Brendan's 3rd Birthday Party

I didn't have a Birthday Party last year because my Mama said I had tooooo many toys already and we just didn't have space for more thus we went on a road trip instead. So she made it up to me by throwing me a Thomas the Train theme party this year!!


The Guestlist:

1) Conrad & Rita
2) Aidan & Ian
3) Brandon & Kaylee
4) Vincent & Laura
5) Lila & Ilai
6) Jed & An
7) Shanshan & Zhenzhen
8) Celine
9) Aunt Keri & Ge Ge Isaac & Jacob
10) Aunt Tania & Victoria
11) Brian & Angela



About 41 of us filled the basement of Hook Restaurant & Bar on June 14th for my 3rd Birthday Party!! We had a all-you-can eat buffet food spread.

The Food:

1) Hotdogs
2) Onion Rings
3) Chicken Wings
4) 2 kinds of Pasta
5) Fries
6) Salsa with many dips
7) Caesar Salad
8) Mango Salad
9) and more...





To my delight, everything was decorated in Thomas the Train Theme!! :) The wall banners/flags, the food toppers, the giftbags, I even had a 3D Thomas the Train cake and Mama even made a Thomas pinata from a post office box!!

The Activities:

1) Facepainting
2) Thomas Aquadoodle
3) Pinata
4) Decor-A-Cookie
5) Cake cutting


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Thank you Aunt Victoria and Aunt Tania for doing the facepainting!!


Thank you all for coming and celebrating my 3rd Birthday with me!! :)





Thank you so much Aunties and Uncles for all the lovely gifts!! :)

Elvis

Elvis is one of the 2 dogs that I've been sponsoring for close to a year now. We used to visit the shelter more often but I stopped because I always felt really sad leaving all the 60+ dogs behind... Elvis is one of the better natured dog @ the shelter, i've yet to hear him bark till today.

He was always happy to see us at the shelter till this Mother's Day. After an absence of about 3 months, Elvis seems to have lost his ethusiasm for life and doesnt look as happy as he did before and seem to have lost soooo much weight in just 3 months.

It daunted me for the longest time! I didnt know how to help him as i do have 7 cats and a kid and can cats and dogs really get along?? After seeing him again at TAS flea market, i asked Brendan if he wanted to take Elvis home as Bren is petrified of dogs!! loves cats but afraid of dogs!!

Bren agreed to take Elvis home and i filled up a fostering form and we were gonna be Elvis' foster home!! with the long holiday, my busy work schedule, bad weather... i think it was just my fear of the 'consequences' between my cats & Elvis when i take him home. It was either NOW or never!! Brendan and the nanny kept asking bout Elvis, when was he gonna come home...

So, June 5th 2009, Lilian, who is also a volunteer @ Animals Taiwan kindly drove Elvis to my house. Elvis is known for being sick in the car...etc He actually did throw up like thrice in the car as Lilian couldnt find my apt.

With all the lil hiccups, Elvis is finally home... YES!! A place where he can call his home. It gives me sooooo much joy to see him sooooo happy!! (words just cannot express my joy or rather our joy to have Elvis here)

WELCOME HOME ELVIS!!

21st Summer Deaflympics Taipei 2009

"The design of the emblem for the 21st Summer Deaflympics Taipei 2009 incorporates the following three elements: the Chinese character for north "bei" representing the host city Taipei, an ear representing the Deaflympics, and a figure representing the athletes. These three elements come together to form simple, flowing calligraphic lines that create a sense of dashing forward, while cleverly evoking the image of a running man. This lively emblem symbolizes Taiwan’s undying vitality as well as the courageous spirit of deaf athletes as they meet the challenges of competition."
www.2009deaflympics.org

Amazing what you can see on the streets of Taipei!! (God I love this city!!) Giant frogs, floating big sneaker, men on stilts, walking packet drinks, star wars, enormous floating caterpillar and giant giant balls...

WAIT A MINUTE..

Isn't the frog is the mascot for the 21st Summer Deaflympics Taipei 2009?? So.. this is probably the opening ceremony parade for the event here in Taipei. They were all marching into the empty plot of land right across SYS Memorial Hall for a concert that night.





