My Blue X'mas Tree, only $16 from Carrefour.

The items that we have bought and donated to the Boy's Brigade Gift Box.

X'mas Dinner 2010

Hrm, previously I had grand plans to make my very own X'mas tree but when I stacked up all my vintage boxes, it didn't look like a Xmas tree at all. Bleah... So, Project Xmas Tree was a failure. I needed a Plan B.

Thankfully Plan B was only 16 bucks from Carrefour! The tree technically only cost $10! As the tree came with LED lightings at the tips, I just needed to pay for another $6 for the socket to activate the pretty, little blue LED lights. As for the ornaments, I bought them from Daiso, and in total, I spent about $16 too. A grand total of $32 for a Xmas tree is quite budget eh?

As for the food, I ordered a pre-cooked turkey and honey roasted ham, threw in some home-made salsa, sweet corn, beef steaks and veggie frittata. E also made a really delicious carrot cake with cute, little reindeers as decor.

Alas.... I was too busy hosting all 15 of my friends that I forgot to take photos! ;(

In anycase, for this year, instead of gift-exchanging, I requested my friends to donate cash or basic food items to the Boy's Brigade Gift Box, where the boys would in turn, distribute these items to the less fortunate during this festive season.

With the amount raised, I bought adult diapers, tooth pastes, tooth brushes, halal canned foods and some packets of high-calcium Milo.

And I hope I can do this every year and with each year, I hope I can donate more. ;)

Hmm... I wonder whether Cookie is willing to dress up for the party too? Haha...

No gift exchange for my X'mas party

I'm going to host my very first Xmas party/dinner at my place on this coming Saturday!

Relatively small crowd, only about 12 of us actually. Hub gotta attend a wedding dinner on that day though, so I'll be the one running the show. Heh heh...

I've done up my Xmas tree (ok, will update about the tree on my next post), bought the X'mas decorations from Daiso and planned my menu. So, I'm all set.

As usual, there will be a theme for this party, and the theme is .... ... ... *drum roll*

REINDEER!

Sounds a bit lame and childish, but I'm looking forward to see what/how my friends will turn up for the party. These bunch of people are really creative, I tell you. Yup, the very same bunch who dressed up for the Shanghai Chic party and Retro party previously. ;P

Some friends have asked whether there will be any gift exchange, and my answer: a flat NO. From my past experiences, X'mas presents from gift exchange sessions usually end up in the storeroom or "recycled presents for next year".

In fact, I'm thinking of asking my guests to each bring some grocery items, such as a small bag of rice, cooking oil or tins of Milo that cost about $10 in total, or do a donation of $10. And I will then bring these groceries and cash to the Boys’ Brigade Xmas Gift Box or to the Lions Befrienders.

Merry Xmas and may you have a peaceful year ahead. ;)

Some people just have limitless amount of energy, not any old, how energy, but POSITIVE energy.

As much as I can, I try to let myself to be surrounded by these people; to breathe in their positive vibes and bask in their positive glow. After that, I’ll find life is good again and I’ll be so damn happy and thankful that I’m alive and healthy, with a good head on my shoulders and 4 useful, working limbs.

The irony part is that, these people aren’t my high-flier friends who are making big bucks, but they are the parents or children whom I worked with, on every Saturday. As some of you may know, I volunteer with the RDA – Riders for the Disabled Association of Singapore, and it has been 2 very rewarding years since I first stepped into RDA.

I’ve learnt how to be grateful, how to have an open heart, how not to take things for granted, how vast a parent’s love can be and how strong and resilient these children/teens are. Sometimes, I feel ashamed of myself whenever I feel down, I mean, how bad can my problem/issue be, as compared to these children and parents who have to face everyday.

If they can make the best out of how little they have, the more I should work hard and accomplish what I have set myself to do. I started off with the thought of volunteering my time and give what ever little contribution back to the society, but it turns out that I am the one, who is receiving and learning so much more.

Next Saturday, 18 Sept 2010, RDA is organizing a fund-raising Fan-Fare where there will be Pony/Horse rides, Face-painting, Games, Food and Drinks stalls. Coupons of $20 will be sold on that day, and if anyone of you happens to be free or around the area, do come down with your little ones, to “horse” around with us! All funds raised will be donated to RDA.

I will definitely be there, of course. I am most probably taking the afternoon shift – 2.30 pm – 5 pm or so.

Add of RDA: 5 Jalan Mashhor, Singapore 299174. Tel: 6250 0176

RDA is just next to the Singapore Polo Club, behind the row of nurseries (FarEast Flora ..etc) along Thomson road.

His name is Lawry and he's a handsome, white pony at RDA, but he really looks daft with that hood on, doesn't he?

Lawry might looks cute but he's a tad grumpy and tends to bite. Esp when u place your hand on his neck... he just doesnt like it.

What i've learnt about horses...

[1] When horses snort, do try to stay clear, or else you'll be covered with horse mucus. Pray that you are wearing an old t-shirt.

[2] Horses do bite and they are not like those cute little ponys from the cartoon "My little ponys". They can be grumpy, kick or stomp their hooves to show their displeasure.

[3] DO NOT STAND behind a horse at all times. Once again, they do kick.

[4] Horses can shed TONS and i mean TONS of hair/fur. There are many times I wish that im wearing a mask when im grooming them.

Chen Su Lan Children’s Home

Sat: 28 Jun 2008 (9am to 1 pm)

Attended a “birthday party” at 930 am (Yes, 930 freaking A.M) at Chen Su Lan Children’s home, located at Serangoon Garden and it was the most meaningful birthday party that I have ever attended.

Kel is the bday boy and this time round, he wanted to do something really special and meaningful, so he called up the children’s home and offered to organize games, “tuition session” and a Happy Meal Feast (with Kung Fu Panda toys) for the kids from 9 am to 1 pm.

Usually the kids get to go home during the weekends, but that’s provided that they have a “home” to go back to. If both of their parents, say are in jail, in rehab, or not in any capacity to take care of children, the kids will stay at the children’s home for an extended period of time…

It was really heart-breaking to see some of them… some of them are so young, only 6 yrs old. Some of them were really noisy with little attention span, some were so quiet and withdrawn, but a big proportion were just curious kids who really appreciated our presence, the Happy Meals, the toys and “goodie bags” that the Bday boy, Kel had prepared for them.

Each kid received a soft toy and a pencil case with pencils, pens, little toys, erasers and other little stationary. One of my favorite boys was so excited to finally own something of his own (instead of sharing with other children), that he kept shouting at me, jumping up and down, “Chatz (Sis), See! See! I have my own pen! See, I have my own pencil box!” He looked so happy and excited and kept touching his soft toy and pencil case.

I, on the other hand, was trying really very hard not to tear in front of him… …

Currently, I’m considering whether I wana be a long-term volunteer of this children’s home. Wanted to offer to give free tuition on Saturdays BUT the caregiver said that tuitions are only given during the weekdays and weekends are for the children to rest and play. Hmmm… thinking maybe I can offer to teach hip hop or salsa if the kids are willing to learn…