This Frog's Blog

Mad as a hatter... and then some more!

2010-03-11T15:32:00.000+08:00

Oh... If you're only reading this frog's blog for the first time, and haven't got acquainted with the frog himself prior, please refrain from making snap judgements regarding my character, temperament, or general moral tendencies. I do expect I'll come across as rather moody, grumpy, and, overall, unpleasant. But oh let the frog have his way, if only just this once!

You'd be very cross too, if you were me!

So what is it that could possibly have got this normally-pleasant frog so hot under the collar?

COPYCATS, BRAAAIIINLESS COPYCATS, that's what! (To borrow a line from Robert Munsch)

The Frog is back in town!

2010-01-01T02:09:00.003+08:00

Hey ho, my friends, if you've been itching to ask me out or something, for some funtime, you'd best get your act together and do it soon, I am a very busy frog, after all.

We got back latelate on the plane last night, after a month in Oz, and I was so tired I just cuddled up in the hoodie and fell fast asleep amidst all the fuss and bother.

Big Al and Yolsome are ever so glad to have me back, I know it! Alfie even pretended to knock his celebratory bottle of beer over just now at supper, so I could have a sneaky sip! :)

My folks are Awesome (and that's a capital A for ya!)

So here's to 2010!

Satisfied (and a little tipsy wheeeee)
Kodok

(I think just a sip does it for my kind of creature, since we're smaller than people-sized people and all.)

I know everyone loves catching a glimpse of my great green glory (wheee alliteration), so here's picture of me trying on a bib and being all cutesome (hey, everyone thought so, okay) at the 24-hour Fairprice in Jurong Point! (Oh Jurong Point, it's been way toooo long since I was last carried through your doors! How glorious it is, to be back!)

Blimey slime-y... TIME FLEW!

2009-12-30T10:54:00.003+08:00

OH NO, IT IS I, THE GREAT GREEN FROG, AND I AM IN THE SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT!!! WHEEE!

I've been lounging about on Mel's bag, and snackerooing on candy between naps. Mimi packed our bags last night, and I was using the computer, so I waited till FOUR in the morning before I got a proper nap.

A nice little lady on a pirate ship we visited told me to go procure a copy of Wind in the Willows, because I so remind her of this frog (or toad) or whatever in it, his name is Mr Toad. She said he was the Toad of Town Hall! Or something like that. In a vintage bookstore in Kiama, we got so veryvery close to finding a copy! An antique copy, no less! But they'd done some shifting around with their book closets and couldn't find it in time before we left ):

There was a used copy with wonderful illustrations, but it wasn't very old or very pretty, so we left it. (Yup, sometimes it's good to judge books by their covers!) Anyway, said Mimi, there were silverfish in those books. I didn't think so, but I didn't say anything because it was getting late and all that walking about on beaches and cliffs and mountain ranges and ... the great wild outdoors... had me veryvery tired indeed.

From the airport,
a happy frog.
Kodok

P.S. Travelling makes me too happy i'm about to burst!

Crikey! 'S THAT A FROG?!

2009-12-15T08:07:00.003+08:00

Dudes and dudettes!

Mates of all species and sizes!

HELLO FROM DOWN UNDER! We're in Canberra now, and that up there hiding behind my great green glory is my new ~~friend~~ acquaintance Lewis.

Naturally, noone can take their hands or eyes off me! We've done our fair bit of sight-seeing, and photos are in our handydandycamera (which is out of battery).

Have a good day!
Kodok

"What an Amazing Frog!"

2009-11-01T18:21:00.010+08:00

I've read a storybook where the Big Sis tells the Lil' Sis, "Now you'll be forever special, because you've been waved at by a King!"

This frog is glad to announce, my green and grubby friends, that I'm forever special now, because I've been looked at by a wonderful man who's scared the pants off Many People (and how many of you can really claim to have achieved so much in Life!).

Neil Gaiman laid eyes on my Great Green Beauty TWICE in the span of two days. So anyway, I gave him Wilma, my favourite little ducky friend, today.

She ain't food, but she sure is good!

I'm sure she'll be happy with him, we've read so many of his short stories before bedtime.

(Neil (extreme left), Wilma (little yellow duck), ME GLORIOUS ME, and Mel)

Wilma was thrilled, but a little afraid. Last minute nerves struck when we were nearing Neil Gaiman. I told her that he couldn't possibly be as frightening a man as she thought he was! He is a Dad, after all.

"A DAD WHO LET HIS GIRLFRIEND SELL HIS DAUGHTER FOR GOATS," Wilma squeaked. Yes, she is a Squeaky Duck.

Of course, she didn't grumble much, and was quite happy to see him up close. I nudged her across the table.

We took one last picture together, me and Wilma, and she'll probably be given another name, maybe a cooler one. But anyway, this be Wilma, who's gonna be on her way to Where-ever in a matter of hours!

(Me and Wilma)

We got Fragile Things signed! It's me and Mel's favourite, because Tori Amos made an album titled Strange Little Girls, and the text Neil wrote to accompany it is included in Fragile Things. And we love Tori Amos. And we love Neil.

Understandably, I am a Very Happy Frog, and I will not be washing this jumper anytime soon!

:) :) :) Smilingly,
Ollie

P.S. By the way, Mr Gaiman called me an Amazing Frog, and I'm jolly happy with that!

This frog met Neil Gaiman at the Singapore Writers' Festival, 1 November 2009. There was a painfully long queue for book signings, and painfully hot weather, but I was brave!

T-t-t-t-touchdown!

2009-10-06T11:40:00.009+08:00

This frog is glad to report! That after flight delays, Mel and me are Finally Grounded! ;)

Of course, not 'grounded' in the "YOU'RE GROUNDED YOUNG FROG!" sense of the word... we mean, we've got our feet on solid ground!

Aaaaand... the mandatory before-we-left photo!

In the afternoon, we lugged our luggage (haha lugged luggage) to school just to pick up some stuff! It was funny - whoever sees a luggage being lugged around school!! I was stuck in the trunk though... And I tried my best not to kick up a fuss, but I got ever so hungry roundabout 6pm... So Mel let me out! We had something to munch before leaving!

Yesyesyes, this frog's going places, my friends!

Love from a New Land,
Ollie Kodok Frogobo

A hop, skip, and a jump...

2009-10-01T11:26:00.008+08:00

A hop, skip, and a jump, and a year's gone by!

Oh World, how I love thee!

The surprises started springing on Monday, when Yolly had cakes and candles JUST FOR US in the kitchen for Mel and me when she got home! Mel was ever so surprised! I was tinkering about in the den all day, but I'd heard some sounds from the kitchen. The Frog's Instinct sensed something comin'!

Plus! A certain parcel had arrived just for Melly! (Yeah, it doubled as my booster seat for awhile up there...)

Oh I love being a frog. Today I turn ONE YEAR OLD! Remember the time I "celebrated" my "birthday"? (Okay, un-birthday.) Anyway Blogger deleted that post ): But you might remember the time I was allowed to get my webbed hands on the Big Lighter Contraption on Mimsy's birthday! Well that was just practice! Today's the real deal, my friends!

More clickaclickas tonight! First, Mel's gonna take me out for a birthday luncheroo.

Anyway, we're still in our PJs, Omi let us sleeeeep in!

WE HAD TWO PARCELS IN THE MAIL LAST NIGHT :D And a big blueberry cake! With macaroons, thank you Kimmy! AND HELIUM BALLOONS, MY FRIENDS, HELIUUUUM.

Anyyywayyy, just ta say, I love parcels!

And big thank you to Nig, Janine, and Doreen for the birthday wishes, three of you make me happy always! See you in school soonsoon!

One year old,
Ollie Kodok Frogobo

P.S. This frog is a teeeeensy bit saddened 'cos blogspot deleted some of his old posts D: Sympathy in the form of food is very much welcome!

Ha! Blogger you don't fool this frog!

