Happy Birthday Mama!

A lovely cake for you!

Give it its first cut after making your birthday wish

Mama and me (photos of Papa, Bro & Tian not included, for their privacies :p)

See how happy Mama was!

It's Mama's birthday today! Though I didn't get to knock off from work early (I left at around 830pm), partly because I was waiting for Tian to finish her yoga, we managed to get home in time for dinner and cake-cutting before everyone's stomach called it a day. Tian helped order Green Tea Bavarian cake from The Patissier while I helped collect it during lunch time at Ann Siang Hill. Good choice. Mama liked the rum-soaked raisins, the bitter chocolate layer as well as the tasty green tea sponge layer. As a bonus, there were sour grapes/berries and strawberries on top. Yummy!

We had zi cha dinner downstairs on Sunday evening to celebrate in advance, knowing how difficult it is to get all at the dining table together on a workday. I'm happy to see Mama happy, and am proud to get her what she wants (secretly so pleased to see the two purple dresses she chose at BYSI). Of course, Papa would get the same pampered treatment from us come September, though I doubt he'd want any new clothes.

I'm reminded of how fortunate I am again, to have this wonderful family supporting me all the way, providing me with moral support, strength and warmth to pull me through life. :)

Scary Singapore! (With its colony of ants)

During my swim in the morning, I kept having to swerve to avoid colliding with the swimmer in front. To think that it was around noon time, yet there were so many fellow swimmers in the pool! The little kiddos took up like 8 out of 10 lanes; the adult male swimmers clung to the pool edges to get the sun - all of these made swimming not-so-easy. Don't understand why some guys just swam straight without giving way to coming traffic and I had to be the one giving way all the time. Irritating leh. Maybe they think since there's no harm bumming into me (and take the chance to kai3 you2) and perhaps they would be happier doing so.

The nightmarish IT Show at Suntec started on Thursday. People would have thought the crowds would converge only from Friday onwards, but how wrong, as the crowds were already packing Suntec on Thursday night. It's a scary nightmare, imagine being stuck on the escalator for 10 mins!

Living in Singapore is not easy and is getting more difficult with the increase in population size without extra land to accommodate all. Can you imagine 6.5 Million population? I would have to squeeze with 1,000 others in a MRT train, fight with 30 more cars at the CTE Ang Mo Kio exit, struggle to get into whatever queue which we need to be in and swim with 100 more people in the 10-lanes pool. Help me! The only good thing I suppose, is to ride on this mass population and create some businesses to tap this colony of ants!

My half-day off

On Friday I took half a day off from work and met up with Mama Papa at Vivocity for some shopping. First up was lunch, a late one due to me being late (can't leave before 1pm leh), then to BYSI and G2000 shopping. Bought two dresses for Mama, a knit-top for office wear for myself and two shirts for Bro (he has been wearing the same three pieces to work since last month; still 4 months to go).

After shopping was a tea-break at ToastBox with steaming hot teh and kopi plus a jam-spreaded thick toast. Very yummy! There was a traditional taste to the teh, which you can hardly find now.

While Papa Mama headed for home, I set off to Tiong Bahru to wait for WW to knock off from work. The sun-loving me strolled to the park beside Tiong Bahru Plaza and set foot there for one whole hour, basking in the evening sun. I thought I could post my photos to this blog in the park itself, but ah to my dismay I realised I needed to sign up for this service with M1 first. Its $5.25 extra charge a month proved not worth it tho. So no chance to do mobile blogging, boo.

Walking behind Tiong Bahru Plaza, beside PSB Academy

Wah the glaring sun shining into my eyes. But I like.

Tiong Bahru Park - neighbourhood parks are the best!

Looking towards the direction of Gan Eng Seng school

Struggling to keep my eyes open. Bright sun!

Quite a handful of joggers behind me sweating out. I also sweated.. while sitting on this bench reading my book with the sunshine on my face!

