Today’s the wedding of a Poly buddy and I am indeed very happy for him! They exchanged wedding vows yesterday, on his birthday and threw a wedding carnival today to celebrate the joyous occasion.

From the photos you’ll know why I call it a wedding carnival…

This was the friend that personally delivered the wedding invite to the few of us. He definitely set a sky high benchmark for many of us, in Singlish – ’spoil market’.  This fella had a memory so good, he required little help finding my place, even though the last time he had sent me back must have been at least 7 or 8 years ago.  Not just my place, but Sappie’s parent’s place, as well as Amanda’s place.  No address required, by pure instinct and memory.

Most of us has lost contact with Amanda, but cuz he went up to her place personally, managed to invite her to the wedding. The few of us had been speculating if we’ll be able to catch her or not prior to today.  And by sheer good timing, she turned up right before the bride and groom made their way back from the girl’s place.

My immediate reaction was to shout out to her, but all I got was a cold cold look and turned away to continue looking out for the newlyweds.

It’s been at least 7 to 8 years that I’ve not seen her, and I really wished we could bury any hatchets between us.  It’s long-overdue, in fact, they people in question are now married, and she still looks as good as before, if not better.

All the unhappiness be gone, it’s all in celebration of a dear friend’s joyous occasion.

Many of us finds the number THIRTEEN a major taboo, while some just likes such oddity.

Interestingly, mahjong is very much associated to THIRTEEN…

Keeping THIRTEEN tiles at the start of each round.

And the winning set, THIRTEEN wonders???, if that’s what it’s called….

Especially coveted, though its one of the hardest set to get, all disjoint tiles… it wins BIG!

Let’s go in a round and share what’s your favourite number…

Twenty-two is mine.

Even number, and it’s my birthday. Though it adds up to 4…

Ok guys… Come share share…

P/S: This post is dedicated you whom I’ve promised to be your funeral planner, and you who also favours the number 13.

I’m grateful for the work arrangement I have now.  And most importantly a team that works well together, understanding one another’s quirks and kinks.  It has allowed me to spend more time with my family and friends.  And it seems I have quite a few friends who work flexi hours as well… Heh…

Armed with my trusty companions, MBw and E75, I can work ANYWHERE.  With 3G connection from my phone via bluetooth, who needs Wireless@SG?

Last week, I met Bert for brunch, and literally spent the entire afternoon at Breko HV.  In the later afternoon, I joined a friend at this gem of a place ,Bar Bar Black Sheep along Bukit Timah Road on Cherry Avenue for cheap beers ($8 for Stella, $10 for Hoegaarden), and ended the night dropping by Ah Ben’s for a little birthday/farewell over MJ and 3-litre beer… Too much for a day itself I have to admit… But I still got work done nonetheless…

Sunday was fruitful! Went for my weekly dose of spiritual nourishment on my own!  Yeah, going to church regularly is also something I’m starting to get it back into my system.  Gatecrashed Nessie’s in the afternoon and was treated to YUMMY cakes (freshly baked Passion Fruit cake and Carrot Cake) and wonderful dinner of Giam Chye Duck Mee Tai Mak with Char Siew and Quail Egg Sunnyside Up!

Later the evening, we headed to KPO for little drinks session for MelloRello’s birthday.  We were impressed with the deco and the ambience they created out of the limited space, but we can’t quite say the same of the service.  However, it being a Imaginings outlet, I have faith they’ll come around soon.  I love the location too much.

Aside from friends, I now spend more time at home.  Helping out with housework and cooking.  Going out with the family.  I realise my parents are not getting any younger, especially my mum, a pair of extra hands at home is always good.  Just last night, we had late dinner at Chinatown.  Ooohhh… Sinful food – Fresh cockles with beansprouts, Oyster Omelette and Gyoza, AWFULLY GOOD!

I’m grateful, thankful and blessed. With a understanding boss, cool colleagues, great friends and wonderful family.

Today’s the 31st of 2 friends who mean a lot to me.  My bro, Noel the Beng, we used to go to Sunday School together and now we go drinking together occasionally.  The other is my best-est friend during poly days, Cindy, otherwise Amanda.  Amanda, Jason and I are nicks we adopted those days, cuz we enjoyed reading the 8Day’s Last Page column by Jason Hahn, who shares an apartment with 2 bimbotic girls, Amanda & Saffy.  The column is still running today.

