Christmas

Christmas has always held a special meaning for me and even though it may no longer do the same, it still is my favourite holiday! :)

After my Christmas Eve performance at CHIJMES, I headed over to Sel's place for an impromptu night in, just so the girl wouldn't be alone to countdown to Christmas! It was an absolutely different atmosphere altogether the year before, but a quiet countdown with a loved one sufficed. 

On Christmas, I met up with my dad before making our way to my brother's place for Christmas lunch! Wasn't really dressed to a Christmas feel, so I wore a red bow instead! :p

It was a buffet lunch at my brother's place and I was still hungry after 1 serving. Everyone was practically forcing me to the buffet line for a second serving when my dad went, "So fat already, still want to eat. You better not." T.T

We had a lot of fun taking pictures with the sleepy Raymond, lol.

My second brother popped by for awhile, so I snapped a pic with my babygirl and our matching hair bows! She's such a joy :')

We had an exchange of Christmas presents and look at the presents that I had gotten! As always, I was being spoilt silly. Teehee!

In the evening, we headed over to my cousin's place for their yearly Christmas gathering! Since we all had to work the next day, our gathering wasn't as happening as it was last year. But it was certainly an enjoyable gathering with the loved ones :)

Christmas Lunch Exchange

Although I've been having a really rough time off late, I think I am really fortunate to have been blessed with really amazing colleagues. The marketing team has been such a joy to work with and along with my HR colleagues, a smile or laugh is definitely guaranteed at work, no matter how tough it can get.

My manager had suggested having a Christmas lunch and secret exchange for the five of us, so we made reservations at P.S Cafe in Ann Siang Hill. The theme for lunch was red & green!

Paired my red dress from Forever 21 with my studded leather jacket and boots! I was going for the rock chick look, hehe.

With Krystle and Lily, my manager.

 

So my secret santa was Jon and he had so much sense to have gotten me elbow pads for skating! He actually got these gear for me from an online skate shop that I had gotten my aggressive skates from! Ironically, I also received a pair of much needed wrist guards from Henry from Christmas! Now all I need is a helmet and some guts to continue aggressive skating! ;)

Christmas Performances in CHIJMES

Recently, my brother had somehow managed to convince me to tag along on his drumming gigs. I first started helping him out at a drumming workshop, a performance in Downtown East and then a Christmas performance, 2 weeks leading up to Christmas.

We were supposed to help ring in the festive holiday and heighten the atmosphere, so we were dressed to the festivity! Lo and behold, I have transformed into an elfette! :X

I was rather nervous since I don't actually know much about drumming.. So they let me play this instrument (which I still don't know what it's called, but I just call them bells, lol)

 

Ahem, although it looks pretty harmless. By the end 3 sets, my arms were crying out loud. To think, I wasn't really playing it as fast as I should have been! :/

With the drum maestre, my brother and my sister-in-law! I'm really thankful to have these two in my life. They have been one of the major contributing factors to the change in me ♥

On our second performance, I've progressed to playing the tambourim! And I have to say, I'm really glad that these guys have been so accommodating and encouraging, even though I made a number of mistakes along the way. Thank you for the guidance and wonderful experience! :)

Since the performance ended, my brother and sister-in-law has been encouraging me to attend the Samba practice weekly, to practice my drumming skills and I am even learning how to play the Caixia now, albeit at an extremely slow rate!

I think I'm a lot better at performances now and am starting to understand the cues, although I still have much room for improvement!

New Year's Eve

The past New Year's Eve was very different for me. It was my first new year's eve that I didn't spend in Butter Factory, without my bestfriend and also, the first where I had to work. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed myself!

So I spent my New Year's Eve at the I ♥ 80's Party at 1-TwentySix!

 

It also marked the last event that my manager was working on, before leaving the company. It hasn't been long, but I truly enjoyed my working stint with her and in all honesty, she really is the best manager that I've ever worked with.

New Year's was definitely an eye opener for me. A sip of champagne to celebrate the new year and of course, wonderful colleagues for company. I was also asked out on a date by someone that I had met at the event. Cliche, but I guess those scenarios on tv do exist in real life after all! :p

Partied for awhile to some really good music from the 80s and 90s before I drove over to my brother's place to celebrate with my skate bros'. Despite the battle wounds we carried in our hearts, albeit the quiet celebration, it was rounds of wine and jenga with the best company that mattered most.

And that was how I spent my New Year's... xoxo.