2 major world events to be held in Taiwan this year! Am glad to see that Taiwan is finally getting 'global recognition'. The World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung and the 21st Summer Deaflympics Taipei 2009. Am proud and very honored to be a part of the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung!! :) Stay tuned to my blog for more updates and details. But for now, will keep all of you in suspense...

Happy Mother's Day 2009

What fun is Mother's Day if you have to work the entire day? I feel so bad for not spending enough time lately with Brendan cos of my busy busy work schedule... (despite missing 3 privates this week already)

So I did what any other Mothers would do, sacrifice my 'beauty sleep' and went down to spend the morn/noon with all my children!! (those 7 at home see enough of me, ve to spread my love!!) Havent been down to Animals Taiwan for the longest time and have yet to see my other dog, Norton despite already sponsoring him for months...And we miss Elvis!!

Bren is still petrified of dogs except for Elvis, will be fostering Elvis next week. Elvis has lost soooo much weight and has lost the twinkle and the ethusiasm he used to have... guess he has given up the idea of ever being adopted?? :( Not to worry!! Mama is here!! You've a family Elvis!! :)

Hope my 7 cats will behave!! And i really hope they'll get along!! Will need to buy a nice comfy bed for Elvis and try to fatten him up a little!! Any suggestions what to do to his feet after walking him? use wipes? or wash his feet after each walk in the park?

Bren wanted to take those 2 little kitties home!! (wish i could!) We even learned how to bottle feed Hua Hua..

We had a wondeful time on a beautiful sunny sunday- priceless!! Just wish i didnt have to jet off to work.. Am kinda glad larry and his family popped by and spend some time with Brendan.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!
i do miss my mama...

Happy 4th Birthday Jedd

Jedd's 4th Birthday!

After only being here for just 5 mths, this lil 4 yr old speaks 'fluent' Chinese... welll.... good enough to greet us a the door to ask us if we brought a gift!

"ni men you dai li wu gei wo"
Did you bring me a gift?

(will teach Bren to say this for his B-day!! :) )


It was a fun party with 6 families and a delicious spread of food! yuuuummmm... Oli, pls cook for Bren's party! Xie! Xie!

Jedd had a cute Anpanman cake, chocolate and jam filling- yummy!! Then it was time to open the gifts!!

We had an art session with paint n stamps, stamp art in the kids room. I think the kids were more enthusiastic about getting themselves 'dirty' and playing with markers! ;)

Rita's 1st Birthday

Happy Birthay Covergirl!!

I Can Cycle!

Oh yes you can! And watch you gooooo...

So now Mama will have to take me to the park to cycle toooo :) Yay!

Future Pianist?

Nope, aint that ambitious but i wanna expose my lil to everything he wants to try and let him explore all the possibilities...

He could be Jack of all trades but master of none but at least he has/had fun while learning those 'trades'...

So we're signing up for classes! Once a week @ Eslite, doesnt matter if he cant read notes or know the keys, the point is he'll have fun! :)

He actually requested to sit and play on the piano...

Reunion Dinner 2009

I mastered all my courage to join the Ngiams for the Reunion Dinner this year. It'll be so different without Regina around... Every reunion dinner (when I was in Singapore) was spent with the Ngiams and with Gina and I buying and preparing the food. Guess this was why they opt to eat out this year!

I was fighting back my tears when I hugged her daughter Jayne but the tears just kept streaming down my face... Brendan stopped me from crying as i had vowed never to cry in front of my son again.

We had dinner at Imperial Court Shark's Fin Restaurant, yes I know, i had also said that i will 'boycott' eating shark's fin... :) am glad my bowl had more sea cucumber (which i really dislike!!) than fins, couldn't even tasted a fin!

We had an early dinner, dinner was at 5pm, after dinner we decided to proceed to Changi Airport Terminal 3 for coffee and tea. Bren fell asleep in the car on the way there, he was exhausted!

We had coffee and tea @ Ya Kun, shopped around till it was about 10pm before heading home to invite the God of Fortune into our house.

How do you invite the God of Fortune into your house?

-Open all the windows and doors in your house
-Turn on every single light in the house
-Prepare a spread of goodies for the God of Fortune to feast on
-Prepare a bowl of rice with chopsticks
-Prepare a drink (tea, juice...)

Gong Xi Fa Cai!! May the year of the Ox be a good year for all!! May this year usher in health, prosperity and happiness for all!!

