Sit Back and Relax

Things the little one likes to do in my tummy

2010-10-28T10:16:00.007+08:00

I'm now enjoying my days at home, carefree without work and simply waiting for the little one to come out into this world. It was our weekly check-up at TMC on Monday morning, followed by me doing net-surfing the entire afternoon. Tuesday was spent at Mama's place and also a little while at Tampines Mall where I went for a fringe cut and to stock up on some hair-loss prevention shampoo. Hopefully this will be useful in limiting the hair loss when the hormone pattern changes later. Yesterday I was writing a memo I owed my colleagues, and spent pretty much of the day doing pleasant little things like playing the piano and bringing Summer for a nice long walk.

At week 38 + 1 day now, baby Claire should be ready to come out and see the world. It now depends on her choice of date. WW and I hope she comes out earlier than the 10 November due date, preferably by next week. We then can spend more time with her before I return to work on the last day of February next year.

Wonder if BB Claire is enjoying the days spent at home instead of the office. She must be missing my colleagues' voices, but there are other sounds at home to make up for it - the planes flying overhead our house, Cash the German Shepherd barking away next door and the voices of gonggong and popo.

It's fun to observe the little actions of BB Claire now:

Rolling around (somersaulting?) and making waves on my tummy
Stretching out her hand or leg towards the right side of my tummy (she prefers the right to left side which results in me sleeping more on my right). Sometimes I thought I might be able to grasp her hand.
Kicking (it didn't feel like a kick to me even though gynae said it was a kick) the scan equipment when gynae nudged her for a better positioning during the scan
Tensing up, hardening the tummy when we are in those horrible taxi rides. Maybe it's Braxton Hick?

The little one has been good to me so far. Let's hope it goes all the way!

Preparing for baby Claire's arrival

2010-10-25T16:10:00.006+08:00

Our study room has been set up with baby Claire's cot, and the computer has been shifted to a corner on the study table to give more space for placing other baby stuff. We have also bought a few rompers to last her till 6 months. Didn't buy a lot in case she outgrows them fast.

Baby cot in our study room

The chest of drawers containing baby Claire's stuff. But it's already kinda stuffed.

Shirts from Mothercare. Sweet colours of yellow, pink and orange

Rompers for her 3-6 months. Tks Stephie for the Carters sweet strawberry rompers and Peipei's little cardigan for BB.

Today is the start of my leave. No more work and I shall treasure this me-time before Baby Claire comes along!

5-7 weeks to go!

2010-09-21T08:27:00.006+08:00

Another one month plus and Baby Claire will be out to see the world. Lots of things to prepare still, like packing my bag to bring to the hospital, and all the bathing and feeding necessities for the little one. Gonna do some shopping this weekend.

Baby Claire is in a breech position now and has been that way for the past week. Hope she guai guai goes head down nearer birth. Mummy wants no C-section! BB has been moving around quite a bit these days, kicking her little power kicks now and then, and mostly doing somersaults in my tummy. Looking forward to the times when we will see her and hug her.

Meanwhile I'll work till she's ready for the world, or till my legs can carry me.

Beaten by the crowds

2010-08-28T19:27:00.010+08:00

WW and I are at ikea tampines now. He's in the long queue for food, while I just got seats after romping one whole round in the cafe. It is super packed in ikea on a Saturday! We wanted to beat the crowds, but think we got beaten instead. We are back today to buy the chest of drawers and its accompanying changing table top. Well, better to get it earlier else next time when tummy gets too big I won't be able to maneuver in the crowd.

Kudos to WW's patience. He used to hate queuing so much that he would go for food other than the famous ones in hawker centers. But these days he is able to stand the crowds and queues better, hugely due to the fact that I'm a preggie now. He'll need lots of patience with me, for having to shop a lot for BB now and that I need to visit the toilet much more frequently, and I have to walk slower now. Can see that WW is gonna be an extraordinary daddy. :)

Ok, I'm almost done with this blog, but poor WW is still not here yet. Hope the food comes soon!

All the Baby Buys!

2010-08-22T19:44:00.007+08:00

Heading into the 3rd trimester now! The little one is gaining weight, and is possibly at around 1 kg now. These days I walk a little slower, as my legs are no longer that agile. It doesn't help that I've been missing out on my yoga and swimming for a whole month! May the cough go away soon.

Meanwhile, we spent more time walking around instead (walking is another good exercise for me preggie). We went to Taka baby fair twice over two weekends, the first to get the baby cot and the second time to buy the stroller. Gotta start stocking up on the necessities for our little girl. Before that, I've bought a Kate Spade baby bag to motivate myself to bring BB out more often.

I'm getting more easily tired these days and usually have to sleep by 1030 or latest 11pm. This explains the reduced blogging :( but I hope to update more often still with the little details of the preggie's life!

2010-07-17T08:03:00.005+08:00

Two weeks ago SIL and her family moved in. Now it's more crowded at home with two maids in the kitchen, sometimes with the confinement lady (for my SIL) as well. And two dogs to accompany Summer who would otherwise be lonely. My little niece of 3 yrs and an even younger niece of 1 month are here too. Which is not a bad thing, having more people around. Since then, dinner has been proper and filling. Initially I find the confinement food yummy, but the law of diminishing returns set in and now I find it so so. Maybe the confinement lady's cooking is not quite to my taste. I prefer 黄妈妈's gao luck chicken versus the confinement lady's gao luck 连藕 soup; MIL's potato soup versus the confinement lady's. But still I appreciate the many dishes for dinner these days. When SIL moves out in one week plus time, we'll have to bear with bland simple dishes again.

Yesterday WW and I took half day off work to catch Toy Story 3. It was a nice show with a storyline for the 3D version. Ever since watching Up in 3D, I expected all movies to be better in 3D mode. But we decided to watch it in 2D as WW is less keen with 3D in case he gets dizzy. We should catch more shows before we lose the freedom to do so.

These days the little girl kicks more and with greater force. Maybe she has my power taekwondo legs. And she'll remind me of my hunger so that I'll go replenish foods. My tummy is not that big yet, and amazingly I still am able to hide it in some looser clothes. Good thing too that my arms and thighs are not expanding as thought would be. Hopefully I can go back to pre-preggie build shortly after birth. We need to get all the baby stuff soon! The cot, the chest of drawers, BB clothes, stroller, car seat and so much more. May this year's bonus be great!

Precious time to myself

2010-06-30T20:33:00.005+08:00

Just finished the piping hot pumpkin soup from soup spoon. I bought the prepacked packet and heated it up at home instead. It tasted just as good as the fresh soup served at their outlets. Except here I get to enjoy my own music, at a suitably loud volume. Haha and not to forget the jealous greedy Summer staring at me (or was it my soup). I've cut a slice of Sara Lee pound cake, thick and fat. I care less about the sinful kind of fat these days, what a pleasure!

WW is out with his supervisor for dinner today. I'm lavishing the time to myself and treasuring it before I lose all (almost, I'll make sure I still have my own space) freedom. Shall give WW some time to himself too.

Tomorrow marks the start of a new financial year for our company. There are organization changes and we'll see how things play out. For me the small fry, I'm indifferent to it and life simply goes on.

Housework issue taking a toll on me psychologically

2010-06-24T08:20:00.004+08:00

Last night I dreamt of the whole family quarelling, or rather more of me and WW talking back at PILs. We were at the second floor living area (this doesn't look like our current house) where PILs, the elder SIL and her hubby were sitting on the sofa watching tv. I was busy doing housework (what else) and climbing over the sofa to get to another area behind them. The rest stayed glued to the tv. I grumbled about how unautomatic they were. Later another scene took us to my mama's place. WW and I were having dinner with apa ama at the dining table. After the meal it was around 9plus pm. WW and I proceeded to do more housework. Mama asked why such hurry? We sadly pointed out that at our current pace, we could only get the chores done by midnight with each of us having 3 outstanding tasks. I was thinking of work the following day and felt kinda peeved that I won't be getting enuff sleep.

At that point I woke up, feeling a little of the unhappiness from the dream. Wonder if I've been suppressing too much of my feelings. Sometimes I also wonder how different things would turn out if WW and I were staying on our own. Would I be so obliged to do chores and make the family happy? It seems I'll never be able to break out of this obligatory arrangement and having to be play my role as good daughter (-in-law) everyday. Will I ever be able to break free and not have to fit into any roles? Why can't I be like some of the others who don't bother at all? Not that I dislike playing my roles, but when I perform my duties I want to do it at my best. I suppose my most carefree days were those in hostel, where I got total freedom to do what I want to everday.

Well, enuff of lamenting. Gotta start work in office. Will try to bear with next one month where elder SIL and her troop of 5 and another 2 dogs will join the household. I predict more duties to play. I dunno why this have to happen during this time, when I should be resting well and getting my own way.

On a brighter note, we'll know if it's a  or  tomorrow!

2-year anniversary!

2010-06-21T18:57:00.004+08:00

Today marks our 2-year ROM anniversary. We didn't plan anything special for the day and instead would go for a nice dinner and piano concert on Friday. We're on a cost-saving mode, so no extravagances on ourselves. There are more dates coming up that we have to remember every yearly, hopefully we'll both remember to celebrate our ROM anniversaries in time to come.

Last night WW was playing the soccer iPhone app when I felt BB kick quite distinctly. It must be the "Goal" cheering and shouting from the game that aroused the little one. Maybe he (?) likes kicking soccer haha. Maybe it's more likely to be a "he"? Hoho. We'll know on Friday :)

The days without a maid

2010-06-14T10:18:00.004+08:00

This weekend the whole family was busy with housework. MIL sent away the maid last Wed as she couldn't stand her poor attitude. One weekend of housework for me is pretty tiring, though it's only simple chores like ironing the clothes, washing dishes and washing my own lingerie. Hubby was of great help to the family as he did all the cleaning and scrubbing of front porch. With Summer doing her business now and then at the porch, keeping the porch clean could prove difficult. I only lament my sis-in-law's lack of initiative. She woke up late, at noon on sat when most of the chores were done by PILs, WW and I. And she got to be told to help in washing the dishes after lunch. Sunday morning she woke up earlier, but spent time talking on the phone instead. That's the result of PILs spoiling her, and treating her like a young kid tho she's 20 this year.

Well, enuff lamenting. Like I told WW, everyone has his right and freedom to choose the things he wants to do. And it's only in a traditional mindset that you expect the whole family to help out with the housework. If one can tolerate the dirt and mess, so be it as long as your dirt is not imposed on others.

On the whole, the weekend is good. We did the usual stuff like swimming and having lunch with 黄妈妈爸爸. WW and I went to guan yin temple as well on sat to pray for good health and that everything go smoothly. Tian and I met up with Feng gang, excluding Feng as she's down with flu, for tea at Wild Honey, Mandarin Gallery. XH and Dennis are now preparing for their wedding and just had their photoshoot in NZ. How blissful! It's a beautiful stage of life to be in.

WW and I ended the weekend with fried hokkein Mee dinner at AMK. Haha, am I fortunate to be able to eat guiltlessly and not care about getting fat. Tonight we don't have dinner at home and have to eat out again. Wonder if this will last the whole month before the next maid comes. Eating out everyday is not very healthy for the little one leh.

Werner's Oven

2010-06-06T17:57:00.003+08:00

Life's been good after recently, much less burping and bloat during the evenings. And I'm starting to like the taste of meat. Yesterday WW and I went for dinner at Werner's Oven. He ordered the veal sausage while I ordered semmelknodel, the German bread dumpling. We both liked the veal sausage as it was simply delicious. Sweet meat and taste came from every chew, yummy. Since our trip to Germany and Austria in 2004, I've wanted to try the semmelknodel (I'm a fan of bread) but didn't have the chance to. The best try was a semmelknodel instant packet, where you add water to the flour mix to get your end product. That was bought from Austria back then. So it was quite a novelty to try the real thing here in Singapore, at the little warm and hospitable German restaurant.

A Different Kind of Exchange | JobsCentral Community - your friendly hangout for career topics and more!

2010-04-10T10:39:00.000+08:00

A Different Kind of Exchange | JobsCentral Community - your friendly hangout for career topics and more!

