The Queen's Royal Blogosphere

Busy year

2009-05-20T22:29:00.002+08:00

It's been a really long time since I last wrote. Life's been good we both still have our jobs baby's growing well. Several trips been planned there's our Bali trip and our disneyland trip. I just hope that the flu a thingy shall not interfere with our plans. Baby will enter childcare soon then It will be goodbye to my foreign helper. Hopefully we still remember
how to do things for myself. Till then will update again :)

Sydney Day 1 and 2

2008-12-07T18:17:00.003+08:00

Honestly, this experience in Sydney can only be best described as lukewarm.
It is nothing like our trip to Europe where there are so many things to see and so much fun.

Sydney is boring. I sure hope my experience in Melbourne would be fantastic otherwise this trip is such a stupid waste of money.

I stayed in Sofitel Wentworth Sydney a 5 star hotel in the middle of the CBD area.
We took the trains from the airport to the St. James where our hotel was located and walk the rest of the way to our hotel.

Love the soft duck feathered bed. You are immediately enveloped by the cool pillows and we both had a good night's rest - we did not sleep on the plane well. I watched 3 movies. Mamma mia, the mummy and something else i forgot. LOL~!

Anyhow, I did no shopping here apart from buying drinking water and eating our meals.
I'm reserving my money for the fun we will be having in melb. Hopefully since tiffany would be there and we would be there for most of the week.

I love the fact that baby swimwear is readily availble here... I seen rashguards for one year olds, for 6 month old baby. I might probably buy some back for my own and lovely niece.

I rummaged through paddy's market and honestly it nothing like what I remembered of my last visit here. Most of the shops are owned by ASIANS, nothing like the artistic scene. I bought no souvenirs.. although I was pretty tempted to buy some of the cute I love australia ts for the babe. I said to her before i leave.. mom will buy something for you.. each time i miss you.

Good lord, I miss her very very much! I miss her drool and I miss her smelly smell of saliva haha! I must seem like a baby snatcher each time i eye a baby around her age covertly and I wonder how she would take it to the trip here. However, I have also experience the crying baby syndrome on the flight here when the baby could not take the pressure in the ears...perhaps next year...

Oh forgot to mention, we were "detained" by the customs when we first enter australia, for i dunno what reason. haha but after a check and a hard to remain stern look from the customs officer, we were allowed to enter Australia.

Our drive to melb would possibly be cancelled since Raymond known for his last minute, take for granted attitude did not convert his loval license to an international one before we fly, we wont be able to rent a car. that sucks.. big time.

At the current moment, he is pondering how to get our arse to Melb. Sometimes I really detest that of him, but then again... this little nuisance perhaps is the excitement I wanted for this lousy boring 2 days in Sydney.

Till I write again...

Love, M

p/s I got a sunburn while on the ferry touring the Darling Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The sun was scorching and since our luggage were at the concierge at the hotel, I did not have any sun block protection. Right now, I am nursing a ruddy nose and a lobster red collar area. Meery Christmas! ;P

baby's first year old party

2008-12-05T07:40:00.002+08:00

And so it had been a year.... since I gave birth to my little bundle of joy.
And to celebrate her birthday, the entire family (minus the dad cos he was outstationed in Tokyo) went to dinner at a thai restaurant, and that was after the early morning celebration with the grandparents.

One day prior to her birthday, mommy dearest (that's me) together with 3 other colleagues whom one brought her 7 years old daughter along, lugged my heavy luggage (because travelling with baby dictates it!) and crossed the customs in Indonesia so that baby may enjoy the beautiful beach and kampong style living there.

it was no doubt tiring especially since i had the baby on my arms and 2 bags of luggage. But i think the experience has taught baby some stuff. She got to experience the ferry ride and get to experience the beautiful sandy beaches, she saw the waves.... and now that she sees it on the tv, she would flag her arms excitedly as if to say i have been there! So the pain had been worth it.

I have also been very blessed to have the colleagues who helped out with caring for the baby so that i can steal time off to shower or to eat my dinner hastily.

We came back on her birthday itself so that daddy who came back that day could celebrate it with her. How could her birthday be complete without daddy rite?!

Motherhood has changed me. For one, I think i have become stronger, emotionally, physically.. mentally. Who would have thought me who couldn't even lift the airpot to the sink could actually find the strength to carry baby in one arm, sling one bag across the shoulders and drag the luggage bag to Bintan?

I also think having a baby requires the right set of mind. I have seen too many that "retreat" back into their shell when they realise having a baby is not easy and tries to push baby to someone else to care for him/her.

although I wish sometimes that I am a SAHM so that i may watch her grow up, the fact that the job gives me the extra to bring home so that i can buy toys, clothes and bring her overseas also gives me the satisfaction of being a mother who can provide for her.

For the past 2 weeks I have had loads of fun caring for her and honestly its not easy. I totally understand why my mother had problems running after her since now she's learning to walk. For the past week, i have been doing without lunch because there simply was no time to go buy/cook for myself. But the joy of looking after her is seeing her face light up when she hits a milestone.

I guess I will stop working if i am going to be having a no. 2 because that would mean i need time to look after no. 2 + no. 1. The irony of that is that with no. 2 i would need more $$. But i doubt my parents can find the energy to help me take care of another one.

That being said... i do not know when i will be having a no. 2

Jane Green

2008-11-03T20:57:00.003+08:00

Been ages since I really read- in fact I havent read since My baby was borned.
i dont count baby encyclopedia or breastfeeding helpbooks reading - those are for studying purposes.

I read because I enjoy reading... not because its a necessity like for an examinations or for more details.. you get the drift.

Started to read some books talking about psychic powers about 2 weeks ago.. I had like 6 books with me which i devoured in like a working week. Talk about being dehydrated.. I was most glad to absorb the books and lose some sleep over the books. It kind of bring back some decency in my life.. especially since I hardly go paint the town red with girlfriends ever since the arrival of the little one.

So since last week we were going to the mall for our dinner and there was a community library there, I thought we would drop by for some baby books which I was reluctant to buy. Instead of just baby books, I borrowed 3 novels, and 2 baby books.
It took me a longer time than normal to finish the 3 books but I was glad I borrowed the one called " The other woman" So cool, it talked about a marriage just like mine.
And it talked about post natal family relationships. I could identify with the author and although the book was set in a totally different setting, I guess most women feel the same way about having a baby.. and most couples face the same old problems i guess.

I cried and i laugh with the book.. especially when one of the girls mentioned.. "the world's deadliest weapon must be my husband's bottom" - with the distinct reference to her husband's weird habit to fart under the sheets.

I thank god for having allowed me be the first borrower of the book and thus opened my eyes to the meaning of tolerance and love and family as well as the dynamics that makes a marriage work.

Love the book and thank God I Read it =)

Road Trip to Malacca

2008-09-08T08:28:00.002+08:00

We went on a Road trip on Thursday and we are back just yesterday evening.

Goodness gracious.. im fatigued honestly - from intermittent sleep i got from the previous evening before we were due back home.

I think the little bean dint know we have been overseas because she dint seem to have a care in the world. Still her naughty self, curious and active. She slept well except for the last night - which could be due to the temperature of the air-conditioning (too warm)

I had a good experience going on this trip with my babe.. think my parents did too. Visited relatives who stayed in Tampin, reminded me of the kampong days I enjoyed about 20 years ago in my Granny's kampong house. I even revisited the little swing that most Malaysian Families have in their front yard - and I was glad I am able to let baby experience this childhood rave of mine.

online shopping

2008-08-27T09:23:00.003+08:00

good lord...

I just received my package from the US.. and Im am so freaking excited!
Craft materials actually. I am so excited about this purchase because its so much cheaper to order from the US as compared to buying it locally-after adding shipping costs. (Can you freaking imagine?!) It took only 3 working days to arrive in SG!

WOwee!

Together with the package, I have also received my credit card bill. *ahem* Am quite shocked at the amount I have spent actually...I will learn to contain my excitement okie... no more next time.

this weekend I will be going for a full day course and I am so excited about it. I think this is the reason why i am dragging myself to work although reluctantly, I also can't wait for the days to pass so that my holidays will be here faster!

Will be bringing baby to Melacca.. my first roadtrip.. hopefully it's not too bad... then I would be able to bring her out more often ^^

TGFLWES (Thank God for Long WeekEnds!)

2008-08-12T10:55:00.003+08:00

I love my long weekend!

Brought the baby out for shopping on National Day, and out of goodwill I got a national Flag which baby absolutely love.. cos of the shaker noise i think.

Baby had a fun time going out, brought her some clothes as well but there are a little big for her now.

Yesterday, the group of us, my parents, helper baby and me went to the zoo.

It was a good trip all in all.. the morning weather was better.. the afternoon weather was hot and glaring and humid. Poor me had a migraine after we went home. How annoying.

WAnted to eat japanese but the migraine won.. i ended up dinnerless all alone at home because the hubby is outstationed.

The olympic games

2008-08-09T22:38:00.002+08:00

1 word to describe the olympic games opening ceremony - WOW!

I guess all those who were there were awed by the fabulous display of Chinese Culture.. put together in such a beautiful musical cinematography with the mass display of Chinese solidarity when times called for it.

It has blown me away.
I have never felt so proud about my chinese roots nor that about chinese culture although we do have a long history of it.

I shunned to have anyting to do with Chinese Chinese.
They are seemingly uncouth, loud, dirty, mercenary, mean and cunning.

I had wanted to blog about the ceromony right immediately watching but the March past did me in... i snoozed and felt into slumber before the olympic flag was brought into the stadium. Luckily for me, I was awake early and caught the re-run and watched how the olympic fire was brought into the stadium.

I was so amazed and i think my limited vocabulary is going to fail me if I am asked to write about the entire procession because you ahve to watch it in order to know what I am talking about.

The chinese people have finally shown the world what they could be capable of. Even the commentaries were speechless for most part of the ceremony because like me i am sure, they were also shocked that such careful considerations have been woven into the intricacies of the opening ceremony.

I felt as if i was part of the Chinese history, having been brought through spectacular displays of the chinese arts and craft, paper making, chinese painting, opera,chinese orchestra, traditional dances, various tribes, puppet performance and Chinese mythology.

I felt proud not because I play a part in making the ceremony so good.. because you know as well as I did that I dint. But I felt proud because this once, we Chinese did the opening ceremony so differently from the other countries and made it such a grand display of hospitality and we supercede expectations of many.

Perhaps those countries who had wanted to boycott the olympic cermony ought to be ashamed of themselves, how they had wanted to bully China into doing something just because they are host of the games this year.

and truthfully, had they really boycotted the ceremony, they are the only one who have lost. For they had missed out the chance to witness the grandeur and the magnificience of the Games opening.

Thank you China, for having put up such a awe-inspiring performance and I do hope that this will be continued for years to come.

classiquai

2008-07-30T22:11:00.002+08:00

Love how this song goes...

Makes me relate it with
autumn breeze
coat
ear muffs
boots

walking with a smile along the outskirts of the city, enjoying the serenity

And/OR

A beautiful glass house like that in lakehouse

in a long sleeved knitted pullover.. shorts drinking a hot cup of coffffffeeeeee with the dog at my legs

WAH.... i want that kind of life.....

Demise of my beloved Grandma

2008-07-19T03:29:00.003+08:00

I was shocked this afternoon when I returned to my table during my break. I was informed by my cousin that my grandmother has passed away. Not that it is unexpected but just that news like this always seem so sudden.

My poor grandmother was plagued with old age illness since a long time ago. she has been in and out of hospital really often lately. Because of the baby, I did not visit her since her stay are usually short ..(virus etc..) Come to think of it, I havent seen her since my maternity leave period and that was a long time ago.

she's one grandmother I always see smiling so unlike the typical grandmother grouchy and moody. She's never been once moody at least to me. She stayed with us for a long time last year.. often quarreling with my mother who actually cares so much about her.. granny thinks that mom's stifling but granny does have a little bit of dementia and throws baby tantrums especially when it comes to food matters.

It hurts to see her growing frail and old.. experiencing difficulty in moving about. And yet when I was pregnant with baby last year, she had taken upon herself to help me make rice wine, beneficial for me during my confinement. The hardwork involved in the making of the wine cannot be described as she took upon her to keep on making them when batches failed and she perservered on to make another until she was successful.

when told about her sudden departure... I wanted to shed tears as i remember her fondly especially her giggles and her shy mischevious smile when she wanted an icecream. She took care of me when i was young amid her busy-ness as a farmer, always keeping some fruits for me in her orchard when she knew i was visiting.

