Days of being Happy..and Tired

Sugar went on her first road trip to the pet farm. Obviously she was not the only excitable one. But we realised it took her 2 days to recover from the exhaustion.

After the trip
One tired dog that decides to skips her meals and sleeps for hours straight.

World class architectural, no takers

Is Singapore ready for 21st century architecture? Just today, we were having lunch at a coffee house and I overheard two men talking about The Linear, a revolutionary condo in the West.

'Used to be a carpark there, but after that stupid condo was built, no more place to park.'

'That one a condo meh?'

'Don't look like, right? Stupid design.'

This is sad. I have heard many people having much repulsive reaction to this condo...and its design. For the record, it is designed by Kenzo Tange, one of the world's renowned architects. But it is also famous as Singapore's longest condo, being built on a long, narrow strip of land flanked by a busy road in front and a longkang (canal) at the back.

We went in to take a look at the showflat and actually, it was very impressive. I have never seen a condo with such good space planning and design. It is one of the most well-built condos we have seen. In fact, we are still wondering, where are the aircon units? The designers have took great efforts to ensure nothing unsightly undermines its design. But only 50% of units have been sold since its launch 2 years ago.

But how many Singaporeans can appreciate such an architectural gem? We would have bought it but thought twice about how our resale would be like. These days, whenever I passed by it, I wished I lived there...

But we are equally excited about our new place!

Remember those milk packets?

Remember those good old triangular milk packets we had during our childhood days? Schools used to distribute these milk packets in chocolate and strawberry during our recess time. When most people get one packet, I had to take two because of my featherweight. I never liked milk. And it is silly enough carrying two packets of milk around during recess time when others are playing hopscotch or zero-point. Away from the teachers' eyes, I would just give it away to some of my friends.

CK Tangs at Vivocity has this corner of modern day old toys from the past...but they are certainly not as cheap as those days. Things that you cannot find or see anymore...

It is quite interesting.

Sugar turns four

Sugar has really grown so much the last month or so. Here are some updated photos of her. She has just been a great dog...not that there is such thing as a bad dog, or is there? Anyway, she is just adorable.

Westward bound

We saw a place yesterday and fell in love with it...at first sight. It meets all the requirements in our criteria reference.

1. A view to kill
2. High floor
3. Breezy & Bright
4. Must have the element of water and the colour blue (only for TS)

TS met a master and he told him that he lacks water. So he must always choose blue or have the element of water at home. I thought it was funny but anyway, he is dead serious about it. Everything was apt. Even the name of the development - Blue Horizon. It faces the sea and west coast park is right at your doorstep, with a 24 hour Mcdonalds (Ryan will be its regular patron). I always like the West - tranquil, mysterious and away from the hordes of people in the east coast. Anyway, it is back to my hometown, I grew up here for 20 years of my life.

This place is surrounded by water 180 degrees. We bought it on the spot. But have to keep our fingers crossed till the owners signed the papers.

Househunting is never fun

It is exciting when you have to house hunt...again. We are theoretically homeless now cos we sold our place and our 'till being constructed' place. Life can't get more exciting, doesn't it?

It was property hunting over the weekend. And it was definitely not a fun experience. The market now in Singapore is hot and everywhere we went, there are groups of people viewing together. I cannot tolerate such situations. It is like in TS words, "helping each other to buy". The agents are creating this kind of competition so that we as buyers will hike up the prices...often to ridiculous standards. We walked out of one, after feeling the heat of competition from 5 other parties in that one unit.

Pictures here are of TS and Ryan while waiting at one particular development. Ryan is re-acting Spiderman, whilst TS is reminising his childhood days...

T.C.Y

L-R: Hwee Sian, Chia Ying, Me, Lawrence before Yoga Class. Our favourite part was the final segment where we laid down to relax...and not surprisingly, the spa music is usually accompanied by interlapping snores.

This post is warmly dedicated to my dear friend, Chia Ying. Because she asked if I missed them in the office, and she has been reading my blog to know what I have been up to these days.

Chia Ying and I actually go back a long long way. We were sitting next to each other during our MEP (Music Elective Programme) class at TKGS. I remembered how she always laughed and laughed. 16 years later, we met again, in a tiny office of MOE (Ministry of Education) and sitted next to each other again. And the blur me, didn't even remember it was her! Untill, 1 week later, she finally told me. Totally embarassed!

