Teachers' Day Celebration

Though today was Teachers' Day Celebration, we still had to report at the normal time. So, as usual, I reach school at 625 am. Was very exhausted from last night's BBQ and now, today, there was the Teachers' Day Lunch which I had to oversee- making sure that everything will be smooth and enjoyable for the teachers. No complains but just tiring.

In the morning, the school had their ACES day workout where the students did some kind of mass exercise kickboxing this time round.

Was glad to see my form class student, Deon on stage with the PE teacher, leading the school in the workout as well.




After sitting at the side for a short while, I went over to the venue where I was going to hold the lunch as my committee was busy decorating the place. This time round, we have it in school to cater for ex-students coming back. So, my committee actually initiated decorating the place which was a very good suggestion.

When I entered the room, I never knew they could turn a classroom to a nice, relaxed area, where the theme was black and white.



It was also nice to see the children helping out in the decorations





This year, I initiated to have a day where colleagues could bring their kids to school and I decided to have it on the Teachers' Day Celebration where it would be fun for the kids to join us.

After helping out a little in the decor, I went to the hall for the celebration. The performances were quite good.



This year, the class prepared a presentation for the form teacher where we viewed after the hall celebration.

Here's the video presentation that my class prepared for me. It was really nice and impressive. Thanks guys!



After the presentation, the class went forward as individuals or in groups to express their appreciation to me and my co-form teacher by saying a few words or singing. Some were quite funny, and some were touching. In whatever case, all was heartfelt and I appreciated it.



Here are some of the little children who turned up



And finally, we had our teachers' day lunch at about 1130am. I was so glad the food was good and the caterer made special arrangements to follow our colour theme, even though I just told them this morning.

I used Kriston catering because I have tried it before during my friend's wedding and it was good and elegant. One thing I noticed about this caterer is that if you would want to use them, its best to order the food that costs about $20 per head...and I also order from them because of their chocolate fondue machine.

The food that I ordered was..
1) Chef's cold platter (which consisting of ham, crab stick etc)
2) Over baked teriyaki chicken with sesame seed
3) Pan fried dory fillet with almond and grapes
4) deep fried butterfly prawn with mango salsa
5) mussel on shell with herb pesto
6) medley of vegetables with sausage
7) fried rice with garlic and egg
8) buttered spaghetti with spicy tomato sauce
9) tropical fresh fruit platter
10) cream puffs and choc eclair
11) DIY dark choc fondue station
12) fruit punch









I have to admit, I simply love feeding people with good food. Its nice to see everyone enjoying the company and the food. Especially more so this year where the families and kids could join in.



Here's Caleb donning in PAP outfit (since he has no black pants). But he was actually wearing a black and white converse shoes. So yup, done on purpose to make him dress to the occasion!


As usual, Caleb was hyperactive- running around and playing with my colleagues...and even the caterer staff as 3 of them were around to serve us.



After all was over, I was exhausted. Went back after everything was settled to have a good rest!

1st birthday party!

Today, we celebrated Caleb's one year old birthday party! It was 5 days earlier than his actual date as his real birthday falls on a weekday.

Anyway, we spent the afternoon preparing the decorations. We kept everything simple. So, there really wasnt much for us to do but get ready the balloons, which we did not blow but left it to the vacuum cleaner to do the job!

I like this "Rainbow" Vacuum cleaner as it has lots of functions...though it is extremely costly. But it has served us well.



Caleb was enjoying himself as we put him into his playpen with all the balloons.



Transporting all the balloons down to the multi-purpose hall was a challenge as CT and Vicky tried to squeeze into the lift. Here's a picture taken in the lift.



Went down at about 4 plus pm to decorate.



Everything was ready by 530pm and guests were starting to arrive. Of course, I quickly snap pictures of the food before more people came. So, here's what I catered!

Ordered from Revada as my mum and aunt knows the owner for a long time already. So they gave me a special rate for the food.

Thai Green Mango Salad as appetizer which was my favourite!



Thai Olive Fried Rice with Cashew Nut. This dish was one of the first to finish!



Sautee Authentic Seafood Linguine with Traditional Tomato Sauce. If I had known it will turn out this colour, I wouldnt have ordered. I guess the colour put people off. So there was quite a lot of remainders for this dish.



The next dish which I enjoyed is the Hong Kong Style Dory Fish Fillet with Supreme Sauce and Chinese Condiments Garnish



Next we had the Braised Japanese Egg Beancurd with Seafood Sauce. A dish which I find,suitable for kids.



