We were running a bit late after lunch ‘cos we were busy chit-chatting, and were making our way back up to the office from the canteen, when DD suddenly whispered “老板在后面”. Simultaneously, the four of us quickened our footsteps (we were literally running) until we made it into the lift, pressed our floor and jabbed the door close button until the door closed. When it finally did, we looked at each other, and just burst out laughing…
What a way to keep the adrenaline pumping…
Monday, December 22, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
The case of the “automatic” bifold door
Tonight marks my first night sleeping alone in my new house, and in my master bedroom too. (Previous two nights we slept on the balcony ‘cos I was complaining of the solvent/paint smell in the master bedroom).
It was midnight and I was getting ready to turn in for the night. I shut the bifold door that leads to the toilet, shut the room door, and turned off the lights. Less than 5 min after my head hit the pillow, my bifold door which was already shut, opened, then shut again…
For those who are not familiar with bifold doors, they are doors that open and close from the middle, kind of like an accordion. Naturally when it open and shut “automatically” I was freaked out… doors aren’t supposed to open and shut by themselves! Are there ghosts in my brand new house? Or worse, an unknown intruder?
Faced with all those nagging thoughts and pointless worrying, I had trouble falling asleep, and even when I finally did, I didn’t sleep well, and woke up feeling very lethargic this morning.
Sigh… I just hope this is a one-off thing, and not signify anything ominous…
It was midnight and I was getting ready to turn in for the night. I shut the bifold door that leads to the toilet, shut the room door, and turned off the lights. Less than 5 min after my head hit the pillow, my bifold door which was already shut, opened, then shut again…
For those who are not familiar with bifold doors, they are doors that open and close from the middle, kind of like an accordion. Naturally when it open and shut “automatically” I was freaked out… doors aren’t supposed to open and shut by themselves! Are there ghosts in my brand new house? Or worse, an unknown intruder?
Faced with all those nagging thoughts and pointless worrying, I had trouble falling asleep, and even when I finally did, I didn’t sleep well, and woke up feeling very lethargic this morning.
Sigh… I just hope this is a one-off thing, and not signify anything ominous…
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The first night
So the house’s pretty much done, just needs a lot of cleaning (the floor still feels dusty somehow, even though TJ and I have mopped it like twice, and we took like 3 hrs cleaning the grills and windows…)
But it’s all good, so in order to force ourselves to take further action, both TJ and I “moved in” to our new house, which currently is still not equipped with a study table (to put the PC on), no bed, no dining table, no sofa, no coffee table (we have a temporary one though)
So TJ and I will be sleeping on Seahorse mattress and sofa bed (respectively). And these are as hard as wood (quote the Seahorse tagline). It is a lot more convenient for me to get to work, but somehow last night I didn’t sleep well, probably due to the hard bed and unfamiliar environment… but it’s all good… We just need to clean the place a few more times, bring more stuff over to make it more liveable, slowly purchase more items of furniture (sorry we still can’t entertain requests for housewarming parties) ‘cos of the lack of stuff and the persistent smell of paint/solvents that somehow only I can detect.
Yippee I love my new house!
But it’s all good, so in order to force ourselves to take further action, both TJ and I “moved in” to our new house, which currently is still not equipped with a study table (to put the PC on), no bed, no dining table, no sofa, no coffee table (we have a temporary one though)
So TJ and I will be sleeping on Seahorse mattress and sofa bed (respectively). And these are as hard as wood (quote the Seahorse tagline). It is a lot more convenient for me to get to work, but somehow last night I didn’t sleep well, probably due to the hard bed and unfamiliar environment… but it’s all good… We just need to clean the place a few more times, bring more stuff over to make it more liveable, slowly purchase more items of furniture (sorry we still can’t entertain requests for housewarming parties) ‘cos of the lack of stuff and the persistent smell of paint/solvents that somehow only I can detect.
Yippee I love my new house!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Sense of Accomplishment
This year TJ and I made a pact to live healthier, and we signed up for gym, and I'm proud to say we've been pretty disciplined with regards to exercise.
So when yun asked if we wanted to join in the Standard Chartered Marathon (10km lah) of couse we gave it a shot.
I have bad knees which are aggravated by running, and TJ claims that he "runs very slow one", but we went ahead.
It was interesting and exciting at the same time, to be on the MRT at 6am and seeing a whole train full of people dressed in the same blue running tee all psyched up to run later. And it was more madness at the start point! Note to self: to stand out from the crowd, do not wear blue next year.
Before this, the longest I ran was about 1hr in East Coast Park (I didn't really know how far I ran) and it made my knees pretty painful, so I was worried. To avoid killing my knees, I set myself a target: to run as far as my knees will take me, then walk the rest of the way...
It was a good run, pretty good weather, and my knee didn't start to hurt until maybe 1km from the finish line. And I came in at a pretty respectable time of 1hr 19min. For the first time in a long while, I set myself a target, and managed to achieve it... And I totally enjoyed the process, and the sense of accomplishment I felt after the whole race...
It was such fun that I jokingly told TJ that I want to complete a marathon in my lifetime, hopefully before I turn 30! So we'll see how it goes, maybe next year I'll sign up for the half marathon...
So when yun asked if we wanted to join in the Standard Chartered Marathon (10km lah) of couse we gave it a shot.
I have bad knees which are aggravated by running, and TJ claims that he "runs very slow one", but we went ahead.
It was interesting and exciting at the same time, to be on the MRT at 6am and seeing a whole train full of people dressed in the same blue running tee all psyched up to run later. And it was more madness at the start point! Note to self: to stand out from the crowd, do not wear blue next year.
Before this, the longest I ran was about 1hr in East Coast Park (I didn't really know how far I ran) and it made my knees pretty painful, so I was worried. To avoid killing my knees, I set myself a target: to run as far as my knees will take me, then walk the rest of the way...
It was a good run, pretty good weather, and my knee didn't start to hurt until maybe 1km from the finish line. And I came in at a pretty respectable time of 1hr 19min. For the first time in a long while, I set myself a target, and managed to achieve it... And I totally enjoyed the process, and the sense of accomplishment I felt after the whole race...
It was such fun that I jokingly told TJ that I want to complete a marathon in my lifetime, hopefully before I turn 30! So we'll see how it goes, maybe next year I'll sign up for the half marathon...
Friday, December 05, 2008
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Moved
Early morning read
As much as she suffered during the last few hours of her life, her ordeal is now over and I know she’s moved on to a much better place…
But for the living, life goes on, and his love for her moves me… I hope that all those who love her will be strong, remember for her kindness and sweet smile, and be proud of her bravery…
As much as she suffered during the last few hours of her life, her ordeal is now over and I know she’s moved on to a much better place…
But for the living, life goes on, and his love for her moves me… I hope that all those who love her will be strong, remember for her kindness and sweet smile, and be proud of her bravery…
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Object of Contention
Recently TJ and I have been having many discussions about of all things, soap. This is the subject of our many discussions.
He loves it, but I think it smells very auntie, even his father refuses to use the same soap because of its auntie smell…
The compromise? He can continue using the remaining 5 bars but once they are used up, he can no longer buy them.
Yet another day in the chronicles of the Lim household.
He loves it, but I think it smells very auntie, even his father refuses to use the same soap because of its auntie smell…
The compromise? He can continue using the remaining 5 bars but once they are used up, he can no longer buy them.
Yet another day in the chronicles of the Lim household.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Resolutions
Ok it’s a tad bit early to come up with New Year Resolutions (only 37 days to 2009 *gasp*) but I’m going to start with my list of resolutions anyway… here goes…
1) Track my expenses more carefully
Yes, I’ve been working for a couple of years now, but yet I’ve never really gotten down to tracking my expenses carefully. It’s not like I’m a spendthrift, I do save every month, and have enough to spare for holidays to pay up my debts etc. and have a decent amount stashed up, but that is dwindling rapidly into the vast debt hole known as the “New Home” and I’m already looking at absorbing losses from the wedding dinner to be held next year, no thanks to the recession.
With the recession and all, I’m thankful that I still have my job even though it still sucks, but at least every month I have a fixed income to rely on and the job stability isn’t all that bad…
To achieve my expense tracking, I’ll have to end up spending more money (to get a nice 2009 organizer to track daily expenses) but it’ll be worth it. No more impulse buys and I (will try) to online shop less (I hope)
2) To improve my standards of English and Mandarin
While packing my stuff to move house early this year, I was flipping through my old assignments in JC/Uni days, and was amazed by how “smart” I was. Seriously, I look back and have no idea how I managed to do all those integration/differentiation, write decent essays for economics, memorize and replicate the complicated organic chem. mechanisms, teach a class of year 1 students how to do lab experiments, conduct research and write a paper that really makes sense for my FYP…
I was relating this to a colleague during our long bus ride home the other day, and he was lamenting about the same thing, about how he feels he has to dumb-down his standard of English to fit his colleagues (I was kind of ticked off at this conversation but shall not go into it).
