Happy 1st birthday to Aaron!

Love these family moments. Happy 1st birthday to Aaron! Hope you like how Sze yiyi captured these precious moments of your entry into toddlerhood!

Happy 3rd birthday to Jovan too! How time flies, you two little blessed boys!

 

Connecticut

This year's birthday celebration was a tad more special in that:

1) I celebrated it in US instead of SG;
2) Because of the time zone difference, it felt like a 2-day celebration because I have loads of friends and family wishing me 'happy birthday' a day in advance;
3) Compared to previous years where I met up with old friends for dinner, I actually made new friends this birthday (had brunch with Mr. Jang's colleague and her fiance, and also met up with a couple from SG whom I knew through another friend and have briefly spoken to on FB.)

I really had fun, but at the back of my mind, I'm haunted by the tragedy that happened at the elementary school at Connecticut.

It's not the first time such shooting incidents have happened in US. I'm not sure why I am particularly bothered this time - perhaps it's because I'm on this side of the world, or perhaps it's because I've been a sunday school teacher to primary school kids - I try not to imagine what went through the minds of the teachers... terrified, need to do something, what to do, how much time, protect my students...

I read the news on the timeline of the massacre and saw the list of names of the victims which was just released by the Police. I am truly overwhelmed with sadness when I thought of the children, especially how they would never have a chance to realise the dreams they have in adulthood. The young victims (most of them were reportedly first-graders) were just starting to enjoy school and friends... and they were robbed of their lives so early. Not only those who were slain, those who survived... the police officers had to ask them to close their eyes as they passed through the corridor on the way out to safety, because the scene along the way was just too horrible for anyone to see. As I write, I heard on the news that some of the six-years-olds are still trying to process what happened and if their friends and teacher will come back.

I don't want to debate about the right to own guns, although I really want to punch the stupid interviewee on TV who said that everyone should own one so that we can protect ourselves (what stupid logic is that). I want to pray for God's healing for the families, for the country, for the world. A lot of people would ask where God is in the midst of all these tragedies, how He can let such atrocities be committed against the innocent. We don't have an answer, but we know that God's love endures even through the most difficult times.

Mr. Jang said one thing which I really agree with. Christmas is coming, and often we think of how we can use this day as an opportunity to go on a holiday or party with friends. But this Christmas, may we truly be reminded that Jesus is the reason for the season, and take time to pray for His intervention in this world of irrationalism and violence.

May God bless the victims and comfort their families in the long painful journey of recovery.

Birthday log cake! :)



Colleagues gave me a birthday log cake and $40 Capitaland vouchers as birthday present today. Yes, another chocolate cake! Yippie!

To be honest, it was a little awkward cos my new colleagues (except for Irys!) are all quite serious and I thought this birthday celebration felt more like a birthday SOP rather than a genuine celebration. But I really appreciated the gesture and the thought that went behind buying the cake and the vouchers. The cake tasted super yummy (belgium dark chocolate!)

I sincerely think that it is important to have more get togethers like this. It's important to build a culture that is not solely focused on work alone. We are all humans behind the computers and emails afterall.

Hopefully, there will be more occasions for us to get together like this, not just for birthdays or Christmas. A comfortable and welcoming office environment - that's what makes people want to come to work.

So bosses, take the lead and make the difference!

martinis + cakes = happy me

I didn't put the group photo here because I am not sure if they will be comfortable having their photo uploaded on blogs (FB is another matter!) so I just put this happy photo of myself with two glasses of lychee martini.

Am very grateful that they had included me in the celebration of the December babies even though they are more of Mr. Jang's buddies. I seldom join in the gatherings and I always hide behind Mr. Jang but they are always very nice and kind. I even have birthday presents and a mini cake!

Thank you, thank you! :)

More than just moving...

"Survived" my first week at the new house. I used that word because it was with much reluctance that I came to terms with the fact that yes indeed I had moved out of my parents' house. I had a shock when Mr. Jang told me last Sunday that we would not be going back, when I had thought that the move was only temporary. I felt that I was suddenly yanked out of my home, and I didn't have time to say my goodbyes.

I still miss everything terribly. I only pulled through the first week because I can still see Sis and BIL regularly especially when I go to work cos Sis will swing by to pick me up and when I go home to get my stuff. This and the fantastic surprise birthday party that the gang gave me two days ago. Totally made my day.