2009-09-03T17:42:00.000+08:00

I thought I would never post again cos Blogger's gone all wonky and fussy. I don't like you, Blogger. But I figured it out! And I figured out a way to post photos too, even though there is no "post a photo" button. Annnyyywayyyy, I didn't feel like getting up this morning because I was feeling fussy. Fussy. I like that word. Say it. Fussy. FUSSY. FUUUSSSSYYY. Anyway so I stayed in bed. Then Mel comes along and grabs me shouting KODOK! KODOK! So I thought okay, where's the fire! And I was about to grab Gino my little monkey friend to run out of the building but when we ran out, Yolly was holding up the most beautiful sweater I'd ever seen!

So here's the mandatory photo of me IN the sweater! :) I am ever so happy and contented! Contented. Someone told me it's only 'content', not 'contented'. Whatever, I'm content! I'm gleeeeful. :) Hoorah!

Content,
Ollie

Big Benjiboy's Birthday!

2009-08-16T13:24:00.005+08:00

So Resident Gnome and everyone's favourite brother recently turned a grand twenty-two years old! Twenty-two years of living! That's like twenty-two times my age! (Psst, this frog's turning one in October, keep that thought!)

Anyway, we planned a wonderful surprise for him and on the eighth of August, we took him to watch Up! in 3D! I helped book the tickets myself! :) It's my third movie, after Ponyo on the Cliff and Watchmen! (Hey, Watchmen was M18, dudes!)

So that's me in the theatre with my 3D glasses on!

Anyway, to prepare me and big Benji for the show, Yolly and Big Al were ever so kind and got us a helium tank! So we'd get used to the helium balloons and everything. :) Big BJ and I had ever so much fun!

And later we released them all in our backyard. I like helium balloons, very much! But I did feel just a little bit sorry for them going far far away! They might miss us, after all.

We still have two silver star-shaped balloons strolling about home. Cos they can't quite fly much anymore, so they're sorta bobbing about like little pets!

Yolly gave me an assignment the other day, to hold up one of them! And I did! I held it up! She said she wanted the star to be held up all day, until they all returned from school and work and fun and their night out and everything. So I held it up with all my might! And I was ever so tired!

Mel told me I was being silly when she got home, though, she said Yolly was just pulling my green leg. But I did my assignment well! And I didn't remember anyone tugging on my legs. Hmm...

By the way, I just set a record score of 3.48 seconds (I think...) for typing A-Z on Facebook! That's with three fingers, guys! Three!

Kim's threatening me with her pink highlighter! Oh gosh.

Running off for a little nap now!
'Dok

Sunday, Sunday...

2009-08-02T23:36:00.001+08:00

Life is good, folks!

Out,
'dok :)

CHECK THIS OUT!

2009-07-30T10:53:00.003+08:00

Good morning, sunshine! Wowza, talk about making a frog's day, man! I FINALLY get to post something nice and proper, cos the ole Blogger's back to normal! Dudes, it's been SO LONG since I last saw the proper "new post" layout, this frog almost forgot what it feels like to have the proper panels and whatnot!

Check this out! Before:
Had a REALLY hard time figuring out how to post with this layout!

Now:Woohoo, back to normalcy, baby! This really made my day!

Speaking of DAYS, that doggone Chloe really has to suss out the appropriate time to wake us up to take her out for her walks. She jumped up yelping and barking this morning at like... 5AM!? And I rubbed my big green eyes and shook my great green head and I said now wait one doggone minute, dog. Isn't it wayyy to early to be up? Or to be shouting for attention?! GET A GRIP, GIRL.

So anyway, Mimi woke up and I pretended to be asleep again but she didn't fall for it and he made both me and Mel get up and accompany them on an EARLY MORNING WALK.

Come on, dog. You gotta learn! It's been what, 9 years of your existence on our great earth!

Okay, you don't do this everyday, I'll give you that.

Props to you sista! I'd bonk you on your head if I weren't so happy that Blogger's being ever so cooperative!

I almost can't bear to end this entry, I'd go rambling on if my insides weren't rumbling! I smell brekkie, Yolly!

Bring it on!
'Dok :D

Huzzah!

2009-07-25T14:12:00.002+08:00

Okay, so Blogger's still being a Major Pain, and the layout's still pretty much screwed. (Wow when did I get so crude. Whatever, imma growin' frog!)

BUT! I discovered today that this blog's had 1009 hits! JUST LOOKA THAT STAT COUNTER DUDES.

Alright, I'm happy! Anyway, it'll be my birthday in a couple of months, juuuussst so you all know! I'll be having a little party! With Mel and the gang.

Yeah, this is one of the rare posts where I sign off without posting a photo 'cos Blogger's a nut.

Groggily,
'dok your man (I mean frog)

WHATEVER, THIS FROG'S HEADIN' BACK TO THE CRIB. LATE NIGHT OUT YOU SEE!

THANKS FOR LOOKING AT THIS SPACE SO VERY OFTEN! KEEPA LOOKIN'!

PEANUT BUTTER SAWICHHH ALL TO ME!

2009-06-30T13:28:00.002+08:00

Oh gosh dudes, there's this hugeass problem with Blogger, and I'm typing this post from a very small box! Oh, I would show you a screenshot of this miserable setting but I CAN'T FIND THE ATTACH-A-PHOTO BUTTON EITHER. *grumblemumble* this is annoying. For weeks I haven't updated this blog because I couldn't find the box to type in! Today, a little stroke of genius and I found it! But I can't type an entry in here, oh no no no. It's far too annoying. My protruding eyes! Gah, this is too much for them to take! My eyes that "migrate rostrally and dorsally, allowing for binocular vision" (Wikipedia, this frog loves you). My eyes that have allowed me to see so many sights in my last... uh 9 months of living! Oh golly.

Whatever. I wanted to say how much I adore peanut butter sawiches, especially when they're all to myself! But recently, I discovered NUTELLA. Oh the wonders of nutella. I think it just might beat timtams. So from now on, this frog doesn't love "raisins and timtams" no more, I love "raisins and nutella"! Nut-ella... Oh, I love it so.

Anyway, Did You Know! That Frog Eyes is an indie rock band from Canada? Wikipedia says that the quartet is "known for their rigid, formulaic dance numbers expressing their love of ice cream, which pit (the vocalist's) melodic falsetto whoops against an avalanche of guitar, keyboards, piano, and drums". I love them already. Milo Ice Cream, anyone?

Till Blogger re-gains its user-friendliness
Kodok your favourite green pal :D

I put on Kimmy's bunny ears

2009-06-13T15:51:00.003+08:00

It's the school holidays for Mel and me (Mel and I?), but the whole we're-free-and-happy-creatures mood hasn't quite kicked in yet, so we've spent the whole of today sitting around and basking in the nothingness of holidays...

So here's a photo of me just chillin'. I think being a bunny must be pretty fun. What with all the furriness and such.

Coolly,
'Dok.

P.S. I made a new friend on Wednesday, his name is Fahmy and he is quite old. And we had a Conversation. Hi Fahmy!

A Day at the museum

2009-06-03T20:55:00.003+08:00

There's a movie coming out that's called Night at the Museum (or is it already in cinemas? or long over! oh no!), so I've been thinking I should be getting out and seeing a museum for myself! And that is what I did!

This frog trooped down to the National Museum of Singapore with Mel and B.J.

Just before we could get in, we had to go get stickers from the counter. The friendly man said Mel and Ben would need some stickers, and he smiled at me. I suppose that meant that frogs wouldn't require stickers to set (webbed) foot in the exhibits, but I stuck out my hand for one anyway. I smiled, so he would know I was a nice frog, and didn't mean him any harm or inconvenience! He smiled back, and didn't seem to understand that what I really meant was Gimme a sticker would 'ya, you buffoon so I waved my hand about in the manner of an angered man. I tried to make my eyes bulge just a little bit more. And I tried to frown a little frown, just in case! And he came to his senses, and (even though he was a little shocked, I could tell) presented me a sticker too!