But at that particular point in time, I didn't seem to able to shed tears or perhaps I was in a different environment that does not enable me to feel as i do now - I was more worried about whether she could come back to singapore since she passed away at a hospital in JB.

questions came one after another and soon they turned angry at the indignant way my grandmother had passed away. I was angry. angry why we were informed of the matter so late. Angry why people had to procrastinate. Angry why my daughter did not have the time to get to know this matron of steel who had a softie side to her. Angry that she did not get to enjoy her later life when she has slogged so much during her youth. She totally deserved a much better ending to her life than this.

Now here I am, suffering from insomnia, thinking of this old lady and tears come pouring from my tear ducts. I have a feeling that they would be overworked this few days. Tears tell me I would have very little to remember my grandmother by except for the fond memories she has given me. and that in my opinion is just so tragic.

I miss you Granny!
But I hope if there's really an afterlife, you are mobile and abled and free of all the old age illnesses.

An Entire day out with Baby

2008-06-12T09:45:00.002+08:00

Yesterday was the fun-est day since I have had a baby.
I "regained" my freedom - in a way.

We were out the whole day. The hubby took 2 days off. So the weather was considered good and we decided to go for a walk at the newly opened HortPark that links from Alexander all the way to Mt. Faber.

Yes we walked the suspended bridges, up and down the "mountaineous" regions, in between trees and less than 15 minutes into the walk - baby in deep sleep. We were tickled by the way she slept.

Clearly the weather and the cool air kept her asleep until we were almost at Mt. Faber. Best part of all, baby did not fuss for milk until we reached Mt. Faber. How cool is that! What a cooperative baby!!

Eventually at the top of Mt. Faber, we decided it would take too long to trek back to alexander so we took a cab to retrieve our car before heading off to Vivocity for Sushi Teh and more shopping.

The hubby bought a pair of shoes to replace his old but super comfortable one. I did not buy anything as usual, I bought stuff for baby! Lots of stuff for baby. Books, clothes, and a new wound up cot toy.

However, I still did not manage to find a wet suit for baby so that i can bring her for a swim. There's still this weekend. ^^

its been more than a month ...

2008-04-16T22:11:00.002+08:00

Dear Wangwang,

I havent been actively looking for you lately.. not because I do not want you back with us. But mainly because the toll of reality has taken on me .. i gotta catch up on work else I would not be able to make ends meet.

It has been exhausting looking for you at our area, seeking leads given by phone calls, the weekly spca visits, the daily check on the classified for someone reporting you found has become our routine. Lately, despite the advertisements, the pasting of notices, there has been no calls, no leads.

We are still keeping our fingers crossed in the hope that someone who has kept you would keep you safe, warm and happy because you are just so adorable. And you on the other hand will remember us, as we remembered you.

always remember we will keep you close to our hearts and our door is always open for you to come back to us - we are still hoping for that day.

We are still looking out for you and we will welcome you back to us with open arms.
May God bless you wherever you are, keep safe and sane.

Missing you much - so much the pain is indescrible.

M.

10 days still no news

2008-03-20T17:25:00.003+08:00

its been 10 days and still no news of the my missing dog wangwang.

I have not given up hope of finding you.. please do not give up hope of being reuniting with us.

We miss you very very much.

M.

Wang Wang I am missing you please come home to me.

2008-03-11T05:02:00.002+08:00

10 march - will be remembered as the day i lost my dog.

I am taking the loss of my dog really badly. The fruitless tears, the heartbreak, even baby's smile cannot assuage the pain and guilt.

He was last seen at my home in the Toh Guan area attempting to cross the road. Luckily for him cars stopped and he was rescued by a man driving a white car or so the informer said.

I hope that is not a lie because its a cold rainy day and imagine a dog out in the open, with nothing to eat and have to vie with the strays.

There's a million and one things running through the mind when i discovered my dog missing. A thousand "I should have" and "Why". But I can't help but blame myself because if not for me, it wouldnt have ran out of the house even though the maid was home and the gate locked but not wired up.

The sunday just passed, was the sister's wedding. that's the reason why the dogs were at my home. the irony of it, to prevent them from running out when the doors are opened for the guests.

I did not expect the dog to run out even though there's somebody at home. Ileft home for my old school because I needed to collect an assignment from my student and that was when it was last seen. Popping its head from between the gate just before i walked into the lift.

Perhaps that was when it squeezed itself out from the gate. the maid did not even realise the dog was missing she thought I had taken the dog out.

Dog is collarless because I had just bathe it - such an unwelcomed coincidence.

his abandoned dogtoy, his dog dish and collar just kept on reminding me about his existence and the void i am feeling with his absence.

If anyone happen to know of someone picking up a dog please contact me 97697882
Wangwang I miss you very badly, I wake up hoping to find you asking me to bring you to the toilet. Please come home to me.

Happy CNY!

2008-02-08T08:32:00.000+08:00

So its the CNY again!

This year is special because I have started giving out angbaos + We have a new family member with us; My baby - Chloe.

I enjoyed dressing her up and everybody commented how cute she was. Amazingly baby seems to understand that it was a special day, she did not sleep or nap when she was out visiting.

The best part?
She slept all the way last nite only waking up at 6am for feed. Woot!

Here's a picture of baby Chloe in her CNY best.

And to all of you visiting here, May you have a properous and fruitful year of the rat! Gong Xi Gong Xi!

motherhood

2008-01-24T08:45:00.000+08:00

Its been 2 months since I become mama.
2 words to sum up the entire experience : hardwork and satisfaction.

Hardwork because baby wakes often, requires feed often, need to clean them up as often as feeding - you wont have enough rest as a result.
8 hrs sleep is a luxury now.

Satisfaction is when baby coos at you, baby is growing up well, baby recognises you.
Everyday's a trophy day: baby will do something to amuse you and the hardwork's all worth it.

Things are getting steadier now, I understand baby's fussing and cries. I can make do with lesser sleep, the body's accustomed to it

i'm definitely thinking of number 2, but will need to first recuperate the lost finances and to make sure baby grows up more. I do not want to short change no. 2.

apart from the lost finances, the other thing that put me off the 2nd baby would be having to do confinement all over again.

confinement's a torture!
You probably wont believe it until you ahve a taste of it.

till I write again.

2007-12-19T20:53:00.000+08:00

its definitely not easy being a mom.

They have a saying that goes.. "Better in than out"
I truly understood why they say that even though at the point when i was 9 months pregnant I had wished for the baby to "pop" out immediately.

Motherhood means a whole lot of sacrifices to be made, thats why they always say mothers the best - i understand it now.

You give up your sleep to care for the newborn who is so helpless, they depend on you for their survival. If they had a rash, its all because you did not take care of the baby well... probably never clean it properly. If they had diarrhoea, it must be because the bottles are not sterilised properly.

IT has been a really long and tiring 3 weeks.

Baby in the opinion of my parents are a god given blessing especially since I was an extremely difficult baby to care for compared to my own baby.

the never ending cycle of feed, diaper change, soothing baby to sleep then pumping breastmilk means you hardly have time to rest because soon after you finish pumping the milk and storing it, baby wakes for another feed and the cycle begins yet again.'

You need help from all members of your family and their moral support or any help rendered is very much appreciated.

Whether you are fully prepared for motherhood like me, there will still be instances when your swaying hormonal changes shock you for the things you do in the first month as a mommy. For instance, you cry because suddenly you get emotional over baby. You starting fretting that you are not a good mommy and the list goes on and on. When baby starts to give you a difficult time, you think the worse and that is the time when the emotional support is much needed.

I am thankful to God above for having blessed me with my parents who have been crucial in my survival of these 3 weeks - without whom I probably would have gone bonkers trying to pacify baby whom cannot articulate her needs to me so i can only depend on guesswork. Their presence has greatly helped me reduced the stress.

At the time of typing out this post, my father is currently helping me to take care of baby, so that i may have some time to myself to unwind and take my mind off baby.

so you see, if you havent been nice to mom, its time to start appreciating what she has done for you. They include ...

Morning sickness, pregnancy weight gain, labour pains aka contractions, cut in the perinium, healing of the stitches, difficulty in passing motion and peeing are part and parcel of becoming a mother.

Then there are the worries and the emotional upheavals we experienced when you cry...

words cannot really articulate the helplessness mothers faced when their babies cry...

oh good lord ... the demise of the partee animal

2007-10-26T08:50:00.000+08:00

everytime I hear catchy tunes I usually hear when I go clubbing, or club hopping ... I will suddenly mourn the demise of the parteee animal in me.

No doubt I can still move my hands and try dancing like an 80 year old aunty, I can't move my barrel like body now... let alone look cool in a nightspot in my current state of being.

But thing is... with the new responsibility, it just seem so wrong to be partying away in a nightspot with this new sacred duty..

So i shall just content myself to "dancing" and screaming in the shower, wriggling my toes in the car, toss my hubby's hair when I hear jiggy tunes at home, in the car.. whatever... in memory of my "dead" party-mad self.

R.I.P. my old party self.

expecting inconvenience - 10 things you ought to know

2007-10-16T14:44:00.000+08:00

When you are as big as me, you will realise

1. cinema going experience is no longer fun unless they are GOLD CLASS
2. Simple act like rolling on the bed is no longer simple
3. You tire easily like an aged woman
4. You get paranoid over the slighest things.
5. You develop a love hate relationship over your currect state of being
6. Forgetfulness becomes you.
7. You take more cat naps than the CAT
8. You cant see your toes and therefore you shouldn't be doing a pedicure.
9. You wish all the anxiety will end soon
10. You just want to laze at home all day long and yet have money to spend when you wish it.

European reminisence

2007-10-14T17:01:00.001+08:00

Right this moment, I'm listening to a classical CD I bought off the shelves during our weekend lunch outing. Somehow, it brought back memories of our European Honeymoon yet again.

I vividly recalled sobbing at the train station, when I heard 2 italians busking. One was playing a violin the other was playing a piano accordion. Their performance was so touching and it rings vividly in my mind the lively performance they did, in the underpass connecting to the trains, them tapping to the music, clearly enjoying what they did. Despite their immense talent, they still need to busk in order to earn a living. I was very touched and I think that they are the true heros.

Why are musical talents that difficult to gain recognition?

Once I had dreams of becoming a world class performer but reality bites made me realised that it was not practical. Thus I had given up that dream and pursued a more practical one instead getting my certificate that would enable me to have a stepping stone in life, to earn my dough to get on with life as was expected of me.

These days the local government is now "opening" up its mind, allowing locals to pursue their artisitic love. I have already missed my boat, given my "grand age".
I do hope that in time to come, those who truly adore music will get to pursue their love, without having to be concerned about the practicality of it because in order to do so, that means you are truly embracing life, living life as fully as you could in one lifetime.

I miss Europe.

European Honeymoon

2007-10-14T12:01:00.000+08:00

I discover by chance today that a coursemate of mine actually went to places in Europe the same time as me. We visited the same place too.

goodness gracious, but we din't get to meet each other... how weird is that...

The coincidence doesnt end here either, we both went there for our honeymoon haha !

Life's weird, but sometimes its such coincidences in life that make the corners of your mouth turn upwards in memory of the happy moments in your life.

I have been keeping mum about some things that's going on in my life in this blog not because I wanted to delibrately keep friends in the dark. Those who have been in contact with me in the past few months would have already been updated. My life have been busy especially since I am taking a pretty heavy portfolio this year. time is scarce for me especially since I needed rest too.

Alot of things have been put on hold all because I have been so busy and tired.

And Truth be told, I very much would like to go on leave this instant, so that I may concentrate on living life I should be living. Smelling the roses, enjoying family life.

if you still dont know what I am talking about, then let me put it in clearer terms. I am in the family way ;) due really soon - and I can't wait.

Joy to the world!

2007-10-08T12:25:00.000+08:00

My colleague gave birth to a bubbly baby girl last Friday.. she dint even know she was dilated and ready for birth until her gynae checked her.

Baby was delivered in less than 2 hrs in the labour ward.

What a trooper!

congrats! and welcome to the world luvena!

early morning walk ....

2007-10-06T11:46:00.000+08:00

These days the weather is not only unrelentlessly warm and humid but also quite murderous. It is a wonder I have yet to snuff myself due to heatstroke.

