Temptation

Saw these at Best Denki on Saturday after mass in Thomson Plaza.

The latest model of Philips, thin, metallic and chio right?!

Their previous model is also similar but the design not as sleek and modern. That model still looks abit orbit and out-of-this-era kinda look and feel.


But if you think this is cool, wait till you see this!!


My all time favourite, Teac! I think I first saw this model early this year and I've been aiming it ever since!!

This is the very first set that I saw that comes with sub woofer and removeable speakers and I fell in LOVE with this set already!!

Well, both sets retails at $399 lor. =( But I think if really want to get, go to Hong Liang at Queenstown area will be cheaper.

But then again, have already been thru this discussion with hubby before lor. Too expensive, no room and no use for it.

Well, I will keep hoping that they stop producing such nice gadets and that the small player we have in the room currently goes kaput soon then we can hopefully get either of this?

So how? Philips or Teac?

Green and Pink!

Hubby brought me to Queenstown shopping center after work on Friday coz YBIL din want to go for RCIA as he was on guard duty lor. And I got my mat then and there for $30, after some bargaining with the shop keeper.

Hubby din want to get his yet, coz he has made a verbal deal with 1 of the sellers for her Reebok at $10. Hubby is confident that he can get it. BUT!! 人算不如天算 wor, hubby din manage to get it, the seller sold it to someone else who bidded $11 for it, winning hubby by a dollar. So no choice for hubby, now he got to go and get a mat for the 2nd Yoga class that we are having tonite.

So, he left earlier than usual and went to Queenstown again (heng, his office is near there lar!) to get another Nike mat.

When I called him as I was going home, he was already on the bus on the way home at 6.10pm leh! So fast he manage to get the mat n taking bus home! And w/o him saying anything, I knew he will be getting the green mat. haha..

So, here's both of our mats. Greeny one is hubby's and mine is the super duper sweet pink! Brought our mats to class earlier and for the 1st time, we are proud owners of 2 expensive rubberly mats lor. haha..

When I saw the colours that the rest of them got, I was glad tat ours is different. Most of them have the Nike blue mat. I would have chosen it if the colour is not so 'guy' lor. According to hubby, the shop keeper din want to sell him the blue mat at $30, so no choice get the green. But my first choice was acutally the violet and grey mat.

Noticed, that there's always a darker and lighter shade to the mat? I read from somewhere that the darker side is meant to be put on the floor. But I think does not matter la, you like to see which colour more then u put the other side on the floor lor. Nobody really cares right?

During class earlier, we learnt 2 new moves. 1 was the shinning forehead breathing technique. Which we breadth hard out using the stomach thru our nose. Another is a series of actions which I cannot remember and had slight difficulties following. I somehow managed to get my legs wrong twice.. haha.. of course, hubby who was beside me laff at me lor. But the moves were also taking his concentration, so he can't laff much.

But 1 point is that, Hubby is definitely much more flexible than me. I have very stiff bones leh. =( Must try harder.. but now, I suddenly remember what Ah Teck says, he said that people who are flat foot, somehow cannot do 'sit and reach'.. well.. that explains lotsa things! =)

Very hungry after the exercise. And it was so sinful of us, we each cooked a packet of maggie mee, added an egg each and had that at an unearthly hour of 11pm! Gosh... when the trainer specifically say no lor.. But really very hungry leh.. We each ate half an apple and a dragonfruit for dinner earlier only lor.. so does it make the maggie mee for acceptable?

When you become "atas", you get...

Remember I was saying hubby went for some wine tasting thingy organised by "Wine Asset Management" few nights ago?

Hubby reached home at about 10.20pm or so, while I was dozing on the sofa and kinda watching "My Lovely Samsoon" on TV. I got quite a scare coz suddenly, I heard "Dear, open the door!" and a shadow drifting from window to window. Quickly I jumped up from my comfy sofa and then opened the door and saw hubby holding all these. Of course not in this kinda position but he was holding the bottle of wine in his left hand and the 3 mini glasses in his right, hence no hands to open door.

I was still half asleep but hubby in his excitement went on about the evening. And the whole story came out. The bottle of wine is a lucky draw price that Darling got! =) the 3 mini wine glass (not very good quality, when you cling it, don't have the ringing sound, not much anyway) and you know what? The lucky draw prize is that Shriaz wine.. yucks.. not nice to drink wan. But then it's free wine, so take lor, and from what we manage to find out, the bottle of wine costs $33 USD wor.

Hubby also said that the ppl who turned up for the wine tasting is all "atas" people. Now I'm wondering if Hubby also become more "atas" now? haha..

becoming 'atas'

OBIL extended this invite to hubby last nite and in turn hubby asked me (today) if I wanna go with him tomorrow after work via msn.

My response? "Go with OBIL? On his invitation? In his car? With possibly his GF? NO, tks!" and in return I heard saw a "You are so 小气(petty)" blinking at the lower end of my soon-to-be-replaced-IBM-screen.

Well, do I care? NOPE!　I'm not the least bothered by what hubby said. All I know is that I do not want to be in his favor in any possible kind. Well, these just apply to me, coz hubby is OBIL's brother, so I'm not stopping hubby from gng if he wants to. He of course should spend some time with his silblings, it's only me, myself that is super duper keen to NOT be in the same room with OBIL.

Put it this way, the less we see each other, the less conflicts we will have, the less misunderstandings we will have, the less pissed off I will be at him.

Look what's hanging...

I have a surprise hanging from the tree outside my bedroom window for at least 2 or 3 weeks!

I was surprised that those Bangala workers working at the soon-to-be-errected shelters did not actually use some kind of means to bring it down and claim it as theirs all these while. Can see what it is not? It's actually a pair of bermudas lar. I don't know who lost it, but must be 1 of my neighbours lor. Cannot be next block neighbours and then it get blown and stuck on a tree right?! A wet pair of bermudas I think too heavy to be blown away. And very sure, it's not hubby's nor mine!

And since it was there for sooo long, the next thing that came to my mind was coz, someone had actually install a pin-hole-camera and then threw it into the tree? Well, it's facing a room mar, OUR bedroom, so we undress and erm.. also.. erm.. have our intimate moments in the bedroom right? What if there is a pin-hole in the pair of shorts and then all our actions get filmed?!

Oh NO! Oh NO!!

So scary right? The thought of it makes me shudder liao. I was thinking if there is any possible way for us to like use a bamboo pole to poke the pants onto the ground? And recently, hubby pointed out to me that the pants seem to be coming nearer and nearer to our window, coz the branches are growing, the tree seems to be nearer too! SO how??!

While I was imaging all sorts of pin-hole-camera related stories, emails, case studies, examples... hubby commented, "I think you are thinking too much and being a perfect paranoid."

Humph!!

Another home alone session

Hubby working night shift again. He said this will be the last night shift for him.. But I guess, it will only be the last night shift if he is no longer with the current company lor.

Actually, I don't really mind that he works on night shift. But I do know that it is bad for his biological clock, so for his health reasons, I hope he will not have so many more night shifts lor. haha Me! The ever understanding and goody wife!!

It was quite a rush for us coz, we had our 1st yoga lessons tonite at the Cheng San Community Centre. It's our first tm doing yoga so both of us were abit comprehensive and at a loss of what to expect.

The instructor is an Indian lady, gave us the following instructions the moment class was going to start.

1. No food 2-4 hours before class (but I ate snacks at 4.30 pm and then on reaching home, ate biscuits and more snacks)
2. No water 10 mins before and after class (was too thristy from the walk at AMK MRT to the CC and took a few sips of water)
3. No food and baths till at least 2 hours after clas (too hungry and hot and tired, so took both too!)

Basically, she said, following these golden rules, will enable our bodies to make use of the energy to ah.. continue working or something to that effect lar. Cannot remember liao. But I remember the bathing bit coz the instructor says after yoga, the body is relaxed and will produce energy, don't wash the energy away. But sad to say, I broke every one of the golden rules lor.

Yoga has lots of stretching and breadthing exercises. We were doing that throughout the whole session. I think I have some problems breadthing so to take up a class like this is good for me =)

Quite fun I feel, looking forward to go for the next class but before that must go and get mats leh. That is quite expensive I feel. And we have to get 2, coz 1 for each of us.

And, we din keep to the 2 hours after class then eat and bathe, hubby was in a rush to go to work, and I have a habbit of bathing immediately after I reach home. So cannot tahan, we both showered and ate some bread before calling it a night and hubby rush to work.

With me alone at home again, I also din do anything productive, watched some TV, ate something light and will be gng to slp soon.

Kena cheated again!

*sigh*

Went for the 9.45am mass so that, we can accompany YBIL to the Breaking of Word (BOW) for his RCIA later on. Don't know what thing prompted me to ask hubby to remind YBIL to bring bible for the class. And that was when he replied, he has mobilization later on and is on stand-by, hence cannot come. Aiyoh!! Should have told us earlier, then we don't need to wake up soooo early for the mass leh.

Anyway, after mass, we had brunch (in addition to the runny eggs and bread we had for breakfast at home) in CTK wif the usual gang. Ate lots of mini curry puff. Nice nice!! We even bought some home so we can enjoy it in the comfort of our home! =)

But, 1 good thing of gng for early mass is that by the time we reach home, it was not even noon! Showered and then we can laze in front of the google box, yes, enjoying our curry puffs and then take an afternoon nap! Pure indulgence, I tell you! It's been ages since, we were last able to do that on Sundays!

