Friday, June 26, 2009
The year of harvest
After 6 years, I finally, for the first time, set my eyes on these pictures taken in Ming's birthday party. First time leh! I'm sure there were other pictures but no one has shared me their pictures of Ming's birthday!
There has also been rumours that there was a video of Ming's birthday, combined with the farewell BBQ at Mickey's place. But NO ONE has seen that video accept claims from Alvin that he edited it, passed a CD to Stephanie to pass it to Ming to pass it to me, but Ming claims he lost it (I think purposely wan). And Stephanie claims to have the unedited copy of it but as Cynthia once declared, she doesn't think the video actually exists, because no one seems to have seen but everyone without fail always asks about it, especially when fresh pictures of uni days emerge and people start reminiscing.
Uni days were fantastic :)
It was less than a year spent there, but worth every drop of it. The friendships, the laughter, the joy, and having so many of us embracing the Cross together, some before we met each other, many through the course of that year and beyond.
My most vivid memory will always be of the Friday night when Mickey led in times of singing praise and worship songs, and someone tapped my shoulder amidst the loud music to say that Yvonne decided to be a Christian. She was laughing and soon all of us were and as we sang the song "Heaven is in my Heart" all the girls start singing lustily, laughing and dancing. I remember because at that moment I felt a wild abandonment of decorum, felt people turn to stare at us dancing in a silly manner, but it didn't matter, because there was joy, in knowing a good friend joined us for all eternity.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Feed me
I'm in one of my lazy cooking moods again. Two weekends ago, I was too lazy to cook anything and thanked God for maggi mee.
My landlord's parents from Korea are visiting too. They don't speak any English. But the look of disapproval on my landlord's mother's face on the second day as I prepared yet another maggi mee meal is a universal language.
Nevertheless, last weekend I ate VERY WELL. Too well. Tummy sprung out again.
And tonight, my neighbour, Alex from China invited me to join him and a few other church members to have dinner.
Thank God for providing.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Pub at a golf course
At a pub in my neighbourhood overlooking a golf course.
It's been one of the most social weekend I've had for a while; as I've been quite low-profile this year, keeping to myself a lot more.
Yesterday I had dinner with a friend from college days who I've not seen in the last 7 years. Earlier in the evening I went to a pub with Emma (in picture), Hristo and wife Maria for a drink and a chat. Martin joined a little later and afterwards Martin and I went to Emma's for dinner and we had a really good time of fellowship - which I've not done for a while.
Tomorrow evening I'm meeting up with Marianne who's in town for a few days and that should be luverly; she's one of those few who I can talk for hours with.
Dragon beard candy
It's been a funny week.
On Tuesday, my sense of smell was so sensitive that I was picking up scents all around me I'm normally oblivious to. From the perfume of a lady who was walking 2 feet away from me, the smell of the morning air, body odour, exhaust, cigarette smell and to the polo mint of the person who was trying to get rid of his cigarette breath.
And some of the scents I picked up brought up snapshots of memories I never realised was there. Just things like as I stood at the side waiting to cross the road, a scent reminded me of me standing at the side of the road across my grandfather's textile shop in Taiping.
Some other random memories popped into my head this week which I can't remember anymore.
I was in Chinatown meeting with an old friend and after that as I strolled along Chinatown, I saw somebody making 'dragon beard candy' and suddenly, I remembered as a young child, standing beside my grandmother while I watched someone make the same candy in a pasar malam (night market) while he pulled at the candy.
How random.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Picnic at the park
A couple of weekends ago, church had a picnic after service in a nearby park. It's handy having a camera phone.
Remember when I said I went to Newcastle last month? It was a beautiful sunny weekend up north too (surprisingly) and we decided last minute to go to Heaton park (I spent many lovely summer evenings lying in that park as a student and reading books) for a picnic lunch too.
The difference however, between an English picnic and a Chinese picnic...
Chinese people bring their rice cooker with them.
And we sit on newspapers.
And instead of sandwiches, we have fried vegetables, rice and curry chicken.
Hehehehe.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Didn't someone say narcissism is necessary?
You did Eevon C.
I'm just learning to embrace myself.
JFT, welcome to my "Secret" location. See how nice the cubicle doors are.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Visit up north
Visited Nottingham beginning of May and Newcastle end of May. Good trip.
My first meeting with Isabel. She wasn't impressed with my first impression I guess. She was much happier trying to eat her toy bug
Ammm!!!
With Aunty Hui Min, wearing the clip I bought for her. I think she looks a lot like her daddy lorh. Sorry Apple, but I think she has his ears! But she's absolutely beautiful!
That's right daddy, henceforth and forthwith, you shall live in my shadow!
High-achiever mother
No slacking!
Daddy attempted to feed ducks with old stale bread.
Knowing how busy new parents can be, I didn't try to meet Ramzi and his newborn boy, but it was a lovely surprise to meet him and Suzy taking the little one out for a walk the same afternoon!!! A lovely cap to the weekend in Newcastle.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Just because...
it's summer, the sun is still up on my way home from work and the skies are beautifully blue.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Happiness is...
a nice hot bowl of noodle soup with chilli oil. SluuuurRrrp!
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Tired
Been really tired this week for some reason. Good week(s) though. In a manner of speaking. Was away two weekends ago up in Newcastle visiting old friends and making new friends (babies). It's only this year that everyone just suddenly seems undeniably older. Even myself. I don't like the few strands of white hair I'm finding on my head and the little traces of lines on my face. Wish I was 24 again.
And I'm beginning to feel traces of wisdom tooth growing and it's making eating slightly uncomfortable.
