This will be the last Christmas at Flynn Park as we will be out of here by next Christmas. All were there except for the Lees who are still in the US. The usual traditional Christmas spread was on - ham, roast beef, potato salad (by David, Johnny's second son), mushroom soup, garlic bread, fruits, ice cream log cake, apple cake (from Fong Oi). Good time of fellowship and foodship recounting our blessings!
Yale University hosted the annual Ivy Scrimmages. As scrimmages, the results don’t count toward national or Ivy League rankings. The competition did, however, give a sense of where teams stand coming into the start of the season. Yale captured both the men’s and women’s Ivy Scrimmages, a feat that the Bulldogs had never previously accomplished in the same year. The win by the Yale women included a 6-3 victory over top-ranked defending national champions Harvard.
Last weekend, we received a check for the option to purchase Flynn Park from Claire and her Dutch hubby. We are really glad to find a buyer that really appreciates the unit (and the surroundings) and could meet our asking price (or close enough). Now start the big process of preparing Blue Horizon for us. We are really excited about the opportunity to renovate it to our tastes and needs. It is just another milestone in Connie and my life as we move closer to the sunset part of the life cycle. I am so glad that we are looking forward to it rather than dreading it 
It was great celebrating turning 55 (CPF release date for Singaporeans) with a bunch of great friends at Spring Court. 55 is the age that everyone looks to when we started work as eager graduates as it was the official retirement age and we can draw out our CPF money. Over the years, the government has changed the rules so that we have to work longer and delay the withdraw of our funds but those of us who are young/old enough get to draw most of it still.
So good to celebrate 55 with the entire family (including Ken who leaves for US in a few days and may not be back for future celebrations). For a change we went for a Japanese meal at Keyaki (Pan Pacific Hotel). The Teppanyaki was great, the sparkling sake was sweet enough for Connie and the whole evening was perfect including fireworks outside (not for me but for the closing of the Youth Olympic Games). That day also marked a change in my looks (like it?)
We celebrated Ken's 22nd birthday last Saturday at Lawry's. Ken wanted to have a dinner that he can sink his teeth into (literally). But the best feature was that the whole family was able to sit down and celebrate again. In future years, Ken might not spend his summer in Singapore because of internship, etc.
Today - Cliff and I went to the Keppel Club gym. I have been going to the gym about once a week and it was good to have another 'retiree' join me there. This was followed by a simple fishball noodle lunch at Harbour Front followed by coffee at Ya Kun. It is surprising how the simple things in life can be so satisfying.
Jon was offered a permanent job with Drew & Napier, the largest law firm in Singapore, where he is serving his pupilage. So looks like he has sold his life to them for the foreseeable future but at least he is assured of a reasonably well paid job! Maybe he can start paying his own way from now on.
Yale beat Harvard (8-1) in the final match of the regular season to clinch the Ivy Championship. This is the first time in 20 years that Yale has won the title outright. Great to be part in making history. Good start to Kenneth's collegiate squash career.
