Jer hit 3!

A few minutes ago, Jer was hitting the new chapter of his life. The big 3. Now, he is OFFICIALLY in chapter 3, 1 day into it to be exact! heee...

Our usual Bday / anniversary celebration is to go for a meal. I suggested Ma Maison at Bugis, but he wanted Seoul Garden. And so, Seoul Garden we went.

Food's ok. But I do think that variety is much lesser as compared to the past.

Only thing I really really dislike is to smell like BBQ. My hair, clothes, bag and even my HP! =( I'm wondering how long its gonna take before the lingering smell clears. *sigh*

Anyway, I was early and I waited and waited and waited. From an empty restaurant, I waited till it was full and still no signs of the Bday boi!

Oh well, at least we had a window seat. Overlooks Liang Seah street. This lane does brings back memories, we used to come here often when we were doing our wedding prep. Our bridal shop is just down the lane.

I was so bored, till I snapped pics of the spanking clean BBQ hotplate and steamboat bowl. And my own reflection from what is supposed to be Jer's seat. I finally can't take it any longer and so I cooked while waiting, I thought he should be hungry by the time he arrives, can start eating no need wait. And when I was done, he's still not here!Fast forward to after dinner and we asked 1 of the staff to help us take a pic.

First shot. I like this shot. Only thing is, I had to crop the pic as the manager of the store choose this moment to walk out and he's in the frame.

Second shot.Blur. =(

So, that leaves just 1 good shot.

Nevertheless, can any of you tell that my left lower eye lid is swollen? I was a little uncomfortable since yesterday but earlier today, it got more and more uncomfortable and starting to irritate me. Towards the end of the day, it hurts a little too.

Sigh... another episode of eye infection I guess. I just recovered from the last one less than 2 weeks ago! Maybe the bacteria is too strong as I let it heal naturally without going to the doc and the bacteria did not clear totally. I guess, I must go to the doc if the swell is still here on Sunday.

But still, Happy Birthday, Hubby! Love you always!!!

Sweet Hubby

Last night, after getting my marked TMA back from the blackboard and realized that I flunked it, I was depressed.

And I told myself, I WILL finish reading the last chapter before turning in. Such was my anger at my own stupidity for failing.

Hubby was at this moment, watching "Blood Diamond" on channel 5. The show ended at 1am and he decided to go to bed. Knowing that I failed, he encouraged me to concentrate and do well for the next 2 upcoming TMAs and he went to bed first.

I finally finished reading the notes at 1.40am or so and I went into the bedroom. There, I saw light emitting from the bed. Curious, I called out if he was sleeping. He replied not yet. He was waiting for me.

Knowing how blind I become after lights off, he recently placed this hand powered torch near the bed... and he will light up the way for me after lights off!

That's so sweet of him, isn't it?!

And today, my tenant shifted out. Her room is in a mess, dirty and dusty. Sweet hub volunteered to clean up the room all by himself, but I helped out a little by vacuuming the room and he mopped and clean up.

Watching him work, I really feel so blessed that I have a hub who helps out in chores and takes pride in doing it well.

Lastly, ever since, I told him that I like to be kissed on my forehead as it makes me feel so secured and loved, he has been doing it. Twice Daily! Once before we part for work in the morning and another before we sleep.

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww......

I just feel so loved and blessed!
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Don't mind me... I just need to 'haolian' about my sweet hub la.

Different smelling sense

I've already forgotten this incident, but this morning, I suddenly remembered and thought I'll do my memory justice and blog about it.

Some weeks back, Taka was having their sale and the Hub and I went.

I showed him the gorgeous Juicy Couture shop at Level 4 and then proceed to drag him to Level 1 to show him the fragrance that I was lemming for.

He took a whiff, made a face and commented that it smells too sweet and a tad familiar. Just that he cannot recall what it reminded him off. But the general comment was, "Not nice." Um.... "not nice" being the polite way of saying.

After putting some distance between the over-enthusiastic SA and us, a few Indian / Myanmar nationalities walked past. The Hub was busy making many other comments, most of which I’ve forgotten now but 1 comment came back to me this morning.

“It reminds me of those scent that they (*eye signals to the group that just walked past) wear!!”

I was incredulous! The scent, granted is sweet, very vanilla maybe and too flowery. But I did like it!

The Hub after making the association, laughed and laughed and laughed. Infected by him, I burst out laughing too.

