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The Day After

26 Dec

Normally every year after enjoying the merry-making of the Family Christmas Dinner, we would sleep in. But this year it’s a little different, a break from tradition; firstly, dinner was hosted by us and secondly, it was on Christmas Day itself, not Christmas Eve.

Food preparation was a long process although there wasn’t much cooking. I made the salad, M1 made the mash potatoes, M2 prepared the hors d’oeuvres of smoked bacon and grape on romaine. The focaccia herb mushroom toast bites was team effort, and the turkey and dinner rolls were contributed by my sibling. We did add a couple more purchased roasted chicken to make life easier. It’s a simple spread but satisfying nonetheless.

And because dinner was on Christmas Day itself and Boxing Day is not a holiday, we have to go into the office. Not too long but necessary to wrap up some little work we have left for the year.

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Merry Christmas Everyone!

25 Dec

Here’s wishing everyone, my readers, friends and family and a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

This year, we are having the family over for Christmas dinner, Mom, my sibling and his troopers. It will be a fun Merry-making time with lots to eat, yes, I can cook if preparing a salad counts as cooking, lots to drink, and lots to talk and laugh about.

As we reflect upon the past twelve months, let our experiences make us stronger and better prepared for 2018!

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HK Day 3: Lantau Island, Part 2

15 Dec

From Ngong Ping Village, we took Bus no. 2 down to Mui Wo and met up with my high school friend and her hubby for a late lunch. It was good to catch up and they treated us to a really sumptuous seafood lunch. The chatter was so rib-tickling and entertaining, just like the good old days.

I am glad we made the effort to meet up as it’s not often we see each other so much, with her residing here in Hong Kong and me in Kuala Lumpur.

After the meal and goodbye, we took the ferry across back to Hong Kong island. What a day with subway rides, cable car, bus and now the ferry. It was only 5.30pm when we were at the IFC area. We wandered a bit before making our way back to our familiar territory, bought dinner to bring back to the apartment to eat in the comforts of ‘home’.

I thought I would cover 6.0km today but no, I actually did 6.7km or 10,965 steps. Yes, we are all tired to the core but it’s a good tired.

Tomorrow it will be another day of walking and more walking! Kowloon on the agenda.

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It’s All About Family

27 Nov

The trip to Malacca last Friday to attend a nephew’s wedding was really a good one. I think it’s all about family more than the wedding dinner because we got to see as many uncles, aunties and cousins. Not everyone turned up though but it was good to catch up. I guess this has become important as we grow older.

Cousins whom I have not seen for years came from near and far. Nieces and nephews whom I have never met before were introduced for the first time. The three generations were fairly represented.

The camaraderie and reminiscing was better than ever with conversations as if we were never apart despite all these years. Grandpa was mentioned often. Such nostalgia. Of course Mom had a good time catching up with her siblings. And M2 shyly got to know her other cousins.

Indeed, it’s all about family. And everyone agreed that while an occasion like this is great for everybody to meet, we should make it a point to gather more often to enable especially the new generation to know each other better.

There’s talk to plan another big family gathering and not wait for another wedding to do so. I am certainly looking forward to it!
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A Wedding and A Road Trip

24 Nov

Today’s the official last day of school and also Report Card day! Why can’t the school have this earlier, say last week instead? Anyway, what has to be done has to be done. Sigh…

Today’s the wedding dinner too and we get to go on a road trip! It’s an outstation occasion in Malacca, so it will be an overnight trip because it will be way too late to drive back after the dinner. We leave after the session with the teachers in the morning.

Looking forward to seeing all the aunties, uncles and cousins. And oh… donning the dress that I bought recently.

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A New Dress

14 Nov

I must say I am not one who would go out of the way to buy a dress, let alone wear one. All these years, dresses are not my typical wardrobe. But when I was invited, middle of this year, to attend a nephew’s wedding dinner towards the end of November, both M2 and I decided we should go shopping. Specifically for a new look. A new dress.

After all, wedding dinners are the only occasions that I would wear a dress. For once, I thought it would be nice to have an addition to my wardrobe. And the fact that we would be meeting up with the aunties, uncles and cousins all the more makes the new look and attendance necessary.

However, we didn’t act upon it immediately because of our busy schedules. Furthermore, during that time, I was in fat-mode, having grown sideways so it’s not a good time to go try on dresses so early on.

Finally when we went shopping last week, it took us two visits to the mall before we made our choices. I’m happy we both chose well. Zara, my choice never fails while M2 opted for Cotton On.

