Christmas, visitors and shopping

Christmas Day

Early on Christmas morning, I drove to the airport to pick my father-in-law and sister who had flown in from Singapore. When we arrived home, they were literally like Santa Claus, handing out presents and lots of goodies. One of them was of course the long-awaited camera! It looks great, captures fantastic close-ups and my, the zoom! But I've yet to play around with it as *ahem*, I'd been out shopping with my sis.

We spent our first X'mas here in 2005 and there wasn't much atmosphere or mood then. We went to mass and were invited to a fellow churchgoer's home or should I say mansion for tea. Her daughter has a son who's the same age as Lavigne and we would chat with each other. There was a very big Christmas tree in the house which must have been about 2 storey tall? It was there that we met the supermodel, Rachel Hunter. I remember I was really star-strucked and couldn't believe being in the same room as her. Later on, I found out that this family is pretty famous. That was how we spent our Christmas.

This year I was determined to have a proper Christmas celebration and decked the house with decorations. Adrian's brother and his girlfriend came to visit us not long after we arrived back from the airport. I didn't know they were coming and didn't prepare any lunch. We were going for a party at 3pm so had only planned to have some sandwich. In the end, we decided to order some takeaway without realising that all shops and I mean ALL including McDonald's were closed. Adrian commented that in Singapore during Chinese New Year, at least some foodstores like the Malay and Indian ones will be opened. So what did we have in the end? Instant noodles. On Christmas Day. I was so paiseh. Oh well, at least now we know.

The Christmas party at Louisa's classmate's house was postponed to 5pm. There, we met more Singaporeans and were stuffed with food. I was almost full after the starter. The food spread was HUGE! I think there were about 8 types of desserts? My poor sis was jetlagged and kept dozing off at the party.

Boxing Day

Louisa was very eager to open her presents and I let her open a few as we were going out. I had arranged with Val and family and Emily and hub to go to Bluewater (a huge mall) for the Boxing Day sale. Louisa hates shopping and she stayed home. My brother-in-law's girlfriend went with us and we spent a total of 7hours!! there. The first shop I hit was Monsoon kids to get dresses for my sister-in-law's wedding next summer. So glad the girls have their dresses now. My sis had a good haul too. It's a great time for her to shop because of the currency exchange rate.

More shopping

We went shopping today again and Louisa came along. Next started its sale early this morning (no I didn't go at 4.30am when the store opened) as I wanted to get some stuff for the girls. There were so many tops but what about the bottoms? I couldn't find any nice skirts or jeans. At the end of our shopping trip, my sis declared UK as a fantastic place to shop. Yes, it is now but not before when the exchange rate was £1 to S$3.

I love the above which my sister-in-law got for me from Japan. Thanks Von!

My first Anna Sui products from my dear sis, Jean! Have always loved the packaging and am so happy to finally own not 1 but 2! Jun, the colour of the lipgloss is fab!

Testing the close-up.

Thanks for all your presents, my mother-in-law, cousin from HK, my youngest sis and SAGGS just to name a few. I've yet to sort them out and take pictures. The past few days had been a whirlwind. So please pardon me if I didn't name you, you're not forgotten.

I should have known better! My tummy is in agony now because I drank a cup of Mocha at Marks and Spencer's cafe this afternoon. I look like I'm 5 months pregnant and I feel sick. Ok, time to hit the sack.

Hope you had a lovely Christmas!