34 Years and Counting

During our last date at Simply Retro, there was a group of people who were having their 20 years reunion celebration. What is 20 years? The SHSS aunties and I had known each other when we were 13; this is our 34th year. What is even more interesting is that our friendship is passed on to our kids and they knew each other from birth. When Nana and Boo were in the same CCA in NH, their mates were so amused. While the aunties have our chat groups and meet up, the teenagers are doing the same as well. God has blessed this group abundantly. 

It all start with Ms Teo, our Spiritual teacher and vball. I can only say that it is God’s plan in putting this group together. There were years where it was harder to catch and meet up with Ms Teo but thankfully, she has time for us this round and we get to celebrate her bday. 

Ms Teo suggested that we would do BBQ at her place. What!??! Shouldn’t we be dressed up nicely and eating comfortably at some restaurant? We even double confirmed if she meant like a Korea BBQ place. Haha. She offered to prepare the food but we took over - let’s take the easy way and order BBQ package. 

We arrived from 4pm onwards to receive the food delivery. It was raining on and off the entire day. Thankfully, the rain stopped by 4pm, leaving us nice and cool weather. 

For almost all the BBQs that I have been to, the fire would be set up by some men, and it was the same for the aunties. We were wondering if we would manage that but Auntie TL showed us what is Girl Power. 

The fire/ heat ran hot and strong the entire evening. I must clap for her. 

The 1st shift with the BBQ-ing. 

They actually did most of the heavy lifting. There wasn’t much left for Auntie H and I to BBQ. While they did the heavy lifting, we busied ourselves with taking pictures and food tester. Hoho. 

Of course we need to do the ceremonial cake cutting. 

Thankfully, Auntie SL managed to get us a tiny cake, and we all had a tiny slice after all the BBQ food. 

Did we finish the food? No ah, and Auntie J tabao for her hungry teenager at home. We all went home with a full tummy and heart. I got a free ride from Auntie H too! Hoho.

To many more years ahead. 

Mummy Lim

Simply Retro by Tin Box - Again and Again!

After our 1st visit to Simply Retro, we decided that it was worth another visit (actually 2 visits). Last Saturday, the usual gang headed down. We saw the regulars. With a better idea of what to expect, we had better fun. The DJ also thankfully didn’t play the same song 3x. 

We ordered the Assam Highball, which essentially tasted like sour plum drinks. Not bad. 

Looking fresh and nice before the band started. 

We did do a broke young adult thing - I passed Auntie S the mini size alcohol that I bought from DFS. We giggled at the cheap thrill and wondered why we were doing that when we now are so much more financially abled. Hmmm.. don’t anyhow spend $$? Haha. 

The band started and it is the usual band - the Shaggies.

After some alcohol.. still fresh but just redder. 

Of course we had fun - we were just among a group of same age dancing crowd, all out to have fun. We made friends too, it is easy to - just start dancing together, no real conversations needed. We happened to end up dancing with a group of 8, making up of 4 couples in their 50s. The men were dancing very… interestingly and alcohol makes people very relaxed and happy. I wonder if our husbands would do the same when we visit Simply Retro the following week. Oh yes, that was my round 2.

After a week, I am back at Simply Retro, this time with Auntie TL and Auntie J and the hubbies. They are the live band group and were happy to watch the Shaggies perform. The band was very entertaining too. 

I was very behaved and sat through the band’s 1st set. I started grooving when the DJ came on. The other 5 sat like obedient students at the table, crowd watching. Well, there were indeed plenty to watch. 

The band’s 2nd set came and go. The dancing group aunties guessed that we wouldn’t stay beyond 10.30pm. Fortunately for me (so that I still get to dance), this is a band listening group and they were happy to stay for the band’s 3rd and final set. 

I managed to at least get the ladies off the chair to sway to the music after the 2nd set. The men just stay rooted to their seats. I was hoping that they would stay until closing after the 3rd set. That was fat hope. The men quickly down the remaining of their drinks after the band ended. Right after the bill was closed, they were all packing to go. Sob. It is ok. I had my workout and my fun. I can always come back with the dancing group aunties another time. 

All of us purposely didn’t drive and took tada/ grab home. I think we all had fun, or at least I did. Hoho. Daddy Lim said that he doesn’t mind coming back when I come with the ladies the next time. Hmmmm.. I think it is more pocket economy if I keep him at home, he had 2 beers and some whiskey last night, then complained that their alcohol not strong enough. We have very strong alcohol at home. Hoho. I also wonder if my threshold for alcohol has gone up bcos I realised that I tolerated my Long Island Tea better last night. Auntie T said that we should do Chinese retro live band place next time. Ok!