There was also Thai Style NZ Half Shell Mussel with Spicy Tangy Sauce



As well as Chinese Dough Fritte Stuffing with Sotong Paste (especially for my brother who loves it)



Another favourite dish by the guests was the Fusion Style Prawn Ball with Wasabi Mayonaise & Exotic Fruits Garnish which was also swept out quite fast.



And for veggies, we had the Brocolli with Mushroom and Abalone Clam Combination



Another dish which had leftovers was the Thai Style BBQ Chicken with Thai Sweet and Spicy Dip as it was all left with the breastmeat.



As for dessert, we had Thai Authentic Durian Rice Pudding as well as Chilled Honey Sea Coconut with Longan and Aloe Vera. All so yummy!!

Here's the setup of the spread! All in all, there were 12 dishes in total for the price of only $13 per head!



We also prepared goody bags for the kids or babies who came for the party. We had a mask, a party blower stick (dunno what you call it), san zha sweet (haw flakes), as well as snack which I always loved when I was young- the ball-like egg, flour snack that just melts in your mouth. Caleb likes to eat that as well!



Just before the guests arrived, when we were setting up the balloons, because it was too big, some of them popped! So, here's CT sweeping the floor.



CT and Vicky as really made the day enjoyable and light as they did most of the labour. Thanks guys!

And here's Caleb in the park as he awaits for the guests to arrive. It seems as if he knows there is a party for him as he did not sleep the whole day except an hour from 10 am to 11 am plus. Each time we tried to put him to sleep in the afternoon, he just couldnt. Hummfghh.



Throughout the whole party, I hardly have the time to take pictures...to my regret as I really forgot all about it. Guess I just had too many people to entertain since almost 100 people turned up! The only picture I took was of my close colleagues whom I invited.



And lastly, the birthday cake which my aunt Rosalind helped me to buy as she works in Hyatt Hotel. I knew I could trust her to get me a nice birthday cake for Caleb...and because of her brillant idea of putting Caleb's photo on the cake, Caleb was all smiles when he saw his own face just when we revealed the cake. I have yet to upload the video of the party but he was really smiling away the whole time as he stood in front of the cake.

So here's the yummy personalised brownie cake topped with marzipan from Mezza9.





Everything went quite smoothly and just when the guests were leaving, Caleb started getting cranky as he was dead beat. So it was rather timely as throughout the party, he was smiling and playing.

He knocked out by 9pm...what a day for him!

Lulu's one month party!

Today is Vicky's off day. Though now it is more manageable taking care of Caleb now, he still has his moments...and it still takes a bit of skill to put him to sleep.

Thank God, he slept almost 3 hours in the afternoon which I was really happy because at least, I can do my own stuff.

Here's Caleb and daddy sleeping together.



Both of them slept really long. So, it was a nice quiet afternoon. Definitely no complains.



Vicky came home at about 530pm, and by then, we were all ready to go off to my cousin, Shermaine's daughter's one month party.

It was a nice gathering of my relatives as I got to see baby Angelika- my cousin's Wei Ee's baby girl there as well. She is about 3 months old.



Here's the yummy food ordered from our usual catherer, Revada who gave my aunt a special rate.


Only $15 per person for 9 dishes plus 2 desserts, 1 sushi,


1 Vietnamese spring roll,


1 thai mango salad.


Very cheap. They threw in extra dessert and sushi free for her. Its the usual durian glutinuous rice dessert!



One of the dish I like was the eel rice. I love unagi!!


as well as the seafood tom yam linguini pasta dish. And not to forget, my favourite pig trotters vinegar dish with ginger as well as the chicken rice wine dish. (confinement food). I will definitely look forward to that when I give birth. haha..incentive!

And guess what? Today marks the day Caleb had his first taste of durian!!

Reaction? not much reaction...he didnt really shun it or complain...so proud of him!



He also had a good time playing with my mum.





Here's a video of Caleb laughing away.



During the party when my brother's family was about to leave, CT and I went with him to see his new car as well as to sit in it since the car was parked a distance away from my aunt's house. So, my brother dropped us back at my aunt's house so that I can sit in his new car for a very short while. Haha..cheap thrill. Its a nice car- Toyota Isis. Great and practical for the family as well as for my dad who took the car this morning to church.