Dad's 70th Birthday: Celebrations and Surprises!

What exciting celebrations we had for dad's 70th Birthday!

Knowing that he's quite a low-key person and would not organise his own birthday party, I thought of throwing a surprise birthday dinner for him. After discussing with mom and sis, we decided to keep it as a family affairs - ie. have a nice Chinese dinner and invite his siblings and family as well as my mom's side.

To accommodate my sis and brother-in-law who are able to be back only after work on Friday, we decided to hold it on Saturday, after all, his Chinese birthday is not over yet.. I called my two aunts in Singapore and as well my other aunts and uncles in KL. Finally we got 29 people confirmed!

Of course he knew nothing about it. Instead, he thought of calling a few of his close friends over for dinner and drinks, and that happened on Wednesday (and some of them couldn't make it on Fri) And he didn't want to tell them it was for his birthday.

He really had a whale of a time on Wed night - after dinner, they went down for karaoke and really sang and drank the night a way!! Yes, he got pretty drunk...

And on his birthday proper, I told him I would cook him a nice Western meal. Ya, I do like cooking especially Western meals once in a while. :)

Dinner menu:

• fresh mushroom soup with dinner roll
• arugula, avocado and aspragus salad
• ribeye steak with red wine sauce
• roasted new potatoes
• buttered baby carrots
• molten chocolate cake with pecan vanilla ice-cream (no, i didn't make this ;p)
• red wine, brie with grapes

It was quite fun preparing for dinner and since I've had some experiences (ahem), the timing was pretty perfect and I thought I was quite organised! So everything was ready and dinner was served at 7:30pm sharp as expected!

And dad thought that was it, not knowing that the real two surprises were awaiting him.

He had no idea that my sister would come back for his birthday (it was a secret the whole family hid from him.. )

Earlier in the morning, sis has already sms him to wish him happy birthday and then in the afternoon, called and asked the kids to greet him too - telling him that they were going out that night!

Well, sis and brother-in-law took the late flight home from Hong Kong (as they were working and arrived at about 10pm. It was so funny when she returned dad's call, she was already on the cab home from airport! She even apologised for not being able to be with him on his birthday to which my dad said it's ok..

So, imagine his shock and surprise when my sis and b-i-l turned up at the gate at about 11:25pm! Dad's jaw dropped and his mouth agape. It was something he never thought of! And after hugs and all, I could see he was so touched and happy that tears welded in his eyes..

Dad would have thought was the ultimate birthday surprise for him..

The next day, we acted as usual and since sis and b-i-l were around, it was natural that we planned to go out for a meal. And we told him that the venue has been planned in advance. He was curious but I insisted we wanted to keep it as `secret'..

Of course, all the guests ie. our aunts and uncles from both sides and our cousins had all been informed personally about this surprise dinner and had been playing along with it. I found out that an uncle had to make up stories to dad about the date he was coming over (since he does come here quite often)

I texted the guests to remind them to be there at 7:30pm and we would arrive a bit late.. so dad would be greeted by a sea of people.

Perhaps dad was already elated enough to have sis back to celebrate his birthday with him, he really didn't suspect anything at all. Even when he saw an uncle's car parked at the car park of the restaurant, he just presumed it was a coincidence that they were also dining at the same place!

As we entered Elegant Inn, the restaurant manager played along and even pretended to have mixed up my booking and fumbling to find a table for us, as he led us to a darkened room. When dad pushed open the door, voices shouted `Happy Birthday!' and he was shell shocked as the lights were switched on.

Yes, he was literally stunned for a couple of seconds!

I think dad's reaction was a mixed one - of course he was happy to see all of them, including my two aunts who came specially from Singapore. But knowing him he also felt a bit bad as well.. he never wanted to trouble anyone and has always quite low profil.

But hey it's his 70th birthday after all, and that only happens once in a life time! :D

So all in there were 28 of us, seated in two big tables. It was a time of reunion and good company, to catch up with one another.

Of course, it was a time for feasting and drinking! The food was nice - I had spent some time and effort pondering over the menu and really glad it up to standard. And the service was very good (all included in the rather expensive prices!)

Drink wise, we had dad's favourite - whisky and also a few bottles of red wine.

Finally, we had special homemade birthday cake - a Rum & Raisin Cheesecake - ordered from my friend FBB. It was a really yummy, as extra rum has been added! Everyone loved it!

Besides a few quite hefty angpows, dad also received a beautiful framed painting and a collectable huge bottle of Johnny Walker that's more 20 years old.

But I'm sure, more importantly, it was the family get-together that surely made his birthday extra memorable..

... and not to mention the two big birthday surprises he would never forget! (phew, so glad we pulled it off and I gave myself a pat on my back as the mastermind.)

