Finally got a job! Took almost 2 months break, which was good but stressing, because you worry ALOT about financial issues. So I'm having a senior role in Reeds exhibition. They are the ones organising the games and toys fair etc. I'll be spearheading the Asia TV forum and market and Screen Singapore where film makers meets distributor like Warner brothers, 20th century fox etc. I'm excited actually, lots of exposure.

Now I'm just coordinating with my dad on who is bringing Leia to school. I told him I can do it, but he finds it terrible for his precious to leave the house at 715am, because this means that Leia must wake up at 645am? Even Cw doesn't wake up that early! I start work at 9am, but I have no idea how's traffic going to be like, so for the first week, I intend to leave home earlier in case I get stuck in traffic. First impression counts, so don't want to be labelled as "The girl who is always late", especially on first day.

So we'll see. He told me he can fetch Leia. But I know my sister needs to be driven to the mrt and leaves the house at 820am? SEE! This is what I mean by I have a comfortable life since young. Daddy fetching me to and fro from school, when I started work and before he retired, transport was solely on our own. But the moment he retired, he's sending us to mrt and now we are too lazy to catch the bus to bring us to the mrt! Tsk tsk right? But I'm not relying on him now, I have my own vehicle and it'll take care of me. :)

Japan's nearing! Yayness! I'm looking through airbnb for accomodation. Ever since airbnb started, I refuse to live in hotels. 2 yrs ago, when I was in NZD with Muffin, we lived in a chalet owned by this lovely lady. It's like a cottage with our own backyard, and I loved it! We wished the whole family a Merry Christmas and they even invited us to join in their BBQ's and stuff. This is what I mean by "living with the natives". Only natives know the best places to go, where to get the best food, what are the do's and dont's of the Kiwi country.

I dunno about you guys, but when I'm overseas, meeting a fellow Singaporean is nice, we talk etc, but I prefer to hang out with the natives, it's like getting the experience you need overseas. That's how making friends comes about isn't it? My dutch friend whom I met in NZD is in my Facebook! Sane, she's a nurse and apparently, a very fit one.

I have my eyes set on this beautiful house in Tokyo. We will be renting just the room, but communal areas can be shared like the living room, kitchen, washroom etc. In fact according to the host, she'll be out for work most of the day, so it's almost having the whole house to ourselves. Not that it matters, because we'll be out ourselves. Some amazing pictures:

Quite spacious isn't it? That's a mini queen size bed, but I'm guessing it'll do. Worse scenario? Cw sleeps on the spacious floor.

The kitchen as above! It really looks like our Singaporean BTO houses. I bet my kitchen will be in this layout as well when the house comes.

The huge living room! The host is from Chile, so I'm getting why there are so many Persian carpets and rugs.

Bath tub! :) I bet all girls can understand why there's an exclamation mark.

This is apparently the second floor landing. Two bedrooms - I think one for her and her husband and the other for her kids. It's quite surprising how big this Japanese house is. Like Hong Kong, Japan is faced with the smaller home syndrome, so architects are always finding ways to build house compact sizes on the outside, but big within.

The good thing about this place? SGD$78.00 per night. I was appalled at the amount because it's even cheaper than staying in a hotel in Singapore. Even Hotel 81 charges $15/hour. So let's say you check in at 12mn, and rise at 8am the next day, it'll still cost you $120 for 8 freaking hours. Of course, I gotta discuss with Cw. I have no idea why I married a guy who hates socialising, he might say no? But I love the concept of living with the natives, like you'll rather do a farm stay in down under than an Aussie hotel right?

I'm pretty much sucked into airbnb now. This is definitely highly recommended to all travelettes!

Breast Cancer - The truth behind it

Leia's sick. So when that happens, the Yap family suffers. She's getting so cranky that I had to force-feed her with medicine. She'll throw it up (I cam understand as I hated the cough syrup. I always wash it down with 2 cups of water and my grandma will go "YOU'RE LOSING ITS POTENCY" in Cantonese) but it means more washing to do.

I'm not a good mother but when I'm at home, I try to get hands on. I want Leia to know that I'm her mother, and we can do things together. She's closer to my dad now, but I understand as when I went back to the work force, she practically grew up with my dad. That's why I always emphasise to Cw, we need to be home. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't mean we watch her like a hawk 24/7. No one does that. But when she needs someone to play, be there. She can be with grandparents but is this right? Besides, my dad needs a break.

