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

Ban the fireworks and firecrackers!!

Ok, i may sound like a CNY scrooge but i think i am not alone on this..

Even Facebook statuses and comments by friends/relatives indicated many of us in the Klang Valley (and I'm sure in other cities/towns with Chinese populations) were bothered by the incessant and loud fireworks and firecrackers that went on in the last couple of hours!!

Apparently we just ushered in the Hokkiens' BIG day - 拜天公 (Bai Tin Gong) which falls on the 8th day of CNY.. and since I moved to this neighbourhood almost 7 years ago, I have experienced this crazy outburst of `celebration' which was even madder than CNY eve itself!!

But I won't really complain so much if I didn't have Jojo. You see, my dear Goldie is quite a coward dog who is frightened by even an umbrella or even the slightest unusual noises.. You can imagine how freaked out he has been with all these loud noises!! In fact, he was already so disturbed since CNY eve, and had been behaving quite abnormally. He lives outdoor but because of the fireworks/crackers, he had been pounding the doors every night and seeing him so frightened, we let him in.. But he would just dash upstairs into my room and hide himself in his `safety abode' - underneath my bathroom basin. He would refuse to come out and even coaxing him with food and using all kinds of method proved futile..

Two nights ago, even after the fireworks stopped, when I took Jelly out for a walk (which is his favourite actually) he still remained upstairs.. and yes, he would tried to come down but retreated again..

Sometimes we put him in his other safety abode - his house. But when I touched him, I could feel his heart beating so fast so I just had to let him in again..

Tonight, he got so scared that he began chewing things in my room and bathroom, something he usually does when he's nervous.. He also looked so paranoid and pathetic.. when I called him, he normally would come but now he just hid himself.

Just now, mom has to use a `cruel' method to get him out from hiding under my sink - after I tried so many ways to coax him out and fail. Mom took an umbrella and shoved it near him.. and he finally budged.. by that time, the fireworks/crackers had ceased.. thankfully, though once in a while, we could still hear it..

I just don't understand.. that type of grand/loud fireworks do not come cheap! And so many people are willing to throw away so much money just to `celebrate' in such a way.. that contributes to air and noise pollution and even danger!! Why doesn't our government ban it like they once used to? Are they allowing it to woo the Chinese voters or..?

And it's actually early Monday morning - people have to work and schools re-open, yet these crazy `chinamen' (ok i'm stereotyping but chances are they are!) don't give a hoot! Their own merry-making comes before considerations for others. And they probably believe doing that would bring them prosperity?

I'm not a `banana', in fact, i'm Chinese educated and well verse with Chinese tradition and culture. My parents are traditionally and culturally very Chinese but thank goodness that even they do not share that kind of mentality.

At least now at past 2am, it's finally quieten down.. but here's a photo of poor Jojo sitting in my bathroom, under the sink, having chewing up papers and boxes!!

So pitiful.. :(

Mom, being the tolerant one, said it's just once a year and let it be... but I say, those of us who share my sentiment should petition to the government to ban fireworks/firecrackers once and for all!!

恭贺新禧！

Time flies.. the Year of the Tiger has dawned on us!!

As I'm typing this, still with a full stomach after a heavy reunion dinner feast, fire-crackers have been resounding loudly and unceasingly from around the neighbourhood! The Chinese customs and traditions are well alive at least in this part of the Kuala Lumpur suburb..

Maybe I'm getting old and jaded, I don't feel at all excited even no matter how beautiful the fireworks are.. In fact, I hope they will stop soon as I need to sleep real soon to get up early to church - will be leading songs tomorrow, on the 1st day of CNY!

The few days that followed will see quite a lot more feasting.. gosh I must have some restraint and not let myself put on weight after all the hard work! It'll also be a time of fellowship with relatives and friends, but I can't really be taking a proper break as some deadlines are looming!

Well.. here's wishing one and all a happy and blessed lunar new year! May the Year of the Tiger be a roaring good one! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

My year in review..

TIME FLIES..!! I mean, 2009 really really has flown by in a wink!

I just can't believe we're now in the last day of of the year.. Tomorrow it's a brand new year - and a brand new decade - if you have celebrated year 2000 as the turn of the millenium!

As with the custom since I started blogging in mid 2005 (gosh, has it been more than 4 1/2 years already?), albeit having really slowed down in the last few months, I don't want to miss out writing this `momentus' year-end post that includes both reflection of the year that has been, as well as setting `resolutions' for the coming year..

Ahh... resolutions! The big `R' word which many has a love-hate relationship with - and yours truly is one who believes in setting resolutions yet always almost never achieve most of them! Having said that, it is important I feel to have new goals for the new year, and also re-examine old ones that one has not realised - and try to make them work again!