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Yesterday was a day out with WW and his mum and sis. We went first to 40HSD house they're going to move into next week (and staying for the next half year), then to another high-end condo, The Imperial, his bro-in-law purchased. It's damn cool. Aspires me to strive smart and hard to earn the opportunity for such luxuries. People these days sure know how to enjoy life.

Critising the media's language standards

“Some 390,000 – or 48 per cent of Singaporeans and Permanent Residents below the age of 20 – have no MediShield coverage. In contrast, 86 per cent of those aged between 21 and 60 are insured.”

What contrast is this? 48% NO coverage versus 86% with coverage – I don’t see this as a direct comparison/contrast. Wouldn’t it be clearer to say 52% versus 86%? Furthermore, does their “insured” refer to MediShield insurance?

Cover page leh. Can they have better English standards?

I've been spending $$

And the latest big-item spend was on this! Sony Ericsson k618i, along with M1 broadband plan which ties me down for half a year and other accessories that come with it. A coincidence that my old phone was bought just 1 day less than a year before this one mobile phone. Yesterday I went shopping for clothes too and spent $116 on 3 tops. Am I too deprived or what?


These few weeks I've seen quite a lot of commotion, big or small, in the office. There had been arrows flying around (reminds me of Just Follow Law, funny) but luckily none was hitting on me (perhaps coz I'm too small a fry). There were emails on a team lead who failed to exercise diligence on his execution work and another chain of emails on the quality of work produced by our consultants. Sometimes I wonder why we have to go to this extent? Also, does it mean the louder you are, the more likely you'll win? Another propelling reason why the corporate world is not a place to be, especially when you're higher up there.

Been rather busy, both with work and with after-work activities. Last Wed I jioed WW out for movies after work and I was happy I made the move. After all we hardly meet during the weekdays, but I thought if not now, then when? Do what you want to do soon, if not now, or there may be another chance.

Hot Wheels

Recently I've been eyeing this cutesy sports version of Swift, specifically the white one. Am also thinking of getting a Coach handbag.

It's good to have a dream(s). Makes you strive harder in life to achieve it (them).

Return to the Beautiful Land - ?

I was on the phone with WW just now and he reminded me of a dream we both have - to visit beautiful Switzerland (Schweiz) once again. It's been quite a while..

Dream a little Dream

This morning on my way to work, I was wondering, yet again, what is the purpose of work and all and if I needed to break out of this cycle. I realised that everyday at work, it's the same routine and the same drowning in the midst of being busy. If I don't stop a beat to dream my dream, I may just lose my ambition and cease to harbour the hopes of pursuing for something bigger.

We need an inspiration. Everyday.

Today mine is the above. The lovely Country Park condominium which I will pass by every morning of a working day. The name spells it all; a truly country feeling deduced from its architecture and layout. I want to own my own home in time to come, treating myself to the freedom I enjoy so much. Sometimes I can be there on my own, thinking my thoughts, doing my little things.

Unspoken Love

夜

夜更了，令你不想睡。
已多时，差些不记起。
这感觉，该何描述？

Happy Birthday, WW

祝 WW 生日快乐！

It was a simple date over Muddy Mud Pie and Hazelnuttae at CoffeeClub, Holland Village. It spun less than 2 hours, but I was glad I made the right choice. Which other better day, than the day itself, to celebrate?
I sent via snail-mail a sweet birthday card which reached him promptly. (Tks postman.) There was a separate credit card-sized card for him, to add on to the collection in his wallet. Then a yellow Lacoste polo shirt (subtly to break his chain of pink shirts) as a birthday pressie.

简单是快乐！

恭喜发财！

The Wong Family (with Fluffy in too!)

My clever cousins - Weijie & Ziqi. Mama was actually quite proud of my PSLE record which Ziqi didn't break but managed to level with according to her own PSLE scores.

拜年 at my cousin's place. Posh, classy and upmarket condo that costs up to $5 million!

Fluffy in her new year clothes. She was sniffing away at the kueh lapis, egg rolls and pineapple tarts on the low coffee table. Greedy!