Was woken up by the rain, then I went on to prepare dinner and also made some juice for the both of us. Dinner was just a simple soya sauce chicken with rice. We both enjoyed it though I find the chicken a tad too salty. Seems ages that hubby and I last ate home cooked dinner prepared by me too! This week was soooo busy, everyday and every night, there's bound to be something that prevents us from having dinner at our own nest!

Really blissful and restful Sunday!

Maybe, we should go for 9.45 am mass from now onwards so that we can have a longer restful day!

But on another note, YBIL has missed quite a few sessions of RCIA already. He does not seem to be ready for baptism neither does he want to do it, I feel, but just hope that he will come for the sessions and get to know God more. He says the sharing scares him off. In my mind, I feel that this is an excuse.. but then again, he is not me, and I am not him, hence I won't be able to understand what he is really feeling. Maybe he is thinking that hubby and me are forcing him to go for RCIA? I don't know lar.

Can only pray for him at this moment lor. hai...

A taste of... hmm.. I don't really know...

Hubby decided to open another bottle of red wine again earlier and the last bottle we opened was in Aug. Aug 26 to be exact!

This time, this bottle has an even longer history ok! It was given to us by hubby's Godpa during the hmm... was it house blessing (last year) or was it CNY celebration this year? Hm... cannot really remember leh.. How ar? I can only remember it's one of this event lar.. So the wine was given to us sometime between Dec 3 2005 to Feb 4 2006 lor.

We are not really wine ppl hence, I really have no idea where this wine came from, but on closer insepection, then I realised it's from "South Australia" dated 2004, a Shriaz.

We frosted our wine glasses coz I don't like the taste of unchilled wine, and the wine was not chilled enough. See the 2 big wine glasses that we have? It's a free gift coz we took part in some kind of survey. It's good quality glasses where you can hear the echoing ringing after knocking the 2 glasses together leh! Best of all, it's free lor!! Darn cheapo.. *sigh*

But hor.. the Shriaz not nice leh... very bitter and the amount of alcohol is quite high even for me, the stronger drinker than hubby, I can't take it too.. and the colour.. wah!! It's really very red too!

Both of us manage a small glass and then we kept the rest in the fridge... I think this bottle is gonna last us a long long long time!

Bday dinner again

Saturday mornings are as usual, marketing, cleaning, cooking lunch and then lazing. In addition to all these, hubby also spent a better part of the day trying to contact OBIL to tell him of the dinner tonight. *Think I forgot to add that, after dinner last night, hubby called MIL and told her tat tonite, we will be going out for dinner in yesterday's or rather this morning post.

Can't get OBIL the whole day. So we naturally assume that he's somewhere, don't know where and we shall just proceed to go for the dinner as planned. We will be gng to AMK (near the KFC) for claypot rice. I like that store, the claypot rice is fragrant and nice, of course we will order other dishes to feed the 5 or 6 of us lor.

Hubby and I reached early so we just sat at a table and waited. Then the rest of them came, OBIL came too. Maybe it's me thinking too much. I thought he was not too happy lor since it's coffee shop dinner and not at restaurant. His comments was, "why here?" Me kinda getting worked up again.. so skip this part.

Dinner was good. Food was great, though I was mostly silent. Nothing to talk about, so just eat lor. Din really feel like talking to the other 2 BIL especially the OBIL.

After dinner, I nudged hubby to ask if PIL want to come to our house, since YBIL gng out wif friends n OBIL gng to work. They say ok, so I was gng to say we take bus lor, since bus stop so near. OBIL says he ferry... *hai* there goes my 'never step foot into his car ever again' =( He then suggested to go and get somethings to eat at our plc. Hubby bought satay and MIL bought guava slices. I was thinking if it's necessary to get anything else.. but so few ppl, not necessary lar. Also I have some apples which I bought fm the market this morning, can cut that in addition to the items bought. Will do lor.

OBIL ferried us all to the doorstep and FIL was nagging fm past Salvation Army up to our plc. Saying tat we can walk fm the road up, no need to turn in, yadder, yadder, yadder.. really a luo suo person leh. No wonder OBIL cannot take it and trying means and ways to shift out.

With the 2 of them at our plc, also got to be a bit mre zhi dong lor. I think I'm quite good as a DIL la, water, fruits, wash all I do lor. Hubby din do.. haha.. but then again, this is our pact lor, his family and friends, I will clean up, he spend mre time to chat and entertain them and vice versa. So far, this is working very well for us!

Anyway, they stayed till about 9pm and then we cleared up the necessary went to bathe and here I am at the PC again.

Quite an ok day lor. Nothing much happened just that *sigh* got to face the BILs.

Bday dinner

Birthday dinner or rather the LACK of one!

Was supposed to have dinner wif my family in law to celebrate MIL's bday today.

But owing to all the BIL who did not relay the message communication breakdown, the dinner was cancelled. Luckily, I did not leave my name with the restaurant when making the reservation, instead I left OBIL's name and contact when I made the booking some weeks ago.

What happened was that, all the brothers assumed that the other will tell MIL. OBIL actually called up hubby to reprimand him why wasn't MIL informed. I was kind of pissed. He's home more often than hubby and me combined, he has the cheek to call us to say this rubbish?

I was fuming but hubby don't really like me to say too much so I kept it bottled up and will only bring it up at a later mre suitable time.

So, dinner is cancelled and will be changed to another day. Thankfully, today is not the actual Bday. It's tml. So still have time to go and think and make other arrangements.

Anyway, with the disappointment to the dinner, hubby and me went for dinner ourselves before meeting up with the gang from SW for coffee @ Oilo Dome in Bishan at 9pm.

And luckily, we have the coffee to look forward to! Coffee with the gang is always a late, noisy, fun and full of laughter affair. It was no different earlier! All of us laughed so much so that my jaws and stomach kinda ache! haha

Really enjoyed such sessions with them and of course, the next gathering is already being arranged! =)

Family matters.

Got this from email...

F A M I L Y

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,

"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.

He said, "Please excuse me too;

I wasn't watching for you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I.

We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told,

How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,

My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.

"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.

I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed,

God's still small voice came to me and said,

"While dealing with a stranger,common courtesy you use,but the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,

You'll find some flowers there by the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.

He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,

you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small,

And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;

"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.

"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"

He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.

I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;

I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.I love you anyway."

I said, "Son, I love you too,

and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

FAMILY

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the companythat we are working for could easily replace us ina matter of days..But the family we left behind will feel the lossfor the rest of their lives.

And come to think of it, we pour ourselves moreinto work than into our own family,an unwise investment indeed,don't you think?So what is behind the story?

Do you know what the word FAMILY means?

FAMILY =

(F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU

-------------------------------------------------------

Family, besides the Father and Mother part, I think still includes in siblings. And why is it always when I am feeling particularly upset at one of the family members then this kind mails will find their way into my pressence?

I know that I probably am creating a too-big-fuss over bil's comments. But I still cannot get over it lor and I just want to simmer in my anger and keep it close to the surface. I can easily ignore and forget about it but why am I holding on to it?

I think the reason is simple, I don't want to forget nor to forgive him. Firstly coz of the way he treated Ling and I just do not want to see the good side of him, I guess.

The nerve of that man!

Gosh! I'm so upset! So so so so soooooo upset! Grrrrrr! Not at hubby but at his older brother!

This IS the first time since my marriage that I feel that I am treated like the 'outsider' and 'wronged' and 'unfairly treated' and "wei qu" not to mention "INSULTED"!

ARGG!!!

It all happened on Monday, when we went back to hb's parents' (my PIL) plc for dinner as we usually do on Monday evenings. (Maybe it's me thinking that as parents, they will like to see us more often? Hence, we make it a point to go back home once a week for dinner. How would I know tat bil may not like it?!)

We arrived shortly before 7pm, usual timing for us. Then sat down for a while and proceeded to have dinner in the kitchen.

Bil was getting ready to go to work and while we were eating dinner, MIL asked us, if we are gng to 'lombang' (catch a lift) his car to go home. Before, we can even say anything, bil replied, they just arrived, so early go?! GOODNESS!! We have no intentions to rush thru dinner and then goo off so early also lor. We were going to stay till about 8pm or later and then go off ok!! Hubby then reply, "no, we can go off on our own later" to MIL's insistent of us catching a lift home in bil's car.

By this time, I was not feeling too happy already, the way bil puts it is as though we very 'gian' (dying) to catch a lift home. But I just kept quiet, not my own bro, I don't want to say anything some more in PIL's hse. Just live it down.

Then bil having brought out a majong set to the living room declared tat he is gng to buy a majong table. FIL thinks it's not a good idea since the flat already so small and cramped full of things, but if he really wants to buy then buy and put at our plc. I was huh?! >.<" with these thoughts running thru my mind at the same time... we don't play majong, put at our hse for wat? Put at our hse, then cramp out our plc! Then they want to play come our hse ar?! No! No!! NO!!!

Bil choose this time to tell PIL, they (meaning us) never invite you (PIL) all to his house what!

I tell you, I was really mad then.

First, he had to insult us, as though we really really very gian to take his car home. W/o his car, we cannot go home is it?!

