a new year a new beginning

for those of us who hail from the Big Four professional firms, July marks a new year. And for me, a new beginning, since i start work in a new department. Well, it's still tax, just a different specialisation. And as much as i'm excited, i'm nervous. Worrisome i am. But i have a good feeling in my tummy. Much because it started with many good friends, good people whom i've been meeting. And the opportunities. and the hope. Well, there's no end.

I continue to pray for wisdom, gentleness, and a lot of faith and trust. I know You can. And You will.



*cherri jumps in the air and shouts hurrah!

Wedding preview

We just had my sister's wedding rehearsal yesterday. It was really fun. I got to practise walking down the aisle, which is a lot more stressful than i expected. The page boy was so nervous he chickened out. We need to coax him a lot more, it seems.

I'll be wearing a dress something like the one above. I can't find the picture of the dress i actually bought. heh. So exciting.

(don't) Get Smart

It was a disappointment. The jokes are slapstick. Kids might like the show though, for the action. Other than that, look out for Anne Hathaway's Chanel get-up. I laughed during the movie, but overall, it wasn't worth my eight bucks. bah.

online shopping

with the recent breakdown of Yahoo auctions, i've been left stranded with no cool shopping / selling site. So i tried to search for other means to continue my online junkstore. To no avail. U mite want to recommend me to ebay. but for some reason, i don't like it so much. Not yet at least. Anyways, while i haven't found a selling solution, i found other shopping sites.

This blogger gave a summary of various Singapore online shopping sites/blogs. Check it out here: http://www.manic.com.sg/blog/archives/000264.php

I haven't finished exploring. When i have, perhaps i'll expand my iShopping links. i need to shop shop shop.

Something old, something gold

I've been wanting a gold watch for some time now. And this is my latest purchase. Well, as u can see, it's not brand new. Yep, but i like it for the vintage flavour. I brought it to the watch shop for the uncle to take a look and he really liked it. Yea, i know it's not affirmation for my taste, but it's kinda funny to see the old guy take such an interest. Anyways, i have a gold watch and i have a silver watch (2 actually). I think i'm set for life.

Lipstick jungle

is very good! catch it if u can. I'm just on the 1st episode. but it's good. it's like Sex and the City, only more up to date. Like they have handphones and stuff...and they actually have real jobs. ha.

Cashmere mafia

is boring.

Milk it

My parents are not around so my sister and i went to Sheng Siong yesterday to buy milk. Well, it was a tough time comparing prices. it's like this, for consumables like this, my family is not picky about the taste unless it's really v bad. So we went on the mission to find the cheapest one. And boy, many brands have increased prices and so we targetted the ones who are a little slower in reacting to the recent inflationary pressures. And it happens to be Meiji! (but only applicable if u buy the 2L bottle)

But it was fun. and milk is good for us. Ever since i started to drink milk more often, i shit everyday. and it makes me feel v healthy. i believe it's cos i'm a little lactose intolerant. haha. whatever the case, it's good for my growing bones. yay.

Latest purchase

This came in the mail yesterday. I've been waiting for weeks. whoo hoo. I'm an Audrey fan. =)

Bridal shower

A bunch of my sisters' friends and i organised her bridal shower. It was so funny. We laughed and laughed so much. It's amazing to have such good friends who are with u at every stage. And these friends of hers have really seen her through the ages man. Sometimes i feel it may be easy to find someone to hear your problems out and to console u. But it may be tough to find people who rejoice with u when things are great. Like celebrating the fact that u're getting married. It's not just attending ur dinner and wrapping u a generous ang pow, but to feel "yay, u've found true love!", kinda thing. haha.

Anyways, i organised an exotic dance class for my sister and friends. And if u think of teaching exotic dance moves at a hen party, u got the idea from me. haha. I thought strippers were passe (i'm so cool hor). Today my sister was complaining that she's aching from the dancing. Can u believe it?? haha. I'm just glad everything went well. It really helps that all her friends are so spontaneous and responsible.

