End Note for Year 2008

In a day's time, we are moving on to a brand new year.. While the sun still shines on, some feels for global warming... others awaits for more blooms. As the waves continue to splash on our shores, some look out for tsunami... others wow at yet another magnificent sun rise.

This year seems to be a dark year for most with bad things happening one after another. Many are hoping for a better year ahead although forecasts by 'experts' are not very uplifting.

Darkness.. Brightness.. Hottest days... Wettest moments... this year... next year...

My family will only be doing the same... chasing after the sunshine, enjoying the warm while it last.. cuddle close when it lacks.

So our wishes for you is not a "Happy New Year" but..

May you walk into the new year with the choice to have Joy close to your heart!

-------------------------------------------

Fishing in December

Yah... how could we miss out one of our favourite activities during school hols...

Christmas Day 2008

We headed to West Coast Park to play with Jay's new remote car after having brunch at Ginza. The kids had fun of course and look at some of Jay's naughty acts.

Then we head home for our usual homecook Christmas Dinner. Mark prepared Honey Baked Ham...Wow!!!. I prepared the sides which is Beef Rolled Asparagus and Mushrooms Crosti.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Christmas Eve 2008

After our Christmas service in church and last round of "Santa Clausing"... we did what we do every year. Have our own family nite party...Our dinner Christmas eve dinner this year consists of Citrus Prawn Salad, Ham Rolled Shimeiji Mushrooms and Grilled Cod fish... and toast off sparkling wine.

Christmas 2008

It's the time for CELEBRATIONS!!!!

Indeed we rejoices for the birth of Baby Jesus thousands of years ago. We join the angels and shepherds in singing and celebrations... We travel and give presents like the 3 wise men. We sparkle like the stars in that very night He was born... yes, even in bad times.

"He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,"

~ Luke 1:14

That's what we did ! We had parties for friends and our family.

More photos at : http://www.flickr.com/photos/ting-family/sets/72157611782225423/

Stepping back to Marina South

Finally we found the time to explore the new place after it had reopen for so long. We went to the pier then to Marina Barrage.

Nice place for couple couple time.. and it is also filled with family giggles... some kite enthusiasts to add more thrills... and dots of wedding couples posing for their future. Am I making it sound like a multi purpose event hall? Maybe the promise of Al Fresco style steamboat will make it more tempting...

It's a nice place lah! See the kids' faces...

Our Fourth Wedding Anniversary

Yeah! Applause... applause... Thank you Thank you!

Indeed I was overjoyed to survive my fourth year as a wife. No one raised an eyebrow when I announced I'm stepping into motherhood.. but perspirations broke out when I say,"I do." I still remember how my aunties loaded me with advices on being tolerating and understanding blah blah blah.. and explaining to my Ils how my living alone since young experiences made me erm... a 'little' difficult to live with.

So I'm proud to announce that not only I managed to live in harmony with 1 man (the most untidy kind of 'pet' I ever seen) but 3 of them. Those who still think its my retributions can jolly well laugh till your jaws cramp and stuck yah...

Anyway... we celebrated the occasion with a night stay at Waterfront Copthorne and a sumptuous Christmas Dinner at Cafe Brio in the most romantic way that we can have... with the kids.

View from our room

Went for a swim before dinner. It rained earlier so the water was freezing cold but the boys insisted on not getting out of the water. See how purple their lips turn into...

We wanted a couple shot... obviously the waiter that we asked felt that the kids come attached.

Yep... we upz the romantic mood by kissing under the big Christmas Tree...

with hugs too of course....

after several attempts of taking a family portrait on self timer... erm, yes.. this is the best we managed to get. It's quite a feat with 2 monsters involve you know.

More photos at : http://www.flickr.com/photos/ting-family/sets/72157611828946786/

Transformer Meet session

Seen and read about how the mummies brought their kids to various characters meeting sessions or play etc during the school hols, somehow guilt gotten into me.

Not that we are lazy to bring them for stage shows, but so far they really don't show much interest.

But like i said, guilt gotten hold of me so I arranged to bring them for a meet up session with Mr. Optimus Prime... it was a mistake. Jem simply refused to go near the mascots! And he fussed so much that I wished to storm off like Bumble Bee if not for the fact that they barricaded the place up.

Oh well... at least it comforts me to know that they will definitely not appreciate having Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck walking up to them at Hong Kong Disneyland for now, so I jolly well can save up on it.

December School Hols

Jerome and I did a few round of baking during the school holidays to pass time. This is one of them that he did mostly on his own. It's a simple brownie recipe which only need to mix all the ingredients in the mixer in easy steps.

Of course he loves the end product cos it's so yummilicious with the marshmallows that was toasted in the oven for a while before serving. Yeap... expect a gooey mess while eating.