Reflection on Year 2008

Year 2008 is a fruitful year.

Manage to achieve several things.

Family: Occassional quarrels with my family members but patch up really fast. Got myself a cute nephew (thanks to my Sis and Brother-in-law).

Love Relationship: Is great! This year, less quarrels with Stevie. Maybe because of the long-distance relationship we missed each other and is more tolerant with one another. Found and purchased our first house with a layout that we like very much and close to amenities and friends. Engaged an interior designer which we are both comfortable with and whom give us a reasonable quotation.

Friendship: Still remain close to my friends. Janice is now much happier (although this should be her acheivement but i'm putting it here)

Personal Growth: Not too bad. Went to gym and dance but because of personal reason have to stop. Luckily for me my weight is still within range. Will start exercising once i can. My exercise kakis, please don't forget me in the meantime. Started driving around in Singapore as well. Next time when Stevie is back, i will try to go pick him up.

Money: Managed to save money. Was hoping i can save more. Due to the new house, now we are low in cash but we have assets.

Career: Career this year is all about changes and move. Beginning of the year became deputy line manager for the team, which is a recognition for me. Mid-year, finally got the move that i wanted to another team to learn more new stuff, which means i have to start afresh (which might not be a bad idea). End of the year, finally finished my 2 year project and hands off done to the next beneficiary (hopefully he have some fun with it). Good performance review from management despite my move and changes.

Health: Nothing to worry about.

Year 2008 is a fabulous year and hopefully will continue into year 2009.

A fulfilling and fruitful year!!

A Day Out with Janice and Donald

We went to Marina Barrage after hearing people say that it is very beautiful. Even though the place is so inaccessible, surprisingly, there were many people. The carpark was almost full and the shuttle bus were packed as well.

We reached Marina Bay in the evening to catch the sunset. They sky is soo beautiful with patches of white clouds over the very blue sky. The view overseeing suntec and the Singapore Flyer is also very nice.

As i'm out with 2 people who like very much to take artistic shots (the photos speak for itself), we were stuck at Marina Bay for awhile to take all the candid and artistic shots.

After, we went to Keppel's bay. So romantic!! The private houses over looking the sea and the yatch. It a far cry from HDB flat. Janice is daydreaming whether Punggol will look like that when it is developed.

Last stop is Henderson Bridge. Maybe it is already dark so the view is so-so. There were people who brought food to pinic there. Hmm, it looks relaxing and a great place to drink and chat. But, because it is soo dark (there were no lights), i cannot tell whether the seats are clean. Somehow it feels abit dirty. There were other bridges and trails in Mt Faber, but we were all so tired. So we left to have dessert in Bugis. Yummy!!

Nicole's Bday

Right after Christmas day is Nicole's Birthday.

It's her 1st Birthday and Janice did a big big birthday celebration for her. All relative and friends are invited. Lucky the weather is better than Christmas Eve. Only slight rain. I'm really good at BBQ now.

The Chefs for the night!!

The 2kg Birthday cake

Uncle Donald trying to give Nicole a kiss???

Many pressie for Nicole.

A Wet Christmas Eve

This year we had a wet Christmas Eve.

December is a rainy season. Maybe most Christmas Eve is rainy but this year because we are having BBQ for Christmas Eve, so i think i will remember it for awhile.

It is not the first time i bbq in the rain. But because the rain was quite heavy, we had no choice but to cover the bbq pit from the rain. Ah Teck, pulled a big umbrella that was meant for the table and chair to cover the bbq pit. And because there is wind, i had to block the wind with another umbrella. It is the first time, i bbq with 1 hand holding an umbrella and another holding the tongs to do the flips. The scene was actually quite hilarious as we had 2 umbrellas covering the bbq pit and we are all wet.

Finally at around 7.30pm, the fire is up and the pit is ready for bbq. We finally finish bbq at 10.30pm. The cheese sausage is my favourite. Tried to eat more chicken wings but my tummy is too bloated. Luckily there isn't much cook food leftover. Just a few pieces of chicken wing so we brought it home to finish up. But dad and mom came back from aunt's house and added many many items to the leftover (chicken wings, ham, beef, turkey, etc). I can imagine what is our meals for the next few days.

Tomorrow, i am going to have bbq food again at Jan's chalet. Hopefully, there is no rain and I will avoid bbq or grilled food for awhile.

A Special Christmas Present

Although Christmas is not over and there is still more presents to come, this year most special present that i receive is a potted plant. It is a Christmas present from my Boss, Angie.

My Christmas present. An Orchid. I love it. An elegant flower.

When i saw the present, I was soo surprise. It is the first time i receive a potted plant as a gift. At first, thought Stevie became creative and gave me potted plant instead of flowers. But i realised everyone desk have a potted plant as well. There is different plant on each of our desk. The office is like a garden. It is so exciting. I went around checking out what the rest have received.

Hui Ting's potted plant. She is on leave till next year. I hope i do a good job in taking care of it so that it is still alive when she is back. Stressful job. Anyway i took a photo and in case anything happen (finger-cross) i still can show her how beautiful it looks.

Beginning of the week i was still feeling abit upset. This year our team splitted with the Operation unit and became and independent unit. For the past years, the Christmas decoration was done up for the whole office. But when i reach office early this week, the christmas decoration stop at the operation unit and our area is not decorated even though we are just side by side. I'm not sure why I am upset but it is just rather disappointing that our area is not decorated. It seems that we are no longer a family.

Well, the potted plants just cheer me up.

Christmas at Angie's

Christmas in Orchard

Over the weekend, we went to Orchard to take Christmas photo.

