On 29 September, I turned……..um, well just say it was the last of the 20s for me if you know what I mean
It was just like any normal weekday but I was a little more cheerful knowing it was my special day. Greeted by the many birthday messages on Facebook, it made me smile more.
I remembered when I turned 9, my parents threw me a birthday party in a fast food restaurant and invited many of my school friends. There were games, fried food, soft drinks, games, a cake and many presents. As I grew older my birthdays become more and more quiet and some years I don’t even get a cake.
This year Terry asked if I would like a cake and I said sure, but not on my actual birthday because it’s no fun eating a cake by myself!
We haven’t invited anyone over for dinner properly since we moved into the new place so I thought, let’s invite some friends over for a simple birthday cum housewarming get-together. I whipped up a simple meal for 10 people including ourselves.
I enjoyed every part of it – the cooking and preparing, the company and food and of course my cake! You gotta love cake. Although I had to go through the awkward birthday song before devouring the cake, it was still worth it. I have always felt the weirdest part of a birthday celebration is the song singing part, where everybody sings while you stand there….waiting for them to finish! Do you ever feel that way?
Anyway, it was a lovely evening. It wasn’t so much of my birthday and gifts, but really the warm and fuzzy feeling when you know you have friends around you. To me, that is the best birthday gift ever
Contemplating between watching the Rugby World Cup (RWC) opening ceremony at Eden Park being telecast live on TV at home or at the Queen’s Wharf near Viaduct with thousands and thousands of others on a super big screen, I chose the former and said “No” to my friend Serene as she asks for the last time if I wanted to join her before she leaves the office……..I ended up changing my mind 20 minutes after that and called up Serene to meet in town.
I thought the fact that I happen to be in Auckland during such a major sports event is a good enough reason to not miss the fever.
A very crowded Queen Street
This is my first time attending a mass party since years ago when I went to Kuala Lumpur city centre for the 2003 New Year’s countdown party and fireworks.
I could already feel the excitement as I walked with hundreds and hundreds of Rugby fans making their way down Queen Street to the waterfront. Many of them with flags, face paint, wigs, costumes and really really loud cheers. It was only 4.00pm.
By 5.00pm, my friends and I were standing in the middle of thousands, packed like sardines in front of a big screen waiting for the live telecast at 7.30pm. The crowd was still growing.
Rugby fans
Police chased off people from the roof of a nearby hut. They ignored the police and kept waving their flags! Many fans were screaming out country names. Then other fans screamed out their own country names in retaliation. The screaming continued for a while. We snapped pictures of ourselves. A woman flashed her titties from the balcony of another building. We stood there in the middle of all the craziness for hours and starving!
The police chasing people off the roof
(I do realise that I am writing about a major event and I have only 3 pictures from my mobile phone to post. Some blogger I am!)
After a few songs by the live band and a Haka dance performance, it was time for the opening ceremony! All eyes were locked on the screen.
It was beautifully done. I thought the Maori culture and history was woven nicely into the ceremony. I especially loved the rich and lively projection on the floor, the dance formations and of course the powerful Haka performance. More cheers and screams from people.
Here’s the video (in 4 parts):
I thought the RWC anthem wasn’t strong enough to match the energy of the ceremony. The loud music was drowning out the local singer’s voice. But overall it was a spectacular affair.
Then there were fireworks from where we were standing. They were everywhere, I literally didn’t know where to look. Two men were marching down vertically from the building in front of my eyes. On wires of course! Choir singing from the balcony. Performances in different places around Auckland. More fireworks. It was all very grand!
I took zero pictures or videos of fireworks because I know I can find better ones on You Tube. And the best one is of course from TVNZ
After all was done, we braved through the crowds back onto Queen Street to find food!
Fortunately for us, we got out quick enough. There were reports of the crowd getting a little crazy towards the end with people falling and getting stepped on! I saw at least 5 ambulances throughout the course of that night. I hope no one was seriously hurt.
Anyhow, I am glad I went. And later that night, the All Blacks won their first RWC match against Tonga.
What makes a perfect Civil Union? White laced veils? Long white dress with a long train? Rose petals and flowers? Traditional wedding march?
For our dear flatmates Hannah and Murray’s Civil Union that Terry and I had the honour of attending, they had bubbles in place of rose petals and the theme song to Bubble Bobble instead of the wedding march. Hannah had on a pretty yellow dress in place of a white gown and made her own lovely bouquet of crocheted yellow and white roses.
