Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2008 in a nutshell

I would say 2008 has been a roller coaster ride for me. The high moments are really high and the lows, hell damn low!

My recollection is not in Chronological order. I'm typing as my mind does its 're-winding'... yes, I may have forgotten some events without any black and white to fall back on. Or maybe I could just check through the blog posts I made in my other blog for the entire year. But I guess if the event doesn't stick in my head, it simply means its not THAT SIGNIFICANT after all. Don't you agree?

- My aunt passed away. An aunt who has a heart too big for the ocean to consume. An aunt whom I'm always grateful to. Always respected. She suffered for years before her body gave in earlier part of this year.

- I had several dead knots in my heart. Over the years, I've learnt to let go of many things. Forgive many people. Forget many bad incidents. But still there are some knots that could not be undone without much effort from both parties.

This year, I'm really lucky. I untied 2 (used to be) dead knots. The untying process was not easy. It was painful, sad, angry...along the way... but still, its undone after so long. One stayed in my heart for 8 years. The other 11years. They are stories in itself, I wouldn't want to go into details here. At least not now. Not today.

- Parenting is definitely the most challenging and rewarding task in the world. Yet this year, I was put to the test. The test took me 7 long months to pass. It was emotionally and physically exhaustive. When I was in it, it felt as if there wasn't an end to the tunnel, I 'collapsed' so many times. *sigh* it was tough. It Was! But its OVER now....

- For the very first time in my life, I felt honored. It was an opportunity that not everyone has, yet I was the lucky one. I'm talking about being chosen to be a panelist in the Working Mother's Forum. Public speaking is one item on my list of 'most feared'. I'm just glad I didn't fall on stage. To be able to speak infront of hundreds of parents... not easy, not easy....

- For the first time in my life. I'm earning passive income. Money rolling in while I'm sleeping. That's the greatest feeling I've ever had. It's amazing! Though not much, probably just good enough to buy me a box of dark mint chocolate every month, I'm still happy.

- Other 'first-times' include : - first time selling things on ebay. First time clearing my accessories through a forum. First time working as an invigilator. First time going for Lasik evaluation. First time on the World Biggest Ferris Wheel ~ The Singapore Flyer. And for the first time in my life, I truly know how blessed I am...even the unhappiness in the past, were but blessings in disguise... for the first time.......I truly recognized it....

So I guess, 2008 is a good year after all... *smile*

Happy New Year Everyone! May 2009 brings you and your family Great Health, Harmony and Prosperity! *smile*

Monday, December 29, 2008

I need help!

Ok, today's post is a SOS post. As you know from my other blog, we went to Marina Barrage again for the last time this year.

I wasn't with them in the water because my left eye is on its way to recovery. Thank you everyone for your kind words and concern....... and Erin, I didn't take antibiotics, I simply spend more time 'attending' to my left-eyelid by using my index finger and thumb to squeeze as much pus out each time I'm in front of my mirror. *Eeewww*

This is the worst sty I've ever had. Up to date, its been 4 days already. Yes the swell has subsided but the redness on the eye-lid is still there. Like I've mentioned in my Facebook status, it looks like I've applied eye-shadows on my left eye-lid and forgot about my right! Its THAT obvious. *eyes rolled*

Now its slightly itchy, not as painful as before (definitely!) with a little pus every now and then. So I would say its recovering pretty well, that's why I didn't want to risk getting infected again just because of a few hours of water fun.

Every decision has its consequences. My decision of sitting on the hot stone under the hot sun watching the kids play left me with something so annoying I can't sleep!

The heat is TRAPPED in my head! I don't know how to get rid of it! *Urggghhhh* Its irritating.

I bathed but it didn't work. I touched my head, it isn't hot like a fever, but the heat is unmistakably INSIDE my skull! or maybe its my skull that's burning.... oh... whatever...

I've got a bad feeling that if I COULD fall asleep eventually tonight, I'll wake up with a terrible headache tomorrow....

Anyone have any idea, how to get the HEAT out of my head? Thanks in advance!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Savour the Goodness

"50mins waiting time, can you wait?"
That's the usual reply whenever a customer gives his/her order.

If you had popped over from my other blog, you knew that we went in Chinatown today. Allan knew too well that whenever I'm there, there is only one thing I look forward to ~ Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice.

The ever famous claypot rice which has been awarded with so many awards, been featured on so many food variety shows. The posters on the stall need no extra explanation.

We are lucky today, only 50mins. Patrons who came about 30mins later than us were given a new 'warning' before their orders were taken, "1hour to 1hour and 15mins of waiting time, are you willing to wait?"

The sentence may sound quite offensive, but the tone was simple, a little begging for forgiveness too. But many were too hungry to wait and gave it a pass. But deep down we know they regretted turning their back. You can see the disappointment on the faces, its obvious.

