With the launch of one new line of fragrance to organise, and another launch of a new perfume, I’ve been busy planning, organising, and executing. This is my first launches and I finally understand the amount of effort that needs to be put in for a successful launch! THE COORDINATION!
And my boss suddenly decides that we should also manufacture vials instead of buying it from the brand, so for the past few weeks, we’ve been sourcing for quotations, and just today, the production run has started. The coordination of this project is extensive, due to the production chain. It involves the manufacture of the empty glass vials (China), the production of the vial cardholders, the delivery of the glass vials to the filling company (Malaysia) at exactly the same time the delivery of the bulk fragrance is sent to the filling company, as well as the same time the printing of the vial cardholders are sent to the filling company. Then filling & packing occurs, before having to send it back to our warehouse (Singapore) for distribution purposes. I can’t wait to see the final product, but somehow, I doubt it’ll arrive on time. Oh well.
On top of this busy couple of months to come, I have taken an 8 days tour + 3 days extension holiday, effective next Saturday, to Taiwan. This means major planning, not only at work to ensure everything goes smoothly while I’m away, but also major planning for the last 3 days of our trip, to make full use of this extension. It’s going to be my last holiday for the year – whoohoo! I’ve exhausted all my leave till 31st December!
However, during this chaotic time, I still managed to put on a horrible tummy. Yes, a little bulge that no matter how much I suck in, it still remains there. A horrible little tummy, visible to me. So what do I do? I try to exercise. The operative word being “try”. And yes, admist the busyness, this one, I can proudly say, I fail terribly at.
So, I’ve started eating healthy again. It’s back to salads for me. This means having to buy ingredients for my salads, having grumbling tummies in the late afternoon when my tummy has digested all the greens I had consumed. Then I drink a nice glass of milo and put the calories back on. BAH.
And amidst this busyness, I tell myself I must try not to take chocolates (the comfort food that I crave for 24-7), and and and COFFEE!!! COFFEE or CHOCOLATES? I don’t know…it’s a tough choice, but MOCHA has both doesn’t it? YUMMMMMM…
So…? The moral of the story is…amidst the busyness, I’m still alive. And better still, I have the time to write this entry. This goes to show…
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Learning.
No wonder they say you never stop learning. We are constantly learning new things about ourselves and the people around us.
Tummies. Never go to sleep on a bloated stomach - however, I'd really like to argue I didn't eat that much! My family have arrived in Singapore and we've been invited to countless dinners by friends and relatives. The other night, I learnt my lesson of indigestion the HARD way. We had Korean bbq at a friend's place and the portions were little, with intervals inbetween when the chef prepared the next dish, so we just ate and ate as each dish came along. I didn't think it was much at that time, but thats what I thought. A little bit at a time really did it for me. At 3am that night, I woke up with a very uncomfortable and bloated tummy. It was unbearable and I had to throw up. And if you know me, I'll always choose another way if I had a choice of not throwing up. The next night, I made sure to watch my stomach that dinner and we had healthy chinese food, but once again, I threw up again. Indigestion, a symptom I never knew I could have.
Emos. My sis' friends are here and they've taught me a new word. Perhaps I'm slow, but I never knew what Emos were...or rather who emos are. Until they said there's plenty of Emos in Singapore and started describing these so-called persons. Emos are Emotional. I've just always assumed they were Goth or weird people trying to scare the shit out of strangers on the street with their ghastly attire, I'm-tired-of-life attitude and makeup. No. Different from Goths as they have colours in their life. They are Emos. And I'm englightened.
Bintan = Indonesia. I blame myself for my ignorance on this subject - I blame it on holidays to further away countries and living overseas at a young age so I've never really travelled around Asia as much. It was only a few days ago that I discovered Bintan is not an island of Singapore, but in fact, it belongs to Indonesia and I'll need my passport for our family trip to Bintan next Monday. What a laugh! So once again, I've grown smarter by a bit.
Tummies. Never go to sleep on a bloated stomach - however, I'd really like to argue I didn't eat that much! My family have arrived in Singapore and we've been invited to countless dinners by friends and relatives. The other night, I learnt my lesson of indigestion the HARD way. We had Korean bbq at a friend's place and the portions were little, with intervals inbetween when the chef prepared the next dish, so we just ate and ate as each dish came along. I didn't think it was much at that time, but thats what I thought. A little bit at a time really did it for me. At 3am that night, I woke up with a very uncomfortable and bloated tummy. It was unbearable and I had to throw up. And if you know me, I'll always choose another way if I had a choice of not throwing up. The next night, I made sure to watch my stomach that dinner and we had healthy chinese food, but once again, I threw up again. Indigestion, a symptom I never knew I could have.
Emos. My sis' friends are here and they've taught me a new word. Perhaps I'm slow, but I never knew what Emos were...or rather who emos are. Until they said there's plenty of Emos in Singapore and started describing these so-called persons. Emos are Emotional. I've just always assumed they were Goth or weird people trying to scare the shit out of strangers on the street with their ghastly attire, I'm-tired-of-life attitude and makeup. No. Different from Goths as they have colours in their life. They are Emos. And I'm englightened.
Bintan = Indonesia. I blame myself for my ignorance on this subject - I blame it on holidays to further away countries and living overseas at a young age so I've never really travelled around Asia as much. It was only a few days ago that I discovered Bintan is not an island of Singapore, but in fact, it belongs to Indonesia and I'll need my passport for our family trip to Bintan next Monday. What a laugh! So once again, I've grown smarter by a bit.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Fatness, mi Goodness!
Every women, especially those stick thin models, complain their fat. And I’m guilty as charge – obviously not the part about being stick thin coz I’m not that at all.
I'd also like to justify my reasons for my complains. We females tend to tsk at others who comlpain about their fats, especially when they are clearly not as big in comparison, but I've got a valid reason. I need to compete against those stick thin models. The media industry is vicious and it's that same industry my boyfriend is working in. Working around models and pretty ladies, he has an benchmark for thinness. He likes me as I am, of course, but with all the competition around me, I can't slack. Hey, I'm still a women afterall and we're always competitive whenever it comes to weight, fashion and accessories. I'm not tall either so the only way is to go smaller sideways. Wish it works the other way around. I’ve tried countless of dieting techniques:
1) Eat less in general
A very terrible decision but I’m stuck now with a warped metabolism. Girls, don’t try it at home. But then again, low metabolism comes with age…I just shortened the process.
2) Eat less carbo / No carbo
GAWD, how is that possible with all the yummy donuts & cakes & chocs & & & basically EVERYTHING! And how much salad can a girl eat – though it is my favourite food, but favourite doesn’t mean having it for all 3 meals of the day. I don’t eat chocolates whole day long, though I would love to, but I don’t and it’s still my fav, second fav, no fav dessert -it should not even be counted a dessert but that’s another argument for another day. What am I talking about!
3) Healthiest of the healthiest diets
The worst of the diets. No one keeps to it. A simple coffee can spoil it all. Even salads aren’t healthy enough if dressings are added. So what’s a healthy diet? Fruits? (Did you know that the carbo content in watermelons are high?) Celery sticks? (They get awfully bitter after the second stick since dips aren’t allowed.) Carrot sticks? (Same story as Mr Celery.) Steak? (Preferably not grilled but have you heard of boiled steaks?) I rest my case.
4) Exercise more
Running, kick-boxing, pilates, yoga, blah-di-da! What you really mean is discipline, not “exercise more” coz that’s the easy part once you’ve found the discipline to wake up at the wee hours of the morning for a fat burning workout or once you’ve sacrificed the scarce after-work social/shopping hours to visit the gym. And what’s the right exercise for you? One says this is good, the other says that is good. WELL WHICH ONE IS IT? Instead of slimming down, you may be building bulky disgusting muscles which will still turn into stubborn fats unless you keep it up at age 70. I did that at age 16 when I stopped playing softball which meant no more trainings twice a week – BLISS – and welcomed stubborn fatness galore.
So the moral of the story…we’ll, I don’t even know if there’s one coz none of them had worked for me.
And the worst thing is…
Women have more fats (especially in the tummy areas) than the bloody men who criticise that we are fat. Also women tend to have more cravings too, especially for all the sinful delicacies. Every other day, I crave for chocolate. Strike that. EVERY DAY I crave for chocolates. And not only once a day. Chocolates in every form – mud cakes, brownies, chocolate filled donuts, chocolate bars, chocolate ice cream…YUMMMERRRZZZZ. Add coffee onto that list too. I’d die for a rich mochaccino. I crave for fried or barbequed chicken wings (but never boiled), curry in all its forms, laksa (Penang mostly), Korean food (unfortunately high in carbo). Oh GAWD, I need to stop this list. I’ve only just had breakfast and my mouth is getting itchy for a bitey.
Gulp. Plain water really doesn’t do the trick.
I'd also like to justify my reasons for my complains. We females tend to tsk at others who comlpain about their fats, especially when they are clearly not as big in comparison, but I've got a valid reason. I need to compete against those stick thin models. The media industry is vicious and it's that same industry my boyfriend is working in. Working around models and pretty ladies, he has an benchmark for thinness. He likes me as I am, of course, but with all the competition around me, I can't slack. Hey, I'm still a women afterall and we're always competitive whenever it comes to weight, fashion and accessories. I'm not tall either so the only way is to go smaller sideways. Wish it works the other way around. I’ve tried countless of dieting techniques:
1) Eat less in general
A very terrible decision but I’m stuck now with a warped metabolism. Girls, don’t try it at home. But then again, low metabolism comes with age…I just shortened the process.
2) Eat less carbo / No carbo
GAWD, how is that possible with all the yummy donuts & cakes & chocs & & & basically EVERYTHING! And how much salad can a girl eat – though it is my favourite food, but favourite doesn’t mean having it for all 3 meals of the day. I don’t eat chocolates whole day long, though I would love to, but I don’t and it’s still my fav, second fav, no fav dessert -it should not even be counted a dessert but that’s another argument for another day. What am I talking about!
3) Healthiest of the healthiest diets
The worst of the diets. No one keeps to it. A simple coffee can spoil it all. Even salads aren’t healthy enough if dressings are added. So what’s a healthy diet? Fruits? (Did you know that the carbo content in watermelons are high?) Celery sticks? (They get awfully bitter after the second stick since dips aren’t allowed.) Carrot sticks? (Same story as Mr Celery.) Steak? (Preferably not grilled but have you heard of boiled steaks?) I rest my case.
4) Exercise more
Running, kick-boxing, pilates, yoga, blah-di-da! What you really mean is discipline, not “exercise more” coz that’s the easy part once you’ve found the discipline to wake up at the wee hours of the morning for a fat burning workout or once you’ve sacrificed the scarce after-work social/shopping hours to visit the gym. And what’s the right exercise for you? One says this is good, the other says that is good. WELL WHICH ONE IS IT? Instead of slimming down, you may be building bulky disgusting muscles which will still turn into stubborn fats unless you keep it up at age 70. I did that at age 16 when I stopped playing softball which meant no more trainings twice a week – BLISS – and welcomed stubborn fatness galore.
So the moral of the story…we’ll, I don’t even know if there’s one coz none of them had worked for me.
And the worst thing is…
Women have more fats (especially in the tummy areas) than the bloody men who criticise that we are fat. Also women tend to have more cravings too, especially for all the sinful delicacies. Every other day, I crave for chocolate. Strike that. EVERY DAY I crave for chocolates. And not only once a day. Chocolates in every form – mud cakes, brownies, chocolate filled donuts, chocolate bars, chocolate ice cream…YUMMMERRRZZZZ. Add coffee onto that list too. I’d die for a rich mochaccino. I crave for fried or barbequed chicken wings (but never boiled), curry in all its forms, laksa (Penang mostly), Korean food (unfortunately high in carbo). Oh GAWD, I need to stop this list. I’ve only just had breakfast and my mouth is getting itchy for a bitey.
Gulp. Plain water really doesn’t do the trick.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Profitable...definitely worth it!
Saturday was a very profitable day. It couldn't get any better than that.
Bright and early, my boyfriend and I went to a Denmark family's house as they had hired EK's services to take photos of their 6 month old daughter. I was his assistant and helped to distract the baby in order for that beautiful smile while she looked at the camera, a very hard thing to achieve. After an hour and a half, she was tired and so were we. We called it a fruitful session and pocketed $200 for his services.
That afternoon, I went for my appointment with Ina Harmoni. I was getting a free body treatment and I chose a slimming package. The machine sent little tiny electric shots in my upper thigh, tummy and arms. It was interesting but slightly painful. Every electric shot felt as if a grip was tightened around my body and my body reacted to it, tensing up with every shot. I lost 2cm around my tummy and 3 from both thighs, but the results didn't impress me. I bet if I drank a little bit of water, the 2cm or 3cm would go straight back on. So I didn't sign up for any package, but it was still a free treatment afterall.
Then EK called me to ask if I was interested in attending a Seventeen Magazine event at Cafe del Moar, Sentosa and with a "yes", I rushed off to meet him and his friends. While we were there, not only did we get a usual goody bag with magazines, make-up, a CD and some vouchers, we also got free soft drinks and juices to keep our tummies occupied as we watched the hunks and babes parade on stage.
After the event, we zipped off for a quick pasta dinner before rushing to another event at Bugis. This was for the fashion brand Tweety Bird. The clothes were refreshing, with a style to everyone. There was casual wear to work outfits, punk to class. But the best was the goody bag we each got: 2 tee-shirts (unfortunately 2 sizes too large for me), 1 cap, and it could only get better, with a media voucher of $300 to spend on tweety apparel. $300 for me, another $300 for EK (but obviously he couldn't wear female tweety fasgion) so...it was a shopaholic's dream to get $600 FREE to shop shop shop! And so she did. After the fashion show and a bit of socialising, we went to the shop and spent an hour shopping. The shopaholic walked out 2 pants, 1 limited edition tee-shirt, 1 pair of shoes and 1 necklace richer! And all she needed was to invest in the excess $21 that came out of the bill.