Christmas

2009-12-26T00:31:00.011+08:00

WW got me a wonderful gift set, the one I saw and fancied when shopping with WW the other day. Didn't expect WW to remember it; I guess I gushed too much about it that it made an impression. Now the lovely pieces are sitting in a corner of the tv shelf, with the green-leafed wallpaper behind it as backdrop. And WW took the effort to develop and place a photo of us in the frame, which makes up one of the four white classy pieces. Love WW the hubby!

I didn't get anything for WW, coz really didn't think there was anything he needed or liked having as a gift. I did shop around but couldn't find anything worthy for him. So it's good that he picked this Silly Putty plasticine-like thing when we were at the toy shop. That is then my Christmas gift to him! Happy seeing him play with it so merrily like a little boy. :)

This Christmas I prepared only one gift (not counting WW's Silly Putty coz it was not prepared beforehand) and it's for Wong Tian. Tomorrow will be passing it to her. Let's see then if she likes it.

Only today I got to know that Mama doesn't like Christmas, for it was this day exactly 40 years ago that she got her leg amputated :( Poor mama. I don't think I'll be happily celebrating Christmas anymore going forward.

In the holiday mood

2009-12-03T08:56:00.006+08:00

It was a nice shopping trip with tian yesterday. We went to suntec after work, had dinner at ichiban boshi which we subsequently condemned and decided to boycott, then went on to get a dress for myself and a sweater for tian. Bought a shimmery green tube dress which puts me in a Christmas mood. Thinking of wearing it for a fren's wedding two days before Christmas. The dress didn't come cheap though, but I realized price doesn't matter that much to me now, as long as it's not exorbitantly priced. We don't get enough time to shop, so why let a
nice piece go when you don't know when you'll be able to find another good piece.

It was fun to try on the loud accessories at the big warehouse-style fashion shop (didn't catch its name). Tian tried on the feathery hairclip which those classy English ladies at those posh parties wear, and I put on those urban jungle girl's hairband. Only in front of my dear sister can I do such foolish things and we will just laugh off at each other's novelty.

I come to realise that I'm a sucker for trying new things. It may be a good thing when I'm still young, but as I age on (haha sounds old yah), it may reduce me to a jack of all trades, master of none. Or it may just consume my time such that I can't do more of what I should be doing. For example, I'm taking bread making lessons out of interest. However, the course itself takes up time, with each lesson lasting five hours as we need to allow the bread to proof and to be baked. It would require even more time if I were to bake on my own at home. It seems too late to pursue the dream of starting my own bakery, for where would I get the energy? It's true that one should start out young, or you'd lose that drive soon after, especially after learning how difficult a world out there it could be.

MFE and Grahamies

2009-11-12T10:44:00.005+08:00

It's being a very tiring week. No regrets tho, coz there have been pleasant happy moments spent with my MFE friends.

It was Chin Yee's wedding on Monday. The poor guy had to wake up at 3am to fetch his Teochew bride, but it's surely worthwhile for him. Caught up with some of the MFE guys over the wedding banquet, and it was a great catch-up as we hadn't met for a while. It was especially precious to catch hold of Aylwin, one of my good buddies whom I've got to know over the past one year in the MFE course, as he is frequently flying to Manila for work. And there's the usual joking around and sabotaging the groom with our special concoction. I suppose it's also coz they are a very smart bunch of people who do not have the airs, which makes me like hanging around with them. Add on the fact that we've spent teeth-gritting time together struggling through the terribly-intensive course, especially back in CMU. Those were the tough yet bonding times.

Last night a few of us, the Grahamies plus the frequent-visitor Gim Aik, met for dinner and drinks at Red Dot @ Dempsey. There was quite a nice ambience with its al-fresco dining, but the service needed improvement. Perhaps can introduce WW to the restaurant one day, but hopefully the service won't suck like last night. A few of us were lamenting about the uselessness of our course and how we could have advanced if not for the one year break from work to pursue MFE. Although some part of me agreed (I now lag behind my peers 2-3 years), another part was glad I made the move that took me out of IT into something more apt for me - risk management. But then again, work is still work eventually. Back to the Grahamies. If not for the course we wouldn't have known each other and I wouldn't have these friends for keeps. Last night's dinner was a farewell for one of the guys who's moving on to greener pastures in HK. And shortly after another one of the guys will be moving to Shanghai for work posting. The other lady is looking around for a new job while the last guy in the group just started his new role in an entirely new area. I wonder where each of us will be in a few years' time.

Work is tough when you don't have the energy to tackle it. Good thing the work week is coming to an end soon. I need my rest this weekend! Also need to mug for FRM exams next weekend, after which I'll be free!

It's a thursday

2009-10-22T08:17:00.003+08:00

Thursday, the day before Friday. Where the happier days of the week are within sight and you can smell a little of the weekends freedom. What's the big deal about Fridays then? It's when people at work are more relaxed, where you get considerably fewer emails and consequentially less firefighting. See, being forward-looking can make your life happier.

On another note, weekends always are too short and are gone before you realise it. When is the next holiday? This weekend WW and I are going to check out a condo development. Not going to buy though, for prices are so exorbitantly high now. Singaporeans are pathetic little creatures, we pay so much for our living and slog like cows for work. It's no wonder we see straight faces void of life everywhere. Is there a way to break out of that?

Living in the moment

2009-10-14T08:27:00.005+08:00

Heard this phase "living in the moment" from a friend a few days ago. He was describing a dog's life, saying that a dog doesn't bear any vengence and enjoys the moment coz they live in the moment. Shouldn't we humans do the same too? We don't have to worry about the future, and not carry over the burdens from the past.

Monday was my off day. I took the day off to catch up on my studying (for FRM). In the end I spent 5 hours in total on mugging, 1.5 hours in a morning nap (coz I slept late the night before and woke up early), and another half an hour in a good cooling run at ECP. It was productive, when I just had a cup of hot tea and some music to accompany me in Dome cafe. Before that I was at Marine Parade library, an even more conducive place for studying. It was like those days not so far back when I was taking MFE, where the day is free for myself till the evenings when classes start. And it was so enjoyable to do a run in ECP. Sea breeze in your face, greenery by your sides and sometimes a hunk or a lovely dog running past (heh).

I also fulfilled my good wife duties by fetching WW to and from work, heh coz I drove around in his car. It was quite a nice day spent. Next
time will get WW to take day off together, especially after the FRM exams in late
nov where then I'll be free from studying!

Lots of negative people around

2009-10-07T10:40:00.005+08:00

Negative people spread their negativities around, and it'll take some efforts for a person striving to be positive not to be affected by it. Sometimes I laugh at the stupidity of those spreading the negative vibes, then remind myself never to be like them.

Take the neighbour who scolds her maid every morning. From our bathroom window, we could hear her thunderous words raining on the maid. This morning it was even more ridiculous. "Tell me, is making breakfast not part of your job? I am paying you salary to do your job and now has making breakfast become my job?" She went on in her demeaning and authoritative tone, as if it was a court scene and the maid was charged (the neighbour is a lawyer). We speculated the maid would poison or stab her to death someday.

In the office, there's this cleaning lady who slams the toilet cubicle doors very heavily every time she does her washing. It's so loud that people can hear her from the lift lobby, so one can imagine how scary it is to be in one of the cubicles when she does that. Then there's the dirty water she splatters from the neighbouring cubicle. Eeks.

Good that there are some positive people around. Last sat WW and I were invited into another of our neighbour's house, where we were treated with mooncakes and coffee at their little garden with the couple and their two girls. The couple shared with us the little lessons from their career lives and the wife was partcularly enthusiastic about the business - sale of negative ion garments - she is in now. I guess it's just personality that affects one's life and path ahead.

Wish there could be more such positive people around. There are increasingly more rude Singaporeans who make lives terrible for the rest. The world would be a better place if everyone was more pleasant.

Sea gazing

2009-10-02T19:01:00.004+08:00

It is the time of the year when the sun sets early and the sky gets dark at slightly after 7pm. Tho singapore is a tropical country without seasonal weather, slight differences in daylight hours could be seen and felt. Feels kinda sad that the day ends earlier and the lovely sunset goes away this fast. But then gotta be thankful we're not in Europe where the sun could set like at 5pm.

I'm having the luxury to sit by the sea, to gaze out into the vastness and listen to the waves. We should take such breaks more often, to get in touch with our soul and unclutter our mind. I was at NUS for a symposium earlier today, and took the chance to come west coast park, the place WW and I used to come by while he was staying at west coast road. Reminiscent of uni days, just that I don't miss those days as much as before coz it has been quite a while (5 years) afterall.

Perhaps I should go venture to some seaside on my leave day two weeks later :)

Half-day leave, yippie!

2009-09-29T13:15:00.003+08:00

Two months into the job and I'm feeling somewhat drained! I need my 15 mins of eye's wink on the bus every morning, which explain my sporadic blog updates. I wish I could sleep all the way to work, but there's still the Straits Times and Bloomberg news to read. But no complaints, work has been pretty stable these two weeks. Only gotta get used to the lifestyle. Doesn't quite help with my need for exercising two times or more a week.

Last Sunday we went to Li Bai Chinese restaurant at Sheraton hotel to celebrate my mum-in-law's bday. We had a hearty feast, in fact a tad too hearty for me. Our menu included a double-boiled herbal soup, roasted duck skin wrapped in thin crepe skin (quite a delectable appetizer), and abalone, mushroom, nai bai vege and sea cucumber all served as a single dish. Very rich indeed! The noodles were unique; they were made from fish meat. Lastly there were desserts and complimentary mooncake to end the eight-course feast. The meal was fantastic in taste, but WW and I are still not quite used to such delicacies. We prefer simple healthy dishes.

Today I'm on half-day to prepare for my all-famous cousin's wedding tonight. First up will be the shopping for accessories, then getting my haircut and styling (which will take 3 hours), then back niang jia to change and do make-up before setting off for the dinner. A packed day ahead, which hopefully won't end too late. Gonna be interesting to see how the wedding turns out. And hope everything will be smooth in the meantime and that we won't be captured on screen.

All the pent up frustrations

2009-09-18T07:24:00.003+08:00

It has been a month since I started bringing work home to do. All these working in personal time, sometimes into the wee hours of the night, are taking a toll on me. There were times I felt like banging the table or throwing things around or just shouting out loud. These had inevitably caused some fear in WW, having to deal with such a frustrated and difficult me. I wish I could control my temper too, but it's hard given my demanding nature. I want to achieve many things at a time - finishing up my work, studying for FRM, spending quality time with hubby. It's the last thing that really prompts me to wonder why I just can't spend time exclusively with WW. Is this how work life should be? Only comfort is that testing is ending today, so hopefully no more work to do till late at night at home. Then in late nov I'd have finished my FRM and really have time to hubby and myself. Wonder how I'll view babies next time; will they be enhancing a couple's time together, or cause us to have less freedom?

Anyway, today is another day and the long weekend is ahead. Shan't give myself too much pressure in striving to be perfect. Now I'm on the bus heading to the office, at a pretty early timing. Woke up close to an hour earlier than usual so that I can be in office before 8 am to generate some reports. It's refreshing, to see the early sun, to have pretty much if the bus to myself and not have to squeeze with the crowds. Hope that marks the start to a good weekend and more time for hubby and my family!

Putting things in perspective

2009-09-10T08:28:00.002+08:00

Last Sunday I was thinking to myself, secretly complimenting myself for being coolheaded and chirpy most of the times at home and in the office. Then, just as how things turn the opposite way once you thought about it, my short-temperness came back in the past three days. Kept feeling I was suay to have missed my bus, to lose my hairclip (tho it was found later), and other little irritations that occurred. Emotions are not easy to control, but I'll have to remember life is not all about myself now. Well just hoping better days will come soon and that I don't have to be so bogged down with work (just spare me with having to work during weeknights and weekends!).

Two months into my return to the workforce. Still finding it hard to squeeze time for shopping and personal grooming such as facial. I now have to fight for a timeslot with the whole world, unlike those student days where I could conveniently go for my facial in the afternoons. Sometime down the road, WW and I will have our flexi work life. Just can't follow the whole world for our entire working lives.

Wat a hiong week!

2009-09-04T07:01:00.001+08:00

Tot things would go slower after our exco presentation on wed, but apparently things at work are still as busy as ever! I'm seriously sleep-deprived, having had to bring work home four days out of the five workdays. And this is not including the work to do over the weekend. Sob. That also explains why I don't blog as much in the morning now; I catch up with sleep on the bus on the way to work.