Mummy Lim

Simply Retro by Tin Box

A few weeks ago, Auntie S sent a photo to the chat group. She had dinner with her colleagues at one of these restaurants with a live band. A DJ was playing in between sets. It was like Blackbird but different kind of genre. Daddy Lim’s favorite band in Blackbird often left me deaf. Lol. Where Auntie S went looks exciting and I got excited. Mambo has lost its shine with the young people invasion. 

She said that the band played Chinese songs but the restaurant chain has several branches and the one at Chjimes has an English live band. I wasted no time and went online to book an indoor table for 4, without knowing who would be available. It is ok, book 1st and can cancel later. Some online reviews said that the Simply Retro crowd is that of the older generation happily reminiscing their younger party days. That’s us! Let’s go! 

I was looking forward, even though I have no idea what to expect. The plan was to have dinner. The reservation was for 7.30pm. The restaurant wasn’t as crowded as I had imagined but most of the indoor tables were occupied at most times.

I got a Long Island Tea! That is so nostalgic. The last I drank one must be during my 20s party days. It was very strong, stronger than the one that Auntie S later ordered and lasted me the whole night bcos I waited for the ice to melt, then added more ice. Hoho.

The Shaggies was playing and started their 1st set at 8.15pm. Daddy Lim said that they are a good band. They sounded very decent and played mostly pop or retro songs. They had a total of 4 sets, each lasting about 30 mins. Then a DJ was playing retro songs in between sets. 

The crowd was fun! I felt very young. It was really a group of “my age” folks who just wanted to groove the night away. I saw several looking in their 50s and 60s but was dancing the entire night. We all had fun and a great workout. 

This was us earlier in the night and still looking very fresh and sober. 

It was afterall a restaurant, so it was closing shortly after midnight. Most of the crowd left after the last set. As the DJ came on after the last bit, the restaurant staff started to stack up the chairs, then putting the door panels up. Lol. It was like they were dying to close and can’t wait for us bunch of old folks to leave. 

We agreed to come back again, though the songs kept repeating. I think Dancing Queen was played like 3x, and so was Uptown Girl. Hahahaha. Auntie S lamented that it ended so early but we started early too! With Mambo, we had to meet at 11pm and that is already after my usual bedtime. Lol, old people problem. We get more dancing here, there are seats to rest and most importantly, there is free flow of water! I thought it was great overall. It is a question of whether I can get a next reservation and also who would be free to join me. Hoho. 

Till the next time! 

Mummy Lim

May Gathering with the Aunties

After various discussions, we decided to meet yday, midweek and a PH. Then somebody suggested beach and what is a beach gathering without kids? If without kids, we would choose a nice aircon cafe over beach anytime. The teenagers had their own chat group and decided to all come for the beach gathering. 

Bcos ECP is fairly near, we decided to all cycle to ECP. 

Ya, it was my suggestion but I forgot that I had a 100km ride with the PPCG group the night before. I haven’t rode this long distance for a long time. In fact, my last roadie ride was in early April. The distance was manageable bcos the speed was controlled, what wasn’t is the butt ache. Lol. 

The moment I sat on my bike, my butt nicely reminded me of the consequences of a 100km ride. Lol. I made it safely to ECP. It was about 10km and took us 45 mins. We brought picnic mat, frisbee, vball and a huge thermal water bottle, all nicely strapped onto the foldie. 

We were the 1st to arrive at the park and had to wait for other families, so that there are food to snack on. Haha. Thankfully, the rest arrived shortly. ECP was crowded and we joined the crowd, found a grass patch near to the beach and grew our territory as more families came and brought more mats. 

While the teenagers were happy to sit around to either game or chit chat, the tiny ones were eager to hit the beach and water.

The only thing in my head was the clean up required of the tiny ones. Look at that amount of sand. Lol. Thankfully, my kids are way beyond this stage. At dinner, auntie J and I were happily taking care of our own dinner while some of the aunties were ruining after their little ones and cleaning them up. 

Speaking of dinner, the teenagers had MacD under the moonlight and torch light. The adults nicely sat in the Briyani shop, away from the mosquitoes and comfortably in the aircon restaurant. It is ok, young people like to do this kind of things, I did that too many years ago. 