Feel like all that I’ve learnt in school has gone to waste because I’m not applying any part of it in my job, and I’ve also lost the urge to want to improve myself by studying further, which is kind of a waste… So I’m going to take the small step of improving my language standards by speaking and writing proper English and Mandarin, simply because this is the easiest to start off with, and borrowing more intellectual reading material from the library to read on my long bus rides so my time is better utilized.
And I resolve to keep my resolutions too… Wish me luck!
1) Track my expenses more carefully
Yes, I’ve been working for a couple of years now, but yet I’ve never really gotten down to tracking my expenses carefully. It’s not like I’m a spendthrift, I do save every month, and have enough to spare for holidays to pay up my debts etc. and have a decent amount stashed up, but that is dwindling rapidly into the vast debt hole known as the “New Home” and I’m already looking at absorbing losses from the wedding dinner to be held next year, no thanks to the recession.
With the recession and all, I’m thankful that I still have my job even though it still sucks, but at least every month I have a fixed income to rely on and the job stability isn’t all that bad…
To achieve my expense tracking, I’ll have to end up spending more money (to get a nice 2009 organizer to track daily expenses) but it’ll be worth it. No more impulse buys and I (will try) to online shop less (I hope)
2) To improve my standards of English and Mandarin
While packing my stuff to move house early this year, I was flipping through my old assignments in JC/Uni days, and was amazed by how “smart” I was. Seriously, I look back and have no idea how I managed to do all those integration/differentiation, write decent essays for economics, memorize and replicate the complicated organic chem. mechanisms, teach a class of year 1 students how to do lab experiments, conduct research and write a paper that really makes sense for my FYP…
I was relating this to a colleague during our long bus ride home the other day, and he was lamenting about the same thing, about how he feels he has to dumb-down his standard of English to fit his colleagues (I was kind of ticked off at this conversation but shall not go into it).
Feel like all that I’ve learnt in school has gone to waste because I’m not applying any part of it in my job, and I’ve also lost the urge to want to improve myself by studying further, which is kind of a waste… So I’m going to take the small step of improving my language standards by speaking and writing proper English and Mandarin, simply because this is the easiest to start off with, and borrowing more intellectual reading material from the library to read on my long bus rides so my time is better utilized.
And I resolve to keep my resolutions too… Wish me luck!
Monday, November 17, 2008
I Wonder…
Over the weekend, my colleagues and I had a blast of a time at a BBQ. A few of us helped to prepare the food (thankfully TJ’s mum lent us the use of her kitchen). From this experience, I realized that not all my female counterparts know their way around the kitchen. I mean I don’t expect everyone to know how to cook 10 course meals (which I don’t know how to btw) but not even knowing how to cut an apple?
I brought this up during lunch today, and realized it’s fairly common among girls our age… Hmm…
Which leads me thinking: In this time and age, is it still important for a woman to know how to cook?
For me, I like to pore over recipes, to go supermarket and wet market shopping, to chop up a feast, and the best part of it all, preparing a good meal w TJ… and sitting down with family and friends to enjoy the meal.
Maybe it doesn’t matter if a woman knows how to cook, but I’m glad that I do, even if occasionally my veggies end up uncooked or my potato salad ends up looking mushy.
I brought this up during lunch today, and realized it’s fairly common among girls our age… Hmm…
Which leads me thinking: In this time and age, is it still important for a woman to know how to cook?
For me, I like to pore over recipes, to go supermarket and wet market shopping, to chop up a feast, and the best part of it all, preparing a good meal w TJ… and sitting down with family and friends to enjoy the meal.
Maybe it doesn’t matter if a woman knows how to cook, but I’m glad that I do, even if occasionally my veggies end up uncooked or my potato salad ends up looking mushy.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Gone Shopping
This weekend was spent shopping mostly. And yes we did get a couple of stuff at pretty good deals.
40% discount at Giordano. TJ bought a pair of jeans (his existing ones are way too loose) and I bought a spag top, pretty good quality.
42” LCD TV!
Was initially looking for a 37” but there aren’t really that many in the market, and this deal at Harvey Norman was really enticing plus it’s full HD! Really happy with the HUGE tv! Can’t wait for end of the month when it’ll be delivered!
Fridge:
At Harvey Norman the sales auntie was trying to convince us to buy a Hitachi fridge, which even though was more ex than the Samsung one that we’ve been eyeing for a long time, was better cos (1) japanese brand, and (2) more energy efficient when you compare consumption vs capacity (3) design looks nicer.
At Harvey Norman the price was $699 (U.P $749) and doesn’t include delivery of $30. TJ went to our neighbourhood store to enquire the price of the same fridge, and she still quoted $720 incl. delivery. Since I was in Hougang area, decided to just pop into this neighbourhood electrical appliance shop to check out the price, and was quoted $650 and I only need to call them to order the fridge and they’ll deliver it, and I only need to pay cash on delivery. Coolness! Went back and checked renotalk, and found that the random shop that I went to was well known for cheap appliances. So qiao!
Wihardjia
If I had tons of money I’ll get my furniture from scanteak, but since I don’t, and I still love wood furniture (resort look), we have to find cheaper alternatives. Wihardjia came highly recommended by my classmate Laura (who has a lovely home btw) so Tj and I popped by to have a look. Turns out they were having a sale! We haven’t bought much though, planning to go the larger branch to check it out soon.
Vhive has decent furniture too that doesn’t break the bank. Now if someone can tell me where to find light/pine/birch colored coffee table and tv console I’d be very grateful!
40% discount at Giordano. TJ bought a pair of jeans (his existing ones are way too loose) and I bought a spag top, pretty good quality.
42” LCD TV!
Was initially looking for a 37” but there aren’t really that many in the market, and this deal at Harvey Norman was really enticing plus it’s full HD! Really happy with the HUGE tv! Can’t wait for end of the month when it’ll be delivered!
Fridge:
At Harvey Norman the sales auntie was trying to convince us to buy a Hitachi fridge, which even though was more ex than the Samsung one that we’ve been eyeing for a long time, was better cos (1) japanese brand, and (2) more energy efficient when you compare consumption vs capacity (3) design looks nicer.
At Harvey Norman the price was $699 (U.P $749) and doesn’t include delivery of $30. TJ went to our neighbourhood store to enquire the price of the same fridge, and she still quoted $720 incl. delivery. Since I was in Hougang area, decided to just pop into this neighbourhood electrical appliance shop to check out the price, and was quoted $650 and I only need to call them to order the fridge and they’ll deliver it, and I only need to pay cash on delivery. Coolness! Went back and checked renotalk, and found that the random shop that I went to was well known for cheap appliances. So qiao!
Wihardjia
If I had tons of money I’ll get my furniture from scanteak, but since I don’t, and I still love wood furniture (resort look), we have to find cheaper alternatives. Wihardjia came highly recommended by my classmate Laura (who has a lovely home btw) so Tj and I popped by to have a look. Turns out they were having a sale! We haven’t bought much though, planning to go the larger branch to check it out soon.
Vhive has decent furniture too that doesn’t break the bank. Now if someone can tell me where to find light/pine/birch colored coffee table and tv console I’d be very grateful!
Friday, November 07, 2008
Thursday, November 06, 2008
26
So I’m now officially in my late 20s, or as yun says, round-up to 30. One step closer to auntie-dom. But instead of feeling upset or whining about growing old, I’m actually looking forward to growing older somehow… weird but true.
Thank you all my family and friends, for making a difference in my life, for making me laugh, for the times we spent having fun, slogging, killing time, shopping (online or not), doing housework, for listening to me when I need a listening ear, for helping out, for taking charge, and for making the promise to take care of me for life...
Thank you...
Thank you all my family and friends, for making a difference in my life, for making me laugh, for the times we spent having fun, slogging, killing time, shopping (online or not), doing housework, for listening to me when I need a listening ear, for helping out, for taking charge, and for making the promise to take care of me for life...
Thank you...
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
More than half way through…
Renovation has been going on for a month and we’re more than half way through. The tiling has been done long ago, first coat of the paint is up, and all the lights have been installed… we’re just awaiting the kitchen cabinets so all the kitchen accessories can be installed. =)
Oh and of course the new laminate floors too!
No pictures yet ‘cos I’ve been super lazy to take pictures and load them online… Think I’ll just post pictures when everything is done.
Next up, furniture shopping. Came up with a list of items we needed to get, and the list is 26 items long! Fun, but pretty tiring. I miss my lazy weekends.
Oh and of course the new laminate floors too!
No pictures yet ‘cos I’ve been super lazy to take pictures and load them online… Think I’ll just post pictures when everything is done.
