Happy Birthday to Grace!!!

Happy Birthday Grace gal~!!!

It's a gals' affair... =P

photo-whoring in the middle if the train station~! haha..

To my love, Mark...

Thank you for not brushing my anxieties aside, empty though they may seem to be…

Thank you for understanding that I have my insecurities, as inexplicable as it may seem…

Thank you for spending that little bit more time to reassure me, to soothe my soul…

Thank you for making my heart feel whole again…

I love you…

Parents and us...

Had a little discussion with Mark yesterday, and I came to realize something…

We as children, from the time we could think, are so influenced, so ingrained in us by the behavior of our parents, that we have expectations of our partner. Both in terms of behavior to our partner, and also what is perceived as the ‘right’ thing in the partnership. That in itself is already a potentially contentious issue.

The very fact that it is so ingrained in us, causes another issue. We often don’t share them outright with our partners. Most of the time – we don’t even realize we have those perceptions and viewpoints.

Views about independence, expectations of the other party when things happen, expectations of the commitment to the relationship itself, expectations of the trust & commitment, views about simplest day-to-day living essentials…

Hmmm....

EZ Link easy?? No way....

Saw this on PJ's blog - and decided to spread the word... Reproduced below:

Out of curiosity, I called the Translink enquiry line 1800-225-5663 it
seems the undermentioned fact is absolutely true. They charge one full fare + 63cents for second deduction if flashed at the front entrance door, but willing to refund if complaint is lodged at the above tele' number within 5 working days, regretably who is so free to go through the process, so it's better to avoid such a catch. Maybe we should let more people be aware of the above misleading above transaction...

Helpful tips for those use EZ Link card.

To those who always use ez card. Like to bring to your attention on local bus service provider.

Normally, when you board the bus, you flash your ezlink card and move in and when you get down the bus, you flash your card again at the exit door (located at the middle of the bus). We all know that if we forget to flash the card, full fare will be deducted from the card. Below is something not known to public:-

If you alight from the front door (the entrance) and you flash your card while exiting without informing the bus driver, the card will capture another entrance fare instead of exit fare thus meaning that two full fares will be deducted from the card as no exit was being captured for the two entrances.

For example, you board a crowded bus at Pasir Ris (where it terminates at Jurong East) and decided to get down ten stops later. If you flash your card at the front door without informing the bus-driver, a second entrance fare will be captured instead of exit fare thu s you are paying for two full fares ( 2 X $ 1.90! = $ 3.8 0 ) instead of one fare (approximately $0.83).

This is a useful info. Here's the solution:-

Go to the "big" machine (ie machine for U to top up the card) located at the MRT stations.

1) Insert your EZ link card

2) Press the function key "Check card"

3) Press "more"

The above function will show U the last 20 transactions. Information on the fare deducted, bus no, boarding time and the boarding and alighting point will be reflected on the screen.

Hope the above information is useful to U. Please pass this email to people you know so that they will not pay extra charges for nothing and burn a big hole in their pockets!

Last but not least, call the hotline line: 1800 767 4333 when the
incorrect fares are deducted.

Remembering...

Remembered something Kai once said before, and which I agree – is that Cath is a great partner… (read his post here~) “Why not” instead of “Why” – what a big difference in motivation it makes…

=)
Why not give it a try~!

R&R...

Haha.. Someone’s complainin I’m not updating my blog.. =P Well, been just lazy these few days.. it’s term break, and regardless of how the deadlines are rushing up, let’s at least have a few days of rest… =)

Ta da~! Presenting... My days of play!!!

21st, Friday
Checked out New Asia Bar (click here) for the first time – the view is gorgeous!!! Happening place from what I see, though the crowd is generally older.. Nice music~ =) And for a nice chill out joint for chats & enjoying the scenery -> check out the CitySpace (more here) which is also at the 70th storey of the Swissotel Stamford. It's really nice, great atmosphere. Be prepared for the prices of the drinks though... =P

Thanks Chloe dear, for introducing me to such a nice place.. Hugz!!!

22nd, Saturday
Whiled the afternoon away first at home, then accompanying Jean to shop at Bugis for essentials. And night's for jalan-ing!!! Hee..

