Happy Niu Year

At Paragon reluctantly striking a pose with the decoration

Chinese New Year celebrations in school mean early dismissal for the kor kors which translates to lunch out with the cousins and a lot of sushi.

Not-A-Surprise Birthday Breakfast at Bacha

 

Every year, around the time we each have a birthday, we know for certain we're going to be taken to a lovely place for a special breakfast. I really loved my birthday breakfast at the beautifully decked out Bacha just because sipping fancy coffee from fancy china served up in gilded pots makes the experience that much more special. My friends had me choose my birthday present - Sweet Nocciola coffee beans ground for my French press and a pretty Tiffany blue gift tin to keep it fresh.

Happy 17th Anniversary to Us!

After being married for 17 years, we know that it's less important to celebrate the day but every day that follows. On that note, we ended up celebrating our wedding anniversary 2 weeks after the actual day with a themed fine dining dinner at Preludio called "Chapter 2: Time".

This was definitely one of the most memorable dinners particularly because the theme was so appropriate for us that it gave me goosebumps. Having dinner at 6.30PM certainly helped since it was early enough that we were the only ones in the restaurant for the first half of our meal. The food courses were a visual feast that made you internally ooh and aah like a nerd while you try to match what the waitress explained with what your palate was sampling.

The "Time Machine" was hands-down our favourite part of the meal with all the different textures and flavours packed into such a tiny bite.

Not your ordinary bread and butter

"Time Machine"

Chestnut themed dessert box to round off the meal

Hello! Japan

After months of prepping, we are finally leaving for Japan tonight! The Pattiselannos are hitting Tokyo and Osaka for the next 10 days with our good friends the Ngs and the Norohnas!

The kids have been impatient to get started with our holiday and have been excited about playing in the snow, eating through Japan and going shopping!! The hallmarks of a great vacation. I've just been excited about having Lenard to ourselves for the next few days. 

It's our first time in Japan outside of Narita airport. I've always wanted to go but somehow the language barrier and the lack of travel company meant it would sit on the back burner for a long time. 

Well, now we're off and thrilled to be going with our friends.

Go for Gold!

Getting in line to watch the SEA Games Opening Ceremony at the Sportshub. We had to park at Plaza Singapura and take the train from Dhoby Gaut to Stadium since the roads were closed for security reasons. It was quite exciting to be in the train with so many others bound for the same destination. The train was pretty packed going to the stadium thankfully we got on at the right stop since it only got more crowded at each station on the way.

We had to wait a while once we reached the stadium and it took a bit of asking around to find the end of the right queue. All 3 of us were sweaty and tired from just the trek alone!

We had to wait in line to get through security. Those with no bags made it through to the express lane and didn't have as long a wait. Once in, the energy was apparent and the kids were happy to go through their goody bags.

The show was a bright and colourful combination of lights, pyrokinetics and music. It was apparent everyone had put in a lot of effort and sacrifice to make the evening a grand occasion.

We wish Team Singapore all the best in the weeks to come! GOOOOOOO SINGAPORE!!

11 Years and Counting!

Beer, sausage, pork knuckle, lovely ambiance and a good-looking date to boot!

What a happy way to kick off 2015! Though technically, our anniversary falls on the the 31st of December, we typically spend it with family then have our date night on the evening of January 1st. This evening, we checked out a quaint German restaurant called Stuttgart Blackforest Cafe serving traditional German fair. Len's been driving past this place almost every weekday and he's been dying to try it out.

Since we were coming off a whole season of binge eating, I thought it would be sensible for us to share. Of course, Len had his doubts but decided there would be no harm in yielding since we could always order more! We had tomato soup, pork knuckle with additional sides of sausage and potato salad. Of course, no German meal would be complete without beer.

He looks so pleased!

 We rounded it off with a slice of Blackforest cake which came with cherries that were extra boozey!

