The Gifts

This is what I got for Christmas cum Anniversary present. Thank God for the gift and the giver. :) There'll be more artistic and beautiful photos to come...

We also bought for ourselves a thermal pot as it was on sale at OG. And Aunt D helped us to purchase it with her privilege membership, and even got it gift wrapped! Let's hope we will be having more healthy and soupy cooked food next year!

Christmas Carolling

Christmas eve was spent carolling with LS folks and the family. I love carolling as it's a great time to get to know fellow carollers, and at the same time we bring cheer to the families we visit! I have attended carolling since school days, and still found much joy and pleasure in it.

The first house we visited was in the east with a young couple who are not regular church goers. They had lost their first child to cancer. There were guests at the gathering and I think they enjoyed our singing. The hosts had prepared a variety of delicious food. As I have declined the packet dinner prepared earlier for carollers, I was able to indulge in the feast at the houses we visited. :)

The 2nd house was the Ang's residence located in the east. As we walked into the apartment, we could immediately smell the strong pine scent from the live Noble Fir Christmas tree. It really brought back memories of Christmas in Winter in Canada. We sang carols before John shared with the young children the true meaning of Christmas. He is such an eloquent speaker and I hope the kids understood the message. It was also great to see that his children had returned from overseas to spend Christmas with the family. Later on Dorcas left them to clear up while she joined us for the rest of the evening. She proudly proclaimed that she has never missed carolling in her life!

Next we visited GL's residence. Her aged mum was delighted to have us visit. She sang and clapped along as we sang carols. GL's neighbours were also invited to witness the fun and that brought smiles to their faces. GL's house is pretty big for a 4 room apt. I don't think my place can house so many of us without being confined to their spot.

The next visit was to Steven L's residence. The house is huge and beautiful located in the west. It was there where we congregated with the MS carollers according to plan. He had a number of visitors as well. His young and charming son who had performed on his flute during our carolling 2 years back is all grown up now. It seems he's become a renown musician with the Youth Orchestra and is jet-setting for his performance. How times flies, and we have aged!

The 5th house we visited was Joycelyn's residence in Bishan. She is holding up well years after her husband passed away. As usual, the owner of a large food manufacturer arranged a sumptuous spread of buffet for us. But I was too full by then to stuff myself further. And it was already approaching midnight!

We arrived at the final house slightly after midnight, and after the bus driver had much difficulty manoeuvring the big bus through the TKG estate. The Ang sisters' residence is sparkling white and clean. They have a lovely mini grand piano and beautiful wall paintings. They spoilt us with delicious homemade turkey porridge, samosa, curry puff, fruitcake, almond chocolate, biscotti etc. Despite being stuffed, I just had to eat because of the love and effort that went into preparing the food. Many of us had 2nd and 3rd helpings of the yummy turkey porridge. At our request, the elderly Mrs Ang also entertained us in music using her valued antique harmonica.

We had so much fun and arrived home past 2 am. Imagine still having to get up early the next day to present our choir anthem at the combine Christmas service ...

Simple Gifts

Last Friday evening we attended a Christmas concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall. 'Simple Gifts' was performed by the SG Lyric Opera chorus as well as guests soprano, musicians, and combine choir with ACJC choir, YJ choir and Amadeus Chorus.

The first part of the concert was performed by the SLO Children's Choir accompanied by a harpist. For the 2nd half of the concert, the combine choir presented John Rutter's 'Magnificat' accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra was great and the conductor very charming! The concert ended with a sing along session of popular Christmas carols with Orchestra accompaniment.

It's been a long time since we attended any concert other than our own! The 150 strong choir were dressed in all black and their voices harmonised well. Sam thinks that their basses are weak and our choir is better! Can't comment cause we were seated on the right side of the concert hall, and probably can't hear the basses as well as they were facing the left side of the concert hall.

Anniversary Dinner

It's our 10th Wedding Anniversary on Dec 26! We celebrated it earlier on Sat night with a nice dinner at ilLido at the Sentosa Golf Club.

Sam made reservation in advance for the alfresco dining. The view from the restaurant was lovely as we could see the ships sailing in the reflection from the moon. The weather was cool as it had drizzled earlier in the day.

The restaurant serves fine italian cuisine. Sam ordered the festive set and we shared the entree consisting of blue swimmer crab salad with avocado, and homemade tagliolini pasta with gooseliver, pears and marsala wine sauce. He had chilean seabass with porcini mushroom for the main, and traditional italian pudding for dessert. I had fettuccine with crab and sicilian pachino tomatoes as the main course. We also had red wine for our drink, but can't remember what it's called!

There were a number of guests at the restaurant. Seems popular despite it being pricey. Anyway, we enjoyed the evening, a nice end to a quiet Sat.

Choir Christmas Party

Last Sunday evening our choir had the AGM cum Christmas cum Durian Party. There were more than 60 people in attendance held at AH's enbloc-ed residence which has just been vacated.

The gathering began with the AGM where committee members were being nominated and elected to stand in office next year. Despite much protest, we were overruled and both of us will have to serve in different capacity. Looks like we will be busier next year.

After the AGM, we proceeded to have a sumptuous buffet spread. At the same time, we had AH and some friends who entertained us with their line dance moves. We then sang some Christmas Carols and Songs of Praise, before Mr Ong declared that it was AH and P's 20th Wedding Anniversary. There were roars of laughter when they were made to recount their courtship, and to pretend to walk down the aisle to the Wedding March and kiss each other.

Finally we had the much anticipated durian party courtesy of Rev K. Imagine everyone rolling up their sleeves, sat on the floor with newspaper strewn all over and digging into their favourite fruit. An amusing sight indeed.

Thus end our early Christmas celebration and fun-filled evening.

Gathering with the Gals

Last Sat I had a high school class reunion with a small group of pals. It was one of those quarterly get togethers which are hard to come by due to everyone's busy schedule. But lately we have been making more effort to meet up.

Pat hosted dinner this time. We were pleasantly surprised by the elegant table setting she has prepared. There were fresh flowers, tealight candles and wine glasses. For dinner, we had delicious home-made cream of mushroom soup, honey roast chicken wings, veg salad, mushrooms tossed with garlic and olive oil, beef with mozeralla cheese pasta, and Cabernet Sauvignon for our drink. Chris made and decorated the interesting soya dessert.

Well, the only thing missing was nice music accompaniment. We had to compromise with Pat's kids who were watching their disney channels in the living room. :)

It was a lovely meal and memorable time together. We exchanged gifts, hugs and laughters. Too bad Joyce was unable to join us.

Christmas in the Tropics

I love Dec. I love spending it in SG. The holiday season, the nice cool and sometimes cold weather, the lovely Christmas decor all over town and malls, the Christmas outreach items put up by various churches along Orchard Rd, the gift exchange and surprises...oh yes, and the many public holidays ...

It's the best time for shopaholics needing some retail therapy. For some reason, I have been more decisive and early with the Christmas shopping this year. No last minute wrapping of gifts and sending of greeting cards. Surprisingly, less stress from the usual rush and am able to relish in the festivity.

Have been listening to some lovely Christmas songs being played on radio and in the malls, which is probably politically sensitive if played in other countries. Hence thank God for such pleasures.

I know how some would view all that festivity as being too commercialised and a distraction from the true meaning of Christmas. But I'm soaking in the joyous celebration with a light heart, not forgetting the real reason behind the season.

Looking forward to carolling on Christmas eve, spending it with friends and love ones, and feasting on the Christmas treats. :)