Dad's 69th Birthday

Celebrating Dad big 69th Birthday before the milestone 70th (2013). Dad choose to go homely. So The idea was to "Ta Pao". 

Dear Suggested her workplace famous 威南记海南鸡饭餐室. They are famous for their Soya Chicken HongKong Style

Brought the Cake together @ Novena Square before heading home for Dinner

Mum cook some extra dishes for the occasion.

It turn out to be quite a spread then the usual Dinner,

even got the "Fake" Abalone.

As it is still Chinese New Year, We have the "Lau Yu Sheng" tradition as well. I think this is the 3rd time I am doing it. The First Being the one @ Seagate with folks in the dept, the 2nd time @ Dear's auntie's place.

When it come to birthday celebration, The cake is usually brought for reasons other than the birthday boy or girl, also for the Kid-Xuan. She totally love Cakes and to be able to blow off the candles and singing a birthday song means alot to her.

Shy shy shy....

Mood super good!!!

It is about time to light the candle

What should u do before u blow....Give "gong Gong" a Kiss!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy, Wishing u a health and blessed life.

Happy Chinese Year - The Year of The Dragon

The First day on the Year of the Dragon was especially different. Lot of Funny events happen and they are rather 无聊 stuff. 

First of all, I have one of the "normal" session with dear on Visitation. Both our family culture are really different. Dear think it is normal for me and her to visit each other's family, while I think otherwise.

Then we have one of our uncle making a Family Gathering sounded so troublesome. More on this later.

Decided to just keep in within my family and her's as I would not have enough time to rush for both Family visitation. 

Dear came over to my place around 10am to 拜年 with my parents. Though my family haven't really awaken yet. Still manage to play with the little ones - Xuan who is all dress up in Red ready for visitation. Chinese New Year is one of the most busy and stressful time for Sis and bro-in-law. The number of family and the waiting they need to do.

Have a few fun shots before I go over to Dear's Place to 拜年.

Arrive at Dear Family in time for a short Lunch - Porridge!!!

Dear's sister started to arrive at noon for Lunch. The kids are so typically dressed in Red for the occasion.

Dear's Family never fail to amaze me. How timely they are and how anxious they can be at time. Total Contrast with my family who is more relax and tend to be more concern in getting prepared.

Dear Left to visit her relatives while I headed home for a short Lunch (Mum cooked). Have a little chat with her before setting off to my "Ma Ma" - aka granny Place.

She just moved into her new Apartment - Condo - Livia. It is really refreshing to visit a newly built condo in recently years. The only other condo I ever been to are Rio Vista and Quartz. Livia is one of the best I have seen. Went for a dip in the pool before Dear arrived later

Didn't know that dear is actually quite bad at locating places. Got moody because of this. Didn't really have dinner at Granny place as we have a Steamboat Dinner @ our uncle Place.

Took a few photos before we departed for Sengkang. Dear have a really good time with my granny. They kinda strike it off on the spot. Same Language and Dear is rather experience with Elderly. Make me wonder if we could be able to see her salvation. My Elder Uncle did try to persuade her to Church but to no results

Granny don like to take photos...u can tell from the look

We took Bus 109 back to SengKang for 2nd Uncle's Steamboat dinner. Come to talk about this. It is also rather funny how it goes from a gathering to just the 1 family coming over for Dinner. Kinda defeat the purpose of organising this event.

The main Objective is to mingle with family member once a year as that the only time my mum's sisters and brother can come together for Dinner. We already kinda meet less often with everyone busy with their own family and lives.

Anyway, Granny was rather moody about this. But for the love of Peace, we make ourselves available.

Though it is just a simple meal. The Atmosphere was rather weird.

As usual. Din like Steamboat, on the back of my mind, is to throw everything into the "boat"

But I must say Steamboat is always a healthier choice when it come to calories.

The dinner ended rather fast. As there is just us, the only family having Dinner with them, Didn't reallly stay for long. Our excuse is rather valid, got to catch a movie later @ AMK Hub. My elder Uncle and family did drop by later though we have already left.

The Show by Jay Chou and Xie Tingfeng. The other movie we watch other than 龙众舞. But I felt that this was the better show, but it was a rather violence show, lot of shooting and killing. Jay chou did a really good job here.