The past two days were a breeze with house-visits and us gorging on new year goodies (for me, more like mousing on the corners of pineapple tarts, kueh lapis and kueh bulohs). This year's house-visits were shortened significantly with my dad's side of extended family overseas. With that, our ang pow money has reduced significantly as compared to last year's too! Boohoo. Yesterday I went to WW's place to 拜年 and to help out a little in preparing the food for a big gathering with his dad's relatives. It was quite a lot of work for his parents, toiling away to get all the dishes done. Sweat!

Glad today is a holiday as they say, you shouldn't work on the 3rd day of the Chinese New Year as it would signify you slogging away at work for the rest of the year. Yippie, freedom is bliss!

My favourite restaurant

Check out Werner's Oven at East Coast Road (Siglap). I like the sausages and the muesli breadroll (at the bakery connected via a door), especially. And not to forget their pumpkin soup. Yummy!

Sparked Thoughts

新年快乐，恭喜发财！

It's a happy occasion, but my mind couldn't help but to think far ahead.

Is it really not within control? How can things be still the same? Why are humans created this way?

But, I take solace in knowing, deep down, that it is highly unlikely for us. That, I do have some confidence.

Woo touched beyond words

Cute moo-moo bday card. Nee, the pig-lover, actually finds the moo more an oink.

Two of my dear friends in the company - JY & YN (Note: J wasn't in the picture)

Oh no! How did they know.. again? :) Exactly what I've wanted.

The pinkish-white tulips starting to wither. Beauty may not be long-lasting; appreciate it while it lasts.

The sweet ladies gave me a belated present (combined) today, but it’s not belated without a good reason. It was a unique piece specially shipped from overseas, specifically and delicately chosen (through prompting questions I failed to uncover) and as a result, was of a design and colour I like best. Tks ladies!

WW and I didn’t meet up on Valentine’s Day but instead I went for a power run with my kakis along Esplanade and Marina Promenade while WW was doing a house-check then home. Being the unconventional couple, we intend to take a separate day to celebrate instead of the day itself. I remember either last year or the year before, we went out for dinner on Valentine’s Day and after seeing many ladies with roses in their hands, I felt envious and wanted one too. I started feeling sour and it didn’t help that the food at the restaurant was slow and not tasty. In all, it kinda spoilt the day and mood for us. So, better not meet on that day itself to spare ourselves of having to meet unusual expectations. Good thing WW salvaged the day then with handmade roses that, up to this day, are still on my dressing table and office workstation respectively.

Kite-flying!

Basking in sunshine at East Coast Park

Our almighty kite flew over our heads, above the coconut trees and into the skies with the clouds above

Entanglement of its strings in the tree limited its soar

After we cut off the string, our poor kitie did its sashay into the open seas. Irretrievable, boohoo.

Uber good weather yesterday, the kind we have missed so much as it was raining over the weekends for many weeks before this. WW and I took the opportunity to go for some sun and fun, at ECP kite-flying. The wind was erratic, swinging our colourful kite from right to left, from above the big tree to the free space above the grass. The result was the entanglement of the strings in the branches when our kite dropped to slightly below the tree-top level. We had no choice but to cut the strings as even the strong winds could not free it. Thus, bye-bye to our colourful one, into the big wide seas!

My (Our) Day

J&J had this beautiful pot of tulips (and other smaller flowers) sent to office and I was so cheerful hopping to the reception floor to pick it up. Tks! That made my (special) day even more special!

I did something special on my special day, and then went to 四马路观音庙to pray for good health for my loved ones. Dinner was Sakae Sushi at home (we ordered delivery service) with the whole family, including Henry. Glad mama papa shoubi liked the meal in general, though they didn't quite like sashimi. WW could not join us early but I still had the pleasure to cook him 爱心面when he came over later in the night. Despite his tired day at work, he still made the efforts to come down. 感动！

The Soft Side

Last night while on MSN, three of my guy friends logged on sequentially and all of them had pictures of them and their girlfriends as MSN profile pictures. I was kinda surprised as I thought guys wouldn’t like showcasing their couple photos (at least WW doesn’t.) On this aspect, I think I’m quite a private person as I hardly display pictures of WW and I. Maybe I should post more of our photos (then get chided by WW, heh). Or is it really that men now are being more in touch with their feminine (soft) side?