BLISS.
Bright and early, my boyfriend and I went to a Denmark family's house as they had hired EK's services to take photos of their 6 month old daughter. I was his assistant and helped to distract the baby in order for that beautiful smile while she looked at the camera, a very hard thing to achieve. After an hour and a half, she was tired and so were we. We called it a fruitful session and pocketed $200 for his services.
That afternoon, I went for my appointment with Ina Harmoni. I was getting a free body treatment and I chose a slimming package. The machine sent little tiny electric shots in my upper thigh, tummy and arms. It was interesting but slightly painful. Every electric shot felt as if a grip was tightened around my body and my body reacted to it, tensing up with every shot. I lost 2cm around my tummy and 3 from both thighs, but the results didn't impress me. I bet if I drank a little bit of water, the 2cm or 3cm would go straight back on. So I didn't sign up for any package, but it was still a free treatment afterall.
Then EK called me to ask if I was interested in attending a Seventeen Magazine event at Cafe del Moar, Sentosa and with a "yes", I rushed off to meet him and his friends. While we were there, not only did we get a usual goody bag with magazines, make-up, a CD and some vouchers, we also got free soft drinks and juices to keep our tummies occupied as we watched the hunks and babes parade on stage.
After the event, we zipped off for a quick pasta dinner before rushing to another event at Bugis. This was for the fashion brand Tweety Bird. The clothes were refreshing, with a style to everyone. There was casual wear to work outfits, punk to class. But the best was the goody bag we each got: 2 tee-shirts (unfortunately 2 sizes too large for me), 1 cap, and it could only get better, with a media voucher of $300 to spend on tweety apparel. $300 for me, another $300 for EK (but obviously he couldn't wear female tweety fasgion) so...it was a shopaholic's dream to get $600 FREE to shop shop shop! And so she did. After the fashion show and a bit of socialising, we went to the shop and spent an hour shopping. The shopaholic walked out 2 pants, 1 limited edition tee-shirt, 1 pair of shoes and 1 necklace richer! And all she needed was to invest in the excess $21 that came out of the bill.
BLISS.
Tan Tock Seng Hospital Medical Records
Hospital: Tan Tock Seng
Department: ENT
Patient: Female, Single, aged 24
Medical History: Loves visiting A&E at odd times of the day
Medical Condition:
4th June @ 8pm - acknowledged that she swallowed Mackerel fish bone of about 1cm long during dinner
5th June - felt like she had sore throat
7th June @ 4.30pm - visited a GP before being referred to ENT department
7th June @ 10pm - felt distinct discomfort when swallowing, like there was a bone in the throat
7th June @ 10.30pm - arrived at Tan Tock Seng Hospital but the queue was too long so she prolongued her discomfort and went to Mt Alvernia Hospital but was advised of absorbident charges and therefore returned to Tan Tock Seng Hospital
8th June @ 12.30am - took X-ray
8th June @ 1am - doctor could not see bone from x-ray so ENT specialist was called down
8th June @ 2am - ENT specialist poked the throat and declared that there was an ulcer in the throat, could be caused by bone scratching it as it went down, or the bone is beneath the ulcer, he cannot be sure as yet
if there's bone, bone should resurface, otherwise, it's just ulcer causing discomfort
8th June @3.30am - collected medication of lozenges and 1 day medical certificate for absence of work & patient left
Medical Followup:
12th June @ 9.30am - patient arrived at hospital for followup checkup
12th June @ 10.15am - ENT specialist noted that ulcer had grown bigger to 7-8mm and had to be burst to ensure bone is not beneath
local anesthesia was sprayed in throat and specialist poked the ulcer several times
bone was not found
12th June @ 11am - collected medication of more lozenges and anticeptic mouth wash and 2 hours medical certificate for absence of work that morning
patient returned to work after that.
16th June @ 2pm - patient rang to cancel followup checkup on 19th June as she felt that her throat was healing and felt much better
Department: ENT
Patient: Female, Single, aged 24
Medical History: Loves visiting A&E at odd times of the day
Medical Condition:
4th June @ 8pm - acknowledged that she swallowed Mackerel fish bone of about 1cm long during dinner
5th June - felt like she had sore throat
7th June @ 4.30pm - visited a GP before being referred to ENT department
7th June @ 10pm - felt distinct discomfort when swallowing, like there was a bone in the throat
7th June @ 10.30pm - arrived at Tan Tock Seng Hospital but the queue was too long so she prolongued her discomfort and went to Mt Alvernia Hospital but was advised of absorbident charges and therefore returned to Tan Tock Seng Hospital
8th June @ 12.30am - took X-ray
8th June @ 1am - doctor could not see bone from x-ray so ENT specialist was called down
8th June @ 2am - ENT specialist poked the throat and declared that there was an ulcer in the throat, could be caused by bone scratching it as it went down, or the bone is beneath the ulcer, he cannot be sure as yet
if there's bone, bone should resurface, otherwise, it's just ulcer causing discomfort
8th June @3.30am - collected medication of lozenges and 1 day medical certificate for absence of work & patient left
Medical Followup:
12th June @ 9.30am - patient arrived at hospital for followup checkup
12th June @ 10.15am - ENT specialist noted that ulcer had grown bigger to 7-8mm and had to be burst to ensure bone is not beneath
local anesthesia was sprayed in throat and specialist poked the ulcer several times
bone was not found
12th June @ 11am - collected medication of more lozenges and anticeptic mouth wash and 2 hours medical certificate for absence of work that morning
patient returned to work after that.
16th June @ 2pm - patient rang to cancel followup checkup on 19th June as she felt that her throat was healing and felt much better
Friday, June 06, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Bites of my life
Renovations and Missing Bosses
My company is undergoing yet another round of renovations. We are always expanding, which is a good thing, except my eyes are constantly irritated by the dust floating around, and the constant drilling is taking its toll on my ears. Also, we've suddenly been receiving so many samples at our office, our tables are swamped with boxes and boxes of stuff, it's turning into a warehouse. I've got to pack it up soon!
Just as well my bosses have all left on business trips overseas...it's so quiet in the office...I just feel like reading my story book or disappearing!
Family... THE ENTIRE DO
As my grandfather is turning 80 this year, we're holding a massive celebration and everyone is returning from overseas for this party. Can't wait to see my family! This means, in the first time in ages, the entire family (my grandfather + children + grandchildren) will be in Singapore at the same time...we'll, not the entire family will be there for the party, but for about 12 hours (or less!), the entire family will be in Singapore. Why is there only 12 hours? Coz the last family from overseas arrives on the 25th of June while one leaves on a mission trip in the early hours of the 26th of June, so in this span of 12 hours, we need to take a family photo. How likely will it be that all 23 people can make it? We'll have to wait and see.
Chocolates!
I'm currently reading this novel, and just by the title, I feel like this book was meant for me! It's called "The Chocolate Lovers' Club" by Carole Matthews. The amazing thing is she's even got a continuation called "The Chocolate Lovers' Diet". The 4 ladies in the novel I've just started reading are choc addicts and it's amazing, the amount of chocolates they eat! In summary, these 4 ladies formed a select group known as The Chocolate Lovers' Club. Whenever there's a crisis, they meet in their sanctuary, a cafe called Chocolate Heaven, where they seek encouragement, advice and support from the others while savouring (sometimes wolfing down) chocolates, lots and lots of CHOCOLATES.
Here's an abstract:
Vouchers
Lately, I've been getting a lot of vouchers, wasting them as the expire before I notice I had them...and sometimes loosing them in the process. Because there's far to many vouchers, I often misplace them.
Just 1 month ago, I got a call from a spa & beauty place, saying that they just bought over this spa place I visited once (also on a complimentary voucher), and they would like to offer me another complimentary treatment to try out their services, so I gladly took it on, arranging a date and time for the appointment. The funny thing was, I remembered the date and time of the appointment, but I forgot the place or the name of the spa. So this week, I was panicking coz the appointment is this Saturday and I'm busy on that day. But this morning, I received a call from them to remind me of the appointment, and I rescheduled - this time remembering to take down their address!
And this week, I've been hunting high and low for my Robinsons voucher - $20!!! SOB. Where is it?! I left it in my wallet because I knew I wanted to use it someday, but it's no longer in my wallet. I must have moved it somewhere when I changed wallets. But I can't find it or remember where I left it. SOB.This week, I've been hunting high and low for my Robinsons voucher - $20!!! SOB. Where is it?! I left it in my wallet because I knew I wanted to use it someday, but it's no longer in my wallet. I must have moved it somewhere when I changed wallets. But I can't find it or remember where I left it. SOB.
I was given another spa voucher, sent from G2000, but 1 month later, I discovered it was for first timers and I had already been there last year when I got my birthday vouchers from G2000 as well. Sob. But at least I could pass it on to a friend so it wouldn't go to waste.
That's all the updates for now...
My company is undergoing yet another round of renovations. We are always expanding, which is a good thing, except my eyes are constantly irritated by the dust floating around, and the constant drilling is taking its toll on my ears. Also, we've suddenly been receiving so many samples at our office, our tables are swamped with boxes and boxes of stuff, it's turning into a warehouse. I've got to pack it up soon!
Just as well my bosses have all left on business trips overseas...it's so quiet in the office...I just feel like reading my story book or disappearing!
Family... THE ENTIRE DO
As my grandfather is turning 80 this year, we're holding a massive celebration and everyone is returning from overseas for this party. Can't wait to see my family! This means, in the first time in ages, the entire family (my grandfather + children + grandchildren) will be in Singapore at the same time...we'll, not the entire family will be there for the party, but for about 12 hours (or less!), the entire family will be in Singapore. Why is there only 12 hours? Coz the last family from overseas arrives on the 25th of June while one leaves on a mission trip in the early hours of the 26th of June, so in this span of 12 hours, we need to take a family photo. How likely will it be that all 23 people can make it? We'll have to wait and see.
Chocolates!
I'm currently reading this novel, and just by the title, I feel like this book was meant for me! It's called "The Chocolate Lovers' Club" by Carole Matthews. The amazing thing is she's even got a continuation called "The Chocolate Lovers' Diet". The 4 ladies in the novel I've just started reading are choc addicts and it's amazing, the amount of chocolates they eat! In summary, these 4 ladies formed a select group known as The Chocolate Lovers' Club. Whenever there's a crisis, they meet in their sanctuary, a cafe called Chocolate Heaven, where they seek encouragement, advice and support from the others while savouring (sometimes wolfing down) chocolates, lots and lots of CHOCOLATES.
Here's an abstract:
Frankly, I'm a recent convert to the delights of pure plantation chocolate. I
adore chocolate in all its many forms, but my current passion is couture
chocolates made with the select beans from single plantations all around the
world - Trinidad, Tobago, Eucador, Venezuela, New Guinea. Exotic locations, all
of them. They are - out and out - the best type of chocolate. In my humble
opinion. The Jummy Choos of the chocolate world. Though truffles are a fierce
competitor. (Strictly speaking, truffles are confectionery as opposed to
chocolates, but I feel that's making me sound like a chocolate anorak.) So as
not to appear a chocolate snob, I also shove in Mars Bars, Snickers and Double
Deckers as if they're going out of fashion. Like the best, I was brought up on a
diet of Cadburys and Nestle, with Milky Bars and Curly Wurlys being particular
favourites - and both of which I'm sure have grown considerably smaller with the
passing of the years. Walnut Whips are a bit of a disappointment these days too.
They're not like they used to be. Doesn't stop me from eating them, of course -
call it product research.
Vouchers
Lately, I've been getting a lot of vouchers, wasting them as the expire before I notice I had them...and sometimes loosing them in the process. Because there's far to many vouchers, I often misplace them.
Just 1 month ago, I got a call from a spa & beauty place, saying that they just bought over this spa place I visited once (also on a complimentary voucher), and they would like to offer me another complimentary treatment to try out their services, so I gladly took it on, arranging a date and time for the appointment. The funny thing was, I remembered the date and time of the appointment, but I forgot the place or the name of the spa. So this week, I was panicking coz the appointment is this Saturday and I'm busy on that day. But this morning, I received a call from them to remind me of the appointment, and I rescheduled - this time remembering to take down their address!
And this week, I've been hunting high and low for my Robinsons voucher - $20!!! SOB. Where is it?! I left it in my wallet because I knew I wanted to use it someday, but it's no longer in my wallet. I must have moved it somewhere when I changed wallets. But I can't find it or remember where I left it. SOB.This week, I've been hunting high and low for my Robinsons voucher - $20!!! SOB. Where is it?! I left it in my wallet because I knew I wanted to use it someday, but it's no longer in my wallet. I must have moved it somewhere when I changed wallets. But I can't find it or remember where I left it. SOB.
I was given another spa voucher, sent from G2000, but 1 month later, I discovered it was for first timers and I had already been there last year when I got my birthday vouchers from G2000 as well. Sob. But at least I could pass it on to a friend so it wouldn't go to waste.
That's all the updates for now...
Friday, May 30, 2008
My boyfriend dumps me on a Friday night…
…to go out with out with another male friend of his to a FHM Girl Next Door event, and I have no backup plans!
Of course, I was never first priority tonight because afterall, it is an FHM Girl Next Door event, the pub/club would be raging with testerones. It’s a guy guy event. He had casually invited me yesterday because he got invitations and his colleague had to go back in to camp for reservist, so he asked if I was interested in accompanying him. Then just 5 minutes ago, I received a call from him, saying that he’ll be going with another good friend of his tonight, so he won’t be meeting me. So much for dressing up...
