Finally! A trip since June. Thailand, here I come.. 

Post operation

Just had an operation done. Which hurts like crazy both emotionally and physically. Told myself that everything will be good, I can always try for another baby in 2 yrs time. 

Lots of weddings I have to miss - James', Melissa's and I think one more. Not going to mil's house warming. But they understand. I'll prolly talk about the operation some time later but definitely not now. Nothing much to say. More like losing blood, got transferred to KKH, op was done there and now I have 4 wound scars, cause they cut up 4 keyholes. 

I didn't realize I can miss Leia so much. When she came to see me, even if my parents were against her sitting next to me because she sure wants me to carry and she ALWAYS hit my tummy area. I was THAT stubborn and said its fine. I smelt her sweaty hair, let her watch cartoons on my TV and yea, things were manageable. But one thing I didn't realize is I don't do this at home and it scares me to a point of time that I might be taking her for granted. Which is wrong.

Today, I should be resting since my dressings can only be removed on Sunday, but I went down and looked at her being dressed for school, sat with her and even asked her if you missed mummy and can you give mummy a hug, which she did but half heartedly because she was eyeing the piece of bread in her hands. Haha!! Greedy as usual. 

I missed being a FT mummy actually. It's weird, but I do. It's extremely tiring to look after your little one. But I sort of missed it. I can't carry her now because the doc did say not to carry things above 5kg for 1month, but I still insist that she can sit on my lap. Little things matters actually. 

And now, I'm being the stubborn me. Trying to watch 我的少女时代 with my husband. I've not driven for a long long time, but I will only do it if my body allows me to. Don't wanna risk others as well. 

The Nails Shop

Its really a wonder who reads this non-existent space here. Don't get me wrong, I know there are readers, but I'm thinking like 5? But now, I'm thinking otherwise. Not to show off, I don't wish to be a keyboard warrior in the I.E. Whatsapp maybe, but internet, definitely not, unless I want to spite someone on Fb, then maybe yes.

Anyways, a little update that is co-owned by TheClothesShopp, I'm pleased to announce a little sister company by the side - The Nails Shop.

Do like the page and share it with your friends:

https://www.facebook.com/The-Nails-Shop-163735557300889/timeline/ 

Very excited about new projects and the like. We welcome any brides to be to entrusts your nails to us. Of course, this is done home-based. To gain your trust, pictures of nail arts done by our nail technician will be posted on the Facebook page slowly, so go on and like the page for trendy nail arts.

A classic manicure that was done:

We have brands from the US of A - Nail systems international (NSI), Precision and OPI.

A snapshot of a classic gelish manicure (note the gloss and shine on the nail plate from our gel polish - from NSI)

Its a classic french, with pale grey tips instead of white. This customer didn't want any drastic or neon colours. She's the nude/ pale/ pastel sort of colour person, thus this light colour.

For more works by the nail technician, do follow the page by liking it and sharing.

Prices are definitely affordable - A classic manicure costs $25 (inclusive of 2 nail art on any 2 fingers) and a classic gelish manicure costs $38 (inclusive of 2 nail art on any 2 fingers)

Nail extensions are also available and so is pedicure. 

We do hope you like the services done by The Nails Shop. Hope to see you there!

School's starting...

Can't wait for Saturday. :)

New prospects, new outlook, new vision.

I'm sure to those who follow me on instagram, I'm a mother to a tomboy (ahem). While I was browsing through the pictures in my phone, I realised, my daughter looks so demure in a dress. Here she is patting a pet rabbit:

So Cw is a nerd, and I'm a nerd's wifey so this is me in my geeky specs:

This is me donning a dress from TheClothesShopp:

And how my model looks in the exact same dress:

Do stay tuned for updates from TCS and also, find out what collaboration TCS is bringing for you guys. :)

I think it's time to blog about what I'm doing to lose weight. Stay tuned to this space too. 

I'm torn.. :|

Last year's caroling

Last year Christmas, we attended my sister's caroling session at St. Theresa's. That's where my paternal grandparents were cremated side by side. They are finally together now. Gong gong waited too long. While Leia was fussing because she didn't want to be stuck in a chapel, I took Cw to see them for the very first time. He don't know them cause ma ma died in 2011, gong gong was gone in 1988.