This morning I woke up to a rumbling stomach. -.-!

got dressed fed the dogs a light breakfast woke the husband to go for our weekly morning walk. Drove the dogs to west coast park where we ventured a little before our hearty breakfast at macdonalds.

Its good fun, but im dead tired. The heat, the walk and the constant nagging at the dogs " You dont want to walk I go home already huh!!" before they started moving.

Right now I just feel like sleeping the day away... defeats the purpose of the exercise...*mutters*

some photos after the walk ...

2007-09-15T14:49:00.000+08:00

LAst weekend, I caught Ratatouile with another couple whom we havent seen in a long while. The prelude to the movie was funny enough to get me laughing so much i peed a little on my pants -.-! and the rest of the movie just lived up to the expectations. Funny, imaginative, and encouraging.

It gives you the idea that when the mind has set itself in its will to do something, anybody can achieve it.

A feel good movie and no doubt about it, the hubby has been yakking about the movie each time we go on our gastronomical hunt to feed my weekly craving - no doubt it makes me laugh. The hubby is so cute sometimes! hehe

My craving for Japanese food is growing bigger, so much that the bill have also been escalating. heh. from a mere $40 + to the current size of at least 67$.

Want to see some of the stuff we ate today?

here goes... feast for the eyes...

As usual we only remembered to pop pictures when we are in the midst of the meal.. so not all the stuff have been photographed.

And if it is a wonder that we are putting on weight and fast.. just to let you in on a little secret... we are going for a BBQ later this evening haha!

a cuppa or a mug anytime dudette!

2007-09-10T19:34:00.000+08:00

I'm missing the times spent mugging beer with friends.
I'm also missing time spent people watching at nydc, spins, balcony wine bar ...

Problem is...
As you grow older, you wonder what the heck do you drink for...
Sometimes I look at the youngsters, dead drunk, retching and I wonder.. why are they paying money to torture themselves silly, and then retching the poison they dump into their bodies and some even get alcholic poisoning.

as you get older, and more rational and logical, you wonder what good the boozing do you.

Same goes for coffeee.

While I do miss the occassional booze the divine wine and the angmo liang teh, I think what i really do miss it the precious time spent catching up with old friends.

We have been too busy to really catch up with one and other... its high time we did.
Hopefully this weekend will materialised.

=)

a little amazing feat.

2007-09-09T16:27:00.000+08:00

I detest climbing up the stairs and I think the IMM building is just too far away from home.

We( the hubby and I )are so used to taking the car out to IMM, that the one time I actually walk from my apartment to the building left me unwilling to venture out again.

This morning despite having awoken with severe backache and whatnot, the good 3 hour nap after breakfast in bed soothed all the pains away. So when the hubby went for his course this afternoon after having luncheon with me at the IMM building, I wanted to flag a cab home - even though the fare will be the same when I flag it down.

The Q at the taxi stand killed my desire to stand in the uber long human Q waiting for the taxi in the hot sweltering afternoon sun. The venture to the bus stop also told me that I will need to shove and push with all the aunties and uncles with their bags of groceries so I did what the romans did best - WALK!

Its the 2nd time i actually walk home from the building but this time, somehow, with the numerous cutting through of HDB flats I seem to reach home even faster than having to wait for the stupid bus to the interchange.

That led me to high spirits.
Im actually amazed I can be so easily contented and satisfied. heh!

craft classes

2007-09-09T08:47:00.000+08:00

its been 2 days since i went for my craft lessons.

Right now im itching to do some craftwork, But i woke up this morning with severe backache.

First it was the insomnia. Now its the backache. I havent been sleeping well as you can see, but the craft workshop is really exciting.

I get to use the hammer, the glue tape( that looks exactly like a correction tape except that it dispenses glue), stamps and chalk in a variety of colors. Now to mention the fixing of embellishments that can really be very thereputic.

It is so thereputic, im fast getting addicted!

Here's a little snapshot of my pieces of art.

I spent a total of 4 hours doing the cards and it works out to about 11.50$ per hour, given that it costs me $45 for it. All materials are provided for, so you have the instructor giving you instructions and you go hammering and pasting and doodling away.

so fun.

I want to go for part ii but school's reopening... damnit!

Have you pet your dog today?

2007-09-06T12:43:00.000+08:00

Poor dog must be so neglected.
have you pet your dog today?

so its the holidays .... bummer

2007-09-06T08:58:00.000+08:00

Heard of the chinese saying "贱骨头"?

I think I fall into this category. While I think I am overworked at most times, when it is finally the holidays, the luxury of not having to do work make me crave work. -.-

However, when i really sit down and contemplate work, my mind immediately tells me there's a hundred and one things that i can do without doing work.

damnit.. such difficult decisions to be made.

So i told myself...
I had better get my ass off procrastination and do work... so that tomorrow i may enjoy a leisurely day of learning craft.

I signed up for 2 craft workshops tomorrow.
will showcase my works of art if they are not too disgustingly ugly..

I intended to learn the tools of the trade to make pretty frames to decorate my house... since its plain looking. but the course is proving to be an expensive hobby. I needed to spend like 699.00 sgd to buy some equipment and its only part of the necessary equipment required. haha!

I know i shouldn't be spending unnecessarily but money earned is meant to be money spent, after you have deducted off your savings and money required for your daily use. What's more, I needed some kind of activity to keep me occupied.

I think im really not one of those housewifey types. I can't stay put within 4 walls. I really hate the holidays - nothing to do but being confined to the indoors, doing the laundry, wiping furniture, scrubbing the toilets... this is so not my kind of life.

I would rather make my dog pose with me in the great outdoors, check out the wild life like what karen cheng did with her family during their recent camping trip. Mop around the malls checking out the latest fashion and accessories, Zip around the world on budget airlines or whatever.... just to get me out of the 4 confines of the house!

I'm getting grumpy.

im so needing to get a life......... advice anybody ? *mutters*

NDP rally 2007

2007-08-19T22:29:00.000+08:00

Hmm... I only watched 1/2 of the ndp rally today.
It all seems quite good -at least in the beginning part since that's the only part I watched.

At least, the PM is trying to make the rest of the ignorant and reluctant to move singaporeans out of their comfort zone. Somehow the imagery of a pyramid appeared in my mind when the speech was on-going. He mentioned something like if you are doing the job that a computer or technology could do, then be very worried.

For those of us who have been out in the working world, already alert to such changes, it serves as a reminder that we have to constantly upgrade ourselves so that we do not become redundant.

For those of them who are still thinking that they have it easy, or the government will help us eventually even if they do not help themselves, then it is time they wake up and feel the cold harsh reality - but i do wonder how many of them really do understand the speech even though it is being made in 4 languages.

He also touched on the importance of education, how education can help to minimise the income gap among singaporeans. This is something that we educators have been trying to tell our kids. Especially since I am teaching in a neighbourhood school whereby most students come from backgrounds who do not know if they have money to pay for their utility bill. But then again how many of them actually get the idea?

Pm also says in order to get Singaporeans to bite the bait, we always have to keep giving incentives. Is that right?

I do think that singaporeans if they rely on the government for all nitty gritty stuff, then we will never be able to compete globally because we always look to the government for help. That way we will never be able to grow competitively or completely for we are like children who always run to their parents at the slightest sign of difficulty faced. And as a parent would you really want such children who would never ever learn how to be independent?

I do think that the Government should take more tough measures. For instance, if given the chance to be in the cabinet, I would not throw in incentives in order to get Singaporeans to bite the bait. If they refuse to listen to the good old advice then just let them face the consequences of their choice. If we keep on nudging them to bite the bait, not only are we causing more harm than good, I do think that we are wasting our resources which could be put to much better use.

Somehow because of this, I do wish we have a strong handed government like back in the good old days where MM lee ruled the roast - my 4 cents worth ....

I am always hungry

2007-08-12T12:41:00.000+08:00

I must have been a hippo in my past life or something else with an enormous appetite.

I had a really sumptous dinner last night, seafood dinner with the extended family mom's side as my uncle is returning to amsterdam to work after a hiatus of a few months.
goodness I ate non-stop for 3 hrs and complete the dinner with durians! *burps*

This morning I woke up ravenous and ate somemore.
Barely 3 hrs later, I am so needing food.
I'm getting fat again.

*help!*

Count on me Singapore!

2007-08-09T10:45:00.000+08:00

Goodness gracious!
Its been so long since I went to the National Day parade.
The last time I have been there was when I was with my JC mates, who have gotten the free tickets via her father who was then an active RC member.

This year, the NAtional Stadium is being torned down, so we have a new venue for the parade, which is at the new golden area in Singapore, the Marina Bay area.

I had wished to go there this year, but given my current condition, I rather not jostle with the rest of the patrotic crowd and risk being irritated more than being estatic about the event.

There is no way to substitute the atmosphere at the parade. it is so electrifying, so intense, the noise, the singing of the national day theme songs, the other performances.... you have to be there to experience it.

Although watching the parade from the google box is very convenient, you just can't get to participate in the electrifying atmosphere.

I wish I would go there again.... but that will take pretty much persuading my hubby who thinks that the National Day Parade is all about brainwashing and government propaganda.

All in all, I would like to wish the nation to have more good days in the years to come and may we be able to survive all kinds of hurdles hurtled our way, together as a united nation. =)

Happy birthday Singapore!

packing

2007-08-05T09:48:00.000+08:00

Didn't I mention about the bags of barang in my extra room?

I bought the drawers for the content and yet I still dont have enough storage for them all!
It irked me till no end but somehow the nesting instinct seems really to bug me early.

We spent the entire afternoon cleaning up the mess, trying to spruce up our home and it seems there's still a long way to go.

stuff given to my by my ex-schoolmate were scruntinised, washed and thrown away if they are not up to the standard, more trash brought from both our homes given the once over and discarded if they have no use or they are over the shelf life. I know that's long overdue given we have shifted in since end of feb, but still.. there are so much obligations after the wedding and the honeymoon. *excuses excuses hehe*

Then we realised, the importance of the shelving units, ( we have too many books!) I still have a bookshelf i ought to bring over from dad's place, the inability to store all the stuff in the spare room leads you to think that it was a fultile effort to clean up the house. -.-

Stuff i needed to buy from ikea before the sales end
1. work table
2. swivel arm chair
3. cabinets to store stuff near the pc table
4. plastic mat to prevent roller marks on the flooring
5. a huge bookshelf
6. a coffee table to lug beside the sofa so that i may use my laptop there while the hubby is hogging the pc table
7. paint for the old bookshelf and the bed
8. bedside lamp
9. storage boxes for the tv console and my art and craft barang
10. pillows
11. curtain rod for the living room
12. curtains for the living room
13. chair pads 2 more

I needed money.
Would you like to donate some? ;P

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-07-29T08:34:00.000+08:00

Good grief!

If this is the period of Lent, I would have done a really good job of abstaining from doing something I reallly wanted to do, i.e. reading the final tome of Harry Potter.

Its been out for the past week.

I reallly seem quite amazing what this last book can do to all Fanatic Harry Potter fans.
The news reported the Qs at various major bookstores like Borders, who had specially timed release of the book to match those being released in stores across the rest of the world.

Fans of the Hp series came dressed in all sorts, witches' hats, full gryffindor's school attire, some even went dressed as mad eyed moody.

It must have been quite a spectacular sight.

Unfortunately for me, being quite clumsy and unable to stand the crowds because of the pushing and the waiting ( I am very impatient if you dont know yet) I refuse to jump on the bandwagon although it could have been some fun trying to do that with my hubby. hehe

In addition, being currently busy with school work and home duties ( the stress of it all ) I refuse to pick up the book which would then lead to me abandoning this world to escape into the magical world of magic =)

I've read ALL 6 HP books. I did not start reading the book when it was first launched. I only started reading all those books in 2005 when most of the books were already published. Even so, The Half-Blood Prince lead me to being irked because I could find no resolution and it seems so dark and terrifying for a young boy, I just couldn't wait to read the final installment of the series.

the ironic thing is that now that it is finally out, I am still refusing to get the book because I would like to finish it all in one reading. Which means I can only get it next week when I will have a really long weekend to look forward to.

But then again, I was wondering if I could embark on a short shopping trip to hongkong with my mummy then. If so, I would have to postpone the reading yet again till I have a longer break.

Damn it, that sucks!

yadda updates

2007-07-15T09:01:00.001+08:00

Not so much of an update actually..

for those of you who have been to my new abode, you would have known that the furnishing are very minimal. After having lived by myself for 4 months, I finally conceded defeat to the reality of our lack of storage space.