It was ever so fun! I wore it very happily, and I made sure the man at the entrace could see it very clearly!

And we bumped into some of Mel's friendies. How wonderful! Anyway, we had a look at a Verner Panton exhibit. He designs furniture, and everything was ultra colourful and I was very happy! And there was a room where you could go in and sit about his squishy furniture! I wanted so much to go in, but circumstances were... tricky (what with Ben being all fidgety and dodgy - what is that boy hiding!), so Mel said we'd go back for it another day.

I was wondering if Panton had anything to do with the Pantone code, because the dude seems very interested in colours and such.

I like his stuff, I gave him a thumb-up! And I made my own colour wheel too!

Then we went to take a looky at Mr Christian Lacroix's costume design and sketches. Oh these guys are ever so awesome! I would quite like being in an opera, and wearing a leotard and some of Mr Lacroix's designs. It would be Wonderfulsome. And his designs were modelled in Singapore, at the Fashion Week or sumfink-like-that, not too long ago!

It was a good museum trip! I saw pink tankers also!

Oh hap-hap-happy day!
'Dok!

I'm just a BABY... not.

2009-06-01T13:12:00.000+08:00

Dudes I'm a-typin' again! You should hear this laptop roar, it would scare the livin daylights outta ya. It goes like this: rrrrrrrrrrrrwaaaahhhrrrrrrrrr! And my little (green?) heart beats with the fright of a thousand frightened bunnies confronted with a dinosaur. Is it gonna explode pow-wowza? I always think, but so far, it has not, thank goodygoodness.

Anyway! Gino and I have been up to goodstuff...

My little furry friend and me!

Mel took us out the other night, to the mall, with Gramma and Grandpa and Uncle Riz too! And it was cold, so I squirmed, and I was getting just a little sleepy but I didn't want to show it. But when I reached up to rub my great green eye...

Annoying Girl: EEEEEK! Darl-eeeng! So scaryyy. *points at innocent and beautiful green me*
Annoying Boy: Haiyah, don't be stupid lah, it's just a BABY.

Really, now, people, you guys are stoopid! HAHAHAHA.

A big green & beautiful FROG (and prouda it!)
'Dok :)

m´aidez!

2009-05-09T18:52:00.006+08:00

May Day! May Day! It's the month of May, and this frog has been up to no good, and many things else. It is a fantastic thrill to be a frog. Especially when one finds oneself in a tight spot, which this frog finds himself in many times too often!

(Case in point)

Anyway, today is the ninth of May, and it is Vesak day! The day proceeded as any normal day, until I witnessed this worrying conversation...

Mel (holding me while eating a sawich): "It's Vesak day!"
Yolly (being her mean self): "Yup, you've got to release it." (By 'it', Yolly meant me!)

This frog almost dropped his toy in horror! First of all, Yolly called me an 'it'! What happened to 'him'?! Yolly, you disappoint me sometimes. Secondly, why would the thought of releasing a lovable, huggable, green frog like moi ever cross ANYONE'S mind! Why!

"AIYAYA!" I exclaimed.

I demanded an explanation! But noone would give me it! Maybe because I'm a frog and I'm green and I stand at only 1/10 their height.

So I decided I would resort to looking for Other (more reliable) Sources. And that is what I did!

On Vesak day, "birds, insects and animals are released by the thousands in what is known as a 'symbolic act to liberation'; of giving freedom to those who are in captivity, imprisoned, or tortured against their will". (I ♥ you, Wikipedia.)

When I had been assured that I would not be 'released' or be 'given freedom', I made sure that everyone understood that I was not being kept here 'againt my will' and I really didn't want to be freed! And I went and sat on my bed in a very dignified manner, much like Ghandi. Ghandi is my man! I went and sat there for a good five minutes before I decided to end my hunger strike because noone was paying me any attention and my insides were getting rumbly and so I hopped off to the kitchen to get myself a peanutbuttersawich, just a little one, to quell the hunger. I checked to make sure noone was looking, because this frog still has his pride! But when I couldn't reach the kitchen door, Yolly was ever so kind to pick me up and make me a peanutbuttersawich. At first I was annoyed because I didn't want anyone to know I'd given up on my hunger strike so soon, but I couldn't resist that double-deck peanutbuttersawich, so up on the kitchen barstool I went, and announced that I would graciously forgive everybody, and called off the hunger strike.

"Aiyaya"

As you all know, I am an educated frog, and I'd like to think I'm pretty smart! But there is much knowledge yet to attain, and of course I'm all for sharing bits of my great knowledge.

Aiyaya is the latest word in this loquacious frog's extensive vocabulary. (Yeah, I know 'loquacious' was just way too out-of-place there, but it's new also, so I couldn't help but use it!) Anyway aiyaya is an expression of confusion, frustration or anxiety, or listlessness, depending.

Ooh, Yolly's in the kitchen! Someone's got to be in the kitchen with Yolly, to test the food and all...

Duty calls!
Kodok

Boy, it's been a looong time, but

2009-04-17T00:00:00.002+08:00

WE'RE BAAAAAACK!
More importantly, I'm back! Your favourite green buddy, your dream frog! IT'S ME! KODOK!

TAADAAH! TAADAAH!

This frog's got new clothes! Singlets! Mel surprised me! I love surprises! And I have made many new friends over the month, and I have been kept oh so very busy because I have many friends! I will continue acquiring Friends, so that I will always be busy because being busy is very fun indeed!

Of the many things we have been up to, we have lately procured a very old camera! It is older than me! And only three years younger than Mel. I suppose that makes it sort-of old. Not very. Just sort of. We got it pretty cheap, and it takes photos on film! And it is a big thrill to take the rolls to Gek Poh Shopping Centre to get them developed and printed!

Such has been our latest foray into photography.

Anyway! I have been up very very late because Mel has been doing up Big Al's paperwork, and organising things and putting them into big files, and it is quite a bit of work! So this frog decided he should stay up to keep Mel company because that would be the right thing to do. And that is what I did! Oh! She is a-calling now! I will scuttle on over!

Loving you and loving camera clickaclickas
Kodok

A Flying Frog!

2009-04-03T20:34:00.002+08:00

So you've seen flying foxes, but I give you a flying frog! Mel and me went places this holiday! We're happy happy! And we had a happy good time!

Happily
Kodok

Snackeroos! ... or not.

2009-03-18T12:53:00.003+08:00

Big Al took home these Snackeroos yesterday! They look like little puffs of pure innocence, but LOOKS DECEIVE, I TELL YOU! Looks deceive! Take it from the green guy. I threw the box open and took a BIG whiff of everything! Because Yolly said they were "puffs" and "puffs" are normally very harmless and very pleasant little things (as I am).

And boy! Did those things stink up the room real quick! If you haven't already guessed, they're durian puffs.

durian |ˈdoŏrēən; -rēˌän|
noun
1 an oval spiny tropical fruit containing a creamy pulp. Despite its fetid smell, it is highly esteemed for its flavor.

Really, now! I've caught wind of the pungence of this "oval spiny tropical fruit" once before, at a night market (a.k.a. pasar malam), but wow, these puffs take the stench to a whole new level of Strange!

Do you suppose the chefs wear noseclips?

Holding his nose,
Kodok

Presents!

2009-03-10T16:47:00.003+08:00

I like presents very much! I like them so much, I sometimes keep the wrapping and the ribbons and bows and the little notes that come with them! Anyway, Mel and me got a little present for Kims. Because there were bunnies on it, and she likes bunnies! We wrapped it up in brown paper nice and beautiful and set it on her table with a ribbon and everything! And I drew a bunny on it. Oh brown paper is delightful!

She was very happy and surprised! Even though I couldn't resist sending her an MMS with a sneaky peeky because I was excited!

Proud-of-myself-ly
Kodok

Ships!

