CNY reunion 2017

My 3 reunions started early this year. 

The Yap family ate out this year.  I prefer to eat at home.  But since I don't cook, I don't think I have the right to veto eating out.  It turn out to be quite fun, better than I expected, and we even took an outdoor family photo!

The second was the Chan family.  Yet another year, I told myself that we must take photo, but yet another year, we didn't.  This year Dad was sick, so he couldn't join us for dinner.  Somehow, I didn't see Joyce walk in nor walk out, so I wonder how tall she has grown.  Aunt told me yesterday that Joyce is already 1.6m. 

Finally, it was the Lim family's.  Without grandma, it was as per normal for me.  I guess, she has been physically around, but not spiritually for the past few years already, so I didn't feel any different.

I went early, left Lynn at home because she was feverish.  So I get to help out a bit..  Firstly, I helped Wee San cut out her .. err. Chick deco, haha..  Then I realised that Aunty Cindy bought the wrong Yusheng platter from NTUC - ie one without carrot and radish strips, so she asked me to cut up a carrot from scratch!  Luckily, she thought of using "Dongfen".  End up, the Yusheng was pretty decent. 

And I bought tomato soup base from HaiDiLao, and pork and beef shabu-shabu.  I asked around, and my colleagues suggested getting from Isetan instead of NTUC because it's better quality.  So I spent a fortune this CNY reunion. 

Then we celebrated Wee San's birthday.  This year, I decided that I will stop give Ang Bao to working adult cousins past 30s.  I informed her beforehand.  So I decided to buy her a birthday gift. I wrapped it using a page from a magazine (cos I didn't have wrapping paper).  And I didn't bother to tear out the price tag..  I hope she gets it that it is still extremely sincere.   

And finally, here's a few photos of my new year plants at home.

 

Middle age

This year's birthday, I looked back at some of my old postings on blog and FB and realised that (i) I have aged, and (ii) I have been talking about going into the 2nd half of my life since a few years back (http://millidream.blogspot.sg/2009/01/half-way-there.html)

35th Bd, still youthful looking back then.

43, no longer earlier 40s, more like mid 40s.  If I had looked "not like 40" 3 years ago, now I definitely look my age.  Not complaining; although I am vain, I am not that obsessed.  Just stating my observation.

This year's birthday, was uneventful compared to 40,41, and 42.  Uneventful in a good way. 

Firstly, I celebrated with friends on Sunday.  Here are the photos for remembrance sake:

 I celebrated with my 2 darlings, with a simple dinner at TPY center.  That's the best that Mr. darling has done in so many year, so I shall be thankful and appreciative. 

Sweetie chose Black Forest cake. Took it to grandma's house to share.

There were the usual SMS, from the RV gang (ha! as if I'm from RV..), old friends like Hwee Shan, Weiyu, Lydia.  And my most loyal “美妹” Sze Yeng, and my extended Lim family.  I think these are going to be the folks who will wish me every year, till.. death do us apart?? HA!  Oh, I must not forget, the beauties from Jabil too!

And for yet another year/time, my dear MIL "forgot" my birthday, and in a "loud" way.. Whenever I discuss with my girl friends the topic whether parents in laws can ever be as close as our own parents, I always advocate "no", and that it is only natural.  I will tell the story of my MIL who tells me every yearend that the earliest birthday in the (extended) family is my SIL's (May), whose birthday is on 19 Jan.  I never bother to correct her, cos year after year, she will watch us celebrate my birthday on the 11th, and the next year she will still say the same thing.  I feel that birthday of children are very special to their mothers.  Thus I never expected her to remember my as well as her own.  Anyway, this year, she declared very loudly in front of the whole family during CNY reunion that May's birthday is the earliest, and still ask “是吗？”when the rest tried correcting her.  HAHAHA again.. 

Just realized that May seldom appear on my blog. Here we are at 海底捞 for reunion dinner of the Yap family.

My birthday wish for this year is: 
Find a higher  purpose, light up my fire, be healthier, be as thankful and as grateful as always

Bangkok 2016 - away from home

This is my 2nd last back dated post for 2016 that I only post in 2017.  But the last of 2016, which is our family Japan trip, is miles away from even being started...

