Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today's the birthday of my hero.

My super man, my own very very very super Daddy.

And on this day, I give thanks for the amazing man and father that he is, and kiss the heavens I was born to the most perfectest daddy I could ever wish for.

This song's for you, my Super Daddy:

Daddy, this year's gonna be awesome for us! I can feel it in my bones. And next year, I'll make sure I can spend your birthday with you as we look back on what an awesome ride it's been. :)

Hugs and kisses. I love and miss you so so so so much.

Fun times

 

Bryan's a-visitinggggg!!!  

Make me cry

I've loved "Little Women" since I was a young girl. I must have read the book at least 10 times, living vicariously through the adventures and lives of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.

Then as I grew up, I kind of forgot all about it. Until I came across the book on Amazon, and bought it for old time's sake. But I never did get around to reading it again cos with Amazon as my personal bookstore which even offers free delivery to Luxembourg with every 25 pound purchase means I've got a huge collection of new books waiting to be read. *rubbing hands in delight with gleaming eyes*

Yes, yes, I am a bookwormy nerd.

Anyways, back to the point of my post. Last weekend, I was trawling a CD store, and found a DVD of Little Women, circa 1995, starring Susan Sarandon as Marmee, Winona Ryder as Jo, Claire Danes as Beth, and a very very very young Kirsten Dunst as little Amy.

And so I got it. And then I watched it. And then I laughed and cried and felt sad and felt happy.

Anyone who loved the book, and can get your hands on the DVD, please do. I guarantee 103 minutes of smiles and tears.

Mi, I pass to Bryan to bring back so you can watch with the girls at home, k?

Work, exams and 'origin'

It's been full steam ahead at the restaurant since the beginning of the year. Coupled with studying and revising for my first level French final exams around the corner (which is today + tmrw, wish me luck!!!), I've been a very very happy busy bee.

I like this feeling of being so very occupied. I had a good 'break' last year. So, this year's all about action and doing! doing! doing! Yippee dee dooo daaaaaaaaa!!!!!

(Forgive my hyperness, I've had about 6 shots of coffee since this morning and am thoroughly wired)

In the office. Background blurred cos of tres-messy desk.

I should clean it soon.

Also a shout out to Starr and Don, who must be even busier than me trying to get Origin... from the heart of Vietnam (click and as add friend if you're on FB) up and running by next week. I wish I was there in person, but I swear I'm there in spirit. Especially for the food tasting parts :)

Looks so yummy!

Change is good

These days I have been very very happily doing up my vision boards and writing my affirmations and intentions for 2011. It's an exciting time because everything is possible, and the world's my oyster.

And in the midst of taking control of my life right now and planning all the fun things to do in the days to come, a line that I've always loved keeps coming to mind: "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."

I had been ready to dismiss 2010 as a year of angst and pain. A year that (I felt) I had lost control of everything. Especially in the last few months of the year, I struggled with my own personal insecurities and inner turmoils and projected them on how I viewed the people around me and the world. It was a year of change that I persisted to resist. It was a year that dragged me out of my comfort zone, and plonked me into the unknown, where I balked and sulked and stared longingly back at my past life.

So yeah, in 2010 my challenges were more mental than anything. Because in actual fact, it was a year filled with rollercoaster-like adventures, luxuries, and experiences that I had always dreamed about and look forward to having even more of.

Here's a recap for old time's sake. 

In January,

I was living in Shanghai. Shopping and eating away very happily.

Daddy came visit.

And I made a lifetime friend.

In February,

 I was back in KK. Such an awesome month.

Planned our wedding. 

Celebrated CNY with my Super Family. 

Collected AngPows for the very last time. 

Got Married!!! :) :) :)

In March,

Maddy and Jinee visited me in SH and we relived our college days for almost 3 weeks, 

only in much more style and with much more money. 

We be the stylo rich girls :)

In April,

Super Hubby gets offered the job in Luxembourg. 

We decide to take it. 

