Happy Holidays!

I have been too lazy to send out Christmas cards this year (like most years). In my old age, I do get sentimental, and my laziness does not speak for how much I miss my families - both real a pretend, and my friends that are scattered in all corners of the globe.

I'm just grateful that these days, our distance is less noticeable through email, Skype, Facebook and ease of hopping on a plane. This year I've been able to spend precious time with loved ones in Canada, U.S, Sweden and Australia. Sadly, the truth is, the time I spend with an old friend during a quick trip, may very well be only a little less than if we were living in the same city. I guess being apart makes you take less for granted.

To the few people that read this blog, where ever you are in the world, I wish you a very happy holiday season! And for the New Year - may there be many happy travels to Canada (Toronto specifically), because it is about time you come and spend some quality time with family and friend!

xoxo A

The weekend of eating, drinking, driving and being Madonna

The excitement of the week was not my birthday, not X'mas parties, and definitely not the snow.

I got my first Canadian credit card! Big deal you think. It is a big deal. I have been complaining for over a year about how backward and inefficient the banks are here, and how stupid they were giving loans to people who can't pay but not giving a credit card to someone who can! I have been charge ridiculous transaction fees for over-using Internet and ATM banking. And I am fed up having to carry cash with me everywhere I go. Thank god for Amex Global Transfer, and bless WendyBendy for alerting me to this programme.

In other news, I have had a fabulous birthday weekend. No patio drinking at waterside bar, but the next best thing. My old team at work took me out to dinner at Peridot, and G took me out to Madeline's… both scrumptious meals that reminded me of the fine dining days back when. These days, it is more comfort cheep and cheerful which suits me fine, but it is nice to indulge once in a while.

My girls here had our annual themed X'mas party… Madonna was definitely in the house! Everyone made an entrance with their Madonna outfit and corresponding song, bearing a kris kringle that 'Madonna would like'. Besides a few moles on the wrong side of the face, it was the best bunch of Asian Madonna's I've seen!

 

(bad photo of me being a few drink shades too pink, and this is as much of the costumes the girls will let me post)

A lot less exciting but worth a celebration nonetheless, was the fact that I finally sat my road test for a licence here. I'd be pretty peeved if I didn't pass the test, but given that it was the first time I have ever driven in a snow squall, the Pass came more as a relief than expectation. This is just for a normal car licence. I still need to sit all my motorcycle tests next year once the snow season is over!