2009-03-09T23:55:00.001+08:00

We watched the ships that were docked in the port today, many people were scurrying around, loading stuff. It was perfect weather to be in the port! It had just rained so the smell of rain was still lingering, and the sun was up in the sky, but not too harsh. And actually any day is a Good Port Day, but still! It's my third time to the port with Mel and Big Al. You can see Big Al in the photo, if you look hard enough! Next to the ships, everyone looks tiny! If you look even harder, you can see many people lining the decks, under the lifeboats.

What a thrill! This morning, we went to the doctor's and the dentist, and at first I was afraid (I was petrified) but it was a beautiful clinic. They had big wooden doors and the most comfortable leather sofas. I set myself down very happily. You can never find a more beautiful clinic! I will take some clicka-clickas if I go there again!

Oh! It has been a long and good day, and all the excitement has made me hungryish, so this frog's off to get a snackeroo!

Waka...

CHA!
Kodok

Lights! Cameras! Action!

2009-03-05T23:35:00.003+08:00

Wakacha! This frog is in a wonderful mood! It is late, it is raining, and there is noone awake but me and Ben, and Mel, somewhere. Anyway, she will be back for me soon, to pick me up and settle me in bed. Anyway, this is what I've been up to today!

(It's still today even though it is already night, because it is not yet past midnight.)

Because it is raining, everyone is snug and asleep. This is all unusually early of them!

Oh well, this frog writes alone!

So like I was saying, this is what I was up to today!

This is a copying device! Which makes copies of whatever you put into them. I wanted a copy of myself! And Mel said okay, but she forgot. And anyway, what would it be like to have a clone of yourself! Mel said it would be a flat clone, and a black-and-white clone at that too! I would quite like that, it would be like a second shadow! Only with more distinct features, right?

Anyway, the next time I see such a device, I will be sure to collect my copy.

Waiting (for Mel, where is she!)
Kodok

Here it is! Here! Here!

2009-03-05T23:32:00.002+08:00

Snerloozles! I say! I don't know, I just made that up. Anyway here is me in my clothed glory!

Yesiree! This is a happy frog.

Love to the world!
Kodok

All dressed up!

2009-03-05T15:27:00.004+08:00

Mel made me a vest today! A green-and-yellow vest! I would show you, but you will not be shown anything until Mel puts the photos up here. We are not home now, you see, and I am using someone else's computer, and it does not have bluetooth, I think. Or at least, I do not know how to find it.

Anyway! I was really happy to be out and about this morning! It is afternoon now, so Good Afternoon to you!

I said, with such a wonderful thing as a vest, I must take photos! Many of them! And that is what I did!

I sent an MMS to Yolly to tell her all about my getting fitted and dressed, but she sent me an SMS saying Want to be locked in the cupboard? which I think was a very mean SMS! And so I sent her another wonderful photograph, and a message saying NYEH! because, you know, she was probably jealous of my green beauty and my great green vest!

Dressed and happy (nyeh!)

Kodok

What a treat!

2009-03-02T23:53:00.003+08:00

Mel painted two t-shirts, one for her and one for Big Ben, last night. I watched! It's a picture of her and me! Me and her! Us! Look!

Ben's is coloured differently, but I like this one better!

I'm in my pyjamas (I have been in them since I put them on this morning) and I am all ready to be tucked into bed.

Goodnight world!
Kodok

Oh! I was on Skype just now! This is my second time! I last Skyped with Munira, who loves me dearly. Today I met Mr Han Tan and his friend. And now we are friends on Facebook! I said, I'll get me more friends! and that is what I did!

Clicka!

2009-02-26T17:13:00.004+08:00

This frog spotted this sign at SMU! Have seen it many times before, and have always wanted to clicka. And that is what I did! While waiting for Nick to take a tinkle (eew, weird word!), I managed to finally snap this clickaclicka. My first name (Ollie, okay, Ollie, do I have to spell it out everything) is right there! Fame! Where's the fortune?

Cameras make that sound - clickaclicka.

Cameras make this frog very happy! Because, because of cameras, my beauty is on the internet for all the world to admire!

Beautifully
Ollie

Alriiight! Off to a snackeroooo!

Out and about!

2009-02-25T14:44:00.005+08:00

Lazy afternoon at home today, because Mel's not up for going out even though she wants to. I sigh. I am but a frog! So what is a frog to do! At least she lets me have the computer...

Anyway, this was from the night before Valentine's day! We spent a long, late night out! We had dinner at a Peranakan restaurant in Kallang. Peranakan! Like the Little Nonya, that little brainwasher of a drama serial.

Aaaanyway, we got to sign the guestbook before we left! I am pretty sure I had the honour of being the First Frog to leave his webbed-footprint on this place which is surely previously untreaded by others of my species. Nick said Who wants to sign the guestbook! and I said I DO! I DO! PICK ME! in the manner of a child who wants to lick the chocolate mix off the mixing ladle on Christmas morning. I really wanted to write something in the guestbook, after all, I have been practising my penmanship. And that is what I did. I wrote my full name: Ollie Kodok Frogobo, Singapore.

The historic moment! The pen is in this frog's hand!

Aaaand, we took to the streets later. It was wonderful.

Wanting very much to get out of the house
Kodok

Gino! Where art thou!

2009-02-23T23:30:00.003+08:00

Chloe just looked my way to tell me she'd heard a singing monkey! Oh! It must be Gino! Who else would sing at this hour? And what other monkey is there but Gino! My favourite, cuddly Gino!

Oh Gino, do come out to play soon!

Playtime's over for tonight

Kodok

Edible Stuff: Small creatures

2009-02-17T18:54:00.003+08:00

I was just about to tempt it into my awaiting mouth, but Mel swatted it!

Oh well, I am but a frog. I decided it would be better, anyway, for me to content myself with raisins. And that is what I did!

Happy and fed (again)
Kodok

Everything's coming up roses! (and balloons)

2009-02-14T22:33:00.001+08:00

This frog had a bad start to Valentine's. I mean, I tried to get a date, I really did! I was nice to everyone, but nobody seemed to catch my hint! Mel said yeah yeah I'll take you out but did she? DID SHE? No. That is what she did. She did nothing, she did.

So this is what I did.

I threw a tantrum, I did, and stayed in bed till she learnt her lesson to treat me good.

I stayed in bed and left her that letter. Yes, I did.

Stop taking photos! I ordered, but I am but a frog, and nobody pays me any attention.

BUT I MISJUDGED THESE HUMANS. I DID. And I was very sorry and quite embarrassed with myself, because they were being oh so kind to a frog on his first Valentine's day! I was pampered beyond words, because to start it all off, I was gently (yes, gently does it!) pried out of bed and carried to the kitchen where - to my utter surprise! - I was greeted by a whole lot of snackeroos! Even raisins! No sign of tim-tams, but that's okay.

This is me with just a teeny portion of my hoard!

Yesyesyes! Snackeroos to last a few weeks, at least! There were so many! But I got started on those first. And they even got me cake! Chocolate! Only I don't have photos, so I'll have to ask someone to upload those from the camera. Well, you can't blame me, it was chocolate! And after missing breakfast, I was quite famished. Aaaaaaand, they gave me a balloon! Rather, BALLOONS! In the shape of hearts! I was quite thrilled!

This was a great first Valentine's! I suppose sometimes it's best not to have a date, because everyone treats you nice when you throw a tantrum.

Very much loved
Kodok

More about Moles

2009-02-12T22:06:00.006+08:00

You might have noticed that my new friend Syaz has a hugeass mole on her nose, and I think that that is cool, because I don't have any moles and would quite like one. They are like fashion statements. Marilyn Monroe had a famous one. A beauty mark, that's the nice word for moles. But moles are moles. Moles. Mole.

According to the Dictionary, there are many kinds of moles.

mole 2 |mōl| |moʊl| |məʊl|
noun
a small, often slightly raised blemish on the skin made dark by a high concentration of melanin.
ORIGIN Old English māl [discolored spot,] of Germanic origin.