I miss my little buddy. No matter how hard Mr. Jang tried to tell me that Almonn is no longer my dog (I don't believe it for a single moment) and that he cannot come cos he will scratch the furniture and dirty the place if he comes, I am still very attached to him and I miss him every single day. I think what Mr. Jang doesn't realise is that I can always earn back the money used to refurbish the house or buy back the furniture if there is any damage. But the feelings you have for your pet is something that can never be replaced. I appreciate the efforts that he has made to make the transition less painful and I probably sound selfish when I say this, I will not remember how nice my first house is or how beautiful the furniture is, but I will remember that I miss Almonn every single day that I moved in and that I am forbidden to bring him here with me. :(



Merci merci :)

Merci Seigneur, pour des petites choses que tu m'avez donne.

Je n'ai pas passe une tres bonne journee au bureau aujourd'hui (due a quelque chose) et j'avais des plans de passer une soiree tranquille avec mon mari et ma soeur. Mais mes cheries m'ont pris par surprise et j'ai fini par passer une tres tres bonne et amusante soiree avec elles.

Donc, merci Seigneur, pour ton amour pour moi, pour me rendre compte qu'il y a beaucoup de gens et d'amies qui sont tres tres gentilles.

Tu es grand!

My last birthday as a single

Had a fantastic birthday yesterday starting with loads of well wishes early in the morning, and then a simple lunch with colleagues at Manhattan Fish Market. Embarrassingly, Med tried to ask everyone to say what they liked about me... and I got i) clomper feet, ii) squeaky voice, iii) vampy (!) personality, iv) nice laughter, and v) even the fact that my Dad works in a luxury goods company (this one was from silly annoying Med!).

And then it was off to an evening of ALL my favourite things (drums rolling): Roses!!! Mala steamboat!!! Chocolate Cake!!! KTV!!! Beer!!! And of course, great company!!!

It was a nice celebration (thanks to Mr. Jang, Sis and Paulyn!) and a good way to end my last birthday as a single, just like how everyone has been reminding me.

Events/little moments that I like!

Haven't had such fun fun fun times in a loooooooong while.

Sat

Shopping with Sis at Orchard for Christmas presents, and having a really nice cosy hens night with the girls - the play was hilarious, loads of sinful food (char siew rice late in the evening + fries at 4am!), drinking without tripping over our own toes, singing in the cab on the way home. Check out more photos on facebook!

Sun

Selection of Sis' evening gown (while trying at the same time to recover from our really tired legs and puffy eyes)

Mon

Early birthday surprise from colleagues! You can tell from the way I smiled that I really loved the gigantic chocolate cake (though I probably can't finish it!) ^ ^

Dinner and KTV at Teo Heng with the two "little" boys I've known since Secondary School! Totally don't need to care about 仪态. And oh, Teo Heng has a touch-screen iPhone-like interface for the monitors now, so unlike the lock-kock place we always went to in Uni. Totally cool!

Happy 30th Birthday, Mr. Jang! :)

Mr. Jang celebrating his 30th birthday with pals and Chloe...


Mr. Jang having breakfast with me near Raffles Hotel...


"Happy 30th Birthday, Mr. Sunshine. From, Ms Grouchy..."

The celebration begins...

Mr. Jang is going to reach his 30th birthday next week and PL, our dearest friend cum insurance agent, came by to cook for him (with Sis as the assistant chef).

They bought the loveliest chocolate cake one can find. Yum yum.


Mr. Jang said we might as well practise cutting our cake... haha


PL and sis initially refused to take a photo cos their hair and faces were all oily from the cooking. But what the heck, it's not like we are going to use this photo for match making sessions.


It was a simple but cosy dinner. I especially like the 三杯鸡 but I totally forgot to take photos of it. Too hungry... :p

Happy birthday Sis!

Sis gave me and Mr. Jang a treat on HER birthday! Haha.. Ok don't say that I'm stingy. Me, Adel and Chick already gave her a treat at Seafood Center on Monday, and today I bought her a small cake. Going to get her an additional present!

Mum always says that I bully Sis when I was young. Oh well, some things don't change.

P/S: I know I looked damn tired. That's the look of being stressed out by work! Ok, I shall vow not be a nerdball anymore!

Hwei's birthday

That's Hwei looking particularly pleased with turning 28. For some crap reason, we miscounted the no. of candles. There's 29! Oops.