It takes a long time to grow an old friend (retake old photos)

During my recent Chinese New Year gathering with a bunch of very dear old friends (most of them since kindergarten/primary school), we decided to go down memory lane by retaking some old photos. 

Photo taken in a studio in the early 90s

From 3 innocent girls to 3 matured women. How time flies!

We went back to our primary school for a reunion party in 1984. 

Close to 40 years of friendship means we can afford to be stupid with each other.

2 of our old friends were absent from this photo (one was back in JB), hence their space were filled in by 2 friends' spouses.

We even skyed our dear friend in JB and sang her our favorite songs of yesteryears.

We have good singers and guitarist. Our gathering is always filled with laughter and songs. I really can't ask for more.

The best thing is, our wonderful friendship has extended to the next generation - our children. They have joined so many of our gatherings throughout the years, sharing and cherishing those precious moments together. 

photo taken in 2011

Cheers to more good years.

It really takes a long long time to grow this bunch of old friends.

"I count myself in nothing else so happy, 

as in a soul remembering my good friends." - 

William Shakespeare

Friends Forever.

Forever young...at heart

 I Love You All!

友誼萬歲！

Happy Valentine's Day

Photo taken in Taiwan in Nov 2012

We wanted to copy a scene from our favorite movie -
"那些年，我們一起追的女孩"

We met each other when we were 16.
This year our eldest boy is 16.

How time flies. 想起“那些年”。。。

Glad that our marriage is still on the right track :-)

But Valentine's day is no longer that significant to us. There is no more candlelight dinner nor roses on this occasion.

That's because I know I have found my Perfect Valentine - a true gentleman who is very loving and caring. Even though he seldom says "I love you" , he never fails to show how much he loves me and the family.

Every day is a Valentine's day if you have found the one you truly love.

Happy Valentine's Day.

First family trip to Taiwan 台湾之旅

In November last year, we had our very first family trip to Taiwan. In the past, this country was not my preferred vacation destination. However, after being convinced by many that it is a wonderful country to visit, we finally decided to book a flight there. 

Instead of joining group tour, we opted for private tour guide cum driver (車導）for a more carefree & relaxed trip. After a few emails on itinerary and price, we were ready for the trip!

慈濟(Tzu Chi) is my favourite buddhist organization. Our tour guide cum driver purposely drove us to see a few of the Tzu Chi landmarks in 花蓮。I'm grateful to him. 感恩。

My MIL enjoyed the trip very much. She said it was very relaxing.

We are fortunate to have Peter - a good tour guide cum driver with a big and comfortable MPV. We are satisfied with all the inns/hotels recommended by his team, especially 七星海民宿 in 花蓮 (clean and nice, and within walking distance to the beach) and 川湯養生館 in 礁溪 (do bring swim wear if you want to try the hot spring)。

We spent the last 3 nights  in Taipei without Peter. We put up in Just Sleep 捷絲旅 - a clean, nice and modern hotel conveniently located in Ximending. We booked two rooms with 3 single beds, and the rooms are spacious enough and the beds are very clean and comfortable! There is a washing machine and ironing board (FOC) in one of the floors but I was too lazy to use it.

Another wonderful & unforgetable family trip :-)

The places we visited：

日月潭(搭船游湖)/青青草原 - 武嶺合歡山/太魯閣峽谷/砂卡礑步道/七星潭/花蓮 - 清水斷崖/南方澳/宜蘭傳統藝術中心/羅東夜市/礁溪 - 金瓜石黃金博物園區/野柳地質公園/九份 - 台北自由行 (my favourite is 故宮博物館）