Nevertheless, I managed to catch up on exercising this week. Started my yoga classes again on tue. It took a while for my stiff muscles to warm up and I ended up with aching neck and limbs the day after. But good workout afterall! Good for relaxation too. Lastevening I managed to rush down to California gym @ bugis to join tian. We wanted to try out the Bodypump class, but coz I had to be 'welcomed' by the manager first (their dual sales talk), we had to miss the class. But ended up it might be better, since tian was totally exhausted after our run at the treadmill. Bodypump would have been more streneous. We caught up over dinner after that. Sister bonding :)

yeah weekends coming ahead. Hope I don't have to bring work home to do!

Work work work

2009-08-28T08:18:00.001+08:00

Wanted to go for my swim on tue, but gotta stay late for work. Planned to go for my yoga yesterday evening, but gotta work late again. With such working hours, how so I get anything done? Haven't been to facial for 2 months now. My FRM progress is bad too, I'm still at Book 1. This weekend heck la! No more bringing work home to do!

Life's little reminders

2009-08-26T08:22:00.004+08:00

Recently I've been reminded of the little subtlties and sensitivities in life. One is not to be self-assuming; you can't trust others except yourself to do things. The other is to be careful about what I say, for some words may just poke people in the unintended way. Which reminded me why I chose to be a quiet girl when I was younger. Maybe I should be like WW, crapping all the way and people won't take my words so heavily.

It's okay to be imperfect, but I just can't seem to take my own imperfections lightly. I get outright embarrassed when others point out my flaws. Perhaps I have a big ego. But at some point I also get tired of being or at least striving to be perfect. It's always easier to be wrong than right, flawed than correct.

I don't remember if there were such unhappy days when I was studying a year back.

Property bubble?

2009-08-24T08:35:00.004+08:00

WW and I went to check out Meadows@Pierce yesterday. I was curious about its "dog running court" and wanted to see if it's a compromised small grass patch for the small doggies that the would-be residents would be rearing. The court itself looked okay - not too small but could be more spacious - but the gym facilities do looked quite pathetic. Nevertheless, the show units were impressive as the master bedrooms beat the size of most other new condo developments. In particular, WW was impressed with their roomy toilets. And it's amazing how fast the units were selling out; something like 70% in two weeks! Furthermore, that's for exorbitant (to me at least) prices of ard $900 psf. Singaporeans are rich huh. Well it will be like a dream come true to own and live in such a posh place, but we're not ready for it and won't want the great financial burden (as yet).

The rest of the weekends was again, too short. We had mahjong session on sat night, which I truly enjoyed. Went swimming with WW on sat afternoon under the strong sun, which I very much enjoyed as well. Did some work-related testing on sat wee hours, with the thunderstorm roaring beside me. Wished I were sleeping soundly in bed though (it was not till 4 am then did I went to bed). Sigh, busy work.

Hope this is a better work week for all!

TGIF again!

2009-08-21T08:18:00.001+08:00

It has been a hectic week. I have been bringing work back home everyday since mon. There's end-to-end testing for a new system, thus we have to verify excel reports. But it was not all that bad, for I learnt how to use pivot tables and other shortcut functions in excel. The bad thing about bringing work home is not having enough quality time spent with hubby. This makes our weekends even more precious.

Last night I did a run with ex-boss at ECP. It was like those days before I left off for studies, where we used to run ard CBD after work. Somehow it made me feel like I haven't left the organisation at all and the time gap in between was just non-existent. I guess that's what work does to you. Numbs you and brings you into a consistent state. And then you get stuck in it, flowing along, till whatever the next big change is going to come.

Not going to think much now. Drinks tonight and Mahjong tomorrow!

Weekend is too short!

2009-08-17T08:18:00.002+08:00

As usual, the weekend was kinda short, especially when we had a long one last week. This weekend was pretty busy, with me occupied with work and studying (for FRM). Spent some time at Cedele reading FRM book 1 (I'm slow!) , sipping green tea latte and eating a golden pumpkin roll. WW joined me after his haircut. He's independent and gives me my space to study :) Now I'm looking forward to nov when I can start to read my leisure books again.

Last night I dreamt of my big boss, about how friendly she was to me when I bumped into her at a govt agency. Maybe that will get translated into real life at work. But then I'd prefer dreaming about other things.

It's a dreaded Monday, may we all have a smooth and short day at work.

TGIF!

2009-08-14T08:24:00.001+08:00

Nothing much to blog this morning, except that it's a good day coz it's Friday! It was hard to get out of bed this morning, perhaps coz my mind was still very much awake when I went to bed last night. I played half an hour's worth of Ranch Rush on my iPhone last night, simulated much brain power and thus couldn't get to sleep that easily.

There has been a lot of going-out this week. Mon was holiday, tues was a date with work (yucks), wed dinner with fellow MFE frenz, and yesterday I went out with some of my colleagues for pool. Happening colleagues huh. These few nights of going home late also made me realize that blowing hair at night does make it a good-hair day the following day.

Weekend is here. Now what should I plan to do?

My iPhone keeps me happy

2009-08-12T08:32:00.004+08:00

Listening to my Chinese and canto music on iPhone, reminiscing the carefree school days that were not that long ago but somewhat felt ages back, surfing bloomberg news on the go, knowing exactly what time my bus will arrive, and playing the little mindless games. The little pleasures derived from the seemingly small, but powerful, iPhone. :)

yesterday was a busy day at work, kinda expected given the Monday holiday break. I left the office at close to 9pm, but was still feeling fresh and good. There are new things to learn and non-mundane stuff to do. Looking at how my colleagues are doing tho, it is important to be prompt and to have clear thinking which will translate into clear and accurate messages in writing. Judging from how things go, it may be tough times for one of my colleagues. Hmm.

Blogging on the go

2009-08-11T08:25:00.005+08:00

This is the second time I'm taking bus 70 to work. The first try last week didn't work out well coz I boarded at the wrong stop, but today it seems good and looks like I'll be reaching office ard 845am, a timing I'd like too. Heh, except now I wish I could go toilet! Sitting in the bus for 45 mins early in the morning - not an easy feat.

Earlier this morning when I just woke up, I was feeling sour, thinking about my skipped chance for promo and how badly I'm lagging behind. But is there anything I could do or have done? I kept telling myself to think long-term. Wat is this lagging behind if you view it 5, 10 years down the road? I'm sure it won't amount to anything. All my competitive friends ard me tell me how they push for their own promo and how they advance. Where am I standing relative to them? I'm lucky to have WW to sound me out. I have more than work in my life to care about. Family and especially my hubby are more important to me. Why fret over work and these superficial aspects like promo and competition at work?

Little life lessons to be learnt all the time

2009-08-10T22:51:00.006+08:00

It has been a month since my last update.

That's about the usual update rate now that I'm back to the workforce. Every work day ends on a tiring note, especially when it takes about an hour to reach home on the public transport. These days work gets busier and I can't afford to leave that early, but luckily not that late either.

Things at work are okay. I'm glad to have a good boss and nice teammates, but I can't help thinking how to perform my best at work, which only gives me more stress. So gotta learn to let go, relax, just be myself and not try too hard.

Saturday was Eden's wedding and I was glad to be her jiemei. The happy occasion turned out well, but I learnt a lesson about not to go along with assumptions and the need to always question and check things again. Cannot be lazy. I hope that serves as a wake-up call and I'll remember to apply that principle to life and work.

Windy nostalgic day, which marks the end of my freedom

2009-07-10T14:21:00.005+08:00

Monday onwards will see me back into the corporate world, slogging out for a better brighter and (hopefully) wealthier future. After one year's of absence from work, my mentality has indeed changed, especially after completing the intense MFE programme.

I have not started work yet, but somehow I place more emphasis on pay and job rewards now than before. Maybe it's because of the slogging in the course, that makes me feel like we should be duly rewarded for our brains and hard (smart) work. There seems to be an air of arrogance in me, which isn't totally a bad thing for it gives me confidence at work (which is much needed given my lowly rank even after 4 years in my company). But this I gotta keep a check on and make sure it doesn't get over my head.

Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to work again! Sounds weird, but true coz I have nice colleagues and a working-friendly environment in my new department. Furthermore, I have a very good boss who is aggressive, concerned about subordinates' developments and personal welfare, dynamic and knows the market well. I can see that she is unlike other female bosses and she acts more like a male boss, which is good news.

In the past three weeks I've been stocking up on professional working clothes again. They're not the long-sleeved shirts though; those make me sweat a bucket. Custom-made my professional court shoes with pointed heels and pointed front (sacrificing some comfort in my big fat toes), which hopefully I can run (literally) in. Going to carry the professional Coach bag WW gave me (haha actually I bought it for myself in NYC using the sub-card he gave me) and strut my way to the office!

Only thing is my unglamness having to walk in slippers (most of the time hurriedly, knowing my habit of dashing last-minute out of the house) for some 13 mins across the big long overhead bridge to the bus stop in the morning. And I'll be busy wiping off the sweat upon reaching the bus stop and hoping it doesn't smear my make up. That's the thing in living in a more secluded area, but well, I have no complaints! :p

Back in Singapore!

2009-06-30T10:32:00.008+08:00

Actually I was back more than a week ago, on 21 Jun. The past week has been more of rest and catching up on remaining school admin, and compounded with worries over school matters and H1N1 flu. But am I glad to be at home.

I've been missing the good things in Pittsburgh - the carefree lifestyle though we were saddled with schoolwork; the fun my housemates and I had luffing our heads off some of the other guys; having two fine gentlemen helping us ladies carry laptops every morning; the fine weather where I could run without much sweat and efforts; the me-time at Panera Bread studying away while blasting music in my ears; the cashier, drivers, waitresses greeting you with "How's your day?" and "Have a good day!", and so much more. I can't help but to compare that to the rudeness of the common folks in Singapore, where the drivers honk you for little things and speed up when you're turning into their lane. What have Singaporeans become of? I hope the graciousness cultivated from the US lifestyle stays in me and not let the impatience of Singaporeans get into me.

That aside, I'm happy to be welcomed back home with a lovely 1st year marriage anniversary present and a very sweet (more in terms of contents) card from hubby dear. Sometimes I think I'm the less romantic one, but I'll work at being a better romancer to hubby heh. I always feel I'm a very fortunate wife. WW is talented (yes, you're talented in many ways which you may not see in yourself), understanding, loving and makes me happy with his animated descriptions of events and people. For a (sometimes) serious person like me, that definitely helps lighten the mood and makes me happy even when I'm feeling down. What more could I ask for? :)

Next week would see me going back to work, after a year's of work absence. Am I looking forward to work again? I'm pretty sure the colleagues are nice and the working environment amicable, but gotta get used to the lifestyle of being cooped up in the cold office and not being able to wander around under the beautiful afternoon sun. Give and take la.. at least I can afford that lovely bag minted with a cool price tag, and more importantly, contribute to my families' financial well-being and thus life's comforts.

Beautiful Sunday

2009-06-08T05:34:00.006+08:00

I'm doing my schoolwork in Panera Bread, a cafe near my residence. Went for a swim earlier in school with two of my housemates, did a good 50-mini-laps (25m) with alternating free-style in every 5 breaststroke laps. Swimming in a small-lap pool is a good way to train my lousy free-style. Today's weather is exceptionally good, with the sun in full force yet the air is not as humid as back in Singapore. I am bumming around in shorts and a small tee and slippers. How good can life get? :) (Except I still have that heavy project burden on my shoulders.)

Missing WW and badly want a good holiday with him. Before we get the chance to go on a long and far one, we will probably check out cosy ones at home (Singapore).

Less than two weeks and I'll be back in Singapore. Hopefully the weather would have cooled down a bit, heard the sun was scorching in the day and nights stuffy and hot. Then I can chill out with my dear at a cafe, sipping coffee, reading books that non-MFE related and truly enjoy myself. :)

Me studying @ Panera Bread :)

My MFE frenz - Jamie, Yii Hui (and her boy) and me. At MFE farewell hi-tea, Apr 09

Shopping - Abercrombie fleece sweater with a hood. It's most useful!