Romance, Fun and Laughters

Yesterday was an eventful day, one of romance, friendships and laughter.

Tian and I made our way to Ritz Carlton for Feng and Jason’s ROM solemnisation ceremony cum hi-tea buffet. This was indeed one of its kind; an invitation for hi-tea at a hotel. Thus, the good food, smooth arrangements and good service from the beverage and food crew. Happy for Feng and Jason and wishing them a blissful and happy marriage. Treasure and respect your partner in a marriage and you two will go far =)

I’m not a person of details, but I noted the little arrangements such as the rose arrangements – white and red ones – on the flower stands and the baskets on the tables. Their invites were nicely done too (hoho, we got them only yesterday) with a white lace across the card (ok, I’m a sucker for lace) and unique fonts. The ceremony itself was rather short of less than 15 minutes. When Feng was giving her thank-you speech at the end of the ceremony, tears swamped to her eyes and she couldn’t help but shed a tear or two. I was on the verge of dropping a tear too. These days I’m weak, no longer the strong me in younger days where I won’t ever shed a tear. Feng must had a lot of strong emotions then, when giving thanks to her parents. Hee, her mum, on the converse, chided her good-heartedly on being so emotional. Her mama is one happy-go-lucky woman.

Before we all left, it was the bouquet-throwing session. The eligible ladies were in a row, with the eligible guys behind. Most of the ladies were from the 姐妹党, while the guys were from the 兄弟党。The first threw yielded no results coz no one wanted to catch the bouquet, but I got it the second throw as Tian and Xianhe stepped one step aside! But you can’t let the flowers drop to the floor so many times, quite paiseh one, right? Heh, but it was shiok catching flowers.. free roses after all :P

The sisters helping out - Xianhe, Jun, me and Tian

The newly-wed - Jason & Jayce

Me and my flowers, hee

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At night it was celebration time. A dinner and drinking session to celebrate three’s birthday – GM, Peng and me! Wah, it was a well-planned night-out with lotsa efforts from the organizers. Thanks lots to my buddies, the gang – Joyce, JY and Nee. Couldn’t thank them more for the thoughtfulness and friendships. I had a jolly happy time, especially in the company of great friends and close colleagues. (Actually I don’t see them as colleagues, but more of friends.)

Dinner at Da Paolo, Club Street, with my dear friends. Tks to the ladies for the efforts, the planning and the thoughtfulness. They even ordered black squid ink pasta which I had been craving for.

We proceeded to Brewerkz for drinking. Joyce, the lady in black, ordered red wine, champagne and a jug of ale. And they had lemon cheesecake to celebrate our birthdays; they understand me so well. In the photo - GM, Joyce, Peng and Wendy

Me, Joyce & Peng

Me with the ladies who understand me so well. Nee, I realised all your photos were either: black-mouthed with squid ink, with your hands covering your face, or us pulling your hair. Will post a photo of dear Nee later when I get the photos from the other cameras!

The Perfect Weather

It presented itself this evening, during my jog along Esplanade and Marina Promenade. The planetary obit has changed, causing the sun to “descend” at a later time than a few weeks ago. We could see the yellow-orange graduation in the skies amidst the Supreme Court and tall office buildings and feel the warm rays beating down on our sweaty bodies and faces. I was thinking to myself, what a perfect weather, and wanted to jump up in joy. Ah, the endorphins surge, the sweeping breeze, the enveloping sunrays. There couldn’t be a more exhilarating moment!