Next up, furniture shopping. Came up with a list of items we needed to get, and the list is 26 items long! Fun, but pretty tiring. I miss my lazy weekends.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
English Lesson
So apparently it makes a BIG difference whether I ask a Committee to endorse or approve something…
Sorry, stupid me thought that both words are interchangeable… And yes, by using the words erroneously I'm not thinking in the right context...
Oooo but previously in another paper to the SAME Committee you wrote this, and it was acceptable...
"ENDORSEMENT SOUGHT
The Committee’s approval is sought to include ... ... ."
Definition from Dictionary.com
en·dorse·ment
–noun
1. approval or sanction: The program for supporting the arts won the government's endorsement.
2. the placing of one's signature, instructions, etc., on a document.
3. assigning the interest therein to another.
4. a clause under which the stated coverage of an insurance policy may be altered.
ap·prov·al
–noun
1. the act of approving; approbation.
2. formal permission or sanction.
3. Philately. one of a group of selected stamps sent by a dealer to a prospective customer for examination and either purchase or return.
Sorry, stupid me thought that both words are interchangeable… And yes, by using the words erroneously I'm not thinking in the right context...
Oooo but previously in another paper to the SAME Committee you wrote this, and it was acceptable...
"ENDORSEMENT SOUGHT
The Committee’s approval is sought to include ... ... ."
Definition from Dictionary.com
en·dorse·ment
–noun
1. approval or sanction: The program for supporting the arts won the government's endorsement.
2. the placing of one's signature, instructions, etc., on a document.
3. assigning the interest therein to another.
4. a clause under which the stated coverage of an insurance policy may be altered.
ap·prov·al
–noun
1. the act of approving; approbation.
2. formal permission or sanction.
3. Philately. one of a group of selected stamps sent by a dealer to a prospective customer for examination and either purchase or return.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Much ado about rubbish…
Reno has started… so in the midst of hacking there were some concerns… and collateral damage…
Case in point:
The stainless steel rubbish chute that you open to throw your rubbish out of. While removing it to treat the walls and re-tile the wall, the workers found that the previous installation was too tight i.e. too much silicone (or whatever it was) was used to seal the thing, so when they were removing the chute and it ended up spoilt.
Previously, this was not highlighted to us as one of the areas that we may have to be wary about, so when the contractor informed us of this, and told us that we have to bear the cost of the chute, of course we were pissed off… He already “waived” the installation and transportation charge of $80 and just going to charge us raw material cost of $140, but still… if they didn’t spoil the damn thing, we won’t even have to fork out a single cent for this!
Granted, $140 is not a big part of the entire reno budget in the bigger scheme of things… but to me it was a matter of principle, if you spoil my things you should pay for it. Cos you’re already charging me quite a lot for every other thing… but I’m also worried that if we piss the workers and contractors off so early in the job, they’ll haphazardly do everything else, and that will be very bad for us.
Sigh… then it got me thinking. Over the weekend, we purchased a mattress + bed frame for 3.6K, which is significantly more expensive than a generic/lower-end brand. But we really felt very good sleeping on it… And our washing machine was about 800 bucks, at least 200 bucks more than usual, but it is proven that it is very water and electricity efficient…
Then why can’t I get over this $140? Is this a case of being penny-wise but pound-foolish?
Case in point:
The stainless steel rubbish chute that you open to throw your rubbish out of. While removing it to treat the walls and re-tile the wall, the workers found that the previous installation was too tight i.e. too much silicone (or whatever it was) was used to seal the thing, so when they were removing the chute and it ended up spoilt.
Previously, this was not highlighted to us as one of the areas that we may have to be wary about, so when the contractor informed us of this, and told us that we have to bear the cost of the chute, of course we were pissed off… He already “waived” the installation and transportation charge of $80 and just going to charge us raw material cost of $140, but still… if they didn’t spoil the damn thing, we won’t even have to fork out a single cent for this!
Granted, $140 is not a big part of the entire reno budget in the bigger scheme of things… but to me it was a matter of principle, if you spoil my things you should pay for it. Cos you’re already charging me quite a lot for every other thing… but I’m also worried that if we piss the workers and contractors off so early in the job, they’ll haphazardly do everything else, and that will be very bad for us.
Sigh… then it got me thinking. Over the weekend, we purchased a mattress + bed frame for 3.6K, which is significantly more expensive than a generic/lower-end brand. But we really felt very good sleeping on it… And our washing machine was about 800 bucks, at least 200 bucks more than usual, but it is proven that it is very water and electricity efficient…
Then why can’t I get over this $140? Is this a case of being penny-wise but pound-foolish?
Friday, September 26, 2008
it's been more than a month
yup... realise that i've been neglecting this little blog of mine... not tt there's nothing to blog about, more like i've been wanting to add pics to the blog but haven't gotten around to transferring photos... so oh wellz...
summary of the past mth:
trip to Bohol, Phillippines with TJ! our pre-honeymoon or something... it was a very good and relaxing trip, the beaches were to die for, and we saw dolphins! awesome! so as usual, it's more convenient to load photos on facebook, so if you really want to, please go see!
arrival of the cute little rascal winky
winky's a kitten tt cheryl (my sister's) fren found and winky needed a home... when cheryl first saw winky, she immediately thought "mini me!" winky REALLY looks like kinky (my older fat cat) down to the kinked tail... winky's a brat though, too curious for his own good, but now, kinky the older one has overcome his jealousy, and is performing the role of surrogate mother, grooming the little one and chiding him if winky did something wrong (which is very often)... awwww...
commencement of the renovations!
we finally selected our ID, decided what on earth we wanted to do, and chose all the tiles and flooring! yippee! super excited! but now we're like uncle and aunties... gg to see furniture, see toilet bowl, taps, fridge, washing machine... and ms aw is gg to be sewing lady... (i hope) curtains are WAAAAY too expensive...
lunchmates
somehow our lunch group has gotten alot closer with the arrival of the two newbies... we go out more, we talk ALOT more crap, and our typical lunch hour is filled with guffaws and hysterics... a typical IM chat (we were irritating colleague YY by all talking like yoda)
CW... beat them not, join them shall u...
DD... looking and reading these exchanges, gaffaws and bellows I espouse
DD... seeing YY's exasperation, shuangness I experience
Me... DD, good u are
DD.. welcome, u are
Me... meaning of espouse i know not
CW... YY, the glory of yoda awaits
DD... actually words like that, cheemness they are all.
DD... actual appropriateness and meaning, i do not know
DD... to speaketh like yoda, pretending to be cheem, we have to
DD... irritating YY, our eventual goal shall be
DD... WAHHH...i'm damn proud la...i just wrote a sweet poem....4 lines somemore.
it amazes me how i can look like i'm very busy at work when we're all talking this kinda crap
summary of the past mth:
trip to Bohol, Phillippines with TJ! our pre-honeymoon or something... it was a very good and relaxing trip, the beaches were to die for, and we saw dolphins! awesome! so as usual, it's more convenient to load photos on facebook, so if you really want to, please go see!
arrival of the cute little rascal winky
winky's a kitten tt cheryl (my sister's) fren found and winky needed a home... when cheryl first saw winky, she immediately thought "mini me!" winky REALLY looks like kinky (my older fat cat) down to the kinked tail... winky's a brat though, too curious for his own good, but now, kinky the older one has overcome his jealousy, and is performing the role of surrogate mother, grooming the little one and chiding him if winky did something wrong (which is very often)... awwww...
commencement of the renovations!
we finally selected our ID, decided what on earth we wanted to do, and chose all the tiles and flooring! yippee! super excited! but now we're like uncle and aunties... gg to see furniture, see toilet bowl, taps, fridge, washing machine... and ms aw is gg to be sewing lady... (i hope) curtains are WAAAAY too expensive...
lunchmates
somehow our lunch group has gotten alot closer with the arrival of the two newbies... we go out more, we talk ALOT more crap, and our typical lunch hour is filled with guffaws and hysterics... a typical IM chat (we were irritating colleague YY by all talking like yoda)
CW... beat them not, join them shall u...
DD... looking and reading these exchanges, gaffaws and bellows I espouse
DD... seeing YY's exasperation, shuangness I experience
Me... DD, good u are
DD.. welcome, u are
Me... meaning of espouse i know not
CW... YY, the glory of yoda awaits
DD... actually words like that, cheemness they are all.
DD... actual appropriateness and meaning, i do not know
DD... to speaketh like yoda, pretending to be cheem, we have to
DD... irritating YY, our eventual goal shall be
DD... WAHHH...i'm damn proud la...i just wrote a sweet poem....4 lines somemore.
it amazes me how i can look like i'm very busy at work when we're all talking this kinda crap
Monday, August 25, 2008
Busy Busy August
been quite a while since i last updated. been busy with the following:
- national day (pre-NDP party), celebrating NDP at padang at some youth NTUC event
- Farewell for both Sharon and James = ( will miss them lots!
