Surprise in the office

Today was my last day in the office for this year. Tomorrow we are flying back to Belgium (and the North Pole that has become Europe).
My whole section went for lunch together after our section meeting. They all nicely accepted to sit on a terrace when I asked because soon enough I will be freezing.
When we came back to the office, Vinay told me he wanted to talk to me and proposed to go to the pantry. As I saw the others converging there I knew they were up to something.
And indeed.

They had prepared a small celebration for our wedding with a pyramid of macarons and a very thoughtful card. I was very touched. I've been part of the Asia team for only three months and they made me feel like I've been there since forever.
We spent some time talking about the different wedding traditions between Europe and Asia and promised to organize a wedding pictures session when I'm back with pictures from India, Japan and Belgium.

I was even more moved when I discovered a voucher for Courts of a quite significant amount (which explains why Samantha asked me three times this week where we are planning to buy our new sofa).
I was really not expecting this from them. I am very lucky you be part of such a caring team.

THANK YOU GUYS!!!!

2 weeks to go

2 weeks
14 days
336 hours
until the big day.

We are almost ready...

Joyeuse Saint-Nicolas

Saint-Nicolas found his way to Singapore !!!!

Merii Kurisumasu

There is no Japanese word to say Merry Christmas. Therefore people simply use the English spelled "Merii Kurisumasu".
If you follow the link and listen to the pronunciation, you will hear "Merry Christmas", slightly twisted with the Japanese accent.
If you pay attention you really hear Merry Christmas. If you don't, you'll feel like me very often at work with some of my new colleagues. I know they speak English, but I am not yet fully familiarized with the accent and my brain interprets it differently.

And while we are on the topic, listen to all the classics in Japanese :)

Christmas decoration on Orchard road

It might not feel like Christmas to me because it's still 25-30C but Christmas has landed in Singapore. It is really weird because despite it's now December and the decoration and music are up everywhere, without the cold it doesn't really feel like Christmas.
Yet.
Next week, when we are back in Belgium, it will hit us, for sure. Assuming we don't freeze to death as we step out of the plane.

Orchard road is worth a visit with every mall trying to beat the other one. The whole street is lighting up at sunset.

Pâté Hénaff in Singapore

During grocery shopping this morning I spotted something familiar in the aisle: tin cans of pâté Hénaff.
I guess they imported some for the Holidays.
Made me smile to see those colorful tin cans.

Virtual Advent calendar

Making up for the distances and probably the challenge of shipping chocolate and candies across the planet, my mum came up with a creative solution this year for the Advent calendar.
My very own virtual Advent calendar that reveals a surprise every day!

Thanks Mom!!!!