I have lazy moments too, when I throw everything to Cw. But compare someone who has been with the baby from 9-12, and then 3-6 (she naps in between) and someone who just comes home, plays with the baby for like 20mins and does work. Where is the bonding time? Of course, I'm not saying I'm perfect, when my lazy bones kick in, I can get uber lazy. 

Nowadays, I've been taking loads of pictures of Leia. Cw calls me crazy and says "Is there a need for pictures?" There isn't a need, but I want to. Few years on, Leia won't look like that anymore. I want to savour every moment I have with her. Hence, you guys might notice that I don't have Cw in pictures as he hates it. But I know he will regret it as when his baby girl grows, he'll miss those baby pictures of her. Trust me, my dad went "I don't have a picture of Leia when she was born. I missed it" (He missed my whole pregnancy by the way)

I know she has my eyes (Tell me, her eyes are huge right?) I love the next picture by the way, both of us smiling:

And because her aunt (my younger sister) is working in filmgarde, she has great gifts from Marvel:

It's captain America and Thor by the way. Thor looks Scandinavian, like a viking. HAHA!

Getting her first report book. I'm like a proud mama! Every little thing also snap snap snap. But like I said, I don't want to grow old and regret not knowing every detail of my little baby.

But moving on to other stuff - Breast Cancer. You know how the pink ribbon is always worn on breast cancer awareness day? I'm starting to find its significance. I did tell Cw before, if I have breast cancer it would mean cutting both breast up. It would mean, I don't feel sexy anymore. No cleavage, no flirtatious dresses to seduce the husband (After being married, doesn't mean I must be aunty-ish and dress down). It actually means this:

You guys seen it! The real truth. Credits to: Gentle Birth Options, LLC. Why am I blogging this? I feel people should be aware that they are wearing the pink ribbon knowing what's it going to be like. Yes, support breast cancer awareness, but know the real meaning on how every breast cancer patient feels. I'm a woman as well, and when I saw this picture, I got quite a shock. Yes, I know that it means cutting breasts up, but until I've seen it, I cried. 

I'm saluting every women who have breast cancer. These women are still living their lives feeling like a real woman, and I like that thought. Support breast cancer awareness and know what's it about, both guys and women. And to women who underwent the surgery - It doesn't makes you less a woman, it makes you stronger!

Can anyone live in a lie forever? What if the lie is a white lie? I'm sure it's easy. Everyone lies. How to you make a lie turn out to be so truthful? You insist and persist. Even if the weather is so hot, you insist that it's cooling. Even if the soup you ate is so spicy, insist that it isn't and continue eating. 

By doing so, on the surface you're nonchalant, but inside, you're hurting. But no one needs to know the inside. No one truly knows what's going on inside, unless you stop insisting and persisting. 

But at the end of it all, it's so painful to live such a life. Because no matter how insistent or persistent you are, your heart can never lie. True isn't it? I don't know what to do. Maybe just a phase. 

Feeling sick wasn't my priority. But I'm thankful for Cw. He really helped take care of Leia, which I'm thankful for. Others do say whats there to be thankful when he's the dad. True that! But don't forget, some daddies don't take responsibility. Mine did. *double thumbs up*

Feeling like crap. Backaches are killing me. I even had Cw helped me with the ginger cream which helped! Didn't regret stocking up. So a wedding's coming up and I thought of matchy mother-daughter clothes. I think I'm not only turning into my mum, I've also turned into one of those cheesy mother's.

Just so you know, right now, I think I've been to the toilet 10 times just by peeing toxins out. Sheesh! What a Sunday!

So on the 29th of March, was the late Mr. Lee's funeral. We had inside scoop that his body will be passing by my parent's house so I decided to just see him off. I mean, I didn't reach to a point of crying, its just paying my last respect. My area has lots of people parking their cars just to see the late Mr. Lee off as well.

I didn't know how long I have to wait, I only know that its' the so called "least I could do". Afterall, in his lifetime, he did more right than wrong.

We didn't know when the gun carriage will pass us by, so we were just waiting, until the crowd further down shouted "Mr. Lee Kuan Yew" and "Goodbye Mr. Lee Kuan Yew" then we know that his casket is passing us soon.

