The Yong Peng Tribe

Some of our highlights....Jan - May 2011

2011-06-03T22:06:00.000-07:00

January 2011 - started with Mabel starting school at TGH just like Brandon did 4 years ago. Bran also started with Std 1 in SJK(C) Yong Peng 1. Thank God, he has a few friends from TGH who are in the same class. His chinese has definitely improved.

Bran & Mabel plays better together nowadays. They know how to make each other laugh although many times Mabel will "bully" the kor kor.

Febuary 2011 - It's CNY time. It's the usual family taking pic time and each years it gets more & more difficult as kids don't smile & look where you want them to look.

Feb is also special because Bran turns 7 this year !!!! These are his pictures from age 1 - 7.

March 2011 - we decided to reward ourselves during the March holidays by making a trip to PJ to visit Ah Ku's new house. A special treat for Bran @ Dino Live at the Science Center.

Cousin Joe came to stay for a few days. The boys had loads of fun together.....

This is Bran's recent note to me..... He is also growing spiritually as David spend time with him working thru "Treasure Hunt with Mark". He is learning how to trust God & commit to prayer.

Apr 2011 - it was work & work......the month ended when the Tan family took a holiday at Lotus Desaru. A fanstastic time for the kids.

1st Check Up After 2nd Surgery

2011-01-02T04:44:00.001-08:00

This is the x-ray of wires still inplanted in his arm. The wires taken out.

1st check-up. Next week (8/1) will remove the stitches.

Smaller band aid. Mobility of hand is less restricted.

Brandon's 2nd Surgery - To remove the wires

2010-12-29T04:42:00.001-08:00

Brandon's 1st scar. The 2nd cut will be follow this 1st scar.

Wearing the operation gown.

Just outside the OT. This time he was wheeled in by himself & I didn't accompany him in. He is indeed a very brave boy.

The pain is quite bad. Dr said that this surgery is more painful when inserting the k-wires.

This is the wires removed from his arm.

Mabel praying for Brandon before she went home that night.

Discharged the next day (28/12). Able to play and now waiting for 1 Jan to change the bandage.

Mabel walking more steadily....

2010-01-25T01:57:00.000-08:00

Mabel starts walking....

2010-01-24T06:41:00.000-08:00

Inital steps......

Kid's Bath Tub Fun

2010-01-24T06:25:00.000-08:00

2nd Physio Session - 31 October 2009

2009-10-31T02:44:00.001-07:00

Today's physio session requires longer time and there were more stretching exercise. The arm seems to be more loose. It will still take time for it to be back to it's normal mobility.

Pully exercise - now longer stretch.

Stacking and twisting off exercise.

Rolling ball with greater force.

Peeling off tape to force stretching.

The best part - cool treatment, after exercise treat.

27 October 2009 - Mabel's 1st candle.

2009-10-31T02:14:00.000-07:00

We thank God for Mabel. She has been a bundle of joy and bring smiles to our heart.Night before - My birthday cake !!!

Today is the actual day. Pink outfit bought by Kakak.

Family photo with the 1st candle.

Enjoying her birthday cake.

Kor Kor's birthday card for Mabel.

31 October 2009 - 4th Check-up and Physio Therapy

2009-10-24T02:41:00.000-07:00

Dr Lim commented from Brandon's x-ray, can see the bones are joining back. Next appointment with Dr Lim is in 2 weeks time.

Today Brandon started his physio session. The Therapist was very friendly. We will need to do stretching exercise for him 3 times daily.

Putting the "space ship" into the box exercise to make his arm stretch.

Testing out how much she can stretch his arm. To touch his shoulders with his finger is harder.

Measuring how much she can straighten the arm. On his own, it's at 150 degrees. With the help of the Therapist, it's at 160 degrees.

Pully exercise.

Bringing the ball for a walk exercise.

Rolling the ball exercise.

16 Oct 2009 - 3rd Check-Up

2009-10-18T01:08:00.001-07:00

Brandon went for his check-up on Friday. I had a free period in the morning at 10:30am and so we went to Pantai Batu Pahat to see his Dr. Dr was quite happy with his healing progress although he mentioned that we need carefully monitor his recovery.

Dr remove the supporting cast and now his hand doesn't need to be in a bandage but still need to be on the sling to give him the support. For this week, there is no physio because it may be do heavy for him. Dr says that we can do exercise for him at home. Physio will start next week.