Our annual 'pilgrimage' to Geylang Serai for the rich, sinfully yummy food.. hahaha.. Pity Grace, Val & the rest wasn't able to come this time.. Nvm, we'll make up for it on Saturday, ok! Everybody muz make it!!! =D

B'day Pressies...

eh hem.... *knocks on the 'table' for attention*

I've been told to announce on my blog what i want for my pressie this year.. Hee.. A bit paiseh, but i figure she is right.. haha..

Ok, most of u know i've been learning blading from my posts - and i've been wanting to get one for some time le.. So, my dear Jean has kindly offered to be the coordinator.. Uhm.. If anyone is interested to chip in, contact her k? Msg me for her contacts.. Or drop a note on my chatbox, she'll contact u.. =p

Mid Autumn woes??

Mid Autumn festival is here again.. And as with any traditional Chinese festivities, it comes with a load of ‘to-do’s and ‘not-to-do’s.. And it’s all fraught with trigger-traps, a misstep, and it may all just blow up in your face… After these years & seeing many frens’ and (eh hmm.. fren’s sister’s etc…) experience, here is my list of the difficulties to expect:

The first hurdle – to buy or not to buy… We’ll usually be worrying whether we are at that stage that it is acceptable to do these stuff for your other half’s family. Would he or she feel that we are trying to make a statement by doing all these? We would fear that might pressurize he or she into thinking that we are pushing for a deeper commitment. The best thing to do? Talk about it. Just ask, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the answer… =)

The second hurdle – buying the mooncakes. Guessing what your other half’s parents may like and fearing they may not like what you bought.. No help there when your other half tells you they don’t know.. =P When in doubt, choose a well-known brand, and safe traditional flavors.

The third hurdle – getting your other half to do the same… And their idea of acceptable could be (and IS usually) wildly different from what your parents expect. Common situations include
1. the other party does not see the need to buy mooncakes for your family,
2. giving (and I don’t mean buying) really obviously cheap mooncakes, or
3. being stingy and splitting a box of mooncakes between his & her family, but giving that 2 pieces of mooncakes in a 4pcs box… (oh, don’t laugh, really got people like that ok!)
The average girl would be using the ‘nag’ tactic or ‘tantrum’ tactic to get the guy to do what is necessary, and I would guess that would cause some strain in the relationship. I dunno, worst case scenario – I would suggest buying a box yourself for your family.. A little white lie in the best interests of peace… =P

The fourth hurdle – ‘delivering’ the mooncakes… Welcome to a potential “Meet the Fockers” situation… Just kidding, nothing that bad really.. =D haha.. We’ll usually be worrying that the conversation will be stilted, dwindling into nothing, and for some – turning into a interrogation session. Overactive imaginations will usually supply scenarios that The Parents will take an immediate dislike to you etc… From my personal experience, it really helps when you have inside help – i.e. siblings who’ll tell you what your parents are thinking, what’s a good conversation topic etc…

Oh, and remember, help goes both ways, all right! Hee.. All right, enough of my ramblings on this topic.. Gonna go sleep le.. Zzzz…..


**and oh, a disclaimer, pls do not automatically apply all of the above to Mark.. Not about him, okie, Mark has no problem with all these.. ^^…

Lovely Mooncakes ^^

Another innovation this year - mousse mooncakes from Crystal Jade; from my sister & brother-in-law to my mum.. =)
Very yummy Snowskin White Chocolate Champagne Truffle mooncakes from Raffles Town Club.. ooo.. i love the melty centre! ^^

15 Sep 2007… Super Big Group, Super Great Fun!

Well well, let’s see, today has been a really really happening day.. Here’s the itinerary:

12pm – met SY for lunch & shopping

3.30pm – plus Jean, my kor & Lijun to buy the green tea mooncake from Xin Restaurant which i got last year too... Hehe, it's good de lor - even SY, who had no intention to buy, got a box too! =D

6.30pm - meet Mark, Eilliot & CK along with Jean & SY for dinner.. Presenting Astons Specialties!!! Check it out here... It's a great place, yummilicious food & great prices... (heh.. can't show u photos of what we had - cos we ate it all up before we even thought about it, haha.... That's how good the food is.)

