Singapore kite day 2012

 

For the first time, we got to spend kite day with that many friends. The last three years were either spent by ourselves or with just another friend. We arranged to walk to the site together and this is only half of our group. The rest met up with us there. It was quite a challenge walking there with that many kids but it sure was fun.

Daddy trying to fly the kite and as usual would blame the lousy kite for not being good enough to fly. I caught up with eileen on the other patch of green with her family. We settled for dinner together with her family and lavina and the boys. I enjoyed such bonding with the neighbours and especially those that had moved on to being good friends. Looking forward to the next kite day in 2013.

Singapore kite day 2010

Singapore kite day 2009

Yu sheng with my grandma

On 人日, we bought 鱼生 to my grandma place to celebrate with her. We also bought a lot of raw salmon to add into the dish. It was awesome. Grandma was very happy too.

Thai food

ทักทายจากประเทศไทย

Greetings from thailand.

Ever since we came back from chiangmai, we have been thinking about and craving for thai food. One day we decided to try the thai food place at hougang where everyone is talking about. It is indeed impressive. The chef is thai, the waiting staff are thai. The food is authentically thai and not made for tourist. I think the standard is there and we'll definitely eat there whenever we miss thai food. Price is reasonable but there is always a long but moveable queue during dinner time.

Reunion dinner at mum's place

This year, my brother and family could not join us as they had migrated to canada and will not be back for CNY. For convenience, mum decided to have steamboat. Beef, prawns and lots of vegetables. Amazing. It's always nice to gather around a hot dinner with families. I'll want to continue this tradition with my girls and their future kids. It's a good tradition and I'm already talking them into the importance of kinship and family bonds. Hopefully, whatever the future will behold for them, the value of family togetherness will never fade into the convenience of technology. I pray we will not ever have to celebrate reunion dinner in future via skype or facetime. That will be too sad.

 Reunion dinner at my mum's place in 2011

 Reunion dinner at our home in 2010

Reunion dinner with the in laws

 

Our reunion dinner with dave's extended family (maternal side) at Kim place seafood. 12 adults, 4 kids, 2 tables. Drama. The drama bit was not unexpected. On account of dave's grandma and the food, I managed to enjoy my dinner. It was quite a nice spread anyway.

 Reunion dinner at my mum's place in 2011

 Reunion dinner at our home in 2010

First professional studio shoot

Bought a heavily discounted coupon voucher from groupon one day for a professional photo shoot in a studio. I never felt the need to do studio shoot when I can take pretty nice pictures of the girls myself. But the offer was too good to miss so I thought "why not". I expected joelle to be shy and isabelle to stiffen up in front of the camera. I was so wrong. They were cracking the photographer up actually with their spontaneity and laughter. I was totally surprised and very happy with the shoot progress. 

It was not difficult selecting the pictures. There weren't a lot in the first place. I was also determined not to purchase any more pictures out of the given numbers in the package. So these were the pictures I had selected and I liked them very much. I would be looking out for another heavily discounted photography session again and this time I would like to try outdoor shoot in some really neat location.

My favourite shot of the sisters.

Birthday boys ~ Deron and Kenan

One saturday, we attended two birthday parties. Deron's six birthday and Kenan's second. Sharon decided to hold the party at fuss-free macdonalds this year. It was indeed fuss-free and catered for. Games, food, party hats and cake were all taken care of. However it's not the kind of party I'll go for. I like to host. I like to feel like a part of the celebration. I like to sit around with family and friends and catch up with each others stories and events that we missed. I don't like to simply throw the kids at the party and leave the venue till time to pick up. The kids had much fun and the girls ate and drank to their hearts content (yes, without the need to ask for permission!). They were very happy indeed. It's a successful party no doubt. Perhaps it's just the kind of party for some people, it's just not my kind of party. Party is a celebration and a celebration must be participated, not with just the kids but the adults as well.

