Christmas Party
Each year, a group of us go to Huldah's house to celebrate Christmas. Reflecting back, it doesn't feel like such a long time ago when we had the party last year. Time DOES fly. This year Fergus organised Secret Santa - our presents are placed under the tree. I got a ice-cream set. It came with bowls, a scoop and some sprinkles. The presents are meant to be unisex but I got a particularly girly present haha. Jeff got a batman cup - perfect because his old cup broke.
After Secret Santa, we headed off to the kitchen bench to have some dessert a few of us prepared! There were cake pops, a chocolate and strawberry tart, jellies and mango pudding! We were all looking forward to taking photos and eating these aesthetic little things.
To finish the night - photos :) Last year on this occasion I took my first polaroid. Just quietly reminiscing... oh and these five girls are my favourite. God has put us into our lives to be a blessing to each other, and for that I am extremely grateful. We grew up together, and I hope we will grow old together <3
Lights
This is Borthi (school) and my tradition every year - to look at Christmas lights. Last year we did South Brisbane, so this year we decided to go East. Each location greeted us with an array of lights, and quite often the whole street would participate, so it was nice to just park the car and have a walk. We went only a couple of days before Christmas, so the place was PACKED. Good old Borthi stalled a few times and we listened to Christmas songs in the car to get ourselves into the Christmas spirit.
Macaron Making
Borthi wanted to make some macarons for her relatives/fam members as Christmas presents, so we got the almond meal and sugar out and got cracking. We decided to make them a combination of pink and green (Christmas colours) with a milo filling. Determined to get things right, we attended to every detail (great and small). They came out quite nice but not perfect, but that's alright I'LL KEEP TRYING!
Date Night
Most of the week was filled with family events for me and Jeff being away to the beach with his family for the weekend, so this night was really enjoyable - us time hehe ^_^ We were planning to go to Wagaya to celebrate Jeffy's belated birthday dinner, but it was closed so we decided to go to Vapiano instead to celebrate MY belated birthday dinner.
I love the fact that you can watch people cook here! It's so interactive and cool. We ordered a funghi pasta and diavlo pizza. Topped off with a lemon lime bitters, I can safely say that the meal was amazing (and romantic).
I love the fact that you can watch people cook here! It's so interactive and cool. We ordered a funghi pasta and diavlo pizza. Topped off with a lemon lime bitters, I can safely say that the meal was amazing (and romantic).
Tonight we were planning to go to the north side to look at a few more christmas lights, but I had the thought that the lights might not actually be on (since the brochure said it goes until the 24th). We decided to play it safe and go to the south side instead of risking driving for two hours without seeing any of the stuff. We still had a really amazing time :)
Christmas Day
WOO! I woke up and thought to myself: "It's really Christmas"
The morning was kickstarted with a Christmas service at church, followed by a luncheon. I had received my fish eye and wide angle attachable iphone lens in the mail the previous day so I used it a in quite a few photos on Christmas day.
At Jeffy's house, we wrapped presents together. Jeffy was really slow and it was pretty cute. I'm glad he puts an effort into writing cards, giving people presents and wrapping presents though. I know lots of guys can't be bothered. He had made an effort to get my parents, brother, me, his dad, mum and sister each a present (I chose most of them haha).
I made most of the Christmas dinner in the afternoon. The star of the meal was my turkey (bought from the frozen section haha) and roasted veges. I made an effort to add extra olive oil, herbs and garlic salt to make it extra yummy :D We also had salmon sashimi from another night when family friends came over and a mango mousse cake that my mum baked - it was delicious.
This is our Christmas tree this year, it talks :P (literally). It senses movement and starts singing. It's got eyes and a mouth too. We came back from Melbourne not long ago, so we couldn't be bothered putting up our usual big tree. We broke tradition and opened the presents Christmas night because my brother didn't want to wait and nagged my parents to do so.
I got my dad juggling balls from an online shop and he really likes them. He practices everyday and can do three balls now! I gave my mum a birthday cake cookbook and one pot cookbook and a very glamorous necklace from Lovisa (that she chose). I bought a cup for my brother (one from Chadstone). It's green and has a emoticon face on it. I think he likes it (I'm making him use it).
I was spoilt silly by mostly my friends (shopping in Melbourne was my Christmas present from my parents) who were very thoughtful in the presents they got me. I can certainly tell that they didn't just get anything for me at random, but paid attention to my likes and little comments that I have made in the past. For that I am very touched :')
Boxing Day
I went to Koorong Christian bookstore for a 20% off all items in store. I bought this book (I have been borrowing this from the church library and have had to pay overdue fee several times) so that I can have a permanent copy, because I think it is worth reading. I do admire Tim Keller (he looks like Professor X from X-Men) who is a pastor of Redeemer church in New York. He offers great insight and uses his intellect wisely. In addition, he does not promote the charismatic style some churches like Hillsong displays.
Recently, Jeff and I have grown tired of crappy radio music, so I purchased these CDs to put in his car. I am liking Christian music these days. :) :)
