National Day Rehearsal 2016

Yes, currently, I am a queen of delayed posts and this will continue for quite a while. I can write more than 2 posts a week in hopes of catching up but majority of the posts have their own vlogs. My vlogs are not that fantastic and don't garner views as my blog but there's something about video memories that are unique of their own.

Anyways, on the 30th July, I had asked everyone to join Jhon and I for our yearly fireworks picnic. The more, the merrier especially with the kids around. Unfortunately, it was still hari raya period and my siblings were still busy visiting their in-laws and friends' houses.

So it was just Mak, Jhon and I like the good old times.

This year, the National Day was held at the National Stadium. It was interesting to see a different point of view since for the longest time, the parade was at the floating platform at Marina Bay. [did you read about how the stadium turned out to be privately own (not government) and the rental rates were atrocious so the community is considering to continue having the parade at the floating platform in the next years when it's supposed to be a temporary place in the first place while the stadium was being renovated?]

Armed with our usual gear, Lontong Goreng, chicken nuggets and drinks, we headed to Kallang by bus. It didn't take us much time to find a spot. We purposely chose a different spot (from the usual spot you see on the web: the stadium right in the middle with fireworks above). I told Jhon I preferred the stadium to be off to the side so it won't look messy.



While waiting for 8pm, we ate, chatted, enjoyed the view, looked at the doggies, joggers and children. The sunset was not that bad too.

Before we knew it, it was dark and the moment we've been looking for began.

Here's my 2016 picnic with fireworks vlog. It has plenty of time lapses minus my screams of joy (as usual).


 

Picnic, Iftar, Pre-NDP Airshow & Fireworks

Now try to say the title 5 times but faster. hehe

So one of the previous weekends, Jhon and I decided to bring the family for our annual picnic and fireworks viewing and since it fell on the month of Ramadhan, we also broke our fast together.

We try to catch pre-NDP shows as a couple ever since we got together and sometimes we would bring Mak along, this time, with my Bro's family, it was more fun than ever. Kids can just bring out the fun in everything. There are a good source of entertainment. hehe

Shibly and Syihab were obsessed with rocks, sticks and finding "diamonds and iron" just because of Minecraft.

I brought a couple of toys to ensure the kids won't get bored while waiting. First was the old school Styrofoam planes which of course didn't last long (it eventually broke) but it was fun while it lasted.

I later dished out skipping rope which was hilarious to see them figure out to play. No pictures but I got it on video. Vlog will be at the end of this post.

Bro and Shibly had a sprinting competition. Tak padan orang puasa.

Family portrait.

After a while, the airshow began starting with the helicopters with the Singapore flag.

I posted this because I love my hair here. lol Long, thick and the curls was on point.

Weeeee!

Me and the boys.

After the airshow, we had ample time to sit down, prepare the food and broke our fast. Mak and I cooked one of my favorite picnic food which was Bee Hoon Putih with prawns, beef and vegetables. Paired with packet drinks, that was all we had but it was more than enough because we cooked a lot.

After 1+hr waiting time, the finale of our picnic began. Since it was just a Pre-NDP show, I didn't expect very spectacular show but it was rather nice and amazing.

I am so glad we did it with my family. Next year ajak again lah! hehe

Here's my 2nd attempt at vlogging. I am generally happy with it except for the poor quality of the fireworks. I need an upgrade.

   

National Day Parade 2013

Yup, another overdue post. hur hur

National Day this year was also another 'Make mom happy' date after our outing at Adventure Cove the day before [Read here] Not that I am complaining because I love fireworks and picnics but just not on National Day itself. The crowd on the actual day is always brutal.

As per normal, we started the day in the afternoon to secure a spot. There were many interesting people to see but most of them are foreigners. I don't mind them but for some apparent reason, this year, 88% of them are Indians/Banglas/Sri Lankans. They didn't disturb us, just that we felt like we were at Little India. =P

The day was extra hot too but we were equipped with umbrellas and hand held fans. Look at this derp doggie.

I look weird here, probably because expanded from the heat and had been sweating buckets. bleargh..

After a few hours, it was worth the wait. 

As expected, going home was torture. This year, they closed the Helix bridge for the parade and that was the only convenient and fuss free way home. So we have to weave through the massive crowd to take the MRT. We were exhausted but it's the things we do for love.

   

Food and Fireworks Galore with Mum

My initial plan was to go out with the entire family. I intend to treat them to eat at Swensons and spend our evening watching the National Day Rehearsal with fireworks.

10 people became 6 which eventually turned into 3 people. So it was just my mom, Jhon and me.

First stop, was late lunch at Swensons (this outing was obviously before Ramadhan =p).

For some apparent reason, the food on that day was superb!! As in more delicious than before.

We ate until we were full and mind you, we ordered a lot of dishes.

We had chicken salad,

Jhon had Dory Fish which I thought the only dish that was not that great.

Our standard prawn dippers,

My medium-well Ribeye steak which was nicely done on the day.

We unanimously agreed that the Tiger prawn was OMGDELICIOUS!!

And a couple other dishes..

Right after lunch, we deposited some 'chocolate cake' lol

Afterwards, we headed to Esplanade, my favorite spot to watch NDP

When we reached there, it was drizzling! We didn't give up though. We found a perfect spot but drizzling became heavy rain. It some how did not damper our spirits (perhaps good mood from the good food lol) and waited patiently until the rain subsided.

There were no pictures of the evening performances but you can click here to see on my previous outing.
By 7pm, the rain stopped, I took out my mat and we waited while eating cup corn, bottled drinks and 'longan' that my mom brought. My mom was so sweet. She even made friends with a tourist couple and offered our 'exotic' fruits. lol Why am I not as sociable as her? She can barely speak English yet she engages conversation with 'Ang mohs' while I who can speak well refuses to make small talk. =P

Everything went well and smoothly and most importantly, mom thoroughly enjoyed our outing. Too bad the rest of my family could not join us.