Eve of 2010

No car this morning. I was expecting a non-crowded MRT. Wrong. It was so crowded that, not only I had to stand in the train, I was sandwiched between a short lady with a permed curly hair that touched my face each time she moved or turned her head, and a man with a stomach that of a seven to eight months pregnant lady.

Fortunately, the train ride took only 13 minutes; the end to my misery. I met Lee Lee and Teddy while crossing the road to where the bus was already waiting. Good thing I do not have to run after the bus because they did it for me.

The wait to 2.30pm was very very long. Reached Choa Chu Kang close to 3pm, there,I met Yusrah. She was waiting for other colleague at Lot One. Coincidentally it was her last day at work; a date to remember, 31 December 2009. I will definitely miss her.

Eve of 2010 have always been exciting for me. Each year we celebrate it differently. This year, we planned to watch the firework display during the countdown to 2010, live!!. Location not fixed yet.

Uyop just left when I blogged. He looked very young and handsome in the "David C" white shirt we bought last weekend. I have to blog earlier today because I know it's going to be a long nite for me. As promised, I will blog daily even if is a one liner. I am glad I did.

3 things that made me smile today :
1. when 2,30pm finally came..
2. Lee Lee's interest in my IPhone
3. Uyop in David C's shirt...boy I must admit he looked gorgeous

Are You Looking Forward to 2010....?

What the mind of man,can conceive and believe, it can achieve ~ Napoleon Hill.

I love quotes; intelligent quotes. A friend gave me a desk calendar with nice intelligent quotes. Love it!

Two more days to 2010. I am anxious, especially over reports that paints a gloomy picture of the economy;but am not a sceptic, so it's alright. Year 2009 has been a positive experience for me. And I believe so; what my mind can conceive and believe - I will achieve it. I hope to achieve more in 2010; I have to conceive more? believe more? We shall see.

Rita posted her vacation photos to FaceBook prior to our lunch appointment. So we have loads to talk about. Once, I ordered Saba Fish from a Korean stall at Banquet and she was tempted to order it the week after that. And today, she ate the same thing. How addictive. I, on the other hand, had my eyes on, and bought the same food, she had yesterday. Ironically, only the fish tasted as good as it looks, cannot say the same for the veggies.

I have cleared the laundry this morning; will start a fresh new cycle tomorrow. Probably 2 more bins - 2 more bins! I have ironed Uyop's "David C" shirt for a function he has to attend tomorrow - New Year's Eve Dinner. Interestingly, the shirt was bought on post Xmas day after my cousin's wedding. When I first suggested the boutique, Uyop was so sure that he would not find anything there. After stops at 2 to 3 shops; too many to name and dinner at Long John Silver, guess what? We walked into the very boutique that Uyop refused to go into. And bought a shirt he is going to wear tomorrow.

Dyna asked if she could stop attending Kumon; sign of fatigue. I thought she would be delighted when I told her that she can stop attending Kumon's lessson in February 2010; she sighed deeply! I have to explain to her that I need to give the centre a month notice.

I am going to bed early today, so I will have to make this short. Good nite. And yes, I am looking forward to 2010...

3 things that made me smile today :

1. Uyop's ironed "David C" shirt
2. Dyna's plead to stop attending Kumon
3. my little cousins' comments on our photos in FaceBook

7 more days to go.......

What did I do today??

Got up early – did what I am apt to doing in the morning. After shower, place a load of laundry in the dryer and out of the house.

In the morning, traffic was a breeze, quite the contrary to last evening’s traffic jam on my way back to home. When I do drive to work; I miss my daily dosage of good reading but when I did not - I am deprived of the much needed privacy. Dislike the stinky atmosphere of the MRT.

Breakfast was sweet potato porridge courtesy of Kak Noormah. She is one tough cookie; but yet so gentle. Kak Milah gave me an awesome souvenir she got during her holiday trip to Cairo,Egypt. I will post picture of it when I have the chance to upload the pictures from my Iphone.

Rita and I went to Jurong Point for lunch. I had a sumptuous feast; not. In her car, I was browsing FaceBook via my Iphone when I stumbled on, "I am an IDIOT" posted on Ili Nadia's wall. That, made me smile. I can never call myself one, though I have been one before and at times. Needless to say; everyone of us have been an idiot at one time or another. We agree to disagree on this. It does not matter.

When to Nanoux or what's the name of the shop was, to get myself Iphone cover. I have not seen anything that took my fancy. Will go there again soon.

The pain on my back is excruciating - poor girls and Uyop have to wait real late for dinner. I feel bad; I was not prepared to go out for dinner. I wanted to cook. So I did. Ili Nadia and Nylie did the dish-washing and cleaning. Such a great help. Uyop helped to finish the food - not bad!

3 things that made me smile today :
1. my delicious lunch
2. laundry
3. interesting notifications on FaceBook

8 more days to 2010..

What a day to begin with - I was late for work.!!

