaurant.  The weather was not cooling and yet, people opted for the sun!  

Being Asian and not wanting to be left out, we also opted for the outdoor and we managed to get one after a short while.  Not really shady, but nobody cared... they just wanted to be "sunbathed".... not me though.  I tried to get the most shaded angle as much as possible... so that I can eat in peace without the sun shining into my eyes... 

Hot and unshaded... but the scenery is worth it.... 

I love mussels...

Are those Tacos... I couldn't remember... 

And their Fish n Chips live up to their name of the restaurant... 

With kids around, there is normally a plate of plain spaghetti for them...

Cheers to our choice of table... shady and nice!!

 

Children's Day at Marin Headlands

JET LAG OVER... The time difference between California and Malaysia is 15 hours.  I reached San Francisco around 8pm in the evening.  Since I did not sleep much on the plane, I could overcome my jet lag in a matter of a day or the most two.  

Weekend came and my son had already planned where to go.  We went to a Discovery zone in a park at Marin Headlands which is just opposite the Golden Gate in San Francisco.  It is a hilly park and naturally windy at some time of the day.

My grandkids are toddlers now and I miss carrying them. They are so heavy now.... I still carry them regardless....and don't walk while they are in my arms.. LOL.. Kids grow bigger, my muscles shrink smaller... 

The moment we entered the park, the whole area belonged to them... they ran around exploring whatever interest them, climbing up and down, so much so I have to turn my head to elsewhere.  My heart cannot take too much excitement seeing them going up heights.  LOL... 

As long as the kids are happy, the day spent is well worth it.... 

After a few hours, I was completely spent...but not them...