Wedding Of Ming And Roy

I've just returned from Hong Kong where I was privileged to have been invited to my cousin Roy's wedding. The wedding was indeed a spectacular affair, from the traditional Chinese ceremony and the Western-style exchange of vows in the morning in their home village of Ping Shan in the New Territories, to the banquet in the evening right in the heart of Kowloon, it was a feast for the senses.

Ming, the romantic that she is, dazzled in seven outfits - a Chinese 'Kua', three wedding gowns and three evening gowns. The bridal gown I designed as a wedding gift, as seen in this photo, was worn for the cake cutting and photos of the bridal entourage. Roy was definitely not upstaged in the attire department. An all white ensemble through to an all black outfit with strategic changes in bow-ties and shoes ensured that he kept up with his new wife. I'd have to say that I witnessed for the first time, a groom in a pair of white Nikes embellished with hundreds of crystals, trendy indeed!

What I will remember most about the wedding is the celebratory atmosphere. They certainly know how to party. The exuberance of all - the couple, family, relatives, guests - made for a truly happy and memorable occasion. Congratulations again Ming and Roy! And have a fantastic honeymoon at the Six Senses in the Maldives!

Photo of the bridal party, shot during the wedding banquet in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Auntie Janet

This past Christmas Day was extra meaningful. I, together with some of my extended family, a troupe of ten we were, made a day trip to Singapore to see Auntie Janet. Despite her illness, she was alert and we spent a couple hours of quality time together. The episode shed some light on a fact that we sometimes overlook, that family ties are paramount, whether in good times or bad.

Auntie Janet passed away today. I am comforted that we had the opportunity to say our personal goodbyes last Sunday. Rest in peace Auntie Janet.

For all of us who remain, in particular Uncle Mike, Aaron, Moses and their families, may we also find peace in our hearts.

A request from Auntie Janet to celebrate her life by donning colours.

New Year's Day

2012 has arrived! Here's to new beginnings, new aspirations, new achieve-ments, new expe-riences.

This year, I shall maintain a positive outlook in all aspects of life. Keep fit and stay healthy. Work on my level of patience. Spend more time with family and friends. Travel the world. Love. Embrace new experiences that life offers.

A new year always gives me a shot in the arm in terms of optimism. I shall keep the faith, believe in fate, yet plot my own destiny. Have a fantastic and fabulous year everyone. Happy New Year!

Photo shot at Echo Beach in Canggu, Bali, Indonesia.

New Year's Eve

2011 has come and gone and I am in a reflective mood this New Year's Eve. Instead of braving the crowds downtown, I am spending the evening at home, after having just returned from a Japanese dinner with my Mum and sis. I suppose I can consider last night's dinner at Bunny and Nabil's as the party to end the year, with much merriment and good friends. Tonight is more about spending quality time with my family.

2011 has been good to me. I've been relatively successful on the workfront. There were some hits and misses, but I can't complain when I look at the bigger scheme of things. There is always room for improvement and that's what I shall be aspiring to do next year. This year has also been good to me travel-wise. Seven holidays in all - Chinese New Year trip with my family to Koh Samui, company trip to Hatyai, celebrating Mum's birthday in Seoul, participating in my first triathlon relay with good friends and cousins in Bali, surprised my cousin Siew Yoong on her 40th birthday in Bangkok, returning to the family village in China, trekking in Nepal with my cousin Lynette to mark her milestone birthday. I hope to top that in 2012, or at the very least equal it.

Most of my resolutions and aspirations for the year have been met. A few, I did not attain. These are the ones to work harder towards from tomorrow onwards. Yes, there are still goals to achieve, dreams to realise. As the curtain comes down on 2011, I am grateful for the good times spent with family, friends and industry colleagues. I am thankful for good health. I appreciate the experiences life has accorded me. Here's to an even better year in 2012.

Turning prayer wheels to cast away sufferings, at Boudhanath in Nepal.

Christmas Eve

We haven't hosted a Christmas Eve party for a number of years now, more than ten years according to my Mum. So she gave notice earlier this year and last Saturday, forty of my extended family gathered at our home for a Christmas Eve supper.

I told Mum not to cook, eventhough she is capable of singlehandedly catering to a party of sixty. Despite her initial resistance to the idea, she caved and agreed to keeping things simple. We ordered nasi lemak from Gerai Kak Ya in SS2; some of my aunts brought keropok, cakes, jelly and rambutans. Simple fare. More importantly, camaraderie among the extended family.

We caught up on the latest news, planned for holidays next year, exchanged gifts, sang carols. We had lots of laughs. We had fun. We enjoyed each other's company.

Photo of Mum and my cousin Honn Ken leading the caroling session.

Winter Solstice Festival

My family, both immediate and extended, celebrates the Winter Solstice Festival 'Kor Tung' every year. Since we were kids, we were told by our grandparents that 'Kor Tung is bigger than Chinese New Year', in terms of significance that is. So we gather, have a good meal and enjoy each other's company.

This year, like in years past, we gathered at the family home. When my grandparents were still around, they would cook up a storm, up to ten dishes no less. Since their passing, 'pot luck' has been the norm, with still a pretty good variety of dishes to savour.

Cultural traditions are very important in my family. These are the occasions where we can strengthen and maintain our family ties. We plan to keep this up.

Photo of dishes served last night.

Annual Christmas Party

My friends Ken Bin and Cordelia host a Christmas party every year, some years at their home, more recently at their cafe The Olive Tree in Petaling Jaya. I always enjoy this annual ritual. I get to re-connect with their extended family and also celebrate the festivities with our friends Yean Mun and David who are also perenially on the guest list.

This year was no different and we gathered at The Olive Tree on Tuesday evening. I was a tad late as I had a staff birthday dinner to attend first but still had a wonderful time nevertheless. It is always meaningful to enjoy the Christmas season amongst good friends. My friendships with Ken Bin and David began in 1988 at Immanuel College, with Cordelia and Yean Mun in 1989 at The Flinders University Of South Australia. That's more than two decades and whilst our busy schedules have resulted in us meeting less frequently, we still make the effort for birthdays, Christmas and Chinese New Year.

Among all of us, Cordelia does best when it comes to wrapping gifts and decorating the home. I always look forward to Christmas parties at her home. Great food enhanced by beautiful table settings, thematic decor creating a festive ambience. A smaller, more intimate crowd. Next year perhaps.

Photo of me, Mei Lin, Yean Mun, Cordelia, David and Ken Bin at The Olive Tree in Petaling Jaya.