Christmas 2010

I love Christmas. Even though I usually get conned in the Present Department. You see, my birthday falls on Christmas eve's eve, 23rd of December to be exact. When ever I do get presents the joke has always been that it was so close to Christmas, it's a 2 in 1 present. That is 1 present for 2 occasions. "Ha...ha..." I managed a half hearted smile. But then again I do not mind the lack of presents. What's important is the people I'm with.

23rd of Dec 2010

My 1st adult dinner/birthday party. 20 pax of few family, friends, acquaintances and the VVIP BOSSES of Ben and mine. It was an odd evening for me as I broke out of my little girl mold to try to make conversations among the guests. I have always admired people whom can talk their way into and out of anything.

The real pulse of the party without being the center of attention, people like Nigella Lawson. Of course I am no hostess and certainly without the mostes, still the evening went rather smoothly as some guest from different worlds converged to make kind conversations. I wonder is there a course or a Book for Dummies regarding hosting? Or social Etiqutte. If there is LET ME KNOW!

24th Dec 2010

Christmas/Belated birthday dinner with the family at Golden Triangle, Juru Auto City. Managed to catch a glimpse of a Taiwanese singer called Hebe. Don't think she's 1/3 of the SHE group but then again I wouldn't know any better.

25th Dec 2010

Christmas for me started off with a surprise. Well on our way to Penang, Ben decided that we'll stay a night here, in a small hotel. It was a sweet gesture,as the demon inside of me screamed "WHAT? What about clothes? toiletries? Clean Change of clothes? make-up remover? MAKE-UP FOR THE NEXT DAY!"

Tonnes of things were in my head and I had to let slip a few of them to him. "It's alright, we'll just grab something a long the way." I must admit, I do envy his ability to be so random, but sometimes I feel like it borders to a smug disregard for the sanctity of preparations. Here I am consciously learning to be a more organised person and there he goes, pulling a fast one on me.

Perhaps my panties have been in a bunch for too long and he felt I/WE needed a break? Yes, I shall stick to that reasoning, least my sanity snaps.

So we pulled over for lunch at this quaint little restaurant called Little Cottage Cafe.

Here are some food snaps.

Buffet style Christmas food.

Pudding and Kisses.

Now if you know this place, on the way to the Botanical Gardens and Persiaran Gurney. Also at that corner was the again quaint little hotel which we stayed in.

The Waterfall Hotel.

It was indeed quaint. Clean with a bath tub, selected Astro channels and an inoperatable Wi-Fi and no view at all but, the bath tub saved the day^^ Imagine after a looooong day of shopping and just soaking your tired aching body into a hot tub of relaxing water ofuro style....gosh I miss it already.

I digress.

So depite the sudden surge of cars on the roads of Penang we forged ahead to Gurney Plaza, our favorite haunt. Read here about the lurking dangers there especially for young kids. Got our hands on a lovely Braun Buffel wallet for a friend. Shared with other friends of course.

Why Braun Buffel? The simple fact that they offer great quality leather, fantastic service and you can just pop into any branch and ask them to polish up your wallet FOC anytime. Talk about shinning service.

Ben got me a gift as well. A glowing new pair of earings.

I've been hinting that I need a pair for quite a while now. I am unfortunately high maintenance, not by choice but by genetics. My skin is allergic to many kinds of metals except gold.

Even plated will not do as my ear lobes will proceed to be inflamed, swell, turn into a blushing red colour and puss will procedd to ooze out. All this in a mere 4 hours. And well the last pair I owned for everydday use had to be decomisioned due to ahem...my carelessnes. But let's not get into that.

After galavanting in Gurney off we went to the new happening place, Straits Quay. It was indeed beautifully white, and the resemblance in architecture to E&O is no mere coincidence as they are under the same corporation.

Cant wait for the theater to open there. Read here for my acting days in KL PAC.

But sadly there are not many shops there yet so away we go, to Queensbay Mall! But before that, a stop over for dinner. Another quaint restaurant we found.

62, Cantoment Road (Jalan Pemenang) near Gurney Drive, Penang.

Omelette appetizer.

Potato salad.

Cold soba. Cute quail egg. Yeah, it's raw.

Yummy chunky salmon belly.

NATO! good quality too.

Scallops.

At Queensbay Mall we managed to get a Chirstmas present for Ben to complete his set, for now. A present that is worthy of it's own post so stay tuned. We had to also get our toothbrush, tooth paste, shower gel, make-up remover, facial cleanser and...Luckily we managed to get all in miniature sizes at Watsons! As for our PJs, lukily there was a FOS sale going on so we scrunged for 3 Ts for RM23. Don't you just love sales?

Headed back to the hotel for a long pruning process in the tub.

That it for our Christmas for 2010. Surprises, marathons, patience, food and love.

P/S: Santa left me a gift! I dreamt of my dad who passed away on the 4th of Dec 2010. *Dream mode* Ben and I were going to church when I saw him from behind wearing the blue shirt which he likes. Then I had to go on stage and I saw him, smilling and waiving at me. I couln't hear what he said but something about being happy in heaven. Perhaps it's my over active imaginations or my longing for my dad, either way I choose to take this as a good omen. Merry Christmas Ah Pa.