- Minds cafe with my bunch of crazy colleagues. Hillarious
- Bohol, Philippines! Haven't got the chance to really blog about this yet, go visit my facebook site for pics
- House stuff... we bought our cooker hob and hood! super excited can... But I just surfed some forums and realise that ariston products seem to have quite a few rants... oh well... fingers crossed! now we are in the final shortlisting process for our ID, then can go ahead! hpfully can have our first xmas party in the new place!
- Olympics... watching alot of gymnastics, swimming, vball, track... so sad tt it's over
- Newborn babies! Congrats to mel and gayle, ka fung and li han... (i haven't gone to see the babies yet... but super looking forward to it)
- and erm yah, work is also keeping me very busy...
- national day (pre-NDP party), celebrating NDP at padang at some youth NTUC event
- Farewell for both Sharon and James = ( will miss them lots!
- Minds cafe with my bunch of crazy colleagues. Hillarious
- Bohol, Philippines! Haven't got the chance to really blog about this yet, go visit my facebook site for pics
- House stuff... we bought our cooker hob and hood! super excited can... But I just surfed some forums and realise that ariston products seem to have quite a few rants... oh well... fingers crossed! now we are in the final shortlisting process for our ID, then can go ahead! hpfully can have our first xmas party in the new place!
- Olympics... watching alot of gymnastics, swimming, vball, track... so sad tt it's over
- Newborn babies! Congrats to mel and gayle, ka fung and li han... (i haven't gone to see the babies yet... but super looking forward to it)
- and erm yah, work is also keeping me very busy...
Monday, August 04, 2008
Quesadillas
While planning our national day bbq Yun and I were talking abt exactly what we wanna serve… I ended up suggesting nachos and salsa and guacamole dip (cos I love avocados especially when served as guacamole). Then Yun came across quesadillas and suggested I made those
So Friday after gym TJ and I set out to make the salsa dip that goes into quesadillas… we ended up spending 2 hrs to prepare, to chop veggies, roast green chillies etc. But yeah I’m proud to say that the end result was pretty yummy… and once you have a good salsa, you will have a good guacamole (provided your avocadoes are ripe enough), and we got quite a lot of compliments on it during the bbq too!
So although chopping veggies was tiring, (we chopped until 1.30am), it was worth it cos it reminded me of how I love to spend time preparing food in the kitchen w TJ for our friends and family and how we would be able to do more of that in our OWN kitchen in future ^_^
Hmm... any kind souls would like to sponsor us a food processor?
Friday, July 25, 2008
Pure
Pure by The Lightning Seeds
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
night time slows, raindrops splash rainbows
perhaps someone you know, could sparkle and shine
as daydreams slide to colour from shadow
picture the moonglow, that dazzles my eyes
and i love you
just lying smiling in the dark
shooting stars around your heart
dreams come bouncing in your head
pure and simple everytime
now you're crying in your sleep
i wish you'd never learnt to weep
don't sell the dreams you should be keeping
pure and simple everytime
dreams of sights, of sleigh rides in seasons
where feelings not reasons, can make you decide
as leaves pour down, splash autumn on gardens
as colder nights harden, their moonlit delights
and i love you
just lying smiling in the dark
shooting stars around your heart
dreams come bouncing in your head
pure and simple everytime
now you're crying in your sleep
i wish you'd never learnt to weep
don't sell the dreams you should be keeping
pure and simple everytime
look at me with starry eyes
push me up to starry skies
there's stardust in my head
pure and simple everytime
fresh and deep as oceans new
shiver at the sight of you
i'll sing a softer tune
pure and simple over you
if love's the truth then look no lies
and let me swin around your eyes
i've found a place i'll never leave
shut my mouth and just believe
love is the truth i relize
not a stream of pretty lies
to use us up and waste our time
lying smiling in the dark
shooting stars around your heart
dreams come bouncing in your head
pure and simple everytime
now you're crying in your sleep
i wish you'd never learnt to weep
don't sell the dreams you should be keeping
pure and simple everytime
look at me with starry eyes
push me up to starry skies
there's stardust in my head
pure and simple everytime
fresh and deep as oceans new
shiver at the sight of you
i'll sing a softer tune
pure and simple over you
pure and simple just for you
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Morning Storms
Well… It was such a gloomy morning, dark and gusty winds… and I was so praying that it wouldn’t rain until I got into office. Alas it was not meant to be, and 5 min before I arrived at office, it started to pour… And the strong winds ensured that umbrellas are of no use as shelter from the storm…
And guess what I saw on Channel NewsAsia website?
Morning storms expected
Posted: 23 July 2008 0738 hrs
SINGAPORE: If you are headed out Wednesday morning, you may want to bring along your umbrella. The weatherman said heavy showers with thunder and gusty winds are expected over many areas between 7am and 10am.
PUB also warned that flash floods may occur in low-lying areas in the event of heavy rain.
Traffic watch reported vehicles pinned by fallen trees in the Chinatown area. One tree is reported to have fallen on a taxi at about 7.35am at South Bridge Road heading towards Tanjong Pagar, at the junction of Pickering Street, causing slow moving traffic.
According to the meteorological department, there are showers with thunder all over the island and such weather can be expected over the next few days in the morning and afternoon.
- CNA/yb
And guess what I saw on Channel NewsAsia website?
Morning storms expected
Posted: 23 July 2008 0738 hrs
SINGAPORE: If you are headed out Wednesday morning, you may want to bring along your umbrella. The weatherman said heavy showers with thunder and gusty winds are expected over many areas between 7am and 10am.
PUB also warned that flash floods may occur in low-lying areas in the event of heavy rain.
Traffic watch reported vehicles pinned by fallen trees in the Chinatown area. One tree is reported to have fallen on a taxi at about 7.35am at South Bridge Road heading towards Tanjong Pagar, at the junction of Pickering Street, causing slow moving traffic.
According to the meteorological department, there are showers with thunder all over the island and such weather can be expected over the next few days in the morning and afternoon.
- CNA/yb
Our very efficient weatherman issues us a warning of morning storms at 7.38am, when MOST of us would have stepped out of house to head to school/work already. Thanks hor, can give more advance warning next time? And it was so strange, first song I played today on my ipod (shuffle mode no less) was “Blame it on the weatherman”
On a lighter note, I placed my slightly wet bag on my chair when I arrived in office. When I removed the bag, I see the imprint of a smiley face on the chair :)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
BKK 2008
Went BKK over the weekend with my family. This is a very long overdue family trip, our last one was also to BKK over 10 years ago… Sisters and I flew in one day earlier to shop, and shop we did… until we totally did not drink ANY water for 6 hours and be so parched, but continue shopping ‘cos “hey that dress is SOOOOOOOO cute”
Temple tour with parents was a tad disappointing, cos we only made it to Wat Arun, not even the temple with reclining Buddha (forgot the name) and we spent quite a lot of time at some other temple cos nobody there understood English or Chinese…
But yeah, I honestly have not spent so much time w my family in a long while… though they do get on my nerves sometimes, it was overall a pretty fun (if not very tiring trip)
An approximate count of the number of stuff I bought:
10 dresses
5 tops + 1 cardigan
2 skirts
3 belts, 2 bracelets, 2 pairs of earrings, hair accessories
4 bags, miscellaneous small pouches as gifts
2 pairs of shoes
tailored 2 shirts (one for me, one for TJ)
1 bikini, some shorts, underwear
miscellaneous titbits
one bench stool (for the new house), compact mirrors
For TJ:
5 t-shirts, 1 polo shirt, 2 shirts
sounds like a lot right? Multiply the above by 3 (three sisters mah) and you can understand how much luggage we ended up with…
and now I think I need new shoes to go with my new outfits ^_^
Monday, June 30, 2008
I don't have a blog
Boss was chatting over lunch whether my colleague and I are Gen X or Y. He says he belongs to the babyboomers era. Anyway according to him, the difference in Gen X and Y are:
Gen X: takes digital pictures of themselves
Gen Y: takes digital pictures, posts it online, blogs about it...
So I guess I'm Gen Y.
He proceeds to ask us if we blog.
Not wanting him to ask me what my blog address is, I told him that I didn't blog.
So yah, I don't have a blog lor...
Gen X: takes digital pictures of themselves
Gen Y: takes digital pictures, posts it online, blogs about it...
So I guess I'm Gen Y.
He proceeds to ask us if we blog.
Not wanting him to ask me what my blog address is, I told him that I didn't blog.
So yah, I don't have a blog lor...