I must clarify that Hannah and Murray had made the choice to have a Civil Union instead of a Marriage because Hannah was raised (and I quote) “to treat everyone as equals regardless of gender, ideology, ethnicity or sexuality”. To put things in perspective, in New Zealand, a Civil Union is a law binding contract between any two individuals regardless of gender, while a marriage (also a law binding contract) is only recognised between two individuals of opposite gender. I thought her non-discriminatory views and stand was extremely laudable.
Hannah and the bridesmaids rides
It was a very beautiful and personal ceremony, held in a little chapel at Corban’s Estate, Henderson. The theme of their Civil Union was of the popular online game that both Murray and Hannah enjoyed, Bubble Bobble! Hannah used the game’s cute theme song with her bridemaids blowing bubbles while she walked down the aisle. It was very “Hannah & Murray”
The bridesmaids
The groomsmen
As they read out their vows, I felt my eyes well up with tears. Their love and compatibility with each other shone through brightly as they stood in front of the crowd, gazing at each other’s eyes. After the vows, came the part where they read out pre-written verses – the “for richer or poorer” and “in sickness and in health” part. Only it was “for richer and more richer” and “in injury and allergies” instead! No seriously, that was what they read out, how cute! Then they kissed and sealed the deal.
The reception was held a few hours later at a community hall 15 minutes drive from the chapel. Terry and I were one of the first guests to arrive so we had the priviledge to go around taking photographs of the table settings, complete with name tags, lovely crocheted petals scattered across the tables and beautifully wrapped favours at each seat. And then there was the wedding cake that Hannah put together and decorated herself! Complete with cute Bubble Bobble characters made out of icing! Is she the most awesome bride or what?
Shortly after the newly-weds arrived, the speeches and toasts began and my, the tears started coming again! It was an incredibly warm and personal reception, one I had never experienced before although I have attended numerous Malaysian wedding dinners in the past. Somehow, Hannah and Murray made it very unique and personal…..very “Hannah and Murray” indeed. It was wonderful.
The food and dessert at the buffet was aplenty and delicious too! The highlight of the night was of course Hannah and Murray’s first dance, in which they danced to 80s disco pop! And it was fantastic! I think Hannah and Murray proved that if you put your heart to it, you can make the most perfect wedding receptions sans fancy dress and makeup or over-the-top venue decorations. This is by far the most fabulous and truly enjoyable wedding-dinner experience I have ever had.
Hannahs handmade bouquet
Here’s wishing you both eternal happiness Hannah and Murray…!
*All photographs taken by Terry, I can’t shoot for the life of me
Every summer, usually during the months of February and March, Auckland City Council organises free movie screenings in parks – Movies in Parks. This year, it’s dubbed Movies by Moonlight. Since Terry is not much of a movies person, I invited Jann to join me for the screening of the critically acclaimed New Zealand made movie “Boy” at Monte Cecelia Park. “Boy” was released in year 2010 and received much positive attention and high praises during both Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals. Jann and I have also heard numerous good reviews about this local film. We were eager to watch it for ourselves at the park.
Armed with a bedsheet as our picnic mat cum blanket, we arrived at Monte Cecelia Park by 6.30pm with our dinner and proceeded to pick a nice spot in front of the huge screen. Somehow I forgot my camera. I had to make do with my old Sony Ericsson phone built-in camera. Please excuse the bad quality photos in this post….
Monte Cecelia Park
The park is beautiful, spacious and in my opinion, very suitable for movie screening because it’s slope-y layout. Somewhat like a coliseum. I noticed stalls selling ice cream, kettle corn (popcorn) and hot coffee set up next to the screen. A row of portable toilets were also set up behind the screen.
Ice cream, popcorn, coffee and free L&P!
Toilets
Several groups of people were already there having their dinners. By 7.00pm, a DJ started entertaining us with music while waiting for the movie to start by sunset. Jann and I on the other hand, made ourselves comfortable and were happily enjoying our dinner of fried chicken and chips.
Jann and I
Yummy fried chicken and chips
The crowd started to swarm in by 7.30pm. By then everyone were given L & P drinks (a special Kiwi soft drink) and Arnott’s Shapes Sensations biscuits for free!! What a way to start the evening! After we were done with dinner, we bought ice creams (always yes for ice cream!) and were given free Yo-yos As we make our way back to our spot, a lady came over and said, “Would you like to have some free toys?” Why yes of course! Yayy to more freebies! It feels good to be treated like kids and we were beaming with joy
Freebies!!
More freebies!!
Always yes for ice cream
The movie started at 8.30pm. It got pretty chilly during the screening, luckily I brought an extra scarf to use as a wrap around and the bedsheet was good as “feet warmers” for both of us.