The pioneer generation would be able to relate more to his passing. He did build up Singapore from a swampy land, where we had a stinky pool of Singapore river to an accessible one. Boats are able to access the river and turning it into a tourist attraction. It is true though, like what the song says, no one thought we can do it with no resources, but we did. 

Two generations from now, wouldn't even give two hoots about LKY, because they were not born in the time where there were hardships. For me? I had a comfortable life, but because my grandma didn't, she'll always tell me stories about how she worked in an English family learning bits of English, and how she was grateful to LKY for at least building up HDB's so that she can have a home to stay with her children. My grandma is a single mummy by the way, and during the 1960's if you're a single mum, that is hardship with lots of smearing remarks.

More emotional pictures to add onto this emotional post:

Like I said, pioneer generation knows it better! What can Leia feel about LKY? Nothing. She is growing up with a home over her head, she didn't live in slums, so she can't feel the pain. I don't blame her, you can't expect someone who don't feel anything to exert true feelings. Those pictures above I feel, are genuine emotions. I don't think anyone can shed crocodile tears at a funeral, cause if you ask me, that's disgusting.

Which was why it irks the shit out of me when soldiers paid their respects to my brother, that's for sure not true to the heart. But I'm digressing now, so please ignore me.

Moving onto better pastures, I hope my plans will go on smoothly! Hehe! I'm quite excited actually. Will tell you guys more soon. Don't want to be so proud of it yet. Cw's starting his new job soon, pretty excited for him. Better prospects ahead. :)

I think I'm turning into my mother. Like really, when I go out nowadays and I wanna get, let's say shampoo. I'll always tell Cw "Let's go to red tomato". Just FYI, it's one of the cheapest drugstores in our area and whenever Cw wanna get stuff in NTUC, I'll go "Nooooo... Drugstore will do just fine." Like an aunty, I know. But come on, would you pay $11 for a bottle of shampoo or $6 for the same brand with the same amount. NB: There is a difference if you pay $11 for a 2 litre bottle of shampoo whereas $6 is for the 1 litre bottle. But this isn't the case. 

I'm turning into a granny, granny Yap! :| 

Anyways, I'm now waiting for an interview call from the UK. I just hope for the best. 

While browsing through Facebook the other day, I came across the Queen of Bhutan. Actually, both their majesties caught my attention when they paid their respects to the late Mr. Lee. That was when I went "Holy shit!! She's soooo darn pretty" I mean, don't get me wrong, there are many pretty ladies out there (Hello! Miranda Kerr?), but I hardly see a beautiful princess, with the exception of Princess Kelly of Monaco (who died by the way). But when I saw the Queen of Bhutan, I went all "Woah!" I'm Asian, so naturally, the epitome of Asian beauty has to go to her.

And she's only 25 this year! Pretty like a swan. 

On another random note, apparently, Cw isn't going to Japan for the magic card tournament anymore. Apparently, there's a registration and he didn't know about it, and viola, I chanced upon this and told him:

Think he was only semi bummed because he went "Its okay, I'll just sell my cards." According to cw, prices can fetch quite high over there, so I'm feeling sashimi, sashimi, sashimi. HAHAHA!! I've decided to do something absurd. I'm not sure how it'll turn out. *Fingers crossed*

Materialistic world?

Had to put Leia to bed before Cw and I could have our own dinner date. She's sick and my mum isn't making life any easier by saying stuff like "Who ask you put her in school early?" Lucky I have my sisters to fend for me because the last thing I ever need is a mum who just shoves rude remarks. Don't get me wrong, I love her and honestly her efforts in caring for the little one is UNCONDITIONAL. But let's face it guys - We all have arguments with our parents at certain points of the day. Don't say you don't, because I won't believe you.

With her flu and her mood being cranky, I was also cranky. Thank god for Cw. He is really the man! Like seriously, he can be lazy, but when I holler, he'll be like "Okay, fine" and feed the baby.

