2 decades plus a year

March 2017

(I) A one night staycation at Fullerton Hotel

It had been 20 years since WK and I were together (and married for 18).  We went "steady" in Feb 1997.  Sometimes we do staycation without Lynn.   It was during the March school holidays that we did this staycation at Fullerton hotel.  Before our check-in in the afternoon, I drove Lynn and WK's mum to her cousins' house.  In the car, Lynn asked if WK and I were going to "ditch the 2 and do the mini-honeymoon thing".  Hahaha, I told her that she was correct on the "ditch the 2" part, but it's call "staycation" and not "mini honeymoon".

Here are some pictures


 

(II) A beautiful birthday party for 2 beautiful girls

In the last weekend of March, we attended the 21st birthday party of WK's cousins, Nicole and Natalie, who are twins.  When I got to know WK in 1997, almost all of his family members and relatives reside in Malaysia, except for his youngest aunt.  He was staying with his aunt back in 1997.  The first time I visited his aunt at her Yishun flat (where WK stayed at) was in 1997.  Back then, the twins were very young.  It was now (this year) that I realise that they were only 1+ year old then.  Oh, how these kids have grown!  I still remember the time when they were crying in the car trip from JB back to Singapore after May's wedding, and how I tried to coax them but failed.

There's a photo booth at the party, and here a few pictures.

Yap family siblings with aunt and the birthday babes.

A

Some other random pictures taken in March:

CNY17 元宵节

It has been a long time since family gathering is at my place.  WK is overseas and PH is sick so there's 15 of us.  But I only took photo of Claris who is the youngest as of now.  This is her first CNY.  The older kids are growing up fast, so will the babies.

"The days are long, but the years are short"

Somemore CNY photos - CNY'17'D8/D9

Like previously, the first CNY weekend was spent visiting 2 relatives in Woodlands.  This year we visited Toa Payoh 3rd grandaunt on the weekend too. 

And I realized that this CNY, I mostly took photos of ourselves (Lynn, me and WK), and not with those we visited.  It's quite boring arranging our own photos.  But not many people want to take photo leh.. 

(I) At TPY 3rd Grandaunt's house: Lynn monkey around, and here we have the birth of the Orange Challenge

 

(II) On our way to 姑婆‘house in Woodlands.  This was on Sat.  On Sunday, we made a similar journey and similar selfies. 

Lynn won $11 from playing blackjack. 

Finally, a group photo, only my second one (for families) for the whole CNY + reunion. 

We got Mavis and Mable to try the orange challenge, ha!

(III) On Sunday, we visited Qiu Yun.  It's a pity that we forgot to take a group photo.  It was something we have done for the past 3 years.  And it's usually the most photogenic of that year's CNY group photos. 

That afternoon, we went to buy Meizhenxiang BBQ pork (for QY).  The moment Lynn saw the packaging, she removed the Chinese knot from it and attempted to put it on as hairdo.  So I offered to tie it nicely to her hair.  It's kind of fun, cos only kids like her would want to do that :) 

 

My sweetie acting cute

Antibiotics, Travel and Pets - CNY'17'D1/D2

After a break of 2 years, I went Malacca for CNY this year. Lynn came down with fever on Thursday night. I took her to see the doctor on CNY eve (Friday morning). When the doctor said he will prescribe antibiotics, I started saying my usual line "Err, it is really necessary....", but I changed my mind quickly.  Since we were travelling on the following day (CNY D1), I decided to "play cheat", and started her on antibiotics immediately.  Although antibiotics is supposed to be only for bacteria infection, somehow, it has been proven by trial and error that recovery is faster with antibiotics.   

We risked traffic jam to secure more sleep.  We woke up at 7+, and were out of the house only at 9am.  The jam was tolerable.  As usual we did several stops along the short journey, so we ended up reaching only at 2pm.  It took us a whopping 5 hours to get to Malacca on CNY D1. 

On day 2, we went Kulai to visit WK's grandma.  She shifted to one of WK Uncle's house.  And to our pleasant surprise, they have 2 dogs and a cat!  We had a great time "playing" with the cat.  She's a fierce one, only allows grandma to pat her and scratches anyone else who touches her, including Uncle.  But she played with Lynn, chasing her a bit in the living room. 

The traffic on Day 2 was great, and we ended our Malaysia CNY visiting with 2 boxes of Magnum ice-cream at half price when converted to SGD..  And here are the pictures:
 

 

 Momo, looking longingly at folks at the dinning table and those with food..

 

I look so "aunty" in this photo

 

 

This year we stayed at Novotel for the night instead of Aunty's house. 

 

D2 morning, back at Aunty's house.  What to do when bored?  Take wefies

 

Lynn is well enough to roam the garden.  She managed to catch "butterfly", and took it back to SG.

 

When we reached home, we asked her to release it out.

 

Here's a few photos of the pets at Grandma's house.  This one is a friendly dog.  

 And here's the pretty cat, who lost an eye.  She is actually quite playful and curious, but is quite wary of human.  Next year, we plan to bring a cat tease to play with her!

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