Chatters December 2023 - February 2024 : simplebooklet.com

EDITORIAL The opinions expressed in Chatters are not necessarily those of Crossroads Clubhouse,Arahura Trust or Auckland District Health Board. We welcome your feedback and arehappy to pass this on the contributors. We have made it to another year!! 2024 has started out as a warmer and much morehospitable year. A sharp reflection on the beginning of 2023.The rain and Cyclone Gabrielle of 2023 causing chaos around the country. Havingreached the one year anniversary of that disaster brings a little respite knowing thecommunities pulled together. As opposed to the weather last summer this years has beenmore mild while we have still had enough rain to keep the dams fuller than average. Therehas still been a bit of rain but generally a lot warmer and the majority of NZ Farmers mustbe happy to avoid torrential rain.Outside of Clubhouse in Auckland and further afield in New Zealand we experienced anelection in October 2023. An event that keeps the country turning and the journalistsbusy. The result that NZ voted for put National in power with NZ first and Act joiningNational in a three party coalition.The new triple force in parliament: NZ first, Act and National has been a shift from aLabour led government, it has seemed to isolate some minorities in New Zealand. Thiswas no better expressed than at Waitangi day where Maori expressed this disillusionmentwith the direction of the country. It remains to be seen if New Zealand can come togetherto agree on the matters pivotal to our country. Nationals mantra 'to get the Country backon track' seems positive. While in some sense we are returning to the normalcy of preCOVID with the Tourism industry bouncing back after the borders re opened. There aredifferent views of what a post COVID world looks like and some think that a return to oldpractices is to ignore the environmental shift of recent years. Obviously leading thecountry is a difficult job given the last few years of COVID and the global frictionescalating overseas. Lets hope National can unite us!!Looking overseas, some tensions are bubbling over. The wars in Israel and Palestine alongwith the ongoing war in Ukraine puts many countries ill at ease. The US is trying tosupport Israel while disagreeing with the humanitarian issues that are rising from Israel'soffensive. Trade routes seem to be opening for us to our major partners China and theUS. However the Suez canal provides a risky route for world trade while pirates risk thesafety of cargo ships.While many frictions overseas can not be resolved quickly if we continue to respect andsupport each other at clubhouse; listen to our friends, and be hospitable to others it canonly improve and strengthen our relationships.Thanks for ReadingSam S.