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Pictures
First few shots from my own camera: not a single shot of me in it cos apparently the camerawoman doesn't take flattering shots of the bride, so all censored out! hehe...
the TWO men in my life: my hubby and my daddy
(the pink-shirted man is my dad-in-law)
my HOT mum and cute dad: his facial expression is damn funny!
mum-in-law and my grandma, a spritely 90-yr-old! so honoured that she's present
the chest and the boobs (i meant the cupcakes, what were you thinking?)
my sisters and my cousin
the TWO men in my life: my hubby and my daddy
(the pink-shirted man is my dad-in-law)
my HOT mum and cute dad: his facial expression is damn funny!
mum-in-law and my grandma, a spritely 90-yr-old! so honoured that she's present
the chest and the boobs (i meant the cupcakes, what were you thinking?)
my sisters and my cousin
19 June 2008 (^_^)
And so the day I’ve been looking forward to came and went… It was a ball of nerves, excitement, fun and laughter all rolled into one, and ended up oh so sweet…
Don’t really have many photos yet to tell the story, but from the photos I’ve seen so far, and the feedback that I’ve got, seems like everyone enjoyed themselves, food was not bad, cupcakes were cute, venue though small was intimate, though I’m sure nobody could hear us say our vows ‘cos we opted not to get the mike.
Lesson I’ve learnt: things always work themselves out in the end…
- The venue flowers were supposed to be yellow roses with white eustomas, but turned out to be white + pink champagne roses with yellow/green orchids and vines… but it matched my bouquet of white and pink champagne roses perfectly.
- My cupcakes, though not a complete match to my specifications, turned out cute and yummy! The tier was pretty too!
- My skin, though still terrible, looked pretty decent after the makeup artist did his wonders… and no major wardrobe mishaps occurred…
- And though it was rainy the day before and looked totally cloudy before the ceremony, the weather held and it was nice and sunny (though abit too stuffy and humid) and the solemnization was carried out outdoors as planned…
- Though TJ and I were nervous and excited and rushed and everything, the solemnization went well (ok we both really have a lot of amusing facial expressions) and I think everyone had a good time (I hope)
And in the end… I’m thankful for a lot of things, for having a supportive and caring family (so touched that my grandmother turned up), for having great friends who went out of their way to help (esp my photographer Delvin), and for the rest who took leave specially to join us… and most of all, thankful that at the end of the day, I’ve found you and we’ll have so many more sweet moments in the future…
P.S. In the meantime you can go Yun’s blog to check out photos!
Don’t really have many photos yet to tell the story, but from the photos I’ve seen so far, and the feedback that I’ve got, seems like everyone enjoyed themselves, food was not bad, cupcakes were cute, venue though small was intimate, though I’m sure nobody could hear us say our vows ‘cos we opted not to get the mike.
Lesson I’ve learnt: things always work themselves out in the end…
- The venue flowers were supposed to be yellow roses with white eustomas, but turned out to be white + pink champagne roses with yellow/green orchids and vines… but it matched my bouquet of white and pink champagne roses perfectly.
- My cupcakes, though not a complete match to my specifications, turned out cute and yummy! The tier was pretty too!
- My skin, though still terrible, looked pretty decent after the makeup artist did his wonders… and no major wardrobe mishaps occurred…
- And though it was rainy the day before and looked totally cloudy before the ceremony, the weather held and it was nice and sunny (though abit too stuffy and humid) and the solemnization was carried out outdoors as planned…
- Though TJ and I were nervous and excited and rushed and everything, the solemnization went well (ok we both really have a lot of amusing facial expressions) and I think everyone had a good time (I hope)
And in the end… I’m thankful for a lot of things, for having a supportive and caring family (so touched that my grandmother turned up), for having great friends who went out of their way to help (esp my photographer Delvin), and for the rest who took leave specially to join us… and most of all, thankful that at the end of the day, I’ve found you and we’ll have so many more sweet moments in the future…
P.S. In the meantime you can go Yun’s blog to check out photos!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Do you remember
Inspired by a Jack Johnson song that I love
Do you remember…
- When we first met, we chit-chatted on the train all the way from Buona Vista to Bugis and XM was beside us looking very bored, sms-ing his gf?
- The times we were sitting on the bus from Outram Park MRT to Jurong Island (vv) and we were talking about cats, exercise, food etc., and when we just go to the pantry to heat up our tabao-ed food, while everyone heads down to the canteen to eat?
- How it felt so warm and fuzzy sitting on Changi Beach on our sandals back-to-back while watching airplanes fly by and talking about everything and nothing in general?
- The first time we held hands after we finally told each other how we felt, in that small park in Serangoon Gardens?
- The first flowers you gave me and you told me you wanted us to look forward to the bright future together?
- When I fell very sick living alone in the hostel, you came over to nurse me, putting wet towels on my forehead, fetching water for me, buying me “honeysucker” water, porridge and feeding me my meds? And when I was having dysentery you came over to saying me, and called pharmacies for me to help me find medicine, looked so worried and wanted to send me to the hospital?
- Our cycling sessions to East Coast Park, sometimes with yummy picnics thrown in between?
- The time we went MacRitchie for tree-top walk and were totally drenched by the torrential rain, your sandals broke and we had to walk through the country club to find a cab? Thank goodness you always prepare some food on our outdoor adventures.
- How I’ll be so bitchy and irritating when you’re away (in Canada, China, Batam etc.) but when you’re back everything disappears and I’m so happy to see you?
- All our little cookouts in your house, from pasta and salad to pineapple rice and green curry?
- Our salsa/mahjong/squash/chilling out/outdoor adventures with our dear FAGs?
- Your dreadful accident and how all the arrangements sucked but you were still trying to be upbeat and cheer your mum and me up? And how I was so glad to finally see you get well. Your positive spirit always never fails to uplift me too
- All the little arguments we had over the wedding preparations, but one of us will always give in eventually?
- How we love to sing 80s songs while you drive me back home, and how we would always try to imitate the singers and end up going off-key?
- How you always make me laugh, and I hope, I always make you smile…
List to be continued…
Do you remember…
- When we first met, we chit-chatted on the train all the way from Buona Vista to Bugis and XM was beside us looking very bored, sms-ing his gf?
- The times we were sitting on the bus from Outram Park MRT to Jurong Island (vv) and we were talking about cats, exercise, food etc., and when we just go to the pantry to heat up our tabao-ed food, while everyone heads down to the canteen to eat?
- How it felt so warm and fuzzy sitting on Changi Beach on our sandals back-to-back while watching airplanes fly by and talking about everything and nothing in general?
- The first time we held hands after we finally told each other how we felt, in that small park in Serangoon Gardens?
- The first flowers you gave me and you told me you wanted us to look forward to the bright future together?
- When I fell very sick living alone in the hostel, you came over to nurse me, putting wet towels on my forehead, fetching water for me, buying me “honeysucker” water, porridge and feeding me my meds? And when I was having dysentery you came over to saying me, and called pharmacies for me to help me find medicine, looked so worried and wanted to send me to the hospital?
- Our cycling sessions to East Coast Park, sometimes with yummy picnics thrown in between?
- The time we went MacRitchie for tree-top walk and were totally drenched by the torrential rain, your sandals broke and we had to walk through the country club to find a cab? Thank goodness you always prepare some food on our outdoor adventures.
- How I’ll be so bitchy and irritating when you’re away (in Canada, China, Batam etc.) but when you’re back everything disappears and I’m so happy to see you?
- All our little cookouts in your house, from pasta and salad to pineapple rice and green curry?
- Our salsa/mahjong/squash/chilling out/outdoor adventures with our dear FAGs?
- Your dreadful accident and how all the arrangements sucked but you were still trying to be upbeat and cheer your mum and me up? And how I was so glad to finally see you get well. Your positive spirit always never fails to uplift me too
- All the little arguments we had over the wedding preparations, but one of us will always give in eventually?
- How we love to sing 80s songs while you drive me back home, and how we would always try to imitate the singers and end up going off-key?
- How you always make me laugh, and I hope, I always make you smile…
List to be continued…
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Final Countdown
The title, if you realize, alludes to a very popular and cheesy song played during wedding banquets during the presentation of the first dish… Why was it selected as a song to be played during weddings? Cos the groom is counting down to his “doom” (since a popular Chinese joke is that marriage is the grave of love)? Or the bride can count down to the end of her diet (and gasp, days of looking pretty)? Never mind.
Anyway I’m in my final days of singledom (in the eyes of the law that is), and I’m counting down till the day! =) Received a super sweet SMS from TJ this morn that totally brought a smile on a dreary Tuesday.
Someone close asked TJ why he wanted to get married now (i.e. isn’t it a little early?) Which got us thinking, but we came to the conclusion: the question is not about the who, it's about the why now… which then means that it doesn’t really matter when we get married, as long as we are, to each other…
Pray for good weather, good food, good skin, everybody coming on time and totally enjoying themselves!