This is the kind of mole I am referring to. Anyway, according to Urban Dictionary, a mole is "a really sexy animal that lives underground". This is why I embarked on a Mission to find out More about Moles.

Well I assure you that moles do not appeal in any way whatsoever to this frog!

Yupyupyup!

Yours in mole-titude
Kodok

Don't let the sun go down on me

2009-02-11T22:39:00.004+08:00

Guess where this frog spent much of yesterday afternoon? After the passport office, we headed to City Hall and, much like homing pigeons, landed ourselves in the Esplanade. We don't go there often, but it's the first place that comes to mind when you're in the area.

We stared out the window (oh no, staring out the window is someone's favourite activity) and had the RENT soundtrack playing on loop.

And then someone put out the sun at noon. They put the blinds down, much to my angry (muted, because this is a library) protests! Oh no.

The view was non-existent through the blinds, and we couldn't sit there staring at blinds, could we!

It was very bad.

I will show you!

The photo doesn't do justice to the bad-ness of the situation! We could hardly see out of the screen! I had a good mind to run off and tell the lady at the counter to put those blinds back where they came from! And that is what I did... until Mel pulled me by the collar and set me in her backpack.

But it was a good trip, we went away from the window after that, and went downstairs to the Open Space.

And I made a friend.

And we had snackeroos!

Snackeerily
Kodok

Speed! and Frog's Eye View III

2009-02-10T21:47:00.001+08:00

Guess where! This frog hasn't been out roaming much, but Mel took me out this morning to get her passport done at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority! I tried to take this photo of myself, and I knew that I would encounter Great Security, because it's a Protected Area, and I was speedy enough to get this blurry shot. The uniformed officer pointed at my photography device and said HEYHEY! DON'T TAKE PICTURES!

Anyway, I took a photo of the building from across the street!

You can make out the ICA initials riiiight there. Uhhuh!

And if you want to get your passport updated, or if you want to apply for one of those shiny new biometric passports, you should be heading your butt down to this MRT station:

I took a video of the clock in the MRT station, because it was beautiful when the minute hand crossed over to the next minute. I stared at it for a good three minutes! It clicks into place so nicely!

The video didn't capture so good, though, for I am but a frog, but I'll be watching clocks for a long time to come!

Aaaaand, this frog has seen some Sights recently.

Out the car window, when Big Al was giving Mel and me a ride out!

Gleefully yours
Kodok

Edible things. Small.

2009-02-09T21:38:00.002+08:00

Small edible things make this frog very happy!

Like so:

The above Edible Thing is called Hot-boy Ball Cake, or Want Want. It is Chinese, as you can see from the Mandarin characters (I think) on the packaging. They are small, much like raisins, only that raisins are shrivelled and unround. These are round. And they taste very good. I was an instant fan!

As we walked past the shelf with the little Ball Cakes on them, I waved at them and pinched Mel to stop and get them for me. They look like big, unshrivelled, white raisins! I said.

Oh alright, said Mel. She is wonderful.

I was happy and quiet the whole ride home from school because my grubby green fingers were way too busy pinching at the snackeroos to stop and fiddle with other things.

Happy and fed
Kodok

A new friend!

2009-02-06T22:17:00.003+08:00

Today I made a new friend!

I will show you!

We were hanging out in OurSpace@72, which is some lounge-y place that the school management wants us to think of as a cool-ass hangout spot. Not this frog, you don't! I'd very much like if they'd have a nice dip bowl of raisins and Tim Tams at every table. Now that would be downright wonderful, it would!

Her name is Shaz. Shazziewazzie. She likes me! I think she has very fun things on her computer. She showed me a music video of a song called Run, Clarissa, run! which is very funny. I like the dude, he is Sue. Even though he hoists me up in the air (which frightens me so!) and chants "DOWN WITH THE FROG!" every time he sees me. Hmm, maybe that's his way of saying he's happy to see me! Yes, that must be the situation.

Friendlyly
Kodok

A schooling frog, again!

2009-02-06T16:01:00.002+08:00

A major part of schooling life, I have learned, is the food. Sometimes the food is good, but a lot of times the food is bad.

Anyway there is a new nutritionising place in Mel's school. They call it the Makan Place. Anyway I wanted to go see it, because it was new and shiny. So that is what I did. With Mel and Bryan (who still isn't much fond of me) and Melvin (who is nice, he carried me the other day when I fell).

So this is a photo of me, in the new eating place. I was sitting on the counter of Subway. Bryan was getting a lot of nutrition. He eats a lot, even for a human.

Fed and happy
Kodok

A lonely frog

2009-02-05T16:05:00.005+08:00

Sometimes, a frog is led to question his existence.

I have been feeling sad. Mel has been up to a lot of things. Without me. I have been sulking around, hoping that she might catch sight of my small, withered-in-sadness, green body. Just last night, she was up crafting many things. I sat up with her the whole night! The whole night! Till morning came! And she didn't say a word to me, except to say Get your foot off my stuff, Frogobo. I suppose she meant well, because she was brandishing the sharp blade.

She didn't take me to school today, even. She was carrying lots of things, and didn't even say goodbye. She hasn't been letting me at her computer!

Yesterday, I sent her a very sad MMS in a feeble shout-out for attention. I will show you!

I mean, I would show you, but Mel hasn't let me at her phone either.

My great amphibian efforts were in vain. There was no reply. Ben stared at me with his beady eyes because I used his phone.

Maybe it is time for this frog to take his leave. Maybe there is a better place beyond this world.

Goodbye for now, cruel world.

Dejected
Kodok

Frog's Eye View I : Brainless Photography

2009-01-31T00:26:00.004+08:00

Frogs are pretty amazing creatures! We have good eyesight, all the better to capture food. We need our good eyesight! All the better to avoid enemies! Our eyes bulge out, so we can see in almost all directions. Now that's something you can't do!

Also, all of you had best stop fingering my eyes! I'll tell you good and clear - frogs can close their eyes by pulling the eyeballs deeper into their sockets. This action closes the upper and lower eyelids. So far, I have much yet to see! So don't you guys expect me to so much as blink when I'm out and roaming!

frog's-eye view
noun
a general view from frog height : we had a frog's-eye view from the window.
• a general view as if from the visual position of a frog (when carried, standing, seated, leaping, mid-leap, etc. - height varies accordingly) : the illustration gives a frog's-eye view of the scenery.
• a broad or general consideration (of something) from the perspective of an Educated Frog : the frog's-eye view of the financial situation is as follows.

This morning I was with Mel on the MRT when I decided that I see lots of things and it's a shame to let them slip past my green eyes without being shared with my friends and the world. So I have decided to start of a series that I will call The Frog's Eye Views. Yes, that is what I did.

My frog's eye view while I was perched on the window ledge, like so:

A pity that I was out the whole day meeting new people without my camera! I met a pair from where the Dead Sea lies, which would be the Isreal-Jordan border. And quite a few Chinese people at Yue Nan Emporium. (I fear I might have got that name wrong, for I am but a frog!)

Anyway, I was thinking of making my entire series a series of black-and-white photography, but that might be too challenging for a frog like me, and I didn't want to give the wrong impression that frogs only see in black and white! We don't! We see lots of vivid colours! (Yeah, our Beautiful Bulging Beady-Bright Eyes Bulge for a reason!)

I don't put any thought into any of the photos I intend to take for this series. I am no Magnum photographer! Remember, I am but a frog!

Only a frog, but a frog who does Good
Kodok

All the happiness!

2009-01-26T01:00:00.002+08:00

This means Happy New Year! Because it is written in Mandarin, it means Happy Chinese New Year! Because this involves the Chinese, I will continue this post in the auspicious colour, red!

And that is what I wish you.

Your auspicious frog
Kodok

Finally!

2009-01-25T19:28:00.011+08:00

Mel's been hogging the computer, and all the times she's not using it, someone else bigger than me will come by and knock me off my green ass so I completely lose my position of power. The internet is power. Aaaaanyway, here I am! Cue confetti and streamers, everybody! The frog is in the house!