Happy 70th Birthday (again) dad, and ya, you deserve all the attention!! :D

timely family holiday to...BALI again!! :)

This afternoon, I'm flying off to Bali - my fav ASEAN destination again!! :D

This trip is kinda unexpected and was only confirmed less than 2 months ago. After all, I had already went on a memorable solo trip in March this year. But I'm not complaining, cos it would be a family trip - with dad and mom and also sis, bro-in-law and my three nephews and niece!!

I guess sis has heard enough of me raving about Bali and finally decided they would also like to go there - since they had never been before. Well, their itinerary would be quite different, basically centered around the kids.. and we would thus be doing things and going places I've not done before. But we would also have lots of time to go spa and shopping! ;)

I'm really looking forward to it.. and thankful that it's come at a time when I really need a break away from the chain of events that had been happening in my life.. I've been quite sapped up physically and emotionally. Yes, I do deserve this break and more so, I thank God for the opportunity to go on vacation together with my closest loved ones - at the paradise island which I would never get tired of!!

Oh, and the bonus is that the flight and accommodation have been `sponsored'! ;) Well, and in exchange, I would be the `tour guide' of sort. After all, this would be my 4th trip there in 3 years!

So, I am telling myself now: forget about everything that's been preoccupying my mind, and soak into a vacation mood to do nothing but enjoy myself for the next five days.. Oh, and of course also the week that follows when sis and kids would be at home.

Ya, life is good.. and I'm glad I'm an optimist :)

In memory of Grandma and Grandpa

Time flies.. It's grandma's first year death anniversary today. She passed away shortly after CNY last year from stroke and old age..

It was also grandpa's 16th year death anniversary last month - I couldn't believe it has been 16 years already after `ye ye' succumbed to cancer. He was a heavy smoker and drinker..

Dad placed a `in memory' ad in Sin Chew daily to commemorate their death anniversaries..

In the afternoon, we paid a visit to their resting place.. where their ashes are placed. When grandpa passed away, grandma had herself `booked' a place next to him. The urn was wrapped with red paper until last year.. I always thought it was a bit morbid.. but well..

I think it was uncle who put the liquor and beer there - they were grandpa's favourite sins.. we haven't put anything there for `ah nei'

I know it seems weird to take photos there, but it's kind of like a memory for myself/my blog. I also took one that showed some of their `neighbours'...

R.I.P. Ah Nei (1918-2009)

My grandma or Ah Nei in our Hakka dialect finally left us at 3:30pm this afternoon. She was 91.

Ah Nei has been hanging on by a life's thread since she was admitted to I.C.U. early Sunday morning. She was having much difficulties to breathe.. Doctor said nothing much can be done - she was having pneumonia - her lungs were filled with fluid; she has very high diabetic level, her kidney has failed and her heart is weak.

But she was a fighter and did not let go easily..

Her condition remained critical - in fact, her feet and hands were cold and swollen and at one time, her big toe nails had turned black.. But then she sorta surprised us by hanging on and even appeared to have improved slightly over the next few days..

She managed to open her eyes although she could not see.. but the killer that made her suffer was the phlegm in her lungs and throat. It was really pitiful to see how she struggled to breath while drowning in phlegm.. and the physiotherapist had to use tube to suck out the phlegm which is a painful procedure..

The family members had been hovering in her hospital bedroom (we requested her to be transferred to normal room since nothing much can be done). Aunts and uncles and cousins from Singapore came. Even my sis and brother-in-law came back for two days from Hong Kong. Wind let out and about a dozen of our relatives came to see her too.. She has so many visitors in the course of the four days.. Indeed she's well loved.

Ah Nei is your typical strong and determined Hakka woman. She has had a hard life in her younger days but her health had been good. She was still fit in her late 70s. She went traveling with us and climbed stairs and got wet in the rain in Hong Kong.

The turning point came in 1998, when she had blockage in her heart vessels and the doctor suggested she went for angioplasty. She was 80. We had doubts, but the doctor was so confident.. However, it wasn't successful. During the procedure, she suffered a mild stroke, which affected the left side of her body.

Ah Nei's physical condition took a big set-back, and since then, gradually deteriorated over the years.. First she was walking with a walking stick, next she was on wheelchair.. and then in the last two years, after she suffered a fall and another stroke, she became bedridden..

One year ago, on the third of CNY, Ah Nei was warded due to pneumonia.. which is currently her killing weapon. She pulled through but since then, she was put on tube feeding, and her body became even weaker by day. She hardly talked anymore, the most was in isolated words and very short sentences.

And just a week before CNY this year, Ah Nei had breathing difficulty again and was warded for three days. It was serious at first but she became stable.. only that we didn't realise she had suffered another stroke. When she came back, her body began to give way totally... she never uttered another word and her eye-sight also failed completely.