Woke up several time this morning. At the crack of dawn, was up but decided to laze on my bed and, I must have dozed off way too long because by then, Uyop was already up and ready to go. And so was, Ili Nadia. This is not usual I can tell you that. I am usually the first one to wake up, shower and all set to go, so when this happened, I feel grouchy;miffed with myself.

Made my bed before I left, so that part of my evening agenda unlisted. Period.

Today would be the last Kumon class for both Ili and Nylie. We will see how Dyna would cope at PowerLife before deciding on to stop her Kumon lessons, or not.

Three more days to 2010. I have, and will, NOT make any resolutions. On the other hand, I think I should think of a resolution - just one.

My only wish for 2010 is for Uyop to fulfill his promises he made to me; and the rest will follow.

Eight more days before Dyna steps into six years of primary educations. A whole new meaning to education life; the playground she's so akin to.

Eight more days before Nylie steps into a secondary school. New avenues. Will she change for better? I certainly hope so. This is something new for her. She will meet more mature friends, schoolmates and challenges.

Eight more days befoe Ili Nadia steps into her brand new class. New friends. New teachers. I surely hope she will enjoy that moment as she is so looking forward to going to school. The sparks in her eyes when you talk about school.

I did some housekeeping and spent most of my time doing just that in the office the whole time, most times. FB-ing a little. Ghaffar, my cousin has accepted my request. His got collections of humourous photos. Funny guy.

On my way home, Ili Nadia told me that Piah, Dyna's nanny had offered Chicken Rendang for dinner and that itself, is a delight to me.

The Chicken Rendang was delicious. Somehow, it is not something I would prepare or cook myself. It would take a lot of time to prepare; first you must fry the chicken, ground the ingredients, and dozen of stuff goes into that. Not my niche at all.

Did two bins full of laundry. Believe me it is not an easy task. Nonetheless, I would rather do it myself than having others touch my clothes. Talk about perfection...hmmm.

Uyop was already waiting for me when we reached CSM. Nylie did not want to come along. The "fat guy", Uyop's colleague took a lift from us, so Uyop had to detour to Marsiling MRT station before heading home and had his dinner rather late. We talk awhile and Uyop went to bed. Me - I have to stick to my plan of blogging at least once a day; end of the day. Here I am.

3 things that made me smile today :

1. Ghafar's photos
2. Titin's excuse for terminating her helper's contract
3. Uyop's sms-es about David C..

Contemplations.......

Drove Uyop to work this morning and was expecting Yuli, the part-time maid, around 10am. She came slightly late – I was having my breakfast when the doorbell rang.

Took a while to get the girls up and running. I have no problem with Dyna. Ili Nadia and Nylie reminds me of my sisters. When one wants to use the bathroom, the other would want to do the same, or the total opposite – they will push the “you should go first” button and then the contemplation cycle begins…

Imagine this. It was close to noon when we left our home. Today, as I would describe it before we leave our home, would be, scorching hot day. After we left, half-way through the carpark, it starts to drizzle. Ran to the car at the very first drop of the rain, seems like it was going to get heavier. Quarter of our way to my parents’ home at Ang Mo Kio, on the expressway, I could hardly see anything from my car windshield. Torrential rain! Amazingly just a few metres away, as I was driving onto the slip road; the rain stop.

My aunt was leaving for Malacca in the evening. With a bag so loaded with stuff, I doubt that she could carry it all by herself. Wonder how she was going to cope with the custom at the checkpoint at this time of the season.

I have not done my weekly marketing when I should already have. Decided to just go to Sheng Shiong supermarket. It is not a place that has everything I would possibly desire but that did it.

Yuli called to tell me she was leaving earlier. Quality of her work today, was a bit of a disappointment.! I was planning on cleaning Ili and Nylie’s wardrobe but since Yuli was leaving much earlier than I thought – abandoned that idea.

Got Ili to rinse Uyop’s shirts without much hassle – what a darling.

Contemplating on getting Ina to work for us because of the Baking Workshop I intended to enrol in March 2010 at BITC. Will have much to discuss.

3 things that made me smile today :
1. shopping @ Sheng Shiong
2. Ili rinsing Uyop’s shirt
3. the thought of a reliable housekeeper

Two Weddings and a............

The plan is to go very early to my dearest cousin's wedding. Remember my atm card that need replacement? Being Saturday and a day after a holiday, need I say what I was occupied with the whole morning?

My cousins, yes two of them both have their wedding held on the same day, only thing was, it's at different venues. We went to the one at Fort Canning Park as he is my uncle's first son, and my uncle, being my mother's baby brother here in Singapore, would have an impact on my "mother's honour" if I never show up early.

I love meeting my "long lost" relatives from Malacca and even here in Singapore. We used to frequent there when my grandmother was still living. My other cousins, Emma, Nana and my sister - their laughters coloured the atmosphere. The setting of the wedding was, like another wedding. I was occupied with other stuff to take pictures anyway. Dyna, Tankiu, Darlingz, Sofea and some other kids were just being themselves - kids. What I like most about the wedding is not the buffet spread, not the bride - despite her lovely dress, not the whole wedding set-up, not the annoying emcee and his antics - bright disco, laser lightings; yucks!, definitely not the bride's stuck-up family, BUT the candid moments we had at our private dining table, the little gossips, the private jokes we had...ah that's quite gay. Literally.