His final comment?

“Don’t tell people you are my wife if you wear THAT scent out.”

On hindsight, minus the pretty bottle, I honestly don’t really like the scent as much as I did.

Ha!

After this hilarious incident, I know for sure, there is no way that I’m going to get this pretty little thing anymore.

My latest lemming for fragrance is the Pure White Linen Pink Coral (Eau de Parfum Spray) by Estee Lauder. Which, apparently won the Hub’s nose and his approval.

He likes my previous Pure White Linen (L) and current Pleasures (R) both fragrances from Estee. Think his nose quite atas, Estee.

I think I shall keep it safe and stick to Estee… else I may honestly be given the ultimatum and really have to declare to people “nah… I’m not his wife.”

11 years

Today marks the 11th year that Hub and I have been together since day 1 when we first got together.

It's been a long long time.

And to mark our 11th year anniversary, we had to get a plumber to come in to fix our toilets. -_-"

The silly toilets had been leaking for some time now and finally, we moved our ass in getting a plumber to come in.

OHH... Now then I know, the water tank can be removed like this! (Bedroom toilet)Bedroom toilet DONE. Lots of tools...Plumber working on the kitchen toilet.
This silly white thing (that the plumber was trying to saw through) costs us $50 JUST to replace! Made of gold or what?!

Like so easy lor and it took him less than an hour to do both toilets!

He merely changed the flushing system inside and then fix the tank back to the wall! And it costs us $270! *ouch*

Now we have 2 perfectly good flushing systems... in fact too good lor. The new system is so powerful that we use too much water! And coz this is an old bowl, there is no half flush with the knob!! *sigh* Means my water bills will increase... got to find some ways to save water.

Heart pain things aside, hubby and I went to J8 for dinner.

KFC.

Sinful but finger licking good you know. heee....

Walked around and we came back with a Monkey cushion from Mini Toons. Hubby sponsored half.. hahahaha..I like this monkey. So cute! I needed a new back cushion for office, the ones I have are already flatten. Time to change.

Best of all, it has another function! Serves as hand warmers!!! Perfect for my ever freezing fingers in office! That's hubby demostrating the warmers effects.

I saw a similiar one in Ikea before, was tempted to get it then, but that is very small and it was socks popping out so can't really lean comfortably on it. Anyway, that was supposed to be for kids to keep their feet warm and to prevent them from kicking away the blankets or something to that effect, that's why it has the socks thing.

and a black top from Cotton onWanted to get a black racer back, can't find any and happen to see this, and it's only $10. Get lor.

Took a walk back home after that in the cool night.

Certainly felt good to be strolling home with hubby... it seems like ages ago when we last did that too!

Yet, another adddition

I always nag my mom that she buys far too many pots and pans for the family... and I think I truly am her daughter.

I am doing the very same thing!!

Brand new Stainless Steel Tiger Thermal Magic Cooker, 6L.
Now, I can make my soups... something that I ALWAYS say to myself on purchase of a new pot. =/

Thing is, I have the Tanyu pots, Slow cooker all of which, I'm hardly using.

And my reasons for getting this Tiger Thermal Magic cooker?

I have to watch the fire for Tanyu pots... a luxury that I do not have. My Tanyu pot is now for porridge and barley water. Such a waste hor.

Slow cooker is easy, but the soups n food is blah... Hubby finds it ok. But I find the product soooooo blah!!

Now, with this Magic Cooker, I can just boil my soups over the stove in the mornings and then leave it in the outer case and have good soup for dinner! Maybe even desserts or some tonics...

Plus, I've been aiming at this pot for the last 3 years and it's only now that I'm getting it... So I really must put it to good use in order to fully make it worth my amount spent.

So happened that my mom is not cooking today, so, after a super long period, Hubby and I went grocery shopping after mass today!

And for dinner, we had pre-mixed rice (influenced by Clement & Wise)Carrot & Corn soup (in the new pot) re-heat on stove after cooking in the outer casing for a few hours - sorry very dark. I was blocking the light...Scrambled eggs with ham and tomatoes on lettuceAnd altogether, our dinner...

Rice with a soup and a dish.Pardon the newspaper, we are too lazy to clean up so with a newspaper, we can then just throw every single thing, have a simple dinner without worrying about splashing food on the table.

Conclusion...