Now back to work and i'm feeling so fatigued, as if i had a damn tough workout. i think i should get my coffee man. To think i was thinking of quitting. What was i thinking??!! and starting on a Monday. I'm such a joke. Ok dearies, back to work. I love work. I love work.

The firm gave us free tickets to go watch Prince Caspian together. If not for the free tickets, i don't think i would have gone for the show. For a few reasons really. I've never been a fan of fantasy, although i have huge respect for CS Lewis. Also, i didn't watch the first episode. In preparation of the show, i even did some reading about it, just so i won't be lost. The reviews were not too kind to the movie, stating it to be lacklustre compared to its predecessor, and saying that it has fallen below expectations. But oddly, i liked it! It left me with a warm fuzzy feeling, like i'm always protected. Like my Lion will always have the solution and that calm, deep voice that will say "Trust me". Wow. Nice. Go watch it. But make sure your bladder can take it and also you're not too sleepy to begin. Some parts are rather challenging for the eyelids.

The cutest dog in the world is mine

Sex

Last night i finally watched the movie. And i really liked it. For the people who haven't watched SATC Seasons 1 to 6, well, i think it's good because it's as good as the TV series. And i didn't expect it to be. There were many funny moments. I feel that they were rather deliberate, something the producers didn't hv to do for the TV series. But judging from the laughter i heard in the cinema, those were pretty well received.

I prefer the touching moments. And the one that really moved me was when Carrie ran all the way to Miranda's place and hugged her and said "you're not alone". At that point, i was really touched. That's what friends are for.

Preparing for my sister's wedding really put me in the mood for the movie. And for a while, i thought that the whole show was going to revolve around the wedding/or not, well, it did, but there were other themes too la. Busying myself with my sister's bridal shower(s) made me realise something very deeply: that friends are important. You know, girlfriends who stick by you, who know you and love you and rejoice with you when u get married. Who know you are making a bad decision and dare to tell u. If you don't know what i'm talking about, watch the movie.

I loved the show. I went to sleep having a good feeling in my tummy. i even messaged my best friends to tell them i love them. Yes, i'm mad. But i knew that already. Go watch SATC. then go rent the series. They are all very good.

Oh oh, i forgot, the other thing which i like about the show and also about Devil Wears Prada is that there were many scenes of New York City, which i'm a fan of. There was this view, albeit fleeting, of Central Park from the Penthouse, which made me stop breathing for about a quarter of a second. Very nice. Hmmmm... warm feeling all over. hee. Watch the movie, watch the series then go to NYC again. Yea, in that order.

Death and goodbyes

Recently i've been spending my time watching Six Feet Under. It's an american TV series about death. Well, actually, to be more precise, it follows this family who runs the undertaker business. Every episode begins with a death and the story continues. It has been produced for a long time but never shown in Singapore because of the nude and homosexual scenes. I'm still early in the show, so the verdict isn't out.

My friend's grandpa passed away on Sat. And though i'm not all that close to her, i made it a point to drop by the funeral wake. I just felt that that was the least i could do. We had pretty good conversations. Contrary to the mood, we had some pretty good laughs. I guess it really helps when we know that death is not the end. But simply the start of another life.

I couldn't help but think of my grandma. And how i missed her funeral. And how much i miss her. But it was also through that experience that helped me to realise that funerals are an important thing. It allows people to show grief openly and to express their feelings for their loved one. Also, it is a gathering of people who are related and who feel love for the same person. There's always comfort in knowing another person is feeling the same way, or can better understand how u might be feeling at that moment.

That was my weekend for me. I mean, that was the highlight. Other than that, it was the distribution of my sister's wedding invites, a formal and traditional process for some. Or a sheer necessity for others. In any case, it was something that had to be done. And it was done with much laughing and much smiling.

It was a busy weekend. And i'm actually glad to be back at work.