So…here I am, on Friday, without a date, and without a plan.
Plan #1:
- Bead shopping
- Late home-cooked dinner
- Jewellery making
- Pros: $$$ cha-ching $$$
- Cons: Alone on a Friday night : (
Plan #2:
- Home-cooked dinner
- Watch DVDs till I fall asleep
- Pros: Relaxing : )
- Cons: Alone on a Friday night : (
Plan #3:
- Home-cooked dinner
- Clean my room
- Fix a few of my clothes (fallen buttons, tiny holes, etc)
- Wash & iron clothes
- Pros: Clean room, clothes finally fixed, washed, ironed!
- Cons: BORING! Still alone on a Friday night!
Plan #4:
- Home-cooked dinner
- Swimming/ Treadmill
- Pros: Keeping fit…
- Cons: No cons…just plain laziness, really!
Plan #5:
- Home-cooked dinner
- Finish studying my Korean textbook
- Pros: Educational…Finally doing something I've been procrastinating for 2 years!
- Cons: Hope I still can remember how to read!
Plan #6
- Grocery shopping
- Borrow library books to read
- Late home-cooked dinner
- Bake scones or muffins or something
- Read till I fall asleep
- Pros: Making use of the oven, & stories are always entertaining.
- Cons: Fattening, and I never know if they turn out a success!
Plan #7:
- Bead shopping + Quick bite
- Jewellery making
- Late night swim/ exercise
- Study Korean
- Clean room
- Watch DVDs
- Pros: A bit of everything
- Cons: A bit of nothing AND completely exhausted!
Plan #8:
- Find another friend to go out with at this last minute (God bless the person who is free)
- Pros: Out on a Friday night
- Cons: Negative $$$ cha-ching $$$
Actually, I do have a lot of things that I've been meaning to do and have been putting it off...who cares if its a Friday night or a Monday night. It's a night I'm free to catch up on my own things and I should cherish it. Friday nights aren't just about having plans with others, going out and spending money. I could have plans with myself, doing the things that I really want to do!
So cheers to ALONE ON FRIDAYS!
Of course, I was never first priority tonight because afterall, it is an FHM Girl Next Door event, the pub/club would be raging with testerones. It’s a guy guy event. He had casually invited me yesterday because he got invitations and his colleague had to go back in to camp for reservist, so he asked if I was interested in accompanying him. Then just 5 minutes ago, I received a call from him, saying that he’ll be going with another good friend of his tonight, so he won’t be meeting me. So much for dressing up...
So…here I am, on Friday, without a date, and without a plan.
Plan #1:
- Bead shopping
- Late home-cooked dinner
- Jewellery making
- Pros: $$$ cha-ching $$$
- Cons: Alone on a Friday night : (
Plan #2:
- Home-cooked dinner
- Watch DVDs till I fall asleep
- Pros: Relaxing : )
- Cons: Alone on a Friday night : (
Plan #3:
- Home-cooked dinner
- Clean my room
- Fix a few of my clothes (fallen buttons, tiny holes, etc)
- Wash & iron clothes
- Pros: Clean room, clothes finally fixed, washed, ironed!
- Cons: BORING! Still alone on a Friday night!
Plan #4:
- Home-cooked dinner
- Swimming/ Treadmill
- Pros: Keeping fit…
- Cons: No cons…just plain laziness, really!
Plan #5:
- Home-cooked dinner
- Finish studying my Korean textbook
- Pros: Educational…Finally doing something I've been procrastinating for 2 years!
- Cons: Hope I still can remember how to read!
Plan #6
- Grocery shopping
- Borrow library books to read
- Late home-cooked dinner
- Bake scones or muffins or something
- Read till I fall asleep
- Pros: Making use of the oven, & stories are always entertaining.
- Cons: Fattening, and I never know if they turn out a success!
Plan #7:
- Bead shopping + Quick bite
- Jewellery making
- Late night swim/ exercise
- Study Korean
- Clean room
- Watch DVDs
- Pros: A bit of everything
- Cons: A bit of nothing AND completely exhausted!
Plan #8:
- Find another friend to go out with at this last minute (God bless the person who is free)
- Pros: Out on a Friday night
- Cons: Negative $$$ cha-ching $$$
Actually, I do have a lot of things that I've been meaning to do and have been putting it off...who cares if its a Friday night or a Monday night. It's a night I'm free to catch up on my own things and I should cherish it. Friday nights aren't just about having plans with others, going out and spending money. I could have plans with myself, doing the things that I really want to do!
So cheers to ALONE ON FRIDAYS!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Love.
Love.
Love…
Love.
Ever Thine. Ever Mine. Ever Ours.
Last night, I caught Sex and the City at the movies and I WEPT, LAUGHED, TEARED, AND LOVED IT. It’s like an episode of their drama, except much longer – filled with familiar voices, lots of talking and laughing (in the movie), and of course, some sexual scenes – it remained true to the drama series, revolving around these 4 fascinating women.
It was about love. It was about relationships. And especially, it was about friendship. The strong friendship these 4 amazing yet different girls have with each other. I almost forgot how strong their friendship was in the drama series because it ended too long ago, but watching the movie revived it for me.
And the fashion! There was a good dose of fashion in the movie: Dior, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Vera Wang, Vivien Westwood (to name a few) and how can we forget our star’s favourite Manolo Blahniks.
I shan’t let on too much. Ahhh. I can’t wait to rewatch the drama series from Season 1 to 7. Hurry Amazon, send me my parcel!
Love…
Love.
Ever Thine. Ever Mine. Ever Ours.
Last night, I caught Sex and the City at the movies and I WEPT, LAUGHED, TEARED, AND LOVED IT. It’s like an episode of their drama, except much longer – filled with familiar voices, lots of talking and laughing (in the movie), and of course, some sexual scenes – it remained true to the drama series, revolving around these 4 fascinating women.
It was about love. It was about relationships. And especially, it was about friendship. The strong friendship these 4 amazing yet different girls have with each other. I almost forgot how strong their friendship was in the drama series because it ended too long ago, but watching the movie revived it for me.
And the fashion! There was a good dose of fashion in the movie: Dior, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Vera Wang, Vivien Westwood (to name a few) and how can we forget our star’s favourite Manolo Blahniks.
I shan’t let on too much. Ahhh. I can’t wait to rewatch the drama series from Season 1 to 7. Hurry Amazon, send me my parcel!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Red Skies, Penang
It is that moment when the sun says its goodnight for the day.
It is the moment just before night consumes day.
It is all in the click of one man’s moment.
Photographer: ek yap
Friday, May 23, 2008
Larger than normal
Ferocious alligators, massive and dangerous, roamed the streets. They were larger than normal, mutated perhaps, and would tear apart anything that got in its way, leaving a trail of blood and flesh. People panicked and feared.
It was a gloomy evening, the streets were almost empty, and the town was weeping. Screams could be heard as some alligator took another victim. Professor G (fictitious name) hurried on his way across town. Distracted by a gruesome sight, Prof G stepped right onto an alligator’s tail. As the alligator made its attack, Prof G struggled to defend himself. The world went black.
When Prof G regained his consciousness, he discovered himself in bandages in an unfamiliar place. He was in a strange transportation system.
“You’re awake.” Prof G’s assistant, a beautiful and attractive woman, approached him.
“Where am I?”
“Welcome to my special submarine.” Appeared an acquaintance of Prof G, we shall name him X. In their conversation, Prof G discovered that the alligators that rampage the town were dosed on pure oxygen. Where did the alligators get it from? Prof G could not answer, but it was the same pure oxygen that he had discovered in one of his travels under the sea. X wanted to find the source of pure oxygen, and like Prof G, he wanted to take it away in oxygen tanks.
The submarine entered a dark hole and it began to fall sharply, hitting against the walls of the cave. You could see the deep dark hole from inside the submarine, beyond its many glass windows. It bounced against sharp protruding corals, and repelled against the rough walls. At the bottom of the dark hole was a large sunken ship. The submarine entered the ship and docked itself in its ballroom, with glass windows all around.
The doors of the submarine opened. No water poured in. The submarine floated on the surface of the water inside the ballroom. There was trapped air in the ballroom. Oxygen for them to breath. They cautiously stepped out of the submarine, and into the cold waters, treading to stay afloat. In a distance, they saw a potion of the water surface bubbling as if there was air being released from beneath. Prof X pointed in that direction and they moved carefully towards the bubbling waters, clinging on to the edge of the ballroom window ledges for additional support.
When they approached the bubbling surface, they felt more alive. The pure oxygen was intoxicating. Once they found the source, Prof G and his assistant retreated to a safe distance. Too much pure oxygen may cause adverse effects. X joined them shortly. Prof G wanted to return to land. While X still needed more time. Suddenly, beyond the glass windows of the ballroom, they spotted a larger than normal shark swimming around the outside of the ship. X panicked. He pulled out a knife and cut Prof G on the arm. Blood seeped out.
“I don’t want that shark near me! You can be his meal!” X shouted. Prof G calmly told his worried assistant to retreat back to the submarine, to get her out of harms way…
Myself and 5 other friends briefly spotted a larger than normal dolphin, about the length of 80 meters, near an abandoned harbour. We were shocked and mesmerised by this discovery. Being explorers, we decided to go in search of the dolphin the next day. There was already a crowd of people at the long harbour who had seen the dolphin and was cheering for us in our expedition.
The 6 of us climbed into the row boat, but the boat couldn’t take our weight and it started to sink. My friends leaped out of the boat and clung on to the edge of the harbour, pulling themselves onto the platform. I was at the head of the boat, which had came afloat again, but I was too far from the harbour. I was about to jump into the water when a large fin surfaced beside me. The fin was about 2 to 3 times the size of the boat. Then we saw the creature. A great white shark was swimming around my boat. A great white shark of about 100 meters in length! Screams were heard. I was afraid but everyone told me to stay still. As the shark circled, the boat spun round and round. It was as if it was assessing if I was prey. Finally, it swam away. As his fin disappeared beneath the surface, my friend’s hurriedly pulled me onto the harbour.
Others who were on a floating platform opposite the harbour took a chance and jumped onto a boat in order to get across to the harbour.
Suddenly, the shark returned, his large fin emerging, charging at the boat that was between the harbour and the floating platform. People screamed and evacuated the boat and back onto the platform. But a little boy was left on the boat. The shark nudged at the boat, then retreated. We rescued the boy and everyone didn’t dare enter the waters.
The shark returned for the third time. It seemed to be searching for something. His food perhaps, but we were not it. It must have been after the dolphin. Only the dolphin of that size would satisfy a shark of that size. Humans would not have been comparable. We were probably not even considered snack size for the shark. The shark, finding nothing, made a turn and dived beneath sea level and went out of sight.
After that third time, we were confident the shark would not return again and hurriedly helped those on the floating platform over to the harbour.
What an adventure! What dreams! No wonder I’m in need of coffee this morning!
It was a gloomy evening, the streets were almost empty, and the town was weeping. Screams could be heard as some alligator took another victim. Professor G (fictitious name) hurried on his way across town. Distracted by a gruesome sight, Prof G stepped right onto an alligator’s tail. As the alligator made its attack, Prof G struggled to defend himself. The world went black.
When Prof G regained his consciousness, he discovered himself in bandages in an unfamiliar place. He was in a strange transportation system.
“You’re awake.” Prof G’s assistant, a beautiful and attractive woman, approached him.
“Where am I?”
“Welcome to my special submarine.” Appeared an acquaintance of Prof G, we shall name him X. In their conversation, Prof G discovered that the alligators that rampage the town were dosed on pure oxygen. Where did the alligators get it from? Prof G could not answer, but it was the same pure oxygen that he had discovered in one of his travels under the sea. X wanted to find the source of pure oxygen, and like Prof G, he wanted to take it away in oxygen tanks.
The submarine entered a dark hole and it began to fall sharply, hitting against the walls of the cave. You could see the deep dark hole from inside the submarine, beyond its many glass windows. It bounced against sharp protruding corals, and repelled against the rough walls. At the bottom of the dark hole was a large sunken ship. The submarine entered the ship and docked itself in its ballroom, with glass windows all around.
The doors of the submarine opened. No water poured in. The submarine floated on the surface of the water inside the ballroom. There was trapped air in the ballroom. Oxygen for them to breath. They cautiously stepped out of the submarine, and into the cold waters, treading to stay afloat. In a distance, they saw a potion of the water surface bubbling as if there was air being released from beneath. Prof X pointed in that direction and they moved carefully towards the bubbling waters, clinging on to the edge of the ballroom window ledges for additional support.
When they approached the bubbling surface, they felt more alive. The pure oxygen was intoxicating. Once they found the source, Prof G and his assistant retreated to a safe distance. Too much pure oxygen may cause adverse effects. X joined them shortly. Prof G wanted to return to land. While X still needed more time. Suddenly, beyond the glass windows of the ballroom, they spotted a larger than normal shark swimming around the outside of the ship. X panicked. He pulled out a knife and cut Prof G on the arm. Blood seeped out.
“I don’t want that shark near me! You can be his meal!” X shouted. Prof G calmly told his worried assistant to retreat back to the submarine, to get her out of harms way…
Myself and 5 other friends briefly spotted a larger than normal dolphin, about the length of 80 meters, near an abandoned harbour. We were shocked and mesmerised by this discovery. Being explorers, we decided to go in search of the dolphin the next day. There was already a crowd of people at the long harbour who had seen the dolphin and was cheering for us in our expedition.
