~ Leap Year ~

Today is 29th Feb (leap day)... A date that comes only every four years. 2008 is hence a leap year... On today's papers, they have featured people who were born on this day. How they felt about celebrating their birthdays every four years instead of yearly.. and what is like being a 'leapling'.

Imagine a person who is celebrating his 21st birthday was already 84 years! Well, on other non leap years, they could either have their birthday bash on 28th Feb or 1st Mar.. but I'm sure today is a special day for them... There are even couples who chose this date as their wedding day. :)

I wonder if there are any special promotions or big discounts for those celebrating their birthdays today? Afterall, they have to wait another 4 years to enjoy the priviledges. ;)

~ Recovery ~

After falling ill for almost 1 month... (My worst ever so far).. I am on the verge of recovery. My ability to smell gradually returned after 2 weeks. However, I realise my sense of smell is not as sensative as before.. I still have slight cough and mild headache occasionally. Maybe it is a signal that I am getting urmm 'older'. I actually took 4 days MC within 2 months... Woooo..

A couple of things happened during this period.. There was Valentine's day on 14th Feb. While couples are celebrating on this day, Hubby decided to treat me on 元宵节 (Chinese Valentine) instead. Well, so long we are happily and loving together, a simple dinner/lunch is just great. Taking into consideration that we are not the romantic kind of couple.

20th Feb was Andrea's birthday... Norman, Sookiat and I decided to celebrate for her! This could jolly be the last time we are celebrating birthdays together as a group... I am glad to know this group of pals! Of course, to remember this memorial event, a group photo is definitely a MUST! Not bad huh... ;) They said I slim down. (After falling sick for so long).. But I guess maybe it's the black T-shirt. :p

Hubby finally bought a PSP last friday - 22nd Feb. Denver and hubby has been hoping for one and it seems I am the only bad guy playing "No! No!... Cannot buy!"... Simply for 2 reasons.. 1) Waste money. 2) Afraid the kids will hook on to the games. For reason 1, Hubby took out his Piggy Bank of $1 coins to pay for the PSP.. As for reason 2, Denver has been doing his homework... and for the past 1 week, he has observed the rules. He was only allowed to play on Friday to Sunday and so far, he did as he was told and I am glad. Well, I can only hope he underestands.

~ CNY Photos ~

Has been sick all week and hence did not manage to upload the photos taken during Chinese New Year.. Although the year did not start well for me, I still go to visiting and temple to pray for good health and fortune.

Tidied my house and am all set to welcome the New Year!! I like my house clean and neat...but with the kids around, there are so many stuff. Toys, books, clothings, food .... So hard to maintain.... Still, I think I did a rather good job :D

My Brother-in-law's place was also very nicely decorated. Every year, he will spend a lot of time and effort to decorate the whole 14th floor... even the lift lobby area.. and it really lifted the Chinese New Year mood! The family loved flowers and they will spend hundreds buying pots of orchids.

Reunion Dinner

We had steamboat for reunion dinner... I can't smell it.. but I can imagine the food was Great!!! The kids enjoyed 'playing' with the food and I ate a lot! Too bad, Gladys is too young and missed the fun :p


After dinner, we went back home and had a walk at the chinese temple downstair. There was going to be a countdown party at 10pm.. we decided to take a look and at the same time took some pictures of the kids. :)

I was not feeling well and tired.. Hence, I ask Hubby to take Denver down to watch the Lion Dance performance when the party started... Too bad I missed the fireworks at 12 midnight.. I would have gone down if I was feeling better... I heard the loud Booom and Bang from the Fireworks but just cannot make it down to video it and join the crowd.. Hopefully next year, I can bring the kids along to watch. I think they will like it.

First day of Lunar New Year

The children wore new clothings.. I love Gladys' dressing.. she looks like a korean girl. :D So Sweet!! Denver was in his favourite Ben 10 attire from top to toe.. We were all ready to visit our relatives and friends. We went to a lot of places and the kids had drinks, CNY goodies and of course lots of Ang Baos...

2nd Day of Lunar New Year

I was feeling terrible and worried over my illness. Went to visit the doctor at a nearby 24hr clinic to get some assurance and medicine... After that, we headed to the temples for prayers.. It is a usual practice to go temples to pray for Good Luck, Health, Wealth and better year ahead.

Although I am still bothered with my illness, it did not stop me from taking pictures and to stay bright and cheerful... I can't stay grumpy all day.

We went to 3 temples in the morning including the new temple at Loyang. I don't really like the new location.. Still prefer the good old one that used to be near the sea. The air is fresher and more spacious... But Denver likes the fish pond outside.. :)

After praying and wishes for a better year, we had lunch at Hubby's god-parents house and another round of visiting.