All my t-shirts from Abercrombie. Wahaha

Pittsburgh update

2009-06-01T23:17:00.011+08:00

Got a nice sweet email from dad asking me how I was doing here. Tian just taught him how to send an email. Such a warm gesture from Daddy!

CMU term here is heavier than that in Singapore; we have homework everyday and I end up sleeping at 1plus am. We try to go out during the weekends, exploring parts of Pittsburgh and fishing out the more interesting places in this quiet city. Last Saturday we the Graham folks and GA went out to Southside for dinner @ Cheesecake Factory, which turned out to be one of the nicest restaurant I've been to in a while. The ambience and deco were good (the lights dimmed towards late night), the service excellent and the music soothing at a comfortable volume. I had chicken penne in wine sauce, which I savoured up till the last penne (not the chicken though; it was really quite a big serving). I don't remember patronising such a restaurant in Singapore, which is quite a waste. Was wishing WW were there too, then we could have a romantic meal together at a not-so-exorbitant price.

Lunch at pub along Walnut Street

Southside - a more happening district in Pittsburgh that's half-an-hour's bus ride away from our cozy home along Baum Blvd

With the guys in the same residential apartment Graham and GA in yellow (from Forbes apartment). All my classmates

The Cheesecake Factory, where we had dinner.

I like the ambience of Cheesecake Factory. Splendid! Tall ceilings with flowery paintings; ivory-maroon pillars and big big windows.

The guys (from left) - Gim Aik, Chris, Chee Wei, Rick and Yao Yang.

My order - sauteed chicken with mushrooms and onions on penne in wine sauce. YUMMY~!

Signature cheesecake - White chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Rich and sinfully delicious.

I want to go back to Cheesecake Factory! Why don't we have it back in Singapore?

Blogging needs the right emotions

2009-05-17T11:04:00.004+08:00

Like right now, I'm tuning in to FM99.7 on Pittsburgh radio, listening to those sweet old love songs and songs of easy listening. It's an exactly 12 hours time difference here compared to Singapore, and now at 11.17am it's about the right time to get sentimental. It used to be 2am or so when I was back in the NUS halls, but I don't sleep that late these days (which explained also why I have been blogging much less after uni life).

Have been in Pittsburgh for close to a week now. School has been good - the regular 9am-noon lessons from Mon-Thu keeps us on our toes, especially with the weekly assignments due. Most of the afternoons so far were spent in school studying in our classroom. Some of the sporty guys often go for table-tennis, or a basketball game. Then almost the same gang would play Counter-Strike in class on alternate days. So far I've tried a few games on the pool table, but no table tennis coz my skills stand at the level in my primary school days.

Life's good, going back to those studying days where you can spend the entire day working out sums or programs. Then you'll take a break by going for a run, or take a short walk around the neighbourhood. Living on your own adds on the fun of cooking meals, and it's even better when there's a very willing chef in your apartment.

Tonight I'm having the whole apartment to myself and it does feel different to be alone and having the space to really think. It's like all of a sudden the numbness and indifference to the current environment around me are gone. I can feel better, which is a good thing coz I have been feeling pretty indifferent for the past few days, perhaps due to mounting school load.

Oh and I did a run yesterday evening around school. Conquered this slope that stretches endless (it seems) and had a good run, though my nose ran a bit after that. There was the sun, but wasn't too hot as it's not as humid as in Singapore. And now my legs don't feel arching either. Will try more running and include swimming next week. :)

Meanwhile I got to chat with WW and Mama+Papa+Tian earlier today morning. Glad to see everyone's fine and will try to chat with WW again tomorrow morning. For now, gotta sleep! Trying to kickstart a healthy lifestyle by sleeping and waking up at 7am every morning. Woohoo!

Mama's Recipe - 猪脚醋

2009-04-23T12:27:00.007+08:00

I was learning this wonderful dish from Mama the whole of yesterday, starting with our trip to the dry market.

Ingredients:
- Old Ginger, one big piece (lighter, thinner skin)
- Vinegar, 1 bottle (dog brand, pink top label)
- 猪手，一只 [Pig's front trotters, 1 piece]
- 猪脚劲，二十条 [Pig's trotters tendons, 20 pieces]
- Gula Melaka sugar, 2 round pieces
- 麻油 [Sesame oil]
- 酱清 [Soy sauce]

Cooking Steps:
- Boil pig trotters in pot, remove dirt while in pot
- Drain pig trotters with cold water
- Wash pig trotters and cut away hardened white skin, if any

- Wash, clean and skin chunks of old ginger, cutting away sprouts if any
- Hammer till loose
- Fry in wok with 麻油 till dry

- Fill claypot with a little water, ginger and about 1/3 bottle of vinegar over big fire to boil
- Put in trotters, bigger pieces first
- Top up the vinegar, to near the brim
- Cover claypot and bring to boil before simmering

- Stir the pot when necessary to avoid meat from sticking to the pot
- About an hour later, add the tendons. Timing depends on how soft you want it to be.
- Boil then simmer
- Nearing 2 hours after boiling, add soy sauce and Gula Melaka.
- Turn off gas and it's ready to serve.

Yummy 猪脚醋！！
黄妈妈绝佳秘方!

Random pictures

2009-04-23T10:14:00.002+08:00

Pasir Ris Park with WW last Saturday

Studying in NTU Jan - Apr 09

Doing chim stochastic calculus stuff made me distracted

See the kingfisher on the branch of the tree behind our FTR classroom

NTU roads are beautiful, with green leaves shading your road. It's always a pleasure to drive around school, though school campus is not that big.Sis-in-law's doggies

Shasha headSuch an adorable Ally.
More pictures of Summer the Dog to be up soon!

Me with short hair! Looked just like Tian

Weekend updates (post exams!)

2009-04-19T19:23:00.004+08:00

Exams over last Thu! And I'm free for two weeks, before flying to US!

Been out enjoying my freedom so far. Went shopping for swimsuit at Parkway Parade, then straight on to swimming at Tanjong Katong Swimming Complex under the beautiful setting sun. 26 laps and I ended up with slightly aching back and legs and that night. But swimming is good; it's both relaxing and strenuous as an exercise. Only that some swimmers (guys somemore) just couldn't give way and kept on banging head-on onto you in the same lane. So rude.

Saturday I went for hi-tea at Aquamarine with MFE folks. The food was so-so; the company was not bad. I suppose it's the last time we're meeting the profs and administrators in NTU, not until we're back from CMU for the convocation in late July. I'm not gonna say how time flies again, coz we're all pretty immuned with how fast good things pass us by.

WW and I went for a walk at Pasir Ris park before dinner at 娘家. Pasir Ris park was one of the places that could provide a beautiful sunset view that spans across a vast spectrum. You could see the dark clouds with lightning on the left, the dawning sunset yellows on the right, and the blue skies with green islands as background in the middle. WW pretty much enjoyed the view too, for it gave him the space to ponder and relax.

Today we were back to swimming at Pristine Heights, which we did last Sunday too. The sun was scorching hot, thus it helped to be in the waters but the waters were so cold that I was having a running nose in the pool. Just today the rental agreement for this apartment was confirmed. Wonder where we could go swimming privately the next time. I still wish to stay in a condo, but again, I wonder if that's possible. One of the perks of living in a condo - to have your own swimming space without having to squeeze with the rowdy guys and learning kids at the public pool, especially during the weekends. And it's always more breezy at high-floors, a thing I've grown used to having since my room at 娘家 has perpetual winds.

I'm hooked onto Restaurant City game on Facebook now, though it's pretty mindless and non-stimulating. But it's still interesting to see how my wealth is building up from my restaurant business (though I spend the earnings once they come in), and how I can beautify my little den.

Next two weeks is going to be catching up time with friends, quality time with hubby and family. May these two weeks go by slow.

感触许多

2009-03-11T12:04:00.004+08:00

I was browsing through my wedding photo album, looking particularly at the ones taken with my family. Wonder if it's the photography effects, or is it true that my parents have aged? I paused at the photo below. It evoked a feeling of melancholy in me, to realise that Apa has indeed aged over the years. He didn't used to have that many strands of grey hair, that somewhat weathered look. My heart twitched.

I love my family, and wish that they be healthy and happy always. I can't help but smile when I see the photo below. Ties between siblings bond forever.

And now that I have a new family, I am learning to love and care more. Kinships may be hard to build up, as compared to the ties with your natural-born family. Open up your heart and be as receptive to receiving as well.

Good life despite exams

2009-02-22T18:29:00.002+08:00

Exams next week - Tue, Wed & Fri. We should be used to the fast pace of school, having exams every seven weeks, but it still depends on the quality of your professors and the standard of the individual modules. This time round we have quite a slack professor, who did not give sufficient examples for us to be familiarised with the material. Then, there is one very tough stochastic module which most people find difficulty in understanding. During the three-week break in December, I even dreamt of failing one module and was worried it could be this. But after trying out the past year papers and going through the whole module, I find this manageable after all.

Wanted to blog the past few days, but was occupied with solving assignments and examples (which the prof did not go through with us). Last Monday I dropped by SGX and was lucky to meet the ones I meant to meet :) It provides some comfort knowing that I should be going into the department I desire. And although the future boss told of the huge amount of work waiting for me, I was rather excited about the challenges upon my return to the office. I met up with three SGX frenz for lunch at Amoy, and realised some things do not change with time, like a strong friendship. Of the group, three of us have been good friends since we joined the company and the way we chat during lunch is still as our first lunch four and a half years back. Only thing is now I can't really tahan the heat and stuffiness, maybe because I'm running around outdoors most of the time and appreciate temporary air-con better.

Today is WW's bday! No celebrations - as per the hubby's wishes, but I gave him his presents still. Also coz of my exams, we're staying at home the whole day. Perhaps will go for a nice meal later when he wakes from his nap. May WW be happy always!

Dim Sum lunch with Wong Family

2009-02-10T16:28:00.005+08:00

On Sunday, we went for a dim sum lunch at Red Star Chinese Restaurant to celebrate Tian's and my birthday. WW and I reached first to find a long queue snaking to the lift lobby but heng it wasn't that long a wait. WW said the food was not good enough to warrant such a long queue. I don't know much about dim sum's standards, but thought it was nice to just point and order the dim sum dishes as and when we like. Too bad the dan tats ran out fast! And we weren't able to catch the trolley lady with the egg tarts.

Monkeying around, HC that is.
Tian & HC
Indoor settings and deco. It has 60 tables or so, can house a big banquet!

WW & YZ
Mama & Papa

Check out all our birdy faces. What a candid shot taken by WW.

Family photo!

What is Shou Bi laughing at?Wong Tian pushing down my tummy fats.. haha. What a thin forearm she has.

CNY officially ended with 元宵 yesterday. Everyone's back to the full-steam working or studying mode. Boohoo, when is our next break coming up?

CNY photos - 大年初二

2009-02-05T10:41:00.004+08:00

We were at Ah Fong's house on the second day of CNY. Every year she would invite relatives and friends to her place at BLVD. Last year we missed the visit, and missed the proposal by Chris Lee. Wonder how big the bling is!

Ama with QQ (舅舅） at the dining table

Tian and HC
Wong Family with WW and WY (me the photographer). Bad lighting though.. there was too much light at the background
Shou Bi tucking into the 棚菜
Wow! Lotsa abalones, prawns, scallops, sea cucumbers and delicacies
WW and Wanyi

Turning 28 tomorrow! No birthday wishes, just hope for good health and happiness for my loved ones.

Customer Service

2009-02-03T10:12:00.003+08:00

Government is pumping in S$100M to upgrade skills for the service sector. We had the GEMS program which aimed to improve customer service but its results were not distinctly clear. I still face grumpy service staff or even rude ones. Bad service peeves me the most. I can't help complaining to WW about it when I'm dealt with lousy service, though he will think that I over-react. If you want to work in the service industry, be prepared to drop your grumpiness or loftiness and cast your worries aside while doing your duties. I don't expect a queen-like treatment but always be respectiveful to your customers, especially when I'm the pleasant customer who politely request for your service.

So, hope this $100M SPUR reaps some pleasant results.

Cough cough

2009-02-02T11:49:00.002+08:00

Third day of CNY, and I fell sick to sore throat (blame it on the roasted duck noodles) and slight fever. In the next two days, it blew into an on-and-off fever and flu, and persistent cough. My poor sister fell to the same sickness yesterday too, but not due to my spreading but maybe her late-night mahjong session.