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DIRECTOR'S REPORTKI A O RA WH ANA U,I’ M PL EAS ED T O PR ESE NT T HE M UCH -AN TICIP ATE D 20 24 E DIT ION OF C HAT TER S, W HER E WEBR ING YOU THE LATE ST AND GREA TES T HAPPEN ING S AT CROSSR OAD S CLUB HOUSE . AS WERE FLE CT ON T HE V IBR ANT EV ENT S OF THE PA ST C OUP LE OF M ONT HS, IT' S C LEA R TH AT O URCO MMU NI TY IS GEA RING UP FOR AN E XTR AOR DIN ARY Y EAR AH EAD.KI CKI NG OF F THE FEST IVI TIE S, CR OSS ROA DS CL UBH OU SE HOS TE D ITS FI RST EVERCH RIS TM AS PA RTY , AN D WHA T A CEL EBRAT ION I T WAS ! IT WAS ON E OF THE BI GGESTTU RNO UT OF AN Y O F OUR GA THE RINGS TO DA TE.FO LLO WI NG TH E FESTI VE SPIR IT, OUR EXCU RSI ONS TO RA GLAN AN D HAMIL TON WER ENO THI NG SHORT OF SPE CTACU LAR . WIT H AN EVEN LAR GER GROUP JOININ G US THIS TIME,TH E F UN WA S A MPL IFIED AS WE EXPL ORE D N EW FACET S O F T HESE BEA UTI FUL L OCA TIO NS. CR OSS RO ADS CLU BHO USE CO NTI NUE D ITS T RAD ITI ON B Y C ELE BRA TIN G THE 2 8TH FOU NDER' SDA Y AT T HE SCE NIC LON G BAY . THE EVE NT WAS A HUG E SUC CESS, F EAT URING M OUT H-WA TER IN G BB Q, F UN G AME S, AND THE UNM IST AKABL E SP IRI T OF COM MUNIT Y TH AT D EFI NESCR OSS RO ADS .DI NIN G AT CRO SSROA DS TOOK A GL OBA L TU RN AS TWILI GHT DIN NERS EXPL ORE D CU ISI NESFR OM AR OUND THE WORLD. THES E CUL INA RY JO URNEY S NOT ONLY SATI SFI ED TH E TAS TEBU DS BUT ALS O PRO VID ED A R EFRES HIN G CHA NGE, FOST ERI NG CULTUR AL APPR ECI ATIONAN D D IV ERS ITY WI THIN OUR CO MMUNI TY.A LO NG- AW AIT ED OP POR TUNIT Y FOR COMM UNITY SERV ICE FINA LLY ARR IVE D ASCR OSS RO ADS CL UBHOU SE VOLUN TEE RED FOR KIWI HAR VEST. TH IS IN CRE DIB LE EX PER IENCEAL LOW ED O UR ME MBE RS T O GIV E BAC K TO THE CO MMUNI TY, F OST ERING A S ENS E OFPU RPO SE AN D C ONN ECTIO N B EYO ND OU R O WN WAL LS.WE A RE ALS O E XCITE D TO H AVE O UR NEW EST S TAF F MEM BER S HEV ONN E ON BOA RD T OCO MPL ET E O UR TEA M, GE T T O K NOW H ER MOR E W HEN Y OU VIS IT US HE RE IN CL UBH OUS E.FO R TH OSE WHO COU LDN 'T M AKE IT T O TH ESE EVE NTS , FE AR N OT, THE BEG INN ING OF 2 024IS JU ST TH E TIP OF THE ICEB ERG , WITH A MULTI TUD E OF EXCITI NG EVE NTS LINE D UPTH ROU GH OUT T HE Y EAR . FR OM M ORE A DV ENT URE S AN D SOCIA L RECS TO COM MUN ITYOU TRE AC H I NIT IAT IVE S, TH ERE 'S DEFIN ITE LY SOMET HIN G F OR EVERY ONE . W E E AGE RLYAN TIC IP ATE SEE IN G FA MILIA R FA CES AN D WELC OMI NG NEWCO MER S AS WE NAVIG ATE TH ISYE AR OF JOY, G ROW TH, AND S HAR ED EXPERI ENC ES. S TAY TUN ED, A ND L ET' S MAK E 2024 ATCR OSS RO ADS CL UBH OUSE AN UNF ORGET TAB LE JOU RNEY!NG A M IH I,MI CKI E

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It’s the season & time to be Jolly!! And we just had that, with a Blastat the Crossroads Clubhouse Christmas Party 2023, at theOnehunga complex itself, compared to previous Christmas partiesof yesteryear at the RSA… this Christmas Party had a more relaxed,laid back & comfortable feel in the atmosphere, with no rushes toarrival & departure times to the RSA, we had the day all toourselves.Clubhouse was already decorated & rearranged the day prior bystaff & some of the members, with tables in formation, with namesof guests on each. Attendees arrived, finding their seats, and enjoyeach other’s company & light snacks, til the party started.By 11:30am, Mickie started the party with few words of gratitude,then the highlight of the day. The Christmas Dance Performance,choreographed for the 2nd time by Theresa and dancers includedMickie, Nadia, Anna, Polli, Ngaiwi, Sefo & I. After the dance, thefloor was open for lunch, which was catered by Loaves ‘n’ FishesCatering.After the lunch, a Prize Giving Ceremony by Clubhouse was held,thanking outstanding members, which included Sam S, Ngaiwi,Russ, Polli, Anna, Jason B & I.For the rest of the afternoon, we finished off with Karaoke, andhelped Clean-Up for a Christmas Party gone well, done & satisfied.Thank You.CHR I STM AS P ART Y 2 0 23— By Ruppin