Then, he have to instigate PIL to turn against us?! Just what on earth is his problem?!

WTF!!

I'm pissed and I think I have the right to be pissed. Hubby says I am over-reacting to his remarks. But I don't think anyone will say all those unnecessary comments under any situation.

We have brains of our own, we can think and behave in a way that will not just go, eat and run! We also welcome family members to our house - ANYTIME. We think tat, they are welcome to come anytime, hence no need to invite!

I think the only person that I don't wish to see at our hse is him lor!

BASKET!!!

And I told hubby, from NOW onwards, I am NOT going to step foot into his car ever again!!

we are indeed healthy.

We are indeed a healthy couple!

We are going to do YOGA soon, starting on Sep 11. Haha... (911).

Was thinking since, I already am doing kickboxing once a week and the recommendation is exercise for at least 3 times a week and friends recommend to do a softer sport in addition to kickbox and also HB seems interested, decided to go and sign up for YOGA!

Sourced around, but all so expensive and we (or rather me) never try it before, din want to go and sign up with some expensive studios. And once again, hit by a brillant spark, decided to check out the community centres. So, registered and paid up for the course, 1 receipt for each one of us.

I have tried aerobics at CC before, not that great, the instructor and venue not fanastic, but then again, it was coz din have a kaki with me. The girls then all knew each other. I felt so left out. But this time, it won't happen coz hubby is doing it with me!

=)

I'm looking forward to the start of this class!

Home alone again... and a tiff...

Hubby on night shift tonight, just left for office. Me alone at home now again. But this is not a very routine thing..So I guess, I should just learn to enjoy the rare times that I can be alone and of course have the whole bed to myself. But I'm not feeling the jubilation leh..

*sigh*

And before he left, we had a tiff. Not any major tiffs or anything serious. But just a silly argument over the bamboo poles.

Coz he was at home today, coz only working tonite, he did the laundry. That's very sweet of him, YES, I know. But after the did the laundry, the silly boy hid the short bamboo pole that we used daily. And after bathing, I lost my eyes, I cannot find the pole, my hp was ringing.. that silly boy just stood there holding out my hp to me, saying, "ur mom". DUH!! Can't he answer it? It made my already tense mood of not finding the pole worse. N then he told he, there.. I was like how on earth could I have seen it?! I no eyes after bathing 1 lor. Don't he know?

*Sigh*

So, finally, he dig out the pole from the corner, which was blocked by the hanging laundry and I answered the my hp. And that was the tiff all about. A silly misplaced bamboo pole + a ringing hp.

*Sigh*

I hate it when he got to leave for office at night and we have a tiff. I hate it when we got to leave the hse upset at each other. I hate it when we do not make up with each other before saying "Bye". And I ESPECIALLY hate it when we do not end our partings with a hug, good thoughts, feelings and "I Love You's"

But very luckily for us this time, we manage to overcome our anger and upset-ness at each other and still say our bye's and I Love You's. Call me silly or whatever, but I like it when we part our ways with all these 'nice' things. Some of my friends commented then it becomes a habit. I guess, to a certain extent, it IS a habit. But it's a nice habit, don't you think so?
It makes the re-ship more loving and of course, we each go off with positive and loving thoughts towards each other.

This may sound morbid, but hey.... if anything happens, at least, the last thing we said to each other is "I Love You" and "God Bless You" and the very last time we touched each other was in a warm, embracing hug! This may be the very last things that we say to each other and do with each other.. we never know, what's going to happen right?
And rather than thinking of what we did not have the chance to say to each other, I think these 2 phrases and a hug sums it all up.

A taste of Japan

Hee... heee

Not bad, not bad, after drinking some atas tea from Crabtree & Evelyn (which by the way is from London), now we upgraded to drinking wine from Japan. Now, upgraded liao wor.

This bottle of wine is my Birthday Present from Emilyn this year. She went to Hokkaido with her mommy early this year and brought this back for me. So nice of her hor?!

Speaking of birthdays, hers is coming up soon lor.. and sooo concidential, her Bday is the same as my FIL! So rather hard to forget her bday in my opinion lor. =)

Opened the wine yesterday, it is a Red quite nice, but the red wine is not as bitter as those that we have tried before, in fact it tastes rather sweet. Abit of like the "Cho Ya, Mei Cha" combine with red wine.

I like the label on the bottle, looks cheerful. =) Hubby again, got the red marks all over his face and body lor..haha.. so lousy leh.

But hor, really leh, once a while drink some wine at home is a luxury and an indulgence!

Think we still have 2 more bottles lying in the cupboard and a half bottle of the Japan wine in the fridge.

Will have more chance to do it again soon, I hope!

I see an Angel

This is a beautiful sad story which I got fm email fm my Godma. Talks about the pregnancy and birth of an unborn child. Read on...

I have always been fascinated by wind chimes. When I was little, I thought they were clever, for they made the wind visible by dancing along it. More recently, I have come to realize there are things in life just as real as the wind that we can only see with our hearts.

At my home near Kuala Lumpur, I stop what I am doing to listen as my favorite chime creates tones like distant church bells. My mind wanders back to the day in June 1996 when I suspected I was pregnant.

I had bought a home pregnancy test kit and was carefully following the instructions.

Dear Lord, I prayed, please let it be positive. The results seemed to be taking a long time. Then, with the magical suddenness of a rainbow, the pink line materialized.

As I looked at the positive test result, my joy was intertwined with fear. Please let me have this baby, I prayed. Seth and I, married for seven years, were childless. I had conceived several times, but the pregnancies had ended in miscarriage. With each loss, my world would turn upside down.

Over the years, numerous gynecologists reassured me that the miscarriages happened because the fertilized eggs were just not good enough. It was nature’s way of making sure that only the most healthy ones made it, the doctors said.
After my gynecologist confirmed that I was pregnant again, Seth and I put up a new wind chime in our home to celebrate the gift of life. The chime was ordinary, with its long, hollow shafts and wooden pendulum, but the music it made was divine.

As the Dangerous first 12 weeks passed, my joy increased. At prenatal checkups, I watched my baby’s growth on the ultrasound monitor.
In the fifth Month, I asked the doctor if he could determine the gender, but he said the baby was being mischievous by lying on his side. I felt sure it was going to be a boy. He would look like his father, whom I loved with all my heart.

Then in the 29th week, my water broke and the baby started moving frantically. At the medical center, the doctor told me there was a high probability that I would go into early labor. If the baby was born, he would need a ventilator to survive.

My world suddenly became gray and cold. Somehow, I knew the worst had begun.

I went to a Catholic missionary hospital, which had a ventilator available. Slowly, my contractions lessened and the baby’s heartbeat seemed stronger. After 12 days, I returned home under strict orders to confine myself to complete bed rest.

On the first night of the36th week, labor set in and we rushed to the hospital. As my doctor examined me he said nothing, but the sorrow in his eyes told me all I needed to know. He took my hand and said he could not hear the baby’s heartbeat. My baby was dead.

Not wanting to risk complications from a Caesarean, he recommended that I deliver naturally. The next nine hours were the longest of my life. As the contractions grew closer together, I begged God for a miracle.

Finally, at 12:33 p.m. on February 18, I gave birth to our son. Unlike other deliveries, there was no baby’s cry, the doctor did not congratulate the parents, and the nurses did not coo over the newborn. Instead the doctor tried to spare me by keeping the baby aside and consoling me that the ordeal was over.But it was not over for me. I insisted that my baby be brought to me. When I saw him, I laughed and cried at the same time. He was beautiful, the spitting image of his father. His mouth was curled. His nose was both rounded and pointed. He had long black hair, thick eye-lashes and almond-shaped eyes. He looked as if he had a million gurgles inside him but he made no sound.

We named our son Joshua and gave him the best we could – the finest clothes, fresh yellow roses and ultimately the most beautiful baby-blue urn we could find for his ashes. Seth and I held the urn as the boat took us out to sea. When the boat stopped, I didn’t want to let go. After many tears, the urn was placed into the receiving arms of the gentle azure waves.

When I went for my postnatal checkup, a month after the delivery, I felt so incomplete. All the other mothers had newborns in their arms.
At home, Joshua’s wind chime reminded me of my loss. Many times I thought about taking it down, but I couldn’t. It was my remaining symbol of joy and hope.

Sometimes I felt as if I were going to spend the rest of my days in pain. But as days passed, I began to realize that my brief time with Joshua was itself a blessing. If my pregnancy had ended earlier, like the others, I would never have had the chance to feel him growing inside me, to see his beautiful face and to touch him.

My memories were a balm to the hurt. In time, my darkness lifted.
There are moments when my heart still aches, and then I pause to watch the chime in its gentle dance with the wind. And my spirits lifts as, once again, I see my angel Joshua.
-By Ranjeet Khaira-

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After reading this story, it reminds me of a person, my ex ex work mentor. She was also in a similiar situation but weather you coined it lucky or unluckier, it is the fact that her BB survived for 18 months...

I'm not sure if it is the name "Joshua" or what, but BB boys by this name all seem to be down with something. I hope I am wrong, coz it is such a nice name.

I feel so sorry for the mothers who had to go thru the same thing.

Opps! It happened again!!

A few days ago, I repeated what I did many mornings ago. My mortal fear was this time hiding in the cupboard. Darn it!

