Farewell 2009

Since the restructure that happened while I was in India, our parties are a lot cozier than it was before.  So for the last working day, we got some KFC, chippies, drinks even veggie bee hoon hung out and just appreciated the last moments of the last working day of the year.

It was fun, casual and warm, which pretty sums up the kind of team I work with.  Not everyone gets to go to work with friends so I’m very grateful for that … sometimes I forget that and start focusing/complaining about the other things that happen at work.  So today, I’m glad to be reminded that I actually have it quite good at work.  And and and, Yus we missed you today too!!  With weddings and births happening in 2010, there will be more celebrations to share with them 🙂

While I do have a resolution about work, part of me really wouldn’t mind if this time next year I’m still sharing the last working day with them too.  Here’s to all of you who make coming to work such a treat and reason enough to come back in 2010 🙂

To all my other friends and my dear dear family, thank you for making the other parts of my life that much more amazing too 🙂

I’m not sure what 2010 has in store, not even a hint and I don’t want to guess.  For the last 34 years, it’s managed to work out, 2009 was definitely NOT boring and for the 35th year of my life, I’m pretty much going to try and enjoy the ride as best as I can 🙂 So from my heart to yours, I’m wishing you the very best for 2010 and may all your dreams come true 🙂

Happy 1 Week Anniversary

To Mr and Mrs Tan and Mr and Mrs Lee 🙂  These 2 couples made my last Wednesday one of the busiest I’ve had in a while, coupled with corporate planning and my parents arriving back in town.  It was pretty much a full on day 🙂

It was Mr and Mrs Tan first, where the original Peach crew got together.  It sure did bring back a lot of good memories 🙂  Sitting at the table with them, I could almost hear the sounds of the old office along South Bridge Road, right smack in the middle of production.  These were definitely the coolest bunch of people to be sharing late nights and production crisis with 🙂

Next up Mr Lee is the brother of an angel, Gen 🙂  So it was nice to catch up with her whom I haven’t seen in ages and as the sister of the groom, she was hot hot hot!!  And Gen, if you’re reading this, you still haven’t told me about your December yet 😉

The other two angels, namely Nis and Shobs were out of town, one in Dubai and the other in London so it was me with the boys mostly.  And if you know Perry and Nige, that’s pretty much all you need for a fun night 🙂

To the happily married couples, I hope you guys had a beautiful first week and here’s to a lifetime of happiness filled with the warmest memories 🙂

Lifestyle of a 30something Non-parent

On boxing day a parent friend of my, lamented on their plan versus what I had in mind for my boxing day 😉  A body scrub and massage in the morning, a movie and tea with other non-parent friends in the afternoon and dinner with single girls at night.  Yes, a non-parent can do just that … anything they basically want … especially when the non-parent’s other half is half way across the world 😉

And don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful for it and am milking it for all it’s worth right now 🙂  That said … I would be equally, if not more happy with a little angel waking me up early in the morning, needing to be fed, making plans to go to the park or the beach or the zoo or anywhere, putting them down for a nap, even cleaning up messes and feeling tired all the time :p I do, I so do want to do the whole parenting thing but as life would have it … especially mine, it looks like it’s not happening.  Not yet anyway.

So here’s me making the most of my non-parent lifestyle … because Lord knows, the minute I become a parent … I suspect my life as I know it will change for all eternity 🙂  For one, this blog will no longer be about me but about my little one … that is IF I will still have the time to blog :p  Meanwhile, I’ll be making an event out of being a non-parent and keeping hoping 😉

So little angel of mine, wherever you are, I can’t wait to eventually meet you and make an event out of YOUR life 🙂

P/S: To all my friends who are reading this, NO, I am not pregnant, not even close … I’m just hoping and will still live off my baby needs from YOUR angels 😉

Bodyguards and Assassins

Where Jet Li is too much of a pretty boy and Jackie Chan too man, Donnie Yen is pretty much the perfect pugilist celeb there is for me.  So I’m pretty disappointed with Bodyguards and Assassins.  That’s because Teddy Chan, the director didn’t leverage Mr Yen’s skill and had him act all forlorn, which isn’t quite his thing and there was hardly enough action scenes for him.

That said, any story about the revolution will always get to me.  So while the storytelling was lacking and the casting a tad strange, I still managed to have a good enough time for a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Now that I’m in a mood for Chinese, I’m thinking of Not Without You next.

Sherlock Holmes

Guy Ritchie has his mojo back … so I’ve come to the conclusion that sometimes a strong woman isn’t quite what a man needs.  That’s me saying I did enjoy Sherlock Holmes.  It’s a movie that works for most movie going demographics yet at some subtle level could possibly alienate some people.