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Boys, Girls and Couples’ Trip

5 Oct

Earlier this year, hubby and his high school friends went on their Boys’ Trip and such nostalgia they had. Every year or every other year, these guys – all grown men would make the effort to get together for this. What’s amazing is that we are talking about at least nine of them, not just a handful! With busy schedules and all working professionals, they somehow managed. Such is their bond.

I always have the impression for such trips, they would behave like youngsters, unbefitting of their age and having a good time. After all, boys will be boys and men can be boys too.

But seriously, all they do is just reminisced about their good old days besides catching up with each other and having a good time. Throw in a couple of golf games, alcohol and good food, what more could they ask for? This annual affair certainly refreshes them and gives another meaning to the saying, growing old together.

There was a time when my high school girlfriends and I would do the same as well with our annual Girls’ Trip. But sadly, over the years, everyone thinks they are too busy and cannot commit to this annual affair. Sigh…

There was one year, the six of us did make the extra effort when we hit the big four. Ok, I admit… I am not Forever 38 like what my two girls think. We booked a villa in Seminyak, Bali, and it came complete with a private pool, butler and chauffeur. What a really wonderful time we had. Imagine jumping into the pool at midnight without a worry and having fits of giggles.

The villa experience stuck in my mind that several years later, I proposed the villa stay idea to our group of friends and before we knew it, a Couples’ Trip materialized! There were four married couples and a single girlfriend and we had one heckuva time. Ahh… such precious memories.

I must say trips, golf games inclusive or not and whether with good friends, group friends or spouses are good for the heart and soul as well as the friendship/relationship. With this being said, I hope my group of high school girlfriends can find the time to commit to a Girls’ Trip soon for old friendship’s sake.

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I Missed My Friends

11 Jul

Sometimes an injury not only takes the person out of action, it makes a person out of sight, out of mind too. I have not been to my golf club for ages because of the tennis elbow. And because of this, I missed all my golf buddies. Boo hoo hoo…

The friendship and friends are far more important than the game I realized. I miss the company, the laughter, the silly banters, and love. Throw in the food and drinks, I miss all this. Boo hoo hoo…

Over the weekend, the club held its Annual Championship and for the first time, I did not participate. I don’t think I could survive the two-day tournament. The spirit may be willing but the body, the arm specifically, would not be able to withstand the outing. It would be a painful nightmare and a big setback to healing.

But I went to the club to support all my golfing buddies because I missed them. It was indeed good to catch up with everyone who played in the tournament. And after the two days of intense golf, the defending champion prevailed to retain her title and I am glad I was there to celebrate with her and the rest of my golf buddies.

The 12-year old Glenlivet whiskey (and 12-year old Singleton plus an 18-year old – which I forgot what label) were thoroughly enjoyed on that humid Sunday afternoon after the morning excitement subsided. And it felt good to see most of my friends after so long. Ahh… the company, the laughter, the silly banters, the love and drinks…

Maybe I should reconsider playing again just to be with friends. After all, it’s the friendship that matters, not the game.

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A Return to the Nest

7 Jul

Last year in September, my niece went off to Ireland to pursue her law degree. The family then had two less people around, her and my M1. Today I am proud to say my niece has graduated with first class honors and is returning home this evening. Congratulations on your achievement!

Dinners and family gatherings from now on will be a little more boisterous with the return of one to the nest.

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Blame It On the Rain

27 Jun

The weekend getaway was good despite the late start. We played a round of golf and sadly, my tennis elbow suffered a setback. But I didn’t care. We had a good time because the golf course wasn’t crowded. When rain came down unexpectedly with five holes to go, we didn’t care. 

We felt at ease and no hurry in the world. So we patiently waited it out. And when the downpour dwindled to a slight drizzle, we continued the remaining holes because there was no siren. By the end of the round, both of us were drenched. Blame it on the rain.

During the stay with hubby’s parents, it was all about eating and sleeping. This is all we do whenever we visit. My bathroom scale hates me every time after such trips.

By Monday, it was time to leave and we started our journey late, at 1.45pm. The initial stretch was not too bad. The paddy fields are always a sight to appreciate as we zoomed along the highway. The rich bright green creates a sense of peace.

Traffic wasn’t as heavy as we feared, however things took a turn for the worse when the rain came down. And it rained all the way home, complete with thunder and lightning. What a light show it was! Horrendous conditions to drive if you asked me. We arrived home after almost eight hours on the road. Blame it on the rain. 

But rain or holiday-makers traffic aside, we got home safely and it was indeed a good getaway.

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