So we bought 4 items from IKEA last week. 2 chest of drawers for our thousand and one clothing/bedding and bathing needs and another 2 cabinets for the storage of our books and other barang like my craft materials. -.-

However, being the procrastinator that we both are, we have yet to organise our materials into the new storage areas. firstly, there was the problem of the smell. the acidic smell of laxcquer that accompanies all new furniture - is enough to put you off trying to keep your stuff in them until at least the smell dissipates. Then there is the other problematic issue of having to reorganise your barang so that they can fit nicely into the cabinets.

I am so lobbying for a maid right now. haha
And I think from the looks of it, we will finally get one soon. For us and only us.

bless the kind soul who gladly relieve me of this duty of having to pack up my uncountable bags of barang.

*grin*

Jetlagged and tired

2007-06-25T18:50:00.001+08:00

So I am back from my Hunnimoon.

It had been a fun-filled 16 days of holidays in a foreign environment. Lots of laughter shared and definately the holiday has pulled the 2 of us even closer if we werent that close before.

16 days in a foreign land with similar experiences is really something to look forward to.

I have about 800 pieces of photographs taken during the entire trip, yes with 3 cameras what did you expect? ;P

I havent yet dl-ed them, and have a good look at them all but when i get the time to i will upload some for all to see.

I still need to nurse my jetlag, and then there's work to worry.. yes i am already back at work. so there... you have it all... im a little bundle of bees right now... head's spacing out and floating all over.

but I will be strong and forge ahead.... full steam.

So there... be patient and I will update =)

Love ya all .... keep checking in!

Honeymooners!

2007-06-04T17:52:00.000+08:00

Yep!

We are finally embarking on our honey moon tomorrow!
Please do not miss us but do wish us a safe and fruitful trip!

Its my wish come true... all thanks to my lovely hubby who indulge me in my whims.
I'd be back in 2 weeks.. if you realllllly wannna know where I'd be heading.. come back in 2 weeks time!

Tata!

Will load the pictures when back!

Ciaoz

Random thoughts ... on a gloomy day

2007-05-09T18:17:00.000+08:00

Today I popped over to aerdna's site to discover that she posted a picture of her recent photoshoot over in Perth.

the colours looked real good and it made me remember the time when I had my own photoshoot done. While I initially was adamant about not getting one, I was glad that I was able to source for a cheap one and had it done eventually.

while the photos may not turn out to look as good as those done by my first choice photographer *yes I am still angry that my photographer played me out!*, I do think the memories of the photoshoot are priceless and that made the experience a really heartwarming and unforgettable one.

Especially on a day like this, the pictures of my friend in her white gown and finery perks the corners of my lips up on a really gloomy day at work.

I have had a bad day today at work because of some misunderstanding that arose because of a MIA colleague. It took a turn for the worse when the boss thought that I wasn't doing my duty. It irked me to be labeled as lazy because I sure as hell aint one.

I had to go through interviews with my supervisor to clarify the issue. It was tiring, but anything to clear my good name. Worse was..., from what I heard from the sup, was that the boss has a bad impression of me now. Good lord...

This is what the chinese meant by 跳进黄河洗不清!

It will probably take some time for this to clear up.

I wonder how long.

Getaway to Batam ... the place God has forgotten about

2007-03-13T16:26:00.000+08:00

Since the wedding, there have been a series of "unfortunate" events, such as the gathering that turned into a housewarming in no day's notice. The CNY running about meaninglessly. and so on and so forth ... then suddenly I realised I'm burnt out and we decided to make use of our voucher from the purchase of our refridgerator to get our butt over to batam, the place we have never been before.

So we went.
I left all the necessary arrangements to Ray, my "new" husband and hoped that the getaway will definately be one I reallllllly need to energise my pathetic state of being.

We left on Sunday, after sleeping in late.
When I reached the pier over at the other end, I was so horrified.
Call me a snob. Perhaps I really have become one.

The place was so run down, the ferry was loaded with "single" men, some of which was seen and heard calling their families in Batam saying in halting Mandarin " papa reached Batam already!" -.-! It irked me so much to be reminded that BAtam is where retired singaporean men housed their 2nd and perhaps 3rd wives and other illegitimate offsprings.

I was appalled when I cleared the custom, seeing money changers outstretched hands, waving at you, demanding you give your dollars to them to be changed into rupees. Our complimentary van from the resort was no where to be seen.

We walked out of the terminal to see gravel roads, puff of dust flying all over, men in dark clothing, dust speckled, dark and sweaty men demanding to know where you are heading to. Needless to say, I was horrified to my bones.

I then asked my equally stunned husband to proceed back into the terminal, to change his money into rupees. so that we may take a cab over to where our resort was. I scarce dare remain in the terminal any longer.

I asked the money changer how much it would require to get our 2 butts off to our resort, which i hope looks much better than what I have witnessed upon my stepping onto this island.

The cab journey costed us 50,000 rupees which loosely translates to about S$10/- . On the way to the resort, we saw dilapidated huts, the zinc and rusty roofs, the haphazard houses hastily nailed and built by unsanded wooden planks, the dismal conditions that people in batam lived in despite it being a tourist spot just screams of poverty.

I was appalled. I was shocked to my toes. I wanted to return home to seek refuge in creature comforts.

It was meant to be a getaway, not something that would stress me out.
I got stressed really.
I got paranoid when someone opened our hotel room door in the middle of the afternoon when we were napping after a swim. I distinctly heard the lock turned and luckily, I "chained" the door, else I wonder what would have happened to us poor souls. The door was not closed even after 5 minutes. I only ran to the peephole after the door was closed to see if I could see the offensive person who opened the door.

I got even more paranoid when someone pressed our doorbell in the middle of the night, I had to awaken ray to look through the peephole, to realise there was nobody at all.

I was worried that we would be victim to those hotel buster gangsters who just run into our room to rob us poor folks. Worse, we did not bring lots of money with us. Perhaps between the 2 of us, we only have about S$150 ? We were intending to settle the rest with Credit CArds if necessary.

I dont think I would be there again even if my trip is going to be paid for. Not only was I bored stiffed to death, I was also shocked beyond words after the 2 incidents, that just left me in a state of serious stress.

It was only when I return to good ol' Singapore, stepped into Harbourfront and at the so familiar DFS, did I stopped my worrying and my apparent prejudice.

Needless to say, I would never go there again. ever.

I'm married!

2007-02-23T16:48:00.000+08:00

its been a good 3 weeks since i last blogged?

Time passed by so fast!
First it was the wedding then it was chinese new year and this coming week its my housewarming!

can you see why im so busy now ?

for those few who saw the invitation, you probably saw the pictures too.

Thanks for all the angbaos, gifts and well wishes.

Love
M

contractor woes

2007-02-08T19:04:00.000+08:00

everybody who has had the experience of hiring a contractor would know that contractors give you the most problems.

Their words are like the breeze in the air, they dont mean what they say, they practice NATO. (No Action, Talk Only)

They changed coordinators because the first one did not do anything much, much to my dismay.

2 days ago, the contractor finally done up the house. Yes two days ago.
It is extremely inconvenient for me because i have very little time to clean up the house prior to me moving in.

I haven't yet seen the house.
The contractor is already pestering me for payment.

for the 2K that I have been holding back
I said 2 more weeks to make sure everything is intact, he say no way.

I'm not giving way to his demands which i think is unreasonable to say the least because his words are worthless.

How can i be assured of quality if i pay now without inspecting?

if you want to avoid this contractor, please email me i will tell you which one.

from nothing to this ...

2007-01-31T21:32:00.001+08:00

its always such a joy to see nothingness morph into something beautiful.
I guess that's how i would describe joy of having my own home. Some pictures...

Nasty Business, wedding is ...

2007-01-23T17:51:00.000+08:00

I have come to a conclusion.

It is important to marry a rich man or at least a man with a huge load of savings.

Because wedding is such nasty business, your account gets wiped off even before the wedding dinner.

I cannot imagine what will happen after the banquet.

Throughout my preparation and the fights with the contractors, and of course dealing with the meddlesome MIL, I have forgotten to do some important stuff like confirming my photographers and videographer, sending out those mailed out invites,

im dead meat...

Happy New Year 2007

2007-01-01T11:19:00.000+08:00

So its 2007 already!

my gawd!

Im not going to be listing down resolutions for the new year, especially since I dont know if I can keep them. But I am going to promise myself to enjoy the remaining of my daes as a singleton, (actually in the eyes of the law, I'm no longer singleton but who cares right?) and 2007 even though it may proves to be a difficult one.

Here's wishing all friends, family, and other readers who pop by this site regularly or accidentally that this year will be a start of all things goood, living it better than the rest and may you find purpose and satisfaction in all that you do.

Happy 2007!

Luv,
M

photoshoot

2006-12-27T20:05:00.000+08:00

somehow because the photoshoot was done, the invites and the new home more or less ready, it seems that the day of reckoning is creeping nearer and nearer.

a little teaser before the big day ...

reliability

2006-12-25T11:24:00.000+08:00

lately, my gf has been showing symptoms of being non-committal when it comes to being my wedding coordinator - a job that she has always been saying she would help me with when i get married.

I find that extemely annoying to say the least because i have always thought that she wanted to do me the favour since that's her forte and because she has said so and I have expected her to fill the position naturally.

today Christmas morning I sense the grudginess in her when I talked about her "job" and my expectation that if anything goes wrong I will come after her.

I said the second part because she has forgotten all the details that I have talked to her about.
And I wanted her to be a little more zealous in the job and not adding to another one of my woes.
I already have enough on my plate at the moment.

perhaps she feels this way because she's not being paid or so she thinks?
or is it because she has done her friends' wedding and she's now tired of it?

I just find that if that's the reason, then she's not being very fair to me.
And I did not intend for her to do it for free.

i am beginning to think of alternatives to having another coordinator if she doesnt want the job. I rather she tell me now than to let me know last minute.

while i hope that she will continue to be my coordinator because she's been a very close friend of mine for more than 10 years, i will gladly remove her from that position if she doesnt feel like taking it on.

Because I would rather my wedding goes on without a hitch than to worry about all the details on the day itself.

thoughts ...

2006-12-13T12:24:00.000+08:00

Just the week past, i make a horrifying discovery. An ex-colleague, also my agent apparently mistook my wedding date for a date this month.

About 1 - 2 weeks earlier than that, i met him to indicate a change in my investment plan and had verbally mentioned to him that I intended to invite him to my wedding as the date nears. He had asked me for my cards, but apparently my cards are not ready yet.

Perhaps, he thought me to be me to be an insincere person that's why i did not give him cards even though i had verbally invited him to the dinner.

That made me wonder, what make him form this impression.

Perhaps one consolation is that, he's not a close friend?

but to be honest that's one warning bell that indicate that people does have this perception of me. While I don't think deserve this label because i have been earnest in my dealing with people whom i called friends, I also understand that I cannot stop people from gossiping or from forming such impression because they do not know me at all.

人言可未

Just like my MIL can't stop me from talking about her when she irritates me.

moods

2006-12-12T09:20:00.000+08:00

a gf once told me when i first gotten my house signed in my name that should i require any electrical appliance, i ought to let her know. This is so because her relatives are all representatives of different brands and they could help get things cheaply - so i thought if i were to buy things, then i ought to get through her because her relatives could also benefit from the sale and i might still be able to get a good deal out of it.

so i faithfully smsed her the model of the stuff i wanted to get via her, but alas none of it successful and since i needed confirmation from her whether her relatives could get it for me, i often missed the bargain - i could have gotten if i got things myself.

and so it happened again yesterday.

frankly, i think that she just got sick of it, and its one of her mood swings again because she's sounding curt and she's hermitting herself once again.

So I reckoned I'd be better off sourcing things for myself than to have to face one's moods when im happily getting things for my new house.

Anyway who wants to buy things when one's mood is soured right?

Renovations ...

2006-12-08T11:02:00.000+08:00

Renovations is really beginning to freak me out!

This is so because for the past 2 weeks while i was still working, my maternal home started the renovations of the toilets, the kitchen and subsequently repainting the entire house, grilles and doors included.

This has led to the home becoming a warzone, with things being hauled out of their shelves, souveniers from our trip to beautiful places kept in boxes and cupboards shifted to reveal a lizard family living blissfully behind it before the move.