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Same spot, different year, more members joining us on our annualexcursion. Mickie had to rent a van from JAMES BLOND :) van rentals toaccommodate everyone that was coming. We left on the dot andconvoyed our way to our destination.We had fish and chips for lunch. Ngaiwi and Sam jumped (bomb dived) offthe famous Raglan bridge at Papahua beach. Queenie went for a dip andthe majority crossed the bridge for some group photos and a good walk.We also went back to the same spot at Surf beach to have amazing photoswith the group. After which we headed back to Auckland. On the way back, Theresa fell asleep. She must have been really exhaustedno matter how much we tried to wake her, she was totally gone, out of theworld, in cloud eleven – cloud nine’s too short, she was fast asleep. We gotphotos and videos; she could have given sleeping beauty a run for hermoney in deep sleeping. Everyone was tired but had smiles on their facesfrom a good time spent with the Clubhouse gang.In the end, thanks to Mickie, Nadz and Theresa and all the members thatattended. We all had a wonderful time at Raglan, memories always to becherished and remembered. God Bless. RAG L AN TRIP -By Ruppin

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It was our New Years holiday, so we decided to enjoy life a bit. Two vanswent down the highway one to “the tron”. We assembled at the memorialgardens first and had long pizza subs for lunch. I tried a little warmonument photography there. After lunch we headed across to theGardens, which was still offering free entry. As a group we walked through the Chinese garden by the Waikato River,and we saw the sacred turtle statue and pagodas and bridges with the koicarp swimming underneath. Then long to an edible herb garden which wasall about different sizes. I found it disconcerting, especially with thesounds they played. We didn’t miss the Egyptian court, which was cool inthe days’ heat and pretty. An ice cream kiosk kept us afoot for the picturesque walk around throughcaves next to the river. These is a pre-colonization Tangata Whenua MaoriGarden which shows how the ancients grew and protected their kumaracrops in volcanic soil. The last garden to see had a Tudor theme, and it hadmysterious statues up on the top of poles above a patterned shrubbery. Itwas all incredible and amazing and the Hamiltons must put in so muchtender loving care to grow and maintain these ornamental plants. It wasalso educational. HAMIL TO N GAR DE N— By David G.

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FOUNDERS’ DAY 2024— By R uppi nNadz and I arrived at 8:00am. I heated the burger patties in the oven andboiled the pot of rice. I set things up all organized and ready to go with ourchilly bins.David Breen went straight there to save our #3 spot until the “mouse” arrivedwith the barbecue gear in the tow. Once all three vehicles arrived at Long Bay,everyone chipped in preparing for the day, with tables set. Nadz and Theresaprepared finger food, chips, and dips to start. Mickie got the barbecue fired up, with Chef Ruppin on standby. I BBQ thesausages first while Marsha and Hedy buttered the bread. After all thesausages were cooked, everyone was called in line and served by Maddi andKate at the end of the lines. The sauce servers, or condiments girls, servedyour preferred option, tomato sauce, mayo, BBQ sauce or mustard, of whichthey were very generous going to the members delight. Yasmin was BBQ Devourer of the day with 4 sausage sizzles and 3 burgers. Games were also brought over by the staff, some playing Jenga, and we hadnew contender challenger beating the guys left right and center in ConnectFour, and that was new staff member Shevonne. She was lethal and mercilesson her opponents. Thanks to Sam S in winning against her to restore back forthe fellas, although overall winner was taken by Paul G. Ngaiwi played ball with Theresa which really was a disaster awaiting to occursince she can’t see far. Miraculously she was hysterical when she caught theball. Must have just put the mitt in front of her face. LOLThen she cruised to Mickie, Calvin, Geoff, Jason Y and Shevonne all playingthese throwing games with sandbags and little hoops. A game of technique,accuracy and precision, and luck. Some bluffed too lol. Theresa again lol. Iknow she couldn’t see that far but the sandbags were falling in the pocket. Hadto be a bluff lol.Ngaiwi, Sam S, Paul D and Matt all took a dip in the sea with high tide comingin, a perfect time to swim. By Ruppin

