Selamat Hari Raya

Ok i didn't keep to my promise of dedicating more time to my space.
Getting lazy i've to admit. But i'm persistent of not letting this four-year establishment gone to waste!

All thanks to the Muslims, we have another long weekend again, one month after NDP.
Started with a lovely night on Thursday at Robertson Walk.
Had a Belgium affair with Kris, Candy and Jan at Brussels Sprout, over seafood and beer.
It has been a long time since i met these girls but there was no trace of us feeling distant as we chatted like never before.
Little did we bother about the boisterous noise of the surrounding diners, or rather we didn't fail to contribute to it. I like the bustle i've to say...
...but not too long i reckon. :p Eventually we had to adjourn to somewhere more peaceful in order to hear one another audibly.Unfortunately, we ended being the ones who disrupted the peace at TCC. Tsk tsk.
After promising one another that we have to meet up more often (as always the case), we headed home before midnight.
Woke up at 10ish for JEAKS gathering at K's place at the very festive Geylang Serai.
I was looking forward to it, largely the company, but also my first Hari Raya celebration at the precinct. I was expecting to see a vibrant street with buzz but i guess i forgot the Muslims celebrate their new year like the Chinese too.Who on earth will you see on the street of Chinatown on the first day of Chinese New Year?!
I met A and K at the Fairprice at Joo Chiat Complex to get the food for our steamboat party and as we were walking across the overhead bridge, i had to stop at catch a glimpse of the dead town.
In any case, we had a great time at K's place having steamboat, watch A's LoveSingapore video, play getting-to-know-you game and of course our studio shoot.
We laughed so much and so hard that by the time i had to leave for cell group, i was close to dozing off, which i did on my bus journey.

For the consecutive day, Persi and i spent our day at Koko's place again, with Grace and Timmy this time.We make it a point to gather at least once when Grace comes home and now with Koko's new (and convenient) home, it is made easier, especially with the baby.
We couldn't get enough of baby Timmy with his uber cute face. Even though he gives the only-you-think-you-are-funny look when four ladies tried to play silly just to steal a smile from him.
Isn't he so endearing??!! Awww...

Tomorrow marks the last day of the long weekend. :(
But i'm watching Going the Distance! :)

Crashing LNY

I can't believe that i disappeared from this space for a good four weeks!
Oh my, i wasn't even aware how did those days flew past.

The Lunar New Year breezed through without much traces, as though the original fifteen-days event was officially refused to four, those that were labeled as public holidays.
On the eve of LNY, i woke up, early enough to give my room a spring-clean and just the book shelve alone, it took me more than an hour.
Not mentioning the drawer chest, the wardrobe and the tv case which by the time i considered it done, three hours had past. Gosh...it was hard labour.
My only consolation was that it's only a once-a-year chore.
I had to get rid of the rubbish to make space for the new batch (of rubbish). My logic. Hah.
Reunion dinner commenced at around six in the evening but it was ruined before we could even tuck in.
As usual, Mum started off with her anger-threats and this time, it included canceling reunion next year and even the visitations the next day.
Shan't go into the details but i concluded it to be a family tragedy when insensible and insensitive creatures exist. Sigh.
I plonked myself in front of the computer after dinner, and unsurprisingly, most of my contacts were offline. But Beng's appearance a while later indeed came as a very pleasant surprise!
Eversince the uber brief farewell and eventually his departure on the last day of January, he seemed to have vanished from earth.
Hence the long (one sided) webcaming chat was good albeit the rush as he literally updated by the days. He also brought me around the house he was temporary putting up in and i didn't expect houses in Perth can be THAT small.
The bedroom can easily be one-third smaller than the bedroom of our three-room flat.
Detailing every aspects of his new way of living, the interactions with his multinational course mates, the uber high ego Aussie tutors, i see everything as an appeal to me.
Gosh...i shan't think too much into it.
He showed me the scones he baked for his assignment and geez...i'm so proud of him. =)

I had to go two hours later as Eric was already on his way to pick me for our annual LNY movie with the rest!
It was our third consecutive year of midnight movie on LNY eve and it has gradually become a tradition we all wish to keep.
To end off the night, we would always proceed for a drink at the prata shop along Bencoolen Street, gazing at the streams of vehicles turning out from the temples, with long thick joss sticks protruding out from their windows.
Considering that service was as per normal the following day, we had to keep the night short(er).
Arrived home at 2am and crashed immediately.