The wedding suppose to end at 2000hrs; we left earlier for my second cousin's wedding at Bukit Batok. We stopped by IMM and shop a little. My dearest hubby wanted to shop for his shirt to wear for his department dinner at Orchard Hotel on New Year's Eve - what a way to spend New Year's eve. I have my plans though.

Before we leave IMM, we decided to have our dinner at Long John Silver;Ili and Nylie were protesting. They wanted to go to MacDonald's but Dyna didnt want to. Dyna being a fussy eater that she is, would not go for anything at fastfood restaurants. Even at Long John Silver, she only had cream of chowder and potatoes.

It was close to end of the night, when we reach Bukit Batok. Sat there for awhile,excuse ourselves early and home sweet home.

The house was a mess! At this point, I miss having a helper. Good nite.

The 3 things that made me smile :

1. our gossip corner at Fort Canning Park

2. Ghaffar and Udin (my no longer so little cousins from Malacca)

3. the thought of a family portrait

I Gotta Feeling....

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=12555&id=100000126655413&l=398dc9fce0
I gotta feeling..WooHooo, that tonight's gonna be a good night, that tonight's gonna be a good good night...........that tonite is going to be a good good nite, singing to the tune of Black Eyed Peas. Yes, indeed!

I begin my day on this Xmas Day with, a date with Ili at MacDonald's. It wasnt really a fixed date. I wanted to deposit and transfer monies from my Citibank to DBS account. If I were to do it online it will take 3 working days to literally have those monies transferred. Citibank atm machines are exclusively very remote, whereas our friend DBS' atm machines can be found at every major shopping mall - everywhere and anywhere! So, with atm machines available, you'll need an atm card, right? You know what, after I have deposited my money, walk a few metres away, forgotten to retrieve my card, went back only to a hungry machine that has just eaten up my atm card!

Ili wants to have breakfast at MacDonald's - sausage + pancakes are her favourite. Thus, the date. Told her to wait for awhile there while I check on my card stats again, knowing that I may not get it back, I called the bank to report loss of my atm card. Got Nylie and Dyna breakfast too. Forgotten all about the man of the house....

Beyond the morning incident, positively speaking, today's event was awesome.! We get to walk on otherwise very heavy traffic, busy road of Orchard Road. Despite the gloomy weather, the occasional showers and thunders at Orchard Boulevard, and I think it could be all over Singapore for that matter; it does not dampened our spirits to shop @ Ion and walk down the road of Orchard Turn and Orchard Boulevard.

We left Woodlands at around 1500hrs or slightly earlier because Uyop got stuck at the mosque, dont really know what happened there. Reached Ion pretty fast. The road traffic was easy; very kind to us indeed because we dislike the usual heavy, rough CTE traffic. You wouldnt want to be caught in the rush hour traffic. It can be pretty bad.

Head straight to Levi's that is located at B2 but looking for the direction was a struggle and now we're talking about human traffic. It's amazing how we got through that..or did I mentioned, there were people dancing on the road, look a bit of a sight. The queue to get in the changing room were somewhat a challenge too. Each one of us except Dyna, got ourselves a Levi's jeans.

Friends told us, the Xmas tree at Ion was not to be missed. We did the last time we went to Orchard for some photo taking. So this time, we were at Borders Bookshop-Wheelock Place, when I saw that stunning Xmas Tree and remembered Jo-Anne told me about what happened under the Xmas Tree when she went there with Mitchell, Vanessa and two other kids from the condo. It was hilarious but I shall not dwell on that, lest I miss the humorous details.



Took some shots - not impressive as it was drizzling. Walked a while and went to Far East Plaza for our early dinner. It was nothing compared to what we had last nite, it feeds the hungry people, nonetheless.

Tonite was indeed a good nite; exhilarating, exhausting, extremely exhausting but worth it. A day I would not trade spending with anyone else but my precious ones.

Hope you did too.

3 things that made me smile today :

1. my "loss" atm card

2. our shopping spree

3. Ernie's pictures - colorful pictures

Randomness......

The alarm clock did not wake me this morning. I was awaken by the alarm sound of my phone instead -Doris sms-ed me.

Doris offered roti prata from Jalan Kayu to a delighted me. So breakfast was 1 egg prata and 1 ‘kosong’ prata, for freeeeee. She did not want my money. Perfect start for the day?. That somehow compensated to the S$28 cab ride from home to Tuas-SP that I have to pay. Now that's what I called, daylight robbery. Never mind that.

Not much happened between 0830hrs and 1115hrs. Afterwards, had lunch with Rita at Banquet. Bought Andrew's, Adeline's and went to collect Doris', gifts. By the way, since the boss-Andrew, will be out the whole of next week, I will be out and about at the office; do some housekeeping perhaps? Andrew and family are going to Hanoi.

