The one about the full weekend...

"Full" seems like an understatement on hindsight but it certainly was jam packed with activities. Last time I felt this breathless was while watching the movie "Speed". Anyway, on with the narrative...

Thursday night 30th August, the eve of Malaysia's 50th anniversary of independence - was spent quietly at home. We decided to put up our newly acquired "Jalur Gemilang" - the national flag proudly fluttering out of our living room window. At the office, we had put up two flags as well, a tad over patriotic you may say but then, its a once in a lifetime occurence. Our small token symbol to this significant point in Malaysia's history. The moment came to pass at midnight as Jo and I watched on TV the events at Dataran Merdeka; knowing well that our loved ones were safely at home and in bed. That knowledge and reassurance is really all we can ask for in this early stage of our country's life.

Flags a fluttering at our office...

The morning of 31st August was spent practising our salsa steps again. Jo and I went over to Carolyn's Ohm Dance studio for the final session before our performance at the Alliance on Saturday. Gotta say, we are beginning to look quite polished, ahem!

After an all-out three hour practice session, we were pretty tired out and spent the rest of the day at home. It was to be our calm before the storm of dinner and party that night.

I'm proud to say we spent the 50th Merdeka night at the posh and suitably located QE2 restaurant, with its idyllic sea views, having a brilliant dinner celebrating Jo's birthday. Dinner attendees that night were - Sue & Yan, Stacy & Mel, Jinny & KH, Raphael, Carolyn & Wendy. As we gorged ourselves with the exotic soup (Watermelon & Tomato Soup), the Horiatiki Greek Salad and the choice of - Grilled Chicken Skewers or Salmon Brochette or Godfather Pizza, the chats and laughter grew and when the bottle of Moet was popped (Jo and my 1st Anniversary gift from her dad), the night was truly in full swing.

The dessert arrived - Profiteroles - but was a bit too rich for the gang as most of them left globules of custard puffs on their plates untouched. I gotta say, dessert was a slight blemish on the night as it was too heavy a dish, the custard was not smooth (I'd much rather have cream puffs as opposed to custard) and the pastry was dry. The chicken skewers arrived for some undercooked but when we sent the dish back, the chef actually replaced the whole dish instead of merely microwaving the original dish. Plus points to them.

Jo arriving at the QE II...

The gang trickling in...

A touch of patriotism in gift-wrapping...

The rigours of opening her presents...

Everyone praying Jo likes their presents...

The girls all ready for a party...

After the compulsory gift opening session, we proceeded downstairs to the bar area and cracked open a bottle of Black Label. The place was fast filling up and pulsating with their signature house music. This is very much in style and similar to the swanky hotspots in the US and European clubbing scene. Although I've never really adhered myself to the repetitive monotony of house music, that night, it was just different. The group got into the mood of things and the lot of us pounded the small and crowded place, grooving to the sounds. Amazing. At the stroke of midnight, we brought out the birthday cake and Jo blew out her three large and seven small candles as we tried to sing some semblance of the birthday song amidst the beat of the loudspeaker just above us. Most of us stayed on till late after that. I must say, it turned out to be a great night out and we had a fantastic time indeed.

Smiles all round...

Carolyn grooving with Raphael...

Shaking their booties in a row...

The next morning, with only a slight trace of a hangover, we got up to calls from Ethan wanting to be carried to ur bed so he could watch his weekend treat - his Elmo VCDs. We chose to spend the day taking Ethan out for his usual Saturday outing to a mall. This time we went to Island Plaza. The place seems a little deserted with many new moves between the tenants. It seems the new owners of the complex are planning to refurbish the place and creating an upmarket and more upscale shopping address. As usual Ethan had a great time running around.

Ethan and his Salsa mum...

We got home in time to have a bit of a rest before going out again. Firstly to mass then to the Alliance for our performance. When we arrived at the place, it was already rather crowded. We met Carolyn for a last-minute "reminder" session but had to wait for Amirul and Ai Ling who were a little late. Anyway, we all got into our dance mode soon and were whipped into the mould by final advice from Carolyn. Next thing we knew, it was "showtime". First up was the Capoieristas from Mel's group led by their "mestre" Karim. The guys (and a few girls too) leaped, swayed and cartwheeled much to the amazement of the crowd there. It was certainly a new experience for some but the exponents were pretty darn good considering they were all fairly new to this art form. Then before we could say "Belly Dancers" (the performance before us), we were up! The nerves were raw and exposed but once the music started, we got swaying nicely in sync. And before we could say "Salsa Dancers" - it was all over! Phew! Felt kinda short for all that practice we had...

The Capoieristas getting the beat on...

Our Salsa Queens...

Rhythm obviously got us...

Executing the "Cape"...

After the dance, we sat around the Alliance for a chat but the hot weather made it tough as we were already pespiring buckets. That night, Carolyn had a party planned at the Hainan Town restaurant which was coincidentally at the Marina where the QE2 is. It was to celebrate Ohm Yoga & Dance's 1st Anniversary (5th Sept 2007) and also another small do for Jo's birthday - also significant cos Jo was actually Ohm's very first member. We moved on to Hainan Town from the Alliance - driven away by the heat and the hunger. Luckily for us, there was sumptious food courtesy of Carolyn at the party. After stuffing ourselves, Carolyn turned on the salsa music and her guests - about 20 of us there - joined in the dancing. Another great night for us.

The Ohm cake...

Carolyn with Ohm members and friends...

The famed "Represente" by our "mujeres"...

Sunday 2nd September, and any ideas about sleeping in died with wails from Ethan as he again wanted to be carried to our bed. That afternoon, we had lunch wiith my in-laws at Chillis's in Gurney Plaza. Ethan refused to eat anything there and gleefully dashed to the Chicken Rice Shop later to have his very own lunch. Sigh.

Jo and I left Ethan to the care of his grandparents as we headed to Queensbay for a bit of shopping and tea with Sue Khoon. We picked up some groceries then headed home.

All in all it was a remarkable weekend and yet the following week will be full as well. I have loads of unfinished work and the Penang Bar Annual Dinner is on next Saturday. But that's another story...