In the morning before I went, I prayed that God will make it a smooth visit and we don't have to wait long. David was going to take my afternoon class while another teacher is taking over David's class if the visit to the Dr takes very long. Praise the Lord that we finish (paying, taking medicine, giving the nurses the photos taken with Brandon) by 12:35pm. Then we rush off to see Brandon's peadetrician in another clinic (not in Pantai Hospital), again praise God that we finish by 1pm. Brandon have no more wheezing and so Dr is reducing his puff to once a day. Praying that in 6 weeks time when we go for this check-up again, he won't need his puff medication anymore. All in all, we manage to get back to Yong Peng by 1:50pm and in time for me to take my afternoon class.

Daily we need to exercise his arm 3 times at 20 stretch per session. This picture show that his arm have quite a bit of dry skin flaking off.

10 October - 2nd Check-up

2009-10-10T00:35:00.000-07:00

Brandon went for his 2nd check-up today. Dr removed the stitches and commented that his wound healed nicely. It was a bit painful when the Dr remove the stitches. When Dr move Brandon's arm to 45 degree (the arm have been in 90 degree position for 18 days) , it was also painful for him.

I anticipate that next week's visit will be quite a painful one because Brandon will start his physio. Dr says it's quite normal that his elbow will be stiff for a while. Good thing is that healing for this kind of fall for children will be much faster and natural as they will want to move it themselves. Pray for me that I will be able to cope to see Brandon go through his physio. I feel quite affected by the pain he went through today. Phew......

Waiting in the treatment room.

Wound healed nicely - Praise God. Dry skin flake off. Looking forward to next week no more being in cast but....not looking forward to physio....

Dr Lim removing the stitches. It was a bit painful.

Video of Dr removing the stitches. Last 10 seconds is not suppose to be part of the video. Forgot to switch off the video because Brandon was saying that it was painful, so went to his side to hold his hand.

Back at school house testing out school's new playmat for vehicles. There were a few occassions that Brandon says that he would like to buy an i-phone. Kids nowadays really surprises you with what they want.

Kids happy together....

2009-10-03T18:03:00.000-07:00

Brandon is quite good at making Mabel laugh. Mabel also enjoys Brandon's company.

Mabel's antics - sounds like "gremlins"

2009-10-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

Mabel is quite loud and can be very fierce too. Some friends says that it's because when I was expecting her, I often have to scold the kids hence she learnt it while in the womb.

1 Week After Being Discharged....

2009-10-03T04:42:00.000-07:00

3 Oct 2009 - We went for Brandon's check-up today. The Dr explained in detail and show us a sample bone of how he wired Brandon's bone. The Dr says that Brandon's surgery was a complicated one as the bone that was broken (Ulna bone - the smaller bone in the arm), it's actual size is like an adult's little finger. Moreover it is also very near the elbow.

After checking Brandon, he says that Brandon's nerve also have been bruised hence causing Brandon not able to fully open his fingers and do a "thumbs up". This bruised nerve will take time to heal by itself.

Next week, we will go for another check-up and following that, Brandon will start physio.

Behind is the operation room.

Ah Ku stopped by on his way to Senai. Notice the new sling - it's more airy.

Ah Kong & Ah Mah also came to visit Brandon.

Started going to school since Monday. In the afternoon, if he likes the activities, he will join the class. Not affected by the broken arm.

Bath time - have to use plastic bag to wrap the bandaged arm so that it won't get wet.

The bone that was broken is the ulna bone. It's the smaller of the 2 bones.

This x-ray shows the broken bone. The fingers are at the bottom. The Ulna bone was totally broken and there was a little fragment that was chipped off.

This is after surgery. Dr put in the wires to hold the bone together. Now it is straight.

This is the back support that holds his elbow and his arm. Dr just use a bandage to hold them together. Dr says no need cement cast.

Dr Lim Khoon Eng (that's the ortho surgeon) changing the bandage.

The "centipede".

The cut is so long. Dr says the wound is healing properly. Bandage for another 2 more weeks.

Brandon's Surgery

2009-09-25T22:04:00.000-07:00

On 23 Sept, Wed, at about 4pm, Brandon had a fall while running in the garden with the afternoon class children. He bang into a little girl and both of them fell. When he stood up crying, his hands looked as slightly distorted & limp and thank God, no blood. (didn't take photo then....)