On most mornings, I do not and will not open my kitchen cupboards but on that particular morning, I had to keep one of the pot that was used previously. So out of wanting to keep my kitchen neat and tidy and also in a haze of sleepiness, I hold the pot in my left hand and opened the door in the right hand…
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Once the door opened, there was my mortal fear running around in the cupboard!! With insolence, it ran and zipped among my other pots! Argg!!! It was a miracle that I did not drop my ‘WMF” stainless pot lor.. Hurriedly, I closed the door and ran back to the bedroom. Hai…

But, this time, being the very considerate wifey that I am, I did NOT wake hubby up to deal with my mortal fear. He woke up at abt 7.30am and then I pestered him to go n get rid of it. Of course, it was with much unwillingness, that he finally got up and dealt with it.

With that idiot cockroach gone, I was able to demand authority over my cupboards again. Haha..

Thank God for a brave and UN-fearful (of cockroach) hubby. =)

soon Darling.. soon!

Alrighty! Finally got this from the travel agent, enclosed are the hotel voucher @ Banthai Beach Resort, tour voucher (to Fantasea) and the invoice for our upcoming Phuket trip. (trust me, we went thru lots just to get the full info! With the attachments via email not clear, info was incomplete, 1st mail thru the mailbox was short of 1 precious piece of paper - the hotel voucher, which means we cannot check into the hotel?! *horrors* then then 2nd mail got sent to the wrong address, my fault, my fault, gave my mom's unit no while the rest is my address, resulting in a combined address of my mom's and mine! 3rd mail got no stamp, so I got to go to some forsaken post office in Thomson today to get it and pay for it somemore!)

Having paid up and have all these documents in place, finally, I can say, we are ready for the trip!

Now, we just need to stay healthy, pray that no Tsunami be detected over there, change some $, pack our bags and off we go!

Actually, still abit early to start packing lar.. we only going off on 27 Sep. End of next month. I hope hubby will have some sort of surprise for me, after all, we ARE celebrating our 1st Wedding Anniversary lor hor?!

*Hint*Hint*

I'm soooooo subtle here.. haha

Come, meet the new addition to the family.

Wanted to make some changes to our family items. (Please hor, NOT what u thinking hor. Still NO BB in my stomach yet.) So hor, hubby and me went shopping again lor. =)

Have been thinking that our rice pot is too big and want to change to a smaller one, I heard that will save electricity also if use small pot to cook less cups of rice. And anyway, there's only hubby and me, and we eat like 3/4 cup of rice only. Only on occasions, when my sisters decided to "grace" my home for a meal then i will cook, 11/2 cup of rice. So a tiny cooker will do even if they come lor.

And, we went to CK Tangs. Good, went there got what we are looking for. =) Walked around abit and then found 2 that we like. Price wise is only a matter of 90 cents, both looks about the same too. But different brand lor. 1 is "Toyomi" the other is "Mistral".

And in my opinion, I think "Toyomi" is a more reliable brand for rice pots.. and the inside was with a layer of black oxsidised (sorry lar, cannot spell also) don't know what. If u look closely, can read it on the green sticker on the side of the small pot.
I thought no sale leh, but not bad, still got 10% off. =) happy happy.. and we only paid $35+ instead of the $39.90 :D And what did we do the old huge pot? We gave it to my mom!

Fyi, the old pot made it's debute pot of rice for hubby's RCIA canteen with coconut rice last year, with a full 10 cups rice! And the new pot, make it's debute only last Sat, with 3/4 cups, lunch for hubby and myself!

And this new little guy can only manage 31/2 cups ok. So don't think of coming to my plc for chinese kinda meal lor.. Pot not big enough lor. hahaha

But things like pasta, I can manage tat quite well. Since almost everything comes out fm the can and I just need to heat it up. =D

Getting Fat!

After the yummy dinner @ Chomp Chomp last night, we thought we will be healthy and do some morning exercise before gng for mass. But hubby's legs are still sore from the stairs climbing a few days ago, and being the unmotivated me, if hubby not gng, I'm not one who will make the move to go on my own.

Hubby actually suggested just going for a short walk at the neighbourhood park and then we can go for bf. But who knows, we overslept till 9.35 am.. was supposed to wake up at like 8.30 am for the walk + bf.. and then we decided to just skip down to bf.. and to wake up at 9am.. gosh.. we overslept.

Hence, no bf, and rush a little to get to CTK on time.

But we made up for no bf by gng for a nice lunch at S11. We wanted to go for the pork chop hor fun.. but after it had appeared on TV a few days earlier, the queue was sooooooo long, we changed our minds. I had chicken cutlet and hubby had the sotong hotplate. Nice nice.. gosh... such sinful lunches!!

And we had the Devon's pizza, sting ray, cha kuey teow last nite at Chomp Chomp, which was yummy.. I like all except the kuey teow, hubby only liked the stingray.. I also bought roasted chestnuts to munch on. Not nice. Bleh!

But, must console myself, we WALKED home from Chomp Chomp ok.. Hubby says tat will be at least 4,5km of walking.. so I guess, the dinner last nite was taken care of by the walk right? =)

Only left the lunch to digest and goodness, we are gng to my parent's plc for dinner pretty soon.. havent finished digesting, then add in mre food liao.. how ar?

Then earlier, we were eating ice cream by the tub in front of google boxy leh.. chiam liao lar!!

Dinner @ Chomp Chomp

=) Hubby says we will go to Chomp Chomp for dinner later this evening. =) Feeling happy coz I read fm another blog that there is a nice pizza store and I do want to try that now.

But looking at the weather and the way my stomach is feeling coz of the cramp. Begining to re-think if we should go. We were told that it's very hot there leh.. So now I re-think to go or not to go liao. How ar? Go or not?

Also, haven't wash clothes lor. Hubby says can do it tml. But tml, planning to meet 2 girls for coffee in Oilo Dome for tea leh. Means no time to wash and to hang out lor.

Then now, I am feeling sooo sleepy and want to zonked off but haven't bathe after the hse work and lunch.. and knowing myself, once I go n nap, by the time I wake up, it will be like 6++ pm and then it's too late to go Chomp Chomp.. Too crowded liao leh.

How ar?? I feel so indecisive now leh.. Must be me only. Coz I know hubby will just say up to me, if I want to go, then we go. If not, he is also happy to laze around at home with me lor. haha..

How? How? Or we should go to J8 watch movie? I heard the show "Click" is nice fm different ppl leh.

more $ spent again.. =(

Earlier today, Ah Teck, my office mate was sharing with me that there is a group insurance policy that is meant for all staff. And he told me it's very cheap.. So I went to take a look.

Indeed it is. But then again, coz we have recently spent a fair bit buying more insurance fm Amy, was wondering if we should take this new one up as well, so I emailed her with the details.

Her advise? Yes, it's very good deal and worth it. And if we can, we should max the coverage which is $300K on death of any cause. Thus, if this policy goes thru, coupled with our existing policies.. I think our lifes are worth a neat sum of $ if we die leh, Darling.

And the convenience of this policy is that, it is deducted directly from my pay. Hence, i do not need to remember to fill in Giro or to ensure that there is enough funds inside etc etc.

Best part of all, it's soooo cheap. Only $18 per month for a $300K coverage.. so our lives are worth another $300K if the policy goes thru and if we die.

1 down 3 more to go!

Guess what?

1 more of our installment ended this month! And this time, it is the installment for the 四点金 but more like is 四点diamonds lor. This was what my PIL gave us $ to buy last year before the wedding. But coz, hubby and I decided that we want the cash, so we took the cash and paid for the items in installments using credit card.

I remember I asked Godma to go and choose with me @ Lee Hwa. I choose a necklace with pendant, a pair of earrings and a bracelet. Total costs was more than $1.7K. So during this time last year, the $ was really handy. Helped us with bridal things and house things.

Currently, we have 3 more installment plans to pay.. out of which, 2 will be ending in Sep.. hooray hooray!! The last one, was a 2 year installment plan.. Gosh.. Why did we sign so long I cannot remember but don't care and worry so much for now.. All I know is, with effect from Oct 06, we are almost debt free!! *yeh* =)

Cute BB

Last 2 days, we went to our parents place to have our dinner. Then I suggested that I have not really see my wife's childhood photo, so after the dinner, we took out the photo album.

She was cute when she was a BB, or rather as a small kid. She was so skinny then, and just like a girl, she had a lot of dolls and stuff toys. Was if next time if our girls look like the mother should be cute lor. Like mother like daughter mah.

Then last night at my parents place, I took out my childhood photos. It has been very long since I look at those photo. I was so skinny also, but when I was younger, BB times. I was a cute, plumb BB, only when I grew older then I become so skinny. I really din realize I was so cute as a BB. Hehehe.

Conclusion, our BB will be cute because got parents who are cute when we are BB. Hehehe. :)

another week free of cooking =)

I don't know if I should be feeling happy or feeling inadequate at this moment.

I realized, as long as there is just 1 more night that there's something on, it will save me the trouble of cooking for the entire week. =) But most of the time, I still do some light cooking on Sat for lunch. And usually that will be porridge.

For the coming week, we have to go to CTK for the Assumption mass, which is a day of obligation. We decided that we will go for the 8pm mass on Monday.
Tues, eat at my parent's plc
Wed, eat at my IL's plc
Thurs & Fri, eat out. Coz I hv kickbox and hubby will go RCIA wif Jie on Fri
Weekends, we nuah at home and then just go to tapow at coffeeshops.

