Nik


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Sunday, January 12, 2014 @ 7:35 PM PERMALINK

December is usually a whirlwind of activities as everyone returns from overseas. Needless to say, it is one of my favourite times of the year. Although work was particularly busy the entire month, I'm glad that we all still managed to find time for friends and family.

Here's my little re-cap of what we were up to in December! More behind the jump...













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Labels: Adventures in our backyard, christmas, family and friends, new year's eve

0 comments | Leave a comment Thursday, January 17, 2013 @ 4:45 PM PERMALINK

Yeah, considering that it is already mid Jan, this post is severely belated.

Well, better late than never! Here's a photo filled post to make up for my walls of text in the previous two entries!
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Christmas was actually kind of quiet. Leading up to to Christmas I was really excited but as the horrible 20s rolled around on the calender, I found myself overwhelmed with work and didn't have time to get all my stuff done.

Nonetheless, when there are friends and family...Things always work out.

We had our annual Christmas dinner at Bern's place. I don't know how she does it but every year she single handedly puts out an amazing spread. This year we had lamb, potatoes, mushrooms, a mussel soup, meatballs AND two desserts. I contributed deviled eggs and that alone took me half the day so she really is a dynamo in the kitchen.

While Berns was getting ready, Jacob got started on carving the lamb.





Still barely any progress and Justine looks hungry (and grumpy)





After a little more elbow grease, looks like it finally got done. Everyone is getting ready to dig in.





Jacob finally taking a break from his manly duties.



TIME TO FEAST!



We had an overload of desserts. Berns also found time to make a chocolate cake and apple tart. While Justine and Abby bought cupcakes from 12 cupcakes.

Here's Justine playing with her gift from Berns.



And the happy couple playing with their Christmas gifts.











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We all went over to Martin's place after Midnight Mass. Well, I didn't go for mass. I spent Christmas Eve with my mum and sister at her friend's house. I really hope that in 20 years, there'll still be Christmas dinners with teenhood friends. Nothing warms my heart more.



I'm not sure what Lucas was be doing or saying but he definitely has everyones' attention.



Secret Santa gift exchange time! Look at the suddenly flurry of activity.













After all the gifts were exchanged, we basically just lazed around, tried to get people to kiss with a computer print out of mistletoe, took a ton of photos and had a good time.





Check out Brendan's photobombing skills. 







Best face ever Brendan.  





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And finally.. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BOTH OF US!













Here's hoping that Christmas 2013 will be an equally fun filled one!
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Labels: christmas, family and friends

0 comments | Leave a comment Thursday, December 29, 2011 @ 3:47 AM PERMALINK

This year, I had decided that I was making everyone gifts and because I have barely ever stepped into the kitchen, I started my experimentation early.

I only ended up trying (and using) two recipes:

1. Basic Meringues
2. Thumbprint cookies 

I hadn't planned to keep my baking to the last minute but the batch of meringues I made for my gift exchange got ruined and I had to re-bake them on Christmas Eve itself.  My mom also requested a batch of thumbprint cookies to give to my grandmother (a rather suprising response especially since my scone disaster) 

So I spent my Christmas Eve at home with mum baking these sweet treats:

Jam cookies for the Bongs and mini meringues for the girls at the gift exchange 



Mum and I also exchanged gifts early since this year we didn't have much time to shop for one another. I got cash from her and she got a pair of cheap earrings that I had intended to buy for myself. (Sorry mum, I'll buy you real classy earrings when I get a job) 



I had bought these earrings via a Groupon that Rin suggested I purchase because I very attracted to their sparkly-ness. However, a couple of days after they arrived in the mail, my mum announced that she had dropped her old earrings in the bus. Being a bit of a hippie and believing in signs from the universe, I took this as one and decided to give them to her instead of keeping them.

Hence, I still do not own a serious pair of grown up earings.

Mum and I went to Midnight Mass alone and because we arrived early, we had the chance to listen to the carols before Mass. It made it feel a little more like Christmas and brought me back a couple of years to when I starred in a Christmas musical for my old church (haha, yes. You read that right) 

We were also seated next to a really nice family who were sweet enough to ask if we had enough space. It was also a happy coincidence that my old friend Christian and his family were seated just behind us.

After mass, Bong's dad & mum came to get me in their car to bring me over to Brendan's where we had the first christmas meal of the season, exchanged gifts and just hung out.









By the time we all went to bed, it was 5am and we only managed to get a few hours of sleep before it was off to Big 5 for Christmas breakfast.

Breakfast was wonderful. Sausages, eggs, hot chocolate, bread..just the things to get our stomaches prepped for the rest of the day's eatage.

The Bong family trying to figure out how to assemble an IKEA lamp. Ikea; keeping families entertained





After breakfast, we headed back and helped make some potato salad before our next stop at the Scully's for lunch. I forgot my camera because I was so wiped already so no pictures from there but the food was fabulous.

After lunch, we all went back, took a quick nap and before anyone realised it, we were off to Big 5 again for dinner.







Falcor looking curiously at the present, 


Falcor wasnt too happy about this gift. Either that or he thought it was a playmate for him. 






Jessica and Bong


Cutting up the turkey




My favourite part of the meal. Pudding and jelly! 


The Christmas elves hard at work to get the pudding to light up


Success! 





Someone had brought some old pictures to the party and everyone started talking about the old Singapore and what now stands in place of the buildings of their pasts. Grandpa Bong and Uncle Jerry also had some really interesting stories to tell about World War Two and how their family managed to survive.



Cheeky smiles because Grandpa Bong was telling us where he used to walk with his girlfriend (and later wife) when they went on chaperoned dates.



Rosewater flavoured Turkish Delight from Turkey. So addictive. 


Fish faces! 


Hafiz also dropped by Big 5 for dinner and after that we stopped at Gardens for some gossiping. By the time Hafiz dropped me off, it was (again) almost 4am and I could not wait to get to bed.

The next morning, I woke up this on the dining table:

More grub! A feast for three. 


While I slept like a log, my hardworking mother prepared all this food for my sister and I. My family is very photo adverse unless they are dressed up (which is never) so this is the only picture I managed to get.

There are a couple more dinner to have, including our yearly get together dinner on the 6th of Jan when Berns shocks us with her kitchen abilitie and leaves us all wondering "HOW THE HELL DOES SHE DO IT?"

This really is my favourite season of the year. Even if I do gain weight (WHICH I DID). It is Toats worth it. ;)

Labels: celebration, christmas, family and friends

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