Anyway I’m in my final days of singledom (in the eyes of the law that is), and I’m counting down till the day! =) Received a super sweet SMS from TJ this morn that totally brought a smile on a dreary Tuesday.
Someone close asked TJ why he wanted to get married now (i.e. isn’t it a little early?) Which got us thinking, but we came to the conclusion: the question is not about the who, it's about the why now… which then means that it doesn’t really matter when we get married, as long as we are, to each other…
Pray for good weather, good food, good skin, everybody coming on time and totally enjoying themselves!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
OMG super exciting
June is a month full of excitement ‘cos of the following:
- B’day celebrations! Canuf and Winson’s one was a blast with so many different people and we just had tons of fun talking rubbish and laughing. Glad that while most people thought the venue was abit ulu (Bishan is ulu?), they liked the overall feel… Chris’ bday was also fun, the sashimi there was fresh and good! Thanks for the bday treat! Next up two members of the FAGs also celebrating their bday! (on a side note, why got so many june babies? Big blackout in October?)
- Keys, keys, keys! Received the keys and the title deed to our new home! The previous owner very KS, there’s a duplicate for every single key, and the keys to one window somehow opens all other windows and so do the cupboard keys… leaving many many many extra keys (I think). Hope we hurry on and start with the renovations and move in soon! But still totally don’t know how to do up the new place…
- LOTR symphony: It was very good, a nice combination of orchestra, choir and I was totally amazed with the original artwork from the book. The movie looked totally like the drawings! Thanks Ade for informing us about it!
- Soon-to-be-Mrs-Lim: after months of fussing about venue, cupcakes, what to wear, invites, seeing my mum “fashion-show” her clothes to decide what to wear, we’re still left with the favours and music! But I’m super looking forward to it… Last weekend as a swinging single!
- B’day celebrations! Canuf and Winson’s one was a blast with so many different people and we just had tons of fun talking rubbish and laughing. Glad that while most people thought the venue was abit ulu (Bishan is ulu?), they liked the overall feel… Chris’ bday was also fun, the sashimi there was fresh and good! Thanks for the bday treat! Next up two members of the FAGs also celebrating their bday! (on a side note, why got so many june babies? Big blackout in October?)
- Keys, keys, keys! Received the keys and the title deed to our new home! The previous owner very KS, there’s a duplicate for every single key, and the keys to one window somehow opens all other windows and so do the cupboard keys… leaving many many many extra keys (I think). Hope we hurry on and start with the renovations and move in soon! But still totally don’t know how to do up the new place…
- LOTR symphony: It was very good, a nice combination of orchestra, choir and I was totally amazed with the original artwork from the book. The movie looked totally like the drawings! Thanks Ade for informing us about it!
- Soon-to-be-Mrs-Lim: after months of fussing about venue, cupcakes, what to wear, invites, seeing my mum “fashion-show” her clothes to decide what to wear, we’re still left with the favours and music! But I’m super looking forward to it… Last weekend as a swinging single!
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Crazy Things
Subjecting my body to torture in hope for some good returns that I’m not yet seeing ‘cos I went to subject it to some other form of torture.
Not being glad when my laptop had it’s hard disk replaced and now running fine, albeit without all the data I’ve lost. I call it “a new brain but no memory”. So I spent 300 bucks (refundable) to loan the spoilt hard disk for 3 weeks while I figure out what to do with it. And I’m sending it to a data recovery centre, where it’ll cost at least 500 bucks to recover the data IF it's not already lost forever by fragmentation and what not... As my friend puts it: your photos so precious meh? Bleahz
Fun weekend coming up so hopefully that will make up for all the crazy things…
Not being glad when my laptop had it’s hard disk replaced and now running fine, albeit without all the data I’ve lost. I call it “a new brain but no memory”. So I spent 300 bucks (refundable) to loan the spoilt hard disk for 3 weeks while I figure out what to do with it. And I’m sending it to a data recovery centre, where it’ll cost at least 500 bucks to recover the data IF it's not already lost forever by fragmentation and what not... As my friend puts it: your photos so precious meh? Bleahz
Fun weekend coming up so hopefully that will make up for all the crazy things…
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sianz
Went for facial on Friday which effectively means tt my whole weekend will be plagued by crappy skin. Considering how much I’m spending on facial, I’m expecting that the problem will be solved, and not be aggravated. Am quite pissed and running impatient…
So ended up spending more money on my stupid face during the weekend, this time on oral supplements. Am praying tt they work, cos I have like less than a month left? The focus now is on calming all the irritating big outbreaks, the rest can be covered by makeup for the big day, then later must spend even more money treating the problem at the root. Arghz.
Friday was made even more crappy cos after suffering at the hands of the facialist, I go home to find that my laptop is no longer working thanks to my stupid idiot cat who had to go run around and knock the table down, bringing my laptop crashing to the floor. It can no longer start, with error message stating there’s some cable failure. Which according to my IT friends, means some form of hard disk failure. =(
Following my LCD screen crack in dec 07, I pestered TJ to get me a portable hard disk drive so I can back up all my stuff. But because of procrastination and an overall dread to handle all stuff electronic, it was left unused and untouched. So I’m even more upset, faced with the possibility that ALL my data will be gone, including all my lovely photos I’ve collected over the years =(
And now, I just realize that my ideal cupcake design is complicated and maybe can’t be made =(
Severe Monday blues…
So ended up spending more money on my stupid face during the weekend, this time on oral supplements. Am praying tt they work, cos I have like less than a month left? The focus now is on calming all the irritating big outbreaks, the rest can be covered by makeup for the big day, then later must spend even more money treating the problem at the root. Arghz.
Friday was made even more crappy cos after suffering at the hands of the facialist, I go home to find that my laptop is no longer working thanks to my stupid idiot cat who had to go run around and knock the table down, bringing my laptop crashing to the floor. It can no longer start, with error message stating there’s some cable failure. Which according to my IT friends, means some form of hard disk failure. =(
Following my LCD screen crack in dec 07, I pestered TJ to get me a portable hard disk drive so I can back up all my stuff. But because of procrastination and an overall dread to handle all stuff electronic, it was left unused and untouched. So I’m even more upset, faced with the possibility that ALL my data will be gone, including all my lovely photos I’ve collected over the years =(
And now, I just realize that my ideal cupcake design is complicated and maybe can’t be made =(
Severe Monday blues…
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Life Lessons
TJ and I have been attending this marriage preparation course conducted by Focus on the Family (the Singapore affiliate) every Tuesday evening for the past 4 weeks. One more week to go before we “graduate”. It’s a group session, where 6 couples sit down and listen to this old, recently retired couple talk about their life, love, marriage and anything under the sun. Many many tips from them, including marriage, financial and life lessons…
Looking at them, I’m very inspired to be like them, to have a strong relationship, to have an open, loving relationship with their children, to live life happy, knowing that they’ve led the life that they wanted, and have no regrets…
Which brings me to examine my own life. I’m happy relationships-wise, very excited that I’m going on this long life journey with TJ, family and friends are also supportive and caring. But I guess there’s still this big hole about what I really wanna do with my life, career-wise. I feel like I’m stuck in a rut, I surf net everyday, shop online, chit chat with friends, totally no motivation… The money is alright though, and the friends are great. Just that I’m getting too comfortable here, and that’s totally scary.
What do you want to do with your life?
Looking at them, I’m very inspired to be like them, to have a strong relationship, to have an open, loving relationship with their children, to live life happy, knowing that they’ve led the life that they wanted, and have no regrets…
Which brings me to examine my own life. I’m happy relationships-wise, very excited that I’m going on this long life journey with TJ, family and friends are also supportive and caring. But I guess there’s still this big hole about what I really wanna do with my life, career-wise. I feel like I’m stuck in a rut, I surf net everyday, shop online, chit chat with friends, totally no motivation… The money is alright though, and the friends are great. Just that I’m getting too comfortable here, and that’s totally scary.
What do you want to do with your life?
Friday, May 16, 2008
2 years on
“Celebrated” my 2nd anniversary working in my company yesterday. Guess time just flies even if you don’t enjoy what you do, and I must say that it’s primarily due to the crazy bunch of friends I’ve made, and the little perks here and there.
Was slightly disappointed with the bonus announced, while the quantum is quite large, it was totally off the “canteen talk” amount, which was hard to understand ‘cos our profits increased by damn a lot, but somehow, it appears that selling off assets is still the best way for staff to earn more money.