Yesterday WW spent almost the entire day doing his presentation slides for a meeting today. What a sai gang thrown to him on a Friday. But comparing the work he does here in HQ and in the air base, this work may be heavier in load but lighter in responsibilities. I recall those stressful days when he had to be on standby 24/7, receiving calls every now and then even late in the night, and the urgent decisions and shots to call. Load or responsibilities? I would rather take on more work than have to worry incessantly.

We're going one month into our marriage. Still waiting anxiously for the wedding photos from Benny our photographer. Hopefully it's 慢工出细货. Living with the in-laws has been great so far, especially with them taking good care of me when I fall sick. Ever since WW and I finished watching the last episode of 溏心风暴 on CNY eve, we didn't have much TV time together at night until now when we've gotten 家好月圆 from WW's sis. Yippie, another 40 episodes of good acting to watch!

In early May, I'll be flying over to US for the Carnegie-Mellon exchange. Now the classmates are searching for flights and are going to book soon. Sadly, this signifies that my schooling period will come to an end soon - in a short five months' time. I can't help but keep thinking about work now. About how it would be when I go back to work, how our lifestyle will change and how now I should be keeping close contact with my HR colleagues and future boss again. I start to imagine how I'd be coughing away in the cold office, shivering and feeling feverish and not able to rest at home without the strong air-conditioning. It's really kinda sad that my great break is coming to an end soon. But before that, the holiday in the US awaits and I hope my planned trip with WW to Canada can be realised.

First Chinese New Year as a wife!

2009-01-26T23:54:00.006+08:00

Tian asked me how it felt today, on the first CNY being WW's wife. Actually I have been thinking about this question all day too. Perhaps it's me being comfortable with WW's family, or perhaps it's coz these days I don't feel as much anymore, I thought it's quite a normal CNY day.

In past few days, I would look forward to CNY as it brought along more time spent with the family as well as a break from work. This year, I still can't figure out if I had been looking forward to the lunar new year. To me, it really doesn't matter anymore. I don't read the horoscope predictions anymore, I don't bother counting down and don't even reply to CNY smses except if they are from a close friend.

Perhaps MFE has made me a cold-hearted person. Maybe I have changed. Or perhaps I have been neglecting myself and refusing to listen to my heart.

Despite all, I'm grateful to have WW beside me and showing his care for me (through the little actions). It hasn't been a smooth day today, having to deal with headaches, back pains and aches, heartpain from missing my family.

WW's family at 光明山庙 this morning
Us with my in-laws
My new mama & papa
Me and WW

WW's younger sis and his mama
WP and Zining at Grandma's house later in the evening
WW tied a red ribbon round Summer's neck, making her look like a X'mas present!

Lovely little Summer

家的感觉

2009-01-19T10:21:00.002+08:00

Keke, gotta thank HC for renting me his car from Mon-Thu. Now I have the chance to come back niang jia (old home) and spend my time with parents or just do my assignments in my room. The feeling's different - I don't have to be too concerned about how PILs think and I can enjoy a little more freedom.

Life's been good so far. I got back some free time after our wedding since it's only the second week of school. This time I'm a little slacker, taking three modules instead of the usual four. But these days I keep thinking about the soon-coming time when I have to report back to work, although it is some half a year away.

Anyway, play to our heart's content in the coming CNY period first!

Wedding photos - from Shou Bi's album

2009-01-14T12:39:00.006+08:00

The day before the Big Day

2009-01-02T22:36:00.000+08:00

Am feeling excited! And now I think it's a good thing we've gone through our ROM as it has prepped us on what is to come.

Through the wedding preps, both WW and I have gotten to know of the customary traditions and what each of them means. For me, the facials, beauty treatments and special hair treatments exposed me to a wider spectrum of a woman's world - beauty. I didn't used to believe in facials and the like, thinking being natural is the most beautiful. But after going for facials in preparation for the Big Day, I realised it could be such a pamper to both my soul and skin. (Except that it's straining my pockets.) It's true that there are some things which once you start on, you can't stop.

I have gotten used to people calling my English name, which I use consistently in dealing with the wedding vendors and service providers. Some may find it hard to pronounce or spell initially, but they will get it right after a while. (No, I don't have a modern and complicated English name; it's actually just a simple five-letter word.)

I have also seen the other side of WW - the serious boss who makes the most practical decisions and challenge people on their stand. It can be quite pressurising working with him; perhaps because I want to be perfect in his eyes. We can be very efficient workers together - partly because he is likely to do things last minute thus we really have to be fast!

With tomorrow, new and more beautiful things and changes will come.

And I'm going to sleep early now to embrace them :)

过大礼 - 28 December 2008

2009-01-01T10:50:00.005+08:00

It's the turn of the year but honestly speaking, I'm quite indifferent to such occasions now. It's not that I don't envision a better 2009, but some things you can never predict (like the economy) and it could be better to go with the flow. Make full use of every opportunity rather than carry with yourself a baggage of expectations which at the end of the day may not be fulfilled.

2008 has seen me through many changes - from my decision to enrol in MFE in Feb, then our ROM in June, then my taking of leave to take up the full-time MFE from July and the busy wedding preparations in December. It has indeed been enriching and fulfilling. And 2009 will be an extension of that, plus the actual living together with WW after our customary two days later. Compared to the times before WW flew to Aussie for work in late Sep, things are much more settled now and I feel comfortable living together with him and his family.

WW's family and mine did the 过大礼 last Sunday, with both families exchanging betrothal gifts. Let the pictures below explain the process:

Washing basins, wooden clogs, sewing kits and toothbrushes. These were part of the gifts from the bride's family to the groom's.

My bro placing our side's betrothal gifts into the basket from the 男方. We were supposed to return gifts.
Mama & Papa helping out in the packing
WW brought along his sister and his aunt, who acted as the 媒婆. Fluffy merrily joined in the fun.
WW showing the 四点金. Modern gold pieces which I will be wearing out.
Sesame candy bars

Reaching for my Happiness
The Wong siblings :)

Two more days to customary, banquet and lunch reception (the day after). Then off to Bali for 4D3N honeymoon!

Random

2008-12-15T23:25:00.003+08:00

I'm in the midst of exam period, with the first paper of this mini-term down three hours ago. And with my heart dismayed by many degrees. I flunked a huge part of a 25-marks question while it was supposed to be an easy paper! All those late nights made me more stupid. So I resolved to sleep early and if need be, to wake up earlier to study instead. After talking to WW on the phone, I felt better and felt I shouldn't think too much about that paper. Two more to go!

Come Friday night I'll be free! At least for the next three weeks, where we'll be taking our much-deserved break. All those 4.5 months of cheong-ing have been pretty tiring on our mind and soul.

Some pictures taken in the past two weeks below:

Summer in my arms. She's not quite used to people carrying her, but so far she's been quite guai in my hands.
Bak Kut Teh dinner with WW along Joo Chiat road. Good stuff!

WW says only black-soup bak kut teh tastes good.
WW the Happy :)

Bliss

2008-12-10T17:28:00.001+08:00

Looking up into the sky, imprinting the fine intricate outline of each leaf and each crown onto the murky-white sky canvas, breathing in the air of freedom, looping the current favourite song in my ears. What a beautiful moment to relish. A moment worth the stop of time.

Wedding Preps

2008-12-02T10:34:00.002+08:00

On Sunday WW and his mum accompanied me to Chinatown Middle St to get 过大礼 items for our wedding. Not knowing exactly what is needed, we went ahead with the shopkeeper's recommendation and bought all the potty, basin, bedside lamps and stuff. There was a part during the choosing of the fan (扇子) that got me quite irritated. Being the overly-considerate me, I was listening out for both WW's and his mum's opinions on which color to choose - gold or maroon - that led to some indecisiveness. When I chose maroon, I heard WW's mama said gold and I thought to myself "who's the one supposed to hold these fans on the wedding day?". So, you have to make some decisions by yourself and stand by it.

However, I do appreciate that they got me along in buying 四点金 after getting the 过大礼 items. WW's mama let me choose the jewellery I like and WW gave good recommendations based on his solid judgment. WW's mama got me a set of modern gold jewellery set which I can wear out on usual days. Happy!

With just one month to the wedding, things definitely need to be stepped up and any advance preparations wrapped up. I can feel the excitement seeping in already!

2008-11-23T00:08:00.002+08:00

I.Want.This

眼色 - 林宥嘉

2008-11-22T22:51:00.001+08:00

Yan Se 眼色 - Yoga Lin You Jia 林宥嘉

New song that loops endlessly on my player.

兜风

2008-11-22T21:19:00.004+08:00

Can't bear to go home early on a full-lesson Saturday, I went around East Coast and Marine Parade area catching the dusk scenery. I think I still like the dusk best. The stirring moment, that slips away before you can immense enough in it.

Day Out with Apa Ama

2008-11-12T12:30:00.007+08:00

It was shopping with Mama and Papa yesterday! We went to Shaw Tower to check out Mama's dress for my wedding banquet.

A carefree, free-spirited me at the Shaw Tower carpark with wind breezing in my face. Carefree coz it's only the second week into the new mini-term, which means that the school workload has not quite pick up yet.View of the CBD from the carparkThe unique boutique that is a fusion of retro and modernity. All their dresses are cheong sam-styled with a twist of modern favour.
Both Apa and I waited a long long time for Mama while she tried on the dresses.The tailor areaPretty pink retro bricks, behind which are the fitting rooms.
Mama trying out the dresses. This has the old-time ma-jie flavour.
Mama is going to wear this to my wedding banquet! :) I got this for her!
This has a very nice cutting, too bad it screams bright green.
Happy Mama
Mama likes this very much, but I refused to let her wear it for the dinner coz it's a little too casual. I wanted to buy this in addition to the red one, but Mama felt the price was too steep.Lunch at Ah Loy Thai at Shaw Tower. Check out Mama's twisted mouth, haha.Wahaha
Happy times. Must soak in the bliss while it lasts!

:)

2008-11-06T12:07:00.003+08:00

Picture dug out from mobile photo folder, taken somewhere between Mar - Jun 08. WW will be back in three weeks' time!

In anticipation.. or issit pre-emption?

2008-11-04T00:55:00.001+08:00

I came by for a night's stay. I informed my future dad-in-law about it on Fri, but was asking myself earlier this afternoon if I should give my future parents-in-law a call to let them know I'd be having lessons and would reach late. I decided not to, thinking it's time to get used to having this place as my new home, and to give the message to PILs that I'd be part of the family. I won't want to keep on reporting my movements or inform my family when I would be home and when not - that is what I deem a total lack of freedom.

So, I came over after school, to find the big door tightly locked! Even though I could get past the front gate, I couldn't get into the house. All other side doors were locked securely (it's a good thing) too. I shouted at my PIL's window: "Auntie", "Uncle" for a number of times, but it seemed their TV volume was blasting disco music. I called their house number to find it engaged. I called FIL's mobile number to find it turned off. Not a surprise. I toggled with WW's car switch so that there were the beep beep sounds, but apparently it sounded too far away for their notice. I rang the doorbell, no one came to the door. Summer barked, no one could hear (although I suspected the neighbours could). How pissed was I! In the end I called Wanyi (WW's sis) on her mobile phone and glad enough, she picked up and helped me open the door. NOW I DEMAND MY SET OF KEYS! (And perhaps some little consideration.)

So you can't blame me for worrying. About what my life will be like living with in-laws. I have no qualms about them at all; they're very friendly folks who make me feel at ease and take good care of me. I worry coz I know myself well enough. I like freedom too much, and adore the feeling of having control. Sometimes it saddens me knowing I have no say in how I want the common furniture to be arranged, or how I want my things to be placed in the common places (e.g. my shoes in the shoe cabinet). It's not that my new family members do not allow me so, but the resistant me just don't feel comfortable infringing on space not my own. I like ownership and sometimes would like to declare something as my own (and as WW's, but just for the two of us). But I know I won't have our own house, I won't have my own car, which means I will have obligations (for using things that are not my own).