There wasn't a better way to start the LNY with a church service!
It was observed that on special days like this, the attendance could easily be halfed, but i thought this year was actually not that bad. Just a quarter lesser?
Packing up was record quick as everyone had a long day of activities awaiting.
With the aftermath from last night's saga, i deliberated for a while before dialing home and heaved a sigh of relief when Mum said the brothers were on their way and we were heading to Aunt's house. We didn't mention anything about the night before ever since.
I've never enjoyed LNY visitation but yet i think it's necessary. The once-a-year visits somehow become an indication that we are not losing touch. Even though we merely ate and watched television programs which are frequent not of our preference.
That was when iPhone became the best companion! Yes i know it's rude.
I can't stand people isolating themselves into the world of technology when there's obviously a group activity going on. Not even when one claims that he/she is listening.
But since i couldn't comment or participate in their "adult-talk", i guessed it was alright for me to just look up and nod occasionally. :p
After Aunt's place, we proceeded to visit Grandpa at a home.
It was quite sad that he couldn't spend his LNY at home and worse, bedridden.
Nevertheless, i was pretty sure he sensed our presence.
In less than five hours, we accomplished Visitations 2010 under the scorching heat and the killing sun.
Mum and i crashed immediately upon arriving home and got up just in time for dinner.

LNY day two, i met Jac for lunch at Marche and boy, i fell in love with this Swiss-Germany restaurant all over again.
I was devastated after its evacuation from the malls in town and with the only branch remaining in Vivocity, it's considered fortunate if you could beat the queue.
The new establishment at 313 @ Somerset occupies the first level and the first basement with the seating at the later. It's undoubtedly a tad claustrophobic with the low ceiling but the cosy country decor and the delicious spread of food make up to it. =)


After a hearty lunch, we headed to the cinema for Valentine's Day and we left the theatre feeling blissful. =) Strongly recommended, if it's still showing.
Dinner was with Jer and Sejin as they returned from Korea to spend LNY as husband and wife.

As Sejin had an air-stewardess friend who stopped over here for a night, she joined us for the night and while the two Korean ladies got engrossed with their girls talk, Jer and i were enjoying our Singlish chat as well.
Our night ended after browsing 700 pictures of their wedding and honeymoon.
I crashed immediately when i got home.


On the third day, i started off to Fen's place and then to Ps LY's.
LNY would never be completed without having a game (or more) of mahjong!!
Like cycling (or swimming for some), it's a skill that you'll never lose once mastered. You would only get better. =)
As the night gets older, i got more dampened by the post-holiday syndrome.
I wished i had taken leave for the rest of the week. Or maybe forever.
Oh wells.

The only thing that i looked forward on the first day back at work after a long weekend, was to end the day.
Seriously, i think i've lost my motivation totally. That's another story altogether.
Anyway, considering that i won't be seeing Jer for the rest of the year, i decided to send them off at the airport this time.
If i recalled correctly, the last time i did that was when he set off to Brisbane for his studies.
For that, i deserved to be suaned. =p
But i also realised that i really didn't like the feeling of seeing my friend, especially close ones, leaving before my eyes. The idea of parting is just too depressing.
I'm so gonna miss him. =(


Thankfully, i managed to convince him to join the iPhoners!
With the uber amazing whatsapp application, we can text each other for free, anytime anywhere, and best, we can even send pictures and mark our locations instantly!
Just that i would never know where is he only if i read Korean.

Since LNY started, the sun gets more generous each day.
A temperature of 35 degree celsius is totally unbearable and i wished i carry a portable air-condition everywhere i go.
Even though so, i blast a fan AND my air con every night before i could fall asleep. No kidding!
It was reported that February was the driest month in 140 years, since 1869 and the heat will last till May.
That is it! I'm migrating.

As i welcome 2010...

On the last week of 2009, my body decided to purge all its wastes and toxic and by making me mute, it thought i could have a good rest.
Unfortunately, i didn't have the luxury as LL was on leave for the last week of the year, i had to kinda hold the fort in the office. Good thing that it was peaceful enough.
Nearing mid-week, i almost lost my voice entirely and hearing myself made me very sad. It didn't happen before and it caught me totally off-guard. It suddenly dawned on me that i've taken my voice for granted and it must have felt mistreated for the whole year. But i'm very thankful that it was preserved for so long and it seemed to know when i am done with it. Time to let it rest.