Why does a simple claypot rice need such a long time to cook? They are the ORIGINAL, they do it the traditional way. Raw rice grains with raw meat were placed in the claypot at respective timing decided by the experienced lady boss; cooked under fiery fire burning from charcoal.

Dark soy sauce and oil is at your disposal. Some (like us) prefer our claypot rice to look darker, we simply put more, others who prefer their rice to be 'healthier' put lesser. Whichever way you like, you are definitely in for a treat.

The taste is extremely unforgettable and it leaves you with that lingering feeling of "I want to come back here again". The wait is definitely worth it, if you are not rushing off to anywhere.

In fact, if you are lucky, the wait can be pretty fun too, if you could get a seat right infront of the stall. Seeing 8 people working in the 2-in-1 stall, each busy with his/her own task, yet at the same time, is completely aware what the others are doing. At times when one needs to go to the loo, anyone could just take over that person's job without any hiccups! Amazing!

I call this telepathy, cooperation to the ultimate level and extreme passion. They are a family. Its obvious, their features tells it all.

Being a hawker myself in the past, this is a wonderful sight to see. Taking orders non-stop, be it from phone or in person, no matter how tired the body is, the mind doesn't get the signal and at the end of the day, one can sleep really well in a bed full of cash.... *wink*

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Itchy and Pain

My Christmas was simple, nothing fanciful.

But my 'after' Christmas is too extreme, I wish 'they' could go away!

I have a bruise on my left thigh, near to the knee area, that doesn't seem to get better. Its so black and painful (when touched). I had this for more than 1 week now, but it wasn't this painful before. The size of it? 3.5cm! I look awful when I'm wearing shorts. Everyone told me to rub on it to make it better. *Ouch* But I obeyed....

My tummy started to have red itchy patches. Currently 3. Allan told me that it was similar to something he had in the past. Said it was fungus infection. *sigh* So now I'm applying those special cream to reduce the itch and hopefully to cure the thing before it spreads further. It DOES spread!

I hate to complain! But I know I'm complaining...sorry...I just need to record how terrible I'm feeling now....

The most UNBEARABLE is my Swollen Left Eye Lid! I guess its heatiness in my body that's causing this. It swelled when I woke up yesterday.

Today, you can't even see my left eye ball! Every now and then, pus appear along the slim opening line and I'll be busy wiping it off. My eye-lid is so stretched, I've got a feeling that when the pus are completely drained, my eye-lid would be wrinkled! *eyes rolled*

Yes, I'm typing this with one eye! If there's typo error and grammar problem, please be extra forgiving....

So that's what I had been busy with today.... *rub rub*, *scratch scratch* and *wipe wipe*
...I don't think I've ever paid so much attention to my body in a single day.

Friday, December 26, 2008

More than just Courage

The building has changed.
The faces have not.

Going around the once-so-familiar place seemed so strange.
Yet the feeling of being back there again after 10years still stays the same.

Its been 10years.
A decade of not setting my foot on this ground.

Yet, I've never forgotten Pastor Charlie.
Nor all my friends, or rather brothers and sisters, who wept with me when my dad's funeral was held there.
Who celebrated with me when I did well in my 'O' Levels examination.
Who slept by my side when we were camping in these walls.
Who shared fun memories when we helped in the kitchen, preparing food for other members in Church.
Who shared tired moments when we were helpers in those kiddy camps.

I was THAT involved in this place...a long time ago...
A place I would rather be, than to stay in my so-called 'home'.
A place, where I could laugh and be happy.

Yes, 10 long years.
But the memories stay so freshed.

Every Sunday, my car drives pass this 'memory chest' as I head towards my in-laws' house.
I just had to look at the gates.
Recall the memories again.
Imagine the service and hymns sung behind the glass doors.

I missed them, the people, the memories, the songs, yet I don't have the courage to walk up to say "hi" when my sis and I went for the Christmas Concert on 23rd December.

The feeling was weird.
I used to be on stage.
I used to be a performer.
Now I'm on the audience bench.
It felt like an outcast.
But I enjoyed every moment of it, though my status was different.

Will I be back there again?
Maybe... maybe...

But I dare say, this is the Best Christmas Gift I've given to myself for the past decade.
Threw away all the excuses.
Threw away my pride.
Threw away my "what if(s)".
I made a choice that I didn't regret.
I went back to my 'memory chest'.... and I didn't regret...

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas!

Have an Extra-Ordinary Christmas Everyone!!!

Now who says you can't make music with your 'bottom'?!


12 Farts of Christmas - Celebrity bloopers here

Monday, December 22, 2008

Oh Well...

Some jokes are rather meaningless, but when its told to the right audience, you do get the response you want.