But now I look at the positive side. With less ownership, I will have less obligation - financially. WW and I still have a space belonging to just the two of us - the bedroom and adjourning study room. We have our say on how we want it designed and on the furniture pieces. I know for sure I have WW's support in the things I do, and that will be a strong factor in making living together manageable and harmonious. Furthermore, I will be spared the housecleaning coz they have a maid. And I suppose living as a big family will help build up strong ties, be it between the family members or between spouses.

On the other hand, I'll definitely miss my Wong Tian and Apa, Ama, Shou Bi and Fluff. Boohoo :_(
Typing this makes me wanna cry oreadi. Boohoo :_(

It may seem like I worry a lot. These feelings and emotions come to me early, and they leave in due time. It's always better to pre-empt what is to come so that I can manage better and get an internal conviction early. Then I'll be all-ready to face the world.

Weekend Roundups

2008-11-02T23:42:00.006+08:00

Me miss WW.

Now that my exams are over, my human feelings are back and again I feel kinda void and empty. I go out on the streets, thinking about what we usually do during the weekends and wanting WW to be by my side right at that moment. Will just have to count down to another 3 weeks plus. What a long time it is.

Since exams are over, my classmates and I took the chance to catch up on non-school matters. Yesterday was drinking with my fellow study mates and with one of the friendliest and most helpful senior. Today was dinner with some project mates and other classmates. Had a good time catching up with them. Some of them really seem to know about everything under the sun, from US politics to the latest sports news. So much that it seems they have mega-brain power and perhaps sleep little to have the time to keep updated on so much news.

Today afternoon was our family outing (except for Shou Bi who's mugging away in his hostel) at East Coast Park. It was great! We set off respectively in HC's and WW's cars, ferrying Apa and Ama's wheelchairs and a bicycle. We went to the far end of the park, trying to stay as far away as we could from the dark clouds looming. We didn't get to escape from the rain entirely, but was spared the heavy part of it. Tian and I did a half-an-hour run, followed by cycling and blading while Apa Ama wheeled down the pavements for some exercise and sweat out. Fluffy was happily doing her walk, and mostly dragging Apa's wheelchair too. Happy to bring parents out to somewhere they have not been to in a while. All the logistics were worth it.

After our run / cycle / blade / wheeling /walk. Tian drove her guy's car and I was driving WW's, aka my, car. (wahaha)Closer-up - Me with Tian, Apa and Ama, and a dao Fluff with her back facing the camera
Happy family~
Shou Bi shall join us the next time :)

Drinks at Durty Nelly's @ Marina Square with my study mates. We have a guru with us here. Keke

Dinner with another group @ Marina Square Waraku. Jeremy (far left) was supposed to bring his wife along. We all were anticipating! But were disappointed when she didn't turn up.
Will the next dinner or gathering be one-and-half months later? (The end of our next exams.)

The weekend ahead

2008-11-01T00:35:00.003+08:00

My last exam paper for this mini-term will be over in 12 hours. It's been a stressful (what's new) and somewhat fuller-than-full-time-work mini-term for the previous six weeks. But somewhat I feel better this time round, perhaps getting more in-tuned with being a MFE student. And it helps heaps to have very smart and big-hearted classmates who are so willing to share and guide us along.

There will be more hanging out with my classmates in the coming weekend, although not in the usual classroom / library setting. Tomorrow a few of us will be hitting the pub and on Sunday another group of us will be having dinner in town. I so wanted to get WW along and introduce him to my classmates but he's still in Aussie exercising away. But I'm sure there will be a chance come end-Dec when the class goes off for the 3-weeks break.

My dear sisters are going to tailor-make their dresses tomorrow too. Again I would like to join them but my Saturdays are booked all the way to late Dec! Blame it on full-day Saturday lessons, 9am - 530pm except for a lunch break, starting next week.

But then again, I should not be blaming the course as I'm basking in this flexible, free and refreshing lifestyle.

同花顺

2008-10-24T20:40:00.004+08:00

I've been listening to songs, new and old, while studying. This is a pretty nice one to keep me going.

同花顺 Royal Flush.mp3 - Jim Lim 林倛玉

Can't wait for exams to end next Saturday. :)
And how good it would be to keep getting 同花顺s in life.

Weekend parties

2008-10-13T11:08:00.005+08:00

It was Sher's masquerade birthday party on Sat night @ Karma Kettle, Dempsey Road. I rented elaborated venetian masks for the occasion, and made Tian wear the same mask as me. Had a good time chatting and catching up with old friends from JC and secondary school. No hardcore drinking (which I couldn't anyway coz I was driving), but we had a cosy pleasant time nevertheless.

Like Sher said - old friends are gold. It always feels different hanging out with the friends of 10+ years back. The birthday girl was the one in white mask. I like their hand-held masks, they were very elegant!
With Minfen, Tian & Xinyi (Joy). You won't be able to tell who's behind that mask.

Tian and I

Today is baby Josh's second-year birthday, and we celebrated over dinner yesterday. The happy family of 3 (to-be-4) - Steph, XZ and Josh. I wish I have a little boy of that age oreadi, but WW and I still have some way to go.

Josh was shy and shunned the camera and crowds after we sang his bday song. Such a cute little boy, especially when he hastily said byebye to us, despite having his eyes fixed on a big balloon and not us, when we left.

Caught him playing Thomas the train from the cake

Another happy family of 3 - Sophia, Vincent and their baby Ian.
Little Ian is one obedient kid, seeking approval from Mama before eating his food. That's the birthday cake in his mouth.
Huifang & Huiling

Ah, good to be in touch with the world again and with old friends. Looking to more to come.

Walk in the park with Mama Papa

2008-10-05T21:20:00.004+08:00

I had wanted to exercise at Bedok Reservoir with Papa Mama this evening, but I had a headache since morning and decided to forgo the run. Apa Ama then set off on their own but headed to our nearby Watermelon Park (as termed by Mama) instead. On my way back from my new place, I thought of joining them and went by to the park for a stroll while Apa Ama did some exercises at the station and went one round in the park.

It looked easy, but Mama could do only two times on this equipment. A pretty tough machine on the arms - you will need to lift yourself up using the handle bars.
Slack me in glasses and without my necessary minimal makeup - concealer.
Apa at the same machine. He did it with more ease.
Greens on Blue

Hot and sunny day! It was 6 plus in the evening and the sun was still hot.
Apa on the hip-swinging equipment
See Apa's leg movements
Of light and shadows
My dear Apa Ama

I've been spending most of my day doing homework (again!) today. It's getting really boring. Counting down half a year before I end the course in Singapore and head to Carnegie Mellon. Not that I look forward to the exchange at Carnegie Mellon, but I know then that it will be the beginning to the end. And there's a holiday trip I can look forward to in June next year. :)

Public holiday break

2008-10-01T20:21:00.004+08:00

I did manage to spend quality time with my parents yesterday. I knew I needed a run in the gym after checking my mini-term 1 results online in the morning. After the run, I joined my parents for lunch at 莆田, our newest favourite Chinese restaurant in Tampines Mall. Although it was a short one-hour-plus, I felt happy to spend time with them and let them enjoy the fine things in life. So, I cycled home, did some pieces of work from 330pm - 1230am yesterday. Yucks.

Good thing Tian jioed me for early morning yoga @ River Valley Point today. We did our very strenuous yoga poses (and almost fainted or collapsed) in the scorching 45.7 degree celsius room, starting from 9am, a time when my muscles and tendons were sleeping away. But it was worth it after all, coz it gave us the shiok factor that lasted through the day.

I went on to meet a fellow twin friend for lunch at Milenia Walk. My other twin was supposed to join me so that we could have some twin talk but she felt more like studying. So I dropped her at Fullerton Hotel when I went ahead, and rejoined her after my lunch. We proceeded to Fullerton Starbucks (all the other cafes in CBD were closed) for serious studying (like real). She was making notes in preparation for her FRM exam in mid-Nov, and me busy copying data into report format for my project. In the meantime I chatted with friends online, enjoyed the scenery and ate a yummy almond croissant. Hard to concentrate on studying on a public holiday - you see I'm still tuned to a working lifestyle.

Wong Tian the "one-in-a-million gf"
Me with natural rosy cheeks, haha
黑白双膜

Construction of Integrated Resorts @ Marina Bay

Although it was an eventful day, I still felt kinda empty at heart. It's true you miss your loved one even more during a festive occasion.

Priorities

2008-09-30T00:54:00.002+08:00

So many things that I want to do, yet with so little time. I have no lessons for the next two days and really wanted to bring my parents out for a nice meal and some dou-feng, but I know I can't afford a whole day to do so. Without an entire day, there will be a lot of rush and urgency on myself to get things done efficiently, which I know it's not very much achievable when going out with my parents. Not that I mind the time and effort, in fact I would like to accompany them on special outings, but there will be a very strong urging in my mind to go home study and complete my assignments.

I don't like this kind of scenario.

There are just too many priorities on hand. I don't want to neglect my role of a good daughter and that of a good future daughter-in-law. But right now I know my top-most priority is my studies (at least, before WW comes back) and this course requires more than a full-time job. I study everyday, either busy doing the assignments or reading up the textbooks, and we even meet for projects on Sundays. It's like every minute matters. (Save for the first two weeks in every mini-term of seven weeks - our study honeymoon period.)

I wonder when I can bring my parents out for a ride and spend the whole day out happily.

Lazing the day away

2008-09-24T20:24:00.002+08:00

The many faces of Fluffy. The younger Fluffy (on the left) appeared happier and the one at the bottom is the funniest - just look at her stoned expression.

Today I spent the whole day at home. Using this precious bulk of time, I did quite an amount of homework, taught my dad a little computer skills and simply enjoyed the different hours of the day. It felt like the times during my last year in Uni, where I spent my days mainly at home completing my final year project. I never thought I could get back these days of no-work and flexibility in time and in the things I can do during the day. It is indeed a bliss. Except that, now WW is away in Australia for work and we couldn't get to spend the beautiful weekday afternoons together. Not yet, till Dec when he's back.

Papa's bday & some random photos

2008-09-16T11:12:00.006+08:00

It was Papa's bday last Tue and we celebrated with a lunch the Sunday before and cake-cutting on the day itself. Papa turns 56 this year. Don't know what kind of life I would lead when I turn 56. But it seems Dad is having a good time of his life :)

Papa happily singing his birthday song

See the big fat ang pow under Apa's fingers? We the filial daughters (and son, who is mugging away in NTU hall)

Greedy mama!

And some random photos from the last two months.

NDP 2008. See the big round heart drawn by the F16s?
Fave Summer the Dog
After grooming she looked more adorable. Worth the $51.

This was funny. Shasha sniffing at the butt of an indifferent Summer.中秋月圆. Actually it was one day post mid-autumn, where the moon was even rounder.

I bought the same top in orange. And spent a whopping $300+ on shopping yesterday. I need to stock up for one mini-term's worth of clothes. That's about 1.5 months. And also, it served as a form of retail therapy and to make up for the lack of "life" in the past two weeks.

Happy that WW is back. Gotta grab hold of him before he flies off to Aussie for another two months come this Sunday.

On school and modules

2008-09-11T14:19:00.002+08:00

Yesterday's Corporate Finance was over. There were sections of the lecture notes I skimmed over thinking they won't be tested and they came out in the exam paper to many's surprise. So I think I have lost some 10 marks there. There were other questions I didn't quite know how to explain, but just smoked my way through. My grade for this module would probably not be good. But I'm glad it's over. This was one of the modules I don't have confidence in.

Today's exam is on Calculus, which hopefully *cross fingers* I can score, since the topic is not totally green. I recall I got A+ for Calculus I in uni. Haha.

After this evening, there are two more papers to go. Statistics tomorrow evening and Asset Pricing Theory on Sat. Next Tue we'll be starting our first lesson of mini-term 2 (so monumental since it marks the end of the start - mini-term 1). Pre-lesson, there are three stacks of notes waiting to be read. Assignments for the module (derivative securities) are all up. I suppose I'll be seeing a lot of my classmates in school from now onwards, spending lotsa time solving assignments together.

On a happier note, WW will be back tomorrow morning! Time to get back my life and time for more happy moments together :)

Exam crunch!

2008-09-10T13:57:00.002+08:00

Four exam papers in a row, from this evening to Sat afternoon - it's crazy!
I'm walking around the house like a zombie now. And to think that next round of new modules will start next week, straight after exams. This is more no-life than working!

