Catch-up with UQ friend 2019

My dear friend, Clare stopped over in Singapore for a few days. It was really nice catching up with her! We have known each other since 1991 when we were undergrads in UQ and we last met each other in Brisbane in 2012. We shall endeavour to meet up sooner than every 7 years. :P 

Hari Raya + Dinner

It is the once-a-year event that my girls and I wait for - invitation by my dear friend and ex-colleague, Rahidah to her place for Hari Raya. Unfortunately, both girls didn't go this year. But I could catch up in peace with my friend! 

Friends from Work

We had a wonderful lunch gathering of friends and also great colleagues who has worked me, is still working with me and has returned to work with me! I am really lucky. 

Liyana, Filzah and Azlina!

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

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

Annual Hari Raya Gathering

Every year, Rahidah would invite my family over to her place for Hari Raya which my girls really look forward to. Unfortunately this year, when she invited us, I had to go away for my study trip on the same day. Instead of just going with it, Rahidah intentionally set aside another day specially for us, including having her mother prepare the curry chicken (less spicy for us)! I am really touched by Rahidah's gesture.

Reunion at the Gardens

I had a lunch gathering with current and former colleagues from CRPP at Botanic Gardens. We all had a wonderful time catching up, laughing and planning for the future. :)

June, Luis and family, Lek Hong, Yasmin and son :)

Friends from Afar

Tonight, we had the honour of having Robyn and David Peat over for dinner at my place! It has been 11 years since we last met! Robyn and David were then returning to Canada. My parents were delighted to see them again after so many years. We all had a wonderful evening! 

Robyn and David, we always welcome you back to Singapore!!
We hope to see you soon again!

SCGS Annual CNY Gathering 2016

It's that favourite time of ours during CNY again - our annual SCGS CNY gathering! As usual, we are surrounded by good food (lo hei, mee siam, kuah pi tie, fish cutlet, chicken wings, mutton curry, roast pork, home-made ice cream, ondeh ondeh, cake), good wine and great friends! 
Lots of food and laughter. :D  

Lo Hei! 

The famous Mee Siam cooked by Karen! YUM!

Kuah Pie Ti by Karen too! :)

Delicious Fish Cutlets cooked by Hsiao! :)

New in 2016. Roast Pork cooked by Navin! 2017 please! :)

Laksa Ice Cream made by Peng Han! Love it :)

Beetroot Ondeh Ondeh made by Karen. Sweet! :)

Blackforest Cake brought by us and Juliane cutting it. 

All of us (watching Forzen - Let it Go!) Lol

Can't wait for next CNY gathering! Actually we don't have to wait till CNY to have Karen's mee siam, right?! Hahaha. :P 

Seoul Trip 2015 Day 5

Today is going to be an exciting day! Both Juliane and I are renting the hanbok, traditional Korean dress to wear for the day. I know Juliane is fascinated with the hanbok. She used to draw them. She has a hanbok when she was 5 years old and she used to wear it for Racial Harmony Day for a few years consecutively until Primary 2. For today, we will be "Koreans". :) Just hope no one speaks to us in Korean haha.
We set off for the Oneday Hanbok rental shop a little later than anticipated because we had a late night last night. :P By the time we chose and put on our hanboks, it was after 11am. It was kind of awkward at first because we were getting stares from people when we travelled on the subway from the shop at Euljiro 4(sa)-ga Station to Gyeongbokgung Palace Station. I guess Koreans do not usually wear the hanbok unless during traditional festivals and celebrations.

Ready to be Koreans for the day :)

Couldn't resist the chance to be young forever haha

We got free entry into Gyeongbokgung Palace because we were wearing the rented hanboks. :) It was quite an experience for us, wondering around the palace grounds in our hanboks. We felt like we were people from ancient times lol. In fact, I think we did give quite a few visitors a turn when they suddenly saw us walking through a door and so on haha. :P (I heard quite a few Chinese tourists saying that, not realising that we aren't Koreans and could understand them.) We were also stopped several times by visitors, both foreigners and locals, who asked to take our photos or to take photos with us! Darn, should have charge them haha. :P I guess the hanboks we wore were of strong contrasting colours which made us really stood out among the palace buildings. :) 

Our most favourite photo!

My favourite solo photo :)

Juliane was excited being at the palace. She loves watching Korean historical dramas and to be at the palace was a surreal experience for her. I love the intricate designs and artworks on the roof and ceilings of the various palace buildings.

Gwanghwamun Gate in the day time

Path to the main throne hall

The main throne hall

Intricate artworks

Juliane taking a photo of me

If you can see the Chinese characters, it has my
surname "黄" which is the colour "yellow" :)

After the palace visit, we visited the National Palace Museum of Korea which is just next to Gyeongbokgung Palace. The museum houses the collection of art and objects from the palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, which spanned 500 years. It is a glimpse into how the Royals used to live as well as into the rich cultural legacy of the Joseon Dynasty. 

After our day as "Koreans", we met up with my ex-colleague, Seung Hee who happened to be back in Korea visiting. We had a great chat over patbingsu at Sulbing, Insadong while our girls played together. :) It was really wonderful to catch up with a friend in a foreign land. :) 

Souvenirs from Gyeongbokgung Palace

Wearing the hanbok to visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace actually enhanced our cultural experience. It also gave me a new respect for the Korean traditional dress. I realised one becomes mindful of how one walks and sits when in a hanbok. I became very graceful. :)