So, I was reading a certain blogger's blog and there was a statement whereby she said "Yea, I paid for the PD visits in TMC, so I don't need certain remarks." Which got me thinking, does Singaporeans think that when a guy pays for a family is wrong, a girl should do her part too? Then I must be condemned by all you guys. When I was preggy, EVERYTHING was paid by Cw. My insurance, his insurance, the hospital bills. Oh wait, I paid the maternity package, my delivery suite and the 2 bed-room. I was in so much pain that I just gave the nurse my VISA and told her "If I were to die, get Cw up now" I know, being drama. But the pain - EXCRUCIATING. I even tolerated 6hours of contractions without epidural. But lets not go there. So I don't think much of the hospital was paid by him.

Leia's milk powder, wet wipes was paid by him. We didn't buy nappies as it was sponsored. What else? Her cot, her diaper bag, my post-natal massage. So yes, I bet all girls will be like "SCREW YOU MATERIALISTIC WOMAN!!" Number 1, I'm quite appalled by the fact that when guys pays for a woman, it seems....Not okay. Like if Cw were to pay for my cash card that's not okay, and I dunno why its not okay. But that's an example, he DIDN'T and would never pay for my cash card. My next question - Is it wrong for a husband to pay for his wife's trip too? Its weird but I get remarks like "You should pay for yourself!!"

To clarify, we are going to the UK next year and its being paid by me. So why are there no remarks like "He should pay for himself?" Why are there no remarks like "Why isn't he paying for your car?" and better still, no remarks like "Why are you paying for the interior designing ALONE for our future house. Isn't that a shared thing?" So yes, now you guys know what I'm paying for. Odd isn't it, how a wife is somewhat condemned by lots of people when my MARRIED HUSBAND is paying for me. Just so you know, Cw and I are legally married so I'm not having an affair in case people are wondering if I'm being "supported". Oh god, lets not go there too, cause it irks me to cheat on him.

But yea, its so odd. Now it makes me wonder, WHY AM I PAYING FOR THE BELFAST TRIP? :| But I want to. Cw hasn't been to much of the world. I'm NOT saying I'm well-traveled. I don't think I am. But there are certain places I want to go (odd and distant places even), that I want him to be with me. So if he feels that the US of A or the UK is too "rich" for him, I'll gladly pay. I bet he don't even know that London is a capital of England. Does he? You know, just the other day, I told him if only we could see Kyoto. He went "WHAT?" And I told him its geisha land. How do I know? I was reading the last samurai the other day and my Japanese teacher - Imanaka-san did tell us that geisha's were originated from Kyoto. But its abit far from Tokyo and Cw weren't keen about it. But I'll gladly pay even just to take the train down from Kyoto.

Why am I writing this entry? I don't know. I guess most people judge. Okay, correction EVERYONE judges. Don't tell me you don't, because I bet even if you're not judging me, you guys have some say in certain people. And that's judgmental already. I've learnt to leave criticism as it is, like when my mum started saying stuff, I told myself "FOCUS ON LEIA. FOCUS!" And nothing came out from me, only my sisters were like fending her off. So I've grown up I guess. And I know a certain someone (Let's call her S) still thinks I'm sponging off my husband and telling the whole company about it. But she's 21, and I pick on people my own age, so she doesn't know that I know, but I don't make it known. No point my ladies, no point. I have other things to focus on and not some xiao mei mei (if I may put it). But because of the remarks this certain blogger had to face, really made me wonder how some readers just feel that the girl is lousy etc if her husband pays everything.

How I take it? I don't care if you're condemning me. S has been doing for the past 1.5 yrs now, but I'm not doing anything to her. I mean, I don't need to stoop to her level. Be the bigger person. And yes, if you ask me, I think it's okay for the husband to pay for the wife. Just not everything. Mind you, when I was pregnant and not working, I paid for the package (which is like $890) + the delivery suite ($2000+) and the 2 days stay. So you see, I didn't let my husband suffer. And he gets the nicest present! Hmmmph!! I don't even own a Hermes but he does. :( HAHA!!

I treat my husband gooooood don't I? A bit of a self-praise. Right now, I'm dreaming about Belfast. I hope Belfast will work really well next year for the Yap's. UK, here we come! :)

Very random - Why do I feel I have carrot legs now? Like they just grew wider. :| Makes me feel pudgy.

Happy 2nd Anniversary (In Advanced)

I have no idea why I'm writing this now but seeing that inspiration hits, I gotta write. No writer's block here.