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BackgroundWaitangi Day occurs annually on the 6th of February. It is the day when twoversions of The Treaty of Waitangi were established between the British Crownand Māori who are indigenous to Aotearoa New Zealand. The Treaty of Waitangi isthe foundation of Aotearoa New Zealand which everyone refers to as a bindingdocument that allows for economic activities to occur. The treaty was signed by Māori chiefs who were willing to trade with the BritishCrown, however, there were chiefs that opposed the creation of the treaty whichresulted in them being slaughtered, imprisoned, or stayed away from the eventaltogether and formed an alliance to go against the Crown. Some importantaspects of the treaty include but are not limited to participation, partnership,and protection. Furthermore, the two versions of the treaty coexist and isimportant for kiwis to acknowledge through education and in the workforce. Waitangi Day is a public holiday for New Zealanders to remember the partnershipbetween the British Crown and Māori. It is also a day where everyone cometogether to celebrate a day off from school and work to spend quality time withtheir friends or family. Crossroad Clubhouse ActivityFor the week of Waitangi Day, here at Crossroads Clubhouse we immersedourselves in Māori music to put a positive spin among the negative controversysurrounding Waitangi Day. I hope everyone had a good Waitangi Day.Shevonne WAI T ANG I D A Y — By Shevo n n e

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KIWI HARVEST — B y T h ere s a Kiwi Harvest is a non government organisation who rescues 200kg of surplus foodevery month and distribute it to people around New Zealand. They have drivers thatare scheduled to go around Auckland to distribute food parcels to their recipients andevery Mondays they come to Crossroads Clubhouse to deliver for the members.Members and staff are very grateful to have received such generosity.Last October Kiwi Harvest held a Charity Event for sponsors and other donors to come, unfortunately we were not able to attend but we are very honoured that Ruppin’s storywas picked and presented to the crowd during the event. This year we’ve startedvolunteering at their warehouse to pack the food parcels that will be distributed todifferent areas in Auckland. This is one way that we at Crossroads Clubhouse areshowing our gratitude and appreciation to Kiwi Harvest. We are looking forward to more volunteer work with them and other projects in thefuture.

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We were all preparing for the day. Sefo, Ngaiwi, Russel, Ruppin, T.K, David, Gabe, Scotty placed our lawn mowers in the van and the BBQ. We left the clubhouse and headed toDominion Road. We unloaded the van and Mickie gave me the responsibilityto cut the grass while Ruppin was at the BBQ. Sefo, Ngaiwi, Russel, T.K, David, Scotty were all cleaning the Basement. Once all tasks were completed Ruppin had an all you can eat BBQ ready for all of us. We all ate the BBQwhile chilling before heading back to Clubhouse.CLE A N U P W I TH THE BOY S — By Apol i

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My name is Quinny. I started playing Tenpin at Pins in Henderson in March 2023. Just as the year 2023 was closing (mid-November) a man joined our league and his very first bowl was a strike! I was so impressed! I had to get in Jason’s team! Cool guy. After a couple of weeks Jason realized I lived in Onehunga, and I regularly bused home. On the final Tenpin Day Jason invited me to come meet his Crossroads Clubhousewhanau. My head is saying, ‘Awesome, meet new people...’ but my body is saying, ‘Go home... have a nap!’ As Jason and I disembarked off the 68 from New Lynn, I tentatively followed him to the end of the terminal past the Rec where I used to work. He was waffling on in a non-stop mono tone – but I wasn’t listening – too knackered (sorry Jase!) OMG!! I am so pleased I stayed with Jason! As he opened a ranch slider, he said he’d brought someone and I cringed feeling really intimidated and maybe a little insecure. There was nothing to be scared of! HIS Crossroads whanau quickly became my Crossroads Club whanau! I was signed in within an hour, given a tour and shown a whiteboard of house duties with names already filled. In my mind I’m thinking, ‘Ok... Marae setting, working the Marae, no problem, I got this...’ I haven’t been here a month and I have been to Raglan; enrolled in the Gym upstairs; signed up for other excursions and made so many new friends! The food is hearty – way, WAY, better than a café because it’s made with love! Collectively we exercise withwalking gym classes, Zumba, challenging our minds by providing computers and filling our day with outings, karaoke singing and laughter. Kiwi Harvest comes to Crossroads weekly to offer us food and goods.I can be myself here. I feel totally welcome, accepted and comfortable. I am looking forward to a coming year of being included. AND… Unbelievably… people seem to like me!NEW MEM BER S — By Quinn y & T KMY EX PERIENCE A S A NEW CLUBH OUS E MEMBER, I W AS VERYSH Y A T FIRST BU T S TAFF AND O THE R MEMBERS MAD E MEFE EL VERY WELCO ME. I ENJOY T HE COMPANY ATCR OSS ROADS, PEO PLE ARE VERY FRI ENDLY AND THE FOOD ISTO DI E FOR! AND WO RTH EVERY PEN NY. THE ST AFF WILLHE LP YOU IN WHA TEV ER SITUATI ON YOU ARE IN AN D I FINDTH EM VERY TRUST WOR THY!T. K.

