I started my Christmas week by going to Portland, a beautiful seaside town in Dorset, 3 hours train ride from London. I was warmly greeted by the GM staff esp. Carly, who's been especially helpful! I had a relaxing time in Portland, and I look forward to July 2009.
Carly & I on top Sovereign next to Atlas ROV
Hampstead's Christmas Party at Jongleurs, Camden TownMy first Christmas in England. I do find it really beautiful, yet a bit OTT at some points, until I doubt they really do understand the real reason for celebrating Christmas. I think back home, Christmas is a religious celebration, but over here, even Muslim and Hindus celebrate Christmas. Some pics taken at Morden Rd, quite famous for Christmas lightings.
Christmas Eve, we all went to Westminster Cathedral for the midnight mass. I must say it was quite an experience, although A Dilys said she's quite disappointed as there wasn't more Christmas Carols. U Alex almost asked the priest, "Where's my Silent Night?". I was quite lost as 90% was conducted in Latin. Even Desmond (A Dilys' son) who learnt Latin in sch found it difficult to stay interested for long... ok... I hope God understands I dozed off a few times. :(
U Alex (right) asking A Dilys (red): If I come to church now, will I go to heaven? hahahhaa...After coming home at 2.30am the night before, we all couldn't wake up too early Christmas morning. U Alex bought a 5.8kg goose, to be shared by the 4 of us. 5.8kg goose, plus ham somemore. It was a very good Christmas Dinner (although we had the meal at 1.45pm, it's called Christmas Dinner).
Tan Family: Desmond, A Dilys & U Alex
A Dilys, U Alex and I
Open present sessionThe day after Christmas, boxing day, we went to Swindon to visit Desmond's godparents, U Tony & A Lorraine. U Tony used to work for Sime Darby, so we had a lot to talk about, mostly Malaysian politics though. U Tony & A Lorraine lives near Bath. Loon, you are invited to Bath when you're here. In Swindon, we did a lot of shopping. There's a big shopping outlet in Swindon which sells designer goods, so with the after Christmas sales, even with me who hates shopping, I did some shopping and walked around for almost 5 hours - achievement! Even U Tony who claims he's nothing to buy at his age, bought quite a few designer T-shirts.
From left: me, U Alex, A Dilys, A Lorraine & U TonyDinner after shopping at Pagoda Restaurant in Swindon
On Sunday, we went to Oxfordshire. The English countryside was breathtakingly beautiful. We drove through Oxford town towards the Cotwolts. The Cotwolts are known for gentle hillsides and sleepy villages. All the houses are made from honey-coloured limestones which made the villages look very magical. There were no cement used in the construction of these villages in the 18-19th century. I visited 2 towns in the Cotwolts, Broadway and Bourton-on-the-Water. A Dilys is trying to convince U Alex to settle down here, but U Alex cannot be parted from his Leicester Sq (Chinatown).
Loon, your favourite. This scones is very delicious with clotted cream and raspberry jam. Clotted cream can only be found in Devon (on the way to Portland). 
at Broadway, Cotwolts.
A Dilys & I on one of the bridges at Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotwolts.
Beautiful sleepy village of Bourton-on-the-Water in CotwoltsWe then visited another old couple, U John & A Ann who lives in Combe. A Dilys & U Alex spends Christmas visiting people like U Tony & U John, whose children are not with them, I guess it means a lot to older people. With all those OTT Christmas celebration in London, I find their way of celebrating Christmas, visiting older people whose children are not there with them esp for Christmas, is the true meaning of Christmas.
So happy... chatting in the kitchen. 
A Ann, U John and I. Another one, Loon, U John made me promise him to bring you over to Combe when you come. He said he'll bring you to Blenheim Palace, Winton Churchill's birth place. That Blenheim Palace, si beh tua... even Buckingham Palace & Windsor Castle also can't beat. 
I had a very good Christmas with A Dilys & U Alex, who very kindly invited me to spend it with them and who also very kindly brought me around.
A BLESSED 2009 to my beloved husband, family & friends. Cheers!
A BLESSED 2009 to my beloved husband, family & friends. Cheers!
