Bowled Over

My mum is the chairperson of the Malay Cultural and Activities Committee at the Bukit Panjang Community Centre. She heads a team of volunteers who organizes and plan activities for the Malay population at Bukit Panjang.

On X'mas day, her team organize a family bowling challenge at CDANs Country Club (also known as NS Home Team Country Club) at Bukit Batok.

Each team of four people has to comprise of family members. So hubby, daddy, my brother and my uncle formed a team. They called themselves 'Blue Whale'. Dun ask me why, it was my brother's idea.

At the bowling centre

Mummy posing with the members of the 'Blue Whale".

Let the games begin!

My brother showing off his moves

My daddy (dun underestimate him, he was once a bowling champ!)

Uncle Jeffry (also a potent player)

Hubby dearest (in top form!)

This one cannot bowl but askyen only!

While waiting for the results

The 'Blue Whale' team got 4th place out of 10 teams! Not bad guys, considering you play, like once a year :)

Yay! Go, daddy!

The 'Chope-ping' Game

We were honoured to be invited to my girlfriend's engagement ceremony on Sun 23rd Dec.

Isn't Ros lovely? (seen here with Erny)

She looks so different! It must be the glow of a bride-to-be.

Sorry guys, please back off, she kena 'chope' already! By her beau, Reza.

I remember during my engagement ceremony some donkey years back, how sweet it felt to 'belong' to someone you love. And the thrill you get just by introducing your other half as my fiance or my fiancee. Hee!

My heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you dearest Ros. I hope to see you and Reza tie the knot in a few years time and may you live happily ever after.

Posing with the Bride: Us With Siti, Erny and Sunny

Oh yes, did I mention the food was great? Kyle had 3 plates of the bee hoon! Ha!

Hari Raya Haji: Celebrated the Kampung Way

God bless, the 'aqiqah' was a success.

Most of the cow's meat was given to the villagers and the poor. The rest was specially cooked for us and some of our relatives. I did not eat the dishes cooked but my family claimed it was the best they had in a long time. They said that the meat was extremely tender and soft.

I do not eat sacrificial meat. I guess the whole process has a psychological effect on me. I get flashbacks of the cow being pulled around by its neck and legs, being tied to the ground and being put to death with a single stroke of the deadly parang. It is far too gory for me to take. When I see the meat, I feel like throwing up.

As the kids were not really used to sleeping without the air-con and mosquitoes, we rented an apartment at the Mahkota Hotel in Malacca's city district.

The view from our apartment

Me, Mummy, Kyra and Rae at the pool

The Bedroom

The main reason we are in Malacca: Their 'aqiqah'

Auntie June's family also joined us

Me, Regina and Mummy enjoying the cooling kampong night

We played sparklers

We played on the swing

We rode the bikes

The sacrificial cows

We also played in the pool

The whole experience of spending time at the kampong was an extremely pleasant one. We enjoyed the fresh air and the simple lifestyle very much. Kyle played with the chickens and the cats and ran around the open meadows through the pretty flowers. It really breaks us free from the busy lifestyle in Singapore.

Sigh..the holidays are ending soon..:(

Going Back to My Roots

I will 'balik kampong' tomorrow!

Me and my family including my parents, my brother's family as well as my in-laws will be making a trip to Malacca for 3 days. We will be spending our Hari Raya Haji there with our relatives.

My dad is born in Malacca, you see. He moved to Singapore when he was older to get a job here and eventually met my mum and settled down in Singapore. So in Malacca, I have many aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews...gosh there are so many of them I have trouble remembering all their names.

Another reason we are spending our Hari Raya Haji this year in Malacca is that me and hubby wish to carry out the 'aqiqah' for both our kids.

'Aqiqah' is a practice associated with child birth; the word in Arabic means sacrifice; for it involves sacrificing a goat or lamb and donating the meat in charity or making a feast to feed the poor and friends. Through this ritual we express thanks to Allah for His most wonderful gift of a new born; it also an opportunity to share the joy with fellow humans just as it accords an opportunity to empathize with the poor and needy and share God’s gifts with them.

I have been blessed with two wonderful and healthy children, and this year, thanks to Him, we are able to afford the 'aqiqah' and we wish to share our joy with others.

All praise to Him. I am blessed.

Happy Hari Raya Haji to my Muslim friends and enjoy the hols, everyone!

X'Mas Party At The Office

The 3Fs. Great Food, Fun and Friends!

We had a blast! It was certainly one of the best X'mas parties we had in the office. Thanks to the main organisers, namely Mae, Ros, Rebecca and all who have contributed in one way or another.

I ordered my favourite chocolate brownies from hubby's cousin for the party. It was such a hit! Everyone loved it! Hubby actually asked me to bring back some leftovers, but it was all gone in a flash! Sorry baby, I will order some more for you okie? Hubby was such a dear to drive to Bedok to collect the brownies for me and send it over to my office. And he even brought me a surprise.