The 6 of us climbed into the row boat, but the boat couldn’t take our weight and it started to sink. My friends leaped out of the boat and clung on to the edge of the harbour, pulling themselves onto the platform. I was at the head of the boat, which had came afloat again, but I was too far from the harbour. I was about to jump into the water when a large fin surfaced beside me. The fin was about 2 to 3 times the size of the boat. Then we saw the creature. A great white shark was swimming around my boat. A great white shark of about 100 meters in length! Screams were heard. I was afraid but everyone told me to stay still. As the shark circled, the boat spun round and round. It was as if it was assessing if I was prey. Finally, it swam away. As his fin disappeared beneath the surface, my friend’s hurriedly pulled me onto the harbour.
Others who were on a floating platform opposite the harbour took a chance and jumped onto a boat in order to get across to the harbour.
Suddenly, the shark returned, his large fin emerging, charging at the boat that was between the harbour and the floating platform. People screamed and evacuated the boat and back onto the platform. But a little boy was left on the boat. The shark nudged at the boat, then retreated. We rescued the boy and everyone didn’t dare enter the waters.
The shark returned for the third time. It seemed to be searching for something. His food perhaps, but we were not it. It must have been after the dolphin. Only the dolphin of that size would satisfy a shark of that size. Humans would not have been comparable. We were probably not even considered snack size for the shark. The shark, finding nothing, made a turn and dived beneath sea level and went out of sight.
After that third time, we were confident the shark would not return again and hurriedly helped those on the floating platform over to the harbour.
What an adventure! What dreams! No wonder I’m in need of coffee this morning!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Slow Me Down
I Love This Song by Emmy Rossum, titled SLOW ME DOWN...
Rushing and racing and running in circles
Moving so fast I'm forgetting my purpose
Blur of the traffic is sending me spinning
Getting nowhere
My head and my heart are colliding chaotic
Pace of the world I just wish I could stop it
Try to appear like I've got it together
I'm falling apart
Save me
Somebody take my hand and lead me
Slow me down
Don't let love pass me by
Just show me how
Cause I'm ready to fall
Slow me down
Don't let me live a lie
Before my life flies by
I need you to slow me down
Sometimes I fear that I might disappear
In the blur of fast forward I falter again
Forgetting to breathe
I need to sleep
I'm getting nowhere
All that I've missed I see in the reflection
Pass me while I wasn't paying attention
Tired of rushing, racing and running
I'm falling apart
Tell me
Oh won't you take my hand and lead me
Slow me down
Don't let love pass me by
Just show me how
Cause I'm ready to fall
Slow me down
Don't let me live a lie
Before my life flies by
I need you to slow me down
Just show me
I need you to slow me down
Slow me down
Slow me down
The noise of the world is getting me caught up
Chasing the clock and I wish I could stop it
Just need to breathe
Somebody please
Slow me down
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME continued...
The Birthday Weekend:
I just realised I’ve forgotten to complete the update on my birthday, and a week has already passed.
What did I end up doing on my birthday? I had a yummy lunch, made by moi: Black Pepper Tuna Salad. YUMMERS! That evening, I met EK at Weelock and had Japanese food. I wanted to have buffet but the place in Vivo was fully booked so I settled with ala carte. It was hard, changing the mindset of having buffet, unlimited sashimi and unagi, to only 1 place of sashimi (5 pieces) and 1 bowl of unagi don (with limited pieces of unagi). It wasn’t as satisfying, since I’ve prepared myself for a feast, but nonetheless, it was a good meal so I’m happy. At least I didn’t overeat!
After dinner, we went to Zouk for a fashion show as our friend was doing make-up backstage and managed to get us VIP passes. So we had free flow alcoholic drinks and candies. The show was quite good, but I love the free casual bag they distributed…I don’t need to get myself a beach bag now! After the fashion show, we met with our friend and headed to the nearby hotel lounge and continued chatting till 2am, over red wine and snacks.
On Saturday, we woke up late and went swimming instead – a healthy start to 24, but that effort was quickly ruined in one night of seafood. We met EK’s bro and family for seafood at Eng Seng Seafood Restaurant. When we got there at 5pm, there was a short queue which quickly built up as we waited. We finally got seated and waited another hour for our crabs but the wait was worth it! It was devine!!! The black pepper crabs especially. We ate to our hearts content.
On Saturday, we also found out there was a Club 21 sale over the weekend (EK and I love Club 21 sales), but we were too busy on Saturday so we made a trip there on Sunday. There weren’t many stuff left, the good stuff would have been sold on Saturday, but I managed to find 1 gorgeous pink Dolce and Gabbana ¾ pants going at 90% discount! The others that I loved were unfortunately on 70% discount, but even after 70% discount, there were at least $400, so I didn’t get them. That one bargain was good enough to make my day! Happy birthday from me to me!
Then, we went Sentosa for some sun baking and Frisbee action. In the evening, I decided to ‘treat’ my face to another facial. The place was nice, the brand is well established, but the results from the facial was so-so. Other facial places I’ve been to had better results…so I’m back to square one again on my Save-my-face campaign.
And with this update, I end this documentation of my birthday weekend. I had a good time and I do feel 24 after all that glorious celebration activities. Can’t describe it, just that I thought I did heaps to celebrate my birthday, hence I feel 24. As compared to if I had stayed home and just celebrated with a good meal, I probably wouldn’t feel as 24 since you can have a good meal anytime anyway. Get me?
I just realised I’ve forgotten to complete the update on my birthday, and a week has already passed.
What did I end up doing on my birthday? I had a yummy lunch, made by moi: Black Pepper Tuna Salad. YUMMERS! That evening, I met EK at Weelock and had Japanese food. I wanted to have buffet but the place in Vivo was fully booked so I settled with ala carte. It was hard, changing the mindset of having buffet, unlimited sashimi and unagi, to only 1 place of sashimi (5 pieces) and 1 bowl of unagi don (with limited pieces of unagi). It wasn’t as satisfying, since I’ve prepared myself for a feast, but nonetheless, it was a good meal so I’m happy. At least I didn’t overeat!
After dinner, we went to Zouk for a fashion show as our friend was doing make-up backstage and managed to get us VIP passes. So we had free flow alcoholic drinks and candies. The show was quite good, but I love the free casual bag they distributed…I don’t need to get myself a beach bag now! After the fashion show, we met with our friend and headed to the nearby hotel lounge and continued chatting till 2am, over red wine and snacks.
On Saturday, we woke up late and went swimming instead – a healthy start to 24, but that effort was quickly ruined in one night of seafood. We met EK’s bro and family for seafood at Eng Seng Seafood Restaurant. When we got there at 5pm, there was a short queue which quickly built up as we waited. We finally got seated and waited another hour for our crabs but the wait was worth it! It was devine!!! The black pepper crabs especially. We ate to our hearts content.
On Saturday, we also found out there was a Club 21 sale over the weekend (EK and I love Club 21 sales), but we were too busy on Saturday so we made a trip there on Sunday. There weren’t many stuff left, the good stuff would have been sold on Saturday, but I managed to find 1 gorgeous pink Dolce and Gabbana ¾ pants going at 90% discount! The others that I loved were unfortunately on 70% discount, but even after 70% discount, there were at least $400, so I didn’t get them. That one bargain was good enough to make my day! Happy birthday from me to me!
Then, we went Sentosa for some sun baking and Frisbee action. In the evening, I decided to ‘treat’ my face to another facial. The place was nice, the brand is well established, but the results from the facial was so-so. Other facial places I’ve been to had better results…so I’m back to square one again on my Save-my-face campaign.
And with this update, I end this documentation of my birthday weekend. I had a good time and I do feel 24 after all that glorious celebration activities. Can’t describe it, just that I thought I did heaps to celebrate my birthday, hence I feel 24. As compared to if I had stayed home and just celebrated with a good meal, I probably wouldn’t feel as 24 since you can have a good meal anytime anyway. Get me?
Friday, April 18, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME
The Build-up:
It's been 12 hours into my 24th birthday, and it has been going GREAT! I don't know why I had been so excited about this birthday - I mean, what's another birthday? Weirdly, I've been feeling rather high since Sunday, high with excitment, high with anticipation, high with expectations.
I even discussed what I wanted to do with EK...a good Jap buffet lunch (coz its cheaper during lunch), then parhaps Sentosa in the afternoon.
Somewhere in the middle of the week, my feelings went down down down. I fell into a depression pothole...upset about my flaw-ful face. It's been getting worse, and it was the last straw when EK said I should not go to work in make-up coz maybe that's what agitating it. But I've been using this since 1 year ago! This happened on Tuesday night. His said that with or without make-up, at the end of the day when my make-up fades away (it happens all the time), it looks the same without make-up, so my colleagues would have already seen it anyway. My Confidence crumbled. No difference? THERE WAS A HUGE DIFFERENCE. I COULD TELL! No make-up? How was I supposed to face the world? I know, I apply sparingly and my make-up (specially for sensitive zitty faces) does not provide much coverage, BUT THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE! So...I crumbled and cried. It wasn't about what he said. I noticed it too and I was concerned myself, but I just tried to block it out. But in full honesty, my face is getting worse. I've stopped going to facial after spending nearly 2k over 1 year on it and not seeing it get better, but then maybe I should have stuck on with it. At least it wasn't getting any worse. Now, my condition has worsen dramatically and even I'm put off by my own face. I know there are more important things in life than looks, but what if it affects my self-confidenc? Then my personality is afffected. It's only a matter of time.
Yesterday, my emotions were lifted slightly - the day before my birthday, who wouldn't feel a tad bit better! Of course, that face issue is still niggling at the back of my mind, but I decided that it'll be a present from me to me this birthday. I will fix my face! By hook or by crook, my savings or by debt, BUT somehow, I'll get it done this year.
Last night, I didn't meet EK and came straight home to make trinkets for a customer's order. While doing so, I watched one of my all-time favourite movie 'Notting Hill'. It was good! Not only did making trinkets made me feel good about myself, the comfort of an all-time favourite romance movie was amazing.
At 11.45pm, I decided to wrap up and head for bed. I went out into the hall to use the common bathroom, but I heard some plastic bag sounds from outside our apartment door.
"Someone's stealing our shoes" was my first thought as I peered through the peephole. And there he was, waiting. It clicked. But I couldn't possibly let him wait outside for another 10 minutes till the clock struck midnight and pretend I was surprised right? I hurriedly open the door and surprised the "shoe burgler" instead. He was disappointed at his failure...failure of a surprise and failure of being any sort of burgler. But I was happy he wanted to spend the first minute of my birthday with me and of course I would choose to spend an additional 10 minutes with him instead of separated by a door, NOT FORGETTING the Awefully Chocolate Chocolate Banana Cake that was waiting patiently for us to devour!
This morning, he suggested I could put on make-up if I wanted to, and I more than obediently leaped up to the opportunity. Work hasn't been too bad either...these few days have been a little less stressful. Seems like no one in my office knows its my birthday today, apart from the HR personnel who had given me a tiny prezzie yesterday. But I don't mind. I'm just counting down the hours till 6pm where I'll run off and meet him for a sumptuous dinner and maybe, hopefully, wishfully, drinks with some friends.
It's been 12 hours into my 24th birthday, and it has been going GREAT! I don't know why I had been so excited about this birthday - I mean, what's another birthday? Weirdly, I've been feeling rather high since Sunday, high with excitment, high with anticipation, high with expectations.
I even discussed what I wanted to do with EK...a good Jap buffet lunch (coz its cheaper during lunch), then parhaps Sentosa in the afternoon.
Somewhere in the middle of the week, my feelings went down down down. I fell into a depression pothole...upset about my flaw-ful face. It's been getting worse, and it was the last straw when EK said I should not go to work in make-up coz maybe that's what agitating it. But I've been using this since 1 year ago! This happened on Tuesday night. His said that with or without make-up, at the end of the day when my make-up fades away (it happens all the time), it looks the same without make-up, so my colleagues would have already seen it anyway. My Confidence crumbled. No difference? THERE WAS A HUGE DIFFERENCE. I COULD TELL! No make-up? How was I supposed to face the world? I know, I apply sparingly and my make-up (specially for sensitive zitty faces) does not provide much coverage, BUT THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE! So...I crumbled and cried. It wasn't about what he said. I noticed it too and I was concerned myself, but I just tried to block it out. But in full honesty, my face is getting worse. I've stopped going to facial after spending nearly 2k over 1 year on it and not seeing it get better, but then maybe I should have stuck on with it. At least it wasn't getting any worse. Now, my condition has worsen dramatically and even I'm put off by my own face. I know there are more important things in life than looks, but what if it affects my self-confidenc? Then my personality is afffected. It's only a matter of time.
Yesterday, my emotions were lifted slightly - the day before my birthday, who wouldn't feel a tad bit better! Of course, that face issue is still niggling at the back of my mind, but I decided that it'll be a present from me to me this birthday. I will fix my face! By hook or by crook, my savings or by debt, BUT somehow, I'll get it done this year.
Last night, I didn't meet EK and came straight home to make trinkets for a customer's order. While doing so, I watched one of my all-time favourite movie 'Notting Hill'. It was good! Not only did making trinkets made me feel good about myself, the comfort of an all-time favourite romance movie was amazing.
At 11.45pm, I decided to wrap up and head for bed. I went out into the hall to use the common bathroom, but I heard some plastic bag sounds from outside our apartment door.
"Someone's stealing our shoes" was my first thought as I peered through the peephole. And there he was, waiting. It clicked. But I couldn't possibly let him wait outside for another 10 minutes till the clock struck midnight and pretend I was surprised right? I hurriedly open the door and surprised the "shoe burgler" instead. He was disappointed at his failure...failure of a surprise and failure of being any sort of burgler. But I was happy he wanted to spend the first minute of my birthday with me and of course I would choose to spend an additional 10 minutes with him instead of separated by a door, NOT FORGETTING the Awefully Chocolate Chocolate Banana Cake that was waiting patiently for us to devour!