I may not have been making my web presence felt much, but that doesn't mean I haven't been up to stuff!

I'm tellin' ya!

This frog has been going places!

Yes, many places! Lookie here - there's the Mystery Pudge and me! (All right, all right, he's Nick, but doesn't Mystery Pudge sound muuuuuch cooler?)

I tell you, the view from that high-up deck was swelllll. Terrific, that was our little family getaway on Mimi's birthday, which was last Sunday. I can still feel the sun on my (non-slimy) green skin.

It was a wonderful celebration, which is why I'm still not done raving over it. I'm telling you, my post about being allowed the lighter was just the start of the celebrations!

Aaaaand we took a cable carrr.

and we sang Mimi a song! I conducted, because I don't sing. I'm shy that way.

To end off the night, I'm tellin' ya, it's good to bunk in with Big Al, because he cooks good food and when he's not cooking good food, he goes scouting for good food! And I love food!

We tried a Chinese dish called Yee Sheng! Which is actually a salad. Funny thing was, we got said Chinese dish from a Japanese restaurant! Hello Singapore!

You've got to say auspicious Mandarin phrases as you put all the ingredients in. Like 年年有鱼 Nian nian yo yu, which would mean Year Year Have Fish, which means food all year round, and who's to say no to that! There are other phrases, but I can't quite recall.

It's pretty good, I quite liked it! There even is fish in! FISH! Salmon. A pretty pink also!

Hey Mimi, here's a big thank you from your most favourite frog in the Whole Wide World! THANK YOU FOR THE BIRTHDAY!

I'm looking forward to more birthdays!

Bring 'em on, fellas!

Me and you, Mimi!

You know, when Mimi's not being all studious, she's actually makes quite the conversation!

Love to you, Mimi!
Kodok

Good morning Mr President

2009-01-23T11:07:00.003+08:00

Remember my buddy, Mr Obama?

Mr President, you're my man!

When I grow up, I want to be the first Green President!

Friend of the President
Kodok

Birthdays and a grown-up frog

2009-01-18T15:37:00.002+08:00

Imma big boy now, Yolly said so. So she let me try out the nutty cool fire gun. The big lighter contraption. I like Yolly, she trusts me with dangerous things!

But Mimi, who is the birthday girl today, Mimi said we've got to hide all the lighters now, and all the candles and matches. He's a dangerous frog, she said. So now I'm a fire hazard.

On my make believe "First Birthday Party" some time back, Mimi sang the birthday song for me as she lit the (pink) candles on my (chocolate) cake, and she sang Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, It's the last one for froggy... And she held the lighter to my green head. And for awhile I was afraid and I was wondering if that was what birthdays were about. Like some kind of ritualistic initiation! But Mimi stopped and laughed nuttily. Phew.

Frogging Chinatown

2009-01-17T16:32:00.006+08:00

Remember when Mel and I went roaming?

This little froggy went to Chinatown.

This frog working the streets! Many people looked my way in appreciation of my beauty... as usual! Like some lady once said to me, Frogs are lucky! Especially to the Chinese! And in Chinatown, there are many Chinese.

Magic! said the man. Magic ice cream! Colourful!

Not so magic, I thought. Like popsicles, I observed. From the flavoured drinks! Oh that took away the magic!

There were newspaper clippings about the man and his magic, I couldn't really read them because they were in Mandarin, and Mel did not fancy standing right smack in the middle of the streets staring at that newspaper clipping in the hopes of deciphering the ancient language!

It would be nice to believe in magic.

How nice to be magic!

That is a lucky man!

Wasn't Chinese New Year about watching your words, pretending to live like a king, and seeing everything as an auspicious symbol? (Don't you mention bad bad things! Put down those scissors! DON'T TOUCH THAT BROOM. AND DON'T WASH YOUR HAIR.)

My question was: WHAT'S WITH THE SKULLS, GUYS! For young punks! Said the man at the stall. He was referring to the New Generation, i.e. us... Not this frog! I said.

Then this little froggy went whee whee whee, all the way hoooome! (And then proceeded to settle his little green ass on Mystery Pudge's table.)

Note nice red balloon! It's Mimi's, because her 16th birthday is coming up! I think I like birthdays! And this will be my first Sweet Sixteenth birthday party! I wonder what it would be like!

Your favourite green frog is loving you too
Kodok

H'gneeekhh-ehk

2009-01-15T17:14:00.006+08:00

Hello hello, H'gneeekhh-ehk! Look what I was up to today!

I WENT TO SCHOOL NEKKID. Yes, because I got real grubby yesterday and Mel gave me a bath. And so I slept in the nudey also!

Woohoo, this is liberating.

Seriously considering joining a nudist colony... not!
Kodok ... not!

(Yeah, this frog overheard Kim cracking Borat jokes! ... not!)

Mel was cutting out bits of cardboard to make a new toy. I thought these looked very much like Very Scary Teeth, and there I went, my photogenic little green self.

Walking

2009-01-13T22:56:00.006+08:00

I had a great time out today! We roamed! This time, we roamed Far Far Away! We even went to a pub! Oh! Everything was so exciting! We started off the day trying to locate Millenia Walk and in the process encountered the Fountain of Wealth! So we explored its depths! (And got lucky, woohoo!) And when we located Millenia Walk, we explored many shops, but mainly the diecast toyshop where they sold models of cars and bikes (motorbikes, yesyesyes!) and planes and miniature helmets. We were waiting for Candy Empire to throw open its sweet gates. And we were very early. Roaming started at 8.30am for us! Mel was very thrilled by the Harley-Davidson bikes and emblems and all.

I also met ... this popular dude.

Yo 'Bama! Yes, very popular indeed!

And along the way, I had some neat photographs taken of my beautiful self!

Because everybody knows I am beautiful, and beautiful feels so good!

Your beautiful frog
Kodok

A little lesson in the Malay language: Today a Malay couple on the train were praising my beauty, but they called me katak, which is a more accurate translation of "frog". Kodok is more towards a "toad"-ish nature. But I am Kodok, and that is my name. I am frog, hear me ... roar?

About names, today in Chinatown, we spotted a sign that said in Mandarin "Open not your mouth (i.e. Say not a word!), and your surname will be guessed", presumably by the dubious looking man behind the makeshift table. Hmm. I was greatly tempted to ask him to guess mine. Frogobo. Let's see him handle that! Mel wanted to ask him, silently. But we were walking on...

Nothing of the sort!

2009-01-12T11:52:00.012+08:00

Dear General Public,

Please do not be alarmed!

Oh no no no! This recent comment on my post Edible stuff worried me so! So I did a little research of my own!

ex•hi•bi•tion•ism |ˌeksəˈbi sh əˌnizəm| noun extravagant behavior that is intended to attract attention to oneself.
• Psychiatry a mental condition characterized by the compulsion to display one's genitals in public.

Oh roving eyes have found me! C'mon dude, you make me sound like an exhibitionist. So I am Kodok and I am here today to assure you that I am NOTHING OF THE SORT!

I realise that my last post Supermarket! has images of a nude me splashed all over the internet! You must be thinking, What a scandal! What shame! No, everybody! Stop! Umm... hold your horses!

I am but a frog! And I did what I did.

Doesn't that humiliate you... is being in the buff your nature? An answer to your question, Nicholas:-
There is no shame in my greenness.

Shamelessly
Kodok

P.S. You might like to note that my nudity was not without reason. I was having myself weighed, and while I was initially sporting my favourite windbreaker (that makes me look sharp!), I had to strip to my green skin for an accurate reading! Also, there is an unspoken rule that while stuffed into an empty transparent plastic bag, one should ideally be stark naked and make no attempt to cover oneself. This frog was just doing as he rightly should!

P.P.S. Thank you Nicholas, I am greatly encouraged by your fervent support of my activities! Write me a letter sometime!

Supermarket!