1430hrs headed home and was I glad to be home early today. I reached home before the girls did. Even Uyop was fast asleep. Did I mentioned Dyna sms-ed me - she said, I love you Mummy, I love you more and I love you Super more. How sweet. She's a darling.

We left for Changi Airport Terminal 2 close to 1700hrs. Uyop friends and family came so, so much later. We didnt want to wait much longer; decided not to linger around the airport lounge and went straight to Swensen's. Booked seats for 16 pax and, waited. And waited...

They came, ordered the food, eat, talk and talk. The children in their own play zone. Our friends and I were discussing our trip to Redang next year. We planned to drive there - that will take us hours and a few pit stops, thus the detailed planning. Interesting?

Hours later, paid the bill, continued our conversations at The Coffee Bean whilst our little bundle of laughs and funs, played at the blown-up castle nearby. It slipped my mind what was the "blown-up castle" or something of that sort is called-see photo above and the right. You know, the one that kids can jump, slide and have great fun. Ili and Nylie went shopping. Nylie got herself a Nike school bag - a good buy.

Believe it or not, at 2300hrs, the kids were still full of energy. Im not. Despite such great fun and accompanied by happy friends, I was aching to leave. My back hurts, and Im having a throbbing headache. Our drive home was different from when were at the airport. There were total silence, besides Jasmine's blabbering on air; the music she played was a consolation.

We planned to go to Ion tomorrow after Uyop's Friday prayer. But then again, today, tomorrow and day after will be day of randomness. We are so going to enjoy the long weekends. I'd better get some sleep now.

To my friends out there, have an enjoyable holiday.

3 things that made me smile today :

1. more Xmas gifts
2. Dyna's smses
3. the coincidences...

Jue and I

Left home around 0656 hrs to send Ili Nadia for her school's Sec.1 orientation - councillor's duty. Back home at 0720 hrs only to be out again, half an hour later.

Dyna tagged along with us for Nylie's Sec.1 orientation at Whitley Secondary School. Location - Bishan Street 22. The school vacinity parking lot were full; so I parked my car nearer to the guardhouse. I am thankful for a fact that the security officer did not mind me parking there..

We were guided to the school hall for the registration and orientation talk by the headmaster of the school. After the talk from the headmaster, and the head of student councillor, things got rather chaotic. In my opinion, Ili Nadia's school were far more organized. This one is a far cry.

The queue for books and uniform were very, very long. We opted for the shorter queue - which was for uniform measurement. Even that, took us more than half an hour. Paid for the uniform and I took the pain to ask Nylie to try the uniform; was good that I did. She was initially reluctant but being Nylie, the obedient girl that I know, slumped shoulder, walked to the changing room, - tried her skirt on. And, she must have hate that feeling., you know the feeling of thinking the other person is wrong; and you are right, often the other person's opinion turns out right.

Anyways, as were leaving the changing room, a lovely lean lady smiled at me. She looked at me right in the eyes and asked if I am Sue? To me, she just looked familiar but have no clue on who she was until she told me who she is. Such a small world; to have met there and of all place, . We hugged and giggled; talked for dont know how long.

How much we have evolved. She is my ex-schoolmate and used to be a confidante. She is still as elegant as she was before.

Jue and I met 26 years ago, we were classmates and good friends back then; somehow lost contact when we both started having boyfriends. Or she'd moved somewhere. I think of her every now and then; all these years.

Found out later, that her daughter will be in the same class as Nylie - amazing!

I am done with the girls' books, uniforms and what-nots. Looking forward to having early dinner at Swensen's tomorrow to avoid the crowd.

3 things that made me smile today :

1. Jue

2. PhotoFunia

3. Xmas gifts from friends

Posted

Got an sms from Uyop at 0630hrs. Nylie was posted to Whitley Secondary School; though not her first choice of secondary school, I am not fretting.

Was a bit of a rush this morning but I managed to buy my favourite “breakfast” that is Mr Bean 3-in-1 at Choa Chu Kang MRT. It’s an indulging silky soft texture soya beancurd in soya milk together with Tang Yuan, peanut in a glutinous rice ball. Will tell you more about Tang Yuan.

It was rather a quiet ride home earlier. The train was only 3/4 full; unusual. School and coming Xmas holidays, plus toward end of the year, when most people has to clear their annual leave, could be, the factors for my quite ride home. I like it this way. For a change, I get to read peacefully without having to worry about commuters barging, yes barging, in and out of the train.


Once home, I was greeted by Uyop gorgeous trademark smile. He was practising his guitar strumming near our hallway.

Back to my usual routine; of preparing dinner.

After dinner, the girls did their part of cleaning the kitchen and washing "the pots and pans".

Like I promise earlier. I googled; Tang Yuan is a Chinese Food made from glutinous rice flour. Glutinious rice flour is mixed with a small amount of water to form balls and is then cooked and served in boiling water. It is tradionally eaten during Lantern Festival. And what I actually ate was, 4 soft glutionous rice balls that oozed out delicious mouth-watering grounded peanut.