It was very depressing to walk around the burial grounds, we understand that as aging catches up, yes, we will die. I get that. But it's always passing by the tombstones of a baby at 2 months old or even at Leia's age that it gets to me now. Don't get me wrong, I did question the one above why he must take them at such a tender age when I was single. But now that I'm a mum, deaths nowadays = imagining my child dying. That scares me. I know some might call me crazy, let's just say I let my imagination run wild at times.

An almost full body picture:

4 generations of love, I'll say

And another close up shot:

I'm sure some might have know that my granny has to undergo chemo. She had two tumour in her intestines which was removed and when she was discharged, everything sort of went back to normality. Until, news was brought to us that the oncologist is recommending chemo. :(

It really broke my heart to hear this. I cried a couple of times cause she was the closest I ever had. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I don't have parents, I do, but they are always working so hard to put food at the table till granny took the mum's role. It's true, I appreciate all that mum and all that she has done, else I won't have a comfortable life. But the time wasn't there and I yearned for it. Granny (I call her Popo because she is Cantonese and she was the one who spoke to me in Cantonese - going to Hong Kong? Easy peasy!) made my life easier and among all her 6 grand children, she loved me the most. Visited me in hospitals when I fell sick, gave me lots of food during pregnancy and now that Leia is born, she is somewhat applying the same love to her, but a grandchild and a great grandchild is still different I guess. 

Honestly, deep down, I know she will get through this. I've been telling Cw that I'm refusing to believe that once chemo starts, it's gonna break her - all that hair loss, the nauseating, the strength sapping away from your soul? I refuse to think that it'll bring her down.

And it's sincere - but if I can exchange some of my lifespan, just bloody do it. Popo deserves it more than me. Really. All I ask as a condition is let me live till Leia is 21. At least let me see her through adulthood. I'm going to visit my granny tomorrow with Leia. Hope it will cheer granny a little. :)

疼惜你, 婆婆

Leia's first Christmas

Busy like a bumble-bee.

Finally got down to the enrolling of my school course. Can't wait to start. :)

Been staying back till 11-ish Monday - Thursday. This has got to stop. Leia's turning 2 next month and with that in mind, I've decided to do a throwback last Christmas. Yes, I know everyone will say I'm out-dated. I'll prolly only blog about Japan trip next year having said this. But it shows how much she has grown.

We had a mfss gathering among us mummies. It was at Sj's house. Totally love her house design - I'm very excited going to new places to get inspiration for my 5-room next year.

Three different group shots as you can see. But its also proof that its very hard to get a good shot with babies in the picture. 

Another group shot as above

Leia and Irvin. Look how small they were last year.

Chloe. Very excited to see her this Saturday. We mummies have planned a zoo trip.

Not forgetting solo pictures of us. A mummy-daughter photo. My hair was hideous back then, last year.

This is so candid, the two kids were staring at my phone. Checking out the tunes from YouTube. Val had the sense to look into my cameo. Haha!

Finally, a personalised christmas picture with all of us:

Really enjoyed outings such as this. I;ve actually lost touch with them the moment I exited Mfss. But after since the birth of our children, we've gained a common topic and got back in touch. Funny how time does this to us. But whenever I'm having a kiddo problem, I'll always go to them. 

Rider's Lodge

Time to really get down to my blog. Been almost a month since I've written in this space. So its the huge jubilee weekend and yay to long holidays, but nay to crappy work. I'm quite torn if I should bring work to the staycation. It sort of defeats the purpose of having a staycation right?

Throw back to a few pictures of Leia, since my life is quite un-interesting at the mo.

Throwback to Cw and myself now, when I still had my long permed hair:

Got photo-bombed. HAHAHA!! These was taken when the car haven't got transferred to my name and thus public transport. Kinda miss those days huh?

Anyway, might embark on one project soon and hope it goes well. Better take the opportunity since I'm still able and young. Update you guys soon! =)

Finally gotten down to shaving off my tresses. Shorter hair = lighter hair = happy mummy.