But I'm not regretting, coz I get to work at my own pace at the place of my choice. Hopefully after graduating from the course, it could give me more career choices too. Life is about having more choices, right? You then get the freedom to choose.

My late night blogs are back!

2008-09-04T01:13:00.002+08:00

I'm back with my late-night blogs.

Had lessons till 1045pm just now, later than the usual 10pm as this was the last lesson before we close this module with its exam next week. As usual, I feel somewhat more stupid and more worried on Wed nights. Last week it was from trying to understand the case study and today it's due to the APT tutorial which there were some parts I still could not fully comprehend. Wed nights are no good, and I have to bear with it till Fri night when I'll start feeling a little smarter (because I will convince myself that I understand Statistics stuff).

Every so often, I'll have to remind myself the reason and motivation behind this path. Another pushing factor is the complaints I hear from classmates - I'm not the only one feeling stupid in the course.

It's weird how distant I now feel from the times when I used to lead the working lifestyle. In a way, I've been through the process and understand how working life feels, but the experience seems so far back and does not relate personally anymore. Thus, it's hard to weigh the pros and cons of taking full-time studies and putting work aside. But one thing I really appreciate now is the energy I still have at the end of the day. Like how I can study without feeling sleepy and grouchy. In fact, my mind is fully awake and alert at the end of lessons (held in the night) - the result of intriguing mathematics and lots of brain-twisting.

I'm going to the temple on Friday. And if time allows, every day next week too.

Studying into the wee hours... back to the old times

2008-09-03T02:22:00.003+08:00

Ah, the wee hours of the day are still the best. I'm enjoying the golden moments, studying hard for coming exams next week. The radio is on, tuned in to the golden classics frequency, and the music is pleasantly breaking the silence of the early morning. Another chapter to go before I turn in to bed.

Last Thursday was a special day of its own. My dear sis and I had a great time together doing yoga in the afternoons and with her fetching me around in HC's car. It has been a while since both of us hang out together, and it's uncanny how we always get along perfectly well with each other. Perhaps because we started our bonding since in mama's womb. :)

WW has set off for Australia last evening but will be back in ten days' time. Although it won't be long till I meet him again, I couldn't help but feel emotional and sad, especially on Sunday (the one precious day of the week where we can devote entire time to ourselves). Furthermore, whenever I think of his next trip of two months from late Sep onwards, I feel a tinge of sadness and wonder how I can cope with my study stress while he's away. Just gotta grit teeth, bite lips, and hang in there.

:(

2008-08-28T00:10:00.002+08:00

It's no fun... been a month but it feels like ages and I'm oreadi starting to count down.

Swamped with tutorials, assignments, projects and readings. My blog entries will be like this - short paragraphs with little content - till I get it over and done with. In some 10 months' time!

What is the definition of Success?

2008-08-14T09:28:00.003+08:00

MFE student life is apparently not easy.

Lecturers have high expectations of us and take it that we have the required math foundations. Thus some of the tutorials are extremely difficult and we'll have to approach the professors to get our solutions. And to think we've spent days working on that one problem! Everyday to me has become a tutorial-chasing and catching-up game. All other things have been shifted to low priority and have to be cut down. Except for personal time spent with loved ones. That is why I'm not too pleased with the make-up lesson scheduled this Sat afternoon.

My supervisor (from work) called to inform of my appraisal grade earlier today. I wasn't too happy with it initially, thinking I must been have shortchanged due to my absence from work. But as I was running mightily on the treadmill thinking of the rationale, I came to accept the fact that it should be a fair judgment, given the expectations that I won't be contributing this FY and that my team was a mess last year before the new boss came in. Let's see how bonus compares the rest and I'll decide on my next move. I'll expect they compensate for it next year before I rejoin the company.

WW has been pretty stressed and unmotivated at work recently. I can't think of any way to help relieve this stress permanently, unless the day comes when he can leave where he is now. How can we ever break out of this race and routine lifestyle? Is it only the weekends we can look forward to, and the sparse holidays in between? Why can't we find the spirit and motivation to look forward to everyday?

Back to the appraisal, I feel inferior comparing with peers and upset that I might be lagging a lot behind when I rejoin the company. But, perhaps as a self-consolation, I'm glad of the fact that I'll be happily settling down into marriage this year and that I have the support of WW and my family. And even though I'm struggling through this year with an extremely-difficult course, I'll come out of it a stronger, and hopefully, a more valuable person. Perhaps, there really isn't a perfect well-rounded case when you get it all. There has got to be some sacrifices for other pursues. It matters then what you prioritise as important and really will have to drop the others.

Well, it ain't always easy. Just gotta take things in your stride and laugh all the unhappy stuff off!

School starts!

2008-07-30T23:29:00.003+08:00

We had our lesson #2 today, on Corporate Finance. The first was OO Programming conducted on Mon. Going back to the 3-hrs long lectures (conducted seminar-style) was somewhat tiring and gave me a flavor of the marathon-meetings we used to have back at work. The first lesson in Corporate Finance gave us a list of 12 readings for this first lesson which span articles from the Journal of Finance to some four chapters of the recommended textbook. Tomorrow I'll be busy zapping readings and printing course materials from the NTU library. Going back to student life - reliving the nostalgia yet grounded by the fact that I'm still a corporate slave.

However, no complaints still as I'll be sun-basking away, leading the flexible and free-styled life I've yearned for!

Sneak previews

2008-07-24T22:02:00.008+08:00

Revealing...

.. photos taken by my make-up artist Sharon Tan during photo shoot yesterday. Actual studio and outdoor shoots will be ready in a month's time or so, currently under our photographer Benny Ang's fine editing.

With lovely Cymbidium orchids in hair
This is going to be the sweet simple hairdo to go with my wedding gown.
I'm willing to show only a picture of my evening gown for now, as likely I won't be wearing it for our lunch reception but only to our dinner banquet (where only relatives and perhaps my jiemeis will attend).The many months of mane-keeping has not gone to waste.
Sharon was so proud of her works that she requested me to pose for these photos.

That's all for viewing!

Witness the transformation

2008-07-21T12:27:00.004+08:00

View from the Flyer, 24 May 2008

Anticipating the rise of a new empire - the Integrated Resort and the Marina Bay Gardens.

Quiz

2008-07-21T09:00:00.000+08:00

Personality quiz taken from this link. Pretty accurate. (Tks Jun for promoting the link!)

Your view on yourself:

You are intelligent, honest and sweet. You are friendly to everybody and don't like conflict. Because you're so cheerful and fun people are naturally attracted to you and like to talk to you.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:

You are very serious about relationships and aren't interested in wasting time with people you don't really like. If you meet the right person, you will fall deeply and beautifully in love.

Your views on education

Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

The right job for you:

You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.

How do you view success:

You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go at the career you would like to have in case you don't succeed. Don't give up when you haven't yet even started! Be courageous.

What are you most afraid of:

You are afraid of having no one to rely on in times of trouble. You don't ever want to be unable to take care of yourself. Independence is important to you.

Who is your true self:

You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

Breathing in the air of freedom

2008-07-15T21:50:00.003+08:00

Since last Thu, I have been released from work and have enjoyed my days tremendously. Last Thu and Fri saw me studying hard for the Maths prep exam on Sat. After the exam I went home to pack some stuff to bring over to WW's place (for the gradual move-in) and waited for WW to come over after his work to pick me up for dinner together. WW and I spent Sunday with his family, including his elder sis, hubby and baby who went over. We also had Sunday dinner with my family, all members present. We are going to treasure this regular Sunday dinner very much, especially when I'll be moving to my new home come Jan.

With this newfound freedom at hand, I'll be catching up on my yoga sessions since I've skipped three weeks of them while busy attending Maths prep lessons. This morning I checked out the flagship Absolute Yoga studio at River Valley Point and courageously attended the session conducted in Japanese. I thought "Jap Hot C" meant a new series of Japanese-style yoga, but who would have guessed that it's an entire class of Japanese students with a Japanese instructor and lesson conducted in Japanese! Good thing the poses were not new and I could secretly blend into the class. Most of the students were married (ok, I admit I go around observing the wedding band on people's finger), probably tai-tais of the wealthy Japanese men who moved to Singapore. What good lives!

Tomorrow - my first ever facial in my life!

Lovely gift from a dear friend

2008-07-13T21:02:00.003+08:00

Thank you my dear friend, for the lovely gift for our ROM - a blanket knitted with our names. It was indeed a special gift that is filled with so much warmth. Much appreciated! :)

Mer-mer and Me

2008-07-08T09:34:00.003+08:00

When we first saw her at the pet shop, she was a messy ball of fur with slightly pitiable eyes. In comparison, the tear-drop-eyed beagle in the adjacent cage looked more adorable. Good thing (WW’s sis) saw the beauty in the fur ball and brought her home after she successfully raised sufficient money. The shop owner named her “Winter”, but we thought it was too cold a name and I suggested “Summer”. From then on, she is living in that bright and sunny name, sometimes also in various variations such as Mer-mer.

Those days when WW and family used to live temporarily in Hillside Drive, Mer-mer had to sleep in the foyer, in a moist condition given the lack of direct sunlight and plants growing at the side. Weeks after she arrived, her skin got very bad with worms eating it away. WW and sis brought her to the vet, who suggested she be put to sleep. But hey, she’s such a lovely cute puppy, how could we bear to do this to her?

It was a fortunate thing WW’s family moved soon after, to their new house which presented a much better living condition for Mer. She’s now running around the foyer most of the time, if she’s not in the cage. We will often let her into the house too.

Mer is like a mischievous little kid, running around and swerving away from you every time you try to catch her. When WW parks his car outside the house, Mer will stick her head out between the gate grills and wait patiently for us to step into the foyer. I always laugh at her and her funny actions – she does this leap like she’s flying in mid-air when hopping out of the main door to the foyer. And secretly I think she likes us to laugh at her.

She’s also a smart dog, picking up words and expressions rather quickly. (That’s why she loves me so much!) A stern “No” from WW’s dad would send her flying out of the living room, and she can even retract back into her own cage when instructed a “cage cage”. There was once I said “walk walk” to her, but went upstairs to get some stuff and left her in the living room. She was so anxious that she started whining and barking rather furiously, which was quite a rare thing. WW and I were laughing our bellies out at her. And clever of Mer to not do the same when WW tries to cheat her. She was indifferent to WW’s suggestions of a walk – so clever to see through WW.

The lovely one

Some songs simply mean so much

2008-06-18T10:14:00.000+08:00

Like New Radical’s You Get What You Give, which reminds me of the JC days spent with my fellow HnF provisional instructors – Chris, WT & Tian – hanging around in the school gym and doing our schoolwork in the study rooms. Then there’s Savage Garden’s To the Moon and Back, which brings me back to those secondary school ice-skating days with Zhou Yun and Xin. And with Martika’s Toy Soldiers, I get teleported to the VJC canteen table, listening to Stephie’s dating stories before the start of our lessons.

M2M’s Pretty Boy brings back memorable times with RH orientation folks. We were young and silly, willing to follow the regime set up by our RH seniors. I still remember that photo taken with Joan and Sher in our silly Rag Day costume.

Michelle Branch’s The Game of Love, with Santana lending the base, brings a smile to my face as that first date at the pool / billiard outlet with WW seems like only yesterday again.

Songs are so amazing. They connect our souls and entrench our memories in the various phases of our lives, forever.

Busy busy week!

2008-06-16T18:01:00.000+08:00

It’s gonna be a busy week ahead, leading to the big event of our lives!

Wed it’s going to be fun with the gers – dinner and drinks. NO SABO PLS! I need a week to recover from excessive alcohol dosage!

Thu it’s going to be lotsa running around, from buying wedding shoes at Sixth Ave (cool huh, next time I’ll use my bungalow as my home-base bakery), to collecting marriage certificate at ROM, to appointment with my lovely bridal gown designer, and lastly to the accommodative neighbourhood florist to check out her range of flowers.

Fri I still need to work half-day (good thing it’s Friday!). Will then meet Tian for nails pampering (manicure & pedicure), then to check out facial packages. You won’t believe I’ve never done a facial before. I don’t even want to start, but, this is one of the many sacrifices of a bride-to-be. Friday evening I’ll collect my hand bouquet for use during the actual solemnization on Sat morning.

