We had quite a number of visitors this year…

(Seated, from left) Me, Tshin, Sabrina, Michelle, Yunxin, Mum, Yee Jie and Minn. (Front) Jessie and Ching.

(From left) Jessie, Errol, Sylwyn and Wen Jie.

(Seated, from left) Me, Pang, Wen Bin, Trisha, Carol and Elgene. (Front) Jessie.

(Back row, from left) Auntie Mary, Uncle William, me, Jessie, Dad, Kah Hao and Kah Kit. (Front row) Kah Mun, Mum and Michelle.

Visited a few friends and had a few dinners as well…

Jessie’s place. (From left) Me, Jessie, Dad (holding Carlos), Mum (holding Gabbie), Michelle and Jessie’s Mum (holding Dexter).

Wen Bin’s place. (Back row) Pang, Wen Bin and his Mum. (Seated, from left) Carol, Elgene, me and Jessie.

Elgene’s place. (From left) Pang, Carol, Elgene, me, Jessie, Trisha and Wen Bin.

Pang’s place. (From left) Pang, Elgene, Carol, Trisha, Wen Bin, Jessie and I.

Imperial Treasure Teochew Cuisine. (From left) Jessie, Chee Nin, me and Edmund.

The Coffee Connoisseur. (From left) Me, Jessie, Chee Nin and Edmund.

Ichiban Boshi. (From left) Sylwyn, Wen Jie, me, Jessie and Errol.

That pretty much sums up Chinese New Year 2012 for me :)

Photo album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sukianto/sets/72157629171846639

We chose our unit a couple of months ago. 19th floor, unit no. 68. #19-68.

And for the second time (the first was during flat selection), we were informed that we must be legally married by December 2014, otherwise we’ll lose the 5% down payment.

I said something which surprised the customer service officer.

Customer Service Officer: This is a joint tenancy agreement. Chris, please sign here, and Jessie, over here.
Me: So if we get a divorce later on. It’s 50/50?
Jessie: *silence*
Customer Service Officer: *stares at me for a moment* Urm… yes. It’s 50/50.
Me: Ok. Thanks.
Customer Service Officer: I’m sorry but this is the first time anyone has asked me this question.
Me: It is an uncertain world out there. Just got to be aware of the… different scenarios.
Customer Service Officer: I understand.

I will never regret asking that question, even though it shocked the both of them. It will never be my intention to get divorced, but I just had to know what WILL happen.

On the other hand, Jessie no longer has to wonder when I will get down on my knees. It will definitely be between now and 2014. The question is… when?

Two paracetamol tablets will do the trick.

He was only ten. Why is this kid wasting his precious childhood in the gym when he could be out there exploring the world? This wasn’t a community gym, so there was nobody at all to guide him… and he was there all alone, every single night, walking his ass off.

I’m not a gym instructor. I’m not qualified to teach. But I feel that doing something partially correct is much better than doing something totally wrong… and I do know a tiny bit about fat loss.

So tonight, I pulled him off the treadmill. I told him I had a workout in mind which would take him only 12 minutes to complete. He smiled and seemed very interested. It was a High Intensity Interval Training workout.

I made him get on the stationary bike and cycle normally for 1 minute 30 seconds. At the end of it, I made him cycle as fast as he could for 30 seconds. That was 1 set. His goal tonight was to do 6 sets, which would take 12 minutes.

Every time he was about to move on to the “sprint” phase, I would yell stuff like “someone’s chasing you, cycle faster!” or “close your eyes and you can go faster!” He cycled as fast as he could, as if his life depended on the workout.

At the end of the workout, he was dripping buckets. His heart rate shot up to 170+. He gave a thumbs up and told me that was the most intense workout he had ever experienced. It was easy enough for a young boy like him to execute and he told he will definitely come back to do this at least three times a week.

He gave me his widest smile and a thunderous high five, before packing up to head home.

I feel a lot happier. I want to see him lose weight.

Diet? Let’s leave it till he’s seen some results first.

Dinner and drinks at Overeasy.

(From left) Jacky, Han Wei, Hansel, Kelvin, Jingsong, David, Jensen, me, Seng Yew, Zijie and Jason.

Followed by even more drinks at a Thai disco, Sin Rak Thai.

(From left) Seng Yew, Wen Bin, me, Kelvin, Pang, Jingsong, Zijie and Jason.

Ippudo Tao. (From left) Pang, Wen Bin, me and Jessie.

Followed by drinks at Brussels Sprouts.

Brussels Sprouts. Pang.

View from the peak.

(From left) Hendra, Shi Lei, Xiu Min, Jessie and I.

Sunset view from the peak.

Photo album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sukianto/sets/72157628774911381

Hendra R. Photography specializes in capturing the tender moments between loved ones using available natural light. We, humans, don’t fidget as much as our dogs and because of that, we understand such shoots involving animals are way more difficult to execute. Moreover, at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on a weekend with lots of human and dog traffic, we were mentally prepared for the worst.

To be honest, we wanted to get the outdoor shoot over and done with, fast. Especially on an unbelievably hot afternoon like this, he was quick enough to save all of us (including the three dogs) from melting in the scorching sun. His valuable assistant, Shi Lei, did a fantastic job setting up the scene, tending to our needs (i.e. helping us with our bags, providing water and tissue paper) and ushering us around.

Jessie and I were both pretty much fascinated at how Hendra managed to capture the right shots at the right time. It was simple for him… He was very fast on the trigger. He knew exactly what he wanted in a photo. His instructions were very clear.

We were so impressed by their skill and professionalism that we have already booked them for our upcoming family portrait shoots!

If you’re interested in checking out their photography services, you can reach them (Mr. Hendra and Ms. Shi Lei) at:

Email: love@hendrarphotography.com
Mobile: 9759-3572
Website: http://www.hendrarphotography.com / http://hendrarphotographyblog.wordpress.com

Meanwhile, enjoy… In Celebration Of Love by Hendra R. Photography.

Photo album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sukianto/sets/72157628675169427/

Hendra R. Photography’s article: http://hendrarphotographyblog.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/in-celebration-of-love-chris-and-jessie-with-their-furry-babies/

Hasha and Jessie.