Needless to say, the house is hardly fit for people to live in. but I have lived here for the past 1 week and the inability to sleep at night is quite getting to me. Plus the daily cleaning after the workers have completed their work is so taking a toil on my body.

and I will be embarking on my own renovations soon enough and this has scared me off renovations.
However, if renovations is not being done on my new house, then I would think that apartment is also unfit for the living.

In traditional beliefs, it is said that with renovations you are actually clearing the old and welcoming the new, hopefully the torment is worth it.

That being said... i better go look after the renovations and start packing up my things .....

okie.. so there's no cable ...

2006-12-04T14:46:00.000+08:00

alright .. there's no cable to download my pictures.

but there's always mms r8ight?

So I went for my 2nd kua fitting *kua = traditional tea dress for traditional chinese wedding*
And here's the picture..."hot" off the phone!

Enjoy!

wedding shots ..

2006-11-10T14:33:00.000+08:00

its the time of the year when monsoon hits this part of the world and I havent yet taken my pictures because of the delay with the gown sometime ago with the coordinator.

I have been meaning to post up pictures I've taken of my wedding gown but until nowI cannot find my cable. My sister mus thave taken it with her to her trip to the USA -Its very annoying... but what to do? mutters

So i guess you guys just have to wait patiently for the photos ..... but mabbe till then, the pictures from the photoshoot might arrive first
keke!

weirdoes ?

2006-11-07T17:37:00.000+08:00

sometime ago, a friend who happens to be a graduated linguist with first class honours, asked why I did not, despite always online, messaged him first on the MSN.

and today when I messaged him, the tone from him is that of annoyance, which simply pisses me off because ... what the matter is wrong with you.

Anyhow his first statement after i messaged hime was " Fine, let me guess... you are getting married"

the cynicism is so getting to me.
i was just going through the guest list with my wedding coordinator and guess what.. he was never in the guest list - not even the emergency one!

I really doubt i will talk to him at all in the future....

anyhow, on Sunday, I saw my gown. Its really beautiful! cool Stuff! =)!

Bad news, my photographer has a prior engagement on my wedding dae, so i have gotta find an alternative one.

any recommendations ?

Reading fanatic!

2006-11-02T17:03:00.000+08:00

Up till today from friday last week I have finished reading 4 books.
4! yes.. no kidding!

haha Im bitten by the reading bug! dohz.

LAst weekend I went to the capital of Malaysia. While I was worried about the possibility of the haze problem that is supposedly to be much much worse in KL, I was in for a surprise. There were clear skies the entire 3 days I was there.

I played tourist and went to their PEtronas twin towers.
It was fun... to be touristy and did lots of shopping there.

You guessed it. I read during the road trip up and down kl.

Blog and reading

2006-10-25T15:18:00.000+08:00

sometimes I find because I have written about my procrastination to read a book, I actually ended up reading the book immediately and can I now show off to the world that I have finished reading that book already?

Yes... and it has led me to write 2 entries offline and I am wondering now if those 2 entires will ever see the light..... yes.... im procrastinating again.

right now I am flipping yet another book. Its a tough read. Because the issues covered in this book are dealing with child abuse. It is never easy to see the abuse from someone's perspective, especially since it is a real life story.

but I shall venture on and tell you about it.

The Book: "Sickened, the true story of a lost childhood"

However, if you find that the wait is too tormenting... you can read the review here and jump on the book yourself =)

recent craving ..

2006-10-23T15:02:00.000+08:00

Im savouring a book by Jane Green.

I digress, I did not know she looks weird! Complete witha witch nose and wide grin.. scary! but her novels are honestly frank, dead straight and I bet there are many a times you associate your thinking with her... like it or not.

She's so direct sometimes her novel makes you embarassed, just like the other day when I was trying to read the noval " Straight Talking " and there was this part the female character was assessing a man's assets gosh in no subtle terms. As I was in a crowded MRT, I immediately dumped my book in my tote, worrying if there's anyone reading off my shoulder and getting all riled up by her sex talk.

*grin*

yup, so there.. im devouring a trashy novel.. but somehow its so brutally frank, it has been in my bag for 2 months and I havent yet pass page 50.

I'm embarrassed by the straight talking...

a can of worms

2006-10-20T18:15:00.000+08:00

It is precisely times like this, when I need a blog.

Everybody has skeletons in their closets. when you decide to air them, you worry if the decision fails you, or stands by you.

I find that it so happened that after I finished reading the novel I bought yesterday, I have this urgency to address the problem.

to be honest, why I did what I did.. i cannot be absolutely sure. It could be a can of worms, but if I did not do what I did, will I know what will happen after?

Will I find closure?

The blardy Haze ...

2006-10-17T19:07:00.000+08:00

Its been sometime since the haze came to Singapore. This two weeks, we are again plagued with the damnable haze.

Its annoying because
1. it makes you fuly aware of the greenhouse effect.
2. it makes you extremely grouchy
3. it makes you too keen to be hiding in the shower all day because as soon as you are out of it, you are once again the sticky grimy you.
4. it makes working unbearable
5. it clogs up your nostrils and those yucky stuff sticks out at every time you are in the lift with a cute colleague, dangling by a nose hair. -.-!!
6. it makes exercise impossible (breathing and perspiration problem)
7. it makes you smell like shit, made worse by perfume go stale sooner than you know.
8. it makes your eyes water and your throat dry and susceptible to sores and infection.
9. it makes tolerating driving idiots impossible especially during peak hours like last night.
10. it makes singapore an unbearable place to be in.

It makes singaporeans more singaporeans because we are complaining more and more.
;P

Sumptous foood

2006-10-16T10:01:00.000+08:00

Just last week, we went to Sushi Teh for some dinner and it turns out, we couldn't resist the lobster dish there which was reallly yummilicious and worth every cent and bite!

We ordered 1/2 for each of us and it turns out a god senT! And as it turns out... to be a superb evening, I looked all around me and i realised i left all my photographic equipment in the car, because i thot it was going to be a short, ordinary dinner.... *bummer...*

I paid but it was really worth it.

Ray promised a re-play of the evening the following week which is going to be a big deal because its your's truly's BIG bash, but dad booked buffet for the entire family at a restaurant. It was horrible and unappetising, dont ever want to go there again.

So last nite, we went to East Coast seafood for dinner! A 2 person set dinner, complete with lobster in french style, chilli crabs, scallops and brocoli, ee fu noodles and manga sago desert.

It was so satisfying, except that this time i brought my camera without the battery pack because i forgot i left it at home to charge. *ugh!*

What the *beep* is happening to blur me... so you can only try to imagine the food i have eaten since I do not have any concrete proof of the sinful food wiggling in my stomach *slurps*

Now its time to get my ass into shape again....
I need to hit the treadmill else I can't fit into my 24-inch gown heh!!!!!

Hectic hectic

2006-09-22T12:45:00.000+08:00

Ever since the holidays, work has been extremely hectic. Every night i go home exhausted and barely having time to watch television programmes for I would just fall asleep almost immediately after dinner. Real bad! *shakes head*

I had been to 2 bbqs over the weekend, its socialising amongst friends, so it was an obligation I couldn't refuse - although I do wanted to laze at home and catch up on sleep.

Life hasn't been very smooth-sailing because there had been troubles about the flat. I almost did not get to buy that flat. Things doesn't seem to bode well on the gown design. Til date, the designer has yet to design my gown. Bridal boutique wants me to add money etc. I shall not add money! until they do something about it!

I guess there's really nothing much to add except that its really tiring to be in the midst of all these and I hope I have got more than 24 hours to complete all these tasks.

*sighz* prioritise is the buzz word.
Please show me how? *looks skywards*

lesson learnt - holiday companion

2006-09-05T12:17:00.000+08:00

The Number 1 lesson I would like to teach all of you out there is to find the right companion when you go for your holidays.

There are many types of companion.

The type 1: the troopers
This type of companion is game for most things. They are willing to walk when there is no bus. They are willing to run for the bus. They are willing to experience the way of life of the locals. They are willing to learn about history of the places they are going to, they prepare in advance and dress smart for the trip. This is the type of companion I wanT and I am!

The type 2: The bummer
This type of companion loves to live the high life. In fact when they go for a holiday, most often than not, they prefer to laze in the comfort of their hotel. After all they have paid a premium for it. Eat and drink at the hotel, dress luxuriously and mingles in the to be seen places.

The type: the pretender/ whiner/ the baby/ the wet blanket/ the shadow
They pretend to be the perfect companion for all of your trips. They pretend knowledge about the places you want to go and they are all excited about it. They pretend they are very comfortable with any suggestion but in actual fact they dread what you have just suggested. These are the type of people who refuses to try new things and they will discourage people from trying also with their pessimistic ways.These are the people who despite your many many advices still turn to deaf ear and in the end, rely on you to get them out of their predicament be it monetary, emotionally or just mindless complaints.

Unfortunately for my sanity, I am with the whiner this holiday. The companion from hell!

I can't wait to return to Singapore! Please return my sanity back to me!
UGH!

Thailand day 3

2006-09-04T14:35:00.000+08:00

Unfortauntely, time is not on my side to blog about the series of unfortunate events that happened during this trip. But al in all, a good travelling companion is super duper important when you want to go for a holiday.

Right this moment I only want to get rid of my companion and she's far far away from me until 4 pm singapore time.

On the one hand, I am having fun so far and dont want to come back, on the other, the thought of her staying here with me scares me to nether world!

So there, wait patiently for me to come back. I miss my laptop and my super duper duper doggies and their smelly bo!

DArling I miss you too! *hugs*

Trip to the land of smiles

2006-09-01T11:09:00.000+08:00

yes today i'd be flying off.... to the land of smiles.
(if you dont know where, then nevermind lar... different league liao keke)

For the first time, im taking budget airline. See how the services are and I'd be taking the flight from our budget airterminal. *grin*

I'm taking quite a bit of vitamin m over..... my colleague says she's only bringing $200 worth. Okie lar.. for 5 days.. see how she die. sure not enough one!

hahahahhaa!

Till then. I gotta go soon
TAta everybody and dont miss me!

Wedding updates : The gown and the photography

2006-08-20T17:39:00.000+08:00

I have finally signed upwith the bridal salon.

I will have a made to measure gown, in my own design, one off the rack evening gown/ Traditional Chinese Tea Dress, and all the stuff flowers, car decorations, coats for the groom, make up etc.

My tailor-made gown will be ready by late october/ early november and then It will be time for the photoshoot.

I'm getting excited and paranoid now.

Excited cos I can't wait to be in the gown i designed.

Paranoid, that the photoshoot morph me into an ah lian or the workmanship for the gown turned out to be unsatisfactory.

So that's the risk i have to take... but well... nothing ventured, nothing gained.

So there!

Outbreak

2006-08-19T11:19:00.000+08:00

Its barely 3 weeks since I last went for my facial. And yesterday I cannot help it but booked myself for yet another one.. because I'm suffering from outbreak.

As a result I am going to peel for the next few days but before that, I have to suffer fromt he relentless assault of tweezers, and all the equipments required for the proper extraction of oil plugs from my overzealous pores.

They seem really unhappy about something... probably one of the new products i have tried and im not suitable for it.

Will try to post a picture of the face laters..

*screams.. I want to see no body!*

retail therapy

2006-08-13T16:52:00.000+08:00

Hmm..in view of the pay day!, I have been doing some serious shopping.

I spent close to 200$ at borders, buying books - *nods* to nurture the nerd in me again.

Then I almost spent another 100$ in amazon .com! hahaha! My friend's sister is coming back from the US, so im taking advatange of the "free shipping" in US to get some real good bargains on books.

Then I went to Ikea this afternoon to gather resources for my wardrobe. Hangers, coat protectors, storage boxes etc. All the neccessary for my walk-in wardrobe. I know it is a bit too early to be buying stuff like this, but I will get to use it sooner or later right... since its the annual sales now.. I might as well take advantage of the lowered prices!

I don't feel very good after the shopping although I do know there's plenty of books awaiting my attention...tee hee!

So will I emerge all the wiser?

what's up pussy cat?

2006-08-10T16:03:00.000+08:00

Well, the past few weeks when I havent been blogging properly, I have been searching for gowns! yeah...

Actually I found it already but just havent yet put down the deposit to confirm because I wanted to make sure that it is going to be the one!

that's my weekends for you...

On weekdays..
i'm busy working because of all the impending projects and whatnots!
I just shifted my workspace! hehe.. its now located at the back of the room.. good.. not near the door anymore.

what's more.. I have also just recieved my centrino duo work laptop! =D~

life does seem to be looking up!

plans for the long week break ...