This morning, he suggested I could put on make-up if I wanted to, and I more than obediently leaped up to the opportunity. Work hasn't been too bad either...these few days have been a little less stressful. Seems like no one in my office knows its my birthday today, apart from the HR personnel who had given me a tiny prezzie yesterday. But I don't mind. I'm just counting down the hours till 6pm where I'll run off and meet him for a sumptuous dinner and maybe, hopefully, wishfully, drinks with some friends.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
X MAN - 당연하지
I'm in love with this x-ed Korean game show called X MAN! It's so awesome!!!
There are many different parts of it, and one of my favourite is called 'OF COURSE' (당연하지 ,DANG-YUN-HA-JI), where there will be 2 representatives from each group, and they will battle it out with words aimed at each other, trying to make each other gag until they aren't able to admit 'OF COURSE' to that statement made at them.
Here's a clip of 2 members of my 2 favourite korean boybands, Min Woo from Shinhwa and Kangta from H.O.T., battling it out...old stories emerges...
And of course, there were battles between members of the same group: Tony vs Kangta
Another of my favourite parts is the couple battles...especially between the lovers Eun Hye (the lead female from Goong and Coffee Prince) and Jong Kook...
But WAIT, there were MANY MORE complications...
Enters Haha and Eun Bi...
And soon, others followed...
And another love triangle develops when Eric of Shinhwa comes onto the scene...
Hope you're as hooked as I am!!!!!
There are many different parts of it, and one of my favourite is called 'OF COURSE' (당연하지 ,DANG-YUN-HA-JI), where there will be 2 representatives from each group, and they will battle it out with words aimed at each other, trying to make each other gag until they aren't able to admit 'OF COURSE' to that statement made at them.
Here's a clip of 2 members of my 2 favourite korean boybands, Min Woo from Shinhwa and Kangta from H.O.T., battling it out...old stories emerges...
And of course, there were battles between members of the same group: Tony vs Kangta
Another of my favourite parts is the couple battles...especially between the lovers Eun Hye (the lead female from Goong and Coffee Prince) and Jong Kook...
But WAIT, there were MANY MORE complications...
Enters Haha and Eun Bi...
And soon, others followed...
And another love triangle develops when Eric of Shinhwa comes onto the scene...
Hope you're as hooked as I am!!!!!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Going for a Job Interview
"Are you going for a job interview?" was the first question my immediate superior asked when he saw me yesterday, followed by a compliment, "Chic outfit."
Chic?
Blouse - Black sleeveless blouse (Joop) with ruffles at the front and thin belt (MNG) around the waist
Skirt - Black pencil skirt (G2000)
Jacket - Normal black blazer (G2000).
*I always have a blazer at work, just in case I feel cold. In yesterday's case, I was falling sick and wanted to keep warm.
Another boss who heads the Bangladesh office added, "Yes, whenever my staff comes to work well dressed, I'd tell them 'Good luck for your interview'."
If wearing a simple office outfit gives them a potential interview impression, then can you imagine how slack we are with our work attire?
So today, I'm wearing a simple puff-sleeved gold blouse, tucked out at the back, and pants that end just above the knee.
No potential interview impression, no compliments.
Chic?
Blouse - Black sleeveless blouse (Joop) with ruffles at the front and thin belt (MNG) around the waist
Skirt - Black pencil skirt (G2000)
Jacket - Normal black blazer (G2000).
*I always have a blazer at work, just in case I feel cold. In yesterday's case, I was falling sick and wanted to keep warm.
Another boss who heads the Bangladesh office added, "Yes, whenever my staff comes to work well dressed, I'd tell them 'Good luck for your interview'."
If wearing a simple office outfit gives them a potential interview impression, then can you imagine how slack we are with our work attire?
So today, I'm wearing a simple puff-sleeved gold blouse, tucked out at the back, and pants that end just above the knee.
No potential interview impression, no compliments.
Monday, March 17, 2008
DJ Raine
I just got a call from a HR personnel from a Radio Station I had applied to. Apparently, there's a job opening for the Advertising and Promotions Executive position at the station and asked if I was interested.
Silly me, I told them I'm currently engaged with a job (which is true), and so I wasn't interested. BUT!!!!!!! That's with a Radio Station! HOW MANY SUCH OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU GET?
However, I'm deducing from that job title that my job scope isn't as glam as it sounds:
1) I manage on-air advertisements and promotions
2) Maybe I write advertising copy as well
3) As for a DJ, maybe I will be on-air to read out the advertisements, or at those mall promotional events?
EK always reckons that I should go for interviews, find out more about the job, etc. But I'm personally not like that. If I'm commited to one job and I enjoy what I'm doing, why should I confuse myself with another? Then again, here I am all confused...
Have I convinced myself that I've made the right choice by turning down this opportunity? Arggghhhhhh.
Silly me, I told them I'm currently engaged with a job (which is true), and so I wasn't interested. BUT!!!!!!! That's with a Radio Station! HOW MANY SUCH OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU GET?
However, I'm deducing from that job title that my job scope isn't as glam as it sounds:
1) I manage on-air advertisements and promotions
2) Maybe I write advertising copy as well
3) As for a DJ, maybe I will be on-air to read out the advertisements, or at those mall promotional events?
EK always reckons that I should go for interviews, find out more about the job, etc. But I'm personally not like that. If I'm commited to one job and I enjoy what I'm doing, why should I confuse myself with another? Then again, here I am all confused...
Have I convinced myself that I've made the right choice by turning down this opportunity? Arggghhhhhh.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Becky Bloomwood in Us
Currently, I'm stuck on Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series. I'm on to my 4th book 'Shopaholic and Sister', and I'm hooked. But I am also utterly appalled at Becky Bloomwood's ability to shop!
On one hand, I love Sophie Kinsella's ability to capture so vividly a shopaholic's mind, and translate it into an easy joyful read. But on the other, I find myself absolutely horrified at Becky Bloomwood's disregard for money, her excuses for purchases and her endless shopping trips. IS SHE FOR REAL? Sometimes, while reading these bits, I get so agitated that I want to shelf the book away. It is a real bimbotic read and perhaps I do feel comforted that I'm not such an extreme shopaholic, but I simply can't imagine such a woman exists. I've asked myself what I'm doing, wasting my time with this series, but yet, I can't put it down. I'm hooked.
How does the Financial Journalist Becky Bloomwood afford all the things she has?
How does Becky Bloomwood recover from Bankruptcy, and still get the guy?
How does Becky Bloomwood, with 2 weddings scheduled on the same day, turn it all around in 2 weeks? Without cancelling either! (She has a hell of a brain, that girl!)
Every book of this Shopaholic series has a major twist at the end, and you don't see it coming. In every book, Becky Bloomwood falls into her own shopaholic trap all over again and emerges triumphant, and you think she'd learn from it! But no matter how much I claim these books are 'bimbotic' and there's no one like Becky Bloomwood, in every book, there are not only shopping tips, but life tips for everyone.
1) You can't be bankrupt unless you've sold all your assets, and by assets, we also mean Denny & George scarves.
2) Every purchase is an investment. Buying 40 mugs while on a holiday means you'll never need to buy mugs for the rest of your life!
3) Always keep an emergency credit card glued to the back of your compact powder case. Your boyfriend/ husband will never find it! It's better to replace your compact powder case, than to miss the opportunity to own a rare 2000 Euros Angel Bag.
4) Always think entrepreneurial. Who says horse saddles need to be hard. If Becky Bloomwood was a horse-saddle designer, she'd make them soft, comfy, with furry cushions and drink holders.
5) Don't be narrow-minded. You can look smart wearing a cosarge, even if they are meant for horses.
6) Don't ever worry about having not enough luggage space. You can always Fedex!
There are plenty more where those came from! I'm inspired to learn a little from Becky Bloomwood. Are you?
On one hand, I love Sophie Kinsella's ability to capture so vividly a shopaholic's mind, and translate it into an easy joyful read. But on the other, I find myself absolutely horrified at Becky Bloomwood's disregard for money, her excuses for purchases and her endless shopping trips. IS SHE FOR REAL? Sometimes, while reading these bits, I get so agitated that I want to shelf the book away. It is a real bimbotic read and perhaps I do feel comforted that I'm not such an extreme shopaholic, but I simply can't imagine such a woman exists. I've asked myself what I'm doing, wasting my time with this series, but yet, I can't put it down. I'm hooked.
How does the Financial Journalist Becky Bloomwood afford all the things she has?
How does Becky Bloomwood recover from Bankruptcy, and still get the guy?
How does Becky Bloomwood, with 2 weddings scheduled on the same day, turn it all around in 2 weeks? Without cancelling either! (She has a hell of a brain, that girl!)
Every book of this Shopaholic series has a major twist at the end, and you don't see it coming. In every book, Becky Bloomwood falls into her own shopaholic trap all over again and emerges triumphant, and you think she'd learn from it! But no matter how much I claim these books are 'bimbotic' and there's no one like Becky Bloomwood, in every book, there are not only shopping tips, but life tips for everyone.
1) You can't be bankrupt unless you've sold all your assets, and by assets, we also mean Denny & George scarves.
2) Every purchase is an investment. Buying 40 mugs while on a holiday means you'll never need to buy mugs for the rest of your life!
3) Always keep an emergency credit card glued to the back of your compact powder case. Your boyfriend/ husband will never find it! It's better to replace your compact powder case, than to miss the opportunity to own a rare 2000 Euros Angel Bag.
4) Always think entrepreneurial. Who says horse saddles need to be hard. If Becky Bloomwood was a horse-saddle designer, she'd make them soft, comfy, with furry cushions and drink holders.
5) Don't be narrow-minded. You can look smart wearing a cosarge, even if they are meant for horses.
6) Don't ever worry about having not enough luggage space. You can always Fedex!
There are plenty more where those came from! I'm inspired to learn a little from Becky Bloomwood. Are you?
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Let's talk about Singapore
Did you know that Singapore won the location to host the first ever Youth Olympic Games, held in 2010?
Perhaps you knew that, but did you know that there was a countdown to the announcement? On Thursday, 21st February, a party of 5000 youths, Singapore Idols/ Project Superstars celebrities gathered at the Padang in anticipation of the announcement. I wonder if the organisers/government knew beforehand that we were going to win the bid over Moscow, and hence the party. If Singapore organised the party but didn't win the bid, what would the news headline be? "Disappointed youths leave Padang after loss to Moscow"
Did you know that Singapore will host a race in this year's Formula One Grand Prix?
I'm sure you knew that, it was major news to all sports fans and Singaporeans. But of course, we had to do it differently. Why should we just host a race? Why don't we make it the first street race in Asia? Why don't it be one of three races in the 2008 F1 calendar to run anticlockwise? Even better, why don't the first Formula One Grand Prix in Singapore be Formula One's first ever night race? Singapore and their endless pursuit to break boundaries...it has always got to be the first!
But the biggest news at the moment to hit Singapore is...
Did you know that there had been a security lapse at the Whitley Road Detention Centre, and Singapore's Most Wanted detainee, Mas Selamat bin Katsari, had escaped?
If you didn't, I'm sure the 54,000 'Wanted' posters and leaflets placed in buses, trains, stations, shopping malls, housing estates, customs and other areas would have been sufficient. Many ask: How did that happen? Fingers have been pointing everywhere, Singapore citizens want someone to blame. I am among the naived many who were proud of Singapore's tight security.
He plotted to crash a hijacked plane into Changi Airport, planned an attack on the US Embassy, the American Club and the Singapore American School. But the authorities took 4 hours to inform the public of the escape on 27 February because "there was no imminent danger to the public".
Today, there is a nationwide manhunt, with more than 1,000 police, soldiers, and elite Nepalese Gurkhas searching for him, dogs treking through the forests, posters with his famous face at every corner of Singapore, mobile phone operators send out messages with his picture, and a red alert has been issued, allowing any law enforcement officer among the international police network to arrest him on the spot.
And Deputy Assistant Commissioner Raymond Yeo, who leads the police Special Operations Command (SOC), is worried: "What is more damaging than his escape from the detention centre would be if he managed to escape out of Singapore and issued a victory statement."
Is that all we should be worried about?
Perhaps you knew that, but did you know that there was a countdown to the announcement? On Thursday, 21st February, a party of 5000 youths, Singapore Idols/ Project Superstars celebrities gathered at the Padang in anticipation of the announcement. I wonder if the organisers/government knew beforehand that we were going to win the bid over Moscow, and hence the party. If Singapore organised the party but didn't win the bid, what would the news headline be? "Disappointed youths leave Padang after loss to Moscow"
Did you know that Singapore will host a race in this year's Formula One Grand Prix?
I'm sure you knew that, it was major news to all sports fans and Singaporeans. But of course, we had to do it differently. Why should we just host a race? Why don't we make it the first street race in Asia? Why don't it be one of three races in the 2008 F1 calendar to run anticlockwise? Even better, why don't the first Formula One Grand Prix in Singapore be Formula One's first ever night race? Singapore and their endless pursuit to break boundaries...it has always got to be the first!
But the biggest news at the moment to hit Singapore is...
Did you know that there had been a security lapse at the Whitley Road Detention Centre, and Singapore's Most Wanted detainee, Mas Selamat bin Katsari, had escaped?
If you didn't, I'm sure the 54,000 'Wanted' posters and leaflets placed in buses, trains, stations, shopping malls, housing estates, customs and other areas would have been sufficient. Many ask: How did that happen? Fingers have been pointing everywhere, Singapore citizens want someone to blame. I am among the naived many who were proud of Singapore's tight security.
