History night

After having been out for a company dinner on Friday night already I didn't really fancy going out the following night again. Also the kids were not happy about it and gave us hard time before leaving. But as it happens so often - if you don't really want to go, it turns out the best. And I definitely would have hated to have missed the party last night. It was a couple from Robert's taekwondo class who had invited all the TKD buddies around to their amazing place. The hosts were rather amazing as well - she is Chinese Singaporean and at 46 the "oldest" lady in the TKD class as she kept pointing out. He is Indian-British Singaporean and the oldest man in the class. Both black belts. They kept cracking jokes about it. Their house is like a museum - an old so called shophouse near Chinatown. The houses all look quite neat from the street but quite small, like some old terraced street in England, just more ornamental. But as you get inside it's just one wow after another. The house just keeps going on and on 6000 square feet altogether complete with two airwells and secret staircases and outdoor kitchen. Their interior was quite minimalistic but very stylish as it had been renovated keeping as many old original features as possible. Mostly inspired by japanese design with a zen garden in the former drainage area of the airwell being the centre point. They complained about the kitchen though during rainy season, because it has only 3 walls. I suggested they could have soup when it rains. Of course it is easier to keep such a zen design without kids. 

I also got a great insight into the traditional life in these houses because it turned out one of the guests grew up in a house just like that on the same road. Back then it wasn't just a place for a couple but for a business and 3 generations. Her family had been traders and the ground floor was used for business including the kitchen for feeding the employees. Also interestingly her room had been on first floor on the street side and there was a whole in the floor of her room so she could see who is at the front door. Lots of interesting stories about the role of the oldest grandchild in a traditional Hakka family. The grandparents made everyone learn Cantonese because that was the trading language even still in the 80-s. Granddad was convinced jeans would damage internal organs so she had to sneak out and change somewhere else if she wanted to wear the jeans. 

There were many very interesting people, different nationalities (incl. one Finn) as well as Singaporeans. It was really the first time that we had such a great insight there. And all the ladies look stunning in the evening (the hostess gave us a great lecture about her techniques starting with foundation up to the lighting!) Also some TKD mums who have their boys in Karl and Raoul's class, whom I didn't recognize in their night-time disguise! And the coaches, including Ms Lee whom we always only see in her TKD kit - now in a pretty dress. The owner of the school had got engaged recently in Korea so there was a lot of teasing and fun going on about and with him. All really good and funny guys. The mood got better and better as everyone had brought some typical drinks from their country and the Champagne flew.

And today a rainy day and tired so took the kids to see Madagascar in the movies...