MissingPamitis

That's what hubby and I are afflicted with when our 'bee is away from us.

We are happy her long-distance relationship is finally ended and she is together with her husband. But they are in KL. : ( And that spells another LDR for us.

But better us than them, for God has made them one and it is right that they leave others and cleave only to one another.

Highlights of 2011

The first half of 2011 was pretty uneventful but the excitement upped a notch and the momentun increased once I crossed over into the second half of the year.

God granted me many desires of my heart last year.

Never in my wildest dream did I imagine that Hubby would don a traditional garb to take a photo with me. Much less pose like this.....

Baba Kenny teasing his nyonya

 Thank you darling! You didn't know how happy you made me.

Last year the most talked about wedding was Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. For me, the wedding of the year was that glorious day when my 'Bee married her beau after a long, long (in terms of time + distance) courtship with many ups and downs.

Lord, bless them with a long and loving, faithful and fruitful marriage.

Our first family photo with our brand new son-in-law immediately after the solemnization of their marriage

Hubby then indulged me with a Glitz & Glamour themed 55th birthday celebration at the G Hotel to make up for my botched 50th birthday celebration.

I feel so pampered...but no more big parties until I hit 60. : (

My super indulgent Glitz & Glamour themed 55th birthday celebration.

It has always been my dream since young to be a singer even though I cannot sing really well. In September last year I not only sang but also danced at the China International Travel Expo (CITE) that was held in Guangzhou.

I consider that "ahem, ahem" my debut as an international performer. 

Another dream come true.

Performing in Guangzhou

Despite my involvement in church and ministry, spiritually I was heading nowhere until I attended the month-long Haggai Institute Advanced Leadership Seminar in Maui, Hawaii. I came back transformed and with a purpose. Outwardly everything is still the same but the seed has been planted and time will see it grow and bear fruit. 

Lord, help me to be all You want me to be!

... where I found my destiny and renewed my commitment to my Lord and Saviour

Not Ready

Christmas is sneaky this year. It crept up to me unawares. I'm not ready.

Best Christmas Present of All

At Ken Ray, the Christmas season offically begins with the putting up of our Christmas tree. Then we draw lots to pick someone we have to buy a Christmas present for. This year the budget is not less than RM15.00.

Tradition demands that on D-Day you must identify the mystery giver of your present failing which you will be penalized. If you manage to identify him or her then the giver is penalized. Under such circumstance everyone lies. No one could be trusted to tell the truth.

Our Christmas wish list

 Wishes range from the outrageous to the more realistic and affordable

This was my wish: I really want a holiday in Venice...but I wouldn't mind a trip to Bali. Ok la, I close one eye for a holiday in Langkawi.

After weeks of subterfuge and investigation the day finally arrives when we submit our guesses and open our presents. And that's today!

Lots of presents were already waiting for me at my table 

bright and early in the morning

  Tension mounts as we get ready to collect our presents 

knowing that a penalty awaits us if none of our three guesses are right

Our Christmas tree laden with gifts

 

All of us with our presents

My gift wrapped in a an AirAsia advertisement torn from the newspaper

 

To my surprise it's really an air ticket to Pulau Langkawi!!!

Courtesy of my 'Bee

Never in my wildest dream did I expect my wish to be granted. This only goes to show that no wish is too ridiculous. 

All things are possible. 

Dreams do come true. 

And you cannot trust anyone this time of the year - not even your nearest and dearest!

So THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH 'bee for making my wish your command - Siri-style! Please keep it up and you'll have a happy bunny for a mommy!

And now our Christmas tree stands forlorn denuded of gifts

Backfire

I planned a surprise for Vive but it backfired on me.

So here we are...

 ...an Indian dressed in China man baju and me in a saree

How was I to know that he was thinking of dressing cross-culturally as well? Anyway, this was 1Malaysia and muhibbah demonstrated at John Loh and Hui Min's wedding dinner. 

I think I should wear the saree more often

Iron Therapy for Sleepless Nights

I had one of my sleepless nights last night. I was so fed up tossing and turning, trying to sleep that I finally resorted to my tried-and-tested Iron therapy. It works without fail. Every time!

 

My best buy of the year

Raymond's Forty-Sixth Birthday

We took Baby Brother to Delicious to celebrate his 46th birthday. For once we managed to take him somewhere nice instead of the normal coffee-shop-style vegetarian restaurant. (That is due to his dietary preference which restricted our choice of venues for meals.)

 The Tong siblings from Lto R: Baby Brother, Baby Sister and me, Big Sister

After a delicious dinner we proceeded to order dessert. We were so kiasu that we ordered 3 different types of cakes for him - Coconut Cake, Macadamia Cheesecake and Peach Frangipane with Vanilla Ice-Cream.

 The birthday boy with his cakes

 We then asked him to make a face and this was the result.

 After that he couldn't hold back his laughter.

 Then he made a comment. Couldn't remember what he said. 

 Then he laughed again.

I love my Baby Brother and I love to see him laugh even more. I think he needs more exposure to both his siao sisters to bring more laughter into his life. 

My share of the yummy cakes

Finally we had afogato to end the wonderful meal.

I hope you enjoyed yourself, Raymond! I did. And here's a Hokkien blessing for you that's worthy of our Mom.

Sin Ku Eong Eong. Choot Jip Peng Aun. Kee Tar Loh Ooi Too Tio Ho Kooi Jin. 

Literal Translation: Body strong, strong. Safe going out and coming in. Everywhere you go, you meet people who will bless you. 

Happy birthday, Baby Brother! We love you.