2006-08-07T18:36:00.000+08:00

I have had plans for a getaway to KL, then I also have had plans to run away to bintan... afterwards I just wanted to concuss at home after a long tiring day!

today is one such day!
I'm a shackadooodie!

So despite the nagging advice from colleagues who say... dont bring work home, I did just so that I can do some filing.

I have plans to go shopping to update my wardrobe, I too have plans to go for a facial and a massage... then later I thot I would do better if I go take up my beading work again.

So many things to do... which one to do now ?

Right now I'm only looking forward to the mini feast I am going to binge later on ...

Yep im having cravings ... and that only means one thing..

uh huh, if i know me well enough... you will know what it means ;P

Hotel confirmed!

2006-07-23T19:02:00.000+08:00

the deed is done.

The money's paid.
I have an venue for my banquet come next year february.

its at the Regent's singapore, four Seasons, located at cuscaden road, near Tanglin shopping centre.

So now that's settled, its high time I go search for my gowns.
yes I havent yet done that.

Married life ..

2006-07-18T18:55:00.000+08:00

I have been reading wonderful accounts of married life, blissful, contentment, oozing with sweetness and care. I wonder If mine would be as such.

Perhaps I would.

It has made me yearn for a family lots, but there's still some settling to do. The house is well on its way, as of this month onwards, we are already paying for the monthly instalment, my banquet venus is booked. My photographer has been found, the makeup artist confirmed.

what's now left is the much needed attire for the big day.
The gown, the tea dress, the Kua, the evening gown, the shoes, the bouquet his attire.

We are not intending for a honeymoon at least not so soon after the big day. I probably go some months later. This is to ease up on our financial committments for the big day.

The house and the event clashing together is really quite a headache.

Bud has been asking me to source for furnitures for the house already but I find that an extra chore. Since I wont probably have the house until end of this year.., what's most pressing is the sourcing of contractors! and followed very tightly by our attire selection, something that we have not yet done till today!

sigh.

I look forward to moving in with ray at the end of the year, when we finally could have some peace and quiet to ourselves without all the meddling noses.

Sigh.. that much I wish ...

we bgt the house!

2006-07-03T18:02:00.000+08:00

We went for our HDB appointment today. The house is sold! to us!
I can't buy a landed property in the next 5 years. My parents cannot sell theirs in the next 5 years.

but i have a house to my own! I look forward to the end of this year.. when my house will be ready! =)

yay I have a bed to myself again! keke

excessive baggage

2006-06-27T15:57:00.000+08:00

lately, there's so much baggage im carryin i feel like i am going to collapse anytime.

work wise, new responsibilities are pouring in, with it higher expectations and heavier workload and lots of key performance index to adhere to.

homewise, granny almost got a stroke and there's noone to care for her, thus we needed to shift her to my place so that my mom who happens to be a stay at home mom can take care of her needs.

This change came one day before i was supposed to take the extra load at work, can you imagine the stress i have to go through?

predictably, I was non too pleased with the invasion of my room and I was left without a choice but to sleep in the living room. Two days have since passed and I haven't yet gotten my replacement bed.

While I do grouse and get annoyed by my parents for being unfair to me, my room was just take away from me, with almost no notice, I cannot fault them for being filial and want to take care of my granny.

Habits have to change, I no longer have the luxury of sleeping in my undergarments, or being scantily dressed on a hot day like today. I have to walk around, properly attired and change all my habits as i go along.

I used to bring work home to do until the wee hours of the night in my room typing away, now I have to make sure I complete most of my work lest I disturb my other family members with my inregular hours at home.

I also have to make other members of the family change their living style, they no longer am able to watch tv until the wee hours of the morning, because I am sleeping in the living room.

I am still trying to work round a manageable way of living in this house with the introduction of my grandmother, but I guess that takes time.

It is not my grandmother's fault that she have to live with us, I sometimes wonder when the inconveniences get really bothersome that why does it have to be me and not the rest.

banquet updates

2006-06-21T10:25:00.000+08:00

well, I have finally gotten my dates for the banquet dinner.
and now busy finalising the details for the big do!

and I am so toying with the idea of organising my own banquet dinner, bringing in my own caterer for the event and do up my own deco, so that I can cut costs to the barest minimum and do without all the extra frills that I dont really need. (Eg ike some stupid ice sculpture with strawberries and flowers - can eat one anot?!)

It is a very challening tasks and hubby seems to be edging me on. At least he is now trying to help with the "ala-carte" banquet planning. * thank you darling muacks *

I mentioned to his mother yesterday that the date's been finalised and she wanted to locate hotel for me. I told her I dont want lao-ya* hotel and to leave the planning to me because I have already did whatever I needed to do.

I also told her that We are BROKE from the house reno, wedding so on... do you think she gets what I am trying to drive at?

Today I am going site-visiting 2 hotels to talk to the banquet managers and see their previous wedding portfolio.

and his mother mentioned something that I think I needed to clear the air about that is... Hotels located along the orchard belt are much cheaper. Excuse me... that is so wrong wrong wrong. i'm not going for furama or amara hotel okie! Those a mere 80$ will suffice!

These hotels im shortlisting cost more than 100$ per head okie! Wah lau.. what era is she still living in?!

Thank goodness I am the one shortlisting the hotels! haha

*lao-ya means no good in local dialect.

weekend date @ Tebrau Shopping Mall! - jb

2006-06-20T11:51:00.000+08:00

LAla!

In bid to recee the area where the bridal salon is located, I pestered Ray to bring me to JB, since he took leave.

So it was a fuss-free entry into JB only to be cruising for another 10 to 15 minutes before we finally found the new mega mall in JB! the Tebrau Shopping mall... but there was no bridal salon in sight *kwa kwa kwa*

Anyhow, it was pretty fun date. We ate at secret recipes.... set dinner at only RM 9.90! consisting of a choice of chicken chop with your desired sauce, or pasta (spaghetti or lasangne/chicken beef) and a free signature brownie of your choice!

I took the lasagne with Carrot Slice brownie topped with a generous amount of sweet Cheese yummy yummy! Ray had Mushroom black pepper chicken chop, with salad and his choice of brownie.. apple!

Yummy yummy absolutely worth every ringgit of it!

I love this chandelier!!! Do you love it?! so nice!! beautiful!!!!!!!

our set dinna!!

our brownies!!! *slurps*

After that more deserts! Baskin Robbins! Rum and RAisin!!! yippie!!

After the ice cream, we went to catch the brand new screening of a show not shown in SG!!! Fast and Furious - Tokyo Drift!

~*~~*~*~*~*~*~SPoilors!! spoilers!! spoilorsssss!!~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I dont like the movie.. its a brawn movie.
Guy gets into trouble forever because of his infliction with fast cars. RAced and got flunged at with jail sentence or extradiction to tokyo.

You guessed it... got into worse trouble in tokyo and raced somemore because of a gurl. *rolls eye* Race and race somemore wins the gerl... the end.

only brawn men and bimbotic gers like this kind of movie.

I love the cars though tee hee!

So does that make me a bimbo?

*thinks*

!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!

What is a jb trip if there is no jam at the way out?!
we were stuck on the way out for 2 hours!!
What will a ger do when you are at a jam? Photo Whore!!! and fiddle with phone that's jam packed with goodies...

photos photos

food galore

2006-06-19T14:22:00.000+08:00

Ray and me went for sumptous luncheon at Cafe Cartel's best outlet (IMHO) at Marina Square. We eat a full meal and in the midst of it, we felt so gorged and heavy, we did not even managed to eat the sides.

some pictures from our little outing.

On our way home, we saw a uncle with his doggy on a motorbike. I couldn't resist taking a picture of the woofie! So cute!

Where did you celebrate your father's day yesterday?
I arranged for dinner at Tunk Lok's Restaurant for 6 yesterday at its Marina Cove Branch. Dinner was fabulicious! Complete with shark fins and stuff. Needless to say, it was a dear dinner too. Equivalent of a table for a wedding banquet. Since I have just taken my bonus, I paid for it. Food was so good, Ray couldn't even resist not eating some of the forbidden dish that could triggre off this gout problem.

Some pictures.
The Yummilicious "yi pin guo"

The salmon toufu with golden mushrooms and spinach

of cats and dogs

2006-06-14T12:51:00.000+08:00

My adoptive kitty have taken to eating from the dog's dish lately.
This is probably because of the tempting canned dog food i usually add into the dry feed for my doggies. this is what happens every morning and I managed to catch it on film, last weekend.

Amusing!

Ikea Shopping

2006-06-14T10:15:00.000+08:00

Last afternoon I went IKEA shopping. I saw my dream wardrobe and kitchen! total 6K only =D
I was so motivated at the end of the trip... I reckoned I can't wait till I get the keys to my own home. *sighs*

these few nights I have been catching only the first of the many games because it is being screened at the most earthly hours - 8+, 9pm.

I wagered with Ray last night for the match Toga VS S.Korea. I said... Korea will win, he said its a draw match. We wagered for Mcdonald's breakfast. Guess what? I won! woohoo! I had the most sumptous mac breakfast this morning before I went to work.

Whee!!

2006-06-12T14:56:00.000+08:00

Its good to know that even the "rich" can run out of money to spend sometimes- i am not talking about me... but someone else.

anyhow, my budget's pretty much tight up lately over the cost of the house, the agent fee,the banquet deposit, the bridal rental etc to allow me to take advantage of the great Singapore Sale.

Thus, we are going on yet another trip to sucky Malaysia. =P To be honest, I dont detest Malaysia all that much if they would only stop their bashing of Singapore in their highly not true reports of where I grow up in. I have got relatives living in Malaysia, those who chose to remain in Malaysia before the big split in 1965. But it irks me when I hear people saying untrue things about us. It was entirely their choice to want to remain in Malaysia and when they find it hard to survive in Malaysia it is definitely not Singapore's problem. They have a choice did they not?

anyhow, i am not about to turn this entry into a patrotic entry... god knows I will cry at National Day Parade whenever they play the National Anthem, with the 40,000 audience and the drive past. No I am not kidding... I do cry. (but not as much as AXXXna of course! tee hee hee!!)

So this weekend was spent doing nothing except reliving my mahjong wee nites again. Played on Friday, after a hard day of cleaning out my humongous house. I ache all over, I could not even stretch my arm to retrive my tiles. amazingly, I only lose 7$ despite an earlier clear out. *phew!*

Last Saturday we caught the screening of CARs, another project by Disney with Pixel Animation. REally good I would say, especially those who have been faithfluly catching the grand prix will know what I am talking about. A definitely thumbs up movie with very good moral values. I know I will buy this movie when it is out in the stores, so that I can let my kid(sss) watch it when they are older and explain to them the values presented in the movies.

yeah... apart from crying.. this iron lady has got a really huge soft side... eg.. I do cry sometimes..... (but not as much as please see above! =X) and I enjoy cartoons!

What an amazement!

Banquet matters

2006-06-01T10:57:00.000+08:00

Last night his mother gave me an envelope without saying anything. Upon closer inspection, it contains luncheon and banquet menus from Pan Pacific hotel.

since Ray wanted to take a look at it, I did not try peeping over his shoulders. His mother all the while ws observing us and then suddenly proclaims in her shrill voice "吓死人啊!" So I can't help but peek and saw the rates which was about $900+++ per table. I proclaimed "这样就吓死人吗? Normal wad!"

I dont know what is wrong with these people... obviously they still think they are living in the fifties when 50$ per person for a dinner is the norm. don't they know about high standards of living?

That aside ... we caught the screening of XMen III.
I was quite sorry for the lack of storyline. I did not find this particular episode v interesting. although there are indeed certain parts of the movie pretty interesting. that aside, I dont think it is really worth buying a ticket for. Wait till the DVD's out!

banquet matters - blows me away!

2006-05-30T11:57:00.000+08:00

Its a headache having to plan for the wedding.

If ony I hadn't splurged the money on an housing agent I would have had the money to engage a wedding planner! ugh.. the injustice of it all!

It is quite a big headache especially since you have to make sure that you can get a good date and the hotels comply to everybody's standard.

My dad wanted me to hold my wedding at The Fullerton, I wanted to hold it at a slightly better than average hotel, but my MIL wanted it to be a simple and cheap affair.