Ok.. besides turning the Big 4-0 in the middle of this month, I shall recap of the significant events and things that have happened in 2009 - not a top 10 news of the world thing, but what has happened in my life - of course, this is my personal blog! ;)

1. Grandma passes away at 90, just after CNY after deteriorating condition of suffering a stroke for 10 years. We were sad but of course her death was not unpredicted. In fact, it was a relief for her as well as for us.. she was already in semi-conscious state and before that totally bedridden for a year plus.. She could even hardly spoke for some time already. There was no quality of life. The extended family, relatives and close friends turned out in full to pay her last respect. RIP Ah Nei - I still miss you..

2. The set-up of my SoHo/ home office - complete with new furniture and paint, and got my first iMac! That idea has been brewing in dad's mind for some time but due to lack of proper room space it was not done. But since grandma's passing, the room downstairs has been vacant so it seems a good idea to turn it into my `home office' - since I mostly work from home as a freelance writer, and working from my bedroom was not really conducive. That explained why I frequented Starbucks for a while! The conversion was an easy process and not expensive too - and by August, I had a proper SoHo to work in - and even got a new iMac which I heart!! Ya, now I always work (and play) in my private SoHo :p

3. I sat for my first vocal examination in June. After taking up personal vocal lesson proper (the ones I took in the past were infrequent and group classes) since November 07, I took the plunge and sat for the First Concert Certificate exam which required me to sing 4 songs by heart! It was a pretty nerve-wracking experience as my legs actually trembled singing in front of the examiner! Being pushed by my teacher, I was aiming high - but was quite relief to get a Merit and not less.. (Distinction would be great but oh well..) And with the exam preparation, I felt my singing has improved quite a lot this year!

4. I took up Italian lesson since beginning of this year.. but progress has been slow. Found my tutor Giovanna online and enjoyed learning.. however, the language is so tough and my brain matter (ie memory) is getting so much weaker these days.. I won't say it's a waste of money although I can hardly master much of the language after a year.. and she's leaving for Rome so I am not sure of the continuation.. :(

5. I was blessed to be able to travel to a few interesting places this year - some of which I didn't even blog about like my Shanghai trip in October - which I really had fun! We went on a family holiday to the scenic Wuyishan in Fujian, China - my parents, my sis and me like old time :). The following month, we did our annual `pilgrimage' to Hong Kong to visit sis family - particularly the three kids! It also turned out to be a shopping spree for I had lost some weight then (read more about my weight-loss achievement below) In July, I had my first World Rianforest Festival experience in the cultural village of Sarawak - which turned out to be pretty `memorable' for some wrong reasons! And then finally in mid October, I went to Shanghai by myself and was the guest of my Malaysian friend who lives temporarily. She drew up a concise itinerary for me and we did so much in a week - food and shopping being the highlight. I LOVE the cosmopolitan of Shanghai and want to go back again.. But alas, my blogging momentum took a dip after that so I didn't blog at all - it would have been a super-long post! However, photos that speak a thousand words can be seen in my Facebook album.

6. Ok, regarding my work.. hmmm.. what can I say? It has been VERY different from the last two years of being a freelancer. Oh ya, as of November this year I have been on my own for THREE whole years already and with God's blessing, i'm still at it. But now I'm doing only half editorial work and the rest is corporate/other forms of writing and translations. But for the first 2 1/2 months of this year, I was attached to GardnerAndWife Theatre and was helping them to write press releases and publicity materials that led up to their first production of the year - Wicked Wizard. That was quite an interesting jobe experience. But even if translation work pay prompt and copywriting pay more, my first love is still writing feature articles for papers and magazines and I pray I can still be doing that in 2010!

7. Some of my church friends had been battling the `big C' this year. An dear faithful servant, an auntie from church at just 60, has passed away in November while there were many new cases - including a close friend who was detected with stage 4 lung cancer which doctor and was only gave her months to live. However, her strong faith in God had seen her battling with medical means and prayers, and we were so glad that God had worked a miracle in her body and life - that her tumour has reduced and all cancerous spots were cleared from other parts of her body! It also spurred her to become an avid blogger who regularly updates her spiritual blog here. Now we are praying and ministering to another brother whose condition has worsened lately..

8. Farewell CCF. Ironically just 3 months after the nostalgic and wonderful CCF Alumni camp, the church's peer group fellowship that I've been a part of since 1994 has disbanded after being there since 1991. It has seen the coming and going and of course staying-on of many young adults over the years and has built up strong friendship as well as Christian foundations in many lives.. It was kinda sad but from its condition in the last two years, we know we need to move on. So since middle of this year, I have joined a home/cell group and also enjoying new fellowship with more mature friends and studying the Word together..

