Meeting up with the ex-Georgians in Singapore - 4 April 2009

It was some time in early March and was chatting with Mae.. She was telling me about the possibility of coming to KL for work, I told her that I'm set to be in Singapore in June with a gal pal.. we spoke about meeting up and Mae pointed out that it was gonna be tough - I either had to ditch my pal or let her sit thru' a couple of hours observing a bunch of women rattling in Hokkien, laughing hysterically at incidents she knows nothing about, talking about people she doesn't know... Aiyo! She's a nice gal.. I can't do that to her la.. I HAD to make a trip alone!

So, I sent out a message via FB on 11 March and within a day I'd received positive responses all around! So, I booked my ticket and was all set to meet the girls on 4 April! Yay! The month's reasonably busy, time will fly and soon it'll 4 April! But, no, I wasn't gonna have it THAT easy - I got really sick just 2 days prior to my trip! Aiya! I'm all set to go and that's that - I'm going no matter what!

4th April came and off I went, all excited.. I was still not feeling great but I was too excited! Haha.. I was glad when I touched down in Singapore, I was glad when Mae (FINALLY!) answered the phone, I was happy, happy, happy (or was that the after effects of the cough syrup from the night before?? Haha..) and I haven't even met any of them yet! Haha.. I eventually met Mae at Tanah Merah station and we took a cab to go pick Gookie up at Bedok and it was off to Eleven, the place the lot of us are supposed to meet at.

Eleven, our meeting place.. Mae, who obviously frequents this place, looking very at home and all "taukeh soh" (lady boss) like.. haha..

Judy was the first to arrive.. seen here with Gookie and shortly after, Susan, Seok Hoon and Wendy came in.. Susan a li'l teary eyed, while Seok Hoon and Wendy had a good laugh at her..

I must say, Seok Hoon was a 'bonus'.. I'm glad Wendy brought her along. Seok Hoon came with photos and we all had a good time reminiscing and having a good laugh!

As expected, it wasn't long before someone went, "Do you remember...." or "Eh, whatever happened to...", lots of laughing, impromtu rattling in Hokkien, more laughing!

Susan, minus the tears.. aww.. Seok Hoon & Wendy having a laugh while the ever attentive Mae constantly fills up our glasses with water..that interesting looking drink was recommended by Mae, some lychee concoction - we all ended up having one each! Our starters, seen here, are the deep fried calamari & garlic bread(?), which was followed by some dory fillet and what I'm guessing was the prawns in creamy garlic sauce (Mae, did I get that right?)

Before we knew it, the starters were all gone and it was time to order our mains..

Susan & Seok Hoon split an oven baked chicken with spinach and saffron sauce.. Gookie had a dory fillet in arabiata sauce.. I think?

The ever healthy, midnight jogger, Judy had a rocket salad with baby prawns & lemon dressing, while Wendy had the crabmeat linguine..

Mae & I had the same, grilled veal scallopine in mustard sauce with mashed potato.. I did well - I finished everything!

If you think the food was going to keep us quiet - WRONG! The conversation flowed seamlessly, with endless bursts of laughter! What was really funny? Susan recalling all these incidences where Mae was involved and Mae looking back at her like she was speaking Greek! Hilarious!

Mae chillin'.. finally! The ex-Georgian Reunion show also had a 'guest star'.. one Mr. Edwin Loh Oon Aik (betul kah Gookie?) and a cameo appearance by a Mr. Paul Choy Kim Foo (not pictured, too short appearance.. Haha)
Group pix - a MUST!

(l-r) Mae Cheah Suan Lee, Wendy Au Mei Lee (betul?), Kate Yew Gook Kuen, Judy Quah Seng Kee, Khaw Seok Hoon, Susan Ong Saw Yim & moi

We also shared dessert - lemongrass creme brulee & cinnamon tiramisu followed by coffee/tea. Like I said earlier, food doesn't slow us down and the chattering continued without a pause and before I knew it, it was time to leave.. Hmmm... Sad! After many cabs had passed (all hired!) I finally got a cab to go to the airport.
My quiet cab ride to the airport..

OK, it was sad having to leave and all but, bright side (yes, there's always a bright side!) - this will be the first of many get togethers! Well, we already have talks of meeting in Kota Kinbalu and Penang in the air.. So, there!

I got to the airport and checked in with lots of time to spare and had a horrible headache..oh, time to take my meds! Then, guess what? My flight was delayed big time and I didn't take off till 11.30pm! Aiya.. if only I'd known earlier - I could've stayed on in town till 10pm! Bright side ("There's one??" you say..) - now, I know Terminal 1 pretty darn well, folks! Haha..

Still, headache and delayed flight aside, I had a blast! I'm so glad I made this trip! I'm thankful all the girls made it, especially Seok Hoon since she's not on FB, I'm thankful we had a nice place to chill and let loose and all that great food, I'm glad we laughed a lot and had great conversation.. I'm just glad I had a great time and I hope everyone else did too!

James' Birthday Celebration - 3 April 2009

James' birthday in on 7 April but Carol decided to celebrate it way early on Friday, 3 April.. Why? I dunno.. Why didn't she do it over the weekend? I dunno.. But, I'm not complaining 'coz I won't be around. So, Friday's good!


I'd been sick the whole week and hadn't been all that sharp and it was on my train ride back to PJ was when I realised, "Alamak! Forgot to bring my camera.. again! Aiya.." N'er mind, have phone, will have pix.. not the best quality ones but pix nonetheless! Carol came to pick me up from the train station at 7pm and James was already sitting comfortably in his armchair, reading the newspaper when I got to her place.. with a shirt on! Like, wow! Then I found out that he's expecting a guest.. an important one, I reckon, if I may add.. important enough for James to keep his shirt on! Woo-hoo..


Carol started us off with some bites while waiting for the guest, who turned out to be James' business partner, and and mum to arrive. The guy called to say that he was stuck in traffic and since James' mum had arrived, so we went on to have dinner.

Carol started us off with some bites..

Then, dinner was served..

Seafood cocktail.. and there was wine, of course..

Followed by spaghetti and garlic bread..

James' birthday cake.. before candles and.. after candles.. ooh.. many candles.. very bright! Haha..

James, all smiles as he reads his birthday card from Jade..
One of the family..

James' guests arrived just as we were finishing dinner. Carol & James chatted with him as he had his dinner. The cake came out, the candles were lit, a round of "Happy Birthday, James" was sung, James makes a wish (I bet he didn't!), blows out the candles and cake was served. Excuse me, I still a bit blurr from the medication..

I finally left at 10pm.. just in time to catch American Idol! Haha.. Anyway, Happy Birthday, James.. enjoy your shirts! (Aunty Connie gor him a pastel blue work shirt and I got him a bright blue golf collared t-shirt)