Deep-fried me?

Finally! A major revamp for my blog without much help!! Only sought the wise counsel of Joan, the "veteran blogskin consultant" for her opinions on the blogskin but this one was not approved/disapproved by her. I chose this myself! =)

Now to talk about the various Christmas events I've been involved in...

Er Yi's Christmas Party

Actually it was also considered my Christmas Party cos I initiated it,planned the menu with her and helped her throughout. That's why I get to invite my friends: Joan, Ai Ping, Jean, Shannon and Jacinth. Cuiwen and Sze Yee couldn't come due to church and school commitments respectively.

We took about one week to plan and buy the ingredients in the menu and 2 days to prepare the food cos we're expecting around 30-35 people. [The most number of people invited to our Christmas Party so far!] From wrapping the presents and setting up the Christmas tree to cooking the spaghetti sauce and deep-frying the finger food on the day itself, man! It was certainly not as easy as I thought it would be!
I think the toughest part was the preparation for the food and that includes washing the plates and cutlery [my aunt dislikes the idea of using paper utensils as she says that they not only waste resources but they are not as "elegant" compared to using porcelain plates!] Besides my mum,second aunt, my sis and me who helped out, Ai Ping also chipped in a little! =)

This year was extremely special cos almost everyone we invited came: my Maternal grandparents, Third Aunt [together with Mocha, her Cocker Spaniel after that!], First Uncle and his family [we see them only twice a year-during Chinese New Year,but they came for this!] Third Uncle and his family except the wife, Aunty Emmeline and her family, Aunty Soh Hwa and her family [together with the Schnauzer, Rabble after that! Everyone gave so much attention to it!], My friends,Aunty Naoko and her family plus my family except my Dad.

It was quite nice to see everyone gathering and catching up with each other...even the kids had fun! Kengo was THE boy that day...Ai Ping and the rest were busy playing with him, together with his siblings Yuki and Tatsuya. At one point in time, they were engaged in some "UNO War" in which they shove UNO cards under the door to see who could get the most cards to the other side or something like that!. [Tatsuya and my sister versus the rest!]

Evidence of the War Codes that both parties were engaged in!

Not long after that, the Japanese kids got tired and they decided to rummage through the presents under the tree to spot presents with their names.

Ai Ping and the kids "shipping" the presents for easier detection :P

As for the food, there was more than enough to satisfy their stomachs. This year we decided to go East and West so for the main course, there was Bee Hoon, Fried Rice and Spaghetti. Side dishes include the superb salad which my second aunt bought from Tekka Market, Curry Chicken, Roast Beef, Ham and Pineapple and the various finger foods, Dumplings, Fried Chicken and Vegetable Platter. For Dessert there were 4 cakes: 2 logcakes [1 baked by Jia Qi's mum and the other ordered online], 1 Chocolate Cake by Aunty Naoko's family and the other a birthday cake for Jean's birthday.Besides the cakes, there was Grass Jelly and 3 tubs of ice-cream (which was untouched as there was too much to finish!) plus pancakes for the older generation. And for the drinks, there was Chinese tea, coffee,Soyabean Milk,Apple Cider Vinegar soaked with Pandan leaves [which was the least popular drink!] and Soft drinks.

Aunty Naoko's pretty Chocolate cake

Log Cake baked by Jia Qi's mum

As my Second Aunt's place was quite small, my friends were holed up in her study room. It was exclusive but cosy and thus, we surprised Jean with the cake!

Jean blowing out the candles




Cutting the cake...



Fruit Paradise



Birthday Girl!





Group Shot


I guess the most awkward part would be when Ai Ping was opening her present. I knew she would like what I gave but I didn't expect her to be THAT touched! hahaha!

This year, I received many bags. Of course, there was also the occasional box of Chocolates which everyone would be bound to receive every Christmas but the most expensive gift I got this year was...a digital camera from my third aunt! Apparently she overheard me discussing with my mum whether to get a digicam or not cos it was rather troublesome borrowing from people.

After everyone left, we brought the house to order and by the time we left, it was a few minutes past midnight. [and my energy level was at an all-time low!] But Thank God it was a success!