Rice was ok. I was silently thanking God that the grains was not too hard... First time cooking mixed rice, not sure of the amount of water needed.

Eggs not bad. I mean how wrong can eggs go?

Soup.. ahh.... added too much water. Also, in future will get those bi-coloured corn instead as it is sweeter as compared to these pure yellow ones. But overall, can taste the sweetness of the corns and carrots. Just that silly me added too much water. The soup looks too clear to be nice. =(

I wanted to cook more soup so that I can have it for dinner for tomorrow and also some for hubby when he comes home after class. But... greedy lor...

Anyway, I shall practise more often so that I can get it right! It's getting sooo boring to keep eating outside food!

So sad lor, Hubby was not being encouraging at all. =( He was like "You sure, you will use the pot?"

=(

But then again, to give him credits, he did the washing up after we finished dinner. And he did say "After May, can cook more often already" coz that's when my exams would have ended. And he did went grocery shopping with me, lug the food back and also to volunteer to help in the kitchen.

So all in not that bad la.

OHH!!! When I was frying the eggs, hubby was helping me by covering the splattering frying pan (frying ham) with newspaper and our converation went like this...

Hub: "We probably are the only ones who fry things like this. Where got people use newspaper to cover oil wan?!"
Me: "No! I grew up seeing my mom do this especially when frying fish. Don't your mom do that?"
Hub: "No lei."
Me (Shocked): "Then how she fry things?"
Hub (matter of factly) : "Let the oil splatter lor"
Me (even more shocked):"Har??? Then after that, it's such a mess to clean up!!!!"
Me (casually):"Oh.. Then your mom and I cannot own the same kitchen... sure argue lei."
Hub: "Sometimes used the metal cover..."
Me: "Oh. Then it's ok la. Got cover can already, but not let oil splatter so messy and oily and so troublesome to clean up. But cover still got to wash ma, newspaper can throw."
Hub: "Ya lor, oily" followed by silence....

So people, how do YOU fry your things?

I'm the lazy sort. The less things to wash and clean up the better. If I can juse 1 plate for everything, I would! But I can't, so too bad.

But still, I'll try very hard to minimise the number of plates, pots and things that I got to use.

Food

I must say, we've been eating pretty well for the last few nights that we're in Phuket. Every night, we're bound to have some kind of seafood.

On our first day there, we took some time exploring the surrounding area and shops. We must have walked a few streets, saw tonnes of restaurants and shops, all very empty! Must be because of the off peak season now. Whatever it was, we were spoilt for choices! There were just TOO many restaurants to choose from and we were clueless which to go for since, we've no idea which is good and we also did not want to spend a bomb even though the Thai Baht is low.

Finally, after covering the nearby streets, we settled on 1 restuarant, One Man or something like that. And the only reason, we went for that was because, there were 2 other patrons in it. We din want to go to a totally empty restaurant ma. And the other reason was because, they have local thai food. I din want to eat the "Ang Mo" food ma. Go another country, of course must eat their local food ma, what for eat western right? But apparaently, Hubby disagree with me lor... Look at what he ordered?!Yups. Chicken Chop. =/ Anyway, the food was not bad. I like the Prawns with cashew nuts. Prawns was very fresh and tasty! My Pad Thai also not bad, but I find the noddles a little too hard. But, all in all, the food was cheap and relatively good. Hubby's chicken chop was served with tartar sauce. Weird hor? First time I see chicken chop served with that. But even though it was a novetly, there's nothing special about the chop nor the sauce. Very normal, which we can get locally anywhere. And by the way, I really did not write wrongly, it's chicken "CHOP" even though it looks more like cutlet. Maybe, different ways of naming items in different countries. I don't know.

Edited: The hubby saw the post and he corrected me with "I also want to eat local food. The menu put Fried Chicken ma, that's why I ordered ma"

So the only conclusion I have is, my mistake for remembering it as Chicken Chop and that er... it still looks rather cutlet to me than anything.

Our 2nd night proves to be much easier! Since, we've already covered the streets, we more or less already shortlisted the rest of the restaurants to try. Karon Beach is a small area with not much happening as compared to Patong Beach. But they do have clothings, eatery and pubs aplenty! Since, the fashio don't appeal much to me and we don't go clubbing at all, we mostly spend our moo lah on food.

