A Bento surprise from Buddy

My colleague gave me and Janet a surprise this morning. She has painstakingly prepared breakfast for both of us today. We are so touched by her gesture. Thanks Helen! :)

Lunar New Year 2012 Dinner @Swa Garden

A group of old friends & I had an enjoyable lohei session at Swa Garden Teochew Restaurant.  It's our annual CNY gathering and it's a pity that a couple of friends are unable to join us.

The Yusheng that was served was different from those that we had in other restaurants.  This Teochew dish from Swa Garden is made up of lettuce, shredded carrots and radish - and there are no crackers, sesame seeds, etc.  Something refreshing!

Yusheng

A plate of raw fish - to accompany the Yusheng

Tossing of the Yusheng to signify good luck and prosperity

Cold dish - century eggs, prawn roll, seaweed and duck slices.

Meat wrapped with fa-cai

Scallops with Facai.  Very tender and delicious.

A dish full of vegetables and mushrooms.

Dessert

Dessert

The most interesting dish was the dessert - a dish called "Ba Xian Bai Nian".  It's made up of yam paste, glutinous rice and steamed orange.  The orange is steamed with it's skin intact and it's very soft when eaten.  Very nice dish.

Dessert - divided into 8 bowls

A gathering of old friends

Met up with a group of old friends (my ex-colleagues) and their families on New Year's Day.  It was fun and enjoyable.  It was a potluck party and we had so much food.  Super yummy ! 

The dishes & drinks, roast chicken and fried Korean noodles.



Bottom pic - Sushi spread from Sakae Sushi.  These are the children's favourite dish.

Fried Korean noodles, roast chicken and Satay.

Shepherd's Pie, Guava Juice and 100 sticks of Otak-Otak

Everyone's favourite Fried Carrot Cake from Bukit Timah, Gado Gado and Fried Toufu.

Fresh fruits - contributed by Betty & Sabrina.

An enjoyable evening which lasts till 10pm.  We look forward to the next gathering in 2 weeks' time - a Lunar New Year lunch.

True descriptions of zodiac signs.

Below are true descriptions of zodiac signs.

CAPRICORN
The Go-Getter (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Patient and wise. Practical and rigid.. Ambitious. Tends to be Good-looking. Humorous and funny. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimistic. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be Unfriendly at times.. Hold grudges. Like competition. Get what they want.

AQUARIUS
The Sweetheart (Jan 20 - Feb 18) Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality...... Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional... Can be a bit rebellious... Very stubborn, but original and unique. Attractive on the inside and out.... Eccentric personality.

PISCES
The Dreamer (Feb 19 - Mar 20) Generous, kind, and thoughtful. Very creative and imaginative. May become secretive and vague. Sensitive. Don 't like details. Dreamy and unrealistic. Sympathetic and loving. Kind Unselfish. Good kisser. Beautiful.

ARIES
The Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19) Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous... Confident and enthusiastic.. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (Easily angered..) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egotistical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic.

TAURUS
The Enduring One (April 20 - May 20) Charming but aggressive.. Can come off as boring, but they are not. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings that are stable and secure in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts. Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice. Loving and kind. Loves hard - passionate. Express themselves emotionally.. Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulge themselves often. Very generous...

GEMINI
The Chatterbox (May 21 - June 20) Smart and witty. Outgoing, very chatty... Lively, energetic. Adaptable butneeds to express themselves. Argumentative and outspoken. Like change. Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense. Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent. Beautiful physically and mentally.

CANCER
The Protector (June 21 - July 22) Moody, emotional. May be shy. Very loving and caring. Pretty/handsome. Excellent partners for life. Protective. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious. Touchy-feely kind of person.. Needs love from others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic.

LEO
The Boss (July 23 - Aug 22) Very organized. Need order in their lives - like being in control. Like boundaries.. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help Others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted.. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy... Full of themselves. Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leos... Attractive.

VIRGO
The Perfectionist (Aug 23 - Sept 22) Dominant In relationships. Conservative. Always wants the last word.. Argumentative. Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy.. Often shy. Pessimistic...

LIBRA
The Harmonizer (Sept 23 - Oct 22) Nice to everyone they meet. Can't make up their mind . Have own unique appeal.. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful... Flirtatious Give in too easily. Procrastinators.. Very gullible.

SCORPIO
The Intense One (Oct 23 - Nov 21) Very energetic. Intelligent. Can be jealous and/or possessive. Hardworking. Great kisser.. Can become obsessive or secretive. Holds grudges. Attractive. Determined. Loves being in long Relationships. Talkative... Romantic. Can be self-centered at times. Passionate and Emotional.

SAGITTARIUS
The Happy-Go-Lucky One (Nov 22 - Dec 21) Good-natured optimist... Doesn't want to grow up (Peter Pan Syndrome). Indulges self. Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing.. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient..... Fun to be around. Having lots of friends.. Flirtatious. Doesn't like rules... Sometimes hypocritical.. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Doesn't like being doubted... beautiful inside and out... 

African Violets in Bloom

My colleague was away on vacation and I babysat her pot of African violets.  Over the 2 weeks, the plant bloomed and the flowers were pink in colour.  This is the first time in our office, we had pink African violets.

Everyone in the office was fascinated and wishing that their own plants will flower soonest possible.

Taken before Xmas 2011.

As of Tuesday 03 Jan 2012.

Lovely pink flowers.