The Reyes Report » christmas

Think twice about the Christmas cookies

thereyesreport — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:13:10 +0000

It was so nice to come home and see the little red, felt stocking dangling from the door knob. In a move of taste and kindness, my little Singapore apartment consortium left all its holiday residents a little present.

Unfortunately, and all hotel / apartment / corporate housing peeps, please note: talk to your cleaning crews. If you notice that said residents are not home within 2-3 days to collect & eat said goody bag, kindly remove.

Returning home to a little hand-tied bag of Christmas cookies is only a nice thing when it is NOT crawling with teeny tiny ants.

Over in a blink

thereyesreport — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:55:20 +0000

Well, after much anticipation to return to NYC & RTP for Christmas, this week I found myself feeling teleported and time-warped back to a cramped seat for an 18 hour return journey to Singapore.

The trip, albeit short, was oh so sweet. Conrad had cookies baking in the apartment when I came home so the place smelled as good as it looked — which was dripping with holiday ooze — fresh garland and lights, and even a little *live* Charlie Brown tree decorated with Candy Canes. Much to our mothers’ chagrin and to my delight, Conrad had also invited our great NYC friends Kelly & Factor over for a little dinner soiree (pot roast & games), fun time. In the morning, we trekked around NYC — bagels, tickets to see the Rockettes put on their Christmas Spectacular, and then sat atop an double-decker bus for a tour of the NYC lights by night. Fantastic. We made a little pit stop between the two events at a bull riding bar we stumbled over near Rockefeller center … where we met “Rebecca” and her boyfriend and toasted their new (2 hr) engagement. Quite a day. Next day, Conrad whisked me to the train station where we caught the 10-hr express to Durham (more on that another day). Christmas in Hillsborough (Durham / Raleigh / Chapel Hill) was complete with both families, a mamita, lots of presents, a party with our “919″ friends, candle-light Christmas eve service by a friend in a new Sr Pastor post at the chapel of Chapel Hill, and oh so much more.

It feels like a blur as a write this from my desk in Singapore. But it’s a blur that brings a smile to my lips and warms my heart. Thanks to everyone who made time for our little quick trip this year … it was so special.

My parents are visiting less than 2 weeks to Singapore … so I better get back to work so I can be ready to show them a good time when they arrive!

What is it about Christmas music!?

thereyesreport — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:16:49 +0000

I love it. It’s simply not Christmas without the tunes, is it. I know Melissa and I mark the beginning of the season by popping in the required disks … and I’ve finally got some x-mas music playing in Singapore … it’s definitely that time of the year!

Remember, Santa and presents may make it more fun, but you don’t need any of that stuff to celebrate.

Christmas magic is in the air … sparkley and wonderful. I dig it!!

Herman’s ready too!

thereyesreport — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 04:44:43 +0000

Conrad sent me an e-mail today… apparently he’s been decorating the house. Normally our house-gargoyle (“Herman”) looks quite demure & pensive:

But apparently, even Herman is getting excited for my homecoming and is exhibiting serious signs of a Christmas make-over (or a CCIE-procrastinating, excited husband):

Just cannot wait to see him in person (Conrad too) … 3 days to go!!!

Orchard Road Christmas light-up

thereyesreport — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:22:55 +0000

The view outside my window is of the back of a mall. But the view on the *other* side of the mall is as glitterati as it can be. If you want to get an idea of what it’s like, I suggest checking out the “Photography by Nuna” blog for this week, great pics!

Made in China

thereyesreport — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:46:58 +0000

… I’ve started (thinking about) Christmas shopping, and for once in my life, I’m intently looking (& valuing) things with a “Made in China” label!! (Or Taiwan or Thailand or Vietnam or India… )