After a round of busy chopping, frying, cutting, grilling, boiling…. I quickly dashed upstairs to rid myself of the smell of oil and got ready for the party ahead.

Up went the balloons and other decors after sweet and ever helpful Mel almost single-handedly pumped up the balloons and put the final touches to the decors for the night.

One by one the guests started coming in. Everyone came bearing delicious food and gifts. Before long, the tables were soon filled with all kinds of heavenly smelling food. The yummy otak, the golden pillow curry chicken, fresh sushi, corn beef potato gratin, roasted pork, honey baked ham, creamy log cake, colourful jellies, teppanyaki chicken, yummy éclairs, pineapple coated satays, crispy curry puffs, delicious desserts, bubbly champagne, cognac, red and white wines from the grand vineyards... Even the fridge was jammed to its brim threatening to cough out all its content at the slightest provocation.

The 8 feet tall Christmas tree looked extremely happy and contented with presents lying peacefully beneath it. More presents poured in as each guest turned in a present for exchange. The ambience was perfect - with a beautiful Christmas tree, softly lighted candles on beautifully carved candle stands, tribal lights warming up the porch, sandal wood scented candles sprinkled along the stairway, heart-warming Christmas carols filling the rooms, aroma oil burning gently in the lovely jars... A nice warm fireplace and white-out snow would have completed the picture.

"I'm hungry!" said one Virus.

"Me too!" echoed another.

"Let's wait for the other guests", Lady Speedster replied.

Crazy Viruses and friends were busy greeting one other with warm wishes and hugging each other in mutual exchange of blessings. As the guests mingled with one another, the flow of drinks and varieties of food continued to fill the tables.

"Wah…. I want some more sushi!!!!" cried Baby Virus.

"This golden pillow very nice…." observed XXXX TwoHill

"I cooked this Teppanyaki Chicken you know…" said Virus Croxx to the cute blonde gal.

"Nachos with spicy dip… My favourite…" beamed Chris.

Soon it was time for the feisty Viruses and friends to play their crazy games. First challenge of the night - "Complete the Grit". A game where players gather the most signatures on his/her piece of grit first wins.

"Who lives in the East??!!!" 3 to 4 people were scrambling around for signatures.

"Who hates durian??!!" screamed Virus Zhou.

"You are civil servant! SIGN!!!" yelled Virus Evo.

"Can you pleaseee help me…" cried Virus Croxx as he approached a table of gals who gladly signed up more than half his grit…

"But I don't live in the West!!" protested one Virus. "I don't care - just sign!!" bulldozed another.

Referee Daryl took his job seriously as he checked the answers to the grit; after much ado, the final winner emerged to claim his well deserved prize.

Second challenge - Untangle Yourselves. A game where groups of players hold their hands in a twisted pile and the group which untangle themselves fastest wins.

"Jenn, you climb over my hands…"

"Carmen, now you crawl under his shoulders…"

"Kim, you twist the other way around…"

"Eh… watch it! I'm wearing skirt you know…."

On and on they went and somehow, some managed to untangle themselves while others just got more twisted together… :p

As screams and laughter were heard throughout the night, many were spotted curling into a ball and almost rolled on the floors trying to hold in their effervescent hilarity and jiggery stomachs… Hahaaaa...

Suddenly, someone was singing, "Happy Birthday to you…. Happy Birthday to you…."

As everyone gravitate towards the room, a careful prepared Tiramisu cake was brought out by an equally proud and talented Virus Stealth who made the Tiramisu cake for these fortunate threesome…. Carmen, LiYang and Irene are our December birthday babies. With huge grins and silent wishes, they blew off the candles and started to cut up the cake…. I could almost hear Virus Stealth said "Ouch!!" Talk about the chef with feelings towards his creation… :p

"We wish you a Merry Christmas..." Everyone turned to join in the chorus as our sopranos serenade with the creamy Log cake. It was a beautiful sight. Viruses continued to give thanks and more blessings were exchanged. The party continued into the night as wine, sakae and beer were seen topped into each other's glasses.

"I want both cakes!!"

"Can I have more Tiramisu pleaseeee".

"Watch out Jenn! Your dog is staring very intently at the cakes!!"

"Yuuummmmmm.... SHENG!!!!" someone started yelling at the top of her voice.... With champagne in everyone's hand, the cheering started and soon, it gathered momentum and soon turned into a thundering roar and everyone was cheering at the top of his/her lungs! "Wah.... Is it Chinese New Year already?"

All good things must come to an end… With contented stomachs and arms full of presents, goodies and prizes, Viruses and friends bid each other good night as they sway their way out of the warmth of the lodge onto the chill of the night.

Christmas means different things to different people, to us; it is a time for Thanksgiving.

Thank you God for a Victorious year and for so many wonderful blessings - World Inline Cup - Incheon 2007, Charity Bike & Blade 2007, NISM, TSV Leagues 2007, Coach Recognition Award 2007, all the races, time trials, skates to Malaysia, crazy urban skates, round island skates, friends, bonding... It's time to give thanks to each other and rejoice!

On behalf of Team SpeedVirus and Team Bont Singapore, a big Thank You to all the sponsors, friends, supporters and the team of gorgeous praying warriors for their trust and faith in us. We shall continue to work hard.

Here's wishing one and all a Joyous Christmas and a New Year filled with Peace, Joy, Abundance and Good Health.