Feliz Navidad 2010

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~ Charles Dickens

My family is a unique one. Though we make it a point to get together and celebrate birthdays, we totally go crazy feasting, drinking and singing during the yuletide season. Merry-making at its noisiest! But then again, what's a celebration without good old laughter, banter, fun and NOISE?!

And though we are all very busy with our own lives, we still live by the same few Christmas traditions of having huge Christmas eve and many indulgent Christmas meals with copious amount of alcohol together, go all crazy with gifts, sit around the Christmas tree looking very gian and shaking each gift to guess what we're getting.

For that, I'm extremely grateful.

I'll let the pictures do the talking. Its true when they say, "A picture speaks a thousand words".

To one and all, wherever you are celebrating, joyeux noel!!

Loves and kisses,
The Sullivans and The Tans

Family Vacation 20-23 Dec

Gone on a family vacation. Will blog and post pictures upon our return.

Cheerios everyone.

XOXO

Of Love and Marriage

These last few days, I've been thinking about my marriage. I always do especially when hubs and me have our occasional tiff. It's like a trademark to have an argument each year before the Christmas week. Don't ask me why. It's just that I've beginning to notice this.

Yes, we've gone through some trying times.

But despite all that, my husband and I, our marriage, it's pretty damn amazing.

Yes, I am crazy in love with this man.

Strong. Loving. Full of laughter. Full of happiness. Full of back and the occasional foot massages. Full of passionate ahem, xxx. Little projects around our home. Big adventures in new places or familiar places. (Does Brewerkz ring a bell honey?) People watching and outfits criticizing. Daily giggles about random silliness. Delicious food and our supper getaways. Long hugs. Quiet moments. Mutual adoration, honesty and support. The highest regard and passion for each other.

Everyday he makes me want to do more for him, our kids and our family.

In terms of our temperaments and personalities, I believe we've are as different as chalk and cheese.

But one thing for sure is that we share the same values, feelings and goals towards many stuff like family, our friends, health, work, money, stress, holidays and our future ahead.

Everyday (except the last couple of days, that's just because I do not give him the chance to) he tells me how much he loves me, why he loves me, why he loves his life with me, how lucky he is to have me as his wife.

Sometimes it's silly, sometimes it's random, sometimes it brings a tear to my eye.

Yes, I am crazy in love with this man. I'll say it again.

It's been 12 years, and you know what? I am one helluva lucky woman.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABY! I LOVE YOU...MORE! (you know I'd always say that right?)

twas the weekend before Christmas

Its 7 days to Christmas and the household's been busy, busy, BUSEEEEY!

Been up since 7am this morning.
No thanks to the hubs whose been snoring all night (worst if he had some drinks, and last night was such a night!).

Anyway, hubs dropped both girl and me at the same time before bringing Scott for his swimming lesson. Chloe rushed off for her class whilst I hopped over to the library to return books that were almost due. (Had to walk past this group of dirty old uncles playing chinese chess at the void deck of the block next to the library who couldn't stop staring at my legs. NO! They were not discreet AT ALL!)
After dropping and picking out new books at the crowded and noisy library (whatever happened to the library being a quite and condusive place?), rushed off to the supermarket to stock up on groceries. After that, it's off to Phoon Huat next door for Christmas baking stuffs! Isn't that place amazing? I am so lucky we have one just a stone's throw away from our place. Since I was running late, I arranged for Maria to pick Chloe up from class. I was so pre-occupied that I almost forgot to pick up my girl! (What would we do without dear Maria!)
So Maria and Chloe came by to meet me at the supermarket about half an hour later and all 3 of us lugged the bagfuls of groceries home by public transport - the bus! We were so clumsy going up and down the bus. It was hilarious!

Once home, it was clean, chop, marinate time quickly followed by baking of Christmas goodies! Yes, the whole home was filled with such sweet aroma the whole afternoon! I was on a sugar high for awhile, tasting cookies and cakes!
As I am typing this, I suddenly remember there's still some last minute pressies to be wrapped. There's also the children's Christmas outfits to be washed too! You know how it is with online purchase right? I really hate the scent of the plastic from the individually sealed and wrapped garment.

And Yes! My nephews are here for a sleepover too. The 4 of them want to spend time together before school reopens in two weeks! Yikes! Don't remind me of that! The new school term, I mean!

if I could only chose a pair ....

of satin muted silver shoes, IT WOULD BE THESE!!!

But of course, they HAD to be made by Christian Louboutin, and ahem..,only about $1000 above my budget. *sigh*

Aren't they so beautiful yet uniquely quirky at the same time? LOVE IT.