To my friends in the 'Music Projects Room', I miss you all!

Puppy Love

Ryan is totally 'in love' with the dog. These days, he goes around saying, "so cute!", "so pretty!" about the dog. In case you are wondering, he is not like this with girls at all. Girls would peck him with a kiss, go up to him and kiss him (yes, it is true!) and he would be nonchalant about it. It is funny when the other day, when his female cousin just bathed, wore something "sexy", sat next to Ryan and tried to get his attention (and she is only 4!). Ryan was still glued to the TV. She finally asked, "Ryan, how do I look?". Ryan just said, with one quick glance, "Nice". She smiled.

But I think it is really funny.

"S" is for Sugar & Spiderboy

Spiderman 3, the movie hit the cinemas last weekend and Ryan was lucky enough to a seat at the cinema on its first day! But thanks to my folly, I actually booked 2 seats for TS and him on the 1st row from internet booking, thinking those were the back seats. So the two of them ended up tilting their heads back throughout the whole movie. The dog is doing great, except that I think it is feeling hot most of the time. She looks for the coolest place to chill out and guess where is that? In our bathroom floor. Ryan and I were shocked to find her sleeping on the wet tiles after searching the whole place. But she is real funny, she would run and hide immediately after doing something wrong. I totally support children having a pet. It brings out the best in Ryan.

Besides TS, the dog and the spiderboy, everything has been great. I have just got a new job. Received the confirmation today and I am starting work next week at the Uni. Looking forward to that!

Do you know what I am thinking?

My Man likes to shop. But there is one place he will tries to avoid at all times...I.K.E.A. I don't know why but I guess the design and technology person he is, he feels there is nothing great about the furniture there. After many weeks of insinuating, he finally agreed to visit the NEW Ikea at Pasir Ris.

"Do you know what I am thinking?"

I said flatly, "Yes"

"Okay, if you guessed correctly, you get a 5 minute massage."

"No, 15 minutes." (I knew I am going to win this!)

And as cynical as we are, cos I know he will be up to something as usual. So we agreed that he will key in the answer in his handphone and placed on the dashboard of the car. And I will say the answer.

And I said...IKEA's CHICKEN WINGS.

I checked his phone, I won!

"No, you didn't. Look carefully."

It said, "Not chicken wings"

GRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Not again!

Wanton @ Heeren

We had wanton lunch the other day. It is a little cafe tucked in a corner of Heeren, serving some really good wanton noodles. Must credit Jiaying and Susanna for their recommendation. It was great just spending a little part of Saturday with family...Life in Singapore can be hectic at times.

Woof!

We bought a pup yesterday. Been seeing pups for quite some time and when we saw this golden retriever, we just couldn't resist her! We saw her walked in and out of the shop a few times over few days.

Finally we gave in to temptation. So she came home with us!

At the moment, we call her "sugar" cos she is looked really like 'xiao tian tian' (sweet little one).

Ryan kept saying 'I still cannot believe we got a puppy' all the way home.

Rene: Does she looks like Abby?

Any names for her?

How far will you go?

Maybe it is mid life crisis but nowadays, the more I see Kitty, it brightens up my day! This has evolved since my friend JY has given me the Kitty squeezie from Daiso.

And check out what I found at a tiny shop in Marina Square the other day! A Hello Kitty mouse! Thank goodness, TS didn't stop me. He used to pull me out of the shop whenever he sees my enthusiasm rising ("It's so CUTE!").

I think he is beginning to realise that I have gone kind of crazy these days. Probably accepted the fact too.

So back to the Kitty, it is so cute! The mouse pad is bought my other colleague to go with this kitty mouse.

It is much easier to source for more kitties when you have great friends who are always on the lookout for you.

Hello Kitty rules!

The 8th Habit - Live Life to the Fullest

Momo is back..renewed and recharged. I have made some really important decisions in the past few weeks.

I reflected and thought about life, about one's existence, and about making sense of what I really want. Do you feel that everytime you walk to a supermarket, you have to look at the prices of all the products, do a product comparison and at the end of it, choose the cheapest one? I decided not to be.

