The clock strucked 7 and the sky was still filled with dark clouds. I looked at my garden, it's wet with puddles and the chairs that I have nicely arranged are all drenched by the rain.

I thought to myself...the barbeque is ruined.

Then my first guest, Ryan, arrived. I was touched. With the downpour and the unearthly location of my home, I was worried that all my guests would not turn up for my New Year's Day barbeque. But everyone started to stream in, bringing fruits, cakes and lots of lots of wine.(my love for alcohol must have been widespread!)

The barbeque started steadily as groups of my friends came. My good old(no pun intended for old, please don't get sensitive) gals, Karen (not forgetting her family too), Belinda and Charmaine, Jo and Lian, Irene, Wendy and Wun (not Moon) settled comfortably in the living room and caught up amongst themselves. Thanks to you gals for really seeing me thru all these years, putting up with my nonsense, me getting drunk, listening to my life story, supporting my culinary adventure, and always being there for me.

Friends from my volunteer group came. Ryan (having the honour as my first guest), Joleena and Genevieve, Charmaine, and Suan represented the group where I derived lots of inspiration from.

My new friends from 2005, Desmond, Dharma and Esther who travelled across the island to get to my bode (efforts appreciated), Walter and not forgetting my lovely Swing. It was a great year together, roller blading, cycling, partying, eating and karaoking. Thank you!

And finally, Stan's team, Priscilla and Kenneth, Eugene and Shuyun, Kevin and Niko, Xinyi and Cliff, Samuel and Chee Wee, who enthusiastically came and went for a 2nd round at Fong Seng. Well, to this group of friends, who I have always enjoyed their company especially the drinking sessions cos drinking with you guys are really fun. Great conversations topics and I do enjoy hearing all of you bitch about your customers. (No, I am not bored hearing it.)

Thanks to everyone for gracing the occasion. It was a great way to touch base with everyone at the beginning of the year. And to all my other friends who had a drop too much on the eve and suffered a massive hangover (and missed my party), do take care and be well.

Not forgetting my dear Stan, who helped me prepare for the barbeque and fried the "Stan's Famous Fried Beehoon" to fill the hungry stomachs as the food cooked slowly on the pit. Thank you my dear.

Happy New Year, friends.