Enough of that already. I am still disappointed for not being able to post my picture to FaceBook. Got to look into it fast.


3 things that made me smile today :

1. managed to get Mr Bean 3-in-1 in a “I will definitely miss the
bus” state without really missing the bus.

2. that today is Tuesday – 2 more days to a long, hopefully great weekend.

3. saw that handsome smile and his sheer determination to perfect his strumming

Sequentials and Happy Birthday Datin

Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
- Satchel Paige

First thing first. Tomorrow is a date to remember.

Today’s blog is dedicated to my best of friends - I called Bib. Well, sometime I called her Datin.

Tomorrow is Bib’s birthday. She is my bestfriend and friend for laughs. To her, age doesn’t matter;because she doesn’t mind. Simple.

In a broader sense – she has accomplished everything, almost everything she wanted to accomplish. I think. And so it doesn’t matter if her birthday was yesterday, today or tomorrow.

She is a homemaker, mother of a handsome young teacher-to-be and a very cute bubbly little girl, Yana. Bib is a joy to be with and my hope for her to always be happy and stay cheerful. Ameen.

Secondly. The office today is like ghost-town. Jo-Anne is on long annual leave. Mark was in for only half a day and from then, it’s so so boring.

Sat with Yusrah in the bus to CCK and we talked about my iPhone. For almost 20 minutes, our conversations revolved mobile phone and contracts.

Tonite's dinner was kept to the minimum - and the the chocolate from Jin and James are deadly sinful. Very very good.

3 things that made me smile today :
1. Mark offering his Ipod Music List – not sure if it is original?
2. Royce Chocolate for a babyplus that I loan to Jin.
3. iPhone yet again

My Sun-Day

Sunday 20 Dec 2009 - the Sunday that I literally lazed around most of the morning, and for as long as I can ever hope for. I figured, there is only one of us in all of time. So I have to make time for myself in order to make time for others. This day, I for one, needed the rest that I most deserved.

By noon, I am recharged!. Did 2 loads of laundry with ease. The separations of whites and colored, for washing, drying, folded and hanged - completed without much damaged done to my laundry area.

Half of my Sunday breezed out just like the nice breeze outdoor.

I should be enjoying myself outdoor today.

I should grab my dear Canon and capture the buzz at the playground with my lens.

I should have gone jogging with Uyop.

And all the I should have-s but never did.

I should have NOT procrastinate.! But I procrastinated most of the I should have-s, all in the name of completing an absorbing book.

Evening seep in rather quickly. Earlier on, planned what I intended to cook, and an hour later, cooked what I planned to cook. I enjoyed watching the dish plates cleared off dishes, that I have prepared, cooked and served; like it never needed washing.

I am in a joyful mood to be annoyed at anything at all, today.

I have also virtually harvested my blackberries. And I now owned a virtual Villa. It's time to start dreaming for the real one.

3 things that made me smile today :

1. the house is neat and tidy.

2. watching Uyop practise his guitar with much enthusiasm

3. not having to tell Ili and Nylie what to do

ASHR in New Moon...

Woke up to an irritating sound of chopper slap-banged to a chopping board. Thought I could ignore that. Imagine this. At 0530 plus hours, your body is comfortably tugged on to the comforter – the bed only to yourself, and your other half of course, you have good minutes to savour, ONLY to be woken up not by the sweet music of your alarm clock...URGGH!!

Get the girls to shower, ready for their ASHR – Advanced Student Honor Roll award recipient ceremony at Woodlands Regional Library. We are supposed to be there by 1015 hours. We were quite punctual – nah 5 to 10 minutes late because we stopped by 7-11 store for snacks.

When we reached there, the event has not started but most of the parents and award recipients were already seated.

I did not anticipate Dyna’s turn to be so soon. I have not gotten myself settle down to the seat they have allocated to us yet. Was still deciding on to change seats or not, as I feel it is not easy for me to take nice shots from that angle. We've allocated us a corner seats - it will hinder my movement. Restriction of this sort is not what I wanted at that moment. I wanted to take pictures of the girls receiving their awards. Oh well, in short I did not get to capture Dyna’s candid moment. I hope to get a copy of Dyna's picture receiving the award, from Kumon.

All went well, felt like it has ended even before it began.

We had lunch at Banquet and watch New Moon soon after. New Moon was a disappoinment. Either because the movie theater was too cold or the story line is. It could be easily 18ºC. I like the scene where the “wolves” were cliff diving. Awesome thrill. I would love to do that some day. Hope I don’t get to old to cliff dive.

3 things that made me smile today :
1. to see the girls on stage receiving their awards..
2. the thought of me cliff diving
3. still the iPhone....struggling even to call Uyop.

What is with Surprises and Me?

Today is 1st Muharram 1431 Hijrah. Happy New Year...

