'Friendly' gatherings (cinDz reflection)

Leon goes back to China for the summer tomorrow so I hope he has a safe trip back home and we'll all see him back in the UK in September. Wow, it's gone sooooo fast, I can't believe I've known this guy for 9months already (in fact, known Candy for almost the same length of time, but it's hard to believe this, if U saw us together you'd think we'd been friends for years!!). We were talking about how long we'd known each other over lunch (dim sum) at Zing Vaa today. Vanessa started the conversation off by saying how she'd known Leon for 6yrs and it made me think how long we'd all known each other (Candy, Leon, Dan and Vanessa - all under 10 months but we've done and shared so many things together).
We took lots of random photos this afternoon (it was quite a laugh, we're such posers!) at the Peace Gardens, Town Hall, city centre. We went through to the Millenium Galleries and Winter Gardens.

This year in particular has gone at such a speed!!! At Christmas was we were at Alex's apartment playing cards, Pictionary, Secret Santa. Then New Year 2007, it was a gathering party at Ming's house - poker, melting chocolate on the fondue set Manzi bought me as a bday present, drinking Johnnys home-made (non-alcoholic) punch, playing on Candy's game console (remember Bomberman?). Then in January was Candy's birthday dinner at Thyme restaurant (remember the size of their chunky chips guys!!?), Candy, U still hasn't worn that little black dress for us yet.

February was a great month. I spent Valentine day with my beloved girl-mate Suz :), we had a romantic meal at Chiquitos (Valley Centertainment), do U remember what U ate Suz? I just know there were lots of kidney beans! hehe. We went to the cinema that evening too - watched Music and Lyrics (Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant - for those who haven't seen this film, U must get it on DVD, rent it, it's a classic girly film that you'll bound to enjoy) - I've not seen Suz in her little black Vday dress too! (come on girls, release that feminine energy in you!)

FEBRUARY: This was Chinese New Year month (lucky money packets:) and I got to do my first divalicious newsletter for diva at work.
Feb' was also my massive and very special birthday gathering - dinner at Rossi's and then a night out at Gatecrashers with all the HeyTowners crew** :) we all shared so many smiles and laughs that night. So many presents for me too...don't worry, I'm still using my DS...Brain Training still rules too!

APRIL: Johnny's birthday gathering, this was a long Easter weekend where Alan, Kathy and her brother came up from London to pay us a visit. We spent the Sunday down in Birmingham for lunch, hoping to go to that Sushi buffet place but it turned out to be closed for easter. So it was lunch at Chung Ying - the food was so crap that day! It was good to see Emmy though, thanks for my minty easter egg:). Shopping at Bullring. (Emmy I've got your rice bowls you sent to me the other day, thank you so so much, they didn't crack in the post ah). For Johnny's birthday celebrations, as I remember, we also went to Manchester that night for the Easter party at M2 (first time in ages, we got to dance with Kathy and even Alan had a little jig too! yes, u did Al). This night, i also met Josephine's boyfriend Sam too - I'm sure he thinks I'm rude, all I recall id I shouted at him alot (only bcos the music in the club was soooooo damn load). Did U guys have the home welcoming party today?...good turn out ma? sorry for not joining U Josephine. But I'll make sure me and Suz will arrange a shopping trip with U one day soon. I'll persuade her to get a Sunday off work! :)

APRIL/MAY: Marco came over for the Crucible tournament (such a dissapointing short stay with us this year).
HK trip to see Houston, Carmen, Patrick, Martin and Eric. Hope you're all OK. Thanks Carmen for your letters - keep them coming. It was so good to see U all again. Miss our special times together and when I'm back again in HK, we gotta do that HK style BBQ (but perhaps a wintered styled one? Autum time? it won't be that hot, all i remember was HOT HOT HOT and sweat, sweat and water!!)...May was also Becky's birthday (but no gathering leh?). I haven't seen or heard from Becky, is she OK? *Congratulations to Ming for bagging a top notch first investment job :)
*Exams started for Leon and Dan at this time too.
*Hayley Richardson started at diva this month too (she provides the laughter at work)

JUNE: I finally decided to join Facebook. Me, Candy, Daniel and Leon began our weekly sessions of badminton too, our first steps to a fitter lifestyle - how long will it last? This month was when Sheffield got flooded too - The great floods of the century! It's been raining today too. When will the sun stop playing hide and seek with us? Rain Rain go away and don't come back another day......diva's keeping me busy and stressed out like usual, but thanks to Mark (diva), he provides me with hi-fives that motivates me throughout the day to keep going, hehehee:)


**The HeyTowners crew includes/friends include: Cindy (me of course), Candy, Suz, Daniel, Leon, Ming, Johnny, Richard, Joanne, Jimmy, Manzi, Mangi, Feng, Alex, Vivien, Lisa, Kelly (Lisa's friend), Becky, Glover, Bessie, Josephine, anyone I've missed?

Anyway, a really really long hi-life blog entry tonight....I suppose I had a lot of reflecting to do. I'm sure I've missed bits out so if I have leave a comment and let me/us know. 'Night 'night Towners, I'm off to snoozeland now.
P.S. Has anyone else, apart from Vanessa, bought the new Harry Potter book yet? Does he die? ;p I've bought the Harry Potter Stamps Collection at WHsmiths, they are gorgeous, a really nice presentation pack (in the form of a school bag with articles about the author, J.K Rowling), consists of all the seven book covers in the form of first class stamps!