REMEMBERING YOU

It has been a weekend of dinners and lunches. There were the sit-down ones, the stand-and-drink-your-dinner ones, the lovingly home-cooked ones, the show-off-in-restaurant ones.

Yet it was not a blur of frenetic festive celebration.

I remember every story of happiness, every shared joke, every expectation for the new year. I was with friends and family. These are people who matter to me - with whom I share joy and disappointment, hope and fear, history and the future.

I miss the ones who were not here yet am confident that they too share my celebratory mood of the season.

It was truly a weekend of friendship and love.

FOR MAY

Thank you for making today perfect.

Now tell our mahjong friends in the kampong of Bakersfield I miss them, and it would make me very happy if they visit me here.

Happy HAPPY HoLiDaYs to all you special people!!

CHRISTMAS CHEER

Three days to Christmas. Two Days to Christmas Eve. One day left to do that little bit of last minute grocery shopping.

I am not frazzled. I am actually having a good time thanks to what is scornfully referred to as the "commercialization of Christmas".

I have been down the home-made, home-baked, DIY-gifts road. I am proud to say I did that very well. But I was exhausted before the holidays even began, and over the years, it got to where I dreaded Christmas.

These days, I know better. I BUY the prezzies. It leaves me in a much better frame of mind to enjoy the holidays with friends and family.

Happy Holidays!

THE COLOUR ORANGE

Your Blog Should Be Orange

Your writing has a star quality - it's charming, bold, and flamboyant. You write what's on your mind, without fear of embarrassment later. You are one of the most honest bloggers around, and people appreciate your daring persona.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

My blog should be orange? I identify with charming, but bold and flamboyant? daring persona?

Maybe I should do a 'VB' and take this test several times just to see what other results show up.

My choice of dark blue background was made after several days of really deep thinking - it lets me use all the funky colours for my text. HaHa

By the way we are all relieved and happy that Suzie Wong's blog is finally unlocked.

HAFLA

I love parties. Any kind of party. I especially love haflas. So when I got an invite to a hafla last weekend, I was all anticipatory for many reasons.

I have not seen the hostess for a couple of years. The major changes in her life are: she's moved twice and she's a mother.

The other ladies I rarely get to see because we circulate in different professional and social circles. It was therefore a treat to get together at all, never mind at a hafla.

There was the food, the drinks, the sweets and most special at haflas, there was the middle eastern music. And there were the dancers, every one of us. There is something indescribably intimate when bellydancers dance for the enjoyment of each other. There is the luxury of freedom to express that is not accorded in a public performance.

Then, there is the inevitable newsy girl-talk. There was so much to get to: scandals to examine, gossip to analyse, sources to verify, rumours to dispel, intentions to dissect, friends to defend, foes to villify.

By night's end, truth and trust were restored. There was a collective sense of triumph...

I love parties. I especially love haflas.

UPGRADE AND CHANGE

I am in the process of upgrading my blog. I am aware the changes make some earlier posts difficult to read because of incompatible colour choices. Bear with me. Things will get better.

MY STRIPPER SONG IS

Your Stripper Song Is

She Wants to Move by N.E.R.D. "Her off beat dance makes me fantasize (Her curves) She's sexy!!" You are 100% sex appeal. As simple as that.

What Song Should You Strip To?

My bellydance/stripper friend took the quiz. She wonders what song I should strip to. The verdict is in. I am flattered that I am "100% sex appeal". I relate to that.

However, I do not relate to the song. Here is the video:



Now we wait for our very glam showgirl friend to take the quiz. Over to you Suzie Wong!

GHRAM ROCKS THE KAZBAR

Kazbar has always occupied a special place in our mind. We love the morrocan look and feel of the place complete with cosy alcoves and mosiac glass moorish lamps.

When we learnt that our friend Ghram is now the resident bellydancer, it was time to revisit our once-favourite haunt.

The impossibly long lustrous hair framing an elfin face, the ever-present sparkle in her eyes, the mega-watt smile she flashes in your direction - she is a vision of beauty, charm and grace.


She plays to the crowd; they respond with enthusiasm and good cheer.

And all the time, you know she is really enjoying the music, the dance, the audience.


No wonder she is our all-time most loved bellydance performer.

Kazbar is at:
25 Church Street #01-03
Capital Square 3
Tel: 64382975

Bellydance show on Wed, Thurs, Fri

THE FANCY FAIRE - ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH

I admit going to the Fancy Faire two days in a row seems like overdoing a good thing. But I really really cannot help myself.

The experience is simply irresistable. There is the floral scent from lit candles, the glitter of bling bling, the rich varied touch of fabric. It is a treasure trove of unique and unusual gifts.

I buy for myself on Day 1. I buy with my friends in mind on Day 2. I come away truly happy.

RENDEZVOUS WITH THE BODYTALKS

Oh yes, it's ladies night, And the feeling's right
Oh yes, it's ladies night, Oh what a night
- Kool and the Gang

It was party night by the bodytalks.
The place was Gotham Penthouse.

The decor was decadent and sensual.
The stage was set.
The lights were low
The music was right.

The show girls were drop dead gorgeous.
The action was non-stop. The audience was pumped.
It was party night. Oh what a night.

RETURN TO FANCY FAIRE

My loot from previous visit to Fancy Faire:




Darling earrings by Simone of Blingalicious









Funky bags by Louise of Snatch

The Christmas Fancy Faire is back:

Orchard Hotel, Level 3
Tuesday, 5th December 10am - 8pm
Wednesday 6th December 9.30am - 5pm

My heart is restless; I cannot wait to find more treasures at this Christmas wonderland...