He plotted to crash a hijacked plane into Changi Airport, planned an attack on the US Embassy, the American Club and the Singapore American School. But the authorities took 4 hours to inform the public of the escape on 27 February because "there was no imminent danger to the public".
Today, there is a nationwide manhunt, with more than 1,000 police, soldiers, and elite Nepalese Gurkhas searching for him, dogs treking through the forests, posters with his famous face at every corner of Singapore, mobile phone operators send out messages with his picture, and a red alert has been issued, allowing any law enforcement officer among the international police network to arrest him on the spot.
And Deputy Assistant Commissioner Raymond Yeo, who leads the police Special Operations Command (SOC), is worried: "What is more damaging than his escape from the detention centre would be if he managed to escape out of Singapore and issued a victory statement."
Is that all we should be worried about?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Finding Passion
You read about them in the newspapers and see their faces in magazines: "From Junior Executive to CEO". And you think to yourself, "Lucky bugger."
I look at the people around me...
A creative director who constantly asks, "What's next for me?"
A peer my age and already co-partner of a company handling $50,000 projects.
A friend who will be entering medical school soon - to become a neurosurgeon.
Budding doctors, corporate lawyers...the list goes on.
And then there's me.
What went wrong for me? Where's my drive to the top? Where's my passion?
I thought I had a sizzle, perhaps a little flame of desire burning inside me. I had my fair share of dreams, but then one day, it all vanished. It's like I had lost one side of my earrings, misplaced a passion somewhere, or subconsciously watered out my flame.
Autopilot.
I've come to settle for what I've got. I don't put my extra effort in, and I cruise on in life without an aim. I'm happy collecting my monthly salary, not asking for anything more. I do wonder what's next for me, but I don't do anything to change it.
I guess I'm learning, but I'm just not taking an active approach to it. I could be asking more questions, reading up on some past presentations, analysing some market figures, or just doing more. Everything is at my disposal, I have access to endless information, but here I am sitting at my desk, writing blog entries, surfing the net, checking emails and everything else except work.
Laziness.
I'm being dishonest if I try to argue I'm not. I can foresee my future. I'm just a girl in the office, carrying out my daily work routine. The clock chimes 6pm and I'm out of the door. I'm still at the same position as I was today, perhaps a $100 pay rise for staying on so long, but I'm still an executive. I'm still doing the same things, not anything more.
I tell myself I'll work harder. Just yesterday, I reminded myself to strive. If you strive, you'll be noticed, and if you slack, you'll also be noticed. At least when a job opportunity comes along or a pay rise is involved, I'd feel like I earned it. If I do not strive and sit here at my desk everyday, not making a difference to the company, I wouldn't expect any raise or promotion.
But life goes on.
It's true. Life goes on. I'll probably have a job, just not a great job. I'll be able to afford my neccessities and the occassional splurge, but nothing luxurious. I'll have a life - I'll be alive.
Stop.
Let's return to my resolve my problem, or the lack of it. Where o where can I find my passion?
Mathematics - Goodness, can I still do those sec 4 trig questions? And then what?
Architecture - Gave up on that before I even attempted it.
Advertising - Tried that and over that.
Marketing - Is it really where my passion lies? If so, shouldn't I be actively learning instead of feeling so empty?
What do they say about a person without passion?
He has "no more value than a candle without a flame or fire without light." (Chuck Gallozzi)
Thanks Chuck! That's awefully comforting!
Can a person without passion ever find passion?
"Passion can be created. Even for things you don’t currently enjoy. By tweaking the activities and pursuits you engage in, you can find a passion for anything.
All it takes is a bit of patience and an open mind." (Scott Young)
I look at the people around me...
A creative director who constantly asks, "What's next for me?"
A peer my age and already co-partner of a company handling $50,000 projects.
A friend who will be entering medical school soon - to become a neurosurgeon.
Budding doctors, corporate lawyers...the list goes on.
And then there's me.
What went wrong for me? Where's my drive to the top? Where's my passion?
I thought I had a sizzle, perhaps a little flame of desire burning inside me. I had my fair share of dreams, but then one day, it all vanished. It's like I had lost one side of my earrings, misplaced a passion somewhere, or subconsciously watered out my flame.
Autopilot.
I've come to settle for what I've got. I don't put my extra effort in, and I cruise on in life without an aim. I'm happy collecting my monthly salary, not asking for anything more. I do wonder what's next for me, but I don't do anything to change it.
I guess I'm learning, but I'm just not taking an active approach to it. I could be asking more questions, reading up on some past presentations, analysing some market figures, or just doing more. Everything is at my disposal, I have access to endless information, but here I am sitting at my desk, writing blog entries, surfing the net, checking emails and everything else except work.
Laziness.
I'm being dishonest if I try to argue I'm not. I can foresee my future. I'm just a girl in the office, carrying out my daily work routine. The clock chimes 6pm and I'm out of the door. I'm still at the same position as I was today, perhaps a $100 pay rise for staying on so long, but I'm still an executive. I'm still doing the same things, not anything more.
I tell myself I'll work harder. Just yesterday, I reminded myself to strive. If you strive, you'll be noticed, and if you slack, you'll also be noticed. At least when a job opportunity comes along or a pay rise is involved, I'd feel like I earned it. If I do not strive and sit here at my desk everyday, not making a difference to the company, I wouldn't expect any raise or promotion.
But life goes on.
It's true. Life goes on. I'll probably have a job, just not a great job. I'll be able to afford my neccessities and the occassional splurge, but nothing luxurious. I'll have a life - I'll be alive.
Stop.
Let's return to my resolve my problem, or the lack of it. Where o where can I find my passion?
Mathematics - Goodness, can I still do those sec 4 trig questions? And then what?
Architecture - Gave up on that before I even attempted it.
Advertising - Tried that and over that.
Marketing - Is it really where my passion lies? If so, shouldn't I be actively learning instead of feeling so empty?
What do they say about a person without passion?
He has "no more value than a candle without a flame or fire without light." (Chuck Gallozzi)
Thanks Chuck! That's awefully comforting!
Can a person without passion ever find passion?
"Passion can be created. Even for things you don’t currently enjoy. By tweaking the activities and pursuits you engage in, you can find a passion for anything.
All it takes is a bit of patience and an open mind." (Scott Young)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day
&
Happy 3rd Anniversary, Shoppa-Fcuk-Aholic!!
Goodness, it's been 3 years since I've kept a blog? That's such an accomplishment!
As
Goodness, it's been 3 years since I've kept a blog? That's such an accomplishment!
As
suggests..."May we grow old together!"
Family Time
Over the Chinese New Year period while everyone was busy with shopping for new clothes, spring cleaning, reunion dinner preparations and so on...where have I been?
I was busy shopping for new clothes, shoes, etc - not for me, but for my family in NZ. While everyone was spring cleaning, I was busy packing my 25kg luggage + 4kg fragile luggage + 5kg handcarry packed with Chinese New Year goodies. While everyone returned to Singapore for reunion dinner, I was fleaing out of the country for my reunion dinner in NZ.
The real holiday started on Friday, 1st February. The whole time at work, my chest literally felt like it was bursting with excitment. I felt like my heart could not contain the anticipation and I actually found it hard to breath.
At 10 minutes to 6pm, I dashed out of the office and grabbed a cab home. It was 6.40pm when I arrived him, my flight was at 9.05pm, meaning I should have been at the airport around 7.05pm for check-in. I leaped into the shower and back out in 5 minutes and did my last bit of packing before speeding off to the airport, arriving at 7.15pm.
My flight to NZ was fantastic. I think the guy at the check-in counter at Singapore airport was really nice to me as both flights from Singapore to Brisbane and then Brisbane to Auckland, I had the entire row to myself.
When I arrived in NZ, my family exchanged big welcome hugs and we headed home - our new home.
The first word that came to my mouth while touring the beautiful new house - WOW.
I think I said 'WOW' about 20 times while I was showed around, from the living room, to the kitchen, to the bedrooms. I LOVED IT.
After the tour, it was presents time. We gathered in the living room and I distributed all the goodies to my family members. I'd have to say out of everything I bought them, only 1 pair of heels for my sis didn't fit.
That evening, Aunty Mary came by and we went out for Vietnamese dinner.
On Sunday after church, we left on our roadtrip. 1st stop was Rotorua. The main idea was to patronise the spa pools, but we ended up finding a motel with sizeable jacuzzi spa in our unit and we settled for that. The next morning, we headed to Matamata to visit Hobbiton...
And after the tour, we moved on to Tauranga for the night. On Tuesday, we took a detour to a lavender farm and then PANCAKES. However, pancakes were a disappointment as they must have changed management/ cook. The pancake base was thick and it wasn't as appetising as it was last time. Such a waste.
That Tuesday evening, I met my usual uni group of friends for dinner. It was nice catching up with them. We retreated to my place for more hanging out.
On Wednesday, Chinese New Year eve and also Waitangi Day in NZ (meaning it's a public holiday), we didn't go far. In the morning, we went shopping for ingredients for our steamboat, and went shopping after that. In the afternoon, we came home to prepare for our yummy yummy steamboat. Once again, we bought too many ingredients and had plenty of leftovers...
Thursday morning, we took a short drive in the morning up North to the Honey Centre, where we had delicious pies and bought honey products. Then, we did a little shopping at another new mall that has been built in Auckland, before returning home to prepare for our feast. Mum had invited 8 of her colleagues over to our place for a homecooked asian dinner. That late afternoon, Laura and I made delicious and very successful nutella cupcakes!
And mum cooked up a storm to serve her colleagues from different nationalities. We had Singaporeans (us), Philippino, South Africans, Kiwi, French, and Indians!!! We served curry chicken, marinated grilled chicken wings, mix vegetables with tofu, satay and pork balls.
On Friday morning, we went west to a black-sand beach, pitched a mini-tent and had fish and chips. Though the sand was far far too hot (especially when it's black) and the noon sun was scorching, it was a beautiful day to be out by the beach. Out of all the short trips we did this holiday, I loved this the most.
That afternoon, we came home and soaked in the nice jacuzzi in our gorgeous master-bathroom.
On Saturday morning, I dragged myself out of bed to meet dad and mum at the church's barn sale. Instead of helping around, I went for breakfast and a nice wake-up mochaccino. Then, we did more grocery shopping - I was throwing a bbq that evening with my friends.
After lunch, dad and I went to the driving range for a short while and in the evening, I busied myself with preparation for the bbq. The turnout wasn't as big as we had expected, but the boys were big eaters so we didn't end up with too much leftovers.
On Sunday after church, we had lunch at The Coffee Club (NZ version), a little bit of shopping, and lazed around at home that day.
In the evening, I met Soon Yi, my korean friend who used to teach me Korean, for dinner.
Monday came around. For lunch, we had yummy pizzas and for dinner, mongolian bbq buffet. It was a very full day! We spent the rest of the day shopping and the night packing my luggage till past midnight.
Tuesday was the last day of my holiday. In the morning, we went out to the bank to get our pins on our new cards, before rushing home to do the last bit of packing of my 27kg luggage.
By 2.30pm, I was on the plane and by 10pm, I had arrived in Singapore, greeted by my grandparents and my honey!!!
I was busy shopping for new clothes, shoes, etc - not for me, but for my family in NZ. While everyone was spring cleaning, I was busy packing my 25kg luggage + 4kg fragile luggage + 5kg handcarry packed with Chinese New Year goodies. While everyone returned to Singapore for reunion dinner, I was fleaing out of the country for my reunion dinner in NZ.
The real holiday started on Friday, 1st February. The whole time at work, my chest literally felt like it was bursting with excitment. I felt like my heart could not contain the anticipation and I actually found it hard to breath.
At 10 minutes to 6pm, I dashed out of the office and grabbed a cab home. It was 6.40pm when I arrived him, my flight was at 9.05pm, meaning I should have been at the airport around 7.05pm for check-in. I leaped into the shower and back out in 5 minutes and did my last bit of packing before speeding off to the airport, arriving at 7.15pm.
My flight to NZ was fantastic. I think the guy at the check-in counter at Singapore airport was really nice to me as both flights from Singapore to Brisbane and then Brisbane to Auckland, I had the entire row to myself.
When I arrived in NZ, my family exchanged big welcome hugs and we headed home - our new home.
The first word that came to my mouth while touring the beautiful new house - WOW.
I think I said 'WOW' about 20 times while I was showed around, from the living room, to the kitchen, to the bedrooms. I LOVED IT.
After the tour, it was presents time. We gathered in the living room and I distributed all the goodies to my family members. I'd have to say out of everything I bought them, only 1 pair of heels for my sis didn't fit.
That evening, Aunty Mary came by and we went out for Vietnamese dinner.
On Sunday after church, we left on our roadtrip. 1st stop was Rotorua. The main idea was to patronise the spa pools, but we ended up finding a motel with sizeable jacuzzi spa in our unit and we settled for that. The next morning, we headed to Matamata to visit Hobbiton...
And after the tour, we moved on to Tauranga for the night. On Tuesday, we took a detour to a lavender farm and then PANCAKES. However, pancakes were a disappointment as they must have changed management/ cook. The pancake base was thick and it wasn't as appetising as it was last time. Such a waste.
That Tuesday evening, I met my usual uni group of friends for dinner. It was nice catching up with them. We retreated to my place for more hanging out.
On Wednesday, Chinese New Year eve and also Waitangi Day in NZ (meaning it's a public holiday), we didn't go far. In the morning, we went shopping for ingredients for our steamboat, and went shopping after that. In the afternoon, we came home to prepare for our yummy yummy steamboat. Once again, we bought too many ingredients and had plenty of leftovers...