This time, we chose a more high class looking restaurant, "Da Mario" (which reminds me of my favourite game!). This restaurant is located almost just next door to our hotel. And I think we eat very early coz when we were done, only then the crowd started to come in.

Just look at the spread for 2 of us!We had Pineapple Fried rice, Some mixed veggies, chicken in don't know what veggies again and this time, we had mussles in garlic too! The plate is so full of them lor! My camera almost can't capture all of it into 1 shot! Which, I have to say, really, my camera can't capture the young coconut and Fanta drink that we had along with the meal. This dinner was slightly pricier, it costs us $560 Baht, which approximately is about $24 SGD. But the food was quite good. I enjoyed every single mouthful of it!

And on our last night in Phuket, we went for the dinner that was provided for in our tour package. We were told that we can only go to the "Lotus restaurant" in Centara, but however, the whole restaurant was booked for a private function hence, we were able to go to "Terrace Grill" which in my opinion is even better since there's seafood and steak for us to choose! =PThe photos are dark as it was al fresco dinning and I did not want to turn on the flash as my hands can never hold the camera steady that is necessary for flash shots and the shots will turn out all blury... so I rather it's dark than anything la.

We did not even have to choose from the menu as the lady suggested serving the seafood platter for 2. So we, just went "ok ok" lor. For the platter, there's Crabs, Prawns, Crayfish and Squids. There's 2 of everything, so depending on how you look at it, it's either "JUST 2 of everything" or "2 of everything". At first, I was... chey... "JUST" 2 of everything. Then when we almost complete our meal, we were served with a whole fish. I was... woah. So big and so much food. Can finish ar? Just 2 of us lei! But a bite into the fish and I felt the fish was too small lor! The meat was so fresh and coupled with the sauce provided, it tasted so very good! Hubby and I ate every single morsel of meat available!

Throughout the meal, we were entertained by the live singing on stage. The guy's voice is better as compared to the lady's but it was a good experience and nice ambience. Food wise, we were quite disappointed with the seafood platter. Everything was supposed to be grilled but it seems like the fire was too strong, everything was so dried up. We can hardly taste the natural flavours of the seafood, except for the fish! All the food was complimentary except for our drinks.

After dinner, we sat around for a while longer before going back to our room to enjoy the jacuzzi and to prepare for the return trip home the next day.

We're Back!

And I'm already missing our huge room of the last 4 days. =(

The room was really huge! Can fit in 2 queen size beds. Which hubby and I took one each for our sleep at night.

A picture montash of our room.I think my camera does not do it justice much. But in general that's the whole room. 2 Queen beds, single seater complete with a private jucuzzi pool just outside our room. There's another wooden door that uses old school wooden lock that can lock up the whole compound so none others can get it.

There's a day bed in the toilet area with an outdoor showering attached.

I love the room! It's so huge and spacious and private! We practically just locked ourselves in it and laze around most times. Else it's to the pool or jacuzzi to rest and relax some more!

Only sad things are.... 1) I think I've caught a chill... must be the in and out of air con and sun and waters for the last few days. Hence, my nose is stuffy and can't breadth very well. 2) I was badly attacked by mosquitoes! My face, hands, legs and body are filled with angry red swollen spots. Funny thing is. Only I have. Hubby din get any. They are damn itchy ok! I've already scratched till it bled for some! Wose, I have 3 on the side of my face and 1 more on my lips! =( I can feel my face begining to itch too. I'm trying real hard to not scratch them in case it gives me scars.... Just hope that it will all heal soon. =(

I'm feeling rather tired now... will go take a rest, more pictures and updates about our Phuket Holiday in the next couple of days when I've recovered. And no, I'm at work, not home... But just swallowed a pill for the nose. Till I feel up and well enough for more updates another time.

Birthday Celebration

This is long overdue. But I've been so busy, I really did not have the time to do it. Better late than never, so here it is.

Brought Hubby to SOFRA to celebrate his Bday in advance after his lessons and mass.
The food was quite good, but too much meat for my liking. I think hubby enjoyed it though. We had kabab and skewers of meat. All quite nice! The environment is also quite cozy! I like the spaciousness of the whole restaurant where they had a big area for guests to wait for tables.

Being a Saturady, the restaurant was of course quite pack and full of families. Surprisingly, it wasn't that noisy. Just the usual buzz.

