Shedding blood as ink: December 2014

Dear Diary,

This has been a perfect month, the perfect December with the perfect Christmas and the perfect closure to the 2014 year. Thank the Deities and all that has been a part of this year, or blessing this year. We all get rid of the bad things to make room for the good things, at any point in time hence it is not necessary to wait till Spring to do the "cleaning".

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2014/12/visit-to-madam-tussauds-museum-sentosa.html

So, there was the continual break in which movies, high-teas, cafes, etc were visited, along with myriad of shopping accomplished. There were also things that I had to settle for the new company - applying for registered addresses, getting the name cards, business templates etc. Pretty exhilarating stuff, but exciting - a new learning curve.

Then there was the happy occasion in the family in which we welcomed a new member into the house and I gained a sister-in-law. My felicitations to the newly-wed couple!

So, since the relatives came out to Singapore, I had to do a bit of hosting throughout the course of their stay and played tour guide. I am not complaining - I do enjoy hosting overseas guests.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2014/12/maneuvering-malaysia-malacca-trip.html

Next came a short vacation into Malacca in which I got to visit the Peranakan museum, eat chicken rice balls and cheese prawn beehoon - just simply relaxing and basking in the lovely Christmas lights of the Portuguese homes there.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2014/12/dinner-at-equinox-swisshotel-stamford.html

Following that, it was The Beau's birthday, in which we celebrated at the really scenic Equinox, enjoying delicious dinner with a stunning view looming in front of us.

Oh, yeah, the marital status changed as well, and now I am engaged :)
We had the authentic, conventional method of doing the surprise proposal before discussing about house, wedding packages, banquet venues etc.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2014/12/christmas-get-together-2014-at-prive.html

And as it was closer to Christmas , there were the annual gatherings over meals with the different groups of good friends for catching up and gifts exchange. Somehow, over the years, the notion of exchanging physical gifts itself seems more and more like a tradition to abide by, but the true gifts seem to be the precious friendship instead.

In between it all, there was the Dong Zhi aka Winter Solstice, in which one commences surviving of winter itself. Hence, we had the usual tradition at home, including eating of Tang Yuan (glutinous rice balls)

Followed by another very lovely visit by the Bestie and her Hubby, both hailing from Canada.... we had so much fun catching up, hanging out and having drinks at swanky joints.

Finally, it was the long-awaited Christmas Eve. Before that, the usual December tradition would be the rounds of must-have food items such as fruitcake, eggnog, logcake, turkey, gingerbread men, etc. There would be visiting malls and all to take photos of beautiful Christmas lights, listening to of carols, reading of Christmas issues of magazines and books etc.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2014/12/buffet-breakfast-at-cafe-brios-grand.html

Then a delicious Christmas Day brunch at Café Brio's after an early morning swim - the place we spent our Christmas Eve this year.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2014/12/boxing-day-tea-break-hatter-street.html

Time flies, and I cannot believe that Christmas is over so fast- that is my most loved festival of the entire year. Anyway, Boxing Day was spent with some girlfriends catching up at Hatter Street Café.

There have been a lot of food tastings this month itself - check out some of the reviews here:-
(i) The Square @ Novotel Clarke Quay
(ii) Ramen Isshi @ One Raffles Place
(iii) Shi Fu Korean BBQ @ Peace Centre
(iv) Outback Steakhouse @ Millenia Walk

Preparing for the brand New Year, and welcoming it, along with a new set of resolutions and new beginnings. I am excited at what 2015 would entail.

To end the entry off, I would like to share 13 of my favourite Photos of the Year - one for each month of 2014: