Just do each task properly. - sis

takings

I made $129 on ebay this week. I'm how proud of myself :)

birthday babe

i had a very pleasant birthday

to begin, my friends surprised me by popping over the night before. i was surprised! i mean, we used to do those things when we were smaller. but nowadays, i don't read so much into this "at the strike of midnight i'm a year older" type of thing. but it was so nice! they stuck a candle in a sara lee chocolate cake. i really liked it. so touched i am. being a working day, they left around 1240am.

the next day, being the morning person i am, i went to Sentosa at 7am in the morning. went to walk on the beach. I figured it was the only time Singapore isn't hot. even then, it wasn't that cool either. Underwater World opens at 9am and we headed there because i happened to have free tickets. It's a really cool place. the fishes look so graceful. I remember a particular fish that swims by flapping its fins up and down (instead of front to back) and as it glides through the water, really looked like it was flying. the dolphins were adorable too! the dolphins were pink and seemed to respond when u wave at them :)

we then headed to Orchard. i haven't seen Somerset 313 before. and Mandarin Gallery. there's this thing about places that are spanking new and clean. everything seems to sparkle. Lunch was at Straits Kitchen. we spent 2 hours slowly picking our food and eating pickily. what a luxury.

With all the activity, we parted for our afternoon naps. and met again to go the Night Safari! If you think it would be empty on a weekday, think again! It was packed! But i loved it. It felt like a trip back to nature, amidst the lush greenery. the night was really cool. It made me wonder if the weather in Singapore is meant to be this cool, only that because we cut the trees and build the buildings, resulting in warmer weather. So all this hotness was brought on by ourselves? i'm not sure. :)

by 10pm, we were out of there, feeling blissfully exhausted. happy birthday to me :)

Dependants' Protection Scheme (DPS)

I couldn't figure the name initially. But i figure the purpose of this is to protect your dependants from any financial trauma upon your permanant incapacitation or death.

An extract from the CPF board's website:

The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) is an affordable term insurance scheme that provides insured members and their families with some money to get through the first few years should the insured members become permanently incapacitated or pass away.
Currently, DPS is administered by two insurers, Great Eastern Life and NTUC Income. The scheme is extended to CPF members who are Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents, between age 16 and 60, when they make their first CPF contribution.
DPS is an optional term insurance which covers CPF members for a maximum sum assured of $46,000 up to age 60. The coverage is worldwide. The DPS benefit will be paid out if the insured member passes away or becomes permanently incapacitated such that he or she can no longer work.

If you bother looking at your CPF statement and see an annual deduction of $36, then you are insured. This amount is paid out in instalments in the case of incapacitation (certified by a doctor that you won't be able to work anymore), or a lump sum to your nominee upon your death.

Just a nugget of information that i learnt today. cool huh?

Baby Superstore

Recently a group of colleagues and I jointly bought our manager a bottle steriliser for his soon-to-be newborn. I got it from this website:
http://www.babysuperstore.com.sg/

And i recommend it! The price is 10% lower and the stuff was delivered to our doorstep. The lady who dealt with us was friendly and pleasant. We had free gifts too!

claire

you and me :)

cousins

The niece

We should learn not to say things which are not necessary - Sis

Good things are worth trying for.
There's much in store for you :-) - Sis

Keepsakes

A picture i bought in Paris when i was on holiday there.

Another one.

"I love SMU" bears.

I love you niece

some things in life

my christmas made more awesome.

Uncluttering

Hmmm, how do i say this? i'm always trying to unclutter and i'm always talking about it i know. But i think this is a perennial problem for me. So i read about uncluttering. Friends tell me i should watch Hoarders. haha. Anyways, i came across an article with tips more helpful than i would usually expect, i might even try them out for myself!

An extract:


A home full of clutter, paperwork and other stuff is causing major problems for a mother named Lynn. "It's like our house is possessed by possessions—it has a life of its own," she says. "It used to be at a point where it was a nuisance, but now it's costing us money because I misplace bills and have to pay late fees."Peter shares some tips that he says will help Lynn's family declutter and keep them from financial ruin:

• Don't buy anything new for the next six months.
• Take your credit cards out of your wallet and keep them out of sight.
• Spend 10 minutes every day walking around your home with trash bags—fill one with rubbish and one with items for charity.
• Turn every hanger in the closet so it faces toward the back. When you wear something, turn the clothing hanger around. After six months, any clothes on hangers that have not been turned back around should be given to charity.
• Cancel all but two magazine subscriptions and keep no more than three back issues at a time.