The crowd
Keeping feet warm
Our view
Yep, that's Michael Jackson on the screen
“Boy” is a coming to age comedy-drama set in year 1984 New Zealand. It revolves around an 11-year old Maori boy, nick-named “Boy”, his obsession with Michael Jackson and how he views and imagines his father as his hero; even though in real life, his father is just a criminal and a gangster who was never there for him and his little brother, Rocky. Or as the Maori people put it, “He’s an egg”.
The 86-minute movie is very light and enjoyable but very touching at the same time. I feel that it captured the essence of being an 11- year-old kid in a small Kiwi town very well even though I am not a local. Taika Waititi did an excellent job as the writer, producer, director and also the actor playing Boy’s father in the movie. Awesome actors, pleasant story and humorous scenes, I give it double thumbs up! Would love to watch it again.
Here is the movie trailer, check it out!
Jann and I went home two very happy kids at about 10.00pm that night with heaps of freebies
“Inception” will be showing at another park on 18 March, I’m definitely planning to go.
It was the second day (chor 2) of Chinese New Year (CNY) and also a Friday. Terry and I have planned to prepare a special CNY dinner for our Kiwi flatmates Hannah and Murray. I have decided to make the traditional CNY vegetarian dish (zhai-choy), a vegetable stir-fry, pork stew and of course, Yee Sang (Rainbow Raw Fish Salad)….!!
In accordance with CNY culture, I have asked everyone to wear something red for dinner that night. The highlight of the dinner was the Yee Sang which we insisted that Hannah and Murray join us to toss the salad as high as possible while shouting prosperous CNY greetings.
In case you were wondering why Terry and I were laughing most of the time or if you were trying to make out what Hannah and Murray were rambling about….Terry had prepared a list of typical CNY greetings, complete with parody translations and Cantonese pin-yin which we asked them to blurt out non-stop during the low-sang! It was good fun
After dinner, Hannah won us all over in a game of Monopoly!
Lots of laughter, lots of warmth and lots of fun are some of the phrases I would use to describe our little CNY party that night. Thanks Hannah and Murray for making us feel like CNY at home!
Wishing everyone year year got fish…..haha! (年年有余 – May you always get more than you wish for every year.)
Christmas in the Park is here again! This is the time of year when heaps and heaps and heaps of Kiwis come to the Auckland Domain for a nice picnic and free concert. Concert starts at 7.30pm but people come as early as 5.00pm to pick a nice picnic spot. With mats, tents, camping chairs, blankets and all!
This is actually the second time I have attended this concert. The first time was back in 2008, my how time flies. So…..this time around, I was more prepared. I don’t have a picnic mat so I brought an old bedsheet. Beers for Terry, water, camping chair, 2 packets of chips and some roast potatoes and mussels packed into a lunch box. And off we went, arriving at 6.00pm. Our car was parked 15 minutes walk away, far far away from the domain to avoid jams or carparks that charge like $10!
The huge Christmas tree
As Terry and I walk into the domain, it was already 50% filled. Especially around the stage vicinity, it was packed! Guess everyone was eager to catch a glimpse of their favorite local artistes peforming that night. Well, since good sound systems i.e. huge speakers were set all around, we decided to settle for a spot really far away but strategic in a sense we could view the entire field. And we’re near the portable toilets *wink* I also noticed police patrols, st john ambulance booths and also an enormous “Lost Kids” balloon….just in case….
Our spot
There were food stalls selling chips, hot dogs, doughnuts, pizza, candy floss and drinks. Judging from the number of people there, the queue at the stalls were actually not that long. Not surprising as I saw many brought bags and boxes of food supply from home, me included. Everyone was getting cosy at their little spot eating snacks and laughing with friends. It was a very nice ambience.
Things started to get crazier as more people swarmed in. Our spot wasn’t that bad as we were not in the “middle”. We couldn’t get in touch with a friend who’s suppose to meet us because the Vodafone appears to have jammed. Yes folks, I realised that this happends in New Zealand too. I remember how Maxis sucks during each festive season, You have to send your greetings 2 or 3 days earlier.
The stage and the crowd
The concert started off with live performances of christmas songs – Silent Night, The First Noel etc. As it was summer, the domain was not dark even when it was over 8pm. Makes you want to stay and stay and stay enjoying the songs. Yes, in New Zealand, we get summer christmas instead of white christmas.
We decided to leave as it started to get more crowded. Shortly after we left, my friend’s texts started arriving saying she was in the middle of the crowd near the stage, it was crazy and she rather not “fight” her way through to join us. Poor thing….
Next year I’ll make it a point to stay until the closing…with Santa on the sleigh and fireworks.