So, see? Whole week free of cooking again. I'm quite sick of outside food lar. But then if not got to cook leh. Even more sian.. Maybe, Sunday we should go back to my parent's plc to eat.. coz mom don't work on Sundays and I can finally have some time with her and also to eat 'better' food? hahaha.. she usually puts in more effort into cooking on Sundays compared to normal days..

Hm... definately worth consideration!

Ok, got to go now, bathe and get ready to visit my 'Kai Ye' at the nun. She just had a cataract operation not too long ago. Mom says got to give her sme $$.. and she suggested $100.. darn broke leh!!

hai...

Happy 41st Birthday Singapore!

Abit late for this post.. But then again, better late than never.

We decided that we will go for the NDP instead of giving the tickets or selling it away. And surprisingly, Aw gave me another ticket the day before National Day and thus, I was even able to go to NDP wif my sister and hubby!

First time go to NDP. This year is special, coz this is also the last year that the National Stadium will house the parade. And this is also the first time that I ever went to see NDP LIVE! Though, I had gone for the preview abt 2 weeks ago, but the atmosphere and shows are slightly different as compared!

Mre actions and more fun, of course more standing also.

The best part of the show is the Pok Pok Pok as my sister called it lor. It was really really beautiful!!

But the headache was still the going home part. Crowd was sooo much bigger than the preview but our NS guys and SBS buses are really superb!! When we reach the bus, we din even have to queue and even manage to get a seat on the bus ok! But the trip from stadium to the Marina Bay MRT took us more than 30 mins. Massive jams along the way. Gosh!!

By the time we reach home was like 9.40 pm and the next day is a working day.. =( Sen came over to our plc with hubby's bicycle. FINALLY too!!!

I was already dead tired after my shower but hubby want to watch TV still leh.. power.. so he watched and I dozed off.

But celebrating National Day in the stadium with thousands of other Singaporeans really really made the day more memorable and makes it more special!

Happy Belated 41st Birthday, Singapore!!

Birthday

Today is the birthday of Sen's ex GF.

Sent her a birthday sms.

What else to say?

NOTHING!!

ARGG!!!

expensive meet up

Met up with our new insurance agent on Monday evening after work.

Was supposed to go to my mom's plc for dinner but my youngest sis forgot to tell her that we are going home.. hence no dinner so we have to eat at the coffeeshop near our place, eating out is all right. But after eating out for too often then it becomes v and super sian lor. *sigh* only after marriage, that I have to cook our own meals once a while or eat out then I began to appreciate my mom's cooking.

Anway, coz hubby came back slightly later, we rushed through dinner and went back home to meet Amy.

She reviewed our policies and then also re-introduced the "Sphaire health plan" to us again. We did our comparisons and really the coverage is way much better for the increase of $40! So hubby and I changed or maybe the word is upgraded our health plan to this new one. Of course need to do the necessary paper work, to terminate the previous and to do all these.

But actually, the main reason she was here besides telling us of the health plan, was also abt some kind of coverage for life. I did express interests in getting one, so don't get the wrong idea that she came and push us into getting something. She's not that kinda agent where she won't go till she gets a deal.

Explain to us and went thru our analysis again. This must be at least the 4th time I stared at that same piece of paper this year!!!

We liked the coverage and hence we signed. Or rather I signed 1st, hubby was thinking abt it for a longer period of time. Anyway, I hoped with this new policy in place, our lives are more 'vualable' and should anything untoward happen to any of us, we will not become a liability to the other party!

Insurance is indeed important coz it really can help us covers part of our medical bills if anything happens. Worse thing that can happen is, if any of us meets with an accident, but don't die.. Gosh.. the liability, the cost of medical, looking after... I shudder to think of all these costs!!

So with all these factors in mind and also the amount that we can actually pay out.. we again signed on the dotted line.. These signatureS (there were pages and pages of document to sign electronically) costs us a small fortune.. sigh... but I guess, we can make the $ back but when and if the timecomes, then I won't be here sighing away at the $ spent.

It's Bintan Time.

Finally, I decided to sit here and blog abt the much awaited Bintan trip with family in law.

Total of 6 of us went on this trip. FIL, Sen, Jie, Juan, hubby and myself. MIL din wanna come coz she was saying she has been there before and there's nothing much to do and din want to waste leave. And on hindsight now, I think she made a brillant decision! And boy, am I glad that I only took leave for Thurs and Fri and NOT Wed as well! *phew*

As pre decided, all of them will go there earlier. They (I assumed would have caught the afternoon ferry and reach there at maybe 1pm or so) leaving hubby and me to catch the last ferry.

Was indeed a mad rush for hubby and me. Coz I got a call fm the silly travel agent of the China students. Told him I was in a rush and he still went on and on! Bleh! Sen also called us to get this and that to bring over to Bintan. Goodness.. we were so rushed where got time to go and get? Anway that aside, I must say this trip has improved FIL and my re-ship. While it has made me dislike Sen & Juan slightly more. Bearing in mind that, I have never ever met the girl till Wed night.

But I must say that, whatever that happens is off to a bad start for hubby, me and Sen already.

First was the calls to buy things, bring this and that. Then after we reach the hotel lounge at close to 9.30pm, no signs of Sen. Hubby had asked him to meet us at the lobby so that he can bring us to the villa. Waited and waited. Finally, hubby went to the front desk and a staff gave us a ride in the buggy to the villa, Angosaka 11. End of story right? NO!!

Then we found out Sen and Juan sleeping. Fine lor.. then at least let us know we have to find the way to the villa ourselves! I think it's rude to disappear into the room so we stayed downstairs and chatted wif FIL for a while and I very good girl ok? I cleared up their dinner plates and things.. Then FIL asked us to go and put our things in the room, so naturally we asked which room is for us.

Jie pointed to 1 of the rooms, so we went up and tried to get in. Hubby discovered the door was locked and was trying to open when suddenly the door opened! Sen looked at us sleepy eyed w/o wearing a top. Then he closed the door again while hubby and me pretended to look round at the other rooms and the balcony and then Sen and Juan came out. Both looking sleepy.

My grouse is this.. since Sen has assigned that particular room to us, then y is he and the gf sleeping in the same room? Granted, it's a double bed so more meant for couples? But he can keep that room for himself and gf if he wants to, after all the villa is booked in his name! Y give us the room and then made me feel that we should not have opened that door at all?! Argg... Met the girl straight in the face, granted she's looking sleepy. My 'Hi' could therefore be either not loud enough or she replied but I din hear. Fine.

This was already a bad first impression ok! The gf and him (half naked) emerging from supposedly our room, both sleepy looking and the darn door is locked lor.

Throughout the whole of Thursday, we din talk. The only person I was chatting with besides hubby is FIL. Early morning, FIL already woke up. Hubby and me were enjoying a swim and FIL came out to say hi. After our swim, hubby drove the buggy and the 3 of us went for a short walk at the beach. I enjoyed chatting wif FIL and just enjoy the serene surroundings. Hubby went to take pics.. =) Bf was maggie mee wif dumplings and hotdog, cooked by Juan. Erm.. I'm not used to maggie mee for bf... but anyway... still din talk.

To my delight, I saw an elephant quite near to our villa, went out again. Still with FIL and hubby. FIL was chatting in I think Malay to the keepers of the elephant.. haha.. I was right that FIL is a chatty person. Took a short walk round the estates then went back to the villa.

Shortly after, we all went out again, this time, all the 6 of us went out. I think this is the most enjoyable for FIL. This precious 1 hour. He was playing table tennis against his 3 sons in turn. =) I'm happy for him and the sons too. At least they have some bonding time.

Once we returned to the villa, I napped and I din wake up till like 5pm haha.. Hubby was playing games the whole time.

Dinner was fried rice done by Sen and his gf. Ok lah... Not fantastic. But I din cook so don't complain. But I did the washing up for all of them after dinner. I felt I should do my part since someone else did the cooking.

Then spend the rest of the evening watching TV and just lazing in the villa. And at this point in time, I have still barely spoken to her for more than 3 sentences. hai.. And this was already the end of the 2nd day.

Friday morning... We woke up like 6am... which is 5am in Bintan. And the moment we went out of our room, we met FIL. Invited him to go watch the sun rise with us and he gladly agree. =) I must say my re-ship wif FIL is improving!! *yay* Spent time chatting and watching sun rise (din manage to see much, too much clouds and we were late I think) FIL asked THE question... *sigh* I was not expecting it leh.. Heng, Hubby caught the cue and he promptly answered, study 1st.. heng ar... After that, again we went swimming. But this time, we went to the central pool instead of the small pool in front of the villa. We were so early that we were the only 2 persons in the pool. Water was not cold. Just nice too! Swim, went back ate abit of things and then wait for the time to pass so we can all go back to SG.

Anyway, the whole trip was lazing. Din do anything much. Maybe some light swimming on Thursday and Friday morning. And that's it!