This time, she was hospitalised again and it was a trip of no return..

I regretted of not being around her when she breathed her last. I was planning to go to hospital later in the afternoon as I wanted to meet a deadline. According to uncle who was by her bedside, Ah Nei went very peacefully. She just drew a long breath and gave up her spirit..

I was still fighting back tears when I drove to the hospital but when I saw her cold still body lying on the bed, I could not hold back anymore. Afterall, this is the only grandma that I ever knew, who had been living with us since I was born (except for the few years when she moved out with grandpa).

In the last few years I have witnessed her condition deteriorated and till such an extend that we know it's better for her to be relief. She is finally not suffering anymore.. But now that she's finally gone, there is this emptiness around.

I have just chosen an outfit for Ah Nei. Her body will be placed at the Xiao En Centre where relatives and friends would come and pay their respects.. on Sunday morning, she will be cremated and laid to rest.

Rest in peace, Ah Nei. We will always love you and miss you...

Here are some photos from her better days..

a photo of Ah Nei at her bed taken about three years ago

Ah Nei with children and grandchildren on her birthday in 2005

Ah Nei's birthday celebration in 2006

Ah Nei's 90th birthday celebration outside in Septemer 2007. Last year, her last birthday was not celebrated due to her ailing condition

Ever faithful Wati who has been taking care of Ah Nei for the last 4 years..

Two Birthday Dinners - Pix Gallore!

I feel blessed that I was treated to two enjoyable and sumptuous birthday dinners two nights in a row! :)

It started with a memorable birthday eve celebration with a group of friends - dining at a place where we all have never been!

I made the task easier for Lynn, who so sweetly organised my birthday dinner - and told her that I would like to try out the eateries at SoHo KL @ Solaris - since I've never been. And from its website, it seemed one of the more interesting restaurants is Ole Ole Bali!

It was a Monday night and I was pleasantly surprised to see quite a good turn out, although I've been asking Lynn who were coming - curious ma . :p

True to its name, the restaurant has a Balinese theme with nice interior and ambiance. The food consists of Balinese as well as burgers!! Of course we all chose the former. Our nasi campur was quite tasty with lots of side dishes - although after a while it was too much already. Guess the only grouse is on the not-up-to-par standard of service. At least I was mentally prepared for it as I read in a couple of food blogs that the service was bad!

My food blogger friend Masak-Masak even warned me and told me not to scold the waitors! Anyways, I was in a happy and good mood so the slow and blur waiters were spared my scolding!!

We took lots of photos but somehow some of the photos were kinda blur... could be the obscure lighting..

And when the cake arrived.. I was amused to see two large and two small candles on it!!

With the gusy - only few of them..

With the gals! Yay - girl power!! ;)

It's a family tradition of sort to eat out on one's birthday. But on Dec 16th afternoon, I was still deliberating where to my birthday dinner with my parents as they left it to me to decide.. Being an adventurous person when it comes to food esp, I would like to opt to dine at a place I've been before! My mind was a bit blank so i did some research on food blogs and came across `Sage' in The Gardens from two popular blogs - just check out the exquisite cuisine on Masak-Masak and A Whiff of Lemongrass!

Looks very costly but since my birthday comes only once a year - that's the privilege I get :p But i didn't manage to reserve a table as I couldn't get through the nos given in the blog as well by The Gardens.

Since it was a Tues, I thought it's not that difficult to get a table for three. So we went.. but guess what, there happened to be a company function and thus there wasn't even one free table. I was quite disappointed..

Well, since we were already at The Gardens, so we all agree to find another restaurant there. After looking through the directory, it was between Alexis and Yogi Tree - both of these restaurants I have been once before for lunch.

We ended up at Yogi Tree. It's quite a `downgrade' from Sage but I managed to help dad to save at least RM400 or so! And it makes me happy when dad is happy :) I must say it has very good service and the food was pretty good too - at least my parents also enjoyed without burning a hole in the pocket!

Wearing the pair of expensive glasses that's the birthday present from mom!

Our orders from two set dinner menus: two pumpkin soups, seafood paella, garden salad, grilled rib eye steak.

And we were allowed to choose two cakes for dessert

The Chilean house wine was pretty good that we ordered extra!

Dad was so impressed by the meaningful wordings on the wall that he asked me to take a photo!

And.. when we got home, and before the end of my birthday.. how could I forget to take a photo with the two Js - who unfortunately weren't in the mood for the camera!! :p

Just want to thank all for your company and wishes, your gifts, SMS-es and countless FB messages.. there is no regrets in turning a year older (like I have a choice? haha)

p.s. oh, there is a joint belated birthday treat from a couple of friends next Monday..!