Surprise Visit

A friend and ex-colleague surprised me with a visit today! We last saw each other last year when he came back to Singapore for a visit. We used to work together for a number of years before he went to Hong Kong to work about 6 years ago. 

It is really wonderful to see you and catching up with you, Barry! Maybe one of these days I shall visit you in Hong Kong. Keep in touch! :)

Hello from France!

I came home to find a postcard from France waiting for me. It's from a dear friend whom I meet once a year! A real wonderful surprise. :)

Retreat, Celebration and Farewell

It's timely for a mini-celebration with my RAs as we accomplished milestones within two of my projects - completion of data collection and completion of preliminary data analysis. 
I booked the four of us for a soap-making workshop at Soap Ministry. It is nice to be away from the office for a while and it is great for team-building and bonding as well, not that we need it much lol. 

All excited to start our soap making!

Hard at work trying to blend two essential oils

Going nuts blending scents

Cheryl pouring her soap mixture into the molds

A wefie while waiting for the soaps to harden

Our own customised soaps

We had lots of fun at the soap-making workshop. It was "difficult" too as we had to make decisions on what herb, what essential oil and what molds to use. We asked plenty of questions and we learnt lots too about the different herbs and essential oils and their benefits.
Besides it being a celebration of hard work, it is also a celebration of friendship and farewell lunch for Cheryl. We had it at our favourite Swensens.

Our favourite Earthquake sundae! 

Thank you, Cheryl for being part of our team. It has been a blast and we welcome you back anytime! We wish you all the best. Keep in touch! :)

Hari Raya Gathering

Our once-a-year eagerly awaited event! Hari Raya gathering at my ex-colleague, Rahidah's place! 
Lots of yummy food and great company! :)

Rahidah and my girls whom she witnessed growing up

My ex-colleagues from MOE HQ

Touched!

A former colleague asked my RA and friend to pass me a souvenir which she bought in Japan. I am really touched to know that I am in her thoughts even though she has already left the research centre. Thank you for the "green turtle"! It means a lot to me. 

Souvenirs from Seoul

A friend returned from her holidays in Korea, and brought back souvenirs from Seoul for me!

Farewell Lunch

We had a nice, cosy farewell lunch for one of our colleagues/ friends, Sabina. She will be leaving us soon on 18 April 2017. 

Sabina is one of the nicest and most zen person I have ever met. I wish her all the best for her future!

Friendship Cookie

I am touched to find a teddybear cookie waiting for me. It is a little reward from my RA and friend, Liyana. Thanks so much. But how to eat it?! It's too adorable! 

Souvenir Snacks

A colleague/ friend just returned from her travels to Japan. I am so lucky. 

Team Bonding

As a project team, we attended a lecture, Performance Assessment, Peer, and Self-Assessment by Dr Susan Brookhart organised by MOE. It is our way of team bonding and professional development lol. :P

My team of wonderful research assistants and more importantly, my friends too.

SCGS Annual CNY Gathering 2017

Once a year, we gather together to celebrate CNY and our long-lasting friendship with great company and food. 

We are planning to meet a little more often than once a year, maybe twice a year haha. :D

Gifts of Friendship

The size or the value of the gifts don't matter. To me, they signify the friendship which is far more valuable than anything!

Surprise Birthday Celebration

We planned a surprise birthday celebration for our friend and colleague, Liyana. It was not easy trying to get her to go to the chill room where we have lay out the birthday cake and pressies! I had to trick her that I needed her help to remove some stuff from the room. Haha!
Happy Birthday in advance, Liyana! May all your wishes come true! 

Friendship, Souvenirs and MORE Snacks

Seeing the souvenirs and snacks that my friends bring back from their travels for me NEVER fails to bring a huge smile to my face. Thank you, Liyana for the goodies from Japan! They are so cute and yummy. I think I can't bring enough money to spend in Japan next month haha.

The Gudetama file and snacks are for Juliane haha. Thanks, Liyana.

Friendship and Snack

I was surprised to find this placed on my office door knob when I returned from my meetings. It is such a pleasant and welcomed surprise! Thanks for your friendship, Shuyi. Both your friendship and snack are greatly appreciated! 

Teachers' Day Surprise II

I received another Teachers' Day surprise from another friend and colleague. Really surprised! 
Thank you so much. I really appreciate the lovely gifts. :)

Farewell, June.

A friend, June is leaving for her further studies soon. A group of us, old CRPPers got together to give her a fond farewell. At the same time, we also celebrated the birth of another ex-colleague, Yasmin's baby girl. It is a celebration of more than one thing - celebration of our friendship since 2004, celebration of a friend furthering her studies, celebration of a new birth.

Take care, June. All the best for your studies in Scotland! Come back with a Prince! Oh yes, remember to help me check what is under the kilts! Lol. :P 

Teachers' Day Surprise!

I had a wonderful Teachers' Day surprise from my friend and colleague. It was totally unexpected! 
Thank you for the lovely green mug (my favourite colour) and the really touching note. :) Thank you for teaching me lots too and for putting up with my crazy ways haha. :D

Farewell, Maria

My friend and colleague, Maria is leaving Singapore to work in Hong Kong. As chair of Staff Wellbeing Committee, I helped to organise a farewell gathering for Maria.

A farewell collage for Maria

Take care, Maria. You have been a wonderful friend and colleague! See you soon in Hong Kong!