There's also a half wall glass panel where we can see what the chefs are doing and there's 1 eye candy in there! =P

It was a nice dinner but the bleh thing was we got into an arguement over something which I cannot remember the full details now, but it has got something to do with further education... Masters? or something like that la.

Anway, on hubby's actual Birthday, I rushed down to J8 and got him a cake from Breadtalk. Tapowed dinner (Yaki Tori) and all, then proceed to rush home to 'hide' the dinner and cake. Cannot let him see the Yaki Tori ma. If he sees it then he knows I've been to J8 then he sure suspect got a cake somewhere!

So being the very clever wife that I am, I hid the dinner in the toaster and arrange the items in the fridge so that he won't see it. And true enough, he walked past once, twice and NEVER suspect nor see anything! =)

Many many candles for the Birthday man...

Another year older, 1 more mini candle to the already alot pile.

Presented the cake to him and sang him Birthday Song. He looked so pleased... Like a small boy.

That silly man... blowing out candles... Can look so grumpy some more.

Rasberry....Super sour lor! >.<

Finally cutting the cake!Without all the things, look so ugly.. some more the candles melted... Wax all over!

Some multilayered mini Lychee thingy cake... Look like Kueh Lapis...

Anyways... Happy Birthday, Darling! =)

marriage

Went thru the course in CTK with hubby last Saturday. Spent the WHOLE day in CTK literally! Course was abit dry alot of it was covered when we went for our MPC (Marriage Preparation Course). So it's more like a re-fresher course for me.

But 1 thing that I really find interesting was the "FTFF."Somehow, after wedding, the hype and preparations and all, it sorts of die down to become a monotonous relationship. Wake up, work, home, dinner kind of life where the weekends are so busy with the chores and catching up on sleep and resting, it seemed a long time ago where hubby and me truly spend quality time together even though, we are alwasy together!

It kind of brings back memories of MPC that we went thru and also, it re-affirms our feelings and realtionships and committment to each other. Especially the time that was given for couple discussions and all. That sort of helped us to get back with each other and to talk.

Course books. The course fees of $40 per couple includes the course books and also all the meals for the day, light breakfast, tea break, lunch and yet another tea break! Quite worth I must say. I think sexual realationship between a married couple must be hitting some kind of statistics on paper since the whole afternoon was devoted to that. Or maybe, it's a more interesting subject and after lunch, where most of us are dozing off, it should keep us awake? Anyway, most of what was covered then had been covered in MPC, just that, there was time for QnA and also more time to go into details and also personal experiences.

We bought some more reading and audio materials.. which I'm not sure if we will ultimately read (which for the record, the purple book, we had it since Aug 2004 but it's still brand new!)... Well, just leave it there till one fine day la.

On another totally different note.... I really do LOVE my darling god-daughter!

See how 'sexy' she is?! Wah lau... so small can wear off shoulder top already!

This is taken at home... and I was just teasing the daddy that it must be very noisy at home, hence, she needs to cover her ears when sleeping! hahahaha..

My darling Clara. Just soooo cute!!!

new toy...

Can you figure out what this is...Pretty hard? Well, agree... What thing besides Balloons float right?

More clues maybe? =)
Can you guess it yet??

This ought to do it if still can't guess it.Can guess what it is already right??? Astonishing Flying Ring... =P

Yups!
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. We bought ourselves a Frisbee over the weekend! We've been playing this at home in the "Echo Room" a term lovingly coined by Alex! =P

This weekend, we have a whole day marriage course in church, else, I'm very sure, hubby will bring me out to Bishan Park for a session of running, catching and throwing in the open!

夫妻相

I don't know why but everytime, I hear someone says that hubby and I have 夫妻相 (husband & wife look, translated directly), I'm very happy and pleased with that.

This morning, Sasa told me via msn that she finds that hubby and I have the couple look (after meeting hubby for the first time last Friday during the BBQ) and it totally made my day! Till now, I'm still basking and glowing from that compliment. =)

Yar, I take it as a compliment. Not sure if others will.. but, I guess, since the both of us have already together with each other (inclusive of pak tor days) for almost 91/2 years, so our looks have sort of grown onto each other?

Kind of cute lei. I like that.

One look or glance and you can see that this woman and this man are a couple. I think that's cool and heart warming.

I feel, if we have each other looks / features, that will make us treasure each other's looks more? Since, I've yet to find anyone who does not like his / her own face! =P