The agony of it all.
for one, I will not hold it at a restaurant because of my father's status.
Restaurant too chin cai, I dont deem it proper also if he were to invite his friends.

for two, I dont want to hold it at a high end hotel because the bill would be too huge for the two of us to bear. With the house coming up and all.. its a real pain to bear the cost of these two big items in our meagre take home pay.

I have also decided not to take a bridal package in Singapore. That being considered first because i think it is just crap to pay for a super duper expensive package MLM only to have to return the gown at the end of the day... or to keep the gown in your wardrobe.

Its just a gown... its not like i would be wearing it for the rest of my live. neither do i think it is practical lar.

So i probably do a rental of gowns and suits from JB ( the cost is about 50% lesser than Sg's!)
I might not take up a photography package. It again depends. Because I find it a waste of money to take all the pictures only to keep it in the cupboard after the big day.

All that money wasted for nothing!

I am still waiting for the man to return with a list of auspicious dates for me to hold my customary... and if the good days are on a weekday.. I will jolly well get married on a weekday.

such are the dilemma of having to get married and harried by nosy parkers who wanted to have a say in MY wedding... despite knowing that it is MY wedding.

A place to call my own

2006-05-21T17:15:00.000+08:00

I'm estatic, reason being I have finally gotten my own place! Yay!

Its about time too. I think we have spent almost 3 months flat hunting before settling for this unit. Checked out the place too, its pretty much on the quiet side. 7 out of 8 neighbours are chinese. One of them a Middle age Malay that doesn't stay our side - so my dogs would not create too much mischief for them.

that's a big step towards Matrimony.. just imagine.. a place to call your own away from all the nosy parkers. *grin* I can't wait.

My brain is filled to the brim with ideas on how to decorate the house. I would like to have moveable wall like partitians *grin* And I want to reorientate the toilet door... hack down the storeroom.

Now we have to hunt for contractors and furnishing.... and im bringing Ray to bridial show next week. yay yay yay!!

Shopping freaks out in full force

2006-05-19T09:18:00.000+08:00

I contemplated going to crash the Robinson's Sale today with the aunties. I mean I really thought hard about it. I planned to awake at 6 am to go jogging and then curl my hair and go shopping like all aunties. But then again, my kitty stopped me. so did my cutie little doggies. So in the end at 9.17am right this moment, im online, enjoying my daily fix, a cup of kopi and reading blogs after I entertained the 3 little babies I have right now.

I surely am going to the robinson's sale. The lingerie fair is too much to resist. and god knows I am in dire need of a strapless bra. The 2 I have are sorely undersized, they nip my breasts. So uncomfortable.

Then I am meeting my colleagues to shop! can you imagine it! I am meeting them at 11 am at Somerset MRT. to which we will have about 4 hours to do our thang... 买东西, 吃东西. *grin* And at 3.45pm I am meeting my dearest cousin to do some serious shopping at Tangs! Whoa, my favourite store can. accessories so nice, underthings so plentiful, beautiful clothes and shoes... darn.. that's my nemesis. I can already foresee meself spending lots of money!

And im very happpy about it.... haha.. i can't wait.

I have prepped my skin for the make up to come. did I not mention these days im very vain? I put on the works before going anywhere. Mom is pleased for she says girls should look like that ma! ahem... girls *sniggers* I think I shall be more fussy about my skincare, I used the full set of stuff on my skin last night and god.. it feels so good! I have forgotten the perks diligient skin care brings, for when I started to be busy, I became lazy on skincare, just the basic do, wash and moisturise. not even toning the skin which I must advocate to be a must!

okie.. shall not write more... might write later to announce to the world my loot! yippie yippie.. *claps feet*

shop till you drop ...

2006-05-18T16:39:00.000+08:00

i awoke at an ungodly hour... 6 am.
continued reading the book i started reading yesterday.. its my 7th book. my 8th book is the only unread book left on my bedside table... and that reminds me to go and return the 2 books I have read to the library so that i may borrow more books.

hmmm...
Thus, I watched the last simulcast for USA amazing race before indulging like a taitai, taking a cab down town for my manicure and pedicure session.

I feel like a queen to be honest, 2 manicurists attended to me... and the shopping centre was so quiet. No rush at all... and when my fingers dry, I even had the time to continue reading my book until i feel like leaving haha!

anyhow, what was my loot like... let's see..... I bought a pair of swaskovski earrings, an eyeshadow palette ( I have taken the effort to dress up ever since I have so much free time on my hands), single fitted sheet set to match my single quilt set...lots of yummy biscuits from marks and spencer for me to put on weight whlie i read my book, sip my tea and crunch on those yummilicious biscuits *slurps* and lots of toiletries!

and to reward me for spending on toiletries, they gave me a free bundle copy of HER World Magazine, june 2006. heh! it comes with a free tote bag too!

Cool stuff.

Perhaps tomorrow I shall indulge myself in some shopping that i did not do today..... I shall call my cousin now.. grin

waste of effort ...

2006-05-18T16:36:00.000+08:00

Damn it....

All the excitement over nothing.
Well, Ray had to report for reservist the week we are supposed to go to hongkong, so there it is.... its a gone case.

no holidays for me.
Argh..

that sucks!
I was so looking forward to it. So be it I guess, I have to content myself with the GSS.

bored

2006-05-16T15:57:00.000+08:00

i'm bored, nobody blogged again... *taps feet* im going to attempt finish reading my book.

Ta~

What have i been up to ?

2006-05-16T09:30:00.000+08:00

Since ray's return, my book reading has been cut down, reading at a much slower pace too. Reason being, he is back to occupying my time,although there were times when he needed to do some work at home. So I was reading my 6th book when he returned and im still at my 6th book now.

Apart from zipping here and there to view houses, and spending some time with him, we also had to pacify our mothers for the last weekend past was mother's day.
I bought my mommy a new hp and a pair of pants, which she was estatic with joy about, his mommy, I bought her a bottle of skincare that she has always wanted but did not want to buy. She was also crazy with joy about it. I guessed.. everybody enjoys receiving presents.

yesterday i had to return to my school for lessons and so I did not work. As s result a good classmate of mine, brought us to Grand Copthorne Waterfront for a really sumptous luncheon.

Yummylcious mussels in salsa sauce...

The Crunchiest and freshest oysters I have ever tasted! Slurps~ Grilled Salmon with creme sauce.
Delicious Chocolate ice cream with chocolate bits and biscuit, Some fruits behind it.

MY appetizer, the lobster salad..

Another helping of the icecream with everything in it. haha!

I devoured 10 fresh and crunchy oysters, lobster salad, sashimi, sushi, smoked salmon, soups, cakes, fruits, ice cream.

I do sound like a glutton dont I?
Its so delicious.. its worth every cent of the $33 each person had to pay.
Absolutely Lovely!

I'm like a sick puppy... or a besotted pig called tudder... scowls

2006-05-11T14:09:00.000+08:00

Ray been gone for his business trip 2 days past.

And In his absence I have devoured 3 novels. *gulps*
I'm at my fourth and theres still a fifth waiting for me and 2 others I have yet to borrow.
I have thus made 2 trips to the library to return the books and borrow somemore.

My room is still untidy, made worse by a curious kitty who climbed its way on my study table and spilled my honey all over the table. Thank goodness, no important documents were left to idle on the table else I would be in deep shit and my wrath will know no bounds.

Anyhow, I sent Ray off to the Airport and one thing I may say about the experience is sending somebody off is never a good feeling. I doubt I will want to do that again.

To say not having missed him would be a great lie, and it was wonderful to hear from him again last night. Pity he had to worked til almost local time 12 midnight. But still, it was thoughtful of him to give me a call despite it being so late.

I revel in the fact that tomorrow he will be returning home and i await my little surprises he has in store for me, for each day he thought of me, he is supposed to buy me something...

Think you he will remember?
;P we'll wait and see ...

This post makes no sense ...

2006-05-09T11:08:00.000+08:00

This post makes no sense but I was trying to post pictures I took while fiddling with my cameras lately...

that's 2 men, fumigating in the early hours of yesterday... can you see them?
the other posts are just some shots i took testing out the camera, but I love the green color of the trees and the truck just stood very prominent out of the picture. I probably snapped this picture too early.. cos I dont like the angle it is being taken.. but nevermind I can always improve on it right?

grin

business trips sucks....

2006-05-08T16:22:00.000+08:00

We have had in our schedule a road trip to Msia this weekend. However, Ray had to go on a business trip starting tomorrow and wont be back until the weekend. That sucks big time.

It also marks the firsts of all business trips for Ray because he was promoted earlier this year and there's more to come.

Sad to say it comes with the job, but I'm feeling this neediness (if there is such a word) because i'm starting to be freer at work and the fact also because my course is stopping for a 3 weeks break starting this week and he is not around! Then what do I do with my spare time?

alright.. I probably make my mother happy by finally tidying up my room, made messy with my weekend bookshop purchases. I keep buying stationery paper and post it pads. I can never have enough of those. Righty so I will tidy up the room and right my wardrobe.

Satisfy my pets with my existence and bask them in all the time I have these few days.

Most importantly, I am to do research for our make-up trip to Hongkong, Bali or Phuket on the 22 May. grin.. thats exciting!

Weekend post

2006-05-07T17:56:00.000+08:00

I have decided to give away the kitty for adoption because the kitty has since learned to jump out of the pen I keep it in and explore every crevice of my room much to my annoyance. I too give up trying to train it not to scratch and bite my ankles everytime I try to do work in my room. So there... I need a kind soul to adopt kitty and along with it you will receive the cat sand I bought, and all kitty food - premium brands mine you for free!
Kitty has since recovered its sight and is a good joy for those who love kitties, it is a very playful playmate and would be kept entertained for hours if you have the time to sit and play with it. Unfortunately, the fact remains I have 2 dogs which do not allow me much time to sit and play with kitty without them getting agitated and jealous of the attention I am giving it. That is in addition to the fact that both doggies have been booted out of my room since its arrival. So there.. I desperately need to give it up for adoption any takers?

On Friday, one day short of the Polling Day in Singapore, Ray and me went to watch the much awaited and publicised Mission Impossible III. I love it, Ray too. We caught the 6.20pm movie and went to Fisherman's village for a quick sumptous bite. Cany ou see what we are eating? ;P
Yum, It makes me salivate just to be reminded of the very juicy BBQ chicken wings and succulent black pepper crabs we had for dinner. Not your usual friday night dinner but it was absolutely fabulicious!

What's more.. there's eye candy to whet my already pretty whetted appetite *giggles* There sitted a few tables from us was eye candy James Lye, the now retired mediacorp artiste who is married to Diana Ser, probably doing entertaining of his corporate clients.

More pictures of our dinner... drool-some aint it?

That's the crab part... *hyperventilates*

And of course our little keepsakes from the movie trip on Friday.

And so what did we do on Saturday? I was rolling in bed and shooed everyone away for I was in misery. I was in absolute agony writhing and fighting the big bad menstral cramps baddie. So no pictures at all - i would have loved to catch some of the action of those counting votes at those few

And this morning sunday we awoke unusually early to do despite staying up to watch the live commentary about the votes. We had lunch at Marina Square, I tried some Dim Sum thingie and It was only so-so. Then while eating, I saw her.... grin. It was quite a big prouction seeing that they only took the scene down in just a few seconds. There were lots of crew setting up the scene and getting the camera angle right just so that they would be able to shoot a perfect scene. That's my view of Zhong Qing (Kym Ng) shooting some unrevealed movie, shots for her latest show/movie whatever.

We headed back home and it was a beautiful Sunday. Blue skies and all, and so I whooped out my bigass camera and starting shooting what I see from my window. And there it is.. blue skies white clouds...

This picture looked eerie but looked somehow sombre too. I just switched the mode to B/W and took this picture. Look at the contrast of the lighted and non-lighted areas.... *studies hard*

Then I decided to take colour pictures again and this time framing the pictures in the window grilles. haha.. love the blue skies!

Right now, Im updating and very soon i'm waiting for the Grand Prix live commentary from Europe in about 45 mins exactly! ;P

So what the bloody hell are you doin'?

Project visited countries

2006-05-05T11:32:00.000+08:00

So I was bored and came across this website while I was web surfing.

There there, that's how much of the world I have explored. a mere 8%.

Happy?

create your own visited countries map

details of holiday sure cheers me up ..

2006-05-05T11:14:00.000+08:00

So he texted me this morning, " So how redeem already anot?"