Sent him to a nearby clinic and the doctor said to do an x-ray. Thank God we went to the clinic that had x-ray facilities. Dr said to bring him to hospital straight away because it looked like a fracture.

Off we (Joyce, maid & Brandon, of course !!) went to the Pantai Hospital in Batu Pahat (30 - 40 minutes drive). David took care of the school and mother-in-law's maid took care of Mabel. On the way, Brandon like passed out because of the severe pain.

Dr in Pantai said that Brandon broke his Ulna bone and it's very near the elbow. He would need to put in wires to hold them back together and remove them in 1 years time (another operation again).

Belows are some pics......

Sleeping after the surgery. The 1st night, it was quite painful for him.

Nurse giving him his antibiotic jab.

Lunched served. His appetite was quite good and managed to finish half the rice.

Hospital Assistant taking Brandon downstairs to have his another x-ray taken.

Drawing a picture to appreciate the nurses. Thank God that Papa brought all his drawing stuffs.

Received Duit Raya from the uncle who was in the opposite bed.

25 Sept, Friday - Dr says can go home. A picture with the nurses. Most nurses in this hospital are from India. They come for a 2 - 3 years and then go back with enough money to buy land and get married.

Our first stop after being discharged from hospital - Mc Donalds.

Happy to be going home......

Mabel likes to scream

2009-04-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

Mabel Learning To Turn...

2009-04-01T02:31:00.000-07:00

2009-03-30T03:17:00.000-07:00

The M Edition for the Month of May...

2008-05-11T04:54:00.000-07:00

In my English class, we rhyme the alphabet sound. For M, it goes like this. M says mmm, M says mmm as in milk, M says mmm...mmm...mmm. Mama says for the month of May starts with the beginning sound of M. So here is my M edition for the M month.

M for Mei-Mei

I went with Mama to the gynae to check on the baby. Dr says that from the scan, the baby is a Mei-Mei. Papa says that I need to be a good Kor-Kor as Mei-Mei is a girl and will need me to protect her, just like he protect Mama. Mei-Mei is now 16 weeks old in the womb.

M for Mee Hoon KuihMee Hoon Kuih has nothing to do with mee hoon. In Cantonese, they call it Pan Mee. The last time my Ah Mah came, she taught Kakak Imah how to cook mee hoon kuih....so, I get to eat it and i LOVE it. I can eat it for lunch and dinner.

M for My Ah Tow's Birthday

We celebrated my Ah Tow's (Papa's grandmother or Nai-Nai's mother) on Monday. It's 1 week belated. Ah Tow is an amazing lady, she is very very old and still she does housework and cooks.

M for Motorbike

M for motorbike. I have always wanted an automatic motorbike. My cousin Kang has outgrown this one, so he passed it to me. Remember...M for motorbike.

M for Measles

M for Measles. On the 6th day of May (Tuesday), I had fever for 2 nights. Then after eating medicine, I got a very itchy rash. 2 days later (Thursday), Mama brought me to our local GP to treat the rash. Guess what Dr Mutalib said - it's measles and it's contagious. No school for 1 week. Best of all, both side of my grandparents are going to China for a holiday, so Mama & Papa had to think of where to "park" me as I cannot go to school for 1 week. It's no fun being quarantined but I get lot's of little "rewards" if I am being obedient. The rash is very very itchy and it's all over my body. Also I am not suppose to go near Mama, so Papa entertains me most of the time.

M for My Revision

This week is revision week before my 1st exam. Since I cannot go to school, Papa goes through my revision paper with me. I can play the whole week....miss my classmates though.

Photos following April 2008 newsletter...

2008-04-08T00:13:00.001-07:00

This is my class. Thanks to Aunty Choon Ean who came and take some nice pro shots of us. It is not easy to take pics for my class because ah....we are so pro at posing out our latest antics.

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On 20 March, we had a public holiday. Papa took this opportunity to bring Yeh-Yeh & Nai-Nai to try out the new trunk road from Paloh to Kluang. In Kluang, we meet up with Tar Boh (Papa's eldest sister), Tar Boh Leh and Kor Kor Kang. You can read Aunty Choon Ean's blog (theboggler.blogspot.com) about this day-trip.

One new kopitiam in Kluang.

