Christmas Celebrations with Family

Our Christmas week holiday was as balanced as I hoped it would be as we had time for ourselves, family and friends. We are so grateful the Husband's office shutdown coincided with mine. Our last day of work was on the 21st December so we welcomed the holiday by partying with friends the following day and watching "Les Miserables" on Sunday.

Dates with the Hubby. If we're not hanging out with people, the Husband and I spent time at home, catching up on sleep, movies and episodes of American TV series. This is the most relaxed of all our Christmas holidays as we didn't do any major de-clutterings at home (just a few mini de-cluttering of this and that). We went to the nearby mall and had gelatos as we window shopped and do grocery. 

We were able to watch "Les Miserables", a movie I've been waiting to watch. I love it! I have got to say that this I was in awe of the direction of this movie. I admire director Tom Hooper for turning a musical into a wonderful film. Hugh Jackman, Ann Hathaway and Sacha Baron gave stellar performances.

Christmas Party with Relatives. Our family get-together on Christmas Eve was doubly special because we celebrated the 50th birthday of my Auntie Bess. It was a busy but fun day surrounded by family. We left the party feeling very blessed from all the love of our relatives.

Christmas Day was rainy and gloomy. To us who were partied out, it was the perfect weather to stay at home and catch up on sleep. With less than three hours of sleep, we woke up early on Christmas morning to attend mass. 

Our Christmas morning breakfast which consisted of Baked Ham, Egg and Rice, Puto Bumbong, Kutsinta and Ripe Mangoes. So delicious! 

Spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day at home but on the 27th December, we went out to do some shopping. After dinner, we went to see "The Hobbit" with our relatives. We all loved the film! It was three-hour long but we didn't notice and all of us are now looking forward to the next one.

Koreatown with Family. Shared our love for Korean food with relatives over the weekend. We met up at Strathfield, had BBQ lunch at Won Jo, coffee at My Sweet Memory, shopped at Morning Glory and even had our photos taken via their funky photobooth and had yogurt dessert at Yogurberry. We had so much fun!!! Can't wait to do something like this again.

Now this ends my Christmas 2012 series. It's been a love-filled Christmas. The Husband and I are grateful for everyone who's been a part of it.

Christmas Celebrations with Friends

We've been blessed to spend time with all of our friends during Christmas. During the month of November, my friends and I try to finalize the dates of our Christmas get-together(s) so that by the time December comes in, we'd all be ready to just party. Our parties are usually just spent at home with everyone pitching in for the food. Most common of all the three parties this year: BBQ! Who doesn't love an Aussie BBQ Party?

with WaWies

with Kolokoys

with Tweethearts

A great bonus was that most of our friends spent Christmas here in Sydney so during our Christmas week holiday, we were able to have lunch with them at Cabramatta. We had coffee at Cafe 86 and then lunch at Pho Viet.

We also had lunch with of my former workmate and friend Mari. It was our chance to catch up and for her to meet Chris for the first time. We enjoyed a Yum Cha lunch at Parramatta Phoenix. 

Discovered this Mango Crepe Roll that tasted so good. It was sweet and refreshing. 

Oh what fun and joy to be surrounded by friends during Christmas season. I look at our parties as a way to honour our friendship with them and also a way of thanksgiving.

Happy Christmas!

May all our hopes and wishes be granted

May this season fill our hearts with love and cheer

May we remember the true meaning of Christmas

Not just today but everyday.

From our home to yours...

Thank you to everyone who thought of us during this special season. Please know that we are thinking good thoughts of you too and wishing you a blessed Christmas. Sending you lots of warmth and love from down under. - Chris and Ibyang

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NaruOne Korean Restaurant (Pitt St, Sydney)

We can only last a while of not eating Korean cuisine so last night, after shopping at Chinatown, we head down to Sydney CBD's Koreatown at Liverpool Street to have some good 'ol Korean stew and Bibimbap.

NaruOne reminds me of homely Korean restaurants in Seoul. Simple and always busy. The place easily gets filled up from 6pm onwards but we're fortunate to get a table at around 7ish. They are quite known for their Korean Fried Chicken but we weren't in the mood for deep-fried chicken last night.

I got myself a big bowl of Spicy Beef Stew which came with a lot of vegetables. I think there was about four small beef cubes so it was a bit disappointing. The spiciness was average, not really as hot as it looked in the photo. The soup was light and not as tasty as I hope. I think the soup would have been more tasty had they added more meat. I enjoyed it nonetheless as it was a cool night last night and it did gave comfort to my hungry tummy.

The Husband had the Beef Bibimbap in sizzling stone pot which was really very hot it burned the rice a bit (the ones at the bottom). They served a small bowl of soup with it so the Husband spilled some soup on the bowl to keep the rice from going dry or burning. Again this dish seemed bland, almost tasteless. Better to add lots of chili sauce for some flavour.

We're not impressed with the dishes we ate last night but we'd come back one day should we have the craving for some Korean Fried Chicken. The table beside us ordered some Spicy Chicken and it looked mouth-watering indeed. 

NaruOne Korean Restaurant
375 Pitt Street, Sydney
Phone: 02 9261 2680