The spend 10 mins filling out 2 bags tip is really cool. I think i will almost always get stuff when i do that :)

The full article is available here if u're interested http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Clutter-and-Families_1/slide_number/0

Shopping review

One of the links on the right side of my blog is an online shop called Al Joyous. And this is one of the items i bought. It looked like this on the website:


When it arrived, it looked like this

Generally, the experience was a good one. The people dealing with you are polite and fairly prompt :)

The Blind Side

I consider this a must-watch. I felt really "high" after the show. Mostly because it was a true story. And while i was watching, all i was thinking was "Such love!". amazing.

New York I Love You

A long time ago, i commented that i would like to watch this show http://cherylsia.blogspot.com/2008/07/i-want-to-watch-this.html

and i did! It's good, in an arty kind of way :)

O how i love work

The past week has been stressful because of the longer hours at work, coupled with my slight difficulty staying asleep in the night. Otherwise, it was a very good week.

I also found out 2 things about myself. I now no longer can run without feeling like dying. last Friday, i attempted to go running. After a grand 4 minutes, i felt breathless. like really breathless. I had no choice but to walk home, consoling myself by promising to eat less instead.

The other thing is, i destress well when i pack my room. Yes, i'm always packing my room. It seems that way because i pack in parts. Sometimes, i clear only a tiny section of a drawer and make a big deal out of it. The last few days, i spend the remains of my day going through things which i have not been looking at for a long time. And threw them out. I still have a long way to go.

Now as i preview my blog post, i realised that the contents have so little to do with my title. but o well. welcome to my blog :)

Ba Wang!

On Saturday, i went "aunty-ing" with PS, which is really walking around the neighbourhood shops, checking out housewares, pots and pans, toiletries, etc. Some time back, Shanise told me about Ba Wang shampoo. And how it's really effective in keeping hair black, preventing hair fall, even to the point of thickening hair and strengthening hair. So i had to try when i saw the shampoo. I just love the traditional look of the shampoo and how it has these "beware of imitation" stickers. Anyway, i've started using and i love it! try it!

rugby

A collection of souvenior balls over the years i played. the band was given to me when i became NJC's captain. Think i was supposed to pass it on...ooops.

Back to the real world

I'm back from my almost month-long holiday. And despite arriving at 1030pm last night, i came to work today, only to find that everyone else is on leave. A colleague from the neighbouring team walked past and commented on my "glow". She says it must be due to a good holiday. I couldn't agree more, remembering that i wasn't wearing any blush today.

I had a really good break. Mostly because the holiday wasn't rushed. I spent a lot of time shopping. i think i really like shopping. And i mean really. I don't even have to buy anything. beat that. haha.

Perhaps the air in LA is different but i am lifted just breathing it. I can't get enough of it. Beijing was lovely too (I stopped over for a few hours). It was really cold, being -7 degrees. But i was well prepared for it. Pictures of Tiananmen Sq are abundant on the internet. But being there was a completely different experience which i loved. One can almost feel the nationalistic pride the people have for their country. But nothing is complete without shopping. I didn't buy much but feel so pleased with my purchases.

Now i'm back in office, with a new, refreshed view on working. I'm looking forward to 2010. Are you? :)

LA la la la

I obviously never got down to posting pictures and all. i'm too lazy and there's no time to do that. I'm mostly busy with walks, shopping online, shopping for real, some sightseeing, watching TV, playing with the niece, and more shopping. It's hard to imagine life being better than this.

Today we went to the outlets. I bought not so many things. But the things i bought, by my standards, are not so cheap. But i feel so so pleased.

Coach leather bag, Ralph Lauren polos, Gap pants and skirt. I already spent all the money i brought. And it's not yet Boxing Day. oh my oh my.

Now i'm watching the latest Grey's Anatomy episode on TV. whooppee.

watching TV in LA

i'm watching the latest episode of gossip girl on tv! it shows on Monday nights at 9pm. oh my. this feels great.

hahahahha.

the longest flight

I just arrived in LA, after a long flight which involved flying to Beijing first, a six hour wait, then LA. i think it added up to 23 hours. feels too long. the good thing was that the 2 seats next to me were empty, so i lay flat for most of the 11-hour leg from Pek to Lax. nicely.

The niece is so super sweet. The last time i left her, she was 2 months, being barely responsive to all the facial gestures and all the talking. Now, she follows intently and responds with smiles and sounds. Lovely.

The time difference is 16hours but i feel like i've adapted already. haha. i put it down to being young. hahhaha.

ok for now. tomorrow then i shall begin the pictures posting (if i'm not too engrossed with the niece). whoopee. :)

bars

mumsy came back from LA. and the sister bought me 2 boxes of bars!! one is fiber one and another is fiber plus. both are super yummy! with fiber so i can go toilet heheh.

yum yum

Rachel Bilson. So pretty right?

