After Christmas day, it comes to St. Stephen's day. And what we do on this day? Just relax, coz it's too much hassle to prepare Christmas dinner. Now, we can all sit back and enjoy the quiet moment; children are happy with their presents in the play room. (OS from parents: Just leave me alone!) The wind from the East is icing cold. Even the pub is open, we don't want to walk out there. The football match is on and we do as usual, but no T-shirt / flag / blanket kind of things to support Arsenal. Well, it's 2:2 to Aston villa, so, Arsenal didn't lost, but an important player got injurt. Well, cross fingers and touch wood, they can win next one to get the 4th place. Talk about injurt, Katie studies in sport injurt and she has 15 cases to work on this holiday. OMG, it sounds like the 12th week in EHL. But what's fun to watch is DC giving consulting to Gene's shoulder and leg while Katie is on the side. Kaite works hard and she completes some of her cases. Now, we can take a break. Gene brings on those DVDs at home and we vote to watch or maybe or not to watch. Not only Gene's list we have to go thru, but also Hannah's and Emily's. See those audian's look? We go back to music then...

Christmas is a very important time for Irish family. Therefore, we need strong alcohol support and it's a better deal up to the North. Here we are - we head to North - over Newry - we end up nearly Belfast suburb - Lisburn. The sun set is nearly 4, so not good light for taking pics. It's different than the South. Also, on Saintsbury's door, I find a thing different - Sunday shopping. The store will be open at 12:30 but for browsing only, shopping is after 1PM. And good news is: We really get better deal here. These days, Stering is droping and Euro is getiting stronger. 0.97 penny to 1 Euro in the shop and 0.94 in the bank exchange. That makes a big different. We get a free range turkey for 6 adult and 2 kids for 35 Euro after converted. And Terry gets 70 quids from the Dundalk butcher. The only problem in this shopping center is we can't get something decent to eat, so we have the famous Scotish dinner - McDonalds. Their chocolate milkshake tastes sour to me.

Finally! I got my visa and passport with ticket in hand. We are going home today!!! Although I am really out of energy. I finished work early, delivered all the mooncakes. Actually, I havn't pack properly yet, and 3 hours to go to airport. Whatever, I run down to hairdresser and get last minute dye before catch flight. 2 hours relax and wait for DC get ready, A thounder and lighterling, what's that? A heavy rain comes down. Even worst, ex-president Chen Chua-Bien is in our corner break down the traffic in this district. What a day! Mark & Joan take us to airport with kids. Daniel keeps sayig he want to go with us, and then he falls asleep in my arms. (Friday, 8PM, we take off from KHH to HKG)

Hey, we are in AMS for breakfast! Time for ommelet. Stan, there is a computer for you and DC says the chip is still in good condition. There are gold on the street. Oh, another thing to say is that cold weather. Can't believe it. We leave KHH with 30 degrees, even with rain. We walk out of Schipol in 15 degrees with breeze. I have to buy a sweater in hurry, or I can't walk around. I don't see the different between summer and winter, all in sweater and coat. Well, it's different in cold and freezen though, as I feel.

We arrive DUB at night, nearly 32 hours ago we step out of KHH house, we finally make it home-DUB. (Uncle) Noel stands outside and picks us up to Ian's place, very sweet of Noel. 7pm is heavy traffic coz everybody is on their way home. Again, it's cold, but we are warm coz we are back with family. Gene is with Ian already.

Happy 2008! It's a good start! Gene brings us to this little Italian restaurant near Stephen's Green. Wow, a lot of ppl come out for sales, so do I!!! I get a good bargain on heavy coat for 36 Euro (was 75 Sterling). And also many good bargain for Daniel, Duncan and Chris & Mia's unborn baby. DC is worry about overweight again. Ha, I am under control - professionaly.

Ian shows me this speical restaurant. It's different than I thought, it's quite easy and light decoration. I haven't check out their menu, but will be interesting. The X'mas decortaion will be on for another few days and than pack, back to the box. Holiday is over! Time to go back to normal life!