Dear Chin Wei,

It's very weird to be calling you that when I usually calls you by your pet name. My whole family gets your pet name by the way, cause when I holler at you, its always "DEAR DEAR!! YOU DIDN'T CLOSE THE SHOWER DOOR AGAIN" (Fyi, we have a glass door but he DOESN'T close it, making the whole dry floor area wet, annoying!).

The 7th marks the 2nd anniversary that we got married. We've been through tantrums, fights, using the D word on each other, crying and I dunno why, pushing each other off the bed to see who feeds the baby. But there were goodness in it too. I remember you fending for me whenever I get down, I know I can count on you for advice. No one can take my humour like you do and vice versa. Like really, your friends don't laugh at your lame jokes but it tickles me. And my friends would roll their eyes at me when I joke  but my joke tickles you. So if this isn't love, I don't know what is.

Leia is only 1.5yrs old. I know sometimes she pisses you, but I hope you'll be patient with her. As a mother, it pains my heart whenever she gets hit (by you, granddad and even myself). I chided myself in every other way when this happens.

Anyway, yes, we've been mister and missus for 2 years and I hope still a long way to go. I don't know why I'm writing this - But, I've decided to go ahead simply because you only live once, you never know what can happen. Everyone might think I'm crazy, but believe me when I said never would I expect our brother to die so young also and Chin Yong is always the strong one.

Babe - if anything happens to me, I want you to re-marry. You didn't see this wrong (and neither have your friends seen wrongly). But before you go on dates, the new Mrs. Yap MUST be approved by 3 signatures. I swear if 1 signature isn't there, I'll go up from my grave and haunt you. The 3 people are simply - SQ, Chee Yong and Melissa.

SQ, being your longest friend won't harm you. He is there to show you the right things, he might even chide you - which is what best friend does. He would therefore know, who is good for you. Chee yong, who has more vision that anybody else would also know. He might disagree on your taste (maybe me inclusive), but I think he can see personality well, so listen to what he have to say. The last person, Melissa, is because she is the only mummy friend of yours that I can trust. If I leave, I'm not only leaving you, but Leia (the most beloved bone inside me), I cannot condone if her step-mum mistreats her etc. A mum would know what's best for her kid. Melissa will know if the new girl is right for her. Its a mummy's instinct.

You might call me crazy especially if your friends go "Evette wrote a will for you? And worse, on your anniversary? Is she nuts?" but what do you want me to say on our anniversary? That we'll be together forever unto the day we die? Babe, we already SWORN that we'll be in this marriage, no need for mushy stuff. The day we said "I do", we've already exchanged our vows. Of course, the above will be void if I'm alive, I'm not going die now. I'm just being prepared if ANYTHING happens. Simply cause, you really never know. People don't smoke or drink, but they can die from lungs or kidney failure. And no, I'm not committing suicide. I'm just being prepared for the inevitable.

So dear dear, I really hope you can understand why I'm writing this on our anniversary. But I know you do understand. Cause only we understand the logic and the humour inside us. So HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HUBS! I didn't regret being a Mrs. Yap at all. :)

And yes, I know you love me even if my fart smells like onions. How I know? I've never seen a guy dress smartly for dinner. I mean a polo and chinos will do, but my guy had to go all the way out. I'm impressed. And if SQ, Cy and Melissa is reading this (what are the chances?) I really mean it. We bought insurance from you guys because your company can protect us, now I'm just asking for you guys as Hubby's friend to protect him. :)

Listening to: Reflection by Christina Aguilera

Old school girl listens to old school songs. That song is from Mulan by the way.

Anywho, it was April Fool's day the other day and so I played a prank on Cw. This was what I wrote:

And this was what he replied:

My reaction says it all. I thought you readers could see the soft side of him like "WHY? TELL ME WHY? IS THERE SOMEONE ELSE??" But no, I guess he understands his wife so well. Like what a younger Billy told me years back, that Evette is predictable. So not funny! 