Happy 2 months

Happy 2 months, my lovely niece. The world is a better place because you exist :)
Your ahyee loves you!!

Fame

Go watch it! I loved it. it's about 107mins, but felt more like 40mins. i give it 4/5 for the entertainment value, the very pretty Kay Panabaker who has a very sweet voice, and Naturi who can really really sing. awesome stuff. The storyline is not groundbreaking but didn't feel stifling either. It tries to give balanced attention to every area of performing arts, from dancing, instruments, producing, drama, etc. Watch it watch it. I think i can watch it another 22 times and not be bored. :)

The niece

EZ-link card

This is the EZ-link card the firm gave to us. I refunded it because it expires on 30 Sep 09 and i didn't want to keep a useless card. But because it was something quite special, i took a picture of it :) now my room is a pile of junk, minus one card. whoo hoo.

The Ugly Truth

I really enjoyed this movie. I understand that Rotten Tomatos and other film critics gave it a low score, citing reasons like an unoriginal script, unfunny jokes. However, i found it to be really entertaining. I applaud Katherine Heigl's acting, especially the scene in the photo above (don't want to spoil it for those who haven't watched it). It's really the timing of the lines and her acting that made me think really highly of her this time. I give it 3.5/5, of which 1.0 goes to Katherine.

The niece

The proposal

The movie really wasn't so good. the script was mediocre, the cast was too. the story is very predictable. But generally as a brainless movie, it passes. I give it 2.5/5

Up!

Up was a delightful movie with parts that are super cute, super sweet and some touching parts. My favourite character is Ellie :) I give it 3.5/5. I watched the 3D version, the first time i watch a 3D show. It feels kind of blurry and the 3D glasses are not the most comfortable thing. But interesting still. Watch out for the Pixar snippet right before the movie called "Partly Cloudy". Extremely entertaining!

RGS sweater
RGS tee-shirt

Hey Raffles you're so fine

You're so fine you blow my mind!

Hee. Yes, i packed my room again.

Let's go to the farms!

The goats stand in a row, with their udders fitted to suction pumps. They appear very obedient.

I love this photo. the goat so cute.

Then after, we headed to the frog farm. They had live displays showing the life cycle of the frog.

tadpoles

bigger tadpoles

tadpole-frog

frog-pole



frog

Then, we went around to see the mating areas. See them in groups
Alone
dead.

memories

My "meihua" shoes broke when i was rehearsing last Friday. Good thing my ankles were not harmed in the process. I've since dumped them, but not without taking a picture first. It's just that it was a part of one of my favourite memories in SMU. :)

I am precious in Your eyes, and honoured, and You love me

1But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.3For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.4Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you,I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.6I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold;bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,7everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.11 I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.12I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and I am God.13Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?"

16Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters,17who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior;they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:18 "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.20The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert,to give drink to my chosen people, 21the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.

25"I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

Dear niece

Dear niece,

Welcome to the world. I already love you very much.

Love, your Aunty :)

work/life

Some of my friends celebrate 4 years of working life. Yes, time flies right. This is another reason i'm a bit proud of my blog. i've had it since i was in uni. i know it's not all that long, but long enough for me to feel proud.

A few of my colleagues received money from the firm for their uni education, in exchange for a 4-year bond. Now they're done. and they're pleased. It's like a little milestone.

dear God,



please give me photographic memory. thank you.



in Jesus' Name, Amen.

i had a "God-moment" this morning.

i was walking to office from Chinatown MRT station. It's a 10-minute walk. When i got out of the MRT station, i saw that it was raining pretty heavily. I had no umbrella. I didn't know what to do, but i wasn't really thinking much, so i walked. I just walked and walked all the sheltered paths. I knew that at some point, i will get to a part where i cannot walk on without an umbrella.

Just then, i met an ex-colleague. She didn't need her umbrella anymore and was happy to lend it to me. I think it's a God-moment because the help came in the time of need.

You are my Lord

You are my Lord
You are my God
You're the only one who conquered the grave
In You i believe
Your love i receive
You will always be my King

You are my Lord
You're the shepherd of my life
You are the lover of my soul
You are my God
Every moment that i live
Your mighty hand is doing wonders for me

Next time your day goes south, here what you do:

Steep yourself in the grace of God.
Saturate your day in His love.
Marinate your mind in His mercy.
He has settled your accounts, paid your debt. Christ carried our sins in His body on His cross.
- 1 Peter 2:24

back back back

i'm back at work. And other than clearing a backlog of mails, i'm actually not that busy (yet). I'm happy to be back. work is a good reason to have coffee. hehe.



You deserve all praise
You deserve all praise
Evermore Lamb upon the throne

We give thanks to You
Your mercy knows no end
We shout out Your praise
Your love endures forever