A ticklish affair.

After a Korean 'Bibibhog' lunch with the family a few Sundays ago, I found myself in Qian Hu Fish Farm.

It was the first time I visited the place, and saw the myriads of aquarium fishes being bred and sold, even exported to other countries. The cute baby koi swam into my hand as I placed it into the water. So tame and friendly. Seeing the tropical fishes, reminded me of my young boy passion of keeping an aquarium. (See my post 'Rasbora Heteromopha').

Venturing inside, my grandchildren were catching longkang fish for a fee. Then there were these groups of adults sitting with their feet inside the water. I discovered that they were letting the sucker fishes nibble at the dead skin on their feet. Sounded very unhygienic.

After some persuasion from my daughters, I decided to give it a go. After paying $10 for half an hour, I rolled up my pants and sat soaking my feet underwater. Moments later, a swarm of dark grey fishes charged towards my feet and started to nibble away. Keeping very still, the fishes were all over my feet. I felt ticklish. I was hoping that they will nibble away my painful corns.

There were some young ladies seating nearby and they were giggling away like little girls. Both my wife and daughter were seating next to me and they had their fair share of nibbling. After a full 30 minutes, we got up and dried our feet with the towel provided. It was quite an experience.

Mothers Day eve, the whole family gathered for dinner at the 'Mushroom Pot'. I cannot say I enjoyed the dinner because I do not eat Chinese mushroom. Ever since I was a child, I can not stand the smell of Chinese mushroom. I have tried to eat them but threw up everytime. I have accidentally ate them in very small amount, and had to immediately eat something strong to overcome the smell. But I do eat the lesser smelling mushroom like the white ones you eat with the salad. Despite the smelly mushroom, I enjoyed the company of the whole family. That saved the evening for me at least.

Had a pleasant meeting with my interior decorator and contractor, Gary, for my new home. He presented to us, my wife and son, his ideas for the our new home. He had some very good ideas and we had a lively discussion. He showed us his drawings and I quite like his ideas. So now we have decided what items of furniture we will retain and can visualise what the new home will be like. The idea of having timber flooring in the balcony, living and dining area and special tiles in the kitchen area is very good, except that it may be too expensive. However, I will have to see the costing before deciding. The upstairs will be timber or parquet.

At last I am going to have a work station. I will have my PC there with shelves for my files and books, and doors to close off the whole section. By the sides, there will be library shelves for my other books and objects of interest. I can finally sit down and write or do my own things. I will also retain my rosewood display cabinet of my micro magic collections, and his will now sit on the landing outside my bedroom upstairs.

My bedroom will have everything new, with two single beds and a walk-in wardrobe leading into a new bathroom. I have already been 'allocated' my bed which will be right next to the wall. So watch out for me when I get off the wrong side of the bed! My bathroom door will be special. Gary told me that it will be a 360 degree door, which opens one doorway to close another. This is to save limited space. My bedroom will have a sliding door. Reminds me of the Japanese woman kneeling to slide open the door, then shuffling inside to close it.

Permission has been granted for us to instal a toilet downstairs. So this will be enclosed next to the kitchen. A separate kitchen will be built inside a glass enclosure facing the windows. A centre island will be where we also cook, eat and entertain, incorporating some of the new kitchen concept. My son wants the wine cooler inside this.

The dining room will have my present round table and chairs. Against the wall will be my rosewood cabinet. Blocking the staircase will be my work station and library.

I always value my privacy. To stop people from looking inside, Gary has suggested to have the lower section of my main window fitted with fixed metal louvre. Above this, the louvre can open and close to let the air in. Good idea.

All in all, Gary has worked on a semi colonial decor and we still have many things to tie up before the final drawing. We have bought the sofa set of leather seats with recliners with option for an additional single or double recliner. Slowly the new home is taking shape and the renovations will start in a month's time. Given only three days for hacking, the whole process will take two months to complete.

I always welcome friendly and constructive comments from readers to my blog. It is meant to be light hearted and I am happy if readers enjoy reading. By these comments, I know that at least someone is reading my blog. Unfortunately, lately someone from the Philippines has been posting remarks and advertisement in my blog. I had to delete everyone of them. I hope whoever it is will stay away from my blog.

Till then....