Hope everything’s prepared. So many things in preparation for solemnization; can you imagine how the customary and actual day will be like? Good thing we ladies know how to soak in the happiness of this busy-ness!

真虚伪

2008-06-12T16:32:00.009+08:00

It feels demoralising every time I complete my appraisal with my sup. It’s obvious we judge work differently and I feel it’s no point doing my own grading. The outcome will be as expected. Last year, although assessed by the same sup, I had a second-level sup who recognises my work (not that the direct doesn’t, but it just isn’t reflected at all on paper) and pushes for my ranking. This year, I’m not so sure. Furthermore, I will not be of value to the team anymore since I’ll be going on my study break.

Again, I’m reminded of the fact that you have to be wa-yang, yaya at work. It no longer suffices to deliver good result, but you need to be damn proud of it and announce to the whole wide world. It’s so faked.

So, shall I put on my mighty cynical hat and hone my politicking skills during the next one year?

真虚伪

Gathering @ Feng's house

2008-06-09T22:25:00.005+08:00

We had a cosy gathering at Feng & Jason's house to celebrate Feng's bday and to chill out with some karaoke and mahjong. It was Jun's exact birthday but she was in Perth with her dear Michael. They must be happily spending time together. =) Ivan missed out the fun, but hope his tummy is okay by now!

Their hyper friendly terrier - Scruffy. She jumps onto everything - the sofa, the cushions, and us.Happy birthday Feng! One more year older!

WW adores Scruffy for she lets him flip her over without struggling.
Scruffy's busy licking away at my palm
Mr Lock & Wong Tian. Sweet little pair.

A little more than a week to go. I'm excited!

Divine Yoga

2008-06-05T15:45:00.001+08:00

This feeling is really different.

Even before the benefits of the entire yoga session are reaped, the serenity and peace of it have being felt.

When I shut out those noisy thoughts, concentrate on achieving balance and strength, and immense myself in the tranquility, my mind would go back to those young and carefree days. It was as if the time clock turned back and that the secondary school days were back. The sounds of activity outside that little quaint shop-house room became crisp and clear. The comfortable heat of the sun moderated the coldness from my earlier hours in the office. I was at peace with myself, and in that moment, felt myself lift out of the numbness of the lifestyle you call working.

That explains why I have been going for regular lunch-time yoga, once a week. This special moment of being with oneself erases the hectic two-hour rush. It is elating knowing there are more such moments to come – the relish of regained freedom.

How will it be like?

2008-05-30T11:14:00.001+08:00

Feeling lethargic these days, having slept less from the online research I’ve been doing during the nights. There’s just so much to prepare and the vast pool of information online just makes the choosing process more tedious. Not that I’m complaining though, I like looking through beautiful and sweet stuff and to soak in people’s happiness.

As the day when we’ll swear our vows to each other approaches, I’m asking myself more and more of the fundamental questions. In some ways, we’re not a pair of sticky couple who need to be with the other every other day, since we both need our personal space now and then. Thus seeing each other everyday would be a major change for both of us. Although I won’t be moving in till the customary seven months later, the idea of having to blend with each other’s lifestyle has already hit on me. Especially, when I have to live with the in-laws. I suppose no one, other than another in the same situation, would ever know understand how this experience would be. Well, sometimes I wish I don’t have to think so far. Seems like I badly need the marriage preparation course.

Thank you mama papa tian & ww!

2008-05-27T00:25:00.004+08:00

Did my trial make-up with my wedding make-up artist at home tonight. Wong Tian rushed work to come back earlier; WW dropped by despite his busy work and fatigue; Mama being the enthusiastic and beauty critic for me - I'm touched and happy to have my loved ones showing their concern for me and my wedding preps. And Papa, who usually is quite bochap about beauty and the like, popped in and took a look.

=)

累

2008-05-22T23:47:00.004+08:00

I feel tired worrying for him, wondering what is happening now and if things are fine. He must be too tired to drop me a note and may not realise I'm worrying for him. Sometimes I wish I could receive an sms or two of the positive progress rather than just the bad news.

从不知道为个人担忧也会是种累。

30 days!

2008-05-22T13:56:00.001+08:00

30 more days! The ticker has ceased counting in terms of months and it was quite a shock seeing the count down in terms of days.

Excited to think of the big commitment both WW and I are going to make to each other 30 days later. Wonder if the man is feeling the anxiety. And will I, the freedom-loving soul, fantasize of being a runaway bride on the big day? Okay, maybe not that exaggerated, but I’ll definitely feel some cold feet, as much as I look forward to the special day.

I’ve got to remind WW how soon our ROM date is now. I honestly hope he is fully and mentally prepared!

Family outing @ Henderson Waves

2008-05-19T22:50:00.006+08:00

It has been a joyous weekend, well-spent with WW and our families.

This morning we went on an early visit to 光明山 temple with WW and his family. I really have the Buddhas to thank. We then had breakfast at Bukit Timah food centre.

This afternoon my whole family and WW explored the newly-opened Henderson Waves, Hilltop Walk and Mount Faber Walk. The sun was still splendidly hot at 5ish pm, but we had a great time still and enjoyed the sunset on our way back. Next Sat we all are heading to Singapore Flyer, credits to Mama who won the tickets!

The Wong Family

So happy to have WW with us!
Me and WW on the Henderson Wave bridge
Look at Shou Bi's long and flowing hair!
Looking ahead
View from the bridge. Is it a good thing that they did away with see-through floors?

Shou Bi and WW posing away, waiting for me to capture the previous two artistic shots. Wahaha
Wong Tian and me
At Jewel Box.
Dinner at Siglap's 福林酿豆腐
Yippie

The Nan Ren's house

2008-05-13T23:01:00.005+08:00

The beautiful fountain which gives soothing water flow sounds that can be heard from WW's room.
Lovely Summer the Westie
Sneaky little one quenching its thirst at the fountain Eying her favourite food - apple

Wahaha

The sunset view at the balcony
The table, benches and chairs were WW's gifts to his family, especially to his mother as Mothers' Day gift. And I paid half the amount!

No easy task choosing a gown that pleases us both!

2008-05-12T11:29:00.002+08:00

Last Friday's tea session with the scholar potentials proved very fruitful. Their confidence rubbed onto me, which resulted in the spurt of warm air around me for the few days into the weekend.

Some of the candidates appeared to be different from what I expected from their CVs. But the two outstanding ones still shone through as promised. And I must say, the one really stood above all with her skills and experience, accomplished parallel to that of a wise adult.

During the weekend WW went with me for bridal gowns trial. I have been doing my research online and had my eyes fixed on just this one Bridal Studio - Margaret Brides - and wasted no time physically checking out others. The first visit on Sat gave us an idea of the types of wedding gowns she provides and the second visit with WW, Tian and her beau gave us a few designs to choose from. I was initially perplexed having to decide between the designs I like and the ones WW fancies. Now we haven't made the decision but I've come to a compromise since the Man has exquisitely fine taste. I trust he knows what is best for me!

I'm the Nationalist

2008-05-08T23:59:00.003+08:00

It's interesting to read the application form write-ups by the young scholar potentials. They are so full of dreams that you feel somewhat more alive simply by reading their write-ups. Again, I'm amazed at how those of that nationality fight so hard, so aggressively, to make themselves stand out. The (irritating) long essays that span an additional two pages as compared to the other four-pages application forms. The extravagant written showcase of their starling academic performance. The fierce wrestle to clinch the specials awards in school and mighty grabbing of all the A's there can be. It's like it'd kill without straight A's.

You can call me a "nationalist", I don't care. (My colleague gave me that term. I prefer to believe I'm a nationalist - the patriotic kind.) There's just this part of me which wants to yell it out loud. How am I to tolerate this when I step back into the school come July?

On Good Leadership

2008-05-06T23:01:00.002+08:00

I had a chat with a manager from another team in the organisation. And I realised the importance of good leadership in driving the members of the team in their work and in creating a strong and open culture.

A leader with a vision and the ability to drive the team to greater heights fosters unity in the team and a sharing and learning environment. With that, the people under him or her are able to find motivation, drive and passion in their work. There would not be the mundaneness and the usual dread to come to work. It seems I have not felt that passion for sometime now.

I felt happy coming out of that chat. I have the ability to push for new frontiers and to make things happen. I can see some future in my future.

From this point onwards, life will only get more exciting.

Emotions

2008-04-30T10:08:00.003+08:00

The pace at work has been quite stifling. Not that I find it hard to breathe, but because it is simply too slow! It is understandable, considering we have a new boss since the start of this year who has yet to give our team a clear direction forward. For me it isn’t so bad, I have my plans for the next half of the year, but I wonder how my teammates feel.

I’m again wondering how numbed to events I have become. I got into the course, which I thought was quite a feat given my less-than excellent mathematics results, but was not as elated as I expected upon receiving the news. Have I been taught not to harbor high hopes such that there are no expectations to match upon? Have the emotional undulations and the extremities that come with them been lost in me? Nevertheless, I have to find back the spirit of submitting and admitting to my true emotions.

Still, I feel the 1 month plus wait is kinda long. Can't wait to wear that band on my finger and to be more integral in his life!

Embarking on a new journey

2008-04-24T23:12:00.002+08:00

I'll be back to school for a year, full-time, come July this year. It's going to be very tough with a lot of brain-cracking expected, but I've committed myself to put in all my best and not give up.

Apart from my lucky stars & my supportive sis, I really have to thank WW for believing in me and giving me the reassurance. He believed in me even at times when I didn't believe in myself.

I'm going to the temple this weekend. And will do my daimuku chanting. =)

Our Wedding Bands

2008-04-22T22:28:00.003+08:00

To wear it, it requires commitment of a lifetime =)

In two months' time, it'll fit comfortably in the finger leading to my heart, being with me timelessly.

I miss my bed

2008-04-17T10:27:00.000+08:00

I have a throbbing headache since I woke up this morning. I can feel my immunity going down with the slight itchiness in my throat and with the fatigue in my body. Am listening to Chopin’s Ballade in G minor, wishing I were lying on the bed, or at the piano playing the splendid piece.

We’ve been busier making arrangements and planning for the Big Event. We bought our wedding bands, much to our great satisfaction and joy. The rings come slightly steep-priced, but its comfort and weight are incomparable. After some frustration and with WW’s sis’ help, we managed to source for a hotel ballroom for the banquet. Oh, it’s all about 排场。

In a week’s time, I will know what to do with my future.

Sit Back and Relax

Things the little one likes to do in my tummy

Preparing for baby Claire's arrival

5-7 weeks to go!

Beaten by the crowds

All the Baby Buys!

Precious time to myself

Housework issue taking a toll on me psychologically

2-year anniversary!

The days without a maid

Werner's Oven

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Christmas

In the holiday mood

MFE and Grahamies

It's a thursday

Living in the moment

Lots of negative people around

Sea gazing

Half-day leave, yippie!

All the pent up frustrations

Putting things in perspective

Wat a hiong week!

Work work work

Life's little reminders

Property bubble?

TGIF again!

Weekend is too short!

TGIF!

My iPhone keeps me happy

Blogging on the go

Little life lessons to be learnt all the time

Windy nostalgic day, which marks the end of my freedom

Back in Singapore!

Beautiful Sunday

Pittsburgh update

Blogging needs the right emotions

Mama's Recipe - 猪脚醋

Random pictures

Weekend updates (post exams!)

感触许多

Good life despite exams

Dim Sum lunch with Wong Family

CNY photos - 大年初二

Customer Service

*Cough cough*

First Chinese New Year as a wife!

家的感觉

Wedding photos - from Shou Bi's album

The day before the Big Day

过大礼 - 28 December 2008

Random

Bliss

Wedding Preps

眼色 - 林宥嘉

兜风

Day Out with Apa Ama

:)

In anticipation.. or issit pre-emption?

Weekend Roundups

The weekend ahead

同花顺

Weekend parties

Walk in the park with Mama Papa

Public holiday break

Priorities

Lazing the day away

Papa's bday & some random photos

On school and modules

Exam crunch!

My late night blogs are back!

Studying into the wee hours... back to the old times

:(

What is the definition of Success?

School starts!

Sneak previews

Witness the transformation

Quiz

Breathing in the air of freedom

Lovely gift from a dear friend

Cough cough