A very boring trip, I must add. And I also feel that I wasted 2 days of my precious leave. But I am indeed amazed at myself. Coz of the $200 SGD that I brought there, I did not spend a single cent! And most of the time, everywhere that hubby and I went, I always make it a point to invite FIL along. Seriously, I don't mind him coming with us, coz this trip is not lovey dovey trip. It's family time. And to be honest, I rather FIL spend more time with me than with her.. =P

ANd it was not till we reach the ferry terminal then we bought some snacks to munch on for the trip back home!

Retreat

Turned up at CTK for the retreat by Fr. Bill Heng. It was a good session I feel. Fr. Heng is a good speaker and he can make most of the topics interesting and I was not at all sleepy nor bored throughout the session at all.

Was supposed to be in CTK at 1pm till 5.30 pm and then go for mass after that. But coz one of our kakis suggested to go for mass at 11.30am and then do not need to go for the mass at 5.30pm as it's a bit late. So we all trooped into CTK before 11am for mass and grap a quick lunch and go for the retreat.

Many things were said by Fr. Heng. But out of the so many, I only remembered the following. Re-enactment soley by me..

Fr. Heng: I categorise 2 kinds of distractions when praying. 1st, the mosquitoes. 2nd, the blue bottle fly.
Me: *see stars and wonders, what is 'blue bottle fly'*?
Digress, after coming home, I did a search and found out what 'blue bottle fly' is.. like this.




Fr. Heng: When you pray and come across distractions, the 'mosquitoes' will come to distract you. Like the mosquitoes, it will come and if you can whisk it off your mind, then it's just a distraction. BUT... if, it's like the blue bottle fly and it comes and hunts you with the same distraction, then it may really be the Holy Spirit at work trying to tell you something from God.
Me: hmmm....

Suddenly, it just dawned on me that indeed, there is something, a distracting thought that keeps occuring and flashing into my mind whenever I am in prayer, mass or anything! All along, I thought that maybe it's me that I have an over imaginative brain and hence keeps 'seeing' the same distraction again and again.

But after this illuminating speech given by Fr. Heng, I realized it's not my very imaginative brain but it is indeed God trying to tell me something.

But I think this thought must be overcomed with hubby and me together. Coz I know for sure that I cannot do it alone.

Already spoken to hubby about my distraction but he doesn't really seem to believe me... Guess, I need to highlight it to him again when I have the chance. All I know for now, a confession is in the pipeline for me at least. =(

Did we?

Got this from email thru a friend.

DID I MARRY THE RIGHT PERSON?

During one of our seminars, a woman asked a common question. She said,"How do I know if I married the right person?"

I noticed that there was a large man sitting next to her so I said, "It depends. Is that your husband?" In all seriousness, she answered "How do you know?"

Let me answer this question because the chances are good that it's weighing on your mind. Here's the answer.

EVERY relationship has a cycle. In the beginning, you fell in love with your spouse. You anticipated their call, wanted their touch, and liked their idiosyncrasies.

Falling in love with your spouse wasn't hard. In fact, it was a completely natural and spontaneous experience.

You didn't have to DO anything. That's why it's called "falling" in love...
Because it's happening TO YOU.

People in love sometimes say, "I was swept of my feet." Think about the imagery of that expression. It implies that you were just standing there; doing nothing, and then something came along and happened TO YOU.

Falling in love is easy. It's a passive and spontaneous experience. But after a few years of marriage, the euphoria of love fades. It's the natural cycle of EVERY relationship. Slowly but surely, phone calls become a bother (if they come at all), touch is not always welcome (when it happens), and your spouse's idiosyncrasies, instead of being cute, drive you nuts.

The symptoms of this stage vary with every relationship, but if you think about your marriage, you will notice a dramatic difference between the initial stage when you were in love and a much duller or even angry subsequent stage.

At this point, you and/or your spouse might start asking, "Did I marry the right person?" And as you and your spouse reflect on the euphoria of the love you once had, you may begin to desire that experience with someone else. This is when marriages breakdown. People blame their spouse for their unhappiness and look outside their marriage for fulfillment.

Extramarital fulfillment comes in all shapes and sizes. Infidelity is the most obvious. But sometimes people turn to work, church, a hobby, a friendship, excessive TV, or abusive substances. But the answer to this dilemma does NOT lie outside your marriage.

It lies within it. I'm not saying that you couldn't fall in love with someone else. You could. And TEMPORARILY you'd feel better. But you'd be in the same situation a few years later. Because (listen carefully to this):

THE KEY TO SUCCEEDING IN MARRIAGE IS NOT FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON;
IT'S LEARNING TO LOVE THE PERSON YOU FOUND.

SUSTAINING love is not a passive or spontaneous experience. It'll NEVER just happen to you. You can't "find" LASTING love. You have to "make" it day in and day out. That's why we have the expression "the labor of love."

Because it takes time, effort, and energy. And most importantly, it takes WISDOM. You have to know WHAT TO DO to make your marriage work.

Make no mistake about it. Love is NOT a mystery. There are specific things you can do (with or without your spouse) to succeed with your marriage.

Just as there are physical laws of the universe (such as gravity), there are also laws for relationships. Just as the right diet and exercise program makes you physically stronger, certain habits in your relationship WILL make your marriage stronger. It's a direct cause and effect. If you know and apply the laws, the results are predictable... you can "make" love.

Love in marriage is indeed a "decision"... Not just a feeling.

Indeed... Love is a Decision. (This was what we heard when we went through MPC and still we are getting messages like this after marriage.) When hubby upsets and irriates me, it is really hard to remember that I choose to marry him... But having said all these, since we made the decision, then I guess, we can only do out best and stick to the decision then.

We ain't been lazing around ya know!

Like I was saying, the moment we came back from out trip, we cleared up after ourselves and that's quite a lot of things to be put away and stored. We did NOT buy anything at all fm this trip which is sooo unlike me. Nothing to buy in Bintan at all. Kinda boring lor.

Proud to say, besides the taxi fare to the Tenan Merah Ferry station and lunch, we did not spend any $ at all. Of course, we took the change to buy the tax free alcohol at the DFS. Other than that, NOTHING!

After all these cleaning and clearing, both of us were quite tired. Was just sitting down to watch TV and then since younger BIL din want to go RCIA, hubby and me was enjoying TV while I was surfing at the same time. Went into the GV webby and to our dismay, the show Nachos Libre was not showing anymore!!! Argg...

Hubby then suggested watching this.. after I told him Colin says it's good.
Coz the show starts at 9.30pm, we changed and rushed out again. To be honest, if we did not have free tickets, I think we will not watch lor.. being the cheapskates that we are. This seems like a rather brainless show to me... hence the reason. ha! Bought the tickets and went for FC for dinner. I had my beef noodles. I know today is Friday and not supposed to eat meat but over at the resort in the morning, there was nothing to eat except the dumplings which is pork. So since we already ate meat, and had chicken wings for lunch too, I don't see why cannot eat beef lor.

Was quite tired actually and kinda worried that I will fall asleep during the show. But heng ar, don't have. =) Coz I have my fav prawn crackers to keep me awake during the show! haha..

The show not bad. Lots of stunts I feel. The cars are ooooo sooooo gorgeous!!! The actors not too bad only lar. Storyline is well, not there lar. Watch for the effects, the cars and the stunts.

So all in all, a very busy afternoon since our come back fm Bintan.

Back fm Holiday!

Came back earlier today. Glad to say that the ferry ride to Bintan and back was not as bad as I thought. Though while we are gng there, the SG waters are indeed choppy so hubby and me both popped a pill hopefully will doze off but we were wide awake!

And on the way back, the Bintan waters are very calm, hence no need for the pills at all! And we doze off.

Then my older BIL drove all of us to Changi village for lunch. Had their famous Nasi Lemak and.. hm.. I think not as good as I hope lor. Quite a disappointment actually.

Once we reached home, we have so many things to do!! Got to clean up the house and then packed and wash all the clothes that we brought over. Kinda tiring after all these traveling, packing and cleaning.

But at least, for the whole of tomorrow, we don't have to do any housework at all! =) And we have plans to go shopping tomorrow.

Quite a lot of thoughts during this trip... but not sure how to put it into words at this moment, let me go and think thru and then come back.

First trip..

I'm going on a short trip to Bintan with my family in law for the first time today!! All except my MIL will be going.

To be precise, my FIL, 2 BIL and BIL's gf are there already. Coz of those China visits, no choice, I cannot take leave.. (which is just as well coz cannot spare so many days of leave) so this evening, after the China students left, I will rush room home immediately to pack and to meet hubby and then go.

Gotta run now.. updates coming soon...

We're on our way to a healthy lifestyle!

Woke up early this morning at 8.15 am (to be precise) and hubby and me went brisk walking and also for a little jog before going to CTK for mass.

We brisked walk to Bishan Park and then jog for like 3 mins (towards the end of the journey home) and called it a day for our excerise.

I tell you, I'm feeling sooooo healthy! =) Hubby was so sweet, he even recorded down our weight and also planned out the whole month of excerise routine.

After the very tiring walk and jog, we decided to go for breakfast. Hey, it WAS hard work ok, so we went for roti with kaya and tea/coffee. Then we head home to prepare the ingredients for dinner, bathe and go mass.

As usual, we met up with Emma and Jason for lunch and yak. Good time together I feel. But I'm once again down. *sigh* me so weak leh. Now I'm plague with sore throat, cough and a stuff nose. Which I highly suspect is with compliments frm my room mate in office. =(

Hubby now watching "Shallow Hall" and I am about to go join him the moment I am done here. Ohh... BTW, we hv black soya chicken, brocoli and lotus soup for dinner later too. ALL made by me =)

My FIRST ever NDP!