Next we rushed off to another party at a function room. There you see families and friends gathering together to catch up with one another. There was more warmth and familiarity around. Not that I know them all. In fact I only knew the host and her family but I could feel the kinship when grandmas offers drinks to my girls and aunties playing bubbles with the kids. Everyone in the room is somewhat related to someone and it feels nice. For someone like me, kinship and bonds are important when people get together.

My pineapple tarts

On behalf of the Assisi Hospice, I wish to thank all my faithful supporter in the annual sale of my pineapple tarts. This year, we've successfully collected S$210 for the funds. I apologise again to those orders I could not take on.
Last year, we benefited the Children Cancer Foundation and we feel very happy to be able to continue in this cause this year. We almost discard the cause this year due to our very busy schedule and CNY being in January. After I apologise for not baking, I actually felt really uneasy. So I decided to extend this charity movement to some close friends with a targeted cap of S$200. I felt much happier after that. We are constantly looking for other avenues to show our gratitude to the grace we've received abundantly from God. We thank God for all we have been blessed with and would like to share a little something around.

Once again, thank you for your kind support.

Mummy dentist to the rescue again

Joelle lost another tooth tonight. This is the 4th that mummy dentist pulls out from her gums. I think she's quite use to me removing teeth for her that it no longer involve tears and whines and whatever fear that associates with dental visits.

Day out with a great friend

I'm a very simple girl. Give me what I crave to eat and take me to where I desire to go, I'm a very happy and contented person. This day is my day out with friends and I chose to spend it with my dearest friend eileen. We head to our favourite kway chap joint in serangoon gardens. That is the best kway chap for me. Now that I mentioned, I'm craving for it already.

Next we head out for a cycling session to the waterfront promenade park. Eileen likes evening rides without the glaring sun and skin deep heat. I don't mind it anytime. Well I guess I'm quite an outdoor person (in good health) and I seem to like wheels. My friends are just being nice to accompany me each time I yearn for some outdoor adrenalin. I have to say that I am always looking forward to my weekly cycling adventure with eileen. Though I know how much she rather sleep in on a weekend after having to wake so early on weekday mornings, I would still bug her to cycle with me. Though I know she always tries to accommodate my childlike insistence, I never fail to instill guilt in her should she fail to keep our date. She is a great friend to have. I'm just being greedy. She doesn't fuss, she doesn't need. She'll be happy to give and she never seeks returns. She's the kind of friend for keeps and I know I've been such a lousy friend to her. But being the expression-shy person that she is, I can't tell her how much I appreciate her silent support and tolerance the way I normally would. So I could only silently take a step back and watch her regain that peace she probably enjoyed without me. I'll miss loving this friend. 

Here comes 2012

 

On the last day of 2011, I had a nice crab meal at punggol marina country club with my family, a very relaxing warm bubble bath at home, a touching moment in church with the angel God sent into my life, a durian picnic with sparkling fruit juice and an awesome display of fireworks! And I'm very happy to be surrounded (besides the bubble bath) by people I love and care enough to want to start the new year with. 

Goodbye 2011. It's been a great year filled with God's blessings and grace. 

As always, I want to give thanks to God for everything that happened in 2011. 

Thankful for the good and grateful that the bad was not too bad for us to manage.

Together with God, I'm ready for what 2012 shall bring.

Checking out the boats at punggol marina.

Having a durian picnic with sparkling fruit juice at the open field in SK. We chose this venue out of three nearby celebration venue this year because of the flying lantern event. We wrote our wishes for 2012 on huge pink lanterns and they flew them just before midnight. At least it's something different this year.

But one thing remains the same. I got to celebrate the start of another good year with the friend I want to spend every year with. I pray that this could be our tradition, to spend every start of a new year together. Remembering the happy times we shared and learn from the many mistakes we made and cheering the continuous strong bond we carry forward into the future. There's nothing in the world that I want but love and friendship. And I have them all. Happy 2012!

Our 2011 new year celebration

Our 2010 new year happenings