Permissions

For about a few days, i attempted to limit my blog to only people i know to read it. Cos i had the intention of making it a little more personal and less guarded. However, the sheer task of adding people become a chore so i decided to allow it again. heh. I know a few of my overseas frens drop in once in a while just to get an update. and i feel it's a duty to continue. Even though i'm really not the most trendy in town. Who knows, maybe when i'm feeling really bored i can take pictures of the changes taking place down at Orchard Road so they won't be so shocked when they return. All u adventurous people overseas, please know that i miss u much. Come home.

Today my mumsy returned from a holiday in Beijing. And she was filled with excitement because she really loved the scenery she saw and the shopping and the time spent with her sisters. Which is so great. She bought me a string of pearls and one of my aunties gave me a pair of Bally shoes. I couldn't believe it. I was half expecting it to be some really past season, obiang kind of Bally shoes. But no! it's a pair of pointy leather heels the way i like them. Except that the Bally quality is amazing! They have the most comfortable leather and it has this gold buckle like thing as its design. The shoe is of the appropriate height, comfort and everything. Amazing.

This week has been a tiring week. I was on a mission to finish a bunch of things in preparation of taking a few more days of leave to unwind, exercise more and prepare for my sister's wedding. And i do feel rather accomplished. Due to the blocked nose i was nursing, i could only go to fitness today. And boy, i feel so so good now. The flexibility, strength and warmth i feel is unbeatable. Really. Everyone, join fitness! haha.

In these last few months, i also watched Chuck and Dexter. Very good stuff. I'm lending them to A to watch cos he's going on leave. Everyone should get them and watch them. Don't wait for Channel 5. It's never going to happen man. haha. Next, i'm going on to Cashmere Mafia and Gossip Girl, lalalalalla. life is great.

Ok, this is officially blogging vomit since i haven't blogged in a while. I'm damn happy la. everyone join in and say whoo hoo!

Taste(less) Paradise

My taste buds have lost all ability. I can't seem to taste anything and it's bothering me cos i'm actually feeling rather hungry but i'll never be satisfied cos i can't taste anything. And it's been like this since this morning. I've barely eaten today, save for a cup of coffee (tastes like thick water) and 2 slices of bread (which taste like mush, after my saliva have softened it). I'm so unhappy. I had a few bites of pineapple after i came home. And they just taste cold and when u chew, water comes out of the flesh. Boring.

I hope it won't be like this tomorrow. i'v taken medication for blocked nose, and i'm already dreaming of breakfast tomorrow. Sad life, u might think. I'm hungry. Ok, i'm going to distract myself by watching Dexter.

Part one of my sister's bridal shower happened on Monday. And what good laughs we had over the presents everyone bought. It's really touching to see how many people love my sis so much.

Part two is coming up and i've every intention to make it absolutely unforgettable. haha. These are the priceless things anyways right.

Oh, tell u something unrelated. Last night, my dog was snoring so loudly that he woke me up. I had to tell him to be quiet before i could fall back to sleep. So funny. Like my dad. Cos that's exactly what happened during our Turkey trip. Like father like dog. hahahahahhaa. i'm so funny.

ok, gotta sleep.

When u don't know what to say

Just tell me. Everything's going to be ok.

I'm a sucker like that.




I love this phrase so much i think i'm going to print a tee shirt.

And it's true. Everything's gonna be ok.

recognise that everyday won't be sunny
and when u find urself lost in the darkness of despair
remember it's only in the black of night
you see the stars
and those stars will lead u back home

so don't be afraid to make mistakes
stumble, fall
cos most of the time
the greatest rewards come from doing the things
that scare you the most

maybe u won't get everything u wish for
maybe u'll get more than you ever could have imagined.


-Coach Whitey, One Tree Hill Season 3 Ep 15.

I'm starting to get the feeling that things are working out again. A bit closer to reality now. Thanks Dad. Ya the best. really.