Hurried packings and rushed farewells to my (now) beloved Shanghai.

Spent a few days in Brighton and London for a mini belated honeymoon before we arrive in Luxembourg.

 Sobbed like a baby when found out my Sticky had run away from his foster house in SH, 

and learnt I could really love a cat.

In May,

I began my new life in Luxembourg.

I visited Cologne for the first time.

I ate at my very first 1 Michelin Star restaurant. A sign of good even better restaurants to come.

We moved into our very cosy home. 

In June,

Mahi Restaurant is launched (I am today a proud mother hen of a very popular restaurant in Luxembourg).

In July, 

Ate at another 2-Michelin star restaurant, just before the Chef retired. 

Visited my city of love for the first time ever. Twas a dream come true.

A mere three weeks later, 

we had an awesome summer holiday in Biarritz, 

where I met Oliver, 

and also had the best breakfast of my life.

In August,

I went to Brussels twice, once for a day shopping trip, and another for a lovely, fun, romantic weekend with Super Hubby. 

All my stuff arrived from Shanghai, and I also got to excitedly prepare for Mummy and Keshia's visit.

In September, 

MUMMY AND KESH WERE HEREEEEE!

I turned 31.

Went to Paris again. Still love it.

Visited Berlin for the very first time. Loved but still haven't blogged about it.

Started French lessons.

In October,

Started spiral of self inflicted pity party.

Super Hubby treats me to another 1-Michelin star restaurant. 

In November, 

Went to my first ever concert in Luxembourg. Faithless.

Also celebrated a very dear friend's birthday.

In December,

Got paopei and had some awesome sisterly time.

 Visited the famed Strasbourg Christmas Market.

Experienced the most intense snowfall Europe has ever felt in decades.

Had an amazing Christmas.

Got to spend some time with Daddy in Amsterdam.

Had a brilliant new year's eve with friends and family in Luxembourg. 

---

What a ride!

And I'm sooooooooooooooooo excited and ready for more. :)

Pao Pei is 12

I remember one night less than 13 years ago when Super Daddy told me Super Mummy was pregnant. Again. I was shocked.

The shock quite quickly turned into excitement as I was old enough to be able to think of ways to spoil her, and having a little 'un in the family was something quite fun to look forward to. We brainstormed on names for months, before settling on Kristen (only to have us use her middle name, Leanne, in the end).

I shopped like mad, all things pink and tiny were my target. In fact, I think I used up so much of my college allowance in her clothes, you'd think I was shopping for my own child.

Fast forward 8 months later, I held the very tiny little baby in my hands and couldn't stop smiling. I had the honor of carrying her from the hospital to for the car ride back home, and the memory of that still gets me all teary.

From the beginning, she made me smile. She made all of us smile. Cute, huggly, cuddly, affectionate, and just so loving, she could light up any room. I use to carry her baby pictures around with me and show them to everyone who I could get my hands on, and say, 'THIS is the cutest baby in the whole wide world!'

I've loved her so so so so deeply since day 1, and this has never ever changed. In fact, it's only gotten stronger as I see her grow into a sweet, smart, and funny girl that has a heart of gold.

Paopei, here's the song I used to sing to you every night as I carried you and danced around the house when you were a baby. And I still feel the same when I look at you now.

Love you Pouts. My youngest sister. The sunshine of my life. You'll always, always, always be my one and only Paopei.

Be here now

 Don't let your mind get weary and confused
Your will be still, don't try
Don't let your heart get heavy child
Inside you there's a strength that lies

Don't let your soul get lonely child
It's only time, it will go by
Don't look for love in faces, places
It's in you, that's where you'll find kindness

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now

Don't lose your faith in me
And I will try not to lose faith in you
Don't put your trust in walls
'Cause walls will only crush you when they fall

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now

"Be Here Now"
Ray Lamontagne

I found it here.

Bonne Annee!!!

2011, welcome.

I am ready to kick some ass.