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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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!
Wong Tian pushing down my tummy fats.. haha. What a thin forearm she has.
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
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
