Reunion dinners used to have a special meaning for me. It bears the definition of bonding, family get togethers and savouring delectable food for 15 hard days. It is also miracle that I can still fit in my pants.

Having to rush through 2 reunions in a night for the past 4 years have begun to wear me out. I have no idea why either side refused or even compromise to hold it on seperate days. The chore of having to gobble down food in 30 mins and then drive at lightning speed to the next destination, only to suffer another round of naggings is simply a killjoy.

Anyhow, despite being so resentful and whiney, I know I should still be thankful that my loved ones are happy and healthy. Enough of complaints, here are the photos.

I didn't win any $$$ during gamble sessions but I hope that doesn't translates to my fortune going down the drain this year. (Mental note: Cannot spend too much. Haha)

Random

Finally found a blog app that is able to upload photos without a charge.

On other news, Chinese New Year came and gone. Jayden has been in daycare for two months now. Everyday he tells me he hates school but always come back with a smiley face. I'm not sure which is the truth.

We're off to Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh next week to celebrate hub's birthday - My gift to him including myself. Haha.

Meanwhile, Happy Rabbit Year to all! Huat ah!

Ushering another new year

I didn't mean to have this late post. But I was waiting for *ahem* some overdued photos which is still overdued because someone is busy sipping red wine on the other side of the globe. *looks at C's direction sternly*

Anyhow, despite our ever-increasing hectic schedule, that never stopped us from having our ritual New Year dinner.

This year, C picked a quaint gem spot somewhere on the west. The ambience was good, food came in decent portions, topped up with a nice bottle of wine - simply divine. It is little moments like these that makes me appreciate my life is pampered. :) Thanks for the great food & company!

Our 5th New Year Celebration

I was trying to dig out last year new year dinner posts and I came across my 2010 resolutions.

1. 1 long holiday, probably USA or Japan & 1 short holiday, hopefully to bring Jayden along to Hong Kong [Went to Club Med Bali with my parents and had many other short trips]


2. Be more patient to Jayden [Still trying to attain zen]


3. Celebrating my 30th birthday overseas with my gfs [Celebrated at Festive hotel instead]


4. Going diving again [Unfortunately, I'm not sure when this will ever happen :( ]


5. Getting my dream bag - Chanel 2.55 Classic Jumbo (when can I own you!) [Hopefully in my upcoming trip!!! Got a Balenciaga to make up for the 'loss']


6. Staying healthy - swimming and hitting the gym every week [This has dwindled to once a month affair]


7. Going health screenings yearly - have to plan one for Dylan soon [Did mine, not so good. Still trying to psycho the man to do it]


8. Start saving to plan for house shifting in 2 years time [Savings will start after Europe trip]


9. Stay on my current job at least for > 2 years (I job hop every 2 years) [I don't know if I should be proud of this but I have achieved it]


10. Further studies to enhance my portfolio and of course better pay to fulfil Pt 8 [Not happening yet]

I decided not to have any resolutions for 2011 although there will be some points above that will be on repetitive mode - Health, savings and family. My motto is simple - Keep moving forward and enjoy life to the fullest.

So with that, I leave some photos of the past. I think we haven't aged much! :p

2009 @ Conrad

2008 @ Kushinbo & Flyer

2007 @ Hanabi

2006 - @ The Line with no kids!

Cheers to another great year!!! Now where should we go?

Reflecting 2010

I know 2010 is very much long and gone but I thought I should pen down some moments to remind myself that I'm blessed to have lived another year smoothly.

On the son, one would be when he started his pre-school at TRBK. I think he really enjoyed learning playing in this school albeit a short 1 year.

On some milestones (if you call it that way) achievements, We managed to 1) wean Jayden from the pacifier when he was only 2, 2) wean off the diaper at night and lastly getting him to poo in the potty. Of course, that translates to alot of savings $$$ :D

Come April, Dylan switched to a new job after serving for 5 years in his ex company. It was a pretty neat pay jump which complimented to a better lifestyle for us. :)

Then in May, I managed to go on a holiday trip with my parents. Something I've been wanting to do, also serves up as a memory for Jayden with his maternal grandparents.