:)

Went for the preview of NDP yesterday evening. The sun was scorchingly hot (tks to my kiasu-ism that we should reach early), kids were brawling, parents were shouting and screaming. Ppl were holding brollys over their heads. Ushers kept asking us to shift right, shift left to make space for ppl. Typical Singaporeans who kept arriving late even when the parade started at like 5pm and they were strolling in at 6pm?! Kiasus left while we were SAYING the pledge! Gosh... Ugly Singaporeans!

But having endured all these, the show was nice!! But coz of our sitting, it wasn't so enjoyable coz we mostly saw the backs of the performers. But I truly enjoy the part where the ladies were hoisted up into the sky with huge hot air balloons and doing somersaults in the air. I also like the performance done by the military police. Nice! But of course, the BEST of all is the FIREWORKS!! NICE NICE NICE!!!

Some of people left while saying the pledge and there was another bout of fireworks AFTER the pledge! It was simply fantastic!

The mood of all the participants were at an all time high and it was only the preview!

I guess, we are just lucky that we manage to get some preview tickets through my BIL. But the luckiest thing for us is, this year, we get to enjoy 2 show!! Yesterday's preview as well as the ACTUAL DAY too!! Tks to my colleague! haha..

I'm looking forward to the show now.

Oh ya.. BTW, the journey was not as terrible as we imagined it to be!

Morning Walk

On Wednesday, we went for a morning walk. Yes 6am in the morning. The night before when I told her she was like, ok, I need to sleep now. Hahaha. and it was just about 10pm.

6am in the morning. The sky was so dark it was like night time, but there were a lot of students preparing to go to school. After listening to Tony Robbin's disc, it really help me to look forward to everyday, even to waking up so early in the morning. It was a nice experience walking with my Dear in the morning. If we can run it would be even better. I also started my morning run. For this week alone. I run on Tue and Friday, and walk on Wed. I hope this will continue on all my life, to live a healthy life style.

Foodie food food!!

Phew...

Last nite was rush, rush rush for us. We made our way to Wiselyn's plc easy enough, took the bus and we were there. And we were the earliest couple to arrive. So we can slowly looked round the plc and can ask many questions lor. haha

V pretty plc!! Too bad din take photos. Would love to post their lovenest here leh. But then again, they may not want la.. But really very nice!! I love their nest! And the host cooked up a storm for us, Nemo wif hubby, Carol15 wif hubby, Vic wif wife and us =) Cokelight came later but, hubby and I already left lor. We had fried bee hoon, curry chicken, pork ribs and prawns salad. Yummy yummy!!

To our surprise, we even have Pine Gardens, Lychee Martini!! It was the host's - Wiselyn's BIRTHDAY!! *Sings birthday song* Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to U! Happy Birthday to Wiselyn, Happy Happy Birthday to U!!!

Then hubby and I rushed all the way to Paris Ris for another gathering, this time is a house warming. Anthony. Also lotsa good food but we were too full to eat too much. Think E was abit drunk leh. hahaha... face was flushed. But coz we reached so late, the majority of them left shortly after in Paul's car.

But, heng ar... we managed to get a lift from Fr. Stephen. heee... He so sweet leh. Thought he will drive us all to CTK then we can make our way back home ourselves to our surprise, he drove us back to our plc. And he remember we stay in Bishan! haha

Oh... Anthony's plc is nice too!! V well done up. Cozy and cheerful colours! While Wiselyn's is zen. Both I also like!

Next time. Next time, when we buy another flat, may want to combined both designs! hahaha

It was a good evening, spent with good friends. With good food and good company!

My poor Darling

Two days ago, my Darling say her stomach pain, but din really take note. So after the dinner at my house. She really become sick and we took a taxi and go to see the doctor near our house. She really look sick. The doctor said its gastic pain, and she had 2 days MC, sooo good. But she is really sick. These two days she stay at home cannot go anywhere. So ke lian.

wozzy dizzy me

Earlier today, owing to a comment I made to hubby while at NTUC, hubby decided to come home to prove to me that he is not unromantic man as I made him out to be.

So we came home after our little shopping at J8, took our shower and things, then he decided to open a bottle of wine for no apparent reason, except for the comment I made. And pour 2 big glass of wine. Gosh...

I kinda wish I din say tat comment now.. I'm feeling wozzy dizzy and I seem to be floating?

Hubby is in bed right now.. think he's wasted after that glass... me too.. for now.

Bye Bye!

I'm SOOOOOOOO happy!

U wanna know y?? Coz this month, we have fully finished paying the installments of our electrical AND furniture!!

Hooray!!

This month, JULY, is the last, LAST payment for these 2 big items!! YIPPEE!!!

our needs..

Sometimes, I'm wondering, how do I tell the difference between my needs and wants?

Hubby is starting to pay attention to this "need" and "wants". According to the book I read, "His needs, her needs."

Men and women has different needs and expect different needs from each other. But basically, there are 10 things which is in common between the both sex just that all the needs ranked differently.

I wonder, just how different are the both of us in ranking our needs?

Meeting Needs.

I am listening to a talk by Tony Robbin. And he also talk abt meeting needs of each other. That was the same thing that my Dear was telling me a few weeks ago. This talk is really interesting. Will update more on this after I have finished the talk. :)

Good read.

Was browsing thru someone's else blog and came across this. Too late for us to apply, but I guess it can help us to improve our marriage?

A relationship coach lays out his 5 golden rules for evaluating the prospects of long-term success.

When it comes to making the decision about choosing a life partner, no onewants to make a mistake. Yet, with a divorce rate of close to 50 percent,it appears that many are making serious mistakes in their approach to finding Mr./Ms. Right! If you ask most couples who are engaged why they’regetting married, they’ll say: “We’re in love.” I believe is the #1 mistake people make when they date.

Choosing a life partner should never be based on love (alone). Though this may sound not politically correct, there’s a profound truth here. Love (alone) is not the basis for getting married. Rather, love is the result of a good marriage. When the other ingredients are right, then the love will come. Let me say it again: You can’t build a lifetime relationship on love alone. You need a lot more.

Here are five questions you must ask yourself if you’re serious about finding and keeping a life partner.

QUESTION #1: Do we share a common life purpose?

Why is this so important? Let me put it this way: If you’re married for 20 or 30 years, that’s a long time to live with someone. What do you plan to do with each other all that time? Travel, eat and jog together? You need to share something deeper and more meaningful. You need a common life purpose.Two things can happen in a marriage. You can grow together, or you can grow apart. 50 percent of the people out there are growing apart. To make a marriage work, you need to know what you want out of life - bottom line- and marry someone who wants the same thing.

QUESTION #2: Do I feel safe expressing my feelings and thoughts with this person?

This question goes to the core of the quality of your relationship. Feeling safe means you can communicate openly with this person. The basis of having good communication is trust i.e. trust that I won’t get “punished” or hurt for expressing my honest thoughts and feelings. A colleague of mine defines an abusive person as someone with whom you feel afraid to express your thoughts and feelings. Be honest with yourself on this one. Make sure you feel emotionally safe with the person you plan to marry.

QUESTION #3: Is he/she a mensch?

A mensch is someone who is a refined and sensitive person. How can you test? Here are some suggestions: Do they work on personal growth on a regular basis? Are they serious about improving themselves? A teacher of mine defines a good person as “someone who is always striving to be good and do the right thing.” So ask about your significant other: What do they do with their time? Is this person materialistic?

Usually a materialistic person is not someone whose top priority is character
refinement. There are essentially two types of people in the world: People who are dedicated to personal growth and people who are dedicated to seeking comfort.
Someone whose goal in life is to be comfortable will put personal comfort ahead of doing the right thing. You need to know that before walking down the aisle.

QUESTION #4: How does he/she treat other people?

The one most important thing that makes any relationship work is the ability to give. By giving, we mean the ability to give another person pleasure. Ask: Is this someone who enjoys giving pleasure to others or are they wrapped up in themselves and self-absorbed? To measure this, think about the following: How do they treat people whom they do not have to be nice to, such as a waiters, bus boy, taxi driver, etc.? How do they treat parents and siblings? Do they have gratitude and appreciation? Do
they show respect? If they don’t have gratitude for the people who have given them everything, you cannot expect that they’ll have gratitude for you - who can’t do nearly as much for them!

Do they gossip and speak badly about others? Someone who gossips cannot be someone who loves others. You can be sure that someone who treats others poorly will eventually treat you poorly as well.

QUESTION #5: Is there anything I’m hoping to change about this person after we’re married?

Too many people make the mistake of marrying someone with the intention of trying to “improve” them after they’re married. As a colleague of mine puts it, “You can probably expect someone to change after marriage … for the worse!” If you cannot fully accept this person the way they are now, then you are not ready to marry them.

In conclusion, dating doesn’t have to be difficult and treacherous. The key is to try leading a little more with your head and less with your heart. It pays to be as objective as possible when you are dating, to be sure to ask questions that will help you get to the key issues.

Falling in love is a great feeling, but when you wake up with a ring on your finger, you don’t want to find yourself in trouble because you didn’t do your homework.

