Happy New Year!!

It seems only proper that I post something on the first day of 2009. I'm not sure why. It was still a hectic day for me on the first day of 2009. Still much shopping to be done for Chinese New Year (have to do the Kiasu thing since the sale ends on the 4th) and of course school opening. I was out all day from 11am until 10pm. But last night was a blast. We opted to head out to the Curve where they had their annual countdown carnival/concert/fireworks thing but mainly because of Rynn Lin.

We went in around 6pm. Did a bit of shopping and had dinner while we waited for the concert to begin at around 8.30pm. There was a host of local artists but we were there to see Rynn Lin who happens to be a favourite of my daughter and wife. When he was escorted pass us by security, my wife jumped out and waved in front of his face while screaming his name!

I was afraid of 2 things then. First, she may have been wrestled to the ground or she may injure herself thinking she is still 17. But Rynn was really cool. He just smiled and was kinda amused with this "girl" jumping in front of him. There were other artists which were actually not bad and I feel kinda guilty not taking the trouble to know our own singers. Anyhoo, the concert went right up to midnight, we had our normal countdown, then the hugging, fireworks and all those queasy SMSs wishing you well from people who normally wouldn't call you but will send you these SMSs just to fulfill an obligation, making you guilty and you crack your head trying to figure out a reply, even if you don't know who sent you those messages.






So the only real winners are the telco operators who make a killing during festive seasons on SMS revenue. It was an interesting situation at the Curve. They sealed off the roads to accommodate the building of the stage but then lots of people didn't know how to get it since there was no signs to route you. So when we were came in, there were lots of parking spaces and very little people at the mall. It was very weird ro know there's a party happening later but hardly anyone's around. Most people came a lot later and parked by the roads outside.

We had steamboat dinner at the Pulau Ketam steamboat restaurant at Ikano. I found it to be very relaxing and quaint. We each had our own pot to cook our "ration" from the set we ordered but the soup was good, adequate and service was not bad. So it was a reasonable dinner since most places were packed with set menus that cost half my retirement fund. We rather enjoyed it and took a very leisurely stroll to Baskin Robbins, finished our dessert and got a seat with a great view of the stage.

As Rynn Lim was leaving after the concert, Melissa and Mandy again jumped in front of him and this time he waved at Melissa and patted Mandy on the head, smiling graciously and said "Happy New Year!". Mandy hasn't washed her hair yet. So it was a good day for Melissa and Mandy, coming up close and personal with their favourite singer and he was really a great guy for a celebrity.

We took about an hour to get home from the Curve. Getting out of the parking lot took about 10 minutes but then everywhere was jammed up. My cousin KLY took 2 hours just to get out of the parking lot. So the girls were still talking about Rynn Lin's expression and how he smiled, etc. Mike and I just fell on the bed and were knocked out within 10 seconds. For the new year, just remember not to send me any well wishing SMSs. Send me money instead and I will pat your head to wish you well! Happy New Year readers and God Bless!!!