Resolution 2012 - Getting gadgets

This is the only part of my resolution that does not need to achieve fully. Well if I really achieve all of it, it would either means I got a lot of money to spend or that I have over-spend and didn't save enough.

Entertainment(Gadgets, Games)
Playstation 3

Call this more of a want than a need. Been lamenting on getting one. But the constant config change to the hard disk and the higher price needed for the blu-ray player make me put off the plan for a while. Though I am still amaze by the multi functionality of the console and the beautiful graphics and game content on it. if only I got my LED TV in my room.

Garmin Forerunner 405Cx Watch

Thought this is the logical step toward improving my run timing. Pacing training is what make the speed difference. Currently I am unable to tell what pace I am at. So I think this will be a Need

27" LED monitor

A wide screen one if I can afford one, though my current 17" LCD monitor still works well. Definitely a Want. Just thinking which Brand to look for? A Samsung seem likely

GTX 550 Graphic Card

I suspect my old Nvidia GTX 7600GT is living out her final moments on PC from the constant flicker on my 17" screen. It's either the screen or the card. Definitely a Need

Nintendo Wii

It has been quite a while since I got another console. Since then, so many have came out. Among all the 3 Console, The Nintendo Wii has got to be the most unique and fun, though its' graphics is a little dated. But it is still worth looking at. With the Next Generation Wii - Call Wii U.....this could be the best time to get the Wii at a Bargain. Last I check, the street prices is about $320 with 2 games included.

Microsoft Xbox360 with Kinect

Another HD Console in the same line with the PlayStation3. The PlayStation have the Move, Xbox360 comes with a Remote Controller Free Detector which seem fun from all the commercials that were advertising for it. But it cost about $649 with Kinect and I doubt there will be games included. Though the games are definitely cheaper than the PlayStation 3. But isn't Really Keen on this but there are some games on it that is worth playing, like Halo, Gear of Wars. 

PlayStation Vita

I was once rather into hand-held gaming, would hand on to my PSP during my bus-ride and played my games to pass time on the bus. But got tired of it after a while, probably due to the troublesome idea of transferring games over to the memory card and the rather expensive UMD disk to begin with. This new PSP-Vita is a little different as the games media are either distributed electronically or through their specially make memory card. The only thing that might be of concern is the rather steep prices again for Sony Product.

Nintendo 3DS

I have a Nintendo DS Lite which was really fun to played on, but it was a rather "Girlish" Console. The main thing of not playing on it anymore is not because I got bored, but more of I kinda lost the Charger for the console and thus unable to play it anymore. The new 3DS is an interesting console as they claim to have 3D effects without the glasses, and is the cheaper option between the 2 hand-held console. But with the Iphone so popular and so convenient, These 2 Players are going to have a rather tough time trying to complete.

37" Full HD LED TV

My 29" CRT RIP last year, since then I have not been able to see my DVD or play games on my older PS2. Been wanting to buy a replacement set, a LED TV but the higher prices in the range of 1.5K. But was rather surprise that the prices of electronics can drop rather fast. It is now below 1K for a full HD set. Let's hope it drop a little more to make it more affordable

Celebrating The Wonderful Rabbit Year - Reunion

The year of the rabbit (my Year) is coming to an end. This year has been a fulfilling year. Found Love and mum recovered from her illness. Got our first Condo coming up in 2013. Found a new passion in Church and Cell Group.

Went to church this morning @ CSCC before heading back for Reunion Dinner. As sister and hubby need to go to their in-law for Dinner. We had our Steamboat Dinner Earlier @ 5.30pm.

It is quite a spread. It was said " The best food are to be here to signifiy a good year ahead"

The typical Fish, Chicken and "Fake" Abalone.

The Stuff from the "Yong Tao Fu" Store...lol.

How can we forget the greens.

Was never a Fan of Steamboat. I usually like to throw in everything and boil and later drink the 

soup which will be super tasty and delicious.

Xuan was super excited to be able to "Cook" her own meals on the table 

A Family Reunion Dinner before we start the feasting

Me and mum and Dad with Xuan...