Kluang - Hanging bridge at Gunung Lambak. Nice place to go for a walk and family outing.

Papa making his chocolate pie. Much to Mama and Aunty Choon Ean's delight. They almost finish half the pie when it was done.

Me...trying to decide what to cook....since Papa making chocolate pie...I think I will make pizza.

Time out with Aunty Choon Ean - playing the flight simulator game from Nestle Honey Star.

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The next few pictures is about our ice-cream making adventure. Papa borrowed Boh Leh's ice-cream machine. So...we decided to test it out.

This is the ice-cream machine.

Me....mixing the durian so that we can have durian flavoured ice-cream.

Put in the mixed up durian. This is for big hands. Although I am a big boy now, my hands are still not big hands yet....it's medium.

Put in the whip cream. Ah-hah....this is a mistake Papa. We were not suppose to whip the cream. So..Papa says that the ice-cream was a "gone-case". Conclusion....ice-cream making has not been successful. Try again Papa...

March Happenings or "Much" Happenings !!!!

2008-03-16T02:26:00.001-07:00

On 8 March, Mama had to come back to Seremban to vote. From Ah Kong's house to town, we always use the bridge where the train tracks are at the bottom. So, Mama and Papa gave me this treat....train ride to the nearest station.

Off to Seremban Train Station. Mama says must hold hands....

Put your ticket thru the slot and push the handle bar.

To get to platform 2, must go to the other side of the tracks.

Gee-de-up Papa....we have arrive at the other side.

Here comes our Kommuter. Blue colour just like Thomas the Tank Engine.

Waiting to board the Kommuter to Labu. Papa says must let the people alight first then only we can go inside.

Mama & Me on the Kommuter. Thank you Mama for taking me on the Kommuter.

Eh....why the grass is going by so fast?

Posing with my Kommuter ticket.

Adults's ticket is red colour...children's ticket is blue colour.
See !!!

Our sandcastle at Sentosa Island Beach.

Tua Khim have these cool plastic boxes that help makes sandcastle.

Wading pool next to the beach.

Kor Kor Daniel.....the Crocodile Hunter Of Singapore Zoo.

CNY 2008....

2008-02-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

Reunion Dinner yummies....

Cousin time with Kor Kor Ian and Mei Mei Hang

Using Yeh-Yeh's new bum shaker with Kor Kors Shaun & Ashton

Cousin time with Joe Joe.

My Thomas The Tank Engine Collection - Xmas Edition 2007

2008-01-03T06:36:00.000-08:00

Ride at Jusco Seremban....please do not put in $$....I like to ride it when it is not moving.

Thomas Felt Flannel....hand me down from a rich S'pore Kor Kor.

One of my Christmas present - Thomas the Tank engine...magnet one.

Best present for the night...Thank you Khim Khim, Ah Ku & Joe Joe.

My Thomas collection - Toby, James, Thomas and Ikea wooden coaches.

My Thomas School Bag...used it for school today. Thank you Tua Khim & Tua Ku.

Another cool Christmas present from Pin-Nin, Peh-Leh.

Annie & Clarabel Coaches waiting to be redeem by me when I finish memorizing the last 5 of the 10 commandments.

My Holiday Time - Tawau, Semporna (all in Sabah)

2007-12-12T08:05:00.003-08:00

Floating hotel at Semporna.

Floating Hotel (Dragon Inn) - Aunty Mee Lin, Aunty Yoong and my Ah Mah and Ah Kong.

Leopard Shark - up close and personal.....@ Dragon Inn.

Oh Mr Fish and Mr Crabby...where are you?
Fish, crab and lobster watching at Dragon Inn.

Fresh flower crab....yum yum....

Me and Mama at Lau Ber Khim's bread factory in Tawau.
(Lau Ber Khim is my fifth's grand-aunt)

My first budget flight...Air Asia...of course !! To Where ? To Tawau...

My Hotdog on air........costs Ah Kong - RM 7.00

Papa's nasi lemak on air....cost Ah Kong - RM 8.00.

My Holiday Time - At Joe's Place @ KL

2007-12-12T07:59:00.001-08:00

Playground Time - Joe likes my "botak head".

Home made popcorn - taste yummy. No added preservatives, sugar or salt.

Outing at Ikea.
I am now Kampung Boy...must take out shoes. Otherwise spoil the wooden floor.

