i simply adore the innocence of kids. was talking to my godsister's children at their open house yesterday and they were unbelievably chatty, sharing stories about school and friends. i think they are the only two kids whom i've seen since they were tots, watched them grow and boy, 10 years sure fly by fast. the way they express things, whether boys or toys, or even becoming a young lady, is interesting. i think i spent most of my time talking to them rather than the adults (: ahh, makes me cherish my childhood days where i was just as carefree, living in my own barbie doll world. i was such a spoilt brat when i was younger, always wanting things my way. truth be told, it was my sister who always made me think twice about others. i really miss childhood, but i guess i can always embrace the child in me right?

currently eating my fav choki choki from the sundry shop behind.
and i wasn't the one who bought it ;)

Little Meets

mum & i slept our butts off till about half an hour ago. such a funny moment when she saw me coming out of the room door with eyes half opened before we stared at each other and said "you just woke up too!?". lunch date with mum will always be good. i know she's gonna bombard me later with her feng shui research (;

KM's open house was on Thursday night and it was sooo good! Just the usual us over food and gambling. whenever I'm at KM's house, I have to be there with an empty stomach and leave with two (: met up with ss & ed for lunch the next day, something like a CNY reunion for us. slipped off my mind that it was a Friday and the lunch jam was horrendous. nevertheless, canton food was so gooood, till I tapau-ed their special sweet sauce because ed believes I can finish the whole packet on its own like it was some soft served ice cream -.-

parted ways with them before looking for mae & aaron who were back from the States at the curve and whisking of to mae's rented apartment. spent a good 3 hours over our take away Valencia Frappuccino (double for someone) just updating our lives and yes, revisiting our past again. mae was a senior I met at church and I remembered, we clicked over our liking for...milo powder. of gossips, criteria lists, reversal & guitar moments (: was out with aaron again for drinks and got the biggest surprise at the table. A lily stalk, & matt who has gotten into shape! (: a night of people oogling, letting ourselves loose & friendship tests. it's either matt was really lucky he's back in shape or girls were just looking at his car keys. nevertheless, a really good nite with them before they leave for home.

gooood week of food and friends, never too much of it :)

* 

CNY

Chinese New Year in Tan fashion :)

For years, Mum & Grandma would be the one preparing all the food for four days into the New Year until the year 07 when the uncle decided that reunion dinners would be at restaurants to ease the burden of my aging grandmother.  This year, we went back to where Di Ku celebrated his wedding dinner a few years ago. Reunion dinner this year was smaller. Di Ku & his wife were in China while cousin Derrick was in UK but we did welcome a new addition to the family, baby Isaac! :)

Cheh, Jay & I wore our cheongsams for the very first time which made Ah Ma very pleased. It was Mum who got us into it since Ah Ma has remarked that she hardly sees anyone wearing them. We decided to make an effort this year :). So as usual, we eat and drink. Well, a little too much, and Mum & her cousin will start doing their matchmaking tricks between his son & I. I swear (tho i cant) this has become a yearly question which I dread because all they know how to respond is "Why not my eldest son? Eligible bachelor mah!" OhmyGod.

And as what we do every CNY for the last 14 years, we will all go down to Seremban to Uncle Bob's orchard and spend three whole days together. I used to dread the farm with its conditions (coming from the city) and the sandfly bites not until Uncle Bob renovated the whole place two years back. in recent years, I finally understood the whole purpose of driving an hour's plus all the way to that place. It's about keeping all of us together. As cliche as it sounds, I realised that it is indeed hard to keep in touch once we are back in KL. Work, family and other commitments. These three days together also means making new amendments, resolutions and rekindling old times of the Tan family. I remembered one year Uncle YH wanted to turn the farm into a retiree area for old folks. Sadly, that didn't turn out due to lack of funds and constructive reasons. We would still talk about Kluang, how Mum & her brothers came to KL to find work or the family feuds. We'd sip our wines on the deck and talk till the wee hours. Us cousins would be gambling nearby so that we can hear the stories too.

Funny how when I get older, I start to have thoughts about these things. I'm blessed to have a family who makes the effort to meet up, though it can be challenging given our different lifestyles. We have a lot on our plates but come every CNY, we think about coming together to Seremban. It gets me more appreciative over family gatherings, that we are still well enough to travel and share our laughters while getting red. We don't need so much activities while we're there because us being there is already an activity on its own.

This year, my next step was made known. Some were skeptical but the one thing Ah Ma said to me made everything mattered.
(in Hokkien) "Ah Bee, you must do well. Do what you want to do, don't be afraid. If you fail, it doesn't mean you lose. Ti Gong will watch over you, don't worry. Pray everyday"

This year, Jay followed us to Seremban and won alot of our money.
This year, fishing was awesome with my two cousin brothers because we caught a couple of fish but let it loose again since they were small.
This year, I got to help in the kitchen.

This year was my year in mahjong. I hope I made Ah Ma proud (:

My favourite picture. Cheh was the camerawoman,

:)

On the Deck where I have my morning coffee while soaking up the view :)

I need cooking lessons from Ah Ma .

Here's to a prosperous year of the Dragon, may it be abundant in love, peace, happiness, good health and blessed relationships with family & friends :)

Night Owl

Ushered the Year of the Dragon three days ago, time seems to be flying by real fast!
Had such a fun but tiring time in Seremban, where Ah Ma is.
Came home today and slept till dinner, reminiscing all of the conversations and events that took place.
i know i was smiling :)

off to meet ss & st now.!

Hello (:

what free time can do to you !

__________


lunch with bestfriend @ plan b. i must express my deep fascination for cute-sy restaurants just like plan b.
i love cafe-like concepts, & this place has been a favourite since its opening. have yet to try everything on the menu
but in terms of the cakes, i'm slowly getting there ;) lunch with bestfriend is always a simple SOP. we'll share a dish or two, and individual desserts. always.

we opted for the siciliana pasta & corned beef hash. we decided to be unhealthy on one of our choices since it was the season of indulgence & we always make excuses to satisfy our food cravings! corned beef hash won me over more than siciliana. filled the extra stomach with apple pie and chocolate cookie bar. i have a weakness for apple pie, even more with ice cream. warm chunky pieces of apple blanket by buttery crust topped with cold ice cream. utter bliss :) walked around telawi street for a bit before going home to avoid the jam. of more eating plans, fruit bets, future wedding dress & irritating drivers. :)

(pictures in bestfriend's polkadot i4)

skyping with mae atm to avoid falling asleep. ohmygod, this habit has got to stop.
making visit to our past. never easy.