OverEasy // WineBos // Broadcast HQ // Swee Choon

After swallowing raw garlic, another home remedy (old wives tale) to get rid of virus is to drink Guiness Stout (hurhur). So Friday after work, we hit OverEasy for some sliders and beer. How lucky, when we go there, we got a VIP seat with unobstructed view of Marina Bay. *rubs hands for 2013 luck*

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On Saturday, what was a dinner party of 4, became a dinner party of 9 at Winebos. Sadly, the Katong outlet has closed down due to some en bloc shit, so we went to the Jalan Klapa outlet. Can't say the standard is as good, service definitely is not as good. But it's a good place to convene, we had many memories there, but don't think we'll be going back in the near future.

Got the girls to bring a cake for Nettie, but she refused to celebrate her birthday early (........) so we landed up celebrating the first weekend of the year hahaha. Good reason as any I suppose.

After a couple bottles of wine, we needed to move around, so we headed to the nearby Broadcast HQ for their Drum 'n' Bass night and more cocktails. Check out the bus driver moves we had yo.

Hungry me craving dimsum so we headed next door to Swee Choon for the late night fix! 1am siewmai and xiao long bao rocks my socks!

First Day of 2013

Third year running, and 10 years of friendship. Starting the year off with brunch at PS Cafe Dempsey with the mates! The group just gets growing and growing as old friends reunite (even Sheryl joined us on Skype from Macau). I hope this yearly tradition continues, maybe some seat rotation involved in the future haha.

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Took the last few days of 2012 off work, but unfortunately Nettie fell sick with a sudden fever on Saturday. Spent the weekend playing nurse and making sure she was properly hydrated with lots of liquids. When she felt better, we managed to make it for a short staycation at Grand Park Orchard. Proper R&R with a bubble bath, good hot tea and a comfy bed <3>

2012 into 2013

2012 was a very fast and interesting year. I travelled alot, about once every month on average, for both work and pleasure. I developed and maintained many friendships, all around the world. In restrospect, it was also a very quiet year. I partied less, because well...there wasn't a need to. I read a lot (on my new Kindle!) I thought more of the future. I laughed alot and created many many memories. I didn't cry alot, and if I did, it was because I genuinely felt physical pain (i.e when a conditioner bottle fell on my foot nerve), or it was just the time of the month and I needed to just release some angst. I became closer with my family and my partner, like quality SMS-es with my mother instead of just quiet wordless dinners in front of the TV.

I reflected alot, on how lucky I am, to be not in debt, to be carefree and happy, to love and be loved. I hope 2013 will be a year of discovery and happiness!

The Original Singaporeans

In the future, if ever I look back on this period of my life, this bunch of people would forever live on in my memory. It's not that we were super close, in fact we are scattered all over the world, but somehow when we get together the feeling is always warm. It reminds me of my first day of work, or even before that when I went for my interview, Stella was the first person that walked by and smiled at me. Then on my first day, doing the introduction rounds, everyone was so warm and friendly. Turns out Cindy and I worked at a previous company together before. Weiling sat near me and we had regular lunches with the team. We had such fun on my first summer party, when Rina did a split in the middle of the dance floor. When they started moving to other offices, to China, to Malaysia, we would still hang out whenever they visited or when I visited. Patrick, Desmond, Eric, Ivy, Vivian and Adeline were so hospitable on my first time to Shanghai. When they started moving to other companies/jobs, we would still have outings and meetups (like yesterday's) and stay in touch through Facebook. Can I now dub us "the original Singaporeans" of Booking?

When you talk about company culture, this is really what tugs at my heart and why I'm still here, doing what I do. Although almost all of them have left Booking, but Booking was where we first met. No matter how much the company will grow and change, when I think of Booking, I will always think of this bunch.

Seasons Greetings

It's a quiet Christmas this year! But today the office was surprisingly overflowing with Christmas love and spirit! Nicole's birthday is on the 26th, so we gave her a little cake and a card and some shopping vouchers to spend at the post-holiday sales!!

In return, or rather before that, we got some handbaked goodness from the kitchen of Nicole!

Followed by Christmas potluck lunch in the HR room!! :D

Now how did you spend your Xmas eve? We are now heading for a BBQ family gathering at Nettie's sister's house, and Christmas lunch at my home tmr!

Till then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone who reads this!! :D