It's not all that hard...

As I look upon Christmas with a different perspective and with different expectations, somehow, it's just another evening on 24th and another day on 25th.

Although so many people is trying to give, it was disheartening to see people fretting over the last minute gift exchange, to see people shouting over the handphones at their family to meet at a certain place after the hectic shopping, to see people freak out over the amount to spend on whatever meaningful presents they try to get, to see people think about how to please people around them and lost the real sense of this day, to see people fight because their loved ones did not get THAT gift, to see people get drunk to "celebrate" the birth of Christ and regret what they might have done the night before, to see people still freezing in the winter cold in some countries, to see people overeat and make merry but have no idea at all of why...

So much for feeling this way. I just need to get it off my chest.

However, it was so great to feel contented. Just that. Contented.

The only shopping I did was just to pick up the turkey for the family christmas gathering.
After a simple dinner on Christmas eve, we went to church and consider thank God for giving us Jesus who on this day (supposingly) became man. So that we can become like Him.

Christmas reviews

I was browsing through some of the pictures archived in my hard disk. And it's interesting how Christmas marked the end and beginning of each year - instead of the actually New Year. Perhaps because it's my birthday month as well :)
As I reviewed the years, it's amazing how each year can be so different. It's this joyous season that we truly want to remember what is the real gift.

04: we have our new home ready thus welcomed the Agape choir to carol at our place. It was lovely.

05 : We enjoyed white pre-christmas in Korea - Snow experience. Gifts for friends, kids were mostly from Korea. we enjoyed food at a Messianic restaurant with the BS people.

06: I had a chance to taste what "tai-tai" lifestyle for the whole month. I had more time to do personalised gifts. Also did alot of shopping, outing with the kids besides doing a couple trip to take in the cold cold weather in Macau, went to a relative's 15million house to play for the entire day.

07: Our couple trip was in NY. We chiong the Midnight madness thanksgiving sale thus gifts were from the US trip. BS christmas gathering was bowling and eat at CSC. However, on Christmas day itself, had a big fight with hubby - urgh, had a really poor day itself.

This year...
Change to a new work place thus no chance to plan for an overseas trip proper. We've decided that the kids will not get any gifts this year but we are secretly buying gifts for the adults. Hubby and I also did more volunteering work.
- volunteered at SingTel for their joint christmas gathering with MYMCA for the older folks. It was quite enriching and it's very easy to do. Prepare deco and layout, performed for each other, had a session of lunch and interacted.
- volunteered to send gifts to prisons ministry people. We were apprehensive at first but hubby really was helpful in follow up and reaching out. I am so proud of him.
Well, we will see what happens this year - next week!

gearing up for the weekend

Many people would be on leave since it's a long weekend - minus the 43K++ people who will run for StanChart marathon.
I sure have my fair share of tri-a-thalon.
Sat: BBQ with BS group for Natasha's birthday
Sun: morning run, dinner gathering for family (14 adults, 10 kids) - Natasha's BD.

Thank God she is okay to NOT have another PARTY for her school and ballet friends - might'as well kill moi.

AND - i've not been training for the run. Hope to just complete the run and return the chip. I am kinda not looking forward - cos I don't have anyone to run with + so much rain.

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yeah, i'm just giving excuse for being lazy.

I am planning - with abit of reluctance the BBQ and dinner menu:
BBQ (Sat) -
. satay
. butter and salt zucchini
. aparagus wrap with bacon
. portabello mushroom with cheese
. frozen apple margarita
. choc cheese cake (Nigella's)

Dinner (Sun) -
Appetizer - Adults
.Cold TouFu with peanut sauce + century egg.
.Green mango salad

Mains – Adults (14)
.Prawn noodle, soup
.Steam rice with Nonya Chicken curry (from curry recipe)
.Short bean with Almond slice
.Finger food: Fried Japanese Croquettes, lemon grass sticks (28)

Desert
.Frozen margarita
.Birthday cake

Soup - Kids
.Clam chowder
.Garlic bread

Mains – kids
.Chicken and mushroom pie (recipe from book)
.Short bean with Almond slice
.Finger food: Fried Japanese Croquettes, grilled corn with butter

Desert
.Frozen peach jelly
.Birthday cake

I'd be marketing and storming this all up... except help from maid on Sun. Certainly hope everything will turn out well.