Fireworks @ 101 (Taipei City)

Enjoy the Fireworks!! I dunno how to turn the video the right way up...can anyone help?)

The fireworks this year at Taipei 101 was a huge disappointment!

We had dinner with Sue at her apartment, she lives a stone throw away from 101, 20 mins before midnight, we strolled down to the intersection of Hsinyi and Songren for the countdown!!

Brendan enjoyed the fireworks and breakdancing on the 'empty' roads of Hsinyi!! :)

HAPPY 2009!!

Goodbye 2008

Trials & Tribulations & Triumphs of 2008

The year of the Rat has been a trying year for many, nevertheless, I wasn't spared either... It has been a tough year for me. I got my divorce, struggled with being the single parent in all aspects, lost my dear sister, cope with being alone, truly alone after 5 years of marriage.

Tania came back to Taiwan, as she had promised she would after 6 years, made some wonderful friends; Tine, Kate, Carol, Karri, Arwed, Liza, Kim, Ying...

Learnt to be completely independent, financially, emotionally... Tangs are survivals!! ;) Done things i've never thought I could do on my own!! *pat on my back*

Organize & plan fundraiser events for Animals Taiwan

2009- Year of the Ox
Will continue on to my pursuit of happiness, be a good mother, raise heaps of money for Animals Taiwan and continue to party on like a rock star!! :)

In Loving Memory: Regina Ngiam Mahasveran

Barbie's hair would always grow back after you cut it, I was always anticipating for it to grow back when I was just a kid. Hah! If only we could turn back the hands of time...

We've shared tears, joy, laughter, closer than blood sisters can ever be, why did you have to leave? Who do I have left to turn to?? You have no idea how much I'm hurting, but, but... I can't be selfish. I know the pain that you've been enduring, 2 years you've battled with breast cancer, but why did it have to hapen to you? You said you would always be there for Brendan and I...

4 days to Christmas, I was waiting for your Christmas sms this year. Please let this be a bad dream? Am a complete wreck!! Wish I had the luxury of locking myself up to cry for 3 days 3 nights... but unfortunately, I always have to put on a brave front.

Goodbye Gina, I love you dearly... dearly!!

I wish i could grief over your death
I wish i didn't have to put a brave front for everyone
I wish i had been there for you
I wish you had told me about the pain and the sufferings
I wish i could have said goodbye to you
I wish you had been braver and continue fighting
I wish i could see you again when i am back in Singapore
I wish i had called to wish you Happy Birthday!
I wish i had been brave enough to hear the pain in your voice
I wish i had told you how much i love you and how much you had meant to me
I wish i had the courage to go back to Sinagpore and spend CNY without you
I wish we were little girls again, anticipating that Barbie's hair would grow back
I wish this had all been a bad dream, a terrible nightmare
I wish i could have shared your pain
I wish you had discovered it earlier
I wish i didn't have to read Jayne's msg calling out for mummy in her dreams
I wish I can take away Jayne's pain and her lost
I wish you could have been there to watch your daughter grow up into a fine young lady like you

I really wish i could see you again... you promised that you were getting better... you said you were gonna be there for Brendan and i...

This i promise you... i will watch Jayne grow up into a fine young lady, i will help to raise her like how you would have, i will love her like how you have love us...

I wish you're not suffering anymore
I wish you're happy now
I wish you will shine on us and guide us

I wish... and am wishing hard everyday...

Venetian Masquerade Ball @ Carnegies

It was another fundraiser for Animals Taiwan. www.animalstaiwan.org

I was supposed to be there at 7.30pm to help sell raffle tickets but as usual, was fashionably late again! :) Arrived at 9.20pm, it was freeeeezing that night!! I had volunteered to sell raffle tickets that night, $100ntd for 1 and 3 for $200ntd. (i don't make a very good salesman as i'm NOT a very patient person) BUT we had managed to raise $20,500ntd on raffle tickets alone that night!!

FANTASTIC!! :)

Carnegies, carnegies, a blast from the past! (7 yrs ago) And 7 years later, at 3am in the morning, they still play music from 7 yrs ago, how could we leave?? We all got really drunk that night and we had such a fantastic time from dancing on the bar, selling raffle tickets, gossiping, dancing, meeting new people and all in the good cause for Animals Taiwan!!


We finally walked out of that place at 4.30am...