Thursday morning, we took a short drive in the morning up North to the Honey Centre, where we had delicious pies and bought honey products. Then, we did a little shopping at another new mall that has been built in Auckland, before returning home to prepare for our feast. Mum had invited 8 of her colleagues over to our place for a homecooked asian dinner. That late afternoon, Laura and I made delicious and very successful nutella cupcakes!
And mum cooked up a storm to serve her colleagues from different nationalities. We had Singaporeans (us), Philippino, South Africans, Kiwi, French, and Indians!!! We served curry chicken, marinated grilled chicken wings, mix vegetables with tofu, satay and pork balls.
On Friday morning, we went west to a black-sand beach, pitched a mini-tent and had fish and chips. Though the sand was far far too hot (especially when it's black) and the noon sun was scorching, it was a beautiful day to be out by the beach. Out of all the short trips we did this holiday, I loved this the most.
That afternoon, we came home and soaked in the nice jacuzzi in our gorgeous master-bathroom.
On Saturday morning, I dragged myself out of bed to meet dad and mum at the church's barn sale. Instead of helping around, I went for breakfast and a nice wake-up mochaccino. Then, we did more grocery shopping - I was throwing a bbq that evening with my friends.
After lunch, dad and I went to the driving range for a short while and in the evening, I busied myself with preparation for the bbq. The turnout wasn't as big as we had expected, but the boys were big eaters so we didn't end up with too much leftovers.
On Sunday after church, we had lunch at The Coffee Club (NZ version), a little bit of shopping, and lazed around at home that day.
In the evening, I met Soon Yi, my korean friend who used to teach me Korean, for dinner.
Monday came around. For lunch, we had yummy pizzas and for dinner, mongolian bbq buffet. It was a very full day! We spent the rest of the day shopping and the night packing my luggage till past midnight.
Tuesday was the last day of my holiday. In the morning, we went out to the bank to get our pins on our new cards, before rushing home to do the last bit of packing of my 27kg luggage.
By 2.30pm, I was on the plane and by 10pm, I had arrived in Singapore, greeted by my grandparents and my honey!!!
Friday, February 01, 2008
TONIGHT
Tonight is the night I'm off to NZ.
I wouldn't say, "time flies coz just yesterday I was complaining it was still 3 more weeks."
The fact is, I have been counting down since 3 weeks ago and I have emails, blogs and a boyfriend to be my witness.
Nevertheless, I am glad the day is there!! I do hope I can keep awake today during work coz I'm so tired, having slept at 2am early this morning. Perhaps I'll have a good night's sleep on the plane. But then think about the movies onair?
I can't wait to see my parents, I can't wait to see my sister, I can wait to see my new house, I can't wait for New Zealand - it seems like the last time I said this was when my whole family was running away aka migrating from Singapore to NZ.
"I'll be back!"
I wouldn't say, "time flies coz just yesterday I was complaining it was still 3 more weeks."
The fact is, I have been counting down since 3 weeks ago and I have emails, blogs and a boyfriend to be my witness.
Nevertheless, I am glad the day is there!! I do hope I can keep awake today during work coz I'm so tired, having slept at 2am early this morning. Perhaps I'll have a good night's sleep on the plane. But then think about the movies onair?
I can't wait to see my parents, I can't wait to see my sister, I can wait to see my new house, I can't wait for New Zealand - it seems like the last time I said this was when my whole family was running away aka migrating from Singapore to NZ.
"I'll be back!"
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Duo Heats The Kitchen
- By Anonymous
After the famous spoilt radios Pear and Raine got together to bake Nutella Cupcakes and Chocolate Oreo Cheesecakes this past weekend, reviews have been flowing in.
The pair had spent the whole Saturday afternoon in Raine's kitchen, baking while sharing baking tips with each other. "If you like your cupcakes a little more moist, add a bit of milk. That'll do the trick." Pear, a genius chef herself, let us in on a secret.
Those who have tried the Nutella Cupcakes absolutely loved them. Reviews said the Nutella Cupcakes were delicious, one taster admitted to having four cupcakes at a go! Others commented that it was too sweet, but to Nutella lovers, you just couldn't get enough of it!
"Within a day, my Nutella Cupcakes were finished!" Pear announced to the press.
Reviews about the Oreo Cheesecake were diversed. Some found it too sweet with too much oreo bits, others said it was not cheesey enough.
"It may not have look presentable with the cracks on the slightly burnt crust, But I liked it." EK, creative director, supported the duo.
Despite the ravings, the pair humbly admitted that there is still room for improvement. Discussions have been ongoing and we may likely see the pair in baking action sometime soon. Our source tells us the next item on the menu would be something so sinfully chocolatey, it'll be 'Death by Chocolates'.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
A Date with My Prince
Last evening, I met my Prince at his Royal Ruby Palace, where he carries out his official duties as crown prince of Xile. We had earlier chanced upon the discovery that his Royal Ruby Palace was within close proximity to my humble Castle on Tannery, hence I decided to pay him a visit before our banquet.
My Prince settled his official business and together, upon my ingenious suggestion, we took his royal carriage to the new Terminal III of the Province of Changi.
Neither my Prince nor I had been to the new Terminal III since its grand opening on the 9th of January 2008. We were blown away immediately by its architectural design and lavished grandeur. The ceilings were high and allowed for the skylight to shine through. The glass elevators took you to whichever levels you wanted to visit. The concept of openness could be felt as we could see right through the glass panels to the gates of customs. A magnificent 5 storey high green wall towered above us, decorated with climbing plants, vines and serene waterfalls. It was a self-sufficient village, with grand restaurants, relaxing cafes, and shops of all varieties. It was an admirable dating place with its serenity and splendour.
We chose a nice restaurant serving Japanese Teppanyaki and had our feast. The spread of sizzling oysters, teriyaki chicken, black-pepper beef steak, marinated foie gras, salmon teriyaki, the softest tofu and chawamushi was commendable and delectable. We were satisfied customers. We proceeded to The Golden Theaters on The Bridge of the Red-Haired for a play on American Gangsters. There were not many plays on show at the moment and watching a display of American Gangsters were more appealing to me than watching a Body #19 or something about the Mist.
My prince dropped me off at my humble Castle of Florida where I only got to bed close to 1am. It was such a splendid evening and I could only look forward to visiting Terminal III again with the love of my life.
Footnote:
Royal Ruby Palace – Ruby Industrial Complex
Official duties – Work
Xile – My Prince's Company name
Castle on Tannery – Tannery House, building where I work
Royal carriage – Car
Terminal III of the Province of Changi – Changi Airport Terminal 3
The Golden Theaters – Golden Village Cinema
The Bridge of the Red-Haired – Ang Mo Kio
Castle of Florida – The Florida, Condo Apartments
My Prince settled his official business and together, upon my ingenious suggestion, we took his royal carriage to the new Terminal III of the Province of Changi.
Neither my Prince nor I had been to the new Terminal III since its grand opening on the 9th of January 2008. We were blown away immediately by its architectural design and lavished grandeur. The ceilings were high and allowed for the skylight to shine through. The glass elevators took you to whichever levels you wanted to visit. The concept of openness could be felt as we could see right through the glass panels to the gates of customs. A magnificent 5 storey high green wall towered above us, decorated with climbing plants, vines and serene waterfalls. It was a self-sufficient village, with grand restaurants, relaxing cafes, and shops of all varieties. It was an admirable dating place with its serenity and splendour.
We chose a nice restaurant serving Japanese Teppanyaki and had our feast. The spread of sizzling oysters, teriyaki chicken, black-pepper beef steak, marinated foie gras, salmon teriyaki, the softest tofu and chawamushi was commendable and delectable. We were satisfied customers. We proceeded to The Golden Theaters on The Bridge of the Red-Haired for a play on American Gangsters. There were not many plays on show at the moment and watching a display of American Gangsters were more appealing to me than watching a Body #19 or something about the Mist.
My prince dropped me off at my humble Castle of Florida where I only got to bed close to 1am. It was such a splendid evening and I could only look forward to visiting Terminal III again with the love of my life.
Footnote:
Royal Ruby Palace – Ruby Industrial Complex
Official duties – Work
Xile – My Prince's Company name
Castle on Tannery – Tannery House, building where I work
Royal carriage – Car
Terminal III of the Province of Changi – Changi Airport Terminal 3
The Golden Theaters – Golden Village Cinema
The Bridge of the Red-Haired – Ang Mo Kio
Castle of Florida – The Florida, Condo Apartments
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Dreamaholic at work!
I should honestly change the name of my blog to 'Tales of a Dreamaholic'!
Last night, I had yet another exciting dream/ movie (I like referring to my dreams as movies coz it seems like I’m watching a movie in my dream), but this time, the genre was fantasy. This dream was magical, similar to the movie ‘The Golden Compass’.
In the dream, every human being has a little ‘child’ fairy attached to them. They are inseparable from these fairies just like your conscience.
A group of us were stranded on a strange magical island. It was beautiful and yet dangerous at the same time. The magical island had abundant rainforests, waterfalls, and a city so amazing and colourful; it was too magical to be true. However, this magical island had been taken over by evil creatures and the village folks hid themselves in this big magical floating machine, like an air balloon or flying aircraft but cooler! However, this magical aircraft was no longer functional and it didn’t fly. It sat hidden among the green foliage. The aircraft was high up in the rainforest canopy, supported by the branches, and the evil creatures that roamed the ground beneath never noticed it.
So there we were in this strange land, exploring it and searching for the good village folks. We finally discovered this magical balloon with its inhabitants. They had no where to go and couldn’t escape the island. We realised the reason the magical aircraft couldn’t fly was because there was an imbalance of humans versus fairies on board. Only when the human count was the same as the fairy count, then the magical aircraft could fly. I can’t remember the specifics, but I think we discovered an extra fairy without a human boy. So the group of us went in search for this human boy. The boy’s parents also left their fairies on the aircraft to go in search of him.
We encountered an evil fairy who pretended to know where the boy was and wanted to trick us. We soon found out that she was the evil fairy of the forest and quickly abandoned her. At long last, we found the boy and raced back to the magical aircraft.
At this point, the aircraft had been discovered as one evil creature had accidentally fired a gun shot into the “sky” which ended up creating a hole in the floor. Thankfully, we were quite high up in the canopy and the evil creatures had trouble reaching us. We hurriedly got onto the aircraft and operated it to fly. After years of being inactive, it took a while for it to get started and everyone on board was in panic as the evil creatures were preparing for an attack. When we finally got the aircraft to float, we fell into a deep plunge as one little fairy had fallen through the hole, causing imbalance and the aircraft to shut down.
Thankfully, the fairies could fly and with the help of the other fairies, she was pulled back into our aircraft and just as we almost hit the ground and into the hands of the evil creatures beneath us, the aircraft started up and we zoomed off, through the rainforest, past the waterfalls, above the roof tops of the city, and escaped this island to freedom.
The end.
I think if this was cast into an animated movie, it would be totally cool!
Last night, I had yet another exciting dream/ movie (I like referring to my dreams as movies coz it seems like I’m watching a movie in my dream), but this time, the genre was fantasy. This dream was magical, similar to the movie ‘The Golden Compass’.
In the dream, every human being has a little ‘child’ fairy attached to them. They are inseparable from these fairies just like your conscience.
A group of us were stranded on a strange magical island. It was beautiful and yet dangerous at the same time. The magical island had abundant rainforests, waterfalls, and a city so amazing and colourful; it was too magical to be true. However, this magical island had been taken over by evil creatures and the village folks hid themselves in this big magical floating machine, like an air balloon or flying aircraft but cooler! However, this magical aircraft was no longer functional and it didn’t fly. It sat hidden among the green foliage. The aircraft was high up in the rainforest canopy, supported by the branches, and the evil creatures that roamed the ground beneath never noticed it.
So there we were in this strange land, exploring it and searching for the good village folks. We finally discovered this magical balloon with its inhabitants. They had no where to go and couldn’t escape the island. We realised the reason the magical aircraft couldn’t fly was because there was an imbalance of humans versus fairies on board. Only when the human count was the same as the fairy count, then the magical aircraft could fly. I can’t remember the specifics, but I think we discovered an extra fairy without a human boy. So the group of us went in search for this human boy. The boy’s parents also left their fairies on the aircraft to go in search of him.
We encountered an evil fairy who pretended to know where the boy was and wanted to trick us. We soon found out that she was the evil fairy of the forest and quickly abandoned her. At long last, we found the boy and raced back to the magical aircraft.
At this point, the aircraft had been discovered as one evil creature had accidentally fired a gun shot into the “sky” which ended up creating a hole in the floor. Thankfully, we were quite high up in the canopy and the evil creatures had trouble reaching us. We hurriedly got onto the aircraft and operated it to fly. After years of being inactive, it took a while for it to get started and everyone on board was in panic as the evil creatures were preparing for an attack. When we finally got the aircraft to float, we fell into a deep plunge as one little fairy had fallen through the hole, causing imbalance and the aircraft to shut down.
Thankfully, the fairies could fly and with the help of the other fairies, she was pulled back into our aircraft and just as we almost hit the ground and into the hands of the evil creatures beneath us, the aircraft started up and we zoomed off, through the rainforest, past the waterfalls, above the roof tops of the city, and escaped this island to freedom.
The end.
I think if this was cast into an animated movie, it would be totally cool!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
My Lazy Script Writer Bones
Why do I have such lazy bones?!?!
Last night, I went to bed early at 11.30pm, thinking I'd get a good 7 hours sleep and then wake up at 6.30am for a morning exercise before work.
But of course, my laziness got the better of me and I ended up postponing my alarm for 7.30am. However, I’d like to argue that I have a very valid reason for this.