Oh well, new colleague is here, she seems nice and eager to learn, but I’m lazy to teach her cos she’s only here for 2 mths plus to serve her notice period… She wanted to transfer here, but before the transfer occurred she decided to do MBA, so she tendered, and serving 3 months notice here, which makes it difficult for me to really pass her stuff to do…
Maybe it’s time to start looking for options
Was slightly disappointed with the bonus announced, while the quantum is quite large, it was totally off the “canteen talk” amount, which was hard to understand ‘cos our profits increased by damn a lot, but somehow, it appears that selling off assets is still the best way for staff to earn more money.
Oh well, new colleague is here, she seems nice and eager to learn, but I’m lazy to teach her cos she’s only here for 2 mths plus to serve her notice period… She wanted to transfer here, but before the transfer occurred she decided to do MBA, so she tendered, and serving 3 months notice here, which makes it difficult for me to really pass her stuff to do…
Maybe it’s time to start looking for options
Friday, May 02, 2008
the LS girl
Cambodia was a good trip, with Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh and the fun massage/pedicure sessions w the girls... not to mention the bear sanctuary! for photos, you can check out my facebook...
alas, have been suffering from diarrhoea ever since I returned from Cambodia, which I found out later that I was suffering from Bacillary Dysentery, thank goodness there's no bloody diarrhoea or what not, but the number of times I can visit the toilet a day is no joke. not to mention I just received a call from MOH to check what did I eat to kena this, and the guy sounded quite relieved that I'm an "imported case"... guess this means less investigation on their part...
in the meantime, the LS continues as I miss out on all the fun and yummy food =(
on a brighter note, this is a surefire way of losing a hell lot of weight
alas, have been suffering from diarrhoea ever since I returned from Cambodia, which I found out later that I was suffering from Bacillary Dysentery, thank goodness there's no bloody diarrhoea or what not, but the number of times I can visit the toilet a day is no joke. not to mention I just received a call from MOH to check what did I eat to kena this, and the guy sounded quite relieved that I'm an "imported case"... guess this means less investigation on their part...
in the meantime, the LS continues as I miss out on all the fun and yummy food =(
on a brighter note, this is a surefire way of losing a hell lot of weight
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Orh-bi Good
Orh-bi good
Meaning: Serves you right
Usage: See lah, tell you don't eat the curry already cos it's spoilt, then you eat already diarrhoea. Orh-bi good.
Term often used with a arms clucking motion...
Definition posted here 'cos I happen to know some people who don't know what this term means!
Meaning: Serves you right
Usage: See lah, tell you don't eat the curry already cos it's spoilt, then you eat already diarrhoea. Orh-bi good.
Term often used with a arms clucking motion...
Definition posted here 'cos I happen to know some people who don't know what this term means!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Advice?
Basically somehow I was talking to boss about my wedding plans next year… So he asked whether this will coincide with the “busy” period at work, fair enough…
Next morning, he called me bright and early asking me whether I was free to go in to discuss something with him. Then he started to ask me stuff like this: (Items in brackets represent what I was thinking)
Background: A few days ago boss was discussing with big boss on job rotation plans for me… and boss just got married in Dec 07, which is not too long ago.
Boss: OK let me ask you something, have you been together with your bf for at least 21 days 24/7?
Me: (Huh this is a weird question). Nope, we did go on holidays before, about 14 days longest.
B: Hmm 14 days not long enough you know? First week everything is nice and rosy cos you’re on holiday, only after 14 days will the bad habits start to show and can annoy you… even small things like squeezing toothpaste can irritate people and break a marriage
Me: Erm ok… (I’ve probably been through a lot more with bf than you w your wife [the whole China accident thing], so what business have you questioning my decision to get married?)
B: Then ok this is not really about religion, but what religion are you? And your bf?
Me: Erm we’re both free-thinkers (this is not technically true but easier to explain)
B: Ok then you both won’t have any issues w religion, but basically cos wife and me are Catholics, we have to attend a marriage preparation course before marriage, and we found it very useful, you should attend.
Me: (This is a good tip) Yah, bf and I are looking at attending such courses (as in we’re trying to find a good one to attend)
B: Yah, cos marriage is a big thing, need to take one year to adjust, are you sure you still want a job rotation next year? You’ll still need to move into new home, plan for wedding, and adjust to living together…
Me: (ok I think my personal stuff should remain personal) Yes I still want rotation cos I think I can cope, plus moving into the new home will be done in 2008, and we have planned enough buffer time for the wedding banquet so we can take our time to prepare…
B: Are you sure? Cos marriage is a big thing… even wife and me, when we first moved in together there was a lot of adjustments to do, even after the marriage preparation course… … …
Me: Yes I still want the job rotation… (Why he telling me that his problems with his wife?)
The discussion ended soon after, I had no questions for him and basically it was him talking most of the time and me feeling v uncomfortable with him firstly questioning my intention to get married, and also me discussing personal plans with him… sigh…
Next morning, he called me bright and early asking me whether I was free to go in to discuss something with him. Then he started to ask me stuff like this: (Items in brackets represent what I was thinking)
Background: A few days ago boss was discussing with big boss on job rotation plans for me… and boss just got married in Dec 07, which is not too long ago.
Boss: OK let me ask you something, have you been together with your bf for at least 21 days 24/7?
Me: (Huh this is a weird question). Nope, we did go on holidays before, about 14 days longest.
B: Hmm 14 days not long enough you know? First week everything is nice and rosy cos you’re on holiday, only after 14 days will the bad habits start to show and can annoy you… even small things like squeezing toothpaste can irritate people and break a marriage
Me: Erm ok… (I’ve probably been through a lot more with bf than you w your wife [the whole China accident thing], so what business have you questioning my decision to get married?)
B: Then ok this is not really about religion, but what religion are you? And your bf?
Me: Erm we’re both free-thinkers (this is not technically true but easier to explain)
B: Ok then you both won’t have any issues w religion, but basically cos wife and me are Catholics, we have to attend a marriage preparation course before marriage, and we found it very useful, you should attend.
Me: (This is a good tip) Yah, bf and I are looking at attending such courses (as in we’re trying to find a good one to attend)
B: Yah, cos marriage is a big thing, need to take one year to adjust, are you sure you still want a job rotation next year? You’ll still need to move into new home, plan for wedding, and adjust to living together…
Me: (ok I think my personal stuff should remain personal) Yes I still want rotation cos I think I can cope, plus moving into the new home will be done in 2008, and we have planned enough buffer time for the wedding banquet so we can take our time to prepare…
B: Are you sure? Cos marriage is a big thing… even wife and me, when we first moved in together there was a lot of adjustments to do, even after the marriage preparation course… … …
Me: Yes I still want the job rotation… (Why he telling me that his problems with his wife?)
The discussion ended soon after, I had no questions for him and basically it was him talking most of the time and me feeling v uncomfortable with him firstly questioning my intention to get married, and also me discussing personal plans with him… sigh…
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
goodbye...
very stressed this week, what with the tons of stuff happening at work, and the need to take leave on friday didn't make the situation at work better... just cos my mum decided on a whim to change the date of moving house to this week instead of next. then after i come home from work dead tired, i still have to pack my stuff...
packing 20 years of stuff is not easy... too many things of sentimental value get dugged up, and have to be thrown away because there simply is too much stuff and not enough place at the new home...
it was a chore, until it hit me tdy when i was on the bus home, tt this will be like the 2nd last night i'll sleep in LHP, the place i've called home for the past almost 20 years, and i started getting all emotional and melancholy... it isn't easy leaving this place, the convenience of it, the tons of memories, and the lovely neighbourhood... not to mention all the yummy food at chomp chomp...
suddenly someone came to my place and took jewel away... jewel, my dog of almost 10 years, whom i have a love-hate r/s with as she bit tj the first time they met... but tj and jewel have made peace... and it was just so sad seeing her go... she was just so understanding, didn't bark at all, just sat there looking sad... it's like she understood that we had to give her away as she was just way too big for the new place... and from the looks of it, it seems she'll be happier in her new place, a fish farm at choa chu kang... where she'll have lotsa company and be happier (i hope) running around a huge new home... but it just doesn't seem right looking out to the backyard and not hearing her running over to lick my hand...
i'll miss LHP and all the memories...
packing 20 years of stuff is not easy... too many things of sentimental value get dugged up, and have to be thrown away because there simply is too much stuff and not enough place at the new home...
it was a chore, until it hit me tdy when i was on the bus home, tt this will be like the 2nd last night i'll sleep in LHP, the place i've called home for the past almost 20 years, and i started getting all emotional and melancholy... it isn't easy leaving this place, the convenience of it, the tons of memories, and the lovely neighbourhood... not to mention all the yummy food at chomp chomp...
suddenly someone came to my place and took jewel away... jewel, my dog of almost 10 years, whom i have a love-hate r/s with as she bit tj the first time they met... but tj and jewel have made peace... and it was just so sad seeing her go... she was just so understanding, didn't bark at all, just sat there looking sad... it's like she understood that we had to give her away as she was just way too big for the new place... and from the looks of it, it seems she'll be happier in her new place, a fish farm at choa chu kang... where she'll have lotsa company and be happier (i hope) running around a huge new home... but it just doesn't seem right looking out to the backyard and not hearing her running over to lick my hand...
i'll miss LHP and all the memories...