I liked it though, especially the lines in the script … witty witty witty.  Then again I’m also a sucker for murder mysteries and old school CSI has this alluring thing about it.  If I believed in past lives I would definitely have lived in England during the industrial age.  Something about it all that seems to draw me to the time … except I’m not sure about the lack of proper water closets :p  Anyway back to the film, there’ll probably be a sequel because Robert Downey Jr not only kicks ass as Ironman, he has brought Sherlock Holmes alive for me, in a good way too 🙂  RDJ rocks!!

So if you seen Avatar like 3 times and wonder what else is there to watch, catch Sherlock Holmes.  Unless of course, you’re my friend, Zack who rather pick the Chipmunks over Bobby and Jude … …

There’s Always A First Time

After 15 days of tender loving care I manage to drop my iPhone for the very first time :p and guess what? I even managed to capture the fall too!!  How? Well, there I was at Shell’s & Cherry’s place for our annual Christmas get together. *wave to Hairon* coz that’s like the only time we see her 🙂

Anyway, I wanted to take some shots of the party and give Claire a hug at the same time … Therein lies my problem – multitasking :p so as I walked into a hug with Claire, I was gingerly holding my iPhone like I wanted to take a picture … And if you have an iPhone, you know that’s not the strongest of holds.

My iPhone slipped from my hand and made its maiden fall onto my friends’ pretty floor. The first time always hurts a lot more and I’m hoping that’s the last time too … … At least I manage to catch the fall for all eternity … How many people can say that ;p

Happy Boxing Day!!

Merry Christmas

From my iPhone, here’s me wishing you and all you love a very Merry Christmas 🙂  I thought 2009 was going to be a year of big changes. Well, none of the kind of changes I was thinking about happened … some did but if the last couple of months is any indication, it’s all about how I have no idea about anything at all.  So with 2010 coming up, I’ll just hold on tight because I reckon I could be in for a ride.

Let’s start with Christmas, here’s to one filled with good memories and love 🙂

6 Years Ago

I still remember the blue themed baby shower we had in 2003 to usher his arrival and now Renn, son to one of my oldest and dearest friends in the world, turned 6 years old yesterday.  Come January 4, 2010 this little buddy of mine is starting Primary 1.  I can’t quite believe it myself … when I’m blogging about his wedding is when I’ll have a serious meltdown.  For now, I can still deal with the next generation starting primary school.

This year’s party theme is Wild Things … as in Where The Wild Things Are.  Since my monster outfit is in storage, I went in my comfy dress and wedges, which despite my arrival with two kids in tow, showed how un-Mummy I was … yep, I was the only one with wedges :p  Anyway, my nephew, Gabriel and my niece, Mabel were the two children I was playing house with over the weekend.  I love bringing them out, they are such angels when they are out with me.  I swear it’s like Jeykell and Hyde … seriously … …

Anyway, for the first time in their lives, the brother and sister pair are meeting each other.  Think the moment was more special for me than them.  Yes, I’ve seen all four of them grow from tiny babies to these little people with unique personalities 🙂  It’s still amazes me how babies are made … that’s a miracle if you ever need one 🙂

Renn and Gabriel are the same age, Gabes born in October is about 3 months older.  Aira and Mabes have it a little more special, these two angels share the same birthday.  Yes, they are only 2 hours apart.

With about 20kids in the house, it really shows how our lives have changed.  From hanging out at Scotts, partying at Zouk to house parties with cheese platters and toys everywhere.  We have and are living the good life.  Sometimes I forget and I’m glad for night like this one that helps me stay grateful for all that I’ve been blessed with 🙂

Meanwhile, I’m already thinking of bringing the kids to the fire station for our next day out 😉  Can you tell I so seriously want to nest :p

The Composer

There’s something about intimate theater spaces that inspires me to start thinking about writing, or different lighting designs, sets, costumes even directing.  I do miss working in theater but like local films, plays here still leaves you wanting more, so much more.

Jord, Faith and I caught the second last performance of The Composer on Sunday.  I applaud their effort like I do most local films when I walk out of them and I truly truly appreciate them casting non-actors.  It was quite a treat not to see the same usual faces.  I actually even really like the premise.  However, the script and the acting were lacking for me … it was all two dimensional and largely weak.  Could I have done a better job?  I would like to think so but I’ve been there and know how extremely hard it is.

Still, I do hope one day, I can watch a local play and come out of it inspired to produce and direct my own.  For now, what can I say about The Composer?  It’s a story about a man and 7 women in his life.  Essentially though, it’s about him, his wife and his mistress who is married herself.  The other women were his best friend, his pastor and 3 other casualties who he threw himself at, largely because his mistress left him after 5 years.  Why?  She was the one he really loved.  So was it just a timing issue that he met his wife before his mistress?  We’ll never know and like all art forms it isn’t quite meant to answer as much as it is meant to provoke.

I just wished the characters were less stereotypical and chemistry between them much more … well, I just wish there were some chemistry.  Not sure when I’ll be catching my next play but I’m looking forward to The Princess and The Frog 🙂