Last Memorable Event in 2006 - Sympo Gathering

A gathering involving 5 families, 9 adults & 3 kids - That's the number of people in Sympo group after 11 years since graduation! (Alvin couldn't make it due to some more important commitment affecting his future!) Amazing, and indeed very Happy. Happy for all my friends, some already have at least 1 kid, and some with the 1st and 2nd on their way... by 2007, the "group" will grow to at least 11 adults and 6 kids!!! Seeing them happy with their spouse and career is really very joyous and something which calls for a celebration. Guess the only person maintaining the status quo is myself...
We had our gathering in La Terrase at the Orchard Hotel (www.orchardhotel.com.sg), a place which I like to have a chat with friends and catch-up. Realized obviously it wasn't a place for families! Hahaha, was awakened by Ching Ching, and guess our future gathering will have to be suggested by the "mothers" for places more conducive for kids... It was a good get-together and I hope we'll be able to do that once more before I set off after Chinese New Year for Melbourne.

Christmas 2006

Jingle bell, jingle bell...
It is yet the time of the year of giving, gathering, eating and NOT working! Ha... that is the best, when almost everyone is in the festive mood and no mood for work. Peace is the word to describe the atmosphere in the office. If nothing goes wrong, 2006 should be my last year of Christmas in Singapore, until 2010... So, my 'heart' is a little heavy

The Preparation
the fun part about Christmas is the time spent shopping for presents and realizing that friends enjoyed your gifts and etc...This year, in fact, is the most satisfying cause I decided to embark on a "mini" project to "create" a gift for my friends that recollects the happy times we've spent together to commemorate the years of friendship... "Customized Calendar" ... It is a tedious process: digging through all the OLD photos (not digital) and scanning them into digital prints. Recall one of the trips having to take leave from work and standing in Fotohub from 11am to about 3pm... having to change and cancel my other appointments made earlier. Underestimated. Well, the effort all paid off when you see the End product, very memorable and very satisfying (See photo Top Left).

Christmas Eve

Rain...rain and rain - terrible weather!

Hahaha.. what a way to start, Aikido! Slamming away... especially after a short 4 hours sleep... rushing out all the last minute wrapping of the presents due today!

Luncheon with Kit, Ken (the newly wed), Yiliang, John and princess Yuki (a real darling!). It has been awhile since we had full attendance for lunch, since John do not usually join us. Glad though, we had the FULL! P.S Cafe at Harding was the venue for our afternoon Brunch. In fact this was my 4th time there for brunch and I absolutely LOVE the food... and of course the ambiance. The Portabello Mushrooms is a MUST - Try, as a matter of fact, we had 2 order of it since we didn't had enough the first round!

What is Christmas Eve if I do not spent it with my regular gang... BPC.

Huey Yuee happened to be back for spring cleaning, but unfortunately, Agnes was not in town, after all we are still ONE short. Anyway, we had our "little" quick gift exchange before everyone else turn up...since we combined 2 groups for our celebration. For once, the Exchange process was recorded using my good old CASIO Exlim! (Had a good laugh reviewing the video afterwards..) We get to savour the food from the very much talked about "Botak Jones" http://www.botakjones.com/! We had the 'typical" Christmas food: Ham, Turkey with breaded fillings, sausages, salad, and of course the local Otak. The food were excellent, especially the turkey, very tender with nice seasoning! They best I ever had thus far... in fact, better than Chicken! haha... amazing.

Part II of the celebration was a visit to the newly Wed's (Vincent & Gwen) home...where we had champagne and countdown to Christmas.

The night did not end after that... Ms Lee and myself headed back to Loyang where we join the Aikido gang for the Christmas gathering.. there we had XO! Wow and chat for awhile with the group before heading to catch a bit of sleep at around 4.30am! It has been a LONG day.

Merry Christmas...

My buddy, Kit's BIG Day!

(Left) Kit with little princess Yuki..... so sweet!
(Right) Charlie Angels of Singapore.. and yes, we once thought of entering a competition using that name and performing some stunts!

10 Dec, 2006 was the Big day for my buddy Kit. Unlike any other weddings, hers was very special... at least for me, cause she is one of my closest friends from U.

Finally a chance to be one fo her "sisters". Was once wondering when she'll get married and settle down, either in relationship and in her job! Looks like is now well settled (happy) both in her relationshp and in her job, as Tai Tai! Right, she wished, dream on...

Anyway, it was a rather interesting day... where we went through the "traditional" rituals of making things difficult for the groom before he "received" the bride... (of course, otherwise he won't treasure if it is too easy!). Like, singing, taking vows, kissing (RA), eating wasabi and etc... hahaha, so interesting! Oh, and he came receiving his bride in (not a Mercedes like most people used) a BUS, yes, as in the green BusPlus! I really LOVE the idea... and I must say the ride was much more comfortable and fun.

Lunch was fantastic too... as we had it at Lei Garden, CHIJMES. Just like any wedding dinner, it's nothing but good food, dish after dish...

The programs end with an Afternoon Tea with Kit's friends at VTea Room in the Esplanade. It was a very leisurely and enjoyable tea break where people chat and enjoy a cup of tea/coffee with a few slices of cakes. The event ended about 6pm... not willing to head back home, Ms Seah, Ms Foo and myself went up to the CitySpace bar (70th Floor) in the Swissotel for a nice drink and enjoy the wonderful view from above! Very nice way to end the day... Luckily I still have Christmas and New Year to look forward to, after this much anticipated wedding!

2006 Shanghai Tennis Masters - The Year of Roger Federer!

Was there, seen it, felt it, experienced it and utterly enjoyed myself! Shanghai, 12 to 19 Nov 2006, wrapped up 2006 really well. Wow, watching Live tennis (especially when your idol is playing) is just amazing. And to top it all up, seeing your idol winning the Masters title, being the Champion of the year just make the trip worthwhile!

Aikido Journey Updates

Time flies, another year passed and I've joined Aikido for about 22 months! Wow.. and currently 3rd kyu (brown-gold), it has been a real journey.
All good things have to come to an end, and just like the Budha's teaching, "Nothing is permenant", guess I have to agree. Whether u like it or not, all things have to come to an end, including the happy times I have with Zhen Qi Shu...all will end on 28 Feb 2007 when I leave Singapore for Melbourne.
As a matter of fact, much has changed since September 2005, some for the better, some for worst.
We celebrated sensei's birthday on 5 September; ZQS' 4th Anniversary on 9 September and was on a trip to Port Dickson from 16 to 18 September (photo attached). All in all, we had fun and I absolutely enjoyed those times with Sensei and the group...guess, it wouldn't be the same next year!