Heard this from today's 'Johnny and the Sprites'...

"Why is 6 afraid of 7?"

"Because 7 ate 9!"

(7 - 8 - 9)

Allan didn't get it... Ooooo....I hope you got it the way I did in that split second.... Oooooo.... *fingers and toes crossed*, or this post would look really lousy! *pout*

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Christmas in Singapore

This is for Erin. My little inquisitive reader...*laugh* (Hey but it doesn't mean YOU can't read it!)I love questions, so keep them coming (I'm not sick of saying this yet)!!!

Every year, our tourist shopping belt : Orchard Road will be beautifully decorated. But so sorry, I can't show you the 'real beauty' cos' the videos I found on YouTube, errrmmm didn't meet my expectation, I can be quite a perfectionist at times. But here's the glimpse of it, if you are interested...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfGVKtumGz8

This year's theme is "A Sweet Christmas in Singapore". If you want to find out the REASON behind this year's theme...go read here (I know how curious you can get) *laugh*













Christmas is more fun when I was younger, when I'm still attending church like it was my home. One month before Christmas Day, the church choir will be practicing a musical drama.

Since I was one of the 'singers', I'll be so busy the moment school holiday starts. The performance is usually on the eve and the day itself. There were much more presents to receive and buy back then, cos' there were so many 'brothers and sisters' in church.

Before I'm married, only my family exchanges presents. All my other friends in school don't do that with their family, because they believe that its a season for the Christians only.

Over time, things changed. Now even non-Christian families celebrate Christmas by exchanging presents and feasting on turkeys and log cakes.

Like my in-laws, they used to be strong believers that Christmas is STRICTLY for Christians only, but after seeing how happy their grandchildren were when they receive presents (other than on their birthdays), now they buy gifts for them on this occasion too. As for adults, do we exchange presents? Nah...

Parties big and small are everywhere on this multi-racial little island. You see people wearing Christmas hats, holding illumine sticks and wearing those battery-operated blink-blink pins on their shirts.

Because Singapore doesn't snow, so snow sprays are used to give it that extra 'touch'. Guess what? I used to sell them too! Its pretty profitable. *wink*

At the strike of 12 on Christmas Eve, the entire stretch of Orchard road become a crazy sight. Everyone's spraying from the cans as if they were free!!! That was the moment when my sale of snow sprays reach the PEAK! *laugh*

Other than the mess on human, cars and the streets, serious problems occurred as a result during such a commotion. hmmm.... I think I'll better not give any example here (may get myself into trouble), if you want to know, email me.

The insanity subsides at around 2am. Leaving the whole stretch of the tourist shopping belt wet and slippery, together with confetti and litters on the floor. Its really messy when the fun is over. At about 4am, the cleaning truck will be there to clear up the place and in less than 2 hours, the entire place will be back to how it was before!

Yup! That's how we spend Christmas over here on our little island we call Singapore... *smile*

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Dr Phil's Personality Test

*Giggle* hmmm.... how true is this, I don't know.... cos' it says 'Others see me as....' *laugh*

If you have a Facebook Account, you can go to this link to take the quiz.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Google Picture Meme

Tina passed this pictorial Meme to me. Thank you girl for marking the very first tag on this blog! *muack* x100

"The rules are simple. Use Google Image to search the answers to the questions below. Then you must choose a picture in the first page of the results, and post it as your answer. After tag 7 people to do the same."
Current wish list (max 3)








Hobby


Worst habit

Best subject at school


Nickname
Town i was born

Favourite Colour
Favourite Food

Best thing to do
Favourite place

Place would like to visit

How old i will be next birthday

Tagging these 7 'fun' people:

Thursday, December 18, 2008

I'm Exhausted

Had toes-cramp several times today.
My knees hurt.
My back aches.
My calf feels so tight.
My thigh is feeling the tension too....

Its been a super long day, felt like a tourist .... visited so many places and did so many extra-ordinary things all in less than 8hours....

Its so tiring, yet I'm over the moon! I would say today is MY DAY....too many to list, but one thing for sure ~ I get to be on the Singapore Flyer (Finally)!!!! Pop over to my kid's blog to see all the pictures... This is JUST one of the 5 places we went! We are crazy!

*Ouch* my toes cramped again!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Books-Crazy!

A very Special Friend told me about the Carrefour Bazaar held at Plaza Singapura. There were lots of things going at really low price. But I'm there only for the books! I do not consider myself a bookworm but whenever it comes to self-improvement books, I can be 'out-of-control'.

I bought this for myself: "Speak without Fear"

For those of you who know about me being a Panelist at the Working Mothers Forum sometime back in October this year, would know how important this book is to me. For those of you who are not aware, go read this.