The small lady does know how to pose

Happy Family.

Knowing she have a second round of steamboat make her super excited.

It was a rainy night on Lunar New Year's Eve. Dear come over to watch the movie "Secret" with me by Jay Chou.  Mum joined in. But was not impressed with the movie. Though the plot was really "secret". The soundtrack more than make up for the lack of pace. It was a rather refreshing plot I must say from Taiwan.

After sending Dear to the Bus-Stop. Was actually planning to do a 2.4km Jog but it was called off due to the heavy rain. Decided to do a 60th Storey Climb at my block. It was satisfy and fun. Hope I did burn of a couple of calories or so.

Sis and Family came back rather late - Wee morning of Lunar New Year. The coming day ahead will be a day of visitation and feasting. Looking Forward.

Be a Blessing to the Poor - A Cell Event!!!

Ever since last year, The Cell have started an act of putting God's Word into application. "Bless The Poor", A Theme my church stand by for a long time, with even a community Arm - Touch Community setup to be a blessing to the community.

As the Lunar New Year is approaching. WH and CW decided to visit Mr Lou, An elderly we visited last year as part of the Cell Activity to Be a blessing to the elderly.

Was tasked to buy a gift for Mr lou - The Gift - Hokkien Drama Serial. Din brought the latest serial as Hokkien Drama in Singapore are really hard to find - Especially the newer ones

Mr Lou's daughter and hubby with Waty was kind enough to host us for the night. I was never a talkative person. Do find it hard to maintain a conversation with Mr Lou. Luckily Dear is around, make the situation more relax and less tense. 

Think most of us were probably worry that Mr lou have problem understanding us and might not like such a big crowd. 

Mr lou hardly talk usually, He is already in his 90s (95 yrs old I think) He usually give us nods and sound to acknowledge our questions. Waty is extreme patience with us, help us interpret what Mr lou is trying to say most of the time. Had a group photo before we left. I sincerely pray that Mr Lou does enjoy our company at the house and hope that we have been a blessing to him.

Have a sudden Craving for Chicken rice at this hour!!! Decide to go with Dear the S11 beside AMK Hub for Chicken rice. Ordered Roasted Chicken instead of my Favorite "White" chicken which is the signature dish of the store there.

 

Really enjoyed the meal, very satifying. Dear din eat alot due to her "diet conditions"...lol. She kept comment that I have the Capacity to eat....I wonder how true is that statement. I choose to disagree, still find myself rather fat actually. (I meant certain portion of my body)
Went back to Dear place to get the ice-cream that she brought for me and the set of cups. Time flies, in a matter of hours, we will enter into Lunar New Year Eve.

Rina, Dear's Sister wanted to do the "midnight" shopping. The market have been on the midnight oil since a few days ago in anticipation of Lunar New Year Crowd. Though there wasn't much crowd @ the Serangoon North Area. I bet it should be super crowded @ Chinatown.

Brought all the greens, fish and meat needed for the next week as well as the steamboat dinner with for Dear's Family Reunion next sat, as the market will be close for at least the first 2 days of CNY

I kinda posted the above photo on FB to the amaze of Dear worrying that my mum will comment how come I go shopping with Dear and not my mum. How funny!!!.

Gong Xi Fa Cai - Boss Treat!!

One of the best things of working in Seagate, Feasting session. This time round, The boss wish to say greetings and at the same time make some announcement during this period of time

Some of my colleagues  actually arrive super early to chop the best seat in town (Conference Room)

The Buffet catering was from http://www.orangeclove.com.sg/. Consider quite a high end Catherine Buffet, but It is quite good actually, better than Seoul Garden and 4 Season definitely. Look at the Spread below

Tomoto Favoured Fried Noodle

Lemon Chicken!!!

Prawn Salad - Cream of the Crop, gone within the first serving

Deep Fried Prawns - Din like this actually

The Green some of the healthy folk love!!

Dessert!. There seem to be a commotion on this though. One "Secret" Manager use the provided scoop to Taste the Dessert! Lucky I have my share before he did this.....(Next time better be careful when having Dept Lunch - They know who he is...lol)

I seriously love such get together session. Time away from work and building relationship!