On another note, I saw two metrosexuals (guys) on the MRT last night. Both were in singlets, looked like they were just out of the gym and had big big bags. One had a Prada, the other a very big Coach bag. They had developed pectorals (viewed from the back) and must have done a lot of pumping. I couldn't help but wonder.. are they gays? (Ok, I know suaku me shouldn't stereotype.) Wanted to peep at their faces but didn't have the chance to. I seriously think they spend more money than I do and take care of their skin more seriously than me! My guy colleague who frequents the gym says it's urban-sexual. But nevertheless, it's eye candy!

Recount Recall. Reminiscence

Does it mean one is getting old when he/she keeps recalling fond past memories? Recounting the days of freedom, the young life full of energies, the many first experiences. Listening to old songs that used to play and repeat over and over again, refreshing in the mind those moments that come with these melodies and lyrics. We could never rewind the hands of time, but one never knew that it could be such a heart pain.

Oh Old Granny.

Why is it that some places do not change even after a decade or longer? It's somewhat unfair, we humans age and deteriorate in health, yet some of these places or buildings stand strong and tall. Where is the constant?

The smell of new books

I like.

Placing my sweater with the new German books gives it a special kind of fragrance. One which I used to sniff at, in the way a dog sniffs at rib bones, in my younger days. Naturally, when smelling my sweater now, I recall the carefree days of childhood. We used to treat new books with much care, making sure the pages were not folded and the corners not dog-eared. We took pride in keeping our books good as new till the end of the school term. It’s cute how little kids how much treasure their stuff.

Bro is starting his half-year contract work tomorrow at his previous NS unit – Traffic Police. He was telling me of his intention to buy a motorbike at the end of next month when he gets his paycheck. I think Mama will freak out at his decision. What will be her next course of action? To sell our flat, downgrade to a smaller one, and use the difference to buy a car for my Bro? Hope not coz we gotta let Bro take some hardship and go through the tormenting experience of travelling 1.5 hours on public transport. Wahaha, quite an agony.

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nottozlady’s wishlist:
- Mega strong hair-dryer (but not super hot in case my hair gets burnt)
- Shawl for use in office

Cool Dool SBS Transit

Coz it has a real-time feature online to check out how long more the next bus will take to come! Just key in the bus number and the bus stop number (best is you have this checked out and memorised) and you have the number of minutes before the arrival of the next bus. Yeppie, doesn't this tie in with wireless@SG?

And I actually trust SBS Transit to bring me places, from my house to wherever I need to go. Their bus guide online is getting really intelligent, often providing the best option which I would take a long long time to figure out by checking out a hardcopy bus guide. The next thing to improve on would be the conditions of their buses. Some are really damn old, smelly and lurking with cockroaches. Or perhaps they would bid for the premium bus service?

For now, I'm lucky to have the private bus fetch me to work every morning. The friendly bus uncle waves and smiles to us every morning and gives us a warm greeting to start the workday. The fast bus speeds down wide roads and even the East Coast Park Expressway, sending us to our office on time. We get promised seats and I can comfortably chop the whole 2-seater place for myself (one for my bag[s] or for placing my leg[s] up, wahaha) without caring about public eyes. And the best part is the scenery which includes rows of private houses *dream*, greenery and cars on the highway. Oh and not to forget the Sheares bridge with its splendid view of Fullerton and CDB. All in the glow of the morning sun.

What a joy!

The power of waving

This morning at the gantry at my office lift lobby, I waved enthusiastically to a colleague in Data Centre (now under HP) and three others (two Security Guards and the CEO’s chauffeur) nearby waved or smiled back. Haha. No wonder they say good service starts with me.

Funny comic strip. But I don’t fully understand the emotions of those being called to the Iraq war (or any other war for that matter) or those who are currently in it but have no timeline for pullout. But even through imagination, we could envision how horrible it would feel for one to head down such a desperate path. If only there were no war in this world.

Emotions are a strange thing

learning always

Been a hectic weekend!

Tks to WW for bearing it through with me. I was extremely short-fused and threw my temper or became irritable a few times, but eventually there was WW to cool me down and in the midst, taught me some life lessons which I had forgotten as time went back.