2009-01-11T23:02:00.014+08:00

Grocery shopping last night was the best! We were at Bukit Timah Plaza and I met a Giant Santa! I was too exhausted last night to tell you about all of this!

Look! A Giant Santa! I'm showing you! Yes yes yes! All 80kg of him! Delicious! Now if only the glass casing wasn't there... I think I'd have found my new favourite food other than raisins and tim-tams! Just one thing... It's been in there for TWO YEARS. Two whole years. This frog had second thoughts about getting his webbed feet on Santa when he heard that!

And because a healthy frog is better than a sick one, I had a little health check-up done! They don't call it a supermarket for nothing! You could do anything there!

And... the results!

Yes, your favourite little green pal weighs in at a trim and fit 502 grams! Ignore the fact that the Mettler Toledo weighing machine is saying that I cost $1.25, because I DO NOT. Also ignore the fact that it says "Broccoli Flower". Because, even though we are both green, I am no flower!

This entire family of lumbering humans stopped in their tracks to admire my greenness (and my great gripping power) at the wine section while I was posing for this shot.

Kim's camera phone takes pretty neat pictures, doesn't it!

It was a great day! Till my next post, this is me saying goodbye!

GOODBYE!

(I wanted to be stuffed in that plastic bag thing, it looked fun! And I thought it'd be funny to find a frog in the bread section. And that is what I did!)

Your favourite frog
Ollie

A wonderful walk on a wonderful day

2009-01-10T23:36:00.035+08:00

So I woke up pretty late today, because Mel was sleeping in too, and there was no reason not to have a lazy Saturday. We wanted to roam, but it was great weather to be a homebody.

I was snacking on grapes, which are what raisins come from. There was once a man who thought that raisins grew on trees. He was mistaken, and embarrassed of his mistake, so I hope that everybody will know that raisins do not grow on trees. Because they don't.

And so this is me, eating grapes.

Snackeroo! I've found a new friend in grapes. I rather like them.

Just as I was about to start being a lazy frog, I spied, with my little green eyes, this:

A TRACTOR. IN THE BACKYARD.

OFF I SCURRIED! To ask Yolly if we could go out for awhile, to see the man in the field with the tractor, and I said that it was a beautiful tractor and not to worry, we would be careful and that of course we will not return all muddy from the fields, and that we will definitely watch out for puddles and big holes in the earth because we might fall in those and how could anyone find us there?

It was all breezy. And life was wonderful and perfect (as always). Yolly said Put on your raincoats! and that is what I did. We both put on raincoats. These raincoats are from long ago too. I find them rather fine! It's been many years since anyone's worn them. The sleeves came a little short for Mel, and it was large for a frog my size, but I was to be carried. (Because I am but a frog, and walking at Mel-speed is not for me!)

And so we scampered off to the backyard and we were excited! And while waiting, I sat on this fire hydrant, which is a wonderful shade of red. And the earth was smelling very fresh. It was very nice, to sit there and wait.

Before I settled myself on the hydrant, I was perched rather uncomfortably on a tree! I will show you how!

Note how my little hands are working very hard to get my froggy ass to stay in a safe spot!

But I do think that it is a beautiful tree! There is another tree which I have taken quite a liking to, on the other end of the field. There are two fields. Mel pointed it out to me the other day. We saw it while waiting for the shuttle bus to the MRT.

And after we'd satisfied ourselves marveling at the tractor, we trekked off to the previously-unexplored places beyond our estate. It was quite quiet. (Quite and quiet are spelt very alike!) And along the way, these little green eyes of mine did more spying!

Look! A squished paper cup from that new restaurant. Ooooh that gave me the shivers! Reminds me of that game where the frog crosses the road and if you're not careful he gets squished by passing cars. Zoom zoom. Luckily, I was being carried. Anyway there weren't many sights to behold in the Estates Beyond. So we returned to the fields to watch the birds follow the tractor and the tractor in action.

And when we were satisfied, we went back home and along the way I was exhausted (even though I was being carried all the while), and I asked to be put down for awhile. On a bench. A nice dry bench, please and thank you. You must remember that it had rained before, and that most benches were not very dry. So Mel put me down on a bench. She had to. I was whining quite a bit at that point, and I wanted to have a rest. And that is what I did.

We continued the walk back home and I came across a very horrifying sight! Especially if you're just less than an inch away!

ANTS. LOTS OF THEM. And here, they look like they're parading on cheese, but no, it was a wall. A plain wall, that I'm sure is not tasty.

Then we returned home and we decided it was a great walk! And an evening surprise: Yolly and Al wanted to take us ALL out. For dinner! But I was to stay in the car, said Mel. Because they were going to a hawker centre. Hmpffffff. But they let me stretch my legs (and my hands, when I wanted things, and I wanted many things) at the supermarket.

I drew many compliments! And little girls were drawn to my beauty (again!). And I met a chocolate Santa.

And on the way home, Mimi grabbed me and fiddled with my arms. Hey, do you realise this is the first time I'm holding him? she said. I'm irresistible, I know!

Utterly irresistible
Kodok

Edible stuff

2009-01-10T14:34:00.006+08:00

This frog spotted these delectables in the middle of the dining table the other night when I was prancing around in my nightie. I had a good mind to explore the insides of one of them. Especially the green one, because it's green. No, maybe the orange one, because it isn't green. Oh I had a good mind to have them both for a nighttime snack. I'm running low on my raisins, and there are no tim-tams in the fridge.

But I saw dubious Mandarin characters on them, and I suppose Yolly means them for some sort of decoration, so I decided I'd just deal with my hunger on my own. I couldn't have fixed myself a meal. I mean, I am but a frog, no? So I went and snacked on Fat Pudge's fingers. There are always a little Essence of Fried Chicken on those fat fingers.

And that is what I did.

Less hungry
Kodok

This is what I did last night

2009-01-09T11:43:00.004+08:00

I got ready for bed last night in my new nightie. Which is actually old because someone wore it before me, many years ago.

I didn't go with Mel to school today, she said there was to be a debate, and I am not keen on sitting in on verbal warfare. I think debates are silly, especially if you're just doing it for school and arguing won't change anything. It doesn't really matter anyway, because they're going to debate on something they aren't really bothered about anyway.

So after I watched Mel leave without me, I went back to nap on the sofa. That is what I did! Yolly said I was a lazy frog and that I should spend my time doing something else. Like swimming. I know what she means. She means taking a "bath" with a potentially fatal end. And I am no frog to fall for such trickery! :) But I know she would never do that. I am her favourite frog.

Sleepily
Kodok

Say my name!

2009-01-08T23:18:00.003+08:00

Fans, Froglings, Friendies,

The recent address on the Anti-Frog blog is one we hold in contempt, but while we find amusement in their childish foolishness, let us rejoice in this rare moment of wisdom. The above paragraphs, excerpts from the address, hail Mel as a "power(ful)" entity "not (to) be taken lightly". And they mention my name! Oh I love dah intarweb.

All my friends on Facebook know I'm a good frog. All 9 of them! That is many friends for a frog, just starting out on the internet. They know I really am a good frog.

Actually all this fuss over me is really very flattering. I am but a frog!

Your little green frog
Kodok

Anti-frog?!

2009-01-08T22:46:00.006+08:00

The creators of the above message, which can be found here, have been ever so courteous to inform me of their actions and anti-frog agendas. I suspect this is the working of online-run militant organisation, Frogs Run On Gas (FROG), which accuses frogs of being the cause of global warming. C'mon guys, we're green!

I urge everyone not to fear for my safety! Keep your tadpoles safe.

I will "love thy enemies" and not do something mean back. Because I'm a good frog, I will do nothing and fight violence with peace. Like Ghandi, right? Ghandi is a cool dude. And that is what I'll do.

Bravely yours
Kodok

Roaming

2009-01-08T21:41:00.004+08:00

Me and Mel went out today because there wasn't anything to do. I didn't get to see much of the school today because I was confined to The Backpack. Oh well, I am but a frog.