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NEW STA FF — By Rupp i nBack at Staff Squad FANTASTIC FOUR[Welcoming New Staff Member SHEVONNE] 2023 was a hectic year for the 3 Musketeers Mickie, Nadia & Theresa.Being a staff short, they had to jumble around amongst themselves,covering numerous roles. Push came to shove, when one staff was sickor away, the remaining two were the only ones left to run the day atClubhouse. Like a prayer answered, Clubhouse is back at its pinnacle with thewelcoming and inclusion of our new and 4th staff Shevonne, easingtension in each managerial role individually. With the Clubhouse Cruise ship back afloat at sea, with all hands ondeck and ready, Mickie as Captain can now focus more on hisdirectorial duties. Nadia, as Chief Staff Officer can oversee thesmooth sailing, running & functioning of Clubhouse daily and ChiefDeck Officer Theresa is back to doing what she does best, making sureall hands are on deck for a safe voyage. Shevonne would then come in as Chief Engineer Officer, covering allaspects between staff and members with her expertise. Finally, with Clubhouse back at full strength and staff numbers, theCrossroads Clubhouse Cruise ship’s voyage along the vast sea andocean of 2024 should be swift, sweet, smooth sailing into the futurewith the unknown ahead and beyond. Ship Ahoy. Full Speed Ahead & God Speed.

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NEW STA FF — By Rupp i n1. So, it’s just your 1st week gone by at Clubhouse at Founder’s Day, how are you feelingso far?Shevonne: My first week at the Clubhouse so far has been amazing! The staff andmembers were all welcoming. Founder’s Day was extremely fun! I enjoyed playinggames with the members and the food was delicious. 2. Compared to your previous job working with youth, how does your job at Clubhousecompare with that?Shevonne: There is a big difference between the two. Although, both are just asrewarding as the other. The dynamic is different – more relaxing working with adultsthan youth.3. Being of Pasifika descent, with more Pacific members joining Clubhouse, what wouldyou offer through your job?Shevonne: Being Pasifika, specifically Samoan I can offer hospitality and a heart ofservice. Respecting members for who they are, not what they have. Provide empathyand understanding from a cultural perspective, but also relate with them from a holisticapproach. 4. Has it always been an ambition for you to become a support worker?Shevonne:No, growing up I wanted to be many things but at the same time I alwaysknew I wanted to help people. I believe my life’s purpose is not bound to a role, but it iswhat I can do for others. The Support Worker role fulfils my purpose and adds meaningto my life, which is helping people on their road to recovery. 5. Where do you see yourself long term in your role?Shevonne: In the long term, I see myself perfecting my skills and knowledge in thesupport worker role, especially working with adults. 6. If you ever worked under a mantra, what would it be and why?Shevonne: “Treat others like how you would like to be treated”. This was instilled in mesince I moved to NZ. You don’t really know what battles people are going through so it isimportant to treat others in the best way because you will get the same in return. 7. With your vast experience as a Support Worker, what would you say or advisemembers, especially Pasifika, on how to take on the day?Shevonne: No one knows you better than yourself so the best way to take on the day isby doing things you enjoy the most. From a Pasifika perspective, gathering as acommunity to seek support so you know you are not going through it alone.Shevonne HInterviewed by Ruppin

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MA RA ET AI B EA CH — By Paul GOn Saturday the 20th of January we went on the first social rec for theyear. We went to Maraetai. This time we took only one van as we onlyhad one van driver. Theresa who took the social rec does not drive vans. Sam drove the van well. Ngaiwi, hemi, Beiu, David G and Iwere the others who went on the trip. On the way to Maraetai we drovethrough Manukau City. It was good to see Rainbows End again. When Iwas younger, I had fun times there.At the beach Ngaiwi, Sam and Hemi went for a swim. We had eggsandwiches and soft drinks for lunch. Maraetai is one of the few suburbsthat have a Movenpick store. Theresa shouted us all a ice cream fromMovenpick. We all appreciated it. We arrived at the Clubhouse around1:30pm. The weather was good. We all had a good time.

