Counting the ways you love me

Dear Ellie

You make me feel warm and fuzzy everyday.

It's as if our relationship has suddenly gone on overdrive ever since you turned 5.

Deep inside, I know you are slipping away, so I have to write this in order to note down all the different ways you love me.

1. When I am dejected and sitting at the door, you will be the first one to sit down on my lap, to make me feel better.
   
2. You will request to sleep in my arms every single night.
   
3. You will ask for me when I fail to appear during dinnertime, afraid I was somewhere lost and couldn't find my way back to you.
   
4. You will feed me grapes, candy, chips and Mensho smoked oysters.
   
5. You will lay down on my lap after breakfast in the car every morning until you reach school.
   
6. You will forbid me to shave so that you can play with my stubble.
   
7. You will applaud my every little victory, even on Angry Birds.
   
8. You will raise your hands high up in the air and hug/kiss me goodbye when I leave you at school in the morning.
   
9. You will run to the toilet and hold my hand when I am brushing my teeth

Feeding me Mensho smoked oysters.

Thank you for loving me Ellie.

And sorry for writing this mushy love letter to you.

It's not that I want everyone to know, I am just afraid I will forget.

Love,
Daddy

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I can't hope for you to save the last dance for me, just grateful to hold your hand for your first. 💃🕺😍 🎥: @kfline #savethelastdanceforme #thekawayiis #前世晴人 #daddymatters #fatheranddaughter #ilovemyfamily #strangerinbangkok

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Nov 24, 2019 at 3:23pm PST

Birthday Letters from Daddy: Ellie is 5!

What's in a name? Does a name determine the characteristics of a person?

We called you brother Noah, because he was with us when Thailand was facing its worst floods in 50 years. We wanted him to become a beacon of hope during times of difficulty, to be the light delivering people from disaster.

And for you, the most significant character of your chinese name is "晴", which literally means a clear sunny day. You are our little princess, we just wanted you to be a chirpy lady, the sun that reappears to put smiles on people's faces after the floods have cleared.

Intrigued by a flickering candle.

It's amazing how you've turned out to be exactly what your name means, humorous, bubbly, and always thinking of means to make everyone laugh.

But I think when we named you, we forgot that the sun is not only happy. The sun signifies perseverance, the only constant that keeps the galaxy trotting along. The sun is the symbol of not giving up, the energy of life.

A rare family picture during your school celebration.

Last Thursday, when we had our first Mid-Autumn Festivities with special guests from Singapore, you wanted to wear a pair of glow-in-the-dark unicorn glasses, but somehow, it couldn't light up.

I am embarrassed to admit that I was one of the adults who wanted to talk you out of getting it to work. Instead of giving in to our persuasions, you insisted there was a speck of light and we must continue to work on it. Poor Auntie Constance was on it for nearly an hour, with bits of help from everyone else, but guess what, the unicorn lit up in the end, and the adults, speechless.

Look at you, so proud with Auntie Constance, with your unicorn all lit up.

Happy 5th birthday Ellie, our sunny determined lady.

You go girl.

Loving you more everyday, Daddy.

Ultimate Kuching Cafe-Hopping Guide

In the last couple of years, the Kuching has progressed leaps and bounds in many aspects.

The cafe scene is no different, and I'm not even including the glut of bubble tea locations sprouting up everywhere, open into the wee hours of the night.

Then again, I have to admit that in terms of coffee, Kuching still has a long way to go before it can call itself a legit destination, but after my latest trip, I am suitably impressed with so many cafes that I doubt you will be disappointed hopping around this list.

Guess where? Credit: @kfline

Like my laksa guide, this will be a guide that will continue to evolve after every trip back home.

1. The Coffee Code - starting off with the best (with long working hours too)

If we consider a cafe being coffee, beverages, cake and dessert, The Coffee Code scores the highest average marks across all categories. The waffles, for 14 Ringgit, is a worthy signature dessert.