Surely, how can one forget how I bade farewell to being 20s. :(

Our first NDP experience as a family with the nation. Jayden has started to learn to say the pledge in both languages and also singing the national anthem in school. It would have been more apt if we go this year. :)

This also happens to be the year our boy turned 3 while his mother turned 30. I wished I had one less zero though. We also attended his 1st pre-school graduation. I almost cried when I saw my shy boy performed in front of 200 people.

I must say 2010 had been an awesome 365 days although we did have a few hiccups - one with me having a flat tyre on an expressway and also our unfortunate encounter to hunt for another school for Jayden. The latter turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I now no longer have to worry about having no one to take care of my son or pull last minute surprises.

So 2010 was SMASHING. I am certainly embracing for a bountiful 2011 too! What's up? My treat to Dylan's birthday trip to Ho Chi Minh in Feb and our (or rather mine) long awaited trip to Europe in March!!!

Before the year ends...

I am compelled to blog for the last time before I head off in less than 6 hours, on another road trip to Malaysia and spend countdown in a frenzied pool of people.

Another year has come and gone. So many events had taken place, so many experiences and memories to jot down.

Spending the countdown with this group of friends have become a ritual for the past 6 years. We are that committed to the extent that I would leave Jayden in my in-laws care just to avoid the many other issues - meltdown, being a handful and most important of all, getting lost in the crowd. I feel the guilt every time. :( Sorry boy. Hopefully you can join us next year.

So before I leave the country, let me leave some photos behind of what we had done for X'mas.

This year X'mas proved to the most exhausting but fulfillng one. Perhaps also because we had 2 house gatherings in a single row.

I don't think the son really understood the meaning of Christmas. Perhaps it meant ripping open many many delightful presents from people who loved him. Thank you Aunties and Uncles for the gifts!

Merry X'mas and Happy New Year!!!

Will write when I'm back!

Relief

I conclude that this is one of the hardest milestone for Jayden. Sleeping through the night, weaning off the pacifier, sleeping in his own room, being diaper free at night - all these seemed mediocre to having to tell the son that poo-ing while standing up in his diaper is not the proper way for bowel movement.

There were times where the boy would rather just constipate throughout the weekend or go red in the face when I refused to give him the diaper thinking that he would have no choice but to do his dump at the potty. It was 3 months ago when Jayden went diaper free even at night.

I am not sure if it was peer pressure or education from school. One fine day, when the son mentioned he needed to poo, I gingerly asked if we could try the potty - and he AGREED!

Of course, there is a smelly price to pay. I had to sit through the entire session, holding his hands and even pretended I was poo-ing TOGETHER with him. Kids just don't want to feel left out I guess.

But it was all worth it. Jayden has successfully managed to poo in the potty without STANDING UP and IN DIAPER! And after a few sessions with him, Jayden has now requested for me to stand outside the toilet with doors closed while I wait for him to finish his business, knowing that I can't stand the stench. Hehe.

So yes, it is a HUGE relief for me to annouce that my boy is finally DIAPER FREE! WOOHOO! More savings!

What better way to reward the son than ice-cream!

Birthday Party

When Jayden was a baby, he was a defensive and shy boy who refused to participate in any of the playscape or party activities. Fast forward 3 years later, he still is and it has become extremely difficult to encourage the kid to join in with the rest whilst he's missing out on all the fun. On the contrary, the boy seemed to prefer giving the 'fun' a miss and not jostle with the rest of the kids.

I am hoping that this shyness will go away when he grows up.

The photos are deluding though it shows that he is having alot of fun - ON HIS OWN.

Dawson turns 2 and he is almost the same height as Jayden! *gulp*