It's the last breakfast on 2007, it's perfect! That's what we need to start a brilliant day. We get Ian back to celebrate the New Year Eve. That's what Da wants, to spend a night together, thru the year. Last year, this time, we were down in Durby,Feather. Early on, Pat & Kathy drop off and leave their dog - Rudy with Da & Mags for a week. She fits in soon and finds her own spot.
Acutally, today is mild, not that cold. Since we have the fireplace, I enjoy to put it on and keep burning things, but you see, I am not allowed to put on fire at home, so I take it out here. Keep pushing the other to drink, to smoke, to something else, get me something to throw into fire!!! That's it, 2007. We enjoy whole year around, something good or bad happened, but we are still here, together. That's the point! DC is in perfect health this year, not catching cold at all, although my family had terrible flu at home. Good-bye, 2007!

A classic pic of Coffey fixing DVD player! They are fixing it up, coz I want to watch Mags' favourite DVD - The jungle story. After 2 weeks mass drinking parties, it's time to take a day off, just sit in and relax. Of course, a bottle of red wine, a box of chocolate, sitting on Da's sofa, it's so cozy, I have a nap for a while. I haven't put on fire yet and Mags is back from pub. It's a really lovely day.

Happy Birthday to my mom and 4th Aunt! I call home early on. No one answer and find out - Duncan is in hospital. His little finger gets infection and blood vessul is not thru. Oh, poor baby. He freaks out when nurse comes to change the pad everytime. How can you tell 1-yr-old to stay still? They will be in hospital for a while, so Joan and Duncan has the VIP room with good view of lake, 2 beds, TV and fridge, it's like a holiday there, until nurse comes in, 4 times a day. That's enough for a baby to take.

During dinner, Mags and I can't stop laughing on what's going to happen next. Oh, boy, Mags needs help, and I won't like to be in the middle. Mags is doing someone's favour, to take care a dog, and Da won't like the idea. However, we go thru it and we are fine. But, Mags is laughing at my reply. That's the point here, that's the thing I will be forbiden to do or to say in TW. In Coffey, I can be myself, speak whatever I am thinkg of. But in TW, I have to zip up and let DC do the speech. Da & Mags won't take it personal when I make joke or say something to them. Back at home, although my parents are open minded, but not that much. I still need to behave in some limit. I am the daughter in the house, I have to watch what I say, image as a daughter-in-law?!?! Also that's the reason my parents are happy with DC, he lets me being myself and his family accepts who I am.

Actually, Noel is the first one arrived. We put on fire and start drinking, eating slowly, and talk a lot. My project 2007 - Coffey family tree has to be completed by the end of this year and I am lucky so far, we can trace great grandpa and his family back to 1864. Harry's friend found out a case study on Coffey in 1903 and IE has released census in 1911. And I got Mary the other day, to fill in Coffey's information and listen to so pieces of story about nana Coffey. That's major improvement of this year. All Coffey who turn out on this gathering has completed their own family tree, now, I only need to trace down couple few more details who didn't make it today.
It's very interesting to see how nana Coffey's life was so similar like my grandma Chen. They became widows in their late 40s with many kids. (Coffey 6, Chen 10+3 from the next door) It's hard for a woman in that time, but they survied and be able to raise up their babies. Although they might not get enough food, but they love each other and keep them together. Since Grandma Chen is gone, Chen family hasn't have family gathering, and hopefuly, it will be soon. It's 3rd uncle's turn, he is the eldest man in Chen family.
It's so joyful, maybe enough of alcohole, we start to sing. Many songs I am not familiar with, but it sounds so good. Of course, singing and dancing, it's a great time out. Everybody sings a song, but not Ian, coz he lost his voice. It's kind of tradition to him now, he "always" catch cold around X'mas to New Year. God bless, wish he better soon, coz we have so many food and drink to finish.