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[First Impressions] @thecoffeecodemalaysia Special culture developing in Kuching where people flock to bubble tea shops after dinner to chill until late, and even serious coffee-centric cafés are in the game to grab a piece of the pie. Recommended by friends to be one of the best cafés in Kuching, The Coffee Code does most things right, and as a pure cafe it's probably the most mature in all aspects. Open from noon to midnight 7 days a week, this is a legit place to chill here. #cafehoppingkuching #kuchingcafe #thecoffeecodekch #waffles #strangerinmerokok #makekuchinggreatagain #strangerfirstimpressionkuching

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Aug 29, 2019 at 6:03pm PDT

2. Wonderboom - when 'trying too hard' wins my heart

Of all the cafes visited, Wonderboom tries the hardest, in a way that I really root for them. Using healthy food as a backdrop, they have a well-designed menu expressed in a conducive newsletter format, even their cocktails are rare sake-based.

Interior design is on-point, combining many concepts in one effortlessly, even working in a kids reading corner and private event space. I love their smoothie bowls!

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[First Impressions Kuching] @wonderboomkch Pleasantly surprised to find Wonderboom within comfortable walking distance from where I live in Kuching. Was just there for a snack, so only tried a coffee and a smoothie bowl from the huge well-thought-out menu that consists of everything we can expect from a good cafe and more. Smoothie bowl was delicious and wholesome. Cold, thick and smooth, not melting into a watery mess, proof that it's made of the real stuff. Coffee was passable but not outstanding. Looking forward to visiting again, and even though a cafe with such a menu might be deemed as "trying too hard" in a mature market like Bangkok, I am quite excited with folks who try very very hard to set new standards in a smaller place like this. Rock on. #wonderboomkch #makekuchinggreatagain #smoothiebowl #strangerinmerokok #strangerfirstimpressionkuching #greenheightsmall #cafehopping #cafehoppingkuching

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Aug 11, 2019 at 6:07am PDT

3. Favour by Happy - Focus on substance, not form

Update July 2020: They have closed their walk-in section to concentrate on events and custom orders, a pity, but folks in Kuching, don't forget them when you have needs for special occasions!

Looking past the simplistic decor, you will find a small team working day and night busting their asses personally making every single cake the best they can be. I recommend their gluten-free flourless orange cake, they also did a great job making a diabetic-friendly cheese tart for my Dad's birthday.

Oh, baker/owner Happy also conducts occasional baking workshops for kids so take note.

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[First Impressions Kuching] @favourbyhappy Made it a point to visit a cafe/bakery in my hometown owned by a loyal supporter of my blog, which incidentally is also one of the highly-recommended cake houses in the city. Upon entry, my first thought was, "wah, very difficult to take nice pictures here because of the lighting." Then again, when you observe and taste the products eventually, you will realise that baker/owner Happy is one who favours substance over form. The Fudgy Chocolate Mousse and Gluten-free Flourless Orange Cake were both a satisfying 7.5-8/10 in terms of taste though lacking a bit of finesse in presentation, while her waffles are easily better than most waffles I can find in Bangkok, only to be slightly let-down by generic-tasting ice cream. Happy shared that they are usually overwhelmed with whole cake orders, where they will weave their creative efforts more than individual slices sold in the cafe. I could see Happy's passion to focus her limited resources on consistency, taste and premium ingredients. She also organises children workshops during school holidays where she insists on a high teacher-kid ratio and bans parents from attending (not complaining). My kids had a ball making snowskin mooncakes. Definitely a cafe worth considering if you are looking for unpretentious delicious cakes and waffles, or a yummy cake for a special occasion. #cafehoppingkuching #favourbyhappy #strangerfirstimpressionkuching #strangerinmerokok #makekuchinggreatagain #kuchingcafe

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Aug 20, 2019 at 3:33am PDT

4. Commons - justice done to a familiar name

Regardless of where the name inspiration came from, Commons at the Old Court House remains one of the most cleverly-executed spaces in the city. Love the loooooong table in the centre designed for large social gatherings, and really set the stage for Old Court House's classy makeover.