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SO CI AL R EC . — By S am On arrival to the Otara Flea Market everyonesplit into smaller groups and began to scourthe bustling lanes looking for treasures. Justbeing there in that environment made the tripa success. Apart from the food stalls therewere a range of apparel, clothes, sunnies thatwould make a fine addition to anyone'swardrobe. For some, just sitting and listeningto the live music was enough entertainment torelax and enjoy their time.The next stop was ‘Why Knot’. As someone whohas not visited there before it was hard toavoid spending anything on the huge array ofgreat deals. Food drinks clothing, it had it all.Ice creams, dairy products, mayonnaise,clothes, meats, the list goes on. Theexperience of 'Why Knot's' hustle and bustleand the efficiency of the staff replacing emptyshelves was impressive not to mention theirability to weave through the crowded isles wasa spectacle.The last stop for Social Rec was for some fishand chips. We shot over to Mangere BridgeFish ’n’ chips Village Fishery where we mostlikely ordered the largest order of the day.Everyone of the 12 of us ordered the $8 dollarfeast which consisted of chips, a fish, a hotdogs and prawns. A rewarding way to finish aproductive day on the roads.

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It was Saturday, the 02nd of December, the last ‘n’ final month of 2023,and its Nadia’s turn to take us out on Social Recreation, through themean, rowdy streets of the South. Known for its notoriety, thankGoodness we had Nadz (she’s from the South!), its safe to say, we werein no better hands, care, company & guidance, we felt at ease.And so, down along the Southern bound Highway ran a full, jam packed,white Hi-Ace van “Fridge”, with Nadz as our tour guide plus chaufer.And members present included Anna, Ngaiwi, Russ, T.K, Bieu, Paul G,David G, Apolli & I.We left Clubhouse by 10:00am, arrived at Otara Markets at 10:20am,agreeing to meet back at the van by 11:00am. On the way back, westopped by ‘Village Fishery’ at Mangere Bridge to pick up our orderedfish & chips meal, which we had, when we arrived back at Clubhouse by12:00 noon. On this day, Onehunga held its very own ‘Santa Parade’ sosome of the fellas went up to see the parade while Russ & I stayed backwhile Nadia put on a movie, the final of the Planet of the Apes trilogy,“the War of the Planet of Apes” where Caesar dies, yet saving thesurviving apes. Nadz had a tummy illness, she couldn’t eat her fish &chips meal, she gave it for me, of which I had the privilege to savor &enjoy, it was a great Social Rec. Thank you Nadz for the hospitality and the fellas for the company…Cheers!OU T SO UT H WI TH NADZ — By Ruppin

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AR OU ND T HE W OR LD WITH MICKIE— By Jason B. & There sa Snippet from Jason BowersQ: Why do you like going to Twilight Dinners?JB: It’s good to get out and a good opportunity to try different food fromdifferent cultures. It’s a good company with the members and staff.Q: What is your favourite restaurant that you’ve been so far?JB: It’s hard to choose because they are all good haha..but the mostmemorable dish for me was Bang Bang Chicken from Kiss Kiss.Q: What is the next restaurant you are interested to try?JB: Something I haven’t tried before.. other Asian Food like Vietnamese,Indonesian or Malaysian. Mickie organised a series of twilight dinners, taking the members on aculinary journey around the world. Each evening brought newexperience as they ventured to different restaurants, including thevibrant Flamingo Indian Restaurant, where fragrant spices filled the air,and Spicy House Chinese Restaurant, where the members enjoyedtheir fried rice. They savored the comforting tastes of home at Mana FilipinoRestaurant, enjoyed Ramen at Ipuddo Japanese Restaurant, andenjoyed the vibrant aromas of lemongrass and coconut at Kiss KissThai Restaurant. Last but not the least Gangnam Korean BBQ Buffetwhere members feast on diffrenent type of meats and vegetables tocook. With each destination, Mickie fostered a sense of adventure,creating memories to cherish and flavours to savour for a lifetime.

Chatters December 2023 - February 2024

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