Ken Ray's team pai chnia

 It has been an annual affair where they come for an English afternoon tea with scones. Darjeeling or Earl Grey teas on the menu.

But this year there was a special request for lasagne (guess who). And so lasagne it is and I must say it's really good.

Esther was the first to sink her teeth into the "fresh from the oven" lasagne

Jovin's turn, spoon lickin' good

Ee Pheng was the last, enjoying her scones

Then they enjoyed 2 shorts. Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury and Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas.

Jerry got distracted by the Marine Aquarium

But this year, there was a huge recruitment drive. We got Esther, Darren and Ee Pheng to become Path-ers. A nice new app that links your updates, postings etc to Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare at one touch. It even has Instagram type filter effects for your photo updates.

Here's the Ken Ray gang that turned up.

From Left: Jovin, Jerry, Daniel, Darren, Esther, Ee Pheng and Ms Wong 
(Hahaha... JJ, DD, EE....W)

Gong Xi Gong Xi to every reader from Ken Ray

Jovin once again is the Ang Pow Queen, pocketing the biggest Ang Pow second year in a row

A very Indian Chinese New Year

We had a reunion dinner for the Tongs and since we are hosting this year we opt to go Indian for a change.

And so we booked Palace d'India and all were to meet there at 1.30pm. Melinda's sister and brother came over to "pai chnia" us first so I picked them up from Desa Bella.

I almost fainted when they came out of the lift. What have I gotten myself into. Here were three little "Indians" getting into my car.

They were taking this lunch real serious, dress code and everything.

We had great fun though, catching up, taking photos and the relatives watching Pam's wedding videos on iPads. The food was great too.

Well, next year won't be our turn so it'll probably be back to the usual lunch at a Chinese Restaurant.

The Three Little Indians

I'm the one in bright RED, very Chinese, thank you very much

They're the Tongs from Singapore, Sei Sam, JJ and Sei Suk watching Pam's wedding videos

Ku Che and Ku Cheong with Raymond watching on the other iPad

And here's one for the family album

Ku Che and Ku Cheong

Yee Suk and Yee Sum

And group photo after lunch. Everyone there except the photographer ;)

CNY Reunion circa 2012

Reunions are one of the most important of our Chinese culture's many special occasions and especially needful in today's busy society where everyone in the family is all over busy with their own life.

So at least once a year we get to meet and eat as a family. To see how the kids have grown over the year and catch up on the latest happenings.

With my parents gone, we meet at my brother's condo. It's a simple reunion with everyone bringing a dish or two, coordinated between the wives.

On the table are the must have jiu hoo char with fresh lettuce, bayam soup, curry chicken, lor bak, lap cheong, roasted chicken and sambal belacan. (Sorry no photos. By the time I remembered, they were half gone!)

So after dinner, we took the chance to take photo of each family members who were there.

Jimmie Song and Grace. Children are Henry, Joanne and Jessica

Steven Song, Josephine and Anthea

Edwin Song and Grace

Calvin and Olivia. And their cute daughters Sophia and Emma