9. Woe to the Net addict. Sigh.. although I posted that in February, my addiction on the Internet had gone from bad to worse.. i think! Ok, maybe it had `maintained' since I also spend some time watching HK drama series on Astro. My work also demands the heavy usage of email and google and other Internet tools, and on top of that, I have somehow succumbed to the temptations of the many Facebook games - the ones I'm current playing actively are (ok, hold your breath!) Sorority Life, Cafe World, Petville, Pet Society, Word Twist and Restaurant City (RC not so frequent). This is on top of managing and sending messages, checking friends messages and status and all other 1001 things Facebook offers!! I'm a real Junkie but on the plus side, FB has helped me in my work too!

10. Last but not least.. if I have only been given one thing that is significant to review this year, it would be this: Since February till September - I have successfully shed off 15kg of weight - that's like 5 1/2 inches off my waist (no need to go into details of the other vital statistics). And the good news is, I have maintained that weight in the last three months - without having to go on a diet anymore.. It has been so obvious that so many people whom knew me before had commented - and then it has come to this stage that I had to get rid of almost all my old clothes! Especially jeans and pants.. and also most dresses, shirts and blouses!! No wonder I have been spending a lot - cos I had been shopping locally, in Hong Kong and also Shanghai for new clothes and now I decided also to alter some of the old ones that I like.. So how did I do this? Of course some of my friends would have known already.. but since there are lots to tell, I shall follow by another post soon in the future - dedicated to this `Big Loser' lol - and also with photos of `before and after' to show!

So you had my top 10 list of 2009. My next post that hopefully I would write later today.. or on Jan 1, will be my aspirations and plans. I shall not use the word resolutions anymore - for the year 2010.

Ya, it has been an eventful and unforgettable year.. And it's kinda hard to say goodbye.. to 2009..! :(

My Memorable Birthday of `Adventures'

So finally.. I've entered into the milestone I've always dreaded in the last few years... :S

But guess what, just like how I entered the last year of my 30s last December.. turning 40 wasn't a big deal anymore!

I mean, it's kinda `big deal' in the sense I did plan something to treat myself.. and ended up having a birthday celebration that I've never experienced before!!

But first was a surprise birthday treat by some of my good friends from church, which involved a big cover-up story and then I was blindfolded in the car all the way to the restaurant! Imagine on a busy Sunday evening, I was made to walk from the carpark into a shopping complex and then all the way into the restaurant and to our table blindfolded - and of course holding on to my two friends. And on top of that, since I thought we were going to play games in my friend's house, I was in my casual wear with slippers!! And then, they even fed me with some `samples' of food and made me guess what I tasted.. before all was revealed when I was allowed to see again..

It's near Christmas and some of my group of friends who turned up for my last birthday do could not make it.. so it was just five gal-friends and me but it's really nice cos it's cosy and I know they actually took the pain and trouble to plan for it.. so that I didn't even suspect. Well, I did suspect in a way since it was just three days away from my actual birthday, but my guess was they may just bring out a cake when we play games.. the mastermind and the main partner-in-crime were just so clever and `crafty' at this `game' that I actually fell for it..!

So yes, for the first time in my life, I had a surprise and blindfolded birthday treat!! And on top of that, I was treated to a sumptuous Japanese meal, birthday cake and pressies.. but most important was their company.. So thank you gals, you know who you are.. don't want to name names to embarrass you although I just had to post a few photos here for memory sake! ;)

After that part was over... came the part which I have looked forward since months ago when I decided to treat myself to spend my birthday in a five-star hotel!

I'm not so rich after all.. it's because of the Starwood Privilege membership that I've joined a few months earlier (where I also got to treat dad to a discounted birthday dinner at Prime) that had a coupon that offered me a free night stay in one of its five-star hotels in KL. Out of the three hotels - Le Meridien, Sheraton Imperial and Westin, I chose Westin due to the great location. I just thought of having an escapade in the city and pamper myself by sleeping in a five-star hotel room that is famous for its `heavenly bed'! For dinner, my parents would join me to dine in Prego - which also entitled to 33 per cent off for three diners.

The icing to the cake however, would be a two-hour luxurious spa treatment at the famous and very pricey Spa Village. Since I couldn't afford to experience the famed Spa Village at Pangkor Laut, the KL one is good enough. And surely after checking it out two weeks ago when I had an assignment in Ritz Carlton, I fell in love with it.. just look at the photos on its website here. hmm.. heavenly!!

