Parting note...

It's simple. I just can't keep up!

And now that I'm settled in Asia and so close to family, it almost doesn't make sense to maintain a blog anymore. Thanks for following the Bumblebeegrad :)

Quick update

Remember those travel plans I had? Well, I'm back and won't be traveling for a bit now. At least not till April. I'll write more about Paris and Barcelona when I can though you must know, because I feel compelled to share, that I post most updates on Facebook now cause it's just soooo much easier.

What do you mean you haven't signed up for Facebook??! More than 600 million people are already on it! What are you waiting for? I'm talking to you Viv. Lol. I have to admit. This obsession is what led to a recent change in career. Naturally.

Thanks Stephen, Joe and Laura for being so supportive and the best references I could ever ask for. Here's to week 3!

Gong xi gong xi gong xi ni

Yes, I can still do Chinese songs. After all, I do have Jay Chou on my nano playlist - as my rather astounded coworker observed some months ago. In fact, I just sang 安靜 over karaoke this afternoon. But tomorrow, I shall sing 恭喜恭喜恭喜你.

It's too bad lil' sis can't join us this Chinese New Year. Boy do I remember those years when I had to spend CNY overseas. Where a handful of professors would remember to wish the Chinese students, while others just slogged through lectures without a word. Occasionally there were the eventful ones spent with Asian friends; notably that night in London when Suen threw a steamboat party and a bowl of spicy soup all over herself. Good times.

I'm home again for the my 3rd consecutive CNY since living in the States. It's nice to do reunion dinner with the fam, collect lai see, hear relatives comment about our fluctuating weight and stuff my face with pineapple tarts. This time, I even get to light some fireworks with my dad who got them from a reliable source. Call me if you're interested. Lol.

Here's to a prosperous year of the Rabbit with lotsa great things to celebrate, good health and good fortune all round! 恭喜发财 y'all!

Good to be home

Look what arrived in the mail!

Weeeeeeee!

Check out the full Macarune article here>

Or pick up a copy of your own at any of the following places in KL:

• KL City Centre – myNews.com KLCC & Pavilion, Krispy Kreme - Berjaya Times Square, Palate Palette, La Bodega
• Mid Valley Megamall – myNews.com, Ruffey I.D, Krispy Kreme
• Sentral – Centro
• 1 Utama – myNews.com (new wing) & Ruffey I.D
• Sunway Pyramid – myNews.com, Ruffey I.D, Bar Celona & The One Academy
• Subang – The Zon LCCT & KLIA
• Bangsar & Sri Hartamas - myNews.com – Bangsar Shopping Centre & Sri Hartamas Shopping Centre, Chawan, La Bodega, Alexis
• Damansara – Wondermilk, TTDI Plaza
• Starbucks
• A Cut Above
• Lecka Lecka outlets
  
• Most bars, dining outlets and other coffee spots

Birthdays...

Almost every close friend I have is a friggin' Libra, it's madness. Right off the bat I can name a few: C, K, M, A, J, G... Though I shan't complain cause this just means more parties during the month of Oct in addition to the all-time favorite Halloween and Oktoberfest.

As with most celebrations, the bf's 30th was made a little more special with friends and loved ones. Here are photos from I ♥ CHRIS Day as promised:

Party kit: color pencils in Chris' favorite shades (green, brown and other army-like colors), fake plastic glasses, picture frames, notebook, little toy soldiers and his childhood pound puppy


First guests to arrive, Neil and Sha :)


The birthday boy in his new Puma shirt from the sis


McDs for everyone along with Boon Tong Kee chicken rice, Old Chang Kee curry puffs and Coke Zeros!


Polaroids with Chris


Birthday candles on Sara Lee pound cakes because he loves them so. Perhaps not so much anymore now that we have 5 loaves in the fridge :D


Proud winners of the Chris lookalike competition: Doreen with her stripey golf top, berms and flip flops and Lilian with her checkered berms and cutout glasses


The party ended pretty early and the morning lasted with cigars and chilled beer...

We ♥ you Chris!

Macarune on I.M. magazine

When I made the decision to move to Singapore I knew I'd be one step closer to KL where I grew up. I had expected to see more of my family, meet up with old friends and start a brand new journey living in Asia. I was certain I'd be with the bf and that I'd get a job working in advertising.

What I never expected was for Macarune to thrive so fast. Imagine, just last year I was still figuring out how to make my recipe work in the humidity!

So when Gwen, old friend from KL and editor of I.M. magazine, approached me for a feature, I was more than ecstatic! Macarune and I have gone through 2 Kitchenaid mixers, 2 North Beach apartments and a comfy house. We're pretty happy with how everything has turned out so far and hope Singapore thinks so too.

A BIG thank you to Gwen for putting this article together, family, friends and Macarune supporters from SF through SG. Looking forward to more exciting journeys and new flavors together!

Click on picture to read more

Click on picture to read more

We heart Chris

Who doesn't?

For the bf's 30th birthday, we're planning an all-about-Chris party. 24 more hours till the big event! Will post photos after :)

Twenty-something non the wiser

I didn't put much thought to my birthday this year and half expected it to whiz by without satiation, much like the long weekend.

But of course, the darling bf did.