 

I will always remember this trip as one being over a public holiday - National day, Tuesday 9 Aug 16 - being a public holiday that I spent with friends instead of my family.  I was struggling when making the decision as to whether this is appropriate.   There were discussions on this topic with WK, which I am very glad that took place.  He made some trips back in 2014-2015 that took place over public holiday, which I don't mind, but the problem is he doesn't realize it.  So the year 2016 turned out to be a year of communication and discovery.  Eventually, I found a lot of pride, love and respect for myself by the end of this eventful year.  Here's a post, dedicated to one of my BFF, for (unknowingly) being a catalyst for change. 

 

Lili frequent Bangkok, so she made all the arrangements.  She likes to try new stuff, so we try Grande Centre Point Hotel Ratchadamri.  The room comes with Kitchenette and washing machine, which seems to be common for Bangkok hotel according to what I hear from Lili.  I love several aspect of the hotel stay, including the room and it's facilities, the gym, the breakfast (place and food).  There is a library in the hotel; I borrowed a book there, Dan Brown's Da Vinci code, and liked what I read.  So when I came back to Singapore, I bought 3 Ibooks in that series.

 

Since the main purpose of this trip is to relax, we didn 't chiong on shopping thus didn't buy tonnes of stuff.  Instead, we did late lunches at recommended restaurants, one afternoon tea, massage, nails, and good dinners. 

 

I think the pictures below shows it, how we truly enjoyed the "nuaing", and how rested we were. 

The library and the meeting rooms are beautifully furnished. 

The facilities are very well maintained

 

Day 1 dinner.  We had a lot to catch up, so I thought we will talk a lot in bed like we did at Malacca.  Instead, we talked over dinner.  I poured out my hearts to her once again..

A restaurant recommended by my youngster friend.  We were given free condom after the meal, which we didn't take, in case our hubbies think we did something funny, haha!!

This outlet is not too bad, consider how badly run some outlets in some countries are. 

 

Another famous dessert (After You) place recommended by my youngster friend. 

Dinner, wine, and nails..

Day 5 morning, we watched replays of Joseph Schooling get Olympic Gold medal.  Took some selfies at Bangkok airport.  And picture of Lynn wearing kitty ear hairband that I got from her from Bangkok. 

Recap 2016 (IV) - Lim family BBQ 2016

Aunty Yee Yong rented her company (URA) bungalow (at Pasir Ris) for family BBQ/gathering in Dec.  We have been to this place multiple times in the past years, so I was not that excited or eager. 

But something special happened this time.  Aunty Cindy gathered us at the 2nd floor karaoke room to watch a video.  It was 10 years ago, back in 2006, when WK got a new video cam which he used to film vacations, trips and gatherings.  Now I recalled that he uses it for a few more years after that, as I remember some clips of Lynn and Mabel. 

This video that Aunty Cindy showed us was what WK filmed during a family gathering at this same URA Pasir Ris bungalow back in 2006.  Back then I was pregnant, and Yin attended with Joyce, who wa about 18 months old then.  There was also a scene of grandma walking towards WK, looked into his camera, and did a fun at-attention pose for him to capture. 

As usual, we left early.  But I went off feeling touched.  It's a reminder to treasure the time we spend with our love ones.  A reminder that we should capture memories, both in our minds and hearts, and in other forms if possible.  These are the most precious things we all can possess in our short earthly journey. 

Out of 10 old folks (5 couples), only 5 are left.  Here's a picture of 3rd grand aunty-in-law (舅婆） and 5th grandaunt （姨婆）. 

She's the youngest.  Mashmellow!

At the karaoke room watching the video.  Grandma's surname is Chok (卓); there are 3 Choks, 4 Lims, and other 外姓 in this photo.  I think we have a big extended family photo when Uncle Eric got married in 1994 or 95.
 

WK watching the video showing Yin and Joyce

 

In this video, they are teasing me about wearing the same clothes as 10 years ago, ha!

Just pictures - W hotel Nov 2016