I was almost all packed by the time I went to bed on Tues night (or rather Wed morning) and was really happy and touched to receive a meaningful Hallmark birthday card from dad and mom, with an `angpow' enclosed! ;)

After doing some renovation shopping with dad for the condo and a yummy `ipoh hor fun' lunch in PJ, I checked into Westin KL around 3:30pm (postponed my spa treatment to 4pm). While the room wasn't super luxurious for 5-star standard, it was nice and roomy and comfy.. and the bathroom was quite impressive - can't get the shower and the WC areas inside the photo!

And the bed.. ahhh.. it's definitely one of the most `heavenly' beds I've lied on.. it was soft yet firm and the pillows were so comfortable too.. words can't really describe. Couldn't help but lied on it and took a photo myself (not very flattering angle but who cares :p)

After refreshing and unpacking a bit, I headed for the spa. Conveniently, Ritz Carlton is just at the back of Westin. The YTL flagship hotel is another class altogether.. but no, I don't have free room for this one..

I chose the 60/60 package - an hour of body scrub treatment and an hour of Balinese massage.. Each treatment room is like a luxurious hotel room and best of all, open up to a private garden that has a open roof shower and a bath.. all built for privacy of course. And each room has attached bathroom and some with steam room.

My therapist was a local lady, and one of the better masseurs I have come across.. the service of course was superb. I felt so relaxed during the massage that actually managed to not think of the many things in my mind.. and almost drifted into sleep.. I shan't go into the details of the treatments.. :p Suffice to say, I have been to a few spas locally and more overseas but this must be the most luxurious ever, and probably the best experience.. How I wish my spa treatments could last longer!

I know I was on `holiday' so to speak but I still needed to be connected! And so went online a while and saw a flood of birthday greetings on FB! :D Dad and mom arrived soon and we dined at Prego. The food was not great but not bad either and the ambience was nice.. cosy, warm and relaxed.. Got a free bottle of red wine with my coupon, and a cake as well from the hotel.

We shared our food as usual and my main courses - shared with dad - were spaghetti Arabiata and a pizza which I forgot its name, recommended by the captain.

Uncle's family came to join us after dinner and we went up to my room to chit-chat, had the cake and some drinks.. before they left around 11pm. They bought me a bottle of wine.. and we opened it!

While continuing my Internet-ing - but I had to go to the lobby lounge as Internet access costs a bomb in room! And then I found out that there was free drinks for ladies at Q-bar, and just couldn't help it to help myself to a Sangria. On top of the many glasses of wine, and a frozen magaritta I ordered at the lobby lounge! I over-estimated myself.. my head got pretty heavy by the end of the night and finally after a hot bath, I tugged myself into my heavenly bed..

It would have been a PERFECT escapade if not of the terrible incident early in the morning!! At 7:30am - while I was still in dreamland, I was rudely awaken by a loud drums playing! It sounded like a band of drums and indeed it was! They were practising in front of Pavillion which was where my room was facing. I couldn't ignore it so I called the hotel reception to complain. I was assured that they would ask the drums to stop. But no, the drumming continued, sometimes intermittently but it got worse and I had to call again, this time the manager on duty actually went over to try to solve the problem.. However, he didn't succeed.. and finally.. he apologetically offered me to change room that's on the other side. That was the only solution so I took it, groggy already being awaken for about an hour. So, in my bathrobe and slipper and only with my glasses and handphone, I followed him to another part of the hotel which was the apartment residence.. and he gave me a studio - which also had a king-size heavenly bed.

Due to the disturbances, and with a headache from hangover, I had difficulty falling asleep immediately again.. and finally when I did it was probably 10am.. and then I had to miss the movie preview I planned to go at Pavillion GSC! Sigh..

(I went back later to the studio residence and snapped some photos for blogging sake!)

Finally I woke up around noon, still groggy but at least had some sleep.. joined my media friends for lunch at Pavillion food court before going to Ritz Carlton for my work assignment. Actually I am thankful that the assignment location was just perfect for me.

Since it's entertainment assignment, it was also more fun.. and this time to interview Tony Leung Ka Fai and Fan Bing Bing who came to promote the new movie `Bodyguards and Assassins', which according to those who watched, was a great movie! (and i will get to watch only later.. at least the distributor promised me free tix)

I have requested for late check-out. I planned to leave around 5pm when my work finished, but by then, I was really too tired from alcohol effect and lack of sleep so I got my room extended again.. and the kind manager, who already wrote me an apology card and gave me a small box of chocolate, agreed.

So I rested for an hour or so as I was totally exhausted but had some coffee so I couldn't really sleep. Then I went to the poolside for a while and then had nice long shower before I packed up and left the hotel.. concluding my 30-hours escapade at Westin KL...

Whatever way you look at it, my milestone was certainly some kind of adventures and experiences that's worth me blogging all in a breath till 1am!

Time to hit the sack now, on my own familiar `heavenly' bed.. ;)