It is a day full of surprises..and a very pleasant surprise from Uyop (pronounce Uu-Yop).

Well, what surprises me was, the fridge that Mark offered me but I, politely refuse to except, is still in exceptional condition and that makes Noormah the new recipient, very happy.

The queen and single size mattresses were well maintained and looks pretty new too. Makes me glad that I took the chance and gamble on the single mattress – save on buying one for Nylie. Hers is in a sorry state.

His got coffee-maker, iron, ironing board, picnic chairs – one blue and one is jet-black, side-cabinets both in black and top-loading washing machine for 9 to 11kg loads – for what it’s worth it can go at least more good years. Decent. All these he said would be very expensive to send back to Sydney.

I didn’t expect an early Xmas gift from my boss, Andrew. And I for one have not prepared anything for him just yet. He gave me this beautiful red toilet bag full of toiletries including this exotic sweet smelling lip-balm. Love it. Cassandra – Andrew’s wife has done a totally good job wrapping it, I suppose. They’re a sweet bunch.

I was planning to cook tonite but as usual have difficulty choosing between what to cook and not. So I ended up choosing the minced beef to cook with veggies, and some other stuff. That didn’t come as a surprise to me!!

The other very pleasant surprise was so unexpected especially when it was for no apparent reason. No today is not my birthday, wedding anniversary or whatnot. My dear hubby called me to the living room annnnndddddddddd…he gave me : “Meet the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet. iPhone 3GS features video recording, voice control, up to 32GB of storage and more.”

A new iPhone. I was ecstatic; simply ecstatic. Not that I need one but it is indeed a very pleasant surprise.


3 things that made me smile today :
1. Single mattress that I will be "adopting".
2. Sweet smell shocking pink lip-balm
3. iPhone and the look on my girls’ faces when I showed them.

Daddy's Love... & MacBooks

Last nite, we had dinner at Al Ameen and then head straight to my mum's place to collect the newly delivered MacBooks. We were there for less than an hour.

Ili Nadia's and Nylie's year-end reward.

Uyop ordered these MacBooks 2 or 3 days ago and at last the agony of waiting - I think it's just me; seized.

Uyop inspecting the labels and barcodes.? after much perseverance.

Xclusive

Everyone in Uyop Ong's household are excited with the girls' new "toys".

Afterall, this is our very first MacBooks.

I am left dreaming about, what my heart desires ...iPhone and the 27" Mac Beau. He's very gorgeous - I saw him in Ion and it was really love at the first sight.

Tomorrow, I will be updating on what Dyna did when the sisters were away just now.

3 things that made me smile today :

1. my children's reward for their achievements

2. smiles that of my love ones

3. MacBooks - the Xclusive Apple lighted logo

That Special Someone.....A Stranger

Met this interesting guy in the train to Chua Chu Kang MRT. You see, first he was standing next to me and the next thing I knew, he had his body near to bending and his head so close to the book I was reading.

Interestingly, he was humming whilst reading my book and as if he was enjoying it thoroughly; I let him and did not mind. And then, he did the most hilarious, craziest act I have ever seen in MRT - I have been driving to work most times, so this has made my trip to work more exciting than any other days.

What he did? He clapped both his hands, tapped his feet and nod his head vigorously like up and down, left to right…very entertaining BUT see this guy is special, he is different; he did it his way, and nothing around him matters to him; seemingly oblivious to my unconcious stare. He is in his own world. I looked at what his wearing and what on his T-shirt says it all.

I am ashamed of myself for thinking he was some kind of a freak; it turns-out he is one person in my entire journey to work on that day, from walking from home to the MRT station, MRT station to where the company bus would pick us up and up to my intended destination – work, joyful...!

Besides my MRT experience this morning, I have got to keep this in my journal is – a gift from Mark. I’ve got to redeem his 5626 DBS points.!! I am ecstatic. In cash it would have cost him S$120.00. It made him happy to give away vouchers and I, on the other end, receiving it. Did some homework,.. after some googling, I chose Cold Storage vouchers, movie tickets and S$60 SPC Fuel Voucher.

I will make my first attempt to redeem the Cold Storage vouchers on Friday and the movie tickets on Saturday. Dyna wants to watch The Princess Frog but both Ili and Nylie wants to watch New Moon. I am sandwiched.

3 things that made me smile today :
1. That special guy @ MRT
2. Mark Bridge’s DBS points
3. What I had for lunch – Green Been Porridge

Seeing Red...

Start the day with pretty much nothing fantastic to blab about.

After my prayer, rush to harvest my black berries @ Farmville; gee, I am addicted to Farmville. That's done, cleaned-up my bedroom, was supposed to do the laundry but changed my mind. For what seems like a mountain of tasks to do ahead; was made easier. Thank goodness for the invention of dryer.

Rushed to the hospital to send my father for his routine check-up. While at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, took loads of pictures of Dyna; she's a great subject to shoot.

Oh by the way, there was something interesting I wanted to blog about yesterday but got caught up with the actions - annoying one @ Safra Country Club. Our trip there didnt't turn out as planned. Will let you know shortly.