My Holiday Time.....Tan Family Holiday @ Pulai Springs Resort

2007-12-12T07:40:00.000-08:00

Outing at Tanjung Piai, the southern most tip of the continent of Asia.

Running on the bridge at Tanjung Piai.

Swimming at Pulai Springs Resort.

Faces of me....throughout 2007.....

2007-11-21T04:16:00.001-08:00

November 2007
Tan family holiday at Pulai Springs, Johor. Papa reading book....me watching TV.

My class photo.....the "gang" that sometimes make Teacher Mama scream at us !!!
But we are very cute hor...

September 2007 - peeling potato

August 2007

July 2007 - choo choo...there goes my train !!!

June 2007 - my house....

May 2007 - too tired to keep awake

April 2007 - cereal fun time in class

March 2007 - joining the 5 YO class for Art & Craft

February 2007 - finger painting

January 2007 - sleeping in class

Faces at our Graduation....4 November 2007 as seen by Brandon Kam

2007-11-11T01:04:00.001-08:00

My Mama....the guitarist....

Aunty Poh Sim....the videographer.
Of course there is Aunty Choon Ean who is the photographer...
otherwise you got no pictures to see.

My Papa....the emcee....

Ah Kong and Yeh-Yeh are the host for the day. See...they look so nice in batik.

The 6 Years Old....doing their song - Rasa Sayang.

The 5 Years Old song - Do Re Mi

The 4 Years Old Skit - The Wisdom Of King Solomon.

Me....the tree.....getting ready for my turn to stand up....

My class' song - What a wonderful world...I see trees of green...and

.....red roses too.....

The Graduates....march in.

Yeh-Yeh....giving the Chairman's speech...

Ah Kong....giving out the awards.

Yeh-Yeh...giving out the Kindergarten Diploma.

The Graduate's speech.....

Us....with Yeh-Yeh and Nai-Nai

Us....with Ah Mah and Ah Kong

Principal Mr Kam aka Class Teacher David with Kor Kor HWY
...his papa & mama didn't stay for the photo session cos they have to "jaga" their stall.

Me...and Aunty Poh Sim.
Currently Aunty Poh Sim and Aunty Choon Ean (she forgot to take pic with me this time round)
is in my top 10 BFUA.
(BFUA = Brandon's Favourite Uncles and Aunties)

Moving South... Starting New

2007-01-01T07:08:00.000-08:00

SCHOOLHOUSE NEWS as told by Brandon Kam

Remember my head line in my last newsletter - NO MORE AFTERNOON NAPS !!! Yippee…..Well, I have not been very successful in this new venture. My body would not listen to me eventhough I made up my mind not to have naps anymore.

Christmas was really fun for me because Papa bought a Christmas tree. I helped to decorate the tree and broke 2 light bulbs too. Thank you to all who bought me Christmas presents. Mama says that I am developing my fine motor skill in tearing up the wrapping paper. Taking the toys out from the box is quite a bit more of a challenge for me.

Papa took this pic of me and Mama while we were playing in the rain. It rained so much for 1½ weeks, that many areas in Yong Peng have been flooded. Mama said that many uncles and aunties from KL called or sms us to ask if the flood affected us. Thank you for your kind concern and love shown to us. The kampung areas and 1 housing estate in YP is badly flooded. The old palm estate opposite our house is also flooded. Many people are still staying in relief centres in YP.

Anyway, I start school on Wednesday, do remember to pray for me, ok? Papa & Mama have been very busy preparing for it.

Updates from Joyce….

23/12 – Christmas party for the kids registered in our school. 34 children came. Understanding of the English language = poor. We had to do it in Chinese at the end. This gave us a “feel” of the children to help us prepare for school start.

26/12 – Christmas dinner for family and my MIL’s friends.

For this Christmas, my MIL requested that we have a Christmas dinner for her friends who have never celebrated Christmas before. The night ended with singing of carols and short sharing of the birth of Christ.

We have been very busy preparing for school start on Jan 3. To date we have 39 students who are coming.

We truly appreciate your partnership with us all these months. We are not sure what 2007 holds for us, please continue to uphold us in prayer that we will:

continue to be faithful, love God and love people.

obtain our license from the Education Dept this week.

See the salvation of our unsaved family members esp David’s grandma.