First he suggested spending Sunday out looking for anything and everything I ever wanted. Turns out, what I really wanted was to spend time with him :) So we created a wishlist and added a few things to it: a Miu Miu bag, Car Shoe riding boots, ruby red Kate Spade pumps, french toasts and waffles (I ♥ wishlists!). Then decided to settle with waffles. Yum!

When Monday came, a delivery of the silliest, like seriously SILLIEST, looking bouquet I've ever seen arrived bearing the note:

Zuk lei seng yat fai loh. hoi sum hoi sum
Ting yat sek Jaan, ye kar sek dim sum fah :)

From: Sei Bart Gong

In English, translated from fairly broken Cantonese, it read:

Wishing you a happy birthday. Happy. Happy.
Tomorrow eat Jaan. Right now eat dim sum flowers :)

From: Nosy person/more accurately, bastard (in so few words)

It made me laugh so hard, especially knowing that he went through much trouble drafting it. All this, followed by dinner at Jaan and a heart-shaped chocolate cake from one of my favorite bakeries in SG. The smallest gesture, yet sweetest ending to a lovely day.

When I asked the bf later why he chose the dim sum flowers, he said, "Dim sum was always our thing" and I had flashbacks of our SF days. Yes, dim sum was our thing.

Thanks love ♥

And a BIG thank you to everyone who called, texted, posted messages on my FB wall, pinged, wished, sang or shared a slice of cake with me. I'm so lucky to have had the chance to celebrate with you in some form or another :)

Love y'all to bits!

Paddlers Against Limits (P.A.L.S.)

Last weekend, we attended the SDBA-Auschamp 10km Race to watch the bf's sis paddle for the Paddler's Against Limits, P.A.L.S. team. Part of P.A.L.S.' mission is to raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, A.L.S., the little-known disease that affected someone whom we miss dearly.

It was a nice overcast day with no rain. We sold some jerseys, gave away sunny blue balloons, cheered the team on and made a few friends. All in all, a spectacular time!

To find out more about P.A.L.S. join the FB group here>

This makes me laugh every time


The Lau's set up shop


Marcus, the proud donor of $50! *Clap clap* :)

The P.A.L.S. team sets off leaving behind balloons floating in the air


Up!


Say hello to my little friend!


So soft and cuddly, I want one

The bumblebeegrad got stung by a bee tonight

Damn you Murphy's law!

Everything. Just doubled

Yikes! I haven't blogged for 2 weeks now? What's up with that man.

If I were in school now, this wouldn't be happening. I even forgot our anniversary this year (sorry hon!). Major boo boo. I didn't believe it myself, when the bf gently reminded me after work one night, but had mere seconds to ponder the issue before I passed out in bed.

In my defense, we've been moving about a lot these past weeks. Casey and Merlin's wedding was a lovely event that took place in Jakarta. Congrats darlings! And last weekend was all lil sis + family time. I can't believe the lil un is off to college. They grow up so fast don't they? Next weekend is the littlest sis' birthday.

Can you see me running around in circles now?

I actually have a lot to announce, though most have to be kept on the down low *jittery with excitement* So for now, you'll just have to enjoy Casey and Merlin's wedding shots. They're super cute :) More deets here.

A heavenly silver themed event

After almost 15 years of being an item, 3 years since the first proposal in Maldives, 2 weeks of preparation, probably 6 hours of shopping for the right dress(es), 1 ROM and 1 glittery cocktail reception, it finally dawned on us that the long-awaited union of my big sister Vivienne and Danny is for real. Like for real.

I'm not one for toasts and super affectionate speeches during major events (I'm usually the one giggling inappropriately in the background) but it's important this time because it's the first in our family of 4 (giggly) sisters.

So here's a big congratulations to my dear sis and Danny: I wish you both a happy new beginning full of love and excitement, of joy and understanding, and of much togetherness forever after. Love you both!

The beautiful couple at the ROM

Rings, bouquet and pens in hand

Both dads as witnesses

All signed and good, and MARRIED!


I love this photo. My dad was beaming all day long, it was contagious

Family shot. Though because the bf took this one, he wasn't it it :( We'll have to wait for the photos from Viv's friend Kid @his Studio

The Hilton Catering crew and wedding planner Lan doing their thing


A garbage bin full of roses is like art to me :)


There were creamy white roses, hydrangeas, cala lilies and more white flowers that bloom in the night


Mom, sis and me


It rained when we arrived at the reception...


We helped set up the favors


Dad putting his shorthand to good use


The guest book


...and scented candle favors


The spread


The bubbly


The cake


The floral arrangements


The bride


The moms

The Addam's Family (??!)

The party. Can you spot the bride and groom?


Viv and Danny entertaining guests who were all dressed in white and silver

Cousin Fay doing Viv's hair

Chris playing with the lil' munchkin from Monster's Inc.


Isn't the resemblance uncanny? She even sounds like the cartoon

Cousin Fay, who is due for a Leo baby next month

Cousin Vilmos bringing out the homemade treats: lavender and vanilla bean macarons

The best man's speech


Money shot


Money shot II


Proud dads


Cake slicing ceremony! Yum

Silly billies whom I adore

Dad and the bf having a heart-to-heart

A fallen star

Love you sis! Hope you have a good rest after all that wedding craziness :)