So I'm missing out on my drinking days - the last time I indulged myself was maybe 2 months ago? When I was still in the ml industry (I.e. just last year), I practically go drinking with my colleagues maybe once every 3 weeks? Now back to the event industry where work is really piling, I don't have that kinda life anymore. Or maybe I do, just every Friday.

I went to Aqua Nova months back before it closed down (That's what I last heard, true or not, I have no heed) and I had the best chili crab pasta ever.

Although the pieces of crab were puny, but the sauce is to die for. I'm not sure if you guys read my Pique Nique review where I stressed that Aglio Olio must be tossed correctly to perfection? It doesn't have much ingredients, but when tossed properly, that's THE aglio olio. Likewise for this pasta, the sauce is perfecto! If i ever need to compare the pasta with Aqua Nova and shuffle, Aqua Nova wins hands down.

So, G and I headed to Shanghai Dolly where we met up with the rest. It was really an aunty-uncle kinda night. But the company we had was enough not to tear us up into boredom. G other group of friends happen to be there as well, and I enjoyed talking to them (or rather that one guy who was always with us in the smoking room)

They are the best ex-colleagues I ever had. G turned out to be more than an ex-colleague. Friendships works in mysterious ways.






I can't blog much as Leia is awake and I need to bathe her. Got quite a few good stuffs amd insights to share, so keep a look out for this space.

Why do I feel that his gaming is more important to us? Got a bit upset when she's crying and all he can say is "what do you want?" to her. Isn't it obvious she wants milk? No? 

Anyway, lucky I'm in the workforce. At least now that I'm financially independent, I can maybe buy over the house some day. Disappointed is what I feel now, not love. 

Pique Nique

It's been a while since I've done a food opinion that I happen to chance upon and like. So here it is.

Cw and I went to Pique Nique (a teaser for picnic, I think) for dinner. It's located all the way at Jurong and the only reason we went there is because my ex working place is in Jurong and I have the car, so whoever wants a lift, please come and meet me and not the other way round. =X I'm NOT being stuck up/snobbish by saying so, I do give very close and selected friends the "to-and-fro". If you have this privilege, you know your placement in my heart. But obviously, I don't do the "to-and-fro" to everyone and I'm sure you guys are the same. Don;t go all saintly on me by saying that you do the "to-and-fro" to everyone, cause you're just lying.

So anyway, I was feeling westernised on that day and so Pique Nique it is! I've NEVER tried it so whatever that I'm commenting can be quite genuine. I've realised some food bloggers only go to places that people recommend, I'm not a trend follower, so heck it. I feel westernised, so let's plonk ourselves down for good old' pasta!

I got the spicy prawn aglio olio! I need my pasta base to be spicy. I can do cream and tomato base, and even if there isn't spices within the sauce, I add tons and tons of chili flakes. I can't live without spiciness (Maybe that's why my temper is so bad).

I am very particular when it comes to aglio olio. Cause the garlic, the basil, the sauce has to be tossed properly and still retaining its taste. This is good! I've eaten at places where they don't toss the aglio olio right, or it was too garlicky. This one has got the taste there. So my fears were assuaged. I couldn't remember what Cw had, I was too absorbed in my pasta. 

I wouldn't say this brownie is to-die-for, but it has its credit values as well. It's good enough for me because I wouldn't purposely order dessert. I only order when I have the craving for it. Some orders for the sake of ordering, that's not me. To be honest, the ice-cream serving is huge, although the brownie can be slightly better. I ate ALL the ice cream anyway (like who says no to ice cream?).

The best was the chamomile tea. I'm a tea fanatic. Anything tea, anything green with tea, and you got me. 

For me, I need chamomile with honey. I don't know why, but earl grey or english breakfast, I can simply do with sugar, but chamomile must be with honey. Weird, I know. Finished the whole pot and can do more. :)

Pictures of the narcissist me:

Both pictures when I had curly hair. I'm going to cut my hair short now - 11th July! So we'll see how it goes, I had long hair for almost half of my lifetime, its time to let it goooo.