His parents’ shop had their soft launch yesterday and I was down to help out, especially in teaching them to use the point-of-sales system which I myself was touching for the first time. Everything was okay, their parents willing to learn albeit slowly, except for the fact that I couldn’t let go of the notion of getting my freedom. Being the bird I am, restrictive situations make me uncomfortable and I value my weekends too much. Our generation did not go through those 5.5 work-day weeks and never quite knew what it meant to work 24/7.

There are so much more to say. But as usual, I let work tie me down and rob my precious sleeping time away. That’s why my man has a very valid reasoning to this: do not hold on too strongly to reasons derived from emotions but to convince yourself based more on logic and rationality. But it’s easy to say, hard to do, for me. Tell me to not think what will happen if I get insufficient sleep, to not keep harping on not getting to do the things I’ve decided to do (coz I just want to do and feel like doing them), to not put so much pressure and discipline on myself. Alas, I wish to be more bochup and were able to let go of things.

Ah. Why is life such a never-ending learning lesson?

ZzZz... I need you

I need my sleep!

Been working in a nodding donkey style since I sat on my recliner two hours ago. Why can't I get my after-working-hours freedom? :(

Hiong jogging = hungry stomach the next day

Ah, very hungry!

Me ran a good 52 minutes with my kaki BS last evening, from office at Raffles Quay to Esplanade and Marina Promenade. One month plus’ absence and a lot have changed! There is now a platform terrace under construction which looks like it can house say 1,000 people and a concrete platform on the waters. But due to the construction, we had to run an external ring by the side of the main road beside Marina Square. There meant lotsa fumes and dust flying onto our faces and into our poor lungs! The run was good though, especially since I had not run that long a distance in such a long period. But then again, what is my 52 minutes compared with BS’ 52 km? =P

Yeah Me a Taalent!

I'm a Talent!

You're a risk-taker, and you follow your passions. You're determined to take on the world and succeed on your own terms. Whether in the arts, science, engineering, business, or politics, you fearlessly express your own vision of the world. You're not afraid of a fight, and you're not afraid to bet your future on your own abilities. If you find a job boring or stifling, you're already preparing your resume. You believe in doing what you love, and you're not willing to settle for an ordinary life.

Talent: 62%
Lifer: 26%
Mandarin: 46%

Take the Talent, Lifer, or Mandarin quiz.

Interesting Fact

That fruits which turn brown when damaged do not contain Vitamin C; the converse is true.

From Sparks of Genius: The 13 Thinking Tools of the World’s Most Creative People

Yoga Time!

Cheers, 30BD!

I have stopped exercising for slightly more than a week due to the strain on my waist muscle and just can’t wait to get my body stretching and sweating again. This evening together with Tian, I’m heading towards Yogaffinity for a hot hot session, yeah! Just gotta make sure I don’t overstretch my body while doing that tree pose and aggravate my slight injury. Always looking forward to the meal after the workout too. This time I suppose it will be Amoy Food Centre with its late night zi cha or fish soup. (Now I tend to relate having meals at that place at night to the little kitty which uneventfully got into WW car’s way that night two weeks ago.)

The Million-dollar Question

Mama asked me when I am going to get married. I don't have the answer, and again, can't see anything clear on the plans ahead. Does he have the answer?

hohoho

Catching up with the ladies

Life is full of twists and what has not come physically into your hands could just slip away. *pray*

Today caught up with the fine ladies – Steph, Sophia & Fang – together with their partners and a cutie little baby Josh. We had diverse topics to talk about and it’s nice to know that now with each in different occupations, we are able to help each other out using our expertise. These ladies and their spouses/boyfriend are all willing to share at anytime.

During the lunch, we passed Josh around trying to carry him. It was my first time carrying such a small baby and I guess my hold wasn’t quite proper. But it was fun with the little on my lap, with him half staring intently at someone or something and half stoning in space. Soon we’ll be able to carry Sophia’s little one. =)

Another one

2 Jan 07, PM and night – strong – stress thinking about going back to work?
3 Jan 07, PM and night – strong – back to work stress
8 Jan 07, late AM – strong – no idea?
10 Jan 07, PM – light and fleeting – no idea?
12 Jan 07, wee hours – building up – lack of sleep (why am I still blogging?)
14 Jan 07 - 12 plus pm - gradually building up - too much sleep (?)