Obviously due to my pre-menstrual obligation to my huge desire to snooze, I slept so early every night, we have not been getting enough of those nightly updates.

We were planning to drive up to MSia's capital again next week. And the points from my credit card were so closed to bursting that I had to redeem some points. Only to realise when the website is finally working that, the cost of redemption is much more than actually paying for it.

So we eventually booked a deluxe room paying with cash. *ahem* it sounded silly to not be using points, but the points can be used for much better things. For instance, redeemption for air tickets. =D

so the deed's done and we are heading over to the capital again... but like i told him over the IM just, "can we please go somewhere else interesting like Hanoi, Phi Phi Island, BAli? the cost is the same.."

He said " cheaper than Bintan what.."
I said " have you forgotten that im anti-xxxx?"
he said " .... "

Tee hee!

People who look over your shoulder ...

2006-05-05T11:00:00.000+08:00

I do not like people who walk over to my cubicle with nothing to do and stand there, idly pretending not to read what you are typing when they actually do.

So eeetating!

Go get yourself something to do instead of trying to be a presence in my presence. I want my privacy!!
ugh!

Have you done something nice for your colleague today?

2006-05-05T09:23:00.000+08:00

I was in a foul mood this morning.

That was because I arrived at work, drenched in the heavy downpour that greeted me the moment I stepped out of my building.

I wore my lecoqsportif sneakers, long black pants and knitted top today. My socks, my sneakers and my pants were dripped with sky juice by the time I walked into the office. Wrath hafth no fury like a woman drenched to the skin by the favour of the heavens. I stormed into the office, stalked to the ladies and tries to dry my pants only to discover to my horror, Im wearing lacy underthings today and it doesn't make a pretty sight when somebody too like my stalk into the ladies seeing me in my lacy underthings.

So i contented myself to using hand wipes to soak up as much of the water off my pants. Darn, I still felt horrible because the airconditioning made me really cold and superbly grouchy.

A colleague noticed my brooding and enquired.

She volunteered to helped me dry my pants without outraging my modesty and hers, by asking me get into the cubicle and have me hand over the soaked pants while she attempts to dry it as best as she could without burning a hole in the pants. ( I meant it literally)

Bless her soul.

I'm visibly happier, all thanks to her little kindness.

Have you done something nice for your colleague today?

*beams*

Parting never an easy task ...

2006-05-05T08:37:00.000+08:00

Early in the morning, I had to do my usual rounds of reading blogs and ... that stupid Kenny made me cry!!!!

*wails*

I ponder ...

2006-05-04T11:25:00.000+08:00

Perhaps one of the agenda of those political rallies is to get you thinking.

It is one of those days again... of absolute nothing to do, so I have got tons of time to wander through the newspaper sites that detail the political upheavals these days, one calling another liar and having those fingers retaliated in return. It is much better than the those soppy taiwanese serials i assure you.

Suddenly while reading sites, I was bombarded with flashbacks of what I saw when I was in Bangkok/Pattaya for holidays some 4 years ago. I see little girls no older than 10 years old, dangling from the arm of caucasians many times older, probably old enough to be her grandfather. It was a common sight.

Pubs are alit with pink flourescent lights, clearly indicating that they are sleaze pubs. Along the Pattaya night market, teenage girls showcase their wares in slimpy t-backs and bikinis to the noise of trance blaring somewhere.

Then I look at our girls here. Some clearly underage girls dressing skimpily in the latest fashion get ups, prancing along Orchard Road, or loitering in Shopping Malls - dont they have better things to do?

Do they not have to study for their examination since it is the examination period now?
Do they not have a family to go to?
Do they not know that by dressing skimpily, it degrades them?

Yes it does. And while the girls in Thailand have got no choice but to parade in most minimal of clothing because their livelihood depends on it. Our girls here have the money to get the latest fashion accessories and yet they also wish to parade their wares. Girls from two vastly different countries yet, their behaviour is so similar.

Such teasing display of the flesh, it is no wonder the young are experimenting with sex at a young age.

Then there are those people who sell pornographic materials out in the open and the parents of these kids who watched these materials and in turn the kids have access to it and they start to mimic what they see.

That in turn results in aggravated abortion statistics, unwed mothers statistics upped the scales too.

And is sex education really necessary in schools? No doubt it is necessary to educate the kids when there are such available materials accessible at home but I dont think it is necessary to start them this young.

And the victims are always the women who let themselves be the victims!

I despise those who allow themselves to be victims of this vicious cycle.
I detest the parents who weren't around to explain about the intricacies of growing up and how to deal with sexuality.
I despise those who openly make available their illegal tapes to the young and leading them to experiment, the most.

disagreements

2006-05-03T17:31:00.000+08:00

Well I am sure everybody dislike disagreements, I just have had one today.

Mabbe I was just feeling disagreeable, but then I also think that she is being quite the pain in the neck. Yeah, so we are good buddies but we do have our disgreements once in a while.

She was saying about not playing mahjong for the weekend, while I had nothing against that and was all up to the bbq dinner and whatever she had planned for the weekend, I find the suggestion of a midnight movie inconvenient.

Why should we watch a midnight movie and attempt to while away time from dinner to midnight just so we can catch a midnight movie? I dont see there to be any sense. Neither do I see sense in wasting time watching a movie because you did not want to play midnight mahjong.

If you dont want to play mahjong, then we dont play. Why must it be a forced act? That you must have no other choice otherwise you will have to play mahjong however late it is?

The idea of whiling away time is absolutely detestable, for I did just that at work and time just ticked so slowly. And Time waits for no man. I do not want to while time away waiting for that bloody movie when I could have watched it like some 3 hours ago at 9 o clock!

Even if we were to have a nice slow chat over dinner, 3 hours would suffice in which case we can still catch the 10 + movie. Why midnight?!

I told her if she wanted to watch that damned movie at midnight she could jolly well go watched it with the other friend. Because I could always catch the movie at the other more convenient time slot.

It ended horribly - I did not want that, but I was riled.
I still am.

i'm frigging bored

2006-05-03T15:32:00.000+08:00

Today is one day of no proper work done day.
There seem to be nothing to do. Jus tlike how it used to be like for me back at the events company.
Im bored stiffed.

and the fact that the time of the month has been delayed is not making matters any easier.

And no it is highly unlikely i am pregnant.. so dont even stray that way.

mutters~

This makes no sense .. but I had fun writing it!

2006-05-03T12:27:00.000+08:00

Airy
Begrudgingly
Courteous
Delicious
Elusive
Felicity
Gorgeous
Happiness
Icily
Jealously
Keenly
Lamented
Mercifully
nonchalantly
opulence
pathetically
quizzically
repulsive
striking
tumultuous
unconvincely
vilely
wilfully
xylophonic
yellowing
zippity

All the political hoohas..

2006-05-03T08:11:00.000+08:00

These days newspaper are filled with splashes and splotches of political titbits, with the opposition trying to defile the government in their feeble attempt to win votes. *roll eyes* how lame can they get? And the government trying to right things again by providing concrete proof about so and so. Throwing out lawsuits blah blah..

Then there's also the media doing what they could to add fuel to the fire, by mentioning in no unclear details what who did wrong blah blah.. I shall not talk about the exact details, since it is already written so clearly in the newspapers these days. Its orgasmic! Go read okie!

Then I suddenly recalled one fine night when I was younger.. my dad will bring me to these places where they hold rallies to listen hours after hours what the contestants will talk about. While I was young and did not understood all the political jargons and whatnots, my dad will stand rooted to the ground with his arms folded listening intently about what they have to say. It must have been a really electrifying speech for we will be there until all the uncles dispersed.
Then dad will good humourly bring bored and possibly very frustrated mommy sitting on the newspapers behind daddy and us 3 imps to mcdonalds for some ice cream in his cute little hatchback.

Ah.. that will appease us but i dont know about mommy. tee hee!

Then I recalled some years ago, when I was still very ignorant and shunned the topic of politics, there was this very emotional and tense counting of votes at the Cheng San CC. I can't remember why it was so tense, like I say I dont bother at that time, but the live commentary rooted me to the google box until the votes have been counted and results announced.

I marvel the changes in my interest these days. While I do not possibly pour over every single word the newspaper report about, I will listen to the news. I will too listen to the May Day speech and in turn humming to Solidarity Forever~ I will too listen to the NAtional Day speech because it so concern our livelihood!

And I discovered I do have this avid interest in politics despite my ignorance many years before. Perhaps there is indeed this herditary influence that come from my dad... haha!

I too read in the forums about how foreigners being given the chance to live in good ol' sg, praising the uncorrupt government and paying tribute to their contributions to make 3rd world us some 40 years before to 1st world us now.

I always wonder why the youngsters do not appreciate the properity in Sg and always flame the government.

I also do not stop to wonder why the youngsters think that education is a chore when we in Sg, has the highest number of educated citizens as compared to our counterparts in SE-Asia. Something that will stand us in good stead when we are put to the test with our neighbours and the rest of the world.

I also appraise the fact that our astute government do not give out dough to the unemployed, for i believe, everybody must work for their own living. Look at Aussie's employed, they pay a high rate of tax only to have their hard earned moolahs re-distributed to the unemployed. Is that fair to you? I thank the lord and whoever up there is looking out for me, that I am not faced with this situation.

I too appreciate the fact that when the need arises, I can count on our police force, not to help kitties down the tree, but to catch the villians. I can also count on our police force not to be corrupt because of the harsh penalties in place. Unlike some unnamed neighbour whose police will stop your car for some petty issues which is outside of their jurisdiction, just so they can enjoy some kopi-money.

All in all, I do hope that there are voters out there who think in the same line as me and cross out their polling card the correct manner and not cross out the wrong picture. -.-

REad the instructions carefully...
Or I will hamtam you if we lose out seats to the opposition.

Aiyah walk over - no upgrading!

2006-05-02T08:48:00.000+08:00

lamented my dear.

Are you voting this time round? I'm not and so are alot of my friends.
anyway, I dont see the purpose of any contestants in my area because everybody is oh so supportive of Dr. Tan who has been the Mp of the area where I'm living for the last 20+ years. Everytime somebody try to contest the area, he still have got 90++ % of the vote.. what a huge margin over the opposition's less than 10%.

So this time round, its walk-over for us folks.
So it is for the Bukit Panjang/Holland constituency and of course the ever so famous Bishan district with Mr. Wong who can't sing. *paiseh paiseh!* I know the joke's kinda cliche but I can't help it!

Of course there are other areas too, but these are the places my good friends reside!

So my dear lamented... "Aiyah! Walk over no upgrading lor!"

That is so not true. This is because the people's hearts are so easily swayed.

Dr. Tan for example, worked hard at his meet the residents night. Often over staying listening to the common folk's complaints and fought hard to get their views heard in parliament. That is what I call good government. We have got En Bloc upgrading, old 2 rooms were demolished and the residents were given better flats at a meagre cost.

Of course, upgrading to my flat have been minimal, since its an Executive Maisonette, perhaps the only thing they can do to our flat is to add lifts for the erm.. 4 storey flat in view of the residents who will very fast contribute to part of our increasingly aging population - like my dear parents.... who are really fast getting old...

So his win over the past few donkey or even mammoth years were hard earned and well deserved!

so I think Mps whose areas are not contested this time round need to be extra vigilant for people could be oh so easily swayed - like how they listened to the rally in Hougang and suddenly become riled and cross out the ang gong wrongly.

And what is this I heard about the opposition party asking for merger between M'sia and Singapore? HAvent he/she/it-ever, read the social studies textbook of our young these days? I'm sure they could tell you.. what were the reasons for merger in 1963 and what caused the eventual separation in 1965!

My goodness, I was so dumbfounded when my parents discussed it over dinna yesterday.
I hope the people's eyes would be opened up wide and know that the calls for merger is the same as the previous attempt. That is to get more jobs, to let us have a bigger share of market, to solve the problem of unemployment.

And as the primary 5 who would tell you.. all these did not materialised and the other races were given 2nd citizen status. And that eventually led to the separation!
Would you want being treated as a 2nd class citizen?? Would you want to sit and wait for your Mp to speak to you but allow the favoured races to be heard first while the 2nd class citizens have to wait and wait?!

Excuse me but I prefer meritocracy anytime!

so those of you who are voting... bak jiu open big big...
dont cross out the salah picture ah! Else I will hamtam you for being so short sighted!!

*bak jiu = hokkien dialect for eyes
SAlah = Malay for "wrong"
Hamtam = Malay for "beat"