This year the christmas lighting in Orchard is better than last year (remembered last year the lighting looks more like celebration of Hari Raya), but there were too many construction this year in Orchard. Making it very noisy and polluted.

But the Christmas trees are all soo beautiful.
The bear christmas tree in Taka, the Angel christmas tree in Paragon, the Jewel Christmas tree in bugis, etc.

My Favourite Christmas Songs

Yoga Class for Older Women

Mummy today came back alone and started to ask about Yoga.

She went to one of the Yoga Place because they advertised a 2 week trial.

Maybe mummy is getting bored and wanted to try something new. But i have no idea why an old women would want to try Yoga. I don't think i want to risk spraining my limbs at that age.

Then she started complaining that the lady that attended to her kept persuading her to sign the package and she have to sit there for 30 to 45 mins listening to the lady. She was quite irritated that even before she could try out for 1 session they are forcing her to sign up with them. Only after mum insisted on the trial first before she decides whether she wants to sign up then the lady relented and give her the free trial.

Is this trial just a hoax to get people down to their shop so that they can convince people to sign up? If they are sincere in giving people the free trial, they should give the trial and then persuade people to sign the package after that. Instead of force-selling the package to my mum, they should have check on her health condition to ensure that she is still fit for the exercise.

Anyways, its quite terrible they are doing this to an old lady.

Ministry of Food

Have been going to Ministry of Food for awhile now.

Simply loved the food there. So many bento sets to chose from. Always wanted to try their tempura but i cannot resist ordering the bento with the sashimi. So sad to say i still have yet to try their tempura.

I loved their salmon salad. The salad dressing is very refreshing and the veg are all very crunchy.

The tofu hotplate is also one of my favourite. Best to go together with rice.

Jan and i also like the Unagi bento. The unagi portion is quite a lot for the price. Very value for money and the rice portion just right so i don't feel too bloated after the meal.

Haven't try this bento set yet. So regret when i see Phyllis eating it. I will definitely order this set the next time.

Instead i ordered this set. The pickle as usual is soo nice. The egg roe added flavor to the plain rice and the sashimi, hmmm wish that all is salmon and hamachi. The waiter refused to change the sashimi to the ones that i like. But, i will be understanding this time cos it is lunch time and i don't think they can take any exception order.

Finish off with my favourite dessert. Macha shake.

Our Interior Designer

Yeah, finally we decide on an ID. After, 2 months of searching we finally sign on the agreement and confirm our ID.

I think my ID is the happiest. This saturday went down to confirm him.

In the morning my mom is still asking whether this ID is good, reliable, cheap, etc. My dad is still checking whether i have gone to see his workmanship and keep asking me to be sure before i confirm.

Well, i guess i have done all my preparation work. Gotten quoatation from almost 5 IDs and 1 contractor and he seems reasonable. Plus, he is the only one who seems to understand what we want. Actually he one of the very first ID that we see but to be on the safe side, we continue to talk to other IDs.

After patiently waiting for us for about 2 months and amending the quotation for 101 times, we finally confirm him. I must say he is a very patient and good temper man, there is no force selling or pressure from him at all, amended the quotation each time we requested, brought me around to see his other projects and gave me free rides in his sports car with the hood down and later in his new BMW, tolerated with my bargaining and giving in a bit each time i complained it is too expensive, etc, etc, etc....

So what can i say...i just replied my parents that if i am the ID, i will just give up and don't even want to do the business.

Well, i hope he continues to do a good job and continue with the good temper and patient. I guess anyone working with me have to have these qualities. Muahahaha..

Tampopo at Liang Court

Went to Tampopo at Liang Court on Sunday.

Tired of Orchard, the gals want to leave town after their gym workout.

Recommended by Raye, we went to Tampopo and tried their famous black pig.

Raye and i had the Black pig Spicy ramen with black pig and we ordered the eggs as side. Loved the eggs. The egg white is full of aroma and the egg yolk is guey.

Juicy fried black pig ramen.

Look at my big round face. Have been stuffing myself with so much food. Friday nite was Waraku, Sunday afternoon is dim sum and now having ramen.

Coffee at Ya Kun. Trying to cut down on coffee. Wonder whether this can help me in my diet since there is sugar in coffee. Ironic with the food i'm eating, i doubt quiting coffee works. Anyways, coffee is a must have after meals.

Pasta de Waraku

After seeing the "buffet buffet" on channel 8, featuring the japanese buffet, i was soo excited. I msg Jan to suggest going to one of the featured restuarant for dinner on Friday (the very next day). Being a huge fan of sashimi as well, she agreed immediately. The next day, we tried to "jio" more people to go along as some of the food come in big proportion and if the 2 of us were to go, we will not be able to try all the variety of food available. Too bad fo us, due to the last min arrangement, some have appointment and the rest are not interested in stuffing themselve to death or to fatness. Although that is also one of my concern as well, my craving usually just overcome my mind until the food is all in my big belly and the food reaches my throat and i feel like vomitting then i will regret my actions.

Well, in the end we ended up eating Pasta de Waraku. Japanese restuarant but not serving Jap food. We order many many to make up for not satisfying my craving for the buffet. Jan, Jac and claire ordered 3 sets of Carbonara Waraku style set meals (comes with soup, salad, pasta and gratin). I ordered the Prawn spicy carbonara. We had Carbonara pizza to share and mucha ice cake and Ichigo milk parfait for dessert.

It is the most cream and cheese i had for a single meal. The carbonara is not too thick but after having to share and finish the food, i must say i am a bit sick of the cream after the meal. Luved the Pizza because of the thin thin crust.

Only after the meal we realised that Waraku is having ladies night every monday which we can get the bill at half price. So wasted.