Even though we weren't in any particular rush, we somehow managed to have a leisurely meal, nice conversation, and be home by 9ish! (Perhaps I was subconsciously preparing for an early start the next morning since it was a school day.. first day of school for Zac no less!)

Bubble Magic Rocks!

I bought tickets for us to watch Bubble Magic a good 2 months before the show. I first saw some pictures of the show online when I was looking for shows for the kids. Honestly, I really wanted to watch this show myself. Pep Bou, a two-man team who shares their stage with the lovely and amazing bubble creations they make using all kinds of tubes, strings, hoops and more.

Eli was a bit suspicious when we entered the darkened Jubilee Hall at Raffles Hotel and was quite tense initially since he doesn't enjoy performances or shows or anything of the "unknown" variety (ie, almost anything he hasn't encountered before). Just after the show began however, I was thrilled to hear him tell me "Mummy, I'm not scared anymore! This is really funny!". He giggled and laughed for the rest of the show and so did Zac who really loved the toilet humour (a winner with most children)!

Zac wants to watch this again next year!

Antique-ing with Mama

We went to visit one of Mama's old friends from when she used to buy and sell antiques, Uncle Ah Keng. His shop used to be in the old building between Tanglin Mall and St. Regis Hotel but he's since moved and is now at Craig Road.

His shop is an awesome collection of memorabilia, antiques, furnishing, collectibles and more! It's no wonder Mama liked hanging out there after work when she was at the Australian High Commission. Eli was a bit tentative but after some encouragement, he decided it was safe enough to wander around the 4 storey shophouse.

We are SOOOO HIGH OFF THE GROUND!

Uncle Ah Keng, past to present

 The wandering around didn't last long since Eli declared it too dusty to hang around much longer. Thankfully there was a little exercise area just behind the row of shophouses. We had a blast!

Last Days of Summer

Actually it's just the last days of the June holidays which is just about half-way through Summer if we experienced the four seasons in the first place.

Tomorrow is the first day back at school after a month-long break. Where did the time go? I suppose time disappears that much faster when you're having fun though I do suspect that it would have flown by faster if the weather behaved itself a little more!

We got tickets to watch the first ever game at the new stadium. It was a rugby match and it's only at this game that I really realised how God saved me a lot of heartache by not allowing Zac to get rugby as his CCA! Even though I thought it was a great idea at the time (and I was the only one to think so), I'm relieved that my little boy won't be subject to such brutality! I am impressed and amazed at the athleticism and power the players displayed on the pitch but would be utterly horrified if all of that was directed at my child!

Can you imagine this little goofball getting pummeled into the ground?

We are still waiting the arrival of our newest addition. Len and I think he'll come on the 1st of July (NOTE: Little E's estimated due date was the 29th of June.), his daddy thinks it's going to be on the 4th of July and his mummy is just tired. Dr Cheng says that he'll induce birth on the morning of 4th July if he doesn't come out on his own. In the meantime, the plug is out and all that's left is the a waiting game.

The Chans and us went to Gardens by the Bay to check out the playground and waterplay area. We didn't get to get wet this time since it's so close to school starting and the Patti boys have just recovered from a bout of coughs and colds. The weather was warm and balmy as usual so even though we attempted to get there earlier, we didn't last very long in the heat.

Len brought us to the new stadium for its Open House. It was quite well run with lots of things to see and do. We got to try out a couple of games like Ultimate Frisbee and tennis as well as watch a little waterpolo. My favourite part was my speed shopping at Uniqlo @ Kallang Wave mall! The a/c was much appreciated after enduring the sweltering heat and loooong walk.

First time taking the MRT together as a family!

On the last day of the June hols, we rounded it off with a party celebrating Zac's dino-buddy Justin's 7th birthday at The Chevrons' bowling alley. The kids had a blast and I was so glad that the chocolate cake I made for the occasion turned out better than I thought!

One long vacation month down, looking forward to the next one to come! Peace out.