The prawn noodles from VJC

When the weather gets very cold and I need some hot food to warm my body up, my mind thinks of the prawn noodles from VJC. Those days in VJ, we looked forward to the steamy hot bowl of prawn noodles with thick yellow noodles, with its tasty soup, to take away our coldness and boredom from attending lessons. The fact that almost all our class girls had the noodles together made the feeling even more heartwarming. Wonder if the prawn noodles stall is still around.

Last night was my first German lesson at Goethe Institut at Penang Road. Though I left the office at 6 dot, I still couldn’t make punctually for lesson. But can’t blame me, their lesson starts at 615pm. It was a big class of around 24, with a mix of working adults and students. There was a Muslim, a Pilipino and a China Chinese, I think (don’t call me a discriminator, wahaha). Diversity. Class was quite fun with interactions between students and teachers and three hours didn’t seem as long as it was. Feels good taking the first step towards my dream!

Headaches and me

For those who know, I’m one who keeps logs and records, and more than one of them. It started with diary in younger days, which was quite common among young girls given the temptations of sweet pastel diary books. That habit of jotting down daily events (in brief) stayed on till now. Then came the need to record daily expenses, to count calories and so on

All these recording takes up easily a good half hour or more a week. What value does it have? One may not know yet.

Now I’m thinking to start another log – the headache log. Since secondary school days, headaches started to be with me, but it was then a less frequent occurrence. However, these days especially since being a white-collared worker, headaches tend to come much more frequently and ad-hoc. Last time there could a pattern; now it is sporadic. Especially since two months back, I have been getting these “regular” headaches hitting on me about once every two days. I thought it would be good to record the dates and/or times down. As said, one may not know yet its value.

*drumroll*

2 Jan 07, PM and night – strong – stress thinking about going back to work?
3 Jan 07, PM and night – strong – back to work stress
8 Jan 07, late AM – strong – no idea?
10 Jan 07, PM – light and fleeting – no idea?
12 Jan 07, wee hours – building up – lack of sleep (why am I still blogging?)

Oki, zz time. Then perhaps less headaches!

Oh, by the way, these few days are indeed happy days. WW and family have made a major change, which I believe will lead to much greater and grander things. At work, there was exciting, though half-baked, news at the start of the week too. And our half-year results were splendid! Last FY’s full-year profits were $188M, and this first half FY is already edging to records levels, with $156M half-year profits. Bigger bonus come September? Heh heh heh

Let's brew a thick rich soup

It's 1230am and I've just finished some work I brought home. This is supposed to be only the 5th working day of the year and everyone has their engine very warmed up! Work is starting to swamp again!

But the start of this year brought some good news. Now it's only starting to brew up, till the soup is almost ready for serve and I'll hopefully be let off to another happy land! Yippie!

But for the next half year, gotta work hard coz more work is definitely coming in. Oh no~!

Daddy Mummy 万岁！

It’s gonna be more self-fulfillment with more activities lined up from next week onwards. In fact, it seems like 2007 promises more returns and hopefully, will bring me a step closer to my dream.

I’ve decided to take up German language classes and lessons are on every Thu evening, 615 – 930pm. I’ll definitely confirmed be late! Wahaha. There was no choice; I had to take around half hour to go down from my office. And how many times ever have I left the office at 6pm sharp? For jogs at Esplanade perhaps it’s okay, but to have me pack my bag and be ready to leave, that will take some time. But always, better late than never. =P

Next week meeting some friends – Steph, Sophia & Fang. If possible, I’ll be meeting Feng Gang as well to help out Feng in her wedding arrangements. So fast!! In less than a month she’ll be married to the guy who loves and adores her so much. Lucky Feng =)

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My persistent cough had died down a little earlier the week before, but was back in greater force late last week. I blame it on the cold air-conditioning at workplace. With such a condition, how can one recover completely? Then my headache was back very frequently since Dec last year. It won’t go away easily as a nap or proper sleep doesn’t help. Usually will need to pop 2 panadols for some good relief. Sometimes I wonder if there’s something wrong up in my brain.. hmm hmm.