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
CNY 2008
CNY was a blast, but i ate way too much, and gained 2kg just over 3 days!
didn't manage to mahjong too, but it was great just catching up with family and friends.
and yah, i learnt how to make homemade yu sheng (made it so many times tt i was getting quite sick of yu sheng)
took one day leave on Monday tgt with yun, ade and tj. and decided to go sentosa to get a tan! since jk was also on leave, he came along as the v nice designated driver
my fave photo over this CNY:
ok we both need more work at the gym and need to get a better tan too!
didn't manage to mahjong too, but it was great just catching up with family and friends.
and yah, i learnt how to make homemade yu sheng (made it so many times tt i was getting quite sick of yu sheng)
took one day leave on Monday tgt with yun, ade and tj. and decided to go sentosa to get a tan! since jk was also on leave, he came along as the v nice designated driver
my fave photo over this CNY:
ok we both need more work at the gym and need to get a better tan too!
Friday, January 18, 2008
I am your brother
ok watched this on American Idol. Hillarious!
"I am your brother, we're best friends forever!"
"I am your brother, we're best friends forever!"
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
another great weekend
great weekends are classified by some level of planning, great company and food, and of course my darling TJ...
Cheryl treated us to fish steamboat at Whampoa to celebrate her first paycheck. Spent 1 hr waiting for the food, but it was fun just chit chatting with my family... Following that it was mahjong back at TJ's and erm yah i kinda won quite abit (of chips, we dun play money)
Saturday was our turn to treat Chalene and Cheryl, pasta waraku, desserts at azaru sabo (i hope i didn't screw up the name). Following that we rushed down to parkway for a game of pool, (SJ is really damn zai), frog porridge at geylang, then drinks and chit chat in east coast park. All those we managed in JK's super beng subaru, we even blasted ah beng tetno to complete the experience!
Sunday was leisurely, and a great SO3D class gathering at marina waraku... we had the private tatami area which was perfect for catching up... i love this bunch of ppl. and to think we've known each other for 9 years! ok getting super old le...
Cheryl treated us to fish steamboat at Whampoa to celebrate her first paycheck. Spent 1 hr waiting for the food, but it was fun just chit chatting with my family... Following that it was mahjong back at TJ's and erm yah i kinda won quite abit (of chips, we dun play money)
Saturday was our turn to treat Chalene and Cheryl, pasta waraku, desserts at azaru sabo (i hope i didn't screw up the name). Following that we rushed down to parkway for a game of pool, (SJ is really damn zai), frog porridge at geylang, then drinks and chit chat in east coast park. All those we managed in JK's super beng subaru, we even blasted ah beng tetno to complete the experience!
Sunday was leisurely, and a great SO3D class gathering at marina waraku... we had the private tatami area which was perfect for catching up... i love this bunch of ppl. and to think we've known each other for 9 years! ok getting super old le...
Monday, January 07, 2008
great weekend
the great weekend started off with an afternoon half day with TJ. went to the outdoor bridal show at bugis green, checked out some wedding banquet places, and got scared off due to the supremely high prices... damnit, shd have gotten married like one year ago (haha)... but it was nice and leisurely, even did a spot of shopping!
met up with the OBS cherries for dinner at curry udon (Central), the unagi rice was good! but the place was a tad squashed for us 10 ppl... we adjourned to pitstop games cafe later, though it was slightly out of our age group, it was tons of fun hanging out with them and bitching about work (duh)...
Saturday was good, but started with bad news that our potential love nest was bought by someone else =( but it's ok, we'll wait for another one... then we went to attend Teck Chia's and Betty's wedding! a few screw ups here and there, but it was sweet to see her settle down...
Sunday was spent at brunch (or rather lunch) with the FAGs... we went to Riders Cafe, an ulu but absolutely charming place located at Saddle Club... the food was not bad, the company even better and best of all, we found a perfect place to take wedding photos!
after a leisurely afternoon, we headed off back to my place for yummy home cooked meal. i love pork ribs! =)
ok obviously i began blogging abt this last week, but didn't get to complete it...
met up with the OBS cherries for dinner at curry udon (Central), the unagi rice was good! but the place was a tad squashed for us 10 ppl... we adjourned to pitstop games cafe later, though it was slightly out of our age group, it was tons of fun hanging out with them and bitching about work (duh)...
Saturday was good, but started with bad news that our potential love nest was bought by someone else =( but it's ok, we'll wait for another one... then we went to attend Teck Chia's and Betty's wedding! a few screw ups here and there, but it was sweet to see her settle down...
Sunday was spent at brunch (or rather lunch) with the FAGs... we went to Riders Cafe, an ulu but absolutely charming place located at Saddle Club... the food was not bad, the company even better and best of all, we found a perfect place to take wedding photos!
after a leisurely afternoon, we headed off back to my place for yummy home cooked meal. i love pork ribs! =)
ok obviously i began blogging abt this last week, but didn't get to complete it...
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Goodbye 2007, Hello 2008
apologise for the lack of posts. what happened is that my laptop LCD screen cracked and died, and it was in the workshop. I haven't got it back yet, now blogging on TJ's laptop. will get my lappy back 3 weeks later and $380 poorer, but tt's pretty ok...
Xmas came and went, didn't do anything special this year since TJ wasn't around, but did go to two bbqs on two consecutive Saturdays, where it rained both times. But it was plenty fun chit chatting with friends and family...
Today's the start of a brand new year, when I look back, time really seemed to have passed very fast, especially since I don't exactly LOVE my job... some recap what happened in 2007:
Work: another year in my company, made alot more friends due to my recreation committee, and also because of OBS. the OBS gang rocks... knowing these friends really make working alot more bearable =) came to the conclusion tt i can't stay long in my current position, really can't learn much from my boss, and i've come to disagree more and more often with him... but my colleague going on maternity leave and all makes him appreciate my presence more so hopefully this effort will be rewarded sufficiently...
Friends: new friends at work, met up with older friends... As more and more friends walk down the aisle, I forsee alot more catching up to do... which is great! (only not so good for the wallet)... the expansion of FAGs...
Travel: Penang, Batam, KL, Bangkok, Europe: Switzerland, Paris, Amsterdam... All fantastic trips! Hope to go on more...
Love: TJ recovered fully from his injury, and obviously "gained" more (weight i mean)... he proposed! and ROM is planned in June 2008 =)
Stuff to look forward to in 2008:
1) Shifting of the AW family home to a yet-undisclosed-location (rental), then sourcing and renovating the new AW family home
2) Hopefully a job rotation, if not then it's time to look for greener pastures
3) More travelling, either USA or Australia, with other small trips in between
4) ROM
5) Building our love nest
6) Planning the biggest party of my life =)
7) Meeting new friends, re-connecting with the old
8) Spending more time with my family, as I join a new one...
Happy 2008 everyone!
Xmas came and went, didn't do anything special this year since TJ wasn't around, but did go to two bbqs on two consecutive Saturdays, where it rained both times. But it was plenty fun chit chatting with friends and family...
Today's the start of a brand new year, when I look back, time really seemed to have passed very fast, especially since I don't exactly LOVE my job... some recap what happened in 2007:
Work: another year in my company, made alot more friends due to my recreation committee, and also because of OBS. the OBS gang rocks... knowing these friends really make working alot more bearable =) came to the conclusion tt i can't stay long in my current position, really can't learn much from my boss, and i've come to disagree more and more often with him... but my colleague going on maternity leave and all makes him appreciate my presence more so hopefully this effort will be rewarded sufficiently...
Friends: new friends at work, met up with older friends... As more and more friends walk down the aisle, I forsee alot more catching up to do... which is great! (only not so good for the wallet)... the expansion of FAGs...
Travel: Penang, Batam, KL, Bangkok, Europe: Switzerland, Paris, Amsterdam... All fantastic trips! Hope to go on more...
Love: TJ recovered fully from his injury, and obviously "gained" more (weight i mean)... he proposed! and ROM is planned in June 2008 =)
Stuff to look forward to in 2008:
1) Shifting of the AW family home to a yet-undisclosed-location (rental), then sourcing and renovating the new AW family home
2) Hopefully a job rotation, if not then it's time to look for greener pastures
3) More travelling, either USA or Australia, with other small trips in between
4) ROM
5) Building our love nest
6) Planning the biggest party of my life =)
7) Meeting new friends, re-connecting with the old
8) Spending more time with my family, as I join a new one...
Happy 2008 everyone!
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