I remember my friend used to tell me that his secret dream was to be left in a supermarket unnoticed and so when everyone is out of the shop and lights darkened, he can treat the whole place to himself. Don't ask me why a supermarket.

What am I trying to say? Stop looking at how to save the few dollars and enjoy the better part of life! What am I driving at?

I quit my job...sorry for the lost connection.

But I am not upset (in case you thought I was).

I feel liberated!

I quit without firming on what I will be doing next. But that's the beauty of the whole thing, empowerment to do what you feel is right without thinking into the mechanics of life...I know in this age, this sounds very ridiculous. But darn, I am going to do what I want and get what I want out of life!

Kitty's World

So thrilled. My friend in office gave this Hello Kitty to me today. Thanks, JY. It is so so so cute! I cannot imagine how much joy this hello kitty can bring to me. Never could I also imagine that it can brighten my day. It is a good de-stresser, just by looking at it.

Kudos to whoever invented her or it.

btw, I am back in office. That explains my lax in blogging.

After Tea, It is The Undersized Filo

May I present to you, the Prince and Princess of Shangri La
A Toast to the Fair Princess. M must be thinking, "Mummy, is this lame or what?" You need to check out D's and SK's blogs to see more pictures of these two fellas.
I can eat plates of chocolate and forget the rest of the buffet.
The Rose Verandah and the tea setting fit for a Queen

Today has been a really eventful day. SK, D, and myself decided to have one nice afternoon sipping tea like tai-tais (slang for rich married women) before we all go different paths - one is delivering a baby in 10 days time, the other going to Japan for the next two years, and myself, I am returning to office in 2 days time.

We went to Shangri-La's Rose Verandah for high tea. Great ambience, but not too great food. What struck me is their 101 teas that got me intoxicated again. I had Morning Star, a 8 herbs and fruit blend that is totally wonderful.

We couldn't stop observing these two young ones. Again, they captured our hearts with their funny antics and may I say, their relationship.

Today is also TS's birthday! I rushed to get a last minute gift (but well-thought one) before going back. It was a total anti climax.

Isn't it a little small? I like it bigger.

But don't you like the design? It is so sleek.

Ok, look, (taking out a slip from the filofax) it says here, for women to fit into their handbags!

Is it??? ok ok, we change tomorrow, I still got receipt.

Stress.

Lesson learnt - PLEASE DO NOT BUY A LAST MINUTE GIFT EVER.

I Can Do It!

Bought this pair of blades from Vancouver during the hols and only have time recently to try these out.

Post Chinese New Year Activities

My hongbao from my parents! I shan't show you pictures of me "counting" my harvest.


Something I made with my red packets. My school taught me how to make it.

No Title, Some Ramblings

Apart from feeling fat from the excess eating and snacking, (not from CNY but because I am stressed), I am also feeling tired.

Tired trying to finish my thesis and getting the last bit information I need to complete. People just have no time for you, even if this thesis got to do with them, sigh. But it is not their fault. We are too busy chasing our own things in life. And in 10 days, if nothing changes, I have to report back to work. That is enough to make me feel like eating more. Let's hope there is good news (hoping that 'that' something will come true).

Cannot believe that it has been 6 months since I stopped work. What have I done? I have not even taken a shopping spree, had afternoon tea, go to the park when everyone is at work, work out, volunteer at Ryan's school. I am going back to work. But one thing is for sure. I am not going to work like there is no tomorrow. I remembered living the life of a vampire, at the office at 7am and leaving at 9am, never see daylight...

There is more to life than work.

Jay Chou - Chrysanthemum Flower Bed [Ju Hua Tai]

Please on loud loud. This song is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. The Curse of the Golden Flower is directed by Zhang Yimou, who is also one of my favourite directors...never want to miss any of his movies. In this movie, the underlying theme is about a mother's love/auguish for her son...very touching.

After returning from China, it makes me reflect on who I really am. Being brought up in a westernised society, am I still true to my Chinese roots? When we converse in Chinese in China, they had difficulty understanding us. And after looking at all the Chinese history before me, I am proud of the richness of the Chinese civilisation.

I am Chinese.