We finally left for home at about 8.30pm. We all have work and school to go back to the next day. We had to take a picture of the teenagers. 

The ride home was just as traumatising for my butt. Nana was tired but still had to ride back. At one point, she decided to take the ride slowly, which my butt totally disagreed. Daddy Lim kindly stayed with Nana while Zaky and I sped home. My butt is saved! 

It was a nice gathering. We don’t always have such a big group of hubbies and kids. We all found different things to do, whether it is gaming, sand, coffee or catching up. May God bless and bond this group forever, big or small people alike. 

Mummy Lim

Christmas Gathering with the SHSS Family

There are several occasions that the entire group tries to come together, one of them is definitely Christmas. The kids would also block their calendar in advance for this gathering. 

We had the gathering yday. God is good and amidst everybody’s busy year end holiday plans, we have 20 Dec where everybody is in Singapore. Then, God provided the venue; Auntie SR’s sister helped to book a spacious function room in her condo in Tampines. We are now in Rio and Tampines is only 15 mins drive away. Hoho. 

We are such an efficient group; everybody was willing to take up some responsibilities and the tasks were split. We have game masters, food planners, presents coordinators, worship leaders and the best part is that everyone did their task super well. There isn’t a need to follow up or check. We know that things will happen, maybe a little messed up here or there but nothing that cannot be solved or looked over by closing one eye. No stress, no stress. 

The plan was to meet at 5pm. We were slightly late bcos Zaky last min then started packing the bass and the amp. He forgot. Win le. 

I was supposed to host the 1st game at 5pm, which is the scavenger hunt. My slight lateness didn’t disrupt much. The kids were spilt into 2 groups with 30 mins search time. This allowed for the aunties to set up dinner. 

One team gave up and the other group completed the task. 

The list included shoes and watches and crazy stuff. Nobody had an iPhone 17 or enough crosses. So they got creative. 

The group also did a viral tik tok dance. The teens said that this one is very viral, I have no idea. 

The prize? Daddy Lim sponsored $10 for the 5 of them. 

While the teens were running around, Auntie R and Auntie J coordinated the little ones gift exchange. 

Then it was the boys’ turn. 

The girls’.

Dinner was ready and Zaky said grace.

The aircon in the function room was faulty and we moved to another room after dinner. There, the worship team led us into 4 songs. 

We need better mics; I think we sang louder. Hoho. Last year, some of the teenagers did sharing. This year, Auntie J gave her testimony. That was when I realised I didn’t know how she came to receive Christ. Auntie TL said that I should introduce Auntie J. I started, then was puzzled why I had to do that. The kids don’t know her meh?

Auntie J even had her timeline drawn out. She said that she 1st stepped into a church in 1984. Zaky counted his fingers and looked at me. The look on his face said that 1984 is damned long ago. Ya, why? 

The kids were attentive bcos there was an impromptu quiz after that and the kids remembered the 2 verses that Auntie J shared in her sharing. I am very touched. The seeds are sowed. 

The kids started the games. Auntie TL and I were the game masters. 

As usual, some of the games were very physical and now that the kids are so big, the games can get very violent. We tried some quiet games but the teens got bored and we switched back to physical games, even when those were very common party games or games that we had played multiple times. The teens still participated like many years ago, when some of them are actually young adults now. 

The daddies did the gift exchanges while the teens fought it out. 

Actually, we didn’t have to plan any games for the teens, they self entertained very well too. 

We had a special guest, our secondary vball coach - Ms Teo. 

She was instrumental in bringing quite a few of us to Christ and also bible studied a few of us during our secondary years. She was the pillar on how this group came together. Cue for tears. 

It had been a few years since she joined one of our big gatherings. Her threshold for so many teenagers running around, the noise, the little kids running and jumping, should be quite low. I think it would be a few years later before she would join in our big group gathering again. While she knew that we are a close knitted group, and we still met up every now and then with her but without the kids, she has probably forgotten how regularly this group meets up and how close our kids also are. I would be very impressed too if I am an outsider. 

Finally, the ladies’ gift exchange we duno where are the pictures. Lol. We started packing up and returned the function room at 10pm. 

The kids’ according to height. This time, ER and T were arguing fiercely on who is taller. Nana was sick and didn’t have strength to argue. 

So many of us. Praise the Lord. 

I was just checking the planning schedule for next year and realised that I volunteered myself for Christmas planning next year again??!’ Why ah? lol.

Mummy Lim