As for sharpening my parenting skills, I bought these:












By the way, I'm Allan's 'Reader'. Whenever he reads, he falls asleep, its a bad habit, no matter how exciting the book is. So whenever I see a book that can benefit him, especially for his work, I'll grab the book, read it, digest it and regurgitate in simpler form to him.

So for Allan, I bought:
The last book "Words That Work" is one which I've been searching for more than a year. I saw the book once at Popular Bookshop but gave it a miss, only few days later to regret it.
When I went back, the book was gone. Left my name and my number for them to contact me once there's supply again, but no one called. Whenever I visit the Bookshop, I'll double check again and again....but still no luck.

When I saw the book, I was over-whelmed with excitement, tears were in my eyes, SERIOUS! Not Exaggerating! Its like you've found a lost love! The feeling was extreme!

So, 7 books at S$10 each! What a bargain!
I've checked the original price of those books and my total damaged (if I had bought it in any bookshop) could have been US$106.75!!! Which is approximately S$160!!!
I saved S$90! Whoo-hoo!!! And the value of these books are priceless! I'm so in luck today! *laugh*

The searching process was extremely tedious, cos' all sorts of books were piled up like 'mountains'. You really need to 'dig in deep' to look for treasures and I'm so happy with my rewards!

Ok, I'm off now, I've got 7 books waiting for me....on top of another (half-read) book, which I bought for myself as a birthday gift, back in September....so total 8 books!!!!!*wink*

Monday, December 15, 2008

Lasik

Lasik Eye Surgery has always been my big dream ever since I knew that such a thing exist.

As we clear off more debts, I've decided to look at my wish list. A list of things that needs lots more money to fulfill and Lasik has always been on the top of the list over the years.

Now that the price have gone down by half over the last 4 -5 years. It has become much more (reasonably) affordable. I've started doing my 'research' on different clinics that perform the surgery since then and it was The Lasik Surgery Clinic which made me feel comfortable. The surgeons, the services, the price...blah blah blah...

So 4 years ago, I told myself that if ever I could afford to go for Lasik, LSC would be the place I want to go.

And so I went, earlier in October, when they had a free forum. It was held at their clinic and heard 2 doctors spoke ~ Dr Marc Tay and Dr Jon Goh. It was after the Q&A session that I became very confident of my choice. I like the confidence (NOT arrogance) of the doctors. Its so important that the patient feels at ease with the doctor, ain't that right?

Recently they had a promotion. Eye Screening Test ($1) and Eye Evaluation ($100) are given FREE to find out if you are a suitable candidate. Yes, its sad that even if you have tonnes of money, it doesn't mean that you are suitable for it.

So I went and brought my curious sis along. Both of us went through lots of tests, which gives results like: the imperfection of your eyes, the thickness of your cornea, the level of pressure your eyes can take (Oooo....this is the fun one!), the dilation of your pupil with special eye-drops (which eventually makes you feel a little disorientated), the degree of your eyes now ~ they need to know the 'perfect' degree so that after the surgery, that's the vision you will have....

On top of that we have counseling session cum a special one-to-one Q&A session with your preferred Surgeon; and for me, its definitely Dr Marc Tay. Questions like, should I opt for custom or wavefront, blade or bladeless were all answered effortlessly by the experienced man.

I was so happy that the results showed that I'm a Suitable Candidate!!!

So now I'm on my way to save up for it. S$2,188 is the cost of custom surgery for both eyes PLUS medication AND 3 post-surgery checkups (which may change according to the receptionist), which is 'good enough' for my 900+ Shortsightedness (each eye) and my 100+ Astigmatism (each eye).

The Evaluation results are only valid up to 6weeks and I'm pretty sure, I won't be able to raise that amount by then. So there is a high chance whereby I'll have to go through all those tests again, which I'm very willing to do....*smile*

Till the day I have the amount, wish Allan lots of luck won't ya? Cos' if he has more deals or BIGGER deals, the earlier I can go for my Lasik!!! *laugh*

Sunday, December 14, 2008

I'm Alive!

Yes, I'm referring to THIS blog!

It's been idle for awhile and now I'm ready to bring it back to live. That's why you notice the change in the title, its like changing a person's name.

So look out, 'cos here comes a brand new blog that blogs about Anything Under the Sun! Very different from my other blog 'All About Your Child'.....*wink*

Monday, December 1, 2008

I have moved.....

Hi everyone, I have moved my site to http://allaboutyourchild.com/ since 2nd February 2008.

Go on and click the link above....

At the same time, I will be posting the Top 5 Most Commented Posts for Each Month below this sticky announcement post.

So if you don't have the time to read all my posts, I'm giving you the cream of the crop. Mmmmm..... so do pop over here, at least once a month and savor the goodness... *wink*