A long weekend... of activities, thoughts and longings

Back dated Xmas Entry..

This year, without Papa, we spent a quiet but joyful Xmas at home.

We ended up having Xmas lunch as my dad worked a full day on the Eve and I also had Xmas Eve invite at Ah Kim's place (where I tasted the most Heavenly Chocolate Peanut Brownie from Cicada's along with other of Ah Kim's fantastic cooking) , so end up had to do Xmas lunch with our own families instead.

Did not have as luxurious a spread as I imagined in my mind, but not too bad I thought.

We ordered a turkey, opened one of our numerous bottles of Rose that we bought from Perth earlier this year (and before I can enjoy it I am pregnant and off liquor, how can?!!!) and FIL did his magic cooking!

The kids loved the turkey, with Xuan throwing a tantrum when we told him that the Turkey was finished (was so worried he would overeat, as he had his usual healthy kiddy lunch before joining us for the adult feast, part II). He loitered by the kitchen while we were clearing up and hiding the remains of the turkey, and when we tried to force him from the kitchen, he let out a loud wail and ran from the kitchen to his usual (What I call) "sobbing place" in front of the bookshelf in the play room and cried and cried. Took a while to pacify him..





























Then we opened all the presents, although the present that i most wanted to have was not under the Xmas tree leh.. Mummy outdid herself this year, she bought me birds' nest.. woohoo.. well I been having birds' nest for like months already lah, but still her stock is high quality one mah, and it is a gift that requires her effort to prepare for me too. She is v thoughtful, as it is also a gift that Bao X can enjoy!!

Yiyi and boyfriend got the kids musical instruments (drum and guitar) for the boys to form a Superband, and the 2 little boys were indeed v happy, playing and interchaging their instruments. Xuan was most happy to dance to the tunes from the guitar - this little boy really seem to have a love for dancing..








It is a quiet but satisfying affair.. esp. since i am not up to the big parties anyway. Too taxing.
















Botanic gardens Again..

Brought the boys to the Botanic Gardens again today, as yeye was around to drive the short distance. Boy it is a bit tiring but we brought along the straw mat to sit down for a while besides the usual feeding of the fishes and tortoises.

Xuan accidentally dropped one of his new engines into the pond while feeding the fishes and playing with the train along the edge, and he was really really upset. Cried for a good while before he.. forgot about it (hopefully..)?

The weather is simply beautiful today, lots of sunlight and I managed to grab some really nice pics.. to be uploaded.. SMS-ed papa that when he is back next week, we will spend the next weekend picnic -ing at Botanic Gardens with the boys. It is not as crowded as usual, lots of car park lots, since I figured the expats who usually patronise the place have gone home for the long year end break.

When we passed by a cafe on the way to the car park, En kept wanting to eat there.. an option to be explored in the coming weekends. I remember the times when Papa, Momo and I always hang out at the same cafe in the weekend mornings, reading newspapers and walking Momo. How time flies!!
Of thoughts..

The numerous rounds of social activities around the festives inevitably got me thinking.. and hubby and I had a conversation last night about what he loved about me since we are so different. Hubby loves socialising and being with friends. He is genuine to all people and always extends a helping hand to those who need it. These are qualities i appreciate and admire in him .. maybe because they are so lacking in me? He is the Me Nice guy who is nice to everyone.

I will be a recluse and a hermit if I have a choice.. not that I do not enjoy socialising.. I do, but I kinda am a bit more "discerning" or selective with who I hang out and socialise with.. I can count who those ppl are with like a few fingers .. I do enjoy hearing stories of people and their experiences but more often than not, I prefer to hang out with ppl who know me as I am for which I do not need to exert too much of myself to socialise with. In summary, I am kinda the bitchy and the meanie gal who is not too much fun to be around.

So when hubby and I first got together, there were lots of opportunities for conflicts. And our differing views of level of socialities caused quite a strain around festive period. Over the years, I accomodated and he accepted (I hope).

However, I still maintain that I do not need to be "nice" or be popular amongst everyone. Why bother? To me, i can like a lot of people, and enjoy their company on and off (thanks to my talkative nature if the chemistry is right, or when the ambience is right), but it does not mean these ppl automatically become part of my life. It is my life, so i get to choose who gets to be in it right?!

I have a close narrow perception of my life. I do not want a lot of ppl in it. Maybe I also do not need a lot of ppl in it. and i especially do not need the fly by night kinda ppl in it.. you know, people who drifts in and outta your life at various points.. and make u feel disappointed with their drifting..
But hubby is the opposite of me. His life cannot be complete without friends, and its a very many friends.

So we have a discussion last night on the real meaning of genuinity and hypocrisy when it comes to socialising. No one is right or wrong, we are just different. VERY different. but we co-exist, and accommodate where we can. But it makes me wonder what he loves about me if we share such different views in life, about people and about how we socialise (which is a large part of being human right?!)

And his answer is always the same. And which, till now, i don't completely understand how it is possible, that he just loves me. Like hello, there must be reasons for loving someone right? Loving without reasons seems strange and implausible!! In any case, this is probably a question i need to carry to my grave, but I sure hope I am more enlightened about how this is possible when I am like...older???

Of Long-ings..

It is only a few more days before hubby is back, I can count the days using 1 hand now!
And I am excited.. It has been a long time since i last "saw" husband.. i can't believe I survived the months, days, nights, hours, minutes and seconds without him!! It is a long-ing which seems forever..

And i wonder how much time we have before baby arrives and we are caught up in the post-natal madness again.. and I do not want to think about his imminent leaving..

I sure hope we have time to "catch up" good and proper before baby arrives.. sigh. Hopefully spend some quality time doing the usual couple stuff like late night supper, movies and all..

And of course I cant wait to see what Papa got me for Christmas!! In this respect, I am forever like a little girl.. always more bubbling excited over the "thought" of opening the gift than the gift if you know what I mean.. and my wish list has been a bit long this year.. so Let's see..

All these distractions made working on 29 and 30 Dec seem like a huge chore.. Can't even properly focus on my report that is due on 29 Dec already.. sigh.

I am counting.. and counting. soon. I more night down once i sleep through tonight..
yes, tat's how precise it is! :)