Today is sunday - Please DO NOT let me be sick. I was sick almost every sunday. The worst was on the 7th (I remember that day because Cw was out mj-ing till late and I was helpless) and I started my first day of work on the 8th! Had the worst stomach flu, doc gave me my most hated jab, I shit in my panties (I'm sorry if its too much info, but I really did that) and Cw had to wash my poo from my panties. That's how sick I am. Ask him if you guys think I'm faking.

My dad had to drive me to the doctor because I couldn't do it myself. I bombed the clinic's toilet TWICE. And whenever I fart, it wasn't gas, it was shit. So I had to wear my sanitary pad the whole day. So tell me, when Cw wasn't home when I needed him the most, does he deserve the whole "D convo"? But it didn't went through, cause I cried while shitting/vomitting that I didn't want the divorce and hugged him so madly. But after doing that, I had to run into the toilet and only when Cw heard me vomitting that he decided I was really sick. :|

I got such a nice husband yea? But he totally regretted his decision. So ladies, have stomach flu. You get to me thin + husband to do your bidding (for that day only). But only do it when you're engaged, with a baby in tow, I felt like dying. Seriously, I was all "Just let me die". Being melodrama as usual. Heh. 

Work's piling. But being busy is good. Quite nice to go back to the same industry - the usual SOP's, the usual media partners and associations.

Anyway, I know this would seem ages ago, but I've thought of doing a throwback since Leia is growing and I think I'm missing the younger her (not that she is old, for heaven's sake). Seeing that NDP is around the corner and its going to be a different sort of National Day Parade as its SG50, I'm throwing back to Leia's first National day last year!

National Day 2014 was spent at my aunt's place (or rather Cw's aunt, but I see them as my family now, hence my aunt). Her breezy condo made me slept while waiting for my in-laws to arrive.

Leia was only 11 months. I was surprised that she can manage short walks at 11 months. Milestones for taking step are usually 12-14months. But of course, I'm not here to show-off, there are other milestones that Leia hasn't achieve yet, but to each his/her own .

My aunt is living in Bayshore, so it's near the marina bay platform. We could see a bit of fireworks, but its mainly blocked by the other buidlings, so we just saw the sparks as the fireworks fend off.

I got a monkey at the grills. This is very random - my aunt is 40+ and looking at her figure, I don't think anyone can tell that the figure above belongs to a 40+ yr old aunt! I swear, all the thai boxing, marathons and yoga is doing the hella good!

My daughter doesn't look at me ain't it? She still had her baby fats about her then, now she is tall, slender and only at 9+ kg for the age of 2 where other children are hitting the two digit range.

This hearty bowl of beef stew is TO-DIE-FOR! Home cooked by my aunt and it's better than those sold outside. I'm not shitting you guys. Fuscili was added into this soulful bowl and honestly, I dunno who is reading my blog, but as crude as it may sound - It's food orgasm in your mouth. Total thumbs up! I had 2 bowls of it even. :) And given my size, it must be something! *Drools*

This year's NDP would be spent quite differently - I've booked a staycation for the Yap's! I know, very fast. But if I don't act fast, rooms will be gone in a flash, knowing Singaporeans. So we'll see how that goes.

Was feeling quite lost prior to leaving for Japan. It's been awhile since I last drank. Think the last time was with G and gang and always at Shanghai dolly or crew room. Really missed those days!

Eating alone isn't boring actually. In fact, I'm starting to get use to it. Had Parker's the other day. It is the only Korean restaurant that I frequent when I'm in the Thomson area, or maybe the only one that I frequent as it is nearer to head there than the Ang Mo Kio area.

Korean kimchi noodles with sausages. I opted out for luncheon meat as I don't like the sogginess it appears in the soup and Cw wasn't with me at that time else, I'll just pass it to him. They usually give 6 side dishes when we go there as a couple, and since this is my first time dining alone, I was quite surprise that I only had 3 side dishes. But no biggie, I can't eat all 6 alone anyway.