I took a day's mc on Wednesday and was so drowsy on medication that i could hardly sit up for more than 15 minutes. But since i've prior booked tickets to watch Treasure Hunt with Anthea jie, i thought some fresh air in the evening would do me some good.
Sad to say, the movie ticket had gone to waste as i slept through almost half the show. According to Anthea jie, the latest Jay Chou's flick was pretty watchable. No, i'm not going for the second time. =p

I didn't recover a bit on Thursday when i arrived at work but considering it was an important day, i didn't think of not coming. Mute.I'll definitely miss the time when i can shout when i need loose change to pay for my cab fare, dial 3494 when i need to bitch about things urgently, call you frantically when i realised i left my wallet unattended on my desk, look forward to receiving gifts/postcards via the dumbwaiter after/during your holiday, had our orchestra in the dance room playing 《星语心愿》 repeatedly, vet your emails to Andy and Stanley, run to catch 36 when you came down late, always shielding me when i became the common enemy of tsd just because you trust me, not forgetting the breakfasts from bistro and lunches at Mcdees, and best of all...knowing that you are always there even when we don't see each other. =(
Goodbye Bengz.
It's a whole new cycle of adaptation again.
I wonder, who's left to say goodbye to me when my turn comes.

Took a nap when i got home from a half day work before i packed my emotions to get ready for the Thanksgiving Watch Night service. Still mute.
Worshiped a lot, prayed a lot, saw a lot, heard a lot and we counted down and popped champagne.
Not forgetting big hug!!! Fifth year into our tradition!I'll continue to make sure that i won't repeat my top for the subsequent years.

On the first day of 2010, i pulled myself, literally, to the CG retreat.
I felt that my body was falling apart and, still mute.
I really wished to lie in and do nothing and i tried to justify every possible reason that i could skip the retreat.
But nothing could beat the lovelies indeed. I knew i had to be there.

Didn't regret at all as i had the most fun time with the lovelies.Thanks to Nat and Alvin for letting their house (and bed)!

You are one of the most generous couple i've ever seen!

I got home at around noon today, had lunch, took medicine and knocked out for four solid hours!
I is just too tired.

Happy New Year!

农历新年。。。

1。孤独的年夜饭。妈咪邀请了姨妈和她男友来家里吃。气氛怪怪的. 首次独自一个人吃。就因为“客人”还不饿，而我几乎快饿晕了。超不爽。

2。年除夕必看的半夜场。和一大伙人看喜剧片，额外热闹。

3。大年初一照常的去阿姨（妈的表姐）家。她的孙子好可爱哦！ 别看他圆圆肉肉的，还蛮好动的。他们说他因该称呼我为“阿姨”，突然令我起了鸡皮疙瘩。不会吧。。。

4。也到了爷爷家拜年。看到他寸步难移的坐在那藤椅，觉得他老了很多。人也瘦了。我尝试让他记得我，但患有老人痴呆的他，似懂非懂。看到墙上挂着的奶奶遗照，百般思念。想当年，她也是这样坐在那藤椅上，等着我们来拜年。表弟们也在。看到他们，令我对当今的年轻人感到无比的失望。咳。。。

5。 今年推出的三部贺岁片我都看过了。《家有喜事2009》 - 打着“家有喜事”的招牌，难免会有号召力。依旧夸张的演技和无理头的搞笑，蛮适合过年的气氛。吴君如还是宝刀未老，古天乐也为这部戏曾添了一些美感，黄百鸣的面子很大。《大喜事》 - 一句话。。。除非你的偶像是范文芳或李明顺，否则还是把钱省下来吧。 《幸福万岁》 - 三部中最喜欢的一部。故事简单细腻，非常本土化。对杨雁雁的演技叹为观止，简直演活了一个家庭主妇的角色。

6。 初二就开始闷了。家里开了一台麻将局。除了输了三十块，还弄坏了腰。=（

7。 今年捞了两次鱼生。 而已。

8。 Gracie 和 Jer 都返乡来过年。好像上次见到Gracie, 是最近的事而已, 只是环境不同。 Jer 终于带了女友一起回来, 而我也这样结交了一个新的韩国朋友! =)

9。 终于承认新年越来越闷。