2008 CNY reunion dinner at United Square.

Yesterday 14 person turn up for this year's reunion dinner. My son did not attend because last night he sleep in our bedroom and had a fever this morning due to the air conditioner. Ah Mun and V Keen also did not turn up. My younger brother came alone without bringing his son or wife.

Younger brother changes his mind.

My younger brother changes his mind and telephone me in the morning at about 9.05am to tell me that he had recovered from diarrhoea and is able to attend this evening reunion dinner after all.
When I hear that my heart sank. Not because I don't wish him to attend but I feels a bit pissed off because he had told me last Sunday that he is unable to attend but now changes his mind.

Anyway I told him to get ready and wait for me below his flat at 5pm for me to pick him up.
I am a bit reluctant but have no choice. I think he was looking forward to the "Hong Bao" that we might give to him and the sumptuous buffet dinner that he seldom have the chance to eat.

Youngest brother decline my invitation to attend CNY reunion dinner.

Youngest brother call my hand phone in the morning on 20/1/2008 to tell me that he is not attending this year's CNY reunion dinner. When I ask him why, he tells me he is having diarrhoea and so afraid that he would have to look for toilet at the restaurant next Saturday.

I was like, huh? you got diarrhoea today but worry about next Saturday?. How long are you going to have this diarrhoea?

Anyway, I did not ask further and just says "OK" and hang up the call.

Since he is not willing to attend this reunion dinner and decided to give me a stupid excuses, I will just accept his decision. I am not going to beg him like last year because I had already done my part to invite him to our family's reunion gathering.

Transferring of petrol from bike to car


Since the price of petrol was sky high, I have been transferring petrol from my bike to my car. The price of petrol in Malaysia is RM1.92 per liter whereas in Singapore it is S$1.90 per liter. With the exchange rate at S$1 to RM2.30, I am actually paying less than half the price for petrol even after incorporating the toll charges on both sides. I save about S$80 per months on petrol.

I am using a plastic pump costing S$1.50 bought from a DIY shop and a 5 liter plastic container to transfer petrol. First I suck the petrol from my bike into the container and then I suck it into my car. This way I know how much petrol I transfer each time because the container capacity is 5 liter.

The only downside is when I am transferring the petrol, people give me a weird look as though I am stealing petrol or I am being so low class. Therefor nowadays I transfer the petrol in the afternoon on weekdays, usually on Friday after I woke up.

I have no other choice because the standard of living is so high and I have to save whenever possible. In fact our home air conditioner setting was increase from 25 degrees Celsius to 26 degree Celsius to cut down on our electricity bill.

Melvin our wine "specialist" preparing wine for us to taste.

Our wine glasses and mineral water for tasting our wine.

The conference room where the wine tasting was held

Wine tasting at Yew Tee CC last night with Diana

We were late last night because Diana over slept when she took a nap in the afternoon at 6pm. We were suppose to be there earlier because she have to help out in the preparation for the event. Anyway I woke he up at 7pm and we rush to Yew Tee CC.
However everybody was late when we arrive at 7.50pm. There are still people who are suppose to attend but haven't arrive yet. What a relief.

Wai Kiat reading his school book.

First time seeing him take out a book to read on the sofa.
But about half an hour later, he put away his book and switch on the TV to watch..... *sigh*

An hour later he went to sleep on his mattress. Mind you, that is just about four hours after he woke up in the morning....... *faint*

CNY reunion dinner preparation.

Received a call from younger brother in the morning at around 10.30am while I was asleep. Woke up and check the display and found that it was from him and pick up the call. He wanted to ask me how to solve his computer problem because had just bought a computer and wanted to watch YouTube but got a error message asking him to install Java software or something. I told him that I don't know how to solve his problem because whenever I have problem with my computer, I use to call a repair man to solve it for me unless it is very basic problem.
Then when he wanted to hang up the phone, I ask him whether he is coming to the reunion dinner that I organize on the 26/1/2008. He immediately tell me that only he is coming. I felt relief that he find this function meaningful and wanted to attend. I think he is looking forward to this dinner since he came last year because he can have a good meal and some "Hong Bao" money to spend.

Chinese New Year Reunion dinner arrangement

Officially informed all members of my family of the bookings at the restaurant on the 26 January 2008 and request all those who can make it to be present at the restaurant before 6.00pm so that our reserved table will not be taken up by others.
I did not force everyone to attend but instead request those who can make it to attend.

I also tell them that as usual I had invited our youngest brother and his family to attend this year reunion dinner and stress that I will pay for their bill if they were to attend.
This is to let them know that they do not need to bare the extra cost of his family because some of them thinks that $36.80 per person is expensive.

After sending out the invitation, 2nd sister Helen and Sister Har reply OK. Sister Har reply that she will be coming with her husband and daughter because her son is in re-service.

It is extremely difficult to organize when there are so many people involve because everyone have their own opinion and expectation. Some people wants food that are cheap and good, while some people wants places that are near to their home for convenient sake. And then there are people who are plain lazy to do anything. I almost give up organizing such gathering but if I don't come out to do something then nobody will. Just like last time when I keep quiet and say nothing then Chinese New Year come and go without any event at all. Everybody just care for themself and don't even bother to give a Ang Bao to the children of each family. Although it is very bothersome, I will still organize this event once a year to gather everyone around to meet each other. Just like what Diana says, when I passed away, then this tradition will also stop completely.

I am not sure how many will attend but hope more can make it for this once a year gathering.

2008 CNY reunion dinner booking

This year Diana suggested a buffet restaurant call VIENNA International Seafood & Teppanyaki Buffet Restaurant at United Square, Thomson road just outside "Novena" MRT.

We went to this restaurant to check it out on 29/12/2007 Saturday and found the food quite good. However the price for dinner during weekend/public holiday is more expensive at $36.80 per person. The ambience of this place is also much better than the place we held our reunion dinner last year.

I decided on 26/1/2008 Saturday and immediately send out sms messages to all family members to ask for their approval.
However only Kar Yee, Har, Karen & V Keen reply. I have to call up elder brother and 2nd sister on the phone to ask for their opinion. 2nd sister feels that the price is expensive while elder brother have no objection but just wanted to take his own sweet time doing things at his own pace. Really cannot stand his attitude.

We decided to book a table first because Chinese New Year is next month at the 7th Feb 2008 which is one month away.
I book a table for 18 person for dinner at 6.00pm at 26/1/2008 and place a deposit of $50.
I will wait till next Saturday for their reply and then inform them that I had book a table for this year reunion dinner.