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[First Impressions: Kuching] Old CourtHouse Kch X Commons Kch Thanks to some new friends, this trip to Kuching gave me a completely-different view of my own city. The Kuching Waterfront itself is quite a spectacle, from the new bridge, to the Waterfront Hotel, to the Old Court House, Kuching is really becoming an increasingly-attractive location for the tourist. I will zero-in now on the Old Court House, which surprised me as it has now become a great place to chill. The execution of the interior is absolutely on-par with the cool places in Singapore and Bangkok, though the only complete place so far is probably the Commons Cafe (don't ask me where they got the name from). The familiar name aside, Commons is a place that I had been looking forward to in Kuching. It serves simple food in good portions, has a classy yet relaxing vibe, and welcomes everyone in the family. I was there twice, once at night chatting with friends, and another in the day with my parents and kids. I spent a great afternoon playing board games with my children. If you are there, try their Nasi Lemak with fried chicken, as well as their huge array of quality cakes. I hope Commons continues to improve, especially on their drinks, which can be much much better, especially for the prices they are charging. #oldcourthousekch #commonskch #kuching #kuchingfoodies #kuchingcafehopping #cafe #kuchingwaterfront #strangerinmerokok #strangerfirstimpressionkuching

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Mar 2, 2018 at 6:37pm PST

5. Keeper's Ground - great cafe inside the best mall in Kuching

Owned by the folks behind Commons, expect the same tasteful execution, cutely nestled at the back of the best mall in town.

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[First Impressions] Keeper's Ground Undoubtedly the cafe with the best location in Kuching. On the Ground Floor of The Spring (consistently the best mall in Kuching in my opinion), Keeper's Ground certainly made use of their optimal location well. Filled with greens, flowers and natural lighting, it's first and foremost, a win for the cameras. Known for its good bread and viennnoseries (big baking area in view as well), I went for their turtle cheesecake instead. Velvety-smooth, richly-creamy, it was an excellent mid-afternoon indulgence. Worth a look if you are at The Spring. #makekuchinggreatagain #cafehoppingkuching #kuching #kuchingcafe #keepersground #thespring #strangerinmerokok #strangerfirstimpressionkuching

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Aug 30, 2019 at 8:46pm PDT

China Street

6. Indah House - perfect for tourists and locals alike

The perfect one-stop-shop for anyone who wants to understand the art and culture of Kuching in a matter of days. Don't leave without trying their Batik cake.

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[#makekuchinggreatagain] @indahhousekuching The 3rd cafe on China Street, and probably the most popular one. I do not know whether it's fair to call this a cafe, as Indah House is more like an all-in-one that can provide every visitor a great experience of Sarawak culture. As I wasn't here for the food, what struck me this time was the abundance of art and culture in the little space (they have an event space on the 2nd floor), and the possibilities of the owners arranging a huge array of local tours/experiences for you. Food-wise, they have local dishes, as well as vegan options. One item that has a local following is their batik cake (shown in pics), which is no longer easy to find. Also, during Chinese New Year, they will start selling festive cookies with stunning flavours like Sarawak Laksa. Pinggai, Limatujoh and Indah House form the golden triangle on China Street that will give you an unforgettable afternoon in Kuching. #indahhouse #chinastreet #kuching #sarawak #strangerinmerokok

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Aug 30, 2019 at 1:42am PDT

7. Pinggai Cafe - A great first exposure to Sarawak native cuisine

Unforgettable Dayak Charsiu, with intoxicating smokiness I've never had before. I am looking forward to trying more dishes at Pinggai.

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[First Impressions Kuching] Pinggai Cafe First of 3 cafes on China Street which are bound to make you quite happy. Pinggai is the newest of the 3, and is a legitimate choice for you to have a full meal if you are curious about Sarawakian native cuisine. The Dayak Charsiu (barbeque pork) was especially unforgettable. It has a kind of alluring smokiness that I've never tasted before. The Ayam Pansuh (chicken cooked in bamboo with tapioca leaves), on the other hand, has a clean refined taste that went well with the flavoursome pork. I was also asked to try the smoothie bowl, but had other stops moving forward, so might have to leave it for next time. Lots on the menu still to try, like the dabai fried rice and their signature passion fruit tea + Tuak (native rice wine) 'cocktail'. #makekuchinggreatagain #pinggaicafe #chinastreet #kuchingfood #dayakfood #nativefood #strangerinmerokok #kuching #ayampansuh #dayakroastpork #kuchingcafe #cafehoppingkuching #strangerfirstimpressionkuching

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Aug 21, 2019 at 1:48am PDT

8. Lima Tujoh - perfect vintage hipster cafe

Stands alone in this list exuding cool vintage character. Also serves local cuisine, including Nasi Lemak and some native dishes, which I have yet to try, watch this space as I am bound to say more once I've tried their food.

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[First Impressions Kuching] @limatujoh The 2nd excellent cafe along the short stretch of China Street. Customers usually come here for Nasi Lemak, but after the meal at Pinggai, we only had room for a coffee and toast. Vibe-wise, it's very different from Pinggai, as it exudes a hipster vintage atmosphere. I especially like the corner (shown in pictures attached) where a Peranakan tea set, an old-skool milo cashier tin and Noma's Guide to Fermentation snuggling together. You will not miss the resident cat as well. On to the food, we ordered the Yuan Yang Vietnamese drip, which interestingly, is Vietnamese coffee dripped with black tea! It was pretty pleasant! And the toast was made with home-made pineapple jam, which was a good eat at 3MYR, though we would have preferred more jam to taste it better. It's hard to say much more about food here until I revisit to try their Nasi Lemak. Definitely another great place to chill in Kuching! #makekuchinggreatagain #limatujoh #chinastreet #kuchingfood #dayakfood #vietnamesedripcoffee #strangerinmerokok #kuching #catsofinstagram #kuchingcafe #cafehoppingkuching #strangerfirstimpressionkuching

A post shared by Eddie Yii (@strangerinbangkok) on Aug 23, 2019 at 3:27am PDT

Apologies to those excellent cafes in Kuching I have yet to visit (thus impossible to add into this list), please give me your comments after visiting these cafes and let me know if there are any which deserve to be here!

Let's #makekuchinggreatagain.

Ellie's Book of Jokes Vol. 1

The wit and humour of the little one at home. Photo Credit: Ohtography

Love You One Hundred

"Daddy, I love you ONE HUNDRED!"

Me, "then what about mummy?"

"I love mummy INFINITY!"

Because I Love You

We were walking to the BTS station when Ellie asked for my to 抱抱(carry) her.

"Ellie, are you tired already?"
"No."
"Then why do you need me to carry you?"

Pulls me down and whispers in my ear, "Because I love you."

Afraid Of What?

"Ellie, are you afraid of Daddy?"

"Hah what?"

"Are you afraid of Daddy?"

"Afraid of what?"

Make You Lonely

Ellie came out of the room and closed the door behind her.

Noah opened it soon and asked, "Ellie, why did you close the door?"

"Because I want to make you lonely."

Impromptu Bedtime Poem

I slept with the kids early last night,
My wife then joined us, to my right,
Pushing Ellie further wide.

The little girl woke up and cried,

"Daddy! I'm falling down the side."

"Ellie Ellie," I clarified,

"Just lie down close by my side, 

And hold on to me real tight.

I'll make sure you'll be alright."

"Ok," she said, then she slept tight.

All the way till morning light.

Also see, the equally-hilarious Noah's Book of Jokes Volume 1 and Noah's Book of Jokes Volume 2.