Source: loveris blog

refree KAYU!!!

This morning, I watched my first ever 3am match of the soccer 2006! Watched with hubby of course and it was Germany VS Portugal. I betted with hubby that Portugal will win and they sooo disappoint me! It was Germany who won with 3 goals ALL in the 2nd half of the match!

And I am sure the refree is to be blame too. HE SOOOOOO KAYU! When the hunks of Portugal did something wrong, he wasted no time in giving the kicks to Germany. But when the Germans did it, he went on with the game! KAYU! KAYU!!!

The 1st match was very boring, ppl just kick and pass the ball here and there. So boring and I almost fell asleep. It WAS the 3am match after all!! Things only got more exciting during the 2nd half. After Schweinsteiger shot in a goal, the Germans were on form man. Worse, they have a own goal by the Portugal team, Petti. *sigh* The Schweinsteiger guy actually scored 2 out of the 3 goals this morning!!

Sigh... What can I say? Exciting 2nd half, hunks chasing after balls and KAYU refree lor.

Hubby says want to catch the finals tonite.. Luckily, tonite the match is supposed to start at 1.50 am. Not as late as the 3 am. If not how to wake up to go office tml?

Take me seriously, can?

Just after so soon that I was raving praises of Hubby, I got to come back in and whine. *sigh*

Actually not a serious thing lar. Just that many many moons ago, at least 1 or 2 years back, I told hubby (on numerous occassions) to go and do a blood test to chk if he needs to take the Hep B jab.

Today, after sooooo long, he has yet to do it lor. Not taken the blood tests nor the jab.

I'm feeling sian ok? SIAN!

Must I repeat and repeat and then I am nagging. But hello, this is HIS health we are talking about right? Not someone else's life right?

Just sian.

I have a wonderful hubby!! =)

I'm feeling so bless and blissful and soooo on cloud 9!

Hubby in his previous post was saying that he has a 3 million dollar dream. Everybody has dreams and this is 1 of hubby's. I'm feeling the way I did not coz he has this dream. But more like what he said towards the end of the entry.

"Hahahaha. Though she scold me, she is still my Darling. :)" This is the part that got me so happy and feeling soooo good!

Hahaha.. I really do have a wonderful husband, though at times, I know that I've taken him for granted, bullied him and really make him at the 3rd 'ring' of marriage. But being the way he is, he is quick to forgive me, and still love me just the same. Accepting my many many faults and tempers (which sometimes are just uncalled for!) and he patiently wait for me to cool down and always (well, almost) the first person to extend the wings of peace.

I'm soooo glad and happy that I am bless with such a guy. Such a treasure!










And since I have spoken so much... we talk abt the 3 million dollar dream. Aey! I am not materialistic ok, but we need $ to eat, to live and to raise our kiddies right? So since hubby want to earn 3 million for us. I'm not complaining! hahaha
Hm.... Firstly.. if really have tat kinda $.... a portion of it got to go back to God. He bless us with this amt and it's only right that we got to help the others who are mre in need.
Then... parents.
Of course, another portion must must must go into savings and maybe some gurateened and safe investments.
I would like to shift plc. Not to anywhere landed or condo. I still like Bishan area. Just tat, I would prefer a higher, non corridor unit as compared to now. And if we do get another flat, we can actually make a ONE TIME PAYMENT for the unit!! How cool is that?!! No housing loans for the next 20, 30 years!! Which by the way, our current housing loan is a freaking 35 years!!!!!!!!
Kiddies... hm... by then, I think we can afford at least 4 =) And I would like to send them for enrichnment classes like ballet, piano, tek kwando or art. Basically, anything that they are interested and shows a talent for lor.

I would want to continue to work maybe as part time. So I can spend more time with my children and yet still maintaining links with the market so that I won't become too 'Yellow' a.k.a 黄脸婆。hahaha.. also coz if I continue to work, I don't have to rely 100% on hubby to give me $ though I know that he can very well afford it lor. I just want to still have that tiny bit of financial freedom for myself lor. Modern woman thinking ma. Anyway, it's v v sian to ask hubby for every penny right? Recall the days when we were in school especially in Secondary schools? Somehow the list of needs and wants just gets longer and longer as we grow and everytime we want dough, the easiest & legal way (up to age 14 anyway) was to take from parents, but I recall my mom's face too lor. haha... so best is still to have some spare dough that I can call my own. Imagine I asking hubby like a couple of hundreds a month for my Fancl? Facial? Shopping? -_-"

I read in a book that, a wife should always try to make herself attractive to her hubby else (hence, the NEED for the FanclS, facialS, shoppingS etc), it's very easy for the man to stray. After all, the streets are full of sweet, young things which as I age over the years, I cannot compare to them. Only thing is then got to build such a solid and strong re-ship with hubby that he don't even want to think abt breaking this bond between us!

I like this dream! Hubby, I really do. Please go n do something about it! hahahaha

I Love You, Darling!!

Million Dollar Dream

WOW. 3 Million Dollars.... Hahahaha.

I must still be dreaming, yeah I am dreaming. But this dream seem so real that I could not sleep this morning. 6 o'clock in the morning I was waken up by the motor noise below my house. Then I start to think about how and I going to work toward this 3 Million Dollars. I was thinking so hard that I could not sleep anymore. It was only about a hour away from my usual time. So I decided to go for a morning run. The last time I run was last Wednesday. I must keep up with my running routine, so even before the sky trun bright, I was out in the park running. There are so many people there, but most of them were old people. My Darling was still on the bed when I finish the run. Haha. So this time I get to tell her to hurry up. Hahahaha. But I think I rush her too much that she forget to bring her handphone after I locked the gate and scolded me. Things are so funny, when I was slow, I was being scolded for being slow. Today I was fast, still I was being scolded for being too rush :( So I told my Darling weather I was slow or fast her face is always the same. like this --> :( Hahahaha. Though she scold me, she is still my Darling. :)

I Hate em!

Just yesterday morning, after I bathed and I went to the kitchen, to pour myself a glass of water, (Yes, I have this weird habit of drinking a cupful of water every single time after I bathe, I personally feel dyhrated after bathing and I must take gulps of water after I relief myself too!) I met my mortal fear! COCKROACH! Yucks. While the bath din manage to wake me fully, my fear did! That beastly thing was crouching near the plates. I DARE NOT even go near the dishes and the sink. SO what did I do? I did the most clever thing, I ran (yup! ran!!) back to the bedroom to wake up hubby and pester him to get rid of that beastly thing for me!

That tiny thing sure can run. Boy, even after we sprayed it with insectside, it was still running all over the plc. Finally, hubby caught it. Of course, hubby not too happy that he was waken up by me early morning lor. =( But I was really terrified of them ma.

I hate cockroach! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!!Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!! Hate em! Hate em!! Hate em!!!

All I want for Christmas...

It's almost time for us to hear the ring-a-ling, ring-a-ling, carols and start seeing old man in red hats soon.

And for Christmas this year, I want a sponsored trip to Thailand, Bangkok. No need to sponsor my shopping, just the flights, transfers and hotels is good enough. Shopping, I take care of it myself. Hint, Hint!!

All I want for Christmas, is BKK shopping!

For the first time...

I have been having this wish that hubby and me will wear the same design of tops when we go out for a long long time.

And over the years of pak tor with each other, we have been tyring to find either the same T-shirt or something but we just cannot find 1 that is suitable for the both of us. So over the years, I gave up trying to find what is called "lover's shirt" It's not the same as taking 2 same coloured T-shirt and wearing it together as compared to wearing a couple's shirts.

But I have also come to this conclusion. That is, we are simply not suitable to wear something like that, so now, when hubby and me happen to wear the same colour out it's just concidence lor. I mean, we were not staying together before marriage so I won't know what he was wearing for that day till I see him.

But over my recent trip to KL, I bought so many T-shirts for myself, and a few for hubby, it also nv occur to me that I can buy something for us in "His" and "Hers" design. Only till, I happen to see Trina took a photo of her own T-shirt and Kel's T-shirt that she bought then it suddenly strike me. HEY!! I bought something that can match each other very well. Like this. Hahah... Seriously! I think I was too disappointed over the years that's y never even notice that these 2 make up a set. Haha.. I think the photo that Trina took is similiar to this, coz I remember thinking, wow, Kel's shirt so big and Trina's shirt looked so tiny besides his. =)

So on Sunday, I made hubby wear this to church for mass. Do we look compatiable? Our friends who saw us says we are soo 'coorinated' haha.. I'm quite happy leh. Haha.. I know this is pretty silly la, but still I'm happy and tat's all it matters right?

Finally back to office.

Haha, finally back to office after almost 1 whole week. Last week I was doing some testing with the vendor at site, so not much chances of staying in office, and I took 1 day off yesterday. This is really a long break, but not a very fulfilling one. I felt more tired during this break. Maybe its because of the uncertainty of my job. Really feel that I must do something so that my furture can be more secure. Hopefully this project would continue for 1 more year. Maybe its because I am too lonely having the break by myself, my wife was away for 3 days, and these three days I was feeling tired and all I do was lyed on the sofa and watch TV. So sian, but I also went swimming, but still there is a emptiness somewhere.

Hurmp!

This blog seems like it's just another 1 of mine.

What's the use calling it "ours" if hubby don't contribute to it?!

Hurmp!!