Drinks after that. It's so good to consume ice cold beer after dinner. I actually wanted soju to go with my food, but I was afraid that the alcohol content would be high (I never had soju before) as I am driving, so I opted for beer at Ming's Pub instead. Beer can never go wrong - two cups will not make you tipsy.

Shall not say what's going on, rather keep things to myself. I'm not sure who reads this platform, but you can never be too sure. Maybe when the time is ripe, I'll go full blast. We'll see.

I'm now googling on kids friendly staycations in and out of Singapore. If Singapore has nice stuff, I'll go to wherever it is. Else, I think its my first time bringing Leia overseas alone. Think that's one thing on my mind - I'm so used to doing things with Leia and always alone with her that I don't feel Cw and I are a couple anymore. He hates to bring her out. Then what do you want me to do? Stay at home 365 days with my daughter? That's bull! So having no choice, I'll just assign vacations with her and me alone. On Saturday's, it's either to the magic card shop or Mj with his friends and that just leaves us 1 day to ourselves on Sunday's. But if he doesn't even want to hand out with Leia and I on Sunday's, then that leaves nothing.

Don't get me wrong, he wants to hang out with me. I am all for my parents to look after Leia, but my dad has been doing that since day 1 when she was born. It is too strenuous for him as he is getting exhausted. I've suggested before to put her at my mil's house but he is so adamant, like he STRONGLY refuses because he thinks my mil can't handle her. It all happened when Leia was around 4 months old and we asked her to look after Leia for a couple of hours while we went for a swim, my mil couldn't handle Leia and called us back, thus in a way "ruining" our date and from then on, Cw refuses to seek his mum's help.

But by doing so, I feel that he isn't giving his mum a chance now that Leia is older and also, indirectly pushing things to my dad which as his daughter, I feel the unfairness. I might be so called "washing dirty laundry in public" but having typed this far, I won't press backspace and delete these thoughts. Maybe someone - a reader, a mummy, his friend - can help me.

Anywho, I'm still googling places to go during the August long public holidays. I can be with Leia and also able to get my mind on things while I'm away. Suggestions anyone? Be it places to go or advice on my issues,

Blogging while waiting for husband to come back to the hotel. I spent the whole day cooped up in the hotel. I'm not being lazy, Cw can be my witness. I had a major poo explosion!

I felt like soup and made some miso soup. And then everything went hay-wired! Cw didn't wanna go into the bathroom even though he had to bathe to meet his friends (btw, we became one of those couples who pee/poo without closing the toilet door, I dunno why I don't close the door. Maybe because it feels home to be with Cw and when you're home, you don't shy/hide stuff? But only when it's just me and him please. Outside, I'm different).

And when he was about to leave, I had to do a major fart + poo bomb that he literally stopped outside the open toilet door, looked at me and go "I think you'll be stuck in here the whole day". And I'm like "CHOY!!" Typical Asian I am. 

Japan is very accessible by trains so I can go out myself but the thought of being stuck in the hotel makes me feel like a good day wasted! During Cw's tournament, It was just me, myself and Japan so I love having me-time. But yea, by the time I felt well, it's 5pm Japan timing. And Cw is boarding the train home. Sheesh!! 

You know how I read other blogger's platform? And they said they were shitting water? I'm like "is that even possible?" But today, I know what they mean! Horrible feeling, it's like your butt hole isn't use for pooing, it's for peeing. One good thing about Japanese toilet is you can wash your butt hole by pressing some buttons, so I'm experiencing it kindly I guess. 

I'm going to shower and head out! Think I'll surprise hubby! Since he has his pocket wifi and I, mine, we can just whatsapp! I've been dying to head to Sogo and Parco. And I feel like a pancake! Japan has so cultivated the eating alone habit in me. Ciao for now! さようなら! 

Away for 8 days

I'm heading to Chiba for 9 days so you mini readers out there, don't miss me.

We had a late mother's day dinner yesterday on the 24th of May. My little girl was dressed like a doll, according to Maggie. She was giving flying kisses to almost everyone she saw, so free kisses from my little one to you guys.