For now, this is what is occupying my mind - Ili Nadia, her boyfriend and can't-get-out-of-my-mind JOB.

I wish for everything to turn out well for the both of them. And as for work - I WANNA QUIT!!

Here's what happened at Safra Country Club - Orchid Bowl. I've reserved a lane; one that has a bumper so that when it's Dyna's turns to bowl, it will automatically rise. Unfortunately, we have to wait longer than expected. Things like this happens. That was alright with the four of us. Worst has yet to come. A minute later, came family of like about 3 boys and their parents...and the mother turn-up to be a super whacky jerk. She snorts, I think and for every throw the boys did, she would do all the whacky stuffs. The worst part was they occupied the whole area with like 10 to 12 bowling balls and never spare a thought for us! And my score did nothing to raise my game. So that's it.

BUT the three things that makes me smile today :

1. Dyna's enthusiasm in the photo shoots.
2. All the 3 girls went to Quran recital without me prompting them to do so.
3. Seeing my nephew and nieces; it's been ages since we last met.

Bowled over.

I was not in the best of mood yesterday, except for time we had dinner at Secret Recipe or something; cannot remember the name of the cafe we went to. Anyway, the food was not superbly great but good enough to fill my ninety percent empty stomach.

Was bowled over by Uyop's sudden enthusiasm when we had dinner the nite before. He sweetly invited but probably hoping we did not go, if we would be interested in joining him; meeting and bowling with his old school friends or whatever they called themselves - AMBLSS, I think.

Anyways, while we were there - @ Jurong Superbowl, I could not help feeling miserable because they seems to know each other very well; enjoying themselves much while I know for a fact that Uyop wanted to socialize or mingle with them too; BUT he cannot do it freely like the rest did. I cannot imagine myself being that pathetic but I was!! As much, as I wanted to mingle around, it's just not me. I do not mingle easily and it takes me awhile to warm up to people for fear that people will judge me or something. Sickening right? or I am plainly shy, unfriendly, see I cannot even think of a word to describe IT!!

One thing for sure and I hope for, was that my husband has had a great time bowling with his friends. I am very sure his friends did too. There was this particular lady that has a distinctive "I hate you" kind of look and whenever I saw her she gave me an even more "I hate you" look -There was once, I even smiled at her, but I get this icy look again...or was it just me..hmmm. And then, there was this lady whom I think was Uyop's "high school sweetheart"; whom he refused to admit was his "ex-girl", very sweet looking and all, when I heard him asking her something about where??...I pretended I did not hear anything, walked back in to where we came from, to allow them to catch up with what they have missed out - I catch a glimpse of that look that tells me all. I wonder.

I felt pangs of regret coming along with him; all I want is for him to feel free to talk, to mingle.....

I was selfish to go. And for the fact that I went not because I want to really bowl but a selfish reason - I do not want Uyop to drift. Drifted by his past and forget US; his presents, like he nearly did once, too many.

Gotta send the girls to class. No pictures attached and all there is, are pictures of last nites miseries. I just hope things get better today. Argh!! I knew what is coming...the one thing that all women have to put up with every single month unless we are pregnant. Cheers!!

Today - I found my way........

Today, I found my way to work, it took me 20 minutes drive from home to Tuas West Drive - where I work.

For the first time in many months, I decided to take MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) to Choa Chu Kang where the company bus pick-up point is, and yesterday.., I got lost instead and it took me near two hours, mind you, to reach my destinations and after bout of giddiness.

Today, I am delighted. I have gone this far - 12 years and moving on... I have seen beautiful rainbows, displaying and producing magnificent aura to those who cares to stop and watch. Hot striking orange sparkling sunrise; the most awesome mother nature fireworks display one can ever witness. If I ever had a bad night; thankfully hardly, my morning drive to work would certainly and surely makes me forget.

As I drove in through the drive-in, I can see from my view mirror the calm blue sea, the palm trees swaying, dancing with the wind, waving at me. It's a beautiful morning.

See, how many people can actually say that their work place is a resort or like a resort.? I can! It reminds me of the beautiful beaches I have been to and the lovely people I have met along the way.

It reminds me of holidays......except I do not have to pay but get paid instead.

Parked my car, zipped into the lobby and back to reality. I am so looking forward to go home now.

Heartache

Woke up at around 4 plus in the morning, wrapped Dyna's text books by 5 plus, FB-ing, read, did the laundry, boil water, take some pictures - randomly and continued reading.

Accompanying Dyna is like, one minute here and one minute there. She reminds me of ME! - Bits of that fickleness. She cannot sit still for a minute, gets bored very easily, thus my writing again. Even my handwritting change every few words that I wrote. That was one quarter of my day. Haha.....

