Monday, January 30, 2006
Today was our 7 year wedding anniversary. No, we did not celebrate it in a 5-star hotel with 700 guests.And no, I did not get another diamond of any sort. But it was perfect just the same. We hung out with the people that meant a lot to us and and it was nothing short of bliss. My dear sis-in-law baked a nice heart-shaped strawberry cake and made a simple dinner for us to indulge in.(thank you Sha)
I am always grateful & feel blessed that our life so far have been almost perfect. ALthough we did not live in the lap of luxury in a 3-storey bungalow, we are at a comfortable place in our lives and and like others, we work just as hard to make a better a life for ourselves. My husband is constantly reminding me that the best is yet to come and I always wonder what could ever be better than this.(I always see myself as a simple girl with simple needs (minus the mountain-high daydream every now & then). I do not ask for the stars and to me a spa at home with a massage by your husband in the comfort of your home is as good as it gets.
I know that we will grow old and happy together. How happy? I'll tell you in 30 years time...Insyaallah.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Today I see the sunrise in the open for the first time in quite a long, long time. I started my first lesson of Digital Art in Kranji Sec Sch this morning. The first of 8 lessons. Classes start at 7.30am. Yes 7.30am. Which means I have to leave the house at about an un-godly hour of 6.30am. Its been quite a while since I start my day that early. The last was when I was teaching at Northview all the way in Yishun.It is not too bad considering lessons only last for about 2 hours and I can still have the rest of the day for my R&R. AND today was also the first in a long time I had an afternoon nap. A long one at that. 3 hours to be exact. It was shiok for awhile but I felt lethargic for the rest of the day. I thus conclude what I have known for the longest time that I am not an 'afternoon nap' kind of person.
I still have not decided what I want for our anniversary. Dun think I want any more jewelleries.(so not me lah! so 'anak mami')Thanks for all the suggestions though. I still have about 3 days to decide what I want.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
What do I want? hhmmm...Yesterday he asked me again...What do I want?
My husband was asking me what I want for our 7 year wedding anniversary. I have struck off travelling trips to Maldives & Disneyland based on the contorted facial expressions everytime I mention them. That leaves me with the material possessions...and I was stumped. My mind went blank.Me.Shopping queen.The one who can think up of 1001 things to buy in a month any time anywhere from tekka to nyonya shops. So I told him."I don't know..."
Why?I simply don't know.After getting a trilogy diamond ring for my birthday, what can you top that off with? But I find it really strange that I can think of my endless lists of wants & needs ranging from the Nine West shoes & Aldo bags that I am aiming at, but somehow those things I feel I can afford myself - so no sentimental value for me. So now I put pressure on myself to think of something more worthy to represent our 7 year anniversary.
What do I want...What do I want....any suggestions?
Sunday, January 15, 2006
I did the dreaded act which I have been procastinating for the longest time - taking stock & maintenance of my greatest indulgence - my shoes & bag.
How much is too much? I can never get enough of shoes & bag. (I think the sum lingers around 80+ of each). I can't explain it but there is always another reason to get one more to match that shoes, top, bottom, accessory,(you get the drift). It is such a vicious cycle. After the bag, you'll need the shoe, clothes etc etc...to match it with. Don't think I am too extravagant - I do not ever spend more than $200 on any item and some of my greatest & precious finds are from Serangoon & Chinatown. I do my 'spring cleaning' of all my stocks & I do my bid for charity by giving away the ones that I (1) haven't worn more than 2 times, (2) can't remember why bought it in the first place (3) bought at the spur of the moment (4) given by others that do not go with any of my wardrobe. So each time, 4 times a year I see the smiling faces of my sisters, cousins, nieces & aunties. I think I have been somewhat a rental centre if anyone needs to rent shoes or bag for whichever occasion thats needed.
Now that I am just a freelancer, I have been extra careful to curb my spending to only buy another one if its what I REALLY need rather than what I want.Another one of my resolutions every year...
Friday, January 13, 2006
Today we saw sunny skies after 3-4 days of cold and grey weather. Its nice.Not too hot that I immediately sweat but not too cold that I have to don a jacket.Work wasn't too bad(as always) did the revised design for Skincare shop flyer & also finalised the design for Grand Hyatt F&B Brochure.
Today, we also had our first netball training after a 3 mth hiatus.(4 mths I think since we took a break since the fasting mth). I thought I'd be deadbeat after 15 minutes of running around. But I'm still up and about feeling refreshed after a 1 1/2 hr session. Even we only had about 6 of us, we managed to give our training a headstart and also had a half-court game to top it up. Oklah..I think I still got it going... I thought I would be panting, half-dead after running and jumping for about 15 min.
Hopefully this weekly exercise could help me maintain a healthy physique. Actually since I gave birth to Amirul almost 6 years ago, I have sworn off exercising. (apart from the occasional aerobics & swimming sessions) Dunno why also - too lazy I guess - really got no excuses actually. Since I had a casesarean, always thought it was a valid excuse ,so I don't feel too guilty about not exercising ("eh, my wound still painful OK!") When the opportunity came to play netball again I finally decided that what the heck, I might as well get off my lazy butt and start doing some exercise.At least its something that I enjoy and I know that I can be good at. They say that you will never forget or lose touch what you learn years ago. Feels good to know that the 6 years practise I had in all my school years have not gone to waste. So here I am almost 1 year and 6 games later, still pushing myself every Friday to go throw some balls in the net.I think I needed that since I'm not exactly getting younger by the day...eh, after 2 kids, must maintain you know...
