This year opened pretty well. Work wise, we’ve just won the pitch for MOM (Ministry of Manpower) Singapore. And we’re through to the second round for Singapore Navy’s pitch. Things are looking great.

New year eve’s dinner with uncle’s family was at Dempsey’s Chang Korean BBQ Restaurant.

To escape the crowd on new year countdown, Michan and I took to the Singapore river, together with Anna and Kevin:

Esplanade on the left, Merlion on the right.

Some white wine to toast to the occasion

Can’t believe 2009 turned into 2010 just like that. We also headed back to KL from the 1st-3rd January. Food is delightfully cheap, so you’ll see lots of food in the next couple of pics.. First up, Paddington Pancakes at the Curve.

Then it was dinner with my ex colleagues at Pizza Uno. The bill went to Tay, seated in the middle. Thanks bro

Went to a dodgy place called Rasta for shisha.

Next was dinner with my mum and sis at The Apartment, Curve.

Here’s a portrait with our extended family – Fifi & Brownie (pups), Pepper (mum), Milo (dad).

Fifi & Brownie, the pups, only 4 months old. Very fluffy and cudly

Then we had lunch at Dragon-i, this time joined by my brother Tim.

It was then time to celebrate my mum’s birthday. We picked DELIcious. Timothy having a hard time deciding after we declined his “Sprite” order..

Before heading for a bakuteh dinner, Tim and I dropped by Toys”R”Us to grab this gun that he’s been bugging me endlessly for. Nerf N-Strike Recon CS-6: $41. Timothy’s fully gratified smile: Priceless.

After our dinner, we hit the airport for our flight back to Singapore. But that didn’t stop us from grabbing a cup of Belgian chocolate milkshake!

Back in Singapore, I was soon down with fever after clocking past midnight in the office yet again. And replacing my now nearly subsided fever is a sore throat that stole my voice! AARGH! That aside, I’ve finally gotten my tabla yesterday! (Which was actually 2008′s new year resolution!).

It was a long but worthwhile wait, as I’ve managed to get in touch with Singapore’s best tabla player, Govin Tan. Only 20 years old this year, you wont believe his level of proficiency till you watch him play. My interest started when I came across this video 2 years ago, getting all excited. Govin on tabla and his brother on sitar:

And it’s really strange that Govin is my teacher now. I’ve started practising and hope to attain an intermediate level of proficiency. And also thanks to Govin’s dad Krsna, my tabla set came straight from Delhi! Seen below, from the left is Chandra (Govin’s tabla teacher, who himself learned from the legendary Zakir Hussain) and Krsna.

I’ve never met anyone kinder than Krsna. He raised his family with so much love, compassion, positivity and encouragement. And he treats his guests as family. Truly a remarkable person. You can learn more about Krsna’s talented kids here.

What a way to kick start 2010!