Spending time with mommy

Mom and I share a common love for the cats and food. After feeding cats on Fri morning, we walked to the nearby shophouses to buy some stuff and have hot dessert of Cheng Ting and Tau Suan. Back home, we had durian and mom cooked us Assam instant noodle with lady's finger.

For lunch yesterday, I bought chicken murtabak from the coffeeshop. It has been stressful for mom on weekdays, taking care of ABC while we are away at work. I'm really proud of mom as I know it's not easy for her to supervise the cats and cleaning the house, preparing dinner, etc.

My collection of sports shoes

I tried to get the cobbler to glue the fabric and sole at the toe area and sides of my Vibrams Fivefingers shoes but he wasn't successful despite using 2 different types of glue. I guess I will still wear them to jog for a while more. Last week, I bought Puma's Faas 250 NM running shoes (black body with pink laces), as they are light and comfy and selling at discounted price of $89. They could replace my Fivefingers when they expire.

However, both Puma and Fivefingers won't do well on wet uneven terrain, so during lunch, I checked out some shops at Velocity. Colombia has run out of my size for the model that I like, while Salomon has an arch support that I find uncomfortable. I like the 3rd pair I tried as the Merrell shoes with Vibrams feel cushiony. Compared to other brands like Timberland and Northface, it's cheaper at $159. I like the red laces with the dark grey body. I'm all ready to jog or trek :)

Healthy porridge @ QQ Rice, Square 2 Novena

Instead of the usual rice balls, I tried their healthy porridge. At $3.50 with 3 items of your choice, it's affordable and yummy. There are more tasty items but I went for these healthier ones :)

Chin rub for Cinnamon

10 days living with Cinnamon bun

Cinnamon is getting rounder as she is quite greedy, so we have to make sure she doesn't overeat. Getting heavier will not be good for her.

I'm glad that we decide to bring her home as she seems to adapt well for the past week and she has a sweet personality. Sis is proud that Angel is less fearful of the newcomer - he's hissing but will hang around in the living room at night and move to and from sis' room to the hall and kitchen, when Cinnamon is sleeping in the hall.

When Bob is out at night, he will approach Cinnamon asleep on the chair and when he is too close for comfort, she will growl. He will meow, lick his mouth, walk away under my supervision.

It's funny that we have 3 cats at home. We used to have many hamsters but they could be separated if they didn't get along. We have done that for Bob but it's more tricky for cats and it has brought us some stress and heartache. However, Bob has grown on me over the years. He can have short spurts of aggressive and I have gotten bites and scratches from him and even cried a few times. But I won't give him up as there is a sweet side to him when he is gentle Bob who just wants my attention and not disturbed by thoughts of being the alpha male. Maybe over time, he will mellow.

Lazing in bed with Bob

A nice start to a Saturday morning :)

Unperturbed Cinnamon

Cinnamon is usually calm and bo chap when either of the boys approaches her. However, if any of them growls or hisses, she will do the same.

Lots of staring by Angel and Bob

They look quite funny, staring fixedly. Bob looks quite scary and wild when his target is Angel.

Satisfying lunch and dinner before the weekend

Lunch was 4 dishes with brown rice porridge @ our favorite economy rice stall @ Far East Plaza. I had a quick dinner of Veggie Delight with cheese on Honey Oat bread @ Subway after collecting library books. I like it that Subway has the healthy choice of yogurt and water instead of the usual cookies and soft drink. I like their cookies but sometimes I remember I need to watch my diet :)

Sleeping with Bob and Cinnamon

1st night (Fri): Cinnamon didn't like being stuck in the cage and meowed very loudly.

2nd night (Sat): I didn't manage to get her into my bedroom, so she slept in the living room under the chairs and sofa. I was worried that Angel would be wary/scared but he did pee in his litter tray before going back to sis' room.

Last night (Sun): Cinnamon was already checking out my bedroom and sleeping under my bed when we let Bob out. Luckily, both of them only hissed and growled when they were too near each other. I woke up a few times to check on them. This morning, Cinnamon didn't seem to mind staying put in my room but I let her out.

This will be the sleeping arrangement for Cinnamon, so that Angel can freely move around the living room and kitchen, instead of staying put in sis' room.

The last evening of 2011

We didn't exactly celebrate but we had a nice home cooked dinner. I'm glad I have a close bond with my family. I'm happy to have S in my life. With Cinnamon living with us, the next few weeks will be busy, as we try to make everyone - cats and humans - feel as comfortable as possible. I haven't been thinking and planning what's next. That will have to wait till things are more settled.

The dynamics among ABC

We can't leave Angel and Bob alone unsupervised, as Bob still seems very determined to want a piece of Angel. Before Cinnamon's arrival, we have already tried putting Bob on a leash so that we don't have to get Angel in one of the room and barricade the area. But it can be tiring for us to supervise and stressful for Angel, so we still use the barricade system most of the time. These few days, we want to see how the 3 cats will interact. Angel will hiss at her from his hiding place, but she doesn't want to attack him and is just interested to explore her surroundings. Bob is wary of her and both will hiss/growl but no fights so far. Sometimes, after a while, Bob will get very irritated by the harness, so I will remove it and keep a very close eye in him especially if he's in the same room as Angel.

I think Cinnamon will be the happiest of all the cats. Angel will feel stressed at times but he doesn't need to be cooped up in the room when Bob is out. Maybe he will prefer the protection before the closed door - we will do the barricade if he gets stressed or we feel tired supervising them or Bob is still intent on wanting to attack Angel despite being leashed. Bob is probably not pleased about Cinnamon's presence, but I think over time, he will get used to it as Cinnamon is not scared of him.

Fat Mama's new name is Cinnamon

We decided to let Fat Mama stay with us over the New Year weekend to see if she can somehow fit into our household of 2 male cats who can't get along. It's a bit crazy, I know, but after much thought and discussion with my family and S, it may be possible that she can lessen the tension between Angel and Bob and acts as a distraction. She has been with us since Fri. We have also renamed Fat mama as Cinnamon, so that we have ABC at home :)

Cinnamon is a sweet cat and will meow at us when she wants our attention. Most of the time, she is just contented to have a place to rest. Her gait reminds me of a rabbit hopping sometimes. She can balance on her 3 legs quite well and will rest after her walk. I hope having her with us will lessen the stress and I don't have to activate my backup plan.

Taipei Zoo on 19 Feb

It's an interesting place for kids and adults to visit. Compared to our Singapore zoo, it may be smaller but it's affordable at 60NTD (SGD 2.60).

Cute christmas tree

Choo choo train ride

Cute birds

I like dragonflies

Area to wash your hands (top); Female toilet doors (bottom)

Wufenpu (afternoon of 18 Dec)

Wufenpu is a place where one can get clothes and fashionable stuff at wholesale price.

We had yummy lunch at this popular eatery which serves porky dishes and other food.

18 Dec in Beitou

We didn't soak in any public hot spring bath at all in Beitou - we just merely admired the view :)

Pretty lotus

Even the weeds are pretty

Japanese architecture for one of the houses open for viewing
(I'm quite a lousy tourist as in
I don't bother to read about the history of the place.
I'm just interested in the food, shopping,
having a good time with my friends and
taking photos of pretty things)

Beitou Thermal Valley - it was a bit warm
and we could smell sulphur in the air.

17 Dec in Danshiu and Fisherman's wharf

Breakfast @ Dante Cafe

Many people praying @ Long Shan Temple

Friendly cat in the temple

Entrance to Danshiu Old Street 

Interesting shop selling sweets and toys
that I remember seeing when I was a kid

Lovely scene @ Fisherman's Wharf