My 2011 Revelry

I sat alone on the sofa watching the countdown to the new year on TV last night. Watching it alone was as thrilling as watching the clock ticking on the wall.

When the clock stroke twelve and the brilliant, eight-minute fireworks blasted in the skies over Marina Bay wowed everyone, witnessing the New Year celebrations alone created not even a spark in this living room.


It is true. However wonderful it is, but if you cannot share it with the people you care or love, it does not really amount to anything.

Wifey was fast asleep in the bedroom. She is not a late "nighter." Lack of sleep is her kryptonite. She turned it just before eleven claiming "my eyes are not willing to cooperate!"

So too was Sonny. He can pull an "all-nighter" but was soundly in dreamland since half past ten. Now that he has reverted back to his school-day sleeping time regime, the latest he is allowed to stay up late... only because of school projects or homework, is eleven o'clock. He had enough fun during his month-long December school holiday.

I switched from channel to channel but nothing interesting was on... on New Year! Well, probably most people are reveling out or in parties somewhere, so no reason for good shows to be aired to waste, I guess.

Last night was one of the most boring New Year celebration I had in recent memory. Even the little children were having a blast downstairs when I looked out the window and saw families in the courtyard garden playing sparklers and flashes from their cameras.


Reluctantly, I went to bed before the first hour of the New Year was up. Then again, I got woken-up several times by the passing revelers downstairs in the wee hours of the morning. Not at all an exciting start to 2011... my rant post 2011 countdown.

Woke up early this morning and did my morning prayers. I went back to sleep to wake up to a sunny new day, full of potential, I felt. I over to Wifey, still sweet in slumber land.

Looking out of the window, the sky was blue as the morning sun shone on my face. The birds were chirping... promising a beautiful day. I was happy and content.

The day turned out to be cloudy but hey, there I was having a picnic on the beach with Wifey. Wished Sonny could join us but I think he was having a blast at the New Year's barbecue with his classmates and teachers over in Simei.

Wifey knows my simple pleasures... a day at the beach was all it took for me to be happy. Simple pleasures means, a packed meal consisting of Kampong fried rice and Tom Yam Soup, hot Teh Tarik and lots of snacks as we spent our time as a couple at Changi Beach Park. Our version of New Year celebrations of sorts.

Wifey and I talked about so many things... topics ranging from our childhood days to the latest happenings, like her trip with Sonny to Kuala Lumpur and Perak a few weeks ago, together with the entourage of her whole family of just over thirty people!

Listening to the CD she bought from her trip, Her latest favourite Lebanon artist who is very big in Malaysia currently.

We even installing Viber on our iPhones and testing the free online chats together. We stayed well into the evening and left just before half past nine!

Before we headed home, we took a stroll around the shops at Changi Village.

There I met an old army camp mate who just got off the boat from a day trip to Pulau Ubin. It had been more than ten years since we met! He was with his teenage son, both were holding a fishing rod each.

There too, I met my old neighbour, a childhood friend from the village. For the first time, I met him together with his wife and two children.

Wow! Has time passed us by or what?! Talk about "Auld Lang Syne!"