So Me and Mel went to Bugis today to do what Mel calls Roaming. We went to many places. We even went to Sim Lim the place with all the electronic things. I saw a huge jade carving, I would have liked a photograph. Like when you visit the museum, and you see things and you want photographs.

And we went to the big Art Friend and look what Mel got! The big A3-sized cutting board she's been wanting. It's big! I can sit on it! I will show you!

There! I have shown you! And that's not all of it you're seeing. But I suppose you know how big A3 is. We wanted an A2 cutting board, because it was the biggest. But Mel said Be sensible, Kodok! Actually we did want it, but we were also getting a new can of spraypaint, so we thought we'd settle for this size. It's big enough! We picked a yellow-orange shade of paint. I think Mel's got an idea. Why else would she pick yellow! I'm her frog! I know!

There were old Chinese ladies by the streets with signs that said "Change your name, and you have to change your surname" or something like that in Mandarin. We don't know if we misinterpreted. Maybe people change their names for luck. Anyway speaking of names, I think I would never change mine. Ollie Kodok Frogobo. It is a very pleasant name. A very sensible one, also. And I think it suits me fine.

Your happy frog
OLLIE KODOK FROGOBO

Hiding place

2009-01-08T16:14:00.003+08:00

Me in our secret corner yesterday! So comfy.

And I think sometimes, lousy phone cameras take nice photos. This looks all sepia-toned. And you know I'm green! Oh, I like this photograph of me.

A schooling frog!

2009-01-08T15:44:00.006+08:00

Yesterday Mel took me to school! It was the first lecture day of the term! I remember being at the first lecture day last term! What a thrill, right? The last time I went to a lecture, I was NEKKID!!!! WOOHOO! No clothes! Lectures aren't really my idea of fun, but we entertained ourselves. I met Nat, who is very encouraging of my expressing myself through a blog. He understands me! When I get my handphone with a plan that lets me have unlimited SMS-es, I will SMS him to say hello. Bryan, on the other hand, is a meanie. He says I can't talk, and he says I have to stay in Mel's backpack. Luckily Mel doesn't pay him any attention. Today I overheard him say One day you will wake up to find Kodok lying flat out on your bed with all the beans spilling out. Still smiling. Meano. Everyone else was fawning over me, though, which makes me very proud of my attractiveness.

Today I went to school again. And we saw that big bald man with black glasses. He gave them back some stuff which looked important. They all passed so that is good. I think many people wear black glasses. I wonder why.

Hmm.

Well well well says Mel. Those are her glasses.

How do I look?

Googly-eyed.

Frog-with-the-googly-eyes,
Kodok

TO ALL YA SUCKAHS OUT THERE!

2009-01-06T21:11:00.009+08:00

Today was awesome! We visited the Old Neighbourhood, and went to Kovan Mall. I suppose after Jurong Point being all epic-ish, no other mall will ever cut it for this frog. I mean, that mall is HUGE. Anyway some little Chinese girl in the bookstore went "waaah" in awe of my beauty and reached out in an attempt to help herself to a piece of me, but NO! Mel was speedy and she grabbed my green head, and gave the girl a Go-Away-Finger, which is the pointy finger that says no-no-no. Silly little girl.

And at the hairdresser's, I was fawned over by everyone! Well they also tried to get me to prove my writing abilities, but c'mon... As Kim says, I am but a frog! I told Mel to tell them that I'd need a computer. But there wasn't any computer in sight, so I announced that I was afraid my talents would have to remain hidden.

We went to get dinner, and there were prissy people around. Well I'm no frog to take stuff lying down! I really would've liked to say "SO LONG SUCKAHS, THIS FROG IS LEAVIN' THE BUILDIN'!" But that would really take away the whole sweet-and-innocent image and all, so I thought I'd have to do it quietly.

As Melly carried me out, this is what I did...

THAT'S MY GREENIE MIDDLE FINGER, THAT IS!

And that is what I did! To all you suckers out there - YOU SUCK! WOOHOO!

Proud-of-his-little-green-self Frog,
Kodok

P.S. SO LONG SUCKAHS!

Shock and horror!

2009-01-06T00:44:00.000+08:00

This was a terrifying day. I thought I'd got off to a grand start, with breakfast and all, and my raisins and tim-tams.

All was well... or so I thought.

I watched as Yolly crafted a mean message to Mel.

How's the going... Mr Frogobo a.k.a. Kodok is throwing tantrums. Complains of being too stuffed up in windbreaker. Too hot. Needs a swim badly. Shall put him in the washing machine.

Now if I had myself a handphone, I'd have a good mind to put an end to that nonsense! What lies. Complaining of being stuffed up, indeed! I say! Luckily, she was soon distracted and I was saved from The Machine.

But the accusations didn't end there! Around mid-evening, I was rudely awakened from my happy slumber by a certain fat gentleman, or should I say, pudgy little rude boy. He threw me onto his hard teak desk, and as I was rubbing my rump, he switched on the brightest light ever. Trust me, I never thought the little flahes of light would stop! What they tell you about "seeing stars", it's all true. Those Tom & Jerry cartoons where the birdies circle their heads whenever they're out cold? All true. This frog's been there and back.

Mystery Pudge announced "AN INTERROGATION!" and upon seeing me cower at the bright lights, "AH-HAH, HE MUST BE GUILTY." Of what, I had no idea! But I caught up later with the gossip. He'd misplaced a panda-teddy-bear. I suppose he thought he'd get away with negligence by putting the blame on someone else. Hmpfffht. Well his blamin' days are ovah!

I've the right mind to go clobber him. And that is what I'll do.

Your Friendly Frog,
Kodok

(That's me there - a proud survivor! This was a dangerous day to be a frog.)

Home Alone

2009-01-05T10:43:00.000+08:00

Mel went off to school and because it was going to involve physical exertion, I wisely decided it was best to stay home.

I still woke up real early, though, because Yolly said breakfast was ready. So zoom went Mel and I into the kitchen. The early frog gets the good bits, and I got my fill!

So now I'm all home and alone, well except for Yolly and Ben and they're paying me no heed, but they're okay.

I'm wearing my favourite windbreaker, the one that makes me look sharp, just to let you know!

I think I'll go grab a snackeroo, all snug in my windbreaker and in the couch. I guess that is what I'll do!

Well raisins and tim-tams, here I come! Snackeroo!

And that is what I did.

Let's go fly a kite!

2009-01-04T21:17:00.000+08:00

Today Mel and I woke up waaay past noon, I think, because I didn't check, but I'm pretty sure. And anyway we're both still in our pyjamas so I suppose you'd think we didn't do much anything today. But we did!

So this is the gang in our backyard. It was chilly out so I put on one of my sweaters. (Yolly gave me quite many!) We tried to fly a kite, that is what we did! We didn't really manage to, but that's okay.

Big Al held the kite up and Kim (that's her in the photograph, with Chloe, who's quite fine!) ran but I suppose she didn't quite run fast enough, because the kite didn't take off.

And Nick thought he was being all cool by having me a ride in his bicycle basket, and I was with my grubby hands in the air and halfway through a "WHEEEE" when dear old fatty HAD to flop over and into the air I went, and down into the dirt I went. But not for long because what's a frog to do other than pick himself up. Luckily Mel came to my rescue and she was yelling "GIMME BACK MY FROG". Meanwhile, Nick was trying to salvage his dignity.

Soon it got dark and we trooped back indoors, and Kim was saying to Mel Hey imagine if we hid Kodok in a field and left him there, and forgot all about him, imagine that! And I'd think Mel would have it in her heart to say No Way, but she said And we could come back with torches yelling Koooodooook where are you!

And all the while, I was rubbing my green head because of that fall into the dirt. And my hands were filthy (as usual, but more so). Hmpfh.

But I think that quite knocked some sense into me because I had a Revelation. And I decided it would be cool to get myself a blog. And that is what I did.