A lot of mummies will go "My baby is the cutest!" and I'm also like that. Everyone might be sick and tired of hearing me droning on and on, but I couldn't care less. She's part of my world. 

Since you guys won't be hearing from this virtual space for awhile, I'm uploading myself with an OOTD with a clingy t-shirt showing off my fat tummy and my wet hair, knock yourselves out okay. I'm a vain person, so to actually upload this, takes plenty of courage.

This is like super super late and honestly not worth mentioning. But I've decided to talk about Jl's bdae party that I've attended almost 1 year ago (I think if the bdae girl is reading this, she'll roll her eyes, its been THAT long). So one of the Peck's accompanied Jl throughout the staycation at MBS, I went there to cut the cake and gossip, most of the time.

Her birthday cake: Alcohol based. I think Jl wanted everyone to finish the cake fast (That makes 6 of us, including her) so each had a HUGE slice. I think she found out that after a few bites, I threw mine away into the bin. HAHA! I can't possibly finish 1/6 of the cake.

I didn't know what to contribute so I bought TWG macaroons. I so love TWG! Their stock of tea is to-die-for. I haven't found anyone who can actually have tea sessions with me. Cw is out as when I suggested we head to TWG, he'll run off in the other direction. I'm married to a non tea lover.

Three of us, from poly till now. We still have a group chat that no one is leaving, just quite vacant as Winnie and Jl are closer, but I'm glad they still see me as their friend, and the god-ma's of Leia. Bear with the hair, these hairstyles are dated last year!

So, lots of people are asking (including my mil) as to why I'm pulling Leia out of school. I've registered her into Marymount Kindergarten. Its NOT because I used to be from Marymount Convent. Even if I'm from Marymount convent, the kindergarten has nothing to do with the primary school. It's because I feel that her form teacher won't be able to teach Leia well. Down to it: The English language.

Before I go on, I better state a disclaimer. I don't need a PHD/Masters/Bachelor holder to teach my daughter English. My mum is just an O level holder and she speaks darn well. It's more like your foundation. Being born and bred in an English speaking family, we've taught her most words in English and we are mindful on how we speak. Don't get me wrong, I don't need the Queen's posh accent, her posh grammers etc. I just need the simple foundations to be right. Take a look at what her English teacher wrote:

As I was reading this, I'm mentally correcting her English by going:

Dear Parents: Leia IS (there is only one Leia in class, so why plural?)  getting better in class BUT (seriously using short form?) at times she will cry. She LIKES (There's only one Leia, so where's the 'S) to mix with older kids rather than her CLASSMATES (Again, lacking the "s" unless in Leia's PG group, she only has one classmate) but not to worry, everything (in fact the starting E should be small, as there's a comma and not a full stop in front of the word worry) is under control.

I'm sorry if you guys are rolling your eyes and go "Fuck you!! So what if your standard of English is there?" Then sorry, but fuck you back! I don't even want to imagine the horrendous emails you've corresponded with your bosses given you're saying the above passage is passable. I can't even imagine you typing "Dear William, Josh are handling the various project, so do contact himself as he will know the procedure better". This is not my English, I'm just typing something according to the above style and mannerism. 

In fact, the moment Leia's English teacher started saying "Leia are...." I'm almost gagging. 

Having said that, I'm not saying that my English is perfect. I indulge in Singlish as it's a unique language that is bred within us, Singaporeans. But I'm going back to the point where I'm emphasing that the foundations must be inculcated. 

I did my survey's and going round schools since I'm only starting work in June, and found Marymount's curriculum, standards and environment to my liking. I know you guys will hit me back by saying "What if the teacher's standard is like crap again?" I'm quite scared of the above, so I've checked with the principal on her teachers. Apparently, the minimum qualification is a local Diploma in Early Childhood, so I'm pretty sure I feel safe. Like I said, if I'm satisfied with this standard, I don't need someone with posh English or Bachelor holder, just get the foundations right (I think this is the 3rd time I'm mentioning this)

So there you have it, the long winded story and my stand. As a parent, I feel that certain standards and teachings must be set. No?

I'm putting an end to this entry here! See you guys in this space after Japan! :) 日本へようこそ