I'm in the market for some dress shoes for...Oh hell, I'm always in the market for some insanely tall, gorgeous heels that make a statement. Better still if they make heads turn! *winks*

Some time ago we were yadda-ing in the car when hubba said, "I don't know much about lady clothes but I'm all about the legs AND THE SHOES!"

Hah! Now we know why right? This man has my heart.

Home Sweet Home

Hubs was at school, so I sat at our cozy nook by the window listening to the crickets chirrup outside our balcony window with my dinner of a yummy home made Japanese salad with Goma dressing (the best and I'm hooked btw!).

I then nestled into the sofa and did some reading. The house was so quiet. So tranquil. The kiddos have found new spaces within our (not so) new home to nestle just like me. I think they feel really at peace with the quiet of the area as well.

Do I miss our first home? Of course I do. Just ask the kids, they miss it too. Without a doubt. But I realize now that what I will miss are the memories that we have made in it. Small it may be, it was perfect. We held many parties and gatherings which brought people together. The kids used to enjoy playing hide-and-go-seek with their father. Roller blading and riding their skate scooters along the corridors was another pastime they enjoyed playing with their cousins. And the good thing about that is I can take those memories along with me, wherever we may go. A home is not made just our of nice furniture and lighting, it's made of the LOVE within it.

There's no place like home. Dorothy was right. There really is no place like it.

ps. I'll leave you with a picture of the kiddos in their new fave corner within our nest. Of all places, at the corner of the steps in our home.

it's in the genes

My dearest dad would certainly flip if he sees his grand-daughter standing like this!

This certainly comes from mum's side of the family and its been passed down from generations. My mum who use to get an earful from dad, inherited this comfy position from her mum and so it goes wayyyyy back! Needless to say, mum passed this sacred gene to me too! And if you are wondering, YES! I'd get an earful from my daddy dearest too! This is my all time fave position especially when I am doing baking, stir-frying, pancake flipping...oh, you get the drift!

Imagine the smirk I had on my face last weekend when I caught my own daughter in this familiar position behind the kitchen counter where the family was having a convee! To my dearest Auntie Pat, if you are reading this, I know you dig this posture too. ;))))

privacy (UN)protected

Ever since our parish church was in need of new catechists some 4 years ago, I had decided to volunteer as one. Its my way of giving back to the community.

This is my third year. With the first two years as an assistant Catechist, this year saw me solo mio and in charge of the First Confession class of 37 very active eight year olds.

Yes, my son is my student, if you must know ;) But I am quick to add that NO, HE DOES NOT GET ANY SPECIAL TREATMENT WHATSOEVER FROM ME . In fact, at times, I feel that he's sorta stressed as he puts pressure on himself to know more than his peers.

Anyway, all's been good so far....until I received a sms from a parent sometime last week which left me totally irritated and all worked up.

It went exactly like this and I am extracting it from the speech bubble convee from my iPhone directly.

++++++++

Parent : Hi Ms Theresa, do you work in *insert the name of the organization I work for here* ?

Me : Who is this please?

Parent : You are the pretty and fashionable teacher with chic short hair right?

Me : Yes, I have very short hair.

At this juncture, I showed hubs who was driving, the sms. He gave a smirk before continuing proudly, "Told 'cha I have a hot wife. Waitaminute, is that a male parent?"

Anyways, back to my convee with the parent.

Parent : I'm parent of *student's name* and I want to know if there's a vacancy in your company? I heard from another parent that you work there.

Me : At the moment, the dept I'm working in is not hiring. But I can't speak on behalf of the organization. You might want to write in.

Parent : I'm looking for accounting positions.

And so I left it and that. The next morning, at about 6am, I was awoken by the message beep on my cellphone.

Parent : So how, any vacancy or not?

Me : (replying at a much later and more decent time) Not that I know of at the moment.

Parent : I know lah! You'all waiting for bonus only!!!

Me : ?????!!!!!

the TANs and their MAC!

Last Sunday, my family went crazy at the Infinite MAC (and not MAC) Store in Millenia Walk. Hubba-Dubba-Do, Scott and Chloe headed straight for the gadgets that rocked their boat as you can see from the picture above!

As for me, well since I was too busy taking their pics with my iPhone, all I am lemming for right now is the uber cool iPhone docking station that'll play all my fave songs from iTunes in the mornings when I dress up and get ready for work ;)

Big Hint to Santa cause I've been a really good girl this year! Ahem.