The 3rd and 4th days of Lunar new year are the usual visiting again.. mostly at Hubby's friend's house. The problem I got is the medicine I took is always making me drowsy.. Hubby did not get to play mahjong except once this CNY.. Sorry.. :(

Well, it wasn't the best CNY I had.. but I am sure it was not the worst either.. I can only hope for a better year next time... 新年快乐！

~ The day I lost my scent of smell ~

It was Chinese New Year eve... looking forward to the reunion dinner and long holiday weekend.. I am working half day from home and cleared all my work. Log off my computer at noon and start to do my last bit of spring cleaning. Vacuum and mop the floor, dust the cabinets, table and drawers... make prayers and then..... I realise.... I lost my ability to smell.... :(

I thought it was because of my blocked nose due to a heavy cold which I caught.. and it will recover soon... First time in my life I had such experience and I don't know what to do. Well... I told myself I can't dampen my New Year mood because of this.. I had a very smelless new year.. all food and chinese new year goodies are tasteless... No matter how smelly or fragrant the surrounding is... it is senseless to me..

2 days passed and still no improvement.. I went to a 24hr clinic on the 2nd day of Lunar New Year and the doctor said it was just due to a heavy cold.. Took his medicine which makes me super drowsy throughout the New Year... Not seeing any improvement, I consulted another family doctor on Sunday and he adviced it was due to a nose infection which should recover in a week or more as soon as the infection clears out. By now, I had bronchitis and need to be on inhaler... :(

The sad thing is because I am sick, Hubby cannot play mahjong which he used to do during the New Year. I am always so tired and short of breathe and unable to look after the kids. I guess there is nothing much I can do except to rest.

I must say I am kinda worried... from then till now, almost a week has past.. and still I can't smell a thing.. What if I really lost it forever? I just have to get ready for the worse I guess...

Anyway.. the good thing that happens to me was I lost weight... about 3kg.. Main reason is because I did not eat a lot. All food does not smell tasty... I can only sense the sweet, bitter, salty and not the scent of it. My mum made my favourite "Wu Xiang" on Sunday and asked me to go home for lunch. Not knowing my condition, I have to act that it is super delicious.. Sad...

Well.. I have to be brave and look on the bright side. Who knows... maybe I will wake up one morning and start smelling again..

~ Brother's Wedding Day! ~

2nd Feb 2008... My eldest brother's wedding day! Denver has been tasked to open the car door for his dear 大舅. We have been reminding him of what to do in case he mess it up. Woke up @ 7am this morning to dress up and we reached my mum's place before 9am. Gladys could not make it as she is having a fever and Hubby could not be present for the ceremony because today crashes with his sign... I hope Brother don't mind their absence. :(

Around 950am.. Owen called and we are ready to go down to await for the Bridal car.. First time I am doing this.. kinda interesting.. I rehersed with Denver on what to do again... First, open the car door. Second, give the oranges to uncle and lastly get ang bao.. Simple :D

The Bridal car drove in and the car horns starts to beeeeep baaaaaahhh to welcome the Bride and Groom :).. Denver did as told and everything went just fine... There were quite a lot of people and of course Brother and Sister-in-law looks GREAT!

Brother sure looks busy but happy.. It is such an important day for him. The usual photo takings and tea ceremony went on... that includes offering to the ancenstor.. I heard from my mum that the roasted pig taste GOOOOD... It definitely looks Yummy and Big to me :p

My Brother and Sister in law.. They are very photogenic.. :D Their smile are so bright and happy... I don't look good on camera when I smile showing my teeth.. It is proven when I took my wedding photos.. The camera man took 2 poses of me when I smile with and without my mouth open.. and obviously the 1st one looks so much better.

After the morning event, we went back home to rest and get ready for the evening banquet at Furama Riverfront Hotel. We all dress up and went to pick my inlaws at 620pm... It was drizzling and there was road accident on our way to the hotel... but we manage to reach there at 7pm.... Denver is most happy to see my second brother.. Owen.. :D He is also on good terms with his girlfriend :) We were seated at Table 19 (next to the red tables). First time I am sitting so near to the stage... The stage looks pretty and I suggested to take some photos.. :)

Helped my brother to take this photo.. Don't they look good too!! :) I wonder when is the wedding bells ringing for them... Then it will also be another Happy Event :D . Mum will also have one load off her mind too... :p Brother also helped us to take a family photo.. One glance at it.. we all look so round.. :D Hhahahaa... But still looks good.. hehe

Guests were coming in slowly... 830pm and still the banquet has not started... getting kinda late. I think it finally started around 845 or 850pm.. The Bride and Groom march in, receiving the blessing from the guests, cut the cake... and this marks the start of the Banquet! I am a hungry mummy.. :p

I like the food... every dish tasted good... especially the Fish and Rice!! Probably the only thing that I don't enjoy is the short beans... abit hard...

The wedding ended smoothly... I bet Brother and Sister in law is tired.. May they have a very good rest.