Sunday, January 08, 2006
So its been raining here for the past few days. Temperatures have dipped to about 25" to 28" which is about close to freezing(to me at least). I've been sleeping in long sleeves PJs and bunny socks and finally the air-con get its much needed vacation in our room.So Julie, at least we get a feel of about 1% of what you are experiencing:) minus the snow.Oh the good news is that I get to wear my turtleneck without looking like a total freak in our tropical weather.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
This past few days I have gotten myself a knack of waking up in the middle of the night and struggling to fall back asleep afterwards. I would usually fall asleep about 8.30 - 9.00 then automatically wake up at about 2 - 3am then forcing myself to sleep again at 5+ by constantly telling myself that I have to wake up early the next day. So I became an ardent fan of 'Wonder Woman' & 'Cold Case' - nevermind that I have seen some of the episodes for a couple of times. Most nights are alright coz I get my regular dose of favourite series. New Year's eve was especially shiok as I watched 2 Tim Robbins movies back-to-back, "Shawshank Redemption" & "Anti-Trust" - so at least I feel my sleeplessness is worth it.
Some other nights I would tune in to a quiz show on TV1 where viewers would call in to answer the quiz shown on-screen in hope of winning M$200-$500 or plasma TV if they get the answers right and if they are the 50th caller. The hostess would yak & yak encouraging viewers to call in & its fun & frustrating to hear the silly & stupid answers that people can come up with. Most of the time the questions are pretty simple though.
Wonder Woman is a major fashionista. I certainly dun mind wearing whatever she's wearing(minus her super-granny glasses)- and this is the 70s mind you. Give me some hippy-bohemian ideas also. One of the nights she was wearing this fabulous bohemian paisley tunic which I swear it looks like one of those you can find in Topshop. For those of you who are way too young to know the history of Wonder Woman, here's a little background :
Wonder Woman aka Diana Prince is from Paradise Island. The island houses Amazons, beautiful, ageless women with great strength, agility, and intelligence. Amazon princess Diana rescues Trevor,a WWII pilot and wins a contest to return him to America, where she will remain to help the Allied forces. Her costume is designed to feature American emblems in the hope that she will be accepted in her new home, and her golden belt will be her source of strength and power. She retains her bracelets, which deflect bullets, and also receives a golden lasso, which is indestructible, and forces people to obey and tell the truth when bound. Diana is now known as "Wonder Woman," and flies to Washington, D.C. in an invisible plane.
This show certainly brings back memories when as a little girl I used to imagine having super-powers and play pretend that I can unleash myself from a tied-chair, or dodging bullets with my bracelet or even spinning myself silly transforming myself into Wonder Woman.
I hope this phase of insomnia will pass soon, in the meantime I'll just enjoy the fashion tips "spun" by my dear Miss Lynda Carter.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Your Gift To Me
Let me try to describe the gift that you have given to me,
Although, I believe that will be a major undertaking.
Since it is quite difficult to describe in ordinary language.
Your arrival 5 years ago was unmistakably
Marked with anxious trepidation.
The journey you undertook
Was not of a scheduled nature,
But more of a conscious decision.
By far, the finest creative gift was you.
For when you emerged into my world,
I became reborn
With my heart so willing to share its wealth.
There you were, a small wonder; a tiny reflection
Of combined traits which would ultimately be recreated
Into the distinctive person you have become.
I never realized that my heart
Was so willing to share so much love
With a stranger so small and needy.
You didn't arrive with instructions
It was strictly learn as you go.
I remember the first time you crawled
Army style on your belly for the longest time.
You walked with support for those many months
But when it came to taking those first steps,
Long after the cake and ice cream that I
Really didn't want you to eat.
It wasn't until that one day, totally unexpected that
You did it all by yourself.
From then on, it seemed to get a little bit easier
Since you had this great disposition
And that smile that went all the way across.
You had a little sister on the way.
And you became that special big brother
That you turned out to be.
Sharing and loving
Was not something that you had to learn.
Even at that young age,
You became the teacher.
Ever so patient, so caring, so you.
To carry on a family trait that you will certainly pass on.
As you grew, you obtained a wonderful gift of laughter
I offered you the tools to learn and trust and to be a confident person.
You showed me that you can be an independent person.
That day you climbed on to the school steps for the first time
You looked so small, yet so ready to embark upon a new venture.
And so did those tears in my eyes
Not because I was sad but because a new chapter in your life was beginning.
You are an intelligent, sensible, affectionate and sympathetic person,
Who always seems to be there for those whose lives you touch.
You have an extraordinary enthusiasm and passion for learning.
You have the ability to communicate your inner most thoughts,
Where so many your age do not.
I am blessed for that.
When you go off on your own
Making decisions that you may not be able to pass by me
That will affect your life.
You may fall down
But I know that you will always pick yourself up
And begin again.
I never thought that I would look up to someone your age
But that has become evident.
As you look at us side by side; the bond will not be broken.
The stranger that entered my life not so long ago,
Has certainly been transformed into a young man.
That I am proud to call . . .
My son.