Parties!!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Par.ty -noun, a social gathering, as of invited guests at a private home, for conversation, refreshments, entertainment, etc..

If that is the definition of party, then these past few days has just been one hectic party fiesta. The dressing up, the travelling, the eating, is an extremely tiring experience, but well worth it! It all started on my brother's birthday celebration, 20th December 2008. It was his 21st. Got him an electronic guitar pedal that he wanted, being the guitar person that he is. Went to my Aunt's place, who gave the impression that it was just a family gathering for dinner. So, when midnight came, the cake came out and so did the drinks. Well, my cousin Rachel got smashed and entertained us with her ramblings and out-of-control dancing.
Then came Christmas, and my first stop was my friend Alfred's place for lunch. Ate all round catered indian food, and had some catching up with my church friends. Was convenient that the party was held just one block away from mine. Went there dressed smartly but in sandals. Someone commented that I looked like a foreign worker.
Then, for dinner, my family again headed to my Aunt's place. My cousin, terribly embarrased last time round, kept sober, which thoroughly disappointed us. But the Party had to go on. Had nice home made food, and delicious cheese dip made by other cousin Michelle. My family has more girls that guys, but I guess with all of them cooking delicious food and contributing to what goes in my stomach, I can't complain. Heck, I thourougly enjoy it.
Then my family organised their own Christmas dinner party for my siblings friends and mine, on 27th December 2008. So I decided to invite my whole social network. Apparently, many family members were jealous that I knew so many people. My family prides itself on being loners. I however, think that is just stupid. They think that I am strange for thinking otherwise, and I think they are strange for wanting to keep the people they know to a minimum. I wonder sometimes if I was adopted.
Anyway, it was a great party, though I had to move here and there asking people mostly if they wanted more drinks, and could not really get into a full blown converation without having to say hello to someone who just arrived, or goodbye to someone who just left. My strategy was to just mostly entertain the smallest group. Plan almost backfired when 2 groups of 2 appeared. But I think, despite the hitch, all went well. A friend of mine- Gerard, even had his birthday celebrated, to his surprise. At the end of the day, a glass broke, a chair broke, and a policeman visited us at 1:30am to tell us to keep the noise down. Signs of a good party. By the way, I know who broke the glass and chair. This will be discussed with my army buddies.
Anyway, the day after that, it was a trip to my uncles place for another Christmas dinner. The food was great with King Tiger Prawns among the spread. Champaigne was my poison for the evening and I must say, it tasted sweeeeet.
It may have been back to work on Monday, but come New Years, there will again be another party or 2. I'm sure of it. This is probably why I always look forward to the end of the year.
So guys, I just want to end thanking all of you that did come to my party, and thank you for the gifts. Here's wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and all the best in your New Year. Cheers!

I Survived!

Standard Chartered '08
Originally uploaded by rc_altarservers

First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that wished me a Happy Birthday. Had a few sms'es, facebook wishes, etc. I must say that this Birthday I had the most wishes. Was a good Birthday. Being a weekday, only my cousin Rachel was free, and so we went Vivocity for lunch. Got high on wine and went home where my family organised a family birthday dinner. Was really very full with lunch as it was, and could not eat much, but was still contented. The wine had a part to play in that contented feeling. The next day went to work, where my colleagues were in an equally good mood. One bought donuts to share with everyone, and the other bought a Birthday cheesecake. The Birthday cake was also to celebrate another 2 colleagues who have their birthdays 2-3 days after mine. Then on Saturday, my company organised a company dinner at Swissotel Marketplace. It was a buffet dinner, and they had another birthday surprise there for me and the 2 colleagues. What an experience. And what a lot of food I ate that week and that Saturday. Was a bit worrying, considering that I had to do the Standard Chartered 10km Run on Sunday.
So yes, I completed the run officially at 1 hour 7 seconds. That's a picture of me with my 2 buds Gerard on my left, and Henry on his left. Checked the stats and was ranked top 17% for that 10km run. Am pretty proud of the fact that there was no vomiting, no near death experience, or loss of limb during that run. As crazy as this sounds, but I am actually considering doing the 21km next year. Or 21.1km to be exact. I know it sounds horrifying, but seeing so many people of all shapes and sizes that completed 21km, and 42 km, I am begining to think that it may not be that impossible to complete. There is hope.
Speaking of hope, looks like my polls aren't taking off with the flying enthusiasm I was hoping for. Apparently only 5 people voted. Very hard to draw a conclusion to the question- Can Man U still win the tittle? According to the results, it is a draw between yes they can, and, who gives a shit if they can. Maybe it was the subject matter. Will try again with hopefully a more talked about question, if I can think of one. Any suggestions?
Well, we are about a week away from Christmas, and I cannot wait. Actually I can wait, because the festive mood before Christmas is just swell. Everyone just seems happier. It's contagious. If it's a virus, and I'm sick, I don't want the cure. What a feeling... Well, this happy man is signing off, leaving you with Ynnib Nai to teach you wise meaning of words-
"Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere may be happy."