In the afternoon. Today, we reached KKH ten minutes earlier and all went well except for the valet parking part. I decided on a valet parking which happens to be FREE. So drove to where the attendant was standing, gave him the car key and went up to register so that Dyna's weight and what not can be taken before seeing the cardiac consultant. My mobile rang as we were taking the elevator up........surprise!! the guy called me to tell me, my car would not start. Period! What could be better than having my car stalled infront of two parked cars - you can imagine how furious I was, but no, I was quite cool. Called Uyop; he never picks up the call. Called his brother, that was when I realized how silly I was. It's the remote that always plays trick on me. Sickening remote control!!

Yucks!! but never mind...now, my car's done. The consultant told me that Dyna's VSD is alright and that we will have to see him again next year. The hole never close-up and good thing is that it never gets bigger. No surgery required..what a relieve. I pray and hope that she gets better and that we will never have to see the consultant ever again. I can only hope.

What happened? Queen......

Spenson, a colleague of mine was telling me about celebrities twitting like as if everyone cares how they feel or what they were doing...

What came to my mind was, if people do not really care what others have to say, then in my case, some people would not care about what I have to say, write, think or how I feel. This gives me the freedom to write, blog without being judged, and he is right too you know. There is some truth in what he said.

I miss those days when I can bring my camera along and shoot, write about it. My aim now is to get a smaller camera just like Ili's and my poor DSLR would be shelved and use only fr vacations or special shoot. I am still waiting for my wishlist for a good lens...so there you go, reason for shelving my poor canon.

Perhaps I want to be heard, I want to listen to my own voice - voices from within. You see, like the picture above, my needs are more like the Queen but in my own world. Called my mother earlier and my mother being a mother that she is, listen probably bored to death to what I have to say about what happened yesterday at Dyna's primary one orientation.

But what I did not tell her was, I feel so beat, and hopelessly lonely yesterday. From Uyop's work place, Dyna and I headed to Qihua Primary School for her orientation. Got her starter pack and was whisked to the school hall where the orientation was to be held. Apparently, I was one of those few parents who came alone. Saw an empty seat at the corner in the middle row of the hall, and so I thought...BUT this lady, ANNOYING woman...stopped me and told me off, that the seat was taken. So I went to the one that is vacant, two seats away from her. While waiting for the principal to begin her speech, I took a book out to read. Disturbing thoughts about that seat, whose or what? why??. You know what, the seat of my initial choice was never taken, or at least that was what happened!!. Never saw anybody, any soul and goodness what sat on that chair. Bitch..

Anyway, I will not brood over what happened in the hall. What happened afterwards were far more interesting.

I met someone; my regret was, I did not ask her for her name. She talked about her daughter whom in her early childhood did not know how to read and write well but is now in an Integrated Programme. This programme will provide an integrated upper secondary and Junior College education where secondary school pupils can proceed to JC without taking the GCE ‘O’ Level Examinations..

A goal springs in my mind. I want to be more pro-active then before in Dyna's primary school and learning journey... I want to always be there for her, read to her always and to shift my focus so that in future, if her options were to go to JC without taking the GCE 'O' level, this would be one path or route she can take. But is all about her choices and not mine.

Loads of stuff to do now...what is happening in the kitchen?

Good morning Sunshine

I was greeted with a pleasant sight of sunrise at my balcony; this has to be a good sign of what's to come for the rest of the day.

The mutton briyani that I had last nite have kept my stomach full in the morning, and soon after it was growling. So as I was driving to Assyafaah mosque to get Dyna, though with no haste - food takes control of my mind. Nevertheless, it brings out the creative juice in me. I would never have thought of cooking Pumpkin-Sago for our dessert.

By the time I reached my destinations, I was a little faint and tired. Come to think of it, between getting Dyna, Ili and Nylie fed and the place righted, and preparing myself for the shopping bout, I had actually forgotten to eat any luncheon at all! - skipped!

Went to mum's place, had dinner there and of course my "Pengat Labu Bersago" as dessert. Excuse me, but translating it will kill the sweetness of my dessert.

As it turns out, today is a beautiful sweet day indeed.

Rain rain go away...........

It's raining and looks like it's not going to stop. Ironically, rain has to be THE subject of my first blog in 2009.

Typically, my weekends are spent outdoor. So today is an exception, as we've no plans - period. Beauty of it, is that, it was so hot and humid yesterday, so I really appreciate GOD's gift in the form of RAIN to make my part of the world here cooler.

Speaking of which, after rain sometimes comes the 7 beautiful color rays - Rainbows.

The most spectacular rainbow displays happen when half of the sky is still dark with draining clouds and when you're at a spot with clear sky in the direction of the Sun. The result is a luminous rainbow that contrasts with the darkened background. Early morning of yesterday, as I was driving to work, I observed that and it kept my spirit high the whole of yesterday until the unpleasant nudge I had from someone late in the evening....hmmm

Well after the rain, we had our dinner early today courtesy of my dearest, Uyop. I had Mutton Briyani. I can skip breakfast tomorrow...see if I can do that.

I'll end my session today to the tune of the song "Rain, rain go away...come again another day....."

Got to share this joke, thanks to worldstoriesinpictures.