Belated anniversary gift

It was such a good start to the party!

Some of the 'reindeers'

Big Boss making an opening speech

Makan time!

My brownies and Uncle's Hussain's rendang. Yummy!

Wonderful friends

And this is my Secret Santa! Maria!

Two weeks ago, everyone had to pull a card out of a box indicating a colleague's name and their X'mas wish. The idea is to get the requested gift for the person and it should not exceed S$15. I had pulled out Mazian's card and she requested for a fashionable scarf. That was really easy to get. I bought her two scarves and a brooch set.

I requested for accessories such as a necklace. Thanks dear for getting me such a beautiful gift. It was just what I wanted.

Maria bought me a necklace and 3 earrings from Eve Accessories

We also watched a powerpoint presentation created by Mae. It showed all our photos taken from previous events with funny captions. It was such a hoot! Everyone laughed like crazee. I even cried! Mae is so talented, I am telling you, she should be in the entertainment industry and not doing what she is doing now!

It really has been a long time since we folks in the office let our hair down. Even Big Boss was in such a good mood. I just lurve December holidays, don't you? Everyone is in such a happy, festive and holidaying mood.

Presents I got from my colleagues

Thank you!

Even Kyle wanted to join in the fun!

Happy 4th...and for more good years to come

Happy 4th Wedding Anniversary Hubby!

Seems like it was only yesterday we decided to jump on the bandwagon and tie the knot!

It has been a rollercoaster ride...mostly ups...and during the few 'down' times, we learn to pick up the pieces and work it out for the better. Which couple does not have their own misunderstandings, right?

Over the years, our love has grown stronger and we are indeed each other's lifeline. I can honestly say that I can never live without you dearest. That's how important you are to me and the children. Your emotional and physical support is a major motivational factor in my life.

So here's to more romance and love for more years to come baby :)

I love you with all my heart, body and soul...hehe

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At night, we headed for East Coast for a belated birthday celebration.

Thanks to my family for arranging the simple, yet meaningful birthday celebration for me.

It's My Party (and I'll cry if I want to)

Its MY Birthday!

Yup, it's all about ME today...ME, ME and more of ME :)

I can do all the evil stuff today (hahaha!) and get away with it! Right, baby? *winks*

It's my last year being a 20s, I will be in the 30s for my next birthday. Sounds a tad depressing, you say? I have mixed feelings. I have to admit that I have achieved certain goals and I went through quite a bit in my twenties :)

1. Got my driving license

2. Got my advanced diploma while working full-time

3. Got engaged to the love of my life

4. Got married to the love of my life

5. Got my 1st piece of property, my house, and got our 1st car

6. Gave birth to two lovely children

7. Went travelling a lot, most memorable was Europe with my mum

8. Got diagnosed with SLE (it sounds bad here, but it actually made me re-think my priorities in life and allow me to mature faster)

On the other hand, coming into the 30's zone is kinda freaky and daunting. Am I like supposed to tone down and sober up? I dun want to look like a 'kakak-kakak'!

Hopefully my 30s will be even more fullfilling and 'FUN'! I am still very young-at-heart, you noe. Dun't really know know to act my age.

Here's to more years of happiness and good health to me, insyallah :)

Btw, thanks to all friends and family for your well-wishes...I am truly blessed.

Special thanks to hubby dearest for the gorgeous ring and Hugo's XX Women's perfume. Luv ya. It's great when your birthday happens to fall on your husband's bonus day. Hee!

Water Babies

My parents left for Genting Highlands on Sunday. They took Kyra and Rae with them. Actually my parents-in-law was supposed to follow them, but because my sis-in-law is not feeling well due to her pregnancy, no choice but to abort the plan. Poor dears! They were so looking forward to this trip. So since they are unable to go, Mummy said she won't be able to handle all 3 granchildren at Genting Highlands, thus Kyle will stay in Singapore.

Kyle is ok about it, he was quite happy to stay in Singapore and play with his cousins are currently now staying at my in-laws house. Since there was nothing much to do yesterday, we decided to bring him out for a swim at Choa Chu Kang swimming complex.

My parents drove the car to Genting, so we took the bus. Kyle prefers taking public transport than the car actually. So unlike his parents, so pampered, only like our own transport!

We went with one of my SIL, Ina and also brought along his cousins, Amar and Umair. These two love to entertain Kyle.

The 3 'Hunks'
He loves playing in the water.

He had a great time. In fact, he had so much fun that once we reach home at 8pm, he was so pooped out, he slept till this morning.

I miss my Kyra :(

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A shoutout to one of my best girlfriends, Jes! HAPPY BIRTHDAY dearie!

With her son, Akash

High tea soon, babe?