While I sent Noel my birthday greetings, I’m reminded of losing a friend in Amanda.  It’s been since 2003 we’ve ever spoke or met.

Amanda and I never fought when we were in school, we were always seen together in a group.  Skipping school, having long lunches in A&W at the zoo, sweeping birthday discounts in Giordano, totally into tanning, hanging out together with our boyfriends then.

It had been all a misunderstanding that started with me.  It was the phase were I was hanging out almost EVERY night cuz of an ‘interest’.  I wanted to hang out with the interest, so I always found excuses to NOT meet them, thus neglecting my friends. Amanda was the gel between me and the interest, he was bestie with her man then.

I was too absorbed into pursuing my interest and neglected all my friends, and that led to the misunderstanding I was on their side in hiding some dark secrets from her.

I should have never got involved with that interest, some guys are better kept as friends than lovers.  Eventually I did go out with the interest, but it was short-lived and it landed me in a financial rut that has been a burden to until recently.

One of those classic questions, “If you could, what would you want to re-do in your life?”.  I would say, I’ll like to re-live y life from New Year’s Day 2003.

I’m not sure if she’ll ever read this.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Girl!  It’s been so many years.  You made the better part of our days during and after poly.  What are fond memories without the people whom you can reminisce with, at least for me.

This is what Nicole M. means, accordingly to some baby names site.

*Update – the daddy & mummy decided to drop M., cuz it might be too strong for the name.

Nicole arrived on 20th July, same birthday as Uncle J. Nicole’s daddy and mummy, H & V, are both my secondary school friends together with J.

It puts a smile on my face just recalling the days these 2 good friends of mine got together in ‘01, solemnized in ‘05 and walked down the isle in ‘07.  And just on Sunday, celebrated the arrival of their first born.  It was as if just some years back, we went to school together.  Oh, H and I even attended the same kindergarten!

Of the 15-16 weddings I attended in the last 2 years, 6 of them are now parents.  And these are the close friends only.

Life’s journey is so amazing. You can never what life brings you. I too wish to have a pair of cute children.

It’s always good catching up with old friends from school days, especially when all of us are busy with our own things. Some are married, some are already proud parents, while others, like myself, are kept busy with work.

These 2 weeks had been pretty much about my friends I met during my Adv. Dip. days.

Eve - Met through Zak. She was in town last Thursday when she flew in from Melbourne enroute Dubai. She’s now based in Dubai with Emirates, and her Singapore-bound flights are hard to come by. That’s why the few of us makes the effort to see her when she’s in town.

We simply spent the evening hanging out in the hotel chatting away, over supper and a couple of beers for myself…

Sean – My Poly senior and Adv. Dip. teammate. Last Friday was his wedding; marrying his flight attendant sweetheart of many years. Sean, his wife and I were schoolmates in NYP, he’s 1 year my senior and Lea’s 1 year my junior. We took the same bus to school in those days. Years later, Sean and I met again when we did our Adv. Dip.

At his wedding I met a few other Adv. Dip. classmates, Dingling, Val & Tim. As well as my Poly seniors, Sean’s bruddas whom I am familiar with too. It’s ashamed that I arrived at the dinner awfully late leaving little time to catch up with all of them.

Gerald, or G we affectionately call him – My Adv. Dip. classmate, also otherwise known as Papa G. Ever so naggy, super duper bad with time, still, he’s a dear friend. I remember he actually text us from Perth to remind us to take good care of our healths, during season when the Sumatran Forest Fires was really bad and causing serious air quality issues in Singapore.

He went to Perth in ‘03 and decided to make Perth his home in ‘05. This is his first homecoming trip with his wifey and adorable daughter. He surprised us when he announced his wedding last year; he left Singapore newly-singled, a year or less later he dropped the bomb on us. And in double quick time, he impregnant his wife, and tadaaa… Now he’s a Proud Daddy to add to his Loving Hubby badge.

Friendship like all other relationships needs time and effort to develop and maintain. I’m thankful for all my friends, for allowing me your friendship. I’m guilty of not spending enough time with all of you, however you’re always here for me.