Coffey family has gathering today and Mags' family are coming too. Mags prepares so many things to feed every single mouth. Ian is in charged of cheese selection and cold meat. Yummy, we were in supermarket early on and it was great place to get pama ham, also I found my chili pepper with feta cheese - hot!!! Kids know their rule in this house, very present and comfortable for adult to start drinking in kitchen. Mags' brothers and sisters all turn out with their little family. It's their first family gathering in 2008 and some of them haven't met for X'mas, therefore, a lot of X'mas present exchange here. Oh, boy, I miss my Blackbush! It went down so fast, only last 2 days, but I enjoyed every drop. It's first time to see Paul enjoy the party. Oh, boy, by his drinking speed, I can tell he won't like to wake up tomorrow. He mix beer, white wine and other drink, wow, I can't handle that kind of mix. Wow, tonight, I even make Timmy eat some Korean noodle. In return, I will have Timmy Chips. All the kids are telling me how tasty it is. Mags told me a bit about her childhood. It sounds like Chen's family story too. Elder first, girls help out for housework, it's not easy to have so many kids in the little place. Anna asks me to sing a song and DC & I sing the TW song. And then Linda has Irish version of it. We end up with singing and dancing, and a lot of drinking!!!

Timmy and Anna are married over 50 years. Linda told me that they don't talk to each other during X'mas, coz so many things going on and they don't like it. But, good to see them singing and dancing together. That's how marriage work. It takes two to tango. Another lovely thing to see is their children sing and dance with them.

Voila, that's where we stay last night. It's right in the corner of high street with many food selection around. Not too bad, Gene found it on internet with 30 Euro ppn. The fried breakfast does us good. It's different aspect but has more Irish touch. Coz it's a small town, ppl know each other which is nice. Unlike in TW, many ppl hardly know who's the next door neightbour at all. Well, TPE and KHH have very high density population, can't really compare with. But, at home - KHH, we do know old neightbours well, coz we live there for over 20 yrs. Kids grow up together, that makes different. Back to B&B topic, we would love to do similar business when we move back to Ireland. DC said this B&B should be used to Victor's house coz it stands right next to church. Our plan is more like high tech guest house. Maybe we travel too often or we look into it too deep, guest house shouldn't be too hard here. Again, still need to look in a big pic, before we do any move. This will be on our list for 2008.

Today, we should head back to DUB. Cousin Olive is heading back to London soon. The good thing in this X'mas is we could meet her for an afternoon tea and see her girls. Look forward to see her again soon, hopefuly, it won't take another 5 years.

It was good night out, get drunk and walk back to B&B, no hassle. Only problem is the weather - rainning. We were the last one to be kicked out, again, as our tradition. This pub has refurnished 2 years ago, but still maintains its own style. It has small area for bar and a big lounge area. 2 TV in the corner, on sport channel. Can't believe it was Newcastle 4 : 0 Man. U.. They must haven't recover from X'mas drinking party or what. By the time, we got out of pub, all chipper and take away were closed. Well, head back to B&B with empty stomach and fully pack of alcohole. Not drunk enough yet... Well, for some of us, it's enough. However, we had a good laugh which is more important.

We managed to be in Gene's local before 10PM to catch up his mates, Cootehill. It's raining out there but ppl still came out for pub, to meet ppl. Tina and Deirdre tried very hard on me to drink Ritz, a peach cider drink. I prefered to stay with my Blackbush then. Red (Brian) was messed around with Martin, it was a big laugh. When Martin messed back, oh boy, our cheeks were exhausted. Hahaha! I can't image Gene had Red's hair style. Gerard and Laura told us many stories, some we heard, some we never heard of. Joy, joy, joy. Even Gene's brother - Paddy came out, Here we have McGee three!

This is not the only case and it won't be the last too. My goodness, we really did it. Bottle bank will be very happy to see them return. As I said earlier, we mis-caculated AGAIN. It's not enough for a week, just 4 days. Better than last year, we had one more day supply. Well, everybody is happy.
Girls wake up early, Wii does keep them busy. Pubs have closed for 2 days now, we are dying to go out. But, "The IT crowd" keeps us in, the rest are out for gym, for walk or for whatever. Gene comes back and puts on TV: Benazir Bhutto is killed! Sad, but you can see it coming. Well, she was a fighter, fight until she died. May she rest in peace!
We are getting ready and head to Carvan where Gene comes from. Pub is opened there, hooray! We are out of supply anyway. DC cooks a perfect fried breakfast. That'll be enough for us to go on whole day!