I had another weird but exciting dream (or action movie in-the-making) that kept me “awake” all night.
And I woke up at 5.49am in the morning, exhausted from my dream but my blood was pumping with adrenalin from such an exciting adventure. I think I should seriously consider a change in career to become a movie script writer with all my absurd dreams, from romance to comedy to action.
So you see, after waking at 5.49am from my dream, I had to put myself back to sleep again and though at 6.30am when my alarm rang and I was feeling quite awake, I forced myself to go back for another hour of sleep because I thought I’d be exhausted from my dream – since I didn’t get my full 7 hours of sleep as I was disturbed at 5.49am. Then at 7.30am when my second alarm rang, I got up, more tired than I was at 6.30am in the morning.
The irony of it all.
Last night, I went to bed early at 11.30pm, thinking I'd get a good 7 hours sleep and then wake up at 6.30am for a morning exercise before work.
But of course, my laziness got the better of me and I ended up postponing my alarm for 7.30am. However, I’d like to argue that I have a very valid reason for this.
I had another weird but exciting dream (or action movie in-the-making) that kept me “awake” all night.
The Lead Characters:
- Me
- 1 good looking hunk (Forgot who he was)
Supporting Cast:
- Grandpa
- Laura
- Nai Nai (my grandmother)
- Rina (EK’s friend and make-up artist)
- Jensen Ackles (American Actor on Supernatural)
The Plot:
The first scene I can remember was Me, my good looking hunk, Rina/Laura (can’t remember who it was), Nai Nai, and Jensen Ackles touring one of those huge amusement park. Oh course with me and my good looking hunk, we were not dating, but there were obvious flirting and sparks flying around us as most movies begin. I was pushing Nai Nai on her wheelchair and I remember clearly having to steer slowly down a steep slope, sometimes steadying myself with my hand touching the ground of the steep slope. The guys were chatting behind me, they were good friends. We were all having such a lovely time. In the late afternoon, we departed the amusement park after Nai Nai bought heaps of souvenirs.
We split from Jensen Ackles, he said he had something to do and told us to get on with our journey. So the rest of us climbed on to the back of my hunk’s jeep/ big manly 4 wheel drive open-top van and started our journey home. As we were a good distance away from the amusement park, there was a loud explosion and saw the entire amusement park blow up in flames. At that moment, both myself and my hunk’s thoughts float to Jensen Ackles. We knew he was the one who set off the explosion. The scene cuts to Jensen Ackles driving away from the scene in his convertible jeep. Jensen’s character in the dream/movie is dense. He’s our best friend and yet also a hired assassin. During our journey around the amusement park, he had planted explosives and we didn’t even notice.
The scene cuts back as we were propelled by the force of the explosion. A truck behind us was coming fast at us, destroying everything in its path. My hunk rammed his accelerator and moved to the train tracks that were in the centre of the 2 lane road. We were trying to avoid the slow traffic in front of us and had to avoid the oncoming traffic. There was chaos as the train tracks ripped off and planks came hurling after us due to the destruction the truck caused.
At some point in time, I was flown out of the car and landed by the side of the road. A furious driver came storming over with a plank in his hand, ready to hit me (for some reason or other, I have forgotten). The drivers’ girlfriend was also furious, coming towards me. I fought them away in a losing battle, but just then, Jensen came to my rescue, throwing his jeep in front to stop the oncoming truck from our path. After a struggle, Jensen pushed the driver and his girlfriend into a ditch in the road that was caused by the explosion. The land was soft and the couple were struggling to climb out. Jensen and myself escaped to my hunk’s van which was pulled to the side of the street, and we sped off. We didn’t question Jensen on the explosives at the amusement park. His work was not our concern.
The scene cut to us driving up a steep one-lane slope, one side was slope the other side were houses. (This scene was like déjà vu for me in my dream. It seemed so familiar like I’ve travelled down this road before in reality, but right now, wide awake and thinking, I’ve never driven through such an estate before. I have no clue why I had this déjà vu feeling even while I was dreaming!! Weird huh!) We made sharp turns in the road, avoided oncoming traffic that was travelling at tremendous speeds towards us. We were travelling a little too fast when an oncoming car appeared round the bend. We made a hasty sharp turn to avoid a crash and found us tumbling out of the van that flipped a short distance down the slope. We checked to make sure we were alright. There was me, my hunk, Laura, Rina and Jensen (no clue where Nai Nai disappeared off to in my dreams).
Then suddenly, Laura took the van and drove away, leaving us behind. We were clueless and were in deep confusion why she would do that. Slowly, we made our way back to our house, stopping by a nearby public swimming club to rest. And it was at this swimming club that we met Grandpa, who asked where I’ve been as he was concerned for my disappearance. And Laura was there in her bikini and she whispered to me that she had told Grandpa she had taken the car for a short while, as it would be less suspicious. (The car? I thought the car belonged to my hunk – strange part of my dream I couldn’t figure out.) Laura stays home most of the time so when she told Grandpa she had taken the car, he would only think it was for a short while, as opposed to me, who would be blamed for taking it out the entire day as I’m mostly out, without permission.
And I woke up at 5.49am in the morning, exhausted from my dream but my blood was pumping with adrenalin from such an exciting adventure. I think I should seriously consider a change in career to become a movie script writer with all my absurd dreams, from romance to comedy to action.
So you see, after waking at 5.49am from my dream, I had to put myself back to sleep again and though at 6.30am when my alarm rang and I was feeling quite awake, I forced myself to go back for another hour of sleep because I thought I’d be exhausted from my dream – since I didn’t get my full 7 hours of sleep as I was disturbed at 5.49am. Then at 7.30am when my second alarm rang, I got up, more tired than I was at 6.30am in the morning.
The irony of it all.
Monday, January 21, 2008
I Do...
A beautiful beach wedding on one of those Caribbean islands with fine white sands and the bluest waters. A gorgeous white as snow Vera Wang dress, sitting so beautifully on the bride, with an exquisite train following behind. The bride and groom stands below the royal white arch dressed with the finest white lace, flowers and leaves so green, just like out of a dream, as they say their ‘I Do’s.
Or perhaps a classic wedding at a church with a steeple. The ends of every pew decorated with beautiful flowers and lace. The father of the bride gives away his daughter, his baby, to the man of her dreams.
Weddings. Every girl dreams of this big day, and I can’t pretend I haven’t. Especially when I’m getting closer to my desirable age of wed, and with friends around me declaring their vows, I can’t deny the fact that I’m dreaming for my big day too.
But the exquisite Vera Wang gown with the long train, the beautiful reception and the sumptuous dinner are the least of my concerns.
I met up with a friend of mine last week. He told me before that he never wants to get married, but he confessed that seeing friends our age get married one by one, he fears the day he becomes the only single around. “Perhaps I should find another girl now and make a ‘when we reach thirty and we’re still single pact’ so we don’t get left out,” he says. But he fears, and I sometimes wonder about it too, with divorce being widely practiced and becomingly accepted by our society, what will my future be? He comes from a family with problems, broken relationships, etc, and it’s understandable that his picture of a family is not as perfect as mine. But I have my own set of worries. My parents, so loving even after 25 years of marriage, makes me envious yet worried about my future. What if mine doesn’t turn out like theirs? They have set such a perfect example of a perfect family, and I want the family I have to be like what I had. But with divorce so widely practiced today, it makes it even scarier for me. As they say, the bigger the expectation, the bigger the disappointment. Am I ready to take this step of faith?
But one thing I’m thankful for is EK and his family values. He wants to settle down and wants a solid family with a happily ever after ending, like his parents. He wants kids too, but not so soon. He’s not commitment phobic – perhaps due to the fact that he’s 6 years older than me – “it’s about time” you know. And HE LOVES ME. Hee.
Am I too eager to get married? I find myself asking. I’m only turning 24 this year. I’m still young, so many remind me. But my grandfather says otherwise. He says I’m not young, that he got married when he was my age. Perhaps he’s eager for great grandchildren, with me being his oldest grandchild. This morning, he mentioned marriage again. He said that many people are getting married this year coz 2008 is a good year, and casually suggested I should get married as well – or just registered at ROM.
I have to admit, EK and myself have been talking about this. With this being our first (Obviously!), we have no clue how it’s to be done. EK asks me if it’s okay we get ROM first, invite close family and friends to dinner, and then the big shebang a year or two later. Is that the correct protocol? We do not know.
But he also knows that this day comes once in a lifetime and it’s every girl’s dream to wear the white dress and walk down the aisle. To complete it in TRADITION (as the father on ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ sings), there’s the tea ceremony and the big dinner. So he also wants to do it right. Though thinking about it, inviting people you don’t know or haven’t met in your entire life, or only perhaps exchanged 1 word or 2 with, it sounds ridiculous. But TRADITION!
Then comes the money issue. We live in a practical world. Often, money – or the lack of – holds us back. There’s the dress (in my case, the Vera Wang, though my friend says he should be able to buy me one of those as a wedding gift when he becomes a full fledge neurosurgeon – in 7 years time), the wedding invitations, the event, the dinner and the photographers. After that, there’s the house to think about.
Having said that, I’m glad those things don’t mean the world to me. I can give up on my Vera Wang dream – it’s how you wear it, not what you wear, I can accept the ROM first with a small dinner celebrated among family close friends – that would actually be more personal, and as long as I’m with EK, anywhere is fine.
But the one thing I will not compromise is the proposal. I’m still a traditional little girl with my dreams. I want my proposal. It doesn’t need to be a 1 carat diamond or an extravagant message in the sky “Will you marry me?”
It just needs to be EK, committing his future with me. Though I know it for a fact that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me, he’s told me that many times before, but the proposal means a lot to me and I believe so for many other girls out there. Yes, we talk about getting married, about spending the rest of our lives together, about buying a house, but the true beauty lies in the one question that seals the commitment:
Will you spend the rest of your life with me?
Will you be my wife?
WILL YOU MARRY ME?
Or perhaps a classic wedding at a church with a steeple. The ends of every pew decorated with beautiful flowers and lace. The father of the bride gives away his daughter, his baby, to the man of her dreams.
Weddings. Every girl dreams of this big day, and I can’t pretend I haven’t. Especially when I’m getting closer to my desirable age of wed, and with friends around me declaring their vows, I can’t deny the fact that I’m dreaming for my big day too.
But the exquisite Vera Wang gown with the long train, the beautiful reception and the sumptuous dinner are the least of my concerns.
I met up with a friend of mine last week. He told me before that he never wants to get married, but he confessed that seeing friends our age get married one by one, he fears the day he becomes the only single around. “Perhaps I should find another girl now and make a ‘when we reach thirty and we’re still single pact’ so we don’t get left out,” he says. But he fears, and I sometimes wonder about it too, with divorce being widely practiced and becomingly accepted by our society, what will my future be? He comes from a family with problems, broken relationships, etc, and it’s understandable that his picture of a family is not as perfect as mine. But I have my own set of worries. My parents, so loving even after 25 years of marriage, makes me envious yet worried about my future. What if mine doesn’t turn out like theirs? They have set such a perfect example of a perfect family, and I want the family I have to be like what I had. But with divorce so widely practiced today, it makes it even scarier for me. As they say, the bigger the expectation, the bigger the disappointment. Am I ready to take this step of faith?
But one thing I’m thankful for is EK and his family values. He wants to settle down and wants a solid family with a happily ever after ending, like his parents. He wants kids too, but not so soon. He’s not commitment phobic – perhaps due to the fact that he’s 6 years older than me – “it’s about time” you know. And HE LOVES ME. Hee.
Am I too eager to get married? I find myself asking. I’m only turning 24 this year. I’m still young, so many remind me. But my grandfather says otherwise. He says I’m not young, that he got married when he was my age. Perhaps he’s eager for great grandchildren, with me being his oldest grandchild. This morning, he mentioned marriage again. He said that many people are getting married this year coz 2008 is a good year, and casually suggested I should get married as well – or just registered at ROM.
I have to admit, EK and myself have been talking about this. With this being our first (Obviously!), we have no clue how it’s to be done. EK asks me if it’s okay we get ROM first, invite close family and friends to dinner, and then the big shebang a year or two later. Is that the correct protocol? We do not know.
But he also knows that this day comes once in a lifetime and it’s every girl’s dream to wear the white dress and walk down the aisle. To complete it in TRADITION (as the father on ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ sings), there’s the tea ceremony and the big dinner. So he also wants to do it right. Though thinking about it, inviting people you don’t know or haven’t met in your entire life, or only perhaps exchanged 1 word or 2 with, it sounds ridiculous. But TRADITION!
Then comes the money issue. We live in a practical world. Often, money – or the lack of – holds us back. There’s the dress (in my case, the Vera Wang, though my friend says he should be able to buy me one of those as a wedding gift when he becomes a full fledge neurosurgeon – in 7 years time), the wedding invitations, the event, the dinner and the photographers. After that, there’s the house to think about.
Having said that, I’m glad those things don’t mean the world to me. I can give up on my Vera Wang dream – it’s how you wear it, not what you wear, I can accept the ROM first with a small dinner celebrated among family close friends – that would actually be more personal, and as long as I’m with EK, anywhere is fine.
But the one thing I will not compromise is the proposal. I’m still a traditional little girl with my dreams. I want my proposal. It doesn’t need to be a 1 carat diamond or an extravagant message in the sky “Will you marry me?”
It just needs to be EK, committing his future with me. Though I know it for a fact that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me, he’s told me that many times before, but the proposal means a lot to me and I believe so for many other girls out there. Yes, we talk about getting married, about spending the rest of our lives together, about buying a house, but the true beauty lies in the one question that seals the commitment:
Will you spend the rest of your life with me?
Will you be my wife?
WILL YOU MARRY ME?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)