9pm - whole gang plus Mark's colleagues @ Ben & Jerry's.. Omg, this is the first time i was at B&J with such a huge group - there were 14 of us altogether.. haha.. well, we gotta split 2 tables, can't be helped.. =) Then some funny fella, brought up the topic of ghosts.. Arhhh... can't sleep le la, jia lat! @_@

Heh.. not bad ba, still have 3 Buddhas watching over the car leh.. =P haha..

12am - 10 of us went over to Cine to catch a movie. Ended up watching The Invasion (oh, trust me, of the choices we had, this was the lesser of the evils.. Some wanted 1408 lor! If i watch that, i thnk i will have to make Mark stay up w me all night on the phone sia..) The show was okay, not too bad i guess, though my 2 ladies were so darn amused BY me - cos i got a bit freaked out at some parts.. :'(

<<Oh, Chloe dear, i think u might want to reconsider watching this show, cos i think by your standards, it's rather tame - hee...>>

Zzz... need a long long sleep after this hectic, exciting, tiring, active day.. haha..

14 Sep 2007..Yummy Food day... ^^

Lunch w Shuwen @ Ichiban Sushi after class today… ^^ Turns out this year, i see her more than my own Mkt frens, hee.. Cos we have 8 hrs of class together, while my Mkt module is only 4 hrs.. Haha..

Went for dinner @ Secret Garden on a whim with Mark.. and it turned out to be one of the more expensive whims I’ve had.. =( Great ambience, but bad service (and i wasn't being picky yet…)

To make up for the not quite great dinner, we decided to go for desserts at Menotti… ^^


Me and my tiramisu! Yummy!!!

And the Turino: Melted dark Italian chocolate with a touch of hazelnut taste in a cup, while the steamed milk comes separate in a little jar. Pour the milk and mix to taste. Wonderful!! (neh! It’s way better than Milo~! =P haha..)

13 Sep 2007- Very happy day!!

Why is today such a happy day? Cos I got to meet up with Chloe!!!

Seriously, though the program kept changing for the day, everything worked out really well, don’t u think so, gal? =D We got our private time to chat without everyone else.. We got to enjoy a great dinner, and really fun people to spend our time with~ hee..

I’ve really missed chatting with you, miss the days at Elements.. =)

The Mundane is Heroic

“We have to be able to give each other the freedom to be able to develop our own talents. To not stand in each other’s way, but to stand with each other, helping if we can, watching if we can’t.” - David Niven

Shopping~ yay!!

9th September

Saw this really funny notebook, and decided to take a photo of it.. hee....

Finally had the chance to meet up with Jean for a bit of catch up & shopping!


Yummy小龙包 &豆沙煎饼！
And I got this beautiful pair of shorts!! Best part of it – it was on sale! Haha…
I luve Waffles!!! Ain’t he cute!!! ^^

Botak Jones!!

7th September

My first dining experience at Botak Jones!!! Hee.. The serving is huge!!! I ordered the fish & chips, and it came with a mountain of chips and coleslaw. Humongous! I think I eat machiam never eat! Hahaha..


Mark ordered the Italian sausage, and it came with that mountain of chips, coleslaw + (see this.. oh my goodness..) raw onions!!! =D

Hahaha.. Eating fried stuff just 3 days after surgery, yea, i know.. But doc never say cannot ah - only say no spicy stuff, too hot or too cold! =P

la la la la la...

The reason I have not been posting recently….

4th September

A long-delayed trip to the dentist’s… -_-"


I love you, dar – Thank you for being there… Hugz!!!

Foodie!

I love my avocado from Mr Avocado @ Queensway!!!! =D

Dar ordered this beef stew thingy and I seriously suspect that the auntie is trying to kill someone with her fire… Fire hazard!! Someone bring a fire extinguisher! :p

Lucky or Unlucky?? 27th Aug...

I cannot believe how lucky I was.. Dar was thinking that he won’t drive that day, but as we were running a little late, he decided to drive. When we had gotten to our destination – even put the parking coupon already – my shoe fell apart!!!!! OMG….. He sent me home to get a new pair of shoes. Thank goodness he chose to drive that day… If not heaven only knows what i'll have to do... -_-"

Dar's Birthday Celeb... 7th Aug

Celebrating dar's birthday with his colleagues... ^^

Packing like mad... ^^

Haven't had the time to post this for the longest time... What i was packing those 2 days in SAL before the Car Rally...