The week leading up to Christmas was hectic & tiring but somewhat enjoyable too. It was packed with activities such as tidying up my spare room and kitchen (something which I had been wanting to do for months!), Christmas shopping, catching up with friends over meals, and entertaining my elder sister who came visiting with her two teenage girls.
It started with a considerably expensive high-tea treat from a dear friend at TWG Tea Salon @ ION Orchard. This was my second time having tea at TWG, the first was in 2010. It was certainly a nice catch-up with my friend, although I was not particularly impressed with the food.
Then, there was a very enjoyable dinner with two very young ladies – my ex-medical coordinators, one of whom was in town on a work trip – at Paradise Dynasty, also in ION Orchard. Good food aside, it was a rare get-together. I was glad to see that both of them who have become my friends in the course of my 5-year treatment, are doing well and one of them is going to be a mother for the second time. 🙂 At this friend’s request, surely I will be honoured and happy to suggest some names for her new baby due to arrive next May. Her first child, a boy who is one and a half year’s old now has adopted the Chinese name that I suggested. 🙂
A variety of Xiao Long Bao, spicy dumplings, steamed fish, Shichuan fried chicken, Shanghai Nian Gao (rice cakes), radish puffs and fried ramen – all for the price of S$90. This is certainly more value for money as compared to the high tea in TWG or a simple meal at Paul 🙂
On Saturday, DS and I went for some last-minute Christmas shopping and I managed to pick up what I wanted to get for my friend’s daughters. Orchard Road was packed with people, so packed that we actually had some difficulty walking through the underpass linking Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann City that afternoon. Singapore is definitely getting over-crowded and that’s what making me feel very uncomfortable these days. For this reason, I had actually given up the idea of strolling down Orchard Road to enjoy the Christmas light-up and do some photo shoots. This is something I used to enjoy in the past. I can’t imagine how it would be like when we reach a population of 6 or 6.5 millions people!!
After shopping at Takashimaya and Kinokuniya, we managed to get a table at Paul Boulangerie Paatisserie for the first time. We had wanted to try out the food at Paul in the past but had to give up due to the long queues. The food we ordered was nice, but not the service standard. I was not very happy that the a group of 3 customers behind me was given a table first although there was actually table available for two! The service staff were not very attentive too. Perhaps they were short-handed.
A sumptuous dim sum meal plus Peking duck with DS, my sisters and nieces at Prima Tower revolving restaurant, followed by our visit to the cooled conservatories at the Gardens by the Bay wrapped up the activity-packed week.
I have visited the cooled conservatories 6-7 times since its official opening in June, and I still enjoy each visit 🙂 There are always different or new blooms thus some pleasant surprises each time, plus the periodic change of the floral display in the Flower Dome. It was certainly worth paying S$68 for the year-pass which allows me unlimited visits, and at anytime.
Winter Wonderland floral display in the Flower Dome
Today we spent a quiet and relaxing day at home reading and watching “Hugo”. DS finished reading “Proof of Heaven” in just about 4 hours! He is such a fast reader!
Champagne, shortbread and mixed nuts while watching “Hugo”
After so much of good food and merry-making, surely it is time to start dieting again! All I need now is regular exercise, and real discipline and determination! I shall make this my 2013 resolution! 😀
MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you have enjoyed this festive season too!
My 5-ft tall Christmas tree this year
QING Moments 