To help treat my cough, Daddy started cooking black beans with ginger soup for me. He even wanted to help brew the soup for me tomorrow morning before I head off to work, and that’s a whopping early hour of 6 plus am! Daddy 万岁！I recalled those days while we were very young, we got to eat yummy breakfast prepared by Daddy every morning. Some days it was French toast, some days half-boiled eggs and other days bread with butter and sugar, peanut butter or nutella. Ah, I miss Daddy’s breakfast. Now I only have an apple and a slice of bread on most days, while some days I eat at the coffeeshop downstairs, having teh and red bean pancake.

Daddy Mummy are the best!

STI Record High

As expected, STI broke 3000 points. If we had bought its shares 2 years back, we would have reaped quite some profits by now. Wishing this year an even better one than last year, and a sound and stable economy!

Wishing all a bountiful 2007

(My current desktop background)

What matters is the returns you get at the end of the day, be it experience, lessons learnt or accomplishments. I wish 2007 is yet another year of happy moments, rich life experiences and most importantly, good health, to all.

This year is going to be a busier one for me, with possible commitments such as taking up German, volunteering as well as working towards my goal and happiness. By the mid-year point, I would like to have found another starting ground. Yoga is here to stay, and I will have to cut back on jogging to go long distances only on alternate weeks and making up for them with shorter 3+ km runs in 西瓜公园during the weekends.

Also, I resolve to catch up more with friends, including some colleagues from other departments whom I’ve previously been lazy to call up. To save more money, spending them on gifts for others than for myself. To care more about health and beauty, noting that dressing up and making up are essential to ladies, especially those who are passing beyond the fine young age of 25.

Another cycling trip.. on the last day of 2006

It was the last day of 2006, and I thought of doing something I truly enjoy to end off the year on a happy note. So there I was, (not-so) early in the morning fresh and bright, all ready for my cycling trip to East Coast Park (ECP)!

Eyes still puffy, but eager to get started

On the way! Passing by siglap park connector, towards ECP

One of the nice big houses along the park connector. Someday I'm going to own one of such. Heh

View of ECP from my table at CoffeeBean. Was there for breakfast and I almost couldn't tahan anymore on the way there. Stomach was growling loudly for breakfast while I was heavily paddling away.Muesli Parfait and tea, my favourite CoffeeBean breakfast of all times. :)

Later that afternoon, I was off to meet WW and was taking bus 15 and bus 51 to Margaret Drive. Had not been taking such long bus journeys and I was not quite used to them. Luckily WW came and hijacked my bus halfway, or else my butt would be totally numb. After teh, popiah and you tiao at Margaret Drive food centre, we went for a game of billiards at West Coast Recreational Centre. That got my interest in snooker stirred up again and I wanted more. But at the speed we're going (50 mins for a game), we had to stop at one. Heh.

The countdown to 2007 was a simple but very pleasant one. WW and I had dinner at his place with his Dad, then we played cards with his mum. Nearing midnight, we washed up and waited till a few minutes to 2007 to play the fire sparklers I brought over. We could hear the fireworks in the skies (but couldn't see them) and the cheers and screams once the new year approached. WW's neighbour, the wealthy Indian (we presumed), was celebrating with a whole group of yuppies - the modern Indians who like partying oh-so-much.

Partying at countdown events sound fun to me and sometimes I imagine how happening it would be dancing and drinking away. But at the end of the day, I would still prefer being at the comfort of my own or WW's house or neighbourhood, in my slacko shorts and sleeveless top with a no-make-up face, jumping around like the little kid I am.