So now, Leia and I are waiting for Cw to be back, its either we go to Nex for dinner, or the Hubs buys something back (Wifey here is craving for fish and chips!). Now onto something strange - So I invested 5k onto one of our friend's or rather his customer or I have no idea whats the relationship into this Coal (or is it gold) company. Its going to be listed so share prices would go up etc. I actually forgot about it, until Cw went "I'm going to ask them about it by the way." And I'm like "Why don't you just leave the shares there? When it goes up, we get the money? Why so uptight?" Okay, don't get me wrong, I'm NOT saying I'm some rich bitch who lies in money all day, before I get a job, 5k is alot.

But that was invested like almost 1 yr ago? To worry about it now, seems..... Weird? I mean, I know nuts about shares. Why I plunged the money in is solely based on trust. Mind you, they are Cw's friends, so if I can trust them, I'm sure Cw trust them more. Its just the behaviour and all from Cw that makes me feel odd. If you are Cw's friends and reading this, don't go asking about why he is panicky and stuff, I'm guessing he is just helping his wife? Which is nothing wrong, but well, like I said, just odd. :|

That convo happened like half a month ago, it just popped into my mind. Maybe why I'm typing this is also for his friends to keep a lookout for him? He hardly worries about money, or even if he does, its his OWN money, to suddenly ask about MY stuff, massive oddness. That's all.

Onto greedier stuff - HUBS IS BEING THE BEST. I was telling him that since is in Upper Thomson area, I would love him more if he could get a lava cake for me. Or a brownie. I'm craving for chocolately stuff. And here it is:

A zoom in pic:

JEALOUS MUCH? Okay, the best guy got taken, so you girls lose! I'm KIDDING. I bet there are nicer + cuter guys out there, but I just love these sweet gestures he does. I mean, we are at the marriage stage, usually couples are like "Go get it yourself" when you're married. But for us? It's these gestures that makes me feel like I'm still dating. :) 

Home Made Scramble eggs

Okay, to those who rolled your eyes at the title - I HATE YOU. =X Okay, I'm kidding, but seeing that I'm having some time off, I've decided to do the most "so-not-evette" thing which is -  TO BE DOMESTICATED. So yes, I know its just scramble eggs, I know its like "Seriously? You learning to cook now?" But in my defense, I'm guessing there are other ladies out there who really can't do an egg. :|

So in the spur of the moment, I decided to make some scrambles on toast. Here are the ingredients and equipment:

I'm using two eggs but if you prefer a bigger portion, I suggest three. You can use a non-stick frying pan as well, But seeing that the frying pan is being used by my grandma, I'm using the non-stick saucepan. Anything that's around 8" would do, actually.

Crack the eggs and add in a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper. For those who prefer flavourful eggs, be generous with the pepper. You can see that mine has more pepper than salt, but not too much else you'll kill the taste.

Whisk everything together. I added in around 20ml of water to make the eggs fluffy. So after whisking, add water in.

I don't use cooking oil, although some do for their eggs. As I prefer my eggs to be quite creamy, I've used butter instead. No measurements for butter. If you ask me, go for an estimate. You only want to grease the pan with oil, you don't wanna bake a cake, so go low. This is how much butter I used to greased the pan with. I'm using a disposable spoon as you just have to throw the spoon away. You don't need to wash the grease and chunks of butter off the spoon.

Heat the pan on low (Or medium low), as scrambles are very delicate. You don't want to have dry, lumpy eggs like this:

We want the fluffy ones like these:

After greasing the pan, on low heat, pour your egg mixture in like so:

Cook your mixture from the sides to the centre. Meaning when  white curds are forming, keep bringing the mixture towards the centre. I've got a video on how its done, so look at how I'm bringing the mixture into the centre. By doing so, the mixture that's not cooked, will overflow to the sides and thus cooking it. Of course, the one thing we worry is the consistency. I.e. We do not want the lumpy eggs, so you guys must make sure the heat is on low and stir continuously. As long as the egg is cooked quite thoroughly and not lumpy, turn the gas off. 

The end result?

TASTY IF I MAY SAY SO MYSELF. HAHAHA!!! Of course, I'm going to try it out on Cw and if he says yes, you guys know that Evette can cook! Okay, abit exaggerating as its just scrambles. But hey, next up - Japanese curry rice! You guys must give me credit on that. :)

On a side note, Leia's started school already. My girl is all grown up now. Will blog about it soon. I need to catch up on movies + sleep. Tata everyone! Wanna know what I'm watching now? Loving Colin Firth in this: